From the Editor
Where would we be without the heart ?
By Christopher Harris SEKY Life Editor
There are two ways to take that title . If we look at the heart in its symbolic sense , as the cultural avatar for love and caring for others , it ' s impossible to deny the importance of heart in making our world a better , more livable place .
We all need love in our lives — whether romantic , the love of family and friends , or that of a caring community — and with Valentine ' s Day always falling on the 14th , February is the month when we celebrate love . We do so with gifts , with flowers and chocolates and , if you ' re in school , little cardboard cards featuring favorite characters , but at the root of it all , what we ' re celebrating is heart — humanity ' s capacity to show affection to those around us .
In a more literal sense , we couldn ' t live without heart either . It ' s the organ that keeps blood pumping in the body — that actually keeps us alive and functioning . A healthy heart is important to leading a full and active life , for each and every person on this planet .
So February really is all about the heart , when we celebrate it in all the ways — figuratively and literally , poetically and biologically . Whichever way means most to you , it ' s assured that the heart is absolutely necessary for you to be you .
In this edition of Southeast Kentucky Life , we look at the heart from both angles . We hear the inspiring story of a familiar face in the community , City of Somerset Parks Director David Dorsey , who faced a health crisis with his own heart , and battled to make a full recovery , showing the same determination — the same heart — people knew him for on the athletic field of play .
We also talk to local cardiologist Dr . Michael McKinney about how to live heart healthy , and the advancements in technology that help those with heart problems live a better , safer life .
That ' s some serious stuff . On the more fun side of things , with Valentine ' s Day on the way , we stop in at the Mole Hole and Sweet Thing Bakery to see what treats they have available to give your special person this holiday , and check out a great date night spot — Serendipity at the Orange Door , now in a new home after a move that was a labor of love for the people behind the titular door .
February also marks Black History Month , and few people in this community ever showed as much heart for their craft as iconic tailor Louis Garrett . The late veteran of the U . S . Army has recently had a veterans village named in his honor , a testament to Garrett ' s legacy as an African-American pioneer in the community .
All this and more is featured in the February edition of Southeast Kentucky Life Magazine . From our hearts to yours , we hope you absolutely love what you find inside these pages !
February 2025 SEKY - Southeast Kentucky Life • 5