Father and son -- Dan Ledford and Dan Ward Ledford |
This post is about ninety-two year old Dan. He represents a lifetime of living in rural settings. He and his mother came to Paint Lick on a train from northern Kentucky when he was a boy. His father moved their possessions to the Paint Lick area by horse and wagon.
As a young man he served in WWII overseas. After the war ended he came back to the Paint Lick area where he soon was employed as a school bus driver.
He drove the bus for the school district for most of his working years. As a school bus driver he figures that he accumulated about two million miles during his working career of driving school routes and for special school events.
Often Dan can be seen sitting on his large front porch where local folks honk a “hello” as they travel the road in front of his house. He sends back a big wave of his hand to them.
Paint Lick is a small town where everyone knows your name.
Dan Ledford's Homestead -- Sitting Chair and Barn |
Dan's Historic Church Pew |
He is the oldest member of the 1700s historic Paint Lick Presbyterian Church just down down the road from where he lives. There is one of the old Presbyterian church pews on his porch.
All things considered, Dan is well entrenched in the cultural context of his area.
Dan Ledford sitting on his front porch |
If you are ever in Paint Lick on Route 52 and see Dan sitting on his front porch – honk a “hello – he’ll send you back a big wave as everyone knows his name in Paint Lick.
The population of Paint Lick is --? sounds like less than 1000.
ReplyDeleteYour picture of the chair immediately looked to me like a pattern for a quilt.
A wonderful post that really reflects life in a small town. The very same situation could be repeated many times over in my own area. Great people living simple lives.
ReplyDeleteJune, I wrote a post about Paint Lick some time ago. In the post I showed the little main street and gave a few stats about the place. According to city.data the census figures in 2007 was a population of 3,293.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can see a quilt design in the chair now that you mention it.
Thanks -- barbara
To view my Paint Lick post go to:
http://folkwaysnotebook.blogspot.com/2010/06/kentucky-rural-survival.html
Farmchick -- I imagine that your part of Kentucky is very similar to central Kentucky. I find folks are "real" in this area plus kind and friendly. I'm sure you find this too. Thanks for stopping -- barbara
ReplyDeleteYou bet I will honk and wave should I pass Dan. Wonderful post about small community life. Love the father and son sharing a photo with smiles that show the comfortable relaxed lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteSigh......I dearly love old things.........
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your post.
ReplyDelete(The only real reason I hate blog set up...I feel so disconnected to people I've become friendly with.)
I *do* have visiting rights. Carte blanch, actually. But the barn is there and and I am here.....and to Darla it's just not the same.
I popped in for a quick bottle this morning before work and will go back tonight.
She's pretty devistated.
And so am I.
But...what will be will be.....
and I trust the Goat Goddess to make everything right........
;)
It is like that in our area, too. I love small towns. When I was young, I lived up a holler. Everybody knew everybody... and I mean everybody. My grandmother would sit on her front porch and wave at everyone that drove or walked by, when someone didn't wave, she commented about them. Also, when a stranger drove up the road, she'd wonder who they were and what they were doing up our holler.
ReplyDeleteGrampy -- I am sure you are familiar with the friendliness of Kentuckians. Dan Ledford was a friendly man with stories to tell of his experiences in the area. I always feel welcome when I am around these small town folks. Thanks for stopping by Grampy -- barbara
ReplyDeleteJanet -- I travel through a holler to reach my home on a high ridge. You are so right about everyone knowing if you are friend or foe when you drive through the holler. They are lovely folks. What a wonderful childhood you must have had especially with your grandmother near by. -- Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteMimi -- Oh it sounds so heart tugging. I'm sure the Goat Goddess will smooth things out and both of you will adapt the new routine. Thanks for stopping by -- barbara
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice tip of the cap to Dan and rural village life everywhere.
ReplyDeleteSmall towns are great!
ReplyDeleteDelightful post, Barbara! Feel like I already know those people!
ReplyDeleteElora
Sheri -- I feel lucky that I met the Ledfords. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteVicki -- I agree! -- barbara
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful post! Thank you...
ReplyDeleteRhonda -- Nice to have you stop by and leave a comment -- small towns are part of our regional character. -- barbara
ReplyDelete