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Volume 9 • Number 9
“Ridgetop Rainbow”
Re-Discover Cabins of Birch Hollow Near the Amazing Red River Gorge
Southern Comfort Deluxe Cabin
Call Dale to Book a Cabin Today! 606-663-0005
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March 2015
See a gallery of pictures of all 10 cabins at www.cabinsofbirchhollow.com
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From the Editor ...
From the keyboard of Pam Hedge
A Month to Remember .... Well, what can I say about this past month? It was awful? Well, yes at times it was pretty darned awful. We had a big snow storm, then freezing weather, then flooding rains, followed by another monster snowstorm. And the flooding is still going on today.
too. Spring is just around the corner, right? I tell Dave this and he tells me, “I remember snows on April 1st before”. Of course, I told him to hush. I’m very ready for spring, as I’m sure all of you are too.
As I sit and type up this column, we are yet again in a water conservation state in Estill County. It may be several days before we get it back again. We lost it here at the farm for four days during the big storm at the end of February and I never did realize how much we would miss water. Thankfully, there was that snow on the ground so I spent almost five whole days melting snow for all the critters here at the farm.
We didn’t get many submissions this month since everything has been shut down. So, I hope you’ll enjoy what we’ve included in the magazine this month. I had to resort to using a few more of my pictures than I like, but we’ll work on getting some great ones for our April edition. Flowers, green grass, that type of stuff!
I think I would rather go without power than water. But, we’re old-hat at this now, so the next few days shouldn’t be too bad. The roads are simply falling apart in spots too. Highway 52 out of Beattyville is closed indefinitely due to the road falling in. And I saw how much the Ohio River was flooding in the Louisville area earlier today and they’ve got their problems
••••••
•••••• The radio show seems to be going okay. They haven’t fired me yet at least.You’ll have to give us a listen sometime. The Dave and Pam Variety Show is on WSKV 104.9FM each Friday from 3pm to 6pm. We play a mixture of music - music we grew up listening to.You might hear some bluegrass, some rock and roll and even a few gospel tunes too. The number is 606717-0300. We always welcome your requests. And bear
Since 2006
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H March 2015 H Visit Us Online at www.ATCKY.com
Our Cover
Yes, your editor took this picture of the ice covered pampas grass at our farm. The weather was frightful, but it sure made for some beautiful pictures. Bring on Spring, right?
with us as the Dave person gets me more acclimated to radio! •••••• I’m headed to Nashville again at the end of March. It just so happens that a Plexus convention is going on in the area, so I’ll just use that excuse to visit with my MaMichele down at the Opry. I love going backstage and am excited to see Kathy Mattea this time. I’m also excited to learn more about my Plexus business. I’m telling you, I love this little pink drink. I’ve got more energy, my mind is more focused and I don’t wake up with that brain fog each morning. I won’t even brag on how many pounds I’ve taken off. But, yes, I’m pretty proud of myself. Plexus isn’t just for losing weight - they also carry a pro-biotics line and vitamins. If you want to know more about it, just shoot me an email and I’ll fill you in. pam@ atcky.com. •••••• Another birthday down for me - and one approaching for the Dave Person.Yes, he’s my April Fool’s birthday boy. Happy Birthday Dave. I hope you have an awesome birthday this year - and every year from here on out. ••••• I look forward to seeing you all out and about this month since Spring is almost here. We’ve all been cooped up much too long.
Blessings .... The Pam Person
ALL THINGS COUNTRY, INC. Published Monthly at the AlpacaBerry Farm in Palmer, KY.
Pam S. Hedge & Clayton C. Hedge • Owners •
60 Thornburg Bend, Irvine, KY 40336 606.723.0478 | office • 606.643.5048 | cell 606.723.8736 | fax Email: pam@atcky.com
On the web: www.atcky.com PRINTED AT YOUNG’s PUBLISHING. Dayton, Ohio
All Things Country is a specialty magazine published monthly and is registered as a business trade name in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This magazine is furnished FREE to customers at businesses in over t wenty Kentucky counties. Subscriptions are available. Send $30.00 for one year of home delivery to address listed below. Articles published in this magazine which are contributed from an outside source express the opinions of their authors only and may not express the viewpoint(s) of the management or staff of All Things Country. Such articles that are accepted for publication herein may be edited at the sole discretion of the publisher. Responsibility for products advertised in this magazine lies with the advertisers themselves. Though All Things Country will not knowingly publish fraudulent materials or fraudulently obtained materials, we are not liable for any damages arising from the purchase or use of products advertised herein. Copyright © 2006-2014 All Things Country Magazine 60 Thornburg Bend Irvine, KY 40336.
Volume 9 • Number 9
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March 2015
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Memories from our Readers .... Favorite Winter Memories ….. My favorite winter memory is when we had a snowfall, enough to go sleigh riding. My family would build a bonfire and go out at night with a full moon and sleigh ride sometimes till midnight. Also my dad would make snow cream after a new fallen snow. It was so good. Still enjoy the magazine. Jennifer Wolfe, Paris I have great memories of December, a very cold December. My wedding day in 1951, 63 years ago. Our first night was spent with mom and dad and a large part of our family. It was so cold we had two fires going, we kept the one in the kitchen going loading it up a half dozen times. Frank Puckett, Winchester One of my favorite winter memories is when I was young and we got a big snow in 1993 and our whole family spent time building things in the snow. We made a dragon and Barney and at the end of the day had hot cocoa and fresh made snow cream. Melvia Means, Clay City
Favorite Spring Memories ….. My favorite spring memory was last year when I wore my new rain boots and jumped in some puddles Elizabeth Scott, Jeffersonville My favorite spring memory is when I went hunting in the Spring Hunting season and killed my first turkey last year. Ashley King, Jeffersonville My favorite spring moment is when all the trees, especially the dogwood trees, start showing their beautiful leaf colors and the birds begin chirping and the little animals come out to play with each other. Patsy Smith, Clay City My favorite spring memory was always the same every year growing up. The air smelling fresh, the warm sun in your face, sitting on the creek bank waiting for the fish to bite. Mr. Charles Harrison, Berea My favorite spring memory is bringing my grandson home from Florida after he graduated from welding school at Tulsa Welding in Jacksonville, Florida. Glenna McIntosh, Beattyville My favorite spring memory is when I got my first puppy. She came to my house one spring day and my Dad and I fell in love with her and kept her ever since. We named her Lady. Lady and I played every day. She was so energetic and never left my side. She was the ultimate companion. I loved getting to spend every day with she. She made my spring and every other time of year the absolute best. Dogs truly are a person’s best friend! Shelby Rogers, Clay City My favorite spring memory is working outside in the yard and garden. Anna Girod, Means, KY My favorite thing about spring is hiking.
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March 2015
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Pamela Jones, Irvine
My best spring-time memory is working in the yard with my dad, getting ready to plant the summertime garden. Carol Parrish, Winchester My favorite spring memories are of Easter - from when I was a child, to when my own children were little; to my grandchildren now. It’s just not spring until Easter arrives. Millie Richardson, Irvine Our favorite spring memory is when our family walked to Natural Bridge. We spent quality time together enjoying the scenery and looking at all the good things God made. When we walked down the hill, we had a picnic by the creek. Levaron Dixon, Irvine My favorite spring memory … when my daughter came home from the hospital after a double lung transplant. Irene Thorpe, Beattyville My favorite thing about spring is watching for my crocus pepping out, and seeing the red birds. Keep up the good work. Elizabeth Manns, Means, KY My favorite spring memory was every year whenever I was a little girl my mom would begin to plant flowers in our flower beds. She would always allow my sister and me to pick out our favorite flower and plant it whoever we wanted. Deana Rogers, Stanton One of my spring time memories is turning the ground for the garden and getting close to planting the garden. We always plant a fairly big garden saying the whole family eats from it. We call it the community garden. Everyone pitches in some time or another to help but my mother and father-in-law and I do most of it, it seems anyway. All in all we are very blessed to have plenty. Leslie Harens, Ezel, KY This is the first paw print I’ve ever found, it’s great I found it at DisneyWorld! About 1968 we had a 4-5 inch snow on Easter. We hunted Easter eggs and went sleigh riding the same day, we had a great time. Linda Grace, Irvine One of my favorite things to do in spring is to drive through the Red River Gorge with my car top down and smell all the trees and flowers that are in bloom. There’s nothing better than good fresh Kentucky air. Dianne T. Brewer, Campton My favorite spring memory - trees and flowers blooming. Joe Estes, Ravenna My favorite spring memory is my granddaughter’s birth. I always look at spring as being a fresh new beginning and when my granddaughter was born it just made all that make even more sense. I love your magazine and read it every month. Thank you and best of luck, Regina Whitehurst, Stanton My favorite spring memory is spotting the first hummingbird of the season. We have at least three that show up each season at our house. Barbara P. Ohlmann, Winchester
Memories
My favorite spring memory was my wedding day. Melissa Lovin, Irvine My favorite season is spring, when you can get out with your family. Go to parks and hiking and do all the fun things outdoors. Anything you can do with your family that is fun, what is what I am up for. The flowers blooming and the grass getting green. We went to Natural Bridge last spring, it was nice. Me and my children love the outdoors. Rhonda Harvey, McKee My favorite spring memory is of my granddaughter helping me plant flowers and her excitement watching things grow. She lives in Michigan now so I’m glad I have good memories of the times we had together. Judith Puckett, Stanton My favorite memory of springs are when I was a little girl growing up on Ticky Fork. That’s when my mama and papa Black and Edna Henry was still alive. Papa and I would get outside and just take walks in the woods, and we would work around the yard. I was always a Papa’s little girl, I tagged right along behind him. We would plant things and dig up other stuff and mow, just whatever Pa seen that needed to be done. Then Mama would holler, Black head, yawl come on dinner’s ready. I just miss those days. I miss my Papa and my Mama, sitting on the porch swings in the spring and just telling all kinds of old tales that old folks used to tell. Sue Wise, Irvine Early last spring I packed my car full of belongings and moved from Knoxville, Tennessee to Jellico, Tennessee to live and work on an organic farm. I wanted to get away from the city for the summer and learn all I could about growing vegetables and farming. I was excited to meet new people, but never expected to meet my soul mate! The first day I arrived, I was getting a tour of the farm when I met Tony as he came hiking out of the woods with an onion bag full of hen of the woods mushrooms. We hit it off immediately and spent the next six months getting to know each other. I worked in the gardens on the farm and he had a construction job. We would
spend our time off from work going on adventures together. We explored the mountains and towns around Elk Valley, where we lived. The end of the season was near and we started brainstorming about what was next for us. One weekend we visited some of his friends in Berea and heard about land for sale on Red Lick Road. We looked into it the following day and spent the next month preparing for our move. We now own our own land which we are working hard to clean up and prepare for this spring. We plan to have a big garden full of veggies. Tony is working hard to build us a house. We are currently living in a 16x8 room that he built with a wood burning stove, bed and table. He calls it our “honeymooner cabin” as he works hard to finish the addition. I have been working at Irvine Nursing and Rehab for about a month now. I’ve met some sweet people and have heard a lot of great country stories. It is amazing to think back on my idea last winter to move to a farm in Tennessee and that within a year I am now settling into my new home in Irvine, Kentucky. Kari Major, Irvine [Editor’s Note: Welcome to Estill County Kari and Tony!] My favorite spring memory was a couple of years ago when me and my husband took our two oldest grandkids on their first fishing trip to Lake Reba. Our grandson was four at the time. He caught a little bluegill and you would have thought he had caught a shark. He was so excited. That really put a smile on our faces and a memory in our hearts forever. Becky Baker, Irvine My name is Clara Perry an I live in Stanton. My hometown is Booneville. My favorite memories of spring is when I was a young girl, I would go behind the plow when my dad was plowing and walk in the fresh plowed dirt barefooted. The ground felt so good on my bare feet. Dad always plowed the ground to plant potatoes in March. Thank you. Clara Perry, Stanton My favorite spring memory is hearing the little frogs croak and the fresh tilled ground for planting a garden. Connie Lumpkins, West Liberty One of my favorite spring memories is taking the grandchildren hunting mushrooms. My Abby’s birthday is in April just when mushrooms are coming up. They love to find them and eat them. Bonnie Havens, Ezel
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. - Thomas A. Edison
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The barn really stands out against the white snow at the AlpacaBerry Farm, in the Palmer area of Estill County.
Irvine • Richmond • Berea • London Visit Us Online at www.MyCGB.com
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March 2015
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Marty Stevens & Don McBrayer Invite You To The
POPPY MOUNTAIN BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Join Us For Our
23rd YEAR OF BLUEGRASS MUSIC!
September 15-19, 2015
On Beautiful Poppy Mountain in Morehead, KY LINE-UP ANNOUNCED SOON!
! ! r a e Y s i h T w Ne e!!
Befor d n e k e e W e h t ic s Mu
enandoah h S l a in g ri O e th d Marty Raybon an oppy Mountain Stage will be on the P & Olive Hill’s 2 1 r e b m te p e S t, Saturday Nigh both nights! rm o rf e p l il w n o lt own George Mo For advance tickets to any of our shows send check or money order, or for additional information, call or write with a self-addressed envelope to: Poppy Mountain, 3715 US 60 East, Morehead, KY 40351 1-606-784-2277 poppymtn@yahoo.com
Past artists who have performed on the famous Poppy Mountain Stage ..... Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, The Roys, Adkins & Loudermilk, Dale Ann Bradley, Larry Sparks, Larry Cordle, Mountain Melody, Black Powder Express, The Velvet Blue, Poaceous, Marty Raybon, SteelDrivers, Judge Talford Band, Hazel Holler Girls 2015 PRICES:
120.00 Weekly before 9-1-15 • 130.00 Weekly after 9-1-15 2015 DAILY TICKET PRICES: Tuesday, 20.00 - Wednesday, 20.00 - Thursday, 30.00 Friday, 40.00 - Saturday, 50.00 Camping September 1-19 is 200.00 20.00 a day after 9-15-15 Bands and Prices Subject to change
PoppyMountainBluegrass.com - OR - facebook.com/PoppyMountainBluegrass www.atcky.com March 2015 7
The Best Readers! Since February was such a tough month on all of the area businesses that do their best to advertise every month, we put the call out on Facebook asking our readers to donate to our printing for the month. It could be as little as a dollar. We sincerely appreciate the following readers who read our plea and helped with this magazine. Please thank them if you see them. We certainly appreciate each and every one of you.
Shirley Lowe, Clay City Marcy Staymates Mitchell, Wellington Beverly Brown, Lynnwood, WA Wayne Harrison, Irvine Readers from Cane Creek, Stanton Sandra Wilds, Irvine
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Tropical Tans Has New Owners By Dave Severson
T
ropical Tans, located at 19 Washington Street in Stanton opened under new ownership this past November. The tanning business is now owned and operated by Chris, Sonya and Ashley King of Stanton. Sonya had been a long time tanner at Tropical Tans under the former owners and says she always loved to visit the business. In the back of her head, she had always wanted to own it. Says Sonya, “When I got that call, informing me it was for sale, I said YES!” The business formally opened on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 after she enlisted the help of her family to get everything ready. Sonya wanted to learn more about the tanning industry, so she and her brother, Jim Dennis, loaded up and went to North Carolina to a Tanning Expo. It was a three day event where they attended seminars on product training, operator training and exhibits. Helping out in the tanning salon are LaDonna Crabtree, Lisa Pelfrey, Erica Rogers and Brianna Elam. They have five lay-down beds and one stand-up bed. All of them have hot, new bulbs. They also carry a large variety of tanning lotions and moisturizers. Tropical Tans is not new to Stanton, they will be celebrating 27 years in business on April 15, 2015.You can find them on Facebook, so like their page and find out when they offer specials. They are open from 10am to 7pm Monday through Friday, 10am to 2pm on Saturdays and Noon to 4pm on Sundays.You can reach them at 606-663-9902.
Chris, Sonya and Ashley King
What our Customers are
Saying!
I only have two words Tans: absolutely wond to describe Tropical tanning at Tropical sin erful! I have been ce it opened in November and it’s been have an awesome tan nothing but great! I on for two months that that I’ve been working to get before I started it took me six months amazing prices, workertanning! They have looking to tan, I highly s and beds; so if you’re at Tropical! You won’t recommend you stop in regret it. Stephanie Knox
Lisa Pelfrey, left and Erica Rogers, right are ready to help you when you visit Tropical Tans in Stanton. Brianna Elam is not pictured.
My little piece of tropic I refer to visiting my ta al paradise ... that’s how a Tropical Tans customnning salon. I have been has the shop been so er for years and never decor and friendly sta imnviting with its beach ff. It’s a truly blissful oasis from the winter co ld! Mel Skidmore www.atcky.com March 2015 9
Recipes From Our Readers Spinach Dip
Uncle Bob’s
Poetry
By Bobby Hedge of Olive Hill, Kentucky
James Chapel Church
From Sandy McKinney of Irvine 1 (10-oz) chopped spinach 1 Knorr vegetable soup mix pack 1 (16-oz) sour cream 8 oz. Hellmann’s Mayonnaise 2 green onions, chopped 1 round loaf Rye Bread or Hawaiian Bread Thaw spinach in microwave and squeeze out the water. Mix all ingredients with the drained spinach. Cover and let it set overnight. When ready to serve, place in hollowed out bread and surround by small pieces of bread.
Yogurt Pie
It was in the early fifties And I was just a little boy. When Sister Dora Burton gave a piece of land. Where a church would be erected For all who would attend. And friends and neighbors all worked hand in hand. The walls were made of cinder block The windows metal framed, At that time it didn’t hadn’t even have a door. When the Spirit moved the people And they stacked boards up on blocks for seats And had church service right
there on that old dirt floor. I recall the dry oak shavings That were scattered here and there As we sat there on a rough oak two by ten. That would soon be used for floor joists For that little church, But they would be used for church pews until then. I sat there beside my mama And we listened to that preacher Sister Burton shouted and Her hands went up in praise. Many of God’s chosen people Have worshiped there together, Since I first learned of Jesus In my childhood days.
From Pam Hedge of Irvine
custom COOPS by CAPT. CLAY
1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust 5 12-oz. containers of Yogurt, any flavor you’d like 16 oz. container Cool Whip Thaw Cool Whip and add to bowl along with containers of flavored yogurt. Mix together well with a spoon. Put into crust and freeze well. Served like a ice cream pie! It’s delicious.
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March 2015
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Stanton, Kentucky
Complete Dentistry of Stanton
Adam D. Stowe D.M.D. 606-663-6021 210 N. Main Street Stanton, KY 40380
completedentistryofstanton @outlook.com
WALK-INS WELCOME! Dee’s BarBer Shop 231 W. College Stanton, KY
RAVENNA
FOOD MART
Open Seven Days A Week! Monday-Friday, 6am-10pm Sat. & Sun., 7am-10pm
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Tire & Lube Center, Inc.
Great Prices on Tires! Visit Us Online!
www.jimmystireandlube.com Wes Miller, Owner 6020 Winchester Rd., Clay City, KY
606-663-9411
Temporary Road Closures in Red March Madness River Gorge
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
- Helen Keller
LOTS OF BIG BLUE DECOR! NEW ITEMS FOR SPRING ! Hours: Mon-Sat, 10-6 BOOTH SPACE AVAILABLE 1011 W. Lexington Ave. • Winchester
859-744-5694
Pork For Sale Whole Hogs Available • Custom Orders Taken
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$ lb. ....................... 4.50 Tenderloin ............... ..................... $4.00 lb. ..... ..... ..... $ ops Ch rk Po .................... 4.00 lb. Pork Patties ............... .................... $3.50 lb. ..... Sausage ............... .................... $2.00 lb. Country Style Ribs .......................... $3.50 lb. Boston Butt Roast..... .................... $3.50 lb. Whole Cured Ham ..... .................... $4.00 lb. Sliced Cured Ham ........................... $3.50 lb. Ham Cutlet............... ...................... $3.50 lb. Ham Steak ............... ................... $4.00 lb. $ lb. Bratwurst .................... ....................... 4.25 Platter Bacon .......... ..................... $3.50 lb. ..... ..... $ Jowl Bacon ..... ................... 3.50 lb. Ground Pork .................................... $4.00 lb. loin der Ten g Hamstrin
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WINCHESTER – The U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed four gravel roads in the Red River Gorge to prevent further road damage and promote visitor safety. “The recent snow, ice and heavy rains have created very poor conditions for dirt and gravel roads,” said Tim Eling, Acting Ranger with the Daniel Boone National Forest. The following roads will be closed to motorized vehicles until further notice - Tunnel Ridge Road, Chimney Top Road, Rock Bridge Road, and Indian Creek Road. “These road surfaces are currently soft and muddy, and vehicle traffic is causing significant road ruts,” added Eling. “There have also been several incidents of vehicles sliding off the road, getting stuck, and even some accidents.” These Forest Service roads are not plowed or treated for snow or ice. Excessive rain and strong winds in the forecast may also lead to trees falling across road. The paved state roads through the Red River Gorge, including Highway 77 and 715, will remain open. All hiking trails remain open but caution is advised.
Monday-Friday 8am4:30pm Saturday 8am-12Noon
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Abby Track Winner....
Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
take time for you
The February 2015 winner of our Abby Track contest is Kari Major of Irvine, Kentucky. Kari found the Abby Track on page four in the top of the DisneyWorld castle. Tricky, weren’t we? Kari wins a one night stay at the Snuggle Inn Cabin at Cabins of Birch Hollow, valued at $150.00. Congratulations. Thanks for all the entries each month. Remember to send in your favorite memory ... this month, send in your favorite memory of your mother. Our May edition will include stories about all of your wonderful mothers.
APRIL EDITION DEADLINE To be included in our April edition, our deadline will be March 30, 2015. Call 606-723-0478 to Advertise Today!
ARE YOU 55 OR OLDER, UNEMPLOYED & NEEDING A JOB? Call EXPERIENCE WORKS for Help! Toll Free at 1-877-820-5939
Theresa Delaware Massage Therapist (home) 606-726-9819 (cell) 803-292-9382
March
Some days, you need a break, and that doesn’t mean lunch. When you truly need to relax, call me & schedule a massage!
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Madness
Serving 59 counties in Kentucky including Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Lee, Leslie, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell, and Wolfe Counties. The Older Worker SpecialistSponsored by the Senior Community Service Employment Program. EOE/AA
Area Church
DIRECTORY Wisemantown United Methodist Church Greg McClellan, Pastor Sunday Service - 11am
Our Door is Open to You 1358 Wisemantown Road • Irvine, Kentucky
True Vine MINISTRIES
Children Welcome!
Sunday School 10am Sunday Worship, 11am Sunday Evening, 6pm
Terry Barnes, Pastor 262 Broadway, Irvine, KY 859-200-4232
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March 2015
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Many In-Store Specials on March 13th & 14th Including Candle & Tart Warmers, Spring Wreaths & Fairy Garden Figurines
Ravenna FloRist & GReenhouse 408 Main St. - Ravenna, Kentucky
606-723-2175 or 1-866-408-3559
www.Ravennakyflowers.com
Forest Service recreation areas close due to flooding
WINCHESTER – The rising water of Cave Run Lake is flooding recreation areas in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Some boat ramps are currently unusable, and some camping areas are under water. These sites are currently closed. “Along with the snow melt, rain is in the forecast for the next several days,” said Acting District Ranger Tim Eling. “As a result, additional recreation areas and some roads could potentially close later this week, depending on the amount of rainfall received. “The ground is so saturated right now that the soil cannot absorb any more water. “Mudslides are another concern. Trees could easily uproot and fall, and large boulders could also break away and slide downhill, especially along steep slopes.”
Estill County Middle & High School Band Program
SPAGHETTI SUPPER
Drivers should use caution and watch for rushing flood waters and debris on roadways. Flood waters can be powerful enough to roll vehicles, destroy bridges and tear out roads. Forest Service roads in the Red River Gorge are closed at this time due to ground saturation. These roads were closed last week to prevent further damage to the road surface and promote public safety. Campers are encouraged to avoid low-lying areas. Creeks and rivers can rise quickly, and water depth can be difficult to determine after daylight hours. “To determine if Forest Service roads or recreation areas are closed due to flooding, visitors are urged to call the office of the district where they wish to visit,” added Eling. Daniel Boone National Forest visitors may call the following offices for more information.
• Cumberland Ranger District (Cave Run Lake) 606-784-6428 • Gladie Visitor Center (Red River Gorge) 606-663-8100 • London Ranger District (Laurel River Lake) 606-864-4163 • Redbird Ranger District 606-598-2192 • Stearns Ranger District 606-376-5323
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. - Confucius
March 21, 2015 5-8pm Entertainment provided by band members and the Winter Guard Tickets are $5 in Advance or $7 at the Door All Proceeds go to the Estill County Middle and High School Band Program. Limited deliveries available from 5-7
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March 2015
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Eastern Kentucky Businesses! Grayson Chamber Hosts 5th Annual Bridal Expo
Mark your calendars for April 12, 1:30 -4:00 p.m. at Carter Caves State Resort Park Lodge when the 5th Annual Bridal Expo will be held. Sponsored by the Grayson Chamber of Commerce, there will be a fashion show, vendors to help you with your wedding plans and refreshments. Please support this great event!
Contact Michelle Wallace at 606-207-1011 to find out how you can advertise in All Things Country Magazine. You can email her at mwallace62@hotmail.com
Bush’s Ribbon Rose Floral, Inc.
Family owned and operated for 30 years.
Sunday, April 12th 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Carter Caves State Resort Park Lodge Call 606-474-4401 for more information Call Toll Free
1-866-455-2770
We’re with you every step of the way! We have all your wedding supplies from wedding party flowers, reception flowers, tux rentals, all the accessories that you need for your special day.
136 East Main Street • Grayson, Kentucky • 606-474-2449
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Bluegrass
Sunday
Spotlight On Small Business.... ELLIOTT County, Kentucky
With Michelle Wallace
Little Sandy Lodge By Michelle Wallace of Elliott County
The Little Sandy Lodge, located at 1916 N. KY 7 in Sandy Hook, Kentucky, is a family owned business that opened in 2012. Anita Skaggs, owner, operates a 15 room lodge on approximately 9 acres in scenic eastern Kentucky.
Sundays - 12pm to 3pm
Little Sandy Lodge hosts weddings, wedding receptions, baby showers and family reunions, in addition to the weary traveler who is looking for a clean comfortable bed and friendly service. The Lodge has expanded over the last couple of years to include on-site events such as Elliott County’s Minnie Adkins Day (July 18, 2015) and a community yard sale day (September). Looking ahead to warmer temperatures, we look forward to spending time with Anita at the lodge and rocking in the wooden rocking chairs that set along the wrap around front porch of the lodge. Little Sandy Lodge is a member of the Elliott County Chamber of Commerce and offers daily and weekly rates for lodge stays. You can visit their website at www. littlesandylodge.com or ‘like’ their facebook page. Call for reservations 606-738-5515.
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March 2015
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Enjoy Spring at the CliffviEw RESoRt
The Cliffview Lodge sits on a cliff with a spectacular view of Cowan Fork Gorge. The center is the largest log structure in this part of the country!! Our Lodge features 16 rooms (sleeps 64), each with two queen size beds and a private bath with unique hand painted sinks. Two suites are available. Most rooms have glass sliding doors leading to an eight foot wrap around porch. Each room is equipped with flat screen televisions and cable TV.
Free continental breakfast!
The whole lodge can be rented in its entirety! Gather your coworkers, family, and friends for your next event at the Cliffview Lodge. We can arrange catering or any other details for you. Our staff and amenities will take you into the country and make you feel right at home.
Corporate meetings • Receptions • Conventions • Retreats Exhibit Halls & Exhibit Space • Weddings • Banquets
455 Cliffview Road Campton, Kentucky
1-888-804-6609
www.CliffviewResort.com
No matter what type of event, we have you covered. Contact us and tell us your needs. Cliffview has a variety of spaces, venues and activities to make your event memorable and effortless. Our staff can even give you guidance on speakers, storytellers, catering, lodging and activities to do 16 March between the2015 Redwww.atcky.com River Gorge and Natural Bridge.
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March 2015
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MOWING SERVICE Offering prompt, courteous service
MORIAH’S
1000 Dry Branch Road • Irvine 606.726.0551 Bobby Worsham LICENSED AND INSURED
Flooding along Highway 89 from the big March 4-5 winter storm. The storm wreaked havoc in many Kentucky counties.
Deli Smoothies Groceries Coffee Shop Supplies We are a convenience store and gift shop with full service coffee shop, breakfast & lunch sandwiches & wraps for lunch, groceries & camping supplies.
EBT Accepted • New Inventory
104 River Drive • Irvine, Kentucky
606-723-8421 TERRY BARNES
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Our grocery store offers restaurant quality frozen steaks, marinated chicken and marinated salmon. 769 Natural Bridge Rd. • Slade, KY 40376 606-663-2549 Stop In & Visit WE ARE OPEN DAILY!
East Fork of Indian Creek in Red River Gorge temporarily closed for stream restoration WINCHESTER – Fisheries habitat and water quality in the East Fork of Indian Creek, Menifee County, are about to improve. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Daniel Boone National Forest are joining forces to restore land and water quality in this popular area near the Red River Gorge. The area will be temporarily closed while project activities are ongoing. “The first stage of the project will be the removal of two low water dams and two plank crossings,” said Tim Eling, Acting District Ranger for the Cumberland Ranger District. “These manmade structures are preventing natural water flow, causing soil erosion along the banks, and impeding fish travel up and down the stream. “The restoration project will correct the erosion issues and improve water quality, recover habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species, and enhance recreational opportunities in the area for camping, hiking and fishing.” Some additional campsites will be constructed for forest visitors and local residents who enjoy the Indian Creek area. Excess soil from the stream restoration project will be used to develop the new campsites.
Forest visitors will see noticeable improvements as new
campsites and parking areas are developed. Hikers and anglers will be able to walk trails following completion of the restoration project. Once the existing low water dams and plank crossings are removed, a more natural, low-water crossing will be constructed that people can easily cross on foot and fish can readily maneuver. A gate will be installed nearly one mile from the current end of Forest Service Road 9B to reduce the frequency of vehicle traffic. By limiting vehicle traffic in this area, water quality will be improved by reducing sediment into the stream. The road will remain open for administrative use and public foot travel. As part of the project, Forest Service Road 2011 will be decommissioned for use, but this closure will not affect tourism in the Indian Creek area or in the Red River Gorge. This road is currently overgrown and is not utilized by motorized vehicles. This road is not necessary for land management in the area. Trout stocking will be temporarily suspended at Indian Creek while project activities are being conducted. Trout stocking will resume as scheduled in October 2015. Project activities are expected to begin by mid-March and continue over the next four to six months. During this time, all of Forest Service Road 9B will be closed.
MARk yOuR cALENDARS! 2015 Festival Shirts Available Now at City Hall!
25th Annual
Mountain Mushroom FestivAl
April 25 & 26, 2015 irvine, Kentucky
• Mushroom Market • A rts & Crafts Booths • Live Music • Big Satur day Parade • Canoe/Kayak Races • Car Show • Fungus 5K Run & 2K Run/Walk • Pancake Breakfast • G em & Mineral Show • Antique Gas Engine & Tractor Show
2015 Fungus 5K Run Participant Shirts
AND LOTS MO
RE..... www.mountainmu shroomfestival.org Call for Information: 606-723-1233 Find Us On Facebook www.atcky.com
March 2015
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Mike Reed
Powell County Extension Office
Beekeepers to Meet The next scheduled meeting of the Powell County Beekeeper’s Association will be held Monday, March 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the Powell County Extension Office. Our featured speaker for the evening will be Dr. Tammy Horn, State Apiarist . Dr. Horn will address the topic of “What is Happening to all our bees??” and will address things like mites, winter starvation and the Colony Collapse disorder that many beekeepers are having questions about. All area beekeepers are encouraged to attend. There will be a pot-luck dinner involved. All members will need to bring a dish. Meat and drinks will be provided by the Association. For more information, contact Mike Reed at 606-663-6405.
Can spring be far behind?? Spring officially begins on Thursday, March 20th-the day we have all been waiting for! It has been one long, cold winter. But with spring’s arrival, we have several things to do out in the field, the barn and landscape. This month’s article will be a combination of things to put on your farm “To Do” list (as if you didn’t have enough already). Pastures and hay fields : You still have plenty of time to seed clover and grasses on existing pastures. Pastures will green up
quickly as the sunshine becomes more prevalent. Over-seeding can probably be done for the next 10-15 days or so, but after that, you will need to disturb your fields by 70-80% with a disk harrow to make cuts in the soil. After harrowing, broadcast seed into the field, then use a culti-packer or drag to cover the seed. All the good seed in the world won’t grow well if you don’t use lime and fertilizer. You will only know the exact amounts you need with a soil test provided by the University of Kentucky soil testing lab. Unfortunately, now during this time of year, soil tests may take at least a week to ten days to get back to you and you need to fertilize NOW. If you can’t wait for your soil tests, you may want to fertilize pastures with 75 pounds of urea (46% N), 100 pounds of 60% potash and 75 pounds of DAP (18-46-0) per acre to give your pastures the boost they need to better feed your cows. For your clover/grass hay fields, apply 100 pounds of 0-0-60 (muriate of potash) per acre, 100 pounds of DAP per acre (18-46-0), and 100 pounds of urea, (46%) per acre. After the rain washes in the fertilizer, just sit back and watch the grass grow! Watch your Cows: This is calving season as most beef producers already know. Watch all your cows and newborn baby calves to make sure every animal is alive and well. Cows starting to calf should have their calf within two hours, once they start pushing. After that two hour period, old bossy may need your help to bring her new baby into the world. Once the weather warms up the grass will start to grow. Unfortunately the cows will leave the hay bales and start grazing grass, which is mostly water and lower in nutrients. Grass tetany season usually begins around the first of April. To avoid grass tetany in cows, make sure that grass tetany blocks are available to all animals. Magnesium blocks are what farmers need to avoid this problem. One problem however, is making sure all adult cows in the herd take advantage of the blocks and get the extra magnesium into their system. Basic mineral blocks are good, other times of the year, but do not have enough magnesium in them to avoid this
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problem. Also continue to feed cattle grain and hay while the grass greens up to avoid grass tetany problems. Out in the Lawn: It is almost impossible to imagine that we will be able to mow our lawns in the next 20 -30 days or so. As I write this article, mine still has massive piles of snow on it! It is hard to imagine ever mowing grass again, but I have mowed grass many times in March. Get the lawnmower battery charged up, get the blade sharpened and oil changed, get the weed-eater serviced and get ready for the weekly mowing ritual now before hardware stores get bombarded with other people doing the same thing as you are. Lawn weeds will be abundant soon, especially wild onion. If you can’t stand them any longer, spray onions and chickweed with products containing 2-4D and dicamba, but keep in mind 2-4D will curl up and kill those pretty daffodils and tulips that are peeking up out of the ground. Spray on a day that is 50 degrees of better and try to avoid spraying on a windy day-extremely difficult to find in March, I might add. Remember that pretty crabgrass that took over everyone’s yard in July? Well, all that crabgrass took root and went to seed that will germinate in a few days. To avoid even more crabgrass this summer, apply crabgrass preventer chemicals to your lawn now. Most of these chemicals are granular and must be applied before the crabgrass sprouts. This should be applied by April 1.
Time to Plant Rhubarb and Asparagus It has come the time of year when I just have to get outside and plant something. That something might be a new apple tree, a new
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20 Black Creek Rd. Clay City, KY
Country Kitchen 606-663-4179 Fresh Pies Daily! Home of the steaks from the grill! Fresh Fried Green Fridays & Saturdays, 4-8pm Tomatoes Your Choice of: Rib Eye • Prime Rib • New York • Sirloin Any steak, cooked on our outside grill, including baked potato & salad. Drink & dessert included. HOURS: Monday – Thursday 6am-9:30pm Friday & Saturday 6am-10pm • Sunday 7am-10pm
Come in and Warm Up with our Homemade Soups!
grape vine, a rose bush or maybe a few strawberry plants. All little farms and homesteads need a few asparagus and rhubarb plants as well. Both these plants are perennial plants that outlast many of the homes which they were planted near. You will find both rhubarb and asparagus crowns at your local department store-garden centers and farm stores. Both these plants need a well-drained, sunny area in which to reside. Neither of these plants will grow well in wet areas as the crowns will rot. If drainage is a problem in your yard, plant in a raised bed. Keep these plants in an area where the weed eater or lawnmower or rotary tiller will not be tempted to dig them up or mow them over. Plant asparagus crowns 8 inches deep, at least 18 inches away from the next asparagus plant. Asparagus plants benefit from good compost or well-rotted manure. Feed plants each spring for best results. Harvest asparagus shoots the second year after planting. Rhubarb plantings do well if you prepare some old compost or well -rotted manure into the planting hole. Plant here in March and keep rhubarb mulched and weeded. You should be able to harvest stalks the second year. Mature rhubarb can be harvested for 8-10 weeks during each summer. Nothing is better than rhubarb/ strawberry cobbler! Both rhubarb and asparagus may take a little extra care, but they will be around for many years for you and your grandchildren. While we are talking about planting something, call the Powell County Extension Office at 606-663-6405 to secure some new plants for 2015 at some great prices. Orders are due to the office by March 20, 2015. Plants available include: • Blueberry plants-(Blue Ray and Blue Jay), $6.00/plant • Strawberries-All-star and Earliglow varieties at $15.00/hundred; • Asparagus plants-$1.00 each; • Candy onions-$5.00 for a bunch of 60 slips; • Triple Crown black berry plants-$3.00 each; • Bristol black raspberry plants-$3.00 each. Plants should arrive the week of April 6th, 2015.
Livestock Association to Meet
The next regularly scheduled March Meeting of the Powell County Livestock Producers Association will be held Monday, March 23, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Powell County Extension Office conference room. All members and potential members are encouraged to attend. During this meeting we will discuss upcoming cookouts, fundraising activities and the 2015 scholarship program for local students. Reservations are necessary for this meeting by calling 663-6405 by noon on the 23th.
Home & Garden Show! With Host Zeke Buttons
Mondays 6pm - 6:30pm - WSKV FM 104.9
Esther McKinney of Marigold’s Nursery will be here to discuss all your Spring Landscaping Needs. Call in if you have questions regarding your gardens, flowers, plants, fertilizers and earth-friendly insecticides.
Don’t Forget the Plaza Pharmacy Show with Larry Auxier, every Monday from 5 to 6pm. Call in to win prizes and more! LISTEN ONLINE AT WWW.WSKVFM.COM Call our Irvine Studio at 606-717-0300 www.atcky.com
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s m o o Bl
In Conjunction with the 25th Annual Mountain Mushroom Festival ... TWO DIVISIONS: Under 18 & Over 18
SPRING PHOTO CONTEST Winning Photo to be featured on the front cover of All Things Country Magazine.
Flowering red bud trees, dogwoods, tulips, daffodils, just the splendor of spring! Contest Rules:
1] Photos submitted via mail must be at least 8x10’s. Photos submitted electronically through email must be at least 600 DPI and in jpg or tif format. 2] Only two entries per person accepted. 3] All entries, either through the mail or email, must include your name, address, telephone number and where you took the picture. 4] Photos must have been taken in 2015. Since our readers come from all over the USA, they aren’t limited to Kentucky. Show us your beauty too. 5] Helpful hint .... our cover is vertical, so the winning photo must be oriented vertically to be used on the cover. Cover size is 9.25 inches wide by 11.75 inches deep. 6] All entries must be received by April 15, 2015. Email to pam@atcky.com or send to “Spring Photos” 60 Thornburg Bend, Irvine, KY 40336. You may also drop photos off at Irvine City Hall.
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Top 10 photos to be displayed at the 2015 Mountain Mushroom Festival, held in Estill County, Kentucky on April 25 & 26, 2015
Cash Prizes & More!
By The Moons
Meadowgreen Music Park
March 2015
9th-10th ����Start seedbeds. Good days for transplanting. Excellent time for planting root crops that can be planted now. Also good for leafy vegetables. 11th-13th ��Barren days, do no planting. 14th-15th ��Any root crops that can be planted now will do well. 16th-17th ��A barren period, best suited for killing plant pests. Do plowing and cultivating. 18th-19th ��Good for planting cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and other vine crops. Set strawberry plants. Good days for transplanting. Favorable days for planting beets, carrots, radishes, salsify, turnips, peanuts, and other root crops. 20th-21st ��Cultivate and spray, do general farm work, but no planting. 22nd-23rd �Favorable for planting crops bearing yield above the ground. 24th-25th ��Seeds planted now tend to rot in ground. 26th-28th ��Excellent for sowing seedbeds and flower gardens. Best planting days for aboveground crops, especially peas, beans, cucumbers, and squash where climate permits. 29th-31st ��A most barren period, best for killing plant pests or doing chores around the farm.
Meadowgreen Music Park in Clay City puts on some great shows and we caught one this past month. Larry Sparks, above and Southland Drive, below put on a great show on March 7. Watch for special guest Dr. Ralph Stanley on April 25th when Nathan Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys will be performing.
APRIL 2015
1st-2nd �����Grub out weeds, briars, and other plant pests. 3rd-4th ������A favorable time for sowing grains, hay, and fodder crops. Plant flowers. First day is when to plant corn, melons, squash, tomatoes, and other aboveground crops. Second day is a favorable day for planting root crops. 5th-7th ������Favorable days for planting aboveground crops, especially cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, kale, celery, and other leafy vegetables. Start seedbeds. Good days for planting beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, peanuts, and other root crops. 8th-9th ������Neither plant nor sow on these barren days. 10th-11th ��Favorable days for planting beets, carrots, turnips, radishes, onions, and other root crops.
You can find out more about planting by the moons by visiting www.farmersalmanac.com or you can pick up a copy of the Farmer’s Almanac at most farm or book stores.
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Abby Tracks
PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED WHILE YOU WAIT Most Insurance Accepted • Drive Thru Window
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Find the Paw Print Contest!
Somewhere in this edition of All Things Country Magazine is a paw print left behind by our dog Abby. Once you find it, send your name, address and phone number, (plus where you found it and your favorite memory of your mom) to the following address:
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Eric Baker
Estill County Extension Office
UKAg Research Reveals Promising New Strawberry Variety
Kentucky strawberry lovers may be able to buy locally grown berries as early as May, thanks to a new variety that is showing great potential for commercial growers. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment horticulture specialists regularly perform variety trials on a number of crops to see what works best for the state’s growers, climate and consumer tastes. “Strawberry variety performance is quite variable across the United States and varieties need to be evaluated under local conditions,” said John Strang, UKAg horticulture specialist. “Flavorfest is a strawberry variety we’ve been testing with some success.” Shawn Wright, UKAg horticulture specialist, included Flavorfest for the past three years in plasticulture strawberry variety trials at the UK Horticulture Research Farm in Lexington. With funding from a Kentucky Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant, Wright was able to see how the variety performed compared to popular varieties such as Chandler and Camerosa. “The Flavorfest variety was developed at the USDA-ARS
station in Beltsville, Maryland,” Wright said. “In last year’s trial, it produced 14,346 pounds to the acre which was statistically the same as our currently recommended variety of Chandler at 14,445 pounds to the acre.” Chandler and Camerosa are the most common varieties in Kentucky plasticulture systems. Camerosa had higher yields, but Wright said it is a firmer berry that is more suited for growers who are trying to ship or hold berries longer. Flavorfest also has decent disease and pest resistance. “I like the flavor of Flavorfest much more than Chandler,” he said. “I can’t speak to its shipping characteristics, because I didn’t try to hold the berries after harvest. It did peak in production about one week after Chandler, though the previous year it was almost identical.” Flavorfest strawberries grown in plasticulture systems are ready to harvest in early May, while those from the matted row growing system aren’t ready until late May or June. “Growers can demand a higher price for a locally produced berry that is ready to go earlier than June, when most people are used to seeing an abundance of berries at the market,” Wright said. “And that’s good, because it does cost a bit more to grow in an annual growing system like plasticuture. We would have to grow it for a few more years to see where it really falls in the calendar, but for someone who wants a traditional tasting strawberry that is very attractive and has good size, this is it.” Strang currently has Flavorfest in a matted row variety trial— the more traditional growing method—and will harvest it this spring. For more information, contact the Estill County Extension Office at 723-4557 or your local Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.
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Wilderness Wanderings . . .
By Bill Gordon Stanton, KY
A Publication from the Highlands - March 2015
Life Cycle of a Beech Tree
Here at my eastern Kentucky homestead, it always seems like there are more items added to the “to do” list than get taken off when completed. During a recent storm one of the largest trees on the property came down; a majestic old American Beech that towered over an area that is a favorite campfire and hang-out spot. It was, and is, a special tree with lots of history. When I first bought this property, the former owner was going to sell the timber, and it was already marked for timber-cutting. The Beech was marked as a cull tree; that is one with no value, and it was to be cut down and left to rot. Our first living quarters on the property; a large canvas tent erected on a plywood base, was shaded by its branches. For the last twelve years many hundreds of school children, church groups, and family friends have enjoyed its cooling shade and protecting shelter during summer rain showers. It has provided tons of beech nuts for a variety of wildlife, including deer, bear, grouse, ducks, foxes, turkeys, blue jays, mice, squirrels, and chipmunks. Numerous cavities have provided homes for chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, squirrels, raccoons, bees, and bats. The tree graciously gave us an ample supply of tinder and kindling for a hundred campfires over the years; for fire-roasting chickens, steaks, burgers, turkeys, kabobs and hobo meals, and countless hot dogs and s’mores. Sitting quietly at its base, one could get a sense of perspective, peace, and a glimpse of what the forest canopy was like in ages past. The hundreds of birds born and raised in this
tree, the many thousands of wild critters fed by this tree, and the numerous people that enjoyed being under this tree, would certainly place a high value on the cull Beech. Now it’s on the ground. I like Beeches. They are common in the Beech-Maple forests of northeast Ohio where I farmed for many years, alongside my Amish neighbors who worked the wonderful “Sugarbushes” on their farmsteads; boiling thick, sweet syrup over wood-fired boiling pans. The Beech, or officially named the American Beech, is a native climax forest tree, which means if left alone, the right forest habitat in the eastern U.S. will naturally grow to be stands of mature American Beeches and Sugar Maples. I saw many woodlots with awesome 200 to 300 hundred year old Beeches growing
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majestically alongside equally mature Sugar Maples. These “Sugarbushes” provided their owners with abundant and richly diverse wildlife, hot-burning Beech and Maple firewood, and of course maple syrup. But now it’s down, and I am laboring to transform this behemoth into its next stage of usefulness. The two main branch logs are 36” in diameter, and there are six upper branch logs 18” to 23” in diameter, each of these bigger than trees commonly harvested in Kentucky forests today. The main trunk log is over 4 feet thick and the splintered remains of it are still standing 20 feet high. All you see in the photo are the two big branch logs; the bulk of the tree is off to the left of the picture for another 70 feet or so. As big as this tree seems in this day in age, it is just a middleaged tree and could have gotten a lot bigger . . . in the next couple hundred years or so. Beeches can get quite impressive; we think at least 6 feet or more in diameter and more than 160 feet tall. They can live 400 years or more, and maybe a lot longer. Remember I said “we think”, nobody really knows for sure, there just won’t ever be a time when the wilderness will be left alone long enough ever again, and we can’t go back in time to pre-European conquest to study the trees from that era. There are Beeches alive in Pennsylvania that are older than 370 years, and a living Beech in Michigan is nearly 5 feet in diameter and is 161 feet tall. When I have a group out in the woods, I really try to make things interesting by doing some “nature detective” work, and not just play the “name game”. All through school, and into adulthood, we are immersed in a learning pattern based on memorizing the name of something or a basic fact about something, but too little is placed on understanding why something is . . . I once worked with someone whose teaching style was walking through the woods spouting off the Genus and Species names of things he knew. He would slap a tree in passing, and say “Fagus Grandifolia, American Beech” and continue walking. Within minutes his whole group would be totally lost and disengaged. Who hasn’t made a leaf collection in Science class, gathering a handful of brightly-colored fall leaves, then pasting them on colored construction paper, and (hopefully) labeling them with the correct title? B-o-r-i-n-g. But when you unravel the story behind the object; when you unlock the secrets of the wilderness, and begin to understand the unique qualities and creativity of nature you will begin to love and appreciate everything that shares our world with us. It’s easy, (and politically correct I suppose) to love a threatened Manatee or rare Orchid, the last of the giant Sequoias or an endangered Panda, but a Beech tree? Com’on Wild Bill, that’s just a . . . well, a tree. The chain saw bit deep into the grey-barked giant again and again as I cut each section into 12 inch long rounds for the stove. These wooden “Tootsie Rolls” were then split into usable firewood with a hand splitting maul (a sledge hammer with an axe head point on one side); sweaty, hard work that kept me busy for many hours. Good, honest work that gave me lots of healthful exercise, time to think, and the satisfaction of knowing I was providing for my own winter survival without dependence on a big corporation utility bill. Often I counted the growth rings on the monster rounds, and determined the Beech was at least 139 years old. I was cutting up 75 year old branches, bigger and older than most trees you see nowadays. All the small brush was piled into wildlife cover piles, providing shelter for rabbits, snakes, and chipmunks; habitat for a hundred types of insects, and a “McDonald’s type drive-thru”
for a wide variety of forest birds. That Beech gave me a firewood pile that was 32 feet long, 5 feet high, and 4 rows deep. At today’s prices that’s over a thousand dollars’ worth of firewood. All this from the worthless Beech. The Beech is a fascinating tree. They like to live in the moist valleys here, and leave the drier mountaintops to the various types of Oaks and Hickories. You see, they use about twice as much water in the process of photosynthesis and transpiration as do the Oaks, and in turn flood the atmosphere with clouds of pure, clean water vapor. And they need this extra moisture for their growth too. Research has revealed that the Beech does all its growth in a short period of time each year when ground moisture is high, often within a 60 to 90 day time span, starting after leaves are fully developed and usually ending by mid-July. I think its growth and reproduction habits are quite fascinating, and I want to share some other cool things with you. The Beech flowers bloom in April, when the leaves are only about one-third grown. Yes, trees are flowering plants. I’m always surprised at how many people don’t realize that. The American Beech is monoecious, a fancy word meaning it has separate male and female flowers. The inconspicuous male flowers grow on a long stemmed head, and the female flowers grow in small clusters of two to four. The fertilized female flowers grow a husk as the seeds mature, which is called a bur. The bur contains one to three very
The money from any box sales gets put back into habitat restoration projects here at the Highlands property. This is what I do . . . who I am. Each one of these Beech-faced nesting boxes will continue to provide valuable habitat for Chickadees, Nuthatches, Wrens, Bluebirds, Screech Owls, Flying Squirrels, Woodpeckers, Barred Owls or Flycatchers. Over the next four years another 500 or so birds will be born from the Beech, who will consume millions of insects during their lives. And the Beech was considered worthless. And here’s one more pretty cool thing about Beeches. If you look carefully on the ground under a Beech tree, you’re likely to find a wispy little plant growing that looks rather curious… brownish in color, no leaves, rather spindly or “leggy” in appearance. It is called Beechdrop, and it is a parasitic flowering plant (not a fungus) that is dependent on Beech trees for survival. It is like the Indian Pipe plant I am fond of and wrote about in my Wilderness Wanderings of August 2014. The Beechdrop gets water and nutrients through specialized roots that attach directly to the roots of the host Beech tree. In September look for the flowers, tiny trumpets that are attractive to pollinators. Use a magnifying glass and you will be amazed at their easily-overlooked beauty. This unassuming flower has no chlorophyll, so will always be a brownish color (never green) and rather easy to miss. Pretty neat! I spread a five gallon bucket of wood ashes in the garden this morning, the remains of a week’s worth of wood burnt in the old Round Oak heating stove. It is a fitting final step in the life of the old tree. This summer it will live again in the bushels of tasty organic vegetables that this soil will produce. Beans, lettuce, kale, orange sweets-whites-and red potatoes, beets, carrots, corn, broccoli, squashes, eggplant, peas, cabbage, and oh-so-good juicy tomatoes will all benefit from the Beech. I think it’s worthy.
The Old Cull Beech Tree
odd triangle-shaped edible nuts, a hugely important wildlife food source (called “mast”). I must say I’ve eaten them too, but don’t like them much. I prefer wild Hickory nuts and Black Walnuts, which are super good in brownies, cakes, cookies, and granola. Get this; it takes about 40 years or so for a Beech to begin producing any quantities of nuts, and 60 years or more to produce bumper crops. And these good crops of nuts only occur in cycles of several to eight years apart, which is a significant factor in some animal populations. To put this in perspective, it takes a whole human generation for the Beech to even start producing significant wildlife food. Add to this the fact that many people cut Beeches down just because they consider them a “weed” tree with little or no value. This is just one more example of how humans can impact their world with unseen, often negative consequences. As I put the finishing touches on a nesting box I was building, I stopped to admire the natural cavity front, the last of thirty one that were rescued from this magnificent Beech. Each natural hole was trimmed off the log with my chainsaw, and then the appropriate specie nest box was custom made to fit the size hole in the face. All the wood used in construction was recycled from building or industrial site scraps, used pallets, or cut from storm-damaged trees.
Commercial timber value: $ 0.00 Value to a “nature detective” land steward: • Tinder and kindling wood for twelve years of campfires • Homes for a wide variety of cavity-nesting birds, insects, and mammals • Tons of beech nut mast for wildlife food for a hundred years • Summer shade for many, many people enjoying some time in the wilderness • Huge amounts of oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption, as well as carbon sequestering for everyone’s benefit • The massive root system helped to retain valuable topsoil from washing into the creek, and its millions of leaves provided new soil ingredients every year • Enough firewood to heat my home for a winter • It provided a sense of well-being and serenity for anyone taking time to rest beneath its cathedral-like canopy • Well over a century of spewing out millions of gallons of pure water into the atmosphere as an essential part of the hydrologic cycle • Thirty one natural cavity openings in the tree; made into recycled nesting boxes for a variety of bird species • It provided the health benefits of many hours of good, honest, sweaty work for me to cut, split, haul, and stack the firewood • A hundred plus years of flowers that produced pollen and nectar for millions upon millions of pollinator species of birds and insects • Unused branches made several brush piles for wildlife cover and protection • Sawdust used in our composting toilet system helped to create nutrient-rich fertilizer for flower beds while eliminating any groundwater pollution from a septic tank leach field • The stove ashes were tilled into the garden soil, providing valuable potash fertilizer for the wonderful vegetables that fill our pantry and farm market tables www.atcky.com
March 2015
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Business & Service Directory 28
Amish CABINETRY
Barbers
Millcreek Cabinets, LLC High Quality Amish Craftsmanship
Custom-built Kitchen Cabinets, Vanities & Furniture
Unlimited Options
Reasonable Prices - Free Estimates
Dreaming about a new kitchen? Call us today!
606-768-9707
Animal Care
Vada Barnes, Owner Drop-Ins Welcome!
Tuesday - Friday, 10am til last haircut is done!
2596 Dry Branch Road - Irvine 606-723-4019
Body Shops
Animal Clinic of Estill Co. PLLC
Linda K. Grimes, DVM
Science Diet & Eukanuba Pet Foods • Health Certificates • Medicine & Surgery
LARGE AND SMALL ANIMALS
1995 Richmond Road Irvine, Kentucky 40336
DB Barber Shop
606-723-4159
Arthur’s Body Shop, Inc. Rick Arthur - 859-353-1334 Bill Arthur - 606-723-3305 524 Broadway, Irvine
606-723-4391
PATRICK’S
Attorney AT LAW
DAVIS Law P.S.C.
Rodney G. davis Attorney At LAw
COLLISION CENTER Bobby Patrick, Owner
508 Frames Branch Rd. Clay City, KY 40312
200 Main Street, Irvine
606-726-9991
226 N. Second St., Richmond
859-624-3380
www.davislawky.com
24 Hour Wrecker Service!
606-663-2547
COLLISION SPECIALISTS
BUILDING SUPPLIES
SurpluS WholeSale Building MaterialS
Banking
• Doors • Windows • House Wrap • Laminate Flooring • Carpet • Vinyl Floor Covering • Kitchen Cabinets • Trim SO MUCH MORE!
Corner of Mt. Sterling By-Pass & Rt. 11 Henderson Branch TWO HANDY Olive Mt. Sterling, Kentucky Hill, Kentucky LOCATIONS 606-316-6091 • 859-576-5849 606-286-4182 Irvine • Richmond • Berea • London
Certified Accountants
Visit Us Online at www.MyCGB.com
People Serving People Since 1912
606-663-9500 www.pebank.com
MEMBER
WHITAKER BANK Uniquely Kentucky
STANTON CLAY CITY 606-663-2283 606-663-2276 March 2015 www.atcky.com www.whitakerbank.com
CAMPTON 606-668-9911 MEMBER
Individual Income Tax • Business Income Tax Payroll Service • Financial Statements • Tax Planning Estate Taxes • New Business Organization
Tamara L. rice, cPa
2214 Richmond Road • Irvine, KY 40336
606-723-1935
the offices of Glenda Gay Oliver Certified Public Accountant
SILO MILL GIFT SHOP 325 Richmond Road • Irvine
606-723-7456
Clothing For Men
Funeral Homes
Clothing For Men & Boys Larry & Barsha Honchell, Owners
1266 Richmond Road • Irvine, KY
606-723-7316
Dentistry
Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Pre-Planning Makes Sense.....
Contact us today to find out about pre-planning services.
606-723-2183 Obituary Line: 606-723-4242
99 Cedar Grove Drive Irvine, KY
www.tolerfuneralhome.com
Insurance Services
EaglEs NEst Family Dentistry
James D. Hill, D.M.D., P.S.C. sERVINg EstIll COUNtY FOR 33 YEaRs!
115 Main st., Irvine
723-3555
Big “E” Insurance Service, Inc.
114 River Drive
Irvine, KY 40336
606-723-2135 • 800-303-2135 606-723-4400 (Fax) BigEInsurance.com
Richard Snowden
Cindy Stevenson
Elkins insurancE Group
Energy Cooperatives
Red River Realty & Auction Ovie & Josie Hollon, Broker and Agents
606-663-0186
www.rrrealtyandauction.com
See us for all your real estate and insurance needs
Medical Clinics FLORIST
Floral Design By Nikki
Estill Medical Clinic Most Major Insurance Accepted ~ Walk Ins Welcome ~
Full Service Florist Flowers for All Occasions In West Gate Plaza - 391 Richmond Rd. in Irvine CALL TOLL FREE - 1-877-331-9081 606-726-0202
Donna Isfort, APRN 275 North Court Street Irvine, KY 40336 606-723-2167
Nikki Chuen • Owner/Designer • nikkifloral@yahoo.com
SHOP 24 HOURS AT WWW.FLORALDESIGNBYNIKKI.COM
Country Corner
Food Marts
Mart 82 Food DAILY Lunch Specials Open 7 Days A Week!
134 SPOUT SPRINGS RD. IRVINE, KY 40336
606-723-7664
C & S Carryout
The Beer Trailer!
Wide Selection of Domestic & Imported Beers Snacks - Cigarettes - Camping Supplies Monday-Thursday, 8am-10pm • Friday-Saturday, 8am-11pm • Closed Sundays
1163 N. Kentucky 11 Torrent, Kentucky
Primitives & Gifts
606-668-7566
11 Black Creek Road Clay City, Kentucky Memorial Gifts We Deliver!
606-663-7760 OPEN: Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 10-5
• Primitive Decor • Candles Custom • Furniture • Flags • Tarts T-Shirts & • Warmers • Air Fresheners Embroidery
Propane
Hardy GaS COMPaNy, INC. 141 Richmond Rd • Irvine, Kentucky • 723-2496
PROPANE AND NATURAL GAS APPLIANCE SALES AND SERVICE Buck Gas Logs, Radient Heaters, Gas Ranges, Gas Water Heaters
Now serving all of Powell, Lee, Estill counties and most of Madison, Jackson and Clark. Large assortment of pilot assemblies, thermo couples, switches and gas valves. Gas tanks for sale too!
We Encourage You To Shop Local!
HoncHell’s, Inc.
Remember what Pepper says, “Always heat and cookwww.atcky.com on a fire, not on aMarch wire.” 2015
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Business & Service Directory 30
Tack & Saddle Repair
HILLSIDE TACK SADDLE REpAIR
6701 Wagersville Rd. Irvine, Ky. 40336 Turquoise and agate jewelry, belt buckles, knives, hats, belts and many more novelty items for the horse Lover. Open Saturday and Sunday Daylight till 7:00 p.m. and many additional hours through the week, just give us a call!
nEw & uSED TACK Buy • Sell • Trade
606-723-0071
Tropical Tans 19 Washington Street Stanton, Kentucky
606-663-9902
Like us on Facebook!
Cox Trucking Ltd. Co. Jason Cox
Irvine, Kentucky
606-723-5394 606-643-5019
--------------------------------------------------------------Rock Castles Landscaping Why not let us quote your waterfall or pond project before you sign on the dotted line with anyone else? (606) 416-3911. http://www.rockcastles.net ---------------------------------------------------------------
• NEED A JOB? •
USED AUTOS Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Saturday, 8am to Noon Closed Sunday
339 Dry Branch Road - Irvine
--------------------------------------------------------------ARE YOU 55 OR OLDER, UNEMPLOYED & NEEDING A JOB? Call EXPERIENCE WORKS for Help! Toll Free at 1-877-820-5939. Serving 59 counties in Kentucky including Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Lee, Leslie, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell, and Wolfe Counties. The Older Worker Specialist- Sponsored by the Senior Community Service Employment Program. EOE/AA. -----------------------------------------------------------------------
606-723-2858
• RV FOR SALE •
---------------------------------------------------------------
FOR SALE
Buy Here & Pay Here Wholesale & Retail!
Dylan Stevens Sales Associate
Cell: 606-776-5439
Lee's Used Cars
US 60 East, Morehead
• FOR SALE •
• NOTICES •
TRUCKING
Auto Sales
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--------------------------------------------------------------Stop by Sticks, Stones & Stitches in Stanton and see the exciting new items available to visitors in Powell County. Watch for craft classes coming soon! Visit us on Facebook too. --------------------------------------------------------------Welcome to Raggedy Ann’s Treasures! 436 N. Main, Stanton. We are open 7 days a week, 10-5 except for Sundays, 1-5. Lots of furniture, home decor and lots more. Some appliances, stoves, washers, dryers. ---------------------------------------------------------------
TANNING SALON
Marcum’s
Country Classifieds
606-784-2277
VENDOR MALL
Pickers Paradise ANTIQUE & VENDORS MALL
Buy - Sell - Trade
OVER 40 BOOTHS TO CHOOSE FROM WE BUY ESTATES Monday-Saturday - 9am to 6pm & Sundays - 1 to 5pm
Richmond Rd. 723-3310 Irvine, Kentucky March 105 2015 www.atcky.com
2006 Georgetown Motorhome. 34-ft., 3 slide outs, fully equipped. 460 Ford Titan 10, 3300 miles. Queen bed, couch makes into bed, table with two chairs. Call 1-859-744-5987
The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
- Mark Twain
Sticks, Stones & Stitches: An AppAlAchiAn crAftS Store
Quilts • Handmade Soaps Wood Crafts • Paintings Alpaca Products • Stitch Work Kentucky Agates • Jewelry 91 South Main, Stanton 606-424-7850
Monday-Saturday – 10 am - 4 pm Closed On Sundays
www.atcky.com
March 2015
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Kentucky’s incidence of colon cancer is the 2nd highest in the nation, but it doesn’t have to be. A colonoscopy can save your life.
SHOULD YOU HAVE A COLONOSCOPY? • Are you over age 50? • Family history of colon cancer? • Bleeding from the bowel? • Changes in bowel habits? If you answered YES to any of these questions, you should have a colonoscopy.
Mercy Surgery Clinic Richard Stone, MD (606) 726-2151 Call today to schedule your colonoscopy. 32
March 2015
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