Welcome to my first blog post – ever.
As Becky introduced us, I’m a relatively young person with a serious interest in my home state of Kentucky. I grew up in the wonderful town of Rabbit Hash, KY in Boone County. It is located along the Ohio River directly across from Rising Sun, IN.
Growing up in Northern Kentucky, that little cluster of counties shoved right up there between Ohio and Indiana, I swore I’d never, ever, ever live in either of those two states. Well, as luck would have it, those are the only other states I’ve lived.
The Rabbit Hash General Store!
Growing up in a place like Rabbit Hash left me with a strange outlook on the world that I didn’t quite understand but wanted to. That desire, and a lack of direction after graduating college, led me to pursue “advanced degrees.”
The one place in the country that offered an MA in what I wanted to study, Popular Culture, was Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio so that’s where I went. That led me to an interest in Folklore and the only place in the country that awards a PhD in Folklore is Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.
While I’m still technically a student there since I haven’t finished that whole dissertation thing, I am once again residing in my hometown of Rabbit Hash.
The log cabin I grew up in, and now live in again, along the Ohio River in Rabbit Hash, KY
Since coming back to Kentucky, I’ve had the fortune of reconnecting (not that I was ever really disconnected) to my homeland. I spent some time editing my MA thesis about Rabbit Hash and turned it into a book. (If you’re so inclined, you can check it out. All proceeds go the Rabbit Hash Historical Society.) That has led to a few “public appearances” at local libraries, on local news, radio, and cable access.
I've also been volunteering some time at the Behringer Crawford Museum (in Devou Park), collecting information for an upcoming exhibit on the impact of floods in the area. Other than that, I can be found teaching at NKU part time or hanging out in the Rabbit Hash General Store.
Becky and me, bringing in 2012 in the General Store
Quite a bit of my interests were instilled in me by my father, Don Clare. He’s President of the Rabbit Hash Historical Society, a founding member of the Friends of Big Bone (the park – I’m sure there will be a future blog entry about the strange place names in NKY), longtime member of the Boone County Historic Preservation Review Board, and many other organizations. I guess we could call him a Historic Activist for the NKY area.
Recently, one of his committees, a posse put together for the sole purpose of commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Great Flood of 1937, culminated in a riverboat cruise on the BB Riverboat The Belle of Cincinnati. I was fortunate enough to be one of the 350 passengers on this cruise and felt it would be the perfect way to introduce myself on this blog.
The Belle of Cincinnati docked in Rabbit Hash
To be continued...
Welcome to the blogosphere, Callie, and good job on your first post! I'm looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteRabbit Hash sure looks like a happenin' place. Between you and Becky, you make this city slicker want to visit Kentucky.
So what's your thesis about?
Well, thank you Frederik! We'd love to have you visit Kentucky and make a special stop in Rabbit Hash.
DeleteMy thesis is about Rabbit Hash. I wrote a bit about the history of the town, the interesting characters and community, and also the strange media attention Rabbit Hash has received over the years. We've had 3 consecutive dog mayors and American news media has loved the story. It has brought quite a few visitors to town as well.
I just love the place...
That's very gracious of you, Callie. Kentucky's definitely on the list for when my wife and I will be in a position to travel again. :)
DeleteYour book sounds really fun and fascinating, as does Rabbit Hash. I saw the pics of the mayors on the website - adorable. LA could use a canine mayor, I think. As soon as I'm done with my current crop of books, I'm going to put an order in for your book. (And I'm not just saying that to be nice. I mean it.)
Well, thanks again! I, and the Rabbit Hash Historical Society, appreciate it.
DeleteGreat post. I wish I went on that cruise it sounded great.
ReplyDeleteI like how your first entry actually introduces yourself and is not depressing...unlike mine, heh.
Hi Callie,
ReplyDeleteWhen is the exhibit at Behringer Crawford? I am helping digitize materials for the Cincinnati library's
1937 flood collection. I appreciate the blog!
Thanks!
DeleteThe flood exhibit will be opening on February 17th. I'm not sure how long it will be there but definitely for a few months. Rick Bell, who wrote the first book on the subject of the 1937 flood, will be speaking at the opening. You may find him, his book, and the images he shows very interesting. (He also spoke on the BB Riverboat cruise - which I'll talk about in my next post if I can get my act together.)
Thanks again!