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A CENTURY STRONG JEFFERSONTOWN VETERAN REFLECTS ON 100 YEARS OF FAITH, FAMILY & SERVICE Writer / Melissa Gibson

Veteran and Jeffersontown resident Jesse McGee recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Born Sept. 19, 1925, in a small Kentucky town, one of his first memories was Christmas Day in 1931. McGee had appendicitis, and after calling the doctor, who recommended a trip to the hospital in Louisville, the trip itself proved difficult because no one had a car. The family had to ask neighbors and friends and eventually find someone in town who could transport the ailing 6-year-old. “These were horse-and-buggy days,” McGee says. “We had no electricity or running water. We’d get water from the well, but it 6 | February 2026 | TownePost.com

would go dry every summer.” Growing up, McGee recalls summers spent working on the farm, hunting, fishing and playing baseball. He has plenty of stories surrounding family, getting into trouble with his siblings and having fun. He remembers the 5-mile walk to and from school and the family purchasing their first car around 1938. The 1940s served as a decade of change in McGee’s life. Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941 when McGee was a sophomore in high school. By

1944, he was headed to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for basic training at just 18 years old and spent his 19th birthday on a threeday pass to London. “In the early part of my service, I was at a camp in southern England near the English Channel and then on to France, Holland and Germany,” McGee says. “I was in harm’s way a few times but never saw combat. Still, when I earned enough points to come home and you see the Statue of Liberty, it really does something to you.” While overseas, McGee had been writing letters to Edwina, a friend from his high school days. The special relationship they

built through letters led to love, and the two married in 1947. He recalls living in an apartment in Bardstown for $40 per month and making 74 cents per hour. Just one year later, he took a job at Robertson Paint Co., later named Porter Paint and then PPG Paints, for 90 cents per hour. Like many in the 1940s, McGee worked hard and worked his way up, spending nearly 40 years with the company and eventually becoming superintendent at the industrial finishes plant. “I started out as a laborer and worked a lot

of long hours but took classes in the evening at the University of Louisville and received promotions as I went along,” McGee says. The couple moved to Jeffersontown in 1948, and McGee began volunteering at his church, Jeffersontown Christian Church, and joined the Masonic Lodge. He was instrumental in the launch of Jeffersontown Little League and served as a coach for several years. In addition, McGee served on the Jeffersontown City Council in the early 1950s. “When Edwina and I moved here, Jeffersontown was just a small town,” McGee says. “I don’t know if there was even a traffic light. Growth was just beginning to take effect, and I was able to be a part of some of that growth when subdivisions were coming in and changes were taking place.” He served only one term, however. Work and family life were calling. The couple had four children — Dennis,

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Walter, JoAnn and Rob — and advances in technology were moving quicker than many could keep up. McGee recalls buying his first television in 1949, purchasing a microwave, an 8-track and more. “Some of the best memories of our family life were when the children were all home and in school,” he says. “I used to call Edwina and let her know I was on my way home from work. Our dog, Pepper, got the message and would wait at the door for me, announcing my arrival when I turned the corner. The kids would all be called in to have dinner, and we’d sit around the table, and I would listen to each of them talk

about their day. They would eventually ask me to guess what we were having for dessert. I’d usually guess right, and they accused Mom of telling me beforehand. She never did. She just had good mental telepathy, I guess.”

my own children. They treat me just like their father. I believe when Edwina went to be with the Lord, she asked that He send someone to me so I wouldn’t be lonely.” McGee says there are four things in life that really matter: God, country, neighbors and family.

He has read the Bible from cover to cover at least three times, and these days, McGee still resides in the home that he and Evelyn purchased in Jeffersontown. His children visit McGee says he knew then what it was like to often and say he spent so long taking care of them, now it is their turn to take care of him. be lonely. However, life didn’t stop there. After 53 years of marriage and a long illness, Edwina passed away in July 2000.

In 2002, he met Evelyn and eventually her children. They were married for 14 years before she passed away in 2016. “I’ve been very fortunate to have had two of the best. Now I have two angels in heaven,” McGee says. “I’m so glad we had time together with all the memories and two great families. My stepchildren are just like

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The secret to celebrating a 100th birthday? “I guess just living a clean life,” McGee says. “I’ve been blessed in so many ways. The Lord has helped me through some sad times, and there are things I wish I had not done and things I wish I had done or said that I didn’t. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”

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FEED LOUISVILLE LOCAL ORGANIZATION TURNS SURPLUS FOOD INTO COMMUNITY SUPPORT Writer / Julie Yates

grocery stores and food distributors, it transforms surplus food into hundreds of healthy meals. The meals, made in the Feed Louisville commissary kitchen, plus rescued pantry staples, are picked up or delivered to agencies and programs such as women’s shelters, temporary housing facilities, street outreaches and smaller pantries.

Feed Louisville is an organization with a twofold mission. While alleviating hunger in the community, the nonprofit fights food waste. Working with community partners such as restaurants, caterers, bakeries, farms, 10 | February 2026 | TownePost.com

than 700,000 meals for the community and has prevented more than 1 million pounds of food from being dumped in landfills. In addition, it has distributed more than 400,000 pounds of foodstuffs and snacks to at least 24 human service partner agencies.

The organization began in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced soup kitchens and other resources to shut down. According to Rhona Bowles Kamar, After a conversation Kamar had with street executive director and founder, up to 40% of outreach volunteer Donny Green, the two food produced goes to waste in the United co-founded an initiative with the goal of States, yet 16% of Kentuckians don’t know supplying meals to the food-insecure and where their next meal is coming from. Since unhoused population in the Louisville area. it began, Feed Louisville has prepared more

“At the time I was renting out kitchen space in Douglas Boulevard Christian Church and running my own catering company,” Kamar says. “Donny and I talked about how people living on the streets were hurting. Everyone has the human need for food and the right to have access to it. I asked what would be helpful, and he said 500 hot meals.” Initially, a few hundred meals a week were provided and delivered by Green. Then, as the former co-owner of Ramsi’s Café on the World, Kamar was able to reach out to several contacts in the hospitality industry. Within two months, 16 restaurants were on board supplying meals for the organization to distribute. Money was raised, and

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the participating restaurants were paid $2 a meal, although some did it for free. Eventually, excess food from farmers, bakers and others began to be donated, and the initiative shifted to a food rescue model. In 2023, the operation moved to an 8,000-square-foot space in the Butchertown neighborhood. Around the same time, Green moved on to work in a separate street outreach program, which continues to grow. “We are an intersection between food rescue

and hunger relief,” Kamar says. “On one side is the hospitality industry with an incredible amount of surplus food that is still viable. We have a crazy array that gets donated to us. Our partners are health department-certified, and our chefs are safe food handling experts. The meals produced are 70% from scratch and 30% sourced from catering donations. On the other side are community feeding partners, which include domestic violence shelters, human service agencies and street outreach.”

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A typical day at Feed Louisville starts about 8 a.m. Chefs arrive and start planning for the day; they already have a rough idea of what is in the freezer and what produce is on hand from farmers markets. At the same time, drivers and volunteers start picking up food from roughly 100 restaurants, caterers, farmers and bakers. Throughout the day, they continue their scheduled runs plus a few random stops at caterers who have surplus, traveling all over town.

laundry detergent, broccoli and frozen chicken. First, it is determined what is there that chefs can make a meal from. Second, what partner needs a particular item the most. For instance, baby formula would go to a women’s shelter.”

look at what we have and what we can do with it. For instance, we can freeze the zest of limes and use the juice to make sauces. We recently moved from composting to feeding pigs; it was more cost-effective and a huge benefit to the pig farmer.

During the day, meals are delivered, and others are picked up by community feeding partners. Later in the afternoon, chefs assess what is available for the next day. They may remove hamburger from the freezer and place it in a refrigerated space to thaw. Vegetables are prepped and chopped. It all concludes between 4 to 5 p.m.

“Zest, a line of grab-and-go meals, is our revenue initiative,” Kamar adds. “Nonprofits need to find ways to raise and earn their own money to create sustainability. The food is fun, globally inspired and has no dairy, gluten or soy. It is sold in Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Markets, Nori inside Story Louisville and Shawnee Public Library, 721 Mint It Herb & Juice Bar inside Logan Street Market and ValuMarket Highlands– Mid City Mall. Zest also produces two

“After the trucks come in, the dock manager unloads and weighs the load,” Kamar adds. “It is assessed and triaged. There might be two pans of brisket, a couple pans of mashed “We are committed to not wasting food,” potatoes or a beautiful casserole from a Kamar says. “We get creative with it. We catering company. Groceries could include

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varieties of Bro-itos, which are sold by Heine Brothers Coffee.” In the future, Feed Louisville would like to provide workforce training for the people they are serving by sourcing candidates through their partner agencies. Funding is being sought, and planning is slowly moving forward. A three-month, hands-on curriculum will be developed and tested carefully on a small scale. Kamar stresses that the program would be more than just training; it would ensure students are taught other skills, such as resume building, to be successful. The Louisville community can assist Feed Louisville in several ways. Besides

donations, volunteers are always needed, and typically 60 to 70 individuals give their time each week. To sign up, visit feedlouisville.org. Supporting the organization’s food rescue partners by frequenting their establishments is another way to help. Each has made the commitment to supply Feed Louisville with its surplus of viable foodstuffs when it would be easier to throw it in a dumpster. Partners are listed on the organization’s website. “Feed Louisville started as a response to a crisis,” Kamar says. “I never imagined we would be where we are today. Unless the obstacle of hunger is removed, people can’t think or focus. By removing hunger,

relationships can be built and people can move to the next level of life. Our niche is needed and unique. “This work belongs to the community. We can’t do it without our many volunteers who are in the kitchen chopping, peeling, packaging, taking in donations and organizing the walk-in, and our drivers. We have incredible community partners, committed local food producers who help keep perfectly edible food out of landfills, donors and supporters.” For more information, visit feedlouisville. org. Feed Louisville is located at 1334 Story Ave. in Louisville.

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BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE

KENTUCKY BLACK TRAILBLAZERS PUSHES TOURISM INTO A NEW REALM Writer / Helen McKinney

Years ago, when Janette Marson discovered 19 Crimes wine bottles, she was intrigued. What caught her interest was the fact that the bottles integrated augmented reality onto the actual wine label — technology she had always wanted to use for the tourism industry. Marson is president and CEO of ShelbyKY Tourism. “The technology, of course, is hugely expensive and cost-prohibitive,” she says. That is, until ARPA grants came along. In the wake of COVID, Kentucky State Tourism received ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) money to be used for projects that included at least six cities or counties and were transformational in nature, she says. “In order for a project to actually be ‘transformational,’ it would have to be different and deeply meaningful.” That’s when the idea for Kentucky Black Trailblazers was born. Once Marson devised the initial concept for a Black history trail, she remembered the augmented reality technology of the wine bottles and wanted to integrate the two into a groundbreaking new concept for the tourism industry. She says she reached out to “the company that actually created the technology behind the 19 Crimes wine bottles, as well as Pokémon GO, and they told me that such 14 | February 2026 | TownePost.com

technology had come a long way. They asked approached six tourism partners in her if I would like to try something that had never region — ShelbyKY, Louisville, Oldham County, Bardstown, Elizabethtown and been done before — of course I said, YES!” Shepherdsville-Bullitt County — and asked if they would like to partner with her on The AR experience used in Kentucky Black the project. The next step was to submit the Trailblazers was created by an innovation project idea to Kentucky State Tourism. studio, Tactic. Peter Oberdorfer, CEO and CCO of Tactic, says tourism offices reached out to his firm stating they were interested in “They approved and gave us the go-ahead,” using AR for a series of activations at specific Marson says. locations around the state of Kentucky. Tactic It took approximately six months, including is an immersive creative and production design, casting and production, to complete studio based in San Francisco, California. the project. Tactic has worked on similar projects, as they “It’s a way to bring history to life, with a specialize in augmented reality. fully dimensional 3D reenactment that is in the context of the sites in which the history “We had worked with this sort of 3D occurred,” Oberdorfer says. performance capture before (called volumetric video) on projects, using The goal was to honor and preserve the these sorts of assets in our AR projects,” extraordinary contributions and stories of Oberdorfer say. local heroes. The project includes 19 stops, three in each county, with a fourth added He says volumetric video is the equivalent in Louisville. With just a tap of a phone to of recording real actors performing launch the experience, users can see and hear, reenactments of historical figures on a via AR, stories of Muhammad Ali, Lyman T. holographic stage consisting of 110 sensors and cameras surrounding the actor in a green Johnson, Mattie Owens, General Braddock, Dorsey Wickliffe and many more. sphere. The data is then processed into a moving 3D scan of the original performance After learning about the potential of the that is streamed over the web. Kentucky Black Trailblazers project from ShelbyKY Tourism, Kim Hydes, executive The result was a first-of-its-kind immersive experience that tells the stories of influential director of Oldham County Tourism and Conventions, “spoke with Shelby County Black Kentuckians using cutting-edge Tourism about being included, and they were augmented reality. When laying the initial thrilled to have Oldham County participate groundwork for the project, Marson

United Methodist Church in Goshen at what used to be the site of the plantation she escaped from. Henry Bibb’s marker is beside the original 1800s courthouse in Oldham’s river town of Westport, where enslaved people were auctioned in a building that is now a church. Alex Beaumont’s marker is located on the Oldham County History For Oldham County, the project was a “creative way to educate visitors and residents Center campus, where the National Park Service designations are held. alike about the role African Americans played in Oldham County’s history and its importance. Visitors have come from all over Shelbyville’s contributions are civil rights leader Whitney M. Young Jr., Elijah P. the region to connect to stories that have Marrs and the Harlem Hellfighters. These been brought to life by the project. It has individuals were chosen when, “I got a given visitors a reason to visit three separate group of Shelby County Black historians cities in Oldham County, each with their together and asked them what stories own history, but a connection that makes us needed to be told,” Marson says. the same.” as one of only six communities in this project. Oldham County’s three stops are Underground Railroad-related, which further promotes these designations by the National Park Service Network to Freedom, given to the Oldham County History Center.”

Oldham County’s contributions include Henry Bibb, Eliza Brooks and Alex Beaumont. The markers for these pioneering individuals were placed in locations where the people actually lived or aided history. Eliza Brooks’ marker is located at Shiloh

Information for Oldham County’s three stops was provided by Nancy Theiss, executive director of the Oldham County History Center. “Nancy has written numerous books and

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articles about Oldham County’s past and its connection to Black history and the Underground Railroad,” Hydes says. “Extensive research has been done for Alex Beaumont and Henry Bibb, but when the opportunity came to add a third stop, we went with the little-known story of Eliza Brooks, who escaped with her babies and a friend to Indiana by swimming the Ohio River completely unassisted. Eliza Brooks’ story is an emotional one.” Choosing who to highlight and limiting it to only three individuals for each partner was difficult. The limitation was due in part to the cost of the project. “At this time, there are no plans to create additional augmented reality experiences,” Marson says. “We have thought about expanding the project to include additional Black historical sites and people — minus the augmented reality feature.” She says feedback has been incredible.

16 | February 2026 | TownePost.com

“This project has truly been transformational for people.,” she says. “There have been some people who did not realize that the Harlem Hellfighters were actually in their family, and it brought them to tears to find out that not only were they family, but they are finally being recognized for their incredible bravery.” Hydes says she has had many visitors comment on “the lifelike feel of each trailblazer and how they feel as though the trailblazer was standing with them. ‘I have chills’ has been the most common reaction to all three.”

people who did incredible things during their lifetime has been very meaningful.” Kentucky Black Trailblazers was recently added to the Kentucky African American Heritage Trail, a journey through courage, culture and contribution. With more than 50 remarkable sites across the state, the trail shines a light on the contributions of African Americans in Kentucky’s history. In February 2025, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear visited Shelby County, where he joined tourism officials and local leaders to highlight the multicounty tourism initiative. He says the Kentucky Black Trailblazers experience “honors the profound contributions of Black Kentuckians throughout history by showcasing the diverse narratives that shape the commonwealth.”

The project is significant for telling local history. Marson says that according to local Black historians, “most Black history was not written down. It was handed down generation to generation. So much of the history has been lost. This project has helped shed light on some very important figures in Louisville Tourism President and CEO history whose stories needed to be told. Just Cleo Battle says the project “is a powerful the telling of the stories and shedding light on tribute to the influential Black figures

THE 19 KY BLACK TRAILBLAZERS EXPERIENCES that have shaped our state’s history. This immersive journey not only honors their legacies, but also educates and inspires both locals and visitors.” “I think AR is the most natural progression with experience tourism,” Hydes adds. “The challenge for tourism offices is to create memories and emotional connections to our destinations. AR is the perfect, though expensive, way to accomplish visitor connection to your history. I think AR is an up-and-coming way to really experience history … by stepping into the past. It gives me chills thinking about it!” For more information, visit kyblacktrailblazers.com.

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HISTORY FORWARD FRAZIER MUSEUM UNVEILS AMBITIOUS 2026 VISION Writer / Gavin LaPaille

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The Frazier History Museum has big and exciting plans for 2026, continuing its mission to inspire, engage and educate by

“Our brand is where the world meets Kentucky,” says Andy Treinen, museum president. “I say it all the time: There is no better place in the world to learn all there is about Kentucky culture, history, industry and people than here.” Three major initiatives are on tap at the nonprofit museum located in the heart of Museum Row on Main Street in downtown Louisville. This year marks the 250th

anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the Frazier Museum is recognizing the milestone by highlighting important historical artifacts on display. Frazier is home to many significant pieces from a national perspective, including Teddy Roosevelt’s “big stick,” the 1875 arrest warrant for Mary Todd Lincoln and the nation’s oldest remaining Civil War monument, the Bloedner Monument. Each will receive a special decal with additional context on its place in history. Frazier is also creating several new exhibits TownePost.com | February 2026 | 19

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I Too Am a Kentuckian opens in July and evokes words from Abraham Lincoln to celebrate 250 years of Kentucky spirit. In this powerful journey of the commonwealth’s ongoing pursuit of America’s founding ideals, visitors will feel the pride Kentucky embodies and see how the Founding Fathers’ spirit lives on in the Bluegrass State. Revolutionary Threads

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opens in August and also marks the 250th celebration by showcasing military threads throughout American history. “We have a lot of things in our collection that are significant nationally,” Treinen says. “We’re doing a lot of 250 stuff, and you’ll see that throughout the city as well.”

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Call 502-267-4249 to schedule a tour or visit www.providenceccps.com to learn more. TownePost.com | February 2026 | 21

In an effort to expand its brand statewide, the Frazier Museum is hitting the road to visit all 120 Kentucky counties and share stories from across the region. Currently located in the museum is 120: Cool KY Counties, an exhibit consisting of two touchscreen maps of Kentucky. When visitors touch a location, they are shown content specific to that county, including a text story, a video and a song by a local artist. Frazier hopes to share those stories statewide and help drive tourism to other counties. Treinen says only a small portion of the museum’s overall attendance comes from Kentucky residents who live outside neighboring counties, and he wants them to know Frazier is showcasing them as well. “We’re getting a vehicle and we’re going to every county fair and event,” Treinen says. “We want the rest of the state to understand we are sharing their story too. We met with five to six individuals in every county, and they helped us curate the story they

wanted to tell. Now we can take that out and way. She’s a brilliant woman, and she had to grind out there by herself.” show we are bringing people to their area. This was built to try to get more regional All of these new initiatives will run Kentucky people to know who we are.” alongside exhibits visitors have come to cherish over the years. Frazier remains Another new initiative highlights the home to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail accomplishments of Kentucky resident Welcome Center and continues to feature Tori Murden McClure, who became the special exhibits, events and programming first woman and first American to row that celebrate the history, craft and culture solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1999. of bourbon whiskey. Cool Kentucky, McClure’s boat, American Pearl, has been which opened in 2020, is designed to on display at Frazier since 2020 and will bring the state to life while motivating be joined by an interactive exhibit where visitors to explore attractions across the guests can experience what it was like during her 3,300-mile journey. This exhibit commonwealth. The Lewis and Clark Experience is a hands-on exhibit for will be located outside the museum’s visitors of all ages, offering an immersive new education center and will include an educational adventure that puts guests faceartificial intelligence component allowing to-face with challenges encountered by the guests to ask McClure questions about her Corps of Discovery. adventure. “People will see what it’s like to row through the storm and feel the wind and rain,” Treinen adds. “They will get to learn her story and STEM-related aspects along the

“My only goal is that we mean more to more people every day,” Treinen says. “Every year, we’re thinking about what we can do to create cool experiences. I don’t

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think this museum will get away from what we do best, because it works. We found a place in the marketplace, and Frazier means something to this community.” Last year marked the Frazier Museum’s 20th anniversary, which ended on a high note. The museum was named best in the state by Kentucky Living’s Annual Best in Kentucky Awards, voted on by residents statewide. Treinen says the honor is significant to both him and his staff. “The fact that we were named best museum by people who live in Kentucky is a big deal,” he says. “I don’t take that lightly. I’m very humbled because there are so many amazing museums in this state. For our staff and the people who work here, I’m very happy for them. They’re proud, because I don’t know if we were always seen in that light.” For more information on the Frazier History Museum, visit fraziermuseum.org.

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THE BOURBON CLASSIC A SIGNATURE CELEBRATION OF AMERICA’S NATIVE SPIRIT Writer / Jessica Able

26 | February 2026 | TownePost.com

When the Bourbon Classic returns to Louisville Feb. 25–28, it will once again affirm its place as one of the most distinctive lifestyle events in Bourbon Country. What began in 2013 as a bold idea — to give bourbon its own world-class celebration — has grown into a multi-day extravaganza that reflects both the remarkable evolution of the bourbon industry and Louisville’s enduring role as its cultural heart. The inspiration behind the Bourbon Classic was simple but ambitious, says Seth Thompson, one of the publishers of “The Bourbon Review.” While global whiskey festivals and food and wine events flourished around the world, bourbon — the only truly American spirit — did not yet have a singular, signature experience that celebrated it on its own terms. The founders envisioned something more immersive than a tasting event: a lifestyle gathering that honored bourbon’s authenticity while placing it in conversation with culinary and cocktail artistry. From its earliest days, the Bourbon Classic was designed to reflect the spirit’s heritage while embracing creativity, hospitality and excellence. “The Bourbon Classic is a celebration of bourbon’s authenticity as we closely marry America’s native spirit to the culinary and cocktail arts,” Thompson says. “We want the foodie and cocktail enthusiasts to leave just as wowed as the bourbon geeks out there.” Over the years, the event has evolved alongside the industry it celebrates. Since the Bourbon Classic launched, Kentucky alone has seen the number of distilleries grow dramatically, with dozens more operating today than in 2013. That expansion is mirrored in the festival itself.

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What was once a weekend event has grown into a multi-day experience through the addition of weekday satellite programming, transforming the Bourbon Classic into a true destination event. Attendees now arrive earlier, stay longer and experience Louisville not just as a host city, but as an integral part of the celebration, Thompson says. At its core, the Bourbon Classic defines itself by its ability to speak to multiple audiences at once. For seasoned bourbon enthusiasts, it offers depth, authenticity and access to the brands and stories that define

the industry. For first-time attendees, it provides an inviting entry point — one that emphasizes flavor, creativity and enjoyment rather than intimidation. By closely marrying America’s native spirit to the culinary and cocktail arts, the event ensures that food lovers and cocktail aficionados leave just as inspired as the most dedicated “bourbon geeks.” The 2026 Bourbon Classic promises several highlights that underscore this balance of heritage and innovation.

“Angel’s Envy is hosting a brunch, which will be fantastic,” Thompson says. “We now have bottle sales allowed for the weekday events at the Kentucky International Convention Center.” Central to the Bourbon Classic’s success is its careful curation of talent. Participating distilleries partner with elite chefs and mixologists, creating thoughtfully paired experiences that showcase the best of each discipline. “The supporting brands carefully choose

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their elite chef and mixologist duos,” Thompson says. “Friday night’s Culinary & Cocktail Competition features the city’s best talent all under one roof. It’s very powerful.” Louisville itself is inseparable from the Bourbon Classic’s identity. The city’s bourbon history stretches back generations, from the warehouses and storefronts of historic Whiskey Row along the riverfront to the modern distilleries and tasting rooms that now define its downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Beyond its historical credentials, Louisville offers something equally essential: a thriving community of elite chefs and bartenders whose skill and creativity elevate every aspect of the event. This combination of authenticity and contemporary talent makes Louisville not just an ideal host, but the only place the Bourbon Classic truly belongs.

Behind the scenes, producing an event of this scale is a feat of coordination that most attendees never see. The logistics involved in aligning distilleries, chefs, bartenders, venues and schedules — particularly for complex events like the Culinary & Cocktail Pairing Competition — are immense. Each detail must be carefully managed to ensure that the guest experience feels seamless. Ultimately, the Bourbon Classic measures its success not only by attendance or programming, but by the lasting impression it leaves on its guests. The goal is simple and ambitious: for attendees to leave completely wowed, carrying with them the memory of an unforgettable experience and the feeling that they have enjoyed the ultimate stay in Bourbon Country, Thompson says. For more information on the Bourbon Classic, visit bourbonclassic.com.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEBRUARY

AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2026

LOUISVILLE AREA EVENTS

1 DISCOVER BOATING® LOUISVILLE BOAT, RV & SPORTSHOW®

4 UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL VS NOTRE DAME KFC YUM! Center, 1 Arena Plaza.

5 BLACK VIOLIN: FULL CIRCLE TOUR 2026

Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Ln. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Louisville’s favorite winter tradition is back.

KOSAIR SHRINE CIRCUS

Brown Theatre, 315 West Broadway 7:30 p.m. Step into Black Violin’s Full Circle Tour, where GRAMMY-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus redefine the possibilities of music by merging classical depth with hip-hop’s pulse. This tour captures the essence of returning to where it all began—transformed and reimagined.

Broadbent Arena, 937 Phillips LN. 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 7 p.m., Kosair Shrine Circus

10–15 THE GREAT GATSBY MUSICAL

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Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W Main St. 2–4 p.m. When 16-year-old Percy Jackson discovers that he is the half-blood son of the Greek God, Poseidon, his life takes a dramatic turn as he is plunged into a world much bigger than he could possibly have imagined.

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Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W Main St. Times Vary The Great Gatsby Musical

11–13 CHAMPIONSHIP TRACTOR PULL

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Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W Main St. 6–11 p.m. Destination Smooth Jazz is a quarterly smooth jazz series (Feb 14th, June 6th, Sept 5th, Dec 5th) featuring Grammy Winning/ Grammy nominated and regulars on Billboard Hot 100 Jazz Chart.

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The Kentucky Center - Bomhard Theater, 501 W. Main St. 8 p.m. Spend a deliciously chilling evening with renowned criminologist and serial killer expert, Dr. Scott Bonn, as he takes you inside the minds of the world’s most savage and prolific murderers.

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18 BERNHEIM FIRE TOWER TOUR

Cooking @ Millie’s, 340 W Chestnut St. 6:30–9 p.m. This year’s Valentine’s Day class will be done by FOX’s MasterChef Season 9 Winner Gerron Hurt.

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, 10–11:30 a.m. Perhaps you and your family have memories of climbing Bernheim’s Historic Fire Tower and taking in the forest from its bird’s-eye cab.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

20 SAXSQUATCH

21 THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY

Mercury Ballroom, 611 S 4th St. 7-11 p.m. Saxsquatch is a 7’ tall multi-instrumentalist, producer, and electronic music artist from North Carolina. Saxsquatch’s live show is a mind bending experience showcasing his music production, stage plot, and saxophone skills over original music, remixes, and crowd participation.

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

MOBILITY CITY OF LOUISVILLE Malori, a registered nurse at the University of Louisville Hospital. Before opening Mobility City, Downs sold prosthetics for amputees and was hands on with assisting patients and helping them improve their quality of life. Having the opportunity to help others had a profound impact on Downs.

Writer / Gavin LaPaille

Chris Downs has a passion for improving the quality of life for his customers. As the president and CEO of Mobility City of Louisville, he gets to do just that. Mobility City is a one stop shop for mobility equipment repairs, rentals and sales in Louisville and the surrounding area. With equipment like rollators, walkers, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, power chairs and lift chairs, Downs and his team help customers achieve independence in their every day life. “My goal is to make someone’s day a little longer,” Downs says. “If you can’t walk more than a mile, a scooter can make sure you can enjoy the state fair with your grand kids or go to their baseball games and not be tired at the end of the day. That’s the mission for us.” Downs started Mobility City with his wife,

“It really drove my passion to improve people’s quality of life,” Downs says. “When you give them something that could get them out of the wheelchair, it’s incredible to see. That work drove my passion.” Mobility City is a franchise with more than 30 locations nationwide. Some of the services offered include battery replacement, equipment tune ups and sanitization. Products are available to purchase or to rent, and come with financing options to help offset hefty price tags. Mobility City also allows customers to try out different selections before deciding what is best for them. “We have a large show room where you can test products out,” Downs adds. “A lot of times people want to buy items online but then you don’t know how it feels or how it turns or how long the battery might last.”

are looking for. “We want to try and make it as easy as a process for anyone in whatever situation they are in,” he says. “It’s a very wide range of people who we encompass and help out.” Downs says he took out his life savings to start Mobility City of Louisville. With two young daughters under the age of five, Downs hopes that passion comes through to everyone who walks in through their door. “I have put my livelihood and future on the line because I really believe in what we’re doing and have a passion for this business,” he says. “I think that is unique. A lot of people won’t take the risk to do something like this but I chose to go after it. I feel like there is a need in the community and it’s something I wanted to do for the place I grew up in.” Mobility City of Louisville is located on 6504 Bardstown Road. For more information, give them a call at 502-289-6509 or visit them online at louisvilleky.mobilitycity.com.

People of all walks of life visit Downs and his store, including seniors, veterans and the disabled, young and old. Downs is determined to help everyone find what they

TownePost.com | February 2026 | 33

LEADING DOWNTOWN FORWARD LOUISVILLE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR HONORED FOR VISION & COMMUNITY IMPACT Writer / Melissa Gibson

Rebecca Fleischaker

Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of the Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP), recently received the John Russell Groves Citizens Laureate Award.

“We worked together with a few members of our board and got the ball rolling. We’re so glad she was able to receive the award, and it was amazing.” Fleischaker says she had never received anything like it. “I actually found out by an email with a congratulations letter, and I thought they must have the wrong person,” Fleischaker says. “It was very nice and very, very humbling. I feel honored.”

It’s a service award for those who advocate, support and encourage the values of quality architecture in their community through leadership, service and dedication to a better Fleischaker joined LDP as executive director in the fall of 2021. living environment. She was nominated through an application submitted by several Louisville architects — and secretly, her staff at LDP also weighed in. “It was a nomination for Rebecca based on all that she does for downtown Louisville. There’s also an aspect of historic preservation to it, which Rebecca is a champion of as well,” says Bryn Alston, marketing and communications manager. 34 | February 2026 | TownePost.com

The organization serves as an umbrella over the Downtown Development Corporation (DDC) and the Louisville Downtown Management District (LDMD). “The two groups were separate entities until 2013, and now they have been brought together. We have the same staff of eight of us that do the work for both entities,” Fleischaker says. “They both inform each

other. We need a clean, safe, welcoming downtown, and we also need employers, developers, investors and tourists — and in order to be successful, they need a clean, safe, welcoming downtown.” Fleischaker has a long career in economic development prior to joining LDP and has a passion for all the needs of downtown Louisville. “Really, everything is economic development,” she says. “Patching potholes is economic development because it impacts the business environment and our experience on the streets. People are more likely to locate or invest in a city that takes care of itself. It’s the ability to package something and sell it, and it includes so many different things you need to put together. That’s the fun part.” Within weeks of becoming executive director, Fleischaker began doing what she does best — reaching out. She wrote a guest editorial article for The Courier Journal, simply introducing herself and

what she hoped to do for downtown Louisville while encouraging others to join her. “Every time I get a chance to talk about it, I talk about being a champion in the city you choose to live in,” Fleischaker says. “We need to be walking around on the street, so what can we do as an organization that helps you get out of your house and out of your neighborhood with unique experiences that you want to share with friends and family?” Within the first three months, LDP installed the first several hundred of what is now 750 banners along the light poles in the downtown area, featuring colorful examples of all things downtown Louisville — from music to sports and everything in between. Fleischaker then hired a marketing and communications manager (Alston). “I wanted someone waking up every day thinking just about our downtown area. I don’t want to be a client of a PR agency or

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marketing firm,” Fleischaker says. “Then we hired a placemaking manager ( Jenny Cutshaw). This is someone taking care of our public spaces so we could see what we need to maintain but also look at new ideas.”

they do receive some support from the city. They regularly write grant requests and receive support from corporate donations and fundraising, but individuals can get involved too.

Murals have been added along buildings downtown. Large swings have been installed at Fifth and Main streets. There are four pianos sitting in public rights of way, allowing residents and visitors to sit down and play a tune at any time. That number is expected to double in 2026.

“We started a new program, Friends of Downtown, in 2022,” Fleischaker says. “It’s not a membership organization, but we do offer perks if you donate. For example, if you’d like to take a behind-the-scenes tour at the Actors Theatre, you have to become a friend first and then you can come along on the tour. I think we had 30 people at our last tour, and it was a lot of fun.”

In addition, they’ve implemented a rotating temporary public art installation program, placing new public art throughout the downtown area every six weeks. “In my mind, every time you turn a corner, I want you to see something whimsical and fun,” Fleischaker says. “It’s something that tells you you’re in Louisville and you want to take a picture or share it with someone.” LDP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. However,

Looking forward to 2026, Fleischaker’s goal is to see some of the long-term plans she’s envisioned come to fruition. Despite banners, public art and other events, there is still a lot of work going on behind the scenes. There are approximately 10,000 residents in the core of downtown Louisville.

Fleischaker would like to see that number double. “We’re really pushing for residential development,” she adds. “Now that remote work has changed and people don’t come to the office as often, the third leg to the stool for a healthy downtown is residents who live in the downtown area. We know there is a pent-up demand here for a residential market. It takes time to put together location, plans and funding, but I’m looking for that 18- to 24-hour-per-day activity. You want people here all the time, and the other services will follow.” In 2024, the 10-year Downtown Executive Summary was unveiled through LDP, and it details the three pillars — or legs of the stool — LDP is focused on to improve downtown Louisville. For more information, visit louisvilledowntown.org.

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(502) 367-1212 www.birkheadco.com TownePost.com | February 2026 | 37

JOIN MOTORIZATION NATION! AMP™ Motorization easily manages motorized shades with the power to perform.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• Integrated Li-ion battery pack in headrail, no external battery pack necessary • Micro USB Charger Port • Provides up to 500 cycles on a single charge • Battery charge status available with the AMP™ APP

WE OFFER FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE!

Residential & Commercial CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR IN-HOME APPOINTMENT. Experienced-Licensed 24/7 Emergency Service 2420 Holloway Rd • (502) 266-0079 • www.blindsdirect.com

Call us today 502-935-9898 www.LeanhartPlumbing.com

PRESENT THIS AD AND GET

$35 OFF 197

6–2

025

ANY SERVICE

Valid only with coupon. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 9/30/2019. St. Matthews Magazine.

OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER

Buy One Lunch Entree & Two Drinks, Get One Lunch Entree

50% OFF Discount applies to item of equal or lesser value. Not valid with any other offer. Expires 3/31/2026.

20% OFF

Entire Dinner Check Not valid with any other offer Minimum purchase of $50 required. Alcohol not included. Expires 3/31/2026.

12220 Shelbyville Road (In Middletown Plaza)

307 Central Avenue (Near Churchill Downs)

502-963-5503

502-690-8071

38 | February 2026 | TownePost.com

When you want it done right, call LEANHART PLUMBING first! We offer quality, professional solutions for all your plumbing problems.

WE OFFER QUALITY, PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING $25 OFF PROBLEMS. ANY SERVICE PRESENT THIS AD AND GET

Residential & Commercial Experienced-Licensed

Valid only with JT Magazine coupon. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 3/31/2026.

Call us today (502) 935-9898

VOTED #1 WINDOW COMPANY IN LOUISVILLE! FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

$1,500 OFF

3rd

OWER BATH OR SHEL* D O EM R

• Little as one day install • Trained in-house installers • Double Lifetime Warranty

BEFORE

Call today to lock in New Year pricing before it’s gone!

HOME IMPROVEMENTS Think Pink for the best of the best in:

502-317-0418

Reviews: 4.8 of 5

Showroom: 10809 Bluegrass Parkway / Louisville, KY 40299 windowsplusky.com

Natural Stone Artisans

Custom Design • Fabrication • Installation

Kitchen Countertops Tub Surrounds Outdoor Kitchens Vanity Tops Fireplace Surrounds Furniture Tops

AFTER

GRANITE QUARTZ MARBLE QUARTZITE

TRAVERTINE LIMESTONE SLATE ONYX

(502) 254-7055 • www.eleetstone.com • 13042 Middletown Industrial

Reviews: 4.8 of 5

Military Discount

Todd and Alicia Ovington

Locally Owned and Operated Owners

For advertising information, contact: COREY BOSTON

corey@townepost.com (502) 407-0185

PATRICIA, Valve Replacement

We help hearts keep dancing. Welcome to the only area hospital dedicated to comprehensive heart care. With a network of world-renowned experts, we are passionate about saving lives and improving heart health. Built on the legacy of Jewish Hospital, our innovative academic research translates into life-saving medical firsts. And our leading-edge advances and less invasive treatments meet your heart’s needs with lifechanging results. Here, hearts are expertly healed, revived, protected and even replaced. And our world-class expertise is with you, every step of the way. That’s the Power of U.

Here, your heart is in the right place.

Visit UofLHealth.org or call 502-587-4000.

The Area’s Most Preferred for Heart Care — NRC HEALTH