COMMONWEALTHS
Self-publishing books, Morehead bakery and cafe, state's first commercial no-till in nation turns 50, and more
by: Sandy Gladfelter, contributing writer
An author talks about his basketball novel, and the advantages of self-publishing
A day for Christmas
Cooler winter predicted—or maybe not
Time Capsule: 50 years ago
The Civil War on your phone
Correcting Reader Recipe and Healthy Kids spellings
Baking for Morehead, and shipping around the world
Quote: Broadband KY
Kentucky's farming revolution that changed the world
Energy Efficıency Tip
An author talks about his basketball novel,
and the advantages of self-publishing
In years past, getting a book published was a feat relatively few achieved. Successful authors cautioned those embarking on the journey to be prepared for many rejections before finally receiving the elusive acceptance letter for a manuscript submitted. In today's digital age, however, authors have more options than ever before.
Frankfort author Michael Embry has found success both from the traditional publishing of eight books and by self-publishing his latest works, a means that is becoming ever more popular. Self-publishing is publication by the author, without the involvement of an established third-party publisher. The author is responsible and in control of the entire process, including design, formats, price, distribution, and marketing.
So far, Embry has found few negatives with self-publishing other than public perception. He finds that some view it as sidetracking the gatekeeper role of the traditional publisher.
"In the end, the public/marketplace determines the success of a book, and not the path taken by the author," says Embry.
Embry's self-published young adult novel Shooting Star (Wings ePress, $11.95 paperback, $7.50 ebook, www.wingsepress.com) follows high school senior Jesse Christopher through his first season on a school basketball team. Jesse's frequent moves have prevented him from previously being on a team, but the local coaches soon discover his superstar talent. Despite his lack of roots, Jesse also exhibits model characteristics and a maturity beyond his years.
Embry understands the challenges of a childhood like Jesse's since he attended 13 schools before graduating. A previous career as a sportswriter helped him to write true-to-life game action descriptions that will undoubtedly hold the young reader's attention.
Embry says, "Older readers have told me the book reminds them of the wholesome books they read as kids by authors such as Clair Bee, Matt Christopher, and John R. Tunis. I loved their books when I was growing up, so perhaps Shooting Star pays homage to them as well. And some of the athletes I've admired through the years have traits similar to what you see in Jesse."
To aspiring authors, Embry advises, "Write the best book you can. After that, use a designer to produce an attractive cover that will reflect the content of the book and lure readers. And then hire an editor to clean up the text. It's best to have someone who will be honest and recommend changes to make the book even better (in other words, don't ask someone to read/edit your manuscript if they are afraid to hurt your feelings). Be as professional as you can be in the process—from start to finish."
—Penny Woods
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A day for Christmas
The community of Anchorage in eastern Louisville holds its 32nd Annual Christmas in Anchorage on Saturday, December 1. The daylong event includes Christmas concerts, a holiday boutique, a children's gift-making workshop, and baked goods for sale. Breakfast and lunch visits with Santa require reservations. Keepsake ornaments are available through advance orders. The event is sponsored by the Anchorage Parent Teacher Association, and proceeds support school enrichment programs. For more information, go on Facebook to Christmas in Anchorage, or phone (502) 245-2121.
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Cooler winter predicted—or maybe not
Early predictions for Kentucky's winter weather hit a glitch when conditions changed in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. Cool water currents (La Nina) there typically produce colder, wetter winters in our area, while warm currents (El Nino) usually mean warmer, dryer winters. When a developing El Nino event stalled in October, forecasters said the situation was too close to call. They gave equal chances to both a cold, wet winter and a warm, dry winter. As Pacific Ocean conditions reach their seasonal peak this month, forecasters hope to settle the coin toss. An early trend shows a return to normal temperature ranges here compared to last year's unusually mild winter. The U.S. Energy Information Administration's outlook predicts an increase in "heating degree days" and higher energy bills this winter.
—Nancy S. Grant
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50 years ago in Kentucky Living: Don't Sneer—Yarbs Are Good Medicine
The modern drug store on the corner has all but done away with the good old-fashioned rustic practice of laying in autumnal supplies of "yarbs" for the treatment of common winter ills: Most of the younger generation wouldn't know boneset from bull nettle, let alone their value in treating certain diseases.
Aunt Cindy Kincaid, however, is not one of these people. Living at the southern end of Big Andy Ridge near the Lee-Wolfe County border, she has been gathering and using herbs for the better part of her 70-odd years...
Aunt Cindy said, nothing on earth is better for a "croupy" baby than a dose of warm sweet catnip tea...She should know. She raised several to healthy maturity and dosed them all with catnip tea.
Every fall and summer Aunt Cindy gathers such herbs as trailing arbutus, skullcap, dittany, squaw vine, boneset, elder blossoms, universy, mullein, bittersweet, snakeroot, rattleweed, Balm of Gilead buds, and many other plants and roots. Then if any member of her family comes down with the grippe, flu, head cold, cough, rheumatism, unsettled nerves, or "dauncy" appetite, she has the herbs ready.
Aunt Cindy believes in herbs, but she also believes in doctors. Her advice: See a doctor when ill, then use home remedies.
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The Civil War on your phone
Apps for smartphones and tablet computers are rapidly becoming a way of life for many folks. The Kentucky Historical Society offers a free app that allows you to find historical points of interest and information on the Civil War. When you press a "pin" on the map, a story comes up with bits of past facts. The app is available through the app store at Google Play or iTunes'search "Kentucky History" and look for the Explore Kentucky History app. Similar information can be found on the Web site www.history.ky.gov.
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Correcting Reader Recipe and Healthy Kids spellings
Our sincere apologies to our November Reader Recipe contributor, Steve Wininger, Bowling Green, for misspelling his name. We also misspelled his son's name, who was a winner in our Healthy Kids contest feature on the November Kentucky Kids page. Thank you Steve and Luke Wininger for your contributions.
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Baking for Morehead, and shipping around the world
Root-A-Bakers Bakery and Cafe, in Morehead in Rowan County, is located in a large white Victorian house. Owner Lana Root welcomes guests to join her for a cup of "joe" with a slice of coconut cream pie. Opened in 2000, Root continues to make items the old-fashioned way—fresh ingredients and real butter. It didn't take long for word to get around. "Frosted sugar cookies to die for" brought raves from customers. Every newcomer is treated to a free one, and they go through about 30 dozen a day. Root and her staff of five are enthusiastic about their craft. Today, they ship bakery items across the U.S. and abroad, in addition to catering various small events. During the holidays, Root sells more than 500 dozen sugar cookies during Christmas week, as well as countless breads, cakes, pies, and more. Root delights when she gives customers her "combination-stuffing recipe" for turkey. "My mother always used cornbread and biscuits and my former mother-in-law liked to use bread. I decided to use some of both and include our cheddar-herb bread. It makes it really moist and yummy." Her 30-seat cafe, open for breakfast and lunch, offers fresh soups, homemade breads, salads, and sandwiches. "If you're too busy to bake we're delighted to fill your table with special treats," Root says. For more info, including hours, visit the Web site www.root-a-bakers.com.
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Quote: Broadband KY
"Over 36 percent of organizations say that the availability of broadband services was 'essential' for selecting their business location, and over 59 percent say broadband is 'essential' for remaining in their current location." —Broadband KY, e-Solutions Benchmarking Technical Report, Michael Baker Jr. Inc., and Strategic Networks Group
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Kentucky's farming revolution that changed the world
Fifty years ago, Christian County farmer Harry Young Jr. planted the nation's first commercial no-till crop—0.7 acres of corn. It changed agriculture forever.
"No-till is one of the top five agricultural advances of the past century," says Lloyd Murdock, University of Kentucky Extension soils specialist. "We weren't able to control soil erosion until no-till came along, and if the erosion had continued, Kentucky producers would not have been able to compete well with the rest of the nation because of our sloping topography and eroded soils."
Two of the first developers and promoters of no-till have died since its beginning 50 years ago: Harry Young and University of Kentucky field crops specialist Shirley Phillips. Their efforts live on from that piece of agricultural history.
"Today, we sometimes take no-till production for granted, but 50 years ago, it was a revolutionary idea," says Bob Pearce, University of Kentucky Extension tobacco specialist. "People like Shirley Phillips and Harry Young had the vision to see past the early problems to the potential of what no-till could be."
John Young says his father learned about no-till production while on a 1961 farmer field trip to Dixon Springs, Illinois, led by Reeves Davie, Christian County agriculture agent with the UK Cooperative Extension Service, and by reading the book Plowman's Folly by Edward H. Faulkner.
"He suspected no-till was better for labor, machine efficiency, and soil conservation," says John Young, who was 11 years old when his father planted the first no-till crop. "Having worked as a farm management specialist at UK and then returning to the farm, he thought that it would be advantageous from the everyday farmer's standpoint."
He was right. Shortly after that first harvest, Phillips set up no-till research plots on Young's farm and became a major advocate for the no-till movement.
"In addition to stopping erosion, no-till agriculture has several benefits, including improved soil quality, increased soil organic matter, it's easier and faster, and saves producers time, money, labor, and stress," Murdock says.
No-till research had been going on for some time before Young's first crop, but was largely unsuccessful due to weed control issues. Young used herbicides 2,4-D and atrazine for weed control, and used a modified mule-drawn, two-row planter that he pulled behind a small tractor to put the first crop in the ground.
When it appeared that Young's first crop was going to be a success, Davie scheduled a field day for other producers to see Young's plot.
"It was a busy time for about 10 years," John Young says. "Typically, we'd have one tour a week or one tour every two weeks during the growing season. The tours would come from all over the United States as well as Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and South Africa."
Some farmers readily began using no-tillage, but others were hesitant and didn't come on board until better machinery and weed control methods became available in the 1980s. Today, Murdock says that about 70 percent of the state's wheat acreage, 50 percent of the corn acreage, and 80 percent of soybean acreage are no-till.
The Youngs continue to no-till as much of their crop acreage as possible and planted their 51st no-till crop this year.
"No-till is about as sustainable as you can get," John Young says. "The ground is sustained, the food supply is sustained, and the human race is sustained."
—Katie Pratt, UK Extension
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Energy Efficıency Tip
A computer can draw as much electricity as a new refrigerator. Turn your computer off when not in use or switch on its energy-saving mode. Also, cell phone and mp3 player chargers, as well as plasma TVs and entertainment centers, use power even when they're off. Unplug these and other appliances to save on your electric bill.
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