Over 50 residents, most of the community, according to organizer Linda Affolter, have signed her petition asking that new Hwy 61 not bypass Breeding.

Work is now underway in Cumberland County to straighten Hwy 61, but, at present, the land acquisition for the stretch which would bypass Breeding has not started.

Basically, Mrs. Affolter says, she wants the highway from the Cumberland County line to Upton Reece's home north of town to be left as it is.

"We don't want the road to break up the community," she said. "The new road will take business away from us and away from Breeding's two antique stores," she continued, "just when we were being encouraged by the increasing business activity here."

The Affolters have owned land in the Breeding community for six years. They were vacationing here occasionally while working in Atlanta. She was in marketing. Her husband, Dan, was an industrial hearing tester.

"We wanted a safe, quiet place to live," she said, "and when we had to opportunity to buy the Breeding Community Store from Randy Young, we did."

The Affolters have operated the store, a convenience store with a lunch counter, gas, diesel, and a small line of groceries for the past year. The store is a welcome stop for fuel and coffee, meals, and there is a restroom there. The Breeding Post Office is on the other end of the building. Carol Hammontree is postmaster.

Mrs. Affolter says that only two residents have refused to sign the petition. All of her customers have, and some who are not her customers have made a special trip to let their feelings be known.

"You know, we are the only stop between Flat Woods and Burkesville, a distance of 20 miles, and it's 15 miles to Edmonton. Travelers need us," she said.

The Affolters know they have a tough fight. They'll take their petition to legislators, try to get the Adair County Fiscal Court to help, and send it to Frankfort and ask Governor Patton to intercede and save the town.

Some small towns have succeeded in such efforts, and have been spared the fate of Cane Valley in Adair County or Black Gnat just off the new US 68 between Greensburg and Campbellsville.

When KY 90 was widened, its path through Summer Shade, Beaumont, Marrowbone, Dubree, and Waterview was not changed. Summer Shade, Marrowbone, and Waterview continue to thrive and grow. When US 127 was widened from Russell Springs north, its path through Dunnville remained, and that community thrives.

"Really," Mrs. Affolter said, "we're talking about a very straight stretch through Breeding. It would be a shame to waste the taxpayers money and split up a community as nice as ours."