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MAY/JUNE 2022

CONNECTION

The long wait Pfc. McQueen comes home

A FOUNDATION FOR US DECIPHERING CRYPTO

INDUSTRY NEWS

Rural Connections By SHIRLEY BLOOMFIELD, CEO NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

A partner to support

RURAL AMERICA The Foundation for Rural Service makes a difference

ur members work hard to serve our nation’s rural communities, but they do not do it alone. I’d like to shine a spotlight on an organization whose work I respect, appreciate and support. The professionals of the Foundation for Rural Service, known as FRS, deserve praise for all the benefits they provide to thousands of people. Established as a nonprofit in 1994, they have made a positive difference for nearly 30 years. Many of you may know their efforts to help educate young people in rural communities through scholarships and the popular Youth Tour trip to our nation’s capital. FRS also annually takes key congressional staff out into our communities to see the challenges faced when deploying broadband. In particular I want to give a special nod to the annual FRS Community Grant Program designed to benefit communities served by NTCA members. The goal is to support local efforts committed to improving and sustaining rural America. The grants have four areas of concentration: business and economic development, community development, education and telecommunications — the last is a chance to highlight a local plan to support broadband resources for telehealth, education and more. For more information about these programs, visit www.frs.org. Just like the NTCA member serving you, a remarkable community partner where you live, FRS combines the resources and visibility of all NTCA members to benefit communities like yours across the country. 

2 | May/June 2022

Get your free annual credit report Spot scammers early

A free credit report is one of the quickest ways to spot identity theft — someone taking your name, date of birth, address, credit card or bank account information, Social Security or medical insurance numbers. Scammers can quickly drain a bank account, run up charges on a credit card, get a new credit card in your name and more. What is a credit report? A credit report is a summary of your personal credit history, including identifying details such as an address, date of birth and information such as whether bills were paid on time or someone has filed for bankruptcy. Three national credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — collect and update this information. The credit bureaus must: ` Make sure the information they collect about you is accurate ` Give you a free copy of your report once every 12 months ` Give you a chance to fix any mistakes How do I order my free annual credit reports? The simplest solution is to visit AnnualCreditReport.com. It’s fast and easy.

Cryptocurrency 101

A beginner’s guide to the new currency

or many people, the idea of cryptocurrency, or digital money, is downright mysterious. Still, cryptocurrency has been around more than a decade, and a growing number of people are starting to use and invest in the world of virtual coins and tokens. But what, exactly, is it? How does it work? And how do you get it?

CRYPTO BASICS Put simply, cryptocurrency is digital money. There are no physical coins or paper dollar bills you can pull out and put in a billfold. But it’s also not backed up by any asset. According to bitstamp.net, cryptocurrencies are a tradable asset in and of themselves. Their price is determined by demand and the supply available. Like gold, cryptocurrency’s value is in its scarcity and its uses — or potential uses in crypto’s case, according to an Investopedia article in December 2021. Bitcoin, which is the most valuable of the different cryptocurrencies, is limited to a quantity of 21 million bitcoins. And while gold is often useful for industrial applications and in valuable jewelry, crypto might be of service in a number of retail transactions one day.

the Internal Revenue Service taxes cryptocurrency as either property, investment or earned income. Because of this, crypto dabblers should keep careful records of all their transactions.

UPS AND DOWNS? Cryptocurrency is known for its volatile market. In one day in 2021, Bitcoin dropped by 30% — a huge fluctuation in any other trading market. As a new currency that’s not legal tender and which any government can issue, crypto can move wildly up or down based on just about anything — perceptions, news articles or, most notably, a tweet from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.

RESEARCH AND START SLOW To find out more about cryptocurrency, make sure to do your research. Seek out sources crypto advertisers or others with vested interests in particular products aren’t backing. Those determined to try it out should invest conservatively while learning more about the market along the way. 

Crypto lingo Knowing more about cryptocurrencies requires learning new words and phrases. Here are a few that are sure to pop up frequently: FUD — FUD is an acronym that stands for “fear, uncertainty, doubt.” In the crypto world, FUD is negative information that can deter investors. HODL — HODL is an acronym for “hold on for dear life,” but internet lore jokes that its origins came from a typo for the word “hold.” Either way, cryptocurrency investors use it to caution others against selling when the market is volatile. NFT — NFT stands for non-fungible tokens. NFTs are pieces of digital content linked to the Ethereum blockchain. Non-fungible basically means that the digital content is unique and cannot be replaced. Because of this fact, NFTs make digital works of art and other items into one-of-a-kind assets. Sats — Short for Satoshis, sats are the smallest fraction of a bitcoin that you can send — 0.00000001 of a bitcoin. Hardcore bitcoin traders look at sats, not the dollar amount of bitcoin. Note: Satoshi Nakamoto is the made-up name of the person or people who created bitcoin.

HOW TO GET IT Most people buy it online and store it in a virtual wallet. The easiest way to buy cryptocurrency is through one of many centralized exchanges that come up on an online search. There are several types of cryptocurrencies, including the three top ones: Bitcoin, Etherium and Tether.

CRYPTO AND TAXES The banking system and the government do not oversee cryptocurrency transactions. Instead, these transactions are supported by blockchain, a technology that tracks who owns what. But that doesn’t mean cryptocurrency isn’t taxable. In fact, May/June 2022 | 3

FROM THE CEO

Congratulations, graduates A bright future awaits

CONNECTION MAY/JUNE 2022

VOL. 10, NO. 3

hroughout our community, young adults are experiencing a milestone — they’re about to begin their first post-high school summer. It’s a moment that deserves celebration — a cap on 12 years of hard work and accomplishment. Even if you’re like me and the high school years have been in the rearview for a while, the memories can still seem fresh. After all, this is such a vivid time, one often filled with excitement, hope and, quite possibly, trepidation. Each of these young people will soon make choices, many of which have been years in the making. Some of them will go on to higher learning. Others may breathe a sigh of relief to leave school behind and enter the workforce, start families or explore countless other possibilities. All graduates must choose their own paths. Some of our young people have already faced adult challenges, KEITH GABBARD Chief Executive Officer working jobs or carrying responsibilities that, in an ideal world, would have waited until they were older. Life isn’t the same for everyone, and it’s often difficult. We appreciate that the circumstances for each high school graduate are unique, and we hope we can offer one consistent thread of support to all members of the communities we serve. At PRTC, we often discuss the principles that are the bedrock of what we do, one of which is concern for the community. Our communications network — our fast, reliable internet service in particular — can open doors that didn’t exist just a few years ago. Online learning, work-from-home jobs, support for employers and so much more are now available. We are in a rural area, but we have an immediate connection to resources needed to thrive in a modern world. The playing field is more level than ever between cities and communities like ours. One example of success is the young people leaving high school today and the link they have, not only to the online world, but also to real-world resources once unheard of in rural communities. Imagine moving away for school or a job and being able to use a video call to connect with family back home. No matter how far our graduates roam, there’s a convenient link to the people who have supported them every step of the way. We believe, however, that helping the community goes beyond the services we provide, and we know many other local businesses feel the same. Scholarships, internships, support for athletic programs and first jobs are just a few ways we work to help students attending our schools and this current group of young graduates about to strike out on their own. While this is a time of celebration for the Class of 2022 and their families, I believe it’s also a time for us to celebrate as a community. Life will bring hurdles and triumphs. Many of these former high school students will go on to become part of the fabric of our communities, and others will venture away, carrying the values and lessons they learned here with them for the rest of their lives. I wish to congratulate all the graduates and their families. Thanks to you, the future is bright, exciting and filled with possibilities. 

is your member-owned cooperative serving Jackson and Owsley counties in East Kentucky. The cooperative is dedicated to using technology to keep its members connected through high-speed broadband internet, digital and HD television, wireless 4G phone service, local and long-distance calling and beyond.

Send address corrections to: Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative P.O. Box 159 McKee, KY 40447 606-287-7101 • 606-593-5000 www.prtcnet.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kendall Norris President Wendell Gabbard Vice President James Gary Cornett Secretary Nelson Bobrowski Treasurer Donald Barrett Armel Davidson Pat Henderson

Produced for PRTC by:

On the Cover:

Pfc. Berton McQueen’s remains were returned to McKee after nearly 77 years. See story Page 8.

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PRTC NEWS

Brown and Vickers retire

Affordable Connectivity Program and PRTC internet The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service.

THE BENEFIT PROVIDES:

PRTC congratulates Charlie Brown and Kay Vickers on their respective retirements earlier this year. Kay started working at the cooperative on Jan. 4, 1999, as a customer service representative. She moved on to become executive assistant to CEO and General Manager Keith Gabbard. “I started out selling cellphones in customer service,” Kay says. “It was remarkable watching just how fast we grew. It was exciting to see us start from dial-up to now have fiber throughout our service area.” Charlie retired on April 27 after more than 30 years at PRTC. He got his start as a tree trimmer, then worked as a lineman, warehouseman and other jobs. “I did the whole chain,” Charlie says. “I liked working on the line crew the best, because we did different jobs every day.”

• Up to $30/month discount for internet service. • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a tablet purchased through a participating provider (PRTC). To find out if your household is eligible, visit fcc.gov/acp. PRTC can help guide you through the process of signing up: Step 1 Go to ACPBenefit.org and submit an application. Step 2 Once approved, an eligible plan will be selected and the discount applied to your bill.

Memorial Day closings PRTC would like to thank all those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom. In recognition of Memorial Day, our offices will be closed on Monday, May 30.

Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative

May/June 2022 | 5

TRAVEL

Relaxing DESTINATIONS

Yoga retreats offer an escape from daily realities Story by ANNE BRALY

hen thermometers begin to rise, it’s natural to think about a beach vacation, but during summer months, crowds are less than ideal. Instead, head toward the country and the mountains where you can get away from it all and reconnect with nature. Here are five picturesque properties around the South to consider, each one far from your noisy neighbors and the stresses of everyday life. Some offer yoga, others a chance to hike new paths, while one is ideal for sitting back to catch up on your quilting or scrapbooking.

GRAND OAK RETREAT • SCOTTSBORO, ALABAMA Grand Oak Retreat is located on a large stretch of land overlooking Lake Guntersville, cradled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It’s open to all, but caters to scrapbookers, quilters and other crafty folks. The large lodge with a beautiful, wraparound porch has five bedrooms with multiple beds to accommodate most families or groups. There’s a large work area where crafters can spread out and work while enjoying panoramic views of the lake. Snacks and drinks are available 24 hours a day in a well-stocked kitchen, and guests get three home-cooked meals with a menu that uses local ingredients depending on the season. For a fully relaxed retreat, guests may arrange massages at an extra cost. For reservations or more information, visit grandoakretreat.com.

TENNESSEE FITNESS SPA • WAYNESBORO, TENNESSEE Think of a retreat to Tennessee Fitness Spa along historic Natchez Trace as a summer camp for adults. There’s swimming, racquetball, a gym, sauna, hot tub and hiking trails around the picturesque Natural Bridge, a geologic formation thought to be the only double span natural bridge formation in the world. It’s a short walk from the spa’s dining hall and makes for a beautiful meditative experience. The center places a strong focus on getting guests back in shape, whatever their goals: losing weight, quitting smoking, detoxing or simply relaxing by the pool. It’s a good opportunity to shed that excess weight, whether it be physical or mental, through fitness training, yoga, meditation, water aerobics and more. Just let the staff know what you want, and they’ll tailor a routine to meet your needs.

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Accommodations range from standard rooms to penthouse suites and private cottages. Most people stay for one week, but guests can arrange for shorter stays, depending on availability. For more information, visit tennesseefitnessspa.com.

THE RED HORSE INN LANDRUM, SOUTH CAROLINA This hidden gem tucked into South Carolina’s Blue Ridge mountains is an adults-only getaway offering an elegant escape from everyday routines. It’s a chance to relax, recover and rejuvenate — all the things you want from a resort vacation. Leave the cooking, cleaning, kids and work behind. Disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with your partner. Reserve a room in the inn or in one of a half dozen cottages, all with luxury bedding and other appointments. Breakfast is served daily, and afternoons can be spent on the terrace with a glass of wine from the award-winning wine bar. The inn is located just north of Greenville, South Carolina, a town known for its food scene, and also an area folks looking for majestic waterfalls and nature trails visit. For more information, visit theredhorseinn.com.

accommodations at the center’s Shankara Wellness hotel with meditation and yoga classes daily, along with one treatment like massage or relaxation therapy, and three meals a day. Snag a seat outside with views of the mountains if the weather allows. For more information, visit artoflivingretreatcenter.org.

CLIFFVIEW RESORT CAMPTON, KENTUCKY Come for stunning views of the Red River Gorge, and stay for the adventure you’ll experience at Cliffview Resort. There’s plenty to do off the beaten track — a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and connect with nature on a grand scale. Go rock climbing on the cliff high above, take a kayak and explore life in an underground cave beneath the gorge, or zip line above it to experience the magnificent Red River Gorge from a different perspective.

For a more relaxing retreat, take a leisurely walk on well-traveled paths, or wet a line and fish for your dinner from a stocked pond located on the resort property. Or venture over to the Red River and test your skill against smallmouth bass and sunfish. Book a room in the lodge where you’ll find a comfortable place to rest your head with breakfast the next morning. There are 16 rooms in the lodge, plus two cabins, each with 11 to 12 bedrooms and full kitchens to cook your own meals. Don’t want to cook? You’re on vacation, after all. Red River Gorge and nearby Daniel Boone National Forest have a number of restaurants with offerings ranging from pizza to hot dogs and barbecue to brew pubs. For information, log onto cliffviewresort.com or call 606-668-5204. 

ART OF LIVING RETREAT BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA Meditation and yoga are two powerful tools for bringing on health and happiness, and at Art of Living Retreat, high in the Blue Ridge Mountains overlooking Boone, North Carolina, you’ll rediscover yourself. The center offers getaways focused on happiness and meditation, along with silent retreats. There’s also Sri Sri yoga, an ancient, holistic method that integrates body, mind and spirit, targeting internal organs, circulation and body alignment. Weekend retreats might also include artmaking and journaling or a girls-only time with nature trails, meditation and yoga. Packages at Art of Living include

The Art of Living Retreat offers guests serenity and beauty in the mountains of North Carolina.

May/June 2022 | 7

THE HOMEC

Pfc. Berton ring McQueen du World War II.

WWII soldier laid to rest in Jackson County Story by JEN CALHOUN

sister. “We wondered if he had amnesia,” Genevieve says. “You can’t put a completion or a closure on somebody when you still have hope they’re out there.” In July 2021, nearly 77 years after Berton’s body went missing — years after his parents and brothers and sisters had already died waiting for him — his nieces and nephews got a call. The remains of Pfc. Berton J. McQueen had been positively identified with the help of his extended family members’ DNA. After all these years, he was ready to come home.

WIND CAVE ROOTS Berton McQueen was born on Dec. 2, 1923, in a log cabin in Wind Cave, Kentucky, to John and Nannie McQueen. The cabin didn’t have electricity, and his parents raised sheep on their small subsistence farm. Berton was baptized in a church within walking distance from his home, and he attended classes in a one-room schoolhouse. Berton’s Scots-Irish roots showed in his blue eyes, blond hair and boyish grin. He loved to hunt and laugh with friends, and he enjoyed playing with his sister’s children, Irene and Bert, the latter of which was his namesake. Even after he went into the

©Stephanie Frey, Grigory Bruev, Gary Blakeley/Adobe Stock

fc. Berton McQueen disappeared in the Vosges Mountains of France while fighting Nazi forces in late November 1944. But when his mother, Nancy “Nannie” McQueen, got word that her youngest son was missing in action, she wouldn’t believe he was gone forever. “When she went to town, she’d leave the door unlocked in case Berton came home,” says Genevieve Palm, Berton’s niece, who is writing a book about her uncle’s life. Even after military officials eventually declared Berton dead, Nannie stood firm. “They couldn’t identify his body, so she refused to accept it,” Genevieve says. Nannie clung to this hope until her death in 1972. More than a decade later, her family would learn of a secret bank account containing Berton’s death allotment checks from the government. She kept it in case he needed money to start his new life when he returned. Nannie’s hope extended to the rest of the family, says Genevieve, whose mother, the late Cynthia Ellen, was Berton’s older

8 | May/June 2022

Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative

COMING Army in April 1943 at the age of 19, his letters revealed a positive, thoughtful person who loved his friends and went out of his way to keep his family from worrying. “He had a great sense of humor, and he loved to laugh,” says Genevieve, who read the more than 100 letters her uncle sent to his family while he was serving as a machine-gun operator assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. “He also loved making other people laugh. He’d write about the fun he had with the other soldiers. They were always playing jokes and having as much fun as young boys can have going off to war.” The letters showed an adventurous side, too. “He would talk about the beautiful things he was seeing,” says Genevieve, who was born 10 years after his death. “He’d never seen the ocean — much less ridden on a ship. Now, all of a sudden, he’s in North Africa and Italy and seeing the Mediterranean Sea. He talked about standing on the beach and seeing the mountains in the distance with snow on them. He told how he saw a farmer plowing his field and how he stopped to help him just for the fun of it. He would say, ‘I wish you could see what I’m seeing.’”

Photography contributed by Genevieve Palm

after 77 years abroad

says. “He was a positive person, so I want to keep it at that.” Berton’s identification was based on the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s more than 70 years of research, including investigations and interviews. For final identification, his nieces and nephews and a cousin, Michael McQueen, who died less than a month after Berton’s funeral, provided their DNA through cheek swabs. When Berton was finally laid to rest back in the cemetery near where he grew up, the family both grieved and celebrated with the community that had come to welcome him home, Genevieve says. “It was joy. It was relief. And, amazingly enough, it was like he had just died. That’s what we all felt. I felt like I was grieving for my mother and my grandmother and my grandfather. I had to keep reminding myself this was a celebration.” 

THE LONG GOODBYE By late November 1944, the letters had stopped, and the then-20-year-old Berton was missing. It would be decades later that his family would learn the full story of the circumstances and the battle wounds that had ended his life. “It was very detailed and hard to hear,” Genevieve

The late Michael McQueen provided a sample of DNA to help identify Berton McQueen.

Above left: Genevieve Palm, a niece of Berton McQueen, is writing a book about her uncle. Above right: Pfc. Berton McQueen’s funeral featured full military honors for the young man killed in action in France in 1944.

“ THEY ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO GO OVERSEAS AND MY ANSWER WAS, ‘YES, SIR. IF I LET MY COUNTRY DOWN THE WAY EVERYTHING IS NOW I NEVER WOULD FEEL RIGHT ABOUT IT.’”

— Pfc. Berton McQueen, age 19, in a letter to his sister on Oct. 9, 1943

JACKSON COUNTY REMEMBERS

The entire community of Jackson County, Kentucky, welcomed Pfc. Berton McQueen home in October 2021 with a ceremony, a 21-gun salute, speeches and the playing of “taps.” A machine-gun operator in Europe during World War II, McQueen was awarded the Purple Heart with two bronze oak leaf clusters, along with a Bronze star, a Presidential Unit Citation and various other honors and awards. PRTC TV Cable Channel 109 will replay Pfc. McQueen’s services all day on Memorial Day. Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative

May/June 2022 | 9

GAMING

on the

Your mobile devices have plenty to offer

THREES

Among Us

There are plenty of sudoku apps available but only one that puts goodness right in the name. The game’s designers set out with the goal of helping players fall in love with the familiar Japanese logic puzzles. Clear difficulty levels, helpful hints and coaching for new techniques at each level make it the perfect entry for the sudoku-curious out there. If you’re already a logic master, it also has more than 70,000 puzzles to be conquered and a global leaderboard to chase.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better puzzle game than Threes. It’s easy to pick up since there are only four directions a player can swipe. But the task of pairing numbers into ever greater multiples of three can quickly become a challenge requiring players to think at least three moves ahead. Whether you’re looking to pass 5 minutes or chase high scores on the leaderboard, Threes is worth checking out.

Among Us became wildly popular in 2020 in part because it’s easy to understand. A group of players attempts to prep their spaceship for takeoff while one imposter tries to pick the others off while no one is looking. It’s a simple premise that can lead to chaotic hijinks as players try to smoke out the saboteur. Lying to your friends has never been so fun.

Who knew your phone could be the perfect platform for a clever noir story? Device 6 puts players in the role of Anna, a woman with amnesia trying to figure out how she woke up on a mysterious island. The game infuses the classic text adventure genre with modern style and engaging visuals as words move around the screen in unexpected ways. If you’re looking for something a little different from the typical mobile experience, Device 6 is bound to have a few welcome surprises in store.

NYT CROSSWORD Sure, you could pull out the newspaper and pen to fill out your crossword the old-school way. Or you could save yourself the ink stains and errors by tackling the daily crossword on your phone. The app offers Mini and Midi puzzles for a challenge you can knock out in minutes. Or take on the full crossword each day, along with the archive of over 10,000 puzzles. Now there’s no excuse not to stay sharp. 10 | May/June 2022

G N I M GA

DEVICE 6

G N I GAM

Good Sudoku

ure, mobile games may be a distraction many of us turn to while waiting in line or during a slow episode of our favorite TV binge. But that doesn’t mean they have to be bad. As our mobile devices have evolved into tiny computers in our pockets, the visuals and clever design of mobile games have grown right along with them. If you’re burned out on Angry Birds and Candy Crush, try one of these games to keep your idle thumbs busy.

Make the

CONNECTION

he video game industry remains scorching hot, and not just because people turned to a virtual distraction during the pandemic. Certainly, they did. However, the trajectory of the gaming industry continues a yearslong trend of increased popularity. Nielsen, a company tracking how various audiences use media, provided some insight last year into video game usage. At one point during the pandemic, 55% of U.S. consumers reported playing video games. In fact, people were buying games at a fast clip, with sales rising about 14% during 2020. There’s a twist with modern gaming, too. People use it to connect with each other. The game Fortnite became famous for in-game live events, and more and more people began using services like Twitch to watch others play games, according to Nielsen. Simply, gaming goes beyond, well, just a game. It’s an experience, one made possible by fast, reliable internet. But are you maximizing your connection for how you experience gaming?

BENEFITS OF WI-FI

THE CONNECTION

When speed matters, an Ethernet is often the right option.

Your internet provider connects your home to the online world, a physical connection where the final stop is a router. Think of this as the gateway between your home and the internet. Most modern routers allow two types of connections: Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

Wi-Fi uses radio waves to connect the router to your devices, eliminating the clutter of cables. Devices ranging from televisions to refrigerators can use this technology to connect online. Gaming-related benefits of Wi-Fi include: • Convenient for mobile games on phones and iPads. • The ability to connect multiple devices without cables. • Most devices, including computers, set-top boxes and more, have Wi-Fi connectivity. The same can’t be said for wired Ethernet connections. Even some laptops lack the option for an Ethernet connection. • For watching streaming content such as Twitch, Wi-Fi wirelessly takes devices ranging from TVs to tablets online.

BENEFITS OF ETHERNET — WHEN GAMING GETS SERIOUS An Ethernet connection is a physical link between your device and router. With modern online gaming, success can depend upon how fast the twitch of a finger on a controller can be translated into actions in an online world living on a faraway computer server.

• Consistency: Unlike Wi-Fi signals, which can be affected by walls or even signals from other devices, the wired connection’s speed should remain consistent with that provided by your internet service. • Lower latency, which is the time it takes a bit of data to leave your device, reach its online destination and then complete the round trip. With gaming, lower latency is critical, and Ethernet is a difference-maker. • Simple and secure: Connect an Ethernet cable to your device and to your router and get playing. It’s that simple. Unlike with Wi-Fi routers, you typically do not need to enter a password to connect. • The downside is that cable clutter is real. Serious gamers in particular, though, will benefit from devices connected via Ethernet. May/June 2022 | 11

g n i o D Local fund works to improve Jackson County

Photos contributed by the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky

Story by JEN CALHOUN

The Veterans Memorial Park of Jackson County was helped with funds from Jackson County Community Foundation.

odney Chrisman likes to say he’s never lived outside of Jackson County more than two or three days. “Just the other day, I traveled to Lexington, and I was in six lanes of traffic,” he says. “You don’t get that here in Jackson County.” And it’s not just the laid-back traffic patterns that he admires about his native county. “You know, just about everybody you see — all the people you go to church with and the government leaders — it’s the closeness of the community that I like the best. It’s a really good place to live,” he says. 12 | May/June 2022

PROBLEM-SOLVING

Chrisman knows all about Jackson County’s problems, too. He knows about the job losses, the poverty and the social struggles that come with it. A few years ago, he retired from Jackson Energy Cooperative after 40 years. There, he served as the power company’s economic development specialist. “I’d work with local governments, local organizations and all kinds of different boards and clubs and groups to try to establish businesses and industry in the seven counties the cooperative covered,” he says. But now, Chrisman sees a more lasting solution with the development of the Jackson County Community Foundation. Since its establishment about 10 years ago, JCCF has offered tens of thousands of dollars in grants for organizations, events

Jackson County Community Foundation has contributed to building parks and more.

and projects that improve the community’s livability while also making it a more attractive place for businesses to settle. As chairperson of JCCF, Chrisman has overseen funding for parks, food banks, cancer funds, county fairs, special events and more. The group has offered money for community-led activities like McKee’s Trail Town initiative, and it’s invested in the construction of picnic shelters near Flat Lick Falls to draw tourists and locals alike. “In my opinion as a lifelong community investment person, this is probably the best thing that we’ve done for our community,” Chrisman says. “It’s something that will last long after me and everybody else who works on it is gone.”

HOW IT WORKS A big part of JCCF’s stability is that it’s Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative

Photo contributed by the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky

JCCF helped fund the construction of picnic shelters at Flat Lick Falls, one of Jackson County’s natural treasures.

an affiliate of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. The Foundation, which oversees more than a dozen community funds, is a Hazard-based nonprofit organization that offers tools and resources to help local communities form their own foundations, says Gerry Roll, chief executive officer of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. “When you think about JCCF, which was our first affiliate community foundation, it means that some of these leaders in Jackson County came together and wanted to start a foundation for their community,” she says. “They pulled together a group of people willing to lead, and we helped them figure out what they want the community to look like and what’s important.”

BETTER TOGETHER In addition to helping JCCF organize, the Foundation offers help with the paperwork side of the business, too. Since the Foundation is a nationally accredited organization with access to larger pools

of grant money and donors, JCCF could thrive under its umbrella. “We’re audited, and we’re accountable to the attorney general,” Roll says. “We take care of all the difficult tasks that might keep smaller community foundations from getting off the ground.” Roll says this kind of financial organization can make all the difference when

There’s also power in numbers, she says. “We have several national and regional foundations that have given us larger grants to give out across the community. We can get out on a national stage and try to attract attention to our area. Smaller, local foundations can’t get that kind of exposure on their own.” Chrisman agrees. For years, he saw

“THE JACKSON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HAS A BASE THAT CAN BE BUILT UPON AND CONTINUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.” — Rodney Chrisman, JCCF chairperson it comes to donors interested in investing in the future of the county and its people. “We’ve attracted money from people donating a dollar to a million dollars. People recognize that we can handle things like trusts and estates and complicated transfers. This didn’t happen overnight. We’ve built trust in our communities by being accountable for every single dollar.”

other charities and foundations fade away as their founders aged or died. But with the help of the foundation, he knows JCCF is set up to grow with the coming generations. “I feel very good about it,” he says. “This community foundation has a base that can be built upon and continue. I believe this is going to have a lasting impact on the community.” 

BETTER AND BETTER The Jackson County Community Foundation helps fund various community projects to make life better for people in the county. From growing arts, culture and recreation projects to giving money for health, housing and economic development projects, JCCF puts its focus on helping the region prosper and thrive. For more information on how to donate, visit appalachianky.org, click on “Give” and “List of Funds,” then scroll through to find the Jackson County Community Foundation and other affiliates. You can also visit the Jackson County Community Foundation’s Facebook page. Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative

May/June 2022 | 13

SOUTHERN KITCHENS

So fresh and so A unique technique locks more flavor in your veggies

he profusion of fresh vegetables coming our way this spring means it’s time to learn a bit about blanching, a technique that brings out the beautiful flavors that only fresh produce can bring — a taste explosion. Blanching can be a cook’s best friend. It destroys enzymes that make green veggies turn brown and mushy, so it’s ideal when you want to add green vegetables, such as peas and asparagus, to your risotto. Blanching also removes bitterness from some of our more bitter vegetables, like broccoli rabe. It’s also a great way to skin tomatoes, as blanching loosens the skins without cooking the fruit, something that also works for peaches and plums. And if you’re planning to prepare and serve a veggie platter, blanch the carrots, broccoli, pea pods and cauliflower. The veggies will retain their color, but your guests will find them much easier to chew. Blanching is nothing more than boiling vegetables until they’re just crisp-tender, then plunging them in an icy bath. It sounds like a simple process, and it is, but there are just a few steps to follow to bring out the best of spring and summer’s bounties. If you’re a vegetable gardener, think ahead for the cold days of winter when the flavor of fresh vegetables is just a memory, that is, unless you’ve blanched in advance of freezing them. Not only does blanching preserve the color and texture of your vegetables, it will also preserve their nutrient content.

FOOD EDITOR ANNE P. BRALY IS A NATIVE OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

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Now that you know why you should blanch, here’s how: In order to stop the enzyme action that breaks vegetables down, the food must reach 180 degrees. The time spent in boiling water and time spent in ice water should be roughly equal. If you’re not able to prepare a cold immersion for your vegetables, putting them in a colander under cold running water will work. Adding salt to your boiling water will help make green vegetables even greener. Steer clear of lemon juice or other acids, though; these will react with the

chlorophyll and turn your greens brown. And don’t use baking soda — it will damage the nutrients found in vegetables. Use 1 gallon of water for each pound of food to be blanched. If you overload the water with vegetables, it will lower the water’s temperature and slow the cooking process, defeating the purpose. Once the vegetables are crisp-tender, move them from the boiling water and into a large container of ice water. This will stop the cooking process. Then you’re ready to bag them for freezing or use them right away in your spring and summer meals. 

clean SALAD NICOISE

2 hard-boiled eggs 1/2 pound of small potatoes 1/2 pound of green beans, blanched 1/2 head of green lettuce, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces 1 (7-ounce) can of tuna fish 4 ounces of tomatoes, diced, or cherry tomatoes 10 black olives 2 tablespoons of capers 1/2 cup of vinaigrette dressing (your favorite) Cook the potatoes until tender and let cool. Build each salad starting with a layer of lettuce, then add half the vegetables, including potatoes, tuna, eggs and olives to each plate. Sprinkle with capers. Serve with vinaigrette dressing. Makes 2 servings.

RISOTTO WITH BLANCHED ASPARAGUS 1 pound asparagus, trimmed, cut into 2-inch lengths 5 cups canned or homemade chicken broth 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 1/2 cups arborio rice 1/2 cup dry white wine 6 tablespoons butter 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces) Blanch asparagus pieces in a large pot of boiling, salted water for 2 minutes. Drain. Rinse asparagus under cold water. Drain asparagus well. Bring chicken broth to a simmer in a small saucepan. Reduce heat to low and keep broth hot. Heat olive oil in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and saute until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add rice and stir for 3 minutes. Add dry white wine and cook until liquid evaporates. Continue cooking until rice is tender but still slightly firm in center and mixture is creamy, adding chicken broth 1 cup at a time and stirring almost constantly, about 20 minutes. Add blanched asparagus pieces and stir until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 6 tablespoons butter and stir until incorporated. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Makes 4-6 servings.

WALNUT BROCCOLI SALAD 2 pounds broccoli florets 1/2 cup toasted walnuts 1/2 cup jumbo mixed raisins 8 strips bacon cooked and crumbled 1/2 red onion thinly sliced 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon rice vinegar Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste Bring a big pot of water to a boil and season it liberally with salt. It should taste like the ocean. Add the broccoli florets to the water and cook for 60 seconds, until they’re bright green in color. Immediately drain the broccoli florets, then rinse with cold water for 2 minutes or place in an ice-water bath until the broccoli has cooled down. Transfer the broccoli to a salad spinner, and spin the broccoli dry or drain well if you don’t have a spinner. Then blot dry further with a kitchen towel to prevent any excess water from diluting the dressing. Combine the broccoli with the toasted walnuts, raisins, bacon, onion, mayonnaise, vinegar and salt and black pepper, to taste. Stir well. Chill for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour, before serving to allow the flavors to marry. Makes 6 servings.

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1080 Main St. S. McKee, KY 40447