by Beth Cook, Mammoth Cave Transplants:
This time of year your summer flowers are beginning to head south and you are ready for something fresh and colorful for the fall.  Pansies and Violas will give you just that! They are a cool-weather favorite with all of their colorful “faces”. You can plant these in the ground now and will be able to enjoy them two seasons. Pansies and violas can handle the cold temps of winter and will hang around through spring.
 
Planting these now in the warm soil allows them to establish roots to survive the winter. So ideally, plant your pansies where they'll get some shade now, but lots of sun when the trees soon lose their leaves and the weather cools. Then they'll get the benefit of that cooling shade when those trees leaf out again in Spring and the weather warms up. Remember, they love SUN, but DON'T like heat.  Keep your soil moist. Remember to water regularly. You can add mulch around them to keep the soil temperature more consistent and to hold in moisture.
 
Other cooler weather flowers you can also plant in the fall are dianthus and snapdragons. These however cannot handle the really cold temps as well as the pansies and violas. Violas are the hardiest of the four plants. The dianthus and snapdragons however, can survive a mild winter or they can come back for seed in the spring.
 
You can’t go wrong with Pansies and violas in the fall. You get two seasons from them instead of just one! They provide that pop of color through the fall and the first color in the spring.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
The Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Double J Riding Stables and Horsemen's Campground to offer an after hours event which will be held on Tuesday afternoon, October 17 at 5pm at Double J Stables, 542 Lincoln School Rd., Mammoth Cave KY.

"Many surrounding communities offer after hours events and we wanted to try to offer one," said Rhonda Clemmons, Chamber Director. "It's a chance to network, meet the community, and showcase your business." 

Clemmons also said that the Dave and Rocky Lombardi, owners of Double J have wanted to host the community at the ranch and a fall afternoon is the perfect time to see their facility. In addition to the campgrounds, barns,  horses and vast access to trails, they also have "Over Yonder," which is a barn venue available for rental.

"We invite the community to come for a free cup of coffee or cocoa and visit," Clemmons added. "You do not have to be a chamber member to attend. We hope to see everyone there."

Mammoth Cave National Park will offer free Mammoth Cave Discovery cave tours on Saturday, September 30, as a way to celebrate National Public Lands Day.  
 
The free Mammoth Cave Discovery tours will be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.
 
Participants must pick up a free ticket in the visitor center before going on this tour.  
 
The Mammoth Cave Discovery Tour requires a walk down and up the steep hill below the visitor center, as well as 160 steps.  Visit the Rotunda, one of the cave’s largest rooms, explore a vast canyon passageway, and learn about 19th-century saltpeter mining operations and the geologic origins of the Mammoth Cave System.  Allow at least 30 minutes; about 3/4 mile round trip.  This is a self-guided tour.
 
Note – Cave tour requirements regarding white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats:  While there are no known harmful effects to humans, WNS is responsible for the death of millions of hibernating bats across the eastern United States since its discovery in 2006.  WNS was found in Mammoth Cave in winter 2012-13.  To minimize the spread of WNS fungus, all participants on cave tours must walk across bio-security mats immediately following the conclusion of their tour to clean their footwear. 

​Community Action of Southern Kentucky, Inc. invites the public to learn more about the agency’s services for low-income individuals on October 4, 2017 at 9:00 at the Edmonson County Community Center.

The annual Community Needs Assessment is an opportunity for Edmonson County citizens to suggest services they would like to see offered for low-income families and individuals. The meeting is also allows for service providers to collaborate on how better to serve those households. 
​
For more information, please contact the Edmonson County Community Services office at (270)597-3912.

Edmonson County Parks and Rec has announced their first annual Sock Hop and Cruise-In is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, 6pm at Chalybeate Park.

The free event will feature a cruise-in, open to the public, with no awards, just a fun event for vintage car enthusiasts that begins at 5pm. 

50's music will be featured at the sock hop dance, where there will also be a contest for the best-dressed 50's attire for both male and female.

Concessions will be available.

Stay connected to EdmonsonVoice.com for more announcements from Parks and Rec in the coming weeks.

Check out the upcoming community yard sale at Bee Spring Restaurant. Click the flyer to visit the BSR Facebook Page.

Edmonson County Parks and Rec has announced their upcoming Halloween Spookfest 5K Run, One Mile Walk, on Sat, Oct 7th at Chalybeate Park. You can register for only $20 through Oct. 6 and for $25 on the day of. Registration begins at 8am, races will begin at 9am.

Later that evening, there will be a hayride at Chalybeate Park in addition to the regular movie night, featuring the animated film "Hotel Transylvania." The admission is free and concessions will be available.
​
They have also announced their annual "Halloween on the Square" event will take place on Halloween evening, October 31st from 4pm to 7pm at the courthouse square in Brownsville.

Any businesses or organizations that would like to set up a table or booth to hand out treats is asked to contact their office at 270-597-9103. According to programs director Greg Hudson, over 2100 trick-or-treaters attended last year's event, which was the largest to date. 

Make plans to attend the 2017 Clarkson HoneyFest, home of the official state Honey Festival! Click the link to visit the event website.

Chris Smith of Richardsville and Penny Smith of Chalybeate are pleased to announce the upcoming wedding of their daughter, Jennifer Michelle Smith, to Cody Drake Meinhardt, son of Billy and Melissa Meinhardt of Chalybeate. 

Jennifer is a 2016 graduate of Edmonson County High School and currently attending Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College pursuing a Nursing degree.

Cody is a 2017 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor Degree in Criminology.  He is currently pursuing a career in law enforcement and is employed by Meinhardt Heating and Cooling, Inc. 

Jennifer is the granddaughter of Kelly Jaggers of Chalybeate and Tommy Smith of Richardsville.  Cody is the grandson of Mike and Joan Blanton and Bill and Elaine Meinhardt, both of Chalybeate. 

The couple will be married at Chalybeate United Baptist Church on Saturday, Oct. 7th, at 2:00pm with a reception to follow at the Edmonson County Lions Club Fairgrounds.  Bro. Richard Minton will be officiating.

All friends and relatives are invited to attend.  No formal invitations have been sent. 

The September Concert Series continues at Bee Spring Restaurant this Saturday, September 23, at 6:30pm, featuring bluegrass musician Tate Welch. Check out all the details on the flyer and click to visit the BSR Facebook page.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Seventh graders at Edmonson County Middle School faced some serious consequences today at the annual STOP Program, (Students Targeting OUtside Pressures). Although the situations were simulated, the reaction was real as students were visibly shaken as they stood before "judges," "court designated workers," and real law enforcement and administration officials.

Students were handed a random scenario, ranging from disobedience in the classroom all the way to felony drug possessions and assault charges. Each student with a volunteer "parent" had to follow the process that would happen in real-life, meeting with the proper officials, with several offenses requiring meetings with more than one official.

One student had to face the consequences of acting on dare, pushing another student's head into a door. Unfortunately, the victim suffered a serious head injury in the mock offense. The incident was witnessed by a teacher and the student had to visit the Principal Brandon Prunty. The student was faced with a 5-day suspension, faced assault charges with School Resource Officer Jeff Brooks, and had to visit the "court designated worker" (counselor Miranda Brown), and finally had to stand before the District Judge and County Attorney (Blake Chambers and Richard Jackson). 

"I almost started crying," said the student. "It was too real." 

When asked what what learned from the experience, the student replied, "Don't do these things!"

Principal Prunty said he could see some of the results, firsthand. 

"Most kids don't understand the severity of these incidents and the real punishments they face until they're actually put in actual situations," he said. "Many of these situations are from real life circumstances that have happened here at school. Some of which I've actually seen."

The program is organized by Youth Services Center and the Edmonson County Extension Office. 

Morgan Esters, Youth Service Center Coordinator, credited the community in a full-group effort as to why the program has positive results.

"It usually starts with giggles from most students, but when they stand in front of these officials it's not so funny, then," she said. "Kids take it very seriously and we're so happy for all our volunteers and our community involvement."

Over two dozen volunteers assisted ECMS and the YSC as well as members of the SADD Club from Edmonson County High School. 

Edmonson Voice Staff Report: photos courtesy of GST #313
Local Girl Scout Troop #313 and Boy Scout Troop #597 attended "Emergency Personnel Night" at the Chalybeate Fire Department on Tuesday, Sept 19th, as they learned about the aspects of local emergency offices and watched a demonstration by an emergency helicopter, which landed at the fire department.

The event was organized by Girl Scout Troop leader Melissa Johnson and the contributing members of local emergency personnel included: Chalybeate Volunteer Fire Department,  Air Methods, Edmonson County Jaws, Edmonson County Ambulance Service, Edmonson County Sheriff's Office and K-9 Unit, and the Brownsville Police Department. 

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
The 2017 Shriners Children's Hospital Benefit Hunt was held in Hartford, KY on September 16 & 17, which was hosted by the Bull Run Beagle Club.  Several members of the local Edmonson County Beagle Club took part in the hunt and took home awards in the charity event that raised $1300.  

A total of 117 entries were counted in six different classes.  Once the hunt gained over 100 entries, it was considered a hunt with "state status," which meant that winners would receive hall of fame points.  

Local beaglers Jeremy Garmon and Steve Gipson, along with Sammy Garmon, make up Run & Gun Kennels.  They won the Grand Champion Class with R & G's "Lacey."  Another local beagler, John Doan, won the Champion Class with "Little Holly's Sambo." Gibson's "Blue Star" took home Best Puppy honors.

​Run & Gun also placed several other dogs in the hunt:

• Gipson's Misty Blue- 5th in the Open Class

​G & G's Suzy Moon- 6th in the Open Class and Best Female

• R & G's Halfway Hurricane Hunter- 9th in the Grand Champion Class

Each dog that placed recieved dog food and prizes from PURINA. The winners of each class won a one year subscription to the Rabbit Hunter magazine.  

​BRBC President/ARHA Executive Board Josh Wright was the Master of Hounds and the organizer of the hunt.  

"Proceeds from this hunt are going to local chapters of the Shriners to help with the cost of transportation of children to and from the Shriners Hospital," said Wright. "I am very proud of the fact that some fellow beaglers can come together for such a great cause."

The Edmonson County Beagle Club meets at the old Capitol Hill School house in the Pig Community, John Meredith, President.

Hopkinsville native Karen Deering started her career at Alford's Pharmacy and Drive Thru as a pharmacy technician and has recently completed her degree after attending both WKU and Sullivan University College of Pharmacy. 

Alford's has officially announced that Deering has been promoted as a staff pharmacist and would like to welcome her to the community, although she's already been a valuable team member. 

Alford's is inviting the public to stop in and say both, "hello," and "congratulations" to pharmacist Karen Deering.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report: 
It was a successful day of competition for the Edmonson County High School Wildcat Band Saturday, September 16, 2017. The Wildcat Band began their day of competition with The Boyce Flener Marching Invitational at the Butler County High School in Morgantown, KY. The Wildcat Band walked away from Butler County with 1st place in Class 2A, Best Percussion Class 2A, and Best Color Guard Class 2A.

The Wildcat Band then moved on to Ohio County for The Ohio County Marching Invitational and competed against bands from Indiana and Kentucky. The band walked away from this contest with 3rd place in Class 2A and Best Color Guard Class 2A. The ECHS Color Guard placed 4th overall out of 13 Class 1A to Class 5A Bands at the Ohio County Competition.

The band would like the thank the community for their continued support, and invite them to come out to see their upcoming performances.  The Wildcat Band’s next day of competition will be on September 30, 2017, where they'll travel to both Warren East and Warren Central High Schools. ​

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Nolin River Lake announced today that ‘Family Camping Weekend’ will be offered on September 22 - 23, 2017. On these two days, campers at Nolin River Lake who are camping with children in the party will receive half-off of the regular camping fee at Moutardier, and Dog Creek Campgrounds.
 
Park Manager Deryck Rodgers encouraged families to participate by saying “Many children are losing their connection to the outdoors.   Studies show that children today spend half as much time outdoors as their parents did.  Family Camping Weekend will give them a great opportunity to experience all that Nolin River Lake offers: camping, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, or one of the many other outdoor activities available.”
 
Walk-in campers with children in the party will pay half of the standard camping fee at Moutardier Campground.  Campers with children in the party who have reservations at Moutardier and Dog Creek Campgrounds will have half of their fees for these two nights refunded following their stay.  Campers using a discount card (Golden Age, Golden Access, or America the Beautiful Pass) will not receive an additional discount.
 
Family Camping Weekend at Nolin River Lake follows the federal government’s Great Outdoors Initiative, which encourages Americans to get outdoors and reconnect with the land.  It also encourages Americans to work together to restore and protect America’s natural resources.
 
If you have any questions, please contact the Corps office at 270-286-4511 Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Kaleb Morgan, a senior at Edmonson County High School, has recently been selected as a National Merit Semifinalist.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955, according to the NMSC. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)—which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.6 million entrants each year—and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.

According to the NMSC, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists in September each year. To ensure that academically talented young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state-representational basis. They are the highest scoring entrants in each state. NMSC provides scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools. To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all other requirements explained in the information provided to each Semifinalist.

Kaleb is the only student at ECHS to receive this honor and falls into the top 1% of participants of the test. 

​He is the son of Joseph and Amanda Morgan of Chalybeate.