Francine Bonny
Finding Francine Bonny at home is a hard task unless her garden has produced fresh vegetables or fruits which have to be canned or frozen immediately. Otherwise, she will probably be found answering Mountain Mushroom Festival mail at Irvine City Hall or working on a community service project for the Elizabeth Witt Christmas Party, Four Seasons Garden Club, Irvine-Ravenna Woman's Club, Estill County Arts Council, or Wisemantown United Methodist Church. Francine, gracious and organized, is the person Estill Countians depend on when they need success in meeting a community need. She is known, respected, and loved because of her unselfish involvement in the community.
Francine Freeman Bonny grew up in Rineyville, a small town in Hardin County. She was rather shy and studious while attending North Hardin High School. She edited the school newspaper, worked on the annual staff, and served on Student Council. Very active and outstanding in 4-H Club, Francine even won a clothing competition at the Kentucky State Fair.
The entire Freeman family was active in the Rineyville United Methodist Church, and Francine even came to Aldersgate Camp one summer. She remembers her dad going to church early to start the fire going the winter before Sunday School. Both of her parents set good examples with their participation in 4-H leadership and PTA. Francine's dad served on the Hardin County Civil Defense Committee during the late 1950's to identify and stock bomb shelters.
Success with 4-H clothing projects led her to the University of Kentucky to pursue a B.S. degree in Textiles: Clothing and Merchandizing which she received in 1973. Her favorite memories of her undergraduate work include a merchandizing trip to New York City and Europe and an Extension Internship in Grayson County. She later earned a Master of Science in Home Economics Education from U.K. One of her writing projects was a high school curriculum for pregnant teenagers.
After college, Francine served Johnson County and Jessamine County as University of Kentucky Home Economics Extension Agent. She has been a substitute teacher in Estill County too. While in Jessamine County, she lived near June Carol Bonny Williams' mother-in-law. Mrs. Williams was the match maker that introduced Francine to Tom Bonny, her future husband who brought her to Estill County.
Francine and Tom had one very special child, Tara Elizabeth. Born prematurely and then stricken with meningitis soon after, Tara was profoundly handicapped. Francine dedicated herself to Tara's care for nineteen years. "She was a happy child and had the sweetest smile," Francine remembers. "All of the children at Ravenna and the other schools she attended used to fight to come and play with her and talk to her. They loved being Tara's friends." Tara often accompanied Francine to City Hall to work on the Mountain Mushroom Festival and other projects. She was everyone's pet, communicating with her eyes even though she could not speak.
Francine's affinity for children naturally led her to the Elizabeth Witt Christmas Party committee. She is proud that this group has worked to maintain the party for all children in the tradition of Mrs. Witt. "We need more help before the party as well as during the celebration," says Francine. "Last year a mother brought her children because she had come as a child. This is a second generation tradition already." Donations are always needed for the fruit, necklace, bag, caramel corn, candy, and gifts.
Francine began working with the Mountain Mushroom Festival in 1991 when it began. She became chairman of the Festival Committee in 2001 and continues in this capacity. The Festival has grown under her leadership. She is especially proud of the Kentucky Arts on Tour grants in 2004, 2007, and 2009 which have enhanced the Festival with displays and demonstrations of local folklife traditions.
Another of Francine's special interests is the Relay for Life. She serves as the Luminaria Chairman. Donations are made to the American Cancer Society in memory or in honor of people who are battling cancer or who have died from this disease. Names are placed on white bags which are filled with sand and lit candles during the annual Relay.
Francine has served as president or other officer in the Irvine-Ravenna Woman's Club, Four Seasons Garden Club, and Estill Arts Council Board. She became a Community Scholar through the Kentucky Folklife Program in 2003 and has co-authored four grant applications: "Morel Mushroom Hunting in Estill County," 2005; "Agate Hunting in Estill County," 2007; "Quilting Traditions in Estill County," 2009; and "Climbing Mountains & Crossing Rivers to Tourism in Estill County," 2009. She has been recognized by the American Folklife Society and the Oral History Association for her achievement and expertise as a Community Scholar.
Francine has served as the Chairperson of the Administrative Council, Children's Sunday School Teacher, and choir member for Wisemantown United Methodist Church. She has also been a delegate to Annual Conference. She says, "As a Christian, I need to be a giver, not a taker only. I want to plant a seed of love."
Whether painting a quilt design for a barn or helping design a coverlet for the Bicentennial or working for KET or canning and freezing really fresh food from her garden, Francine Bonny exemplifies the caring community spirit of Estill County. She is, indeed, a worthy inductee for the Estill County Hall of Honor.
Francine Freeman Bonny grew up in Rineyville, a small town in Hardin County. She was rather shy and studious while attending North Hardin High School. She edited the school newspaper, worked on the annual staff, and served on Student Council. Very active and outstanding in 4-H Club, Francine even won a clothing competition at the Kentucky State Fair.
The entire Freeman family was active in the Rineyville United Methodist Church, and Francine even came to Aldersgate Camp one summer. She remembers her dad going to church early to start the fire going the winter before Sunday School. Both of her parents set good examples with their participation in 4-H leadership and PTA. Francine's dad served on the Hardin County Civil Defense Committee during the late 1950's to identify and stock bomb shelters.
Success with 4-H clothing projects led her to the University of Kentucky to pursue a B.S. degree in Textiles: Clothing and Merchandizing which she received in 1973. Her favorite memories of her undergraduate work include a merchandizing trip to New York City and Europe and an Extension Internship in Grayson County. She later earned a Master of Science in Home Economics Education from U.K. One of her writing projects was a high school curriculum for pregnant teenagers.
After college, Francine served Johnson County and Jessamine County as University of Kentucky Home Economics Extension Agent. She has been a substitute teacher in Estill County too. While in Jessamine County, she lived near June Carol Bonny Williams' mother-in-law. Mrs. Williams was the match maker that introduced Francine to Tom Bonny, her future husband who brought her to Estill County.
Francine and Tom had one very special child, Tara Elizabeth. Born prematurely and then stricken with meningitis soon after, Tara was profoundly handicapped. Francine dedicated herself to Tara's care for nineteen years. "She was a happy child and had the sweetest smile," Francine remembers. "All of the children at Ravenna and the other schools she attended used to fight to come and play with her and talk to her. They loved being Tara's friends." Tara often accompanied Francine to City Hall to work on the Mountain Mushroom Festival and other projects. She was everyone's pet, communicating with her eyes even though she could not speak.
Francine's affinity for children naturally led her to the Elizabeth Witt Christmas Party committee. She is proud that this group has worked to maintain the party for all children in the tradition of Mrs. Witt. "We need more help before the party as well as during the celebration," says Francine. "Last year a mother brought her children because she had come as a child. This is a second generation tradition already." Donations are always needed for the fruit, necklace, bag, caramel corn, candy, and gifts.
Francine began working with the Mountain Mushroom Festival in 1991 when it began. She became chairman of the Festival Committee in 2001 and continues in this capacity. The Festival has grown under her leadership. She is especially proud of the Kentucky Arts on Tour grants in 2004, 2007, and 2009 which have enhanced the Festival with displays and demonstrations of local folklife traditions.
Another of Francine's special interests is the Relay for Life. She serves as the Luminaria Chairman. Donations are made to the American Cancer Society in memory or in honor of people who are battling cancer or who have died from this disease. Names are placed on white bags which are filled with sand and lit candles during the annual Relay.
Francine has served as president or other officer in the Irvine-Ravenna Woman's Club, Four Seasons Garden Club, and Estill Arts Council Board. She became a Community Scholar through the Kentucky Folklife Program in 2003 and has co-authored four grant applications: "Morel Mushroom Hunting in Estill County," 2005; "Agate Hunting in Estill County," 2007; "Quilting Traditions in Estill County," 2009; and "Climbing Mountains & Crossing Rivers to Tourism in Estill County," 2009. She has been recognized by the American Folklife Society and the Oral History Association for her achievement and expertise as a Community Scholar.
Francine has served as the Chairperson of the Administrative Council, Children's Sunday School Teacher, and choir member for Wisemantown United Methodist Church. She has also been a delegate to Annual Conference. She says, "As a Christian, I need to be a giver, not a taker only. I want to plant a seed of love."
Whether painting a quilt design for a barn or helping design a coverlet for the Bicentennial or working for KET or canning and freezing really fresh food from her garden, Francine Bonny exemplifies the caring community spirit of Estill County. She is, indeed, a worthy inductee for the Estill County Hall of Honor.