This Saturday, motorcycle bikers will once again ride across the nation for the 10th Annual Katelynn Stinnett National Memorial Ride to raise awareness of child abuse and to raise money for its victims, according to spokesperson Sheila Shain of Shepherdsville.
Sheila Shain
“Every day in the United States, five children are murdered by their caregivers and their survivors are further traumatized by the judicial process,” she continued. “Our support of Bikers Against Child Abuse ensures that the smallest victims have a champion. Please join us for a day of remembrance, as well as empowerment for the children of the Bluegrass.”
Those interested in participating may register at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 23, at the Man o’ War Harley Davidson, 2073 Bryant Road, Lexington. Call 502-386-7147 for more details. The memorial ride is scheduled to start from the Harley Davidson location at 1:00 p.m. and will end at the American Legion Hall, in Richmond, about 20 miles south. All proceeds will go to the advocacy organization, Bikers Against Child Abuse.
The Borrowed Angels Charity Riders (BACR), a women’s biker group I profiled in my 2013 book, Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes #3, established the event in 2009 after the horrible murder, by a babysitter, of two-year-old Katelynn Stinnett in 2008. The special memorial became even more compelling with the subsequent murder of BACR leader, “Crickett” Lanham-Lee, in 2011 by her husband.
Shain finds inspiration to continue the event yearly. “The memory of carrying that tiny casket is the thing that carries me when my heart wearies of the task and the pain,” she said. I admire her grandmother for allowing us the honor of using Katelynn’s name to raise awareness of this terrible epidemic, knowing how difficult this must be every year. She’s the true hero.”
Corbin Seavers
For those who value the game of chess, here’s a note to teachers and others who work with young people to encourage your attendance at a cool event. Corbin Seavers, Louisville, has had amazing success working with inner-city youth in developing chess clubs and competitive leagues. He’d love to share how others might do the same in their schools and communities.
He’ll be leading a workshop called “Chess Club Success” on Monday, June 25, 6:00 p.m. at the Woodford County Library, Versailles. The event is free and to sign up, call 859-873-5191 or visit www.woodfordcountylibrary.com .
One of the better pieces of writing I’ve come across recently by a Kentucky writer or about Kentucky is one written by western Kentuckian Bob Thompson, from near Paducah. Here is my review of his recent book, Hitchhiker: Stories from the Homefront, in Kentucky Monthly:
Bob Thompson
Bob Thompson really had no choice but to become a storyteller. He grew up in a small McCracken County community that made the practice an art form, informal as it was, and he gratefully absorbed it. In truth, the currency of a well-told narrative will get you “country road cred” just about anywhere you mosey in rural Kentucky areas, and he desired to be a part.
So when Thompson sits down and writes a collection of short stories, one might do well to partake of the product. Hitchhiker: Stories from the Kentucky Homefront, features his skills.
Sixteen offerings in the 152-page book include such titles as “Hitchhiker,” which tells of his adventures on foot in the Rocky Mountains after his vehicle brings down. In “Tommy,” the writer takes us back to his joy in riding new motorcycles with a cherished friend of his youth, then a sudden, searing and tragic turn of events. We learn about Thompson’s neighbors, Hal and George, who are brothers who try to figure each other out; and we also see Thompson trying to figure himself out as he “runs with the bulls” in Hemingway’s land.
The bully meets his karma done country-style to finish the collection, but this crafty writer leaves wiggle room for us to feel some mixed emotions. But that’s what good writing can do.
Thompson, in addition to putting precise, illuminating words on paper, helps produce the Corn Island Storytelling Festival and the Kentucky Homefront Radio show. He’s also on the board and is secretary of the Kentucky Storytelling Association.
Steve Flairty is a teacher, public speaker and an author of six books: a biography of Kentucky Afield host Tim Farmer and five in the Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes series, including a kids’ version. Steve’s “Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes #4,” was released in 2015. Steve is a senior correspondent for Kentucky Monthly, a weekly KyForward and NKyTribune columnist and a member of the Kentucky Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. Contact him at sflairty2001@yahoo.com or visit his Facebook page, “Kentucky in Common: Word Sketches in Tribute.” (Steve’s photo by Connie McDonald)
