fKAY’S CORNER

By Kay Himes Knuckles • August 6, 2026

Can you remember when neighbors helped neighbors?

I can remember as a child we lived on what was called “The Ridge” in Sand Gap. On the ridge everybody knew everybody. I suppose for the most part that was a good thing.

Now as a child I can imagine that there were some downfalls of knowing everyone on our road. But, if there was I don’t know it, or ever remember anything being said bad about it.

Most all families had several children, so the gardens were much larger, and manual labor was more common back in those days than what I see today.

I can remember when the gardens produced neighbors helped neighbors with their bountiful supply. My mommy would go to our neighbors houses for what was called a bean breaking. All the neighborhood women would gather at each other’s house and help break the beans getting them ready for canning. Then it would come mommy’s turn for all the women to be at our house to break the beans.

Then there was “the quiltings”, which usually happened after all the gardening was taken care of. I remember what was called quilting horses, which was wooden V shaped frames that held the rolled up fabric onto two long boards. Neighborhood women would gather at each other’s house and gather around the quilt horses and begin sewing on the quilts being made. There would be much talk and laughter as I recall. Wonder if there was any gossip when all those women gathered? I can suppose there was, but I don’t remember it.

If one family had a need, everybody on the ridge jumped in to help.

When babies were born the women would jump right in and help with whatever was needed. Whether it be taking care of the other children or preparing meals. Washing the laundry was a big help then as well, as I mentioned earlier, most families had several children.

There were three churches in Sand Gap, Sand Gap Baptist Church, Sand Gap  Christian Church and Sand Gap Holiness Church. As I can remember almost every family on the ridge went to one of the three churches. It didn’t matter which one a person went to just as long as they went.

That thought brings to memory this song.

Give Me Your Hand

As an army, we’re marching toward Heaven.

So it’s beat that together we stand.

We may not have the same rank or title.

But we’re soldiers, so give me your hand.

Oh I care not what church you belong to,

Just as long as for God you may stand.

If your heart today is as my heart,

You’re my brother so give me your hand.

You may not come to our great cathedral,

But belong to some small prying band.

But, if you love my Christ, our redeemer,

You’re a Christian, so give me your hand.

Bible Verse of the Week

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.

Romans 15: 1-2

Gospel singer Kay Himes Knuckles has been sharing her music ministry in Eastern and Central Kentucky for more than 40 years.un

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