“Home On The Range (With My Prairie Home Companion)” – From the Rotary Club of Murray

Many thanks to the Rotary Club of Murray for crafting this song for their October 27, 2011 meeting! Try singing-a-long and have fun!

HOME ON THE RANGE
(With My Prairie Home Companion)

Oh give me a home where Keil-lor will roam,
On the floor of the C-F-S-B.
Where we shall all see, a cast fill-ed with glee;
It’s live and it ain’t on TV.

Home, home his-to-ry.
A show we all should go see.
Mu-sic and sketch, lot’s of hu-mor to catch,
A once-in-your life place to be.

How of-ten we’ve heard, some en-cour-a-ging words;
From the sounds of Nin-ty One Point Three.
Now we can go-to view a live show,
And be in on Mur-ray his-to-ry.

Home, home on the range,
Where the cast and mu-si-cians will play.
No-vem-ber the fifth; this sure ain’t a myth.
Com-pan-ion is com-ing our way.
(Prairie Home, that is!)

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Why I Am a “Dollar a Day” Contributor to WKMS – A Sad Tale of Procrastination and Remorse

Here’s a wonderful story by a WKMS contributor from Fulton. Thank you so much Baker for sharing this story with us and for letting us share this story with listeners:

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Why I Am a “Dollar a Day” Contributor to WKMS – A Sad Tale of Procrastination and Remorse

Once upon a time – not so long ago – those of us in Northwest Tennessee and Southwest Kentucky had a fine NPR station. WKNO in Memphis had a 100,000 watt translator in Dyersburg which had a fine signal both in Union City, where I worked, and at my home in Fulton, KY. They had a news and talk format that was similar to what we hear on WKMS today and I loved the programing. I was a Member and I contributed a few dollars a month by automatic deduction from my checking account. I thought I was doing my part.

One morning when I switched on my radio as usual expecting to hear “Morning Addition”, I was shocked to discover that in the place of my favorite NPR station was a new Christian broadcasting station. This had happened with no fanfare. My favorite station was just GONE! I soon found out that, due to budget restraints, WKNO had been forced to sell the transmitter and the license at Dyersburg in order to raise cash!

I was hurt and I was resentful. I called that very day and canceled my membership. I couldn’t understand why they would take “my” station off the air without at least giving the listeners an opportunity to “step up to the plate” and save the station. I would have given more, if only they had asked!

It took me a while to come to the realization that they had been asking all along. Twice a year they had a pledge drive and I had noticed that they usually seemed to come up a little short. I guess I assumed that the big corporate sponsors would make up the shortfall. I could have done more, but the programing went on and I was happy and content– right up until that fateful morning when “my” station went off the air.

Now we have the new WKMT station at Fulton and I can again get my NPR fix, full strength, 24 hours a day! One thing is for sure, I will never again be complacent about my new NPR station. I signed up for a “dollar a day” membership to WKMS and if the current pledge drive seems to be coming up short, I will dig a little deeper. I don’t ever want to wake up again and find that NPR is gone from my radio dial!

Baker Thompson
Fulton, KY

From the Porch: Exploring…

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The rain is falling… at least its a light rain and it appears to be about finished with our region for the day. If you feel like getting out, stretching your legs, hearing a few tunes and getting involved then head over to Max’s Brick oven in Paducah. Today the Buzzard Brothers Smoke on the Water Flood Relief Fundraiser kicks of at 11:00 AM. There’s BBQ, music and fellowship. Music starts at 11:00 and runs through around 3:30 or so. Nathan Blake Lynn and The Solid Rocket Booster’s mix it up with other local artists to provide entertainment. All proceeds go to The Community Foundation of West Kentucky. Find more info on Facebook.

I’m spinning new music from Town Mountain this morning in the second hour. These guys have been around for about 10-years with two albums already under their belt and a title from the Rockygrass Music Festival band competition. The new album Steady Operator hit the street May 10 and features both traditional and non-traditional bluegrass music. Find out more on these guys at www.townmountain.net.

Here is Town Mountain covering Bruce Springteen’s “I’m on Fire”.

Put these shows on your calendars.

• Thursday, May 19 Bawn in the Mash at The Big Apple Cafe, 9 PM, Murray, KY
• Friday, May 20, Blair Joseph, Logan Oakley and Jasmine Davis at Doe’s Eat Place in Paducah at 8 PM
• Saturday and Sunday, May 28-29, Mark Dvorak, Dixie Volunteers, Cumberland River Plowboys, Bawn in the Mash and Nathan Blake Lynn among others at LBL’s Pickin’ Party at The Homeplace in Land Between the Lakes.
• Saturday, June 10, Josh Williams Homecoming on the court square in Benton, KY

Community Foundation of West Kentucky establishes West Kentucky Disaster Recovery Fund

Click here to see our coverage of flood recovery updates across the region.

From the Community Foundation of West Kentucky –

May 5, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

www.cfwestky.org

West Kentucky Disaster Recovery Fund

In response to the recent flooding in our area, the Community Foundation of West Kentucky has set up the West Kentucky Disaster Recovery Fund.  This unrestricted fund will provide grants to nonprofit agencies, religious organizations and governmental entities that provide long-term disaster recovery assistance to the people of West Kentucky and Massac County, Illinois. 100% of the money received will be used to help our region recover.

The West Kentucky Disaster Recovery Fund is not meant to replace the efforts of first responders.  We encourage giving to those groups providing immediate assistance like the Red Cross, United Way, Salvation Army, and others.

Recovery efforts after a natural disaster may take years.  The Community Foundation will serve as a conduit to receive donations and disburse grants to aid long-term recovery.  The Community Foundation will establish a volunteer advisory committee which will work with local leaders and experts to determine the areas of greatest need.  The committee will analyze each disaster and decide the best use of available resources.  The West Kentucky Disaster Recovery Fund will have the flexibility to grant to first responders proactively and then to other organizations through a grant application process.  The advisory committee will encourage collaboration among organizations to remedy unmet needs.  Grants from the Fund will be distributed to nonprofit organizations and government agencies, not to individuals.  The Fund will only be used for provision of direct services to the people of West Kentucky and Massac County, Illinois.  Direct services may include housing, food, household items, cleanup and other areas of need to be determined by the committee.  Recipients of grants will be organizations that have established systems in place to assess needs and get help to disaster victims.  Organizations who receive grants will be required to provide reports confirming the grants were used for their intended purpose.

The Community Foundation of West Kentucky will devote a page on their website for disaster recovery.  This page will list the grants given from the fund as well as links to organizations providing direct services to people in need.

To make a donation to the West Kentucky Disaster Recovery Fund, send a check payable to the Community Foundation of West Kentucky, P. O. Box 7901, Paducah, KY  42002.  Please note West Kentucky Disaster Recovery Fund in the memo section. The Community Foundation of West Kentucky is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are fully deductible under the limits of the law.

If you wish to make another type of donation or if you have questions, contact the Community Foundation of West Kentucky at (270) 442-8622 or toll free at (855) 442-8623.  Our email address is info@cfwestky.org.

www.cfwestky.org

Click here to see our coverage of flood recovery updates across the region.

Murray State student public demonstrations take on both sides of abortion

Today, students are counter-demonstrating in response to a series of cardboard cutouts tied to posts on Murray State’s campus. The cutouts, which appeared Monday, depict silhouettes of pregnant women and carry pro-life messages.

Here, a student has tied herself to a light post. To the right, the pro-life cutout reads “Women under 25 obtain 52% of all abortions.” The student holds a sign reading “My body. My choice.”

Weather Related Closings – January 27

Thursday, January 27

Kentucky Schools:
Caldwell County, Christian County, Crittenden County (Opens @ 10:00am), Dawson Springs (Opens @ 9:00am), Hopkins County, Trigg County, Webster County.

Tennessee Schools:
Clarksville Academy, Clarksville Christian School, Henry County (Opens @ 8:30am), Houston County, Montgomery Christian Academy, Montgomery County, Stewart County.

Illinois Schools:
No information at this time.

Other Closings:
No information at this time.

Kentucky Daycare Centers:
No information at this time.

Road Conditions:
Kentucky: http://511.ky.gov/kyhb/main.jsf
Illinois: http://wrc.gettingaroundillinois.com/pages/wrc.htm
Tennessee: http://ww2.tdot.state.tn.us/tsw/smartmap.htm

Other Important links:
Latest Regional Weather Info
National Weather Service – Paducah

Our Regional Weather Page
http://www.wkms.org/weather.php

Weather Related Closings – Jan. 26

Wednesday, January 26

Kentucky Schools:
Caldwell County, Calloway County, Carlisle County (Opens @ 9:00am), Christian County, Christian Fellowship (Opens @ 10:00am), Community Christian Academy (Opens @ 9:30am), Crittenden County, Dawson Springs, Eastwood Christian Academy, Fulton County, Graves County, Hickman County, Hopkins County, Livingston County, Lyon County, Marshall County, Mayfield City (Opens 1 hour late), McCracken County Schools, Murray Independent Schools (Opens 2 hours late; AM Preschool Closed), McCracken County (Opens 2 hours late; AM Preschool Closed), St. Joseph, Trigg County, Union County, Victory Christian Academy (Opens @ 9:30am), Webster County.

Tennessee Schools:
Henry County, Houston County, Paris Special, Lake County, Obion County, Stewart County,  UT Martin (Opens @ 10:00am), Montgomery Christian Academy, Montgomery County, Weakley County.

Illinois Schools:
No information at this time.

Other Closings:
Benton Health Care (Opens @ 10:00am), Clarksville Senior Citizens, Clarksville Academy, Clarksville Christian, Ezell Cosmetology, Fulton County Transit, Fulton County Seniors Center – Hickman/Fulton, JU Kevil Center, LBL Facilities/Offices, Montgomery County Government (Opens 1 hours late), Murray Seniors Center (Opens @ 10:00am), Murray WATCH Center, Paducah Housing Authority (Opens @ 9:00am), Purchase Sexual Assault Center.

Kentucky Daycare Centers:
Cadiz Family Development Center, Daytime Moms Little Blessings (Opens @ 8:30am), Kentucky Kids – Mayfield, Kids Kare – All Locations (Opens @ 8:30am), Lyon County Early Headstart, Munchkin Land – All Locations (Opens @ 8:30am), River’s Bend Daycare (Opens @ 8:00am), Small World Daycare in Trigg County (Opening at 8:30).

Kentucky Road Conditions (Afternoon Update)
Warmer temperatures this afternoon will help to make driving easier. State Transportation Spokesman Keith Todd says most of the major roadways in western Kentucky have already been cleared, however passing lanes may be slushy. Todd says it’s taking longer to treat roadways because Cabinet officials are conserving salt. Kentucky State Police report numerous crashes in Fulton County. Trooper Dean Patterson says the crashes occurred in the same area on the Purchase Parkway as they did during snowfall last week. Patterson says police have also responded to cars that slipped off the roadway. In Lyon County a section of I-24 was blocked this morning, as crews responded to an injury-related crash. Road crews are preparing for more winter weather tonight.

More on Road Conditions:

Kentucky: http://511.ky.gov/kyhb/main.jsf
Illinois: http://wrc.gettingaroundillinois.com/pages/wrc.htm
Tennessee: http://ww2.tdot.state.tn.us/tsw/smartmap.htm

Other Important links:

Latest Regional Weather Info
National Weather Service – Paducah

Our Regional Weather Page
http://www.wkms.org/weather.php