Columns

The hustle and bustle of the winter holidays is well underway and the cool crispness of the autumn air is turning towards winter frost. Even as the weather changes and the holiday season comes upon us, we are still busy in Frankfort with interim joint committee meetings as well as planning for the 2017 Session of the General Assembly.

For nearly a century, our nation has paused on Nov. 11th to pay tribute to our veterans.  From the era of George Washington to now, this select group of men and women has unfailingly protected us here at home while sacrificing so much to promote and preserve freedom abroad.

As I sit here in my office preparing to write November’s column, it is Oct. 31—Halloween. Not only is it the last day of October, but, more importantly, it is the first day of November. I was pondering this weekend, all the things that I will be doing with my family over the next month.

Over the last 50 years, usually around the time fall colors are in full bloom, state and federal officials dedicate a week to highlight all of the products our forests provide.

Kentucky, of course, has been blessed more than most states.  Trees cover nearly half of our 25 million acres, and we are among the nation’s leaders – and first in the South – when it comes to hardwood production.