Why Everyone Should Love Their Small Town Life.

As you may well know, if you read anything on my blog, I am super proud of my small town life. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. You may be rolling your eyes and calling me a liar, but I really do love living simply, and beautifully right here in Hazard. I am not going to sit here and write a huge piece about Mayberry and how Aunt Bea cooks everybody soup beans and Andy rides in on a white horse, I am sorry, but OUR small town life is so much more than all your stereotypical, television town bull-crap. It is about a close knit community, a way of life, the love of family, and generations of good, honest people, who could move away, but choose to stay here and make their living. I am sure if you ask anyone who truly loves their town, and the slow, simply way we live, they would understand all the reasons why everyone should love their small town life.

Family: Chances are you live five minutes from Grandma, Aunt So-and-So, Your Mama, and maybe even your siblings. I love being able to hop in the car and go see my Mom whenever I want to. I could not imagine just having to talk to her from the other end of a telephone. Plus, you really can't beat Sunday dinners at your Grandmother's house. More taters, Please!

Church Families and Community: The sense of closeness in the community, at times, can be something that is awe-inspiring. The churches in small towns really do come together to help anyone in need. Whether it be someone who is newly diagnosed with illness, in need of financial assistance, and a rally cry, or sponsoring food drives for the local homeless shelters. Without these amazing people, there would be a lot of lost, lonely folks. That is something small towns don't worry about, if you want saving, you can always be saved, and in more ways than one.

Sports: Nowhere on earth, will you find a bunch of people who are more into their high school/college sports than small town Kentucky. Lord have mercy. I have witnessed parents ejected at grade school games, my senior year a fan was tazed at a (very, very, important) region basketball game, and local football is so big, you have to purchase tail gating parking spots. We love it, we treat the athletes like minor celebrities, but no matter what, as long you make this area proud, we support you all the way.

We decorate the daylights out of everything: Oh yeah, I have three Christmas trees. Yeah, honey, I had my husband put up three extra fodder shocks this evening. Did you see her house? Not a single Halloween decoration. We love our holidays, and decorate our homes accordingly. It may cost us a small fortune, but you better believe we're all in competition with the neighbors to out-decorate each other. Keep em looking festive, ladies.

We have KICK ASS FOOD: I know, I am a fat kid at heart. I can eat fried okra until I'm sick, pone cornbread until I have to unbutton my pants, and so much gravy I am wiping grease off my face. I am country, and I like my country-fried food. You can have your damn chain restaurants, and your fast food. Just give me a couple good diners and dairy bars where I can get my chicken and dumplins, deep fried honey bun, and mile high custards and I'll be just fine.

Literally, Everyone Knows You: Everybody dies famous in a small town. It's true. Once you come of age, and enter into society, you get to know just about everyone. Sometimes that's good, sometimes it's bad. How you come to be known is your choice. Reputations die hard in small towns, everyone knows your business, but seems like everyone is just a little more forgiving here. Hell, even my sweet little Grandma had her wild days. Everybody does. There's not much else to do here but get in just a little trouble, and we're pretty good at that. We are also pretty good at second chances. Just go to church on Sunday, get that expunged off your record, and pray people forget!

You're just one of us: I always say this, people from small towns talk, they gossip, but they won't let anyone that is an outsider say anything about one of their own. My Mama always said, I can say whatever I want to about my brothers and sisters but nobody else can. That's true here. We don't take well to anybody that tries to badmouth us, belittle us, talk about us, or shame us. We are proud of who we are, and take it or leave it, Yankee.

Whenever I get down on my small little life, (sometimes it is possible) I have to remind myself of all of these things. Small town living is unique, and we have traits that you can't find, even in the biggest cities. Here, we remember what is still, and has always been important: family, love, respect, work ethic, and community. Never be ashamed of where you came from, where you live, or maybe even where you wish you were. Small town life is something to be cherished, preserved, and most all of, admired.

10 Things You Must Do If You Ever Come to Hazard Ky.

Anyone that reads my blog knows that I love my hometown. Despite all the negativity that seems to always cloud the good parts, Hazard really is pretty special. When I was at EKU, I would bring in my friends from other areas, and they couldn't believe this place. Most of them loved it, and would talk about it years after their visits. I guess to really appreciate it, you have to experience it for yourself. For anyone that reads this, that isn't from our area, here is a list of 10 things you MUST do if you ever visit Hazard.

1: Go see the Mother Goose. My poor roommate Jaimee was from the Cincinnati area, and had never really been to Eastern Kentucky. Apart from being completely baffled by the copious amounts of kud zu we have, she couldn't believe we had a building in town that was in the shape of a green, over sized goose. To me, it is just something that I have grown up with, and am used to, but honestly, if you have never saw anything like it, I guess it would startle the crap out of you.

2: Drive up to the La Citadel. Now, I may be biased, because I live close to here, on Sun Valley, but that mountain is absolutely beautiful. La Citadel, in it's hay day was a swinging place. I have heard many party stories about the glory days. The old hotel overlooks the entire city, and miles of beautiful mountains. It is sad to see all the history, and the place run down, but just trust me, it is worth the drive, although you may get a little car sick. It's very windy and very high up!

3: Go on Saturday and get chicken and dumplings with okra and macaroni and tomato from Circle T. No explanation needed here. You will thank me. That diner is the epitome of small town sweetness. Friendly people, family owned, everyone you know in there, playing Keno and drinking coffee. I love it.

4: Go across the road to France's Diner and get a peanut butter milkshake. Heaven in a cup. Your brain might cave in because it is so thick, but it is SO delicious. They used to deliver them to us when I was a Perry Central. Perfection.

5: Have a beer at the Broken Spoke. It has been on main street forever. The lounge has a fabled history of bar brawls, and Bo and Luke Duke-esque antics, but they have live music and karaoke and it's a good time. Plus, it seems like everyone's rowdy friends have settled down. So,Why not? Plus, Mr. Haley is a really sweet man, (the owner) and it's nice to sit down and have a conversation with him and his wife.

6: Grab lunch at the Tree house Cafe. Such a cute little place on main street, and their turkey, bacon ranch club is to die for! They usually have live bands and poetry readings on some evenings. Really neat.

7: Browse Bobby Davis Park and Museum. This place is beautiful. I have had all of my family pictures done there, in fact the ones on my blog are taken in this location. Old stone stairways, rows of ivy, shade trees. It's just lovely. Check it out, and the museum has some great artifacts and tid bits about our heritage.

8: Go fishing on the dock behind City Hall. My two year old loves this. It is beautiful back there, and so peaceful.

9:If you are a music person, stop in Taulbee's on high street. It is like stepping back in time. He sells instruments, strings, sheet music, but the best part is that every time you go in, there is always someone there having a jam session. He even has an old school, pull-lever cash register. I love that.

10: Sit on the steps by the court house and people watch. You want to talk about diversity. You can see a millionaire drive by in an expensive car and speak to someone who is struggling and doesn't have anything. Hazard has them all. Always interesting, and guaranteed to give you a laugh, or make you appreciate what you do have. Either way, I bet you will make at least one friend.

                       If you ever pass through, remember us, and the unique-ness that is Hazard.

 For more information Contact Hazard-Perry County Tourism:

http://www.hazardperrytourism.com/

Photo Credits On This Blog:

www.wsgs.com

http://www.smoothphoto.com/ (Photos By Robert K. Hall)

Edit: After going about my day, I remembered another pivotal place in Hazard that everyone knows, loves and goes to, and I honestly cannot believe I forgot about it. The Pantry Shelf in Hazard. It is a MUST to stop by and grab a dozen doughnuts. They are the absolute best around. My friend, Jarron, who is also a part of Hazard's rotary club was kind enough to tell me about a program going on right now where The Pantry Shelf will donate a dollar to The Rotary Club's fund for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, per every dozen doughnuts sold, (whether you buy one of a dozen it all adds up) which benefits children in our community. If you sign your children up, they get a free book a month until they are five. Every child in the home gets a book. This runs through October, and every dollar made will be matched by Run For The Hills. This has been going on since August. There are pamphlets available in the store for more information. They are trying to get enough funding to do this county wide, not just in the city. This is so great, I know and understand how vital reading to your children is to cultivate an early love of learning. Susan Brotherton, the owner, has already advised me to sign my children up, because it is such a great program! Great to see local business owners giving back! Now, go buy some doughnuts!!

PJ's Attic is Hazard's Local Treasure Trove.

 Located conveniently on East Main, in Hazard Ky, PJ's Attic, is Hazard's resident treasure trove. Owned and operated by Ms. Paula Goodlette, this unique little shop has captured many hearts in the area. I love walking into a place and never knowing what I am going to find. People have asked me several times, where I like to go in our area to shop around for unique antiques or things that are hard to find, and I always have to gush to them about how completely amazing PJ's is. Because honestly, I have never really been to another place like it. From glittering hat pins, glam 1950's brooches, vintage baby layette sets, delicate depression glass bone dishes, to beautiful hand carved antique beds, worn books, vintage TIME magazines and kooky handmade aprons, this store is something
everyone should go and take in.

I was lucky enough to have had some one on one time with Ms. Goodlette and she showed me around her store yesterday, and spoke to me about the history regarding it's location. The shop is located in the old Hazard A&P building, which was built by Goodlette's grandfather in he 1950's. I have heard many people speak of the old A&P, and share fond memories. My Grandmother used to shop there and my mom can remember being little and going with her.

Goodlette also had an indoor vendors mall in the location for 23 years, which I told her that I can remember going to with my Grandparents and Aunts when I was young. Later, this became PJ's Attic when people started coming to her for answers on where to find antique used furniture. The idea just kind of took off. PJ's also offers consignment services. If you have things that you want her to come box up and take back to her store to sell, she will do it for a commission, and you can also take things to her to be sold. She deals a lot with estate sales and liquidations also. The shop is rich in history, and even if you aren't going in to buy anything, just going in to browse and soak up times gone by, will leave you with on a smile on your face. Even my two year old loves going in and looking at all the trinkets and toys.

 I loved the necklace and earring set on the left. If only I had somewhere fancy enough to wear it to!

PJ's has a wide selection of antique jewelry, right down to furniture, glassware, pictures, nick knacks
, books, vinyls and basically anything you can imagine! I love going in to browse to see what she has brought in. When Kyle and I were first married, he bought me a silver antique cigarette case there that I absolutely ADORE. I have also purchased a seriously unique marble office ash tray there, and a beautiful Orvis briefcase for Kyle. She has great deals, is willing to negotiate and offers half off sales, and other seasonal options. She also in the process of expanding her space, and has opened up several more rooms in addition to her already sprawling inventory. There really is something for every one there!

So if you are ever in the area, this is one of those stores that you will want to go and tell you friends about. I love getting a glimpse back into simpler days gone by, and buying pieces to have in my home that reflect those by gone eras.

https://www.facebook.com/paula.pjsattic?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

Above is the face book link to PJ's Attic! If you have any questions, Paula is always more than helpful and always posts pictures of her new merchandise and is more than accommodating when it comes to her customers.

Happy Pickin everyone!

My Love Affair with Hazard.

Hazard Kentucky. A small town, nestled in the foothills of South Eastern Kentucky. Part of Appalachia, the area has a rich history. Elijah Combs traveled here in 1795 and built the first "temporary" house on the North Fork of the Kentucky River. He was the founder of Perry County, which was the 68th county founded in Kentucky, in 1821. Even in early court records, the town was always called Hazard. Hazard grew slowly, and by the time the civil war broke out, there were about a dozen families settled here. The Civil War was a time of misery for the mountain people, and the town was subject to guerrilla raids and looting from a band of wild outlaws. The expansion of the railroad, and the boom of lumber and the  coal industry in the 1920's transformed the town into a major mining industry, which still somewhat continues today.

Even though now, we are mostly known for our addiction problems, and coal lay offs. I still have a love affair with my home town. It started for me when I was young, and a trip to Hazard was a big treat. We lived in Lost Creek, which is out in the county and is a lengthy drive into town. I can remember going to an old fashioned styled drug store, on Main street,  and watching as they would make lemonade by hand, while I sat a top a swiveling bar stool. I can't be sure, but I always assumed that it was Rexall's. I used to love to stop in Bybee jewelry (now the Hall's Mall's) and look at all the trinkets, pottery and pretties they had displayed. My mom always told me not to touch. Christmas downtown, when I was little, was magical. There were trees lining the side walks and they would drape Christmas lights across the street. It almost looked like a glittered canopy. Every store window was painted and decorated. People took a lot of pride in it. I loved that.  There was Huff Drug, located in Hazard clinic, that had a never ending display of gifts, especially teddy bears, that made my doctors visits a little more cheery. They sold licorice in the single slices, not the Twizzlers kind. I remember always getting a pack before going upstairs. On Sundays, my dad would take me to Circle T for chicken and dumplins, and then to France's for peanut butter milkshakes. He used to know, and like both owners and so, he didn't want to pick a side. Small town life. Little things.

School Rivalries. Namely, M.C. Napier (back in the day) and Hazard, and now Perry Central and Hazard. You want to talk about getting someone riled up, just mention it. My mom and my step dad were high school sweethearts. Mom cheered for Napier, Keith played ball for Hazard. It is STILL an issue in our house when they play each other. My mom is so awful, she can't even go to games.  I am a Commodore through and through, ( I cheered for Perry) and I live on a street with the Principal of Hazard High school, a prospective Mayor candidate, the Magistrate of Hazard and numerous die hard bulldog fans. I am outnumbered and outranked. (But I am still looking for a PCC flag to fly on my front porch) Nowhere else can you hate someone blatantly during a ballgame, and then after it is over, go out with them and be best friends. Small town life. 

As I got older, I started to see more and more businesses close down.Schools were consolidated, the coal industry was changing. Downtown Hazard now, is only a shell of what it used to be. There are loiters that dirty up the streets, hookers that make the town a running punch line among visitors. It makes me sad to see what was once a booming, beautiful little town, turn desolate. But still, I have a love affair with Hazard that has never went away. I moved away briefly (to Richmond)  after graduating high school, spent much of that year so homesick that I couldn't think straight. I came right back home. Something about these mountains, and this town, gets in your blood and never lets you go. I see people leave all the time, and then come right back. Hazard is just a part of who I am, I will more than likely never leave it.

The people, the traditions, the heritage. Families that have known each other from generation to generation. You have the same teachers your parents had. You eat at the same restaurants your grandparents used to. Everyone is so intertwined. Our cast of characters in town is more like something from a slapstick comedy. Everyone knows Larry Love, the sweet newspaper guy that can put a smile on anyone's face, down to HB, the longtime liquor distributor known as Brewers. Life is slow and small here, but at the same time, done on a big scale. So contrasting and different in every way.

I look forward to raising my children here, whatever anyone else says. They will go to school with the children of my classmates, and probably hear tales about me in my younger days. They will more than likely join the ranks of Hazard town folk, when they are older, and maybe even inherit my love for this place. They will go on dates at Wal Mart (god forbid) and probably scramble through a road block late one night at "Coastal". They will become Commodores, maybe even Bulldogs (hope not) who knows? They will learn not to speed by the college, not be caught after dark at the Park, and which police officers will let them off, because they know me or their dad. (You all know it happens.)
All the folk lore and legend of this town will become second tongue to them, and they will enjoy it, and retell it to their children, whenever that time comes. Time always marches on.

 I can't tell you all the reasons I love it, but there are many. Maybe, more sentimental than anything. There is a memory around every corner, a connection behind every door. I am Hazard from the top of my head, to the tips of my toes. The unique little place captured my imagination 20 some odd years ago, and just never let me go. I will always be "that girl from Hazard". I am still proud of the queen city, and hope that in the future, it's inhabitants can restore her back to her former beauty and make her lovely again. I still believe in it.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/583192035081693/

Above is the link to Invision Hazard.  InVision Hazard is an ad hoc citizens’ action group dedicated to revitalizing downtown Hazard to make it a fun, vibrant place to work and play! This group is facilitated by the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, the local community foundation. If you have questions about the project or would like to get involved, please contact the Foundation at 606-439-1357 or email the group's facilitator, Allison Tse, at allison@appalachianky.org. 

Additional credits for information on this blog go to:

www.wsgs.com

www.hazardkentucky.com

www.cityofhazard.com



Note: I am in no way a part of or affiliated with InVision, however, I think what they are doing is fantastic, and I just wanted to share in case anyone who reads this would like to be a part of it, or contact them with ideas.