SEPTEMBER 2018
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P L E ASE EN J O Y R ESPO N SIB LY. © 2 0 1 8 LUX ROW DI S TI LLERS ™ , BARDS TOWN, KENTUCKY.
In This Issue 30
16 Featured Fare
Departments 2 Kentucky Kwiz 4 Mag on the Move 6 Across Kentucky 8 Oddities at the Museum Mary Todd Lincoln House 9 Music Jukebox the Ghost 10 Cooking 37 Off the Shelf 41 Kentucky Travel Industry Association’s Signature Fall Events 42 Gardening 43 Field Notes 44 Calendar
Voices 3 Readers Write 40 Past Tense/ Present Tense 56 Vested Interest
14 Happy Anniversary to Us!
Kentucky Monthly celebrates 20 years of bringing you the Commonwealth’s rich history and culture
16 A Bevy of Bourbon
New distilleries are cropping up, as longtime legends expand production
23 Tradition and Technology
O.Z. Tyler uses an innovative process in distilling bourbon
25 Our Spirited History
Archaeologist Nicolas Laracuente digs into Kentucky’s bourbon heritage
30 No Limits for Exile
Kentucky band is still churning out the hits and burning up the miles on tour after 55 years
34 10 Shows to Catch
Kentucky’s performing arts season kicks off in September and includes a wide variety of events
ON THE COVER
Mixed media illustration by Jessica Patton
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KENTUCKY
Kwiz
Test your knowledge of our beloved Commonwealth. To find out how you fared, see the bottom of Vested Interest or take the Kwiz online at kentuckymonthly.com. 1. Georgetown, the seventh-largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, was named in honor of whom? A. King George III B. President George Washington C. George Armstrong Custer 2. The “Largest Bat in the World,” which stands outside the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, is more than just tall. It also serves what function for the museum?
7. Harry Lancaster, who served as an assistant basketball coach to Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp for more than 20 years and was the Wildcats’ baseball coach for 16 seasons, graduated from which other Kentucky school? A. University of Louisville B. Kentucky Wesleyan College C. Georgetown College 8. The John B. Begley Chapel on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College was designed by E. Fay Jones, a student of which renowned architect? A. Frank Lloyd Wright B. Cincinnatus Shryock C. David S. Traub
B. Vent
9. Louisville-born and -raised swing trumpeter Jonah Jones was known as King Louis II, a nod to which other famous musician?
C. Lightning rod
A. Stuff Smith
A. Cell tower
3. While Pete “Louisville Slugger” Browning was the first professional player to use John “Bud” Hillerich’s bats, they were known by which other name until 1894?
B. Johnny Lewis C. Louis Armstrong
B. White Ash Bomber
10. John Peterman, founder of the J. Peterman Company, spent three seasons working as what before becoming a fashion merchandising icon?
C. Derby Dandy
A. Costume director on Broadway
A. Falls City Slugger
4. William Rodney McMullen, the CEO of Kroger and a graduate of the University of Kentucky, worked his way through UK doing what job?
B. Backup singer C. Second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates
A. Wearing the UK mascot suit B. Serving as disc jockey on campus radio C. Stocking groceries at Kroger 5. While 16 of Kentucky’s governors have graduated from the University of Kentucky, how many other states’ top office holders have been Wildcats? B. Four
STEPHEN M. VEST, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Editorial PATRICIA RANFT, Associate Editor DEBORAH KOHL KREMER, Assistant Editor MADELYNN COLDIRON and TED SLOAN, Contributing Editors JESSICA PATTON, Art Director CAIT A. SMITH, Copy Editor Senior Kentributors JACKIE HOLLENKAMP BENTLEY, ANNETTE CABLE, BILL ELLIS, STEVE FLAIRTY, GARY GARTH, RACHAEL GUADAGNI, JESSE HENDRIX-INMAN, KRISTY ROBINSON HORINE, ABBY LAUB, LINDSEY McCLAVE, WALT REICHERT, GARY P. WEST
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Kentucky Monthly is printed and distributed by Publishers Press, Lebanon Junction, Ky.
C. Eight
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6. What is the longest continuously produced brand of bourbon available today? A. 1792 B. Old Granddad C. Old Forester Baseball card for Pete “Louisville Slugger” Browning, 1888-1889 season K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
© 2018, Vested Interest Publications Volume Twenty One, Issue 7, September 2018
Kentucky Monthly invites queries but accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material; submissions will not be returned.
A. None
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Celebrating the best of our Commonwealth
VOICES ODDITIES ABOUND Appreciated the oddities at the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Benham (August issue, page 11). Believe me, there are plenty more oddities from years past. There is a book called Black Mountains to the Bluegrass, published in 2000, which has a lot more to say about these oddities and life in this town in the 1930s. The book, which was written by yours truly, is in several libraries. Donald S. Henry, via email ‘SOME HORSE RACE’ I have a funny Kentucky memory (from an Illinois girl). I am from southern Illinois (born and raised) and came to school in Kentucky in 1990. My freshman year, a sorority sister of mine invited me to go with her to Louisville in May for an “event.”
I called my mom to ask permission to go to Louisville with my friends. She ask me what the event was. I responded, “some horse race they have every year.” My mom said, “The Kentucky Derby?” and I said, “Yes … that’s it. How did you know?” My parents have told that story to hundreds of people, especially since I am now a Kentuckian (I’ve lived here for 28 years). I had no idea the magnitude of the Derby until I attended that year. Now, I tear up every time I hear “My Old Kentucky home.” Catherine Sivills, Paducah
Readers Write THANKS AND MORE Thank you so much for helping me raise awareness of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (August issue, page 9). I have a few corrections/clarifications to the article for the readers: The Emmy Award was for the WDRB News I’m Dying Will You Help documentary by Gilbert Corsey. The trip to the White House was with Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office. Also the youcaring.com site has been switched to gofundme.com /mikeolsen-project. Thanks again for this article. Mike Olsen, Louisville
Counties featured in this issue n
We Love to Hear from You! Kentucky Monthly welcomes letters from all readers. Email us your comments at editor@kentuckymonthly. com, send a letter through our website at kentuckymonthly.com, or message us on Facebook. Letters may be edited for clarification and brevity.
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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MAG
ON THE
MOVE
Even when you’re far away, you can take the spirit of your Kentucky home with you. And when you do, we want to see it! Take a copy of the magazine with you and get snapping. Send your high-resolution photos (usually 1 MB or higher) to editor@kentuckymonthly.com.
The Trim Family
Pine Mountain Jeremy, Tracie, Elliot and Oliver Trim of West Milton, Ohio viewed the Aug. 21, 2017 solar eclipse at Pine Mountain.
Jess Patton and Ashley Gano Las Vegas
Steve and Sue-Sue Hartstern Budapest
Kentucky Monthly Art Director Jess Patton, left, and her best friend of 16 years, Ashley Gano, both of Georgetown, traveled to Las Vegas for Jess’ 31st birthday, where they celebrated at the Circus Circus Hotel & Casino.
Steve and Sue-Sue, who is a perennial judge in Kentucky Monthly’s annual Reader Recipe Contest, traveled on a Viking River Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest.
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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
Beth Cunningham and Amy Morgan Velicheti India Beth, who lives in Richmond, and Amy, a Lexington resident, shopped for sari fabric in Hyderabad, India.
Danny & Tracey Bell and Debbie & Ronnie Lawrence Aruba
Steven D. Ray and Randy Teague Wittenberg, Germany
The couples, who live in Nicholasville, took in the sights at Baby Beach, Aruba. Kentucky Monthly was enjoyed on the beautiful beaches of Aruba.
Steven and Randy, both of Madisonville, marked the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther posted 95 theses to the door of All Saints’ Church in the city in 1517.
Patty and David Sellers Alaska This couple from Robards offered a world-class Kodiak bear a copy of Kentucky Monthly. The bear encounter went smoothly, and the bear’s temper was calmed when he realized how much he enjoyed the issue!
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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BRIEFS
Across Kentucky
B I R T H DAYS
STICKING TOGETHER
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his fall, award-winning and internationally acclaimed stickwork sculptor Patrick Dougherty will take up residence at Western Kentucky University’s campus for the duration of his next installation, to be located in front of Bowling Green’s Kentucky Museum. The project is scheduled for Oct. 1-19 and will remain a long-term exhibit on the museum’s lawn. Taking his carpentry skills back to their woody roots, Dougherty weaves tree saplings into marvelous environmental sculptures. His first works, beginning with Maple Body Wrap in 1982, consisted of single, small sculptures. Over the past 30 years, however, Dougherty’s work has bloomed into monumental installations—more than 250 of them, uncontained by traditional pedestals and solidly landscape-altering parts of the environment and the community. “Patrick’s whimsical, large-scale creations, harvested and assembled out of local saplings and created on-site with the assistance of scores of volunteers, is, quite literally, a great example of community-building from the ground up,” said Brent Bjorkman, director of the Kentucky Museum and Kentucky Folklife Program. The sculpture will be open to the public at all times during its construction, which will take place Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m.noon and 1-5 p.m. The community and WKU students and staff are invited to observe and, by signing up in advance, even participate in building the sculpture. For more information or to volunteer, visit wku.edu/grow/ stickwork or call (270) 745-2592. To learn more about Dougherty’s work, visit stickwork.net. An example of Dougherty’s stickwork
— Cait A. Smith
RECOGNIZING A COMMUNITY BUILDER
T
he Kentucky Foundation for Women will celebrate 2018 Sallie Bingham Award recipient Betty Dobson at KFW Day, the foundation’s annual community celebration, on Sept. 23 at Hopscotch House in Prospect. Formed in 1985 by Louisville writer Sallie Bingham, the foundation is dedicated to encouraging positive social change through its support of diverse, feminist expression in the arts. The Sallie Bingham Award, bestowed upon a Kentucky woman who demonstrates commitment to feminist art and social advancement, recognizes leaders in improving the lives of women and girls across Kentucky. Dobson was designated this year’s winner for her devotion to preserving and interpreting African-American history at Paducah’s Hotel Metropolitan. She began by co-founding the Upper Town Heritage Foundation to restore the hotel, enshrine its past and honor its previous owner, Maggie Steed, who opened its doors to African Americans during segregation. Dobson’s aim was to create “a comfortable space in which to address the many questions people have regarding race.” She now leads tours through the hotel, impersonating its steadfast and hospitable Steed. In her nomination, Dobson is aptly dubbed a “community builder.” In conjunction with her work at the Hotel Metropolitan, she has mentored young girls, forged connections among women during the hotel’s evening gatherings, and displayed local art in the hotel. “Betty Dobson is a passionate educator and mentor,” said Sharon LaRue, KFW executive director. “She has provided a central space for the community, the arts and academic community that facilitates research and reflection on the role that the African-American community has played in the past and will play in the future history of the area. This is a legacy that will last for generations to come.” — Cait A. Smith 6
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1 Angaleena Loletta McCoy Presley (1976), singer/ songwriter, member of the group Pistol Annies 2 Joey Goebel (1980), Hendersonborn author and novelist Kaitlynne Postel 4 Wes Cowen (1961), antiques dealer best known for his work on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow and History Detectives 7 Kaitlynne Postel (1986), Miss Kentucky 2007 12 Josh Hopkins (1970), Lexingtonborn film and television actor 12 Will Chase (1970), Frankfort-raised Broadway star 17 Richard Taylor (1941), Kentucky poet laureate (1999-2001) 20 Jude Devereaux (1947), Fairdaleborn romance author of more than two-dozen New York Times bestsellers 21 King Kelly Coleman (1938), record-setting basketball player at Wayland High School and Kentucky Wesleyan College Jerry Bruckheimer 21 Jerry Bruckheimer (1945), television/film producer, who, along with his wife, Linda, has preserved Bloomfield (Nelson County) 22 Stephen Buttlesman (1964), official bugler at Churchill Downs and Keeneland 23 Les McCann (1935), Lexingtonborn soul jazz piano player and vocalist 23 George C. Wolfe (1954), Frankfortborn director, writer and theater producer 25 bell hooks (1952), Hall of Fame author and poet from Hopkinsville 30 Eddie Montgomery (1962), country music star from Perryville Les McCann
SKAGGS HONORED
R
icky Skaggs, a 15-time Grammy Award winner, will be inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame on Sept. 27. “I’m very honored to be inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, along with the ‘Father of Bluegrass,’ Bill Monroe,” Skaggs said. “His impact on me and all of us as musicians and singers that love bluegrass music will never be replicated. With so many other heroes in the Hall, I’m just thankful to have my name mentioned alongside theirs.”
MAD MIXOLOGY
I
n July, the Bardstown Bourbon Company and Bottle & Bond Kitchen and Bar won the Bourbon Capital Mixed Drink Challenge in Bardstown over six competitors to become the official drink of this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival, held Sept. 12-16. With science as the theme for the 2018 contest, bar manager Dan Callaway and mixologist Randi Densford created “The Modern Prometheus,” a monstrously delightful concoction. The drink’s name derives from the subtitle of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Frankenstein. Composed of Calumet 10-year Kentucky straight bourbon, Pierre Ferrand cognac reserve, Meletti, appleinfused amaro syrup and walnutinfused cardamom bitters, and served with two thin apples slices encased in a large ice cube, this potent and tasty cocktail is sure to liven the spirits of festival attendees.
In 1996, Skaggs, a native of Cordell (Lawrence County), promised Monroe that he would do his part to keep bluegrass music alive. Since that time, Skaggs has kept that promise by playing thousands of bluegrass shows and by releasing several bluegrass albums. Through his own record label, Skaggs Family Records, the entertainer has helped other bluegrass acts grow their careers by giving advice and guidance. This year is shaping up to be a huge one in the musician’s life. In March, Skaggs was announced as a 2018 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He will be inducted into Nashville’s historic institution in October. — Debra Pamplin
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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CULTURE
Oddities
ODDITIES at the
MUSEUM
T
Mary Todd Lincoln House
he home at 578 West Main Street, in the shadow of Rupp Arena in Lexington, is a stately 200-year-old, three-story brick building that was the girlhood home of Mary Todd, who grew up to become America’s 16th first lady. Today, it is home to the Mary Todd Lincoln House, a museum dedicated to Mary, the Todds’ daughter, and Kentucky’s favorite son, Abraham himself. Inside the 14-room home, visitors find a wide variety of furnishings and memorabilia from the families. Pieces of their lives include the playbill from that fateful night at Ford’s Theatre, Mary’s mourning clothing and her hot chocolate pot, which she purchased from Tiffany’s in New York City. One unexpected item in the collection is a $5 note from the Bank of Kentucky, dated 1835. The paper money is large compared with today’s dollars, measuring 7.5 by 11 inches. It is a part of the collection because Mary’s father, Robert Todd, was the president of Lexington’s branch of the Bank of Kentucky, and his name is signed on the note, although museum officials are not certain the signature is Todd’s. “The banknote is not only an interesting piece of Kentucky history, highlighting Mary Todd’s Kentucky upbringing, but also signifies a childhood of wealth and privilege that her future husband, Abraham Lincoln, did not enjoy,” said Jonathan Coleman, curator and assistant director. “It is rather ironic that it is her husband’s face that now appears on the $5 bill.” Built around 1803, the house was purchased by Mary’s father in 1832, when she was 14. Mary attended boarding school a few miles away during the week, but came home on weekends. In 1839, she moved to Springfield, Illinois to live with her sister, and it is there that she met and married Lincoln. The young couple, and eventually their children, came to visit the Todds several times over the years. Following Robert Todd’s death in 1849, the house and its furnishings were auctioned. The building served as a boarding house, saloon, bordello and, eventually, a storage building for a hardware company. After realizing its historical significance and state of disrepair, Beula Nunn, wife of Gov. Louie Nunn (1967-1971), oversaw the historic home’s restoration to its state in the mid-1800s. The Mary Todd Lincoln House was opened to the public in 1977. — Deborah Kohl Kremer
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If You Go: Mary Todd Lincoln House 578 West Main Street Lexington, (859) 233-9999 mlthouse.org Hourly tours are offered March 15-Nov. 30, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tours begin on the hour and last approximately one hour.
CULTURE
Music
A Toast to Ghost
W
Lauren Morgan Photo
hile Halloween is supposed to be scary, Jukebox the Ghost sees it more as musical. For the past few years, the band has turned the spooky holiday into HalloQueen, a celebration of the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen. Jukebox the Ghost plays two sets during those shows. The musicians start off as themselves but, after a break, return in costume and perform Queen songs. Last year, the band played HalloQueen shows in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco. The Queen connection was accidental. The band played Queen songs for a friend’s wedding and liked what they created. The wedding set evolved into HalloQueen, and the group began to explore Queen’s B-sides, learning a lot about Queen’s style. The rest of the year, Jukebox the Ghost is a piano-based power pop band, but after years of doing Queen music, the iconic band’s style has seeped into Jukebox the Ghost’s style. Queen and rock music have not always been foremost in co-singer and writer Ben Thornewill’s life. He grew up in Louisville, and classical music was his love. Being from Kentucky definitely influenced Thornewill’s life as a musician. He attended the Academy of Music at St. Francis in the Fields, frequented concerts at the University of Louisville and saw pianist Lee Luvisi play. “All that influenced me,” Thornewill said. “I didn’t have a band when I was here [in Louisville],” he said. “It was all classical.” When he got to college, though, Thornewill expanded his musical horizons. As a student at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., he met other music lovers, and eventually they started a band. “We started playing together in 2004. Jukebox the Ghost was founded in 2006. We graduated in 2007,” he said. The band consists of Thornewill (piano/ vocals), Tommy Siegel (guitar/vocals) and Jesse Kristin (drums/vocals). Thornewill said the band got its name thanks to the internet. “We each got a word, and we threw it together,” he said. “And it was Google searchable in 2006. That was important.” It turned out to be a memorable name and also playful. Thornewill said when Ben Thornewill they hold special gatherings for fans, the events are called “Toast with Ghost.” A piano-based sound is one aspect that makes Jukebox the Ghost stand out in the alternative music crowd. “I learned to sing at the piano, and the piano is a big instrument,” Thornewill said. “You have to sing over it, and you develop a big voice.” Siegel and Thornewill write the band’s songs, and whoever writes the song sings lead. “Something happens when you’re a pianist. You write a certain way,” Thornewill said. In March, Jukebox the Ghost released its album Off to the Races, and the lead single, “Everybody’s Lonely,” has charted in the Top 20 of the Alternative Radio Chart, according to Thornewill. Thornewill lives in Brooklyn for six or seven months of the year and tours the rest of the time. He gets back to Kentucky to visit his family for holidays and the occasional concert. He still loves the natural beauty of the state. Thornewill is content with his musical life. “If it goes well, I’m happy doing this for years and years,” he said. While the band has a strong and dedicated cult following, Thornewill said he’d like it if the band got a little more popular. “I don’t want to stay in the van,“ he said. “I’m hopeful the next tour will be in a proper tour bus. You put out a record and just hope.” — Laura Younkin S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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FOOD
10
Cooking
K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
QUICK FAMILY FIXIN’S
Tiffany King
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exington resident Tiffany King knows a thing or two about preparing speedy, simple meals at home. Over the years, the mother of four has juggled homeschooling, kids’ sports and dance practice while perfecting the art of quickly putting a nutritious, home-cooked dinner on the table. King’s new cookbook, Eat at Home Tonight: 101 Simple Busy-Family Recipes for Your Slow Cooker, Sheet Pan, Instant Pot, and More, hit the shelves in August. A couple of recipes from her book—One Sheet Pan Autumn Pork Chops with Apples and Sweet Potatoes, and Skillet Peach Crisp— are featured here. The other two are from King’s blog, eatathomecooks.com.
Slow Cooker Minestrone Made from scratch and loaded with hearty ingredients, this soup cooks entirely in the slow cooker. No pre-cooking of the meat is required. 2 large bone-in chicken breasts 1 medium onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes 2 32-ounce boxes chicken broth 1 16-ounce can dark red kidney beans 2-3 carrots, sliced 1 medium zucchini, chopped ¾ cup shell pasta, cooked 2 cups kale, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional
1. Place chicken breasts in bottom of slow cooker. Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, chicken broth, beans and carrots. Cook on high 5-6 hours or low 7-8 hours. 2. Minutes before serving, remove chicken breasts from slow cooker and add zucchini, pasta and kale. 3. Use a fork to pull the chicken off the bones. Chop or shred the meat, and return it to slow cooker to heat through. Season with salt and pepper. 4. Top each bowl of soup with Parmesan, if desired.
Photos by Jesse Hendrix-Inman. Recipes from the blog eatathomecooks.com and Eat at Home Tonight: 101 Simple Busy-Family Recipes for Your Slow Cooker, Sheet Pan, Instant Pot, and More. Copyright © 2018 by Tiffany King. Published by WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. The Lavash Flatbread pictured with the “Detox” Salad courtesy of The Bakery at Sullivan. Recipes were prepared at Sullivan University by Ann Currie. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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FOOD
Cooking
“Detox” Salad Ever feel like your body needs a “detox?” After the overindulgence of special occasions and holidays, you may feel as though your system is craving something healthy and nutritious. Loaded with nutrients, this salad may be just what your body needs.
2 broccoli crowns 1 head cauliflower 2-3 carrots 1 small bunch kale, stems removed ½ cup parsley ½ cup sunflower seeds ½ cup almonds, chopped 1 cup dried berries, such as cherries, cranberries, blueberries ½ cup raisins Juice of one lemon 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or other mildly flavored vinegar 2 tablespoons maple syrup Salt and pepper, to taste 1. Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into florets. Cut the carrots into large chunks, and roughly chop the kale. 2. In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, process the broccoli, cauliflower, kale and parsley until fine and add them to a large mixing bowl. 3. Process the carrots and add to the bowl, then stir to combine. Add the sunflower seeds, almonds, berries and raisins, stirring after each addition. 4. Add the lemon juice, vinegar and syrup, and toss to coat. Season with salt and/or pepper as desired.
Skillet Peach Crisp Aside from it being delicious, this dessert is so easy and quick to make. It starts with frozen peach slices, so the prep is simple, and an ovenproof skillet keeps the cooking time brief. 5 tablespoons salted butter 1 16-ounce bag frozen peach slices, thawed ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ cup quick-cooking oats ½ cup packed light brown sugar ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup chopped pecans ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Vanilla ice cream, for serving 1. Preheat the broiler. In a 9- or 10-inch ovenproof skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat. Add the peaches and granulated sugar, and cook, stirring, until the peaches soften, 10-12 minutes. 2. In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, brown sugar, flour, pecans and cinnamon. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, using a fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients to form coarse crumbs. 3. Add half the crumb mixture to the skillet with the 12
K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
peaches, and stir to combine. Spread the remaining crumbs over the top of the peaches. Pop the skillet into the oven, and broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the top. 4. Serve warm with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
NOTE: If you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, use a regular skillet to cook the peaches. Add half the topping, then pour the mixture into a buttered 2-quart casserole dish and sprinkle the rest of the topping over the peaches. Broil as directed to finish.
One Sheet Pan Autumn Pork Chops with Apples and Sweet Potatoes Even if the leaves aren’t yet turning shades of red and gold, this meal will give you a hint of autumn. The ingredients are few, but the simple seasonings allow the taste of the pork, apples and sweet potatoes to really shine. 4-5 tablespoons olive oil 4-6 1-inch-thick boneless pork chops Salt and black pepper 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 4-5 medium apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½-inch-thick slices
1 tablespoon salted butter, melted ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet with 1-2 tablespoons of the oil. Place the pork chops on one end of the prepared baking sheet, and season them with salt and pepper. 2. In a large bowl, toss the sweet potatoes with the remaining 2-3 tablespoons oil, and season with salt and pepper. Spread the sweet potatoes in an even layer on the baking sheet alongside the pork chops, leaving space for the apples. (Set the bowl aside—no need to wash it.) Roast for 15 minutes. 3. In the same bowl you used for the sweet potatoes, toss the apples with the melted butter and cinnamon. At the 15-minute mark, remove the baking sheet from the oven, and add the apples. Return the pan to the oven, and roast for 15-20 more minutes, until the pork chops are cooked through and the sweet potatoes are tender.
NOTE: Any type of apple will work for this recipe. I use whatever I have in the fruit bowl: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Gala, etc.
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Kentucky Monthly celebrates 20 years of bringing you the Commonwealth’s rich history and culture
T
wenty years is an eternity in the magazine industry. Very few publications make it one year, let alone five. But here we sit at Kentucky Monthly, with more than 200 issues behind us, celebrating our 20th anniversary with this issue. The odds were certainly not in our favor back in 1998. According to Samir Husni, director of the Magazine Innovation Center at the University of Mississippi, only about 18 percent of magazines last beyond their first year. But he predicts that, since we have beaten the odds, the future certainly looks favorable. “Your readers get addicted because of the content and the experience,” Husni said. “It is similar to getting a taste of Kentucky bourbon. Once you get a taste, you want more.” Kentucky Monthly Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Steve Vest, whose journalism career includes years of experience at newspapers and magazines, thought Kentucky should have a quality contemporary magazine. Back in 1998, he put the wheels in motion to make it happen. With his wife, Kay, newsman Michael Embry and a skeleton crew, he put together the first issue, with George Clooney on the cover. “We had 40 paid subscriptions with the first issue,” Kay said. “We gave them away to schools and libraries, and we would pass them out anywhere there was a crowd.” Steve recalled the logistics of distributing those early copies. 14
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“The first issue we delivered by hand. We had 10,000 magazines delivered to a booth at the Kentucky State Fair. We had 10,000 delivered to Cardinal Stadium before the first UofL-UK football game, and 30,000 came to our twocar garage in Frankfort,” he said. “Then, we divided the 27-pound magazine boxes among seven or eight cars and hit the road, giving them to anyone we met along the way.” Steve knew what kind of magazine he had in mind but looked to other state magazines for guidance. “I studied numerous magazines, but especially Texas Monthly and Minnesota Monthly in the beginning,” he said. Over the years, Steve has met other state magazine publishers and has incorporated some of their good ideas into Kentucky Monthly. Bernie Mann of Our State magazine in North Carolina has become a friend and mentor. “His magazine is one of the magazines we have aspired to become, both in the quality of his stories and the appearance of the publication,” said Steve. Mann, who has been owner and publisher of Our State for 22 years, certainly knows the challenges of the magazine world. “To make it to 20 years for any business is a great thing, let alone one in such a competitive environment,” he said. “But Kentucky Monthly shows the best of Kentucky, and that is what people want to read.” He points out that just 20 years ago, we didn’t have smartphones, and the internet was still new. Processes were slower, and information was not, literally, at our fingertips.
Back in 1998, the day-to-day operations were much different from today. Steve recalled the work of seven people from the Frankfort office. “When we first started the magazine, we designed the pages and saved them to large computer disks, which we put in a box and drove to our printing plant in Lebanon Junction,” he said. “The folks at Publishers Press [now LSC Communications] would then create a proof of the magazine and ship it back to us to review.” Today, our files are sent electronically, and we count on the USPS to send out our 35,000 copies each month. Our headquarters are still based in Frankfort, but our staff is scattered throughout the state. Kay said that, in the early days, they compiled a list of story ideas and Kentuckians to report on. “I wondered what we would cover when we got through that list,” she said. “But thanks to ideas from our readers and writers, we have more story ideas than we have pages to print them on. It all worked out.” Steve’s goals for the future of Kentucky Monthly involve expanding the magazine to better represent all regions, especially those parts of Kentucky that often feel overlooked. Sure, we have had great writers, supportive advertisers, terrific artists and gifted editors in our ranks, but Steve knows it’s our loyal readers, the lovers of the Bluegrass State, who have carried us through. “I don’t think we could have made it if we weren’t in Kentucky,” Steve said. “Our readers love Kentucky, and they count on us to tell them more about it.” Here’s to 20 more years. Q
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Kentucky Monthly’s premiere issue, September 1998
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A Bevy Of
Bourbon
New distilleries are cropping up, as longtime legends expand production By Abby Laub
I
f you’ve tried one bourbon, you have not tried them all— and new bourbon producers are making sure this is the case as they bring new recipes onto the market. Kaveh Zamanian, founder of Rabbit Hole Distillery in Louisville, has made it his mission to approach bourbon from the perspective of the consumer. Rabbit Hole is one of a handful of new craft distilleries that have opened in the last year or are slated to open soon. “Bourbon is quintessentially American, and as a consumer, I was frustrated with the fact that you’ve got very few Americans who know about their native spirit, and there are a lot of bourbons on the market that are basically just blends coming out of the same distilleries and in different bottles but the same liquid,” Zamanian said. “I thought I could produce a lot of interesting varieties of bourbons—different mash bills, different yeast forms and some subtle distinguishing features.” 16
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The mission of Rabbit Hole, which opened in May, is to be a fully transparent company, including producing bourbon in full view of the consumer. A wine and spirits enthusiast, Zamanian did not take the conventional approach to a career in bourbon. He spent 20 years as a certified psychoanalyst before shifting gears. He is Iranian-born but spent time in California, New York and Chicago before moving to Louisville, the hometown of his wife Heather, a decade ago when, he says, “bourbon was still a sleeping giant. “I have not felt like an outsider from the standpoint of industry folks helping out at all levels,” he said, noting that he felt welcomed. “But I do feel that being an outsider gives us different vantage points, approaching this mostly as a consumer rather than an industry person. So in a lot of ways, part of what I think makes Rabbit Hole stand apart is that we approach the industry in a nontraditional way.”
Though Brown was raised mostly in Canada—his mother is from Montreal—he was born in Louisville and remembers looking at pictures of faraway family members in annual reports that came in the mail. He feels a combination of “pressure and pride” being a Brown and carrying on the legacy of the nation’s oldest brand of bourbon. “It’s a great industry, and it’s great to be part of it,” he said. “It’s almost like a true north, and there’s a path of seeing [family members’] successes. It’s a compelling story for someone who’s younger to see family who’s done it in a responsible way.” He feels the brand has persevered because the company remains family controlled with a long history, and it has grown locally, nationally and globally. “It’s a brand that’s important to Louisville … There’s always been a nice network of consumers and advocates that have proudly stood by the brand,” Brown said. Zamanian looks to brands like Brown-Forman when considering his new company’s legacy. “I want Rabbit Hole to be essentially the next big American whiskey brand—I would even say the next big American spirit brand,” he said. “I want Rabbit Hole to be around as a multigenerational brand.” Zamanian added that he wants to challenge vodka as a frontrunner in the spirits game in America. “To me, whiskey—it’s really about flavor and harnessing the flavors of the grains and what’s indigenous to the region,” he said. “That’s what’s sexy and exciting about it.” He compared Kentucky bourbon to California wine and feels there is room for a whole new level of sophistication and understanding of Kentucky bourbon. “Hopefully, Rabbit Hole is on the front lines of trying to do something different,” Zamanian said. For a brand like Old Forester that’s been around for generations, Brown said innovation sometimes means looking to the past. “Our story is our story. There’s no way we can start something fresh,” he said. “If anything, it allows us to reach back and use our timeline to help inform
Courtesy of Brown-Forman; opposite, courtesy of Lux Row Distillers
••• Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory enjoys seeing more new Kentucky bourbon, especially because of the “juice’s” status as a Bluegrass State landmark around the world. “People do associate Kentucky with bourbon,” he said. “Everywhere I go, people want to know what’s the best bourbon, where they can stay, where they can eat. They see that it’s authentic and uniquely Kentucky. It’s so closely associated with Kentucky and always has been.” Rabbit Hole and other new craft distillers are helping the state catch up in bourbon production. “Our records go back to 1967, and the state had a little over 9 million barrels then, and we’re at about 7 million right now,” Gregory said. “Back in the ’80s, we were down to like 2 million, so we’ve had a significant rise. In 1999, the entire state of Kentucky only produced 455,000 barrels of bourbon. Jim Beam produced that last year alone. If you look at where this business was at its height back in the ’70s, the bourbon category, we’ve grown quite a bit. But we are nowhere near those numbers from the ’70s. So there is a lot more runway for the category.” He said producers are now filling about 1.5 million barrels a year, which is unprecedented in the modern era of bourbon. “That’s why we’re so concerned about tariffs slowing things down. It’s an unknown for us,” Gregory said. “It’s something we never expected to get caught in the middle of because a lot of the investment has been with an eye toward a growing global market.” Knowing how to navigate adversity in the bourbon market—like tariffs or Prohibition—is par for the course for some of the state’s oldest bourbon producers. The BrownForman Corporation has been in business for almost 150 years, and its flagship brand, Old Forester, is now under the guidance of President Campbell Brown, the great-greatgrandson of founder George Garvin Brown. Brown has been with the company for 25 years, starting out with internships as a student.
Old Forester President Campbell Brown represents the fifth generation in the bourbon industry’s Brown family. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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Photos courtesy of Rabbit Hole Distillery
Above, Louisville’s Rabbit Hole Distillery; right, the distillery’s founder, Kaveh Zamanian.
our innovation strategy or how we talk to consumers and share moments of time that were important to not only Old Forester but also the category. We’re not going to go messing around with our mash to create something new, but we might look down our past and see what the style of bourbon was [that] people were drinking after Prohibition or what we were doing in the ’60s and ’70s.” According to Brown, with so many new bourbon brands on the scene, people are forced to be clever and thoughtful about how they position their brands. For example, Jeptha Creed Distillery, which opened in Shelby County in 2016, uses a special variety of red corn in producing its bourbon. For Brown, it means preserving Old Forester’s story that “has already been written and people care about.” ••• In addition to Rabbit Hole, the bourbon industry gained a couple more new distilleries this past spring—Lux Row Distillers and Preservation Distillery—both in Bardstown. Lux Row Visitor Center Manager Kevin Didio admitted the team feels a healthy amount of pressure to do bourbon well in the epicenter of bourbon production. “One thing we really like to do here is celebrate the fact that we are in the bourbon capital of the world,” Didio said. “We’re in an exciting place to showcase our brand and welcome visitors. It’s a fun town with a lot of momentum and a lot history and heritage.” In keeping with that heritage, Lux Row is family owned and operated, as most of Kentucky’s distilleries were at one time and some remain today. Its parent company, Luxco, is a spirits producer based in St. Louis that was founded in 1958 by Paul A. Lux. Lux’s son, Donn Lux, serves as Luxco’s chairman and CEO. “There’s not so much pressure, but a tremendous amount of pride being located where we are, being one of the new guys on the [Kentucky] Bourbon Trail,” Head 18
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Distiller John Rempe said. He has been distilling spirits for more than 20 years and created the Lux Row brands Rebel Yell 10-year, David Nicholson Reserve and the Blood Oath series. Prior to opening the state-of-the-art distillery, Lux Row produced its bourbon at other distilleries for four years. The goal is to ensure the bourbon produced at the facility, which began distilling in early January, is consistent with what customers have come to expect. Currently, Lux Row has about 8,600 barrels aging in rickhouses. In mid-May, Lux Row became the newest addition to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, making it a draw for tourists. “We definitely want to lead with hospitality,” Didio said. “[Visitors will] see everything involving the production side—from the grains being milled, the cooking and mashing, what makes our mash bill and taste profiles unique.” ••• Louisville-based Angel’s Envy is about eight years into building its brand, but its story began more than 40 years ago. The distillery’s patriarch, the late Lincoln Henderson, was in the business for decades. His son, Angel’s Envy’s chief innovation officer and co-founder Wes Henderson, thinks customers love how their bourbon is constructed. “It’s got an incredible flavor and complexity,” he said. “The port barrel finish adds another dimension to the bourbon.” Henderson, who now runs the ship with his sons, Kyle and Andrew, said he also feels that customers love bourbon with substance and a good story behind it. Angel’s Envy is just old enough to be one of the first craft bourbon distilleries that still has a wide appeal. “I think we’re that first wave of craft distillers that came on the scene about eight or nine years ago, and fortunately, we’ve been one of the brands that’s been able to break out of the pack a bit and lead, as far as craft brands go,”
Tagging for the Trees
Top, Angel’s Envy Distillery in Louisville; middle, the late Lincoln Henderson (center) with his son, Wes (left), and grandson Kyle; above, the bottling process at the distillery.
Courtesy of Angel’s Envy Distillery
Photos courtesy of Angel’s Envy Distillery
For whiskey to be labeled bourbon, it’s legally required to be aged in new white oak barrels. Alas, white oak trees do not grow overnight, and with the rapid increase in bourbon whiskey production in the state, trees are on the minds of distillers. One company leading the charge to plant new white oaks is Louisville Distilling Co. LLC, producers of Angel’s Envy bourbon. This month, Angel’s Envy will again “Toast the Trees” in celebration of National Bourbon Heritage Month. The campaign is in its fourth year, and last year it helped plant more than 10,000 American white oak trees. This year, the aim is 20,000 trees. It takes 70 years for an American white oak to reach maturity, and each one yields one to three barrels. Angel’s Envy officials crowdsource the efforts by asking customers to participate on social media. In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and Green Forests Work, the company will plant an American white oak tree for every Angel’s Envy drink or bottle photo that fans share on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the #ToastTheTrees hashtag in September. Trees are planted in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Laurel County. Angel’s Envy already has planted tens of thousands of trees, but with millions of barrels of bourbon aging in rickhouses in Kentucky, more work is yet to be done. “The Toast the Trees initiative is a fun and easy way for our consumers and fans to interact with Angel’s Envy on social media and have a real impact on our industry at the same time,” said Wes Henderson, co-founder and chief innovation officer. “Each post helps us preserve the future of bourbon through planning and sustainability.” Henderson said the efforts are a way to give back “where we have been blessed to receive, as far as the trees go.” Other bourbon producers also have environmental preservation—including tree planting and repurposing old barrels and bourbon ingredients—written in their business plans. Additional information can be found at angelsenvy. com/toast-the-trees.
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Andrew Hyslop photo, courtesy of Brown-Forman
The rooftop bar at Old Forester Distilling Co. on Louisville’s famed Whiskey Row. Henderson said. “That’s something that will be remembered as being a key part of it as people look back on the industry and where the industry is going.” Part of the success is due to the great sense of camaraderie and support within the industry. Sometimes, that means master distillers lending a hand to up-andcomers. In his case, it was his father. “We are in a unique position because of my family’s history in the industry going back 40 years and Dad’s relationships,” he said. “We are blessed to be able to sit at both the kid and adult table, whichever we’re in the mood for at the time. I don’t know which [distilleries] are the kids and which ones are the adults. I’ve never seen anything like it, where everyone gets along so well.” Henderson said he hopes his company eventually joins the ranks of the big old-timers and builds a legacy. ••• Speaking of the kid table, western Kentucky’s RH Resolute Distillery is an ambitious newcomer to the bourbon industry, breathing new life into the area’s spirits scene. RH Resolute is revitalizing the long and rich history of bourbon production in that part of the Commonwealth. The bulk production facility is in Hickman in Fulton County and is not only the largest producer of bourbon ever in that part of the state but also one of the largest distilleries in Kentucky. The RH Resolute Downtown Distillery will be located near the river in Paducah and is slated to open in the fall of 2019. Brand director and co-owner Sarah Jones is investing almost $10 million to outfit the Hickman facility and hopes eventually to churn out 2,600 barrels a week. She said western Kentucky’s corn, wheat and heavy limestone water combine for an ideal “hand-crafted sour mash bourbon whiskey.” Jones said the water quality there, primarily due to high pH levels, is better than that of central Kentucky for bourbon making. “We are so far on the western side of Kentucky, and a lot of people don’t know that Early Times Distillery started in Paducah,” Jones said. “And John Henry Beam worked at the family distillery over here, originally.” 20
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She said the Mississippi River gives RH Resolute access to transportation and provides a tourist attraction for those coming to visit the distillery. Whiskey producers of old, like Red Devil and Old Dixie, sent their products all over the country via the Mississippi, according to Jones. “We’re going to make some good bourbon,” she said, adding that RH Resolute’s master distiller, Thomas McKenzie, has years of experience helping start distilleries around the country. “[Thomas] is really focused on and interested in making bourbon in a traditional, full-flavored taste, which isn’t being done a lot. When you taste a number of bourbons, you start to recognize the various flavor profiles that can range from butterscotch all the way over to a leathery, smoky flavor. There are so many different profiles, and what we’re hoping to add to the industry is something that’s an old-fashioned, rich taste that hasn’t really been available in a lot of bourbons in the past few years.” The Hickman distillery should be open this fall, and the distillery experience due next year will include a restaurant and tasting room. Jones said RH Resolute also hopes to capitalize on riverboat tours that stop in Paducah and Hickman in the summer. “We’re the last stop if you’re leaving Kentucky going west, and the first stop if you’re coming east,” she said. “Some people will never make it to the middle of Kentucky.” ••• Tourism is a major part of the plan, arguably, for all modern bourbon distillers. “I often think about what George Garvin Brown or Evan Williams—or any of our forebears—what would they think if we dropped them down into today’s bourbon scene,” Gregory mused. “They’d be proud but think: ‘Wow, you’re making a lot more money than we have.’ It has really transformed, from a tourism angle, almost overnight.” About 12 years ago, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail had around 300,000 visits a year, he noted, and next year is projected to have 1.5 million or more visitors. But there is still room to grow in production and tourism.
Complementary Combo With a shared passion for culinary culture and excellence, Woodford Reserve has partnered with the James Beard Foundation, which for more than 30 years has nurtured and celebrated chefs and others who contribute to making food in the United States more diverse, delectable and sustainable. Main concerns of the foundation include reducing food waste, sustainably sourcing seafood and promoting women’s leadership. “Woodford Reserve and the James Beard Foundation share a dedication to quality and flavor, and this partnership will showcase our shared passion,” said Mark Bacon, senior vice president and global brand director of Woodford Reserve. The partnership will include sponsorship of the Woodford Reserve Beverage Studies Scholarship, aimed at honing the skills of beverage professionalsin-the-making and, like several of Woodford Reserve’s other programs, raising a glass to classic cocktails and their craftsmen. For more information about the Woodford Reserve Beverage Studies Scholarship, visit jamesbeard.org/scholarships. Woodford Reserve also will sponsor the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America dinner series, which kicked off in August at the James Beard House in New York. Taste America will visit 10 U.S. cities—Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Louisville, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle—this fall to spotlight Woodford Reserve cocktails and food pairings prepared by some of the nation’s top James Beard Award-winning chefs. For more information about Taste America and to purchase tickets, visit jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica. — Cait A. Smith
Courtesy of Lux Row Distillers
“Believe it or not, Kentucky ranked 11th in the country in the number of distilleries,” Gregory said. “Places like California, Washington, New York, Texas, Colorado—they just have more distilleries than we do, but we have the volume and the heritage and history. We have seen a very steady increase since 2010, when we had about six distilling companies, and now at last count, there are 30 companies operating 50 distilleries.” He noted that, in the past year, there’s been a remarkable rise in the number of distilleries opening their tourism centers earlier than expected, “and that’s mainly because we’ve changed several laws, so they can really take advantage of the tourism potential.” Buffalo Trace has expanded its visitors center several times to keep up with demand, and Bulleit Bourbon is slated to open a Shelbyville visitors center in 2019. In June, Old Forester Distilling Co. returned to the same building it once called home on Louisville’s iconic Whiskey Row (see Kentucky Monthly’s June/July issue, page 7). Guests at the $45-million facility learn the production process of America’s first bottled bourbon. Brown speculated that Whiskey Row of the late 1800s probably looked different than it does today. “It’s still a bit of a cottage industry, where we all know each other and we talk,” he said. “I think it must have been very similar to that at the turn of the century. There were a lot of businesses down there that were dependent on each other … My guess is that, back then, it was not about tours. It was: ‘Get it out the door.’ It was tough and hot and sweaty, and they’re rolling barrels and rolling them down the hill and hoping they stop before the river.” These days, distillers have the benefit of guidance, leadership and support from the KDA, and Gregory is proud to see how all of the state’s producers work together. “It’s really spread the distilling footprint all across Kentucky,” he noted. “Bourbon is jobs and investment and tourism, and they see that. They’re competitors on the shelf, and there’s no doubt about that, but in a room together, they’re all talking best practices and learning from each other. And they help each other in the bad times and celebrate the good times and speak with one voice.”Q
One of the industry’s newest distilling facilities: Lux Row in Bardstown. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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Producing Worldwide Distillers
Wants Wants to to
BUY YoUr gear We We buy buy,,sell sell and and
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Louisville’s Moonshine University, founded in 2012 and the exclusive beverage education provider of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, has opened its 200th distillery, Full Circle Craft Distillers in Manila, Philippines. Holding classes for prospective distillers from 45 states and 27 countries, the university has produced a diverse group of graduates who are now instituting unique and revolutionary distilleries all over the world. Four Moonshine Universityassisted distilleries are breaking new ground in the distilling industry. The most recent, Full Circle, operated by COO and Moonshine alum Matthew Westfall, is utilizing Philippine crops to make it distinct from other spirits and is preparing to release its first batch of gin. Another Moonshine alum, Laura Johnson, one of the few women in the United States who heads a distillery, opened You & Yours Distillery Co., San Diego’s first urban distillery, in March 2017. The Distillery Company owner Pierre-Luc Chabot, a graduate of Moonshine’s six-day Distiller Course, has begun producing rum made with 100 percent Melanesian ingredients, in the South Pacific Ocean island country of Vanuatu. Silver Creek Distillery, owned by Moonshine alum Mark Taverner, imports water, sugar and flavors from Kentucky into Gauteng, South Africa and has become Africa’s largest moonshine distillery. — Cait A. Smith
and and equipment equipment of of all all brands. brands.
mUsic mUsic go go roUNd roUNd also oFFers also oFFersaFFordaBle aFFordaBle rePairs, rePairs,seTUPs, seTUPs,resTriNgs resTriNgs aNd aNd maiNTeNaNce. maiNTeNaNce.
For more information on Moonshine University, visit moonshineuniversity.com 3640 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy. • Louisville, KY 40299 • 502-495 -2199 musicgoroundlouisvilleky.com
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Tradition & Technology O.Z. Tyler uses an innovative process in distilling bourbon By Deborah Kohl Kremer
T
all rickhouses stacked with aging, charred wood barrels dot the landscape of Kentucky’s rolling hills— an iconic image of the Bluegrass State. The practice and art of bourbon-making dates back centuries and has slowly evolved, with advances in distilling techniques and in the chemistry involved, but the aging process has remained basically the same. Until now. On the 24-acre property of the old Medley Distilling Company in Owensboro, South Carolina-based Terressentia Corporation is distilling bourbon on a site that was dormant for more than 25 years. With the resurrection of the old buildings, the O.Z. Tyler Kentucky Bourbon Distillery has brought a high-tech twist to the aging process, literally removing years from the barrel’s timeline to maturity. The company’s patented process, called TerrePURE, uses ultrasonic energy to mature the product in just a few hours. O.Z. Tyler bourbon, named for the inventor of the process, still ages in a charred oak barrel in a traditional rickhouse for at least a year and a day, as required by state law to be called Kentucky bourbon. Then, it is removed from the barrel and pumped into the computerized, top-secret
machines. It emerges a few hours later as a mature bourbon. “This ultrasonic process allows us to replicate what happens in a barrel,” Master Distiller Jacob Call said. “We filter away the impure alcohols, but in hours instead of years.” Call said that if the bourbon is left in the barrel for two years, it tastes similar to a 6-year-old bourbon after the process, and a 4-year, barrel-aged product is as smooth as if it has been in a rickhouse for 10 to 12 years. This process was created by Orville Zelotes Tyler III, an inventor who loved 12-year-old Scotch but searched for reasons why it needed to age that long. Also credited with inventing the lining of soft drink cans and washable wallpaper, Tyler passed away in 2014. His research, along with his machinery, led to a method of applying energy and oxygen at the same time, which removes impurities from the bourbon quickly and eliminates the inefficiency of aging it in barrels for years. This time-saving process became the basis of a next generation of bourbon, so the company named its brand after Tyler. In addition to saving time, the process also results in more bourbon making it into the bottle. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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If You Go: O.Z. Tyler Distillery 10 Distillery Road Owensboro, (270) 691-9001 oztylerdistillery.com 24
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“In four years of aging, you lose about 20 percent to evaporation, what distillers call the ‘angels’ share,’ ” Call said. “After one year, we still lose some to evaporation and what soaks into the barrel, but it is much less.” Although the operation subtracts years from the process, the O.Z. Tyler brand continues to cling to tradition. The land originally was the site of Green River Distillery, which produced bourbon from 1885 until 1918, when a devastating fire wiped out most of the buildings and all of the product. From a historical standpoint, it just was not a good time to be in the bourbon business. As the distillery was still reeling from the fire, the Volstead Act of 1919 was passed, ushering in Prohibition, making it illegal to produce, import or distribute alcoholic beverages. What had been left of Green River Distillery was essentially gone. In the 1930s, Prohibition was repealed, and the property, which had changed hands a few times, began producing spirits again, most notably as the Charles Medley Distillery. Medley produced bourbon on the site for the next several decades. ••• In 2014, the property, which at that point had been dormant for about 25 years, was purchased by Terressentia to create its bourbon using the TerrePURE process. While its process is modern, the company needed someone with bourbon history to spearhead the project. To bring a little bit of Bardstown 100 miles west, the owners brought in Ron Call, a second-generation distiller who had been with Jim Beam Distillery and later a Florida distillery, and Jacob, his son who also had distilling experience. The two collaborated on recipes and techniques, creating O.Z. Tyler. “We still make bourbon traditionally, from milling our own grain up until it goes in the barrel,” Jacob Call said. “But then we are able to accelerate the aging process.” The distillery produces about 72,000 barrels per year, with 65 employees working around the clock. Call said the company ships bourbon all over the world and to other distilleries. O.Z. Tyler bourbon is available only in Kentucky, so this bulk bourbon sometimes is sold under other names. This summer, O.Z. Tyler Distillery became part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. This self-guided journey to 13 of the state’s premier distilleries is a huge feather in the cap for a relatively new distillery out in the western reaches of the state. A boon to tourism, the trail attracted more than 1 million visitors to Kentucky distilleries last year. To become a stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a distillery must maintain a barrel inventory of 25,000 or more per year and offer a bourbon experience, said Colleen Thomas, director of member and public affairs at the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. “Visitors coming into the state from that direction are greeted with Kentucky hospitality and bourbon in Owensboro,” she said. “Similar to Napa Valley or the wine region of France, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail has become a bucket list item for bourbon lovers.” Thorough, behind-the-scenes tours and tastings are offered Monday through Saturday at O.Z. Tyler. Visitors can see all the elements from the old distilleries as well as the new technology. The distillery offers event space to rent and hosts its own events throughout the year. Also on site is a gift shop stocked with logo shirts and caps, along with the bourbon itself. Although most customers say they can’t tell much difference in the flavor of O.Z. Tyler’s product versus regularly aged bourbon, there are purists who believe the bourbon needs to soak in the essence of the barrel for years and experience the frigid winters and sticky, humid summers of Kentucky while stacked up in the old rickhouses to earn its stripes. Call has heard it all. “You just have to taste it to believe it,” he said. Q
Kentucky Distiller's Association Photo
Our Spirited History
Archaeologist Nicolas Laracuente digs into Kentucky’s rich bourbon heritage By Maggie Kimberl
D
riving through the fog outside of Frankfort on a tiny back road, Nicolas Laracuente suddenly saw something rise up in front of him as he rounded a bend. It was a limestone castle, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, crumbling and neglected. On the front of the castle, the words “The Old Taylor Distilling Company” were emblazoned on a faded sign, though there was no sign any distilling had taken place there for quite some time. As he studied the structure from the side of the road, Laracuente had an “aha!” moment: There must be abandoned distilleries throughout the state of Kentucky in need of archaeological study and preservation.
From Army Kid to Archaeologist Laracuente was born on a United States Army base in Wurzburg, Germany. Constant moves were a common theme. He estimates the family moved 10 times before his father finally retired from the Army. Kentucky always felt like home, though, because his grandparents lived in Buckhorn (Perry County), and their home served as the family’s home base. He attended Tulane University in New Orleans as an undergraduate with plans to major in pre-med. Sitting in an archaeology elective class one day, he had a realization: Not everything had been discovered yet. Laracuente switched S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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majors and studied archaeology, receiving a bachelor’s degree, and then moved on to the University of West Florida for his master’s degree in anthropology. There, he met a girl named Tiffany, married her and decided he wanted to put down roots. Kentucky was calling him, and fortunately, she heard the call, too.
Maggie Kimberl photo
The Birth of the Bourbon Archaeologist
Laracuente in the field
“Old Taylor was the first distillery that I ever noticed,” Laracuente said. “I had driven by them before, but that moment was what I think of as the first distillery that I ever saw.” After settling in Kentucky, Laracuente quickly got to work furthering his studies at the University of Kentucky and securing a job with the Kentucky Heritage Council. He began researching distilling history and started running a volunteer archaeology program at the Jack Jouett House Historic Site in Woodford County. He read through the papers in the collection and realized there had been a distillery associated with the site. It had been referenced both in a lawsuit and in an advertisement for the rental of the farm, complete with the distillery and its enslaved distiller, who the ad boasted was the “best distiller in all the land.” The lawsuit gave Laracuente the best starting point for the distillery’s location, as it referenced bodies of water that still have the same names today. He hiked up and down the creek bed until he found the site, with its limestone block foundations and fences as well as an apparent millrace that was still fairly intact, though overgrown. “Looking back on it now, that was a big test run, because up until then, it was just a theory that you could actually find those old distilleries,” he said. “It wasn’t until that summer we spent out there that we figured out that, yes, you can find out what those early Kentucky distilleries were like. It was a big gamble. Now we know that this is something we can look for and verify.”
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SEE WHY
Not only was this first discovery important because it proved old distillery sites could be found, but it also was significant since it set the framework for Laracuente’s later discoveries and helped him solidify a process he could then refine. Often, he starts with local oral history and then looks for evidence to support it in the field. With every new discovery, he has to refine his process based on his previous work and the condition of the new site.
Bourbon Archaeology in the Field “A lot of the earlier distilleries used gravity to help them, so they were all built on the side of the hill,” Laracuente said. Archaeologists rarely look on slopes, he said, because of the sliding of the hill caused by gravity over time. But that’s exactly where these old farm distilleries are located, since they needed the flowing water for the mashing and distillation process, and they needed the bodies of water below to help transport the goods to market. They often are in places where development hasn’t destroyed them yet, thanks in part to their remote locations with steep grades and limited access. “It wasn’t until about the third one that the pattern really started to form,” Laracuente explained. With his team of volunteer archaeologists, he started the exploration and survey of the Jouett distillery, where the crew uncovered evidence—in the form of a garbage dump—that people had lived at the distillery site when it was in operation. Next, they moved to another nearby farm distillery called Epler, one of the hundreds of farm distilleries that once dotted the Kentucky countryside. Laracuente then got a call from Buffalo Trace Distillery. When workers at the historic distillery were trying to shore up the foundation of a storage building, they found something under the floor. The discovery has since been nicknamed “Bourbon Pompeii,” and it is one of the largest and bestpreserved examples of 19th-century distilling operations in the world. The discovery yielded foundation elements from 1869, stone walls from 1873 and fermenting tanks from 1882, all of which were part of Col. E.H. Taylor’s modern distilling operation that had to be rebuilt twice due to fire and flood. Rather than fill in the ruins and continue with plans to build an event space, Buffalo Trace
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opted to call in Laracuente to guide its preservation and the creation of a visitors’ experience. During the year he spent going to the site nearly every day, Laracuente learned several valuable lessons: how to tailor archaeological discoveries to the needs of the bourbon industry, what could be learned from people with different areas of expertise in these discoveries, and how to frame the discoveries in a way that tells a compelling story. Now, Buffalo Trace has plans to use Taylor’s preserved mash tubs to make whiskey mash, and visitors flock from all over the world to see the discovery. These days, Laracuente is working on the archaeological survey of The T.J. Frazier distillery, which he says is a good example of a modernizing distillery that wasn’t quite modern yet—it didn’t yet use column stills, for example. This period in Kentucky distilling history was the steppingstone between the farm distilleries of the frontier days and the modern distilleries we know now, which came into existence as consumer protection laws regulating the industry began to be passed. “The T.J. Frazier distillery was more of an industrial distillery,” Laracuente explained. “It’s different than the other two farm distilleries. They started right at the end of the 1800s, and it burned down right at the start of the 1900s, and right as they rebuilt, Prohibition shut them down. They had really great river access on the Kentucky River. It was a classic case of wrong place, wrong time.”
Why Does Bourbon Archaeology Matter? “The biggest misunderstanding is that we’re going to find full jugs of whiskey,” Laracuente said with a laugh. “These places are such that, if you didn’t have full maps and oral history, you wouldn’t know what you were looking at.”
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Preserving, documenting, and proving or disproving oral history are noble pursuits, but bourbon archaeology is about much more than that. Kentucky’s distilling history is a part of every facet of Kentucky history. You can’t tell the story of Kentucky without distilling. What’s more, these discoveries illustrate what tied Kentucky to the rest of the world during the early days of the frontier and of early industrialization. “Even though we are out in the middle of nowhere in Kentucky, the things we are finding are connected to a global story,” Laracuente said. “They were making things there that were being shipped to far-off places like New Orleans. The industry is right in the middle of economy, politics, religion and more, so you can trace these histories to all facets of human life.” The distilling industry today continues to be connected, and understanding this history more fully creates a bridge between the past and the present. Bourbon could not have made it to its current elevated spot on the world stage without its history, and that history is not so different from what we might have expected had these discoveries not been made. Q
Those interested in volunteering on distillery archaeology sites with Nicolas Laracuente can contact the Jack Jouett House at (859) 873-7902 for more information. Follow Laracuente on Twitter @archaeologist and Instagram @bourbonarchaeology.
Kentucky band is still churning out the hits and burning up the miles on tour after 55 years By Debra Pamplin
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n 1963, a group of high schoolers from Richmond formed a musical act that provided a sound that resonated with their contemporaries. Originally called The Exiles, the band has continued that appeal decade after decade. The group’s name was influenced by world events taking place when it was formed—specifically, the increase of Cubans entering the United States following Fidel Castro’s rise to power in Cuba. According to founding and current member J.P. Pennington, “There were a lot of Cuban exiles coming across … The word [exiles] was in the news, and we felt we were also somewhat ostracized from the local society. We had long hair back then.” When the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars took to the road in 1965, it included The Exiles performing in and around Kentucky for several dates. For the next three years, the group continued to tour nationally with the Caravan of Stars, providing backup for headliners such as B.J. Thomas and Paul Revere and the Raiders. The band also was the opening act for the show.
The Road to Success Changing their name to Exile and paying their dues, the band took off with a hit pop song. “Kiss You All Over” 30
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reached No. 1 the week of Sept. 30, 1978 and remained there for multiple weeks, opening the door wide for Exile’s newly established career. Keyboard player and founding member Marlon Hargis shared some insight as to what life was like before the breakout hit. “Years ago, long before the success of ‘Kiss You All Over,’ we were contracted to play at a drive-in movie theater somewhere in eastern Kentucky in December,” he said. “When we got there, there was a small stage set up in front of the theater screen. A small sound system was wired to the individual car speakers. “It was about 20 degrees … so cold that people sat in their cars during our show, listening to us through the tiny speakers attached to their vehicles. Instead of applauding at the end of each song, they’d all blow their car horns! I remember us being onstage wearing overcoats, hats and gloves, freezing our butts off, listening to car horns instead of applause. Not the most enjoyable show ever, but one of the most memorable! Ain’t showbiz great?” Switching genres to country a few years later, the group rose to a level of fame that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Over the years, fans have loved the band’s biggest hits, including “Woke Up in Love,” “I Don’t Want to Be a
Memory,” “Give Me One More Chance,” “Crazy for Your Love,” “She’s a Miracle,” “Hang on to Your Heart,” “I Could Get Used to You,” “It’ll Be Me,” “She’s Too Good to Be True” and “I Can’t Get Close Enough.” The band has come a long way from freezing outdoor concerts. In 2008, the original members reunited to play the Grand Ole Opry, marking their 100th time appearing at the iconic venue. “Interestingly enough, we weren’t aware until afterward that our last Opry appearance was the 100th one,” Hargis said. “We knew that we’d played there a lot over the last 10 years, but we were surprised about that fact. I know that every time we play there, I appreciate the history of the Opry. There’s a very special ‘vibe’ on that stage.” Exile is a group that has broken through genre limits. “The Exile sound is, perhaps, a mixture of R&B, gospel, old-style rock, with country and bluegrass touches,” Hargis explained. “We’ve given up trying to figure it out; it’s just a distinctive mix that’s us. The best way to describe our sound, in my opinion, is that it’s a combination of strong vocals, funky rhythms and lots of soul.” In 2013, Exile celebrated a milestone with a 50th anniversary tour as well as a live album. Two years later, the band recorded a Christmas album. With the changes to its roster throughout the past 55 years, the group has had 35 members.
The Current Lineup In addition to Pennington and Hargis, today’s band members include Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire and Steve Goetzman. Pennington shared on the band’s website how he felt about being back on the road this year: “I am happier than I can tell you that it has now come full circle, and I’m back with my friends that I’ve sorely missed—Sonny, Steve, Marlon and Les—my Exile brothers!” “It has been a long, interesting journey,” Hargis said. “When we all started playing music as high school kids, we probably didn’t think about continuing our careers for even
five years, much less 55. It’s still a real blast to be onstage together every show, even though the traveling isn’t as much fun as it used to be—one negative part of getting older, I guess. Looking back, it’s incredible that we’ve spent that long together, much longer than most marriages. It’s a long road, but we’re not done yet.” The tour runs through December, and then there’s a cruise in March. Stops in Kentucky include Albany on Oct. 19 and Renfro Valley on Nov. 10. “We’ve worked hard to make the 55th anniversary 2018 ‘No Limit Tour’ special,” Hargis said. “We’re including as many of our hits as possible, with updated arrangements; performing a number of Exile songs that have been made hits by other artists; throwing in a few special surprises … Our whole purpose this year is to leave our audiences entertained and smiling at the end of each show.” Born in Berea, Pennington lists his musical influences as Chet Atkins, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard. In addition to singing and writing songs, he also plays guitar. Pennington’s songwriting talent led him to be recognized as 1986 BMI Songwriter of the Year, and in 2000, he was one of 100 musicians honored by BMI as Songwriters of the Century. “J.P. Pennington has had the most enduring effect on me artistically,” said Goetzman, who was born and raised in Louisville. “I’ve learned more from him than anyone about shaping music for commercial markets. I studied classical music at the University of Kentucky, and the training proved invaluable, yet its practical application to a career in pop music took time and interpretation. Learning J.P.’s understanding of pop music gave me the best tools for interpretation. “I’ve learned that Sonny LeMaire always takes a positive outlook. Marlon Hargis is a keen observer and thinks like a manager. J.P. Pennington loves people and animals and takes great delight in those qualities that make each one unique, and Les Taylor places high value on presenting himself
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well—sharp, crisp and funny. I’m surrounded by good hearts, including the one in our new manager, John Dotson.” LeMaire explained a bit about his story prior to joining the band in November 1977. “Although most of the band is from Kentucky, I was raised in Jeffersonville, Indiana, but I got to Kentucky as quick as I could, y’all!! Like every other musician, I was attracted to music at an early age, playing gigs starting at 17. Also like most others, the flame drawing this moth in the mid-’60s was not only the radio but TV as well. But unlike many others, I had a clear vision of the unique role I wanted to play. When I saw The Beatles on [The] Ed Sullivan [Show], I saw my future. I could never be Elvis, but I could be Paul [McCartney].” A London native, Taylor joined the band in August 1979.
Above, Exile before a 1978 performance at the Lexington club Breeding’s; top, the band today.
He said that being asked to join was “definitely a dream come true.” His first concert with the group was at the Illinois State Fair, and he remained a member of the band for nine years before leaving to pursue a solo career. Though it has been a long road, “as far as right now, I’m really glad to be back with all the Exile brothers.” Hargis, who hails from Somerset, shared his thoughts on his hometown: “Somerset, Kentucky is a wonderful small town to be from. I grew up with great parents and one brother [who is deceased] and an innate love of music. It’s almost the same distance to Nashville as it is to Lexington. The musical opportunity for me was in Lexington, and that’s where I went, initially, even though I eventually ended up here in Nashville.”
Here and Now A new tour and new CD have Exile living a long-lasting dream. “It’s a very rewarding feeling to still hear Exile music on classic country radio and to still have great crowds of fans come to our concerts,” Hargis said. “We feel extremely blessed to still be able to make a living at what we love to do.” Q 32
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10 Shows to Catch Kentucky’s performing arts season kicks off in September and includes a wide variety of events By Jackie Hollenkamp Bentley
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an’t make it to New York City this season to catch a Broadway production? Is going to Nashville to see your favorite country singer not in the cards? Don’t fret, because venues across Kentucky are bringing top-notch arts and entertainment options right to your back door for the 2018-2019 performing arts season. Here are just a few of the productions set for the season, but be sure to check Kentucky Monthly’s online events calendar as well as our print calendar for more options.
CARNEGIE MISCAST
Kick off the season with an offbeat way to enjoy (or endure) artists as they have never been seen or, possibly, never should be seen. The Carnegie in Covington presents its annual Carnegie Miscast production, which enables the region’s well-known performers to take on roles “in which they would never be cast.” The theater advises those attending that the show includes adult themes and explicit language, so maybe the kids should stay at home for this one. SEPT. 29, The Carnegie, Covington, (859) 957-1940, thecarnegie.com
OYO ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Organizers call it a festival that will “flood the city with art, music and culture” along the Ohio riverfront in Ashland. The first annual event at the Port of Ashland will feature not only music but also local artisans, food and beer, and art demonstrations. Top performers such as Shooter Jennings, Third Man Records and Lillie Mae head the music lineup. Part of the proceeds from the event benefit Paramount Theatre’s Historic Theatre Restoration Fund. OCT. 23, Port of Ashland, Ashland, (606) 324-0007, paramountartscenter.com
RODNEY CROWELL
Legendary country singer and songwriter Rodney Crowell, known for hits such as “After All This Time” and “Old Yellow Moon,” takes the stage at The Grand Theatre in Frankfort. Presented by Kentucky Monthly, Crowell will show exactly why he’s won multiple awards, including two Grammys. NOV. 2, The Grand Theatre, Frankfort, (502) 352-7469, grandtheatrefrankfort.org 34
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SILENT NIGHT
This November marks the centenary of World War I’s end. To commemorate that momentous truce, the University of Kentucky’s Opera Theatre will present “Silent Night,” an internationally acclaimed production about a “miraculous moment of peace” on Christmas Eve in 1914, when enemy soldiers put down their weapons for a night of “merriment and camaraderie.” This three-night production features Pulitzer Prizewinning music as it relates the stories of soldiers who dared to step out of the trenches and sing songs of home. NOV. 9-11, Singletary Center for the Arts, Lexington, (859) 257-4929, singletarycenter.com
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL
The red-nosed misfit has been a television holiday tradition for decades, and now the tale of Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius and the Abominable Snow Monster comes to life on stage at Eastern Kentucky University’s Center for the Arts this holiday season. The live-action musical features all the stop-motion characters and favorite songs we’ve come to love over the years. DEC. 12, EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, (859) 622-7469, ekucenter.com
ALMOST, MAINE
This story of love and loss is told in nine short vignettes, all occurring in a mythical Maine town called Almost. The tales follow the residents’ lives as they fall in and out of love in unusual, humorous and sometimes magical ways. The Off-Broadway production is performed by theater professionals, along with students enrolled in Commonwealth Theatre’s Conservatory Program. JAN. 17-26, Commonwealth Theatre Center, Louisville, (502) 589-0084, commonwealththeatre.org
TREY McLAUGHLIN & THE SOUNDS OF ZAMAR This group’s music crosses several genres and includes contemporary gospel, pop and musical theater. McLaughlin
and company have garnered millions of YouTube followers and fans from around the world. Now, those followers and fans can see the band in person as they tour the country. FEB. 6, Norton Center for the Arts, Danville, 1-877-HITSHOW or (859) 236-4692, nortoncenter.com
SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Travel back in time to when theater lacked singing and dancing (imagine!). In the satirical vein of The Producers and Spamalot, Something Rotten! tells the story of two brothers who set out to write the world’s first musical. Described as “hilarious” and “Broadways’ big, fat hit” by reviewers, the production takes the stage at Paducah’s Carson Center for one night only. MARCH 25, The Carson Center, Paducah, (270) 450-4444, thecarsoncenter.org
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Experience the visual delights from an art form that emerged more than two millennia ago. The Golden Dragon Acrobats are set to perform at Bowling Green’s Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center next May. Director and producer Danny Chang, along with wife and choreographer, Angela Chang, combine Chinese acrobatic feats with traditional dance and ancient music, as well as more contemporary music and spectacular costumes.
APRIL 22, RiverPark Center, Owensboro, (270) 687-2770, riverparkcenter.org
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e ve n t s
BE A COLONEL It's never too early or late to earn a degree from Eastern Kentucky University. Study at one of our friendly, welcoming campuses, or choose from more than 30 online degree programs. Whether you have completed some college credits or are enrolling for the first time, a valuable degree is in your reach.
Popular Academic Options • General Studies • American Sign Language and English Interpretation
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See all EKU programs at go.eku.edu/kmcareers Eastern Kentucky University (Main campus) 521 Lancaster Ave. Richmond, KY 40475 859-622-1000
EKU Hazard Center 1 Community College Drive UCM 152 Hazard, KY 41701 606-439-3544
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CULTURE
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Off the Shelf
A COMPLEX JOURNEY Ali: A Life By Jonathan Eig Houghton Mifflin Harcourt $30 (H)
Known the world over as “The Greatest,” Louisville’s Muhammad Ali was not shy in giving himself that nickname and telling everyone just who he was. But who was he? New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Eig takes readers on a journey through Ali’s life in this unauthorized biography. Eig conducted more than 600 interviews with ex-wives, managers and business associates to get the story straight. The book begins with some fascinating family history going back to the days of slavery. Then, readers learn about young Cassius Clay’s childhood in the west end of Louisville, through his rise as a fighter and his conversion to Islam. After years of taking blows to the head, Ali struggled with brain damage and later was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Eig talked to sources who noticed the effects of these injuries, including feet shuffling and speech issues, in the early 1970s, while he was still in the ring. Ali’s story is not always as pretty as his face was, but Eig’s book is well written and uncovers some of the lesser-known details of a life that wasn’t exactly the greatest. — Deborah Kohl Kremer
Art Imitating Life
Our Honored Soldiers
Natural Observations
Eddie Burke, recently divorced and mourning his father, works hard in Black John Mine No. 3 in Snapshot the Kentucky By Chris Helvey mountains. Livingston Press When he’s not $13.95 (P) breathing coal dust and digging the black rock, he likes to tip a little ’shine with his fellow miners. It helps keep his mind off unpleasant things. One day, Turp Lawson, who also works at the mine but is not especially close to Eddie, asks him if he can join the drinkin’ party. Somewhat reluctantly, Eddie agrees, and when Turp invites him to come to his house for supper and meet his wife, Marta, he agrees to that, too. Marta provides a wellcooked meal and good company. That’s when the events of the story start taking on nefarious and sad twists, and Eddie’s relatively simple life of grieving, working and drinking becomes far more complex. Frankfort writer Chris Helvey gives us Snapshot, a masterfully written short novel about a man with a sensitive conscience doing battle with his primal instincts, a haunting image many of us carry around in our pockets.
On the border of both North and South, Kentucky proclaimed itself neutral at the outbreak of the Favorite Sons of Civil War. the Civil War Generally, the Kentucky population did By Bryan S. Bush The History Press not want to $28.99 (H) secede from the Union, but the state still provided more than 140,000 soldiers to fight on both sides. Through these battles, heroes emerged and native sons were honored. This book covers the Kentucky soldiers’ upbringing, the side for which they fought, and some of the battles they saw. Included are details of the lives of soldiers like John T. Macauley from Newport, who joined the Union army as a drummer boy at just 15, and Thomas Harrison, who attended West Point and was a friend of Ulysses S. Grant but sided with the Confederacy. After the war, Harrison moved to Kentucky and became a member of the legislature and assistant secretary of state. Bryan S. Bush has written many books on the Civil War and is past curator for the Old Bardstown Civil War Museum and Village.
As a teenager, John C. Goodlett possessed something many at his age lacked in a meaningful way. The Last Resort: He was focused, Journal of a Salt disciplined and River Camp observant of the 1942-43 natural world. By John C. Before he Goodlett Murky Press became a $12.95 (P) professor of plant geography at Johns Hopkins University, the 19-year-old studied the terrain and life forms in Anderson County along the Salt River. He kept a detailed log of the types of birds and plants observed, described the daily weather and took many photos. With the help of editors David Hoefer and Sallie Goodlett Showalter, The Last Resort: Journal of a Salt River Camp 1942-43 “chronicles the outdoor adventures of a group of young men in rural America just before they are called to serve during World War II … a reminder of a time when our lives were more rooted in the natural world, before a global war and the industries and institutions it spawned accelerated our dislocation from our homes and our land.”
— Steve Flairty
— Deborah Kohl Kremer
— Steve Flairty SEPTEMBER 2018
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BOOKENDS
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“Say good-bye to take-out! With Maggie Green’s unique concept and delicious recipes, even the busiest home cooks will discover the ease of making every meal delicious and all straight from the pantry.” —Abigail Johnson Dodge, author of The Everyday Baker
Showcasing the region’s finest distilleries, as well as local restaurants, hotels, and parks, The State of Bourbon will lead you across Kentucky and into your own bourbon adventure.
Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. has launched a cookbook devoted to imaginative recipes laced with the versatile spirit that possesses a number of intriguing flavor profiles. Take Me to the River: Modern American Cuisine Prepared With Brandy features 20 dishes prepared with American Brandy and includes brandy pairings with country ham, cheese and artisanal chocolate. The book illustrates the use of Copper & Kings’ aged American brandies— American Craft Brandy, Floodwall Apple Brandy and Butchertown Reserve Casks Brandy—in recipes ranging from soups and salads to appetizers and entrées. All dishes were developed and prepared by Chef Dallas McGarity, with the brandy pairings coordinated by food and spirits writer Steve Coomes. For more information and to purchase, visit shop.copperandkings.com/ products/take-me-to-the-rivercookbook. Don’t miss Kentucky Monthly’s December/January issue, which will include a selection of recipes from the cookbook. • • •
“Fix yourself a drink and enjoy.” — Noah Rothbaum, Drink & Food Editor at The Daily Beast
“Minnie Wallace Walkup Ketcham’s criminal career as an unsung triple murderess and black widow—some of it in her own words—is told in rich detail and with pleasingly dark wit.” —Keven McQueen, author of Horror in the Heartland
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redlightningbooks.com
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Distributed by Indiana University Press
Writer Tom Byron attended his first sporting event back in 1945, when he was present for the Owingsville Lions Club Horse Show. He got hooked, and has been an enthusiastic horseman ever since. Urged on by others, he has put together a chronicle of the Central Kentucky Horse Show Association and its local shows from the years 1947 to 1970. Byron and his wife, Judy, also are known in the region for a Mt. Sterling radio talk show, and Judy shares the equine passion of her husband. Byron has written An Early History of Showing Horses on the Central Kentucky Circuit 1947-1970, which features a wide assortment of color and blackand-white white archived photos taken at such small-town events as Morehead, Cynthiana, Shelbyville, Owingsville and Ewing, to name a few. And though it is a book about horses performing, it’s also an account of many people-oriented stories, too. Byron characterizes his book as “much like the early years of NASCAR; it was a rough and tumble time with larger than life characters.” Published by 24 Hour Books, the book retails for $24.
9 Consecutive Years on The Washington Post’s List of Top Performing Schools with Elite Students 110 National Merit Finalists 20 Semifinalists in Siemens Competition
We come from all across Kentucky to The Gatton Academy on the campus of Western Kentucky University. We finish our junior and senior years of high school as we start college. We conduct research with professors, study abroad, and attend college classes. While we are challenged academically, we thrive in a supportive environment designed just for us and make lifelong friends. Tuition, fees, room and board are paid for by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. You, too, can have a future filled with infinite possibilities.
Class of 2021 Admissions Deadline: February 1, 2019 WEBSITE: wku.edu/academy
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EMAIL: academy@wku.edu
facebook.com/gattonacademy
@gattonacademy
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PHONE: 270-745-6565 @gattonacademy
AUGUST 2017
• K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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VOICES
Past Tense/Present Tense
“Let’s Don’t and Say We Did”
M
BY BILL ELLIS
y offering for Kentucky Monthly this month contains a series of old sayings, aphorisms or epigrams, if you will, that I think should be passed on. These were drilled into me by my parents, relatives, teachers and environment on Snow Hill, Shelby County, Kentucky, United States of America, planet Earth, in the mid- to late 20th century. “It was the best of times.”* There were great things happening in the world. Major diseases and maladies like polio were being conquered. The defeat of Axis forces in World War II appeared to set the world on a course of improved humanity. Technology made it easier to communicate, with radio, television and then an explosion of electronic media, making Dick Tracy’s wristwatch radio seem like a toy. In my old age, I notice zombie-like people walking around, manipulating devices in the palms of their hands. Our agile opposable thumbs that supposedly give us an advantage over other animals may not be an advantage, after all. At the gym, I frequently observe men and women exercising with plugs in their ears and glum expressions as they huff and puff. “It was the worst of times.”* In the childhood of my youth, millions of innocent people in Europe, led by Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia regimes, were murdered. But Europe was liberated by Americans like my uncle Tyler “Tick” Stratton, who as far as anyone knows never fired a gun after he returned to the farm on Buzzard Roost Pike. Then, I read that more Americans have been killed by gun violence in the last 50 years than Americans killed in all our wars up to now. I am deeply saddened. Moreover, the racial divide in my homeland often appears to be improving, only to be shattered again by hatred, violence and killings. NeoNazis openly demonstrate. I like to think the world is increasingly a better place, but now, it is unsafe to walk the streets in many cities— even my own. Innocent children are abused, even murdered, by their parents and others. Slavery is as widespread as in the days before the Civil War, though it is servitude in other forms. I have been sustained lo these many years (OK, I am only 78, and many people are much older and probably happier than I am) by the advice of others. “Let’s don’t and say we did.” My father probably picked this statement up in his days in the United States Army. He meant, “Don’t do something unnecessary or foolish.” Perhaps you have heard this, but the only person I ever heard utter this aphorism was Pop. “Everyone to his own notion,” and/or, “There’s no accounting for taste.” Pop might say either of these remarks 40
K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
when someone said or did something he did not agree with. It was his concession to individuality with just a hint of disdain. “If you ride the train, you have to pay the fare,” my grandfather, William P. Ellis, would say. He meant, “There ain’t no free lunch,” as you have likely heard. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” might be the opposite. Take what you can get, but do so honestly. An old friend from my days living in Jackson, T.K. Strong, had a saying that fits many an occasion in life: “If ifs and buts were fruit and nuts, we’d all have merry Christmas.” I reckon that came from the hard days of the Great Depression, but many years ago when we played golf together, if I narrowly missed a putt or hit into a pond, he would make that statement. Fits many situations in life, doesn’t it? My Aunt Mary McCarty would give an opinion or tell a story and then always end with, “That’s my tale, and I’ll sit on it.” I’ve never heard that before or since. She and my mother often referred to a grinning politician of either party as “smiling like a jackass eating briars.” They both agreed that “politicians and diapers need to be changed for the same reason.” My mother always warned before I began some new venture, “You have to crawl before you can walk.” “Life is too short and too sweet to be spent in the company of fools.” I picked up this one in a novel. Walter Moseley’s fictional character “Easy” Rollins spoke these words. Unfortunately, my mother passed on to me a predilection to judge people. Though I try to give all people an equal chance, there are some whom I abhor. It is a sin, I know, and I try to fight it. It is best that I try to ignore these people and interact with others. In my old age, I am encouraged by the words of others. I am “humble as pie” because I need to be, or as “the preacher” in Ecclesiastes warns us: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” Flannery O’Connor’s words ring true for me: “It does not take much to make us realize what fools we are, but the little it takes is long in coming. I see my ridiculous self by degrees.” As Ben Franklin famously said: “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” I am off to sweet repose—not that I will become healthy, wealthy or wise, but I do have an early tee time in the morning. If you have the time, send me an aphorism, adage, maxim or saying that means something to you, perhaps passed on to you by a parent, grandparent, teacher or mentor. *My apologies to Charles Dickens. Readers may contact Bill Ellis at editor@kentuckymonthly.com
TRAVEL
KTIA Signature Fall Events ach quarter, the Kentucky Travel E Industry Association spotlights Signature Events for the season. Following is a sample of the state’s prime activities for the fall. Kentucky State BBQ Festival, Sept. 7-9, Wilderness Trail Distillery, Danville, kybbqfestival. com. This event is all about eating, drinking and good, old-fashioned fun. Celebrity pitmasters dazzle with unique smokey flavors, and live entertainment brings this festival to life! Children’s events hold their own special corner. Squash & Gobble Festival, Sept. 15, downtown Greenville, tourgreenville.com. This celebration features 100-plus artisan booths, wood carving demonstrations, a bucking pumpkin, a petting zoo and many other activities for the kids, as well as the season’s favorite foods. Back by popular demand this year is the Feller Express trackless train. Morehead Arts & Eats Festival, Sept. 15, downtown Morehead, rowancountyartscenter. com. Explore downtown Morehead and sample the great food from all over the area. A plethora of booths offer the works of local artists and craftsmen. Paducah Dragon Boat Festival, Sept. 22, Paducah riverfront, paducah.travel. Dragon boat racing is an ancient Chinese sport where participants paddle long, low boats painted like dragons. 22Dragons of Montreal, Canada provides equipment, race training and professional steersmen for all teams. Food vendors and children’s activities add to the fast-paced, colorful racing for this exciting event. Marion County Country Ham Days, Sept. 28-30, downtown Lebanon, visitlebanonky. com. One of the state’s oldest-running festivals, this event includes a parade, balloon glow, 5K race, arts and crafts, music and tons of fun—not to mention ham and other eats. This year’s fest features a concert with Love and Theft and Marion County’s own American Idol, Layla Spring. Anderson County Burgoo Festival, Sept. 28-30, downtown Lawrenceburg, kentuckyburgoo.com. A unique stew made from a variety of recipes from around Kentucky, burgoo is the star attraction of this festival, celebrating its 25th year. Along with burgoo, there will be craft vendors, live music, rides and other activities.
Explore
Perryville Battle Commemoration, Oct. 5-7, Perryville Battlefield, parks.ky.gov. Perryville commemorates this historical event with demonstrations, a battlefield re-enactment, a parade and other activities. The shots can be heard as the smell of gunpowder lingers in the air where thousands of soldiers fought to their deaths. Bourbonanza – a Festival of Spirits, Oct. 20, downtown Frankfort, bourbonanza.com. This free, afternoon street fair features live music, tours, tastings and fun for the whole family. The celebration continues in the evening at the Kentucky History Center during a ticketed main event with more live music, tastings, food and a rare-bourbon live auction. Glendale Crossing Festival, Oct. 20, downtown Glendale, glendalecrossingfestival. com. Feel like you’ve stepped back in time at this festival, which features antique cars and tractors, food, music and fine arts and crafts. Grab some barbecue and a funnel cake, then find a bench to soak up some local culture and homegrown music. Kentucky Derby Museum Unveiling, Nov. 1, Kentucky Derby Museum, derbymuseum.org. Celebrate the opening of the museum’s new exhibit and event space just before Churchill Downs hosts the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 2-3. Enjoy more than 16,000 square feet of new and renovated exhibition, education and outdoor event space, featuring two new permanent exhibits highlighting the collections of industry legends—trainer D. Wayne Lukas and jockey Bill Shoemaker. Holiday Market at the Community Arts Center, Nov. 16, Community Arts Center, Danville, communityartscenter.net/ holiday-market. Kick off the holiday season enjoying live music, appetizers, and beer and wine. The Holiday Market showcases artwork and gifts by dozens of the region’s top artists. This opening reception is free and family friendly.
The Kentucky Travel Industry Association names its Signature Events four times a year. To be eligible, festivals or events must be recommended or produced by a KTIA member. A panel of impartial judges selects the winners for each season.
For more information, phone (502) 223-8687, email info@ktia.com or visit KTIA.com. Illustration by Annette Cable.
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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OUTDOORS
Gardening
Molding Clay BY WALT REICHERT
G
ardeners spend much of their time complaining about how challenging it is to nurture plants, given Kentucky’s quirky weather. Quirky weather and resultant complaining were in abundance this past spring and early summer. I think if you’re going to complain about something you can’t do much about—at least not easily—why not fuss about the crummy soil most of us Kentucky gardeners are stuck with? I’m talking about that cold, yellowish-gray clay that dominates most of the state, especially the central portions. Clay soils are heavy, sometimes impervious to plant roots, hard to work in the spring, and sometimes practically impossible to dig in. And some of our favorite plants—azaleas, lilacs, dogwoods, hydrangeas and roses— find clay soils entirely inhospitable. While the weather eventually will come around to our liking, if we have clay soil, we’re stuck with clay soil. How do we cope?
Soil Primer Before venturing further into how to garden in clay soils, let’s have a short lesson on the makeup of all types of soils. Soils are basically composed of one of three particles— sand, silt or clay—or some combination of those three. Sand has the largest particles and silt much smaller particles, but clay’s particles are microscopic. Sand will drain rapidly as water rushes through the larger particles, while clay will drain slowly as the tiny particles meld together to form an almost impervious bond. Clay is great to have at the bottom of a pond so that it won’t leak, but in the garden, it holds water tightly and drains poorly. Ironically, clay’s particles can be so tight that in drought situations, the plant’s roots can’t absorb water because it is too tightly bound. If clay has any advantage over the first two types it is that it tends to be more fertile than the others because nutrients do not wash away as quickly. The best soils, called loams, have an almost even mix of sand, silt and clay. Gardeners in Illinois and Iowa plant in loam soils; Kentucky gardeners dream about loam.
Molding Clay Can we improve clay soils? Yes, but slowly. First, let’s talk about what not to do. It may be counterintuitive, but adding sand to gardens does not improve clay soils. You can’t add enough to do much good. All you’ll be doing is making concrete. Soil amendments, such as gypsum, are also sold as a way to improve clay soils. Save your money. Gypsum would work only in rare circumstances. The same goes for other amendments sold as “soil lighteners.” Some gardeners go to the trouble—and massive expense—of digging out the native soil and replacing it with topsoil. That can work, but it’s not going to be a
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K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
cheap solution, and be aware that much of the topsoil you might purchase could be no better than what you dug out. It’s definitely “buyer beware” when it comes to hauling in topsoil and fill dirt. One strategy for fighting clay is not to plant in it at all, but to plant in containers, raised beds or artificial berms. By raising the level of the plants’ roots above the heavy clay, you achieve better drainage and give the roots more room to grow. Just be aware that any above-ground container or berm is going to dry out much more quickly than ground soil, so more frequent watering will be necessary. The tried and true method for improving the structure of clay soils is by adding organic matter. This addition will not improve soil overnight, but within a year or two of feeding the soil, you will be amazed at how much better your plants grow. Organic matter—in the form of animal manures, cover crops or compost—added to clay soils will increase earthworm and other soil creature activity that will cut channels in the clay to improve drainage. Animal manures, in raw form, have to be used carefully. Some, like chicken or hog, are too “hot” to use directly on or around plants and can literally burn them. Others, like cow, sheep or horse manure, often contain prodigious quantities of weed seeds. Also, if you live in close proximity to neighbors, you might want to be judicious about spreading manure on your yard or garden. Cover cropping is also an option for vegetable gardens or large beds. In cover cropping, you grow a plant such as rye, clover, vetch or buckwheat and then till it or plow it under to decay. As it decays, it feeds soil microorganisms that help improve soil structure. For most gardeners, compost is the best and easiest choice. You can make your own compost from kitchen waste, leaves and animal manure, or you can buy it. A little goes a long way. A one-inch layer over the garden area is enough. Usually, two years of adding compost improves the structure of clay soils immensely.
If You Can’t Beat It … While you’re waiting for your clay soils to get better, why not consider going with plants that can tolerate the clay? No plant loves to have its feet sticking in clay, but some tolerate it better than others. Here’s a list: Trees – American hornbeam, sweet gum, sawtooth oak, swamp white oak, sweet bay magnolia, London plane tree. Shrubs – buttonbush, chaste tree (vitex), forsythia, spicebush, Virginia sweetspire, beautyberry. Perennials – daylilies, coneflower, obedient plant, Shasta daisy, goldenrod, bellflower. Annuals – sunflower, gomphrena, love-lies-bleeding, morning glory. Readers can reach Walt Reichert at gardening@kentuckymonthly.com
OUTDOORS
Field Notes
Brotherly Love BY GARY GARTH
M
y brother, Archie Garth, died recently. He was a widower who lived alone and who struggled with his share of health issues. Still, his death was unexpected—shockingly so. Here are some things you should know about him. His full name was Archie Eugene Garth Jr., and he was named after our father. Like our dad, Archie was a quiet man, but he was also a listener. He gave you his full attention, always. He was the most kind and gentle man I’ve ever known. This isn’t just family talk. His kindness was pure and absolute. Caring oozed from him. He didn’t tease. He was devoid of snark. I doubt he knew what the word meant. He loved his family and was absolutely silly about my daughters, his twin nieces, and they were equally silly about him. It was a mutual love fest. They adored him, and he them. He lived in the city all of his adult life but preferred country life. He often talked about moving to a small town. He was a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and a Green Bay Packers football fan, following the teams faithfully for decades, first on radio, then television. To my knowledge, he never saw a live game. He was nine years my senior and my only sibling. He taught me how to drive in a 1964 Ford Galaxy with a three speed on the column. His patience proved boundless with my struggles to properly manipulate the clutch. I eventually learned, as he assured me I would. He was a skilled hunter and fisherman in his youth. His support for rod and gun sports never faded, but it had been decades since he was an active participant. We did fish together recently, only he didn’t fish. He spent the day in the boat but didn’t touch a rod. He was lefthanded, the only southpaw in the family, and hands down was the best shot I have ever seen. Rifle, pistol or shotgun, he simply didn’t miss. It was a gift. He always carried a pocketknife and kept it sharpened. He also always carried a substantial amount of cash, always the same amount, folded and tucked discreetly into his wallet. I know why but won’t say so here. And it was a good reason. He left home after high school to try business school, but it wasn’t for him. He spent 40 years working in the auto parts industry. His customers were loyal, as he was to them. He was a man of faith who believed strongly in the power of prayer but wasn’t a regular churchgoer. I’ve no doubt his place in heaven is secure. If not, then none of us are safe. He expected to die alone. He had no fear but a stoic acceptance. “It comes to everyone,” he told me a few months ago.
He enjoyed television and especially liked Western movies and sports. He was politically conservative but humanly liberal. He believed in fairness and was troubled by suffering and stopped it where he could. He sometimes seemed to have more than his share of trouble. Sadness and heartache recently followed him. A couple of years ago, following a lengthy and challenging illness, his wife of 49 years died. The next day, he suffered a stroke. Dark days followed. His condition stabilized, then plateaued. His speech was halting; his handwriting skills were crippled. Physical therapy was recommended. He was doubtful. Discouraged. Depressed. His sister-in-law, my wife, Katy, whom he also adored, encouraged him. Therapy will help, she told him. Please try. Her encouragement helped keep him going. He regained full ability to write and to speak. When he completed the program, he wrote his therapists a thankyou note. They wept with joy. Then last year, on Christmas Eve morning following a short but brutal illness, his son died. We saw each other shortly before his death at a family gathering. It was a delightful day, and when we said our goodbyes, he said he felt good, better than he had in a long time. He hugged his nieces, his sister-inlaw and me. We’d long abandoned shaking hands. My brother was a hugger. We promised to see each other soon and would have. He followed us out of the driveway, then my wife and I remembered we’d forgotten something and had to turn around. He pulled around our car, waved, and headed south toward his home in Southaven, Mississippi. ••• We lived in different states but communicated almost daily. When I failed to hear from him for a couple of days, I became concerned. The police were contacted and asked to check on him. They did. It was judged natural causes. Details remain a mystery. The next day, my wife and I traveled to his home to do the things that the day following a death requires. Later that afternoon, standing in his kitchen, I opened the lid of a small, chest-type freezer. It contained four frozen beef patties and a box of fish sticks. My brother loved food, but he was not a gourmet. I picked up the box of fish sticks and shook it. It was about half empty. I showed it to a young relative sitting nearby. “I told Archie these things would kill him,” I said. She seemed shocked. I returned the box to the freezer and closed the lid. “Why did you say that?” she asked sharply. “Relax,” I explained with a smile. “It’s a brother joke.” I miss him. Readers may contact Gary Garth at editor@kentuckymonthly.com
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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CALENDAR
Let’s Go
8
September MONDAY
Ongoing Lexington Book Benches, throughout Lexington, through Nov. 29
Ongoing Botanicals Exhibit, Yew Dell Gardens, Crestwood, through Oct. 13, (502) 241-4788
Ongoing Ongoing Kaleidoscope: America to Kentucky Zanzibar Museum Exhibit, Quilts, Kentucky Muhammad Ali Museum, Center, Louisville, Bowling Green, through Dec. 29, through Dec. 18, (502) 992-5334 (270) 745-2592
2.
3.
4.
5.
10.
11.
12.
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
1
The Turnpike Troubadours, Beaver Dam Amphitheater, Beaver Dam, (270) 274-7106
TUESDAY
9.
Fall Festival, Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, (502) 875-8687
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
6.
7.
13.
14.
20.
21.
22.
27.
28.
29.
Old Fashioned Murray Ice Trading Days, Cream Festival, downtown downtown Williamsburg, Murray, through Sept. 8, through Sept. 8, (606) 549-0530 or (270) 759-9474 1-800-552-0530
Arts & Craft 20th Anniversary Guild Show, Henry County Fair Grounds, New Castle, (502) 845-4560
15.
Simon Kenton Festival, Old Washington, Maysville, through Sept. 16, (606) 563-2596
Kentucky Bourbon, Fall AQS Jerusalem Cow Days Bourbon Patriots and QuiltWeek, Ridge Festival, Public Festival, various Veterans, downtown Bluegrass Square, locations around The Great Hall, Paducah, through Celebration, Greensburg, Bardstown, My Old Kentucky Sept. 15, Bill Monroe through Sept. 15 through Sept. 16, Home, Bardstown, (270) 443-8783 Birthplace, Rosine, (502) 275-8384 (502) 233-4585 through Sept. 15, (270) 929-9995
8.
SUNDAY
16.
Twilight Tour, Conrad Caldwell House, Louisville, (502) 636-5023
0
Burlington Antique Show, Boone County Fairgrounds, Burlington
23.
Amelia Earhart, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Lexington, also Sept. 29, (859) 254-4546
30.
2
Ongoing Ongoing Trace Adkins, Every Picture The History of Renfro Valley Tells a Story, Chevrolet Entertainment Ashland, The Racing, National Center, Renfro Valley, Henry Clay Estate, Corvette Museum, Lexington, Bowling Green, 1-800-765-7464 through Dec. 17 through Jan. 3, (270) 782-0800
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Spoonbread Toast to Festival, Berea Kentucky: Memorial Park, ElizabethBerea, through town’s Premier Sept. 23, Wine Festival, (859) 986-9760 Freeman Lake Park, Elizabethtown, (270) 765-2175
Bronze Buffalo Anderson HarvestFest, Festival, County Burgoo Shaker Village of Owensboro Festival, Pleasant Hill, Museum of Fine downtown Harrodsburg, Art, Owensboro, Lawrenceburg, through Sept. 30, through Sept. 28, through Sept. 30 1-800-734-5611 (270) 685-3181 (502) 598-9748
Ongoing Modern Masterworks from Eskenazi, Speed Art Museum, Louisville, through Jan. 12, (502) 634-2700
More to explore online! Visit kentuckymonthly. com for additional content, including a calendar of events, feature stories and recipes.
Let’s Go!
A guide to Kentucky’s most interesting events Bluegrass Region
Ongoing Lexington Book Benches, throughout Lexington, through Nov. 29, bookbencheslex.org Every Picture Tells a Story, Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, Lexington, through Dec. 17, henryclay.org Onward to Damascus, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, through Oct. 30, (859) 233-7921, kyhorsepark.com September
1 Hot Rod Hullabaloo, Shelby’s Speed & Kustom, Lexington, (859) 552-3359, shelbysway.com
8 Three Dog Night, EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, (859) 622-7469, ekucenter.com
Frankfort, (502) 352-7469, grandtheatrefrankfort.org
8 Hard Cider Bash, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, 1-800-734-5611, shakervillageky.org
21-23 Spoonbread Festival, Berea Memorial Park, Berea, (859) 986-9760, spoonbreadfestival.com
8-9 Waveland Art Fair, Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington, (859) 272-3611, parks.ky.gov
22 Monarch Butterfly Tagging & Glow Festival, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, 1-800-734-5611, shakervillageky.org
8-30 Ralph Eugene Meatyard: Stages for Being, University of Kentucky Art Museum, Lexington, through Dec. 9, (859) 257-5716, finearts.uky.edu/art-museum 8-30 Alix Pearlstein: Grass, University of Kentucky Art Museum, Lexington, through Dec. 9, (859) 257-5716, finearts.uky.edu/art-museum 9 Fall Festival, Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, (502) 875-8687, josephinesculpturepark.org 10-12 Mary Poppins, Leeds Center for the Arts, Winchester, also Aug. 17-19, (859) 744-6437, leedscenter.org
1-2 Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival, downtown Winchester, 1-800-298-9105, danielboonepioneerfestival.com
12 Jefferson Street Soiree, Jefferson Street, Lexington, jeffersonstreetsoiree.com
1-2 Red White and Boom, Rupp Arena, Lexington, rupparena.com
13-16 Let Your Hair Down, Rapunzel, Spotlight Playhouse, Berea, (859) 756-0011, thespotlightplayhouse.com
1-2 Press Start Theatre, Spotlight Playhouse, Berea, also Sept. 7-9, (859) 756-0011, thespotlightplayhouse.com
14 Wheels of Time Cruise-In, downtown Lawrenceburg, (502) 598-3127
6 Party on the Square, downtown Georgetown, (502) 863-2547, georgetownky.com
14-15 Scarefest, Lexington Center, Lexington, thescarefest.com
6 Evening in the Gardens, Mt. Brilliant Farm, Lexington, fayettealliance.com
14-16 Fort Harrod Jazz & Art Festival, Old Fort Harrod State Park, Harrodsburg, (859) 734-3314, parks.ky.gov
6-8 Marvel Universe LIVE, Rupp Arena, Lexington, rupparena.com
20 Vinyl Richie at Danville Main St. Live! downtown Danville, danvillekentucky.com
22-23 Battles of Lawrenceburg, Anderson County Community Park, Lawrenceburg, (502) 598-3127, battlesoflawrenceburganddogwalk.weebly.com 22-23 The 1778 Siege of Boonesborough, Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond, (859) 527-3131, parks.ky.gov 23 Amelia Earhart, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Lexington, also Sept. 29, (859) 254-4546, lctonstage.org 26 iLuminate, EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, (859) 622-7469, ekucenter.com 28 Martha Redbone Roots Project, Norton Center for the Arts, Danville, (859) 236-4692, nortoncenter.com 28-30 Anderson County Burgoo Festival, downtown Lawrenceburg, (502) 598-9748, kentuckyburgoo.com 28-30 Young Frankenstein: The Musical, Spotlight Playhouse, Berea, (859) 756-0011, thespotlightplayhouse.com 29 Walk Through History, Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington, (859) 272-3611, parks.ky.gov 29-30 HarvestFest, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, 1-800-734-5611, shakervillageky.org
7 Friday Night Live, Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, (859) 879-1939, woodfordreserve.com
20 Darrell Scott, The Kentucky Castle, Lexington, thekentuckycastle.com
30 Vintage Baseball Game, Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington, (859) 272-3611, parks.ky.gov
7-8 Roots and Heritage Festival, downtown Lexington, rootsfestky.com
21 LexArts Gallery Hop, various locations in Lexington, (859) 255-2951, galleryhoplex.com
30 Dwight Yoakam, EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, (859) 622-7469, ekucenter.com
7-9 Kentucky State BBQ Festival, Wilderness Trail Distillery, Danville, (859) 402-8707, kybbqfestival.com 7-9 Festival of the Horse, Main Street, Georgetown, (502) 863-2547, festivalofthehorse.org
21 Primitive Quartet Gospel Concert, Sand Spring Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, (502) 598-3127, sandspring.org 21 Randy Bachman, The Grand Theatre,
October
3 The Lexington School’s Annual High School Fair, The Lexington School, Lexington, (859) 278-0501, thelexingtonschool.org S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
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CALENDAR
Let’s Go
5-26 Fall Meet, Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, (859) 254-3412, keeneland.com 5 Seed to Feed Dinner Series, Old Friends Farm, Georgetown, localfeedky.com 5 The Westerlies Concert, Norton Center for the Arts, Danville, (859) 236-4692, nortoncenter.com
America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far Exhibit, Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville, through Dec. 29, (502) 992-5334, alicenter.org
7 Live at the Park Concert Series: Creedence Revived, J. Dan Talbott Amphitheatre, Bardstown, (502) 348-5971, stephenfoster.com
Modern Masterworks from Eskenazi, Speed Art Museum, Louisville, through Jan. 12, (502) 634-2700, speedmuseum.org
7-8 PeteFest, Jones Field, Louisville, petefest.com
Connecting the Dots: Exploring Family History, Filson Historical Society, Louisville, through Dec. 1, (502) 635-5083, filsonhistorical.org
5-6 Salvisa Ruritan Country Days Festival, Main Street, Salvisa, (859) 613-2333 5-7 Battle of Perryville Commemoration, Perryville Battlefield, (859) 332-8631, parks.ky.gov
September
1 Elton John and Billy Joel Tribute, Mercury Ballroom, Louisville, (502) 583-4555, mercuryballroom.com
9 Second Tuesday Teas, White Hall State Historic Site, Richmond, (859) 623-9178, parks.ky.gov
1-2 Kentucky Flea Market, Kentucky Fair and Expo Center, Louisville, (502) 456-2244, stewartpromotions.com
Louisville Region
1-2 Worldfest, Belvedere Overlook, Louisville, (502) 574-3427, louisvilleky.gov 6 Foreigner, Louisville Palace, (502) 883-5774, louisvillepalace.com
Ongoing Botanicals Exhibit, Yew Dell Gardens, Crestwood, through Oct. 13, (502) 241-4788, yewdellgardens.org
6 David Allan Coe, The Bourbon Hall, Louisville, (502) 290-7434, thebourbonhall.com
7-30 Works of Nikolaj Christensen, Flame Run Gallery, Louisville, through Nov. 9, flamerun.com 8 Henry County Arts & Craft 20th Anniversary Guild Show, Henry County Fair Grounds, New Castle, (502) 845-4560 8 Dinner Concert, Smith Berry Winery, New Castle, (502) 845-7091, smithberrywinery.com 8 Fall Crafts, E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park activities building, Louisville, (502) 429-7270, parks.ky.gov 8 WellRed Comedy Tour, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Louisville, (502) 584-7777, kentuckycenter.org 8 Rolling Fork Iron Horse Festival, downtown New Haven, (502) 549-3177, newhaven.ky.gov 8-9 Apple Festival, Trimble County
2018 - 2019
Hi s t ory i n t h e ma ki n g !
G E T YO U R T I C K E T S N OW ! leo KOTTKE • Randy BACHMAN • DIAMOND rio rickie LEE jones • tito PUENTE, jr & melina ALMODOVAR rodney CROWELL • BTG a christmas CAROL • cashore MARIONETTES • national PLAYERS - around the WORLD in 80 days • shawn COLVIN vienna BOYS choir • FACE 2 FACE • ROCKAPELLA • lee ROCKER
grandtheatrefrankfort.org
502.352.7469
46
K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
A BOURBONANZA EVENT
WWW.BOURBONANZA.COM
Courthouse, Bedford, (502) 552-4362, trimbleapplefest.org
14 Queen Extravaganza, Louisville Palace, (502) 883-5774, louisvillepalace.com
Railway Museum, New Haven, (502) 549-5470, kyrail.org
8-9 September Art Fair, Mellwood Arts Center, Louisville, (502) 895-3650, mellwoodartcenter.com
14 Sunset Concert Series, Foxhollow Farm, Crestwood, (502) 241-9674, foxhollow.com
22-23 Bourbon and Beyond Festival, Champions Park, Louisville, bourbonandbeyond.com
8-9 Big Four Bridge Arts Festival, Big Four Bridge, Louisville, bigfourbridgeartsfestival.com 9 Grandparents Day, Kentucky Railway Museum, New Haven, (502) 549-5470, kyrail.org 9 Taste of Frankfort Avenue, Mellwood Arts Center, Louisville, (502) 895-3650, mellwoodartcenter.com 10-16 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, various locations around Bardstown, (502) 275-8384, kybourbonfestival.com 11 Bourbon, Patriots and Veterans, The Great Hall, My Old Kentucky Home, Bardstown, (502) 233-4585 12 Fall Out Boy, KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, (502) 690-9000, kfcyumcenter.com 13-15 Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr., Shelby County Community Theatre, Shelbyville, (502) 633-0222, shelbytheatre.org
14-16 Kentucky Kick Down, Louisville Turners, Louisville, kentuckykickdown.com 15 BugFest & Fall Plant Sale, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Clermont, (502) 955-8512, bernheim.org 15 Memorial Whisper Walk, Douglas Hill Pool, Louisville, (502) 708-1625, oakky.org 15 Louisville Orchestra, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Louisville, also Sept. 29, (502) 584-7777, kentuckycenter.org
28 Blue Oyster Cult, The Bourbon Hall, Louisville, (502) 290-7434, thebourbonhall.com 29 Martin Lawrence Comedy Tour, KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, (502) 690-9000, kfcyumcenter.com October
3 Steely Dan, Louisville Palace, (502) 883-5774, louisvillepalace.com
20 Twilight Tour, Conrad Caldwell House, Louisville, (502) 636-5023, conrad-caldwell.org
4 Danny Gokey, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Louisville, (502) 584-7777, kentuckycenter.org
20-22 Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival, Optimist Park, Vine Grove, (270) 765-2175, vinegrovebluegrass.com
5 A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shelby County Community Theatre, Shelbyville, (502) 633-0222, shelbytheatre.org
22 Toast to Kentucky: Elizabethtown’s Premier Wine Festival, Freeman Lake Park, Elizabethtown, (270) 765-2175, touretown.com
5-7 St. James Court Art Show, Historic Old Louisville, (502) 635-1842, stjamescourtartshow.com
22-23 Pumpkin Patch Express, Kentucky
6 Light the Night, Louisville Slugger Field,
CALENDAR
Let’s Go Louisville, lightthenight.org
10 Disney’s Aladdin, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Louisville, kentuckycenter.org 10 Fleetwood Mac, KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, (502) 690-9000, kfcyumcenter.com
Northern Region
September
1 Live Music, Elk Creek Vineyards, Owenton, every Friday and Saturday through October, (502) 484-0005, elkcreekvineyards.com 1 KSO Over-Tour of Broadway, Devou Park, Covington, (859) 431-6216, kyso.org 1-2 Heritage Days, Augusta, (606) 756-2183, augustaky.com 2 Riverfest, Newport riverfront, newportky.gov 3 Butler Turpin House Tours, General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton, (502) 732-4261, parks.ky.gov
It's A Bluegrass State of Mind.
7-8 Oktoberfest, MainStrasse Village, Covington, mainstrasse.org 8 Swingtime on the River, Augusta, (606) 756-2183, augustaky.com 8 NKY Music Festival, Devou Park, Covington, facebook.com/nkymf 9 Felix and Fingers, Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts, Covington, (859) 957-1940, thecarnegie.com
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KENTUCKYMONTHLY.COM 48
K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
15 Open House, Vent Haven Museum, Fort Mitchell, (859) 341-0461, venthaven.org 15 Sweet Owen Day, downtown Owenton, (502) 563-5050 15-16 Simon Kenton Festival, Old Washington, Maysville, (606) 563-2596, cityofmaysville.com/simon-kenton-festival 16 Burlington Antique Show, Boone County Fairgrounds, Burlington, burlingtonantiqueshow.com 17 Walking Tour of Mutter Gottes Neighborhood, Kenton County Public Library, Covington, (859) 962-4060, kentonlibrary.org 28-29 Newport Oktoberfest, Newport riverfront, newportky.gov
29 Miscast, Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts, Covington, (859) 957-1940, thecarnegie.com
7-8 Murray Ice Cream Festival, downtown Murray, (270) 759-9474, murrayicecreamfestival.com
Western Region
29-30 The Bluegrass Market, Boone County Fairgrounds, Burlington, (513) 331-9545, thebluegrassmarket.com October
2 Scaled to Perfection Miniatures: A Gallery of New Miniatures Exhibit, Kentucky Gateway Museum, Maysville, through May 31, (606) 564-5865, ksbminiaturescollection.com
8 Show and Go Car Cruise-in, Brothers Bar-B-Que, Madisonville, (270) 452-1900 8 Live on the Banks, Smothers Park, Owensboro, also Sept. 15, 22 and 29, liveonthebanks.com
September
1 Movies for Me Series, Maiden Alley Cinema, Paducah, also Oct. 6, (270) 442-7723, maidenalleycinema.com
8-16 Monarch Butterfly Migration Mysteries, John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, (270) 826-4424, parks.ky.gov
5-7 Kentucky Wool Festival, 48 Concord Caddo Road, Falmouth, (859) 654-3378, kywoolfest.org
2 The Turnpike Troubadours, Beaver Dam Amphitheater, Beaver Dam, (270) 274-7106, beaverdamtourism.com
6-7 Fleming County Court Days, downtown Flemingsburg, (606) 845-1223, flemingcountycourtdays.com
2-3 Pennyrile Forest: Labor Day Beach Blast, Pennyrile State Resort Park, Dawson Springs, (270) 797-3421, parks.ky.gov
6-7 Homecoming Fair, downtown Monterey, (502) 330-4553
3 Labor Day Celebration, downtown Paducah, paducah.travel
13-15 Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration, Bill Monroe Birthplace, Rosine, (270) 929-9995, jerusalemridgefestival.org
12 Cinema in the Cemetery, Linden Grove Cemetery, Covington, (859) 261-5539, historiclindengrove.org
6-23 Mamma Mia! Market House Theatre, Paducah, (270) 444-6828, markethousetheatre.org
15 Squash & Gobble Festival, downtown Greenville, tourgreenville.com
13 Turning of the Leaves Festival, Augusta, (606) 756-2183, augustaky.com
7 Gospel Music Extravaganza, Victory Church, Madisonville, (270) 825-1459
12-15 Fall AQS QuiltWeek, downtown Paducah, (270) 443-8783, quiltweek.com 13-15 Antique Gas Engine & Tractor Show, Carson Park, Paducah, (270) 443-8783, paducah.travel
15 Paducah Fall Fiber Festival, downtown Paducah, (270) 443-8784, paducah.travel
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY OPERA THEATRE
Sung in English, French and German with English Supertitles
Season 2018-2019
Sung in Italian with English Supertitles
Music by Kevin Puts Libretto by Mark Campbell
Librettists Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa
November 9-11, 2018
March 1-3, 2019
SingletaryCenter.com • 859.257.4929
June 7-16, 2019 Celebrating 100 Years
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
49
CALENDAR
Let’s Go 21-22 Fall Open House, Troutt Old Time General Store, Paducah, (270) 443-0858, trouttoldtimegeneralstoreandmarket.com 22 Tree I.D. Hike, John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, (270) 826-4424, parks.ky.gov 22 Dinner on the River, Audubon Mill Park, Henderson, downtownhenderson.org 22 Wildlife, Heritage and Outdoor Festival, Mike Miller Park, Benton, (270) 493-6196 22 Dragon Boat Festival, Paducah riverfront, paducah.travel 27-28 Bronze Buffalo Festival, Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, Owensboro, (270) 685-3181, omfa.us 27-29 Barbecue on the River, downtown Paducah, paducah.travel 28 Justin Moore Concert, Owensboro Sports Center, Owensboro, (270) 297-9932, owensborosportscenter.com October
4 Tales from Bloody Breathitt, McCracken County Public Library, Paducah, (270) 442-2510, mclib.net 5-6 Pennyrile Fall Photography Weekend, Pennyrile State Resort Park, Dawson Springs, (270) 797-3421, parks.ky.gov 5-6 Haunting of Hill House, Purchase Players Performing Arts Center, Mayfield, (270) 251-9035, purchaseplayers.com
September 15, 2018 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Historic Downtown Greenville, KY
Featuring 100+ Artisan/Crafter Booths
12 A Tribute to Merle Haggard, Kentucky Opry, Benton, kentuckyopry.com 12-13 Trigg County Country Ham Festival, downtown Cadiz, (270) 522-8756, gocadiz.com
Southern Region
Ongoing Kaleidoscope: Kentucky Museum Quilts, Kentucky Museum, Bowling Green, through Dec. 18, (270) 745-2592, wku.edu/kentuckymuseum
TourGreenville.com 50
K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
The History of Chevrolet Racing, National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, through Jan. 3, (270) 782-0800, corvettemuseum.org
September
1 24th Anniversary Celebration, National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, (270) 782-0800, corvettemuseum.org 1 Quilt Show of the Little Mountains, Aspire Center, Monticello, (606) 340-0015, contentedheartquiltguild.org 1-3 Labor Day Weekend Celebration, Nolin Lake State Park, Mammoth Cave, (270) 286-4240, parks.ky.gov 7 Ice Cream & A MOOvie, Chaney’s Dairy Barn, Bowling Green, also Sept. 21, chaneysdairybarn.com 7-8 Bicentennial Celebration, Public Square, Edmonton, (270) 734-9816, edmontonky200.com 8 Fall Heritage Festival, Homeplace on Green River, Land Between the Lakes, homeplacefarmky.org
14 Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon KIDS, Van Meter Hall, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, (270) 904-1382, bgonstage.org 14-15 Cow Days Festival, Public Square, Greensburg, greensburgcowdays.com 15 Pickin’ on the Patio, Boyce General Store, Alvaton, also Oct. 6, (270) 842-1900, burgerandpies.com 21-22 Civil War and the Shakers, South Union Shaker Village, Auburn, southunionshakervillage.com
October
1-18 Stickwork Sculptures Exhibit, Kentucky Museum, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, (270) 745-2592, wku.edu/kentuckymuseum 8 Chicago: The Musical, Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, Bowling Green, (270) 904-1880, theskypac.com
Eastern Region
22 Somernites Cruise Car Show, downtown Somerset, (606) 872-2277, somernitescruise.org 22 Orchestra Kentucky Celebrates Neil Diamond, Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, Bowling Green, (270) 904-1880, theskypac.com
8 Fall Crafting, Nolin Lake State Park, Mammoth Cave, (270) 286-4240, parks.ky.gov
29 Seven Springs Sorghum Festival, Harry Irwin Farm, Sulphur Well, (270) 5281448, sevenspringssorghum.com
13-16 Library Used Book Sale, Warren County Library, Bowling Green, (270) 784-2182, warrenpl.org
29 The Avett Brothers, Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, Bowling Green, (270) 904-1880, theskypac.com
September
1 Manchester Music Fest, downtown Manchester, (606) 594-6074, manchestermusicfest.com 1 Good Times Cruise-In, Jennings Body Shop, Morehead, (606) 780-4342, moreheadtourism.com 1-2 Honoring Our Veterans Pow Wow, Kentucky Native America Heritage Museum,
Halloween fun for the whole family! Rides, shows, corn mazes, and much more! Visit HolidayWorld.com/Halloween for details.
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CALENDAR
Let’s Go Corbin, (606) 526-5635, knahm.org
1-6 Recovery Fest, Courthouse Plaza, Catlettsburg, 1-800-377-6249, visitashlandky.com 3 Labor Day Celebration, Central Park Bandstand, Ashland, 1-800-377-6249, visitashlandky.com 3 First Friday Live & Car Show, Central Park Bandstand, Ashland, 1-800-377-6249, visitashlandky.com 5-8 Fraley Festival of Traditional Music, Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill, (606) 286-4411, parks.ky.gov 6 Old Crow Medicine Show, Paramount Arts Center, Ashland, (606) 324-0007, paramountartscenter.com 6-8 Old Fashioned Trading Days, downtown Williamsburg, (606) 549-0530 or 1-800-552-0530, williamsburgky.com 7-9 Camper Trade Days, Greenbo Lake State Resort Park campgrounds, Greenup, (606) 473-7324, parks.ky.gov 8 The Great Caterpillar Count, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade, (606) 663-3575, parks.ky.gov 8 Greenbo Grass Bluegrass Festival, Greenbo Lake State Resort Park Amphitheatre, Greenup, (606) 473-7324, parks.ky.gov 8 Carcassonne Square Dance, Carcassonne Community Center, Carcassonne, (606) 633-9691 11-15 Bluegrass Festival, Poppy Mountain, Morehead, (606) 780-4342, poppymountainbluegrass.com 13-14 Cumberland River Bluegrass Festival, Burkesville Community and Veterans Center, Burkesville, (270) 433-3249, facebook.com/CRBluegrassFestival 14-15 The Narrows Fall Encampment and Battle, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville, (606) 337-3066, parks.ky.gov 15 Vicki Lawrence and Mama, Paramount Arts Center, Ashland, (606) 324-0007, paramountartscenter.com 15 Morehead Arts & Eats Festival, downtown Morehead, (606) 780-4342, moreheadtourism.com 18 Madagascar Jr., Paramount Arts Center, Ashland, (606) 324-0007, paramountartscenter.com 21-22 Jesse Stuart Weekend, Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup, (606) 473-7324, parks.ky.gov
52
K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
21-22 Appalachian Heritage Music Festival, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville, (606) 337-3066, parks.ky.gov 21-22 Hatfield and McCoy Heritage Days, downtown Pikeville, (606) 432-5063, tourpikecounty.com 21-23 Poage Landing Days, downtown Ashland, 1-800-377-6249, visitashlandky.com 22 Moonbow Nights, downtown Corbin, (606) 528-8860, rbinkytourism.com 27-30 World Chicken Festival, downtown London, (606) 878-6900, chickenfestival.com 28 Book of Job, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville, (606) 337-3066, parks.ky.gov
Farm House Inn Bed & Breakfast
735 Taylor Branch Road, Parkers Lake (606) 376-7383 www.farmhouseinnbb.com
28 Laugh Your Bluegrass Off, Mountain Arts Center, Prestonsburg, (606) 886-2623, macarts.com 28-29 Cave Run Storytelling Festival, Twin Knobs Recreation Area, Morehead, (606) 780-4342, caverunstoryfest.org 29 Moonbow Eggfest, downtown Corbin, (606) 528-8860, moonboweggfest.com 29 Vince Gill, Paramount Arts Center, Ashland, (606) 324-0007, paramountartscenter.com 29 Hike-A-Thon, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville, (606) 337-3066, parks.ky.gov 30 Trace Adkins, Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, Renfro Valley, 1-800-765-7464, renfrovalley.com
Colonial Cottage Restaurant 3140 Dixie Highway, Erlanger 859-341-4498 thecottagenky.com
October
5 Outdoor Family Adventure, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin, 1-800-325-0063, parks.ky.gov 6 Cumberland Valley Cruise-In, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin, cumberlandvalleycruisein.com 12-15 Court Days, downtown Mt. Sterling, mtsterlingcourtdays.com
Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen present
the Fall Arts & Crafts Fair at Indian Fort Theater October 13 & 14, 2018
For additional Calendar items or to submit an event, please visit kentuckymonthly.com. Submissions must be sent at least 90 days prior to the event.
Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM & Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM Tickets: $5.00 (under 12 enter free)
Live Demos!
Great Gifts!
Delicious Food!
Live Music!
Join our over 120 juried artists as we celebrate over 50 years of fine Kentucky arts and crafts! info@kyguild.org
(859) 986-3192
MARKETPLACE
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SUN. Oct. 21 – t o u r at L i b e r t y h a l l 1 : 3 0 p m (i n c l u d e s c u s t o m c o c k ta i l) libertyhall.org
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FALL FUN JUST MINUTES SW OF LEXINGTON!
SHAKER VILLAGE Fresh Food Adventure: Hard Cider Bash - 9/8 Monarch Butterfly Tagging & Glow Paddle - 9/22 HarvestFest - 9/29-30 Fall Palisades Paddle - 10/6 & 13 Boo! Cruise - 10/20 Halloween Festivities - 10/26-27
OLD FORT HARROD STATE PARK Fort Harrod Jazz Festival - 9/14-16 Kentucky Artisans Expo - 9/15 Haunted Frontier - 10/26-27 & 30-31 DOWNTOWN Oktoberfest - 10/12-14 Spooktacular Parade - 10/27
DEVINE’S FARM Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Zipline & Cornstalk Paintball - 9/14-10/28 Field of Horror - 10/26-27
HarrodsburgKY.com • 800-355-9192 OLD FORT HARROD STATE PARK
XX
K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • J U N E 2 0 0 8
DOWNTOWN
JOIN US FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER
JEFFERSON GUN CLUB - BROOKS KY
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER
$300 / INDIVIDUALS | $1,000 / TEAM OF FOUR RSVP AT FRAZIERMUSEUM.ORG/CLASSIC J U N E 2 0 0 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 • K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY
XX 55
VOICES
Vested Interest
Scored
W
hen it came to writing speeches, Honest Abe Lincoln knew his stuff. “Four score and seven years ago” sounds so much better than “eightyseven years ago.” Seriously. A score ago, when the first issue of Kentucky Monthly rolled off the presses in Lebanon Junction, I was a manchild with no inclination of the struggles we would face or the changing landscape of the publishing industry. I was naïve enough to believe that we would just put out the best magazine we could and everything else would take care of itself. To say it’s not that easy is an understatement because I do believe we have, consistently, put out the best magazine we can. That doesn’t mean we haven’t made mistakes over the years. We once left the date off the cover. On another, we dropped the word “Monthly” altogether. We nearly wrote that a new restaurant offered a gentile experience when we meant genteel. That was a good catch. Since Academy Award-winner George Clooney appeared on that first issue, we’ve published more than 13,400 pages, 1,000-plus stories and roughly 25,000 photographs featuring Kentucky and Kentuckians. Clooney is one of five people to appear on the cover more than once. He was on the first and 101st issues. The country music duo of Eddie Montgomery and the late Troy Gentry were on the cover twice, and Miss America 2000 Heather French Henry holds the record with four cover appearances.
Shakespeare by Ray Papka
••• We’re not the only ones celebrating a milestone birthday. The Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea is celebrating 15 years; Don Franklin Chevrolet, with more than 20 dealerships in central and southern Kentucky, is 50; the Stewart Home & School in Frankfort is 125; and Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase is 200 (or should I say “10 score?”).
••• Not to be confused with Thomas Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase from France, the Jackson Purchase was Andrew Jackson’s deal with the Chickasaw Nation that added nearly 4,000 square miles to Kentucky and includes the modernday counties west of the Tennessee River—Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall and McCracken. The Purchase, or West STEPHEN M. VEST Kentucky, represents more Publisher & Editor-in-Chief than 6 percent of Kentucky’s land and 4.5 percent of its population. From Sept. 5-8, West Kentucky’s first county, Hickman, will honor The Purchase’s bicentennial during its annual Heritage Days. The Hickman County Historical Society will hold a birthday party from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6. There will be a luncheon, cake, speakers and displays. The descendants of the 2,000 Cherokee who were marched across The Purchase during the “Trail of Tears” also have been invited. ••• The Kentucky Artisan Center, which markets the works of more than 800 Kentucky artists (representing more than 100 of Kentucky’s 120 counties), has been celebrating its 15th anniversary since July with weekly artists’ demonstrations, readings and special programs. The fanfare culminates with an exhibit, “Juxtaposition,” by Versailles’ Ray Papka. It runs through Oct. 31. Papka uses assemblage, encaustic painting and books as substrates and intricate embellishments in his works. Each piece generates layers of information and mystery from observations, events and the influence of science in his life. ••• The 10th Annual Holt Home Community Day will be 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. (CST) on the banks of the Ohio River in northern Breckinridge County. The event will include the Berea Festival Dancers, hot-air balloon rides, Civil War-era baseball, appearances by Ulysses S. Grant and Lincoln re-enactors, and a book signing by Susan B. Dyer, the leader of the Holt house’s renovation. Born in 1807 in Breckinridge County, Holt was judge advocate general during the Lincoln assassination trials, oversaw the execution of the conspirators, and secretary of war during President James Buchanan’s administration. Readers, and those looking for a speaker for a church or civic group, may contact Stephen M. Vest at steve@kentuckymonthly.com
SEPTEMBER KWIZ ANSWERS: 1. B. Georgetown was founded in 1790 during President Washington’s first term; 2. B. It is a vent; 3. A. Falls City Slugger changed to Louisville Slugger when Bud took over the company from his father, J.F., who thought the future was in swinging butter churns; 4. C. Williamstown native McMullen worked as a Kroger stock clerk and cashier; 5. B. Four—North Carolina (Beverly Perdue), Nevada (James G. Scrugham), Ohio (Ted Strickland) and Arkansas (Thomas Jefferson Terral); 6. C. Former pharmaceutical salesman George Garvin Brown first bottled and marketed the brand in 1870; 7. C. Harry Lancaster played both basketball and baseball for the Georgetown Tigers; 8. A. Jones, an apprentice of FLW, is best known for Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas; 9. C. “Satchmo,” aka Louis Armstrong; 10. C. Peterman was a baseball player who reached the College World Series in 1962 and 1963. 56
K E N T U C K Y M O N T H LY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
Dancing frequently
offers a
76%
reduced risk of dementia *New England Journal of Medicine
what can
ART
do for you?
K E N T U C K Y
C
O
U
N
C
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www.artscouncil.ky.gov