When we asked Ms. Samples to write this introduction, her first
reaction was to make choking sounds. ''Aaack,'' she said. (That was a
choking sound.)
We suspect her reluctance boils down to this: Kentucky is full of
contradictions. How, then, to define a column about life in this state?
Consider: We Kentuckians adore basketball coaches whose ethics are
among their best qualities. We admire plain-spoken honesty. Then we put
folks in state office who've been known to trade their votes for a couple
hundred bucks and some shrimp dinners. Mercifully, the sheer kitsch of
our state capitol scandals is usually good for a few laughs -- they
always seem to involve women with names like Barbie Wunderlich.
Lest you think Ms. Samples is some Yankee cynic, stuck in Kentucky
because she couldn't navigate the orange barrels on our highways, let us
put your mind at ease.
Her relatives are from Eastern Kentucky, and in 1993, she returned
there to practice her craft. Now she finds herself in the state's
northern reaches, migrating much as they did some 40 years ago.
Sure, Ms. Samples' column exploits the gap between our private values
and public debacles. But it also celebrates Kentucky's heroes -- the
colorful, kind, courageous people who make this state a great place to
live.
 1998 columns: | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
1997 columns
December 1998
Ice age comes to life Dec. 27, 1998
Parish nears a year in vigil Dec. 20, 1998
Coach's humiliation on TV Dec. 17, 1998
Volunteers needed year-round Dec. 13, 1998
Classroom is sociology lab Dec. 10, 1998
Cowboy bar unashamed of patriotism Dec. 6, 1998
Kentucky cuisine: Try it, you'll like it Dec. 3, 1998
November 1998
Friendship's bonus with free meals Nov. 30, 1998
Gruesome cities poison our souls Nov. 29, 1998
Better way to fund schools Nov. 26, 1998
Chorale celebrates proud culture Nov. 19, 1998
A Good Guy needs a break Nov. 15, 1998
I hear you: More Libertarian, less hippie Nov. 1, 1998
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October 1998
A real haunted house? Oct. 29, 1998
Libertarian runs for sheriff Oct. 25, 1998
Mural unifies artists, people Oct. 18, 1998
Southgate losing a piece of its soul Oct. 15, 1998
Homeless hosts for overnighter Oct. 11, 1998
Dad, sons referee together Oct. 8, 1998
Official posts defy description Oct. 4, 1998
Three generations of women adopted
Oct. 1, 1998
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September 1998
Hippie for life, man
Sept. 20, 1998
Navy vet looking for PT sailors
Sept. 17, 1998
Even on stretcher, he's in class
Sept. 6, 1998
Group keeps Halocaust's lessons alive
Sept. 3, 1998
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August 1998
A mother to kids who need help, hug
Aug. 30, 1998
School carryalls full of surprise
Aug. 27, 1998
4 Mexicans, 3 Ky. tobacco farmers, 1 family
Aug. 23, 1998
Newport motel has gone to the dogs - and cats
Aug. 20, 1998
Eatery's specialty not on menu Aug. 16, 1998
Woman, 80, gets her first own phone Aug. 9, 1998
Shuttle bus business smokin' Aug. 6, 1998
Artist living in quiet fame Aug. 2, 1998
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July 1998
Monmouth has grit, charm July 26, 1998
Art displays a Catholic background July 19, 1998
Band adds religion to famous lyrics July 12, 1998
Road work waits for Brian July 5, 1998
Contraceptives at clinics draw strong opinions July 4, 1998
War re-enactor strives for realism July 2, 1998
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June 1998
Clowns visit nursing home June 28, 1998
N.Ky. teens walk straight edge June 21, 1998
Nun knows vacations can brighten days June 18, 1998
Think art and not stuffing June 14, 1998
Ex-military man offers sturdy hand to those in need June 11, 1998
Ex-New Yorker fights fires to repay Northern Kentucky June 7, 1998
Birth control, promiscuity and abortion on trial June 4, 1998
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May
Garden cultivated for blind, disabled May 31, 1998
Being perfect runs in one local family May 28, 1998
Homespun TV entertains May 24, 1998
History in his head, his life May 21, 1998
Formerly employed moms gather for support May 17, 1998
Who's famous? Go ahead, ask May 3, 1998
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April
Schools now teach behavior April 26, 1998
Dramatics help kids lose inhibitions April 23, 1998
Praise the Lord, forget the ammo April 19, 1998
I-75 just one big neighborhood
April 16, 1998
Art debate educatesApril 12, 1998
Smokers in Kentucky have an attitudeApril 9, 1998
Murder is not a gameApril 5, 1998
Thankless jobs always appreciated April 2, 1998
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March
Teacher's prime lesson: education never ends March 26, 1998
Clan is champion at pulling its weight March 19, 1998
Folks add nice touch to phones March 15, 1998
Rasslin' has its allure on any level March 12, 1998
Coffee served with soul March 8, 1998
Classmates put on a show for Michael March 5, 1998
Many hands aid teen's rehab March 1, 1998
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February
Flap of unfamiliar wings sets birders' hearts aflutter Feb. 26, 1998
'Progress' may gobble restaurant Feb. 22, 1998
Country folks always ready to help Feb. 19, 1998
There's hope for teen smokers Feb. 15, 1998
Do Crescent Springs combatants truly want to get along? Feb. 12, 1998
Good Guys make gift of trust Feb. 1, 1998
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January
These kids need proof love is real Jan. 29, 1998
Shared interests overrride barriers Jan. 25, 1998
Sex addicts seek peace in country Jan. 22, 1998
Collectibles? Nah, it's junk Jan. 15, 1998
People still working out those weighty New Year's resolutions Jan. 11, 1998
Police keep risking lives for our sake Jan. 6, 1998
Mom's tears recall son's joy Jan. 4, 1998
Pet-food tax is decent investment Jan. 2, 1998
New year to be full of ... what? Jan. 1, 1998
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