Pam’s Traveling Friends recognized as Chamber Business of the Month
By Jennifer Wimmer
The Hancock County Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly breakfast Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Hancock County Career Center. Pam’s Traveling Friends was recognized as the chamber’s Business of the Month. Sunny Days Sunshine Café catered the meal.
Stephanie Lamar accepted the award on behalf of Pam Bolen-Lee, owner of Pam’s Traveling Friends. The business celebrated its 10th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2021.
Bolen-Lee loves sharing travel experiences and has been exploring new places since childhood with her parents. A Hancock County native, she is the former executive director of the Chamber, serving from 2014 to 2021, and previously served on the Hancock County Tourism Board from 2004 to 2011.
She leads trips across the United States and abroad, and many Hancock Countians have joined her adventures. The business manages two Facebook groups: Pam’s Traveling Friends and Pam’s Traveling Friends-Ireland.
Chamber members played a lighthearted Christmas gift exchange game during the event. Executive Director Tina Snyder read a story that included many “lefts” and “rights,” and every time she said one of those words, attendees passed their gifts in that direction. Once the story was over, everyone opened their presents, which included hand warmers, soap, Little Debbie snack cakes, and other treats or handy items.
Retired history teacher and author Eddie Price was the guest speaker. Price turned a 36-year teaching career into a second act as an award-winning writer and presenter. He taught history for 31 years at Hancock County High School and part-time at Owensboro Community and Technical College, earning multiple teaching awards while coaching successful academic and history teams and helping organize a Young Historians Club. Active in the Hancock County Historical Society, he built a reputation as a passionate educator before retiring to focus full time on writing and historical presentations.
Price holds a bachelor’s degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College and both a master’s degree and Rank I certification from Western Kentucky University. From his home in Hawesville, he now travels widely as a historical novelist and public speaker, often partnering with Kentucky Humanities, libraries, museums and civic groups to share stories from Kentucky and early American history.
Price holds a bachelor’s degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College and both a master’s degree and Rank I certification from Western Kentucky University. From his home in Hawesville, he now travels widely as a historical novelist and public speaker, often partnering with Kentucky Humanities, libraries, museums and civic groups to share stories from Kentucky and early American history.
His historical fiction catalog includes “Widder’s Landing,” “One Drop—A Slave!,” “Rebels Abroad” and “An Unlikely Trio: The Winners of the 1913 Kentucky Derby.” These works explore frontier life, slavery, international conflict and Kentucky’s racing heritage and have earned national recognition and awards from organizations linked to the War of 1812.
He is also well known among children and families as the author of the “Little Miss Grubby Toes” series, which uses a mischievous but lovable main character to teach safety and consequences in kid-friendly stories. Titles include “Little Miss Grubby Toes Steps on a Bee!,” “Little Miss Grubby Toes Plays with Fire!,” “Little Miss Grubby Toes Falls in the Pool!,” “Little Miss Grubby Toes Eats Too Much Candy!,” “Little Miss Grubby Toes Gets Stuck in a Tree!,” “Little Miss Grubby Toes Gets Lost!” and “Little Miss Grubby Toes Drives a Car!” All are available through major online booksellers.
He is also well known among children and families as the author of the “Little Miss Grubby Toes” series, which uses a mischievous but lovable main character to teach safety and consequences in kid-friendly stories. Titles include “Little Miss Grubby Toes Steps on a Bee!,” “Little Miss Grubby Toes Plays with Fire!,” “Little Miss Grubby Toes Falls in the Pool!,” “Little Miss Grubby Toes Eats Too Much Candy!,” “Little Miss Grubby Toes Gets Stuck in a Tree!,” “Little Miss Grubby Toes Gets Lost!” and “Little Miss Grubby Toes Drives a Car!” All are available through major online booksellers.
The series has earned gold medals from the Mom’s Choice Awards, and Price often builds his school and library visits around these books, partnering with local safety personnel to deliver engaging programs that reinforce real-world safety lessons.
Through his website, eddiepricekentuckyauthor.com, Price shares information about his books, self-publishing journey and historical programs. The site lists his full bibliography, awards and speaker information, and invites schools, libraries and community organizations to schedule presentations or order signed copies.
Through his website, eddiepricekentuckyauthor.com, Price shares information about his books, self-publishing journey and historical programs. The site lists his full bibliography, awards and speaker information, and invites schools, libraries and community organizations to schedule presentations or order signed copies.
December’s breakfast was sponsored by Gibson & Son Funeral Homes, located in Lewisport and Hawesville. The funeral home’s roots in Hancock County trace back to 1925. The business originally opened as Goering Funeral Home and has served the county and surrounding areas under the Gibson name since 1951.
The family-owned business provides traditional funeral services, cremation options, monument services, pre-planning, veteran-related services, local resource information, grief support and obituary email subscriptions.
The Hancock County Fiscal Court recognized owner David Gibson for serving as Hancock County coroner from 1994 to 2022. Gibson’s father also served as coroner, and his son, D.A. Gibson, is the county’s current coroner. Community members expressed appreciation for the Gibson family’s many years of service.
Gibson & Son Funeral Home operates at 275 Court Square in Hawesville and 315 Caroline Street in Lewisport. The Hawesville location telephone number is 270-927-6741, and the Lewisport number is 270-295-3312.
The website is gibsonandsonfh.com and offers flower ordering, condolence messages, enhanced obituaries with guest books and automatic email notifications when new notices are posted. Follow the Gibson & Son Funeral Homes Facebook page.
Pam’s Traveling Friends, based in Lewisport, can be reached by mail at P.O. Box 603, Lewisport, KY 42351; by phone at 270-922-8346; by email at [email protected]; or online at pamstravelingfriends.com.
