Church-goers praise and sing as gospel singers perform with Pastor Marvin Hightower at the First Word Christian Center in Madisonville, KY on Oct 22 2006. Pastor Marvin Hightower sings his own self-written songs and uses music to preach his gospel. Marvin Hightower likes preaching because everyday, is a different day; presenting him with different situations. He's worked a secular job at a phone company for 16 years, and he's enjoyed the variety of situations and travels in the job. Being a pastor gives him the same 'change' in situations. Being a pastor has given him some freedom to allow time for his music recordings and book writing. Eric Heltsley, one of many young teenager frequents this pool hall here in Madisonville, Kentucky looks for a better angle for a shot on the pool table on Oct 21 2006. Heltsley, who works at the Ponda Rosa, yearns to move out of Madisonville to seek a better life. "All I do is work, come home, sleep or I usually get drunk. Thatês about it"Paula Pace is waitress at the Dixie Pan restaurant in Nortonville, KY. She is photographed with her collection of earrings which totals 19. Anna Page Givens recalls her passion collecting book and barbies in her used bookstore, Givens Book Exchange here on West Center Street in Madisonville, KY on October 19 2006. Givens is the sole operator of this bookstore since the passing of her husband, Pearl Givens 7 years ago. The couple opened this bookstore over 40 years ago through common interest in collecting books.Anna Page Givens collects barbie doll items and books. She initially started collecting barbie dolls as part of a healthy competition with three other wives she was friends with. The other wives collected items like; pocketknives, cigarette lighters, marbles and knives. "I was the first of them wives to go national," said Givens as she shows off an article "Barbie Bonanza" by the Associated Press on her holding the country's record for the most barbie collection at 7,000 dated back in March 21 1989. Carl Fronzack,1 peeks at the children section in her bookstore, Givens Book Exchange here on West Center Street in Madisonville, KY on October 19 2006. The Givens Book Exchange has become a full time business ever since she retired as a social worker 40 years ago. "I've never regretted the book business. I enjoy the people coming in. Lots of grandchildren and customers from 3 generations."Anna Page Givens, recalls taking roadtrips with her late husband, Pearl Givens just to watch sunsets and to visit flea markets here in her bookstore, Givens Book Exchange here on West Center Street in Madisonville, Kentucky on Oct 20 2006. Givens had; if not perfect, almost perfect marriage with Pearl Givens. "He was a perfect gentle man, but he would never stop talking."Anna Page Givens walks through her bookstore, Givens Book Exchange here on West Center Street in Madisonville, KY on October 19 2006. Givens owns over a million books since she started her business with her late husband 40 years ago. " I just love books, there ainêt no loss to it. Unless it gets wets of course. The longer they stay on the shelf, the more valuable they become. Like antiques."Michael Taylor, jokes his life when he was little as he takes a break from volunteer work at the St. Vincent De Paul thrift store here in Madisonville, KY on Oct 20 2006. Taylor is one of the many volunteers at this thrift store giving out donated items to the catholic church.Gospel singers performs with Pastor Marvin Hightower here at the First Word Christian Center here in Madisonville, KY on October 22 2006 as part of the Sunday service. Pastor Marvin Hightower sings his own self-written songs and uses music to preach his gospel. Marvin Hightower likes preaching because everyday, is a different day; presenting him with different situations. He's worked a secular job at a phone company for 16 years, and he's enjoyed the variety of situations and travels in the job. Being a pastor gives him the same 'change' in situations. Being a pastor has given him some freedom to allow time for his music recordings and book writing.
