CONTENTS COMMUNITY 32
36 38 52 61 64 66 69 72 75 104
Who’s Who:
AUGUST
what makes lexington great
Volume 13 Number 8
32
Miss Kentucky 2019 Alex Francke A Quick History of Lexington Lexington Like A Local Downtown in Development Lexington Parks & Rec
52
Foster Care Council Lexington’s Sister Cities Non-Profit Spotlight:
Seedleaf Digital Savvy:
B2B Marketing Keep it Local New & Noteworthy
38
LIFESTYLE 108
Outfit of the Month:
111
Gor-Jess:
112
Wow Wedding:
116
Weddings Unveiled:
118 10
Cherry Bomb Lizzo’s Wood Grain Glamour Brittany + Seth
112
Local Lexington Wedding Favors Recycle Lex
TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
CONTENTS AT HOME 122
Tour of Homes:
Artisan Architecture
141
Color Catalog:
Misty
142
Super Mom
Ashlee Leonard
122
148 EATS & ENTERTAINMENT 148
Dudley’s on Short
153
Top 5 Dining:
Kentucky Proud
156
Recipe:
157
14
Dining:
Cauliflower Hashbrown Egg Cups Bite Into August
158
BBN:
Randall Cobb makes a Fresh Start
160
BBN:
168
171 172
The Retired Racehorse Project:
Showcasing the Thoroughbred Athlete Equine Update
Football Preview
163
BBN:
Local Authors
Remembering Jared Lorenzen
174
Art in the Bluegrass:
TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
Art in the Bluegrass:
Railbird Highlights Local Musicians
CONTENTS PHOTOS 28 178 180 184 186
Out & About TOPS
Lexington Fairness
Hall of Fame Awards Lexington Pride Festival Arts Connect
Lexington Junior League
190
Woodford Humane Society
192
American Saddlebred Museum
202
188
Paint the Town
188
194 196
184
July Preview Party
Charity Horse Show Summer Gala Summer Gala Barbasol Championship
194
American Red Cross
Disaster Blaster Top Shots
CALENDAR 198
August - September
Event photo captions are typically provided to TOPS by the event organizers. We do our best to check names and spelling‌but we are all human and make mistakes. Please contact kristen@topsmarketing.com with any corrections and we will make note of it in the next issue.
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TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
get to know
THE TOPS TEAM
KEITH YARBER
KRISTEN OAKLEY
MEGAN HILLENMEYER
Publisher kyarber@topsmarketing.com
President/COO kristen@topsmarketing.com
Editor in Chief megan@topsmarketing.com
Keith always dreamed of being an entrepreneur. His goal was to create a special company that he would want to come work for. In 2005, Keith saw an opportunity to create a city magazine and website for the Lexington area, and TOPS was born. 14 years later, his mission remains the same: highlight the very best of our community while being of service to non-profits, community groups and businesses of all sizes.
Kristen joined the TOPS team in its infancy 13 years ago. She graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University. Kristen and her husband Jay have two little girls - Emelia (6) and Evelyn (4). She enjoys running around with them, playing tennis and traveling. Kristen loves her job and her TOPS family!
Megan started with TOPS when she moved to Lexington from Chicago 5 years ago. She and her husband Seth met at Miami of Ohio and have a 10 month old son named Ford. Megan loves exploring the best of Lexington and sharing all that our city has to offer with our readers.
DIANA GEVEDON
JAYME JACKSON
TOWNES RAWLS
Business Manager billing@topsmarketing.com
Director of Marketing & Client Relations jayme@topsmarketing.com
Senior Account Executive townes@topsmarketing.com
Diana came to work for TOPS in 2010 after working as a business manager in the corporate radio world. In addition to keeping the books and making sure all the bills get paid on time, Diana loves to travel with her girlfriends, make jewelry and spend time with her husband and dog.
Jayme joined the TOPS team in early 2019 bringing with her a background in finance, healthcare, law and marketing. An Ashland native and a graduate of UK, she and her husband Fred are huge foodies and love to travel. Once you meet her, you will quickly realize that she’s never met a stranger! Jayme loves that TOPS has given her the opportunity to use such a public platform to help her friends and clients grow their brands.
Born and raised right here in Lexington, Townes is married with three beautiful daughters. He has a passion for everything Kentucky: Bourbon, horse racing and UK sports. Townes owned his own publishing company for 20 years. His entrepreneurial spirit connects him to small business owner. His goal is to always be considered a friend first, who happens to provide marketing solutions.
The views and comments expressed by the authors are not always that of our editors or publishers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, TOP Marketing Group accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences, including any loss or damage arising from the reliance on information in this publication. All images contained in TOPS in Lexington Magazine are subject to copyright of the artist or photographer as named, but not limited thereto. Reproduction of any part of this magazine without prior written permission is prohibited.
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TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
ÂŽ
MEGAN MARTIN
SAVANNAH BLANK
CLAIRE TAUER
Account Executive mmartin@topsmarketing.com
Director of Digital Marketing savannah@topsmarketing.com
Account Coordinator & Photography Manager claire@topsmarketing.com
Megan grew up in Louisville and moved to Lexington to attend UK, where she studied Political Science, Economics and Art studio. She loves Lexington and all of the friends she has made here. Megan loves getting to know her clients as friends & supporting their businesses. She stays busy by volunteering on local nonprofit boards, gardening and keeping her social calendar full.
Savannah helped launch TOPS Digital Solutions 2 years ago. Originally from Florence, KY she graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in PR with Creative Design, and a minor in Interpersonal Communication. Savannah is a free-spirit and believes in having as much fun as possible! She loves meeting new people and creating a special bond that goes further than your average media representative.
Claire is the newest member to the TOPS team, having just graduated from the University of Kentucky, where she earned dual degrees in Political Science and Integrated Strategic Communication with a specialization in Public Relations. Claire enjoys the outdoors, being with her friends and cheering on the CATS!!!
AMANDA HARPER
JEN BROWN
HALEY NORRIS
Vice President of Production amandah@topsmarketing.com
Senior Content Director jen@topsmarketing.com
Senior Designer haley@topsmarketing.com
Amanda has been working at TOPS for 11 years. She started with the company right after graduating from Berea College and has been gleefully learning the ropes ever since. In her spare time, Amanda likes staring at her cats, haphazardly working in her garden and occasionally writing for fun.
Jen is art minded, yet detail-oriented which has served her well in her role at TOPS for over 5 years. Jen has a BA in Art History from UK + Certificate of Graphic Design from BCTC. She loves dogs, travel, reading, cake, craft beer and all things local.
Haley joined the TOPS team right out of college 5 years ago after she and her husband Matt made their move to Lexington. They are expecting their first baby girl this month. She loves being outdoors and spending time with her family, while also running her own wedding stationery business.
CONTRIBUTORS Photographers: Ron Morrow, Keni Parks, Danny Pendleton, Paul Atkinson, Woody Phillips, Ruth Wienstock and Conrhod Zonio Writers: Jesse L. Brooks, Amanda Harper, Kate Horning, Donna Ison, Barbara Meyer, Haley Norris, Lauren Rogers, Jen Roytz, Kathie Stamps, Savannah Blank and Larry Vaught Interns: Joseph Yarber, Hanean Abdallah, Alex Hemberger and Noah Alvarez
August 2019 | TOPSinLex.com
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TOPS TOPS
LETTERS A Letter from our Publisher:
Keep Lexington Local and Strong. Lexington is a fantastic city. Our community offers great parks, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, shopping and entertainment. What makes Lexington so unique and appealing are the local business owners, working hard to make their neighborhoods and communities vital. It is so important to support these locallyowned boutiques, banks, shopping centers, med spas, restaurants, home and garden professionals and so many others. These local business owners bring a passion for serving you every day and it shows. The businesses like the ones you see advertising here in this magazine need your shopping dollars now more than ever. Yes, there are tempting options to shop online. However, when you order something online that you could have bought from a local retailer, that dollar you spend doesn’t get circulated in Lexington. If too many dollars are spent online instead of locally, then we could see these local entrepreneurs be forced to make some tough decisions.
465 East High Street, Suite 201, Lexington, KY 40507 859.543.8677 | TopsInLex.com 100 Executive Park, Suite 101, Lousiville, KY 40207 502.780.7825 | TopsLouisville.com
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It is in all of our best interests to keep Lexington businesses thriving. Here are some reasons you should join TOPS in shopping local and loving it! 1. You’ll help create jobs in the community. 2. Your tax dollars stay local. 3. Small businesses give back to the neighborhood. 4. Shopping at one local business helps other local businesses. 5. Small businesses offer more unique products. 6. It helps keep communities diverse. Thank you!
On the Cover: Alex Francke and American Pharoah
KEITH YARBER Publisher
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Photo by: Keni Parks Special thannks to Ashford Stud
TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
PHOTOS Out & About
OA Origin Lexington Hotel Grand Opening Great American Pie Contest and Ice Cream Social
Dinsmore Open House
Brookdale Richmond Place Luau
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Lakeside Live
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COMMUNITY
36 38 52 61
Who’s Who:
Miss Kentucky 2019 Alex Francke A Quick History of Lexington Lexington Like A Local Downtown in Development Lexington Parks & Rec
64 66 69 72 75 104
Foster Care Council Lexington’s Sister Cities Non-Profit Spotlight:
Seedleaf Digital Savvy:
B2B Marketing Keep it Local New & Noteworthy
Who’s who:
MISS KENTUCKY 2019 Alex Francke photos by Keni Parks
special thanks to Coolmore/Ashford Stud and American Pharoah clothing and jewelry provided by Peplum
Who’s Who
COMMUNITY
TOPS: Tell us what being Miss Kentucky means to you. Alex Francke: Miss Kentucky is kind of like Wonder Woman, who works to serve the people in her world to the best of her ability by using all of her special powers to bring them peace and security. As Miss Kentucky, it’s my role to use everything I have been given – all of the tools in my toolbelt, if you will – and all of my special skills to serve the people of this state, as well as to bring them joy, laughter, love and encouragement. Growing up, I can remember how I looked up to the “big girls” in my life with eyes full of hope and aspiration to be just like the Wonder Women in my world. It’s my greatest hope and most fervent prayer to make all of the people I meet feel seen, heard and loved. If I can make even one person see that they are more than equipped to pursue their wildest dreams – and then get to watch them go do it – I will have won more than the crown this year. TOPS: What does a day in the life of Miss Kentucky look like? Alex: Haha, which day?! As Miss Kentucky, you’re constantly on the road as the official spokesperson for Kentucky Proud through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, so you can pretty much go from talking at a school assembly, to emceeing a charitable event, to making small talk at a livestock show, all in the same day! I’ll be zig-zagging throughout the state to serve not only Kentucky agriculture, but also our two Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (Kentucky Children’s in Lexington and Norton Children’s in Louisville) and the Miss Kentucky Scholarship Organization local programs and sponsors! It definitely keeps you on your toes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m committed to serving Kentucky, so I’m willing and able to serve wherever and whenever I’m needed. TOPS: Tell us about your platform, Adopt an Art, and how you plan to expand on that cause? Alex: When I graduated from the Governor’s School for the Arts in 2013, I realized the profound impact that the arts have had on my life. Later I came to learn that many students in Kentucky didn’t have access to the same affordable arts education in their communities. Once I started researching the challenge, I realized it was present in my hometown of Lexington just as much as it was in the more rural areas of the state. I started my 501(c)3, Adopt an Art, to create a mentorship-based model that would give Fayette County Public Schools access to free afterschool classes in dance, drama, art and music. It was a very grassroots approach, as I assembled a very small team of volunteers to help me write the curriculum, teach the lessons and raise the funds needed to make it a reality! Our first school partnership was Mary Todd Elementary (thanks to Dr. Jennifer Bell) and we have served over 100 students by offering them free classes, building relationships with them as well as taking them on field trips to see local performances and touring Broadway shows! I’m so excited to continue working with FCPS, but I am also looking to expand my efforts and partner with more organizations throughout the state to reach even more children! I would love for people interested in volunteering or partnering with Adopt an Art to contact me through our website, adoptanart.org.
“I came to learn that many students in Kentucky didn’t have access to the same afforable arts education in their communities.”
TOPS: What has being a part of the pageant system taught you?
Alex: On a surface level, my involvement in both the Miss America and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organizations has polished so many of my hard skills, such as public speaking, entertaining an audience, carrying yourself with poise and grace and making a lasting impact through community service. But more than anything, it’s given me something that is more valuable than all of those things through relationships and life lessons. I’ve learned so much about having perspective when competing. It can be so easy to put all of your hopes and aspirations into winning the crown: it’s human and natural to do so! However, the leadership has framed the experience in such a way that you’re not so focused on winning the title, you’re more so focused on how you’re growing and learning through the process, and working to become a better version of yourself constantly... not for competition week, but for your life! Every single year I’ve competed, I’ve learned something new from the amazing women who are a part of this organization. You really do get to spend time with some of the most hard-working, impressive, outwardly and inwardly beautiful girls in the state and country! As iron sharpens iron, the time I’ve spent with my MAO and MAOTeen sisters is something I will value for the rest of my life, long after my year has come and gone!
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COMMUNITY
Who’s Who TOPS: Tell us how you and former Miss Kentuckys help make our community a better place. Alex: Even though every Miss Kentucky is very different, we all have a lot of underlying traits in common, such as our dedication to doing everything we do with excellence, serving others with our whole hearts and mentoring and investing in the next generation. With or without a crown, a Miss Kentucky is characterized by her heart for others and her desire to make a difference in her own unique way. I have been involved at Southland Christian Church for the past four years, mentoring children and high school students. I’ve worked as a digital marketing consultant for charities like the Ronald McDonald House and I’ve poured my heart and soul into UK’s DanceBlue over the past five years. All of the former Miss Kentuckys have continued to serve and love the people around them through so many different and diverse outlets; you’ll see them on the boards of charities and philanthropic events, as regular volunteers in organizations they care about, running companies or even running for office! This group of women is truly unstoppable and I’m honored to be associated with them.
meet
AMERICAN PHAROAH
His favorite thing to eat is baby carrots. He gets turned out in his field every day and likes to have a good roll, so he gets groomed daily to make sure he is always looking his best. With the racing credentials he has – and being such a good looking horse – he is a very popular stallion. Coolmore has a daily tour Monday-Friday where fans can come and meet AP and more of their favorite superstar stallions while learning about the farm. These tours can be booked through Horse Country Tours. American Pharoah is a kind horse with an incredible temperament, something he seems to be passing on to his offspring. He has made a great start to his stud career with 4 very impressive winners so far from only a handful of runners. It seems like there’s a lot to look forward to in horse racing’s future, thanks to the legacy of the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years!
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“I really want Kentucky to be seen for all its amazing qualities – like its kindness, charm and grit – when I get my time to shine. ” TOPS: In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? Alex: Lexington is great because it has so much to offer people at every stage in their lives. Having been born and raised here, and then continuing my education here at UK, I’ve gotten to enjoy the culture from different angles. I’ve been going to CATS games since I was a toddler in a tiny cheerleader outfit and cheering on the horses at Keeneland since I was a baby! The culture here is really so special because we really know how to rally around a family or a cause in time of need. We know how to comfort each other in times of sadness and celebrate the mountain-top moments. We’ve got enough southern charm to sweeten the tea, but we’ve also got a desire for progress and a high tolerance for change that keeps us growing and shifting with the times. It truly is the most special place to live and grow up, and I’ve heard it’s pretty great for raising a family and growing old, too. TOPS: How are you preparing for the Miss America competition?
local FAVES
Alex: I still can hardly believe that I am going to get to walk and sing on the Miss America stage, but we are going full-speed ahead with mock interviews, voice lessons, paperwork sessions and fundraising initiatives to make me the best version of myself and the best Miss Kentucky I can be when I go to represent us on the national stage! I really want Kentucky to be seen for all of its amazing qualities – like its kindness, charm and grit – when I get my time to shine. •
Boutique: Peplum Restaurant: Ramsey’s Diner Workout: Sweat Lex Thing to enjoy in town: Tailgating at UK football games
1792
1775 1782 McConnell brothers name the site of the future town “Lexington” for the Battle of Lexington
Col. Patterson and troops build the first blockhouse on what is now Main Street near S. Mill
1779
Kentucky becomes a state; Lexington is the first provisional capital
Virginia Legislature charters Lexington as a town
1799
Transylvania University is founded
1865 1899 The University of Kentucky is founded
The Kentucky Gazette, first newspaper in Kentucky, begins publication
The Lexington Jockey Club is formed, first in Kentucky: Henry Clay moves to Lexington from Virgina
First railroad reaches Lexington
1787
1797
1835 1875
The Historic Courthouse is constructed on Main Street
Red Mile racetrack opens
Lexington Timeline
COMMUNITY
Timeline provided by Foster Ockerman, Jr. Foster Ockerman, Jr., a Lexington native and seventh generation Kentuckian, is a local historian as well as a practicing attorney. He is President & Chief Historian of the Lexington History Museum, Inc. Ockerman is the author of, among other works, Historic Lexington (2013), the most recent history of our community, and The Hidden History of Racing in Kentucky.
1936
1914
Keeneland Race Track opens
First “skyscraper” erected (now the 21c Museum Hotel Lexington)
First loose leaf Burley tobacco auction held
1906
University of Kentucky hires new head basketball coach Adolph Rupp
1930
1988
1965 1974 Urban Renewal recreates downtown and railroad tracks are removed from what is now Vine Street
The Urban Service Boundary–first in the nation–is established; Gratz Park Historic District is created, first of several in Lexington
1958 August 2019 | TOPSinLex.com
Man o’ War Boulevard is completed
City of Lexington and Fayette County merge to form the Lexington Fayette Urban County (one of the first merged governments in the nation)
Interstate-64 eaches Lexington; Mayor Foster Pettit blocks it from running through downtown
Kentucky Horse Park opens
1973 1978 37
Whether you’ve lived here all your life or you’re a transplant – a full-fledged Lexingtonian or even just a visitor – there’s always something more to discover in this town. We’ve got the scoop on how true locals enjoy Lexington, from going behind the fences of historic horse farms to grabbing the very best sip of bourbon. by Amanda Harper
August 2019 | TOPSinLex.com
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Lexington Like a Local
COMMUNITY
Bourbon As a local, it’s easy to think “been there, done that” regarding local bourbon. But if it’s been a while since you went exploring the state’s native spirit, maybe it’s time to give it another try. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® is a massive draw for tourists to Kentucky, and for good reason: there is fascinating history to be discovered between the barrels. Lucky for us, it runs right through our city! Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company offers year-round tours (and tastes!) of Town Branch Bourbon. Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey and Four Roses are just a short drive away. Many distillery tours have undergone upgrades in recent years, so even if you’ve been before, it may feel new to you! Of course, locals don’t just rely on distillery tours to help them discover bourbon. One of the best ways to learn about our signature sip is to head to a bar that boasts a massive bourbon selection. OBC Kitchen has an impressive selection, as does Distilled at Gratz Park Inn. Bluegrass Tavern is widely lauded as one of the best collections in the South. Prefer cocktails? West Main Crafting Co. has made mixology into a true art form. And of course, don’t sleep on the Distillery District!
Did you know? Kentucky is the birthplace of bourbon, and we craft 95% of the world’s supply. Bourbon is on the rise. Last year, 32 COUNTIES in the state had a bourbon distillery. A decade ago, only eight counties held that honor. Bourbon helps support Kentucky farms. In 2017, Kentucky Distillers’ Association bourbon distillers bought more than 9 million bushels of Kentucky corn and other grains.
Tourists made A RECORD 1.4 MILLION stops to bourbon distilleries last year. More than 70% of bourbon tourists are from out of state and it’s estimated that they spend between $400 - $1200 on average during their trip.
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Keeneland
The race meets are world-famous, but locals know that there’s a whole lot more to enjoy at Keeneland.
Never been behind the scenes? Keeneland offers tours throughout the warmer months. The Backstretch Tour takes you trackside during morning workouts and through the barns, racing office and restricted jockey quarters. The general tour is available from the spring meet through August, offering guests the history of Keeneland. The Keeneland library has exhibits that bring to life the tremendous impact horses have had on our Download the Keeneland culture.
Race Day app to stay on top of everything there is to see and do.
The September Yearling Sale is a spectacle for true Thoroughbred racing diehards. Tomorrow’s equine superstars are on display, and the thrill of the sale is infectious. “The September sale features yearlings (year-old horses) and is akin to the NBA draft, meaning you can see future stars of the sport. Undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify sold at the 2016 September sale,” explained Christa Marillia, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Keeneland. “Watch the action in the sales pavilion from the public areas, walk through the barn areas behind the fences and enjoy a variety of food options. At the September and November sales, you can check out the display
of outstanding paintings and sculpture in the sales pavilion that will be offered at Keeneland’s Sporting Art Auction in late November.” In August, the Railbird Festival rides into Lexington. Promising to be Lexington’s signature festival-style concert event, Railbird is bringing big names into town for two days of amazing music, bourbon and equine experience. Considering that the Breeders’ Cup returns to Keeneland in 2020, the track is clearly garnering attention world-wide as a must-see spot. One of Lexington’s favorite summer traditions is the annual Picnic With the Pops. For two nights in late August, the Lexington Philharmonic and a special guest artist help transform the beautiful Keene Meadow into a can’t-miss concert event. Guests are encouraged to bring picnic dinners: locals know that creating a festive centerpiece for their table or picnic blanket is a must! Each year has a distinct theme, so dressing and decorating to suit the theme is highly encouraged. Obviously, the spring and fall meets are huge attractions and locals will definitely be trackside. Aside from people-watching over a cup of burgoo or putting money on the ponies, each meet brings a host of exciting reasons to hop over to Keeneland. On Fridays and Saturdays, don’t miss tailgating on The Hill.
INSIDER TIP: Locals also know the secret to getting a good parking spot at Keeneland: take LexTran’s Colt Trolley and fuggedaboutit.
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“Keeneland has been a part of the lives of area residents for generations – since we opened in October 1936. We work hard to continue the mission of our founders to present the finest in everything we do and be a source of pride for the community. “We are thrilled with the accolades Lexington is receiving as a great place to live and visit and are pleased to contribute to making Lexington so special.”
- Christa Marillia, Keeneland
photos by Ron Morrow & Woody Phillips
COMMUNITY
Lexington Like a Local
photo by Woody Phillips
Art!
photos by Paul Atkinson
Just about everywhere you look in Lexington, there’s something incredible to see. Through the combined effort of local artists, arts organizations and local groups, local art is finally getting its moment in the spotlight. The most efficient way to take it all in is the LexArts Gallery Hop, held on the third Friday of every other month. Boasting 40 stops, the Hop is a great opportunity to mix, mingle and enjoy Lexington’s rich art culture. While you’re hoppin’, get the scoop on upcoming exhibits and talks at the galleries, museums, artists’ studios and venues on the route. There are SO MANY in Lexingotn and they’re all worth seeing.
The Lexington Art League has even more in store. From exhibitions and lectures to the beloved Woodland Arts Fair (August 17th - 18th inside Woodland Park), the LAL is doing a lot to make the arts accessible to everyone. Their home, Loudon House, is a work of art in itself, but the sculptures in the surrounding Castlewood Downs are a can’t miss. Speaking of public art, there’s plenty of it in town. Our colorful murals have become almost as iconic as views of our beautiful horse farms. See them created in real-time during PRHBTN, the annual celebration of marginalized, criminalized and underappreciated art forms held each fall.
photos by Ron Morrow
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Lexington Like a Local
COMMUNITY
Architecture Lexington is a beautiful city with history just about everywhere you look. Lexington was first settled in the late 18th century and dubbed the “Athens of the West” for the vibrant culture that soon emerged. Stunning reminders of this time period remain throughout the city, standing alongside more contemporary structures that are just as noteworthy. The Gratz Park neighborhood is a picturesque spot for a stroll at any time of the year. But the colorful Alexander Moore House and Peter Paul House will catch your eye right away: the blue and pink houses are absolutely charming. It’s a perfect spot for a truly “Lexington” selfie. The Ginkgo tree behind the Peter Paul House was said to have been planted by statesman Henry Clay. The Hunt-Morgan House was built in 1814. John Wesley Hunt, a hemp merchant, was said to be the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies. The Federal-style house was home to General John Morgan, Dr. Thomas Hunt Morgan (a Nobel prize winner) and more. It houses early Kentucky furniture and the Alexander T. Hunt Civil War Museum. The Bodley-Bullock House was built in 1914 for Lexington mayor Thomas Pindell. Its most notable residents were a war of 1812 hero, General Thomas Bodley, and acclaimed Lexington physician Dr. Waller Bullock… and according to local lore, the
ghost of Bullock’s wife, Minnie, who co-founded Lexington Clinic. Ashland is one of Lexington’s most famous homes. Locals stroll the peaceful grounds and marvel at the beautiful peony garden in May. The English garden on the property is absolutely picturesque. Don’t miss the many events held at The Henry Clay Estate, including their Christmas celebrations. The rest of hte year, grab a bite at the Ginkgo Tree Café, nestled int the carriage house. Waveland State Historic Site is an Antebellum house also known as the Joseph Bryan estate. Guided tours offer an insight into the lives of family members and the slaves who lived on the property in the 1850s. Tuesday Teas at Waveland are a fun way to discover the property. From the Mary Todd Lincoln House to Patterson Cabin, there are so many wonderful homes to discover in Lexington. Visit Lex can help you learn more about what you’ve been missing. Of course, Lexington’s coolest architectural features aren’t limited to history. The world’s largest ceiling clock resides in the Central Public Library. The 21c Museum Hotel and the Old Historic Courthouse both deftly blend modern architectural elements with the historic buildings of Lexington.
photos by Lindsey Ritchie | special thanks to Anne Trussell
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COMMUNITY
Lexington Like a Local
Singletary Center for the Arts
One venue on UK’s campus offers opera, theatre, dance and a tremendous variety of live music. The Singletary Center for the Arts has a busy calendar to enliven the local culture. Their 2019/2020 Signature Series includes acts like Béla Fleck, Postmodern Jukebox, American Spiritual Ensemble with Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band and more. The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show will be a can’tmiss this holiday season.
photos by Ron Morrow & Rob Bolson
Find out all the details at SingletaryCenter.com. Be sure to check out the student recitals, plays and musicals, as well!
Lexington Center
Lexington Convention Center, Rupp Arena, Heritage Hall and Lexington Opera House are four venues that host more people than any other in town, yet even locals forget to enjoy all they have to offer. The Lexington Center calendar is chock full of entertainment of all kinds, and you’d be remiss to forget it! (Check out our “Downtown in Development” story to learn more about the renovations coming soon!) Each year, more and more conventions are joining the roster of Lexington Center fun. From the Scarefest horror and paranormal convention in September to the Lexington Comic & Toy Con, there’s something for just about everyone. Wedding shows, reptile expos and a few fan-run conventions mean Lexington is never short on excitement. But the more serious events can be some of the most enlightening. The Lexington Bluegrass Minority Business Expo & Conference includes keynote speakers, educational workshops, networking opportunities and more. Annual home shows include lots of resources for people who are looking to renovate or update their home, garden or even boat! While her big sister venue, Rupp Arena, is known for showing off superstar concerts, the Lexington Opera House features more intimate engagements with some of the world’s most talented performers. From ballet and musicals to acoustic concerts and more, you won’t want to miss what’s happening on Short Street.
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Lexington Like a Local
COMMUNITY
Nationally Ranked Halloween Celebration! According to USA Today, Lexington is home to one of the top 10 Halloween destinations in the nation. It’s a frightfully good time that everyone should experience firsthand. The Wicked Wonders Art Market is the secret locals are frightened to let slip. This spooky-themed market features regional vendors who are fully in on the Halloween spirit. The Halloween Variety Show kicks off in the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza with bone-shaking performances from SCAPA, Black Bird Dance Theater, the March Madness Marching Band and more. At 6pm, Halloween floats will cruise down main street with costumed ghoulies and silly performances that will send a chill up your spine. Everything wraps up with a performance of Thriller with hundreds of zombies boogying down Main Street. Want to scare up a good time? You can be a star of the show! Children and adults can sign up to be zombies at LexingtonKY.gov. All dancers must attend rehearsals to learn all the moves.
photo by Woody Phillips
INSIDER TIP: The weather at the end of October can be ghastly. The fun is scheduled for Sunday, October 27th. In the event of rain, the parade and Thriller will be moved to Monday, October 28th. Be sure to dress appropriately for whatever may come our way!
Transylvania University
Touring a college might not sound like big fun, but there’s some pretty cool history on Transylvania University’s grounds. Founded in 1780 as the 16th college in the United States, it was one of the first institutions of higher learning west of the Alleghenies. They have regular guest lectures and art shows that are open to the public, so it’s worth checking out their calendar. Like to take a walk off the beaten path? Visit the Monroe Moosnick Medical and Science Museum. See incredible nineteenth-century anatomical models, scientific instruments, botanical paintings and more. The unsettling nature of some of the artifacts means this tour is not for the faint of heart. The museum is open only by appointment.
photo courtesy Transylvania University
This Halloween, don’t miss PumpkinMania! Hundreds of jack o’ lanterns will illuminate the Old Morrison steps. Campus organizations host trick-or-treating, so make it a whole family affair. Even better? You can help carve! Contact the Bluegrass Community Foundation for more information.
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Kentucky Horse Park When’s the last time you visited the Kentucky Horse Park? If your answer is “elementary school” – or if you’re wondering whether Southern Lights counts – it’s high time you headed down Iron Works Pike.
No place else does a better job of driving home just how important the horse has been in our history. “Dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse, the Kentucky Horse Park is unlike any other park in the world,” explained Kerry Howe, Marketing Director of the Kentucky Horse Park. “Nearly 30 different breeds of horses graze upon our 1,200 acres. Families can get in the saddle at our horseback trail rides, pet one of our Kentucky Derby champions, camp at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground and visit the Smithsonian affiliated International Museum of the Horse.” April through the start of November, guests can also enjoy live equestrian demonstrations. See some of the world’s most famous horses up close and personal during the Hall of Champions show. Enjoy horseback riding or a horse-drawn trolley tour
April through October. Each admission ticket always includes free second-day entry, so don’t rush! There are also tons of amazing events held out at the Kentucky Horse Park. Aside from the numerous horse shows – encompassing a variety of breeds and disciplines – there are concerts, walks and fun events for everyone to enjoy. “The Park is also home to nearly 200 equine and non-equine events that take place on the grounds year-round,” Howe said. The High Hope Steeplechase on Sunday, September 22nd is a must on locals’ social calendars. Seeing beautiful horses dash through the steeplechase course is almost as thrilling as the tailgating that precedes it. We’d be remiss if we didn’t circle back to Southern Lights: it’s a holiday season staple! But to truly experience it like a local, join the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation for the Southern Lights Stroll. This fun walk is your only opportunity to enjoy the lights on foot.
“We want to provide our guests with a way to experience all aspects of the equine industry. We recently partnered with Horse Country to provide an opportunity for our guests book a tour from our visitor center to see stallion farms, nurseries, clinics, feed mills and aftercare organizations including the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center and Spy Coast Farm – both located on or near the Kentucky Horse Park.”
- Kerry Howe, Kentucky Horse Park
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Lexington Like a Local
COMMUNITY
Horse Country Tours Getting up close and personal with Kentucky’s equine industry may seem tricky, but Lexingtonians know a shortcut: Horse Country Tours.
While drives through the country to view equestrian farmland are a must on anyone’s Central Kentucky trip itinerary, there’s a lot that goes on behind those storied fences that most people don’t get to experience. Horse Country Tours is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping fans connect with the horse country experience. “Interested in feeding a carrot or petting a foal? We can help you with that. Want to see where your favorite Derby winner or past runner lives now? We can get you there,” said Anne Hardy, Director of Horse Country Tours. “There are even options to experience the retraining of off-track Thoroughbreds, make and feed treats to rescue horses, take a factory floor tour complete with robots and horse feed or visit a clinic, where you might get to view surgery or a podiatry clinic!” Head to VisitHorseCountry.com to learn more about the tours that they offer, including private tours, trip itineraries, group tours and more. Ask about the Horse Country Passport! •
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“The economic impact of the horse industry in Lexington alone is a huge contributor to what makes our city great, but also the cultural influence racing and sales have – that it brings such an international focus to our little town, and that it’s so much fun! In Lexington, much of our tradition is wrapped around our horses and our agricultural roots and the verdant land with which we’re blessed: it’s recognized around the world!”
- Anne Hardy, Horse Country Tours
photo courtesy of Autry Graham 51
rendering courtesy of Town Branch Park
Recently, Lexington’s downtown sector has seen a boom in new development. Our vibrant, growing urban core has always been a destination for tourism, entertainment, hospitality and retail. These exciting new developments are making downtown even more appealing, adding great new places to stay, work, dine, shop, explore and have fun, helping support our thriving local economy for years to come. Find out what’s to come. facts and figures provided by the Downtown Lexington Partnership
$2.4 BILLION in completed, underway and planned commercial real estate projects since 2015
$60 MILLION in future commercial real estate projects have been announced
COMMUNITY
Downtown in Development
CITY CENTER This $250 million private mixed-use development features two new worldclass Marriott hotels with a rooftop bar and pool, the spectacular Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, the Keeneland Mercantile store, a Starbucks, office towers, penthouse condominiums and a 700-space parking garage. Community members agree that this project will create a substantial lift in downtown commerce, events, activities, tourism and nightlife. “The community seems very pleased with the design, quality and scope of the project, and even more excited with the mix and uses that it is attracting,” says developer Dudley Webb. “We have several other development projects planned for this area that have not yet been announced and they should too have significant impact on our downtown. We think the next surge will in the rehabilitation of existing buildings,” says Webb.
1.5 MILLION
City Center is now at the finish line of the project. Locals can officially say goodbye to the construction scene we have grown so used to seeing. All elements should be open by this fall. “By then, hopefully everyone will take a look and agree that even though it took a while, it was well worth the wait,” says Webb. source: Dudley Webb, Webb Companies
people visited downtown ticketed and gated attractions in 2018 TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
Downtown in Development
COMMUNITY
LEXINGTON CENTER The $300 million replacement and expansion of the Lexington Convention Center is currently in Phase I of a three-phase project that will be constructed over three years. The projected completion date is in Spring 2022. The convention center and Rupp Arena will remain open throughout the construction period while the project is carried out. The project includes a new, contiguous 100,000 square-foot exhibit hall, a new 25,000 square foot ballroom, 26,000 square feet of new meeting spaces and 57,500 square feet of hospitality space. All told, more than 700,000 square feet will be renovated or constructed when the project is complete. The Rupp Arena portion of the renovation will include conversion of some seating in the upper arena to chair back, all-new exterior and enlarged concourses.
This is the single largest capital public improvement project in Lexington’s history. The Lexington Center expansion is expected to elevate Lexington’s convention facilities, bringing a new level of vitality to downtown and strengthening Lexington as a convention and meeting destination. The project is designed to better connect Rupp Arena and the Convention Center to downtown. The parks and plazas that weave through the finished Lexington Center will provide new public gathering spots, including the “Cat Walk,” an exterior stair and gathering spot outside of Rupp Arena. Visitors can also look forward to a new outdoor space at the Convention Center called “The Gorge,” interactive water features, an extension of the Town Branch Trail and, in the future, the planned Town Branch Park.
source: Sheila Kenny, Director, Marketing & Communications, Lexington Center
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new restaurant, bar, retail, service and entertainment businesses opened downtown in 2018!
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downtown Lexington’s Walk Score... better than Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville!
THE HUB / TARGET Downtown residents can soon look forward to a brand new Target on South Upper Street on the ground floor of The Hub. “Our first small-format store in Kentucky will offer UK students and area residents a convenient, one-stop shopping experience that is uniquely Target. Target continues to add locations near college campuses to help make students’ shopping experience fun and easy, and we look forward to enhancing the college life experience for the Wildcat community while also providing a new retail option for nearby residents,” said Mark Schindele, Senior Vice President, Properties at Target.
At approximately 20,000 square feet, the store will offer locals a quick-trip shopping experience with a curated assortment of goods, including: a food and beverage selection with a focus on wellness offerings, including fresh produce, grab-and-go items, snacks and meal solutions; a curated assortment of dorm and apartment essentials; apparel and accessories for men and women, including offerings from new Target-exclusive brands Universal Thread and Goodfellow & Co.; portable technology products and entertainment accessories.
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source: corporate.target.com
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COMMUNITY
Downtown in Development
$1.4 MILLION is how much Downtown Lexington’s commercial real estate generates in economic activity per acre... higher than the national average!
TOWN BRANCH COMMONS Town Branch Commons, city-led and publicly funded, will be the hub of a citywide trails system, closing the gap between our downtown parks and two major trails. Town Branch Commons Trail and the Newtown Connector will circle downtown’s south side to connect to the Legacy Trail, providing a loop within the downtown core approximately 5.5 miles long. Once on the path, users will be able to access 22 continuous miles of dedicated walking, jogging and cycling trails connecting downtown to our world-famous rural landscape traveling north and west within Fayette County. The goal is to bring a bit of the bluegrass into the downtown core by incorporating lush native plantings and numerous trees along its route. Iconic limestone walls have inspired the inclusion of modern stone walls, providing seating and a barrier between adjacent vehicular traffic. Town Branch Commons is not just a nice streetscape and park system through downtown: it’s also a connector of neighborhoods, people and public spaces. It includes green infrastructure that improves our water quality
and our urban ecology. It will also serve as a transportation network that can be used for far more than just recreation. Due to shared funding sources and federal grants, the Town Branch Commons trail (which runs along Midland Ave. and Vine ) will be constructed concurrently with the Town Branch Trail Connector along Newtown Pike and the completion of the Town Branch Trail through the Distillery District. The Town Branch Commons (TBC) trail is wrapping up the utility phase of construction. The next phase of construction is anticipated to begin by spring 2020 following federal reviews and permit approvals expected this fall. Throughout the trail’s development, downtown travelers should be prepared for various lane closures along the trail’s route to accommodate construction. The Town Branch Commons trail is expected to be completed in 2022, but the public may notice portions of the trail opening throughout 2021. For more information, visit: lexingtonky.gov/townbranchcommons.
source: Brandi L. Peacher Director of Project Management
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Downtown in Development
COMMUNITY
TOWN BRANCH PARK Not to be confused with the city led and publicly-funded trails, Town Branch Park is privately funded and dependent on donations from those who hope to better our community. The 9+ acres will be a green oasis in the heart of downtown Lexington. It will stand as an active space that will serve all kinds of users and welcome all segments of our community. Residents, families and visitors can enjoy nature, one-of-a-kind children’s play areas, interactive water features, free performances, art installations, educational programs and a dog park, as well as local food and beverages. So what’s the status? Town Branch Fund has added staff, moved into a new office closer to the future site of the park and applied for 501(c)3 status. It has raised more than $9 million, including the most recent gift of $500,000 from the William Stamps Farish Fund. In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers currently is conducting studies on the creek and future park site. With the Lexington Convention Center expansion now underway, Town Branch Fund will soon re-engage with design and programming
consultants to finalize park plans. The opening of the park will depend on the completion of the expanded Lexington Convention Center, which is using the future park site as the staging area for its construction. In the meantime, the board and staff of Town Branch Park will be working on planning, designing and engineering with the goal of opening sometime in 2022. “Designing, building and managing a world-class park will take the community working together to ensure its success. As we look to finalize the design and programming plan for the park, there will be many opportunities for community input,” says Allison Peck, Executive Director of Town Branch Fund. “Through continued efforts to provide the opportunity for community engagement around the project, we believe Town Branch Park will not only be an extraordinarily beautiful space, but also a community living room that contributes to the viability of all of Lexington.” For more info, visit townbranchpark.org.
source: Allison Peck Lankford Executive Director of Town Branch Fund)
84 ACRES of park space already exist in the downtown area... Town Branch Park will add more than 9 additional acres!
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COMMUNITY
Downtown in Development
THE EAST END Community Ventures and Lexington Real Estate Company have partnered to bring us three new developments that will change the face of our East End of downtown.
The Met will be built on the intersection of East Third Street and Winchester Road - the gateway to Lexington and the East End. This mixed-used space includes 32,000 square feet of retail and office spaces and 44,000 square feet of residential, plus parking. The structure will include a grocery store and DV8 Kitchen. There will be a groundbreaking this summer, and the project is expected to be complete by August 2020. Main & Vine, located on Main/Vine and Midland
DISTILLERY DISTRICT/ MANCHESTER The Distillery District and Manchester area continues to grow. As this part of town becomes more accessible with the build-out of Town Branch Trail, even more traffic and commerce can be expected in the area.
Avenue, is arguably the highest visibility intersection in downtown Lexington. This mixed-use 45,000 square foot building will offer retail and office spaces.
Across from The Met, The Midlands will be craftsmanstyle new construction townhomes. They will offer attached garages, private patios and high-end interior features. Also on the East end is the ever-growing Warehouse Block which features dozens of shops, restaurants and health and beauty establishments as well as family entertainment. With three new residential options in the works, the Warehouse Block can expect sales and activity to grow.
Community Ventures and Lexington Real Estate Company will be breaking ground on Manchester Market this fall on the corner of Oliver Lewis Way and Manchester. This mixed-used space will have 25,000 square feet of retail that includes a coffee shop, hair salon, office spaces and a restaurant on the top floor with sweeping views of Town Branch Park and downtown. The expected date of completion is fall 2020. The housing area known as Distillery Heights is officially open, with several units already under contract. Located at the corner of Manchester Street and Oliver Lewis Way, Distillery Heights will be the first infill development marking the entrance to the historic Distillery District of Lexington. The design includes 34 three-story, brick townhomes influenced by the industrial architecture of the area. Individual units consist of two and three bedrooms, open concept living area and will range from 1900-2300 square feet. source: Phil Holoubek, President Lexington’s Real Estate Co and distilleryheights.com
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source: Phil Holoubek, President Lexington’s Real Estate Co
The Met
Downtown in Development
COMMUNITY
KRIKORIAN THEATRE Locals have likely noticed that the Krikorian Theatre project is well underway. Located on High Street across from Rupp Arena, the development will include 130,000 square feet of entertainment, including a 10-screen movie theatre, game day sports bar, bowling alleys, a corner bourbon bar, an arcade and fine dining options. This development is just one of the many exciting projects that is going to encourage more activity and commerce in the heart of downtown Lexington. source: kptmovies.com
9,130
off-street and on-street parking spaces in downtown... plus LEXPARK will be making $1.1 million in improvements to their parking garages this year!
$24.88 MILLION
NoLi
sales of downtown single-family homes and condos in 2018
The North Limestone pocket of town, commonly referred to as NoLi, has seen a huge transformation over the last decade. Bars, restaurants and the neighborhood’s Night Market have attracted Lexingtonians from all over town to explore NoLi. Chad Needham is responsible for renovating over 40 buildings in this neighborhood. His newest project sits on 5 acres on the corner of West Limestone and Loudon Avenue. Needham and other community members will transform this former Greyhound bus station space into a 23,000 square foot yearround multi-vendor public market. In addition to The Common Market providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their business, it will also provide community members easy access to fresh, healthy food. The Common Market will also serve as a source of communication for residents to learn more about neighborhood services. The projected opening is in the summer of 2020. According to the NoLi Community Development Corporation website, “For the past decade, the historic Southeastern Greyhound Line building at the corner of Lime and Loudon has
sat vacant. With the Common Market, we hope to change that. Working with partners throughout the community – Bluegrass Farm to Table principally among them – we hope to rehabilitate the historic SE Greyhound Line Building into a year-round, permanent, multi-vendor public market. We also want the market to serve as an aggregation and processing hub for Central Kentucky farmers to distribute their produce, as well as a space for Northside Residents to grow new businesses. We recognize that the acquisition and construction costs of the market are immense. However, in 2015, we were given the enormous honor of being awarded $550,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to help get the project off the ground. While this is just the beginning, we believe this important investment in the project will open up additional funding sources.” Elsewhere in NoLi, things are looking bright. From 20132018, the North Limestone Community Development Corporation brought over $5 million in direct investment to the neighborhood. The benefits to NoLi have been many: the Night Market alone had $1.15 million in direct economic impact over the course of its 6 years.
source: North Limestone Community Development Corporation
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Woodland Aquatic Center
Lexington Parks and Recreation wants you to
PLAY HARD by Kathie Stamps | photos by Alex Hemberger
Trees, fresh air, green space, outdoor fun—if you think of nature when you think of a park, good for you. Parks are good for you, and they’re good for the community because they contribute to the quality of life Lexington is so famous for. Recreation is an essential part of life too, for stress relief and exercise, and socialization and connectedness. “Parks facilities and recreation programming provide benefits to the health and wellness of our community by helping to address such issues as physical inactivity, stress, poor nutrition and hunger," said Monica Conrad, director of Lexington Division of Parks and Recreation. “Plus, we offer many fun and enjoyable events for Lexington families. We create memories.” Parks and Recreation is a division of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. Funded through the city’s general
fund appropriation, the parks department part of the Department of General Services. Parks and Recreation also earns revenue by applying for grants, through sponsorships and donations, and through programs and services. If you had to guess how many parks there are in Lexington, what number comes to mind? Five, 10, 20? Try over 100 (!) parks within Lexington-Fayette County. Raven Run Nature Sanctuary is the largest, with 735 acres, out Richmond Road off Jacks Creek Pike. The “Butterflies of Raven Run” event on Sept. 7 is a no-cost opportunity to see dozens of species of butterflies. McConnell Springs is another specific area of nature managed by Parks and Recreation, with 26 acres of natural habitat and wildlife located just past the Distillery District in downtown
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Lexington Parks and Recreation
by the Numbers 2 nature centers 4 skate parks 4 spraygrounds 5 golf courses 5 regional parks
Woodland Park is the oldest city park, established in 1902. This Chevy Chase spot is home to some of Lexington’s favorite annual events, thanks to Parks and Recreation, like Ballet Under the Stars Aug. 1-4 and the Princess Tea Parties Aug. 2-4; the Woodland Art Fair Aug. 17-18 with over 200 artists, co-presented by the Lexington Art League; and Doggie Paddle on Sept. 7 with Friends of the Dog Park and the Lexington Humane Society. Masterson Station Park has an equestrian program offering an eight-week horsemanship program and horseback riding lessons in spring and fall for beginner youth and adults. There’s horse trail riding—and hiking—available at Hisle Farm Park on Briar Hill Road.
6 swimming pools 6 dog parks 7 mini parks
15 community parks 36 neighborhood parks 63 playgrounds 66 miles of trails and pathways 82 athletic fields
152 full-time employees 865 seasonal employees
1,729 naturalized acres 2,433 acres designed and managed by Parks and Recreation
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Lexington, off Old Frankfort Pike. This park also happens to be the very site where Lexington itself was founded in 1775.
A couple of years ago, Lexington Parks and Recreation began installing outdoor gym equipment at neighborhood parks. So far there are workout stations at Dixie, Gardenside, Idle Hour and Kirklevington parks. Each station has a weatherproof board with instructions on how to do various exercises to work specific muscle groups. And it’s all outside in the fresh air, in nature. “With over 66 miles of trails, our citizens generally choose the park closest to them for walking,” Conrad said. “Shillito and Jacobson are popular, and we just added a trail to Meadowthorpe Park. Legacy Trail is, of course, a popular destination for walkers, runners and cyclists." Kids of all ages have fun cooling off in the summer at the city’s four spraygrounds. The spraygrounds at Castlewood and Douglass follow the seasonal calendar of the aquatic centers and neighborhood pools. Spraygrounds at Jacobson and Masterson, which are also connected to playgrounds, and are scheduled to be open through Oct. 6. In the early ‘90s, community members gathered together and volunteered to help build the playground at Shillito Park. This year, Sept. 18-22, volunteers are welcome once again to rebuild the playground behind Fayette Mall on West Reynolds Road. “Over the past fiscal year, volunteers have logged well over 5,000 volunteer hours in Lexington parks,” Conrad said. Music lovers, Parks and Recreation has you covered with Big Band & Jazz at Ecton Park on Tuesday evenings through Aug. 27, and the “Summer Nights in Suburbia” music series on Friday evenings at Moondance Amphitheater through Aug. 30. The Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center—yep, it’s part of Parks and Recreation—hosts a Chamber Music Festival Aug. 22 to Sept. 1. Festival Latino de Lexington, in partnership with FLACA, takes place downtown at Robert F Stephens Courthouse Plaza Sept. 13-14.
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,,
Parks facilities and recreation programming provide benefits to the health and wellness of our community by helping to address such issues as physical inactivity, stress, poor nutrition and hunger. Plus, we offer many fun and enjoyable events for Lexington families. We create memories. - Monica Conrad, director of Lexington Division of Parks and Recreation
Raven Run
,,
McConnell Springs
In 2018, Lexington Parks and Recreation completed a 10-year master plan, with the mission to “Build community and enrich life through parks, programs and play." Conrad says the department does that by focusing on “Great Spaces and Experiences,” so they will be promoting connection to nature, adding natural areas and trails, preserving and restoring sensitive natural areas, improving bike and pedestrian circulation, increasing access to sports fields for open play and fitness opportunities in parks, engaging volunteers, increasing partnerships and collaborating with community partners, and facilitating concerts, movies and events.
We have been fortunate to have so much invested in Lexington Parks and Recreation.”
“We are always benchmarking ourselves with other communities,” Conrad said. “We are fortunate to have tremendous support from Mayor Gorton, the administration and councilmembers who truly understand our benefit to the community.
“The best way for our citizens to help the parks department is to engage in our activities and visit our parks,” Conrad said. “Give us your feedback on what you would like to see in your neighborhood park or a program you would like for us to try!” •
So yes, there are 100 parks in Lexington to take a walk, have a picnic and contemplate Mother Nature, and Parks and Recreation also provides a ton of programs and services. There are leagues for baseball, softball, basketball and kickball, to name a few sports, along with after-school programs, therapeutic recreation programs for individuals with disabilities, special events at the community centers, and did you know you can rent the Bell House and the Tates Creek Ballroom, among other Parks and Recreation venues?
Visit www.lexingtonky.gov/parks for information on every Parks and Recreation service and program, and check out the 2019 Spring-Summer Activity Guide.
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non-profit spotlight
FOSTER CARE COUNCIL story by Alex Hemberger
Being removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect is likely the most challenging thing any child will ever have to endure. Luckily, The Foster Care Council is working hard to make the transition as painless as possible for the young people who experience this. When Cassie Slone recognized the needs of foster children in central Kentucky were not being met, she decided to do something about it, and thus, the Foster Care Council was founded in 2012. Three main programs are offered by the FCC. The Individualized Tutoring and Mentoring Program provides foster children with an in-home certified teacher for 3 hours each week to help with homework and studying. Children 12 years and older are eligible for the mentoring program. Mentors teach the children how to fill out job and college applications as well as guide them through their teen years. ‘Studio Thrifty For the Kids’ is a boutique style store run by the FCC. The store’s disco theme welcomes foster children of all ages as they shop for gently used clothing and other necessities, all for free! The Foster Care Council also offers an enrichment program where foster children are given the opportunity to explore their
talents and interests. Through this program, the children are able to choose an activity to participate in such as music, sports or art. The Foster Care Council has grown exponentially since inception. During its first year, the FCC had fewer than 10 children enrolled in its programs. This past year alone, the FCC was able to offer in-home, personalized tutoring to over 40 students, and more than 200 children were able to participate in extracurriculars or attend summer camp. ‘Studio Thrifty For the Kids’ has provided over 350 foster children with free clothing. Countless lives have been impacted by the Foster Care Council during its seven years in operation. One life in particular that the FCC has dramatically changed is the life of Lauren Burgess. At the age of 13, Lauren was two years behind in her public school classes. She enrolled in the FCC’s tutoring program, and was tutored every week for two years. Lauren’s tutor encouraged her not to allow her circumstances define who she is. By her junior year of high school, Lauren raised her GPA from 2.87 to 4.4! Lauren went on to receive a scholarship from Pikeville University where she is currently enrolled in the Education program and is on the Dean’s List!
How can you help support the Foster Care Council’s mission? The 4th Annual BC Wood Properties Golf Classic will be held at Griffin Gate Golf Club on Monday, September 9th to benefit the Foster Care Council. Go online to www.bcwoodgolfclassic.com to register for this event. Not a golfer? Please remember that you can also help support the Foster Care Council by donating gently used, in-style clothes to ‘Studio Thrifty For the Kids,’ or by making a monetary donation.
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Lexington’s
SISTER CITIES As the world continues to globalize and unify, it is crucial for cities to build connections with different communities across the globe in order to obtain a better understanding of international relations, economics and cultures. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower introduced Sister Cities International as a means of promoting international peace and prosperity through citizen diplomacy. As a proud participant in the Sister Cities International, Lexington has four sister cities: Deauville, France; County Kildare, Ireland; Shinhidaka, Japan and Newmarket, England. These four beautiful cities and the city of Lexington offer reciprocal support for each other in terms of international trade, communication, tourism, travel promotion and the expansion of diversity and cultural education. When thinking about What Makes Lexington Great, we can’t ignore the four cities that help us reflect on our global community. Learn more about our fascinating Sisters across the world at LexingtonSisterCities.org. by Noah Alvarez | photo by Alex Hemberger special thanks to Lexington Sister Cities
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Sister Cities
COMMUNITY
DEAUVILLE, France
COUNTY Ireland KILDARE,
SHINHIDAKA,Japan
NEWMARKET,England
Twinned since 1957, Deauville is a beautiful coastal city on the English Channel in Normandy, France. As the focal point of the French horse industry, Deauville and Lexington have a lot in common in tourism, business and economics. (Unlike us, Deauville is much beloved for its signature colorful beach umbrellas!)
Lexington was twinned with the city of Shinhidaka in 1988. Located on the island of Hokkiado, Shinhidaka homes the largest sales pavilion for auctioning horses in Japan. There are also plenty of thoroughbred farms surrounding the city. Lexington’s agricultural school, Locust Trace, is partnered with Shinhidaka’s agricultural school.
Lexington and County Kildare have been sister cities since 1984. County Kildare is host to the top horse breeding facility in Ireland, the Irish National Stud. With the famous Curraugh, Naas and Punchestown racetracks, it’s clear that County Kildare is the center of the thoroughbred industry in Ireland. Like Lexington, County Kildare is also sister cities with Deauville.
Newmarket is known as the birthplace of thoroughbred horse racing, so it only made sense for us to twin with the English city in 2003. In addition to the renowned July Course and Rowley Mile racetracks, the city is also home to the Jockey Club, the National Stud, the British Racing School, Tattersalls Horse Auction Pavilion and the National Horse Racing Museum.
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non-profit spotlight
SEEDLEAF by Lauren Rogers | photo courtesy of Seedleaf
What started as a mere seed of hope to “nourish communities by growing and sharing food” has sprouted into a flourishing reality for Seedleaf Director, Ryan Koch. Ryan explains, “I started Seedleaf in the fall of 2007 because I had caught a vision of a city that gardens; a city where neighbors are oriented toward the abundance of the earth and are moved to sharing. I wanted to live in such a city.” After the successful cultivation of one communal garden by a group of friends on the south side of Lexington almost 12 years ago, plans were made and papers were filed and Seedleaf became incorporated as a charitable non-profit. In 2008, Seedleaf grew three gardens, which were quickly succeeded by the inception of 10 gardens planted and developed in 2009, with more and more gardens planted each year following all over Lexington.
Since that time, Ryan, the staff and board of Seedleaf, including many neighbors and friends and supporters along the way, have helped, as Ryan says, “draft different iterations of that vision. Some projects (like composting and gardening in community,) have remained and have grown more efficient over time though we continue to keep trying new methods and projects.” He continues, “Seedleaf offers our community a chance to grow and share food together in different ways and I am excited to continue with what seems to work and partner with our neighbors in these nourishing communities. I am so grateful for the chance to wake up and do this work each day after 12 summers!” Seedleaf currently cultivates 13 free u-pick community gardens and works with the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government’s Division of Waste Management in their Compost
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"Our small successes have made me wonder what else we could be doing, and what else we should be trying. Like any non-profit, I am moved to picture a day when our community no longer needs the help of our organization..."
Get involved:
This critical work is inherently impacting the world for the better. It gives deeper meaning to the lives of individuals who participate in this work and positively affect our community on a more personal basis. Ryan imparts, “Years ago, a woman who was living without a home consistently made a habit of joining us in one of our community gardens. She would help with other volunteers, then roll her small cigarette and relax in the shade. Once, I found her sleeping in a shaded patch of grass and I was glad that she had found a peaceful place to spend some time. She wrote a reflection on her time in the garden, how it reminded her of working with her grandfather in his garden. Near the end of the growing season, she moved away to someplace warmer, or so I have heard. But I do think that offering meaningful work and a chance to enjoy a peaceful moment to a person facing a number of hard choices has been some of Seedleaf’s finest work.”
Seedleaf offers so many great options to get involved from their “Get in a Garden (GIG)” events at one of their free u-pick gardens through mid-October to becoming a monthly supporter of their amazing work by joining their Perennial Team. For more information and details on upcoming events, please visit seedleaf.org.
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Partners Program to pick up compost from 35 restaurants and kitchens throughout Fayette County. This phenomenal organization will only continue to grow their reach and expand its positive impact in the years to come. For example, goals for the 2019 - 2020 calendar year include: composting over 50,000 gallons of food waste, interacting with over 1,000 participants featuring youth, neighbors and volunteers, growing and sharing over 8,500 pounds of food at our gardens and green spaces, improving their financial sustainability by having 100 monthly donors by December 15 of 2019 and purchasing or receiving the gift of a van to help in the expansion of their composting operation. Says Ryan, “Our small successes have made me wonder what else we could be doing, and what else we should be trying. Like any non-profit, I am moved to picture a day when our community no longer needs the help of our organization. What this looks like for us is when any hungry person can harvest the fresh, local food they need, and others are welcome to grow what they like on plots they can use through the growing season. When I see our vision bearing fruit, I can’t help but wonder, ‘Are we there yet?’ I do look forward to full fruition.”
On a more global note, however, xthe community formed by spending time in the gardens is also striking a chord with volunteers from around the world for its’ familial and nurturing qualities, sparking enlightening realizations of life and pulling forth compelling stories. In one recent instance, one of Seedleaf’s young workers shared photos from his phone of his parents’ village in Mexico after bonding over working together in the gardens. “I was so honored to learn more of his story, and to hear what his family has been through,” Ryan says. He continues, “I think that sharing work with this neighbor has helped connect us and has helped us to build trust. I’m reminded that sharing work and sharing fresh produce will help us to reconnect with the soil, with our food, and with each other.” •
TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
August 2019 | TOPSinLex.com
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COMMUNITY
Art in the Bluegrass
Savvy :
DIGITAL
B2B Marketing
First thing’s first: B2B simply means “business to business,” which refers to any company focused on selling their products or services directly to other businesses, rather than to consumers. Some businesses are a hybrid of B2B and B2C (“business to consumer”), selling to both. Marketing your businesses products and services isn’t often as simple as posting a special promotion to get consumers through the door. Your top priorities should be ensuring that the audience for your advertising are businesses and business owners. This takes a carefully-planned marketing strategy. For instance, did you know that 3-5 different groups often influence a buyer’s decisions? Their IT, finance and HR departments may influence the purchasing process. That means that the most effective ad will educate not only the primary decision maker, but also support staff who will get a thumbsup or thumbs-down in the process. The more you know! Why is it important for you to go digital? B2B buyers are digitally engaged! They are 7.2 times more connected than the typical LinkedIn member. They also have 7.2 times more mobile page views than the average user. They’ve nearly 6 times more likely to follow companies. They want to see you online, so be sure you’re out there! Services like roofing or construction and other trade industries employ these tactics and find great success!
by Savannah Blank, digital guru
SEM Search Engine Marketing promotes your website, increasing your visibility in search engine results pages. This means that when your target client is searching for keywords related to your industry, you can make an impression. Do me a favor. Pull out your phone and search your business on Google. Did you see your competition pop up at the top? Let’s fix that.
IP TARGETING Display advertising can be targeted a number of ways. Through IP targeting, you can reach specific areas or in some cases, even particular office buildings. Think of this tactic as the direct mail of the internet! This is an extremely effective, and adaptable way to get your message in front of businesses you want to reach.
CUSTOMER TARGETING Did you know that you can target display ads through job titles and on LinkedIn? It’s an effective way to be certain that you’re reaching the right people. 4 of 5 LinkedIn members drive business decisions.
VIDEO Video ads are highly effective, visual media that can display your product or service in a way that many other mediums simply can’t. Buyers often prefer product demos to better help them understand how you can help their business. Video ads can stop your customers from daily scrolling and capture them for up to 60 seconds.
Wanting to talk to an expert about your B2B marketing strategy? Get in touch with TOPS Digital Solutions today! We can provide a free website evaluation and discuss what you could improve. 859.543.8677 • advertising@topsmarketing.com
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TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
August 2019 | TOPSinLex.com
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Josh Barrett Homes Joshua T. Barrett 859.582.7975 joshbarretthomes.com Tell us about your business: I’m happy to announce that Josh Barrett Homes has recently partnered with Cravens Realty. Our Broker, Mike Cravens, has spent the last 30 years working with Lexington Planning Commission in an effort to develop Lexington’s city ordinances and future growth. I think it’s experience like this that helps set us apart as well as builds trust with those we do business with. Our Benjamin Moore paint store, Hall’s Paint Center, had been in business for over 45 years before we purchased it. We’re proud to have supplied the paint for the Keeneland Shop in the new City Center. What services do you provide? Josh Barrett Homes offers a variety of both products and services, ranging from helping to buy/sell real estate, remodels, new construction housing, affordable rental properties (both single family and multifamily). We focus on rehabilitating blighted properties. Why is it important to support local businesses? Small business is the backbone of the American economy and in Lexington that’s certainly true. We must all work together to support local businesses to ensure that the dollars that we are spending are reinvested right here at home.
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Sponsored Content | August 2019
Keep it Local
Carson’s Food & Drink
COMMUNITY
Mark Fichtner, Owner and Larry Hunter, Executive Chef 362 E. Main St.| Lexington | 859.309.3039 | carsonsfoodanddrink.com
Tell us about the restaurant: Carson’s serves elevated American food, from ribs, Ahi poke or fire-grilled Brie to steaks and seafood. At Carson’s, you can enjoy our Woodford Rye Old Fashioned, one of the many craft beers we offer or any of our excellent selection of wines from around the world. Crystal chandeliers and hand-painted murals of local bourbon distilleries along with reclaimed wood from Calumet, Dixie Anna and Sierra farms offer a refined, truly Lexington atmosphere. Carson’s is a “come as you are” restaurant and people love relaxing on our 50-seat covered patio. What sets Carson’s apart? At Carson’s, we focus on quality in everything that we do but, it’s our
employees that truly set us apart. We are blessed with a dedicated staff that trains every day, yet we give them the freedom and encouragement to be themselves. The knowledge and personal service that our staff possess make a winning combination and a memorable experience. In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? Lexington fosters an environment that embraces diversity, being open to others and their lifestyles. Here, we have a city that is loving yet progressive and we will continue to improve... because after all, when you support local businesses like Carson’s, you are supporting your local community.
August 2019 | Sponsored Content
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COMMUNITY
Keep it Local
Branch and Bark Urban Sawmill Luke Lilley 325 Midland Pl. | Lexington 859.537.9048 branchandbarksawmill.com Tell us about your business: We offer our service and skills to our community. We proceess logs and sell hardwood lumber around central and eastern Kentucky. Our focus is on quality, community, and sustainability. Seventy-five percent of our logs come from Lexington. What sets this business apart? We love what we do and it shows! What is the most rewarding part of owning a local business? Satisfying the customer and building that relationship.
Heart of Gold Photography Ashley Lowe 214 W. Maxwell St. | Lexington 859.967.6466 hrtofgoldphoto.com Tell us about your business: We are a full service photography business in Lexington specializing in family wall art (such as canvases) and family photo albums. We deliver the vision you have for your family portrait session by assisting with the selection of clothing, venue and overall feel of the portraits to compliment the interior of your home. What sets this business apart? We offer complimentary planning services before the photo session, as well as hair and makeup services. We personally install the canvases in your home. What makes Lexington great? I love everything about Lexington and felt it the first time I visited. I knew I was home.
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Sponsored Content | August 2019
Thomas Sewing Center Alysson Riffe, Manager 220 Ruccio Way Ste. 170 | Lexington 859.286.5192 thomassewingcenter.com Tell us about your business: Thomas Sewing Center is a place where anyone with interest in sewing can find a machine they will fall in love with, and learn how to use it! Our customers receive personal usage classes to learn how to use their machine to its fullest potential, and can come to group classes and events to learn even more in a group atmosphere. We offer a full line of Baby Lock machines, from Longarm Quilters to Sergers, Sewing machines to Embroidery machines. We have been in business in Greenup, Kentucky for 40 years this past February, and are so excited to expand to our new home in Lexington! What sets this business apart? We strive to create a warm environment where we are experts in our products. Our goal is to build an inclusive atmosphere of creativity that will be able service both the true beginners and seasoned experts. Why is it important to support local businesses? When you support local business, you support your community. Our workers are all Lexington locals who are very active within their own communities. When local businesses are supported we are able to pay a strong living wage which further strengthens the entire community.
Sponsored Content | TOPSinLex.com
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Market on National
Mark Thompson, Emily Hannan and Michelle Jimenez 730 National Ave. | Lexington | 859.327.3876 | marketonnational.com
Tell us about your business: Market on National is Lexington’s favorite locally owned furniture and home accessories boutique, offering lifestyle brands at affordable prices. A one of a kind, ever evolving shopping experience for the home, Market on National strives to help you create a space that is a reflection of your personality. What’s the best part of being a local business? We love connecting with the community! We are able to provide a hands-on, personalized experience for the shopper.
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Why is it important to support local businesses? It helps boost the local economy! The relationship between seller and buyer is more rewarding when you know where your money is going and how it’s being used. There is more accountability involved when you work with local, small businesses. In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? It’s a growing city, increasing in cultural diversity. Residents are proud of where they live. It’s unique in that you can be in the city or the countryside in less than 30 minutes, so it’s the best of both worlds.
Sponsored Content | August 2019
Little Classics on Clay
Peggy Queen, Owner 110 Clay Ave. | Lexington | 859.255.0192
Tell us about your business: Little Classics on Clay is the first Signature Store for The Beaufort Bonnet Company, a locally owned brand that has become an international online and Instagram phenomenon. Their followers love the quality and traditional vintage prep style of the clothes and gifts they offer. When I was approached to open their first Signature Store, saying no was not an option! I am thrilled to partner with such a talented and creative team to bring a shop full of this precious brand to Lexington shoppers. Clay Avenue was one of the first choices for location of the new shop and no storefronts were available, so it made sense to remodel Peggy’s Gifts & Accessories to accommodate both shops. The transformation
has been a huge hit with customers of Peggy’s and Little Classics since its grand opening in July. Why is it important to support local businesses? I don’t think any of us want to imagine a Lexington without any small businesses. Every decision each of us makes when buying gifts and clothes or going out to dinner has an effect, whether positive or negative, in supporting our local businesses. I feel like Lexington residents realize this and wholeheartedly support the local businesses. What is the most rewarding part of owning a small business? Without a doubt, getting to know the people who come in to shop or visit. I love being a small part of their life celebrations.
Sponsored Content | TOPSinLex.com
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COMMUNITY
Keep it Local
Wellward Regenerative Medicine Dawn Jones 101 North Eagle Creek Dr. | Lexington 859.275.4878 wellwardmed.com Tell us about Wellward: Our practice strives to help people move better, love better and live better by looking for and treating the root causes of pain and disease. We combine cutting edge technology with a holistic approach to wellness. Our functional medicine program blends traditional medicine with evidence based, scientific, alternative medicines and therapies. Instead of treating you for your individual symptoms or diseases, we will delve deeper to the root cause of these problems. We take time with you to discuss where you are, how you got there and what your goals are with regard to your health. We offer comprehensive labs for hormone testing, genetic testing and a functional biomarker panel, which identifies imbalances detrimental to your health. What is most rewarding about working as a part of a local practice? I love helping my friends and neighbors live their best life, often a life that had been given up on due to pain and disease. We have so much to offer, providing hope to the hopeless. In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? We have so many resources for living a healthy life, from beautiful parks with trails, gyms, community supported agriculture and farmers’ markets.
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Sponsored Content | August 2019
Keep it Local
COMMUNITY
Community Trust and Investment Company Andy D. Waters, President and CEO 100 E.Vine St., Ste. 501 Lexington | 859.389.5300 ctbi.com/ctic Tell us about your company: Community Trust and Investment Company is a subsidiary of Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. We are headquartered in Lexington and have locations in Versailles, Ashland, Pikeville, and LaFollette, TN. We are one of the largest independent trust companies in Kentucky with assets under management of over $2.1 billion and total assets of $2.5 billion. In addition, we are a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ (CTBI). What sets CTIC apart? Clients choose us because we have a proven approach backed by experience and insight. Our culture of stewardship means clients benefit from the confidence of knowing that our mission each day is to serve them and their families as they seek to leave a legacy they deserve. Why do you like being involved in a local business? It is rewarding because it allows you to invest in and give back to the community and make great friends and acquaintances in the process. What is your favorite thing to do in Lexington? My wife and I love our downtown dates. One of our favorite things to do is go to dinner at one Lexington’s great downtown restaurants and then watch a movie at the Kentucky Theatre.
August 2019 | Sponsored Content
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house
Dwayne Anderson, j. stuart hurt and Jeremy Rice, Owners 1148 Industry Rd. | Lexington | 859.523.3933 | housebyjsdonline.com
Tell us about your business: Our customers consider House to be a “happy place” where comfort, laughter and good design form the cornerstone of our business. We offer home décor and interior design services with affordability in mind. We can incorporate any style, from traditional to contemporary; our vibe has a very “easy” feel to it. We also offer a unique retail experience in Lexington. Our customers can walk in and find anything they need, from custom silk floral arrangement, lamps, accent futnirue and artwork to ladies clothing and accessories.
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Why is it important to support local businesses? Money spent with local businesses stays in the community. Small businesses can empathize and act accordingly when presented with a client need because they are local customers themselves. We love seeing Lexingtonians support other locally owned businesses. All three of us are from small towns and appreciate the hard work and dedication local business owners put into their customers. In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? Lexington is a “small-batch” city where residents can be part of the community and truly have an impact on the future of the city.
Sponsored Content | August 2019
Good Foods Co-op
Shannon Willard, Sheryl McCoy Gray, Lauren Gawthrop and Kat Kuchtefeld 455 Southland Dr. | Lexington | 859.278.1813 | goodfoods.coop
Tell us about the business: Good Foods Co-op is the only community-owned, cooperative grocery store and café in the state of Kentucky, truly embodying the meaning of sharing a “commonwealth”, and we’re right here in Lexington, on Southland Drive. With more than 8,200 current owners, Good Foods is answerable only to those shoppers, not to board rooms and corporate interests in other states or countries. What sets the co-op apart from other stores? People really know us for our focus on LOCAL. That includes offering more Kentucky Proud foods and products than you’ll find anywhere
else, but also our support for our community. Being owned by our neighbors means we support the organizations that our shoppers support, specifically those improving our own community. Besides our community donations and sponsorships, shopping with us also supports Kentucky farmers and businesses. Fifty cents of every dollar spent with us stays right here in our community. What is the most rewarding part of being a small business? We often see folks who shopped the co-op with their parents who now bring along their own children to teach them about healthy foods and our local agricultural systems that are supported by shopping the co-op.
Sponsored Content | TOPSinLex.com
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CK Tactical Security
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Tom Ramsey 476 Locust Fork Rd. | Lexington | 859.361.3293 | cktacticalsecurity.com
Tell us about your business: We are a full-service security company. We can provide security for events, regular site guarding and workplace violence issues with experienced professional security staff. But we certainly do not limit ourselves just to those areas. Any security related items that you need help with, we can cover. We stand ready to deliver top-quality services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Our management team includes seasoned professionals in the law enforcement and security fields, with decades of experience in providing effective, top quality services.
What sets CK Tactical Security apart? With local management, you can call me anytime. It doesn’t matter what time or what you need for your business.
What is your favorite thing to do in Lexington? My family and I love to head down to Triangle Park in the winter and ice skate.
What is the most rewarding part of owning a small business? Without a doubt, the people. They are the organization, not me.
Sponsored Content | August 2019
Monkee’s of Lexington
Sarah Woodworth 116 Clay Ave. | Lexington | 859.327.3017 | monkeesoflexington.com
Tell us about the business: Monkee’s is a franchise, started over 25 years ago in North Carolina, that specializes in the finest of women’s shoes, clothing and accessories! We opened the first store in Kentucky (Lexington) in 2011, opened a second location in Louisville in 2013 and will be opening Monkee’s of Naples, FL in the fall! What sets Monkee’s apart? The most important product we offer is customer service! We make it a priority to make all of our customers feel welcome, important
and valued! There is something for everyone regardless of age, size or budget. It’s not uncommon to see 3 generations of women shopping together and each leaving with a Monkee’s bag on their arm and a huge grin on their face. In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? For such a small population, we have everything that makes a city great! From a great state University with incredible athletics, to fast paced Thoroughbred industry, to the incredible culinary scene, Lexington is an incredible place to live and raise a family!
Sponsored Content | TOPSinLex.com
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Matt Dawson The Kentucky Castle Spa 230 Pisgah Pike | Versailles | 859.256.0322 thekentuckycastle.com
Wild Health 230 W. Main St. | Lexington | 859.309.4839 wildhealthproof.com
Tell us about The Kentucky Castle Spa: Located in The Kentucky Castle’s onsite cottage and overlooking a beautiful horse farm, The Kentucky Castle Spa redefines luxury and indulgence in a truly serene setting. Featuring a cryotherapy chamber, sauna, sensory deprivation pod, massage room and more, this advanced spa is an alluring getaway. Tell us about Wild Health: Wild Health provides Genomics based personalized medicine to help people optimize their health. We service all ages, whether you’re a professional athlete or an elderly individual who wants to dance at their granddaughter’s wedding. We start by sequencing your DNA, doing a deep dive on your blood and microbiome and getting to know you on a deep personal level. We then use all of that information to come
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up with an optimization plan that includes the perfect diet, workouts, supplements and lifestyle for you specifically. What inspired your focus in health and wellness? Since becoming a doctor, I’ve been somewhat disappointed with the traditional medical care system and its heavy reliance on pills and procedures. In my experience, if people are educated and given the correct information on how to live optimally and improve their health, they do it. What is the most rewarding part of owning local businesses? Connecting to the people in my community is incredibly important to me. Whether it is through improving a client’s health or providing a time of relaxation and rejuvenation, we aim to improve the lives of those in our community.
Sponsored Content | August 2019
Integrity IT
Phillip Miller, Bryan Pryor and Jennifer Erena 3080 Harrodsburg Rd. Ste. 104 | Lexington | 859.253.4284 | integrityky.com
Tell us about the business: Integrity IT provides technology solutions, services and support that enable clients to excel in their businesses. The foundation of Integrity’s partnerships is based on a thorough understanding of the client’s business including their objectives, strengths and weaknesses and identifying opportunities for improvement through the application of technology. Integrity IT assists clients in implementing, maintaining and supporting their technology infrastructure and solutions. We are thankful to have many great relationships contributing to our success. What sets Integrity IT apart? Our Managed Services Clients are assigned a vCIO, Account Manger
and Lead Engineer. Together with the client, they create a 3- to 5-year Roadmap to best understand your business needs to stay ahead of growth and keep on track with budgeting. We understand the ups and downs of being a local business owner and are honored to be a part of our clients’ business success. In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? The beauty of Kentucky isn’t lost in the city of Lexington with its multitude of green space, which creates a very welcoming community. Lexington is also a well-educated town with many successful entrepreneurs, which brings many great services and products. Together these make a great home!
Sponsored Content | TOPSinLex.com
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COMMUNITY
Keep it Local
Mr. Linen Richie Miracle 1537 Eastland Pkwy. | Lexington 859.294.4993 mrlinenky.com Tell us about your business: We are family owned and operated by myself and my daughter, Caroline. We have a large selection of linen colors, sizes and fabrics and can provide services for any event, big or small. We put exquisite detail into our work and make every event memorable and affordable for our clients and their guests. When you call the business, you are directly contacting my personal cell phone. Why is it important to support local businesses? Small businesses tend to give back more to the community. We also provide jobs in our neighborhoods. What makes Lexington great? Lexington is great because it isn’t too big and isn’t too small. Its a growing city that has a lot of potential.
Dogwood Home Furnishings Tambra Woods 1591 Winchester Rd. | Lexington 859.303.7009 dogwoodhomefurnishings.com Tell us about your business: We build the highest quality furniture on the market. When it comes to your home, we believe that you should not have to settle for generic design, lesser quality or anything short of a perfectly tailored fit. Whether working alongside local designers or directly with our customers, we are excited to build relationships and offer our years of experience to help you choose pieces designed specifically for your everyday lifestyle. What sets your business apart? In Lexington, shopping local is not a trend, it’s a lifestyle. This mentality is what fueled our desire to offer globally inspired, Americanmade furniture and accessories to the Lexington community. We are proud to bring direct access to the best craftsmen from High Point, North Carolina, “The Furniture Capital of the World,” straight into Lexington homes.
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Sponsored Content | August 2019
Traditional Bank
Kristin Tarrence, John Reynolds, Kelly King, Shawn Woolum 800.498.0414 | traditionalbank.com
Tell us about your banking institution: We are an independent, community bank with locations in six Kentucky counties including five in Fayette County. Traditional Bank offers all types of loan and deposit products for your home and business. What sets Traditional Bank apart? We have a somewhat unique philosophy around how best to serve our customers. Instead of assuming what style of service our customers want to receive, we like to give options and let the client drive the relationship. Prefer to bank online and communicate electronically?
We’ve got you covered. Like to meet one-on-one with your lender but can’t make it to the bank? We’ll come to you. Love stopping in the branch for coffee and conversation? We can’t wait to see you. Why do you love being a part of a community bank? Contributing to the financial health and well-being of our local community is incredibly rewarding, and is not a responsibility we take lightly. Knowing that you’ve made it possible for a family to buy their first home, providing sound support through stressful life changes so our customer has one less thing to think about... these are things that make it worthwhile.
Sponsored Content | TOPSinLex.com
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Cumberland Valley National Bank & Trust Co.
Berry Popp, Lending Officer • David Snyder, Lending Officer Lisa Smith, Mortgage Specialist (NMLS #102821) 800.999.3126 | cvnb.com
What sets CVNB apart? We have been in the banking business for 115 years – and we believe your banking experience should be personalized, pleasant and rewarding. We are dedicated to putting our customers first. It’s an honor for us to be able to work with individuals and businesses. We take time to listen to our clients’ dreams and help create the best financial path for their dreams to come true. What services do you offer? CVNB has a variety of personal checking and savings accounts, each designed with unique features and benefits. The bank also offers personal loans, auto and boat loans, mortgage loans, credit and debit cards, home equity lines of credit and investment accounts. CVNB’s
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trust and brokerage services and wealth management are housed at the Nicholasville Road branch. Additionally, CVNB has commercial checking and cash management services for businesses of all sizes. What is the most rewarding part of being a local business? CVNB is a bank built by the community for the community. With 14 locations regionally, and two locations in Lexington, we can better serve our existing customers and meet the financial needs of more Lexington residents and business owners. Owning a local business is an honor because we are able to impact the community around us. We also get the opportunity to impact the lives of our employees and our customers, and we get to see them grow because of our support.
Sponsored Content | August 2019
Design Link
Nancy Elam, Samantha Willis, Ann-Alan Callahan, Jessica Cull, 2437 Fortune Dr. Ste. 175 | Lexington | 859.225.0310 | designlink.us
Tell us about the business: Design Link is a full service commercial and residential design firm. It is a family owned business, co-owned by Nancy (aunt) and Jessica (niece). After Jessica graduated from UK, she and Nancy were approached by a friend and local architect, Jerry Herndon, about forming an design firm. With Jerry’s many years in the commercial architect field, Nancy’s years of residential design experience and Jessica’s passion for commercial design, they felt like they would make a powerful team. What sets you apart from other businesses in the industry? Not many firms provide design services for both commercial and
residential projects. We created Design Link knowing that we would never only focus on only one sector of the business. Why is it important for your business to support other local businesses? We enjoy working alongside many local businesses. These relationships have developed into years of “locking arms” on various projects. By utilizing the talents of other local businesses, we are not only able to support their success, but are able to provide our clients with quality work done by people that genuinely care. These same people are invested in the well-being of our community and its future. Their success helps support a promising future for our beautiful city.
Sponsored Content | TOPSinLex.com
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COMMUNITY
Keep it Local
Peoples Exchange Bank Matthew White mwhite@pebank.com 859.269.0235 | pebank.com What sets you apart? Since 1912, we’ve built our bank on the belief that each and every customer is important. And because of our personal approach to banking, today we offer a combination of technology, convenience and service you won’t find anywhere else. Tell us about the bank: Many things have changed in the banking industry over a century, but our bank has never wavered from our guiding principles: give people the type of bank that they want and need. Peoples Exchange Bank is more than just a great bank. It’s a true community bank. What motivates you? Businesses that come back years later to tell us what a crucial part of their business success we have been.
Want to be featured in our September issue?
We’re showing off local remodels, renovations and overhauls... and your business can be featured! Want to reach our readers? Get in touch today: 859.543.8677 • Advertising@TopsMarketing.com 94
Sponsored Content | August 2019
YMCA of Central Kentucky
Jarrod Covington (right) with C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA staff 3251 Beaumont Centre Cir.| Lexington | 859.219.9622 | ymcacky.org
Tell us about the YMCA of Central Kentucky: Everyone knows the Y as a place to swim, or exercise, but we’re so much more. The YMCA of Central Kentucky has served Lexington and the surrounding areas since 1853. A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, we’re working side-by-side with our neighbors to address critical community needs that help kids develop into smart, resilient adults, for people to improve their health and build a sense of community, and for our most vulnerable people to get the care and support they need. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. With that and our cause of strengthening community, we’re here to make Central Kentucky a better place to live.
Today, the YMCA of Central Kentucky operates six YMCA facilities in Lexington and Frankfort, as well as, programs in Franklin, Jessamine and Scott Counties. Why is it important to support local businesses? Is there anything more important than strengthening the community where we all live? In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? Lexington offers everything a big city does with the smiles and good feelings of a small town. It is truly the best of both worlds.
Sponsored Content | TOPSinLex.com
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Peplum
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Diane Henson and Lauren West 824 Euclid Ave. Ste. 101 | Lexington | 859.269.0009 | peplumlexington.com
Tell us about the boutique: Peplum is a locally owned women’s boutique in Lexington, KY specializing in on-trend, contemporary fashion for the modern woman where nothing is priced over $150! Our goal was to create a space with a down-to-earth attitude and friendly price points where every woman feels welcomed when they enter our doors, and confident when they leave. We take the intimidation out of boutique shopping by giving our customers a personalized, attentive experience that doesn’t break the bank.
rewarding to see our customers leave Peplum feeling great about themselves and we know they can use that positive energy as a force to do good things in our community.
Why do you love owning a small business? Our mission has always been to instill confidence and happiness in each and every woman that walks through our doors. It’s incredibly
In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? Lexington has such a magical heartbeat and we are so grateful to operate a business in such a loyal environment.
Why is it important to support small businesses? Small business owners like us treasure the relationships we have built with our customers. We need the support of our community in all aspects, not just financial.
Sponsored Content | August 2019
Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Hunter Lisle 1801 Alexandria Dr. #132 | Lexington | 859.278.7711 | lexingtonarthurmurray.com
Tell us about the business: Arthur Murray International, Inc. is the second oldest franchise organization in the U.S. As the owner of the local Arthur Murray Dance Studio, I have been teaching Central Kentuckians how to Waltz, Fox Trot, Swing, Salsa, Hustle, Argentine Tango, Cha Cha, Ballroom Dance and more for nearly 20 years! Dancing is more than a competitive sport. It’s a social activity that offers students an opportunity to connect with a loved one, meet new friends, exercise, increase self confidence and have fun – all in one place.
What sets you apart from other dance studios? Our staff is made up of some of the area’s best dancers, who compete and perform on a national level. Our instructors make learning to dance fun and uplifting through one-on-one private lessons, semiprivate group lessons and practice sessions for private groups. Why is it important for to support local businesses? I grew up here! I went to Sayre and then UK. Supporting local businesses means building and maintaining a strong sense of community. Our residents like to do business with people they know and trust. Local business owners appreciate that and in turn, make their own local decisions!
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Conrhod Zonio Photography + Light Life Love Conrhod and Leslee Zonio conrhodzonio.com lightlifelovephotography.com Tell us about your business: We get to be an integral part of stopping time, capturing history and allowing the amazing people that we get to work with to leave a legacy behind. We love it when our clients know how beautiful they are, and they are so comfortable in their own skin around us to let us fully capture who they are. We tell our couples that we love love, and that we’re all in it with them to capture the beauty within the story of their love. What makes Lexington great? What has kept us here is the emerging grassroots culture of restaurants, small businesses and cultural arts activities. It is a wonderful place to raise a family!
Keni Parks Photography Keni Parks 501 E. High St. | Lexingotn 859.797.8910 keniparks.com Tell us about your business: I am a Fine Arts Graduate from UK with a focus in photography. I have been a professional photographer for 18 years, working full-time as a photographer since 2012. I specialize in commercial work, shooting everything from architecture to food to headshots. What sets this business apart? My inspiration is always people. From behind the lens, I get to connect with so many people. It is my goal to make everyone feel special, and to make everyone feel comfortable. I focus on people that are not as comfortable modeling in front of a camera – and for many, they hate it. It is so satisfying to me when someone realizes that they actually enjoyed a shoot!
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Sponsored Content | August 2019
Hourglass Lash Bar + Med Spa
Beth Hourigan 867 E. High St. Ste. 230 | Lexington | 859.904.LASH 859.903.SKIN | hourglasslex.com
Tell us about your business: Hourglass is a full service medical spa and lash extension bar. We opened in July 2017 and in that time, we have become known for offering the best in class services. From lash extensions to injectables, we offer a wide range of services, including Botox, Dysport, dermal fillers, lash extensions, microdermabrasion, brow microblading, IPLs, full body waxing, PRP, lash tinting and so much more. What sets you apart? We always strive to offer the best customer service and the best service possible, all done efficiently and delivered at a reasonable price. We are a one-stop med spa for anti-aging needs!
Why is it important for you to support local businesses? Without the support of such a wonderful community, none of our businesses would exist. I’ll shop local and support my friends businesses any day over ordering from some big online store. Why do you love owning a local business? I love being part of a team that truly started from an idea, which has grown into this wonderful and amazing group of people all striving to meet personal goals. I love that we have this professional, fun and creative work place that empowers employees to become their best selves! Being part of this wonderful community and being able to give back, that’s what its all about!
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COMMUNITY
Keep it Local
Mees Tile & Marble Clayton Meyer 645 S. Broadway | Lexington 859.252.4545 meestile.com Tell us about your business: Mees Tile & Marble is a fourth-generation family-owned business that started in Cincinnati, Ohio. My great grandfather, Howard Mees, Sr., owned Ohio Tile & Marble for 15 years before creating Mees Tile & Marble. In 1954, we became the very first tile and natural stone only distributor in the United States. We have expanded our inventory to meet our customers’ needs, and now carry hardwood and LVT. We love working with customers who are planning a remodel, new project, or restoration, and even helping people choose the right materials for a DIY project. We have locations in Louisville and Lexington What do you love about working for a local business? Nothing excites me more than coming into work every day, confidently knowing that our team provides our customers with the best ideas and advice to make their project come together. Tile and stone work is an art, and mastery in this field isn’t something you can learn overnight. Some of our employees have been with us for over 30 years, and are able to support their families because of our customers’ dedication to supporting local businesses. As a small business, we are able to pay special attention to each person who walks through our doors. We have great relationships with local tile contractors, builders, and remodelers. Our customers know that when they choose us – we will take care of every detail as if it were our own home. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
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Sponsored Content | August 2019
Keep it Local
Black Lotus Yoga
COMMUNITY
Amanda Ralston and Ashley Shochat 301 E. Vine St. | Lexington | blacklotusyoga.com
Tell us about your business: Black Lotus is Lexington’s premier hot yoga studio. BLY exists to empower members to cultivate a practice at the intersection of health, athleticism, recovery and mindfulness. We offer both 60 and 90-minute traditional Bikram series classes as well as heated Vinyasa, Flow and Yin classes for all levels. We opened in March and we love connecting with people from the community while giving back in a way that changes lives. What sets Black Lotus Yoga apart? The warmer temperature in the room allows an increase in flexibility,
and helps to prevent injury. Combined with yoga asanas (postures), this creates a cardiovascular response (sweating, burning calories) while promoting detoxification. Why is it important for to support local businesses? Local means individualized services - tailored to the unique desires and needs of the people in its immediate environment. In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? Lexington is just a big small town. We can count on seeing our students and instructors throughout the city, making us increasingly interconnected in ways we might not otherwise experience.
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COMMUNITY
Keep it Local
Immanuel Baptist Church
Pastor Ray Green and Sarah Green 3100 Tates Creek Rd. | Lexington | 859.685.3200 | IBCLEX.COM
Tell us about Immanuel Baptist Church: Immanuel is a growing, vibrant, multigenerational church which exists to lead people to Jesus and equip disciples (followers of Jesus) in their faith. We have been loving Lexington for 110 years. What is your mission in our community? We want people to know and trust Jesus. We believe our mission is best accomplished when we gather together, grow deeper in our understanding and love of the Bible and serve our community. We are concerned with helping people find purpose in life, while also
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building lasting relationships for people looking to belong. What sets your church apart? My heartbeat is for us to be the type of church where everyone knows where we are not because of the size of the building but because of the impact we are having here in this community. In your opinion, what makes Lexington great? The generosity of people. The diversity. The pride that comes from living here. Big city activities with a mid city quality of life.
Sponsored Content | August 2019
new & noteworthy written by Alex Hemberger &
MOVING:
AROUND TOWN:
Graze moves into former Julep Cup spot Locally renowned chef Craig de Villiers has moved his restaurant, Graze, into the ground floor of The Woodlands condominiums, the former location of Julep Cup. The new Graze location offers a menu of global comfort food, a wide variety of local beers and simple cocktails and a casual ambiance in beautiful downtown Lexington! After an extensive renovation plan, including an expansion of the bar area of the restaurant, the removal of several interior walls to open up space inside and more room for private dining events, Graze opened its doors to the public in April. The new location in The Woodlands now offers a lighter, more airy feel, with doors opening up to a covered patio. The restaurant’s move from their South Limestone location will make all of their fans happy, as the new location will seat up to 150 people, along with double the outdoor dining space and on-site parking. Chef de Villiers features more than a dozen regular entrees on the menu. These include, but are not limited to, chicken and waffles, country-fried steak, house-made pastas, housecured pancetta and bacon, homemade biscuits and pickled vegetables. The Carolina Fries, along with the burger and bolognese sauce that was featured on the previous location’s menu is also sticking around. The menu will have some new twists as well, featuring curry chicken and meatballs and curry-roasted veggies. Graze is open every day, serving dinner every night, weekday lunches and weekend brunches!
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Noah Alvarez
Local First Indepedents Week celebrated local businesses The annual Local First Independents Week took place from July 1st to July 7th. Any shopper at an independent, locally owned business during this week had the chance to win up to $100 in credit towards any Local First Lexington business. The rules for this week long contest were super fun and easy. All that the contestants had to do was snap a selfie of themselves (or their pet) in whichever independent store they were shopping at, post the photo to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #IndependentsLex and tag @LocalFirstLexington and the local business itself. From the 4th to the 7th, each day included a drawing for the winner of a $25 gift card, and on July the 8th the $100 grand prize gift card winner was announced on Facebook and Instagram. This year’s grand prize winner was Christina Baker! Christina won a $100 gift card to her choice of any Local First Lexington member business. On her Instagram story, Christina uploaded a cute picture of a cat in a local-favorite store, The Domestic, where she encountered great deals, good people and a feline friend! This fantastic week emphasized the importance of Lexington’s economy by encouraging citizens to shop locally and support independent stores. You can learn more about the event – and why supporting local businesses is so important – on the Local First Lexington website: localfirstlexington.com.
TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
AROUND TOWN:
NEW IN TOWN:
The Tipsy Cow is making mooves in Lexington Lexington has a new music venue on Mapleleaf Drive. On May 15th, The Tipsy Cow showed the city of Lexington how they party with a huge grand-opening event. Since then, it has been a popular watering hole among locals. The Tipsy Cow features live music, a full restaurant menu and delicious cocktails. With 14 TVs and a projector screen, it is also a great spot for watching the big game. Cornhole tournaments and the five dollar lunch basket keep customers coming back for more but music is the main attraction. In addition to live music, they offer girls night out, karaoke night and open mic night. The Tipsy Cow has already welcomed local artists such as Paul Groves, Jesse Keith Whitley, Chris Linton and countless others to the stage. Check them out on Facebook to see who is performing next!
AROUND TOWN:
Fayette Alliance announces new director The Fayette Alliance welcomed Brittany M. Roethemeier as the new Executive Director earlier this year. Roethemeier is an alumna of Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky College of Law. She comes to Fayette Alliance from McBrayer PLLC, a real estate group. Named a “Super Lawyer- Rising Star in Real Estate” in 2017, 2018, and 2019, Roethemeier seems to be remarkably qualified for her new position. Fayette Alliance anticipates that she will be “a strong advocate for sustainable growth” in the community. Roethemeier and her husband, Dean, currently live in Fayette County.
What’s happening downtown in August? Summer may feel like it’s coming to an end, but the Downtown Lexington Partnership still has plenty of exciting events for the community to enjoy outside! Lexington’s beloved Fountain Films series is back this August! Come downtown to Triangle Park to enjoy a free movie on an inflatable screen while listening to the relaxing sound of falling water from the park’s fountain. Movies start at dusk on the first four Fridays of August. Here’s the lineup: August 2: The Waterboy August 9: Sweet Home Alabama August 16: Space Jam, sponsored by Water + Oak August 23: Secretariat, sponsored by Horse Country This PNC Bank sponsored, family-friendly event attracts a nightly average of 500 moviegoers! All you need is a lawn chair or a picnic blanket to sit on while enjoying the movie! Food and beverages can be purchased at Big L’s Gourmet Dogs at Triangle Park Café! Thursday Night Live is still on downtown until October 10th! This event, put on by Central Bank, draws an average of 2,000 people who know Thursday Night Live to be a lively environment with food, beverages and incredible live music. Grab a friend and head to the Fifth Third Pavilion this coming Thursday! Last but not least, the Bike Lexington Family Fun Ride is coming up on September 28th! This free event is presented by Pedal Power and consists of an eight-mile bike ride that is car-free! At this family-friendly event, you can expect to enjoy a pleasant bike ride through downtown Lexington, giveaways, bike polo demonstrations, a kidfriendly bike course and a Slow Cycle for adults! Still searching for more downtown fun? The DLP has the scoop on lots of fun, from Friday Latino Live! to the Chamber Music Festival. Stay in the loop visiting their website, DowntownLex.com!
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LIFESTYLE
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Gor-Jess:
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Cherry Bomb Lizzo’s Wood Grain Glamour Wow Wedding:
Brittany + Seth
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Local Lexington Wedding Favors Recycle Lex
LIFESTYLE Outfit of the Month
We are bringing some fresh, juicy fruit to the hot month of August with an all new outfit that is perfect for a warm weather outing. Let’s start things off with our love of bold prints. Clinging to every curve and fluting slightly at the hemline, this dress from Dolce & Gabbana printed with ripe red cherries exemplifies the brand’s celebration of Italian glamour.
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Sealing things up with a classic red kiss is Kylie Cosmetics ‘Mary Jo K’ lip liner, which is a staple shade for any gal who loves a little added drama to the lips.
For our bag of choice, we went chic and petite. This red top handle, calf and nappa leather Miu Miu ‘Confidential’ design makes a memorable statement while holding your daily essentials.
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in the look: 1 | Dolce & Gabbana cherry printed midi dress 2 | Established Cherry Stud Earrings 3 | Miu Miu Confidential lizard-effect bag 4 | Gucci Leather cherry pump 5 | ‘Kylie Cosmetics Mary Jo K’ Matte Lip Kit
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We paired up our lively dress with Gucci’s equally eye-catching cherry charm pumps featuring a bamboo stiletto heel.
by jesse brooks
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Getting GorJess LIFESTYLE
Lizzo’s Wood Grain Glamour From the 2019 BET Awards
by jesse brooks
Music sensation Lizzo is setting the music industry on fire with her killer vocals and body positive curves, and she brought both to this year’s BET Awards. Donning a wood-grain print House of Holland design with a matching hair topper-yes, that hat is indeed made of actual hair! (courtesy of the amazing Shelby Swain) When it came to creating an accompanying beauty look makeup artist Alexx Mayo focused on a warm, woody smoky eye accompanied by spicy cinnamon cheeks and a chestnut nude lip. Below Alexx shares all of the key products he used on the “Truth Hurts” songstress to get her ready for a performance we’ll never forget.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation
Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
C H E EK S Make Up For Ever Artist Color Shadow in ‘Cinnamon’ Make Up For Ever Artist Face Color Blush in ‘Vermillion’ Urban Decay Brow Blade Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil & Ink Stain in ‘Dark Drapes’
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Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream in ‘Tan’ Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder in ‘Blondie’ Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder in ‘Medium Deep’
EY ES Huda Beauty Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in ‘Topaz’ Milk Makeup KUSH Waterproof Mascara (in Blackest Black’
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Mac Lip Pencil in ‘Chestnut’ Milk Makeup Lip Color in ‘Skillz’
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in ‘Intense Black’ Lilly Lashes Faux Mink False Lashes in ‘Miami’
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LIFESTYLE WOW Wedding
story by lauren rogers
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rittany and Seth Parker move through life the same way they did on their magical wedding day; side by side, hand in hand, all in it together with their beautiful daughter, Olivia, who brought them together so many years ago. As a middle school cheer coach, Brittany never imagined meeting her future husband, (and precious daughter,) through a blind date set up by the girls on her team and one of the moms, but sometimes, the best things in life cannot be anticipated. She explains, “Seth’s daughter Olivia had some friends on my middle school cheer team who thought it would be fun to set their coach up with their friend’s dad.” Though both Brittany and Seth were hesitant to go on a blind date, the two reluctantly agreed to meet at what was once National Provisions on National Avenue. “What was supposed to be a short lunch turned into a four-hour long conversation and a plan to go on a second date right away,” remembers Britttany with a smile. The couple dated for a few years before deciding to spend the rest of their lives together as a family. Brittany grew up in Lexington and while Seth is originally from Lake Forest, Illinois, Kentucky has always been home for the Parkers. During their dating days, the pair frequented Jefferson Street and the Apiary always caught their eye. From the cozy feel, to the beautiful outdoor garden, the atmosphere immediately made them both feel comfortable and at home, which is exactly how they feel when they are together. “The vibe, both inside and outside, was the perfect representation of our relationship and it’s how we dreamed our wedding venue would feel on such an important day,” the Parkers share.
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WOW Wedding LIFESTYLE The happy couple held not only their fabulous reception at the Apiary, but their stunning wedding ceremony as well. For the ceremony, the space was adorned by cascading florals that matched the bouquets of the bride and bridesmaids, whimsical lanterns lined the aisle as a glowing Brittany glided down in a Hayley Paige dress to meet her handsome groom under the focal point of the ceremony: a dreamy chandelier draped with honeysuckle and flowers. “My mother put a great deal of time and effort into planning the execution of the chandelier with our florist, Kim Ross, and it turned out exactly how we envisioned,” says Brittany. The reception included floral centerpieces and candles sprinkled throughout the area. To pay homage to their shared love for the bluegrass, bourbon bottle flower vases were displayed on the bar while passed bourbon mules and mini hot browns delightfully completed the cocktail hour menu. Before the ceremony, Seth gave his daughter Olivia a bracelet etched with their wedding date, the day that three individuals became one family; a touching token which Olivia loved. The groom’s favorite moments included his first look with Brittany and his daughter, along with enjoying time with family and friends, laughing and preparing for the night ahead. Similarly, the best moments for the bride were getting ready for the day with her friends, sister, mother and daughterto-be and seeing Seth for the first time. Brittany elaborates, “Seth and I shared an intimate moment before the ceremony and knowing that he was about to be my husband gave me the happiest feeling in the world!” Brittany also cherished her grandmother’s handkerchief that was delicately tucked inside of her bouquet, reminding her that although she was not there in person, she was there in spirit. Brittany shares, “My grandmother passed away just a few months before the wedding and she was very special to me. Not having her there was sad but having a piece of her with me was sweet.” With their wedding being their most special day to date, Seth and Brittany have a sage suggestion to impart on anyone planning their own: focus only on one another and not everyone else. “Our friend KJ advised us not to leave the other’s side the whole night, to hold hands the whole time, talk to the same people, dance the night away, and don’t separate,” Brittany and Seth affirm. They continue, “This is the same advice we share with friends getting married because it’s such a special but fleeting time, so spend every second of it together. Your wedding day should one-hundred percent be experienced side-by-side and we have the sweetest memories to look back on.”
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LIFESTYLE Gorjess: Get the Look
PHOTOGRAPHER Conrhod Zonio VIDEOGRAPHER Love the Renauds VENUE The Apiary WEDDING PLANNER LexEffect
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CATERING Apiary Fine Catering + Events FLOWERS Kim Ross CAKE Tinker’s BRIDAL GOWN/BRIDAL PARTY Hayley Paige
TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
GROOM/GROOMSMEN Jos. A Bank HAIR + MAKEUP Ana Crane STATIONERY Simply Done Invites RENTALS/DECOR Bryant’s Rent All
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1 LIFESTYLE Weddings Unveiled
LEXINGTON wedding favors A fun part of planning your wedding is getting creative with your favors. This is the perfect opportunity to pull in personal details and make your guests to feel “at home�. A great favor is one that your guest can take home and actually use and enjoy. What better way than to offer local, Lexington-inspired gifts? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Kentucky Basketball Shot Glasses
Basketball Cookies Horseshoe Gift Bags
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Local Honey
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Mini Bottles of Bourbon
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Horseshoe Keepsakes
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Chocolate Bourbon Balls
Kentucky Inspired Gift Basket
Outfit of the Month LIFESTYLE
Photo via Lynnesy Catron
photo credits 1 | VUE Photography 2 | This Love of Yours Photography 3 | Ruffled Blog 4 | Landon Jacob 5 | Spicy Southern Kitchen 6 | Event Prep Planning + Design
by haley norris Recent Bride & Owner of Haley Michelle Designs
www.haleymichelledesigns.com
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LIFESTYLE
Recycling
Old habits die hard. For many, recycling paper has become second nature. But changes in the international exporting of paper have left many people feeling guilty about tossing paper into the trash. It boils down to supply and demand. Angela Poe is a senior program manager for Lexington’s Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works. “We use to be able to sell bales of paper for $83 a bale, but now can’t give it away,” Poe said. The city of Lexington as well as many other cities across the country do not actually recycle what comes in. Instead, they are a sorting facility. “After we have sorted and baled materials we need someone to buy them from us, or at least take it from us, and turn it into something new. No one wants our paper right now,” Poe said. The problem started last year. China took a lot of paper exported from the United States to recycle. They aren’t now. That is leaving paper literally piling up with nowhere to go. This is temporary as mills are opening or expanding their capacity. The city of Lexington is in the process of negotiating a long-term contract with someone who will accept paper products which includes office paper, newspaper, magazines, cereal boxes and paper towel rolls.
Toss it. While it’s a work in progress, there isn’t a way to know when paper recycling will pick up again. Poe said it’s indefinite and for now, “Throw that paper in the trash. I know it hurts,” she said. If you continue to put paper in the recycling bin it will take more time and manpower to sort it before it will be transported to the landfill. It’s not just paper you need to toss. There is a long list of materials that are commonly believed to be accepted in Lexington that are actually not accepted. “One of the worst offenders we struggle with daily are plastic bags,” Poe said. “Never bag recyclables or recycle bags.” Another big offender: plastic packing material with air pockets. All that plastic film from the bags and shipping material wraps around the moving parts of the recycling machines. That causes the plant to shutdown multiple times a day. While alumina cans are accepted, aluminum foil is typically contaminated by food so it’s best to toss. An estimated 25-30% of material that ends up at the recycling center is not accepted for recycling. The unwanted items lead to wasted time and resources to sort and transport it as well as contamination to the other material. When in doubt, throw it in the trash.
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Recycling LIFESTYLE
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AT HOME
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Color Catalog:
Artisan Architecture Misty
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Super Mom
Ashlee Leonard
AT HOME
For Nancy and J. Carey Smith, former owners of Big Ass Fans, it all began with finding the perfect property. Nancy specified to their real estate agent, “We would like fewer than ten acres to mow, within the city limits, and in a neighborhood since we have a child. And, we would also like trees and water.” The agent came through with seven acres of wooded grounds overlooking South Elkhorn Creek and teeming with a variety of flora and fauna, including ash, walnut, tulip poplar, peach, plum, redbud, koosa dogwood, shagg y bark hickory, pawpaw, persimmon, pines, weeping cherry, Japanese maple, and gingko. And, though located a mere mile from Keeneland, the
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This home exemplifies contemporary craftsmanship in the most serene of settings. story by donna ison photos by shaun ring
property affords total privacy making window treatments unnecessary. Carey fell in love at first sight. Nancy explains, “This is the kind of lot that, if you have a husband who is still a little boy at heart, he sees and says, ‘Oh boy! Animals, trees, rocks, deer, a creek.’ And, the price was right, so we purchased the lot in 1995, and in 2000, we started to build.” Originally designed by Graham Pohl of Pohl Rosa Pohl and custom built by Douglas H. Farmer, the result is a 4,800 square foot, arts-and-crafts structure that fits seamlessly into the landscape. Years later, the couple brought in architect Shari Mullin of Pillar 3 and general contractor Kirby Geiger to update the home’s interior and exterior with upgraded finishes. August 2019 | TOPSinLex.com
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Upon stepping into the foyer with its sliding Woodharbor Japanesestyle cherry and glass rolling doors and Kalwall translucent glass ceiling, Nancy’s vision of “Frank Lloyd Wright meets the Far East” becomes evident, and continues throughout the entirety of the home with a harmonious balance of artisan architecture, respect for the natural surroundings, and local flavor. “I was adamant that I wanted it to resonate with things that were indigenous to Kentucky. That’s why I insisted on having dry laid stone on the outside of the house. Also, the incorporation of cedar was important. We originally even had a cedar shake roof.” The exterior dry laid stone was designed and installed by Renner & Sons Stone. Nancy says, “They’re fun to work with because they always leave a calling card on a house. They left a heart in the front of the house and a map of Kentucky in stone in the back of the house.” Other stone elements, from Richard McAlister of McAlister Stone, are showcased in nativist rock walls, fences, steps and outcroppings. During a recent renovation, the couple replaced the cedar roof with copper, and upgraded many other facets of the house while maintaining the integrity of the original design.
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The interior of the home proves that contemporary and cozy are not mutually exclusive. Clean lines, modern lighting and hightech appliances are counterbalanced by custom cabinetry, folk art and warm woods. “We knew we wanted bamboo for the floors because we had such a long line and felt anything else might get busy,� states Nancy.
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Tour of Homes
Once they’d decided on bamboo, they sought out complimentary woods for cabinetry, accents, and trim. “Once we hit on the cherry, maple, and bamboo silhouette it became fairly easy to design the decorative elements.” This trio of timber is incorporated into the flooring and ceilings, as well as custom cabinetry, bookshelves and built-ins by BC Woodworking. Another unifying element is the expanse of windows, sans blinds or curtains, throughout, which includes operable clerestory windows in living room and master bedroom. The couple not only wanted windows for the view, but also to utilize nature’s cooling and warming breezes. Nancy says, “We knew we wanted a lot of windows for the air circulation. We try to open the house up as much as possible. Being a fan company, you want to use natural ventilation.” To let the sunlight in, as well, both the master bath and hall are equipped with Copper Velux operable skylights with screens. 128
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In the lofty great room, a maple ceiling and cherry beams hangs over a state-of-the-art kitchen with walk-in pantry that flows into a dining area that flows into a living space replete with asymmetrical stone fireplace and curved built-in window seat. The dining area’s focal point is a pair of Moooi Heracleum II chandeliers. Nancy claims a centrally situated leather chair with footrest as her favorite spot. “There is nothing better than sitting in this particular place. I can get up and get to the refrigerator, I can watch TV, enjoy the fireplace. It’s a great place to read. It’s central to everything.” The traditional wood burning fireplace by Renner & Sons makes perfect sense, considering the abundance of firewood on the property. Of the great room, Nancy says, “It is a fabulous space for entertaining, My son was married last April. We had forty-five people in this living room and they all had a place to sit.”
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The kitchen’s flat-front cabinetry combines a rustic Shaker-feel with convenience, housing drawers for dishes, utensils, recycling and trash; a dish towel rack; and roll out shelves for appliance storage. The stunning oceanside multi-color glass tile backsplash; silver Niche Modern Pod pendant lights, and Blue Australe granite countertops add sheen and interest. The top-of-theline appliances include Miele five-burner gas stove top and raised dishwasher, a pair of Thermador 27” wall ovens, and two sub-Zero refrigerator drawers. And, an L-shaped bar supplies ample seating for a casual meal. In the pantry, you’ll find a KitchenAid 25.8 cu ft full depth French door refrigerator and copious amounts of storage with delightful details like a hidden stepstool.
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The owner’s suite lies down a hallway lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and contains a maple and cherry trimmed TV cabinet with additional shelving and a matching custom-made platform bed with built-in side tables and storage drawers, all custom constructed by BC Woodworking. There are also bookshelves on the staircase leading to the finished basement. With the couple being avid readers, Nancy states, “That was a terrific requirement for us. We needed enough shelves for the books we brought with us, and knowing, of course, that we would buy more books.” The capacious bedroom’s large windows, on two-exposures, grant spectacular views. A luxurious, fully renovated master bath provides an ideal refuge for relaxation where you can destress after a long day with a Mr. Steam steam shower or long soak in the MTI Casacara stone oval bathtub. Open the skylights to let in the sunlight or see the stars. The bath connects to a walk-through closet with built-in chests of drawers, a bench seat for easy dressing, and closets with frosted glass doors.
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In addition, the home boasts a well-equipped study, two spacious guest bedrooms; a guest bath; laundry room and basement with bar, pool table and full bath, for further entertaining.
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Tour of Homes
As part of the exterior design, the couple has added several features to compliment the surrounding woodlands, such as a semi-circle back deck with cable rails by Iron Horse Forge; 10,000 flowering bulbs; a park-like area in the front yard designed by Richard Weber of Springhouse Gardens; and a back yard Japanese garden with water feature by Andrea Wilson Mueller of Inside Out Design. “It is so lush, and the trees bloom at different times and the flowers bloom at different times. It is like an everchanging visual symphony,” says Nancy. Despite being in harmony with nature, the home possesses cutting-edge technologies. Most rooms are illuminated with Haiku lighting and cooled with Haiku ceiling fans with SenseME. Additional cooling and heating from an ultra-efficient Lennox HVAC system and gas boiler for radiant floor heat can be controlled remotely by smart phone, computer, or tablet. For security, there is an app-connected, Doorbird doorbell and six security cameras. And, currently, this awe-inspiring abode is available. After selling the Big Ass Fan company in late 2017, Carey and Nancy have relocated to Austin, Texas, and put their Westmorland home on the market. She says, “It really is going to break my heart because we didn’t only do this house once. With the renovations, we did it twice. And, we fixed all the things we had issues with from the first time around. We expected we were going to be here forever, but life is what happens when you’re making other plans.” Full information on the property can be found at www.bluegrassluxury.com.
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Grafton Pendant Light MARKET ON NATIONAL
Rosette Succulent Collection HOME DEPOT
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
Color Catalog
Jaclyn Arched Mirror
Mara Oak End Table
MY FAVORITE THINGS
ARTICLE
Misty
As a part of the Sherwin-Williams “Naturalist” palette, Misty (SW 6232) is meant to be a sophisticated, serene background for plant moms everywhere. So naturally, it’s a near-neutral that could fit in just about any space. Because it’s a calm grey, Misty serves as an open invitation to mix materials. Different metals and woods will add texture, rather than fighting for dominance. Here, Sherwin Williams mixed midcentury furniture and planters with more traditional pieces in a variety of metal tones. As the name of this palette suggests, natural hues are the order of the day. Misty looks lovely with greens and browns. Instead of amping up your accent colors, let your metals be the “wow” factor in your space.
Nathalia Medallion Accent Rug SAFAVIEH
PAIR WITH:
Here, Misty shines in the dining room. It would also make a lovely choice for a nursery or entryway. Looking for a truly unique exterior paint? Misty could be your perfect pick: it pairs perfectly with everything outdoors! Actual colors may vary from this printed representation.
August 2019 | TOPSinLex.com
Dard Hunter
Shiitake
Primavera
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AT HOME
Samantha Johnson story by lauren rogers photos by keni parks
A
shlee Leonard has answered the call on her life, and her heart, to be a Super Mom; not only for her biological children, but for foster children everywhere. “I have honestly never considered myself to be a super mom,” confesses Ashlee, “but I am inspired to be the best version of myself for the children in my care, both biological and foster, whether they are with me one week, one month, one year, or forever.” In addition to being a mama to biological daughter Maisie Kay, 19 months, and two foster children at present, a foster son, “A” who is 8-years old and “E”, a foster daughter who is 9-years old, Ashlee is currently pregnant with her second daughter due in September. What’s more is that Ashlee works full-time as an investigator for the Office of Inspector General with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and runs the business she co-founded, Hopeful Home, an online clothing boutique with the mission to “celebrate kindness, spread compassion, and inspire joy while donating up to 50% of our profits to foster children & foster-related charities,” to impact foster children she can’t physically reach on top of everything else. Hopeful Home Co-Founder, Rachel Droege, divulges with admiration, “When you think of those incredible women doing everything backwards in high heels, think of Ashlee. Depending on the day, she has anywhere from two to five kids at her feet, social workers and therapists calling, reports due for her work as an investigator, sales to be made for Hopeful Home, a sweet baby girl to love on, and an amazing husband to appreciate, she does it all and never seems to tire. She has a heart of gold and is the hardest worker that I know. I look up to Ashlee in so many ways!”
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Super Mom
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Driven by the innate passion she has always had for being a mother, Ashlee strives to make a positive impact in the lives of her children and show them what it is like to be a part of a loving family with Christ at the foundation through life experiences and teaching moments. In so doing, she shows them that anyone can overcome adversity with the right mindset and that the past does not define our future. She explains, “I have always been determined to be very intentional with my parenting and to encourage them to use their past as their testimony and do something dramatically positive with it. I want my children to know they are loved and safe and I will always be here for them, no matter what. I want them to always be able to come to me and talk to me about anything and to appreciate and be grateful for the life they have been given, even when it does not always seem fair.�
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AT HOME
Super Mom
One secret weapon Ashlee has in her arsenal is her husband Will, who is a real-life superhero, (a firefighter at the Georgetown Fire Department), a super dad and a super partner. Rachel imparts, “The children Ashlee and Will take in their home get to experience love and safety, often for the first time. They spend their own money on sports equipment, birthday parties and shopping trips to provide experiences to these kids who otherwise would not have them. These children truly see Ashlee and Will as superheroes who have rescued them from the most horrific situations imaginable. Whether they have a child for a week or a year, they will spend every day determined to make a positive impact on these kids and give them all the love they possibly can.” Even with a manic schedule that often consists of 24-hour “on call” shifts for Will and a consistent 8 am - 4 pm daily work schedule away from the kids for Ashlee, this dynamic duo work together to put their children first and let them know how truly loved and special they are. “We are very family oriented and try to do as much as possible as a family and with our extended family,” says Ashlee. She continues, “I love to give our kids new experiences, so for example, this summer, A & E made bucket lists that we hope to complete by the time school starts back. We also have family movie nights often where once Maisie is asleep, we all pile on the couch or in our bed and watch a movie together. The kids really value this time together, and so do we.” While it is difficult for Ashlee to choose the most rewarding part about being a mom, she shares that watching Maisie reach milestones and the excitement it brings to her is up there along with just being a mom to A & E. She says, “Truly, there are so many rewarding parts about being a mother. Arriving home from work to the children saying my name and running to me with open arms is super rewarding and when a foster child has always called you by your first name but all the sudden calls you ‘Mommy and Daddy’ after being with you for seven months, talk about a tear jerker! These kids bring joy into our lives and we are just blessed.” Ashlee hopes to encourage other parents to cherish every moment with your children, even the hard times and to teach them to be kind above all else. She also reminds us gently to “be the person you needed as a child. Lead by example and your children will never forget the life lessons and experiences you have shown them.” For more information about Hopeful Home, please visit their Facebook Page or website at hopefulhome.org to make purchases or to donate to their incredible cause.
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Dining:
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Top 5 Dining:
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Dudley’s on Short Kentucky Proud Recipe:
Cauliflower Hashbrown Egg Cups Bite Into August
158 160 163
BBN:
Randall Cobb makes a Fresh Start BBN:
Football Preview BBN:
Remembering Jared Lorenzen
168 171 172 174
The Retired Racehorse Project:
Showcasing the Thoroughbred Athlete Equine Update Art in the Bluegrass:
Local Authors Art in the Bluegrass:
Railbird Highlights Local Musicians
DUDLEY’S on Short
Just steps away from the Lexington Farmers Market, Dudley’s Chef Mark Richardson offers guests a unique menu utilizing the very best local, seasonal ingredients.
Dudley’s on Short has been a Lexington icon since it first opened its doors in 1981 at its original Dudley’s Square location. Walking through the doors of the gorgeous two-story restaurant and former Northern Bank Building, Dudley’s home since March 2010, you feel immediately welcomed. It’s precisely what you’d imagine a quintessential southern restaurant might look like inside. With horse racing photos and paintings adorning the classic, dark red walls and fresh florals throughout, the atmosphere is cozy without feeling crowded even though the restaurant can serve nearly 300.
Story By Kate Horning H ealthy L iving C hef katehorning.com
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Being named one of the “South’s Best Restaurants” several years in a row (including 2019) by Southern Living Magazine is a huge accomplishment for any restaurant. However, this doesn’t mean owner Deborah Long is sitting back and admiring the many accolades she’s acquired. Her Executive Chef, Mark Richarson agrees. “We don’t like to rest on our laurels; we want to be the leaders in the Kentucky and Southern culinary scene. I am always striving to be better than the day before and am never satisfied. I always want to look at how I can make a dish better. There aren’t a lot of other professions where every day you’re critiqued by hundreds of people. I have to be at the top of my game. I strive for perfection, knowing that I can improve each day and that is what I enjoy,” says Richardson.
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Dining EATS & ENTERTAINMENT Dudley’s on Short 259 W Short St #125, Lexington (859) 252-1010 • dudleysonshort.com
owner Deborah Long Photo courtesy of Dudley’s
What most might consider a late start to the restaurant world, Pikeville native, Richardson, didn’t even start cooking until the age of 24. He originally moved to Lexington to attend the University of Kentucky. Just before graduation from UK he decided to attend the Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts instead, where he found his passion and graduated at the top of his class. After graduation, Richardson worked in restaurants in Arizona, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, New York City and Paris, France before accepting the position of executive chef at Dudley’s in October of 2015. “I’ve been very fortunate to have traveled the world and worked in great places with great chefs before moving back to Kentucky to raise my family. Lexington is such a great up-andcoming food town and I am excited to be part of the group that puts Lexington on the map” says Richardson. Richardson’s award-winning cuisine is best described as a creative American approach with local and southern influences. “We try to keep it regional and local and simply make good food. We’re not a steakhouse but we do really good steaks. We’re not a seafood restaurant and we do really good seafood,” states Richardson. He makes it his mission to get his hands on the best product he can find and use cooking techniques that let each ingredient shine. “We don’t want to muddle the dish up. We take a fun and creative twist but focus on simply highlighting ingredients which can sometimes be harder. Our passion for what we do really shines through.”
Another favorite on the menu is the octopus. This dish is a combination of grilled octopus with young potato and pole bean salad served with frisée and local herb salsa verde. “It’s simple yet everything works together so well. It’s one of those dishes that is so stupidly simple but so good. Fresh shaved fennel over the top adds a nice crunch,” notes Richardson. If you’re looking for something a little more southern-inspired, the Fried Smoked Quail may be up your alley. Marinated in buttermilk and then fried and served up with house-fermented coleslaw, spicy aioli and confit liver gravy for a fun twist on classic fried chicken. “You won’t find anything like it anywhere else,” comments Richardson. The Wilted Brussels Sprout Salad, Pasta Dudley and Steak Frites are considered classic staples and are not to be missed. All three have been on the menu since the beginning and are favorites of locals as well as newcomers alike. No matter what draws you through the doors, the crew at Dudley’s strives to make the restaurant accessible to everyone. “We have great energy. We have a bar menu with everything from chicken wings created by our kitchen crew to wagyu beef hotdogs with spicy sauerkraut aioli as well as a rooftop Sunday supper with three courses for $30. It’s a great way to try new dishes. We want to create the experience here where our guests relax and enjoy themselves so much they can’t wait to come back. So come visit us and then, come back,” laughs Richardson.
Our passion
for what we do
really shines through.”
An example of Richardson’s passion and style shows in the Halibut with Local Summer Squash, Brown Butter Crumb, Fennel, Tomato & Oil Emulsion. The dish begins with local heirloom tomatoes cooked with onions and garlic and then emulsified with olive oil which is reminiscent of a rich tomato bisque when it’s finished. The halibut is seasoned and seared to perfection and the baby squash and zucchini are sautéed, letting their delicious flavors come through.
Photos By Alex Huber Unless otherwise noted
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Dining
&
Q A with Chef Mark Richardson
Photo by Jane Sanders
What’s the last thing you ate? Chicken and rice for dinner last night. Favorite cocktail? Kentucky Ice Pick. It’s Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, basil, burnt lemon honey iced tea and peach liquor. It’s perfect for front porch sippin’. Do you have a morning ritual if so, what does it look like? Get up and spend time with my kids. My son is 4 and I have a 2.5 year-old daughter. Having kids really changed everything. I love hanging out with them as soon as I get up. Favorite dish from your childhood? Pot roast - my mom made it I loved watching her make it and my grandma make her sweet potatoes. I remember being almost in a trance when I watched them cook. If you could cook for anyone who would it be and what would you make? I’d make my grandmother bananas foster.
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What do you love most about Lexington? Wow. There’s a lot. It’s beautiful here and there’s enough going on, which says a lot coming from a big city. It’s comfortable here. Moving from NYC we felt it was a place for our kids to grow up with good schools and good people. Not a lot of places check all the boxes like here. When you’re not working are you cooking or grabbing carryout? Cooking although my girlfriend cooks more than I do. I ask her to prep everything and then I swoop in and take over and take credit - haha. We love cooking together and make pasta every Sunday. A piece of advice for someone who dreams of pursuing a career in food. Be patient. Especially nowadays with the social media food network. You’re not going to be a big chef the second you start. Travel a lot and you’ll get there. See as much as you can. We make a lot of sacrifices to get where we are.
Dining EATS & ENTERTAINMENT
Dudley’s Heirloom Tomato & Burrata, Cucumber, Radish, Black Olive with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette Salad
Ingredients for the salad: 6oz Heirloom tomatoes, washed and cut into desired shape 1 each Burrata, cut into ¼‘s 1oz Cerignola Olives, cut off the pit 1 each small cucumber sliced very thin
Ingredients For the vinaigrette:
2 each French breakfast radish shaved thin
1 bunch basil, leaves only
5 each basil leaves cut in ½ “slices
3 ounces fresh squeezed lemon juice
Extra virgin olive oil
3 ounces extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper
3 ounces grapeseed oil
Instructions for the salad:
½ tbsp. minced shallots
In a mixing bowl add the tomatoes, olives, radish, cucumber, and toss with desired amount of the vinaigrette, season with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
½ tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp. kosher salt Instructions for the vinaigrette: Combine all ingredients except oil in a blender. Blend for 10 seconds and slowly add all oil until everything has been pureed and emulsified. Reserve.
Arrange tomatoes on a salad plate, top with 2 pieces of the Burrata, season each piece with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Finish the dish with a small drizzle of a good quality extra virgin olive oil and the cut basil pieces.
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Top 5 Dining EATS & ENTERTAINMENT
TOP
5
Kentucky
PROUD story by Amanda Harper
DISTILLED RESTAURANT & BOURBON BAR 120 W. Second St. | 859.255.0002 | Find them on Facebook
Stop by The Sire and start your meal with their Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho featuring smoked corn, Manchego relish and a citrus brioche crumb. Give the Prime Creekstone Farm New York Strip a taste: it comes with frites, roasted garlic aioli, cippolini and a veal reduction.
EPPING’S ON EASTSIDE 264 Walton Ave. | 859.971.0240 | EppingsonEastside.com
This chef-driven, farm to table eatery boasts plenty of meat-Epping’s keeps a local-first mindset, supporting local farming and food communities. They even cure their own meats in-house. Their Chicken Cacciatore features braised Butler Farms chicken, red wine tomato jus, bell pepper, kalamata olive, mirepoix, fresh herbs and a parmesan polenta cake. Finish the meal with their Warm Molasses Brownie featuring a molasses caramel glaze, Sorella’s hazelnut orange gelato, vanilla bean chantilly and hazelnut brittle.
HONEYWOOD 110 Summit at Fritz Farm, Suite 140 | 859.469.8234 | HoneywoodRestaurant.com
Honeywood is a participant in the Buy Local program. Their famous Howard’s Center Cut Pork Loin Chop is a 10 oz. Stone Cross Farm pork chop served with apple butter pork jus, creamy Weisenberger Mill cheese grits, slow-cooked greens, gremolata and fried apples. Wrap up the evening with their Midway Corn Cookie and Cream, which comes with Sorella whipped cream and salted caramel gelato.
JEFF RUBY’S STEAKHOUSE 101 W. Vine St. | 859.554.7000 | JeffRuby.com
Discover “The Jeff Ruby Experience” in person. Enjoy their Heritage Chicken, served with buttered vegetables and a Madeira jus. Willing to take a walk on the wild side? Try the Wildcat Cake, a blueberry cake with Kentucky blackberry jam, cream cheese icing and chantilly.
LOCKBOX 167 W. Main St. | 859.899.6860 | LockboxLex.com
As a Buy Local program participant, Lockbox has committed to enhancing its menu using locally sourced Kentucky Proud® farm ingredients. Try the Rabbit & Dumplings with squash, lemon preserve and fine herbs. Add an order of Granny’s Pole Beans, which include tomatoes, bread crumbs, garlic and crispy shallot. Finish the meal with a tour of 21c Museum Hotel’s enthralling art gallery.
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Tops Dining Guide EATS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Cauliflower
HASH BROWN
EGG CUPS
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25-28 minutes
Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F and generously coat a 12-count muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Ingredients: 1 head cauliflower (1 lb 5 oz) ½ cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons grated onion 2 tablespoons parsley, minced
Remove the outer leaves and tough part of the stem from the cauliflower. Break up the head into smaller pieces, and pulse in a food processor for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the cauliflower resembles rice. Do this in 2 batches to not overcrowd the food processor bowl. Transfer the cauliflower rice to a large mixing bowl and add the cheese, grated onion, parsley, 1 egg, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Use a rubber spatula to mix it all together until the cauliflower sticks together like a dough.
13 eggs 1 teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon salt
Scoop a slightly heaping ¼ cup of the cauliflower mixture into each muffin tin, and use a spoon to press it up against the walls, making a cup.
½ teaspoon black pepper
Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and crack 1 egg into each cooked cauliflower cup, being careful to not let them spill over. Nutrition Facts: Yield: 6 servings | Serving Size: 2 egg cups Calories 188 | Fat 11g | Carbohydrates 6g | Cholesterol 386mg Sodium 426mg | Fiber 2g | Sugar 2g | Protein 18g
Recipe Courtesy of
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Carefully place the muffin tin back into the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, depending on how hard cooked you want the egg. Remove from the oven and let rest on a cooling rack for 5 minutes before gently sliding out the cups with a butter knife or a small straight spatula.
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TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
EATS & ENTERTAINMENT
Bite intoAugust
OUR FAVORITE FOODIE OBSERVANCES
10
th
S'MORES DAY Scouting out s'mores. More than chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallow, s'mores spark nostalgia for summer and camping. The earliest known publication for the recipe for this gooey treat is from the 1927 handbook "Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts." Our pick: Crank & Boom Ice Cream Lounge's S’Mores Sundae is made of torched homemade marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs and chocolate fudge sauce over vanilla bean ice cream.
16
th
RUM DAY Another intoxicating spririt. Rum, a byproduct of producing molasses originated in the South PaciďŹ c's Papua New Guinea, which is known for its beaches and coral reefs. This island specialty is now produced right here in Lexington. True to form, we gave it a bourbon twist. Our pick: Barrel House Distillery Company's Oak Rum. This award-winning rum is aged in oak barrels previously used in bourbon production and then aged for four years.
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EATS & ENTERTAINMENT BBN
RANDALL
COBB makes a
FRESH
START story by Larry Vaught Photos courtesy of UK Athletics
After spending eight years playing in Green Bay with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it has been an “obvious change” for former University of Kentucky star Randall Cobb now that he’s signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys. “I just have to take change for what it is — a fresh start. It’s going to be great for my career,” said Cobb. Cobb knew his time might be over in Green Bay after he missed seven games in 2018 with a concussion and hamstring injury. He had 38 catches for 383 yards and two scores, his lowest totals since 2013 when he played in only six games due to injury.
It was always my dream to play at this level. I am thankful for the career I’ve had but I want to create more memories and play a lot more. I am excited that the fruits of my labor are yet to come."
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Cobb had to settle for “only” the $5-million deal to establish himself with the Cowboys and prove he can still be an elite NFL receiver like he has been. “In high school and college you dream of playing in the NFL and understand things that can happen if you do make it,” Cobb said. “It was always my dream to play at this level. I am thankful for the career I’ve had but I want to create more memories and play a lot more. I am excited that the fruits of my labor are yet to come.” He has 470 catches in 105 NFL games for 5,524 yards — an average of 11.8 yards per catch — and 75 touchdowns. His best year was 2014 when he had 91 catches and 12 touchdowns and he also had 79 receptions and six scores in 2015.
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BBN EATS & ENTERTAINMENT
“I would like to have not had the injuries I’ve had but that is part of the game and happens,” Cobb said. “I am glad some stuff happened when it did and not my last year at Kentucky or I might not have got drafted (in the second round of the 2011 draft). “I am very, very happy and thankful to have played eight years in the NFL. Not a lot of guys make it to this level and then a lot don’t get past three years. This is my third (NFL) contract and I am still only 28. For most males in sports, the prime of the career is from ages 28 to 32. I am hoping that is so for me.” He had an impressive high school career in Alcoa, Tennessee, and then was a two-time all-Southeastern Conference pick at UK, including 2010 when he also earned AllAmerican honors. He played in 33 games at Kentucky and had 144 catches for 1,661 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for 1,313 yards and 22 scores. Cobb viewed himself as a quarterback coming to college and did start four games at quarterback his freshman season at UK. His sophomore year he played mainly receiver but also returned punts and kicks and held for field goals and extra points. His junior season, Joker Phillips became the new head coach after Rich Brooks retired. Cobb became the first UK player to have a rushing, passing and receiving touchdown in a game since Shane Boyd in 2003 and also tied the school record for career touchdowns with 32. “Because of my pride, I wanted to be a quarterback and made that known,” Cobb said. “The coaching staff helped me see that I could have a longer NFL career at receiver. I eventually believed them and it has worked out as they said. “Coach Brooks had a huge impact on my life. I would probably not be where I am
at if not for him. He shot me straight and told you how things were going to be. I valued his opinion a lot as an 18 and 19-year-old kid and still do. I am thankful for having him in my life. We still talk. He came up to a game two years ago and he and his wife came to dinner after the game. He was at my wedding back in 2017.” Cobb, who also stays in touch with former UK assistant coaches Randy Sanders and Tee Martin, says there is no one special memory for him at Kentucky. “All three years there were special to me,” he said. Off the field, he’s most proud that he finished his degree in communications and business leadership in 2015 to show the value he put on education, something instilled in him by his parents. He still plans to come back to get his Master’s after his playing career ends. Cobb didn’t even mind last season when running back Benny Snell, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, broke the single-season touchdown record he shared during the Cats’ 10-3 season. “Records are cool but they are meant to be broken,” Cobb, who tries to get back to Kentucky for the Derby along with UK football or basketball games when he can, said. “He was a hard runner and big asset to that team. He accomplished a lot of things I was not able to do starting with getting ten wins. It was amazing to see the team they put on the field and the product they have now. “You always want to look back and see your school having success. Coach (Mark) Stoops has done a great job getting talent and putting a really good product on the field. They had a lot of guys drafted but I think they also have a lot of young talent. I am really proud of what they are doing.”
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EATS & ENTERTAINMENT BBN
This season has eight games slated for Kroger Field starting with the opener August 31st against Toledo. However, the Cats are being forecast by many national publications to ďŹ nish sixth in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division and not even win six games to be bowl eligible by some.
PREVIEW Coming off a 10-win season that included a Citrus Bowl victory over Penn State, Kentucky would seem to be well positioned to have another successful season. story by Larry Vaught Photo courtesy of Jeff Houchin
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"People were happy when we won seven games. Now we want to win more, win big games," said UK recruiting director Vince Marrow. "I want them to keep disrespecting us because it drives us. We don't look for them (predictions) to motivate us but it just pisses me off. It really does." Many national analysts are looking at the loss of linebacker Josh Allen, the national defensive player of the year and running back Benny Snell, UK's all-time leading rusher, off last year's team along with the graduation of ďŹ ve defensive backs. However, Marrow and UK coaches are focusing on who is back. "We are way ahead of where some people think we are. I know our roster. I know some things to worry about and I know some things that are really, really good," Marrow said. He says running backs junior AJ Rose and sophomore Kavosiey Smoke will give UK a "different type dude" in the
TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
backfield. Same with Justin Riggs taking over for C.J. Conrad, a three-year starter, at tight end. Junior center Drake Jackson and senior guard Logan Stenberg rank among the top SEC linemen. Offensive tackle Landon Young is back after missing last year with a knee injury. "We put a lot on Drake and that doesn't get recognized by pretty much anybody except our coaching staff and me. Would I say he is under appreciated? In general, he probably is and that is true for most linemen but in our building, we all know how good he is," offensive line coach John Schlarman said. Junior receiver Lynn Bowden, a former top 100 recruit, was a breakout star last year with 67 catches for 745 years and five touchdowns. "He'll do even more this year," Marrow said. Perhaps the biggest reason for optimism offensively is junior quarterback Terry Wilson. He completed 180 of 268 throws for 1,889 yards and 11 scores with eight interceptions and ran for 547 yards and four scores. Oddly, he's rated near the bottom of SEC quarterbacks by some preseason publications. "I love that stuff even if I don't understand how anybody can say that," Marrow said. On defense, junior lineman Quinton Bohanna emerged as a premier player last year and 6-9 lineman Calvin Taylor could be the best UK player that seldom gets mentioned. Senior linebacker Kash Daniel should be the inspirational leader on defense. He had 84 stops last year — just four less than Allen had. "It's not like I am the only guy who can lead the defense. I am just one piece of the puzzle. Every leader in some aspect has to be vocal," Daniel said. "When I was a kid I was always working my tail off to reach this dream of being at UK and being a starting linebacker. I live, eat, breath to be a better player." A healthy Josh Paschal, who redshirted last year after being diagnosed with skin cancer before the season started, could be a huge plus this year. Linebacker Jamar "Boogie" Watson also figures to play a more prominent role. Linebackers coach Jon Sumrall believes both Chris Oates and DeAndre Square, who played as true freshmen, could be rising stars on defense. "Both are instinctive and that is one of the best attributes you have to have to be a good inside linebacker," Sumrall, a former UK linebacker, said. "It is not always about certain measurables but is about instincts and awareness and both of them have that." Marrow admits an inexperienced secondary could be a reason for concern. However, he believes players who have been waiting for a chance to play, junior college signees or even true freshmen can develop into a solid unit. "Plus if our defensive front is as good as I think it will be, then that is going to help the secondary," Marrow said. Kentucky also has several freshmen who could help, especially at receiver or on special teams. "Just let people keep sleeping on us," the outspoken Marrow said. "It makes me mad but it also helps us because we know we are better than other people think. It was the same way last year and we won 10 games. "The good thing is that people who matter — recruits — know we are better and we keep getting better players. That's what I know that some of these national guys don't. We had guys that have not played much yet who are going to make their names known and be stars. Just wait and see."
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BBN EATS & ENTERTAINMENT
RE M E M BE R I N G Jared
Lorenzen
story by Larry Vaught
Ask anyone who knew Jared Lorenzen for a favorite memory about him, and they’ll have one. Ask anyone who just saw him play the same thing, they will have one, too. That’s the kind of impact the former Kentucky quarterback had.
H
e was a record-setting quarterback who had the build of an offensive lineman. He was a unique personality who could relate to coaches, teammates, media members and fans in a way few athletes can. His death July 3 at age 38 set off an outpouring of love and admiration seldom seen anywhere for an athlete. Within a week of his death, Throwboy Tees and Kentucky Sports Radio in separate fund-raising efforts raised over $100,000 for his family. JD Motorsports had a Lorenzen decal on the hood of the No. 4 Chevrolet driven by Gary Keller at the NASCAR XFinity Series 300 at Kentucky Motor Speedway. Belmont-winning owner and Kentucky native Tracy Farmer, a UK football season ticket holder, named a 2-year-old colt "Lorenzen." Country music singer J.D. Shelburne wore a Lorenzen game jersey at a concert.
Photo courtesy of UK Athletics
"He loved Kentucky, Highlands High School, his teammates and his family. For me, when he played at UK he never received enough credit. The NFL makes mistakes. Not drafting him was past ridiculous. I will always believe that if he got with the right team, he could have been a big-time NFL player for a long time," former WLEX-TV sports anchor Alan Cutler said. "Jared had a spirit to him that matched his physical stature. He was one of those outgoing guys who always seemed to be in a good mood, even when things weren't going too well," Cats Illustrated managing editor Jeff Drummond said. "I can't recall a time when he wasn't completely engaged with interviews, giving us thoughtful and humorous responses. He always spoke from the heart. That can be rare in today's relationship between athletes and the media." Lorenzen was a four-year starter from 2000 to 2003 at Kentucky and threw for 10,354 yards, including 528 in a game against Georgia when he was a freshman, and 78 touchdowns. Some of his most memorable plays, though, might have been his runs — he did rush for 12 touchdowns — because at 270 pounds or more he was an imposing force. Lorenzen was inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. He also won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 2008 as Eli Manning's backup. Manning was one of many former teammates who attended Lorenzen's funeral.
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Tom Leach, UK's radio play-by-play voice, remembers how creative Lorenzen could be and Leach pointed to a "behind-the-head" throw as a Georgia defensive lineman was tackling him. "But there were so many of those times he scrambled around and found a way to make something good happen," Leach said. "I always thought the way Jared best served as a leader for his team was giving his teammates more confidence when he walked in the huddle. It's a quality great quarterbacks have and Jared was a much better quarterback than his record would suggest because he played at a time when probation and coaching changes made his teams play with one hand tied behind their backs." Larry Glover of WVLK Radio says you could never take your eyes off him because you never knew what he might do next. "He would likely try anything and chances are it might work," Glover said.
Alan Cutler Sports Anchor (Retired) from WLEX
Dick Gabriel Special Projects Producer at WKYT
He liked the same behind the head throw against Georgia that Leach did. "It showed the creativity, competitiveness and difficulty of defending Jared all in one play," Glover said.
Jeff Drummond
Dick Gabriel was on the field for most of Lorenzen's game with his roles with WKYTTV and the UK Radio Network.
Managing editor and photographer at Cats Illustrated
"People who saw him play will never forget him … a guy his size just shouldn't have been able to do the things on a football field that he did and yet, there he was every Saturday, seemingly defying the laws of football physics. People who will see him only on YouTube or SEC Network reruns will know they missed witnessing someone extraordinary," Gabriel said. One of Gabriel's unique memories came in an interview with Lorenzen in 2002 after UK started 4-0. Lorenzen admitted the most significant difference in his play from 2001 when UK won just two games was he knew the plays. He admitted he didn't "know the plays" the year before when he still threw for nearly 2,200 yards and 19 scores. Drummond was a regular at practice in an era when media members could watch the team daily. Lorenzen often showed his "most astonishing abilities" during those workouts. "He would regularly put on a show. I remember some of the receivers begging him to ease up on how hard he was throwing. Their poor hands took a beating, I'm sure," Drummond said. "That arm strength was legendary. He used to win bets by kneeling at the 50-yard line and throwing the ball through the uprights in one end zone. I've never seen anything like it before or since. As someone with smaller hands who never could throw a football very well, I marveled at that ability. It would take me three good throws -- on my feet -- to get it 60-plus yards." Lexington Herald-Leader columnist Mark Story still remembers a 65-yard throw Lorenzen made in the 1998 Class AAA state title game against Waggener. "The ball had no air under it at all. It was an absolute missile. Before or after, I do not think I've seen a pass quite like that," Story said. Cutler worked for the Cincinnati Bengals Radio Network for about 15 years and also covered the Bengals for WLEX when he was allowed to walk the sidelines. "In all that time the only player that I thought had a stronger arm than Jared was Brett Favre (a 20-year NFL veteran who is in the Hall of Fame). Jared could throw it 60 yards plus yards and hit a man in stride," Cutler said. "It was a tight spiral that
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Keith Taylor Sports Editor at Kentucky Today
Larry Glover Host of Larry Glover Live on 590 WVLK
Mark Story Columnist at the Lexington Hearld-Leader
Tom Leach Voice of the Kentucky Wildcats on UK Sports Network Host of The Leach Report radio show
BBN EATS & ENTERTAINMENT
came at you like a pitcher throwing close to 100 miles an hour. There are very very few human beings that could do this."
was. I am not a massive Kentucky fan but I was a fan when Jared played and have always been a Jared fan," Welker said.
Keith Taylor, former sports editor of the Winchester Sun who now works for Kentucky Today shared a memory. Lorenzen threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns in his first UK start against Louisville.
Lorenzen has a lot of fans who loved him — probably more than he ever understood because he never considered himself a celebrity.
"He never wavered despite playing for three different coaches and handled each transition with ease because of his willingness to be a team player," Taylor said. Leach remembers the video on social media of Lorenzen both celebrating and crying after UK's win at Florida last season to end a 31-game losing skid to the Gators. "Through doing the games in football and basketball with former players on radio, I know how much their time as a Wildcat meant to them and you saw that come through with Jared at that moment," Leach said. Cutler was impressed with the way Lorenzen accepted being a role player on the Highlands basketball team because his friend — and future UK teammate Derek Smith — was the team's star. Highlands played in the Sweet 16 three times. "Jared ran the court as hard as anyone I've ever seen in the Sweet 16. He rebounded, set screens and decided that if he isn't the star, he was going to do anything to help his team won. My respect for him that day was off the charts," Cutler said. Mike Welker was Lorenzen's business partner in Throwboy Tees. He was also close friends with the former UK quarterback after meeting him in 2015.
"I think Jared will go down as one of the top five to 10 fan favorites in UK sports history, which is fairly remarkable considering he was a football player and the dozens of basketball legends this school has produced," Drummond said. "Jared had an 'everyman' quality to him that I think a lot of fans, especially those of us who have battled weight issues, could easily relate. We may never see anything like him again. He was a unique athlete." Story agrees. "I think people will remember how unique it was that he could do the job at 300 pounds (give or take). He was genuinely a unique sports figure," Story said. "Because many of us share, to some degree or other, the battle he faced controlling his weight, a lot of people found him an easy person with whom to relate." Leach thinks Lorenzen connected even better with fans after his playing career ended. "Jared seemed to relish the interaction with fans as much as any former player I've seen at UK and the fans fed off that connection," Leach said. "His smile and his presence in a room made you smile. He was always friendly and understood the role of the media and what it took for us to do our job. He was always cooperative and very understanding. He was larger than life, yet a humble, gentle giant," Taylor said.
I always thought the way Jared best served as a leader for his team was giving his teammates more confidence when he walked in the huddle." - Tom Leach
"I would lean on him not only for business but also for life," Welker said. "He supported my passion for being the soccer coach at Moeller (High School in Cincinnati). The day I was hired, he tweeted how he proud he was of me." Welker gave an emotional talk to his soccer team after attending Lorenzen's funeral and presented each player with a blue T-shirt that had the No. 22 with Highlands on the front and Lorenzen on the back. "I wanted them to know what a freak athlete he was. It was so cool for me to help let them understand just how special Jared
Lorenzen was always available to all media members to talk UK football or anything else, including his weight issues. "He could have carried himself as the superstar quarterback but that just wasn't him," Gabriel said. "It saddened me to see him battle his weight as he grew older. All I could think of were his kids." Gabriel was thrilled when he learned about the documentary that was going to chronicle Lorenzen's weight loss as he fought to become healthier. "He appeared to be on his way but just ran out of time," Gabriel said.
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Photo courtesy of UK Athletics Cutler did a story for LEX18 when Lorenzen had lost over 100 pounds and was sharing his story on Facebook. "He told me he wanted to live long enough to see his daughter get married. I can't get that thought out of my head," Cutler said. "The other part of Jared that I will remember the most is the short conversations we had after interviews when he opened up and trusted me to keep my mouth shut. During those times, you could tell that he was smarter than most realized and that he cared deeply. What's sad to me is I don't think he knew how many cared about Jared, the person. "I hope his talent, heart and will to win will be remembered most by UK fans, and perhaps I shouldn't say this, but I don't think he was appreciated enough as a player." Glover feels the same way. "His legacy will probably be his uniqueness. That's certainly memorable but sadly the legacy should be that he was one of the most accomplished players in UK history," Glover said. "His numbers stack up against the best players. Not just at Kentucky, but in the SEC."
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EATS & ENTERTAINMENT Equine
2018 Division Winners
THE RETIRED
RACE HORSE PROJECT:
Showcasing the Thoroughbred Athlete story by Sarah Coleman
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Founded in 2010, the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has one goal: to massively increase the value and demand for Thoroughbreds after their racing careers. In the nine years since its inception, the 501c3 organization is considered a resounding success.
Though most people who come to the Bluegrass state are familiar with the Thoroughbred as a racehorse, many people are unaware of what these athletes do once they are no longer racing. The average age of a Thoroughbred retiring from a racing career is between four and five years old—way too young to be without a job! With nearly 20,000 horses born to race each year and a limited number that become stars on the track or in the breeding shed, that’s a lot of horses needing new jobs. Though these horses are top-notch athletes, the Thoroughbred breed has fallen from favor as a competition mount in recent decades. The RRP was created to promote the breed in equestrian circles as well as to support racing by showcasing the plethora of ways the Thoroughbred can transition into a successful second career. To do this, the RRP began with one event in Maryland that showcased 26 equestrians riding recently retired racehorses. The program has since expanded its scope to encompass clinics and demonstrations all over the country, culminating in the $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover, which takes place each fall at the Kentucky Horse Park. This event welcomed nearly 500 horses in 2018, showcasing the retired racehorses in 10 disciplines.
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Equine EATS & ENTERTAINMENT
Though this event is a fantastic horse show, the Makeover is so much more than a four-day competition. This event prepares retired racehorses for the lives they will lead after the track. The horses prepared for the competition “are receiving a foundation of care, knowledge, manners and skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives,” says RRP Executive Director Jen Roytz. “Long-term, we would love to create several regional competitions, which would be a catalyst for more horses to receive better foundational training in their first year after racing.” The RRP is also considering adding additional clinics to teach more equestrians the many successful methods to retrain a Thoroughbred for a new post-racing career.
“The Thoroughbred industry is becoming savvier about the aftercare of their equine athletes.” THE THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER
2018 Thoroughbred Makeover winner Elisa Wallace rides Reloaded
These concentrated initiatives by the RRP and the creation of other Thoroughbred-centric competitions now have people searching specifically for retired racehorses to use in competition. In tandem with the resurgence of interest in Thoroughbreds as sport horses, the culture of the horse industry has changed as well. This change is in no small part because of organizations like the RRP that seek to highlight the good things these horses are doing once retiring from racing. “The Thoroughbred industry is becoming savvier about the aftercare of their equine athletes,” says Roytz. “A decade ago, the term ‘aftercare,’ which encompasses how a Thoroughbred is cared for and transitioned to a new career after racing, wasn’t part of the industry’s vernacular. Now it’s a significant part of any conversation about the future of horseracing. The RRP’s role in the racing industry has expanded from merely teaching horse owners about aftercare to offering tools and best-practice models to help them carry out aftercare initiatives for their horses.” Interested in learning more about the RRP or how you can support retiring racehorses? Visit retiredracehorseproject.org.
The Retired Racehorse Project’s (RRP) $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover is a national competition held each fall at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Hundreds of horse-and-rider teams will head to the Bluegrass on October 2-5 compete in 10 disciplines: barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, eventing, field hunters, freestyle, polo, show hunters, show jumping and working ranch. Each horse at the competition has ten months or less of retraining since its last race and are judged on their transformation from racehorse to riding horse. In addition to the competition, there’s shopping, demonstrations, evening events and so much more. The Makeover Master Class utilizes established horse trainers to show attendees what they consider when evaluating riding-horse prospects. These trainers also teach spectators how they use the first rides off the track to create a solid foundation and partnership with their horse. Are you looking for a horse of your own? Roughly 200 of the horses competing in this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover will be available for sale or adoption at the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace. Learn more and see the full schedule at tbmakeover.org
Photos courtesy of The Retired Racehorse Project
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EQUINE UPDATE
PYRAMID SOCIETY EGYPTIAN ARABIAN EVENT August 28-August 31 Kentucky Horse Park – Covered Arena One of the oldest breeds of horses in the world, the Egyptian Arabian, was bred for strength, endurance and speed to carry its riders into battle and traverse the Middle Eastern deserts. Each year the Pyramid Society puts on the Egyptian event, a showcase of some of North America’s most beautiful and accomplished representatives of the breed. In addition to featuring horses competing both in-hand and under saddle, the event also includes educational opportunities, youth activities, a stallion showcase and more. Learn more at pyramidsociety.org.
USEA AMERICAN EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS August 27 – September 1 Kentucky Horse Park The annual goal for many equestrians who compete in eventing – a sport which combines the equestrian disciplines of dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping – is to qualify for the U. S. Eventing Association’s American Eventing Championships. This annual event, which rotates between major equestrian competition venues throughout the country, will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2019 and 2020. Here, equestrians from all levels and all corners of the country – from children competing on their first ponies to an Olympian preparing horses for international competition – will compete for prize money totaling more than $100,000 and a wide array of merchandise. For a full schedule of events, visit useventing.com.
story by Jen Roytz Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
PLATINUM PERFORMANCE/USHJA INTERNATIONAL HUNTER DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP August 15-17 Kentucky Horse Park The discipline of hunters is rooted in tradition and is designed to showcase the rideability and maneuverability of horses. The competition showcases this with fences designed to mimic obstacles found throughout the countryside. Each year, the best hunter horses and riders in the world come to the Kentucky Horse Park to compete in the Rolex Stadium over a beautifully designed, yet challenging course. For more information, visit ushja.org.
NEW VOCATIONS ALL-THOROUGHBRED SHOW AND TIP CHAMPIONSHIPS September 5 – September 8 Kentucky Horse Park The fifth annual New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Horse Show will feature hundreds of former racehorses who have been retrained in new careers. The competition will feature hunter, jumper, dressage, Western dressage, Western pleasure, competitive trail and ranch riding classes. On Sunday, the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (a subsidiary of The Jockey Club aimed at encouraging the use of Thoroughbreds as sport horses) will hold their year-end championships, in which horses can qualify for at other equestrian competitions throughout the year. For more information, visit horseadoption.com.
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EATS & ENTERTAINMENT Art in the Bluegrass
JEFF WORLEY
Art
in the Bluegrass:
LOCAL AUTHORS Meet a few of our local pros of prose
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Jeff Worley was named Kentucky Poet Laureate on March 27, 2019. Worley, a native of Wichita, Kansas earned both a Bachelor of Arts in English and Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Poetry) at Wichita State University. Early in his career, Worley traveled throughout Europe teaching writing and American literature for the University of Maryland's European Division. Worley went on to teach at Penn State University and then in 1986 the University of Kentucky. He retired from UK in 2010. Worley's love of poetry has led him to write six booklength collections of poetry. Works such as "The Only Time There Is" and "A Little Luck." His poems have and continue to make a significant impact across communities for their narrative plain-speaking style of observation. His publications to appear in over 500 literary magazines and journals, such as the "Harvard Review," and the "Southern Review."
HANNAH PITTARD Hannah Pittard, originally from Atlanta, is now the director of the Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Kentucky. She received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago in 2001, then went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Virginia in 2007. Her novel "Listen to Me," released in 2016, was a New York Times Editor's Choice. Her most recent work, "Visible Empire," was an Amazon Editors' Pick for Summer Fiction. Pittard generally writes about the challenges of life, such as debt, suicide, and marital instability.
WENDELL BERRY
JASON SIZEMORE
Wendell Berry is a lifelong Kentuckian, a farmer, an environmental activist and one of the state's most acclaimed writers. A prolific author, Berry penned more than 40 works of fiction, essays and poetry. His works have garnered praise for agrarian themes such as sustainability, connection to the land and the importance of the natural world. His body of work inspired the establishment of The Berry Center, which opened in 2011 in New Castle, Kentucky. The center's mission is to advocate for farmers, land conservation and healthy regional economies. In 2015, Berry was the first living writer to be inducted to the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame.
Jason Sizemore grew up in southeastern Kentucky, graduated from Transylvania University and currently resides in Lexington. A triple threat as an author, editor and publisher Sizemore’s southern sensibilities have infused themselves in his work in the horror and science fiction genres. His work as the owner and editor of Apex Publications has fostered the work of new and established authors alike. Apex is currently on indefinite hiatus, but readers can explore “Best of Apex Magazine: Volume 1.” Sizemore’s short stories in his debut book “Irredeemable” are dark accounts of ordinary people who must accept responsibility and ensuing retribution.
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Art in the Bluegrass EATS & ENTERTAINMENT
CRYSTAL WILKINSON
FRANK X WALKER
Crystal Wilkinson has always had a passion for writing and telling stories. A native of Kentucky, Wilkinson earned her Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Eastern Kentucky University and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Spalding University. Now a professor of the Department of English and African American and Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky, Wilkinson is the author of "Water Street" and "Blackberries, Blackberries." Most recently, her book "The Birds of Opulence" won the 2016 Ernest J. Gaines Prize for Literary Excellence. Her poems and stories have met acclaim through their unflinching honesty, expressive narratives and lyrical qualities. Her poems and essays appear in various journals and anthologies like "Oxford American" and "Southern Cultures."
Frank X Walker is a lecturer, writer and editor in addition to being a poet. Walker graduated from the University of Kentucky and received a Master's of Fine Arts from Spalding University. Notably, Walker's work focuses on the themes of family, place and identity. So it's no surprise that through his work and advocating the work of other artists of color in Appalachia, he coined the term "Affrilachia" (African-American + Appalachia). Walker's first collection of poetry was also entitled "Affrilachia," which met acclaim and is now in its fourth printing. Subsequent collections include: "Isaac Murphy: I Dedicate This Ride," "Black Box: Poems" and "Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York." A former Kentucky Poet Laureate, Walker, is now a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Kentucky as well as a founding editor and publisher of "Pluck! The Affrilachian Journal of Arts & Culture."
SILAS HOUSE Silas House, originally from Laurel County, Kentucky, has used his geographic location as inspiration for multiple novels. House earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Spalding University. His debut novel: "Clay's Quilt," and his five subsequent titles, have met with praise, particularly in the south, as his work features a nuanced look into life in modern Appalachia. In addition to being a novelist, House is a music journalist, environmental activist and columnist. His columns have appeared in “The New York Times”, “Night Train”, “Appalachian Heritage” and many more.
MARCIA THORNTON JONES Marcia Thornton Jones is an award-winning children's author originally from Joliet, Illinois who currently resides in Lexington, Kentucky. Thornton Jones was initially a grade school teacher. Her classroom experience and love of reading prompted her to write the same kinds of stories that she and her students enjoyed. Her debut book, "Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots," co-written with School Librarian Debbie Daley, went on to become the first in a best-selling series entitled "The Adventures of the Baily School Kids." Thornton Jones is now a full-time author who has written and co-written more than 125 books.
DAVID ARNOLD David Arnold is a Lexington, Kentucky based author of youngadult fiction with an honest and witty voice and a penchant for unique and memorable characters. Arnold’s debut work, “Mosquitoland,” was an NPR Best Book of 2015, garnered critical acclaim and has since been translated to several other languages. He went on to write, “Kids of Appetite.” His most recent work, “The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik” has been optioned for a film by Paramount Pictures.
ED MCCLANAHAN Ed McClanahan was born in 1932 in Brooksville, Kentucky. He completed his undergraduate studies at Miami University and earned his Master of Arts from the University of Kentucky in 1958. He went on to teach creative writing courses at Oregon State University, UK, Stanford University and other universities. A writer for more than fifty years, McClanahan produced reviews, essays and short stories. His work is characteristically full of uproarious humor presented with McClanahan’s creative descriptions and phrasing. Published works include “The Natural Man,” “Famous People I Have Known” and “A Congress of Wonders.” His work has appeared in many magazines, including Esquire, Rolling Stone and even Playboy.
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EATS & ENTERTAINMENT Art in the Bluegrass
Art
in the Bluegrass:
RAILBIRD highlights local musicians
O
riginating from the nickname of horse racing enthusiasts who love to be up close to the action, Railbird is a music festival that takes place right here in the heart of the bluegrass. The festival embodies the culture and tradition of the Lexington with music, equine culture and bourbon. The historic Keeneland Racecourse will host this one-of-a-kind event on Saturday, August 10th and Sunday, August 11th. The festival will feature many of Kentucky's own musical talents. Artists like Tyler Childers, The Raconteurs, Justin Wells, Ian Noe, Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, The Wooks, Johnny Conqueroo, Kelsey Waldon and many others from outside the bluegrass! To celebrate Lexington's equine industry off-track betting will also be available during the festival with the coast-to-coast simulcast of the festival grounds. Guided tours of the horse capital's training grounds will be available to showcase the Kentucky countryside. Guests will also be able to observe the thoroughbreds morning workouts from the trackside.
IAN NOE Noe is currently based in Bowling Green, Kentucky. His debut album, “Between the Country,” reflects on his everyday life growing up in Beattyville in Eastern Kentucky. The album was recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A with grammy-award winning producer Dave Cobb, and an ensemble of supporting musicians help paint Noe’s picture.
TYLER CHILDERS Tyler Childers calls Lawrence County his Kentucky home. His debut album, “Purgatory,” features ten songs that map out Tyler’s childhood, featuring people, landmarks and moments that shaped him into the story-teller he is today. Childers creates a sound that represents the history of the mountains while appealing to younger generations of fans.
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THE RACONTEURS Jack Lawrence is the bass guitarist of The Raconteurs. Although he currently resides in Nashville, he is originally from Covington, Kentucky. Lawrence also plays alongside The Greenhornes, The Dead Weather and City and Colour. He was a guest on the 2008 James Bond film, “Quantum of Solace,” playing a bass and baritone guitar.
JUSTIN WELLS Originally from Bossier City, Louisiana, Justin Wells resides in Lexington with his wife and twin daughters. Wells moved to Lexington in 2005 and later founded the band, Fifth on the Floor. The band broke up in January of 2015, which led to Wells going solo in 2016, releasing his solo debut album, “Dawn in the Distance.”
JOHNNY CONQUEROO Johnny Conqueroo is an established Lexington band who will soon be receiving national attention. They’ve appeared at events such as Moonshiners Ball and Crave Music and Food Festival. The band has a sound that mixes bluesy rock and roll with psychedelic influences. They just released their new EP, “Haint Blue.”
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JOSLYN & THE SWEET COMPRESSION Lexington-based Joslyn & The Sweet Compression are a unique blend of R&B, Funk and Pop. Band leader Joslyn Hampton grew up singing in the church choir and now she has a diverse, all-star band to back up her powerful vocals. The band has received national attention.
KELSEY WALDON Born in Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kelsey Waldon has deep roots in rural Kentucky. But ever since she moved to pursue a career in music, she has become a renowned bluegrass artist. Her second album ranked on two of NPR’s most-acclaimed lists; Ken Tucker’s “Top 10 Favorite Albums of 2016” alongside Beyonce, Miranda Lambert, and William Bell.
THE WOOKS The Wooks are unique because they’re able to create the sound of traditional bluegrass music with their an electrical twist. They captivate area music-lovers with their rich musical and storytelling abilities. Their sophomore album, “Glory Bound,” was recorded at Rickey Wasson’s Main Street Studio in Clay City, Kentucky.
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PHOTOS
TOPS
JULY PREVIEW PARTY Wellward Regenerative Medicine | July 10 topsinlex.com Photos by Ron Morrow MANOOCHEHR, DANESH AND CAMELLIA SHIRAZI MAZLOOMDOOST
APRIL GRIGGS
JAMIE KING AND ELLA CUNLIFFE
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CLARICE TAYLOR BELL
AUTUMN MILLE AND BARBARA QUAM
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RICHARD “DOUG” LINGER AND JAMES R. “BO” KELLY
JOHN FOLEY AND MORA SNAPP
PHOTOS
LEXINGTON FAIRNESS
HALL OF FAME AWARDS 21c Museum Hotel | June 28 lexfair.org Photos by Ron Morrow
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VICKI STANLEY AND PAT GERHARD
DAVID CUPPS AND ROSS EWING
ANDREW TAN AND JONATHAN BARKER
STEPHANIE OGHIA AND JOSH MERS
MEGAN MARTIN AND BOBBY CRAWFORD
DIANA QUEEN AND SUSAN LAMB
BEN HAYDON AND JASON MITCHELL
JOSEPH COLEMAN AND CRAIG CAMMACK
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LEXINGTON FAIRNESS
HALL OF FAME AWARDS 21c Museum Hotel | June 28 lexfair.org Photos by Ron Morrow
CHARLES CRUTCHER
JONATHAN COLEMAN
KENNY & MASON BISHOP, ROY HARRISON AND DANNY ROSA
MEGHAN BUELL AND CAROL TAYLOR-SHIM
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ALISON LUNDERGAN GRIMES AND TUESDAY MEADOWS
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TROY THOMPSON
KELLI PARMLEY, JULIE GOODMAN AND LINDSAY HUGHES THURSTON
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LEXINGTON
PRIDE FESTIVAL Downtown | June 29 lexpridefest.org Photos by Ron Morrow
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LEXINGTON JUNIOR LEAGUE
CHARITY HORSE SHOW Kentucky Horse Park | July 8-13 lexjrleague.com Photos by Rob Bolson and Ruth Weinstock
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WOODFORD HUMANE SOCIETY
SUMMER GALA Keene Entertainment Center | July 13 woodfordhumane.org Photos by Rob Bolson JULIA JOHNSON, MCKENZIE AMES, KATHERINE STEPONOVICH AND RAE MULLINS
STUART BROWN AND JEN ROYTZ
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ERICA BIVENS
MARLENE FIFE AND RUSTY HALE
PORSCHA CONEY, MIRANDA STEWART AND AISHA ADAMS
ALICE & JACK KAIN
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PHOTOS
AMERICAN SADDLEBRED MUSEUM
SUMMER GALA Spindletop Hall | July 13 absmuseum.org Photos by Ron Morrow
MARK STRONG AND DENISE HINKLE
JEFFREY FETZER AND SALLY JACKSON
ELIZABETH GHAREEB, MATTHEW WILLIAMS, EMILY WILLIAMS AND KYLE BAILEY
AMY NELSON, ALEX & TAYLOR FOSTER
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BARRY BRINKER
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JENNIFER FOSTER AND PAULA MOORADIAN
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PHOTOS
BARBASOL CHAMPIONSHIP Champions at Keene Trace Golf Club | July 18-21 barbasolchampionship.com Photos by Rob Bolson, Danny Pendleton and Woody Phillips
JOHN DALY AND FRIENDS
JIM HERMAN TROY MERRITT RYLAN CROUCH AND STEPHEN STALLINGS, JR.
SAM SAUNDERS
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JOHN CHIN
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BILL HAAS
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PHOTOS
AMERICAN RED CROSS
DISASTER BLASTER Keene Entertainment Center | July 12 redcross.org Photos by Woody Phillips ANDY BARR, MELISSA MURPHY AND ANDY SHEA
TAWANDA OWSLEY AND JOHN GOHMANN
DAVID & SHELLY KIDD
ROB & KELLI PARMLEY AND ASHLEY & JEFF BROWN
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DESTINI AND PRISCILLA JOHNSON
KARA AND LYNNE WASHBISH
August 2019 | TOPSinLex.com
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of Events
CALENDAR
AUGUST 1 Disney's Newsies
6-10pm NoLi
8pm Lexington Opera House
Kentucky Bank Tennis Championships
AUGUST 3 Disney's Newsies
Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex
2pm & 8pm Lexington Opera House
Central Bank Thursday Night Live
Kentucky Bank Tennis Championships
5-8pm Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
Ballet Under the Stars 8-10pm Woodland Park
Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex
Kentucky Reptile Expo 10am Lexington Center
AUGUST 2 Disney's Newsies
8pm Lexington Opera House
Kentucky Bank Tennis Championships
Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex
Lexington Bluegrass Minority Business Expo & Conference 8am Lexington Center
Ballet Under the Stars 8-10pm Woodland Park
UK Art Museum Family Day UK Art Museum
The Sounds of Summer 6pm The Summit at Fritz Farm
From Scratch: Pie Contest 3pm Singletary Center for the Arts
Ballet Under the Stars 8-10pm Woodland Park
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The Night Market
TOPS in Lexington | August 2019
AUGUST 4
AUGUST 10
AUGUST 16
Disney's Newsies
Lexus Smooth Jazz Fest
Woodstock: 50 Years Later
Kentucky Bank Tennis Championships
Railbird Festival
The Kentucky Castle Renaissance Faire
1pm Lexington Opera House
Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex
Ballet Under the Stars 8-10pm Woodland Park
7:30pm Kentucky Horse Park
Keeneland
Lexus Smooth Jazz Fest 7pm Central Public Library
Central Bank Thursday Night Live 5-8pm Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
AUGUST 9 Lexus Smooth Jazz Fest 8pm Embassy Suites
ReImagine: Exhibition of Art Inspired by Grade School Children Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center
10am-5pm The Kentucky Castle
A Midsummer Night’s Run 6pm Downtown
Super Saturday
AUGUST 8
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center
9am-2pm KET Lexington Studios
AUGUST 11 Railbird Festival Keeneland
AUGUST 13 Melissa Etheridge
7:30pm Lexington Opera House
AUGUST 15 Central Bank Thursday Night Live 5-8pm Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
AUGUST 17 Woodland Art Fair 10am Woodland Park
Morning Light 5K for Alzheimer's 8am Coldstream Park
Red Mile Weiner Dog Races 6pm Red Mile
AUGUST 18 Diamond Rings & Pretty Things Wedding Show 11am-4pm Lexington Center
Woodland Art Fair 10am Woodland Park
Due to the changing nature of events, please contact hosting organizations before attending any event. Visit TOPSinLex.com for more fun!
CALENDAR AUGUST 22
AUGUST 30
SEPTEMBER 6
Central Bank Thursday Night Live
Friday Latino Live!
The Night Market
Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Chamber Music Festival
SEPTEMBER 7
5-8pm Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
6:30pm The Kentucky Theatre
AUGUST 23 A Summer Soiree
7pm The Venues of the Grand Reserve
AUGUST 25 15th Annual Kids' Triathlon
Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center
Kentucky BASH 6:30pm Kroger Field
AUGUST 31
6-10pm NoLi
UK Football vs Eastern Michigan Universty 7:30pm Kroger Field
Doggie Paddle
9am-3:30pm Woodland Aquatic Center
UK Football vs University of Toledo
CASA Superhero 5K
SEPTEMBER 1
SEPTEMBER 12
Chamber Music Festival
Central Bank Thursday Night Live
SEPTEMBER 5
SEPTEMBER 13
Central Bank Thursday Night Live
Scarefest 2019
12pm Kroger Field
8:30am Kentucky Horse Park
YMCA of Central Kentucky
AUGUST 26 Chamber Music Festival
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center
5-8pm Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center
AUGUST 28 Chamber Music Festival
5-8pm Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
4pm Lexington Center
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center
Festival Latino de Lexington 5-11pm Downtown
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Andre Pater: An American Journey 10am Headley-Whitney Museum
SEPTEMBER 14 Scarefest 2019
11am Lexington Center
UK Football vs University of Florida 7pm Kroger Field
Festival Latino de Lexington 4-11pm Downtown
Moon Festival
4-8pm Moondance Amphitheater
SEPTEMBER 15 Scarefest 2019
SEPTEMBER 16
SEPTEMBER 22
LHS Sol & Glow
Bluegrass Autism Walk
SEPTEMBER 19
SEPTEMBER 25
Central Bank Thursday Night Live
Black Violin
SEPTEMBER 20
SEPTEMBER 26
ReImagine Art Auction
Central Bank Thursday Night Live
Recycle the Runway
SEPTEMBER 27
12-10pm Spring Valley Golf Club
5-8pm Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center
6pm Limestone Hall
SEPTEMBER 21 Black Jacket Symphony: Eagles Hotel California 4pm & 8pm Lexington Opera House
8pm Lexington Opera House
5-8pm Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
Freaky Friday Flicks
7:30pm Moondance Amphitheater
SEPTEMBER 28 Gil Shaham
7:30pm Singletary Center for the Arts
11am Lexington Center
Touch a Truck
2pm Kroger Field
UK Football at Mississippi State Away
UK Football at South Carolina Away
1-5pm Whitaker Bank Ballpark
Walk to End Alzheimer's 9am Kroger Field
A Night for The Nest 6pm Castle and Key
Due to the changing nature of events, please contact hosting organizations before attending any event. Visit TOPSinLex.com for more fun!
PHOTOS Top Shots
TS Jim Herman's son admires his dad's trophy for winning the Barbasol Championship
Bryan Pettigrew, Scott Henry, Doug Flynn and Fred Siegelman at the Barbasol Championship Pro-Am Pairings Party
Encore of Lexington playing at the American Red Cross Disaster Blaster
2019 Concours Bash
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TOPS in Lexington | August 2019