The one to open new doors
Dear Louisville Voices & Readers,
December in Louisville has always carried a certain magic. The kind of magic that reminds you that, even when things don’t go according to plan, you can still have a little faith that everything will turn out the way it is meant to. Maybe you’re not supposed to lose your passport going through customs and border control. Perhaps you’re not supposed to run into a dear friend who also lost their phone while traveling halfway across the world. This recent trip I took overseas didn’t go according to plan, but it went the way it was supposed to go for me to face challenges and grow.
This journey led to meeting an artist I have admired since 2008: the brilliant, world-renowned painter Josephine Wall. Her work has captivated me for nearly two decades, her fantasy world-within-worlds style, her devotion to detail, her ability to make color feel like a language itself. Two years ago, I noticed her work shifting and softening in a way that made me pause and think: If I don’t take the chance to meet her now, will I regret it forever? The answer was simple. Yes.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the reality that the very day the devastating UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crash happened in Louisville was also the day I learned Josephine had been diagnosed with a rare disease, slowly taking her ability to move.
When I finally met her, seated in a wheelchair, unable to even sign her own name, still she radiated one of the brightest, most remarkable spirits I have ever encountered. Sharp, witty, luminous, and still painting. Her hands move differently now, her brushstrokes have changed, but her story continues through every piece she creates. And long after her final brush stroke, her art will continue telling that story for generations.
That same day, many Louisville families received news that changed their lives forever. The loss of loved ones who were taken abruptly and heartbreakingly on Flight 2976 will be a part of us forever. Their lives and their impact, their laughter, their stories continue. When the time feels right, I welcome you to share their obituaries and memories with us. It is our honor to make sure their legacies remain part of this community’s collective heart.
This December, our publication reflects Louisville exactly as it is: strong, compassionate, artistic, inspired, and unshakably connected.
“A Season of Light, Community, and Care”, is a reminder that the holidays are about showing up for one another. This season calls us to lead with empathy. Louisville’s greatest strength has always been its people.
We celebrate the pillars who uplift and strengthen our community.
This month marks the 25th anniversary of Baptist Health / Milestone Wellness Center. A place that has guided Louisville toward healthier, more connected living for a quarter century.
Creativity shines throughout as we explore holiday magic at Rabbit Hole Distillery with founder Kaveh Zamanian, and we go behind the scenes at Actors Theatre for the biggest triumph in KY theater this year with the return of A Christmas Carol, one of Louisville’s most beloved traditions. I am beyond happy to be announcing this! LETS GO!
Award-winning neurosurgeon Dr. Ajmal Zemmar brings us a profound conversation and a documentary to look forward to about consciousness, memory, and what it means to be human. And the unexpected gift of what the dying brain teaches the living, to live a well-lived life.
This issue also celebrates extraordinary Louisville talent and KCD 2013 graduate MLB superstar Will Smith, whose World Series win gave his hometown a moment to cheer, to jazz legend Dick Sisto, filmmaker Owsley Brown III, artist Richard Sullivan, and so many more who remind us that Louisville’s creative heartbeat is powerful and ever-evolving.
We slow down, too. ODUOAK’s Survival Honey Syrup reflection invites us to consider how we stay connected to joy when life feels heavy—how detours shape us, small moments restore us, creativity helps us heal, and sometimes we just need a little faith that things will turn out.
And of course, the holidays in Louisville would not be complete without honoring the small businesses that make our city feel like home.
Our Last-Minute Buy Local Holiday Gift Guide highlights the makers, artists, and shops who breathe life into our neighborhoods. Places like DIGS at Home in the Garden, Mom’s Music, and countless boutiques and artisans remind us that buying local is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Helping each other locally helps strengthen our community.
We are also excited to announce the winners of the YOUR VOICE Awards.
The 2025 YOUR VOICE Awards.
Chosen by you, our readers, these awards celebrate the people and places that make Louisville a city of aspirations and triumphs. They honor the café owners who know your order by heart, the nonprofits who never stop showing up, the entrepreneurs who take risks, the creatives who push us forward, and the small businesses that make Louisville vibrant, warm, and unmistakably home.
Here’s to a bright and hopeful 2026.
Stay updated and check out: www.louisvilleCalendar.com
Amelia Frazier Theobald Publisher & CEO, The VOICE-TRIBUNE
EDITOR’S NOTE
The year is winding down and the days seem quieter, even with all the lights and holiday bustle. This is the season for noticing the small joys. 2025 left its marks, some gentle, some bruising, and we carry them all into the new year. As the holidays settle in, may you find a moment to breathe and to give a little grace to yourself and others. May your holidays be messy and warm, full of real people, real stories. Here’s to the year behind us, and to stepping into the next with open eyes, full hearts, and a touch of stubborn hope.
From everyone on our VOICE-TRIBUNE team, a very happy holiday season to you and yours.
Take care,
Alisha Proffitt Chief Director of Editorial & Editor
PRESIDENT/CEO, AMELIA FRAZIER THEOBALD
OPERATIONS MANAGER, MARY ZOELLER
CHIEF DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL & EDITOR, ALISHA PROFFITT
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER & DIRECTOR OF SALES, JULIE KOENIG
CHIEF GRAPHIC DESIGNER, JOSH ISON
COPY EDITOR, RENAE ISON
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER & EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, BRYLEA PEACH
CHIEF EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER & DIRECTOR, EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER, KATHRYN HARRINGTON
FASHION & EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER, MATT JOHNSON
FASHION & EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER, ANTONIO PANTOJA
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE & FASHION COORDINATOR , CLEO HEINE
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, SAMANTHA HAUB
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, MIKE TOMES
DISTRIBUTION, KELLI & RAGAN VAN HECKE, JILL & JOHN MINNIX
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: ALISON CARDOZA, ALISHA PROFFITT, ANTONIO PANTOJA, CHRIS MORRIS, JACKIE ZYKAN, KATHRYN HARRINGTON, KELSEY KNOTT, KEVIN MURPHY WILSON, RUSS BROWN
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: GIOIA PATTON, JACKIE ZYKAN, JAZZ AT THE FILSON, KEVIN SIVAKUMAR, PATTY CARROLL, RICHARD SULLIVAN, UOFL ATHLETICS
Alison Cardoza
RUSS BROWN
By RUSS BROWN
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BITTNERS
designing for the way you live
By RUSS BROWN
Photos By Matt Johnson
Louisvillian Matt Austin had no thought of possibly winning an Emmy Award when he joined ESPN following more than two decades as a college football referee, saying it “was the furthest thing from my mind”.
But that’s exactly what happened recently when the production team he works with on college football telecasts each week were the recipient of a Sports Emmy for their weekly coverage on “The SEC on ABC,” which consisted of three games every Saturday.
Austin’s role is as a rules analyst, although he described his contributions as minimal because he was one of 148 people who were involved in the show. Emmys are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry, perhaps best known for their Primetime and Daytime honors, since they receive most of the media coverage.
“I only contributed when the talent in the booth had questions about a rule or a confusing play, compared to those who worked behind the scenes or were play-by-play announcers,” Austin said. “But it is an honor to be included with such dedicated, capable professionals.”
(Austin’s team was involved in coverage of U of L’s 20-19 loss on Nov. 14 in L&N Stadium)
Austin grew up in southern Michigan and studied at Ferris State College (now University) in Big Rapids, Mich., where he graduated with a degree in marketing. A sales job brought him to Louisville in 1990 and he and his wife, Julie, have never left.
Julie has been the Upper School Administration Assistant at Kentucky Country Day for 28 years. Both of their children, Lindsey and Jake, graduated from KCD and live in Louisville, having followed their dad into his profession. Lindsey graduated from UK in Broadcast Journalism, while Jake graduated from Mississippi State University in Marketing.
Matt coached varsity softball at KCD for two years and has been involved in sports in one way or another for most of his life, starting as a baseball and football player in high school and then officiating football, basketball and baseball to help pay his way through college.
It was after his move to Louisville that he says he got serious about football and began officiating in the Kentuckiana Football Officials Association (KFOA). He also served as its Supervisor of Officials for five years and was inducted into the KFOA Hall of Fame in 2016.
Entering my final year of officiating I had an interest in exploring an opportunity with the media. I had spoken with a couple of networks during my last few years of officiating and they showed interest in talking with me upon retirement.”He entered into conversations with ESPN and was hired prior to the 2019 football season. “The replay booth didn’t interest me at the time and there is a movement to hire younger people who will be able to manipulate the controllers to get to the correct shot quickly,” Austin said. “On top of that, with a move to collaborative replay with the final decisions coming from the conference offices, I wasn’t interested in working in that system.
During his first year he commuted to the Charlotte, N.C. ESPN Studio, where he covered every SEC game that was shown on any ESPN platform, including the SEC Network.
“In 2020 when Covid hit, the studio was closed to all nonessential personnel,” Austin said. “So I began working the games from home and have worked all but a handful there ever since.”
Austin added that he is grateful to his wife for his officiating success. “Without her support and her willingness to let me pursue my passion while she was at home with the kids, I can’t see any way I’d have been able to fulfill my officiating goals.”
Austin worked 23 years of college football in the Mid-South Conference and Ohio Valley Conference before being hired in 2004 by the SEC, where he became one of their most respected officials and was assigned to 13 post-season games. They included three SEC Championship games, two College Football Playoff semifinals (Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl), a second Cotton Bowl and six smaller bowl games.
During his stint with the SEC, he had the distinction of being on the officials crew for two of the most classic games ever played -- the record-setting seven overtime, 5-hour 2018 Texas A&M Aggies vs. LSU Tigers marathon in College Station, Tex. finally won by A&M 74-72 and the so-called “Kick Six” shocker.
The A&M game set multiple NCAA records, including the most combined points (146) scored in a Division I contest, and tied the record for longest game with four others. The game was played in front of a sellout crowd of 87,451 at Kyle Field and televised nationwide on CBS.
“The 7 OT game was like I imagine a 15-round prize fight would be,” Austin said. “Both defenses were so tired we were afraid someone was going to get hurt. The D-lines were simply standing up and trying to hold their own. When we got back to the hotel, us old guys had to ice down every part of our bodies. Our phones had blown up with text messages telling us what an unbelievable game it had been. It took a few days for it to sink in what we’d been part of. Everyone kept asking if we were tired. My reply was not necessary, but I really needed to (use the restroom).”
The Kick Six was the final play of the 2013 Iron Bowl game at Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, featuring the No. 1–ranked and two-time defending national champion Crimson Tide (11–0, 7–0 SEC) vs. the No. 4 Auburn Tigers (10-1, 6-1 SEC), a heated rivalry in the same vein as UofL vs. UK. Bama was a 10-point favorite. The game had significant postseason implications, with both teams ranked in the top 5 and a berth to the SEC Championship Game and, potentially, the BCS National Championship Game, at stake.
The game was tied at 28–28 with 32 seconds remaining. After the ensuing kickoff, Alabama quickly moved to the Auburn 38-yard line, at which point the clock ran out, seemingly sending the game to overtime. But Alabama coach Nick Saban challenged the timekeeping call and one second was put back on the clock after a video review.
The Crimson Tide lined up for a potential game-winning 57-yard field goal and the kick was short, allowing Auburn’s Chris Davis, who had been positioned near the goal line, to catch the ball just in front of the goal posts. Davis ran across the entire field through players from both teams to the opposite end zone, improbably scoring the winning touchdown for Auburn on the final play of the game. The Tigers went on to play in the national championship game, losing to Florida State 34-31.
“We didn’t know at the time that that play had never happened before,” Austin said. “Since the game was tied and Alabama had missed a couple of field goals already we were preparing for OT. Coach Saban was asking for the one second to be put back on the clock. Since Alabama was the #1 team in the country and Auburn was # 4 we were praying that the crew didn’t do anything to cost the SEC a national championship as this game was the final week of the regular season.
“It is an honor to have been a part of each of those games but I really feel I was just a witness to history, not really a part of it. The kids did all the work. Several times a year I’m sent video of the kick six play and the highlights of the 7 OTs. It was great to be able to officiate some of the best football players and teams in the country for fifteen years.”
Retiring from his “day job” in sales last summer has given him more time to spend with three grandkids and pursue his interest in getting the word out about problems facing officials.
“Every sport has a shortage of officials because both veterans and newer officials are leaving due to the lack of sportsmanship from parents, fans and coaches,” Austin said. “Something needs to be done before the lack of quality officials starts to negatively affect the officiating at the top levels of the sports we love.”
So, how long does Austin expect to continue being one of ESPN’s experts on the college football scene? At this point, it’s open-ended.
“The biggest mistake officials make is sticking around too long,” he said. “They slow down and begin making mistakes. I feel like I left the field with something left in the tank. I feel the exact same way about working in TV. I’d like to continue as long as I can. But if I see myself slipping, no one will have to tell me it’s time to hang it up.”
By VOICE-TRIBUNE
This holiday season, the VOICE-TRIBUNE and Chenoweth Square are joining forces to support families in need through a community-wide food drive benefiting Dare to Care. As the season of giving approaches, both organizations are calling on neighbors, shoppers, and local businesses to help make a real difference for those facing food insecurity right here in Louisville.
Donation boxes will be conveniently placed throughout Chenoweth Square from November 1st through December 10th, making it easy for anyone to drop off nonperishable food items while shopping or dining in the area. Every can, box, and bag of food collected will go directly to Dare to Care, which serves thousands of individuals and families across Kentuckiana each year.
This year, the need is especially great. With the reduction and loss of several government-funded assistance programs, many families who were already struggling are now facing even greater challenges. As food prices continue to rise, more parents are being forced to make heartbreaking decisions between paying bills and putting meals on the table. The VOICE-TRIBUNE and Chenoweth Square believe that no one in our community should face hunger—especially during a time meant for celebration, togetherness, and gratitude.
Community members are encouraged to donate items such as canned vegetables, soups, pasta, peanut butter, cereal, and other shelf-stable foods. A small contribution from one household can mean a warm, nourishing meal for another.
Together, we can turn compassion into action. This holiday season, let’s show what it means to be part of a community that cares. Drop off your donations at Chenoweth Square, spread the word, and help Dare to Care bring hope and nourishment to families who need it most.
Because when we give together, we grow stronger together.
OWSLEY BROWN III TO SIT IN WITH DICK SISTO TRIO
By Kevin Murphy Wilson • Photos Provided
This month, Filmmaker/philanthropist Owsley Brown III will once again be back in his hometown of Louisville to participate in a Jazz at the Filson session with The Dick Sisto Trio. This time around the beloved group, whose namesake is a bona fide legend in the music world, intends to meander through the “Best of Contemplative Jazz,” including iconic standards and spiritually inspired compositions by the “Greats” of the genre. Ahead of that performance, during which he will be sitting in with Sisto’s regular crew as guest vocalist, we caught up with Brown to hear a bit about what makes this occasion, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Filson Historical Society, special to him.
VOICE-TRIBUNE: When did you first become aware of [musician/band leader/disc jockey] Dick Sisto?
Owsley Brown III: “Probably, I would have listened to him on the radio first, back when WFPL was known as a ‘Jazz and Information’ station. They must have had something like 12 hours of jazz programming each day. And then beginning in 1992, I would go hear him play after my work day was through at the old Seelbach [Hotel] Bar, before there were so many televisions around.”
VT: You have long been a champion of Louisville’s Center for Interfaith Relations and its annual Festival of Faiths. Did Dick ever share any stories about his jazz-loving Trappist friend, Thomas Merton, with you?
OB3: “Oh yeah, over the years we’ve talked a lot about Dick’s direct connection with Merton, and his own commitment to living a life that is connected to the earth and to art and to his pursuits as a spiritual being. That, more than anything, is our real connection.”
VT: Several of your documentary films circle around the importance of sounds and spaces, perhaps most notably, “Music Makes a City.” What are your thoughts on Louisville’s music scene, both past and present, and where does Dick Sisto fit into that rich tradition?
OB3: “Well, I think that the Louisville music scene is so vibrant, and you know, at the same time, and in a certain sense, fragile. Live music, and recorded music too, needs an audience for the circle to be complete. That is part of the fragility I am talking about. Dick fully understands that, and he has worked so hard to help local audiences see why they should care about musical offerings, and in his case, specifically jazz. He cares deeply about it himself and obviously wants to see it go on as a living art form.”
VT: What has your own relationship to music been? How does it feel to be a guest vocalist for the upcoming installment of Jazz at the Filson?
OB3: “It starts, funny enough, really with being fortunate enough to receive a basic music education in school and with my experience of the choir. And then it deepened through my exposure to the radio. I feel like, growing up in Louisville in the 70s and 80s, it was a pretty magical time. There was a lot happening on the radio when we were kids, and, as I mentioned earlier, jazz was one of those things. I can’t tell you how lucky I feel to be a part of this concert. I am, by all means, an amateur at best, but Dick is giving me the opportunity to taste what it is like to hang with some really serious musicians. I think him doing so, in turn, makes me a better ambassador for what might just be America’s most important form of expression.”
VT: The venue is also near and dear to your heart. What can you tell us about that?
OB3: “The Filson [Historical Society] is such an important institution for the city by virtue of what it does and by virtue of where it is. Its commitment to Old Louisville as its home is an important declaration of what it values. The Filson should also be applauded for the breadth and depth of how it is living out its mission through events like this.”
For more information, visit filsonhistorical.org
RING IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH STYLE
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Don’t miss out on shopping with local vendors, hair & makeup tips, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, product deals and samples, and the chance to win some amazing giveaways!
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THE EVOLUTION OF RICHARD SULLIVAN
By Kevin Murphy Wilson • Photos Provided
Louisville native, artist, and former athlete Richard Sullivan was drawn to both the energy and emotion of playing sports and the expressive freedom that an art practice affords at a young age. This double-belonging eventually landed him at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where he actually received a full scholarship to play baseball and study illustration. Sullivan was subsequently drafted by the Atlanta Braves and spent six years playing ball professionally in the minor leagues before finishing his degree and emerging as an award-winning sports artist, working with big name clients such as Topps Trading Cards, Woodford Reserve, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame to name a few. Following a period of self-discovery and healing, and a return to his hometown, Sullivan developed his most recent body of work that showcases his evolution away from capturing primarily athletic moments and figures [including Thoroughbred horses] toward unfiltered expression designed to confront the raw truths and hidden aspects of himself, as well as the viewer. We recently caught up with the shape-shifting artist to discuss his unconventional journey, his BNK St. Gallery + Studio in the Portland neighborhood, where Sullivan regularly holds court and hosts a variety of community gatherings, and more.
VOICE-TRIBUNE: What can you tell us about your early interests and the way they intersected?
Richard Sullivan: “When I was young, throwing a baseball was the best feeling in the world. Anything negative I was dealing with just went away whenever I was on the field. But I also knew deep in my heart that I was an artist. I always had this innate drive to create. Drawing was kind of my secret little language that I didn’t have to share with anyone. It allowed me to process my feelings and emotions in a different way. And so I was lucky to have found SCAD [Savannah College of Art and Design] when I was in high school, because it was the only art college in the country that had a sports program. I was very fortunate to get to go to art school and play the sport I loved.”
VT: Are there any specific artists that inspired you, or that you wanted to emulate, or alternatively were there any that you knew you didn’t want to be like?
RS: “I loved impressionists like [Claude] Monet growing up. I would also stare at book and magazine illustrations for hours at a time. Frank Frazetta’s fantasy work inspired me. I liked [portraitist] John Singer Sargent. And I definitely emulated Charles Reid’s style at the beginning of my watercolor career.”
VT: How would you describe your evolution as an artist? What are you up to at the moment?
RS: “The moment I am in now is like a culmination of the last 5 years. Buying a building in Portland. Renovating it as my studio. Putting down roots in Louisville. I never was that committed here before I bought this building. Doing that made me feel safe in my studio to do something else besides my sports work. And I think my sports work was such a part of my identity that I didn’t want people to see me as something else. But now, I have had 5 years to develop, and kind of evolve, and alchemize all of my internal, subconscious feelings. The way I see it I was in a cocoon, going into the studio in the dark and having to take steps into the unknown when I didn’t really know what was going to happen. And it felt really scary. A lot of self-doubt and self-hatred came out…all of the negative aspects of being an artist that we hide from the public and, often, from ourselves. But I felt safe in my studio to be uncomfortable. That allowed me to give birth to my new creative style [which can be experienced in Sullivan’s large-scale murals and in an upcoming exhibition at KORE Gallery]. These days, I’m balancing my [standard style] commissioned sports work with the new [style of] work. I have learned to love it [the new work] unconditionally, take care of it, and keep it safe like it is my baby.”
For more information visit: www.richardsullivanart.com.
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL RETURNS TO ACTORS THEATRE
By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photos By Matt Johnson
Louisville’s holiday season just got a little brighter. After years of anticipation, one of the city’s most beloved theatrical traditions is stepping back into the spotlight. Actors Theatre’s A Christmas Carol returns to the Pamela Brown Auditorium December 5–21, marking a much-anticipated and nostalgic revival of a classic that generations of Louisvillians have cherished.
For many in the community, this production is a piece of family history. Countless locals fondly recall bundling up for a December outing downtown, watching Ebenezer Scrooge transform before their eyes, and experiencing Dickens’ enduring message. Now, they’re eager to share that same magic with their own children and the younger generations who have yet to experience this cornerstone of Louisville tradition.
Since tickets went on sale earlier this fall, demand has been nothing short of remarkable. Adapted by Lavina Jadhwani and co-directed by Amelia Acosta Powell and Emily Tarquin, the production promises a return to the heart of Dickens’ narrative, true to the original spirit and carried by a talented cast.
“People have told us they remember coming to this show with their grandparents, bringing their kids, making it part of their annual ritual,” said Artistic Director Amelia Acosta Powell. “We’re thrilled to bring it back in a way that reflects those memories while inviting a new generation to fall in love with it too.”
This year’s cast includes a full ensemble ready to bring Dickens’ world to life.
Aside from the story itself, A Christmas Carol has always symbolized something deeper within Louisville’s performing arts community. It is a shared celebration. A moment to reconnect with loved ones, to support local theatre, and to uplift the joy and generosity that make the season so special. At a time when the arts continue to rebuild and reimagine their place after years of disruptions, the return of such a landmark production feels like a welcome sign of renewed tradition and creative momentum.
Actors Theatre, serving as the State Theatre of Kentucky, has long been a cultural anchor for the region. With its commitment to storytelling that reflects the “wonder and complexity of our time,” this return to a timeless classic underscores the organization’s dedication to both honoring the past and inspiring the future.
For longtime fans, this revival is a homecoming. For first-time audiences, it’s an invitation to begin a new tradition. And for Louisville, it’s a joyful reminder of the community’s vibrant performing arts spirit, one worth celebrating, supporting, and sharing for generations to come.
Tickets are available now at actorstheatre.org.
www.whitepicketky.com
WITH LOUISVILLE FOLK SCHOOL
By Alisha Proffitt • Photos By Matt Johnson & Kathryn Harrington
In a city that loves to celebrate arts and culture, the Louisville Folk School has become one of its most cherished resources for musicians and performers. This year, the school celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of teaching, performing, and connecting people through music. What started as a small initiative has grown into a place where students, teachers, and the wider community come together through music.
For Dave Howard, the school’s founder and executive director, the growth has been remarkable to watch. “The Louisville Folk School community and student body growth has been incredible to witness, both from my perspective as a member of the community and as the Executive Director. To our community, it looks like more people making music together. I’ve witnessed personal growth from folks who have been looking for a way to nurture themselves in a creative outlet and define themselves as more than just their role at work or as a parent.” Bands have emerged from ensemble classes, friendships have formed, and at least one marriage has come out of classroom connections.
The school has expanded steadily and is now bursting at the seams as more people find their way into the community. Programs have multiplied, partnerships with local organizations have grown, youth participation has surged, and the student body has tripled in five years. Howard and his team make it a priority to pay teaching artists fairly, supporting the people who bring the music to life.
The school is also expanding its youth programming through the Sounds of Kentucky afterschool string band program. It currently runs at two elementary schools, with several more asking to have it on their campus. A version for middle school students is offered at a local community center. These programs introduce young people to fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and Kentucky’s string band traditions in a space that feels welcoming and joyful.
Kentucky’s folk music traditions remain central to the school’s mission. Bluegrass, fiddle, and old-time string band music are staples, but the school also embraces global folk traditions, like African drumming and Afro-Cuban dance, as well as South American flutes. “Our goal is to preserve the roots of Kentucky’s musical heritage while also welcoming the many voices, cultures, and ideas that shape who we are as a community today,” Howard says. Programs for beginners, youth, and adults make these traditions accessible to everyone, regardless of experience or background.
Beginners often find the idea of walking into a music class intimidating, but the school works hard to make learning approachable. Matt Brown, education coordinator, explains, “Our beginner classes are designed to assume nothing and teach you everything. Teachers who offer Level 1 classes expect to start from the beginning by helping students learn the components of their instrument and the fundamentals of music.” Students arrive unsure of themselves and, in weeks, can perform together in showcases that often move the audience to tears.
The school also brings in professional musicians as teachers, giving students the benefit of instructors with real-world experience. Brown notes, “The teaching artist model brings so much value to our students because they get to learn from gigging musicians who are wonderful teachers. Their instructors have real-world experience onstage, in the studio, and on tour.” These teachers know how to break music into pieces that are easy to learn, while also modeling what it means to be a working musician.
Louisville Folk School’s outreach extends into local schools through in-school performances and the Folk Musicians in Residence program. Students across the city see live folk music for the first time, often forming their earliest musical memories in these assemblies. Performances like those at Hawthorne Elementary, where a bilingual duo connected with students in both Spanish and English, show how music can bridge cultures and create shared experiences.
Community is the core of the Folk School. Angela Scharfenberger, board chair, says, “The beauty of folk music is that it is not only centered in the community, the aesthetics and values of folk music embodies within it an egalitarian way of being together. Playing music literally entrains people with each other, while also demonstrating, in its practices, ideas such as equality, interconnectedness, and interdependence.” From students as young as four to those in their 80s, everyone joins in the student showcases, creating moments of connection that are rare elsewhere.
Accessibility is another priority. Many programs are low-cost or free, supported by grants that also pay teaching artists fairly. Brown notes, however, that the school’s physical space remains a barrier. “A student in a wheelchair shouldn’t be limited to taking only the classes that we can offer at satellite locations… We are actively looking to move the Louisville Folk School to a larger space that is ADA accessible so that everyone can access our classes and lessons with ease and comfort.”
Looking ahead, the school has big ambitions. Expanding programs, increasing accessibility, and supporting musicians from immigrant and refugee communities are all on the table. Scharfenberger says the school wants to show the next generation “the value of creating together, the simple joy of making music in a way that is accessible and approachable, and that appreciates the contributions of all, regardless of where people come from or what they look like.” A new, fully accessible home could make all of this possible.
After ten years, the Louisville Folk School is less a building than a story written in music. Beginners become performers, strangers become collaborators, music brings the community together, and traditions continue to live on in the people who show up to play.
The Man Who Believed Before I Did
By Antonio Pantoja
When I was seventeen, I was doing what so many Hispanics like me do. I was a laborer, working nights with a crew that had been hired to paint the inside of an office building. We worked from seven in the evening until two in the morning so as not to disturb the people who worked there.
I remember walking through those cubicles, studying the framed photos of families, drawings from children, vacation snapshots pinned to fabric walls. I stood there thinking how lucky these people were. Lucky to have jobs worth decorating. Lucky to have a place with air conditioning and carpet and clean break rooms. I remember thinking that if anyone ever gave me the chance, I would be grateful just to empty the trash in a building like that.
Five years passed. Life shifted. I walked back into that same building for an interview. I caught my reflection in the glass doors and barely recognized myself. It was the first time I had ever dressed nicely in my entire life. The building was so beautiful. I whispered to myself, “If they give me a chance, I will outwork every person in this building.” They gave me that chance when no one else would. And I kept my promise.
On my first day of training, I was taken to an awards ceremony. That was the moment I met Lee Kiper. He stood in front of all of the employees with his diverse leadership team, handing plaques and shaking hands. I watched minorities of every background walk up proudly in front of their peers. I had never seen anything like it. Where I came from, people like us did not usually get celebrated. Yet here, every single person was treated with respect. No one was overlooked. No one felt small. No one was invisible.
Lee noticed work ethic immediately. It was like a sixth sense. Because of that, we grew close. His words became my compass. His approach to leadership became my blueprint. He led with care. He led with humility. He led with honesty and a kindness that was never performative. He meant every word he ever said.
There was a time he had more than a hundred employees, and in his office he created a wall he called “Dreamville”. At the top he wrote the name boldly. Beneath it, every employee wrote their name and their dream. Some dreamed of owning a home. Others dreamed of seeing their child again. Some just wanted to get back on their feet. Lee sat with each one and helped them formulate a plan to accomplish that dream. No dream was too big. None were too small. And the beautiful truth is that most of them reached their dream faster than they expected. Ask Lee about any person on that wall and he could tell you instantly where they were on their journey.
He cared that deeply.
I remember him standing in front of our team one day and asking each of us, “Are you happy?” He followed it with, “You can say no. If you are not happy, we can fix it. We can work on a plan together.” No boss had ever spoken to me like that. No leader had ever looked at me and genuinely wanted to know how my heart was doing.
And the truth was simple. I was happy. I was grateful to be there. I never forgot what it meant to be given a chance after dreaming of nothing more than taking out the trash in that building. I knew that if I succeeded, it meant someone else like me could succeed too.
Lee did not become this kind of leader by accident. His mother, Lynn Rippy, founded YouthBuild, now Blueprint 502. It has changed the lives of thousands of young adults who grew up without support or opportunity. The organization helps them earn a diploma, learn a trade, and enter a stable career. Their success rate is incredible because they lead the way Lee leads. They lead with compassion. They lead with dignity. They lead with belief.
This is what a ripple effect looks like.
If you have ever heard me give a speech, you have heard a Lee Kiper quote. I carry his words with me the way some people carry heirlooms. And I am not the only one. There are hundreds of people out there shaped by him. People who found confidence because he saw them before they saw themselves. People who rose because he told them they could.
When I lost my father, Lee was the first one there.
When I gave my first speech, Lee was in the audience.
When I had a heart attack, I called Lee.
When I lost my mother, Lee showed up and brought food to the funeral.
I am only one of those hundreds who this man has helped. But my life is better because our paths crossed. And I will be forever grateful that they did.
It just takes one person to believe in you even when you don’t believe in yourself to change your entire trajectory.
“A single candle can eradicate darkness. Be that candle”
We’re excited to introduce our Sponsor an Artist program! is initiative gives businesses and individuals the opportunity to directly support local artists by sponsoring in-depth features that highlight their work, stories, and impact on the community. ese features have always been a cornerstone of our publication, showcasing the creatives who bring color, culture, and soul to Louisville. Now, through sponsorship, you can help elevate these voices while aligning your brand with the heart of the city’s arts scene.
Each sponsored piece o ers thoughtful storytelling, beautiful visuals, and shared recognition, both in print and online. It’s a powerful way to invest in local talent and be part of something that truly matters.
Contact julie@voice-tribune.com for more details on how you can get involved!
By Kelsey Knott • Photos By Matt Johnson
On his latest record V8, Dusty Bo sings “Lost Boy Blues,” urging those on unconventional, independent paths not to let life’s changes stop them from going for that big dream.
His love for music was first ignited at our beloved Louisville Palace when his parents brought him to an Earth, Wind, and Fire concert, his first at age seven. “Seeing the guitar players come to center stage and how much fun they were having… I was like, I want it. I want one of those. My parents got me a guitar for Christmas that year.” From then on, he dreamed of traveling around and playing guitar as a professional musician, envisioning a life like the film Almost Famous. As a rock vocalist and musician, he has toured all over the continent with several bands, spending about a decade in Los Angeles and finding his way back home in 2018. Dusty lives in Nashville full time but frequents Louisville, taking on artist coach and mentoring roles in addition to his own projects, Dusty Bo and Dusty Bo and the Contraband.
Through his experiences with different bands, he’s learned that songwriting should be about enjoying playing and singing it. “I’ve been in bands and thought, ‘Is this something people are going to want to sing along to? Is it going to be a hit song on the radio? What movie would it get played on?’ After doing that for years, I found something very special in writing a song just for yourself, exactly the way you want it to be.” In his songwriting, Dusty finds inspiration mainly in people and hopes those who hear his songs feel inspired to do something special to them. “I love writing songs about and for people. It’s a wonderful gift to give somebody and a great way to express yourself with more than words. The feeling you want to get across with instruments, melodies, chord progressions, and vibes you choose, you can truly paint a picture for somebody.” He reminds us that songwriting is a skill, and nobody starts out good at it, but there’s no right or wrong way of doing it if you just start. “It’s an endless universe of creativity. Just try it. Get into it or be around it however you can, even if nobody ever hears or reads it. Do something special, whether you’re trying to be a rockstar or music is your therapy, creative outlet, or hobby.”
As a born and raised Louisvillian, Dusty is proud of the city’s progress in its music sector. “It’s cool that there’s so many pockets of different genres and a lot of culture and places for people to grab inspiration from.” In the innovation and early development days of The Monarch, Dusty was there. “Even without being a founding member, the shows I’ve seen there, the experiences I’ve had there, the connections and networking there prove how it’s made positive impacts on so many people. That’s been the coolest thing to me–seeing how much it feeds people’s souls and helps them on their creative path.” Whether being there to grow musically or to find friendship in a creative community, The Monarch fuels a family-like space with Mark Roberts’ mantra: Music brings us together, and together we can make a difference.
Much like The Monarch, Dusty has also found a home at Mom’s Music, Louisville’s music store that has been influencing Kentucky’s music community for five decades. “To me, it’s the best music store in the world. I’ve been shopping here since I was thirteen, so over 25 years now. They develop musicians of all ages and calibers, whether it’s through their rock school program teaching how to be in bands, or lessons, or just making sure that somebody who wants to play has the instrument in their hands. They should write the book on how to run a music store, and I can’t say enough good things about them.”
Find more of Dusty Bo on dustybomusic.com and follow his socials!
2025 YOUR VOICE AWARD WINNERS
As Louisville rings in the holidays and wraps up another year of vibrant community spirit, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the locals who bring our city to life. The results are in for the 2025 Your VOICE Awards, and the winners—chosen by you, our readers—represent who you believe are the very best of our neighborhood businesses, creatives, and go-to places. From cozy cafés and stylish boutiques to dedicated nonprofit organizations, this is our expression of gratitude for the people and places that make Louisville feel like home. Join us in celebrating their well-deserved recognition and the joy they bring to our everyday lives.
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE ANTIQUE STORE
1ST: Mellwood Antiques
2ND: Fleur De Flea
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE CAR DEALERSHIP
1ST: Budget Car Sales
2ND: Bachman
3RD: Bluegrass Auto
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE CURBSIDE SERVICE
TIE 1ST: City BBQ
TIE 1ST: Chuy’s
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE DRY CLEANER
1ST: Highland Cleaners
2ND: Premier Cleaners
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE GROCERY STORE
1ST: Kroger 2ND: Trader Joes
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE PLANT BOUTIQUE
1ST: Mahonia
TIE 2ND: Petals
TIE 2ND: St. Matthews Feed and Seed
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE HOME DECOR STORE
1ST: Digs
2ND: The Home Store
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE INDOOR FURNITURE STORE
1ST: Digs
2ND: Meridian
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE OUTDOOR FURNITURE STORE
TIE 1ST: Charlottes Web
TIE 1ST: Summer Classics
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE JEWELRY STORE
1ST: Claytors
2ND: Davis Jewelers
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE
LOCAL DEPARTMENT STORE
1ST: Von Maur
2ND: Dillards
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE LOCALLY MADE PRODUCT
1ST: Muth’s Candy
TIE 2ND: Sycamore Hill
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE LOCALLY MADE LEATHER GOODS
1ST: Clayton & Crume
2ND: Tunies
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE MEN’S CLOTHING STORE
1ST: DXL
2ND: Mamili
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE MEN’S CONSIGNMENT
Evolve: The Men’s Resale Store
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE WOMEN’S CONSIGNMENT
1ST: Sassy Fox
2ND: Margaret’s Fine Consignments
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE MEN’S SHOE STORE
TIE 1ST: Rodes
TIE 1ST: Von Maur
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE WOMEN’S SHOE STORE
1ST: Von Maur
2ND: Tunies
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE MILLINER
1ST: Mad hatter
2ND: Mamili
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY DERBY HAT
1ST: Mad Hatter
2ND: Mamili
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY UNIQUE GIFTS
1ST: Work the Metal 2ND: Mamili
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE SHOPPING CENTER / DISTRICT
1ST: Nulu
2ND: Chenoweth Square
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE WOMEN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
1ST: Mamili
2ND: Rodeo Drive
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE LOCAL SPECIALTY
DOG SHOP
1ST: Three Dog Bakery
2ND: Feeders Supply
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE RESTAURANT
1ST: Nam Nam Cafe
2ND: WW Cousins
3RD: Bristol
4TH: Jack Fry’s
5TH: Cafe classico
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BAKERY
1ST: Plehn’s Bakery
2ND: Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE STEAK IN THE CITY
1ST: Steak and Bourbon
2ND: Jeff Ruby’s
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE LOCAL BOURBON
1ST: Angels Envy
TIE 2ND: Whiskey Thief
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BRUNCH
1ST: House of Marigold 2ND: First Watch
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE CATERING CO
1ST: Ladyfingers Catering 2ND: A Full Plate
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE CHEF
1ST: Noam Bilitzer
2ND: Hamilton Lyons
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE COCKTAILS
1ST: Number Juan Tequila
2ND: Old Fashioned
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP
1ST: Bamboo Coffee & Donuts
2ND: Heine Brothers
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE DATE SPOT
1ST: Garage Bar
2ND: Repeal
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE DISTILLERY
1ST: Angel’s Envy
2ND: Whiskey Thief
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE FARMER’S MARKET
1ST: St. Matthews Farmers Market
2ND: Douglas Loup
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE HOTEL BAR
1ST: Bar Genevieve
2ND: Omni Speakeasy
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE LUNCH SPOT
1ST: Marks Feed Store
2ND: Nosh Nosh
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE PLACE TO DRINK BOURBON
1ST: North of Bourbon
2ND: Whiskey Thief
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE RESTAURANT PATIO
1ST: River House
2ND: Mayan Cafe
3RD: Mesh
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE RESTAURANT TO SEE & BE SEEN
1ST: Guacamole Modern Mexican 2ND: Jeff Ruby’s
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE SPEAKEASY
1ST: The Black Rabbit
2ND: Hell or High Water
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE TAKE OUT
1ST: Ling Ling Chinese Restaurant
2ND: Nam Nam Cafe
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE WINE LIST
1ST: Brix Wine Bar
2ND: Susan Rudy
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE YOGA INSTRUCTOR
1ST: Abica at YogaSt8
2ND: Susan Rudy
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BARBERSHOP
1ST: WHIGS - Highlands
2ND: Gentlemen’s Cuts
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BLOWOUT SALON
1ST: Trim Nulu
2ND: Another Wild Hair
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BLOWOUT STYLIST
1ST: Krista Taylor
2ND: Amber Switzer
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE EYEBROW TECHNICIAN
1ST: Chare’e Marniece
2ND: Sarah Goldsmith
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE EYEBROW SALON
1ST: Sage Beauty Aesthetics
2ND: The Brow Babes
3RD: Lumi Skin Bar + Aesthetics
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE EYELASH EXTENSION AESTHETICIAN
1ST: Junsui Beauty Kayla Ichinose
2ND: Emma Sibcy
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE EYELASH EXTENSIONS
SALON
1ST: Junsui BeautyKayla Ichinose
2ND: Sage Beauty Esthetics
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE FACIAL AESTHETICIAN
1ST: Cheyenne Glover
2ND: Lauren Walls at Banis Plastic Surgery
3RD: Alexis Mitchell
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE FACIAL SALON
1ST: Sage Beauty Aesthetics
2ND: Banis Plastic Surgery
3RD: CaloSpa Rejuvenation Center
4TH: Lumi Skin Bar + Aesthetics
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE HAIR EXTENSIONS
1ST: TRIM NuLu
2ND: Legally Blonde Hair Salon
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE
HAIR SALON
1ST: TRIM NuLu
2ND: Honeycomb
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE HIGHLIGHTS SALON
1ST: TRIM NuLu
2ND: Calvin Mitchell
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE HIGHLIGHTS STYLIST
1ST: Whitley Lehman
TIE 2ND: Amber SwitzerAstra Salon
TIE 2ND: Peggy Babcock
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE
LOCAL SKINCARE
1ST: Dr. Joseph Banis Plastic Surgery
2ND: CaloSpa
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE MAKEUP ARTIST
1ST: Emily Marlow
2ND: Lauryn Quarles
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE MASSAGE PLACE
1ST: CaloSpa Rejuvenation Center
2ND: Milestone Spa
3RD: Lailai Day Spa
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE MASSEUSE
1ST: Tamina Karem
2ND: Michelle Lasky - Calospa
3RD: Gabe Vela
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE
MEN’S HAIRCUT SALON
1ST: TRIM NuLu
2ND: Statement Barbershop
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE
MEN’S HAIRCUT STYLIST
1ST: LeAnn Milburn
2ND: Dani Cobb
3RD: Steven Wood
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE NAIL SALON
1ST: Glamorous Nails
2ND: CND on Rudy Lane
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE SPRAY TAN AESTHETICIAN
1ST: Jade Tompkins
2ND: Ashley Hatfield
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE SPRAY TAN SPA Sage Beauty Aesthetics
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE
WOMEN’S HAIRCUT SALON
1ST: TRIM NuLu
2ND: Haven Salon
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE WOMEN’S HAIRCUT STYLIST
1ST: Brandon Turner
2ND: Kelsey Hack
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BREAST AUGMENTATION PHYSICIAN
1ST: Bradley Calobrace
2ND: Mizuguchi
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BREAST AUGMENTATION PRACTICE
1ST: CaloAesthetics
2ND: Banis Plastic Surgery
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BOTOX / DYSPORT NURSE
1ST: Audrey May
2ND: Abbey Helton at Banis Plastic Surgery
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BOTOX / DYSPORT PRACTICE
1ST: Banis Plastic Surgery
2ND: CaloSpa
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE DERMATOLOGIST
1ST: Dr Barbara Schrodt
2ND: Forefront Dermatology
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE LIPOSUCTION PHYSICIAN
1ST: Angela Prescott & Blake Sparks
2ND: Dr. Bradley Calobrace
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE LIPOSUCTION PRACTICE
1ST: Banis Prescott Sparks Plastic Surgery
2ND: CaloAesthetics
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE OBGYN
1ST: Tracey Kuntz
2ND: Dr. Monica Brown
3RD: Dr, Miller at Louisville First
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE ORTHODONTIST
1ST: George Orthodontics
2ND: Tran Orthodontics
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE CYCLING STUDIO
1ST: Cycle St8
2ND: Cycle Bar
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE EXERCISE STUDIO
1ST: Baptist Milestone 2ND: Sweat Society
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
1ST: Joshua Lakes
2ND: Venus Pearle
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE INFRARED SAUNA
1ST: Calospa 2ND: Hot Worx
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE ONLINE FITNESS CLASS Custom Fitness Solutions
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE PERSONAL TRAINER
1ST: Alison Cardoza 2ND: Joe Kirven
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE PILATES STUDIO
1ST: Custom Fitness Solutions
2ND: Club Pilates Springhurst
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE PILATES INSTRUCTOR
1ST: Joe Kirven
2ND: Greg from Studio Pilates
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE YOGA STUDIO
1ST: YogaSt8
2ND: Yoga Baum
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BOUTIQUE HOTEL
1ST: Genevive
2ND: 21 C
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE HOTEL
1ST: Omni 2ND: Hotel Genevieve
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
1ST: Youthbuild Louisville
2ND: Art Sanctuary
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE PLACE TO PICK UP A COPY OF THE VOICE-TRIBUNE
1ST: Baptist Health/Milestone
2ND: Comfy Cow
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE PUBLIC PARK
1ST: Cherokee Park
2ND: Seneca Park
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS
1ST: Turner Circus Camp
2ND: Camp Hi Ho
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE PRESCHOOL
1ST: Chance School
2ND: St. Joe’s
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL
1ST: Manual
2ND: Atherton High School
3RD: Highlands Latin
4TH: Assumption High School
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE MIDDLE SCHOOL
1ST: Noe
2ND: Highlands Latin
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
1ST: Ascension Catholic
2ND: Highlands Latin School
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE TUTORING SERVICE
1ST: Mathnasium
2ND: Russian School of Mathematics
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
TIE 1ST: Masonic Homes Kentucky
TIE 1ST: The Grand
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE CHARTER FLIGHTS
1ST: Honaker Aviation
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE ATTORNEY
1ST: Jared Smith
2ND: Christopher Coburn
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE BANK
1ST: Stock Yards Bank
2ND: Republic Bank and Trust
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE CLOSET DESIGN
1ST: Closets By Design
2ND: California Closets
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE COMMERCIAL INTERIOR / EXTERIOR PAINTING Enterprise Home Improvements
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE CREDIT UNION Park Community
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE DOGGIE DAYCARE
1ST: Camp Fur Kids
2ND: Pet Station
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE FLORIST
1ST: Nanz and Kraft
TIE 2ND: Oberer’s TIE 2ND: Petals
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE ROOFING COMPANY
1ST: Masters Roofing
2ND: Enterprise Home Improvement
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE REAL ESTATE AGENCY
1ST: Kentucky Select Properties 2ND: Aspire Real Estate Group
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE REAL ESTATE AGENT
1ST: Karen Widener 2ND: Jeremy English
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE REAL ESTATE TEAM
1ST: The Team @ Aspire 2ND: The Kidwells at Kentucky Select Properties
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE INSURANCE AGENCY
1ST: Kyle McNay - Allstate 2ND: State Farm
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE HOME REMODELER
1ST: Enterprise Home Improvements 2ND: Twin Spires
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE INTERIOR DESIGNER 1ST: Satori Interiors 2ND: Natalie O Design
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE LANDSCAPE COMPANY Myers + Co. Landscape Architecture
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE ART GALLERY Speed Art Museum
LOUISVILLE’S FAVORITE MUSEUM
1ST: Speed Art Museum 2ND: Frazier
CONGRATS WINNERS!
By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photos By Matt Johnson • Sponsored
The holiday spirit is alive and well at Rabbit Hole in Nulu. Founder Kaveh Zamanian walks us through what makes this season special at the distillery, from the debut of limited-edition Amrûlé to the Overlook Bar decked out in festive flair, plus cocktails, tastings, and experiences designed to bring people together. In this Q&A, he shares some delicious recipes, what guests can expect, why these moments matter, and how Rabbit Hole captures the spirit of the season in a way only Louisville can.
VT: The holidays are such a fun time at Rabbit Hole — what can guests look forward to this season? Any special events, releases, or surprises in store?
KZ: Absolutely. The holidays are one of my favorite times of year at Rabbit Hole and throughout Nulu. The neighborhood has an incredible energy, with lights, local shops, and great restaurants that all feel like a celebration of Louisville’s creative spirit.
At the distillery, we lean into that same sense of community and craft. Guests can expect special seasonal touches including new seasonal releases, complimentary bottle engravings, holiday-inspired cocktails, and a full transformation of the Overlook Bar into a festive holiday retreat with a curated seasonal cocktail menu. It’s a great time to visit, whether you’re discovering Rabbit Hole for the first time, or bringing friends and family to share something you love.
VT: When does your holiday programming officially kick off, and how long will it run?
KZ: The Overlook Holiday Bar will kick off on Black Friday, offering the perfect spot for those spending the day shopping in Nulu. We’ll be welcoming guests to experience Rabbit Hole Distillery Tuesday through Saturday, with extended Overlook Holiday hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 6:00 p.m.
VT: Will Rabbit Hole be hosting any special tours, tastings, or pop-up experiences to get folks in the holiday spirit?
KZ: You won’t want to miss our Holiday Cocktail Menu at the Overlook Bar! Featuring cocktails crafted with all of our signature whiskies, gin, and vodka, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In addition to our festive drinks, we’ll be offering unique tour and tasting experiences, available for booking on our website.
VT: Are there any new cocktail recipes, food pairings, or hosting ideas you’ll be sharing this season that highlight your whiskeys in a holiday setting?
KZ: This holiday season, we’re thrilled to introduce “Amrûlé,” the newest addition to our Distillery Series. To celebrate its release, we’ll be featuring a Maple Old Fashioned on our Overlook Holiday Cocktail Menu—an indulgent seasonal twist showcasing this exceptional new expression.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
Maple Brulé Old Fashioned
• 2 oz Amrulé • .25 Maple Syrup • Bitters (2-3 dashes) • Stir & Strain
Garnish: Cinnamon Stick
Glass: Rocks
Product Info:
Experience the alchemy of Amrûlé, a meticulously crafted limited-edition Distillery Series expression that elevates our signature Sour Mash Rye to new, evocative heights. The secret lies in allowing the spirit to rest in custom Maple Brûlé barrels, each one a testament to the precision and artistry of the masters at Tonnellerie Moreau in Quebec. The maple seasoning and high-intensity char forge a smoky, dark caramel veil inside the barrel. This profound layer of flavor embraces the Rye, imparting it with an unforgettable indulgent profile. Aromas of caramel, dark toffee, brown sugar, and bright florals lead to a palate of dark cherries, stone fruit, cardamom, and oak before giving way to a long lingering finish marked by notes of baking spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper. The perfect pairing for this season of whiskey weather, Amrûlé is a true sensory indulgence.
Tasting Notes
Distillery Series Tasting Notes
“Amrulé”
Boxergrail finished in Maple Brulé barrels
[+4-year Rye whiskey base finished for 9 months]
Bottling Proof: 104.4
Aroma: bright, floral aromas followed by notes of caramel and dark toffee finishing with hints of roasted pecans and brown sugar
Palate: luscious profiles of dark cherries and stone fruit followed by hints of cardamom and oak finishing with strong herbaceous profiles and pleasantly viscous mouthfeel
Finish: deep, complex notes of baking spices with touches of cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper on a substantially long and lingering finish
VT: What’s your favorite way to spend a day in Nulu when you’re not at the distillery?
KZ: When I’m not at the distillery, my perfect day in Nulu is all about soaking in the neighborhood’s creative energy. I’ll start with coffee at one of the local spots, then take a slow walk stopping into different shops. I love talking with the owners and makers, they’re the lifeblood of this place, and those conversations always ground me. I also love spending time at Hotel Genevieve. Sometimes it’s a drink on the rooftop, sometimes it’s just sitting in the lobby and taking in the vibe. It’s become one of my favorite places to unwind and connect. For me, a day in Nulu is less about an agenda and more about being part of the neighborhood’s rhythm.
VT: Has being located in the Nulu neighborhood influenced Rabbit Hole’s identity?
KZ: Nulu and Rabbit Hole have grown up together in many ways. When I chose this neighborhood, it already had a spark, artists and entrepreneurs doing things differently. That spirit spoke to me. But the reality is, Rabbit Hole didn’t just fit into Nulu, it helped start its renaissance. I wanted to build something bold and architectural, something that would make a statement and reflect the courage it takes to forge a new path in bourbon. The distillery became a catalyst. It drew attention and investment, and it helped elevate the entire area, inspiring others to imagine bigger possibilities for the neighborhood. Nulu was a natural fit with my creative DNA, and in turn, Rabbit Hole helped redefine the neighborhood. That shared energy, rooted in innovation, originality, and reinvention is still shaping both of us today.
VT: And finally, for someone new to Rabbit Hole, what’s the one bottle you’d recommend as the perfect holiday gift — and how would you suggest enjoying it?
KZ: One of our most sought-after whiskies, Dareringer Founder’s, might just make an appearance in our distillery gift shop this holiday season, perfect for treating yourself or the whiskey lover on your list.
By Chris Morris • Photo Provided - Headshot Photo By Matt Johnson
In previous articles in the Voice, we have asked and hopefully answered many questions about the “Why’s” of the Whiskey industry in general and Kentucky Bourbon specifically. For example, “Why does Bourbon go into new charred oak barrels?” “Why does Bourbon use corn as its base grain?” “Why was Kentucky the birthplace of Bourbon?” These and other questions have been answered with a common theme or answer. “It was the time and place.”
So previous answers have revolved around the use of wood, the use of water and the use of grain in the crafting of a Whiskey and again particularly a fine Kentucky Bourbon. Now we will address another aspect of the production process, distillation. We have established that every Whiskey is a Whiskey. Every Whiskey follows a global standard and therefore every Whiskey distillery has the same five sources of flavor or processes to use. Whether it uses all five sources as a defining aspect of its flavor profile is up to each and every individual distillery/brand. The five sources of flavor are water source, grain recipe, distillation, fermentation, and maturation methods or processes.
Let us take a look at distillation, the equipment used for it in particular. Distillation is performed in one of two broad processes: it is either conducted in a continuous process or in a batch process. The continuous process requires the use of column stills, sometimes called coffey stills. The batch process utilizes pot stills. Today’s stills are manufactured, using either stainless steel, copper, or a combination of the two. Legend and lore readily proclaim copper as the preferred metal used in the construction of a still. Again, whether it is a column still or a pot still copper seems to be the preferred metal. Based on history and my experience, I can vouch for the fact that copper is the preferred metal to use in a still. Why? As usual the answer can be found in time and place.
Distillation and the production of Whiskey have been taking place for hundreds if not thousands of years. The historic record will show that stainless steel was not available to our predecessors whether they were in Scotland, Ireland, or frontier Kentucky in the 1700s.
History tells us that copper was one of the first metals that man was able to isolate and refine. It is one of the few “native metals”, meaning metals that occur naturally in a directly usable, unalloyed metallic form. The other metals that were available in their pure form are gold and silver. Both are more rare and less versatile in a manufacturing process than copper. So copper was more readily available or easily extracted from or and importantly very malleable. Early man could smelt it, pour it and shape it.
This led to early use in several regions, from as early as c. 8000 BC. Thousands of years later, it was the first metal to be smelted from ores, c. 5000 BC; the first metal to be cast into a shape using a mold, c. 4000 BC; and the first metal to be purposely alloyed with another metal, tin, to create bronze, c. 3500 BC.
So eventually man began to make pots, pans and other vessels out of copper simply because they could, and it was durable. They could shape it in ways that were difficult to do with ceramics. So eventually, when they began to make the first stills, Alembics, it made sense that copper was used. Other metal combinations such as copper and tin, which when combined make bronze, were probably also used. But over time as whiskey or other spirits made in various types of stills could be compared it became apparent that a still made from copper was the way to go. Why? For two reasons.
First, copper is a great conductor of heat. It distributes heat evenly so there are no hot spots in a copper vessel. Other metals will have hot spots which can lead to the scorching of the liquid above that hot spot. So, if you are distilling, a fermented mash of grain and some of it is being scorched in the still that will result in a burnt grain note. That obviously is an undesirable flavor characteristic. That will not happen in a copper still.
Copper, it turns out, also has another notable feature. It removes sulfur from whiskey. Where does sulfur come from? It comes from the grain recipe especially if you use malted barley. If you have too much sulfur in your whiskey, it will have an off note. The old time Kentucky distillers called that off note “skunk.” In Scotland it is called “cabbage.” I don’t know about you but neither of these sound appetizing to me.
Today when you make a visit to the Woodford Reserve Distillery you will find that the still floor features six copper pot stills. A visit to the Old Forester Distillery on Whiskey Row in Louisville will reveal the three-story copper column still – “Big Penny.” Now you know why – they not only look impressive but play an important role in creating a clean flavor profile for both Woodford Reserve and Old Forester. Thank goodness our ancestors through trial and error gave us copper stills.
By Jackie Zykan
WHEN DO WE BECOME CONSUMED BY THE PROCESS INSTEAD OF ENJOYING THE PROCESS?
Everyone is going through it. In their own way, at their own pace, in their own worlds, but as a collective it seems we are being shoved up against our edges. It’s an acceptably half hearted joke anymore to acknowledge this, “the world is crazy these days”, “the holidays are intense”, “eggs are expensive”, but yet we still find ourselves going through the motions of trying to keep it all together and chug along, exhausted of the constant rerouting of life’s detours. This month, I found myself pushed to the brink, and at the eleventh hour fresh out of time to forage, research, experiment, and write. But what I did have was a forced pause before my sanity fully left me, and a moment of reflection which brought on insights worth gold. While we are all in our own messes, in our own way, at our own pace, in our own worlds, we are in it together. And when we share our battle stories, we connect and find reprieve from the struggle silos we inhabit.
There will not be a cocktail feature, per se, for December. Nor a nudge to go forage around the state looking for obscure ingredients. But there is a recipe for a honey syrup which I have personally found very supportive during the saga of 2025. The stress reducing chamomile and lemon balm pair beautifully with the vitamin C boost in the rose hips, making this a delightful tonic to keep you grounded, healthy, and balanced during times of intensity.
Technically, this brew is a tea within a honey, so you need only keep a bottle on hand and add to hot water to taste. And should you feel so inclined, you can always add a splash of your favorite Kentucky bourbon for an instant hot toddy.
So fix yourself a cup of warm survival honey tea, and indulge in this tale of death, birth, and perspective shifts.
I began my fragrance company, ODUOAK, 5 years ago. It was born out of a random lightning bolt idea which came to me while loitering around tide pools in Maine. I didn’t know how, or what it would be. I only knew I didn’t have a choice but to do it. I tossed my paddle aside and surrendered to riding a canoe down a river I had never even heard of, much less knew what lurked around the bends, where the waterfalls would be, and when, if ever, it finally reached the sea. But I was in it.
The original concept was to create a unisex fragrance line using whiskey as a base. Not only as an aromatic component to the scent story, but as a means of me transmuting the guilt I carried after decades of glorifying a substance which has caused deep suffering for people I loved. Each scent is based on an experience I had while swimming in a life of whiskey, and all the scent memories from those moments went into the bottle. And I was shifting my experience with every spray. Every heart break, disappointment, hard learned lesson was spritzed into the air, released, transformed into someone else’s special occasion, gift, date night, etc. This wasn’t just about starting a business, although bills still need to be paid. It was about transmuting my pain into something positive.
SURVIVAL HONEY SYRUP
• 8 oz honey
• 6 oz hot water
• 1 TBSP lemon balm
• 1 TBSP rose hips
• 1 TBSP chamomile flowers
Directions: Steep all herbs in hot water for 7 minutes. Strain. Stir in honey until dissolved. Store in the refrigerator. For the dried herbs in this recipe, visit sacredplantco.com. Save 15% with code VOICE at checkout.
Being a one woman show, every decision and responsibility was on my shoulders. Which is a blessing and a curse, as all things tend to be. If I wanted to change the scents, I could immediately. I didn’t need anyone’s permission for any of the choices I felt intuitively inclined to make. Change the package? Change the logo? Change the colors? Prices? Marketing? Every single thing. And as I was learning as I went, I had one opportunity after another to learn and improve. The core approach to the brand became to hold loosely to it all. As long as I enjoyed what I was doing, I was doing what I was here in this life to be doing.
Growth has been smooth, consistent, sustainable. But you don’t outgrow a shell and move into another one that’s smaller or even the same size. There’s constant pressure to fill in the potential space of the next. And not because the goal is to scale a company, but rather because there’s still life happening and this has now become my outlet for inspired creation to channel and integrate my own personal evolution.
The first packaging I remember ordering infrequently and by the dozens. And now I wait for pallet deliveries to block my driveway. And in between those two chapters existed years of constant learning, constant effort, constant hope and faith and feeling like a cartoon character that had run off the edge of a cliff and not looked down yet. Issues of self worth, confidence, vulnerability, deserve levels, scarcity, burn out, balance, health, trust, isolation, control…these are the flavors which revealed themselves in that soupy space I struggle to remember which happened between the beginning and now. And I’m tired. Bone tired.
Every packaging update or new collection release has taken everything I have to birth into this world. From a thought to a bottle. The entire process done by hand. Each collection serves as a showcase of a year of life I am now trying to integrate while surviving the present. Every detail of the blends, the fonts, the box, the displays for markets - all hold clues to the story behind the idea. Each collection was a capture of scent memories. Until this one.
When my partner passed in January, the complete dismantling of who I had ever known myself to be happened instantaneously. The trauma of the shock sent my soul out of my body. I had been dealing with heartbreaks for years by means of turning moments into perfume. That wasn’t going to move the needle on this wound. It felt cheap and emotional exhibition had no place in the depths of my shatter.
Having worked with herbs and distillations of botanicals for years, I turned to every modality I could to find relief. That path took me to Costa Rica where I met a fascinating expat by happenstance who was practicing healing modalities with various local flora. One of which was flower essence. These tools had been on my radar for a while but I had yet to encounter anyone actively using them in our region. Not to say they don’t or weren’t then, but I will absolutely own that my hermit lifestyle keeps me a bit sheltered. The woman I met mentored me through the process of creation and facilitation, and of course, she started in the alcohol industry then decided to change directions. It was destined. The next collection was conceived shortly thereafter. It wouldn’t just be a fragrance that captured the aromas of memories. I had to honor him in a bigger way. I set out to gather essences from specific plants around the country to blend liquid which held the energetic thumbprint of the moments. You aren’t just smelling the memory. Your etheric field is calibrated to FEEL how he made me feel. In this way, I was keeping him alive. I wasn’t trying to rid myself of the history, I was trying to share the beauty of it with as many people as possible.
This meant an entire new package for the brand, not just new products. Amber glass needed to be utilized to protect the essences inside from UV light. Custom bags and boxes and new labels brought with them clumsy trials, massive setbacks, and muscle memory resetting from scratch. As my grief evolved, so did the products and despite shipping delays, tariff drama, economic pressures, wrong bottles and broken machinery, the finished goods are now in my hands. The more I attached to a launch date, the more work opportunities I committed to to counteract the financial investment in new packaging, the more went wrong. The more I tried to achieve what I had planned, the more I crashed and burned. Events cancelled, a thousand bottles destroyed, countless other redirections including this rogue, cocktail-less piece of writing.
I had become consumed by the process instead of following what I enjoyed about it. And I can hear the collective thoughts now, “but you can’t just not make products because you have to make money”. Quitting is always an option, but it didn’t feel like the right path. Just because there are challenges doesn’t mean to throw the baby out with the bath water, so to say. What this chapter forced me to do was get excruciatingly slow in the production process, even if it was out of paranoia of leaks or misalignments. Orders were piling up, holiday markets fast approaching, and new retailers were showing up all while transitioning branding and packaging and launching a line I unconsciously was hesitating to let go of.
Each bottle, one at a time, filled, quadruple checked, triple cleaned, and packaged with a hand written heart and note of gratitude. One by one by one. Every single step required full presence, which brought connection to the physical item and the emotional significance of it. And then I found it. The joy in the process.
Instead of focusing on mass quantities and deadlines, I chiseled away one by one with a viscous scrutiny until my hands gave out. Then I stopped. Then when it didn’t feel like a burdensome to-do, I started back up again.
I liken it to my experiences with hiking brutally long trails at high altitude. Get to that next rock. Ok. At the rock. Breathe. Now get to that next rock. Ok. Now that one. Now that one. The mindset of “summit the mountain” only wears on you like a wet blanket. Useless, heavy, and missing the point.
Anymore I feel there’s a sort of collective fatigue around the advice of slowing down. I will happily be the first to admit to being at the mercy of the narrative “but if I don’t do it then it doesn’t get done”. As a single mother / small business solo owner / self employed masochist, I assure you I understand. But the thing is, whatever “it” is to you, be it holiday hosting or bespoke perfume making, we lose the point when we fixate and become consumed by our attachment to the result. The process is the point. Enjoyment is the point. The “why” and not the “what” is the point. Slowing down and maintaining a speed which keeps you in alignment and balance will generate a deeper experience. And that’s what we’re all here to do, experience.
So while there may not be cases of finished goods stacked to the ceiling in my office like I had hoped by now, there are some cases of the best product I have ever made. Bottles and boxes with more love, more attention, and more gratitude packed in them than anything I have ever created before. The disasters of the past months, the tears and the breakdowns, all served as midwives to this pearl of wisdom. They weren’t fun, but they ultimately guided me back in place.
When we find the gifts hidden within the discord, we can transform even the ugliest moments of life into something beautiful, meaningful, and deliciously heart filled.
I’m not saying to burn Christmas dinner on purpose to see what sort of enlightenment you can achieve. I am simply sharing my experience to hopefully encourage you to hold compassion for yourself when the detours strike. Hidden within them are the resources to find your joy amid chaos. Slow down. Let yourself feel everything. Loosen the grip and find the blessings in it all exactly as it is. Don’t wish the year to be over. Milk everything it has left to offer you. Then bake, not purposely burn, some cookies to go with it. Much love. Happy holidays.
If you just looked at the calendar and discovered the holidays are basically sprinting at you (classic “Last-Minute Louisville”, blink and it’s suddenly December), don’t worry. Simply grab your emotional support peppermint latte, take a deep breath, and let this Last-Minute Local Shopping Guide save your holly-jolly hide. We’ve rounded up some of Louisville’s favorite small businesses (the kind that make you feel festive even when you’re panic-shopping) so you can finish strong, and maybe even look like you planned it this way all along.
WITH DIGS AT HOME IN THE GARDEN
By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photos By Kathryn Harrington
One of the best ways to celebrate this season of giving is to choose gifts that keep on giving long after you walk out the door with bags in hand. Shopping local does exactly that. When you buy from a neighborhood shop, you’re supporting real people whose work, creativity, and generosity flow right back into the Louisville community. Unlike big national chains, money spent with a small business circulates locally. It supports jobs, other nearby businesses, and often finds its way into nonprofits and charitable causes.
If you’re searching for a place that truly embodies the holiday spirit, DIGS has been a Louisville favorite for more than twenty years. Founded by owner Ben Palmer-Ball, DIGS began as a haven for people who love their outdoor spaces. Today, DIGS’ lifestyle collections have grown to include much more than furniture and décor. They now include jewelry & wearables, entertaining pieces, and seasonal finds at a variety of price points that make perfect gifts for teachers, family, friends, and clients.
A visit to the store is quite an experience. DIGS invites you to slow down, get inspired, and enjoy the moment. During the holiday season, that experience becomes downright magical.
When DIGS opened its doors 25 years ago, Ben didn’t foresee it becoming a holiday destination, but it happened all the same. “Although we didn’t originally imagine Digs as a holiday destination when we first opened, it has become a cherished Christmas tradition for so many of our customers.” For Ben, this connection to the season is a welcome one. “I’ve always loved the holidays and have fond memories of shopping downtown with my family at Stewarts, grabbing a club sandwich at Kunz’s, and picking out a live tree at the old Haymarket.” Those memories, he says, may be what inspire DIGS’ thoughtful and nostalgic approach to decorating each year. Hearing customers compare the store to Louisville icons like Scott Tichenor’s, Bittners, and Wakefield-Scearce is an honor he doesn’t take lightly.
DIGS’ philosophy of blending indoor and outdoor living comes to life beautifully during the holidays. “Our aesthetic of bringing the outdoors inside literally comes to life as folks bring a Christmas tree, bulbs, and greenery into their homes.” The scents, textures, and colors create “an opportunity to shift your environment to a more festive perspective, it’s like a home staging or design exercise where we overlay our existing homes (inside and out) with all the trappings of the season.”
Locals often describe DIGS during December as a “holiday wonderland,” and building that experience is a year-round effort. “We’re constantly inspired by our customers—hearing how they use, or plan to use, our products often sparks ideas we never would have anticipated.” Inspiration also comes from market trips, where Ben and his team explore new trends. But the real surprise for most shoppers is how early it all begins. “Our Christmas buying happens in January… the Christmas collection you’re seeing now was actually purchased last January.”
Balancing traditional decor with fresh trends is part of the fun. DIGS’ approach mirrors the way families decorate at home. “We strive to show how you can blend new colors or textures with your existing holiday décor.” A few new accessories, linens, accent pillows, and throws can completely refresh a familiar space. DIGS attracts an impressively wide range of shoppers, from traditionalists to the youngest gift-givers hunting for something fun. Ben embraces the challenge. “That’s why we work to keep a balance of gifts and décor that suits a wide range of tastes and price points.”
For small, locally owned and curated shops like DIGS, community support creates a lasting impact. “As a small, locally owned business, I realize we have to compete with mass merchandisers and even online outlets, so we work hard to bring together unique and varied products that set our shop apart.” That effort does not only apply to inventory. “We aim to make in-store shopping an immersive experience—creating a memorable outing or tradition rather than a chore to check off your list.”
And the impact flows outward. “When our customers invest in our products and services, they validate and sustain our mission… In turn, we are always happy to support local organizations and charities.” DIGS regularly backs both major nonprofits and smaller community efforts that may not be on everyone’s radar.
In 25 years, Ben has watched styles shift, his own included. “I was committed to fresh greens over faux substitutes, subtle decorations over glitter and glam… But I’ve learned, by listening to our customers, that we needed to broaden our vision.” His advice now? “Don’t be timid… don’t get stuck in a single approach, and enjoy the journey.”
If you’re planning your first holiday visit, Ben gives a heads-up: “Expect intimacy and immersion, there is a lot of merchandise!” Take your time, make a couple of laps, and ask for help when you need it. And, he advises, come back often. “We’re constantly restocking and remerchandising to keep the store looking full and festive!”
This season, consider giving a gift that gives back to the people you love, and to the city you call home. DIGS is ready to welcome you in.
Louisville’s Bank
As a personal trainer with 22 years of experience, I have had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients.
One important lesson I have learned is that aging should be approached with a positive attitude, rather than viewed as a hindrance.
Many of my clients have expressed concerns and have warned me about the joys and physical challenges that come with aging, such as frozen shoulders, unexpected knee pain that comes out of nowhere, and vertigo that seems to be triggered by rain; however, they all share a common trait: a steadfast commitment to staying active and healthy regardless of any obstacles they may encounter. They continue to prioritize exercise and wellness, even on days when they are not feeling their best, demonstrating a remarkable level of resilience and dedication.
Jim, a dear client of mine, has inspired me tremendously. His ability to bring joy and laughter to others on a daily basis in the gym is contagious. “My current approach to daily life is a combination of thanks for each day that provides an opportunity to try to have a positive influence on the other person’s encounter,” says Jim. Jim trains at Baptist Milestone Tuesdays and Thursdays. He enjoys weight training, cardio exercises, and stretch/ therapy exercises for his back. Jim has dealt with sciatica pain in the past and through his hard work and effort in the gym, it is controlled so he is able to enjoy day-to-day activities.
“After you complete your session at Milestone, you will be in a greater frame of mind and body to tackle the stressors of life,” says Jim. Jim was a devoted husband and caregiver to his lifelong partner, Mary, providing loving supportive care for her Parkinson’s. Jim also lost his beloved daughter from a traumatic brain injury. “I’m still pursuing life one day at a time, like each of you. Keep on moving down this highway of life,” Jim exclaims. There is not one single day that Jim doesn’t have a smile on his face or a funny story to tell at Milestone. Jim not only stays active at the gym with me, but he also enjoys learning about cars, singing, and loves meeting new people everyday!
“The membership at Milestone is one of the best investments I have ever made because the returns move me to a more healthy lifestyle in all major categories- physical, mental, and social areas,” says Jim.
Alison Cardoza, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and Fitour Group Exercise Instructor at Baptist Health Milestone Wellness Center. BS Exercise Science and Sports Medicine with a minor in Health Promotions from University of Louisville. Former UofL Ladybird and former NFL Colts Cheerleader.
By RUSS BROWN • Photos Provided By Louisville Athletics
So, what was Louisville native Will Smith doing a week after etching his name in major league baseball history and Los Angeles Dodgers lore with the swing of his life? Working both the drive-through and indoor dining area at an LA fast food restaurant.
Probably not what you would expect from a World Series hero. But Will Smith isn’t a typical, aloof star; he is still very much the same guy he was as the University of Louisville’s standout catcher a decade ago, which is to say humble, reserved, steady, caring, kind and grounded.
So there he was, wearing a headset and handing out various chicken items at Raising Cane’s on Sunset Boulevard, posing for pictures and signing boxes for Dodger fans to benefit his family’s Catching Hope Foundation. Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves had promised a $50,000 donation, but he doubled it to $100,000 when he saw how successful the event was.
Smith and his wife, Cara, started Catching Hope in 2021 to help underprivileged children in the LA area with critical skills needed for leadership, self-advocacy, and self-sufficiency. The organization aids students in developing the tools to help them achieve success, starting with those who need it most. CHF also donated Nike merchandise to the West End School in Louisville, enabling it to purchase new supplies for its sports teams.
“I’m still tired,” Smith told a reporter between orders. “But you just keep fighting. It’s the World Series. You get to rest after. It’s been incredible. We’ve really felt loved by the LA community.”
Smith, who began playing baseball in the St. Matthews Little League, fulfilled a childhood dream by providing the game-winning home run in the Dodgers’ 5-4, 11-inning victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh game of the Fall Classic as LA became the first team in a quarter century to win back-to-back World Series championships.
As he headed down the first base line in Rogers Centre in Toronto watching the flight of the ball, the normally taciturn former Kentucky Country Day star yelled, “Go ball, go ball.”
The shot left Smith’s bat at 104.6 mph velocity and soared 336 feet over the left field wall and the Jays’ bullpen. It came against Toronto reliever Shane Bieber on a 2-0 pitch over the heart of the plate.
“He hung a slider and I banged it,” Smith said in a postgame TV interview. “I was just hoping I got enough. I was fired up. We knew we needed to get a run there. To be able to come through in the clutch, that was huge. You dream of those moments. Extra innings, to put your team ahead. I’ll remember that one forever. That was just. . .that was special.” It was also a moment that will be replayed for years to come.
“It’s probably going to rank up there for him for sure,” Dodgers infielder Max Muncy said. “But make no mistake, there are going to be a lot of those moments for him. He’s going to be here for a long time. What a hit man. What a hit.”
Smith, a three-time World Series champ as well as a triple MLB All-Star, recorded another historic milestone by working all 74 innings of the Series behind the plate, the most ever by a catcher. That was two more than Lou Criger caught for the Boston Americans (now the Red Sox) in the 1903 Series.
The postseason marked a significant comeback as Smith, who suffered a fracture in his right (throwing) hand on Sept. 3, was able to play in only one of the last 23 games of the regular season and didn’t play in the Wild Card round of the National League Playoffs. But he came back strong, driving in go-ahead runs in Games 2 and 6 of the Series and catching every pitch of LA’s 18-inning loss in Game 3.
He returned to the starting lineup in Game 2 of the National League Division Series vs. Philadelphia and did not miss an inning during the rest of the Dodgers’ run. He said he started feeling like himself again in Game 2 of the Series. “Something clicked,” he said.
Smith was taken by the Dodgers with the 32nd pick of the 2016 draft for a $1.775 million signing bonus following his junior season at U of L in which he hit .382 with 43 RBI in 55 games. He made his major league debut in 2019 and quickly earned the respect of his teammates for his quiet presence, prompting Freddie Freeman to nickname him “the quiet assassin.”
Smith signed a 10-year, $140 million contract extension last March, the longest for a catcher in MLB history.
“To me, he kind of epitomizes a lot of the success that we’ve had,” said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. “He checks so many of those boxes, and has been a huge part of our success looking back. And we’re excited he’s going to be a huge part of our success looking forward.”
Dodgers Hall of Fame-bound pitcher Clayton Kershaw went a step further. “He’s a superstar,” Kershaw told The Athletic. “When you talk about superstars on our team, he’s a superstar. He really is. He might not get the publicity of these other guys, but he’s a superstar.”
U of L coach Dan McDonnell has a picture on his desk in his office at James Patterson Stadium of Smith holding the 2020 World Series trophy won against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“It’s not often you have a local kid that plays at your university and is one of the best players in the game,” McDonnell told WDRB prior to the Series. “In the time that he was here, we might have won more games in that three-year stretch than any other.”
Now McDonnell might have to clear out more room on his desk or walls for more photos of Smith next year as the Dodgers go for a threepeat that would match the New York Yankees teams from 1998-2000.
It’s not only Smith who has a deep connection with Louisville -- it’s also his bat. He used his D200 Powerized Birch signature model, made at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory downtown on Main Street, to make baseball history.
The Museum wasted no time recognizing Smith’s feat, putting on a display a game-used version of the same bat, including pine tar smudges, ball marks and contact scars from the 2025 season. It is part of the museum’s permanent collection. It is 34 inches, weighs 3.5 ounces, features a natural wood handle with a black gloss barrel and was made by hand in the iconic Slugger factory that has produced major league bats for 141 years.
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Sophomore setter Nayelis Cabello (L) and fifth-year middle blocker Cara Cresse celebrate a victory for the 7th-ranked UofL volleyball team. The Cards will begin play in the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 4.
By RUSS BROWN • Photos Provided By UofL Athletics
With the exception of the football team’s collapse late in the season that knocked it out of a chance to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship game, it is shaping up as a banner season for Louisville’s high-profile sports teams.
At publication time, Coach Pat Kesley’s men’s hoops team was ranked No. 6 in the nation with a 5-0 record and had snapped a three-game losing streak against arch-rival Kentucky with an impressive 96-88 homecourt win on Nov. 11 during which the Cardinals led by as many as 20 points in the second half.
Jeff Walz’s No. 21 women’s team dropped its opener to No. 1 UConn 79-66 in the Armed Forces Classic in Annapolis, Md., but had won four straight going into a showdown with No. 20 Kentucky Nov. 22 in the KFC Yum! Center. We’ll have a better idea before Christmas how U of L stacks up nationally after facing the Wildcats, No. 2 South Carolina (Dec. 4); No. 14 North Carolina (Dec. 14); and No. 15 Tennessee (Dec. 20).
Of course, March Madness is still more than three months away, but volleyball’s national tourney is coming up in just a couple weeks, so here’s a look at U of L’s 7th-ranked team, which will begin NCAA Tournament play on Dec. 4, probably as a host in the KFC Yum! Center.
The Cards were 22-4 and took an eight-game winning streak into their Nov. 21 match at Georgia Tech. All four of their losses have been to top 10 teams in five sets -- No. 3 Texas, No. 2 Kentucky, No. 4 Pittsburgh and No. 8 SMU. They have defeated their other top 25 opponents -- No. 5 Stanford (3-1), No. 14 Miami (3-2) and No. 15 North Carolina (3-1).
Louisville, Pitt and Stanford are in a three-way tie for the ACC championship going into the final week of play. The race for league championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament will be up for grabs on the final weekend, with U of L facing Pitt in a rematch on the road on Nov. 22, then hosting Stanford on Nov. 29.
Whether they win the conference title or not, the Cards are virtually assured of a top-16 seed and hosting at least a first-round game. Selection Sunday will be Nov. 30. First-round matches will begin on Dec. 4 and the tournament will continue through Dec. 21. First- and second-round matches, as well as regionals, will be played at on-campus sites, with the semifinals and final set for the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Dani Busboom Kelly built Louisville into a perennial power before departing for Nebraska, her alma mater, after last season and being replaced by long-time assistant Dan Meske.
“It’s hard to win,” Meske said. “I’ve always known that. And it is a little bit different as the head coach.”
Never mind. Meske has carried on the tradition and could be on the path to guiding U of L to its second Final Four in a row, following its loss to Penn State (3-1) in the 2024 championship match in the KFC Yum! Center to finish with a 30-6 record.
The loaded ACC has served to toughen up the Cards, with five of its other teams being ranked in the top 15, and a challenging non-conference schedule should also help pay dividends.
“We have all these teams in the top 15, and I’ve always thought if you win our conference you should get a top four seed,” Meske said. “We haven’t had a conference champ that hasn’t gotten a No. 1 seed, with the exception of Florida State when they shared the title a few years ago. We’re fortunate to play in such a competitive conference. We’re trying to win it, then let the chips fall where they may.”
Meske has been pleased with his team’s offensive performance, which was a question mark entering the season. U of L’s hitting percentage is .264, fourth in the ACC.
“That’s really good,” Meske said. “If you’re around .300 that’s really, really spectacular.”
But he says that the Cards’ identity continues to be their defense, which he describes as “relentless and tenacious.” U of L is third in the ACC in blocks with 13.67 per set and second in digs at 15.33.
“We’ve traditionally been a great blocking team, “ Meske said. “We’ve led the country in blocking multiple seasons. We just feel really confident about the way we block and the way we have a presence at the net. I think the thing that’s really fun about watching us is we’re the best defensive backcourt team I’ve ever been around in my entire career.”
As you could guess, U of L has a number of outstanding players on its roster, with redshirt senior middle blocker Cara Cresse among the best. She provides a veteran’s steadying influence, is 9th in the conference in blocks with 461 and tied for 6th in blocks/assists. She also has 237 kills.
“It’s kind of crazy,” said Cresse, from Ft. Wayne, Ind. “Sometimes I forget that I’m the oldest one here and it’s cool. I remember having some really great role models my freshman year and I wanted to do that for the younger girls. It’s an honor and I try to lead really well.”
Cresse turned down a chance to be a potential first-round draft choice in professional volleyball after last season to return to U of L.
“She’s just such a calm presence at the net,” Meske said. “You could see her first few years that the game felt fast. She was making extra movements, reacting to things that weren’t really happening. And now she makes it look like it’s in slow motion for her. It feels like we have a pro playing amongst college players.”
Cresse, junior outside hitter Chloe Chicoine and sophomore setter Nayelis Cabello were named to the preseason All-ACC team and have lived up to that billing. Cabello is a 3-time ACC Setter of the Week and Chicoine, a transfer from Purdue where she started 64 matches, leads the team with 301 kills. Close behind is sophomore outside hitter Payton Petersen, who has 192 kills and is the Cards’ most versatile player.
Meske said he believes Cabello is as good as anybody in the country. “I love football analogies,” he added. “And if your quarterback isn’t throwing catchable balls, it doesn’t matter who your receivers are. That’s where Nay is right now. She’s putting people in position to score.”
As for Petersen, Meske is stumped if you ask what she does best. “On any given day I could give you a different answer,” he said. “Kills, digs, serve receiver -- she finds a way to help.”
Among the other standouts are freshman middle blocker Kalyssa Blackshear, a 3-time ACC Freshman of the Week honoree with 269 kills, and redshirt junior middle blocker Hannah Sherman, with 101 kills and an ACC Defensive Player of the Week award to her credit.
“I think we’re doing a very good job of getting contributions from a lot of different people,” Meske said.
“We have a very competitive group,” Cresse said. “And I think that stems from fighting for positions, and I think that will get us really, really far.” Far being the program’s fourth trip in five years to the Final Four.
Sophomore outside hitter Payton Petersen sores above the net as she attacks for the UofL volleyball team. Petersen has 292 kills this season and coach Dan Meske considers her his most versatile player.
By VOICE-TRIBUNE
This month marks a special milestone indeed! Baptist Health / Milestone Wellness Center is celebrating 25 years of serving the Louisville community with fitness, wellness, and connection. What started in 2000 has grown into so much more than a gym.
From the beginning, Milestone has had a clear purpose: to enhance community health through top-tier programming, state-of-the-art facilities, and outstanding service.
One of the things that sets Milestone apart is its strong partnership with Baptist Hospital. Making Milestone not just a fitness club, but a wellness hub for people of all ages to build strength, find support, and take care of themselves in every sense. For a quarter century the center has welcomed thousands of members, offering expert-led programs, cutting-edge fitness equipment, and a team that genuinely cares about each person who walks through the door.
Over the years, Milestone has built a welcoming atmosphere designed for everyone. Whether you’re a senior looking for gentle movement or someone new to the world of exercise, the center’s group exercise classes (including low-impact, osteoporosis-focused, and aquatic classes) are tailored to support people at every stage of life.
And their team of Fitness Specialists (easily spotted in their bright blue shirts) is always nearby, offering guidance, encouragement, and expert support.
And when you need a little downtime, the Center Café offers healthy meals, protein shakes, and more, even for non-members. Teresa, the café director, knows many regulars by name and takes pride in creating connections around food that fuels both body and spirit.
So, from all of us at the Voice-Tribune, congratulations to Baptist Milestone on 25 incredible years. Thank you for keeping our community moving, healthy, and connected. Here’s to the next 25 years of milestones, memories, and wellness!
By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photo By Candis Hidalgo (Pexels.com)
Join us for a lively holiday evening as we celebrate the December issue and toast this year’s VOICE-CHOICE honorees at The Craftery, Louisville’s first and only DIY studio + full bar. Enjoy complimentary champagne and light bites, plus a special happy hour featuring a signature seasonal cocktail crafted just for the occasion.
Guests are also invited to get creative! The Craftery will be offering a paint-your-own ornament experience to add a personal touch to your holiday décor.
DECEMBER 18 5:00 PM
THE CRAFTERY STUDIO + BAR 823 E. Market St., Suite 102, Louisville, KY 40206
By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photo By Julia M Cameron (Pexels.com)
The holidays in Louisville bring familiar sights and sounds: lights along Bardstown Road, neighbors stopping to say hello at the St. Matthews Holiday Walk, and families gathering to celebrate traditions both old and new. But this season also calls on us to pay attention, not just to our own celebrations, but to the needs of those around us.
Recently, many families have been hit hard by reductions to SNAP assistance, adding stress to an already challenging time of year. And our community continues to grieve the tragic UPS plane crash, which affected workers, families, and neighbors across Louisville. In moments like these, we show up for one another.
Louisville’s spirit is only as strong as the people who make it home. It’s neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers showing up for families they may never have met, and communities coming together when the need is greatest. That’s the real measure of our city.
State and federal leaders are working to expand resources, stabilize local economies, and strengthen support systems. Locally, Louisville’s leaders continue to focus on ensuring families have access to food, mental health support, and safe spaces where the community can gather. But we, as individual members of this community, can make a real difference as well.
WAYS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY THIS SEASON
Support Local Food Access
• Consider donating to our local nonprofits or volunteering in person.
• Drop off non-perishable goods at neighborhood collection sites.
• Encourage schools, churches, or workplaces to host mini-drives.
Help Families Impacted by SNAP Reductions
• Share information about community fridges and food banks.
• Contribute grocery gift cards.
• Support mutual aid groups delivering directly to families.
Support Those Affected by the UPS Plane Crash
• Contribute to relief funds for families, coworkers, and loved ones.
• Give space, support, and patience to those grieving.
Shop Local to Strengthen Louisville’s Economy
• Choose locally owned boutiques, restaurants, and makers.
• Visit holiday markets and artist fairs.
• Consider gift memberships to museums, theaters, or cultural institutions.
The holidays are a time for warmth and reflection. Louisville shows its best side when we step up for each other. Every meal shared, every kind word, and every helping hand keeps our community strong. This season, may we find peace, comfort, and connection in the people around us. Louisville is a family, and families look after their own.
We remember the 14 lives we lost in the 2025 Louisville USPS plane crash. May their memories bring comfort, and may their families find strength in the love that surrounds them.
Angela Anderson, 45
Kimberly Asa, 3 & Louisnes Fedon, 47
Trinadette “Trina” Chavez, 37
Tony Crain, 65
Carlos Fernandez, 52
Capt. Dana Diamond, 62
John Loucks, 52
First Officer Lee Truitt, 45
Capt. Richard Wartenberg, 57
Megan Washburn, 35
John Spray Jr., 45
Matthew Sweets, 37
Ella Petty Whorton, 31
“ We’ll never forget the 14 lives we lost. In the days, months, and years ahead, we’ll continue to honor their lives, grieve with their loved ones, and stand together, so nobody has to go through this alone.”
– Mayor Craig Greenberg
“My heart breaks for those we lost in this tragedy and for their families and loved ones. Our entire Louisville community will be here in the days and weeks ahead to support and lift up our neighbors during this unimaginably difficult time.”
– Rep. Morgan McGarvey
Photo By Dhivakaran
By Kathryn Harrington
As the great Merle Haggard once sang, “If we make it through December, we’ll be fine.” If any of you get a touch of the winter blues like myself, Louisville sure is a great place to find yourself. The whole city sparkles! Bakers, decorators, and party planners are all racing to outdo each other in holiday cheer. Luckily, Louisville’s event scene knows how to keep the merry momentum going enough to surely keep us out of the doldrums.
First up, Light Up Louisville turns downtown into a glowing wonderland, with twinkling lights and festive displays that could make even the Grinch crack a smile. Whether you’re sipping hot cocoa or trying to beat the crowds for that perfect Instagram shot, this event is Louisville’s official bright spot, literally.
For a touch of sparkle and a great party, the Sparkle Ball, hosted by none other than culinary star Damaris Phillips and My Morning Jacket’s Patrick Hallahan, will bring a touch of glitz and glamour to the season for a great cause. Event proceeds from the Sparkle Ball benefit Feed Louisville, a local non profit on a mission to rescue surplus food and turn it into nutritious meals for the unhoused and food insecure.
If you’re into bold, fabulous, and slightly over-the-top, the Kentucky Pride Foundation’s Drag Queens on Ice at Paristown is always a holiday highlight. You can catch sight of fabulous glitter-laden queens on ice skates, serving looks and lip-syncing to holiday hits.
And for those still hunting for unique gifts or vintage treasures, the Flea Off Market’s 14th Annual Indoor Holiday Bazaar at Mellwood Art Center is a sure fire spot to find what you’re looking for, and most likely things you didn’t know you needed! With dozens of vendors offering handmade crafts, antique finds, and holiday décor, it’s the perfect place to stock up on one-of-a-kind gifts—and maybe find that perfect “something” to hang on your tree.
Whether it’s twinkling lights, glitzy galas, ice-skating queens, or funky holiday bazaars, Louisville’s December scene proves there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the season with style, humor, and a whole lot of heart. So get out there, embrace the chaos, and let Louisville’s holiday magic work its charm.
A LOOK BACK AT 2025!
Thank
you to our sponsors for your continued support:
We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, whose generous support makes it possible for us to share the stories, voices, and creative spirit of Louisville. Through your commitment, the VOICE-TRIBUNE is able to highlight the arts, culture, fashion, philanthropy, and the many facets of our vibrant society. It is because of you that we can continue to celebrate and uplift the people and organizations shaping our community with vision, style, and heart. Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us shine a light on the voices that make Louisville truly extraordinary.
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