Wednesday, May 5, 2010

April Visits


We have had the pleasure of visiting so many of you recently across the region and truly have witnessed spring coming to the mountains. At the end of March, we visited Manchester (City of Hope) and the folks at Daniel Boone CAA. If you have not been to their office, it sits a mile and a half straight up a hill. Quite steep for us flat road city slickers. Such an amazing view though! When the weather is bad, we are told that employees park at the bottom of the hill and are transported up to the office by four wheel drive vehicles. That same day we headed over to Jackson and spent time with Alesia in the McKee Office and with Sherrie and Mary Ann at the Jackson County Vocational School. The new high school is being built at the vocational school site. It will be so nice for the students to have both schools together.
In mid-April the redbuds were in full color as we travelled to Northeast CAA in Sandy Hook to visit with Stephanie. Her office is located in the local library and the youth center is just a few buildings away. Next we took the most adventurous road of the season and headed to Louisa to see Bonnie in action. On one hairpin turn, we had to completely stop the car to allow a large truck, coming in the opposite direction, to make the curve. In Louisa, we had the most delicious milkshakes at Dee's. Yum! Later that day we met with the folks in the Olive Hill office and attended their evening board meeting.

That same week we headed to Hazard to see the new LKLP office. What a transformation? Brian transported us to Whitesburg in the afternoon and provided awesome commentary along the way. So nice to see Irene and Kathy's office in the heart of their city.

Next on the agenda was Harlan where we spent time with Flora at the community college, ate in the campus cafe and met with the President. Flora took us up to Kingdom Come (above photo), and showed us Lynch and the Benham School House. The dogwoods and redbuds made for a lovely drive. Later that day we met with Chris and Celia at their community college location.
Additional visits included the Gateway West Liberty office where we observed Karen and Sidney teaching an ethics class to JobCorp participants. Ask us sometime about the impromptu skit that we put on for their students.
Lastly, our month ended with a day in Barbourville. We spent time with Stephen and Shanna as they taught a class for out of school youth on communication. That afternoon we were able to visit a growing local business - Troll and Toad.
How can we thank you enough for your wonderful hospitality?