Monterey Matters: I hear the calling again

It has recently been brought to my attention that I have been missed lately by many readers. This makes one’s heart feel very good. Unfortunately, I apologize for not submitting any news lately and for taking such a long break from this. With a new job and a new grandbaby, I felt as though I just didn’t have the time. However, I have promised many people that I am really going to try and get back into this once more.  Often times I have just thought that the good people of Owen County were just getting tired of hearing about Dana Burke and her news.
However, I have found this to not be the case at all. I am very flattered by the people who have approached me about this.
Over the last few months, I have received many calls of concern and have also ran into several people from Owen County who have inquired as to why I have stopped writing. I have told them this very thing and many have said this isn’t the case at all, and in fact they enjoy hearing what I have to say.
My mother was my biggest fan I suppose, and since her passing a couple of years ago, I felt no one cared enough to stay on me about submitting my thoughts and stories. Although lately there have been several things I would have been happy to have shared with you all only I just couldn’t find the time to do so. So with that being said I am going to try real hard at keeping up with the goings on around Monterey and our county to pass along to you.
After starting a new job in February (still working for state government of course), I ran across a guy (Donnie) who really enjoys talking about Monterey and Owen County. He also encouraged me to continue doing this for my community. He feels like Monterey is a happening little town that still needs to be recognized. Someone must be listening to us talk at work because upon reading the Frankfort paper this week, I see that not one  but two of our locals were recently spotted in the State Journal.
Gray Zeitz made the front page on his “Larkspur Press.” It was a very nice article about Gray and how he got started back in the 70s with his printing press. The story talked about how he only sets type by hand and uses antique presses that are hard to find these days. I have known Gray most of my life from growing up here in Monterey. I was very pleased to see him featured in the State Journal.
Also in the spotlight was Joel Dufour, Joel was featured as a European small-scale farming equipment distributor who is passionate about supplying farmers and gardeners with quality tools.
I don’t know Joel personally, I have knowledge of him and his small-town business - Earth Tools. I have to say this is what really inspired me to get back into this as well. I wanted to let these guys know how proud we are to have such wonderful talent in our great community.
That’s about all I have time for this time and I will do my very best to not let my friends and family down in the future and will strive really hard to keep everyone up to date on the happenings around Owen County.
Thanks to all of you that have contacted me and those of you who continue to encourage me along the way. God bless each and every one of you until next time be safe and please continue to keep all our sick in your thoughts and prayers.

Dana Burke

Buy this photo