United We Give
NOVEMBER 2020
A.W. Buie's Mission to Serve Appalachian Soldiers Throughout History Shelby County Weekend Getaway
SEEK
Museum Offers insight and inspiration
Display until 12/08/2020
www.kentuckymonthly.com
in this issue
42
ON THE COVER The SEEK Museum in Russellville, Kentucky. Photo by Meagan Lee Photography.
november 16 Nonprofits in Kentucky Our state is home to
22,000 organizations that address a variety of needs
36 Adventures Close to Home
30 Faith First
A national tragedy led A.W. Buie to launch a ministry to serve his community
32 In Praise of Appalachian Soldiers
36
Men and women from the mountains have served with distinction in the American armed forces since the nation’s beginning
If the global pandemic has curbed your travel plans, look for fun and fascinating experiences inside the Commonwealth
42 SEEKing History
A Russellville museum preserves stories of injustice and inspiration
DEPARTMENTS 2 Kentucky Kwiz 3 Readers Write 4 Mag on the Move 8 Across Kentucky 10 Cooking 48 Off the Shelf 51 Field Notes 52 Past Tense/ Present Tense
47 Bulleit Points
54 Calendar
56 Vested Interest
A legendary bourbon businessman shares his experiences and life lessons
k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 1
kentucky kwiz Test your knowledge of our beloved Commonwealth. To find out how you fared, see the bottom of Vested Interest. 1. James Brown, the brother of Kentucky’s first senator, John Brown, served as the Commonwealth’s first: A. Godfather of Soul B. Governor C. Secretary of State 2. While not Kentuckians themselves, which group consists of sons and daughters of those with connections to Kentucky? A. Fess Parker, William Conrad and Johnny Depp B. Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey and Elizabeth Montgomery C. George Clooney, Florence Henderson and Nancy Hanks Lincoln 3. True or false: Visitors may carry guns into the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, but other potential weapons, such as sticks, are prohibited. 4. The wife of which statesman sold eggs, butter and milk to Lexington’s Phoenix Hotel during the 19th century? A. Henry Clay B. James Breckinridge C. Jefferson Davis 5. The name of Paintsville singer/songwriter Tyler Childers’ original backing band paid homage to his humble beginnings in Lawrence County. What is the name of the band? A. Government Cheese B. Social Security C. The Food Stamps 6. The Kentucky State Guard (Kentucky National Guard) saw its first federal service during which war? 2 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
Celebrating the best of our Commonwealth
A. The Civil War B. World War I C. Spanish-American War 7. Potter College at Western Kentucky University was originally what kind of school? A. An engineering school for disadvantaged students B. “The Hill School” for traditional music C. A liberal arts school for women 8. Russellville’s Bubba Wells, who played his college basketball career at nearby Austin Peay University, holds which NBA record?
© 2020, Vested Interest Publications Volume Twenty Three, Issue 9, November 2020
Stephen M. Vest Publisher + Editor-in-Chief
Editorial Patricia Ranft Associate Editor Rebecca Redding Creative Director Deborah Kohl Kremer Assistant Editor Ted Sloan Contributing Editor Cait A. Smith Copy Editor
Senior Kentributors Jackie Hollenkamp Bentley, Bill Ellis, Steve Flairty, Gary Garth, Jesse HendrixInman, Kristy Robinson Horine, Kim Kobersmith, Abby Laub, Walt Reichert, Ken Snyder, Joel Sams, Gary P. West
A. Quickest foul-out B. Longest free-throw streak C. Most games played wearing different jersey numbers 9. Calumet Farm owner Brad Kelley, the United States’ fourth-largest private landowner, was secretary of the Future Farmers of America chapter at FranklinSimpson High School and won which national FFA award? A. Poster contest B. Oration contest C. Conservationist of the Year 10. A three-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Glasgow’s Arthur Bernard Krock came under rebuke late in his career for his close association with which U.S. president’s father?
Business and Circulation Barbara Kay Vest Business Manager Jocelyn Roper Circulation Specialist
Advertising Lindsey Collins Account Executive and Coordinator For advertising information, call 888.329.0053 or 502.227.0053
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, Gregory N. Carnes, Barbara and Pete Chiericozzi, Kellee Dicks, Maj. Jack E. Dixon, Bruce and Peggy Dungan, Mary and Michael Embry, Wayne Gaunce, Frank Martin, Thomas L. Hall, Judy M. Harris, Greg and Carrie Hawkins, Jan and John Higginbotham, Bill Noel, Walter B. Norris, Kasia Pater, Dr. Mary Jo Ratliff, Barry A. Royalty, Randy and Rebecca Sandell, Marie Shake, Kendall Carr Shelton and Ted M. Sloan. Kentucky Monthly invites queries but accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material; submissions will not be returned.
A. Dwight D. Eisenhower B. John F. Kennedy C. Richard M. Nixon
kentuckymonthly.com
readers write KENTUCKY’S RIVETING RESIDENTS
M O R E TO E X P LO R E
I typically don’t like reading stories about restaurants and food. However, I found myself being pulled into “Breaking Bread,” a feature story written by Joel Sams in the May edition (page 13). I appreciated getting to know Bluegrass Baking Company owner Jim Betts and his longtime patrons, with backgrounds and life journeys that kept the story fascinating from start to finish. As one of your loyal readers, I am asking Kentucky Monthly to devote more of its pages to the Commonwealth’s interesting residents. Every person truly does have a story, and many in Kentucky are living fascinating lives that many of us (your loyal readers) would love to read more about in the coming months and years. Bob Vlach, Georgetown
HATS OFF TO BILL ELLIS I enjoyed Bill Ellis’ article “A Bald-Headed Man Can Never Have Too Many Hats” (June/July issue, page 44). I, too, am follically challenged and have accumulated many hats over the years. While getting my hair cut, I mentioned to the woman barber that I have more hair in my nose and ears than on my head. She said the reason for this is that some men are hard headed, and hair simply takes the path of least resistance. Joe Fugazzi, Fort Mitchell
DRINK LOCAL a guide to Kentucky spirits Introducing “Drink Local,” Kentucky Monthly’s newest annual supplement. This handy guide to sipping in the Bluegrass State spotlights local breweries, wineries and, of course, distilleries. Discover unique ways to drink in Kentucky, creative cocktail recipes and more.
I so enjoyed Bill Ellis’ article on his hat collection and hats in general. It brought back fond memories of my husband, who was an executive and in charge of many meetings over the years. Meetings were never all work but a little time-out for play, which—in his case—was golf. At almost all of these “time-out for golf” events, he was presented a baseball cap with the name and the logo of one of the small colleges across the United States, where his division of the company for which he worked had an agency. His hats were never counted but were worn by many after his passing. Shirley Sammartin, Lexington
We Love to Hear from You!
Find more of Drink Local at kentuckymonthly.com.
K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY. C O M
UN I TI N G K EN TUC KI A N S EV ERY W H ER E .
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.
Featured in this issue Did you miss a past issue? Visit us online for articles, blogs, recipes, events and more!
F O L LOW U S.
k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 3
travel
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!
MAG ON THE MOVE Take a copy of the magazine with you and get snapping! Send your high-resolution photos (usually 1 MB or higher) to editor@kentuckymonthly.com or visit kentuckymonthly.com to submit your photo.
Mark and Julie Lyverse TUNISIA (above) The couple, previously of Fort Mitchell and now residing in California, are pictured in in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. They traveled to Tunisia to visit their son, Tate, who lives and works in nearby Carthage.
David and Patty Sellers UTAH (left) The Robards (Henderson County) residents hiked a windy trail to the base of Delicate Arch, Utah’s iconic symbol, in Arches National Park, with their Kentucky Monthly. 4 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
Everice Shewmaker and Debbie Armstrong SOUTH DAKOTA The Harrodsburg friends visited Wind Cave National Park while on a trip to South Dakota. Another bucket list experience!
The Beyers and the Hunts
Mike Breslin and Marla Toncray
FLORIDA
ALABAMA
Gary and Vicki Beyer of Mount Sterling, left, enjoyed time with friends Steve and Darla Hunt of Gallatin, Tennessee, at Anna Maria Island, Florida.
The Maysville residents enjoyed a visit to Orange Beach, Alabama.
k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 5
travel
Charles and Peggy Batts MONTANA (above) The Hopkinsville couple traveled to scenic Glacier Nationaal Park.
Sonya Westerman EGYPT (left) The resident of Sebree in Webster County is pictured at the Light and Sound Show in front of the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
SPONSORED
Text by Dixie Lynn | Photos by Christopher McIntosh
Middle of Everywhere, Your new favorite podcast
M
ost people have heard the phrase “we live in the middle of nowhere,” to describe living in small towns across America. But with more people moving to rural communities, with locally owned businesses, and grassroots efforts, surrounded by hope and opportunity, it seems more accurate to say small towns are in the “middle of everywhere.” A new podcast from WKMS and Public Radio Exchange (PRX), “Middle of Everywhere” shares big stories from the small places we call home. Hosts Ariel Lavery and Austin Carter tell stories of life in rural America, an often overlooked geographic news region. They provide a connection for those who have left but still identify with small towns, and explore the growing appeal of rural life.
Sharing Big Stories from the Small Places
We Call Home Starting last month, Middle of Everywhere episodes are released biweekly, available for download on all podcast platforms and online.
Ariel grew up in, and became disenchanted with, suburbia. Once a transient American, she yearned for rural life and has landed in Murray, KY, which has a population of just under 20,000. She holds a BFA and MFA in Studio Art and also hosts an independent podcast called “Mother’s Project.”
A
Austin
“I am driven to collect the stories and histories of rural folk, the people who, in some ways, have the most immediate connection to our history as a country. ”– Ariel
Ariel
Find behind the scenes photos and connect with the podcast
A
A production of WKMS and part of PRX’s Project Catapult, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, “Middle of Everywhere” Season One will feature stories from across Kentucky. From a magic healing stone to a ninth-generation farmer battling an insurance company, Ariel and Austin will explore a bit of history of the Bluegrass State, bust some stereotypes, and share what’s motivating people in these communities.
A
Austin grew up in Murray and has remained there nearly his entire life. Attending Murray State University, He began working at WKMS, the university’s National Public Radio station, as a student intern. Now, he is the Operations Director and host of “Morning Edition,” while also hosting and producing “Middle of Everywhere.”
middleofeverywherepod.org @middleofeverywherepod
across kentucky
BIRTHDAYS 3 Phil Simms (1954), sports commentator and former NFL quarterback, born in Lebanon and raised in Louisville 4 Jordon Smith (1993), Harlan Countyraised winner of The Voice (2015) 6 Kelly Rutherford (1968), Elizabethtown-born actress best known for her roles on Melrose Place and Gossip Girl 7 Calvin “Bo’rail” Borel (1966), threetime Kentucky Derby-winning jockey 9 Frank Selvy (1932), basketball player known as the “Corbin Comet” who scored 100 points in a game for Furman University
KentuckyStyle Glamping Many travelers love the outdoors but are not fans of sleeping in a tent and enjoy the conveniences of, for example, a regular bathroom. Introducing Camp Bespoke, a glamping—or glamorous camping—site near Williamstown in Grant County. Opened in October, this cleverly conceived campsite includes two types of lodging—cottages sourced from repurposed shipping containers and Sioux-style tepees. All of these luxurious lodgings are outfitted with bathrooms and kitchenettes. “Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or prefer to lodge at hotels, Camp Bespoke is the perfect blend of both,” said Lexington native and Camp Founder and CEO Nicole Brassington, who owns the enterprise with Misty Smith, Latasha Reid and Dr. Angelina Strickland. “Camp Bespoke is truly a Kentucky Proud project designed to be an elevated camping experience with unique lodging accommodations and curated excursions authentic to Kentucky that will create memories that last a lifetime.” In addition to being a one-of-a-kind camping destination, Camp Bespoke gives back to Kentucky by donating a percentage of sales to local organizations that uphold standards of fairness and equality. One dollar from every tepee booked at Camp Bespoke goes directly to the Kentucky Native American Heritage Museum with a yearly minimum donation of $5,000. Additionally, funds will be donated to Louisville’s Fund for the Arts to support visual, performing and culinary arts programming for minorities, underserved youth and artists throughout the state. For more information, visit campbespoke.com. 8 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
12 Timothy C. Caboni (1970), 10th president of Western Kentucky University 12 Ernie Fletcher (1952), 60th governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, 2003-07 15 Fred Cowgill (1957), Emmy Award-winning sportscaster at WLKY-32 in Louisville 16 Allison Anders (1954), Ashland-born film director 16 Troy Seals (1938), Madison Countyborn singer-songwriter best known for “Lost in the Fifties Tonight” (1986) 21 Steven Curtis Chapman (1962), Paducah-born Grammy Awardwinning Christian musician with more than 55 Dove Awards 28 Ben Sollee (1983), Lexington cellist, singer-songwriter and composer 29 Andy Beshear (1977), 63rd governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky 30 Joe B. Hall (1928), University of Kentucky basketball coach from 19721985, winning the NCAA crown in 1978 30 Robert Kirkman (1978), comic book writer and creator of the AMC series The Walking Dead
Chillin’ at the Frazier “Don’t let anyone ever tell you Kentucky ain’t cool,” said Andy Treinen, president of the Frazier History Museum in Louisville upon the opening of Cool Kentucky, a celebration of those things that make it so. The permanent exhibit positions the Frazier as a starting point for tourism by partnering with other museums, industry, individuals, attractions, sports organizations, and natural wonders to share a bit of their stories. It is both historic and contemporary. After visitors see George Clooney’s hospital scrubs from his stint on the television series ER, a Corvette (built in Bowling Green), and a disco ball (made in Louisville), they’ve only just begun, and, hopefully, they’ll be inspired to stay to see Kentucky’s array of attractions, from Tori Murden’s Pearl to Johnny Depp’s Black Pearl, to Muhammad Ali, Colonel Sanders, Duncan Hines and Jennifer Lawrence. Like a trip through the Kentucky Monthly archives, the list goes on and on.
FOLK ARTS & CRAFTS CAPITAL OF KENTUCKY
Virtual Book Festival After discussions with the Kentucky Humanities Board of Directors, staff, and public health officials, Kentucky Humanities has taken the Kentucky Book Festival online in 2020, with virtual programs hosted through Zoom and appearing on Facebook Live and YouTube. Although an in-person gathering will not take place this year, the Kentucky Book Festival will carry on the celebration of reading and writing, with a fantastic lineup of online discussions with authors, including John Grisham, J.R. Ward, Nikky Finney, Frank X Walker, Martha S. Jones, Roxana Robinson and more. A few events already are online. From Sept. 17 to Oct. 29, the Book Festival presented “Author Happy Hours,” which were recorded live, with time for a Q&A with the authors. These episodes can be viewed on kyhumanities.org. During week of Nov. 9-14, which would have been the scheduled in-person event, the Book Festival online experience continues. Throughout the week, participants can hear from novelists, journalists, poets and historians from Kentucky and across the United States. Confirmed guests include Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Blight; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Chris Hamby and Eric Eyre; historian Elaine Weiss; and New York Times bestselling author of the Shannara series Terry Brooks in conversation with local author Alix E. Harrow. The schedule includes a session covering the path to publishing, with literary agent Alice Speilburg in conversation with Courtney Maum and Casey Cep; author Shawn Pryor in conversation with George Ella Lyon, Kristin O’Donnell Tubb and S.G. Wilson; Margaret Verble will be joined by Roxana Robinso, Bobbie Ann Mason and Annett Saunooke Clapsaddle to discuss writing historical fiction; Silas House will speak with Ashley Blooms, Karen Salyer McElmurray and Robert Gipe about “writing Kentucky,” and more. Catch these virtual events live or watch the recorded versions on the Kentucky Humanities website, YouTube channel and Facebook page. Remember to like and follow @KyHumanities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news, announcements and updates. The Kentucky Book Festival is made possible by donations from Berea College, Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, Commerce Lexington, Delta Dental, Elsa Heisel Sule Charitable Foundation, Hardscuffle Inc., Hindman Settlement School, Kentucky Historical Society, Kim Edwards Charitable Foundation, Paducah Life magazine, Snowy Owl Foundation Inc., Tallgrass Foundation, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky Department of History, University of Pikeville, Wildcat Moving and individual contributions. Studio46 Media serves as the media and production partner. Joseph-Beth Booksellers is the virtual bookstore. Purchase books online at josephbeth.com or at their storefronts in Lexington and Cincinnati.
SHOP. DINE. STAY. EXPLORE. 800.598.5263 | visitberea.com
cooking
Sweets of the Season
Sweet Potato-Mandarin Orange Bundt Cake
Recipes provided, prepared and photographed by Janine Washle of CloverFields Farm & Kitchen and K’s Café & Catering in Clarkson
hanksgiving is just around the
T
on old favorites and give them a
corner, and that has many of us
contemporary flair, as in the dairy-
purchasing our turkey and planning
free Pumpkin-Butterscotch Pudding
our side dishes. Desserts for the
or the “naked” Jam Cake. Then
holiday often get as much attention
again, there are one or two that are
as the main meal because it is a day
perfect just the way they are, such as
steeped in tradition and memories
our Apple Butter Stack Cake.
of Thanksgivings past, which come
If you’re still thinking about options,
alive in the form of a special dessert.
take a look at these recipes because
Traditions are wonderful, but
one of them just may be ideal for
sometimes it’s fun to put a spin
you and your family!
10 K E NT U C K Y M O NTHLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
— Janine Washle
Apple Butter Stack Cake
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift or whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. 2. Cream shortening or lard and sugar in a stand mixer using paddle attachment until light. Add sorghum and stir in, scraping sides of bowl. Mixture may look curdled. 3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in dry mixture alternating with milk or hot water.
Apple Butter Stack Cake
4. Spray three 8-inch pans with nonstick baking spray. Line bottoms of pans with parchment paper. Pour ½ cup batter into each prepared pan. Smooth to edges with an offset spatula. Bake 12-15 minutes or until just set. Remove from oven and immediately flip onto a cooling rack.
MAKES TWO SIX-LAYER, 8-INCH CAKES
5. Prep pans again, and repeat process with batter until batter is used up. Once cakes are cool, stack them with wax paper in between to free up the cooling rack.
4 cups all-purpose flour
6. To assemble, lay one round on the cake plate you will be using on Thanksgiving Day. The cake will be so delicate that you will not be able to transfer it to a different cake plate. Spread ½ cup apple butter to the edges of the round. Top with another layer. Continue process with four more cakes. Do not put apple butter on the final cake round.
2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking soda ¾ cup shortening or lard 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup sorghum syrup 3 large eggs 1 cup milk or hot water
7. Refrigerate cake overnight to allow apple butter to soften the rounds. Cake is best one or two days after making. Refrigerate leftovers. 8. Cake layers freeze well if you do not make the second cake right away.
3 pints apple butter
k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 11
cooking
Kentucky Jam Cake
Kentucky Jam Cake MAKES ONE 9-INCH CAKE OR 6 MINI CAKES
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 4 eggs 3 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1½ cups buttermilk 1 cup blackberry jam (Kentucky state fruit) ½ cup black walnut pieces, optional (Kentucky state nut) 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows Honey Caramel Topping, recipe follows
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by cutting parchment paper circles to fit in the
12 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
Cranberry-Pineapple Cobbler
bottoms. Spray cake pans with a nonstick baking spray. Place circles in the bottoms of each pan. If making mini cakes, spray a half sheet pan with baking spray and line with parchment paper. 2. Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Add all four eggs and beat until incorporated (mixture may look grainy). 3. Sift together dry ingredients. Add alternately with buttermilk to the creamed mixture. Stir in jam, black walnut pieces and orange zest. 4. Divide batter between prepared pans. If making mini cakes, pour all of the batter into prepared sheet pan. Place pans in preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes (25 minutes for sheet pan) or until golden brown. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and completely cool on cake racks. 5. When cool, split each layer. Place bottom of one layer on cake plate. Spread with a generous ½ cup of frosting. Top with second layer and frost. Repeat with remaining cake. Frost top and sides of cake with the remaining frosting.
6. Refrigerate until frosting is set and cold. Slow pour half of honey caramel over top and allow to drip over sides. Serve remainder alongside cake. 7. For mini cakes, use a 3-inch cookie cutter and cut six rounds from sheet pan cake (save scraps for a snack). Do not split the layers. Proceed with recipe where frosting instructions begin. 8. Refrigerate leftover cake. Keeps well for four to five days.
Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting 1½ cups firmly packed brown sugar ¾ cup (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup half-and-half 2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened 3-4 cups sifted powdered sugar 1½ teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
1. Combine brown sugar, butter and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat until butter is melted. Stir in half-and-half until incorporated. Remove from heat and cool. 2. Using a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth. Combine with caramel mixture. 3. Add powdered sugar cup by cup until the frosting is a spreadable consistency. Stir in orange zest.
Honey Caramel ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup liquid honey
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together brown sugar, cornstarch and sea salt. Gradually whisk in coconut creamer, then the pumpkin puree. Turn stove to medium high and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture becomes thickened, about 5 minutes. 2. Remove from heat; stir in coconut oil and Scotch. Pour into dessert bowls. 3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Cranberry-Pineapple Cobbler MAKES ONE 9-INCH BAKING DISH (EASILY DOUBLED)
3 tablespoons water
¾ cup unsalted butter
½ cup heavy cream, room temperature
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1. Combine sugar, honey and water in a medium saucepan set over mediumhigh heat. Stir just to moisten sugar. Don’t worry about mixing in honey; it will melt in. Bring to a boil without stirring; cook without stirring until mixture reaches 275 degrees. 2. Remove pan from heat and stir in heavy cream. Return to heat and cook until temperature reaches 235 degrees. Stir in butter. 3. Allow to cool completely before pouring over top of cake.
This recipe is dairy- and egg-free!
Pumpkin-Butterscotch Pudding MAKES FOUR SERVINGS (EASILY DOUBLED)
½ cup dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/8
teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder ¾ cup milk
3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon salt 1½ cups mashed unseasoned sweet potatoes 1 11-ounce can mandarin orange segments, divided, save syrup Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a large bundt pan (I actually grease and flour twice). Set aside until needed. 2. In a stand mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and combine well.
Whipped cream
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add dry mixture to butter/sugar mixture, alternating with mashed sweet potatoes. Stir in ½ cup of mandarin orange segments.
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter in 9-inch square glass baking dish either in microwave or in the preheating oven.
4. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto cooling rack. Once cake is completely cool, drizzle with frosting. Keep in refrigerator.
1 teaspoon vanilla ½ can whole berry cranberry sauce 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, milk and vanilla. Pour this mixture over top of the melted butter and spread to edges. 3. Drop spoonfuls of cranberry sauce and then the pineapple over top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until cobbler is golden brown and bubbling around the edges. 4. Serve warm with whipped cream.
Sweet Potato-Mandarin Orange Bundt Cake
1½ cups coconut creamer (tested with So Delicious brand)
MAKES ONE BUNDT CAKE
½ cup pumpkin puree
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 cups granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons Scotch
4 large eggs
Cream Cheese Frosting 1 8-ounce package cream cheese 1 cup powdered sugar Remainder of mandarin orange segments 1-2 tablespoons mandarin orange syrup
Beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add orange segments and enough syrup to make a creamy frosting.
1 teaspoon vanilla
k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 13
NATEMORRIS.COM
Nate Morris was the first Kentuckian to be named to Fortune Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list and to be recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He is also the youngest inductee ever to the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.
OUR MISSION
American Innovation is the foundation of our nation’s ideals and the cornerstone of its future. NATE MORRIS
The Morris Foundation promotes the cherished American value that a better life is possible to those who seek it, investing in causes that provide opportunities for self-advancement, with an emphasis on youth leadership development, the alleviation of urban and rural poverty, girls’ and women’s empowerment, and access to higher education in Kentucky.
SPONSORED
MEET THE MORRIS FOUNDATION
Where Today’s Dreams Can Become Tomorrow’s Innovations
T
he Morris Foundation is rooted in the cherished American value that a better life is available to all who seek it. Founded by Kentucky native Nate Morris and his wife, Jane Mosbacher Morris, The Morris Foundation invests in causes that provide opportunities for selfadvancement, empower American Innovation, and emphasize youth leadership development, the alleviation of urban and rural poverty, girls’ and women’s empowerment, and access to higher education in Kentucky. Both Nate and Jane are passionate in the belief everyone can succeed if given the chance and that the greatest gift we can give others is the opportunity for them to achieve their dreams. It’s a mission that reflects Nate’s own background. He was raised by a single mother, and attended public schools. Presented with opportunities to improve himself personally and professionally, he became an inspired entrepreneur who founded an innovative waste and recycling firm, Rubicon, with global operations. The Morris Foundation advances the belief that, in America, great ideas have no geographical limitations. That’s why one of the primary missions of The Morris Foundation is to provide access to higher education in Kentucky. Nate is the Co-Chairman of the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics Capital Campaign Committee. At the college, The Morris Foundation established the Nate Morris Fellowship which provides the opportunity for a Gatton student to participate in the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress Fellows Program. It has also partnered with the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs, and established the Lewis Sexton Scholarship Fund to honor Nate’s grandfather, Lewis Sexton, former President of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 862. The fund provides financial assistance to children and legal wards of UAW 862 members or retirees who plan to attend a four-year college or university in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. To support its mission of alleviating rural poverty, The Morris Foundation has partnered with the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, working to transform Eastern
Above, Nate Morris with Bill Gatton and University of Kentucky Provost David Blackwell. Left, 2019 Lewis Sexton Scholarship recipients.
Kentucky through charitable giving, community involvement, and strategic partnerships, investing assets in local communities to support a strong, healthy, sustainable region; and the Kentucky Colonels, focusing volunteer efforts on children and youth, those in need, and the preservation of Kentucky heritage. Finally, as part of our mission to promote youth leadership development, The Morris Foundation established the Morris Prize, an award in college tuition assistance granted to one outstanding graduate from Eastern High School in Louisville, KY, Nate’s alma mater. The prize was inspired by Ginny Speaks, a teacher at the school during Nate’s days there. America is a country where anything is possible, and today’s dreams can become tomorrow’s innovations. The Morris Foundation exists to give hope and help to those who might not have access to the American Dream without it. Together, with the help of its foundation partners, The Morris Foundation is committed to making a difference in advancing opportunity, enriching lives and building the next generation of leaders.
NATE AND JANE MOSBACHER MORRIS
k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 15
Foundations FOR SUCCESS Community foundations support various causes to raise the quality of life across the Commonwealth BY DEBORAH KOHL KREMER
16 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
I
n the late 1990s, Henry Heuser Sr., former president of the Henry Vogt Machine Company in Louisville, endowed $5 million to create The Vogt Invention and Innovation Fund. The fund was initiated to provide grants to scientists, entrepreneurs and engineers to help them create new companies and products. Heuser envisioned that these endeavors would benefit Louisville and the community’s economy. This year, as it has for the past 20 years, The Community Foundation of Louisville (CFL) has overseen the fund as well as The Vogt Awards, where start-up companies compete to receive grants. Six companies were selected this year to receive $25,000 and a 10-week education program that includes coaching and mentoring. The 2020 winning companies range from Stuccco, an online home design and staging platform, to Kare Mobile, a service that takes comprehensive dental care to patients. Since The Vogt Invention and Innovation Fund’s inception, 84 locally owned businesses have received grants totaling more than $4.5 million. Heather Cash, J.D., vice president of development and stewardship at CFL, explained that the power of a permanent endowment such as The Vogt Invention and Innovation Fund is that the initial gift is maintained and preserved. “Over time, the distributions can be worth more than the initial gift,” she said. “Mr. Heuser started the fund with $5 million, and today we have distributed more than $4.5 million, but his initial $5 million is still there.”
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION? Community foundations are bridges that connect philanthropies to individuals or organizations in need. They cover a defined geographic location—Kentucky has 15—and support nonprofits within that area. Community foundations create a fund, grow it financially, and disperse the money. With millions of dollars in assets, these foundations work with huge sums, which result in helping thousands of people, either directly or through the work of nonprofit organizations. The Community Foundation of Louisville is Kentucky’s largest, with $600 million in assets and managing 1,800 individual funds. Since its founding in 1984, the foundation has made annual grants to hospitals, schools and nonprofits, as well as students, entrepreneurs and artists. A donor who wants to create a fund designates its purpose. There are specific IRS rules that must be followed, but Cash explained that, as long as it is charitable, the purpose is wide open. “Our donors have created funds covering education, social justice, homelessness, hunger, or in support of a nonprofit organization their family cares about,” she said. “You can articulate your purpose, and we carry out that original intent for the life of the fund.”
EXAMPLES OF HOW THEY OPERATE The Community Foundation of West Kentucky was established in 1996. Originally focused on Paducah, the foundation has grown to include 18 surrounding counties and has $30 million in working assets, as well as $75 million in future gifts, such as wills and estate plans. “We partner with our donors to help them set up perpetual giving to causes that matter to them,” Executive Director Tony Watkins said. “And it will continue long after they are gone.” The foundation currently manages more than 180 charitable funds and each year distributes approximately $1.5 million in grants throughout western Kentucky. Donations from funds can be disbursed only to 501(c)(3) organizations, but those who establish the fund can specify which types of organizations they support. As an example, Watkins cited the Merle W. Fowler Family Fund, which was created in 2008. Fowler and his daughters established the fund with a $1 million
Q
75% OF KENTUCKY NONPROFITS HAVE ANNUAL BUDGETS OF LESS THAN $500,000
top foundations
FOR GIVING IN KENTUCKY The foundations listed below are prescreened, meaning they each have a staff and issue requests for proposals or otherwise indicate interest in receiving grant proposals. Although some other foundations in the Commonwealth award large grants, they are not listed here because they do not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Foundation Name Total Annual Giving
The Community Foundation of Louisville, Inc. $50,998,824 James Graham Brown Foundation, Inc. $14,944,613 Blue Grass Community Foundation, Inc. $10,503,019 The Gheens Foundation, Inc. $5,860,233 WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. $5,675,000 C.E. and S. Foundation, Inc. $4,324,815 W.L. Lyons Brown Foundation $4,229,942 R.C. Durr Foundation, Inc. $2,850,230 Yum! Brands Foundation $2,520,082 The Humana Foundation $1,591,429 Mildred V. Horn Foundation $1,541,700 Good Samaritan Foundation, Inc. $1,401,607 Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation, Inc. $1,378,441 National Center for Families Learning, Inc. $1,127,916 SO U R C E : T H E G R ANT SMANSH IP C E NT E R , T G C I. C O M
k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 17
FOUNDATIONS IN KENTUCKY
Kentucky has 20,467 registered nonprofits.
y
community
That’s an 18% increase since 2012.
ABlue Grass Community Foundation
TAX-EXEMPT NONPROFITS BY WORKFORCE AREA
ACentral Kentucky Community Foundation
AThe Community Foundation of Louisville
ACommunity Foundation of Northern Kentucky
AThe Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky
ACommunity Foundation of West Kentucky
ACommunity Improvement Foundation of Madisonville-Hopkins County
AFoundation for Appalachian Kentucky
AFoundation for the Tri-State Community
AGreen River Area Community Foundation
AHorizon Community Funds
AThe Humana Foundation
ALake Area Foundation AShelby County Community Foundation
AWilderness Trace Community Foundation Source: Council on Foundations, cof.org
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endowment prior to his passing later that year. The Fowler daughters distribute the earnings from the fund annually to arts organizations and art-related causes. “They have a ball deciding where to distribute the money, and their father’s legacy lives on,” Watkins said. ggg The Foundation for the Tri-State Community supports the eastern Kentucky counties of Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis and Pike and a few counties in West Virginia and Ohio. This foundation got its start in the early 1970s in an effort to restore the Paramount Theatre in Ashland. After the historical theater was purchased and restored, the organizers realized the foundation could serve the entire community and take on additional community-betterment projects. The foundation began to take on short-term projects where it could raise funds and see a project to completion. “Our roots are so different from traditional community foundations,” said foundation President Kathryn Davis Lamp, J.D. “We have always had that bent to raise funds for projects in the communities we serve. It is what makes us unique.” What started out as a venture to save a beloved theater now has approximately $28 million in assets, and in 2019 the foundation dispersed more than $1.9 million in grants. In addition to projects such as creating and maintaining parks, building playgrounds, and planting trees, the foundation has a fund to support the flowers and hanging baskets that line the streets of downtown Ashland. Another example of a small project that has great rewards is the Boyd County Animal Control Center Fund. It covers costs to spay and neuter animals at the Boyd County Shelter. The Pet Betterment Fund helps the shelter market animals for adoption and pays for vaccines and other medications. Lamp explained that funds such as this save the taxpayers thousands of dollars per year. “People love to help but sometimes don’t feel comfortable giving money to a government organization,” she said. “If they give to a specific fund, they know their intent is honored.” Q DATA WA S PR OVIDE D B Y K E NT U C K Y NO NPR O FIT NE T WO R K . SO U R C E : DATAL AK E NO NPR O FI T R ESEA R CH IR S E - FIL E AND R E VE NU E T R ANSAC T IO N FIL E S, 2017
The Powers family not only honors Deborah Carol Childress through their giving, but will also impact future educators for generations to come.
FAMILY CONTINUES CUMBERLAND LEGACY WITH A HEARTFELT GIFT In 2005, Roger Powers, ’80, and Jonathan Powers, ’84, established a scholarship fund at University of the Cumberlands because they had a strong desire to do something meaningful for their alma mater. The scholarship was later named in memory of their niece, Deborah Carol Childress, who desired to become a teacher but tragically lost her life at an early age in an automobile accident.
High School who enroll at Cumberlands and major in education.
Each year the Deborah Carol Childress Memorial Scholarship Fund awards two $1,000 scholarships to deserving high school graduates from Williamsburg Independent and Whitley County
The Powers family has made a tremendous impact on the lives of local students pursuing education. They have truly honored the life and memory of their loved one.
Roger and Jonathan are not the only Cumberlands graduates in their family. ALL the Powers siblings are proud alumni, as are their children and grandchildren, and all have a deep connection to Cumberlands.
A MEANINGFUL GIFT You can honor a loved one and celebrate your connection to the University with a gift for the future, like the Powers family has. For help finding the perfect gift option for you, contact William Stohlmann, Director of Development, at 606.539.3571 or plannedgifts.ucumberlands.edu. k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 19
Campbellsville University
STUDENT RELIEF FUND
Because life doesn’t wait. Even in unprecedented times when dreams are challenged, and students need real help.
“With the onset of COVID-19 the Administration knew that there were going to be many students who would suffer an emergency. We established the Student Relief emergency fund to meet their needs. Our donor base has responded with generosity to make sure these students can continue their education.”— Benji Kelly, Vice President for Development For more information or to support the CU Student Relief Fund, please visit campbellsville.edu Campbellsville University • 1 University Drive • Campbellsville, KY 42718 • (800) 264-6014
SPONSORED
COVID-19
Student Relief Fund
D
GIVE NOW ONLINE campbellsville.edu/alumni/givingopportunities/give-online/
CONTACT Benji Kelly, Vice President for Development EMAIL: JBKelly@campbellsville.edu PHONE: 270.789.5061
uring the unprecedented times that have been brought about by COVID-19, Campbellsville University has made a commitment to her students to help them in their time of need. Campbellsville University President, Dr. Michael V. Carter, and the Office of Development, created the Student Relief Fund as an emergency response to the need caused by COVID-19. “Campbellsville University has been doing all she can to ensure our students remain safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Carter said. “We transitioned to online courses in March and closed our residence halls to all students except those who had no place to return. But even these massive undertakings were not enough. Some students did not have access to the technology they needed to attend classes over the internet. Many had lost their source of income, making it impossible to pay rent, utilities, medical bills and other costs of living. That’s why the Student Relief Fund was created, so students have a place to turn for help,” he said. When classes were moved online due to COVID-19, some students also faced the issue of not having access to a computer or laptop to complete their classes. Money from the Student Relief Fund helped to provide laptops for those students who otherwise would not have been able to complete their classwork. “I’m really thankful for receiving the laptop. This support alleviates my struggle of using my phone. Plus, finals coming up would really create a problem over break. So thankful to be here at CU,” said one of the students who received a laptop. Along with the laptops the fund made it possible to provide relief to students in the form of rent and utilities payments, textbooks for classes, car loan payments due to job loss, unexpected living expenses, family expenses while parents were sick with COVID and to travel home if the student was from a foreign country. To help raise money for this fund, two events were created: Giving Tuesday Now 2020, and Campbellsville University Virtual 5K/10K/Half Marathon. Making a donation meant a student could focus on finishing their degree and not have to worry about how they will live day to day. A donation of any size made a world of difference to CU students. It showed them they are supported by a worldwide community of alumni and friends. We are Tigers and we help those who need it. The first event, Giving Tuesday Now 2020, occurred May 5, as a worldwide day of giving and unity to show love and support for CU students. The goal was $100,000, which, thanks to the generosity of some of our donors, was matched up to $50,000. The event total that was raised for the fund was $82,185. The 2020 CU Virtual 5K/10K/Half Marathon was created to provide people with an opportunity to raise money for the Student Relief Fund and to race while still following the guidelines of health officials. How did it work? Constituents ran or walked a 5K/10K/Half Marathon anywhere on their own or with a small group of people. Everyone ran, jogged or walked on the road, on the trail, on the treadmill, at the gym or on the track. They got to run their own race, at their own pace, and time it themselves. Registration for the virtual race was $25 per person. To be considered for prizes, entrants had to record and submit their time by August 8, 2020. There were three categories people raced in: 5K, 10K, and half marathon. The winners for the 5K were Samuel Bennett, male, and Michele Dickens, female; the 10K winners were Gene White, male and Jamie Benningfield, female; the half marathon winners were Jason Roop, male, and Rita Spears, female. This event raised $525 for the Student Relief Fund. k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 21
FILLING THE GAPS Kentucky nonprofits address hunger, culture, athletics and many other needs BY DEBORAH KOHL KREMER
M
ost of us have heard of, and probably donated to, the largest nonprofit organizations in the United States. Have you cleaned out your closets and taken clothing to Goodwill? Heard the familiar bell ringing and dropped some change in the Salvation Army kettle during Christmastime? Had some money taken out of your paycheck to support the United Way? And, after a natural disaster, sent a check to the American Red Cross? All these organizations have become a part of our lives. But there are many nonprofits with more targeted goals, meeting the needs of a specific cause with which you might not be familiar. Kentucky is home to 22,000 nonprofit organizations, which are classified as a nonbusiness, focused on furthering a social cause or a shared mission, without the goal of earning a profit. ggg Many organizations work to feed people in need. Heavens Harvest Food Pantry provides food and basic needs for those in the Floyd County area; Go Pantry in Florence supplies a weekend’s worth of food to school kids; and Meals on Wheels has chapters throughout the state, delivering food to individuals who cannot prepare or purchase their own.
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At Louisville’s Love the Hungry Inc., the goal is to end childhood hunger in a nutritious way. Sending about 1 million meals per year all over the world, Love the Hungry focuses on assembling kits that contain ingredients to make a nutritious meal. “We send cartons of Nutri-Plenty, a soup made with Mathile M+ Micronutrients, a blend of vitamins and minerals. It has been shown to alleviate and reverse malnutrition in children,” Executive Director Dale Oelker said. “These meals have a long shelf life and cost about 25 cents each.” Volunteers throughout the state help prep the ingredients to be shipped around the world to locations in need. They send a steady stream to countries like Haiti and South Sudan, where hunger always is an issue. But they also respond to natural disasters and refugee situations as they come up. Oelker explained that churches and group organizations invite Love the Hungry in for a packaging event. The churches and organizations supply the volunteers, and Love the Hungry supplies the rest to get the job done. “Hunger is a complex issue, but we have found a way to get volunteers of all ages involved,” he said. “We all need a meal on the table.”
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Many arts organizations are nonprofits. Some you may be familiar with include Actors Theatre of Louisville, LexArts and Kentucky Educational Television. But next to these biggies are small groups trying to do big things. In a year without COVID-19, Pioneer Playhouse brings 15,00020,000 community theater fans to Danville each summer, providing entertainment and launching the careers of aspiring actors, playwrights and theater personnel. Since its inception in 1950, Pioneer Playhouse has been a nonprofit organization. “No theater venue can be sustained on ticket sales alone,” said Robby Henson, artistic director. “The tickets cover about 60 percent of our income, but then we have to rely on gifts, grants and sponsorships.” He explained that arts organizations are usually at the bottom of the totem pole for government funding, but he wishes the arts would be seen as the crucial and necessary service it is. “Art is highly important in people’s lives,” he said. “Plus, we generate so much income for our local economy through hotels, restaurants and gas because 70 percent of our audience comes from outside our community.”
1 IN 10 KENTUCKIANS WORK AT A NONPROFIT
22 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
REVENUE SOURCES
2020
83%
PROGRAM REVENUE INCLUDING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
7%
CONTRIBUTED REVENUE
5%
5%
OTHER REVENUE
GOVERNMENT GRANTS
ggg
Although it reaches thousands each year, many may not know that This I Believe is headquartered in Louisville. The organization is based on the 1950s radio show of the same name hosted by the legendary reporter Edward R. Murrow. The show featured essays written by well-known people and everyday citizens who shared their guiding principles to life. In 2004, the idea was resurrected but with a modern twist. Instead of being only on public radio, the essays can be enjoyed on podcasts, satellite radio, in books of the same name, and through community programs that encourage participants to both read essays and write their own. This I Believe’s website, which has 110,000 archived essays, includes links to educational resources that can be used by teachers or group leaders. ggg Sports is another area covered by nonprofit organizations. Kentuckians can find Young Men’s Christian Associations, better known as the YMCA, throughout the state. Girls on the Run, a national motivational organization for 8- to 13-year-old
girls, can be found as an extracurricular activity in schools across Kentucky. Through this program, girls learn about fitness and self-esteem. Another example of a targeted sports-related organization is The United States Hunter and Jumper Association, which is based in Lexington. It focuses on providing education and competitions for the equine discipline of show jumping. ggg In addition to helping people, nonprofits create a strong economic impact. Danielle Core, executive director of the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, explained that nonprofit organizations are the fourth-largest employment sector in the state, surpassed only by manufacturing, retail, and accommodations and food service. Based on data from 2017, the most recent year for which the network has data, Kentuckians claimed $2.2 billion in giving on their tax returns. Although that number is impressive, the Kentucky Nonprofit Network fears that giving will decline in 2020 due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Q
nonprofits
FACE UNCERTAINTY It is difficult to predict how many of the 22,000 nonprofit organizations in the state will still be around when the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic pass. According to a poll conducted in August 2020 by the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, a $63 million loss of revenue was projected, along with a $7.9 million increase in expenses for this year, while 130,000 Kentuckians are in need of services who haven’t before received them. “Human service organizations are seeing an increase in need, with no relief in sight to meet those needs,” KNN Executive Director Danielle Core said. “Some organizations, like those focused on arts, have been able to pivot and provide services online.” She said some organizations are completely rethinking how they deliver services. Some are looking at strategic partnerships, and others have simply hit the pause button until they know what the future holds. “They are kind of all over the place,” she said. “This is a real state of flux.”
F OR M O R E IN FO R M AT I O N AND DATA, V I SI T KY N O N PR O FI T S. O R G/ ADVO CATE/ MO RETH ANCH ARI TY
k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 23
Future ENDOWING the
100 YEARS AGO, Berea College designated all unrestricted bequest gifts to its permanent endowment. Thanks to this bold decision, generations of college dreams have come true because of the generosity of others. 100 YEARS FROM NOW, your name could be among the 100 people this year who made college a possibility for the next generation of students. 1 YEAR, 100 NEW BEQUESTS INTENTIONS. Call us today to name Berea College in your estate.
CALL 800-457-9846 • EMAIL plannedgiving@berea.edu • ONLINE berea.giftlegacy.com 24 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
SPONSORED
Century-old Decision
Inspires
100 in 100 Initiative
S
ome decisions impact a person for a lifetime; some impact generations of people. One such decision established the cornerstone of Berea College’s distinct financial model, which has provided a tuition-free college education to generations of students since 1892. When the Board of Trustees met on Oct. 20, 1920, it voted to create a policy that directed bequest gifts to the permanent endowment of the College. Official notes recorded at the meeting state, “All bequests, whether so specified or not, shall be considered as additions to the permanent endowment funds of the College, unless otherwise designated….” This bold decision has helped secure the College’s mission to this day, creating an endowment from which the income replaces the tuition that students are not able to pay. “Without these gifts, Berea likely would not exist as it does today,” said Amy Harmon ’99, director of Planned Giving. “More than half of our endowment’s principal exists today because of legacy gifts, which have ranged greatly in size
but have been substantial in number. Berea’s model will live on in perpetuity through the legacies and commitments of many.” To commemorate the 100th anniversary of this momentous decision, Berea College seeks commitments from 100 new bequestors during this yearlong celebration as part of our “100 in 100” initiative. You can support this special initiative by including Berea College as a beneficiary of a will, trust, life insurance policy and/ or a retirement account. Donors who include Berea in their estate plans become members of the Great Commitments Society. Those who notify the College of their plans between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 will receive recognition as part of this special effort. “As a member of the Great Commitments Society myself, I know that my values will live on through my legacy gift at Berea,” Harmon said. “Planned giving donors at Berea have the ability to secure Berea’s unique mission and to continue changing students’ lives for generations to come. Those who do so share a special connection to the success of our students and continue to create a perpetual legacy.”
Learn more at berea.giftlegacy.com/100in100initiative or call 800-457-9846.
k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 25
ky nonprofits BY PRIMARY PURPOSE 26% Human Services 18% Religion Related 16% Public, Societal Benefit 10% Education 8% Mutal/Membership Benefit 7% Arts, Culture + Humanities 13% Other
FROSTY 5K‌ COVID-19 STYLE An annual fundraising event gets a 2020 makeover BY MARY ANN BURCH
THESE CHILDREN NEED YOUR HELP!
Since 2014, the war in Eastern Ukraine has left over 10,000 dead and 1.7 million displaced, including 215,000 children Mulberry International is providing humanitarian relief and healing to these hurting children and families
Your donation of $20, $50, or $100 will provide food and medicine for these children and their families for a month
Make your tax-deductible gift today: www.mulberryinternational.org P.O. Box 43623, Louisville, KY 40253 info@mulberryinternational.org 26 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
T
he COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of many events, including the annual Frankfort First United Methodist Church Ecumenical Honduran Medical-Dental Mission Trip. For the past 18 years, a medical-dental team has traveled south of the border for a weeklong clinic in a village outside Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The cost of medicine, dental supplies, translators and artificial arms are some of the expenses for which the mission team budgets each year. Each mission team member pays his or her expenses, including airfare and hotel. We have made lifelong friends with many of the Honduran people we meet. Sadly, we will not be going to Honduras in February 2021 because of the uncertainty of COVID-19. The primary fundraiser for the mission trip for the last four years has been the Frosty 5K, which has been held at Lakeview Park in Frankfort on the first Sunday of December. This race is a team effort that would not take place without
the leadership of Debbie Brown. Family activities such as face painting, a silent auction item, door prizes, and a visit with Santa Claus lead up to walking or running the 5K or the shorter version, the Fred & Me 143. Hot chocolate is waiting for contestants at the finish line. Since it isn’t advised for large groups to gather, this year’s race will be completely virtual, which means that participants sign up for the race and walk or run the 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) anywhere and anytime before Dec. 8. We have chosen to share the profits of this year’s Frosty among other relief efforts—supplies, food and medical care for those in need; Water With Blessings; and Mission Frankfort Clinic at the First Baptist Church in Frankfort Water With Blessings provides clean water all over the world, including the Navajo Nation, which has been hit hard by COVID-19. Led by Sister Larraine Lauter, Water With Blessings began on one of our
earliest mission trips to Fuerzas Unidas, Honduras. Village women, who are chosen in a lottery, are trained to use a water filtration system. The system provides clean water for a woman’s family and three other neighbor families. Mission Frankfort Clinic offers free dental care several times each month from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. In November, service will be provided Nov. 11-14, with a special focus on veterans on Nov. 11. Contact Michelle Carroll at mcarroll@ fbcfrankfort.church for more details. ggg
Frosty 5K? It’s a great family activity, the time and locations are flexible to match your schedule, and, most of all, these are great causes to support, especially during a pandemic. This year’s door prizes include two tickets to an event at Frankfort’s Grand Theatre, a handcrafted wooden bowl, a framed photo by Dr. Roger Strunk, a gift certificate for a conference on NTI (nontraditional
instruction) with first-grade teacher Julia King, and a visit in your home by our very own Santa. To be eligible for door prizes, you must register for the race. If you would like to support our efforts but do not walk or run, we will gladly accept donations. To sign up for the Frosty 5K and/ or donate, visit runsignup.com/race/ KY/Frankfort/FrankfortFrosty5K. Q
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Register to be an Organ Donor at RegisterMe.org
Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’
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OUR MISSION We provide a home and compassionate care for individuals at the end o life who have no home or loved ones to care for them so that they may die with dignity.
Hildegard House is Kentucky's first and only comfort care home. Through the support of our community and with the help of many volunteers, we provide a home and compassionate care for individuals at the end of life who have no home or loved ones to care for them so that they may die with dignity. Sarita Garner with Thelma
Debbie with Compasionate Companion Renata Fish
HILDEGARDHOUSE.ORG Lo u i s v i l l e , K e n t u c k y
SPONSORED
K E N T U C K Y ’ S F I R S T A N D O N LY C O M F O R T CA R E H O M E
The Hildegard House
H
driver who had no home. There are Unit. She never married and outlived ildegard House is a so many more individuals like Jim, all of her family. She celebrated every community of volunteers Thelma, Bettie and Hazel. We could holiday with us, even her 100th who provide fill a book with all of the special ones birthday. Bettie was a 77-year-old compassionate care and a we have had the honor of serving. woman who came to Hildegard home for our neighbors Hildegard House does not charge a House from home where she had a at the end of life who are homeless fee or bill insurance. We are a home Hosparus team. She lived alone and or have no family to care for them (or and family. We rely totally on had only one daughter from whom resources to pay for caregivers or donations and God’s grace, and serve she was estranged. Her had cancer long term care) so that they may die in the spirit of St. Hildegard of that had spread throughout her body. with dignity. Residents receive care Bingen, who operated from Hosparus Health a hospice in her just like they would in monastery in 12th their own home. We Century Germany. We provide the home and provide care to those family so that they can of faith and no faith. access hospice care. All are welcome. We are able to serve Due to COVID, we three residents at a time. have had to take a The average length of pause in accepting stay is 3 weeks, with the residents. Our range being 8 hours to Compassionate nine months. This ends Community is ready up being close to 50 to re-open as soon as residents per year. Led it is safe. For now, we by an Executive Director, need donations to a passionate Board of keep our house open Directors, a dedicated and pay ongoing bills. Volunteer Coordinator The work of and 2 part-times nurses, Hildegard House is residents are served by sacred and we are Compassionate Companions who commit to a five hour shift each week. And we have over 200 other volunteers that help us keep our house in operation (grass cutting, HILDEGARDHOUSE.ORG meals, and such). kcassidy@hildegardhouse.org Each resident is 502-797-7411 special and has their own 114 Adams Street sweet story. Louisville, KY 40206 Jim, a homeless Navy veteran, had liver cancer. We remember how Karen Cassidy, Excecutive Director, with quilt by Penny Sisto. grateful he was , calling Hildegard House “the best blessed to be called to serve our most She and her daughter reconciled at bed and breakfast in Louisville!”We vulnerable neighbors. Hildegard House before she died. were able to connect Jim with a For information on volunteering Hazel, with terminal kidney disease, wonderful veteran’s group who or to donate at our secure website: came to Hildegard House from provided him a proper military www.hildegardhouse.org University of Louisville Hospital. Her burial. Thelma, 99 years old, came only son was an over-road truck to us from the Inpatient Hosparus
SUPPORT
k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 29
faith first A national tragedy led A.W. Buie to launch a ministry to serve his community BY JACKIE HOLLENKAMP BENTLEY
30 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
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Since moving to Louisville in 2012, Buie has continued that message by using his ministry to partner with several philanthropic groups in the city. The National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) is one of them. Buie brought his Together We Stand ministry to help with cleaning up local cemeteries, particularly Greenwood Cemetery in West Louisville. “We want more people to be aware of this cemetery,” Buie said. “It’s sad that it’s been neglected for so many years.” The cemetery opened more than 100 years ago for burial of the city’s Black residents, but it fell into disrepair in recent years. NABVETS brings in volunteers on a regular basis to help clean it up. NABVETS Commander Shedrick Jones said the cemetery is beside an elementary school, and cleaning it up sends a much-needed positive message. “What I tell people all the time is we need your help because we’re trying to inspire these young people,” Jones said. “We would not like to have them ride by here every morning and look over here at this jungle, and then at the end of the school day have to look at it on their way home.” Buie’s “large array of skills” is a
natural fit for this program. “The ministry that [Buie] brought to the table with ‘Cross Before the Flag’ brings in a natural partnership … very much compatible with NABVETS,” Jones said. “Plus, his skill sets and his background and experience fit right in.” ggg
Buie’s background includes experience as veteran of the United States Air Force, serving 22 years before his retirement in 1992. He served during the Vietnam War, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Buie expresses pride in his service to his country but always remembers that his faith comes first and drives him to make those around him and his community better— especially now, with the unrest in recent months in Louisville. “They’ve got a lot of good people in this city,” Buie said. “And I’m going to say it again: They’ve got a lot of good people in this city, but these good people need good people behind them to help them achieve what they need to achieve. We need to be a better person. We need to be a better community. We stand firm on the Word of God, and that’s how we can transform Louisville, Kentucky, into a better place.” In addition to political unrest, Buie stresses homelessness as a real tragedy facing not only Louisville but also the rest of the country. To help combat the problem, Together We Stand has launched the PUSH Initiative (“Providing Unfortunate Souls Housing”) to sell one million pins at $5 each, with the proceeds going to various nonprofit programs to assist the homeless. The pin embodies Buie’s mission— an image of a cross in front of the American flag. The logo has been registered with the Library of Congress, and a framed picture sits in the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. “That’s what propels me to do what I do—it’s homelessness and just being out there helping people,” Buie said. “I want to do all I can.” Q Rebecca Redding photos
A
nthony Whitfield Buie, known to his friends as “A.W.,” has called Louisville home for just a few short years, but in that time, he has worked to bring his vision and his passion to the community. It was a mission born of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. At the time, Buie lived in Fairbanks, Alaska, and watched the news of the tragic evens from his home. “I looked and I saw these buildings just fall apart,” he said. “I went to work and got in a circle and prayed … and then I went to church.” It was there that he heard the pastor give a sermon that mentioned “the cross before the flag,” and the vision of the Together We Stand ministry began. “Though we love our country, we love our city, our government, we love each other, but God wants to be the center of our lives,” Buie said. “He wants to be first.”
the cross before the flag MESSAGE: Pastor Essex L. Richardson Jr. AUTHOR: Warren C. Whitmore VISIONARY: Anthony “A.W.” Buie I watched that faithful morning, in horror and disbelief, As the planes struck the buildings and the people ran in the streets. I knew at that moment that things would never be the same, For terrorists had changed the rules, they’d started a whole new game. Thousands of people were injured, maimed and killed, This was the work of madmen, not something GOD had willed. People began to help, doing things we call brave, And just above the rubble, in the wind our flag did wave. It started a worldwide movement, as our flag flew everywhere, And yes, to some degree, it does ease our despair. Revenge and retribution, for letting such terror out of the bag, But we’re doomed from the start, if we forget in our heart To put The Cross Before the Flag.
More information about Together We Stand and the pin project can be found at togetherwestand.com.
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In Praise of Appalachian Soldiers Men and women from the mountains have served with distinction in the American armed forces since the nation’s beginning BY J I M G I F F O R D
T
he people of Appalachia have played a major role in fighting for and defending America’s freedoms. From Colonial times to our current war against terrorism, Appalachian men and women have been at the forefront of battle. The life experiences of the Appalachian people often provided the skills necessary for survival and success in war. They came from a rugged, agrarian background that prepared them for the hardships of military life. Most were able marksmen, and they could outmarch and outride their urban counterparts. They were comfortable outdoors and accustomed to living off the land. In many respects, soldiering likely was easier than the life of grinding work and economic privation that many of them returned to at the end of every war. In the Revolutionary War, the “Over the Mountain Men” from the Watauga settlement in what is now east Tennessee helped to defeat the British at Kings Mountain in western South Carolina in 1780. The Colonists won their independence on fields of battle, and Appalachian marksmen contributed to every American victory. Decades later, America fought another war for independence. Although history books often
present the War of 1812 as the military version of a comic opera, the fact remains: We were fighting the British again, and if they had won, we would have lost our hard-earned freedoms and probably returned to Colonial status. Andrew Jackson, the hero of the War of 1812, was a prototypical backwoodsman who symbolized a new age in American history and rode the wave of his popularity as the hero of the Battle of New Orleans to the White House in 1828. As the antebellum period continued, men from Appalachia played a major role in American military efforts. In 1836, the heroes of the Texas Revolution were men like Kentuckian Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. Ten years later, Uncle Sam beat the drums of war again, and a new generation of mountaineers marched forth to help the U.S. win the Mexican-American War. Tennessee is called the Volunteer State because of the high numbers of volunteerism that began with the MexicanAmerican War and continued into the 20th century. Throughout Appalachia, many mountain counties met their draft quotas in World War I and World War II entirely through volunteers. ggg
The Colonial wars, the American War for Independence,
and continuing conflicts of the antebellum period paled in comparison to the Civil War, which often was fought in the heart of Appalachia. Soldiers from the mountains served with bravery and distinction on both sides. When the war ended, few areas of America had suffered more than Appalachia. Before the Civil War, the people of Appalachia had been prosperous, independent, prideful and literate. Following the Civil War and Reconstruction, those same individuals—primarily Republicans who had supported the North—suffered political and economic discriminations when the Democratic Party regained control of the governments of Southern states. Southern Appalachia became the poor backyard of southern states: eastern Kentucky, for example, or northeast Georgia. By the beginning of the 20th century, Appalachia was an island of poverty in a relative national sea of plenty. World War I provided gainful employment for tens of thousands, and an Appalachian soldier became the hero who captured the popular imagination. Alvin York, a mountain boy from Tennessee’s Cumberland plateau, singlehandedly killed 25 Germans with 25 shots and
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Far left, Leslie County native Sgt. Willie Sandlin received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions serving in the U.S. Army during World War I. National Archives
Left, Sgt. Alvin York, also a Medal of Honor recipient, was arguably America’s best-known hero of the First World War. He singlehandedly killed 25 Germans with 25 shots and returned with 132 German soldier captives while on patrol in 1918. National Archives
returned with 132 German soldier captives while on patrol in 1918. The men who surrendered to York had 25 machine guns among them. When York marched his captives to division headquarters, his commander remarked, “Well, York, I hear you have captured the whole damn German army.” York saluted and modestly asserted, “No, sir, I just got 132 of them.” Kentucky produced a number of heroic soldiers like York. On Sept. 26, 1918, Sgt. Willie Sandlin from Leslie County, acting alone, attacked and disabled three German machinegun nests and killed all 24 occupants. Like York, Sandlin received the Medal of Honor. Another eastern Kentuckian, Peter McCoy of Pike County, fought his way into a German trench, killed seven enemy soldiers, and captured 17 more. At the end of the battle, his uniform and the pack on his back bore dozens of bullet holes. McCoy was one of eight men from his company who survived the battle. For his valor, McCoy was awarded our country’s second-highest military honor, the Distinguished Service Cross. ggg
Three decades later, Appalachian men and women helped America 34 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
fight a two-front war than spanned the entire globe. Franklin Sousley from Fleming County was one of the six men who raised the flag on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima. Sousley was killed in action three weeks later, but many of his Appalachian brothers and sisters returned to a hero’s welcome. More importantly, they derived the educational benefits of the G.I. Bill and used their education and training to revitalize the quality of life in their Appalachian homeland. Another famous—albeit indirectly—eastern Kentucky soldier of the World War II era was Robert Lee Stewart of Letcher County. Stewart served in “F” Company, 27th Infantry regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. Soldiering with him was James Jones, a young man from Robinson, Illinois, who later wrote a trilogy of WWII novels: From Here to Eternity, The Thin Red Line and Whistle. In each novel, a principal character is a heroic rifleman from Appalachia. Although Jones gives him a different name in each novel, all three were modeled after Stewart. In a letter to his editor, Maxwell Perkins, Jones saluted Stewart’s alter ego, Robert E. Lee Prewitt, as a man of “intense personal pride.” Later, he described the Stewart/Prewitt character as an
example of Appalachian combat soldiers and observed, “I have seen such men do absolutely unbelievable things in combat.” Through his fictional persona, Robert Lee Stewart became a symbol for the Appalachian soldiers of World War II, just as Alvin York and Willie Sandlin represented mountain soldiers of World War I. ggg
Sadly, the war to make the world safe for democracy and the war to end all wars did not eliminate international warfare, and throughout the rest of the 20th century, Appalachian men and women marched forth in the service of their country in Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East. On July 22, 2003, U.S. Army Pvt. Jessica Lynch, a prisoner of war who was rescued from an Iraqi hospital by U.S. Special Forces, received a hero’s welcome when she returned to her hometown of Palestine, West Virginia. The story of the 19-year-old supply clerk, who was captured by Iraqi forces, had captivated America, although it later was revealed that some of the details of Lynch’s dramatic capture and rescue had been exaggerated. Research by East Tennessee State University’s Pat Arnow and Bert
The Kentucky Medal of Honor Memorial was sculpted by Doyle Glass and dedicated on Veterans Day 2001. It features a life-size bronze statue of Medal of Honor recipient John C. Squires of Louisville, who was killed in action in Italy during World War II. Photo courtesy of John Trowbridge
Allen, a professor of psychology at Milligan College, indicates that Appalachian soldiers in the Korean War comprised eight percent of the fighting force and received 18 percent of the Medals of Honor. In the Vietnam War, Appalachian soldiers were awarded 13 percent of the Medals of Honor, although only seven percent of the fighting forces were from the Appalachian region. Kentucky’s John M. Trowbridge, a freelance military historian, has compiled a list of 94 men with ties to Kentucky who have been awarded the Medal of Honor; 20 are from Appalachian counties. In the Korean War, all five of Kentucky’s Medal of Honor recipients were from Appalachia: Capt. William E. Barber of Morgan County, Cpl. John Walton Collier of Greenup County, 1st Lt.
Carl H. Dodd of Harlan County, Pvt. David M. Smith of Rockcastle County, and PFC Ernest Edison West of Greenup County. These statistics testify to the significant role that Appalachian people have played in America’s military history, but statistics alone can never completely capture the enormous contribution these men have made. ggg
Americans continue to fight for the freedoms that we won on the field of battle in 1776, and the people of Appalachia continue to play a major role in our military efforts. Ask old soldiers about heroes, and they will tell you that the real heroes are the men and women who did not return. They were young people in an enemy’s land, far from home and the
people they loved. They wanted to live. They wanted to come back home, marry, and build a home and a life. But they paid the ultimate price for the freedoms and privileges that we Americans enjoy today. All of us owe a great debt to America’s soldiers. Every one of us should sit down and make a list of the freedoms we love and the comforts we enjoy. Look at your list. It’s a copy written in ink. The original was written in the bright red blood of an American soldier. This essay does not—and could not—provide the story of each of our region’s patriots and heroes. It honors every man and woman from Appalachia who served our country. They were patriots for what they did and heroes for what they were willing to do. Q k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 35
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Q
ADVENTURES
Close to Home If the global pandemic has curbed your travel plans, look for fun and fascinating experiences inside the Commonwealth TEXT & PHOTOS BY ABBY LAUB
o Go to visitshelbyky.com or kentuckytourism.com to plan your weekend getaway.
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Cozy, well-appointed accommodations await guests at the Saddlebred Suites on Main Street in Shelbyville; below, Wakefield-Scearce Gallery boasts a large selection of English antiques; opposite page, Shelby County is a fun destination for a girls’ weekend getaway.
In the future, those who traveled during 2020 likely will not tell stories about fabulous overseas trips complete with foreign food and long flights. Visit ShelbyKY President and CEO Chenelle McGee hopes they’ll regale their loved ones with fond memories of relaxation, adventure and having their eyes opened to the incredible experiences in their backyard that don’t require bungled foreign language interpretation, a passport, jetlag or expensive airport food. That was the case for me when I discovered how effortless and relaxing a visit to Shelbyville really is. Effortless and relaxing were two words missing from my 2020 vocabulary until my late-summer trip there. I made this discovery during a Shelby County girls’ weekend, stumbling out of my at-home-with-kids-during-a-pandemic 38 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
survival mode. Although we spent only 24 hours in Shelbyville, it felt like a long, pleasant weekend, and I drove just about an hour to get there. My friend Katie Kelley also was on the trip. We couldn’t believe how much fun we had in such a short time. She said the visit to Shelbyville, despite being so close, felt “far away.” “Shelbyville is such a great little Main Street town,” Kelley said. “I’m ashamed to say I’ve lived in Lexington for 22 years and had never been there—and it’s right down the road! This was a perfect girls’ weekend getaway closer to home. The amazing accommodations at Saddlebred Suites felt simultaneously boutique and big city, and the food was such a hidden gem.” She joked that she’s not even sure we should tell anyone that this local paradise exists. “It was a pleasant surprise, and it’s made me take a second look at exploring all that’s available right in our own backyard, pandemic or not,” Kelley said. McGee said she hopes Kelley brags to her friends about the trip or brings her family along next time, as I plan to do soon. “The true spirit of travel is discovery, and, despite ShelbyKY’s charming size, our community
Q
H er New Kentucky Home
has tons of unique accommodations and crafted experiences to discover,” McGee said. “You can indulge in a private loft above Shelbyville’s Main Street, cozy up to the feel of rich leathers in upscale suites, or wake up to the chirping of birds surrounded by trees for a much-needed return to nature. History and beauty come together for the perfect balance of rural countryside and Southern cosmopolitan right here in ShelbyKY.” If anything, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us to think differently about vacations—they don’t need to involve lengthy travel. “More often than not, it’s about creating memories,” McGee said. “ShelbyKY welcomes groups from all over to the American Saddlebred Capital of the World. Why not join in on the fun with a tour of an American Saddlebred Horse Farm or a visit to Léttleiki Icelandics horse farm? If you’re feeling adventurous, schedule a guided horseback ride for the family at Shelby Trails.” You can indulge in a lot of eating and shopping, plus lounging at the Saddlebred Suites on Main Street, as we did, feeling like pampered queens. We did not get into our cars one single time during our stay in Shelbyville. Everything we did was within easy walking distance, including an outdoor yoga class.
ShelbyKY President and CEO Chenelle McGee said she imagined her career path a little differently, but life is full of surprises. A broken hip cut her career short in the United States Marine Corps, where she had aimed to become a drill sergeant. “From fine art to military boots and now the travel industry, I am always excited to take on new challenges and ventures,” McGee said. “The Art Institute of California is where I first embraced a need for structure. Instead of taking a more traditional path of agency life, I jumped on the opportunity to have an adventure as an intel analyst with the Marine Corps. The marketing director position at the ShelbyKY Tourism Commission provided a much-needed form of community and the experience needed as I now serve as the president and CEO.” McGee, 33, ultimately landed in Kentucky after she married and said she enjoys Shelby County’s sense of community-shared values. She’s been there only five years, but it’s already home, and she has enjoyed witnessing its growth. “We love our open roads, regional dining and authentic Southern hospitality,” she said. “From weddings and bachelor parties, to girlfriends’ getaways or grandma-and-me days, in a time where reconnecting means so much, I have the honor of sharing my community. It is truly a pleasure working to market this community and sell ShelbyKY as a wonderful destination to make memories.” Every day involves making her own memories. “As a visitor, I was enthralled by the lush pastureland, graceful horses and truly exquisite regional dining,” McGee said. “To this day, I find myself taking the long way home on country roads to take in the sights. As the air becomes brisk and the leaves begin to turn, I highly recommend taking the scenic route through Shelby County on U.S. 60.” ShelbyKY President and CEO Chenelle McGee
We discovered eye-popping antiques from 16th century England on a visit to the fascinating WakefieldScearce Gallery at historic Science Hill, then imbibed in margaritas as big as our faces at La Cocina de Mama and enjoyed local bluegrass talent at The Barrel Room. ggg
Shelbyville is only one example of the incredible Kentucky towns just waiting for us to stop by for a weekend, a day or even a few hours while passing through. There are burger trails, donut trails, hiking trails, kayaking trails and bourbon trails. There is a trail for everyone, depending on what level of pandemic fatigue you’re facing. “We have been given the opportunity to inspire backyard vacations and staycations,” said Lori Saunders, executive director of Georgetown/Scott County Tourism said. “Kentuckians are once again embracing the Bluegrass State. Our local visitors have an urge to explore all that Kentucky has to offer; it’s like a re-awakening to the grandeur of our state. We hear many times from our visitors that they want to contribute to the [economic] recovery, and by traveling within Kentucky, they are keeping those dollars local.” The Kentucky Department of Tourism launched its new campaign—“Stay Close. Go Far.”—at the end of August. It’s an initiative aimed at supporting local tourism partners, communities and businesses by producing inspiring content that reminds Kentuckians they do not have to travel far to experience all the beauty, history and adventures the state has to offer. 40 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
KDT cited a recent traveler sentiment survey from Longwoods International showing that 63 percent of travelers planning a trip over the next six months had planned to drive. Ironically, Shelby County is known for its international visitors—but not this year. “In previous years, there has been a strong international draw for our equine experiences,” McGee noted. “As the Saddlebred Capital of the World, enthusiasts and novices alike are drawn to ShelbyKY to visit a horse farm or compete in one of our renowned shows.” Kentucky’s economy is relying on these traveling folks. The KDT found that in 2019, gross output attributable to visitor spending in Kentucky totaled $11.8 billion. Tourism-sustained jobs generated a total income of $3.1 billion that year. And tourism in Kentucky generated $1.5 billion in tax revenues in 2019, with $823 million accruing to state and local governments. Food and beverage accounted for 25 percent of visitor spending, followed by lodging, retail, transportation and recreation. “The tourism industry has proven to be resilient, and as a CVB, we are here to support the road to recovery,” Saunders said. “Despite all the challenges, we decided to see COVID-19 as an opportunity and not an adversity. It pushed us to move out of our comfort zone so that we could better transition into this new environment. We have been able to create new partnerships, reinvent marketing strategies and messaging, attract new audiences, and give even greater support to our local businesses and community.”
What to Do and See
IN SHELBY COUNTY
o Take an outdoor yoga class led by Ball & Mat Studio at Stargazer Plaza; Ball & Mat also has an indoor studio just around the corner o Enjoy lunch on the patio at La Cocina de Mama
o
Author Abby Laub, above left, enjoys a tasty treat at Spotz Gelato with her friend, Katie Kelley; opposite page, the Sculpture Walk, downtown boutiques and nearby horse farms are just a few of Shelby County’s attractions.
Others are doing the same. Tourism officials across the state are working on new partnerships and creative ways to bring visitors to the region safely as a means to boost their economies and give visitors a reprieve during COVID-19. ggg
In a good year, Shelby County tourism saves every household almost $350 per year on taxes, McGee noted, on top of providing many jobs. She’s encouraged to see visitor numbers coming back up after the start of the pandemic. In 2019, Shelby County had seen the highest growth rate statewide for visitor spending, tracking an increase of 10 percent over 2018. McGee added that, since April 2020, sales in hotels and restaurants have increased, proving that people are no longer interested in remaining homebound. I gladly contributed to those numbers. I’ll have one of those salmon tacos from La Cocina de Mama or the mint julep from The Red Lion any day of the week. It’s only an hour away! Afterward, I’ll take a socially distanced stroll through one of downtown Shelbyville’s latest attractions, the Sculpture Walk. Completed following the opening of Stargazer Plaza in June 2020, the Sculpture Walk further demonstrates the commitment to partnership and growth between the City of Shelbyville, Shelby Main Street and ShelbyKY Tourism. The next time I visit Shelby County, I want to explore the countryside. The last time I had to drive on the incredibly beautiful stretch of U.S. 60 from Louisville to Lexington, it was because a flat tire necessitated driving home on a little donut spare, pulling me from the interstate. Now, I’ll go 45 miles per hour on purpose and hop off at a few farms or trails. As long as I can stop for gelato and coffee in downtown Shelbyville, I’ll reroute my trip anytime. Q
o Treat yourself to boutique shopping at Shoppes at Blue Gables, EightTwenty8 Boutique, Tipsy Gypsy Boutique, Little Mount Lavender Company and The Polka Dotted Pineapple Boutique—all downtown within walking distance of each other o Indulge in a sweet snack at Spotz Gelato o Get creative with a Derby hat-decorating class with Dori Lewis of The Polka Dotted Pineapple Boutique o Savor a hearty dinner at The Red Lion o Have drinks and listen to live music at The Barrel Room o Sip coffee and enjoy breakfast at Sixth & Main Coffeehouse o Browse and shop the antiques collection at Wakefield-Scearce Gallery o Find some bargains at The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass in Simpsonville o Tour Jeptha Creed Distillery and taste the spirits produced there o Play a round of golf or disc golf
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SEEKING
H istory A Russellville museum preserves stories of injustice and inspiration By Katie Hughbanks
R
ussellville has many stories to tell: tales of enslavement and emancipation, wealth and privilege, grit and determination. Russellville, in southwestern Kentucky, is the seat of Logan County and home to about 7,000 residents. It also is home to the SEEK Museum, six historic buildings in two neighborhoods that collectively tell a history that belongs to the town, the state and the nation. The SEEK Museum offers an unusual and inspiring story of community. A Revolutionary War leader, a groundbreaking journalist, slaves and slaveholders—all have histories in Russellville. SEEK Museum’s mission
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Photos by Meagan Lee Photography
is twofold: to preserve archived materials of the African-American history of Logan County and to teach about the contributions of African Americans. According to the museum’s director, Michael Morrow, both goals are necessary, and one cannot be achieved without the other. Once known as the West Kentucky African American Heritage Center, the museum was renamed and rebranded in 2019. SEEK is an acronym that stands for Struggles for Emancipation and Equality in Kentucky. Gran Clark, chairman of Historic Russellville Inc., explained that SEEK is an action verb that describes the museum’s primary undertaking. According to Clark, the
museum provides “an incredible opportunity and responsibility to teach and evaluate the past and its effect on today.” Clark has been part of the development of the SEEK Museum from its inception and is excited about how the institution encourages dialogue about Kentucky’s racial history. “When we started this, a conversation about race was a very rare circumstance,” but now, he said, “race is on the table.” ggg
One part of the museum tells the story of Revolutionary War leader Maj. Richard Bibb, who arrived in Russellville in 1817 and had a beautiful home built on Eighth Street. Bibb was
IF YOU GO:
SEEK Museum 183 West 8th Street Russellville 270.726.0908 seekmuseum.org
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a wealthy man with many possessions: land, farm animals and equipment, and close to 100 enslaved men, women and children. In the Bibb House, once an urban plantation, visitors can view Bibb’s bookkeeping to see the names of the slaves he owned as well as advertisements selling children. In 1829, Bibb freed 31 of his slaves by providing their passage to Liberia. A decade later, upon his death, he emancipated the remaining 65. While the Bibb House offers insight into what life as a slave might have been like, the other part of the museum two miles away provides a further complex and inspiring history. SEEK’s four buildings in “The Bottom,” which is on the National Register of Historic Places, impart stories that cover more than a century of amazing successes and heartbreaking injustices. A display in one of the buildings, the Cooksey House, recounts many incidents of mob violence in Logan County, including a lynching of four men that took place in Russellville in 1908. The exhibit tells the disturbing story with photographs, newspaper articles and an emotionally moving piece of three-dimensional art by Willie Rascoe. When visitors enter the Cooksey House, they first see four rope nooses hanging from bare branches. 44 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
This powerful artwork depicts a history that many might prefer to forget, but as Morrow explained, “These are things we ought to talk about as a nation.” The Bibb House and the historic houses at The Bottom offer many lessons, but visitors will learn even more if they meet Morrow, who regales tourists with details from the region’s past. A genealogist from an early age, Morrow became mesmerized by family lines as a child at a relative’s funeral. He watched the epic mini-series Roots and became enthralled with studying ancestry. Morrow has spent more than 30 years researching the history that SEEK teaches. He was the first African American on the Historic Russellville board of directors and has volunteered countless hours to the museum and the community. Clark described Morrow as “smart, sincere, a man with a great brain, but he also has a great heart … He wants this history to be told and understood.” The director of SEEK is passionate about getting Russellville’s stories right. “If you are going to educate, you’ve got to tell them the truth,” Morrow said. SEEK provides visitors the opportunity to learn history that has not always been taught in school. Morrow explained, “The purpose of SEEK Museum is to educate, not indoctrinate.” The artifacts,
photographs, artwork and archived materials in the museum tell “the whole story,” not just one side. “These facts don’t lie.” The museum is not solely about the past, however. It also focuses on the present and how to make the town stronger. Morrow, along with Dr. Nancy Dawson, implemented a program of service learning, recruiting youth to help renovate the SEEK buildings while teaching them history. Morrow has even had newly released prisoners work on restorations. The idea is to foster a sense of purpose and belonging. ggg
Perhaps nothing demonstrates the SEEK Museum’s commitment to telling stories of the past and inspiring the community than the life-size bronze statue of pioneering journalist Alice Allison Dunnigan that stands in The Bottom, a stone’s throw away from the SEEK buildings. In 1947, Dunnigan, a Russellville native, became the first Black woman credentialed to cover the White House. A 2019 inductee into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame (see the February 2019 edition of Kentucky Monthly, page 16) Dunnigan was awarded multiple honors and worked in presidential administrations. The museum garnered donations to memorialize
“If you are going to educate, you’ve got to tell them the truth,” -MORROW
The bronze statue of journalism pioneer Alice Allison Dunnigan was created by artist Amanda Matthews, who said, “This site has now become a gathering place for peaceful protests on behalf of civil rights, for poetry readings and songs. It has also become part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail and a Historic Site in Journalism. “Perhaps one day, another statue of Ms. Dunnigan will stand in Washington, D.C. , where she can be honored on a much larger scale, but her journey should always begin as it did, in Russellville.”
the trailblazing reporter and civil rights activist, then chose Amanda Matthews from Prometheus Art in Lexington to create the sculpture. Matthews recalled her first experience in the venture: “We had an initial meeting in Russellville that I thought was for a few stakeholders in the project, but people just continued to flood in. At one point, I thought the whole town was coming.” She was moved. “I was
struck by the nature of this very diverse group of people who had a shared goal of honoring Ms. Dunnigan.” SEEK visitors can learn about the statue’s “Whistle Stop Tour,” celebrating how Dunnigan had covered President Harry Truman’s campaign in 1948. The sculpture was first unveiled at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., then traveled to the University of Kentucky, the Truman
Presidential Library and Museum, and Kentucky State University, Dunnigan’s alma mater. It now stands on 6th Street in Russellville. “The site is significant because it is located in The Bottom and because it can be accessed by all people, but especially those whose families have occupied that area for more than 150 years,” Matthews said. “It is a sorely needed icon celebrating diversity, hope, perseverance and inclusion.” k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 45
Michael Morrow, director of SEEK Museum, has spent the past 30 years researching the history of Russellville. His efforts have been essential in restoring the museum’s buildings, developing the museum’s exhibits, and supporting his neighborhood. According to journalist and documentarian Le Datta Grimes, “He has the heart of his community behind him.” PHOTO BY KATIE HUGHBANKS
Clark agreed. “The statue needed to be there to inspire the people of the community,” he said. Morrow celebrates the visibility of the statue. Dunnigan is outside, “overlooking the community. She sees the good and the bad; she sees if we are doing our job.” ggg
The unveiling of the bronze sculpture in Russellville coincided with an event that is the subject of a documentary slated for release late this year or in early 2021. The statue was presented on Aug. 2, 2019. The 46 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
next day, the SEEK Museum hosted an unusual reunion that literally was years in the making. Descendants of Bibb and descendants of his slaves were invited to a gathering at the newly restored Bibb House for a dialogue. Attendees came from many parts of the United States. Traci D. Ellis, an attorney and speaker from Illinois, moderated the discussion about race relations and history. Ellis herself is a descendant of Bibb slaves. “It was an amazing piece of luck that they found [Ellis]. She brought so much to the day,” said Jonathan Knight, a filmmaker who is producing the documentary about the reunion. Knight has a special connection to the story: He is a descendant of Richard Bibb. Meeting descendants of the Bibb slaves offered Knight new realizations about his ancestry. “Our families were not only linked by slavery, but by blood,” he said. “It made me think of all the generations of my White family who had
forgotten this community in Logan County that they owed so much to.” Knight and Le Datta Grimes, a journalist and Ph.D. candidate at UK, are in the final stages of producing INVENTED Before You Were Born. Grimes said the film project explores the “human struggle between good and evil” and is “very much an American story, as is slavery, as is freedom.” She believes that SEEK is necessary: “They could have done so many things with that space. They chose to go above and beyond the typical, to right the wrongs.” SEEK, Grimes said, is “so worth the visit.” “It’s very rare that this type of history is available and brings new light on the lives of Black people over the last two centuries,” Knight said. “And it would be lost without Michael Morrow’s hard work.” SEEK Museum is open for tours by appointment only. It especially encourages school tours. Q
By Jackie Hollenkamp Bentley
Bulleit Points A legendary bourbon businessman shares his experiEnces and life lessons bourbon recipe led him to leave the law practice and start a new business from the ground up. Today, the bourbon garners top rankings in spirits competitions and liquor publications. “If there’s a single business piece of advice, it would be patience … the power of patience,” Bulleit said. “But the rest of that [advice] is having the absolute conviction of ultimate success. You have to be all in.” BULLEIT POINT NO. 8
T
he jacket of Bulleit Proof: How I Took a 150-Year-Old Family Recipe and a Revolver, and Disrupted the Entire Liquor Industry One Bottle, One Sip, One Handshake at a Time categorizes the book as “Business & Economics,” conjuring up thoughts of dry business statistics, number crunching and the like. But the story of Tom Bulleit, the founder of the now-world-famous Bulleit Bourbon, is anything but dry, to hear him tell it in the newly released book. Bulleit’s life is distilled over 15 chapters and 30 so-called Bulleit Points. He covers serving as a United States Marine Corps medic in Vietnam, attending law school, bringing an old family bourbon recipe to life, navigating the corporate world, being diagnosed with cancer and meeting his birth mother. “From a practical standpoint, it was to really set out the Bulleit Bourbon story,” Bulleit said. “I [also] wanted to talk about a couple of things I believe in.” BULLEIT POINT NO. 6
• GO ALL IN By the time Bulleit officially launched the Bulleit Distilling Company in 1987, he already had solidified a career in business law. But his dream to revive his great-great-great-grandfather’s
• MAKE IT PERSONAL Throughout the book, Bulleit names a number of people who have helped him navigate the corporate world, including those at Seagram, the nowdefunct conglomerate that bought the Bulleit brand, as well as those he has met and worked with at Diageo, the London-based company that took over the Kentucky brand when it bought out Seagram. “Nobody gets to where they are without an awful lot of help,” Bulleit said. “While I’ve been persistent and pushed, worked 10 hours a day and traveled 150 days a year, I have worked hard at it, but so have a whole lot of other people. Thousands of wonderful people and unbelievable people throughout the years have really created the brand. When you end up with a business at this scale, there’s no way I can pour every drink or sell every bottle.” The book itself is a collaboration with Los Angeles-based author Alan Eisenstock. “I went to LA a couple of times, and he came to Kentucky a couple of times, and [we also] spent endless hours on the phone,” Bulleit said. “I would tell stories, which he would record, and ask questions, which he would record, and then have them transcribed.”
Bulleit said 750 pages of transcripts resulted from those meetings, all condensed into 210 pages of the book. BULLEIT POINT NO. 28
• YOU CAN LIVE LAMENTING THE PAST OR IMAGINE A BRIGHT FUTURE BY SIMPLY FLIPPING THE SWITCH IN YOUR HEAD. CHANGE THE CHANNEL Just because he wrote a book about his life doesn’t mean Bulleit plans to retire into quiet solitude with his wife, Betsy. On the contrary, Bulleit said he fully plans to work at his Shelbyville distillery and continue his travels to international markets, always promoting the brand that bears his name. “I’m not retired. I’m afraid of retirement,” he said. BULLEIT POINT NO. 29
• I HAVE BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY BLESSED IN THE PRAYERS GOD HAS ANSWERED AND IN THOSE UN-ANSWERED But it’s not all about the bourbon. Bulleit goes into emotional detail about meeting his birth mother and numerous newfound biological siblings. There is nothing businesslike in those pages, as he shares his emotions regarding the events as they unfolded. He also holds little back as he shares his battle with cancer, his subsequent struggles with chemotherapy and surgeries, and his strong desire to get back to work. “I thought it might be helpful for people who have cancer. Instead of sitting at home worried about what’s going to happen next, try to jump in and work,” he said. “Some of the best advice I got out of that was: ‘You may live; you may die; you won’t have much to do with that. But you’ll be a whole lot better off if you try to work.’ ” Q k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 47
off the shelf
(P)-Paperback (C)-Clothbound (H)-Hardback
True Crime Bowling Green resident Gary P. West is a prolific Kentucky author credited with 15 published books along with numerous magazine articles. His most recent book, Murder on Youngers Creek Road, is not one “based on a true story,” he notes. “This is a true story … Residents who have lived in and around Elizabethtown, Kentucky, for any length of time still recall it.” The murder of Peggy Rhodes, the wife of prominent Elizabethtown car dealer Paul “Dusty” Rhodes, took place by means of a dynamite explosion on a cold winter night on Jan. 13, 1975. It became quite clear that the victim, a 57-year-old woman who was a vital part of community activities and well-respected, was likely not the target. Rather, it was her husband. Murder on Youngers Creek Road is a product of more than two years of heavy research, with West saying he “chased rabbits for months and months trying to find people.” The work paid off, with a compelling read of a sad part of history connected to the counties of Hardin, Warren and Logan and spilling over to other locations in the state. For an author who generally writes about sports and traveling around Kentucky, West does well in his foray into a vastly different subject matter.
Compelling Character Judas Cain has a profoundsounding name but, according to Frankfort author Chris Helvey, is “a lonely man simply trying to survive The Great Depression, [who] suddenly stumbles into a job he doesn’t want, falls in love with a prostitute who doesn’t love him, and incurs the wrath of the most dangerous man in Mississippi. Then World War II explodes!” That’s the way it goes in Helvey’s new book, Yard Man. The author’s crafty and enticing firstperson writing creates a compelling protagonist—a vagabond for much of his life—with a host of believable characters lurking all around his struggles. At the same time, Helvey puts the reader smack dab in the middle of a time in America’s history when the bridge from financial hard times led directly to a devastating world war, and when nearly all Americans were personally connected. Helvey has an innate understanding of human nature with all its complexities; he also has the ability to portray it in a way that is compelling. He recently published One More Round: The Published Stories, serves as a writing coach, and edits Trajectory Journal.
By Steve Flairty
By Steve Flairty
Murder on Youngers Creek Road, By Gary P. West, Acclaim Press, $24.95 (H)
Yard Man, By Chris Helvey, Wings ePress Inc., $16.95 (P)
48 K E NT U C K Y M O NT HLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
A Fanciful Adventure This whimsical story is about a family of four sisters and the tiny River Fairies each sister is assigned at birth. These colorful, spunky, fluttering sprites serve as the girls’ companions, protectors and friends. The sisters, their fairies, and the sisters’ loving parents focus on being kind to everyone and living a simple life in The River Fairies. But there are bumps in the road when they encounter someone from the past who has held a grudge against them. An adventure develops, and the sisters learn how fortunate they are to have their fairies, as well as a mother and father who teach them by example how deeply parents love their children. The fairies speak their own adorable language, and author J.P. Fisher includes fun items in the back of the book, such as a glossary of fairy terms, a recipe used in the story, and even the words and music of a lullaby the father sings to the girls. This chapter book is 100 pages long and would be enjoyed by both young and old. Fisher resides in northern Kentucky, and this is her first book. By Deborah Kohl Kremer The River Fairies, By J.P. Fisher Booklocker.com Inc., $12.95 (P)
Civil War Sites Kentucky played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Historic sites, monuments and reenactments all across the state include well-known locations and some off-the-beatenpath locales. Presidents, Battles, and Must-See Civil War Destinations provides readers with a look at sites relating to Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, as well as Jefferson Davis, a Kentuckian who served as president of the Confederate States of America. During the war, numerous battles and skirmishes were fought throughout the Bluegrass State. Some locations of these battles— such as the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site in Boyle County—present yearly reenactments, while others offer a place of reflection. The authors give a brief overview of each battle and relate what visitors will find there. Also included are stories about Kentucky governors at the time, web links for more information, and suggestions for further reading. Fantastic photos by Elliott Hess add to the quality of this interesting and easy-to-read book. Authors Cameron M. Ludwick, a Lexington native now living in Austin, Texas, and Frankfort resident Blair Thomas Hess travel around their home state and write guides of what there is to see and do here. This is their fourth book.
THE 2020 KENTUCKY BOOK FESTIVAL IS GOING VIRTUAL! September 17 - November 14
Author lineup and schedule of events available at kyhumanities.org! @kyhumanities
By Deborah Kohl Kremer Presidents, Battles, and Must-See Civil War Destinations, By Cameron M. Ludwick and Blair Thomas Hess, Indiana University Press, $16 (P) k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 49
off the shelf: bookends Appalachian Reckoning: A Region Responds to Hillbilly Elegy, co-edited by Dr. Anthony Harkins, a Western Kentucky University history professor, is among the winners of the 41st annual American Book Awards presented by the Before Columbus Foundation. The book received the Walter & Lillian Lowenfels Criticism Award in an online ceremony on Oct. 25. The American Book Awards provide recognition for outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community. Harkins, a scholar of American popular culture history—particularly its connections to rural America and Appalachia—co-edited Appalachian Reckoning with Meredith McCarroll, director of writing at Bowdoin College. He also is the author of Hillbilly: A Cultural History of an American Icon. Appalachian Reckoning expresses the complexities and possibilities of contemporary Appalachia through
scholarship, narrative essay, photography and poetry. Published by West Virginia University Press, the softcover book retails for $28.99.
for Lawrence Booth’s Book of Visions. From 1918 until 1993, there is nary a mention of Kentucky in the anthology, but that changed in the 1990s with three inclusions in six years. • • •
• • •
For more than a century, the Yale Series of Younger Poets has been the most prestigious first book award in American poetry and now, an anthology, Firsts: 100 Years of Yale Younger Poets (Yale University Press, 2019) brings together those poets whose work is still developing into the sophisticated styles that made them famous. A valuable resource for anyone interested in poetry, this book features poems by three Kentucky poets: Hopkinsville’s (Tony) T. Crunk, whose “Living in the Resurrection” was the 1994 winner of the Yale Younger Poets Prize; Davis McCombs of Louisville, whose 1999 prizewinning collection Ultima Thule was inspired by his work as a tour guide at Mammoth Cave; and Danville Maurice Manning, a Transylvania professor, who won the prize in 2000
Louisville resident Bill Noel’s second career, writing, continues to be productive. With his 17th novel, Relic: A Folly Beach Mystery, one must wonder if the former corporate administrator will ever slow down his unrelenting, creative and character-driven work as an author. In the 311-page novel, the usual cast of characters surrounding protagonist Chris Landrum appear where “lies, contradictions, stories of ghosts, pirates, Civil War relics, and buried treasure combine with no shortage of murder suspects to challenge Chris and his friends to solve the crime that’s stumped the police.” Published by Enigma House Press, the softcover book retails for $14.99. For more on the book series, visit bill.noel.com.
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50 K E NT U C K Y M O NTHLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
field notes by Gary Garth
Dodging a Minefield
A
fter 37 years of uninterrupted marital bliss, my wife recently made a stunning announcement. “I want to learn to fly fish,” the ripples of which could be heard from Coldwater to Hamlin. I began fishing as a child, have never stopped and never intend to. And while I do fly fish with moderate success and limitless enthusiasm, I am not a snob about it. I also enjoy slinging a spinning rod or baitcaster, whipping a hand line, casting a net, or just slogging through the mud searching for crawdads. I love all of it. My wife, who openly supports and readily enables my angling habit, has never herself displayed any real interest in fishing. Until now. I considered my response. “OK. Why?” “I thought it would be something we could do together.” It would. And nothing would be more pleasurable. I thought through the most reasonable way to make this happen. The solution seemed simple: gear and lessons. “You’ll need a rod, reel … vest, waders and some gear,” I said, thinking aloud. It’s an open and somewhat shameful secret among the fly-fishing community that half the fun is all the superfluous gear and gadgets that no one needs but everyone carries. “Can’t I use one of your rods? I thought you have several.” “I do. And yes, of course, you can use any of the rods I have. But you’ll want your own rod.” “OK. But why?” This is easy to understand but hard to explain, and I decided to save
the rod conversation for a later time. I rifled through my rod stash, which essentially is a corner of my office that is stacked with rods; some broken down and cased, others not; a few in varying degrees of repair. This is in addition to the pile stashed in the closet, the ones in the antique trunk that I’ve converted to a fishing chest, and those stowed in the car. I do own several fly rods—part obsession, part occupational hazard. I landed on an 8-foot, 3-weight, 4-piece Helios mid-flex. The mid-flex is a beginner-friendly action. It weights 2 ounces, is a pretty rod, and is a treat to cast. And it’s covered by the Orvis 25-year guarantee. If you break it—regardless of cause or reason—the company will repair or replace it with a handling and shipping fee. It’s a service I’ve used more than once. I located a matching reel that’s spooled with 3-weight, weightforward floating line. “Let’s try this one,” I said. “The handle is a little stained, but it’s a really good rod.” “What if I break it?” “You won’t. But if you do, it has a good guarantee.” “A guarantee? They guarantee fishing rods?” “Fly rods, yeah.” I ran through a shorthand version of the Orvis guarantee, which basically says that, for 25 years from date of purchase, the company will repair or replace your rod, regardless of how it was damaged. The customer pays for shipping, and there is a handling fee ($60 last I checked). Turnaround time can be slow, but it’s a good deal. Katy uncased the rod and began to join it.
“It’s really better not to twist it that much at the ferrule.” “How are you supposed to do it?” “You push it together and twist it slightly.” I offered a demonstration. She held the assembled rod before her. I watched, thinking, “A woman who can turn roving into yarn and the yarn into a sweater won’t have any trouble with this.” “Will you teach me?” This is a minefield of a question. I decided to hedge. “I’m really not a very good caster. [This is true. I once sat in on a flycasting lesson as part of an editorial project. The instructor—a world champion distance caster—handed me his rod and said, “Let me see you cast.” I made one false cast before he stopped me. “That’s enough.” His lessons helped but didn’t completely stick.] I thought we could get Tim to give you a couple of lessons.” “Who?” “My friend Tim Tipton. He’s a former fly-fishing guide [in Bullitt County] and an excellent instructor.” “I want you to teach me.” “OK. But I’ll need Joan’s help.” “Joan? Who’s Joan?” I scrounged through an office bookshelf until locating a CD with a fading cover and timeless message. “Joan Wulff. Joan will tell you everything you need to know. Let’s watch this; then, we’ll practice.” Later that evening, we shelved Thursday night football for Joan, the “First Lady of Fly Fishing.” It had been several years since I’d viewed the video. I’d forgotten how good it is. The credits rolled. “Well?” I ventured. “This is going to be great!” k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 51
past tense/present tense by Bill Ellis
“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”
T
he song lyrics by Bob Russell, made popular by the great Duke Ellington in years past, perfectly fit my life at age 80. The COVID-19 pandemic “put the quietus” on plans we had for a trip to the Holy Land in May and a family get-together scheduled for our 60th wedding anniversary set for July 30. Even before our retirement in 1999, my wife, Charlotte, and I traveled somewhere in the United States or Canada about every year. A road trip to Newfoundland with a short ferry ride to part of Labrador more than a decade ago was outstanding. A few years ago, we visited my University of Kentucky dissertation director in Concord, Massachusetts, before touring the beautiful Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec. Wandering toward Glacier National Park a couple of years ago, we stopped at Havre, Montana. Named for Le Havre, France, the small town was built in the 1890s as a service center for the Great Northern Railway. It has the Havre Beneath the Streets tour, which included a bordello as well as a barbershop and other necessary establishments. We found nothing beats getting off the interstates to see the backroads of America. All that seems to be on hold for the present. This column will not be about such distant places as Bad Axe, Michigan, or Red Bay, Labrador, where Charlotte and I have visited. It will be about our Commonwealth. ggg
For its small size—37th in the nation in land area— Kentucky boasts residents with diverse accents. We speak general American English, but my wife, for example, has Graves County ancestry and an attenuated Southern accent by the way she elongates words, stretching them out with an extra syllable. Folks from Kenton County have more of a north-of-the-Mason-Dixon-line accent. I often identify my accent as an upper South, lower Midwest nasal twang (humor intended). If not from a larger town or city, many Kentuckians identify themselves as being from a county. The Commonwealth ranks third in the number of counties after the much larger states of Georgia and Texas. “Kentucky County” was created on June 6, 1776, within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Before statehood in 1792, Kentucky consisted of nine counties. By 1818, 59 counties had been organized, with 103 by 1855. By 1912, 120 counties had been formed. An attempt to carve out a county named for Gov. and Sen. John C.W. Beckham was denied in a case before the Kentucky Court of Appeals in 1904. 52 K E NT U C K Y M O NTHLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
Early in our history, the idea became well established that the county seat should be within a single day’s roundtrip journey by horseback or buggy. Counties were named after famous people, with leading examples being Jefferson, Madison, Fayette (Lafayette) and Franklin. Nine counties were named for participants in the Battle of the River Raisin, a disastrous defeat and massacre in the War of 1812. Of these soldiers, only Bland Ballard survived. Before the Civil War, political leaders within a larger county agitated for separation, and this often was granted. More seats were granted in the state legislature. What UK historian Robert Ireland called Little Kingdoms (or Thiefdoms) sprouted up as separate entities often controlled by one or more wealthy or influential families who would hold on to power for generations. The Constitution of 1850 created the office of the county judge, with a continued role for justices of the peace. The sheriff became a powerful presence as the collector of taxes and overseer of law enforcement. Feuding continued in some areas, as contending families coalesced into powerful influences. ggg
Most experts agree the Civil War was disastrous for Kentucky. In lives lost, property damaged, and livestock confiscated, few states suffered as much as our Commonwealth. We were among the top 10 states in about every economic category you could find in 1860. Where are we now? However, we love the Commonwealth, don’t we? I don’t want to live anyplace else. But we must be realistic. We have seemingly impossible problems to overcome. The recent pandemic only added to our woes. “We are all in this together” has become our motto. I hope that continues to be true on Nov. 3. Abraham Lincoln, arguably the greatest Kentuckian and American, once said: “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we lose our freedom, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Long after I am gone, my great-grandchildren will live into the 22nd century. What will their world be like? Will there be wars and rumors of wars just as now? Which nations will control the new Northwest Passage through the Arctic once global warming comes on full force? Will the electronic world have completely replaced oldfashioned face-to-face contact? ggg
Enough of the melancholy and wistfulness. Here we are in November 2020. I am nearing my 81st birthday, longing for a time when I don’t have to worry about the freedom to travel without fear of disease. Before I retired from Eastern Kentucky University in 1999, I traveled quite a bit within the Commonwealth, visiting universities and colleges for meetings, researching archives scattered across the state, and pursuing oral history projects. I have been in all 120 counties at one time or another; visited our major metropolitan areas; fished big lakes, creeks and small rivers; spent time camping with family at several state parks; and eaten goetta in northern Kentucky, barbecue in Bowling Green, soup beans and cornbread in Jackson, and catfish at several places in western Kentucky. Kentucky has wonderful place names. My mother and I lived with my Stratton grandparents on Buzzard Roost Pike in Shelby County, while my father served in the U.S. Army in World War I. We then moved to Snow Hill outside Shelbyville. I often remind friends that I am “Snow Hill Bill.” I learned a lot of valuable lessons growing up in a working-class family. There are many places—large, medium and small—I have visited in Kentucky. I have been to Rabbit Hash, Quicksand, Summer Shade, Clay Village and Creelsboro, among many others. I wonder if we have any readers who live near or in the Simpson County Offset, known locally as Blackjack Corner, that appears on maps separating Kentucky and Tennessee. Kentucky is blessed with numerous waterways,
underground water, and has some of the finest pastureland in the world. Have you ever noticed how many county boundaries are watercourses—either rivers, creeks or streams? Is your county surrounded by waterways? There are several places I would like to visit in the Commonwealth. In one of the anomalies of geography, a peninsula juts out from far western Tennessee that actually is part of Fulton County, Kentucky, on the mighty Mississippi River. I have never visited the “New Madrid Bend,” a bit of land cut off from the rest of the Commonwealth by the river and the Tennessee border, but I have been to New Madrid, Missouri, just across the river from it. That region of far western Kentucky reminds me that the New Madrid fault zone has been dormant for more than a century. What would happen if a major earthquake struck that region? In far eastern Kentucky, I would like to visit Paw Paw on the Virginia border, just to say I have been there. You may know more about this than I do. I understand the western part of the U.S. is suffering more and more from declining rainfall, including lowering aquifers in the Midwest. Will Phoenix eventually run out of water? Perhaps Kentucky will become a much more productive agricultural resource than it is now. Daniel Boone eventually migrated from Kentucky after losing his land claims. Maybe he was right after all when he said, “Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place.” I think Kentucky is still a work in progress.
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k e n t u c k y m o n t h l y. c o m 53
Due to COVID-19, please visit the event’s website or call the contact number prior to attending to ensure that it is taking place.
calendar
NOVEMBER 2020 The Trustees’ Table at Shaker Village
SUNDAY Raptor Rehab of Kentucky,
MONDAY
2
TUESDAY
3
1
<<<
Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, (502) 352-7082
10
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
16
17
5
6
7
Rotunda, Frankfort, through Nov. 27, (502) 564-3757
Highland Stables, Bowling Green, through Nov. 7, (270) 393-2111
downtown Grand Rivers, through Dec. 27, (270) 362-0152
Shaker Village, Harrodsburg, (859) 734-5411
11
12
Traveling Native Reflections Exhibit, Capitol
Gypsy Moon Marketplace,
Bourbon History Series,
18
Gingerbread Homes for the Arts Festival,
19
SKyPAC, Bowling Green, through Nov. 23, (270) 904-5000
24
25
Shamrock Bash, Owensboro Convention Center, (270) 297-9932
Ongoing Exploring Organic Form,
Ongoing Art Through the Lens 2020,
Pyro Gallery, Louisville, through Nov. 28, (502) 587-0106
Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, through Nov. 28, (270) 442-2453
<<<
SATURDAY
4
Oldham County History Center, La Grange, (502) 222-0826
15
FRIDAY
The Festival of Lights,
Fresh Food Adventures: Quail Dinner,
13
14
downtown Mount Sterling, through Nov. 14, (859) 498-8732
Center, Paducah, (270) 450-4444
Merchants Christmas Open House,
20
LexArts Gallery HOP, various galleries,
The Collingsworth Family, Carson
21
Lexington, (859) 255-2951
26 Thanksgiving Day
Ongoing Car-toon Creatures, Kustom Kars and Corvettes, National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, through Dec. 31
27
Christmas Market,
28
downtown Mount Sterling, through Nov. 28, (859) 498-8732
Ongoing Poetry in Color: Paul Sawyier’s Two Villages, Kentucky History Center, Frankfort, through Jan. 21, (502) 564-1792
Ongoing Andy Warhol: Revelation, Speed Art Museum, Louisville, through Nov. 29, (502) 634-2700
a guide to Kentucky’s most interesting events 54 K E NT U C K Y M O NTHLY NOV EMBER 2 0 2 0
kentucky monthly’s annual writers’ showcase
PENNED submission deadline:
December 11 for guidelines and submission:
kentuckymonthly.com
attention, writers... Winners published in the February 2021 issue. C a t e g o r i e s : P o e t r y, Fiction + Creative Nonf iction.
Kentucky Monthly
vested interest
An Honest Man’s Pillow
W
e pulled into a parking spot next to a Conversation Officer Thursday at Beef ’O’ Bradys. Or, at least, that’s what I saw. “What an interesting concept,” I thought. “Big Brother really is watching.” It was minutes before I realized what the placard on the side of the dark-gray car actually said. That’s the way of things during COVID19. Much of the time, I have numerous days on my calendar circled, events to which I’m looking forward. I am looking forward to the election being over, just so I can stop hearing and seeing people spewing hate. Excuse me, Andy, Josh, Amy and Mitch. We need to take a break. STEPHEN M. VEST But back to day-toPublisher + Editor-in-Chief day life: Does anyone have anything they’re looking forward to right now? It’s a struggle. There is so little going on or to get excited by, I spend much of my time creating interesting items for my internal dialogue, such as seeing a car misidentified. I find myself looking up the background music from commercials, such as “Lovely Day,” a song by Bill Withers that is featured in an Allstate commercial with a young woman rolling out of bed and down a hill in her blankets. As we watch television, we’re constantly
asking Siri how old people are, or which they shows they’ve been in before. Somehow, it’s no longer enough to just watch something for the entertainment. We want more. “The journey has no port …” From where did Matthew McConaughey lift that great quote for the current Lincoln commercial? Emerson? Tennyson? Frost? “The greatest snipers and marksmen in the world, they don’t aim at the target. They aim on the other side of the target. We do our best when our destinations are beyond the measurement, when our reach continually exceeds our grasp, and when we have immortal finish lines. And when we do this, the race is never over, the journey has no port. The adventure never ends, because we are always on the way. “So do this. Do this and let them, let somebody else, come up and tap you on the shoulder and say, ‘Hey, you scored.’ “Let them run up and tap you on the shoulder and say, ‘You won.’ “Let them come to you, ‘You go home now.’ “Let them say, ‘I love you, too.’ “Let them say, ‘Thank you.’ “Take the lid off the man-made roofs that we put above ourselves and always play like an underdog.” It turns out the quote is 100 percent McConaughey. It’s from a 2015 speech he gave at the University of Houston— considered one of the all-time best motivational speeches. I invite you to draw your family around the laptop and watch an abbreviated version of it this Thanksgiving: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=p0p1fjLPjYQ.
E X T R A V E S T E D. . . Two score and four years ago, I was a student at Shawnee High School. It wasn’t my choice—it was court-ordered as a way to bring racial balance to Jefferson County’s schools. Today, The Academy at Shawnee isn’t any worse than any other school—in some ways it’s better—but the perception—the fear—remains. Football coach Jalen Harrington struggles to find teams willing to travel to the Gothic-looking school near 40th and West Market, especially with protests and unrest in Kentucky’s largest city. That’s when John Hallock, the coach of the Jackson County Generals, stepped forward to live out our state motto— “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.” Hallock loaded his allWhite team, 65 percent of whom lives below the poverty line, onto a school bus and traveled 143 miles from McKee (within the Daniel Boone National Forest) to take on the mostly Black Golden Eagles. Hallock’s message of unity before the game has gone viral. “This,” he said, pointing to the skin on his arm, “is the only difference. You have struggles; we have struggles. Tonight, we come together in brotherhood.” “At first glance, these look like totally different communities,” Harrington said. “But when you bring them together and actually talk, you realize nothing is different but the skin color.”
Kwiz Answers: 1. C. James Brown was later a U.S. senator from Louisiana and United States Minister to France; 2. B. Both of Cruise’s parents and Montgomery’s mother were born in Louisville, and McConaughey’s father played football at the University of Kentucky; 3. True; 4. A. Lucretia Hart Clay; 5. The Food Stamps continues to play a combination of country and bluegrass music; 6. B. In 1916, the Kentucky National Guard helped patrol the Mexican-American border, but its first action came in France during WWI; 7. C. The Pleasant J. Potter College for Young Ladies was a “fashionable private school”; 8. A. On Dec. 29, 1997, Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson sent Wells into the game to foul the Chicago Bulls’ Dennis Rodman, a poor free-throw shooter. Wells fouled Rodman six times in three minutes, a strategy that backfired as Rodman went 9-for-12 from the stripe. The Bulls won 111105; 9. C. Involved in conservation, Kelley owns 1.7 million acres in Texas, Florida, New Mexico and Kentucky; 10. B. Historian David Nasaw said Krock was “all but in the pocket of the powerful millionaire [Joe Kennedy].”
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Itzel was diagnosed with a hearing processing disorder at an early age. She needed hearing aids and a personal FM system, something insurance would not fully cover. When Itzelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mom, Alma, reached out to Kosair Charities for help, the Kosair KidsÂŽ Financial Assistance Program covered the cost of her equipment. Soon after, Itzelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school performance improved drastically. You can help more kids like Itzel reach their potential and overcome their obstacles.
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Pictured above: Kosair Kid Itzel and her mom, Alma.