Published: June 18, 2008 03:06 pm            

Letters to the Editor

June 4, 2008 — Editor,

First of all I would like to thank the American Government for giving me this wonderful opportunity to come here. I have learned a lot of new things and I am very thankful.

I had the best time of my life here, in the USA and my host family means a lot to me. Thank you Rhonda and Boo for being so loving and understanding. I’ll always remember all the fun we had together. Also I would like to thank the principal of East Carter High School, Mr. Damron. He was very supporting and friendly throughout the school year. My favorite teacher is Mr. Kouns. You are the best teacher and I learned a lot of new things about American History.

Of course I cannot forget my friends, they know who they are. I had so much fun with you and I love each one of you. One of my closest friends is exchange student from Taiwan, Hsin Yuan Chen; I will miss her very much. Trevor Prater and his family have a special place in my heart. I love you Trevor and I will definitely see you next year.

In conclusion, I would like to say that I had the best experience a 16-year-old girl could get. It was the best year of my life. Thanks to AYUSA for placing me with my host family and my school. I will never forget the great time I had here and I know I will see you all again. Thank you everybody I have met in this wonderful country!

Ansar-bibi Rakhmetova, Kazakhstan



Editor,

Being an exchange student, I’ve come so far and I’m glad that I did it. Time has passed so fast, ten months just like one month. During this year, I’ve experienced the American life that I always wanted to do. First of all, I need to thank my host family for taking me. I really appreciate their kindness and I really had a great time with them, especially the kids. They’ve brought my exchange life so far. Of course, my host father and mother, Big Bob and Vicky Barker. I will never forget them. They’re just like my second parents.

In school, I also need to thank the principal, Mr. Damron and the counselor. They let me go to East Carter High School and help me a lot with my class schedule. There is a special person I need to say thank you too. He’s Mr. Kouns, my history teacher. He’s such an intelligent teacher and he’s really humorous and modest. He has taught us so many things and shared many things with us. Also, I want to thank my friends in school, Jessica, Stephanie, Tyler, and Brittany. They helped me a lot in school and were good friends to me. That really helped me when I was away from my home and I also need to say thank you to Bibi and Rhonda. My exchange life wouldn’t be the so much fun without you!

Last, I need to thank AYUSA for giving me this chance to be an exchange student. My dream wouldn’t have come true without AYUSA’s help. This year is the best time in my life so far. It was hard but I know I’ve learned a lot and I have changed a lot. I think this experience is going to help me a lot the rest of my life and I am really proud of it.

Hsin-Yuan (Wendy) Chen, Taiwan



Editor,

The Olive Hill Adult Learning Center and Library Inc. would like to take this opportunity to express sincere gratitude and thanks for all the community support and donations on Saturday, May 17, at our fundraiser car wash. We give special thanks to Dairy Queen staff for allowing us the opportunity to use the location for our fundraiser. All the proceedings will go towards construction work on the center.

This project was planned by Olive Hill Adult Learning Center students as a result of a jobs skills course they are enrolled in. Students worked hard as a team and organized this fundraiser. We wish to thank the following students: Donna Smith, Nicole Logan, Pam Lawhorn, Erica Hall, Missy Blevins, Brittany Terry, Donald Shuck, Cheyenne and Shelia Boggs, Amber Pennington and her friend Brae, Tiffany Perry, and Cassie Sackman.

The staff at the center would as well like to thank the Dairy Queen Staff, Josh Tackett, Martha Lowe, and Angel Blazer for their assistance on April 16 Olive Hill Adult Education Week. And we offer a special thanks to Renodia Caudill for all the past and present support of our program.

Olive Hill Adult Learning Center and Library staff



Editor,

From “My Old Kentucky Home” to “Me and Jesus”, the entertainment at Homecoming on the Hill was filled with a display of talent that is as first-rate as anywhere.

There are many people to thank. The Olive Hill Historical Society wants to offer a sincere, huge measure of gratitude for all of the people that had a part in making another success story “on the hill”.

During the day, the first Legacy Arts Fair included artisans that were not included in the evening as well as some who agreed to participate in both day and night. Those giving their time in the day event only were Whitney Dyer, Jane Sewell Bradford, Backporch Pickers (John Tierney, Mike Barker, Leon Zornes and Kermit Richmond), Christy Brown and Kim Patton, Cathie Harris, Willis Bond, Larry Carroll and Carolyn Carroll, Elizabeth Short, Velda Dunaway, Sonja Kiser, Pat Rayburn, Danny Grim, Janena Reynolds, Neal Salyers, Garnett Stamper, Laura Ekland, Louella Davis, Luke Bryan, Joleen Ramey and Brenda Thacker, Barbara Sue Kiser, Rattlesnake Ridge Genealogy Group, Phyllis Parsons, Janet Maddix and Lois Phillips, Beth Cooke, Jane Sparks Tatum, Jerri Lynn Schlenker, Tony King, Larry Taylor, Gary Jones and Ron Evans, Martin McHenry, and The Heritage Hoedowners.

For the evening, first and foremost we must acknowledge KCU’s Paul

Rice and company who gave of their precious time, talent, and resources to bring us lights and sound. Without them, the evening couldn’t have happened.

Next, the performing artists came to “the stage on the Hill” and presented their God-given talent as a gift to the efforts of OHHS. The concert headlined one of Country Music Hall of Fame’s newest inductee and our very own native son, Tom T. Hall, who gave, what many considered, his most entertaining performance ever on a stage from where he began his career. Don Rigsby and the Midnight Call showcased their exceptional talent and added the musicians that Tom needed as they partnered to present some great songs. George Molton, Olive Hill’s rising star, left the stage with many wanting so much more as he went on to another commitment. Angela Knight was a huge surprise to everyone as this famed opera artist wowed the crowd with her obvious successful talent and ministry. Sasha Collette and Rob McNurlin, Laurel Branch, Scott Tackett along with Steve Collins and Scott’s band, the Kentucky Sunrise added to the variety of the evening, pleasing the audience with more “legacy” gifts. The younger ladies, Anna Glenn Curtis and Hannah Bradford were excellent in their tribute to Tom. Finally, Dr. Wayne Andrews, President of Morehead State University, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and he agreed that Olive Hill High School’s legacy artists were all amazingly wonderful and gave the community their money’s worth on a night dedicated to their own heritage.

Behind the scenes, many had an intrical part in creating the evening.

Our special thanks goes out to the following people, organizations, and businesses for their particular expertise they shared: Ashland Daily Independent, Ashland Specialty and Sales, Senator Charlie Borders, The City of Olive Hill, Carter County Schools, Chris’s Guitar Shop, Commercial Bank of Grayson, Dairy Queen of Olive Hill, Dyers Big Sandy, KFC of Grayson, Garden Gate Greenhouse, Globe Funeral Chapel, Governor Steve Beshear, Senator Charlie Borders, Jeanie’s Flowers, Olive Hill and Grayson Police Departments, The Olive Hill Times, Subway, Sparks Funeral Home, Something Sassy Gift Boutique of Ashland, West Carter Art Department, WUGO, WGLC, all of the businesses who bought advertising in our program, Tony Collier, Judi and Amy Cline, Tim Harris, Steve Knight, Terry and Penny Maggard, John and Amanda Nichols, Kermit Richmond, Louise Stapleton, Gary James, Mayor Danny Sparks, Alma Sturgill, Judge Executive Charles Wallace, Representative Robin Webb and Richard Williams.

Thanks to the members of OHHS for all of their hard work in planning and working the events.

OHHS President, Madeline Powell

        

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