Make New Friends

Jacobson Park has many — like the Tree Sweater Gang!

BY KATIE LINDEMAN

Rena Baer and I started Friends of Jacobson Park in late 2022. We operate under Friends of the Parks, Fayette County 501(c)3, organized by former Councilmember Sandy Shafer. Rena is a professional editor and I am a landscape architect. Our love for Jacobson Park allowed two perfect strangers to align and form a service based volunteer organization to support Jacobson Park.

Our hope is to find ways to involve other community volunteers in not just helping keep the 216-acre park clean and the wildlife safe but also to hold fun events to support improvement/ educational projects.

Our first event was an Earth Day Cleanup in April, which drew 194 volunteers from our community and we removed nearly 2 tons of litter from Jacobson Park, the lake, and Lakeside Golf Course. We also removed 15 huge piles of invasive species that were growing at the base of the Loblolly Pines in the Pine Forest. LFUCG, Kentucky American Water, Hickman Creek Conservancy and Bluegrass Greensource sponsored us for that event — providing materials, t-shirts, and donations to make it possible for us to be successful!

Shortly after that in April, we applied for a Kentucky American Water Grant to restore half an acre of Lakeside Golf Course for a new riparian zone to improve water quality in the reservoir. We were awarded $5,000 from Kentucky American Water, $5,000 from Columbia Gas, an LFUCG Grant, and are currently working with several other potential donors. This half acre will become a new green infrastructure project that plants native species that absorb excess nutrients and pollutants from stormwater runoff before it reaches our drinking water in the reservoir. The project will also create new habitat as the mowed golf course grass is restored to a new native planting area that will provide habitat for animals, and create a new pollinator garden.

Our most recent effort installed in June — the yarn bomb tree art exhibit — is the result of a LFUCG Grant awarded to Friends of Jacobson Park. We then worked with a local knitting group called, The Tree

Sweater Gang who volunteered their time to knit and crochet for endless hours to create the pieces needed to cover the tree. They began with sketching out the tree measurements. Each group member designed their pieces to all work together to be installed on the tree. hey added some fun embellishments to the tree, like butterflies and birds for the entertainment of the children attending Free Friday Flicks and Camp

Kearney at Jacobson Park. The Sweetgum tree is located near Shelter 6 in the Free Friday Flicks area of the park near Camp Kearney. Just to note, a few of the residents at Richmond Place volunteered their time and knitted several of the pieces seen on the tree. The Tree Sweater Gang is most well known for their tree bombing installations at the UK Arboretum Children’s Garden, which often have wishing pockets installed on them for children to write a wish and then leave it in the pocket on the tree.

Please join our Friends of Jacobson Park Facebook group for more details on future events. We are currently researching the interesting history of the park, and are planning a history walking tour in the future.

Later this month we will also tour Kentucky American Water and learn how they pull water from Jacobson Lake and the Kentucky River and bring it to their facility to treat for public consumption.

In late September we will be looking for volunteers to install thousands of plant plugs at Lakeside Golf Course for the installation of our riparian zone grant project.

Anyone interested in volunteering time in September to dig plug holes, plant plugs, or donate financially to support this large project, please contact Katie Lindeman at pentecost23@icloud.com.

Stay tuned for more information about these and other neighborhood projects at the HJ Neighborhood Club on Facebook.

Countdown to Kindergarten is On!

Fayette County’s Countdown to Kindergarten spotlights the importance of early learning activities and family involvement in education while also providing Lexington residents with a range of entertaining activities. Thanks to the joint efforts of local organizations, children registered to start kindergarten in August have a summer full of free events to help them get ready for their first day of school.

UK Social Work to house Child Well-Being Research Institute

The College of Social Work (CoSW) at the University of Kentucky will be the new home for the Child Well-Being Research Institute, which houses the Child Well-Being Research Network (CWRN).

The national network was previously housed by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, where it was launched in 2010.

“The decision to shift CWRN to an academic institution was made after we came to the realization that UK could provide the infrastructure and insight needed for the research network,” Lee Ann Huang, co-chair of CWRN and researcher at Chapin Hall, said. “The College of Social Work is an excellent fit — given their mission alignment; commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice; strong track record in action-oriented research; and their commitment to the development of scholars.”

With 186 members from 135 universities, CWRN identifies and develops leaders who conduct cuttingedge research to enhance child well-being and improves the nation’s ability to prevent all forms of child maltreatment.

Kids Calendar

SAT JUL 15

The Bluegrass Railroad Club presents their second annual, family friendly train show at the Oleika Shriners Temple.

JUL

20 - JUL 30

The Lexington Children’s Theatre presents Seussical in July, the colorful musical filled with favorite Dr. Seuss characters like Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, the Whos down in Whoville, and of course, the Cat in the Hat. As their stories intertwine, Seussical weaves a tale of friendship, acceptance, and love. For tickets, call 859.254.4546 x245.

FRI JUL 21

Barbie is bringing the party to Movie Tavern on July 21 & 22 from 5 - 9 pm. Celebrate the movie’s release with the star herself by grabbing a picture on the red carpet before showtime.

SAT

Jul 22

On July 22, 2023, children entering Kindergarten and one family member will gain free entrance to the Kentucky Children’s Garden at the Arboretum.

Enjoy model trains, playing in the stream, catching a tadpole, and more. Report at the Visitor Center wearing your C2K badge then head to the Kentucky Children’s Garden for some fun and exploration. Shoes must be worn at all times. Bring shoes that can get wet. No pets are allowed in the Kentucky Children’s Garden. You must report first to the Visitor Center wearing the C2K shirt to gain admission to the Kentucky Children’s Garden.

Registration is now open for Parks & Rec youth football and youth cheerleading. Lexington Parks & Recreation offers a tackle football league for boys and girls ages 6 – 11. Participants learn the fundamental skills and techniques of football. Each player is guaranteed game-day playing time.

Sayre Student and Hamburg resident Grant Stevens has made his big screen debut in Little Town. The movie premiered in both Lexington and Louisville in June. More than 1,000 kids auditioned for Little Town from writer/ director Dani Menkin. Stevens was chosen for the lead. The Stevens family was profiled for the March 2021 Hamburg Journal cover story.

Kentucky Children’s Hospital Recognized by U.S. News & World Report

Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH) has been recognized as a 2023-24 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. These rankings assist parents of children with rare or life-threatening illnesses and their doctors in choosing the right hospital. KCH was ranked nationally in three areas of specialized care.

The Joint Pediatric and Congenital Heart Program, a collaboration between Cincinnati Children’s and Kentucky Children’s Hospital, ranked seventh in the country in pediatric cardiology & heart surgery. This ranking also includes patients treated through the adult congenital heart program, a collaboration with UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart and Vascular Institute for adult patients born with congenital heart defects. In association with Shriners Children’s Lexington, KCH is ranked 42nd in the country for pediatric orthopedic care. While separate entities, Shriners and KCH work closely together to provide seamless pediatric orthopedic care. A staff of board-certified pediatric orthopedic surgeons and anesthesiologists have cared for children at both institutions for over 35 years.

The pediatric urology team at KCH is ranked 42nd in the nation for kidney, ureter, bladder and genital care. Since 2013, pediatric urology physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and staff have seen more than 18,000 patients and performed more than 5,000 surgeries at KCH and satellite locations across Kentucky.

#LEXSaveLives

The American Heart Association and Lexington Fire Department recently co-funded a project to equip each of Lexington’s 24 fire stations with a new electronic CPR mannequin. Citizens are encouraged to stop by any fire station in Lexington to get hands-on practice in learning Hands-Only CPR, which is CPR without breaths. (Annie are you ok? Are you ok, Annie?)

You’ll walk away with new skills and a limitededition #LEXSaveLives T-Shirt as a token of appreciation. Stop by Shillito Park at Fire Station 15 in the 9th District or any other Lexington Fire Station. Learn more at heart.org/lexsavelives.

Lexington Fire Chief Jason Wells said, “Our collective goal is simple – teach as many Lexington residents hands-only CPR as we possibly can to increase the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest for

Jason Wells, Lexington Fire Chief

our friends, family, and neighbors. Together we can create a community of lifesavers, and we are proud to be a part of this important initiative!”

“Nearly 70 percent of cardiac arrests happen in the home, which means if you’re called on to perform Hands-Only CPR, you will likely be trying to save the life of a family member or friend,” said Andrea Ooten, Executive Director of the American Heart Association in Central and Eastern Kentucky. As an added incentive to participate in the campaign, the first 500 people to visit a fire station to learn Hands-Only CPR and share a selfie on social media using the hashtag #LEXSaveLives will receive a free #LEXSaveLives T-shirt.

For more information, visit www.heart.org/ lexsavelives. For a list of Lexington Fire Station locations, visit www.lexington.gov/fire-stationlocations.

Rabies Caution

Lexington-Fayette County Health Department confirmed in June that a bat found in Lexington had tested positive for rabies. The bat was discovered in the Meadowthorpe (40511 ZIP code) area. The health department posted signs in the area to notify residents of the discovery.

LFCHD officials continue to remind residents to make certain their pets have a current rabies vaccination. There does not appear to be any contact between neighborhood animals and the bat, but officials ask that residents keep watch on their pets. Early symptoms of rabies include a change in behavior, chewing at the bite site, fever and loss of appetite.

Health Calendar

JUL 7

July 7 is the deadline to nominate a Community Health Champion! WellCare invites you to nominate a community hero you consider deserving of this award (yourself included!) by completing this online by July 7.

WellCare, a member of the Fayette County Diabetes Coalition, is looking for community heroes! To honor Kentucky’s community heroes who are the embodiment of service, volunteerism and advocacy, they are seeking nominations for volunteers or employees who work to improve the quality of life in their community. For this 3rd Annual Community Health Champions program, WellCare will award $3,000 grants in each of the eight Medicaid regions for their non-profit organizations, and an overall Community Health Champion will receive a grant for $5,000 for their organization.

JUL 13 - JUL 15

Dental Wellness of Lexington offers free dentistry days “to help our neighbors who are anxious and in need of dental treatment, but cannot afford it. On these days, participants who qualify will receive two FREE DENTAL PROCEDURES (fillings, extractions or a cleaning), as well as a FREE consultation and x-ray visit.”

Participants must attend a screening appointment to have a health history completed and to schedule an appointment date during the clinic times. Currently scheduling for July dates.

All consultation appointments are at Dental Wellness of Lexington. Call to schedule: 859. 2234644.

SAT JUL 15

Great Expectations, In-person Event - Overview of labor, birth, and postpartum recovery at Baptist Health Lexington, 10 am to 2:30 pm, Baptist Health Education Center, 1720 Nicholasville Rd.

JUL 27

Hepatitis Conference presented by the Kentucky Rural Health Association, Marriott Griffin Gate, 9 am to 6 pm.

Senior Interns

CouncilMember Preston Worley welcomed this year’s Senior Intern Program including 7th district residents pictured.

Senior Interns met their council representatives in council chambers and learned more about how council works for them.

The Internship included visits to the Lexington Senior Center, Lexington Fire Department, Lexington Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, the Recycling Center, 311 call center and more. If this is something you or someone you know may be interested in doing next June, and they are 50 years of age and older, email Kristy Stambaugh at kstambaugh@lexingtonky.gov

Senior Calendar

TUE JUL 11

UK Sanders Brown Center has announced two new early stage dementia support groups (one for care partners, and one for the person living with the disease). The next meeting is July 11 at noon at the Fayette County Extension (held at the same time/day and location).

The Early Stage Support Group is for early Stage caregivers, care partners, and those living with the disease. Support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive environment or community and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They also educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems.

For questions or to register, please contact Sarah Hatch at 859-323-6380 or Erin Gillespie at 502-4735342. Registration is required.

WED JUL 12

Events subject to change, check with each individual venue.