Visit with a cousin in Kentucky

Upper Deerfield Twp,  NJ

We arrived back in NJ two days ago.    But on the way from Gore, OK to NJ we made time to visit with my cousin Bill in Berea, KY.  I have not seen Bill in many years and the visit was pure joy.

Bill and his wife Jenny:

I called Bill once we got to Berea and he and Jenny came right over to our site.   After getting caught up with each others lives over the years, we all went to the local Cracker Barrel for dinner where Bill treated.

The next morning Leonard and I drove to Bill's house that is about 6 miles outside town to continue our visit.  Bill then took us on a tour of Berea.  What a neat little town.   There are several little boutique-type shops in the old part of town.  In the midst sits this cabin that was built in 1820 and moved to this site.

Throughout town are many hand statues.   No idea why:

Berea, KY is the home of Berea College founded in 1855.   This college, with an enrollment of approximately 1,500, is free to all students and based on financial need.  All students must work 10 hours a week on campus.  They are issued a laptop which they keep upon graduation.

On the campus is historic Boone Tavern built in 1909 and named for Daniel Boone.

 No alcohol is served at the tavern nor can anyone bring alcohol into the tavern.    About 50% of the employees are Berea College students.  Most of the furniture in the inn was made by Berea students.

Students at the college learn, among the usual studies, various crafts such as building fine furniture and even brooms.   These items are sold throughout town at shops run by the students.

Bill in a wooden hat made by a student.

Following our tour of the area Bill took us to the nearby town of Richmond.  Richmond Ky is the site of a large military weapons storage facility where one of Bill's daughter works in security.  Bill settled in this part of the country as this is where he graduated High School.  At the time his father was an ammunition's inspector for the military and was assigned to the Richmond facility.    We all agreed it was time for dinner.Bob Evans this time.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Bill and Jenny as we have in the past with his sisters Muriel in Hereford, AZ and Bonnie in Oklahoma City.  Nice to keep up with the family.