The Friday Finish – September 13, 2024
I-75 Shooting Scare Ripples out to Red Bird
National media lit up Saturday evening with the story of a random shooting at cars passing through southern Kentucky on I-75 that left 5 people seriously injured. Although the incident happened over 50 miles from Red Bird Mission, failure to capture the suspect believed to be in hiding somewhere in the Daniel Boone National Forest caused Red Bird Mission administration to take precautions. The school and all programs closed on Monday. Work Camp teams did not venture off campus to home improvement projects out in the surrounding community.
By Tuesday, staff dusted off the “COVID playbook” locking doors, if necessary, and practicing vigilance. All programs reopened except the Community Store that was receiving a large shipment.
Unfortunately, another random shooting took place in Hazard, Kentucky on Wednesday just 50 miles east of Red Bird. Red Bird Christian School remained closed after this second shooting maintaining the recommendation of the school security committee that met Tuesday. Concern remains high in all the communities surrounding the areas of the incident until the perpetrators are captured.
In an email distributed to staff this week detailing steps being taken to create a secure environment for school and outreach programs, Kari Collins, Executive Director, appealed,
“Please join us in prayer for all those in the surrounding counties that have been impacted by this violence, for the first responders, for our staff, and for our youth.”
Dentist comes out of retirement to fill gap
Dr. Bill Collins left the Red Bird Dental Clinic in July, but he made sure the practice he’s revived since coming to Red Bird in 2016 didn’t decline after his departure. Dr. Bill recruited Dr. Joe Boster, DMD, a well-respected dentist that practiced in Middlesboro for over three decades.
It took a few weeks to renew his credentials with the various dental insurance programs, but Dr. Boster began seeing patients on Monday and Tuesday this week. University of Louisville School of Dentistry students even rotated in on Monday with others scheduled to assist in the weeks ahead.
Pioneer Life – A step back in time
Red Bird Christian School Elementary students and teachers spent Tuesday morning at Camp Nathanael in Knott County, Kentucky in a different kind of classroom. They recited scriptures and learned that the Bible was the reading textbook 400 years ago in one-room schoolhouses. Rules had to be followed in the mock schoolhouse, or they had to wear the “dunce” hat!
Students rotated to indoor and outdoor classrooms as demonstrators in period dress taught our students how to make soap, candles, dyes and quilts. They also saw blacksmithing first hand, saw animal powered farm implements, and learned how to churn butter. One student left that day inspired to pursue the art of blacksmithing.
Students also had some hands-on experiences churning butter, dipping candles, and snacking on fresh cornbread with the butter they had churned. Each demonstrator wove scripture and faith into their lessons. While dipping candles, they were reminded that “Jesus is the light of the world” and to “let your light shine” in the world.
And, she wore her crown, too!
It’s not often that our students get a chance to snap a picture with someone wearing a crown, but Tuesday afternoon Red Bird Christian School students were treated to a special assembly with Mrs. Tennessee International 2024. One of our volunteers in middle Tennessee had gotten to know the reigning Mrs. Tennessee International, Celia Anzalone Bowers, at a local gym. After learning more about Red Bird Mission and the area we serve, she wanted to schedule a trip to Clay County, Kentucky to share her story and testimony.
Part of her life story before her ascent to Mrs. Tennessee International includes triumph over physical and substance abuse before coming to know Christ as Savior and Lord. On Tuesday morning, she shared her testimony at a women’s program in Manchester and made her way up the Red Bird River to Red Bird School where she used her story to encourage students to avoid experimentation with drugs and alcohol.
In a Facebook post afterwards Celia wrote,
“Why did God spare my life time and time again if it wasn’t for such a moment as this? Today I shared my heart and my story with K-12 students at Red Bird.”
Celebrating 100 years at the Fordson Company Social Hall
Three members of the Leadership Team represented Red Bird Mission at the centennial celebration of the construction of the Fordson Company Social Hall that now serves as the offices for the Redbird Ranger Station of the Daniel Boone National Forest. State Representative Derick Lewis was among the regional, state and federal leadership represented at the event organized by District Ranger Robert Claybrook and his staff. Historical perspectives and facts were shared by US Forest Service staff, Clay County Historical Society, Regina Jones representing Senator Rand Paul, and Tamra Wilson, Clay County liaison for Congressman Hal Rogers read the proclamation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Red Bird Mission’s relationship with Henry Ford and the Fordson Company dates back at least 90 years when the Red Bird Notes acknowledged the donation of a tractor to Red Bird Mission in the 1930’s. Later in the 1940’s, Mr. Chris Queen, Peabody Operations Manager for the Ford Motor Company, negotiated the property where most of Red Bird Mission and Red Bird Clinic facilities are now located. And, that’s why we call it the Queendale Campus!
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