Pondering Kentucky: The Magazine, Issue 36, 1993

Interview Summary

In this issue of "Pondering Kentucky: The Magazine," Glen Bastin visits Berea College to meet with the Berea College Country Dancers. The group demonstrates their set running performance. Bastin also meets with the director of the program, Dr. John Ramsey, who discusses the history of set running, the history of dance at Berea College, and the beginnings of square dancing.

This issue also features recordings from the annual To-Do Conference, a place where journalists, politicians, and judges tell stories, sing songs, and play instruments. Speakers featured in this issue include: Justice Thomas Spain; Kentucky House Speaker, Bobby Richardson; Herbert Sparks, a lawyer from Edmonton (Ky.); and Governor Louie Nunn.

Bastin then meets with the Mayor of Frankfort (Ky.), Frank Sayers to discuss the history of Bibb lettuce. They discuss John Bibb, the discoverer of the lettuce, the history of its commercialization, and why the lettuce is so popular today.

Bastin then interviews Dreck Davis, former clerk to the Court of Appeals, former Secretary of State, and former State Treasurer. This interview highlights Davis' career and extensive political button collection.

This segment also features a recording from an audio book version of Ken Hart's book, "Bert Combs: The Early Years." In this recording, Governor Bert Combs discusses his childhood, education, and his career.

This issue ends with a farewell song performed by the Berea College Country Dancers.

Interview Keyword

Kentucky Berea College Berea College Country Dancers Set running Square dancing To-Do Conference Justice Thomas Spain Storytelling Kentucky Bar Association Judge James Gillenwater Bobby Richardson Governor Louie Nunn Mayor Frank Sayers Political buttons Bibb lettuce Lettuce Governor Bert Combs

Interview LC Subject

Berea College Berea (Ky.) Dancing Politicians. Politics. Frankfort (Ky.) Governors Kentucky Appalachia Culture

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.