Tops in Lexington - November 2017

LAI ISGOING

A A t::I f'iit

PLUS Meet 10 Local Heart S

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s

FEATURES

NOVEMBER the go red issue

Volume 11 Number 11

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87

Tour of Homes: ReďŹ ned Rustic

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Go Red: Laila Ali Heart Disease Survivors + Much more

150 Gift Guide + Holiday Picks

150

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Next Month

DECEMBER On our cover: Laila Ali Photo: Allen Cooley Photography Courtesy of Laila Ali 14

November 2017 | TopsInLex.com

the holiday + fashion issue

PHOTOS 32

48

210

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Out & About

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TOPS October Preview Party

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An Evening in a Magig Garden

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BGCF365 Mix & Mingle

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Ball Homes Night of Hope

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The Barn Grand Opening Party

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AHA Wear Red Day at Keeneland

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Big Blue Madness

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Blue White Game

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Heart Walk Business Leaders Kick-Off

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Make a Wish Day at Keeneland

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Harvest for Horse Dinner

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Tastings & Trivia

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Top Shots

Event photo captions are typically provided to TOPS by the event organizers. We do our best to check names and spelling‌but we are all human and make mistakes.

Please contact kristen@topsmarketing.com with any corrections and we will make note of it in the next issue.

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FUNDAMENTALS

83 128

117 AT HOME

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FACES + PLACES

CUISINE

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Tour of Homes: Refined Rustic

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Go Red

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Dining: The Barn

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FloriCULTURE: Putting the Outdoors to Bed

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TOPS Cares: Easter Seals

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TOP 5 Dining: Soup

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Color Catalog: Sherwin Williams’ Antique Red

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Meet the Media: Matt Jones

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New & Noteworthy: Cos Bar

Womanista: Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese with Bacon

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Beer & Wine of the Month

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FUNDAMENTALS LIFE + STYLE 137

TOP Dressed

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Gor-Jess: Pumpkin Spice

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Outfit of the Month: Legends of the Fall

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Wow Wedding: DeAnn + Eddie

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Weddings Unveiled: Rose Gold Rings

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Gift Guide + Holiday Picks

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FAMILY

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EQUINE

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Super Mom: Lauren Lucas

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Filly of the Month: Mary Catherine White

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Woodland Kid’s Room

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Colt of the Month: Buck Schott

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Pets: Working with a Veterinary Nurse

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Horse Park Happenings

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COMMUNITY 182

BBN: Stephen Johnson’s Legacy

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BBN: Hello, They Really Must Be Going!

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What’s New, Kentucky?

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Calendar

465 East High Street, Suite 201 Lexington, KY 40507 859.543.TOPS (8677)

100 Executive Park, Suite 101 Lousiville, KY 40207 502.780.7825

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ADVERTISE TOP Marketing Group can get your message in front of Central Kentuckians everywhere, through print, digital, email and social media.

Email us at advertising@topsinlex.com.

STAFF Keith Yarber, Publisher kyarber@topsmarketing.com

Camile Turner, Digital Specialist camile@topsmarketing.com

Kristen Oakley, President/COO kristen@topsmarketing.com

Savannah Blank, Digital Specialist savannah@topsmarketing.com

Danielle Pope, VP of Communications danielle@topsmarketing.com

Amanda Harper, Production Manager amandah@topsmarketing.com

Megan Hillenmeyer, Editor megan@topsmarketing.com

Jen Brown, Graphic Designer jen@topsmarketing.com

Debbie Hodges, Director of Promotions debbie@topsmarketing.com

Haley Walls, Graphic Designer haley@topsmarketing.com

Maredith Davis, Assistant maredith@topsmarketing.com

CONTRIBUTORS Photographers: Paul Atkinson, Ben Burchett, Tracie Dillon, Michael Huang, Ron Morrow, Keni Parks, Danny Pendleton, Woody Phillips and Shaun Ring Writers: Michelle Aiello, Ashley Alt, Sarah Boerkircher, Jesse L. Brooks, Dick Gabriel, Amanda Harper, Meredith Lane, Beth Langfels, Ryan Lemond, Erica Radhakrishnan, Michelle Rauch, Jen Roytz and Beau Spicer.

Interns: Allison Arterburn, Max Faulkner, Sarah Gossett, Gabriella McKim,

and Kendall Nighbert

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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OUT + ABOUT

Josh Fletcher, Mentalist entertains at the Legacy Reserve Opening

Family Safety Day at Paul Miller Ford

Ron Sanford and Lynn Erickson at Tastings & Trivia

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SOCIETY

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Feltner of South Central Bank

Brie Lowry, Victoria Tobin, Heather McKeever and Debbie Westerfield at the Fairyhouse Hall Kentucky Proud Slow Food Dinner

The TOPS October Preview “potty” at Creative Kitchen and Bath

Photos

TOPS OCTOBER PREVIEW PARTY Creative Kitchen and Bath | October 4 | topsinlex.com | Photos by Ron Morrow

Diana & Jeff Koonce, Larry Jones and Debra Willett Hupman

Jarad Foglesong and Debbie Hodges

Sonia Woodall 34

The Radhakrishnan Family

Michelle Ripley and Ralph Coldiron

Berry Popp, Jeannine Petell and Cheryl Eadens

November 2017 | TopsInLex.com

More photos at topinlex.com!

Kristen Oakley, LeAnne Brooks and Dan Glass

Angie Green-Hampton and Trish White

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Photos

TOPS OCTOBER PREVIEW PARTY Creative Kitchen and Bath | October 4 | topsinlex.com | Photos by Ron Morrow

Bret & Tami Melrose

Andrea Robinette

Derrick Whitaker, j. stuart hurt and Lisa Carroll

Joe Lybrook, Savannah Blankand Sammy Tudor

Karen Hillenmeyer, Alex Blythe and Megan Hillenmeyer 36

More photos at topinlex.com!

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Jennifer Jackson

Brittany & Bryan Wehrman

Jamie Lea Stinnett

Angie & Jay Ballard

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Photos

AN EVENING IN A MAGIC GARDEN Benefiting Shriner’s Hospital | The Apiary | September 29 | shrinershospitalsforchildren.org

More photos at topinlex.com!

Julie Goodman and Molly Sutherland

Cyndy Harbett & Herb Miller

Bill Henkel

Susan & Berry Popp

Andy & Kristina Shea, Debbie & Larry Jones

Penny Dominguez and Abby Vaughn

Steve Kay and Vishwas R. Talwalkar 38

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Jim Frazier

Buddy & Teresa Hager Photos by Woody Phillips

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Photos

BGCF365 MIX & MINGLE Bluegrass Community Foundation | September 27 | bgcf.org | Photos by Paul Atkinson

Sal Sanchez

Fran Taylor and Ryan Case

Mike Hilton and Liz Kip

Jason Tate and Natalie O’Hara

More photos at topinlex.com!

David & Lisa Adkins

Bethany Denning and Madonna Turner

The Hollow Bodies Acoustic Folk Band 40

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Brian Dineen and Scott Fitzpatrick

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Photos

BGCF365 MIX & MINGLE Bluegrass Community Foundation | September 27 | bgcf.org | Photos by Paul Atkinson

John & Donna Hall

Will & Maddie Booher

Garyen Denning and Mike Friesen 42

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Halee Cunningham and Christian Motley

Blanton Coats

More photos at topinlex.com!

Elizabeth Roach

Art Salomon and Richard Young

Kristen Tidwell and Margaret Ridley

We’re Hiring TOPS has a unique opening for a qualified advertising salesperson.

We are growing our team of professionals. Outside sales experience and marketing background preferred.

Send your cover letter and resume to Kristen@topsmarketing.com.

EOE

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Photos

BALL HOMES NIGHT OF HOPE BeneďŹ ting The Hope Center | Lexington Opera House | October 12 | hopectr.org

More photos at topinlex.com!

Cecil Dunn and Steve Kelly Cathy Jacobs, Thomas Henderson and Linda Ball

Louis & Betsy Hillenmeyer, Carrie Thayer

Lauren Moore 44

Tedrin Blair Lindsay

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Mary Jo Perino

Diana & Jeff Koonce

Paul Atkinson and Liz Davenport Photos by Paul Atkinson

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Photos

THE BARN GRAND OPENING PARTY The Barn at the Summit at Fritz Farm | September 28 | thesummitatfritzfarm.com

More photos at topinlex.com!

Daniel & Florence Marlowe with Cocaine Bear Ouita Michael and Isabel Yates

Stephen Hillenmeyer and Ami Bertrand

Gail & Jeffrey Bayer, Annie Bayer Goldberg

Adam & Davis Meyer, Anne Sabatino Hardy and Meredith Lane Ferguson

Sophia and Dan Wu, Lauren Sherrow

Cliff Stidham, Kathy, Stephanie and Dan Bork 46

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Christy & Whit Hiler, Nick Nardiello Photos by Ron Morrow

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Photos

AHA WEAR RED DAY Keeneland | October 19 | heart.org | Photos by Ron Morrow

More photos at topinlex.com!

Michelle Landers, Cindy Whitehouse and Lindy Karns

Robin & Don Fishback, Laura Babbage, Sylvia Cerel-Suhl and Pat Host

John & Tricia Collier and Houston Hall

Finn Collier makes a friend

Beth Langefels and Jordan Yates 48

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Paul Chartier and Charlie Tewell

Patty Breeze, Nancy Atkins, Paula Hanson, Billie Dollins and Melissa Dickey

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Tour of Homes: Refined Rustic

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FloriCULTURE: Putting the Outdoors to Bed

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Color Catalog: Sherwin Williams’ Antique Red

At Home

Tour of

HOMES

Refined Rustic

By Michelle Aiello | Photos by Shaun Ring

K

evin Crouse, homebuilder and owner of Artisan Custom Homes, prides himself on creating unique homes that suit his clients’ lifestyles. But once in a while, a project comes along that is really special. This 10,000 square foot home set on an idyllic pond in Central Kentucky is a perfect example.

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At Home

The heart of the home is a historic gristmill that was moved from its original location near Maysville and reconstructed onsite. “My clients fell in love with the idea of restoring a gristmill from the early 1800’s,” said Crouse. “Our goal was to showcase the amazing skill and attention to detail that was used by a group of amazing craftsmen almost 200 years ago. Special care was taken to preserve and celebrate the craftsmanship of the past while keeping a refined, warm feeling for the family.”

The gristmill, which was used to grind grain into flour and other products, was a timber frame structure constructed from hand-hewn chestnut. “There wasn’t a single nail securing the structure,” explained Crouse. “You have to stop and think, in 1828 there was no electricity. There were no circular saws or modern tools used today.” Instead, a group of skilled craftsmen used wooden pegs to secure the joinery of the carefully cut timber beams and posts. In spite of the craftsmanship it took to build, it was still a functional mill. For example, the center posts are octagonal because workers were constantly moving around them and wanted to avoid any sharp edges. “Everything was built with a purpose,” said Crouse.

Crouse and his team started working with AMDG Architects of Grand Rapids, Michigan in August 2010. It took almost 9 months to disassemble the mill and make necessary repairs to the timbers. Construction of the home lasted for about two and a half years, and the home was completed in December 2014. During that time, Crouse worked closely with his clients to transform the old mill into a luxurious, rustic family home.

The attention to detail extends to the front of the home as well, where landscape designer Jon Carloftis of Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens has created a beautiful outdoor space with colorful potted plants, climbing vines, and neatly trimmed shrubbery. The home’s exterior utilizes cedar board and batten and cedar shingles, combined with Kentucky limestone surrounding the foundation. Timber-frame brackets and metal shed roofs accent the home along with half round gutters and rain chains (a more attractive option than a downspout). The front porches and sidewalks are bluestone and the timberframe deck is made from cedar. Cobblestone accents break-up the concrete loop around the front of the home.

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At Home

The idea to use the gristmill evolved during the planning process. “When we started this project, my clients were interested in timber frame construction,” said Crouse. “A traditional home had been designed by our architect that would use timber frame elements on the exterior of the home. Then they came across the gristmill.” Originally the mill was going to be used as a guest house. As the project evolved, Crouse and his clients began talking about restoring the mill as part of their home. “That really took it to a whole different level,” he said. “When we decided to use the mill, the question now became, ‘How do we build around it?’”

The solution was to take the mill’s existing three-story framework and use it as a supporting and decorative structure for the main living area. Upon entering the home, one of the original millstones, a nod to the original working gristmill, has been embedded in the reclaimed hardwood floors. A key in the center of the stone can be removed, creating a tiny window to the lower level. The millstone is just one of many artifacts from the gristmill that have been ingeniously used as décor items.

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At Home

“Taking something down that has been up for 200 years…it definitely wasn’t a traditional construction project,” said Crouse. Some of the beams needed to be repaired, but they were joined seamlessly to the existing structure. They preserved as much of the original character of the gristmill as possible, including a few etchings and drawings made by the original workers. Crouse gives a great deal of credit to contractor Charles Howell of Howell Timber Frame. “Charles was the one who originally found the gristmill and he played a key role in its restoration. He is a true craftsman, and his skills and knowledge of timber frame construction are unrivaled.”

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At Home

This home has a style like no other,” he said. “It celebrates a historic structure in a classic, refined way.” Reclaimed antique oak floors can be seen throughout the home.

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At Home

While the gristmill’s history and craftsmanship is evident at every turn, the project was not without its challenges and limitations. For example, they first had to carefully dismantle the mill, labeling each piece of timber as they went. And before the mill was put back together, it had to be mocked up to make sure everything would fit just as it did before.

...it definitely wasn’t a traditional construction project”

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At Home

The team had to figure out how to incorporate a stairway into the existing timber frame structure that met building code (the newel posts and handrail were also made from reclaimed wood from the mill).

They had to determine where to place the windows in relation to the horizontal and vertical beams. “Installing mechanical systems without traditional stud walls and drywall presented a real challenge. As a custom builder we are used to the detailed planning required on large projects, but the creativity required for this project was at another level,� Crouse explained. Simple tasks such as wiring for uplights in the beams or locating light switches in the structure were just a few of the challenges that his team had to overcome.

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At Home

The kitchen, located just past the great room, is a bright, spacious area featuring custom built cabinetry, a copper range hood, a hand crafted tile backsplash, and soapstone countertops. Gregory Designs is responsible for all of the kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, as well as the mahogany front door. “This is my favorite spot in the house,” said the homeowner. “It’s a beautiful place to cook and watch herons by the pond from the window. Also, this is where kids do homework after school and we share long family meals in the evenings.”

This home has a style like no other,” he said. “It celebrates a historic structure in a classic, refined way.”

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At Home

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At Home

As a custom builder we are used to the detailed planning required on large projects, but the creativitiy required for this project was at another level.”

Crouse also worked with interior designer Matthew Carter. “Matthew helped shape the design elements and the refined influence on the mill by consulting with us on material selections and design planning,” explained Crouse. “He provided input on cabinetry design, flooring, paint schemes, lighting, and plumbing fixtures.” In addition to Carter’s work, interior and personal stylist Jerri Ann Lamb styled and staged the home for this editorial.

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At Home

In the left wing of the house is a mud room and office space that looks over the expansive backyard.

The homeowners said, “this home works so well for our family because we have spaces that function in a variety of ways. There is space for solitude and reflection as well as for community, hospitality and togetherness.

Also, because we are able to stay so closely connected to nature, it feels like a retreat in our everyday lives.�

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At Home

In the right wing of the home, a bluestone hallway leads to a handsome study overlooking the pond. All of the home’s fireplaces are handcrafted with field stone and timbers from the mill. Another one of the original millstones is set in the hearth of the fireplace in the study. Here, more wheels, gears and other original elements from the mill have been used as dÊcor.

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At Home

The master bedroom features an oversized window—perfect for taking in the relaxing scenery. Both the study and the master bedroom feature original chestnut flooring restored from the mill. In the master bedroom, additional mill relics keep the circular theme present, making the design scheme cohesive.

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At Home

The master bath is a departure from the style of the rest of the home. Here, it’s all about modern, polished style, with bright white paint, custom cabinetry and honed Cararra marble floors and countertops.

The cowhide rug brings the earth tones featured in the rest of the home back to the otherwise modern space.

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At Home

The home has five bedrooms and six bathrooms total, with two of the bedrooms located on the lower level.

The second floor features the two children’s bedrooms and a unique loft space where they can hang out.

The third floor, which isn’t finished yet, will be a dedicated space to showcase salvaged artifacts from the mill.

No detail was spared throughout the three story interior.

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At Home

Once Crouse and his team had solidified his plans for the home’s interior, the next challenge was to design an exterior to compliment it. The great room overlooks one of the home’s most picturesque details - a beautiful pond that was created especially for the property. With fire pit area and a dock with fishing poles, the scene is reminiscent of a painting or storybook. The pond, which has a rubber liner and reaches a depth of 14 feet, is fed by two wells and has a float switch to keep the water at a consistent level. Stepping stones lead to a jump rock with underwater steps on both sides, creating a fun spot for the kids to swim. Rock outcroppings and aquatic plants (supplied by Nature’s Expression) create both a beautiful and natural setting for fishing. While the home and the pond were built about five years ago, both look like they’ve existed for over a hundred years. “If you asked my clients what their favorite aspect of the home is, they would probably say the history of the mill, and the views of the pond,” said Crouse.

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At Home

If you asked my clients what their favorite aspect of the home is, they would probably say the history of the mill, and the views of the pond”

Ultimately, with such a large and complicated build, said Crouse, having a team of dedicated professionals was critical. “My team of trade partners really stepped up to the challenge of this project,” he said. “When you tackle a unique project like this, it takes a team of skilled individuals working together. I couldn’t have restored the mill without (timber frame contractor) Charles Howell—he was amazing. I really enjoyed leading such a talented group of people. It started with a vision to restore a gristmill and ended with an amazing home for a special family.”

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At Home

Tour of

HOMES

Behind the Build with Kevin Crouse, Owner of Artisan Custom Homes

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1. The Gristmill in it’s original location near Maysville, KY was built in 1828.

2. An interior picture of the Gristmill shows one of the millstones and an octagonal post.

3. Restored for it’s new home nearly 200 years later, a view of the timber frame structure from the back of the home.

4. Joinery secures the tapered rafters and collars ties which showcase the skill and craftsmanship originally used to build the Gristmill.

5. Creativity and planning was required to wire for uplights in the hand-hewn chestnut beams.

6. A 1,500 pound millstone is carefully set in the floor just inside the front door. Another millstone was set in the hearth of the fireplace in the study.

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At Home

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At Home

Flori CULTURE:

Putting the Outside to Bed The time every gardener dreads has finally come—putting the landscape to bed for the winter. We’ve spent all season with back aches and dirt under our nails, watching beds bloom into daisies and petunias. Endless hours have been spent toiling in the soil and suddenly it’s time to walk away. In my case, it’s time to run! All the hard work has paid off and now it’s time to rest until next season. Or is it?

Fall is a great time to get a jump on spring. Anything you can get done now is one less thing you will have to do in the spring. Simple things like applying late season weed preventer to your landscapes, using mulched leaf litter as winter mulch, and applying late season lawn fertilizer to your lawns can turn a spring of pulling and cleaning into a season of planting and playing. Remember a little effort now pays off dividends in a few months!!

One thing we all battle during the early part of the spring are those pesky winter weeds. Weeds like Henbit love the cold winter and flourish during a time when we are not thinking about the landscape.

These weeds can be especially hard to get rid of since most sprays are not effective in the cold. Applying a product called Treflan in early winter can help reduce the amount of weeds we see in spring. Treflan is a granual weed seed preventer which stops the germination of seeds in landscapes. Treflan is extremely easy to apply and one application will get you through winter. You can apply Treflan up to four times a year, so don’t forget to continue using it through the gardening season to help battle landscape weeds.

When it comes to leaves during the fall, a battle is what we have on our hands. We rake and rake, seemingly never getting ahead. This year let’s try something a little different. Instead of raking or tossing leaves into the Lenny bin, let’s turn them into mulch. Start by blowing the leaves into piles. Then, using a mulching blade on mower, mow over them a few times to break them down into smaller pieces.

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This ground leaf litter makes amazing mulch for garden and flower beds. It breaks down easily and adds nutrients back into the soil.

Come spring you may be able to reduce the amount of fertilizer and mulch you use.

Fall is a great time to apply lawn fertilizer. Lawns benefit from fertilizer high in Nitrogen with NO phosphates. Applying such fertilizers up to three times in the fall and early winter will make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood. Fertilizing now helps slowly build the Nitrogen levels to a heathy point without burning the lawn or making the grass grow to a point you can’t keep it mowed. You will love what your lawn looks like when you fertilize it now.

Remember when it comes to the lawn and landscape, there is always something you could be doing. The late fall is a time when we start to relax and forget about the outdoors. But by applying late season weed preventer to your landscapes, using mulched leaf litter as winter mulch, and applying late season lawn fertilizer to your lawn, you can actually relax in spring when everyone else is playing catchup. The weather can be amazing this time of year, so pick a warm day and get a head start.

By Beau Spicer Louis Flower Power

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At Home

Red Antiqued Wall Clock Pier One

COLOR CATALOG

7.25-Quart Round French Oven in Cherry Le Creuset

Sherwin Williams’

Antique Red Antique Red by Sherwin Williams is a deep shade of red that warms any space, makes an impact, but doesn’t overpower the details of a room.

Part of the Traditional Twist Color Collection, this hue is the answer for anyone wanting a bold, but livable color. Antique Red pairs well with dark tones such as Gilbraltar and even Bohemian Black. Though, the interplay between this color and bright contrasts such as Gleeful, or a pure white cannot be underestimated.

Bennett Red Metal Lanterns Pier One

Antique Red is a particularly enticing color for kitchens and dining rooms as it promotes conversation, interation and energy.

Pair with:

Gilbraltar

Bohemian Black

Actual colors may vary from this printed representation.

Gleeful

Freestanding Gas Range in Apple Red Viking

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Go Red

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Meet the Media: Matt Jones

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TOPS Cares: Easter Seals

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New & Noteworthy: Cos Bar

Faces + Places

LAILA ALI Undefeated Boxing Champion.

TV and Podcast Host. Author.

CEO. Wellness and Fitness Expert.

Volunteer. Public Speaker. Mother. Motivator.

Did we forget to mention daughter of world-renowned boxing legend Muhammad Ali? These are just some of the many facets of Laila Ali. Laila is a legend in her own right. Since retiring from the boxing ring in 2007, she has accomplished more than most women can claim in a lifetime. She spends her days motivating others to live a healthy and active lifestyle through her blog and Podcast, both titled Laila Ali Lifestyle.

Much like her father, Laila is an inspiring humanitarian. An advocate for child hunger, women in sports and heart health, Laila packs a punch on the non-profit scene. On November 17th , she will speak to hundreds of Kentuckians at the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Experience luncheon.

We caught up with Laila before the event to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to live the Laila Ali Lifestyle.

Before the Ring Laila Ali was born in 1977 as the daughter of Muhammad Ali and Veronica Porché Ali. Porché, a stunning actress, was one of the four poster girls who promoted the Rumble in the Jungle fight featuring Muhammad Ali versus George Foreman.

The eighth daughter of Muhammad Ali, Laila was independent, ambitious and forward-thinking. She attended Santa Monica College for a degree in business and became the owner of a nail salon as a young teenager. “Growing up, living on my own, totally independent, and I had a plan, but boxing hadn’t been a part of it,” she explained. In fact, Laila didn’t even know women’s boxing existed. “I didn’t want to box, myself, until I saw women boxing for the first time when I was about 19,” she explained. Laila saw a Christy Martin fight, and became enamored. It spurred her to consider entering the ring. story by Amanda Harper | photo by Peter Langone

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Faces + Places “The fear set in. I thought ‘that’s not what I should be doing’ and ‘what’s everyone going to think?” she remembered. Laila didn’t want to make a hasty choice. She explained, “It took me about a year of contemplation to even go to the gym and start training. I did it on my own–kind of in secrecy.”

Nearly a year went by and Laila knew she had to discuss her plans with someone very important. “After training,I decided I did want to do it and I talked to my dad about it,” she said.

His reaction wasn’t what she had hoped. “He tried to talk me out of it. One, he didn’t want his baby girl boxing and getting hurt. And two, he didn’t feel women should be boxing in the first place–it wasn’t a woman’s sport,” Laila remembered. “I said, ‘Dad, I’m gonna show you.’ And I did.”

She Bee Stingin’ Laila announced her boxing career in a Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer. Her first match was in 1999 and journalists flocked to the ringside, curious to see Muhammad Ali’s eighth child in action.

At the time, women’s boxing was relatively unknown. That quickly shifted, and public interest began to grow. The Ali name brought the sport a lot of attention, as did Laila’s sterling record. During her career, she held the WBC, WIBA, IWBF and IBA female super middleweight titles and the IWBF light heavyweight title. She retired undefeated. But Laila is quick to remind everyone that she wasn’t out there alone.

“There were so many women boxing before me. I was the most successful boxer because I was good at what I did–I was undefeated, I was a world champion–but I also had a very famous last name,” Laila explained. “I had everything it takes as an athlete to push through, to get the recognition, but there were a lot of women who were talented that just didn’t get the attention.”

Laila believes that gender norms have a lot to do with the lack of recognition female athletes receive. “We have this mindset that limits us: we’re taught that she should protect women, that men are the fighters and the warriors,” she said. “People weren’t ready for women’s boxing, and they’re still not.”

Her incredible achievements earned her one very important accolade: her father’s stamp of approval. “He came to me after I started winning titles and he was like ‘wow, you can do it! Women can do it!’” She was proud to say, “I changed his mind!”

Her Father’s Legacy When Muhammad Ali, known across the globe as The Greatest, passed away in 2016, Laila’s children experienced firsthand how much he meant to Kentucky and the world. Thousands of people lined the streets of Louisville to show their respect. During that time, Laila’s children toured The Ali Center for the first time and learned more about their grandfather’s significant role in history.

“The Muhammad Ali Center is an amazing place. When I step out-

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photo courtesy of the Muhammad Ali Center

“He didn’t feel women should be boxing in the first place... I said, ‘Dad, I’m gonna show you.’ And I did.”

Faces + Places

side of who my dad is as my dad, and just go there as a regular person, there’s so much history there.” She reflected, “Every time I go, it just blows me away just how much my dad has done in this life and how much of an impact he’s had on the world. It just inspires me to want to do more.”

Her son, now nine, is finally coming to understand just how huge Muhammad Ali was. “I tell him why Pawpaw was so great, not just as a boxer in the ring, but what he did to change the world, and all the lives he inspired,” Laila explained.

Laila remembers what a challenge it is to grapple with knowing a man so personally, then coming to grips with how they changed history. “As I got older, I learned more about my father and what he did, how times have changed in the history of our country and the role that he played in that,” she explained. “My kids are learning the basics of that now, about how he cared about people at all stages of his life, how he gave back and stayed humble throughout.”

An Active Retirement While it would have been understandable for someone so dedicated to their sport to relax in their retirement, that’s just not who Laila Ali is. “When I boxed, that’s what I did full-time: I got up every day, I trained, I ate right, I focused.. I put a lot of hours and dedication towards that.” Upon retirement, she asked herself, “What is my next thing going to be? What’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m going to love it the same way I did boxing, where it didn’t feel like work? What’s going to fulfill me and sustain me?”

and every day. “Over the years, I realized that I was passionate about fitness, health and wellness,” she said.

That wasn’t always the case. “I try to inspire people with my story.

I wasn’t always healthy,” she said. “Before I started boxing, I was just like anybody else. I was 30 pounds overweight, eating whatever I wanted to eat–junk food, fast food.”

She made a commitment to herself and her health through boxing. In order to become a champion, she had to eat healthier food and treat her body right. Even in her retirement, that commitment hasn’t changed. “I’m not an athlete anymore, but I’ve al-

Save the Date:

Friday, November 17th See Laila Ali as the featured speaker for the 2017 Go Red for Women Experience luncheon. Registration begins at 8:30am and the luncheon begins at 11:30. From the heartwarming survivor fashion show to the discovery village, this exciting morning will be the 10th anniversary of the Go Red event in Lexington... you won’t want to miss it!

For Laila, the answer was something she was already living each

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“There’s just so much love for my family in Kentucky, and I feel it from the time I land in the airport!” ready tasted what it feels like to be at my best weight, to be at my best health and to have energy.” She added, “I’m always chasing after that. It’s my motivation.”

She wants to help others find their way into a healthier lifestyle.

Laila has a blog and weekly podcast, both titled Laila Ali Lifestyle.

She uses these outlets to inspire and educate her fans. “We’re living in a time where so many people are so confused. There are so many bad options out there for us, health-wise. People have to understand that being healthy really is a lifestyle choice, and it’s a mindset.”

From sharing delicious recipes and fitness routines on her blog to interviewing interesting guests on her podcast, Laila has created quite the lifestyle brand. “I always said I wanted to be like Martha Stewart, but with a twist,” Laila explained.

As if her blog and podcast don’t keep Laila busy enough, she is also hosting a show on the OWN Network called Home Made Simple. “I’m super excited about it,” she enthused about the show. Laila and a team of design experts visit the homes of deserving families to help them transform their spaces. Laila also teaches them how to cook healthy, family-friendly recipes. Home Made Simple season 7 premiered Saturday, November 4th. Fans can catch it on OWN at 9am EST. Being a working mom doesn’t come easy. “Monday through Friday, I’m up and out of the house at 4:30am and not back home ‘til 7pm,” she said. Laila spends the evenings with her husband and children, then records her podcast at home. She usually doesn’t get to bed until midnight. “I don’t remember what it’s like to not be tired!”

With Laila’s many roles, it can be difficult for her to know when to say no. “One of my major challenges in life is balance. Trying to do it all, but also get enough rest. You have to have balance; you’ve got to have your priorities in order; you’ve got to learn to say no; you can’t do everything,” she stressed. Yet, it seems Laila does do everything.

How does she keep it all organized? “I love a list, and I love seeing lines go through the things that I’ve done!” she answered.

Laila’s list continues to grow. In January, she will release her first cookbook, Food for Life. It is filled with healthy family friendly comfort food recipes. Food for Life will make cooking healthier food easy, with simple swaps that make classic dishes a little lighter.

“I started cooking when I was about 10 years old because my mom didn’t really cook. You want something, you’ve got to do it yourself!

So I got in the kitchen and started teaching myself how to cook,” she remembered. “As I have gotten more informed about health and

Find Laila Online:

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wellness, I started using healthier ingredients, understanding good fats and good oils,” Laila explained. “Rather than trying to be fat-free, sugar-free, carb-free – the gimmicks – we just need to eat fresh food at home!”

A Passion for Health As Laila learned more about healthy eating, she also learned more about what unhealthy choices can lead to. “We have a big problem with chronic illnesses, and they’re directly related to our lifestyle choices,” she said. She wants to help Americans fight for their health.

Many people assume they are going to get sick as they get older.

That excuse won’t cut it for Laila. “Know that there are a lot of healthy 70-year-olds out there who are fit, eating right, doing yoga, full of energy and vitality, just by taking care of themselves,” Laila advised. She encourages people of all ages to be proactive about their health. She added, “I don’t want people to wait until they go to the doctor to find out your blood pressure is high or you have diabetes.”

Laila champions healthier living to fight heart disease. When we asked what she wants women to know about heart health, she answered, “I want women to know that heart health is a big issue for women. It’s the number one killer of women; one in three women die from cardiovascular diseases. It doesn’t have to be that way; it’s something we can change. Heart disease and stroke can be prevented. Understand your family history, know your numbers and make the changes necessary before it becomes a problem.”

As a wife and mother, Laila believes it’s especially important for women to arm themselves with information about cardiovascular diseases. “Women are usually the head of the household when it comes to food and when it comes to healthcare: we must be informed so that we can take care of ourselves and our family.”

Her family is her motivation for staying healthy. “The greatest fear of mine is getting sick and getting a disease that I could have prevented. I want to be here for my children,” Laila explained. “I’m looking forward to coming to the Go Red for Women Experience and hopefully inspiring women.”

As a busy mom, TV and podcast host, author and health activist, Laila doesn’t get to come to Kentucky very often. “When I do, I love it, she said. “I get to visit family members, and of course I go to the Ali Center. There’s just so much love for my family in Kentucky, and I feel it from the time I land in the airport!” •

lailaalilifestyle.com | lailaali.com | Pre-order her book with Amazon and Barnes & Noble

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Journeying Through the Heart of a Champion at the

Muhammad Ali Center story by Ashley Alt

Throughout his life, Muhammad Ali remained a fighter in and out of the ring. Although he has passed, his incredible legacy remains.

One Louisville institution is helping to shine a spotlight on what the boxer and humanitarian meant to Kentucky, our nation’s history and the world while helping to create a brighter future.

The Muhammad Ali Center, a nonprofit museum and cultural center, is dedicated to Louisville native Muhammad Ali. A combination of tradition and modernity, the museum includes historical exhibits and timelines of the famous boxer, and offers a variety of interactive and collaborative programs, as well as youth and global education.

Jeanie Kahnke, Muhammad Ali Center’s Senior Director of Public Relations and External Affairs, discussed the Center as a whole, focusing on what it means to preserve Muhammad’s legacy.

“The Center is much more than a museum,” Kahnke told us. “It is two and a half levels of award-winning exhibits that create a historical context as well as a Muhammad Ali context. Way back when we were designing the exhibits, we felt it was important to create something that was different than most museums – something that really helped visitors feel like they were walking next to Muhammad and what it was like in the ‘60s.”

There are six core principles that the Center not only adheres by, but carries out daily through every exhibit, event and program that the Center offers. Brought about by Muhammad’s own characteristics; confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, giving and spirituality, these key principles all lie proudly at the forefront of the Center.

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“We always have to be relevant and engaging to young people by updating the exhibits and adhering to the desire for instant information,” Kahnke stated.

Kahnke tells us the Center is a place for visitors of all generations to come and gain more knowledge on who Muhammad was and what he did, both as a cultural icon and athlete.

“Muhammad always took care of his body,” Kahnke stated. “Visitors can learn how he trained, that he got enough sleep and ate healthy. There is a message there to people of all ages to take care of themselves.”

When visiting, guests can expect exhibits that highlight Muhammad’s global impact on the world as well as his local roots, including a timeline of his Kentucky upbringing and career as an amateur boxer. Kahnke says there is a lot of interactivity, a lot of self-discovery and all-around inspiration in every corner of the space.

“Muhammad was so proud of his home state until the very end,” Kahnke remarked. “He wanted his remains to forever be here, so his Kentucky roots are sprinkled throughout the exhibits as that is where he came from. He was a Kentucky Golden Glove champion always supported by local businessmen.”

There are a variety of events held at the Center, ranging from family reunions and weddings to sales meetings. The Center has acquired many partnerships over the years, presents a myriad of

photos courtesy of the Muhammad Ali Center

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youth programming and field trips, and even allows journalists to conduct research onsite.

More on the action side of things, there is a very popular exhibit for kids of all ages called “Train with Ali.” “Train with Ali” is a recreation of Muhammad Ali’s Deer Lake, Pennsylvania Training Camp. Here, at this truly fun exhibit, visitors can shadow box, hit the heavy bag and learn the techniques of the sport from champion boxer, Laila Ali. Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad and this month’s cover girl, is the featured speaker at the Go Red Luncheon this year held at the Lexington Center on Friday, November 17th. She is following in the footsteps of her father using her athletic fame for social justice issues.

November is an exciting month for the Center, as the 19th marks its 12 year anniversary. Also going on this month is the “Daughters of Greatness” breakfast series, featuring Alice Houston on November 10, where she will share her story of social philanthropy and pursuits of justice with the local community.

“I do believe since Muhammad has passed, that there has been renewed and expanded interest in his legacy,” Kahnke told us.

“And it began here in Kentucky. The Muhammad Ali Center is the only museum in the world whose sole mission is to preserve his legacy.” •

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Past Chairs of Lexington’s Go Red for Women event

Front row L-R: Paula Hanson (2015), Sherri Keller (2016), Cindy Whitehouse (2017) Back row L-R: Jane Chiles (2008), Laura Babbage (2009 & 2010), Lindy Karns (2012), Nancy Atkins (2013), Michelle Landers (2014) Not pictured: Sarah Haynes and Dr. Michelle Morton (2011) | photo by: Ron Morrow

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The Impact of Go Red 627,000+

women have been saved from heart disease, with

285

fewer women dying each day!

The number of women aware of their Number 1 killer has jumped from just 22% to

well over 50% Nearly 90% of women have made at least one healthy behavior change, and more than one-third of women has lost weight.

Death in women has decreased by more than

30%

More than 50% of women have increased their exercise.

6 out of 10 women have changed their diets.

More than 40% of women have checked their cholesterol levels.

One third of women has talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans...

? over the past 10 years!

what about YOU

statistics courtesy of the American Heart Association TOPS Magazine | November 2017

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Faces + Places

Each November, TOPS features local survivors of heart disease and stroke in anticipation of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Experience. We love having the opportunity to not only share the survivors’ amazing stories, but also to underscore how important it is for everyone to be informed about the signs and symptoms of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular conditions. In honor of the luncheon’s guest speaker, Laila Ali, we photographed this year’s survivors at the Muhammad Ali Center.

stories collected by Beth Langfels | profile photos by Phillips Mitchell

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LESLIE Combs

My story began in May of 2014 with an early morning visit to the emergency room for what I thought was a bad case of heartburn. I told the doctor on call that I had been experiencing symptoms for the past 24 hours. He wasted no time: he immediately ordered tests. Within 20 minutes, he returned to tell me I was having a heart attack.

I had a heart catheterization and doctors found a 98% blockage in one artery. They put in a stent. I spent the next day in the intensive care unit and several more days in a hospital room under the care of several doctors. The doctors were never able to determine exactly why I had a heart attack. A few days prior to this incident, I had been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism and was on medication that should have prevented a heart attack from happening.

Today I am healthy and I am a survivor. I especially want women to know that our symptoms can be very different and they shouldn’t be ignored. My heartburn was persistent and wouldn’t go away: I hadn’t experienced it before, other than when I had been pregnant. Women can have very subtle signs and symptoms, so they should be aware.

The care I received was excellent and I am alive today because of the advancements in care and the immediate attention of the staff at the hospital.

Doctors told me that six months prior to my heart attack, they couldn’t tell that I had ever had one!

Modern medical techniques and research can save lives. They saved mine.

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JENNIFER Nelson

I have always been very healthy and I work out constantly. In fact, I’m a runner and I have even run a couple of half marathons.

On June 11, 2015 – my daughter’s 4th birthday – I woke up and was preparing to go on a run. Out of nowhere, I blacked out.

When I came to, I was in my workout clothes and I wasn’t sure what was happening. I noticed a tingling feeling on my right side, so I texted my friend to let her know I wasn’t going to be running with her that day. I called my husband, who was in the next room.

I told him I thought I was having a stroke – at 35 years old.

I was feeling numb on one side and I felt like I couldn’t walk. My husband helped me to the couch.

When I told him my vision was blurry, he drove me to the hospital. Once I arrived at the hospital, they immediately ordered scans and an MRI. They recommended TPA to break down any blood clots, and I was admitted.

The next morning, after running more tests, doctors found a hole in my heart – a defect larger than a nickel – that had never been detected. When I look back now, I had been feeling sick for two or three years and going to the doctor constantly, but never knew what was wrong.

I had heart surgery to fix the problem. I ended up staying in the hospital for a week.

By the grace of god, I never needed physical therapy and all mobility returned. I’m completely back to normal and I work out every day. I feel so lucky to be here!

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KAREN

Hillenmeyer

It was to be a busy October day. I arose excited for some home remodel work to occur that morning. After dressing in usual work attire of navy scrubs, I started a slow cooker anticipating the aroma and convenience of prepared dinner after work. Heading to the hospital for a 7:30am surgical case, my morning was nothing but typical.

After pulling out of my neighborhood, suddenly my left arm dropped from the steering wheel. I glanced down with odd recognition of the arm but no sense of its position or feeling. A failed attempt to move it initiated panic. Looking up, realizing I had drifted into oncoming traffic, I suddenly felt my world shift.

I made it to the hospital for testing. My brain MRI revealed a right parietal stroke. I understood exactly what this meant, having cared for many patients through the years, but never anticipated this would happen to me.

A workup found the cause was a hole in my heart—a large opening between upper chambers allowing “good” oxygen rich blood to mix back into the non-oxygenated side. Years of unexplained fatigue were explained!

Through the opening, turbulent blood flow had allowed a clot to form. Choosing a random time to break free and travel, it found its permanent home in a blood vessel that fed the area of my brain controlling left arm use. The opening was surgically repaired.

Retrospectively, this event was a blessing. With complete recovery, the repair left a more functional heart without the symptom of tiredness I endured for so long.

I have never felt better—and I hope that sharing my story will increase awareness and help others.

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BETTIE Eubanks

I am 81 years old and I have three children. I worked as a nurse for 48 years. I have no family history of heart disease.

While I was working one day in 1992, I had some chest pain, which I thought was indigestion. Several coworkers suggested I go to the emergency room and get checked. It was there that I had an echocardiogram and the results showed irregularities.

Further tests resulted in a diagnosis of a blocked left bundle branch. This is a condition characterized by a delay or obstruction along the pathway on which electrical impulses travel to make your heart beat normally.

My doctor said this condition shouldn’t give me any problems, so I was prescribed a daily beta blocker and was sent home to rest. I returned to work and continued routine follow up visits. I lived a healthy and positive life for the most part, until I lost my oldest child to kidney disease in 2001.

In early 2017, however, I started feeling light headed and experienced shortness of breath. Thinking it was only a side effect of medication, I didn’t seek help.

But the symptoms didn’t go away and by April of this year, I started experiencing sharp pains in my right shoulder. My sons persuaded me to go to my doctor and my youngest son even went with me.

Tests revealed that I had three blocked arteries. I was admitted to the coronary care unit to have a heart catheterization. Even after having two stent replacements while in the hospital, I continued to experience shoulder pain and shortness of breath. A CAT scan revealed blood clots in both lungs. After treatment and rehab, I went home with a strict diet plan and exercise schedule.

Today I eat healthier and exercise more often and I feel years younger. I have learned not to ignore any abnormal changes in my body. Most of all, I celebrate that I am a survivor!

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DEANNE Downey

I had a triple bypass when I was just 38 years old.

For a long time after my surgery, I was so worried about dying that I forgot what it meant to live. I know now that it was wasted time. I finally learned to have fun again, to really enjoy life and put that experience behind me. I even went from hiding the scar on my chest to barely even noticing it.

I’ve never liked being called a heart survivor. I think it’s because it reminds me of a time in my life when I felt weak. More than anything, I want my sons to think of me as a strong woman. So today, I am wearing the red dress and I’ll be walking the runway in honor of all my awesome heart sisters that overcame the hand they were dealt and conquered heart disease!

Because heart disease is the number one killer of women, everyone should be their own health advocate by getting preventative checkups and paying attention to symptoms. These checkups should be much more than just cholesterol and blood pressure checks: they should include scans of arteries, especially if there is a family history, like I had.

“Rock your scars proudly. Be brave because you were given a second chance at life. Live it fiercely!”

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PAULA Pope

On August 7, 2015, I was recovering at home two days after an extensive shoulder surgery when I experienced a major ischemic stroke. My husband and I were watching TV. It was time to take a pain pill, so he left the room to get my medication. When he returned, he noticed immediately that I had a vacant look on my face, I was not responding to his questions and when I did speak, it was gibberish.

He immediately called 9-1-1 and a rescue squad was at our home within five minutes. They quickly assessed my condition and put me into the ambulance. I was taken directly to get CAT scans, which revealed a blood clot about the size of a nickel. I was having a serious stroke.

Having just had shoulder surgery, I was not a candidate for a TPA injection, the super clot-busting drug that seeks out and dissolves clots. Instead, the plan was to route a catheter through my groin and when they reached the clot in my brain, they would dissolve it with localized TPA. Within a couple of minutes, the doctor was quizzing me about basic information and my normal speech had returned.

Time was vitally important in my story. My husband immediately recognized that something was wrong with me and called 9-1-1. The EMS quickly assessed me and got me to the hospital. Two experienced and amazing doctors were quickly at my side, developed a treatment plan and carried it out, and that made all the difference in my complete recovery.

Since my stroke, I have been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect – a hole in the two upper chambers of my heart – which will be closed eventually. I take clot preventing medication daily and am grateful to everyone who helped me survive what likely could have been a catastrophic stroke. I am living testament to the importance of FAST response in case of a stroke.

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JUDY

Piazza

In 2004, I was not feeling well and went to my doctor. I was tired and sweating all the time and was easily getting winded. My symptoms would not go away and I thought it was strange that my doctor was asking questions about my cholesterol and blood pressure.

He told me I needed to see a cardiologist.

Thought I thought this was extreme, I agreed to a stress test. I passed the stress test, but the cardiologist came in and asked me a strange question: he wanted to know how many pillows I slept on at night. I was sleeping with my head elevated so I could breathe.

This meant that my heart was working too hard.

I had a heart catheterization and had two stents, but after about nine months, those same symptoms returned. I had another heart cath and another stent.

Then less than a year later, I went back to my doctor because I felt the familiar symptoms. This time the catheterization showed a blockage that was too dangerous to stent and I would have to have a bypass. I was resistant, but the doctor told me that if I didn’t have the surgery, I wouldn’t live long.

I want to remind women to be their own advocates because my first doctor dismissed my symptoms as menopause related. He put me on hormones and when I didn’t get better, he simply told me to quit taking them. Women’s symptoms are very different from men’s and women need to keep talking until somebody hears them. Only you know your body. I was lucky to find a cardiologist who understood that I knew myself better than anyone. Women have Godgiven intuition: we use it for our spouses and our kids and even our pets, but when we think something is wrong with ourselves, we don’t act.

Today I live a healthy lifestyle and I no longer have any symptoms. I have two dogs and walk them every day: I like to say they saved my life!

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SARAH G ililland

On the day I was born, my mother knew something was wrong. I have two older sisters and they were born healthy. Unlike my siblings, I was born with a heart defect.

At the age of two, I underwent a heart catheterization and was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson White (WPW) Syndrome, which affects the way the heart beats due to extra accessory pathways. It causes a rapid heartbeat.

With medication, I was able to live a regular life.

However, before I went to college, my cardiologist suggested an ablation. Unfortunately, neither my first, second nor third ablations fixed the problem.

Doctors eventually determined that there wasn’t just one accessory pathway, but four, a very rare condition. Worse, their placement made them difficult to ablate.

At the time, I experienced heart episodes that would cause Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) or rapid heartbeat. In order to get my heart rate back to a normal rhythm, I performed drastic maneuvers, like sticking my head in a bucket of ice.

When those didn’t work, I had to go to the hospital to be given adenosine, which felt like a kick in my chest. I endured many years of hospital and doctor visits, along with taking multiple medications at different dosages and countless ambulance rides.

When I was 25 years old, my doctor convinced me and my parents that we should try one more ablation. And this time, it worked!

I never thought it would be possible to say that I am living my life free of a heart condition, but to celebrate my fifth “heart anniversary” next year in May, I’m training to run a half marathon.

Thanks to my amazing team of doctors, my family and a positive attitude, I am alive today with a daily reminder of my ordeal – I have a tattoo of the electrocardiogram on my wrist.

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ELYSE Adams

My name is Elyse and I am 10 years old. I was born with a very rare condition; a complete heart block and a slow heartbeat. A complete heart block, or third-degree heart block, means that the “electrical impulses” from nerves don’t reach the lower or upper chambers of the heart.

Doctors told my parents that if I survived, I would need immediate surgery. But I proved them wrong! I was strong and I did all the things that other babies do.

When I was two years old, I had an echocardiogram and it showed that I had a leaky heart valve, which was impairing the flow of blood through my heart. My cardiologist said I needed a pacemaker to help my heart work better.

I had my pacemaker replaced in August of this year. I have a lot of energy so I don’t always remember that I even have a pacemaker! I like to do gymnastics, competitive swimming and I’m on my school’s jump rope team.

My mom says the reason I survived is because everyone prayed hard for me and we are grateful to our family and friends. We are also grateful for the incredible technology and my amazing doctors who helped me along the way.

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FINN

Collier

I’m Finn and I’m six years old and in kindergarten. I was born healthy, but when I was just 21 hours old, I stopped breathing. Doctors told my parents that I had four congenital heart defects and would need immediate surgery – the first of many in the days to come.

I was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries, pulmonary stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation and a large hole in my heart (VSD). When I was five days old, I had a “quick fix” surgery that would keep me alive until I got bigger.

When I was five months old, I had my second and third surgeries in Michigan, where I stayed for nearly two months, after I had some complications. Then two years ago, I went to Michigan again for my fourth heart surgery and that time, I was able to come home after four days. But just four weeks later and four days after my fourth birthday, I went into congestive heart failure. But my doctors say I am a miracle because I came out of that trauma, even though my heart stopped beating for an hour!

I have more surgeries ahead of me, with the next one coming up in six months or so. My family depends on faith and prayer and no matter what, we know it’s God’s plan. I have been blessed with the best doctors and surgeons who know exactly what I need!

The line from the song is simple and true – “you gotta love like there’s no such thing as a broken heart.”

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Where Are They Now?

Updates from past featured TOPS heart and stroke survivors

Lori

Lori Swift Price’s life changed forever on February 8, 2009. Her sister, Jolana Swift, had open heart surgery in 1973 at the age of 21 years old, due to a hole in her heart.

Shortly after the surgery, she had her heart checked and no problems seemed to be found.

Swift Price

On February 8, 2009 she collapsed during a tennis match. Fortunately for her, she had an ER nurse, and doctor on my team. Her diagnosis was later listed as Sudden Cardiac Death. Except for some short term memory issues, she doing well now.

Regan Judd

Longtime volunteer and National Go Red for Women spokesperson, Regan Judd, often felt her normal day job got in the way of what she was truly passionate about.

That is when she decided to take her career to heart and joined the AHA staff in 2014 as a Heart Walk Director in Louisville. From there she was promoted to the Senior Director position and led the 2017 Heart Walk to their best year ever raising over $1,100,000. As a survivor, she feels she has a big job to spread the word that heart disease does not discriminate.

Pat Host is a well known Lexington Go Red For Women advocate. As an honoree at the 2013 American Heart Association’s Heart Ball, Pat shared her story of survival & advocacy and spoke about the importance of research and development. Being Pacemaker dependent since 1995, she had an Emergency Replacement in 2005 and has just had a third pacemaker implanted.

Survival as a result of technology stretches further into her lifeline. Diagnosis & symptom awareness is key. “Be aware of how your heart works. Understand symptoms. Take heart health seriously before you need to!”

Carol Coleman

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Host

Carol Coleman was featured in TOPS back in 2011 and since then, she has made a career change and is working for Fayette County Public Schools and could not be happier. She walks every day and strives to maintain a healthy diet to keep her heart happy. Seventeen years ago she was told that she would forever struggle physically, mentally and emotionally due to a stroke but she has defied all odds with the help of her family and friends.

Carol considers herself so BLESSED!

Maggie Wingo, age 17, who was born with tricuspid atresia and has had two open heart surgeries, is thriving as a junior at Woodford County High School.

She is driving and living the life of a normal teenage girl. She underwent her latest procedure, a heart cath in April 2017, to close a hole in her heart and has been doing well ever since. She is now exploring colleges and deciding on a career path. Her future looks bright – like her hair – and she is happy to be feeling good and looking forward to her future.

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Pat

Maggie

Wingo

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by Sarah Boerkircher | photos courtesy of Easter Seals Cardinal Hill

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For nearly a century, Easter Seals has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives. Easter Seals offers a variety of services across the country to help people with disabilities address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals.

Faces + Places

An invaluable resource for people with disabilities and their families...

Almost one hundred years ago, Easter Seals opened their doors in Kentucky. Since the beginning, Easter Seals Cardinal Hill has served as an affiliate of Easter Seals, Inc., one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations providing health-related programs.

Through Easter Seals Cardinal Hill’s three signature programs, Adaptive Recreation, Adult Day Health and Creative Beginnings Child Development Center, Easter Seals Cardinal Hill is driven to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability or life challenge, has the opportunity to live, learn, work and play in the community.

The Adaptive Recreation program serves 130 children and adults in central Kentucky. Adaptive Recreation also provides educational opportunities for thousands of students through the school system.

“Our goal is to improve the overall quality of life through exposure to adaptive equipment, provide adaptive recreation experiences in the community, and create social integration opportunities,” said Easter Seals Cardinal Hill’s Adaptive Recreation Program Director Cindy Jacobelli. “Some of our most popular activities include sled hockey, snow skiing, kayaking, outdoor adventure sports and wheelchair basketball.”

The Adult Day Health program currently serves 35 clients with diagnoses including Autism, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.

Elizabeth Faulkner, Easter Seals Cardinal Hill’s Adult Day Health Program Director, explained that the Adult Day Health program is uniquely designed to provide medical and social services to individuals who have developmental birth disorders or have acquired cognitive and/or physical disabilities.

“We offer supervision to these medically fragile individuals, so their primary caregivers can continue to balance their employment and other family needs,” Elizabeth said.

Creative Beginnings Child Development Center currently has 61 children enrolled. Nearly 30 percent of the children enrolled have a special need.

“Our teaching methods give attention to the needs and differences of each child,” said Melissa Hampton, Easter Seals Cardinal Hill’s Creative Beginnings Child Development Center program director. “We strive for excellence, and position ourselves as models of best practice for early care and education. We offer an interactive environment where children of all abilities receive love, security, independence, values, guidance and acceptance.”

The future of Easter Seals Cardinal Hill With the plan and commitment to expand its services that are offered, Easter Seals Cardinal Hill continues to investigate community and statewide service gaps for people with disabilities.

Supporting our Heroes Ben Brown, a Lexington, Kentucky resident, husband and father of two, served in the U.S. Navy. While stationed in Naples, Italy, Ben was injured in a motor vehicle accident in 2002. After his accident, Ben completed months of rehabilitation. Since then, he has learned to overcome obstacles and become very active in adaptive recreation to include whitewater kayaking and alpine skiing. The ability to participate in outdoor activities boosts his confidence and keeps his body in top physical condition.

Ben enjoys downhill skiing and kayaking with Easter Seals Adaptive Recreation. “It keeps me active and engaged in the community,” he said.

Currently, veterans are served directly through Easter Seals Cardinal Hill’s Adaptive Recreation Program, which provides recreational opportunities to veterans at no cost. In addition, Easter Seals Cardinal Hill serves veterans directly through its Adult Day Health program. Families of veterans are also served by Adult Day Health program and Creative Beginnings Child Development Center.

“We are proud of Ben’s service and honored to offer him opportunities to maintain an active lifestyle,” said Lauren Monnet, fundraising and development manager for Easter Seals Cardinal Hill. “We are always looking for ways to expand our offerings to veterans locally.”

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“Our goal remains steadfast—we will provide exceptional services, so that people of all abilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities,” said Easter Seals Cardinal Hill Executive Director Jenny Wurzback. “As we move forward, Easter Seals Cardinal Hill will use the past as its guide, but evaluate ongoing needs. We realize dreams and goals can become reality when we have the community’s support and shared vision.”

Easter Seals Cardinal Hill is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, so donations are tax deductible. As Fundraising and Development Manager Lauren Monnet explained, funds that are raised in central Kentucky are used for services in the community. To learn more about making a gift or to donate, please contact Lauren Monnet at 859-246-8811 or by email: Lauren.Monnet@cardinalhill.org.

To learn about volunteer opportunities contact Marley Tribble 859-367-7217 or by email Marley.Tribble@cardinalhill.org. More

“As Easter Seals Cardinal Hill continues to develop and expand our services to meet the needs of children and adults with disabilities, we will partner with other stakeholders to ensure that we remain a vibrant and dynamic provider of services in Kentucky,” Lauren said.

For example, this past summer, Easter Seals Cardinal Hill launched a HorseAbility program at the Kentucky Horse Park in partnership with Central Kentucky Riding for Hope and Camp Creative within the Creative Beginnings Child Development Center.

“Easter Seals Cardinal Hill strongly believes, and is committed to the mission, that every child deserves the right to have a summer camp experience,” Lauren said. “We hope you join us as we write a new chapter in the history of Easter Seals Cardinal Hill.”. •

Save the date!

Our goal remains steadfast—we will provide exceptional services, so that people of all abilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities.

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information can also be found on the organization’s website: www.cardinalhill.org.

Join Easter Seals Cardinal Hill for their Annual Wild Game Dinner & Sport Auction in January 2018. A fabulous evening that’s highlighted by a delicious spread of wild game prepared by local chefs along with a bourbon tasting and live entertainment. The evening is capped off with a “lively” sport auction that is sure to please hunting and fishing enthusiasts. All of the proceeds benefit Easter Seals Cardinal Hill’s three signature programs and future program development.

Please contact Lauren Monnet at 859-246-8811 or Lauren.Monnet@cardinalhill.org to reserve your spot today!

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Faces + Places

Meet

the Media::

Matt

Jones

photos courtesy of Matt Jones

You know Matt Jones.

You may not know Matt Jones personally, but if you’re a member of the BBN, you know the guy. Kentucky Sports Radio has become an essential news source for Kentucky fans. You can catch him on his WLEX show, Hey Kentucky! And you’ve probably seen him around town, cheering on the Cats and catching the latest sports scoop.

While loving sports full time may sound like a dream job, there’s a little more to it than that. We caught up with Matt to learn how he makes it all happen.

TOPS: How did Kentucky Sports Radio get started?

Matt Jones: The website got started 12 years ago, as a hobby that I was doing while I was practicing law. At that time, it was just a way for my friends and I to communicate with each other and over time, it slowly grew. I only had a little radio experience when I was given a morning show 7 years ago. From there, Kentucky Sports Radio took off.

Why do you think Kentucky Sports Radio gained such a following?

MJ: I think the website and the radio show gained a following by making it fan photo by Dr. Michael Huang TOPS Magazine | November 2017

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centric: Basically talking about what fans specifically want. I think journalists sometimes fall into a trap of writing for other journalists instead of for the fans. We have always tried to be connected to our listeners and have made sure that everything we do was fan first. I think that people really gravitated to that. We are seeing that media is a lot more fan centric, but it didn’t use to be that way.

TOPS: What’s a typical workday like for you?

MJ: I get up relatively late because I stay up really late. I do radio from ten to noon, sometimes in Lexington and sometimes in Louisville. I spend a lot of the afternoon working on my website or meeting with advertisers. Then I get to the TV station around 2pm.

My staff already has the show planned. We talk about the content and make any adjustments if needed. We tape the Hey Kentucky! at about 4:30. I cover the games at night. It can be a pretty full day, especially during the season.

TOPS: Your show on WLEX, Hey Kentucky! has made a huge splash. How has working on television been different?

MJ: Television is a lot more produced compared to the way I do radio. There are a lot more people involved. You have a camera man, producers and directors. With radio, you can just sit down and talk.

It’s a bigger production, but I really enjoy it. Radio and TV require completely different skill sets. At this point, I really know how to do radio, but I’m still learning television. It is not a natural skill, at least for me, and hopefully I have gotten better in the last year!

TOPS: What is the best part about doing the many things you do?

MJ: The best part of my job is interacting with fans. That is the one part I enjoy the most and I love seeing the impact we make on people. If you listen to the radio show, then you have a good notion of who I am as a person, but I will say that the television show might be the thing that I am enjoying the most on a day to day basis.

TOPS: What is the most challenging part?

MJ: I did the TV show in large part because it was something new.

Not just the medium, but also the topics. The television show gets into news, politics, entertainment. In the first 8 minutes of the

show, we will talk about everything from pensions, lawsuits, Tom Jurich and Confederate Statues that are being taken down. Diversity in the show is something that I really enjoy, but it is challenging to keep up with everything. I’ve always been interested in a variety of topics but back when I did radio only, you only had to pay attention to sports. The television show makes me focus on Kentucky news in a way that I have never really done before.

TOPS: Do you have any tips for aspiring sports bloggers?

MJ: I think the key to getting into media is to figure out the media forms because they change all the time. When I started, the idea of social media didn’t exist and podcasting as a career was insane to even think about. But the people who have succeeded are the people who have adopted to the new mediums. Also, figure out what you are good at. Not everyone is good at everything and I think people make mistakes when they get away from what they are good at. When you find out what that is, pursue it. You also have to learn how to market yourself. Marketing is a huge part of being a journalist now. 10 years ago, nobody would have ever thought that way.

TOPS: What do you hope you’ll be doing in 10 years?

MJ: I hope I am doing something interesting. I don’t know if it will be KSR, TV or even media. I just want to be doing something that keeps me fascinated. If you had asked me this ten years ago, I would have said I’d still be a lawyer.

TOPS: … and in 10 years, how many NCAA titles will the Cats have?

MJ: That’s a good question. They have eight now, so I’ll say in 10 years they will have 10.

TOPS: Which Kentucky player are you most excited to see perform this year, and what can we expect from them?

MJ: Probably Diallo, because I think he will be the most fun to watch. He is an athletic freak of nature. This is going to be a fun team to watch over all. It is going to take them awhile. This is a team that will not be great right off the bat, but I think they are going to be fun to watch. •

“We have always tried to be connected to our listeners and have made sure that everything we do was fan first.”

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Faces + Places

Cos Bar photo by Keni Parks

If you’ve been out to The Summit at Fritz Farm at Nicholasville Road and Man O’ War, you know that there is an abundance of fabulous boutiques and restaurants there. One of the new greats is Cos Bar, a luxury cosmetics shop, which is the first store in Kentucky for the chain. Cos Bar sells top-tier cosmetic and skincare brands, fragrances, makeup, bath and body products and men’s lines. Cos Bar now has 19 locations nationwide and carries brands like La Mer, Tom Ford and Sisley-Paris.

“Cos Bar is the original beauty boutique, started 41 years ago

by Lily Garfield in Aspen, Colorado,” Lexington Store Manager, Ranayel Middleton said.

“Garfield had a dream of starting a luxury beauty store with the best curation of brands and unparalleled customer service,” she added. Cos Bar carefully curates which product lines they offer and sell products based on their results: makeup in the latest colors, pigments and longwear technology; skincare to match Meredith Lane Ferguson , City Scout customers’ individual concerns about

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moisture level, firming, fine lines, fatigue, uneven skin tone, or wrinkles; unique fragrances; luxurious and high-quality bath and body products; product lines especially designed for men; trendy fashion accessories; and fresh home fragrances. “We have unbiased Beauty Specialists that give our customers the best advice for their individual needs rather than trying to get them to only buy from the one brand that they represent,” Middleton said.

“We like to joke that we are the ‘Cheers’ of beauty and when you come into the store, we know your name. We are always having exciting events in-store, so you can pop-in for a memorable experience with our beauty specialists or even a favorite brand, whether it’s holiday cocktails or relaxing facials,” Middleton said.

Cos Bar has some of the most exclusive luxury skincare brands in the world including La Prairie, La Mer and Natura Bisse and a large range of makeup lines from Laura Mercier to YSL and Armani. They carry natural lines like Tata Harper and niche fragrances lines like Creed.

They also have a loyalty program, B Cos, where every dollar equals a point that is good towards three dollars off every one hundred points. That can add up quickly if you go on cosmetics

shopping sprees like some of the girls I know (ahem, myself).

“When you purchase a product from Cos Bar, you know it’s because it is the absolute best-fit for you and your needs,” Middleton said. “We go above and beyond for our customers and care about their personal passions and our community. We are constantly throwing private parties for groups of women and local charities, and pride ourselves in creating a warm and welcoming environment to shop,” she added.

Cos Bar Lexington is excited to be a part of everything going on at The Summit at Fritz Farm. “All the stores here share the same goal: to give their customers an amazing experience and to create lasting relationships,” Middleton said.

Check Cos Bar out at 120 Summit at Fritz Farm, Suite 145, on Facebook at CosBarLexington or at www.cosbar.com •

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CUISINE

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Dining: The Barn

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Womanista: Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

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TOP 5 Dining: Soup

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Beer & Wine of the Month

Cuisine

THE BARN: The Summit’s Locavore Destination

By Michelle Aiello Photos by Ron Morrow and courtesy of the Summit at Fritz Farm

B

y now, you’ve either visited or heard buzz about The Summit at Fritz Farm. Developed by Bayer Properties out of Birmingham, Alabama, the property’s goal was to reinvent the worn-out shopping mall concept and create an all-inclusive “city within a city”. And judging by the nightly crowds on the lawn in front of Steel City Pops and the kids playing cornhole while their parents watch the game on Whole Foods’ outdoor terrace, it seems like Lexington has embraced the concept.

One of the most new and noteworthy aspects of the property is The Barn—a chic, artisan food hall showcasing Lexington’s culinary superstars. Food halls have been popping up in cities across the country— the Bourdain Market in Manhattan and Pine Street Market in Portland, Oregon, for example. But The Barn is the first of its kind in Kentucky. It opened in September, and since then has drawn curious crowds of foodies, tourists, and locals alike.

The Barn’s interior can best be described as “farm chic” decor: rusty steel chandeliers, countryside landscapes and equine art and various reclaimed materials that have been used as design elements. Bayer Properties’ inspiration for The Barn came from the fact that several tobacco barns were on the property when it was purchased from the Fritz family. They preserved the wood, some of which dated back to the Revolutionary War, and used it to recreate an oversized barn that would honor the Fritz family and the property on which it stood.

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Kentucky Reclaimed Wood supplied the wood for the outside of the barn, while Old World Timber provided wood for the inside as well as the family-style tables and benches. Lisa Bridges of Kentucky Reclaimed Wood said, “We source all of our wood from across Kentucky, and we knew that it was important for the vision of The Barn to deal with a lot of local projects and stories, so we mostly used wood that has a story behind it.” Old World Timber sources locally as well, but they have some national and international sources as well, such as the sapele wood from Africa and the slab tables, which came from the Coney Island Boardwalk that was torn down during Hurricane Sandy.

The all-local, all-independent lineup of restaurateurs each have their own “stalls” in The Barn, and customers can walk up and order food and drink from various stalls and enjoy it at one of the communal tables or anywhere on The Summit property. It’s a celebration of Lexington’s local food purveyors and unique culture.

Cuisine

Who’s in the Barn?

ATHENIAN GRILL & THE DELI

CRANK & BOOM Owned by Toa and Mike Green, this ice cream “boutique” specializes in hand crafted frozen treats with unique flavors like Coffee Stout and Kentucky Blackberry and Buttermilk. “We are extremely excited to be a part of this innovative development,” Toa Green said in a recent press release. “It’s the perfect next step for Crank & Boom. The collaborative nature between the restaurateurs in the food hall, along with the folks at Bayer Properties, is going to create something really special for Lexington, providing a very unique experience for diners and food lovers.”

Athenian Grill is a fast casual Greek restaurant owned by Ilias Pappas, specializing in authentic Greek comfort food in a modern atmosphere. Local artist Sarah Heller did the “paint drip” motif, and the exterior was created by Nomi Design (a Lexington architecture, design and fabrication firm).

According to Pappas, this is Athenian Grill’s third standalone location. “This is a great group of friends and restaurateurs that came together to form the first food hall in Kentucky and I didn’t want to miss it for anything,” he said. Ilias has a second stall in the Barn called The Deli, there he serves fare ranging from hot pressed veggie paninis to on-the-go turkey wraps.

ATOMIC RAMEN Atomic Ramen is a comic book themed Japanese ramen and Asian street food restaurant owned and operated by Dan Wu. Wu, who appeared on season five of “Master Chef ” demonstrates his cooking techniques and serves up bowls of savory broth and local ingredients to accompany them. Interestingly, it was a bowl of ramen that got him his apron on Master Chef. “I kind of didn’t think much about it, but over the year and a half building this business, someone actually said, ‘Hey, didn’t you win your apron with ramen?’ and I said, ‘Oh yeah’ — and it all came full circle and makes sense now.” When asked about his favorite item on the menu, Wu said, “The Otomo, a spicy miso ramen. It’s got that umami, savory miso thing happening, with Korean spice paste, roasted pork belly, and egg, it’s delicious.” And for those who want something other than ramen, Wu suggests his chicken karaage nuggets. “Hard to pronounce but easy to eat --Japanese style nuggets are marinated, lightly coated and fried and drizzled with a little bit of Sriracha mayo.”

WHISKEY BEAR Owned by Daniel and Florence Marlowe and affectionately referred to as the “watering hole” of The Barn, Whiskey Bear is the only non-restaurant bar located in The Summit. They offer a selection of signature craft cocktails, but the Marlowes said they really wanted to give a nod to the classics and be a neighborhood-focused place.

Daniel describes Whiskey Bear as a “whiskey bar with more of a focus on classic cocktails.” “We’ve got 300 apartments on site, as well as surrounding neighborhoods, and there really aren’t any neighborhood bars in the area that aren’t just sports bars, so we get to fill that void,” he said. They also get to run later hours than the rest of The Barn. “At night, we close the garage doors and become a stand alone bar. We really wanted to curate a menu that is approachable to a broader audience — it can be a place that you come on a date night, for after dinner drinks, or if you’re coming to The Barn with your family and you just want a glass or beer or wine with your food, you can do that too.” Drinks in the appropriate branded plastic cups can be taken from Whiskey Bear anywhere on the Summit property. The Whiskey Bear hours are Monday through Thursday from 11am to 1am; Friday and Saturday from 11am to 2pm and Sunday from noon to midnight.

“One thing that has really enhanced the experience is the camaraderie between all of us,” said Florence. “I think that really reinforces the community. It’s really special.”

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Cuisine

SMITHTOWN SEAFOOD

PASTURE BY MARKSBURY FARM This small-scale butcher partners with local farmers who share their commitment to sustainable production methods. They offer sandwiches, wraps, and salads with locally raised meats. Josiah Correll explained that their meat is raised on Kentucky pastures and contain no hormones, steroids or antibiotics. “They are the most natural product we can possibly get, and all processed at their meat processing facility just 25 miles down the road,” he said. Their fried chicken is made with a gluten free flour blend, fried and then finished in an oven to ensure that it remains super crispy on the outside and super juicy on the inside. They finish it with a little chili oil for that Nashville hot chicken flavor, but a mild version is available as well. Correll especially recommends their pasture raised grass fed burger – “It’s seared on both sides and finished in our broiler with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle. It’s a classic burger and it’s delicious.”

Ouita Michel’s seafood concept emphasizes local foods and old-fashioned Kentucky recipes in dishes like wild-caught fried catfish, Beer Cheese with West Sixth Smithtown Porter, burgers, vegetarian specialties and more. When asked why she chose The Summit, she said, “Well, we have another restaurant here called Honeywood, and the proximity of Honeywood to the second Smithtown location made it feel more doable for us. So some of it was operational — we have one Summit team out here. But the other thing is that I really wanted to showcase a local seafood place, and I think The Barn is something really special. Architecturally, it’s absolutely beautiful. I think it’s a one of a kind space for us, and that’s what we’re always looking for in a restaurant.”

Unlike the West Sixth location, which offers local burgers as well, Smithtown at the Summit is focusing completely on fish.

For example, their lump crab cakes are a menu item Michel is particularly excited about. They also have a steam jacked kettle, a piece of equipment exclusive to the Barn location. Soon, they’ll be doing lobster and crawfish boils, as well as shrimp and oysters on the half shell.

KENTUCKY FOR KENTUCKY The only non-food vendor in The Barn will be the local company Kentucky for Kentucky. Known for their “Y’ALL” shirts and other Kentucky-themed goods, the company is committed to showing the world that “Kentucky kicks ass”. “We’d been looking to open another retail location, and this opportunity presented itself,” said representative Justin Mosteller. “We loved that there is tons of traffic and really cool stores, so we really wanted to be part of that.”

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Soup

Cuisine

TOP 5 DINING

By Amanda Harper

ATOMIC RAMEN

In 2014, Atomic Ramen founder, Dan Wu was a MasterChef contestant who won a spot on the show thanks to his signature dish—ramen! Since the show, Wu’s food-themed writing and podcasts as the “Culinary Evangelist” and restaurant Kickstarter campaign have resulted in Atomic Ramen, which opened in October. This eatery serves up authentic Japanese ramen bowls and small eats with a superhero flair. Try the Uhura Bowl, which consists of pork and chicken broth, roast pork loin, a 6-minute egg, menma, kamaboko, nori and scallion.

120 Fritz Farm #155 | 859.523.0903 theatomicramen.com

VINAIGRETTE SALAD KITCHEN While they’re certainly known for their salads, Vinaigrette also offers great soups that are perfect for a quick lunch or exciting supper. Their Sausage, Kale and Potato soup features Stone Cross Farm sausage. For a twist on the basic Creamy Tomato Soup, they’ve added basil and tarragon. Vinaigrette’s White Chicken Chili packs in flavor with green chilies, cilantro and lime.

5 Lexington Area locations! vinaigrettesaladkitchen.com

PHO BC Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup with broth, herbs, vegetables and proteins. Pho BC does it well with their own takes on the dish, from Vegetarian Noodle Soup to a Steak, Brisket and Flank Pho. Their Rice Vermicelli Bowl with Pork, Shrimp and Egg Roll is a local favorite. There are a lot of spicy options that are perfect for cool days, as well as hearty bowls that feel like an exciting twist on chicken noodle soup.

171 W. Lowry Ln. Ste. 17 | 859.276.0557 pho.com/lexington-ky/pho-bc

THE SOUP KITCHEN When soup is in the name, you know it’s a good sign! The Soup Kitchen aims to make everything in-house, from scratch daily. Because of that, they have a different daily menu which can be found online. Past offerings have included Pirate’s Stew, featuring tomatoes, okra, rice, crab and clams, as well as the German Beer Stew, which includes onions, carrots, potatoes, ham roast and beer.

376 Southland Drive | 859.275.2105 thesoupkitchen.com

RAMEN YA Ramen is a Japanese dish with noodles, broth, herbs and delicious mix-ins to create something warm and comforting. Their Shoyu Ramen features a soy sauce bone soup base topped with egg, mushroom, scallion, corn and Chasu pork. The Vegetable Ramen starts with a vegetable soup base and spinach noodles, all topped with bamboo shoots, tofu, corn and mushrooms.

While you’re there, try the Cha Shu Bun! 1030 South Broadway | 859.288.0028

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Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese with Bacon

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 40-50 minutes

Ingredients: 4 slices center-cut bacon

¾ cup skim milk

½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 onion, small dice

¾ cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese

3 cups butternut squash, peeled and small dice

1 (13.25-ounce) box whole wheat elbow macaroni, dry

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

salt, to taste

1 tablespoon white whole wheat flour

black pepper, to taste

Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, and place a cooling rack on top of the foil.

Lay the bacon strips on the rack and bake for 10-15 minutes, until desired crispness.

When the bacon is cool enough to touch, crumble and set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Add the onions and butternut squash, stirring frequently. When the onions begin to soften, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to the skillet and cover with a lid. This will steam the squash, helping it to cook faster.

Take the lid off and stir occasionally, adding more water if the squash begins to stick to the skillet. Cook for a total of 25-30 minutes, until the squash is very soft and can be mashed with a wooden spoon.

When the squash is soft enough, mash it in the skillet with a wooden spoon until it makes a coarse puree consistency.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the elbows according to package directions for al dente. Drain the macaroni and set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, heat a medium saucepan over medium-low heat and add the butter.

Once melted, add the flour and whisk together to make a roux. Continue to whisk and gradually add in the milk and chicken broth, stirring continuously until the sauce starts to thicken, about 2-4 minutes.

Add the cheese and stir to combine, until melted and smooth.

Stir the cheese sauce into the skillet with the squash mixture, and stir to combine the two.

Pour the sauce over the pasta, and stir in the set-aside bacon crumbles. Season with salt and black pepper.

8 servings | Nutrition Facts based on heaping 11/3 cup Calories 271 | Fat 1g | Fiber 7g | Cholesterol 18mg | Sodium 133mg | Carbohydrates 43g | Sugar 5g | Protein 13g | SmartPoints: 7

Womanista is a lifestyle brand that inspires and encourages women by delivering informative content, recommendations and entertainment through the lens of wellness, fashion, beauty, living and current events.

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health -& -

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Our New H E A LT H & B E AU T Y SECTION LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Health Care Beauty Tips Anti Aging Diet & Fitness Nutrition Tips ..and so much more!

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Beer

October picks

by Mickey

OF THE MONTH

New Belgium Brewing

Accumulation Why Mickey Enjoys this Beer….

“New Belgium has always been my favorite craft beer, in fact Fat Tire is a staple in my refrigerator all year long. I always look forward to their seasonal options and their winter offering is by far my favorite. This winter beer is an incredible white IPA that is crisp with hop flavor and has a warming effect that you wouldn’t expect from a light colored beer. I like that New Belgium goes out of the box by not brewing a traditional dark beer for the winter season and gives you a beautiful white IPA that is reminiscent of that beautiful white stuff that falls from the sky in our winter months. If you haven’t gave it a shot be sure to do so, I highly recommend it! Being a seasonal it’s only around for a few months so be sure to grab some while its here!”

Style: White India Pale Ale Hops: Nugget, Centennial, dry hopped with Mosaic & Amarillo Alcohol By Volume: 6.2% IBU: 70 Taste Profile: Big and bitter, just what this IPA ordered. Sweetness just barely dents its IBU armor. Nevertheless the addition of wheat really smooths out the rough bitter edge. A Medium-light body, with a mouthfeel that is Resinous and slightly cloying from all those hop oils but finishes as clean and crisp.

www.KYeagle.net | Please call Kentucky Eagle at 859-252-3434 for local purchase locations!

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Wine OF THE MONTH

Moobuzz

Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Notes Alluring aromas of violets, berries and black currants entice the nose, then it’s love at first sip. The rich and soft palate of dark cherries and hints of vanilla is rounded with a supple finish of sweet caramel and toasted oak.

Varietal: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petite Verdot Appellation: 100% Paso Robles Alcohol: 14.4% pH: 3.89 Food pairing: With a rich palate, this wine will stand up to various meat dishes such as braised short ribs, char grilled sirloin streak, or blackened swordfish tacos with mango avocado salsa.

Proudly distributed by Kentucky Eagle, Inc.

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TOP Dressed

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Wow Wedding: DeAnn + Eddie

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Gor-Jess: Pumpkin Spice

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Weddings Unveiled: Rose Gold Rings

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OutďŹ t of the Month: Legends of the Fall

150

Gift Guide + Holiday Picks

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Life + Style

The TOParrazi were out and about capturing the most stylish looks at recent events around Lexington!

Here are our TOP Dressed for this month!

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Life + Style

by: Jesse L. Brooks

4

1

6

7

3

8 2

5

1 | URBAN DECAY Naked Heat Palette 2 | NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Warm Neutrals Ultimate Shadow Palette 3 | MARC JACOBS Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in ‘Orange Sunset’

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4 | SLEEK MAKEUP Cleopatra’s Kiss Highlighting Palette 5 | FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in ‘Ginger Binge/Moscow Mule’

6 | URBAN DECAY VICE LIPSTICK Naked Heat Capsule Collection 7 | YVES SAINT LAURENT Dessin Des Levres Lip Liner Pencil in ‘Brun Sahara’ 8 | KAT VON D Everlasting Glimmer Veil Liquid Lipstick in ‘Rocker’

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It will be returning for a second time in our

December Issue!

Contact us today to ask about having your h favorite gift items featured!

Email advertising@topsmarketing.com

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Life + Style

by Jesse L. Brooks

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DeAnn Stephens, morning show host of “Officer Don & DeAnn” on 98.1 The Bull and host of “Out & About” on WKYT-TV, was first introduced to husband, Eddie Cox, through a mutual friend in Louisville.

“Eddie reached out to me on social media and asked if he could call sometime,” DeAnn says. “We talked every day for a week and then he finally asked me out. Ed lives in Louisville and when he asked me out he said, ‘have you ever heard of some place called ‘Malone’s?’ A few of my buddies like to eat there, so maybe we could try it?’”

Little did Eddie know that DeAnn and her daughters eat at Malone’s about once a week, but at the time she didn’t have the heart to tell him.

“He probably thought it was strange when we walked in and I knew everyone by name,” DeAnn says. “I arranged for my nephew to wait on us in case I needed an ‘out’, but I knew when Ed grabbed my hand to bless the food that he was a keeper.”

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After two and a half years of dating, the couple was engaged. Ed and DeAnn didn’t want a “wedding,” instead they wanted a party.

DeAnn enlisted the help of a few close friends, who immediately started the planning process.

“We wanted our friends to be invited to something more like an engagement party that would end up being like a wedding,” DeAnn says.

The couple threw the party on a Friday night in July, so that they wouldn’t interfere with their guests’ weekend plans. The invite read: “Join us for a Southern Summer Soiree celebrating DeAnn & Ed. Special guests arriving at 7:45 p.m.”

As Eddie and DeAnn explained, everyone thought a country music star was coming in for the event because the couple was asked, “Is it Darius Rucker or Garth Brooks?” The reality was, DeAnn and Eddie’s children, her two daughters and Eddie’s son, were the special guests.

“Even the kids didn’t know what was going on until the night before the party,” DeAnn says. “I desperately wanted them to feel special because it wasn’t just about Ed and me, it was about all of of us as a family.”

Officer Don flew the kids in by helicopter right at 7:45 p.m., and while he was hovering around the house, Ed and DeAnn ran inside and changed clothes. When DeAnn’s daughters, Kennedy and Kamryn, stepped out of the helicopter in their matching dresses and bouquets, and Eddie’s son, Ej, in his wedding attire and boutonniere, guests quickly realized what was going on.

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Friends of DeAnn and Eddie’s had recently bought a home in Jessamine County with a beautiful yard, pool and back porch. Bobbi and Troy Turner worked on renovations to their home for six months, but moved into their house just three weeks before the Cox’s wedding. As DeAnn and Eddie agree, the Turners home was the perfect place for their wedding.

“When you drive down the Turner’s beautiful winding driveway and step foot into their home, it’s breathtaking,” DeAnn says. “The Turners have five girls, so they’re hoping one day they will all want to get married at their home. What an awesome privilege it was for me to be the first one.”

Since guests thought they were attending a “Southern Summer Soiree,” DeAnn enlisted the help of Darae & Friends Catering. Darae came up with a “Southern” menu including shrimp and grits, tomato tarts and hot brown bites. DeAnn calls herself a bourbon girl, so they served a special bourbon tea as well! Fleur de Lys Designs by Suzanne handled the flowers with help from DeAnn’s aunt, Mary Ellen Stephens. “I told them I wanted Casablanca lilies and pink roses, and they did the rest. I loved what they put together for all of the tables and arrangements,” DeAnn says. “My bouquet was absolutely gorgeous. The only problem was that I was so anxious to get down the aisle, I forgot to carry it.”

Instead of a big cake, the couple wanted something simple like petit fours. Jane Burton made the petit fours and Vicki Gaver of Patty Cakes

by Vicki made Ed’s Motocross Cake.

The entertainment was also very important to the Cox’s. As DeAnn explained, Coach Mitchell of the “Coach Mitchell Band” was one of the very first people she contacted in the wedding planning process.

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“I knew no matter what, I wanted Coach Mitchell for the entertainment. We worked around his recruiting schedule to make sure we could have him. He brought in his entire band from Nashville—they were phenomenal,” DeAnn says.

This was the second marriage for Eddie and DeAnn, so the couple wanted it to be a celebration instead of a traditional wedding. As DeAnn explained, she didn’t want a first dance, a bouquet throw or a cutting of the wedding cake; she wanted a party for everyone to enjoy.

“Ed and I both feel so blessed to have found one another, which we have the Lord to thank for that, and our families and dear friends. Everyone has been so supportive of our love, our relationship and the blending of our two families. It took a lot of wonderful people to help pull it off, but it was everything I dreamed it would be.”

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Life + Style

Photos by Kelli Lynn Photography

For all you men out there who are taking that leap with the girl of your dreams; I've got a little tip for you: The girls love rose gold!

One of the newest trends when it comes to engagement rings and wedding bands is to step outside of the norm and add a little rosey bling to that left hand. Rose gold rings are becoming very popular and can be found at almost any jewelry store.

For those future grooms who are starting their ring search or for the girls out there who just love to look for fun, here are a few of my favorites!

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6 BY: HA LEY WA LLS Bride-to-Be and Owner of Haley Michelle Designs www.haleymichelledesigns.com

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Life + Style

WA N T M O R E DE TA I L S?

Here's where to find them: 1 | Olive Ave. Jewelry

The 'Ava' Double Halo Pearl Diamond Ring $975

2 | Blue Nile

Morganite and Diamond Halo Cushion Ring $1,210

3 | Olive Ave. Jewelry

The 'Kensington' Round Vintage Halo Diamond Ring $1,975

4 | Meg C Jewelry

Rose Gold Scalloped Wedding Band $450

5 | Pandora Fayette Mall Classic Elegance Ring in PANDORA Rose™ $90

6 | Tiffany's

Tiffany Soleste Ring in Rose Gold $4,800

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Life + Style

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Life + Style

1.) Linda Richards hat with genuine fur topper ($88) | Carl Meyers, 111 Clay Ave. (859) 252-2004 2.) "Sleigh Rides" horse Peking Handicraft pillow ($55) My Favorite Things, 2721 Old Rosebud Rd. #110 (859)264-0923 3.) Large gold hoop earrings with interchangeable mink fur pompoms ($88) | Bella Rose, 126 W. Maxwell St. (859) 255-2565

4.) Perfect for teachers! BIG (32oz.) water bottles in a variety of colors by brk. | Pirie, 3369 Tates Creek Rd. (859) 309-9938 5.) Stephanie Johnson Carrera marble and rose gold makeup bag. Soft vegan leather ďŹ nish, available in three sizes. ($44.99) | Pegg y’s, 112 Clay Ave. (859) 255-3188 6.) Silver robe by Barefoot Dreams ($122) | Cotton Patch, 3367 Tates Creek Rd. (859) 269-8839

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1.) "Coffee and Christmas Music" mug ($20) | Lexington Lettering, etsy.com/shop/LexingtonLettering (502) 338-4811 2.) J. Render's gift card available in any amount | J. Render’s Southern Table & Bar, 3191 Beaumont Centre Cir. #110 (859) 533-9777 3.) Louis Vuitton Christian Louboutin edition calf hair and monogram shopping bag ($4950) | Dillard's, dillards.com

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4.) Personalized 5 ft. Kentucky wood pallet cutout ($219) Lexi+Lou, lexiandlou.com/products/kentucky-cutouts (859) 368-0496 5.) Thymes Simmered Cider candle, in a wonderful, cozy fall scent ($29) | Pegg y’s, 112 Clay Ave. (859) 255-3188 6.) All in one tricolor clutch in cow hide by GiGi ($160) | Cotton Patch, 3367 Tates Creek Rd. (859) 269-8839

Life + Style

1.) Magnetic ap top purse with zipper enclosure, lined inside with card holder, available in olive or tan ($32) | Southern Sunday, shopsouthernsunday.com 2.) Arthur Murray gift cards include 2 private lessons, 1 group lesson and 1 private session ($29) | 1801 Alexandria Dr. (859) 278-7711 3.) LipSense Starter Kit (1 Color, 1 Glossy Gloss + 1 Ooops Remove) ($55 or free with wholesale membership) | Kristi Davis with LipSense, FlawlessFacesWithKD.com (859) 327-1046

4.) Small Batch Wax Bourbon Candle Collection ($52) Sweet Mash, Downtown Lawrenceburg sweetmash.com (502) 604-6020 5.) Jack Rogers Chloe metallic gray boots ($110) Two Chicks and Co., 124 Southland Dr. twochicksandcompany.com 6.)Stadium approved, clear stylish crossbody bag with gold chain and leather tassel ($106) Peplum, 824 Euclid Ave. #103 (859) 269-0009

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Life + Style

1.) Suede ruffled wrap, in tan or black ($48) | Two Chicks and Co., 124 Southland Dr. twochicksandcompany.com 2.) El Rancho Tapatio gift certificates available in any amount | El Rancho Tapatio, 138 Burt Rd. (859) 373-9091 4.) Give the gift of TOPS! One year subscription ($19) | TOPS in Lexington, topsinlex.com/subscribe

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5) Let your imagination run wild with the Brio® 46-pc Family house playset for ages 3-7. ($74.95) | The Magical Toy Shoppe, 700 East Main St. (859) 455-8005 6.) Give the gift of an indoor fun park with go karts, laser tag and more. Purchase online with promo code TOPSINLEX Malibu Jack's, malibujacks.net (859) 687-0401

Holiday Picks | Advertising Section

Make Your Holiday Décor Unforgettable with The Corman Marketplace Christmas is always in season at The Corman Marketplace! A destination for 50 years as a leading retail Christmas store, The Corman Marketplace has become a holiday tradition for several generations. Whether you’re decorating your home, office, church or event, they have everything to make your Christmas merry and bright!

The Corman Marketplace is a local retailer which specializes in providing you with Christmas spirit all year around. Years after their establishment in the 1960s, Corman and Associates decided to open a store founded on the fundamentals of immense enjoyment, thriving creativity, and a goal of tugging at the heartstrings of customers no matter their age. From these principles grew a 10,000-square foot showroom that brings a little piece of the North Pole to Lexington no matter the time of year.

The Corman Marketplace has decorations that are perfect for a variety of themes and styles. From whimsy to spectacular, they have beautiful ribbon, ornaments, garland, floral picks and accessories.

Their showroom features a wealth of inspiration, with trees decorated floor-to-ceiling with beautiful baubles in exciting themes.

The Corman Marketplace has cultivated a style from creative thinking, marketplace trips, and various designers making it seem

as though their products came straight from the North Pole, and they make it easy to bring that flair into your home! Their attentive, friendly, knowledgeable staff are always happy to help with any customer questions or custom design needs. With a designer on staff, they’re able to help create a winter wonderland to suit any space or need. They can help you from picking out the perfect ornament for your office ornament exchange to decorating your entire home or office!

In need of a tree? They have an incredible variety of styles and sizes!

From 14 ft. trees for an office to 3 ft. trees that would fit in any home, cedar to spruce, lit or unlit, bare to snow-covered, they are a one-stop shop for the best faux trees on the market.

Have a holiday dinner coming up? The Corman Marketplace has beautiful décor that would be perfect for a formal dinner and lots of ideas to help make it a success. From helping you create a sparkling centerpiece to beautiful table runners and more, they are a wonderful source for elegant decorations that will make any Christmas event glitzy and glamorous. They’re also happy to help you pick out a thoughtful holiday hostess gift from their wonderful selection of décor and accessories!

The Corman Marketplace | 881 Floyd Dr. | (859) 233-0245 | cormanmarketplace.com

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Holiday Picks | Advertising Section

Holiday-Ready Kitchen with Appliance Pro & Monogram® Appliance Pro | 2320 Fortune Drive 859.299.6254 | applianceproky.com The holidays are here! Appliance Pro’s goal is to help you get your kitchen chef-ready for all your holiday feasts! For a limited time, choose two FREE Monogram® appliances (valued up to $3,798) with your qualifying purchase. Visit monogram.com for details.

Appliance Pro has been family owned and operated since its inception in 2006, offering quality namebrand appliances you can depend on. Their sales and management staff has over 64 years combined experience. Appliance Pro has established a caring tradition built on honesty and integrity that always provides the customer with an exceptional buying experience.

Appliance Pro specializes in new and “Scratch & Dent” home appliances; all scratch and dent items have the full manufacturer factory warranty. They have the largest selection in Central Kentucky with over 500 appliances on display in their showroom. Appliance Pro offers the lowest prices on the brands they represent. Bring in a quote and Appliance Pro will price match any local competitor!

Life is messy, but shopping for an appliance doesn’t have to be. Save time and money this season and shop at Appliance Pro to get your home ready for the holidays!

Pomegranate’s Semi-Annual Warehouse Sale!

Pomegranate, Inc. | 527 Lagonda Ave. 859.293.0988 | pomegranateinc.com One of Lexington’s highly-anticipated shopping events is back and just in time for the holiday season!

Pomegranate’s Semi-Annual Warehouse Sale will take place from Wednesday, November 15th to Saturday, November 18th. Located at Pomegranate’s shop and warehouse, enjoy the sale from 9 AM to 6 PM Wednesday through Friday and from 10 AM to 4 PM Saturday.

A wide selection of Pomegranate favorites will be available at up to 80% off retail! Holiday tabletop, cashmere sweaters, University of Kentucky gifts, canvas bags, and more are included in the sale. Guests will enjoy daily deals and surprises on top of the already deeply discounted prices.

Wednesday will mean the largest product selection and also FREE monogramming on bags and sweaters! Thursday and Friday will feature hourly specials and giveaways. Saturday means closeout prices… but a limited selection! No matter which day you come, you won’t want to miss this fun event.

Formed over 20 years ago by Angela Beck, Pomegranate is admired for its one-of-a-kind, high-quality prints. Founded with the belief in the importance of surrounding yourself with unique goods that have character, Angela and her dedicated team take great care in designing home textiles, unique apparel and accessories for women who live a creative, vibrant life.

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Give the Gift of Swim Lessons with Aqua-Tots!

Aqua-Tots Swim Schools | 220 Ruccio Way Suite 150 | 859.712.0271 | aqua-tots.com The industry’s leader in swimming instruction, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools offers year-round swim lessons to children starting at the young age of 4 months and older.

Give the gift of a true life skill this holiday season with a gift certificate to take swim lessons at AquaTots! For a limited time during the months of November and December, if you purchase three months of lessons, you receive a free pair of goggles.

Holiday packages with a variety of swim supplies are also available, and make perfect gifts for parents and adventurous kids!

Located to the right of Meijer off Reynolds Road, Aqua-Tots opened in May of 2016 and has since become the go-to place for swim lessons in Lexington and the surrounding area. Open Monday through Saturday, the state-of-the-art facility includes an indoor pool heated to a cozy, comfortable 90 degrees. Small group and private lessons are offered morning, afternoon and evening.

Aqua-Tots’ Water Safety Instructors go through an extensive training program of 50+ hours and are all CPR certified. The comprehensive swimming curriculum focuses on water safety, and helping children develop a lifelong love of swimming.

Let Wild Eggs Take the Headache Out of Your Holiday Party Wild Eggs | Hamburg 859.543.0532 Palomar 859.277.0402 | wildeggs.com/catering The holiday season can be a wild rush of parties and get-togethers with friends, family and coworkers.

Fortunately, Wild Eggs caters with breakfast, brunch and lunch options, offering delicious solutions to the hassles of planning holiday festivities! Whether for a few or a crowd, Wild Eggs has your holiday guests covered!

One of their most loved brunch options is the Breakfast Burrito Platter. They stuff warm flour tortillas with scrambled eggs, chorizo, cheddarjack cheese, poblano pepper, onion, queso fundido, avocado, green onion, skillet potatoes and black beans. The delicious burritos come served with sour cream and pico de gallo.

A popular lunch item is their Yard Bird Sandwich. Wild Eggs starts with house-made chicken salad, served on sourdough bread with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, pickle spears and chips. It’s wonderful served with their iced tea!

For breakfast, a lot of Wild Eggs catering customers love The Zax. It includes scrambled eggs with skillet potatoes, freshly baked everything muffins or biscuits and your choice of ham, bacon, sausage, Canadian bacon or turkey sausage. It’s a traditional breakfast fit for a crowd!

Curious about Wild Eggs catering? Call the nearest location for delivering and set up options. They will customize any order to suit your needs. Please allow at least 48 hours’ notice for any catering order.

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Holiday Picks | Advertising Section

Make Your Holiday Event Unforgettable!

Seasons Catering & Special Occasions seasonsevents.com | 859.266.6661 lexingtonicesculptures.com | 859.425.9988 How many events fail to make a lasting impression?

Don’t let that happen to you!

Seasons Catering has the perfect menu and presentation to help best share the important moments of your story. Lexington Ice Sculptures, a division of Season Catering, creates incredible frozen works of art that make every event unforgettable. Lexington Ice Sculptures specializes in carving frozen sculptures that set the tone for any event. From pieces with embedded logos and lights to ice luges for serving drinks, they have options with minimal turnaround time and nominal cost limited only by your imagination!

The staff at Seasons Catering & Special Occasions pride themselves on being Central Kentucky’s proprietors of the WOW Factor! They combine the latest trends, amazing food, a unique creative vision and a wide variety of venues to create the perfect event for any occasion.

Winter holidays mean lots of private and corporate parties and get-togethers. Seasons Catering excels at creating the event of your dreams.

Whether large or small, formal or fun, their team utilizes years of experience and expertise to make your next fête an experience to remember. For more than 20 years, Seasons Catering has been Central Kentucky’s choice for classic events. Their accomplished reputation means they can create a story you will share again and again for years to come.

An Easier Way to Sell (and Buy) Estate Goods Everything But the House | 859.903.7459 my.ebth.com/shop-lex EVERYTHING BUT THE HOUSE is the nation’s premier estate sale marketplace, combining white-glove customer service with leading-edge technology and a global audience of more than 1 million monthly shoppers.

Selling the contents of a home doesn’t have to be stressful, complicated or labor intensive. EBTH’s full service model–photography, cataloging, payment and delivery–makes the process easy and worthwhile: proceeds are typically 3-5 times higher than a traditional estate sale. Their global network of bidders maximizes the reach of your sale, while their end-to-end customer service attends to every aspect of the estate sale process. Whether you’re selling an entire collection or a few select items, EBTH has got you covered. Find the opportunity that’s right for you, and contact them for a complimentary consultation. Let them tell you why EBTH is the most trusted estate sale service.

Searching for unique holiday gifts that will wow the collector in your life? EVERYTHING BUT THE HOUSE’s auction site has artwork, home décor, accessories, estate jewelry, musical instruments, first edition books and so much more. You can find everything from rare coins to designer handbags from homes all over the country. You can do all of your shopping from the comfort of your desk!

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Kick Off the Holiday Season with The Square The Square | 401 West Main Street TheSquareLexington.com Surround yourself with stylish brands, distinctive dining and festive entertainment during The Square’s annual Holiday Open House on Friday, November 24th from 2-8pm.

This delightful event features activities and offerings to thrill every member of the family! In the atrium from 2-6pm, children can visit Father Christmas and receive an adorable elf hat (while supplies last).

Create a keepsake holiday craft or ornament together while you enjoy life holiday music. Make a minimum $10 purchase from a participating store and bring the receipt to the atrium, where you will select a candy cane and get a gift certificate to one of The Square’s great shops or restaurants! This festive, fun event is a can’t-miss way to kick off the holiday season.

Continue the memories with a visit to Luminate Lexington in Triangle Park from 2-7pm with a holiday market, ice-skating and live entertainment. Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony at 6:30pm. Santa will arrive to turn the key that will light the tree, as well as all of Lexington’s glittering holiday lights. It’s a wonderful Lexington tradition!

With incredible shopping, dining and entertainment, The Square is your fun-filled holiday destination!

Put Chris Stapleton’s New Album on Your Wish List Chris Stapleton | From A Room: Volume 2 ChrisStapleton.com Chris Stapleton’s From A Room: Volume 2 will be released December 1st on Mercury Records Nashville, just in time for the holiday season! Now available to pre-order digitally and with exclusive limited-edition bundles, this album will be a great gift for any music lover. Multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM Award-winning musician Chris Stapleton was born in Lexington and grew up in Eastern Kentucky before moving to Nashville and becoming, as CMT put it, “one of music’s greatest talents to emerge from the current decade.”

The forthcoming album takes its name from Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A (the capital “A” in “From A Room”) where it was recorded over the last year with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb. Along with Stapleton on vocals and guitar and Cobb on acoustic guitar, the album features Morgane Stapleton on harmony vocals as well as longtime band-members J.T. Cure on bass and Derek Mixon on drums. In addition to seven songs co-written by Stapleton, the album features versions of Kevin Welch’s “Millionaire” and the Homer Banks/Lester Snell-penned song made famous by Pops Staples, “Friendship”.

The Limited Edition bundles make great gifts. From t-shirts and drink koozies to a special edition YETI Tundra 35 Cooler or Louisville Slugger, fans won’t want to miss out on these great accessories! Only available at ChrisStapleton.com.

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FAMILY

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Super Mom: Lauren Lucas

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Woodland Kid’s Room

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Pets: Working with a Veterinary Nurse

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Family

Lauren Lucas

ďŹ ancĂŠ: Joshua Graves | children: Ford-4, Oakley-3, pictured with Stepdaughter, Keaton Written by Sarah Boerkircher | Photos by Malicote Photography

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Family

Lauren Lucas says that she’s only a “Super Mom” because she has two little super heroes that call her mom.

Lauren’s son, Ford, was diagnosed with autism and is currently non-verbal. As Lauren explained, Ford started attending preschool this year and loves school and his teachers. Her daughter, Oakley, has a one in two million rare benign tumor called Infantile Fibromatosis. She is currently receiving Chemotherapy. It could be another 40 plus years before anyone in the world would be diagnosed with her type of tumor.. While Oakley is fighting the unknown, she loves playing with the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital volunteers and all the clinic staff at the hospital.

The Hematology/Oncology Clinic at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital provides diagnosis of and treatment for childhood hematologic and immunologic disorders and malignancies.

Family time is very important to Lauren and her fiance, Josh.

While Lauren doesn’t consider herself a “super mom,” she says she does feel like a blessed mom.

“Being featured as a ‘Super Mom’ touches my heart in so many ways,” she says. “I’m so thankful that God chose me to be the mother of Ford and Oakley. Looking into Ford’s eyes, I just want to know what he thinks and how he feels. Watching Oakley endure chemotherapy and seeing the unwavering strength that both of my children have, without a worry in the world, gives me my strength and inspires me to be their super mom.”

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The unwavering strength that both of my children have... gives me my strength and inspires me to be their Super Mom.

Family

Lauren says her biggest challenges are fighting to get Ford the therapy he needs and waiting to hear his sweet voice again, and watching Oakley receive such powerful medicine for a rare tumor, but not knowing the outcome.

“Knowing that both of my children are so innocent, and so sweet, and should never have to face such pain weighs heavy on my heart,” Lauren says. “Staying strong for them in the face of all their battles is my biggest challenge of all.”

Lauren and her children have to be careful with their choice of activities because of Oakley’s weakened immune system.

Since Oakley started chemotherapy, Lauren is cautious of germs and doesn’t want to risk the chance of Oakley’s immune system being compromised. However, Lauren said that Ford and Oakley love going to Costco, taking long walks, going out to dinner and going on family vacations.

“The most rewarding part of being Ford and Oakley’s mother is knowing that even with everything that they have to go through: chemotherapy, being nonverbal and not being able to tell me how they feel, I know that they will grow up to be strong amazing adults. Their stories tell who they are, so I know that through their pain, they will have resilience and a fight for life like no other.”

While Lauren says she never knows what each day will bring, she prioritizes waking up every morning with the hope and the desire to be the best mother she can be. She looks at each day with a positive outlook and has found that exercising has helped to get her mind off things and has helped with managing her stress.

“My advice for other moms is to remember that God chose you to be your children’s mother, and that’s a gift,” she says.

“Also, don’t ever judge another mom because you never know what she may be going through and the battles she has to face each day. Everyone has an untold story, so try to be empathetic.”

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Kentucky Farm Bureau

Clays Mill Road Agency

Kentucky Farm Bureau doesn’t just live here. Kentucky Farm Bureau loves here.

No one believes that more than Clays Mill Road Agency Manager Ryan McCord.

Born and raised in Lexington, he understands how important it is that his staff and claims office are located right here. “We live here and are part of the community,” he explained. “If you have an emergency, you can call my cell phone and get answers or help right away. I don’t think you’d get the same level of service from some of the national companies. That’s really what sets us apart.”

Kentucky Farm Bureau offers home, auto, farm, boat, commercial, life, health and long-term care insurance. He is dedicated to looking at the needs of each client and seeing where he can lower their rates, putting more spending money back in their pockets.

As a father of two children (Preston, 3 and Blakely, 2) and a business man, Ryan knows the struggles that local people face when it comes to insurance. One of his agency’s biggest goals is making the insurance process easy while ensuring that the client’s assets are completely protected.

That peace of mind is one of the most important services Ryan can offer.

Curious about how Kentucky Farm Bureau’s insurance is different? Stop in or give Ryan a call. He is happy to provide a free, no-obligation quote.

Clays Mill Road Agency

859.224.0423 kyfb.com/fayette/clays-mill

3306 Clays Mill Rd. Ste. 103 Lexington, KY 40503

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Family

CREATED BY MARY KAY Owner of Mary’s Making Blog

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WALL COLOR

WHERE TO FIND EVERYTHING: 1 | Tree Wall Decals - WallConsilia Etsy Shop 2 | Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib - Amazon 3 | Rug and arrow curtain rod - Urban Outfitters

Visit Mary’s blog to learn about the other DIY projects that helped bring this woodland nursery to life!

MARYSMAKING.COM

4 | Forest animal print wall art - Gingiber Etsy Shop Sherwin Williams 7105 Paperwhite

5 | DIY Animal Mobile - Mary’s Making Blog 6 | DIY Teepee Corner - Mary’s Making Blog TOPS Magazine | November 2017

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Family

Working with a Veterinary Nurse

T

he last time you visited your veterinarian, you and your pet may have had the opportunity to work with a veterinary nurse.

These individuals play a vital role in the veterinary hospital.

Some develop their skills through on-the-job training, and others earn a degree at an accredited university and pass their state’s licensing exam giving them the title of a licensed veterinary technician (LVT), certified veterinary technician (CVT), or registered veterinary technician (RVT). This title is dependent upon their state of residence. Licensed veterinary nurses can even further their skill set and knowledge and become an National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) recognized technician specialists in the areas of anesthesia/ analgesia, behavior, clinical pathology, clinical practice, dentistry, dermatology, emergency & critical care, equine veterinary nursing, internal medicine, laboratory animal science, nutrition, ophthalmology, physical rehabilitation, surgery, or zoological medicine. You will most likely encounter a technician specialist only in a veterinary specialty and emergency hospital, canine rehabilitation hospital, zoo, sizeable equine practice, or at an academic institution.

The animal technician field has greatly evolved since its origin over 50 years ago. State licensing boards determine the permitted duties of both veterinarians and technicians. In the state of Kentucky, only licensed veterinarians can diagnose patients, prescribe medications and treatments, or perform surgical procedures. Veterinary technicians also cannot participate in the operation of a veterinary hospital unless under

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Erica Radhakrishnan Hospital Administrator, BVS

the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian on the premises. However, they can perform a host of other veterinary medical tasks including, but not limited to, anesthesia induction and administration, catheter placement and blood draw, splinting, leading and performing CPR events, taking x-rays and performing lab work. At the highest level of care, veterinary nurses are responsible for the continuous assessment of hospitalized patients providing them with all of their doctor-prescribed treatments and medications. They are the advocates and voices for admitted patients.

In spite of all of these advances, the field continues to evolve. In 2016, the NAVTA launched the Veterinary Nurse Initiative. The goals of the initiative are to establish a national credentialing standard including requirements, title, and scope of practice. This will eliminate the variety of titles mentioned above used to describe veterinary nurses throughout the country. The intent is to unify and grow the profession and to educate pet owners about the duties of veterinary nurses as they relate to the care of their animals. The goal is to encourage veterinary consumers to demand qualified veterinary nurses resulting in increased consumer protection and enhanced patient care.

So, the next time you visit your primary veterinarian or need to go to an animal specialty and emergency hospital, ask if your pet will be cared for by a veterinary nurse and remember to thank them for the love, care, and attention they provide your fur baby. They are the unsung heroes of the animal hospital.

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Filly of the Month: Mary Catherine White

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Colt of the Month: Buck Schott

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Filly of the Month:

Mary Catherine

WHITE

by Jen Roytz

photos by Keni Parks While Keeneland may lay claim to being Lexington’s most recognizable racetrack, The Red Mile is known the world over as one of the most lauded racetracks in Standardbred racing. Founded in 1875, The Red Mile is not only the oldest race track in Lexington, but is the second oldest harness racing track in the world.

An old dog can still learn a few new tricks, and in the past several years The Red Mile has done nothing short of re-invent itself. Today’s Red Mile has a sleek new exterior, a new 1,000-terminal strong instant racing facility and an upgraded grandstand area that plays home to one of the area’s most popular off-track betting sites.

This isn’t your grandfather’s Red Mile Racetrack.

On the forefront of many of the track’s innovative new promotions and initiatives is Mary Catherine White, who oversees the track’s special events and marketing.

Creating Memorable Experiences A native of Houston, TX, White’s first introductions to the Kentucky came on family trips each year to visit her aunt and uncle, who own Mt. Brilliant Farm, a combination Thoroughbred and polo farm located along Russell Cave Road.

She loved the excitement of the races and polo matches that she attended and was taken with the beauty of the rolling pastures and winding country roads that lay just beyond the Lexington city limits.

After earning her graduate degree in Public Health from Tulane University (where she also earned her undergraduate degree) in 2009, White moved back to Houston and began working in her field of study for the city. By 2012, however, she was looking for a change of pace, and on a visit to the Bluegrass she stumbled upon an idea.

“I’d come for a visit in 2012 and it was like I fell in love with the area all over again,” she said. “My Uncle Greg suggested I move up here to work on the farm and see how I liked it. I

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ended up working there for two-and-a-half years and then found the opportunity at The Red Mile.”

While White’s background may not be in Standardbred racing, she took to the job, immediately immersing herself in the harness racing industry and learning all she could about the history and culture of the sport.

White’s position at The Red Mile has her overseeing events and promotions for not only the track’s harness racing meets, but also for the instant racing and off-track betting facilities, which were created as part of the $42 million renovation and expansion bankrolled in a joint-effort by The Red Mile and Keeneland.

The Red Mile is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, and that’s due in large part to keeping patrons engaged between races.

From wiener dog races to “The Running of the Bull Dogs,” White coordinates race day entertainment that she says is as hysterical to watch as it is fun to plan. She also assists resident handicapper Gabe Prewitt in putting together the track’s Bets and Brews series, a handicapping seminar and beer tasting event put on in partnership with Country Boy Brewing that includes the opportunity to play in a “beginners only” handicapping tournament.

“I’d been working on getting a flat track motorcycle racing event here since my first day on the job. We finally made it happen in June and it was a huge draw for people who had never seen the track and facilities. It was so exciting to have people come up to me and say, ‘wow – I never knew about this place. It’s so nice!’” she said.

“We’re constantly trying to bring in more unique events – music, sporting events, you name it – and keep building our reputation as an entertainment destination. With live racing, instant racing, live events and more, it feels like my job is non-stop, but I enjoy every single hat that I wear.”

From Riding Helmets to Derby Hats While working at Mt. Brilliant, White got the opportunity to not only learn to ride, but to try her hand at playing polo.

“Polo is my jam! It’s super-competitive and fast-paced. I’m lucky enough to have cousins with beautiful horses, so when I worked at Mt. Brilliant I’d get up early in the morning and ride out with the grooms. It helped me to learn how to ride and built up my muscles,” said White. “When I got confident enough in the saddle, they started teaching me to “stick and ball,” which is basically learning to control the horse, the polo mallet and the ball all at the same time, and eventually I learned to play.”

In recently years White took an entrepreneurial foray into the fashion world as well, creating Rent the Races with two of her friends.

The online business allows customers to rent hats and fascinators for race days and other events.

“While I miss my family in Houston, Lexington is where I have set down my roots,” said White. “I don’t see myself going anywhere anytime soon.”•

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Colt of the Month:

Buck SCHOTT

by Jen Roytz | photo by Keni Parks

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Equine Growing up with a veterinarian as a father and a professional hunter/jumper trainer as a mother (not to mention a sister making a name for herself as a professional rider), it seems natural that Buck Schott would have been keen for a career in the horse world as well.

That was far from the case.

It wasn’t until a friend in college introduced Schott to the game of polo that his interest in horses – specifically riding them at high speeds while trying to score a goal – was ignited, and his ideal career path came to light.

A Polo Player is Born Growing up on his family’s River Mountain Farm, a hunter/jumper training and show stable in Versailles, Ky., Buck Schott was surrounded by horses. Riding just wasn’t his thing. Instead, he played sports, showing a particular propensity for lacrosse and eventually earning a spot on the team at the University of Kentucky.

“I rode here and there. Growing up on a farm like ours, it was pretty much impossible not to learn how to ride, and my mom made sure I knew the basics and had a good foundation, but I only rode a handful of times a year. I was always more focused on sports and other things,” said Schott. “My dad played polo his entire life, but I never really got into that either as a kid.”

It was while in college, when a friend who played for the UK polo team invited him to try the sport out, that he found a keen natural ability for the game, likely due to his hand-eye coordination from lacrosse and other sports combined with his ability to ride.

Schott’s father, who had played polo since the 1970s, was in the process of getting out of the sport and was dispersing his polo pony herd at the time, but when his son began learning to play, he pulled back on his plan.

“He was getting ready to get rid of his last three horses, but we ended up keeping them at the last minute. Then, we went from three to nine in the first month I was playing polo,” said Schott.

“The next year we had about 20 and now we try to maintain a herd of about 30.”

The Student Becomes the Teacher With the game of polo being such a fast, high intensity sport that requires bursts of speed, tight turns and all-out races across the

field between players chasing the ball, multiple horses are used by each player during the match. This means polo players must maintain not just a single horse, but a herd, in order to play regularly, often training up young horses and buying and selling their stock in order to improve the quality of their string of playing ponies.

For Schott, as he became better at playing polo, he found he was equally adept at training young horses for the game. He and his father eventually turned that talent into a thriving business, buying and selling polo ponies, as well as playing the sport professionally, under their River Mountain Polo banner.

“Most people don’t get to spend time with their dad sharing a hobby and profession,” said Schott. “It’s let me get to know him on a much deeper level. I’m lucky – it’s a type of relationship most people don’t get to have with their parents.”

Many polo pony prospects are Thoroughbreds who had less-thansuccessful careers on the track. With the Schott’s training base conveniently located in Central Kentucky and his father’s career as a veterinarian, the pair often have access to their pick of retired racehorses-turned polo prospects.

“My dad often hears about horses through his work that won’t make it on the track but might work well for polo, and we also have gotten some nice horses from New Vocations Racehorse Adoption, which adopts out retired racehorses to non-racing homes,” said Schott. “Often people looking for jumping and eventing prospects want a big, tall and often male horse. We’re usually looking for shorter, more compact horses and prefer fillies and mares over colts and geldings, so it works out well.”

The past few years Schott and his father competed in the $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover, a retraining competition that tests how well one can retrain a recently retired racehorse for a new discipline. Schott won the polo division of the 2016 Thoroughbred Makeover on a mare named Pound Cake that he acquired from New Vocations.

“I enjoy supporting the competition because it promotes new careers for non-competitive racehorses and also lets us promote the sport of polo to new audiences,” said Schott. •

“Growing up on a farm like ours, it was pretty much impossible not to learn how to ride, and my mom made sure I knew the basics and had a good foundation.”

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Horse Park Happenings

US Dressage Finals

Nov. 9th – Nov. 12th // Alltech Arena The United States Dressage Finals is the national championship competition for the United States Dressage Federation. The US Dressage Finals will be split into Open and Amateur divisions. Each division will hold classes from Training Level to Grand Prix Freestyle. A nonchampionship competition will also take place, USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass which will be a qualifying competition for The 2017 Great American/USDF Regional Championships and USDF/Dover Adult Amateur Medal Program. The USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass will have USEF and FEI classes with Training Level to Grand Prix Level exhibited.

Bluegrass Rockin’ Rodeo

November 17th – Nov. 18th // Alltech Arena The inagural Bluegrass Rockin’ Rodeo is a new signature event for the Kentucky Horse Park. Music, rodeo and all things Kentucky come together for two evenings of can’t-miss entertainment. This event benefits the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

Southern Lights Stroll

Nov. 16th // Parkwide See the dazzling, twinkling displays of Southern Lights on foot! This fun evening features a 5k run along with mini train rides, refresh-

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ments and prize drawings. A food drive will also take place for God’s Pantry and local animal shelters. This event benefits the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

Southern Lights

Nov. 17th – Dec. 31st // Parkwide The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation presents Southern Lights annually, a greatly anticipated holiday tradition for families all across Kentucky, in support of the programs, activities and facilities of the Kentucky Horse Park. From 5:30 until 10:00 pm each evening, visitors will be awed by the dazzling display of majestic lights. The drive will begin at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground, and will proceed through an enhanced dreamland of dazzling lighted and often animated figures. While many displays represent the holiday season, favorites are customized to represent the Bluegrass state.

Save the Dates: Snowball Series Mounted Games & Snowbird Dressage Don’t think that just because the weather outside is colder, that there’s no fun to be found at the park! There’s plenty to see and do. Just look up the latest schedules on the Kentucky Horse Park website and enjoy these indoor equestrian events... they’re perfect for kids! So head out to the park this winter.

There are more great events to discover! Visit kyhorsepark.com for a complete listing of all the upcoming Horse Park Happenings, and be sure to visit TopsInLex.com/calendar for more great events around town and all over Central Kentucky!

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BBN: Stephen Johnson’s Legacy

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WE BLEED BLUE

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Photos by Michael Huang

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WE BLEED Cuisine BLUE

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Community

Stephen Johnson’s Legacy I wonder how history will remember Stephen Johnson. I wonder what the legacy will be for this UK quarterback. I hope as time passes, Big Blue Nation comes to embrace what he has accomplished and earn the respect and admiration that he so rightly deserves.

Maybe the best people to ask about a UK quarterback are former UK quarterbacks.

“I love what he’s doing, and he’s made a huge fan out of me,” said former UK quarterback Jared Lorenzen. “All he does is win games. It’s not flashy. He doesn’t put up 300 and 400 yard stat lines. He wins football games as a team.”

It should also be noted that when these interviews were done, Johnson had won four out of five road games, eight out of ten home games, and incredibly six out of ten SEC games. With all the accolades and wins, Johnson still doesn’t seem to get the “love” or the “respect” he deserves.

“He has one of his biggest supporters in me,” admits former UK quarterback Shane Boyd. “And I can say that with having walked in similar shoes as him in every phase of being a quarterback. Awesome to think the best is still yet to come for him.”

“For a kid that has a winning record, more touchdowns than interceptions, and some of the biggest plays in UK history, for him to go on like this is mind boggling,” said Lorenzen.

At the time of this writing, Johnson’s record as UK’s primary quarterback for regular season games was 12 wins and 4 losses. Let that sink in for a minute. That’s amazing! After the Cats started last season 0-2, Johnson came in for the injured Drew Barker and led UK to 7 wins in their last 10 games. To start the 2017 season, Johnson led the Cats to a 5-and-1 start.

“I think Stephen is a much improved player,” said former UK AllAmerican quarterback Tim Couch. “He has improved his accuracy and understanding of the offense tremendously from last year. He’s making throws this season that he would miss last year. He’s doing a much better job protecting the football. They (UK) are asking him to do much more this season than throwing the football.”

Most UK football fans consider Couch to be the best Kentucky quarterback of all time. Couch was the #1 draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1999. Couch also won 12 games as the Cats starting quarterback over a two year span, which puts Johnson in very rare company.

“Last year he [Johnson] was very dependent on the running game with Boom [Williams] and Benny [Snell] and making deep throws off play action. Now he can go win a game throwing the football.”

Another former UK quarterback and now a member of the media covering Johnson, Freddie Maggard, had this to say. “There are gamers and then there is Stephen Johnson. The kid’s unflappable and maximizes every ounce of his ability. His accuracy and mechanics have improved.

Stephen is a winner both on and off the field.”

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Boyd added, “Very proud of Stephen Johnson. It begins with how over the past year he has been amazing, especially with being thrown in the fire like he was and having success to go with it. Most may not understand how difficult that was, but it’s a testament to his leadership. and who he is as a man.”

“The number of doubters and detractors shrink with every W,” Maggard said. “He should be cherished not disrespected by his own fan base.”

To me, Johnson’s story is one that sports reporters love. Going into the 2016 season, nobody, and I mean nobody, even mentioned that Johnson would ever get any playing time. After he was thrust into the Cats starting role, UK couldn’t afford to take him out. All he did was win….and win…..and win.

“I think his best quality as a quarterback is his leadership skills. The guys believe in him. It doesn’t matter who they’re playing or what bad things happen during the game, they believe Stephen will make the plays to win a game,” said Couch.

Lorenzen summed it up best, “With two minutes to go left in the game, I want him to have the ball. I wish him nothing but the best of luck and about six more victories.”

Truer words never spoken. •

by Ryan Lemond Kentucky Sports Radio/ WLAP

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Community

Hello, They Really Must Be Going!

Kentucky basketball, as we all know, is steeped in tradition. National championships, All-America players, more victories than any other Division I college team on the planet – it’s all there. And now, we have a new one taking root in this, the John Calipari era.

Just as the swallows each year return to Capistrano, talented UK basketball players leave for the riches of the NBA. We meet them, we watch them, we salute them and then we try to remember what they look like. Sometimes, it happens that fast.

Not with all of them, mind you. Willie Cauley-Stein was supposed to treat Lexington as little more than a pit stop. So was Alex Poythress and yet, both of them stayed beyond that initial season.

But they’re among the minority; there’s a reason Kentucky had more players (27) on NBA rosters on Opening Night than any other NCAA institution.

Now we’re getting to know seven new faces on the current UK roster. And we’re being re-introduced to Hamidou Diallo. First, Wildcat fans had to sweat it out as he flirted with departure and finally decided against jumping to the NBA, after a semester of practice at the Joe Craft Center. Once he made his decision to stick around, the Big Blue Nation got to watch him warm up for games in which he never played. But they’ll see him this season. A lot.

And then he’ll be gone, no doubt like a handful of his teammates, which is why, whenever I see Kentucky’s latest men’s basketball roster for the first time, I think only of one man: Groucho Marx.

Yes, the guy with the cigar, tailcoat and greasepaint mustache.

Throughout his career he was rarely at a loss for words. When it came to making a quick entrance, followed by a hasty retreat, he regaled movie-goers with the perfect ditty in the 1930 film Animal Crackers.

Playing the renowned African explorer Capt. Jeffrey T. Spaulding, Groucho is introduced to a room full of people, anxious to hear his stories from abroad. But in song, he informs them he won’t be staying long: Hello, I must be going I cannot stay I came to say I must be going I’m glad I came But just the same...

I must be going

At that point, Margaret Dumont, who played the perfect, clueless foil to Groucho’s characters in several Marx Brother films, responds the way you’d think Kentucky fans would: For my sake you must stay If you should go away You’ll spoil this party I am throwing Captain Spaulding gets their hopes up – similar to when players say about their NBA aspirations, “I haven’t even thought about that yet…”

I’ll stay a week or two I’ll stay the summer through But I am telling you I must be... going Young, highly-touted players would be foolish NOT to think of the NBA, especially the way salaries have sky-rocketed after the latest collective bargaining agreement. It’s something Big Blue fans have been forced to accept, difficult as it’s been. Sort of like the party guests, trying to convince Captain Spaulding to stay: [Party guests] Before you go Won’t you oblige us And tell us all your deeds so glowing?

[Groucho] I’ll do anything you say In fact I’ll even stay!

[Party guests] Good!

[Groucho Marx] But I must be... going!

He actually did stick around for the rest of the movie. And these Kentucky players will be here as long as it suits them. So enjoy them while you can because, or so it seems, from the day they arrive on campus: They really must be… going!

by Dick Gabriel BigBlueInsider.com

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visit topsinlex.com for for more bbn photo coverage

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BIG BLUE MADNESS Rupp Arena | October 13 | ukathletics.com | Photos by Michael Huang

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BLUE WHITE GAME Rupp Arena | October 20 | ukathletics.com | Photos by Michael Huang

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HEART WALK BUSINESS LEADER KICK OFF Benefiting AHA | LBX Company | October 16 | heart.org | Photos by Ron Morrow

More photos at topinlex.com!

Mark Newman and Eric Sauvage

Joey Maggard, Lisa Edwards, Stewart Perry, Darby Turner and Joe O’ Nan

Eric Gilliam, Mark Hill and Mark Richardson

Jennifer Hauck and Mary Alicha Weldon

Chris Gilligan

Judy Perry

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Kim Pennington and Justin Campbell

Donna Arnett

Robert Bratton

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MAKE A WISH DAY AT KEENELAND Keeneland | October 12 | wish.org | Photos by Woody Phillips and Ron Morrow

More photos at topinlex.com!

Rob Mitchell, Dane Kobiskie, Seth Westerman, Dean A. Sarvis and LaTonna Wilson Bill & Barbara Thomason

Miranda Adam and James Graham

Luther Deaton and Jim Host

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Yvonne & Gary Emmick

Kara Heissenbuttel and Keith Lerme

Greg & Diane Padgett

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HARVEST FOR HORSES DINNER BeneďŹ ting The Kentucky Equine Humane Center | 21c Museum Hotel | September 20 | kyehc.org

Keely Gustin, Karen Gustin, Lydia Cassady and Amanda Bryant

Madison Phillips, Hannah Gabbard and Kaelyn Query

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Aubri Hostetter and Emily Alberti

Jonathon Searle

Laura and Glen Werner

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Meg Jewett and Laura Schnettler

Mark & Laurie Metcalfe Photos by Ron Morrow

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TASTINGS & TRIVIA BeneďŹ ting Blue Grass Farms Charities | Foxbrook Farm | October 14 | bgfcky.org

More photos at topinlex.com!

Christina Jelm, Viane Lizza and Kara McDermott

Natalie & Dennis Brawner

Jack & Alice Kain

Micheala Wallace, Michelle St. George and Susan Speckert

Pend & Jena Armistead, Margaret & Tom Riddle

Jody & Michelle Huckabay

Kristin Werner Leshney, Erin Crady, Ray & Carol Paulick

Guy & Julie Jones-Mogge

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Judy & John Paul Miller

Ray Beebe and Deb Wilson Photos by Ron Morrow

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What’s New, Kentucky?

Have you heard about TOPS Digital Solutions?

How’s your website? SEO? Rankings? Analytics? Responsive Design?

Among the thousands of daily concerns for a business owner, digital marketing and online presence is often too much of a headache to tackle. Navigating the world of digital can be confusing, time-consuming or costly. TOPS Digital Solutions is here to fix that.

The newest branch of TOP Marketing Group, TOPS Digital Solutions is dedicated to making digital marketing easy, effective and most importantly, profitable.

Have a neglected website? Our talented digital representatives can explain to you why that’s a problem–and offer actionable steps to making it better. Not getting your name out there? We can provide a customized plan to help you reach new audiences, grab business that is bouncing from your website and help you make money. Want to be seen before your competition? TOPS Digital Solutions can help!

TOPS Digital Solutions is dedicated to updating and optimizing your online presence to help you make money, draw in customers and stay afloat in a sea of search engine listings. Whether you’re a tech novice or web savvy, we can help you get the edge on your competition.

Find out what TOPS Digital Solutions can do for you!

Savannah Blank : savannah@topsmarketing.com Camile Turner: camile@topsmarketing.com

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What’s New, Kentucky?

Holiday Shopping for a Cause Featuring more than 100 unique vendors from across the country, this year’s Junior League of Lexington Holly Day Market will be held December 1-3 at the Lexington Convention Center. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend the three-day shopping event, which offers the best apparel, jewelry, children’s gifts, holiday décor, unique home goods and more. The Holly Day Market also includes the following daily events: cookies with Santa, crafting classes, happy hour specials and performances.

This year’s event is presented by Traditional Bank. Tickets are $10 and available online and at the door. Children 10 and under are free to attend.

“We are so excited about this year’s market, and to be back at the Lexington Convention Center – a venue that holds an opportunity for so much growth for future markets,” said Jessica Stigall, Junior League of Lexington Holly Day Market Chair. “It’s an honor to work with wonderful women to plan the event, especially knowing that the money we raise is going to such worthy local organizations.”

For more information or to purchase tickets for the market and party, visit hollydaymarket.com.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Junior League of Lexington’s mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the lives of individuals in Central Kentucky. In the event’s 11th year, more than $200,000 has been raised to support local community projects.

To celebrate the market, a Holly Day Market Party is also being planned for Friday, December 1 from 7-10 p.m. at the Livery in Downtown Lexington. Tickets are $50 for an individual and $90 per couple. The purchase of a ticket includes appetizers, drink tickets, champagne bar, live entertainment and a silent auction.

Holly Day Market Dates, Times and Special Events: Friday, December 1: 10 am – 7 pm at the Lexington Convention Center • Happy Hour Event from 5 – 7 pm Holly Day Market Party at the Livery from 7-10 pm (tickets required) Saturday, December 2: 10 am – 7 pm at the Lexington Convention Center • Door Hanger Class from 12 – 3 pm (Pre-registration required) Sunday, December 3: 11 am – 5 pm at the Lexington Convention Center • Cookies with Santa from 1-4 pm

December 1 - 3 | Lexington Convention Center | hollydaymarket.com

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CALENDAR ofofEVENTS CALENDAR EVENTS November 2017 October 2017

November might be turkey time.. but Lexington is getting a jump-start on the Christmas season. The Holiday Market Concert Tree Lighting event is sure to get even the biggest Scrooge in your life into the festive spirit. Triangle park will be filled with merriment as it prepares for downtown's annual tree lighting switched on by the one and only Santa Claus! The Kentucky Horse Park opens their gates for the favorited Southern Lights. Whether you drive or walk through the twinkling displays you won't be able to resist feeling merry and bright. The Lexington Ballet starts their run of the ever popular 'The Nutcracker', where Christmas magic comes alive on stage. If you're into putting on your ugliest Christmas sweater (and really who isn't?) and enjoy tasty drinks you'll love the 12 Bars of Christmas crawl. For the bah humbug types, you can always take in a concert. Two of music's most talented women hit the bluegrass this month. Both Janet Jackson and Lady Gaga are bringing their tours to our beautiful state, and you really can't go wrong with either one.

Whichever route you take, don't forget to give thanks this month and enjoy this delightful time of year.

JESSE L. BROOKS

Calendar Highlights

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presented by

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Justin Moore

7:30pm // Rupp Arena

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Anderson County Arts Council

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Bluegrass Youth Ballet: Dia De Los Muertos

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rd

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$250,000 Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Lexington CSI-W4*

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Mission Lexington Annual Gala

6:00pm-9:00pm // Marriott GrifďŹ n Gate Paddock Pavillion

4

Mordor 5K

9am // The Thoroughbred Club at High Point

Lexington Opera House

3

Art Trail

7:00pm // Alltech Arena

Carnegie Classics: Adventures with Alice

7pm-11pm // Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning Take an adventure down the rabbit hole and experience Alice's journey underground. The Carnegie Center will be transformed into Alice's world, where guests can gaze through the looking glass and enter the imagination of Lewis Caroll's beloved character. Artist John Lackey will drive guests mad as he paints a Wonderland you'll never forget. Attendees can participate in a walk down the hall of many doors, enjoy a tea party fit for the Queen of Hearts, and so much more!

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All-In To End Cancer

6pm-12am // The Livery Let the palm trees sway, the music play, and the gaming and card dealing begin at this year's Havana Nights-themed event.

Attendees will enjoy an unforgettable evening of casino games featuring celebrity dealers, popular eats and libations, music, a silent auction and more! There is no better reason to celebrate than to know you're raising money for an amazing cause and cure. All proceeds from the event will go to the American Cancer Society.

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Art.Write.Now.Tour

5:00pm // Living Arts and Science Center

For more events, visit TopsInLex.com/calendar

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Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass Tree Lighting

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7pm // The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass Jumpstart the 2017 holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass!

Enjoy tons of lively entertainment, breathtaking holiday décor and lots of opportunities for the kiddos to share their Christmas wish lists with Santa!

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National Philanthropy Day

11:30am-1:30pm // Marriott Griffin Gate

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CB Squared

7:30pm // Singletary Center for the Arts

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Fritz Farm Fall Fest

5:00pm // The Summit at Fritz Farm

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I Dance for Hope

6pm // The Grand Reserve An inspiring dance showcase to help make a difference for Kentuckians fighting cancer. Ten cancer survivors will take center stage to support Kentucky Cancer Link. With a silent auction, seated dinner, entertainment

by Arthur Murray Lexington and the survivor dance showcase, this will be an incredible evening.

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Holiday Bazaar

11:00am-4:00pm // Bluegrass Stockyards

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Lady Gaga "Joanne World Tour"

7:30pm // KFC Yum! Center

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Canstruction Build Day

The Shops at Lexington Center

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Southern Lights Stroll

6pm-9pm // Kentucky Horse Park See the dazzling, twinkling displays of Southern Lights on foot! This fun evening features a 5k run along with mini train rides, refreshments and prize drawings. A food drive will also take place for God’s Pantry and local animal shelters.

This event benefits the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

Bid & Buy

6pm // Hilton Lexington

Have an event? TopsInLex.com/submit-event.php

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CALENDAR of EVENTS November 2017

FOOTBALL Nov. 4 vs. U. of Mississippi Nov. 11th at Vanderbilt U. Nov. 18th at U. of Georgia Nov. 25th at Louisville th

BASKETBALL Nov. 3rd vs. Centre College Nov. 10th vs. Utah Valley U. Nov. 12th vs. U. of Vermont Nov. 14th away vs. U. of Kansas

presented by

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Johnny Carino's Hoops for Hope

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4:30pm // Rupp Arena Save lives and shoot hoops at Rupp – it’s a win-win! You and your teammates will have five minutes to hoop it up and rebuild lives.

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Southern Lights

5:30pm-10pm // Kentucky Horse Park

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Gallery Hop

5pm-8pm // Downtown

Salute to the Stars Awards Gala

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5:30pm //Embassy Suites Lexington

at State Farm Champions Classic

Nov. 17th vs. East Tennessee State U. Nov. 20th vs. Troy U. Nov. 22nd vs. Fort Wayne Nov. 26th vs. U. of Illinois-Chicago Dec. 2nd vs. Harvard Dec. 12th vs. Monmouth Dec. 16th vs. Viginia Tech Dec. 23rd vs. UCLA Dec. 29th vs. Louisville Dec. 31st vs. Georgia

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Lexington Opera House

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Bluegrass Rockin' Rodeo

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Kentucky Horse Park The inagural Bluegrass Rockin' Rodeo is a new signature event for the Kentucky Horse Park. Music, rodeo and all things Kentucky come together for two evenings of can't-miss entertainment. This event benefits the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

Go Red for Women Experience

8:30am // Lexington Center Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. The Go Red for Women Experience aims to arm women with the knowledge to help prevent heart disease through entertainment, informational sessions and powerful guest speakers. Luncheon starts at 11:30am.

For more events, visit TopsInLex.com/calendar

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Lexington Green Holiday Open House

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2:00pm // Lexington Green Ready to celebrate the season? Head to Lexington Green! Enjoy pictures with Santa, a petting zoo, refreshments, special offers from retail stores, caroling and the tree lighting ceremony.

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Kentucky Book Fair

9:00am-4:00pm // Kentucky Horse Park

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Sporting Art Auction

Keeneland Sales Pavillion

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Palomar Holiday Bazaar

9:00am-2:00pm // Palomar Clubhouse

Holiday Market, Concert and OfďŹ cial Tree Lighting

3pm-7pm // Triangle Park Ring in the holiday season with all of Lexington! Wrap up your Black Friday with a festive event that has become a beloved city tradition. Shop from vendors at a holiday market, perfect for grabbing some holiday gifts. Enjoy live music, food vendors and entertainment on Main Street.

Santa Claus will turn the magic key to light Lexington’s Official Christmas Tree and lights located throughout Downtown Lexington at 6:30pm! It's a wonderful family-friendly event that will make your holiday spirit soar.

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The Square Holiday Open House

2pm - 8pm // The Square

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Lexington Children's Theatre:The Best Christmas Pageant Ever th

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Craft Sale and Open House

10:00am-4:00pm | Spindletop Hall The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall is opening it's doors for the first time to the general public for this enjoyable event.

Come tour the beautiful property and browse the offerings of over 40 vendors in the storied mansion. Jewelry, woodworking, soaps and lotions, children's books and toys, artwork, photography, quilted, crocheted and embroidery items are just a few of the potential Christmas gifts on display. A day at Spindletop is always time well spent.

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WWE Smackdown Live

7:45pm // Rupp Arena

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Trans-Siberian Orchestra

7:30pm // Rupp Arena

2:00pm // The Lexington Opera House

Have an event? TopsInLex.com/submit-event.php

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CALENDAR of EVENTS December 2017

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Lexington Junior League Holly Day Market

Lexington Convention Center More than 4,000 people are expected to attend the three-day shopping event, which offers the best apparel, jewelry, children’s gifts, holiday dÊcor, unique home goods and more. The Holly Day Market also includes the following daily events: cookies with Santa, crafting classes, happy hour specials and performances.

presented by

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Feast on Equality

light up their giant tree and kick off the holidays. From antique sleds and giant disco balls to gift card giveaways, samples and more, the holidays are more fun at The Summit! Enjoy caroling, cocoa, cookies and lots of fun with this wonderful way to ring in the holiday season!

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Girls on the Run 5k

12 Bars of Christmas

12:00pm-8:00pm // Downtown

8:00pm // Rupp Arena Musical icon Janet Jackson is hitting the road for her first tour since 2011. Originally announced as the "Unbreakable" tour in 2015, Janet soon after canceled the dates due to her surprise pregnancy. Now she is back and better than ever! Miss Jackson (if ya nasty) will be performing songs from her 11th studio album as well as hits from her career spanning over three decades. Pull out your "Rhythm Nation" jackets and get ready for one incredible show.

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Christmas Parade

7:00pm // Downtown

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Janet Jackson "State of the World Tour"

9:00am // Keeneland

6:00pm-8:00pm // Limestone and Short

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4:00pm-8:00pm // The Summit at Fritz Farm

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Lights Up

The Nutcracker

2:00pm and 7:30pm // EKU Center For The Arts

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Acoustic Jam 2017

Lexington Opera House

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For more events, visit TopsInLex.com/calendar

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YMCA Reindeer Ramble

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9:00am // Keeneland On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen! The Reindeer Ramble is a wonderful way to participate in a 5K run/walk while supporting scholarships for kids attending the YMCA summer camps. You may register as an individual runner/walker or with a group as a Santapede team (3-10). .Participants are encouraged to don their favorite holiday sweater, or "holiday festive" attire and embrace the spirit of this holiday for run/walk.

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5:00pm // The Square Alltech along with Dr. Everett McCorvey and the UK Opera Theatre puts on the Alltech Celebration of Song, a community concert featuring talented young singers from the Alltech Young Vocal Scholarship Competition, special guest artists, and most importantly you. Come join with us in singing some of your holiday favorites at this historic location.

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6:00pm // Waveland

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7:30pm // Singletary Center for the Arts

Tea Time with Mrs. Clause

12:00pm & 3:00pm // Shaker Village

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Jazz Holiday Concert

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Lexington Royal Princess Ball

9:00am // Marriott Griffin Gate

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Lexington Philharmonic Jazz Night

7:00pm // Lexington Opera House

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Celebration of Song

The Nutcracker One Act

2:00pm // Singletary Center for the Arts

Have an event? TopsInLex.com/submit-event.php

Save the date and say hello to 2018 with LexPhil’s fourth NYE concert, Jazz Night!

Byron Stripling’s high-octane jazz ensemble presents the sights and vibes of the legendary NYC jazz club at Lexington’s dazzling Opera House.

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New Years Eve with Sundy Best

7:00pm // Manchester Music Hall

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TOP SHOTS

UK HealthCare Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center Ribbon Cutting

Bourbon, Bites and Blues

Costumes and Cocktails

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SOCIETY

PGA Golf returning to Lexington in July 2018

GhostHunters greet fans at Paul Miller Ford before Scarefest

Keeneland College Scholarship Day

TOP SHOTS

UK HealthCare Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center Ribbon Cutting

Bourbon, Bites and Blues

Costumes and Cocktails

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SOCIETY

PGA Golf returning to Lexington in July 2018

GhostHunters greet fans at Paul Miller Ford before Scarefest

Keeneland College Scholarship Day