Issue #8 - Fall 2024

EMBRACING OUR Age

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Jennifer

EDITOR/WRITER

Carol

Richard

Julie

Kristi Crockett

ACCOUNTING

Tiffinie Hix

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Fox Fotography

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RAFFAELE LIVIO PONTI

The Horn or the Mitt? 26

JACK FEILER Senior Spotlight

GRANDPARENTS BEWARE!

By: Carol Ullerich

After interviewing Det. Kyle Seratt of the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, I detailed senior scams—including the grandparent scam—in the Spring, 2024 issue of this magazine. Imagine my surprise when in June I saw previews for the film “Thelma” at Maiden Alley Cinema. Now streaming, it shows how easily anyone can fall victim to phone schemes separating seniors from billions of hard-earned dollars. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to these hoaxes. Scammers know seniors have wealth from decades of work, retirement, and pensions; they are rarely internet-savvy; and they’ll help family members they believe are in trouble.

“Thelma” is lighthearted with a subtle lesson making the viewer consider, “would I fall for that?” The pair implementing the scam, one himself a senior, talk a mean game—easy when you’re hiding behind a telephone—but they’re bunglers at best. And, while the Hollywood bad guys get their comeuppance in the end—that’s rare in real life. Billions of dollars are lost, those losses are often unreported, and little is recovered.

“Thelma” is based on a true story. First-time screenwriter Josh Margolin enhanced a troubling phone call his grandmother received from a man impersonating Margolin, saying he had been in a wreck, was in jail, and needed her to immediately mail $10,000 to a specific address to make his bail. Focusing more on the caller’s unfamiliar voice than his stated predicament, Thelma questioned why the caller didn’t sound like her grandson. Without missing a beat, the caller said his nose was broken making it hard to breathe and quickly resumed to his plea for money. Margolin’s grandmother—the real Thelma—sent no money, but the on-screen Thelma immediately begins collecting money she’s squirreled away throughout her apartment; stuffs $10,000 into an envelope addressed as directed by the caller; and heads to the post office where she mails the envelope. As soon as she closes the hinged mailbox door, she questions what she’s done.

Thereafter, the spunky Thelma, played by 93-year-young Academy Award nominee June Squib (Nebraska, 2013), plots to retrieve her money, enlisting the late Richard Roundtree (Shaft, 1971) as her accomplice in what would be his last on-screen role. Roundtree’s character lived at an assisted living facility where his shiny, bright red EWheels Model EW-66 two-seater, three-wheeled scooter catches Thelma’s eye and becomes a flashy third character in the film. Thelma even steals a senior friend’s loaded gun in case it’s needed in the undercover mission. I’ll not spoil the ending, but I strongly encourage all seniors, families, and caregivers to watch “Thelma.” Assisted living homes should consider screening the movie for residents and families, coupled with a frank discussion of how to handle such calls to avoid unwanted results. September 12, Paducah’s Senior Center screened the film.

As you watch the movie, consider these facts about Squib. She was a child tap dancer; she worked on Caribbean cruise ships in the 1960’s; before filming this movie she had never used a mouse; she did her own stunts, including driving the scooter; and, she never imagined turning 94, let alone becoming an action-hero at that age.

At random, I asked three seniors to watch the film and share their thoughts with me. I was stunned to learn the mother-in-law of one of the three received the same phone call Thelma answered and the aunt of a second was bilked out of savings by a friend’s grandson posing as a financial advisor. Their stories demonstrate scammers target everyone and seniors must remain vigilant.

AREA STORIES

First, on her 90th birthday, Carol’s mother-in-law, Donna, living in a Missouri town of fewer than 500, received a phone call from someone claiming to be one of her three grandsons. Donna usually answered only calls from numbers she recognized, but it being her birthday she was receiving calls from well-wishers and answered a call from an unknown number. It followed the same script featured in “Thelma”: grandson hurt in accident; in jail; needs bail money; send $10,000 cash immediately to specified address. When Donna asked the caller why he sounded different, he said his nose was broken. When Donna asked why he didn’t ask his mother for bail money, he said she’d had a lot going on and didn’t want to bother her—as it happened, Carol’s mother had recently died. Curiously, the grandson being impersonated and a sibling lived far away; a third grandson lived nearby.

When the call ended, Donna immediately called Carol and described the call. Carol phoned the grandson being impersonated; he was fine. Donna sent no money, but that did not end the matter. At Donna’s birthday party later that night, everyone sensed something was wrong. According to Carol, the call “really rattled” Donna, “upsetting her

terribly.” When Donna subsequently discussed the call with friends, all assured her she handled the call properly and did nothing wrong.

Had Donna been inclined to do as the caller requested, she would have had to clear some hurdles. Unlike Thelma, Donna didn’t keep $10,000 in cash at home; she would have had to go to the bank. Because the call came late in the day, the bank would have been closed leaving time to discuss, seek advice and create a plan. Additionally, Donna’s husband had been the town’s postmaster. Had Donna gone to the post office to mail the envelope— (it’s unlikely she’d have known the precise amount of postage needed)—an employee may have questioned her about what she was doing—giving another opportunity for reflection.

The impact of these calls on recipients—other than Thelma’s quest to recover her losses—was not explored in the film. Immediately after receiving the call, Donna stopped answering the phone. Seven years later, she’s still skittish and always checks Caller ID before answering. A neighbor used to drive Donna to the Senior Center where she volunteered. She no longer collects money and serves meals at the Senior Center, but that’s more likely a result of COVID than the phone call. Ultimately, Donna felt emboldened by her response to the call, which she no longer mentions. The only change in her routine is ignoring calls from unfamiliar phone numbers.

Joan Corbett, Resident Ambassador at Paducah’s Gaither Suites at West Park, also watched “Thelma.” She described a different kind of incident involving the grandchild/grandparent relationship. Joan’s aunt, and many of her aunt’s friends, transferred sizable amounts of money to a friend’s grandson who posed as a financial advisor at a reputable investment house. Joan became suspicious when her aunt earned no money and accrued no interest, prompting Joan to contact a different broker at the same firm to request an investigation. Two weeks later the legitimate broker confirmed suspicious activity had occurred and after a yearlong inquiry the friend’s grandson was arrested.

Joan describes herself as having lived a “busy life,” but now enjoys “solitary things.” She admits there’s a sadness from having outlived many of her closest friends—only three are still alive. She describes Thelma as a “gutsy action person willing to get up and do something,” and even though Thelma was retired, “she still found time to needlepoint.” Watching “Thelma” has made Joan more cautious. She’s found, “the more you realize you’re not what you were, the easier it is to be content. Acknowledge it and be what you are.” Joan appreciated the film’s nuances noting, “It was authentic—Thelma ‘walked’ like us; and Roundtree’s attitude was ‘spot on’ with excellent comedic touches.” She also noted the sets were authentic—everything in the apartments of Thelma and her friends was dark mahogany which Joan says is common in the senior homes she sees.

Joan distinguished herself from Thelma. “My phone wouldn’t have recognized an unfamiliar number so I wouldn’t have answered. The caller could leave a message and I’d decide whether to return the call. And, I would have investigated before sending money.” She also acknowledged, “there are advantages to age. You get more and you’re not expected to do anything, or to know how to do anything.”

LOCAL FREQUENCY OF SENIOR SCAMS 10 Steps to Safety

In early August I chatted with an employee of a local electronics store. I was astonished to learn he meets three seniors everyday who come to the store saying, “I’ve been hacked,” or “I have a virus.” Most often it

results from receipt of a message saying, “YOU’VE BEEN HACKED.”

The man with whom I spoke is one of six in the Paducah store, and suspects each of his counterparts receives a similar number of senior inquiries about phones, computers, viruses and hacking. He has this advice for seniors based on his observations:

1. If you receive a pop-up message saying “you’ve been hacked,” DO NOT RESPOND. Calling will give the scammer remote access to your computer.

2. Be leary of calendar invites—it’s a trick to get you to accept a meeting request or click on a malicious link to confirm your email address. Accepting will open your account to phishing or malware attacks allowing the sender to bypass spam filters. DO NOT open, accept or decline invites. DELETE them from your inbox.

3. If you receive a call seeking verification of personal information from a business with whom you have an account, the bank/store should already have your info. Ask the nature/purpose of the inquiry. If it sounds legitimate, rather than revealing your social security number, account number, or address, have the caller read the info they have on file to you—the call may abruptly end. Or, tell them you prefer to meet in person and go to the bank or store, taking a friend or representative with you if you are uneasy. Or, hang up. If the call is legitimate, they’ll find another way to get in touch with you.

4. Be skeptical when reading online product reviews especially those that sound too good to be true. They may be AI-generated and meritless.

5. If someone accesses your computer remotely, they may install a keylogger in the background—that’s malware or hardware that logs every keystroke typed. The scammer can then reconstruct all your valuable information from your keystrokes. To check whether a keylogger is present, select control/alt/delete; followed by task manager; and then startup Keylogger software is actually the premise of another recent movie, “The Beekeeper” in which a retired educator manages a charity’s multi-million dollar online account, gives a caller remote access to the account in response to a pop-up message and watches the account zero-out in the blink of an eye.

6. Be vigilant. Attacks can come from anyone, anywhere, anytime.

7. Slow down; remain calm.

8. Avoid visiting unfamiliar sites.

9. Invest in an iPad. It uses a different type of operating system, but allows you to do all you do now with hardly any worry; iPads are safer than computers. Through apps you can search Amazon and Netflix and do your banking. You can access Facebook; surf the web through Safari; write poetry, music and the great American novel; and, send/receive e-mail. iPads and iPhones are nearly impossible to hack and knock out 90% of attempted hacks.

10. Above all, DO NOT RETURN phone calls from unrecognized numbers, and especially not in response to a pop-up saying “You’ve been hacked.” So long as you don’t make the requested call, it’s unlikely you’ve unleashed any harm. Making the call opens the vault.

“Thelma” is a story that needs to be told, seen and discussed. Arm yourself with information. Watch the movie and share it with family and senior friends so they can learn and be safe too. 

How to Play:

Find 4 four-word groups, each having a link

For Example:

Romaine, Bibb, Arugula,

Lettuces:

Iceberg Tomatoes: Celebrity, Brandywine, Early Girl, Juliet

SCAMMERS DEFRAUD MEDICARE

OF $60 BILLION ANNUALLY; YOU CAN LOWER THAT AMOUNT

By: Carol Ullerich

The amount of annual Medicare fraud isn’t rising, but it’s not decreasing. To be blunt, when the government budgets less money for senior health care, it’s shifting more costs to YOU, the Medicare recipient. In this instance, fraud is an intentional activity to gain money from Medicare. Fraud occurs via mail, email, phone and compromised personal info. It’s critical Medicare remain solvent, so the program continues; benefits don’t decrease; and seniors don’t pay more out-of-pocket medical expenses.

False claims often occur from common errors. Some errors are honest mistakes; but not all. Whether honest error or fraud, you should report it. These errors happen frequently:

• entering wrong beneficiary number

• seeking payment for services not billable to Medicare

• a “coding error” is probably the most common

Let’s explore that last item. Proper coding by your provider is key to a successful claim. There are about 79,000 separate, unique codes—one for every procedure and circumstance. With that many codes, errors are bound to occur, but the provider should know the correct code for the procedure performed. Coding errors result in denied claims. You’re not helpless; You can do these five things:

First, review all medical bills. The federal “No Surprises Act” became effective January 1, 2022. It’s intended to prevent extraordinary, unexpected medical bills associated with emergency care given by out-of-network providers/facilities by bringing them in line with in-network costs if you are covered by a group health plan or group/individual health insurance coverage or are paying out of pocket. You may receive an upfront “good faith” estimate of the cost of the proposed medical care. Read a summary of the legislation at: nsa - consumer bulletin 12-2021.pdf (ky.gov). If you see an unfamiliar doctor’s name or service on your bill, ask the hospital for details. Report any error within one year. Unless timely reported, bill will be paid with no recourse for correction.

TRUE STORY:

Linda read a story in this magazine last year, acted on what she read, and struck a blow for the little guy. She found a bogus charge on her Medicare Statement. It listed a medical procedure she purportedly received in Hawaii. Linda would like to go to Hawaii, but she’s never been, and she’s never received health services there. The charge was just $14.00 but multiplied by 1,000 or 10,000 or 100,000 similar claims and Medicare is being bilked out of BIG MONEY. It may have been a mistake, perhaps an erroneous code, or a mistake in entering the beneficiary number, but it may have been deliberate fraud. Because of that article, Linda reported the untrue claim and saved Medicare $14.00. Importantly, had Linda NOT reported the false claim within a year of receiving the EOB or Medicare Summary Notice, the claim would have been paid without question. You, the Medicare recipient, are the only line of defense against erroneous claims and you, like

Linda, can make a difference. Look for and report fraud when you see it. You are the best, and only, line of defense.

Second, make certain you receive all items ordered by your doctor. If you receive durable medical equipment with your doctor’s name listed, you are being billed personally for that item— that’s money out of YOUR POCKET. If you do not recognize the doctor’s name, report it.

Third, Protect Yourself:

Treat your Medicare & Social Security cards like credit cards; do not be tricked into revealing your number to strangers; Medicare will NOT call & ask for your number

• Carry Medicare card only when going to medical appointment

• Keep separate journal of all medical procedures & visits (to confirm service dates, care received & providers)

• Promptly review Medicare Statements & EOB’s; Question duplicate bills & unfamiliar charges; Report errors and/or fraud within one year of receipt

• Report suspicious activity to healthcare provider; Medicare; or local SMP office

Fourth, Learn to Spot Possible Fraud, Errors & Abuse:

• Were you charged for something you did not receive?

• Were you billed twice for the same service or supplies?

• Were you billed for services your doctor did not order?

Fifth, Report Suspicious Behavior:

Report suspicious calls to SMP. DO NOT REVEAL personal info. In Kentucky, call 1-877-603-6558 OR 270-816-6650 (for McCracken, Ballard, Crittenden, Carlisle and Livingston Counties). Email www.louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/seniormedicare-patrol.

Ask your health care provider/plan to explain questions about Medicare statements. If uncomfortable doing that, or are dissatisfied with response, call local SMP. All conversations are confidential. 

LOOK OUT FOR:

• Billing for services or medical supplies that were not provided.

• Misrepresenting a diagnosis, your identity, or other facts to bill Medicare.

• Prescribing or providing excessive or unnecessary tests and services.

• Billing out of pocket for services covered by Medicare.

BUT I’M NOT SICK. WHY SHOULD I FILE?

By: Carol Ullerich

There are constraints in filing a claim for EEOICPA benefits no matter which home health provider you choose. The Kentucky Congressional delegation and fellow energy workers fought hard for these benefits and continue fighting for them. As a nuclear worker you earned these benefits, but you must apply for and demonstrate you meet the criteria to receive them. Remember:

1. Doctor providing impairment rating for Part E benefits is paid by Department of Labor (DOL), not you, the worker. Each percentage point increase in impairment rating is worth $2,500 to you.

2. Home health care providers are available to walk you through the claims process and educate you on no-cost, in-home care.

3. Part B benefits (for SEC cancers, chronic beryllium disease and silicosis) are capped at $150,000 which is not taxed; Part E benefits are capped at $250,000 for maximum compensation of $400,000. Upon reaching maximum compensation, you may still use white card to pay for medical benefits. EEOICPA was enacted to channel benefits to nuclear workers while living.

4. If you have any medical condition—no matter how minor—get your name into the system now to lay groundwork for more serious claims in future. This includes proving your employment at a nuclear site, which may be an obstacle.

5. Do not let a denied claim keep you from refiling.

6. You may not feel sick now, but you may have poor hearing or tinnitus which is compensable under Part E. Once you establish a hearing issue, tackle other more challenging health issues.

7. If an authorized representative (AR) files a successful claim on your behalf, a percentage of compensation may be owed the AR.

8. Eleven Resource Centers are available nationwide to assist nuclear workers filing claims—in person or via phone—at no charge. The first of these centers opened in Paducah on July 2, 2001, to serve Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Located across from WKCTC at Barkley Center, 125 Memorial Center, Paducah, KY.

WHAT IF PADUCAH NEVER HAD BECOME

By: Carol Ullerich

This article includes memories from local residents who grew up with the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) in their backyards; experienced firsthand the building boom associated with a nuclear enrichment site coming to town; watched good-paying jobs disappear when the government’s mission shifted from production to cleanup; and, awoke to the irony of more people cleaning up the Superfund site since its closure, than had worked at the Plant during its heyday. Special thanks to Howard Pulley, Phil Brown , Stewart Tolar, and a host of other employees and citizens with whom I’ve shared extended conversations, emails, and texts about this fascinating piece of Paducah’s history and possibly its future.

July 16, 1945, the US detonated the first nuclear weapon. Less than a month later, the US bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. When World War II ended in 1945, the Cold War was already underway. (en.m.wikipedia.org)

A battle of politics, economics, and propaganda until its end on Christmas Day, 1991, Origins of the Cold War, Brittanica.com, the Cold War was a game of cat and mouse with caches of stockpiled weapons, but no actual fighting between the US and Russia. Amidst global turmoil, Russia exploded its first atomic warhead in 1949. Id. A short time later, on October 18, 1950, the US Atomic Energy Commission announced a 3,500-acre site 10 miles west of Paducah would enrich low-grade uranium as “feedstock for nuclear weapons materials and later for commercial nuclear

Photo By: Fox Fotography

power plants.” Paducah Site 101, energy.gov. The former Kentucky Ordinance Works (KOW)— where nearly 200,000 tons of TNT was manufactured between 1942 and 1945, lrl.usace.army.mil—would again defend America.

Paducah was one of eight locales originally considered to host the third Ohio Valley plant along with Oak Ridge, Tennessee (K-25), and Portsmouth, Ohio (Ports). It is suggested Graves County native Alben Barkley, Vice President under Harry S. Truman (1949-53), sealed the deal with his strong endorsement of Paducah. The area was perfect to produce fissionable material needed for atomic bombs—it was sparsely populated; accessible by river and rail; a safe distance from K-25 and Ports; and far enough inland to avoid coastal attack.

Photo by Fox Fotography

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

Construction of PGDP, along with TVA’s Shawnee Steam Plant, and Electric Energy Inc’s Steam Plant (EEI) in Joppa, Illinois, began in 1951. Both steam plants were built to power PGDP, which in 1973 used as much power as the city of St. Louis.

Paducah began the enrichment process by increasing U-235 from .7% found in natural uranium, to 1-2%. That material was sent to K-25, where the uranium was enriched again before being sent to Ports where it was enriched to bomb grade, finally assaying at about 90%.

Of the three Ohio Valley plants, Paducah was known as the workhorse because the first step in the refining process is the costliest. At one time, PGDP, K-25 and Ports consumed 10% of all electricity generated in the US. Four process buildings at PGDP, covering 74 acres, had a peak electrical demand of 3,040 megawatts. The Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) monthly electric bill for just PGDP was often $15 to $20 million dollars.

In the early to mid-1960’s, PGDP changed its mission from producing enriched uranium for weapons to producing enriched uranium for electricity. K-25 ceased operations in 1985, Ports ceased enrichment operations in 2001, leaving PGDP the nation’s only operational uranium enrichment facility from 2001 to 2013. en.m.wikipedia.org. A 2011 tsunami that struck Japan’s Honshu Island, killing 20,000 people, most likely was the downfall of PGDP as uranium demand shrank and the cost of enriching uranium increased.

Beside the Plant is the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area—more than 4,000 acres managed by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and open to the public for hunting, fishing, and recreation. Key Facts: Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, USEC, Inc., web.archive.org.

The private contractors who operated the Plant on behalf of the federal government were Union Carbide (originally known as Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation); Martin Marietta; Lockheed Martin; United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC); and now Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership with support from Swift & Staley overseeing deactivation and remediation of the DOE-owned site, became household names associated with “The Plant.” The surrounding community didn’t know what happened inside the fenced area, fueling speculation and rumors about the secret activity occurring there. Area residents may have been curious, but not fearful; they were just glad to have good-paying post-depression work. Jobseekers routinely drove from Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky to work at the Plant. Ultimately, PGDP flourished because skilled Union laborers were willing to work.

THREE STALWARTS

Phil Brown was hired by Union Carbide in August 1968. A graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School, he attended Paducah Community College and graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) in Chemistry. More than 50 years later, while working for Jacobs Engineering—a DOE Plant subcontractor—he turned in his security badge in November 2018.

Phil started in the Laboratory Division—later named Technical Services. In 1979, he transferred to the Cascade Operations Division

in Production Engineering and was promoted to Manager. In 1994, he transferred to the Plant Shift Superintendent’s Organization and retired from USEC in May 2009. In June of that year, he began working for various DOE subcontractors, providing technical support, and helping transition the plant back to DOE after USEC closed the operating plant. In November 2018, he retired from Jacobs Engineering and joined the Citizens Advisory Board—a legally-mandated entity—serving until June of 2023.

Phil estimates he was six years old when he first heard his parents talk about “the Atomic Plant” and jobs it would bring. His dad was working for construction contractor F.H. McGraw building the Plant; his mom worked at Magnavox, and Phil, the youngest of four boys and one sister, was completing first grade at McKinley Elementary in 1952-53. Paducah was bursting at the seams and schools were overcrowded as Paducah became a Boom Town!

Neighborhoods were known by their locations: Westend, Northside, Lower Town, Southside and others. City bus routes— Rowlandtown, Guthrie, Arcadia, Noble Park, Mechanicsburg, and Tyler—defined the location they served. The South Beltline, Inner City Loop, and I-24 weren’t much more than a thought. Traffic from downtown on Highways 60, 62, or 68, came down Sixth Street and entered Bridge Street before exiting the city. Southside kids like Phil, who walked to school, were warned about traffic.

Phil’s favorite Southside restaurant—Bob’s Drive-In—still stands on Bridge Street. A future Nobel Prize winner and Cal Tech Professor lived half a block from the burger joint on Lieberman Street.

In 1979, while Phil was working in Production Engineering he met his wife, Leesa. She inventoried secret documents at the Plant as a summer student. They married in December. Phil, who had lived in Paducah all his life, moved to rural Carlisle County. Forty-five years later, he and Leesa still live in the home they built in Kirbyton. They have five children and nine grandchildren. Phil feels blessed to have had a lengthy career at the Plant and, if possible, would do it all again.

May 1966 was momentous for Howard Pulley. His oldest daughter was born; he graduated from Austin Peay State University; and a month later, began working at PGDP. He and his wife gathered all the coins they could find in their Clarksville, Tennessee, apartment, bought two weeks of baby formula for their newborn, and drove to Pulley’s parents’ home where he left his wife and child.

Pulley drove to Paducah, reporting for work at the Plant June 13, 1966. Two days later, he asked his Laboratory Manager, Bob Harris, for a salary advance. The response was, “You want what?” After explaining his need to rent an apartment and bring his family to Paducah, the response was, “We have never done this.” Harris was empathetic to Pulley’s plight and approved the request. Pulley rented an apartment, brought his wife and daughter to Paducah, and continued working at the Plant, retiring as General Manager in March 2002.

To relieve stress, Pulley started gardening. That’s how I met him years ago. After choosing his home as the McCracken County Beautification Board’s Home of the Month, I returned to write a published article about his lush daylilies. Co-workers still know Pulley for the colorful flowers gracing his desk.

According to Pulley’s co-workers, he was “the picture of success” during his 36-year career at the Plant. He worked in almost all

areas of the Plant as division manager, deputy plant manager, plant manager, and general manager. His work performance was recognized with several outstanding performance awards, and he wasn’t just a paper-pusher, his work generated a patent.

Most of Paducah’s General Managers had come from K-25 or Ports. In contrast, Pulley began and ended his career in Paducah. A devout Christian, he and his wife recently celebrated 60 years of marriage with two wonderful daughters and five great-grandchildren. In his words, “I was truly blessed to be able to spend my entire career at the Paducah Plant working with the best employees you will find anywhere. My most appreciated accomplishment was seeing someone become what he/she was capable of being.”

Stewart Tolar is a lifelong Paducah resident and 1961 graduate of Paducah Tilghman. He completed a business degree at Murray State in 1965, marrying Janice Lee the same year. He worked one year at Lee’s Insurance Company and then a few years at People’s Bank. When he and Janice expected their first child, Stewart needed to improve his insurance and retirement options. Both were better at the Plant where he worked in various positions from 1968-2001.

Stewart worked in the accounting department, mostly in accounts payable with other accounting functions in the same area of the Plant’s Business Division. He later transferred to the Human Resources Division, which included Personnel, Labor Relations, Salary Management, and other functions.

Never a federal employee, he left the Plant in 2001 to manage Eagle Research where he oversaw the Paducah Resource Center of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA)—the first of eleven in the nation opened when great numbers of former and current nuclear workers around the US became ill. In this role, he assisted nuclear workers file claims for conditions potentially caused by exposures at PGDP and other nuclear sites around the country. He also performed management responsibilities for the eleven resource centers and explained benefits offered by the Department of Labor (DOL) at Paducah’s Resource Center.

Stewart has been away from EEOICPA since 2011, but he hasn’t been idle. He promotes Meals and Tolar Impairment Specialists activities for nuclear workers. He has two children and six grandkids. His son, Dr. Stewart Blair Tolar, MD, is a Paducah gynecologist/ obstetrician. His daughter is Dr. Lee Meals, MD. She worked at the plant two summers as an undergraduate and as a health physics technician while earning her B.S. degree prior to medical school. She’s the only physician Stewart knows with actual experience working in the Plant, with a “Q” security clearance giving her a unique perspective as both a physician and a former Plant employee.

Meals, and her sister-in-law, Dr. Rheanel Tolar, MD, provide impairment ratings throughout the nation from their home base in Paducah. The rating is critical to receiving benefits under Part E of the EEOICPA. Stewart reminds former PGDP workers a new impairment rating may be issued every two years. Occasional releases of new medical research may support new illnesses linked to Plant employment.

Stewart has only fond memories of, and good words about, his time at PGDP. He believes DOL employees administering the worker benefits program are “good people and highly qualified,” saying, they are “good at what they do.”

A Paducah widow received the first EEOICPA payment. Stewart credits Mitch McConnell, Ed Whitfield, and then-US Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao, with obtaining new and broader nuclear worker benefits. The late Congressman Jim Bunning of Kentucky heralded the impairment rating provision known as “Part E.”

Howard “Tony” Anderson served two years in the Army and four years as an active reservist. A machinist, he worked at the Plant nine years, telling me he worked with Prussian Blue and five-gallon cans of acetone. Diagnosed with prostate cancer, his application for a white card was denied, but he’s been encouraged to refile. At a recent luncheon he learned military service—a form of government service occasionally considered in the hiring process—does not count as service at an atomic energy facility. While working at the Plant he made good money, saying, “it was the best job,” but questioned the adequacy of safety warnings.

Phil Brown

Stewart Tolar

Howard Pulley

A SCRAMBLE, THEN A BOOM!

Estimates vary, but as many as 15,000-25,000 workers poured into Paducah to build the plant—creating a scramble for housing, followed by a housing boom. Magruder Village (a/k/a “Flat Top City”) and Cimota (“Atomic” spelled backward) City rose from corn and bean fields around Heath. Other new addresses were Ferncliff, Conrad Heights, and Indian Hills.

Phil’s uncle, an electrician, worked on the Paducah build a few years before heading to Ports. Another relative was an itinerant welder in Paducah, then Ports, and followed nuclear power plant builds across the nation. After building nuclear power sites elsewhere, many returned to Paducah to work in the first Plant they’d built.

Paducah was innovative. When trained employees were scheduled to be laid off, many participated in the “ Work for Others Program,” completing projects for other DOE/DOD businesses. This option allowed the Plant to maintain its skilled workforce and enabled PGDP’s usual work to resume quickly when appropriate. Other innovations to keep workers employed were two equipment uprating programs; running two parallel Cascades enabling PGDP to enrich uranium at higher levels; and, in the 1980’s, utilizing offpeak power.

Lorn Honey earned a B.S in Electrical Engineering and an associate’s degree in aviation technology from Southern Illinois University (SIU). He wanted to build airplanes. That didn’t happen, but in 1980, Ron Terrell hired him, assigned him to the PGDP Switchyard and told him his days with computers were over.

A year later, after training in computer engineering, Lorn was one of four engineers assigned to build a new SCADA computer. 360 days later, the project was done. Lorn, with assistance from Herb Strong, was the only original team member to see the project come to fruition. The new computer controlled all power entering the Plant from Shawnee, EEI, and Kentucky Utilities for 25 years, improving effectiveness of power tracking and utilization, and troubleshooting equipment issues. Lorn retired in 2009.

SHHH!

The Plant was shrouded in secrecy. All workers had a “Q” security clearance, but over time, some workers had a reduced “L” clearance. All were warned not to discuss the nature of their work; everything inside the perimeter was on a “need to know basis.” It was also unwise to talk about coworkers since multiple generations of families worked at the Plant. With that background in mind, I researched the Plant’s impact on Paducah and its environs, seeking to learn how Paducah prospered from atomic energy and is living with its effects.

THE BEGINNING . . .

Construction prep in Paducah began in the late 1940’s/early 1950’s. Juliana Harrison’s dad, Robert Wenzel, graduated from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville. DOE hired him in 1947 to begin his civil engineering career in Oak Ridge, where Juliana’s family lived briefly in government housing.

The family returned to Paducah in 1950, staying with Juliana’s grandparents before purchasing land on Highland Church Road. Naturally a quiet man, her dad rarely talked about work—and government secrecy being ingrained in him—he was even tighter-

lipped about PGDP where he hired all subcontractors. When Wenzel became Senior Design Engineer, he also inspected all work and ensured government regulation compliance. Juliana learned the Plant site was so vast that employees traveled between buildings by bicycle.

She recalls Paducah being small with shopping concentrated downtown. Lone Oak and Blandville Roads were just two lanes each. Her dad would say it was a “busy” day when two cars traveled Highland Church Road. She could name all her neighbors on less than ten fingers.

Phil echoed much of Juliana’s recollection: a sudden influx of workers to build the Plant. Phil’s dad, a mechanic, worked construction for McGraw or a subcontractor. His dad was so proud of the job he bought new Sears Craftsman tools. Phil has had those tools since his dad lost his battle with lung cancer.

As a child, when the Plant was being built, Phil’s heroes were cowboys and baseball players. When he began working in the Plant as a chemist, he “met heroes of all skill levels.”

Phil and Pulley hired in at the plant in the mid-late 60’s, when “many workers already had been there 16-18 years.” A core of about 50 started at K-25 and came to Paducah to help build and start the plant. Future PGDP cascade operators also traveled to Oak Ridge to train at the fully operational K-25 plant for a few weeks to learn the process. PGDP benefitted greatly from knowledge gained from Oak Ridge workers.

Multiple PGDP employees applied for and received patents for their work at the Plant. Applications were made in the name of the Plant operator (i.e., Union Carbide) with a $1 bill attached, indicating the employee applying for the patent was assigning all rights to the US for $1.

The Plant still offers automatic fire aid to the surrounding community during emergencies. For 40 years, Donald Elrod has been Fire Chief of the West McCracken Fire Department, with stations in Grahamville and Future City. He also worked more than 35 years in Emergency Management at the Plant. He describes the Plant as a “good neighbor” and has an excellent relationship with DOE.

Once West McCracken responded to a fire in an electrical unit at the Plant. “It was just a normal call; nothing special,” Elrod said. He scotched a rumor that the West McCracken fire truck became contaminated, was confiscated, and the Plant presented West McCracken a new truck. Elrod explained West McCracken has purchased each of the 13 vehicles it uses. Describing the Plant as generous and a good neighbor, no new truck was ever given.

SLIDE RULES & BRAINS

Judy Jackson graduated from Heath High School in 1965. She taught English at her alma mater 28 years. After retiring, she began a new career lasting 23 years as a USEC technical editor. A Heath native, Jackson gave me a driving tour of the Plant’s perimeter, noting many workers involved in the Manhattan Project also had worked at PGDP. She marvels at the Plant having been built without computers—all they had were “slide rules & brains.”

She identified property originally confiscated for the KOW—with families being given just six weeks to pack and move. At the end of

WWII, displaced families were allowed to buy back land. L.J. Jackson, a relative and veteran, was the first to buy back the family farm using wartime savings from his wife’s job and part of his military pay.

Jackson identified spots where buildings once stood, and security fencing carved out access to preexisting cemeteries. She spoke of building contractors arriving from multiple states. We drove Transport Road surveying the site of annual dog trials.

GROWING PAINS

One of the first impacts Paducah felt was the massive housing crunch and its consequences. According to the Wall to Wall Mural project, the population doubled with retail sales climbing from $44 million in 1950, to $94 million in 1953. During those same three years, school enrollment rose from 8,000 to 12,000. Milly Oliver, another retired Heath teacher, spoke of her mother’s experience teaching second grade when the boom began. “One day she had 20 students; overnight she had 50. The cafeteria was so small children carried plates back to their classrooms to eat.” School also was held for a time at the Grahamville Lodge Hall.

In the late-60’s/early-70’s, parents of many county children still owned farmland, but others were scientists and engineers. The Plant employed a highly educated population with valuable technical skills prompting locals to extend their schooling too. Many of these individuals were supporters of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra and the arts in general.

All those new students strained the hallways of area schools. I spoke at length with Buddy Rushing, former Assistant Principal at Lone Oak High School, his alma mater. Poring over his yearbooks, the growth of his class size was remarkable. “When I entered first grade in 1947, there were 29 students in my class. At that time, one building at Lone Oak, one at Reidland, and one at Heath accommodated grades 1-12 in each of the three school districts. When I entered sixth grade, there were 36 students.” But Rushing’s fourth grade class, 1950-51, had 45 students.

A story in The Oak K, the school newspaper dated November 20, 1958, said 1,308 students were enrolled at Lone Oak during the 1958-59 school year, “the largest enrollment of any school in McCracken County. The building is so crowded, that three classes are being held at the church.”

In 1970, county school districts realigned to address Conrad Heights—a subdivision Martin Conrad had built to house Plant employees. That year, Concord students no longer chose the middle school they’d attend. If you lived on one side of Blandville Road, you went to Lone Oak; those on the other side attended Heath. Several did not want to go to Heath because older siblings were at Lone Oak causing families great angst.

Until housing could be built, new residents slept where they could; it was common to beg landowners to let them park a trailer beside a home or rent a room. Donnie Chumbler’s parents housed a couple in their garage. At another home, one man slept in a bed at night, not knowing a woman slept in that same bed during the day— they never saw one another. There’s even tell of a man living in a chicken coop; deplorable—but people were desperate for a place to lay their head.

After graduating from Heath, Chumbler studied at Murray State and the University of Kentucky, earning a degree in chemistry.

He signed on at PGDP in February 1970, working six years as a lab analyst/chemist, and then working in quality control before moving into management. As a technical editor, he prepared a weekly internal progress report shared with K-25 and Ports. He retired in 2006.

MORE THAN STRAWBERRIES & TOBACCO

Prior to the Plant’s arrival, McCracken County was decidedly agrarian. In the 1940’s, we were the Strawberry Capital of the World with over 4,000 acres in berry production in McCracken and surrounding counties. That title evaporated when men went to war, leaving women and children to pick. Children even were dismissed early from school to pick; but it wasn’t sustainable. Paducah pivoted, becoming “Atomic City.”

Betty Rushing, now 85, came from a farm family, but worked as a Plant operator from 1973-98. Prior to that, she drove a school bus earning $3.00 an hour. Her first job at the Plant paid $3.57 an hour—an immediate pay raise. Like most Plant employees, she carpooled with four other workers. Despite all the carpools, parking space still was at a premium.

Betty has her white card and undergoes frequent physicals, including the one offered by the Worker Health Protection Program (WHPP). It offers a free intense physical every three years with results being interpreted by a doctor at Queen’s College in New York. Betty has had recurring cancerous lesions removed from her arms.

When the Plant opened, Hinkleville Road/Highway 60, was only two lanes. To handle traffic to and from the Plant, it became the four-lane highway it is today. The Plant was a city unto itself with its own health clinic. Few employees had their own doctor, most relied on the Plant physician for healthcare. C-Plant Federal Credit Union opened in November 1951. Its original members were Union Carbide employees with a branch inside the Plant. According to cplant.com, PGDP was “loosely referred to as the ‘C’ plant,” hence the credit union’s name.

At age 19, Kim Blaisdell had completed about a year of junior college when a friend’s mother suggested he apply at Union Carbide where 50 to 60 workers usually were hired weekly. After taking a general test and interviewing with Personnel Manager Bill Canfield he was told, “Mr. Blaisdell, we’re going to take a chance on you.” Hired as a laundry worker in 1975, Blaisdell collected clothing from every building on site, including C-400 Complex with its three massive washing machines and six driers. The laundry gave him a good view of the whole site and its activities. He then worked four years as a chemical operator in the same building, which he called the “hub of trichloroethlene, TCE.”

The Plant had its own cafeteria, but Leigh’s BBQ provided a tasty alternative. It’s still thriving and still making a single large bowl of potato salad daily. Depending on one’s job assignment, a coworker might cook something on-site. Blaisdell was assigned to the steam plant for awhile where workers made use of the control room stove—especially when working 12-hour shifts.

In 47 years at the Plant, Blaisdell has had no health issues. The same is true for his wife, Audrey, who worked 15 years as a cascade

operator. Both have had recurring physicals to develop a baseline. They are creating a record should they wish to file a future claim. They don’t want the EEOICPA money being offered—it would mean they are sick.

In 1990, Blaisdell traveled to Russia as a chaperone for his daughter’s dance troupe. Because he was still employed at PGDP with a Q clearance, he revealed his travel plans to his superior. During the trip, he noticed two unknown men kept popping up in different cities—as if shadowing the troupe—or him. He found it odd, but he was never approached.

During his 47-year tenure at the Plant, Blaisdell made lifelong friends who still get together every few months. He played on Plant ball teams and never dreaded the job. It paid well and provided him and his wife a good retirement.

PADUCAH’S ENGINEERING SCHOOL

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is home to an Engineering School because of the Plant. There was a shortage of mechanical and chemical engineers for businesses, including the Plant. During a conference call with superiors, Steve Polston, then head of Paducah Lockheed Martin, was asked how he was going to recruit mechanical engineers. Off-the-cuff he responded, we’re going to train them here at home. Thus began, in 1997, a wildly successful, one-of-a-kind program—the only one in the nation—housing an engineering school on a community college campus. Local students earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in chemical, mechanical, and now, computer technology engineering, without leaving home and family. Because of internships at area companies, the day these graduates receive their diplomas, most have a full-time job.

In addition to high paying jobs and a sizable payroll, workers at the Plant developed advanced skills and an industrial safety program. They did not confine their knowledge and experience to the Plant; they helped the Chamber of Commerce and entities throughout the business community. And, they brought recreational activities like dances and a men’s choir to the area and contributed to the annual WPSD Telethon of Stars.

A 2010 story airing on WKMS Radio said USEC had about 1,200 employees at that time and DOE about 1,000. It projected each dollar turned over seven to eight times in the community due to the Plant’s influence, demonstrating its role as a revenue generator. EEOICPA legislation was described in the piece as a “small thank you” to nuclear workers.

SHOPPING AT THE MALL REPLACED SHOPPING ON BROADWAY

As a child, Janice Connor lived at 27th and Washington. Her parents worked at Claussner Hosiery Mill where her mom was a bookkeeper for salesmen and her dad was a knitter. Her uncle was a Vice President at the Illinois Central Railroad.

Connor completed Brazelton Junior High and entered Tilghman in 1956, becoming part of the first integrated sophomore class that had a total of five Black students. She was one of 269 graduates in the PTHS Class of 1958.

She recalls Paducah being a vibrant city with lots of traffic and restaurants. She reeled off several once-popular store names—

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Bright’s, Watkins Department Store, JC Penney, Sears, Paducah Dry Goods, Wallerstein’s, and United Home Furniture. Her mom modeled clothing for Watkins and Bright’s.

Charlotte Stuart graduated from Tilghman in 1971. Part of her youth was spent on South Eleventh Street near the now-closed Katterjohn Drugstore. No relatives worked at the Plant, but an uncle built towers for nuclear plants. School integration began while she was a student at Jetton; integration resulted in closure of several smaller schools. When her family moved to Maple Drive, she attended eighth and ninth grade at Heath. Her new family home straddled the line—technically in the city, but still within the McCracken County School District. Longing for the familiar, her parents arranged for her to attend Tilghman.

With I-24 construction just beginning, Stuart recalls watching farmland become Kentucky Oaks Mall. There had been a mall on the Southside where some shopping was concentrated, but when attention shifted to Highway 60, “the Southside fall apart.”

PLANT PRIVATIZATION

Georgann Lookofsky was hired in 1991 as a Public Affairs Assistant in the HR office. As Martin Marrietta’s contract was ending, it chose to split PGDP into two divisions: Utility Services operated the powerplant, while Environmental Services was devoted to restoration. When Lookofsky arrived at the plant, she was part of a trio; at its peak, HR was a quintet.

Though many years in coming, USEC was privatized meaning the site now answered to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) rather than DOE. NRC had a different way of doing business, but lacked nuclear safety regulations for a diffusion plant. Thus, the Plant and NRC charted a new path together. The NRC’s focus was all about national safety, even assigning a representative to PGDP to conduct periodic audits using outside workers. The NRC could withdraw the Plant’s certification or impose fines.

Major challenges were rewriting necessary procedures to gain NRC certification (granted in March 1997) and retraining all workers. As a result, the Plant underwent a major culture change to satisfy more stringent NRC requirements.

PREVENTING SPREAD OF CONTAMINATION

In 1999, the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) found “weak” scientific evidence suggesting extremely low frequency (“ELF”) exposure to radiation posed a health risk. Because that finding was not consistently replicated, it could only be said ELF can’t be considered “entirely safe” and should be considered a “possible” human carcinogen. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/radiation-exposure/ extremely-low-frequency-radiation.html

Many nuclear workers have linked their poor health to worker safety at the Plant, suggesting managers should have explained dangers to employees with greater precision, intensity, and speed. At first, the government treated uranium as “heavy metal,” trying to prevent employees from inhaling or ingesting it. As the government learned more and refined its approach, uranium was treated as heavy metal and possible carcinogen. In the 1980’s, radiation monitors were added to prevent the spread

DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE WORK AND ITS SECRECY, THERE IS MUCH THE PUBLIC DOES NOT KNOW AND NEVER WILL LEARN ABOUT THE PLANT.

of contamination—defined as “radioactive material any place it should not be.” To contain radiation, the Plant required workers to change clothes before leaving the premises.

When Admiral James Watkins was appointed Energy Secretary in 1989, the radiological program expanded to include contamination control. DOE issued new orders mandating immediate elimination of contamination. Due to the Plant’s size, it was not in compliance the day the order took effect. Watkins told PGDP management it was a nuclear facility, not a chemical processing plant, prompting a massive culture change. Chumbler’s Health Physics staff grew from five to 61 in three years implementing the order requiring immediate elimination of contamination. Depending on the complexity of an order, bringing the Plant into compliance could take a few weeks to as much as a year.

Areas once open and accessible suddenly were cordoned off by ropes. Innocently, perhaps absent-mindedly, placing a hand over a rope constituted a violation.

SHUTTING DOWN THE PLANT AND ITS LEGACY

Enriched uranium production ceased at PGDP in 2013. About every three months thereafter, another group of workers left in “staged layoffs.” Lookofsky left the plant in 2014.

One of her jobs had been creating and distributing a newsletter to develop camaraderie among employees and distribute information about company events, employee news, and milestones. Different formats were used; sometimes it was a daily newspaper; sometimes issued thrice weekly; and, in 2005, rolling video screens were used.

In daily drives from Graves County to Paducah, Lookofsky witnessed great change, but the Plant remained a “huge community supporter.” There was a strong United Way employee campaign and a Savings Bond drive. A favorite event was a bake sale/auction that started small but grew rapidly. A single sale would raise $10,000, often with the union bidding against management. Employees also volunteered throughout the community to repair homes of seniors.

She described an annual Christmas event. “Each Christmas the Plant rented the Showroom at the old Executive Inn for three consecutive nights. Each night, a different group of employees and families was treated to a meal, a musical act, gifts, and a visit from Santa. Lookofsky said, “everyone in the room those three nights owed his or her life to the Plant, and happily kept it going.” Like others, she considered working there a “blessing.” USEC had its own sales force bringing international, especially Japanese, visitors to the Plant as frequent buyers of enriched uranium. There was even a regular flight between Nashville and Paducah. Once, Staff arranged a tour of Kentucky Dam for the

Japanese guests. More than one person has said America priced itself out of the uranium market because the European centrifuge system was much more efficient and economical and required less energy.

Lookofsky said she has a bachelor’s degree in communications, “but in a room full of engineers, my opinion was always valued, and I felt I contributed to extending the Plant’s life.” She summed up her view of the Plant’s impact simply. “The Plant changed the course of the lives of many people by giving them opportunity— early and often.”

SAFETY GOAL

The Plant has been a safe workplace. With every incident reported between 1952 and 2024—some as minor as a pinched finger—there were three fatalities. In June 1995, the Plant celebrated a record two million hours without a lost workday.

The operating plant processed extremely hazardous chemicals and used vast amounts of electric power between 1952 and 2013. Then and now, the goal was and is to complete tasks while protecting workers and the public.

The hazardous nature of many chemicals commonly used in the private sector was unknown for years. The system was imperfect, but as more was learned, employees were trained in using personal protective equipment, personnel monitoring, plus operating procedures and guidelines. Finally, environmental limits improved.

A LINGERING QUESTION

With the foregoing in mind, a question remains—why have so many nuclear workers around the nation developed severe health issues, particularly cancer. According to Judy Jackson, around 1988-90 groundwater contamination was discovered—most likely from a TCE plume from the C-400 Complex. The Plant provided potable water to affected residents until their homes connected to water from the West McCracken Water District (now part of Paducah Water), and DOE paid residential water bills. Employees began wearing a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) with their badges to monitor radiation exposure constantly. These TLD’s were periodically analyzed and when a monitor exceeded the standard—a rarity—the employee was moved to another location. The building with the greatest potential for radiation exposure was the cylinder wash facility, C-400 Complex.

“NO OBVIOUS INTENT TO TRICK ANYONE.”

As a technical editor for PGDP, Judy Jackson reviewed countless documents relating to safety and working conditions. She’s seen “no obvious intent to trick anyone. There may have been some human errors, but other entities could have made the same errors.” As for worker claims of becoming ill due to working at the Plant, she said, “many got money; others didn’t quite make it.”

PERSISTENT TRUTHS

While easy to make assumptions and draw conclusions, there are at least five persistent truths about PGDP and the health of its workforce. First, the Plant was not a bubble from which workers never emerged—workers went home, lived lives away from the Plant, interacted with others, and may have engaged in activities now known to be unhealthy that were wholly unrelated to their

work at the Plant. Second, one of those unhealthy activities was smoking, which was common. It’s estimated only five to ten percent of the Plant’s workforce did NOT smoke. It is said a meeting would begin with an empty ashtray on a desk; when the meeting concluded, one person had often filled an entire ashtray with butts. People wanted to fit in; smoking made one part of the “in crowd.” Third, developing cancer is not unique to former and current nuclear workers. Fourth, developing cancer is not unique to nuclear workers who worked exclusively at PGDP. Eleven Resource Centers have been set up around the nation to handle claims from multiple nuclear facilities, meaning whatever the cause of these health issues, it was not unique to a PGDP process or procedure. Fifth and finally, not everyone who worked at PGDP has contracted cancer or any other serious malady. While difficult to pinpoint whether a particular cancer or other health effect was caused by chronic exposure to low-level radiation at PGDP, it is equally difficult to determine it was not.

I have asked former PGDP workers interviewed in this article— some diagnosed with cancer—knowing what you know now, would you accept your old job if the Plant were operational today? All have responded, “Yes, the pay was so good.” Some have added the caveat— "I may do things differently today, but I would accept the job.”

Due to the nature of the work and its secrecy, there is much the public does not know and never will learn about the Plant. Still, the work and mission of winning the Cold War can neither be ignored nor understated. We should be grateful people chose to work at the Plant to keep America safe and power accessible.

Post-WWII, there was competition for jobs to rebuild the economy. As noted in this article, Paducah benefitted greatly from PGDP being awarded to McCracken County. Those benefits included new and improved roads and schools, a highly educated and skilled workforce, good-paying jobs, new housing and businesses, and in recent years, a robust engineering school. An extensive workforce currently is cleaning up the Superfund site—work that will go on for years and pump more money and jobs into our community. “Tails” remaining from the uranium enriched prior to 2013 may be Paducah’s next big industry. Yes, in later years, health issues emerged, but most still agree McCracken County is better off for having been home to a productive nuclear plant, and Paducah is a better place for having become “Atomic City.”

This article began with the question, “What if Paducah never had become Atomic City? Howard Pulley answered that question eloquently: “It’s likely the city and region would have developed differently. The presence of the atomic industry in Paducah has played a significant role in shaping Paducah’s and the region’s economy, infrastructure, and population. The vast number of high paying jobs, the “Paducah boom,” and the positive impact on many thousands of people who worked at the Plant would have been missed.” Well said!

A future issue will highlight The Women of PGDP. 

QUALIFYING FOR EEOICPA BENEFITS

ENERGY EMPLOYEES OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS COMPENSATION PROGRAM ACT

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) administers the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) for qualified workers who became ill from work at covered facilities. Qualifying beneficiaries include employees, contractors and subcontractors who worked in any of the covered U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or Atomic Weapons Employer (AWE) facilities. EEOICPA provides workers compensation and free medical benefits under Part B and Part E. The process to qualify for and file an approved claim can be long but worth it.

There are two methods to qualify for EEOICPA Part B, dose reconstruction or special exposure cohort (SEC). Dose reconstruction analyses the amount of radiation a worker was exposed to during their employment. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) calculates a dose reconstruction by collecting data, like dates and site(s) of employment, and inputs it into a scientific formula to determine the percentage likelihood a worker contracted a claimed illness due to their work. If a worker’s dose reconstruction is over 50%, then they are eligible for benefits under both Part B and Part E.

For certain classes of employees, another way to qualify for Part B is a special exposure cohort (SEC). Those who worked in certain plants or facilities for at least 250 days and have one of the 22 covered SEC cancers, they can become compensated without undergoing dose reconstruction. SEC time periods, building locations, and types of eligible workers varies by facility and can be found on the U.S. Department of Labor website.

Qualifying for Part E can come through different methods. A worker from a covered facility or site can discuss with their physician developing a well-reasoned letter explaining why their workplace exposure to toxic substances likely caused, contributed to, or aggravated the claimed illness. If the U.S. DOL Claims Examiner agrees with the doctor’s letter, then the worker may be eligible for benefits.

A worker can file EEOICPA benefits claims by mail, online, using a paid advocate, or with a local U.S. DOL Resource Center. Some denied claims might be resubmitted. Once approved, a worker receives a U.S. DOL medical benefits white card which identifies them as a beneficiary for compensation and free medical benefits. Additional qualifying claims can be made to ensure that the medical benefits meet a workers’ changing needs. EEOICPA benefits are available to current and former nuclear weapons workers who qualify. 

WHEN A WOMAN MARRIES, TWO BECOME ONE. WHEN A HUSBAND DIES,

THE WIDOW BECOMES ONE-HALF

By: Carol Ullerich

At the invitation of Jennie Boyarski, twice widowed herself, in mid-August I spent two days with members of Lone Oak First Baptist Church (LOFBC), as a Steering Committee prepared to launch a WayMaker Widow Ministry. The process began with a Friday night ice cream social where the Committee and guests met one another, shared reasons for participating, and ended with a daylong Saturday session.

Featured speakers were Donna Coffey, author of Finding Joy in the Journey, a Bible Study for Widows, and Mary Jane Schopp, developer of Kentucky Joy in the Mourning , part of the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s ministry to widows. Schopp has been widowed fifteen years; losing seven family members in the seven years after her husband died. The duo accepts church invitations to address women’s groups. Follow their Facebook page at Kentucky Joy in the Mourning. To schedule a speaking engagement, contact Schopp at mjgschopp@ gmail.com or Coffey at dcoffeynana5@outlook.com.

Coffey was widowed eleven years ago at age 59. On the tenth anniversary of her husband’s death, she copied all files about widows’ ministry from her computer, checked into a state park lodge and began compiling the book, Finding Joy in the Journey. Her tip to widows— DEAL with sadness; DON’T DWELL on it.

During a roundtable discussion, Coffey candidly admitted, “most churches don’t know how to help widows.” Deacon Rick Hubbard watched his mother become a widow twice. According to sciencealert. com, women tend to outlive men by about four or five years. Hubbard moved his mom to Paducah and set her up in an assisted living facility. He’s getting involved with the Widows’ Ministry because his mother “was forgotten by her church.” She wasn’t the only one; he noticed, “lots of residents were never visited.” He said, “I’m obligated to be part of this.”

Sharon Garner met her late husband 49 years ago on August 17. She’s participating as a Mentor and Encourager to repay all who’ve helped

her. (All Mentors have been widowed two or more years; they’ll help women who are actively grieving). Garner always thought she “was a great friend to widows, ‘til I became one.” Many widows in the room, including Garner, said, “it takes one to know one. Your whole life changes.”

Two men in the room, Pastor Bob Martin, and Deacon Danny Keeling, focused on house repairs—either repairing things themselves, or finding someone trustworthy to do the job at a reasonable price. Since husbands often take care of the house and vehicles, widows— especially those of a certain age—rarely learned to fix a leaky faucet or hire a potential plumber or contractor. The value of a well-stocked toolbox and a deep Rolodex cannot be understated. Keeling predicts the difficult task will be“ convincing widows to ask for help.”

There are no “cookie cutter” widows. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, temperaments, and ages; each is unique. Of the 110 widows LOFBC has identified in its congregation, the average widow is in her 70’s. But the youngest is in her 30’s, and the second youngest is 42.

Saturday morning, I joined Coffey and 26 widows in a classroom to hear their stories, thoughts, and concerns. In the morning session the widows were attentive and quiet. I was the first to ask a follow-up question of the speaker. She said she responded, “I’m okay,” for a long time when someone asked how she was doing, and was surprised when no one dug deeper to learn how she really was. She may have been thinking, “I’m far from OK, can’t you see that? Ask me so I can vent.” I asked Coffey whether she felt “compelled” to answer “Okay,” to stifle further inquiry. Ultimately, “maybe,” was her response. She provided a more thorough answer to me privately—for some widows, it’s tough to express their exact feeling; there’s uncertainty the inquirer wants to hear the truth; there’s a fear of breaking down and crying in public; it’s easier to just avoid more questions and being vulnerable; and finally, depending on the widow’s point in the grieving process, she may not be able to respond at all.

While I was with the widows, another 35 mentors and encouragers made up of Ministers, Deacons, and their wives, loving women seeking to comfort grieving widows, and widows who have accepted their “new normal”—were learning to better meet the needs of newly widowed women. This group met with Schopp in the Chapel.

After lunch, perhaps now sensing a safe environment, the widows were livelier and more talkative, in contrast to their relative quiet during the morning session. I learned facts that changed how I will respond to widows in the future.

1. The first two years after a spouse dies are especially hard for a widow; brain fog can extend that two years to seven years.

2. A widow’s interests differ from those of a married woman. Couple outings are of no interest— they are painful reminders of what is no more.

3. Widows feel ignored. Friends can still invite widows to a girls’ night out, a spa day, or a bridge game; when they don’t, widows think they’ve been forgotten or worse, excluded.

4. Sending a sympathy card immediately after a death is expected; send a “just because” card two, six, or twelve months later to let the widow know you care about and support her. Cards and calls are needed and appreciated long after the funeral.

5. Every widow grieves and regains her composure in her own way and at her own pace. Waiting for the fog to clear and normalcy to return is hard for all—friends, family, and the widow too.

6. Death of a spouse is not something a woman just gets over! But “God’s timing is perfect.” Don’t urge a widow to donate her late husband’s clothing, move out of that big house, or stop wearing her wedding ring. Those acts don’t indicate she’s coping and adjusting to her new status. She has reasons for her actions; she doesn’t have to justify them to you ; and she’ll share if and when she chooses.

7. Invite the widow to sit with you in church. A woman commonly sits on the front church pew with her husband when part of a couple. When her husband dies, she often moves to the back row, and soon, half of all widows stop coming to church at all. Make widows feel welcome and urge them to continue attending. Keep them engaged.

8. Moms & Dads – teach your daughters basic life skills—how to: change a tire; make basic home repairs; negotiate a contract; buy a house and insurance; maintain a checkbook. Everyone needs this basic knowledge. Resist the temptation to pamper your daughters by depriving them of this valuable information. Prepare your daughters for success in life and business. They may never need to use the advice, but it’s the best education you can give a young woman.

9. Widows may believe they are alone in grieving until they hear another widow express the same feelings. One participant said she visits the cemetery to talk to her late husband.

These additional steps will help you be a better friend to a new widow:

1. Never ask, “how are you today?” Instead, say, “I’m so glad you’re here today.”

2. Offer to accompany the new widow to important appointments at the bank, funeral home, insurance company, Social Security Office, etc. Take a notepad. Record important dates, figures, details, and assurances for future reference. Take screenshots of your notes, forward them to the widow and make certain you can access a spare copy to resend to the widow if needed. A new widow experiences brain fog and muddled thinking. She’ll misplace

things. Having copies is vital. Be the widow’s eyes and ears.

3. Invite the widow to dinner. It needn’t be fancy—it could be a BBQ sandwich and chips at the park. Or offer to bring dinner to her home (with paper plates so there are no dishes to wash, and you take out the trash). Going to a restaurant can be tough for a widow. Seeing couples will remind her she’s no longer half of a couple and may feel out of place.

4. Recognize the distinction between being alone (Coffey calls this alone-ness) and being lonely. A widow is more likely to feel lonely at night, when the house is eerily silent; when she drives long distances and has too much time to think; when grocery shopping and cooking for one; and, during dark winters. In contrast, she’ll sometimes feel alone in a crowd, at a party, sitting in church, and at large family gatherings. Finding Joy in the Journey, pp. 15-17.

5. Many widows believe “churches don’t know what to do with widows.” One widow admitted, “we don’t know what to do with us either!” As suggested by one of the widows, a sermon on “caring for widows” may help everyone. Coffey offered it might not be not knowing how to care for widows, but rather a lack of training on how to say the right things.

6. When asked what he wanted to learn from the training, Deacon Sonny Smith said, “What I can say that doesn’t rip off the BandAid.” That question indicates the fine line many non-widows walk. We want and try to help but fear one wrong word will undo any progress—leading many to do and say nothing.

7. One person equated losing a spouse with being in Mammoth Cave. When the lights are turned off, you want the comfort of someone to put your arm around and touch.

8. Don’t expect the widow to ask you for help. Initiate the offer yourself. Ask, “How can I help?”

9. Finally, the booklet, What now? geared toward NEW widows, is available at kybaptist.org/widows. It’s full of hints on how to do basic post-death tasks such as closing a banking account; filing for benefits; securing a late husband’s credit info; and searching for lost life insurance policies—all tasks Schopp and Coffey did the first six months after losing a husband.

I’ll check on this ministry in the coming weeks and report on its progress in a future issue. Until then, a 13-week GriefShare program is underway at LOFBC until October 27, 2024. GriefShare is a program for anyone grieving a loss, whether it be a spouse, parent, friend, or sibling. LOFBC offers the program twice annually. The current session meets in Room A102 at LOFBC, 3601 Lone Oak Road, on Sundays, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. For details, contact Jennifer Scheer, jscheer@ loneoakfbc.org; 270-554-1441; register at Griefshare.org 

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

By: Richard Abraham

Have you noticed new aches and pains this year that weren’t there last year? For me, now that I’m 64 years old, I have committed to focus on the best version of myself.

Choices. Everything starts with choices and always will. Whenever we say I am going to change a habit, in that moment, we see ourselves where we want to be and then realize this transformation could be incredibly challenging. Well, I’m here to help.

Learning new behaviors should begin with an understanding and knowledge of your new ambition. You want to be a healthier you. As you shift your focus from an unhealthy lifestyle to the best you can be, start slow and invest the time to learn all you can.

Walking is one of the most beneficial exercises you can do because it requires total body movement. Also, what you put into your body and how much you take in will enhance any exercise program. On your plate, a serving is the size of the palm of your hand. Light resistance training will also help maintain your overall balance and muscle tone. Research “light resistance training” on the internet or at a local bookstore and read up on different trainings. Researching this will also help keep you sharp and focused on your walk to becoming more experienced and wiser.

Now, Go Break A Sweat! 

THE HORN OR THE MITT?

By: Carol Ullerich

Raffaele Livio Ponti quietly slips into Paducah seven times a year. Each visit lasts a week and ends with a grand flourish. For all the harmony left in his wake, few people know him and fewer understand what he does. Meet Maestro Ponti, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra since 2010.

As a schoolboy in Rochester, New York, Ponti faced a tough decision. He was a fine baseball player, but an equally good trumpeter. Saying he could not succeed at both, his high school baseball coach insisted he choose “the horn or the mitt.” Ponti chose music—admitting, “had I picked baseball, I’d be retired by now.”

I interviewed Ponti in March while he was in Paducah to conduct Gustav Holst’s “The Planets.” Clad in all black—an effortless travel wardrobe against which his white baton is easily seen—Ponti shared his unique perspective from between the orchestra’s back row and the front row of the audience. Seventy musicians would soon be on stage making music, and without saying a word, Ponti would command the room with the rhythmic flick of his baton. While everyone inside the Auditorium would witness the same notes and timing, each would form his or her own impression of the night.

While the PSO is Ponti’s only principal orchestra, he guest conducts with many orchestras in America and worldwide. He’s won numerous awards including the Mario Gusella International Conductors Competition in Pescara, Italy, and the Bernard Adelstein Prize from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Ponti leads conducting seminars in Italy, Canada, and the US, and carries on the work of the late Maestro Giuseppe Sinopoli, the mentor and teacher Ponti met in Italy when he was just twenty-one. Sinopoli taught him to sight read a score using solfege both melodically and harmonically. A conductor and composer, Sinopoli also held degrees in medicine and archeology.

MUSIC CAN HELP BUILD AND HEAL A COMMUNITY

In June 2023, Ponti was invited to conduct Ukrainian musicians in Lviv, Ukraine.1 The concert occurred soon after Lviv’s orchestra completed a US tour promoting Ukrainian culture, and just before a counter offensive against Russia was to begin. The concert was part of a regular Ukrainian summer concert series. The audience erupted in applause for Ponti’s willingness to travel to Ukraine during wartime. For the concert, Ponti wore a small Ukrainian ribbon on his lapel.

This was the second invite. The original concert date was cancelled due to COVID. When it was rescheduled during wartime, Ponti gave the invite considerable thought, discussed obvious risks with his family, and ultimately accepted. Ponti’s agent thought the Italian American conductor was joking when he said he’d go. Ponti went, “because ‘it seemed like the right thing to do, to show that it’s okay to be here, that it’s okay to make music here, that it’s okay to continue our lives.’”

Traveling to Ukraine was arduous. After flying into Krakow, Poland, he boarded a bus to Lviv for what would normally take four to six hours; 17 hours later, with checkpoints and stops consuming extra hours for no apparent reason, he arrived in Lviv. Two bus drivers had shared the wheel— one sleeping while the other drove, taking on passengers occasionally. Ponti noted, “This is a different world. It was June, but still cold at night. Europeans are very understanding; passengers helped one another; there were farm animals aboard; and a crush of passengers living life as best they can.”

The Lviv concert opened with “Finlandia,” a tone poem by Sibelius written more than a century ago when Finland endured its own cultural oppression at Russian hands. The Lviv orchestra has been personally touched by war. One musician’s hand is irreparably damaged—he’s unlikely to play again. And there are fewer musicians, photographers, and artists—all war casualties.

For rehab, injured soldiers are invited to attend concerts and workshops. Dmytro, a 20-year-old orchestra volunteer, lost his right arm and a friend in an attack. Awaiting arrival of a prosthetic arm from Germany, Dmytro finds concerts relaxing. He said arms are more difficult and expensive to make than legs. He was sitting for psychology exams, hoping to help fellow soldiers someday. He said, “We have a war, and we have to finish it.”

The concert concluded with “Prayer for Ukraine” bringing the crowd to its feet. After three encores, Ponti gestured to his watch and was off to catch the bus to Poland and ultimately Italy. Ponti said, Ukrainians “play with such big hearts.”

PREPARATION FOR “THE PLANETS”

Three years in the making, the PSO’s rendition of “The Planets” floated in the air mere minutes on March 9; all that remained Monday morning was a memory. Ponti did his job. He created for the audience, 1,400-strong, what Holst intended. Parts of the piece echo through most every science fiction film score, including Star Wars. Ponti didn’t give his interpretation of the music, he “spoke for and represented Holst.”

Ponti’s preparation for each concert begins long before he arrives in Paducah from his Florida home for a week of rehearsals, interviews, school appearances and business meetings. He works three weeks ahead, but plans programs three years ahead to book the guest artists Ponti wants.

He began preparing to conduct “The Planets” by immersing himself in Holtz’s score. Then he studied the planets themselves, learning their orbits, peculiarities, and distance from the sun to understand the “musical persona” Holst created for each. A side benefit of music is learning a seemingly unrelated topic. As conductor, Ponti’s role is to direct the music as written and give voice to the composer. Ironically, he is the only person on stage who knows every musician’s part but makes no sound. Watch Ponti closely during a performance and you’ll see his body shake as he gestures to violins to play with more bravado. He describes acoustics inside the Carson Center as “pretty authentic,” meaning there’s no reverberation.

Well ahead of the first rehearsal of “The Planets,” music was distributed to all musicians for independent practice. When all assembled Friday before the Saturday night concert, Ponti refined the sound, picking particular moments to highlight the technically accurate score while remaining true to Holst’s intent. “More violin here, less trombone there. . .” A core of about seventy musicians is on stage for each concert, but specialists often appear in a single concert. This rendition of “The Planets” also featured choreographed electronic visuals, special lighting and a choir singing from the rafters.

Ponti warns against eyes becoming more important than ears when music is performed. He explained, “’The Planets’ score is complete without any visual support, but playing videos of space in the background subtly enhances the auditory experience. Visuals should enhance, not overwhelm; the music must remain the star.”

In the end, endless rehearsals can’t script spontaneity. Emotion and passion naturally occurred on stage as Ponti made subtle changes from the podium, building excitement, and bringing the audience into the performance. He reminded me, when conducting, “silence is as important as sound.”

THE NEXT GENERATION OF MUSICIANS

Monday morning, March 11, 770 school children experienced live portions of the prior weekend’s concert as part of the Carson Center’s educational Class Acts Series. Another 287 children participated in an Instrument Petting Zoo at the Carson Center organized by the PSO’s Education Committee. The Zoo allows young children to see, hear and touch musical instruments—many for the first time. Some bowed a violin for the first time in the Zoo, then heard professional violinists perform portions of “The Planets” on stage, creating a fullcircle experience. The hope is the children discussed the day with their parents, will take classes at The Academy, and begin a lifetime of playing an instrument as a career or for pure pleasure.

AGE OF TECHNOLOGY

During rehearsal, I noticed musicians quietly tapping pedals on the floor. Those pedals are attached to iPads sitting on music stands—the latest music technology. Not every musician is fond of it, but those who are can now carry an entire electronic music library with them wherever they go. This technology allows musicians to begin rehearsal for each concert with a pristine score to note another conductor’s own directions.

Ponti calls the new technology a “gamechanger.” For example, two violinists have always been paired—sharing one piece of music, with one of the two turning pages. That’s no longer necessary. Each musician can now have his own score, mark it to his own liking, and read it at his own speed. A plus for Ponti—he gets more notes because no one averts their eye from the score to turn the page. The technology saves the PSO both time and money. Music is purchased by the orchestra and electronically scanned into a database by the PSO librarian. Ponti learned about this tool a few years ago and uses it himself.

Technology is impacting music in other ways. A phone app combines a chromatic tuner and metronome. Orchestras tune to the pitch of the principal oboe; attempts to tune to other instruments have failed. The oboe’s pitch (middle A) is preferred because it’s the most stable—there are no pegs to manipulate and no strings to tighten, etc.

One tech advance Ponti finds troubling is kids today do not concentrate. “They practice six minutes and check their phone.” While beneficial, cell phones are distracting. To him, “music is a chance to put down the phone and get away from it.” Also troubling is the prevalence of headphones. Ponti believes, “To make music, one must participate with others. Cavemen used drumming to alert the tribe to danger, which led to dancing. It’s hard to listen to music without moving. Originally, opera was social; people ate and drank while standing in the ‘pit.’ That didn’t change until Toscanini (a favorite Ponti conductor) demanded silence for TV and theater. For Ponti, “music exists to inspire and make life better.”

THE SYMPHONY AS A BUSINESS MODEL

Ponti likens the PSO to a business. As CEO, he has chosen a “Principal” to head each “Section”– i.e., violin, trumpet, percussion, etc. He holds each Principal accountable for ensuring all musicians in the Section perform as directed. The company’s “product” is its music/sound; and each concert is a “grand opening.” The PSO invites participating businesses and corporations to bring their staff onstage during rehearsal in a program he developed entitled, The Symphony as a Business Model, to experience musicians working together to attain a successful common goal.

HALLMARKS OF AN EFFECTIVE CONDUCTOR

Not all conductors have a college degree “in conducting” hanging on the wall; Ponti doesn’t. He believes being a musician, particularly

a trumpeter in the back row of major symphonies (for him, The Cleveland Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic and Erie Philharmonic) makes him an effective conductor. That being said, a great conductor should have a broad base of musical knowledge including: ability to converse with musicians; knowledge of instrument capabilities; mastery of an instrument—piano and violin are obvious, but for Ponti it’s the trumpet; proficiency in music theory, music history, harmony and composition to interpret the composer’s intentions; strong technical skills and familiarity with all music genres; and finally, an ability to collaborate with and inspire musicians.

Successful musicians have usually studied privately, making access to good music teachers vital. Ponti noted, “most good teachers produce good students, and ultimately good musicians.” With 97 students registered, the PSO’s “Academy” opened August 26, 2024, in the renovated Jetton School at 401 Walter Jetton Boulevard, Paducah. It offers space for private music lessons and practice as well as recitals. And don’t assume all those students are youngsters. All ages are urged to begin, resume, or continue playing music, whether to fine tune existing skills or learn new ones. The Academy is cultivating the PSO’s future musicians and audience.

SO, WHO IS RAFFAELE PONTI?

As a child, Ponti’s Italian-speaking household was filled with music. He first played violin and piano in fourth grade, while his parents listened to opera daily. Recognizing their son was leaning toward baseball, his parents urged him to continue playing music as part of his education.

Sixth grade was particularly memorable for Ponti. That’s when Rochester public schools ceased teaching stringed instruments—a mistake in Ponti’s eyes. That same year, Ponti expressed interest in playing the trumpet. His mother quickly acquired a Cleveland King student trumpet for him. When the school’s music teacher directed Ponti to play an “F major” scale—disaster struck. As told by Ponti, “the audition was ‘awful; I couldn’t do it. I was terribly embarrassed and placed last of fourteen trumpeters.’”

Undeterred, Ponti asked his dad, a barber, to allow him to take trumpet lessons. His dad knew everyone in the neighborhood; local men socialized in the barbershop. His father arranged for Ponti to take trumpet lessons at the Eastman School of Music (ESM) a couple blocks from the shop. Ponti was assigned to Greg Goode, an ESM graduate.

Ponti progressed quickly and began studying with Richard Jones, Principal Trumpet of the Rochester Philharmonic. Entering as a freshman at ChurchvilleChili High School, he auditioned and became first chair. He also won first chair in the New York All-State Orchestra two years in a row; first chair in the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra; and, as a high school senior, auditioned for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, winning fourth chair. He also

attended the prestigious ESM and Cleveland Institute of Music where students must audition and only seven trumpeters are accepted. Ponti began playing with the Rochester Philharmonic at age 17, and with the Cleveland Orchestra at age 19.

LESSONS OF MATURITY

Ponti’s rise as a musician was meteoric. From last to first in his high school band in 2 years. While Ponti never formally studied conducting, he studied with Maestro Sinopoli in Rome, Italy. In time, Ponti learned success and respect come with maturity, both as a person and as a conductor/musician. Ponti approaches each score as the composer’s advocate. He admits he did things at a quicker tempo in his youth, attempting to create excitement. Now he takes a slower pace, aiming to be the best musician on stage and to elevate the orchestra to his level. In the last five years, Ponti has realized the “shine” isn’t on him; rather, it comes through him.” A contradiction, he never wanted to talk in class but is fully comfortable being on stage— “because it’s not about me.” A Swiss nun once told Ponti, “I could see the music coming off your hands.”

COVID EFFECT

Ponti took full advantage of forced isolation during the COVID years. First, the family (Ponti, his French Canadien concert pianist wife, and their child) acquired a Havanese puppy. Named Gigi, the puppy accompanied Ponti as he walked 10,000 steps daily—a ritual he continues to this day and has never felt better. The walks give him uninterrupted time to work through musical scores.

COVID wasn’t all work. He perfected many new recipes, and recorded several installments of Behind the Notes, a project he created allowing him to chat with renowned musicians from around the world on behalf of the PSO. Among those profiled were harmonica player Robert Bonfiglio who learned composition at the Manhattan School of Music from none other than Pulitzer Prize winner Aaron Copland (“Appalachian Spring”); Grammy-award winning saxophonist Timothy McAllister who has premiered more than 200 new compositions and appeared with more than 40 of the world’s most prominent orchestras; and, clarinetist Franklin Cohen, the longest-serving solo clarinetist in the history of The Cleveland Orchestra. These recordings, accessible on YouTube, give insight into how instruments work and music develops. Bonfiglio, McAlister and Cohen have all appeared as guest performers with the PSO.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MUSIC—TACKLING THE PIANO AT AGE 61

At the risk of burying the lead, here’s why this article is especially important to seniors. British research shows “playing an instrument or even singing your favorite tune may improve your memory and thinking skills.” A paper titled, “The relationship between playing

musical instruments and cognitive trajectories: Analysis from a UK ageing Cohort,” was published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. The study of folks aged forty and older, is supported by Britain’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC) and NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre. Results confirmed playing an instrument improved working memory and ability to solve complex tasks. Singing and overall musical ability were linked to better memory performance. That’s good news since audiences are becoming grayer as life expectancy increases. In addition to exercising the mind, there’s also proof music can relieve stress, lower anxiety, and reduce depression. By activating the brain, music may slow the aging process by lowering blood pressure, improving sleep quality, and increasing mental acuity and memory.

We hear music when vibrations from musical instruments enter the ear canal and “tickle the eardrum” before traveling via the auditory nerve to the brain stem where the brain recognizes the sound as music. While easily said, the brain works hard “to make sense of those electronic signals.” Researchers at Johns Hopkins University identified three ways music stimulates the brain. First, it may prompt creativity among seniors who listen to unfamiliar new pieces, challenging the brain to learn and decipher new sounds. Second, seniors may derive particular benefit from memory recall triggering powerful and pleasurable memories. Third, some music genres just make us feel good. Over time, we learn what type of music influences us and makes us happy.2 The Mayo Clinic reminds us, music “is a language.” Learning the language of music challenges the brain which slows cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.3 Music is especially recommended for those experiencing dementia.4

Finally, Liz Hoggard, a 61-year-old Brit, was miserable trying to master the piano as a child. Now in her 60’s, she’s trying again in an effort “to stay sharp” and stave off dementia as she ages. It is believed musical memories formed in childhood can be “recruited” in later years. Read about her journey in I’m learning the piano at 61 to help save my brain (msn.com).

Considering the plentiful benefits of music, book practice time at The Academy and make plans to attend a live concert to see Ponti and the PSO in action. As Maestro Ponti reminded me, “Without silence, we would have no music.” 

1 Art as a weapon: Ukraine’s musicians fight at frontline of culture – The Irish Times.

2 Study summarized at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellnessand-prevention/keep-your-brain-young- with-music

3 Summarized at Mayo Clinic Minute: Music on the Brain (youtube.com).

4 Sing Along Songs for Seniors With Dementia | The Moments.

THE PRICE OF A PODIUM?

When Maestro Ponti was hired, it was suggested a new podium would be a fitting “Welcome to Paducah” for the PSO’s new conductor. John Shadle, a Past President of the Symphony and Board Member at the time, suggested the new podium be custom-made and unique, and he had just the man to make it—Dave Weishaar of Weishaar’s Woodworking. By profession he’s a chemical engineer who moved to Paducah in 1994 to do production planning at PGDP. He had previously performed the same work for 17 years at K-25 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Weishaar’s mission at PGDP was maximizing production efficiency. Due to the intensive power consumption of the gaseous diffusion process, there was a very small profit margin. Europe’s centrifuge process was far more efficient and economical than the American approach.

After talking with Ponti and taking measurements, the native of Effingham, Illinois, got to work, drafting a design he believed would do the job. He’d learned woodworking at the elbow of his dad and uncle. Both were carpenters—building two homes each year—while farming 600 acres. When Dave asked his dad how much he was going to be paid for his labor, his dad replied, “You should be paying me.” Years later, Dave would learn the accuracy of his dad’s sage words.

The podium premiered at the 2010 Christmas concert; Maestro Ponti called Dave on stage for the unveiling. Dave refurbishes the podium annually—the day before the Christmas concert. His pay—the same as in 2010—two tickets to the PSO’s annual Christmas Concert hand-delivered by Shadle.

Dave left PGDP in February, 2014. His wife, Diana, a teacher at Lone Oak, retired from the McCracken County School System.

The Paducah Symphony Orchestra (PSO) opened its 45th Season on September 14, 2024, with Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto. Still to come : Tchaikovsky’s Sixth (October 12); Pictures at an Exhibition (November 9); A Christmas Celebration (December 14); Cine“Magic” (Disney films, February 15, 2025); and, the season finale, Carmina Burana (April 12, 2025). Choral concerts and performances by trios and quartets are sprinkled throughout the season.

Ticket info at www.paducahsymphony.org or by calling 270-444-0065.

THE SILENT THREAT: CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

AND HIDDEN DANGERS OF HEAVY EXPOSURE FOR FORMER PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT WORKERS

For decades, former atomic workers have carried the weight of their contributions to national security, often without realizing the hidden health risks lurking from their exposure to hazardous substances. Among these risks, there is a lesserknown but significant threat; chronic kidney disease (CKD) and connections to heavy metal exposure.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is when kidneys become damaged over time and can no longer clean toxins and waste from the blood. In its early stages, CKD may not have noticeable symptoms; blood samples can help detect the disease. This diagnosis cannot be reversed, but further damage may be prevented with proper care.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses through five stages, each reflecting a decline in kidney function. In Stage 1 and Stage 2, there is mild damage with normal or slightly reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), often without noticeable symptoms, though early detection and management are critical to slowing progression. Stage 3 marks moderate kidney damage, where symptoms like fatigue, fluid retention, and changes in urination may begin to appear, necessitating closer medical monitoring. In Stage 4, kidney function is severely reduced, and preparations for potential dialysis or a kidney transplant often start. Stage 5, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requires dialysis or a transplant to sustain life, as the kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste from the blood. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and potentially delay the progression of the disease.

There have been studies done on heavy metals such as Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, and Uranium linking exposure, even at low levels, to impaired kidney function over time. Many former atomic workers from Laboratory Technicians, to Machinists, to Welders may

have been exposed to heavy metals through their occupational activities.

The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) was enacted by Congress to provide compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill as a result of workplace exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation. The act was founded in 2000 and covers Department of Energy (DOE) facilities and their contractors across the country.

Understanding the connection between heavy metal exposure and chronic kidney disease is vital for former atomic workers and their families. Awareness of the risks and symptoms can lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention, potentially slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life. The EEOICPA provides a crucial pathway for affected workers to access compensation and medical care, acknowledging the sacrifices made for our national security.

Orr, S.E., & Bridges, C.C. (2017). Chronic Kidney Disease and Exposure to Nephrotoxic Metals. Mercer University School of Medicine.

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MY HERO - THE MUSIC MAN

By: Carol Ullerich

Jack Feiler, 71, is a bespectacled man with a lush bass voice. One of four Paducah brothers and a graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School, Class of 1971, he “was part of every musical group for which I was eligible.” His parents were Bill and Mary Frances (Dunn) Feiler, two pharmacists who owned the old Dunn Drug Store at 13th & Park Avenue. The family lived beside the store ‘til Jack was about to turn three when the family moved to 25th & Park Avenue. About that time, Jack met neighbor Pam Hearon—he was almost three; she was not quite two. They’ve been “besties” ever since.

With four rambunctious boys, it may have been difficult for the Feiler parents to know who they needed to summon. They often called out, “Hey, Bill Fred Matt Jack, come in here!” It was equally difficult for the mail carrier who called them by birth order, Jack being “#4.”

Jack began singing in tenth grade. As the choir director listened to his voice to determine where to place him, his voice sank lower and lower until he reached low C. She gasped, “Wow! and you’re just a baby, Jack!” That became his nickname, “Baby Jack” and launched a lifetime of song. Apart from school, he sang in church choirs and various groups at each of his duty stations. Classical music was his favorite. While stationed in Omaha, Nebraska, he sang with six different groups, including Omaha’s professional chorale, Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum part of a Mannheim Steamroller concert. Singers were told, “Sing as loudly as you can possibly sing while still being musical.”

Music ran through much of the Feiler family. Fred, second-born and now 81, played tuba in Tilghman’s concert band and piccolo in the marching band—declining to lug a heavy tuba in parades and on the football field; Matt, third-born, became a high school orchestra director in St Louis; Jack, fourth in line, also chose the tuba plus the piano; but firstborn Bill, “couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.” Fred, Jack and I are all Paducah Ambassadors.

With combat winding down in Viet Nam, and an involuntary draft lottery number of 347, he chose to enlist in a United States Air Force program guaranteeing him a job as a heavy equipment operator. Upon arrival at Basic Training, he was shocked to learn during his records review physical his vision was20/400. He knew he was “blind as a bat,” but did not know 20/70, uncorrected vision, was needed to operate heavy equipment.

His eyesight was too bad and waiving the vision requirement wasn’t an option. Told to choose another job, Jack declined, choosing instead to enforce the contractual guarantee. As a result, he was an enlistee a whopping 16 days; ten days active training followed by six days casual status awaiting discharge. Feiler jokes, “I wasn’t good enough for the enlisted cadre, so I had to become an officer!”

Rejected as an enlistee, but wanting a military future, he thought the Air Force would still be a good career and pursued an officer commission. He enrolled in the University of Kentucky (UK) where he worked toward an English Literature degree, picking “what I thought was the simplest route to becoming an officer,” and participating in Air Force Reserve Officer Training (AFROTC). No college course would have prepared him for his role as a missile combat crew member working with Titan II intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM’s).

After graduating from UK as a second lieutenant, he reported to Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he spent twelve weeks completing Missile Facilities Training. He then went to Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, California, where he spent eight weeks learning to decode messages issued by the National Command Authority (NCA).

Missile Combat Crew Commander (MCCC). Each crew had two officers to decode directives and launch the missile, and two enlisted personnel to maintain equipment and the facility. On paper, each workday was a 24-hour shift, but in reality, it was more like a 30-hour shift counting the daily drive to and from the site, various briefings, and the time required for each shift change. His workstation—in the Operations World— was sixty feet underground and “could withstand a ‘near miss.’”

During this assignment he earned the first of two master’s degrees, an MA from Webster College (now University) in Human Relations. The advanced degree, earned through an on-base extension program, was critical to military advancement.

Force. The intent was to push responsibility to each Wing Commander (Colonel) to do the assigned job with needed latitude and discretion to perform the job under the circumstances.

"I WASN’T GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE ENLISTED CADRE, SO I HAD TO BECOME AN officer! "

While in Little Rock, his work was noticed and he was competitively accepted to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. There he earned his second master’s degree, this one a MS in Logistics (managing acquisition, storage and transport of resources) Management. For 18 months, his job was going to school.

His next assignment was at F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was a Missile Maintenance Officer. Holding the rank of Captain, this was his first job in the Logistics World. He was in this position more than three years and made a name for himself in computers, resulting in a four-year assignment at Headquarters, Strategic Air Command (HQ SAC) at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was ICBM data systems manager.

About this time, it was suggested he get out of the missile business which was to be downsized. His Titan II missiles were retired in 1987.

From HQ SAC, he returned to Wright-Patterson AFB, joined the HQ Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC) acquisitions team (part of logistics), and set weapons system purchasing policy in an effort to quell “military purchasing inflation.” This was after the infamous 1980’s “$600 hammer” episode where a contractor’s budgeting error (bundling many spare parts into a single bulk purchase) made it appear manufacturing a $15 hammer cost as much as developing a much pricier engine. The myth of the $600 hammer - Government Executive (govexec.com) That incident led to then-Vice President Al Gore creating the “Hammer Awards” to identify flaws in government fiscal management.

In recognition of his skills, Feiler was selected to work directly with two-star general, Major General Lewis E. Curtis, III, as part of a fivemember team trying to overcome 17 identified roadblocks to merging Air Force Systems Command with Air Force Logistics Command. During the six-month task, Feiler’s broad skill set proved handy in “finding the better way to do things.” At Wright Patterson AFB he also worked to find ways to reduce dependence on expensive Contract Logistics Support in favor of cost-effective integrated logistics support performed by Air Force personnel.

At Wright-Patterson AFB, his English Lit degree helped multiple times. “Words have been my livelihood throughout my career.” One example was as part of an eight-member team responsible for rewriting all AF regulations from “passive” to “active voice” to identify and define each responsible individual. A regulation was also adopted to address deletion of terms unless directions were mandated by law, contained critical safety information, or had to be standardized across the Air

When that job ended, Feiler contacted General Curtis, who had told him, “If you ever need a job . . . .” General Curtis arranged for Feiler to join him at the San Antonio Air Logistics Center (SAALC) at Kelly AFB where he was assigned from 1994-98. His first job was overseeing a Quality Survey involving all senior members at the entire Air Logistics Center. This required Feiler, a Lieutenant Colonel, telling full-bird Colonels what to do and when to do it. It didn’t hurt that he had General Curtis as back- up! Feiler completed updating the “Quality Air Force” in about five months.

His next assignment was running the Foreign Military Sales office, providing jet engines to foreign countries. The Air Force entrusted him to lead this $6 billion program.

Interesting work wasn’t all Feiler found in San Antonio. He also met and married Linda, his wife, and had an immediate family of two young girls. He and his new family moved to Wiesbaden, Germany, where they lived from 1998-2001. During the Kosovo War, which ended in June 1999, his office was responsible for providing over 287 million gallons of fuel. While never involved in live fire, Jack entered war zones and saw the result of battle.

One place he visited while scouting potential fuel sites for safe delivery, was Split, Croatia in the Baltics. He and his team stayed in the same hostel during each visit. “‘Mom’ took care of us, but she turned off the heat at 10 p.m. during winter.” One night, Jack and his team arrived after the heat had been turned off; rooms were frigid. The next morning, Feiler took a long, hot shower—“miserable!” Another aspect of the job was briefing high-ranking NATO officials about fuel under field conditions and at HQ in Brugge.

His final duty station was Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he ran a small acquisition office for about a year. His “Swan Song” assignment was as Deputy Chief of the Wing Plans & Programs Office where he developed a budget for the entire host base.

He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after completing two master’s degrees, Squadron Officer School, Air Command & Staff College and Air War College. I asked Jack about memorable events. He described three scary ones. The first occurred while Feiler was assigned to Little Rock, about 1979-80, while working with NORAD—yes, the agency that tracks Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. Turns out the rest of the year they track incoming ICBM’s.

NORAD sent a message indicating missiles detected; prepare for war. Feiler awaited issuance of the “order to posture for launch with aircraft and/or missiles,” but that order never came. Feiler was truly on the verge of launching his ICBM. A glitch in NORAD software caused the errant message.

The second scary event happened while a friend, Mike Mazarro, was on duty at a missile complex in Damascus, Arkansas, on September 18, 1980. A missile exploded when a tool was accidentally dropped over 100 feet, bounced up, and punctured the “skin” of a Titan II missile. The resulting explosion turned a 740-ton silo closure door into gravel and demolished an entire missile complex.

However, that wasn’t the scary part for Feiler. A couple months later, Feiler’s control panel screen “lit up” just as Mazarro had described. In mid-sequence of his emergency checklist, Feiler sensed an anomaly because he saw no indication of a vapor leak, prompting him to request permission to deviate from the technical order to verify there were no propellent fumes. Because no fumes were detected, his actions saved a “washdown” and “missile recycle”—a $6M savings. He received a pat on the back but believes his Sector Commander should have nominated him for a Commendation Medal or Meritorious Service Medal.

Finally, he was hosting an on-base logistics meeting at Peterson AFB. His secretary entered the room saying, “Commander, you’ve got to see the television,” prompting him to exit the room. It was September 11, 2001, and the first World Trade Center tower had been struck in New York City. Feiler returned to the conference room. Not wanting to be locked down on base, he immediately relocated the meeting to a hotel, reasoning, “we don’t have control over New York, but we do have control here, so we’ll finish our mission. And they did.” Afterwards, he recalled the skies being eerily empty of all air traffic.

He retired from Peterson AFB in 2006 and began searching for land around Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to build his retirement home. He and his wife found land near Clarksville, Tennessee, but deemed it too pricey. His wife suggested they look near Paducah; they settled here that same year.

When I asked whether he would have made changes in his military career, he responded, “I’ve had a great career” and mentioned only one item he might have changed—being more strategic in career moves.

The Air Force was not Feiler’s last career. His skills transferred to private industry where he became a technical writer for Vanguard Contractors, a Paducah general contractor. While there, he wrote many documents—contract proposals, plus quality and safety documents, to name a few.

He then had a brief tenure at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. He was on-boarded in November 2015 and assigned to Building C-100. He was part of a team of about a dozen; one of eight writing new procedures. The other seven, all routine Department of Energy employees, produced no end product. Feiler, in contrast, completed 15 procedures in about six months.

April 15, 2016, all sub subcontractors were invited to a meeting in the Plant Auditorium where they were told, “next Friday will be your last day.” The move resulted from a “funding flow issue.” Had the Department of Energy moved earlier, Feiler believes they may have secured continued funding. April 22, 2016, was his last day at the Plant. There was an unsuccessful attempt to waive his dismissal because he was so productive.

Three of the four Feiler boys live in Paducah. Bill, the eldest, passed in 2018. The surviving trio meets for lunch each Friday. Jack missed a few weeks. On his return he learned the group was now known as “ROBOTS,” an acronym for “Really Old Brothers Out Together.” Jack immediately realized the letter “S” was not represented so, resurrecting his wordsmithing days, reworked the name, declaring: “Really Old Brothers Out Taking Sustenance.”

Jack, on behalf of a grateful nation, “thank you for your service.” 

How to Play: Find 4 four-word groups, each having a link

For Example:

Lettuces: Romaine, Bibb, Arugula, Iceberg Tomatoes: Celebrity, Brandywine, Early Girl, Juliet

Puzzle #2 • Answers on page 50

MORE HOME HEALTH PROVIDERS SERVING NUCLEAR WORKERS

Compiled By: Carol Ullerich

Professional Case Management (PCM) and Brightmore have helped area nuclear workers access EEOICPA benefits for years. This Spring, three more home health care providers, CNS Cares, Giving Home and Nuclear Care Partners opened Paducah locations. Another business, Mountain Medical Supply, offers a catalog of medical supplies. If you’re deciding where to seek help filing a claim for EEOICPA benefits, add a new condition to an existing “white card,” acquire home health care, or arrange for medical supplies, here are options.

Begin at the Paducah Resource Center across from WKCTC in Barkley Center. The first of 11 centers opened nationally by the Department of Labor (DOL), the Paducah Center is a free resource for general info about benefits and filing a claim.

Since April 2024, there have been ribbon cuttings, open houses, lunches, BBQs and resource fairs. Nuclear workers have renewed friendships over good food while being reminded frequent medical exams are the best form of detecting changes and encouraged to file claims to receive the white card to unlock significant benefits.

There’s been no real explanation for the three newcomers arriving in town within weeks of each other. One suggestion is Kentucky revised its Certificate of Need process making it easier for providers to operate in Kentucky. Another idea--Kentucky has had only two providers for years, creating a climate ripe for more providers to offer services. I’ve attended events held by all five providers and met with each individually to learn how each will distinguish itself in the Paducah market. These are their responses:

BRIGHTMORE HOME CARE OF KENTUCKY

3565 Lone Oak Road, Suite 4 Paducah, KY 42003 270-709-3145

Longevity, community ties, and relationships set Brightmore Home Care of Kentucky apart from other providers in this region. In August 2024 Brightmore celebrated its 10-year anniversary in Paducah. Its parent company, United Energy Workers, has offices in 36 different locations. Brandy Mitchell, Outreach Benefits Advisor, graduated from Heath High School and worked just shy of 20 years at PGDP in various capacities, as did several of her family members. Her great grand-dad worked to construct the plant in 1951-52 and then became a Plant employee. Her dad ran the local grocery store where many workers shopped, and Brandy and her family lived pretty much in the plant’s front yard.

Brandy started as a Bechtel Jacobs receptionist at the Kevil Building, became the lead for all Administrative Assistants, and ultimately oversaw employee morale. At one point she was Myrna Redfield’s “right-hand woman.” She proudly says, “Brightmore is local and many feel it’s home; we want to do good things for the nuclear workers because they did good things for us and therefore, we treat them like

family.” Brightmore’s nursing staff has longevity too; 30 have been with the company five years or more with multiple ties to PGDP.

In February, Laura Griffith, Regional Director of Northeast Offices, had been with Brightmore a decade. Laura, too, is a lifetime resident of Paducah. She echoes Brandy’s sentiment, “Paducah is our home and we really are a family. We’ve hired new people due to growth, and we take great care to find the right people. We’re here for the long haul.” I talked with both women after Brightmore’s resource fair at the Commonwealth Center in Paducah. Both use the term, “Hometown Healthcare,” because that’s exactly what Brightmore strives to deliver. “This is our home and these are our people – we treat them like we would family.”

For more information on filing a claim or asking for assistance in finding homecare, reach out to the Brightmore office at 270-709-3145.

CNS CARES

2660 Olivet Church Road Suite #2 Paducah, KY 42001 270-215-7468

CNS Cares is revolutionizing home health care with a mission rooted in compassion and dedication. Founded by experienced nurses, since 2006, the company has crafted a reputation as a trusted home care provider serving former energy workers.

The company, operating in 24 states and now in Kentucky, specializes in in-home care for former energy workers, military veterans, government employees, and private sector workers, prioritizing exceptional service and support. Its commitment to helping qualified individuals access vital health benefits enables patients to enjoy their lives, relationships, and retirement in their own homes. This approach ensures they have peace of mind that comes with receiving top-notch care.

Since opening its office at 2660 Olivet Church Road, Suite 2, Paducah, 270-215-7468, General Manager Matt Dacus, and Business Development Managers, Rod Hackett and Saige Howard, are eager to help new clients research, prepare and submit claims to acquire a white card—key to receiving benefits.

CNS Cares hires compassionate, local employees; it has no traveling nurses. It also hires family members whenever possible, allowing a spouse, child or other relative to receive benefits, health insurance and open a 401K retirement account. An article in the Summer 2024 issue of this magazine noted family caregivers provide $470 billion dollars in unpaid healthcare annually.

CNS Cares typically pays W-2 caregivers more per hour than competitors. It is paid by DOL when a nuclear worker uses its services. Once a client signs with CNS Cares, its Director of Nursing takes responsibility for the case, scheduling a monthly wellness check with a nurse for each client.

Matt, Saige and Rod admit filing a successful claim is neither quick nor easy. Compiling one’s work history may take a few weeks to six months. Be encouraged; CNS Cares’ process is streamlined and they help clients navigate it all.

Rod and Saige believe in the system and will fight “tooth and nail to get things done.” CNS uses reputable authorized representatives (AR) to file claims, and strives to maintain good relationships with DOLfriendly doctors to shorten wait time.

A Worker Health Protection Program (WHPP) physical is recommended—even if a worker has no symptoms—to develop a baseline against which changes may be spotted. Rod suggests nuclear workers see a doctor enrolled in the program.

Once a white card is obtained, a new illness can be added to the existing card as a “consequential illness”—often a side effect from a treatment, drug, or radiation therapy for an approved condition.

CNS is excited to grow the Paducah market and become your provider of choice.

GIVING HOME HEALTHCARE

5150 Village Square Drive Paducah, KY 42001 270-883-6359

This company launched in 2012 in the West and is developing markets in other DOE locations. Office Administrator Perry Colley is a Marshall County native and nurse practitioner for six years. He believes his credentials, moving from bedside to administration, set Giving Home apart. His job has two aspects: A) Patient Development—reviewing medical histories and navigating successful claim acquisition and B) Home Health Care—as an APRN, his skills are critical to developing patient plans. “Home Health Care can be as minimal as a monthly wellness check, or at maximum, full-time care.”

Colley stresses the nuclear worker pays nothing for Giving Home services and family caregivers can be compensated at an hourly rate as a home health aide or skilled nurse (RN or LPN). The family selects the caregiver, Giving Home trains the person, and DOL does a paper review of the arrangement. If there’s an issue, the patient has choices— change services desired or provider.

Since arriving in April, 2024, Colley has learned cancer is only one compensable health issue; benefits are also available for chronic conditions—like hypertension and arthritis—if linked to exposures. “Giving Home has a team of researchers identifying every chemical to which employees had a 50% or greater likelihood of exposure to show what likely contributed to, aggravated or caused a specific condition. Once chemicals are identified based on occupational exposure and a link can be explored, a causation letter is generated with supporting documentation for a primary care or specialized physician—a pulmonologist or nephrologist for example—to sign.”

Colley suggests nuclear workers weighing options: 1. Consult a home health

provider to begin focusing the claim. 2. Giving Home will pair the worker with an experienced AR. The AR can be anyone approved to provide representation; Giving Home will select an AR who fits well with the worker. Contact with the AR will occur via email or phone. The AR files the claim, but the nuclear worker’s contact is with the Giving Home office. The client must alert Giving Home to any letter received from the DOL.

Colley is honest about the length of the claim process. Standard wait time is six to nine months. He also noted some have filed a claim themselves and been denied. Records supporting a claim are collected locally. It’s common for multiple claims to be filed before success, and the first claim may not include every covered illness. Giving Home seeks to maximize compensation and benefits available for each claim.

Giving Home offers: Outreach to ensure all available benefits are known. Education on eligibility—current workers performing remediation are eligible. If filing multiple claims–generally begin with easiest, most obvious claim; after initial success try for more. Colley said for a successful claim, there must be a 50% likelihood exposure caused, contributed to, or aggravated one’s condition. When a client chooses Giving Home as its home health care provider, a revocable agreement is signed.

Colley’s ultimate goal is raising awareness of available benefits throughout the community—especially to those who don’t know they’re eligible. The underlying link to success is verifying Plant employment. Giving Home strives to accomplish that by going the extra mile.

NUCLEAR CARE PARTNERS

325 North 4th Street Paducah, KY 42001 270-816-5753

Nuclear Care Partners (NCP) was the first ACHC-accredited home health provider for nuclear workers in the US. Upon recognizing an increase in breathing issues among its clients, NCP created the Breathe Better Program to address COPD, Chronic Asthma, Chronic Beryllium Disease, Silicosis, Asbestosis, Emphysema, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Pneumoconiosis, and Pleural Plaques. Participants learn about their ailment and its process from a BreatheBetter nurse and practice lung exercises to improve breathing. The nurse communicates the participant’s lung health and needs to doctor, and demonstrates use and care of inhalers, concentrators, other meds and devices.

According to NCP’s website, it specializes in chronic kidney care. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) may result from exposure “to toxic metals or other hazardous chemicals (which may make them eligible for) benefits under the DOL’s EEOICPA program.” Over time, the ability of one’s kidneys to “clean toxins and waste from the blood” diminishes. That change may be imperceptible, but blood samples may detect CKD. The disease can’t be reversed, but “may be prevented with proper care.” Chronic Kidney Disease | Nuclear Care Partners. NCP offers in-home dialysis, eliminating the need to go to a dialysis clinic. Chris Wooley,

NCP’s Community Outreach Manager, said since COVID there is a government mandate requiring in-home dialysis which may extend a patient’s life three years or more. The nurse and patient must be trained before beginning in-home dialysis. Advantages of in-home dialysis include flexibility, freedom, energy (shorter recovery time), independence, and better outcomes.

Two nurses founded NCP in 2011 to provide a higher standard of care to atomic workers. Their services include skilled nursing; medication management; meal prep; home safety assessments; daily monitoring; fall prevention program; pulmonary support; diet education; physician support; education and more.

NCP will participate in the Day of Remembrance honoring nuclear workers on October 24, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Paducah’s Walker Hall. Call 270-350-9207 to reserve a spot.

PROFESSIONAL CARE PARTNERS (PCM)

109 Memorial Drive Paducah, KY 42001 270-366-0789

According to Taylor King, PCM KY Community Homecare Outreach Rep, “caring for nuclear workers is all PCM does.” It’s proud to be the first enrolled provider to furnish home health care to a nuclear worker; one of the first to receive ACHC accreditation equal to that of a hospital; and most recently—filing the first prostate cancer claim to be approved under Part E.”

PCM’s goal is “covering 100% of costs through the white card so the patient expends no personal funds.” King suggests, “if there’s anything going on health wise, get your name in the system. Once you have a white card, you’ll never need to prove your work history again. The white card provides the best medical and home care coverage, with DOL covering 100% of costs for covered conditions, and up to 24/7 home care if ever warranted—there’s truly nothing better.”

In addition to traditional nursing, it may be worth exploring a Personal Care Assistant (PCA), especially for one without family. A PCA can provide light housekeeping and transportation under Parts B and E from once a month to 24/7.

PCM distinguishes itself in critical ways First, rather than automatically assigning a client to an AR to research, prepare, and file the claim for a fee upon success, during a “couch time visit,” PCM explains the available benefits to the client, assists with records collection (if necessary finding co-workers with a white card who are willing to sign affidavits specifying they worked at the Plant with the client during a specific time), helps develop and file the claim, and then navigates the client through the system which may seem tedious and overwhelming. Second, PCM directly hires and trains care specialists; that means PCM shoulders legal and financial responsibility if a caregiver is injured in a client home. (Competitors often use contract employees who receive a 1099 and pay taxes). Third, through its “Relative Caregiver Program,” a caregiver can be paid to provide care to a spouse, parent or sibling. The caregiver receives a W-2 and insurance coverage; PCM handles all insurance and claims, with family members receiving the same training as clinical staff. Fourth, if a doctor approves four hours of daily care, four hours is provided with the clock beginning to run when the caregiver arrives at the home, not when the caregiver begins traveling to the home.

PCM created Cold War Patriots as a community resource organization in 2008. It hosts town halls and lobbies Congress for better benefits.

PCM launched the National Day of Remembrance in 2009 with a U.S. Senate resolution. The event occurs annually each October 30 at 10:00 a.m. CST, as a time to reflect and remember deceased nuclear workers. The 2024 in-person celebration will occur in Oak Ridge, TN; others may attend virtually. King welcomes the competition, saying, “Having options in this program is another benefit for nuclear workers. Get the best health care you can receive; these are benefits you have earned and deserve. As always, I thank you all for your service to this country and hope to help you in the future!"

MOUNTAIN MEDICAL SUPPLY

434 South 6th Street, Paducah, KY 42003

Open Mon – Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 1-877-492-2704

Mountain Medical Supply identifies itself as “the #1 DOL provider of medical equipment and supplies.” Most items do require a doctor’s order. If a caregiver needs an item, call Mountain Medical to receive a catalog or schedule a showroom visit to view equipment. A White Card showing coverage of an EEOICPA medical condition is required to obtain needed equipment or medical supplies.

The family-run company was launched in Provo, Utah, by a group including a caregiver who realized injured nuclear workers with white cards were unable to find a durable medical equipment supplier to bill the EEOICPA program. The group decided it would provide medical equipment and supplies to cancer, respiratory, and neurologically impaired patients and bill the EEOICPA program for those that qualified. Eleven years later, they serve nine locations and have been in Paducah about five years.

“The business started because a caregiver had difficulty getting equipment and supplies for patients with coverage; saw a need; and figured out the program,” according to Tammy Mathis, Senior Clinical Account Manager. A nurse herself, she was serving as a case manager for a company when she was recruited to join Mountain Medical. Seth Clayton, one of the owners, had always done a good job for Mathis’s clients, even helping get supplies early.

Running a successful medical supply program for nuclear workers requires knowledge of the EEOICPA, the Energy Worker program, and diagnoses. Several staff members are registered nurses or otherwise medically trained. Nurse assessment is essential in monitoring conditions related to toxic exposures. A caregiver might begin treating one issue and discover there’s a range of health issues. A skin issue might be noticed first, but digging deeper, there’s also shortness of breath and then a host of other ailments. At that point, a physician’s evaluation may identify more issues for possible referral to a specialist.

Mountain Medical can usually predict supplies that will be approved for nuclear workers. And, if a doctor orders oxygen, it will be delivered quickly even if not yet approved. As Mathis said, “We don’t think people should wait to breathe.”

That attitude and approach may explain Mountain Medical’s 85% DOL approval rating—higher than its competitors. Mathis believes, “any hassle in applying for EEOICPA is worthwhile if you get to stay in your home even if you become very ill.”

Mountain Medical offers in-service training on equipment usage. At mmsdme.com, view an online catalog of medical equipment and supplies provided quickly, at no cost, and with patient/caregiver education. 

Home HEALTH

MEDICAL

BALLARD CO.

See surrounding counties.

CALDWELL CO.

CALDWELL COUNTY HOSPITAL HOME HEALTH AGENCY

(270) 365-2011

1310 US-62, Princeton, KY 42445

Medicare & Private Ins

CALLOWAY CO.

INTREPID USA HEALTHCARE SERVICES

(270) 753-1434

1616 Hwy 121 Bypass, Ste C, Murray, KY 42071

Medicare, Veteran’s Benefits, Private Ins, and Medicaid

CARLISLE CO.

See surrounding counties.

FULTON CO.

LIFELINE HEALTH CARE OF FULTON (270) 472-2294

309 Main St, Fulton, KY 42041

Medicare, Private Ins

GRAVES CO.

INTREPID USA HEALTHCARE (800) 437-2001

1025 Paducah Rd Suite A, Mayfield, KY 42066

Payment Medicare, Veteran’s Benefits, Private Ins.

LIFELINE OF JACKSON PURCHASE HOME HEALTH (270) 753-5656

1011 Paris Rd #345, Mayfield, KY 42066

Medicare Advantage Plans

MERCY HEALTH HOMECARE & MERCY HEALTH HOSPICE (270) 415-3636

305 Wyatt Drive, Suite B Mayfield, KY 42053

Services are listed by county to show what services are closest to your location. If you do not see an office in your county, then search surrounding counties. Most businesses serve a large area.

HomeCare & Hospice

Payor Sources: all payor sources including Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurances

LIVINGSTON CO.

See surrounding counties.

LYON CO.

See surrounding counties.

MARSHALL CO.

MARSHALL COUNTY HOSPITAL

HOME HEALTH

(270) 527-8084

673 Old Symsonia Rd, Benton, KY 42025

Medicare Replacement Insurance *No Private Insurance

MCCRACKEN CO.

BAPTIST HEALTH HOME CARE (270) 575-2990

220 Lone Oak Rd, Paducah, KY 42001

Medicaid, Medicare & Private Ins

BRIGHTMORE HOME CARE OF KENTUCKY UNITED ENERGY WORKERS HEALTHCARE (270) 709-3145

3565 Lone Oak Rd, Suite 4 Paducah, KY 42001

Type: Medical free Services for EEOICPA and RECA beneficiaries. (Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and Radiation Exposure Compensation Act)

MERCY HEALTHHOME CARE AND HOSPICE (270) 415-3600

225 Medical Center Dr # 203, Paducah, KY 42003

HomeCare & Hospice

Payor Sources: all payor sources including Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurance

SUPPORTIVE CARE OUTPATIENT (SCOP)

Provider visits in the home setting (270) 415-6100

25 Medical Center Drive, Suite 203 Paducah, KY 42003

SCOP Payor Sources: all payor sources including private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid

TRIGG CO.

CARETENDERS HOME HEALTH

(270) 522-0488

72 Lone Oak Dr, Cadiz, KY 42211

Medicare & Private Ins

LIFELINE HEALTH CARE OF WESTERN KY (270) 885-6353

210 Burley Ave # A, Hopkinsville, KY 42240

Medicare & Private Ins

MASSAC CO., IL

BAPTIST HEALTH HOME CARE METROPOLIS (618) 524-3661

1003 East Fifth Street, Metropolis, IL 62960

Medicare and Private Ins

MERCY HEALTH HOMECARE & MERCY HEALTH HOSPICE (270) 415-3600

704 East Fifth Street, Metropolis, IL 62960

HomeCare & Hospice

Payor Sources: all payor sources including Medicare,Medicaid and Private Insurances

OBION CO., TN

ADORATION HOME HEALTH

(731) 885-6622

1625 E Reelfoot Ave, Union City,TN 38261

Medicaid, Medicare and Private Ins

AMEDISYS HOME HEALTH CARE (731) 886-1113

1509 E. Reelfoot Ave Union City,TN 38261

Medicare & Most Private Ins.

BAPTIST HOSPICE (731) 884-8617

1201 Bishop St, Union City,TN 38261

In Baptist Memorial Hospital- Union City 3rd Floor Medicare, Medicaid, & Private Ins

EXTENDICARE HOME HEALTH OF WESTERN TENNESSEE (731) 885-0866

1720 E Reelfoot Ave #203 Union City,TN 38261

Medicare and Private Ins

VOLUNTEER HOME CARE (731) 886-0305

800 E Reelfoot Ave St. 200, Union City,TN 38261

Medicare and Private Ins

WEAKLEY CO., TN

ADORATION HOME HEALTH (731) 587-2996

135 Kennedy Dr, Martin,TN 38237 Medicare and Private Ins

NHC HOMECARE MILAN (731) 686-7471 14091 S 1st St, Milan,TN 38358

** Service Obion and Weakley County

TENNESSEE QUALITY CAREHOME HEALTH

(731) 587-0072

115 Neal St Suite E & F, Martin,TN 38237

Medicare and Private Ins

BALLARD CO.

See surrounding counties.

CALDWELL CO.

See surrounding counties.

CALLOWAY CO.

A PLACE CALLED HOME (270) 753-5990

1406 N 12th Suite C Murray, KY 42071

Private Pay

BLACK PEARL HOME CARE –MURRAY (270) 557-7418

1712 KY-121, Murray KY 42071

Private Pay

CARLISLE CO.

See surrounding counties.

FULTON CO.

See surrounding counties.

HICKMAN CO.

See surrounding counties.

GRAVES CO.

See surrounding counties.

LIVINGSTON CO.

See surrounding counties.

LYON CO.

See surrounding counties.

MARSHALL CO.

See surrounding counties.

MCCRACKEN CO.

BLACK PEARL HOME CAREPADUCAH (270) 557-7418

2520 New Holt Road, Paducah, KY 42001

Price varies per client Payment LTC policies

VA KENTUCKY

MAYFIELD VA

OUTPATIENT CLINIC

1253 Paris Rd A, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-2455

MAYFIELD FIELD REP

Carol Livingston

Cell (270) 556-0474

Fax (270) 495 -0835

carol.livingston@ky.gov

PADUCAH VA

OUTPATIENT CLINIC

2620 Perkins Creek Dr, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 444-8465

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS-KY ROBERT

WORDEN, SERVICE OFFICER 270-444-9808

1133 Murray Ave. Paducah, KY 42002

CAROL LIVINGSTON, SSGT. USAF

VETERAN KY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FIELD REPRESENTATIVE II

Mayfield CBOC

(Mondays & Tuesdays)

1253 Paris Dr STE A Mayfield, KY 42066

Paducah CBOC

(Wednesdays & Thursdays)

2620 Perkins Creek Dr Paducah, KY 42001

Cell (270) 556-0474

Fax (270) 495 -0835

carol.livingston@ky.gov

ANDY G BURKART, CPCU, CLU, RICP, RHU, AAI, QRV, LLC

ALL VETERANS

Cell (920) 912-4556

Paducah, KY

All Lines Insurance & Retirement Risk Mgmt Assistance (Pro Bono)

CARING PEOPLE SERVICES (270) 575-4529

1049 Jefferson St, Paducah, KY 42001

Type: non-Medical Private Pay

GOLDEN YEARS HOME CARE (270) 564-3526

2855 Jackson St., Paducah KY 42003

HOME INSTEAD (270) 558-0301

3429 Lone Oak Rd #5b, Paducah KY 42001 Private Pay

PADUCAH NURSES REGISTRY INC (270) 554-7344

60 Lakeview Dr # 1, Paducah, KY 42001 Private Pay

SENIOR HELPERS (270) 707-2273

657 Lone Oak Rd Suite 2, Paducah, KY Private Pay

TRIGG CO.

See surrounding counties.

MASSAC CO., IL

See surrounding counties.

OBION CO., TN

A PLACE CALLED HOME (731) 407-9051

206 E Reelfoot Ave, Union City,TN 38261 Private Pay

WEAKLEY CO., TN

SENIOR SOLUTIONS HOME CARE (731) 203-1660

215 Hawks Rd STE 12, Martin,TN 38237

Private Pay and VA

Veterans AFFAIRS

VA ILLINOIS

MARION VA MEDICAL CENTER (618) 997-5311

2401 W Main St, Marion, IL 62959

VA TENNESSEE

OBION COUNTY TN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FIELD REPRESENTATIVE WALTER “WALT” W. ASHER (731) 885-2781 622 Depot Street Union City,TN 38261

WEAKLY COUNTY TN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FIELD REPRESENTATIVE RON CHEATHAM (731) 364-5727 116 W Main St. - G-04, Dresden,TN 38225

DYERSBURG VA OUTPATIENT (731) 287-7289

Clinic 1067 Vendall Rd, Dyersburg,TN 38024

RESOURCES

Energy Worker SERVICE PROVIDERS

Resource Center and Providers list of businesses that provides services to Department of Labor Energy Workers & White Card Holders:

ENERGY EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION RESOURCE CENTERS

1-866-534-0599 www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/energy

HOME HEALTH

GIVING HOME HEALTH CARE

270-883-6359 www.givinghomehealthcare.com

PROFESSIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT

270-572-4819 www.procasemanagement.com

CNS CARES

740-270-8771 www.cnscare.com/ky

FAMILY SERVICE SOCIETY INC.

827 Joe Clifton Dr., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-4838

KENTUCKY CARE

1901 Kentucky Ave., Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 575-3247

HEART USA PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE 1530 Lone Oak Rd., Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 538-5828

BRIGHTMORE HOME CARE OF KENTUCKY

270-596-7623 www.brightmorehealth.com

NUCLEAR CARE PARTNERS 270-908-3391 www.nuclearcarepartners.com

ASSISTED LIVING

GAITHER SUITES ASSISTED LIVING An established Department of Labor Energy Employee Provider www.gaithersuites.com

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

MOUNTAIN MEDICAL 1-877-492-2704 www.mmsdme.com

Nonprofits SERVING SENIORS

MADE TO STAY

P.O. Box 7802 Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 331-9288

PADUCAH COMMUNITY KITCHEN

1237 Martin Luther King Jr Dr., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 575-3400

PADUCAH COOPERATIVE MINISTRY

402 Legion Dr., Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 442-6795

PURCHASE AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

1002 Medical Center Cir., Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-7171

MARTHA’S VINEYARD

1100 N 12th St., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 575-0021

WESLEY SENIOR MINISTRIES 1615 Appling Rd., Cordova,TN 38016 (901) 213-1939

Medical SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT

Many businesses serve multiple counties. They are listed under the county of their main address. Please call to find out what counties they serve.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PHARMACY

DIABETIC SUPPLIES

BALLARD CO.

MEDCARE PHARMACY AND HOME MEDICAL

409 Court St, Wickliffe, KY 42087 (270) 335-3172

SUTTON DRUGS OF LA CENTER

234 Broadway St, La Center, KY 42056 (270) 665-5192

CALDWELL CO.

ORR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

108 E Washington St, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-3903

PRINCETON DRUG

103 W Main St, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-5585

AUDIBEL HEARING CENTER

378 US HWY 62 Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 761-1900

CALLOWAY CO.

OXYGEN SUPPLIES HEARING AIDES EYEGLASSES

AUDIOLOGY & HEARING CENTER

1711 State Route 121 Bypass N Murray, KY 42071 (270) 759-7000

AUDIBEL HEARING CENTER

506 N.12th St. Unit 1 Murray, KY 42071 (270) 761-1900

BELTONE HEARING CARE CENTER

707 S 12th St Unit A, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-9558

LEGACY OXYGEN & MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

924 S 12th St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-2001

MIRACLE-EAR HEARING AID CENTER

307 N 4th St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 713-7137

PHARMACY, INC

370 Industrial Road Murray, KY 42071 (270) 762-0602

ROTECH OF WESTERN KENTUCKY

SLEEP SUPPLIES WOUND CARE MASTECTOMY PRODUCTS

1608 HWY 121 Bypass North, Suite F Murray, KY 42071 (270) 759-8889

STONE-LANG COMPANY

210 S 12th St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-8055

WALTER’S FAMILY PHARMACY

604 S 12th St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-7688

CARLISLE CO.

BARDWELL PHARMACY

178 US HWY 51 N Bardwell, KY 42023 (270) 628-5445

FULTON CO.

EVANS DRUG COMPANY

214 Lake St, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-2421

EVANS TOTAL CARE

214 Lake St, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-2984

STONE-LANG COMPANY

424 Lake St, Fulton, KY 42041 (800) 949-5728

GRAVES CO.

DUNCAN CLINIC PHARMACY

1111 Medical Center Circle, Mayfield, KY 42066, 1st Floor Jackson Purchase Medical Pavilion (270) 247-7000

GIBSONS DISCOUNT PHARMACY

1206 Paris Road, Mayfield KY 42066

KENTUCKYCARE MAYFIELD PHARMACY

Coming Soon 110 Kings Dr., Mayfield, Kentucky 42066 (270) 804-7713

STONE’S HEALTH MART PHARMACY

414 S 9th St, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-3232

Insurance Medicare Part D

HICKMAN CO.

CLINTON PHARMACY

119 E Clay St, Clinton, KY 42031 (270) 653-5361

BYASSEE DRUGS

107 E Clay St, Clinton KY 42031 (270) 653-2151

LIVINGSTON CO.

CLINIC PHARMACY OF KY 141 Hospital Dr, Salem, KY 42078 (270) 988-3230

GLENN’S PRESCRIPTION CENTER

119 E Main St, Salem, KY 42078 (270) 988-3226

SMITHLAND DRUGS

203 E Adair St, Smithland, KY 42081 (270) 928-2161

LYON CO.

AT PENNYRILE HOME MEDICAL

307 East Main, Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 885-2500

LYON DRUG STORE

201 Main St, Eddyville KY 42038 (270) 388-2236

MCCONNELL HEALTH MART PHARMACY

86 Cedar St, Kuttawa, KY 42055 (270) 388-7371

MARSHALL CO.

AT HOME MEDICAL

837 US 69 Benton, KY 42025 (270) 252-0897

BENTON DISCOUNT PHARMACY

2606 Main St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-1409

CALVERT CITY PHARMACY

906 5th Ave SE, Calvert City, KY 42029 (270) 395-4350

DRAFFENVILLE PHARMACY

153 US-68, Benton KY, 42025 (270) 527-1404

J&R PHARMACY OF BENTON

817 Main St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-9374

J&R PHARMACY OF DRAFFENVILLE

34 US HWY 68 E, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-3135

MIRACLE-EAR HEARING AID CENTER

805 Main St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 713-2122

MCCRACKEN CO.

AUDIBEL HEARING CENTER

130 Brett Chase Suite B, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 761-1900

AUDIOLOGY & HEARING CENTER

4570 Pecan Dr, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 554-6000

BELTONE HEARING CARE CENTER

918 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-4594

DAVIS DRUGS

250 Lone Oak Rd Ste A, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-1442

LEGACY OXYGEN & MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

800 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 442-7887

LINCARE

1051 Husbands RD, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 443-0957

KENTUCKYCARE PADUCAH PHARMACY

125 S. 20th St., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 408-1584 Fax: (270) 408-1585

MEDCARE HOME MEDICAL

2800 Clark St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 448-2273

MIRACLE-EAR HEARING AID CENTER

4793 Village Square Dr Ste 140, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 713-7064

MOUNTAIN MEDICAL SUPPLY

711 Jefferson St Paducah, KY 42001 (877) 492-2704

ORR MEDICAL

3434 Lovelaceville Rd, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 554-7311

PHARMACY INC.

120 Cave Thomas Dr Suite B, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 908-2577

PURCHASE EAR TECHNOLOGY

2008 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 558-3996

REIDLAND PHARMACY

5433 Reidland Rd, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 898-7313

RICK’S PHARMACY

3001 Schneidman Road, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 443-7200

ROTECH OF WESTERN KENTUCKY

1914 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 442-6311

STONE-LANG COMPANY

2620 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 442-3561

STRAWBERRY HILLS PHARMACY

New Holt Rd # D, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 444-7070

WEST TOWNE PHARMACY

2755 W Park Dr, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-0909

TRIGG CO.

CADIZ PHARMACY

435 Lakota Drive, Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 522-3441

MAIN STREET PHARMACY

289 Main St, Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 882-2222

MASSAC CO.

RHODES CENTERS FOR BETTER HEARING

202 E 2nd St, Brookport, IL 62910 (618) 309-7163

OBION CO.

KIZER PHARMACY

1117 S Miles Ave, Union City,TN 38261 (731) 885-2226

Senior APARTMENTS

BALLARD CO.

BALLARD SENIOR APARTMENTS

307 Lake Dr., Barlow, KY 42024 (270) 334-3115

COLONY HOUSE APARTMENTS (HUD APPROVED HOUSING)

South 6th St, Barlow, KY 42024 (270) 334-3148

LIBERTY MANOR APARTMENTS

526 Phillips Drive, Wickliffe, KY (270) 335-3686

CALDWELL CO.

PRINCETON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

100 Hillview Ct, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-5769

FRANKLIN PLACE APARTMENTS

200 North Franklin St, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-3368

PRINCETON MANOR APARTMENTS

655 Grace Ct, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-5280

PRINCETON GREENS APARTMENTS

420 Cooper Circle, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-2365

CALLOWAY CO.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF MURRAY

716 Nash Drive, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-5000

WESLEY AT MURRAY

440 Utterback Rd, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-7735

CARLISLE CO.

GARLAND MANOR APARTMENTS (HUD APPROVED) 215 Rd St, Bardwell, KY 42023 (270) 628-3822

FULTON CO.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF HICKMAN

50 Holly Court, Hickman, KY 42050 (270) 236-2888

FULTON HOUSING AUTHORITY

201 N. Highland Dr, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-1115

FULTON MANOR SENIOR APARTMENTS

1109 Middle Rd, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-2721

PARKWAY SQUARE APARTMENTS

1001 Airport Rd, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-3020

GRAVES CO.

LOCUST RIDGE APARTMENTS

676 Lebanon St , Wingo, KY 42088 (270) 247-6391

MAYFIELD MANOR APARTMENTS

320 East James St , Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 251-0800

MAYFIELD PLAZA APARTMENTS

405 Babb Drive, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-7723

WEAKLEY CO.

MEDICAL RENTALS

152 Mt Pelia Rd, Martin,TN 38237 731) 587-5876

SUZANNE’S PHARMACY

932 University St, Martin,TN 38237 (731) 587-0587

VILLA MADONNA

85 Father Riney Road, Fancy Farm, KY 42039 (270) 623-6300

WESTWOOD OF SYMSONIA

60 Westwood Ave, Symsonia, KY 42082 (270) 851-3681

WINGO APARTMENTS

90 Atlantic Ave, Wingo, Kentucky (270) 653-4593

HICKMAN CO.

CLINTON HILLS APARTMENTS

205 Ringo Dr, Clinton, KY 42031 (270) 653-6218

HENLEY PARK APARTMENTS

300 Henley Ct, Clinton, KY 42031 (270) 653-2582

LIVINGSTON CO.

CUMBERLAND VIEW APARTMENTS

504 Rudd St, Smithland, KY (270) 928-4278

LYON CO.

AMBER VILLAGE

Amber Ct, Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 388-7108

LYON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

425 Linden Ave, Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 388-2049

MARSHALL CO.

COX MANOR

1203 5th Ave SE, Calvert City, KY 42029 (270) 395-4126

HOUSING AUTHORITY

OF BENTON

101 Walnut Court, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-3626

LAKELAND WESLEY VILLAGE

1127 Village Road, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 354-8888

MORGAN-TREVATHAN APTS.

1003 Elm St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 252-0111

WALNUT COURT

101 Walnut Court, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 653-6000

MCCRACKEN CO.

DUBLIN MANOR

665 McAuley Dr, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 441-0026

ELMWOOD COURT

2330 Ohio St, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 450-4239

IRVIN COBB APARTMENTS

600 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-4721

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF PADUCAH

2330 Ohio Street, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-3634

JACKSON HOUSE APARTMENTS

W.B. SANDERS RETIREMENT CENTER

301 S 9th St, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 442-7591

LONE OAK MANOR APARTMENTS

650 College Ave, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 554-0504

MCAULEY MANOR

631 McAuley Drive, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 415-9166

MERCY MANOR

601 McAuley Drive, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 415-9166

TRIGG CO.

EMMA ROSE SENIOR APARTMENTS

149 CS-1089, Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 512-5690

MASSAC CO.

MASSAC COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

1209 E 5th St Apt 5G, Metropolis, IL 62960 (618) 524-8411

OBION CO.

SOUTHSIDE MANOR

722 Broadway St, South Fulton,TN 38257 (731) 479-3877

PARK TERRACE VILLAGE

Park Terrace Cir, South Fulton,TN 38257 (731) 479-1321

WEAKLEY CO.

WESLEY AT MARTIN

448 Hannings Ln, Martin,TN 38237 (731) 587-6324

PUZZLE #1

BERRIES: Black, Blue, Goose, Straw

CANDY BARS: Skor, Zero, Cow Tales, Vanilla Bun

WEEDS: Ground Ivy, Purslane, Bittersweet, Curly Dock

MELONS: Crenshaw, Casaba, Water, Musk

PUZZLE #2

TAXES: Property, Income, Sales, Payroll

GOLF SHOTS: Putt, Wedge, Chip, Hook

WINDOW TYPES: Bay, Picture, Storm, Bow

DOG BREEDS: Havanese, Basenji, Schipperke, Bolognese