Reader's Write

Hope confirmed

We love reading about our beloved Kentucky in your magazine and return to the state as often as possible.

The article by Amanda Hervey titled "The Road to Hope" (Kentucky Monthly, April 2010, page 46) was so much more than just another interesting name or a wide place in the road. It was a heartfelt story about the hope to the young people striving so hard to turn their lives around. Amanda captured in two pages the passions and dedication of the young people, staff and mission of Hope Hill Children's Home. The description of the work noted in the article by staffer Katy Hedge prompted us to call her to learn why Hope Hill would be her chosen work. She was kind enough to send us more information on the work and needs of Hope Hill.

My wife and I believe Hope Hill is a very worthy organization for its accomplishment in helping these young people in hope, faith and love from their long-time abuse of addictive substances. We hope that you will publish this letter so others may provide support to Hope Children's Home as we do.

John Hopkins, Chesterbrook, Pa.

P.S. Also enjoyed your article on Murray State (Kentucky Monthly, April 2010, page 72). I did graduate work at MSU, too.

Beg to differ

Mr. Vest, re: your April issue,
In the Kentucky Kwiz, question 9 (page 4): "In addition to Richard Nixon, which other two future presidents were on hand to see Majestic Prince win the 1969 Run for the Roses?"

Richard Nixon was not a "future president" at the time of the running of the 1969 Kentucky Derby; he was the President. Future presidents might have been in attendance, but not "other" future presidents.

In April Birthdays (page 10), "14 Loretta Lynn (1935)." Loretta Lynn was born in 1930, not 1935. The media have been allowing her to lie about her age for some four decades now. A number of sources list her birth year as 1934, not 1935. My source for 1930? A Saturday Evening Post article published in 1964, that I read in 1964, identifying her as "Grand Ole Opry glamorpuss Loretta Lynn, a 34-year-old grandmother."

Natty Bumppo, Brownsville

(Editor's Note: An employee at the Johnson County Clerk's office was unable to confirm the year of birth for Loretta Lynn [ne Webb]. Various sources list her birth year as 1932, '34 and '35. An August 2008 story in The New York Times noted Lynn was 73 at the time the article was written, making her year of birth 1935.)

Shining star

Another great issue of Kentucky Monthly! While many magazines are brightly bursting but quickly fading stars, Kentucky Monthly soldiers on through a dismal economy on the basis of quality. Your monthly column,"Vested Interest," and "PastTense/PresentTense" by Bill Ellis are my favorites, but I read most of Kentucky Monthly with real interest.

I wish the old muskrat hunter and riverman Billy C. Clark was still alive. I would love to hear and see his reaction to the fact that the new president of Spalding University once rowed across the Atlantic Ocean (Kentucky Monthly, April 2010, page 8)! Best wishes for your continued success.

Jim Gifford, Executive Director, Jesse Stuart Foundation, Ashland

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