Opinion

“It’s essential to keep an open mind, and to be willing – better yet, eager – to try new things.” - Michael Abrash

Trying new things can be challenging, and darn near impossible for some people who dislike change. But, often times, it’s very much worth it.
Such is the case with this year’s Marion County Country Ham Days Festival.

The fall and football season is finally upon us. Kids are back in school, the weather is (finally) cooling down, and the leaves are already beginning to change. I may be biased, but I think Kentucky has one of the prettiest autumns in this region of the country. After a hot summer and the temperature and our taste buds changing, it is a welcome opportunity to get back outdoors.
With the autumn season comes fall festivals, and I am happy to report there are many events happening all around the 14th Senate District including the ones listed below:

If there is one theme binding the numerous festivals that take place across the commonwealth each year, it’s that if we raise it, grow it or use a lot of it, there’s almost certainly a community that celebrates it.
Most of these festivals take place over a 10-week period that begins in late August and runs through Halloween, and food is often the focal point. During that time, you can find events dedicated to apples, country ham, sorghum, bourbon, honey and barbecue.

Sept. 26 is Mesothelioma Awareness Day. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation selected this date and encourages congress, states and cities to acknowledge it. We cooperate with the Meso Foundation in memory of our younger son, Todd Hall (1967-2006) who was a victim of this rare and deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
When we learned that former Kentucky State Representative Ron Cyrus had died of mesothelioma we thought the Kentucky Legislature might honor his memory by officially recognizing Sept. 26 as Mesothelioma Awareness Day in Kentucky.   

On Sunday morning, our nation will pause to remember and reflect upon the tragedy known primarily by its date: Sept. 11.
Those of us old enough to remember that Tuesday in 2001 will never forget where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news. It had the same impact as such other pivotal moments in history, from the attack on Pearl Harbor and President Kennedy’s assassination to Neil Armstrong’s walking on the moon.

By Hannah Wilson

At their core, the major American holidays are bound by a common thread: They remind us of who we are and what we stand for, each and every year.
While the Fourth of July celebrates our founding and freedom, Memorial Day and Veterans Day call on us never to forget the high price paid for those enduring gifts. Thanksgiving gives us a moment among loved ones to appreciate the many good things in our lives, and on Labor Day, which arrives this weekend, we pay tribute to the hard work that made our nation what it is today.

Given the chance, our dog, Winnie, will chase any critter. She usually goes after birds because they are the most plentiful, even though they are the hardest to catch. Rabbits taunt her every now and then, and she’s even gotten within inches of one or two. We don’t like it when she chases cats, but they are usually aware of her a solid 50 feet before Winnie is aware of them.