Which one was the nut?

July 13 was an absolutely beautiful day. It was the first day in the long stretch of sticky, hot summer days in Grant County when the humidity was actually bearable.

Jamie Baker-Nantz

I actually found myself doing something that I don’t get to do near enough. I left the cool comfort of my corner office and was driving Grant County’s picturesque backroads.

My mission: Find people and talk to them. Find photos and take them and that’s what I did.

I, along with the rest of the editorial staff (Bryan, Linda, Matt and Paige) had a scavenger hunt. It was something I had wanted to do for a long time, but always found a dozen reasons why I didn’t have time. I needed to - write this story or conduct this interview or layout this special section or meet with the staff to direct them on one of our many on-going projects.

I took a map of Grant County and divided it into five sections. We randomly drew a section and off we went. We were “scavaging” for information and human contact from real people.

Our directive was to get out of the car, visit places where people gather and ask them what was on their minds.

I drew Mt. Zion and I was excited. I think that area of Grant County has a natural beauty and charm. Nearly all the people I’ve ever encountered from Mt. Zion have been hard-working, kind-hearted, sweet people. They’re friendly too.

As I drove down Dry Ridge-Mt. Zion Road, people smiled and waved as I passed them. Yes, they just threw up their hands and waved. It made me smile.

I drove down a couple of roads I’d never been on before like Mulligan Road and observed people living their lives.

I passed a little baby blue convertible old-style sports car with an older gentlemen driving. He was having a ball and he looked cool in that car. I tried to follow him but lost him after I finally got turned around and he eluded me. If anyone knows his identity, I’d love to do a story on him and that car, they made a perfect pair, so call me.

I drove on in my quest and knew that one place was a must stop—the home of Bernice Delph. I guess I’ve known her for many years and always found her to be a lovely woman. One of the things I most admire about her, aside from her skills with a needle and thread, in the kitchen and as a hard-working Christian woman, is that she speaks her mind.

We’ve agreed on many issues over the years and disagreed on others, but she always respects other people’s right to their opinion, even if she doesn’t share it. We had a nice chat. I so appreciate her hospitality, even when she was caught off guard.

I drove on  and stopped in the Country Store and had another wonderful visit. I found kids riding horses and farmers raking hay so I also got some good photos.

I even tried to get creative when I saw this cute little squirrel sitting on a split-rail fence munching on a nut. Even though I knew better, I stopped on a narrow road and attempted to photograph the little guy. The passing motorists slowed down, but did give me a funny look. I’m sure they were wondering what kind of nut was out taking a picture of a fence because by this time the squirrel was nowhere to be found.

It gave me a chuckle as I drove on in search of more photos and stories.
The News staff plans to do more of this kind of “adventure” as often as we can, but we still want and need to hear from the public on story ideas and photo opportunities. Call us (859-824-3343) or e-mail us:gcneditorial@grantky.com or go to our website at www.grantky.com and submit a news tip.

Better yet, if you’re out and about and snap an interesting photo, send it to us, along with information about who is pictured and what the event is and we’ll print it in the paper and online and give you a photo credit.

(Jamie Baker-Nantz is editor of the Grant County News. She can be reached at 859-824-3343 or by e-mail at jbakernantz@grantky.com.)