Scenes of Early Summer

From Christian County, KY

Wheat harvest is beginning.

A day off for the workhorses.

Daylilies are blooming along the roadsides.

And a bit of news for the Croftonians-in-exile who read this blog --  Crofton (a small town in northern Christian County) had a flash flood yesterday about 2:00 AM. According to the National Weather Service, a law enforcement officer reported water as deep as car headlights at the junction of Highways 800 and 41 in Crofton. I heard thunder for several hours, but it never did rain at our house. All the rain must have fallen at Crofton!

Tornado Damage Reports, Crofton, KY, Area, 2-5-08

Tornado and thunderstorm damage, Trigg and Christian Counties, KY\

WKDZ radio station in Cadiz has posted several dozen photographs of damage in Trigg and Christian Counties that occurred during the tornadoes and thunderstorms on February 5, 2008. The areas where damage was photographed include:

Dawson Springs
Dawson Springs Road
Palestine Road
Highway 800
Pools Mill Road, Crofton
Bainbridge Road
South Road, Cadiz
Highway 139 North
Tanyard Road, Cadiz
S. Tanyard Road, Cadiz

Another WKDZ storm damage report states that one injury was reported from the storm in Christian County.

In Muhlenberg County, just northeast of Christian County, three people were killed and 20,000 people still had no electricity as of the following afternoon, according to a WKDZ report on tornado and storm damage in Muhlenberg County.

The Kentucky New Era reports that more than 20 homes were damaged or destroyed in northern Christian County. The article includes a slide show of some of the property damage -- in some cases, terrible losses. UPDATE: By February 7, 2008, the second morning after the tornado, the estimated number of damaged or destroyed homes was changed to over 40 homes.

Some local comments on the night's weather were posted on the Hoptown Hall Forum.

I was in Crofton today, and I can report that everything appeared intact in the downtown area. I also didn't note any damage to the homes and businesses along Highway 41 south of the 41/800 intersection within Crofton. However, along Highway 41 between Crofton and Hopkinsville, we saw damage to a barn roof and some uprooted and broken trees.

UPDATE:

On Feb. 7, 2008, the Kentucky New Era reported that a National Weather Service investigator had visited the storm-damaged area in northern Christian County. The storm was declared an F-2 tornado with winds in excess of 130 mph.

In addition, the National Weather Service released a statement regarding two F-1 tornadoes in Trigg County. One hit a few miles south of Canton in the Barkeley Shores community. It went about a tenth of a mile with a width of 25 to 50 feet maximum, and its winds were up to 87 mph. Most of the damage was uprooted and broken trees.

The second tornado touchdown occurred from 2.5 miles north of Maple Grove to 1.8 miles southeast of Cadiz. The tornado traveled on the ground for 5.1 miles and its maximum width was 150 yards wide. A barn was shifted on its foundation, several houses suffered roof damage, and trees were uprooted and broken.

Some photographs of the tornado damage in Muhlenberg County and other vicinities have been posted by the National Weather Service (Paducah, KY.) The tornado that hit near Greenville and Central City was an F-3 that ran for 10 miles with an average width of 325 yards. Three people lost their lives and there was extensive property damage.

A radar animation on the National Weather Service (Paducah, KY) website shows severe weather hitting Christian County simultaneously with the tornado that hit Jackson, Tennessee, and destroyed Union University.

Related post: "Tornado Damage at Crofton, KY, Tonight."

Tornado Damage at Crofton KY, Tonight

Another night of severe weather in Christian County, KY

This report is for the people who are visiting the blog seeking information about the tornado in the Crofton, KY area, tonight.

Related post: Tornado Damage Reports, Crofton, KY, Area, 2-5-08

Around 7 p.m. tonight, a tornado cut through northern Christian County from Cerulean, across Dawson Springs Road and Old Palestine Road, and through Empire. The Pembroke area also suffered some wind damage.

No serious injuries or loss of life have been reported so far, so we've been more fortunate than many communities this stormy night.

The Kentucky New Era sent out a reporter after the storm and posted a story about the tornado that hit northern Christian County. According to the KNE story, damage includes power lines and transformers lying on the ground, roofs ripped off houses, barns and mobile homes destroyed, and trees blown over.

Our local news radio station, WHOP AM, was broadcasting full-time storm coverage as the front passed through the area. The broadcast included the audio portion of one of the Nashville television stations as their weather people watched the regional radar, took in storm reports, etc.

We are now under another severe thunderstorm watch. On our current radar map. Hopkinsville and Christian County lie directly in the path of a squall line. When this passes, the temperature is supposed to drop rapidly, and then, perhaps we'll have a quiet rest-of-the-night.

Below, I've posted the National Weather Service damage reports that appeared on Weather Underground.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

02/05/2008 0954 PM
Pembroke, Christian County.
Thunderstorm wind damage, reported by trained spotter.
Late report. Widespread power outages near Pembroke area. Deck off of home near Interstate 24 exit 86 along Good Hope Cemetery Road.


02/05/2008 0735 PM
3 miles SW of Crofton, Christian County.
Tornado, reported by trained spotter.
On Old Palestine Road... numerous houses damaged or destroyed and people are trapped in homes. Emergency personnel en route.


2/05/2008 0730 PM
3 miles E of Bainbridge, Christian County.
Thunderstorm wind damage, reported by law enforcement.
Several structures and numerous trees and power lines down on Old Palestine Road


02/05/2008 0730 PM
3 miles SW of Crofton, Christian County.
Thunderstorm wind damage, reported by law enforcement.

Images from Crofton, KY

Note: If you're seeking information about the February 5, 2008, tornado, please see "Tornado Damage at Crofton, KY, Tonight."

The CME Church on East 800

Restaurant in downtown Crofton

New Store on South 41

Vacant house with curious architecture

Hay Shortage in Christian County, KY

Cornstalks baled for winter feed

Rain was a welcome sight!

One day last week, rain came down in torrents in Hopkinsville. Low spots in the streets were flash-flooded, and the electricity all over town went out for a while because of a TVA substation problem. Hopkinsville and Crofton got about two inches of rain from this little cloudburst.

When I went home, it was disappointing to learn we'd only received a sprinkle. To the west, east, and south of Hopkinsville, much less rain fell, and in many cases, there was no rain at all.

Though it's too late for most of the crops, rain would still help the grass in the pastures and relieve the fire danger of crisp-dried fields.

Coming home from town the other day, I passed by a parched and barren pasture with a herd of cows in it. A little creek (dried up, no doubt) runs through the pasture. I saw a cow balancing on the very edge of the gully and stretching as far as she could, so she could eat leaves off a little tree that grows in the stream bed. It was a pitiful sight -- she wouldn't be doing that if she had anything else to eat.

Farmers are baling their cornstalks and soybeans for winter feed. We really only got one half-decent cutting of hay this year. Usually, we would get three cuttings. The first grass was set back by the late freeze, and then the weather turned so dry. Prices for a big round bale of hay are around $70, compared to $20 a year ago. [UPDATE: An ad in the Kentucky New Era on September 5, 2007, offered "horse-quality" hay in big square bales, 3x3x8 feet, for $85 each.]

On the radio a few days ago, they announced that the Montgomery County, TN, extension service had located 5000 bales of bermudagrass hay in Oklahoma. (Montgomery County is just over the state line from us.) Planter's Bank will front the money for shipment, and farmers can purchase the hay when it arrives.

The lack of pasture grass and the shortage of hay has forced many farmers to sell calves early and to reduce or sell out their cattle herds. It's a very bad year for agriculture in this area. Even though we're not totally agriculture-dependent in Christian County, we'll feel the effects of the drought on our local economy.

A trailer of baled cornstalks

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One More Look at the Amish Store

Life in Christian County, Kentucky...

A selection of men's hats and lace dresser scarves

Here's one more look at some of the goods in the Amish grocery store in Crofton, KY.

I wouldn't ordinarily take photographs in the Amish store, but the young lady clerk went to the other side of the store for a few minutes. Since I found myself alone and I knew I wouldn't be bothering anyone, I photographed the clocks and the hats.

When I say "the other side of the store", I mean the section with the regular groceries. This little store carries both bulk goods and pre-packaged, branded groceries that we "English" are more familiar with.

It's not the only grocery store in Crofton, but it seems to do a good amount of business. I'm sure it helps that people like me drive to Crofton to shop in it. I mentioned at church that I'd been over there, and several of the ladies started talking about buying spices, flours, etc. there.

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Mennonite and Amish Engagement Gifts

Life in Christian County, Kentucky...

I was at Crofton yesterday, so I stopped at the Amish bulk food store there. The Crofton store doesn't have as wide a selection of bulk goods as at the Amish store at Guthrie. It's not bad though, and Crofton is closer for us than Guthrie.

The Amish at the Crofton store (and also at the Guthrie store) are New Order Amish. They dress plainly, but they don't drive horses and buggies. They travel around locally in tractors pulling a trailer that has been made from a pickup truck box.

In the Crofton store, an inventory of fancy clocks is displayed behind the cash register. Most of the clocks have chimes or play a song. There are a few minutes of much music and chiming in the store every hour and half hour.

The Amish (and also the Mennonites who live in our immediate neighborhood) don't wear jewelry so when a young couple gets engaged, the boy does not give the girl an engagement ring.

Instead, a young man buys his lady a practical gift. Often he'll buy a nice clock, and when they start their home, it will hang in a special place. Or, if it's a mantle clock, it will sit on a shelf of honor, perhaps with a little lace cloth to decorate the shelf. Or at least that's how it is in our neighbors' homes where I've visited.

A clock has nice symbolism. A young couple can think about spending their time together, sharing their hours. They can look forward to their new home where the clock will be used. It's also a nod to their German and Swiss heritage when they buy a nice clock to commemorate a life-event.

A few years ago, one of our "English" neighbor ladies told me about driving a local Mennonite boy and his girlfriend to choose their clock. They chose a beautiful clock, and the neighbor lady thought they seemed very happy about it.

On the web: How to Plan an Amish Wedding

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January Scenes from Christian County, KY

Life in Christian County, Kentucky...

Today I drove the backroads across the northern part of Christian County, or as we call it, "North Christian". As the day progressed, the sky grew steadily grayer, as you'll see in the photos.

Near the Pennyrile State Forest offices

Scouts setting up camp

Isaac's troop is having their traditional "freeze-out" camping trip tonight. They're at Pennyrile State Forest. Above, Isaac (red coat) and another scout are setting up their tent. Earlier the forecast called for snow, sleet, and freezing rain tonight, so we weren't sure if they'd sleep in tents or in a building that the Forest Service offered. The weather forecast improved dramatically today, so they're in their tents tonight.

Old wall at Pennyrile State Forest

Old wall at Pennyrile State Forest

This old stone wall near the headquarters once enclosed a home and its lawn. Now the home is gone except for its concrete floor and massive stone fireplace, but the wall remains. It stands a couple feet tall and is made from large blocks of native stone. It's capped with a layer of concrete that's shaped like an upside down "V". Small native stones are embedded edge-wise in the concrete.

The old Crofton (KY) Hotel

Main Street at Crofton, KY

Crofton is a little town about 15 miles north of Hopkinsville on Highway 41. The railroad tracks run literally through the middle of town. Trains blocking the crossings are a big problem for Crofton's residents. The Crofton Hotel was built in 1906, and it replaced a former hotel or boarding house that burned down. It closed in 1959. (Source of these historic factoids: Postcard History Series: Hopkinsville by William T. Turner and Donna K. Stone)

Corner of Main Street, Crofton, KY

Long-abandoned farm buildings

From Crofton, I went east on Highway 800 and Highway 109. These narrow state highways wind through the hills and valleys, following the path of the old trails. They exist mainly to serve the people who live along them, not for travel across the state.

A lush January field

More abandoned farm buildings

I don't know why the field above wasn't mowed. I wondered if the land might be owned by a hunting club or group, and maybe they left it for wildlife. I did see a big flock of wild turkeys near here.

Pilot Rock seen from the northwest

Another view of Pilot Rock

I've written about Pilot Rock several times, and the links to those posts are given below. It stands on the county line between Todd and Christian Counties, and it is the highest part in both counties. This view is from the Ebenezer-Ovil Road, a gravel road that runs between Highway 189 and Highway 508.

Related posts:
Pennyrile State Forest
Pilot Rock
Treasure at Pilot Rock or Apex in Christian County, KY
Seen on Friday, the 13th in which this photo shows the back doors of the old Crofton Hotel.

Seen on Friday, the 13th

Life in Christian County, Kentucky... History and Old Stuff...

Random images from a random sort of day--



Wandering around behind the Valvoline oil changing station, I saw this board fence framed by foliage. Meanwhile, my car enjoyed a refreshing change of motor oil and a replenishment of its other vital fluids.




These aged doors are part of a building that sits behind the Citgo parking lot in Crofton, Kentucky. Crofton is a small town about a dozen miles north of Hopkinsville, and it's the epitome of a "whistle stop". The front of this building is on Crofton's main street and it faces the train tracks that pass right through the center of town.




These doughnuts were abandoned in front of the deli counter at the grocery store -- evidence that someone's dietary conscience faced down his/her tastebuds and won.





This is just another soybean field in Christian County with a handsome set of Mennonite farm buildings in the background.



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Friday the 13th