Amish

CRAB ORCHARD - This winter, as gardeners sipped hot chocolate and entertained green dreams of growing things, members of the Amish community cultivated a new produce auction pavilion for the fruits, and vegetables, of their labors. The Lincoln County Produce Auction is almost ripe for it's April 13 opening day. With Tuesday's delivery of rich black asphalt for the parking lot, the new pavilion is ready to flourish. "We hope to provide an additional income and market for Lincoln County farmers," said the general manager of the auction.

Dear Editor, I wanted to thank Bobbie Curd for giving us all a glimpse behind the perceived curtain of Amish culture. She painted a beautiful picture of family life and sense of community. I wonder how much better our own families and children would be if negative images were not continually thrown at us from various media outlets just to stir up emotions and perpetuate the problems. Tracy Foster Lexington

Not even the Amish, known for their peaceful existence and simplistic lifestyle, are immune to senseless violence. In their darkest hour they've elected to give their enemy what he couldn't give himself: forgiveness and love. Even as they prepare to bury the most innocent among them, they prepare their future generations with the admonition that they must harbor no ill will toward a man who rained down despicable hatred and violence upon them. They have seen the face of evil and have risen far above it.Who do we blame for such violence?

CRAB ORCHARD - A visitor to Mary and Mahlon Byler's Kountry Kitchen Store has to be persistent. Although visitors are directed to the store by a sign on Ky. 39 north of Crab Orchard, just at the point where motorists might be ready to give up on the narrow, winding road, a final sign directs them to the Bylers' neat, Amish homestead. "It is surprising how many people find us," said Mary Byler of the store the couple have operated at 902 Swamper Road for the past six years.

CRAB ORCHARD - Sitting on the bright deck in your grandmother's white wicker chair, a lake breeze mingling with fresh iced tea, it is easy to imagine Howard's Inn as the edge of the world. The house once perched at the brink of a rolling valley now overlooks Cedar Creek Lake, sparkling the white-tipped color of dark, grape Kool-aid. It is, in a single word, peaceful, said owner Jim Howard. It is also poised for summer growth. The Lincoln County Fiscal Court met Wednesday for the final approval of a zone change allowing Howard to add several small cabins to his property, as well as pontoon and fishing boat rentals on the lake.

Dear Editor: We would like to thank the people of Liberty, including Mayor Sweeney and the Solid Waste Coordinator of Liberty, for their hospitality and friendliness, for helping us in a time of need. We take a trip to the Amish community several times a year for fresh fruits and vegetables and spices. During our trip almost two weeks ago, we had two flat tires in the same day, and it was a very hot day. Traveling with us were two senior citizens, a pregnant lady and a small child.

PERRYVILLE - A young woman's dream to own a business on Merchant's Row has come true. Karen Wheeler, who spent eight years of her young life working eight- and 12-hour shifts in a factory, thinks losing her job was not a bad thing when the company moved its operation to Mexico. Wheeler has opened Chaplin Hills Primitives on Merchant's Row, which she thinks ties in with the pre-Civil War buildings. She also tries to get merchandise that is made in the United States to prevent others from losing their jobs to foreign countries.

Dear Editor, I recently subscribed to your newspaper for the convenience of home delivery. I must say I am pleased with the delivery and the personnel involved. My first look is at the weather page, and not only is it colorful and informative, I always enjoy the kid's weather picture, which brings a smile to my face even though I do not know the students. The drawings are outstanding. I live in the Texas community of Washington County and enjoy the news from the surrounding counties.

CRAB ORCHARD - Two candidates, Jerry Shelton and Bill Dyehouse, are looking to fill the Crab Orchard mayor's seat, which is not being sought again by current Mayor Mike Ramey. Shelton is self-employed in construction for the past 25 years, and a farmer. He is also chairman of Lincoln County Ambulance Board. He has his share of specific ideas he would like to see happen if elected. "One of our most pressing needs is a sidewalk down Elm Street," he said. He also said a park for kids to play ball, skateboard and bike safely near home is needed.

Kentucky livestock producers who need hay can use the state Department of Agriculture's hay hotlines to get quality hay products from other states that have had more rainfall. One hotline has information about how to test hay and gives tips about buying hay that hasn't been viewed, while the other is for those who need hay or have hay for sale, said Mac Stone, state director of value-added plant production. Although hay is plentiful in the western and eastern plains, Stone said transportation is almost cost prohibited.

The 4BS Senior Adults Group from First Baptist Church, 32 E. Lexington Ave., traveled to Liberty, county seat of Casey County, on July 8. Casey County, located in south central Kentucky, is one of the fastest growing counties in the state outside of the “Golden Triangle.” It was established in 1806, and is named for Col. William Casey, an early Kentucky pioneer and great-grandfather of Samuel L. Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Liberty was named for one of the values of the Revolutionary War veterans’ new country.

STANFORD ? The second time proved to be the charm for an Amish businessman with plans to open a salvage grocery business near Crab Orchard. Lincoln Fiscal Court on Tuesday gave final approval to a zone change that will allow Henry Miller to open the business at 1028 Ky. 693, just outside the Crab Orchard city limits. The change moves the property from an agricultural to commercial zone. It was approved by Lincoln County Planning and Zoning earlier this month. Miller initially wanted to open the business ?

CRAB ORCHARD - A horse pulling an Amish buggy was injured, but none of the buggy's occupants was hurt in a collision with a vehicle Friday night on Ky. 39 North, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department said. The collision occurred about 8:50 p.m. when Gary Bourne, 37, of Crab Orchard attempted to pass the buggy operated by Mavin Byler, 36, of Crab Orchard. Byler was turning the buggy left into a private drive when Bourne's 1990 Toyota collided with it. Although the horse was hurt, Bourne, Byler and the eight occupants of the buggy were not injured, police said.

Kentucky livestock producers who need hay can use the state Department of Agriculture's hay hotlines to get quality hay products from other states that have had more rainfall. One hotline has information about how to test hay and gives tips about buying hay that hasn't been viewed, while the other is for those who need hay or have hay for sale, said Mac Stone, state director of value-added plant production. Although hay is plentiful in the western and eastern plains, Stone said transportation is almost cost prohibited.

CRAB ORCHARD - Two candidates, Jerry Shelton and Bill Dyehouse, are looking to fill the Crab Orchard mayor's seat, which is not being sought again by current Mayor Mike Ramey. Shelton is self-employed in construction for the past 25 years, and a farmer. He is also chairman of Lincoln County Ambulance Board. He has his share of specific ideas he would like to see happen if elected. "One of our most pressing needs is a sidewalk down Elm Street," he said. He also said a park for kids to play ball, skateboard and bike safely near home is needed.

Not even the Amish, known for their peaceful existence and simplistic lifestyle, are immune to senseless violence. In their darkest hour they've elected to give their enemy what he couldn't give himself: forgiveness and love. Even as they prepare to bury the most innocent among them, they prepare their future generations with the admonition that they must harbor no ill will toward a man who rained down despicable hatred and violence upon them. They have seen the face of evil and have risen far above it.Who do we blame for such violence?

Dear Editor, I wanted to thank Bobbie Curd for giving us all a glimpse behind the perceived curtain of Amish culture. She painted a beautiful picture of family life and sense of community. I wonder how much better our own families and children would be if negative images were not continually thrown at us from various media outlets just to stir up emotions and perpetuate the problems. Tracy Foster Lexington

Editor's Note: We asked reporter Bobbie Curd to approach an Amish family for reaction to the tragedy in Pennsylvania. What she got was a rare glimpse into a community and a lifestyle. The following contains her opinions and observations. PREACHERSVILLE - I wondered if the 32-year-old milk truck driver who took the lives of five Amish school girls in Nickel Mines, Pa., thought about how many lives he would affect as he turned the gun on himself. Authorities said that Charles Carl Roberts, IV, carried 600 rounds of ammunition into a schoolhouse of the peaceful community.

PERRYVILLE - A young woman's dream to own a business on Merchant's Row has come true. Karen Wheeler, who spent eight years of her young life working eight- and 12-hour shifts in a factory, thinks losing her job was not a bad thing when the company moved its operation to Mexico. Wheeler has opened Chaplin Hills Primitives on Merchant's Row, which she thinks ties in with the pre-Civil War buildings. She also tries to get merchandise that is made in the United States to prevent others from losing their jobs to foreign countries.

Dear Editor, I recently subscribed to your newspaper for the convenience of home delivery. I must say I am pleased with the delivery and the personnel involved. My first look is at the weather page, and not only is it colorful and informative, I always enjoy the kid's weather picture, which brings a smile to my face even though I do not know the students. The drawings are outstanding. I live in the Texas community of Washington County and enjoy the news from the surrounding counties.