Feeling Wild with Barred Owls

Submitted by Steve Roark on
Encounters with owls are rare and can give you a feeling of witnessing wilderness.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

When I was a kid in the 1970s, seeing a deer was a rare thing, so much so that when I did see one it was like I was witnessing wilderness— ‘feeling wildness’ as I call it. These days, deer populations are so high that I see them almost daily on the farm, so that special feeling has faded into commonplace. But it still comes out when I see, or more likely, hear, owls. I get chill bumps every time, and it’s a very satisfying feeling.

A Changing America: Reflections on Culture, Music and Morality

Submitted by James and Elle… on
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Country Connections by James and Ellen Perry

Sitting here at my desk and remembering our five-inch snow. Then our deep freeze that happened on January 10 with the deep freeze lasting for the following week. It was a beautiful and very frigid February of 2025. It started with a bang as the temps for the second week of February was more like early April. Mother nature can be harsh or very pleasant. Depends on her mood.

Price of eggs reached a record high in January

Submitted by Shannon DeWitt on
Girl holding 1 dozen eggs and a black sex link pullet

The price of a dozen eggs reached a record high in January 2025, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This followed a significant price increase in 2024, when the average cost of a dozen Grade A large eggs rose by 37 percent. In January 2025 alone, egg prices jumped by $1.28 per dozen, reaching $7.09 per dozen—an all-time high (Trading Economics, 2025). The USDA projects that egg prices will rise an additional 20.3 percent in 2025.

Too Much? or Not Enough?

Submitted by Ronnie Mincey on
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One of my favorite genres of literature is the short story. The greatest short stories to me are those which I want to read over and over again, and of which I never tire.

When I was a student in Kenneth Venable’s junior English class at Horace Maynard High School, he assigned us Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment.” The story is about a doctor who supposedly had water from the Fountain of Youth. He invited some of his friends to partake of the water to study its effects on them.

Red As a Cherry

Submitted by Shirley McMurtrie on
Artwork by Shirley McMurtrie

Rick was a blonde curly-headed baby. No problem there, just beautiful curls. Anne did present a problem. She had beautiful curly locks as well, but she couldn't tolerate heat. Anne would turn red as a cherry when she became overheated.

Most everyone can regulate their body temperature by sweating. Not Anne. She just got redder as her temperature rose. I would sponge her off with a cool washcloth and move her to a shady location. The problem seemed unsolvable. Summer would be unbearable for her. We never found a solution.

Strawberry Cookie Bars

Submitted by Shirley McMurtrie on
Artwork by Shirley McMurtrie

You could use seedless strawberry preserves instead of strawberry jam, but you are more likely to have strawberry jam in your pantry. In small bowl combine crumbs and sugar. Add melted margarine. Toss until combined. Press into bottom of 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Evenly drizzle condensed milk over crumbs. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set. Lightly press in place. Spoon strawberry preserves over top. Sprinkle with coconut and nuts. Bake at 350 F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut into bars. Store loosely covered at room temperature.