The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Calihan reunion planned for Sept. 14 in Indiana

Southern Ohio



Hello, everyone!

Once again I start this column with a heavy heart as a close friend of my son, Keith Ballard, has paid the ultimate price. Kelly Payne was only 39 years old. Kelly’s mom found her in bed and couldn’t wake her up. I have only known Kelly about two months. She made me feel as if I had known her all her life. She loved my son very much. It seems as if I can see her smile everywhere I turn.

Kelly loved fishing and everything connected to outside. When Keith would come to mow my grass you would find Kelly helping him. Keith is having a hard time dealing with Kelly’s death. I don’t know how to help him. I feel like I am in a bad dream and can’t wake up!

If next year is like this one, I really don’t want to see another one. Then I stop to think what am I complaining about? I still have so much to be thankful for.

Dean Osborne’s Festival at Hyden was this weekend. I was tempted to get in my car or van and run away. That is so close to my brother Richie and Wanda’s and Jerry and Mattie’s I would feel guilty going and not visiting them. So I guess I will just stay home and let my friends, Joe and Mona Parker, tell me how good the music was!

I have been busy as my granddaughter, Jennifer Proctor, needed a baby-sitter for my great-grandson, T.J., who is 3 weeks older than little Bennie, which means I have two 18- month-olds. One day I kept my seven-year-old great-granddaughter, Samantha Gray, along with the two little tikes. Did I say something about wanting to run away?

Coolie Jr. Calihan wants everyone to know that the Calihan reunion will be held at Franklin County 4 H Park at Circle Shelter Brookville, Ind., Sept. 14 from 10—? Just bring a covered dish and come for a good time. This is the second time this event has been held.

Of course don’t forget Sept. 20 is the second Letcher County Day in Harrison, Ohio. This will be held at the Harrison Community Center at the big shelter. Please bring a picnic lunch and a drink as this is still new to me and I really can’t afford food for everyone as much as I would like to.

I received a letter from Shelly Bockover from Greensburg, Ind. Shelly said she and Bob are planning to attend. I have wanted to see something like this take place in Harrison, Ohio, for a long time. I have heard if you want something done do it yourself, so last year with the encouragement of my friend, Ann Calihan, I finally got off my big behind and did it! I was really pleased to have such a good turnout and I hope everyone will come back again.

I am glad this is taking place as I need something to look forward to. That is, if something doesn’t happen to keep this from taking place. If I am not there please look for me in the closest mental hospital, or a cemetery some place.

I was told that a woman from back home, Dovie Eldridge, use to get everyone together. I didn’t know anything about it or I would have been there.

I recently found out something about Social Security! How many know when you are supposed to get odd change that the government keeps it? I noticed on my information that it had a different amount in cents. I got curious and I called the Social Security office, and was told that the government kept the change. My change would have given me another dollar, and that means $12 more on the year. What if you start adding several more people who are drawing? There’s nothing that can be done about it!

Shirley Well’s grandson, Tyler, has been staying with her a few nights as school will be starting very soon.

My brother, Jerry Hall, was back in Whitesburg Hospital again as his sugar got out of control. He called after he was home saying he was doing OK. I said, “That is good,” as I didn’t even know he had been in there.

No one has heard from our sister, Loretta Church, since Ron Sublet picked her up from Letcher Nursing Home.

Betty and Barefoot Bill Kelly paid another visit to the mountains and Barefoot Bill got feeling bad so their visit was cut short. Their son is having health problems. Betty’s brother, Doug Bryant, isn’t doing very well; he is battling that dreadful cancer.

I lost five pounds as I finally got around to shaving my legs and got my hair cut!

Clarence and Arlyn Halcomb, I was in your neighborhood and almost stopped. I hated to just pop in without notice.

Gwen Huff Farmer, I haven’t forgotten you, I just haven’t felt like being on the computer. Maybe things will get back to normal for me. I doubt it as I don’t have the slightest idea what normal is!

Hello, Bruce Jones, I hope thing are okay on Ingrams Creek.

Johnny Calihan stopped by with a care package of green beans and vegetables from their garden.

Oma Hatton, I sure enjoy your column and you are very right, at times it is difficult to find something to write about, especially when your heart isn’t in it.

Hello to Herb Halcomb of Tacoma Wash. I sure enjoyed your phone call. I will once again say those who don’t take the time to sit down and listen to the life experiences of someone who is older than you, you are missing out on a lot of knowledge.

My granddaughter, Sarah Nottingham, celebrated her 10th birthday. I took her a dozen pink roses, which she really liked. It was the first time she had received flowers.

My son-in-law, Scott Nottingham, who is a policeman in Ft. Mitchell, was offered a job teaching at the police academy from which he graduated; it is in Ohio. My daughter, Anna Nottingham, called teasing me by asking could they move in with me? I said no way! I would give them my house and I would move!

I told Scott when he married Anna there was a policy, no re- turns!

My 19-year-old granddaughter, Jodi Gray, has transferred from Ohio University to Mt. St. Joseph College here locally. Jodi will be in her second year of college to be a teacher.

I bet Devon Cornett and Kerstie are getting ready for school to start back on Ingrams Creek.

Eleven people were hanging on a rope, under a helicopter, 10 men and a woman. The rope was not strong enough to carry them all so they decided that one had to leave, because otherwise they were all going to fall. They weren’t able to choose that person, until the woman gave a very touching speech. She said she would voluntarily let go of the rope because, as a woman, she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids or for men in general, and was used to always making sacrifices with little in return.

As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping. Moral of the story, don’t underestimate a woman! I hope I brought a smile to your face.

Until next time: Rose Ballard, 9110 Lawrenceburg Road, Harrison, Ohio 45030, email Bluegrassmama4@aol.com 513- 367-4682.


Leave a Reply