The large turnout was satisfying to see, said Rev. Eldon Miller who’s President of the Ministerial Association and is also a member of the BCCD. “It’s the biggest crowd we’ve ever had, and everyone seemed to have a great time. We’ve had a few new pastors come tonight, as well as people who are leaders in our county and city. Most of them are involved with their church, and several of their friends joined them as well.”

Among those who attended the banquet included Rev. Wilfred Fisher of the Kentucky Mountain Holiness Association, Breathitt County Extension Agent Lowell Hamilton, Jackson Vice-Mayor Rose Wolfe, Reverend Tom Lorimer of Fivemile Community Church, Breathitt County School Superintendent Arch Turner, Rev. John Bunn of the Wolverine and Hampton United Methodist Churches, County Judge-Executive Harvey Jason Richardson, Juanita Callahan of Interfaith of Breathitt County, County Commissioners Arch Johnson and Jeff Noble, Sheriff Ray Clemons, Senior Citizens Director Jack Niece, Breathitt County School Board Chairman Kelly Noble Jr., and County Property Valuation Administrator Ervine Allen.

Soil Stewardship Week is sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), which is made up of 3,000 local conservation districts such as the Breathitt County Conservation District. Together, these groups manage soil and water conservation programs in virtually every community in America. NACD members develop and distribute materials for schools, churches, and communities during the celebration held every year between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May.

This year was no exception to passing out information to those assembled, which included a flyer entitled “Water is Life”, which asked people to consider both the quanity and quality of water in our community. In addition, a flyer containing a prayer for the Earth’s resources was presented to be used for Sunday Schools, while Linda Moore provided entertainment with several special songs of Spirit and Faith.

Thanks to several brilliant Impatiens plants donated by the local Natural Resources Conservation Office, not only did the surroundings for the banquet look splendid - some lucky folks got to take them home as door prizes. This also included other door prizes, including an interesting tie donated by Dr. Masja Ott of Appalucky Mission, Inc. And attention was given to one lucky woman who celebrated a milestone on Monday. Nettie Hardin celebrated her 85th Birthday at the banquet, as the wife of BCCD Board of Supervisors Chairman Charles Hardin was serenaded by the crowd with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday”.

Afterward, Rev. Miller told the Voice that the evening’s events were a fine way for people of all faiths and all walks of life to come to the table to celebrate. “Our county’s conservation district is the biggest in the state for being the largest group for our population, and the best organized group. And it’s a real way for all of the churches to work together. To look at this crowd assembled here from the 100 churches who belong to our organization is more and more satisfying to see every day.”

Voice Reporter Harold Deaton contributed to this story.