The Medical Leader

PIKEVILLE — In response to President Barack Obama’s Emergency Declaration due to the flu outbreak across the nation, Pikeville Medical Center’s Family Practice Clinic has announced the opening of a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week center dedicated to providing quality care in a Christian atmosphere to patients experiencing flu or flu-like symptoms.

The Pikeville Medical Regional Flu Center will open at 8 a.m., November 2, in the former Free Screening Center, located on North Mayo Trail beside Advance Auto Parts. The facility will be fully staffed with physicians, registered nurses and other health care professionals, and will offer complete testing, x-ray and lab services.

“We have implemented a proactive approach to combating the flu virus in our communities,” Pikeville Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer Walter E. May said. “This is a very serious issue, and we stand ready to meet the challenges that may arise from this virus.”

Effective November 2, the hospital will only permit visitors through the May Tower, Leonard Lawson Cancer Center, Emergency Room and Heart Institute entrances. The Heart Institute entrance will only be open during regular business hours (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Also, effective November 2, visitors under the age of 12 will not be permitted in the hospital. All other visitors, who have the flu or are experiencing flu-like symptoms, will also not be permitted in the hospital.

“With the flu virus spreading at record levels this early in the season, we feel the precautionary measures we have in place will help contain the spread of the virus to not only our patients but also visitors and employees,” May added. “During this time, we ask visitors to be vigilant, utilize the automated hand sanitizer dispensers located throughout the hospital and thoroughly wash their hands with soap and warm water before and after visiting a patient.”

Pikeville Medical Center has also placed respiratory hygiene stations at the May Tower, Heart Institute and Emergency Room entrances. These stations have masks, automated hand sanitizer dispensers and educational materials.

May said patients should utilize the hospital’s Regional Flu Center, especially if they wish to be tested for the virus.

“If you are concerned that you may have the flu and wish to be tested, please go to the Regional Flu Center,” May continued.

“This will help eliminate the spread of the virus to the general population of the hospital. Patients coming to our Regional Flu Center will be seen by a physician and an appropriate diagnosis will be made. If a patient needs to be admitted to the hospital, they will be referred to the hospital.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 31 cases of the H1N1 virus throughout Pike, Floyd and Letcher counties. The flu outbreak prompted school officials in Pike and Floyd counties to cancel classes on Oct. 27 for the remainder of the week.

“We applaud school officials for their efforts in keeping the virus contained at their facilities,” May said. “Our hospital continues to monitor the flu outbreak closely with city, local, state and federal officials.”

For more information on the Pikeville Medical Regional Flu Center, please call (606) 437-1887.

This past week, the members of the Pikeville Delegation to China were very proud to serve as witness as City Manager Donovan Blackburn and Ankang City Mayor Fong Wi Fung signed the Sister City agreement documentation to signify that both delegations from both cities wished to move forward with this global relationship.  “We are now family,” Mayor Fong said after signing.

“We are pleased to welcome you from the other side of the ocean,” Mayor Fong added. “After several days of visits and seeing the sites of our culture and country, I hope that the Ankang people have made a deep impression on you all.”

Pikeville City Manager Donovan Blackburn responded by stating, “It has been our pleasure to be invited to your city.  It is a blessing and honor to learn from your people in your culture.  We look forward to making our relationship stronger, helping us both to grow.”

“We hope to develop more mutual understandings,” Fong said. “Ankang is a very beautiful place in the south of Shaanxi Province.  We have the Chivi Mountain Range and the Bashal Mountains, with a river that runs through it.  Our land is 80% mountain and 20% land, but our province is growing faster than any province in China.”

Both delegations agreed that developmental land is a problem for both areas.

The delegations discussed natural resources.  While our resources are mostly coal, natural gas, and some lumber, the Ankang government stated that their area is rich in Selenium (a cancer preventative substance or herb), agriculture including rice, wheat, Selenium water, and sweet potato; and Ankang has a silk industry that has been in existence and working to perfection for the past 2,000 years.  Over 3,000 tons are produced in silk products every year in Ankang.

Because of our talks regarding coal, the Ankang government is interested in exploring providing electricity by clean coal technology.  The hydro electric power is not enough to produce the amount of power needed for the growing rate of Ankang.  This is an area in which they have asked advice from their Sister City of Pikeville.

Like Pikeville, Ankang is also working to develop a local airport.  The delegation had to drive 3 hours to the nearest airport, just like we would to get to Lexington.  “We are going to build an airport in the coming years,” Fong added.  “We hope to develop better community exchanges.”

Speaking on behalf of our city was Donovan Blackburn and former Governor Paul Patton.  The two explained about our area’s natural resources, healthcare, education, and other ways our Sister City relationship can develop “There are many ways we can benefit from our relationship,” said Patton.  “You should be very proud of your community and your country.”

Blackburn answered some other questions about the city manager form of government and questions about legal issues.  The mayor was very curious about lawyers, law suits, etc.

Overall, the meeting was very successful.  Mayor Fong closed: “Through our short, warm talks, we have laid a solid relationship for our bright future.”  Then, the agreement was signed.

Gifts were exchanged among both delegations.  A banquet was held at the end with a great amount of entertainment, food, fun, and laughter.  I always pictured the Chinese as serious people, but they like to have a lot of fun.

This will be my last blog from China because I am on my way home now.  I cannot wait to get to Kentucky.  Though China has been a wonderful experience, I am ready to get home to my soft bed and American food.  The first place I’m going?  El Azul or Hobert’s Pizzeria in Prestonsburg.  I can’t wait!

I would like to end my blog on what was the most important issue to me to learn about while in China and that is religion. I have questioned many of our Chinese Delegates from Ankang City because I was curious about religion in China.  They are reluctant to talk about it.  As I understand it, if you are a member of the Communist Party, you cannot claim a religion.  You are not allowed to worship any God or have any ties to any religion.  I assume that the reason for this is so that any energy that would be given to spirituality is given to the Communist Party, or maybe you are to worship the Communist Party, President, etc.  I am not sure.

Before I left for China, I listened to their national anthem and was going to learn it to sing it in honor of our delegation, but I was uncomfortable with it because it was almost like a praise or worship song but instead of praising God, it was praising a country.  I did not learn it because I did not feel right singing it.

So… maybe your “religion” is the communist party.  Please note… I did not do any formal research on this, just observation.  If you are a member of the Communist Party and you are a Christian, you must worship in secret or the punishment could be severe (loss of job, etc).  You can choose not to be a member of the Communist Party and you can claim a religion… Christian, Muslim, Buddhism, Daoism, etc.  However, if you are not a member of the Communist Party, you cannot ever hold a position or job of any great responsibility.  There is no voting, of course, and all leaders are chosen by leaders higher up than them and they all work their way up the ladder.

That is the saddest thing to me… just thinking about more than a billion people who live there who are not allowed to worship freely or go to church to worship their Lord.   I took a Bible with me and decided to give it away while I was there.  I did give it to someone I met who became my friend.  It is only one Bible and in my heart, I wish I could give millions more.  I hope someday that all Chinese will have freedom of worship.

Well, I have enjoyed blogging.  It has been a true task, coming back to the hotel from an exhausting day to write a couple of hours, but I hope that for those that have read, it has been enjoyable.  My dad told me over the phone that Christ Central students were even using the blog to assist them in their studies of China.  I have learned so much and have truly been given a blessed gift from God by visiting there… it was a chance of a lifetime.

What is the worst thing about China (in my opinion)?  Having no religious freedom, THE FOOD, and squatty potties!

What is the best thing about China?  The amazing history, the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Soldiers and Horses, but most of all… the people… especially the children.  I love them and will pray for them.

A smile speaks more than a thousand words and a smile is universal across any culture.   I smiled more in China than I have in a long while… I would smile at people and they would always smile back.  My time in China will always be remembered as a “smile” in my life.  I will never forget and will always thank God for this amazing experience.

P.S.: At the time of the printing of this blog, the delegation has now made it safely home.  Through a very difficult 15-hour flight over a typhoon near Japan, the flight often felt like a roller coaster, but we made it safely to Chicago for an unexpected 7-hour layover.  It was a good naptime for all of us.  Kim Carter found that she had the talent of sleeping sitting straight up, head straight and all.

When I got home, I was so happy to be welcomed home by my family.  There is nothing like family and it should be cherished.  My cousin, Sara Sanders Castle, from Atlanta (originally from Pikeville) and her husband were there to greet me as well as my beloved Aunt and Uncle.  We are pictured from left Steve and Sara Sanders Castle, Brad, me, my Aunt Beverly Sanders, Uncle Johnny Sanders, and my baby cousin, Hadley Castle, Sara’s daughter.

I cannot even begin to describe this day.  It truly was one of the most wonderful days of my life.  I know that ever delegate was affected emotionally and spiritually, but I can only describe the events of today from my perspective.  Today was the day we visited the educational facilities of China’s Ankang City and saw what a rural Chinese school is like.  We visited three schools today: Ankang University, Ankang High School, and Ankang’s Sunshine School for the deaf, blind and mentally impaired.

Ankang children go to school 7 days a week, for at least 8 hours daily.  All college education is paid for, so most every student goes to college.  For every minute that a Chinese student is late for school, they must stand in the hallway for an hour per minute.  If the student is continually late, their parents are called to the school and must stand with them.  Students are expected to be there every day, but if a student is ill, they can be excused.  Some exceptions are made for students who are disabled or mentally impaired, and that is where I will begin my story… at The Sunshine School for the Blind, Deaf and Mentally Impaired.

The Sunshine School was an experience of my life that was difficult to surpass and filled with happy tears.  When we drove up to the Sunshine School in our bus, I was not sure what to expect.  Each school is gated with security guards, so the gate was opened for us and when we rounded the corner, we saw hundreds of children who had disabilities waving palm leaves up and down and shouting “Welcome! Welcome!” in Chinese.  Those who could see (who were not blind) were waving as if we were famous people.  They were SO excited to see us.  They had never seen an American or people who were so diverse - with different colored hair and different colored eyes.  When we walked through the line of children chanting and waving the leaves, it was as if we were Hannah Montana walking into an American elementary school.  We would touch their hand and they would squeal with excitement.  Some would just hug us.  Many of us, of course including myself, began to cry seeing these children.  The emotion was overwhelming and they were so welcoming and so amazed to see us.

We then toured the Sunshine School and saw all the various classrooms and how the deaf, blind, and mute children were taught.  Some of the children were just slower learners or may have dyslexia or some other learning disorder.  Deaf children were learning music by feeling the loud rhythms of drums; the vibrations of the bass.  Blind children were learning dancing by feeling the music.  We visited the testing and learning labs in the Sunshine School where the children were tested for hearing impairment.  A deaf child was learning how to speak using a computer program with a microphone that reminded me of the computerized music editing programs that I see in recording studios or at the radio station.  Using an equalizer that the child can see on the screen, they are able to “see” the sounds they are making and the inflections of their voice.  The children are also taught sign language.  Children who had a learning disability were in a different area where they were learning life skills and how to maintain a job such as massage therapy or hair dressing.

We then visited an area where the students had displayed their art… including origami, paper cutting, and painting. In China, these are also skills for which a person can earn a living.  Many of these art works were better than works I have seen from children who did not have disabilities.  After the art display, we were treated to a performance by the school’s music students, which was impeccable for students who have disabilities.  And then… the most remarkable part of the visit occurred… the “Welcome Performance” by the school’s children.

How can I even put into words what we saw? Child after child: blind, deaf, learning disabled, mentally impaired… performing musical pieces, dances, stories and songs, short plays set to music, Latin dances, etc.  I was absolutely amazed.  Working with children in the performing arts, I cannot even imagine the number of hours it took to get that performance together.  I have not been able to achieve such quality with our children at home who do not have disabilities, but I am sure that this performance took hundreds of hours to perfect.  The performance was framed by a backdrop that said “Warly Welcome Pikeville Delegation Welcome Performance.”  It was so sweet.

A group of 6-8 year old blind little girls performed an interpretative dance to a beautiful song that said “Though we cannot see, we can only imagine what you look like.  Though we cannot hear, we can still feel the music.”  I was sobbing… I mean a flood of tears flowing!  How they all learned the moves to the music, I will never know, but it was immeasurably beautiful!

Following the performance, we walked back to the bus, with all of the children lined up to tell us “goodbye,” they were all touching our hands, hugging us, and many of them were crying because we were people unlike any they had ever seen.  To them we were very special.  When we left, we were all in tears at the beauty of that experience.  Other than the day I became a Christian and my wedding day, it was the most beautiful, emotionally moving moment I have ever experienced.  I will cherish those hours forever.

As the bus pulled out, the children surrounded the bus, waving and waving continually as we waved back through the windows.  They waved so hard - as if their little arms were going to wave away. The children were crying so hard.  We were crying so hard.  When the bus pulled away, there was complete silence in our bus.  No one spoke.  We were all in awe of what we had just seen, heard, and experienced.

Having worked in elementary, high schools, and on the collegiate level of education, I do feel that our American schools can learn a lot from Ankang in regards to the educational training of children with disabilities.  Their facilities to help students with disabilities were impeccable and remarkable. I have a blind student who is a 13 year old singer and she is AMAZING.  However, once monthly, her parents drive her to Louisville to the school for the blind.  But, what if her parents could not afford to take her?  She would not be receiving the life skills she needs. This is one area that I hope we can benefit and learn from our Sister City.

We also visited Ankang High School.  This school is an Advanced Placement School that children must be tested to get into… so they are all very intelligent.  We began the tour on the school’s beautiful track and astro-turf soccer field.  The Chinese love soccer and are disappointed that they do not do well in the Olympic Games.  Our tour guide said, “In a country of 1.8 billion people, we can’t find 11 who can play soccer well enough to compete in the Olympics, but we always win in Table Tennis.”  Table Tennis, or Ping Pong, as we like to call it, is one of their greatest sports… so much so that the high school has a Ping Pong training area and teacher.  Jimmy Carter took on a game with the Ping Pong teacher.  He did not win, but he held his own in the game!  We also visited a room where they teach the Chinese children how to play checkers… no wonder they are so good.  At least 30 stations of checker boards were in the room and on the chalk boards were written many mathematic formulas for game strategies.  None of us even had a chance against the Chess teacher… no wonder the Chinese are so good at chess!

We visited a dance studio in the school equipped with mirrors and laminate flooring.  Governor and Mrs. Patton did a BEAUTIFUL four-step ballroom dance to American music they played especially for one of us to dance.  We were very well represented in this area as the Patton’s are EXCELLENT ballroom dancers.  It was absolutely wonderful to watch them.  In a piano lab of approximately 30 pianos, their most advanced pianist was playing a tune when we walked in.  The Vice Mayor invited me to play a song and so I played “Blessed Assurance.”   I just wanted to bring a bit of Jesus into China.

Then… we went to some classrooms where the students were studying various subjects.  All of the students wore the same uniform: white jacket with white pants.  They were all perfectly clean.  Most of the students spoke fairly good English.  Governor Patton addressed the English class and asked how many were planning on going to college, and they all responded that they were all going to college, without question.

We visited a computer lab where a 15-year-old student very shyly asked to speak to me.  She said, “I have never spoken with a foreign person before.”  She paused.  “My English is not good.”

“My Chinese is much worse,” I responded.

“This is best friend,” she said. “We think you are very beautiful.”  I thanked them very much and then she said, “You have yellow hair.  I want yellow hair, but mine is black.”

“You have very beautiful hair,” I said.  “You are very beautiful.”

She told me her Chinese name but said her English name was Lucy.  She explained that each Chinese parent chooses an English name for their child as well that they stick with all of their lives.  That way, if they ever run into foreigners or correspond with them, they have a name that can be pronounced and understood in other languages.  Brad, my husband, had some Kentucky Lapel Pins that he gave to the three girls and they received it as if it were gold.  I asked to take a picture with them and we exchanged email addresses so we could keep in touch and I could send the photo.

Before I left, Lucy said, “What is your Chinese name?”

“I don’t have one,” I said.  “You give me a Chinese name.”

She replied, “Piaoliang Geng Duo.” She said it means “More Beautiful.  Because you are more beautiful than any person I have seen.”  I began to cry again, for Lucy was more beautiful than many people I have met.  Her sweet spirit radiated from her and I will pray for her that the Lord will allow her to be touched by someone who can show her the spirit of our Lord at some point in her life.

After this, we visited their physics lab and then we had our photos made with the faculty and some students.  Maybe they were honors students, I am not sure.  Debbie Blackburn was handing out lapel pins to the students and they swarmed around her, again, as if she were passing out a precious jewel.  The students were in awe at us and we were in awe of them.

I have included a photo here of the students as we pulled out from the high school.  As you can see from the photo the students lined the outdoor walkways waving and watching us and waving and waving.  We waved and waved back until the bus pulled out.

The delegation also visited Ankang University.  The Delegation visited the University’s library and had tea.  They also visited the science and genetics lab where the students were working on perfecting the area’s silk production.  Silk is one of Ankang City’s most coveted natural products.  Governor Patton, who is now the President of Pikeville College, met with the President of Ankang University.  “The meeting was very productive,” Patton said.  “We discussed that we would be interested in hosting Chinese students at Pikeville College to give them an educational opportunity to learn the English language and culture. We agreed to continue the discussion to make it a reality in the future”

While the other members of the delegation took the college tour, I had the privilege of lecturing to all of the students in the Music Department.  I did not know prior to my arrival in Ankang City that I would be teaching, however, after being invited, I decided to deliver a lecture on the history of music in America because I was told that these students do not ever receive any information or education on this topic.

I was picked up in a car by the Dean of Music and my Interpreter who took me to their best music hall, which might remind us of a room in a building that had been built in 1950 with no updates or repairs. When I walked into the Music Hall, I did not expect the reception I received.  I was told that they were excited to have me, and when I walked in the lecture hall, I had not even done anything and the students rose to their feet and yelled and clapped in an ovation like none I had ever received.

Having only brought two songs with me by chance, I opened the lecture by singing “Because You Loved Me” by none other than universally known Celine Dion!  My favorite singer ever!  While I was singing, many students were filming me with their cellular phones.  After the song, they rose again.  Then I began my lecture.  I started with American music in the 1700’s and went through current times.  I had a power point production of slides, and I was very pleased that the University had Microsoft Access.  During the lecture, none of the students knew any of our early American artists.  Later on in our history, not many of the students knew Elvis or Britney Spears, which surprised me.  Most of them knew Madonna.  But, when the slide of Michael Jackson popped up… a roar of “Ahhhhh” rushed over the crowd of over 120 students.  I closed the lecture with another song “The Sweetest Thing” by Juice Newton to another standing ovation.  After the lecture was over, I was bombarded by students wanting autographs and pictures.  I took about 80 photos with Ankang students.  I kept saying “I’m not famous.  I’m not famous.”  But, maybe in their minds, because I looked so different, they thought I was.  My husband Brad, Menette May, and Kim Carter went to help me and they handed out Kentucky lapel pins to all the students in the room.  Brad said “They were rushing at me screaming ‘Me! Me!’ and I handed out all the pins that I had”

I think they were just not used to seeing foreigners.

Each Chinese child is very important to their parents because they are only allowed to have one child.  The government provides free birth control to every woman and man.  If a woman has had one child and accidentally becomes pregnant, she is forced to have an abortion, also paid for by the government.  Therefore, every person born after 1978 (the year of my birth) is an only child and has no brothers or sisters, meaning that eventually Chinese people will have no aunts, uncles, or cousins.  This makes children VERY important to their parents because if they were to lose that child, they could never have another one.

We found the children of China to be very precious as well.  I wanted to bring one home with me.  I know this has been my longest blog yet, but even the words cannot be descriptive enough to explain the joys of this day. As the Master Card commercials would say, this day was “priceless.” I hope that you will find the photos enjoyable.

Laura Ford Hall

Well, this blogging gig has its ups and downs.

Of course, this median of communication allows us to deliver news real time. On the flip side, news can change on a dime.

It’s official: Elisha Justice is going to the University of Louisville.

Shelby Valley head coach Jason Booher just informed me that Justice has agreed to go to Louisville as a preferred walk-on.

Elisha’s decision was based on a number of things, Booher said, the most important being Louisville head coach Rick Pitino’s development of walk-on players. Some of those players include: Will Scott, Cameron Mills, Anthony Epps, Chris Smith (brother of NBA player J.R. Smith), and Alhaji Mohammad (who is currently playing professional overseas).

Congratulations Elisha!

University of Louisville head men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino and assistant coaches Ralph Willard and Steve Masiello attended Shelby Valley’s practice on Wednesday to watch Elisha Justice work out.

Justice, who visited Louisville last week, made an impression with the Cardinals’ coaching staff, and Pitino left impressed yet again.

Is an offer coming?

“All I can say is coach Pitino left here thoroughly impressed with Elisha,” SVHS head coach Jason Booher said.

Justice plans on visiting Eastern Kentucky University on Saturday and he and his family will be in Louisville on Sunday for the team’s annual Red/White game.

Stay tuned for more details on Justice’s decision.

The Pikeville Delegation to China arrived in our sister city of Ankang, China. Though we have only been here one week, to me, it feels like we have been here a month because we have been so busy. Every minute of the day has been planned. I am not sure about the other delegates’ level of tiredness, but we have been working so hard to learn about the culture and develop a relationship with the people that the amount of work has caused us to need a good rest.

Today, the delegation visited several areas of Ankang City. Like Pikeville, Ankang is a mountainous region. Though their mountains are much higher, they are located in a valley like Pikeville, and they also have very little land to develop. They cherish the land they do have, so they first took us to see their industrial park. With a good piece of flat land to develop, their plans, unlike what we would have in mind for an industrial park, are more for retail rather than for factories, etc. Also a part of their industrial park was a medicinal factory where they make herbal medicines from the plants grown in their area. The labs in the medicinal factory were not what I had pictured in my mind as a medicinal lab. Though, I am sure herbal medicine is made differently than medicine made in America at a large pharmaceutical company.

In many ways, it seems that China is ahead of us technology, but in many ways, they are much more behind than we are. They have so many people and many factories. I have never visited an area with such smog. It is difficult to breathe the air sometimes.

Next, we visited the Ankang Regional Hospital. It was made clear early on that one of the main areas that Ankang feels it can benefit from its Sister City relationship with Pikeville is in health care for its people. Because China is a communist country, health care is free to everyone, though some fees do have to be paid up front. When you walk in, there is a cashier area that must be visited first. The lobby of the hospital resembled the lobby of an old hotel, open to the floors above with railing; you could see patient rooms from the lobby. Their hospital has 800 beds and 1,200 on staff and they serve an area of 2 million people. As I understand, I believe Pikeville Medical Center has over 250 beds and over 1,600 staff to serve our surrounding area of around 75,000 people.

Walter E. and Pam May were very interested in the workings of the hospital and as they walked through, they took in everything and made many compliments on the hospital, especially on their colonoscopy center, MRI area, and their sterile areas. The staff at the hospital seemed hard at work.

The first building of the hospital (there were 3 buildings in total with a courtyard in between) reminded me of photos I had seen of the old hospital on Pikeville College hill that is now the library. In some of the rooms, there were 5 or 6 patient beds and the rooms had no bathrooms. I only saw one patient hooked up to an IV and they were in the Intensive Care unit, which appeared to have 3 beds per room. However, the look of the building may not denote the quality of care. But, I was surprised because I believe in America we take for granted our beautiful, updated buildings with shiny floors, many elevators, and the conveniences we need.

As I viewed this Chinese hospital, I was thankful for our beautiful hospital Pikeville Medical Center. Having passed 22 kidney stones, I have been a frequent visitor. My husband also had surgery for his thyroid cancer at PMC, done by Dr. Gregory Hazelett. The care could not have been better. My mother was also cared for at PMC for the terminal cancer she had and all of her needs were met. I was so thankful for her nurses and doctors. Dr. Lela Maynard and Dr. Bagrath were both wonderful to her. The night of her passing, the staff in the ER, including Dr. John Fleming and nurse Bobby Norman did everything they could to help her. I was so thankful that she was with people she knew and she felt secure.

I am so thankful for Pikeville Medical Center and for Mr. May and all of those who have worked and continue to work daily to improve our quality of care for our town. You have no idea how blessed we are.

Sometimes, when I have family in the hospital or I am in the hospital with a kidney stone, I will complain about not having a private room, but NEVER again! I could not imagine 5 or 6 to a room. I did feel bad for the patients who were in such rooms.

The Mayor of Ankang City wants more for their hospital and wants to especially correspond with Pikeville regarding health care and ways to improve their health facilities. He was very interested in this area in particular and realized their need to better their facilities for their people. He said he had been in the hospital himself and was unable to get a private room or a room with a restroom and knows that this area needs to be addressed.

The people of Ankang City are in a rural area of China and many have never seen a foreign visitor with “yellow hair.” Kim Carter, Judi Patton, and I were constantly getting compliments on our “yellow hair” which is envied by Ankang children. People would stare and could not remove their eyes from us… young and old alike. We would smile and say “ni how” (pronounced nee-how) and they would often smile or laugh back. When we left the hospital, many patients got out of their beds and were waving at us from the windows… doctors and nurses were as well.

After the visit to the hospital, some of the delegation visited Ankang’s Ying’ma Lake, which was very beautiful with a small knoll with a Chinese tower in the center of the lake. Following the lake, a banquet was held.

As for my Chinese Diet… I still believe I have lost 11 or 12 lbs. with a new addition to their diet regime… walking everywhere when they are not riding a bicycle. The China Delegation would wish to take us somewhere saying “it is just a short walk” that might end up being a mile or two, but to them, that is a short walk. We have really gotten the exercise!

I am greatly enjoying my time in China but look forward to coming home… especially to the food and to my work with my students at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. I am missing my Singers and my dad. It will be good to be back home in the town I love: Pikeville.

Laura Ford Hall

CHICAGO, Ill. — Prestonsburg’s Economic Development Director Brent Graden participated in the 32^nd annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 11.

Graden was one of 34,792 participants who started the race and one of 33,419 people who crossed the finish line.

Graden spent one year training and ran more than 1,000 miles to prepare for the marathon—one of five major marathons in the world.

Here’s a first-person recap of his adventure:

Morning of the race

After a year of training and more than 1,000 miles under my belt, the day has finally come. I am two hours away from running my first marathon.

And it’s not just any marathon; it’s the Chicago Marathon—one of five major marathons in the world. The others are held in London, England, New York, Boston and Berlin, Germany.

There could be up to 45,000 registered runners in this race and over 1.5 million spectators along the 26.2 mile course.

It’s pretty cold this morning. The news anchor said that the temperature at the start of the race would be only 24 degrees. My body will naturally warm up after I start running, but I have to keep warm until then.

I made sure to lay out my clothes last night. I decided to wear shorts for the race and warm-up pants over them. I put on my favorite short sleeve shirt and a long-sleeve insulated zip pull-over shirt. I also put on an old cotton long-sleeve, gloves and an ear warmer.

I made sure to bring enough nutrition with me to eat during the course of the race. I will probably burn about 6,000 calories and lose about six pounds over four hours, so I have to replenish it.

When it comes to a big race, you have to go with what you know and you can’t change anything.

I like the gel packs with caffeine. I eat one of those every four miles.

The last thing I do is to place my race bib on the outside of my shorts and I head toward the train downtown. When I get to the station, there are hundreds of people there ready to get on.

My blood is pumping.

I hop on the train.

Ground Zero

If you’re familiar with downtown Chicago, the race begins and ends at Buckingham Fountain. The setup is amazing. The race is very well organized.

I registered last night, so before the race, I just have to warm up, stretch and store my post-race gear.

After checking in my change of clothes, I start talking with other people who are running the marathon. People who run know that you meet many wonderful people of all backgrounds from all different parts of the world.

I’ve met a couple from Iowa—law school students who run together for fun and exercise. I met another man from Louisville. He ran many marathons before and said Chicago is his favorite.

Another lady from Chicago said that she is running because she wants to prove to herself that if she can run a marathon, she can do anything in life. She was recently going through a divorce and was having problems with her kids. She wants to prove to herself that she has the endurance to move on.

These and many more images will stay with me as I run the course today.

Then, an announcement comes. The race will start in 20 minutes.

The start of the race will be set up as follows: the wheelchair division, followed by the Elite 100, then the Start Corral A, B, C and D, and then the “open” Corral.

Since I don’t have any previous start times, I’m in the “open” Corral. We’re packed in like cattle. That’s okay, though, because we’re keeping each other warm.

The Star Spangled Banner comes on over the speaker towers. The excitement increases with each word. When the last note is played, the crowd erupts with joy.

Everyone knows that they’ve trained hard to get this moment…they’re going to savor it.

And then, the unexpected happens.

Everyone starts stripping off their warm clothes and throwing them to the side. It seems to be a tradition here. The only way I can describe the scene is that it looks like a food fight in a cafeteria. You have to duck or get hit by a sweater. (I believe they estimated that 25,000 pieces of clothing were collected for the local shelters.)

And then, the gun goes off.

And we aren’t moving.

There are so many people moving across the starting line that it actually takes eight minutes before me and the people around me can start moving.

It’s a slow shuffle at first, then a bounce, then a good pace as we move across the start line.

I start my GPS Garmin watch and off we go on a great adventure!

Mile 1 to Mile 6.2

The thing about the race that strikes me initially is how enjoyable the crowd is.

Everyone is cheering you on. There were a lot of high-fives and homemade signs—some that are very clever. My favorite sign read, “Your feet hurt so much because you’re kicking butt!”

Some runners are dressed up, too. I’ve seen Elvis, Jesus, the Travelocity Gnome, and Captain America, among others.

The beginning of the race is unusual because I’m running slower than I thought I’d run. There are so many people that I can’t run at full speed. I can usually run this part at 8:10 a mile, but I’m running at 9:30 a mile. I know I’ll have to make up the time later.

Mile 6.2 to Mile 13.1

I’m pretty comfortable now. My breathing is right and I feel good. I’m starting to make up some time, too.

By the time I reach the 10-mile mark, I’m under 9:00 minutes a mile. They have water and Gatorade set up every 1.5 miles of the course so I don’t have to worry about hydration. Just a sip at each station will get me through the day.

It’s funny, though, because I see people stopping at trees. I guess they can’t wait for the porta-johns.

I am running through many unique neighborhoods. I see Chinatown, Hispanic neighborhoods, the soul food part of town, super-nice neighborhoods and other places. This is why I love Chicago. It has so many diverse backgrounds brought together under one name. I appreciate the snapshot of life and the culture here.

I am now making my way towards the half-way point of the race. I clock in at one hour and 54 minutes—a new record for me. My goal is to finish in less than four hours.

We’ll see if I can hold the line. As they say, the race starts at mile 20.

Mile 13.1 to Mile 19.3

I’m still feeling good, but I’m starting to see people dropping out and slowing down. It’s not helping my frame of mind.

I look down at the pair of shoes in front of me.

My times have always been good, up until mile 17. Most marathon training will take you up to a 20-mile run. So, the unknown is coming up soon. It unnerves me.

I do, however, know that you NEVER stop running, or you will stop. So, I keep on going.

My mile times are now starting to drag into the 9:30 range, which is bringing my average down. I hope I can finish sub-9:00 for the race. That would be a great accomplishment.

Suddenly, I see a lady grab a drink of water, stop, and turn into the runners. She gets violently pushed to the ground.

I know I will have to keep my eyes open to avoid this.

Mile 19.3 to Mile 26.2

I have now passed the 20-mile mark and have run farther than I have ever run before.

I feel exhilarated, but I also feel fear.

My body is telling me to stop…“You’re done.” My head is trying to coax me on. I am starting the feel the effects of running for three straight hours now. My legs are limp and my neck and shoulders are stiff. I need some relief soon.

I see someone passing out Jolly Ranchers. Wow! They never tasted so good.

I also grab some Dunkin Doughnut holes and fruit snacks. I hope it’s enough to push my energy back. I eat my last gel pack at mile 24 and look at my watch.

I’m averaging 9:05 now. I need to come in at under 9:09 to finish in under four hours. I do the math in my head. I need to run the last 5K at a 9:00 minute mile pace.

My legs are really slushy now. I am, however, rejuvenated that I’m almost there and I have a chance to come in at under my goal.

I have worked hard at this for more than a year. I dropped more than 25 pounds and my body fat went from 26 percent to just 10 percent.

Can I do it?

My legs don’t seem to be cooperating. I think I need more nutrition. I try a banana, but I spit it out. I’m afraid I’ll throw it up on the spot. Remember, this is not the time to try new things.

…Only one mile to go. I am within 30 seconds of doing well. It’s going to be a photo finish for me.

I push myself as hard as I can.

The crowd is huge now. They’re screaming at us.

I can’t stop.

Finish line

The finish line is AMAZING. It’s everything I thought it would be. I feel such exhilaration as I cross the line.

I just ran a [explicative deleted] marathon!

I look down at my watch: 4:00:46.

Arrrrrrrggggghhhhh!

Certainly, it is an accomplishment. My time is better than 75 percent of the crowd. Those 46 seconds, however, will hang over me for a while.

When we cross the finish line, we all look like extras in a zombie movie, slowly moving forward to get our food.

First, we move to the water and Gatorade zone, where we hydrate. Next, they give us solar blankets to make us warm again. Then we move to the GPS timing chip retrieval area. The units are fastened to my shoe. A volunteer removes it for me.

Finally, I move to the tables where they hand me my Finishers Medal.

It’s heavy…and it’s mine. I wear it with honor the rest of the day.

Next, we get nutrition in the form of cookies, bars, pretzels and bagels. I stretch out so I won’t have any post-race injuries.

It’s a great day. I see all the smiling faces and some tears of joy.

Less than one-half of one percent of the people in the U.S. have finished a marathon. I am now in elite company.

I change into my dry clothes and reunite with my family, who still live in Chicago. I tell them about the day and that I can’t wait to eat a 20 ounce steak.

I’ve done what I set out to do. I’m proud of myself this day.

Next year, I’ll travel to run the New York City Marathon. I can’t wait to do it all over again.

Brent Graden

The Delegation of Pikeville to China had a very eventful day including historical visits and foreign affairs.  The day began with an hour long trip into the countryside in Shaanxi Province, outside of Xi’an to see the Museum of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.  I was more excited about seeing this “eighth wonder of the world” than any other site in China because my mother, Janice Beeler Ford, who (I will mention again) was an art professor at Pikeville College for 41 years, taught me about the Terra Cotta Warriors since I was a little girl.  My mother studied art all over the world, and more than the Mona Lisa, she first loved Egyptian Art, followed closely by art from the Roman Era, Michelangelo, and then she would talk about Chinese and Asian art.  She talked more of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses than she did of any other work of the Chinese, and it is truly an extravagant work of art.  In its sheer magnitude, the over 8,000 visible statues are overwhelming to the eye.  Again, I began to cry as I walked in to see this wonder.

The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses were built in late 3rd Century B.C. for the Tomb of Emperor QinShihuang, the first Emperor in Chinese History.  Emperor Qin (for short :-), much like the Pharaohs in Egypt, wanted to take all of his belongings with him into their afterlife.  But, Qin wanted to take this practice a step further… he was going to have all of his soldiers, wives, and concubines buried with him, even if he would’ve been burying them alive.  This very terrible, morbid idea was rejected by the Emperor’s people and one artist, a sculptor, came up with the idea of, rather than burying people alive, constructing sculptured statues to protect the Emperor in his after-life.  Over 700,000 artists and other workers worked for over 15 years to build thousands and thousands of statues of warriors, generals, officers, and horses to put in the Emperor’s tomb.  Although there are so many statues, no two are the same… facial features or hairstyles are each different.  The uniform denotes the officer’s rank and the soldiers were flanked as if they were ready for battle.

Although the tomb had been there for thousands of years, it was not found until 1974 by a farmer who was on his land digging a well.  He dug several feet and no water, dug again… still no water, then he began to dig deeper and deeper and then dug into the tomb.  The farmer’s name was Yang Xin Man.  Previous to his find, he was an unknown farmer who could not read or write, but after his discovery, he got a new profession.  For the past 20 years, since the museum has been open, he sits in a special room every day where he charges for autographs and photos.  He learned to write only his name and it is the only thing he can read or write.  With nearly 2 million tourists annually, charging $30 U.S. per autograph and photo… well, he is now rolling in the dough.  Jimmy and Kim Carter had their photo made with Farmer Yang.  I believe Farmer Yang is to the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum what Miss Billie Jean Osborne is to the Mountain Arts Center (the founder and heart at the center of it all).

After leaving the museum, the delegation boarded a bus to travel to our Sister City of Ankang, stopping at a restaurant that only had a “squatty potty…” we elected to pass on the restroom use and pulled over again at a hotel to use the restroom that had three “western toilets” as the Chinese refer to them.  So far, I have not had to use a “squatty potty” which is VERY good!

Our ride to Ankang City was by bus on a new highway that was just opened this past May 28, 2009.  It is 179 miles long… beautiful highway with mountainous scenes that make our mountains look like hills.  Rather than cutting through the entirety of all of the mountains to get to Ankang, the government chose to build tunnels.  We went through 181 tunnels to get to Ankang City… two of the tunnels were over 11 miles long.  Some of them were very short.  The tunnels have solar powered lights with solar panels on top of the mountains that produce light inside the tunnels.  Some of the tunnels have beautiful neon lights and trees that do not need light to grow for decoration.  It is very apparent that the Chinese love neon lights.  They are everywhere, on nearly every building.  It is very pretty at night, and I have petitioned Donovan Blackburn and City Commissioner Jimmy Carter to get lots of neon lights in Pikeville.

Once we arrived to Ankang City, the welcoming party was glorious.  Our bus first stopped at the City Gate where City Manager Donovan Blackburn and his wife Debbie Blackburn were escorted off the bus and were greeted by two beautiful children holding flowers as well as the Vice Mayor of Ankang and two city officials.  We were then lead into the city by a police escort and went to our hotel.  We had to prepare, in a short time, for a banquet where the Mayor of Ankang City and Pikeville City Manager Donovan Blackburn met and the Mayor delivered a welcome address.

“The city of Ankang welcomes the American Delegation from Pikeville, Kentucky,” Mayor Fang said.  “Our cities are alike in many ways.  They are both located in a valley.  They both have a major river running through them.  They both are making progress.  Our towns are similar and we have much to share and much to learn as Sister Cities.”

The banquet was very special and was the first step to becoming Sister Cities with the city of Ankang in China.  Many toasts were made to the City of Pikeville.

For my final thought today, I would like to say that I feel so proud to be from Pikeville and Pike County and proud to have our city be only one of four Sister Cities with China’s Shaanxi Province.  We have a wonderful city and county that we should all take pride in.  Over the next two days, we will visit the hospitals, schools, and factories.  I am most excited to see the schools.  Former Governor Paul Patton, now President of Pikeville College, will get to meet with the President of Ankang College.  Walter E. and Pam May are very excited to be able to visit the hospitals.  And I have received the privilege of being invited to lecture on American music and perform for all of the music students enrolled in Ankang University.

Laura Ford Hall

Shelby Valley High School standout Elisha Justice visited the University of Louisville this past weekend and will make an official visit to Eastern Kentucky University this weekend. SVHS head coach Jason Booher said Monday morning that Louisville head men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino will watch Justice practice on Wednesday at the school.

(Day 4 was a travel day, mostly spent in the air)

Today, the Pikeville Sister City Delegation to China had a busy day in Xi’an (pronounced “she-ahn”) in the Shaanxi Province of China.  China’s provinces are similar to the states in the United States.

On Wednesday, the delegation arrived to Shaanxi Province, the state where our Sister City of Ankang is  located.  The City of Ankang and the Shaanxi Province have gone to great lengths to honor the delegates from America.  We have found that in the Chinese culture it is extremely important that their guests be very pleased.  Two government officials from Ankang have traveled with the Delegation, introducing them to the culture of China and allowing them the once-in-a-lifetime experience of visiting some of the greatest landmarks of Asia, including the Great Wall.  This introduction to the Chinese culture and history will only help to further the formation of a strong Sister City relationship.  When the Delegation from Ankang arrives in the U.S., they will not only visit Pikeville but also places such as Washington D.C. and New York City in order to be introduced to American culture before coming to Pikeville.

The introduction to the culture and the knowledge of the history of China has been very beneficial as the days have progressed throughout our visit.  Our new-found knowledge and experience came in to play today as the Delegation met with the Foreign Affairs Department and the Secretary General of the Shaanxi Province.  The meeting took place at 10:30 a.m. at the Xi’an Foreign Affairs Building.  Complete with interpreter and presentations of gifts, the meeting was very fruitful and meaningful to developing our Sister City relationship.

Secretary General Wang Yousheng spoke on behalf of the Province as Pikeville City Manager Donovan Blackburn and Governor Paul Patton spoke on behalf of our city and state.  Mr. Wang (in China, the last name goes first) said he was honored and excited to have our delegation visit and many topics were discussed between the Chinese and American parties.  It was so interesting being an observer.  I felt as if I were very important to be privy to an international meeting and that our city was progressing in ways beyond what I thought imaginable being a lifelong citizen of the city.  To have Pikeville be recognized on a more global level made me very proud to be from Pikeville.

This Province is a sister city to the state of Minnesota.  As cities are paired with foreign cities, states are paired with provinces.  A delegation from the Shaanxi Province will be coming to America soon and we have invited them to make a stop in Pikeville during their visit.  The Shaanxi Province of China is the fastest growing province and that has been made evident by the massive amount of construction going on in this “small town” of 8 million people.  A new subway system, many roads being widened or expanded, and buildings under construction at every turn shows that this is a city in an extreme growth period.  The exchange of knowledge between Pikeville and both provinces and cities of China could lead to much opportunity for Pikeville in this new global market.

As for some final thoughts, I am still suffering on the China Diet.  I suspect now that I have lost about 6 pounds.  Though rice is very filling, it must be a good diet food.  The plates that are given to you in Chinese restaurants are very small… like the size of one of our dessert plates or bread and butter plates at home.  So, the portions are very small as well.  Though, at our hotel in Xi’an, they did have room service with American food.  This included spaghetti and garlic bread.  It cost me $147 yuan… about $25 U.S. dollars, but I didn’t care… I ordered it and I was in Heaven. :  )

Also… the bed in our hotel in Xi’an is very, very hard… almost like sleeping on the floor.  I am told this is customary for the Chinese people to sleep on a very hard bed.  Well… it was not for me.  I kept thinking, “Laura, there has to be a solution to this problem!”  So, I called housekeeping and ordered 12 pillows… that’s right, they thought I was crazy!  I laid them all on the bed in a row and made a “pillow top” mattress… not the best, but better than sleeping on a “wooden bed.”

I was also thrilled to get to sing a mini-concert with a Bulgarian pianist.  The Ankang Government officials found out that I directed music at a college, and I have since been booked for four performances in China… I guess it is something neat to add to my resume. It was fun.  For singing, I was given a bottle of wine by the hotel for which I was performing!  Though a nice gesture, I have never had a drink of alcohol, so now I am trying to figure out how much I might sell this bottle to get some yuan or American dollars for it… I hope someone buys it. LOL.

For my final thought of the day… the biggest cultural difference for me is that the Chinese do not use diapers for their children and that they are allowed to potty on the streets, with their parents holding them as they potty.  I have seen this over and over and it is just the strangest thing to me.  I can’t imagine that happening at home, but we are in a different culture.  Though I do not have children yet, it makes me very thankful for diapers.

Tomorrow we will visit the museum of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses and then will travel on to Ankang for more Government and Foreign Affairs Meetings.  I am not sure I will have Internet access there, but will do my best to blog if possible.

Laura Ford Hall