Henderson KY | Nibby Priest -Life On Purpose

My Hometown Henderson KY Newspaper-The Gleaner ROCKS!

Posted on September 2, 2009 Written by Nibby Priest

If you haven’t picked up a copy of the Henderson KY Gleaner newspaper lately you should.

Take today (September 2, 2009) for example the paper is full of many wonderful stories about our community and world around us such as:

Electronics Recycling starting next week – Way to go Henderson County Government and Pauline Allen!

Chuck Stinnett’s recent trip to Quebec and how he experienced multiple cultures and teaching me what a Loonie and Toonie are! I did not realize how much Canada and Quebec has become a melting pot for so many people from other countries and religions.

Dear Myra McKee Polley’s bout with cancer and how she stays “Lookin’ Good”. Judy Jenkins always writes the most touching stories. I tell Judy Jenkins that her writing makes tears come to my eyes by her ability to capture a story.

Home building in Henderson KY is picking up. Henderson KY is is a great place to live, work and raise a family!

How our ugly now defunct power plant in downtown is being turned into art and a tool to teach architecture students.

A interesting Night Club Owner/Producer in Evansville Dies. Wow, he was just ahead of his time.

How a Hospital in Des Moines Iowa is using Twitter to keep patients informed about surgery. Wonder if Methodist Hospital (Henderson KY’s local hospital) administrators saw this news article? It is a great idea and the article said “one way to further relationships” and keep patients in Henderson KY for medical care. (this is not online Gleaner but is a national story, you can find the article on page A6 of 9/2/09 print edition of gleaner or this AP Online News Article)

Way to go Gleaner editors and writers you truly are the best. Keep up the great work. I know things are tough, but your work is above average in my small opinion.

What is your favorite Gleaner Newspaper story today?

Downtown Artist Likes Lofty Venues and Sea Creatures

Posted on August 29, 2009 Written by Nibby Priest

Over the past few weeks two unique pieces of art have appeared on the backsides of two downtown Henderson KY buildings.

The first art was noticed about two weeks ago on the backside parapet of the Hometown Variety Store on 2nd Street in Henderson KY. The unknown artist created a rather large interpretation of a Shark using a blue and yellow color scheme.

The second was noticed on the third floor rear fire escape door of the Citi-Center Office Building. The spray paint art appears to be that of an Octopus and having the same color scheme as the shark.

I spoke to Julie Turnipseed, Executive Director of the Downtown Henderson Project, (8/29/09 at 11:00 am) and she was unaware of their existence.

This artist has talent.

What are these public works of art all about?

Have you seen this artist work in other locations?

(I am in no way approving of this display of art, it looks like graffiti. I just find the theme and quality of interesting in our downtown. It is my desire that the artist can find something constructive to do with this enormous talent.)

Bicycles & Bicyclist’s – I have a heart for both!

Posted on August 2, 2009 Written by Nibby Priest

Bicycles have always been a part of my life. Pretty much all my life that I can remember I have owned at least one bicycle and have always had one close by wherever I have lived.

Before my driving age I was the kid that always wanted to be somewhere (place) different all the time. I found out early- if I wanted to go somewhere- I better just get on my bicycle and go.

I found myself riding the bicycle to my grandparents house or to the church or to the downtown area of Henderson KY (we lived in Highlander Acres in Henderson KY during my growing up years). I rode Kimsey Lane many times when it was a gravel road.

During the past 10 years I have been bicycling for fun and fitness.

I have participated in many organized bicycle rides and helped organize bicycle riding groups. Me along with several others started the annual Pickin and Pedlin Bicycle ride in Henderson Kentucky that is a part of the Bluegrass festival.

One fear that I have every time I get on the bicycle is that of a untimely death with a bicycle vehicle collision. You always have to be careful.

I have been very fortunate to have some of the very best riding partners. For many years Dave Nelson rode with me and now I ride with Mr Z (Pat Zimmerman). They have been the very best riding partners anyone could ever have-each watching out for one another.

Over the past few years I have had one dear friend loose his life in a bicycle/vehicle death and two others that have had connections to Henderson Kentucky.

Sam Wolf was a dear friend and he lost his life on Sunday October 1, 2006. He was bicycling on the Great American Pumpkin Metric bicycle ride. I knew Sam quite well since he was a early morning exercising person at my gym Tri-State Athletic Club. He is pedaling away in heaven now- he really was a big spinner too!

Rachel Speight lost her life in a bicycle-vehicle collision in Henderson County Kentucky in June 2006. She was from Houston Texas but was attending Yale University and was on a bicycling trip with a Habitat group that was going through Henderson County Kentucky. I never knew Ramie (as her friends called her), but do have a passion for bicycles and bicycling like she did. God bless her soul. I felt for her family experiencing this untimely death in a city where they didn’t know anyone. May her soul rest in peace.

Darryl Benefiel was a bicyclist and a former member of the Evansville Bicycle Club -even serving as the club president during in 1999. He moved from the Henderson/Evansville Metro area to California in the past few years. According to the Corona Dell, a California online newspaper article he was killed when a car turning struck him on his bicycle on July 23, 2009. He has ties to Henderson Kentucky.

Today, Sunday, August 2, 2009 Evansville Bicycle Club members have organized a memorial ride for Darryl Benefield. I participated in this ride. We had 11 bicyclist show up and give support to a family greiving for the lose of their dear family member. What a honor it was to me to participate in such a ride event. We bicycled from Atkinson Park in Henderson KY to the funeral home. I never knew of Darryl but feel connected to him since he has family from Henderson Kentucky and he shared a love for bicycling just like I do.

If you are looking for a bicycle check out the ~~Henderson Kentucky bicycle shop Brecks Bicycle Shop.~~

Hug your fellow bicyclist today. If you are on a bicycle be careful. If you are driving a vehicle– always be on the watch for a bicycles!

Share the Road!

Today is #45 and Very Blessed

Posted on July 10, 2009 Written by Nibby Priest

Yes, today is my 45th Birthday. Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes.

I have been blessed with some of the most diverse group of friends from just about everywhere.

My friends on twitter has continued to grown. Below are a few the people I want to especially say thank you to on my birthday.

Martha Garrett (aka SwitchingGranny) of Evansville Indiana. Martha is my prayer warrior she prays for me and so many others daily. Her desire to learn more about tech, social media and her relationship with God astounds me as she suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. She was married at the age of 15 to her dear husband Tommy-whom I have much respect for as well. Martha and I have never met in person but will soon. Greg asked me who I wanted to invite for dinner on my birthday I instantly said Martha. Unfortunately she and Tommy already had plans.

Michael Hyatt -this man is a writing powerhouse. He is CEO and Publisher of Thomas Nelson publishers. Michael lives in Franklin Tennessee with his wife another dear Twitter person Gail Hyatt. Michael is a influencer in my life. His tweets and blog post inspire me in a greater way to develop myself and my skills to reach my life long goals. I call him my personal mentor. I have met Michael in person in Franklin and he is as real as his twitters and blog writings. His personal blog is a hodgepodge of writings that talk about everything from technology, fitness, book reviews to spirituality. I haven’t noticed him to talk much about cooking though.

Becky Durham was my first local (Henderson KY) twitter buddy. She is the youth director for Presbyterian Church of Henderson wife, mother and bicyclist. When you are around Becky you feel the warmth of the love of Jesus. We both have lived in this community for years but never knew each other till twitter.

Maurilio Amorim -how do I begin to describe him. Lets just say God loving father of two creative marketing genius. All of his tweets inspire me or make me laugh. He will crack you up with some of the things he says. God bless his dear wife Gwen for putting up with him and his stench. Maurilio also has a blog.

Michelle Tucker is a independent insurance agent like myself from Kansas. She too is funny and just a all around uplifting encouraging person. Nothing like a Kansas farm girl to brighten your day.

Ralph Smithers who is an executive with Motorist Mutual Insurance another encouraging uplifting father of three which includes a set of twin boys.

Steve Anderson a insurance agents technology guru who basically gave me the OK that is good for a Independent Insurance agent to twitter.

Pete Wilson the pastor of Crosspoint Church in Nashville TN. Has some of the shortest but profound twitter statements of anybody. Pete and I share the same birthday exactly 10 years apart. Pete’s sermons and vision of the word of God amazes me with is clarity and focus.

Thank you all of the friends listed above and to the many other twitter and facebook friends that continue to enrich my life and help me grow physically, mentally and spiritually through your positive comments about life.

My involvement over the past 24 months with Web 2.0 and social media has been a big enrichment to my life. I don’t know where all this is going, but I do believe there is a plan for it somewhere in my life.

Of course I can’t make a post without mentioning my all time favorite celebrity Dolly Parton. She recorded “Jesus and Gravity” a few years ago. Take a moment to listen to the words of this song then go and lift someone up today like many of you have done for me.

How did you lift someone up today?

What is the most uplifting thing you have had done for you this week?