Beech Tree News Network

We know by now either Hillary or Donald will be the new president-unless there is a very-very dark horse lurking somewhere-which is unlikely.
For whomever sits down anew in the chair of the oval office, here are some questions:

For years, I carried a note in my Bible that was written by my youngest daughter, Nikki.  She wrote the note one Sunday morning while I was having a meltdown over not being able to get all of us to church on time.  She was about eight years old at the time.
 It had been a horrendous morning.  I always fixed a big breakfast for my family on Sunday mornings.  Bacon, eggs, homemade biscuits, gravy—the whole spread.  I was an idiot back in the day. 

  This last week (9/27/16), the cities of Morgantown, Rochester, and Woodbury had yet another vote concerning expanding the sale of alcohol into our community. Sadly, alcohol sales won by a total of 119 votes in three towns. Just eight short months ago, the people voted “no” to expanding alcohol sales in the county, which obviously included these three cities. Yet, it has now won the day in the Morgantown, Rochester, and Woodbury. This is no reason to celebrate. Expanded alcohol sales do not bring health and wealth, but sickness and poverty in the lives of individuals.

When speaking about his friend of many years, T.E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and his tragic death, Winston Churchill made this remark, “ I deem him one of the greatest beings of our time, we shall never see his like again.” Winston admired both the courage and knowledge of his friend and though some of his exploits could now be debated as to whether they were courageous, foolhardy or misguided, in the view of his friend, his passing left a void which could never be filled.

Daviess County is the 7th largest county in Kentucky.  It was founded in 1815.  As of the 2014 census, the population was 98,275.  The county seat is Owensboro,  named after Colonel Abraham Owen, killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe.  The county was formed from part of Ohio County on January 14, 1815. 

The fall television broadcast schedule has begun. The networks – of course – are eager for each of us to watch their programming. This is the time of year when I wonder why I didn’t binge watch the one or two programs that I missed last year so that I’d be caught up to begin watching this season. It looks like my DVR will get a workout for a few weeks as I identify my prefer-to-watch programs for the season.

Floating Ax heads; Talking Donkeys, and Cool Furnaces…
    The Bible prophets, Elisha was in Gilgal.  Some of the sons of the prophets told Elisha they wanted to go to the Jordan and enough timber there for them to build a new dwelling: “The place where we dwell with you is too small,” they complained. They asked if Elisha would go with them.  He agreed.

Last week on NPR, I heard an interview with a writer from Eastern Kentucky.  The guy grew up in the kind of poverty and backwardness that sometimes besets the people of that area.  He escaped it because of the influence of his Mamaw and Papaw, he told the interviewer.  He spoke of a “learned helplessness” prevalent among his friends who became stuck in the lifestyle of generations before them.      I saw that “learned helplessness” in the area where I grew up, as well, but I, like the guy on NPR, had the influence of family who were determined to move forward.  I am often inspired by people

   As folks in Morgantown, Woodbury, and Rochester prepare to vote against alcohol sales for the second time this year, let us again put in perspective what such an election means to the citizens. I understand that before 2016, there had not been a “wet-dry” vote in Butler County since 1942. This is a span of seventy-four years where this entire county was considered “dry.” After seventy-four years, some folks thought it necessary to have a “wet-dry” vote. They got it in January of this year. It was voted down. Why is there now a need for yet another election?

  WHAT DO YOU THINK