Link Kenton Reader - Volume 3, Edition 8 - January 17, 2025 by LINK nky

By Meghan Goth

WA GUIDE TO GETTING INVOLVED

hen LINK nky commissioned a survey asking Northern Kentuckians what they like about the region, there was one almost universal response: Community.

“The people here genuinely care about each other and their community,” one respondent said.

But, the survey found, the people in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties are feeling less and less connected to that community.

Working together to solve problems for the good of the community, otherwise known as civic engagement, has dropped off since COVID, said Northern Kentucky University’s Shauna Reilly, though she said that isn’t necessarily unique to our area. Reilly is a political science professor and assistant provost for experiential learning at NKU.

“When we look at community participation – coming to public lectures, participating in things going on around us, volunteerism – all of those things have really declined post COVID,” she said, “it’s easy to get lost in your job or all of your responsibilities that take a large portion of our days.”

So sometimes, she said, there isn’t a lot of time left for the community at the end of the day.

Continues on page 4

Northern Kentucky is a vibrant community filled with unique flavors and hidden gems, and we want to know your favorites.

Nominations for the first Readers' Choice awards are now open.

Learn more on page 3

ALSO INSIDE:

Travel more this year with these nonstop flights p17

Delectable mocktails around NKY for Dry January p18

Where to eat out without breaking those New Year’s goals p19

Become a tourist in your own town p20

How to be more present (and escape screens!) p21

NEW YEAR NEW HOME

PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Meghan Goth

SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison

LINK nky Kenton Reader is published weekly by LINK Media LLC, 31 Innovation Alley, Covington, KY 41011.

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In November, when I received the preliminary results from LINK’s first biannual Community Survey, I wasn’t surprised to see that housing was the No. 1 issue mentioned, or that roads and public transportation were No. 2, followed by education. After three years in this position, I feel like I have a pretty good pulse on what gets folks talking in NKY.

What did surprise me, though, was the number of people who mentioned feeling disconnected from their community. In our survey, only 17.7% of respondents felt extremely involved or very involved in community activities, and even fewer, 8.2%, felt very involved or extremely involved in community decision making. Those are shockingly low numbers, and they told me one thing: People in NKY aren’t engaging with our community.

Northern Kentucky certainly isn’t alone in experiencing this disconnect. Study after study has analyzed an epidemic of loneliness and separation in our country. Experts have differing opinions on why this is the case — why kids, teens, adults and seniors all say they are lonely or craving connection — but they agree on the solution: getting involved.

Strong engagement with community is correlated with greater life satisfaction, better mental health outcomes and longer lifespans. I’m not sure about you, but, if there’s something that can make me happier, healthier and live longer, I want to do it. Especially if it is as easy as finding a way to do something I already enjoy, like being outdoors or enjoying musical theater.

Whenever we identify a problem in our region, whether it is the shortage of affordable housing, struggling educational systems or an epidemic of disconnection, it is LINK’s job to uncover solutions and let our readers know about them. We have the resources of the entire community at our fingertips, and it’s our job to bring them to our readers.

That’s what this issue of the LINK Reader is all about.

We’ll get to housing, education, health

care, workforce and infrastructure in future Super Issues. This time, we wanted to focus on how all of you can plug into what interests you in our region. In the following pages, you’ll learn how you can connect, help, grow and experience Northern Kentucky in new and different ways. Each article has practical information and contacts so you can connect with the organizations and people that interest you.

We hope you’ll find some way to be more connected to Northern Kentucky, because it’s not only good for us as individuals, it’s better for the entire community. Engaged communities are strong communities, and I think we can all agree that a strong Northern Kentucky benefits everyone.

To read more about LINK’s Community Survey, scan this QR code.

Nominate your favorites

At LINK nky, we’re passionate about serious, impactful news reporting. From holding public officials accountable to uncovering stories that matter most, our work is rooted in serving Northern Kentucky. But we’ve noticed something over the years: Some of our most popular stories aren’t election coverage or deep-dive features. Instead, they’re the ones that celebrate our local restaurants, shops, parks and the incredible people who make this region special. These stories are a reminder of what we love most about Northern Kentucky — the vibrant community, unique flavors and hidden gems that bring us all together.

As we enter our fourth year, we’ve decided to do something new and exciting. What if we gave everyone in Northern Kentucky the chance to share their favorite local places and people? That idea inspired us to create the LINK nky Read-

ers’ Choice Awards, a community-driven celebration of the best Northern Kentucky has to offer.

The LINK nky Readers’ Choice Awards will let you nominate and vote for your favorite local businesses, professionals and personalities. Whether it’s the restaurant you can’t stop recommending, the band that always gets you dancing or the dentist who goes above and beyond, we want to hear from you. This is your opportunity to highlight the people and places that make Northern Kentucky feel like home.

The process is simple and fun. Nominations are open now, giving you the chance to put your favorites in the running. Starting in March, you’ll be able to vote for the nominees in categories ranging from food and drink to entertainment, health and more. Finally, the winners will be revealed at the inaugural

We couldn’t be more excited to bring the community together for this spe

cial event, where we’ll shine a spotlight on the people and businesses that truly make Northern Kentucky one of a kind.

Want to get involved? It’s easy! To nominate your favorites, simply scan the QR code or visit linknky.com/readerschoice. Let’s celebrate Northern Kentucky, together.

Readers’ Choice Awards event, to be held on May 8th at Full Throttle Adrenaline Park..

Continued from page 1

“It doesn’t mean people don’t want to,” Reilly said, “it’s just hard to make that a priority.”

Another way to look at civic engagement, Reilly said, is balancing community interests with personal interests.

“It’s about having conversations with your neighbors and friends and family about civic issues,” Reilly said. “Making sure you’re thinking about whether your neighbors have water when it’s hot. Looking out for one another’s wellbeing is part of a larger dynamic community that I think is overlooked but is truly about engaging with your community.”

What is civic engagement?

Community, according to the National Civic League, is a joint endeavor.

“Great communities have, at their core, strong, inclusive civic engagement that capitalizes on the ideas and talents of all members of the community to ensure the common good and create lasting health and prosperity for all,” said a recent article

from the national group, whose mission is to “advance civic engagement to create equitable, thriving communities.”

Reilly told LINK nky that she would define civic engagement as being informed, active and engaged in your community. “That looks like knowing what’s going on, being active in your community, and being engaged in the issues around you,” Reilly said.

Some ways that people can become more involved in their community, Reilly said, are things like going to a school board meeting, attending a public lecture, volunteering, doing cleanups or even donating financially.

She said to think about it in this way: time, talent, treasure.

“That really summarizes how to engage,” Reilly said. “Taking your time, using your talents and then using your financial components.”

How does Northern Kentucky rank?

Press Forward, a group that raises resourc-

es for local news organizations, recently put together a civic information index that measures the strength of a community’s civic health.

The information comes from 21 publicly available, county-level datasets like volunteer rates, library visits, housing insecurity and medical debt. Each county in the country was given a score from 0 to 100 — a county with an overall score of 71, for example, indicates that the county performs better than 71% of counties in the nation.

Overall scores are tabulated based on scores in four pillars: news and information; civic participation; equity and justice; and health and opportunity.

The news and information category includes things like the presence of news deserts; percent of households with broadband internet access; how often people use libraries; and literacy levels.

The civic participation category includes engagement with the political process; percent of residents who volunteer; participation in community centers; and giving and philanthropy.

Equity and justice includes things like life expectancy; medical debt; neighborhood poverty; and youth disconnection from work and school.

The health and opportunity category is made up of things like economic stabil-

How we score

Scores for NKY counties based on Press Forward’s four pillars of civic health:

Boone

• News and information: 61

• Civic participation: 70

• Equity and justice: 75

• Health and opportunity: 92

• Overall: 79

Campbell

• News and information: 52

• Civic participation: 61

• Equity and justice: 74

• Health and opportunity: 73

• Overall: 67

Kenton

• News and information: 79

• Civic participation: 63

• Equity and justice: 53

• Health and opportunity: 77

• Overall: 70

ity; access to health care and basic needs; access to education and lifelong learning; and access to transportation.

How do we use these numbers?

National Civic League Director Matt Leighninger told Press Forward that the index is intended to help people understand the broader context and show the connections between different data points.

Volunteers ride a bus to a location where they planted trees on Nov. 2 as part of the Covington Urban Tree Board’s biennial mass tree planting. Photo provided | City of Covington Facebook page

Bev and Steve donated goods to the Cold Spring Food Pantry in November. Photo provided | St. Vincent de Paul of Northern Kentucky

“It’s a tool for investigating, inspiring coverage, and understanding the unique needs of different communities,” Leighninger said. “And it serves as a common language and a starting point for collaborative efforts to improve civic health.”

To learn more about the civic information index, go to civicinfoindex.org.

What does civic engagement look like?

The National Civic League uses what it calls a Civic Index to help communities measure their civic capital, which it defines as the formal and informal relationships, networks and capacities that enable communities to solve problems and thrive.

Here are some examples of successful engagement, according to the Civic Index:

• In Cleveland, a group called Neighborhood Connections has provided small grants to groups of residents to do projects that improve the quality of life in their communities. The grants range in value from $500 to $5,000, and are reviewed by a committee of residents. So the residents are the ones who determine what projects will best improve their neighborhoods. Since 2003, more than 2,300 projects have received more than $7.5 million in funding.

• In Placentia, California, the city decided in 2014 to create a task force to help responsibly chart a financial course for the city by identifying potential cost reduction and revenue enhancement strategies. The task force included an artist, professor, arborist, engineer, regional distribution center manager, financial consultant and two retirees. Over three years, the group held 30 public meetings at locations across the city, then analyzed the city’s finances and prepared a final report for city council. Among other recommendations, the group suggested the city declare a fiscal emer-

gency. It also suggested exploring additional local revenue and the ongoing need for a citizens group to help reach fiscal sustainability.

• A group called Neighborhood Services in El Paso, Texas, realized when interviewing residents and neighborhood associations that the leaders who were better at communicating their needs were more likely to get help for those communities. Instead of allowing neighborhoods with stronger leaders to dominate community decisionmaking, the city worked to develop more effective leaders throughout the community to ensure equity in service provision.

THow to get involved with local government

here isn’t an election this year in Northern Kentucky, so you can’t vote or run for office until the next election cycle. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for residents to engage with their communities and effect change.

“Local and state officials and your candidates or officials running for office or who are already in office, these are the people that have the most impact on your daily lives,” said Karen Brown, coordinator for the Northern Kentucky chapter of the League of Women Voters.

The League of Women Voters is one of the oldest political organizations in the country, having spun off from the suffragette movement in the early 20th century. The league is dedicated to educating voters, advocating for voting rights and generally encouraging people to vote and stay involved in civic life. It has hosted registration drives and educational events with partner organizations in the community. Although it is nonpartisan, it will advocate for specific issues, Brown said, even if it does not endorse particular policies or candidates.

The league recently released an update of its 2023 report titled “How Can They Do That? Ongoing Challenges to Transparency and Citizen Participation in Kentucky’s Legislative Process,” which concluded that “the Kentucky General Assembly has continued to fast-track legislation in ways that make it difficult or impossible for citizens,

journalists and fellow legislators to review and comment on important and sometimes controversial bills,” according to a November press release from the league.

The report encapsulates the league’s philosophy of keeping people informed. Information on what’s going on in local politics is available, Brown said, but people don’t always know how to go about finding it.

“Almost all of your city governments, their meetings, you could find them on YouTube or their Facebook page,” Brown said. “Read the minutes of public meetings, and also learn more about the elected officials in your area. Who’s on your county commission? Who’s on your city council? Who’s your mayor? Who would you talk to if you had an issue?”

Not all local government bodies broadcast their meetings, but some cities and counties will record their meetings on county-funded public access stations: Campbell Media for Campbell County and the Telecommunications Board of Northern Kentucky for Kenton County. Some cities, such as Erlanger and Florence, record their own meetings and put them on YouTube channels. Boone County Fiscal Court maintains its own video archives. Some school boards also livestream their meetings.

Most cities also post meeting minutes (once they’re approved), budget documents, meeting agendas, contact information for public officials and other public information on their websites.

The state government also records committee meetings and floor voting sessions, which are then broadcast on Kentucky’s PBS affiliate, KET. You can watch both archived and live legislative sessions at ket. org/legislature

The league itself has an app called League in Action, which provides timely information about state-level legislative schedules, information on bills coming down the pike and other resources to help people stay involved.

Staying informed is one thing, but what if you actually want to contribute to local governance?

Shane Noem, chair of Kenton County Republican Executive Committee, encouraged people to get started as soon as they could, even if there isn’t an election approaching.

“Start today, and don’t wait,” Noem said. “It’s always better to get involved sooner rather than later. By the time there’s an opportunity to run for office, it’s typically too late.”

Noem said that many people who aren’t familiar with the campaigning process might get overwhelmed, so he recommended helping someone else get elected first to familiarize yourself with how everything actually works.

Covington Mayor Ron Washington knows a thing or two about running for office himself and helping others run for office. Washington has been involved with political advocacy and campaigning since he was little, taking after his mother, who worked at the old Covington Community Center.

“Basically, what happened with me is, because of my mom and growing up in Covington and realizing how things get done is by putting people in office that may represent what you want, it’s important to be involved,” Washington said.

Washington campaigned for former Covington Mayor Tom Behan and Kenton County Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn, handing out literature to people in the community. Washington said that getting involved with community groups, even if they aren’t explicitly political, is a great way to learn about what’s happening on the ground and how broader political structures work. Washington started off working in mentoring programs, volunteering with the Holmes High School basketball team and working as a police officer. His first truly political position was a member of the Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority.

When he eventually decided to run for commission, Washington said that one of the things that surprised him about campaigning was realizing how unaware people often were about what a local government could actually do.

“I learned that we need to do a better job of actually communicating to the public what we can and what we can’t do,” Washington said.

He gave the example of road and infrastructure repair. State routes run through many cities in Northern Kentucky, but — since they belong to the state — local governments have no say in how they’re maintained or how quickly they get repaired. As a result, people often appeal to their local representatives when an appeal to a state authority would, in fact, be more fruitful.

By Haley Parnell

THow helping kids learn can build your community

hird grader Korbin spends every Thursday at lunchtime with his “big brother” Ryan Tomlinson.

Korbin is a student at Newport Intermediate School, but he has been paired with Tomlinson through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program since he was in Newport Primary School. The program is just one way that folks in the region can get more involved in local education.

“I definitely like being involved with the youth and helping them through what could be very good times in their lives and very tough times as well,” Tomlinson said.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is in five Northern Kentucky schools, the three Newport Schools and Howell Elementary and Lindeman Elementary in the Erlanger-Elsmere School District. The program’s history with Newport Schools goes back to roughly the mid-1990s.

Vice President of Program Operations Julie Knutson said the main goal is to have another caring and consistent adult in a child’s life.

“A lot of the kids in our programs have a lot of difficulties at home and parents who are working multiple jobs. They might not necessarily be able to provide them with a lot of attention,” Knutson said. “Just some-

body who’s able to give them some one-onone attention and make them feel like they matter.”

Tomlinson found out about the program through his wife, who was already involved. He said Big Brothers Big Sisters does a good job of ensuring that the big and little have common interests to ensure that the match succeeds.

Knutson said the program interviews the volunteer and the child to learn their preferences and interests, and then they decide

who best matches them.

“I like how we get to spend time with each other and play, and I actually have someone to do stuff with,” Korbin said.

Tomlinson said that every week during Korbin’s lunchtime, they meet in their dedicated room, which is filled with board games, a giant Connect Four and bean bag chairs.

“We talk about school, we talk about the holidays, we talk about our families, and we

just like to goof around,” Tomlinson said.

Newport Intermediate Principal Jennifer Michael said the activities in the room help stimulate conversation between the pairs because they create a relaxed environment and make them feel comfortable.

“It makes the kids comfortable to talk about whatever is bothering them, whether it’s home or here or other kids,” Michael said.

She said the school wants to build better partnerships with the community and bring members of the community in to support what’s going on in the schools for the kids.

“I think that it’s critical for kids to have a connection and see the possibilities outside of the three miles that we service and that the kids pretty much stick to,” Michael said. “Many of them don’t go out of these three miles. Bringing people in that have different perspectives and views is critical for our kids to see the world.”

Korbin said he would recommend the program to other kids.

“If they’re going through hard times, they have someone to talk to and express their emotions,” he said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters recently expanded to Newport High School, meaning Korbin and Thomlinson could stay paired together

2025 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

FEBRUARY 13 APRIL 17 JUNE 12

AUGUST 14 OCTOBER 9

DECEMBER 4

ALL EVENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE ERLANGER BRANCH OF THE KENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY FROM 6-7:30 P.M. EVENTS WILL ALSO BE LIVE-STREAMED ON LINK NKY’S FACEBOOK PAGE.

the QR

Newport Intermediate student Korbin, left, with his “big brother,” Ryan Tomlinson. Provided | Big Brothers Big Sisters

until Korbin graduates from high school. To learn more about being a big brother or big sister visit bigsforkids.org.

Aside from Big Brothers Big Sisters, Michael said Newport Schools is always looking for volunteers.

She said people can come in and read with students and practice multiplication or sight words.

“Just taking an hour of their day or once a week or something, just to come to spend some time with some kids, is, I think, critical,” Michael said.

Newport Intermediate School also hosts Positive Behavior Interventions and Support days once a month. Those students earn “Cats Cash” and no behavior referrals they get to do an activity. The kids get to do things like go to the pumpkin patch and do holiday baking. Michael said those activities take a lot of manpower.

“They can come in and help with the kids and talk to them, they love new people, they love new people to talk to,” she said. “Just being another person is sometimes the most beneficial way, and it gives you a different lens on education when you’re really in the school buildings and seeing the different factors that schools are facing in today’s world.”

Adopt A Class is another regional organization that serves Northern Kentucky schools and can offer the community a way to get involved.

The program partners with corporate, government, nonprofit and civic groups across the region to form teams of five to eight individuals from their employment or their neighborhood to come together for one hour once a month as a mentor team to one classroom through the school year. The program is for kindergarten through eighth grade.

Adopt A Class helps students understand career pathways that may interest them before they enter high school. The program is in the Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue and Boone County school districts.

Once a team commits to the program, Adopt A Class meets for a one- hour training session to help design what it wants to represent about its industry or career. A staff member is assigned to every team for support along the way, including monthly activities, a field trip to the place of employment, and anything else that might come up.

“For students, over the course of the program, they are mentored by over 70 mentors,” said Adopt A Class CEO Sonya Fultz. “Over a nine-year pathway through the program, they see nine different indus-

tries and understand nine different mentor teams’ perspectives on what careers are possible. They also explore each of the pathways to get there.”

Fultz said the goal is to break down any barriers so students can see themselves in higher education spaces or certain career paths and say, “This is for me.”

She said the program also helps teachers because they are asked to teach students about post-high school career pathways, and yet they weren’t trained to understand every career path.

The teachers also build a relationship with their mentor team, because that mentor team stays with the teacher year after year.

“So many teachers, you go in your classroom, you teach, close your door, and it’s you and your students,” Fultz said. “Now, teachers feel very connected to people who come consistently, year over year, and say, ‘We want to be a part of the learning that happens in your classroom.’”

The University of Cincinnati just finished a research study on Adopt A Class, which examined the program’s impact on the employer and the individual mentor. One statistic that stood out to Fultz was that 70% of mentors said the program increased their overall job satisfaction.

Anyone interested in becoming a mentor for Adopt A Class can go to aacmentors.org.

LINK nky Kenton County reporter Nathan Granger teaches Ludlow Independent School students about media literacy and genre. Photo by Meghan Goth | LINK nky

LINK nky’s Adopt A Class visited its content-sharing partner WCPO’s newsroom for a field trip.

By Kenton Hornbeck

MAn entrepreneurial mindset:

‘We have a bright, vibrant community of folks’

.K. Hennigan wasn’t sure how to begin her entrepreneurial journey; she just knew she wanted to pursue her vision of starting her own Southern-inspired provisions company.

Luckily for her, she had a wealth of resources at her disposal. Hennigan contacted Aviatra Accelerators, a Covington-based entrepreneurial nonprofit that supports women-owned startups and small businesses, to help her kickstart her business. Jill Morenz, Aviatra’s CEO, recommended that Henngian start with a complimentary one-on-one coaching session.

“It was always in my heart somewhere,” Hennigan told LINK nky. “I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur – it was always part of my DNA, I just didn’t know where to start. We have a bright, vibrant community of folks that can offer help with most every question in business.”

Today, Hennigan leads In the Curious

Kitchen, from her home in Fort Thomas. Today, her business’ online store sees hundreds of visitors daily, and for all intents and purposes, it has proved successful. Her products are also sold in large grocers such as Publix.

Like Hennigan, other Northern Kentucky-based entrepreneurs have faced similar challenges when starting their businesses. Upon researching, they discover a fully fleshed-out local entrepreneurial community of other founders, accelerators, investors and support organizations. Each of these entities provides different services for founders. More importantly, they provide community and solace to people taking career risks.

There are different types of support organizations for all kinds of startups. Whether someone is founding a technology company looking to be acquired or a small business looking to set up a shop in a city center, Northern Kentucky has the proper institutional resources.

Dave Knox, executive director of Blue North, Northern Kentucky’s primary entrepreneurial resource and advocacy organization, said that, to get involved, people must first decide on what they aspire to do.

“Are you looking for what might be defined as a traditional small business, a restaurant, a coffee shop, or are you looking for a growth venture that you want to open?”

Knox said. “If your goal is to open 20 coffee shops one day, or to launch a tech company, or something of that nature, because the entrepreneurial resources are kind of divided by the growth path that you aspire to.”

Blue North offers a number of services to first-time entrepreneurs, including workshops and training, networking events, pitch competitions, connections to financial resources, workspaces and one-onone mentorship.

Knox suggested that founders of startups with high-growth goals utilize organiza-

Do you have a high school student exploring career and college options?

Through YouScience, students and young adults can uncover their aptitudes and match them with over 500 possible best-fit career pathways. This powerful tool is used by many local schools to help students determine their future career goals by eliminating the guesswork.

Parents and caregivers are invited to a FREE virtual info session on January 23 at 6 PM to learn more about how YouScience can help your student. Register through this QR Code:

This event is hosted by NaviGo, a division of Learning Grove and partner of NKY Works. NKYWorks.org

tions like Blue North. If they’re more interested in small businesses, like boutique retailers or coffee shops, he recommends seeking resources from the Small Business Administration or the Small Business Development Center. Newport-based Incubator Kitchen offers resources, kitchen space and guidance for food-oriented businesses.

Students can use resources available through Northern Kentucky University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Women looking for specific advice for women-owned startups have Aviatra as an option. Each of these organizations can provide entrepreneurs with the proper resources to get off the ground.

“The fact that we all refer each other and work together and we understand what we each do is really great,” Morenz said. “It makes it easy for people. Wherever they enter the ecosystem, they’re going to get to the right place.”

Starting a business is time-consuming and can be isolating. According to a study conducted by Harvard Business Review, 25% of startup founders reported feeling “moderately burned out,” while 3% reported feeling “intensely burned out.”

To mitigate this, various Northern Kentucky-based entrepreneurial organizations offer access to counseling and mental health seminars to help founders stave off burnout and loneliness.

Specifically, Blue North offers Resilience Accelerator – a program that will produce content to assist regional founders with managing stress, helping them cultivate a healthy mindset regarding their work. Blue North partnered with locally-based clinical psychologist Dr. Lina Ehlinger to produce monthly content for the program. Additionally, Blue North will pay for a set number of one-on-one consultations with Ehlinger for founders needing advanced help.

Another way these organizations are helping first-time entrepreneurs looking for the community is by building access to

communal spaces where founders can meet and foster relationships through sharing their experiences.

SparkHaus, the future home of Blue North, is one of those spaces. In the former Simms Furniture building at 727 Madison Ave., SparkHaus aims to bring together Northern Kentucky-based startups, investment firms and entrepreneurial support organizations in one centrally located office hub.

“There’s a power of proximity in being around other entrepreneurs that are going through the same thing as you and understand what you’re going through,” Knox said. “They are willing to be that help, so that’s a, I think, a super powerful thing.”

Learn more about these organizations:

Aviatra Accelerators

Phone: 859-655-8343

Website: aviatraaccelerators.org

Blue North Phone: 1-800-827-5722

Website: bluenorthky.com

Small Business Administration Website: sba.gov

Small Business Development Center Phone: 859-993-7773

Website: kentuckysbdc.com/covington/

Incubator Kitchen

Website: incubatorkitchencollective. org/

NKU’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Phone: 859-572-5100

Website: nku.edu/academics/cob/ centers/cie.html

Resilience Accelerator Website: tinyurl.com/mws2d493

SparkHaus Website: //sparkhaus.co/

NKY Works Address Your Workforce Needs

If you need workforce assistance, NKY Works can connect you to a broad array of resources to meet your comprehensive workforce needs. Get the workforce help you need with just one call: 859.657.WRKS (9757) or NKYWorks@NKADD.org

NKY Works targets your workforce needs by cultivating a workforce that is enthusiastic, prepared, and able to fill and retain quality jobs across all sectors of Northern Kentucky’s economy.

In the Curious Kitchen founder MK Hennigan. Photo provided | MK Hennigan via Instagram

By Maggy McDonel

ACreating community through creativity

re you a creative looking to get involved in programs in your community?

Northern Kentucky is full of spaces to gather, create, audition, perform and more. From book clubs to open mic nights, there’s something for everyone.

For all those grown-up theater nerds looking for a place to take the stage, look no further than the Village Players of Fort Thomas.

Located in a historic building at 8 N. Fort Thomas Ave., this theater group has been putting on shows for over 60 years.

“We’re all volunteers,” said Village Players publicity chair Katie Jensen. “Nobody’s paid for what we do. It’s all for just the love of theater. And we really do welcome everybody. We strive to create a really safe and welcoming environment for all kinds of different people. So everybody is welcome to the Village Players.”

The Players put on four mainstage productions a season, including a family-friendly winter production and a summer production of original short plays through its New Works program.

The shows are performed on a unique three-quarter thrust stage, which Jenson said puts the audience member “right up there in the action.”

“It provides a fun challenge for the creative team and a really unique opportunity for the audience as well,” Jenson said.

Everyone is welcome to audition for any productions; audition times are posted on the group’s website when they come out.

“You can be a professional actor,” Jenson said. “You can have zero experience, anywhere in between.”

Other offerings include Next Gen, a theater program for teens in the summer, and New Works, a playwriting group that helps nurture new playwrights.

Typically, New Works runs in the summer;

however, in 2024, the holiday production came out of the program.

Upcoming productions in 2025 include ‘True West” by Sam Shepard, which is running in February and March, and “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich in April.

Learn more about the Village Players by visiting villageplayers.org or email them at info@villageplayers.org

If theater isn’t your thing, maybe you’ve recently rediscovered your love of books, and you’re desperate to find someone to tell about your favorite recent read. Well, the Kenton County library has a great option for you.

Bookies Book Club meets once a month at the Erlanger Branch of the Kenton County Library. Program director Mary Burkey picks a book for the group to read and discuss each month.

“We generally read things that have some sort of critical acclaim,” Burkey said. The books range in genre from mysteries to memoirs to sci-fi, romance and more. Burkey said she also often tries to pick works with local ties and books that coincide with author visits.

Also at the Kenton County Library is the Book to Art Club, where participants read

a book in advance, but rather than just discuss the book, the group participates in a creative project connected to the book.

All book clubs at the Kenton County Library are open to the public; you don’t have to be a member or even live in Kenton County to join in.

Bookies, Burkey said, has a core group that consistently attends every month, including 90-year-old Sue and a mother-daughter pair who’ve been attending for years, plus a rotating cast of participants.

“It’s really nice because everybody catches up with one another,” Burkey said. “It’s a lot of catching up on how people have been, how their families are, and what’s going on in people’s lives, which is really nice, because it is a group of people that probably wouldn’t encounter each other otherwise.”

If you’re looking to start your own book club, the Kenton County Library offers book club kits to any library card holder, which include 15 copies of over 200 titles.

Find more information about Bookies and other Kenton County Library programs at kentonlibrary.bibliocommons.com.

Maybe you’re more interested in comedy?

You can check out the local comedy scene

or even take a shot at an open mic night at Commonwealth Sanctuary.

Located in an old church on Fifth Ave in Dayton, this unique venue is one of only two independent comedy clubs in the Cincinnati area, and it is the closest to the city, which Creative Director Shawn Braley said allows them to get some of the best local talent.

“Our place is bringing through these bigger names, as well as trying to build up our local community comedians,” Braley said.

The physical space itself also enhances the experience.

“You don’t even have to have that full of a room because the building was built before amplification; they just kind of reverberate through the room, so it really creates a fun environment for a comedy show,” Braley said.

Every Monday, Commonwealth hosts a show where comedians from across the Cincinnati area can come and work out material. It is also a chance for anyone to get up on stage and try out comedy.

The club is currently working with a local comedian to start a sketch comedy workshop, which Braley said will culminate in a show where the group members put on some of the sketches they’ve written during the workshop.

Braley said that Commonwealth is constantly open to new ideas and groups. Right now, they have a Dungeons and Dragons-themed show where comedians participate in a live game of Dungeons and Dragons (a roleplay board game), and the audience helps dictate where the storyline goes.

“Our focus is strongly on community,” Braley said. “We’re not just bringing in some of the best working comedians in the country, but we’re not trying to be elitist about it. We want people to feel connected, engaged and involved.”

Find more information about Commonwealth Sanctuary at commonwealthsanctuary.com.

The entrance to the Village Players of Fort Thomas. Photo provided | Village Players of Fort Thomas on Facebook

Outdoor recreation is an ‘entry point’ to community

Outdoor recreation provides shared space for people to meet, form new relationships and foster a sense of community.

As a whole, Northern Kentucky provides outdoor recreation enthusiasts with an increasing number of outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and much more. The region is home to several state and county parks where people can get out and enjoy the region’s natural beauty.

Outdoor recreation is a growing area of focus for regional political and economic leaders because those types of amenities draw younger crowds of potential workers into the area. Millions of dollars have poured in from public, private and nonprofit investors looking to diversify Northern Kentucky’s outdoor recreation space.

On the hiking side, Northern Kentucky boasts several parks and trails, including the Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Boone County, Devou Park in Covington, and the growing Riverfront Commons trail network. These green spaces allow newcomers to explore the outdoors at their own pace.

Christy Noll, director of the Boone Conservancy, has seen firsthand how local trails serve as gateways to community building. The Boone Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that acts as a caretaker, landowner, and conservation entity that preserves natural areas and increases recreational opportunities.

Noll emphasized that many of the region’s trails are designed with accessibility in mind, making them great for people of all fitness levels.

Currently, Noll and the Boone Conservancy are working to expand access to outdoor recreation in Boone County. The organization wants to use over 350 acres of Boone County land along the Ohio River to install hiking trails and provide access to kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding launches. With outdoor recreation becoming a pivotal tool to fuel regional tourism, Boone Conservancy is looking to add to the re-

gion’s offerings.

“The 1.3 miles of gradual sloping shoreline combined with hundreds of acres of high-quality forest and streams, make the property ideal for river access for paddling, fishing, hiking and bird-watching,” she said.

For those drawn to water-based activities, the Ohio River offers an entirely different kind of outdoor experience. Canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding have grown increasingly popular, with enthusiasts trekking across the country to find new areas.

Brewster Rhoads, a representative of the Ohio River Way, highlights how this waterway has become a hub for community-focused recreation. Ohio River Way is a nonprofit that promotes outdoor recreation, tourism and community engagement along the Ohio River, particularly in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region.

“People to see that there are all these amenities that are attractive and interesting and compelling, then that's yet another reason to come to the area,” Rhoads told LINK nky in November.

Local organizations such as the Kentucky Waterways Alliance and Ohio River Paddlefest also host events that draw participants from across the region. These gatherings

not only promote the health of the river but also strengthen the community around it.

Cycling is another growing outdoor activity in Northern Kentucky; from casual family rides to more strenuous road cycling groups, the region has a growing biking scene. Northern Kentucky’s largest cities are backdrops for urbanist cycling groups that organize weekly rides. Moreover, the rural part of the region allows for scenic rides through rolling hills and picturesque farmland.

Jay Hissett, an organizer with the Cincinnati Cycle Club, told LINK nky that cycling is a way to build community. Hissett helps organize Northern Kentucky Cluster Bike Rides, a cycling group that rides bikes in both rural and urban parts of the region.

Hissett noted that group rides cater to all levels, making it a compelling entry point for beginners. The various groups meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on a weekly basis. Each day features a different ride with varying lengths and difficulty levels.

“The cycle club rides are social with people who are interested in cycling,” Hissett said. “Having that common interest, there tends to be a mixture of people with great experience, and then people who kind of wander in who are newbies.”

For Hissett, the connections formed during rides often extend beyond the bike. Cycling provides him with a new community.

“That's one of the things that people get when they show up, they keep coming back, and all of a sudden, years go by, and they've been part of it for years,” Hissett said.

Besides riding groups, small businesses explicitly tailored to the local cycling community, such as Reser Bicycle Outfitters in Newport, help enthusiasts and beginners meet other people interested in the hobby.

Community leaders are also investing more time and money into developing more outdoor recreation areas. Take the Eons Adventure Park project in Erlanger, which will feature over 1,000 acres of urban woodland, 20 miles of mountain biking trails, a network of tree canopy trails and other amenities.

Whatever the particular interest may be, Northern Kentucky has a plethora of offerings that are continuing to grow in popularity and scope.

Want to know more?

Learn more about these NKY’s outdoor recreation organizations:

Boone Conservancy

Website: thebooneconservancy.org Phone: 859-689-0834

Ohio River Way Website: ohioriverway.org Email: info@ohioriverway.org

Kentucky Waterways Alliance Website: kwalliance.org Phone: 502-589-8008

Ohio River Paddlefest Website: ohioriverpaddlefest.org Phone: 513-235-9700

Cincinnati Cycle Club Website: cincinnaticycleclub.org Phone: 513-484-2453 (BIKE)

Reser Bicycle Outfitters Website: reserbicycle.com Phone: 859-261-6187

People participate in the Ohio River Swim. Photo by Joe Simon | LINK nky contributor

By Evan Dennison

WHow to find community in sports as an adult

hile civic engagement might sound like a snooze fest to some, there are many ways to become more involved in your community based on your interests.

Sports can be a great place to start. There are ways to get involved whether you’re hoping to actually play sports – or coach.

Coaching youth sports can certainly test one’s patience, but at the end of the day it’s one of the most rewarding things to participate in. I know firsthand because I have a 7-year-old son who I coach in baseball, basketball and football.

Coaching opportunities come with some requirements. An online application and background check are usually first on the list, followed by online certifications in courses such as recognizing and treating concussions. The whole process shouldn’t take more than a couple hours.

After that, it’s learning the rules and setting practice agendas and drills. While finding a new way to teach kids each week and keep things fun can be a challenge, it’s worth it every time you run into a kid in the wild and they call out, “Hi coach!”

If coaching isn’t your thing, but you still

want to be part of the community that comes with being involved in sports, there are other options like officiating or scorekeeping.

Those positions are always in need, and I tip my cap to anyone who volunteers to officiate in this day and age. Official numbers are declining all over the country, thanks to relentless fans who think their job is to yell at officials. Since 2018-19, there have been 50,000 individuals who have stopped officiating, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Officiating also often comes with a required training period that includes a set of classes or coursework to meet certifications. Pay isn’t anything you can buy a new car with, but it can provide supplemental income.

If none of these options spark an interest and you still want to be in the game, try adult recreation leagues in whatever sport you fancy. It’s a way to get exercise while hanging with friends.

As far as adult leagues, it really depends on the time of year and season. Outdoor sports are obviously catered more for warmer weather where indoor leagues can run year round.

Where to go in Boone County?

NKY Youth Athletics

Youth football, cheer, basketball, middle school football, baseball, indoor flag football, youth and middle school wrestling

Website: nkyathletics.com

Phone: 859-652-8509

Kenton County Youth Sports (baseball)

T-ball, coach pitch, D-League, C-League, Kryptonite (travel team) Website: tinyurl.com/mvr9hpj7

Phone: 859-356-1060

Sports of All Sorts

Adult/youth leagues in Florence (basketball, bowling, volleyball, Lil Strikers soccer, flag football, futsal, soccer, T-ball, referee)

Website: sportsofallsortsky.com

Phone: 859-372-7754

Northern Kentucky Baseball Website: nkbaseball.com

Boone County Youth Soccer Association

Website: tinyurl.com/y36vymjp Phone: 859-803-3526

Pickleball — Crossroads Church in Florence (Mondays at 6 p.m.) Website: tinyurl.com/28t99vy5, Phone: 513-731-7400

Players Pickleball Club in Union Website: playerspickleballclub.com

Saint Paul Parish in Florence (Coed 30+ volleyball, youth sports) Website: stpaulnky.org/communitylife/parish-sports Phone: 859-371-8051

Where to go in Campbell County?

Campbell County Athletic Department

Offers youth football, cheerleading and cross country in the fall. Basketball and wrestling in the winter. Track, volleyball and tennis in the spring. Website: camelpride.com/youth-sports Phone: 859-635-6077

Campbell County Youth Soccer League

U6 and U8-14 at Pendery Park Website: tinyurl.com/as6ju7ub

i9 sports leagues at NKU Flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball and volleyball Website: tinyurl.com/2tzv3u6e Phone: 513-442-3947

Adult leagues at the Campbell County YMCA Website: myy.org/location/campbellcounty-ymca Phone: 859-781-1814

Colts football program at Bishop Brossart Website: tinyurl.com/mwcxz6f5

Campbell County Knothole Baseball and softball (Softball from U5U14; Baseball from U4-14/15) Website: ccknothole.com/registration-3/ Phone: 859-426-0123

Flag football fanatics

Covington and Independence, Burlington and Cold Spring/Alexandria Website: playfanatics.com/youthsports-2/registration-page/ Phone: 859-449-3456

Pickelball (PicklebarnNKY) Website: www.picklebarnnky.com/ membership-pricing Phone: 513-236-4292

Open rec volleyball leagues at NKU Website: tinyurl.com/2krfbdvn

Adult soccer, volleyball and pickleball at Town and Country in Wilder Website: towncountrysports.com/ Phone: 859-442-5800

Where to go in Kenton County?

Kenton County adult recreational softball leagues

Games will be played at Lincoln Ridge, Pioneer, and Middleton-Mills parks Website: tinyurl.com/46srv5uv Phone:859-525-7529

Kenton County Youth Sports Website: tinyurl.com/mvr9hpj7 Phone: 859-356-1060

Pickleball Northern Kentucky

Five Seasons Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 6-9 a.m.; Town and Country Tuesday, Thursday from 9-12 a.m.; Sports OAS and Silverlake, daily Website: fiveseasonssportsclub.com Phone: 859-393-8358

Since 2018-19, there have been 50,000 individuals that have stopped being an official, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. Photo provided

By Robin Gee

HBegin again: Finding community after retirement

aving strong social ties not only makes us feel good, but it’s good for our health. As we age, keeping that sense of community and connection with others can be a challenge.

In a 2023 national poll on healthy aging, more than a third of people aged 50 to 80 said they felt lonely or isolated.

The poll, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, was part of a study that found links between social isolation and increased risk of both mental and physical health issues. The good news is the study also found that strong social connections can have a positive effect on our emotional and physical health and even can increase longevity.

Fortunately, Northern Kentucky offers a wide array of resources and opportunities to find and build community with others.

A place to start in Kenton County

Margie Volpenhein is a community liaison at the Senior Resource Center of Northern Kentucky in the Latonia neighborhood of Covington.

“When I was in college I did research on isolation in nursing homes, and my theory was all these poor people are so isolated,

but I found it was quite the opposite.” Volpenhein said. “The people in their homes were isolated; the people in the nursing homes were thriving because they had that community to support them.”

Her organization serves as an information resource for seniors, fielding more than 60 phone calls and 20 to 30 walk-ins every month. She and liaison Brittney Landers answer questions about housing, food, health care, counseling and more. Some people just call to talk, Volpenhein said.

The center can connect seniors to food pantries, health care professionals, counseling and senior activity centers. They receive donations of supplies, personal care

items and medical equipment that they freely distribute. The center has served 1,700 clients in the past year.

Learn more at seniorresourcecenterofnky. org or by calling 859-261-0746.

Dedicated to seniors

The Northern Kentucky Area Development District is the support agency for senior services in the region’s eight counties. Advised by the federal Council on Aging, the organization provides aging and disability services across the region and provides partial funding and support for the region’s 10 senior centers.

It also provides direct information for seniors and caregivers through its Aging and Disability Resource Center.

“We’re here for older adults that need help to stay in their homes for as long as possible,” said Anne Wildman, the associate director of Aging and Disability Services. “I think the biggest thing that we do is help fund the senior centers and help them to have the best programming possible so that people can come in and really enjoy themselves and meet with other people.”

Find more information about NKADD and the services they provide at nkadd.org or 859-283-1885.

A hub of activity in Campbell County

The Campbell County Senior Center on the edge of NKU’s campus offers a range of activities for seniors from card games to yoga to line dancing. Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the center serves anyone who is 60 or older.

The center has a packed calendar of activities, said Marsha Dufeck, Senior Center manager. The center offers many different card games, line dancing, Wii bowling, tai chi, yoga, belly dancing, computer literacy classes, crafts, book clubs, film showings, health screenings and fitness classes. One of the most popular areas is the Wellness Center.

Seniors enjoy a game of Pinochle in the library at the Campbell County Senior Center. Left: Pay Hayley and counterclockwise around the table: Carl Hayley, Mary Lauer, Joyce Geiman, Steve Knepfle and Jean Anicka. Photo by Robin Gee | LINK nky contributor

“The cool thing is here, when you exercise, you’re with a group of your peers,” Wellness Center specialist Jessica Shields said. “You’re not in there with the 20-year-old that’s bench pressing 400 pounds. You’re with people your age, your element. They understand arthritis and everything else, so it makes it fun. And, people make new friends that way.”

Member Cindy Rilling said she looks forward to coming to the senior center because she always runs into someone she knows. And if she doesn’t, then she makes a new friend.

“So it really connects us,” Rilling said. “There’s all different ages of seniors, as you can see, and everybody has a story they tell... It’s like a family. And they do make it pretty easy to be able to get in here and just meet people. We do enjoy the exercise, you’re getting healthy while you’re making connections.”

Find out more about the Campbell County Senior Center at bit.ly/3ZmGdyq or 859572-4300.

Three centers in Boone County

Boone County has three senior centers that the YMCA manages: The R.C. Durr Branch in Burlington, Florence and Walton. Burlington and Florence are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Walton is open the same time Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

In addition to a wide range of activities, the centers offer educational presentations from the county extension office and other experts. They offer health screenings and exercise classes such as yoga, chair yoga, tai chi, line dancing, cardio drumming and more. They help organize day, overnight and longer trips as well. Last year they went to Niagara Falls.

“The main thing that we try to do is have quality programming for all ages of seniors,” said Diana Tripp, senior program director for senior programming. “When people think of seniors, they get in mind that they’re little white-haired ladies, but, honestly, our seniors span from age 60... A lot of people are still working... So you’ve got very young seniors up to people in their late 90s. The oldest participant that we had at Walton was still coming at age 106.”

Learn more about the programs available and how to participate at myy.org/location/ rc-durr-ymca/ or 859-534-5700.

Finding community by giving back

Volunteering is a way to make friends and connections while also giving back to the community. Seniors bring with them years of experience to share.

Northern Kentucky has two agencies that offer the AmeriCorps Seniors program known as the Retired Senior Volunteer Program or RSVP. The program at Brighton Center in Newport matches seniors and volunteer opportunities in the more urban counties of Boone, Campbell and Kenton. The Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission offers the program to the remaining rural counties.

Brighton’s Community Resource Center Director Eric Owsley said the focus of volunteer opportunities in RSVP is on three areas — food insecurity, aging in place and access to care. The program has 14 service areas in the community and 244 senior volunteers. If a senior is not interested in the three focus areas, but wants to help in other ways, such as volunteer tax preparation, they can plug into one of the Brighton Center’s 47 volunteer program areas.

“I think it is tremendously impactful,” Owsley said “We have our seniors from the AmeriCorps Senior Program essentially running our food pantry day to day. We serve about 30 to 60 families a day with our food pantry.”

At Community Action Commission, the RSVP program operates with the same rules and goals, but because volunteers are spread out and often must drive to volunteer sites, they receive mileage reimbursement, meal vouchers and personal injury insurance coverage, said Stephanie Gayle, RSVP program manager.

Her program works with 400 senior volunteers over the five counties and has 65 volunteer sites. Volunteering appeals to many seniors, she said, because they like to feel useful.

“They want to know that people are counting on them,” Owsley said. “When you volunteer at a food pantry or something like that you have that feeling that shipments are coming in today; they need me.”

Learn more about the Brighton Center’s RSVP program by emailing Megan Apple at mapple@brightoncenter.com or calling 859-491-8303, extension 2336.

Senior resources, activities and volunteer opportunities

Senior centers

Three senior centers are operated by the Boone County YMCA:

Boone County Senior Center is in the R.C. Durr YMCA, 5875 Veterans Way, Burlington. Phone: 859-334-6518. Email: rmcnabb@myy.org.

Florence Senior Activity Center is at 7431 U.S. 42 in Florence. Phone: 859282-460. Email: JHoffman@myy.org.

Walton Senior Center is at 44 North Main St. in Walton. Phone: 859-4857611. Email: Dtripp@myy.org.

Campbell County Senior Center is at 3504 Alexandria Pike in Highland Heights. Phone: 859-572-4300. Email: mdufeck@campbellcountyky.gov.

Information, support and resources

The Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD) operates the Aging and Disability Resource Center to provide information and connections to local resources and services for seniors across the region. Phone: 859-692-2840 or 866-766-2372. Email: adrc@nkadd. org. They also publish the Older Adult Resource Guide.

The Senior Resource Center of Northern Kentucky was established through the St. Charles Community (senior living) but operates independently. It is located at 3705 Winston Ave. in the Latonia neighborhood of Covington. Phone: 859-261-0746. Email: seniorresource@ stcharlescommunity.org. Walk-ins are welcome during open hours.

Area library systems

Libraries across our region offer programs, events and activities for adults.

Boone County Public Library main branch is Burlington, 1786 Burlington Pike, and there are locations in Florence, Hebron, Union (Scheben Branch), Walton and Petersburg (Chapin Memorial Library). Phone: 859-342-2665. Website: bcpl.org.

Campbell County Public Library has

branches in Alexandria, Cold Spring, Fort Thomas (Carrico/Fort Thomas) and Newport. See individual branch phone numbers and contacts at cc-pl.org. Sign up for monthly print or email Connections program guide at cc-pl.org/connections.

Kenton County Public Library has branches in Covington, Erlanger and Independence (with a Latonia branch set to open spring 2025). See individual branch phone numbers and contacts at kentonlibrary.org/contact.

Educational opportunities

Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center offers art classes for adults including drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, sewing and dance. Located at 620 Greenup St. in Covingtion. Phone: 859431-0020. Email: info@bakerhunt.org. Website: bakerhunt.org.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers hundreds of classes specifically for seniors through the University of Cincinnati’s Office of Professional and Continuing Education. Main office/campus is at 2220 Victory Parkway but classes also are offered at Cincinnati locations. Phone: 513-556-9186. Email: olli@ uc.edu. Website: www.uc.edu/about/ continuing-ed/olli.html

Volunteer opportunities

Brighton Center Retired and Senior Volunteer Program /Americorp Seniors offers volunteer opportunities for seniors age 55 and up in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties. For information, contact Megan Apple at 859-491-8303, ext. 2336 or mapple@brightoncenter. com. The Brighton Center also offers volunteer opportunities for all ages; call 859-491-8303, ext. 2812 or email volunteer@brightoncenter.com.

Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission Retired Senior Volunteers Program/Americorp Seniors offers volunteer opportunities in Northern Kentucky’s five rural counties. For information, contact Stephanie Gayle at sgayle@nkcac.org or 859-448-3008 or see the website at nkcac.org.

On site at the Boone County Fiscal Court Senior Picnic: Janice McGillem, Gary Ellison, Shirley Wingfield, Jeannie Hoffman (manager at the Florence Center), Mary Alice Osterbrook. Provided | Boone County YMCA

Boone County YMCA Senior Centers

‘We just want to spread health and wellness into our community’

By Nathan Granger

Looking to get fit?

You’re not the only one, and, in truth, it’s not that hard to find cookie-cutter franchise fitness centers (i.e. Planet Fitness, Crunch and the like) that provide basic memberships and facilities at a low cost.

But there’s a trade-off to accessibility and lower cost: the personalization and tight knit communities that come with smaller or more community-focused organizations. If your New Year’s resolution is to get back in shape, then you might need a little more motivation than what an open door and a line of machines can give you.

“At the beginning of the year, we have our folks who are really setting those New Year’s resolutions,” said Samantha Mosby, the executive director of the Campbell County branch of the YMCA, “and they really just want to come in and they really want to work on losing weight and things like that.”

A small business the YMCA is not, for sure, but the Y serves as the go-to family friendly place to get resources not only for fitness but for wellness generally. The YMCA has Northern Kentucky branches in Fort Thomas and Burlington, but a membership with the YMCA gets you access to all branches in the Greater Cincinnati YMCA network.

Plus, the Y has programs for almost every age group on every level of their wellness journey.

“The Y is a little different from other fitness places and organizations,” Mosby said. “There is a holistic approach. So, we have our fitness component, we have our weight room, our group, exercise classes and those kinds of things, but we really focus on and concentrate on mind, body and spirit.”

The Y provides after-school programs for kids as well as onsite child care for parents taking classes. They also have programs

like Silver Sneakers, a fitness program aimed for seniors, and Livestrong, a program aimed at helping cancer survivors recover.

Did we mention they have a pool?

“We do offer an array of swim lessons for our kids as well,” Mosby said.

Another go-to family friendly organization is Silverlake in Erlanger, which has a water park, Olympic-sized pool, and climbing and ropes courses. Silverlake has a sister facility in Fort Mitchell called Better Bodies, which is more explicitly focused on fitness. Both facilities have activities for every age group, fitness equipment, group classes and childcare. Better Bodies also has onsite saunas and even an in-house massage therapist.

Dave Smith, Silverlake’s fitness director

and the general manager for Better Bodies, said he sees people from all walks of life at the two facilities, including people who don’t fit the typical fitness enthusiast stereotype.

“With new members coming in that are new to fitness, a lot of times their plan of attack doesn’t match their goals,” Smith said. “They see things online that are very extreme, and that’s what they’re coming in to do. But then we’re also seeing a lot of people that are post-hip, knee replacement, post surgery, that need a spot to go to to continue on their rehabilitation.”

But what if you’re looking for something that’s more intense?

“We start at 5 a.m., nice and early,” said Mark McCain, owner of Triumph Strength and Conditioning in Florence.

Triumph offers group strength and conditioning courses, one-on-one coaching and small group training. As its name implies, the business focuses mostly on strength and conditioning. It was originally affiliated with CrossFit, but that affiliation ended after about 10 years, McCain said, due to differences in training philosophy, cost and some “questionable” decisions on the part of CrossFit’s leadership

One of the key things that Triumph tries to accomplish, McCain said, is to provide a sense of community and encouragement when it comes to helping people accomplish their fitness goals. Part of that is providing clients with good information as it relates to their fitness. For instance, the first thing someone does after signing up for a membership is to get biometrically scanned, which tells someone what their body fat and muscle percentage is so they can plan accordingly.

“The scanner really helps us just keep people accountable,” McCain said. “We try to do them every 90 days with our clients, just so we can deliver on our promise.”

But that’s only one part of the equation, McCain said. The other is meeting people where they are. Life is busy, after all, so it’s important to provide people with encouragement as they learn about their bodies.

“It’s more of the conversation again, that goes into the relationship, building the intimacy that we’re trying to experience in this space,” McCain said. “So, I can be like, ‘What’s going on? Just talk to me.’ We don’t have to set goals to climb Mount Everest. It could be, just show up at the gym twice this week. So, it’s just meeting those people where they’re at.”

The gym also has its own app through which people can track their progress, attendance and sign up for classes. Last, Triumph also provides child care during certain hours, so if you can’t find a sitter, no problem.

All right, all right. Maybe strength and conditioning isn’t quite your speed. What’s left?

“I stepped on a yoga mat, and right then and there, my entire life changed,” said Nikki Taylor, owner of Studio 43 in Alexandria.

Studio 43 offers classes in yoga, barre and pilates. Taylor described her own journey to opening the studio. Following the untimely death of her father when she was 26, she developed an eating disorder and other detrimental psychological habits to cope. Yoga was the only thing that helped, she said.

“It was the weirdest thing that has ever happened to me,” Taylor said. “I was on the yoga mat, and all these emotions came out,

A spin class at the R.C. Durr YMCA in Burlington. Provided | R.C. Durr YMCA

Reformer machines at Studio 43. Provided | Nikki Taylor

and by the end of the class, I was on my mat and I was crying, and I didn’t know what was happening, but all I knew is that I had to do it again.”

Studio 43 offers a variety of yoga courses for its clients. It also offers courses in barre, an exercise program that borrows heavily from ballet techniques, and Pilates. For a while, Taylor said, Studio 43 was the only place in the region that had Pilates reformer machines, which have become more popular recently. It even offers a running club.

The flagship course of Studio 43, Taylor said, is hot yoga.

“I started the studio offering hot yoga,” Taylor said. “That was my main thing that I loved to do. I love to sweat, and I love to kind of push myself.”

One thing that’s nice about the Northern Kentucky region as it relates to fitness, Taylor said, is the small businesses in the area all seem to be on the same page as it relates to general health.

“With small businesses, everybody has the same common goal,” Taylor said. “We just want to spread health and wellness into our community.”

Fitness can be daunting, especially if you feel you’re already behind the curve. All of the people LINK nky spoke to for this story advocated that those who are on the fence about fitness should not let themselves get discouraged. What you get out of your fit-

ness journey may not just be better health, but better human connection generally.

“There’s a lot of people that are coming in that just need to learn to love it, to enjoy it, and not to come in with the intention to punish themselves,” Smith said. “You know, the no pain, no gain mentality kind of [went] out the window years ago. Find a place to take care of yourself, find a place to improve quality of life and try your best to enjoy it.”

Often the thing that keeps people from joining a fitness community, McCain said, is a fear of what other people think.

“Wherever you’re at, whether you’re at a high level or a low level, I don’t want to say no one cares, but they don’t care where you’re at,” McCain said. “They care that you’re here, and that’s the important thing. I think people would be surprised how welcoming a lot of gyms are in the area because if you’re there and you’re putting in the work, I think it’s almost even more encouraging to see someone come in that clearly has some work to do, and they’re trying really hard.”

What starts with fitness can often lead to much more, Mosby said.

“It starts with fitness, but it may end with someone being in someone’s wedding, someone hosting a party for someone,” Mosby said. “And, so I think that’s really something that we focus on here at the Y is that relationship building and making those friends.”

Direct flights that can help you scratch that travel itch this year

By Maggy McDonel

It’s a new year, and for many that means a renewed motivation to prioritize things that may have been relegated to the back burner. It could be exercise, it could be eating better or spending more time with family.

It could also mean traveling more.

Turns out this might be an easier resolution that you realized: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport offers nearly 100 direct flights to over 55 destinations.

Whether you’re looking to visit friends or family or you want to take a trip to a unique destination, CVG has plenty of offerings.

Unique nonstop flights from CVG

There are many destinations with direct flights out of CVG that may surprise you.

Delta Airlines offers a direct flight to the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in the fall through the new year, with a break till the end of February. The flight runs daily from the last week of May through mid-September. The overnight trip takes off around 6 p.m. from Hebron and lands in Paris around 8 a.m. local time – just in time for a croissant and a café au lait.

British Airways offers a direct flight from CVG to London, England, which, when it started in 2023, was the first new trans-Atlantic flight at CVG in five years. The flight runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from mid-November through April, then, when peak travel season hits, a Sunday trip is added. The flight takes off around 10 p.m. from CVG and lands around 10 a.m. London time.

Looking for something a bit more tropical?

Two airlines have direct flights to Miami, out of CVG. American Airlines has one to three flights daily to Miami International Airport, and Frontier typically offers one flight daily, Friday through Sunday, depending on the season. So, no matter what time of the year it is, you’re only a few hours away from sipping a frozen drink on the beach.

If you prefer a mountain view with lots of hiking when it comes to vacations, Delta offers a daily direct flight to Salt Lake City. The trip is available between one and three times a day, depending on the day of the week and the season.

Going even farther west, Delta and Alaska airlines have flights to Seattle. Delta runs one flight a day year-round, and Alaska Airlines offers a flight on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the fall and winter, then daily during peak season.

One unique and anticipated flight launching Memorial Day weekend is CVG to Montreal, Quebec. This daily Air Canada flight departs CVG at 1:15 p.m. and arrives in Montreal at 3:30 p.m. The return departs Montreal at 6:10 p.m. and arrives at CVG at 8:30 p.m. This is an addition to Air Canada’s twice-daily flights to Toronto.

Looking to save money on travel?

While we’d all love to have a bottomless travel budget, that’s not the truth for most (if not all of us!), so we’ve gathered up some tips and tricks to score the best deals on your next trip.

If you’re looking to book your trip with some saved-up credit card points, there are better ways to do it than to book directly through your credit card’s travel portal. While it may take a few more steps, you get the best bang for your buck with transferable currencies.

Transferring points, which most major credit cards allow you to do, will enable you to use your rewards with their airline and hotel partners.

According to the travel tips website The Points Guy, the most important thing to keep in mind when transferring points is waiting until you have a specific flight or hotel room to book.

“That way, you’re preserving the flexibility of your rewards while simultaneously guarding against unexpected devaluations,” according to The Points Guy.

To do these transfers, you must first create accounts with the partner programs you would like to use; some of the largest in the U.S. include American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles and United Airlines MileagePlus.

After you’ve set up your account, keep an eye out for the dates you’re looking to book and the best rates, whether it’s flights, hotels or both. Then calculate the number of points you need (this will vary per partner program), transfer the points and make the reservation.

Another great option to save money when traveling is to book out-of-season. The timing of this will depend on the destination. For example, if you’re looking to visit a place that’s known for skiing, it’ll be the most expensive in the winter, so try to get that booked in the summer months if you can.

A fitness class at Better Bodies. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

A plane on the runway at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Photo provided | CVG on Facebook

By Maria Hehman

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, nearly every event involves celebrating with alcohol.

So when January hits, it’s not uncommon to be burned out on pricy drinks that may leave you feeling a bit off the next day.

Dry January has grown in popularity over the years as a way to cleanse and give your body a break after a booze-filled season. These local bars have options for those partaking in Dry January so there’s no excuse to cancel on friends.

Second Story

Second Story is situated on the second story (go figure) of an old firehouse.

As soon as guests walk up the steps, the first thing they’ll see is an enormous faux tree behind the bar holding bottles and bottles of liquor.

Due to the popularity of this bar and the unique craft of each drink, drinks take a little longer to create, so budget some extra time. Each beverage is specially created and it’s fun to watch the bartenders work.

Second Story’s menu consists of mostly cocktails and mocktails, along with some bar basics in cans.

Mocktails this season include the Black Forest, with black currant syrup, molasses, lime and soda. You can also try Clear Conscience, which has a gin substitute, lemon

New year, so many mocktails

simple syrup and soda water. You can also choose from two nonalcoholic beers, so whatever your drink of choice is you can opt for a virgin version.

Second Story is a laid-back bohemian escape ideal for relaxing evenings.

Juniper’s Gin and Tapas

For classy craft beverages with an atmosphere that Ernest Hemingway would envy, head to Juniper’s in Covington in the MainStrasse district.

The bar’s decor and atmosphere match more of a speakeasy, quiet lounge vibe to simply enjoy a few drinks after work, as opposed to many mainstays in the area with loud club music and dancing.

Juniper’s atmosphere certainly sets it apart from traditional bars, but its drink selection does as well. The majority of the drinks are gin based cocktails, from the traditional gin and tonic to gimlets – and there's even nonalcoholic gin, which guests can substitute into any cocktail.

Blind Squirrel

Although this restaurant is reminiscent of pretty much any American bar and restau-

rant, there are some unique qualities about this place that make it a favorite in the Florence area.

Their tap beer and bourbon selection is what many know it for, but there’s also a large mocktail menu for guests who want a fun drink without the hangover.

Blind Squirrel offers nine mocktails, and its sparkling cran-ginger mocktail makes for a marvelous drink to keep the holiday spirit alive in the New Year. Or opt for the Bloody Shame, an alcohol-free bloody mary (when you take out the alcohol it’s healthy, right?).

The Post Taps and Bottle Shop

The Post in Fort Thomas is a family friendly space where guests can still indulge in a variety of beverages – both of the alcoholic and nonalcoholic variety.

The Post sources beers from all over the country, ensuring guests have options that match their taste: Sours, IPA’s, lagers and nonalcoholic beer are just some of the tasty options offered.

Breweries are often one of the hardest places to come by nonalcoholic drinks, and decent nonalcoholic beers are even more

difficult to come by. The Post rotates its beers and beverages, but always has nonalcoholic beer options, giving guests the flavors they want without the alcohol.

The space showcases the historic dairy barn in which it sits, but is updated with modern rustic touches with a variety of seating. On one end, you can opt for velvet chairs with a chandelier for a lounge atmosphere, or you can go with a space decorated with mechanical parts with tables and chairs for larger groups.

There’s even a designated kids area, ensuring no one in the family was forgotten in this design.

Second Story

Location: 100 W. Sixth St., Covington

Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday through Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Friday 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Saturday 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Sunday 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Website: secondstory.bar Phone: 859669-2270

Junipers

Location: 409 W. Sixth St., Covington

Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday-Thursday 5-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday 4 p.m.-12 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Website: junipersginbar.net Phone: 859-291-4466

The Post- Taps and Bottle Shop

Location: 1136 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort

Thomas Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday through Thursday 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Website: thepostft.com Phone: 513-546-0197

Blind Squirrel

Location: 8537 U.S. 42, Florence Hours: Monday 4-10 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 12 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Website: blindsquirrelflorence.com Phone: 859-869-9886

Cocktail and mocktail options are endless at Second Story in Covington. Photos by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

Junipers in Covington interior, a cozy escape from cold winter days.

Interior of The Post Taps and Bottle Shop in Fort Thomas. A place for all members of the family to enjoy a winter evening.

By Maria Hehman

EPlaces you can eat out – without overindulging

very new year begins with champagne and sweets, while the next morning often inspires a wave of change. Staying social and sticking to resolutions can seem impossible, especially when it comes to eating out.

For those looking to be a little healthier without having to stay home and cook, here are some options.

Elusive Cow Cafe

Elusive Cow Cafe in the heart of Bellevue’s booming Fairfield Avenue offers a great variety for those wanting healthul choices in a casual classic Americana atmosphere. There’s always the classic burgers and fries, but the healthful choices go beyond a boring side salad.

Start with house-made hummus plate served with pita and fresh veggies instead of the usual fried appetizers.

For flavorful and not fried dinner choices, Elusive Cow offers several options: vegetable stir fry, grilled salmon, cod dinner and tacos, all of which can be customized to best fit guests’ own needs. For sides, skip the fries and opt for cucumber salad, kale slaw or sauteed broccoli.

The bulk of Elusive Cow’s menu consists of its famous sandwiches. Of the 13 options you can choose from, nearly half are either vegetarian, vegan or pescatarian. As a person who rarely eats meat, it was amazing to have choices beyond a salad!

Cuisines from across the world inspire Elusive Cow’s sandwiches: You can try the caprese for a taste of Italy; the falafel pita with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, pickles, artichoke hearts, black olives and vegan tzatziki if you’re feeling more Mediterranean; or you can go with the classic veggie wrap or grilled chicken sandwich if you’re feeling less adventurous.

Elusive Cow offers a casual hometown restaurant ambiance and is a great spot for a weeknight dinner with friends – where no one has to compromise their diet.

Bouquet

For a more elevated experience, Bouquet’s farm-to-table cuisine offers a quiet respite from Mainstrasse’s electric atmosphere. Bouquet’s menu focuses on seasonal cuisine and sources local farms for its dishes.

Start with one of the boards, which range from simple accouterments like a pickle platter with a plethora of pickled items, or go all in with their motherboard featuring five cheeses, four cured or smoked meats and pickled accouterments.

Bouquet’s first course features seasonal salads and vegetables. For fall and winter, nothing is cozier than Bouquet’s marinated squash featuring cous cous, plum goat cheese spread, radish and jalapeno melange and spiced pepitas.

Second and third courses offer heartier options including smoked tandoori salmon with saffron risotto, mushrooms, bok choy, cranberries in a garlic and onion vinaigrette.

Press on Monmouth

This breakfast and lunch spot has a line out the door every day for a reason. Press is part bistro, part cafe, part market and all parts amazing.

Breakfast has options for all diets and preferences. As “basic” as avocado toast may be, I am a millennial and we stan avocado toast. Topped with strawberries, pistachios, an egg and honey. Even if you’re not usually a fan, you’ll love this toast. Or opt for their Fresh Start Breakfast served with two eggs, choice or wheat or rye toast, blueberry and fig jam, smashed avocado and fruit.

Press’ menu only begins with breakfast. It also offers waffles and breakfast sandwiches that are good anytime of the day, as well as soups, salads, sandwiches and bowls.

Those wanting a more filling dish should opt for the bowls, which can have a base of tater tots, quinoa and rice or sweet potatoes. This is ideal for guests to ensure they are creating a meal that fits their health preferences. Press’ salads are just as flavorful as the bowls — just swap the base for lettuce to lower the calories.

The coffee menu covers all the basics, but those wanting an extra pep in their step can also add a shot of liquor for a boozy breakfast. Bloody Marys and mimosas round out the drink menu.

Press has a small market in the front and in warmer months they have ample outdoor seating along a bustling Monmouth.

The Block Deli

For casual breakfast and brunch that’s healthful, hearty and delicious, there are few places better than The Block Deli.

Nestled in the corner of the Buttermilk Crossing town center, The Block Deli is an excellent spot for grab and go meals or for a quick lunch meeting. Its menu standout is housemade chicken salad which can be ordered classic or flavor: Jamaican, jalapeno, buffalo or cajun for those wanting an added spice.

Guests can’t go wrong with ordering the reuben, turkey club, BLT or classic Italian. Soup is another hot commodity that rotates daily, with fan favorites bean and chili offered daily.

Wraps and salads round out The Block’s offerings, with almost everything costing $10 or less.

Deli delight sandwiches are a great option for convenience and cost – guests choose their bread, meat and cheese to build their own sandwich. It’s served with pickles and chips.

The Block offers both indoor and outdoor seating and has a secluded side patio ideal to spend the final warm days of the year. Those in a time crunch can call ahead to order, so there’s no excuse for having to stop for mediocre drive-through food.

Clean Eatz

The beginning of the year often inspires new healthy habits (or reinvigorates forgotten ones).

Time – or lack thereof – is often the reason for unhealthy eating, but Clean Eatz has eliminated that excuse. The restaurant doubles as a cafe and meal plan prep. It’s an easy on the go option that doesn’t compromise those counting calories.

The cafe menu includes bowls, which you can customize, flatbreads, wraps and even burgers. Burgers options include bison, black bean, turkey or salmon.

Clean Eatz’s menu covers options for those wanting high protein like the Big Boy Wrap with chicken, brown rice, lettuce, corn and amp, black bean, mozzarella cheese and Clean Eatz sweet chili sauce in a whole wheat wrap. Vegetarians can opt for their vegetarian wrap with a superfood blend, pineapple salsa, green chickpeas and zucchini in a tomato basil wrap.

Meal plan options change weekly and guests can choose the number of meals to best suit their needs.

Yuca/Cedar

This restaurant duo may be different in menu and location, but both came to NKY from the same founders.

Yuca and Cedar are equally delicious with a variety of fresh, healthful choices, so they both deserve a shout out.

Yuca in Bellevue is primarily influenced by Latin cuisine, where Cedar in Covington is more classic American comfort food. Many of their menu items cross over or are slightly altered to better match the cuisine.

In the way of more healthful options, Yuca offers Yuca toast, a Sixteen Bricks 11 grain bread topped with housemade guacamole, fire roasted corn pico, spiced garlic aioli, pistachios and black Hawaiian sea salt served with a side of fruit.

Another fresh and healthful option is Yuca’s greens and camarones with arugula, pineapple vinaigrette, diced mango, red onion, spiced rubbed tiger shrimp, chopped pistachios and queso fresco.

Cedar offers a Mediterranean toast also on Sixteen Bricks 11 grain bread topped with housemade hummus, sliced cucumbers, pickled red onion, cilantro lime vinaigrette, pistachios, black sesame seeds and served with fruit.

Or opt for Cedar’s West Indies Omelette, a spinach and tomato omelette with shrimp curry cream sauce.

Both Cedar and Yuca have a large breakfast cocktail menu to pair with their meals, including an extensive Bloody Mary menu at both restaurants. Who says you can’t stay healthy while enjoying an adult beverage, and what better drink is there for that than a classic Bloody Mary?

What to know if you go

Elusive Cow Cafe

Location: 519 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue Hours: Monday-Tuesday closed, Wednesday-Sunday 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Website: theelusivecow.com Phone: 859-291-0269

Bouquet

Location: 519 Main St., Covington Hours: Sunday- Monday closed, Tuesday-Saturday 4-10 p.m. Website: bouquetbistro.com Phone: 859-491-7777

Press on Monmouth

Location: 421 Monmouth St., Newport Hours: Sunday-Saturday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Website: pressonmonmouthnky.com Phone: 859-261-3397

The Block Deli

Location: 2343 Buttermilk Crossing, Crescent Springs

Hours: Sunday closed, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Website: theblockdeli.net Phone: 859-344-9777

Clean Eatz

Location: 1759 Monmouth St., Newport Hours: Sunday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Website: cleaneatz.com Phone: 859-291-3289

Yuca

Location: 700 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 3p.m.

Website: yucabycedar.com Phone: 859-360-0110

Cedar Location: 701 Main St., Covington Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 3p.m. Website: cedarculinary.com Phone: 859-360-1187

Harvest Bowl with rice and quinoa from Press.

Falafel and sweet potato chips are a yummy, filling and healthful option from Elusive Cow Cafe. Photos by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

By Maggy McDonel

WBecome a tourist in your own town while exploring NKY’s hidden gems

hether you were born and raised in Northern Kentucky or you just moved here, it’s easy to fall into the monotony of everyday life and forget how cool and unique the region is.

If you just want to explore the area or you’re looking for a bit of a staycation, we’ve got some ideas for you to become a tourist in your own town.

Sip your way through the B-Line

What’s more Kentucky than bourbon?

You can enjoy some local libations with The B-Line, aka The Bourbon Line. This self-guided NKY bourbon tour includes seven distilleries, 10 bourbon bars (all of which have over 100 bourbons on offer) and 10 bourbon-centric restaurants. There are stops from Covington and Newport all the way down to Augusta and Maysville.

How do you actually do the B-Line?

Well, you can just visit any of the 27 stops on the tour, but you can also participate by picking up a “B-Line pass” at any of the participating locations or downloading an online version. Once you check in at two distilleries, two bars and two restaurants, you’ll get a free gift.

Find a list of all participants and find events at thebline.com.

Visit the Vent Haven Museum

Did you know the world’s only museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism is right here in NKY? This should definitely be one stop on your local NKY tour.

The museum houses over 1,200 dummies ventriloquists used from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. The founder, W.S. Berger, spent more than 40 years gathering a collection of everything related to ventriloquism.

This collection ranges from dummies to puppets to photos, playbills, posters, recordings and more. The collection was opened to the public in 1973 and has since more than doubled in size.

The museum is open by appointment only. All tours are guided and last 60 to 90 minutes.

The Vent Haven Museum is at 33 West Maple Ave. in Fort Mitchell. Schedule tours and buy tickets at venthaven.org.

Go back in history at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

Fun fact: NKY has a site that, according to the National Park Service, is “the key to understanding the life of the Ice Age on the North American continent.”

Big Bone Lick State Park in Union is on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail and is known for its salt springs and prehistoric animal fossils. Visitors can view life-size replicas of prehistoric animals, visit a bison herd, explore 4.5 miles of trails, camp, hike, swim, bird-watch, orienteer, picnic and more.

The park is open year-round and admission is free. It also features 62 campgrounds with a camp store, showers, grills, laundry and restrooms.

Big Bone Lick State Park is at 3380 Beaver Road, Union. Learn more at https://bit. ly/3ZydyYu

Take a trip back in time to Rabbit Hash

The town of Rabbit Hash in Boone County is home to one of the best-preserved country stores in the United States, the Rabbit Hash General Store, which is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

The town’s name is said to have originated during the flood of 1847, when the rabbit population was driven to higher ground and became a staple in a special stew called “hash.” The town is also well known for its rotating dog mayor; you can even meet the candidates during the annual “Old Timers Day,” a popular music and arts festival held at the General Store.

The Rabbit Hash General Story is at 10021 Lower River Road, Rabbit Hash. Learn more at rabbithash.com.

Check out the Carpenter Enamel Center

Head over to the Carpenter Enamel Center in Bellevue for a look into a historic and endangered art form. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of enameled jewelry and artwork in the U.S.

Right next door, you’ll find Thompson Enamel, the country’s second-oldest art glass manufacturer, in operation since 1890. It is the only jewelry enamel manufacturer in the Americas. A local nonprofit organization focused on preserving the art of enamel through classes and workshops runs the center.

The Carpenter Enamel Center is at 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue. The museum is open from 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month

and by appointment. Find more information at carpenterenamelcenter.org.

Explore the history of NKY at the Behringer-Crawford Museum

Located in Covington’s Devou Park inside the Devou family’s 19th-century home, the Behringer-Crawford Museum offers a unique look at the region’s history. Exhibits focus on cultural history, archaeology, industry and performing and visual arts.

The museum offers rotating exhibits as well as educational and cultural events and programs that range from the seasonal Holly Jolly Days to family fun days to music programming and more.

The Behringer-Crawford Museum is located at 1600 Montague Road - Devou Park, Covington. Find more information at bcmuseum.org.

Enjoy a staycation stay at Hotel Covington

Want to enjoy a nice hotel stay but don’t want to travel? Book a room at Hotel Covington. Located in the historic site of the former Covington City Hall, the space has been fully modernized.

Grab a drink or a bite to eat at Coppin’s Restaurant and bar on the main floor or head next door to the Knowledge Bar & Social Room, which is below North by Hotel Covington and within the site of the former Covington YMCA.

Hotel Covington is located at 638 Madison Ave. Covington. Find more information and book a stay at hotelcovington.com.

People looking at fossils at the Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. Provided | Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Museum

The Rabbit Hash General Store. Provided | The Rabbit Hash General Store on Facebook

By Haley Parnell

MUnplug and connect with activities that don’t involve the internet

ost people can agree that they spend way too much time on their phones.

The average American spends five hours and 24 minutes on their phone daily, according to wahtsthebigdata.com.

Those statistics go even further, showing that an average American checks their phone around 96 times a day and that 57% of Americans consider themselves addicted to their phone.

But entering a new year means a chance to change our habits.

For those looking to be more present this year, here are some ideas for activities that don’t involve the internet.

Strategies for a digital fast

Set specific goals: Determine how long you want to disconnect (a day, weekend or week).

Schedule tech-free times: Designate specific hours each day to unplug, such as during meals or an hour before bed.

Use Apps mindfully: If going completely offline feels intimidating, start by limiting your use of specific apps, like Twitter or Facebook.

Create a tech-free zone: Establish areas in your home (like where you eat) where devices are not allowed.

Now that you’ve got some tools for activating your digital fast, here are some activities to foster presence.

Internet-free activities

Reading: Dive into a newspaper or consider joining a book club.

To subscribe to LINK nky’s print edition, go to linknky.com/subscribe/.

Find out more about each county public library book club offerings here:

Campbell County: Campbell County has numerous book clubs to choose from, and they all operate on a come-when-you-can basis. No one is obligated to sign up for a certain time frame.

Find out more about Campbell County’s book clubs at www.cc-pl.org/book-clubs

Kenton County: The library offers book kits containing 12-15 copies of a title, as well as a binder containing information about the book and its author, reviews, questions for discussion and suggestions for running a successful book discussion group.

SEH_HVI_Suresh_ Print_10.375x6.694.pdf 1 12/11/24 1:59 PM

Kits have an eight-week loan period and may not be renewed. People checking out

the kits will be responsible for returning all materials contained in the kit. You may check out up to two book kits at a time.

Kits can be requested by contacting the Durr Branch at 859-962-4081 or visiting www.kitkeeper.com/show_kit_list.cfm

Boone County: Attend a book group to discuss a chosen book and share thoughts and opinions about the book.

Find out more about Boone County’s book clubs at www.bcpl.org/book-groups. To request a book for the next meeting, call 859342-2665.

Board game nights: Host regular game nights with family or friends.

If you’re looking to get out of the house, check out Main Street’s Bored Game café in Alexandria.

The Bored Game Café is at 8329 E. Main St., Unit 2 in Alexandria.

Outdoor activities: Get outside and explore local trails or parks.

Find local organized hikes from the Northern Kentucky Sierra Club at https://www. sierraclub.org/cumberland/northern-kentucky

Cooking Together: Plan family cooking sessions to prepare meals and enjoy the

process together.

If you’re looking to hone your skills a little further, try a monthly cooking class at Kate’s Catering and Personal Chef Services in Dayton. For more information, go to katescatering.co/cooking-classes/.

Kate’s Catering and Personal Chef is at 702 Sixth Ave. in Dayton.

Arts: schedule a hand-building or pottery wheel class at Covington Clay.

Pottery classes run for six weeks. Classes meet on their designated day for two hours of instruction. The hand-building classes run for six weeks and meet on their designated day for two hours of instruction. For more information, visit https://www.covingtonclay.com/

Covington Clay is at 16 W Pike St. in Covington.

Northern Kentucky Sierra Club outing. Provided | Northern Kentucky Sierra Club

Link Kenton Reader - Volume 3, Edition 8 - January 17, 2025

WA GUIDE TO GETTING INVOLVED

ALSO INSIDE:

NEW YEAR NEW HOME

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE?

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Nominate your favorites

How does Northern Kentucky rank?

How we score

We’re here to help

THow to get involved with local government

THow helping kids learn can build your community

2025 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

MAn entrepreneurial mindset:

ACreating community through creativity

Outdoor recreation is an ‘entry point’ to community

WHow to find community in sports as an adult

Where to go in Boone County?

HBegin again: Finding community after retirement

Dedicated to seniors

A hub of activity in Campbell County

Senior resources, activities and volunteer opportunities

Senior centers

Educational opportunities

Volunteer opportunities

‘We just want to spread health and wellness into our community’

Direct flights that can help you scratch that travel itch this year

Second Story

New year, so many mocktails

EPlaces you can eat out – without overindulging

Yuca/Cedar

What to know if you go

WBecome a tourist in your own town while exploring NKY’s hidden gems

Take a trip back in time to Rabbit Hash

MUnplug and connect with activities that don’t involve the internet

Strategies for a digital fast

Internet-free activities