One way to help this situation is back the Tri County Sports Authority and their work. This group did an awesome job in Football last year, and they are doing equally as well in the Basketball program. TCSA is a determined group of individuals working to provide our kids a better way of life. Volunteers are always going to be needed, and of course financial contributions.

There is a great little pottery shop in Lexington, called the Mad Potter. It has been there for years, in the Lansdowne Shoppes on Tates Creek Road. It is a great place to take kids. You pick what pottery you want to paint, and they provide all the paints and supplies. They glaze it, fire it, and you pick up your finished product in a few days. I have no artistic abilities, but I still enjoyed it and the kids loved it. I know little shops like that have a hard time making it in Corbin, but I also know that there are tons of parents out there looking for things to do with their kids. It is packed everytime we go, with parties and just people wanting to spend a few hours with their kids doing something other than going to the movies, sports, or church. All you have to do is look at how packed the dance schools, Awana programs, sport activities in Corbin are, to know that parents are definitely looking for quality activities for their kids. I would love to see something like this pottery shop in Corbin.

There is more to activities for kids than ball. Many kids don't have the ability to play that kind of sport. For those, we need other types of things, such as mentioned above by WKU and Ward.

I used to take groups of kids to the Falls hiking, short ones and long ones. It was fun and well attended.

That's just one thing, but it's different.

Good post, AJ. I agree with everything you said. You are exactly right about what our kids are going to remember. Can you imagine growing up in this generation? The memories of being outside and playing free are long gone, and it is so sad. So, if we don't plan these activities, they don't happen. A sad truth in this generation. Thanks for the post. Remember, AJ, my house is still for sale.....

I agree with everything you said, except for the part that growing up today is the same as in our generation and all others before us. The major difference is the day of letting your kids take off in the morning, and not see them again until after dark, are long gone. I remember, as I'm sure you do too, taking off to the woods, riding bikes across town, walking to your friends houses, and our parents knowing the general vicinity we were playing in (what side of town we were on!), but not really our exact location. No cell phones or tracking devices back then. Now, we are terrified to let our kids play unsupervised. And, unfortunately, rightly so. Now, we type in our address on the computer to find out if we have a sexual predator living close by. Scary times.

So, now it is the parents' duty and responsibility to make sure their kids get outside and play. And, for a lot of parents, unfortunately which is what you are saying, letting them play video games and watching TV, is so much easier than going out and riding a bike. I think that is the biggest part of the problem. Parents have to participate, which is where the breakdown occurs. I try very hard to keep my kids active, and have one with a disability, so it is a continual challenge to keep them active and not overscheduled. But, I'm not perfect, and I'm sure I don't do it all right. But, we keep trying.....And, I thank people like you who are committed to the kids in the area. Keep up the great work with the TCSA.

AJ, you should be commended for your involvement in youth activities in corbin. It's people like you that help make an impression on our youth today. I used to help coach in the little league program of the late 70's and early 80's, and I cherish those days. Now, I see the kids I used to coach, coaching their own kids, and now my grandkids.

The likes of Dave Huff, Jim Lee Crawford, Frank Clabaugh, Amos Miller, Ed White, David Hannah, Charlie Osborne, Mike Morton, Jim Brock, Jerry Bird, Mr. Kersey, and on and on as the names are endless, come to mind. We need people like those today, and you're one of them AJ.

I don't know the answer to all our questions, but, doing a little something, somehow, is better than doing nothing. I try when I have time.

Rotary Park is a good example. Remember when it was only one field, and the nibroc was held there. Telephone poles and chicken wire was about all there was. The other baseball field was part of the football field.

The Corbin Recreation Dept., previously with Amos, and now with Marlon, is a shining example of what we can do if we want to. I'd love to see a new city pool built, indoors and outdoors, so kids could use it in the winter. Then, maybe Corbin could have a swim team.

The possibilities are endless, with us as the only limitations as to what we can do.

Very good positive comments regarding activities for young people. When my son was in college, he used to visit me on weekends in Corbin. There was nothing for him to do. He made friends, but there still was nothing for them to do except 'just hang out!' This bothered me because I worried about the negative aspects of just hangin' out. The only place they had to go was the movies.
Today, I must admit, my children have become far greater parents than I ever was. The thing I see in my children as parents is that they were involved in all of their children's school and social activities. The mothers were boosters club presidents, etc. They knew where their children were and who their friends were. My son coached little league baseball and basketball. Even though they all had 8-5 jobs, they made time for the kids. That, to me, is what really matters. Keep the kids busy with activities other than TV and becoming couch potatoes. Share their fun! Get to know their friends and their friends' parents.

There are many arts and crafts activities available outside of school. What is needed are volunteers to head these projects and get the young people interested. I know there are lots of talented parents in Corbin. Corbin has its Nibroc Festival every year, which, I consider basically entertainment, but has anyone thought about having an on-hands Arts and Crafts Festival, one that can build on its own reputation. I'm talking about a 'teaching' festival where young people, and adults, can learn creative arts and crafts; activities that ward off boredom and depression. Bring in the artisans to demonstrate, and offer classes at a minimal fee. They can also sell their work.
I believe there is an artist in every person. Once the creative interest is discovered, parents will not have to wonder where the child is and what he is doing.
Suggestions: Small theater group, creative writing, pottery, basket-weaving, rug-hooking, sewing/quilting/needlework, wood-carving, treenwork, mosaics, music, games, drawing, painting, horticulture, dancing, jewelry-making, sculpting, origamy, glass-blowing, and my own personal interest--genealogy, and possibly, just making something out of nothing(so, to speak)! The list is unlimited. I have a friend who travels from CA to Cherokee, NC, every year to teach gourd art. Her work is fantastic. I never even thought about working with gourds until I saw her artwork. She has a website featuring her work.
There is nothing more exciting to me than watching the creative hand of an artist or craftsperson. There is personal satisfaction in seeing a young person using his mind and skills to create a work of art. It is up to the adults to create a healthy and fun-loving environment for the growth of our children.
One person can acquire the interest of another, and get the ball rolling!!
(Sorry! I am a bit long-winded.)

Waste Management, that is a great idea. Ward is a person of knowledge and appreciates the good values. We need to start a movement to get him as our next City Manager. Ward knows best!