Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Setting the record straight

I am in agreement with Trent Knuckles summation in his column of January 18, 2012 on an upcoming 60 Minutes program which has yet to be aired. As I write this, or when you read it, it may have already happened. I assume the subject is the underbelly of crime in Whitley County.
Not knowing the full details of the investigative report, I can only add my own observation of this kind of reporting about anything that pertains to the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky. The reporters only scratch the surface, leaving the reader or viewer with a negative view of the entire region. And like Trent said, most of the interviewees are people who are only interested in their “15 minutes of fame.” But do the reporters really care? The more salacious, the better. (And this is no defense of the subject of the documentary. I know little or nothing about it)
So is the reporting only secondary to painting the whole region with a black brush? We shall see when the program is aired. But this has always been the case.
From watching other documentaries of this nature, it has been obvious to me that they like to exploit the worst of the community– drinking, poverty, ignorance, laziness, dependence on the government. They hardly ever point out the improvements or hard-working efforts the town leaders have made toward making their town a pleasant place to live. And rarely do they ever talk to a knowledgeable articulate person.
I saw the story about the young UK student Trent referred to who was so brutally murdered. And I was surprised at their depiction of UK being a boozing wild place for students. Every campus has its party crowd, that’s typical of a college campus. But to single that out was “headline grabbing” in my opinion.
Several members of the Estep clan have matriculated to UK over a number of years. And never did I hear of it being a college of drinking and party-goers. All I know is, members of my own family got a good education and are now reaping the rewards of the education they got at this fine school. Why don’t the people who make these documentaries interview the enormous successes that have been produced by UK?
I don’t know what impact this program will have whenever it is aired. All I ask is that you evaluate it with an open mind.

You can’t stop eating these!

Crispy Garlic-Sage Potatoes

Put a baking sheet on the bottom oven rack and preheat to 375 degrees F.
Peel 4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes and cut into wedges.
Toss with 1/2 cup olive oil, 6 chopped sage leaves, 2 sprigs sage, 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Spread on the hot baking sheet and roast 30 minutes.
Stir, then add 8 smashed garlic cloves; continue roasting until golden, about 30 minutes.
Increase the temperature to 400 degrees F and cook until crisp, 15 more minutes.
Season with salt.