Published: November 08, 2007 11:48 pm            

TIM PRESTON: Where is Durbin? 111107

I heard a lot of positive comments on a recent story we published about the Ross family’s sorghum farm at Durbin, although a couple of callers pointed out I left out a bit of crucial information in that piece — specifically, where it is.

When I wrote it, I think I assumed everyone in the area knows where the Durbin community. In the days following, however, I was strongly reminded of the old joke about what happens when you assume anything.

Durbin, and the sorghum farm which bears the name, is off U.S. 23 near the Boyd/Lawrence county line. If it helps, Durbin is on the other side of the highway from Burnaugh. The Ross family posts signs off the major highway to point you toward its operation, and it isn’t difficult to find once you get into that community.

Ice cream for ideas

The very first business item I wrote about in this column was the ice cream shop at Midtown Mall seeking a new name after breaking ties with the national franchise it had been associated with.

Shop owner Butch Haworth has been offering anyone with a suggestion for a new name a free kid’s scoop of any flavor in exchange for ideas. The person whose suggestion is adopted will be rewarded with a cake and ice cream creation.

A few weeks have passed and the shop has a pretty good list of possible new names, although Haworth said he is hoping to find a title that better reflects additional menu selections, which include coffee drinks, sandwiches and other items. For the moment, staffers are answering the phone by saying “Ice Cream Store,” although they don’t intend to keep that one.

Haworth said he is continuing to trade ice cream for name suggestions and hopes to announce his shop’s new title by Christmas. To take advantage of the free scoop offer, stop by the shop and trade your suggestion (put some thought into it) for a tasty treat.

Room for improvement

The past few weeks have had a decidedly political tone, which makes it particularly relevant to point out Kentucky was ranked at No. 22 on the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council’s annual analysis of public policy climate for small business interests.

The index considers more than 30 government imposed or related cost factors which help or hinder small-business growth, including taxes, regulatory costs, government spending, property rights, energy rates and health-care expenses.

States ranking above Kentucky during the past year were South Dakota, Nevada, Wyoming, Washington, Florida, Michigan, Texas, South Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana, Arizona, Mississippi, Alaska, Utah, Missouri, North Dakota and Oklahoma.

Local Kroger stores contribute

Area Kroger stores and their employees were recently recognized by America’s Second Harvest as Retailer of the Year in an effort to feed this nation’s hungry families.

America’s Second Harvest is the largest hunger relief organization in this country and works with local food banks nationwide. The organization cited Kroger’s donation of more than 30 million pounds of food and other products last year, in addition to the company’s “Bringing Hope to the Table” campaign encouraging customers to purchase items for the effort.

“Our Ashland and Huntington area Kroger shoppers and great associates are so generous when it comes to lending our communities a helping hand,” said Kroger spokesman Carl York. “Together we’re making a difference.”

Webb recognized

State Rep. Robin Webb of Grayson was recently recognized with a distinguished service award from the Associated General Contractors of Kentucky for her contribution and support of the commonwealth’s construction industry.

The association cited Webb’s role as a co-sponsor of House Bill 490, otherwise known as the Kentucky Fairness in Construction Act.

The Associated General Contractors of Kentucky, founded in 1918, represents more than 700 prime contractors and industry associates.

New use for old building

There may be a lesson, in this example from Paintsville, for local cities that have vacant but historically significant buildings.

Citizens National Bank recently signed over the deed for the architecturally outstanding bank building on Main Street, which was the bank’s headquarters for many years, and will soon be Paintsville’s new city hall. The city’s current city hall will continue to be home to the police department and other emergency service operations, while the former bank building will provide office space for the mayor and five other city departments or offices.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.

        

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