Murray Life Magazine Article Archives
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 Home and Holidays
It seems that, as soon as we turn the clock back one hour, the telltale reds and greens of the holiday season appear as if by magic. As fast as time seems to fly, it’s nice to have the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. As you bake the ham, stuff the turkey, decorate your trees, light your candles and prepare your list of resolutions, Murray Life hopes to be there every step of the way.
As always, with the help of our staff, we have included a list of local and regional dining choices, a calendar of upcoming events for you and your family and a few suggestions for shopping. Jay Dyer adds some new recipes to your holiday plans, but keep them away from the little ones: they’re loaded! Brian Truskey delivers a list of interesting winter facts and figures, and tries his hand at love stories for Valentine’s Day. Gentlemen; it’s closer than you think.
Naturalist John Pollpeter from LBL’s Nature Station has picked the perfect time of year to discuss those skinny fellows with no feet—the snakes. Animals also figure into a touching story of love at first lick as Elizabeth Thomas joins us with the story of Sassy.
It’s a time of giving, but also for spending wisely: Ron Arant discusses more money matters and Kyle Smith takes a close look at a big gift that might make a big difference in your living room or family room.
This issue’s Day Trip keeps us right here in Murray to experience the annual Tour of Homes, courtesy of the Kappa Department of the Murray Women’s Club and writer Jamie Helton. Arts journalist Rebecca Feldhaus gives us a closer look at a Murray native who came back from the Big Apple with a new slant on her home town.
From “Scottish” Mayor Dannie Hudspeth to the Murray Police to Ebeneezer Scrooge, this issue says, “Home” and “Holidays” on every page. Caitlin Spencer will help you get ready for winter power outages, and we’ll hope that 2010 brings no repeat of last year’s gift of ice.
We hope this holiday season brings you and your family warmth and comfort as you snuggle in front of a fireplace, humility and gratitude as you share your holiday spirit with the unfortunate, and prosperity and favor as the New Year approaches. May the joy of all the seasons be yours, from your friends at Murray Life. |
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Homecoming
We call this our “Homecoming” issue. It is only partly because of the traditional football gatherings that mark the harvest month of October, and the family reunions that may take place around the Thanksgiving table. It is a homecoming season because of our newfound interest in the home, for we approach that time of year when weather will drive us from the fields and playgrounds into the warmth and safety of the hearth, and friendly gatherings around the table in a warm, richly-scented kitchen.
Homecoming will be a little colder this year, no matter what the weather. Tommy Rushing won’t be there.
Murray’s favorite son, biggest football fan, and popular mayor left us on September 8, 2009. Many of our readers may not have known “Dog,” as he was widely known—a souvenir nickname of his youth. If you didn’t, we’re sorry; meeting him under any conditions was a pleasure, and knowing him as a friend was a joyful honor. We are pleased to salute him with a short article in this issue: an article too short and inherently unable to do justice to his life and his impact on the community he loved.
Our city has already paid homage to her good friend, and in this issue we continue to salute the things that Tom Rushing enjoyed so much: the world of nature and the stories of those who have given their lives over to serving others. Naturalist John Pollpeter takes a close but careful look at our friend the skunk. Guest writer Diane Jackson joins us to help us care for pets, and Jay Dyer wonders at the mystery that is the harvest moon.
We proudly introduce you to our new Web site, and Ron Arant returns with some good advice for securing your family’s future. Caitlin Spencer looks at the wonder of this season’s harvest and Brian Truskey offers up some homegrown humor on the subject of farming. Kyle Smith takes a look at the long-running Cadiz Ham Festival, and we’ll gather in the gossip and good news in our “Notes ‘n’ Neighbors” pages.
From the calendar of events to the dining guide, from the humor pages to give you a smile in quiet moments to the puzzle to challenge the brain late on a grey-brown autumn day, Murray Life will try to take you home. You won’t have far to go.
There is no one who doesn’t need a place to call “home.” What is it the poet says? “Home is where you go, and they have to take you in.” Even the most famous and most powerful person longs for home. As Tom Rushing would remind us, those of us who live in Murray have the best home on Earth.
Welcome home. |
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 Start sharpening those pencils
because school is just around the corner.
Before long, hot summer days will be cooled off by the hard working air conditioning of the classroom. It will be a time for moving up a grade, catching up on the summer gossip, and buying new school supplies. Murray has gotten used to the quiet relaxation of summer, but its time to “kick it up a notch.” Hurry and get to the lakes while you can, because the school doors are creaking open.
Welcome to our “Back to School” issue where we wrap up the summer (is it over already?) and smoothly transition to fall. Our Murray Life staff has labored through the sweltering heat of June and July to inform and entertain with articles ranging from being a Savvy Shopper to learning about Barnyard Critters, while also continuing some of the favorites, such as Finance with Ron Arant. In the long days remaining, you might want to consult the updated restaurant guide and the events calendar, so you can make the most of the summer that remains.
If you are worrying about what to do with children before they venture off on their first day of school, we have ideas about spicing up their days with learning. The Kimbro family takes you on a day trip to Cave City where years of history come alive. In our search for learning outside the classroom, Darlisha Stanfield suggests leaving the planet via the planetarium in the Land Between the Lakes. Don’t worry: Your tour guide will be a wizard! In this issue, Caitlin Spencer joins the always-popular Women's Toolbelt section with a look at saving summer memories through traditional and digital scrapbooking. Our Recipes feature zooms in on–what else–School Lunches. Learn how to prepare fun and healthy lunches for your young scholars. Murray State’s Kyle Smith focuses on the University’s new Distinguished Professor, Dr. Charlotte Beahan, an historian who is making history every day.
Jay Dyer takes an interesting look at the last getaway of the summer in the By The Numbers article on vacations. LBL Naturalist Aviva Yasgur gives us a detailed look at bison in our Nature column, and you’ll never look at the native American beast in quite the same way. There are still plenty of days for backyard barbeques, parties at the pool, lounging at the lakes, sitting in the swing, or perching on the porch in the cool of the evening with a copy of Murray Life. If you extend the invitation, we’ll be right there with you.
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“April showers bring May flowers.”
Maybe so, but the May flowers better bring their own life jackets if they don’t want to drown. We haven’t had two rainless days since Spring Break, and we’re lucky the dam didn’t go with the Spring. Country dwellers in our neighborhood don’t have to sweep spring seeds and pollen off the porch; they sweep catfish and crappie into the front yard before they start to spawn on the welcome mat. Parker Motors’ Jackie Kimbro told me that his truck bed flooded during one rain – and the tailgate was down. New arrivals to town should look out for real estate ads that include the line, “complete with full basement for such rainy day activities as swimming and boating.”
But then, as one west Kentucky veteran reminds us, “by July we’ll be crying for a little rain.” It’s probably so. If we lived in a perfect world, there would be no need for magazines to remind you of what you don’t know, or how to fix the perfect dessert for the Fourth of July picnic. In this issue of Murray Life we intend to fill in those gaps so that Murray will be as close to Eden as you can get – without the snake.
Instead of the snake, LBL Naturalist John Pollpeter brings us the bobcat, up close and personal. Although the cat has been in west Kentucky longer than J. D. “Stumpy” Rayburn, it is the MSU football legend who rates Kara McCombs’ profile as our contributors look at the traditions that make summertime – and Murray – a special time and place. From traditional events, like Freedom Fest, to traditional desserts for Independence Day, this is Murray at its best.
June is a time of weddings, and Jay Dyer (a bachelor, ladies) takes a humorous look at that happy institution. Caitlin Spencer will help you with last-minute wedding gifts, and money master Ron Arant will get couples started on the right financial path.
Murray Life staffers will keep you abreast of upcoming events from the Calendar, great places to dine from the Dining Guide, and behind the scenes news in “Notes ‘n’ Neighbors.” Our thanks to the hardworking Darlisha Stanfield, Rita Oldham and Kim Cottingham of the Murray Life staff. They are joined by the Library’s Sandy Linn, animal lover Tom Rottinghaus, Erin Carrico of the Visitor’s Bureau with “the scoop” on Freedom Fest, and Brian Truskey’s look at the County Fair.
In the end, there will be only one more Murray tradition to be covered, but by the time you close the back cover, you’ll have done it. Thanks for making Murray Life part of your summer tradition. More iced tea, anyone?
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Nice town; tough people
As we assemble Murray Life for its first issue of 2009, much of America is living in fear. We have great sympathy for those in want and, perhaps, even more compassion for those who must live from day to day under the threat of impending job loss or deprivation.
Our town ended the year with the second highest employment rate in the Commonwealth. Our schools continue to excel; the hospital is expanding services and space; few of our local businesses have been forced to close, and Murray State University still aims at increasing enrollment for the fall semester.
At Murray Life, we have been surprised at the number of businesses who have sought out the opportunity to advertise to our diverse readership. It appears that plenty of people have faith in Murray, and are putting their money, their ingenuity and their industry where their faith lies. We’re proud to join in that spirit of hope with an expanded color section, and a bevy of articles celebrating who and what we are as a community. In line with the times, of course, we’re going to suggest ways to save money, too.
Old friends are coming, too. Toni Napier with the Humane Society helps us with tips for caring for our pets on a tight budget. Finance columnist Ron Arant will try to keep you smarter and wealthier, and the Murray Life staffers will keep you abreast of upcoming events from the Calendar, great places to dine from the Dining Guide, and behind the scenes news in “Notes ‘n’ Neighbors.”
And we hope you’ll have fun with our departments, which have become readers’ favorites under the watchful eyes of editorial assistants Kara McCombs, Darlisha Stanfield, and Jay Dyer: “By the Numbers,” “Quotes and Jokes,” recipes and our puzzle page. After all, many of our readers find themselves in a motel room, waiting room, or a friend’s house; we hope to fill you in, and help you fill some quiet time with a closer look at the town and the people around you.
Learn about how our Chamber of Commerce began, how it has changed and how it hasn’t in 83 years. Take a short drive to Hazel and the Magnolia Tea Room with guest writer Meghan Thompson in our “Day Trips” article. Save some money with do-it-yourself fixes in the “Woman’s Toolbelt” and find out if buying in bulk is really the answer in “Savvy Shopper.”
We hope you’ll find Murray Life to be as bright as the first daffodil and as handy as an umbrella in a spring shower. Thanks for starting the next great year with us.
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