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SkyLite Fireworks is teaming up with World Class Fireworks and the Folds of Honor Foundation this July 4th season to ensure no family gets left behind in the fight to preserve American freedom. To date, more than 700,000 soldiers have been killed or disabled in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This joint venture will raise funds and help provide scholarships to family members of soldiers wounded or killed in service to their country.  The 2015 goal is to raise more than $250,000 nationwide, which will impact more than 50 families.

SkyLite Fireworks will be selling the “Folds of Honor” 500 gram cake at it South Central Kentucky locations in 2015.  For each “Folds of Honor” firework sold, $10 will be donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation. 

“This is our second year to participate in the Folds of Honor campaign,” states Amy Burge, owner of SkyLite Fireworks.  “The Folds of Honor firework paints the sky red, white and blue, and it’s an ideal way to show your support for the military this July 4th season.”

Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to military men, women and family members.  Of the one million plus dependents affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, roughly 85 percent of those service members do not qualify for federal scholarship assistance.  Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded more than 7,500 scholarships. To learn more about contributions or applying for scholarships visit www.foldsofhonor.org. 

by Josh Casey, C&C Firearms
The oldest crime ever committed still has the ability to shock us to our core, to leave us wounded on such a deep level that the whole world seems to stop for a minute and reevaluate everything we thought we knew.  Thank God that it does, empathy and love are what make us human, but the questions remain.  What to do? Who to blame?  How do we prevent this in the future?

Unfortunately, an emotional response is almost automatic. How could it not be? You see such senseless violence and in a place of worship, of peace-- a place where a person should always be safe. Our emotions tell us that something must be done, something must be to blame and its easiest to look at the tool used. However, reason must win the day. Does anyone believe that a person willing to break multiple laws, illegal carry and even murder, would stop to reconsider his actions if he knew he might also be charged with illegally obtaining a gun? Do we really believe that people bent on destruction will simply abandon their plans because getting a gun is illegal? In an age when the very pots and pans we cook with are being turned into weapons of mass destruction, that evil will not find a way?

Emotion tells us we must do something......emotion is right. Let’s do something. Let stand up and label evil for what it is, it’s not terrorism, it’s not a hate crime. It is pure unadulterated evil and it must be opposed for what it is. Let’s restore personal accountability; this criminal is responsible for mass murder, but I have a feeling that he isn't the only one who should be held accountable. Children are not born with hatred in the heart; hatred must be taught and nurtured. Someone somewhere knows they helped influence this young man. Someone helped him believe that people different from him are less than him, and I hope that someone has a heavy heart tonight.

Edmonson County Tourism Commission welcomes you to a Trail Town Meeting Thurs. June 18, 2015 at the Edmonson Co. Library at 5:30 PM Guest Speaker: Elaine Wilson & Staff will discuss the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet's statewide program to promote biking, hiking, walking, equestrian, and water trails, and to promote healthy lifestyles while attracting new businesses and enhancing current business economic growth. 

Food and Refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome.

Edmonson County Parks & Rec will present its annual Little League awards and fireworks show at Freedom Fest '15 on Friday, June 26th at the Chalybeate Park. A.B. Webb, head of Parks and Rec, said he expects this year's festival to be the biggest to date. "This is something great for the county," he said. "It's a great fireworks show, good music and food, and the best part is that admission is free."

This year's musical guest will be the Edmonson County-based "Roosterfish," a band that's heavily influenced in both classic rock and classic country with a few modern country and originals thrown in. The band is made up of Brian Alexander, Chris Raymer, Greg Cooke, Mark Wagoner, and Kevin Raymer. You can find out more about the band by visiting their website here or their Facebook Page here.

The event will kickoff at 6pm with the Little League trophy and awards presentation. Music will start at 7pm, with the fireworks show beginning at dusk. There will be food and concessions available and there is no admission to the event. Freedom Fest '15 is sponsored by Edmonson County Parks & Rec, Bank of Edmonson County, and the Edmonson County Lions Club.

Treating “Shaq Sized Pain” with Over The Counter TENS Devices

Some days it seems that Shaq has taken over my TV.  The former LSU big man has been the face of Icy Hot, Gold Bond, and Buick commercials for quite some time. While treating “Shaq Sized Pain” with an electrical patch may sound great, does it actually work?

There are actually several new OTC “TENS” Devices (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, a fancy word for electric patch) over the counter in the USA.  Icy Hot SmartRelief, Omron Electrothearpy Pain Relief, AccuRelief TENS Pain Relief System, etc. are over the counter versions which are comparable to TENS units obtained with prescription. They are used to treat back, muscle, and joint pain by sending a low voltage impulse through the skin into nerves which is thought to decrease pain sensations. While many people use them and believe in their benefits, they are typically used as an adjunct to other treatments or medications for pain and not as primary treatments.

These OTC devices are generally safe. Patients who may have issues with electrical impulses, such as people with pacemakers, epilepsy, or who are pregnant should avoid using them. Otherwise, they are generally safe. It’s important to apply them to a clean, dry, area on your skin to get the most benefit. Also, be sure to start at a low level and gradually increase the power over a few sessions until you find a level that gives you relief. As always, discuss this type of treatment with your doctor or pharmacist if you have reservations or questions!

Your Family Pharmacist,
Samuel Warnell

by Beth Cook, Mammoth Cave Transplants
Japanese beetle damage is pretty easy to identify. Usually, the bugs can be caught in the act. The telltale signs of Japanese beetles include skeletonized leaves or total defoliation. Japanese beetles also love to eat rosebuds — from the inside out. Get them under control or they can be detrimental to your garden. 

Insecticides- A number of insecticides are available to kill Japanese beetles. by spraying the affected plants with Japanese beetle killer with ingredients such as carbaryl or pyrethrin). Pyrethrin-based insecticide is a safe and effective way to control these pests on vegetables, grapes, raspberries, flowers, roses, trees and shrubs. In addition to controlling Japanese beetles, it also controls cucumber beetles, flea beetles, cabbageworms, and more. As soon as you notice beetles, begin spraying.  The beetles release chemicals called pheromones into the air. These pheromones attract other beetles. So if you see a few of the bugs, they'll probably attract more. Get rid of Japanese beetles early, before they can invite more of their friends to feed on your plants.

Hand Pick: Japanese beetles are slow. You can easily pick them off plants with your hands and toss them into a bucket of soapy water. Do it in the morning when the beetles are less alert.

Prevent: Although the adult Japanese beetles cause most of the damage, the larvae- grubs-- can also damage your lawn. A number of grub killing products are quite effective. Ideally, apply it in spring before the beetles emerge. Treating for the grubs will reduce the amount of that emerges into beetles.

Vulnerable Plants to Japanese Beetles

If you have these  plants, monitor them closely:

• Linden
• Crab apple
• Apple
• Japanese maple
• Norway maple
• Rose
• Crape myrtle
• Pin oak
• Birch
• Cherry (plum, apricot, peach)

Remember to take action early and keep spraying those plants regularly so you don't go buggy!

~~Gardeners learn by trowel and error. ~Gardening Saying~~

 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 32, Brownsville, KY has organized a 5K Walk with the theme being "Walking for Veterans". The 5K Walk will be held July 11, 2015 with registration at 9:00am and located at Edmonson County HS parking lot (Start Line and Registration), Brownsville, KY. This Walk will be a family event with entertainment, food, drawing for prizes and a lot of fun! Contact your friends, neighbors ,family, fellow workers, and businesses to sponsor you with a donation to walk. 

DAV Brownsville Chapter 32 is an all volunteer service to veterans in representing them with their disability, medical treatment and compensation claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs. DAV Chapter 32, Brownsville, KY has assured millions of dollars in benefits and compensation for veterans, families, and survivors in Edmonson, Warren, Logan, Butler, Grayson, Simpson and Barren Counties.  * If you can't participate in the Walk please donate with checks payable to: DAV Chapter 32, PO Box 733, Brownsville, KY 42210. Call (270) 566-3722 for any details about the Walk or donations.

** Grand Prizes given to the top five Walker participants for the most money raised.  ** Bring form below made out and all checks and money from your sponsors to the registration table the day of the Walk. ** All checks made out to DAV, Chapter 32. We need your support for our Veterans!!

Name of Walker                                            Address                                              Phone#

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Sponsor Name                                         Amount Donated                              Sponsor Address

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Bee Spring, KY.  – Summer Splash is back at the Nolin Lake State Park on June 20th, featuring a variety of activities and entertainment for families.  The event kicks off at 3 p.m. with free inflatables for children, and a variety of food vendors.  At 7 p.m. Houseboat Hop begins, featuring live music by the Jim Diamond Band from on top of a houseboat.  At dark visitors can enjoy an incredible fireworks show put on by Nite Lites.

The Nolin Lake State Park boat ramp will be closed on June 20th for this event.  Boaters should plan to launch from the Van Meter (Site 1) boat ramp at the dam or the Moutardier boat ramp.

“We’re excited about another great event organized by the Friends of Nolin Lake,” said Deryck Rodgers, Park Manager with the Corps of Engineers at Nolin.  “We had a big crowd at last year’s Summer Splash.  Everyone enjoyed the music, the free inflatables, the food, and especially the free fireworks show.”

Summer Splash and Houseboat Hop is organized by the Friends of Nolin Lake and is sponsored by The Point at Nolin and by Moutardier Resort and Marina. 

For more information, please visit the Friends of Nolin Lake web page at http://www.friendsofnolinlake.org

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Home for Sale in Chalybeate:  Priced to Sell--

40 Gateway Court, Smiths Grove, KY (Chalybeate community in Edmonson County)

This home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a carport and storage building. Approx. 1350 sq. ft. home with a large front yard on a .80 acre lot. Friendly neighborhood located in New Grove Estates within the South Edmonson Elementary School district. Appliances included! Appraised this year for $115,000. Asking $104,900. Contact Jessica Doyle at 270-589-0755 for more information.

The Edmonson County real property tax roll will be opened for inspection from June 1st through June 15th, 2015. Under the supervision of the property valuation administrator or one of the deputies, any person may inspect the tax roll.

This is the January 1, 2015 assessment on which state, county, and school taxes for 2015 will be due about November 1, 2015.  

The tax roll is in the office of PVA in the Edmonson County courthouse and may be inspected between the hours of 7:30am to 4:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and from 8:00am to 12 noon on Thursday and Saturday. 

Any taxpayer desiring to appeal an assessment on real property made by the PVA must first request a conference with the PVA or a designated deputy. The conference may be held prior to or during the inspection period. 

Any taxpayer still aggrieved by an assessment on real property, after the conference with the PVA or designated deputy, may appeal to the county board of assessment appeals.

The taxpayer can appeal his assessment by filing in person or sending a letter or other written petition stating the reasons for appeal, identifying the property and stating the taxpayer's opinion of the fair cash value of the property.

The appeal must be filed with the county clerk's office no later than one work day following the conclusion of the inspection period. 

Any taxpayer failing to appeal to the county board of assessment appeals, or failing to appear before the board, either in person or by designated representative, will not be eligible to appeal directly to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals.

Appeals of personal property assessments shall not be made to the county board of assessment appeals. Personal property taxpayers shall be served notice under the provisions of KRS 132.450(4) and shall have the protest and appeal rights granted under the provisions of KRS 131.110.

The following steps should be taken when a taxpayer does not agree with the assessed value of personal property as determined by the office of PVA.

(1)   Property owner must list under protest (for certification) what he believes to be the fair cash value of his               property.
(2) Property owner must file a written protest directly with the Department of Revenue, Office of Property                 Valuation within 30 days from the date of the notice of assessment.
(3) This protest must be in accordance with KRS 131.110.
(4) The final decision of the Department of Revenue may be appealed to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals.

-Kyle M. White,
Property Valuation Administrator
Edmonson County

About one in ten people will suffer from a kidney stone this year. These small “stones” form from mineral and salts in the kidney. When the stone passes out of the kidney on the way to the bladder, the kidney stone tends to become lodged resulting in pink, red, or brown urine and extreme discomfort and pain.  There are several causes of kidney stones, but the most common are excess calcium oxalate, urinary tract infections, or high uric acid levels.

Most kidney stones form from calcium oxalate – a substance found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and chocolate – and are relatively small. Many people who develop UTI’s will develop larger kidney stones which develop fast and sometimes require medical intervention to treat. Finally, people who do not drink enough water or suffer from gout (which results in higher uric acid levels) will more frequently develop kidney stones.

Typically kidney stones pass within a few weeks when patients drink plenty of water.  Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc.) help with pain and may decrease urinary spasms that cause pain.  For larger stones, many patients need to be placed on medications such as Flomax (Tamsulosin). These medications relax part of the bladder which allows stones to pass quicker and easier than normal.

If you develop kidney stones talk to your doctor. It’s important to find out the reason to help avoid future issues.

Your Family Pharmacist,
Samuel Warnell

by Fallon Willoughby

Breakfast Served Anytime
Sarah Combs
Published: April 8th 2014
Candlewick Press
Pages: 272
Price: $16.99

“A coming-of-age debut evokes the bittersweet joys and pangs of finding independence in one unforgettable summer away at ‘geek camp.’ Beautifully told by debut author Sarah Combs, this honest and touching story of growing up is imbued with the serene atmosphere of Kentucky’s natural landscape. ”

A friend recommended this book to me, saying it was the best Young Adult book at the Southern Kentucky Bookfest this year.  I trusted her advice and it made it one of my selections and I am glad that I did. I met the author when hosting one of the Young Adult panels on the Friday of Bookfest, and she was really nice.  She signed my book, and said she would steal my name!  She is not on social media however, which could work against her in this day and age.

The book follows a young seventeen year old girl, Gloria, as she prepares to make one of the most important decisions of her life - which college to attend. It helps the story that she falls in love along the way.  Even better, it is set in Kentucky, and Gloria, is preparing to go to “geek camp” for four weeks.  It is an exclusive program for the bright and talented Kentucky kids, who are then offered a scholarship to attend a Kentucky college for free. The program works to try and keep the best and brightest of those in Kentucky IN Kentucky.

Gloria is a typical teenage girl, with typical teenage problems. This makes the book ever more relatable. She isn’t perfect. Always a good sign.  One unique fact about Gloria, however, is that her mother abandoned her and her father, and this is a topic Gloria muses on several times. Listening to her ranting and rambling voice took me back to my seventeenth year, and I greatly enjoyed it.  Gloria’s voice shines through and is what truly makes this book worth the read. The book is incredibly well written. I often flag my book, noting special quotes or passages I particularly like. I usually wind up with three or four but this book has 11.  One of which was:

“She would murder a perfectly good moment just to take a picture of it, I swear.”

As has been mentioned, the book is set within Kentucky. Gloria herself is from Louisville, so her point a few is different from the other teenagers she talks to who come from rural towns within Kentucky.  One of my favorite characters is from a farm his parents own that has been in his family for generations, and though he wishes to get a college degree, his life plans revolve around that farm.  The book presents us with characters who know what they want to do for the rest of their lives, and characters (like Gloria) who are not so certain anymore what they wish to do. This is very realistic, and great to experience for all. 

However, one topic lightly brought up a few times is mountaintop removal and mining.  From the synopsis I truly thought mountaintop removal was going to be more of a main point throughout the story. It is not.  It causes a couple of fights.  They go and visit a site of mountain removal. That’s it.  Boom. Bang. Done.  I really thought that this could have been a topic brought more into focus. However, the novel achieves what it was meant to within the context of a four week “geek camp” and the character growth of Gloria is a very worthwhile read.  It brings to the forefront some of the best things about Kentucky, and that is always a plus.

Young Adult books usually give us romance, and this book does not fail on that front.  We see several young relationships, breakups and trouble.  Gloria herself also battles with love, and it is a hilarious experience for her.  The pace of the book is well set with the plot.  There is intrigue, fun and true teenage moments. 

Another great advantage to this book is that it gives us a snapshot of the future lives of each individual we come close to, without it being cheesy or simply an addition to the end. I always wonder where the characters will wind up or what choices they will make. This book gave me the answers to this question in a cool, unique way for most of the characters we encounter.  I appreciate that more than the author can know.

This book is a very specific genre – Young Adult - as I mentioned. If stories told from a teenage girl’s point of view are not your thing, you will not enjoy it. That is all a matter of preference. However, if you are (at any age!), then pick this one up. It’s a great read, has some wonderful moments in it, and is lighthearted enough to you laugh out loud at least once. If you love to read, and discuss books, you will also enjoy the camp that Gloria attends, and all the moments that come from it.

Ben Webb, owner of Ben Webb's Lawn Care is now accepting new customers. Give Ben a call at the number below. Free estimates.

From the family of Nadeane N. Gravil:

We are so blessed to live in a county where everyone comes out to supply such a variety of comforts.  We were blessed by food, phone calls, cards, prayers, flowers, donations to the Christian Relief Funds as well as the multitude of friends who came by to give encouragement and support during our loss.  Whatever you did, we truly appreciate your actions.  Mom was honored with all the love and numerous flower arrangements and plants. She loved flowers and plants, so having so many around her was a nice tribute to her.  Thank you for helping us through our loss.

A special thank you to the staff at the Edmonson Center, our mom, Nadeane N. Gravil, was there for almost four years. Without the care supplied by the staff there, mom would not have been able to be with us as long as she was.  During her time there, she was shown great care and concern while her needs were met.  We were comforted knowing she was being taken care of.  During mom’s final days, the staff was so thoughtful and helpful to us as well as mom. Her last days were made to be as comfortable as possible.  Our community is so fortunate to have this facility that supplies such a wonderful service. 

From the families of Greg, Roy, Wymon and Nena

The Edmonson County Historical Society needs your help as they try to raise funds for the purchase of historical markers for Chalybeate Springs and Chameleon Springs. Come help out a great cause while enjoying great food and bidding in a silent auction. Check out all the details below:

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Huge Yard Sale in Brownsville, Friday and Saturday, June 5th and 6th!