Todd County Standard

12/18/2025

12/11/2025

MULLINGS – TODD COUNTY RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION HELD ANNUAL DECEMBER MEETING

By Carolyn L. Wells
Todd County Standard

The Todd County Retired Teachers’ Association held its December meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Guthrie Senior Citizens’ Center in Guthrie. Those in attendance included Jo Ann Holder (President), Teresa Chadwick, Arthur Green, Jane Dyer, Charlotte Morrow, Judy Howle, Denise Stuard, Angela Judy, Dana Orr, Connie Wofford (Vice-President), Sylvia Sadler, Donna Nabb, Ruth Bland, Peg Coots, Mildred Bellar, Terry Lawson, Rita Dillingham, Regina Anderson, Wanda Nichols, Donna Settle, Alice Chastain, and Carolyn Wells (Secretary).

Also in attendance at the meeting was the 4-H Traveling Troupe under the guidance of Dr. Lisa Petrie, Gifted and Talented Coordinator for the Todd County School District, and Amber McCuiston, speech language pathologist at North Todd Elementary. The group of seven included Amonzo Osborne, Mary Beth Prather, Ella McCuiston, Aleycia Osborne, Emma King, Maybelle Miller, and Za’Miah King. The group, composed of both high school and middle school students, presented a collection of solos and group songs focused on Christmas and the holidays.

After a review of the previous meeting’s minutes, Donna Nabb moved, and Rita Dillingham seconded, the September 9, 2025 minutes for the association be approved. Because of an unexpected accident to Jean Odum, Mrs. Holder postponed the treasurer’s report. In committee reports, Arthur Green reported the Kentucky Retired Teachers’ Association is currently stable with no changes anticipated by the legislature. He did suggest, however, members be vigilant in monitoring events at the federal level for possible impact on educators. Mrs. Holder shared the local association has a total of 46 members, an increase of three from last year. Mr. Green also reported retirees should receive new Humana insurance cards soon; he also noted retirees should keep the letter recently received regarding retirees’ health insurance in case Humana cards do not arrive before January 1, 2026. He also clarified the Lifeline monitor several retirees are using should be available with Humana. Connie Wofford shared she is currently collecting the winning Grandparent Essays from North and South Todd. The deadline for her to provide this information to higher ups is December 15.

As part of our community projects’ efforts, members present turned in their cumulative volunteer hours for 2025. Members also brought in school supplies, hygiene products, and other canned goods with a total of 57 bags of school supplies and items for the schools’ backpack program collected. The members also donated 79 bags of food and other supplies to the Guthrie Food Pantry. Mrs. Holder also added the association will again provide a $500.00 scholarship to a TCCHS senior pursuing a degree in education.

Following discussion of the Kimbler Scholarship and the Bourgard Funds, two state initiatives, Carolyn Wells moved, and Donna Settle seconded, the association contribute $40.00 to each of these efforts. The next scheduled meeting of the Todd County Retired Teachers’ Association will be on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in the Todd County Public Library’s Community Room.

12/03/2025

Mullings – ‘Steinway Serenade: ‘Keys of Christmas’ Planned for Dec. 16, 2025 at the Milliken Memorial Community House

By Carolyn L. Wells
Todd County Standard

Tuesday evening, Dec. 16, 2025, at 6:30 PM will see members of our community share their extraordinary talents performing at the “Steinway Serenade: ‘Keys of Christmas.’” Those musical artists will include pianists Dr. Mark Campbell of Trenton, Ms. Emilie Gill of Elkton, Ms. Dawn Dickinson Sharp of Elkton, Mrs. Emily McDonald of Elkton, and Mrs. Judy Wilson of Kirkmansville. Those who have attended these musical events in the past will immediately share all the musicians are very talented performers. Prior to the main performance of these five performers, a prelude of music will be shared by young musical artists whose talents are also amazing. The prelude of these young performers will begin at 6:00 PM.

Ask anyone what his or her favorite activity is, and the person being asked will more than likely respond with some activity related to music. As many know, music was an integral part of the celebration when the Milliken Memorial Community House first opened its doors almost 100 years ago. The website of the Milliken Memorial Community House has on it these words – The “Milliken Memorial Community House was founded from the loving heart of Mary Louise Milliken Childs in 1928. Her desire to create a gathering place with the purpose of bettering the community of her childhood was realized in the building of this special charitable project that stands today as a testament to her benevolence.”

The five performers will be able to display their talents using a Steinway grand piano that is housed in the library of the Milliken Memorial Community House at 208 West Main Street in Elkton. The Steinway, which is on loan from the Green River Academy located at 204 Goebel Avenue in Elkton, is considered to be a “gold standard” in the piano industry. Because of limited seating at the Milliken, those who desire to attend are asked to reach out to one of the five performers to reserve a seat. Cost of the event is donations only with proceeds of the event being donated to a community cause of the performers’ choice.

11/17/2025

11/17/2025

BOIL WATER ADVISORY

The Todd County Water District has issued a Boil Water Advisory, due to a main line repair, to be in effect immediately for 7398-10374 Highland Lick Road, Gorrell Road, Harris Road, Thomas Road, Pea Ridge Road, Williams Road, 2115-4000 Hadden Mill Road, Clay Cole Road, Miller Valley Road, Goodman Road, Majors Lane, Winding Oaks, 1030-3440 East Jeff Davis HWY, Gates Road, Williams Hill Road and Old Quarry Road. The Advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Drinking water should be allowed to boil for 3 minutes before use. You will be notified when the Advisory is lifted.

11/12/2025

Todd County Grand Jury Report

11/12/2025

MULLINGS – ‘AUTHORFEST’ DEEMED A SUCCESS

By Carolyn L. Wells
Todd County Standard

Saturday, November 8, 2025, saw a gathering of 13 area writers converge on the Todd County Public Library (TCPL) for “AuthorFest,” an inaugural event that showcased the writings and illustrations of several local and area writers with connections to Todd County.

The event, a collaborative effort with the Todd County Public Library, Friends of the Todd County Public Library, Historic Todd County, Inc. (HTC), and the Green River Academy Preservation Society (GRA), was held in the Community Room at the TCPL located at 507 South Main Street in Elkton. Those who gathered all shared the event was a successful one with writers and illustrators enjoying the opportunity to chat with those in attendance while also selling their books and available items.
Items available for purchase included a poetry chapbook, several other books of poetry, novels geared for youth, a book about autism, several books of fiction, books of historical fiction, a memoir based on a family’s heartbreaking story, a children’s book about battling worry, another children’s book illustrated by a TCCHS graduate, two books about integration in Todd County, a book about Biblical ladies inspiring leadership in today’s world, a coloring book featuring several historical places in Todd County, and a coffee table book featuring “notables of Todd County.” Emilie Gill, a local artist, had available for those present illustrations, mugs, small greeting cards, bookmarks, and children’s books illustrated by Emilie.

Those participants who were showcased on November 8 included
• Charles Leavell, a 1972 TCCHS graduate, a former Navy communications electrician, and a preacher in Suffolk, Virginia. Charles has penned two books focusing on Todd County Training and the integration occurring in the Todd County School District in 1963. (Because of a funeral at his home church in Virginia, Mr. Charles’ sister and brother were on hand to represent Mr. Charles.)
• Emilie Gill, an Elkton resident who teaches illustration classes at APSU. Emilie describes herself as someone who “couldn’t decide whether she wanted to be a musician, a zookeeper, a secret agent, or a Professional Adventurer.”
• Frances Strickler, who resides in Franklin, Kentucky. Frances has penned two books – A Long Way Home: A Soldier’s Story and Hardly A Lady. Her second book is “set in 1930s Kentucky, when women couldn't even open a bank account without a husband or father.”
• Jeff Rogers, a retired English teacher and poet. Jeff, who loves the poetry of Robert Penn Warren, is a transplant to our area so that he and his wife can be close to grandchildren in Bowling Green. He serves on the Robert Penn Warren Birthplace Museum Committee.
• Linda Stokes Fritz, a 1966 TCCHS graduate and a retired educator/guidance counselor. Linda has penned a book dubbed My Day in Infamy, one describing a traumatic time in her family’s life.
• Lindsey Sisco, a second-grade teacher at South Todd who writes books celebrating kindness and diversity. Lindsey describes herself as “a small-town teacher who believes every day holds a story worth telling!”
• Lisa Lewis Balboa, another TCCHS graduate and an area church elder and pastor. Lisa is a contributing author to Leading Ladies: Sharing Our Stories of Inspiration and Faith.
• Mike Sears, a TCCHS graduate, a retired probation and parole officer, and a former MP. Mike is known for adventurous writings appealing to the younger generation.
• Monica Jobe, a local writer who gained a love of books early in her life. Her mother-in-law, Judy Anderson Donnelly, completed the illustrations in Monica’s first children’s book entitled Christian and the Great Journey.
• Rosemarie Cowherd Wurth-Grice, a 1975 TCCHS graduate and a retired English teacher. Rosemarie has penned a poetry chapbook entitled Darkness Called Us Home. Rosemarie makes her home on her cut flower farm in Bowling Green.
• Stephen Smith, a 2015 TCCHS graduate who teaches at Christian County High School and makes his home in Guthrie. Stephen’s writings include seven novels at this time; he also has a passion for gardening.
• Tammrow Carneal, a resident of Trenton. Tammrow’s book entitled Silence Me Not: Poems of Love, Hope, Faith, & Inspiration is “a collection of poems that encourage strength, faith, and love.”
• CLW, a 1968 TCCHS graduate and a retired TCCHS English teacher. Carolyn has penned three coffee table books supporting local rehabilitation efforts for the 1835 Todd County Courthouse and the Green River Academy. She had available copies of Notables of Todd County and Shocktales: A High-Voltage Adventure Through Todd County’s History.

Photos by Omar Figueroa Navarrette

11/11/2025

Congratulations to Weston Berry, student at North Todd Elementary School for being chosen as the November 2025 Student of the Month!

11/11/2025

Congratulations to Mrs. Shannon Wells, substitute for Todd County Schools for receiving the November 2025 Making a Difference Award!