by Georgia Mink
Many momentous experiences occurred at Bell County High School.
Coming from a small one room school to a larger building was a challenge. I readily adjusted to a far different course of study.
The teachers were well prepared and dedicated to their profession. During those three and one/half years, I thought I had received adequate preparations for college when I graduated.
My extra activities were limited. However, I was attracted to the drama classes and had a part in most of the plays.
The courses offered by this institution were limited. The curriculum didn't offer any courses in an area of specialization which was no different from other schools at that time. In no way is this intended to demean the school. The teachers were definitely role models, consequently, values were taught and caught that's impossible to measure.
Because of the time and limited curriculum, I was not adequately prepared for college. Most importantly, I should have taken a course in how to study. I also realized that students from larger high schools were better prepared in every area of subject matter. As a result, my first year of college was hard to manage.
Walking to grade school and high school, I learned to appreciate my environment. On either side of this narrow wagon road were picturesque pine trees, interspersed with vegetation. Complimenting this undisturbed land were various species of wild life and birds. During this time, I developed a keen appreciation and respect for my surroundings. Words are inadequate to describe the beauty of the land and creek. It's waters were bluish?green, unpolluted and filled with an abundance of fish and other species adapted to living in water. The ecological system had not been disturbed during my early childhood. Much of my leisure time was spent playing in that creek.
The water was crystal clear. My friends and I often played on these rocks, searched for minnows, and collected rare stones. A simple recreational activity but one that has made an imprint on my memory.
I enjoyed my family and the work on that farm had taught me many invaluable lessons. Early in my life, I decided there were many more challenges and another vision I wanted to pursue for my future. This dream was far different from those years I had experienced on Hances Creek.
Planning for college was laborious. My parents had heard many stereotypical ideas about college life. They were inundated with negativism about college campuses by their extended family. I was persistent and my wishes prevailed.
Those goals I had set for myself in grade school were never far removed from my thinking. At seventeen, my journey had begun. I went by train to Eastern Kentucky State Teacher's College in Richmond, Kentucky.
My parents and brothers made it possible financially for me to enter college in 1941/42. Some of the experiences that year were over whelming! In many ways, my chronological age had not adequately prepared me for a life far different from the one I had left. My parents were wiser than I thought. The values that had been instilled in me enabled me to make wise decisions. As one can imagine, it was an exciting year. I had launched my teaching profession, I thought.
Those early years taught me what to expect of myself and others. Finding my place in that family, observing their belief and values shaped the way I lived and gave meaning to the rest of my life. Looking back, I had many obstacles to overcome. Perhaps that gave me more determination that I would not have had otherwise.
I grew up convinced that I was not only a place but of a people; event the most distant of family connections were and are significant to me. I remain strongly connected to them.
Today, all I know of relationships is grounded in eastern Kentucky and in my sense of belonging there. In that small community, practically everyone was related. I was fortunate to be surrounded by grandparents. This was a luxury since each of them had a small country store always treating us on special occasions.
Picture of Family during World War II
Davis Homeplace during 40s
Malmaws father James Calvin Hoskins -1954
Grandpa Jeams-J.C. Hoskins' children -around 1954
Malmaw and father around 1945
Malmaw dressed up 1945
Lum Greene Cemetery
Hoskins Cemetery
Balkan Cemetery
Hances Creek Map
Balkan (Coal Mining Town), Kentucky
Balkan School
Balkan Coal Tipple
Balkan Miner Homes
David, Kathy & Charlene at Balkan-1952