Vandalism done to Veterans cases

Some of the Veterans cases that hold the names of veterans having served in wars and other military service were vandalized sometime last Thursday evening, September 13. The veterans cases are in the courthouse yard and are a pretty addition to the courtyard. The side doors on the cases were ripped off of two and a couple others were pried open to some degree. How tragic it is that organizations work to raise money to have something nice like these cases displaying the names of Pendleton County Veterans who have served their country, some died on foreign grounds, some were wounded and others left their families to go fight for our freedom. Vandalism to these cases is just plain unexcusable and those responsible should be ashamed. I'm sure they don't care or they wouldn't have done it to start with. Hopefully there is someone out there that saw this being done or heard someone talking about it. Judge/Executive Henry Bertram has offered a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those persons or person responsible for this vandalism. Falmouth Police took the damage report. What good people get out of damaging things others have built remains a mystery to me. Our residents need to observe who is standing or gathering around at night and report it to police. Some one has written bad language on the tables at the Veterans Park. This is a place families go to have picnics, little children play on the slides and swings. It is a wonderful park and again we have those who tear up things that are built for many to enjoy. Now others have to go repaint tables. Keep your eyes open and report things you see to the Falmouth Police Department, the sheriff's department or the state police. Help keep a citizen's patrol enforce.

Emergencies departments work well as one or as a group as demonstrated this past Saturday

All of the emergency services departments in Pendleton County and others joined together on September 15 and held live demonstrationsas part of Emergency Services Day at the Pendleton County Fairgrounds in Falmouth allowing the public see how each department responded to and what they did during an emergency situation and to view their equipment for the various departments. Participation was demonstrated by the following departments: police, fire, ambulance, sheriff, public health, search and rescue, Red Cross, Emergency 911 Dispatch, amateur radio, aircare, Emergency Management, HAZMAT , and the Disaster Relief Team. All these organizations had equipment on display. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Pete and Thelma Steele's quilt pattern

O.T. and Sally Gillespie's barn quilt pattern

Charles and Linda Tackett's quilt pattern

First barn quilt squares appear in county

Have you noticed the beautiful colored barn quilt squares that have been mounted on barns located on Highway 159 and U.S. 27? The painted barn quit squares first began when Donna Sue Groves of Adams County, Ohio, wanted to create something to honor her mother's passion, quilting, and did so with a large painting on the side of her barn. This sparked a movement that has swept the Appalachian region of North America.

In 2007 thus far, three Barn Quit Squares made appearances in Pendleton County. Pete and Velma Steele were the first to exhibit a 4 ft. by 4 ft. painted square on their barn. The Steele's Quilt Square was a gift from a niece and her family. The square is called,"Father's Pride". The colors: red, white and blue, represent the men and women, who serve our country in the armed forces. Their residence is on Highway 159.

O.T. and Sally Gillespie were next to exhibit a painted 4 ft. by 4 ft. square. Mr. Gillespie's creation was inspired by the pattern of a decorative family quilt pillow. They live on Highway 159. Charles and Linda Tackett placed the third square on display. The Tackett's Quilt Square is 8 ft. by 8 ft. and was designed by Granddaughter, Miranda Tackett. Several members of the Tackett family took part in the project. Granddaughter, McKinsey McCoy, assisted with the painting of the square.

This is a nice project that would look great on many other barns in Pendleton County. Article and photos by Roger McKinney.

No Child Left Behind scores released

By Robert Yost, Superintendent

At the Board of Education Meeting of the Pendleton County Schools on September 20, 2007, District Assessment Coordinator Betty McKinney will report on the academic progress of the schools and district as measured by the federally mandated No Child Left Behind [NCLB] Act. The Kentucky Department of Education recently released the results based upon reading and Mathematics scores from the state assessment taken in the spring of 2007.

Under NCLB, schools and districts are determined to have made Adequate Yearly Progress [AYP] if the school/district and all subpopulations of students [African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian, Limited English Pro-ficiency, Free/Reduced Lunch, and students with disabilities] meet three criteria:

1) Met annual measurable objectives or percent proficient in reading and Mathematics;

2) Showed progress on the Other Academic Indicators [prior year graduation rate at the high school level; or prior year classifications of any category of meets goal or progressing or if in assistance, growth at or above the state average for the specific grade configuration at the elementary and middle school levels);

3) Tested at least 95% of enrolled students and all subpopulations of sufficient size.

Two schools, Northern and Southern Elementary Schools, met AYP by reaching 10 of 10 goals. Phillip Sharp Middle School, met 12 of 13 goals or 92.3% of their targeted goals (students with disabilities in Reading was the goal not met). In 2006, Sharp Middle School met 11 of 13 goals.

Pendleton County High Schools met 9 of 10 goals or 90.0% of their target goals area not met was students on free/reduced lunch in Mathematics. In 2005, PHS met 9 of 10 goals [the area not met was students on free/ reduced lunch in Mathematics] and in 2006, PHS met 9 of 13 goals.

"We are disappointed that the district did not make AYP," said Superintendent J. Robert Yost. "I feel like we are making progress because the district has fewer not-met targets."

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

Pendleton Chamber Car Show winners

The Chamber of Commerce held its annual car show in downtown Falmouth on Saturday, September 8. There were over 50 vehicles in attendance from as far away as Dayton, Ohio. There were trucks, cars, motorcycles and an altered drag car for the crowd to enjoy. There were old classics, hot rods, new customized vehicles and a big dog K-9 motorcycle that was painted with a beautiful mural from front to back. All entrants received awards from Peoples Trophies. The following won Best of the Class and received three foot trophies: Top Ford - Jerry and Jeanie Braham, 49 Ford Club Coupe; Top G.M. - J.K. Veirs, 69 Camaro; Top Chrysler, Jim and Cindy Swafford, 67 Dodge Dart; Best Compact,- Ron King, 2002 P.T Cruiser; Top 2 WD Wheel Drive Truck - Rita Mattingly, Blown 79 Ford F-100; Top 4 X 4 Truck -Paul Dixon, 1968 Chev. K-20; Best Motorcycle - Paul Eggleston, 2006 Big Dog K-9; Ladies Choice - Linda McClanahan, 95 Chev. pick-up; Chamber President Award - Bob Wassum, 63 Corvette; the award for the Car Club with the most participants went to the Double A Cruisers. Children in the coloring contest received Edelbrock ball caps and coloring books just for entering. Prizes were given to boys and girls in three different age groups. FBLA members, Raven Kottel, Nikki Hutchison, and Keith Herron helped set up canopy's. The following people donated their time to help: Henry Bennet, Ron Butch, Larry Winkle, Alan Morehead, Bob Saunders, Marty McKinney, Joyce and Josh Buckner and Carrie and Cassie Bishop. Sponsors were: Edelbrock, Summit Racing, Valvoline - Eagle One, McGuiars Car Care Products, Griffin Industries/Bakery Feeds. O'Hara Trucking, Rodney Miles Body Shop and Wrecker Service, Tim Norton and Family, and County Judge Executive Henry Bertram, Farm Bureau Insurance, Rumpke, Auto Zone, Ace Hardware, Town and Country Flooring, Edwardo's, Kentucky Motors, Owen County Electric, Peoples Trophies and Becky's Flower Shop.

Chamber Car Show Best of Show winner

Best of Show went to Joe Revel with his immaculate 1962 Chevrolet Impala at the Pendleton County Chamber of Commerce Car Show on September 8.

No outdoor burning

Pendleton County Judge/ Executive Henry Bertram issued an Executive Order, Monday, September 17, 2007 banning all outdoor burning due to the extreme drought.

This order was issued due to the current and predicted weather conditions, and the extreme danger of forest fires in Pendleton County. All outdoor burning in the county is prohibited under authority of KRS 149.401. This prohibition is in effect until this proclamation has been rescinded by public notice. "I urge all Pendleton County citizens to comply with this proclamation so that we can preserve Pendleton County's timber resources," Judge Bertram said.

Nationally known vocal group, IIIRD TYME OUT, will be appearing at the Kentucky Wool Festival

Success for IIIrd Tyme Out was nearly an overnight occurrence for this group after its forming in 1991. Founding member Russell Moore (guitar), along with everyone else in the group, created a new tradition in modern bluegrass music.

As the saying goes, "The proof is in the pudding," and what more proof of the band's niche as a top bluegrass group in the world than its seven consecutive IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) awards as Vocal Group of the Year - 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and most recently 2000, and Russell Moore's two IBMA "Male Vocalist of the Year" awards (1994 & 1997)! Their cappella renditions of many songs can rarely be matched. Their superb instrumentation provides even more quality sound to the rich vocal blends. All in all, IIIrd Tyme Out has garnered over 50 industry awards, the last two being "Bluegrass Band of the Year" (2005) and "Male Vocalist of the Year (Russell Moore-2007)," both by the "Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America" Association (SPBGMA)!
They are on stage at the amphitheatre at 2:30 Sunday afternoon, October 7.

Shuttle bus locations for Wool Fest; North. Elem., library and high school

Shuttle buses for the Kentucky Wool Festival run from the following locations starting on Saturday, October 6, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, October 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Pendleton High School on U.S. 27 north of Falmouth, the Pendleton Library at 228 Main Street in Falmouth and a new shuttle pick-up this year will be at Northern Elementary on U.S. 27, Butler. Shuttles will run every half-hour.

Directions for Wool Festival visitors

From Northern Kentucky south on U.S. 27 follow U.S. 27 to Butler, turn left at the red light onto Highway 177. Follow Hwy. 177 to Hwy. 159 make a right on 159 and it will take you to the festival.

From the AA Highway headed toward Maysville watch for sign for Kincaid Lake State Park, turn right on Highway 159, when come to intersection turn left on to Hwy. 10 and then turn right on to Highway 159 and this will run you to the festival.

AA Highway headed toward Alexandria take the Highway 159 exit on the left and follow Highway 159 to intersection of Hwy 10, turn left on to Hwy. 10 and then turn right on to Highway 159 and this will run you to the festival.

From Lexington follow U.S. 27 to Falmouth. Turn right at the flashing yellow light onto Hwy. 22 (Main Street)follow it through the red light to stop sign. Turn right on to the blue bridge, cross bridge and turn left at stop sign onto Highway 159, which will take you to the festival.

Additional items this week include:

River Valley Nursing Hone honored

Wildcats football team win home opener against Henry County

Phoenix Ramsey shooting for a State Tournament berth

Ladycats golfer sets new high school record

Board of Education recognizes recent retirees

and more!!