The two young people from the accident here last week on Hwy 14 came by to view the scene. Leslie Heriford was using a crutch and said no bones were broken but it was a pretty bad trauma. Helen Ireland, wife of our area mailman, Terry, is in Cox South Hospital, hoping to go home soons, but will be on IV antibiotics.
The Ganzer place across the road from Randy Boeddeker’s farm looks deserted. Eva Wymer, the former owner of that land called for a phone visit and of course, is dismayed that the place is not cared for. Eva spent so very many hours in the garden there and it was a dandy, receiving so many nice comments from locals and those who just drove by. The whole place needs to be bush-hogged. Someone did remove the little garden shed.
We don’t know if it was a small tornado or straight line winds but one of the outbuildings at the Schrable place on Hwy. 14 is now strewn across the pasture. KY 3 announced a tornado a mile south of Dogwood but I haven’t heard any more about that one. There were trees down on Hwy. 14 as well as “Z” and “BB” but the road crews got to them quickly. Good thing Rex was driving home carefully from work as he came upon a downed tree on “AK” and got J.R. Garrison out there so they could get it removed. Some new roofing was torn from Dwight and Diana Swearengin’s home. I am getting a weather radio this week!!
Randy has started cutting hayfields. If the forecasts are accurate, he and many others in this area should be able to bale hay this week. One of the advantages of my age is that I am no longer expected to be helping in the hay…or taking care of cattle. I do usually provide a meal or two in hay season.
Great grandson Justin turned ten on Sunday. A friend sleepover had been planned but had to be cancelled when Justin came with strep throat. After Mass yesterday I took his birthday gifts to the house, also some birthday cupcakes and a gift from his godmother, Tina Chriss. They were down the road at Grandma Arlene’s place. I heard this morning Justin is pleased with his gifts, especially the books from Tina so I’m sure Tina will be getting a big hug.
Trish Bohn and her grandson dropped in a few days ago for a visit. Trish said her son, Christopher, has opened an auto shop on the old Dugan place at Hwy 14 and O Hwy. Kim (Witchey) Fincher stopped by Sunday evening for a visit. My sister, Dona, called last week from California, worried about all the storms here. My son, Ryan, called last night asking if we’d been blown away and to wish me a wonderful weekend as May 31st would have been Willie‘s and my 59th wedding anniversary.
This morning many will be at the Ava Cemetery to honor our military fallen and deceased. It is so great that the city puts American flags on the graves of the military. My friend, John, called last night from California. He had attended a Memorial Day event there and said there was only one survivor there from WW II, only four there from the Korean War (John was an Army Ranger there) and many from the Viet Nam War. John had quite a visit with one vet from Korea and they discovered they were in the same area of Korea at the same time even though that gentleman had been a Marine. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all veterans and to all our military and pray for all of them.
From the desk of Jamey Herd
A wonderful day in the Lord Sunday was had by me and my family as Billy Joe and I celebrated our 50th Wedding anniversary at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. All our children made it home for the day. Our oldest daughter, Susan, and husband Chuck with their children, Joellen, Jenny, Drew, and Jayme from Carl Junction, did the morning music with granddaughter, Joellen at the piano. Pastor Carl brought the morning message.
We ate lunch at the church then the kids got things ready for the afternoon festivities. Chuck, Joellen, Ron Herd, and Clay Herd continued to sing and play their instruments. During the morning service then in the afternoon Susan’s family sang several specials to Billy Joe and I. Also grandson, Clay Herd, from Ft. Knox, Kentucky, sang a special song he wrote for us. Also attending were Don Herd from Forysyth, Missouri, Ron and Robin Herd and children, Clay and his friend, Katy, Mia, Nate, Alex, Hunter and Samantha Herd from Rogersville, and Janice and Robert Scott with children Kara and Kyle from Towanda, Kansas. I thank the Lord for all my family. They are a real blessing to us.
This past week has been a very emotional week. With the horrible tornado in Joplin and then even one in our own community on Tuesday night, it has been a stressful week. The Jerry Paul’s place sustained considerable damage as did Dwight Swearengin and Levi Shrable. According to the KY3 website the twister didn’t lift till 3 miles south of Seymour. I have not heard of more damage as it moved on North. My understanding was there were no storm chasers out in our area. When the storm alert went off at 2 a.m. they were saying a tornado was at Dogwood. There was not time to go to shelter anywhere. According to the KY3 website, a local ham operator was responsible for reporting the twister to the weather service. I am thankful there wasn’t anyone hurt in our area.
My daughter, Susan, has been very busy this past week working from her church, First Baptist of Carl Junction, making up hygiene kits and taking in and sorting clothing donations for the tornado victims. Susan lives only 7 miles north of where the tornado hit. The church also fixed a meal on Wednesday night for the victims. Chuck, who is Dr. Doyle, a psychologist, was providing counseling to church members in Joplin who lost their churches.
The Dogwood Cemetery was looking really nice yesterday. People have been coming for several days decorating their family’s graves.
It looks like the weather has settled down and is going to be hot and humid now. I hope the storms are gone for a while. Until next week stay safe and God’s Blessing to everyone.
