NAWWWWW Forecasts A Wet And Snowy Winter
POINTS EAST | By Ike Adams
Last Saturday morning, after spending Friday eve scouring through the classifieds of several central Kentucky papers, Loretta and I waded out into the heavy dew, intent on following the map we had studiously drawn that gave us a stop-by-stop and the easiest way to get there for every yard sale in ten counties.
And about the time we were hopping aboard her Suzuki SUV, I heard this mewing sound from the driver’s side of the car. It was my wife.
“Awwwwwww Honey come and look at this” she cajoled.
Instead of a dropped -off kitten, perched there on the toe of her walking shoe, I saw the President of the National Association of Wooly Worm Winter Weather Watchers (NAWWWWW) and he seemed peeved.
For those of you who know no better, I am the duly appointed human elected and charged with the responsibility to verbalize, in human tongue, the winter weather forecast which is reached by consensus among my furry friends at NAWWWWW.
The prez, whose name is Phred, was obviously anxious to speak with me so I put the index finger of my right hand down on Lo’s foot and he crawled up on my hand to explain that, because of all the rain over the last few weeks, NAWWWWW would have no prediction convention this year. Wooly worms don’t swim but they do float and most of the ones scheduled to convene are now on old driftwood and empty jugs floating down the rivers toward New Orleans.
Phred had, however, heard that Loretta and I were going to be out and about, making frequent stops, and he wondered if I would mind polling the Members of NAWWWWW that I might encounter in driveways or alongside the streets while Loretta pondered the value of yet another piece of cracked Depression glass.
I was happy to oblige. I had stuck a fairly dull novel in the car, but any novel is better than none while you are waiting on Loretta a yard sale outing. I can case one out in 45 seconds. Lo averages 30 minutes so I need something to do with my spare time.
Interviewing NAWWWWWers proved to be a wonderful solution to what might otherwise have been a very boring day. I will say that I caught many a curious stare throughout the day and more than once I caught old ladies whispering “What on earth is he doing?” into Loretta’s ear.
And when she told them, matter of fact and nonchalantly, that I was talking to Wooly Worms, they’d touch their hands to their mouths and step away. And then when she asked if they’d take a dollar for something priced ten or better, they couldn’t wait to take her cash and hope that we would soon depart the premises. (Lo told me later, that we have to make this interviewing routine.)
And so, as I reported back to Phred at dusk last Saturday, here’s what the membership of NAWWWWW is saying almost to the worm about forthcoming winter weather:
SNOW. And lots of it. Look for the first one around Thanksgiving and count on slush and its related misery from mid December until the end of January here in central and eastern Kentucky. Some reprieve in February but it will still be damp and dreary and we will seldom see the sun. Don’t even think about planting peas on Valentine’s Day.
More snow and freezing rain from March until mid-April with overall precipitation several inches above normal. In other words, if you want to enjoy winter, buy some books and lots of firewood. Or at least some knee-high rubber boots if you plan to be outside.
I’m out of space here and signing off on behalf of NAWWWWW with the normal disclaimer. Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m only telling you what these guys tell me because it is a sworn and solemn duty. In the meantime we’ve moved Phred into our basement where he is cuddled in a box among 12 jars of kraut.
Contact me by email: ikeadams@aol.com
Garrard County Chamber Of Commerce
A Letter From The President
By Tom Hobbs
What a week for the Chamber of Commerce in Garrard County.
On Wednesday, Sep. 30, we joined owner Ronnie Brown and the staff of Central Kentucky Sheet Metal for a Ribbon Cutting at their beautiful facility on Cartersville Road. On Thursday we hosted a hugely successful Farm-City Banquet (more on this in a moment). And this past weekend, Chamber member Napier Brothers Clothing celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a special sale and live radio broadcast on 100.7 FM, The Coyote's Solid Country Gold all-request show.
All three events went well and we congratulate Central Kentucky Sheet Metal and Napier Brothers Clothing for their successes. Keep up the great work.
Now a few comments on the Farm-City Banquet. First of all, special thanks go to Billy Pendleton and R.J. Corman for their roles in getting Coach John Calipari to Garrard County. Their willingness to pull others up the ladder led to an unbelievable event for the community and one that will not soon be forgotten.
Special thanks also go to Chamber Vice-President and Event Director Kristi Short for organizing and directing the Farm-City Banquet. Kristi spent hundreds of hours planning, communicating and coordinating with the numerous parties involved in the event and I encourage everyone to give her a word of thanks as you see her in the community in the coming days and weeks. She certainly deserves it.
Our Events Committee and the remainder of the Chamber board also deserve thanks. I'm so blessed to work with such talented people who care so passionately about the growth and prosperity of Garrard County. Great job everyone.
A special section of this week's Central Record is devoted to thanking our sponsors, individuals and groups of private citizens and public servants who had a hand in the successful completion of this year's Farm-City Banquet. I will not re-list all of them here but will collectively thank everyone involved with this event for a job well-done.
The event has already garnered much attention to the great things happening here and I assure you that the Chamber will continue its efforts to promote business, economic development and pride in Garrard County as we move forward.
The teamwork that Coach Calipari mentioned in regards to his own team is certainly evident here and a big reason for our successes. We must keep it up across all levels of local government, private business and among our community organizations.
The Garrard Chamber still has much to do. As I mentioned on Thursday night, it's our goal to become a central information station for our citizens and visitors. I encourage everyone to drop by our new office location in Lancaster City Hall.
New Administrative Assistant Amy Cloud is off to a phenomenal start and will be in the office Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We have a new Welcome Bag Program for new residents and businesses to the area that highlight local services, our Chamber members and other pertinent information. And we continue to revamp and revitalize the Chamber website and social media tools as a means to stay connected to the community.
As this month rolls along, please keep an eye out for a number of ribbon cuttings for new businesses, new members and businesses opening new facilities.
If you or someone you know would like to join the Chamber, please contact us at 859-792-2282, garrardchamber@gmail.com or visit us on the web at www.garrardchamber.com.
Again thanks to everyone for their support for this past week's events and throughout the year. Keep up the good work and please keep sharing information and ways that we can have a greater positive impact on the growth and vitality of Garrard County.
EDITORIAL COLUMN
Instant Gratification
By Pattie Cox
pcox@garrardcentralrecord.com
Isn’t it amazing how far society has gone in a relatively short period of time. I’m not all that old but still old enough to remember that what I did have in the way of material possessions, I earned the money to purchase, other than my basic needs which were provided by my parents. Although we were not rich by any sense of the word, we were not poor.
Still they taught me that happiness would come more readily in the knowledge of a job well done as opposed to giving me everything I selfishly desired. What I learned and now appreciate is how to fend for myself and not to expect to be taken care of. In other words, no one owes me anything; not for anything I did or didn’t do in the past nor for anything I will do or not do in the future.
I said all that to bring you to a discussion among Lancaster City Council members on Monday night that created yet another marathon meeting, sending those in attendance home about 10 p.m. (if they were willing to stay that long). My take from that discussion is what has brought me to the conclusion that today’s society, at least in America, at least in Lancaster, Kentucky, has given in to the instant gratification lie; that we are owed things “just because” and that everything should revolve around “me”.
Members loudly voiced their concern over the city’s hiring of an engineering firm they feel is not handling its current project, phase two of the water-line upgrade, in an acceptable manner.
Bell Engineering, Lexington, oversees the job that they contracted to Ford Brothers for the actual work. But with delays, rain, changes in permits due to new state requirements and other unforeseeable stoppages, citizens have complained to their council representatives. In turn council members have called upon Mayor Don Rinthen to rectify the problems. Although he has given explanation upon explanation as to why things are not progressing at the speed residents expect, the explanations just aren’t good enough.
Don’t get me wrong. It is their job to deal with the requests and complaints of their constituents. It is their job to consider whether or not a company they have hired is performing at a level they and their constituents can live with. It is their job to call the mayor’s motives into question in every instance.
I’m not blaming the council members. They are doing a fine job in that respect which is partly evidenced by the meetings that go on for hours on end taking them away from other obligations. “Right is right and wrong is wrong,” Councilperson Brenda Powers said while adamantly pursuing her desire to question both engineering firms about their qualifications.
However I am blaming that “you owe me what I want right now attitude” that many have expressed to them.
We want water, perfectly sanitary (even in our toilets), flowing at just the right temperature for the moment and at the proper pressure. We don’t want that “right” interrupted for any reason or at any time. Yet on the other hand we are unwilling to put up with a few months of broken roads in order to bring Lancaster’s water lines into the 21st century.
I find the attitude disconcerting. It is prevalent in our society so much so that we believe we are entitled to just about everything without putting forth any personal effort.
I heard a speaker somewhere many years ago explain that the real joy and excitement in things hoped for lies in delaying gratification. Once it is gained, the gratification is gone and we’re off to bigger and better expectations. It stuck with me.
I think we ought to slow down, take a deep breath and be just a little more patient with our local government as it attempts to bring this community into a more prosperous environment.
Take a look around, quit complaining, get involved and become a part of a growing community whose limit is only the people who occupy it.
A Stand For The Band
It’s time to say hat’s off
To the Golden Lions Marching Band
For the present and years past
Every young lady and young man.
I used to complain about the noise
But then I came to realize
When young folks are working hard
No one should ever criticize.
I see them out there every day
No matter what the weather
All of them working hard
And striving to get better.
Sometimes the sun’s so hot
You’d think their lips would parch
But they just keep on keeping on
With their music as they march.
They go over and over everything
Trying to make it perfect and complete
And that is why they do so well
Everywhere that they compete.
Each member has a job to do
Nobody’s along just for the ride
They go about what there is to do
With what I’d call Lion’s Pride.
It must be something hard
To keep a positive attitude
When all that you accomplish
Doesn’t get must gratitude.
But I want you all to know
That you can proudly stand
And say I may not play sports
But I’m a member of the band.
You represent your school and county
In a very positive way
You deserve thanks for that
Let me be the first to say.
For members now and those to come
I’d be honored if you would place
These words of encouragement for them
Somewhere in your trophy case.
Jimmy Naylor
Thanks Lancaster/Garrard Co.
Dear Editor,
Kim and I would like to thank everyone for their support of the Battle of Lancaster this weekend. We had a good turnout considering all of the competition.
It was great to see magistrates Ronnie Lane and Doan Atkison. You can tell they care about the county and all its people.
We would also like to say thank you to the local governments for their financial gifts. Ninety-five percent of all the funds were spent in Garrard County.
To our caterer Jeanette Aldridge, many thanks to you. The statement, "This is the best food we have ever had at the reenactment was made be many re-enactors."
Also a thank you must be said to all of the re-enactors. Without these folks we could not have done the event. We will be back next year at the same location and plan to make a bigger and better event.
If you are interested in helping with planning next year’s event please get in touch with me or my wife.
Again thanks to everyone who helped put this event on. We are humbled and grateful. If I have missed anyone I am sorry.
Byron and Kim Teater, Anthony Harness, Wayne "Tiny" Scott,
The Battle of Lancaster Committee
U.S. Senate Candidate To Speak In Lancaster
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul will speak at noon on Saturday, October 17, in front of the Garrard Courthouse. The public is invited to attend.
“Kentuckians need someone in Washington D.C. to stand against big business bailouts and for balanced budgets and term limits,” Paul said. “That’s why I’m running for the U.S. Senate and that’s part of the message I’ll bring to Garrard County.”
Paul supports market solutions to health care reform rather than a government takeover. He is against abortion and opposes Obama’s proposed Energy Tax. For more information about Rand Paul’s Senate campaign, please go to www.randpaul2010.com or call his campaign manager David Adams at 859-537-5372.