Aug. 30, 2011: Our readers write

More good news to celebrate

It was just a couple of weeks ago that we were reminded by The News-Enterprise editorial board of all the good news in Hardin County. They suggested that we have plenty to celebrate. Several examples were offered in the editorial relating to heroics, achievements and awards. I concur.
The news locally does not follow the trends of the state, national or international stories. In fact, I would like to add to the list of examples.
It was March 23, 1949, when the owners of the White Mills Hotel, Louis and Margaret Songster, sold the hotel and five acres of ground to the White Mills Christian Assembly. The Assembly operated a camp program that summer with tennis, croquet, shuffleboard, horseshoes and swimming in the Nolin River. Camper attendance then was 197.
It was Aug. 6, 2011, when the White Mills Christian Camp completed its 62nd consecutive camp season. This session took place on more than 45 acres and the facilities have been expanded somewhat since the 1949 session. Here is the good news: there was a record-setting attendance this year of 1,511 students.
While summer camp programs across the country struggle to keep their doors open, our camp is breaking attendance records. The reach of the camp continues to grow with more students coming from Indiana, West Virginia and Tennessee. Ask someone at the Christian Camp Association’s convention if they know where White Mills is. They do, they have been there and they are trying to learn from us.
Once again our community claims a place of prominence on a stage much larger than Hardin County. It is more good news to celebrate. Ben and Kelly Fulcher should be commended for their commitment to excellence as they manage the camp.
I think this is the story of Hardin County: Everyday folks doing extraordinary things, every day.
James Jeffries
Camp Board Member
Elizabethtown