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By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
Four students from the Dycusburg area graduated from Lyon County High School on Saturday, May 23: Shelby Peek, James Jasis, Allison LeFan and Brandon O'Bryan. All graduated with honors and received several scholarships at Class Night on May 21.
Don’t forget to hang up your hummingbird feeders. The birds are returning from the Southern states. An inexpensive mixture that attracts them and is easy to make consists of sugar, water and red food coloring. Alternatively, you can buy the concentrate or ready-to-use mix at retail locations.
Barbara Ethridge returned home from a visit with her sister, Carol Strilko of New Lenox, IL. Carol and her husband, George drove her home and will be visiting for a while.
All donations to the Dycusburg Community Group are tax deductible, including any donations for the gazebo or the fireworks display on the Fourth of July at Dycusburg’s "Thunder Over the River" Celebration.
The answer to last week's riddle was "a coffin." Once again, Linda Waters e-mailed with the right answer. This week’s question: "How far can a dog run into the woods?" E-mail dycusburg@yahoo.com with your guesses.
Natalie Tabor and her daughter, Shelby Peek, spent Spring Break in Puerto Rico, reporting a fabulous trip. They stayed in San Juan and spent most days on the beach doing absolutely nothing. The weather was mostly sunny and about 90 degrees every day. They visited Old San Juan where they toured the historic district (including the capitol and Castillo de San Felipe del Morro) and enjoyed shopping. They went to dinner with friends from Paducah also vacationing in Puerto Rico and ate at a reportedly wonderful restaurant, Marisqueria Atlantica.
The BODIES exhibition was on display and Shelby, a future doctor, had to go see it. Natalie said, "We joked that we had to go all the way to Puerto Rico just for this exhibit since we missed it when it was in St. Louis!"
The highlight of the trip for Shelby was touring the El Yunque Rainforest. Natalie said, "while she had moaned and complained about having to get up early to go with 'a bunch of old people' to the Rainforest, her whole attitude changed when she learned Johnny Depp was filming a movie there. At that point, her mission became to find him! As we were winding up through El Yunque (which reminded me of The Smokies, but with palm trees), we rounded a curve and there he was! He was filming a scene with Aaron Eckhart. After blowing kisses at Johnny for an hour and taking his picture, she spent the next ten hours texting, Facebook-ing and calling all of her friends to gloat!"
If you live in, work in, or know someone in southern Crittenden County and would like to have something such as a birthday or upcoming event mentioned in this column, please e-mail dycusburg@yahoo.com.
Quote of the Week: "Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work," attributed to Thomas Alva Edison.
By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
We send our get well wishes to Jim and Debbie Richardson and to Curtis Griffin who fractured his ankle in a fall.
We regret that the Dycusburg Community Group (DCG) will not be able to fund a fireworks show this Independence Day in Dycusburg. Unfortunately, our calls for donations have heeded next to nothing. The economy has impacted all of us, including our little group. That said, Dycusburg Grocery (Riverside Café) owner Star Mahns has stepped up to the plate and is organizing a "Thunder Over the River" fireworks show she hopes will be better than ever. To make a donation to the fireworks fund, now stop by the store or send your donations directly to: Star Mahns, 9728 State Route 70, Dycusburg, KY 42037. For more info, call 988-3004.
In related news, the DCG is in the market for a gazebo for the Dycusburg Area Veteran's Park. If you have suggestions on where to purchase a gazebo or would like to offer some physical labor to help build it, call 988-2758 or e-mail dycusburg@yahoo.com.
The descendants of Longshore Lamb, a Revolutionary War soldier who settled in Caldwell County near Claxton before 1810, are raising funds to erect a marker in his memory at the Lamb Cemetery. Longshore and his wife, Sarah Lee, had the following children: Mary (Polly) Lamb-Crow; William Lamb; Elizabeth Lamb-Reaves-Vaughn; Levi Lamb; Margaret (Peggy) Lamb-Farmer; Jensey Jane Lamb-Clayton; John Lamb, Sr.; Moses Lamb and Martin Lamb. Unfortunately, Longshore's exact burial location is unknown, but a memorial marker will be erected during a ceremony on Oct. 10, 2009.
If you are a Lamb descendant and would like to make a donation toward this monument, please send a check or money order to: Matthew T. Patton, 509 Onward Ave., Phoenixville, PA 19460-5932. For more information, e-mail matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.
Last week's riddle asked: "The poor have it. The rich need it. It's greater than God. It's worse than the devil. If you eat it you will die." The answer? Nothing. Linda Waters e-mailed us with the correct response.
This week's riddle: "The man who invented it doesn't want it. The man who bought it doesn't need it. The man who needs it doesn't know it. What is it?" E-mail dycusburg@yahoo.com and we'll publish the names of those who solve the riddle.
DYCUSBURG, Ky. — Mr. Philip Buchanan, 68, of Dycusburg passed away at 3:54 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at Lourdes hospital in Paducah.
He was a graduate of the College of Lake County, Ill., School of Nursing and was a retired nurse for Winchester House of Libertyville, Ill. He was of the Baptist faith.
Mr. Buchanan is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Jason Wade and Ann Buchanan of Mayfield; one daughter, Becky Buchanan of San Antonio, Texas; two grandchildren, Chelsea Buchanan of Wisconsin and Carl Buchanan of Murray; one brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Teresa Buchanan of Crittenden County; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Dixie and Charlie Ray of Paducah, Darlene and Bill Tabor of Crittenden County, Nancy Buchanan of Boaz and Rosalee Wallace of Crayne; and nieces and nephews, Mike, Ricky, Joe, Angie, Kim, Maryanne, Starla, Darren, Sherry, Linda, Tina, Rodney, LeeAnn and Kristi.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Wendell Buchanan; two sisters, Norma Nichols and Jeanette Sutton; and his parents, Roy Buchanan and Lula Martin Buchanan.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009, at Dycusburg Cemetery in Crittenden County with the Rev. David Sphnix officiating.
There will be no visitation. Lakeland Funeral Home in Eddyville is handling arrangements.
Source: The Paducah Sun (www.paducahsun.com)
By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
The weather in the area has been beautiful for several days in a row, giving people a chance to mow their yards and to plant and maintain flowerbeds. We would like to remind everyone to be careful if you still have broken limbs on trees. You might not be able to see the broken limbs once the newly sprouted leaves cover them.
Seven Springs is again searching for a pastor as Bro. Pleasant submitted his resignation.
The Dycusburg Community Group (DCG) needs volunteers for its annual town clean up next month. The DCG is still in the planning stages and needs your help. If you are unable to volunteer time but would like to make a contribution, please mail to Dycusburg Community Group, P.O. Box 112, Dycusburg, KY 42037. As we stated in last week's issue, funding for the July 4 fireworks show is nearly non-existent. We fear a show may not happen in 2009 unless someone steps up to the plate and donates money for the fireworks.
Get well wishes are extended to Jim and Debbie Richardson and to Parker Holsapple.
The day started a little chilly but warmed up nicely for the Sunday fish fry at Dycusburg Methodist Church on May 17. Several people came and the food was delicious. Proceeds benefit the Dycusburg Cemetery. If you were unable to attend but would like to donate, please send a check to Dycusburg Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 4, Dycusburg, KY 42037. To view some photos of the event, look for "Dycusburg.com" on Facebook.com (you will need to create an account to view the photos).
Josh and Star Mahns recently hosted visitors: Josh's father, Jeff Mahns and grandfather, Walter.
Travis and Emma Sosh, Jenny Patton and Aliyah Frutiger had dinner on Saturday night with Chase and Jennifer Matthews at Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston, Mo. (According to the restaurant's Web site, Lambert's served 48,409 lbs. of fresh Mississippi pond raised catfish last year. That's a lot of fish! That's not all: The restaurant is known for their "throwed rolls." Last year, they served 2,246,400 individual rolls!)
The "Almost Home" band played at the Riverside Café in Dycusburg on Friday. The store has been host to tons of great musical talent recently.
Happy birthday to Dan Henderson (May 25), Aliyah Frutiger (May 27), Michael McKinney (May 20) and Mitchell McKinney (May 20).
We're going to start including a "Riddle of the Week." Here's the first one: "The poor have it. The rich need it. It's greater than God. It's worse than the devil. If you eat it you will die." E-mail your answers to dycusburg@yahoo.com.
By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
We hope everyone had an enjoyable Mother's Day. Bless all of the mothers for their hard work, and bless all of those fathers who served double duty.
The Cumberland River is covering the boat dock area, including over the Chase Matthews Pavilion. It's also approaching the bottom area on Hwy. 295 near Owen Road.
Our sympathies go out to the family of Joyce Fitts, 73, of Eddyville who passed away on May 4 after a battle with cancer. She was a daughter of Raymond and Mary Dean (Hobson) Patton. She was buried at New Bethel Cemetery.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, May 14 at 2 p.m. for Russella Sue Peek. A luncheon will follow at the Dycusburg Methodist Church.
Final reminder: The annual fish fry to benefit the Dycusburg cemetery fund will be held Sunday, May 17 at 1 p.m. It is planned for the Methodist Church lot unless it rains. In that case, it will be held at the Baptist fellowship hall. Please bring a donation to help keep the cemetery clean and beautiful.
Vacation Bible School will be held June 8-12 at Mexico Baptist Church. For more information, call 270-965-4059.
As we stated in a previous edition, the fireworks at Dycusburg will not be even remotely as nice as they were last year without donations. Please consider sending a monetary donation to the Dycusburg Community Group, P.O. Box 112, Dycusburg, KY 42037. We know everyone enjoyed the show last year, and we're hopeful the community will pitch in to celebrate Independence Day again in 2009.
The Dycusburg Grocery (aka Riverside Cafe) had its biggest crowd ever recently, with scores of people inside and out. Several bands and individuals sang and played instruments. It was a great night, enjoyed by all. It's nice to have such phenomenal talent tucked away in the tiny village of Dycusburg.
Birthday wishes are extended to Daniel Patton (May 26) and Justin Peek (May 30).
Dan Henderson recently enjoyed a trip to Havre, Mont. Although it was a short trip, he enjoyed seeing the landscape created by glaciers and snow covered mountaintops.
Barbara Ethridge enjoyed her visit with her nephew, Matthew. She dog sat while he traveled to Europe, visiting London, Amsterdam and Oslo. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling around the beautiful cities across the pond. He landed in London where he spent the night and then took a cruise from Harwich, England to Amsterdam then to Oslo, where he flew back to London and on to the United States.
Special thanks to the person who mowed and cleaned up around the Dycusburg Area Veteran's Memorial Marker recently. It is much appreciated by the community.
Jeannie Griffin reports that Bobby and Linda Mayes are having a girl. Congratulations!
As the warmth of the summer months begins to draw people outdoors, we want to take this opportunity to remind our readers to protect themselves from ticks. The nasty little buggers seem to be thicker this year than in years past.
We close this week with a quote from Mark Twain: "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."
Share your news by e-mailing dycusburg@yahoo.com.
Lawrence Lynn Davenport with a fish he caught in Dycusburg when the Cumberland River was flooded (May 1955). Note that the fish has eyes ... in its mouth! Click image for larger version. 
Teddie, Denny, Debbie and Robbie Davenport and the Willie Davenport homeplace near Dycusburg. Photo courtesy of Donna Walker. Click image for larger version.By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
The fish fry for the Dycusburg Cemetery Fund will be May 17, at the Methodist Church. In case of rain, it will be held in the fellowship hall of the Baptist Church. Mark your calendars! Proceeds benefit the perpetual care of the cemetery. If you are unable to attend, please consider mailing a donation to Dycusburg Cemetery Fund, c/o Faye Stinnett, P.O. Box 4, Dycusburg, KY 42037.
Sue Peek passed away on April 30. She is survived by her husband, Neil, and their two children, Donnie and Susan, and grandchildren. We send our condolences.
We also extend our condolences to the family of Agnes Louise (Meeks) Givens. Ms. Givens passed away at her residence in Marion on April 26.
Our sympathy goes out to Josh Mahns and family. They traveled to Indiana for Josh's mom, Debbie's, funeral. Josh's grandfather will be visiting Kentucky from Washington State for a few days of fishing in the lakes area.
While on a business trip to Minneapolis MN, Gary and Gina Noffsinger, of Owensboro ran into Carl and Angie McLevein, of Lyon Co. and Troy and Stacie Belt, of Frances, while shopping at the Mall of America. The ties they all have to Southern Crittenden County show how small the world really is!
The Mexico Baptist Church is having its Mexican Celebration on Saturday, May 9. It starts at 5 p.m. and will end with fireworks. Everyone is invited to attend.
The Dycusburg Grocery Store ( Riverside Cafe ) had another "standing room only" crowd Friday night. The patrons enjoyed music performed by local talent. There are various musicians at the store every Friday night. All are welcome to attend.
If you have news or event dates in our area, call Michelle Henderson at 988-2758 or e-mail to dycusburg@yahoo.com. Visit www.dycusburg.com for area information.
By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Eddie Wilford who died last week. We also extend our sympathies to Josh Mahns whose mother, Debbie, died on Monday.
The annual fish fry to benefit the Dycusburg cemetery fund will be held Sunday, May 17 at 1 p.m. It is planned for the Methodist Church lot unless it rains. In that case, it will be held at the Baptist fellowship hall.
Birthdays celebrated last week include Justin Noffinger (4/17), Regina Matthews (4/18), Justin Sutton (4/21), Jeannie Griffin (4/22), Amanda Oliver and Dylan Strilko (4/23).
We are glad to hear Phillip Buchanan is home from the hospital and feeling better.
Faye Stinnett and Barbara Ethridge visited Rhea Stinnett, Joy Ferguson, Millie Cole and Sue Peek at Springlake Nursing Home in Salem. When they left, Faye went on to Marion to pick up new eyeglasses while Barbara stopped at Livingston Hospital to give blood. They encourage anyone with extra time to visit or make a phone call to the sick, shut-ins and elderly. It is truly a blessing to both parties.
The yard sale at Michelle Henderson's home was succesful at Dycusburg but contributions to the DCG and Homes for Our Troops, the organization building Chase Matthews and his family a new home, fell short of expectations.
If you attended the Fourth of July celebration, "Red, White and Boom," last year at Dycusburg, we encourage you to send a donation to buy fireworks for this year's celebration. Without donations, a spectacular fireworks show will not be possible. Donations may be sent to: Dycusburg Community Group, P.O. Box 112, Dycusburg, KY 42037 (write "fireworks" in the memo area of your check). Watch this column for developments.
Share your Dycusburg, Frances, Caldwell Springs, Seven Springs and other Southern Crittenden area news by e-mailing dycusburg@yahoo.com or calling Michelle at 988-2758.
We received word that Sue Peek, wife of Neil Peek, passed away this morning at 6 a.m. She is survived by Neil and two children, Donnie and Susan.
A home will be built for the family of Sgt. Chase Matthews who was injured in Iraq. To learn more, please watch the video.
By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
Happy birthday to Travis Williams (4/1), Brooke Pleasant (4/5), Kristie Thornton (4/6), Samantha Story (4/8), Amber Patton (4/8), Julie Conner (4/12), Bruce Guess (4/14), Terry Guess (4/16), Bobby Millikan (4/19), Orbin Penn (4/19), Kim Hamby (4/19), Jonathan Pleasant (4/25), Amanda Kennedy (4/25), John Clark (4/29). Congrats to Ricky and Paula Patton who celebrated their anniversary (4/2).
Congratulations to Jeff Winding and Julie Walker who were married April 11 at Mermet Lake, Ill. They honeymooned at a Crittenden County cabin.
The Dycusburg Grocery had record numbers on Friday for singing, with lots of new talent. It's once again a growing, hopping little place, reports owner Star Mahns.
Our sympathies are extended to Josh Mahns on the death of his grandmother, Irene P. Dybalski-Mahns who died at age 85 on April 8 in Valparaiso, IN. She was born Dec. 28, 1923 in Gary, IN, to Clement and Mary Dybalski. She was married on June 28, 1946 in New Chicago to Walter H. Mahns, who survives of Valparaiso, IN.
The Dycusburg Community Group will host a yard sale this weekend, weather permitting. A donation box will be on site at the sale for the Homes for Our Troops effort that will benefit Chase Matthews and his wife, Jennifer. Homes for Our Troops is a Boston-area based organization that helps build specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Chase learned he was accepted into the program in February. To learn how to become more involved, visit dycusburg.com and look for the link for "Homes for Our Troops."
Share your news tidbits! E-mail dycusburg@yahoo.com or call Michelle at 988-2758.
By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
We extend our sympathies to the family of Cindy Matthews-Smith, 44, who died Sunday night. She was buried at Dycusburg Cemetery. Additionally, our condolences go out to the family of Imogene Stout.
The Dycusburg Community Group (DCG) yard sale was postponed due to weather last week. The DCG has set dates of April 17-18 for the next sale. During the yard sales, donation boxes will be on site to help fund future DCG events. Funds are low for the group and without contributions, festivities for this year will not match nor compare to the ones in 2008.
Jenny Patton, Aliyah Frutiger and Emma Sosh enjoyed a visit with Jenny's uncle and aunt, Alan and Kay Phillips, in Lexington.
The DCG is also looking for volunteers for a Spring 2009 cleanup. For info, call Michelle Henderson at 988-2758.
Gina, Gary, Justin and McKenzie Noffsinger went to Tampa on vacation recently. The Owensboro Airport now offers a flight on Wednesdays and Saturdays nonstop to Tampa and back.
A dedication ceremony for a marker memorializing Longshore Lamb and his wife, Sarah, will be held Oct. 10 in Caldwell County. All descendants of the Lamb family are invited to attend. Longshore served in the American Revolution as a militia man in South Carolina.
If you have any news to share, please call Michelle at 988-2758 or e-mail us at dycusburg@yahoo.com.
Cindy Matthews-Smith, 44, of Dycusburg, died Sunday, April 5 at 9:46 p.m. in Madisonville, KY. She was a daughter of Laymon and Maxine Matthews.
Visitation will be Tuesday night at Dunn's Funeral Home in Eddyville.
By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
The Dycusburg Grocery is back to having regular fish fries on Fridays. The store is newly restocked with added menu items.
Happy birthday to Brandee Bowman (April 4), Jody Beth Selph (April 8), and Amanda Oliver (April 23).
Michelle Henderson, Barbara Ethridge and Jeannie Griffin enjoyed a shopping trip to Opry Mills in Nashville on Mar. 24. They had lunch at Johnny Rockets.
A community yard sale will be held in Dycusburg on Friday and Saturday, weather permitting. For more information, call Michelle Henderson at 988-2758. Partial proceeds will benefit the Dycusburg Community Group.
As we said before in this column, we certainly don't believe the ice storm was a result of God's vengeance upon Crittenden County. That's not what the Bible teaches at all, and it's foolish to think so. Instead, rejoice in knowing that God takes the form of loving neighbors, friends and community ... a light that has shined brightly in the past few months.
Share your news, anniversaries, birthdays and other announcements by e-mailing dycusburg@yahoo.com or calling Michelle at 988-2758.
By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
We extend our sincerest sympathies to the family of Luther Keith Shewcraft, 71, who died March 18. Keith was the elder son, and fifth child, of Luther Shewcraft and Oda Lee (Patton) Shewcraft. He was a loyal family man, a lover of music with a fine tenor voice, a great story teller, a great fondness for his horses and trail rides. He will be missed by many.
We also send our sympathies to the family of Helen Baldwin, 103, who died March 16 at Hilltop Nursing Home in Kuttawa.
Chase Matthews and his wife, Jennifer, recently made a trip to the Boston area to meet with representatives from Homes for Our Troops. The group is a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 2004 that builds or modifies specially adapted homes for the most severely wounded soldiers returning home from combat with life-altering disabilities, at no cost to the veteran. They assist severely injured servicemen and women and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and professional labor and then coordinating the process of building a new home or adapting an existing home for handicapped accessibility. The finished home is then given to the veteran. Chase was designated the benefactor of their next project in our area, and the group is now taking donations. For more information, visit www.homesforourtroops.org/matthews. (More information will also appear in a future article in this newspaper.)
Seven Springs had 74 in attendance for Sunday school, with several more arriving for worship services.
The Dycusburg Grocery had a standing room only crowd for music last weekend. If you get a chance, check out the little town’s gathering place. You’d be pleasantly surprised with the musical talent.
Jason Smith is flying into Nashville for a short visit with his mom and grandmother at the airport. He’ll fly back to Houston with his daughter, Lavinia.
Jeannie Griffin hosted a BBQ dinner at her home on Sunday night. We’re happy to report she is enjoying being back at work after a bout of illness.
The Dycusburg Community Group is planning a community yard sale soon. For more information, call Michelle at 988-2758.
By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton
Congratulations to Jeff and Jessica (Cox) LeFan on the birth of their son, Wyatt Jeffrey LeFan. He weighed 6lb., 5oz. and was 19 inches long. He was born at 3:54 p.m., March 16 in Wisconsin.
Terry and Debbie Joiner celebrated their anniversary on March 18. Birthday wishes are sent to Gail Bannister (Mar. 19), Derek Burris who turns 18 (Mar. 23) and Jason Smith (Mar. 30).
Nancy Kemper-Travis died on Mar. 11.
Seven Springs had 76 in attendance for Sunday School. The church is planning an upcoming Easter play.
We received an e-mail query from Shannon Buchanan who is "trying to find more information concerning my genealogy on my grandfather's side: Wendell Buchanan and my grandmother's side: Greta Jean Armstrong." She is also looking for any family pictures. Her family moved to Missouri due to employment with Chrysler and she is unable to get any of these items. If you have any information, please e-mail her at shannonilla@gmail.com or write her at 16 Joachim Dr., Eureka, MO 63025.
Jenny Patton and Aliyah Frutiger, Travis and Emma Sosh, and Star and Jacob Mahns enjoyed an outing to the Rainforest Café in Nashville on Sunday.
The Dycusburg Grocery had a sing-a-long last weekend. The grocery has live music every weekend. If you have a chance, swing down to Dycusburg and check it out.
I am selling the Dycusburg book until April 1 for $45 ... a $25 discount.
E-mail me at matthewtpatton@yahoo.com if you'd like to add your name to the list (I only have three left) and I'll set one aside for you.
More than 500 copies of Dycusburg, Kentucky: A Glance at Her Past have been sold since it was published in 1999. The book, 443 pages, is hardbound with gold-embossed.
If you're interested in ordering a copy at $45, e-mail matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.
Sections of the book include:
