Kentucky River Soundings - March 1979

Vol V, No. 2

March 1979

THE POTBELLIED STO VE I STAND HERE STAID, STABLE, SOLID IN MY BOX OF SAND TO CATCH A STRAY SPARK; MY HUDDLING BROOD, THROUGH THE COLD WINTER, GAVE ME HERE AND THERE A LITTLE MARK. MY AUTUMN S COAT OF FRESH STOVEBLACK NOW FADED AND BROWNED WITH WINTER HEAT; BUT FVE DONE MY DUTY AGAIN, AND AT MY AGE, THAT'S NO MEAN FEAT. AHH, THE HAND-LAUNDERED CLOTHES I'VE DRIED THIS YEAR, HUNG OVER AND ROUND ME; I'VE STRUGGLED HARD TO WARM THE WHOLE CABIN, BUT IT'S A BIG JOB YOU SEE. AND THE FRAIL BODIES I’VE WARMED' CROWING ME AND CRUNCHING THEIR PONE; BUT NOW SPRING IS ACOMING, I'M NOT NEEDED SO MUCH, AND WILL SOON BE GONE. 0H ' NQT GONE FOR GOQ]{), CAST A W A l | | ^ ^ ^UNDLED INTO THE TRASH ALONG THE CREEK; THEY NEED THE SPACE YOU SEE, AND I U p f l *STAND, I'LL GO, EVER SO MEEK. I'LL BE NEEDED AGAIN, SO FOR NOWfETlL SOON BE OUT TO REST IN THE SHED; THE SHED’S ALRIGHT; THOUGH LONELY ' ’HERE, BUT A GOOD ROOF OVERHEAD. YES, THEY'LL NEED THE SPACE NOW, THI LSXfcUGGLING FAMILY OF EIGHT; BUT, NEXT FALL, I’LL BE BACK IN AGAIN, WIT 3 ANOTHER MAKESHIFT GRATE. MORE ROOM, ESPECIALLY PRACTICE WAIjKING ROOM FOR THE NEW LITTLE TOT; BUT I'LL BE BACK AGAIN, SURE

, 'CAUSE I ’M ALL THEY'VE GOT.

From t h e

E d i t o r ’s Desk

In riding through Appalachia, following the winding two-lane roads which follow - in turn - the river and creek valleys for the most part, one is reminded of a book that came out in the late fifties or early sixties. Pockets o f Poverty, I believe it was called. The author, ^^som ething of a sociologist, noted ^ how one could go only a few miles, z&ar] at times, a few city blocks, and pass from a fairly affluent neighbor­ hood into a “poverty pocket.” He v felt that the story of economic distress in our country was not one of whole areas, or entire regions, but was rather reflected by these “pockets of poverty.” This seems so descriptive of much of Appala­ chia. As your vehicle winds along the valley road, or up the hairpin series of curves necessary to traverse a ridgeline before settling down into another valley on the other side, you can see this patchwork pattern o f economic condition pass by. It's much easier to notice it if you are fortunate enough to be a pas­ senger rather than a driver, and safer, too, on these roads. There are nice, modern brick homes, well maintained and prosperous looking frame dwellings, and, occasionally, even a palatial looking structure with finely landscaped grounds around it. There are also, inter­ spersed with these, the tiny, cabin­ like structures with wood stacked on the porch and maybe a pile of lump coal to one side. Some of these small homes are neatly kept, well maintained, t and you may be assured their owners or renters are as proud of them as the occupant of that palace you passed a half 2

mile or so back. But their con­ ditions are, quite,obviously, much, much more modest. Some of the smaller dwellings are not so well kept, perhaps be­ cause the residents are older now and unable to attend to things, or perhaps because they are too busy just making ends meet to attend to domestic things carefully. This exposure will give one a fair idea of the idea of “pockets of poverty,” but an even more graphic view is to be had by turning o ff that main road and heading, literally, back into the hills. One has to be sure of their vehicle to do this, however, for it is pretty much a sure bet that the poorer the road, the poorer the people y o u ’ll find living along it. This is not always the case, surely, but is a pretty sound generalization. Some of our more affluent brothers and sisters do want “to get away from it all,” but for most of them that means no farther than the well traveled, and well maintained, valley road. It is quite possible, in suddenly leaving that main road, to almost enter a time-machine and go back into the 19 th century in many respects. A t least back into the 1920's or 30's by the general stan­ dard of living in the U.S. today. No electricity, for example; not at all uncommon o ff the beaten track, along with no indoor plumbing, no central heat, and therefore no bath­ room, no dishwasher, no washer, no dryer, etc., etc., etc. But, there are people, and families, and chil­ dren, and hopes, aspirations, and desires. One must, at times, strive hard to look beyond the material things to see them, but they are

there, those hopes, aspirations, and desires. They are not necessarily dormant, only latent, and need but a little lift to bring them forth in real strength. But to fin d them, one must get off the beaten track, and to lift them one must see beyond the material things. Jack Little Soundings Editor Christian Appalachian Project Lancaster, Kentucky 40446 IN THIS ISSUE: Solar Heated House in Appalachia p. 3 A Time to Remember

p. 5

B.J.'s Bishops

p. 6

When Grandpa Courted Grandma

p. 8

Programs for Y outh

P-9

Family Life Center

p. 11

Cliffview Lodge

p. 12

K e n t u c k y R iv e r

H

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A p p a la c h ia n M o n th ly

THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE CHRISTIAN APPALACHIAN PROJECT “Chief Editor - Reverend Beiting” Editor - Jack Little Production - Alton Bradley Typesetting - Jean Brown Kentucky River Soundings is published monthly b y the Christian Appalachian Project Kentucky River Soundings Lancaster, Kentucky 40446 Manuscripts, photographs and art work limited to Appalachian themes are invited. Copyright 1978, The Christian Appalachian Project, All Rights Reserved.

Solar

He a t e d

Ho u s e in A p p a l a c h i a The solarium, where solar heat is collected after passing through glass panes and one layer of transparent plastic to prevent condensation.

|Y, Heat is ducted down under house by electric blower system.

Heat is dissipated among rocks, held by them, ducted up through floor vents to provide heat for house as needed.

Number two limestone is heaped over a row of cement blocks s e t.. edge-to-edge on end, forming two | hollow tunnels inside of rock pile, l:.

Si d e

View SOLAR HOUSE IN JACKSON COUNTY Since the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973-74, and the rapidly escalat­ ing cost of gasoline and a number of other petroleum-base products that followed, there has been increasing speculation, research, experimenta­ tion, and interest in solar energy to take up the slack. This was further accelerated a year or so ago when the current administration in Wash­ ington actually forecast that world petroleum reserves would soon be exhausted and an alternative was absolutely necessary. Now, with the crisis in Iran and a probable or possible cutoff of the supply we obtain from that country, whether it ends up an Islamic Republic or Soviet Satellite, the search becomes even more imperative. 3

Quietly, without any great fan­ fare or national TV coverage, but surely and practically , the Kentucky Mountain Housing Company has been proceeding toward solution of this problem. This company specializes in low-cost housing in Appalachia and is assisted by CAP financially on a monthly basis. Some of their workers, in fact, gained early experience in CAP construction projects. The solar heated house illustrated here was built by this company and we visited it late last month. It is now complete and, we understand, has been purchased and will soon be occupied by the family that has bought it. The house itself is one of a basic design the company uses to keep costs within reasonable reach o f Appalachian families. The addi­ tional materials used to provide for solar heat, both space and domestic hot water heating, increased overall cost by only about $4000.00. There would also be some additional labor costs incident to installing the solar equipment. We were informed that the material costs would be con­ siderably less than that figure, except that only a limited number of companies manufacture certain of the sensitive devices needed. Once production of such devices becomes more largescale, cost of individual items will be less as will overall material cost. A simple wall-mount­ ed thermostat, for example, which must be two-staged to switch from solar to conventional or back to solar heat, depending on the whims of the atmosphere, cost over $100.00. It is made by only one company. I f mass produced, and competitively marketed, that cost could probably be reduced by half. The principles involved are really quite simple. Black, especially flat-black, colors absorb heat from the sun's rays better than any other color. People hereabouts have known that for many, many years. Tobacco sheds and barns are painted black to better absorb heat and cure the hung tobacco leaves out faster, and have been so painted or charred for well over a century. It is a principle o f solar energy that even 4

Daniel Boone was probably aware o f in his day. All interior surfaces of what we call the solarium are thus painted flat black. Solarium is actually a Latin word which was used by the Romans 2000 years ago to describe their use of solar energy. It means, quite literally, "sun-room.” As in the illustration, the solarium is added to the roof of the basic house structure oriented at a proper angle depending on geographical latitude toward the south. This insures that maximum solar exposure is gained for the multiple panes of clear glass. The rays of the sun pass through this glass, and through another layer of transparent plastic stapled on the inside of the two-by-six inch frame­ work which supports the glass panes. The plastic prevents condensation from forming on the underside of the glass and obscuring part of the sunlight. Then, hitting the flatblack painted interior of the so­ larium, the sunlight is absorbed and held there. Workers who showed us around the house said that on a clear day, even with sub-freezing temperatures outside, the heat in the solarium is unbearable and can reach 150 or 160 degrees FarenheitU Centered in the solarium, and to its rear, is a simple wood-framed and insulated down-vent which uses an electric blower to suck the heated air down through a metal duct into a subflbor chamber. Also, a circulatory length of copper pipe, with flanges running along it, ab­ sorbs heat to provide domestic hot water for the house. Though the hot water system may not bring temperatures up to that needed for baths, dishes, etc,, it will undoubt­ edly- heat the water sufficiently so that only a fraction of conventional power is necessary to finish the heating process. Always with any solar heating design, especially in the high power­ ed and expensive research projects into this energy area, much concern is given to storing the heat. This is certainly a legitimate concern, because the sun will only shine about half out of any 24-hour period and then only if the sky is

relatively clear. The Kentucky Mountain Housing Company dealt with this issue in a very simple, but practical, manner. As in the ^ illustration,cement blocks are placed H P in a long row against one another, and on end. This causes the double holes in conventional cement blocks to line up, forming two hollow tunnels through which the solar heated air is ducted by the blower system. Over and around these cement block tunnels, number two limestone is piled. The odd and erregular shape of the limestone forms many, many crevices and en­ closed spaces into which the heat from the cement block tunnels is dissipated. The limestone absorbs the heat while the sun is shining, holds it, and dissipates it gradually into a duct system that vents into the floor o f the house. The construction workers told us that with one good, clear day for the solar system to work at full capacity, it stores enough heat to last for two more days even if the sun does not shine again. They also said that the original design was to cut conventional heat costs by 40 to 50 percent, but they believe that it is working, this winter, at 70 to 80 percent. That is, the entire house is being heated between 70 and 80 percent of the time by the effect of the sun. When the solar system allows the inside tem­ perature of the house to drop below about 65 or 66 degrees, then an electric heating system automatically switches on to bring it back up to 70 degrees. To be absolutely sure of the accuracy of these figures, heating costs are being compared to another house - o f exactly the same design minus the solar system - which is located within fifty feet of this structure. Both electric meters were zeroed, and cummulative read­ ings can be compared to obtain an exact estimate of how much the solar system is saving. Also, sep­ arate meters are used for heating,/the electrical blower system, o th erH P electrical systems, and the hot water heater. A glance at the meter which records electrical power used

in the blower system which draws the solar heated air down through the rock pile and into the house shows that it uses only a tiny fraction of a typical monthly light bill. I In the heat of the summer, there are a number of places inside the solarium where sponge-rubber insulating materials can be remov­ ed and allow stored up heat to be released. It may also be necessary to place a reflective panel, or panels,

A

Ti me

CHILDREN ARE THE FUNNIEST PEOPLE No remembrance of the moun­ tains would be complete without a section on children. When I was holding services at St. Therese on Contrary Creek in Lee County, children were brought by their par­ ents to church just as naturally as anyone can imagine. They came from almost the day they were born until they were old enough to care and fend for themselves. In those early days, Mass was said with the priest's back to the people and he had no idea what was going on in the congregation. Ex­ cept, of course, during the time when the homily was preached or those rare occasions when he turned around with the greetings “Dominus Vobiscum. ” It was during one of these old Latin Masses that one of the children in the congregation began offering considerable opposition to the pray­ ers and readings that were going on. The little fellow was crying with a great deal of fervor. I could hear the normal “Shh!! Shh!! " in trying to keep him quiet and other muffled sounds which apparently were having no success whatsoever. Suddenly, there was complete and total silence. Almost as i f some great sound Carrier had been lowered. I could rnot help but wonder what mirac­

¡

over the glass panes to prevent their continued functioning and unwanted heating up of that part of the roof. These, however,, would be very minor and inexpensive precautions. Most solar heating systems one sees illustrated and written about involve heating and circulating water to capture the power of the sun. This system, as simple arid practical as we've tried to describe it here, is much, much less expensive and in line with keeping good, modem

housing costs as modest as possible for Appalachia. Who knows?? This system, with its emphasis on sim­ plicity, economy, and practicality might prove to be the vanguard for solar home heating in the future. It is certainly more appealing, in simple terms of cost, than the $10,000.00 plus designs the author has seen in recent publications. CAP can feel justly proud to be associated with an innovative construction effort such as this.

To R e m e m b e r

ulous event had occurred that had brought such complete silence to my little friend. When that section of the Mass arrived where I could turn around and say to the congregation “Dominus Vobiscum, ” I made sure to do this with as much slow grace as possible so that I might see what had taken place. As I faced the congregation all the mystery was removed, for there was the mother with her breast now out and the child very contently nursing away. There was no spectacle about all this. It was a normal, natural thing for a hungry child to be fed. The mountain people were simply years ahead. They had retained breast feeding even in times when it was not fashionable in other circles. I could not help but think as the Mass went on that nature surely has the best ways of bringing about silence and peace. At that time the country was involved in the Korean War. After Mass was over English prayers were said and at the conclusion of these prayers our Bishop had asked us to pray for peace and that the war would end. I had just arrived, at that section when i was asking the congregation to join with me in a prayer for peace and that the fighting and hostilities should come to an end.

Hardly had we begun the prayer when two shots rang out in the church!! I d o n ’t think I have ever heard quite as deafening a silence as that which followed those shots. I had the instinctive need to move my body slightly to see if anywhere there was some bullet wound. As I was contemplating whether to begin the prayer over again or try to remember exactly where we were when the shots rang out, I heard another sound. It was the distinct slap o f a firm hand over the posterior o f a young gentleman. One of the boys had recently acquired a cap gun and holster set and he had come to church that morning proudly decked out in his cowboy outfit with two guns strapped on his side. Undoubtedly, in his mind, the services had prog­ ressed too slowly and took too long to get where they were. He was anxious to try his guns, so when his patience had at last been exhausted, he whipped out the trusty pistols. When he pulled the triggers they made loud, ringing explosions in the middle of our prayer for peace. His mother had added the third explosion to the whole affair, and from that moment on we were able to resume our prayers in peace. I believe that we did that with more fervor than 5

normal. We not merely had to pray for world peace but we were now praying for peace for that young man. Sometimes due to the smallness of our congregations we had to resort to having children take up the collection. In a small mission church in Mt. Vernon a young boy of about five years of âge was given the responsibility of passing the collection basket at the proper times and thereby helping us in the services. Wè looked forward to this with much enthusiasm and even though he was but five years old, he understood that there was a great need to have as large a collection as possible.

In this small chapel we fre­ quently had tourists on their way from one part of the country to the other. The young man was taking up his collection this one day and things were going rather well until he got to a certain gentleman. After passing the basket in front of the visitor he stayed stationary and did not go on to the next pew. His mother, who kept a watchful eye over the proceedings, began to urge him to go on. She said, “Psst! psst! Frank, go on! Go on to the next place.” He just stood there and did nothing, and she urged him again “Go on! Go on to the next one!” He looked back

at her and said, “But, mother, he didn’t p u t hardly anything in at all.” The small shrill voice cut like a knife through the silence o f the service and everyone was completely aware o f the dilemma that the young boy faced. Needless to say, his mother saw to it that he went on to the next pew. It is also needless to say that before Mass was over the gentleman who had been a visitor was up and out and gone before the rest o f the con­ gregation. I think this particular episode brought home forcefully the words that our Lord had once used, “Out o f the mouths o f children ye shall learn wisdom. ”

B.J.’s B i s h o p s B.J. Walthers (Please don't ask him his full first name) came to Lancaster as a volunteer a little over a year ago. He made himself felt immediately, but only among the full time volunteers and employ­ ees. Characteristically, he took his time reaching out into the com­ munity. He looked things over, listened a lot, asked delving - but apparently harmless - questions, and kind of got the feel o f things at first. Then, when he did make his first big move, it appeared to anyone observing or listening that he hadn't really been the one to move at all. It looked, truly, like he was just sitting there and the problem came to him. That's the way he operates, so, so smoothly. In June of last year a group of black teenage boys from Lancaster approached B.J. with a proposal. They had been attracted to the church where B.J. works because of a basketball hoop and backboard in the parking lot, and said they were anxious to get a basketball team started. He stated, quite frankly, that he was not interested in starting a basketball team, or any kind of team, but did invite them to meet with him and talk. Now, to 6

B.J. WALTHERS, AT EASE, GRILLING HOTDOGS

really grasp just what transpired during this exchange, one has to know B.J. and to watch him deal with youngsters. He speaks their language. Oh, not profanity or curses or anything like that, but the deft exchange o f barbed comments, dry and wry humor, and thinly veiled insults o f one another’s phys­ ical prowess or intellect. All in jest, of course, and in the vein of teenage fun among peers.

Many of us have forgotten how natural this banter is to youngsters, but B.J. Walthers, though a few decades removed from his teens, has not forgotten. He can deal most comfortably with them in their own language, and they seem most comfortable with him. They/ began holding regular meetings, starting and ending each session with a prayer. All of this appeared to be quite spontaneous and, if you

A BISHOP'S “JAM” AT THEIR RECREATION HALL were to ask B.J., he'd assure you in no uncertain terms that: “O f course it was spontaneous. What else do you think it was, for crying out loud?” He's that way. Gradually, as this “spontane­ ous” group of young men became more organized, the idea of com­ munity service began to enter the discussions at their meetings. They started to visit the sick, the needy, the infirm, and began to help in any way they could those who needed this young and spirited energy. As a group, though still without any formal organization or guidelines, they sought out a semi-infirmed and elderly widow on the outskirts of Lancaster and asked what they could do to help her. They had no money, hut they had their hands and the boundless energy o f youth. Her yard was cleaned up, landscaped, residue trash hauled away, and her life made much, much brighter by this gesture from young people. As the idea took hold, other youths joined the group - all black and all Baptist. They began to impose rules of conduct on them­ selves, basic principles of moral behavior around town and in school. At their meetings, being held week­ ly now under B.J.'s patient tutelage and approving nod, they made it standard that members should com­ ment on what they, as individuals, had done for others during the past week. Then white youths began to

join, hearing about the group at school or from black teammates in school athletic programs, and the group now totals about twenty. As organization began to take shape, and they grew in size, the members decided they needed a name. After giving up on such flamboyant titles as “The Lords of Something or Other,” etc,, the young men asked B.J. “Who was Saint William, the one this church is named after?” He explained to them that William had been a Bishop many years ago. That was it! They decided that was to be the name of their group, now becoming a club: “The Bishops. ” As their number

has grown, and their organization become more formalized, the orig­ inal idea of Christian service to their fellow humans has remained a core value. Their example of charitable service to those in need, and strict enforcement by them­ selves of proper behavior among members, is an enviable example for those concerned with youth today. The unanimous choice of the membership for counselor and men­ tor of the club was, of course, B.J. Walthers. He studiously mixes fun and education in with the group's more serious, community service activity, and has set up workshops for them and brought in speakers on topics which deal with life today. Outings have been or­ ganized, but organized especially by and for the membership under his guidance. At present they are planning and looking forward to a camping trip to Gatlinburg, Tennes­ see in April which the members themselves will pay for. A pool table with cues, balls, and other equipment was obtained and in­ stalled in the church hall (at con­ siderably reduced cost due to B.J.'s ferret-like sense of “deals”) for their evening use when the winter weather restricts outdoor activity. To fully appreciate this, one must realize that the “Pool Hall” is the primary place o f entertainment in small,

CHRISTMAS AT “CASA B.J.”

7

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5

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“Y O U ’LL ALWAYS BE A SWEETHEART - THE BISHOPS” BOQUET FOR ELDERLY RESIDENTS O F HOSPITAL rural Kentucky towns. Granted, though many of them are well-run and activities therein well-super­ vised, the potential for problems emanating from such establishments always exists. Now The Bishops have an alternative “social gathering place,” and always under the eye of a volunteer the membership respects greatly and obeys scrupu­ lously. A far healthier outlet, we feel, for the always bubbling forces of youth. B.J. is a devout Catholic and stresses that: “Vatican II has cautioned us to let yo u th lead, but guide them in the way they are to go.” He has certainly demon­ strated a clear-cut ability to in­ troduce young men to the dynamics of Christian Faith in the modern world, and have them feel at ease in church surroundings. We are most pleased to have people of his caliber working around us, even when he turns his teenage-tongue on us for our own shortcomings, though al­

ways with a smile. (Or is it a smirk?) In all sincerity, I am very proud to have known this man and to be associated with him. He even

makes me feel younger again. His ^jp) work with yo u th truly bears the mark o f one who accepts and lives the teachings o f Christ.

WHEN GRANDPA COURTED GRANDMA Recently someone related to me the story of how Grandfather Wilson, a widower, age 54, courted and married my grandmother Nancy Baker, age 23. Alford Wilson had been a wid­ ower for almost tw o years when he decided that he should look for another wife. A t the time he had four children already married, eleven grandchildren and three more chil­ dren still at home. In the late fall of 1894 he left his home and family on w hat they may have thought was a cattle buy­ ing trip, but his real mission was to find a wife.

Like Jacob in the Bible he w ent to the land where his fore­ fathers had lived to find a wife. He w ent to Bar Creek in the Red Bird River Country of Clay County where his great grandfather had settled for a while back before moving on down the river to Cow Creek in now Owsley County, leaving one son Philip, Jr. on Red Bird. Here amongst his kinfolks and their neighbors Grandpa made in­ quiries as to where he could find a suitable hardworking woman for an aging but prosperous man. They told him: “Andy Baker, '

the democrat, has two or three girls at home and if you can get that Nancy, she is a w orker.' ’ Nancy at that time was almost ¡^p24 years old, by the standards of those days almost an old maid. I have no details of the court­ ship except that they were married at “the home of Andy Baker.” I can imagine that Grandpa Wilson was probalby the butt of quite a few joking remarks at the court house at Manchester when they went to get the marriage li­ cense, the bride was 30 years younger and a head taller than the groom. Great Grandpa Andy Baker probably played his fiddle at the wedding and shared a bottle of good homemade corn whiskey with his new son-in-law who was the elder by almost two years. I don't know if they refought the Civil War or not. Alford Wilson had been a Union soldier for three years and had got a bullet through his hat in a battle with some rebels just across „the Red Bird River from Andy's l^phome, nine years before Nancy was born. Andy had not joined either side but he had stolen his horse back from both Armies and had al­ most got hung by a company of Union soldiers for sheltering Rebels and being a Democrat. He had talked them out of completing the job by joking w ith them and con­ vincing them of what a contemptible thing it would be to hang a man who was such a good fiddle player and could make such good corn whiskey. Grandpa Wilson may have for­ given him for not being a Union soldier for the same reason. Nancy made him a good hard working wife until he died 12 years later leaving her with five small chil­ dren. He left her a fairly wealthy w oman but the division of his estate between her infant children and her /^step-children caused her many heart'^Kches, but in the end she was a friend to all of them and reigned for many years as a benevolent despot over her children and grand­

children and to a great extent over the whole neighborhood. On Sunday at noon there was often so many visitors that it took two or three tables of food to feed the multitude. She gave away more than she ever used for herself. She never kept anything if she thought someone else wanted or needed it more than she did. Grandma played tw o roles in life. A t times she was the grand Mrs. Wilson, widow of a rich man who had been a Union soldier, she had a position to uphold. A t other times she was the daughter of Andy Baker,the fiddle player of Bar Creek. One day during her widow­ hood she was alone doing some house cleaning in an old rag of a dress. She was washing out some old clothes at the back of the house when a nicely dressed man, riding a fine horse came up to the gate and hitched his horse. His well groomed boots glistened in the sun as he came down the stone walk between the tall cedar trees to the front door. Getting no answer to his knock on the front door he stepped around the house to where Grandma was stooped over her wash tub and asked, “Is Mrs. Wilson at home?” She kept her head down and her back to the stranger as she gruffly replied, “Mrs. Wilson went off riding on her horse awhile ago. I don’t know where she went. I'm just the wash woman here.” She never learned who he was or what his business was about. Her older grandsons knew the other role she played as Nancy Baker, the daughter of Andy Baker, the jokester, the fiddle player, the Democrat of Bar Creek. When on a Saturday night we came home from the county seat,

after a night on the town and found ourselves in no condition to go home to our parents and maybe a wellearned scolding for our actions, we would go to Grandma’s house. Often at two or three o ’clock in the morning she would be waiting for us, or if she was in bed, she wasn’t hard to awaken. She would let us in and if she had any harsh words it was about a sorry bunch of grand­ sons who couldn't at least save their Granny a wee bit of a dram. Then she would make a pot of coffee and bring out some food and we would sit around the kitchen table and have a happy party. We would tell her about our trip to town and she would tell us about dancing parties she had gone to when she was a girl at Bar Creek. She told old stories, some of them were rather spicy. Then she would tell our fortunes from our coffee cups. I always thought she read much more from what she knew about us than from the arrangement of the grounds in our cups. She told folk stories, asked riddles, and sang songs that -were never written in a book. She always spoke respectfully of her late husband, our grandfather, and always referred to him as “Mr. Wilson.” As far as I know she al­ ways voted Republican out of re­ spect for his memory , but she alw ays reminded us that she had been raised a Democrat and therefore we were one-fourth Democrats. A Selection From When They Hanged the Fiddler by: Jess Wilson A 260 page book of like anecdotes $14.00 a copy, available from Jackson County RECC McKee, Kentucky 40447

P r o g r a m s f o r Y o u th Even when the icy grip of winter kept its grip on all things and snow swirled over the land, we gathered the volunteers and Human Development CAP employees, met around stoves and fireplaces and talked about what would happen when spring was over and summer

was nigh. This year of 1979 has been set aside by the United Nations as the “Year o f the Child.” What would we be doing this year that was different that would bring about an implementation of the work that, needed to be done for children. 9

Camp Andrew Jackson, in Jackson County, would continue the program that it has so admirably carried out for the last ten ye&rs. Sixty children, every week for six and perhaps seven weeks, is our goal. Cliffview Lodge, the original facility to carry out CAP’s ideals, was reactivated last year and launched in a new direction, that o f the handicapped child. This year six weeks of Cliffview'’s use are being set aside for that purpose. In addition to the handicapped child program,« retarded adult group will come down from Canada to use the facilities o f Cliffview fo r at least one week. New things that we are hoping we can put into operation are: A “Stress Camp” where greater effort is required for those who attend it. There would be no buildings in which they would live or gas range on which to prepare their food. This hardy group of young people would live in the woods!! They would canoe down wild rivers, climb the hills, prepare their own food and put up their ow n shelters. There for a week in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, under adequate supervision of counselors, they would learn what really was inside their person. They would learn how much they could rely on their own abilities, and how much they could grow. “Grow" not merely in a physical sense, but in the emotional inner-nature that makes up a real person. It is our hope that we may be able to have too such groupings of young people, a dozen at a time, that will go out into the woods and stay there for at least a week. We feel that there is much to be gained from such an experience, especially for deprived teenage boys between 14 and 16 years of age. A number of in-depth psychological experi­ ments show that such a “primitive’' experience can have a profound and positive impact on what might other­ wise be a “problem child.” We have selected as the site for this Stress Camp the Rockcastle County area, with the wild Rock­ castle River which has been des­ ignated a natural resource by our government. It furnishes a beautiful 10

scene of the area deep within the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, filled with the beauty of towering trees and rugged cliffs, and free flowing water. It will be ideal for the conduct o f such a camp. Another ambitious camping program that is contemplated is a river trip that would retrace the original route that Daniel Boone laid down as he came into Ken­ tucky in those early days that saw the formation of our nation. As he came though Cumberland Gap and headed north, he established Boonesborough on the Kentucky River. From that first exploration trip, at which time he first saw the river, he traveled it from one end to the other. It will be our hope that we can start at St. Helen, where the middle fork and north fork of the Kentucky River join, and from there to Beattyville where the South Fork enters, and then 255 miles downstream. The route then heads north the Ohio to Cincinatti, where the first leg of the trip ends. Fifteen boys, this trip, and two weeks - this is our ambition. A t Cincinatti we would begin another leg of the expedition, down the Ohio to the mighty Mississippi

at Cairo, Illinois. They would be going past such famous places as Madison, Indiana, Louisville and Owensboro, Kentucky, Evansville, Indiana, Paducah, Kentucky, a n d ^ l Cairo, Illinois. This will commem­ orate the trip that Daniel Boone and his family made in 1799 when they left Kentucky and headed further west to Missouri. They w ent by boat down the mighty Ohio, past Cincinatti clear to Cairo, and then upstream to St. Louis and eventually to St. Charles, wljiere they headed inland. Once again, fifteen boys, two weeks, this is our ambi­ tion. It will be a fantastic, selfbuilding experience for carefully selected, deprived youth o f Appa­ lachia. The last tw o camps are still uncertain because of the finances that are involved in them. The good that could còme from them we all recognize and pray might come about. But we will need sponsors who will assist us in buying the necessary equipment as well as helping with expenses for such trips. But in the “Year o f theé^k Child,” these two new exp ed itio n ^w added to our proven performance in the past should insure a much better summer fo r the young people o f Appalachia.

MIKE MORRISSEY AND WANDA BRENNAN WITH STANFORD CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER CHILDREN

Family

Life

Center

With the coming of March our ^ o w has disappeared and the fields en show signs that green may soon return. A t our Family Life Center in Mount Vernon, this was especially welcome news. We had been uriable to make any progress whatever on our motel unit at Renfro Valley. When blue sky took the place of grey, snow laden cloud-cover, the carpenters were once more busy at work. Within two days the walls were up and by the end of the week the roof rafters were in place. Within a couple of days the decking will be on and we will be well on the way to having this first addition completed. We have waited long for this addition because it gives us the opportunity to house groups at our Family life center. Up till now there has been no place where they RENFRO VALLEY, BEAUTIFUL TERRAIN WITH A GREAT could meet, and congregate together, FUTURE listen to talks, or ask questions. While this prospect for the completion of the addition was wel­ the weather encouraged us to begin and there with poplar, pine, hickory, come news, equally welcome was the work that will lead to the and sassaffrass trees. This area ^ t e opportunity to walk over the fevered activity of summer. A n d seems to be ideally suited for family ^ fbo-acre fields that are adjacent to there is one place where the winter reunions, for group outdoor meet­ the motel. To take a look at those has lain too long upon our land. ings, and hopefully for presentation places that will be best suited for It is at our Family Life Center. o f a play depicting the beauty o f the new buildings that are to be We rejoice that spring gives us the family life. Two pavillions and rest­ erected. Locations were selected for opportunity to begin again, and room areas were layed out that the reception center and living quar­ make possible those things that will should make such activities in this ters for the staff. Up a sheltered make families closer-knit and better setting very enjoyable indeed. valley, there is a beautiful place be­ Our final task that day was to loved communities neath the shade of some walnut i* • • • • • • » • » •. .• . • • locate the area for the recreation trees, and this was selected as the field. That is a baseball field, places If you know someone who would location for the emergency shelter for volley ball and badminton as 1 like to receive the Soundings each and home for abused wives and well as basketball courts. Another 1 month, have them complete this children. In the remainder of the shelter house was to be located there 1 form, enclose $4.00 for a year’s subvalley property, we picked a place to afford adequate shelter against 1 scription and send it to us. Or, if up near the mouth of a cave to be the effects of the sun and the other 1 you’d like to give someone a year’s the location for a group home. A elements. As we walked the ground 1 subscription as a gift, complete the brook rolls peacefully along in front, and made our selections that day, 1 form and send it in with $4.00 the back is sheltered by a grove of you could almost hear, if you tried 1 yourself. pine trees, and stretching down the enough, to hear the sounds of i Name ___________ ____________ ; valley one can see the highway in ;---------------laughter coming forth from the I the distance/ various locations. The words of 1 Address --------------- ------------------- ----------A t the present time we feel mothers cautioning their children l that it may become a home for a not to run too fast and the hearty , City . - • ------ ------------ — Zip -----------group of foster girls, yet there is a laughter of fathers as they enjoyed possibility that we may open another Send to: l a sport w ith their children. ime for younger teenage boys. Up We have very high hopes for , Christian Appalachian Project gher on a hill, enjoying a secluded world of its own, is a fifteen acre our Family Life Center, in these ( Kentucky River Soundings late days of a waning winter, and J Lancaster, Kentucky 40446 tract of cleared land, dotted here

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C l i f f vie w During the final week of Feb­ ruary, a group of young men from Epworth, Iowa, students for the priesthood in the Seminary of the Divine Word, came to Kentucky and offered their services for con­ struction work. If Cliffview Lodge was to serve the orthopedically handicapped as well as the deaf and those that are partially blind, then remodeling had to be done. The corridors within the buildings had to be made wider, bigger entrances had to be made into the restrooms and kitchen area, ramps for wheel­ chairs were needed, and new floor levels established to minimize stair use. All of this meant time and

Lodge

expense. But the dozen young men who came from Iowa pitched in with a mighty effort, and by the time the week had run its course and they were packing their suit­ cases to return to their homes, the work was all but done. Painting was still needed on new walls and some carpeting had to be laid over new floors, but the old had been removed and the new had been put up. Cliffview, the oldest o f all CAP activities, was coming into a new life. It all showed a very healthy renewal. It will be real interesting this summer to see wheel chairs going down corridors that only running

feet once trod, or to look out cm the dock and see the handicapped fishing from the wharf. It will also be joy to see them splashing happily in the waters of Herrington Lake. I was but a young man when we first purchased the land at Cliffview, and dreamed the dream of seeing it a camp for young children. Over the years those dreams came true. And now, with white hair after a pastorage of over tw enty years, I will see a new group of young people come. This time those that hardly anyone takes the time to help, the handicapped. Seeing such things come about make growing old an extremely en­ joyable occupation.

Kentucky River N O N -PRO FIT O R G A N IZ A T IO N U. S. P O S T A G E PAID Christian Appalachian Project

Christian Appalachian Project Kentucky River Soundings Lancaster, Kentucky 40446 Name _

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