Karen Jones Cody is a native of Smiths Borough in Knott County, Kentucky, where she has deep familial roots and a rich personal history. As co-owner and editor of the Troublesome Creek Times, Cody has a strong connection to her community and a passion for storytelling. Her childhood was marked by a love for reading and writing, and she attended multiple schools, which likely contributed to her broad perspective and understanding of her community. Cody's family history is intertwined with the transformation of the landscape around her, particularly due to the construction of a lake that resulted from government intervention. This event had a profound impact on her family, as they were forced to relinquish their long-held property and relocate. The emotional toll of this displacement was significant, with Cody recalling the stress and health issues that plagued her family during this period. Her mother's written response to the government's actions—a letter filled with disgust—highlights the family's initial resistance to the change. Despite the hardships, Cody's narrative also touches on the eventual adaptation and acceptance of the new environment. Her mother, who initially resented the loss of their home, later found pride in the lake and the recreational opportunities it provided. Cody herself carries a desire to document and share her family's story, recognizing the importance of preserving the experiences of past generations, such as those of her aunts, whose stories she wishes had been recorded.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Karen Jones Cody provides a deeply personal narrative of her family's experiences and the broader community's challenges surrounding the construction of a lake in Smiths Borough, Knott County, Kentucky. Cody, co-owner and editor of the Troublesome Creek Times, reflects on her family's historical connection to the land and the profound impact of government actions on their lives and the local area. Cody discusses her family's roots and their attachment to the lake, which was created through government intervention. She recounts the physical and emotional upheaval caused by the construction, including the relocation of houses, the disintegration of a church, and the resultant stress and health issues that plagued her family members. Despite the initial resentment, Cody notes that her mother eventually developed a sense of pride in the lake, recognizing its value for recreation and its contribution to the local economy. The narrative also touches on Cody's personal journey, including her mother's influence as a writer and her own experiences living on the family property. She expresses a strong desire to preserve and share her family's story, lamenting the missed opportunity to document her aunts' experiences. Cody's memories extend to her upbringing in Smiths Borough, where she attended multiple schools and developed a passion for reading and writing. The interview captures the heartache associated with being forced to leave her family's ancestral property due to the lake's construction. The content of the interview also includes a poignant account of the hardships her family endured after losing their home and land. The family faced an arduous transition, moving into a trailer and an older house, which was a traumatic experience for them. Cody shares an instance of her mother's written protest against the government's actions, highlighting the sense of powerlessness they felt in the face of such intervention. Despite eventually settling in a new location, Cody conveys that it never truly replaced the connection they had with their original home. Overall, the interview with Karen Jones Cody offers a rich and multifaceted perspective on the impact of environmental and governmental changes on individual lives, family heritage, and community bonds. It serves as a testament to the resilience of those affected and the enduring desire to keep their stories alive.