August 24, 2009

Optimist Club honors Caldwell County heritage

Every year since 1937, Caldwell County, Kentucky has honored the tobacco farming heritage of the community with the Black Patch Parade and Fair.  Although the tobacco aspect has lessened over the years, the legacy that the cash crop left on the community has not. That's why the Princeton Optimist's selection of Parade Grand Marshall for 2009 is significant.

The Optimist Club chose Glenn Martin, "a valuable asset to the community in the form of his history and information on Caldwell County."  Mr. Martin has been the county historian since 2005 and spent all but two of his eighty-two years in Princeton.  He resides on the land of his family's original homestead, he can recall mud roads and farming, and following a two-year stint in the army found his lifelong career in the railroad in his hometown.

His colorful life includes encounters with hobos during the Great Depression and the growth of Caldwell County, a full-time avocation that he celebrates by documenting and sharing its history. 

Optimist Clubs share rich legacies in their communities, with members who personify history, growth and change.  Recognizing their stories is just one way that Optimist Clubs make a difference with adults as well as children.  Congratulations Mr. Martin and the Optimist Club of Caldwell County. Thank you for sharing your stories.

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