The Good Stuff: Soup Beans, Quilts, and Learning Our Lawrence County Story
Hello Lawrence County families! As LC Superintendent, I usually write about programs and opportunities, but this week, I want to talk about something that makes our district and all of Eastern Kentucky truly special: our heritage.
We often talk about preparing students for the future, but we can’t forget to ground them in our rich past. That’s why I was so proud to see the community turn out for the recent heritage festivals at Louisa Middle School and Blaine Elementary. These weren’t just assemblies—they were vibrant, hands-on celebrations of what it means to be from Eastern Kentucky.
Louisa Middle’s festival showcased incredible student effort. Many of their projects were created during their daily “Power Hour,” where students get to choose hands-on, deep-dive projects. Walking through the halls and the gym, you saw evidence of real learning: kids researching famous local musicians, learning to quilt, making molasses, canning, learning about raising chickens, and even creating beautiful crafts from gourds. It was like stepping into a living history book.
But it wasn’t just the kids sharing. Our schools became community hubs! Folks showed up to share invaluable skills like dulcimer making, beekeeping, horsemanship, and gardening. We had local musicians, artists, and dancers, plus important groups like the Fred Vinson Museum and LC Tourism. And how about the gentleman outside making delicious soup beans? That’s authentic Appalachia!
Even our LC Public Library, the Extension Office, and the high school FFA students—who taught kids about welding—were there to connect learning across all ages.
A few days later, Blaine Elementary had their celebration in the perfect outdoor field setting. They had canning, crocheting, and the FFA petting zoo. That amazing soup bean cook was back, along with smoked bbq, and the Extension Office was making corn pone. The Library helped kids make Appalachian corn husk dolls, and a local bluegrass group performed. Blaine even highlighted one of their own: Cratis Williams, the “father of Appalachian sociology.
“These events aren’t just fun days; they are critical lessons. They prove that learning isn’t just about textbooks—it’s about getting your hands dirty, preserving traditions, and connecting with the people and skills that built Lawrence County.
To every parent, grandparent, and neighbor who came out to share a skill or a story– thank you. By teaching our kids to appreciate their past, we give them the strongest possible foundation for their future. Keep an eye out for more of this vital, hands-on learning in all of our schools!
