Edmonson Voice Report:
Tickets for the annual Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet are going fast with just a select number of tickets left.

This year's event will be held at the Hidden Homestead event venue in Chalybeate on Thursday, December 8th and is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM for a meet and greet with dinner being served at 7PM.

Chamber board members will recap this year's events and discuss plans for 2023. Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards will also be presented.

This year's meal is catered by Walden's Barbecue and will feature a full spread with desserts and drinks. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased online from the Chamber by clicking here. You can also order tickets by calling the Chamber Office at 270-597-4715.

Door prizes will also be given away at the event.

submitted flyer:

Darren Doyle, story: photos courtesy of Kentucky Veterans of the Year:
Edmonson County resident and local veteran and veteran advocate Mike Stoyonovich, Army First SGT. Ret., was named Kentucky Veteran of the Year on November 9th at the Jeffersonian Center in Lexington.

In addition, he received a custom made wooden American Flag and a Proclamation from the Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer declaring "Michael Stoyonovich Day," for November 9, 2022.

Stoyonovich is no stranger to veteran affairs in Edmonson County. He currently serves as DAV Wand B. Doyle Chapter 32 as Commander. He was named DAV Chapter 32 Junior Vice Commander in 2015 and became Adjutant in 2016, where he handled all the administrative duties in the chapter. In 2018 he was encouraged to run for Junior Vice Commander of the State Executive Council and he won. In that same year, he was also appointed as State Service Officer for the KY State DAV.

He was honored as Disabled Veteran of the Year in 2019 by the KY DAV and in 2020, was named Service Officer of the Year.

A Vietnam veteran, he was inducted into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame in August of this year.

In addition to his military service and serving others through the local DAV and VFW Chapters, Stoyonovich also joined the Edmonson County Planning Commission in 2015, where he now serves as Chairman, he is also a board member of the Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce, the BRADD Steering Committee, a Chamber representative on the County Rec Tax Committee, and he was named a "Citizen of the Year" in 2021 by the Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce.

Darren Doyle, story:
Batter was spilled, icing was dropped, and food coloring got in places it shouldn't have, but a ton of fun was had today in Brownsville as three local teams made up of emergency personnel competed in the first ever Affordable Christmas Baking Challenge, "Sleighed It."

Most importantly, over $3200 was raised to help needy students in Edmonson County, all of which will go to the Affordable Christmas Program, facilitated by Edmonson County Family Resource-Youth Services Centers.

The event was a day-long challenge that started this morning at the EC Extension Office. The teams were made up of two people each; Team Fire was Lannie Deweese and Pete Tarantino--who represented Kyrock and Chalybeate Fire Departments (respectively), Team EMS, who was made up of Neal Meredith and Ashley Ritter, both of Edmonson EMS, and Team Police, made up of Trooper Daniel Priddy, KSP Public Affairs Officer and Jeremy Hodges, Brownsville Chief of Police.

Teams competed against each other to recreate a wonderful custom cake, baked by local baker Tiffany Coots. Teams could win in two different categories: Judge's Choice and by raising money for votes where one dollar equaled one vote.

The entire event was livestreamed on the Edmonson Voice Facebook Page and is now available at the end of this article. The teams faced several challenges along the way, like forgetting ingredients, melting icing, and cakes that...well, weren't so good; however, the teams laughed and joked, playfully harassed each other, but eventually worked together to raise money for local kids.

Team Fire was confident from the beginning with team member Lannie Deweese admitting no baking experience but declared they would win the contest. They won both the Judges' Choice as well as raising the most money for the challenge (over $1400). Judges for the event were PVA Kyle White, Daniel Bolton from Bank of Edmonson County, and Ryan Stice from Stice Insurance Agency. The judges were just as entertaining as the competitors.

Team EMS presented a delicious cake but the icing sagged some and they were slightly penalized for the appearance. Team Police--well, Team Police tried really hard. They played on the underdog role of the competition, admitting that they had no idea what they were doing. They, along with the other teams, were great sports throughout the entire event. Team Police also by far raised the most in toy donations for the event.

The event was coordinated by members of the FRCYSC, led by Sherrell Thompson, who organized most of the challenge.

"I'm not even going to lie--everyone was talking and I was sitting over there and I started crying," she said with a smile. "I love it when the community comes together. I started in the FRC about a year ago but I've bragged on these ladies in years past when I volunteered, but there's no harder working group for the community, and we have community partners that come in. EC really show out for each other--that's just the way it is. I couldn't have dreamed that could have went any better for the first year. I hope it's something we continue to do because I've really, really enjoyed it."

Alicia Edwards thanked everyone who voted, shared the info, or had anything to do with helping the event in any way.

"We could not do anything we do without our community, so, thank you," she said.

Darren Doyle, story:
The annual Edmonson County Lions Club Christmas Parade has been set for Saturday, November 26th at 6PM.

Parade participants will be able to start lining up at Edmonson County High School at 3PM. This year's theme is "A Winter Wonderland."

The Lions Club said that Santa has already committed himself to riding on the Lion Club's float so they request that no one else asks him to be apart of their float or decorations for the parade.

Edmonson Voice Report:
One of Edmonson County newest businesses celebrated a ribbon cutting today with the Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce, a business owned by a very young entrepreneur.

Owner Zach Jacobs, age 18, cut the ceremonial ribbon today with family, friends, and Chamber board members in Brownsville. Jacobs is no stranger to local business, as he has been busy for several years with his dad's local business, Jacob's Home Furnishings. Zach spoke about his new venture today at the event.

"About three or four years ago, B.J. Lindsey (former dumpster business owner) brought us a dumpster here and we told him if he ever wanted to sell it that we would be interested. And then one day a couple years later, he brought another dumpster and we asked him again and later that night he called us and offered it for sale. I went to the bank and gave them my idea and they took it before the board and I got the loan a few weeks later."

Zach said he started rebranding and working to grow the company.

"No matter your age or whatever you have going on, if you try your hardest and put your mind to it, you can do it," he said.

Zach's EZ Dump can be contacted by calling or texting 270-246-0603, or through Facebook at Zach's EZ Dump, LLC.

Chamber President Darren Doyle said this is the 15th new business or organization to join the Chamber in 2022.

"We've been working really hard to bring more value to the Chamber of Commerce in our community and we believe people are seeing even more benefits of becoming a member," he said. "Our county has plenty to offer and we're honored to host yet another ribbon cutting this year."

Tickets are on sale now for the annual Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce Banquet and Awards Dinner, which will be held at the Hidden Homestead on December 8th at 6:30PM. Visit EdmonsonChamber.com to find out more about becoming a member of the Chamber or to purchase your tickets for this year's event, which will honor the 2022 Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year.

270 Yard Cards
3B Inflatables – Jon & Mindy Vincent
A+ Kid Care
Abney & Amstutz Eye
Alex Meredith
Alford’s Pharmacy
Angel White
Ashley Edwards – Adorably Shabby
Ashton Carroll
AutoZone (Bowling Green)
Bare Esthetics – Stephanie Salings
Beautiful Bling (Plunder) – Bridgette Alexander
Bee Spring Lumber – Kelly & Wendy Wood
Blue Holler off Road Park
Bruster’s
Build tha Bone – Craig Culbreth
C & A Plumbing
C & C Firearms – Josh Casey
C&L Pay Lake
Carroll Brother’s Garage - Kenny Carroll
Chaundra Vincent
Country Oven Bakery
Creations by Tracy & Ashlee
Creekside Nursery
D & B Concrete – David & Brandie Lindsey
Diamond Caverns
Gail’s Affordable Cleaning Service
Garner Foundations – Timmy Garner
It’s Adoorable – Renee Webb
JB & Shaska Hines
Jeff Jacobs
 Jennifer Lindsey - Scentsy
Joe & Beth Devers
Joel Edwards
John & Nikki Mattingley
Karinna Snelling LMT
Kassie Lindsey
Kayaks & More – Tony & Kim Polson
Kim Wrye
Kyle White
Kyrock Grill
Laura Hennion
Mammoth Cave Transplants
Margaret Langdon (Jake & Rhett Logsdon)
Mark Wardlow
McReynolds PT
Mickey Johnson
Mutts & Suds – Priscilla Abrams
Nataleigh G Photograph
Nathel Haycraft
National Corvette Museum
O’Reilly’s Auto Parts (Bowling Green)
Pampered Chef – Michelle Meredith  
Patton Funeral Home
Pelican’s Snoballs
Rachel’s Place – Rachel Carroll
Renegade Marine
Rose Webb - Sweet Briar Cakes & Chocolate
Roy Gravil
Samantha Kiernan LMT
Sarah’s Playschool – Sarah Garner
Scott Skaggs Photograph
Shady Hollow Golf Course
Shauna Gravil
Sherry Gibson
Southern Lanes
Southern Peaches Embroidery
Stacy’s on Main
Stephen & Alison Lile
Storehouse Coffee
Subway
Sun Valley Feed Mill
Sunny Days Greenhouse – Tammy Ashley
Sunshine Nails
Tabitha’s Salon & Spa
Tammy Haycraft
Tammy’s Cricut Creation’s – Tammy Poteet
The Cee Bee
The Cotton Mill
The Green Tail Zebra – Jennifer VanMeter
The Hive – Ashley White
The Mint Mart (Godfathers Pizza)
The Shop on 70 – Kenny Mattingly
The Sugar Sisters
Tiffany Coots – Sweets & Treats by Tiffany
Truley Jaggers
Vicki Jones
Warren County Regional Airport
WGGC 95.1
Wildflower soaps – Bethany Crowder
Woosley Outfitters
Zaxby’s

submitted by TJ Massey:
Chalybeate Volunteer Fire Department held its 2022 annual meeting last Monday night, at 6:00 PM at the fire house. Just before the meeting Chalybeate was called out to a grass/field fire on Sarah Smith Rd at 5:27 PM, so some community members got to see the firefighters respond from the fire house. All firefighters returned from the scene just in time for the meeting to begin.

There were just over 50 community members who attended the meeting, so the turnout was great. Pizza, sliders, drinks and desserts were donated and offered by the firefighters to show gratitude to the community for showing up.

The meeting was called to order by current board chairman Joe Durbin. All old business was covered, and then moved into the new board election. Due to Covid and other unforeseen circumstances, a board election had not been held since 2018. Therefore, CFVD had five seats up for election and had two firefighters appointed to the board by the firefighters. After all the nominations and voting, the following new board was established:

Ken Byrd - Chairman
Timmy Davis - Vice Chairman
Tammi Willhite - Treasurer
Allison Holland - Secretary (only returning old board member)
Daniel Priddy - Member
Sean Martin - Firefighter representative
TJ Massey - Firefighter representative

The firefighters said they would like to thank the old board for its long-standing service to the community, those members being Joe Durbin, Danny Goins, Clifford Ray, Travis Madison, Robin Vincent, and Scott Skaggs.

The next board meeting will be held Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 at 6:00 PM.

District 1 Magistrate Mark Meeks has submitted the following message:

Edmonson Voice Report:
Local emergency personnel will compete in a livestreamed baking challenge this Friday, for a great local cause. "Sleighed It," is a baking showdown to raise money for the Affordable Christmas Program, and a competition more about heart than skill.

"Sleighed It," is a Battle of the Badges--a baking challenge between three teams of two from Police, EMS, and Fire to raise money for the Affordable Christmas Program, a program that helps local, low-income families shop for their children at a store set up by the Edmonson County Family Resource Center. Our bakers are local volunteers with little to no experience.

The teams will compete for the "Sleighed It Grand Champion" bragging rights. They must re-create a cake from a local professional baker in a limited amount of time. They will have no idea what they are baking until the day of the competition. To add a little extra fun, there will also be a couple of surprise challenges. Winners of these challenges will get a “leg up” during certain parts of the competition. The first challenge is already underway. The team with the most money raised going into the competition gets an advantage in the first half of the showdown, but they won’t know until the day of the bake-off what the advantage is.

Affordable Christmas is a private shopping experience in which many local families depend on each year. For $5 per child, families are able to purchase three $10 gifts ,two $20 gifts, and one $30 gift. They also receive an outfit, a coat, pajamas and underwear. This averages out to be around $200 per child. Each family also gets a food basket and hygiene items.This year, 81 families and 202 children will be served, which is 60 more children than last year.

The baking challenge, which will be livestreamed on the Edmonson Voice Facebook Page, will begin at 9 am on Friday, November 18, 2022 at the UK Cooperative Extension Center, and will move to the Community Center at 12 pm for the decorating portion. The community is invited to watch the decorating portion in person. Each team will be required to re-create a cake from a local professional baker in a limited amount of time.

At 2 pm, the cakes will be on display at the Community Center for you to view and vote for your favorite cake. If you attend in person, there will be donation boxes set up. If you are voting online, there will be photos of the cakes posted on the Edmonson Voice Facebook page, and you can cast your donation vote via Venmo (@ECfriends), and simply comment which team you are dedicating your vote to. One dollar is equivalent to one vote. For example, if you donate $20, you are casting 20 votes for your favorite cake. All donations will go directly to the Affordable Christmas Program.

At 4 pm, the final tally will be added and the bakers raising the most money win the competition and the 1st Annual coveted “Sleighed It” Trophy.

The office of County Clerk Kevin Alexander has released the following message to the voters of Edmonson County:

Extension Staff Assistant
Edmonson County
RE36756
Deadline:  11/15/2022
Apply online at:
https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/430675
For assistance call:
270-597-3628
 
The University of Kentucky is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.
The address of the College of
Agriculture, Food and
Environment EEO Officer is
Room S-105 Agricultural
Science Building North,
University of Kentucky,
Lexington, KY 40546-0091.
 

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
What started out as an idea from a couple of local guys to help out some needy Edmonson County families at Christmastime 18 years ago has grown into one of the region's favorite benefit auctions, landing several one-of-a-kind items and high-dollar merchandise.

Santa's Helping Hands, INC. held their 18th annual charity auction at Edmonson County High School on Saturday, November 5th, which brought in approximately $85,000 for local families in need. The eye-popping number is approximate because money is still trickling in from additional donors that could not attend the auction.

Co-founder and SHH Inc. board member Mark Wardlow said the crowd was the largest to date.

"I really don't know where to start," he said. "If I start trying to name people to thank, the list would be a mile long and I know someone would be left out. We are incredibly grateful and humbled by this year's event. Some of our biggest money-raising items this year was our concrete foundation package, donated by David Lindsey and Timmy Garner, a custom golf cart, our UK vs. UL men's basketball ticket package, hand-signed and numbered Thomas Kinkade prints, and of course our authentic signed sports memorabilia. When you have great folks donating items like these and then great folks who come out to bid, you end up with great results."

Wardlow said that the board wanted to thank Principal Jonathan Williams at ECHS and the entire school system for their support and the use of the high school, along with the ECHS boys basketball team for helping set up the gym and unloading and loading merchandise. He also wanted to thank the following corporate sponsors: Alford's Pharmacy,

"There were also a ton of random volunteers that helped clean up, load, and just be there for us," he said. "Not just Saturday, but throughout the year. It's amazing what a small community can do when it comes time to help their own. We have a lot of children in our county that are in difficult situations, which they can't help. Most of them wouldn't be able to have a Christmas if it weren't for others that are willing to help."

Gun raffle winners were also announced on Saturday, that included Freddie Wayne Jaggers, the winner of a custom Edmonson County edition 30-30 Henry rifle, Ricky Keith, winner of a Henry Golden Boy .22, and Henry Stevenson, winner of a standard Henry .22.

Wardlow said the annual SHH shopping day is set for Sunday, November 27th at Walmart on Morgantown Road in Bowling Green. More information will be announced closer to the date.

All the money raised throughout the year goes to Edmonson County families, only, and there are certain criteria that must be met to receive benefits from the charity. Letters of request may be submitted to Lifeskills, the local FRYSCs, Community Action, and Head Start.

"We are extremely humbled and blessed to see the totals for this year," said Wardlow. "We can't do this without the support of the community and we are amazed once again. Thank you to everyone that helped in any way."