The lesson in the adult class during the opening night of vacation Bible school at Crittenden Drive Church of Christ Sunday was on using your talents.  Andrew Phillips relied on the familiar parable of the talents to get the message across.
Lots of local people are using their talents for the good of others, even during these tough economic times.
Phillips is the new minister at Crittenden Drive. He and youth minister Daniel McCarley led the opening gathering for the children in song and skits. Of course, they are paid by the church for their full-time efforts. They go far beyond the call of duty, however, to demonstrate the joy of Christian living and loving. So do most people who are professional church workers. VBS always depends on members volunteering their time for the good of others. Every vacation Bible school relies on teachers, crafts people, refreshment coordinators, set builders, van/bus drivers and countless other volunteers to make them succeed.
Other examples of serving others abound.
On the Fourth of July, we were reminded of the thousands of Americans who have used their time and energy to ensure that Americans are independent and free. Some of those volunteers lost their lives in the process, Robert Reynolds of Auburn stopped by our home produce market recently. At age 87, he has many memories of public service. He fought in World War II and in Korea. He came within a few hours of being sent to a new skirmish in Viet Nam before retiring after 22 years in the military in 1962. Almost a half century later, he seems to be in great physical and mental health, Many of his colleagues weren't as fortunate.
The Fourth found an organization which thrives on volunteerism honoring a couple who have given of themselves for the public good for decades. Russellville Kiwanis Club took much of the responsibility of organizing and administering the Kiddie Parade offBob and Joyce Guion this year. Kiwanis not only was in charge of the parade, which starts and ends at the Guions' Eighth Street Russellville home, but they honored the Guions, including getting the Fourth declared Bob and Joyce Guion Day in Russellville. The Guions have been providing this service since their children were small. Their youngest offspring, Andy, graduated from Russellville High School in 1973. Kiwanians spend countlless hours in public service, usually without any fanfare or recognition. Dr. Jim Chambers led this effort. We hope you saw video of the parade on The Lo Jo last week.
At Auburn, the annual Cruise-In car show was held on the first Saturday in July as always. It just so happened that the Fourth fell on ta Saturday, and long-time event chair Bob Wylie, a veteran himself, was out of town. Instead of letting the event fade away,J.R. Cundiff, organized it himself, with the help-- as always-- of his wife Zelma and other family members. J.R. already conducts car shows in Russellville and Adairville. What emphasized his public service in this one is that he has been sick for several weeks and is espected to undergo thyroid suregery in the next few days.
Helping others comes in many small ways. Judy Brown was slicing tomatoes and onions for the meal the exhibitors received at the free show. Little things make a difference without fanfare.
J.R. says the joy participants got from showing their vehicles, looking at other people's cars and trucks, and just talking among themselves made it worth the effort. He particularly noted the pleasure that Garland Robbins of Auburn gets from driving his 1962 Buick to the Cruise-In each year.. Garland received the award as the oldest vendor.
The oldest car was exhibited by Bob Ammons of northern Warren County. He also received the award as having come the longest distance for bringing his 1927 Essex for all of us to enjoy.
Mayor Dewey Roche  gave the Mayor's Choice Award to Tracey Jackson of Russellville. Dewey joined others in appreciating Jackson's '66 Chevy II.
In the video of the Cruise-In on The Lo Jo, we're featuring an award which Eloise Hadden presented on behalf of the Auburn Historical Society. It's difficult to imagine anyone loaning more of her talents to a cause than Eloise has to the historical society and the related museum, which was open on the afternoon of the Fourth. It figures if people like vintage automobiles, they will appreciate other forms of local history.
I was pleased to see Donna Blake working so hard on the Freedom Bike Night in Adairville. Donna has been involved in countless civic activities designed to promote Adairville and entertain its people. She has been through some unpleasantries associated with government service, and I was afraid she would disappear from public activities. It's just her nature, however, to be involved. Also working hard on the project was Steve Hadden,  who has gotten many favorable reviews for his work as that city's police chief. Steve had experience in running vehicle extravaganzas during his days of law enforcement in Russellville, and that had to come in handy for the Bike Night.
Also giving of themselves for others are the leaders of Historic Russellville, who do a great deal to promote pride in the heritage of the county seat. I see it in action weekly with their work with the West Kentucky African American Museums along Sixth and Morgan in Russellville.
Soon we want to carry a story about the museums and about the work of Michael Morrow with young people. He helps them not only to appreciate their heritage but to find constructive ways to honor those who have gone before them. They also get a pay check for their work.
Michael and others, including Historic Russellville leaders Gran Clark, Samra Smith, Mary Lucy Franklin, Pat Basham and Michael Gough, are making the area at Sixth and Morgan an ideal place to sit around and enjoy a summer day and appreciate life. That sitting comes, however, after the young people in the program do manual labor and learn more about responsibility.
I understand that a significant portion of the educational funding comes from the estate of the late Margaret Sullivan Berg, the legendary former home extension agent for Logan County. She is still serving others for the public good, even after death.
Another former extension service worker is also on our minds. Many, many people are deeply concerned about the health of retired county agricultural agent Rodney Haines, who is symbolic of all that is good about dedicated public servants. He never played favorites among people or programs, and we still are benefitting from the good works he started on the job and in his leadership roles in his church and with the deGraffenried Chorale and the Garden Club.
Veronica Johnson  is grateful to another deceased lady for her contributions to others, even after death. \Johnson, who is now an educator in the Russellville system, walked the commencement line at WKU on May 17 and officially completed all of her classes on July 2. She graduated with a Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies and will begin in the Master's Program at WKU to get her degree in Special Education-LBD (Learning and Behavioral Disorders). 

"Éven though it took me 22 years to get to this point, I'm very excited! I was blessed to be a recipient of the Sally Flowers Moody educational scholarship, which allowed me to finish my degree. A huge 'thank you' goes to Mrs. (Marilyn) Miller for giving me this opportunity and I encourage everyone who wants a college degree to apply for this scholarship next year."
Back to volunteers: During a Heritage Farm Market (held each Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.on the lawn by the African American Museums), I watched the tireless efforts of those preparing for the Russellville Blues Society's concert the following evening, featuring the Michael Gough Group. Clark was everywhere, usually with a cell phone to his ear. Gough himself was checking the sound equipment. A crowd had gathered on Saturday night when that huge rain came through on the Fourth, washing out the show and everyone assembled.
Now Gough is donating his time again, as the concert has been rescheduled for Friday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m. Note that it's Friday, not Saturday this time. It's wonderful that Gough and his friends have been able to lure some of the top blues performers in the United States to Russellville. It's amazing that the concerts are free.
Incidentally, Gough is now working in the law office of his classmate at Russellville High School, Joe Gran. Michael does the research for deeds and other property matters. "He's one of the most intelligent people I've ever known," says Clark, who came into contact many renowned scholars during his days at Harvard Law School.
Darlene Gooch , who works tirelessly as coordiantor of Main Street Russellville, credits board member Lillian Riley for helping make the summer camp Darlene led in downtown Russellville a success. A retired Russellville Middle School teacher, Lillian gave of her time despite having to be concerned about the failing health of her dad, Bernard Bryan, who died recently. He was also the father of Ricky and Stanley Bryan and of  Mary Pat Helton, all of whom had to make him proud over the years.
Over the past eight years, readers of the Spa column in the N-D&L have read about the many people who have stayed with Bob Fleming to allow his wife Hazel to go to church or come to town. They were using their talents to help another. Hazel, her son Stanley and Stanley's wife Elaine have faithfully cared for Bob during a dehabilitating illness that robbed him of many of his physical and mental faculties.
Hazel called Wednesday night to let us know about her beloved husband's death. She has written condolences to countless people over the decades about their losses. It's time now to comfort Hazel but to rejoice for Bob that his long nightmare has peacefully ended.