Columns

Most every Kentuckian, when discussing the Kentucky Derby, who hasn’t attended has said, “I would like to go just one time to see what it is like.” I was in that category for many years until my boss, Terry Forcht, made it possible for me and my wife to attend a few years ago. The Forcht Group of Kentucky has a suite at Churchill Downs that is as good as it gets. Terry has made it possible for many of his management staff from nursing homes, banks, radio, insurance and others, to attend. His generous gesture has given many of us a chance to rub shoulders with the rich...

A few years ago a friend of mine told me about a tour bus trip he and his wife had just returned from. He said it was very enjoyable and me and my wife should try it sometime. I was apprehensive about taking a tour of this kind not knowing what to expect. He told me that most of the people on the coach, (the people who run these tours prefer to call it a coach rather than a bus), were senior citizens and I would fit right in. Thanks a lot I told him. After thinking it over for a while my wife and I decided to try it, basically...

One of the sillier things in life, I think, is when something is common knowledge, but everyone goes around acting as though they are oblivious. That’s the situation that came up this past week regarding an “investigation” by police into illegal alcohol sales at the Williamsburg VFW post. It all started when a driver killed a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk. Allegedly, the driver had been drinking at the post before he got behind the wheel. Police went out to the VFW, in part, to unearth the truth behind this talk that alcohol was being sold there. After all, it is in a “dry territory.” It is not licensed to serve...

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers was slated to be one of the keynote speakers at the Lincoln Day Banquet in Corbin over the weekend. He was a no-show. No reason was given at the time. But now we know why. Language magically appeared in the state budget, at the 11th hour, that has direct impact on the long-standing fight over occupational tax collections between Corbin and Knox County. For the third time now, what is referred to as the infamous “Stivers Amendment” is going to prevent Corbin from collecting any occupational taxes from its Knox County portion. About 23 percent of the city is in Knox County. It was attached, this time, to...

Carpenter Bees are good pollinators, but… Male and female carpenter bees are becoming active after spending winter in last year’s tunnels. These large yellow and black bees have shiny, bare abdomens in contrast to the ‘hairy’ ones of bumblebees. Female carpenter bees can sting if handled roughly, but they do not aggressively defend their nests or otherwise pose a threat. They focus on developing nesting tunnels and collecting pollen. Males, recognizable by the yellow spot on their face, stay near nesting sites and often investigate intruders who enter ‘their’ space. While an intimidating sight, they do not have stingers. Carpenter bees are important wild pollinators. However, their nesting habits can cause unacceptable damage...

Be an aware buyer We have all heard the old saying, “If something is too good to be true, it probably is.” This saying continues to hold true for consumers who are constantly bombarded with products claiming to be cure-alls in areas ranging from germ protection to quick and extreme weight loss. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission sent partial refund checks to more than 2,000 Americans who purchased Zadro’s Nano-UV devices, as a result of the commission’s settlement with the company. According to the FTC, Zadro falsely claimed that its Nano-UV devices safely killed 99.99 percent of targeted bacteria including E. coli, Salmonella and the H1N1 swine flu virus in 10...

Protect your home from termites Springtime brings warmer temperatures and more abundant rainfall, and it is typically when many winged termites emerge inside homes and other structures. Termites swarm from their colony to disburse, fall to the ground, find mates and start new colonies in the soil. Through May, you might see swarms of winged termites, called swarmers, inside your home, signaling an infestation that can cause extensive and costly damage. Since swarmers are attracted to light, you often see them or their shed wings around windows, doors and light fixtures. You may also see winged ants in the springtime. By examining the insect you can determine whether it is a termite...

How important is sleep? Do you feel like you are always tired? Perhaps you tell yourself that you will catch up on sleep when it gets to the weekend or when things “settle down.” Sleep is a very important part of staying healthy. And just like food, water and oxygen that are needed to survive, people need sleep. Sleep can also be a critical component to overall health and well-being. It would not be a stretch to think that you probably already know that sleep is important. But did you know that the average American reports getting approximately 7.5 hours of sleep a night. If you think this is an adequate amount,...

Is the Whitley County Health Department’s proposed needle exchange a good thing or a bad thing? There were some mixed opinions offered up during a Whitley County UNITE Coalition meeting Monday afternoon to discuss the issue. Personally, I think that it is a good idea for multiple reasons. Whitley County Health Department Public Health Director Martha Steele told me of a statistic recently that illustrates the problem pretty well. When someone is shooting up drugs, there are typically five other people at that same location sharing the same needle. Besides sharing drugs, this also means that they are likely sharing the same diseases, such as Hepatitis C and HIV. An outbreak of...

Storing and feeding hay and commercial grains and feeds Storing Hay You can store hay indefinitely if the stack is managed correctly; although, in humid climates, using hay within three years of harvest is ideal. Hay growers need to bale it at correct moisture levels because if it is baled too damp the hay will generate heat, which leads to molding. Barn storage, especially long term, is best as it will prevent damage from weather. Rodents and other animals should be kept out, and hay should be stored off the floor. Bales placed directly on concrete could sweat and, if placed on the ground, might wick up moisture, which could result is...