John Young Brown served three terms in the U.S. Congress

724 Center Street was built for John y. Brown and his wife Rebecca. Here is his official biography from the Congressional Record. 

BROWN, John Young, (nephew of Bryan Rust Young and William Singleton Young), a Representative from Kentucky; born in Claysville, Hardin County, Ky., June 28, 1835; was graduated from Centre College, Danville, Ky., in 1855; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1857 and commenced practice in Elizabethtown, Ky.; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1859-March 3, 1861), but because he had not attained the age required by the Constitution he did not take his seat until the second session; member of the Douglas National Committee in 1860; elected to the Fortieth Congress, but his seat was declared vacant because of alleged disloyalty; elected to the Forty-third and Forty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1873-March 3, 1877); censured by the House of Representatives on February 4, 1875, for the use of unparliamentary language; resumed the practice of law in Louisville; Governor of Kentucky 1891-1895; returned to Louisville, where he practiced law until his death in Henderson, Henderson County, Ky., January 11, 1904; interment in Fernwood Cemetery.

East End Community Garden

Mission

The mission of the East End Community Garden is to grow friendships and community involvement. It is a shared approach to community building with tangible rewards for the participants and the community.

  

The East End Community Garden will give participants the opportunity to cultivate their own garden and give back to the surrounding community through the dedicated Faith Garden Spots. The Faith Garden Spots will provide produce to those in need, free of charge. The goal of this project is to provide participants with a rewarding gardening experience and to become an integral part of the East End Community. In addition, the project is to be a stimulus for further revitalization projects in Henderson’s East End Community.

The East End Community Garden will have 20 plus dedicated 42 square foot garden spots allocated to community participants. The plots will be planted and cared for by the individual and their family. In addition, there will be eight community access plots, known as the Faith Garden Spots, which will be planted and cared for by all the garden participants. The Faith Garden Spots will provide produce to anyone who needs the food free of charge. Any excess produce grown in this area of the garden will be donated to local shelters and food pantries.

Project Details

The East End Community Garden project is located on a vacant lot at 1016 Washington Street. The vacant lot will be rededicated as a community garden. The garden plots are uniquely designed to meet the needs of the garden participants. The raised beds can be used to grow fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs or other plants common in a garden. The East End Community Garden is designed to bring people from the neighborhood and residents from diverse backgrounds, together. The gardens can provide fresh produces to those on a limited budget and to those without gardening space. Some participants will focus on growing food for themselves while others may focus on growing food that they will share with family and friends or donate to help feed those in the community who are less fortunate. And at least one plot will be reserved for a young person who would like to grow fruits and vegetables to sell at the community Farmers Market. In addition eight garden spots will be designed for those with special needs.

The Community Garden will also have a seating area for the participants to rest and enjoy the area. The seating area will also be combined with an art project that will be developed and put into place over time.

Community Garden Plots

Each garden participant is assigned a garden plot. The participant becomes the steward of that plot for a year. Each participant is required to sign a participant agreement and abide by the community garden rules, which will be adopted by the participants at the beginning of the growing season.

Each plot has a growing area of 42 square feet. These smaller raised beds are easily adapted and the gardener can reach the entire garden space from the sides of the bed. The beds can be weeded and watered from the pathways, so the garden soil is never stepped on or compacted. There will be 20 garden spots available and assigned on a first come, first serve basis, once the participant has signed the community garden agreement.

There will also be 8 smaller growing areas with approximately 20 square feet of garden space. These areas will be designed to accommodate participants with special needs.

Each participant will be asked to help maintain the Faith Garden Spots located at the front of the garden. These plots will be planted and maintained to provide fresh produce for those in need. There are no restrictions on who can take the produce and is given freely to the community.

All participants should plan on spending a few hours each week in the garden during peak growing season. During the winter the plots may be mulched or planted with annuals, perennials or cover crops. The garden community is expected to haul out debris and store community tools safely away after each use. Organic gardening methods are strongly encouraged. All participants are expected to be respectful of their fellow gardeners and to watch out for vandalism or inappropriate harvesting.

Day Two of the 25 Days of Christmas

It has been a rainy but warm Sunday. The wonderful thing about having guests for dinner is cleaning up the next day. Thanks to help from my wonderful husband all the china and crystal are clean and back in the cabinets. Horace and I enjoyed a wonderful quiet lunch together at home today. There is nothing like tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich on a rainy afternoon. This evening I made a Christmas train out of rice crispy treats and watched the Christmas movie “The Holiday”. Tonight I got to steal away to my little retreat upstairs and read the Christmas Story. No not the story about the kid who wanted a BB gun, the real Christmas story in Mathew and Luke. In Luke 2:19 I was reminded how important memories like the ones we shared last night are when I read “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”

So day two of my 25 days of Christmas is almost over. I have been anticipating the beginning of the 25 days of Christmas all week. It’s hard to believe two days have already flown by. Tomorrow morning Horace has cataract surgery. So in addition to my Christmas prayer I will be praying for a successful surgery tomorrow. 

Day One of the 25 Days to Christmas

Horace and his niece Shannon
& Little Bit of course

December 1st is a Saturday this year. What a great day of the week to start my 25 days of Christmas. We invited Horace’s sisters and brother for dinner which meant that the first half of the day was spent cleaning and prepping the house. Fortunately the trees were up and all the decorating was done but somehow our house is always in transition.  There is always a project that has at least one room out of sorts. We are getting ready to paint the room we call the Christmas room, which is actually the storage, junk and spare, spare, can’t sleep anywhere else bedroom. So in order to make preparation for overnight guest I had to sort through a lot of junk, throw away stuff and start a large box for the Salvation Army. But finally, the house was as straight as my house is ever going to be and we were ready to start preparing dinner. Fortunately, Horace is in charge of this department and his dear friend Charlie, a master chef, was ready to start cooking. The menu included a salad, chicken corydon-bleu with a wonderful sauce, Horace’s famous sautéed mushrooms, green beans, scalloped potatoes, and Berries Romanoff. The table was set, the candles lit and the dinner started right on time. 

Horace's sister Cheryl
& her husband David

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. I can still remember that wonderful, anxious feeling of anticipation at Christmas that I always had as a child. Of course Santa and the presents were all I could think about then but as an adult looking back I can only remember a few of the presents. The real memories are the hustle and bustle of family meals, running and playing with my cousins, those silly, human moments that always happen whenever you get a group together. And so kicking off my 25 days of Christmas with a family meal was perfect way to start the season. 

The meal went perfect. Horace and Charlie had timed everything just right. My only responsibility was preparing the dessert. Of course Berries Romanoff is amazingly simple and delicious. My step daughter Ami was the one who suggested we make a few months ago and I fell in love with it. All you have to do is wash some fresh berries, in our case we used strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. You put them in a martini glass, sprinkle a little powder sugar over them and whip some whipping cream with brandy or lemon juice. Unfortunately, when I went back to the kitchen to whip the cream I discovered that Charlie had used all my whipping cream for his sauce. Charlie was on the spot and immediately jumped in his car and ran to the store. Like I said it only takes a few minutes when you have all the ingredients. So 20 minutes later I return to the dining room with the dessert. No one even noticed. Lol!

Horace’s two sisters, Charlotte and Cheryl were there. Cheryl’s husband David and Charlotte’s daughter Shannon. Unfortunately, Horace’s brother couldn’t make it. His canine companion of 18 years probably won’t see his 19th Christmas. I know this is a very difficult time for Horace's brother Bob. Victor, a Cocker Spaniel, Japanese Chin mix has been a very special friend. He’s been there through thick and thin. Graduations, marriages, grand children, deaths of loved ones. He’s been a friend through it all. Bob was missed but Victor just couldn’t make the trip and couldn’t stay alone.

Horace Shrader (1967)

A Shrader Family dinner in La Grange

After dinner we moved to the living room where the 1950’s gas logs were already warming the room. The tree this year looks particularly nostalgic with the old fashioned shaped c-7 LED bulbs and brand new old fashion bubble lights. We got out an old photo album and looked at pictures from years past. And I retrieved some letters that Horace received when he was in the army in the 60’s. Horace hadn’t looked at the letters in over 40 years. One letter post marked December 5, 1967 from his mother starts “Dear son, How are you? We are all ok and busy.” She ends with “If you want me to do any Christmas shopping for you let me know.” And closes, “Please write. Love Mom. That letter found him  completing training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. A Christmas card sent the following year from his Aunt on December 17th 1968 would find him half way around the world in Viet Nam. She wrote “Hope this finds you well. I know you prefer being home but all we can do is pray that you stay in good health and get these months behind you. Best of Luck. Love Aunt Myrtle. Oddly enough she signed the card twice with love but never wished him a merry Christmas. She probably knew it wasn’t going to be very merry. 

Horace grew up in a family like mine where big get togethers were common place. Sunday’s at Grandma’s eating fried chicken. He and his sisters swapped stories about aunts and uncles and cousins. Listening to the stories, laughing and all the time making new memories. I want to remember that is what's important this season it's not the presents under the tree but the presents are around the tree. 

My Christmas prayer for the next 25 days is that I can share that heavenly gift of love with all those that I come in contact with this Christmas season. As I celebrate the season of the good news that Christ was born, I pray that  I will posses more of that true Christmas “Christ like” spirit. And I give thanks for my wonderful family and friends and the blessing of having those we love near at this time of the year.

Little Bit Needs Your Vote

Little Bit is Pet #11

Little Bit is Pet #11 in the Gleaner's 2013 Newspaper in Education Pet Calendar Contest. All the proceeds are donated to Newspaper In Education Program, which provides funds to area schools to purchase newspapers. This program makes newspaper curriculum materials available to assist teachers and to encourage reading of newspapers by students, especially those who do not have access to newspapers in their homes.

You can make your vote count today. 

There are three ways to vote.

1. Mail in, postage prepaid your completed official voting form, along with a money order, credit card information or check (payable to The Gleaner Newspaper In Education) for the total amount of the # of votes you cast multiplied by 25 cents* per vote, and send to The Gleaner, PO Box 4, Henderson, KY 42419.
2. Call in your vote to 270.831.8393 and pay the total amount of the # of votes you cast multiplied by 25 cents* per vote by credit card only.
3. In-person votes can be cast by bringing your completed official voting form, along with a money order, credit card, cash or check (payable to The Gleaner Newspaper In Education) for the total amount of the # of votes you cast multiplied by 25 cents* per vote to 455 Klutey Park Plaza, Henderson, KY.

Voting ends at Noon on Friday, October 12th. So vote today!!!

I know Little BIt has lots of friends out there and she would really appreciate your help.

Two Hendersonians Are Delegates to the 1864 Democratic Convention

Senator Lazarus Powell and John Y. Brown, both from Henderson were among the Kentucky delegation that attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August of 1864. They would nominate George McClellan of New Jersey  for President and George H. Pendleton for Vice President.

Kentucky's delegation had two opposing factions, Brown and Powell represented one faction and George Prentice and James Guthrie represented another. Both Guthrie and Powell appeared on the 1st Vice Presidential Ballot before the vote shifts. Guthrie actually received 65.5 votes, Powell received 32.5 and Pendleton received 55.5 and the remaining delegates were split between five other contenders. But after the 1st Ballot shifts Pendleton received all 226 votes.

Lincoln was not without ardent Kentucky supporters, Robert C. Breckinridge, Cassius M.Clay, and Joshua Speed were among them. But in the General Election in the fall Lincoln received 26,592 civilian votes to McClellan's 61,478. Lincoln received 1,205 Kentucky soldiers' votes and McClellan received 3,608.

McClellan - Pendleton Campaign of 1864

1864 Presidential Vote - McClellan carries one state 

Special thanks to Thomas D. Clark and his A History of Kentucky published in 1988.

Our first day on Honey Tours Wild West Tour

The latest news from 724 Center Street is I started my trip out west yesterday with Honey Tours. Honey Tours is owned by mother, Sandy Harmon. Normally my dad makes these trips but he had surgery last week and can’t travel for six weeks. So I am off with mom and forty-eight more folks. We’re headed to Montana and back in 10 days. Unfortunately, Little Bit, my faithful travel companion, was not allowed on the trip. It was very difficult to leave her behind. For those of you who know Little Bit and Horace you know that they don’t always get along. That’s a story for another day, but I am hoping since they are going to spend so much time together that maybe their relationship will improve. 

St. Charles, Missouri has been an outpost since 1769. It was the first permanent European Settlement on the Missouri River and on May 14, 1804 Lewis Clark arrived with 42 men. Six days later Meriweather Lewis arrived. On May 21, 1804 the Lewis & Clark Expedition made their final embarkation. After reaching the Pacific Ocean. Lewis and Clark retraced their journey and returned to St. Charles on September 26, 1806. 

Missouri First State Capitol Building

National Register of Historic Places Collection

In 1804 St. Charles had about 100 houses and 459 inhabitants, mostly french. The St. Charles Historic District included numerous 

19th century residential and commercial buildings and is the home of the first Missouri State Capitol Building (1821 - 1826). I took the color picture above yesterday and found this historic picture on the internet. Notice the old car parked in front of the building. I bet the guys that are sitting in front of me on the bus would know exactly what the make and model of that car is.

We had lunch at the Lewis & Clark’s American Restaurant and Public House. The food was good and the service was very accommodating. The street is lined with delightful shops, but many were closed on Monday. So if you are planning on visiting St. Charles I would do so later in the week. I think there would be plenty of shops to for a full afternoon of browsing if they were all open. The main street is just one block off of the river and there was a lovely walking and sitting area if you have some time. Unfortunately, we only had about an hour to eat and explore this wonderful little town.  I had never been there before and was delighted that I got to see and learn a little more about this little Missouri town.

We arrived in St. Joseph about 5:30 pm and had just enough time to get our bags to our room, relax for a few minutes and get down to dinner at 6:30 pm. We stayed at the Holiday Inn and it was very nice and the staff was very friendly. After dinner we had a lady from the community come in and give us a presentation on the local area. I bet you didn’t know that the Pony Express began in St. Joseph and I bet you didn’t know that Jesse James was killed in St. Joseph. St. Joseph also has a wonderful collection of beautiful old mansions and St. Joseph claims to have had more millionaires in 1870 than any town of its size in our country. 

I ended my day enjoying the swimming pool and hot tub. It was a great day. 

Closing Weekend Olympic Dinner Party

The Dinner Table Before the Guests Arrive

We celebrated the closing of the Olympics at our house this past weekend with an Olympic themed dinner party. Our 10 wonderful guests represented the various top medaled countries, including the United States, China, Australia, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Hungary, Russia, Italy, France, South Korea, Germany, and Uzbekistan. During the dinner each guests shared a little information about their country and their participation in the Olympics. It was not only fun but very interesting. We also played Olympic trivia. Again, we laughed a lot and even learned a little. 

Of course an Olympic Dinner Party is really a very good excuse for a dinner filed with international food and wine. And this dinner was just that! We served a seven course meal with complementary wines for each course.

OLYMPIC DINNER MENU

• Appetizer: Germany - Sauerkraut balls (2 per guests)
• Wine: Riesling (Greece)

• Soup: United Kingdom - Carrot and Ginger Soup (small bowl)
• Wine: Chardonnay (Australia)

• Salad: Italy (Capri) - Caprese Salad (two 1/4” slices of tomatoes and two 1/4” slices of mozzarella)
• Wine: Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

• Sorbet: Turkey - Homemade Lemon Sorbet (one small sauce cup)
• Wine: Sparkling Wine (California)

• Main Course: United States - Fried Pork Tenderloin Medallions with rice and a wild game gravy, sautéed mushrooms and asparagus (three medallions & two mushrooms)
• Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)

• Cheese Course: Greece - Sakanaki Cheese (a 1/4’ slice served in individual bowls)
• Wine: Retzina (Greece)

• Dessert: Russia - Strawberries Romanoff (approximately 5 - 8 berries plus topping)
• Wine: Sparkling Mascato Lounge (Italy)

I tried very hard to control the size of the portions so that everyone could get through seven courses and we limited each course to one bottle of wine to serve all twelve guests, except for the main course and we did manage to open two bottles of the red wine.

Scarlet represented the United Kingdom and Susan represented Uzbekistan

Paul represented Australia

Lacey represented the Netherlands

         

We introduced our countries between the soup and salad and played trivia during dessert. Overall, the party went very well and I can’t wait to do it again in 2014.

Olympic Trivia

When were the first ancient Olympic Games held?

Answer: 776 BC

Where was the first modern Olympic Games held?

Answer: Athens

What do the five rings represent?

Answer: The five continents: Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, & Australia

Where are the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee?

Answer: Switzerland

Where are the 2008 Olympic games held?

Answer: Beijing

On This Date - Henderson History

On May 13, 1970 Henderson County School System was awarded a $181,122 grant for vocational education for 6th, 7th & 8th grades.

On May 13, 1975, Russell Below, a former Henderson County Superintendent of Schools and City High Principal, was named to head the Henderson City School System. Below said the possibility of a city-county school merger was not going to stop him from accepting the position.

Special thanks to Frieda Dannheiser and Donald Hazelwoood for their History of Henderson County, published 1980.

On This Date - Henderson History

On this date in 1930 - Henderson paid tribute to Mary Towles Sasseen as the founder of Mother's Day with an impressive ceremony at Fernwood Cemetery on Sunday May 11, 1930. Her grave was decorated with loads of flowers and a marker was unveiled. The principle address was delivered by S.O. Heilbronner, local attorney. To see more on Henderson's own Mother's Day Founder go to Netta Mullin's Mother's Day History from the Henderson County Historical & Genealogical Society.

Don't forget your Mother this Sunday!

On May 11, 1954, Leslie Reynolds, administrator of Methodist Hospital, was named by the city school board to fill the 2 1/2 year unexpired her, of C. Royden McCollom, who had recently dies.

On May 11, 1955, a twister-like storm hopscotched out of Union County hitting Morganfield with a "smashing blow". The storm made its way across the southern part of Henderson County leaving damage estimated unofficially at $125,000. The Dunbar School in Morganfield was unroofed causing injury to three children.

On May 11, 1975 it was announced that a  forum on collective bargaining for public employees sponsored by the Henderson Community College Chapter of the Kentucky Association of Community College Professors would be held in the Municipal Center the following Thursday. The forum was to provide everyone in the community an opportunity to express their opinion on collective bargaining. 

Special thanks to Frieda Dannheiser and Donald Hazelwoood for their History of Henderson County, published 1980.

More Henderson History - Mill Housing

The Mill Housing are significant historic structures. Located between 1200 and 1338 Washington Street in Henderson's Historic East End, the two story duplexes provided housing for the employees of Henderson's Cotton Mills. According to the History of Henderson County the Henderson Cotton Mills were built in 1883 and the apartment houses were built in 1885. The Cotton Mill also built a frame schoolhouse on Powell Street in 1885.

In 1922 Consolidated Textile Corporation bought the Cotton Mill and in 1931 they closed the mill. On April 24th, 1937 Bear Brand bought the cotton mill and resumed operations on June 14th of that same year. After 1937, Bear Brand gradually sold off the Mill Housing on Washington Street to private owners, but in 1941 - 1942 resumed the tradition of Mill owned homes and opened Pope Street with the construction of 14 new homes.

See the PDF scan on the Mill Housing from the Henderson Historical Homes Book published in 1985.
Mill Housing PDF

Special thanks to Frieda Dannheiser and Donald Hazelwoood for their History of Henderson County, published 1980.