By State Senator Steve Meredith:
Last Memorial Day, we were all experiencing an absence of normality due to COVID-19. At that time, we realized that we take many aspects of our lives for granted and that we might have a genuine appreciation for these things until they are no longer available. We could not gather with loved ones, worship with our congregations, or spend time with dear friends as we usually would. Even the little things, such as enjoying a meal at our favorite local restaurant, were put on pause. We are now emerging from the pandemic with a greater sense of appreciation for our precious liberties.
 
To properly honor the sacrifices of brave service members this Memorial Day, we should enjoy our freedoms with a heart of gratitude, never again taking for granted all of which we are blessed. We are fortunate to live as citizens of both the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky and owe our respects to those who laid down everything they have to preserve our great nation and strengthen it. 
 
Memorial Day was established to honor those who perished in the Civil War, which claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history. In the late 1860s, Americans began holding springtime tributes to fallen soldiers, decorating graves, and praying together. These are traditions that remain with us today. Originally known as “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971. In May 2000, a “National Moment of Remembrance” was established as an opportunity for citizens to join together and memorialize the brave servicemen and women. They have lost their lives in the line of duty. This Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time, citizens across the United States are encouraged to pause for a moment of silence to honor our fallen heroes. We also remember the families of these heroes. Families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty are known as “Gold Star Families” as they continue to preserve the memories of their loved ones.
 
In memory of our fallen heroes, let us appreciate the blessings of freedom like never before. President John F. Kennedy once said:
 
 “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” 
 
It is my honor to serve as your State Senator. I wish you and your family a safe and blessed Memorial Day weekend.

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Are you ready to win a $100 VISA gift card? You can, by simply liking and sharing this post on the Edmonson Voice Facebook Page.

Edmonson Voice Report:
Baylee Wilkerson, a student at South Edmonson Elementary, was named the Edmonson County winner in the 2020 Jim Claypool Conservation Art Contest. This contest was produced as a partnership between Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts, and themed: “Exploring Kentucky’s Mighty Oaks.”

Students in grades K-12 from across the Commonwealth used the theme to create 11,567 art entries, according to Barbara Johnson, from the Edmonson County Conservation District.

"Judges from the local conservation districts, along with county officials and the UK Ag Extension office chose county winners, whose entry then moved on to the state level competition," she said in a statement. "A distinguished panel of judges with diverse environmental backgrounds selected statewide winners in both writing and art categories."

Johnson also said that state, area, and county winners will receive a check sponsored by the Kentucky Farm Bureau. First, second, and third place winners in Edmonson County received a medallion, medallion stand, a small cash prize and a certificate commemorating their win from the Edmonson County Conservation District, with the county winner also receiving a plaque. South Edmonson Elementary also received $100 from the Conservation District for having the highest percentage of entries, to be used at their discretion. 

Additional winners are second place, Parin Patel, and third place Annalee Vincent, both from South Edmonson Elementary.

Johnson said there were six entries in the contest from last year in Edmonson County.

"Hopefully we will have more participants next year," she said. "Due to the pandemic, it was very difficult for our teachers and students to participate."

There were no entries in the Conservation Writing Contest.

Edmonson Voice Report:
Rebecca Duvall Scott, author of best-selling Christian historical fiction novel, "When Dignity Came to Harlan," will be appearing at the Edmonson County Public Library on Thursday, May 20, 2021.

According to the library, she plans to talk about her author journey, the book that hit #2 on Amazon's Hot New Release list, and read short excerpts. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase, or you can bring your copy for her to sign.


“When Dignity Came to Harlan" is a Christian historical fiction novel based on her great-grandmother's childhood. The story is set in the early 1900s and follows 12-year-old Anna Beth Atwood as she leaves Missouri with her family dreaming of a better life in the coal-rich mountains of Harlan County, Kentucky.

The event is free and is scheduled for 6PM until 8PM on May 20th. For more, please visit this event page on Facebook.

Edmonson Voice Report:
Today, Edmonson County Senior SNAP-Ed Assistant Leticia Hughes with ECNEP, provided garden buckets to the Edmonson County Senior Center.

Each 5 gallon bucket contained a vegetable plant, soil, a veggie brush, a recipe, and nutritional information for 32 clients.

"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Marlene Webb, Senior Center Director, on this project," Mrs Hughes said.

The buckets were donated by Elite Construction LLC, from Smiths Grove.

submitted flyer:

Three bedroom, one-and-a-half bath home in Chalybeate for rent. Total square footage is approx 1300. Many updated features, nice view.

Please click here to see more photos, details about this property, and pricing and application information.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The Hidden Homestead Wedding and Event Venue along with Scott Skaggs Photography celebrated a ribbon cutting in Chalybeate last night.

The event was part of a series of events called "Chamber Chats" with the Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce, which was hosted at the venue.

Although the venue has been steadily booked for a few years, the facility hopes to attract more local customers as most users are from out of town.

"I still talk to so many local people that don't even know we're here," said owner, Scott Skaggs. "Sixty-percent of our business comes from out-of-town and we'd like to change that. As you might imagine, so many weddings and events were cancelled last year, but we're looking at having our biggest year ever in 2021."

Skaggs says what makes their venue different from others in the region is that the facility is all inclusive, where customers have access to decorations, dressing rooms, bedrooms, a full kitchen, outdoor areas, and a large pond with a dock and fountain.

Chamber Director Greg Hudson said the Chamber Chats are just one of the many events that the local Chamber is currently promoting.

"These are great networking opportunities for our local businesses," he said. "I know of multiple businesses that have gained new customers just from these events. Tonight's ribbon cutting was an extra benefit of this event. We also want to thank Rafferty's, another Chamber member, for furnishing our meal hear tonight."

The property is located at 56 Chapel Center Lane, Smiths Grove, KY 42171 in the Chalybeate community. To book an event or to make an appointment to see the property, you can call 270-792-2598, or visit their Facebook Page here. You can also visit their website here.

To find out more about the Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce, visit edmonsonchamber.com or call Greg Hudson at 270-991-3578.

courtesy of Feeding America:
Edmonson Co., Ky. – Through the combined efforts of REALTOR® Association of Southern Kentucky (RASK) and Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH), a total of 5,207 pounds of food have been distributed to families in need in Edmonson County.

Now in its 10th year, REALTORS® Hope for Hunger, led by members of RASK and in partnership with FAKH, again hosted a food and fund drive to bring awareness and fight hunger in southern Kentucky. More than $35,000 in funds were collected, and Western Kentucky University’s Greek organizations donated food from their April Greek Week CanStruction Event held on campus. A total of 98,507 pounds of food was distributed to school resource centers in southern Kentucky.

“The support of our community has always been, and continues to be, tremendous,” said Brooke Vinson, chairperson for the REALTORS® Community Service Committee. “With their help, over the last decade we have been able to distribute nearly 3.2 million servings of food for people facing hunger in southern Kentucky.”

Family Resource Coordinators from schools in Edmonson County will determine how the food will be allocated.

“They are in the best possible position to see which of the children and families in their area need a hand up,” Vinson said.

With one in five children facing hunger in FAKH’s service area, Jamie Sizemore, executive director of FAKH, said projects like this are needed now more than ever.

“As we shift more toward recovery in dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know we will see families continue to face hunger,” Sizemore said. “This food and fund drive directly supports food insecure families and we couldn’t be happier to partner with RASK to help them provide much-needed sustenance.”

 South Edmonson continues their weekly food truck events this Wednesday, May 5th with the Groovy Gus Donut Bus. Click the ad to visit this event on Facebook:

 Click the flyer to visit the auction site for more photos and info:

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