The Independent | Posted: Friday, July 20, 2012 12:47 am There’s a famous line from the film “American Beauty” that is often repeated at my house with a heavy dose of sarcasm. “This country’s going straight to hell,” one of us will say with a gravely barking voice quoting Colonel... Read More →

Rail to Trail project considered in east Ky.     Read More →

The Independent | Posted: Friday, June 15, 2012 12:28 am HOLBOX ISLAND, Mexico  — Hard to get places often hold the most rewards for travelers. My latest trek to Isla Holbox in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula proved, yet again, the extra effort to get there is more than worth it. The... Read More →

Six generations of Robinsons have called Smith Branch home. For more than 120 years, Robinsons have raised their families on “the branch,” working full-time jobs but always farming, too. The fifth generation to call the Robinson Farm home is Carl Robinson Jr. and his wife,... Read More →

There is so much history at Forest Home Farm along the Ohio River in South Portsmouth that the land is always producing clues about the diversity of the humans who have lived, worked and crossed it in the last 12,000 years. The Cropper family, who now call it home, have... Read More →

CARRIE STAMBAUGH | The Independent| Friday, April 20, 2012 1:18 am I’m a member of the first generation of women who have been told from birth and always believed it to be absolutely true, “You can do, or be, anything you want to.” An Astronaut? Absolutely. A stay-at-home mom? Of... Read More →

GREENBO LAKE STATE RESORT PARK, Ky. – The sunshine and warm temperatures were just too much to resist last week. Having heard Greenbo Lake had recently been stocked with Rainbow trout, my husband and I decided Sunday was a perfect day to get out the canoe for a rare mid-winter... Read More →

What is more romantic for Valentine’s Day than a last minute trip? I propose the Florida Keys, for several reasons. No. 1, now that winter has finally arrived, who doesn’t want to escape to a nice, sunny, tropical paradise? No. 2, if you go right now, you’ll miss all the spring... Read More →

Seven generations of the descendants of Revolutionary War soldier Thaddeus Bennett have farmed in the valley along Tygarts Creek, first building and later guarding the covered wooden bridge that straddles the swift moving water. After purchasing 3,000 acres surrounding the former... Read More →

The Bonzo Dairy Farm of Greenup, Ky. Posted: Sunday, May 29, 2011 1:01 am CARRIE STAMBAUGH The Independent /Posted: Sunday, May 29, 2011 1:01 am Everyone had a job to do and every job was hard. But no one complained and no one quit until the job was done. That is what the... Read More →