HENRY BERTRAM - APRIL DEFALCO - CRAIG PEOPLES

City of Falmouth elects first female mayor; Bertram re-elected judge and Peoples wins sheriff's race

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

Voters in Pendleton County found long lines to wait in when they went to vote on November 7. A total of 46% of the registered voters turned out to vote in one of the largest elections in many years. There are a total of 9,702 registered voters. There are 6,296 Democrats and 2,855 Republicans with others numbering 551.

The city of Falmouth made history when voters elected their first female mayor. April DeFalco, 27, of Falmouth, won with 398 votes over former Falmouth Mayor Gene Flaugher's 287 votes.

"I'm thankful that the voters have given me the opportunity to become the Mayor of Falmouth. I will work diligently for the continued growth of the city and will work closely with the county government," said Miss DeFalco.

Pendleton Judge/Executive Henry Bertram won re-election to his office. He had 2,655 votes to his closest rival Republican Phillip Turner with 1,042 votes and Independent candidate C. Donald Wells with 654 votes.

"I'm pleased that the voters have showed their confidence in my leadership over the last eight years. I hope I can continue to live up to their expectations," Bertram said.

In the close race for the office of sheriff, Charles "Craig" Peoples was victorious with 2,283 votes over Chad Applegate's (R), 1,895 votes, and Peter Samples with 193 votes.

Peoples has been the chief deputy sheriff for 13 years. "My election as sheriff is carrying on a family tradition," said Peoples.

For more of this story, see this week's Falmouth Outlook

Northern Kindergarten students wait for the Veterans to walk down the hallway to the celebration. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Left to right, Madison Steele, Cassidy Adkins, Will Ashcraft, Bill Ashcraft and Sabrina Sebastian place the Veterans Day Memorial Wreath. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Northern Elementary School honors Veterans

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Pendleton County's Northern Elementary School hosted a Veterans Day celebration on the morning of November 10, 2006. Pendleton County Veterans were treated to a breakfast, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:05 a.m. At that time they left the cafeteria and walked to the gym. The hallway to the gymnasium was decorated with many beautiful banners honoring the school's special guests. One of the banners said, "Our Veterans, Our Heroes, We Salute You." Many of the banners had individual photos of the students, standing in front of an American Flag, as they saluted the Veterans. Kindergarten students stood against the walls of the hallway and waved small American Flags as the Veterans walked by on their way to the gym. During the Veterans' walk down the hallway and during their entrance to the gym, "God Bless America" was played on the school's public announcement system. Pendleton County High School's NJROTC crossed swords and the Veterans passed underneath, as they walked to their seats.

The NJROTC presented "The Colors." Chaplain Shelby McDowell performed the invocation. Julia Holland sang "The National Anthem." Northern Elementary Principal, Darell Pugh, recognized the Veterans and the individual branches of the military service were applauded. Mr. Pugh introduced the special guests. SSGT Randall Eric Anderson addressed the gathering. Shelby McDowell, Ray Hammond, Tom Luckey, Joel Nahari and Darell Pugh received Special Recognition Awards. A Power Point presentation, honoring school veterans and their families, was performed by Northern Art Teacher, Buffy Houchens. The Fifth Grade Chorus, under the direction of Amber Hedges, performed a number of musical selections that honored the Veterans. Tom McKee and Katie Stine, addressed the gathering. Colonel Mark Williams, spoke to the group.

For more of this story, see this week's Falmouth Outlook

Pictured above is an original photograph from the family files of the old Bethel Church. Does anyone know who these three women and a child are that are sitting on the old rock wall. If you do call the newspaper and let us know.

Bethel Church target for possible restoration

Relatives of the late William and Ruby Campbell Fogle think the restoration of Bethel Church as a historic project is possible. There is much to learn to accomplish the restoration according to Charlie Pyles, husband of Betty Fogle Pyles. This project is important to the Fogle family because their Maternal Great Grandparents and Great-Great Grandparents, in addition to several other relatives, rest in Bethel Cemetery, next to the church. According to the "Forks Of The Licking" published by The Falmouth Outlook in 1993, Thomas Jefferson Campbell (also known as T.J. Campbell), Great-Great Grandfather to the family built Bethel Church and it was named by his wife, Elvira Adelaide Wallace Campbell. The first service was in 1881 and the first preacher was Methodist, S.A. Day. The first Baptist preacher was Gabe Mullins. T.J. was grandfather to the late Dewey Campbell, Pendleton County Magistrate for a number of years. Dewey was the son of Frank Campbell who owned Rosehill Farm located near Bethel Church. The farm is now owned by the Fogle siblings Bob Fogle of Falmouth, Betty Fogle Pyles of Cold Spring and Jenny Fogle Beetz of Erlanger.

Pyles first became interested in the project when he noticed that lightning had struck a tree in Bethel Cemetery earlier this year. Once he learned that Obie Fardo was the right person to speak with, he began the clean up along with Betty and Jenny. Pyles decided that he could help by removing the broken limb and brush around the base of the tree. The initial clean up was completed in early October. Then a pile of brush and discarded cemetery decorations in an area between the church and cemetery were removed as well. It turned out that there were at least two truck loads of debris in that area. Overgrown vines still need to be removed from around an outdoor grill discovered beneath the pile. After the vines are removed, a metal bench will be pulled out and possibly refurbished.

There are families of several prominent Pendleton County residents interred at Bethel. Some recognizable names in addition to the Campbells, are Bradford, Purdy, Lovelace, Bentle, Cummins, Sergent, Oetzel, Jacobs, Brownfield, Wolfe and many more.

For more of this story, see this week's Falmouth Outlook

Shown above is the beautiful Christmas ornament that local artist Kirk Sullivan painted on an apple gourd raised by Falmouth resident Ernetta Turner. This ornament will represent Pendleton County while it hangs on the Capitol Christmas tree. Photo by D. Dennie.

Local artist Kirk Sullivan will have ornament hanging on the Capitol's Christmas tree in Frankfort

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

Governor Ernie Fletcher and First Lady Glenna are again asking the counties of Kentucky to help decorate the Capitol Christmas tree this year.

The Governor and First Lady began the tradition of inviting local artisans to create ornaments reflective of each Kentucky county. Last year, 60 counties participated and they hope all 120 counties will take part this year.

Ernetta Turner and Sylvia McClanahan thought about the project and they came up with the idea to have local artist Kirk Sullivan paint a picture on one of Ms. Turner's apple gourds she raised.

Each year she raises thousands of pumpkins and gourds.

The theme for this ornaments is "A Commonwealth Christmas Carol" which was derived from the popular story by Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol." The ornaments have to be one of a kind.

Kirk chose to paint the Ghost of Christmas Present. He finished the ornament last week and it was mailed to the Capitol.

The ornament will be hung on the Capitol Christmas tree and the official lighting of the tree will be on Monday, December 4.

Winter Wonderland this Saturday at Southern Elementary

The annual Winter Wonderland, sponsored by the Pendleton County Extension Homemakers, will be held at Southern Elementary in Falmouth from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, November 18. Santa Claus will be available for pictures from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Craft booths measuring six feet by six feet are available for a small fee. Booth reservations can be made by calling the Pendleton Extension Office at 654-3395. Electrical outlets are available by special request only. These special requests should be made when the booth reservation is made.

In addition to many craft booths there will also be chili, hot dogs, pimento cheese sandwiches, soft drinks, chips and coffee available for you to purchase.

Please mark this date on your calendar, come, and have an enjoyable time.

Additional items include:

Election Recapitulation Sheets

Butler City Council Meeting minutes

Wildcats host practice session and cookout

Pendleton Track teams heading to State Meet

Local Rumpke drivers compete in "Road-e-o"

Pendleton Extension Homemakers Week

And more!!