Martha Jane King tells The LoJo that she's enjoying her first term as state representative serving Logan and Todd counties. Despite the pressures of dealing with a budget that is filled with unpleasant choices because of the economy, the lady who has South Logan roots but lives in North Logan is maintaining her sense of humor.

She tells a story on herself about losing her shoes in the Governor's Mansion. During a gathering at Steve and Jane Beshear's official residence last summer, she took a liking to some cool air coming through a vent and took one shoe off to soak up air conditioning. Pretty soon the other shoe was vacated for full effect; she thought she had discreetly slid the shoes behind her. When she started to put them back on, however, they were gone. She knew someone had hidden them as a joke and soon pin-pointed Representative Brad Montell as the culprit. Montell and his fellow Republicans chided King, who has a Southern belle demeanor and accent, for being a "shoeless redneck" She enjoyed the prank as much as they did.

Some of her colleagues are not as technologically savvy as is King, who has worked in dispatching transportation for years. "I like to send text messages and do lots of other things with computers and cell phones," she says. "Rocky Adkins, who is the majority floor leader, called me a 'high-tech redneck.' He's from the big metropolis of Sandy Hook, and he calls me' redneck!'" she laughs good-naturedly.

Although she's a Democrat by heritage and by nature, King gets along well with people of the Republican persuasion and doesn't always agree with her fellow Democrats about some issues. "I make no apologies for being a 'Conservative Logan County Democrat.' I respect each county for knowing what is important to their area, and I shall not judge them for expressing their individuality. Unfortunately, politics has turned into the Jerry Springer Show, but I choose to not lose civility and manners as I work for the people. One of my best comments to fellow Dems is, 'In the House I sit next to a wonderful lady, a Democrat from Louisville, who might be studying to vote on an anti-handgun bill and at the same time I have a 38 Smith & Wesson in my purse, but that’s ok.'"

One of her favorite people to talk with is Senator Alice Lynn Forgy Kerr, a graduate of Lewisburg High School whom the people of Lexington have repeatedly sent to the General Assembly as a Republican. Martha Jane grew up in the hotbed of Democratic politics, since her grandfather was the late Rayburn Smith, a chief lieutenant of Democratic kingpin Doc Beauchamp. "There are many days that I have a great sense of presence of Doc and Granddaddy Smith, and I tell them 'thanks for the advice but that's illegal now,'" she laughs.

King has no opposition in the Democratic primary but will face a member of another South Logan family in November. Larry Noeis unopposed in the Republican primary and will represent the GOP in the House of Representatives race in the General Election.

The LoJo

The arts are in the air in Logan County, beginning this weekend.
1) The Auburn Historical Society will present a Day of Art this Saturday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Auburn Museum.
Artists with their works on display will be Clara Nell Harper, Linda Douglas, Shelby Troggett, John Sheffield, Fran Hunt, Allison and Frank Lyne, Jim C. M. Berry, Bell Wylie, Brenda Brown students (Russellville High School), Martha Mountsand students (Logan County High School), and students Vivian Johnson students (Auburn Elementary School) andGeorgia Bryson students (Adairville Elementary School). Some of the art on display will be for sale. Admission is $5, which includes a tour of the Museum and Historical Village.
2) The Logan County Arts & Film Festival will be held on the square in Russellville on April 24 from 1-7 p.m. This is the event previously named for the outlaw we love to love, Jesse James. The area in and on three sides of Carrico Park Square has been divided into slots for 26 vendors plus sports for a food vendor in front of the Chamber of Commerce and another for a stage area in front of BB&T Bank.
3) Main Street Russellville's first Arts on the Square for Summer 2010 will be held Saturday, May 15, from 10 a..m.-3 p.m. If you are interested in being a vendor, contact Darlene Gooch at 726-1303 for an application.
Along the line of artistic endeavors, the winterguard and drumline competitions held at Russellville High School Saturday, Feb. 20, involved works of art in the form of young people using their bodies, instruments and colorful costumes to tells stories in beautifully choreographed and orchestrated performances. Schools from across state lines did a beautiful job of presenting their programs with precision while getting on and off stage (actually tarps on the Jim Young Gymnasium floor) smoothly and quickly. A great deal of team work is crucial. involving students, directors and support crews, which usually involve parents.
Congratulations to the Russellville Band Boosters, led by Brad and Vanessa Priddy, Director Brian Brown, announcer Teresa Shutt and many others for a job well done.

The LoJo

At a meeting in January, Russellville Rotary Club members had Eddie Pennington as their guest. According to Rotary publicist Neil Kerr, Rotary provided the meal and Eddie provided the music. Pennington is known as one of the greatest thumbstyle guitarist in the world. He was inducted into the Thumbpickers Hall of Fame in 2003, has been recorded by Smithsonian and performed at the Olympic Arts Festival at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Eddie continues to generate interest in this unique and challenging style of music that was made popular by Kentucky Native Merle Travis in the 1940s.
He is pictured with Rotarian Sheldon Baugh, who has many Muhlenberg County ties.

For more information, check out Eddie's website: http://www.eddiepennington.com/ You can also find him on Facebook and MySpace.
Also, Rotary Students of the Months for December and January were presented during the club's January meetings:

One photo shows Logan County High School seniors Phillip Stratton and Sarah Speck. Sarah is a member of FCCLA, BETA and YES.. She plays basketball, tennis and volleyball for LCHS. She is a member of the youth group at New Friendship Baptist Church and plans to attend UK in the fall. Phillip Stratton is a member of FBLA, DECA, FCCLA and FCA. He plays football and basketball for LCHS. Phillip enjoys attending church and participating in the youth group. He plans to attend WKU in the fall to study Mass Media Broadcasting.
Oliver Townsend of Russellville High School was also honored. He is a member of Beta Club, NHS and DECA and is an AP Scholar with Honors. He plays golf for RHS and plays keyboard for the youth at First Baptist Church. Oliver is considering scholarships from UK, Alabama and Ole Miss.

The LoJo

Russellville High School alum Cathy Carver reports that her son John Tegmeyer has just released his first CD, "Can't Never Go Back Home Again." Ironically, he was just home in Las Cruces performing as guest artist with the New Mexico State University Winds the day before Valentine's. John, who has appeared on national television, has just launched a webpage where you can order the CD, and catch up with John's latest performances, pictures, videos, etc. at http://www.johntegmeyer.com/
He is the grandson of a legendary Russellville and Kentucky music educator, the late Hazel Carver.

The LoJo

Logan County High School graduate Rosemary Cundiff-Brown has coached the North Oldham High School speech team to the Kentucky High School Speech League championship of the Louisville regional. The state tournaments will be at Western Kentucky University next week. Rosemary and her husband, Jonathan Brown, have a very successful photography business in the Louisville area (Monarch Photography) that has picked up some big awards recently.
"What can I say? I have an awesome husband, a great career as a photographer, a wonderful grouchy cat, a fab group of North Oldham
speech team students, and I still get to sing and act on the stage when I have time! I am blessed!" she says.
Rosemary is the daughter of J.R. And Zelma Cundiff of Russellville and the sister of Rex and Mitch Cundiff.