Sunday, March 13, 2011

SMALL TOWNS -- WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME

Father and son -- Dan Ledford and Dan Ward Ledford


Meet some native Kentuckians – Dan Ledford and his son Dan Ward Ledford (standing) who live near each other in the Paint Lick community. Dan Ledford is ninty-two and has lived in his home for about fifty years.  


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 bought his house and 15 acres about fifty years ago under interesting circumstances.  While attending an auction, a friend encouraged him to buy the homestead up for bid. Dan told him he didn't think he had enough money but he would try anyway. But he found out he did have enough money as the homestead only went for 9500 dollars. When the auctioneer yelled, “sold”  he realized he was the new owner. This was in 1960 and the homestead has been his home ever since.


Dan's Historic Church Pew 

Dan has two children and is a widower. There has been some changes in the area  yet it's still basically a farming place. He intensely likes where he lives. A small American flag flies from a corner post of his front porch and Dan often wears a cap announcing he is a war veteran.  


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

You might say that Dan characterizes many rural citizens in this country. Citizens with community pride who have worked hard along with family members toward a good life. That have lived in an area for many years while their family members often settle in and around that community. 


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.

18 comments:

  1. The population of Paint Lick is --? sounds like less than 1000.

    Your picture of the chair immediately looked to me like a pattern for a quilt.

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  2. 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.

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  3. June, 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.

    Yes, 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

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  4. 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

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  5. You 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.

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  6. Sigh......I dearly love old things.........

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  7. In answer to your post.
    (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........
    ;)

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  8. 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.

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  9. Grampy -- 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

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  10. Janet -- 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

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  11. Mimi -- 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

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  12. What a nice tip of the cap to Dan and rural village life everywhere.

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  13. Delightful post, Barbara! Feel like I already know those people!

    Elora

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  14. Sheri -- I feel lucky that I met the Ledfords. -- barbara

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  15. Such a wonderful post! Thank you...

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  16. Rhonda -- Nice to have you stop by and leave a comment -- small towns are part of our regional character. -- barbara

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