April 2017 | Kentucky Monthly Magazine

NATIONAL QUILT MUSEUM • CONTENTED HEART QUILT GUILD APRIL

2017

Kentucky Derby Festival Official Schedule of Events

Display until 5/9/2017

Derby’s Best Seat in the House Kentucky Girl Pamela Brown Medals4Mettle

www.kentuckymonthly.com

In This Issue 28

49 Departments 2 Kentucky Kwiz 4 Mag on the Move 6 Across Kentucky 8 Curiosities Gonzofest 9 Music Shotgun Holler 10 Cooking 14 24 Hours in … Pikeville 57 Off The Shelf 60 Field Notes 61 Gardening 62 Calendar

Featured Fare 19 A Place in the Heart

CNN correspondent and former Kentucky “First Baby” Pamela Brown remains attached to her native state

24 A Winning View

A select few can claim the best seat in the house for the Kentucky Derby

28 Shared Mettle

UofL med students run to honor kids in the race of their lives

33 Kentucky Derby Festival

Official Schedule of Events

49 Stunning Stitchery

Voices

The National Quilt Museum in Paducah showcases quilting as a fine art

54 Quilted with Love

3 Readers Write 59 Past Tense/ Present Tense

The Contented Heart Quilt Guild provides invaluable community service

72 Vested Interest

10

ON THE COVER

Illustration by Jessica Patton

KENTUCKY

Kwiz

Test your knowledge of our beloved Commonwealth. To find out how you fared, see the bottom of Vested Interest or take the Kwiz online at kentuckymonthly.com.

7. The only jockey to win the Triple Crown twice was:

1. The Golden Antlers are presented to the winner of which annual Kentucky Derby Festival event?

8. Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew died on the 25th anniversary of what?

A. Bill Hartack B. Eddie Arcaro C. Calvin Borel

A. His Kentucky Derby win

A. The Great Balloon Race

B. His birthday

B. The Great Steamboat Race

C. His arrival at Three Chimneys Farm

C. Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic

2. Thunder Over Louisville is the traditional opening of the Kentucky Derby Festival. Before moving to the Ohio River in 1991, the fireworks extravaganza was held where?

9. Vagrant, the gelded winner of the 1876 Kentucky Derby, went on to an illustrious career doing what?

A. Stunts in silent films B. Pulling a vegetable cart in Lexington

C. Old Cardinal Stadium

3. While Denny Crum was the co-grand marshal of the Pegasus Parade in 1975 and again in 2001, the first and only person to repeat as grand marshal was:

Senior Kentributors JACKIE HOLLENKAMP BENTLEY, ANNETTE CABLE, BILL ELLIS, STEVE FLAIRTY, GARY GARTH, CYNTHIA GRISOLIA, RACHAEL GUADAGNI, JESSE HENDRIX-INMAN, ABBY LAUB, WALT REICHERT, KRISTY ROBINSON HORINE, GARY P. WEST

TRICIA FOX, General Manager BARBARA KAY VEST, Business Manager

Advertising JULIE MOORE, Senior Account Executive MISTEE BROWNING, Account Manager

B. Champs Rollerdrome

For advertising information, call (888) 329-0053 or (502) 227-0053

C. Churchill Downs

C. Loretta Lynn

KENTUCKY MONTHLY (ISSN 1542-0507) is published 10 times per year (monthly with combined December/ January and June/July issues) for $20 per year by Vested Interest Publications, Inc., 100 Consumer Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601. Periodicals Postage Paid at Frankfort, KY and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to KENTUCKY MONTHLY, P.O. Box 559, Frankfort, KY 40602-0559. Vested Interest Publications: Stephen M. Vest, president; Patricia Ranft, vice president; Barbara Kay Vest, secretary/treasurer. Board of directors: James W. Adams Jr., Dr. Gene Burch, Kim Butterweck, Gregory N. Carnes, Barbara and Pete Chiericozzi, Kellee Dicks, Maj. Jack E. Dixon, Mary and Michael Embry, Frank Martin, Lori Hahn, Thomas L. Hall, Judy M. Harris, Greg and Carrie Hawkins, Jan and John Higginbotham, Dr. A. Bennett Jenson, Walter B. Norris, Kasia Pater, Dr. Mary Jo Ratliff, Barry A. Royalty, Randy and Rebecca Sandell, Kelli Schreiber, Christopher E. and Marie Shake, Kendall Carr Shelton, Ted M. Sloan and Marjorie D. Vest.

4. The first Kentucky Derby Festival Event was?

A. The Pegasus Parade B. The Great Balloon Race C. The Great Steamboat Race

5. Triple Crown-winner Secretariat was the first horse to break the 2-minute barrier in the Kentucky Derby with a record-holding time of 1:59.40. Which other horse won the Derby in less than 2 minutes?

Kentucky Monthly invites queries but accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material; submissions will not be returned.

Kentucky Monthly is printed and distributed by Publishers Press, Shepherdsville, Ky.

www.kentuckymonthly.com (888) 329-0053 P.O. Box 559 100 Consumer Lane Frankfort, KY 40601

A. Sunday Silence B. Spectacular Bid C. Monarchos

6. The most recent jockey to win back-to-back Kentucky Derbys is: A. Calvin Borel B. Victor Espinoza

K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

Editorial PATRICIA RANFT, Associate Editor DEBORAH KOHL KREMER, Assistant Editor MADELYNN COLDIRON and TED SLOAN, Contributing Editors REBECCA REDDING, Art Director JESSICA PATTON, Graphic Designer

A. Old Cardinal Stadium

B. Muhammad Ali

2

STEPHEN M. VEST, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Marketing and Circulation

10. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the grandson of the explorer William Clark (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition) is credited with building what?

A. John Wayne

C. Eddie Delahoussaye

© 2017, Vested Interest Publications Volume Twenty, Issue 3, April 2017

C. Giving rides at a kiddy carnival

A. Iroquois Park B. Bowman Field

Celebrating the best of our Commonwealth

2016 Pegasus Parade

VOICES APPLAUSE FOR “A GOOD HAND”

Always enjoy Bill Ellis’ articles. I can certainly identify with the alcoholic farm hand story (November 2016 issue, page 48). My father had an alcoholic tenant farmer named Joe Potts. He was a good worker but would go to town after getting paid, get drunk and end up in jail almost every weekend.

His poor wife, Rue, loved him in spite of it all.

Mary Ann Dowling, Georgetown Yes, I well remember hands that used to help out my father on the farm.

Bill Ellis’ story is interesting, and it moves me, for there are still so many like them who live a marginal life— some sober, some not—who never get paid enough, and many who succumb like Doc, leaving questions but not much remembrance.

Thanks for recalling the lives of these two.

Loyal Jones, Berea My earliest memories of “hands” on our farm was of families who lived in tenant houses on our farm and worked with my daddy. There was one man who was an alcoholic but was a good worker.

One day, my dad brought him home from town drunk. His wife met him as he got out the truck and grabbed him by the shirt collar and gave him a strong shove toward the house. My dad had removed a bottle of whiskey from his pocket before bringing him home. I still have the bottle, which might be of some value to someone. This was in the 1940s.

My granddaddy would occasionally hire a hand, and my Dad would jokingly say he hired the person to come and watch him (Granddaddy) work.

David L. Terry, via email I enjoyed Bill Ellis’ article in the November edition. I’ve been in construction all my life and have known a number of “Good Hands.” Our country could use more of those folks these days.

We moved from Atlanta to Louisville in 1956, when I was young, and I grew up in Louisville. I went to school at Georgia Tech and eventually was at Fort Campbell for 4½ years. I left active duty in 1978, and that was the last time I lived in Kentucky.

My wife is from California, and we moved out here in 1987.

We keep a supply of grits and country ham, and one of our granddaughters thinks sorghum is the greatest thing ever.

I keep in touch with Kentucky with

Kentucky Afield and Kentucky Monthly. I enjoy Mr. Ellis’ articles, along with those of Gary Garth and Stephen Vest.

Dean Hodge, Shingle Springs, California Congratulations to Bill Ellis on 15 years of Kentucky Monthly writing. I absolutely love the publication.

His pieces are as Kentucky as it gets.

The November one brought special, sweet thoughts.

My father, a World War II returnee, brought home from work one day a folding green army surplus shovel for me to join in the basement digging under our own little frame home.

And we, too, got an electric water pump and a coal furnace. My wife still recalls my doing the chore of “filling the stoker and taking out the clinkers.”

These were foreign terms to city folks— Bremen—who had gas furnaces in the 1950s!

I knew Trout and Doc in Muhlenberg County as Sam Gossett or Babe or Creecree. Thank you for reminding me of them. They are Good Hands.

Bill Loney, Henderson Congratulations to Bill Ellis on his 15th anniversary with Kentucky Monthly!

I am a native of Shelby County and a subscriber to the Kentucky Monthly magazine. I always look forward to Mr. Ellis’ article each month.

I grew up in Bagdad, and we had several colorful characters, such as Old Folks Eden and Tennessee Walking Ford, to name a couple. They, too, worked for meals and did odd jobs around the county. The article “A Good Hand” reminded me of these men, in particular, Old Folks Eden.

I am the administrator of two groups on Facebook: Bagdad Ky Community Group, with more than 2,000 members, and the Shelby County Ky Area News Group, with nearly 9,000 members. In my two groups, I post pictures from the past and news “of the day.” Right now, I have more than 10,000 followers, many who are from Shelby County but now live outside of Kentucky.

Readers Write The reason I’m writing is to tell you that whenever I post a picture of Old Folks or Walking Ford, my members respond immediately. These “good hands,” no matter how much they drank, no matter how little they had, were very much loved! There are so many stories about these characters (and many more), who are now gone.

Another Shelbyville character was Jimmy Hedden. He rode his bicycle all over Shelbyville directing traffic. He did odd jobs all over Shelbyville, and about three months ago, I posted a picture of him … riding his bicycle. People from all over the United States took the time to “tell their story” about Jimmy.

I don’t believe in my lifetime that they’ll ever be forgotten! There’s “Fletch” from Southville, who went to every funeral, and when he died, it was standing room only. He didn’t have any family, but like the ones I mentioned above, people loved him. Their funerals were packed full of people, too.

I enjoy Mr. Ellis’ writings very much and sometimes “share them” with my group. So many people here know him and speak highly of him. I’ve never had the privilege of meeting him, but feel proud that his roots are the same as mine—Shelby County, Kentucky.

Cindi L. McIntosh, Southville GO-TO PUBLICATION Still enjoying the magazine. It just keeps on giving. I use it as a GO TO for reference material (all the time).

Love it even more …

Christine Coleman, Morgantown

We Love to Hear from You! Kentucky Monthly welcomes letters from all readers. Email us your comments at editor@ kentuckymonthly.com, send a letter through our website at kentuckymonthly.com, or message us on Facebook. Letters may be edited for clarification and brevity.

Counties featured in this issue n

A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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MAG

ON THE

MOVE

Even when you’re far away, you can take the spirit of your Kentucky home with you.

And when you do, we want to see it!

Take a copy of the magazine with you and get snapping. Send your highresolution photos (usually 1 MB or higher) to editor@kentuckymonthly.com.

Amanda Peck and Greg Hensley

Iceland Crestwood residents Amanda and her husband, Greg, traveled the perimeter of Iceland and are pictured on a steep hill overlooking the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, at the tip of Skaftafell/Vatnajökull National Park in southeast Iceland.

Jessica and Gabriel Czirr Kiawah Island

Phyllis Crafton and Kathy Sturm Swiss Alps

Dick and Linda Tomppert Mexico

The Lexington couple took in the quiet beauty of the island off the coast of South Carolina.

Phyllis, of Henderson, and her sister, Kathy, are shown on Gronergat Mountain in Zermatt, Switzerland, with the Matterhorn in the background.

The native Kentuckians who now live in Port Washington, New York, escaped the cold last spring by journeying to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

9 9

Earl Dunn and Crew Outer Banks The Versailles resident, shown holding the magazine, visited the North Carolina beaches with family and friends who live in Versailles and Lexington.

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Judy and Dick Hudson Florida

Lee Smith Vietnam

The Louisville residents traveled to Saint Augustine, Florida, visiting Flagler College, the once-luxurious Hotel Ponce de Leon and Villa Zorayada.

Lee and Art Smith (not pictured) traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam. Originally from Lebanon and Springfield, respectively, the couple now live in Clovis, New Mexico.

BRIEFS

Across Kentucky

REPEAT CHAMPION NOT TAKING POETRY FOR GRANTED A

Grant County High School staffing change almost took eventual champion Haley Bryan out of the running for the Poetry Out Loud competition this year, as the teacher who normally handled the paperwork and registration for the event left for a university teaching job.

“By the time it started rolling around, I started asking, ‘Who’s going to do Poetry Out Loud this year?’ ” Bryan said. “Many teachers were reluctant to do it, but I understood they were busy.”

Honors English teacher Sarah Haynes picked up the baton, and the school held a championship. “It is a great program, and I fought really hard for us to do it. I don’t think the school didn’t want to do it; I think it was just that we didn’t know what to do.”

Twenty schools were represented on the Frankfort Grand Theatre stage in the event, sponsored by the Kentucky Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Students are judged on the recitation, from memory, of two poems selected from a preapproved list. Five students advanced to the finals, where they recited another poem.

“I do it to enjoy it. I don’t do it to win,” said Haley Bryan Bryan, who has participated in the finals all four years of high school, including her win in 2015 as a sophomore. “Winning is a bonus.”

Bryan recited “Please Don’t” by Tony Hoagland and “Self-Portrait” by Chase Twitchell. She clinched the title with her interpretation of “Hap” by Thomas Hardy.

Other finalists were runner-up Mary Kate Godfrey (Elizabethtown High School), Rachel Horn (Betsy Layne High School), Haley May (Conner High School) and Rachel Stinson (Allen County-Scottsville High School).

Bryan will compete in the national finals, April 25-26 at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

P

aducah’s Dragon Boat Festival was honored with the Silver Award for Best Festival at the Southeast Festivals and Events Association’s annual Kaleidoscope Awards at the SFEA Conference in Lexington.

“The quality of submissions continues to increase each year, making it more difficult for the judges to select the winners. The recognition a festival receives for winning a top award is priceless,” said Brenda Pierce, executive director of the SFEA. One of Paducah’s premier events, the Dragon Boat Festival draws more than 6,000 spectators and features 25-30 teams competing in the races. Each team has 17 participants: 16 paddlers for the 41-foot-long boat and a drummer. A variety of organizations participate, including local companies, hospitals and banks.

“We are thrilled with this award and with the success of the event each year,” said Julie Harris, executive director of the River Discovery Center, which hosts the boat festival. “The event has allowed us to grow our programming and bring more relevant experiences to the schoolchildren in western Kentucky.”

This year’s event takes place Sept.

23. For more information on the Dragon Boat Festival, visit riverdiscoverycenter.org.

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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

B I R T H DAYS 5 Troy Gentry (1967), half of the country-music duo Montgomery Gentry 5 Roger Davis (1939), actor best known for the series Dark Shadows, his renovation of the Seelbach Hotel and development of 1400 Willow 8 Barbara Kingsolver (1955), inductee into the Kentucky Writers Roger Davis Hall of Fame who grew up in Carlisle and is best known for The Poisonwood Bible 8 Kenny Bishop (1966), Dove Awardwinning gospel singer from Richmond 9 Kyle Macy (1957), basketball star for the University of Kentucky, coach/commentator 10 Laura Bell Bundy (1981), Broadway actress/singer from Lexington 14 Loretta Lynn (1935), country music legend known as the Coal Miner’s Daughter 15 Chris Stapleton (1978), multi CMAaward-winning singer/songwriter from Staffordsville (Johnson County) Chris Stapleton 15 Sam Bush (1952), Bowling Green mandolin player, originator of the Newgrass style of bluegrass music 16 Julian M. Carroll (1931), former governor and current state senator 19 Ashley Judd (1968), actress best known for love of University of Kentucky basketball 24 Sue Grafton (1940), author from Louisville, best known for her alphabet mystery series 24 Al Cross (1954), political columnist and educator, director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues 24 Rebecca Lynn Howard (1979), country music singer/ songwriter from Salyersville Sue Grafton 28 Bill Goodman (1946), executive director of the Kentucky Humanities Council, former host of KET’s Bill Goodman Tonight

WHAT’S

HIDING IN

YOUR

PANEM COMES TO LOUISVILLE

T

he Frazier Museum presents The Hunger Games: The Exhibition, opening April 1. The exhibit draws visitors into the world of Panem, the fictional setting of the film series and best-selling novels by Suzanne Collins.

“The Hunger Games: The Exhibition not only delivers a stunning interactive experience for guests, it also offers them a way to celebrate their hometown hero’s success,” said Frazier History Museum President Penny Peavler, referring to Louisville native Jennifer Lawrence, who stars as Katniss Everdeen, the main character of the films. “We are excited to bring a blockbuster exhibit to Louisville that could both ignite the spirit of the people of Kentucky and drive regional tourists to Louisville’s Main

Street and downtown hotels.”

The film series stars another Kentucky-born actor, Josh Hutcherson of Union, in the role of Peeta.

Included in the exhibition’s seven galleries are authentic costumes and props, interactive exhibits and set recreations. Fans will recognize Katniss’ Mockingjay dress, armor and, of course, the iconic Mockingjay pin; stylist Cinna’s sketchbook; and a gamemaker’s control table. An explanatory map of Panem gives visitors points of reference for where the films’ action takes place.

Tickets are $26, with group and student discounts available.

For more information, visit TheHungerGamesExhibition.com or FrazierMuseum.org.

REMEMBERING KIMMEL

T

Short are the only two World War II his Memorial Day, the Henderson riverfront boasts a new memorial— officers not retired at their highest wartime rank. “Restoration of our to its besmirched native son Adm. grandfather’s four-star rank is the only Husband Kimmel, the commander of way the government could belatedly the U.S. Pacific Fleet during the restore his honor.” Grandson Manning Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Kimmel also attended the dedication.

Unveiled days before the 75th In 1991, 36 admirals petitioned anniversary of the attack that prompted President George H.W. Bush to the United States’ entry into World recommend his posthumous War II, the statue was sculpted by promotion. He has yet to receive it.

Louisville’s Raymond Graf.

After the attack, the admiral and Hawaiian Army commander Lt. Gen. Walter Campbell Short were relieved of command and accused of dereliction of duty. A Navy Court of Inquiry cleared Kimmel as did a later investigation by Congress.

“The admiral struggled for full exoneration until his death, but the stain of disgrace remained,” said his grandson, Tom Kimmel, From left, Steve Ray of Madisonville, Tom Kimmel and Manning during the statue Kimmel at the Adm. Husband Kimmel statue dedication dedication. Kimmel and

FIREWOOD?

Invasive insects like

Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer can be transported long distances in firewood.

Do your part to help preserve Kentucky’s forests—

LEAVE YOUR FIREWOOD AT HOME! dontmovefirewood.org

A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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CULTURE

Curiosities

D

epending on your point of view, the word gonzo will conjure up either the image of a hook-nosed fuzzball best known as a Muppet or that of a Hawaiian shirtclad counterculture icon best known for living with the Hell’s Angels. On April 15, GonzoFest in downtown Louisville will celebrate the life and work of the latter, the city’s most famous literary son, author and journalist Hunter S. Thompson.

This is the seventh year for GonzoFest, which takes place at the Louisville Free Public Library on York Street from noon-8 p.m. The fest is highlighted by musical performances from many local bands, poetry readings, spoken-word artists and fine art displays that aim to invoke the spirit of Thompson and inspire a new gonzo generation.

To fully appreciate the fest, it’s important to fully appreciate Thompson and his contributions. Born in Louisville, a longtime resident of the Highlands neighborhood, Thompson is considered one of America’s most significant writers. He became a journalist while serving in the U.S. Air Force and later earned acclaim with the publication of his 1967 book Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, for which Thompson spent a year immersed in the lives of the infamous crew. The first-person, hallucinatory account of his experiences—Thompson also was well-known for his lifelong relationship with drugs and alcohol—was groundbreaking. Over the years, he lent his style to covering the Vietnam War and presidential campaigns, but in 1970, he published an article in Scanlan’s Monthly called “The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved,” a rambling, first-person account of Louisville’s famous first Saturday in May. The story broke all the rules of conventional journalism and was another breakthrough. It is considered the first example of New Journalism, which Thompson himself dubbed “Gonzo.”

The piece paved the way for Thompson’s most famous contribution to the pantheon, his 1971 book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream.

The book began as an article in Rolling Stone magazine, for which Thompson became a contributor. It blends fact and fiction as it follows a journalist and his attorney in Las Vegas to cover a story, while sidetracked by drug-addled 8

K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

adventures and all the while lamenting the death of the 1960s counterculture.

GonzoFest had its origins 10 years ago, when co-founders Dennie Humphrey, owner of The Monkey Wrench café in Louisville; Derrick Pedolsky; and outlaw poet and writer Ron Whitehead pulled together a small tribute fest in the parking lot of Humphrey’s funky tavern. The fest drew bigger and bigger crowds over the years, prompting organizers to move it first to a parking lot across from Slugger Field for an all-day, outdoor celebration, and then in 2015 to the Big Four Lawn of Louisville’s Waterfront Park.

This year, it moves to the Louisville Free Public Library, which organizers hope will put even stronger emphasis on Thompson’s work. “This is more than just a music festival,” says GonzoFest’s marketing and public relations head Lauren Hendricks. “We are trying to focus on Hunter as a journalist, author, lover of literature, lover of the spoken word, and as a political activist.

That’s the Hunter that the world needs to know about.”

The library also has a significant tie to Thompson’s life. After his father died in 1952, his mother, Virginia Ray Davison, went to work there.

It’s there that the young Thompson learned to love books and fiction and began writing. “It was a natural fit for us to take this celebration back to where it started,” says Hendricks.

In addition to the entertainment (as of press time a musical lineup had not yet been confirmed), GonzoFest also sponsors a fine art contest and a literary contest.

Submissions began in January and the winners of each contest will be announced at the fest. Many will display their work or give readings. Attendees also can expect panel discussions and a lecture series. Admission is a suggested donation, though a VIP ticket is expected to be made available. For more information and a full lineup of events, visit gonzofestlou.com.

Hendricks hopes the festival attracts not only fans but also newcomers and burgeoning writers and artists inspired by Thompson’s legacy. “Our mission is to carry on Hunter’s name and all the work he did,” she says, “especially now, at a time when print journalism is more important than ever.”

— Cynthia Grisolia

Illustrations by Annette Cable

CULTURE

S

Music

Making Memories

hawn Brock is a man of strong convictions, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind. In a country and bluegrass music scene that can seem rather carbon copied some days, he’s got a refreshing take on topics.

For instance, he helped start his latest band, Shotgun Holler, out of frustration and boredom back in 2013. “I just became very disgusted by commercialization of music,” Brock said. He was at a bluegrass award show and talking to a buddy about the then-current scene in bluegrass and country music. “I told him, ‘You know, if you came to me in the middle of the night and hit me over the head and told me you were going to take me back 20 years, when I came to, the music would sound the same.’ ” Brock was tired of the monotony. “Music wasn’t progressing,” he said.

While Shotgun Holler uses bluegrass as a base, it is not bonded to the traditions. “We’re pretty edgy, I think,” he said. “We get, of course, some traditional stuff in there, too. I listen more to people like James McMurtry. I guess what they call ‘outlaw country’ now—AAA and Americana, Jason Isbell and folks like that.”

Once Brock came to the realization that much of the music of a genre he loved was stagnant, he called Matt Jones, with whom he had worked in a band called Blue and Lonesome. They started calling other friends in the music business to create a band. The lineup for Shotgun Holler includes Jones (guitar, from Middletown, Ohio), Rod Lunger (bass, Greensburg, Kentucky), Nathan Treadway (banjo, Bath, Indiana) and Alex Benefel (fiddle, Francisco, Indiana). Jones and Treadway have family in Kentucky as well.

Brock was born and raised in Harlan County—“a great place to be from,” he said.

The day before he turned 18, he moved to New York City and worked for a few years at Shotgun Holler Three Planet Recording. “We did a whole lot of demo work for major artists and whole albums for major artists.

We had a lot of TV contracts to have background music for TV and commercials.”

Next, he lived in Cincinnati and had his own recording studio for a while. He did session work there and has continued to this day. He estimates that he’s worked on almost 1,300 albums. Brock also has done background work for television and movies. He even lived in Nashville and worked for country singer Sara Evans for a while, until home life curbed her road trips.

With Shotgun Holler, Brock believes the band has a musical mission. “At the end of the day, it’s to be honest,” he said. “It’s to play honest music about reallife content. That doesn’t necessarily always mean happiness. One of the songs we did—we’ve never been much at being a cover band—was a song that struck a chord with us.” That song was “Methamphetamine” by Jay Farrar of Son Volt.

Promoters suggested the song would put people off if it appeared on a Shotgun Holler album.

But Brock found it ironic that eastern Kentucky folks might be offended by the song’s title since some “have family members hooked on meth or making meth.

In bluegrass, people are afraid to stand up and speak out about that,” he said.

“In eastern Kentucky, back in the day, you went to the coal mines, you went to the service, you moved away, or you got hooked on pills. The only thing that’s changed since I lived there is the option to go to the coal mines is gone.”

Brock and band members bring that sort of directness to their music. He hopes to continue his lifelong career in music.

“Money doesn’t matter, if it’s a lot or a little,” he said. “If it’s spent, it’s gone.

Two years later, you don’t remember how much you made at a show, but you’ll remember people you met at the show. If I create with music something people will remember, it will all be worth it.”

— Laura Younkin

䬀䔀一吀唀䌀䬀夀ᤠ匀 倀刀䔀䴀䤀䔀刀 娀䤀倀䰀䤀一䔀 䐀䔀匀吀䤀一䄀吀䤀伀一℀

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刀䔀匀䔀刀嘀䄀吀䤀伀一匀 䠀䤀䜀䠀䰀夀 刀䔀䌀伀䴀䴀䔀一䐀䔀䐀

刀䔀䐀刀䤀嘀䔀刀䜀伀刀䜀䔀娀䤀倀䰀䤀一䔀⸀䌀伀䴀

FOOD

Cooking

WELCOME

SPRING Photos by Jesse Hendrix-Inman. Recipes provided by Janine Washle of CloverFields Farm & Kitchen, and prepared at Sullivan University by Ann Currie.

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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

A

mong the most anticipated arrivals of spring are the fresh vegetables. The season heralds the appearance of asparagus, baby carrots, spring peas and a variety of other vegetables that help us break free from the weighty dishes of winter. Aside from an appreciated change in colors and textures, spring vegetables also provide nutritional benefits.

These seasonal delights can be roasted, steamed and even grilled. Furthermore, they can be served hot or cold—a welcome alternative from the soothingly warm comfort foods of winter.

While most spring produce comes from a garden, there are two popular foodstuffs that grow in the woods and are sought after not just by locals, but also by chefs across the country.

Early spring rains and warmth bring up morels, a type of mushroom. The other is ramps, a variety of wild leek or onion, depending on whom you ask. Ramps, and for that matter leeks, onions and garlic, aren’t vegetables, either, but are considered herbs. Ramps are harvested in the early to mid spring after their leaves appear, but before they flower. If you aren’t into wandering through the woodland, you’re in luck, because these and other foraged products can be ordered online.

As we transition from one season to the next, our kitchens will transform as well, with lighter salads, sides and mains. The following recipes will help you spring forward into fresh, locally grown and even foraged fare.

— Janine Washle, CloverFields Farm & Kitchen

Asparagus Salad

Bourbon Glazed Carrots

24 asparagus spears, tough ends trimmed; halve any large spears ¼ cup cold water 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar or white balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon minced shallots ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper, optional 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or other neutral-flavored oil ¼ cup of mixed, roughly chopped herbs: parsley, dill, tarragon, marjoram and thyme (particularly good with asparagus)

5 cups thinly sliced carrots, or baby carrots, larger ones halved 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ cup water 2 tablespoons bourbon 2 tablespoons granulated sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1. Bring a large pot filled with salted water to a boil.

Drop in asparagus. Blanch for 3 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and plunge into ice-cold water to stop the cooking process and set the color. Drain well and arrange on a rimmed serving platter.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together water, vinegar, sugar, shallots, salt and pepper until sugar and salt are dissolved. Whisk in oil.

3. Taste and adjust vinegar and seasonings if needed.

The vinaigrette should be strongly seasoned, since the asparagus juices will dilute it; also, chilling mutes flavors. Stir in the herbs.

4. Pour over prepared asparagus. Toss and serve warm or chilled.

1. Combine carrots, butter, water, bourbon, sugar and salt in a large, heavy sauté pan set over medium-high heat.

Cook, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove lid; turn up heat to evaporate any remaining water and to create a glaze.

2. Once water is evaporated, toss in parsley and stir. Serve hot.

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FOOD

Cooking

Spring Peas and New Potatoes in Cream Sauce 1 pound small new potatoes, quartered 1½ cups fresh or frozen peas (not snap peas or snow peas) ½ cup water 1 tablespoon minced onion 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper ½ cup whole milk ½ cup fat-free half-and-half (or for a traditional taste, heavy cream) 1. Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-12 minutes or until tender. Drain.

2. Place peas and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until tender. Drain.

3. In a large saucepan, sauté onion in butter until tender.

Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended; gradually add milk and cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

4. Stir in potatoes and peas; heat through.

Creamy Mustard Morels 1 pound fresh or frozen morels, cleaned (frozen morels, if mail ordered, have to be cleaned also) 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter ½ cup finely chopped onion 2 medium garlic cloves, minced 2 cups heavy cream 3 tablespoons coarse grain Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons English-style mustard powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 1. Halve or quarter morels, if necessary, so they are somewhat uniform in size.

2. Melt butter in a large sauté pan set over medium heat. Add morels, onion and garlic. Sauté for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently.

3. Once most of the liquid has evaporated from the pan, stir in the heavy cream, mustard, mustard powder and salt. Cook about 10 minutes to reduce the cream and thicken to a sauce-like consistency. Tip: Dip the back of a soup spoon into sauce then pull your finger through the center. If a clear path is evident, the sauce is ready.

4. Add thyme and stir. Adjust salt, if necessary.

Serving suggestions: ~ Appetizer or snack – Serve over toasted French bread slices or over bruschetta. ~ Light lunch – Serve over a toasted English muffin topped with salmon (left). ~ Can be used as a sauce for roast pork loin, chicken breasts, grilled steak or a ridged pasta.

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T H E FA N F AV O R I T E SINCE 1926

Honey Roasted Ramps Tart 1 17.3-ounce box of puff pastry 4 thick-cut smoked bacon slices, sliced ¼-inch thick ¼ cup honey ¼ cup balsamic vinegar ¼ teaspoon salt 1 pound fresh or frozen ramps, sliced into ¼-inch rounds (if you don’t have enough ramps, slice yellow onions to make up the difference and add one large, sliced garlic clove as well) 1 cup shredded fontina cheese 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary Cooking spray

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1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook bacon in a skillet set over medium-high heat until crispy. Transfer bacon to paper towels to absorb grease. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from skillet. If there isn’t that amount in skillet, add vegetable oil to equal 2 tablespoons.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together honey, vinegar, reserved bacon grease and salt. Add ramps and toss to coat. Spread out ramps mixture, including liquid, on a large foil-lined baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

3. Place in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes, stirring mixture from time to time. When ramps are caramelized, remove from oven and let cool.

4. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

5. Remove puff pastry from sleeve. Remove parchment paper from one of the baking sheets. Place puff pastry on it. Lightly roll out to remove creases and create a flat piece of dough. Cut ½-inch strips from all sides. Using cold water, lightly brush the edges of the dough sheet. Flip strips back onto the dough sheet to create a rim.

6. Spread half of the fontina cheese and bacon pieces over prepared puff pastry. Sprinkle half of the rosemary over cheese. Arrange half of the caramelized ramps over the top. Take care not to get any ingredients on the puff pastry rim. Repeat the process with the second puff pastry sheet and remaining ingredients.

7. Transfer tarts to the oven, placing one baking sheet on the top rack and the other on the rack below. Bake for 10 minutes, then switch them, and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until puff pastry is puffed and golden brown.

8. Remove from oven and cool a few minutes before cutting. Serve warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container.

I N G R E D I E N T S

K

2 tsp. Ale-8 Simple Syrup 6-8 Mint Leaves Crushed Ice 1.5 oz. Bourbon Ale-8 P R E P A R A T I O N

Gently muddle simple syrup and mint leaves in a silver julep cup. Fill cup with crushed ice. Add bourbon and fill cup with Ale-8. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

For complete details go to ALE8ONE.COM/RECIPES

TRAVEL

Explore

A

In this installment of “24 Hours in …” our writer visits Pikeville and gives you the scoop on what to do, where to eat, what to see and where to stay.

You’ll discover that you don’t have to travel far to have an awesome mini vacation in our great Commonwealth.

BY DEBORAH KOHL KREMER

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pparently, famed explorer Gen. Zebulon Pike was much admired in eastern Kentucky.

The general, who was killed in the War of 1812 and shares his name with Pike’s Peak in Colorado, is the Pike in Pikeville, as well as Pike County.

With nearly 7,000 residents, Pikeville is in Kentucky’s easternmost and largest county by land area. It was founded in the early 1800s, and bore the names Liberty, Pike and Piketon in the early years until around 1850, when the name Pikeville finally stuck.

The beautiful city sits in a valley, encompassed by mountains that surround it like a hug. At the base of the mountains runs the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River, which flows in a horseshoe shape around what is the downtown area of Pikeville. In the past, each spring as the snow melted off the mountains and the rainy season hit, poor Pikeville suffered devastating floods.

Some years, downtown was underwater.

Ideas for relief were discussed each year, but it was Dr. William Hambley who envisioned a solution around 1960.

When he was elected mayor, he worked to put that plan in motion.

Called the Pikeville Cut-Through, it is one of the largest civil-engineering projects in the Western Hemisphere, and the end result was the moving of a mountain and the rerouting of a river, a highway and a railroad—no small feat!

The 14-year project was completed in 1987, and now, instead of the river traveling the horseshoe shape around the town, it flows where the mountain used to be, straight across the top of the horseshoe, removing the yearly threat of floods. After the mountain was moved, it was possible to move the railroad and the highway to the side of downtown, instead of through it, alleviating trafic congestion.

•••

We begin our 24 Hours in Pikeville with a sugary, caffeine-filled breakfast at Roasted Coffee and Café in the historic former Chesapeake and Ohio Passenger Depot in the center of town.

Roasted has a coffeehouse feel—warm and inviting. Just open the door and inhale to experience the freshly baked doughnuts, pastries and, of course, coffee drinks that beat any chain-style java joints.

If you need advice on anything in the town or the area, travel a few doors down to the Pikeville tourism office. Tourism Director Tony Tackett and his staff are a wealth of information. It is here that you can get help planning your Hatfield and McCoy driving tour. The area was home to the famous, bloody feud that was in its heyday in the mid- to late1800s, and there are historic markers and remembrances all over town. In 2012, the History Channel created a miniseries starring Kevin Costner called Hatfields & McCoys that sparked interest in the feuding families. Tackett said that about 90 percent of visitors who come to town are pursuing facts about the descendants of William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield of West Virginia and Kentucky’s Randolph “Ole Ran’l” McCoy. The tour, which can last up to seven hours, can be broken down to fit your schedule and interests, and takes visitors past many sites where the families lived, worked and sometimes died.

•••

An easy way to sum up the feud, as well as all things related to Pikeville history, is with a visit to the Big Sandy Heritage Center. Located in an

unlikely spot on the fourth floor of the county courthouse judicial annex, the museum makes efficient use of a former courtroom and office space.

An area that focuses on Pike County’s Native American history includes tools, clothing, arrowheads and even a rattle made from a turtle shell. The area surrounding Pikeville saw skirmishes in the United States Civil War, and the museum has newspaper accounts of the battles as well as soldiers’ diaries, canteens, weapons and uniforms.

Everett Johnson, executive director/ curator, is happy to guide a tour. “I want everyone to know about Pikeville’s history,” he said Another area of the museum is dedicated to the Pikeville Cut-Through and explains the entire procedure from start to finish. The historic aerial photos and diagrams make it easy to understand the work involved and the scale of the project.

“They say it is the second-largest earth removal project only to the building of the Panama Canal,” Johnson said.

The museum also has an impressive, if not scary, collection of early medical devices, 19th-century farm and household tools, University of Pikeville memorabilia, and a room dedicated to coal mining paraphernalia, including a canary cage, miner helmets and antique mining gear.

•••

Pikeville has a few diners downtown to get you through lunchtime. One of the newest on the block is Sliced, a hip pizzeria. Check out the pizzas already made and available by the slice; there are several ready to go. Take a look at the portion size, though. Each slice is ginormous, so you might want to adjust your

Pikeville Cut-Through

order. No matter what the size is, the crust is thin with a thicker, doughy crust at the back of the slice—perfect for holding onto while eating.

Sliced offers a few sandwiches and salads, too, but everyone in town talks about the pizzas. If you eat in, check out the tables with built-in Scrabble boards. And don’t leave without (at least) one of the eatery’s decadentlooking chocolate chip cookies. If you are full from your giant slice, get one to go.

•••

One option for your afternoon could be poking around in the downtown shops. There are a few clothing, consignment, antique and gift shops, all run by friendly people.

One of those is Rustic Roots on Second, where you will find Appalachian-made gifts and painting and pottery classes. Upstairs is home to the Love Lites Candle Company, and it fills the store with dreamy aromas, like maple hot toddy, apple pie moonshine and black cherry bourbon.

“One of our goals at Rustic Roots is to keep the Appalachian culture alive,” said Brenda Minix, store manager.

“We have such talented people here, we are happy to give them a place to show it.”

Also in the downtown area is the historic York House, a stately Italianate building that dates back to the 1860s.

Home to the prominent Dils family and said to be the location where the truce was sealed between the Hatfields and McCoys, today the restored house is the site of an unexpected exhibit.

The University of Pikeville has brought Khirbet el-Maqatir & A Journey Through Biblical History to town. The exhibit is a Biblical archaeology collection that you would assume

would be found in a giant museum in a major metropolitan city. But luckily for us, it is in Pikeville through the summer.

Among the 250 artifacts on loan from the Khirbet el-Maqatir excavation in Israel are sling stones from the period of David, as in David and Goliath; jar handles dating back to 700 B.C. and the time of Hezekiah; and from Tyre a shekel—a silver coin from the first century, similar to the type of coins given to Judas to betray Jesus.

Exhibits showcase excavated items from the period of the Patriarchs through the time of Rome and Jesus Christ.

“This exhibit allows visitors to walk through ancient history from the time of the Bible,” said Tommy Chamberlin, exhibit director. “The further in you go, the further back in history you go.”

The York House is open on Fridays and Saturdays, but Chamberlin is happy to open the doors for private viewings if those days do not fit a visitor’s travel plans.

•••

Also downtown, situated on the hillside, is the stately University of Pikeville. UPike, as it is called, has 2,400 students pursuing 27 majors and is home to Kentucky’s only College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Optometry.

The welcome mat to the university consists of 99 steps and a 9-foot, bronze statue of former University President and former Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton. The steps lead from downtown up the hillside to the campus and symbolize opportunity.

Another landmark near downtown is the historic Dils Cemetery. You can park behind the fire station, cross the street and climb the steps to get to the

Biblical artifacts on display A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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TRAVEL

Explore

“Hillbilly Car” in the Hillbilly Days parade top of the hill, where you will find the gravesites of Col. John Dils and his descendants, as well as his freed slaves. Some of the headstones date back to the late 1800s, and it is thought to be one of the first integrated cemeteries in eastern Kentucky. It also is the final resting place of some Hatfields and some McCoys. Naturally, they are buried a distance from each other—no need to stir up the feud after all these years.

•••

If you are looking for outdoor adventures, Pikeville’s location affords an abundance of opportunities to commune with nature. Head up to Bob Amos Park, home to hiking and mountain bike trails, horseback riding stables and trails, athletic fields, a zip line through the mountains, and canoeing and kayaking on Levisa Fork.

Plus, the park has a spectacular view of the downtown and a bird’s-eye view of the Pikeville Cut-Through.

•••

Several dinner options are available in downtown Pikeville, including American choices like burgers and bar food at Bank 253 and, of course, the legendary Chirico’s Ristorante, which has been serving up Italian fare for more than 30 years. The Blue Raven is somewhat of a newcomer to the area, but has done a great job tying together Pikeville history, with old local photos on the walls and iconic Kentucky favorites on the menu.

Start with an eastern Kentucky staple of its beer cheese appetizer, the perfect mix of smooth with a little 16

K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

A scenic view of Pikeville’s great outdoors

bite. Entrée choices include slice-withyour-fork filet of beef and the amazingly seasoned pork tenderloin.

The restaurant’s good, old-fashioned Southern fried catfish, complete with green apple slaw, tastes like Grandma used to make. No matter what your entrée is, do yourself a favor and choose the smoked gouda mac ’n’ cheese. Served in an adorable, individual-sized cast-iron skillet, it comes out of the oven slightly crispy on the top and warm and creamy on the inside. You won’t leave hungry.

•••

For evening activities, you can always see if there is a concert or special event at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center. Jenny Wiley Theatre downtown hosts Broadway-style shows performed by a mixture of nationally recognized professionals and community-recognized actors.

In the summer months, Pikeville offers fun and free family activities like Muscle on Main and Pikeville Main Street Live.

Muscle on Main is the second weekend of the month from May to October, filling the streets of Pikeville with hot rods and souped-up classic cars. The weekend begins with Friday night drag racing at the Wrightway Raceway in the Riverfill Arena, where the river flowed before the CutThrough became a reality. Saturday brings a cruise-in on Main Street and more racing.

On the first and third Friday evenings during the summer, the plaza in front of the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center boasts Pikeville Main Street 16

Live. Featuring live music on the outdoor stage and food booths, it is a great way to enjoy some local flavor.

The Hatfield-McCoy Heritage Days festival is held each Labor Day weekend to commemorate the famous feud. It is all in fun now, as the families made amends long ago and today promote peace, communication and reconciliation. The weekend is a nod to history, but more about a nice family weekend, with live entertainment, arts and crafts, and lots of food booths.

Pikeville’s biggest annual event is Hillbilly Days. Embracing their stereotypical roots, the residents of the town turn out, sporting straw hats, patched denim overalls and wellused corncob pipes for a three-day festival, one of the largest in the state.

There is a jalopy parade through town, midway rides, outhouse races, locally made arts and crafts, and of course, all kinds of food, or in this case, vittles.

Each year, musical acts perform around town. This year’s headliner is award-winning singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton, who hails from nearby Staffordsville. Mark your calendar for April 20-22, and you can be a hillbilly, too.

•••

As for lodging, there are two hotels in downtown Pikeville. Both the Hampton Inn and neighboring Hilton Garden Inn are on Hambley Avenue, enabling you to walk to most attractions. The hotels share a convenient free parking garage, and street parking in the downtown area also is free. Q

IF YOU GO: Big Sandy Heritage Museum 172 Division Street (606) 766-1025 The Blue Raven 211 Main Street (606) 509-2583 theblueraven.net Bob Amos Park 424 Bob Amos Drive (606) 437-5100 Dils Cemetary 2359 Town Mountain Rd (606) 437-4609 Eastern Kentucky Expo Center 126 Main Street (606) 444-5500 eastkyexpo.com Jenny Wiley Theatre Company 218 Second Street (606) 886-9274 JWTheatre.com Roasted Coffee and Café 787 Hambley Blvd.

(606) 253-3035 Rustic Roots on Second 239 Second Street (606) 253-3080 rusticrootsonsecond.com Sliced 121 Main Street 606-253-3030 theblueraven.net The York House, Khirbet el-Maqatir Exhibit 223 Main Street (606) 422-5952 upike.edu/exhibit

Exppience

Elegant Lodging at the

This is where we live, learn and strive to serve.

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www.UPIKE.edu M A R C H 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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CNN correspondent and former Kentucky “First Baby” Pamela Brown remains attached to her home state

BY R ACH A EL GUADAGN I

A Place in the Heart L

ife is a journey, not a destination.” Like all trusty chestnuts, this statement belies its depth and meaning with a simple, matter-of-fact tone. Of course life is a journey: We are all going somewhere and doing something, right? But where? And what?

For one Kentucky girl, the “what” was broadcasting, and the “where” was a path that began in Lexington, veered southeast to North Carolina, then to Washington, D.C., New York, and eventually back to D.C., where she currently resides. And now her journey has circled back to the Bluegrass, where preparations are being made at her childhood home for a joyous celebration and a new chapter in her life.

Pamela Ashley Brown was born on Nov. 29, 1983, to thenKentucky Gov. John Y. Brown Jr. and his wife, Phyllis George. Brown, an attorney and businessman, purchased Kentucky Fried Chicken from Harland Sanders in 1964 and is credited with elevating the company to its global status. He was Kentucky’s 55th governor, serving from 1979-83. George, a former Miss Texas and Miss America, joined the cast of CBS’s The NFL Today in 1975, becoming one of the first women to work in the sports broadcasting field. She and Brown were married in 1979 and bought their Cave Hill estate soon after. Deteriorating conditions in the governor’s mansion in Frankfort forced the first couple to live at Cave Hill full-time, and it became the de facto state residence and home to their

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children, Pamela and her older brother, Lincoln.

“I feel so fortunate to have grown up in Lexington, Kentucky,” said Pamela. “One of my favorite memories growing up at Cave Hill was having my cousins and grandparents visit during the summers and hosting pool parties for all my friends—even the one where I chipped my two front teeth because I slipped on the pavement by the pool.”

Currently CNN’s justice and Supreme Court correspondent, Pamela recalls the early connection to journalism and the gift of a strong work ethic passed down by her parents. “My parents traveled a lot for work, and I remember helping my mom pick out her work outfits and spraying her perfume on my pillows when she would leave on trips because I’d miss her so much. I feel guilty when I have to leave my dog behind on work trips, so I now understand how torn she was when she had to travel.

“But both of my parents showed me the value of working hard and making sacrifices. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more and more appreciative of the example they both set, and I think it’s a big reason why I’m on my current career path.”

Pamela attended some of Lexington’s best schools, participating in athletics and one of Kentucky’s signature activities. “I absolutely loved going to Henry Clay [High School],” she said. “It’s where I made most of my lasting friendships. Before that I attended TLS [The Lexington School], Sayre and Lexington Catholic. I was involved in soccer growing up and rode American Saddlebred horses competitively until halfway through high school.”

Pamela’s affection for the educators who impacted her life remains strong, and she shares a particularly tender memory. “The teacher that I remember most fondly is Pat

Esrael from Lexington Catholic,” she said. “She would give her undivided attention to me and always made me feel special. Sadly, she passed away last spring. She was truly such a special human being.”

The seeds of journalism were planted early for Pamela, who headed to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after graduating from Henry Clay. “I grew up watching my mom hosting her own shows and being a broadcaster in various capacities, so it was something I was interested in from a young age,” she said. “When I entered high school, I began interning at WLEX [TV] in Lexington and then CNN over the summer. I knew I wanted to pursue a broadcast journalism degree in college, and UNC had one of the most reputable programs in the country.

“UNC helped prepare me in many ways. It taught me all the basics of the process: how to write for television, shoot my own stories and edit my own pieces. Most importantly, it taught me good journalism ethics and how to avoid pitfalls along the way.”

While in college, Pamela enjoyed a brief gig with Jefferson Pilot Sports—where she would “run up and down the sidelines picking up the cable from the photographer”— and after graduation, she landed a job as a reporter for NewsChannel 8 and WJLA in Washington, D.C. Several years of professional experience at the local level led to a position on the national news stage and another move. “I came to CNN after working at WJLA as a reporter/ anchor for seven years,” Pamela said. “It was a big step up, but it felt like the right time for a new challenge. I had always respected CNN as a news organization, and I was particularly interested in coming in at the ground level with the new CNN president, Jeff Zucker, at the helm.”

Some of the nation’s most difficult moments gave Pamela

“I grew up watching my mom hosting her own shows … so it was something I was interested in from a young age.”

Pamela Brown serves as CNN’s justice and Supreme Court correspondent

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A young Pamela with her brother, Lincoln

an opportunity to spread her wings as a journalist, working with state and federal officials to keep the public up to date on the day’s top stories. “CNN moved me up to NYC and then back to D.C. after less than a year to become the justice correspondent,” she said. “That move was prompted by my reporting during the Boston bombings, Cleveland kidnappings and other law enforcement-related stories.”

Changing cities and roles has been a bit of a whirlwind, but Pamela wouldn’t have it any other way. “It has been a wild ride on the Supreme Court and justice beat these last three years, and I have a feeling it will continue to be,” she said. “I most enjoy being a part of the big and impactful stories that CNN covers all around the globe.”

Contemplating what might come next in her career, she considers expanding her repertoire. “In the future, I would like to host my own show, keep up the reporting, and work on documentaries.”

This past fall, Pamela began the newest phase of her life when boyfriend Adam Wright popped the question. “My fiancé proposed last September on a random rainy Wednesday night,” she said. “I came home after a long day, and he had made dinner, which was the first clue something was up. After dinner, he gave me a note and left the room. A few minutes later, he walked back in with our dog, Bubs, who had a ring box on his bow-tie collar. It was the perfect proposal, because I’m such a homebody.”

Though her parents divorced in 1998 and Cave Hill was sold a few years later, there was little doubt in Pamela’s mind where her June wedding would be held. “I’ve dreamed of getting married at Cave Hill since I was a little girl, so one of my first calls was to the owners, who are

www.artscouncil.ky.gov

Saturday, April 22

9 am — 7 pm

Lexington Convention Center

Sunday, April 23

10 am — 5 pm A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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also family friends,” she said. “They were kind enough to allow me to host my wedding there, and the plans are moving full steam ahead.”

Although Wright has visited the Bluegrass State before, many of the guests will be first-time Kentucky visitors, and Pamela is thrilled to be a part of that experience. “My fiancé, Adam, has been with me several times, but his parents and sister have never been, so it should be fun for them,” she said. “I’m so excited to bring all of these out-of-towners to Kentucky and show them what a wonderful place it is.”

CNN makeup artist Yasmeen Ibrahim will be handling the bride’s hair and makeup, but most of the professional services enlisted are from the Lexington area. “I’m relying on a lot of Kentucky vendors for my wedding,” said Pamela. “Sarah Leer is my wedding coordinator; L.V. Harkness for invitations and event design; Elizabeth Hemphill with Rose and Thistle is my event designer and florist. Cooper Vaughan is my caterer, and Sugar Forest will provide the cake.”

Big Ass Fans will keep the air flowing, while bluegrass sounds from The Wooks enliven the rehearsal dinner, and local artist Danny Williams will provide the music for the ceremony.

Will Pamela’s special connection to the Commonwealth ever bring her home permanently?

“Kentucky is where my roots are. It will always hold a special place in my heart, and I try to come home several times a year. I have no idea what my future holds and where my career will take me, but I would love to reside in Kentucky again one day. You never know!” Q

Brown with fiancé Adam Wright and dog Bubs

“I feel so fortunate to have grown up in Lexington … Kentucky is where my roots are.”

Follow Pamela on Twitter and Instagram:

@PamelaBrownCNN

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Photo: Rob Taber

Folk ~ Bluegr ass ~ americana

Watch performances online at lostriversessions.org and on WKU-PBS (check your local listings)

Listen on the radio and online at wkyufm.org every 1st Thursday of the month @ 8/9e

LOST RIVER SESSIONS LIVE!

Monthly concert series at the historic Capitol Arts Center in downtown Bowling Green.

Visit us online for concert and broadcast information.

LostRiverSessions.org

A Winning VIEW

A select few can claim the best seat in the house for the Kentucky Derby

By Ken Snyder

M

ary Donald may have the best seat in the house for the Kentucky Derby. Her view is unobstructed. It is almost as quiet as a church. There are no jostling crowds, and it’s a short trip to her seat—51 steps to be exact. The catch is that those steps are straight up a ladder in a patrol tower, where Donald operates a broadcast camera.

For the world-famous race at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, Donald doesn’t have the only unusual seat. There also are seats in great spots offering excellent views at the best price (free!); and there are 3-inch ledge perches that, without question, offer the most up-closeand-personal view of the race.

So what is it like to be “far from the madding crowd,” away from the high-fashion set in the grandstand or the lowbrow lot in the infield?

For Donald, the obvious question has nothing to do with her seat, but getting to it. Butterflies weren’t a part of her first trip up the ladder a few years ago, but the return trip was another matter. “I wouldn’t come down until after the last race because coming down was worse,” she admits.

Her vantage point for the Derby is where the backstretch leads into the final turn, just across the track from the infield “Quadrant of Concupiscence” made infamous by the mostly under-30 crowd that drinks, debauches and disports there annually.

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“They do this thing every year where they run across the ‘port-a-loos,’ ” says Donald of infield “roof races,” exhibiting her New Zealand roots as she speaks about what we know as port-a-potties.

For Donald, Derby Day is an experience she is truly in, but not of. A mere 50 or so yards away from infield revelry, she passes the time between races reading magazines or coming down to visit friends at the nearby track kitchen.

Straight from the Horse’s Back

Greg Blasi’s seat as Churchill Downs’ lead outrider—a kind of pony policeman for the Derby and all other races— is a saddle, and his initial view is from his horse just in front of the starting gate on the outside rail. If his seat strikes envy in you, think again. “All I can see, depending on the weather, is a cloud of dust and a lot of horses’ asses,” says the native Kansan with cowboy candor. He speaks, of course, of the literal kind—posteriors of Thoroughbreds pumping down the stretch.

Still, he says he has the best seat in the house. “There’s no describing it. When they get done playing ‘My Old Outrider Greg Blasi (opposite, right) leads 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, with Mario Gutierrez aboard, to the winner’s circle [©Jeffrey Snyder 2016]

Mary Donald’s “seat” for the Derby

A wall of windows in the track kitchen provides an arguably awesome view

Kentucky Home,’ you can just feel the sound hitting you in the back,” he says of the roar from the crowd that follows the traditional song.

His job, however, comes with hazards of a sort beyond what you might expect on horseback, as it is Blasi’s duty to ride down to meet the Derby winner and escort the horse back to the winner’s circle. Following one of famed jockey Calvin Borel’s Derby-winning rides, the jubilant rider kissed Blasi on the mouth. “Everybody saw it, all my friends back home,” says Blasi, not to mention a national television audience.

“There’s a guy at an equipment place in Simpsonville I do business with. Every time I come in there, if there’s anybody else there, he tells them how I kissed Calvin Borel.”

Making an understatement of monumental proportions, Blasi adds that “nobody was ever happier than Calvin.”

Gate Crew View

While Blasi is near the front of the starting gate, just behind it and actually tethered to it is tractor driver Joey Northerner. In addition to positioning the gate, his responsibility consists of pulling it to the outside rail, out of the way of the horses rounding the turn for home. Of his seat, Northerner says, “It’s amazing. I think I have the best view. When the horses are loading, I’m right next to them.”

Once horses break from the gate and he tows it away, Northerner hops down from his seat and stands to see the horses gallop by for the stretch run. “You’re out on the track, and they’re going right past you. It’s an unbelievable feeling,” he says.

Proximity is priceless for Northerner, both before and after his job is done. “I wouldn’t trade my seat,” he says.

Starter Scott Jordan’s “seat” actually is a stand on the 26

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inside rail in front of the starting gate. For him, proximity is nerve-wracking. He watches the horses load into the gate, like Blasi and Northerner, but he is responsible for actually starting the Kentucky Derby, holding in his hand the button that springs open the starting gate doors. “Once I push that button and everything goes smooth, it’s more of a relief for me.”

It is almost certain that Jordan envies the relative quiet in Donald’s camera tower as he waits for 20 nervous Thoroughbreds to get steady. “When I’m up there on the stand, no noise is good, ’cause if something is going wrong, my guys are yelling. The quieter it is, the better,” he says.

Gate assistant John James’ seat for the Derby is, like Jordan’s, not a seat but a position behind the gate and actually behind horses, shutting the rear gates as horses move into position.

“You see a lot you don’t see from the grandstand,” James says. His task involves moving from one rear gate to another in somewhat rapid succession and neither sitting nor standing, but, he says, “I like my seat a whole lot better.”

He calls his post a “privileged spot” and says he takes joy in telling people what he does on Derby Day. Possibly the ultimate proximity also is not from a seat, per se, but the aforementioned 3-inch ledge running down the sides of each “hole,” as post positions are called, in the starting gate. Here, for assistant starters balancing on the ledge, the view is about as up-close and personal as it can possibly be, as they grip the horse’s halter to keep its head forward in anticipation of the gate opening. Both James and Jordan are veterans of this job, which is certainly one of the most dangerous in sports.

“I got too old,” James said with a smile of his former duty inside the starting gate.

Calmer Vantage Points

Safer seats in the non-working category are found down the entire backstretch or “backside” barn area of Churchill Downs, and some even provide protection from the elements. The track kitchen, hard by the top of the backstretch near Donald’s patrol tower, is a favorite for backside “insiders” who’ve gained access to the Churchill Downs barn area. There are large windows facing the track that get crowded for the Derby and every other race.

Barbara Beard’s access last year came through a son and daughter-in-law who work in the kitchen. “It’s the best seat in the house,” she says. “You can see everybody and everything, plus there’s the TV,” something not found everywhere on the backside. Last year, the Derby was a true family affair, with four of her grandchildren accompanying her and busing tables.

Next door, in a patio area, Lisa Hudgens, whose cousin manages the kitchen, commandeered picnic tables for her first Derby from the backside. Like everyone else and despite never having seen the Derby from this spot, she excitedly opines that “this is the best place to see it!

“It’s more family-oriented back here than the front [grandstand],” she says.

A veteran of backstretch Derbys since the mid-1960s, Jerry Webster shares Hudgens’ opinion. “This is the true feeling of the Derby, to be back here and see guys working and see these horses right up close like this. This is the way to do Derby,” he says with conviction.

For backside picnickers or track kitchen spectators, it is “who you know and not the dough.” Obviously, for gatecrew members and outriders, it is about the dough. As for Mary Donald, it is about the courage to climb up—and down—51 steps of a patrol tower ladder. Q

Shared Mettle UofL med students run to honor kids in the race of their lives

By Kristy Robinson Horine

I

ran for pediatric patients in the Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon (13.1 miles) or Marathon (26.2 miles). The runners then gave their medals to patients who wanted to participate in the program. By 2016, the chapter included 87 UoL medical school runners, one of whom was Natalie Spillman.

Spillman had never done distance running before. In the fall of 2014, her first year in medical school, she received an email that changed more than just her schedule and her activity level; it changed an entire way of thinking.

“They asked if there was anyone who wanted to help kids get through hardship,” Spillman says. “If there was ever a reason for me to do something crazy, like run a half-marathon, then it would be for me to make a kid’s life better.”

Spillman started training, beginning with 3-mile training runs in January and eventually working her way up to 13 miles. In addition to distance runs three to four times a week, she also cross-trained with yoga or swimming that gave her muscles a chance to relax and stretch.

For normal folks who train for marathon-esque runs, the Run for a Greater Good schedule can be grueling, but the students who have In 2003, Steven Isenberg, a head and neck surgeon in participated in the M4M have the added pressure of early Indianapolis, ran the Chicago Marathon and then paid a mornings, lectures, hospital rotations, studying for exams, visit to a friend in a hospital who suffered from prostate seeing patients, and meetings of all cancer. Isenberg gifted his friend types. with the marathon medal he had For Spillman, though, working in just won and reportedly said, “You “They tell us at the additional training schedule just are running a much more difficult school that we are seemed like the right thing to do. marathon than the one I For the 2014-2015 medical school completed.” leaders. We can Isenberg’s friend eventually died year, Spillman was paired up with as a result of the cancer, but the Mary Kate Dole, a 10-year-old cancer impact the simple act of awarding a runner’s patient running a race against acute medal for a patient’s mettle started lymphoblastic leukemia. community more a tradition that has run laps around “She was just an inspiration the world. The Medals4Mettle beyond anything in the history of than just staying program accepts medals donated by the whole world,” Spillman says. marathon runners, outfits the “Here is this 10-year-old girl going and treating medals with a colorful band, and through cancer treatment. She was then distributes them to children so cute, so nice … she always patients ...” and adults who are fighting for wanted to know what was going on — Andy Sims their lives against critical and in my life, and she thought sometimes life-threatening diseases. doctoring was the coolest thing In 2009, the program came to the ever. I couldn’t believe that University of Louisville School of Medicine. It was organized something that seemed so simple to me—running for by then-student Riley Jones and supported by former UoL somebody and getting a medal for somebody—made such a Chief of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Salvatore J. big difference in her life.”

Bertolone Jr. That first year, 11 medical school participants In Spillman’s second year, Mary Kate’s cancer had gone

t happened somewhere between mile 1 and mile 13.1.

A complete stranger ran up behind Natalie Spillman, tapped her on the shoulder, and spoke the words she needed to hear.

“I’m the father of one of the kids in your program,” he said. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

Spillman nodded and kept running, the telltale red shirt she wore flapping in the wind. Before the race, she had told her mother, “I know I’ve trained, but I don’t know if I can finish.”

All the doubts, all the weariness, all the mundane step after step after step faded in the face of a singular determination, rekindled by the words of a stranger.

Natalie Spillman wasn’t running for personal accolades or to prove something.

She ran—and finished—for someone who couldn’t run.

That someone was Moriah Bonner, a toddler running her own race against sickle cell anemia. Spillman’s medal would be a physical way to honor Moriah’s fighting spirit—her mettle.

A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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into remission, and she insisted that Spillman run for another child who needed her more. Spillman was then matched up with Moriah, who will be 2 this year. The toddler’s sickle cell anemia causes her red blood cells to be shaped like a sickle. The trouble with sickle cell, Spillman explains, is that the cells can’t hold much oxygen, and they often stick together, producing painful and dangerous situations.

The chapter’s motto, “There is always someone fighting a worse battle than you are,” is on the back of its red team shirts. It’s also in the back of

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Spillman’s mind while she trains and while she races.

“You think you might have something bad you are going through, but see that little 2-year-old over there?

She has to have a blood transfusion every three weeks just so she doesn’t have a pain crisis,” Spillman says. “It’s helped me realize I’m very lucky, and because of it, I should give back.”

Beyond the Race

One way of giving back is to run, but another way is to take on a leadership role in the program, which is exactly what Spillman did in her

second year. Now, she is the chapter chair of the UoL organization and actively encourages others to use their running gifts to help patients. This year, the chapter opened up the M4M to include not only medical students, but also students in the dental, doctoral, nursing and public health programs. This year marks the largest UoL M4M group to participate, with more than 100 runners signed up.

Second-year medical student Andy Sims learned about the program from Spillman. This year is his second miniMarathon for the M4M Louisville chapter.

Sims is an Owensboro native, interested in becoming a surgeon but keeping an open mind throughout his schooling. He runs for Logan Collins, a 6-year-old with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

“Some days, you are going to run, and it will be crappy weather. Or you’re just tired, and it’s a mental thing to go out and run, but it is pretty often that I think of my little buddy, Logan, and then I realize I’m complaining about a little bit of rain, and he’s going through chemotherapy,” Sims says. “It helps to put things in perspective and gives me an incentive and extra motivation.”

The difference the program has made in Logan’s life is something for which his parents, Josh and Laura, are grateful.

Logan was diagnosed with ALL on June 6, 2014, when he was 3. Over the years, Josh says that Logan’s “acute leukemia was met with acute treatment” to rid him of the cancer.

Logan is pretty much like every other 6-year-old in terms of hobbies and favorite things. He loves superheroes, Pokemon, Power Rangers and dinosaurs. The difference, of course, is that unlike most other 6-year-olds, he takes a handful of chemotherapy pills every night and has endured so many blood transfusions that his parents run an annual blood drive in Shelbyville for the Red Cross in Logan’s name.

His treatments are scheduled to end on Aug. 12, and his family is planning a big party. But for now, they take one day at a time and relish the thought of the annual medaling ceremony after the marathon. The ceremony usually takes place at UofL’s Kosair Charities Clinical & Translational Research Building.

The day of the race, the runners begin their endurance challenge around 7 a.m. Most racers finish the 13.1 miles within a few hours, and then have a chance to rest and clean up before the official medaling ceremony begins in the early afternoon. In 2016, Isenberg

himself was included as one of the speakers, and then the runners presented their medals to their “buddies.”

Spillman says the event often includes tears and joy on both sides— the medical students who run and their buddies for whom they race. The parents also feel the effects.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Andy. The training, mental and physical strain of such an event are overshadowed by the relationship he has developed with Logan,” Josh Collins says. “He has attended numerous treatments with us, sometimes long days, sitting and playing with Logan.”

Where True Mettle Lasts

Sims can remember the first time he met Logan. It was an October morning after an important gross anatomy test.

“I got lost going to the clinic, and I was using my maps on my phone and

went to the wrong place. And it was raining,” Sims recalls as he tells of meeting Logan at the clinic. “In the beginning of the program, it’s kind of weird. It says, ‘Hey, let this stranger come to your son’s doctor appointment,’ which can sometimes be a tense or stressful time, and a really vulnerable place. But Josh and Laura were so welcoming and nice.”

Logan was nice, too. Despite his illness, he taught Sims how to get down and play with dinosaurs. One of their favorite games was Don’t Break the Ice. It’s still a favorite today.

“Knowing I was running for him was awesome on so many levels because, as a student and as a future physician, I’m assuming we won’t get to spend time with families in this kind of capacity, getting to know them and getting to know the context of their life,” Sims says. “Usually, we will see them in a hospital setting or in an outpatient setting.”

Spillman agrees that having an

Dr. Steven Isenberg

opportunity to meet and interact with the patients they’re seeing in medical school has added a perspective unlike anything she has learned in a traditional classroom.

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Is Preserving America’s Heritage an Integral Part of Your Charitable Giving and Estate Plan?

The Sons of the American Revolution Foundation and the Center for Advancing America’s Heritage provide a unique opportunity for you to join other patriotic and generous foundations, corporations and individuals by donating to complete and endow the SAR National Education Center and Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.

Andy Sims with Logan Collins

The Museum will tell bold, emotional stories about the Revolution and show how it continues to influence freedom and independence worldwide.

For details see www.sar.org For information on how you can be a part of this important project, please contact: Samuel C. Powell ldunn@sar.org SAR Foundation, Inc. 809 W Main St. Louisville, KY 40202 (336) 227-3557

Local contacts are available to meet with you.

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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

“The person is not their diagnosis,” Spillman says and then explains that knowing patients and their life outside of a clinical setting helps the medical professional determine the best course of treatment. This extra context includes the often-important social aspect and familial support, or the lack of such things, in a patient’s life. “It has helped to open my eyes to look at a patient holistically.”

Sims is also taking mental notes for the day when he leaves medical school and ventures into his own community.

“They tell us at school that we are leaders. We can impact the community more than just staying and treating patients,” he says. “Depending on where I end up and what the community is like, that could look a million different ways on how I can make the most impact. But the important thing is being on the lookout for those opportunities.”

For Spillman and Sims, as well as for their buddies, Moriah and Logan, the opportunity to honor the mettle that makes life worth living comes in April this year. Running for hope and running for help is a race like no other. Q

2017

Kentucky Derby Festival Official Schedule of Events

For more information, visit KDF.ORG Presented in partnership with

#KDF2017

Kentucky Monthly

Kentucky Derby Festival’s Weeks of Fun

By Jackie Hollenkamp Bentley

F

or six decades, the Kentucky Derby Festival has celebrated all things Kentucky Derby for weeks leading up to the first Saturday in May. This year certainly is no different. Of course, traditional events such as the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade, Thunder Over Louisville, the Great Steamboat Race and other beloved happenings are on the agenda, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when you have a multi-week celebration of more than 70 scheduled events.

Unless otherwise noted, just one 2017 Pegasus Pin® is all folks need for admission.

Family Fun Active Lifestyle culinary entertainment + social

The Board of Directors and staff, our 4,000 volunteers and more than 400 sponsors welcome you to one of America’s greatest community celebrations. This whirlwind of colorful activities is a wonderful time in this community and we hope you enjoy it.

The KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL is a private, not-for-profit community organization dedicated to providing unique entertainment for the Greater Louisville area. Entertaining more than 1.5 million people, the KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL is one of the nation’s top festivals boasting more than 70 special events

2017 schedule family fun April 11 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION STUDENT ART CONTEST PRESENTED BY THE FILLIES, INC. 6:30 p.m. reception. 7 p.m. awards ceremony at DuPont Manual High School. Awards ceremony for students in grades K-12 participating in the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation’s Student Art Contest. A Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Event. Sponsor: The Fillies, Inc. Contributing Sponsor: Kentucky College of Art + Design at Spalding University. Media Sponsor: ARTxFM.

U.S. Bank Great balloon Glow April 28, 6 p.m. Kentucky Exposition Center The sun may be setting at the Kentucky Exposition Center, but that’s precisely when 300 pounds of glowing fabric continue to light up the thousands of faces there to see the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glow.

“It’s exactly what the word says,” said George Troutman, KDF’s balloonmeister. “The balloons inflate and sit there on the ground. It allows the people to get up close and personal to see the balloons, talk to the pilots and get autographs. We’re one of the few races in the country [to do that].”

It all started one Friday evening more than 20 years ago, when Troutman and his fellow balloon pilots were sitting around, preparing for the Great Balloon Race the next morning … and they got bored.

“We just went over to the Fair and Exposition Center and put our balloons up—just for fun,” he said. “People were pulling off the expressway, to the side of the road and into the fairgrounds … Sometimes, the best things happen when you don’t have any plans.”

That’s when Troutman realized that he had just discovered a new event to add to the Kentucky Derby Festival roster. Now, it’s part of the U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest that includes not only the Friday night Glow and classic Saturday morning race, but also a Glimmer, Charity Race and Rush-Hour Race spread across three days, weather permitting.

As for the Glow, Troutman estimates it’s not unheard of to have 70,000 people show up, and most even get the chance to meet the pilots and operators.

“I think that’s why it’s so well attended. They enjoy coming up, and the pilots enjoy it,” he said. “The pilots let the kids get in the basket, and moms and dads can get their picture. It’s a real family event.”

April 15-23 GIVE A DAY: MAYOR’S WEEK OF SERVICE Citywide. Week of volunteering to help others. Help make Louisville the most compassionate city in the world.

Individuals, companies and groups can volunteer online at MyGiveADay. com. Agencies and organizations that have projects needing volunteers can also add their information to the website.

April 22 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONIES: THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE® Downtown Louisville Riverfront, Waterfront Park, River Road and Southern Indiana shoreline. 2017 Theme – Thunder: Local & Original.

FoodFest and Ford’s Thunder on the Ground open at 11 a.m., airshow at 3 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Soundtrack featuring local and Kentucky musicians.

ThunderOverLouisville.org. All-day live coverage on WHAS-TV and 106.9 PLAY. Event programs distributed April 22 by The Courier-Journal.

Featuring the Thunder Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park and the East River Road Beer Garden. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. No tents, stakes, tape or pets.) Meijer Family Fun Zone on the Belvedere. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Open 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. No tents, stakes, tape or pets.)

North Great Lawn area opens at 9 a.m. Admission is free with a 2017

Pegasus Pin®. (No tents, stakes, tape or pets.) Sponsors: Horseshoe Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer, UPS and Valero, along with business Thunder Funders.

Thunder on the Ground Sponsor: Ford Motor Company. Official Sound Sponsor: CareSource.

April 27-29 U.S. BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL GREAT BALLOONFESTSM Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. Sponsor: U.S. Bank. Contributing Sponsor: V.G Reed & Sons.

April 27 U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Charity Race. 7 a.m. launch, Bowman Field.

U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glimmer. 8:30 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-aVille on the Waterfront. Media Sponsor: Q103.1.

April 28 U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon RushHour Race 7 a.m. launch, Bowman Field. Public entrance off Pee Wee Reese Road. Media Sponsor: 99.7 DJX.

6

U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow Gates open at 6 p.m.. Kentucky Exposition Center. $8 KEC parking fee. Media Sponsor: 106.9 PLAY. Broadcast special by WLKY-TV on MeTV Louisville 32.2.

April 29 U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race® 7 a.m. launch, Bowman Field. Public entrance off Pee Wee Reese Road. Media Sponsor: 99.7 DJX. April 29 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL KEN-DUCKY DERBY 4-8 p.m. Call to the post, 7 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. See the launch of 20,000 ducks into the Ohio River for a chance to race and compete for prizes. Proceeds benefit Harbor House. To adopt a duck, visit DuckTruck.org. For more information, go to KDF.org or call (502) 717-0072.

(Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Sponsor: Swope Family Dealerships. Media Sponsor: WLKY.

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May 1 THORNTONS KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL GREAT BED RACES 4 p.m. tailgating, 6 p.m. parade of beds, 7 p.m. racing. Broadbent Arena. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. $8 KEC Parking fee. $130 entry fee for team of 5. Sponsor: Thorntons. Contributing Sponsors: Ashley Furniture Homestore of Louisville and Safelite AutoGlass. Media Sponsor: 107.7 The Eagle. Broadcast special on WAVE 3 NEWS.

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April 30 THE CHILDREN’S TEA WITH THE KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL PRINCESSES PRESENTED BY BIGELOW TEA 1-4 p.m. Crowne Plaza, Louisville Airport. Children ages 4 and up are invited to meet the Kentucky Derby Festival Queen and Princesses.

Tickets $35 each. Reservation required. For more information, contact Joanne Hurst at jhurst601@ gmail.com or (502) 419-7522. Purchase tickets online at thefillies.org.

Produced by The Fillies, Inc. Sponsor: Bigelow Tea. Media Sponsor: Today’s Family Magazine.

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$2,500 “Speakeasy Bourbon Party” 3/17/2017

$2,500 Travel Certificate 3/24/2017

$2,500 Premium Season Tickets & Merchandise Package 3/31/2017

$2,500 Visa Gift Card 4/7/2017

$2,500 Kroger Fuel Card 4/14/2017

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$2,500 Kroger Grocery Card 5/5/2017

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The 2017 Pegasus Pin®

A 2017 Pegasus Pin® gets you in to most of the Kentucky Derby Festival events. One change for this year: The price of the pin has increased by $1 at retail.

Bridget Sherrill, KDF’s vice president of merchandising, said pins are now $6 at more than 1,000 retail locations, ranging from banks to grocery stores to boutique stores. They’re $7 if purchased at a KDF event.

Sherrill said that even though the price did increase, the value of owning one is tremendous.

“For $6, you get to go to all of these events,” she said. “There are also coupons for free or discounted merchandise [in each pin packet], and you can register for weekly prizes. If you find a gold pin and register it online, you can win a 2017 Honda CR-V.” The grand prize drawing for the Honda CR-V takes place on May 12 and will be broadcast on WAVE 3 News. To be eligible, register gold pins using the KDF app or online at PegasusPins.com.

KDF president and CEO Mike Berry said in a press release that pin sales help the financial stability of the festival.

“Funds raised from the Pegasus Pin® sales help us to continue producing events for the public and to maintain the high quality of those events,” Berry said. “When you consider the average price of a concert or movie ticket, it’s an incredible deal.”

May 1 DERBY FESTIVAL HAPPYTAIL HOUR 5-9 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. A pet-friendly (leashes please!) social event. Coordinated by Metro Animal Services. (Food and drink are not permitted.) Media Sponsor: 100.5 KISS FM. May 2 REPUBLIC BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL PEGASUS® PARADE PREVIEW PARTY Private group tours 10 a.m.-1 p.m., open to public 5-9 p.m. Kentucky Exposition Center, South Wing C. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. $8 KEC parking fee. Floats, inflatables and equestrians for the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade on display. To schedule a private group tour, call (502) 572-3823. Sponsor: Republic Bank. Media Sponsors: 99.7 DJX and Today’s Family Magazine.

May 3 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL GREAT STEAMBOAT RACE 4:30-5:30 p.m. boarding, 5:45 p.m. departure. Race begins at 6 p.m. Awards presentation immediately following at the Chow Wagon in Kroger’s Festa-Ville. Tickets on the Belle of Louisville $130 (limited availability). For Belle of Louisville tickets, call (502) 584-FEST or visit KDF.org. Tickets on the Belle of Cincinnati $60 cruise only; $85 dinner, Four Roses bourbon tasting and cruise. For Belle of Cincinnati tickets, call 1-800-261-8586 or visit BBRiverboats.com. Free spectator viewing at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville and along the banks of the Ohio River.

Contributing Sponsor: Four Roses Bourbon.

Supporting Sponsor: IDD Services Workforce PLLC. Media Sponsor: Q103.1.

May 4 REPUBLIC BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL PEGASUS® PARADE 5 p.m.

West on Broadway from Campbell to 9th Street. Bleacher tickets $10, chair seating $12. VIP seating $30. Tickets available at KDF.org or call (502) 584FEST. This annual spectacle of colorful floats, marching bands, giant inflatables and equestrians will be broadcast live on WAVE 3 NEWS. Sponsor: Republic Bank. Contributing Sponsor: KentuckyOne Health.

May 7 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA 2-9 p.m. Fourth Street Live! downtown Louisville. The familyfriendly celebration will feature face painting, a piñata competition, dance performances and a battle of Latino bands. Hosted by the Mayor’s Office for Globalization’s Louisville Latino Council. More information online at Cincoat4thSt.org. Sponsors: Fourth Street Live, LG&E, and Adhawks Advertising & Public Relations.

PNC Tour de Lou April 30, 8:30 a.m.

Start and Finish at Waterfront Park

So what if you haven’t hopped on a bicycle in 20, 30 or even 40 years or more.

With just a couple of weeks’ practice, anybody can take part in the PNC Tour de Lou. “In general, people are more aware of the need for physical exercise, and people are turning to biking as a viable source of exercise,” said Mike Sewell, the event’s co-chair. “It’s low impact and a lot of fun.”

Sewell said he’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who couldn’t relive their childhood while riding a bicycle.

“I have never seen a person ride a bike without a smile,” he said. “When I started riding a bike again six years ago, I started commuting to work every day.

All these memories come back, and I thought: ‘This is so much fun. Why did I give this up?’ ” For the fourth year in a row, Tour de Lou is offering beginners and experienced riders an event that’s sure to make all participants smile.

“The 20-mile [ride] is for people who have not been on a bike for a while. It’s all flat and fairly easy to get going. We’ve even had children ride that one,” Sewell said. “The 35-mile [ride] has some hills but not too many, and it gives you a little more of a challenge. The 62-mile [Metric Century] lets people really push themselves.”

All routes take riders to different points in Louisville, utilizing the Olmsted Parks system and the Louisville Loop. The courses will be two lane or bike lane 90 percent of the way, with bike captains on each course. The 20- and 35-mile rides are $45, and the Metric Century ride is $55.

“We’re honing the event so people are still challenged by it, and it responds to the needs of riders,” Sewell said.

active lifestyle April 14 HORSESHOE FOUNDATION KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL NIGHT OF THE FUTURE STARS® 7 p.m. New location: Indiana University Southeast Activities Building. Admission free with 2017 Pegasus Pin® or Basketball Classic ticket. Tickets on sale at all TicketMaster locations, TicketMaster. com or call 1-800-745-3000 or the Freedom Hall box office at (502) 3675144. One-hour autograph signing session immediately following the event (two items per person limit).

Limited seating available. Sponsor: Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County.

Contributing Sponsors: Papa John’s and SoIN. Media Sponsors: B96.5 FM and SLAM Magazine. Supporting Sponsor: Dick’s Sporting Goods.

April 15 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL BASKETBALL CLASSIC, PRESENTED

BY PAPA JOHN’S 7 p.m. Freedom Hall.

Reserved tickets $18 in advance ($20 at the door). $50 VIP courtside tickets (limited availability). Tickets on sale at all TicketMaster locations, TicketMaster.com or call 1-800-745-

3000 or the Freedom Hall box office at (502) 367-5144 (includes facility fee). Broadcast live on WDRB. Sponsor: Papa John’s. Contributing Sponsor: Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County.

Media Sponsors: 99.7 DJX, B96.5 FM, and SLAM Magazine. Supporting Sponsor: Dick’s Sporting Goods.

April 17 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT Noon tee time. Wildwood Country Club. Team entries $2,000, individual entries $500. Entries open to the public, includes lunch, golf with local pro, cocktail reception following tournament and gifts. A Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation event benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A portion of the entry fee is tax deductible. Contact Jon Pollock at jpollock@kdf.org or (502) 572-3833 to register. Contributing Sponsor: KPGA. Media Sponsor: 1450 & 96.1 The Big X. Prize Sponsor: Horseshoe Southern Indiana.

April 22-30 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL VOLLEYBALL CLASSIC One of the country’s largest outdoor volleyball tournaments. For more information, call The Volleyball Connection/Tandem Sports (502) 582-3530. Contributing Sponsors: ASICS and Mikasa. Media Sponsor: 98.9 Radio Now. April 22-23 and 29-30 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sand Divisions at Baxter Jacks

April 20-30 STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM April 20-April 29: 10 a.m.-8:30

Thanks to all of our The stories you tell happen here.

p.m., closed April 22, April 30: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., semi-finals 6 p.m. Seneca Golf Course Driving Range. $1 per shot and free for spectators. April 23: Junior Day – Under age 18 get 2 shots for $1. April 24: First Responders and Veterans Day get 2 shots for $1. April 25: Ladies Day – Ladies get 2 shots for $1. Senior Special Weekdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., ages 62 and up get 2 shots for $1. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-in-one): $5,000. Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Metro Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsors: WLKY-TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville.

April 29-30 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Grass Divisions at Seneca Park at the Tennis Courts

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April 22-30 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL LOUISVILLE CUP BOYS & GIRLS SOCCER TOURNAMENTS, PRESENTED BY KENTUCKY FIRE JUNIORS Bullit Estates Farm (near Oxmoor Center). Youth multi-weekend soccer tournament. Female competition: April 22-23. Male competition: April 29-30.

Free to spectators. For more information, visit KentuckyFireJuniors. com or contact the Kentucky Fire Juniors at (502) 523-8541 or (502) 298-9733.

April 23 JUNIOR DAY AT STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM 10 a.m.-8: 30 p.m.

Seneca Golf Course Driving Range. (Open daily through April 30). Under age 18 get 2 shots for $1. Over 18 is $1 per shot. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-in-one): $5,000.

Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Metro Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsors: WLKY-TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville.

April 24 FIRST RESPONDERS AND VETERANS DAY AT STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM 10 a.m.-8: 30 p.m.

Seneca Golf Course Driving Range. (Open daily through April 30). First Responders and Veterans get 2 shots for $1. Other participants pay $1 per shot. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-in-one): $5,000.

Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Metro Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsors: WLKY-TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville.

April 25 LADIES DAY AT STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM 10 a.m.-8: 30 p.m.

Seneca Golf Course Driving Range. (Open daily through April 30). Ladies get 2 shots for $1. Other participants pay $1 per shot. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-in-one): $5,000.

Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Metro Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsors: WLKY-TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville.

April 27- 28 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL RACE EXPO AND PACKET PICK-UP Thursday: 4-8 p.m. – Expo and Packet Pickup. Friday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. – Expo and Packet Pick-up. Kentucky Exposition Center West Wing. Two-day Expo where you can see the latest running gear, get nutritional advice and pre-race running tips, and pick up your race packet for Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon/ miniMarathon® and PNC Tour de Lou. Official Bourbon: Jim Beam. Media Sponsor: 99.7 DJX. April 28 Running Wild® Pasta Party 5:30-8:30 p.m. Kentucky Exposition Center. Tickets for pasta dinner: $20. Tickets available at KDF.org or call (502) 584-FEST. Contributing Sponsors: Jim Beam and Sysco. Media Sponsor: 99.7 DJX. April 28 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL NEIGH-MASTE ON THE WATERFRONT Noon-1 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn. Relax and recharge at this yoga event at the Waterfront. Admission is free with a

Saturday, April 22

THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE

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 The ultimate Louisville experience

Your search is over.

Themed “Thunder: Local & Original,” the 2017 show celebrates the event’s heritage, with a soundtrack featuring music from Kentucky musicians, as well as Teddy Abrams & The Louisville Orchestra.

The air show will salute the U.S. Air Force’s 70th anniversary.

FREE admission with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®.

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2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.)

April 28 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING RUN FOR THE ROPES 6-7:30 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. Special meet-and-greet with OVW stars at 5 p.m., followed by six big matches, including a special “all-for-1, one-for all” over-the-top rope Battle Royal. For more information, call (502) 759-7665.

(Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Presented by Ohio Valley Wrestling.

April 29 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL MARATHON/miniMARATHON® PRESENTED BY WALMART AND HUMANA 7:30 a.m. Main Street near Slugger Field. Start via 13.1-mile route or 26.2mile route to Preston and Witherspoon streets finish. Free for spectators. Entry fees and registration info at

DerbyFestivalMarathon.com. Sponsors: Walmart and Humana. Official Race Medical Provider: Norton Sports Health. Contributing Sponsors: BB&T, Churchill Downs, Louisville Water Company, Powerade and The CourierJournal. Official Bourbon: Jim Beam. Official Hotel: The Galt House. Official Pace Car: John Jones Auto Group.

April 29 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL NPC DERBY CHAMPIONSHIPS Prejudging 10 a.m.; finals 6 p.m. Galt House East, Grand Ballroom. A fitness, figure, swimwear and bodybuilding competition featuring amateur and pro athletes from across the country. Pre-judging tickets $20. Finals Tickets: $25 General Admission, $30 Reserved Seating, $35 VIP. For tickets, call (502) 387-3808 or visit KentuckyMuscle.com. Media Sponsor: 1450 & 96.1 The Big X. April 29 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL FITNESS JAM 5-7 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn. Admission is free

with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. Join the best Zumba and U-JAM instructors in the area, wear comfortable clothes, and come burn calories with the fitness craze that is sweeping the nation! For information, call (502) 554-4486 or visitkyfitnessparty.com. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Sponsor: ELeet Stone Countertops. Media Sponsor: 100.5 KISS FM. April 30 PNC KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL TOUR de LOUSM Staggered start based on distance: 62.1 Metric Century – 8:30 a.m., 35-mile ride – 8:45 a.m., 20-mile ride – 9 a.m.

Start and finish near Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville at Waterfront Park. Open course cycling event with three distances for beginners to experienced cyclists.

Entry fees and registration info at KDF.org. Sponsor: PNC. Official Safety Sponsor: AAA East Central. Contributing Sponsors: Baptist Health Sports Medicine, Louisville Marriott Downtown and Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling. Media Sponsors: 102.3 The Max and The Courier-Journal. Supporting

Sponsors: Louisville Bicycle Club and Louisville Water Company.

April 30 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL “V FOUNDATION” CELEBRITY BOCCE TOURNAMENT Noon-4 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn.

Have fun and play bocce with celebrities for a great cause at the Waterfront. For registration information, go to jimmyvlouisville. org. Admission for spectators is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.)

Sponsor: Money Concepts.

April 30 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL YMCA HEALTHY KIDS DAY® PRESENTED BY HUMANA 1-4 p.m. North Great Lawn at Waterfront Park inside Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville.

Free, family friendly fitness event featuring interactive activities, community vendors, inflatables, group exercise classes and the miniFun Run. For kids ages 3 and older, plus adults.

Coordinated by YMCA of Greater Louisville. For more information, visit YMCALouisville.org or call (502) 5879622. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Sponsor: Humana. Media Sponsors: 102.3 The Max and Today’s Family Magazine.

April 30 STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM SEMI FINALS 6 p.m. Seneca Golf Course Driving Range. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no hole-in-one): $5,000. Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank.

Contributing Sponsor: Metro Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsors: WLKY TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville.

May 2 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL DON FIGHTMASTER GOLF OUTING FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN 8 a.m.

Registration. 9 a.m.-noon. Shawnee Golf Course. Children’s golf event. Free for spectators. For more information, call (502) 243-8295, ext. 307, or 1-800-2542742 or visit KyGolf.org. Sponsor: Kentucky PGA Foundation.

May 2 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL HEALTH FAIR PRESENTED BY WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS 5-9 p.m. Kentucky Exposition Center, South Wing C. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. $8 KEC parking fee. Promoting healthy lifestyles, there will be free health screenings for families. Sponsor: WellCare Health Plans. Contributing Sponsors: Bluegrass Pain Consultants, PLLC and KentuckyOne Health. Media Sponsor: 100.1/103.5 WAKY. May 2 STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM FINALS 6 p.m.. Seneca Golf Course, Hole #8. Free for spectators.

Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Metro Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsors: WLKY-TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville.

May 3 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL BATTLE OF THE BOUNCE 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn.

Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. Obstacle course competition that benefits Christian Care Communities, Kentucky and Indiana Stroke Association. For entry information call (502) 241-1175 or visit eventualities.org.

(Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Sponsor: Louisville Inflatables.

Media Sponsors: WDRB and 99.7 DJX.

culinary April 13 KING SOUTHERN BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL BOURBONVILLESM 6 p.m. The Louisville Palace. Mix, mingle and enjoy bourbon specialty drinks at the newest Kentucky Derby Festival event. Taste signature drinks from Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries, enjoy bourbon-inspired cuisine and meet the master distillers. Tickets: $50 general admission, $75 VIP experience. General admission tickets include bourbon and food tastings, commemorative glass and BourbonVille pin. VIP includes complete event experience, plus 5 p.m. early entry, theater tours and premium gift bag. (21 and over only. Must present ID upon entry.) Tickets available by calling (502) 584-FEST or online at KDF.org. Sponsor: King Southern Bank. Contributing Sponsors: Liquor Barn and Falls City.

April 25 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL “TASTE OF DERBY FESTIVAL” 5:30-8 p.m.

Louisville Slugger Field. Features exquisite fare from more than 65 of Louisville’s finest restaurants and beverage companies. Bourbon tasting, wine tasting and a silent auction. Tickets $80 until April 16, $90 from April 17-25 (limited availability). Tickets available in advance only. Coordinated by Dare to Care Food Bank. All proceeds to benefit Dare to Care. For more information call (502) 966-3821. Sponsor: Brown-Forman Corporation. Media Sponsor: 840 WHAS. April 27-May 5 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL CHOW WAGON® Open daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m., except Sunday noon-11 p.m.. Kroger’s Fest-aVille on the Waterfront. Outdoor food and live music venue featuring the Miller

Lite Music Stage. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Sponsors: Kroger and Miller Lite.

King Southern Bank Bourbonville

April 29 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL THESLICE: SPICE, STYLE AND SOUL 6-9 p.m. The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage. Tickets $65 in advance, $75 day of event. Tickets include 2017 Pegasus Pin®. Live entertainment and food tasting.

Proceeds benefit charities and assistance programs. For tickets, call (502) 584-4602, visit TheSliceofLouisville.org or purchase at Better Days Records at Lyles Mall or Jambusters at 4906 Poplar Level Road.

Media Sponsor: MAGIC 101.3.

April 13, 6 p.m., The Louisville Palace

April 30 MAYOR’S DERBY BRUNCH ON THE RIVER 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing. A festive brunch featuring a traditional Kentucky breakfast, music and tours of the property, including the Moremen Family Chapel. Tickets $80 per person or $600 for a table for 8.

For tickets or information, call (502) 935-6809 or visit riverside-landing.org.

May 1 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHARITY DINNER 5:30 p.m. social hour, 6:45 p.m. opening ceremonies, 7 p.m. dinner. Galt House Archibald Cochran Ballroom. Dinner tickets $50. Coordinated by the Bishop Spalding Council of the Knights of Columbus. For tickets call (502) 893-2220.

Bourbon is the only native spirit of America, and 95 percent of it is made in Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Distillers Association, bourbon production has increased by 170 percent in less than 20 years. It just makes sense to create a Kentucky Derby Festival event to celebrate this world-famous drink.

“The bourbon industry is just booming,” said Dodie Howlett, the KDF’s Director of Advertising and Promotions. “We’re bourbon country, and we should probably have a bourbon event on our schedule. We’ve dabbled in different bourbon promotions, but we’ve decided to go [with a full event].”

Hence, the first annual King Southern Bank BourbonVille is now on the official roster.

Several Kentucky distilleries are on board to create “experiences” for the event, including Evan Williams, Jim Beam, Four Roses, Woodford Reserve and Old Forester. Each brand will get a designated area within The Louisville Palace to show off their bourbon, present bourbon-inspired cuisine, and give ticket holders the opportunity to meet master distillers and brand ambassadors.

The festival also hopes the event will please not only bourbon connoisseurs, but also those new to the drink. The different brands are expected to present the spirit straight, of course, but also in cocktails, food and other variations, “so anybody would come to love bourbon.”

Liquor Barn also is hosting a cigar and bourbon lounge, where it will present its own bourbons and top cigars.

“We wanted to create it so it was more than just a tasting,” Howlett said. “We wanted to create something unique with us that [attendees] wouldn’t do anywhere else.”

General admission tickets are $50 per person. A $75 VIP ticket will include early admission, a private VIP area and additional items in complimentary gift bags.

Four Roses will be serving its Rose Mule at Bourbonville, and each gift bag will include this pulpboard coaster with the cocktail recipe.

May 2-3 KENTUCKY PROUD KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL WINEFEST Winetasting sessions daily 5-9 p.m. Belvedere.

Tickets: $10 designated driver, $45 general admission, $85 VIP experience (limited availability). VIP includes reserved entrance, local cuisine sampling, opportunity to barrel taste local wine, goody bag and access to private restrooms. (21 and over only.

Must present ID upon entry.) Tickets available by calling (502) 584-FEST or online at KDF.org. Sponsor: Kentucky Proud. Contributing Sponsors: Ashley Furniture HomeStore of Louisville, Commonwealth Credit Union and Sullivan University. Media Sponsors: Today’s Woman and 106.9 PLAY.

May 3 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL BEERFEST PRESENTED BY AMERICAN FOUNDERS BANK 6-10 p.m. Overlook at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. Beer tastings featuring regional craft beers. Tickets: $10 designated driver, $45 general admission in advance, $55 at door until event sells out, $75 for VIP experience starting at 5 p.m. Tickets include beer tastings, sampling mug and BeerFest pin. Tickets available by calling (502) 584-FEST or online at KDF.org. (21 and over only. Must present ID upon entry.) Sponsor: American Founders Bank. Contributing Sponsors: Kroger and Samuel Adams.

Media Sponsors: 95.7 WQMF and SWIG Louisville.

entertainment + social celebrations April 8 THE FILLIES DERBY BALL Cocktails 6:30 p.m., Call to the Post 7:15 p.m., Queen’s Coronation 7:30 p.m., dinner 8 p.m., dancing 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Louisville Marriot Downtown.

Entertainment by The Sensations.

Tickets $175 each, VIP table for 10 is $2,500, includes dinner and dancing.

Produced by The Fillies, Inc. For tickets, visit KDF.org or call (502) 5723856. Portion of proceeds benefits Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation.

Contributing Sponsors: Brown-Forman Corporation and Total Wine & More. Media Sponsors: TOPS Louisville and 102.3 The Max.

April 21 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL THEY’RE OFF!® LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m.

Galt House East Grand Ballroom. Tickets: $85 each or table for 8 of $680. Official Kentucky Derby Festival kick-off luncheon. Contributing Sponsors: Active Heroes, Fifth Third Bank, Kentucky Blood Center and Kentucky Proud. Media Sponsor: Business First.

April 27-May 5 KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE ON THE WATERFRONTSM Open daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m., except Sunday noon-11 p.m. Waterfront Park. Ultimate entertainment experience featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more. Happy hour weekdays 4-6 p.m., $2 beer. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Sponsor: Kroger. Contributing Sponsor: Miller Lite. Media Sponsor: The Courier-Journal.

April 28 DAYA AT WATERFRONT JAM 9 p.m.

Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.

Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Media Sponsor: 98.9 Radio Now. April 28-29 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL DA’VILLE CLASSIC DRUM LINE SHOWCASE 4 p.m. The Louisville Palace.

High school and community drum lines and step teams from Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana showcase their creativity, musicianship and pageantry.

Admission is $10. Tickets available at LouisvilleTickets.com or at (502) 5847777. Media Sponsor: B96.5 FM. April 29 97.5 WAMZ PRESENTS HUNTER HAYES WITH SPECIAL GUEST CARLY PEARCE AT WATERFRONT JAM 8 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Contributing Sponsor: Select Kentuckiana Chevy Dealers.

Media Sponsor: 97.5 WAMZ. April 30 PASSPORT KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL GOSPELFEST 2-7 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Gospel Choir Showcase. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Sponsor: Passport. Contributing Sponsor: Kentucky Department of Tourism. Media Sponsors: B96.5 FM and WLOU/New Praise 104.7.

Ford’s Thunder on the Ground April 22, 11 a.m., Waterfront Park Sure, Thunder Over Louisville is known as hosting one of the nation’s top air shows and largest fireworks displays. But what happens on the ground also is an important part of the official kickoff of the Kentucky Derby Festival.

Thunder on the Ground actually is a bunch of events spread across downtown Louisville’s Waterfront, including three main viewing areas (the North Great Lawn, Chow Wagon and Meijer Family Fun Zone), 115 food vendors, rides, bouncies and just plain ol’ people-watching.

That’s what brings Elizabethtown’s Greg Milby and his family to Louisville every year. The WQXE morning show host has been setting up his camper at a makeshift RV park right next to Slugger Field—a spot Milby says is perfect for those who can’t abide spending the day among crowds or refuse to use the Thunderpots (portable toilets). He and his friends bring their lawn chairs and food, and if they so choose, they can leave the RV park, walk around Thunder on the Ground, and then return for a breather or to let the kids settle down.

“The kids get tired, so we put them

in the camper and put a movie on,” Milby said. “It’s just all about chilling out.”

But the RV park is more than just campers who’ve “pitched tents” for the weekend. Milby said there are DJs with sound systems pumping out music and singing Elvises (Elvi?).

Campers and their friends might even spot an airshow pilot who decides to check out the park.

“It’s like a tailgate party on steroids,” he said.

It also affords a safe place to stay during Thunder. Milby said the two entrances are next to a police post and a National Guard station.

“It’s always been safe, never had a problem,” he said.

Milby initially rented just one of the 200 spots available for the weekend and quickly worked up to renting three every year.

“I’m not a big crowds guy, and I told my wife that the only way she could get me to fight that crowd is to figure out how to get into that parking lot,” he said, and she did. “I love Thunder and the festival and all the events, but I just avoided it. But my wife wanted our kids to experience it, so now it’s just the thing we do.”

Waterfront Jam April 27-May 5, Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront “I think this is the best lineup that we’ve ever had.”

That’s high praise for an event that has brought Grammy winner Blues Traveler, The Wallflowers and many other well-known national acts to KDF’s Fest-a-Ville over the past decade.

But KDF event production director Tricia Siegwald said the 2017 Waterfront Jam Concert Series is featuring some of today’s hottest artists across all music genres, including Daya, Hunter Hayes, Sidewalk Prophets, Sugarhill Gang and Jimmy Eat World, to name just a few.

“We have great, relevant acts that are really hot,” Siegwald said. “We try to program for as many demographics as we can.”

Hot, local acts are no exception. The Miller Lite Music Stage will be pumping out the music throughout the day during Fest-a-Ville. Among the top acts include Velcro Pygmies, Wax Factory, Goldy Locks and J.D. Shelburne.

For a complete list of acts, their performance times and stage location, check out discover.kdf.org/waterfront-jam-concert-series.

April 30 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL LOUISVILLE YOUTH ORCHESTrA CONCERT 4 p.m. Iroquois Amphitheatre. A concert featuring 10 Louisville Youth Orchestra ensembles. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. For more information, call (502) 896-1851 or visit lyo.org.

April 30 SIDEWALK PROPHETS AT CELEBRATION SUNDAY PRESENTED

BY WJIE 5 p.m. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Christian contemporary concert featuring Sidewalk Prophets with John Tibbs and Hannah Kerr.

Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Media Sponsor: WJIE.

May 1-2 AT&T KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL MORNING LINE 6-11 a.m. Radio stations from around the region will broadcast their morning shows live from the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Sponsor: AT&T. Contributing Sponsors: Kentucky Department of Tourism and Kentucky Derby Museum.

May 2 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL TEXAS HOLD’EM TOURNAMENT 4 p.m. boarding/check-in, 6 p.m. tournament begins, plus one-hour cruise.

Belle of Cincinnati, docked at Kroger’s Fest-aVille on the Waterfront. $125 buy-in includes 10,000 in chips and commemorative pin. Add-ons available 1st hour of play $40 for 4,000 chips. $5,000 first-place prize. Payouts for 1st-24th place. Payouts based on 325 players; payouts pro-rated based on actual number of players. $15 for guests. License# ORG0001638. Call (502) 584-FEST to register. Media Sponsor: 1450 & 96.1 The Big X. May 2 SUGARHILL GANG WITH SPECIAL GUESTS GRANDMASTER DEE FEATURING KURTIS BLOW AT

Kentuckiana Honda Dealers. Contributing Sponsor: Macy’s. Media Sponsors: The Voice-Tribune and 106.9 PLAY.

WATERFRONT JAM 8 p.m. Kroger’s Festa-Ville on the Waterfront. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Media Sponsors: B96.5 FM, MAGIC 101.3 and G105.1.

May 3 DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS AT WATERFRONT JAM 8 p.m. Kroger’s Festa-Ville on the Waterfront. Admission is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.) Media Sponsor: 91.9 WFPK. May 4 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL CELEBRITY DAY AT THE DOWNS, PRESENTED BY KENTUCKIANA HONDA DEALERS 11:30 a.m. Churchill Downs, Sixth Floor. SOLD OUT. Sponsor:

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STUNNING STITCHERY The National Quilt Museum in Paducah showcases quilting as a fine art

Fire Dragon Rhapsody, by Ricky Tims of Colorado

BY SARAH DILLS

A

sk anyone in Paducah, and you’ll be told the busiest two weeks of the year there are during April and September, when thousands of people descend on the river city from all over the world for the annual American Quilter’s Society QuiltWeeks. The hotels are at max capacity; the restaurants have waits; and driving downtown can require strategy.

But if you ask Frank Bennett, CEO of The National Quilt Museum, he’ll tell you that quilt show week is just another week. Contrary to popular belief, the museum is a completely separate entity from the Quilter’s Society and quilt show—although it hasn’t always been that way.

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Stitched Together in History The National Quilt Museum—along with the American Quilter’s Society and what has grown into QuiltWeek—was the brainchild of Meredith Schroeder, president of the American Quilter’s Society, and her husband, Bill. The Paducah couple was visiting an out-of-town quilt show in the 1980s when they had the idea to bring a show to their hometown. “We thought it would be beneficial for the city,” Meredith Schroeder explained. “At that time, the [long-since-gone] Executive Inn was brand new.

“At that same time, we started the organization of the American Quilter’s Society, and we knew we wanted a museum. We knew we wanted the Best of Show quilts to be displayed in the museum … It was all one initial vision back in 1984.”

Schroeder laughed as she tried to remember their first correspondence with quilters about their idea. “Our first email … well, back then, it was direct mail,” Schroeder corrected herself. “We only got 1,500 responses, which wasn’t too bad. But we have 70,000 members today. That took a lot of time, though.”

The museum the Schroeders envisioned in 1984 was built in 1991. “Those quilts that won those first shows are all part of the museum collection,” Schroeder said with pride. “The motto of the museum is Honoring Today’s Quilter. We knew there were several museums honoring the quilters of the ’20s, ’30s, the 1800s—but we wanted to recognize and appreciate the quilters of today.”

Seam Ripper Although Schroeder is still a member of the board of directors for The National Quilt Museum, she explained that the museum had to sever ties with the American Quilter’s Society when it received its official title as The National Quilt Museum from the United States Congress.

“I’m still on the board, but the museum belongs to the board now, not AQS,” Schroeder explained. “The museum was always a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and it has always belonged to the community.”

A New Pattern Originally from Memphis, Bennett moved from Dallas to Paducah in 2011 to work for the museum.

“We tend to take for granted everything in the town where we grew up,” Bennett said of his hometown’s famous music and barbecue. According to Bennett, this also is true of people born and raised in Paducah when it comes to the Quilt Museum. “Natives of Paducah usually see the museum as either something directly associated with the quilt show or a location for hobbyists instead of art enthusiasts.”

Bennett said these misconceptions are just that— misconceptions. The National Quilt Museum receives about the same number of visitors during the quilt show that it does any other month of the year, with March 1-Oct. 31 being its busy season. Approximately 41,000 people visited the museum last year from 40 states and 15 countries. “In this case, a picture really is worth a thousand words,” Bennett said of a global map highlighting each of the

Top left, Flowers of the Crown, by Shirley P. Kelly of Colden, New York; top right, one of the museum’s three galleries, with an untraditional flying geese quilt in the foreground; above, the entrance to the Schroeder Gallery, where quilts from the museum’s permanent collection are displayed

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For more information on The National Quilt Museum, visit quiltmuseum.org. countries represented by visitors to the quilt museum.

“A woman from Paducah, who had lived here most of her life, was in a hotel in France where she saw a documentary about the quilt museum,” Bennett explained of the museum’s global reach. “It was then that she realized how impressive the museum is around the world.”

Bennett spends a lot of his time educating people about their “default perception” that quilting is a hobby and not an art form. “We think of art galleries as Monet- and Picasso-worthy, when the average painter is in their garage making things that will never be seen in a gallery,” Bennett said. “Yet, we are the exact opposite about quilting. We think of grandmothers in their sewing rooms, when the pieces displayed in our galleries are true works of art.

“My audience is the art enthusiasts,” Bennett added.

“But no matter who visits, once they get here, they’re sold.”

Ironically, Schroeder would be Bennett’s perfect visitor.

“I’m not really a quilter; I just appreciate quilting as an art form,” Schroeder admitted. “I felt like quilters needed more recognition as artists, which is why we were the first show to give prize money for the winning quilts.

“I’ve made a couple of small quilts. They weren’t anything to brag about, but it was very rewarding … and frustrating at times.”

A Well-Oiled Quilting Machine It takes a small army to manage the day-to-day operations of the museum’s three galleries, 22 employees and 75 volunteers. The main gallery houses approximately 100 of the 500 quilts in its permanent collection. The curatorial department rotates these several times a year.

The side galleries house traveling and rotating exhibits.

Bennett explained that quilters are constantly submitting photos of their work to the museum, hoping to have it

displayed there. “If you’re working in this fiber arts space, the highest honor is to be displayed at The Quilt Museum.

“We don’t take many new pieces—maybe five each year.

It’s very rare,” Bennett said. “But occasionally, we will pursue certain pieces. If a quilter has won one of the big shows, we probably already know their work.”

Because of the museum’s promise to honor the quilters of today, it does not accept quilts made before 1980.

Once a quilt is added to the museum collection, it is delicately cared for by the curatorial team. When quilts are on display in the museum, they are in a well-regulated area, where temperature, humidity and light exposure are constantly monitored. Every wall in every room has monitors, and there are no windows.

“The monitors look like lie detector tests,” Bennett said. “It has a tracker and prints a paper report. It’s a massive system.”

When quilts are not on display, they are kept in the vault, which is a large concrete room. Quilts are stored in boxes where they are soft-folded to avoid creases and to prevent stretching.

Quilt in a Day Bennett said the majority of visitors come to Paducah on a day trip. They usually visit the museum in the morning, eat lunch downtown, maybe at Max’s Brick Oven, and then visit other area attractions and quilt shops before returning home or continuing to their next destination on a longer vacation.

“We’re happy to be on their map,” Bennett said.

And Schroeder is thrilled that her vision of Paducah being Quilt City USA is still alive and well today. “Mothers and daughters and friends coming from opposite sides of the country to meet in Paducah and experience this together …” she said. “That is what it’s all about.” Q

Bringing the World to Quilting Indicates country of international visitors

A wordwide map showcasing the global reach of quilting, with the blue areas indicating countries represented by visitors to the museum A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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Art Relating Life The Neighborhoods Coming Together: Quilts Around Oakland exhibit, which opened at The National Quilt Museum Feb. 17, highlights the work of the members of the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland (California). The 80-member guild crafted narrative quilts that relate the story of the varied and diverse communities in the Oakland area.

Through these unique pieces, viewers are able to take in the life experiences of those who live there, touching on topics of identity, race relations, gentrification, equality and inequality.

The exhibit runs through April 11.

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Upcoming Exhibits New Quilts from an Old Favorite & Antique Flying Geese March 31-June 20 13th Quilt Japan April 14-July 11

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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

Get an exclusive Kentucky Monthly Quilt Coloring Page at kentuckymonthly.com!

Morehead Conference Center is Great for Work and Leisure Morehead Conference Center is conveniently located on I-64 only an hour east of Central Kentucky. The scenic outdoors provide endless options after a day of meetings. Enjoy Cave Run Lake, Eagle Trace Golf Course or one of the many hiking trails to unplug and reconnect.

For more information about scheduling your next conference, meeting or special event call (606) 780-9694 or visit Awww.moreheadconferencecenter.com P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY 53

QUILTED with LOVE The Contented Heart Quilt Guild provides invaluable community service B Y B O B B I E S M I T H B RYA N T I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y J E S S I C A PAT T O N

I

n 1989, a small assembly of ladies in Wayne County frequently talked about forming a quilt group. Two of them, Alicia Stokes and Ruby McFarland, spoke with Georgia Burton, the county Extension agent, who ended up being a tremendous help in starting a guild and organizing a quilt show. Word went out into the community to gauge interest, and more than 40 ladies showed up at a meeting to discuss the guild.

At that first meeting, the women outlined the goals they wanted to accomplish through their work together. They decided to teach quilting, make a quilt each year, sell raffle tickets on the quilt, and use the money to support a community need. They also wanted to produce a Class A quilt show.

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A second meeting was held to officially establish the guild, and the 22 women attending paid a $6 membership fee. With other obligations that day, Stokes wasn’t able to attend that particular meeting, and so—as often happens— she was appointed guild president. A public contest determined name of the guild, with the winning submission being Contented Heart Quilt Guild. The name was submitted by a lady in her 90s who, when asked why she continued to quilt, responded that it gave her a contented heart.

With an enthusiastic beginning, the guild got busy.

Members met in the basement of the Wayne County Public Library, made quilts and raffled tickets to raise money. The first-year quilt was sold to provide wood for fuel for a needy

family, and the next year bought coal for another family. By the third year, Wal-Mart had started a program in which needy families could place the name and age of a child on a star, along with what the child needed. Shoppers then could use these stars to purchase items for the kids. The Contented Heart members made a quilt, raffled it for $300, and sent a delegate to Wal-Mart to buy items for the children whose names were on the stars.

The guild always took a summer trip to a fabric store in another community and to enjoy a picnic together.

In 1993, the Contented Heart Quilt Guild decided to start a quilt show. As president, Stokes went to the founder of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah for guidance. “Mrs. [Meredith] Schroeder [president of the American Quilter’s Society] told me to start with something that is already going on, set the date and don’t change it,” Stokes said. “She also told us to keep the price affordable, handle the quilts professionally, rope them off, and wear white gloves when handling the quilts.

“We followed her instructions, and as Monticello already hosted a well-attended Labor Day event each year, we decided to coincide with it. We set the date, location [the National Guard Armory] and price, and stuck with it. We sought sponsors and donations from businesses and organizations in town to help us build quilt frames and what we needed was provided. It was a real community effort.”

Contented Heart’s first show was considered a huge success. The guild displayed 93 quilts and hosted more than 300 people.

“After our third show, the public library where we’d always met was running out of room for us,” Stokes said.

“And we needed to find a new location to meet. My husband told me about a historic building in downtown Monticello that was for sale. I laughed at him and told him the guild had all of $240 in our checking account.”

But her husband wasn’t about to let the building go. He reminded his wife of something they’d heard on the news.

It was 1996, an election year, and then-First Lady Hillary Clinton had talked about wanting to help women’s groups that wanted to help themselves.

“He suggested that I call the White House, ask for Mrs. Clinton and mention that I’m a member of a 30-member guild, and that there is a building for sale downtown we want to buy,” Stokes recalled.

She made the call and was put through to Susan, Mrs. Clinton’s personal assistant. “I explained what we were doing and asked if there was any way we could get a grant so we could purchase the building and have a permanent place to meet. Susan said she’d take it to Mrs. Clinton, and promised to get back to me. Believe it or not, she did, about a week later.”

Susan said the first lady was excited about the idea and that her office would research what grants might be available and would be back in touch.

“They called me every week and eventually told me that the best option would be through the Kentucky Appalachian Regional Commission,” Stokes said. “The White House offered to call ARC and see if they would write the grant on our behalf.

“While we were waiting, I happened to think about Hal Rogers being from our community and thought perhaps he might be able to help. I got hold of his people and explained what we were doing, working with the White House. The staff offered to work on it and get back to me, and I ended up meeting twice with Mr. Rogers, and later with Mitch McConnell. I wanted everyone to understand that we had both Democrats and Republicans in our guild, and we wanted help from both sides.”

Eventually, the guild worked with the Kentucky Heritage Council and its grant support came through from ARC, enabling the group to purchase the building.

“I called the members and everyone went crazy,” Stokes said. “We met over at the building to celebrate.

That year, we raised $60,000 in grants and matching funds. Not bad for this small town and a bunch of little old ladies.”

After purchasing the building, the guild decided to rent out portions of it to local artisans to sell their goods on consignment.

In 2004, Anneda Guffey, then guild president,

A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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moved the quilt show to the Aspire Center, where it continues to be held on the Friday and Saturday of Labor Day weekend. And during Guffey’s presidency, the group applied for a $30,000 matching grant from ARC to have the building’s roof replaced and a wheelchair ramp added to the back of the building.

“In 2010, our president, Polly Sartin, and her husband, Ronald, worked through our local museum and detention center program to use Class D felons for free labor,” Stokes said.

“We began raising money again to renovate the upstairs of the building. There were four inmates per day, and we really lucked out. One happened to be a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and there was a dry waller and a licensed brick layer, painter, electrician and plumber.

“Several husbands helped, along with about 10 members of the guild. Guild members provided a meal for the inmates five days a week. The inmates were so proud of the work they were doing and made suggestions along the way, such as installing a restroom and a kitchen. With their free labor, we pooled our resources and decided to do the whole renovation ourselves.”

When asked what she’d tell other groups considering the same kind of initiative, Stokes said, “Pick out what you’re going to do that is worthwhile for the community. Go to people in town; explain the idea in detail. People will want to help you. Don’t underestimate yourself; have a good plan—not frivolous.

Don’t give up, and keep going after it.” Q

For more information about the Contented Heart Quilt Guild and the annual Quilt Show of the Little Mountains on Labor Day weekend, visit contentedheartquiltguild.org

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CULTURE (P)-Paperback (C)-Clothbound (H)-Hardback

A WILD RIDE Prime Cut

By Ray Peden Mulholland Beach Press $14.95 (P)

Prime Cut, the second installment in Ray Peden’s Patrick Grainger thriller series, pits the investigator against a Mexican cartel when his daughter is caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting in Lexington. From Frankfort, which is the home of the fictional Grainger and the real-life Peden, to rural Tlaxcal, Mexico, and back, it’s a wild ride for all involved.

“It’s fantastic—period,” said Louisville

Off the Shelf

author Bill Noel. “Prime Cut takes readers on a rollercoaster ride that’s higher, longer and faster than can be found in any amusement park.”

Central Kentucky residents will recognize many of the locations and enjoy meeting Grainger’s new partner, a chiropractor with more secrets than the CIA, as they battle a depraved world of pure evil.

Peden’s first novel, One Tenth of the Law, was released in 2016 to acclaim. His career spans 43 years as a civil engineer, general contractor and homebuilder. Along the way, he’s been a guitarist, painter, cartoonist and drill sergeant.

With three daughters and four grandkids, Peden now writes, sips bourbon and watches the Kentucky River roll by.

— Stephen M. Vest

Faith and Mining

Gem of the Past

Curious Quest

When one looks for a highly controversial issue in Kentucky, surface coal mining, commonly known as “mountaintop Religion and removal,” fits Resistance in the bill. Try Appalachia: Faith relating the and the Fight subject to Against religion, and Mountaintop the intensity Removal Coal level gets Mining ratcheted up

By Joseph D. Witt University Press even further. of Kentucky Author $50 (C) Joseph Witt, assistant professor of religion at Mississippi State University, tackles the task in Religion and Resistance in Appalachia.

His research was culled from hundreds of papers, articles and books.

There appear to be two main religious viewpoints on mountaintop removal: One, that it goes against the spiritual teaching to protect the planet; the other is that “coal mining is a God-given gift to ensure human prosperity and comfort.” This look at both perspectives can be helpful in moving the discussion and resultant actions forward.

Although there may be no one alive today who remembers the famous Clyffeside Park in Ashland, author Dale Queen takes Clyffeside Park: readers on a “Gem of Nature” visit to the

By Dale Queen amusement Right Eye park, which Graphics closed in 1923. $20 (P) For about 20 years, beginning in 1890, residents picknicked near a pond between Gartell Hill and Clyffeside Hollow on the outskirts of Catlettsburg and Ashland.

There were swings, a baseball field and even a place to play croquet in the 50-acre park. In 1909, a wooden roller coaster called Leap the Dips was added and became huge attraction for the area.

The soft-cover book features many black-and-white historical photos of the park, the amenities and the surrounding area. Queen, a lifelong Ashland resident, takes readers on a fascinating tour around the park. History lovers and amusement park enthusiasts, as well as those with ties to greater Ashland, will enjoy learning more about Clyffeside Park.

Penguins Silo and Plyler have a dilemma. They’ve found out about a horse race in Kentucky called the Derby and would like to Silo and Plyler’s enter a horse to Derby Horse try to win it.

Adventure The trouble is,

By Paul Harshaw they live in Holland Brown Antarctica and Books have never $15 (H) before seen a horse, and, in fact, don’t even know what one is.

The pair set off on an adventure to find a horse.

Along the way, they encounter a quirky and colorful menagerie of animals—among them a turtle with stars on its shell, a rhinoceros sporting corkscrewshaped horns and a spotted elephant with long, thin legs.

Eventually, the duo’s search proves successful, and they end up not only with a horse but a Kentucky Derby winner to boot.

This entertaining children’s book was written and illustrated by Paul Harshaw, a creative teacher at Louisville’s St. Francis Preschool.

Silo and Plyler’s Derby Horse Adventure is a fun introduction for youngsters to Kentucky’s iconic race.

— Steve Flairty

— Deborah Kohl Kremer

— Patricia Ranft A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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BOOKENDS More than 170 authors of all genres will descend upon Bowling Green April 21-22. The 19th annual Southern Kentucky Book Fest, held at the Knicely Conference Center, draws thousands of readers and fans in search of a good book and a chance to meet their favorite authors.

Among the headliners this year is The New York Times bestselling author R.L. Stine and literary legend Ann Patchett. Kentucky writing icons on hand will be Chris Offutt, David Bell, Sallie Bingham and Angela Correll.

The event is presented by Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Warren County Public Library and WKU Libraries.

•••

Brandeis School of Law professor of legal bibliography and associate librarian Kurt X. Metzmeier has authored Writing the Legal Record: Law Reporters in Nineteenth-Century Kentucky, which chronicles 13 early Kentucky law reporters “responsible for selecting, annotating, and indexing cases and opinions for publication [and who] influence the American legal system on a fundamental level.”

The author covers reporters from the mid- to late-1700s into the early 20th century, including George Bibb, John James Marshall, James Metcalfe and Alvin Duvall.

Their stories are imbued, says Metzmeier, with “the rich history of the Commonwealth, the essence of its legal system, and the origins of a legal print culture in America.”

•••

April 21-22, 2017 Knicely Conference Center Bowling Green, KY Friday 9-2 • Saturday 9-3

sokybookfest.org a FREE literary event with 170+ authors & illustrators featuring

Ann Patchett R.L. Stine

David Grann

Obert Skye

Tim Crothers

Lauren Tarshis

Katie McGarry

Sponsored by Dollar General • Daily News • Jim Johnson Graves Gilbert Clinic • WKU PBS • Walmart Friends of WKU Libraries • Big Ass Fans • Crocker Law Firm

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After six years in Madison, Indiana, the seventh annual Authors Fair will be held at the LaGrange Community Center YMCA, which is located at 307 West Jefferson in Oldham County.

Included among the more than 100 authors registered are Abigail Keam, Kentucky Monthly co-founder Michael Embry and Bill Noel of the Folly Mystery Series.

Karen’s Book Barn and the LaGrange Main Street Program are title sponsors of the event, which is free and open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

•••

Artwork on a Murray barn is featured in Suzi Parron’s book Following the Barn Quilt Trail, which highlights barn quilts from across the United States.

The barn, owned by Jerry and Jamie Penner, features a quilt design titled “Mother’s Fancy.” The work also was chosen to represent Kentucky in the new American Quilt Trail Redwork Kit by historic needlework designer The Posy Collection.

Posy Lough, owner of The Posy Collection, explained that barn quilts are colorful quilt patterns painted on panels and hung on barns or buildings that capture the spirit of American quilting and local heritage.

Lough and Parron worked together to choose the patterns and interpret them for the design kits.

The Penners’ barn For more information on the Posy Collection, visit posycollection.com. To purchase design kits and find out more on the quilt trail movement and Parron’s book, visit barnquiltinfo.com.

VOICES

Past Tense/Present Tense

“Billy Is a Bit Slow”: Musings of an Old Historian

BY BILL ELLIS

S

ometimes people ask me why I became a historian.

First, even as a kid. I always liked to study history.

Second, I became disillusioned with the idea of becoming a fighter pilot owing to my near-sightedness as a young man. Sadly, before I finally got glasses, I had to be moved to the front of the class to see the blackboard. Third, and probably most important, I was not good at mathematics.

My trigonometry teacher at dear old Shelbyville High School in 1958 spoke truthfully when he said of my math prowess: “Billy is a bit slow.” Bill Shannon sent this message to my parents in a short note congratulating them on my graduation, while warning them that I should not major in math in college. Actually, he was being kind by pointing out my lack of math acumen. I found this note many years later in some of my parents’ old papers. I treasure it. Bill was a kind, gentle man, and alas, he spoke the truth.

So, whatever my mathematics deficiencies (my wife balances our checkbook), I took up teaching high school history and coaching football, the latter of which I dropped after I became convinced I would never be the next Paul Bryant. I stuck to history, getting a master’s degree in history at Eastern Kentucky University in 1967 and a Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky in 1974. I taught history for nearly 40 years and have been fortunate to publish more than three-dozen refereed articles and six books. For more than 15 years, Kentucky Monthly has kindly printed “Past Tense/Present Tense.”

Unlike the ancient teenage “angst” song with the line: “Don’t know much about history,” by golly, I think I do know something about history. However, academicians are suspect these days. Most folks today prefer history written by someone like conservative pundit Bill O’Reilly. This type of book as well as many others is always written in collaboration with someone—an “and” book, as I call it.

Even more acceptable, popular and successful historians like Stephen Ambrose, Doris Kearns Goodwin and the avuncular David McCullough have depended on others to do much of their research and then added their own inimitable writing style. All three were caught with misattributions of sources, misquoting and/or paraphrasing incorrectly at some point in their illustrious careers. You either like their kind of historical writing or you don’t. I prefer “real” historians from the old school, ones who do their own research and writing. You may disagree. As my

pop always said, “Everybody to his own notion.”

What do I know about history? Well, according to most politicians, not much. This is the age of the think tank, whether liberal or conservative, and the conclusions and counsel of their experts are predictable. Most don’t even pretend to be objective, being only sycophants (an academician’s word for “toadies”) of the wealthy folks who foot the bills.

Where are bona fide historians in all of this? Do we serve any function other than to collect facts, put these into some sort of synthesis, and pass it on to the public whether they read it or not?

An article in The Atlantic last year proposed that an American president needed a panel of historians, a “Council of Historical Advisors,” to help guide the administration. Of course, the question is, who would be part of this panel? Should this group of solons include only academicians, Pulitzer Prize winners, the president’s old profs, as well as a few political scientists thrown in?

One letter to the magazine questioned whether the historians chosen would be only “yes” men and women, on whom the president could depend to ratify his decisions. Could a historical advisor thoughtfully question a presidential decision before the fact and actually change a sitting president’s mind before some critical decision was made? Frankly, I find it hard to believe that President Trump would pay much attention to a historian.

The last academician of any note who influenced presidents was probably Daniel Patrick Moynihan. I chanced to meet him outside the main branch of the New York City Library one summer day in 1979. We struck up a conversation like old friends. He talked about people he knew from Kentucky. He was a charmer, with his IrishAmerican way, who apparently was appreciated and liked by politicians of both parties. Who else but Moynihan would have said: “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.”

I think that Dr. Thomas D. Clark was the last Kentucky historian taken seriously by our politicians, regardless of party. I don’t recall a historian being invited to appear before a legislative committee or to dine at the governor’s mansion in recent years.

There are lots of questions a sitting president or governor could and should ask a historian. But I won’t hold my breath.

Readers may contact Bill Ellis at historian@kentuckymonthly.com A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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OUTDOORS

Field Notes

The Return of Turkeys

BY GARY GARTH

K

entucky’s spring turkey season opens April 15. The wild turkeys to do well,” noted Knight, who helped with season limit is two “bearded turkeys,” although only some of the early trapping and relocation work. “But we one bird may be taken per day. Hunters once were learned that was not true. These turkeys do great in some limited to gobblers, or male birds, during the spring hunt. farm ground where you’ve got little patches of woods and But the regulation wording was changed a few seasons ago fencerows, and cover like that. Anytime you’ve got food and because the hunter who bagged a rare bearded hen found water and some cover and protection, these turkeys thrive.” himself or herself in a legal no-man’s land—an occurrence Kentucky’s turkey success came later than some states. that equally flummoxed wildlife officials.

Reasons vary, but part of the early stumble resulted from By the time the upcoming season closes on May 7, the use of pen-reared turkeys in the restoration work. That hunters will have bagged about 31,000 turkeys. (The fivewas a failure at every level. year 2012-2016 average spring harvest is 31,490.4 birds.)

“A wild turkey is not the same as a pen-[reared] bird and The season is open the kind you buy at the statewide, although special market for Thanksgiving,” regulations do apply to some said Knight. “He’s a different areas. Turkeys are plentiful. bird, a different animal.”

Game officials say Kentucky eventually Kentucky’s turkey flock is obtained wild birds from about 240,000 birds.

Ohio and later Mississippi, In 1960, Harold Knight Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, could not have imagined Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia such natural riches. and Wisconsin.

The Cadiz native (and Following the influx of current resident), who fresh wild birds, Kentucky’s would go on to co-found turkey success accelerated.

Knight & Hale Game Calls By 1997, 6,760 birds had been and become a conservation released at 430 sites across leader and one of the the state. The first statewide nation’s most-recognizable hunt was offered in 1996. hunting celebrities, was one “When new wild birds of 377 hunters to participate were added to the mix, in the three-day 1960 season; things really took off,” said only he and 11 others actually Early restoration work laid the foundation for the tremendous success Dan Figert, assistant director killed a bird. The season was that the state’s turkey program—and turkey hunters—enjoy today. [Photo of wildlife for the State courtesy Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources] open only in a part of the Department of Fish and Kentucky Woodlands Wildlife Resources.

National Wildlife Refuge (now Land Between the Lakes) But the entrance of George Wright was the real catalyst. because that was the only place in Kentucky that had Wright joined the wildlife agency in 1974 to conduct a turkeys. raccoon study. But at the encouragement of some turkey “What we have today, it’s unbelievable,” said Knight. enthusiasts—including Knight, who’d had a glimpse of “It’s a [wildlife] miracle.” what a turkey comeback could be under the right Wild turkeys have returned from the brink. And not just leadership—the fish and wildlife commission put Wright in in Kentucky. charge of the turkey program.

By the early 20th century, they had all but vanished from By the time Wright retired in 2002, the groundwork had the United States. The low point came in the 1930s, when been laid for the tremendous success the turkey program nationwide numbers may have plummeted to below enjoys today. Wright died in 2005 at age 62 and is 200,000. By 1952, bird numbers nationwide were estimated universally recognized as the architect of Kentucky’s turkey at 320,000. In 1954, turkey numbers in Kentucky were restoration program. around 850.

“George was special,” Knight said.

By that time, turkey restoration work had already begun, Knight, who will celebrate his 73rd birthday in April, but success was anything but smooth or guaranteed. A says he and his fellow hunters are enjoying the turkey major hurdle was overcome when researchers discovered hunting in their lifetimes. Which means, he added, that that cannon nets, which had been used to trap waterfowl, hunters and everyone else who cares about wildlife and could successfully snare turkeys for transport to other areas conservation must remain more watchful than ever. as seed stock for wild flocks.

“There is no better time to be a turkey hunter than right “Prior to that, we didn’t have a truly reliable way to now,” he said. “These are the good old days. But we didn’t capture truly wild turkeys,” said Tom Hughes, a researcher always have turkeys, and just because we got them now for the National Wild Turkey Federation. doesn’t mean we always will have them. We’ve got to take There was still plenty to learn. Early restoration work care of them.” concentrated on large tracts of timber because the few wild For more information about the upcoming season, check flocks that remained were found in remote, isolated, usually the 2017 Spring Turkey Hunting Guide or go to fw.ky.gov. well-timbered spots.

Readers may contact Gary Garth at outdoors@kentuckymonthly.com “We thought we had to have a big, big area of woods for 60

K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

OUTDOORS

Gardening

Try Blackberries This Summer

BY WALT REICHERT

L

ast year on my small farm, it was blackberry heaven—or hell, depending upon how you look at it.

For two previous years, because of cold winters and late frosts, the blackberries had been meager producers. So last summer, they released all of that energy. I picked blackberries until I got tired of it, asked friends to pick blackberries, and they got tired of it. I think even the birds got tired of blackberries. Now understand, I just have a 16-foot row of blackberries; thankfully, I didn’t plant the 30 or 40 feet of row I originally had intended to plant.

Blackberries are one of the most prolific of fruits and one of the easiest to grow in Kentucky. Five or six plants put in this spring will reward you with gallons of berries in two years; there are even new varieties that can be planted this spring that will produce berries in July or August.

Preliminaries

Before you plant, choose a site carefully. Blackberries like full sun, though they will tolerate some shade.

Make sure the site has good drainage and test the soil; your county Extension Service office can do that for you. You may need lime, and that should be put down as soon as possible before planting.

Know the variety of blackberry you are getting so you know how to support the canes. Varieties that are semi-erect can stand on their own; those that are semitrailing need some form of support. A couple of heavy wires stretched between posts do the job nicely.

The University of Kentucky recommends several semi-erect types for good production in Kentucky, including Choctaw, Comanche, Darrow and Shawnee. Black Satin, Chester, Hull and Triple Crown are recommended semitrailing types. These varieties also are thornless. In my experience, the semitrailing types outperform the semi-erect types, and I like the thornless trait.

The most recent arrivals on the blackberry scene are the primocane varieties. The older types produce berries on canes that are two years old. But the primocane varieties produce the same year they are planted. These include Prime Ark and Prime Ark Freedom (thornless). The primocane varieties can be mowed to the ground every fall and will produce again next summer, allowing for less pruning labor.

Semi-erect blackberry plants can be spaced about 2 feet apart in a row; the

semi-trailing types need to be 8 feet apart.

If you plant more than one row, leave at least 10 feet between rows; otherwise, you’ll have a tangled mess by the second summer.

Picking, Protecting and Preserving

Compared with most fruits growing in Kentucky, blackberries don’t have many pests. Deer may chew on the plants while they’re small, but the plants typically recover and once they get some size, deer tend to leave them alone.

Until recently, insect pests on blackberries were relatively minor. June bugs occasionally will snack on ripe or overripe berries. Japanese beetles go more for the foliage and don’t do much harm. A little accidental import from Asia called the spotted wing drosophila, however, has changed things. The drosophila is a type of fruit fly, and the female lays eggs in berries just before they ripen. Berries picked, brought inside, and set on the counter in the afternoon have been found crawling with maggots the next morning. Some folks are picky about eating those. The University of Kentucky recommends spraying for the insect with chemicals that can be used close to harvest. (Read the label or ask your Extension agent for help.)

Many new blackberry growers make the mistake of picking fruits too soon.

When blackberries first turn black, they’re not quite ripe. A ripe fruit starts to take on a dull black cast, becomes somewhat soft and will almost fall off the stem into your hands.

Once picked, blackberries keep a day or two at best. They’ll last a little longer if they’re chilled in the refrigerator. An easy way to preserve them for future use in pies, cobblers, jams and jellies is to place clean, dry berries on a cookie sheet and pop them in the freezer for about half a day. Put them in a plastic freezer bag, and they will stay separated enough to gather as many as you want for processing, or you can take out just a few to put on your cereal or in yogurt. They thaw quickly.

The canes that produced the blackberries this year will not produce again next year, so they should be pruned out right after bearing or you can wait till early spring or late winter to do that job.

You can easily identify the canes that need to be pruned out; they are dead, brittle and a light gray. Cut them to the ground, and you’re ready to go again next year.

Readers can reach Walt Reichert at gardening@ kentuckymonthly.com A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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CALENDAR

Let’s Go

7

April SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1.

Ongoing Ongoing Our state’s largest Reveal: Don annual event, the 80th Ament and Anniversary of Kentucky Derby the ’37 Flood, Joyce Garner Festival, continues Exhibit, UofL Ekstrom throughout the month! The Library, Louisville, Kentucky Artisan 2016 Kentucky Derby Festival Center, Berea, through June 30 Official Schedule of Events through April 30, begins on page 33.

(859) 985-5448

3.

4.

5.

11.

12.

18.

19.

Face Value: Photographs

by Doris Ulmann & Andy Warhol, UK Art Museum, Lexington, through April 23,



2.

8.

Family Vintage Dogwood Trail Dirty Dancing: Scavenger The Classic Baseball Game, Celebration, Hunt and Story, EKU Waveland State downtown Historic Site, Paducah, through Center for the Arts, Slitherin’ Into Spring, John Richmond, Lexington, April 23 James Audubon through April 5, (859) 272-3611 State Park, (859) 622-7469 Henderson, (270) 826-4424

1

Kenny Rogers, Norton Center for the Arts, Danville, 1-877-HIT-SHOW

10.

16.

17.

Olympus Panic! At the Piano Trio, Disco, KFC Glema Mahr Yum! Center, Louisville, (502) Center for the Arts, Madisonville, 690-9000 (270) 824-8650

0

Easter

23.

Kentucky Writers Day Events, Historic Penn’s Store, Gravel Switch, also April 28-29

2

30.

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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

WWE Live, E.A. Diddle Arena, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green

24.

Where I’m From Poetry Exhibit, Old Mulkey Meetinghouse, Tompkinsville, through April 30, (270) 487-8481

Pippin, Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, Bowling Green, (270) 904-1880

Tribute to Kentucky, Ragged Edge Community Theatre, Harrodsburg, (859) 734-3361

13.

14.

15.

20.

21.

22.

Baby: The Musical, Theatre Workshop of Owensboro, (270) 683-5003

The Robber Easter Bridegroom, Weekend Jenny Wiley Getaway, Mainstage, Carter Caves Prestonsburg, State Resort Park, through April 29, Olive Hill, (606) 886-9274 through April 16, (606) 286-4411

Kentucky 5th Annual Daniel Tosh, Hillbilly Days, Southern Gathers downtown KFC Yum! Center, Kentucky Book Bourbon & Dulcimer Pikeville, through Browns Louisville, Fest, Knicely Group, General (502) 690-9000 April 22, Conference Center, Charity Event, Butler State Resort (606) 432-5063 Western Kentucky Orlando Brown Park lodge House, Frankfort, University, mezzanine, (502) 227-2560 Bowling Green, Carrollton, through April 22 (502) 732-4384

25.

Ongoing Ongoing Frankfort’s Khirbet el-Maqatir & a Fishing Reels: Jewels of the Journey Bluegrass, through Capital City Biblical Museum, History, York House, Pikeville, Frankfort, through Nov. 10 through Aug. 31

29.

OVAL Kitchen Tour, various locations, Henderson, (270) 860-1930



9.

SATURDAY

More to explore online!

Visit kentuckymonthly. com for additional content, including a calendar of events, feature stories and recipes.

Let’s Go!

A guide to Kentucky’s most interesting events Bluegrass Region

7-28 April Race Meet, Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, keeneland.com 8 Pick Up the Park, Old Fort Harrod State Park, Harrodsburg, (859) 734-3314, parks.ky.gov 8 Easter Egg Hunt, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, buffalotrace.com

22 A Taste of Danville, Wilderness Trail Distillery, Danville, (859) 402-8707, wildernesstraildistillery.com 22 Embraceable Earth: Love for Our Planet, Second Presbyterian Church, Lexington, (859) 317-3353, lexingtonchamberchorale.org

8 Kenny Rogers, Norton Center for the Arts, Danville, 1-877-HIT-SHOW, nortoncenter.com

22-23 Women on the Frontier, Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond, parks.ky.gov

9 Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Lexington, (859) 254-4546, lctonstage.org

27-30 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, (859) 254-8123, rk3de.org

11 Second Tuesday Teas, White Hall State Historic Site, Richmond, (859) 623-9178, parks.ky.gov

28 Paul Thorn Band, The Grand Theatre, Frankfort, (859) 233-4567, grandtheatrefrankfort.org

1 Cruiz on Main, downtown Harrodsburg, harrodsburgky.com

12 Tribute to Kentucky, Ragged Edge Community Theatre, Harrodsburg, (859) 734-3361, larryandborderline.com

30 The Red Badge of Courage, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Lexington, (859) 254-4546, lctonstage.org

1-22 The Lion King Jr., The Spotlight Theatre at Richmond Mall, Richmond, (859) 756-0011, thespotlightplayhouse.com

13 Johnny Peers & The Muttville Comix, The Grand Theatre, Frankfort, (502) 352-7469, grandtheatrefrankfort.org

1 Reforest Frankfort, Cove Spring Park, Frankfort, visitfrankfort.com

15 Cinderella, Lexington Opera House, Lexington, (859) 233-3925, lexingtonballet.org

1-23 Face Value: Photographs by Doris Ulmann & Andy Warhol, UK Art Museum, Lexington, through April 23, (859) 257-5716, finearts.uky.edu/art-museum

15 Community Easter Egg and Candy Hunt, Old Fort Harrod State Park, Harrodsburg, (859) 734-3314, parks.ky.gov

April Ongoing Frankfort’s Fishing Reels: Jewels of the Bluegrass, Capital City Museum, Frankfort, through Nov. 10, capitalcitymuseum.com Reveal: Don Ament and Joyce Garner Exhibit, Kentucky Artisan Center, Berea, through April 30, (859) 985-5448, kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov April

1-23 Mike McKay: Singularities, UK Art Museum, Lexington, (859) 257-5716, finearts.uky.edu/art-museum 1-23 Andrea Modica: Best Friends, UK Art Museum, Lexington, (859) 257-5717, finearts.uky.edu/art-museum 2 Vintage Baseball Game, Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington, (859) 272-3611, parks.ky.gov 4 Tea Tuesday, Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington, also April 11, 18 and 25, (859) 272-3611, parks.ky.gov 4-5 Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story, EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, (859) 622-7469, ekucenter.com 7-9 Egg-Citing Easter Fest, Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond, (859) 527-3454, parks.ky.gov

15 Paris Landing Easter Egg Hunt, Paris Landing, Paris, ParisLanding.us

May

1 Tasting Party, Harrodsburg Historical Society, Harrodsburg, (859) 734-5985, harrodsburghistorical.org 2 Tea Tuesday, Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington, also May 9, (859) 272-3611, parks.ky.gov 4 Blues Traveler, The Grand Theatre, Frankfort, (502) 352-7469, grandtheatrefrankfort.org

15 Ben Sollee, Leeds Center for the Arts, Winchester, (859) 744-6437, leedscenter.org

4 The Fox on the Fairway, Carriage House Theatre, Lexington, (859) 257-4929, studioplayers.org

20 Dr. Kaboom! Live Wire: The Electricity Tour, Norton Center for the Arts, Danville, 1-877-HIT-SHOW, nortoncenter.com

5 Oaks Day Festival, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, buffalotrace.com

21-23 Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2017, Lexington Convention Center, Lexington, artscouncil.ky.gov

5-7 Kentucky Derby Weekend, Fort Boonesborough State Park campground, Richmond, (859) 527-3454, parks.ky.gov

21-23 Moonlight and Magnolias, Ragged Edge Community Theatre, Harrodsburg, also April 28-30, (859) 734-2389, raggededgetheatre.org

6 Cruiz on Main, downtown Harrodsburg, (859) 613-3162, harrodsburgky.com

21-23 The Midtown Men, Lexington Opera House, Lexington, (859) 233-4567, lexingtonoperahouse.com 22 5th Annual Bourbon & Browns Charity Event, Orlando Brown House, Frankfort, (502) 227-2560, libertyhall.org

6 Derby Day at Keeneland, Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, keeneland.com 6 Derby Day Breakfast, Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington, (859) 272-3611, parks.ky.gov 7 Sleeping Beauty, presented by the Russian A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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CALENDAR

Let’s Go

National Ballet Theatre, EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, (859) 622-7469, ekucenter.com

Louisville Region

9 Second Tuesday Teas, White Hall State Historic Site, Richmond, (859) 623-9178, parks.ky.gov 12 KECU ArtWalk, downtown Frankfort, downtownfrankfort.com 12-13 Crawfish Festival, Paris Landing, Paris, ParisCrawfishFestival.com 13 Ladies Day, downtown Lawrenceburg, (502) 930-8242 13 Berea Makers Market, Russell Acton Folk Center, Berea, BereaMakersMarket.com 13-14 Mayfest Arts Fair, Gratz Park, Lexington, downtownlex.com

April Ongoing 80th Anniversary of the ’37 Flood, UofL Ekstrom Library, Louisville, through June 30, louisville.edu April

1 Bluegrass Festival, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls Of Rough, (270) 257-2311, parks.ky.gov 1 James and the Giant Peach, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville, (502) 584-7777, stageone.org

14 Mother’s Day Bubbles and Bourbon Dinner, Fairyhouse Hall, Lexington, (859) 327-3277, fairyhousehall.com

1-16 Meadow’s in the Bloom Easter Traditions, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown, (502) 348-3502, visitmyoldkyhome.com

14 Vintage Baseball Game, Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington, (859) 272-3611, parks.ky.gov

6 American Pharoah – A Champions Tour, Kentucky Derby Museum, Louisville, derbymuseum.org

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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

7-9 The Elephant Man, Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center, Elizabethtown, (270) 765-2175, thepac.net 7-9 Crimes of the Heart, Historic State Theater/Hardin County Playhouse, Elizabethtown, also April 13-16, (270) 351-0577, hardincountyplayhouse.com 8 Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs, Bourbon Barrel Foods kitchen studio, Louisville, (502) 583-1433, mintjuleptours.com 8 Easter Bunny on Court Square, Welcome Center Plaza, Bardstown, also April 15, (502) 348-4877, bardstownmainstreet.com 8-9 Antiques Show, Nelson County Senior High School, Bardstown, nchs.nelson.kyschools.us 9 Panic! At the Disco, KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, (502) 690-9000, kfcyumcenter.com 10-11 Riverdance, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville, (502) 584-7777, louisville.broadway.com 13 Disney on Ice, KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, (502) 690-9000, kfcyumcenter.com 14 2nd Friday Bluegrass Jam, Rough River

Dam State Resort Park, Falls Of Rough, (270) 257-2311, parks.ky.gov

15 Easter Eggstravaganza, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls Of Rough, (270) 257-2311, parks.ky.gov 15 Easter Eggspress, Kentucky Railway Museum, New Haven, kyrail.org 16 Easter Sunday Buffet, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls Of Rough, (270) 257-2311, parks.ky.gov 18-30 The Race Is On! An Exhibit on the Traditions of the Kentucky Derby, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown, through May 31, (502) 348-3502, visitmyoldkyhome.com 19 Daniel Tosh, KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, (502) 690-9000, kfcyumcenter.com 22 Earth Day Hike, E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park activities building, Louisville, (502) 429-7270, parks.ky.gov 22 Forever Abbey Road, Historic State Theater, Elizabethtown, (270) 765-2175, historicstatetheater.org 23 Kentucky Writers Day Events, Historic Penn’s Store, Gravel Switch, also April 28-29, pennsstore.com 27 Heaven and Evan Exclusive Bourbon Experience, departs from Mint Julep Tours Gift Shop, Louisville, (502) 583-1433, mintjuleptours.com 29-30 Train Robbery, Kentucky Railway Museum, New Haven, (502) 549-5470, kyrail.org May

2-4 Dawn at the Downs, Churchill Downs, Louisville, churchilldowns.com 5 Spencer’s Theatre of Illusions – Hocus Focus, Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center, Elizabethtown, (270) 765-2175, thepac.net 5-6 Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Louisville, kentuckyderby.com 7 Celtic Woman, Louisville Palace, Louisville, (502) 583-4555, louisvillepalace.com 12 2nd Friday Bluegrass Jam, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls Of Rough, (270) 257-2311, parks.ky.gov 13 Hike with Mom! E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, Louisville, (502) 429-7270, parks.ky.gov 14 Mother’s Day Buffet, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls Of Rough, (270) 257-2311, parks.ky.gov A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

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CALENDAR

Let’s Go Northern Region

April

1-2 Disenchanted, Carnegie Arts Center, Covington, thecarnegie.com 1-2 NKU Presents Dance ’17, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, nku.edu 6 Being a Refugee in America, Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center, Covington, brownpapertickets.com 8 Amadeus, Live! presented by the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Greaves Concert Hall, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, (859) 431-6216, kyso.org 15 Easter Egg Hunt, Jane’s Saddlebag, Union, (859) 384-6617, janessaddlebag.com 18 Kentucky Gathers Dulcimer Group, General Butler State Resort Park lodge mezzanine, Carrollton, (502) 732-4384, parks.ky.gov

Barbecue, Bourbon & Bluegrass Owensboro, Kentucky May 12 - 13

Come for the Food. Stay for the Fun.

22 Kentucky Symphony Orchestra 2017 Gala: Bourbon & Bond, Newport on the Levee, Newport, (859) 431-6216, kyso.org 28-30 Camper Appreciation Weekend, General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton, (502) 732-4384, parks.ky.gov May

12 Sakura Ladies Chorus, Boone County Public Library, Burlington, bcpl.org 13 Sondheim vs. Webber: The Battle of Broadway, presented by the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Greaves Concert Hall, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, (859) 431-6216, kyso.org 14 Mother’s Day Celebration, Jane’s Saddlebag, Union, (859) 384-6617, janessaddlebag.com

Western Region

April

www.BBQfest.com 66

K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

1 Eggstravaganza, John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, (270) 827-1893, parks.ky.gov

1-9 March Madness Exhibit, John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, (270) 827-1893, parks.ky.gov 3-23 Dogwood Trail Celebration, downtown Paducah, paducah.travel 5 Family Scavenger Hunt and Slitherin’ Into Spring, John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, (270) 826-4424, parks.ky.gov

16 Easter Egg Hunt, Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz, (270) 924-1131, parks.ky.gov 18 Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Carson Center, Paducah, (270) 450-4444, thecarsoncenter.org 21 Give Our Regards to Broadway, Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, Madisonville, (270) 824-8650, glemacenter.org

28 The Company Men, Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, Madisonville, (270) 824-8650, glemacenter.org 29 OVAL Kitchen Tour, various locations, Henderson, (270) 860-1930, ohiovalleyart.org 29 Celebrate National Astronomy Day! John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, (270) 826-4424, parks.ky.gov

7 Western Kentucky Car Club CruiseIn, Southgate Mall, Leitchfield, (270) 230-2863

21-22 Home, Garden & Outdoor Living Show, Ballard Convention Center, Madisonville, visitmadisonvilleky.com

8 Wildflower Extravaganza, John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, (270) 8264424, parks.ky.gov

22 WKBG Annual Plant Sale, Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, Owensboro, (270) 852-8925, wkbg.org

5-6 Owl Weekend, Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz, (270) 924-1131, parks.ky.gov

8 2nd Saturday Hike – Spring Wildflowers, Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz, (270) 924-1431, parks.ky.gov

22 Earth Day: All About Butterflies, Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, Wickliffe, (270) 335-3681, parks.ky.gov

5-7 Photography Weekend, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs, (270) 797-3421, parks.ky.gov

9 Jason Crabb, Carson Center, Paducah, (270) 450-4444, thecarsoncenter.org

22-23 Ohio Valley Birding Festival, John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, (270) 826-4424, parks.ky.gov

7 Randall Atcheson, Carson Center, Paducah, (270) 450-4444, thecarsoncenter.org

10 Olympus Piano Trio, Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, Madisonville, (270) 824-8650, glemacenter.org

26-29 AQS QuiltWeek, various locations, Paducah, quiltweek.com

12-13 International Bar-B-Q Festival, downtown Owensboro, bbqfest.com

13 Baby: The Musical, Theatre Workshop

27-30 Scrapbooking Weekend, Pennyrile

theatreworkshop.org

(270) 797-3421, parks.ky.gov

13 Historic Island Wooden Bridge Concerts, Island Wooden Bridge Park, Island, facebook.com/historicislandwoodenbridge

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CALENDAR

Let’s Go Southern Region

April

1 Flora, Fauna and Forestry Fun, Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site, Tompkinsville, (270) 487-8481, parks.ky.gov 11 Pippin, Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, Bowling Green, (270) 904-1880, theskypac.com

Shelbyville . Simpsonville . Kentucky

15 Cherry Blossom Art Festival, Courthouse Square, Franklin, (270) 586-8482, fsrenaissance.org 16 Easter Egg Hunt, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville, (270) 433-7431, parks.ky.gov

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in our charming downtown or grab some deals at the only Outlet Mall in Kentucky. Your mouth will be watering in anticipation for a taste at our local distillery and wineries. Located between Louisville and Lexington, within minutes of the Bourbon Trail®.

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17 WWE Live, E.A. Diddle Arena, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, wku.edu 21-22 Southern Kentucky Book Fest, Knicely Conference Center, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, sokybookfest.org 22 Somernites Cruise Car Show and Shine, Fountain Square, Somerset, (606) 872-2277, somernitescruise.com 22 Earth Day Festival, Courthouse Square, Franklin, (270) 586-3809, facebook.com/SoKYEarthDayFair

Spring

23 Spring Garden Expo, Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site, Tompkinsville, (270) 487-8481, parks.ky.gov 24-30 Where I’m From Poetry Exhibit, Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site, Tompkinsville, (270) 487-8481, parks.ky.gov

Happenings in Western Kentucky 26th Annual Home, Garden & Outdoor Living Show The Company Men in Concert Mule and Draft Horse Days 23rd Annual Battle of Sacramento 9th Annual Madisonville Disc Golf Open

877-243-5280

Friday, April 21-Saturday, April 22 Friday, April 28 Thursday, May 4-Saturday, May 6 Friday, May 19-Sunday, May 21 Saturday, May 20-Sunday, May 21

www.visitmadisonvilleky.com

28-30 Camper Appreciation Weekend, Green River Lake State Park, Campbellsville, (270) 465-8255, parks.ky.gov May

6 Marina On-Water Boat Show, Lake Cumberland State Dock, Jamestown, lakecumberlandvacation.com 9 Mama Mia! Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, Bowling Green, (270) 904-1880, theskypac.com 13 Flint & Stones, Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site, Tompkinsville, (270) 487-8481, parks.ky.gov

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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

21-23 Nature Photography Weekend, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin, (606) 528-4121, parks.ky.gov

Eastern Region

29-30 Mountain Mushroom Festival, downtown Irvine, (606) 723-1233, mountainmushroomfestival.org May

28-29 Camper Appreciation Weekend, , parks.ky.gov 28-29 Wildflower Weekend, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade, parks.ky.gov

April Ongoing Khirbet el-Maqatir & a Journey through Biblical History, York House, Pikeville, through Aug. 31, upike.edu April

28-30 Camper Appreciation Weekend, Carter Caves State Resort Park campground, Olive Hill, (606) 286-4411, and Levi Jackson State Park campground, London, (606) 330-2130, parks.ky.gov

1 Beauty & The Beast, Paramount Arts Center, Ashland, (606) 324-3175, paramountartscenter.com

4-7 Sister Act, Artists Collaborative Theatre, Elkhorn City, (606) 432-5063, ACT4.org 5-6 Wildflower Digital Photography Workshop, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville, (606) 337 3066, parks.ky.gov 13 Natural Bridge Trail Trek Series, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade, (606) 663-2214, parks.ky.gov

For additional Calendar items or to submit an event, please visit kentuckymonthly.com. Submissions must be sent at least 90 days prior to the event.

1 Hospice Spring Style Show and Luncheon, Bellefonte Country Club, 1-800-377-6249, visitashlandky.com 1 Midnight Storm in Concert, Blue Ribbon Fox Hunters Lodge, Catlettsburg, 1-800-377-6249, visitashlandky.com 1 Eastern Mining Collectors Association Spring Meet and Show, Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill, (937) 367-6295, parks.ky.gov 1-2 Bonnie & Clyde, Jenny Wiley Mainstage, Prestonsburg, (606) 886-9274, jwtheatre.com 1-2 Shrek the Musical Jr., Artists Collaborative Theatre, Elkhorn City, also April 6-9, (606) 432-5063, ACT4.org 7 First Friday Art Walk & Car Show, downtown Ashland, 1-800-377-6249, visitashlandky.com

Max’s Brick Oven Café

112 Market House Square, Paducah

Open for Lunch during Quilt Week, April 26-29

13 Presley, Perkins, Lewis & Cash: A Night to Remember, Paramount Arts Center, Ashland, (606) 324-3175, paramountartscenter.com

www.maxsbrickoven.com

maxs.indd 1

2/23/17 12:07 PM

14-29 The Robber Bridegroom, Jenny Wiley Mainstage, Prestonsburg, (606) 886-9274, jwtheatre.com 15-16 Easter Weekend Getaway, Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill, (606) 286-4411, parks.ky.gov 20-22 Hillbilly Days, downtown Pikeville, (606) 432-5063, tourpikecounty.com 21 Chris Stapleton, Eastern Kentucky Expo Center, Pikeville, (606) 444-5500, eastkyexpo.com 21-22 Herpetology Weekend, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade, (606) 663-2214, parks.ky.gov

Colonial Cottage Restaurant 3140 Dixie Highway, Erlanger 859-341-4498 thecottagenky.com

A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

69

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XX

K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • J U N E 2 0 0 8

Land Between the

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J U N E 2 0 0 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY

XX

VOICES

Vested Interest

Phone Call of the Month

T

“

his is MaryLou Smithgibbins of Lawrenceburg. I ordered your magazine back in September, but I did not want it. Then you sent me a bill, and I did not pay it. Then today, you sent me another bill, which I will not pay. It says here that if I don’t pay, you won’t send me any more, which is fine because I didn’t want the damn thing in the first place. My question: Can you send me the issues I’ve missed in the meantime?”

“But, Ms. Smithgibbins, you said you didn’t really want them when you ordered them.”

“That’s right.”

“Then why should I send you something you don’t want?”

“All I can say, this is no way to run a business.”

The first thing I did when I got off the phone was to check the Farmer’s Almanac for the next full moon, but being that it was more than three days away, I chalked this exchange up to cantankerousness, which goes beyond being grumpy to bucking for an argument.

• • •

These calls come in on a somewhat regular basis. We received them when I was a newspaper reporter all the time.

Once, a subscriber was yelling at me so loudly that my boss pulled the phone out of my hand.

“Is there something I can do to help you?” my boss asked the caller.

“There was a mistake in today’s newspaper, and I want to know what you’re going to do to assure me it doesn’t happen again.”

“Not much,” my boss said.

“Not much? What’n hell do you mean, not much?”

“Well, as long as we employ human beings mistakes are going to happen. We’ll try our best, but that’s all any us of can do, sir. Have a good night.”

• • •

Kentucky Monthly has received several of these calls over the years.

The hall-of-fame call came from Luther P. Spindletop of Millersburg, who is the No. 1 fan of Livermore’s Thunder on the Green, a drag boat race in McLean County. The 2016 edition of the event was scheduled for Aug. 27-28, and for some reason, we listed it in the calendar as being Aug. 21-22.

Now, you must first understand that Mr. Spindletop knew the correct date long before he called us. He had attended the 2015 event and enjoyed it so much that he’d reserved his hotel room a year in advance so he wouldn’t miss it. When his Kentucky Monthly arrived, he saw our mistake, and it made him think, momentarily, that maybe he was misinformed. No, he was right. He called the race officials, and they assured him the event was scheduled for Aug. 27-28. But he still needed, with all of his passion, to call us.

“I want to talk to the idiot who puts your calendar together,” he said when he called.

“Excuse me? Is there a problem?” asked Tricia, who STEPHEN M. VEST happened to answer the Publisher & Editor-in-Chief phone.

“Yes, you said the Thunder on the Green this year is going to be raced on a Monday, and any idiot should know better than that.”

“Well, sir, let me check the information that was sent to us.”

“I don’t care anything about the information you may or may not have received. If someone sent you a press release that the Kentucky Derby was going to be on Monday instead of the first Saturday in May, you’d print that? Is that what you’re saying?”

After four or five minutes of haranguing Tricia, he was transferred from employee to employee looking for the ultimate stooge in charge, unsatisfied with anyone’s apology or explanation.

“You know, people do make mistakes,” one employee said.

“Not of this magnitude,” he said. “The Livermore drag boat races are an institution, and for you to give out incorrect information is unacceptable and unforgivable.”

He’s right. But it’s important to note that the Thunder on the Green, which draws more than 2,000 spectators, was canceled last August due to high water. Even if he had shown up on the wrong day, which would have been awful, he would have no more missed the event than he eventually did anyway. On a side note, this year’s races are scheduled for Aug. 26-27. If you don’t believe me, you can call (270) 763-2833.

At any rate, his call eventually was transferred to me.

“Hello,” I said.

“Is this the idiot in charge?”

“Idiot?” In honesty, I prefer chowderhead, clodpole, nincompoop or nitwit, but idiot is highly offensive and under Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 145, such a person is ineligible to vote. I’ve voted in every election since 1979.

“Damn, man, I want to talk to the idiot who publishes this magazine.”

“Idiot? Really.”

“Is this the idiot or isn’t it?”

“No, sir, he’s still in the parking lot—looking for the door to the building.”

Readers, and those looking for a speaker for a church or civic group, may contact Stephen M. Vest at steve@kentuckymonthly.com

APRIL KWIZ ANSWERS: 1. B. Great Steamboat Race; 2. C. Old Cardinal Stadium; 3. B. Muhammad Ali (1981 and 2006); 4. A. The Pegasus Parade began in 1956 with a budget of $640; 5. C. Monarchos in the 127th running of the Kentucky Derby; 6. B. Victor Espinoza aboard California Chrome in 2014 and American Pharoah in 2015; 7. B. Eddie Arcaro (1941 and 1948); 8. A. May 7, 2002 (age 28), 25 years after winning the 1977 Kentucky Derby; 9. B. Pulling a vegetable cart; 10. C. Churchill Downs with his cousins John and Henry Churchill.

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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • A P R I L 2 0 1 7

ATTENTION TO DETAIL The difference between mediocrity & pure excellence If you’re putting on a roof that you’ll end up replacing (again) in a few years anyway, little mistakes here and there are not a big deal. They can be patched, or caulked, or otherwise band-aided until it’s time to do it all over again. But when you’re installing permanent, investment-grade metal roofing, you have to look at things a little differently. We’re putting on roofs that will last for decade after decade, and that means we don’t rely on parts or flashings that will crack or decay. It also means we have to very neatly lock, trim and shape every angle of our metal shingles for maximum eye-catching beauty, because this monument to American workmanship is going to stand and speak about our efforts for a long, long time.

Discover why more people are choosing metal

Visit ClassicKY.com or Call 877-960-7663