Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Two local girls turned a holiday brainstorm into a real opportunity for some less fortunate kids this past Christmas. 

Cousins Emilie Lucas, age 9, and Addison Omran, age 10 were thinking about those less fortunate while on their way home from church and were trying to create ideas to make a difference in someone's holiday. They reached out to members of their church, Sand Hill Church in Warren County, put a Christmas gift drive together, much like the local Angel Tree program; however, this would be for B.R.A.S.S., which is Barren River Area Safe Space, a facility designated to provide emergency shelter and support services to victims of domestic  violence and their children.

Both girls and fellow church members teamed up and gathered monetary donations, gift boxes, and items such as toys, candy, coloring books and crayons, warm clothes and other various gifts.

The girls organized all the items, wrapped all the gifts and presented them to BRASS personnel on December 19th. Each box had a personalized card with a candy cane on top.

Addison is a fifth grader at the ECMS 5/6 center and Emilie is in the third grade at South Edmonson Elementary.

Thanks for another great year! Our office will be closed December 24th through January 1st. We will have limited staff available for breaking news, emergencies, or holiday sports coverage. Please email us for needs you may have through the holidays.

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Darren Doyle, story, photos, and video:
The South Edmonson Elementary Bulldog Choir presented their first public appearances outside the school today in a number of Christmas caroling performances around Brownsville at various locations. 

County and city employees, parents, and other visitors came to the Community Center this morning to enjoy the first performance of the day by the choir which is made up of forty 3rd and 4th grade students and led by SEES art and music teacher, Mrs. Jessica Doyle.

Mrs. Jessica said the group has been practicing the Christmas carol song list since Veterans Day and recently, the students have doubled up on their rehearsal time.

"These kids have worked really hard to make our first-ever choir special," she said. "Other than our Christmas concert at school, this is the first time that a choir from South Edmonson has made an appearance in the public outside of school. We've had lots of fun with this and we're grateful for those that came out this morning to enjoy songs from our students."

The group also made stops at both local banks as well as the Edmonson Center Healthcare to sing for residents there.

The South Edmonson Bulldog Choir would like to invite the public to come out to hear some Christmas Caroling in Brownsville today, December 18, 2018.  The schedule is as follows:

9 AM: Public Performance at the Community Center
9:30 AM: Bank of Edmonson County
9:45 AM: Limestone Bank
10 AM: Edmonson Center Nursing Home

The Bulldog Choir is made up of forty 3rd and 4th graders from South Edmonson Elementary, where they held their first Christmas Concert on December 11th.

"We are looking forward to sharing our songs with our community," said music teacher Mrs. Jessica Doyle. "Please come out and help us spread a little Christmas cheer."

The final project required for an aspiring Eagle Scout is one that must lead and guide others, which can include scouts and/or non-scouts.  Dalton had to see that funds were secured for the project, as the benefiting organization was not to pay for the project.  For this final project, the task he chose was installing an information kiosk at his church, Northtown United Baptist, so that they could post any important information to the public. Dalton had to plan, develop, and lead the project that demonstrated both leadership and a commitment to duty. After all requirements were met, he had to complete an Eagle Scout board of review. 

During his journey, Dalton attended numerous camps and was chosen to participate in the Counselor in Training Program (program where eligible scouts are selected by the Boy Scouts of America, and the Lincoln Heritage Council to provide mentoring to scouts attending summer camp). He was also elected by his fellow Troop scouts to be a member of the Order of the Arrow (a scouting honor society), and he served his Troop as a Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, OA Representative and Scribe. 

Dalton was also elected by his fellow OA Scouts to serve as Scribe.  Dalton gave back to his community in numerous ways by participating in community service projects for the Edmonson County Parks and Recreation and by assisting with Veteran’s programs to include multiple Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day Ceremonies and events.  

Dalton spoke of his complete scouting experience, which has brought a lifetime-worth of memories over the past 9 years.

"I flew through my Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, and Star ranks, and I did them over a span of close to three years due to the time requirements," he said. "The rank that took me the longest was my Life rank because I had to do all of my Eagles scout stuff at that rank. I have attended three summer camps at Roy C. Manchester as a camper and one year as a CIT ( counselor in training). I have been invited to go to Philmont Scout reserve to do a high adventure hike over a two week span in the summer of 2019 with scout troop 47 out of Franklin, Kentucky. The road to Eagle was extremely fun and interesting, I am the first Eagle Scout in Troop 597, and I learned a lot about leadership and first aid. The people that helped me with my project was my family, friends, and fellow scouts."

​While there has been at least one more Eagle Scout out of Edmonson County, Chris Alford, who was awarded the honor in the early 90s, Dalton is the first from Troop 597. It was also recently noted that local district judge J.B. Hines is also an Eagle Scout.

Not only has Dalton excelled in scouting, but also a host of other projects, clubs, and organizations. During his Eagle Scout quest, he has been involved with the Edmonson County Archery Team, Future Farmers of America, BETA, the Edmonson County Marching Band, Spirit Club, and has also achieved gifted and talented in mathematics and language arts.

With this lifetime achievement, Eagle Scout Dalton Curtis is now eligible for various scholarships and may receive advanced enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces.

"I hope to stay in boy scouts until I age out at 16 years old," he said. "I am going to go to college after I graduate from high school. I want to go into the military after that I want to go into law enforcement."

Dalton is the son of Derek and Joy Curtis of the Wingfield community. 

Edmonson County Boy Scout Troop 597 is chartered by the Edmonson County Lion’s Club.
​

Edmonson Voice Staff Report: 
​Lori Ann Burnett, MMC of City of Brownsville, has earned the designation of Master Municipal Clerk (MMC), which is awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), Inc.

IIMC grants the MMC designation only to those municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirements; and who have a record of significant contributions to their local government, their community and state.

The International Institute of Municipal Clerks, founded in 1947, has 14,000 members throughout the United States, Canada and 15 other countries, and the mission of this global non-profit corporation is to enhance the education opportunities and professional development of its diverse membership.

"In light of the speed and drastic nature of change these days, lifelong learning is not only desirable, it is necessary for all in local government to keep pace with growing demands and changing needs of the citizens we serve," said IIMC President Stephanie Carouthers Kelly, MMC in a statement. "Your City can take immense pride in Lori Ann's educational accomplishments and achievement of this milestone."

Mrs. Burnett is the City Clerk/Treasurer for the City of Brownsville. She received her Kentucky Master Municipal Clerk designation earlier this year.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Twenty-nine students from Edmonson County Middle School attended YMCA’s flagship program, Kentucky Youth Assembly, in Louisville December 9th-11th at the state capitol in Frankfort. This program allowed students to participate in a mock legislative process which included writing a bill, presenting the bill to a student-led house of representatives, a student-led senate, and an elected governor if passed in both the house and the senate.  ​

​The third team consisted of Grant Merideth, Jonas Miller, MaKaylee Thompson, and Callie Webb. This bill was also ranked highly on the first day of debate, passed one chamber, but was defeated in the second.

ECMS faculty commended all three teams for their hard work on the bills that dated all the way back to August. 

Representative Michael Meredith met the group upon their arrival in Frankfort on the second day of the conference for discussion and to gain insight into their bill topics.

During the closing awards ceremony on the final day of the conference, ECMS received the following awards and recognition:

• Premiere Delegation to the entire group 
• Outstanding Delegate to Claire Burklow  
• Outstanding Speaker awards were each given to Brody Johnson and Jonas Miller 

 ​

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
The Edmonson County Tourism Commission has announced the Edmonson County viewing of “The Christmas Manger”  filmed here in Edmonson County.

“The Christmas Manger” will be shown on Sunday, December 16th at the Edmonson County High School Auditorium at 3 PM.

“The public is welcome to attend free of charge to celebrate this monumental day for our community” said Rhonda Clemmons, Chamber and Tourism Director.

Clemmons said bringing the film company here was a culmination of a year’s worth of work of the county in their role as a founding member of the Southern Kentucky Film Commission.

Various county agencies pooled their resources together to become members of the SOKY Film Commission, which included the Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce, The Edmonson County Tourism Commission, The Edmonson County Industrial Authority and the Edmonson County Fiscal Court.

“When the movie company was here working, it took a herculean effort of the entire community for their needs, including food, lodging, film locations, props, actors, extras, crew, press and media needs and much more” said Clemmons, "But our community met the challenge and the fruits of the efforts and the beauty of our area can be seen at these film premiers.”

Clemmons said that everyone is invited to attend the free event. Refreshments will be served after the film in the reception area. Special thanks is being given to the Edmonson County Schools and Superintendent’s Office and School Board for their help with the entire film process and premiere viewing.

An earlier premiere was hosted at ECHS for another film which was also a local product, "The Prayer Box," which starred Denise Richardson and Reginald VelJohnson.

"Both films were created by a very reputable faith based film company, and many local churches have helped every step of the way in this endeavor," she said. "Again, we thank all who made this wonderful opportunity available to our community."

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Lora Peppers, Chief Ranger of Mammoth Cave National Park, will retire from the National Park Service (NPS) on December 31, 2018. Her 32 year career began at Mammoth Cave in 1985 when she worked at the visitor center information desk, but eventually took her to parks and adventures around the country.
 
Peppers began working for Mammoth Cave while she was a student at Edmonson County High School in Brownsville, KY. She was one of two students selected to work in the park, and was eventually enrolled in a special park service program which transitioned participants to a permanent job within the NPS.
 
“I was fortunate to have been selected to work with the park service right out of high school,” said, Chief Peppers. “I enjoyed interacting with visitors at the information desk and have great memories of working with the park staff during my seasons here. Then I was informed by my supervisor that the permanent position wasn’t going to be here at Mammoth Cave, but was going to take me to another park service site in Florida.”
 
Peppers was instead picked up by Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in Saint Augustine, FL for her first permanent job with the Interpretation and Fee Management division. In addition to collecting entrance fees and providing information to visitors, she was sent to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia where her long term career in law enforcement began.
 
“I have had some memorable and amazing experiences throughout my time in the park service,” said Peppers as she reflected on her career. “I have trapped and tagged manatees, alligators and sea turtles; coordinated large scale search and rescue missions, assisted with special events involving international dignitaries; and dealt with plane crashes, major storm events, and multi-agency law enforcement investigations. It has not been boring.”
 

​Over the years Peppers’ career has taken her to Fort Matanzas National Monument, Everglades National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Shenandoah National Park before she returned to Mammoth Cave where she has served as Chief Ranger since 2014.
 
“Lora has been a great asset to both Mammoth Cave and the park service,” said Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “She is someone I know I can count on in tough situations and has the vision and ability to effectively lead her highly skilled team of employees. I will miss getting to work with her, but wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.”
 
In her time as Chief Ranger, Peppers has overseen a review of Mammoth Cave’s Law Enforcement organizational staffing requirements, professionalized the swift water rescue program, coordinated park operations during major snow and ice storm events, and served on acting assignments at Fort Sumter National Monument and in Washington, D.C.
 
“I am taking many fond memories of the parks and the work I have accomplished,” said Peppers, “but looking back, it really is the people I’ve worked with that has made my job enjoyable. I’ve been so privileged to work in these great, iconic places, but have met people along the way that are even better. I am grateful to have worked with them.”
 
For her retirement plans, Peppers will be staying in the Mammoth Cave area relaxing, traveling and enjoying time with her husband, Greg. She is even planning on coming back to the park when her time allows to work under the park’s volunteer program to take photographs for the park image collection.
 
“I’m looking forward to now being able to travel with my husband and not having to worry about what’s going on at the park or someone else’s schedule. After 32 years, I am ready.”

by Terry Watts:
Nolin is about 5 feet above winter pool and falling.  Surface temps are in the 40's.  Clarity is stained at the dam to muddy at Wax. 

Bass can still be caught in the winter months.  Being cold blooded, a fish's metabolism slows way down.  A single bluegill or shad will keep a bass happy for 10 days more.  Fish tend to form tight schools near deep water and a consistent food supply.  They don't want to use a lot of energy to be comfortable, eat or seek safe areas. 

Bluffs are a great place for winter bass.  The depth of the water provides security, the rock tends to warm the water and bluegill provide a constant food source.  The fish will suspend right against the rock or 20 to 30 feet off shore.  A deep running jerkbait is ideal for these fish.  Since bluegill are a winter food source, choose a bait with green, blue and some reds.  The colder the water, the longer the bait needs to soak between twitches.  Ten feet is a good depth for winter fish. 

They will come up for a meal, but not down very often.  You are not going to get many bites in winter.  But, its great being on the lake!  Merry Christmas!  I am looking forward to March and the lure of big fish.      

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
The Edmonson County Family Resources Center backpack program was recently strengthened, thanks to the efforts of local Girl Scout Troop #313 in the recent scout food drive.

It's estimated that around 130 students will benefit from the program, and food from this drive will ensure participants will have plenty over the Christmas break.

​Girl Scout Troop #313 sends a heartfelt "thank you" to all that donated and helped with this project.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Recognized for the achievements of its women’s program this year, Edmonson County Farm Bureau received the 2018 Gold Star Award of Excellence during Kentucky Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Louisville. The award honors county Women’s Committees for active participation in leadership development programs, agricultural promotion, educational initiatives, and numerous other aspects of support to the local Farm Bureau.
 
Approximately 2,000 members attended KFB’s 99th annual meeting in Louisville, November 28-December 1, to recognize this year’s individual and organizational achievements and adopt policy for 2019.