TOPS AROUND TOWN 34
21 Out & About I 23 Out & About II 24 TOPS November Preview Party I 26 TOPS November Preview Party II 28 Junior League Holly Day Market I 30 Junior League Holly Day Market II 32 Ball Homes Night of Hope Gala 34 American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women I 36 American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women II 38 Good Giving Gala 40 Salvation Army Christmas Roast 42 UK Sports 170 Jubilee Jobs Year of Dignity 172 Baptist Health Women’s Celebration 174 KCTCS Awards Banquet 176 Bluegrass Tomorrow Vision Awards 178 American Diabetes Association Kiss A Pig 180 Garth Brooks Party 182 Walk for Down Syndrome 184 St. Joseph Evening with the Stars Gala I 186 St. Joseph Evening with the Stars Gala II 210 TOP Shots
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Captions for event photos 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 kristen@topsmarketing.com with any corrections and we will make note of it in the next issue.
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IN EVERY ISSUE 114
45 Sports: To Platoon or Not To Platoon 92 Etiquette & Entertaining: A Cozy Christmas… Shared 95 Gardening: Gifts for Gardeners 96 Fitness: De-stressing During the Holidays 106 What’s New 109 Relationships: Nobody Likes a Nag 111 Fashion: Festive Dress 112 Posh Paws: Paws, Claws & Automobiles 114 Family: Family Pets 117 Parties: Easy Holiday Entertaining Tips 163 Luxurious Living 192 Weddings: Your Something Blue Can Make a Statement About You 194 Taste of Thyme: Frost Bites… Snow Day Gifts from the Hearth 198 TOP 5 Dining: Catering 200 Lesley’s List 202 Arts & Entertainment 205 Up & Coming
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The views and comments expressed by the authors are not always that of our editors or publishers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, TOP Marketing Group accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences, including any loss or damage arising from the reliance on information in this publication. All images contained in TOPS in Lexington Magazine are subject to copyright of the artist or photographer as named, but not limited thereto. Reproduction of any part of this magazine without prior written permission is prohibited.
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TOPS Around Town
JUNIOR LEAGUE HOLLY DAY MARKET PT.II Photos by Woody Phillips The Junior League Holly Day market sold jewelry; clothes for women, men and children; toys; books; holiday decorations; ornaments; art; food; and much more. Plus, the Holly Day Market offers daily events and activities for everyone including a much anticipated visit from Santa. www.lexjrleague.com
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TOPS Around Town
UK SPORTS Photos by Various Photographers The #1 Ranked University of Kentucky Wildcats are once again on a quest for their 9th national championship. There is so much talent on this team, that Coach Cal is using the “platoon” system to get everyone great playing time, and wear down the opponents. Go CATS!! www.ukathletics.com
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The Glitz
Puttin’ On
The Glitz
here’s a good chance that even if you have lived in Kentucky all of T your life, that you have never been to a little place called Nonesuch. In
fact, there’s an equally good chance you have never even heard of the small community. Nestled in the countryside of the rural area is a little treasure of a boutique and restaurant called The Glitz at Irish Acre Gallery. Fans of Irish Acres and The Glitz Restaurant are familiar with the efforts of Bonnie and Arch Hannigan and their daughters, Jane
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by Jesse L. Brooks
DeLauter and Emilie McCauley, to offer the finest quality antiques and collectibles and the most innovative cuisine to their loyal customers. What most people may not be familiar with is the story behind the family behind the business. When Bonnie Synder was only three years old, she declared to a neighbor that she wanted to be a “busyness” woman. Having that kind of ambition at an early age, Bonnie proved little girls with dreams become women with vision. In the 1950s, Bonnie, then in her mid-twenties,
The Glitz
found herself the mother of three daughters, Anne, Jane, and Emilie, and the housewife of the Vice President of the Kentucky Electric Steel Company in Ashland. While most women were happy to play the role of June Cleaver, wearing high heels while they vacuumed with a smile, Bonnie still had that ‘busyness” woman inside her. That’s when Bonnie opened Tots and Teens, a boutique specializing in upscale fashions for children and teenagers. The three sisters were of course incorporated into Bonnie’s new business venture, serving as models on several occasions. Being a savvy thinker, Bonnie knew exactly how to garner attention for the store. Rather than using typical mannequins to show off the clothes, she persuaded local pageant winners like Miss Ashland to stand in her windows and live model the latest fashions. “Momma was ahead of her time,” says Emilie, “I can’t tell you the number of wrecks on Winchester Avenue caused by people staring at those beauty queens in the window.” In 1971, now living in Rush, Kentucky, the Hannigan family’s idyllic existence received a jolt when Arch learned his company was relocating to Chicago. Bonnie, who was determined to raise her three daughters in a country setting began brainstorming. With their major resource now being 200 acres of land and a barn capable of housing 18 horses, Arch and Bonnie embarked on a new venture—a posh riding academy for girls. Like everything else with the Hannigans, the academy became a family affair. Arch built a lodge from the ground up, as well as a swimming pool, bathhouse, and concession stand. To publicize the camp, Bonnie naturally called upon her three daughters. Bonnie and the girls would
stop by for a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken before hitting up their local library to dive into phone books all over the United States. Each daughter took a different area. “The librarian, who came to know us well, would have the next books stacked and waiting for us when we arrived after school,” recalls Jane. Like her clothing store, Bonnie’s riding camp was an immediate success, all sixty spaces were filled in the first year of operation. The academy is also where Emilie’s culinary interest really took off. At only twelve years old she was already cooking three meals a day for girls accustomed to the very best. While Emilie’s interest in food continued to grow, Bonnie was about to stumble on a new obsession of her own, thanks to a Flow Blue porcelain pitcher given to her by her father, Hoot, a former Montana rodeo champion. “When she would find herself within walking distance of a nearby town, she would take off and go antiquing.” says Jane. “She would buy everything she could carry back to the show grounds.” Soon, there was no turning back. The horse camp academy was the past. Bonnie was now looking for a new challenge, and she sure had found it. Her eye for quality antiques led to the next chapter in the Hannigan’s adventures. Antiques quickly took over Bonnie’s life. Literally selling furniture right out from under her family, though always making sure to replace it with something even more grand than what they had before. Arch gave
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The Glitz
Bonnie her first “antique shop,” a single stall in the family’s horse barn. After one stall lead to two and so on, Arch quickly learned that the antiques were more profitable than horses. “Momma wasn’t going to be satisfied operating out of horse stalls for long,” says Emilie. “Her dream was to have an antique shop on par with those in New York and New Orleans.” With her daughters gearing up for college and deciding to leave the nest, Bonnie decided to pitch another idea to her two youngest daughters. “Momma had a way of selling something to someone so that they thought it was their idea,” says Jane. This time Bonnie was selling both Jane and Emilie on design school, while horse lover Anna went on to study Animal Science in Tennessee. In the summer of 1978 the girls were successfully talked into design school by Arch and Bonnie. “Today we are so grateful that our parents saw potential in us and invited us to join them on their journey.” That fall, Jane and Emilie headed off to Atlanta and the Art Institute, where their individual talents would reach full potential. While Emilie continued to impress and shine in the culinary field, Jane blew her professors away with her knowledge of antiques. The sisters remained natural allies and friendly competitors. Both girls ended up co-valedictorians of their graduating class. While their friends took off to new places, Jane and Emilie knew where their destiny lay—back in Rush, KY joining the family business. Once the girls returned home, Bonnie learned of the auction of an elementary school in Nonesuch, a town in rural Woodford County. Once more making use of her talent of persuasion, Bonnie convinced the new owner that he really wanted to sell the building… to her, of course! Bonnie couldn’t have been happier had she just been handed the papers to Harrod’s in London.
what she wanted, and it was someplace special where ladies, needing a respite from their shopping, could be seated and served a three-course meal, a place where they didn’t have to worry about whether or not they should order dessert,” says Emilie. After a long search and numerous interviews for the perfect chef, Emilie, ever a dutiful daughter, offered to step in until the right chef came along. Bonnie decided, “She’s perfect. She’s had dishpan hands since she was eight.” Today Irish Acres has grown to include two floors of world class merchandise and The Glitz has been called by reviewers “well worth the drive.” Bonnie certainly reached her goal of becoming a “busyness” woman, and after her passing in 2001, her family has been determined to carry on the legacy. Arch and his wife Hope continue to travel the world in search of quality merchandise and high-end French antiques for the third floor “Upper Room,” evoking Marie Antionette’s salon. In a true “Upstairs, Downstairs” scenario, Jane oversees the gallery operation, while Emilie has her own culinary kingdom on the lower level. Visiting The Glitz has become both a friends and family affair for so many people across the Bluegrass state, including myself. I visit every holiday season with my Aunt and we always have the most magical of days. We love everything about The Glitz, from the extravagant Christmas decor that makes every woman feel like a little girl again, to the tasty delight of having one of Emilie’s signature “Nonesuch Kiss” confections. The minute you walk through the gallery’s doors, you will feel like you have entered Wonderland, with so much to see and take in. The Glitz restaurant is just as charming. You will instantly feel like you have been transported to a twinkling night in Paris, even though it may be the middle of the afternoon. Emilie always offers a chic and savory seasonal menu with unique dishes you can replicate at home by picking up one of their in-store cookbooks. The only thing more warm and inviting than the store itself are the sisters, Emilie and Jane, whose dedication shines through the moment you see them buzzing around the gallery. Irish Acres is a special place to be shared with special people. I encourage everyone to fall down the rabbit hole to Nonesuch and find out for themselves.
“It was a one-man renovation project,” says Jane about Arch, who usually was content with letting Bonnie run the show. During the second year of renovations, Bonnie and Jane stayed busy acquiring antiques, while Emilie pitched in with paint and wiring. The gallery had been up and running for two years before Bonnie’s thoughts turned to a restaurant. “She knew irishacresgallery.com | Irish Acres 4205 Ford’s Mill Road Versailles, KY 40383 | 859.873.7235 Hours Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 am–5:00 pm closed Sun & Mon | Open April through December.
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The Glitz
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Holiday Celebration
A Most Wonderful Holiday Celebration
T
by Deanna Talwalkar
his holiday season, take your entertaining to new heights with this beautiful, rustic celebration. The natural beauty of the season is paired with just a touch of dazzling décor elements for a creative, fresh holiday look. Pairing bright Christmas red with natural touches, such as wood elements, floral details and rustic chalkboards makes for an approachable style, so your guests will feel right at home!
Let the festive desserts be the star of the party by serving them on all-white cake stands and platters. A chalkboard sign with a sweet holiday message serves as a backdrop to showcase the desserts. Adding a few natural touches such as poinsettias, tulips, and red berries in vases wrapped with jute twine, helps the dessert table to come alive. Holiday desserts, such as No Bake Red Velvet Truffle Pops, Perfect Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting, and Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake, and fun candies, such as red M&Ms and peppermint sticks, will have guests coming back for seconds. Santa’s Christmas Cocktail is a whimsical choice for a party drink, topped with cotton candy to resemble Santa’s beard! At the end of the party, send guests home with a sweet treat to remember—a ready to make Cookies for Santa jar. Or you can wrap your guests’ Christmas presents to match the rest of the party. Rustic reindeer wrapping paper or wood ornaments mix well with red, white, brown and touches of gold.
Photo & Styling by Mirabelle Creations
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Holiday Celebration
No Bake Red Velvet Truffle Pops 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1¼ cup red velvet cake mix (just the powder) 1 package of dark chocolate melting chocolate Shortening Sprinkles (optional) Small or medium lollipop sticks In a mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and red velvet cake mix to cream cheese and beat until fully combined. Once fully mixed it will form a ball. Using a mini ice cream scoop, make a ¾”–1” ball. Roll in hand until it forms into a smooth round ball. Place balls into refrigerator for 1 hour. After the truffles have been refrigerated for at least an hour, melt ¼ cup of chocolate in microwave, until smooth. Remove from refrigerator and re-roll in hand. Dip one end of lollipop stick into chocolate, push into ball, about ½–2∕3 way. Place balls back into the fridge, overnight or for several hours. Melt remaining chocolate. Add 1 tablespoon of shortening into melted chocolate, mix in until fully combined. Dip entire red velvet truffle ball into chocolate, shaking off excess. If desired, sprinkle with sprinkles or nonpareils. Place pops onto wax paper to cool and harden. Alternatively, for a completely round ball, push lollipop stick into a Styrofoam block so pops will cool standing upright. After completely cooled, place Red Velvet Truffle Pops in refrigerator, until ready to serve. Makes about 12–18 Red Velvet Truffle Pops.
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Holiday Celebration
Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting 2 cups sugar 1¾ cups all purpose flour ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1½ teaspoons baking powder 1½ teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 cup whole milk ½ cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla pure extract 1 cup boiling water Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin cups with paper muffin liners. Whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to powder mixture. Beat on medium for about 1 minute. Stir water into batter. The batter will be thin. Pour batter into muffin cups, filling each one about 2∕3 of the way full. Bake about 18–22 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from muffin tins and cool completely on wire racks before icing cupcakes. Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: ½ cup butter, softened 1 (3 oz) package cream cheese, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar 3 to 4 tablespoons milk Cream together butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Gradually add 1½ cups powdered sugar alternately with 1 tablespoon milk, beating on low speed until blended and smooth after each addition. Makes 18–24 cupcakes.
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Etiquette & Entertaining
A Cozy Christmas…Shared J
ust the word “cozy” conjures up thoughts of a crackling fire and feelings of warmth and comfort. The colder it is outside, the more we gravitate into the cocoon we make in our home. Creating this comfortable nest comes naturally. The addition of a few finishing touches to your home will give an immediate cozy feeling with little effort. How can a home emit warmth and comfort to share with family and friends? Begin at the front of your house. Get a fresh start by getting rid of all Fall leftovers. Focus on the door by painting it a “catch your eye” color. Of course, red is an immediate decision. Magnolia and evergreens can be made into attractive natural wreaths and garlands. Add baskets filled with red berries and tied with outdoor ribbon for a welcoming introduction. Complete this festive look with an outdoor spotlight directed to the door and tiny white lights in the greenery. Regular porch lights may distract from holiday lighting. If so, they should not be turned on during this holiday.
is the easiest type of gathering. It will accommodate the most number of people in the widest age range. Success lies in keeping it simple. Plan the presentation with the same idea as your cozy home feel. Take advantage of the resurgence of antique copper and pewter popularity. These metals look so at home on a natural burlap table cloth while reflecting the fire and candle light. Greet each guest in the front hall with hot soup ladled from a tureen into mugs or tea cups and saucers—no spoons necessary. Hint: place a doily or cocktail size napkin on the saucer to keep the tea cup from sliding.
Photos by Nini Edwards
Entering the home should be an escape into a feeling of comfort and happiness. To create the spirit, there must be an appeal to the sounds, smells and sights of Christmas… • A crackling fire in the fireplace. • An abundance of nature brought inside with bare branches in an antique urn, a basket of pinecones with dried hydrangeas, a bowl of fresh oranges pierced with whole cloves, a clear vase filled with Paperwhite bulbs just ready to burst, brass buckets loaded with recently cut evergreens—all speaking of winter’s presence. • Thick, fuzzy throws over chairs and sofas. • Lighted candles urging us to slow down and enjoy the present time. • Lamps rather than ceiling lighting. • A stack of books beside a chair just waiting to be devoured. • A large freshly cut tree with collected ornaments carrying the tales of Christmases past and present. Let the entertaining plans include inviting family and friends to enjoy your Cozy Christmas. Having guests over for drinks and appetizers
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As folks make their way to the food table, a gorgeous arrangement will await them. Have the table set with serving pieces of various heights. Tiered servers may be presented with flowers or chocolate dipped strawberries at the top. Snack mix served in decorative paper baking cups adds interest and is so simple. A punch bowl filled with crushed ice will present the fresh shrimp in an unexpected style. Block cheeses served on a tray with dried fruits and sprinkled with nuts show a seasonal winter approach rather than fresh fruit. Serving a specialty drink and chilled cranberry juice from a decorative drink dispenser will eliminate the need for a person to pour drinks. Layering gives every serving option more WOW! A Christmas patterned plate placed on a tray or a buffet plate will be a more interesting presentation than placing a single plate directly on the table. A copper bowl setting on a pewter tray is mixed metal layering which has become quite popular. A Styrofoam cone placed on a platter can be completely covered with fruit cake balls rolled in sugar by using tooth picks. Around the base of the cone, arrange an assortment of holiday cookies. Creativity is unlimited when the hostess will try something new. May the thoughts of Christmas 2014 be cozy, comfortable, creative, shared, simple, soothing, warm and blessed. Happy Shared Christmas!
by Sue Ann Truitt Etiquette & Entertaining Consultant
Gardening
Gifts for Gardeners What’s a gardener to do in December? Bleak, blustery days highlighted not with visions of sugar plums dancing in your head, but visions of a barren yard blanketed with snow. Alas, we green thumbs must make the most of our time insulated indoors. I begin with a little song that also captures a gift list to keep the gardener entertained through the long winter:
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: A bird house to put in my tree;
and it’s easy to participate. December 15th through January 5th is your chance to document the birds that pass through your neighborhood. The data that is collected is used for assessment of health and population of many species of birds as well as conservation efforts. It’s billed as the longest running wildlife census. The data is used to assess the health of bird populations and conservation needs. If you are interested in participating, visit the National Audubon Website for more information, birds.audubon.org/christmasbird-count.
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Two paperwhite bulbs, and a bird house to put in my tree; On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Three gardening books, two paperwhite bulbs and a bird house to put in my tree; On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Four potted herbs, three gardening books, two paperwhite bulbs, and a bird house to put in my tree; On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Five bags of seed, four potted herbs, three gardening books, two paperwhite bulbs, and a bird house to put in my tree! Ah, bha-humbug. That’s the best I can do. But do take note, those are great wish list items for the gardeners in your life. Paperwhite and amaryllis bulbs are a beautiful addition indoors during the winter. Potted herbs in a sunny window give hot soups and stews a punch of flavor this time of year.
by Michelle Rauch Gardening Enthusiast
December is a wonderful month for bird watchers. I caught the bug for bird watching two years ago this month. Since food is less plentiful in the winter, birds rely on feeders even more. You will be amazed at the variety of birds you will see this time of year if you place a feeder outside your window. This month the National Audubon Society is celebrating its 115th annual Christmas bird count. Volunteers are needed
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Relationships
Nobody Likes a Nag As I have always preached…everybody is simply
adorable in the early stages of a relationship. Mother Time is cruel, however, when she waves that hateful wand and smacks us directly on our foreheads, forcing us to co-exist in reality. We begin to see the flaws in our partner and remain perfect ourselves. Unfortunatly, the bossy wand somehow allows our significant other to see our flaws, while in their eyes remaining perfect. Thus, this can lead to a perfect storm. The future of the relationship will now unfold as many of the ugly little lover wrinkles reveal themselves. Once seeing the truth of whom we have chosen, we can then decide if this is the person that we would like to continue growing with. As those skeleton bones come flying out of that closet showing their ugly selves, it is a good thing to address and communicate one’s concerns or dislikes. However, it is all too easy to become the ever-dreaded NAG. The individual that you see and loathe in others, but are blind to when it comes to you. It is not only ineffective, but it is also FLAT OUT NOT SEXY. And unless you have no faults of your own, there are other ways to communicate that are far more helpful to addressing the issue. Typically, the nagging comes over petty things that are not detrimental to the relationship, rather just aggravating. So what’s the point? The problem is, they add up and begin to make the partner dread the moment that you walk into a room. We’ve all
been there when a small child says: “mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy!!!” This is acceptable as a kid, but to hear a partner do essentially the same thing is not pretty. Staying sexy and likable to you lover is a good thing. I go back to a very important aspect of long lasting love…even after the Mother Time’s hateful wand knocks off the rose colored glasses, try to be the fun, interested, interesting person that you were in the beginning. Continue to laugh and refuse to be a difficult nagging hag! Your partner should ultimately be your best friend. Don’t let life and little things that don’t add up to a hill of beans become a mountain! Catch yourself—make a list and check it twice. See how often you find yourself being a nag. Just put up that stupid coffee cup that keeps being left in the microwave. Choose the big stuff to deal with. More than likely, if you haven’t made your love want to sprint when seeing you, your partner’s two good ears will suddenly hear you much better when it really counts. Good luck out there! And may you be the one couple that Mother Time forgets to wave the hateful wand upon.
by Buffy Lawson Relationship Veteran
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Fashion
Festive Dress
photos by Kristin Tatem
‘T
is the season for entertaining, soirées, family, friends, and social gatherings—oh, it’s just so good this time of year! Aside from the gift giving, gluttonous eating, and socializing, let us not forget the importance of holiday dressing. It’s a time where you can (and should) dress your best and add elements of glitz and glamour. Here I’m sharing three of my fave festive looks that would be great go-to looks this season.
First up, COLOR. There is no better and easier way to add a festive touch than with bright pops of color. Red obviously fits the holiday bill, but think outside the box of pairing it with black and try a color blocking scheme with PINK. It is undeniably feminine and cheerful. It’s the perfect foundation for both leopard and metallic, which are lovely for the holiday season. And the absolute must have holiday accessory? The red lip—try it, you’ll be glad you did. Sparkles and sequins scream holiday. The key here is to minimize the gaudy factor and keep everything sleek and sophisticated. A beautiful beaded frock is the answer. Loose fitting yet still flattering, it’s the perfect dress for that friend’s soirée. Don’t be afraid to add fun accessories such as a headpiece, which if I’m being honest, this is actually a vintage belt that I used as a headband. If the weather is a tad too chilly (which it will be in the Bluegrass), toss on some black opaque tights—they will keep you warm and stylish throughout the evening. Not to be outdone, is the LBD. As classic as it is appropriate, you certainly cannot go wrong with a Little Black Dress. I chose to up the ante with this lovely by choosing one with a unique texture (faux croc) and a fun silhouette. Pair her with a fabulous pair of heels and you will no doubt feel perfectly festive for a night out on the town. Cheers to a wonderful holiday season filled with fashionable cheer!
by Beth Parker Fashion Blogger/Stylist seersuckerandsaddles.blogspot.com
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Family
Family Pets If your kids are asking for a pet this Christmas, I have two words: do it. It has long been my conviction that children cannot have a normal childhood without a family pet. I used to think any little creature was adequate and gave credit to parents who were honestly too busy for a dog or cat and made due with fish or rodents. But time and experience have convinced me, there is a reason we have domesticated cats and dogs. (And really, is there anything more picturesque than small children with kittens and puppies?) Over the years, my soft spot for kids and creatures has basically ensured I can be talked into anything. Cats regularly come and go on the farmette – and most of them have special needs. I’ve raised a puppy and infant simultaneously — twice. And now that our nest is slowly emptying, we have upped our canine population. But our mob has not been limited to cats and dogs. A few years ago I found myself the not-so-proud owner of four very small, and, I’ll admit, adorable ducklings. The only creature cuter than those silly ducks was my toddling daughter who squealed in delight whenever she approached the box where they lived. Of course they quickly outgrew that box, and I had to house them in a small shed, retrieving them each morning and filling a small wading pool to create the ambience of their natural habitat. And yes, they followed me everywhere, as they would a mother duck. And then those darling, yellow, waddling creatures grew into notquite-so-darling green and brown, honking nuisances, and we were faced with the obvious question: what do we do with full-grown ducks? Because — oh yeah — we don’t have a pond. Some time later, one of my children decided she wanted a rat. (I know: eww.) On paper, rats appear to be great pets. They are smart, easy to care for and don’t live very long. In real life, they have the world’s grossest tail. I couldn’t really go “all in” with her request, but I did buy her a gift card to PetsMart for Christmas. And so the rat joined our menagerie.
by Hallie Bandy
over
Motherboard
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The good news was I didn’t have to touch it. Ever. The less-than-good news was, owner/child left for college a few short months later, and I was left with the care and feeding of …a rat.
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Nonetheless, for the sake of the child, I took care of the pet rat. Such good care, in fact, that he outlived the normal life expectancy of a domesticated rat. (Not that I was keeping track or waiting for him to die or anything.) The day came when the rat passed on to the great landfill in the sky. We had a moment of silence and cleaned out the cage. And then I had a moment of weakness. Two other children decided they wanted to put the rodent enclosure to good use by purchasing gerbils. With their own money. (Of course.) On paper, gerbils appear to be great pets. They are smart, easy to care for and don’t live very long. In real life, they soon lose their appeal and require some kind soul to remind children to feed them and clean out the enclosure. Also, that part about not living very long is not true. Apparently, our home is Rodent Shangri-La. These dudes are a year beyond their life expectancy and still going strong. When the inevitable day comes, I have no doubt there will be negotiations for another pet. I have at least one child who thinks we don’t have enough cats. And I think my border collie would enjoy the company of a goat or two. But I can say this with near certainty: no more rodents. I’m back to my firm belief that cats and dogs are “real” pets. But if your children are asking for a rodent for Christmas, give me a call. I’m hoping I’ll have a cage available soon.
Parties
Easy Holiday Entertaining Tips dessert, they can just help themselves. And, guests love walking into a party and seeing a dessert table. It always makes a party feel extra special!
During the holidays, most of us open our home to numerous friends and family. Whether you are expecting party guests or overnight visitors, holiday entertaining doesn’t have to be stressful. With just a little planning, entertaining can be something you look forward to enjoying. The following tips will help you entertain during the holidays with ease.
• Prep the Food. When planning the party food, choose items that can be prepared beforehand. Keeping prepared snacks, such as gourmet cheese, on hand also helps if your food runs low.
General Tips for Successful Host ing
• Don’t let guests leave empty-handed. Give all guests a small favor, such as a homemade cookie mix in a jar or chocolates, as they leave. They’ll love the small reminder of a great evening!
1. Do all pre-entertaining cleaning in the days before guests arrive. 2. Leave plenty of time to get yourself ready. If you feel better about yourself, you’ll be more relaxed while entertaining! 3. Make guests immediately feel welcomed by greeting each of them at the door. 4. Introduce guests, then mingle, frequently checking on guests. 5. Smile! Unexpected issues can arise, but if you smile and keep your cool, guests will feel more comfortable. Ideas for Hosting Holiday Parties This holiday season, you may be planning one or more holiday parties at your home. The key to hosting a successful party is the preparation. Following these ideas will allow you to be organized so you can have fun at your own party: • Make a plan. Several days before the party, make a list of all the tasks you need to complete and a timeline for completion. Having a plan of attack will reduce stress the day of the party. • Set out a self-serve drink & dessert bar. Set up a drink table stocked with soda, water, beer, wine, and other drinks. Allowing guests an easy way to serve themselves guarantees that you won’t be playing bartender. • Dessert tables. They are great additions to parties because you can set out your desserts before the party. When guests are ready for
Ideas for Hosting Overnight Guests The holidays can also often mean overnight guests. Paying attention to simple details helps your overnight guests feel right at home. Here are a few ideas to ensure your guests are relaxed: • Provide extra toiletries. Gather toiletries, such as shampoo, soap, lotion, razors, and toothbrushes, in case guests forget something. Place all items in a pretty basket in the guest room, where guests can easily access it. • Make needed items easy to find. Guests may be the first ones up in the morning, so make it easy for them to find what they need. Set out towels, tea and coffee, and breakfast goodies where they will see them. • Add that extra touch. An inexpensive bouquet of flowers or a candle will add a luxurious touch for your guests. Anything that makes them feel more at home will be appreciated. Following these holiday entertaining tips with help make holiday entertaining a piece of cake, so you can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!
by Deanna Talwalkar Party Planner Extraordinaire Photo & Styling by Mirabelle Creations
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TOPS Cares
Having spearheaded this overseas effort since 2004, Rita shared “The gratitude of the recipients of our outreach mission is unbelievably energizing for our team members and our community. Being able to imagine the smiles we’ve provided to those brave men and women so far away is heartwarming, to say the very least!”
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ypical of the numerous ‘thank you’ stories shared by members of the battalion upon their return to Kentucky, here are some genuinely sincere and somewhat amusing recollections from recently returning local soldiers: “Every time I saw the boxes came, I prayed ‘Please God, let there be Goobers’…and you never let me down!
to infuse some reminders of home while they’re on duty. We ship food which can be cooked easilyanything edible that will arrive in tact and brighten the spirits of these amazing folks—we’re game to try!”
As the Patriarch of the family, Mr. Kain explained how the Adopt-A“We loved receiving chocolate…even if it was Troop idea came to be. “We recmelted and we had to lick it off the paper! ognized the need for something As of July 2014, the Kain dealerthat would establish an ongoing, “We sometimes used the midget Tootsie Rolls ship team has purchased, packreliable link between our troops you sent to us to give to the local children!” aged, and sent over 4,000 ‘care on assignment half way around the packages’ oversees through their world, and those of us benefiting Adopt-a-Troop organization. from their sacrifices to keep our country free. While this initiaFunding for the year-round initiative is from many sources; tive is more than a labor of love for us here at home, it’s also from the dealership and its team members, from folks who are a source of inspiration and hope for the men and women that customers and even youngsters with piggy banks have contrib- are thousands of miles from their families- putting their lives, uted their pennies The Kain family invests heavily in this mis- their hopes and dreams and their futures literally ‘on hold’ until they’re back in Kentucky and reunited with their waiting famision as well. lies.” Each employee in the dealership may voluntarily ‘ear-mark’ a small-but-set amount of his or her compensation toward the With the currently closely-watched and escalating turmoil in ongoing fulfillment of the program. The dealership pays for the the Middle East, the realities of being here in Kentucky and separated by thousands of miles looms even more heavily than ever shipping overseas. on Central Kentucky families whose spouses, fathers, friends, According to Rita Jones, “We shop for non-perishables which brothers and sisters and ‘significant others’ have been deployed. will survive the transit overseas, and we make every attempt to send our soldiers items that will infuse their tours of duty with The ‘ties that bind’ these soldiers and the Adopt-A-Troop volsome reminders of home. We’ve successfully shipped every- unteers with friends and family are significant. Because of the thing from snacks and toiletries to microwave ovens, DVD play- distances between continents, there tend to be round-the-clock ers, artificial Christmas trees with decorations, X-box players online streams of communication between family members and their loved ones on duty. and even popcorn machines overseas. “While our troops have very little opportunity to access the Reaching out to a young woman whose then fiancée, now huscomforts of home while they’re stationed abroad, they usually band, has served our nation overseas, TOPS captured some very do have access to electricity and internet—which enables them telling insights on how families make every effort to adapt during the wait. Her name is Mackenzie Holdsworth, and her wedding plans were significantly altered when her then fiancé’ Civil Engineer and National Guard Captain Forrest Holdsworth was called to serve our country for a year’s tour of duty overseas. She recalls, “We were engaged, and we had committed to a wedding date, but Forrest wasn’t going to be stateside to help me plan most of our special day. Moreover, while he was able to communicate with me sporadically through email and FaceTime calls, I often didn’t know exactly where he was. That was especially difficult--hearing news stories about soldiers being hurt or killed overseas during those periods of time when he was out of touch.” Back Row Standing, l to r: Dan Fister, Bob Kain–General Mgr, Mrs. Alice Kain, Mr. Jack Kain–Owner, Barbara Maddox, Mary Kain, Pat Kain–Sales Front Row Sitting, l to r: Lynn Kain, Bill Kain–Sales Mgr, Vickie Kain Fister–Operations Mgr, Steve Kain, Barbara Kain and David Kain Photo by NADA, National Automobile Dealers Association
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Thankfully, the entire unit returned safely to Central Kentucky, and the wedding between Mackenzie and Forrest was celebrated with all in attendance recognizing the significant sacrifices that are made to protect our nation.
Tour of Homes
Entering through an artisan black glass front door from the quintessentially Southern wrap-around porch, visitors will arrive at the main hallway of the home.
Immediately to the right, visitors are welcomed into an intimate gray-toned parlor. The glossy ink-black quilted leather couch is reminiscent of a Chanel purse. Against the far wall, a Norwalk mirror cabinet adds depth and light to the cozy space. Over a cream shag rug, a black coffee table is set with a cream-toned nativity scene. Stockings hang from a twotiered mahogany mantel over the fireplace, which is adjacent to a slender tree laced in turquoise and cream streamers.
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Tour of Homes
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n the left side of the central hallway, a pocket-door opening trails into a formal dining room bursting with personality and pop culture. A glass-topped table from Norwalk extends to accommodate as many as 12 dinner guests in chairs upholstered in a playful silver and orange polka dot print. The wide front window illuminating the room receives cover from floor-length Italian silk drapes in a tangerine tone. A hand-painted rendering of sunglasses-wearing Bono by artist Eric Wahl is displayed over the black-framed fireplace. On either side of the tile fireplace, custom-built open shelves and bottom drawers with handles inlayed with Swarvoski crystal hold a variety of glassware pieces and mementos collected by the couple through the years.
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Tour of Homes
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he dining room transitions through an opening into a bar area featuring a dark cherry bar with open shelves for storing glassware. The functional and sophisticated bar set was custom designed to match the original woodwork of the home. Considered the heart of the home, the clean bar area includes a quartz countertop inlayed with mirror pieces, which was provided by Martina Brothers in Lexington. Guests socialize and enjoy cocktails in matching white leather keyhole bar stools, which give a splash of retro style to the space. The large quartz countertop veers past a transition wall fitted with oversized gray tiles, which have a contrasting effect with the cream floor tiles. The room’s bright Christmas tree is colored in ribbons of electric turquoise, lime and hot pink.
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Tour of Homes
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he lively downstairs media room fills the need for a casual, colorful lounging space that emphasizes energy and fun. Colorful prints of grazing cows add a sense of whimsical charm to the room. A sectional tweed couch in black and white provides vast seating and is adorned with velvet throw pillows in shades of turquoise and mustard yellow. A turquoise leather ottoman doubles as a storage unit over an orange shag rug.
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n the second level, the homeowners can host guests in one of three distinctively styled rooms. For Christmas, the banister of the staircase from the foyer is embellished with traditional garland, but with unexpected clusters of silver and black glass bulbs and loops of beaded pearls. The second-story foyer displays quad-strip paintings of a scene from the streets of Paris, with special significance to the homeowners. The first guest bedroom’s Christmas dÊcor embraces the peacock theme with turquoise feathers and lime ribbons woven into the holiday garland on the fireplace mantle. Guests feel at ease in this airy room with floor-length waffle white cotton drapes and a bed tossed with decorated turquoise and lime printed pillows and an orange quilt. The bed is overhung with a flashy glam beaded turquoise chandelier. The homeowners furnished the space with leather chairs and leather nail-head nightstands to create a feeling of home.
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second guest bedroom includes dramatic red curtains and a bed decorated with a tribal printed black and white duvet and matching throw pillows. A velvet headboard and pair of steel red chairs add to the stark glamour of the space. A snow-dusted white corner Christmas tree is overtaken with twirling ribbons of silver polka dot, crimson red, and black and white hounds tooth.
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Is she
a musician who loves horses, or an equestrian who loves music? Alexandra Harper is both, thank you. In January 2013 she joined her alma mater, the University of Kentucky, as the operations and communications coordinator of the Equine Programs in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, or UK Ag. Harper has an undergraduate degree in corporate communication, but she was originally a music major. She played piano growing up, and during her college career at UK she played viola and sang first soprano (the highest part). She had the opportunity to share her musical abilities on stages at Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France, among others. In 2013 Harper earned an MBA from Midway College and now serves on the college’s MBA alumni board as vice president of strategy. She has also been involved with ASHA, UPHA and USEF, otherwise known as the American Saddlebred Horse Association, United Professional Horsemen’s Association and the United States Equestrian Federation. She has sung the national anthem at Lexington Legends ballgames, Lexington Junior League Horse Show and events at the Kentucky Horse Park, and she has performed in UK Opera Theatre’s “It’s a Grand Night for Singing,” led by Dr. Everett McCorvey, who also owns a production company called Global Creative Connections, which produced the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Equestrian Games, where Harper assisted as a horse and performer liaison—so yes, her equine and musical lives are simply intertwined. Harper also enjoy the sweet sounds of victory of the Wildcats playing at Rupp Arena. She calls herself an avid UK fan of both basketball and football. She grew up in Charleston, W. Va., but made
TOPS IN EQUINE
Filly in the Workplace: Alexandra Harper
By Kathie Stamps
many trips to Lexington for horse shows at the Kentucky Horse Park. “I knew at an early age I wanted to attend the University of Kentucky and live in Lexington,” she said. At the age of six, Harper started taking riding lessons. In elementary school, she took on the topic of “the pros and cons of horse ownership” for a science fair project in social studies. She visited horse farms in person, instead of online, for her research and found a particular horse in one barn that had been sired by Supreme Sultan. “He was a beautiful bold chestnut Saddlebred with a white blaze and four perfect white socks,” Harper said. His name was Toby, although he was known in the show ring as Intrepid G.S.M. “In March of 1998 my parents secretly bought Toby and gave him to me the following month for my 10th birthday.” Harper and Toby competed for many years in saddle seat equitation and in the divisions of three-gaited, pleasure and western. “One of our favorite things to do when we’d show at the Kentucky Horse Park was to go out in the fields bareback and just run,” Harper said. “There was always such a sense of peace and tranquility that can never be replaced. I always had a big smile on my face and Toby couldn’t turn around fast enough to go racing back down the field.” Toby passed away at the age of 31, but Harper will always remember the 15 wonderful years she had with him. These days she has a couple of other horses, Stylin’ and Abacus. Both are five-gaited Saddlebreds. “Stylin’ was the first horse to take me to the Lexington Junior League Horse Show and the World’s Championship Horse Show,” Harper said, “earning us top ribbons at both shows for many years
“Stylin’ was the first horse to take me to the Lexington Junior League Horse Show and the World’s Championship Horse Show.”
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Alexandra Harper (Picture by Keni Parks)
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in the Juvenile Five-Gaited division, then in the Amateur FiveGaited Stallion/Gelding division.” Those two shows, in Lexington and at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, respectively, are the first two legs of the Saddlebred industry’s triple crown; the third is in Kansas City, Mo. Harper still competes occasionally with Stylin’ and Abacus, but Stylin’ is semi-retired. He lives at a farm off Paris Pike and threeyear-old Abacus is with a trainer in Versailles. When the weather and her schedule both cooperate, Harper rides about every other night. She recently started taking Stylin’ to some of the trail riding events in the area. ”I’ve always been heavily involved in training and competing,” she said, “so teaching my show horse to trail ride has been quite an exciting adventure.” From time to time, Harper supplies her Saddlebreds for breed demonstrations at events for a 4-H club or similar organization. Spare time aside, horses consume her day-to-day activities at work. Harper is responsible for the financial management for the Equine Programs budget at UK. She also plans meetings and events, orders
TOPS IN EQUINE
“I’ve always been heavily involved in training and competing, so teaching my show horse to trail ride has been quite an exciting adventure.” promotional materials and coordinates speakers, updates the website and serves as the managing editor for the monthly newsletter “Wildcat Canter.” Harper is one of six staff members in the Equine Programs office, but equine faculty and students are found throughout eight different departments in the College of Agriculture. Formed in early 2005, the Equine Programs office is located on the south side of the main campus in the Ag Science Center North building, just a two-minute walk from Commonwealth Stadium and within a fiveminute walking distance of the Gluck Equine Research Center. In addition to conducting equine research that has an excellent reputation the world over, the University of Kentucky offers an undergraduate degree program in equine science and management (with four emphasis areas) and seven equine-focused clubs and teams for students. When it comes to all the equine offerings at UK, Harper calls it a wonderful program, “with top-notch professors and staff that provide a great education and opportunity to students looking to be successful in the equine industry.”
Alexandra Harper at the Lexington Junior League Horse Show (Pictures by Ron Morrow)
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“This event has brought some amazing players to Lexington, and provided positive feedback from all who attended and played.”
TOPS IN EQUINE
- Nikki Bernstein on The Inagural Women’s Arena Polo Tournament
mance showcases world-class horses (the likes of three-time USDF Horse of the Year GP Raymeister, and top dressage riders from the KYB Dressage team, including Kim and Yvonne Barteau.). In what can be considered a Broadway show by so many respects, the horses are something that really makes the show pop. It’s an element that certainly isn’t the norm in the theatrical realm and the grace, beauty and dynamism that the horses bring to the performance is something an audience won’t soon forget. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on both Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for children over 12. Children under that age will have free entry. The magical barn tour that drew hundreds of spectators last year is back for a ticket price of $5. Women’s Inaugural Arena Polo Tournament The inaugural Women’s Arena Polo Tournament on November 22-23 was played at the Horse Park in a fun and thrilling atmosphere for riders and spectators alike. Players traveled from Michigan, Boston, Ohio and Louisville to compete in the event. The winning team consisted of players Nikki Bernstein, Natalie Henton, and Sheila Skinner. “This event brought some amazing players to Lexington, and provided positive feedback from all who attended and played. Not only were the players and ponies safe, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were able to visit our wonderful state and leave with a positive experience and great memories,” said Bernstein, who in addition to playing was also the event coordinator. With Sunday concluding the festivities, the polo ladies played the consolation game and final matches, where the ‘Winner’s Circle Trailers’ team was victorious winning the final match 17-6 over the Buckeye Belles from Ohio. “This Women’s Tournament was the first of its kind, with the intent to gain more awareness to women’s arena polo, help grow the sport and engage community support, help raise money for both the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville Polo Clubs, and most importantly gather women from all over to enjoy the wonderful sport of polo,” said Bernstein.
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Notable Shout out Kentucky Horse Park!
for
the
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The Park was recently featured during a recent CNN story covering the National Horse Show. The video clip displays several scenes that illuminate the Park’s facilities, riders and majesty of the event. December at the Horse Park Friday, December 5, 2014 - 9:00am to 5:00pm Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop The Park’s Gift Shop Holiday Open House is a holiday event that offers door prizes, refreshments, product samples, store-wide discounts and free parking. With a gift shop receipt from the event, guests receive a reduced Kentucky Horse Park admission. Friday, December 5, 2014 - 7:00pm to Saturday, December 6, 2014 - 7:00pm (see more details above!) Alltech Arena KYB-GPE Equine Theater Production Co. The Spirit of the Horse: A Holiday Extravaganza is an original equine entertainment production that is performed by the KYB-GPE Equine Theater Production Company. This exhibition won’t be around forever...come see it before it’s gone! Now until Saturday, January 31, 2015 - 5:00pm American Saddlebred Museum Wednesday thru Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm The Museum is wrapping up their special exhibition of 2014. The Oak Hill Farm - A Jewel of the Bluegrass is a look back at six decades of success produced by Jean McLean Davis’ Oak Hill Farm. Located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, Oak Hill Farm has long been synonymous with world’s champion Saddlebreds. The exhibition features hundreds of items and artifacts donated by Davis’ estate - trophies, ribbons, photographs, paintings, sculptures, and assorted memorabilia from the owner’s personal collection.
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Thinking About Manure:
In a World
that’s becoming increasingly concerned with issues of sustainability, one local woman is working hard to make strides in an area that might surprise you. Shelly Moore Townsend spends most of her days thinking about horse manure. Yes, you heard that right, horse manure.
TOPS IN EQUINE
Equine Eco Green
by Cate Neilson
is no compost involved in this process, thus the pathogens produced in the bedding are left directly in the soil and recycled back into consumption by humans and animals. And illegal dumping, well, it’s illegal.
Living in Kentucky horse country, you’d think the disposal of such waste might be a topic discussed more often, but in truth, it’s not even something that readily springs to mind when people think about horses or recycling. But with 9.2 million horses in the United States, and those horses producing 469 million pounds of excrement per day, well, you do the math…
An avid horse woman herself, Townsend saw the problem and knew something had to be done. She’d seen it before and she knew the horse world could only remain oblivious for so long. Sooner or later, waste disposal was going to have to be dealt with in a more positive manner. Why couldn’t bedding material be cleaned, she wondered? So she tried it on a small scale, and it worked. All she had to do now was figure out how to clean more of it.
After that, you might want to take a few minutes to check out some of the information and graphics on Townsend’s web site, Equine Eco Green, at www.equineecogreenus.com. It’s enlightening, to say the least. There, you’ll find visual documents that evidence the seriousness of the waste disposal problem around Wellington, Florida. Why Florida, you ask?
In the meantime, life events led Townsend to Bourbon County. After relocating a few years ago to Paris, Kentucky, Townsend now divides her time between Delaware, Kentucky, and Florida. She kept working with her product, refining and developing, until she finally reached the point where she could patent it. Next would come production on a bigger scale.
Well, if you don’t follow the horse world closely, you may not be aware that Wellington is where some of the most important horse events in the world have been held, one of which is the Polo World Cup. Today Wellington is home to the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Olympic Jumping Team Qualifying Trials. All this means is that over 50,000 horses winter in this area, and there are more than 580 farms, serving a variety of equestrian disciplines. And as you might imagine, there’s a lot of waste disposal.
Townsend currently has her sights set on Wellington as the location of Equine Eco Green’s first factory. As the inventor and owner of the company, Townsend sees her product as not only a global--but also a green--solution to an ever growing problem.“My patented process is green” she says, “I have one product, developed from stall waste, that produces several different products and revenue streams. It’s recycling that is profitable for investors and cost saving for consumers.”
The current ways of dealing with all this waste are transfer and illegal dumping. Transfer to local sugar fields in Florida might appear on the surface to be a good solution, but unfortunately there
With Townsend’s process, stall waste is separated and cleaned. producing recycled shavings that look the same as new, but are cleaner and better since the process leaves them phenol free. As
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a result, shavings can be safely marketed as both small and large animal bedding. “They’re less allergenic and have minimal dust,” she says, “and organic compost and fire logs are produced as a by-product.”But Equine Eco Green brings other positives to the table as well. “We reduce deforestation, eutrophication, and the carbon footprint.”
was becoming a growing concern. “The technology is obviously needed,” he says. But first things first. Elliott’s initial goal will be to get a plant in the Wellington area up and running. In order to do that, they need both financial backers and an area of land on which to build the plant, which will use already developed technology to clean and recycle the wood shavings.
Townsend’s interest in developing the product has a long history that began with her growing up years in the Northeast, in Delaware, and around the Chesapeake Bay area. “I was influenced from a very young age by the strong men in my family, who farmed and had to deal with some serious issues of waste regulations when raising chickens. So I recognized this problem with the disposal of horse waste and realized from firsthand knowledge that it could be solved.”
Both Elliott and Townsend believe once they are able to show consumers how great the product is, both in cost efficiency and as a backward and vertically integrated business model, it won’t take much for a wider audience to buy in. Townsend has already received queries from other countries interested in her Equine Eco Green--the Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia, England, Japan, Hong Kong, and China. Primarily because of the concerns with available space in these areas, having a way to recycle waste is of the utmost importance.
Townsend’s web site provides recommendation letters from scientists and engineers touting her product as a breakthrough which is ‘simply….quite simple’ and ‘a winning formula that protects the environment.’ The next step, however, will be convincing investors to take the plunge. After receiving less than positive feedback with regard to how the business would operate, Townsend decided to bring on a CEO who had a background in running a successful business. That person is Samuel Elliott, former Vice President of Suffolk Downs, and someone who has both national and international connections with the horse world as well as experience in running a successful organization. Elliott had faced EPA regulatory demands of his own at Suffolk Downs, so was well aware the issue of horse manure disposal
Equine Eco Green will also address concerns about health--of both animals and humans. Townsend considers it an all round win. “Removing phenol and pharmaceuticals from the bedding waste provides not only a healthier environment for horses, but also for small animals using the product, who have a more difficult time breaking down enzymes and pharmaceuticals in the waste. No longer will owners have to deal with that concern because this product takes that issue out of the equation by completing cleaning the waste.” The horizon looks hopeful for Shelly Moore Townsend and Equine Eco Green. With her new CEO Samuel Elliott at the helm and meetings scheduled with investors and other interested parties, the days ahead promise to be bright. Bright, clean, and green.
Cate Neilson is an award winning screenwriter and journalist. A native of Texas but now makes Paris Kentucky her home.
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November (Horse Sales) to Remember by John C. Engelhardt
As colorful
and quirky as autumn is in Kentucky, so too were the premiere racing and breeding stock sales held here at Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland in the early days of November. There were eye-popping buy backs, a major presence by foreign markets at the high end, record-setting weanling prices, a pronounced demand of the bloodlines of two local sires and ontrack competitors trading places in the starting gate for a race for riches in the sales ring. The Fasig-Tipton sale took place the Monday following the Breeders ’Cup Championships and it featured several outstanding runners to come straight out of their performances at Santa Anita. The prestigious Kentucky Oaks produced the sales topper and the sales topper - no, not a typo. The 2012 winner Believe You Can, in foal to Tapit, saw the hammer fall at $4.9 million above her head. To the shock of many in the industry, even at that lofty price, she did not meet her reserve price and the 5-year-old mare went back to Airdre Farm with owner/breeder and former Governor of the Commonwealth, Brereton C. Jones.
The actual sales-topping Oaks winner that commanded the highest ticket at Fasig –Tipton was 2013 victress Princess of Sylmar. Japan’s Shadai Farm made a final bid of $3.1 million for the daughter of Majestic Warrior. She followed her Oaks performance with Grade 1 wins in such historic races as the Coaching Club American Oaks, the Alabama and Beldame Stakes to amass $2,017,220 in 15 lifetime starts. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies of 2013 produced a controversial result with She’s a Tiger nosing out Ria Antonia at the wire, only to be disqualified to second for brushing her rival late in the stretch. Eclipse voters felt She’s a Tiger was still the best of her generation and she received the award as North America’s outstanding 2-year-old filly and at a bid of $2.5 million bested her rival not by a nose, but by $700,000 in the sales ring. Ria Antonia was anointed Canada’s 2-year-old champion for her efforts that season. She campaigned a rather unorthodox 2014 season that saw her race at 8 tracks, ridden by 7 different jockeys,
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with 3 equipment changes under the shedrow of 3 new trainers. Conditioner Tom Amoss saddled her to a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland prior to her fourth-place finish in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Ironically She’s a Tiger and Ria Antonia will meet again – this time on the flight back to the farm of purchaser Katsumi Yoshida. Two mares that shared a plane ride from Los Angeles to Lexington were Dayatthespa and Stephanie’s Kitten that ran 1-2 in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf 48 hours before the Fasig-Tipton sale. Even though Stephanie’s Kitten commanded a bid of $3.9 million, owner/breeders Ken and Sarah Ramsey decided to take her back home and point for another season of racing. Multiple Grade 1 winner Dayatthespa, who wired the field in the Breeders’ Cup off her win in Keeneland’s First Lady, went to Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings for $2.1 million. The question remains if she’ll be bred or raced next season, but odds are good she’s a front runner for an Eclipse Award.
plexes and undoubtedly had an impact on the bidding wars at each venue. The stud fee for Tapit, who over the weekend through the authoritative victory of Untapable in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff broke the single-season earnings mark for a North American stallion, was doubled to $300,000. One can only imaging the elation this had on consigners with in-foal mares, weanlings or offspring of the son of Pulpit. The strength of the single day 200 horse offerings at Fasig-Tipton, spilled over to the expansive Keeneland Breeding Stock Sale that would last 11 days and have 4026 thoroughbreds catalogued for auction. Keeneland’s Book 1 produced the two highest-priced horses to sell at public auction in North America this year.
At $3.9 million, the sale’s top-priced horse was Aloof (IRE), a Group 3-winning daughter of Galileo (IRE) in foal to leading sire War Front. Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm purchased the 5-year-old mare. Out of English highweight Airwave (GB), by Air Express, Aloof is a full sister to French stakes winner Orator and a half-sister to Irish stakes winner Meow. Grade 3 winWhen the final horse went ner Naples Bay, a half-sister through the ring at Fasigto leading sire Medaglia Tipton’s one-day sale the Naples Bay in foal to War Front was the opening session d’Oro carrying her first foal results were strong with 21 sales topper at Keeneland bringing $3.6 million by War Front, commanded different buyers spending $1 the sale’s second-highest price, million or more. The sale’s gross of $63,678,000 marked the second highest gross at Fasig-Tip- selling for $3.6 million to Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier. ton November in six years. The average of $589,611 was fueled by A new record was set for a weanling at the sale. John and Leslie 23 individual horses bringing $1 million or more, including 12 for Malone’s Bridlewood Farm of Ocala, Fla., paid $3 million for the $2 million or more – an increase from seven $2 million dollar-plus weanling daughter of Tapit out of the stakes-winning Storm Cat prices in last year’s sale. The sale’s median was healthy $200,000. mare Serena’s Cat, dam of Grade 2 winners Noble Tune, by UnbriThe sale’s leading buyer was Don Alberto Corp., which purchased dled’s Song, and Honor Code, by A.P. Indy. The amount exceeded three horses for $5,650,000. Taylor Made Sales Agency led all con- the previous record sales price for a weanling sold at public auction signors with 23 horses sold for $17,965,000. in North America, the $2.7 million paid for the Montjeu (IRE) A startling announcement from Lexington’s Gainesway Farm on Monday sent ripples through the barn areas of both sales com-
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weanling colt Amour Malheureux at Keeneland’s 2006 November Sale.
TOPS Around Town
GARTH BROOKS PARTY Photos by Paul Atkinson Garth Brooks returned to Lexington for the first time in over 16 tears. Rupp Arena hosted the record setting Garth Brooks World Tour. Over 80,000 fans somehow squeezed into downtown Lexington for four Garth Brooks concerts that stretched October 31st through November 1st. www.rupparena.com
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Scan here to see all the photos for this event at topsinlex.com
WOW Wedding
Kate & Blake
Reichenbach November 9, 2013
K
ate grew up in Paducah and attended UK. Blake is a Louisville native who played football at Georgetown College. They each made Lexington their home and both worked in orthopedic medical sales. Yet it took them being in Las Vegas at the same time for them to finally meet! They ended up bumping into one another again the next week in Kentucky, and their romance truly sparked. Because the couple loves Lexington so much, they chose to have their wedding at Fasig Tipton on a beautiful, crisp November day. The location allowed them to infuse their big day with Kentucky touches that helped them share their love of the Bluegrass with their guests. Kate chose to mix and match the colors and styles of Amsale bridesmaid dresses and coordinated jewelry. She wore a family heirloom bracelet from the 1940s and a veil that was handmade by her mother. Her “something blue” was her gorgeous pair of Badgley Mischka pumps. Blake had monogrammed collar stays that read “11-9-2013” and “I am forever yours”. He loves unique shoelaces, so he wore pink shoelaces to match his tie. Kate’s mother walked her down the aisle. One of Blake’s good friends officiated the nuptials; she worked with the couple to help them create a unique
Written by Amanda Harper Photography by Scott Hayes
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WOW Wedding
wedding ceremony. In the walking ring, they constructed a romantic altar with hydrangea tiebacks and mercury glass accents with candles. Guests sat in the amphitheater-style seating during the ceremony. The reception was also held at Fasig Tipton where the dining area and barn opened up for guests to enjoy. Reception tables bore three different styles of centerpieces, which included candelabras, mercury glass, candles and a pink floral touch. As a nod to their first meeting in Las Vegas. A candy table was set up with chocolate coins and playing cards, encouraging guests to use the couple’s designated Instagram hashtag when sharing photos.
Dinner included a shrimp and grits station, as well as a carving station. A mac-’n-cheese bar was set up for late night snacks. The beautiful buttercream cake was adorned with gorgeous lace piping and a pink icing flower. The couple shared their first dance to an acoustic version of “Cinema”. From there, DJ Johnny Johnson kept guests on their feet! The couple provided silly accessories and glow sticks to keep the mood festive and fun. Following a dance-off, the party continued at Tin Roof.
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WOW Wedding
DETAILS Venue : Fasig Tipton | Photography: Scott Hayes | Catering: DaRae & Friends | Flowers: Stems | Bridal Gown: Mori-Lee, Bridal & Formal Bridemaids: Amsale | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Mens Wearhouse | Cake: Tinkers | Wedding Planner: Ginny Adkins, Sharing Special Moments Videography: Catherine Lacy | Hair & Makeup: Tricia Newsome | Entertainment: DJ Johnny Johnson
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Weddings
Your ‘Something Blue’ Can Make a Statement About You While your ‘Something Old’ brings a sense of nostalgia and family to your wedding, your ‘Something Blue’ can be your touch of pure whimsy, and can be designed to send a message about you and even your groom. Gone are the days that the something blue is just the hidden garter, relegated to the ‘toss the garter’ moment. Today’s bride makes it fun. ‘Something Blue’ traditionally symbolizes purity, love and fidelity, and you can take that symbolism and make a statement. Blue (Not So Suede) Shoes An idea I love is to put your blue where every girl’s fashion heart is—in your shoes! A great blue shoe, peeking out from beneath your dress as you walk down the aisle or dance with your dad, is so fun and fashionable. Plus, because these aren’t pristine whites, they will not look dirty during an evening of festivity. You can even wear them later and remember your special day along the way. Let’s Make A Date A very memorable idea is to embroider your wedding date—in blue of course—inside the lining of your wedding dress. Some brides do this near the zipper or inside a belt, but my favorite is right inside the front hemline, where you can flip it over easily to show friends and family your ‘Something Blue’. Make this an heirloom by making it removable, and hand it down to your daughter to put in her wedding dress, alongside her own. Love, Love, Love! Something Blue At The Reception, Too While the tradition is that you actually wear the ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue’, you can absolutely build it into your wedding reception event planning as well. This can give you an opportunity to share something out of the ordinary about you, and even about something you and your groom share. So if it’s a Dr. Who Tardis sign, or an R2D2 cake, be creative and build it in. Your guests will love it. Hidden Messages On Your Shoe Can Be Something Blue A big idea is to send a “Something Blue’ message on the sole of your shoes. This can be as simple as a shoe tattoo (really just a sticker), or you can involve an artist to make this ultra special. Shoe messages can make for ultra cute wedding photos, but be sure to have your photographer take your album shot as soon as you put the shoes on so they will be scuff free.
by Marsha Koller Wedding Consultant
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There are so many creative things to do with Blue that will make your ‘I do’s even more memorable. Remember, the difference really is in the details, and your ‘Something Blue’ ideas don’t have to be expensive at all, but can be worth a million bucks in memories.
DECEMBER 2014 | TOPSINLEX.COM
Taste of Thyme
Holiday Spiced Oatmeal Cookies in Jar These are some of my favorite oatmeal cookies—they’re a little more rustic looking than your average cookie, but they’re crazy tasty. Just a touch of holiday spice goes a long way to make these extra-special. To complete the holiday feel I like to add cranberries and walnuts, but these can be swapped with other nuts, fruit, or chocolate chips—mmm! Makes about 16 cookies Dry: 1 cup all-purpose flour (140g.) ½ Tsp. baking powder ¼ Tsp. baking soda 1 Tsp. cinnamon ¼ Tsp. nutmeg ⅛ Tsp. ginger ⅛ Tsp. cloves 2 cups rolled oats (160g.) ⅓ cup dark brown sugar, packed (about 65g.) ⅓ cup sugar (about 65g.) ½ cup dried cranberries (about 60g.), or other dried fruit ½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped (about 50g.), or other nut, more dried fruit, chocolate chips, m&m’s, etc…. Wet: 6 Tbs. unsalted butter, or dairy-free substitute, melted ⅓rd cup milk, or dairy-free substitute 1 tsp. vanilla extract Method Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Stir in the butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Scoop 1½ Tbs. sized balls onto a lined cookie sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until just barely set on top. Let cool 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheet. To Layer in Jars: One recipe fills one quart-sized mason jar. I layered the ingredients into the jar in this order: Flour (with the baking powder, baking soda, and spices whisked in) ½ the oats Brown sugar White sugar ½ the oats Cranberries Walnuts I then labeled each jar with baking direction on top: Directions: In a bowl, stir cookie mix. Add 1/3rd cup milk or milk substitute, 6 Tbs. melted butter or dairy-free margarine, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Mix well, and scoop into 1½-2 Tbs. sized balls onto a lined cookie sheet. bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until just barely set on top. Let cool 5 minutes before devouring!
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Taste of Thyme
Bourbon Spiced Pecan Butter ⅓ cup toasted pecans, chopped 2 Tbs. Maple Syrup 1½ Tbs. Bourbon 1 pinch of cayenne pepper 1 Tp of cinnamon 1 Tsp. of fresh grated nutmeg 1 stick of butter, softened Whip the pecans, syrup, bourbon and spices into the softened butter using a paddle attachment and stand mixer. Spread on toasted bread or cracker of your choice and serve. Store in a glass mason jar in the refrigerator up to two weeks.
Microwave Peanut Brittle I know some may say its blasphemy when it comes to cooking in a microwave, but this recipe is a keeper and came from one of the first microwave cookbooks when microwaves entered American kitchens. Unlike most peanut brittles that can break your teeth this brittle is crunchy and delicious. One note to remember is this recipe cannot be doubled. 1 cup white sugar ½ cup light corn syrup 1 cup salted peanuts 1 tsp butter 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp baking soda Butter a cookie sheet. Combine sugar and corn syrup in a glass bowl and microwave for 4 minutes. Stir in the peanuts and microwave for 3 ½ minutes more, then stir in the butter and vanilla and microwave for 1 ½ minutes. (watch that it doesn’t become too brown) * Be very careful as this mixture will be extremely hot, you must use a pyrex glass dish that can handle very high heat. Stir in baking soda until light and foamy. Pour onto the cookie sheet and spread thin. Cool completely and break into pieces.
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Taste of Thyme
Candied Bacon 12 thick-cut hickory or applewood smoked bacon slices ½ cup brown sugar 1 Tbs. cayenne pepper 1½ Tbs. cinnamon Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on a wire rack in over an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet. In a medium bowl combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Generously sprinkle and heavily coat each strip of bacon with the sugar mixture. Place the bacon in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and sugar mixture is brown and bubbly. Remove from the oven and let cool on the wire rack. The bacon will become crisper as it cools. Place in mason jars and wrap with ribbon for an sweet and spicy homemade treat.
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TOP 5 Dining
THE APIARY Specializing in the culinary nuances of Kentucky cuisine, The Apiary’s artistry is a farm to table affair. In fact, The Apiary, founded by Lexington native, Cooper Vaughan, will soon open their event space on Jefferson Street, which will feature an on-site garden where guests can enjoy the beauty of the green space (designed by Jon Carloftis), but also the herbs and produce grown there. The creativity and attention to detail shines at The Apiary - each event has a custom menu designed for the style and scope of the event. Downtown • 218 Jefferson Street • (859) 254-2225 • the-apiary.com
Bluegrass catering Providing quality food and exceptional service, Bluegrass Catering has been serving up gourmet box lunches, deli lunches, hot lunch and dinner buffets, outdoor picnics, parties and occasions for 20 years. Helmed by mother-daughter duo Judy and Jill Bakehorn, Bluegrass Catering offers custom menus as well as a huge array of dishes such as Grilled Raspberry Chicken, Sushi, and Kentucky Bread Pudding. Want your event to be at the center of it all? The Bakehorns also operate The Barrel House and The Grand Reserve private event facilities, both located in the up-and-coming Distillery District. Downtown • 223 North Limestone Street • (859) 231-7676 • bluegrasscatering.com
seasons catering & special occasions From classic catering offerings to chic contemporary cuisine, Seasons Catering and Special Events offers dishes such as Beef Sate’, Cordon Blue Grass (chicken stuffed with country ham and cheddar), Chicken and Cilantro Lollipops, as well as the ever charming swan-shaped cream puffs. In addition to an array of delectable meal choices, Seasons also offers beautiful tiered wedding cakes, event planning, ice sculptures, fruit carvings, and even invitations, floral and other decor details. Downtown • 333 North Ashland Avenue • (859) 266-6661 • seasonsevents.com
type a catering Catering weddings and other social events, Type A Catering strives to make each event memorable, stress-free, and of course, delicious! With over 10 years catering and planning experience, this local caterer has forged good relationships with clients and vendors throughout the region by focusing on the details of each event. Sliced Beef Tenderloin with Bordelaise, Sliced Pork Loin with Apple Brandy Reduction, and Flourless Chocolate Cake are among the delectable dishes one could find at a Type A affair. Nicholasville • 302 Southview Drive. • (859) 619-3198 • typeacatering.com
wild thyme This “culinary boutique”, headed by Kentucky native Allison Davis, could change your relationship with food and the art of food preparation. Whether it’s custom catering, to go platters, healthy weekly meals, lunch, cooking classes, or children’s parties, Wild Thyme provides fine foods while “cooking up fun”. Offering dishes such as Parmesan and Thyme Spirals, Goat Cheese Grape Truffles, and Signature Orange & Lemon Dreamsicle Cookies this Lexington gem is simply a foodie haven. Chinoe • 1060 Chinoe Road, Suite 108 • (859) 523-COOK • wildthymecooking.com
Hungry for more? Check out our Dining Guide at topsinlex.com! DECEMBER 2014 | TOPS MAGAZINE
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Up & Coming
Ashland Lighting of the Lawn 4:30p The Henry Clay Estate henryclay.org
9 TUESDAY
NAWBO Lexington Holiday Affaire & Membership Drive
DEC
EMBER
5:30p The Barrel House lexnawbo.org
10 WEDNESDAY
Men’s Basketball: UK vs. Columbia University 7p Rupp Arena ukathletics.com
11 THURSDAY
Trans-Siberian Orchestra 7:30p Rupp Arena rupparena.com
12 FRIDAY
Big Bad VooDoo Daddy 7:30p EKU Center for the Arts ekucenter.com
5:30p Kentucky Horse Park kyhorsepark.com
13 SATURDAY
Men’s Basketball: UK vs. North Carolina 12p Rupp Arena ukathletics.com
Breakfast with Santa 8a Oleika Shrine Temple oleikashrine.org
Woodford Reserve Holiday Dinner with Lantern Tour 5:30p & 7:30p Woodford Reserve woodfordreserve.com
RJ Corman Dinner Train Murder Mystery: ‘Rudolph the DEAD Nosed Reindeer’ 6p RJ Corman Dinner Train kydinnertrain.com
14 SUNDAY
Women’s Basketball: UK vs. Belmont
The Nutcracker
6p Memorial Coliseum ukathletics.com
7:30p Lexington Opera House lexingtonoperahouse.com
Alltech Celebration of Song
Handel’s Messiah
5p The Square celebrationofsong.org
8p Singletary Center singletarycenter.com
North Pole Express
Women’s Basketball: UK vs. Middle TN State 9p Memorial Coliseum ukathletics.com
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Southern Lights
1p & 5p RJ Corman Dinner Train lexingtondinnertrain.com
Up & Coming
17 WEDNESDAY Straight No Chaser Christmas
7:30p EKU Center for the Arts sncmusic.com
19 FRIDAY
The SMACK-OFF: A Christmas Reality Show 7p Guignol Theatre finearts.uky.edu
20 SATURDAY The Nutcracker
2p & 7:30p Lexington Opera House lexingtonoperahouse.com
LYPA Holiday Party & Toy Drive 7p Natasha’s Bistro & Bar lexlypa.org
21 SUNDAY The Nutcracker
2p Lexington Opera House lexingtonoperahouse.com
A Celtic Christmas 7:30p Singletary Center singletarycenter.com
North Pole Express 1p & 5p RJ Corman Dinner Train lexingtondinnertrain.com
Woman to Woman Kentuckiana Open House 6:30p The Plantory w2wkentuckiana.org
28 SUNDAY
The Night Before Christmas 2p Lexington Opera House lexingtonoperahouse.com
Women’s Basketball: UK vs. TN State 2p Memorial Coliseum ukathletics.com
Southern Lights 5:30p Kentucky Horse Park kyhorsepark.com
31 WEDNESDAY
DEC
EMBER
Lex Phil presents Ute Lemper
7:30p Lexington Opera House lexphil.org
New Years Eve Party 9p The Grand Reserve lexeffectky.com
New Years Eve Party 9p Hyatt Regency lexington.hyatt.com
New Years Eve Party 7p French Lick Resort frenchlick.com
27 SATURDAY
The Night Before Christmas 2p & 8p Lexington Opera House lexingtonoperahouse.com
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Up & Coming
3 SATURDAY Kenny Woods’ Gun & Knife Show
9a Lexington Convention Center rkshows.com
1st Annual Master Builder Challenge
JAN UARY
12:30p Downtown Arts Center bricks4kidz.com
4 SUNDAY
Kenny Woods’ Gun & Knife Show 9a Lexington Convention Center rkshows.com
Women’s Basketball: UK vs. Ole Miss 2p Memorial Coliseum ukathletics.com
6 TUESDAY Men’s Basketball: UK vs. Ole Miss 7p Rupp Arena ukathletics.com
8 THURSDAY
Women’s Basketball: UK vs. Auburn 7p Memorial Coliseum ukathletics.com
9 FRIDAY Travis Tritt
8p Lexington Opera House lexingtonoperahouse.com
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10 SATURDAY
Concert with the Stars 8p Lexington Opera House lexingtontheatrecompany.org
13 TUESDAY Men’s Basketball: UK vs. Missouri 9p Rupp Arena ukathletics.com
15 THURSDAY Women’s Basketball: UK vs. Florida 7p Memorial Coliseum ukathletics.com
16 FRIDAY
Miranda Lambert: Certified Platinum Tour 7:30p Rupp Arena rupparena.com
LexArts Gallery Hop 5p Downtown lexarts.org
17 SATURDAY
Harlem Globetrotters 7p Rupp Arena rupparena.com
20 TUESDAY Men’s Basketball: UK vs. Vanderbilt 9p Rupp Arena ukathletics.com