The ECHS baseball team is currently selling EC Wildcat blankets for their latest fundraiser.

"They are 50x60 and a soft t-shirt-like material.  They can choose either navy or red (or both!), said Christy Logan, with the Baseball Boosters. "They are $25.00 each and 50% of the proceeds go to the team!  We accept Venmo as payment. Order deadline is Friday May 5th.  I have also attached the team Venmo account information.  Amber Beth Gaddie is making these blankets for us, and volunteered to give 50% of the proceeds to the team.  She is from Leitchfield and has a shop there called Sew Rockin Threadz, located on the square in Leitchfield.  
 

Those who do not use Venmo can mail a check, made out to ECHS Baseball Boosters.

Please send to:
205 Noah Stevenson Rd.
Bee Spring, KY 42207

One can also text or call: 270-597-6421 to place an order.

"Racing For A Reason," a local nonprofit created by area residents Heather, Hannah, and Holly Doan, is hosting a competitive racing event this weekend at WKU's Ag/Expo Center.

According to the girls' mother, Yvette Doan, "We were in the barn doing winter cleaning chores, the girls were cleaning stalls and I was cleaning in the tack room when I started to hear my girls getting loud. I thought they had begun to argue about something as sometimes sisters will do. So I stepped out of the tack room into the alleyway and asked, "why are y'all being so loud? Are y'all arguing about something?" My daughters quickly told me that they were not arguing but had been taling about wanting to do something BIG, like really BIG. They told me that they had this idea to put on a barrel race at our local saddle club and give away a buckle to the open 1D winner and that the money made from producing the show would be given to a nonprofit, group, or organization in our community."

From there, the girls said they wanted to do a show each year and pick a new beneficiary. After making some phone calls, they teamed up with Trailer Mart in Cave City, who donated a brand new, two-horse trailer to award the winner. Doan said the reaction was good enough that they quickly realized they would need a bigger venue so they were able to reach out to WKU, and with the support of the WKU Equestrian Team, the event will be held at the Ag/Expo Center.

This year's beneficiary is New Beginning Therapeutic Riding, a separate nonprofit that says they serve those ages 5 to 80 in Warren and surrounding counties with behavioral, emotional, mental, and physical disabilities. NBTR states they are dedicated to serving those in need with the power of horses.

Heather is 22 years old, Hannah is 19 years old, and Holly is the youngest, who is a sophomore at Edmonson County High School. The Doans live near the Edmonson/Barren line in the Smiths Grove area. They are the daughters of John and Yvette Doan.

For more information, visit the Racing For A Reason Facebook Page or call (270) 308-5627.

Edmonson Voice Report:
On Friday, April 21, Owensboro quilter Vicki Girten presented veteran tribute quilts to ten members of the Brownsville VFW Post 6937 in a ceremony at the Brownsville Public Library.

Girten got her start in quilting after her mother told her that it was a dying art that needed to be continued. She started by making veteran tribute quilts; first, for a neighbor WWII veteran, then for family veterans, and then she expanded her generosity to other veterans from friends.

Recently, lifelong friend and Brownsville resident Nelda Woosley told her about the small Brownsville VFW Post that regularly earns All State and All American honors and expends a lot of effort into conducting veteran funeral ceremonies. In March, she presented quilts to local veterans Paul Vincent and Morris Blanton, honoring Vincent’s WWII service and recent recovery and return home from a hip injury.

During that ceremony in the living room of Paul Vincent’s home (where the VFW had just helped install a wheelchair ramp) she was impressed with the spirit of service and comradeship she observed among the VFW Post members, so the following month she returned to Brownsville with additional quilts.

Friday’s quilt presentation brought her quilt donation total up to 112. It takes her two days of labor, even with modern quilting tools, to complete each quilt and only two have been of duplicate design (which was by request).

VFW Post 6937’s Commander, CWO-5 Gerald Carroll US Army retired, said, “Words are totally inadequate to describe what this woman has done for us as veterans.”

Past Department of Kentucky Commander, Chief Master Sergeant Edwin Vincent, USAF retired said, “When we went into the service we expected and got practically nothing (from the public), but this is just great!”

Post member Benny Durbin noted, “I turned 18 in Vietnam and haven’t felt this emotional since we returned by bus from a tour of Washington DC war memorials and were escorted into town by an honor guard of first responders."

Girten’s next mission is making quilts for a Post of 25 in Davis County led by a former Navy Corpsman.

Post member Ray Durbin commented on Girten’s work, “God gave her the talent and this is her ministry.”

Priddy said that not only does this class teach kids why you should say no to drugs or alcohol, it teaches them about responsibility.

"We all have a responsibility, I have many as an adult, as an officer, you guys have many here at school as students, and even at home with your parents," Priddy said.

He went on to thank the school system for "being so supportive" of this program.

"I want to thank Edmonson County School System for allowing me to come into this school and do this," he said. "Some people don't realize that a lot places don't do this anymore, because it takes kids out of their regular curriculum and takes time out of the day. I'm thankful that the teachers here were so supportive and got these kids in and out of class to do this, because it truly is so important." 

He also thanked all of the students for their respect and time put into him and the class, and also said he had a long list of donors to thank for making this possible, but that there were too many to name.

Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey also spoke today. He also thanked the school system for allowing this program to take place.

"I want to thank our school system for allowing this program to still take place here, it's a very important thing and you all will remember this for the rest of your lives," Lindsey said. "Trooper Priddy, Sheriff Vincent, and myself recently attended a class about opioids addiction, and about all of the overdoses going on not just in our country, but right here close to home. I'm not saying this to scare you, but you need to know this stuff is real and this exactly why we have this program."

There was also an essay contest for the students in the class. Fifth grade student Sophie Dunham was the overall winner and she read her essay to the crowd.

Trooper Priddy was presented with the official D.A.R.E officer pin, and a plaque from the 5/6th center.

Principal Jared McReynolds ended the ceremony by thanking Trooper Priddy for his time dedicated to the students and Edmonson County.

submitted flyer:

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce welcomed another member into the local business community, as Premier Heating and Cooling celebrated their grand opening today with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Located at 2209 Otter Gap Road, Bowling Green, KY (Edmonson County), Premier Heating & Cooling offers both commercial and residential HVAC services. The business is owned by husband-and-wife duo Kelly and Stacie Spear.

"We provide service and installation of HVAC and we've been in business for nine years," said Kelly. He said they bought the property on Otter Gap Road a few months ago and love being in Edmonson County.

Premier Heating and Cooling is also on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Stacie added.

"We're a Goodman and Amana factory-authorized dealer and we are very pleased so far with our new location," Kelly said. "We really love this community and this area. We've got some great neighbors."

Chamber Treasurer Daniel Bolton said the Chamber was very happy to welcome the new member.

"This is another great business that we believe will strengthen our local community," he said. "The service industry is very strong right now and we sincerely hope the Chamber can help them reach new customers. We are humbled that they joined our Chamber and asked us to host this ribbon cutting on their special day."

Employees, friends, neighbors, and Chamber Board members were on hand as hamburgers, hot dogs, and refreshments were served.

You can contact the office for installation, service, and maintenance at 270-904-3715 or Kelly's cell at 270-779-2862. You can visit their Facebook Page here or visit their website: premierhvacbg.com.

To join the Chamber, please visit edmonsonchamber.com.

MAMMOTH CAVE, KY– Mammoth Cave National Park will celebrate Earth Day and National Volunteer Week by hosting a volunteer litter pickup on Saturday, April 22 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT.  Event volunteers will work alongside park staff to pick up litter along roadways, trails, and visitor use areas for a spring clean-up. 
 
Volunteers should meet at the lower open picnic shelter in the main Mammoth Cave picnic area near the visitor center for check-in and orientation at 8 a.m. Tools and safety gear will be provided by the park, but volunteers should wear sturdy footwear, dress for outdoor weather conditions, and bring their own water and snacks. The work is weather dependent. Check the park website for current weather conditions and program updates.  
 
Earth Day began in 1970 out of the modern environmental movement and now engages more than 1 billion people in the stewardship of our planet. National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and recognizes the contributions of volunteers. It has grown exponentially each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. In keeping with the goals of Earth Day and National Volunteer Week, event volunteers will assist park staff in the ongoing environmental stewardship of the park by helping to keep the roadways, trails, and visitor use areas free from litter.  
 
To learn more about this Earth Day Event or to sign up with the park, please visit volunteer.gov. 
 
For questions, please contact the Volunteer Office at MACA_VIP@nps.gov or 270-758-2141.    

 

Edmonson Voice Report:
The Edmonson County Conservation District, in partnership with the Kentucky Division of Forestry will be having a tree seedling giveaway Saturday April 15th 2023 from 8:30am-12 noon (or while supplies last) first come, first served.

LOCATION: at the old service station across from the District office, 100 Washington Street, Brownsville. There will be a limited number of Flowering Dogwood, Pecan, Paw Paw, Willow Oak, and White Pine seedlings. The pecans, paw paw, and flowering dogwood will be limited to two per household. We encourage everyone to share their tree planting experiences on our Facebook page.  

For more information call the Edmonson County Conservation District Office at 270-597-2761.
Event will be postponed in the event of bad weather. Watch the Edmonson County Conservation District Facebook page for any announcements.