A.L. Sinclair made the environment hottest topic in Adair County 2017-07-02 - Basement, Adair Annex, 424 Public Square, Columbia, KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com(c). Today July 2, 2017, is A.L. Sinclair's birthday. When he was Adair County Solid Waste Coordinator, Adair County's clean roadsides were the talk of Kentucky. He led by educating, not by punishing - even perpetrators he nailed with his investigations. They were pilloried or thrown in jail or harshly fined. He believed redemption was the better path. And he led by being everywhere, in the county meetings, at fairs, and in the schools. He honored good environmental practices - finding someone doing the right thing - and telling the world about it. Above, July 8, 2008, almost nine years ago, He recognized Sheila Shirrell, manager of Columbia Dollar General Store, with the "Adair County Recycler of the Month Plaque," for her store, along with a PRIDE tee. Others who had won the prestigious award were Adair Food Pantry, Adair Progress, Inc., Lewis Transport, Lindsey Wilson College, and South Central Printing (predecessor of Trifecta Print). His powerful leadership kept Adair County at the fore in Recycling, Road Side Cleanup, and hugely important, protection from the desecration of God's Creation with poisons. When insecticide hustlers would appear before a court thinking they could save money, often a brief word from A.L. Sinclair, even a frown, would keep the matter from getting an undeserved vote. Related story today: Daughter Debbie Sinclair's birthday tribute to Great Adair Countian: A.L. Sinclair Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Scenic Casey Co., KY - A stretch of right-of-way beauty 2017-07-02 - KY 206, Greater Creston/Rheber, Casey County, KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com. VERDANT VERGE: There's an island of beauty amid a manmade barren verge on KY 206 in Casey County, KY, such a beautiful place it's a favorite destination. A Stop mow-spray sign and with a Start mow spray sign has been respected by state highway crews, and the result is an intriguing show of beauty. And for now, it is an island of sanity in an otherwise perfect example why governments departmentally defeat each other, and the phenomenon Commonwealth wide. The uglification process along highways is prevalent throughout Kentucky and it transcends party lines and current and past powers that be. It's a case of tourism - Agri-tourism in particular, vs Highway and Department of Agriculture Departments trying to cowtow to seeming opposing position. Aesthetics and health should not be seen as natural enemies, in our opinion. Quite the opposite. What if they worked together? What if all the money spent mangling roadside vegetation poisoning the environment were used to planting a low maintenance rotation of flowers and cover plants which would, in a few short years, need virtually no care. If Kentucky were to do that, a wall around Kentucky might be needed to keep out the tourists bearing dollars for our restaurants, farmers markets, roadside stands. Just a thought, and just a big thanks to those who recognize the difference. Someday, environmental issues won't be seen as a we versus them situation at all, perhaps, but a recognition that the vast majority benefit from working together, from the same side of the table.- ED WAGGENER. PS: Googled 'Verdant Verge' hoping to have invented a new term, and found as usual with such aspirations, that it's a well known phrase among the practicals of the world. Among the articles we liked was this one, Verdant verges cultivate herbs and community spirit Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Scenic Russell County, KY: Biggest daisies of all 2017-07-02 - Charlene S. Harris Center, 848 W Steve Wariner Dr, Russell Springs, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com photo(c). The tasteful landscaping around the Charlene S. Harris Center in Russell Springs, KY, did have one show-off flower - big bright daisies - the favorite flower of many a girlhood, mixed with patriotic knockout roses. - LW. Paired Photo Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Holmes Bend: Perfect way to start the holiday weekend 2017-07-01 - 5380 Holmes Bend Rd, Columbia, KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, columbiamagazine.com. Saturday July 1, 2017 was a perfect day to start the Independence Day holiday and Holmes Bend with its beach was the perfect place. - LW Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Employees of Union Underwear who only missed one day 2017-07-01 - Taylor County, KY - Photo from Mike Watson, the Bicentennial memories. This keepsake photo was shared from Campbellsville's Bicentennial Celebration promotional page on Facebook by historian Mike Watson. The group is comprised of Employees of Union Underwear who only missed one day of work, a Union Underwear photo from Taylor County Newspaper, year unknown. Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Scenic Russell Co., KY: The Charlene S. Harris Center 2017-07-01 - Charlene S. Harris Center, 848 W Steve Wariner Dr, Russell Springs, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com photo(c). The flag in the evening, June 30, 2017 with a beloved Russell Springs landmark. It's now in use as the Somerset Community College's Russell County Campus. - LW. Paired photo. Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

On Green River Lake July 4, 2017 - at Holmes Bend 2017-07-01 - Holmes Bend Marina, Adair County, KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, columbiamagazine.com. Hundreds of people - maybe more - are having fun at Holmes Bend on Green River Lake this July 4, 2017 weekend. Did a second take at the person on the power ski - at first looked as though the skier were walking on water. - EW Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

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Contact us: Columbia Magazine and columbiamagazine.com are published by Linda Waggener and Pen Waggener, PO Box 906, Columbia, KY 42728.
Phone: 270.403.0017