TOPS Magazine April 2012

LEXINGTON’S MOST READ MAGAZINE TOPSINLEX L e x i n g t o n ’s M o s t R e a d M a g a z i n e

Priceless | April 2012

IN LEX.COM

April 2012 vol. 6 no. 4

Fashion & Racing

Dancing with the Lexington Stars | Surgery On Sunday | Meet Kurt Becker

Volume 6, No. 4

LEXINGTON’S MOST READ MAGAZINE

TOP EVENTS

Top Marketing Group

465 East High Street, Suite 201 Lexington, KY 40507-1938 859.543.TOPS (8677) 859.514.1621 (fax) TopsInLex.com | LexScene.com Keith Yarber

President / Publisher kyarber@topsmarketing.com

Kristen Oakley Associate Publisher, TOPS Magazine Sr. Account Manager kristen@topsmarketing.com Melissa Meatyard

Editor, TOPS Magazine Magazine Design & Layout melissa@topsmarketing.com

34

17 56

Teri Turner

80 86 104 130 137 138

Account Manager teri@topsmarketing.com

Buffy Lawson

Account Manager buffy@topsmarketing.com

Katherine Tierney

Amanda Harper

Editor, LexScene Magazine Head Writer, TOPS Magazine amandah@topsmarketing.com Contributing Writers Kristin Espeland Gourlay, Blake Hannon, Amanda Harper, Michele Landers, Buffy Lawson, Michelle Rauch, Sue Ann Truitt

104

Cover Photo by Alicia Fierro of Aesthetiica Photography Contributing Photographers Paul Atkinson Judy & Brian Myers Karen & Eddie Boden Alex Orlov Shandon Cundiff Shaun Ring David Dejardins Neil Sullier Whitney Glass Tommy Wahyudi Dr. Michael Huang Norma Wirt Jaron Johns

Interns Kelly Adams Allison Hord

Have an event you would like covered? Photo questions?

Contact photographer@topsinlex.com

To Advertise Your Business,

call 543-8677

UK Charity Roast Mardi Gras Fundraiser for St. Peter & Paul American Heart Association Heart Ball American Heart Association Heart Ball cont.

ADDY Awards ADDY Awards cont.

UK Basketball SEC Tourney Art in Bloom Silent Auction Benefitting Old Friends NAWBO Chocolate Affair Couture for a Cure Olympic Launch Party Duke Ellington Jazz Series TOPS March Preview Party

WHO’S WHO

Danielle Pope

Associate Publisher, LexScene Account Manager danielle@topsmarketing.com

Account Manager katherine@topsmarketing.com

18 20 22 24 26 28 30 116 118 120 122 124 126 128

137

Out & About Community Spotlight: Surgery On Sunday Meet the Media: Kurt Becker Meet Bucky Sallee French/Texan Dream Home WOW Wedding: Angela & Colby Newsome Wedding Announcements TOP Shots

WHAT’S NEW 34

Fashion: Trackside Trends

WHAT TO DO 14 62 89 90 94 97 98 100 102

Community Calendar Dancing with the Lexington Stars Keeneland & Churchill Downs Calendars Parties, Parties, Parties In the ‘Buf’ Home Gardening Posh Pets Azur Restaurant & Patio Decorators’ Showcase Preview

www.topsinlex.com

11

What To Do

TOP HAPPENINGS Our Topparazzi photographers are everywhere! Please check our website for updated event information and please be aware of the changing nature of events.

Thursday, April 5 Creative Intelligence Lecture 4:30PM-5:30PM Transylvania University transy.edu Brentano String Quartet 7:30PM Norton Center nortoncenter.com

Friday, April 6 Keeneland Opening Day & College Scholarship Day Keeneland Kentucky Spring Arabian Show Kentucky Horse Park kahaclub.com

Saturday, April 7 Pre-Derby Fashion Show 1PM-4PM Tie The Knot Kentucky Spring Arabian Show Kentucky Horse Park kahaclub.com PB&J Concert Series 10AM & 11AM UK Art Museum lexphil.org Central Bank Ashland Stakes & Breakfast with the Works Keeneland

Monday, April 9

Saturday, April 14

Central Kentucky Home, Garden, and Flower Show 5PM-9PM Rupp Arena ckyhomeshow.com

Lightning Strike 5K 8:30AM Tates Creek High School

Lexington Legends v Kannapolis Intimidators 7PM Whitaker Bank Ballpark lexingtonlegends.com

Battle of the Big Bands Swing Dance 7:30PM-12AM UK Student Center luv2swingdance.com

Vinery Madison Stakes Keeneland Kentucky Spring Permier Saddlebred Show Kentucky Horse Park kyhorsepark.com

Friday, April 13 Central Kentucky Home, Garden, and Flower Show 5PM-9PM Rupp Arena ckyhomeshow.com Maker’s Mark Bottle Signing 6:30AM Keeneland Australian Chamber Orchestra 8PM Norton Center nortoncenter.com Burning Stick Foundation’s Stoke V 7PM-11PM Fasig-Tipton Paddocks burningstickfoundation.org

Kentucky Magic Dinner Theater 6PM deSha’s kentuckymagictheater.com Toyota Blue Grass Stakes Day & Breakfast with the Works Keeneland Central Kentucky Home, Garden, and Flower Show 11AM-9PM Rupp Arena ckyhomeshow.com Lexington Legends v Kannapolis Intimidators 7PM Whitaker Bank Ballpark lexingtonlegends.com Kentucky Spring Permier Saddlebred Show Kentucky Horse Park kyhorsepark.com

Sunday, April 15

mobileX Lexington 8AM-4:30PM Awesome, INC mobilexconference.com

Central Kentucky Home, Garden, and Flower Show 12PM-6PM Rupp Arena ckyhomeshow.com

Appalachian Lecture Series 3:30PM-5PM UK Student Center appalachiancenter.org

Lexington Legends v Kannapolis Intimidators 7PM Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Krispy Kreme Challenge 10AM Commonwealth Stadium ukhabitatkkc.com

NAWBO Lexington Winners’ Circle Luncheon 11:15AM Marriott Griffin Gate lexnawbo.org

Kentucky Spring Permier Saddlebred Show Kentucky Horse Park

We Are What We Eat 7:30PM Norton Center nortoncenter.com

Red Green’s Wit and Wisdom Tour 7PM Taft Theatre tafttheatre.org

Tuesday, April 10

14

Thursday, April 12

www.topsinlex.com

What To Do

Beaumont Stakes | Horses & Hope Saturday, April 21 Pink Day Step into Beautiful Keeneland 1:30PM Northeast Christian Church sbslex.org Lexington Legends v Kannapolis Intimidators UK Blue-White Scrimmage 1:30PM Whitaker Bank Ballpark Commonwealth Stadium lexingtonlegends.com ukathletics.com

Monday, April 16 Lexington Legends v Greenville Drive 7PM Whitaker Bank Ballpark lexingtonlegends.com

Tuesday, April 17 Lexington Legends v Greenville Drive 7PM Whitaker Bank Ballpark lexingtonlegends.com Moscow Festival Ballet Presents Sleeping Beauty 8PM EKU Center for the Arts ekucenter.com

Wednesday, April 18 Lexington Legends v Greenville Drive 10AM Whitaker Bank Ballpark lexingtonlegends.com

Thursday, April 19 SCAPA Presents...

7PM Downtonw Arts Center friends-scapa.org

Friday, April 20 Lexington Ballet: Cinderella 8PM Lexington Opera House LexArts Gallery Hop 5PM-8PM 161 N Mill galleryhoplex.com Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes & Jockey Autographs Keeneland pARTy 5PM-10PM Cheapside Park lexingtonartleague.org

Breakfast with the Works 7AM-8:30AM Keeneland Central Kentucky Heart Walk 9AM Commonwealth Stadium heart.org/centralkywalk

Sunday, April 22 Military Appreciation Day Keeneland

Tuesday, April 24 “Born This Way” Fashion Show 7PM The Thoroughbred Center isabelsam.com Lexington Legends v Charleston Riverdogs 7PM Whitaker Bank Ball Park

Thursday, April 26 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Kentucky Horse Park rk3de.org Lexington Legends v Charleston Riverdogs 7PM Whitaker Bank Ball Park Opening Night Churchill Downs

Friday, April 27 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Kentucky Horse Park rk3de.org Fifth Third 4th Friday 6PM-9PM Loudon House lexingtonartleague.org Markey Cancer Center “Concert on the Lawn” 7:30PM Keeneland markeycancerfoundation.org

Lexington Legends v Charleston Riverdogs 7PM Whitaker Bank Ball Park Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup Kentucky Horse Park kentuckyreining.com Baroque Splendor 7:30PM Singletary Center singletarytickets.com

Saturday, April 28 Urban Dare 12PM Lynagh’s Irish Pub active.com Aretha Franklin 8PM EKU Center for the Arts ekucenter.com Lexington Legsnds v Savannah Sand Gnats 7PM Whitaker Bank Ball Park lexingtonlegends.com Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup Kentucky Horse Park kentuckyreining.com Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Kentucky Horse Park rk3de.org

Sunday, April 29 YMCA Healthy Kids Day 2PM-5PM UK Nutter Field House ymcaofcentralky.org Lexington Legsnds v Savannah Sand Gnats 1:30PM Whitaker Bank Ball Park lexingtonlegends.com Chamber Music Society 7:30PM Singletary Center uky.edu/scfa

Monday, April 30 Lexington Legsnds v Savannah Sand Gnats 10AM Whitaker Bank Ball Park lexingtonlegends.com

www.topsinlex.com

15

Out & About Bluegrass Women’s Club Bids for Kids

Barbie Fallis and Dr. Susan Neil at the Liposonix & Thermage Open House

Steve and Christi Lochmueller at the 2012 Central Kentucky Heart & Stroke Ball

Cover girl Nasim Noorazar at the March Preview Party

Amanda Arnold, Edie Green and Lauren Ross at the Sweat Open House

Cara Lundy, Lisa Carey, Bob Estes and Lissa Sims Macfarlan at the Give In To The Groove event www.topsinlex.com

17

Top Events

Lisa Maggio and Patrick McGrath

Abby and Shane O’Keeffe

Paul Kearney and David Martin

Jack Tarr, Billy Warner and John Sisler

Joe and Sandy Berger

Ashley Stoker and Jeff Cole

Charley and Julia Snow

UK Charity Roast of Dr. Paul A. Kearney Jr. The UK College of Medicine Class of 2012 held a roast for one of their favorite doctors at The Crowne Plaza at the Campbell House. The event consisted of a silent auction and a good natured roasting of Dr. Paul A. Kearney Jr. Event proceeds benefitted Surgery on Sunday and the Salvation Army Clinic. mc.uky.edu/saclinic Photos by Alex Orlov

18

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

19

Top Events

Misty Carlisle and Brenda Ayotte

Sharon & Tony Naas

Alan & Ann Whitney Garner

Julie Lynch and Tricia Nutter

Scott & Debbie Pierce, Fr. Chuck Niehaus, Jennifer & Hubie Ballard

Christie & Tom Pabin

Dwayne Edwards, Bertha & Jack Hayden and Fr. Chuck Niehaus

Sts. Peter & Paul Mardi Gras Fundraiser Sts. Peter & Paul School is an urban center of educational excellence that dates back to 1913. The SPPS Annual Giving Fund supports the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating a student at Sts. Peter & Paul. The Annual Mardi Gras Fundraiser is the school’s largest fundraising effort. The event consists of an auction, live music and Mardi Gras fun! sppslex.org Photos by Judy and Brian Myers

20

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

21

Top Events

Melanie Simpson-Halpin & Dermot Halpin

Chair Couple Darby and Charlotte Turner

Ted & Saskia Wright

Pierce & Diedre Lyons

Harry & Arlene Cohen

Coach Joe B. Hall, Sylvia Cerel-Suhl & Ron Borkowski

Trey & Denise Benson, Doris Benson and Byron Romanowitz

2012 Central Kentucky Heart & Stroke Ball This year’s ball was a huge success with the largest crowd ever. The event, sponsored by Urban Active Fitness, honored Coach Joe B. Hall. Coach Calipari brought the night’s game ball and auctioned it off for the cause. There was also a very special tribute to four time stroke survivor Jedi Bowman. heart.org Photos by Alex Orlov

22

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

23

Top Events

Derrick Hord

Coach Calipari and Tom Post

Kim & Kristi Menke

Amy Archer and Jennifer Ebert

Kevin Heitz and Kelly Adams

Brian & Katherine McCarty, Barbara Rubin and Dav Doodnauth

Don Fishback and Walt Robertson

Jesi Bowman and Jim Host

2012 Central Kentucky Heart & Stroke Ball A new record was achieved from individual gifts in honor of Coach Hall and Jesi Bowman helping to set a National benchmark in similar size cites. Congratulations to Chair Couple Darby and Charlotte Turner and their team on a very successful event that will help continue the fight against heart disease and stroke. heart.org Photos by Whitney Glass

24

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

25

Top Events

Mary Anne Blank and Otto Pittner

Erin Burt and Teresa VanderMolen

Whit Hiler, Meagan McKee and Griffin VanMeter

David & Ana Coomer

Justin & Jennie Fowler and Christine & Jon Siegel

Kristin Cruser and Norma Wirt

Alex and Debi Williams

2012 ADDY Awards Gala The annual Lexington ADDY Awards Gala is the night for the advertising industry to dress up, let loose, and admire all the great creative from a year gone by. The big winners of the night included Kentucky for Kentucky, LLC for Best in Show, PM Advertising for WinStar Farm for Best Art Direction and the Public Service Cash Award was presented to the Hope Center. For a complete list of winners, visit the AAF Lexington website.

AAFlexington.com Photos by Norma Wirt

26

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

27

Top Events

Maura & Steve Broderson

Celeste McGarvey and Julie Fitzpatrick

Eddie Woodruff

Brad Flowers, Carrie Thayer and Otto Pittner Presenting the Public Service Cash Award to the Hope Center

Whit Bussey and Sami Kaye & Brock Smith

Cindy & Tom Baker

Katie and Shaun Ring

Andrea Coates and Dane Dickmann

2012 ADDY Awards Gala The American Advertising Federation of Lexington puts on the Annual ADDY Awards Gala to congratulate the hard work advertising and creative professionals have put into the ads seen around Lexington and Central Kentucky. The night was full of awards, celebration, food, drinks and fun!

AAFLexington.com Photos by Norma Wirt

28

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

29

Top Events

UK Basketball The road to the Final Four has been a tough one for the Cats coming out on top of a South Region bracket filled with teams with revenge in their eyes. Kentucky blew past Western Kentucky and Iowa State at the Yum! Center in Louisville, then went on to Catlanta where the boys avenged themselves against Indiana. The Cats then took down Baylor to secure the South Region. Now it’s on to Blue Orleans for the Final Four/Civil War game against Pitino’s Cards. LET’S GO CATS! ukathletics.com Photos by Dr. Michael Huang

30

www.topsinlex.com

What’s New

Fashion: Trackside Trends

‘Maribel’ dress in dusty rose by Kirribilla; Pink start hat by J & J Designs; mother of pearl necklace

by Summer Elisaon (Bella Rose). 18K hand twisted rose gold 4” hoop earrings by Cassis (Shelia Bayes Fine Jewelers).

Photography: Alicia Fierro of Aesthetiica Photography 34

www.topsinlex.com

What’s New

Mike: 100% Matka silk sport coat in bamboo by Southwick; Silk stripe tie by Peter Blair; Plain front tropical weight all wool dress slack in grey by Berle (Graves Cox).

Kayla: Slate metallic floral print dress by St. John; Silver, pearl and bead necklace by St. John; Natural bucket hat with feather and flower details by EggCup Designs (Embry’s). Exotic ruffle handbag in cream by Alexis Fashion (Keeneland Gift Shop). Sterling silver 15 and 12mm Tahitian cultured pearl ring by Gellner; 18K rose gold and black South Sea pearl petite drop earrings by Cassis (Shelia Bayes Fine Jewelers).

www.topsinlex.com

35

36

www.topsinlex.com

What’s New

Strapless boucle ‘Bibi’ dress in ‘Give Me Wings’ and boucle ‘Millie’ jacket in ‘Hotty Pink’ by Lilly Pulitzer (Peppermint Palm).

‘Shamay Platter’ fascinator in yellow

by F&M Hat Company (Keeneland Gift Shop).

www.topsinlex.com

37

What’s New

Kayla: 100% Silk print dress in black and white by L’Agence; Metal hinged cuff in black and silver by Ben Amun (Você).

Margeaux: ‘Spring it On’ dress in navy and coral; ‘Pink Peacock’ clutch; ‘Pink Rocks’ bracelet; ‘Pretty in Pink’ earrings (Bluetique).

38

www.topsinlex.com

What’s New

Blue and green dress

by Amanda Uprichard, sunglasses by Tory Burch, bracelet & earrings (Monkee’s).

www.topsinlex.com

39

40

www.topsinlex.com

What’s New

‘Anouck’ dress in coral by BCBG (Worlds Apart). 18K white gold, 5 row diamond cuff bracelet containing 15.19ct of diamonds; 18K white gold graduated diamond tennis necklace with 7.45 ct of diamonds; Sterling silver round white quartz and diamond ring by Raymond Hak (Shelia Bayes Fine Jewelers).

www.topsinlex.com

41

What’s New

Emily: Sleeveless dress with drop-waist bow in red by Katherine Barclay (Cotton Patch). 18K white gold sublime diamond drop pendant with 1.5 ct diamonds by Hearts on Fire; 18K white gold, 5 row diamond cuff bracelet containing 15.19ct of diamonds (Shelia Bayes Fine Jewelers).

Margeaux: Tweed ‘Bridge Water’ dress with cutouts in white by Trina Turk; Diamond flower drop earrings by Summer Eliason (AJ’s). Mini clutch in gold by Eric Javits; ‘Aubree’ hat in red and ivory by Christine A. Moore Millinery (Keeneland Gift Shop).

Kayla: Sleeveless polka dot dress in black and red with red rose belt by Freeway; black clutch (Paisley Polka Dot).

42

www.topsinlex.com

What’s New

All cotton seersucker suit by Southwick; Bow tie by R. Hanauer (Graves Cox).

www.topsinlex.com

43

What’s New

‘Blue Skies, Green Grass’ ruffle dress; ‘Sunshine’ sun hat; ‘Grey Goose’ clutch (Bluetique). Sterling silver, turquoise and diamond cross necklace by Jude Francis (Shelia Bayes Fine Jewelers).

44

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

45

What’s New

Color block silhouette easy dress by Tibi; Necklace by Elva Fields (AJ’s).

46

www.topsinlex.com

What’s New

Wool jacket by Turnbury, pants by Roundtree & York (Dillards); Derby Collection tie by Vineyard Vines (Churchill Downs).

www.topsinlex.com

47

48

www.topsinlex.com

What’s New

‘Layla’ flutter sleeve dress in coral by Gianni Bini; hat by Kate Landry (Dillards). Exotic ruffle handbag in cream by Alexis Fashion (Keeneland Gift Shop). 4Sterling silver ‘Kali’ black sapphire kick cuff and 36’’ sterling silver ‘Kali’ pebble bead station necklace with sterling silver ‘Kali’ black sapphire door knocker pendant by John Hardy (Shelia Bayes Fine Jewelers).

www.topsinlex.com

49

What’s New

Kayla: Silk dress in pink and red with black waistline by Phoebe Couture; Hat by Toucan; all accessories (Sensibly Chic).

Emily: White dress with white rose overlay and tulle hemline by Freeway; Black ruffled clutch by Coronet (Paisley Polkadot). Sterling silver black spinel ring containing .53 ct diamonds and coordinating black spinel, diamond and white quartz necklace by Leslie Greene (Shelia Bayes Fine Jewelers). Black & white polka dot hat by Whittall and Shon.

Exotic ruffle handbag in black by Alexis Fashion (Keeneland Gift Shop).

50

www.topsinlex.com

What’s New

Black and white striped top and shorts

by Karina Grimaldi; black blazer by French Connection; cuff bracelet (Mod).

‘Elizabeth’ fascinator in white and black by Christine A. Moore Millinery, exotic ruffle handbag in black

by Alexis Fashion (Keeneland Gift Shop).

Sterling silver black spinel ring containing .53 ct diamonds and coordinating black spinel, diamond and white quartz necklace

by Leslie Greene (Shelia Bayes Fine Jewelers).

www.topsinlex.com

51

What’s New

Kayla: Pink and white strapless ‘ikat’ dress by Laundry by Shelli Segal; sunglasses and jewelry (Cotton Patch). Esmeralda fascinator in pink by Christine A. Moore Millinery (Keeneland Gift Shop).

Mike: Jersey ¼ zip hammock in green and ‘Derby’ Seersucker shorts, both by Vineyard Vines (Howard & Miller).

www.topsinlex.com

53

What’s New

Emily: Sleeveless tweed dress in coral by Trina Turk; Sunglasses by Tom Ford; Nude sandals by Isola; Earrings and bracelet by W&M (Monkee’s).

Margeuax: Printed maxi dress with high slit by Karina Grimaldi; Necklace and bracelet by Adia Kibur (Mod).

Kayla: One shoulder knit dress with ruffle and belt in mandarin, pearl and natural stone multi strand necklace, all by St. John; Natural mini hat with feather and flower details by EggCup Designs (Embry’s).

54

www.topsinlex.com

What’s New

Wool, silk and linen sport coat by S. Cohen; Straw genuine Panama hat by Stefano; Kentucky Derby patchwork bow tie and silk pocket square in kelly green by Vineyard Vines (Howard & Miller).

Photographer: Alicia Fierro of Aesthetiica Photography Styled by: Kristen Oakley with Danielle Pope, Teri Turner and Allison Hord Models: Heyman Talent, Louisville Hair: Chloe Olliges, Você Make-up: Stacey Salinas, Você Location: Churchill Downs Transportation: Thoroughbred Limo

www.topsinlex.com

55

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Who’s Who

Weekend Warriors: Surgery on Sunday Docs, Staff Change Lives

by Kristin Espeland Gourlay

One Sunday every month, while many of their colleagues put their feet up and take a well-deserved day off, a cadre of nurses and doctors, surgeons and support staff is donning scrubs and going to work at the Lexington Surgery Center. Operating suites normally quiet and empty on weekends begin to hum with activity. A local couple arrives with breakfast goodies to feed the hungry team. And then the patients arrive—dozens in a day. Each will receive a life-changing surgery, free of charge, performed by volunteers from some of the finest medical institutions in the Bluegrass.

“Our volunteers are true heroes. They don’t even expect a thank you,” says Laura Ebert, Executive Direc-

tor of Surgery on Sunday (surgeryonsunday.org), the focus of this month’s Community Spotlight.

Surgery on Sunday, Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Lexington that provides outpatient surgeries free for people in need. To qualify, patients must be unable to afford insurance and ineligible for federal or state aid programs. A doctor must refer them to Surgery on Sunday, usually from a free clinic. And once they qualify, patients receive the highest quality care from doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who volunteer their time and expertise.

Now in its 7th year, Surgery on Sunday has served more than 4,300 Kentuckians who would not

Drs. Woody and Andrew Moore

56

www.topsinlex.com

Who’s Who otherwise have been able to afford an essential surgery.

“We do anything that you can do safely on an outpatient basis,” Ebert says. That includes basic procedures like gallbladder removal, hernia repair, repairing damaged joints, and even colonoscopies and cataract surgery. Surgery on Sunday volunteers remove tonsils and implant ear tubes. They treat skin cancer. Some have even performed neck surgery.

Patients run the gamut from children to adults, but Ebert says the “average patient is in their 40s, working class. For example, a carpenter that burned out his knee.”

Many patients are referred when they’re between jobs. “You’d be amazed how many things are found on pre-employment physicals,” she says; such as a previously undetected hernia. And because pre-employment usually means pre-health insurance, these patients often have nowhere else to turn for this kind of minor surgery.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Andrew Moore and his cheerful group of volunteers use their combined experience and expertise to help those in need.

Children can fall through the health insurance cracks, too.

Ebert recalls one recent example.

“We had a nine year old child come in,” she says, a child who desperately needed his gallbladder removed. His family couldn’t afford insurance, although they seemed to be getting along well enough.

“His mom and dad are clearly a great family. They have their own [small] business.” But they couldn’t afford to cover their own and every employee’s health insurance. Then they discovered that their income, while not enough to buy insurance, was still too high to qualify for Kentucky’s children’s health insurance program, KCHIP. A local hospital agreed to do the surgery but only with a $4,000 deposit. The family didn’t have that kind of cash. “Gallbladder disease is painful, chronic,” says Ebert.

www.topsinlex.com

57

58

www.topsinlex.com

Who’s Who

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Surgery on Sunday took the case and helped the boy return to normal life.

According to Ebert, nearly 750,000 Kentuckians have no insurance, no Medicare, and no Medicaid.

Some are out of work, some work part time for employers who don’t offer health insurance, and some simply can’t afford coverage. If one of them has a heart attack, he can go to the emergency room at his local hospital. But what about someone who isn’t on the brink of death but needs a simple, outpatient surgical procedure to fix something broken or lead a better quality of life?

They’re often out of luck, says Ebert.

“It’s just a very, very broken system,” she says. “Dr. Andrew Moore was very innovative in finding a way to fix some of the cracks in that system.”

Moore, a local plastic surgeon, started Surgery on Sunday in 2005 after noticing a rising number of patients who needed his services but couldn’t afford them. Today, the organization Moore began recruits more than 50 medical professionals at a time to help on Sundays, plus nearly 20 more support staff. They operate in space donated by the Lexington Surgery Center, which is normally closed on Sundays. And they raise funds to cover supplies.

“From the surgeons and anesthesiologists, to the nurses and administrative staff, to the people who come and help clean,” says Ebert, “everybody who’s there wants to be there.” And who’s “there” reads like a “who’s who” of Lexington-area medical professionals, many of whom come from the University of Kentucky hospital, St. Joseph’s, and other top notch institutions. Ebert says it’s the patients that keep volunteers coming back.

“You literally help change a life,” Ebert says of the doctors and nurses on duty. “The patients are so grateful,

www.topsinlex.com

59

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Who’s Who so appreciative.” And so are the many volunteers who contribute to Surgery on Sunday in other ways. Members of a Baptist church in Lawrenceburg bring hot meals to volunteers every month. And a local husband-and-wife team feed the team breakfast every Sunday. Call it surgery on a shoe-string.

The organization spends about $150 per patient for everything, from pre-operative care and visits to the operation itself and post-operative care. Just two paid staff run the nonprofit, with the remaining $150,000-a-year budget going to patient care, supplies, pharmaceuticals, the phone bill, and medical malpractice insurance. Ebert says she believes the organization has not only proven it can offer high quality patient care for much less money than most hospitals can, it has saved Medicaid millions of dollars in surgery costs the state aid program might otherwise have borne.

Now, Surgery on Sunday wants to help similar groups get off the ground throughout the country. “There’s nothing else like this,” says Ebert. “We’ve actually service-marked the name to protect it.” And, she says, they’ve developed a template to help other organizations start their own

“Surgery on Sunday” practice based on the lessons they’ve learned here in Lexington.

Ebert says Surgery on Sunday is working towards offering services more than once a month, but fundraising is a challenge in this economic climate. They take no state funds and rely instead on private donations and grants, which were down last year. Still, Ebert praises some of the many community partners who continue to provide funding and assistance, including the Good Samaritan Foundation, United Way of the Bluegrass, the Lexington Medical Society, and the Sisters of Charity. St. Joseph Hospital has now provided 5 Surgery On Sunday days to help lower the extensive waiting list and Central Baptist is coming on board, too.

Last year, the Rotary Club of Lexington started Dancing with the Lexington Stars to help raise funds for Surgery on Sunday. Ebert says it was their biggest fundraiser ever; “It was just so much fun—people had a blast!” Local celebrities receive 10 free dance lessons from Arthur Murray Dance Studio and pair up with a professional dancer. Attendees buy tickets to watch the dance competition and bid in a silent auction. It’s a “black tie optional” gala, Ebert says, and a glamorous way to raise funds for a worthy cause.

ONE GLAMOROUS NIGHT, TWO GREAT CAUSES TO SUPPORT! The second annual “Dancing with the Lexington Stars” takes place on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 6:30pm to midnight at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa in Lexington. Order your tickets now for this gala featuring a dance-off with local celebrities and professional dancers as well as a fabulous silent auction.

Proceeds benefit Surgery On Sunday, Inc. and the Lexington Rotary Club Endowment Fund.

Tickets are $100 per person, available by calling (859)389-8100. Black tie optional/cocktail.

For more information about the event, contact Peggy Trafton at (859)389-8100 or trafton@rotarylexky. org. For more information about Surgery on Sunday, visit surgeryonsunday.org.

2011 Participants in “Dancing with the Lexington Stars”, Photo by Judy & Brian Myers

60

www.topsinlex.com

What To Do

Dancing with the Lexington Stars Sure, you could huddle around your television to watch celebrities you’ll never meet cut a rug on Dancing with the Stars. Buy why not brush with greatness in your own backyard? And for a good cause, at that? In the following pages, meet the local luminaries who will be competing in our very own “ Dancing with the Lexington Stars,” a black-tie-optional fundraiser for Surgery On Sunday and the Lexington Rotary Club Endowment Fund. The second annual event, which takes place on Saturday, May 12 at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa from 6:30pm to midnight, pairs Lexington celebrities with professional dancers, coordinated by Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

Local stars include: Debbie Long, Ann-Blair Thornton, Senator Alice Forgy Kerr, Michael Betts and Marty Shuff, Jim Richardson, Officer Don and Melissa Evans, Linda Roach and Jon Carloftis, Chief Anthany and Dr. Eunice Beatty, Buzz Carmichael, Crinda Franke, Christine Winter and Mary Jo Perino. Competition judges include Marvin Bartlett and Nicholas Kosovich. Arthur Murray Instructors include: Steven King, Bobby Docherty, Vitalie Majullo, Chip Sebastian, Cathrine Docherty, Megan Morris, Aaron Jones, Amber Pike, Mattie Hineline, Duncan King, Chris Stone and Mario Kraszewski.

Tickets cost $100 per person and are available by calling Peggy Trafton, 859.389.8100 or emailing trafton@rotarylexky.org. For more information visit dancingwiththelexingtonstars.com.

Hunter Lisle & Elesha Burkhart Arthur Murray Dance Studio

62

www.topsinlex.com

Photography by Shandon Cundiff, Lightshape Studios Female dancers’ dresses provided by Miss Priss Hair & Makeup by Chloe Oliges with Você Not featured: Mary Jo Perino with Chris Stone

What To Do

Debbie Long

. . . with Steven King

Owner, Dudley’s Restaurant Even with 30 years of experience managing the fastpaced life of a restaurant owner, Debbie knows that she’ll be nervous as Dancing with the Lexington Stars draws nearer. She says she’s never danced in front of a crowd like this one before, and has never taken professional lessons before now. Why did she join this event? “Love the cause,” she enthuses. She’s excited to learn how to dance and is practicing often during her lessons at Arthur Murray. When she’s not getting her moves down, Debbie enjoys horseback riding, golf and travel. What is Debbie’s go-to dance move when she’s out on the town?

“Just shake it!”

Steven King

www.topsinlex.com

63

What To Do

Ann-Blair Thornton . . . with Bobby Docherty

Miss Kentucky Originally from Bowling Green, this Miss Kentucky has travelled 27,000 miles across Ken‑ tucky to promote Kentucky Proud for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

She joined this year’s Dancing With the Lexington Stars because this is the first time she’s been a true star, so as she puts it, she “might as well milk it!” Ann‑Blair says that the charitable side of this event pulled at her beauty queen world-peace-want‑ ing heartstrings. She danced in front of some huge crowds at Miss America, but this is her first time performing as a team and she hopes she doesn’t let her partner down. Behind the scenes gossip? She and Officer Don have “got some major trash talkin’ go‑ ing on!”

www.topsinlex.com

65

What To Do

Alice Forgy-Kerr

. . . with Vitalie Majullo

Kentucky State Senator Senator Kerr says that she’s excited to learn “how and where to move [her] feet” while dancing. To prepare for the spotlight, she says she plans on watching “Dancing with the Stars” every time it comes on television.

When she’s not wowing the judges with her “charming personality and good looks”, Alice enjoys singing, playing piano and heading to Sunday School. When she’s out and about, her go-to dance move is to jump up, grab the disco ball and swing around with it. Will she be nervous as she makes her dancing debut? “I don’t know... who is this crowd?

Should I be?”

66

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

67

68

www.topsinlex.com

What To Do

Michael Betts & Marty Shuff . . . with Chip Sebastian

CEO Abundant Living Medical; Photographer Michael and Marty are huge fans of Surgery on Sunday, so joining this event was a “no-brainer” for them.

They hope they’re still glad they did it after the event! “Michael is highly competitive and not very shy in front of a crowd,” the couple says. “Marty is Michael’s balance in that she keeps him calm and focused.” Hopefully, their dancing lessons will pay off this summer when they wed in June. Marty is excited to learn to tango, but Michael will just be happy to move from “apprehensive” to “confident” when it comes to public dancing.

They’re only a little nervous, instead focusing their energy on enjoying the ride. “We are going to have a blast,” they say.

Chip Sebastian

www.topsinlex.com

69

What To Do

Jim Richardson

. . . with Cathrine Docherty

VP and Portfolio Manager, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Why did Jim join Dancing with the Lexington Stars? The long-time musician and actor jokes, “Because Gerald Marvel found pictures of me on stage from the 1960’s that he threatened to publish.”

In all seriousness, Jim believes that the organizations behind this event help everyone in Lexington.

“I’m happy to risk looking foolish if I can help raise funds for Surgery on Sunday,” he explains. “These doctors and nurses who give of their time, energy and resources are truly performing life-changing operations.” Jim is excited to learn to dance, and practices at home with his wife. Jim also enjoys working on his music, playing golf and working on a koi pond (he is called “the fish whisperer.”)

70 www.topsinlex.com www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

71

What To Do

Officer Don & Melissa Evans . . . with Megan Morris

Retired Police Officer & Traffic Reporter and Radio Personality; Business Operations Consultant Don and Melissa have been married for 19 years, but Melissa says he has never been much of a dancer. Not “since slow dancing to ‘Open Arms’ by Journey at the Irvington Roller Rink in 1983.” Why did Don decide to participate? “I need attention! Really, I want to help out Surgery on Sunday,”he explains. Since Melissa has a connection to the medical field, she didn’t hesitate when she was asked to dance. Plus, Melissa says, “I want to see if Don has any rhythm at all!” To prepare, he’s watching “Saturday Night Fever”, “Dirty Dancing” and “Footloose”. Watch out for Don’s signature “Flying Ugly” move—or his police tazer in case competition gets too fierce!

Megan Morris

72 www.topsinlex.com www.topsinlex.com

What To Do

Linda Roach and Jon Carloftis . . . with Aaron Jones

Professional Volunteer; Garden Designer Jon and Linda have danced together at parties in the past, so Meg Jewitt knew just who to call when Linda needed a partner. They share a love of the cause, and are excited to participate.

Jon has only danced in the spotlight as his fraternity’s representative in the Greek Dance contest at UK. His dance style is to simply “feel the music and let it go.” Linda has a similar style; “I grew up in an era where you just got on the dance floor and made it up as you went.” Linda says she’s very nervous, but is preparing with a personal trainer at the YMCA, walking and doing yoga. Jon is preparing by avoiding his favorite food—fried chicken.

Aaron Jones

www.topsinlex.com www.topsinlex.com 73

74

www.topsinlex.com

What To Do

Chief Anthany & Dr. Eunice Beatty . . . with Amber Pike

Former Lexington Police Chief & UK VP of Campus Services; Retired College Administrator/Professor & Current Community Volunteer It took some convincing from Rotary club members to get this couple to get down and boogie, but the opportunity to give back to the community was one they simply could not pass up. They love the work Surgery on Sunday does for those in need. The Beatty’s are excited to learn to tango, and say that “learning something new at 60 is still great fun!” These Lexington natives have been married for 36 years with two sons and five grandchildren.

The pair plan on having FUN on May 12th. Anthany says with a smile that he “still has a few police friends he can call on, for anyone who does not support this cause!”

Amber Pike

www.topsinlex.com www.topsinlex.com 75

What To Do

Buzz Carmichael

. . . with Mattie Hineline

Investor Buzz says that he’s not nervous to dance in front of the Dancing with the Lexington Stars crowd, even though he’s never done it before and has had no previous professional training. He says his partner, Maddie, is his secret weapon. Buzz originally signed up as a backup, but luck would have it that he’s in the game and he’s having a good time. “This is great ‘widower therapy’,” he says; he now likes to dance and is enjoying his time practicing at Arthur Murray. When he’s not preparing to wow the judges with his fancy footwork, Buzz enjoys wine tasting, boating and travelling.

76 www.topsinlex.com www.topsinlex.com

What To Do

Crinda Franke

. . . with Duncan King

President, ExecuTrain of Kentucky For over 14 years, Crinda has owned and operated ExecuTrain. She is actively involved with a number of community organizations. Participating in Dancing with the Lexington Stars was a perfect opportunity to support a cause she believes in. “It was a great way to combine my passion for fundraising, concern for the medical well being of people in our community and love of dancing,” she says. Crinda’s secret weapon? Her competitive nature. The former cheerleader doesn’t dance much outside the home.

“Having a teenage daughter means that basically, I am no longer allowed to dance in public,” she laughs. Crinda is excited to learn more about technical and theatrical aspects of dancing.

www.topsinlex.com

77

What To Do

Christine Winter

. . . with Mario Kraszewski

ABC 36 New Anchor Christine says her mom is a fan of the ABC show, “Dancing with the Stars”. But she didn’t expect to be a dancing star! “I never thought I’d end up in a dance studio learning to tango.

But it’s hard to turn down a chance to learn from a pro for a good cause,” she explains.

Christine says she’s in awe of ballroom dancers. She enjoys working with her partner, who she says is incredibly talented— and extremely funny; “We laugh so much my stomach hurts!” Christine, who grew up in Texas, loves good books and movies and spends a lot of time keeping up with her yellow Lab, Daisy.

78

www.topsinlex.com

Who’s Who

MEET THE MEDIA KURT BECKER: ANNOUNCER AT KEENELAND

by Michelle Rauch Photos courtesy of Keeneland and Kurt Becker 80

www.topsinlex.com

Who’s Who

K

urt Becker’s curious behavior in a Keeneland barn back in 2005 got him some stares. “I walked over to [thoroughbred] Runway Model. I pet her neck and said ‘You ran the biggest race of your career and I blew it. You deserved better. I wish you the best in retirement.’” Even though everyone in the barn looked at him like he was crazy, he felt better. He spoke his piece and a year-long burden of guilt was lifted.

Becker had a good reason to feel badly. A year earlier he had a memorable opening day for the October, 2004 Keeneland Fall Meet. The feature race was the $400,000 Alcibiades for two year old fillies. A long-time friend showed up just in time for the feature race. “I get nervous and very uptight opening day because it’s been months since I’ve called a race,” he says. So in addition to opening day jitters, Becker was contending with the pressure of a guest in the booth. Eli Gold, who is also a NASCAR colleague of Becker’s, was in town to watch the Crimson Tide take on the Cats. As the horses were coming onto the track for the Alcibiades, Gold and Tom Leach (the voice of the wildcats) starting talking college sports. The minor distraction prevented Becker from taking the time he needed to study the horses to be adequately prepared.

Ten horses loaded into the gate and they were off ! He settled into a rhythm that felt good, until the final furlong.

A filly came dashing out of the back of the pack and he didn’t have a clue who she was. “It’s a sickening feeling if

you are a race announcer,” Becker says. Not once did he say Runway Model’s name until her nose hit the wire. Her impressive run will always stick in his mind. He is grateful for the encounter a year later at the November breeding stock sale where she was sold. To this day, if a pedigree page ever has Runway Model on it, Becker is teased. The friendly jabs are o.k. ever since he apologized to the thoroughbred beauty. “I’ve always been a firm believer that you never know how much an animal understands. It was worth it to apologize,” Becker says.

In order to appreciate that Becker even had the opportunity to apologize to a graded stakes winning thoroughbred, it helps to know about his humble beginnings. The 43 year old was born, raised, and still lives in the small farming community of Altamont, IL. He grew up in the central Illinois town of two-thousand watching his father, Carl, call the midwest county state fair standard and thoroughbred horse races. When Becker wasn’t playing in little league he would work beside his father, watching and learning. He called his first thoroughbred race when he was just sixteen years old at the Cumberland county fair in Greenup, IL. The race was restricted to Illinois bred two year olds. Trucking Reply was the winner that day. “I knew at that point that calling horse races was something I wanted to do and wanted to do for a long time,” Becker says. As a teenager, he could have never imagined that one day it would lead opportunities to call races at the finest tracks in America and a career at Keeneland.

Kurt attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Back then he thought he’d pursue a career in political science. In the meantime, he continued to pick up more county and state fair work. It was a marvelous environment to begin what would ultimately be his career. No pari mutuel betting coupled with the pastoral setting with stately oak and maple trees made for a relaxed environment.

Kurt awaiting the start of a brodcast from Kentucky Speedway

www.topsinlex.com

81

Who’s Who By the end of Becker’s freshman year of college, The Red Mile track in Lexington was looking for an announcer.

Becker was on their radar after the manager of The Red Mile, Curt Greene, happened to hear Becker calling the county fairs. He was asked if he would call the spring meet at The Red Mile. Becker’s dad encouraged him and said he needed the experience. In 1988, at the age of 19, he started his professional pari mutuel resumé.

By the time he graduated from college in 1992, Becker was married. He had “time to kill” as he says. One fateful day he picked up the Chicago Tribune where he read about an announcer opening in the windy city. Much to his surprise he got the job.

“I think the fact I did not have a lot of demands. I didn’t even have any requests. I just needed a job,” he says. That was in February 1993.

the doors to Keeneland. When Keeneland president and general manager, Bill Greely, called Becker at a NASCAR track to ask if he’d be interested he said yes!

In April, 1997, at the age of 28, Becker started announcing at Keeneland.

Since Keeneland had raced sixty years without a public address announcer, he wasn’t given a how-to manual.

The only prerequisite that came with the job was a request from Greely to arrive a week early and spend that time walking the grounds. “I always have to smile. It was a subtle hint to be in tune with the ambiance of Keeneland,” Becker says. It was the best education he could get.

“The thing that struck me at Keeneland is that the environment is such that the announcer needs to get out of the way. The environment speaks for itself,” he says.

“The days spent in the announcer booth at Keeneland are memorable.”

“I thought what have I gotten myself into. It’s a lot more challenging.” For starters, unlike standardbred racing where the jockeys wear the same driving colors in every race, thoroughbred jockeys changed silks race to race.

That made memorizing jockeys a lot harder. Then there’s all that movement. “You have horses bobbing and weaving through traffic. It’s more action to keep track of.” There are the people too. “Everyone loves you at the fair. They are happy to see you. You get to Chicago and get something different.” Angry fans did not like Becker’s race calling.

“It was a shock. I had never had any criticism,” he recalls.

Even though it bruised his ego, he can objectively say it was justified and the best thing that could happen to him.

“I owe a lot to Chicago racing fans. There’s something to be said for being blunt and straight forward.” Fans wanted to know where their horse was without all the fluff. One patron at Hawthorne Race Course lamented during the final furlong, “We get it. She’s a great mare.” Becker’s former boss at Arlington Park, Richard Duchossois, put it in perspective when he said horse racing is the only sport where the players are in the stands. “People have money on the races,” Becker says, “You don’t need the announcer editorializing.”

After spending two seasons in Chicago Becker left to purseue an opportunity to work for NASCAR announcing for the Motor Racing Network. It was during that time that fate stepped in a second time. It was the summer of ’96. Keeneland was installing a public address system and needed an announcer. A prominent horse owner back in Chicago was familiar with Becker’s work and passed his name onto people in Lexington. Becker had never met Russell Reineman, but having his endorsement opened

82

www.topsinlex.com

During 1997-98 Becker split his time calling races at Keeneland and Churchill Downs. “Calling races at Churchill was a humbling experience. True great icons of the racing sport,” he says. During the last 15 years, Becker has only missed the opening weekend of the 1999 Spring meet because he was ill. “I consider myself the most fortunate announcer in North America,” he says. He is the only announcer to call races and then see many of the greats again at auction where they are sold when they retire from racing and begin a breeding career. “It’s a privilege to see horses come off the track and into the ring. It’s like seeing an old friend.”

Becker has recognized a common thread between him and the horses. He feels pressure to call the races and knows the horses feel the pressure to compete. When they walk into the auction ring both are more relaxed.

Kurt received recognition for his contribution to high school sports from Jack Scott and Carol Bryant, representing the South Central Illinois Basketball Officials Assoc. in 2011

Who’s Who When Becker isn’t working he is back in his hometown.

“I enjoy the slow pace. I get the best of both worlds with my work.” He enjoys visiting major metro areas and has never lost the sense of adventure when he jumps onto a plane; however, once you’ve been traveling, Altamont is a wonderful place to come home to a slow, easy pace.”

He has a sentimental spot for his hometown and works to educate others about its history. He has written an article about the hometown war heroes who sacrificed their lives for freedom. “You need to educate people about their own history so it’s not lost or forgotten,” he says. Becker has also written a book on the history of high school basketball in his community. Summers are dedicated to his antique glassware collection. Becker competes in county and state fairs. “I like to see if the judges think I have good taste in glassware!” Last year he won the cut glass category. “The craftsmanship that went into the pieces is pleasing to the eye,” he says. Time at home is also spent with his twelve year old niece, Em-

ily and seven year old nephew, Matthew. “They are a source of joy.”

When racing season rolls around, he is ready. “I look forward to it each and every day. The sense of excitement still there,” he says. He credits a lot of that to the people he works with. “It’ s not where you work, but the people you work with. I respect them and learn from them.”

Becker also credits his father. “Thanks to my dad a lot of doors opened that would have not opened at such a young age.” His dad takes that credit with a sense of humility and has always said if his son didn’t have the talent, he wouldn’t have lasted.

Becker would like to spend the rest of his career at Keeneland until he is ready to retire; but he, too, is humble. “It all comes down to how people perceive you on the last call,” he says. “You are only as good as your most recent performance.”

Keeneland’s Spring Meet runs from April 6 through April 27.

83

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

83

Triple Crown

84

www.topsinlex.com

Triple Crown

www.topsinlex.com

85

Bucky Sallee

Who’s Who

by Michele Landers

As Keeneland’s horn blower for 50 years, everyone is familiar with Bucky Sallee. His tenure at Keeneland is well documented from when he started in 1962 until last year when the race course celebrated its 75th Anniversary. Keeneland’s President, Nick Nicholson says, “Bucky has become much more than the track bugler—he’s become part of the show. Through his unique position, he has become an iconic figure. His dedication and amiable personality are unmatched and make him an ideal representative of the Keeneland family.”

Although he’s been at Keeneland a long time, Bucky’s first passion has always been music.

A music major at the University of Kentucky, he studied the trumpet, played in local bands and travelled as far as Atlanta and Miami to play. When Johnny Trimble put the four piece Fabulous Table Toppers band together, he was their trumpet player.

Within two weeks of their debut at the Frankfort VFW they were booking dates all over. He says, “It couldn’t have been any sweeter if someone had waved a magic wand. We had a bus, we travelled, we were big time.”

They opened for a lot of famous acts including Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Enis, and Bucky played, “Elbow to Elbow” with Boots Randolph. He said the band played Rock, Country, Jazz, whatever people wanted to hear. One day the band leader came to Bucky and said they didn’t need a horn player anymore, what they really needed was a saxophone player. He didn’t want to be out of the band so he bought a tenor saxophone (a Butcher 400) and holed up in his house and learned to play over the weekend. He showed up the next Monday ready to play his sax.

Bucky stops for a minute, and with a little grit in his voice says, “Then the Beatles hit it big and screwed up everything.” Music changed and the demand for the band

lessened. It wasn’t too long after that that Bucky was approached by Frank Adkins (a Golf Pro) who asked him if he’d like to play at Keeneland.

Bucky is proud of his service to Keeneland and the other tracks he opens. He has two stately coats, made locally at Le Cheval Limited, green for Keeneland race days and red for other tracks, charity events, funerals and weddings. His boots are custom made at Bob Mickler’s and he has played the same horn for more than 35 years. One of his favorite things to do is collect horseshoes; he cleans them up, autographs them, and hands them out to race goers.

Over time, Bucky has met a lot of Keeneland’s visit o r s — r o y a l t y, celebrities, politicians, outlaws, rich people and poor people. “I treat them all the same,” he says. So the next time you are at Keeneland and you see Bucky, make sure you say hello; and if you’re lucky, maybe he’ll give you one of those autographed horseshoes.

Photo by Paul Atkinson

86

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

87

What To Do

Friday, April 6 (Opening Day) | College Scholarship Day | Transylvania Stakes (G3) Gift Shop: Satya Twena Designer Hats Trunk Show Every Saturday during the meet | Breakfast with the Works

Saturday, April 26 (Opening Night) Every Sunday during the meet | Family Fun Days Tuesday-Thursday, May 1-3 | Dawn at the Downs Starting Tuesday, May 1 | Day at the Races

Saturday, April 7 | Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1)

Thursday, May 3 | Taste of Derby

Sunday, April 8 (closed for Easter Sunday)

Friday, May 4 | Kentucky Oaks 138

Monday, April 8 | Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale

Saturday, May 3 | Kentucky Derby 138

Wednesday, April 11 | Keeneland Handicapping Contest

Friday, May 11 | Paddock Concert Series

Thursday, April 12 | Vinery Madison Stakes (G1) Gift Shop: Christine A. Moore Millinery Trunk Show

Friday, May 18 | Paddock Concert Series

Friday, April 13 | Maker’s Mark Bottle Signing Gift Shop: Maker’s Mark Dipping Station and Christine A. Moore Millinery Trunk Show

Sunday, May 13 | Mother’s Day Saturday, May 19 | Preakness Day Thursday, May 24 | Ladies Racing Clinic Friday, May 25 | Paddock Concert Series

Saturday, April 14 | Toyota Blue Grass Stakes Day (G1) | Commonwealth (G2) | Shakertown (G3) Gift Shop: Christine A. Moore Millinery Trunk Show; Jamie Nicholson book signing “The Kentucky Derby” 2-4 p.m.

Saturday May 26 - Monday May 28 | Bluegrass Arts Festival

Sunday, April 15 | Beaumont Stakes (G2) Horses & Hope Pink Day, Gift Shop: Christine A. Moore Millinery Trunk Show

Saturday, June 16 | Downs After Dark | Stephen Foster Stakes

Wednesday, April 18 | Keeneland Handicapping Contest

Saturday, June 30 | Downs After Dark

Friday, April 20 | Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) Jockey Autograph Signing, Gift Shop: Dorfman Hats Trunk Show

Saturday, June 2 | Downs After Dark Saturday, June 9 | Belmont Day

Sunday, June 17 | Father’s Day Sunday, July 1 | Who’s the Champ? (Handicapping Tournament) For more information visit churchilldowns.com

Sunday, April 22 | Military Appreciation Day Presented by Windstream Gift Shop: Dorfman Hats Trunk Show; Donna Barton Brothers book signing 12:20 – 1:00 p.m.

Friday, April 27 | Markey Cancer Concert Derby Weekend Friday, May 4 | Oaks Day (Martinis on the Lawn) Saturday, May 5 | Derby Day (Derby Bash) For more information visit keeneland.com

www.topsinlex.com

89

What To Do

PARTIES, PARTIES, PARTIES!

by Sue Ann Truitt Etiquette Consultant

The countdown continues for the opening day of Keeneland on April 6th and Derby Day on th May 5 . For this month, every serious party person will focus on their favorite past time. Hostesses in Kentucky, as well as elsewhere, snap to attention and pull out all the stops. These parties will contain many traditions that have graced parties since horses in Kentucky found a track. But many parties will not even be in sight of the actual four-legged creature. The outfits are important but out weighing any of the component parts is the food. Kentucky people have amassed signature foods and drinks for which they are very proud. Many of these recipes will come to the forefront during this time of year. Who can imagine this party without Country Ham and Biscuits, Hot Browns, Beer Cheese, Burgoo and Benedictine Sandwiches? All the luscious specialties will be finished off with Derby Pie and Bread Pudding floating in Bourbon Sauce while still looking forward to the Bourbon Ball candy. Who could ask for more? The grand prize remains—the Kentucky Mint Julep! You can eat what you like but when the frosted silver cups are packed with crushed ice, that well-respected Kentucky bourbon poured in with the mint syrup and topped with the freshest sprig of mint grown in our limestone soil— well, then you have arrived!

The food may be predictable, but many aspects of the party are a party planner’s dream.

If the party is to be found, it will certainly center around the infamous silver julep cup. On the reverse, many Keeneland and Derby

90

www.topsinlex.com

parties are backyard casual with themed paper plates, napkins and hats. Given a couple weeks of advance planning, the napkins and cups could be customized to offer a memorable flair.

Try this to show your guests a touch of creativity.

Roses are not forgotten for Derby parties and Keeneland parties also. The red roses can be used in many ways but most often are found in a centerpiece. Whether used by the dozens or just a few, the red rose is the expected posey of the party.

Other decorations for the party could be several of the many equine related posters. These could appear on the front door to welcome the guests, made into a flag or attached to foam core and displayed on an easel.

The appearance of large colored hats are associated with the races. These hats could be scattered on the food table, hung with ribbons from the trees outside, hung on the front door or on the garden gate.

Lastly, a gift for the guests when leaving is a fun way to draw a successful party to a close. These little departure gifts should be simple but clever. Possibilities are Bourbon Balls in a small box tied with a ribbon, a long stemmed red rose tied with a bow, a small potted rose plant, a small bottle of bourbon, your recipes from the party each printed on a colorful card tied with a ribbon, or a packet of “Forget Me Not” flower seeds.

Whether a formal cocktail party or an outside cookout, now is the season to party. Enjoy Kentucky for all it has to offer each of us and celebrate our “Unbridled Spirit”.

www.topsinlex.com

91

www.topsinlex.com

93

What To Do

IN THE ‘BUF’

OH, WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE

by Buffy Lawson Relationship Veteran

“Sweetheart…do these jeans make my butt look big? Seriously, you can tell me the truth.”

I didn’t notice his initial response to my question as I was too busy investigating my buttocks in the full length mirror at a localboutique. Silence seemed to fill the room for a long moment as if we were conducting a deep investigation, contemplating the authenticity of an old, rare dinosaur fossil in the Himalayan Mountains.

“Well?” I said looking away from my rear end directly into his eyes. The poor man looked petrified as if he were being set up by the devil himself. In retrospect, at the time it was a truly innocent question. I was really not setting him up to fail. But looking back, I realized it was the first time that I did not want him to be brutally honest with me. Based on the panic and sweet compassion on his face, his expression said it all. Besides, I was looking at the exact same thing that he was, and those jeans did not look good on it.

Being strangely old fashioned on the one hand, sprinkled with substantial feminism on the other, I have found relationships to be extraordinarily dichotomous as I understand the merit of both sides. Being a healthy, successful woman, I can certainly open my own car door. I can purchase my own car for that matter. Hell, I can own my own car dealership and employ individuals to make car doors if I wish! But I must admit, it sure did feel yummy to have my Mister Man care enough about the old fashioned laws of love to open my car door.

OPEN HER DOOR, GUYS. But we are all diverse, which makes this a fascinating world. Many women believe that they must deeply resent the man who does not remember to open the door and secretly hope he loses all of his hair if he doesn’t.

I say: If having a partner that opens the door is important to you, then

94

www.topsinlex.com

kiss him on the… forehead. He will always open your door.

If you, however, find it insulting that your partner opens the door for you, do not kiss them on the… forehead, do not thank him and make tragic jokes at his expense over too much wine in front of his boss. He will never open your door again.

We must learn how to communicate our needs.

“Opening the car door” is not nearly as sensitive as “Who’s going to pick up the check?” AWKWARD. Bon-Bon, my dearest girlfriend informed me that she went on a date with a very successful lawyer. They each had a cup of coffee and he required that they split the bill. What?

We have so many of these small but huge situations in relationships that we must learn about our partners along the way. But at some point, we find ourselves trying on a new pair of blue jeans in front of our partner after knowingly sporting a few and perhaps a lot of unwanted lbs.

Bottom line ladies, if he really, really loves you—more than likely, even if you force him to admit your butt looks big in those jeans—he still thinks you hung the moon.

And I learned that the best way that day while shopping with my guy.

“It’s not the jeans that make you beautiful Buf ” Mister Man said.

I threw the jeans on a large pile of clothing that apparently didn’t look perfect on all of the others before me. Together we walked arm and arm through the store shopping for other items.

We couldn’t help notice a young, toned, seemingly perfect girl walk out of the dressing room with her adorable guy who was wearing everything UK sitting in that same chair waiting on her.

God, I hated her. Until…“Honey, do these jeans make my butt look big?” she said…

What To Do

HOME GARDENING ATTRACTING BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES

by Michelle Rauch, Gardening Enthusiast

There are three basic needs birds and butterflies have that are not unlike our own. They need food, shelter, and water. If you have all of that, you are on your way to attracting them.

As with any good hostess, you want to make them feel at home so they will stay.

I realize, now, I have been an unreliable hostess. When spring rolls around I have simply put out bird seed. When I remember, I refill it. After spring and summer pass, I stop filling the feeders. No wonder the birds and butterflies have been fare weather friends. I probably wouldn’t stick around either if I never knew day to day or week to week if there would be any munchies in Michelle’s yard. So, rule number one: keep a steady supply of food and water all year long. Diversity of food is important. Think about it from your pet’s perspective if you have one. Sure, my dogs enjoy their kibble and appear to relish it every time I put it down for breakfast and dinner.

But when they get a treat, that something extra that’s out of the ordinary, they savor it. So you can imagine the same philosophy applies to wildlife. Bird seed and hummingbird nectar is great as a supplement, but dig into nature’s pantry for the main course.

Choose flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs that will create a landscape that produces food all four seasons. Here is a list to get you started: alyssum, astilbe, bee balm, coneflower, dahlia, eucalyptus, geranium, hibiscus, impatiens, lantana, marigolds, phlox, salvia, sunflowers, and zinnia. Herbs are great too including: dill, mint, and parsley. Over ripe fruit is a big attraction. Instead of tossing it out with the trash add it to the garden. Bright colors are a bonus too.

Shelter is equally important as food and water. Create a safe haven for birds to retreat to. The shade of trees, shrubs, and bird houses are ideal. This, of course, is to the chagrin of my Airedale Terrier.

She fancies a romp in open spaces to catch them if she can.

I am starting the process now to entice birds and butterflies into my yard and will work to keep them in sight. I have the support of my dogs to invite more wildlife of the fluttering variety into the yard; however, while I want to enjoy their beauty, my canine companions have ulterior motives. That’s another issue altogether and a challenge I will conquer after my new backyard guests arrive.

Here’s to creating a landscape with the right additions that will keep birds and butterflies coming back instead of just passing through.

www.topsinlex.com

97

What To Do

POSH PAWS

PET MEMENTOS AND PORTRAITS

by Amanda Harper, Pet Aficionado

My parents built a deck behind their house some years ago. At the foot of the steps leading up to it, my mom decided to pour a concrete slab to keep the ground there protected and firm for safety. Two of our dogs proceeded to walk right through the wet concrete, leaving perfect paw prints behind. My mom realized what a wonderful memento they’d just left her and proceeded to round up her other two dogs and press their little paws in, leaving behind a permanent mark from each of our beloved pooches.

Now gone, we remember them fondly as we pass over their little prints.

You might have a few photos of your pet stashed away in albums, but have you ever considered doing more to make memories of your pet? There are some fun projects and outings you can participate in with your pet to create some art for your home while making something that will help you remember your pet for years to come.

If your pet is large enough and will tolerate you touching his feet or paws, make an impression! Either in plaster or with paint on paper, press your pet’s pads and get a memento for years to come. For small pets, just let them scamper about in a bit of non-toxic, pet-safe paint and then across a pad of paper. Remember to use pet-safe materials and clean your pet’s feet thoroughly when finished. This is not a great idea for pets with sensitive skin or pets with very absorbent skin, like reptiles and amphibians. Ask your vet first!

98

www.topsinlex.com

If you’re artistically-inclined, why not try sketching or painting your pet’s portrait? Even if you’re not a great artist, it’s a fun exercise that helps you express your creative side while spending time with your pet. Remember, some of the world’s most famous paintings aren’t necessarily the most realistic or accurate. Even cute cartoony doodles can be a wonderful reminder of your sweet pet pal.

Try photographing your pet. Perhaps capture your pet at play or curled up to sleep in her favorite spot. Try not to use the flash— that will cause glowy eyes and is often annoying to your pet. Instead, light the area naturally with tons of lamps or take the photo outside. If you don’t necessarily have a great camera or much photography experience, no worries. You can always zazz up a picture using photo editing software or online tools.

If you’re not keen on DIY, you can always hire a professional!

Many photographers specialize in taking pet portraits. Don’t be camera shy! Be sure to have a few photos taken with your pet.

Many artists will also create pet portraits for you. Most prefer to work from a photograph, so be sure to take a lot of reference pictures of your pet.

Etsy.com is a site that specializes in handmade goods. Many of the crafters there produce pet-centric goods that can be personalized to match your pet.

A permanent reminder of your time with your pets is something you will surely cherish in years to come. And who knows, maybe your pet is secretly the perfect model and muse for your new art career!

What To Do

AZUR RESTAURANT & PATIO DINING HOT SPOT SPORTS CULINARY CREATIVITY WITHOUT SACRIFICING FLAVOR

by Blake Hannon

100

www.topsinlex.com

What To Do

T

here are any number of reasons why a restaurant can become and remain successful. Many times, it’s because the establishment is giving its customers what they want. Then, there’s AZUR Restaurant & Patio, which has done so by offering guests what they don’t expect.

This contemporary bistro, part of the bustling Beaumont Centre on Lexington’s south end, has been expanding the city’s palate one customer at a time for the past six years.

That has always been part of owner and executive chef Jeremy Ashby’s vision. Having worked in culinary hot beds like Miami and Charleston, SC, before becoming the creative culinary operations manager for popular Lexington restaurants like the Merrick Inn, Ashby and his culinary staff bring a mix of innovation and reverence to the purity of each dish they craft.

While AZUR prides itself on being a farm-to-table restaurant that uses as many Kentucky Proud ingredients as possible; what it does with those ingredients isn’t exactly indebted to Bluegrass State tradition—far from it.

But before you get to your first bite, you’ll be transported to another locale by the restaurant’s atmosphere alone. The European-inspired minimalist interior is curvaceous, dominated by light wood tables and walls with bold blues and various hues of green. With weather heating up, the restaurant’s expansive and well-manicured patio area is sure to attract a crowd on its own merits.

Now, let’s get to the food, which is the fun part for not only the diners but for the cooks composing these delectable dishes. Ashby said his menu, along with the specials he and his staff concoct, knowingly push diners out of their comfort zones.

Want to try a burger at lunchtime? AZUR is leaving the cow alone and instead using lamb, with feta cheese, roasted red pepper, field greens, buttermilk chervil ranch and a side of sweet potato fries. In the mood for a slider appetizer? No problem, except they are duck meatball sliders with an Asian kick on Hawaiian bread.

You probably won’t find the common cuts of meat at

dinner time, so you may end up seeing if you’re game for some, well, different game; i.e., elk, boar or rabbit.

Whether your choice is safe or exotic, what the restaurant does to it is what makes AZUR a standout. The salmon tiradito appetizer combines fresh, delicate and lightly seared salmon with the salty crunch of fried scallions, mustard miso sauce and toasted black sesame seeds. A savory starter is the lobster crepes, with creamy scallion filling and no shortage of lobster meat given a sweet smack in a pool of guava sauce and some earthiness from truffle oil.

Some of AZUR’s mainstay entrees will give you a chance to see the kitchen’s unbridled creativity unleashed. Take the woven shrimp, whose presentation could pass for modern sculpture. The filo crust is sliced into thin ribbons and wrapped around the shrimp, which is fried and topped with a coconut sweet corn risotto and red chile glaze. Throw in some radicchio and a bit of avocado relish (a personal touch for this visit) and you’ve got one stylishly plated and flavor-packed prawn.

(Side note: I was also enjoying a Bluegrass Sunrise—an award-winning, reconstructive take on the typical old fashioned. Just lets you know that experimentation doesn’t exclusively reside in the back of the house.)

One of my final culinary curveballs came when I was told I’d be getting a ribeye. If you’re like me, when you think of a ribeye, a certain image pops into your head.

What I got, however, further showcased AZUR’s tinkering with the common dish. Utilizing only the tender “lip” of the ribeye cut, it was stacked perfectly on a strip of fried potato and served with dots of horseradish and Ashby’s homemade steak sauce. It’s little surprises like this you’ll enjoy if you ask AZUR about one of their multi-course tasting menus.

Ashby said that AZUR Restaurant & Patio seems to have really hit its stride. Granted, it’s a stride that seems like it could go in any direction, with its emphasis on changing its menu to follow food trends and capitalize on seasonal ingredients. But no matter its choices, the focus on creativity with the confidence and ability to deliver tasty and contemporary cuisine will keep AZUR a stylish stop for Lexington food fanatics.

859.296.1007 | 3070 Lakecrest Circle Suite 550 | azurrestaurant.com

www.topsinlex.com

101

What To Do

2012 Decorators’ Showcase Transforms Highland Hall

by Kristin Espeland Gourlay New Design Firm Heads Up This Year’s Showcase Interior designers Stuart Hurt and his business partners, Dwayne Anderson and Jeremy Rice, launched their design business, House by JSD Designs, a little more than two years ago. In addition to decorating homes and businesses (including custom window treatments and upholstery), Hurt and partners plan weddings and create custom floral arrangements. And as if that weren’t enough, the trio also operates a retail store by the same name currently located at 1535 Delaware Ave. and moving to 250 Walton Ave. in Lexington on May 1. “Come and browse,” Hurt says. “Everything’s for sale. We have soaps and lotions, blankets, a wide variety of items.”

This year, organizers tapped House to head up one of the area’s most exciting design events: the annual Decorators’ Showcase, a designers’ dream as well as a fundraiser for a very worthy cause.

“We thought it was a big opportunity for our business and we could bring in some new ideas.” The men have done just that.

They’ve invited new designers into the fold and added some special events. And if last year is any indication of what to expect for this year’s Showcase, Hurt and friends should expect big

102

www.topsinlex.com

crowds for their creative work. Last year more than 5,200 people toured the showcase home.

How It Works Organizers of the annual Decorators’ Showcase choose a property, usually a private home, that needs a makeover, and give a group of designers the chance to redecorate one room each.

This year, Hurt and company chose Highland Hall, built in 1855, on Old Richmond Road in Fayette County. The homeowners— who happen to be Hurt’s father and stepmother—have done some extensive structural renovations to the home, such as replacing the roof and adding a geothermal heating system. The home’s outside is ready for a close-up, but the inside could use some sprucing up, Hurt says.

So Hurt and company have asked 18 designers to pick a room in the house and redesign it. “The trick,” he says, “is making the house cohesive.” An approved color palette helps, but doesn’t stifle creativity. Hurt says there are only five colors in that palette, but a range of colors within each. Homeowners get to provide feedback on the designers’ ideas, but they don’t dictate every

What To Do But the biggest benefit is to the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass (ombuddy.org), which exists to advocate for the rights of nursing home residents, investigate their concerns, and monitor the enforcement of laws meant to protect them. NHOA, a nonprofit, provides its services for free to nursing home residents and relies on donations, grants, and special events like this for funding. This is their most important fundraiser of the year. And, since funding from several sources is down nearly 23% because of the economic crisis, the Showcase is more important than ever.

detail. They also don’t have to keep anything designers use, but they can buy any of the elements they like. Nearly everything in each room will be on sale to the public, as well.

Designed for Good: Benefitting the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency So, who benefits from the Decorators’ Showcase? Lots of people.

The homeowners receive free interior design services. Designers enjoy exposure to potential customers and networking with colleagues. And the touring public gets to sample some of the area’s finest design work, all in one space.

NHOA spokeswoman, Julie McDearmon, says her agency is often a lifeline for lonely residents. “Sixty percent of residents don’t have regular visitors other than their ombudsman,” McDearmon says. “For some people, we really are all that they have; helping them to receive the care that they need, addressing concerns they can’t voice themselves or are afraid to voice.”

And, with a fast-growing population of senior citizens, the agency is becoming more important than ever to the increasing number of families with members in nursing homes. “It’s something people don’t want to think about,” says McDearmon, “but it can happen very quickly.” If you’re on the fence about visiting the Decorators’ Showcase this May, McDearmon asks you to consider the fact that, one day, your own cherished family member might be in a nursing home. “All of the funds that we raise from this event go to that care,” she says, bringing dignity and compassion to those who sometimes can’t stand up for themselves.

You’re Invited to the Decorators’ Showcase!

Come tour an incredible home built in 1855, with interiors decorated by some of the region’s finest designers, and go home with some of the gorgeous merchandise for sale. In addition to tours, you can buy tickets to special events at the house, including a bourbon and cigar night and a special candlelight showing. Proceeds benefit the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass, dedicated to advocating for nursing home residents who wouldn’t otherwise have a voice in their care and treatment.

Details: What: One historic home, 18 incredible interior designers, and a great cause Where: A private home called Highland Hall, at 6208 Old Richmond Road in Lexington, KY When: Tours run May 12 – June 10, 2012, on Tuesday through Saturday from 10am – 4pm (lunch available 11am – 1:30pm) and on Sundays from 12 – 4pm (no lunch served on Sunday). Closed Mondays and Tuesdays and on Sunday, May 27.

Cost: Admission is $15, lunch is available for $10.

Reservations: Recommended for groups of 6 or more.

Groups: 10 or more receive a 20% discount on admission and must book tour and lunch in advance.

Food: Lunch catered by Sam Sears of South-Van Events For more information: Contact Julie McDearmon, Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass, at 859-277-9215, via email at decoratorsshowcase2012@gmail.com, or visit decshowcase.com.

www.topsinlex.com

103

Who’s Who

French /

Texan

DREAM HOME

by Amanda Harper Shaun Ring Photography

104

www.topsinlex.com

Who’s Who

When a pair of homeowners have interesting backgrounds, their collective home design will almost certainly reflect a certain uniqueness. Her family is French and she spent five years in Europe; he grew up in Austin, Texas. Together, their home reflects these sensibilities, pairing the rich tones of the Southwest with timeless European style. The exterior of the home illustrates this blending well; the Oklahoma sandstone was chosen specifically for its Texas feel while the flared and steeply pitched genuine slate roof and architectural details hearken to France. They wanted the house to look as though it had been there a hundred years when, in fact, it was newly-built for the couple five years ago.

The homeowners knew going into the home building process that there were some “must-have” features. They scoured home design magazines and websites to find the perfect additions and put them all together in a Word document. When they met with their builder and architect, they shared all these ideas. The homeowners made a conscious decision to stay on top of the whole process, refusing to compromise on easier or more common home choices. From choosing wider trim for doorways to having the dormers redone when they weren’t right, the homeowners knew that their diligence would pay off. The result is a home which won the Home Builders Association of Lexington’s Outstanding Single Family Project Award in 2007.

www.topsinlex.com

105

106

www.topsinlex.com

Who’s Who

www.topsinlex.com

107

Who’s Who

The homeowners worked within the architects’ (Chris and Ben of McCoy Architects) floorplan to create a custom kitchen that suited their love of cooking, and worked with Laura of Cabinet and Designs to create the European-styled cabinetry. The homeowners wanted two refrigerators in the open space, allowing them to cook together comfortably. Laura suggested installing two full sized sinks, placing them on islands four feet apart to allow the homeowners to move about the kitchen without bumping into each other. An open archway separates the kitchen from the informal living room, creating an entertaining space that doesn’t feel confined. SuCasa installed the countertops and tile.

Rich colors and warm hardwoods offer an artistocratic Texan air while the molding and details are clearly European-inspired, lending a very personalized quality to the home’s interior. The Henredon dining table and chairs were actually show pieces at a market show in North Carolina. It offers the masculine deep woods and leather trim while offering a feminine touch in the French cultural details and curves. They carried over the dual chandelier theme from the kitchen, balancing the room and offering more diffused lighting.

108

www.topsinlex.com

Who’s Who

The home’s study was the husband’s room to design. He had always loved the style of a Victorian library. The couple purchased an antique set of furniture for the space before it was built, then created the space to suit the pieces. He pulled the colors and ceiling tile from his memories of The Driskill Hotel in Austin, creating a space that is warm. The homeowners say that little details can make a huge impact without breaking the bank. They love the tin ceiling tile, which was not very expensive as it was installed using a patented SnapLock system from The American Tin Ceiling Co. Something he had always longed for was a pinball machine. They shopped for one for a long time before picking a machine that also suited his love of “The Simpsons”.

The arcade machine offers an element of fun to the study, and the homeowners say that they play it often in this downstairs space.

The upstairs game room has an 80s-style arcade machine, as well as a pool table, dart board and cozy sitting area. Antique-style fans and lights lend a timeless quality to the room, anchoring what could feel more like a contemporary wall color. The home’s staircase features wrought iron created by Iron Horse Forge, who also did the home’s front gate and dual balconies at the back of the house.

Padgett Construction turned the homeowners’ dream into a reality. The home’s gas lights came from Charleston Gas Light in South Carolina.

110

www.topsinlex.com

Who’s Who

www.topsinlex.com

111

Who’s Who

The couple each had something important they wanted out of their new home. She felt that the master bedroom should be upstairs; to her, that just makes sense. He had always wanted a really nice closet. They each got their wishes. The bedroom is located upstairs and features a fireplace, creating a cozy space. The room is painted a soft, relaxing blue, a departure from the home’s warm tones. But the headboard and footboard of the bed carry over the style and rich woods found in furniture throughout the home. As a part of a large master suite, this room features an open archway door into the other areas. An inlaid wood design in the floor offers an elegant touch.

The closet is a room unto itself. Steve at BC Woodworking created the closet, as well as the home’s bookcases and wainscoting. Tidy, orderly shelves help the homeowners keep everything in its place. The closet doubles as a lovely dressing room. An arched doorway leads to the closet, just across from the master bedroom.

Rich hardwoods, beautiful stone and carefully-selected pieces help this home reflect its owners’ unique personalities, tastes and backgrounds. The homeowners were pleased to create a home that features a high level of quality throughout and a truly incredible French-Texan space in Northeastern Fayette County.

112

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

113

Who’s Who

www.topsinlex.com

115

Top Events

Andre Pater

Betty Spain, Kasia Pater and Jim Clark

Dr. and Mrs. Chopra and Dr. and Mrs. Jim Gay

Czarina Grace and Frank Cain

Lauren Gawthrop and Doug High

Jim Gray and Susan Masterman

Honoree Isabel Yates and Trudy Tibbs

Art in Bloom Each February the Art Museum at the University of Kentucky blooms with excitement.

Regional floral designers interpret works of art in the museum collections and create stunning temporary works of art. The 2012 event honored Mrs. Isabel Yates for her longtime work in the community. Funds raised will support museum education and exhibition programs. uky.edu/ArtMuseum Photos by Alex Orlov

116

www.topsinlex.com

Top Events

Benjamin Steele, Tansy Mullins and John Terry

Lynn Birmingham, Danielle Palmer and Christina Mackell

Diane and Michael Blowen

Bobbie Turner, Cassie Slone, Hollie Russell-Payne, Daren & Kirsten Turner and Charlene Merriman

Drew and Christina Mackell

Jamin Kozak and Alexis Morrell

Birthday Benefit for Old Friend’s Farm Michael Blowen, owner of Old Friends Farm, and Tansy Mullins created a 7 week program for special education students at Martin Luther King Academy. So far they have visited the farm 6 times and it has made a huge impact on Mullin’s students. It takes $2,300 a year to care for one thoroughbred on Old Friend’s Farm. Mullins held a Birthday Benefit for Old Friend’s Farm at SkyBar that consisted of a silent auction and decorations made by her special needs students. The money raised will go directly to caring for the horses that make a difference in her student’s lives. oldfriendsfarm.com Photos by Alex Orlov

118

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

119

Top Events

Mike & Kellie Stoddart

Alisa Rose, Joan Jackson and Tina Davis

Kim Tyler and Dana Branham

Eli Mertens and Kelly Karbowicz

Beverly Clemons, Hope Hurst Lanham, Cathy Stafford and Emily McCarthy

Donna & Bill Madden and Beth Wofford

Susan Wells, Julie McEwen and Gina Fielding

NAWBO Chocolate Affair The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) held its annual Chocolate Affaire to kick off their membership drive. Since 1992, NAWBO Lexington Chapter has helped women evolve their businesses by sharing resources and providing a voice to shape economic and public policy. NAWBO is the only dues-based national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs in all types of businesses. lexnawbo.org/ Photos by Neil Sulier

120

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

121

Top Events

Kerry Glass and Andy Shea

Amber Philpott

Sam Dick

Anna Ross and Eileen Levy

Lynn Martin

Pam Nystrom

Cathryn Gibson

Sydney Lutz

Susan G. Komen Couture for a Cure Susan G. Komen Lexington affiliate held Couture for the Cure at the Carrick House. The night was filled with fabulous fashion, live entertainment, a silent auction, food, drinks and fun!

Up to 75 percent of the proceeds raised will stay in the Central Kentucky area to fund local screening, treatment and education programs for breast cancer focusing on the medically underserved. komenlexington.org/ Photos by Judy & Brian Myers

122

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

123

Top Events

Sandy Ritchie and Tom Hammond

Ethan Fedele, Pat Dalbey and Colin Smith

Misty Dawn & Tommy Covey

Kristy Lowery and Brooke Bentle

Susie Merida, Joel Rapp, Cindy Walters and Chris Fedele

Anna Fuller, Pat Dalbey and Barbara Huber

Kimberly Smith and Tara Brickey

LEX 18 Olympic Launch Party LEX 18 hosted an Olympic Launch Party at Parlay Social to celebrate their upcoming broadcasts of the 2012 Olympic Games from London, England. Guests were greeted in full London fashion with royal guards at the doors and even Will and Kate made an appearance (in cardboard form of course)! Tom Hammond, famed NBC sports commentator, was the featured speaker. lex18.com Photos by Paul Atkinson

124

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

125

Top Events

Yetta Young

Alecia McCorvey

Jessie Laine Powell

Lee How

Dr. Everett McCorvey

Mary Jo Black, Patricia Hayden and Chrissy Lyles

Lee Jackson and Chester Grundy

Duke Ellington Jazz Series at the Lyric Theater The American Spiritual Ensemble and the Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra partnered together to kick off PNC Bank and Friends of the Lyric Presents, “The Duke Ellington Jazz Series” at the Lyric Theatre on February 24, 2012, which included a jazz infused VIP Reception in the Lyric’s Art Gallery.

LexingtonLyric.com Photos by David Desjardins

126

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

127

Top Events

Leanna Webb, Debbie Green and Stephanie Diaj

Michelle Rauch and Carol Schroeder

Noelle Dick, Karen Keck and Monica Cooter

Kristen Oakley and Casey Graves

Dan Glass and Leigh Wagner

David Banks and Teri Turner

TOPS March Preview Party TOPS unveiled its March Home and Garden issue at a special preview party hosted at Sleep Outfitters. Friends and guests enjoyed drinks, fun and of course a beautiful new TOPS publication. topsinlex.com Photos by Alex Orlov

128

www.topsinlex.com

130

their parents in the Sand Ceremony. Music was provided by members from Crossroads Christian Church, where Angela is on the Vocal Team.

June 25, 2011

Angela & Colby Newsome

WOW Wedding

Who’s Who

www.topsinlex.com

Y

ou’ve heard of movie stars being called overnight sensations, but when they are interviewed, they point out it took years to get to that point. The same thing could be said about Angela and Colby. Friends since middle school, casual dates in high school, a few more in college and then a two year separation while they pursued their education, finally led to an engagement seven months after reconnecting in February of 2010. Angela says, “It was his beard that caught my eye after we reconnected; this time he was so much more mature than I had ever seen him.” Not exactly love at first sight, more like love with fresh eyes.

The couple grew up in Eastern Kentucky and wanted their ceremony and reception site to reflect that down home feeling for their wedding.

They searched several locales before choosing Talon Winery. “We knew we wanted to be married in the city where our love began, but we still wanted some country charm. We found everything we were looking for at Talon Winery.” The ceremony centered around their relationship. They chose songs and scriptures that were very meaningful to them and included

Angela and Colby loved the barn atmosphere and it made such a beautiful backdrop for their reception.

Carrying through their country charm theme, a dinner of ‘good home cooking’ was served. Tables laden with assorted cheese tortes, crackers, grapes, passed corn fritters and mini BLTs were followed by strawberry salad, fried chicken, honey baked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, and macaroni and cheese (all of Angela and Colby’s favorite foods). Their wedding cake was a four tier basket-weave design of vanilla and chocolate cake with strawberry jam filling and butter cream frosting. The groom’s cake was a traditional red velvet cake. The candy bar that Colby requested was also a big hit with guests.

The bride personalized every aspect of the wedding day. Music was chosen and performed at both the ceremony and the reception by members of their church and they accompanied Angela when she sang “The Story” to Colby. They gave their guests CDs in custom boxes of their favorite love songs and photo souvenirs from the photo booth. At the end of the night, guests sent them off to their waiting stretch Hummer by blowing bubbles and waving wands adorned with ribbons.

For the bride and groom, their most touching moment of the day came before the photos began, giving them a little private time to enjoy each other before the wedding. From that point on, so many people who loved them worked to have everything go off as planned. She and Colby felt very blessed to be surrounded by such gifted friends and family.

by Michele Landers Photography by Conrhod Zonio

Who’s Who

www.topsinlex.com

131

132

www.topsinlex.com

Who’s Who

www.topsinlex.com

133

Who’s Who

Details: Wedding Planner: Elizabeth Buckler Photographer: Conrhod Zonio DJ: John Sims Florist: Jean’s Floral of Elkhorn City, KY Caterer: Elizabeth Buckler Venue: Talon Winery Photo Booth: Onsite Photobooths Rentals: Purdon’s Stretch Hummer: Thoroughbred Limousines Grooms Cake: Mondelli’s Bakery

134

www.topsinlex.com

www.topsinlex.com

135

136

www.topsinlex.com

Who’s Who

Monica (Higgins) & Jermaine Shack July 9, 2011 Tom Cruse Photography

Amy (Rippetoe) & Darrell Hayes October 6, 2011 Rickerson Photography

Alexandrea (Tuttle) & Vail Brennan October 8, 2011 Rickerson Photography

Wedding Announcements

Katy (Downey) & Lee O’Connor June 4, 2011 David Blair Photography

Want to see your wedding photo published in TOPS? Email kristen@topsmarketing.com for more information.

www.topsinlex.com

137

O TSHOTSP Diavalo performs at the Norton Center

Davis playing in a sea of blue!

138

www.topsinlex.com

Hunter Lisle, Karina Smirnoff, Gavin DeGraw and Elesha Burkhart prepare for Dancing with the Stars!

Never too late to celebrate a Cats win!

St. Patrick’s Day Royalty