by Steve Meredith:
With the school year coming to an official end around Memorial Day, it has become the de facto start to summer. Many of you have your own family traditions for this three-day weekend when the temperature typically heats up—backyard barbecues, yard games, or time at the lake or poolside to create treasured family memories.
 
These special times with family and friends, and the memories they make, would be impossible without the sacrifices of many who laid down their lives to bless ours. Properly honoring the memory of fallen service members demands a celebration with a heart of gratitude and a deliberate effort to educate our children on the significance of Memorial Day.
 
Consider how fortunate we are to live as United States citizens and residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. No other country boasts the freedoms we enjoy in this country, a country founded on religious liberty and the pursuit of happiness, no matter how one defines that. 
 
Protecting those freedoms requires a military force like none other. 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 the 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 residents to join together and memorialize the brave servicemen and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.

As you create cherished memories with your family this holiday weekend, engage in conversation with the impressionable young minds in your family. Express to them the magnitude of the holiday, which honors those who have died to maintain the freedoms allowing us to lead fulfilling lives.
 
I am reminded of the profound words of President John F. Kennedy in 1963:  “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 encourage you to seek out a Memorial Day ceremony honoring our fallen along with your other family traditions. I wish you and yours a safe and blessed Memorial Day weekend.
 
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email  Stephen.Meredith@lrc.ky.gov. You can also review the legislature’s work online at www.legislature.ky.gov.

Edmonson Voice Report:
Three Edmonson County teachers were honored by Campbellsville University for their excellence in teaching, which were Mrs. Karen Jackson from South Edmonson Elementary, Ms. Heather Rickman from Edmonson County Middle School, and Mrs. Hilda Spradlin from Edmonson County High School.

Mrs. Karen Jackson has taught preschool at SEES since 1999. She received her bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University in 2000, and her master's degree in 2004. She is married to Richard Jackson, and they have one child, Jessica Wallace.

Rickman, of Bowling Green, teaches eighth grade writing at ECMS. She formerly taught in the Russellville school system from 2014 until 2020. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Western Kentucky University in 2013 and her Master of Arts in Education as a literary specialist from the University of the Cumberlands in 2018. She is working toward receiving her Rank I in administration.

Spradlin, of Smiths Grove , has served as a library media specialist since 2001 at Edmonson County High School. She formerly taught agriculture at the high school from 1992 until 2001. From Western Kentucky University, she received her Bachelor of Science in 1989, her Master of Arts in 1995 and her Rank I in 2000. She is a 1985 graduate of Edmonson County
High School. She is the daughter of Imogean Davis of Smiths Grove, Ky., and the late Roy Davis. She is married to Rodney Spradlin.

They were three out of 218 teachers honored at the event.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:

I often encourage those in our county that have had tough times to contact us and allow us to tell their story. Not for the purpose of gaining readership or to sell ads...it's so that those stories of struggle are shared with as many as possible so that help can be provided to those in need.

I've had the opportunity to write about people's struggles and how our community could help them, along with opportunities to write about their stories of faith and how God intervened in a time of great trouble. Some of those have come from my own family. I seldom write pieces in first-person format, but my family is in need right now, and the best way I know to tell this story is from my own perspective.

My mother, Debbie Doyle, a wife of nearly 51 years to my Dad, Steve, fell off their porch Friday night after getting her feet tangled up just a little. She lost her balance with some items in her hand and was unable to catch herself as she fell over a large flower pot onto the ground. She didn't fall very far and it didn't seem very hard, but she was immediately in incredible pain and she soon became incoherent.

Just over a month ago, she underwent a Deep Brain Stimulation surgery (DBS), which is sort of like a pacemaker for your brain. She had developed a severe tremor in her hands which kept her from writing, putting on her makeup, and anything else that required a somewhat steady hand. Electrodes were placed in her brain that were connected to a control device just below her collar bone to control her tremors. It had been working great. Honestly, I think the worst part of this surgery for her was that she had to shave her head.

We can't be certain, but it's likely because she was still recovering from her DBS procedure, the fall was enough to bring severe trauma to the brain.

She was transported to Greenview Hospital by Edmonson EMS (thank you, Hank and Jason!) where it was discovered she had a bleed on her brain. She was then air lifted to Nashville for surgery.

We stayed at the hospital through the night as they monitored her brain activity and doctors had decided to wait on the surgery as she seemed to show improvement. After staying up all night with nowhere to stay inside the hospital due to their ridiculous regulations and visitation policy, my dad, brother, and I decided to head back home to get a little sleep and regroup while she was stable.

Not long after we got home and in the bed we were called back as medical team determined the surgery would come sooner rather than later. We made the maddening dash back down to Nashville just to start the brutal waiting process.

One of the surgeons came and explained the surgery went well, the bleed was stopped and he expected a 100% recovery. She was placed in the ICU unit in a medically-induced coma on a ventilator and what appeared to be every other machine in the hospital.

We prayed, asked for prayer, prayed some more, cried, asked for more prayer, and this cycle went on throughout the day and evening. We went home to sleep a little and returned early Sunday morning to the same thing. We were told we could be with the medical team early on Monday morning as they made their rounds and that we could be present as they made their assessments and put together the treatment plan for Mom throughout the day on Monday. We left home early Monday morning but the hospital called Dad as we were on our way to inform us that another surgery was immediately needed and she was on her way to the operating room due to another large brain bleed.

This bleed had pushed the mid-line shift of the brain over to one side. Trying to get through morning Nashville traffic is not a pleasant experience when you're trying to get to the hospital in a dire emergency.

She made it through the second surgery and again, the doctors felt good about it; however, the brain would have to be scanned again after a period of time to see if the shift went back where it was supposed to. We waited all day Monday for this and it was miserable. All this time, we continued to ask people for their prayers. Prayers were going up and all we could do was hope they were being heard. The scans came back that afternoon and the brain had shifted back to the right place. For now, it seemed as though we were back to the same spot we were in after the first surgery. We understood it as a setback in the timetable, but still holding.

Tuesday was a bad day. We were invited to attend the rounds on Tuesday morning, which consisted of a team of 11 doctors, nurses, and experts that assessed the situation. They spoke with too much jargon for us to keep up with, but the Dr. (a fellow doctor, who is still in a training program) said he would follow up with us shortly with a discussion.

We waited over 4 hours before we were able to talk to him, but we finally had a discussion on Mom's situation. His opinion was that Mom would never return back to normal due to the trauma her brain had undergone. He also said he felt like Mom would remain in her critical state for the next month. She would likely have to have a tracheotomy within the next couple days if she was unable to breathe on her own and she would likely need rehab for the next 3-6 months with 24/7 care.

We were stunned. Dad was broken and I was blank. We kept asking for prayer and cried the rest of the day. It was a long ride home and all we could do was ask for more prayer. There comes a point when a person is so distraught that the mind can't focus enough to pray themselves, and that's where we were. But we also knew that our previous prayers had been heard, our friends and family were still praying, and others that we didn't even know were praying.

On Wednesday, when the medical team began to get Mom off the ventilator, she began responding well. So well, in fact, they took out the vent to see if she could make it on her own. If not, they would do the tracheotomy, but she began to breathe on her own. She began to wake up and respond in ways she hadn't and things began to drastically change in the right direction. She started trying to whisper and eventually said her first words since Friday night: "I'm aching."

She began making small improvements throughout the day and by yesterday evening, was having short conversations with Dad and my brother. It figures that Shane was there when all the good stuff happened. He was always Mom's favorite.

So here we are, still hopeful, still praying, and we are asking everyone, everywhere to please pray for our Mom. She's a good woman that has stood beside my dad for over 50 years. My dad has helped a lot of people in his 44 years of preaching and counseling and now I'm not too proud to ask you to help them by sending out your prayers.

We know that prayer works and we have faith that it will continue to work. My two brothers, their families, my family, and my Dad thank you for what you've already done.

We've been bombarded with requests to help them in other ways and there are relief efforts now underway.

Michelle Coleman, CEO of Bank of Edmonson County, said that both checks and cash are being accepted as donations; checks can be made to Steve Doyle. Checks can be either deposited in person on his behalf or mailed to any of the three bank locations. You are advised to deliver cash in person, not by mail.

Locations include:
109 S. Main St
Brownsville KY 42210--Mailing address for all locations is: PO BOX 99, Brownsville KY, 42210

6780 Louisville Road
Bowling Green KY 42101

156 S. Main St. 
Smiths Grove KY 42171

The money will be directly available to the family to help with medical and living expenses while Mom fights to recover from the accident. 

Friends have also set up a GoFundMe for Steve and Debbie. You can donate by clicking here.

Again, they are not ones to ask for money, but they will be out of work for an extended period of time. We don't know what they will have to face.

Dad works as a part-time court security officer at the Edmonson County Courthouse and Mom runs Mimi's Gift Gallery, a small boutique in Chalybeate. We don't know when either of them will be able to return to work. We still have a long way to go and we are unsure of what the future holds; however, we remain hopeful. We need your continued prayers most of all.

Thank you, and God bless you.
-Darren

Edmonson Voice Report:
Sophia Prunty, a student at South Edmonson Elementary, was named the Edmonson County winner in the 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: “We all need Water.”

Students, grades K-12 from across the Commonwealth used the theme to create 29,388 art entries. 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. A distinguished panel of judges with diverse environmental backgrounds selected statewide winners in both writing and art categories. 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 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.  Winners were Sophia Prunty who placed first, Lyla Wilson placed second, and London Alford placed third, all from South Edmonson Elementary. There were 144 entries in the Art Contest from South Edmonson Elementary.

Barbara Johnson, administrative secretary for the Edmonson County Conservation District, said "We commend Ms. Jessica Doyle, South Edmonson Elementary Art teacher, for her continuing commitment in encouraging the students participation in the Jim Claypool Conservation Art Contest."

Edmonson Voice Report:
On Thursday, May 19, 2022  six Edmonson County students, along with extension office agent Julia Wilson, traveled to Clifty Farms in Scottsville, Kentucky to participate in the second of three rounds in curing their own country ham, where students washed and netted their hams.

The third round will occur in July. Following that, students will compete at the state fair in August, where they will give a speech and submit their ham for judging. 

"We have found that 4-H continues to give our students a wide variety of opportunities and a way to take ownership by completing their own projects," said South Edmonson Elementary Guidance Counselor Shannon Lowe. "It's even better that their hard work will be on display at the state fair."

Please enjoy of this slideshow of those who participated:

Homecoming Services will be held at Good Springs United Baptist Church on Sunday, May 29, 2022.  Services will begin at 10:00 am. 

The Church is located near Maple Springs in Mammoth Cave National Park.  Traffic must enter at the Maple Springs Road entrance. 

Services conducted by Bro. Keith Sanders.  A potluck lunch will follow services.
 

Madison Doyle, story and photo:
Edmonson County Senior Food Pantry teamed up with AmeriCorps Seniors to host their second annual Senior Ice Cream Social today, May 19th, 2022 in the Edmonson County Community Center.

Various vendors set gave seniors a chance to see what services were offered to them, according to Senior Food Pantry Coordinator Vickie Walker.

"This is our second time doing this, and we want to continue to do this every year," Walker said. "We do this so that the seniors in our community get an opportunity to know what kinds of services they qualify for,  and we serve ice cream so everybody has a good time."

Walker said while the pantry is technically open to people over the age of 60 who are in need of food, they never turn anyone down. "We just want to help whoever we can. I am here Monday through Friday every week, and if for some reason I'm not here, my phone number is on the door and I'll be glad to answer your call."

Edmonson County Judge Executive Wil Cannon signed a proclamation that recognized May as "Older Americans Month" in Edmonson County.

Walker said she wanted to thank everyone who came out to today's event, and said she sends a "huge and special" thank you to all of the vendors who came out to help.

Edmonson Voice Report: photo submitted by Melanie Vincent
On Saturday, May 14, 2022 Floyd Childress celebrated his 92nd birthday with family and friends.

Mr. Childress was born in Edmonson county to Lawrence and  Lindy Childress and has lived 87 of his 92 years in the Forks Community. 

Darren Doyle, story:
The Edmonson County Family Resource/Youth Services Center is sponsoring a free event called The Down on the Farm Early Childhood Fair.

This free community event is scheduled for Thursday, May 19th from 5PM-7PM, and is a walk-through, open house-type event to better accommodate families.

The main event is set to be held in the Edmonson County Public Library parking lot with additional info inside.

"This event is for families and children ages birth to 4 years," said Alicia Edwards, FRC Coordinator for Kyrock and SEES. "We will have vendors with developmental information, free readiness kits, crafts, activities, live farm animals, a tractor, and lots of goodies for the children."

To ensure enough kits, snacks and crafts, the FRYSC would love for families to fill out this short survey at the link below, however, it's not required for attendance, Edwards said.

https://signup.com/go/FHYTVte

Anthony and Pamela Madison married May 13, 1972.

They have two children, Autumn and Trevor, three granddaughters, Lexi, Haley and Briley, one grandson, Tyler, and one great granddaughter, Audrey.

Anthony and Pam own Madison's Flowers and Reside in Brownsville.

Edmonson Voice Report:
On Monday, the Edmonson County 5/6 Center kicked off testing week with an awards program for students who scored proficient and/or distinguished on KPREP testing during the 2021-2022 school year.  Parents of those students were invited to the 5/6 Center so they could watch their child receive their award in front of the whole school. 

Principal Chad Johnston expressed his enthusiasm about the ceremony. "We were excited to provide parents, students, and teachers with an opportunity to be together to kickoff our state testing this week," Johnston said. "It was great to see parents and students in the building together so we could all celebrate our student achievements.  We are proud of all our students and want to thank the parents for their continued support of Edmonson County Schools."

The Edmonson County 5/6 Center also recognized Samantha Ulm for being the only student to score distinguished in the three tested areas of math, reading, and science for 4th grade while she was a student at South Edmonson Elementary.