June 2017 // Priceless
TOPS Who’s Who // What’s New // What To Do JUNE 2017
This is Jennifer Lawrence’s Mom
You Need To Hear What She Has To Say About Fame, Family & Raising Jen Vol. 1 • No. 6
OUR LOVING-LOU STAYCATION GUIDE
At The Lee W. Robinson Company, We Help Clients Design and Build a Home and Lifestyle They Love. Lee W. Robinson brings joy and passion to every design project. He loves his clients and works with each one individually to create a u n i q u e l i v i n g s p a c e t h a t r e f l e c t s t h e i r p e r s o n a l i t y, style, and values. From initial design to final construction, Lee personally oversees the entire process.
w w w. l e e w r o b i n s o n . c o m
FEATURE
The Lawrence Factor | 86
Staycation City | 71
OAKS & DERBY 143 | 130
FUNDAMENTALS at home tour of homes: Shifting Gears
40
A Splash of Comfort
50
faces+places
40
New+Noteworthy: Rethinking Wellness
60
Tops Cares: Fancy Footwork
62
Meet the media: Amy Nic
66
cuisine Dining: Chef’s Surprise
98
Chef: The Fat Lamb’s Dallas McGarity
100
Recipe: Lamb Shanks with Creamy Polenta
101
TOP 5 Dining: Perfect Patios
96
life+style WOW Wedding: Aubrey + Aaron
110
Wedding Trends: Think Pink
114
family
66
Super Dad: Matt Multerer
114
Parties: Backyard Bash
116
Pets: Tara and Puppy Pack Take a Staycation
118
arts+entertainment Arts: Want to be in a Movie, Kentucky?
122
community
110
6 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Dear Dwight and Tony
127
The Kentucky Derby That Almost Wasn’t
128
Oaks & Derby 143
130
Calendar: What to do in Lou
142
HAVING A BABY MEANS HAVING LOTS OF QUESTIONS. WE HAVE ANSWERS CENTERED ON YOU. WILL IT BE PAINFUL? WILL I HAVE CRAVINGS? WHAT SHOULD THE NAME BE? At Baptist Health, we are here to answer your questions, ease your fears, and help you have the most joyful pregnancy possible. Plus, we will work with you to create the perfect birth plan. To learn more about our OB services, or to find an OB/GYN, visit BaptistHealth.com. Corbin | Floyd | La Grange | Lexington | Louisville | Madisonville | Paducah | Richmond
BaptistHealth.com
PHOTOS
26
Out & About
24
Lexus Preview Party
26
Awards in the Arts
28
The Best Friend’s Derby Brunch
30
31st Kentucky Derby Museum Gala
31
The Barnstable Brown Party
32
Fillies & Stallions Derby Eve Party
34
The Trifecta
35
Unbridled Eve Derby Eve Gala
36
Celebrity Day at the Downs
136
1081 Affair
138
Go Red for Women Luncheon
139
MOSAIC Awards
140
Stewart Collection Gala
141
Event photo captions are typically provided to TOPS by the event organizers. We do our best to check names and spelling, but we are all human and make mistakes. Please contact pam@topslouisville.com with any corrections and we will make note of it in the next issue.
139
CONTRIBUTORS Photographers
Danny Alexander Dick Arnspiger Joy Bauer Brian Bohannon Jolea Brown Tim Furlong, Jr. David Harrison Ryan Noltemeyer Antonio Pantoja
8 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Writers
Tara Bassett Drew Deener Allison Jones Steve Kaufman Marcella Kragel Ina Miller Nancy Miller Tony Vanetti Dwight Witten
Cover image by Antonio Pantoja Have a great idea for a story?
Tell us all about it at getmore@topslouisville.com
It Takes a Village. For shoppers with an appetite for life, Westport Village has it all. With more than 40 local shops, it’s Louisville’s one stop for home, health, fashion and food.
1315 Herr Lane • Louisville, Kentucky 40222 westportvillage.com
NEXT MONTH
July
Health + Wellness
TOP Marketing Group 100 Executive park, Suite 101 Louisville, Ky 40207 (502) 780-7825 topslouisville.com
Vol 1 • No. 6
Keith Yarber
Pam Leet
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Publisher kyarber@topsmarketing.com
General Manager pam@topslouisville.com
Editor-in-Chief christine@topslouisville.com
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Advertising Account Executive laurie@topslouisville.com
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Brand Ambassador rocko@topslouisville.com
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 th 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 Louisville magazine are subject to the 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.
10 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
SUMMER FUN TAKES FLIGHT
Butterflies n’ Blooms May 20 – Sept. 24 Presented by
“Wings of the World” Bird Show
Through Labor Day
OPEN DAILY YEAR ROUND! Summer Hours through Sept. 25: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (stay until 6 p.m.) Parking: $5/Car (free for Louisville Zoo members during regular hours)
LOUISVILLEZOO.ORG
$2 OFF ADULT OR CHILD ADMISSION Up to 4 persons; Not valid with other offers Expires 12-31-17
Tops
Letter from the editor
LIFE IN LOUISVILLE IS A VACATION
M
y last four weeks are proof of that. It included a trip to a splash park at Floyd’s Fork with my twelve-year-old daughter, date night with my husband and friends on the patio at Havana Rumba and a breathtaking fashion shoot at bucolic Camp Hi Ho with Karen Lawrence. Every one of these experiences had an itcould-only-happen here quality. The truth is, I moved back to this city by choice after fifteen years of doing a job I loved as a magazine editor in New York– a place that ultimately didn’t feel like the right spot for my husband and I to raise our family.
Karen Lawrence is the perfect cover model for an issue that celebrates the city that her family has chosen to keep as home base despite the stratospheric stardom that has been thrusted upon them. And during her interview with me (an admitted fan-girl of this working mother/entrepreneur who raised three truly admirable human beings), she shared an honest, colorful, it-could-only-have-happened here story. Some of her words moved me to tears, others made me laugh out loud, but they all filled me with appreciation for her wisdom…and for the place that she and we call home.
CHRISTINE FELLINGHAM Editor-in-Chief
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Photo by Danny Alexander
That right spot was here. It’s a city where culture and art museums and barbecue joints peacefully coexist. It’s a city where sports followers and foodies have the same frenzied enthusiasm and where both subjects are treated with equal respect. It’s a place that cultivates individuality and fosters diversity and encourages a kind of bright and colorful existence that I want my children to experience.
Contributors
Steve Kaufman, WRITER Steve Kaufman’s professional career has taken him from Chicago to New York to Atlanta to Louisville, from Wrigley Field and Madison Square Garden to Manhattan office towers and boardrooms, from Fifth Avenue luxury boutiques to suburban New Jersey malls, from European department stores to New Delhi street merchants’ stalls, from Michigan football to Kentucky basketball, from interviewing New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller to interviewing Louisville’s Cookie Lady. He was also a published novelist, and an undefeated Jeopardy champion. But his Jeopardy was a daytime show filmed in New York in black and white. Yes . . . he is that old.
Drew Deener, COLUMNIST
Drew is a native Louisvillian and St. X and Transylvania grad whom you can hear every weekday morning on The Deener Show on ESPN 680. The 2011 Kentucky Sportscaster of the Year only sits still when he’s on the air. When he’s off duty, you’re likely to find him on the tennis courts or on the ice-- playing hockey in a recreational league or sparring with son, Max.
Tim Furlong Jr. PHOTOGRAPHER
Tim Furlong Jr. is an architectural and interiors photographer. He lives in Prospect with wife, Erika and son Harrison. They have a baby girl, Margot, due this July.
Karen Stout, HAIR STYLIST
Karen Stout, who cut, colored and styled Karen Lawrence’s hair for this issue has been a Master Stylist at Joseph’s Salon & Spa for twenty years. She is internationally trained by the Aveda Institute of London. Karen has styled on Broadway (Rocky Horror Picture Show, 2007) and her work has been seen in hundreds of local events and editorial publications. She has styled celebrities such as Vanessa Minnillo-Lachey, Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis.
TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 13
SHAHARA ROSS
KAREN WILLIAMS
ANNETTE MANIAS
DAVID JENNINGS
RONEL BROWN
TAUNYA ESCHENBAUGH
Saturday, June 17 at 6:00pm Louisville Marriott Downtown JACQUELINE SMITH
ANDRE WILSON
Support Louisville’s Homeless and Hungry All Proceeds Benefit
KELSEY STARKS
ABBY KAMEN FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS
LetsDanceLouisville.org
T H A N K YO U T O O U R S P O N S O R S
KENDRICK HASKINS
M E D I A PA R T N E R
WIL HEUSER
TOP
notes
Fresh Paint
A bold series of interior and exterior works by graffiti artist Jeremy Lewis signifies the momentum buzzing in Portland. By Christine Fellingham | Photo by Joy Bauer
It seems as if art and commerce are inextricably interwoven into the reemerging neighborhood of Portland. Case in point: The recent expansion of KFI seating, a local manufacturer of commercial furniture at 1533 Bank Street, is being trumpeted by a splashy and thought-provoking mural on its exterior and large-scale works in its freshly renovated interior space. “Our goal was to create a space that had a more urban and unexpected city feel,” says KFI President Chris Smith. “I think we nailed it.” The decision to incorporate local art—and specifically street art—into the new showroom design
is one that speaks to Smith’s enthusiasm for the neighborhood they call home. “When we bought KFI 18 years ago, we had some trepidations about the location in general and its ability to meet our long-term needs,” he says. “As we continued to grow, we realized it was perfect for our expansion; real estate was very reasonable and there’s a great labor pool in the area.” The fact that the area is also supporting a burgeoning local art movement is simply icing on the rising cake. “The bonus for us is the revitalization with the emerging art scene, new businesses mov-
ing in, restaurants, U of L Fine Arts,” says Smith. KFI brings opportunity and their own compelling story to the area; their product can be found in the Congressional cafeteria, the Pearl Harbor Museum in Hawaii, local schools, on movie sets and even at SNL. “We recently sold 800 chairs to a small company called Apple,” laughs Smith. His advice for any entrepreneur or business leader eyeing this area? “It’s definitely a place for any business to consider for relocation or expansion,” he says. “The buzz is amazing and we are proud to be a part of it. It’s become a great place to come to work.”
TOP Notes
Follow the e Focus Trail Participants in Leadership Louisville’s heralded two-and-a-half day crash course, “Focus,” begin on Day One with a walking tour of carefully-curated sites and perspectivealtering observations. Here’s our speed version.
C
onsider it the ultimate fast, full-immersion staycation activity: tracking the walking tour itinerary created by University of Louisville associate archivist, Tom Owen, PhD, for the acclaimed Focus Louisville program. For the uninitiated, “Focus” is a mini-intensive leadership experience created by Leadership Louisville, the organization best known for its Leadership and Ignite programs, ten and seven month programs that connect local movers and shakers in collaborative projects that foster relationships, enhance leadership skills and impart knowledge of all things Lou.
The organization and its community partners such as Norton Healthcare, Ford and Yum! are obsessive about choosing experiences that will expand participants’ perceptions of what it means to live in Louisville and empowering them to make meaningful contributions to their community. And they produce results. The Spring 2017 Ignite class raised over $300,000 for six local nonprofit agencies. There’s no telling what might happen if you literally follow in just a few of their footsteps the next time you hit Museum Row.
THE “FORT NELSON BUILDING” AT THE CORNER OF 8TH AND MAIN: “I love ghost signs– the faded remnants of signs of businesses that once occupied the buildings," says Owen. "My favorite is high on the west wall of the this building which is erroneously called the Fort Nelson Building— despite the fact the fort was one block east. But at least there used to be the suggestion of cannons in the building’s upper façade. The faded paint tells of a wholesale grocer that used to occupy the building that will house the Michter’s bourbon distillery."
STARTING POINT: Louisville Slugger Museum , 800 W. Main St. Don’t make the mistake locals in every city do and leave the enjoyment of one of your hometown’s most iconic destinations to the out-of-towners. After one visit, you’ll feel a tinge of Louisville pride every time you hear the crack of a bat.
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FORT NELSON PARK ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 7TH AND MAIN: “It’s a history kaleidoscope,” says Owen. “At our Revolutionary War pioneer beginnings, a defensive fort was built that encompassed the area. Now, just on the sidewalk in front of the park, there are maps that show stages of development of our community, bronze plaques that depict the fort and a later railroad passenger station on the site, images of Main Street facades in the bus shelter glass, and a stone pillar honoring Fort Nelson.”
FOLLOW THE DARKENED BRICK ROAD: “Dark brick in the sidewalk denotes those buildings that have all or part cast iron facades. A magnet is handy for identification because it will stick to iron surfaces. After all, that entire row of late 19th C buildings contains the second largest collection of cast-iron commercial facades other than the Soho district of Manhattan.”
LOOK UP AT MAIN STREET BETWEEN 8TH AND 9TH: “I love the orderly salute from the eyebrow lintels (stone pieces above the windows), but I argue that those lintels also had an additional function: In our coal-fired city, they diverted rainwater bearing coal soot around the windows, so they wouldn’t have to be cleaned as often.”
THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICT BETWEEN 5TH AND 9TH: “Every tree in the historic preservation district is surrounded by three iron sticks strapped together to make a guard (originally sculpted in wood by Louisville artists) that tells historical stories. The cane in front of the old Seelbach Hotel which had previously been a warehouse shows Louis Seelbach, a hotel bed and a knife, fork, and spoon from the hotel’s European restaurant.”
NEXT STOP: LUNCH! You’re standing in front of Scene at the Kentucky Center. Atlantic No 5, Proof, the Bristol are all steps away. You might have to do this again!
CREATE YOUR OWN WALKING TOUR These Focus points of interest will take you past or close to some of our city’s best museums and attractions. Plan ahead by checking hours of operations, programming, special events and more to turn your taste of the trail into a staycation triumph. Consider buying a museum pass which gives you admission to all of the attractions in the historic four-block area. (Good for a year, one admission per museum. For more info go to www. museumrowonmain.com.) •
The Louisville Slugger Museum sluggermuseum.com
•
The Frazier History Museum fraziermuseum.org
•
The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience evanwilliams.com
•
Muhammad Ali Center alicenter.org
•
Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft kmacmuseum.org
•
Kentucky Science Center kysciencecenter.org
•
KentuckyShow! kentuckyshow.com
LAST STOP: Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts at 501 W Main street. Act like a tourist and snap a selfie with iconic Dubuffet statues, Faribulous and Perceval.
TOP Notes
TRUE COLORS Quirky “micro-boutique” BAZ and BEA brings custom-dyed garments, hand-made jewelry and fairly-priced fashion to Bardstown Road.
Y
ou can add a new stop to your next stroll in the Highlands. This month, a funky little boutique formerly at Mellwood Arts is moving to 1433 Bardstown Road and bringing its eclectic mix of affordable and custom fashion finds. “We cater to someone who really wants to put together something unique,” says co-owner Justin Keibler who owns the business with his husband Nathan Smothers. “We want people to feel that they can express themselves here—whether they’re sixty or sixteen.” The pair are both dyers with backgrounds in the arts and design and they’ve built their business around custom-dyed apparel and textiles. “People respond to color often before they even respond to a specific style,” says Keibler. “We can custom-mix pigments to create a color that only they can imagine in their mind’s eye.” They can dye items to match another object, they can dye vintage garments that need a new life and they can dye an item
to create the perfect finishing touch for an outfit. They also offer an interesting mix of fashion forward clothing, jewelry and accessories. Their 600-square-foot boutique will open with limited hours early in the month and the pair plans to have a grand re-opening and regular hours by June 17. (Check facebook.com/bazandbea or bazandbea.com for updates.)
FINALLY, BACON AND PANCAKES YOU CAN EAT IN THE CAR This breakfast-on-a stick is supposed to be for kids, but the genius “Piggie sticks” (long pancakes with a slab of bacon in the middle) that are appearing on the reworked Zeggs kids’ menu this month are bound to make their way into drivers’ hands. ($5.99 with a side and drink.)
18 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S BISTRO (Or Is It?)
A
lively new downtown lunch spot with a great grab-and-go counter is an unexpected spinoff of the Atria Senior Living test kitchen. Haymarket Bistro, located at 300 East Market Street in the ground floor of Atria’s Support Center, is a modern, spacious quick-serve café with an extensive menu of “healthful classics with contemporary twists,” according to Executive Chef Chad Welch. While this restaurant concept may sound unusual to us, it’s in thirty Atria cities across the country— and is especially successful in other foodie cities like San Francisco. Says Welch “Ultimately, it’s about making good food and using food to connect our residents with the cities they live in... and to connect different generations.”
TOP Notes Rolex GMT Master II $8,450, at Merkley Kendrick
What To Give Dad It’s the perennial shopping conundrum: what to give the man who already has everything. Don’t buy him a tie– unless, of course, it’s a bow tie. We spotted those, plus some other fun finds he’ll genuinely enjoy. Steel and Gold 41mm Rolex Datejust $11,650, at Merkley Kendrick Big Green Egg, starting at $429, at Steepleton
Field Guide to Whiskey, $25, silver trophy, $125, silver hanging bar accessories, $120, all at Digs
Art Nouveau Celtic design French cufflinks $1,125, at Merkley Kendrick
20 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
ASA barrel cufflink and stud set $75, at From the Vault
Pappy Van Winkle hats $28, bourbon balls, $26, bourbon barrel local art, $29, and Copper Mile mug, $20 all at Cartwheels in Chenoweth Square
Waterman fountain pen $165, at Merkley Kendrick
Yeti stainless 30 oz. tumbler, $29.96 on sale; and 20 oz, $22.46 on sale, at Steepleton
Garden tools, $25 to $50, all at Digs
Bird Dog Bay bow ties $60, at Cartwheels in Chenoweth Square
TOPS LOUISVILLE | June 2017 21
TOP of Mind
What’s Your Favorite Staycation Experience?
“We bike ride with the kiddos in Seneca or Cherokee. If we go to Cherokee, we’re stopping at Steel City Pops, no doubt.”
“We do a Sunday evening at 21C. You can get a corner suite and breakfast and you can bring your dog for an extra hundred dollars.”
“When my son, Ethan, was little, I’d buy an annual zoo membership and it more than paid for itself. Some days, I’d let him play in the water park; other visits would be to the playground near the gorillas. It’s a beautiful zoological garden and he was always happy to be there.”
BLAINE LAWRENCE,
PEG HEUSER ,
owner/director of Camp Hi Ho
chief medical officer of Heuser Health
SLOAN WINTERS , makeup artist at Circe Beauty Bar
“We’re a baseball family and the local ball fields are where we spend our time together. Nico was potty-trained at Crosby park.”
“My recent staycation included a day of visiting all of the antique and secondhand shops in Louisville. It’s something I always enjoy doing, but never have the time.
“Sleeping in, enjoying a nice late lunch outside at a spot like The Post or Barcode 1758, followed by a day at the Zoo and the sunset at Waterfront Park!”
AMY NIC , 97.5 WAMZ morning co-host
KEVIN GRANGIER , owner of Village Anchor, Le Moo and Picnic
22 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
JULIANA VALENCIA , WHAS morning anchor
107 years of quality products and outstanding service
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photos
OUT + ABout Happenings in the City
Jill’s Wish Derby Cocktail Event
KDF Winefest
KDF Beerfest
24 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Kimberly and Scott Miller, Steve Rolla receive a PROS Elite 100 Award for Miller Document Solutions
Houses, Hats and Harmony
Kentucky Derby Museum’s Bourbon and Biscuits
KDF Children’s Tea Time
Kentucky Wounded Heroes
Republic Bank Anniversary Gala
500+ singers singing the original music from Catherine Wilson; Treyton Oak Towers Singers (TOTS) on 1st row, 2nd row singers from Americhoir
Valhalla Golf Club Grand Reopening
100 Black Men Scholarship Gala
photos
Lexus Preview Party Lexus of Louisville | April 27 | lexusoflouisville.com | Photos by Dick Arnspiger
Valinda and Walter Weibel
Jane and Bill Marshall
more photos online! Topslouisville.com
Kevin and Stephanie Green
Joanie Echsner and Nohad Abell
Steve and Terri McDonald
26 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Jessica and Simon Fields
Chris and Karen Knopf
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photos
Awards in the Arts Fund for the Arts | April 29 | awardsinthearts.fundforthearts.org | Photos by Dick Arnspiger
more photos online! Topslouisville.com
Robert Curran, Julia Carstanjen
Becky and Bobby Petrino
Senator Mitch McConnell
J.P. Davis, Christen Boone, Karen Lawrence, Meredith Lawrence, Lauren DePaso, Eric Gurevich
Jenna Ahern, Paula Carey Poole
Betty and Kurt Oliver with daughter Libby Oliver
28 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Pamela Schmitt and Paul Thompson
Miranda Popp
Soozie Eastman, Anthony Raspberry, Brigitte Taylor
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Best Friends Thunder Brunch The Pointe | April 21 | partnerwithnac.com | Photos by Anissa Pate
more photos online! Topslouisville.com
Ryan Kilgore and Dyiamond Conn
Micah Cargin, Miranda McRonald, Mo McKnight Howe, Lauren Hendricks, Josh Johnson, and Kelly Pary
Derek Pugh and Kristi Getsfred
Abby Shue and Eric Gurevich
Russelyn Cruse
John Shaw-Woo and Dr. Shiao Woo
Derrick Rose, Tabrile Dozier and Jerry Shannon
30 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Erica Sutton and Aldin Bećirević
photos
more photos online! Topslouisville.com
31st Kentucky Derby Museum Gala Kentucky Derby Museum | April 28 | derbymuseum.org | Photos by Dick Arnspiger
Sara and James Haynes
Tom and Susan Vogt with Martha and Tom Hall
Rhonda Jo and Jimmy Dan Conner
Margaret and Dan Woodside
Mark and Betty Kregor
Ja and Lynn Hillebrand
Ryan and Leea Bridgeman
Bill and Michelle Mudd
TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 31
photos
The Barnstable Brown Party May 5 | Photos by Dick Arnspiger
Tracy Morgan and Megan Wollover
Travis and Theresa Tritt
Tom Brady and his New England Patriots teammates
32 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Chrishell Stause and Justin Hartley
Jill Goodacre and Harry Connick Jr.
Richie Sambora and Orianthi
more photos online! Topslouisville.com
Trish Barnstable-Brown and Priscilla Barnstable
John Molner and Katie Couric
Larry David
n Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017 ∙ 9 a.m. Louisville Waterfront Park • Big Four Lawn
Make a big splash to help kids cared for at Norton Children’s Hospital! Runners and walkers can choose to splash their way through a 5k course or a 1k family fun run filled with fun and refreshing ways to cool off in splash zones. After the race, enjoy family-friendly activities in the “Just for Kids” Zone, presented by Hwang’s Martial Arts: • DJ • Water balloon toss • Rock climbing wall • Face painting • Water slides • And more! 5k registration: $30 for adults; $15 for children age 17 and under 1k registration: $20 for adults; $15 for children age 17 and under Learn more and register at SplashNDash5k.org.
Presented by:
photos
Fillies And Stallions Derby Eve Party Mellwood Arts Center | May 5 | filliesandstallions.com | Photos by Terrence Humphrey
34 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
more photos online! Topslouisville.com
photos
The Trifecta
more photos online! Topslouisville.com
Louisville Marriott East | May 5 | Photos by Joy Bauer
Junior and Doris Bridgeman with Maruis Donaldson
Daria Raymore, Kevin Dunlap and Jocelyn Clayborn
Derrick Barnes and Kimberly Slater-Wood
SINBAD
Ivvy Shrun, Ashlee Barclay and Gladys Barclay
Walter and Cathy Shannon
Rhonda Jo and Jimmy Dan Conner
Brigitte Taylor and Anthony Raspberry
TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 35
photos
Unbridled Eve Derby Eve Gala
more photos online! Topslouisville.com
The Galt House | May 5 | unbridledeve.com | Photos by Brian Bohannon
Conrad Bachmann
Wendy Treece Bridges and Beau Bridges
Hosts Tammy York-Day and Tonya York-Dees
Robin Meade
JD Shelburne
Bob Guiney
Triple Crown Winning Jockey Victor Espinoza with Kelly Kovalchi
Terri and Alex Reymundo
36 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Kaelyn Gault and Luke Hancock
Bonnie-Jill Laflin
AT HOME
Tour of Homes: Shifting Gears A Splash of Comfort
40 50
at home
Tour of Homes
Shifting Gears When his partnership in Lexus of Louisville prompted a move from Houston, Walter and Valinda Weibel embraced the journey and turned their new Prospect home into a gracious gathering place for family and friends. Allison Jones drops in. Photos by Tim Furlong JR.
40 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
M
oving to a new city can be overwhelming – especially when you’ve called one place home for thirty-five years. However, Valinda and Walter Weibel happily rose to the occasion and said good-bye to Houston, TX, when Walter became a managing partner for Lexus of Louisville. Finding a home with amenities that would allow them to entertain both new friends and out-oftown visitors was high on their priority list. They discovered all that and more in a home in Prospect that offered both indoor and outdoor spaces designed to accommodate large-scale parties. However, the gracious home required some updating and personalization which Valinda was eager to provide. Most of the rooms were painted in hues that were darker than she would have liked and she quickly made changes to lighten and brighten up the decor. “I ended up having the cabinets in the kitchen painted white along with some other elements to brighten the space,” she says. A year later, the house has been transformed and the couple is embracing the community and enjoying the opportunity to make new friends. “The people are so friendly and genuine,” says Valinda. “Our neighbors have been so welcoming. We just love living here.”
TOPS LOUISVILLE | June 2017 41
at home
Tour of Homes
A
s they anticipated, the home lends itself to entertaining effortlessly and often. “I love the flow,” says Valinda. “Entertaining is so easy with all of the areas for guests to be comfortable and simply enjoy themselves. We’re looking forward to warm evenings when the pool and the outdoor living spaces can be used.” The inviting pool is surrounded by a lush landscape and is accentuated by a waterfall. “Spring is so beautiful here.,” says Valinda. “I still can’t get over how colorful everything is.” Nearby, a small pond adds to the tranquility. The covered veranda includes a roomy table ideal for enjoying food al fresco. “We love the outdoor kitchen and bar area,” she says. “It has everything we need. Eventually, we’ll add a pizza oven.”
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Tour of Homes
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he cavernous basement is a virtual playground for grownups and children– complete with pool table, slot machines and a wine cellar. “We never had a lower level in Houston, so I was thrilled to have one here,” she says. “ We can’t wait for our grandchildren to visit and see them enjoy this space.” With a game room, theater, sauna, and an expansive bar, there is something for everyone. “Walter and I love playing cards while enjoying a glass of wine in the evenings,” says Valinda. In fact, one of the attractions that really sold them on the house was the wine cellar. “We have been collecting wine for a long time. At one point, we lived in San Francisco, so Napa Valley was a place we really enjoyed visiting.”
We never had a lower level in Houston. We can’t wait for our grandchildren to visit and enjoy the space.
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Tour of Homes
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he dining room features several collectibles that hold a special place in Valinda’s heart. “The bronze statue on the sideboard is called ‘The Wedding,’” she says. “I purchased it when I agreed to marry Walter.” The room is illuminated by an exquisite hand-painted, porcelain chandelier. “Walter found this and two other porcelain pieces when we lived in San Francisco. They were the last few items remaining in the Dresden Porcelain Factory in Germany before it was bombed in World War II. When he brought them home, I was overwhelmed with emotion.”
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Tour of Homes
Entertaining is so easy with all of the areas for guests to be comfortable and simply enjoy themselves.
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hen it comes to identifying a favorite spot in the house, Valinda was quick to say the living room. “I can sit on the sofa and soak in the view of the outdoor scenery, hear the waterfall, and enjoy the tranquility,” she says. The plush antique country French sofa is indeed the best seat in the house as it is situated with views of the kitchen, hearth room, pool, and dining room. Says Valinda, “We are truly at home here.”
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A Splash Of Comfort In picturesque Norton Commons, John and Missy Hillcock have created a bourbon-themed bed and breakfast where locals can kick back and unwind without leaving town. Allison Jones pays a visit. Photos by David Harrison
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here is a soothing, relaxed vibe that you sense as soon as you step through the doors of Chateau Bourbon. This pristine bed and breakfast which opened in Norton Commons in February 2016 is the fulfillment of a dream of owners John and Missy Hillock who had envisioned a B&B where they could share their love of bourbon and travel.
Once they built their residence in this idyllic planned community, it was obvious that Norton Commons would be the perfect location to make their dream a reality. Partnering with David Weis of Meridian Construction, they designed a peaceful haven where they could welcome guests. With Missy’s mother, Carol Thomas, as the innkeeper and the couple in charge of day-to-day details, they have cultivated a warm, inviting retreat that Missy describes as “comfort
splashed with bourbon.” Reminders of bourbon and Kentucky are sprinkled throughout this charming establishment-- often in furniture and decor items crafted by John from repurposed bourbon barrels and bottles. His handiwork is reflected in various areas of the venue – bourbon stave swings, headboards in the guest room, light fixtures. Along with a mix of family pieces that Missy flawlessly adds to antiques and new items, they add to the laid-back, homey atmosphere. Carol painted all of the artwork on the property including a portrait of their canine brand ambassadors, Reece and Honey. “We feel that we’ve created the perfect little local paradise within a picturesque community,” says Missy. “While we have had guests from all over the country and the world, a large portion of our guests
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are from the local area.” While keeping up with the day-to-day operations, Missy also enjoys the creativity of running the kitchen: “We are very well-known for our three-course southern breakfasts and our evening happy hour which includes a cocktail and a bourbon-infused dessert, all of which are included in the stay. We are not trained chefs, but have a passion for southern cooking.” All the mouth-watering food is made from scratch and adds another layer of hospitality. Their uniqueness is branded in how they designed their space. The ability to incorporate all the modern amenities that guests want while still creating a venue full of charm and personality was high on their wish list. “We provide all the great amenities of a five-star hotel while combining it with the coziness of a B&B. Our décor is “classic Kentucky” which also gives travelers a very local experience. We also provide packages that can be customized to meet our guests’ needs.” Connecting with their patrons is part of what brings people back as repeat customers. “We designed our evening happy hour as time to sit down with our guests and talk about whatever interests them. We love this designated time with them as we find it to be a key piece to the experience we are providing,” says John.
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When guests are ready to explore the area, Chateau Bourbon offers an array of options. “We are an official sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and have an established relationship with nearly all of the Kentucky distilleries,” says Missy. “We can offer guests complimentary or discounted tour tickets and can help arrange special experiences along the trail.” Since they are located in the midst of hustle and bustle of Norton Commons, guests can stroll through the town center, dine at one of the multiple locally-owned restaurants, and shop at the many local owned stores. Winding down the day might involve relaxing by the fire in the private courtyard or simply retiring to their cozy, well-appointed rooms. “We’ve created an atmosphere where people can truly unwind and breathe,” she says. “We want them to feel reenergized whether they came from five miles away or five hundred.”
Chateau Bourbon
10630 Meeting Street Prospect, KY 40059 502-290-6553 Check out www.chateaubourbon.com for a listing of events offered. Chateau Bourbon can be rented for showers, cocktail parties, private lunches or dinners, and other celebrations. Gift certificates are also available for purchase.
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at home
Paint Colors
What color is that paint? It’s the question both Allison and Tops are asked the most often about our dÊcor stories. Here, Allison asked and Missy shared them all. (All are Benjamin Moore.)
Living room, dining room, kitchen and two bedrooms
Second bedroom with wallpaper
Third bedroom
Bonus room and mudroom built-ins
White Dove oC-17
Smoke Embers AC-28
Guilford Green HC-116
Tropical Fruit CSP 1115
First bathroom ceiling
Bonus Bath
Fourth bedroom
Damask Gold CW-405
Tapestry Beige OC-32
Shaker Beige HC-45
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Creating your own luxurious guest room
MISSY’S TOP 7 DECOR SOURCES We asked this B&B owner to share some of the essentials elements of a welcoming guest room. Mattresses: Restonic. Sheets: Mellanni Fine Linens brushed microfiber,. Duvets/Shams: Sferra Grande Hotel Collection Italian-woven percale 100% Egyptian cotton. Towels: Turkish Towel Company 100% Egyptian cotton. Spa Toiletries: Greenwich Bay Trading Company. Bourbon-themed light fixtures, headboards, and other items made by John Hillock can be ordered through Chateau Bourbon. Brittnie Courtney of Retouched Vintage Inspirations was responsible for refinishing and repurposing many family pieces found throughout the B&B. Another pointer from Missy: “Fresh flowers, a welcome note to your guests, a cozy throw blanket and decorative throw pillows that reflect your style can all make a guest room more inviting.”
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WHY LET AGING AFFECT YOUR HEALTH? Introducing Heuser Optimized Health
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New & Noteworthy: Heuser Health Tops cares: Fancy Footwork Meet the Media: Amy Nic Staycation City Karen Lawrence
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New & Noteworthy
Rethinking Wellness On the cutting edge of health and fitness for the last fourteen years with their Heuser Health program, Dr. Louis and Peggy Heuser are introducing a bold new brand of concierge healthcare next month. Their goal: To help you live longer and look and feel better while doing it. By Christine Fellingham • Photos by Ryan Noltemeyer
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here’s something missing when you walk into the workout room at Heuser Health: It’s the spandex. You also detect a palpable absence of anxiety. All around the room are men and women of various ages, various stages of fitness, breaking a sweat, working out to the best of their abilities and, like the couple whose names grace the sign out front, looking positively cheerful while doing it. What’s going on? Anyone familiar with the history of this health and fitness power duo (whose
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company began as Heuser Clinic in 2000 and evolved into the fitness and nutrition focused Heuser Health in 2013) know that the standard fitness industry motivators—anxiety and competition— are two concepts that are not part of their philosophy. “The only person you’re competing with here is yourself,” says Peggy, a registered nurse practitioner. “We make sure that you’re getting a comprehensive workout that will give you the best results in the least amount of time.” In the interest of achieving that goal, their staff does
a full battery of diagnostic fitness tests so they have a true snapshot of your state of health at the moment you enter the program, a clear vision of where you need to be and a science-propelled plan for how you’re going to get there. Appropriately, the Heuser fitness centers are staffed not with personal trainers, but with nineteen exercise physiologists–- many of whom have master’s degrees. “They have the ability to monitor and coach our clients to get them to their personal best levels of overall fitness,” says Peggy.
Their practice, like the growing number of boutique medical services, will not accept insurance but will instead offer their fitness membership, nutrition program, a new hormone replacement program and medical care for a flat fee every month. “It is virtually impossible for men or women to achieve optimal health without balancing your hormones,” says Peggy. “There is so much noise and misinformation out there about hormones– and there’s a lot of frustration because the claims aren’t realistic.”
Information is at the heart of everything the Heusers do with both their Fitness center (the original on River Road, a newer one on Blankenbaker and one that will soon open downtown in the fall) and their Nutrition program. Dr. Heuser spent much of his impressive forty-year career in medicine in Norton Health Care, most notably as Chief of Surgery at Norton Hospital. “But I was always curing people who were sick,” he says. “I want to see people when they’re healthy– to help them be proactive about their health and longevity.” His passion for preventive, proactive healthcare began in fifth grade: “I was the class president and I failed the Presidential Fitness Test in front of my entire class. It was devastating.” But it was an early turning point that started a lifelong dedication to exercise and healthy living.
daunting and trying to get onto a doctor’s schedule can take months, the ease of having all of your wellness experts under one roof, sharing information and tweaking your preventive health plan is incredibly appealing. It’s an approach that’s logical for their brand and logical for their clients or patients. “Most of them are already paying out of pocket for so much,” says Peggy. “They’re paying for their healthcare, they’re paying for a gym, they may be doing hormone replacement and no one is making sure that everything they’re doing is working together.”
This full-service wellness care won’t be cheap, but it won’t be outrageous either. A flat fee of $395 a month will cover all four components– medical, fitness, nutrition and hormone replacement. There will be less expensive packages for patients who want to bundle two programs instead. The hope is that the synergy created by having all of a patient’s wellness experts working together with the goal of optimal health will make sick visits a rarity. “We want to give people the tools they need to be proactive about their health,” says Dr. Heuser. ”We’re all going to get sick. But if you’re in your peak physical state when that happens, you’re going to recover faster and live longer.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE For more info about services, philosophy, and rates and locations, go to heuserhealth.com
It’s not surprising then, in this new era of healthcare, that the Heusers are taking their holistic, individualized approach to the next level. In July, they introduce their Complete Care practice—a boutique medical practice comprised of Peggy and another RPN and overseen by Dr. Heuser. “Our clients always come up to us and say, ‘I wish I could just go to you for my healthcare,’” says Peggy. “We work so closely with them and we watch their numbers and we give advice no one else will give them and we are extremely successful at improving their health. This is a logical extension of what we’re already doing.” In an age when simply finding the time to work out can be
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faces + places Tops cares faces+places
Fancy Footwork In just a few years, Let’s Dance Louisville, our city’s own version of Dancing with the Stars, has become a must-attend event that brings money and awareness to our hungry and homeless. By Christine Fellingham • Photos courtesy of Let’s Dance Louisville
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unger and homelessness are nothing new in Louisville. And neither are some of the solutions. The Sandefur Dining Room at the Cathedral of the Assumption has been feeding the hungry in our hometown since before the Great Depression. The program, which began with baloney sandwiches and a quiet space in an alley outside the church, has evolved over the decades into a robust volunteer effort that involves more than 400 volunteers
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a month and one full-time chef providing 65,000 hot meals 365 days a year in a bright and welcoming dining room. While the Cathedral initially served mostly men, the faces in their lunch line have changed in recent years: “We are serving homeless men, women and children,” says Maggie Cyphers, Event Chair of Let’s Dance Louisville, a fundraiser she spearheaded four years ago that has become the biggest annual moneymaker for the dining room’s supporting organiza-
tion, Feed My Neighbor. “The majority of our visitors are men between 41 and 60, but we also see a lot of moms, strollers and little ones on the weekends and especially in the summer when school lets out.” Guests young and old can enjoy warm, nutritionally balanced meals—and a sandwich to go—which they select in a serving line staffed by friendly volunteers of all ages. “We have teenagers who are working towards their service hours, we have retirees, we have parents and grandparents,”
presented by
says Cyphers. “It’s also amazing to me how the dancers have gravitated towards working in the kitchen.” In fact, the third Sunday of every month has unofficially become “dancer Sunday,” because that’s when past dancers return to lend a hand. This growing group of returning alums are adding twelve new members this month when the fourth annual Let’s Dance charity event returns to the Marriott Downtown on Saturday, June 17. This year’s lineup of local personalities includes seven women and four men: Jaqueline Smith, Taunya Eshenbaugh, Abby Kamen, Annette Manias, Shahara Ross, Kelsey Starks, Karen Williams, Ronel Brown, Kendrick Haskins, Wil Heuser, David Jennings, M.D. and Andre Wilson. Each dancer will have trained with instructors from Shall We Dance? Ballroom and Studio and Derby City Ballroom for twelve weeks. “Although some start earlier because they get nervous!” says David Grantz, president of Buzz advertising and a Cathedral parishioner who originally named the event and organization. Dancers compete for votes both on line and during the competition, with one vote equalling one dollar. They also get points for racking up ticket sales, silent auction items and generating contributions. Not all of the luminaries hit the dance floor. WAVE3 Anchor Shannon Cogan, last year’s “Best Dance” winner, will emcee with WAVE3 Chief Meteorologist Kevin Harned. Returning judges include Leslie Smart, Jonathan Burton and Louisville Ballet Artistic & Executive Director, Robert Curran.
Shannon and Kendall Cogan
Once people get involved, they stay involved. “This is community work that needs attention,” says David Grantz. TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 63
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It seems that once people get involved, they tend to stay involved. “This is community work that needs attention,” says Grantz. “These are men, women and children in our community. They’re all around us all the time. This is a safe way to give and know that one hundred percent of your money will go to making sure these people will have a healthy meal at least once every single day.”
IF YOU GO Let’s Dance Louisville, which is presented by Delta Dental, will be held at the Downtown Marriott on Saturday, June 17, at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $125 a person. For more information or to make a donation, visit letsdancelouisville.org or call 502-657-5222.
To schedule your InLight session contact: Emily Sermersheim 844-91-LIGHT inlightwellness.com/lightrx
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faces+places
Meet the Media
Meet The Media:
Amy Nic After taking a twelve-year hiatus to raise three boys, Amy Nic, co-host of Amy & Corey on 97.5 WAMZ, has emerged as a highenergy morning personality who hardly sleeps before she wakes the rest of the city up. Here’s how she propelled herself from PTA supermom to wildly popular ratings killer. By Christine Fellingham | Photos by Ryan Noltemeyer
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my Nic– who goes by the nickname given to her by her dad when she was little– is a woman who trusts her own instincts. Even when they’re impulsive. Her career path, appropriately enough, was the result of an early morning epiphany. “I seriously woke up one morning in my bed at Western Kentucky University and said, ‘I know what I want to do. I want to be on radio and television,’” says Amy. This wouldn’t be odd, except that it was an idea that had never occurred to Amy, a Louisville native and Male High School grad, before. “I wasn’t at college thinking about my career and my future; I was at college having a good time,” she says. But, just like that, Amy had a career goal and she didn’t question it. So, in what could now be recognized as classic Amy Nic style, she pursued that goal with enthusiasm and a certain relentlessness that produced results. A college sophomore at the time, she made an appointment with an advisor in the broadcasting department and got serious— if not about everything, about pursuing her newly identified passion. A stint on the campus radio channel and an internship with NPR quickly followed. That pre-professional experience yielded dual benefits: “I not only gained great on air experience as the six to midnight announcer at NPR, but I had time to do a lot of studying,” she says. “Suddenly, I was a serious student….
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I was in this quiet place, all by myself and studying six hours a day!” The hard work paid off when she came home to Louisville that summer and landed a dream internship at Louisville Tonight. “It was exactly what I wanted to do,” she says. “I got my feet wet in television and I was hooked.” When the show was canceled after her internship, Amy was “heartbroken.” Not that it stopped her. Once she graduated from WKU in 1999, she found a job with WAVE3 News. “I was behind the scenes in production working as a floor director, but it was too serious for me,” she says. “We were covering fires and crime and people dying… and every night I went home, I was afraid to get out of my car because I thought somebody was going to rob me!” Her experience with television news is what prompted her switch to radio: “It just wasn’t me. So, I found my way to radio as a traffic reporter,” she says. “I was on six
different radio stations and WDRB Fox 41. It was a better fit.” Meanwhile, she and her college “super-friend” turned sweetheart, Andrew Drake, married in 2001. “I literally married the boy next door,” she says. “He lived in the apartment next to mine during my junior and senior year. Our beds were on other sides of the same wall,” she says. “I could knock at night and he’d knock back.” Juggling on-air traffic reporting for multiple stations was a breeze for a woman who thrives on chaos and gets bored easily. Until she woke up one day and decided she was ready to have children and, two weeks later, was pregnant. “I’m a person who never thought I’d have kids,” she admits. “I was the baby of thirty-one grandchildren– just on my dad’s side. I was babied. I never babysat.”
If I’m not busy, I’m walking in circles. I thrive on chaos. I’m lucky that I get to create my own chaos.
She planned on returning to work once she had her baby, but that changed once she had her son, Drake. “I had my first child and I was addicted,” she says. “Suddenly, I was a stay-at-home mom.”
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Meet the Media
So, she switched mediums but not momentum. There was baby Drew two years later and then Nico two-years after that and then there was PTA and travel baseball and a full and active social life. “I used to be at school every day,” she says. “I was vice president of communications. My kids didn’t ride the bus, they came to the PTA office. The kids and their friends started calling me ‘A Mom,’ which is still my license plate!” Amy (aka ‘A Mom’) worked as hard at being a full-time mom as she had at being a full-time traffic reporter. “I come from a big family and I love raising these little people. I love going to their school and their baseball games. I love throwing parties for them. I was never bored.” That is, until Nico went to school. “The first year, it was fun,” says Amy. “Then I started going crazy… I started walking in circles.” Even her favorite me-time activity—shopping, often at Urban Farmhouse Market or TJ Maxx or the shops in Middletown, started to lose its luster. “My life was my boys and when they’re gone all day, there are only so many PTA meetings you
can go to and so many casseroles you can make.” Her husband, Andy, who at this point had a fairly brutal weekly travel schedule, was finally the one who said what needed to be said. He looked at me one night and said, “Amy, I think you need to get a job.” At first, she resisted. After all, she had three boys—two in competitive travel baseball—and a husband who traveled all the time. They were all used to having her at every game, every school field trip, every meal. “I had never worked and had children and I couldn’t even imagine how I would do that,” she says. And then she woke up one day and decided that was what her family needed the most. “It wasn’t that I was unhappy, but I wasn’t my best self,” she says. “And my husband was wonderful. He promised to help make it work. And I realized that maybe the boys were getting to an age where having a father who was hands on was a positive. I decided I was getting back in.” Of course, the question was... how?
We try to make our home our sanctuary. It’s relaxing and comfortable and it’s our soft place to fall. She’d been off the air for twelve years— which is eons in media years. “I thought, ‘Nobody remembers me. I’ll have to start at the bottom.’ And if I’m going to be away from my kids, I’m not working for ten dollars an hour,” she says. And she didn’t. After shooting an email to her former coworker, Shane Collins, they made a lunch date which put her first in line when a traffic reporter went on maternity leave and first in line for her job twelve weeks later when she didn’t return. “So I stayed a little longer,” she says. “I started filling in here and there and then, suddenly, WAMZ called and offered me the morning spot.” For a woman who just spent the last twelve years driving carpool and planning school fundraisers, it was a surreal moment. “And I am not a morning person,” says Amy. “I do not do mornings! But, now, here I am waking up at 3:30 every day and loving my life.” Most days, she gets to bed around 10:30 or 11:00 and survives on four hours of sleep. She admits that the boys call large Diet Cokes from McDonald’s “Mommy’s medicine.” Foot massages and breakfast in bed from her husband and wine nights with her girlfriends offset the harsh reality of that early morning alarm clock. The key to keeping her crazy work schedule and crazy family schedule rolling along is accepting the fact that it does indeed take a village. “My sister watches the kids and my husband has just jumped in,” says Amy. “He works from home when he’s in town and he has taken over all the laundry. Sometimes the boys comment on my not being around as often or they grumble about making the bed but that makes me realize that maybe it was time for me to let go a little.”
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AMY’S
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Amy still shows up at school to volunteer, makes every baseball game and plans plenty of family time. “We love board games; a favorite is Catchphrase,” says Amy. Home cooked meals and dinners together are still the norm. Tuesday night is Taco Night and Wednesday night is Taco Night leftovers. Every Sunday night is “Framily dinner” when friends and family come together for a home-cooked feast: “We have different friends every week, so we stay connected with everyone. Last week, it was lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs.” (Monday night, naturally, is Framily Dinner leftovers.) And while her boys may miss seeing Amy in school every day, she believes they’ve gained something else. “My working outside the home has really helped them develop in other ways. They’re doing chores; they’re taking on more responsibility and they’re supporting me in achieving my dreams,” she says. “When I was home, I was raising boys. Now that I’m doing what I love, I am raising men.”
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STAY(CATION) WITH ART Stay close to home and expand your horizons. Experience the art of today, delight in local flavor at Proof on Main and enjoy genuine hospitality at 21c Museum Hotel. > Visit 21cLouisville.com for seasonal offers
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Staycation city
School may be over, but here’s a pop quiz: Okay, Louisvillians, when’s the last time you visited the Louisville Slugger Museum? The Muhammad Ali Center? The newly renovated Speed? Or when was the last time you hit the urban bourbon trail?
Thanks to a wide and varied array of amusements that includes but isn’t limited to distilleries, top restaurants, parks, lakes, festivals, museums, historic sites and cultural attractions, life in Louisville truly is a vacation if you embrace it. Summer is the time and this is your starting point.
Well, stretching out ahead of you are three months – three languid, leisurely months – for catching up on local pleasures you might have missed.
By Steve Kaufman
That’s just a short list of attractions that have earned our city accolades that include “one of the 14 places you have to visit,” according to USA Today in 2016, “one of the best places to travel in 2015,” according to Travel and Leisure and Eighth Best Town in America, according to Outside Magazine.
You’ve probably heard of those three months. We call them “summer.” During many people’s traditional summer, “home” is the place they try to escape – for the lake, the woods, the beach, the mountains. Instead, think of Louisville as the place where all of those idyllic escapes already coexist. That’s right. Louisville is your perfect summer escape. We have more than enough parklands, culture, bourbon, restaurants, amusements of all kinds to attract 24.2 million out-of-towners every year (according to the Department of Tourism.) Why should they have all the fun? Here are some mainstream and off-the-beaten path attractions that are arguments for staying home.
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Midsummer Night’s Series The play’s the thing wherein to catch the interest of Louisville’s summer theatergoers. This summer, the 57th annual Free Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park will put on three Shakespearean plays– comedy, history and tragedy: • “Much Ado About Nothing,” Shakespeare’s comedy about trickery and misunderstanding, will kick off the summer on May 31, running until June 11. • “Richard II,” Shakespeare’s historical drama about the downfall of a king, will follow on June 15-27. • “Julius Caesar,” the tragedy of ambition and politics in ancient Rome, will start on July 29. On July 22, the fourth annual Barda-Thon, all three productions will be performed in a single night starting at 4:30 p.m. The three productions will also rotate in repertory from July 11-23. There will be a total of 66 performances of eight productions over 11 weeks, according to artistic director Matt Wallace – all free. And there will be 30 more in-ground benches in the amphitheater this summer. Kentucky Shakespeare is the oldest free Shakespeare festival in the United States. Also, Kentucky Shakespeare’s Globe Players Professional Training Program for High School Students will present “The Merchant of Venice” from July 26-29. Admission for this one: a pound of flesh. Finally, the company’s Community Partners weeks will close out the summer, featuring: • CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center, August 1-6, “Kiss Me Kate” • The Louisville Ballet, August 9-13, a new production of Lady Lear, created and choreographed by Roger Creel • The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company will debut on the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival stage, July 30 and August 8, “Merry Wives of Windsor” • The Louisville Improvisors will present “Late Night Shakes” every other Saturday, June 3, June 17, July 1 and July 15.
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“Much Ado About Nothing” Photos by Bill Brymer
Fair Minded
In August, the 113th Kentucky State Fair will open its 1.2 million square feet of space for its 44,000 entries of prize-winning baked goods, quilts, artwork, country ham, agricultural products and, of course, livestock for the 600,000 people who attend each year. Included among the activities is the 114th $1 million World’s Championship Horse Show in 15,000-seat Freedom Hall, “the richest and most prestigious saddlebred show” in the world. The Circle of Champions is a three-mile-long ring of food tents, musical tents and other attractions. There are 11 nights of free concerts at the Turf Concert Series (on the turf on Cardinal Stadium); and three Main Stage ticketed concerts in Freedom Hall. The first Kentucky State Fair was held in 1902 at Churchill Downs. This year’s dates are August 17-27, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Information, include admission prices and full schedules, is at kentuckystatefair.org.
Photo courtesy of the Kentucky State Fair
HOT SUMMER, COOL MUSIC What would summer be without music in the night? The third annual Westport Village Sunset Concert Series will feature four free Friday night concerts, one a month from June-September. Each one is tied to a nonprofit organization. Here’s the lineup: June 2: Funkasaurus. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to Dare to Care Food Bank. Everyone who donates will be entered into a drawing for a giveaway the night of the concert. July 21: Hot Brown Smackdown. Bike to Beat Cancer, benefiting the Norton Cancer Institute, will be onsite to raise awareness and sign up family bikers. Aug. 4: Kudmani. Family Scholar House will be holding its annual backpack drive to help send its 215 resident families back to school with everything they need. Attendees are encouraged to bring backpacks, pens, pencils and other school supplies. Everyone who donates will be entered into a drawing for a
giveaway the night of the concert. Sept. 8: Porch Possums. Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation will be collecting donations to stock its Secret Santa Shop for kids and their parents. Everyone who donates from the Foundation’s wish list will be entered into a drawing for a giveaway the night of the concert. The concerts will begin at 7 p.m. and there will be giveaways, sales and food and drink specials during each. Go to Westportvillage. com for more information. The Iroquois Amphitheater will have an entire summer of concerts, some free, some not, starting on June 2 (with Old Crow Medicine Show) and ending on September 9 (with the Louisville Orchestra). One of the highlights, on the weekend of June 9-10, will be Cirque Louis’ troop of acrobats, jugglers, dancers and aerialists present-
ing “East of the Sun.” Tickets are $15 and $20, and showtimes both nights are 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, August 6, Lyle Lovett and his Large Band will perform. Tickets for that are $47.50 and $67.50. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. For the rest of the program, including movie nights and a great deal more) go to the web site iroquoisamphitheater.com. The Norton Commons Music by the Water Series runs all summer long through August in their beautiful outdoor ampitheater. Bring the whole family and enjoy area restaurants, bars, gelato shops and music under the stars. On Friday, June 24, they’ll feature The Jimmy Lehoux band and Southern Sirens, starting at 6:30. On July 1, it’s an American celebration featuring Rock Before Dawn and the 36th Infantry Brass Band. Check out Nortoncommons.com/events for the entire summer schedule and updates.
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Women biking on Louisville Loop in Turkey Run Park. at home Photo by Ted Wathen/Quadrant
Sing your favorite song... with a LIVE band!
Park It Here Louisville is a city of parks.
When: When: July July 14, 14, 2017 2017 Who: All Ages Who: All Ages Cost: Cost: $5.00 $5.00 1080 Amphitheater Drive 1080 Amphitheater Drive •• Louisville, Louisville, KY KY 40214 40214 Sign Sign up up at at fullcontactkaraokeband.com fullcontactkaraokeband.com
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The Parklands at Floyds Fork is just one of them and one of Louisville’s greatest new treasures-- a celebration of nature, great open spaces and healthy recreation. The park was funded by private donations. Its original capital campaign was $125 million. This year, the first year the entire park will be fully opened, its operating budget is estimated at $4 million. There is no charge to enter the park. The only charge for facilities is a requirement that you need a permit from the Louisville Dog Run Association to access the park’s large fenced-in dog run in Beckley Creek Park. Its four individual-but-connected parks have gradually been opening to the public since 2011. The final element was completed last fall. And more still comes. This summer, the Silo Center Bike Park has opened– a series of mountain bike trails in Turkey Run Park, specifically for off-road biking. It’s the first trail in the park dedicated solely to biking. All the other trails in the park are shared by bikers, runners, hikers, dog walkers, etc. Not a biker? There’s so much more to explore. (You can spend the entire summer enjoying our city’s parks. Find one with the amenities you’re looking for at louisvilleky.gov/ government/parks/find-park.)
WALK WITH THE BUTTERFLIES The Butterflies n’ Blooms exhibit opened in late May at the Louisville Zoo. Guests can walk among hundreds of native butterflies sipping nectar from colorful flowers in the new 1,000 sq. ft. outdoor flight house located in the Africa Zone. Presented by Ford Motor Company, the exhibit runs through September 23.
• The Parklands at Floyds Fork is nearly 4,000 acres. • It contains 47 miles of walking, running, hiking and biking trails (including 19 miles of the Louisville Loop that runs through the park).
110 different species of trees;
• There are 43 different kinds of mammals in the park, including deer, squirrels, mink, raccoons, beavers, river otters and coyotes.
60,000 new trees have been planted, in addition to what was already there.
• The Horticulture Director says it’s safe to say “we have more than 400 herbaceous plants, though it’s likely much higher.” • A couple of bald eagles have been spotted. “We’re not sure if they’ve nested here or not,” says communications coordinator Anna Rosales-Crone. • Fishing and boating are permitted in the Parkland’s lakes, but no swimming.
There are
• There have been more than 7 million recorded visitors since the park opened six years ago. In 2016, there were 2.6 million. Anticipated for 2017: 3 million. • There are 20 sports fields, mainly for soccer and lacrosse, in Beckley Creek Park and Pope Lick Park. • There’s a 22-acre Egg Lawn in Beckley Creek, a massive open area for kicking soccer balls, picnicking, flying kites, sitting around. A paved jogging/walking trail encircling the great lawn is 0.7 miles. • The Barklands, a fenced-in dog run in Beckley Creek Park, does require a permit from the Louisville Dog Run Association. The cost of a dog park permit is $35 for the first dog, $25 for the second dog, $15 for the third dog, and $10 per additional dog
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Photo courtesy of Frazier Museum
Sting Like The Greatest The champ’s six core principles will be the centerpiece of the “I Am Ali” festival at the Muhammad Ali Center starting June 3, one year since the former heavyweight champion passed away. There will be programming and events tied to these core principles:
1. confidence 2. conviction 3. dedication 4. respect 5. giving 6. spirituality The festival will run until July 15. The citywide Ali appreciation gala will also include two girls’ basketball tournament events—the Run 4 Roses Basketball Classic and Battle in the Boro—at the Kentucky Exposition Center. More than 15,000 female athletes, along with their families, are expected to attend.
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THE MOCKINGJAY AT HOME The Frazier History Museum is holding a summerlong Hunger Games Exhibition, recreating the world of Panem with “more than one-thousand authentic costumes and props, high-tech and hands-on interactives and detailed set recreations.” Highlights include iconic costumes from the films, such as the Girl on Fire dress, the Mockingjay dress and the Mockingjay armor; key artifacts including the Mockingjay pin, Cinna’s sketchbook and Katniss’ bow; and interactives, including an exploratory map of Panem, a gamemaker’s control table, and a stunt choreography interactive. The exhibition runs until September 10. Tickets are $27.50 for adults, $26 for children 4-11, $26 for seniors, $26 for military, $16 for Frazier members. The price includes access to all museum exhibits. The Frazier History Museum is at 829 W. Main Street.
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Photo courtesy of Louisville Mega Cavern
Mega Cavern is the biggest attraction in Louisville that Louisville doesn’t seem to know enough about. It was ranked the Number One Attraction in Louisville by Trip Advisor, but its attendance is dominated by out-of-town tourists. Perhaps people think it’s a big cave with stalagmites and cool rock formations. And it is. But it’s so much more. It’s also an underground funhouse.
CAVERN HOPPING
Mega Cavern has seventeen miles of underground passageways, available for a two-and-a-half hour adventure and education tour, whether you walk or zip. “Where else can you zipline underground in the middle of the city?” asks Charles Park, president of Louisville Megacavern. There are six zip lines and two challenge bridges. The zip line is the world’s only fully underground course – as much as 165 feet underground, below the city’s highways, roadways and even at one point under the Louisville Zoo.
Altogether, there are 238,000 square feet of trails and ramps. Staycations But there’s more. It’s the world’s largest indoor bike park, the only underground bike park in the world. More than 320,000 square feet over 45 trails – jump lines, pump tracks, dual slalom, BMX, cross-country and single track. “If you’re a family that loves to go mountain biking, you can spend the entire day at our bike course,” says Park. “It’s a two-to two-and-ahalf-hour challenge course.” And still there’s more.
99
Days Of Summer
There is an interactive calendar on the Kentucky Department of Tourism web site (kentuckytourism.com/99 days/) that offers an activity a day through June, July and August. (e.g. – June 14: National Bourbon Day; July 4: Independence Day, fireworks around the state – but you probably knew that; July 21: Rosine Bar Jamboree – visit Bill Monroe’s hometown; music, dancing, barbecue; August 9: National Quilt Museum in Paducah). And so much more – 95 days more!
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An electric bike tour – an electric-powered bike with brakes and minimal pedaling – for an hour-and-a-half guided behind-the-scenes tour of the cavern. It’s the only attraction in which customers get to view all areas of the cavern and experience a moment of total darkness. And still more. There’s also a more sedentary tram tour that traverses the floor of the cavern and discusses its history. (In 1963, during the Cuban missile crisis, it was ready to be the city’s bomb shelter… just in case!) It also discusses the cavern’s geology, mining, recycling and green-building technology, as well as the “storm dog” and the “pigeon-eating hawk.” And in the summertime, the cavern is a cool 60 degrees at all times, and never closes because of a little summer rainstorm. There are age and height requirements for some of the attractions. Best bet is to visit the web site louisvillemegacavern.com. The cavern is at 1841 Taylor Ave., 40213, not far from the Poplar Level Road exit on the Watterson Expressway. There are group rates available and reservations are advised. Call 877-614-6342.
NOW OPEN 829 W. MAIN STREET louisville, Kentucky ®, TM & © 2017 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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We Also Have Bourbon Kentucky is justly proud of its bourbon, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is an excellent way to get out into the countryside, learn about bourbon distilling and sample some product. As America’s only native spirit, bourbon is is an $8.5 billion signature industry in Kentucky alone, where 95 percent of the world’s supply is crafted. In 2016, Kentucky distilleries filled 1,886,821 barrels of bourbon, the most in a year since 1967. There are now 1.5 barrels for every person living in Kentucky. The Kentucky Bourbon Association hosts an informal Bourbon Trail tour of distilleries, with a passport and map directing you to the 10 major brands, from the Frankfort-Versailles corridor in the east to Makers Mark in Loretto, in the south, and back up I-65 to Louisville. In 2014, a Craft Tour was established, adding 13 smaller distilleries. Adam Johnson, director of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experiences, estimates that in 2016 there were almost 400,000 passports requested and one million distillery visits. The longest distance between any two of the major distilleries is 81 miles, between the Town Branch distillery in Lexington and the Bulleit Experience in Louisville. The addition of five Louisville distillery locations – The Evan Williams Bourbon Ex-
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perience, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience, Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse, Angel’s Envy and Copper & Kings Brandy Distillery – has made it more convenient for Louisvillians who want to stay in town. But a summertime trip to the countryside is never a bad option. Get your passport stamped at every distillery, and the Kentucky Bourbon Association will send you a T-shirt. And don’t forget that urban bourbon trail: It’s more than a tour. It’s an assignment. If you choose to accept, you’ll receive a passport with the names and locations of 35 participating bars and restaurants. The task, then is to visit them and have your passport stamped.
There are now 1.5 barrels for every person living in Kentucky.
Get your passport stamped six times, and you’ll receive an Urban Bourbon Trailblazer t-shirt and an official Citizen of Bourbon Country certificate. Get 35 stamps, and you’ll be guaranteed an experience of wonderful food and drink. We don’t recommend getting all 35 stamps on the same night.
you can start at any of the participating joints, getting your passport and your first stamp.
You can start by picking up the printed passport at the Visitors Center on Fourth and Jefferson. You can also download an electronic passport using the iPhone or Android app. Or
You don’t have to purchase bourbon to get a stamp. But why in the world would you not??
The app includes a list of participants and a map. Or you can download the list and the map at bourboncountry.com/things-to-do/urban-bourbon-trail.
KENTUCKYWINE.COM
BUT, WAIT, THERE’S
GET OUT AND CELEBRATE THE REDS, WHITES AND BLUEGRASS. There’s no better pairing than a day trip through the bluegrass and a tour of a genuine Kentucky
Less well-known than Kentucky bourbon is that Kentucky had the country’s first winery – appropriately called First Winery –founded – in 1797 in Jessamyn County. A new winery is operating on the same site, also called First Winery. Tyler Madison, grape wine and spirits programs manager of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, says that visible at the bottom of the terraced slopes are some of the ruins on the old winery. There are now 64 commercial wineries in Kentucky, covering 228 grape-bearing acres, that produced 89,000 cases of wine worth $12.8 million in sales last year. Retail and restaurant sales were nearly $3 million.
winery. That’s right, Kentucky has more than 70 local wineries, each providing samplings of delightfully surprising Kentucky wines, and of course, the beautiful scenery of Kentucky’s backroads. Start your Kentucky Wine trip with a look at KentuckyWine.com, or by downloading Drink Ky, the Kentucky Wine Trails app.
The largest winery in Kentucky is the Purple Toad Winery in Paducah, which produces 35-40,000 gallons of wine per year. Second-largest is the Old 502 Winery in downtown Louisville, described by Madison as “a unique business model – the only urban winery and, in fact, a ‘virtual winery.’ “ It owns no vineyards, buys its grapes from all over the state and elsewhere, and produces the wine in a warehouse full of huge tanks right in the middle of town (116 S. Tenth St.). These and the other wineries are on the Kentucky Wine Trail, to be found on the app Drink KY. Download the passport and get it stamped at seven wineries, and the state will send you a t-shirt; 14 stamps will earn a set of leather-embossed Kentucky wine coasters; at 21 stamps, you’ll receive a “corkcicle” – an icicle-shaped bottle-stopper with a cork that will keep your open wine bottle cold. The Grape and Wine Council has also partnered with the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, representing 32 craft beer breweries in the state – 25 of them on the Craft Beer Trail, 11 of those in Louisville.
Available for iPhone and Android devices.
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Up the road in Lexington…
We Have Horses. Don’t We? What would any discussion of Kentucky activities be without talking about horses? And this is a special summer. It’s the 100th birthday of Man O’ War, the great thoroughbred of the 1919-1920 racing seasons who did not win the 1920 Kentucky Derby because his owner felt a 10-furlong run was too long for a three-year-old. The Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, will celebrate Man O’ War’s legacy this summer and offer its full array of award-winning activities. The 18-minute video, “The Greatest Race,” is a hoof-pounding, 360-degree, high-resolution experience that is updated after every Kentucky Derby. In 2015, the Museum spent $3 million to update the video’s technology, that year featuring footage of American Pharoah, the first Triple Crown winner in the Museum’s history. The Always Dreaming footage will be unveiled in early June. General admission is $15/adults; $8, 5-14; free, under 5. That includes the video, which is shown nine times a day at 10 past the hour. The Museum hosts 220,000 visitors a year. A globe at the entrance records the home city and country of every visitor. Currently, 69 countries are represented on the globe with little red dots plus, says marketing and communications director Brittney Gorter, “a bizillion dots just in the U.S.” Gorter insists the “bizillion” reference is a rough guess. In August, there will be a Man O War tour, featuring a temporary exhibit loaned by collector Ken Grayson. It will also include lunch at Derby Café and an afternoon visit to Mt. Brilliant Farm, just outside of Lexington, where Man O War’s barn was. The cost for that will be $99/person.
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Man O’ War is buried in the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year. While it’s not actually in Louisville, it’s located an easy hour drive away up 64-- making it prime staycation material. (You can hit end the day back home with a riverfront dinner or walk on whiskey row.) Admission for all the park’s attractions is $20/adult, $9/children 6-12. There’s also a fee schedule for using the park’s 260-site campgrounds, depending on whether you want a “primitive” site, a paved side or a primitive site with electricity. There are also separate charges for weekdays and weekends. Daily attractions include a Parade of Breeds and the Hall of Champions. Also the International Museum of the Horse, which traces over 50 million years of equine history. The barns house around 24 different breeds of horses. During the summer, there are about 120 horses on the property. Three of the most popular, presented daily, are Da Hoss, Breeders Cup champion in 1996 and 1998; Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby winner; and Go for Gin, the 1994 Derby champion who is, at 26, the oldest living Derby champion in North America. This summer, the park will have several events featuring Man O’ War, including a movie night on June 24, showing something like “Seabiscuit” or “Secretariat” (the exact movie has not yet been chosen); an ongoing Man O’ War exhibit in the International Museum of the Horse; and, in late summer, a presentation by veterinarian Ed Bowen and sportscaster Ersel Ellis, both of whom saw Man O’War up close when they were boys. A list of the summer’s events is online at kyhorsepark. com/events-all.
TAKE A TOUR OF HISTORY OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK TO EXPERIENCE:
Photo by James Shambhu
Culture Club Since 2014, the Fund for the Arts has run a summer program called the Cultural Pass, an opportunity for local students up to age 21 “to use the city as a classroom,” says Eric Gurevitch, director of communications and engagement. This year, Churchill Downs Inc. donated a sizeable undisclosed sum-- said to be the corporation’s largest single philanthropic gift in history – to widen the program and enhance the pass. In 2016, there were 29 participating venues. This year, there are 38.
Two floors of family-friendly interactive exhibits • 30-minute daily tours of Churchill Downs® Racetrack • “The Greatest Race,” an 18-minute, 360° media experience that will make your heart race and emotions soar • Our Resident Thoroughbred and Miniature Horse • Gift Shop • Kentucky fare in the Derby Café with exquisite catering by The Silver Spoon II • And much more! GATE 1 OF CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK 704 CENTRAL AVENUE LOUISVILLE, KY 40208 (502) 637-1111
PLAN YOUR EXPERIENCE AT DERBYMUSEUM.ORG
The pass allows users, plus one family member, free access to a variety of local cultural venues – including Actors Theatre, American Printing House for the Blind, Bernheim Forest, Carnegie Center for Art & History, Filson Historical Society, Frazier History Museum, Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Looking for Lilith Theatre Company, Louisville Ballet School, Louisville Civic Opera, Portland Museum, Muhammad Ali Center, Speed Art Museum, the library, the zoo, the Kentucky Science Center, Louisville Nature Center, Waterworks Museum, Youth Choir, Yew Dell Botanical Garden (and that’s just a partial list). There’s even a scavenger hunt at the 21c Museum Hotel. It’s also tied to the Louisville Free Public Library’s summer reading program. Passports can be picked up at any of the city’s 18 public libraries or 17 metro community centers. Or apply at fundforthearts.org/2017culturalpass/. Passports are valid from June 3 through August 12. Gurevitch says 150,000 passports have been distributed since 2014. In 2016, 40,000 passports were distributed and more than 20,000 visits were logged. This year, too, Fund for the Arts has launched a free Louisville Arts app – a digital central arts calendar – making it easy for anyone to experience all the city has to offer.
Secretariat, 1973 Record Setting Kentucky Derby Winner Photo Credit: Churchill Downs® Racetrack
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24.2 million people visit Louisville every year. 750,000 residents call Louisville home.
The second-largest collection of cast-iron facades is on Louisville’s historic West Main Street. (Only New York’s SoHo district has more.)
More than 1,000 locally owned restaurants call Louisville home.
Almost all of the nation’s
disco balls are made in Louisville.
1.8 million
wooden Louisville Slugger Bats are produced at the bat factory every year.
The Forecastle Festival, July 14-16, on the Waterfront, is one of the nation’s most popular music gatherings. In 2012, it was selected as one of Rolling Stone’s “Coolest Festivals.” Its annual attendance is more than 75,000, from 49 states, 2,192 cities and seven countries. The official 2017 app is available for download at forecastlefest.com. 84 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Mega Cavern has 17 miles of underground passageways, available for a 2½-hour adventure and education tour, whether you walk or zip. There are six zip lines and two challenge bridges. The zip line is the world’s only fully underground course. Mega Cavern was ranked the Number One attraction in Louisville by Trip Advisor.
Belle of Louisville is
103
MEET THE MAKER
At The Mellwood Art Center Shops
years old,
the oldest operating Mississippi River-style steamboat in the world.
The Louisville Zoo currently exhibits
more than 1,500 animals on 134 acres of natural settings.
The Louisville Bats, the Cincinnati Reds’ toprated affiliate in the American Association, will play 45 home games in June, July and August, in Slugger Field – including a July 4 contest against the Toledo Mud Hens at 6:45 p.m., complete with fireworks. Slugger Field, at Main and Preston, seats 13,131 fans. Meet all of our local artisans and find everything from handcrafted pottery and paintings to handmade wearables like jewelry and shoes. It’s Louisville’s homegrown art festival happening every day at Mellwood!! The 18 branches of the Louisville Free Public Library have a summer-long program of events and activities – book clubs, discussion groups, storytimes, movies, classes, kids’ and teens’ programs, author presentations and other speakers. Even an Entrepreneur Fair on June 17 at the main library auditorium (301 York Street). Pick up a program at your local branch or go to lfpl.org. courtesy of the Department of Tourism
Booth space deadline for the Fall Mellwood Art Fair is July 1st. Call 895-3650. TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 85
Zac Posen dress, $590, and Matthew Campbell Laurenza earrings at Rodeo Drive. Christian Dior shoes.
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the LAWRENCE FACTOR Behind once-in-a-lifetime talent Jennifer Lawrence stands a singular, tough-as-nails mother and family who nurtured a gift that none of them went asking for. The Lawrences didn’t catch lightning in a bottle. They cultivated the perfect storm at a summer camp.
K
aren Lawrence jumped the fence. Not figuratively, but literally. In Christian Dior heels and a Zac Posen cocktail
dress.
The rest of the photo crew who were following her around the family’s Camp Hi Ho—all younger and dressed in far more practical footwear– assessed the situation and walked sheepishly to the gate. Like another female Lawrence we all know, Karen Lawrence is fierce. This standout moment occurred during the fashion shoot that Karen, mother of Jennifer and founder of Camp Hi Ho, agreed to do in order to promote The Hunger Games Exhibition and The Jennifer Lawrence Foundation Gala, both at the Frazier History Museum this summer.
And it might provide insight into the formidable character of a woman who has found herself in a position that few mothers have found themselves in before: mother of a global phenomenon. It only takes a few minutes in a room or space (she prefers to be outdoors) with Karen to realize, first, that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree and, secondly, that if anyone could navigate this bizarre pressure-cooker-slash-fishbowl of an existence for the entire Lawrence family, she can. But when we discuss it days later in the family’s comfortable and serene marble-clad kitchen, she is upfront about the cost of unexpected fame. “I think what people don’t understand is that no one planned for this
By Christine Fellingham | Photos by Antonio Pantoja Photo Assistants: Lee Shockney, Taylor Christine, Lisa Dean
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Alice + Olivia jacket, $298, and Autumn Cashmere skirt, $232, at Rodeo Drive. Christian Dior shoes and tote.
to happen,” she says. “Had I known the future, I would have really dug my heels in. Because I dug my heels in anyway. I don’t necessarily want my little girl to be in Hollywood. It wasn’t my master plan for her.” The story of how it all began is becoming local– if not global– legend. After one modeling session revealed poise and ability beyond her years, a confident and determined fourteen-year-old Jennifer begged her parents to take her to New York City for a few meetings. Resistance was met with gentle pressure from local Heyman Talent agent Chris Kaufman and a full court press from Jennifer. Eventually, when Jennifer asked for nothing but a New York trip for Christmas, the Lawrences succumbed and turned it into a spring break trip for the family. “We thought, ‘What are the chances?’ I mean, literally, what are the chances of this happening,” asks Karen. “My goal was to support her and allow her to feel supported by her parents and family… so she could say she tried.”
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“Had I known the future, I would have really dug my heels in ... I don’t necessarily want my little girl to be in Hollywood.”
That trip, which began with two appointments—with NEXT and with top children talent’s agency CESD–quickly snowballed into a series of meetings that set the tone for what would soon be the family’s new normal. “I was reading a magazine and they came in the waiting room and took her back,” Karen says about a meeting they had landed with Wilhelmina, a modeling and talent agency. “One person came to get her and four came back to get me. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, what did she say?’ Because at school, you know, I’d come in and they’d say, ‘This is what she is doing.’ She was never bad. She was just outrageous. And nobody really knew what to do with her. So, my first thought was, ‘Oh dear.’ And they said, ‘You’re going to need to come sit down. And, again, I’m thinking, ‘What did she do?’ And these were the exact words… She’s sitting there. I’m sitting there. And they say, ‘We have never seen this kind of talent out of a fourteen-year-old ever. Ever. Ever.’” “And I’m in New York and I’m going, ‘Right. What do you want from me? What do you want from her?’” What Wilhelmina wanted was Jennifer. They wanted the family to move to New York. They wanted to launch a new talent they saw destined for meteoric success. And they wanted the Lawrences to amiably go along for the ride. Except that they weren’t ready. “So, we get in the elevator and our friend, Donna, is waiting downstairs and we get down there and she asks, ‘So, how did it go?’ Well, we’re fighting. Jen’s crying because I told her, ‘Jen, they are lying. Do you really think that you’re the most talented fourteen-year-old they have ever seen? Come on. This is ridiculous. And she’s crying, ‘You said, Mom.’ And… honestly, I’m in shock. I’ve just been told I have the most talented fourteen-year-old anybody has ever seen. This is New York City so I’m thinking of course they must be lying, because do you know how many talented kids have come through here? And, now they want me to move here? This is a lot for me to process in nine floors.” During the same trip (Karen confesses that the exact chronology gets a little muddled as it would after years of juggling sudden stratospheric fame, family and a family business), Jennifer’s meeting at NEXT was met with the quintessential New York compliment–screams of disbelief (“Shut up! Are you kidding me!”) and she was photographed on the street by talent scout Daniel Peddle who offered to cast her in an H&M shoot—an offer which Karen would have accepted but Jennifer rejected because she wanted to act, not model. (“I was okay with that because it gave us something to do while we were there,” says Karen. “I wanted my daughter to be productive.” Peddle is the one who actually connected them with Wilhelmina.) All the while, Karen was fending off frantic calls from IMG, Next, CESD and practically anyone else who had laid eyes on Jen. It all still seemed like an experience she could write off as That Spring Break Trip Where We Gave Jen a Shot… until they got back to their hotel and found that CESD had messengered over a script for an audition. “They weren’t going to take no for an answer,” says Karen.
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Alice + Olivia jacket, $298, and Autumn Cashmere skirt, $232, at Rodeo Drive. Christian Dior shoes and tote.
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So, the new plan became that they would let her “try it” for a summer. And in a family experience that could easily be written into any sitcom plot, Karen and Gary Lawrence and sons took Manhattan. Only they had never done this before. They thought they had secured a sublet from a New York University student only to discover her naked roommate showering in the kitchen when they opened the front door. (Yes, there was a shower in the kitchen. It’s New York.) They marched downstairs and started calling hotels but it was Memorial Day, so there were none. A kind tenant and Google executive took pity on them and got them into an employee room at the Marriott, where they stayed until they found a new place. At some point, another failed apartment sublet resulted in a madcap drive for Gary in the back of a strange couple’s car, “I rode around New York City in the back seat of a total stranger,” Gary says as he passes through the kitchen in search of a blender. “We were in Chinatown and I think we went to a bank and I had to sign something. I just remember being scared to death.” Eventually, they found a one-bedroom place with a futon in the living room in a safe neighborhood where they would settle Jennifer and Blaine who was going to take the first week with her in the city. “I had to run Camp Hi Ho, so the plan was for each of us (her parents and college-aged brothers) to take two weeks. Blaine would go first, then Ben, then Gary, then me,” says Karen.
“She’s sitting there. And I’m sitting there. And they say, ‘We have never seen this kind of talent out of a fourteen-yearold girl ever. Ever.”
The new place still had its share of urban drawbacks. “Jen called one night and said, ‘Mom, there’s a rat who poked his head out of the stove who’s the size of Shadow (the family cat),” says Karen. “I say this because you know how we live and this is how badly that child wanted to do what she was doing. She didn’t care. I mean, we were so grossed out. The fact is that she would have lived on the streets to get this opportunity. That is how strong her desire was.” While Karen was up there for her week, Jen booked something. “And I’m going, shoot, she’s going to have to go to school up here,” says Karen. While the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Performing Arts with its waiting list of children of connected New Yorkers asked her to attend, she enrolled in the Children’s Professional School for that Fall because of their flexibility. At this point, Karen hatched an ingenious plan to improve their living circumstances. “I had determined that it would cost four to five thousand a month to get a place we could live in and I couldn’t spend that,” she says. So, she secured a pristine furnished apartment on 58th and Central Park South and then went about looking for a roommate by screening the potential renters that the landlord would send in to their month-tomonth place. “I’d say, you’re willing to pay three thousand for this apartment, how would you like a couple of
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“We were going to sit down with her agents and say, ‘Look, this is too much. Our kids are in Louisville. Our life is in Louisville and we didn’t sign up for this.”
Trina Turk shirt, $188, at Rodeo Drive.
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roommates in a much nicer place?” That resulted in a roommate arrangement with a Michigan lawyer and family man that lasted for years. The New York/Louisville existence was taking a toll on the family though. Karen was living with Jennifer during Hi Ho off season and everyone was flying back and forth. At some point, Gary flew up and the thinking was that the Lawrence parents were going to do an intervention. “We were going to sit down with her agents and say, ‘Look, this is too much. Our kids are in Louisville, our life is in Louisville and we didn’t sign up for this,” says Karen. “Gary just said, ‘This is ridiculous. At a certain point, we are the parents and they have to stop telling us what to do.’”
Tailored Sportsman pants, $199, and Ariat boots, $298, at Hitching Post Tack Shop.
That was their plan and they were a united front. And then, fate intervened instead. The Lawrences paid for a lesson with fabled acting coach Flo Greenberg who called them after her first session with Jen and said, “Please don’t send your child for lessons with me. I’ll just ruin her. I can’t teach what she knows. If she has an audition, I’ll tweak it, but, please, no lessons for her.” And then, Jen got an audition. So, the Lawrences booked a session with Greenberg and, that evening, they’re getting coffee and still discussing their planned intervention when they get a call from Jen. “We’re having a cup of coffee and twenty minutes later, the phone rings and it’s Jen and she says, ‘Flo says to bring her a cup of coffee’” Karen says. “We’re paying for an hour, so I’m thinking that we’re getting
ripped off. So, we go back with three cups of coffee and Jen is in the bedroom and Flo says, ‘You two, sit down.’ She is this beautiful woman with coifed white hair. Her penthouse apartment overlooks Tavern on the Green which is all lit up with those little white lights and she has a white baby grand piano with pictures of her students who include Richard Gere and Kirsten Dunst. And here we are with this beautiful woman in these beautiful surroundings and it was what we needed and I think she knew it. And she looked at us and said, ‘Your daughter has a God-given talent that should not be kept from the world.’ Those were her exact words. She looked us in the eye. And we looked at each other.... And there was a certain peace because we decided that we could do this together.”
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“There’s a mistake I actually see far too many people make. And it’s not believing there is a way to do it all. Hey, I worked. I never didn’t work. I just didn’t play very much.” That moment of magic is the one that Karen credits with instilling in her the strength to follow her parenting mantra, “Raise up your child in the way they should go.” So, they did. Rental homes in Los Angeles, television and movie roles came quickly over the next few years. And then there were Oscars and a Dior contract and selling Gary’s contracting business and selling Camp Hi Ho to middle son, Blaine. And there was the formation of the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation to support causes often involving children. Through this amazing ride, the Lawrence family has continued to persevere and even thrive as a unit. Oldest son, Ben’s wife, Meredith, is the Executive Director of The Jennifer Lawrence Foundation and, with Karen, reads all of Jen’s fan mail. Blaine has taken over the camp. Gary frequently puts his contractor skills to work on the property and grows his own blackberries at the camp garden. The family embodies the spirit of Hi Ho – a place where kids play in mud and follow their own path and are encouraged but not hovered over by staffers. “We didn’t grow up going to some prestigious camp,” says Blaine. “We grew up fishing and swimming and riding horses and jumping into the water. Some things about Hi Ho have changed. We have a new location and we’re bigger and more organized but the constant has been kids having fun. It was never about making money. It was always about doing what you loved.” Like Karen, Blaine rarely sits still. During our shoot, he was zipping around the camp on tractors and various farm vehicles, catering to a visiting school’s needs while being constantly at our beck and call. It’s a work ethic he comes by naturally. When asked for her thoughts on parenting, Karen has this to say, “There’s a mistake I actually see far too many people make. And it’s not believing that there is a way to do it all. Hey, I worked. I never didn’t work. And I went to every baseball game. I just didn’t play very much. I knew my play time would come. My time to get my nails done and go to lunch with friends would come. But while they were little, I thought, right now, this crazy juggling act is what I want to do because I want to give it everything I have. And if you’re there for your children and you’re there for their games and there when they need you and you make them the priority, you’re not going to have to raise them for the rest of their lives. You’ve done your job.”
Hair by Karen Stout for Josephs’s Salon & Spa. Makeup by Sloan Winters for Circe Beauty Bar. Fashion Assistant: Alex Coburn
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français très bien manger The philosphy of cooking at 211 Clover Lane is one of simple elegance, and their seasonal menu will conjure up the essence of both French and Italian techniques. The dinner menu is always well balanced, offering selections for meat-lovers, vegetarians, and the health-conscious alike. Located at the Colony Center in St. Matthews, 211 evokes an atmosphere of the French countryside. The restaurant’s interior is decorated simply with fine French and American antiques, and the soft music and gentle lighting create the perfect atmosphere in which to enjoy wonderful food and company in al fresco dining.
211 Clover Lane Louisville, Kentucky 502.896.9570 211clover.com
CUISINE
Dining: Mesa Inside Scoop: Dallas McGarity Recipe: Lamb Shanks with Polenta TOP 5 DINING: Perfect Patios
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cuisine
Chef’s Surprise A gutsy new restaurant concept puts cooking and a lineup of charismatic local chefs on center stage instead of behind kitchen walls. Nancy Miller finds out what’s on the menu at MESA. Photos by David Harrison
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obby and Ysha Bass aren’t chefs but they are cooking up a hot creation. A collaboration between the Basses and some of the area’s top chefs, MESA will spin dining, cooking demonstrations and retail in way they’re betting foodies will eat up. MESA (Spanish for “table”), located at 216 Pearl Street in New Albany, is intended to bridge the gap Bobby sees between kitchen and table. “Because chefs are usually so busy in their kitchens, they don’t have an opportunity to build a relationship with diners. We want to change that for guests and for chefs. At MESA, consumers will interact with chefs and the chefs will have a platform to engage with people, to see the look on their faces as they eat, to establish a bond and, ultimately, bring those people back to their restaurants,” he says.
The Basses, who own the Bass Real Estate Group and live in Southern Indiana, chose New Albany as the location for MESA because of the city’s revitalization, history and character.
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Chefs are usually so busy in their kitchens that they don’t have an opportunity to build a relationship with diners. We want to change that.
MESA is partially modeled after the concept of a “chef’s table,” at which guests sit in or near the kitchen so that they have an intimate experience with the staff and preparation of the food. Chef’s tables can come with an exclusive haughtiness, but MESA is being designed to be inclusionary and fun.
will be “in-house” chefs Liz Martino of Adrienne and Company and Richard Brittney. Ysha’s father, Rod Juarez, below, is MESA’s general manager.
Up to 20 or 25 guests will sit around a demonstration area that replicates a high-end, comfy residential kitchen. They’ll be able to chat with the chef and become active participants in the culinary performance.
Guests who want to cook like a pro and would like to outfit their kitchen similar to MESA will be able to purchase the same appliances at Bonnycastle Appliance and TV. MESA’s retail pantry will stock olive oils, vinegars, rubs, chocolates, teas, infused salts and sugars, and a plethora of other nonperishable items. The pantry also will be a don’t-miss spot for equipping and dressing up your kitchen with cookware, utensils, novelty items and cookbooks.
Visiting chefs on MESA’s line-up include Josh Moore of Volare, Peng Looi of Asiatique and August Moon, Scott Dickenson of The Exchange Pub + Kitchen, Darnell Ferguson of Super Chefs, Bobby Benjamin of Butchertown Grocery, Dallas McGarity of The Fat Lamb and Patrick Carter of Brooklyn & The Butcher. Joining them as MESA presenters
In addition to hosting breakfasts, brunches, lunches and dinners, MESA will be available for birthday parties, bridal showers and corporate events.
MESA is scheduled to open in late June. For more details, check out mesachefs.com.
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cuisine You’re the chef and owner of The Fat Lamb and are one of the first chefs to be featured at MESA. Yes, I’ll get to cook for and talk and hang out with people who are really into food. That’s cool.
Chefs, locally and nationally, have become celebrities. Some have supersized egos. How do you feel about the celebrity culture of chefs? And, be honest, do you have a mini, medium or giant ego? That culture is a little ridiculous and romanticized. After all, we’re talking about restaurants. Whichever chefs you love, remember they have a team that makes it all happen. Also, the life of a chef isn’t that glamorous. When the dishwasher breaks, you’re fixing it. Ego? I don’t think I have a big one at all. I’m pretty humble and like my team to get the accolades.
You have been very open about your humble beginnings in South Carolina. How have they influenced you? I appreciate everything that has happened to me. I know what it took to get where I am in my career. All the hard work was worth it.
What’s your favorite dish on the menu at The Fat Lamb? Black spaghetti with white wine butter sauce, fresh cherry tomatoes and seared shrimp. But I like every dish we serve. I’m solid with the menu.
Let’s pretend you’ve won a prize to have dinner anywhere in the world. Where would you go?
Photo by David Harrison
The Inside Scoop with...
Dallas McGarity Chef - The Fat Lamb
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Duke’s Barbecue in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is a nostalgic place for me. I went with my uncle and granddad every Saturday. We’d have barbecue and sweet tea and sat at gigantic picnic tables. It’s a good old country place where everyone knows everyone. That’s what the restaurant business is for me. It makes me happy.
The Fat Lamb’s Braised Lamb Shanks with Creamy Polenta This flavorful dish will wow any audience, including the one in your own kitchen Photo by Ryan Noltemeyer
− 6 14 to 16-ounce lamb shanks − 2 medium carrots, cut into large chunks − 1 onion, cut into large chunks
POLENTA:
− 2 celery stalks, cut into large chunks
− 2 cups heavy cream
− 4 cups tomato sauce
− 6 cups milk
− 4 cups beef stock 4 whole fresh bay leaves
− 2 cups polenta
− Olive oil for searing
− Salt and pepper to taste
− 1 cup grated Parmesan
− Salt and black pepper to taste Preheat the oven to 350˚. Bring a large pan to extremely high heat. Add the olive oil. Sear the shanks until they’re crispy on the outside. Mix together the beef stock and tomato sauce. Place the carrots, celery, onions and bay leaves in a large braising pan. Add the shanks to the pan so that they have a little room in between. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the tomato sauce and beef stock to reach about halfway up the shanks. Cover and braise in the oven for about three hours, checking every hour until the shanks are tender and done.
In a large pot, warm the liquids. Just before they reach a simmer, stir in the polenta, using a whisk. Gently season with salt and pepper. Continuously stir the polenta until it starts to become thick. Once the polenta is thick enough to serve, turn off the heat. Whisk in the Parmesan. Adjust seasoning.
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cuisine
TOP 5
Perfect Patios
ROC
THE SEA HAG
Nancy Miller’s expert insights on a few favorite spots for al fresco dining
RIVER HOUSE
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River House • 3015 River Road • 502.897.5000 riverhouselouisville.com
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ining al fresco at River House is a treat and a feast. The patio that overlooks the river is ideal for enjoying a seafood extravaganza that’s punctuated by Chef John Varanese’s love of the best of the South cuisine. Snack on the peel and eat shrimp as you peruse the menu. If you can’t decide on the oysters, crab or shrimp on the raw bar, give into the lure of the River Tower that has those as well as mussels and lobster. Appetizers and entrées pay homage to both the sea and the farm, running the gamut from blackened tuna and sautéed mussels in chipotle lime broth to braised beef short rib and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. Fried green tomatoes and southern fried quail eggs are a couple of tastes of the South that have found a deserved home along the river. Mellowing out on River House’s patio and letting Varanese pamper your palate is one of the best recipes for enjoying summer in the city.
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ROC • 1327 Bardstown Road • 502.459.7878 rocrestaurant.com
anhattan restaurateur Rocco Cadolini has been a frequent visitor to Louisville. We’re glad he liked to partake of our mix of Midwestern friendliness and Southern charm so much that he opened an Italian restaurant similar to one he owned in Tribeca right here on Bardstown Road. ROC is receiving kudos for traditional dishes such as grilled octopus, fried calamari, linguine with clam sauce, fettucine Bolognese and veal scaloppine. And diners are swooning over jazzed selections of salmon carpaccio, black squid ink taglierini with lobster, and ravioli with walnut sauce. ROC is ushering in summer with the fresh seasonality of buffalo mozzarella and fresh tomatoes, Scottish salmon with asparagus and branzino with vegetables. Three panini are served with ROC truffle fries. Go ahead, enjoy the fries. Worry about swimsuit svelte tomorrow. No one would blame you if you wanted to stay seated on the bright red chairs at wooden tables under the outdoor rustic trellis. But, don’t neglect taking a peek inside where the décor is tastefully understated.
The Sea Hag at The Village Anchor 11507 Park Road • 502.708.1850 • villageanchor.com
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ain or shine, The Sea Hag is a joint that’s always jumping. The covered patio, which can be enclosed in the unlikely event of a torrential downpour blowing sideways, is a meet-and-greet spot for some swell cocktails and a menu that’s a little bit Southern and a heap of unfancy goodness. You don’t have to start with the Mom’s Hot Banana Pudding Meringue but the kitchen rolls out only 25 a night, so if you’re the twenty-sixth to order, you’ll kick yourself when you watch it being devoured at the next table. Chef Henry Wesley is a likeable guy you’ll love when you taste his blackened fish tacos, goat cheese gâteau, shrimp and grits, and ricotta- and corn-stuffed ravioli with mushrooms and pesto. He, and you, have owner Kevin Grangier’s mother, Myra, to thank for the fried chicken recipe. The Sea Hag’s Mrs. Robinson (peach bitters, Champagne and elderflower liqueur) is one of hot weather’s best-ever cocktails. Celebrate summer and say adieu to the workweek with fresh fruit margaritas served on Friday.
Hungry for more? Check out our dining guide at topslouisville.com!
GARAGE BAR
211 CLOVER LANE
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Rustic Wood Fired European Cuisine
Garage Bar • 700 E. Market Street 502.749.7100 • garagebaronmarket.com
ome people go to Garage Bar for the bourbon and beer, others for the pizza, and others for some of the best people watching in town. Most go for all three. Garage Bar is a unique NuLu outdoor dining spot, having an art installation out front that shows two cars colliding. The clamor of high spirits that can be heard for about a block away tells you know the food and drinks at Garage Bar aren’t a secret that anyone wants to keep to themselves. Chef Richard Sible has teamed up with several farmers and purveyors to create a menu that’s seasonal and locally-focused. Don’t be surprised if one of them is seated nearby, being in-the-know to order the turkey wings or pork meatballs. Sible’s Ham and Cheese Board is a one-stop treasure for three different country hams and three types of cheese. From Garage Bar’s wood-fired pizza oven come the unexpected combinations of bleu cheese, peaches and ham; and a surprise such as bacon meets sweet corn and bourbon pickled chilis. Save room for the Moon Pie custard.
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211 Clover Lane • 211 Clover Lane in the Colony Center • 502.896.9570 • 211clover.com
magining that you’re dining with amiable hosts at their home in the French countryside isn’t that much of a stretch when you’re sitting in the courtyard of 211 Clover Lane, secluded from the hustle and bustle of St. Matthews. Owner Andrew Smith’s casual suavity sets the tone for leisurely dining where regulars gather with convivial familiarity and it doesn’t take long for newcomers to feel as if they have found a lovely home away from home. Chef Allen Heintzman prepares classic French and Italian dishes as well as those to which he adds his own distinctive flair. Spinach salad with lamb bacon, and roasted red peppers stuffed with goat cheese are memorable kick-starters. A selection of fish and seafood entrées include spicy tiger shrimp salad accented with mangos and avocados, poached halibut and grits, and diver scallops over mushroom and navy bean ragout. Trout with roasted potatoes and wilted spinach is a favorite among those who often treat themselves to Heintzman’s repertoire. The kitchen also turns out superb lamb chops over polenta and filet of beef paired with Dauphinoise potatoes.
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2013 Longest Ave Louisville, Ky 40204
Your wardrobe fits, shouldn’t your closet?
“LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THE CLOSET” You should have a fabulous closet—a smartly planned personal space that makes every day easier. Closet Factory is the only Kentucky closet company to offer natural wood closets with custom paint or stain finishes as well as state-of-the-art glazed, textured, metallic or highgloss laminate solutions. Save $250 when you design by July 31, 2017.
Call 502-489-3901 for a free consultation or visit us online at closetfactory.com Showroom: 13010 Eastgate Park Way, Suite 107, Middletown
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LIFE+STYLE
WOW WEdding: Aubrey & Aaron Wedding Trends: Think Pink
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life+style
Wow Wedding
Aubrey &Aaron Childhood friends turned sweethearts
Aubrey Obradovich and Aaron Sullivan staged a perfect outdoor wedding
complete with ideal summer weather at picturesque Hurstbourne Country Club. By Christine Fellingham
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t took three attempts for Aaron Sullivan to persuade Aubrey Obradovich to go out with him. “I was worried that a date would ruin our friendship,” says Aubrey. “Our families had been good friends since we were little kids.” But on July 30, 2010, Aaron asked her out to dinner again and, for some reason, she decided to say yes. “Mind you, this was his third time,” says Aubrey. “On August 2, 2010, everything changed for us, yet everything remained the same… I fell in love with my best friend.” Six years later, the pair were engaged and two families who had always been intertwined in friendship became formally in-lawed. Not surprisingly, the wedding was a great group effort that resulted in the picture-perfect summer wedding. “Our parents and families
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were so incredibly gracious and supportive throughout the entire time,” says Aubrey. “They are the reason we had the perfect day that we did.” Aubrey had always dreamed of getting married outdoors “in the sunshine” and Aaron is an avid golfer, so the setting of Hurstbourne Country Club ticked all of their boxes. Her father served as wedding officiant and they danced their first dance to Bob Marley’s “One Love,” the phrase that the couple engraved inside their wedding bands. The personalized touches continued after the ceremony. “We are huge movie lovers, so we played instrumental soundtrack music from our favorite movies during dinner,” says Aubrey. “Our guests absolutely loved this part. They were shouting out guesses to which movies the
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life+style
Wow Wedding
music was from and because there were no lyrics, people weren’t shouting over the table to hear one another as they made conversation.” The pair both have a sweet tooth, so after dinner, guests were treated to a dessert bar created by Aubrey’s mom, a candy bar and five different cake flavors. From beginning to end, this movie-loving couple couldn’t have scripted a better day. “Honestly, I felt like I was in a fairytale,” says Aubrey. “There truly were moments during the day when I was seeing all the details I had daydreamed about coming together and I would squeal, ‘I feel like I’m in a movie!’”
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FEEL
beautiful O N YO U R WEDDING D AY.
$
99 + + +
Photography Location and food Music Flowers Bridal attire Bridesmaids’ attire Invitations Cake Dessert Bar Chairs Hair Makeup
BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS SPECIALIZING IN WEIGHT LOSS KENTUCKY’S LEADING WEIGHT LOSS PRACTICE SINCE 1999 SAFE, EFFECTIVE, AND AF AFFORDABLE
details
Kylene White of Kylene’s Photography Hurstbourne Country Club with Chef Troy Schuster Mike Arvin Blooms in LaGrange, KY Rebecca’s Bridal Boutique Bridal Warehouse Helane Cooper at Impressions Adrienne and Company Candace Obradovich Chair Flair Linens with Mary Zoller and Southern Classic Rentals with Drew Holnagel Angie Stallings Mathewson Amanda Mertz
NEW TO LOUISVILLE! (502) 450-5566
2108 S. Hurstbourne Parkway (Same plaza as Chuck E. Cheese)
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life+style
Wedding Trends
Think Pink Apparently, local brides were eyeing this soft pastel even before Kate Middleton wore it to sister Pippa’s May wedding. Christine Fellingham shares a few other trends you may spot at summer nuptials.
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here’s nothing more traditional than a summer wedding, but according to Amber Smith, co-owner of I Do bridal boutique in Oldham County, some brides are making decisions that break with tradition and shake things up a little. Below, her observations on the new and interesting style trends you may spot at your next wedding outing.
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BLUSHING BRIDEs
“The requests for blush bridesmaid dresses and blush undertone wedding dresses are through the roof right now,” says Smith. “Designers are adding color to the lace details or even to the body of the dress itself.” Fortunately, most people can find a shade of blush that flatters them.
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2
Smart Separates
“While separates seem to be fading as bridal attire, that look is becoming a bigger trend for bridesmaids and for mothers of the bride and groom.”
3
PRIVATE SHOPPING
“This year we’ve noticed that wedding parties are becoming smaller and more intimate than they have been in the past. In terms of shopping, more brides are trying to avoid too many opinions by coming in with their mother or sometimes even the mother-in-law to be. A few come back for a follow-up appointment after they’ve chosen their dress to show their bridesmaids. Sometimes, they allow each guest to choose a dress they like for her to try before she reveals the one her heart has decided!”
4
Tie-Back Veils
“Depending on the venue and style of wedding, we’ve seen a variety of more informal headpieces. The tie-back headpieces have been really popular at our salon. They’re a less expensive, less formal option that still adds that finishing touch that makes the look complete. For those who definitely want a veil, cathedral veils seems to be the go-to.” Some brides are skipping the veil altogether and wearing flower crowns, brooches or fascinators.
Your Destination for Street-Chic Fashion IN THE HEART OF ST. MATTHEWS 3704 Lexington Rd. Louisville, KY 40207 502.654.7337 • livboutiqueonline.com LIVBOUTIQUEKY@GMAIL.COM
TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 111
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FAMILY
Super dad: Matt Multerer Parties: Backyard Bash Pets: Tara and Puppy Pack take a staycation
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family
SUPERDAD: Matt Multerer This impeccably-dressed Louisville dad juggles his growing e-commerce men’s fashion empire, Finespun, from the home he shares with his wife and two daughters. And he does it all in style. By Christine Fellingham
114 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
W
hen a successful career in New York City began to feel like an obstacle to having the kind of family life he had always imagined, Kentucky native Matt Multerer moved home and pursued his passion by launching Finespun, an e-commerce men’s tailored clothing brand. “I’m a picky shopper who likes quality but not always the resulting price tag,” he says. “I wanted to create a middle ground to show guys that it was possible to have luxury items without the lofty price—and that not all men’s clothes have to be boring.” Here’s what he has to say about the joys and challenges of nurturing a company and seven-year-old twin daughters (Allison, left, and Abigail, right) at the same time.
DOES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHILDREN MAKE THAT DECISION TO GO OUT ON YOUR OWN SCARIER?
HOW HAS OWNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS IMPACTED YOUR FAMILY?
“It did in that I removed a salary from the equation, for the time being, which affects lifestyle. But then I remember I’m trying to build something for the future. My ultimate success would be for my kids to have a thriving company to join when they are adults. Our kids are my biggest cheerleaders. They think it’s cool that dad sells stuff online.”
HOW MUCH OF A ROLE DID YOUR FAMILY PLAY IN YOUR DECIDING TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
“This may be the opposite of many start-up stories, but it has actually made it easier for us to do more together as a family. I’m happy to be able to get them on and off the bus, to rarely miss ball games, and to have the freedom to craft my schedule around their adventures.”
HOW DO YOU BALANCE IT ALL? Communication is the key. Thankfully, my wife and I make a good team. She has been an amazing partner during this adventure.”
“My wife has been completely supportive during this journey. She keeps me grounded and is a great sounding board. She definitely made me feel like this was something we could do together.
HOW DO YOU AVOID BRINGING THE OFFICE HOME WITH YOU WHEN YOU, IN A SENSE, ARE “THE OFFICE?”
“This is one of my biggest challenges, since I run the business from my home. It is very easy to sneak away to return an email or check a social media post while the kids are playing. I’m a night owl, so I do my best to say the time from when they get home from school until they go to bed is family time, then I tick off work items after everyone is asleep. As any working parent knows, it’s a constant battle to stay focused on what is important.”
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER FATHERS OR MOTHERS CONSIDERING STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESSES? “Do as much planning as you can before making the leap. Deal with those big topics like your business plan and financial situation on down to the smaller ones like who will handle a kid home sick from school. It’s all important. Communication and planning prevents stress and will allow you to enjoy the ride.”
WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR GIRLS LEARN FROM WATCHING YOU DO THIS? “That it is okay to take a risk to pursue a dream, and that hard work sets the stage for new opportunities. Also, I want them to pursue the things they love in life, to seek adventure and new experiences.”
— FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FINESPUN Finespun offers made-to-order “statement” jackets, along with an assortment of colorful and interesting ties and cufflinks. Learn more about it at finespunclothing.com
TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 115
family
party girls
Backyard Bash A few smart strategies from resident experts Marcella Kragel and Ina Miller help you upgrade your basic backyard cookout without breaking a sweat.
T
he backyard party is one of the most enjoyable rituals of the summer season. There’s no better way to celebrate the longer days and warm evenings than by inviting friends and neighbors over for the kind of relaxed, free-style entertaining that happens when you host a gathering with no walls.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN! Having the elements of a few simple, unstructured games or activities on hand can help people mix and mingle. Here are some summery possibilities: • Invest in Polaroid Snap and
set up a photo-op area in an especially green spot. You can even create an outdoor photo booth with a table of accessories and a garden bench. • Nostalgia is always popular. Hang a
projector screen, or even just a white sheet, from the side of your garage and rent a projector for an instant drive-through. Or place classic games like horseshoes, badminton, bocci, cornhole around the yard. • Do you have a fire pit? S’mores are a no-brainer and a make your own
s’mores buffet bar with toppings and different chocolate bars can be a big crowd-pleaser for adults and kids. Just make sure you have plenty of napkins.
The good news is that the perfect backyard party isn’t actually perfect. Outdoor events work best when they’re a little more relaxed than their indoor counterparts. However, it’s the planning and prep-work you do beforehand that makes everything look effortless and lets you relax and enjoy yourself once the guests arrive. Here, a short list of favorite backyard party essentials and trusted local resources that will guarantee a good time for all, including you.
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FARM TO BUFFET TABLE We like to shop local whenever possible, and when it comes to planning the a summer party menu, this means shopping seasonal too. Load up on fresh fruit, colorful salads, grilled vegetables and local meats. Keep it simple, and ditch things that are temperature specific. These local farmer’s markets and shops offer fresh produce, farm-raised meats, flowers and baked goods that can go right from the market to your soiree with very little fuss.
by Marcella Kragel and ina miller Party Girls
• Douglas Loop Farmer’s Market (2005 Doug-
Ina Marcella Events is a full service event planning and creative consulting business co-owned by Ina Miller and Marcella Kragel. With shared backgrounds in the arts and non-profit management, and a mutual passion for community engagement, Ina and Marcella have developed a unique approach to event planning aimed at creating inspired one-of-a-kind events for their clients. Ina and Marcella have been friends for twenty years and each is married with three kids.
• Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Market
lass Blvd, Saturdays from 10am-2pm) (3738 Lexington Rd) • Red Hog Artisan Meat (2622 Frankfort Ave) • Foxhollow Farm (8905 Kentucky 329, Crest-
wood, KY 40014) • Kingsley Meat (2701 Taylorsville Rd)
LESS IS MORE DECOR One perk of outdoor parties is that you can let nature do much of the work for you. Here’s how to add touches to what’s already there to amp up the ambiance. • Scatter blankets or quilts around
the yard instead of bringing in too many chairs. • Drape outdoor market lights over
everything. Porch railings, low tree branches and fences are all fair game, and will keep your party going long after the sun goes down. • Who needs fancy centerpieces
when peonies are in season? Cut your own or do what we do: But them at The Blossom Shop (2218 Bardstown Rd). • Scatter potted herbs around for
decorations and let friends take them home. Lavender adds soft color, infuses the air with a lovely aroma and will naturally help repel mosquitos. • Add a touch of luxe with personal-
ized letterpress coasters. Get yours at Hound Dog Press (1000 Barret Ave). • Add splashes of color with fun
napkins, decorative paper and straws. We always check out Paper Source (3727 Lexington Rd) for these festive extras. • Don’t forget music. A wireless
speaker and Spotify is all you need.
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family
Tara’s Animal Kingdom
Tara And Puppy Pack Take A Staycation Summering local lets you enjoy some downtime with your pets. Tara Bassett shares experiences and advice that add up to a perfect day for both of you.
We often walk Frankfort Avenue a couple of times a day, greeting friends and shop-owners alike, many of whom generously put out bowls of water. The Pack usually takes long, restorative naps if I have projects, but afternoons can be spent at Bernheim Forest or the Parklands at Floyd’s Fork, hiking and dipping in the streams. Evenings, you’re likely to find us at one of the animal fundraisers that Louisville supports. Here are a few outings and activities that they enjoy as much as I do.
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Extensive research and trusted recommendations led me to an experienced trainer named Doug Rountree, who came to my home and worked with my three monkeys. Doug is a Master Trainer and Behavioral Therapist for Bark Busters Dog Training. This Australian process is much more than its name implies. Rushing the door, going wild for a squirrel, lunging – all these behaviors and more are addressed within the first visit. Doug Rountree has trained over 2,000 pets since kicking off his Bark Busters franchise in 2006 – and my Brady was one of his first students. It’s a positive reinforcement training method, where you learn to “speak dog.” Basic puppy training is in demand and one flat rate, will provide you with training sessions until your furry little rascal “gets it.”
Doug will warn you that thorough follow-up on the part of the owner is essential to achieve continued success. Ten to fifteen minutes a day of reinforcement training by you produces incredible results. Bark Busters is guaranteed for the life of the dog, provided it stays with you, and Doug will return whenever the dog is not responsive to the simple command, “Bah!” Mike Brockman, DVM, feels strongly that Bark Busters is a success, considering that his long-time patient, Brady Ramon, turned from a “giant misbehaving six-month-old toddler into a calm, obedient companion.” (For more information about Doug Rountree, Master Trainer, Behavioral Therapist, call 1-877-500-BARK.)
Photo by Jolea Brown
A
few days off during the summer are an opportunity to spend quality time with your four-legged kids. On a typical extended weekend, you’ll find me and my puppy pack at the old River Road Country Club early in the day to avoid heat exhaustion-- especially for fetch-crazy Wyatte.
Shopping, dining and walking together ETIQUETTE is always more fun if CLASS your dog has great manners. If your pet’s behavior could use a little fine-tuning, there are plenty of in-town options available that can help little Miss (or Mr.) Chews-a-Lot become a properly socialized family member.
Barkstown Road on the corner of Frankfort and Bonnycastle (2005 Bonnycastle, 502.963.3669) is PET a remarkable boutique dog and cat food store BOUTIQUE located near the new AMP apartment community. I love it and so does my puppy pack. A local entrepreneur opened this second store shortly after the proven success of her original location on Bardstown Road. Owner Kim Boyle is a font of knowledge about animal health, and is always available to match your pets’ needs with her inventory. Personally, I recommend Rudy Green’s Doggy Cuisine, made in a human quality, FDA-certified kitchen. Barkstown Road offers every imaginable “accoutrement” for our furry, four-legged family members. Their offerings include low-fat, grain-free, wheat-free, corn-free, all-natural food; high-quality leashes, collars, harnesses and beds; supplements to improve your animals’ health naturally and all-natural pet hygiene products.
If your baby is a bit more high-maintenance, deluxe mobile groomers might be the perfect lazy-day DOGGIE indulgence. Beth King’s Zoom N Groom exists in a DAY SPA fully equipped mobile office name “VAN-nessa,” and this professional dog groomer will arrive right on your doorstep. The menu of services include nail trims, ear cleaning, bath with high-quality soaps and conditioners, and blow dry and trim. It’s all over in about an hour, and there’s no cage waiting… a sign of extra concern by the groomer. Dr. Ken Whittenburg praises Beth, saying, “We’ve used Zoom N Groom for over ten years…Beth does a great job!” Or if you’d rather do a little beauty bonding with your pet, you can go to any Feeders Supply, where individual tubs are available for $14— and the towels, soap and blow dry are included. (For more information about Beth King, certified groomer, call 502.802.9328.)
Photos by Jolea Brown
Other Pet-Friendly Destinations
Dog Parks run by Louisville Dog Run Association, where your baby can meet and greet others of his kind and learn to play (check Louisvilledogs.com for specific locations)
Crescent Hill Tennis Courts, which are great, contained playgrounds when not in their typical use. Vines and Canines, where you’ll often find an animal fundraiser with food trucks and music.
Doggie Do’s & Don’ts It’s the human’s fault when things don’t go well with dogs out of their home environment. Here are suggestions to create a pleasant dining, walking and windowshopping experience for all:
DO
leash your dog at all times, no matter how much “voice control” you think you have. Wear them out before a walk or a dining out adventure, and bring a bone or Kong to distract them during your peaceful meal.
DON’T DO
allow your dog to greet other dogs or people without express permission, or hamper restaurant workers.
leave an unsocialized dog at home. Taking them out just spells trouble. And take only ONE dog per person for maximum safety.
DON’T DO DON’T DO DON’T DO
let your dog eat off your plate (Ewwwww!)
feed them ahead of time, and make sure they do their business before entering a dining establishment. (Ewwww again!) forget clean-up bags and your own water bowl and water on hot days.
train your dog to be quiet when asked. Barking dogs ruin everyone’s meal. assume your dog will act the same in public as at home. Be prepared for surprise reactions.
call ahead to make sure policies haven’t changed and the restaurant still welcomes dogs.
On Frankfort Avenue in Crescent Hill/Clifton
Dog-Friendly Dining Options
Nancy’s Bagel Grounds
On Bardstown Road in the Highlands Kashmir (where Brady made his restaurant debut on the patio 10 years ago.) Molly Malone’s Nowhere Bar
The Grape Leaf DiFabio’s Casapela Apocalypse Brew Works in Clifton, where friendly craft beer makers and music are inviting (but consider the heat and noise factors of an outdoor venue).
by Tara Bassett
Tara Bassett is host of “Puppy Pack Adventures” podcast and “Take it from Tara,” Monday and Wednesday from 4-6 PM. “Waggin’ Wednesday” airs in the first hour of her show on... well, Wednesday! It’s all on WCHQ 100.9 FM, Crescent Hill radio.
TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 119
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Want to be in a movie, Kentucky?
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arts+entertainment
Want to be in a Movie, Kentucky? Thanks to tax incentives and Stephanie Whonsetler, movie producers are beginning to look at the Commonwealth as the ultimate all-in-one location. As if you needed it: More reasons to appreciate our home state. By Steve Kaufman • Photos by Ryan Noltemeyer
S
tephanie Whonsetler called the other day from jail. She’d been involved in a shooting, in Shelbyville.
What was the Oldham County native going to plead?
She was going to insist that she was only doing her job. And that Kentucky is one of the best locations in the country if you want to shoot a movie. So of course she wasn’t in jail at all. It’s the movies! Nothing is ever as it seems. The California indie veteran, who now splits her time between Los Angeles and Louisville, shot five films in Kentucky in 2016. She is also front person for the Kentucky Film Commission, trying to entice other filmmakers to shoot here. The strength of her argument is a tax incentives program enhanced by the Commonwealth in 2015. It allows a refundable income tax credit of up to 30 percent of approved expenditures; or a 35 percent incentive for Kentucky resident labor. “It’s the best state program in the country,” says Whonsetler. “It pretty much sells itself.” Whonsetler was in Shelbyville that particular day shooting an episode of a TV mini-series called “Smoketown” that is listed on the Internet Movie DataBase (IMDb.com) as due for a 2017 release. Later in the week, she was shooting in the Highlands and in Louisville’s Smoketown neighborhood itself. “Coincidence,” Whonsetler insists. “Unrelated to the series.”
122 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Stephanie Whonsetler
But any neighborhood in Louisville, or in any other Kentucky town, is grist for the mill. “I shot Afghanistan in a rock quarry just outside of the city,” she says. “Israel, too.” She has talked to producers about using Louisville as a stand-in for Chicago, and for New York’s suburban Long Island. She used a farm in LaGrange for a Montana-Wyoming setting. “With green screen and special effects, you can do just about anything anywhere.” She says she has urged towns all over Kentucky to be “camera-ready.” “Producers are always looking for locations to shoot in,” she says, “a hospital or a jail or a school or an office building. It can be difficult, because those facilities are often in full operation. Communities have to figure out how to be able to make facilities available and work with the producers.” And what does Kentucky get in return? It’s not just Hollywood glamour. “The cast and crew come in and stay at hotels, eat in restaurants, buy things in stores. They rent equipment and hire local labor. On off-days, my crew members have gone on the bourbon tour or to Churchill Downs. They spend money here. The return on those tax incentives is considerable, for the state and for the individual communities.” Besides, who doesn’t want to be in a movie?
TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 123
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Dear Dwight and Tony The Kentucky Derby that Almost Wasn’t Derby 143 Recap
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Dear Dwight and Tony
community
Advice From Two Mid-Life Crisis Males THE BAD EGG
OUT OF LUCK ON OAKS
Dear David,
Dear Tony and Dwight,
Dear Tony and Dwight,
Was I too mean to the office intern? I had just turned on my computer in my office when I was overtaken by the most putrid, disgusting odor. I thought it could be a gas leak, so I stepped outside my door to investigate and saw our intern eating hard boiled eggs for breakfast at his desk. The whole reception area was contaminated by the smell. I told him he had to bring in food that didn’t smell so bad or keep his eggs in the kitchen.
My wife and I went to Oaks with a big group of couples and, since I had the connection, I laid out the money for the tickets—so I was out a lot of money. Everyone paid me back immediately except one couple who happened to lose a lot at the track that day.
I am so sorry that you have to be in this awkward situation! What bothers me the most is that I can tell that you are genuinely a NICE person and people like you should NEVER be taken advantage of like that.
Now my wife is telling me I was being mean. Was I too hard on him? Seriously, the office stunk all day and we do have client meetings. Plus, yeah, I personally hate hard boiled eggs.
I had sent an email to everyone telling them the exact amount-- $600 a couple. I’ve sent “reply all” emails to each couple who paid me back, thinking that might remind the couple who hadn’t paid… but STILL nothing and now it’s June. How do I ask good friends for the 600 bucks they owe me without it being awkward?
Todd
David
Dear Todd,
Dear David,
Oh, how I miss torturing interns with a condescending tone or making them shag coffee or lunch. Sadly, that behavior has gone to the wayside with political correctness and the millennial.
Oaks is always fun with friends, so great job planning. Now, onto your cheap friends. First, they know they owe you, so let’s cut through the BS. This isn’t movie tickets or a football game this is Oaks and six hundred bucks.
Sounds like this guy is a hard worker if he’s eating at his desk through lunch. Hopefully, he takes your advice and moves to the break room. Be thankful. It could be tuna or burnt popcorn. TONY Dear Todd, OMG! I work with someone just like you! My cubical mate does the same thing whenever I cook fish at my desk. He constantly complains “It’s 9 in the morning and you’re already cooking fish,” he’ll say, which only makes him look more like an IDIOT, because how in the world could I have my fish cooked by lunch if I didn’t start smoking it by 9 A.M.?
I don’t normally put my nose in the business of others when it comes to financial situations. However, I am also a very nice and trustworthy person and I like to take care of others like us, so I want to help out. If you could send me your credit card number along with your expiration date and address I will credit your account for the FULL amount! Do NOT forget to give me the three-digit number on the back, because that is the number I use to identify each reimbursement case that I handle. DWIGHT
Be an adult and call the guy. Ask him if he needs time or if they want to pay half now and the other half later. If he is a really good friend, bust his chops every time you all get together. Ridicule works every time.
You SERIOUSLY need to lighten up!!! TONY There are other people in the office besides YOU who need to eat. Try to enjoy your uptight day, it’s Have a question for time for me to get my crockpot of cabbage Tony and Dwight? Send it to going at my desk. DWIGHT
Asktony@topslouisville.com.
Catch Tony Vanetti and Dwight Witten on Tony & Dwight. 6-8 p.m. week nights on 840 WHAS .
TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 127
community
The Kentucky Derby That Almost Wasn’t We all saw the moment when Thunder Snow decided he wasn’t setting hoof on a muddy track. Drew Deener shares the backstory on the lightning-fast maneuvers that got him safely out of the way so the 143rd Run for the Roses wouldn’t grind to a halt.
Blasi with Thunder Snow
128 TOPS LOUISVILLE | June 2017
H
ow close was this year’s Kentucky Derby to being stopped before the end of the race and declared a “No Contest”? Probably about 90 seconds and one good outrider. Go back and watch the start of Kentucky Derby 143, and you will see the horse breaking from the second post position, Thunder Snow, start bucking like a bronco just after he leaves the gate. The 3-year old who shipped in from Dubai, appeared to have no intention of running on that muddy track on the most recent first Saturday in May. “That was a horse who raced exclusively on grass in Europe as a 2-year-old, and then trained in the desert in Dubai in the winter. I’m betting this horse has never set foot on a wet racetrack in his life,” said Darren Rogers, Senior Director of Communications for Churchill Downs. So 19 horses are running like a stampede down the Churchill Downs stretch. Meanwhile, there’s one all alone a few jumps after the starting gate, kicking around in the mud. That’s when outrider Greg Blasi went to work. Blasi was stationed just past the starting gate, and when he saw Thunder Snow kicking around in the middle of the track, he did his job to perfection. Blasi made sure the horse was okay, then corralled Thunder Snow with his own pony. But now the clock was really ticking on this tandem. “Blasi has about 90 seconds before the rest of the field comes back around,” Rogers said. “He has to get Thunder Snow off the racetrack. If that horse starts running the wrong way, throws the jockey, or can impede the field in any way, then in all likelihood the Stewards of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission are going to call the Derby a “No-contest. “ That means about 140 million dollars worth of bets would be returned.” Can you imagine the 2017 spot on your Derby Glass next year being blank? That could have been the net result. Instead, Blasi, who has been the lead outrider at Churchill Downs since 2006, got Thunder Snow contained. Now where do you put him? The most logical place is the tunnel to the paddock where the horses enter for the singing of “My Old Ken-
Photo by Coady Photography
tucky Home.” But the tunnel was filled with people. All kinds of people: owners, grooms, and media, who were watching the race. Blasi, with the help of the maintenance staff, removed the rail to the tunnel, cleared the people who were there, and got both horses off the track and out of the way of the herd of the 19 remaining horses in the race that were somewhere along the backstretch at that point.
Can you imagine the 2017 spot on your Derby Glass next year being blank? That could have been the net result.
With Thunder Snow safely contained in the paddock, Blasi headed back toward the track as the field was running down the backstretch to see that the paddock runway gate that had just been moved for him was being put back up. Blasi got people’s attention to let him get back on the track in case something else happened in already adventurous Kentucky Derby for him. “It was fabulous horsemanship from Greg, assistant outrider Lee Lockwood, and the maintenance team, too,” said Rogers. Blasi has declined a couple of interview requests because he apparently doesn’t want to draw attention to himself. I’m told he just views his work that day as having done his job. Nothing more. Nothing Less. So how close did we come to having a blank spot next to the 2017 Derby Winner? Says Rogers, “Well we don’t like to deal with hypothetical situations, and the good news is that we didn’t have to deal with that, thanks to Greg.”
TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 129
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1081 Affair
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The Gramercy | May 3 | brendonsfoundation.org | Photos by Dick Arnspiger
Erica Bachelor and Jean West
Steve Henry and Heather French Henry
Neicey Hayden, Jasmin Hamilton
Winston Bennett and Derrick Ramsey
Von Purdy and Dee Massengale
Joseph Losavio, Jean West, Michael Losavio and Kevin Shurn
Walter Shannon, Brenda Payne, Dr. Robert Biggerstaff
138 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
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Go Red for Women Luncheon
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Louisville Marriott Downtown | May 19 | heart.org | Photos by Dick Arnspiger
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Rita Ellis and Meredith Ellis
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George Cornett and Allison Dudgeon
Pam Alvey, Kim Coles and Sheila Carter
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Mosaic Awards
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Hyatt Regency | May 18 | jfcslouisville.org | Photos by Jolea Brown
Rabbi Joe Rapport, Julie and Jim Ensign
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Armin Zukanovic and Lori Stevens
Emma and Andre Faul, Adam Mynarski and Christine Giovacchino
Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown
140 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Joyce Bridge, Leni Sweet and Cindy Morguelan
Lisa Oeswein, Amanda Abernala and Leslie Martin
Beverly Bromlee and Coco Tran
photos
more photos online! Topslouisville.com
Joe Magliocco and Connie Kam
Dr. John D. Stewart
Bea and Alan Rosenberg
Stewart Collection Gala Frazier History Museum | May 23 | frazier.org | Photos by Anissa Pate
Winnie and Chris Green
Brian West
Bill and Adeline Hoagland
Cathy Burgess and George Burgess
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TOPS calendar what to do in lou
June/July events THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10
The Hunger Games: The Exhibition
Frazier History Museum fraziermuseum.org The Hunger Games: The Exhibition invites visitors to step inside and explore the world of Panem as created in the films. More than one thousand authentic costumes and props, hightech and hands-on interactives, and detailed set recreations reveal the amazing artistry and technology that brought the incredible story to life. Visitors follow Katniss Everdeen's inspirational journey, from her humble beginnings in District 12 to her emergence as the Mockingjay. Highlights include iconic costumes from the films, such as the Girl on Fire dress, the Mockingjay dress and the Mockingjay armor; key artifacts including the Mockingjay pin, Cinna's sketchbook and Katniss's bow; and interactives, including an exploratory map of Panem, a gamemaker's control table, and a stunt choreography interactive. THROUGH AUGUST 13
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater in Central Park Grounded in the works of Shakespeare, we enrich our community by presenting accessible, professional theatre experiences that educate, inspire and entertain people of all ages. THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24
Butterflies n’ Blooms
The Louisville Zoo Louisvillezoo.org JUNE 2
Old Crow Medicine Show
Iroquois Amphitheater louisvilleky.gov
10th Annual Denim & Diamonds
Historic Locust Grove parkinsoncenter.org/tickets-dd-2017
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JUNE 2
Community · Arts · Benefit · family · music
JUNE 4
Westport Village Summer Concert Series: Funkasaurus
Westport Village Westportvillage.com JUNE 3
See, Stop, Sketch!
Speed Art Museum speedmuseum.org/events Guests are invited to sketch in Southern Accent using drawing materials provided at guest relations every Saturday. Materials are free for members and with exhibition admission. Sketching exercises included with the materials draw inspiration from Minnie Jones Evans, Jeff Whetstone, and others featured in the Southern Accent exhibition. No registration required. 12th Annual Outrunning Autism 5k & Fun Walk Presented By Churchill Downs, Inc. Beckley Creek Park Feat5k.com JUNE 3–JULY 8
“Fancy Nancy the Musical” Presented by Derby Dinner Playhouse Derby Dinner Playhouse derbydinner.com
Salsa on the Belle
The Belle of Louisville Belleoflouisville.org
First Sunday Nature Hike
Bernheim Forest bernheim.org Join Bernheim’s Volunteer Naturalists during the first Sunday of each month for an engaging 45-60 minute nature walk. JUNE 5
2017 Uspiritus "Links Of Love" Golf Scramble Presented By Sam Swope Family Foundation
University of Louisville Golf Club Uspiritus.org JUNE 6
Old Forester Speakeasy Series: Bourbon Affair Frazier History Museum Fraziermuseum.org
JUNE 6–10
ROCK CREEK HORSE SHOW
Rock Creek Riding Club rockcreekhorseshow.com JUNE 6-11
JUNE 4
The Prelude
Waterfront Botanical Gardens Waterfrontgardens.org Join Waterfront Botanical Gardens for their annual fundraiser featuring music by the Dick Sisto Quartet, performances by artists from the Louisville Ballet, and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres inspired by our forthcoming Education Gardens, designed by Atria Hospitality. Located on the site of the future Waterfront Botanical Gardens. Garden attire, field-friendly footwear suggested. Golf carts available for transport to the top of the site. Valet Parking.
Kentucky Bourbon Affair
kybourbonaffair.com The Kentucky Bourbon Affair is the ultimate Bourbon fantasy camp and the only event that’s actually hosted by the legendary distilleries themselves. Join us in Louisville – the heartbeat of Bourbon culture and cuisine – for behind-the-scenes access, private barrel selections, rare tastings and exclusive nightcap events with the Master Distillers and Bourbon Barons of Kentucky’s signature industry.
Want to see your event in TOPS? Submit your event online at topslouisville.com
JUNE 7
JUNE 9
Pride Night
YOUTH FESTIVAL: I AM ALI FESTIVAL
Louisville Slugger Field Join with us for an historic event in Louisville as the Louisville City FC hosts PRIDE Night! The Louisville Gay Men's Chorus will open the night with the National Anthem just after 7:00 PM and then the game against the Charlotte Independence will begin at 7:30 p.m. JUNE 8
Bourbon & Bowties, A Taste of Corbett’s
5050 Norton Healthcare Blvd. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres prepared by some of Louisville’s top chefs, music and auctions to benefit Norton Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Hospital Foundation. A bowtie, tie and bangle have been created for this year’s honoree and are presented by River Road Asset Management.
DAVID SEDARIS STREET PARTY
Carmichael’s Bookstore on Frankfort Ave. louisvilletickets.com/events/david-sedaris-street-party
JUNE 10
MUHAMMAD ALI CENTER Working with local partners, the Ali Center will host a Youth Festival in celebration of Ali's life journey and fierce determination as an example to all children. Local arts and education organizations will provide booths and entertainment. The “I Am Ali” festival will open on the one-year anniversary of Ali’s passing, June 3rd and will highlight Ali’s “Six Core Principles”—Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Respect, Giving, and Spirituality– with six weeks of programming and community events, tied to each one of these principles. Go to alicenter.org for more info.
SUMMER CELEBRATION HONORING SANDRA FRAZIER
Whitehall House & Gardens historicwhitehall.org/summer-celebration The festivities begin with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction in the formal garden; guests will also enjoy elegant dining, a live auction and a special commemorative presentation to our honoree under a tent on Whitehall’s garden terrace. Individual tickets to the Summer Celebration are $200/person. Reserved tables of eight are also available for $1,600/table.
Whiskey Live
Louisville Marriott whiskyliveusa.com This premier tasting event will allow guests to sample world-class Scotches, Bourbons and whiskies while mingling with experts in the industry. The WHISKY LIVE event will be held at the Louisville Marriott East, the state’s only Bourbon-themed hotel.
THE BIG EVENT – CLUB GATSBY: A NIGHT IN THE ROARING 20S
Louisville Marriott Downtown Bgckyana.org The Big Event is Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana’s (BGCK) annual dinner gala and auction which is attended by nearly 400 community leaders, influencers and corporate partners. This lively event raises funds to support our Ed Endres, Jeffersonville, Newburg, Parkland and Shawnee Clubs. Throughout the evening guests are entertained, dazzled by the live and silent auction offerings, energized by the crowd in attendance and satisfied they are helping to support the place where great futures are started each and every day.
SPRING INTO PILATES SPECIAL 3 ONE ON ONE SESSIONS $175 (REGULAR VALUE $225) 2041 River Rd • 502 895-3472 Support@proformanceresults.com ProFormanceResults.com Proformance_Tops_0617.indd 1
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TOPS calendar
what to do in lou
June/July events JUNE 10
JUNE 11
Adult Workshop: Back to Basics: Watercolor
Speed Art Museum SPEEDMUSEUM.ORG Understanding the South can be deepened by experiencing its unique environment. In Southern Accent, learn to look closely at your surroundings and translate them into expressive paintings in this watercolor workshop. Ages 16 and up. $5 for members | $22 for non-members.
The Color Run 5k Louisville
Louisville Waterfront Park THECOLORRUN.COM/LOUISVILLE
Zoofari: One Wild Night
Louisville Zoo louisvillezoo.org The Friends of the Louisville Zoo is proud to host their 37th annual Zoofari! event on Saturday, June 10,. As the largest annual fund-raising event benefiting the Zoo, guests can again expect the opportunity to be up close and personal with the Zoo’s animals while also enjoying hors d’oeuvres, a gourmet sit-down dinner, themed cocktails, a silent auction, the opportunity to adopt an animal during the live auction, music entertainment and the company of friends and colleagues from around the community.
Walk and Roll for KIDS
Fourth Street Live! Events.kidscenterky.org
Man & Woman of the Year
The Olmsted lls.org JUNE 11
Kosair Charities and The Kids’ Center present "The Magic and the Wonder"
The Kentucky Center Kentuckycenter.org
JUNE 17
18TH ANNUAL JDRF GOLF SCRAMBLE
Downs After Dark
Covered Bridge Golf Club fordktpcares.com
Churchill Downs churchilldowns.com
JUNE 13–18
JUNE 21–24
"Kinky Boots" Presented by PNC Broadway
The Kentucky Center kentuckycenter.org Kinky Boots is Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit! With songs by Grammy and Tony-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan.
ROMP Fest 2017
Yellow Creek Park in Owensboro, Kentucky Rompfest.com JUNE 24
Norton Commons Music by the Water Series: Jimmy Lehoux Band and Southern Sirens
Norton Commons Nortoncommons.com/events JUNE 25
Yew Dell Sunday Supper
JUNE 16
U2: The Joshua Tree Tour 2017
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium JUNE 17
Kentuckiana Pride Festival
Join thousands for the annual Kentuckiana Pride Festival. This years event will feature two stages, family zone, and over 100 vendors.
Insane Inflatable 5k
EP "Tom" Sawyer State Park insaneinflatable5k.com Imagine adult bouncies shaped in the form of obstacles. If you've ever dreamed about flipping over a wall on a course like the inner ninja in you wants but have always feared that hard ground, this is your moment! Join Louisville OCR for this event! At a 5k distance, multiple bouncy obstacles designed for adults, and with fellow LOCRs, this is guaranteed to be a good time!
Let’s Dance Louisville
Louisville Marriott Downtown Letsdancelouisville.org
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Community · Arts · Benefit · family · music
Yew Dell Gardens Yewdellgardens.org Plan to join Yew Dell Gardens for their seventh annual farm fresh event, Sunday Supper. The evening will feature farm-fresh food in a striking summer setting prepared by one of Louisville's finest. As always, the menu will include the freshest locally-sourced ingredients. JUNE 28
WFPK’s Waterfront Wednesday
Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park wfpk.org Kick off the summer series with Pokey Lafarge, Robyn Hitchcock and Carly Johnson.
Journey at the KFC Yum! Center KFC Yum! Center Kfcyumcenter.com
JUNE 30
Downs After Dark
Churchill Downs churchilldowns.com
Want to see your event in TOPS? Submit your event online at topslouisville.com
JULY 1
KENTUCKY FLEA MARKET 4TH OF JULY SPECTACULAR 2017 Kentucky Fair and Expo Center Stewartpromotions.com
JULY 3–4
Crescent Hill 4th of July Festival
tour will be coming to Louisville on Wednesday, July 12 at The Louisville Palace!
JULY 15–30
JULY 12–AUGUST 20
Poplar Woods Subdivision Homearama is an annual Louisville event that showcases custom built new homes at a single site that are fully furnished, decorated, landscaped and feature the latest in building trends, technology and interior design.
“The Music Man” Presented by Derby Dinner Playhouse Derby Dinner Playhouse Derbydinner.com
Peterson-Dumesnil House crescenthill.us/fourth-of-july
JULY 14–16
JULY 7–8
Waterfront Park forecastlefest.com Forecastle Festival has received numerous accolades, like being named one of the "coolest festivals in America" by Rolling Stone and among the "Top 101 Things to do in America" by SPIN Magazine, but it's more than that. This year, headliners include LCD Soundsystem, Odesza, Weezer, Sturgill Simpson, Cage the Elephant and many, many more!
16th Annual Lebowski Fest
lebowskifest.com JULY 8
Made Market
The Pointe Made-market.co JULY 12
DAVID BLAINE LIVE
Forecastle Festival
9th Annual Jane Austen Festival
The Louisville Palace LiveNation.com Having revolutionized modern magic and mesmerized audiences unlike any performer in history, magician, illusionist and stunt artist David Blaine will embark on his first-ever North American tour. Produced by Live Nation, the
Locust Grove Jasnalouisville.com JULY 14
Full Contact Karaoke
Iroquois Amphitheatre fullcontactkaraokeband.com
Homearama 2017
JULY 15
Keeneland Concours d’Elegance
Keeneland keenelandconcours.com JULY 21
FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT: MOANA
The Louisville Zoo Louisvillezoo.org
Westport Village Summer Concert Series: Hotbrown Smackdown
Westport Village Westportvillage.com JULY 21–23
“Mama Mia!” Presented by PNC Broadway The Kentucky Center Kentuckycenter.org
• Dedicated Internet Access • Web Hosting • Data Center Services 321 East Breckinridge Street Louisville, Kentucky 40203 502-589-4638 bluegrass.net TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017 145
photos
TOP SHOTS Who’s Who in Lou!
Beth Hicks and Belinda Post at Fillies and Stallions
Derby Day
146 TOPS LOUISVILLE | june 2017
Dan and Shannon Kessler
Oaks Day
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