Berry Craig's Notebook

Berry Craig, a WKCTC professor of history, has been the host of Berry Craig's Notebook since 1989, the year he came to the college after spending a dozen years as a daily newspaper columnist.  A 30-minute talk show, Berry Craig's Notebook features a variety of guests and topics.  Craig has talked baseball with a New York Yankees scout with a quartet of World Series championship rings and has listened to a harrowing tale of a World War II B-17 bomber crewman shot down in the English Channel. In between, Berry and his guests have discussed politics, history, civil rights, women's rights, labor unions, movies, religion, humor, psychology, ecology, music, business, and more.

The Berlin Wall - November 13, 2009
It has been twenty years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Join Berry as he interviews Dr. Dave Krueger, about the reasons for the fall of the wall. Dr. Krueger retired as professor of history from Paducah Community College.
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Contemporary Politics - November 2, 2009
Political primaries are already heating up in Kentucky.  Join Berry Craig as he interviews WKCTC Associate Professor of Political Science, Gerald Watkins, about the state's contemporary political climate.
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Greater Paducah Sustainability Project - October 2, 2009
In it's third year, Greater Paducah Sustainability Project, takes recyclables such as basic electronics, glass, aluminum, plastics, and scrap metal. For more information, visit recyclenowpaducah.com.
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Mesoamerica - September 30, 2009
Renowned Mexican Anthropologist Charles Goff gives a unique insight into the history of Mesoamerica.
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Mountaintop Removal Roadshow - September 14, 2009
The Mountaintop Removal Road Show teaches about the impacts of mountaintop removal on coalfield residents, communities and the environment.
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Rev. Gregory Waldrop - May 1, 2009
Learn the about the history of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Gregory Waldrop began life in Mayfield, Kentucky. He gradutated from the University of St Andrews with a Masters in Theology and then went to Duke for his religious education. Waldrop is pastor of Fountain Avenue United Methodist Church in Paducah.
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Mark Donham - April 17, 2009
Berry Craig talks with Mark Donham about one of his songs being chosen for American Public Media's radio variety show - A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. "As Long As the Stars Shine" was written for his wife, Kristi Hanson. Donham says it was strange to hear his song being performed by another singer but the song being chosen for the radio program was a great opportunity for him as a songwriter.
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Afghanistan - April 3, 2009
Berry Craig talks with Richard B. Davis Major, USAR (Ret.) about his service in Afghanistan. Davis reenlisted in the Army Reserve after the events of Septemer 11 in 2001.
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U.S.S. Enterprise Tribute - February 20, 2009
Berry Craig talks with Chuck Tate, the House Manager and Events Coordinator for The Carson Center in Paducah, Kentucky about a recent tribute to the U.S.S. Enterprise at the performing arts center. Veterans from around the region, paid homage to one of the most decorated Naval carriers in history and the servicemen who served on the vessel during WWII. Tate says the tribute was important because "it was a chance to educate the young people of our community about the vital role the U.S.S. Enterprise played in the war."
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Comparing the 1937 Flood and the 2009 Ice Storm - February 20, 2009
Berry speaks with historian, John Roberston about the differences between the 1937 flood and the 2009 ice storm. Which was the most devastating to the region?
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Azores Islands During World War II - January 23, 2009
Louis Chappell, World War II Veteran, tells of his story on the Azores Islands.  Beginning in 1943, Portugal leased bases on the islands to the British.  The location of the Islands proved excellent in the search for German U-Boats.
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West Kentucky Journal of Politics and Issues - January 23, 2009
Berry speaks with Ivan and Mary Potter, publishers of West Kentucky Journal of Politics and Issues, a non-profit news platform coving Western Kentucky.  They also publish Mississippi River Journal, which reaches 10,000 homes.  www.westkypolitics.org
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Lincoln's Journey of Remembrance - January 16, 2009
Join Berry Craig for an hour special looking back at an incredible river journey from Rockport, Indiana to New Orleans, Louisiana. The flatboat voyage commemorated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. Captain, Robert Cherry, Jr.; First Mate, Sterling Edwards; and Photojournalist, Millie Carter share stories of the historical trip.
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Kentucky Politics - January 9, 2009
Berry Craig and Gerald Watkins are together again as they talk about Kentucky Politics.
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A Christmas Carol - December 5, 2008
Join Berry Craig for an in depth study of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Berry interviews WKCTC Associate Professor David Nickell and Assistant Professor Legetha Spelbring.
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Vice President Alben Barkley Commemoration, Part 2 - November 7, 2008
This month marks sixty years since Alben Barkley was elected as Vice President of the United States. His life will be commemorated in Paducah November 17-23. Learn about Alben Barkley - the loving and doting grandfather - from his granddaughter, Dottie Barkley Holloway.
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Vice President Alben Barkley Commemoration, Part 1 - November 7, 2008
This month marks sixty years since Alben Barkley was elected as Vice President of the United States. His life will be commemorated in Paducah November 17-23. Learn about the events that will celebrate the life of a man who was so deeply involved in the history of Paducah, Western Kentucky, and our great nation.
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Energy Employee's - October 31, 2008
Berry interviews Gary Vander Boegh, Commonwealth Environmental Services Vice-President. Vander Boegh says the Energy Employee's Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act has serious problems. He fights for the Kentucky workers who were employed at the Paducah uranium enrichment plant beginning in the early 1950s who now suffer from various illnesses related to chemical and radiological exposures. Vander Boegh says at least 30,000 workers have yet to contacted for compensation. He says many are afraid to come forward. Find out more at Commonwealth Environmental Services website.
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isurfpaducah.com - October 24, 2008
Berry interviews Paducah native, Alex Metzger about his new web search engine designed specifically to give you information about Paducah. Sports, news, entertainment, real estate, politics, business, tourism, and more - you can surf isurfpaducah.com and find the answers.
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City of Lone Oak - October 17, 2008
Should the City of Lone Oak dissolve? Berry interviews Mayor Kimberly Stevens and Commissioner Roger Dew of the City of Lone Oak.
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Dr. Dave Krueger - October 3, 2008
Berry interviews former WKCTC professor, Dr. Dave Krueger about the crisis on Wall Street.
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Louis H. Chappell, WWII Veteran - September 26, 2008
Berry interviews Bronze Star recipient, Louis H. Chappell about his service in WWII. He shares stories about his close call with a buzz bomb, battles in England and France, and what it was like when he returned home from the war to his hometown in Paducah, Kentucky.
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Heather Ryan - September 19, 2008
Berry interviews 1st District Congressional candidate, Heather Ryan. Ryan expresses her views on the country's social and economic issues. The Navy veteran and women's rights fundraiser admits that she is a long shot candidate, but hopes for a surprise win in November.
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Ethics of War and Peace - September 12, 2008
Berry interviews David Nickell, associate professor of socialogy at West Kentucky Community & Technical College about how the different cultural perspectives influence our decisions toward war and peace.
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WKCTC Counselor, Jerry Anderson - September 5, 2008
Berry speaks with West Kentucky Community & Technical College Counselor, Jerry Anderson. The show focuses on WKCTC's new transfer advising center that makes the college transfer process easier for students. Anderson also explains the importance of college transcripts and dispels the myth that WKCTC courses do not transfer to four year public colleges. "You can attend a community college, get an Associates degree, and transfer to a four year instution with no problem", says Anderson.
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Trace Lasley - August 29, 2008
Berry interviews Trace Lasley, former WKCTC and UK student who traveled abroad to fulful his dream of studying in Ethiopia.
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B-29 Bomber Crash - August 15, 2008
Berry speaks with Gary Teckenbrock about the commemoration ceremony of the July 1, 1945 B-29 bomber crash near Soldier Creek in Marshall County.
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Eric Streit - August 15, 2008
Berry interviews Eric Streit, writer, actor, producer. Streit is currently the field producer for Little People Big World.
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Paducah Cooperative Ministry - May 2, 2008
Berry Craig interviews Heidi Suhrheinrich of Paducah Cooperative Ministry.
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Retired and Senior Volunteer Program - May 2, 2008
Berry Craig talks with Al Knudson of RSVP.
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John Robertson - April 18, 2008
Berry Craig talks with John Robertson, former WKCTC History Professor. John is the most recent receipient of the Lifetime Dedication to Kentucky History Award.
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Kentucky Politics - April 4, 2008
Berry Craig discusses Kentucky politics with Gerald Watkins, Professor of Political Science at WKCTC and Cale Sullivan WKCTC student. Topics include the state budget deficit and local political races.
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Abraham Lincoln - March 28, 2008
The two-hundredth birthday of the honest Abe is approaching.  Berry and retired WKCTC Professor, Dave Krueger, discuss the life of Abraham Lincoln.
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George Wilson, Buffalo Bills Free Safety - March 7, 2008
Berry chats with Buffalo Bills free safety, George Wilson. Wilson, a Paducah Tilghman graduate, who played at the University of Arkansas. He was a starter for three years at the University of Arkansas and led the Hogs in receptions for two years.
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Diabetic Footcare - March 7, 2008
Berry Craig talks with Betty Dobson about the continued renovation of Paducah's Hotel Metropolitan. Bettie shares stories of the hotel's beginnings, the history of the previous owners, and of the many famous African-Americans who have stayed in the historic hotel over the years. Della Reece, B.B. King, Lou Armstrong, Satchel Page - just to name a few.
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Hotel Metropolitan - February 29, 2008
Berry interviews Board Certified Pedorthist, John Ryan, about the
dangers of diabetes.
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Kentucky Primary Procedures - February 15, 2008
Berry Craig and WKCTC student, Cale Sullivan, discuss the quirks and the many facets of the presidential election process.
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Kentucky Politics - February 8, 2008
Berry Craig discusses the ins and outs of Kentucky politics with Gerald Watkins, Professor of Political Science at WKCTC and Cale Sullivan WKCTC student. Topics include upcoming political showdowns in Kentucky and on the national political scene.
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Land Between the Lakes - January 25, 2008
Land Between The Lakes is an inland peninsula formed when the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers were impounded, creating Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley -- one of the world's largest man-made bodies of water. Berry interviews WKCTC's Sociology Professor, David Nickell. Berry and David about the heritage many Kentucky and Tennessee families have with the Land Between the Lakes. David talks about his writings that document how lives for many generations were forever changed as the US government began the transformation of the LBL into a 170,000 acre national recreational area.
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