People say time machines don’t exist, but they do — they’re called cameras. Snap a photo of a particular moment in time and save it. Wait years down the road, then take another look at the picture. You find yourself in another place and time, swimming in the texture and flavor of a bygone era.
That’s the feel of “Around Lake Cumberland,” a new book by Pulaski County natives Kris Applegate and Jarenda Miller. Members of the Pulaski County Historical Society, the mother-daughter team put a painstaking effort into crafting a priceless collection of photographs showing how things looked before Wolf Creek Dam formed Lake Cumberland, taking away an entire culture from an era destined to change, yet creating something totally new and wonderful.
You can also look and compare the images of the past to those of the present — or at least those that came after the lake was formed, beginning in 1951. Here now both a source of protection from flooding and the lifeblood of the local economy via tourism — but once upon a time, communities like Burnside enjoyed an importance, with grand hotels and status as a traveling hub, that has been long forgotten by many.
“Throughout our lives, stories about life along the Cumberland River were plentiful,” said Applegate. “We grew up listening to these stories and felt like we knew the people and their experiences. However, many of the folks telling these stories have now passed on. This book is an attempt to collect their stories and keep them alive for future generations.”
Applegate, a stay-at-home mom and author living near Louisville, and Miller, a self-employed author residing in Burnside, contacted Arcadia Publishing in June 2008. The next year was spent putting the book together — it went on sale on June 15 of this year.
“Almost as soon as we were given permission to write the book for Arcadia Publishing, we began asking folks to share their old photographs and stories,” said Applegate. “We made several trips to stops along the river outside of Burnside and Somerset including Burkesville, Jamestown, Creelsboro, and Marrowbone. The venture was very time consuming, consisting of many in-home visits, scanning photographs, sorting through the data, and writing the book.”
The task was challenging, particularly in locating the old photographs, which go back as far as the 19th century, and in obtaining permission to use them. Many of the photos’ original owners have passed on, and that made tracking down their collections and their current owners difficult. Though many individuals were happy to have their prized reminders of the past shared in the book — ”We are so thankful for their generosity,” said Applegate — others were reluctant out of concern that these irreplaceable treasures would be lost or damaged.
“The hardest photographs to obtain were from the lost communities including Rowena, Swan Pond Bottom and Horseshoe Bottom,” said Applegate. “These communities were sacrificed by the building of Wolfe Creek Dam and Lake Cumberland.”
Applegate said the book serves as a reminder of the many sacrifices made by earlier generations in a world that lacks the modern conveniences to which we’ve grown so accustomed.
“Life in the region was difficult to say the least,” said Applegate. “It is our hope this book positively preserves the area’s past for the future generations as well as infuse readers with a love and respect for the area.”
To celebrate this hymn to Lake Cumberland’s antiquity, The authors will have a book signing at the Grider Hill Boat Dock starting at 10 a.m. on July 4. “Around Lake Cumberland” is available at local retailers, online bookstores, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.
Putting a copy in as many hands as possible indeed functions as a time machine would — to bring the past back to life. As civilization steams ahead, new trends emerge and our lost and history recedes further into the mists, it is clear the authors know the importance of keeping a still small flame alive to illuminate what was in this area’s hearts and minds.
“Unfortunately, many of those who remember the area before Lake Cumberland took their stories with them to the grave,” said Applegate. “It is important to preserve as many of the old stories as possible for future generations. This book provides an opportunity to learn about our ancestors’ contributions to the region. Understanding the past helps offer purpose to our future.”
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New book shows images of old lake region
‘Around Lake Cumberland’ a collection of photographs showing life before — and after — the dam
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Newspaper veteran name Publisher of Commonwealth Journal
SOMERSET — A fourth generation newspaperman has been named publisher of the Commonwealth Journal.
Rob McCullough, 50, who started working in a newspaper mailroom when he was 15, officially assumes his duties today. He succeeds Jack McNeely who has accepted a position with the Daily Mountain Eagle in Jasper, Alabama.
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Daryl Brunner seeking a better life
Like many non-traditional students, Daryl Brunner enrolled in classes at Somerset Community College seeking a better life for himself and his family.
“I’ve built homes, worked in factories and done the blue collar thing,” Brunner said. “I realized you can only go so far in that line of work.” -
Avery Countryman is first baby of 2012
One local couple welcomed a new baby into their family —and the community welcomed the first birth of 2012 as well.
Jessica and Hunter Countryman were excited to welcome Avery Countryman, who was born at 1:47 a.m. on New Year’s Day at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. Avery weighed 5 lbs, 9 ounces.
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Hog Wild
Numbers of wild hogs are increasing in Kentucky and the untamed porkers have been aggravating farmers in the western part of Pulaski County for the past four or five years.
“I saw six last Sunday morning,” said Eugene Harness, speaking from Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital where he was recovering from surgery resulting from a fall at his barn on New Year’s Eve.
Harness, a cattle farmer who lives on Carter Ridge Road, has been dealing with wild hogs for a considerable time. He trapped four wild hogs last spring, and, under supervision of a conservation officer, killed and cleaned the animals.
“You’re not allowed to turn them loose,” said Harness. “You have to kill them ... Kentucky Fish and Wildlife doesn’t want them. We don’t want them. They are very destructive.”
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It's Official
Andy Stephens can now call himself the Southwestern head football coach without ‘interim’ being in front of it.
After being hired as the new Southwestern Warriors football coach yesterday, Stephens can now remove the ‘interim’ tag from his name.
“I'm excited for the opportunity,” began Stephens, who becomes only the second coach in Southwestern High School football program history. “I feel like we have a great program and a great school. Anytime you have that many positives around you I think you have an opportunity to be successful.”
Stephens, who spent ten seasons coaching at Casey County High School, led Southwestern to their best season in school history this past fall. Stephens took over the head coaching duties midway through the season after the sudden resignation of long-time coach Dale Anderson.
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is Gas Price Rollercoaster ready to roll?
We haven’t heard anything official yet, but Iran’s threat this week to block the Strait of Hormuz was an uncomfortable reminder of the early 1970s when an Arab boycott caused a nationwide gasoline shortage.
Even the possibility –– the U.S. Government initially declined comment –– a threat to shut off one-fifth of the world’s oil supply makes Big Oil nervous, and those folks calm their jitters by raising the price of oil. Oil topped $100 a barrel after the threat.
And, with that happening, before you can say “fill’er’up,” gasoline at the pump likely will jump in price. It goes up in generous increments, but the price comes down a stingy penny at the time.
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A Hero's Welcome
Recent media attention to Dakota Meyer, the Greensburg native who recently received the Medal of Honor, whetted Clarence Love’s memory of a royal homecoming in Somerset for Caption George E. “Ed” Kiser, one of the most decorated heroes of World War II.
“I was there at the homecoming celebration,” said Love. The retired Somerset city clerk has a copy of the October 12, 1942 Life magazine in which Life photographer Eugene Smith has complete photographic coverage of the event. -
Invisible & Deadly Hazard
Brandon and Bethany Hughes both believe they have much to be thankful for this holiday season.
The young couple, both Pulaski County natives, are looking at Christmas with a new mindset — one brought about by a terrifying encounter with a wintertime danger that many people don’t even think about. -
SPD Officer Brooks Barleston honored
Somerset Police Officer Brooks Barleston was recognized recently for his part in DUI enforcement within the City of Somerset.
The Kentucky Governor’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Award is handed out each year to an officer from each Kentucky law enforcement agency that makes the highest number of DUI arrests. The awards ceremony was held this month at Embassy Suites Hotel in Lexington.
Officer Barleston has been with the police department since 2007 and serves in the patrol division.
The police department has made 229 DUI arrests so far in 2011.
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Somerset Refinery entering 80th year as Somerset icon
Despite changing names and management over the decades, Somerset's beleaguered Monticello Street crude oil refinery is most fondly known here as simply "Somerset Refinery."
The purchase of the refinery being announced to Commonwealth Journal readers in the accompanying article today marks another landmark in the history of the 80-year-old Somerset industrial icon. - More Features Headlines
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