Beech Tree News Network

The new normal when Kevin Suggs gets home from work is to take his work clothes off and take a shower-not because his job is stinky but to protect his family. On April thirteenth, Henkel Corporation, in Bowling Green, where Kevin is employed, discovered they had a few employees with Covid 19 symptoms. They closed the plant for a few days to sanitize and make working conditions safer for the employees. Unfortunately, Kevin was working near one of the employees that was showing signs of the virus. This was before testing was readily available, so be safe, he and his family self-quarantined for two weeks. Luckily, he and his family did not have the virus and he returned to work at Henkel where he has been an electrician for 17 years.

Kevin’s wife Tammy was very thankful that friends would drop off groceries on their front porch during the quarantine and even some fresh strawberries were left for them.

Their daughter Lilly, 17, will be a senior in August and her younger sister Hannah, 15 , will be a junior. NTI, Non-Traditional Instructional Days used by Butler County Schools, once in-person classes were suspended, did not affect them because they are homeschooled. However, they were both helping with the high school play, Lil Shop of Horrors, which was halted when the schools closed. Hannah commented that the seniors were disappointed because this was the year they would have the best roles.

As a part of homeschooling, students can participate in many hands-on projects and activities such as Hannah building some flower planters for their house, with the help of her dad. And, Hannah still gets her weekly singing lesson but it’s on FaceTime.  

As in person school was suspended, Lilly missed volunteering one day a week for the Owl Academy program which helps 3-5 year old kids get ready for school and taking art classes from Barbara Blanton and teaching art classes at the Arts Guild. Now Lilly is posting art classes on Facebook.

Tammy, Lilly and Hannah were disappointed when the Belmont Church Easter Cantata was put on hold because of the social distancing guidelines. They all helped with the very popular production. Tammy was to play the part of the mature Mary, Lilly was going to be the deaf mute and Hannah was going to be one of the king’s servants. One positive from the social distancing is they get to watch multiple sermons on Facebook and tv.

The Suggs family is taking all this in stride and believes that better days are coming and that they're a very blessed family.

Story by Don Lindsey for Beech Tree News