Soc Clay Ceremony

It is always an honor for me to sing our State Song or National Anthem at an event. I appreciate being asked to do it and I always feel the responsibility that it brings. Both of these songs paint a picture of our state and our country that should evoke pride and patriotism to everyone who hears. I don’t take this lightly. It is a privilege to have this experience each time it happens.

This past Saturday, I attended a ceremony at the South Shore Rotary Park that honored Soc Clay and unveiled a new sign that the Kentucky Department of Transportation will install on US23 in his honor. Of all the things that I knew about Soc Clay, I don’t think that I was aware that he was the 1984 Kentucky Poet Laureate. What an honor! Soon, everyone who drives through South Shore will be reminded of this fact.

Every time I see Soc, I have to hug him and tell him that I feel like I have had a visit with my Papaw Nard Stapf. Soc and my grandfather, who passed away in 1983, were friends. Both of these men were forward thinkers and very much ahead of their time. Soc is a uniquely brilliant and talented man. He has worked all of his life to find ways to put his interests and talents into practice, with very much success! I often wonder what my grandfather, Nard would be working on if he were alive today. I enjoy hearing stories about him, for the most part. He was a character . . . to say the least.

With this past weekend being Father’s Day, I must point out that this ceremony was organized and emceed by Soc’s son, Tom. Tom is another uniquely talented individual in our community. He is well known, like Soc, for his outdoor adventures and television/radio personality. Tom is also an accomplished musician and performer. He is a talented person who obviously draws inspiration and encouragement from his father.  In a day and time when many families are without a father, it is wonderful to see a strong family with love and respect that is displayed with a genuine and natural motivation. The Clay family is a true example these qualities.

Soc’s wife, Wanda, is a lovely lady. She is always there to support her family and friends. I’m sure that anyone close to them would say that it is Wanda that keeps it all together. Isn’t that how it works, really? Wanda always has a smile, a hug, and a positive word. She knows exactly how everyone is connected and what they are doing. She makes me feel like I am a part of her family. Her compassion and ability to read people is strong. I always feel stronger by being around her.

When I think about the importance of Father’s Day, I think about the families in my community that are the history and the future of Greenup County. I think about my own father, David Stapf, and the things that he has taught me just by living out his own life. I think about the people that I went to school with who had fathers much like, and some very different, from mine. I think about the times when I recognized differences in families as I got older and was able to understand that families are not all the same.

It is inspirational to me when I think about how families support each other. I tell my own children that we are each other’s family group – that will never change. We know each other better and deeper than anyone else. We are safe together. We will always help each other. That is what families do. We are fortunate that our family strength reaches beyond us four – we have extended family that is bonded and trusting. Not everyone has that. I am thankful.

Although Father’s Day is past, any day is good day to so something to honor your father. Tom Clay acted on his desire to honor his father and worked until he found a way to have an official road sign put up in his hometown. He organized and spoke at a ceremony to unveil the sign in front of elected officials, family, and friends. He gave a history of his father’s accomplishments and showed the proof to the world - what a Father’s Day gift!

Terrific as that is, it doesn’t take something that spectacular to honor your father. Most fathers are happy with a hug and a visit. I know that my father especially likes it when I take him a homemade apple pie. Other ideas are: spend some time looking through old pictures, tell memorable stories, plan a trip, do yardwork together, or just sit and visit. A simple word can mean the world when spoken in love and sincerity. Family is special. Be thankful for yours today.       

Anne Stephens, Extension Agent for Fine Arts in Greenup County can be reached at 606-836-0201 or anne.stephens@uky.edu. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND KENTUCKY COUNTIES, COOPERATING