The Buried Treasure: A Rabbit Hash Epiphany

It's funny how things just seem to happen when you never expect it. It's usually the bad things that have the greatest impact on us and our immediate friends and family members; always life-changing or at least life-style changing.

This past weekend, I was blessed to experience a real epiphany. It occurred in Rabbit Hash, Kentucky and it finally answered the proverbial question: "So what's so special about living in Rabbit Hash?"

I've heard it a million times, and I always knew that I knew the answer, but I could never seem to articulate what it was that was just so special. It was too illusive and abstract to get into words… at least into words that would convey the real feeling and emotion to the one asking. And if I came up with a plausible phrase, it would just sound too corny.

So, we just started telling folks that what was so special about Rabbit Hash was that it was the "center of the universe." That seemed to sum it all up in a nice little nut-shell. It sounded factual and convincing, as if backed by the analytical sciences as well as by the abstract truths of quantum mechanics and philosophy… kind of paranormal yet utopian. And it was verified for years in the media.

The word epiphany has several meanings and definitions, but basically it means a sudden moment of truth, or a sudden moment of understanding, that causes a change in someone's life or situation, which comes as an abrupt and powerful realization or revelation. It is usually found used in a religious context, but this can certainly apply to what I am talking about.

I have recently read and studied a post-graduate's Master's Thesis entitled "An Ethnographic Look at Rabbit Hash, Kentucky." Imagine that!  A small, Boone County, Kentucky town, consisting of three and a half acres and eight buildings on the banks of the Ohio River, with a population of 3 people in the town proper, being the subject of a Master's Thesis… not to mention the subject of articles, books, songs, poetry, quilts, paintings, photography, advertising, consumer goods and products, documentaries, movies and pet-waste disposal products. What gives? What distinguishes the ethnography of Rabbit Hash from other social and cultural sub-groups?

The locals… that's what it's all about! The people who live in and all around this small Ohio River community. It's been said many times that Rabbit Hash is a "state of mind." Well that is truer than you think. It really is a state of mind…as well as a state of blood, sweat and tears, and a state of caring and loyalty, and a state of friendship and family, and a state of compassion and empathy, and a state of fun and laughter, and a state of music and art, and talent and accomplishment, love and camaraderie, sharing and giving. It is a state that I am proud to claim as 'my state'… a state that other microcosms of society strive for but never quite realize.

The town of Rabbit Hash is blessed. It is blessed by a visionary group who choose the moniker "Friends of Rabbit Hash." They look out for their own. They freely give the greatest gift of all… themselves… no matter what the sacrifice or inconvenience it might entail. Don't mistake this kind of humanity as communism, or elitism, or cultism. There is no negative spin that can be applied to this kind of non-denominational Christ-like example of love-of-neighbors. Just ask Richard Young or Terri Markesbery. Just ask the "Friends of Rabbit Hash", who just orchestrated the "Center of the Universe Tour" to help out a neighbor in need.

The "Rabbit Hash Historical Society" is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the National Register District of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. The "Friends of Rabbit Hash" are dedicated to the preservation of all the attributes and components that make up the community of Rabbit Hash. Historically, the town would never have survived without the support and dedication of the members of its community. Some things never change… thank God!

Don Clare
President
Rabbit Hash Historical Society

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Comments (7)

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A place to call HOME!!

Don,
Your Article makes me proud to be from Rabbit Hash and makes me miss home....being in Auburn, AL attending vet school.
There really is no other place like Rabbit Hash in the World!!!
Great Job on the Benefit Everyone!! Way to come together and be there for one another. Wish I could have been there to help.
Ellie Fryman Gripshover

Ellie Fryman Gripshover ,
Nov 14, 2007 at 9:07 pm

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Proud of this community

Don,

Greatly written article and can't say enough about how smooth the event went in all aspects....traffic control/parking, bands, food management, auction, kids events all the way down to clean up.

This is truly a special community!

The fireworks at the end felt like a big 'thank you' for everyone's local efforts to support Richard and Terrie.

Greg Lamblin ,
Nov 09, 2007 at 8:50 am

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Center of MY Universe!

Donnie, thanks for putting into words what the rest of us feel about the special place we live.
A big thank you goes to the Rabbit Hash Historical Society for allowing us to put on this special event. It was a great time for all of us, from the volunteers, to the bands, to the visitors, and especially Richard and Terrie.
A special thank-you also goes out the the fireworks crew. It was a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.
Thanks again to all of the"monkeys". For a bunch of hillbillies, we sure do know how to throw a party!
Long live Rabbit Hash!!!!

Duane Doyle ,
Nov 08, 2007 at 1:48 pm

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smile

Thank you Donny! Very well put. Corky

corky ,
Nov 08, 2007 at 1:13 pm

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...

Don, that was a beautifully written piece. I think I can speak for all of us who managed to organize and plan Richard's benefit when I say that there was no other option than do to what we did. We are family and as such we jump in and do what needs to be done. Life is grand in the Center of the Universe. Peace and Love to all.

Marlo ,
Nov 08, 2007 at 1:03 pm

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Thanks

Don, I am at a loss for words to use about your beautifully written piece. You have managed to put into words what I am sure is in all our hearts but has been impossible to express. All I can say is "Thank You'.

Bobbi Kayser ,
Nov 08, 2007 at 9:38 am

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Rabbit Hash--a place worth saving

Like I have said in several previous posts--I came down to this special little place for the first time this past weekend and I loved each moment I spent there.

You folks really do have a special place that is worthy of saving--it is great that such a place still exists anywhere and it makes me proud that Rabbit Hash can be found in the "Greater Cincinnati" area.

Rabbit Hash makes the entire area a better place to be.

You do have your commercial aspect to the "town" and this is fine--you need to make money to keep things going, needing to pay bills and all of that--what I find best is the fact Rabbit Hash has become a center in our area for the kinds of music that are so much a part of America such as blue grass, the blues, Rockabilly and traditional.

It is fitting Rabbit Hash is located along a great river--a real and metaphorical path for things like music to come into being.

It is also great that there is a real sense of spirit, love and family exists in Rabbit Hash--all things we sometimes seem to forget in the rush of our post-modern lives----

Thank God for Rabbit Hash---thanks to all who make the place possible and may both the physical place continue to exist along with it's less tangible elements---that "Rabbit Hash State of Mind" that you spoke of---we really need more of that in this world.

Mike G ,
Nov 08, 2007 at 1:18 am

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