Sweet Owen Magazine | Fall 2023

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SWEET OWEN DAY 2023 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16 Courthouse Square, Owenton, KY Sponsored by German American Bank Live music, dozens of vendors, food trucks, Kids Zone, 5K run/walk, Rotary pancake breakfast

CHAMBER MARKETPLACE 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18 2340 Hwy. 22 E., Owenton, KY Owen County High School Begin your holiday shopping with us as we showcase dozens of craft vendors from across the commonwealth and beyond!

Food vendors on site.

OWEN COUNTY CHRISTMAS PARADE 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9 Courthouse Square, Owenton, KY

All events hosted by The Owen County Chamber of Commerce Interested in becoming a member?

Email owencountykychamber@gmail.com

Contents 20 | Exceeding Expectation Established in 1997, Elk Creek Hunt Club quickly became Kentucky’s premiere sporting clays resort, hailed by many for its superior terrain and variety of targets.

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Food From the Heart

Small moments of serenity

Fall calendar

Barry and Thelma McCormick faithfully operate Food From the Heart, a food pantry, out of their home

No matter where you are, little moments of serenity and peace are readily available to all of us

Fall has arrived and we've got a complete list of upcoming events for the entire family

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Life inspired, never compromised

Where to stay? What to eat?

House of McNally

Ellie Petzinger’s work consists of hand-built and uniquely-designed pieces of ceramic stoneware.

Looking for hospitality in Owen County? Try Handyland Farm or Mi Viejo

Tomato Pie, a warm weather staple, also serves as a great transition from summer to fall

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Meet the Nelkes

Fall into a good book

Remembering Rebekka

Tom and Kristin Nelke moved to Owen County in 2019, quickly becoming involved in the community

A Sweet Owen contributor shares her top picks for fall reading—for adults and young readers

Sweet Owen remembers renowned fiber artist Rebekka Siegel, in her own words

sweetowenmag.com + fall 2023

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JOIN OUR TEAM OWEN COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSIT IS HIRING DRIVERS! COUNTY BENEFITS, STATE RETIREMENT, FLEXIBLE HOURS, PAID HOLIDAYS TO APPLY, VISIT HTTPS://WWW.OWENCOUNTYKY.US/ CAREER-OPPORTUNITIES FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS REQUIRE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING.

sweet owen + welcome

Sweet Owen

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE IN OWEN COUNTY, KENTUCKY

© 2023, Owen County Tourism Commission Volume I, Issue 8 September 2023 Molly Haines Riddle Editor Whitney Prather Duvall Copy Editor Owen County Tourism Commission Holly Bowling,Director Jenni Duncan, Chairperson Mike Haines, Treasurer Lindsey Tirey, Secretary Jessy Sanders, Member Shadoe Aldridge, Member Sean O’Daniel, Member

Contributors Becky Doolin, Amanda Anderson Matthews, Lyndsi McNally, Kelly Rodamer, Matt Stafford For advertising information, email editor@sweetowenmag.com or call 502-330-8813 To submit an event, letter to the editor, or suggest story ideas, email editor@sweetowenmag.com.

Submission deadlines: 4 p.m., Oct. 16, 2023, for December-February Published quarterly by the Owen County Tourism Commission “... find yourself here” 300 S. Main St., Owenton, KY 40359 502-563-5050 www.visitowencountyky.org

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his time last year, I was scrambling to finalize the details of my wedding. After nearly two years of being engaged, I threw my indecisiveness—big or small, outside or inside, fancy or simple dress—out the window. I bought my dress on Amazon for a whopping $38 two months before our big day. On Oct. 29, Brian and I said “I do” in front of our immediate families while standing in the backyard of his mom and dad’s house.

It was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Having waited until I was 32 years old to marry, I was past the point when an extravagant wedding was appealing. If my mother had allowed it, I would’ve married Brian in flip-flops and a T-shirt at the county courthouse. But it wasn’t just my mother I was concerned with; I also owed this day to my mother-in-law.

From day one, Mitzie accepted me into her little family and covered me with love and kindness that no one’s mother—except my own—had ever shown me. Outside of Brian and I, no one celebrated our engagement or nuptials quite like she did. And indeed, no one could’ve doted on their daughter-in-law the way she did.

In the final years of her life, Mitzie spent the majority of her days homebound. Her affections did not come in the way of presents, money, or extravagant trips but in love and respect, in sharing her life experiences, in celebrating life’s little victories alongside us, and with endless encouragement.

Less than a year later, I never dreamed she would be gone, and despite my excitement for my and Brian’s first anniversary, I can’t help but feel a little sad. Time is a thief, as they say, and my time with Mitzie ended much too soon.

If she could write to you as I am today, I think she would want to say something like, “Love and faith above all else. Do good and spread kindness no matter where you go. Help those in need; encourage and uplift them. Keep life simple.”

Molly Haines Riddle WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Help us continue to bring Sweet Owen to you! Scan the QR code at left and tell us about yourself: where you’re from, where you picked up the magazine, and what you enjoy the most about Sweet Owen. By learning more about our demographic, we can continue to bring you the best magazine possible. Want to tell us more? Email editor@sweetowenmag.com.

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sweet owen + volunteers

FOOD from the

HEART

BY KELLY RODAMER Sweet Owen Guest Contributor

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

When John Wesley spoke these words over 200 years ago, he likely didn’t recognize the eternal impact they would have.

For Barry and Thelma McCormick, there is no limit to the ways and means in which they can do good and help others, especially when it comes to providing food security for up to 200 families each week who need a hand up during uncertain times in their lives.

As the Owenton Rotary Club’s 2023 Owen Countians of the Year, the McCormicks have been recognized for their impact on Owen County. But their reach stretches far beyond the 354 square miles that make up the county lines.

Since 2018, the McCormicks have faithfully operated Food From the Heart, a food pantry, out of their home.

“It all started when I was trying to find local resources to help out a family member,” Thelma said. “It turned out she made $9 a month too much to receive help. Only $9. It didn’t seem right. We decided to do something about it. People shouldn’t go without because someone else has decided they make too much money.”

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sweetowenmag.com + fall 2023

p THELMA AND BARRY McCORMICK, ABOVE, began Food From the Heart in 2018 as a small pantry operating out of their basement. Today, Food From the Heart has transformed into a twice-a-week pantry offering food staples such as shelf-stable items, fresh produce, dairy, meat, and more. — All photos by Kelly Rodamer/Sweet Owen Guest Contributor

With that, Food From the Heart was born. What started as a small pantry operating out of the McCormick’s basement has become a twice-a-week pantry offering food staples such as shelf-stable items, fresh produce, dairy, meat, and more. Guests from nine counties in northern and central Kentucky frequent the pantry, which operates from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays or by appointment.

Because of the positive response from the community, many renovations have been made to expand what the pantry offers.

“It started with just a small part of the basement,” Barry explained. “Now we’ve taken over our old cistern, a bedroom, and built a refrigerator room.

But it’s because we tell everyone that if we can get it, we will share it. It’s not in our nature to turn people away.”

sweet owen

While most families stop at the pantry during scheduled hours, the McCormicks understand not everyone can make it in the two-hour timeframe the pantry is staffed with volunteers.

“My phone doesn’t stop,” Thelma said. “All day I’m getting messages and phone calls. Life happens, so sometimes our regulars can’t make it during our scheduled hours. We do our best to make sure no one goes hungry.”

To ensure as many families as possible receive food, guests are asked to try and come during the scheduled hours when volunteers are available and to bring an empty box to fill up.

In exchange, the volunteers who keep the pantry running smoothly greet guests with a smile, food, and conversation.

“We don’t just offer food,” Thelma continued. “We offer a conversation and a place to socialize. And we do it all while protecting the dignity of the people who come by. We operate differently than other pantries. Everyone tells us that. We don’t need to know all the details, just how many people we’re helping you feed and what county you’re from.”

To keep the pantry operating with the goal to make food easily accessible to as many as possible, the McCormicks have built a small but mighty army of volunteers to help with the operation.

“It started with just family helping,” Thelma said. “My mother-in-law loves to help and catch up with people while we fill their boxes. We see a lot of seniors come as much for the social interaction as they do for the food.”

Kentucky has the fourth-highest food insecurity rate among older adults in the U.S. By offering a pantry that allows and promotes building relationships among guests

and volunteers, the McCormicks are doing their part in growing a community and satisfying more than a physical hunger among a mostly-isolated population.

However, more than seniors benefit from volunteering and building relationships through Food From The Heart.

“We have young people that come and help us,” Barry said. “Real good kids. We’ve got a set of siblings that we see regularly who really enjoy their time here.”

Roughly half a dozen smiling faces can be found at Food From the Heart on Tuesdays and Fridays. The rest of the week, it’s up to Thelma and Barry, though they’ll call for backup if needed. It’s often the volunteers who end up more blessed than the guests at the end of the night.

Because Food From the Heart operates almost entirely on donations and generosity from the community, the McCormicks make sure their volunteers know just how much they appreciate them. Barry stocks the refrigerator room with special drinks that he knows each volunteer likes and will fire up the grill to offer a hot dog meal for volunteers and guests alike. Thelma will note their birthdays and ensure they have a special treat when they come to help.

And that’s just the beginning of what makes Food From the Heart such a magical place to be.

“What makes us different is that we don’t just offer the food from the pantry,” Thelma explained. “We provide food for local churches when they’re hosting vacation Bible school, special events, or funerals. We bring food to the fair workers each year. If you have a need for food for anything, we want to make sure you have it. We want to make sure no family goes hungry.”

The McCormicks feel blessed to have grown this much in such a

short period of time. But with growth comes growing pains. They’ve recently received a truck that operates a lift gate, making food pickup much easier and faster. A retaining wall must be built, and a paved driveway must be installed to use the truck. A vegetable stand is in the works.

“We have big plans for Food From the Heart,” Thelma said. “But a lot of it comes from our own pockets, so we do what we can when we can.”

“We do a lot of the work ourselves and with our friends,” Barry adds. “We know how to stretch a dollar so it helps the most people.”

The McCormicks embrace the growing pains with open arms and eager anticipation. For each time they need to expand, it means they’re truly doing all the good they can, by all the means they can, in all the ways they can, in all the places they can, at all the times they can, to all the people they can, for however long they can. v

sweetowenmag.com + fall 2023

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sweet owen + life

Small moments of serenity

BY MATT STAFFORD

L

p MATT STAFFORD is a lifelong Owen countian who enjoys a variety of outdoor activities. He’s also fond of writing on his experiences in hiking, hunting, and fishing.

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sweetowenmag.com + fall 2023

ast July, I found myself on the trip of a lifetime—at least in my eyes—in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While I could write countless pages on what that experience meant to me, one moment gave me more serenity than I’ve ever experienced in nature.

I was hiking with my wife’s family to Taggart Lake, a pristine destination within Grand Teton National Park at the base of those magnificent peaks.

This particular trail became one of the favorites I’ve ever had the privilege to saunter. The path leading up from the parking lot to the trailhead was flat. A right turn gradually inclined through a dense forest along a relatively rocky path dotted on both sides with patches of sweet-scented, small white flowers known as Snowbrush.

Everything about this place is pleasing, from the dirt and rocks under your feet, the creeks and streams running along the trails, the views of the towering formations above, to the fragrance you breathe in. The trail leveled out into a pine and aspen forest that opened up after a mile-and-a-half journey to the southeastern shore of Taggart Lake. I couldn’t resist any longer. I rolled my pants up, pulled off my hiking shoes, shoved my socks inside, and cautiously stepped onto the smooth rocks detectable under the clear water.

It was frigid, but wading was almost an obligation. My brother-in-law found a good-sized boulder that extended from the bank into the water and decided to sit there and talk to the rest of the crew on the shore. Only a few of us chose to endure the cold for the sake of the experience. The rock on which he sat

sweet owen

appeared to have adequate space, so I made my way over and climbed up on the west side of the sloping boulder just above the water’s surface.

My brother-in-law was occupied, chatting with the gang and watching his mother carefully assist my two 4-year-old twin nephews as they navigated their little feet in the shallow waters. He was facing southeast toward the shore, while I was a scant foot away, facing west, my mind engulfing the vista before me, a clear mountain lake at the foot of the massive summit above.

I definitely was not, but I felt blissfully alone with the creator for a few fleeting moments. My head was drawn upward as if the very hand of God had lifted my chin up to the peaks piercing the Heavens.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2) I was suddenly filled with such thankfulness for the blessing around me. I whispered, “Thank you,” and it

was as if the sounds dulled around me—the chatter and laughter behind me, the paddle boarders off to my right, the swimmer across the shore— all seemed muted from my reality. A gentle breeze swept over me from the south. I closed my eyes and breathed it in. It was as if the Lord had smiled at his child’s amazement at his wonders and sent the breeze to confirm his presence.

I’ll never forget that moment for as long as I live, a snapshot I’ll keep revisiting in my head.

Wyoming, with its geothermal activity, abundance of wildlife and snow-covered spires, was simply unbelievable. Still, I have to remind myself of the natural wonders we possess here at home in Owen County, especially this time of year.

For many Owen countains, autumn consists of early morning walks in a moonlit stretch of forest, climbing into a blind or up into a sturdy tree and waiting on “the big one” to come within range during deer season. Many of my most peaceful days

have been spent in this scenario, leaning up against an oak tree on a chilly afternoon with the sun in my face while the kaleidoscopic leaves break free from their limbs and sway like a baby cradle toward the ground.

It didn’t matter if I saw the first fourlegged animal with antlers.

I’ve come across that same peace here at home that I felt on that rock in Wyoming. It’s accompanied me on the banks of many farm ponds, on a walk with my wife, and now, I’m blessed to see it on the face of my son.

Fall is my favorite season to be outside. I pray whatever you decide to get into during this time of year, whether it be a pumpkin patch, a football game, or chasing down a whitetail, that you find as much peace as I have in the little moments we are so blessed with.

No matter where you are—in the mountains of Wyoming or here in the rolling hills we call home—little moments of serenity and peace are readily available to all of us. All we have to do is find them. v

sweetowenmag.com + fall 2023

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sweet owen + events

EVENTS

"If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magical hour." —Victoria Erickson

Have an event you’d like to share?

Sweet Owen Magazine accepts event listings free of charge from civic groups, volunteer organizations, churches, clubs, etc. Send your event and a brief description to editor@sweetowenmag. com by 4 p.m., Oct. 16, 2023, for the winter (December-February) edition.

Thursday, Sept. 14 10 a.m., Yoga at the Owen County Public Library Yoga for all levels of experience. Follow an instructor on the big screen.

11 a.m., Walk Away the Pounds at the Owen County Public Library Walk in place to the Leslie Sansone 30-minute walking video. This event repeats at 11 a.m. every Thursday.

3:30 p.m., Owen County Public Library Bookmobile at New Liberty.

Saturday, Sept. 16 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sweet Owen Day Join the Owen County Chamber of Commerce for its annual fall festival.

Events include the Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast, 5K Run/Walk, live music, vendors, health fair and KidZone, cornhole tournament and more. All events located around the Owen County Courthouse Square.

7 p.m., Fall Festival at MK Farms Stop by MK Farms for live music by Joe Clark, hayrides, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, corn maze and more.

Admission is $10 per person (children under 12 admitted for free). MK Farms is located at 2920 Hwy. 127 N., Owenton.

Monday, Sept. 18 10 a.m., Stretch & Strengthen Exercise at the Owen County Public Library Participate in standing exercises.

Move every muscle to prevent muscle

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sweetowenmag.com + fall 2023

p THE ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY AT THE OWEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY features crafts, games like pumpkin tic-tac-toe, and a cake walk.

Enjoy Halloween sotires in the reading tower. Wear your costume and join in the costume parade. The event begins at 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30. — Photo courtesy of the Owen County Public Library

atrophy. This event repeats at 10 a.m. every Monday.

1 p.m., Beginning Quilting, Part I at the Owen County Public Library Interested in learning how to create machine quilts? Let’s start at the beginning and familiarize yourself with the sewing machine. Use one of ours

or bring your own. We will complete a quilted potholder. Allow two hours for this program. Call to register.

Tuesday, Sept. 19 10 a.m., StoryTime at the Owen County Public Library StoryTime is a program with a different

sweet owen

theme each week, suitable for young children and their parent or caregiver. The event repeats at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday while school is in session.

6 p.m., Painting 101 at the Owen County Public Library Learn basic painting techniques and composition. This event is suitable for adults. Registration is required.

Join us for the fall Owen County Truck and Tractor Pull, admission is $15 at the gate. Event takes place at the Owen County Fairgrounds, 355 Ellis Rd., Owenton.

Friday, Sept. 22 First Day of Autumn 6-10 p.m., Daddy Duo at Elk Creek Vineyards Mark Kyle and Donnie Wright will perform your favorite country and classic rock tunes from past to present at Elk Creek Vineyards, 150 Hwy. 330, Owenton.

Tuesday, Oct. 10 1 p.m., Community Event: Catching the Sun at the Senior Center of Owen County Join us at the Senior Center to discuss the history of sun catchers and how they were first used in America by the Southwest Indians. Make a sun catcher to take home. The senior center is located at 118 N. Main St., Owenton.

Tuesday, Sept. 26 6 p.m., Multi-County Historical Society Picnic Gather with fellow historical societies for a meal and to share accomplishments, changes, concerns, and/or future plans. The guest speaker is Holly Wilson. The events takes place at the Kentucky Renaissance Festival, 955 Elm St., Eminence, KY 40019. RSVP to Larry Dale Perry.

Tuesday, Oct. 3 6 p.m., Make Halloween Earrings at the Owen County Public Library Come to the library to have fun making spooky moon and bat earrings for Halloween. This program is for all ages (children under 12 must have an adult present). Call the library to register; space is limited.

Thursday, Oct. 5 Pizza and Pumpkins at the Owen County Public Library Transform traditional pizza ingredients into decorative pumpkins for holiday eating and sharing.

Saturday, Oct. 7 6 p.m., Owen County Truck & Tractor Pull

Monday, Oct. 9 Columbus Day Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Thursday, Oct. 12 6 p.m., Historical Society Program with author Kyle McDanell at the Owen County Public Library Local author Kyle McDanell will recount the true story of the 1877 public hanging in Owen County. “The Confession of Richard Shuck” is a story of state politics, murder, racism, violence and mob justice.

Saturday, Oct. 14 6-10 p.m., Tim Hinde at Elk Creek Vineyards Tim Hinde performs live music at Elk Creek Vineyards, 150 Hwy. 330, Owenton.

Thursday, Oct. 19 6 p.m., Gordon’s Gourmet at the Owen County Public Library Fall is here and there’s a chill in the air.

What better way to stay warm than soup? This month Gordon shows us his best techniques for soup to warm us in chilly weather. No registration required.

Friday, Oct. 20 2 p.m., Mystery Book Club at the Owen County Public Library We are discussing “The Church of Dead Girls” by Stephen Dobyns. An epidemic of suspicison steadily infects

a sleepy little upstate New York town as, one by one, three girls vanish. The devastating effects of mistrust bring panic and secrets as citizens take the law into their own hands. Pick up our next month’s book, “The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter” by Sharon McCrumb. All are welcome as we enjoy the plot twists and make new friends, both books and people.

Monday, Oct. 30 5-7 p.m., Halloween Party at the Owen County Public Library Wear your costume, make crafts, play games and try your luck at the cake walk.

Enjoy Halloween stories in the reading tower. Costume parade at 6:30 p.m.

Catch the Halloween spirit at the library!

Tuesday, Oct. 31 Halloween Saturday, Nov. 4 7 p.m., November Slam Demolition Derby Join Top Dog Promotions and the Owen County Fair Board for the November Slam Demolition Derby. The event will be held at the Owen County Fairgrounds, 355 Ellis Rd., Owenton. Check the Owen County 4-H Fair & Horse Show Facebook page for details.

Sunday, Nov. 5 Daylight Savings Time Ends Saturday, Nov. 11 Veterans Day Saturday, Nov. 18 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 2023 Chamber Marketplace Craft & Vendor Expo The Owen County Chamber of Commerce presents the 2023 Chamber Marketplace Craft & Vendor Expo, featuring local and regional direct-sale vendors, ranging from handmade items to baked goods. Food vendors on-site throughout the day.

Thursday, Nov. 23 Thanksgiving Day

sweetowenmag.com + fall 2023

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sweetowenmag.com + fall 2023

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sweet owen + art

A life

INSPIRED

NEVER compromised

BY AMANDA ANDERSON MATTHEWS Sweet Owen Contributor

In 2004, Ellie Petzinger—then an aquatic biologist with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife—attended an adult pottery class at Frankfort’s Thornhill Education Center. Her purpose was simple enough; she needed flowerpots for her sprawling collection of house plants. The result, however, would change her life trajectory and transform her into a well-known artist across northern and central Kentucky.

In addition to flowerpots, Petzinger also wanted tableware. It seemed logical to her to learn to make them.

Upon taking the class, she became captivated by both the artistry and the artists themselves.

“I really loved the community and the culture that I had found in the ceramics world,” Petzinger said.

“Working with clay meant endless possibilities because you can take it in any direction.”

Petzinger would resign from Fish and Wildlife in 2011 to have her first child, and in doing so, took on pottery in earnest, creating a pottery studio at her home. Before the birth of her children, in lessons and in the studio, she was accompanied by her constant companion, a German Shepherd named Nya. It was obvious to Petzinger’s mentor, Les Greeman, what she should call

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sweetowenmag.com + fall 2023

p ELLIE PETZINGER, THE SOLE PROPRIETOR OF DOG HAIR POTTERY STUDIO, became interested in the art of ceramics in 2004. The studio is located in a cabin on her family farm. Her work incorporates living plants, driftwood, grapevine, bone, feather and metals into speckled and dark bodied Appalachian clay. — Photo courtesy of Ellie Petzinger

her pottery business: Dog Hair. With dog hair in the glaze and in the pots, it was the natural choice since each piece came with its own contribution from Nya. A style all her own To know Petzinger is to realize

she marches to her own beat. She exudes positivity, and it’s hard not to feel welcome in her presence.

Make your way from her home to her studio, and you’ll spot her bright turquoise Volkswagen Beetle. Her sprawling gardens. Her mismatched bone earrings. She is uniquely Ellie Petzinger, and so is her work.

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Working with locally-sourced clay whenever possible, Petzinger’s belief that the clay is just as stunning as the glazes she uses often leads her to leave areas of the raw clay body exposed—this might be through careful glazing or a strategically placed handprint.

Of her many creations, which include cookware like dutch ovens and casserole dishes, as well as vases, sculptures, baskets, and home décor, Petzinger is fondest of her banded vessels, a style of pot she builds one piece of clay at a time.

Each pot takes on a unique style, slightly different from the last, giving them all character and personality.

“My most popular items are the cookware,” Petzinger said. “. . . I think my mugs are popular because of the handles. They are hand-pulled and have my thumbprint at the top.

People really like that little detail.”

Over the years, Petzinger has worked with different people to learn other techniques and styles to create something that is truly her own. She has practiced many forms of pottery, including soda-fired, raku, and Anagama wood-fired. When creating sculptures, she forages her surroundings to add details to the pieces, like driftwood, bones, metal, and plants, to keep her art natural and genuinely local.

Art and Owen County “I think the best part of having my studio (in Owen County) is that I’m always being inspired by nature, and I have great support from my family and friends,” Petzinger said.

One of the ways she integrates Owen County into her pottery is through nature. Unsurprisingly, she uses local flora and fauna in her work. A quick walk around her property can yield endless inspiration and

garden onto honey pots. “It’s also my way of life. It’s how I keep the lights on and my kids fed.”

Looking around her studio, one can see traces of her tools: lace and doilies hanging across the window by clothes pins. Vases full of dried stems for stamping, twigs, bones. Rolling pins and empty bottles. And most importantly, the question, “What if?” hanging in the air. Every artist’s most important tool—possibility.

“My hope for art and Owen County is that the art community continues growing and thriving,” Petzinger added.

It is this hope that keeps her moving forward.

She dedicated her time this past year as an artist in residence at Owen County High School, teaching students to use the potters wheel.

She believes that if we continue supporting small businesses and local art, we can build our local artists.

“I have learned about myself through my art; like myself, my art is forever changing and evolving.”

p ELLIE PETZINGER PUTS THE FINISHING TOUCHES on one of the many mugs she creates. The mugs are hand pulled and each have her thumbprint at the top, a detail she said makes them popular with her customers. — Photo courtesy of Ellie Petzinger

tools to incorporate into her designs.

“Creating pieces of art with materials mined from the earth brings me a lot of inner joy and can be meditative at times,” Petzinger said as she stamped poppy stems from her

Interested in supporting Dog Hair Pottery? You can find Petzinger’s work at: l Frankfort’s Completely Kentucky, l Folksiders in Rabbit Hash l Rabbit Hash Artworks in Rabbit Hash l Glencoe General Store, l The Collective in Cincinnati, Ohio, l The Key West Collective in Key West, Florida.

Yo u c a n a l s o f o l l o w h e r o n Instagram and Facebook and contact her regarding the pottery she posts online. She can be found @ doghairpottery on Instagram, Dog Hair Pottery Studio on Facebook, or http://doghairpotterystudio.weebly. com. v

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sweet owen + friends of animals

Find your 'Furever Friend'

meet “sage” Skittish and aloof when she arrived at the Owen County Friends of Animals shelter in December 2022, Sage has improved by leaps and bounds and is now eager to please and thrives on attention. Sage is a bit picky about the dogs she befriends in the shelter environment, but after assessment by a professional trainer, we believe with proper introductions and a stable home, Sage would be fine with canine companions.

ALL ABOUT SAGE Age: About 2 years old Gender: Female Size: Approximately 47 lbs.

Ready to meet Sage? Call Elizabeth at (502) 750-1673 or text Hilari at (502) 514-1897

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sweet owen + hospitality

Where to stay?

Rustic Container Cabin on Handyland Farm 4.7 of 5 Star (Exceptional) Rating on Vrbo To book your stay, visit https://www.vrbo.com/2146757

Soak up the vintage and rustic charm of this fully renovated shipping container cabin. Nestled next to the woods, you’ll enjoy a private stay on the ridge of rolling hills. Explore 200 acres, go fishing in the creek, throw some steaks on the grill, sit back and relax. This is a custom-built container cabin with treasures used from all over Handyland Farm.

What to eat?

Mi Viejo 735 Hwy. 22 E. | Owenton, KY 40359 | (502) 462-0206 Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday-Saturday

The recently-opened Mi Viejo offers a variety of authentic Mexican cuisine at affordable prices and with a favorable atmosphere.

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sweet owen + tourism

p ELK CREEK HUNT CLUB, established in 1997, quickly became Kentucky’s premiere sporting clays resort, hailed by many for its superior terrain and variety of targets. — Photo courtesy of Chris Kasson

EXCEEDING EXPECTATION After 26 years in business, Elk Creek Hunt Club remains No. 1 with Kentucky’s sporting clay enthusiasts

BY MOLLY HAINES RIDDLE Sweet Owen Editor

Nestled among the rolling ridges and hillsides of KY 227, Elk Creek Hunt Club’s location is unassuming to passersby, yet for those who are “in the know,” its sprawling 1,200 acres serve as a sort of paradise for an ever-growing population of sporting clay enthusiasts.

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Described as “golfing with a shotgun,” sporting clays is the closest thing to actual field shooting of all shotgun sports. Rather than having clay birds thrown from standardized distances and angles as with skeet or trap, sporting clay courses are designed to simulate the hunting of ducks, pheasants, other upland birds, and even rabbits. Since there is no set season and it can be shot at any time, many hunters shoot sporting clays to further their wing-shooting skills during the off-season.

“Sporting clays is still one of the fastest growing sports, and when COVID hit, everyone was encouraged

to get outside,” Elk Creek Hunt Club Manager Shadoe Aldridge said. “It’s one of those activities that anyone at any age can do. We teach beginners, as well as advanced shooters.”

Initially owned and operated by Curtis Sigretto, Elk Creek Hunt Club opened in 1997 with the purchase of a 250-acre farm approximately four miles from Owenton. Since then, the business has expanded to offer three courses with various target presentations from novice to apprentice. Each sporting clay course can be shot as 50 or 100 targets per person, consisting of 12 to 16 stations with two to three traps per station.

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As one of Kentucky’s premiere sporting clays facilities, Elk Creek Hunt Club plays host to a number of events throughout the year, welcoming guests from as far away as Russia, and recently hosted the 2023 State Sporting Clays Championship, bringing nearly 300 visitors to Owen County from across 21 states.

Sanctioned by the Kentucky Sporting Clays Association, the event takes place at one of the state’s seven clubs each year in August.

“This year we had shooters from 21 states, and we had several visiting Elk Creek and Kentucky for the first time,” Aldridge said. “Our reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Some were amazed by their surroundings— the rolling hills and curvy roads. Our target presentation is unmatched with the terrain we have.”

Such an event can serve as a boon for the economy of a rural community and its surrounding areas, a fact not lost on Aldridge, or Elk Creek Hunt Club’s director, Holly Bowling, who also serves as executive director of the Owen County Convention & Tourism Commission.

“We had our facility booked for lodging, plus all of our RV hookups,” Bowling said. “A local food truck came in for three days, and many of our participants visited local shops, Elk Creek Vineyards, and restaurants over the weekend. It was great for our surrounding counties as well, since we don’t have a great number of lodging options, several stayed about 30 minutes away from us.”

For Lexington’s Dalton Oliver, the winner of this year’s championship shoot, Elk Creek Hunt Club is a home away from home.

“I shoot at (Elk Creek) usually once a month at the minimum,” Oliver said. “I try to make most of their local shoots they have there on the weekends.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

p IN ADDITION TO CLAY SHOOTING, Elk Creek Hunt Club also offers bird hunts each November through February (depending on supply). The European Tower Shoot—which can include anywhere from 250 to 300 pheasants—provides a respite for hunters seeking a more relaxed shoot, as the Central Kentucky Retriever Club accommodates shooters by allowing dogs to retrieve birds so the hunter can enjoy their experience in the stand.

— Photos courtesy of Justin Pius

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sweet owen + tourism

Sponsored by Zoli USA, Oliver’s love of the sport has taken him across the U.S. and to the National Sporting Clays Championship in San Antonio, Texas, where he placed in the top 10 overall shooters in 2019. Still, Oliver remains dedicated to Elk Creek.

“It is, hands down, Kentucky’s premiere sporting clays resort,” Oliver added. “There’s Jefferson Hunt Club in Louisville that I shoot at, but Elk Creek’s just got the best terrain, the most beauty, and the most widespread genre of targets you can find.

They cater to everyone—people like me who shoot the big shoots and people who just want to go out and have fun with their buddies on the weekend.”

The staff’s willingness to assist all levels of expertise is an added draw for many visitors.

“We take anybody from beginners to the guys who shoot in tournaments,” Elk Creek Outside Manager Craig Bowling said. “If we get a visitor that’s not comfortable with a gun, we’ll go out with them, show them the proper techniques as far as gun safety and how the machines work to get them started. Our club’s more unique than most clubs; I’ve got three different courses to shoot on, so I always keep one as a beginner-style for those new to it. The targets are a lot easier, and they get a feel for what’s going on. I always keep that course open, as well as an intermediate style and a tournament-style course for those guys that are really into the sport and want to keep practicing.”

One of the club’s most popular attractions is its upland bird hunts, which begin Nov. 1 and can continue through February, depending on bird supply. “(Upland bird hunts) mainly consist of pheasant and chukars, and we offer quail when they’re available,” Craig adds. “We do guided hunts, but

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p THE LODGE AT ELK CREEK HUNT CLUB can accommodate 15 guests with rooms booked individually or the lodge as a whole. — Photo courtesy of Chris Kasson

we also do à la carte hunts where a hunter can come and buy the birds from us. We set the birds, and they go and hunt with their dog. The birds we hunt are not native here, so they’re all placed birds.”

The European Tower Hunt provides a respite for hunters seeking a more relaxed shoot.

“We’ve got an 80-foot tower out here that we’ll throw anywhere from 250 to 300 pheasants off the top of,” Craig said. “The Central Kentucky Retriever Club comes and accommodates us. The dogs pick up the birds so the hunter can enjoy his experience in the stand.”

Out-of-town guests can extend their visit at Elk Creek Hunt Club by

booking a room on the grounds.

The Lodge Cabin can accommodate 15 guests with rooms booked individually or the lodge as a whole, complete with a continental breakfast and the option of a free tour of nearby Elk Creek Vineyards.

Whether you’re interested in delving into the world of sporting clays, participating at an expert level in one of its many annual events, or looking for a quiet stay in the country, Elk Creek Hunt Club is a must-visit for not only the avid outdoorsman but those seeking a new adventure.

Learn more about Elk Creek Hunt Club by visiting elkcreekhuntclub. com. v

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An hour’s drive from Lexington, Louisville, and Cincinnati, Owen County lives up to its motto of “Pretty, Quiet, Close,” where visitors are always welcome to experience the natural beauty of the heart of Kentucky’s Golden Triangle.

Owen County Convention & Tourism Commission 300 S. Main St., Owenton, KY 40359

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sweet owen

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In addition to thousands of books, your Owen County Public Library gives you access to DVDs and audiobooks. Instantly borrow free digital movies, music, magazines, TV shows, eBooks and more with Hoopla and Libby. Plus, borrow audiobooks using OverDrive on your PC. Additional no-card-necessary services: Computer access, free Wi-Fi-, printing/copying, faxing, scanning to email, laminating, notary services 1370 Hwy. 22 E., Owenton, KY 40359 | (502) 484-3450

sweet owen + eats

House of McNally TOMATO PIE IS A WARM-WEATHER STAPLE at the House of McNally, and since tomatoes are still readily available in the early days of fall, this savory dish is the perfect welcome to a new season. With its warm, rich filling, you can pair tomato pie with a side salad or serve it as a side dish at your next get-together. I garnished mine with shredded Parmesan, but grated Parmesan is better for the filling.

Tomato Pie 1 refrigerated pie crust, baked 4 medium or 2 large garden tomatoes, diced and strained plus a few slices for the topping 1 cup white onion, chopped 2 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste 1 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup grated cheddar cheese Kosher salt

Combine chopped tomatoes, onion, basil, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, and cheese in a bowl. Pour into baked pie crust. Top with tomato slices, more Parmesan, and black pepper. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Cool for half an hour and enjoy.

u LYNDSI MCNALLY is a resident of Owen County, wife, and mother of two boys. She makes her living as a Family Support Worker for HANDS at the Three Rivers District Health Department and often entertains her hundreds of Facebook followers by sharing photos of home-cooked meals.

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sweet owen + community

Meet the Nelkes

BY MOLLY HAINES RIDDLE Sweet Owen Editor

Tom Nelke’s profession led him and his wife Kristin to Kentucky, but fate may well have played a role in the couple’s move to Owen County.

The couple, along with their young daughters Genevieve and Maggie, relocated to Owen County in 2019 from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, after Tom, 36, accepted a position as Owen Electric Cooperative Inc.’s right-of-way manager.

“Some friends of mine from another co-op in Missouri knew I was looking to advance out of my current position,” Tom said. “Rusty Williams—who is somewhat recently retired—was Owen Electric’s operations manager at the time.

He went around to other utilities to see what they were doing with their right-of-way programs. He visited the utility I was friends with in Missouri and asked if they knew anyone who might be (looking for a position). They referred him to me. The next thing you know, we’re moving to Kentucky.”

As with any life-changing decision, the couple faced hurdles upon their move—one of which saw Tom living at Owenton’s former Hi-Y-Inn for two weeks before an apartment came open on West Blanton Street.

“Genevieve was obviously already born, but (Kristin) was five months pregnant with Maggie when we moved here,” Tom added.

“I couldn’t find anywhere to rent,

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p KRISTIN AND TOM NELKE, pictured above with daughters Genevieve and Maggie, moved to Owen County in 2019 from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, after Tom accepted a position as Owen Electric Cooperative Inc.’s right-of-way manager. The Nelkes purchased a farm and quickly adapted to rural living and became involved within the community. — Photo by Molly Haines-Riddle | Sweet Owen Editor

and everybody at Owen Electric was looking for me; some of them even had rentals, but they were all booked up. So finally, Rusty says, ‘Man, you gotta start eventually.’ I told him I’d get here and find some-

thing and wound up in the Hi-Y-Inn for two weeks before we got the apartment on West Blanton.”

Within months of relocating, COVID-19 would halt all community activities, as well as shutter

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restaurants and anywhere else a new-to-town couple might seek social interaction. To stay active, the family of four began taking walks around the cour thouse square and soon became fixtures of downtown Owenton.

“Once we got to know people, they recognized us from our walks around the square,” Tom said. “We were known as the people with the two kids who walked the square.

That’s what we did.”

As COVID restrictions began to ease, Kristin, a 38-year-old homemaker, began finding her footing socially by attending events at the Owen County Public Library and becoming active with the Owen County Mom Group.

T h e b ra i n c h i l d o f H o o s i e r turned-Owen countian Becky Michels, the Owen County Mom Group began as a Facebook page for local moms to meet and network. Eventually, the group started hosting events of its own.

“It was a weird time, as everybody knows,” Kristin said of the couple’s COVID-era move. “We’ve just stuck with it—going to events, meeting as many people as possible, and talking with them. That’s the biggest thing.”

From the suburbs to the farmstead Both Tom and Kristin hail from the suburbs of St. Louis and lived in Kansas City—population 500,000-plus—before settling in Owen County. An avid outdoorsman, Tom’s familiarity with rural locales outweighed that of Kristin’s, who admits she was at first wary of the significant lifestyle change.

“I grew up visiting a family farm, and that’s what got me interested in the outdoors,” Tom said. “So, in 2003,

my parents bought a hunting property in northeast Missouri. From there on, most of my time was dedicated to projects—hunting projects—up there.”

“I met (Tom) and I’m like, ‘I don’t like tics, I don’t like pigs, I don’t want to use an outhouse,” Kristin laughs. “I was pretty much a city gal, so I didn’t visit the hunting property for a while, and if I did, it was just a day trip.”

Since COVID, many young couples

What the Nelke’s recommend Restaurant: “Carpenter Lane Coffee Company tries really hard to do different things on the menu. I like the new ideas; it’s just different.” — Kristin Activity: “The Christmas parade is always solid.” — Tom “I like the Easter egg hunts that (Three Rivers District Health Department) runs.” — Kristin Why Owen County: “We’re from the city and I was ready to move to a farm. I guess it depends on the situation, but if you like rural living, you have it, and within an hour of Louisville, Frankfort, Lexington, and Cincinnati.” — Kristin

who once shared Kristin’s attitude toward rural living have had a change of heart, now flocking to farms and a simpler way of life.

“I think it’s wanting to keep your kids away from some of the city issues,” Tom said. “Don’t get me

wrong, rural areas have their own issues; some are the same. But then, too, I feel like the self-sustainability thing has also added to it. I hate to keep using COVID as an example, but it made a lot of people stop and think, ‘Can I provide for my family off my own piece of land?’”

Since purchasing their farm in Owen County, the Nelkes are raising a garden and recently learned to butcher chickens through a University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Program in neighboring Gallatin County.

The Nelke’s two daughters are at the heart of many of their life’s choices, and neither show any regret toward relocating to a county of just over 11,000 residents.

“I would’ve wanted this when I was a kid,” Kristin adds. “We grew up in neighborhoods, and it was fun and everything, being out, riding bikes, but this is way cooler.”

The couple aim to teach their girls, Genevieve and Maggie, how to care for animals and get them involved in 4-H programs, “I feel like that’s so important; I would have loved to have had that growing up,” Kristin said.

Whether making new friends by attending community events or taking it easy at home, the couple agrees rural living isn’t for everyone but has made all the difference in their lives.

“If you move to the country, you have to be somewhat willing to compromise and drive,” Kristin said. “I say we’re near everything but close to nothing. It’s quiet, and you get to know all of your neighbors and start recognizing people at the grocery store. Everyone’s been incredibly kind and helpful; that’s the biggest thing. Knowing that if we need something, there are people around who are happy to help.

That’s a big deal.” v

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MK FARMS PR O DUCE 3100 U.S. Hwy. 127 N. Owenton, KY 40359 kim.juett@yahoo.com MK Farms Produce

Visit MK Farms this fall for all your decorating needs: mums, pumpkins, cushaw, gourds, Indian corn, small hay bales and much more!

Join us for the MK Farms Fall Festival 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 Admission is $10 per person Children under 12 admitted for free Hay rides, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, corn maze + Live music by Joe Clark

Taste the difference at MK Farms Ground Beef, Steaks, and Roast Available No Hormones | No Antibiotics

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sweet owen

When you're tobacco free, the sky is the limit.

FOR FREE HELP QUITTING, CALL 1-800-QUITNOW OR TEXT QUITKY TO 333888 .

NKU

GRANT COUNTY

UPCOMING ACADEMIC PLANNING AND INFORMATION SESSIONS

Join us to learn about our admissions process and tour the campus!

Contact Christian Gamm, Ph.D. at gammc1@nku.edu or by phone at 859.572.5582

EARNING YOUR BACHELORS OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (BSN) DEGREE JUST GOT EASIER AT NKU GRANT COUNTY The NKU Grant County BSN Program is your gateway to a fulfilling career in nursing. Located close to home in Williamstown, our program offers you an exceptional education with hands-on experience in a dedicated learning environment.

Our program prepares you to provide care for people of all ages in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community care agencies.

This is the first BSN program in Grant County, with all courses taught at the Grant County campus. We understand that financing your education can be a challenge, which is why we offer financial aid for those who qualify, as well as approval for veteran benefits.

Grant County

Join the ranks of successful nursing professionals and enroll in the NKU Grant County BSN Program today. Contact us at 859-824-3600 or grantcounty@nku.edu to learn more about how we can help you achieve your dreams.

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sweet owen + reads

Fall into a good book Cozy up with these suggested reads this fall; compiled by AMANDA ANDERSON MATTHEWS

The House Across the Lake Riley Sager Dutton Books 368 pages, $18

Demon Copperhead Barbara Kingsolver Harper 546 pages, $32.50

T

he Boston Globe calls well-known thriller author Riley Sager’s 2022 release, “The House Across the Lake,” “compulsively readable,” the perfect description for this impossible-to-put-down novel.

Casey Fletcher is a recently-widowed and disgraced actress who retreats to her family’s lake house in Vermont to dry out and recover from excessive tabloid coverage.

Instead of sobering up, Casey camps out on her deck with a bottle of bourbon and a pair of binoculars. She begins spying on the neighbors, the wealthy and fabulous Tom and Katherine Royce. Chaos follows.

The mystery and intrigue run deep in this book. Every time you think you have it figured out, I promise, you haven’t. Don’t miss this exciting thriller!

Barbara Kingsolver’s 2022 Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel tells the story of “Demon Copperhead,” a moniker given to the novel’s lead character for his fiery hair and viper-like attitude.

At times tragic and in ways that only Kingsolver can, she carries the reader through the painful and difficult times of growing up unwanted and desperate in Appalachia.

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Compass South Hope Larson Square Fish 240 pages, $14.99

Katie the Catsitter Colleen Venable Random House 229 pages, $13.99

You may need to put this book down because it can be gut-wrenching, but you will be compelled to pick it up again. As hard as it is to read, it’s also incredibly powerful.

The characters are compelling and engaging. You simply must know how it ends.

This novel is a modern “David Copperfield,” examining how poverty affects children in the 21st century.

Follow orphaned twins Alex and Cleo as their swashbuckling adventures take them across the U.S. in the middle-grade graphic novel, “Compass South.”

It’s 1860 in New York City. When Alex and Cleo’s father disappears, they join the Black Hook Gang and are caught by the police pulling off a heist. They agree to reveal the identity of the gang in exchange for tickets to New Orleans.

But once there, Alex is kidnapped and made to work on a ship heading for San Francisco via Cape Horn. Cleo stows away on a steamer to New Granada, hoping to catch a train to San Francisco to find her brother.

Neither Alex nor Cleo realizes the real danger they are in—they are being followed by pirates who think they hold

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p “DEMON COPPERHEAD" AUTHOR and native Kentuckian Barbara Kingsolver was born in 1955. Her debut novel, "The Bean Trees," released in 1988, was well received by critics and has become commonly assigned reading in high school literature classes. Other popular works by Kingsolver include "The Poisonwood Bible" and "Prodigal Summer." — Photo by Steven L. Hopp

the key to treasure. How they outwit the pirates and find each other makes for a face-paced adventure.

According to 9-year-old Hazel, “I like this book because the illustrations were really good. I like the characters.

The book was an exciting adventure story. I would recommend it to other people because it’s a good pirate story.”

This book is recommended for young readers aged 10 to 12, but avid readers and adults will also enjoy the adventure.

friendship (why is Beth barely writing back? And who’s this boy she keeps talking about?!), and crack the biggest story in the city’s history? Some heroes have capes . . . Katie has cats!

Hazel recommends this series—“It’s good because it’s a superhero story. If you love cats, you will love these books.

Or superheroes. The books have super villains, drama, and lots and lots of cats! I have read all these books about five times each in the past few weeks because they are so good!”

In “Katie the Catsitter,” Katie is dreading the boring summer ahead while her best friends are all away at camp—something that’s way out of Katie and her mom’s budget, unless Katie can figure out a way to earn the money for camp herself. But when Katie gets a job catsitting for her mysterious upstairs neighbor, life gets interesting.

First, Madeline has 217 cats (!) and they’re not exactly . . . normal cats. Also, why is Madeline always out exactly when the city’s most notorious villain commits crimes?! Is it possible Katie’s upstairs neighbor is really a super villain?

Can Katie wrangle a whole lot of wayward cats, save a best

Owen County Public Library Staff Pick: “The Poacher’s Son” by Paul Doiron Game warden Mike Bowditch returns home one evening to find an alarming voice from the past on his answering machine: his father, Jack, a hard-drinking womanizer who makes his living poaching illegal game. An even more frightening call comes the next morning from the police: they are searching for the man who killed a beloved local cop the night before—and his father is their prime suspect. Jack has escaped from police custody, and only Mike believes that his tormented father may not be guilty.

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sweet owen + remembers

Remembering . . . Rebekka Seigel and watching her quilt and sew. Her grandmother supplied her with a pattern for her first quilt, and she soon realized that quilting could become her creative outlet.

Today, Seigel’s quilts are unlike the traditional patterns of her grandmother’s but instead, reflect her interests over the years and tell the stories of the people and places she admires.

Her work has led to numerous awards and recognition, as well as having her quilt art exhibited in museums across the U.S. The early years

p MASTER FIBER ARTIST and longtime Owen countian Rebekka Seigel, above, passed away June 28, 2023. In addition to her artistry, Seigel worked at the Owen County Public Library and taught workshops at ARC Rehab Center and Owen County High School.

Master fiber artist and longtime Owen countian Rebekka Seigel passed away June 28, 2023, at the age of 75.

Rebekka’s work is forever enshrined in numerous books on contemporary quilt-making and can be found in museums and private collections. In 2018, Sweet Owen Editor Molly Haines Riddle wrote the following profile story for The News-Herald. We reprint it here with the newspaper’s permission and in loving memory of Rebekka.

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BY MOLLY HAINES RIDDLE Sweet Owen Editor

As a first-time expectant mother some 40 years ago, Rebekka Seigel was unsure of the path ahead of her.

“I thought, ‘What are mothers supposed to do?’ I decided making a quilt was what I was supposed to do,” Seigel recalled.

Seigel, now 69, grew up in Cincinnati playing with her grandmother’s fabrics

As a child, Seigel said her grandmother always made needles, thread and fabric available.

“I remember making clothes for my dolls and that kind of thing,” she said.

“You used to be able to go to the dime store and buy little dish towels that had images on them you could embroider; I did a lot of that. My mother sewed all of my clothes, too.”

Seigel said she never thought of making a quilt as she grew older. Instead, she enrolled at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, where she studied French and sociology.

While in her early 20s, she met pottery artist Greg Seigel and the couple soon married, moving to Owen County in 1974. “(Greg) didn’t want to make pots in electric kilns,” she recalled. “He wanted to fire with wood and oil, so he wanted to be somewhere to build kilns. You can’t build a kiln next to your neighbor in the city; they don’t like that.”

Greg established his studio in Owen County, and Rebekka took to life in the country.

“I always wanted to live in the

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country, so it was easy for me to be out of the city,” she said. “I think Owen County is uniquely situated because you’re only an hour from three major cities. If you need a city fix, you can get one pretty quick.”

Finding her niche From an early age, Rebekka said she loved to sew and create art but lacked any painting skills.

“I didn’t go to school to learn to be a painter, but I did have sewing skills, and I realized that for me, quilting could be a way to tell stories. . . . For an art quilt, I do sit down and make what I call a ‘cartoon’ or a sketch of how I think (the quilt) will look, and then I create a much bigger, true-to-scale drawing of the parts of the quilt. If I’m doing applique, I cut the pieces based on that larger drawing. So, there’s drawing skills involved, but everything is stitched instead of painted.”

Following the birth of her first child, Rebekka began designing quilts of her own, often drawing inspiration from personal interests and the interests of her children.

“I made a whole bunch of quilts about snakes,” she said. “My son loved snakes when he was little. He made me look at every snake book the library had. I never have, nor will I ever be a fan of snakes, but I realized that their form is really interesting, so I wanted to make a quilt that he would enjoy having. I made one for him, and then I just got interested in that shape, their form, that squiggly shape—it seeped into my work for a while.”

When the Statue of Liberty turned 100 in 1986, quilt artists across the U.S. entered a competition to create quilts celebrating the statute. One quilt was chosen to represent each of the 50 states. Rebekka’s quilt won and represented Kentucky at the Museum of American Folk Art in New York City.

“That was pretty early in my career,” she said. “That made me stop and think, ‘Oh, I guess people want to see my work.’”

Additionally, Rebekka created “a whole bunch” of quilts about ducks before becoming interested in feminism.

She began a body of work comprising 13 quilts highlighting women’s contributions to society. Titled “Women’s Work,” Rebekka created the quilt in a paper doll format.

“I had this idea that I wanted to tell women’s life stories through paper dolls,” she said. “There’s a lot of women that I admire, and I wanted to tell their story through garments and these quilts. Each quilt is one big quilt, but all these little quilts are attached with Velcro, and each one of them is an outfit that the woman would’ve worn, and you can take them off the quilt and put them on the doll and actually play paper dolls with them.”

The women featured in the body of work include Eleanor Roosevelt, Lucille Ball, Maya Angelou, folk singer Jean Richie and Ella Fitzgerald.

Rebekka created the quilts to market to museums across the U.S., with the exhibit eventually traveling from museum to museum for seven years.

“When producing all these quilts, I had a helper named Carmen Prewitt,” she said. “She was an Owen countian who lived in the New Columbus community and quilted half of the quilts in the ‘Women’s Work’ exhibit. I did the artwork and created the top, but she quilted half of them. She was a wonderful addition and made it possible for me to produce those quilts in the time that I did.”

Once finished with the “Women’s Work” exhibit, she said she had grown tired of handwork and cotton and began experimenting with silk as a medium. She soon created a body of work called her “yo-yo quilts.”

“There’s a little circle that quilt makers make called a ‘yo-yo,’” she explained. “My quilts use the yo-yo more as a design element. Except for making the little yo-yos—the applique, the quilting—everything was done on the sewing machine because I was just tired. That was a development of new skills in my working experience. Up to that point, everything was hand-done, the images were all hand appliqued, and all the quilts were hand quilted.”

Looking toward the future Although unsure of how many quilts she has created, Rebekka believes there are at least 100, but not all of her creations can be considered “bed coverings,” as they typically vary in size. “I never thought of my work as bed coverings,” she added.

The last creation she completed for her granddaughter, Rosa, took approximately a year to finish.

“I’m a lot slower than I used to be,” she admits.

Rebekka began working at the Owen County Public Library four years ago, following her husband Greg’s death in 2012. She admits that she’s never quite gotten back into quilting as she once did.

“I don’t know why,” she said. “It’s not that I don’t enjoy it, but I enjoy many things other than quilting. The grieving process takes a while, which slowed me down for a bit. I love quilts, and I hope to do more quilts, but if I don’t, that’s OK too.”

In 2000, Rebekka was chosen to create an award for the Kentucky Governor Awards in the Arts recipients. Her work is included in many books on contemporary quilt making and craft, and her quilts are part of the permanent collection of the Kentucky History Center in Frankfort and the Evansville, Indiana, Museum of Art and Science. v

sweetowenmag.com + fall 2023

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