The Year in Review

In July, TV star and Fleming County artist Johnny Jett shared his story of becoming an artist and log homes.

As a publication that tells the stories of the townsfolk in the communities of Bath, Fleming, Nicholas and Mason Counties, we covered quite a bit of ground in the past year.

The following is a sampling of the articles that highlighted different events, local businesses, history and feature stories in 2017.

January

The Owingsville Volunteer Fire Department established a new auxiliary to help assist families with fire loss.

Garrett’s Restaurant in Nicholas County was purchased by new owner’s and will soon become known as The Carlisle.

The Nicholas County agriculture department launched, EGGcellent, a new way to fight hunger.

Members of the Bath County Tourism group began plans to open a museum to showcase the county’s rich history.

The history of Elizaville was highlighted in a feature story.

Doctors Riggs and Sparks voted as Nicholas County citizens of the year.

February

Mason County 4-H students flipped their lids for benches.

Stories about the Great Blizzard of 1978, O&O Railroad, Main Street Deli in Carlisle and the Montgomery County Trader’s Market were featured.

To celebrate Black History Monty we featured articles about, Monk Estill, Kentucky’s first freed slave, Miss. Blossom Martin, one of Fleming County’s most beloved educators and the journals of Miss. Martin’s mother, May Wren Martin.

Around Town celebrated National FCCLA and FFA Week with photos and club officer profiles.

March

March roared in like a lion leaving quite a bit of destruction in its wake.

Feature stories included Vice’s Corner Market, Neal’s Square Deals, Soul Shine Studio in the old Ewing School, The Young at Heart Concert held in the Mozart Hall, Life-like dolls handcrafted by Bath County citizen, Charlotte Meadows, Fording the Creek and Crossing the Swinging Bridge in Wyoming, Habitat dedicated their 7th home in Fleming County and the Little Sprouts Gardening Club began preparing their garden space.

The homes of Nesbitt and Kimbrough in Owingsville were highlighted in our series

“If Walls Could Talk”.

We also spotlighted Women in History and National Agriculture Week.

Apr.

Around Town published the first ever Bicentennial Special Tabloid for the 200th Anniversary of Sharpsburg.

Salt Lick’s native citizen’s the Will’s sisters were featured as was A.D. “Ruff”, A Two-Wheeled Legacy, and Moses Sharp.

Members of the Ewing Alumni began preparations for their annual Ewing School Reunion.

The Golden Chord Singers presented their Spring concert.

Remembering the Town of Yale was also featured.

May

Hall Builders and 3-Star Industries held their annual Car Show

Jerry Johnson Music Studio held a recital in the Mozart Hall in Carlisle.

The National Work Safety Memorial Wall traveled to Sharpsburg.

June

Feature stories included, A Salute to Sgt. Jerome D. Vice and the mystery of Cassandra Deye Owings Paradelles.

The Jerry Thatcher Memorial Highway Sign was unveiled in Bath County.

The Women’s Crisis Center held their annual Blue Jean Ball at Three Silos Barn in Fleming County.

Sharpsburg held their first Relay for Life event.

Fleming Mason Energy held their annual Customer Appreciation Day.

The Blackberry Festival was held in Carlisle.

Around Town began to publish a weekly series of short stories titled A Time Remembered, written by Woodson T. Knight about growing up in Sharpsburg in the early 1920s.

July-

The Fleming County Fair was held, and citizens participated in a variety of 4th of July celebrations.

Jubilee Fields, Liquid Feed and Sparkling Divas and Dudes Pageants were the business highlights.

Fleming County Tourism was spotlighted.

Local Veteran Joe Harvey’s new farm implement was one of our feature stories along with an article about the Bible puzzles and games created by Sharpsburg citizen, James “Gramps” Curtis.

Flooding from heavy rains was a major concern.

T.V. Star and hometown artist, Johnny Jett was our front-page feature story.

August

The Home Town Teams Exhibit was on display in Nicholas County.

In our history series we featured articles on South Sherburne, the historic Rucker House in Fleming County, the life of George Stockton.

The Fleming County Farmer’s Market held their customer appreciation day.

A series of short stories written by Sharpsburg native Nelson Botts were featured.

Feature stories highlighted the renovation of an historic Montgomery County cemetery by the Beatty family, artist Mike Wagner and another local T.V. star, Sherman Thompson.

September

The historic home built by Dr. John Berry and home to Ball Tara Farm featured an open house in celebration of Sharpsburg 200th anniversary.

The annual Saturday in Carlisle was another huge success as was one of Fleming County’s star events, Hoedown in the Holler.

The unveiling of an historic marker to honor Henry Tureman Allen along with a ceremony to honor Bath County Veteran’s took place in Sharpsburg.

October

Our feature stories included a Bath County cabin with log walls from the 1700s, the fundraising efforts of Team Ethan to help purchase a guide dog, the Browning Apple Orchard Festival, Dinner with the Departed at the Fleming County Covered Bridge Museum, Carol Shutt Photography, Eddie Price as the legendary Roscoe Tarleton Goose and the closing of Blevins’s Grocery in Preston.

Business spotlights were on Dot’s Homemade Bakery and The Cat’s Meow Feline Fosters.

The Fleming County Chamber Annual Awards Banquet was highlighted.

Hinton Mills held their annual customer appreciation day.

Fleming County court days took place.

November

Rob Kiskaden shared his memories of being an Army Medic.

Nicholas County FFA members placed among the top 16 in the nation.

Around Town featured Hutton-Loyd Tree Farm and Operation Christmas Child.

December

The Nativity Festival in Maysville was featured.

The business highlight included Country Lane Shoes and the Bridal Show that will take place Jan. 20 at Double S Entertainment Center in Flemingsburg.

Elgin Murphy, Sharpsburg’s Country Ham Man was one of our feature stories.