Edmonson County's first organized humane society is currently planning some upcoming fundraising projects. The organization is seeking volunteers and donors for an upcoming bake sale. Check out details below:

BAKE SALE AT BANK OF EDMONSON COUNTY, SATURDAY AUGUST 6, 8AM UNTIL SOLD OUT

Please visit our website at edmonsoncountypaws.org.
Click here to visit our Facebook Page.

The ECHS boys basketball team has announced that they will host a BBQ Lunch Fundraiser on Friday, July 29, 2016 from 10am-2pm at the Cee Bee parking lot.

The delicious meal will include a BBQ sandwich, chips, cookie, and drink for only $7.00. All proceeds will help the ECHS Wildcat Basketball team as they prepare for the next school year. 

Deliveries are available for orders of 5 or more within the Brownsville City limits. For more information, call 270-597-7272.

Darren Doyle, story and photos
Picture yourself 20 years ago, sitting down at Lonnie's Midway Grocery, enjoying a bologna sandwich while you listen to local farmers try to out-do each other with tall tales. I wonder what the conversation would've led to if someone could have said, "You won't believe this, but 20 years from now, this place will be a successful furniture store with an amazing showroom..."

For those of you that remember the locals that used to hang around there, well, you can imagine what would've been said. For the rest of you, well...never mind. The fact is, that's exactly what's happening in Lindseyville, and the majority of Edmonson County doesn't even know it yet.

Jeff Jacobs runs Jacob's Home Furnishings along with his wife Laura, (Laura's Hilltop Restaurant) and his 12 year old son, Zachary. (Which is an impressive salesman himself-- I saw him in action, and his videos on the business Facebook page are great.)

Jacobs grew up around his grandfather who was a farmer and a cabinet maker. He said his granddad's influence helped him to start building log furniture out of his personal garage about 12 years ago.

After 8 years at that location, he bought the building (in 2012) that was once the old country store and moved his log furniture and barn lumber business there.

He mainly catered to the Nolin Lake area residents that had moved in from other locations or those that had vacation homes on the lake. He said after building bedroom suites for countless customers, they would ask him, "Do you know where I can find a good mattress and box springs?" He said he'd direct them to reputable places but would also be asked, "Do they also have recliners and sofas?"  That got the wheels to turning, but they quickly halted when tragedy struck.

He and his family had to make some tough decisions when the entire building, contents, material, all of it, was lost in a January 2015 fire.

"We didn't have enough insurance to cover the total loss," Jacobs said. "We had to figure out if we could rebuild or just do something different altogether." 

After an 8 month rebuilding process, and scraping, saving, and lots of promises, he was able to scratch up enough credit to begin filling his new building with furniture that he believed his customers would buy.

"We wanted quality pieces that would last," he said. "So that's what we started with, and that's what we have today."

Some of you might be thinking, "oh, everybody says what they do is the best, or they have the best quality, bla bla bla." Jacobs encourages folks to simply go to a larger furniture store that sells quality items and price them. "Our prices are better than Bowling Green stores and lots of what we have are the same top brands."

The store also offers free in-county delivery and an additional 10% discount to senior citizens. On the floor right now, you'll find bedroom suites, sofas, recliners, dining sets, bedding, and all sorts of accessories. You'll find modern, primitive, unique, and artsy pieces there, and he says nothing in the store is less than top quality. 

"All of our furniture is solid wood and can be considered long term investments. You're not going to find a $99 dining set here. These are pieces you can pass down to your children."

A few months ago, my wife and I discussed upgrading our 20 year oak dining room suite. We shopped around the bigger stores here and there (we didn't know about this place in Lindseyville), but we really couldn't afford a large set (with 8 chairs)  that was built like we wanted so we figured we'd just keep trucking with what we had. 

After discovering Jacob's, we were able to find a set through his store that not only was beautiful, you could also park a truck on it, and the price was...well, impressive to say the least. 

Jacobs recently hired a new store manager, Sarah Barker, who he says has been an amazing asset to the family owned business. She just built the store's new website, jacobshomefurnishings.com which is very user-friendly and has tons of pieces that aren't on the showroom floor.

Jacobs said a company sales rep recently stopped in to discuss some products when he noticed a price tag on a Catnapper brand recliner. "He said, why are you selling these at this price? Don't you know you could add $200 to this?" Jacobs said that low overhead and a hometown atmosphere allows him to be able to sell his furniture at the best prices.

"The side of our truck says The Very Best Quality At The Very Best Price, and we mean it." It's the same truck that you'll regularly find at community events. It's not uncommon for Jacobs to have a recliner raffle on site and donate the proceeds to a worthy Edmonson County cause.

"We live here," he said. "If you do enough business, you'll run into a problem or two, but here, we'll deal with it personally. We want to earn your business and hometown service is a priority."

If you're looking for a quality built piece of furniture for an extremely competitive price, I can say from experience that you can find it at Jacob's Home Furnishings. "We really are Edmonson County's only full-service furniture store," he said. "We have a full 7,000 square feet of furniture on the floor now and countless items available to order."

Although a huge portion of the customer base is around the lake or outside the county, he wants Edmonson County folks to stop in and see what his family business is all about.

While we were there, a couple came in and asked about something specific, but the conversation quickly turned into deer hunting as Zachary put down a catalog and began to talk bucks.

"We carry all of this on our shoulders," Jacobs added. "We're about more than just selling you furniture, we're about friendships."

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky., July 22, 2016 – The National Park Service (NPS) Centennial celebration continues at Mammoth Cave National Park with a variety musical performances in the coming weeks.  The performances are free; all times listed are Central.
 
“So far this year, we have enjoyed the Army Brass Quintet, Music in the American Wild, violinist Joy Fan, and our own Janet Bass Smith on keyboard,” said Acting Superintendent Tracy Stakely.  “Listening to live music at the park’s outdoor amphitheater is a relaxing experience.  The natural night sounds of crickets and frogs make for an interesting backdrop for the added layer of human-made music.  The performances are just for fun, and they are free.  We hope you will join us.”
 
Friday, August 5, 7:30 p.m., na Skylark at the park amphitheater
Lorinda Jones and Cathy Wilde are “na Skylark” which simply means "the Skylark" in Irish.  The duo uses a variety of instruments – mountain dulcimer, fiddle, Irish flute, harp and whistle – to present traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, and Brittany.  Na Skylark is a member of the Kentucky Arts Council Performing Arts Directory.
 
Tuesday, August 16, 6:30 p.m., NPS Centennial Jazz Band at the park amphitheater
The Centennial Jazz Band comes to Mammoth Cave from the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, aka JAZZ.  JAZZ sits a few blocks off Jackson Square on the banks of the Mississippi, and is dedicated to preservation of jazz as a uniquely American art form.  The Centennial Band will perform music ranging from New Orleans jazz and R&B, to songs written for a specific National Park.
 
Saturday, September 17, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Heartland Dulcimer Club at the visitor center
The Heartland Dulcimer Club is a non-profit organization that endeavor to share the music of the mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer and other traditional instruments. The preserve the roots of these instruments by playing the traditional music for which they were created.
 
The Army Brass Quintet performed at Mammoth Cave in April, Music in the American Wild in June, and Joy Fan and Janet Bass Smith, a retired cave guide, played in the park in July. 
 
2016 marks several anniversaries at Mammoth Cave National Park:  100 years of the NPS; 200 years of guided cave tours; 75 years of Mammoth Cave as a national park; and 35 years since Mammoth Cave was designated a World Heritage Site.

Campers spent their free time at the Olympic size swimming with a diving board and slide or playing their favorite camp game, GaGa Ball.  Campers looked forward to the traditional “Sally Down the Alley” dance every evening.
 
Numerous studies have shown that overnight, residential camping offers many benefits to youth. Youth who attend overnight camps make new friends, develop new skills, and become more independent and able to take care of themselves.
 
Due to money received from the Ag Tag donation program and private donations, every single camper received a half scholarship to attend camp in 2016.

Please take time to thank the following adult volunteers. Without their help camp would not be possible. They take time out of their busy summer to ensure Edmonson County children can attend camp. Susie Vincent, Jeff Jacobs, Elizabeth Honeycutt, Windy Michelle Coogle, and Tim Oates who traveled from another county to ensure the boys cabin had enough leaders.
 
Many campers are already looking forward to camp next June. If your child is interested in attending 4-H camp or joining 4-H please contact the Extension Office at 270-597-3628. ​

Click the flyer for more info on the show's Facebook page:

Bring in your State Fair eligible 4-H projects, art work, photography,  vegetables, foods, sewing, etc. to be judged at the county level.

Winners in each category will advance to the State Fair and will be displayed at Cloverville.
 
When:  July  28th- Drop off 9:00am-4:00pm 
                July 29th– Pick Up  11:00am-4:00pm
Where: Edmonson County Extension Office
               116 Mohawk Street Brownsville, KY 
 
Non perishable category winners may be left at the Extension Office and picked up after the State Fair.

All ages may enter but only those who are 9 years old as of January 1st may advance to State Fair. 

For a list of eligible entries or questions please contact the Extension Office at 270-597-3628

Chalybeate Fire Department has announced their annual fundraiser event that will feature iconic cars from the classic television show "The Dukes of Hazzard" to be held this Saturday, July 16, 2016.

The event is sponsored by The Edmonson Voice, WDNS D93 and the Tony Rose Morning Show, as well as ServPro and a host of other contributors.

This year's event will feature The General Lee, Roscoe's Patrol Car, and Daisy Duke's yellow Roadrunner. Free photo opportunities with the cars will be available for anyone that attends. For a small fee, you can actually sit inside the cars for an even more unique photo op.

Fresh hamburgers, hot dogs, and other concessions will be available throughout the day thanks to Servpro. 

The event will include a huge benefit auction that will feature hand tools, power tools, Corvette clothing, Corvette museum tickets, gift bag from Mimi's Gift Gallery, Fruit of the Loom clothing, car wash kits, humidifiers from Edmonson Drug, and gift cards from Batteries Plus, Ralphie's Fun Center, Walmart, Jackie Snelling, Jump Zone, Colton's Steakhouse, Rafferty's, Double Dogs, Mis Amigos, Walden's BBQ, Creekside Nursery, Madison's Flowers, Mammoth Cave Transplants and much more.

The event will take place from 11am to 6pm. Tony Rose from D93 will appear live around 11am, the auction will kickoff around 2pm and live music from Rye Davis is scheduled from 3-5pm.

There will also be a bouncy house, a cake walk, and games and other activities for the kids. Hazzard Life will have tons of merchandise available along with autographed Dukes of Hazzard memorabilia for sale.

All proceeds will help the fire department purchase much needed equipment.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report
It's a phrase that has been nationally questioned, ridiculed, and even fought against, but Chalybeate Fire Department is the latest local emergency service that has proudly displayed the words "In God We Trust" on their emergency vehicles. 

Local law enforcement offices decided to display the words several months ago and other emergency agencies have followed suit.

Chief Daniel Johnson said he felt like it was the right thing to do. "I think that when you look back to the founding of our country, it was based on Godly principles." Some of which that he said he feels like have slipped away. "Not only that, but it's our Nation's motto." 

The lettering was done at no charge by Richie Jones, of Jones Custom Creations. Jones is also a volunteer firefighter and an Edmonson County Deputy Coroner.

The Edmonson County Tourism Commission has announced they will once again implement the “Adopt a Day At the State Fair” for the second consecutive year. Last year was the first time local businesses and groups were asked to volunteer to represent Edmonson County at the "Pride In The Counties" booth.

According to Tourism Director Rhonda Clemmons, some groups and businesses had in the past, but this was the first time to officially ask for commitments for a full day. In return, the day sponsors will receive signage in the booth at the state fair recognizing their business or organization and will also be presented with an engraved plaque at the annual dinner while also being featured in local media outlets.

”Last year was a big success” said Clemmons. “We can only hope for the same level of success. We can't fund and man the booth without the community’s support."
 
Free entry and parking tickets are given to the volunteers. Clemmons also noted that it's best if 2-4 people attend from one business or organization so that one or two people can operate the booth while the others enjoy the exhibits and shows of the state fair, then trade positions later. "It seems to work out well and give the volunteers an enjoyable experience at the fair while representing our county," she added.
 
The Ky State Fair is held in Louisville each year, running Aug. 18-28. At the KY Expo Center. This year Edmonson County will have a larger presence at the fair with a double booth. Clemmons said the Tourism Commission is also working on a new county promotional publication to distribute from the booth.
 
If interested in volunteering or for more details, please contact the Tourism Office at 270-597-2222 or 597-7661. Dates are booked first come first booked.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report
It is that time of year again – school will soon be back in session and that means your support is needed in the Adopt-A-Backpacker program.  Local volunteers are partnering with Feeding America and the Family Resource Center/Youth Service Center, in order to help improve the lives of many children in Edmonson County. 

​For each $120 donation, you can adopt one child to receive a bag of food every Friday for the entire school year.

Please complete the attached form (which has Edmonson County pre-filled) or donate online at http://www.feedingamericaky.org/programs/backpack  (make sure and select Edmonson in the drop down menu).
 
"Sadly, many children in our county are going an entire weekend with little or no food when a school meal is not available," said volunteer coordinator Michelle McCoy. " Children who suffer from food insecurity do not perform well academically, they display unacceptable behavior and have poor attendance due to illness or unexcused absences."
 
McCoy urges everyone to please help and share with employees, family and friends.  

"If we all give a little, there will be none going without," she said.

You can download the form below.

The following article was co-written by Boy Scouts Dalton Curtis and J.T. Stewart. By submitting this article, the Scouts have meet a requirement for the Communications Merit Badge, required for an Eagle Scout.

​From June 19, 2016 through June 24, 2016, Scouts from Edmonson County Boy Scout Troop 597 joined other Scouts from across the United States for a week of camp at Roy C. Manchester Scout Reservation.

When Dalton Curtis from Troop 597 went to camp, he was able to choose from any six merit badges. He chose Kayaking, Canoeing, Indian Lore, Wilderness Survival, Emergency Preparedness, and Communication. At the end of the day scouts were able to participate in free time in the Aquatics center. They could also choose between swimming, participating in a large inflatable game,  kayaking, or canoeing.

On certain days after supper,  one could sign up for an after class, have game night or play volleyball. On Tuesday Dalton played in a volleyball tournament. His team (the Under Dogs) came in second place among the Scout teams.

On Thursday in Wilderness Survival, Dalton had to travel into the woods and sleep in a shelter that he constructed. Six other scouts wanted to return to their assigned camp after a storm passed through, but he convinced them to stay.

“I had the most fun camping this week than any other and it was the best week of camp," Dalton said. "It had its challenges and its perks. But everyone should join scouts and go to camp.”

​J.T. Stewart attended Summer Camp for the first time this year. Being his first year, he was involved in a program called “Eagle Bound,” where several skills were learned, such as handling hatchets and axes, chopping wood, tying knots, and sharpening knives with whetstones.

Other merit badges chosen were Indian Lore, Communication, and Emergency Preparedness. J.T. noted “In Communication, we did funny commercials, speeches, and made introductions. In Indian Lore, we played a game called ‘Dakota’, did a stick game, did a hula-hoop and arrow game, and made a necklace. After the day was over we could swim in the lake.” J.T. obtained what is known as a Fireman’s Chit, which allows him to make fires for the Troop.

While at Camp, all Boy Scout Troops are encouraged to perform some kind of service for the camp. While some larger Troops chose to clean bathrooms, the boys in Troop 597 (being a relatively small Troop) decided to conduct prayer at the evening meal on Thursday for the entire camp. J.T. Stewart, being the Troop’s Chaplain’s Aide, said Grace and was congratulated by several other Scouts on his good job.
​
Edmonson County Boy Scout Troop 597 is sponsored by the Edmonson County Lions Club.