Owensboro Living - Nov/Dec 2026 by Black Box Media Group

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

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N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Trending E D I T O R ’ S N O T E

ne of my favorite projects this year started with a trip to Dollar Tree. My 6-year-old daughter has become obsessed

with having her own YouTube channel (she doesn’t have one just yet), reviewing products and food, or taking viewers along on adventures. One evening, we bought Halloween items, and she spent 25 minutes filming herself unboxing and reviewing them. I edited it down to about 11 minutes, and it was the funniest thing I’ve done in a long time. I’m not known for showing much outward emotion, but her little quirks and sayings had me literally laughing out loud. With about two dozen print publications a year, daily online demands, and numerous other projects, I spend plenty of time working toward deadlines and sales goals. I enjoy the work. But it’s easy to let calendars and spreadsheets consume my attention, then look back on the year and measure success by dollar signs and awards. None of that comes close to hearing my daughter giggle when she cracks herself up playing pranks. Or hearing “Daddy!” when I walk through the door because she has something exciting to share. I see it in her grandparents and great-grandparents, too. My grandad’s TV and cabinets are lined with family photos. My wife’s parents want a digital picture frame so they can see more. They join vacations and day trips, even when they won’t ride the rides, or when walking all day is difficult. Being there means everything. Families everywhere have their own versions of those moments. As the holidays approach, I’m trying to remember that when deciding what deserves space on my calendar — and how I’ll judge the year once it’s over. The deadlines and goals will keep coming. I’ll keep caring about them. But the investments I make at home deserve that same attention. Some of the best memories come from something we never put on schedule. A shopping trip becomes an evening spent laughing, then a video we can watch together for years. When I look back on this year, those 11 minutes will mean more than anything a spreadsheet can tell me. That’s a pretty good return. RYAN RICHARDSON, EDITOR // ryan.richardson@blackbox.media

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W H AT I ’ M L I ST E N IN G TO : Cameron Whitcomb: When I first stumbled across Cameron Whitcomb’s

TikTok videos a couple of years ago, I didn’t really want to like him. The music sounded good, but something about the videos themselves just wasn’t my style. Still, he kept popping up, and eventually his songs started finding their way into my YouTube Music playlists. By the time his debut album, The Hard Way, came out, I was regularly listening to several of his songs. His music covers an impressive range, from high-energy, almost frantic tracks to slower, more vulnerable songs. Much of it draws from his own experiences with addiction, recovery, and personal struggles, and you can hear that authenticity in his delivery. He's not just singing about someone else's life. He's lived it, and that makes the music feel so much more meaningful.

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Contents

NOV/ DEC 2026 TRENDING

8 NEWSWORTHY

The real people, places, and events that shape our community, brought to you by the Owensboro Times

CULTURE 12 A R T

A Place at the Table: Walker Creates Pottery for Everyday Life

12 I N T H E K N O W

Your Guide to What’s Happening in and Around Owensboro

16 M U S I C Passing the Bow: Mackenzie Bell Turns a Childhood Passion for Fiddle Into a Gift for Teaching

LIFESTYLE 48 T R AV E L

A Chicago Getaway from Owensboro

52 S E N I O R L I V I N G The Gift of Being Remembered

FLAVOR 58 R E C I P E

A Taste of Christmas

61 D I S H

Forks up! Top Five Bites

62 R E S TA U R A N T S P O T L I G H T

FEATURES:

18 BEYOND THE GRAMMYS

For Olusola, Fatherhood and Family Have Reshaped the True Meaning of Success B Y R YA N R I C H A R D S O N

More than a Cookie: How Perfectly

26 A DREAMHOUSE HOMECOMING

Artisanal Found Its Recipe for Success

A Barbie Collection Built on Memories and Friendships

SPECIAL SECTION

B Y AVA H Y L A N D

22 MAKING WAVES

Coomes’ Journey From Skiing on the Ohio River to a National Championship B Y AVA H Y L A N D

31 MAKING CHRISTMAS MAGIC B Y R YA N R I C H A R D S O N

39 THE 2026 GUIDE TO FINANCIAL PLANNING

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Trending N E W S W O R T H Y

Things we’re talking about now

Photo by RYAN RICHARDSON

Owensboro Health to move cancer services to hospital

Johnny I’s Pizzeria bringing Brooklyn-inspired pizza to Owensboro Johnny I’s Pizzeria is targeting a December opening in the former MOD Pizza location at Gateway Commons. Owner John Iracane is bringing a taste of Brooklyn to Owensboro, emphasizing traditional pizza-making techniques and authentic flavors. As part of the preparation, Iracane sent a local chef to Brooklyn to train in the methods used to make New York-style pizza. The process includes dough that requires 72 hours of proofing, an approach designed to create the texture and flavor associated with Brooklyn pizzerias.

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Owensboro Health plans to relocate several cancer treatment services from Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital by early summer 2027. Medical oncology, hematology, infusion, and patient resource services will move to the hospital, while radiation oncology will remain at the cancer center on Breckenridge Street. The transition will change where patients receive certain types of cancer care, with services divided between the two locations. Owensboro Health officials said the move is part of an effort to improve the delivery of oncology services.

Brought to you by O W E N S B O R O T I M E S Photo by CHRIS HOLLO/GRAND OLE OPRY

5 Daily flights to Washington, Chicago begin in Owensboro

Owensboro musicians sign publishing deal with UMPG Nashville

‘Bachelor Santa’ headed to streaming on new MoviVault platform

Owensboro natives Mitchell Douglas and Hagan Edge, members of the rising country band Sons of Habit, signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville. The agreement marks another milestone for the musicians as they continue building their careers in the country music industry. The signing came shortly after Sons of Habit made its debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage, one of country music’s most recognizable venues. The publishing deal provides the songwriters with additional industry support as their music reaches wider audiences.

Filmed entirely in Owensboro, “Bachelor Santa” will be available to stream beginning Dec. 1 on MoviVault, a new subscription platform showcasing Kentucky-focused entertainment. Previously available only in theaters, the movie will give local viewers their first opportunity to watch from home and spot familiar faces and places. MoviVault will also feature original movies, television series, documentaries, and other programming highlighting Kentucky and surrounding states. The platform plans to release approximately 100 hours of new content each month, including locally produced projects.

OwensboroDaviess County Regional Airport now offers daily nonstop flights to Washington Dulles International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport through United Express, operated by SkyWest Airlines. The new routes give Owensboro travelers direct access to two major destinations and connections throughout United Airlines’ domestic and international network. The service represents a significant expansion of commercial air travel options for the region, allowing passengers to begin trips to destinations across the country and beyond from Owensboro.

Photo by

JOHN KIRKPATRICK

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IN THE KNOW: UPCOMING EVENTS p. 12

ART: DAVID WALKER p. 12

MUSIC: MACKENZIE BELL p. 16

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Photo by JAMIE PLAIN

CULTURE

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Culture A R T

A PLACE AT THE TABLE WA L K E R C R E AT E S POTTERY FOR E V E R Y D AY L I F E Written by AVA H Y L A N D Photos by J A M I E P L A I N

avid Walker likes the idea that somewhere, someone has a favorite coffee mug that he made. Not one tucked away on a shelf or saved for special occasions, but the one they reach for every morning — handmade, slightly different from every other mug, and meant to be used. That is the appeal of pottery for Walker, an Owensboro High School art teacher who spends his time outside the classroom shaping mugs, bowls, vases, and other functional ceramics from a studio in his Philpot garage. “I love making pieces that people can enjoy using,” he said. “There’s something special about somebody having a favorite coffee mug that they reach for every morning.” His work now finds its way into homes and businesses across the region, but Walker has never been particularly interested in turning pottery into a large-scale operation. He describes Walker Custom Ceramics as equal parts hobby, side hustle, and creative outlet — one that allows him to simply make things with his hands. Walker, 46, discovered ceramics while

IN THE KNOW UPCOMING EVENTS TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR FOREST FESTIVAL OF 1 HOLIDAY 2 STOMP TREES NOV. 8 - D EC . 3 1 OW E NS BO R O M U S E U M O F F IN E A RT

This festive exhibit features about 20 community-sponsored and decorated trees, plus children’s art projects. The museum is free and open to all, creating a colorful, family-friendly display that helps inaugurate Owensboro’s holiday season.

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N OV. 12 RI V ER PA R K CE NT E R

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the internationally acclaimed production turns everyday household and industrial objects into musical instruments. The wordless performance combines percussion, movement, dance, and visual comedy for an energetic exploration of rhythm and sound.

3 VETERANS DAY PARADE NOV. 14 D OWNTOWN OWE NSB OR O

Honor local veterans during the annual parade through downtown. The route begins at Clay and 2nd streets, travels west on 2nd Street and north on Daviess Street, and passes the Shelton Memorial and Gold Star Monument.

studying art education at Morehead State University. Near the end of college, he needed one more elective to complete and enrolled in an evening pottery class, expecting little more than an easy credit. Instead, he found the craft that would shape much of his life outside the classroom. “I just fell in love with it,” Walker said. “Up until that time, drawing was really my thing growing up and through college. But pottery was something totally different.” Captivated by the medium, Walker rearranged his remaining coursework to fit in as many ceramics classes as possible before graduating. He moved to Owensboro in 2003 to begin teaching art at Owensboro High School. While ceramics became part of his curriculum, years passed before he had the space to devote serious time to creating his own work. That changed after he and his wife bought their home in Philpot. “I gradually set up a place to work out in my garage,” Walker said. “I’d done some pottery at the high school as part of my job, but I wasn’t really producing my own work. Once I had my own space again, I got back into it.” As his collection of finished pieces grew, friends and customers began asking to purchase them. Art fairs, festivals, and custom commissions soon followed, gradually transforming a personal hobby into a steady part-time

ROCK ORCHESTRA BY 4 THE CANDLELIGHT N OV. 1 9 R I V E R PA R K C E N T E R

Fourteen classical musicians perform rock and metal favorites in a candlelit setting, blending orchestral arrangements with powerful vocals and distortion. The 90-minute show features music from Metallica, AC/DC, Linkin Park, Guns N’ Roses, Evanescence, and more.

Although clay has become his primary artistic outlet, Walker’s appreciation for craftsmanship extends well beyond ceramics. Drawing first sparked his interest in art as a child, and during his teaching career he has also become heavily involved with Owensboro High School’s theater department, designing and constructing scenery for productions. Whether working with lumber, paint, or clay, Walker sees each project as part of the same creative process. “What really gets my creative juices going is watching somebody build something or make something with their hands,” he said. “I think

endeavor. “To be honest, it’s not even really an official business,” Walker said with a laugh. “It’s more of a side hustle and a hobby that’s developed into an unofficial part-time job. At its core, it’s still just something I enjoy doing.” Unlike many ceramic artists who focus on decorative work, Walker is drawn to functional pottery — pieces meant to become part of someone’s daily routine rather than remain on display. “I mostly make what they call functional pottery,” he said. “Coffee mugs, bowls, vases — things that are designed to be used. That’s really where my passion is.”

COUNTY CHRISTMAS AT PANTHER CREEK 5 OWENSBORO-DAVIESS 6 CHRISTMAS PARADE N OV. 21 2 ND ST R E E T

NOV. 27-D EC. 31 PA NT HE R CR E E K PA R K

One of Owensboro’s signature holiday traditions fills downtown with decorated floats, marching bands, community groups, and plenty of Christmas spirit as the annual parade makes its way along 2nd Street.

Celebrate the holiday season with a drive-through display featuring tens of thousands of festive lights throughout the park. The annual attraction offers families a chance to enjoy a Christmas tradition from the comfort of their vehicles. Admission is $5 per vehicle.

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N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Culture A R T all those things are connected.” That philosophy also shapes the way he teaches. Walker tries to make art approachable for his students, encouraging them to see creativity as something anyone can develop rather than a talent reserved for a select few. “I joke with my students that I’m just a big old dork,” Walker said with a laugh. “People think artists are these creative types, but honestly I’m just a guy who likes working with my hands.” For Walker, art is at its best when it helps people connect with one another. “Art doesn’t have to be elitist,” he said. “It can be down to earth. It can help build relationships, and people can have a connection with the person who made something.” That same sense of connection has helped sustain interest in handmade pottery even as factorymade products dominate store shelves. Walker typically participates in only a handful of festivals each year because of his teaching schedule, relying instead on repeat customers and custom commissions. Recent projects have included handcrafted mugs for Niko’s Bakery, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, and She’s The Vet, a local nonprofit that supports women veterans. While trends come and go, Walker believes the desire for

handmade craftsmanship has remained constant. “I think that’s timeless,” he said. “People want beautiful handmade objects that they can use and enjoy every day.” Although Walker hopes to expand Walker Custom Ceramics someday, he has no interest in letting it overshadow the other priorities in his life. “My faith comes first,” he said. “Then my family, then my job. Keeping that work-life balance healthy is the most important thing.” With retirement from teaching about four years away, Walker sees an opportunity to devote more time to the craft that has quietly accompanied him throughout his

career. “I’d like to continue to grow it,” Walker said. “Right now it keeps me about as busy as I let it because I’m trying to maintain that balance. But after I step away from teaching, I’d like to do more events and spend more time making pottery.” Even then, Walker says success won’t be measured by the number of festivals he attends or pieces he sells. Instead, it will be found in the everyday moments when someone starts the morning with a favorite mug or serves a family meal from a handmade bowl. “I love making things that people can appreciate, use, and have a connection to,” Walker said. “That’s really what it’s all about.” OL

IN THE KNOW UPCOMING EVENTS TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR “THE GERMAN AMERICAN CHORAL SOCIETY’S SYMPHONY’S 7 ODT’S 8 OWENSBORO 9 OWENSBORO BANK NUTCRACKER” “MESSIAH” “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS” D EC . 5 - 6 R I V E R PA R K C E NT E R

Owensboro Dance Theatre brings the holiday classic to life with more than 200 cast members, professional guest artists, colorful costumes, and elaborate scenery. The family-friendly production follows a magical journey through the Land of Sweets.

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D EC. 6 T HI R D B A P T I ST CHU R CH

George Frideric Handel’s beloved oratorio returns as one of Owensboro’s longest-running holiday traditions. Presented locally nearly every year since 1941, the performance also benefits the Goodfellows Club and its work supporting children in need.

D EC. 12 R I V E R PA R K CE NT E R

Vocalist and U.S. Army Band member Colin Eaton joins Troy Quinn and the Owensboro Symphony for a festive evening featuring holiday favorites, along with performances by the Symphony Chorus, Youth Orchestra, and surprise guests.

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Culture M U S I C

PASSING THE BOW MACKENZIE BELL TURNS A C H I L D H O O D PA S S I O N F O R F I D D L E INTO A GIFT FOR TEACHING Written by AVA H Y L A N D / / Photo by J A M I E P L A I N

hen Mackenzie Bell turned 8, she had a promise to collect: Her parents had said she could take fiddle lessons. They rented an instrument, thinking the interest might pass. Twelve years later, Bell is performing across state lines and teaching others to play — discovering that helping someone find their footing with a fiddle can be as rewarding as taking the stage herself. Bell grew up near Rosine, Kentucky, the birthplace of bluegrass music legend Bill Monroe. Music was already a familiar part of her life, with some of her cousins performing with the Crosswind Gospel Quartet and traveling for shows. “When they were around, we always went and saw their shows, so I've always been around music,” Bell said. Bell's parents also encouraged her to try music. She played guitar and piano growing up, but neither instrument became a lasting interest. That changed when one of Bell's friends began playing the fiddle because his grandfather taught him. “I wanted to do that, too,” Bell said. Her parents told her she could learn to play the fiddle when she turned 8. When that birthday arrived, Bell reminded them of their promise. “When I turned 8, I said, ‘Well, you all said I could play fiddle when I was 8, so could we have some lessons?’” Bell recalled. Her parents rented her a fiddle, thinking it might be another childhood phase that would eventually pass. Bell stuck with the instrument. She began taking lessons and started studying with fiddler Randy Lanham when she was 10, first in group classes and later through private lessons.

FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER

As Bell gained experience, she also became involved with the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro. When she was 16, Lanham asked if she would be interested in helping with the fiddle classes. “I was a little bit nervous at first, but I started helping with the classes — making copies and helping people,” Bell said. About two years later, Lanham asked if she wanted to teach the classes

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herself. She agreed and has now been teaching for about three years. The transition has given Bell a different perspective on her own musical abilities. Teaching runs in her family. Her great-grandparents, grandmother, and mother all taught, and they had often told her she would not fully understand what she knew until she tried teaching it to someone else. “They always told me, ‘You'll never really understand what you're doing until you actually try teaching it to someone,’” Bell said. At first, she did not completely understand what they meant. “Then I actually became a teacher, and I was like, ‘Well, that makes a lot more sense now,’” she said. Teaching requires Bell to explain concepts that may come naturally after years of playing. “You never really know what kind of question your student's going to ask you,” Bell said. “Even if it's a fairly normal question, it'll have you questioning whether or not you really know what you're doing.” She has learned to explain rhythms, bow patterns, and playing in a band without making lessons unnecessarily complicated. “You have to be able to explain a complicated rhythm or a bow pattern, or even how to play in a band, without making it sound like you have to have a Ph.D. to understand what you're telling them,” she said. Despite those challenges, teaching has become one of the parts of playing the fiddle that Bell values most. She enjoys working with both children and adults who are learning the instrument for the first time. “It really means a lot to me when I get to see a young child or even an older adult learning the fiddle for the first time,” Bell said. “You teach them something, and then you're playing music with them, and you just see that sparkle in their eye.” For Bell, the best part is watching the moment when the lesson finally makes sense.

“And then it finally just clicks,” she said.

TAKING THE STAGE

While teaching has become an important part of Bell’s musical life, she has also continued developing as a performer. One of her biggest accomplishments came at the Kentucky State Fiddle Championship, where she placed second during the competition’s second year. She has also performed far beyond western Kentucky, including at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas for a Titanic convention and at the Fried Pickle Festival in Mississippi, that last of which she said was “the weirdest one I've ever done.” Bluegrass remains Bell's favorite genre, although she has also played country and rock and roll. “Honestly, I like playing bluegrass,” Bell said. “It's the one I started with, but I do enjoy playing other genres of music as well.” Bell currently performs with two groups. One is the Owensboro Community & Technical College bluegrass band, which began in 2024. The program gives musicians, particularly college students, an opportunity to study bluegrass while pursuing an associate degree or bluegrass certificate. The band has performed at events including the International Bluegrass Music Association event in Raleigh and SPBGMA in Nashville. Bell's other group, For His Glory, is a gospel band that performs at churches, events, and other venues. “We have a lot of fun playing together,” Bell said. “We play at church events, and really, we'll play pretty much anywhere people ask us to.” For Bell, performing has become about more than developing her skills. Playing the fiddle has allowed her to travel, meet people, and build friendships. “To me, playing fiddle means being able to go out, meet people, and play music with people I otherwise wouldn't have met,” Bell said. “I get

to explore places I probably wouldn't have been able to explore if I wasn't playing fiddle.” Some of her closest friendships have also come through music. “I've met some of my dearest friends through playing music, and it makes me happy,” Bell said.

A FUTURE IN MUSIC As Bell continues through college, she is considering how music will fit into her future. She would like to make a living through music, although she recognizes that building a career primarily through performance can be difficult. She is also learning to balance college with performing and teaching. “It has been a challenge learning how to juggle the two,” Bell said. While she hopes to continue performing, teaching has become an increasingly important part of her plans. While she hopes to continue performing, teaching has become an increasingly important part of her plans. She would like to continue teaching at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum and eventually offer private fiddle lessons. Finding a career path focused on teaching bluegrass, however, can be difficult. “You always see classical teachers, but you never really see bluegrass teachers,” Bell said. For now, Bell is pursuing her education, performing with her two bands, and helping others discover the instrument that captured her attention as a child. Watching a student begin to understand a lesson has become a reward of its own. “You see them actually understanding what you're telling them instead of just looking at you like, ‘I don't know what you're saying,’” Bell said. For someone who once couldn’t wait for her first fiddle lesson, helping others find that same excitement feels like a fitting next chapter. OL

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Features

BEYOND THE GRAMMYS FOR OLUSOLA, FAT H E R H O O D A N D FA M I LY H AV E RESHAPED THE TRUE MEANING OF SUCCESS Written by R YA N R I C H A R D S O N Photo by J A S O N TA N N E R

evin Olusola has spent years performing in front of thousands of people, earning Grammy Awards, and building a career as part of one of the world's most successful vocal groups. But when his two children look back on their childhood someday, he hopes those accomplishments aren't what they remember most. “I want my kids to see their dad not as a superstar, but as a father who absolutely loved them and cared about them,” Olusola said. “That this stuff didn’t matter as much as they did.” At 37, the Owensboro native and threetime Grammy winner is still recording, touring, and pursuing new creative projects with and beyond Pentatonix. But he's increasingly measuring success by the kind of husband and father he is, and whether the work he creates reflects who he truly is. That perspective was a recurring theme when Olusola returned to Owensboro in September for his 20-year high school reunion. The visit also included appearances at local elementary schools to introduce his debut children's book, My Voice Is a Beat,

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one of two books he released this year. Asked what he’s chasing now, Olusola said: “A daily sense of authentic joy that comes from who I really am, not based off of any standard except for my own.” And these days, much of that joy begins at home.

THE FATHER BEHIND THE FAME Olusola and his wife have two children, 5-year-old Kaya and 2-year-old Christian. With Pentatonix continuing to record and tour, balancing his career with fatherhood isn't always easy. “Every single time I go on tour, my wife is like, ‘OK, well, you're gone for two months. What do you want me to do?’” he said. For Olusola, the priority is clear: “It's just trying to be as present of a father as I possibly can.” It's a different perspective from the kid who grew up in Owensboro expecting to follow his father into medicine. Music was a passion he never envisioned as a career, much less one that would bring worldwide success with Pentatonix. “I never saw myself being in a band. I never saw myself having acquired this kind of notoriety,” he said. “I really wanted to be somebody who was a good doctor that served my community.” Even after finding success in music, Olusola discovered that professional accomplishments didn't necessarily bring the fulfillment he expected. “I talk about how I got my first Grammy, and I thought that was going to solve all my problems, and it didn't,” he said.

That realization helped inspire Designed to Succeed, a book he released earlier this year with Donovan Donnell. Olusola said he began questioning a culture that constantly pushes people toward the next achievement. “I realized success to so many people is just hustle culture, hustle culture,” he said. “So I wanted to find what's a truer definition of success that I can enjoy day to day that was outside of the success of the world, outside of the success of accolades.” That perspective has changed how he approaches his creative work, from music to writing books. “It's not about another accolade,” he said. “It's about being the truest person and seeing who will resonate with that trueness.”

FINDING THEIR OWN BEAT That philosophy also carries into My Voice Is a Beat, Olusola's debut children's picture book. The story follows Kasey, a young boy who hears rhythms in everyday sounds and discovers that his unusual gift for beatboxing is something worth celebrating. The book draws from Olusola's own experiences, but his children also helped shape it. Even the main character's name is a nod to Kaya and Christian. “My wife said it'd be really cool to have a nod to our children,” Olusola said, explaining that Kaya's K and Christian's C inspired the name Kasey. He also wanted the illustrations to reflect a family like his own, with a Black father and a white mother. His children's enthusiasm for the book's rhythmic phrases

also influenced how he presented the story to students during his recent Owensboro school visits. “They were having so much fun screaming some of these things that I was writing,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that I highlighted that for all the students there as well.” Beyond encouraging children to embrace their differences, Olusola hopes the book helps parents recognize gifts they might otherwise overlook. “I think a lot of times we as parents, we have a hard time sometimes recognizing what our kids' gifts are because gifts before they're labeled a gift, sometimes they're labeled as a behavioral problem,” he said. He offered examples: A child constantly taking things apart might become an engineer. A particularly sensitive child might grow into a leader with extraordinary emotional intelligence. And a child who won't stop making noises with his mouth might someday become a Grammy-winning beatboxer. Olusola remembers his parents asking him to quiet down when he was constantly beatboxing around the house. At the time, none of them could have imagined where that habit would lead. “They just didn't know that my gift would develop into something where I would be part of one of the most successful vocal groups of all time,” he said. For his own children, Olusola hopes to encourage curiosity and empathy, particularly when they encounter people whose experiences are different from theirs. “I think really the one thing

T H E OW E NS BO R O M U ST-STO P

Rally’s fries. Of all the places Kevin Olusola could eat while back home, one was apparently non-negotiable. He says the fries at Owensboro’s Rally’s taste better than the ones he’s had anywhere else. He stopped by twice during his visit.

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Features experiences differ from their own will help them better understand the world around them. And he hopes parents reading My Voice Is a Beat with their children will see an opportunity to have similar conversations at home. “I hope we can help our kids assemble their gift in a way that they feel loved and understood by us,” he said.

BEYOND PENTATONIX

I hope they get is that be curious, be empathetic, really get to know people,” he said. Having experienced what it felt like to be misunderstood growing up in Owensboro, Olusola hopes his children will respond to differences with curiosity rather than judgment. He said he now recognizes that some of the classmates who made fun

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of him simply hadn't encountered someone with his background or interests before. “I understand now, like, they were learning about me,” he said. “They had never met anybody like me. They had never met anybody like my family.” For Kaya and Christian, he hopes getting to know people whose

Pentatonix remains a major part of Olusola's career, with new music and another Christmas tour on the schedule. The group's latest single, “Get Happy/Happy Days,” grew out of a TikTok duet by members Mitch Grassi and Kirstin Maldonado, whose interest in older musical styles helped inspire the recording. “They don't usually get a lot of big solos like that, just them two, without any other bandmates,” Olusola said. “We just thought it would be an amazing opportunity to highlight them.” The recording fits the throwback style of the group's Christmas in the City album and features a collaboration with Dave Pierce, who previously worked with Michael Bublé on his Christmas album. Outside Pentatonix, Olusola continues making his own music and co-hosts Imagine Faith, a podcast with Donovan Donnell that explores faith and personal growth. “It's just talking about really deep, vulnerable things about faith that sometimes people may not want to talk about because it's tough,” he said. Donnell's background as a life coach brings another perspective to those conversations, allowing them to explore subjects through both spiritual and personal growth lenses. “I love all those things,” Olusola said. “They make me me, and I love them all.”

WHAT MATTERS MOST Olusola still has plenty he wants to accomplish, including writing more children's books and continuing to explore creative projects that interest him. But when asked where he hopes to be five or 10 years from now, his answer had little to do with professional milestones. “I hope my family life continues to be as rich and fulfilling as it is, because if I can do that, everything else will take care of itself,” he said. He wants his children to develop their own interests, discover what matters to them and feel confident pursuing their own paths. After spending much of his life learning to embrace the things that made him different, Olusola hopes to help them do the same. “If my kids are good, if we have a great family, my kids are doing well, they're doing things that are important to them, and they have found their own swagger, their own rhythm and beat, I've done my job,” he said. This story is part of a pair of profiles catching up with Owensboro native Kevin Olusola. In the latest Owensboro Times quarterly edition, Olusola talks more about growing up in Owensboro, his unexpected path into music, and the years-long journey to finding his identity as an artist. OL

“I WANT MY KIDS TO SEE THEIR DAD NOT AS A SUPERSTAR, BUT AS A FATHER WHO ABSOLUTELY LOVED THEM AND CARED ABOUT THEM. THAT THIS STUFF DIDN’T MATTER AS MUCH AS THEY DID.”

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Features

MAKING WAVES:

COOMES’ JOURNEY FROM SKIING ON THE O H I O R I V E R T O A N AT I O N A L C H A M P I O N S H I P Written by AVA H Y L A N D / / Photos by J A M I E P L A I N

Coomes

did

not

take

the

traditional path to becoming a

competitive water skier. He grew up on a farm, started a family young, and spent more than four decades building

career

industrial

painting. Water skiing began simply as family recreation on the Ohio River near Stanley, Kentucky. At 73, Coomes recently won the Men’s 8 jump title at the 2026 Goode Water Ski National Championships in Center City, Minnesota. His 55-foot jump on his third and final attempt edged the second-place competitor by one foot, securing his second consecutive national championship in the event. The

victory

marked

another

milestone in a journey that began with family outings on the Ohio River.

LEARNING TO FLY Coomes' introduction to the sport came from his uncle, Jerry Jones, who first taught Coomes how to ski behind his boat. Coomes and his brothers spent years skiing and boating with their family on the Ohio River. For a while, they thought they were pretty good. “We thought we were pretty hotshot skiers out on the Ohio River, at least on our little stretch of the river, which was about a mile long,” Coomes said. “We were the best two or three water skiers on that stretch.” Then Coomes decided to see how he compared with other skiers. About 35 years ago, he entered a novice tournament at Kentucky Lake Ski Nuts in Paducah. The competition introduced him to tournament skiing and to people who were taking the sport much more seriously. It

also

gave

him

his

first

opportunity to go over a water ski jump. “I had seen a water ski jump

22 Owensboro Living N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6

before, but I'd never been over one,” Coomes said. “They let me go over a water ski jump, and that really excited me. It was a thrill to be in the air before landing on the water. It was like, ‘Wow, I didn't know I could fly.’” From there, Coomes gradually became more involved in competitive skiing. His path was unusual because he was already well into adulthood. Most of the people he eventually competed against had started skiing as children. “Some of them started when they were less than 10 years old, and some started as teenagers,” he said.

BALANCING WORK AND WATER Coomes was building his skiing career while also maintaining a demanding professional life. He entered the industrial painting industry after marrying young and starting a family. His wife's uncle helped him get a job with a painting company, where Coomes began as an apprentice. Over the years, he worked his way through nearly every position in the company — journeyman, foreman, general foreman, estimator, and eventually general manager. “I basically did everything for that company that you could do, except own it,” Coomes said. For roughly the last 20 years of his career, Coomes served as general manager. His work took him to power plants, water towers, smokestacks, bridges, aluminum companies, oil refineries, and chemical plants throughout the Ohio River Valley. Balancing that career with competitive skiing required Coomes to make the most of his free time. He said he didn’t have as much time to develop his skiing skills as he might have liked. “I essentially became a weekend warrior when it came to water skiing,” he said. “I worked a fulltime job, and then on weekends during the summer months, I would practice, work on a ski jump, or go skiing. I really and truly didn't spend enough time developing my water skiing skills.” Still, the schedule worked. Coomes followed the same philosophy his parents had taught him growing up: responsibilities came before recreation. “My parents taught me that you can't play until you get your work done,” he said. “We used to work really hard so that we could play even harder.”

FINDING HIS PLACE ON THE PODIUM As his experience grew, so did his success. N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Features About 10 or 15 years ago, Coomes began regularly reaching the podium at major regional and national events. He said he would finish third, fourth, or fifth in competitions where the top five were recognized. Over time, the competitive field around him changed. Some of the athletes who had been competing at a high level for years began stepping away because of injuries, changing interests, or the physical demands of the sport. Coomes continued. “The better athletes seemed to get injured, lose interest, or find that their bodies didn't hold up as well as mine because they started so young,” he said. “My physical fitness allowed me to continue competing at a level where many of them eventually had to step away because of an injury or something else.” His involvement in the sport also extended beyond competing. Coomes became a judge and boat driver, while his wife became a scorer. She also traveled with him to most of his competitions, making water skiing something the couple participated in together. His

family

supported

the

commitment as well. “I've got a really close family that understood the sacrifices involved, and they cheered me on,” Coomes said. “For the most part, they were

24 Owensboro Living N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6

from work for competitions and

very supportive.” That support extended to his

travel. Even after retiring as general manager, he continued doing some

professional life. him

work in the painting industry on a

the flexibility to take time away

part-time basis. His experience and

Coomes'

employer

gave

professional relationships had

But the travel itself became one of

podium with him. Many of them

become valuable enough that

the most valuable parts of skiing.

are no longer competing.

customers sometimes called him

Competing took Coomes beyond

directly rather than contacting

the community where he grew

the office.

up and introduced him to people

The

company's

owner

from across the country.

Coomes reached out to a group of them and reflected on how much had changed. “I told them, ‘This was nine

the

“My travels and the people

freedom to work when needed

I've met have broadened my

rather than maintain a traditional

horizons,” he said. “I was able to

schedule.

see a much bigger world than the

what I miss most are the people

small community I grew up in.”

who are no longer participating.”

eventually

gave

Coomes

Coomes recalled the owner

Every competition brought a

telling him, “‘I don't care how much you work or how much you

new venue and new people. every

person

I've

Pat. You've worked for me for

and

more than 40 years, and if there's

has broadened my horizons,”

work here that needs to be done,

Coomes said.

I know you'll be here doing it. If

That

not, you don't need to be here.’”

become

perspective especially

met

has

meaningful

as Coomes has watched longtime

MORE THAN THE MEDALS

top of the podium,’” he said. “But

For Coomes, the rewards of water skiing reach beyond the

“Every trip, every venue,

don't. I know your work ethic,

years ago, and this year I'm on

competitors leave the sport. While

podium. The sport has taken him farther than he imagined during those early days on the Ohio River, but the friendships give those travels their lasting meaning. As he continues competing, he carries an appreciation for both

flexibility

allowed

looking through old photographs

the people still beside him and

continue

working

recently, he saw pictures of

those he misses seeing on the

while traveling for competitions.

people who had once shared the

water. OL

That Coomes

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Features

A DREAMHOUSE HOMECOMING A B A R B I E C O L L E C T I O N B U I LT O N M E M O R I E S A N D F R I E N D S H I P S Written by AVA H Y L A N D / /

ore than 30 years after leaving her childhood Barbie Dreamhouse behind, Lachelle Early got an unexpected chance to bring it home again. When her family sold their home in the early 1990s, the Dreamhouse was too large to take with them. Instead, it was left behind for the new homeowner's daughter. Early had received the Dreamhouse more than 40 years ago, and for decades, it remained a part of her childhood memories.

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Photo by J A M I E P L A I N

Then, during a recent encounter with the woman who purchased her family's former home, Early learned the Dreamhouse was still around. “She asked if I’d like to have it back, and I couldn’t say yes fast enough,” Early said. The woman returned the Dreamhouse with a note describing the joy it had brought over the years. After decades apart, Early was reunited with one of her childhood toys. The reunion was especially

meaningful for someone whose love of Barbie has grown into a collection of hundreds of dolls, filling an entire room and several closets in her home. Early's interest in Barbie began when she was a young child. She remembers receiving Western Barbie and Kissing Barbie for Christmas when she was around 3 or 4 years old. Western Barbie had a button on its back that made the doll wink, while Kissing Barbie featured a button that tilted its head forward to give a kiss. Those dolls were among her earliest

Photos provided

memories of Barbie, and she still has them today. Although they show signs of years of play, Early has since purchased new, boxed versions of some of her childhood favorites. Her interest eventually grew beyond the dolls she played with as a child. Early began collecting in the 1990s, when excitement surrounding Barbie's 35th anniversary and the release of vintage reproductions sparked her curiosity about the doll's history. As she learned more about the different styles and eras, she began adding more dolls to her collection. A few Barbies eventually grew into hundreds, although Early has never counted the exact number. “Let’s just say they have their own room and also occupy plenty of closet space at the house,” she said. The collection includes vintage dolls, convention exclusives, and one-of-a-kind Barbies created by custom artists. Early has also become friends with people who specialize in restoring and customizing the dolls, adding another connection to the

hobby. Although she owns several rare and hard-to-find Barbies, Early said choosing a single favorite would be difficult. Her favorite eras include the Twist 'N Turn and Superstar collections, particularly the styles associated with the late 1970s and 1980s. She enjoys how Barbie has changed over the years, from the carefully tailored clothing of earlier dolls to the fashion trends and careers represented in later collections. As the number of dolls continued to grow, Early eventually needed a space dedicated entirely to her collection. When her family remodeled and expanded their home, she made sure a Barbie room was part of the plans. “The collection has its own room, painted bright Barbie pink,” Early said. Even with the dedicated space, Early said there is still room for the collection to grow. “I suppose I should have insisted on a bigger room. I could easily fill another,” she said.

While the dolls have taken over a significant amount of space in her home, Early said she primarily buys Barbies she plans to keep. Occasionally, when she purchases a larger collection, she finds duplicates of dolls she already owns. She sells those extras to help pay for future additions. For Early, however, collecting is about much more than finding the next doll. “Personally, the collection is a way for me to enjoy the fashions and nostalgia from a simpler time and from my own childhood,” she said. That connection to her childhood is reflected throughout the collection, from the dolls she received as a little girl to the Dreamhouse that unexpectedly made its way back to her. But some of the most meaningful things Early has gained through collecting have nothing to do with the dolls themselves. Over the years, the hobby has introduced her to people from different places and backgrounds who share her interest in Barbie. While living in Georgia and N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Features Florida, Early joined Barbie collector clubs, where she met others who shared her enthusiasm for the dolls. In 2003, she attended her first Barbie convention, opening the door to an even larger community of collectors. The annual event brings together more than 800 collectors from around the world, with a different city hosting each year. For Early, the conventions offer an opportunity to spend time with people who share her interests, discover new dolls, and reconnect with friends. She also appreciates the charitable work associated with the event. According to Early, last year's convention raised more than $140,000 for its selected charities. Although there is no Barbie collector club in the Owensboro area, Early has met a couple of local collectors and continues to keep in touch with friends from her Florida club. Those relationships have become one of her favorite parts of collecting. “People who may not otherwise have much at all in common become fast and lifelong friends,” Early said. For Early, the collection is more than a room full of dolls. It is a connection to her childhood, a way to appreciate decades of fashion, and a hobby that has brought lasting friendships into her life. And with her childhood Dreamhouse finally back where it started, one of the most memorable pieces of her collection has come full circle. OL Photo by J A M I E P L A I N

28 Owensboro Living N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

30 Owensboro Living N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6

MAKING

Christmas MAGIC Written by R YA N R I C H A R D S O N

/ / Photos by J A M I E P L A I N

hristmas magic rarely begins on Christmas morning It starts months earlier in storage buildings, restaurant dining rooms, church offices and city parks. It takes shape as volunteers sort toys, employees assemble bicycles and crews lift decorations into place. It grows through phone calls to businesses willing to donate a meal, a gift, a truck or simply a few hours of work. Across Owensboro, familiar holiday traditions depend on people who return to the work year after year. Some coordinate programs serving thousands of children. Others create meaningful experiences for a handful of families. Some collect gifts and food, while others make the city itself feel like Christmas. Their efforts are different, but they share a common purpose: making sure someone else experiences joy, belonging and hope during the holidays. The five people featured on the following pages represent only a portion of the work happening throughout Owensboro each holiday season. Barb Birgy leads an effort built around granting Christmas wishes.

Kim Roberson turns her diner into a center for bikes, meals and giving. Victor and Carla Haworth connect paper angels and red kettles with families in need. Travis Owsley creates celebrations for children, seniors and families experiencing homelessness. Johnathan “Cookie” Cook has spent decades placing decorations that become part of Owensboro families’ memories. Together, their stories reveal what Christmas magic is made of: time, generosity and people willing to do the work before anyone is watching. The five profiles in this section represent only part of the work that brings Christmas to life in Owensboro. Randy Lanham shares the season through concerts and outreach performances, while Dr. Connie Ford leads the community’s annual production of Handel’s Messiah. Carter Hoagland, Chase Roberts, and other local lighting enthusiasts spend weeks transforming their homes into destinations for families. Across the community, countless musicians, decorators, donors, business owners and volunteers add their own piece to Owensboro’s Christmas magic.

→

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Making Christmas Magic

Fifty Years of Wishes For Barb Birgy, directing Christmas Wish means discovering how much a community can accomplish when every person contributes one piece. When Barb Birgy tells stories about Christmas Wish, the memories rarely center on the number of toys in the warehouse. She remembers grandchildren who asked for a washing machine so their grandmother would no longer have to carry the family’s laundry to a laundromat. Birgy called Green River Appliance and Furniture. The company supplied the machine, and another volunteer delivered and installed it. She remembers a man grieving the loss of his dog. After his wife wrote to the program, Christmas Wish worked with SPARKY to surprise him with another companion. “You feel like it’s a small part, because it’s just Christmas,” Birgy said. “But then when you really look at a lot of moments that transpired during the season, you realize it’s more than just gifts.” Christmas Wish enters its 50th season this year. Birgy has led it since 2015, when longtime director Sally Davenport was ready to step away. Birgy had recently left a corporate career to work part-time at the radio station, and the timing brought her into a role she never expected. That first year, Christmas Wish served 586 families. Last year it helped more than 1,800. Birgy sees that growth as thousands of individual acts. Towne Square North donates the seasonal headquarters. A business supplies storage. Restaurants feed volunteers. Companies provide drinks, snacks, equipment, and delivery help. Between 25 and 40 volunteers may work on an ordinary December day. “The community is the biggest part of it,” Birgy said. “We couldn’t do it without them.” Her own milestone accompanies the anniversary: Birgy has now spent 30 years at the radio station. She is researching Christmas Wish’s earliest years and speaking with people who helped transform a few gift baskets into one of Kentucky’s largest Christmas assistance programs. Still, she resists presenting the story as her achievement. “I never wanted it to be about me,” she said. “It’s truly about the people in the community who have made this happen.” She did not plan for Christmas Wish to become such a defining part of her life. Looking back, she considers the opportunity a gift of its own. “If my days on Earth are over,” she said, “I can look back and say what a blessing it has been.”

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A Bigger Table What began with pizza and bottled water has grown into a network of meals, gifts, and experiences designed to remind people that they belong. On September 11, 2020, Travis Owsley went to Kendall-Perkins Park with pizza and water. The gesture was small and largely self-funded. The need he saw was neither. With guidance from a community advocate and support from people who began noticing the work, Owsley turned that first distribution into Beverly’s Hearty Slice. The nonprofit’s name still reflects food, but its work has expanded far beyond a meal. It now supports scholarships, voter registration, older residents, and families facing homelessness. At Christmas, those efforts become a series of experiences built around dignity and belonging. The organization’s largest holiday celebration brings together meals, toys, bicycles, gift cards, and even major household items. Local businesses and high school athletic teams contribute to a setting where children and adults are both remembered. Christmas at Colony focuses on older residents, arranging gifts and transportation while honoring the legacy of Wayne Foster. Hope for the Homeless gives families connected with local shelters two nights in a downtown hotel, along with Christmas Eve food, presents, Santa photographs, and a Christmas Day meal. The lodging is an essential part of the gift. Instead of receiving a package and returning immediately to the pressures of unstable housing, families are given time and space to experience the holiday together.

That approach reflects the growth of Owsley’s original idea. A meal may be the beginning of a relationship rather than the end of one. Visibility attracts partners. Partners make larger efforts possible. Each event introduces the nonprofit to another person who may later volunteer, donate, or connect a family with help. Owsley’s new work with Welcome House creates another bridge. He expects to connect housing resources with the meals, events, and relationships Beverly’s Hearty Slice already provides. The organization’s Christmas schedule now spans several days and several populations, but its purpose remains close to that first afternoon in the park: meet people where they are, offer what is available, and make the circle of support wider.

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Making Christmas Magic

More Than a Place to Eat Kim Roberson measures the success of her diner by what it can give back. By late fall, the work at Kim’s Diner extends well beyond the grill. Bicycles arrive assembled and in boxes. A storage unit begins filling up, and the overflow reaches the garage at Roberson’s daughter’s home. Then Roberson and her employees begin putting bikes together for children and teenagers they may never meet. Last year, the diner’s Christmas Wish drive produced 152 bicycles. The effort reflects how Roberson

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thinks about her business. She wants the bills paid at home and at the diner, and she wants her employees to have a place to work. Beyond that, accumulating wealth has never been the point. “I don’t care to get rich off the diner,” she said. “As long as I can pay the bills at my house and pay the bills here to keep it running, that’s all I care about.” Roberson’s understanding of need began early. Her mother left when she was 8, and her father raised three daughters alone. Roberson assumed much of the responsibility for her younger sisters while he worked, including helping care for a sister with significant disabilities. Her father dreamed of owning a diner. Roberson fulfilled that dream after his death, opening Kim’s Diner three months later. “I feel like a little girl who came from nothing, and I was able to grow up and achieve my dad’s dream that

he couldn’t,” she said. That history gives the diner’s holiday work its meaning. The bicycle drive is highly visible, but it is only one part. On Thanksgiving morning, the restaurant serves a free breakfast for people who cannot afford a meal or have no one with whom to share the holiday. A Toys for Tots box arrives as Christmas approaches. The diner also helps provide meals through local organizations. The bikes offer the clearest image of that philosophy. Donors save money by buying them unassembled, and Roberson and her staff supply the labor. Boxes, bolts, and handlebars become rows of finished bicycles ready for Christmas morning. It is work Roberson accepts willingly because she recognizes the difference one gift can make. “If I can give just a little bit back to my community,” she said, “that makes my day.”

The Man Behind the Lights For nearly four decades, Johnathan “Cookie” Cook has helped turn Owensboro’s parks and public spaces into part of the city’s Christmas tradition. Long before families arrive at Legion Park, someone has to decide where the lighted scenes belong. Johnathan “Cookie” Cook wants visitors to wonder what waits around the next bend, rather than find the same figure on the same patch of grass. “You don’t want the same scene every year in the same spot,” he said. “I like to switch it up.” Cook has worked for the City of Owensboro since 1988, shortly after graduating from Owensboro High School. He spent the previous summer at the city shop in Chautauqua Park and took a fulltime position when one opened. Holiday in the Park was itself only a few years old. Cook has helped decorate Legion Park nearly every season since. The displays looked different then. City workers and community participants cut and painted decorations themselves, while schools created oversized Christmas cards. The 2000 tornado damaged or destroyed much of the collection, accelerating the move toward newer illuminated structures. Cook saw those changes as an equipment operator. He retired in 2018, returned to full-time work around 2020, and eventually became a crew leader — a promotion he initially resisted because, as he reminded coworkers, he was supposed to be retired.

His holiday responsibilities extend beyond Legion Park. Cook and his crew assist at Smothers Park, assemble trees at the Owensboro Convention Center and another city park, and install banners and wreaths along Second Street. He approaches those assignments with the same care he gives Legion Park. “I took pride in that,” Cook said. “I want to make sure it looks good. I don’t want to have a crew go out there and just start throwing up stuff.” The work matters because he sees the displays become part of family histories. His adult daughters still return to Legion Park. Other visitors remember seeing the decorations as children and now bring children of their own. “I love it,” he said. “I just like seeing people come out with their family and seeing the kids happy. When they get older, maybe they bring their kids.” After more than 36 years with the city, Cook has watched downtown and Smothers Park change around him. He will turn 58 in November and has no end date in

mind for the Christmas work. As long as he is physically able, he plans to keep helping create the scenes that other families carry into their memories. “We try to make everybody happy,” he said.

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Making Christmas Magic

Called to Serve For Victor and Carla Haworth, Christmas assistance is one season within a life built around the Salvation Army’s mission. By the time an Angel Tree gift reaches a family’s vehicle, it has passed through a network most recipients never see. A numbered tag reaches a store or workplace. A donor shops for a child. Volunteers transform a gymnasium into a warehouse, sorting every package so

36 Owensboro Living N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6

siblings remain together. Capts. Victor and Carla Haworth oversee that process at the Salvation Army of Owensboro, where the Angel Tree program expects to serve approximately 670 children this season. Their partnership began long before Owensboro. Both became involved with the Salvation Army church as teenagers and met at its Bible college in Atlanta. Carla

graduated a year before Victor, who completed the program in 1989. They married in 1990 and built their lives around Salvation Army ministry. They were assigned to Owensboro in June 2023. During their first three years, they helped convert a former thrift store — closed before their arrival — into the Hope Center, where most of the organization’s social services now operate. The building houses a food

pantry serving an average of 250 households each week. Last year, it distributed approximately $550,000 in groceries. When funding is available, the Salvation Army also helps with rent and utilities. Christmas brings those year-round relationships into sharper public view. The Haworths oversee Thanksgiving food boxes for assisted-living residents, Angel Tree gifts for children across four counties, and the familiar Red Kettles outside local stores. The kettles finance more than a few weeks of holiday activity. Their proceeds support groceries, housing assistance, child care for working parents and summer camp long after the decorations come down. In each of the Haworths’

first three Owensboro seasons, the community has returned gifts for every child placed on the trees. Victor sees that record as an expression of trust between the organization and the region it serves. “The community support has always been fantastic for the work of the Salvation Army here,” he said. “We are very thankful for it.” For the Haworths, making Christmas possible is inseparable from the work occurring at the Hope Center every week. The gifts matter, but so do groceries in February, utility assistance in summer, and safe child care when school is out. The red kettles and paper angels are the seasonal face of a calling they carry all year. OL

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

38 Owensboro Living N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6

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not be aware of is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). This is available if you are 70½ or older and have an IRA. With a QCD, money goes from your traditional IRA to a charity, and it counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year, with no tax owed on the distribution. What many people miss is that you don’t have to wait until RMD age, which is now 73 or 75 depending on your birth year. You can start making QCDs at age 70½. For 2026, the limit is $111,000 per person. Keep in mind that the check from the IRA has to be made out to the charity and the process needs to be completed by December 31st. A QCD does not show up as taxable income. If you take a QCD instead of taking an IRA distribution to yourself, it can lower your Adjusted

Gross Income. Beyond reducing your tax bill, a lower Adjusted Gross Income can affect other parts of your financial picture. It could mean less of your Social Security is taxed, it could help you stay under the income levels that trigger higher Medicare Part B and D premiums, and it could allow you to stay under the income limit to be able to claim the new $6,000 deduction for people 65 and older. If you already give to charity, using funds from your IRA instead of your after-tax dollars may be worth considering. As with most things in finance, this may make sense for some people and not others. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional can help you evaluate these decisions and many others as part of your overall tax and financial plan. OL

Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. The opinions expressed in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual security. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. This information is not intended to be a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.

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The Basic Elements of Estate Planning

Written by Mark Criner III, JD, Senior Trust Strategist, Baird Trust

o two estate plans look exactly alike – but many share the same building blocks. Here’s what Mark Criner III, a Senior Trust Strategist with Baird Trust, shared about those components and the role each plays to protect what matters most. ELEMENTS OF AN ESTATE PLAN Trusts Depending on their structure, revocable and irrevocable trusts can help your assets grow for future generations, improve tax efficiency and simplify charitable giving. Last Will and Testament A will outlines how and to whom your assets are distributed at death. Without one, assets will likely be dispersed according to state law via intestate succession. Power of Attorney A power of attorney (POA) lets someone act on your behalf when needed. A healthcare POA covers medical decisions; a financial POA covers financial matters. You decide what the agent can and cannot do – and when. Provisions In Case of Incapacitation Incapacitation planning builds

structure for managing assets and decisions if you’re no longer able to make decisions for yourself. Retirement and Life Insurance Designations Overriding anything in a will, these designations help keep assets from retirement plans and life insurance policies out of probate by specifically naming beneficiaries. Charitable Giving Tools like charitable trusts, endowments and family foundations can help align giving goals with tax and legacy considerations.

keeping the trust distribution schedule aligned with your wishes. Mitigating Taxation For estates nearing the federal estate tax exemption ($15 million per individual, $30 million for married couples in 2026), planning strategies can help reduce tax exposure. Planning for Business Succession A well-structured estate plan can help ensure your business stays in the family and is run by the people you designate. Safeguarding Digital Assets Digital assets, like electronic commerce

BENEFITS OF AN ESTATE PLAN Avoiding Probate Probate is the court process that determines how assets are distributed after death – and can be timeconsuming, costly and public. While a will alone won’t guarantee your heirs avoid the process, a detailed estate plan, including a pour-over will, makes it far less likely.

sites, can have tangible value – but are

Protecting Assets Tools like gifting strategies and irrevocable trusts can help protect assets from lawsuits and creditors while

for local clients. For more information,

not all transferable upon death. Make sure your estate plan addresses them. Preserving Family Legacies At its core, estate planning helps ensure subsequent generations enjoy the legacy you’ve worked hard to provide. Baird Owensboro provides these services reach out to one of our 19 qualified Financial Advisors at 270-926-4747 or visit www.owensboro.bairdwealth.com. OL

This information has been developed by a member of Baird Wealth Solutions Group, a team of wealth management specialists who provide support to Baird Financial Advisor teams. The information offered is provided to you for informational purposes only. Baird Trust Company, a Kentucky state-chartered trust company, is affiliated with Baird. Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Baird Trust Company are not legal or tax services providers and you are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of the appropriate professional advisors before taking any action. The information reflected on this page are Baird expert opinions today and are subject to change. The information provided here has not taken into consideration the investment goals or needs of any specific investor and investors should not make any investment decisions based solely on this information. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. All investments have some level of risk, and investors have different time horizons, goals and risk tolerances, so speak to your Baird Financial Advisor before taking action.

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Financial Planning

SPONSORED CONTENT

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Donor-advised funds: A smart way to give

W R I T T E N B Y E D WA R D J O N E S F O R U S E B Y YO U R L O C A L E D WA R D J O N E S F I N A N C I A L A D V I S O R

hile there are many ways to make charitable gifts, a donor-advised fund (DAF) offers multiple tax benefits and an efficient platform for ongoing giving. Once you open a DAF, you can contribute many types of assets, including cash, publicly traded stocks, bonds, CDs or non-cash items such as closely held business interests, art or collectibles. Then decide how to invest the money, potentially following a strategy your DAF sponsor suggests. Next, choose which charities to support, how often to give and how much. You can direct the money to any IRS-approved charitable organization.

TA X D E D U C T I O N S The standard deduction was raised in 2025 and has now been indefinitely extended. Taking the standard deduction: A new provision in 2026 lets you deduct up to $1,000 in charitable cash contributions ($2,000 if filing jointly) made directly to qualified charitable organizations. However, contributions to DAFs are specifically excluded. You can still receive other DAF advantages, including tax-free growth and capital gains avoidance, just not a deduction for the DAF

contribution itself. Itemizing deductions: A new 2026 rule limits what’s deductible: only aggregate charitable contributions exceeding 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) are deductible. If you don’t give enough in a single year to clear that floor, a DAF’s “bunching” strategy may be effective. You combine several years of giving into one DAF contribution and distribute funds at your own pace, making the 0.5% AGI floor easier to clear. In the 37% federal marginal tax bracket: Your itemized deduction tax benefit is now capped at 35%, applied after any other deduction-specific limits such as the 0.5% AGI floor. Factor this into your charitable giving strategy with your tax professional.

TA X- F R E E G R O W T H O F E A R N I N G S Once you contribute an asset to a DAF, any earnings growth is not taxable to you, the DAF or recipient charities. This means charitable assets can grow, potentially increasing what recipient organizations receive.

AV O I D A N C E O F C A P I TA L G A I N S TA X E S When you donate appreciated stocks or other investments — or virtually any appreciated asset

— to a DAF, you can avoid the capital gains taxes that would be due if you sold the asset and donated the proceeds. Charities benefit because they receive the full appreciated value rather than after-tax sale proceeds. And you can still take a tax deduction for your donation.

TRADEOFFS TO CONSIDER While these tax benefits can make a DAF attractive, it’s worth understanding the tradeoffs. Once you contribute assets to a DAF, that gift is irrevocable. Your investment options are also limited to what’s available in the DAF program you’ve chosen, and DAFs can incur administrative costs in addition to fees charged on the underlying investments.

A GOOD NEXT STEP Because DAFs can have significant implications for your tax situation, consult with your tax professional before taking action. Your financial advisor can also help you evaluate DAF benefits and tradeoffs and compare sponsors, since programs offer different features. If a DAF is appropriate, it can be a meaningful and efficient way to support charitable giving for years to come. OL

Edward Jones, Member SIPC. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

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Financial Planning

SPONSORED CONTENT

A L I G N W E A LT H M A N A G E M E N T

Bringing Your Financial Life Together

mportant financial decisions rarely exist in isolation. Retirement, family, business interests, charitable giving and the legacy you hope to leave are often closely connected. Align Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, helps clients bring those pieces together through personalized financial advice. Headquartered in Owensboro, the practice serves individuals, families and business owners through a collaborative team

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approach built around clear guidance and ongoing support. The team takes time to understand each client’s priorities before developing strategies that may address retirement, investments, estate and legacy considerations, business transitions, charitable giving and tax planning. As circumstances change, the plan can evolve with them. Align Wealth Management now serves clients through six office locations across Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee.

The team’s work has also earned national recognition. Align Wealth Management was named to the 2026 Forbes Bestin-State Wealth Management Teams list, and CEO and Private Wealth Advisor Drew Watson was named to the 2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list. To learn more or request a complimentary initial consultation, visit ameripriseadvisors.com/team/ align-wealth-management or call 270-684-8424. OL

TRAVEL : CHICAGO p. 48

SENIOR LIVING: THE GIFT OF BEING REMEMBERED p. 52

→

LIFESTYLE

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Lifestyle T R A V E L

A Chicago Getaway from Owensboro HOT DOGS, SHOPPING, AND A FRONT ROW SEAT AT GIRL & THE GOAT Photos and article by C H R I S T Y C H A N E Y

Taking a trip out of Owensboro does not always mean driving 2 hours to an airport. Sometimes it means driving 8 minutes. Around here, we like to say you can get just about anywhere in 8 minutes. On this trip, that included the beginning of a Chicago getaway this summer. We flew Contour from Owensboro, stayed at The Peninsula, and made room for shopping, coffee, and an impressive amount of eating. It was the kind of trip that reminded me how much easier a getaway feels when it starts close to home. Once we made it to the Windy City, our home base was The Peninsula, right by the Magnificent Mile, which follows North Michigan Avenue for 13 blocks, from the Chicago River to Oak Street. For a short visit, having shopping and coffee close to the hotel makes it easy to get out and explore.

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: FOOD

One of the first things that had to happen was a hot dog from Portillo’s, followed by a chocolate cake shake. A milkshake with chocolate cake in it? Yes, please. And when I say chocolate cake, I mean they put an entire slice of their famous chocolate cake in a milkshake! I am not saying that was the entire reason I went to Chicago, but it certainly helped. Of course, one cannot survive on hot dogs alone. That is why there is deep-dish pizza. Chicago deep dish is a different experience from the pizza we usually order at home. It’s a sit-down-and-settle-in kind of meal, and the tomato sauce on top still feels a little wild to me. The other thing you need to know is that you are not getting this in 30 minutes or less. This pizza is 45 minutes from order to table, so take someone you have something in common with because that’s a long time to make conversation with a stranger! There are plenty of places to partake of this pizza: Lou Malnati’s is the chain to know, but Pequod’s, Giordano’s, and Gino’s East all throw down a very heavy pie. Still, sometimes you need more than pizza and hot dogs on your trip. Gene and Georgetti took us back to 1941, when Gene Michelotti and Alfredo “Georgetti” Federighi opened it together. A quintessential Chicago steakhouse — including red leather seating and servers in black vests — this is the oldest steakhouse in the area and a favorite of old blue eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.

A LITTLE SHOPPING AND A LITTLE MAGIC

Walking along Michigan Avenue, it’s easy to find a number of clothing stores. There was an amazing variety from high-end to small boutiques. What I was especially pleased to find was magic: the Harry Potter Shop at 676 North Michigan Avenue.

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For the record, I am a Slytherin. Some of you are not surprised. I found plenty of things that could work for Halloween, or, in my case, an ordinary Tuesday. If Harry Potter is your thing, give yourself time to browse. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery was another stop worth making. It is absolutely stunning, and it feels like Starbucks on steroids. You know, if Starbucks did steroids instead of shots of caffeine. Starbucks describes the Chicago Roastery as its largest location in the world, at 35,000 square feet. The space includes a working coffee roaster, an experiential coffee bar, and a cocktail bar, but do not expect to order your usual coffee. This is a much more elevated experience. My kind of courtside seats My favorite stop of the trip was Girl & the Goat. Chef Stephanie Izard has been someone I have enjoyed watching on television for years, so eating at her restaurant was already something I was excited about. We sat at the chef’s table, with a view into the kitchen. The menu was chosen for us, and every single bite was delicious. Being able to watch the chefs prepare our food was like having courtside seats. Some of y’all may be dreaming about sitting courtside at a Bulls game. I was dreaming about a front-row seat in Stephanie Izard’s kitchen.

HOME AGAIN Eventually, we headed back to the airport and flew home to Owensboro. Our car was waiting, and 8 minutes later, we were home. The convenience was part of the pleasure: a trip full of big-city experiences that began and ended right here. There are so many things to do in Chicago that you cannot possibly get to them all in a weekend. So next trip, I hope to take a cruise down the Chicago River where a guide shows you all the architectural wonders. I am planning to jump into sprinkles at the Ice Cream Museum and maybe even take a turn on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier. There’s so much more to do in a town that is literally a hop, skip, and a flight away. The next time you need a change of scenery, Chicago deserves a look. Pick a few places you really want to visit, leave time for a good meal, and remember that your getaway can start just down the road. OL

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Lifestyle H E A L T H

SPONSORED CONTENT

Owensboro Health Food Drive SETS RECORD, SUPPORTS FAMILIES ACROSS THE REGION

hen a community comes together with a shared purpose, remarkable things can happen. Last holiday season, Owensboro Health team members demonstrated that spirit in a recordbreaking way, collecting more than 28,000 pounds of food and household supplies to help families across western Kentucky and southern Indiana. The total, equal to 13 tons of donations, was the largest in the history of Owensboro Health’s annual holiday food drive and more than doubled the previous year’s collection. The effort provided food and essential items to local organizations serving individuals and families facing food insecurity throughout the region. The campaign was powered by the generosity of Owensboro Health’s nearly 5,000 team members, physicians and volunteers, who recognized a growing need in the communities they serve. “Our 5,000 team members make Owensboro Health truly special,” said Kelly Armour, director of employee experience and workforce systems. “They have rallied to meet this critical need in our community, working together unselfishly to exceed all expectations.” In addition to collecting food and supplies, Owensboro Health donated nearly 600 hams and turkeys in 2025. Many team members chose to forgo their annual holiday gifts and instead direct those resources toward helping local families enjoy a holiday meal. Donations benefited organizations throughout the health system’s service area, including the Help Office of Owensboro, Salvation Army of Owensboro, Hope2All in Muhlenberg County, Henderson County Community Outreach, Hopkins County Christian Food Bank in Madisonville and Grayson County Alliance. For these organizations, community support makes a tangible difference. “The generosity that the employees have shown us will fill tables and feed the hungry,” said Angela Settle, executive director of the Help Office. “We have children, veterans, disabled individuals and working moms who get to have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas because of you.” Access to nutritious food remains one of the most important factors influencing overall health and well-being. Through

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Photo provided by Owensboro Health partnerships with local organizations, Owensboro Health works to address food insecurity and other social factors that affect the health of the communities it serves. As another holiday season approaches, Owensboro Health is preparing for this year’s employee food drive, continuing a tradition of service that has become a source of pride for team members across the region. While the Owensboro Health food drive is an internal initiative, community members who would like to help can support local organizations such as the Help Office of Owensboro and the Salvation Army of Owensboro, both of which provide food assistance and other essential services to local families yearround. The need for food assistance does not end with the holidays. Rising food costs continue to challenge many households, making the work of local food pantries and assistance agencies more important than ever. Whether through a monetary donation, food contribution or volunteer service, community support helps ensure neighbors in need have access to meals and essential resources. Businesses and organizations can also make a meaningful impact by partnering with their local food pantry and organizing workplace food drives. Collective efforts from employers, employees and community members help strengthen the network of support available to families throughout our region. Together, those acts of generosity

can make a lasting difference for families across our community, not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.

MOST NEEDED ITEMS FOR LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Peanut butter Canned fruit Canned carrots Canned northern beans Canned pinto beans Canned tuna Chicken noodle soup Tomato soup Dried beans Macaroni and cheese Oatmeal Cereal Spaghetti noodles Spaghetti sauce Vienna sausage Breakfast bars Shampoo Toothpaste Toilet paper

Please Note: Single-serve items are especially helpful. Please avoid glass containers and check expiration dates before donating.

Want to Help?

Consider supporting the Help Office of Owensboro or the Salvation Army of Owensboro through donations or volunteer service. Both organizations work year-round to assist local families experiencing food insecurity. OL

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Lifestyle S E N I O R L I V I N G

The Gift of Being Remembered Written by D R . D AV I D T U C K E R Executive Director, Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County

here is something about the holidays that touches places in our hearts that other times of the year sometimes don't. The Christmas music. The smell of familiar foods. The lights in our neighborhoods. The traditions we have carried with us for years. All of it has a way of taking us back. For some of us, those memories bring a smile. For others, they bring tears. And sometimes, they bring both. Through my work with older adults, I have learned that the holidays are not the same for everyone. For many seniors, Christmas is a joyful time filled with children, grandchildren, family gatherings, and traditions passed down through generations. But for others, the holidays can be painfully quiet. There may be an empty chair at the table where a spouse once sat. A familiar voice may no longer be there to answer the phone. Children and grandchildren may live hundreds

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of miles away. Friends who shared decades of memories may no longer be here. Suddenly, a season that is supposed to be filled with joy can also remind someone of everything they have lost. I have seen enough to know that sometimes the person who says, "I'm doing fine," is the person who most needs someone to sit beside them and say, "Tell me how you're really doing." That is why I believe connection is one of the greatest gifts we can give — not just during Christmas, but throughout the entire year. When I think about the Senior Community Center of OwensboroDaviess County, I often think about what our Center really means to the people who walk through our doors. It isn't simply a place to eat lunch, exercise, play cards, or participate in an activity. It is a place where someone knows your name. It is a place where

someone notices when you aren't there. It is a place where a friend asks, "Where have you been?" That may sound like a small thing, but it isn't. Being noticed matters, being remembered matters, and being missed matters. Perhaps most importantly, knowing that you belong somewhere matters. That is what I hope our new Senior Community Center at 3001 West 2nd Street will continue to provide for generations of older adults in our community. Our new building represents so much more than walls, rooms, and beautiful spaces. To me, it represents hope. It represents the belief that our older adults deserve a place designed with them in mind — a place where they can continue to learn, laugh, serve, lead, and make a difference. It represents a community saying to its seniors, "We see you. We value you. And we believe you still have much to give." As we celebrate the holidays in this new chapter for the Senior Community Center, I find myself thinking about the people who helped us get here. The volunteers who gave their time. The donors who believed in the vision. The community partners who stood beside us. The staff who pour their hearts into serving older adults. And, most of all, the seniors who remind us every day why this work matters. They have taught me that growing older doesn't mean our lives become less meaningful. In many ways, they become more meaningful. There are stories to tell. Lessons to share. People to encourage. Grandchildren to influence. Communities to strengthen. Lives to touch. I hope we never make the mistake of thinking that someone's most important years are behind them simply because they have reached a certain age. Some of the greatest chapters can still be written. Some of the most meaningful friendships can still be made. Some of the most important work can still be done. Some of the most beautiful memories may still be waiting for us. This Christmas, I want to encourage all of us to look beyond our own celebrations. Look around your neighborhood. Think about the

older adult who may be spending Christmas alone. Think about the widow or widower facing another holiday without the person they loved for so many years. Think about the senior whose family lives far away. Think about the person who may be sitting quietly at home, wondering if anyone remembers them. Then do something. Make a phone call, send a card, knock on the door, invite them to dinner, sit with them, listen to them, and if they tell you the same story you've heard ten times before, listen one more time. Because maybe they aren't telling you because they think you haven't heard it. Maybe they are telling you because they want to remember it with someone. There is something incredibly powerful about being remembered. And there is something even more powerful about making someone else feel remembered. As I look back over this past year, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the seniors of Owensboro-Daviess County. Every

day, I am reminded that this work is about much more than programs and facilities. It is about people, dignity, friendship, and purpose. It is about making sure that no one feels invisible. The holidays remind us that life is precious. They remind us to hold our loved ones a little closer. They remind us to be grateful for the people who have shaped our lives, and they remind us that sometimes the simplest gift is the greatest one. Your time, attention, and presence. As we celebrate Christmas and prepare to enter a new year, my prayer is that the Senior Community Center will continue to be a place where older adults feel welcomed, valued, and loved. A place where friendships begin. A place where laughter fills the room. A place where someone can walk through the doors carrying a burden and leave with a lighter heart. A place where people don't just come to participate. They come to belong because at the end of the day, I believe that is what every one of us wants. To

know that we matter, that someone cares, and that we are not forgotten. So this Christmas, give someone that gift. Let someone know they are remembered, that they are loved, and they still have a purpose. If you are the person who feels forgotten this holiday season, I want you to hear this clearly: you are not forgotten, your life matters, your story matters, and your presence matters. There are still people who need what only you can give, and there are still chapters of your story waiting to be written. From my family and everyone at the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County, I wish you a Christmas filled with peace, love, and the warmth of knowing that you belong. Perhaps this Christmas, more than anything else, may we remember that the greatest gift we can give another person is simply ourselves. Merry Christmas to everyone! May we never forget that there is always room at the table for one more. OL

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Lifestyle H O M E

SPONSORED CONTENT

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54 Owensboro Living N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6

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RECIPE: A TASTE OF CHRISTMAS p. 58

FORKS UP: TOP FIVE BITES p. 61

R E S TA U R A N T: P E R F E C T LY ARTISANAL p. 62

→

Photo by JAMIE PLAIN

F L AVO R

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Flavor R E C I P E

A Taste of Christmas Recipes and photos by J A M I E P L A I N

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… and the most delicious! These Christmas recipes are full of festive fun, from savory bites dressed up like little Christmas trees to sweet treats that look like they’ve been dusted with winter snow. Because at Christmas, even the food deserves to be dressed up!

Smokey Christmas Tree Cheeseball INGREDIENTS

2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened 1–2 cups shredded smoked Gouda cheese 1-2 cups shredded sharp cheddar 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans 1/2–1 teaspoon garlic powder, to taste Black pepper, to taste Fresh dill and parsley, finely chopped, for decorating Pine nuts, for the garland Pomegranate seeds, for the ornaments A slice of yellow cheese, for the star INSTRUCTIONS 1. Make the cheese mixture: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded smoked Gouda, shredded cheddar, chopped pecans, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until everything is evenly combined. 2. Shape the tree: Transfer the cheese mixture to a serving plate or a piece of plastic wrap. Shape it into a tall cone to create the Christmas tree. 3. Add the greenery: Gently press the chopped dill and parsley all over the outside of the cheese tree until it is covered and looks like evergreen branches. 4. Decorate the tree: Arrange the pine nuts in a garland around the tree, then press pomegranate seeds into the surface to look like little Christmas ornaments. 5. Make the star: Use a mini star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a star from the yellow cheese.

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Carefully place it on top of the tree. 6. Chill and serve: Refrigerate until firm and ready to serve. Serve with crackers, pretzels, or your favorite dippers. CHRISTMAS TIP: Make the cheeseball a day ahead if you’d like to get some of the prep out of the way. For the prettiest presentation, add the fresh herb coating and decorations closer to serving time.

Snowy Brownie Pinecones INGREDIENTS

1 box brownie mix Ingredients listed on the brownie mix package (usually eggs, oil, and water) Chocolate cereal with pointed, flakelike pieces, such as Premier Protein Chocolate cereal Powdered sugar, for the snowy finish INSTRUCTIONS 1. Bake the brownies: Prepare and bake the brownies according to the package directions. Let them cool completely. 2. Make the brownie mixture: Crumble the cooled brownies into a large bowl. Gently squeeze and mix the crumbs together until they hold their shape when pressed. If the brownies are too dry to stick together, add a tiny bit of frosting or chocolate spread at a time until the mixture is moldable. 3. Shape the pinecones: Take a portion of the brownie mixture

and use your hands to form it into a tall, slightly tapered oval, with a narrower tip at the top. Repeat until you’ve used up the mixture. 4. Add the pinecone scales: Starting at the bottom, gently press the pointed chocolate cereal pieces into the brownie shapes, working upward in overlapping rows. Angle the pieces slightly outward and upward to create the look of a real pinecone. 5. Add the snow: Once the pinecones are decorated, dust them generously with powdered sugar to give them a

snowy Christmas look. 6. Serve and enjoy: Arrange the finished pinecones on a holiday platter for a festive dessert that looks like it came straight out of a winter wonderland. CHRISTMAS TIP: Work with small portions of brownie mixture at a time and keep the pinecones fairly firm so the cereal pieces stay in place. If the mixture gets too soft while shaping, refrigerate it briefly before continuing. OL

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60 Owensboro Living N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6

Flavor D I S H FORKS UP!

TOP FIVE BITES TO ORDER FOR THANKSGIVING Because even the best home cooks deserve a little help. Photos and article by C H R I S T Y C H A N E Y

I love to cook. I can roast my own turkey, my mashed potatoes are legendary, and I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to recreate the bourbon-drenched sweet potato casserole Miss Edna Porter taught me to make. But there are some things I’m perfectly happy to let someone else handle. For two very good reasons. First, it’s their specialty. I cannot be great at everything, and these local businesses have built their reputations around the culinary wonders coming out of their kitchens. Why compete with perfection when I can put it on my table instead? And second, give yourself a break! Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude, gathering, and enjoying the people around your table. Not spending three days in the kitchen trying to prove you can do it all. We live in a community filled with talented bakers, chefs, and small-business owners who make extraordinary food. So, yes, I make the turkey. I whip the potatoes. And Miss Edna’s sweet potatoes will always have a place of honor on my table. But these five Thanksgiving favorites? I happily leave them to the experts. Every one of these dishes represents a local business, a talented team, and someone who has poured their heart into making something delicious. This Thanksgiving, give yourself permission to outsource a little of the feast. Support the people who feed our community all year long, take credit for the things you do best, and spend the time you save doing something that you’ll remember! Happy Thanksgiving, Owensboro. Eat local, give thanks, and pass the biscuits!

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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

DALISHA’S DESSERTS

Is it a salad? Is it a dessert? Does anyone really care? It’s Thanksgiving, and this sweet, salty, creamy Southern favorite deserves its own place at the table.

Parker House Rolls NIKO’S BAKERY & CAFE

Because no Thanksgiving table is complete without a really good roll. And if someone else has already mastered the art of making them, I see absolutely no reason to cover my kitchen in flour.

Sweet Potato Biscuits THE MILLER HOUSE

Yes, I already have sweet potatoes on the menu. No, that does not mean I’m passing up these biscuits. Some things are simply too good to save for another day.

Pecan Pie T H E C O T TA G E

Thanksgiving without pecan pie? Not at my house. Rich, sweet, and wonderfully Southern, it’s the perfect ending to a meal that celebrates everything I love about this season.

Pumpkin Roll

G R E AT H A R V E S T B R E A D

All the flavors of fall, beautifully rolled into one dessert. It looks lovely on a Thanksgiving spread, and it saves me from making one more thing from scratch. OL

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

Flavor R E S T A U R A N T S P O T L I G H T

More than F a Cookie HOW PERFECTLY ARTISANAL FOUND ITS RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Written by P H O E N I X S T E V E N S Photos by J A M I E P L A I N

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or Laurie Pruden, a cookie can carry a family recipe, a childhood memory, or a little of the chaos that comes with figuring out life. Through Perfectly Artisanal, she has found room for all three — and now, she’s able to share them from her first Owensboro storefront. Pruden launched the home bakery in October 2024 to earn extra money as her children left home and headed to college. She baked around her work schedule at a bank, selling cookies while trying to give her family some financial breathing room. Pruden recently left that job after nine years to make Perfectly Artisanal her full-time career. It is a major risk, she said, but one she is ready to take. “It’s kind of a now-or-never situation, and we’ll see what will happen,” Pruden said. Pruden was introduced to cooking at a young age. She spent much of her time around her mom and nana, who showed kindness and selflessness to others through their cooking. Her mom was always baking goods for others, while her nana often prepared food for fellow churchgoers. For Pruden, that family tradition also shaped how she views food: as a way to bring people together. “That’s one way to get to know people,” Pruden said. “One way to break down barriers is bonding over food.” While Perfectly Artisanal provides cookies and sweets, Pruden hopes it can also offer help and comfort to people going through a rough patch. “I’ve kind of always tried to do that,” Pruden said. “I don’t know how else to help somebody, but I can bring you over something to eat. That’s what started the cookie journey that I’m on today.” Pruden has drawn inspiration from some of her mom’s and nana’s recipes. She is also always scouring the internet for ideas about how to mix and match flavors, and customers offer suggestions through their feedback. Blending different flavors is something Pruden takes pride in. For her, making a good cookie is one thing, but combining unexpected flavors offers another opportunity to make it her own. “I do research before I do any of it,” Pruden said. “I think about if I like it and how I can make it mine.” For example, Pruden worked on an ube cookie for the fall season. Its purple color drew her attention,

Photo provided

and she began experimenting with chocolate, espresso powder, and black cherry. “It was actually a sweet potato base and purple in color, and I was drawn to it just for the color more than anything,” Pruden said. “It was really pretty, but it had that earthy tone because of the sweet potato. Well, how would I make it mine? It’s a purple velvet, so we need to add a little bit of chocolate, and we add some espresso powder because it draws out the chocolate flavoring. Then, I pair it with black cherry.” Another thing that makes Perfectly Artisanal’s cookies unique is their names and the backstories Pruden gives them. Moose Behavior, for example, is named after a childhood friend whose nickname was Moose. Giving her cookies personas also allows her to pay tribute to important people or memories in her life, especially those who helped her along the way to running Perfectly Artisanal. “There’s always a little bit of a nod to certain people in my life,” Pruden said. “I might remember that they like this type of food, or they had this type of personality, or this reminds me of them for whatever reason, and I incorporated it into my food, and people have been very accepting of

that.” Perfectly Artisanal began gaining traction as its social media following grew. Pruden pointed to two moments that helped her realize the business’s potential. Her TikTok following went from about 300 followers to more than 1,000 in a day after she shared the story of how Perfectly Artisanal was created to help support her children as they started their adult lives as college students. Other content creators also posted about Pruden’s cookies, generating tens of thousands of views across social media. When Pruden went out in public, people began recognizing her because of Perfectly Artisanal. One night, messages started flooding in from people who wanted to try her cookies and see what the business was all about. “We set up at the Farmers’ Market the next morning, and I was sold out in 40 minutes,” Pruden said. That response helped Pruden see a future for the business beyond baking on the side. At its heart, though, Perfectly Artisanal remained rooted in her efforts as a single mother to provide financial stability for her children in college. Money had been hard to come by

at times without a second source of income, but that never stopped Pruden from “fighting tooth and nail to try to make things work.” “I think I’ve built a brand on being the underdog that has never taken the conventional road for anything in life,” Pruden said. “Some people show the good of everything, and I’m going to show you the craziness of it. Some people hide the crazy, and I don’t. I’ll admit to some of the crazy mistakes and wonder how I even got here still, and I envelop that in the backstory of my cookies. I think people can relate to that. It doesn’t matter what walk of life you come from.” After taking a chance and pouring so much into Perfectly Artisanal, Pruden

preparing

continue

honoring her mom and nana, one cookie at a time, in a storefront of her own at 1700 Frederica Street. “There’ll be special nods to them within the store that I’m working on,” Pruden said. “I have some special things in the works specifically for those people in my life that have gotten me to where I am because I really didn’t think people like me got chances to do things like this.” OL

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

FROM THE ARCHIVES

A CENTURY OF CHRISTMAS KINDNESS Written by L O R A W I M S AT T

but

had

recipients to avoid duplication of

homes,

even

baskets and to ensure that as many

though they had been very, very

needy individuals and families as

good all year.

possible were helped.

any of us grew up with stories

and

neighbors

from parents or grandparents

overlooked

their

who shared their memories

of a simpler era when families had few material possessions but

Fortunately, for many of those

Organizers predicted that about

children of a century ago, Owensboro

150 baskets would be filled and

memories

was filled then, as it is now, with

distributed, each containing either

grow more precious as

people whose hearts of generosity

“meat, potatoes, a head of cabbage,

time goes by, but the

overflow with the Christmas spirit.

bread, coffee, sugar, and perhaps

were rich in love. Those

years also tend to dim

Christian

fruit,” or “a dressed chicken, flour,

the harsher edges of

Association met at the Mary Kendall

meal, vegetables, canned goods,

those experiences,

Home in December 1926, reporting

candy, cake, coffee, sugar and fruit.”

when

that 24 people — 11 adults and 13

Elderly residents — “inmates”

children — were residing there as

— of the County Infirmary were

the holiday approached.

remembered as well, and were to

children

wondered

why

Santa Claus had visited

The

Women’s

their

Christmas baskets were to be

receive “candy, oranges, raisins,

classmates

distributed to all, but one child, age

apples and tobacco for the men,

11, needed additional assistance

and some little personal gift for the

as she was said to be “absolutely

women.”

In summary, observed an article

Owensboro were beseeched to “look

published in the Dec. 19, 1926,

over their wardrobes and see if they

edition of the Messenger-Inquirer,

can’t find some clothing … for this

“Santa Claus is one of the inalienable

unfortunate little girl.”

birthrights of every Christian child.

without

clothing.”

The WCA was not the only group

They are born with a yearning for

working to ensure that the magic of

the goodness and the gifts of old

Christmas reached even the most

St. Nicholas. But there are literally

forlorn of homes. The Queen’s

scores of little children right here in

Daughters, the Gospel Mission,

Owensboro who would miss Santa

students of local schools and

Claus altogether if it were not for the

Sunday school classes, “and

donations made annually by many

scores of individuals whose

kind hearted persons.”

left hand is kept ignorant of

There have been 100 Christmases

what the right hand does will

since 1926, but children now as then

help gladden Christmas for

still yearn for the magic of Santa

others.”

Claus. Fortunately, our hometown League

is still populated by those who take

coordinated these charitable

to heart the message of the One who

efforts,

said, “It is more blessed to give than

The

Welfare reviewing

organization’s

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Residents

lists

each of

to receive.” OL

N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

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N O V E M B E R / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 Owensboro Living

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