Press Release: April 25, 2024
In 2023, the City of Booneville received a Center for Rural Development mini-ARC Grant that provided them with the resources to set up the Legacy Artisan's Corner on Booneville's town square. Discussion took place between OCARE and the City of Booneville on how to create a space that would display the talents of Owsley countians. It was also the hope of the group to come up with a piece of art that was unique to Owsley (#onlyinowsley). Ideas were thought of, and many good thoughts were shared, but nothing inspired us as much as the idea of creating a Legacy Tree. A tree that would be a piece of art that would proudly display the handprints of our most precious legacy...Our children.
During the fall of 2023, OCARE volunteers and Partners for Rural Impact staff collected handprints of as many of the children of Owsley as they could. Through the funding provided through the ARC mini-grant, the City of Booneville administrated the funds that supplied the materials and additional supports.
The children are our future, and they are our legacy. We are committed to Building Booneville Better (#buildingboonevillebetter) and to show them that it is okay to be uniquely us (#onlyinowsly). We are dedicated to creating a legacy that is worth leaving behind so that our youth will be proud to always call Owsley home (#alwaysanowl). This tree is a symbol declaring just how much we value our children. We want them to become a part of re-envisioning the county to once again be like the place that Daniel Boone believed it was. "A place where peace crowns the sylvan shade." (His slang for beautiful and peaceful).
County Judge Executive Zeke Little, and Illya, the granddaughter of Mayor Nelson Bobrowski (who at the last minute was uanble to attend) secured the last two screws in the trunk to symbolize that the County of Owsley and the City of Booneville was committed to working together to Build Booneville Better. This is part of our Legacy.
Thanks to the following for their contributions to the Legacy Artisan Corner and the Legacy Tree.
The City of Booneville (Mayor Nelson Bobrowski, Tammy Shouse, Ruth Hensley and the City Council)
Owsley County Fiscal Court (County Judge Executive Zeke Little)
Sandy Dunahoo of Nesbitt
Patty Simpson of the Center for Rural Development
Partners for Rural Impact Staff in the Owsley School District
OCARE inc. (JoAnne Richardson Executive Director of Operations and Programs)
Owsley County School District
Sugar Camp Christian School
Owsley County Public Library
Students and children in the Owsley County area that attend OBI
JC Christian, Johnathan Sebastian, Derrick Dooley with assistance from Johnny Hensley and Michael Barrett
Small Town Threads
Multi Serve
This corner will be host to those who officially join the Only in Owsley Artisan Collective. Those members will have the capability to utilize this space to set up, share, and to sell their creations to those visiting, passing through, and to those who live within the community. The City of Booneville will be the lead on compiling, collecting and coordinating the schedule for use of this beautiful space. Interested parties can contact Tammy Shouse at 606-593-6800 for specific details.
