The Woodford Charm | Issue Two by woodfordcharm

November, 2019 | SECOND EDITION

THE WOODFORD CHARM A LOCAL MAGAZINE BY LOCAL PEOPLE

THE WOODFORD CHARM TEAM FOUNDER & PRESIDENT Jeri Hartley FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cory Cooley DESIGN & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sara Cooley PHOTOGRAPHER Casey & Sara Pictures EDITOR & WRITER Katie Cooley (as Decorkate)

Meet the team Jeri Hartley

Casey & Sara Cooley Casey & Sara are a small town Kentucky husband and wife team who specialize in weddings, family, lifestyle photography & videography.

Jeri Hartley is a wife, mother of five and a grandmother of three. Starting her career in new construction, she now has over 15 years of real estate experience. To further her love and commitment to Woodford County she serves on the Woodford County Planning and Zoning Commission and Woodford County Chamber of Commerce Board.

They have been documenting families, and weddings for over six years and just recently expanded their services to serve local businesses of Versailles. Their favorite pasttime is supporting family-owned businesses and dreaming of their next big adventure for their family of three.

Jeri is driven by faith, love for her family and helping friends in need. Always on the move, she still finds time to enjoy spoiling her grandchildren.

Casey & Sara love being members of Woodford County and raising their son in the sweetest place to call home.

Katie Cooley

Cory Cooley

Cory is a Realtor for Rector Hayden Versailles and a United States Marine Corps Veteran. His long time, self-taught craft of marketing and business management is what drives The Woodford Charm and his newly founded media business Cooltucky Creative.

Katie Cooley is a wife, mom and graduate of University of Kentucky. She works as a Finance Manager in Lexington. She also contributes her expertise of home interior design for The Woodford Charm. You can find her blog on decorkate.com.

Husband to Katie and father to Avery, he always makes time for them and believes family is important. To unwind he enjoys The Science Channel, comics and card games. Not to mention, Incredibles or Octonauts with Avery from time to timeâ&#x20AC;Śor all the time.

Katie loves iced coffee, baking cookies with her daughter and has traveled to 14 countries. She met her husband, Cory, at a costume party and they celebrated their fifth anniversary this January.

Table of Contents 44

Emergency Management Team

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Grandaddy’s

Farmhouse Inspired Renovation

Local Matters

The Mitchell Grit

Woodford’s Best Kept Secret, No More

Why Woodford

Hello & Welcome

12 30

Local Spotlight

Horse Country

All In The Family

Hello & Welcome We're so glad you're here! The Woodford Charm is a free local magazine created by local people to showcase everything Woodford County has to offer. The Woodford Charm was created to unify the community in a fresh new way. Our goal is to inform, encourage, and entertain by giving you a quality publication. The Woodford Charm is meant to celebrate our growing community and small town charm by supporting our neighbors in local business and covering local events which keep us a close, positive family. In our second edition we welcome you to celebrate our heritage. We hope you find a new story within these pages that draws you near Woodford County. We hope you enjoy The Woodford Charm!

Life Adventure Center | Versailles, KY Photo by Casey & Sara Pictures

G R AN DADDY’ S HOU S E ON T HE HIL L | VERSAIL L ES, K Y PICTURES BY CA SEY & SARA PICTURES

If you’ve ever traveled up Rose Hill Avenue in Versailles, KY, you’ve no doubt noticed the big white southern home at the top of the hill. The Italianate style home was built in 1850, shortly before the Civil War, by J.M. Graves. It remained in the Graves family for the next 119 years, when upon her death, Pat Graves left the property to both the Cleveland Home Orphanage and her neighbors at the time, Judge Anthony (Tony) and Betty Wilhoit in 1969. Here, they raised eight children, welcomed 28 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Writer and photographer, Sara Cooley, shares the story of an iconic Versailles home we all know and admire.

“It took a lot of convincing on my part to get Betty to

When you drive up the rounded driveway to the house

agree to move in. We had just renovated the house next

on the hill and walk down the front pathway you will find

door and were finally reaping the benefits of that. This

a home captured straight from a storybook. Between a

house was in great disrepair at the time. It was going to

worn screened front door and a weathered porch is a two-

need a lot of work to make it livable for our family of

story Victorian home that sits proudly on a hill of green.

eight,” says Judge Wilhoit. Fortunately, he won his wife

Tall willowing trees obscure large windows accompanied

over and the two bought the remaining shares from the

by black, worn shutters. It is the home of what Southern

Cleveland Home. Together they moved into the house

dreams are made of. A home that has aged gracefully

with their six children in the spring of 1969.

with love and sacrifice, death and new life. The house on the hill holds a lifetime of memories and joy passed from

Over the next fifty years the ten room home welcomed

generation to generation.

two more children, 28 grandchildren, ten greatgrandchildren and countless other friends and guests

From the oldest to the youngest, ideas and wisdom are

with its “open door policy.” It has played host to many

shared sitting at the kitchen table. Conversations unfold

weddings, wakes, and social gatherings over the years.

as tall tales come alive sitting on the front porch as warm

The grounds have provided playing fields for endless

summer afternoons turn into cool fall evenings. Innocent

games of spotlight, wiffle ball, football or the annual 4th

heartbeats of cousins and friends playing make-belief

of July Games. With a family the size of the Wilhoits,

in the backyard are heard between neighbors. Skinned

chances are you’ve been a guest or a “teammate” at least

knees and splinters are made by the weathered trees

once in your life.

shading the yard. Romance is seen in the eyes of young love saying, “I do” in front of family and friends gathered

The house on the hill is the story of us all. It is a reflection

to give their blessing on the front lawn.

of our own story as we seek to preserve what is most important in life. That may be different for each of

All of these are true living memories that can be recalled

us, but there is something to be said when a family has

when you’re at Granddaddy’s.

something rare, of charm and beauty. Something we all long to have.

You will long for Betty's homemade ice cream and stories

a dial.”

to be shared. As you are invited to linger just a little longer– you find yourself hearing the creaks in the chain on the front porch swing and feel the cool

“One thing you can always count on when you are

breeze on your chapped lips.

in the house on the hill…noise. It is rarely quiet. When the grandkids are not outside riding their

When you enter the threshold of the front door and

bikes around the circle driveway or playing in the

take that first step–you enter a home with a thousand

old chicken coop that is now a clubhouse, they are

shared memories. You can close your eyes and

often playing in the Disney themed playroom off the

instantly recall a moment in time so close you can feel

kitchen or upstairs in the storage room putting on

exactly as you felt when it first happened. You can

Nanny’s and Granddaddy’s old clothes for the next

be lead to any room in the house and know there are

play or performance to put on for family, ” said the

delicate pictures and heirlooms but nothing can be

Wilhoit sisters when asked to reflect on their favorite

truly broken or forgotten.

memories in the home.

“As you make your way through, you see it bears the

“The adults make noise too. While the kids play,

beauty marks of a well-lived in home. The beautiful

the adults are crowded in the tv room watching UK

hardwood floors creak and moan, reminiscing the

sports or preparing for another family celebration.

past 160 years with each step. The plaster walls show

With such a big family, adding four more in the next

their age, much like we do, with wrinkles and lines

eight months, there is always something to celebrate,”

having formed with the passing of each year,” shares

said the sisters.

the Wilhoit family. “So we laugh as we say this, but the smells in Dad’s You are comforted, because in Grandaddy’s house,

house, are Truman, the family’s beloved dog [who

all feel like family. Even if you are not next of kin, you

they just had to put down], sautéed garlic and onions

are made to feel connected and comfortable.

because Dad loves Italian. Sometimes we smell Shalimar, mom’s perfume, and honeysuckle.” - Kathy Wilhoit, daughter.

When you ask the children and grandchildren their favorite stories of the home, they vary widely from epic walnut battles to Sunday morning biscuit making.

As the Wilhoit family celebrates a half century on

Betty, affectionately known as Mom or Nanny, wanted

the hill, they are grateful to the caretakers for their

her children to carry on her love of cooking. The

years of hard work and dedication to the preservation

small kitchen often gets crowded with too many cooks

of this charming home. Here in this home, Judge

in the kitchen, but nobody goes hungry here.

Wilhoit and his wife began a legacy leading their family to live a life well-lived.

“It’s the simple everyday things that I will always remember the most, like the feel of the bannister

“Although the home is very old, it is still full of life,

under my hand or the sound of the ancient light

still growing, still laughing.” - says daugther, Amy

switch in the upstairs hall, that turns like

Sword.

Family portraits of the Wilhoit's

itting proudly on his back porch, retired Judge Anthony Wilhoit of Versailles shares his family story and his favorite place on earth, his home. It is the center of this family, the gathering place; where four generations spend their holidays, birthdays and free time every chance they get. " This has just been a great place to raise kids. " - Judge Wilhoit, "Grandaddy"

The Woodford Charm

"Over the next fifty years the ten room home welcomed two more children, 28 grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and countless other friends and guests with its “open door policy.” It has played host to many weddings, wakes, and social gatherings over the years. The grounds have provided playing fields for endless games of spotlight, wiffle ball, football or the annual 4th of July Games. With a family the size of the Wilhoits, chances are you’ve been a guest or a “teammate” at least once in your life."

Inside the Wilhoit Estate is the grand dining room filled with family photos and a piano that has been in the family for generations. Judge Wilhoit shares a photo of his mother.

His favorite place at his home is his backporch because this is where his family gathers for birthday's, holidays, weddings, backyard cookouts and just-because 'it's a good day to sit on the back porch with family' days. Included in this picture are Judge Wilhoits daughters. From left to right: Maggie Knauss, Ellie Castle, Amy Sword, Sarah Wilhoit and Kathy Miller.

Grandaddy with two of his grandkids, Lily and Oliver Sword.

The Woodford Charm

"... filling the air with the scent of honeysuckle that borders the yard. Suddenly, you hear the sound of laughter filtering in from the kitchen and you quickly realize that although the home is very old, it is still full of life, still growing, still laughing..." - Daughter, Amy Sword.

T HE M IT C HE LL GR IT M I T C H E LL FAR M S | M I DWAY, K Y S T ORY BY C ORY C OOLE Y | P IC T U R E S BY C A S E Y & SARA PIC T U R E S

You can track Donald Mitchell’s rich history in farming Burley back to the Civil War. It’s this history, family and faith that gives them the Mitchell grit.

wakes before dawn. With fatigue still lingering behind his eyelids he climbs onto the tractor just as the sun creeps up and illuminates the fog. Stepping on the petal with boots dampened by the dew, the engine awakens with a plume of black exhaust then quickly settling to a low rumble. As he pulls out to start another day the heat sits just behind the trees like an ominous dread. Donald Mitchell wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. Growing burley tobacco runs deep in his blood from as far back as his great great great grandfather. Over time, passed down from generation to generation, a certain grit and honor grew in the Mitchell family, like the very stalk Mitchell Farm cultivates. Strong and proud.

have already mastered the pace and rhythm of the new machine. The old, one man setter sits on the edge of the field against the fence line. The tractor may be slow but the people they pull are fast and steady. Donald quickly, with a robotic like motion, places each individual tiny tobacco plant into the setter as the wheel turns to accept another just as quickly. It is 10 am and they have already accomplished a mountain of work. With a subtle motion, Donald gives the signal and Luke stops the tractor. I help load the setter with new pallets of young burley and for a moment I am a barley farmer. Touching a new barley plant for the first time like I’m sure Donald and his family did way before my age of 31.

Passed down from Donald’s great aunt were Donald’s nephews Adam and Luke, along with letters from his great great great grandfather, sister-in-law Jenny, had already planted 35 acres who served in the civil war, conveying to his sons of a 65 acre crop for the planting season. Sara directions for cultivating tobacco. He explains and I wait at the end of a freshly set row of carefully how to sow the seeds and burn the tobacco. We watch the tractor crawl towards us. fields for growing. He sadly passed from a small It pulls their newly purchased double carousel pox outbreak while in a POW camp before setter. A “setter” is the machine that puts a young he could get home to his boys and show them plant into the ground. It does this with more himself. This is how far the legacy can be traced precision than a human at faster speed. They back which is something Donald is very aware 30

of and holds close to his heart. He is now the oldest family member in the fields, a mantle he holds proudly but not without contempt.

enough and losing an entire season worth of work. You and your crew having worked yourselves to the point of near exhaustion, your family, workers pay and bills– all depends on your crop scoring high enough to cover your overhead. The pressure is something Donald feels everyday but it doesn’t keep him down, it rises him up. This is the stress and strength of the farmer. Hard work and skill that has been sharpened into a fine tool over decades.

The enormous pressure to make sure all the hands in the pot are fed is enough to make any man break, but not him. He presses on just as his family before him. Standing on 3 by 4 rails only 3 and a half feet wide, passing sticks of burley up the barn person to person while spacing them precisely as not to cause “house rot”. A mold that can rip threw a harvest ending any hope of going to market. The mid-day heat is relentless. It evolves from the muggy hot morning sun. Donald uses this to his advantage.

Season after season Donald continues honing the craft and protecting the legacy he is now a contributor to. Farming is not an easy trade. It takes true grit, stone hard nerves and deep faith. This is something the Mitchell family has in bales. On hot days, Donald closes the barn doors to dry Although, there is another attribute that seems out the leaves and on foggy mornings opens them the most important, family. Donald’s family to let the hanging leaves soak up the moisture. keeps him going. Past and present. Like the fuel This is just one of many techniques he has used running though the tracker and cold water on a to grade well at market. The market grade is hot summer day, family is vital to his harvest. All always in the back of Donald’s mind. They use this is what gives him the Mitchell grit. a one through five scale to judge whether or not Donald will get a return or even a profit from a season long harvest. Imagine not scoring high

The Woodford Charm

WOODFORD COUNT Y EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT T EAM S T ORY BY C ORY C O OL EY | P ICTUR ES BY CA S EY & SAR A P ICTUR ES S E RV I NG BO TH M IDWAY & V ER SAIL L ES; The mission of Woodford County Emergency Management ( EM ) Agency is to assist the community to identify threats within the cities and county, write emergency plans, to coordinate response and recovery efforts, and to coordinate mitigation.

ur Emergency Management team are a group of extremely proud and capable professionals. From Emergency response coordination, like the

recent Jim Beam Distillery Fire (in cooperation with Midway and Versailles officials) to helpful Facebook posts on safety and weather alerts, they are a pivotal part of this community.

mergency Management is situated as a department of the county government with staff appointed by the county Judge/Executive. Their office is located

in the courthouse with the Emergency Operations Center in the basement of the Versailles Fire Department Station Two on Big Sink Rd. They have resources positioned at several other facilities as well.

he teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s backgrounds spans fire, emergency medical services, public health, education, occupational safety, and private sectors. They also support an

internship program for up and coming EM/Homeland Security professionals.Their skills along with a focus on Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation makes the Emergency Management team a highly trained and involved arm of Woodford Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety. We invite you to meet the team on the next few pages.

WOODFORD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM | KY 44

Brian Clark has been an intern with WCEMA

Russell Crabtree

has been blessed to be able to spend his life in service to the public. In addition to working as a Paramedic/EMT for over 27 years he is also a veteran of the Kentucky National Guard and served as a Flight Medic on active duty in support of Desert Storm. Russ retired from Woodford County EMS a few years ago and after a battle with Cancer has busied himself working for Emergency Management on a part-time basis and volunteering for various agencies. Other interests include reading, fishing and maintaining his small farm. His wife of 30 years is an amazing person and an understanding “public safety” spouse and joins him in being proud parents of an exceptional student at an area university.

Emily Coleman

began her public service career in 2011 at the Woodford County Detention Center which lead to her current position with the Department of Labor as an Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Officer. Since 2017 she has also served as a Deputy Director with Woodford County EMA. Emily’s hard work resulted in her being selected Deputy Director of the Year by the Kentucky Emergency Management Association in 2018. Her interests include public information and utilizing social media to provide timely information to the community. Emily is a graduate of Midway University and resides in that beautiful locale with her active and amazing son, Luke.

since January 2018 but has been involved with emergency management for nearly 20 years. He is a member of both the International Association of Emergency Managers and the Kentucky Emergency Management Association. In 2016 he earned a Master of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management. He has been a production team member at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, KY for more than 25 years. He lives in Frankfort with his wife and has two grown daughters. His hobbies include reading, genealogy, amateur radio and bicycling.

Johnny Mills

began to serve Woodford County as a volunteer Community Emergency Response Team member in 2011 and was appointed as an EMA Deputy Director in 2013. He was the first Kentuckian to complete the National Emergency Manager Academy. Johnny has a long and varied background in emergency services, beginning as a crewman with the Harlan County Emergency and Rescue Squad and the Lee County Volunteer Fire Department, retiring as Chief. Johnny works on special projects, training programs, and is the Trainer/Program Manager for the Community Emergency Response Team. He was fortunate to be able to serve Kentucky’s youth for many years as a public-school classroom teacher, middle school principal, and retiring as a central office administrator in the Harlan County and Lee County School Districts. He is married and enjoys spending time with his family, camping, boating, and fishing.

Drew Chandler

has twenty plus years of experience in public safety administration, logistics, operations, and planning span Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire, Public Health, and private sectors. He joined Woodford County’s EMA program as a volunteer upon moving to Kentucky in 2002 and was appointed Director in 2015. Drew was elected President of the state’s Emergency Management Association in 2018 and appointed by the Governor to the Kentucky Emergency Response Commission in 2019. His professional interests include the convergence and adoption of technology by first responders, particularly in radio communications. As EMA director, Drew is never “off duty”, but he enjoys spending free time with his wife supporting their daughters’ activities such as band and 47 martial arts and he does occasionally find time to do some woodworking.

oodford Emergency Management Team shares items in their disaster kit. They encourage each family household to keep one of these in case of an emergency.

ow that you have met our experienced officials of the emergency management department, please follow them on their social media to get updates and safety tips. We encourage you

to download the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heads Upâ&#x20AC;? app on your smart phone for local alerts and school closings.

EMT Social Media: Facebook/Instagram/Twitter @woodfordema

http://www.woodfordem.com Heads Up App info - http://www.headsupcommunity.com

Emergency Kit Contens: - Gallon of water per person per day - Nonperishable foods that don't require cooking

- Weather radio

- Flashlight

- First Aid Kit

- 100ft of rope

- Manual can opener

- Duck tape

- Lighter or matches

- Tarp

FAR M HOU SE I N SP IR E D R ENOVAT ION Jared & Emily Hausfeld Family Renovation Project STORY BY KATIE COOLEY | PHOTOS BY CA SEY & SARA PICTURES

ere Chip and Jojo here in Versailles? No,

Fortunately for them, it did. They purchased the

but they certainly left their mark on Emily four bedroom, two story home and enlisted the help

and Jared Hausfled who admit the HGTV stars

of Corbitt-Mack Construction in the renovation.

were a big influence in the renovation of their 1985

Emily chose all the finishes herself citing Wayfair

home.

and Loweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as her primary sources. They knocked down walls, removed a shower from the powder

Married since 2011, the Hausfelds purchased their

room and extended their pantry.

second home in Versailles after deciding to move closer to family and for the great reputation of our

The Hausfelds chose gray cabinetry with black

Woodford County schools. With three boys, they

hardware, white classic subway tile with white

certainly have their hands full, but this roomy fixer

quartz countertops. The custom vent hood and

upper was on Emilyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wish list long before they

open shelving just add to the farmhouse charm and

purchased it.

overlook their beautiful property.

She drove by the 4,000 square foot stone farmhouse

This renovation has turned their house into their

on five acres and instantly knew if it ever went on

dream home complete with a fireplace trimmed in

the market, they wanted to buy it.

shiplap that even Chip and JoJo would appreciate.

Hausfeld Family, Emily and Jared Hausfeld with their three children|Home Renovation | Versailles, KY 50

The Woodford Charm

53 53

|The black kitchen island welcomes a beautiful contrast with the lighter gray cabinetry and coordinates perfectly with the dark finishes chosen for the lanterns, shelving brackets and gooseneck faucet.

Hausfeld Family |Home Renovation | The owners opened up the wall space from the entry and dining room for more open-concept living which also allows the natural sunlight to stream throughout their home. Emily chose a cute scalloped kitchen table from Magnolia Home to compliment her farmhouse style aesthetic. | The rustic fire engine red hutch in their dining room was refinished by their pastor, Randy Nation from Journey Church. It is a sentimental piece that adds a fun punch of color in an otherwise neutral space. Chicken wire is used in place of glass and showcases beautiful bowls and glasses. 56

|The natural wood tones add warmth to the black, white and gray kitchen. The open shelving allows for functional, yet decorative dishes and the custom vent hood is the true centerpiece of the kitchen.

| The original footprint for the downstairs bathroom included a random shower. The owners decided it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessary and chose to have it removed to extend the pantry instead. They chose beautiful black and white Moroccan tile, added white shiplap and an oversized black mirror to complement the wooden vanity topped with Carrara marble. Contractor | Corbitt-Mack Construction

WOODFORD’S BES T KEPT SE CRE T, NO MORE W R I T T E N BY C ORY CO OLE Y | P HO T O S BY SAR A C O OLE Y Tucked away on a back road off another back road is the Life Adventure Center, known to many as having the ropes course and other team building exercises. There is so much more to LAC than that, much more.

hen Wesley Scott invited me out to the Life Adventure Center I was blasted by a wave of nostalgia. It had been years since I had even thought of the LAC as I knew it, “the ropes course”, let alone stepped foot there. As I entered the main office I was greeted by Kathy Wilhiot, who helped arrange this meeting. Wesley introduced himself, “Welcome to Woodford County’s best kept secret,” and the tour was underway. It was maybe 3 seconds into it that I realized this was not the same place over a decade ago. The Life Adventure Center is an amazing asset to our community and reaches far beyond Woodford County. It constantly brings new people into our beautiful county from across the United States by focusing on team building and underserved youth. Below is their mission stament from their website www.lifeadventurecenter.org ; Life Adventure Center-Our Mission Vision Statement LAC will be a recognized leader in providing outdoor based, experiential education and a premier knowledge resource as we constantly research and develop new empirically proven programs to meet our objectives.

Mission Statement: • Life Adventure Center programs transform lives by enhancing growth, improving communication, and building resiliency for both individuals and groups, especially underserved youth through professionally supervised outdoor group challenges and shared reflection opportunities. • Values Statement • We are committed to making both the emotional and physical safety and well-being of children and families a priority. • We believe individuals learn best about themselves and others when physical challenge is combined with directed reflection that allows for personal introspection. • We believe every individual deserves to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, color, family status, marital status, and life circumstances. • We aspire to maintain programs with high standards of community and social responsibility. • We are committed to teaching appreciation for all living things and an understanding about the interdependent relationships within the natural environment while encouraging sustainability principles.

s Wesley and I traveled over the 575 plus catch you if you fell? Now who do you have at acres he explained the process at which home that will catch you if you “fall”? These they use to help build resiliency from

three steps are key in helping several groups from

adverse childhood experiences in youth. It’s called traumatic experiences in youth, veterans suffering the “Experienced Learning Cycle”.

First they

from PTSD, and women saved from human

procure a “high adrenaline experience”. This, most

trafficking. When Wesley said “Woodford’s best

likely overcoming a challenging activity or physical

kept secret” I was beginning to understand why.

fear the person may have. After they master the This wasn’t on purpose mind you, I didn’t even challenge they put in front of themselves, there is

know this was going on in Woodford County. A

a “debrief ”. This is where, as a group, they discuss

place doing this much good right under my nose.

the different techniques used to overcome this

Within the first fifteen minutes I was absolutely

personal goal. When they have brought to light and

in awe at the work Life Adventure Center was

realized all the feelings and people that helped them doing. Whether you are visiting or have lived accomplish this physical feat, they finally go through here for years, The Life Adventure Center needs a “transparence” where they align what they did at to be on your list of places to visit. the LAC to their “real life”. “ Who was standing there beside you during your exercise at LAC to

HOME I S WH ER E TH E H EART I S

while doing Christian mission work in Japan. When they came back, Duncan knew that Woodford County was the best place to raise him and their daughter Shannah. This led to other realizations.

BY C ORY C O OL E Y He could have chosen anywhere to plant his roots and raise his family. Duncan Gardiner chose Woodford County to call his home.

Our community is a very safe community. It always has been to people who have lived here for any length of time but to people who are new to Woodford, it’s a shock. People stop and say hi to one another, open doors and help out perfect strangers. Duncan used the word “family” that really hit home for me and summed it up nicely. It feels like Woodford is one big family.

Duncan Gardiner and his wife Laury have been all around the world. Duncan was born in Indiana, lived in the Czech Republic, Pennsylvania and Kentucky when he was 12. He went to college in Ohio, worked in Southern California, served on the mission field in Japan, then finally moved back to Kentucky to work at Kentucky Bank… if you are reading this aloud now is the time to take a breath! Out of all those other interesting, some exotic, and beautiful places, Duncan chose to grow roots in Woodford County. He could have taken another job to some other place like he has done most of his life but he didn’t. There is something special to that choice I believe. I sat down with Duncan to understand why he decided to make Woodford County his home.

Adding to the family feel, he mentioned relationships. With his kids going through school as well as his business, he had developed relationships that he cherishes. “Most of my clients and former bank customers are from Woodford County as well,” Duncan shared. He likes to help the people he knows best and over the years he has gotten to know many Woodford County neighbors. He finally summed it up with what is in front of our faces every day that I’ll admit I take for granted at times, how beautiful Woodford County really is. He can look out his window and see horses running through fields. I could tell as he described it to me that it’s definitely something he takes the time to appreciate on a regular basis. He told me a story about a very early time after they had moved to this area. Laury, born and raised in Southern California, had never experienced the “small town” amenities that Woodford County offers. This specifically being a “Live Bait” sign. Duncan and I chuckled at just how confused and worried she must have been thinking “Duncan where have you taken me!?” Any of us can relate if you have brought a special someone home to Woodford County for the first time. He went on to relate how his wife didn’t just adjust but flourished in the new life style. Laury is a watercolor artist specializing in painting many of Woodford County’s beautiful sights, one of which was of Wallace Station for Ouita Michaels. Laury was recently commissioned by the City of Versailles to paint a Bourbon Barrel chair as part of a recent community event.

I met Duncan at his place of work, Thrivent Financial. If you haven’t already had the pleasure of meeting him, Duncan is many things in this community. He served in the local government office of Magistrate for 8 years as well as served spiritually at Journey Church as an Elder, Adult Sunday School teacher and volunteer working with youth ministry. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM with Thrivent Financial, he assists with personal financial planning and investments with the majority of his clients being from Woodford County. He has opened an office at 112 N. Main St. “ I help so many people from Woodford County. The move just seems natural,” Duncan said. Duncan was also one of the founders of Woodford Christian Pre-School and Woodford Christian School along with Randy Nation, Sr. Minister at Journey Church. This was a great shock to me as my daughter, Avery goes there currently. We had a laugh about how amazing small town relations really are. “That was almost 20 years ago now, “ he recalled.

If you ever get a chance to meet or speak with Duncan or his family you won’t be disappointed. His family adds something special to the Woodford County community. The amazing community that makes us...US”. There are families that have been here since the beginning and other families that just unpacked a moving truck. We are all local and all proud to call Woodford County our home. If you don’t know it yet trust me, you will.

I started to wonder after learning about all his past living arrangements and travels abroad, why stay here? Why decide to stop where you are and plant yourself in Woodford County. He did not hesitate to enlighten me. As if he, with great clarity, remembered making the decision “25” years ago. He had his first child, Zak,

HOLLY E L L I S

MIC H AE L DUCK WORT H

L OCAL MAT T ERS S T ORY BY C ORY C O OL E Y | P HO T O S BY CA S E Y & SAR A P ICT U R E S S T U DIO S

ou can’t drive through Versailles without seeing the name Citizens Commerce. Be it the newly renovated building or their billboard on US60. The bank was established in 1996 and has been active in Woodford County ever since, particularly in the past year with their “Local Matters” campaign. The local matters mentality is exactly what The Woodford Charm is all about, so we decided to get to know our locally owned bank a little better.

Barrier Roofing stands proudly in front of his work on a banner in the drive through. Tim and Anna Cambron, owners of Ruggles Sign Company, along with Chris Ekert of Ekert’s Orchard are also featured in their marketing are also featured in marketing around the bank.

“This is our corporate headquarters. We make our decisions here”, President & CEO Michelle Oxley stresses the importance of being local. “Our shareholders, board of directors and officers are from the community. Being local allows us to know As you walk into the lobby of Citizens Commerce our customers and our market” She has worked for you are greeted with familiar faces. It’s not just Citizen’s Commerce for 18 years. “We focus on the employees, local people and businesses are relationships rather than the transaction. It’s about also featured in the advertising. Justin Barrier with 76

M IC HE L L E OX L E Y

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customer service.” Offering both consumer and and Distinguished Young Women of Woodford commercial products, Citizens Commerce can County. She serves as Treasurer of Versailles help finance a home or business, and is the official Baptist Church. bank for The Woodford Charm. We would be pleased for you to get to know them, if you don’t enny Wilson has been a resident of Woodford already… County for over forty years. He is an active participant in the community, severing on several ichelle Oxley, the President & CEO of boards. He retired from IBM in 1993 and Citizens Commerce, has been in banking went to work for the Burley Auction Warehouse over thirty years. She is a graduate of the Association in Lexington as executive Director. University of Kentucky and Graduate School He is a commercial lender at Citizens Commerce, of Banking at Wisconsin. She and her family specializing in construction lending. He was a have resided in Woodford County for nearly builder for several years, building custom and thirty years. Both of her children have attended contract homes, as well as commercial properties Woodford County Public Schools. Michelle enjoys in Woodford County. He is married to his high working in the Woodford County community, as school sweetheart, Lynda, and they have two well as participating in community organizations. children and three grandchildren.

She serves on several local community boards including The Woodford Health Foundation 77

The Woodford Charm

over 30 years in the banking industry and loves the relationships she builds with her clients. She is an active member of the Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church and serves on several committees outside of work. She is a wife and mother to three fabulous kids and an awesome daughter in law! Her greatest joy in life is her faith and family! In her spare time she enjoys time with her family and friends at the lake, reading, and collecting Rae Dunn pottery.

new home and operate an agritourism business on Shannon Run Road.

ichael Duckworth has been a resident of Woodford County since 1991 and has served on many volunteer boards in Woodford County. He is currently on Woodford County Farm Bureau, Woodford Forward, and Kentucky Farm House Foundation Board. He served as UK Agriculture Extension Agent for 17 years before joining Citizens Commerce as a loan officer. With Citizens Commerce, his emphasis is agriculture, equine and general commercial lending. Over the years, he has helped customers achieve their dream of owning property, renovating farms, all of which add value to our community.

eeann Bland manages the Downtown banking center. She has over 20 years of banking experience. Leeann specializes in Consumer and Residential lending and takes great pride in giving the best customer service possible to her clients. She is a wife and mother of two boys. Leeann is proud to call Woodford County home! She serves on the board for Woodford County Habitat for Humanity and Woodford County Lacrosse. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family boating and traveling.

He met his wife Debbie at the University of Kentucky and they have been married for 35 honda Barrier is the SVP of Business years. They have two children and recently Development and has been with Citizens became grandparents. “Being a Papa is pretty Commerce since its inception in 1996. She has amazing!” Michael and Debbie recently built a

olly Ellis is the Commercial Banking Officer for Citizens Commerce Bank. She moved to Woodford County in 2015 with her husband, Casey, and their two girls. Her career in banking spans over 15 years and has spent most of her time in retail management and business banking. At Citizens Commerce, she works closely with commercial clients to help them find the right deposit accounts and online tools to manage their cash flow and grow their business. She looks forward to building relationships in the community and helping businesses with their banking needs. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

C OMMU N I TY FI R S T C IT IZ E N S C OM M E R C E S UP P ORT S L O C AL

They a proud supporter of the Woodford County Historical Society. They are sponsors for events like the Farm to Table Dinner on Duckworth Fram (pictures on next page) and the 25th annual Woodford Educational Endowment Foundation Golf Scramble.

The Woodford Charm

FAR M T O

TABLE

The Woodford Charm

The Woodford County Farm to Table Dinner was held on Friday, September 13th at The Barn at Duckworth Farm in Versailles, KY. Sponsors included Citizens Commerce Bank, More Than A Bakery, Woodford Reserve, Woodford County Conservation District, Kentucky Bank, Kentucky Proud, Farm to Fork Program, Weisenberger Mill and many more proud local businesses. Proceeds from the event benefited Spark Community CafĂŠ. |

Photos by Cory Cooley

W HY WO ODFORD BY J E S S IC A K I T E DI R E C T OR OF E V E N T S, C O-FOU NDE R OF T H E G ALE R I E | V E R SAI LLE S, K Y Jessica Kite owns The Galerie with husband Jordan Kite. They chose Woodford County for their beautiful wedding venue. A local business owner’s perspective on “Why Woodford”. Soon after, I returned home to my family, with a determination to bring them as soon as possible to live in Kentucky, which I esteemed a second paradise. – Daniel Boone If you are native to Woodford County, then it comes as no surprise to hear the Bluegrass described as a little piece of heaven. Nestled on a backdrop of picturesque horse farms, amongst the winding roads of the Bourbon Trail - Woodford Co. truly is a snapshot of idyllic Kentucky Life. Early in 2018 Jordan and I returned to the Bluegrass from Charleston, SC with a fire in our souls to make things come alive on Court Street. Family and friends were excited for our adventure, but kept sheepishly asking us – why Woodford County? If you follow The Galerie or Steeplechase Centre on social media, you might have noticed the hashtag #whywoodford. I delight in finding new things to love about the place, and so far, the list keeps growing. If it’s not the people who are so welcoming, supportive and kind - it might be the food from our talented restaurateurs and chefs - and if it’s not the food, it might possibly be the world-renowned and award-winning bourbon distilleries. Dedicating time and energy into Woodford Co. has been rewarding beyond measure, so I wanted to share why this special place has so much to offer people in all stages of life, why it has captivated my heart, and why I want to share this gem of a place with everyone who might be asking themselves #whywoodford? It has been a year since we have been back in Kentucky and a lot has changed in that time. The Galerie completed its renovations - just in time – (thanks to the hard work of Andover Construction!) and on October 20, 2018, Jordan and I were the first wedding to be held there, which was the best day ever! Daily, I am able to tell couples visiting The Galerie why Woodford County is a wonderful place to not only celebrate their wedding – but why they should continue to make the drive and create an entire weekend of activities to treasure with family and friends exploring some of the best Kentucky has to offer. There are beautiful backdrops for photos, scenic drives, awardwinning bed & breakfasts, and sweet small-town Southern Charm only minutes from the Bluegrass Airport. To experience it for themselves all anyone has to do is take a short stroll through downtown Versailles. Over the last two years, there have been amazing revitalization efforts and there are several new businesses flourishing here.

Visitors to Court Street can stop in at Spotz Gelato’s hot pink Scoop Shop for some locally made, award-winning gelato using Kentucky Proud ingredients. You can actually order from their walk-up window with hot pink shutters which is adorable! Or pop next door to visit Mrs. Roger’s Popcorn and Sweet Shoppe – it’s like stepping back in time to your favorite oldcountry grocery store. I guarantee you will leave with a bag (or two) of the addictive white-chocolate popcorn and a smile as wide as the Kentucky River. If sweet treats aren’t your thing, check out the Rolling Oven Taproom for gourmet brick-oven pizza and 20 taps of local craft beer from breweries like Country Boy and Mirror Twin. And if you need to keep the night going, walk over to The Amsden Bourbon Bar to taste your way through the impressive selection of bourbon and craft cocktails in the “I’ll stay for another” speakeasy atmosphere. Driving through breathtaking horse country is one of my favorite things about living in Kentucky, and my opinion is that Woodford County has some of the most scenic roads in the Bluegrass. From the historic stone walls to the painted fences creating a picture-perfect backdrop that is classically Kentucky. And while folks are out taking it all in, they can follow their stomachs out to a drool-worthy destination in Midway - the Holly Hill Inn. Executive Chef and Owner Ouita Michel offers a unique menu of refined Southern cuisine that will make you wanna’ put on pearls and slap your mama. The seasonal menus have beautifully curated dishes like Trout Meuniere, Bluegrass Benedict, Boneless Duck Roulade and Woodford Salad. Natives and visitors alike can experience the spirit of Kentucky by taking the short trip out to Woodford Reserve (only 30 minutes from Lexington and 15 minutes from Downtown Versailles) for a guided tour through the historic distillery to learn about the components of bourbon and why this region’s natural resources make it the perfect place for distilling this unique and complex spirt. You might even waive to our friend Adam on the Quality Control team as you walk through. You don’t have to go far to experience the best of the Bluegrass, you can stay right here in Woodford County - so the next time someone asks, “Why Woodford” you can ask them, “Why Not?” We’d love to see your "Why Woodford” story so don’t be shy. Tag your favorite #whywoodford photos on Instagram and Facebook.

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LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

F ER RIC K MA S ON

S P O T Z G E L ATO

L OCAL LY DE S IG NE D T E X T I L E S, CON T E M P OR ARY PAI N T I NG S AN D ART P R I N T S 160 S M AIN S T, V E R SAI LLE S, K Y 40383

HAN D C R AF T E D G E L AT O & S OR BE T | 148 C OURT S T, V E R SAI L L E S, K Y 40383

ebruary 22nd may have been Ferrick

potz Gelato has been a part of the community

long before they officially opened their doors at

Mason’s grand opening in Woodford

148 Court Street. On March 12th they had their

County but owner and artist Alex

soft opening with the Woodford County Humane

Mason’s has been perfecting her craft since

Society. We were there to support both Spotz and

2008. Her textiles have been showcased in

the humane society. It was pretty difficult to not

designer show houses magazine and blogs

to get distracted by all the cute dogs and delicious

around the country including; Traditional Home

gelato!

magazine, World of Interiors, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Town and Country and British Homes and Gardens. Training at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn then living in L.A. She now lives here, in Woodford County and aren’t we glad to have her beautiful business in downtown Versailles? Facebook/Instagram - @ferrickmason https://www.ferrickmason.com

The Woodford Charm

COOK I ES BY CH ARI T Y

The Woodford Charm

T H IS P IT C H G OL F SC R AM BL E

G R AND OP E N I NG | P HO T O S BY C ORY CO OLE Y 161 YE L L OW JAC K E T DR #3, V E R SAI LLE S, K Y 40383

SUMMER GOLF TOURNAMENT | WOODFORD LAKES GOLF CLUB

n March 9th Woodford County was graced with Cookies by Charity.

he 6th annual “This Pitch” Golf Scramble was held at The Woodford Lakes Golf Club

on September 13th. A portion of the proceeds went

Even before her brick and mortar

on 161 Yellow Jacket Drive (#3), she was

to the Scott Logdon Scholarship Fund.

running her business out of her home. Once a

Facebook: @ThisPitch

best kept secret, now she is constantly sold out with demands for her amazing cookies.

Facebook/ Instagram - @cookiesbycharity https://www.cookiesbycharity.com

The Woodford Charm

P HO T O BY M ARY J S P E E R | BL AC K WO OD S TABL E S

HORSE COU N T RY BY S T E P H ANI E AR NOL D, M AR K E T I NG AN D M E M BE R S E RV ICE S DI R E CT OR

he beautiful Fall days of Kentucky are here and

This year, we launched an official passport; it is free and available

things are finally starting to cool off. The grass is

to you at our touring locations or in the Horse Country area

lush and green, the weanlings are finding their own

at Bluegrass Traditions on Main Street in Versailles. Grab a

way, and we’ve enjoyed the grandeur of the Triple Crown

passport and start collecting your stamps as a free souvenir of

races and are looking ahead to the iconic racing of Saratoga,

your time in Kentucky and to work toward special gifts! If you

and the fall Breeders’ Cup racing.

visit every location in Horse Country, you become a member

The champions you see on the track at Keeneland, Churchill,

of the Horse Country Julep Cup Society.

Belmont and throughout the country, all have a story. Every

The member locations of Horse Country continue to provide

trip around a track is but a few minutes of lifetime of care–

authentic, guided experiences to grow the love of horses, the

and it all starts here in Horse Country.

sport and our beloved Kentucky. We hope you’ll visit and share

We invite you to visit a Horse Country location to learn about the many ways a horse’s life is shaped before and after the track. Up close experiences at our stud farms, nursery farms, clinics, a training track, a feed mill and aftercare facilities will

about your experience. In Woodford County, the gates are open at Lane’s End Farm, Coolmore at Ashford Stud, Stonestreet, Pin Oak, Airdrie, Hurstland, WinStar Farm, Three Chimneys, and Blackwood Training Facility.

open your eyes to the dedicated care these equine athletes

Learn more, plan your itinerary, and book your tickets at www.

receive for a lifetime.

visithorsecountry.com.

The Woodford Charm

ALL IN TH E FAM I LY T WO FAM ILY OW N ED DRUG S TOR E S, ON E C OMMU N I TY S T ORY BY C ORY C OOL E Y P HOT OS BY C A S E Y & SAR A P ICTU R ES

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two family owned drugstores, both with completely different histories. One is new and the other old, both share the same passion to serve their communities." There are several drugstores in Woodford County. What you are reading are two stories about two completely separate histories where local families decided to provide a service with the small town feel of Woodford County. Railroad Drug Store and old Time Soda Fountain in Midway began in 2011, filling a much needed role in providing a quality local downtown pharmacy. Cornerstone Pharmacy Grill has been around since late 1837 and providing the old town drugstore feel ever since. They both provide us with excellent service and care proving that whether you are new to the community or have been here all your life, you are local and very much a part of the Woodford County family.

The Woodford Charm

THE C ORNER DRUGSTOR E

VE RSAI L L ES

The Woodford Charm

M E E T T HE OWNER S

Robin Reed with sister Lola Durbin Versailles, KY 99

t was the famous “Weenie Wednesday” at the Cornerstone Pharmacy in Versailles when Sara and I met Robin Reed and her family. I have ordered their chili dogs many times from the counter across the wall of antiques Robin has collected since 2000. That day was the first time I actually noticed it. I mean really looked at all the pieces of history from Cornerstone’s past. Robin even took the time to share with Sara and I some of her favorite pieces. There were people buzzing about behind the counter and sitting chatting at the bar top. Robin would occasionally take a second from enlightening us with the store's history to inform us on who the regulars were and what their order was. Some of these individuals even contributed to her wall of history, which tells you how long they’ve been coming to Cornerstone, since before it was called Cornerstone. Before Robin took Sara and I upstairs to their compounding laboratory, I wanted to ask everyone’s permission that was in the store to take their picture for The Woodford Charm. She laughed and opened

her arms to include everyone in the store with her statement. “Everyone in here is family” She went around the room and named each person and their relation. There were maybe two people that weren’t her literal family at which she said, “They won’t care anyways.” It was an amazing event where an entire room of strangers were immediately made known to me all at once. I’ve never experienced that. At least not in a public store filled with people. I just thought to myself, “only in a small town.” We climbed the stairs into their compounding laboratory. I’ve seen the word on their banner out front for years but never truly understood what it was. They are the only pharmacist in the area that creates their own medicine in house for people and animals. I met Kelly Spencer and Lindsey Morris who took us on a tour of their lab. Robin confessed to me none of this would have been possible to do if she hadn’t bought the building in 2000 from the previous owner. I figured it would be some wealthy person in Woodford County she had to convince to let go of it. It wasn’t that at all.

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Versailles was established in 1827. The drug store is believed to be started a short time after that around 1837. It burnt down in 1912 then again a few years after the courthouse did in 1962. It was so cold the night it burnt down Robin recalled from old stories that the firefighters mustaches were all iced over. Just look up above the counter next time you’re ordering. You’ll see a picture of what she described. Just like an old town legend, it never dies. The drugstore was rebuilt again and again showing just how important a local corner drug is. It’s pretty much the same as you see it today after the last fire. The only thing that changed was that in 2000, Robin decided to buy it from the owner Mr. Granducci, after herself working there since 1988. Mr. Granducci, who has owned the building since the beginning, is the very same Grandducci who the alley behind the Amsden is named. She called him at his home in Roy, Utah to ask if she could purchase the building from him. He happily obliged. She made the decision based on the dedicated employees who had worked there

for fifty years, James Carter and Wille May Parker. Their pictures are proudly mounted on the mantle as you walk into the store. One of the main reasons she purchased the store was to insure that they kept their jobs and continued the Cornerstone Drug Store legacy. It has been a staple in Versailles for early morning risers and after school students for decades with zero signs of quitting. It’s this “togetherness” and family mentality that Robin instills in everyone working at the store. What would Versailles be without Corner Drug? It’s hard to say. As I myself used to go there after school and grab a snack before practice, countless generations of children have done the same. Some, Robin herself has seen childrengrow up before her very eyes and bring their children in to experience the legacy and local tradition of a family owned drug store.

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Lindsey Morris, Michelle Starr, Lola Durbin, Robin Reed, Kelley Spencer, Rick Reed, Elizabeth Rodgers

Top: Lola Durbin, John Reed, Robin Reed, Nola Reed Bottom: Deputy Sherrif Ron Field, Ed McClease

Debbie Turner, Dixie Lowe, Ian Combs, Teresa Sanchez

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RAILROAD DRUG & OLD T IME SODA FOUNTAIN M I DWAY

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s soon as I entered 115 East Main Street a friendly voice

about six months of research he quit his job and told Amanda,

from behind the counter greeted me. "Shake Rattle and

who was pregnant at the time with their son Edan, that it was

Roll" gently played from the radio filling the room with a 50s

official. After years of walking by the empty store front he finally

vibe. As the music continued to transport me back, I saw Ken

decided to follow his dream; start a pharmacy that he wanted

Glass, Owner and Pharmacist, in the back working. I headed to

to run his own way. For years Midway had been without a local

the back but stopped to admire the old time soda fountain behind

pharmacy, where locals could go downtown and pick up their

the counter. Everything about Railroad Drug had me using the

prescriptions. “And in some cases, customers will just text me and

word “swell” and “gee golly” in my head. It wasn’t until I read a

I’ll drive their prescriptions to their house for free,” he stated, “It’s

clipping on the wall as I waited to speak to Ken that I found out

just the way we do it.” I couldn’t get over the fact that Ken gives

they were establish in 2011. “What?!”, I thought to myself. Ken

out his cell phone number let alone makes deliveries! Amanda

finished up his conversation with his customer and greeted me as

added, “Oh absolutely. I think people know now that we don’t

if we had known each other all along.

mind at all to be contacted by phone or Facebook messenger.

After the first few minutes of speaking with Ken, I understood

We love to be able to help people when they need to be helped.”

his passion. He cares about people. It took quite a while for him

Ken joined in, “I believe people rest easy knowing that even

to finally make the jump so that he could have the freedom to

though we may not be open, that they can still get their medicine.

make that happen, on his terms as his own boss. “I just wasn’t

I will even meet them after hours to make sure they get what they

happy”, he explained, “I wanted to have a certain relationship

need.” In my opinion, there really couldn’t be any other person

with my customers and give them a better explanation than

to fit Midway’s need for an independent local pharmacist than

sorry it’s company policy.” Now he was the company he told

Ken. It’s a match made in small town heaven. This was the reason

me. He can talk with his customers rather than talk to them. He

Ken chose Midway. He loved the small town attributes we all

loves his job. “It’s a Pharmacists dream job!” Just then his wife

do. His kids could bike ride and explore without worry. He knew

Amanda walked in. It wasn’t 2 minuets upon her entering that

everyone’s name and the time it took to go to the grocery or that

she ended up behind the pharmacist counter. I didn’t think much

the post office was a stones throw away. Plus, it’s a beautiful place

of it until a customer walked in. It was then that Amanda left

to live. Safety, convenience, and beauty. Everything we think of

the conversation Sara, Ken and I were having and greeted the

when explaining Woodford County.

customer by name. She popped open the cash register, “Congrats on your new grandchild!”, she added. This gave me the small

It was apparent that everyone I encountered was extremely

town feels. As the customer left she told Ken and his wife to eat

proud of what they do. Both establishments, even though very

the cookies she left before they got cold. The scenario could

different, had the same goal. They wanted to be a place where

have been something straight from The Andy Griffith Show. I

the community could feel safe and respected. A pharmacy where

had to know if this was why they chose Midway. Why Ken chose

they could be heard and…get a soda or hotdog if they were

Woodford County to start his business.

feeling hungry. Whether you are in Midway on East Main or Versailles on South Main, you can rest assured that you have a

Owner & Pharmacist, Ken Glass with wife and Co-owner, Amanda

Back in 2010 when Ken decided to finally make the leap into

quality family run drug store you can count on nearby. If you are

starting his own business he honestly just wanted to see how far he

a resident or just passing though, make sure you stop by and tell

could go. He considered it a longshot, especially the fact it wasn’t

them hello and let them know The Woodford Charm sent ya.

some ordinary business he wanted to establish. A pharmacy from scratch is no easy task. Usually you buy a book of business from someone who is already established. He walked into the bank with hope in his heart and without a stitch he was approved. After

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Pharmacist ledger gifted to owner, Ken Glass when he opened his local Pharmacy in Midway.

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WINTER EV E NT S FOR WOODFOR D COMING SOON SAVE THE DAT E FOR LO C AL EVE N TS | CH E C K ON L I N E FOR U PC OMI NG N E WS

SAN TA AR R I VES BY T R AI N M IDWAY, KY | NOVEMBE R 30 TH | 11 AM - 2:30P M Santa arrives by R.J. Corman Train at 11:00 am in Downtown Midway. Children can visit Santa until 2:30pm. Mrs. Claus will also join Santa from the North Pole. Complimentary mini train rides from 10:30am - 3:00pm.

V E R SAILLES T REE LIG H T I NG C ER EMONY VERSAILLES, KY | DECEMBER 6TH | 5:30PM Enjoy our annual tree lighting ceremony in front of the Galerie this year! With carolers singing, followed by Santa and Misses Clause reading The Night Before Christmas to the children, it's certain to be fun for all ages! There will even be milk, cookies and gifts for the little ones!

VERSAILLES C HR I S T MAS PAR ADE VE RSAILLE S, KY | DECEMBER 7TH | 5:30P M Enjoy our annual celebration during the Versailles Annual Christmas Parade. We'll have Horse & Carriage rides, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Secret Santa, Woodford County Festival of Trees and lots of fun for you and your family!

C AN DY C AN E C RU I S E MIDWAY, KY | DE CE MBER 14TH | LOC AL BUSI N ESS HOURS The inaugural Candy Cane Cruise through downtown is Saturday, December 14th! Stop into each business in Midway for a free Candy Cane and get your FREE Candy Cane Cruise ticket stamped (tickets available at any restaurant/shop). Once your ticket has been stamped at 10 businesses; drop off at Midway Makers Market to enter the “Taste of Midway” basket drawing. The basket will be comprised of donated items from all of the Midway shops and restaurants.

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F R OM OUR FAMI LY TO YOU R S

TH AN K YOU LETTER As we close issue two, we want to thank each of you who has taken the time to engage in this magazine. We are proud of this issue and most importantly, proud to be part of Woodford County and invest in our community.

The Woodford Charm team would like to thank

The Woodford Trail will be Woodford County’s

you for reading our magazine. You may have

first “Trade Almanac”. It will feature Woodford’s

noticed a few changes since the last one. The team

business’ with ads that resemble the quality and

decided to go a different route that focused more

style of The Woodford Charm. We will have more

on the great people and businesses of Woodford

information about how to purchase space in The

County by removing any promotions of any

Woodford Trail coming soon.

kind. No ads! We felt it took away from what the magazine was suppose to be about, showcasing

This magazine is close to our hearts and we hope

everything that’s charming with Woodford

it’s conveyed in the pages you’ve read today. We

County.

are dedicated to bringing you a beautiful book filled with a beautiful place that entertains local

The Woodford Charm has also evolved form our

people and visitors alike. Thank you again for

original quarterly format to a biyearly schedule.

reading and we hoped you enjoyed issue two of

This allows us to give you a more focused and

The Woodford Charm. Please, share and read

quality product. The Woodford Charm also has

online at woodfordcharm.com.

another product in mind that will help fuel the costs associated with printing the magazine and

- The Woodford Charm Team

will enable us to sponsor local events as well as other fun community driven ideas. It’s called “The Woodford Trail”

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A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CONTRIBUTORS OF THE SECOND EDITION OF THE WOODFORD CHARM Alex and Albert Mason Amsden Coffee Club Amsden Mercantile Beth and Philip Richardson Bluegrass Traditions Casey & Sara Pictures Charity Ward Citizens Commerce City of Midway City of Versailles Clark Legacy Center Corbitt - Mack Construction Donald and Kelly Mitchell and Family Duncan Gardiner with Thrivent Financial Laury Gardiner Elisha Holt Horse Country Jared and Emily Hosfield Jessica and Jordan Kite Judge Tony Wilhoit and Family Life Adventure Center Mayor Brian Traugott Mayor Grayson Vandegrift Rector Hayden Realtors Spotz Gelato Steeplechase Centre The Woodford County Emergency Management Team Versailles Printing Visser Stables Wesley Scott and The Life Adventure Center Woodford Chamber of Commerce Woodford Lakes Golf Club Woodford Tourism Commission

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