Local community theatre to perform Shakespeare classic later this week

The Millstone Community Theatre is gearing up for an exciting weekend of live entertainment with their upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, full of 80’s references, and a rare sight of Michael Jackson.

Directed by David Sweet and adapted by Jon Jory, the play promises to deliver an unforgettable experience to audiences of all ages in just 60 minutes.

Sweet wanted to do this play in particular, stating that it was “one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, it was fun, and it was more famously done in the summertime.”

Despite being a relatively new theatre group, having only been around for less than a year, the Millstone Community Theatre has already produced three plays, with two more planned by the end of the year: Dinner at Eight, Dead by Nine in the fall and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever closer to the Christmas season.

The cast is diverse, ranging from young children to older adults across the Tri-County area, ensuring fun and community for anyone participating.

The show will take place on Thursday, June 22, at Grace Fellowship on the hill in Corbin at 7 p.m. and on Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at London’s Levi Jackson Amphitheater at 7 p.m. The show is free, but donations are encouraged and greatly appreciated. Locations could change due to unpredicted weather, so Sweet encourages people to monitor the website and FB page for those changes.

Sweet said that you don’t have to attend a performance to donate. Donations can be made through the DonorBox on the website or you can donate through a QR code on the show program the night of the performances.

Additionally, the play will be performed outdoors, assuming weather allows. Sweet encourages lawn chairs and blankets for extra comfort and enjoyment.

Sweet hopes that everyone who attends will leave feeling entertained.

“I hope people leave with a love for live theatre. Live theatre is like nothing else,” Sweet continued. “The connection made between actor and audience member at a live performance is a unique experience.”

Sweet believes supporting local groups and businesses is essential, and the Millstone Community Theatre is the perfect opportunity to do so.

“We would love the support,” Sweet explained. “I think it is important to keep things local and support people in the community.”

Sweet encourages the community to look for upcoming auditions on their Facebook page at Millstone Community Theatre, and also stay in touch with their website at millstonetheatre.com.

Sarah Warren

Sarah Warren, 76, of Gray, KY passed away on June 18, 2023, at Baptist Health, Corbin, KY. Funeral service was Thursday, June 22, at Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home with Rev. Darrell Warren and Rev. Jason Keith officiating. Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Patricia Collins

Patricia Collins, age 76, of Gray, KY, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023 at her home. There will be no services. Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Eddie Miller

Eddie Miller, age 74, husband of Patsy York Miller of Tyner, KY passed away Saturday, June 17, 2023. Visitation will be Wednesday, at 6 pm and funeral service will be at 11am on Thursday, June 22 in the Lakes Funeral Home Chapel in McKee, KY. Burial will follow in the Wilson Cemetery in Manchester, KY. Obituary is courtesy of Laurel Funeral Home.

Larry “Pooch” Lee Worley, Jr.

??????????

Larry “Pooch” Lee Worley, Jr., age 52, of Jellico, Tennessee passed away Sunday, June 18, 2023 in an automobile accident in McCreary Co., Kentucky.
He was born March 27, 1971 in Jellico, Tennessee.
Pooch is preceded in death by his father, Larry Lee Worley; brother, Willis Edward Worley; and four aunts and five uncles.
He is survived by his daughter, Kyra Worley; mother, Mae Belle (Kitts) Worley; brothers, Anthony, Michael and Gary Worley; mother of his daughter, Carla Hatmaker; step-daughter, Adriana Tompkins; uncle, Eddie Joe Kitts, Jr.; and a host of friends and family to mourn his passing.
The family will receive friends from 12 pm until the funeral hour at 2 pm on Wednesday, June 21, at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Lawson-Worley Cemetery in Red Hill.
Harp Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Carrie Blevins

Carrie Blevins, age 82, of Lady Lake, FL, formerly of Emlyn, KY, passed away Monday, June 12, 2023 at The Villages Regional Hospital in The Villages, FL.
She was born June 29, 1940 in Emlyn, KY, to the late Cecil and Emma Lovitt Rains.
Along with her parents she was preceded in death by three brothers, Dewey Edward Rains, Willard V. Rains, and Edgar Rains.
Carrie attended Cumberland College in Williamsburg, KY, where she was a cheerleader and was very active in many extracurricular activities.
She is survived by her husband, Roy Blevins of Lady Lake, FL; four children, Laurence “Rauncie” Reynolds of Rochester, NY, Leslie Ann Reynolds of Lake Charles, LA, John Allen Reynolds (Tayron) of Glenmora, LA, and Cathy Oeder (Steve) of Morrow, OH; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, two sisters, Bonnie Griffith of Williamsburg, KY, and Dorothy Leach of Englewood, OH; one brother, Donnie Rains of Williamsburg, KY; several nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her passing.
Funeral service was Friday, June 16, at the Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gerald Mullins officiating.
Interment was in Emlyn Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Lake Charles, LA.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Joe McVey

Joe McVey, age 63, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Saint Joseph Hospital in London, KY.
He was born December 26, 1959 in Corbin, KY, to the late James R. and Wilma Cleta Sams McVey.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Little Joe McVey; and his grandparents, Joe and Lilie Mae Sams.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth McVey of Williamsburg, KY; two daughters, Christy McVey (Bubby) of Louisville, KY, and Brandie Herp (Steven) of Louisville, KY; a son, Jamie Hamlin (Gina) of Williamsburg, KY; eight grandchildren, Bub Helton, Aiden Helton, Adalynn Helton, Landon Herp, Jaxson Herp, Megan Hamlin, Little Joe III (Tayah), and Lexie McVey; great-grandson, Marley Ray McVey; and a host of brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends to mourn his passing.
Funeral service was Tuesday, June 20, at the Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Johnny Farmer and Bro. Jason Keith officiating.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth “Ken” Harp

Kenneth “Ken” Harp, age 85, of Corbin, KY, passed away Monday, June 19, 2023 at Baptist Health Corbin.
He was born October 18, 1937 in Corbin, KY, to the late Alex and Rachel McNeil Harp.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by one daughter, Peggy Ann Gray; one grandson, Joshua Harp; and one brother, Rollie Harp.
Ken was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He enjoyed country and bluegrass music, riding his motorcycle, and playing softball.
He is survived by his wife, Ramona Harp of Corbin, KY; two sons, Jim Harp (Sharon) of Rockholds, KY, and Richard Harp (Ginger) of Corbin, KY; five grandchildren, Andrew Bowman, Matthew Bowman, Jessica Williams (DeMarcus), Rachel Harp, and Sam Harp; two great-grandsons, Zeke Williams, Gabe Williams; two sisters, Betty Hammett of Dalton, GA, and Nancy Jolley of Decherd, TN; sister-in-law, Irell Harp of Augusta, GA; several nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
Funeral service will be 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 24, at the Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Vernon Jones and Rev. Bennie Bush officiating.
Interment will be in McNeil Cemetery.
Visitation will be 11:00 AM until the funeral hour Saturday, June 24, at the funeral home.
American Legion Post 88 Corbin, KY will conduct military graveside honors.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Corbin City Commission approves ordinance to annex property located in Laurel County

The City of Corbin has annexed its first privately-owned piece of property in Laurel County.

Respected former Williamsburg Mayor Paul Estes passes

Whether it was as a member of the United States Air Force, as a small business owner, or as a mayor or city councilman in Williamsburg, Paul Estes wore many hats during his life, and he was respected at all of them.

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said he thinks the reason for this was the way Estes always conducted himself in a professional manner.

“He always shot you straight. He wasn’t one of these, who would tell you he would and never got to it. If he couldn’t do it, he would tell you he couldn’t do it. If he could, he would,” Harrison said. “I just think the way he held himself and carried himself was professionally the reason he was so respected. That was in every aspect of his life.”

Harrison noted that early on when he had just become mayor, he called Estes about a couple of things to ask him how he would have handled something like that, and “he gave me some insight, advice that I took to heart. I respected him to the hilt.”

Estes, 91, passed away on June 13, at the Williamsburg Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Estes was born in Pleasant View, and served his country in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954, spending most of this time in Alaska as a member of the Strategic Air Command during the Korean Conflict.

Afterward he attended Cumberland College and the University of Kentucky. He then spent 15 years working for United Airlines in Detroit, Buffalo and New York City from 1957 to 1972.

Estes moved his family to Williamsburg in 1972 and he and his wife, Theresa, owned and operated a Montgomery Ward catalog store and Estes Furniture Sales.

In 1977, Estes was appointed as mayor of Williamsburg and then was elected mayor twice after his initial appointment. He subsequently served six terms on the Williamsburg City Council.

Long time friend Joe Early wrote in a Facebook post that the first thing Estes did as mayor was try to find the money for a new city garage.

There had been federal money for city projects, but by the time Estes was elected mayor, the deadline for applications had closed. He worked with Senator Dee Huddleston to get the application period extended, and the city got the money for the project, Early noted.

“He, a strong mayor, put the city in a much stronger position,” Early wrote.

In 2004, Estes was again asked to serve as interim mayor. In total, he served the city of Williamsburg for over 21 years.

In 1980, Paul and Theresa purchased radio station WEZJ-AM. In 1990, they started WEZJ-FM and in 1997, they purchased WEKX-FM. They also owned and operated local television station cable Channel 3 for nine years, and hosted the popular morning Livewire Show on WEZJ-AM for over 20 years.

He also broadcast election returns with his son, David Paul, for over 30 years.

He had served on the Board of Trustees of University of the Cumberlands (Cumberland College) since 1975.

Estes served as a member and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Williamsburg for 20 Years, and as a member of the Advisory Board of Directors for Community Trust Bank for over 20 years.

He was a past president of the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Williamsburg Rotary Club, past chairman of the Williamsburg Whitley Industrial Foundation, a founding member of Williamsburg Old Fashion Trading Days, a past member of the Cumberland Valley Area Development Board and a past member of the Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency.

More than anything though, he enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“People trusted Paul. Paul was a fixer. He was like a bulldog when he was working on a problem. He was just a good Christian man,” Early wrote.

Funeral services were held Friday at First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, where Estes served as a deacon and trustee for over 40 years.

“Once again another icon of our community has been lost. Mayor Estes was a leader in Williamsburg at all levels,” Harrison added.

For additional obituary information, see page A-9 in this week’s edition of the News Journal.