Kentucky Farm Bureau

"Manners Can Be Fun" at Pulaski County

At the Nancy High School Reunion last fall the group decided to purchase some books “Manners Can Be Fun” to be used at Nancy Elementary School. They remembered this book was used by Mrs. Helen Walters to teach them manners when they were second graders. Mrs. Walters then purchased the books for Nancy Elementary School. The book, written by Munro Leaf in 1936, has been reprinted every decade since 1936 with 2008 being the most recent copyright. The book is currently out of print.

Mrs. Walters, who has been very active in Pulaski County Farm Bureau, called current Pulaski County Farm Bureau Education Chair, Judy White, requesting that the local Farm Bureau purchase these books for all public elementary schools in Pulaski County. White talked to Lisa Hall, Nancy Elementary Counselor, and Hall reported that she used the book with Nancy second graders this year and that it was an excellent book for teaching manners.

Bill White, Pulaski County Farm Bureau Director, requested that PCFB approve funds to purchase these books for the elementary schools. Superintendents of Pulaski County, Science Hill and Somerset Schools were happy to receive these books for their schools.    In order to get an adequate number of books, orders were placed with 36 different book stores located all over the United States. 

Mrs. Walters started this project and her desire is that every elementary school in Kentucky teaches manners. A bill in the Kentucky Legislature, if passed, will require that essential skills be taught to all Kentucky students. Respect for others, taking turns, how to meet others, table manners, being punctual, good hygiene, getting along with others, and sharing are among the many topics that are included in this book and would meet the requirement for many of the essential skills Kentucky students should master.

Pulaski County Farm Bureau, with approximately 9000 members, places high value on education and supports various education projects each year. These include funding for a middle school choir to attend and perform at the presidential inauguration, funding to help build the Pulaski County High School green house, assisting FFA and FCCLA groups pay the cost of attending their respective state conferences, sponsoring and providing trophies for the county wide spelling bee and providing four $1200 scholarships to graduating seniors and one $1200 scholarship to a non-traditional student each year.