Don Estep

We made it! The freezing temperatures and the snow and ice put a damper on this year’s Christmas. But we are here and warmer weather is on its way for the New Year. Because our family could not gather together due to the weather, and because I was ill from a recent surgery, our Christmas gathering will be held this weekend. Now to catch up on a couple of things. First, how nice of the state highway department to offer to change Roy Kidd Avenue to one-way on a portion of the street and strip angled parking for an additional 17 vehicles. Thanks, but no thanks. For one, we do not need...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from the staff at the News Journal along with the many businesses that have placed a Greetings ad in this edition of our paper. It is that time of the year that affects people in different ways. I call it the three stages of a Christmas experience. The first, of course, is when you are a child and your hopes and dreams are of what Santa will bring you. To me, this is the best part. I remember those times when I went to bed earlier that usual and before I fell asleep every little sound I heard I imagined it could be Santa. Then, when morning came,...

Much praise has been given to the Corbin Redhound football team and its coach Tom Greer. I would like to add my congratulations. It was a great year and they were a yellow flag and an extra point away from being state champions. Nevertheless, the team played a great game and they deserve the praise. There is no doubt about it that Corbin fans supported their team better than any in the state championships again this year. It was a sea of red on the home field side of Kroger Field. The fan support also deserves congratulations. The weather was miserable. When I was young weather didn’t bother me, but Friday...

In 1939 the Corbin Redhound football team went undefeated with an 11-0 record. Since there wasn’t any playoffs then the state’s best team was determined by the Litkenhouse ratings and that team was Corbin, state champs. That is the year I was born and that is the only Corbin team I haven’t seen play for a state championship. The 11-0 1955 team was declared the state champion, also by the Lit ratings. At that time I was a sophomore at Corbin High School. Since then I have broadcast six of the state finals, and I have watched the rest. The first game I broadcast was in 1962 when Corbin played Danville...

Thanksgiving! I give thanks for many things in my life, God, family, country and more things that I can fit in this column. But because it is my newspaper column I am giving thanks to Terry Forcht, the many staff members that have worked here, our advertisers and especially you, our readers who have made this newspaper successful. It is Terry Forcht who gave me the opportunity to become the publisher of this newspaper over 35 years ago. It was more of a risky move for me than it was for Terry. No other weekly newspaper had ever been successful going against the daily newspaper in Corbin and there had been several...

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, among both men and women. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. I have a particular interest in informing people about the symptoms of lung cancer because I have battled lung cancer twice. The first time was 13 years ago when by chance a spot was seen after I had an examination for a hurting on my left side near my stomach. Although that problem had nothing to do with cancer, luckily the doctors spotted a tumor. If I had not had that examination I would not be here today. I had to have the lower right lobe of my...

Finally, the election is over. I know the candidates are relived and that goes for about everybody. It is time to take down all the yard signs, do away with those gosh awful television ads and count the votes. I don’t mind the yard signs, but every election we are bombarded with ads on TV that will drive you up the wall. It is bad enough to have the same ad aired over and over, but many don’t even tell the truth. When I started as a radio broadcaster back in 1961 we were told that Newton Minnow, who was chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, enforced “truth in advertising” and for...

For over 15 years I have been writing columns complaining about the condition of Hwy. 312, Gordon Hill, in Corbin. Finally, the state paved part of the road last week. Notice I said part. They left a small section as it was and have not touched the Laurel Co. side of the 312 bridge. For many years there had been a bad pot hole at the corner of Gordon and Kentucky Streets that occasionally got a shovel of cold mix thrown in it. When the state paved Hwy. 25 from Corbin to London they did not leave sections as they were, they paved it all.  It would have been so much better...

One of the joys of my life has been having weekly lunches with a group of guys. The group was formed before I joined them and that was over 25 years ago. We have eaten together at least twice a week and sometimes more. From the time I started eating with them only Paul Jones, Coy Evans, Charles Houck and Bill Crook are still with us. Those who have passed away include Rev. Bob Lockhart, Johnny Reeves, Eddie Poynter, Ken Cobb, Dr. Don Barton, and R.L.Brown. We miss these guys greatly. I don’t show up as often as I once did. Let’s say age has slowed me down a bit. But the one fellow...

I hope you had a good weekend. Mine was excellent. The weather was perfect to get out and enjoy the activities that were going on in the area. My wife and I started the day by attending OctoberFest in downtown Corbin. I believe this was the most vendors we have ever had for this event. Hats off to Maggy Monhollen, the Corbin Tourism Director, for organizing about 60 or more vendors. The petting zoo was not only a delight for the kids, the adults enjoyed it too. The kids enjoyed feeding the animals. They also enjoyed the hay ride through the town. What I enjoy the most is meeting and talking to...