'My old Kentucky home'

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March 3, 2012

'My old Kentucky home'

By Jason A. Tiller Washington Times-Herald The Washington Times-Herald Sat Mar 03, 2012, 07:18 AM EST

WASHINGTON — Greetings from the land where Ski is the drink of choice and marching band reign supreme.

It’s an honor to be on staff here at the Washington Times Herald after spending a year working for the Adair Progress in Columbia, Ky. Columbia is not much different than Washington. Take away about 5,000 people, the liquor stores and all but one high school, then add some hills to the landscape and maybe throw in a UK flag on everyone’s porch, and I would basically be home.

I grew up in Columbia, graduated from Adair County High School in 2006 and then again from Campbellsville University (the alma mater of North Daviess’ own Blake Lawyer) in 2010. Later that year, I married the love of my life, Amanda Mosier, whose parents hail from Lawrenceville, Ill. I started working for the Adair Progress on my birthday in 2011 as their sports editor/staff writer/whatever else they needed me to be since there were only about seven people total working for the company.

For those unfamiliar with Kentucky and all of its splendor, Columbia is nestled ever so gently next to Green River Lake in the southern part of the commonwealth. If you’ve ever heard the song “Dumas Walker” by the Kentucky Headhunters, that song was written about an establishment in neighboring Green County. In fact, when they reference Ski in the song, it’s a plug for a lemon/orange flavored soda that was at one point exclusively bottled in Green County. Because of the drink’s humble beginnings in south central Kentucky it was officially named Ski, which is an acronym for Southern Kentucky Inspiration.

Ski is so popular in the area that it’s known as the official drink of many school clubs and organizations. One such organization is the storied Adair County High School Marching Band, which won its 20th Kentucky Music Educators Association State Championship in 2011. The band has never failed to make finals in all of KMEA’s 26-year history and has only been beaten six times, mostly by bands under the direction of former Adair County band students.

So what do Ski and marching band have to do with me? Well, I was a member of the Adair County band that brought home its 16th state title, and I do love me some Ski. But I digress.

In my spare time I enjoy hunting, fishing, playing music on either the guitar or drums, watching the Big Bang Theory on CBS (or the reruns on TBS), playing golf (though I’m absolutely horrible at it), spending time with my wife and taking naps. I excel at the latter. I am also a licensed local pastor in Kentucky Annual United Methodist Conference. I’m a big fan of country music, but most of the time you will only catch me listening to ESPN Radio, especially if Scott Van Pelt is on. I’m a die hard Atlanta Braves, Tim Tebow and University of Louisville fan. In most other sports, my allegiance lies with the underdog.

I really do consider it an honor to be serving Washington and all the surrounding areas in and around Daviess County. It’s an exciting new challenge that will serve to hone my skills as a journalist and help me to become the writer that I want to be. I look forward to getting out into the community and meeting people. If you see me, feel free to say hello and experience my southern drawl and my “never-met-a-stranger” attitude.

•••

Jason also loves barbecues and shooting skeet, so if you’re doing that at any point in time, he’ll probably be available.

He can be reached at jtiller@washtimesherald.com.

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