I was trying to unravel a
computer problem this morning and it brought to mind something that happened
when I was elected to the Hickman County School Board. The day after the election the superintendent
came to me and asked my reason to run as everyone has an agenda. I responded that I was interested in my kid’s
education but my secondary reason for running was to see computers used in the
schools mainly so a graduate could tell a prospective employer that yes; I have
had hands on experience with computers.
To make a long story shorter we soon had
the computers. I had a photography hobby
and a dark room at home. The teachers
were starting a program recognizing a teacher of the week to run in the paper
with a picture and asked me if I would take the pictures. I agreed and took pictures in all the teachers’
classrooms. It was a wonderful
experience and I really enjoyed it. We
had just acquired computers for the class rooms and one of the first teachers
recognized was Ms Ruby Samples. I was so
amazed that being the oldest teacher she had embraced the new technology
wholeheartedly. She was using it as a
teaching aid and not as a crutch to replace the teacher. That all the teachers were receptive to the
new technology was pretty obvious but Miss Ruby`s total acceptance really
impressed me.
Within a year we not only had computers
but had computer labs at both schools and computer classes as well.
Driving by the ICF this morning and having
just read the obituary for Virginia Nell Davis reminded me of the time when it
was a hospital and she worked there. She
along with Ruby Jackson, Libby Larkin, Jack Byassee, Carolyn Hickerson and
Carolyn`s mom were truly angels of mercy.
One or more of them always seemed to be there when I or some of my
family were patients. Virginia, Carolyn
and I were classmates and good friends as well.
I remember when my Dad passed away my
cousin, who was on a heart transplant team in Michigan, was here and Libby
Larkin showed her around the facility.
On the way to my house she said that really the only things that she saw
different from where she worked was that they have a heart surgeon on site at
all times and the other was that the crash cart here was much more
sophisticated than what they had.
Especially since ours recorded everything that occurred during an
incident. She was equally impressed with
Western Baptist when I had bypass surgery there.
The Clinton Hickman County Hospital and
Dr. Vester Jackson`s clinic both saved many lives and are a great loss to our
community. Dr. Jackson`s clinic was
located just west of the museum where Jack Roberts later had an office. I understand that there was also once a hospital
where the pool room was as well but before my time I think. The Jackson clinic had a few patient rooms as
well. I will always remember the time
two friends, Jack Matthews and Dale Barclay were home on leave and were in a
terrible accident and were there for an extended stay. I doubt either would have made it to the
county line by ambulance for back then the ambulance consisted of one station
wagon without oxygen or EMT. Without
the hospitals we are so very fortunate that we have the Clinton Hickman County
EMS and their life saving equipment and expertise. Being able to communicate with the hospital
in route so their ER can be ready ahead of time is a blessing.
I may have mentioned this before but one
of the funniest happenings at the Post Office was one of J. D. Barclay’s
experiences. It was raining hard one day
and he had a parcel for one of his customers.
It seems that the house had no porch and no one was at home. He did not want to leave a note and them have
to go to the office to pick it up so he checked and the front door was
open.
JD cracked the door just enough to put the
package inside where it was dry. Little
did he realize that that was just enough opening for their dog to make a dash
for the dry, warm indoors. J. D. chased
him into the kitchen where the dog took refuge under the kitchen table.
I can just picture the rest. As JD got on his knees to retrieve the dog
the homeowners returned home to see the spectacle in front of their eyes. Luckily they were friends and thought it was
as comical as everyone else.
Contrary to what some people believe, mail
carriers take pride in the safety and security of mail and they take every
precaution with the mail entrusted to them.
Invariably under the worst conditions a small amount will get wet in
delivery but is kept to the barest minimum.
JD and Ed. Latta were active officers in
the American Legion of Kentucky and one being Democrat and the other Republican
and along with others in the area worked tirelessly petitioning Washington to
get a Veterans Medical Center in Mayfield.
They did not see it happen but I am sure that their efforts on behalf of
all local veterans had a lot to do with the fine clinic located in Mayfield
today. They can be proud of their efforts.
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