It seems like I can’t go a month now without a musician or musical artist whose work I admire or enjoy passing away.

I was on my way back to the office from an interview for Jessamine Life Monday afternoon when one of my closest friends for over a decade sent me a text telling me that Tom Petty had been taken off of life support.

Tom had been taken to the hospital after being found in his home suffering the effects of cardiac arrest. The man who has seemingly been creating great American rock and roll music for eons passed away at a mere 66 years old.

My friend who texted me is a career-long DJ and on-air radio personality, and has played drums with me in about five different bands and ensembles through the years. We have played many songs written by Tom Petty in bars and clubs, as well as on trailers in streets.

I grew up listening to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and have been playing his music for as long as I have been able to play guitar. Performing music like Tom’s over the years with friends in bands has been a lot of fun and created a lot of memories that I will carry with me the rest of my own days.

For those gifts, I thank you, Mr. Petty. Godspeed and God bless.

In other news, I want to take a second to congratulate Jessamine County for achieving its recent Work Ready Community formal designation.

A lot of work went into meeting the necessary criteria to make the cut, and the credit for all of that work will almost certainly not be fully recognized as it should.

Counties all across the state who have attained the designation or are still within the process are banking on a significant boost to the local workforce once the necessary skills are recognized.

I hope that the program proves to be a widespread success in bolstering the state’s workforce. When I talk to people I know who are looking for qualified employees, I am reminded constantly what a desperate need there is for it.

Nick Hon is the editor of The Jessamine Journal and Jessamine Life magazine. He can be reached at (859) 885-6443 or by email at nick.hon@jessaminejournal.com.