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Sweet Owen FREE

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE IN OWEN COUNTY, KENTUCKY | VOL. I | ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2022

Dive into an angler’s paradise

ELMER DAVIS LAKE TAKES ANGLERS BACK TO THE BASICS

Welcome to an angler's paradise ELMER DAVIS LAKE STORY and PHOTOS BY BRIAN RIDDLE

hen the sun comes out and the waters start to warm, excitement among anglers builds. Elmer Davis Lake, located just outside the City of Owenton, is one of northern Kentucky’s premier lakes for largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, and crappie. Accessible bank fishing, two boat ramps with ample parking, and a handicapped accessible fishing pier provide numerous opportunities for any angler. In the spring, black and white crappie species can be caught on main lake points around fallen timber and man-made fishing attractors, consisting of pallet beds and recycled live Christmas trees placed in various areas throughout the lake by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). Schools of crappie are found at various depths depending on water

temperature. A great way to locate them is by using various colors of curly tail grub with crappie nibbles or a wax worm, jigged and thrown around brush piles, then slowly retrieved. A sure way to catch them is with live minnows suspended under a bobber around brush piles or manmade structures. Bluegill and redear sunfish, best known as shellcrackers, can be caught almost anywhere in the lake. A simple hook with a red worm, nightcrawler chunk, mealworm, or wax worm slowly retrieved or suspended on a floater around downed timber or weed beds are the most popular way to catch them. An old-school pop-eyed jig with a wax worm will never fail on Elmer Davis, according to the locals who fish the lake. Largemouth bass have made an excellent rebound over the last few years after KDFWR lowered the lake and eradicated an overpopulation of gizzard shad that hurt the fish quali-

ty and population on the lake. A slot limit of 12 to 15 inches is in place; this means fish caught between 12 and 15 inches must be released immediately. Largemouths can be caught on various lures nearly anywhere in the lake, depending on weather conditions, water temperature, and clarity. Boaters and kayakers out for a relaxing evening or day on the water can enjoy the beautiful Owen County countryside while watching whitetail deer, wild turkeys, beavers, various waterfowl, and small game. The lake has frequent visits from bald eagles and osprey, which can be seen in large snags around the lake. Elmer Davis provides trophy fish in numerous species, according to KDFWR’s annual fishing reports. Before fishing, always check with the current Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide for regulations on fish size, creel limits, and current boating regulations.

Plan your next adventure AT ELK CREEK HUNT CLUB & RESORT 3 Sporting Clay Courses Various Hunting/Tower packages Memberships available

Customizable Team Building & Corporate Events Girls Night Out packages available Over 2 million clays thrown yearly

Need a place to stay? We have 15 rooms on our property to meet your needs and exceed your expectations!

1860 Georgetown Rd. | Owenton, KY 40359 (502) 484-4569 | www.elkcreekhuntclub.com

OWEN COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSIT All trips up to 10 miles one way, $3 All trips over 10 miles one way, $3 +.40/mile Dialysis and cancer treatments, $10 round trip (up to 85 miles round trip) Any trips over 85 miles, $10 + .40/miles after the 85 miles max. $40/week Multiple out of town trips for work, $10/round trip Must not have a car or may not have a valid driver's license unless prior approval by administration Any trips over 85 miles, $10 + .40/mile after the 85 miles max. $40/week All trips up to 10 miles one way, $3 All trips over 10 miles one way, $3 +.40/mile

Contact 502-750-2828

owencountyky.us/public-transit

Winner of the 2019 award for Most Efficient for Lowest Cost Per Mile

Contents 14 | The new queens of clean Mother-daughter duo Denisa Rock and Rachel Ligon purchased Anna's EsSCENTials Bodycare from its original owner, Sharon Lombardo, in December 2019. Since then, the women-led business has continued to thrive both locally and beyond. — Photo by Molly Haines/Sweet Owen Editor

Owen County Mom Group

Don't forget to wave

Spring calendar

Becky Michels finds respite from the challenges of motherhood by creating the Owen County Mom Group

A simple country gesture, mixed with a little love, could override the fears being sown all around us

Spring has arrived and we've got a complete list of upcoming events for the entire family

Downtown Owenton Revival

Where to stay? What to eat?

Small Acreages

Committee Chair Jenni Duncan provides an update on the group's latest happenings

Looking for hospitality in Owen County? Try Serenity Woods Cottage or Bird Dogs Coffee

Author Georgia Green-Stamper reveals details on her third collection of essays, 'Small Acreages'

House of McNally

Meet 1st Sgt. Joel 'Joe' Clark

Staying home for the kids

A special family recipe keeps friends coming back for more — food, laughter, and love

Joel ‘Joe’ Clark served in the U.S. Marines for 22 years and retired as a first sergeant

Could spending more time at home with your kids be an overlooked parenting tip?

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

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Sweet Owen

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE IN OWEN COUNTY, KENTUCKY

© 2022, Owen County Tourism Commission Volume I, Issue 2 March 2022 Molly A. Haines Editor Owen County Tourism Commission Holly Bowling,Director Tammy Wolcott-Barrett, Chairperson Mike Haines, Treasurer Lindsey Tirey, Secretary Jenni Duncan, Member Shanna Osborne, Member Shadoe Perry, Member Darla House-Webb, Member

Contributors Kirk Brooks, Shelby Carter, Becky Doolin, Whitney Prather Duvall, Lyndsi McNally, Marlene BrowningWainscott, and Brian Riddle For advertising information, email editor@sweetowenmag.com or call 502-514-6612 To submit an event, letter to the editor, or suggest story ideas, email editor@sweetowenmag.com. Submission deadlines: 4 p.m., April 27, 2022 for June 1, 2022 4 p.m., July 27, 2022 for Sept. 1, 2022 4 p.m., Oct. 26, 2022 for Dec. 1, 2022 Published quarterly by the Owen County Tourism Commission “... find yourself here” 300 S. Main St., Owenton, KY 40359 502-563-5050 www.visitowencountyky.org

or years, my grandmother and I would exchange handwritten letters. When she passed away last June, I began pulling them out and rereading them — searching in earnest for some hidden nugget of wisdom or advice that perhaps I'd missed. In the days and weeks that followed her passing, I admit I felt a little shortchanged. Being the youngest of nine grandchildren had its perks, but its greatest downfall was the brevity of our time together. Outside of my parents, I can think of no more significant influence in my life than the stories and insight she shared with me, and I knew there had to be more. I found myself jotting down things she had taught me, reminiscences that I vowed not to forget. Though heart-wrenching at times, the process served as a sort of grief therapy, and as I slogged my way down memory lane, I found the very thing I had fervently searched for was something I had done my whole life: keeping a written record of history. My family's history, my personal history, the history of the Franklin County community my grandmother called home, and of course, the history of Owen County. I spent an awful lot of time here during my formative years. It's the birthplace of both my father and maternal grandfather, and much of my ancestry is logged in the communities of Jonesville, New Liberty, Hesler, and Monterey. Still, I never realized the importance of this place in my life until I began reading back through articles I wrote during my time with the local newspaper and beyond. Ironically, the magazine you now hold in your hands came about during this period of self-reflection, and I believe it shows. Sweet Owen is what I always dreamed of doing for this community but could never quite manage under the restrictions previously placed upon me. It showcases the talent, beauty, ideas, and dreams of a people I've grown to believe in, to put my faith in when everything else around me seems too cumbersome. I could be wrong, but I think this is what my grandmother had in mind when she instilled in me a great love of home, community, and family. As long as we have a voice, it's our calling to spread the message to others so that they too might see why a rural community of 10,000 folks plays a vital role in the makeup of our Commonwealth; to see that Owen County isn't just another dot on the map. The stories inside this issue only help solidify this message, and the response to our premier issue leads me to believe many people around the region are on the same page. We delivered 1,000 copies across Owen, Franklin, Carroll, Grant, Gallatin, Henry, Scott, and Woodford counties and had folks asking for more long after we ran out. With your continued support, our momentum will only continue to build. As with any project, it takes a village. These past few months would not have been manageable without Owen County Tourism Director Holly Bowling and all the members of the Tourism Commission, Whitney Prather Duvall, Marlene Browning-Wainscott, Owen County Community Programs Administrator Dan Brenyo, and Owen County Judge/Executive Casey Ellis and the members of the fiscal court for creating the public information officer position. Thanks also to my fiancé, Brian Riddle, for coming to our rescue and saving this issue at the last possible second. He has a knack for that sort of thing. And because it wouldn't be right to leave her out, thank you to my grandmother, Audrey Kemper, for keeping watch over me from above and reminding me of my purpose. You will always be my greatest inspiration.

Molly A. Haines sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

sweet owen + community

Owen County

Mom Group BY WHITNEY PRATHER DUVALL

Two under 2. If you know, you know. That's where Becky Michels found herself in mid-2021. Five years' worth of travel around the country and working with inner-city youth came to an unexpected end when she landed in Owen County in 2017. The Indiana native, who holds degrees in exercise science and outdoor recreation, dreamed of traveling back to California but instead embarked on a new journey: marriage and family. Fast forward to today, Michels and her husband, Adam, share two daughters, Amelia and Hazel, and have made this place "home." But being a new mom in a new place isn't easy, and Michels sought a catalyst to meet and network with other local moms. "I have always been on the move and not near to family; because of this, community events have always been instrumental to me," Michels said. "Now that I have my own family, the idea of creating community for myself and for those coming into Owen County is important. Those who are trying to find out how to be involved need a place." The idea of a mom's group arose during a playdate with a friend who had moved from Arizona to northern Kentucky. "We had lived and worked together in the past but reconnected during her transition. A few months later, we planned a zoo trip with some new friends she had made. I asked her, 'How have you met so many mom

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

p FIVE YEARS' WORTH OF TRAVEL around the country and working with innercity youth came to an unexpected end for Indiana native Becky Michels when she landed in Owen County in 2017 to embark on a new journey: marriage and family. Looking to connect with other local moms, Michels created the Facebook page, “Owen County Mom Group,” which today boasts a growing number of in-person events. — Photo by Whitney Prather Duvall

friends already? I feel like I don't have any!'" Michels said. "'Through the local mom group on Facebook,' she answered. 'You should see if they have one for your area, and if not, start one.' That night I started the Owen County Mom Group." Benjamin Franklin once said, "Energy and persistence conquer all things." He probably wasn't referring to starting a community group, but it sure seems fitting. "I started the mom group, and a bunch of people joined, so I knew there were other moms in the community who were interested, but I wasn't sure how to actually

connect with them," Michels said. She created the first "Mom MeetUp," an event scheduled at the park last spring, but May ended up serving a cold and rainy day. "I'm sitting in my car, almost seven months pregnant with my second baby, my 18-month old chattering away in the back seat, praying for someone to show up. No one came. I went home and cried," Michels said. "I'm sitting there, wondering what the point of having an online group is if I still do everything by myself. How do I get people to show up and meet a stranger? What can I create that will make people want to come?"

These three questions rolled around in Michels' head as she spoke with friends in different areas — women who had been involved with the former MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) program, as well as meeting a local mom. While Michels was — and is — an active participant in the children's activities offered by the Owen County Public Library, its Storytime program had been placed on hiatus due to continued COVID-19 concerns. In researching options for activities, she learned that other programs were utilizing their local parks to create open, outdoor spaces in order to continue. "I started small," Michels said. "I invited my new mom friend to Storytime at the Park, and she came!" For almost five weeks, it would be the two of them and their kids—a 4 year old, an almost 2 year old, and a newborn. With the help of other friends sharing the event and helping promote it beyond the confines of the Facebook newsfeed, other local moms began messaging Michels about attending. Story Time at the Park also started hosting a special guest from time to time. Joie, Michels' mother, would travel in with her dog Tilly for Tales with Tilly. The first Tales with Tilly event attracted eight kids and almost as many moms. At this event, Michels would meet Katie Chandler, another local mom who had started a Facebook group for stay-at-home-moms. "With her being from this area, she made a great liaison for the local moms and activities I was envisioning," Michels said. Since then, local mom Alea Hubbard has become an active facilitator within the group, contributing ideas from her time spent working with MOPS in Oklahoma. The three have spent many evenings meeting and

p BECKY MICHELS, above left, with children Hazel and Amelia, chats with Jordan Baumgartner, baby Lila, and Laura Bach during a recent Owen County Mom Group gathering. Mia Bach and Charlotte Baumgartner, at right, take in a play date facilitated by the group. To view a schedule of events hosted by the Owen County Mom Group, please see page 12 of this issue of Sweet Owen. — All photos by Whitney Prather Duvall

working to construct a sustainable program that works with existing community organizations and offerings—such as those offered by the Owen County Public Library. Prior to the end of 2021, Hubbard spearheaded an EXPLORE initiative for participants to take mini field trips of sorts—such as a movie at the theater and visiting a dinosaur exhibit presented by the Boone County Public Library. Chandler coordinated a community service project of delivering handmade Christmas cards to the residents of the Owenton Healthcare and Rehabilitation center. Moms and kids spent time during their indoor story and playtime crafting the cards.

With three different sets of skills and interests, Michels said the group hopes to meet a larger range of moms' needs. "We want to be a positive addition to the community—not a competitor," Michels said. v Interested? The Owen County Mom’s Group was created to encourage and support local moms in the raising of their children by creating a space where moms and caregivers can connect, share resources, and find support. You can find out more about their activities and schedule by joining the group at www.facebook.com/ groups/owencountymomgroup.

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022 9

sweet owen + life

Don't forget to wave

A simple country gesture, mixed with a little love, could override the fears being sown all around us BY JONATHAN KIRK BROOKS

p KIRK BROOKS and his wife, Meghan, live with their four children on an Owen County farmstead. He writes about the challenges of slowing down one’s life and staying in one place — and the rewards.

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

e are often asked to think about how dangerous life is now. If one were relegated to only television news-watching, they could easily conclude that all around us, people are falling over dead, and it will only be a matter of time before one way or another, you will too. The last year or two have indeed been difficult ones. Many of us have lost loved ones. We have seen rioting, vandalizing, a pandemic, and a general lack of trust in our leadership on every confused side of the political aisle. However, as is often the case, there has been plenty of unpublished good in the world too. And as we are all well aware, “good” doesn’t usually make the cut when it comes to what will sell for news. And so, one must consume their news carefully. If we do not, the thing that might finally undo us will be the day we believe what the media is telling us about our neighbor, instead of being willing to walk across the yard, sit on the porch or at the dinner table, and begin to understand them for ourselves. I've often felt in recent years like our people are sitting on the edge of their seats, just waiting for the right provocateur to taunt us, ready to argue and

fight at the drop of a hat. Over what? I'm not sure. But is it just me, or are people a little less patient in traffic than they used to be? When I listen to the news, I am quickly convinced that everyone in the world (besides me and the newscaster) are losing their minds and that if I walk out of my door, or God-forbid, drive into a city, I will be attacked by a mob of angry people who do not like, and are not like me. I have come home from a long drive of listening to the latest news updates and walked into my home only to be asked by my wife, “What are you scowling and grumbling to yourself about?” To which I have had to acknowledge that I didn’t realize I was doing until she pointed it out. Once you begin to act in such a way that your political points of view (or any points of view) are more important to you than loving your neighbor, let alone your enemy (as Jesus clearly wanted us to figure out how to do), that will be the end of neighborliness. And once neighborliness is gone, so too will be the life you and I have come to love, even though we have taken it for granted in this country. Because really, neighborliness, friendship, kindness, and even (or especially) the ability to forgive someone's poor decision in rush-hour traffic — or out of it — are virtues that keep our culture from unraveling. There are all sorts of people in our county: Rich people and poor people. Conservative people and liberal people. Old people and young people. People who have learned some hard lessons and people who haven’t yet. Happy people and sad people. Healthy people and sick people. Blue-collar and white-collar people. People who work and a few who don’t. But

it is a grievous mistake to believe what is being marketed to us: that every one different than you is your enemy and wishes you ill. More often than not, around home — that is to say, around Owen County and its rural neighboring counties — when I drive down the road and meet a car, they wave or at least lift a few fingers off the steering wheel in a sort of rural people's understanding that, even if we may not have met, we are neighbors. And it’s kind to wave to neighbors. Even if we aren’t actual neighbors, we’re neighbors in the sense that we share the community, we share the responsibility to care for it, for its children, for what is left of its fertile ground, for its economy, for our elderly, for our sick, for our young families because they are our future, and if we don’t know each other yet, it would be fine if someday soon, we did. This understanding is more than just a quaint “country-ism.” It is rooted in something very import-

ant and deep. It is rooted, perhaps in what we could most easily call love. It is rooted in love’s requirement that we step outside of our own manias and comforts for a second, even if it’s just to wave and acknowledge someone else on the road. Love might be the only thing that is powerful enough to override the fear that is being sown all around us every time we find ourselves sucked into the news and social media. It might be the only thing big enough to encourage us to turn off the screens and the noise and listen to that still small voice reminding us that actually, our particular loyalties to a politician, religion, or even a sports team, aren’t as important as someone’s hungry son or daughter, as someone’s suffering elderly parent, as a community ravaged by a tornado, as a neighbor who has lost a job or even as important as lifting a few fingers off of your steering wheel in that old country greeting when you’re driving through Owen County. v

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022 11

sweet owen + events

CALENDAR

"The promise of spring's arrival is enough to get anyone through the bitter winter." — Jen Selinsky

Have an event you'd like to share? Sweet Owen Magazine accepts event listings free of charge from civic groups, volunteer organizations, churches, clubs, etc. Send your event and a brief description to editor@sweetowenmag.com by 4 p.m., April 27, for the June 1-Aug. 31 issue.

Tuesday, March 1 10:30 a.m., Storytime at the Owen County Public Library — An

introduction to reading for preschoolers and their parents or caregivers. Activities include reading picture books, singing songs, and making a simple craft. Event repeats every Tuesday when school is in session.

Thursday, March 3 10 a.m., Yoga at the Owen County Public Library — Why not give yoga a try? This class is for all ability levels. We follow a video on the big screen. Wear comfortable clothing to participate. Event repeats every Thursday.

10:30 a.m., Storytime with the Owen County Mom Group — Join

the Owen County Mom Group at the Owenton First Baptist Church Family Life Center for a short story, small craft, and a lot of energy-burning fun. Event repeats every Thursday when school is in session.

11 a.m., Walk Away the Pounds at the Owen County Public Library —

Get up and get walking! Walk in place to the Leslie Sansone 30-minute walking video in the spacious meeting room. Event repeats every Thursday.

1 p.m., Homeschool Program at the Owen County Public Library — Come to the library and participate in a scavenger hunt, listen to book recommendations, and decorate your own drawstring bag. Event repeats the

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

p THE OWEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY offers a variety of programming throughout the year for both children and adults.

first Thursday of each month.

to be notified of venue.

selection is "The American Agent" by Jacqueline Winspear. Event repeats the first Friday of each month.

group of Bridge enthusiasts no matter your skill level. More experienced players will help new players along. Event repeats the second Tuesday of each month.

Friday, March 4 Noon, Books@Noon at the Owen County Public Library — This month's

1 p.m., Bridge at the Owen County Public Library — Join this informal

Monday, March 7 10 a.m., Stretch & Strengthen Exercise at the Owen County Public Library — Do you want to stretch and

Thursday, March 10 6-8 p.m., Mom Meet-Up at Elk Creek Winery — Join the Owen County Mom

strengthen for better health? Participate in all-standing exercises. Move every muscle to prevent muscle atrophy. Event repeats every Monday morning.

Tuesday, March 8 12:30 p.m., Owen County Retired Teachers Meeting — Items for

Meeting the Needs accepted; members

Group for a "low-key mama event" to meet other moms and participate in an optional craft. Expect a group of mamas, some who drink and some who don't, who are navigating motherhood. Event repeats on the second Thursday of each month.

6:30 p.m., Owen County Historical Society Meeting at the I.O.O.F. Lodge — Meetings begin with a period of fellowship and refreshments followed

by the program of the month at 7 p.m. The I.O.O.F. Lodge is located at 141 Seminary St.

Friday, March 11 2 p.m., Mystery Book Club at the Owen County Public Library — Event repeats the second Friday of each month.

Sunday, March 13 Daylight Saving Time begins — Set your clocks forward one hour!

Tuesday, March 15 6 p.m., Painting 101 at the Owen County Public Library — A good habit

for painters is to visualize subject matter as arrangements of basic geometric forms. To this end, we will paint a slice of cake that will make your mouth water. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Event repeats the third Tuesday of each month.

Wednesday, March 16 6 p.m., Homemaker Tea at the Owen County Extension Office —

Join the Owen County Homemakers for a special St. Patrick's Day-themed Homemaker Tea. Meet the new Owen County Extension Family and Consumer Science Agent Chelsea Young. In lieu of an event fee, bring a new kitchen item to help restock the office kitchen. Bring a friend and help the Owen County Homemakers increase membership!

Thursday, March 17 St. Patrick's Day Sunday, March 20 First day of spring Tuesday, March 22 6 p.m., Area Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association

Leadership Training at the Grant County Extension Office. Tuesday, March 29 8 a.m., Owen County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting —

Meetings are held virtually until further notice. Event repeats on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day — The John Guill-Polly Hawkins

Craig National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Chapter will honor veterans by spreading the word about National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Please take a few minutes and thank a Vietnam War veteran for their service to America.

Tuesday, April 5 EXPLORE with the Owen County Mom Group at the Pavilion in Georgetown — During school breaks

and in the summertime, the Owen County Mom Group hosts EXPLORE events geared toward a variety of ages. Locations and times will change depending on the activity. Some will stay local, some will travel a little.

Saturday, April 9 Spring Smash Demolition Derby at the Owen County Fairgrounds

— Hosted by Top Dog Promotions and the Owen County Fair Board. Find more information at www.facebook.com/ owencountykyfair. Rain date is April 16.

Tuesday, April 12 10 a.m., Technology Tips and Tricks Workshop at the Owen County Extension Office — Interested in

learning more about technology? This free workshop will teach easy tips and tricks. Bring your device and questions. Topics will include web browsers, email, security and passwords, smart phones

and settings, etc. RSVP by calling 502484-5703 by April 11. Event repeats Tuesday, April 19.

Saturday, April 16 11 a.m., Owen County StoryWalk and Community Easter Egg Hunt at the Owen County Fairgrounds — The Easter egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. and end when all the eggs are found. Following the egg hunt, stick around to get some exercise and enjoy the StoryWalk featuring "Too Many Carrots" by Katy Hudson. The StoryWalk will be on display for one week, April 16-23 (weather permitting). This event is sponsored by Three Rivers District Health Department, Owen County Schools, and the Owen County Public Library.

Sunday, April 17 Easter Thursday, April 21 10:30 a.m., Storytime Tales with Tilly and the Owen County Mom Group — Join the Owen County Mom Group at the Owenton First Baptist Church Family Life Center for a special Storytime Tales with Tilly.

Friday, April 29 Deadline to apply for the John Guill-Polly Hawkins Craig National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship — Applications may be obtained at the Owen County High School office.

Deadline to apply for the Owen County Arts Council Scholarship — Applications may be obtained at the Owen County High School office.

Sunday, May 8 Mother's Day

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

sweet owen + business

The new queens of clean

Mother-daughter duo carry on tradition of soap making founded by Sharon Lombardo BY MOLLY HAINES Sweet Owen Editor

Sharon Lombardo's initial vision for Anna's EsSCENTials Bodycare remains intact today thanks to its new owners, Denisa Rock and Rachel Ligon. The mother-daughter duo purchased the business, which specializes in handcrafted soap, from Lombardo in 2019. "Anna's EsSCENTials Bodycare began over 20 years ago when (Lombardo) started making soap out of her home in Owenton to combine her interests in natural remedies and art," Rock said. "(Lombardo) named it after her grandmother, Anna, an important and influential figure in her life. The handcrafted soaps became a staple of the Owenton community. As the new owners, we strive to carry on the exact recipes created by (Lombardo) and the memory of our grandmothers. For us, the long-held traditions of soap-making and exemplifying the strength and character of our matriarchy is the heart and soul of our women-led/owned company." Since purchasing the business, the duo has expanded to include a gallery in Key West, Florida, where Ligon, a professional photographer, resides. Ligon's association with Anna's EsSCENTials dates back to her teenage years when she worked local farm markets for Lombardo. "We love the soaps so much and thought it would be fun to have a soap business as a mother-daughter

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

p DENISA ROCK and RACHEL LIGON purchased Anna's EsSCENTials Bodycare, which specializes in handcrafted soaps, from Sharon Lombardo in 2019. Since then, the mother-daughter duo has expanded the business to include a gallery in Key West, Florida, where Ligon resides. The duo's products may be found at various locations in Owen and Franklin counties. — Photo by Molly Haines/ Sweet Owen Editor and Submitted

team," Rock added. "At the time of purchase, we were both living in Key West. Rachel had a studio there making soaps, and we were going to various local markets, which was a big hit. Patty Petzinger worked with us making soap in the Owenton studio. In the spring, we continued with the Kentucky markets. Patty has been a longtime friend of ours, as well as Sharon's, and is quite a good soap

maker. Rachel now has a gallery in Key West — Key West Collective — where Anna's products and soaps are available for the locals who love it, as well as the tourists." The business continues to thrive locally, with the duo receiving praise from the community for continuing to use Lombardo's recipes and many of the products she created. Although Ligon had the upper

hand, having worked with Lombardo, the venture proved a challenging yet rewarding experience for Rock. "I did not realize the demanding work that is required to do the markets," Rock said. "The past two years have been a positive and fun experience for us, and we will continue to do the markets in 2022. We enjoy meeting different people at the markets from all over that are just passing through and having them purchase our products to take back home. We also love seeing and talking with our locals who stop by for frequent purchases and have made many new friends with other vendors at the markets." Like many small-business owners, the duo has grappled with the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, having purchased the business mere weeks before shutdowns and restrictions were put in place. "Our first year of business was during the worst of (the pandemic) with lots of changes going on in the business world," Rock said. "We missed a lot of the markets and festivals the first year because they were canceled. On a positive note, our Healthy Hands soap was created at the beginning of the pandemic and has been a best seller. It's made with Four Thieves essential oil, known to protect against viruses and bacteria." Owning a small business, according to Rock, is more than just making and selling soap, noting the neverending behind-the-scenes work it takes to keep things afloat. But Rock and Ligon both agree the hard work is worth it when customers come calling for more. "The most gratifying (part of owning a small business) has been having past customers give such positive feedback by telling us they wouldn't use anything else and meet-

p RACHEL LIGON and DENISA ROCK at the recently renovated Anna's EsSCENTials Bodycare studio, located on Owenton's West Bryan Street. The mother-daughter duo held a successful open house at the location in December. — Photo by Molly Haines/Sweet Owen Editor

ing new customers who love our soaps just as much," Rock said. "It's also very gratifying to make a wonderful, handcrafted product to sell and have fun while doing it." Anna's EsSCENTials Bodycare products are currently sold online at www.annas-soaps.com. Free delivery is available anywhere in Owen County. Shipping is available anywhere in the U.S. Locally, Anna's

products may be purchased at the Owen County Visitor Center & Gift Shop, Elk Creek Hunt Club, and at Frankfort's Completely Kentucky. Anna's EsSCENTials Bodycare may also be found at the Owen County Farm & Craft Market beginning in May, and at the Franklin County Farmers Market beginning in April. For more information, visit www. annas-soaps.com. v

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

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5728 Smithfield Rd. Smithfield, KY 40068 | (502) 845-7682 sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022 Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

sweet owen + downtown

appy spring, and thank you to everyone who has helped us get to where we are. Since taking possession of the "Old Rexall Building," as it has been sentimentally dubbed, we have made significant progress. With the help of some fantastic volunteers and donations, we have removed seven dump truck loads of trash and construction debris, removed many of the interior walls, and raised enough funds to replace the large plate glass window in the front. We have also identified some areas that are not as bad as we initially thought. And of course, we found some areas that were worse for the wear. Downtown Owenton Revival contracted with Woods Steelworks in Monterey to install a new stairwell security gate to secure the building further and cover all the open windows. On Dec. 4, 2021, we were fortunate to participate in the Owenton Christmas Parade, where we hosted S'mores and More in the alley. We hoped to showcase how the alleyway could be used for events and activities. There were seating areas where guests could roast marshmallows and enjoy cider and hot chocolate under the string lights. Many great stories were told that day by people who worked and shopped there, which drove home the importance of saving the Rexall. Hopefully, by the time of this

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p KIDS OF ALL AGES enjoyed the S'mores and More event, held Dec. 4, 2021, by Downtown Owenton Revival in the alleyway adjacent to the "Old Rexall Building" on West Seminary Street. — Photo by Whitney Prather Duvall

publication, we will have begun work on removing, storing, and restoring built-in shelving and replacing the floor. There are also plans to further shore up the upper level and begin cleanup of that area, allowing better assessments to be made. Many thank yous are due to the businesses and individuals who have helped. We can't wait to continue our work. If you are interested in our project, there are many ways to assist: follow us on

social media at facebook.com/ downtownowenton. We are always looking for people with skilled trade talents (carpenter, concrete, mason, etc.). Join us for a workday, share your story of the Rexall, or make a tax-deductible monetary contribution to Downtown Owenton Revival, P.O. Box 474, Owenton, KY 40359. Best wishes, Jenni Duncan, Committee Chair Downtown Owenton Revival

sweet owen + hospitality

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

sweet owen + arts

From Eagle Creek and beyond Georgia Green-Stamper returns home in latest collection of essays, 'Small Acreages' BY MOLLY HAINES Sweet Owen Editor

The great American novelist Willa Cather once said, "Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of 15." Perhaps no one understands this better than renowned author and Owen County native, Georgia Green-Stamper, whose third book of essays is set for release this spring. A seventh-generation Kentuckian, Georgia grew up on an Owen County tobacco farm that has belonged to one member or another of her family for nearly two centuries. Although she now resides in Lexington, her upbringing continues to play a major role in her creative work. "I never left Owen County, or perhaps more accurately, it never left me," she said. "I carried it with me. My understanding of what it means to be a decent human being, living a functional, productive life in harmony with others and with nature, while remaining true to oneself was formed by the values I absorbed from my family and neighbors in Owen County." Although writing was her youthful ambition, she did not begin writing seriously until late mid-life, when she says she finally "ran out of excuses not to." She credits her beginning to the encouragement she received from the writing community at Lexington's Carnegie Center for Learning and Literacy. She found additional ongoing support at the

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

Appalachian Writers Workshop at Hindman Settlement School. In the years since, her work has been published in numerous literary journals and anthologies and appears regularly as the back page essay in Kentucky Humanities magazine. Her first two books, "You Can Go Anywhere From the Crossroads of the World," released in 2008, and "Butter In the Morning," 2012, have been hailed by both literary critics and famous authors. In his review of "You Can Go Anywhere From the Crossroads of the World," best-selling author and fellow Kentuckian Silas House writes, "Georgia Green-Stamper's essays do that most important thing that only the most accomplished writers are sometimes lucky to do: capture and preserve a place, a time, and its people." Her upcoming release, "Small Acreages," further cements this preservation with a return to meandering Eagle Creek and its colorful characters, but her voice has both deepened with time and widened to include her journey beyond Owen County's Natlee community. Many of the essays are reflective – or as Georgia phrases it – she hopes "to add a handful of words to the ongoing conversation about what it means to be human." The essays included in "Small Acreages" were developed over a period of many years, the majority of them new to Georgia's faithful readers. A handful she pulled forward and revised from her first two collections, including an essay expanding on the life of James Herndon, who in

p GEORGIA GREEN-STAMPER

1850, was the second-largest slave owner in Owen County, and found himself entangled in numerous lawsuits near the end of his life in order to free his slaves. "In that essay, I've expanded greatly on earlier versions and done additional research," Georgia said. "That's a pretty long essay. (Other essays that repeat) is the essay about my father's death because it has proved to be one of the strongest I've written, and it filled in a gap in the narrative. I've pulled forward the piece about Natlee again because it helped explain place in a section of the book." In her first two collections, Georgia examines the particulars of human experiences and continues to expound on subjects such as grief and young love in “Small Acreages.” “While the details of our experiences will differ, they really don’t differ that much. Death, death of a beloved family member — the details will differ, of how and when it

happened, but the emotions are the same, the emotions are universal.” "Small Acreages" borrows its title from one of Kentucky's most famous authors and activists, Wendell Berry: ". . . it may be that our marriages, kinships, friendships, neighborhoods, and all our forms and acts of homemaking are the rites by which we solemnize and enact our union with the universe. These are practical, proper, available to everybody, and they can provide for the safekeeping of the small acreages of the universe that have been entrusted to us." Although Georgia hasn't lived in Owen County since 1967, she continues this practice of safekeeping by introducing the characters of her upbringing to a whole

". . . it may be that our marriages, kinships, friendships, neighborhoods, and all our forms and acts of homemaking are the rites by which we solemnize and enact our union with the universe. These are practical, proper, available to everybody, and they can provide for the safekeeping of the small acreages of the universe that have been entrusted to us." — Wendell Berry new generation of Kentuckians. "I've had a sense that my people, my corner of Kentucky and the world, have been ignored in the world of letters, forgotten, or at best, trivialized," she said. "I have felt that the stories of the magnificent lives of the 'ex-

traordinary ordinary' people who populated my young world deserve to be remembered, recognized, and shared with others." For details on the release of "Small Acreages," visit www.facebook.com/ butterinthemorning. v

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In addition to thousands of books, your Owen County Public Library gives you access to DVDs and audiobooks. Instantly borrow free digital movies, music, magazines, TV shows, eBooks and more with Hoopla and Libby. Plus, borrow audiobooks using OverDrive on your PC. Additional no-card-necessary services: Computer access, free Wi-Fi-, printing/copying, faxing, scanning to email, laminating, notary services 1370 Hwy. 22 E., Owenton, KY 40359 | (502) 484-3450

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sweet owen + reads

Spring into a

good book

Owen County Public Library’s Becky Doolin shares her top-four books to read this spring. Drop us a line at editor@sweetowenmag.com and let us know your favorite.

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber “is an enchanting gem of a novel, brimming with charming characters, heartwarming connections, old secrets, and a southern setting that makes you want to move there. As refreshing as a glass of blackberry tea, this is truly magical realism at its best.” — Karen White, New York Times bestselling author

Brothers Ron Howard (of Andy Griffith Show fame) and Clint Howard come together in The Boys, chronicling their early careers and adventures — “a fascinating dual autobiography… Candid, humorous and entertaining, this intimate account will be a hit with the brothers’ fans.” — Publisher's Weekly

In The Heirloom Garden, Viola Shipman “navigates real and substantial issues of grief, pain and healing through a lively and engaging story that exquisitely balances those deep and serious themes with the everemerging beauty that gardeners may know best, but is freely shared with all who care to stop, look, smell and listen with an open heart.” — Pauline Finch In The Best Cook in the World, Rick Bragg "finally preserves his heritage by telling the stories that framed his mother’s cooking and education, from childhood into old age. Because good food always has a good story, and a recipe, writes Bragg, is a story like anything else."

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022 23

sweet owen + eats

House of McNally THIS RECIPE IS SPECIAL TO MY FAMILY BECAUSE MY MAMA, PATTY GREENE, KEPT IT IN ROTATION GROWING UP. It’s not your basic baked spaghetti. Sometimes we underestimate how powerful food is and what memories it brings. Our company always ends up in the kitchen, sharing a big meal and even bigger stories while laughing, sometimes crying, but it's always time well spent. Make your own version this week, and invite someone over that’s been on your mind. You won’t regret it.

Pizzaghetti 1 lb. ground beef 1 lb. thin spaghetti noodles, cooked using directions on box 1 10.5 oz. can cream of mushroom soup 1 10.5 oz. can condensed tomato soup 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup diced onion

2 cloves fresh garlic (pressed or chopped) Pizza toppings of choice such as mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, pepperoni and tomatoes 1 tbsp. garlic powder 1 tbsp. onion powder 1 tbsp. chili powder 1/2 tsp. sea salt

Saute onion with garlic in olive oil, add ground beef and spices and crumble while browning. In a large mixing bowl, add soups, 1 cup of cheese, and cooked beef mixture. In a 9x13 baking dish add filling and cooked noodles and mix until incorporated. Sprinkle remaining cheese and top with pepperoni. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes; remove foil and bake until cheese is golden brown and dish is bubbly. Let rest for 20 minutes before cutting the perfect piece.

u LYNDSI MCNALLY is a resident of Owen County, wife, and mother of two boys. She makes her living as a Family Support Worker for HANDS at the Three Rivers District Health Department and often entertains her hundreds of Facebook followers by sharing photos of home-cooked meals.

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

sweet owen + friends of animals

Find your 'Furever Friend' 2021 Chevrolet Colorado

This handsome 5-year-old cattle dog mix is the longest resident of the Owen County Animal Shelter. He was

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found living in a filthy outdoor kennel with another dog. Initially, both dogs were scared of everything and everyone, but after some TLC, they quickly learned to trust humans and

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gain confidence. The other dog left for a rescue in late May 2021, but

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Jensen has yet to find his forever home or a rescue able to take him in. 2022 Chevrolet Silverado

Age: 5 years Life with Jenson: Jenson would more than likely adjust to living with the right female dog if introduced slowly and properly (as all dogs should be). He is a high-energy boy that would love to have access to plenty of exercise, but he is also a snuggler when it’s time to relax. Jensen would be the perfect companion for an active family. Ready to meet Jenson? Call Elizabeth at (502) 750-1673 or text

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sweet owen + service

Introducing. . .

1st Sgt. Joel Clark Editor’s Note: This featured story is the final in a two-part series honoring the service of two Owen County veterans — Joel “Joe” and Jean Clark. Their stories represent the many veterans in our community who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. BY MARLENE BROWNING-WAINSCOTT

Before calling Owen County home, Joel “Joe” Clark served in the U.S. Marines for 22 years and retired as a first sergeant. Becoming a Marine Clark enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1964. "I remember in my hometown, the National Guard was leaving to go to two-weeks training,” Clark recalled. “I said to my Mom, 'Why is everybody crying?' She replied that it was only two years ago that they were leaving for real to go to Korea. And I said, 'Well, someday it will be my turn.' For people in my generation, it was expected of you to be in the military. It wasn’t a choice if I was going to join; the only choice was which branch.” Joe completed recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, Infantry Regiment Training, and Sea School. First Tour – USS Yorktown Clark’s first tour was as a seagoing Marine aboard USS Yorktown from 1965-1967. “It was a traditional post for Marines to serve as part of the crew in the warships of the U.S. Navy,” Clark said. “I had several duties, includ-

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

ing guarding the captain, stationed as a sharpshooter, manning the gun mount, guarding weapons, and many other practical duties.” During his time on the USS Yorktown, they were sent to Vietnam twice and went to “General Quarters” twice, which meant the ship and crew should be ready for imminent action. Second Tour – 1st Recon Battalion – Vietnam 1967-1968 “I had decided to go back to Vietnam, submitted a request, and joined the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion as a member of ground forces. Our mission was to provide task-organized forces to conduct missions such as ground reconnaissance, mapping operations, and specialized insertion and extraction," Clark recalled. "We worked in teams of five to 10 Marines in the Da Nang area. Small teams were necessary due to the layout in the jungle and were less likely to be seen. We would go in for five days because that was how much water and food we could carry and were inserted and extracted by helicopter." The jungle was thick, and the North Viet Army (NVA) were scattered throughout the jungle; as a result, the teams could not risk doing anything that would

compromise their position. “We always stayed together and when we were moving in the jungle, the 'rear-end Charlie' would fold the brush back to conceal our path. There were no 'friendlies' in that area to reduce the risk of friendly fire due to the extensive thick brush. We were in an area alone.” The jungle itself posed many challenges; however, the risk of being discovered by the enemy was greater. “The missions were difficult," Clark continued. "NVAs knew the terrain, which gave them a tactical advantage and made it critical always to be aware of the surroundings. Most of the time, we were a stingray team which meant that we were in pursuit of them. However, during one mission, we ran for three days because we were being pursued. We would stop and rest in a kneeled position. If a buddy would fall over, that was it; we would get up and start moving again, trying not to establish a pattern in our movement. We would use various methods to deter them, including the use of the 'Hellbox,' which was attached to a 72-footlong wire. In the jungle, sound and smell were your greatest senses. There were many times that you couldn’t see but a few feet ahead of you. It would often take three to four hours to move the length of a

football field to reduce noise. You took your time, walked, ran, and even crawled when you needed to.” During his time in Vietnam, Clark completed 12 long-range reconnaissance missions in deep enemy territory. On the night of July 8, 1968, his team was surrounded by enemy forces. “The team came under intense attack. We had five wounded guys out of eight," he recalled. "The world was coming to an end. The radio was blown up, and we were way out beyond artillery support. We had got off a transmission before the radio was destroyed. The assistant team leader was badly wounded, and we needed a plan. I had taken another radio that had a homing device that you could engage; however, no other aircraft can transmit until they are directly above you. You have to hear them coming over and transmit at that moment. It was the only way we survived.” For the actions performed that night as team leader, Clark received the Navy Commendation Medal. “We were extracted and went to Charlie Med to drop off the wounded and make sure they were OK. Then, I returned to base camp (Hill 327-First Marine Division Headquarters) and found my brother there waiting for me.” Brothers in Arms I didn’t know it at the time, but my brother decided that he would join the Marines to find me in Vietnam," Clark said. "He served in another unit over 15 miles away and had hitchhiked over on a helicopter. “He had no idea the day he came to Freedom Hill that he would find my unit gearing up teams to come rescue us. My brother walked up and said, 'Do you guys know Sergeant Clark?'

They replied, 'Yes, that is him on the radio trying to get out.' He wanted to join the rescue effort, but they wouldn’t let him. He heard the pilots saying that one of the aircraft trying to recover my team and me had been shot. It wasn’t badly damaged, but they said they could try one more time before they ran out of fuel. They made the last trip around, and we were rescued. We were so thankful. I got off the helicopter when I returned to base camp, and there stood my brother."

p JOEL "JOE" CLARK'S service in the U.S. Marines included time as a drill instructor in California. (Submitted photo)

'Back In the World' “In Vietnam, soldiers referred to the states as 'Back In the World.' We were living an entirely different life over there that no one here really knew about. We came to a place where no one was concerned with what was happening to us across the world. It was kind of a kick,” Clark recalled. When returning to the states, there was no transition from the daily life or death experiences

that soldiers endured for months on end. They came back from a place where getting ready for the day meant a base layer of fatigues covered in grenades, guns, and gear that gave them a fighting chance to survive; a place where people that they had only known for a few months or few days became the people that they trusted with their memories, their pain, and their life. They came back to a place that felt like home, but it had changed. They had changed. “Those friends you make, I still have many of them today," Clark said. "I feel like knowing your job as a Marine became more complete after being in combat. It is something you never forget.” During his career, Clark also served as a recruiter with Fleet Marine Force, Okinawa, Japan, as a drill instructor (DI) and DI school instructor, on the inspector-instructor staff in California. He retired in 1986 after 22 years of service. He received the Navy Commendation Media with Combat “V,” National Defense Service medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Naval Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Citations—Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citations Gallantry Cross with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal 5th Award, and Combat Action Ribbon. v Writer’s Note: To Joe Clark and the many others that have experienced combat, I know that your life was forever changed by your service, and we can never repay that debt. While the simple words, “thank you,” will never feel like enough for everything you endured, I want you to know that I say the words with the utmost respect, humility, and with a grateful heart.

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022 29

sweet owen + parenting

Staying home for the kids

Could spending more time at home with your kids be an overlooked parenting tip? BY SHELBY CARTER

p SHELBY CARTER, pictured above with her husband, Nicholas, and their three sons, Carson, Cooper and Campbell, is a lifelong resident of Owen County. She enjoys writing in her spare time. — Photo courtesy of J Kathryn Photography

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

tell my three boys regularly that “every day is not an adventure.” They have the biggest case of the go’s and do’s I've ever seen. They don’t necessarily want to do anything elaborate. They like to play outside, ride bikes, ride four-wheelers, go to the creek, play gun wars, and play video games. You know, all the boy things. But sometimes, this mom is tired, and their requests are more than the normal. They often want to go somewhere or do something because they are bored. Can we be real for a minute? I want to normalize parenting like it was back in the “'19s,” as my kids refer to it. I want my kids to play and use their imagination, so I don't have to entertain them every single minute. You know, like when I was growing up! With each passing year and with each invention or new piece of technology, kids are no longer able to be kids. They don’t get to experience things like we did, much less as our parents or grandparents did. They must grow up and grow up fast to keep up. If you don’t provide them with the newest technology, they will be behind, even in their first year of school, where Chromebooks and tablets are standard. So, what do we do? Everyone can agree that parenting is hard, but where can we turn for the best advice?

Support? Judgement-free parenting? Our parents and grandparents obviously raised kids, but our kids are different. Sure, you have the same basic principles that still can be taken away from their forms of parenting in terms of how to feed them, schedules, religion, family traditions, discipline, etc. Or can we? Everywhere we look, someone is telling us we're doing it all wrong. Every bit of it. Type the words “successful parenting tips" into any social media platform, internet browser, YouTube, or Pinterest, you name it, and tell me you don’t feel like a failure when the results come up. You will learn that feeding organically is the right option on one search. Breastfed babies are the healthiest on the next. If you formula-fed, your kids are doomed on page three. If you don’t spend 15 minutes of quality time a day with each of your kids, they will have a mental illness; that can be found on page 17. If you follow what your parents have told you is correct, and you give your baby Kayro syrup in their bottle for constipation, you have probably just created a food allergy (that article was interesting). You must take your kids to these 100 places by the time they enter school. You get my point? Who can live up to these expectations and still function day in and day out? With three kids, boys at that, I am winning when everyone has a bath, during which they use soap and have brushed their teeth with toothpaste two days in a row. Do you remember when you were little? You could play outside, and no one really “watched” you. You would dig in the dirt, jump in mud puddles, play tag, jump rope, ride bikes, run around like crazy, and you were having fun. We didn’t have YouTube that taught you that every time you went to the store, you would get a prize,

and then the unboxing of the prize would be just as elaborate as the purchase. When you got home with said prize, your mom and dad would then play with you and the prize for hours, along with all your other toys. When you and I would get a prize, you would open it in the car and then play with it when you got home, by yourself, because it was new, and you didn’t want anyone else to touch it. You did this while your mom was cooking supper, and your dad wasn’t home from work yet. Nothing elaborate unless your imagination led it to be that way. See the difference? How do we get back there? Am I the only one who wants us to get back there? This idea of childhood didn’t start plaguing me until the dreaded pandemic. We were “stuck” at home with our kids for 74,000 days, and they were bored within two hours. My children, like most, have everything they could ever want, and they were bored. I didn’t understand. But do you want the truth? I was bored too. We live in a society where it isn’t just our kids that think we must be on the go all the time. We live in a world that tells us that we must be “doing” to succeed. To get back to the old days, where kids could be kids, we must create calm and contentment within our homes. We must enjoy being home. I want to challenge you, as well as myself. I want you to enjoy being home. I want you to eat supper around your own table with food you prepared while having a conversation with your family. I want you to have a technology-free period built into your day. I want you to pick up a book and read it. I want your adventure to be loving on your family from your home. Let’s see how this small change can have a massive impact on our kids. v

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sweet owen + tobacco heritage

Tobacco Heritage Trail In an effort to preserve the history of what was once the livelihood of many Kentuckians, four volunteers — Joy Bourne Morgan, Harold Malcomb, Frieda Smith, and Elizabeth Prewitt — came together to form the Tobacco Heritage Trail in 2009. The trail consists of eight murals placed on barns alongside prominent roadways to depict the process of raising tobacco. To accompany the murals, the group worked tirelessly interviewing local farmers on each of the processes. The audio interviews can be found at visitowencountyky.org/barn-murals. Sweet Owen Magazine will feature each of the murals throughout its upcoming issues, beginning with "Growing Plants" and "Tobacco Setting."

p GROWING PLANTS is the first step in the production of tobacco. This mural features three framed images to describe the process. Burning plant beds was done in the spring to prepare the beds to sow the tobacco seeds that would grow into plants. Pulling plants was a dreaded job as it required sitting on a narrow board across the plant bed to pull weeds and then plants that would be set in the field. Plant beds were covered with canvas to protect the plants. Float beds began in the late 1990s by growing plants in a greenhouse in plastic trays. Plants are transported in the trays to the field for planting. This mural is located on U.S. Highway 127 South in Monterey, next to the Monterey Cemetery.

t TOBACCO SETTING is mural No. 2 in the production of tobacco and features four vignettes showing the progression through the years of setting of tobacco. “Setting by the Season” was done by placing the plant in the ground with your fingers or a wooden peg. “Setting with Hand-Held Jobber” required two people; one to operate the jobber and one to place the plant in the jobber. “Horse Drawn Setter” was much improved, but short on comfort as the workers were dragged along the ground. “Setting with the Tractor” increased productivity and speed of setting. It is still done today, usually with four or more workers instead of two. This mural is located about 8 miles north of Owenton on U.S. Highway 127 North.

DID YOU KNOW? The Owen County Visitor Center & Gift Shop, located at 300 S. Main St., Owenton, carries Tobacco Heritage Trail T-shirts, with all proceeds going to assist in maintaining the murals!

sweetowenmag.com + spring 2022

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