Hamburg Journal - Lexington, KY | September 2023

Johnson, Bridget Johnson, David Kravetz, Avery Lang, Paul Martin, Megan McCardwell, Michael Miller, Claire Ramsay, Kristina Rosen, Kim Thomas, John Whitlock

Keith

The groundbreaking ceremony for Town Branch Park was held August 15th. The park, scheduled to open in 2025, will transform acres of asphalt into an unprecedented signature park in the heart of downtown Lexington.

BUSINESS CALENDAR

SEP 14

The featured speaker at September’s Women Leading Kentucky luncheon is Valvoline president, Lori Flees, Noon, Signature Club.

MON SEP 18

Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference and Expo, Hyatt and Hilton downtown.

TUE SEP 19

Commerce Lexington’s Business Link after hours is at Lexmark’s Customer Engagement Center Tuesday, September 19, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Lexmark (740 W. New Circle Road).

TUE SEP 26

Women Empowering Business’s Andover Chapter will meet Tue Sep 26 at 12:15 at 2808 Palumbo.

WED SEP 27

Explore Undesign the Redline—an interactive, informative display custom-made for Lexington. Undesign the Redline invites participants to learn the history of Redlining, interact with local stories of people impacted by its lasting legacy, and invent the future of undoing structural inequities. 5:30 pm tour and reception, Wednesday, September 27, downtown Library.

Calhoun Construction recently celebrated their first Lexington office with a ribbon cutting.

Congratulations to 46 Solutions, announced as Small Business of the Year at August awards luncheon.

Congratulations, Neighbor!

LexTran has announced local artist and AthensChilesburg Elementary teacher Mercedes Harn as the winner of their 2023 Bus Shelter Design Contest! Mercedes was chosen by a panel of judges and will be given the opportunity to see her design on a Lextran bus shelter, along with a $2,500 cash prize.

“I’m looking forward to it and I’m happy that my artwork will be displayed in the community,” said Mercedes.

The bus shelter that will feature the newly created design is located in Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds’ district, on Versailles Road in front of the government building and Global Lex offices.

“I am excited to see this bus shelter be revitalized with art that reflects the diverse cultures represented in my district. Mercedes Harn is a very talented artist who I am sure will do a fabulous job on this project,” said Councilmember Reynolds.

I’m looking forward to it and I’m happy that my artwork will be displayed in the community

– Mercedes Harn

The goal of this art contest was to revitalize one of Lextran’s original art shelters. Harn will create a new design for the shelter that is representative of the diverse communities served by Lextran, Global Lex, and reflective of the council district. The design will be installed and debuted later this year.

“Lextran is so excited to work with Ms. Harn and to showcase the artistic ability of the community,” said Fred Combs, Lextran Director of Planning, Technology, and Community Relations. “We appreciate all of the talented artists who entered the contest.”

Traffic and Trails

One lane of Buckhorn Drive is closed for sanitary sewer construction over the next six months. Two-way traffic will be maintained during the lane closure, and driveways will remain accessible to

residents. This is a rolling lane closure that begins at Buckhorn Drive where the Squires Trail crosses to Berry Hill Park. The lane closure will move down Buckhorn Drive to end at Fenwick Road. The Squires Trail has re-opened to pedestrian traffic. The trail was closed over the summer for sewer construction. Final surface restoration and paving of the trail are scheduled for later this fall.

NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

SUN SEP 3

Jazz on the Lawn returns to Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate on Sunday evening, Sep 3, at 5:30 pm.

SAT SEP 16

Hamburg’s Preston Greens will host its first annual Car Cruise-In on Saturday September 16 at 1825 Little Herb Way.

SUN SEP 17

The 2023 Nature Hop is Sunday, September 17. Nature Hop is a way for our community to enjoy the natural areas of Fayette County. Participation in Nature Hop activities is free and open to the public.

WED SEP 20

The Spa at Marshall celebrates their anniversary with the Annual Grand Event, 3 pm to 7 pm.

SUN SEP 24

3Lexington’s Peddlers Mall celebrates a Grand Re-Opening, 11 am to 6 pm.

Comfort Cooking

Know Your Neighbors at Athens

Lunchroom

When you walk into Athens Lunchroom it’s like a step back into history. The atmosphere, the feel, the food, the décor, the music, the drinks, the service … You’ll likely be greeted with a smile, or by name and enjoy a surprisingly elevated meal in what once was the original cafeteria for students of the centenarian Athens Schoolhouse. If you aren’t in the mood for an Ale-8 or sweet tea, you can enjoy a glass of wine or cocktail from their full bar. You’ll likely see local restaurateurs, Frank Bickel and his wife, Annette Jett, or a member of their staff, happily serving guests in the momand-pop-establishment. But don’t let the casual environment fool you; the team behind the scenes are seasoned veterans of hospitality, with a sincere love for the community, and the food and beverage industry.

In addition to quickly becoming a favorite for locals and neighbors, the convenience of being

On Friday, September 8, 2023, Athens Lunchroom will debut the “Teachers Lounge.” The Lunchroom will be open all day, and feature happy hour specials, cocktails and pub food. New and existing patrons from Athens, Hamburg, and beyond are welcome — along with the teachers and staff from nearby schools.

just off 1-75 is also great for travelers and visitors from other counties. On family trips, Annette is always scouring Yelp and TripAdvisor for local spots with a story to tell, adding, “We know we are that place and want to honor that.”

Annette’s love affair with food began at the early age of 14 with her first job at Cheese Villa, now the renowned Mousetrap in the Lansdowne Shoppes, while Frank’s first work experience started at his uncle’s iconic restaurant, Burger Shakes on New Circle Road. From there, Annette’s adventures eventually took her to DC and Chicago, where she spent years working in fine dining before settling back in KY in 2001 to open Annette’s Catering. Frank went West to Los Angeles, exploring the innovative food scene there through a variety of restaurants and catering, before permanently moving back to KY in 2004. Though the two had first met and dated in the mid-80s, it wasn’t until then, 20 years later, that they reunited, joining forces in business, and beginning a family of their own. Annette’s Catering ultimately grew from a small, start-up catering operation, to one of the city’s biggest of that time, along with multiple restaurants and a bakery. However,

two kids and six years later, the couple closed their business to focus on family needs. Annette turned her attention toward the creation of a non-profit dedicated to education, engagement and employment for people with disabilities. Frank spent the next 10 years working in management for Ouita Michel, with the distinct privilege of assisting in the opening of both Windy Corner Market and Smithtown Seafood.

“As natives of Lexington,” Annette says, “we think this is a great city. When we moved to this area of town about eight years ago, we liked being close enough to relatives and our hometown faves while still experiencing the growth and excitement of Hamburg and beyond. Our kids go to the same schools we went to, and compared to the big cities we lived in, everything is still just a short drive away.”

Athens Lunchroom is not just a Mom and Pop shop — it’s a family affair. So you’ll also see the owners’ kids (now teens) around. Their son, Charlie, works at the Lunchroom, and is following in his parents’ shoes — learning the industry at a young age. He’s particularly good at expo. “That’s one of the hardest jobs of the kitchen, yet he’s a natural,” says Chef Kenneth Sells, “it’s just in his blood.” You’ll sometimes see daughter Gracie, volunteering as a hostess and greeting guests. And of course, front-of-house favorites, Cat and Patty strive to make every guest experience memorable.

Annette’s love affair with food began at the early age of 14 with her first job at Cheese Villa, now the renowned Mousetrap in the Lansdowne Shoppes. She later opened Annette’s Catering, which became well known in the Central KY area.

Any plans to change the name from Athens Lunchroom… Now that dinner has been added to the menu? “Not a chance!” Annette laughs.“People get a kick out of coming back to where they once went to school and having a glass of wine or a nice meal in their childhood cafeteria. Even if this wasn’t your school, there is a looming nostalgia that is part of its charm. It doesn’t matter what you serve here, this will always be the Athens Lunchroom.”

The Lunchroom is putting an emphasis on the combined experience of Frank, Annette, and Chef Kenneth “to get back to our catering roots.” New catering menus are being launched and are available for service on- or off-site. The Athens Lunchroom is available for private parties when not open to the public. The Chicago Room and Schoolhouse Gym can also be rented, and the Athens Schoolhouse welcomes leasing opportunities for businesses of all types. There are hopes for an on-site Chef’s Garden too.

About the Chef

Other Schoolhouse events include Yoga classes, Third-Thursdays featuring local artists and other Holiday Events. In the near future, look for Chef’s Seasonal Dinner Parties, Saturday Morning Breakfasts, Sunday Brunches, and NonProfit Nights supporting local fundraising efforts.

Chef cooks from the heart, not from recipes. That, combined with the labor of love the Cox and Mathis families have poured into renovating and reinvigorating the schoolhouse, to the love of hospitality, entrepreneurship and family that propelled Jett and Bickel to return to a family-run restaurant, the history that got us all to this point and the future that is at hand, can be summed up in one word. LOVE. It may take time but it is worth the wait.

When Chef Kenneth Sells came into the picture this past May, “we were really just looking for the right fit,” explains Annette. “What we got was so much more. As a 30+ year veteran Chef, Kenneth’s skills and techniques exceeded our expectations,. To top it off, he has the integrity, leadership qualities and personal vestment that you can only hope for. He’s become part of the Athen’s family.”

Chef’s mantra, Love Takes Time,” shows in the attention to detail and amount of care he puts into every dish he creates. He has elevated the menu and his passion for his profession shines through in his scratch-made foods, which vary from elegant dining to good ol’ country cooking.

A native New Yorker, Chef has a particular affinity for Italian food, but growing up on a farm in Western KY, he is no stranger to the love of country cooking and comfort food.

“It would be hard to pinpoint one favorite dish,” the owners admit. “Hard to beat are Chef’s Chicken-n-Dumplings, or the Grilled Salmon with Chili Rub, the Shrimp Boil or even the Country Fried Pork Chops. But the lunches are just as good and fresh, and the Reuben, Cuban, Pulled Pork BBQ with Apple Slaw, Burgers, and Wraps are among some of the best sellers.” The chicken salad, pimiento cheese and olive nut are old favorites from Annette’s Catering, as is the infamous Strawberry Cake available by the slice, or whole with advance order.

The Lunchrom and Chef Kenneth can also customize catering menus specific for your groups.

In 2019, the Athens Schoolhouse was purchased by Elden and Angie Cox, and David and Renee Mathis. Former students of the schoolhouse, Elden and Renee are siblings. Their parents and grandparents also attended this school, which was built in 1927. There’s a rich history here, and an Athens school of some form has been around since the 1800s. It even served as a Fayette County elementary school until 2006. Frank and Annette found the Lunchroom through Angie. “Our families, including our parents, had always been friends through the years, and her brother, fellow Henry Clay Blue Devil and football teammate to Frank, was a dear friend of ours. When he passed away unexpectedly in 2019, we attended his celebration of life here,” Jett explains. “We remember how proud her brother (David) was of her and her family members for buying the building, and that resonated with us. We immediately felt a connection to the schoolhouse and to the mission the owners had of reimagining the space. The kitchen was phenomenal and really drew us in. Talks began with Angie and the crew about possibly running the restaurant, but we were a bit hesitant to dip our toes fully back into the food and beverage business. A few months later, COVID hit, and of course everything was on pause for a while.”

The Athens community was friendly and welcoming. People were happy to have the schoolhouse renovation in the works, and even supported a zoning change to allow for revitalization of the space.

In September of 2021, the Bickels took the plunge and the lease was signed. There was trepidation in opening a restaurant while the pandemic was still around, but it had subsided a bit. Everyone had spent so much time inside, at home together, and were ready to get back out there and socialize. The couple took their growth there slowly, and now the Athens Lunchroom is celebrating their 2-year anniversary in September of 2023. Like Chef says, “Love Takes Time.”

Hours

The Lunchroom serves lunch Monday-Friday, 11am – 2pm. Dinners are a hit on Monday nights from 4-8 pm, featuring Chef Specialties, in addition to lunch favorites. The Lunchroom is also open on Saturdays and Sundays the 2nd weekend of each month during the Antique Show. Also open Fridays 3:30-8:30pm for Happy Hours and Pub Food in the Teacher’s Lounge.

Follow events at http://athenslunchroom.com

Showing Support

Note: The Lunchroom is offering a new program, From Our Schoolhouse to Yours, offering discounts to schoolteachers and staff members. We want our educators to feel seen, recognized and appreciated for their hard work. Jett’s mother and sister were tenured teachers, and Cox is an educator as well. It just feels right.

KIDS AND FAMILIES

Scholarships

The Fayette County Conservation District Scholarship Application process is open. Applicant must be a valid resident of Fayette County, KY/ permanent resident; must be a “rising senior” (entering senior year of High School) or 2023 High School graduate. Students should have the sincere intention to pursue a college major in agriculture, natural resources, environmental science, or related discipline; must possess a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher.

Essays should discuss a Fayette County conservation project or organization and the positive impact it has on our community. Ideas for inspiration include but are not limited to stormwater management, greenways, greenspaces, community gardens, habitat, and environmental health.

This program is offered by FCCD to fund a one-time scholarship payment of $1,000.00.

Two second place awards of $500.00 will also be granted on a one-time basis.

Submit materials to Support@KYfccd.com by September 17, 2023

KIDS CALENDAR

FRI SEP 1

Goonies Never Say Die! And the fan favorite returns to the Big Screen for Labor Day weekend.

2:45 pm, Movie Tavern at Brannon Crossing.

WED SEP 6

Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza! brings Disney Junior characters and favorite Marvel Super Heroes live on stage for a jam-packed, concertstyle show with singing, dancing, acrobatics, and more. 6 pm, Lexington Opera House.

WED SEP 6

Join Soccer Shots for a free family fun day at Higbee Mill Park, 4:45 pm.

SEP 13

Join McConnell Springs staff and learn about the changing of the seasons to Autumn! Tiny Tot

Naturalist Classes are intended for children ages 2 – 5 years old. Program includes activities, crafts, and a nature walk. Registration is required. 10 am.

FRI SEP 29

Sayre’s Fall Festival is scheduled for Fri Sep 29 at 4 pm at Sayre Athletic Complex.

SEP 30

Kids K-5th grade will join Raven Run staff for Junior Explorers: Colors From Nature. Participants will take a walk to explore some of the plants that can be used to create natural dyes, and then return to the nature center to make their very own colorful creations with dye from nature. Registration is required.

FRI OCT 6

PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” is based on the top-rated animated preschool series PAW Patrol, produced by Spin Master Entertainment and airing on Nickelodeon. Guests will see Ryder and his team of pups embark on a pirate-themed adventure to uncover hidden treasure, Rupp Arena. Multiple shows, continues Oct 7.

I Know Expo 2023 The Rest of Life is the Best of Life

The rest of life is the best of life.

As the population continues to age, more and more services are being offered to Lexington’s senior citizens.

The “i know expo” was created to address senior issues in a one-stop-shopping format in the form of a one-day expo.

Lexington — a thriving college town with a reasonable cost of living, a temperate climate, and access to world class healthcare — has long been a popular retirement destination for seniors and the elderly.

With ample shopping and dining options alongside a vibrant healthcare hub, Hamburg and the eastside, in particular, has proven particularly popular for senior living, with new prospective communities currently under development.

Lexington’s $13 million Senior Center, designed by EOP Architects, opened in 2016 in Idle Hour Park off Richmond Road. The popular site — with easy access and drive-up parking — will be the home of this year’s I Know Expo.

Since 2013 — with a few Covid pauses in between — Lexington has been home to this unique senior living expo that offers a one-stop-shop, one-day event that invites guests to address senior issues like financial planning, transportation, aging in place, housing, and more.

As the baby boomer population in Lexington expands daily, more and more services are needed— but info and access isn’t always aggregated in one place.

The I Know Expo, founded by Gale Reece, said the idea for the event all started with the transportation issues facing Lexington’s senior population.

Scan to watch “i know expo” video

By 2025, it is estimated that 24% of Fayette County will be 60 or over.

“The i know expo grew out of ITNBluegrass. Independent Transportation Network — dignified transportation for seniors. In 2006, I began the effort to start the local affiliate of the national private nonprofit for senior transportation.”

Long before Uber and Lyft came to town, ITN Bluegrass was finding solutions for seniors who needed rides. Paid and volunteer drivers use their own private cars to transport those 60+ and visually impaired adults who are members of the organization, (members pay a modest annual fee). Reece says, “We successfully had Kentucky legislation changed to allow drivers to use their own insurance when driving seniors for a non-profit.”

Over the years, Reece began to notice requests for additional information about senior services from the families of members, or from riders themselves. Reece devised the idea of a one-day, one-place expo for information and services in the community.

The “i know expo” is now an event for people of all ages and life stages: living out their golden years; taking care of someone they love; coping with difficult health situations, or simply smart enough to know it’s never too early to start planning for the future.

Reece says, “Our target audience is adult children of frail elders (generally working women between

45 – 70), those caring for loved ones with disabilities, and all in my Boomer generation (72,000+ in Fayette County), who should be preparing for our own aging situations.”

Past expos have been filled with empowering information about the services, resources and support available to make the rest of life the best of life.

Dozens of vendors who know about aging well and coping with disabilities are on hand to share what they know by chatting one-on-one or through informative presentations on everything from housing, healthcare and insurance, to legal and financial planning, to living well and staying active.

The “i know expo” can help folks young and old plan for the future with more confidence.

By 2025, it is estimated that 24% of Fayette County will be 60 or over.

The i know expo is scheduled for 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday, September 23rd at the Lexington Senior Center. The goal is to empower guests with the knowledge to proactively plan for the future, live with disabilities, care for loved ones, and age with joy and grace.

Dispose of Properly!

It’s important to dispose of old medications once you no longer need them. The Lexington Senior Center currently has some drug deactivation and disposal bags for you to properly dispose of your old medications. If you need one, drop by the Lexington Senior Center front desk and request one

What is Uniper?

The Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living (BGAAAIL) partners with Uniper to connect you to fun – and to a life outside of your home! You can tap into a safe virtual community, engaging activities and improved well-being.

The Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging knows that it isn’t easy for everyone to get out and explore life — or to make new friends. That’s why they’ve partnered with Uniper, a global virtual community for seniors, to bring you together with a world of people, activities and inspiring content.

To be eligible for Uniper via BGAAAIL you must:

• questions? Call Sarah Eldridge at (859)-8102502.

SEP SENIOR CALENDAR

TUE SEP 12

“Seniors Got Talent” is an annual talent competition showcasing local seniors across the area. Celebrate the talents of the “young at heart” 7 pm Lexington Opera House.

THU SEP 14

The Great Friends Celebration Gala is scheduled for Thursday Sep 14, 2023 at 6 pm at the

Life Lane. Cocktail attire is appropriate for the Awards Dinner, honoring Janet Holloway, PG Peeples, and Lt. Col. David Preston Greens will host its first annual Car Cruise-In on Saturday September 16 at 1825 Little Herb Way.

SAT SEP 23

i know expo is scheduled for 9 am to 2 pm at the Lexington Senior Center. The goal is to empower guests with the knowledge to proactively plan for the future, live with disabilities, care for loved ones, and age with joy and grace.

Events subject to change, check with each individual venue.

SUN SEP 3

Lee Carroll’s C The Beat returns to Jazz on the Lawn at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate with new songs and an expanded band. C The Beat explores the influence of African rhythm on Western popular music, 5:30 pm at Ashland the Henry Clay Estate.

MON SEP 4

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

WED SEP 6

Guns N’ Roses return to the road on a 2023 World Tour headlining stadiums, festivals, and arenas throughout the summer and fall. 6:30 pm Rupp Arena.

THU SEP 7

“Robert Cray is not only making music, he’s making history,” writes Guitar Player Magazine. Over the past four decades, Cray has created a sound that rises from American roots, blues, soul and R&B, with five Grammy wins, 20 acclaimed studio and live albums that punctuate the Blues Hall of Famer’s career. 8 PM Lexington Opera House.

FRI SEP 8

Celebrate the role of the horse in the heart of the Bluegrass! The Annual Festival of the Horse will be held September 8-10, 2023 in Historic Downtown Georgetown.

SAT SEP 9

13-time Grammy nominee Bruce Hornsby’s 23 albums have sold over 11 million copies worldwide, and he has appeared on over 100 records including releases with Bob Dylan, Don Henley, the Grateful Dead, Stevie Nicks, Ricky Skaggs, Bob Seger, Chaka Khan, Bon Iver, Brandon Flowers, Bonnie Raitt, Sting, Mavis Staples, Willie Nelson and more. 8 PM Lexington Opera House.

TUE SEP 12

Dave Chappelle performs at 7:30 pm at Rupp Arena. Reminder, this will be a phone-free show.

THU SEP 14

Formed in 1966 as a Long Beach, California jug band, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band embarked on a self-propelled ride through folk, country, rock ‘n’ roll, pop, blue-grass, with the first major hit coming in 1971 with the classic “Mr. Bojangles.” 8 pm Lexington Opera House.

FRI SEP 15

This year’s Art by Nature focuses on urban creeks. The exhibit will be open to all artwork that can

be presented on the wall, including 2-D, drawing, photography, printmaking, as well as sculptural work that can be displayed on pedestals. Each artist may submit up to three works (at least one work will be accepted from each artist based on jury decision) and must be created between 2022 – 2023. Artists are encouraged to sell work, but not required. Deadline to submit

SAT SEP 16

Hamburg’s Preston Greens will host its first annual Car Cruise-In on Saturday September 16 at 1825 Little Herb Way.

SUN SEP 17

The 2023 Nature Hop is Sunday, September 17. Nature Hop is a way for our community to enjoy the natural areas of Fayette County. Participation in Nature Hop activities is free and open to the public. Nature Hop is designed to:

• Raise awareness of nature in our urban environment;

• Encourage Lexingtonians and their visitors to experience natural spaces in new ways;

• Publicize natural areas in Lexington that can serve for passive recreation.

Events subject to change, check with each individual venue.

FRI SEP 22

Christ the King’s Oktoberfest features fun for all ages, including German food, a variety of vendors, live music, kid’s games, the cake wheel, inflatables, BINGO, Black Jack and more. Continues Saturday.

SAT SEP 23

Celebrate Latin American art and culture in the heart of downtown Lexington at the Festival Latino de Lexington, with live music, dance, visual arts, and authentic cuisine.

THU SEP 28

Kevin James performs two shows at The Lexington Opera House on September 28, 2023. James began his career as a stand-up on the Long Island comedy scene. After being discovered at the 1996 Montreal Comedy Festival, he signed a network development deal to create his own sitcom, and The King of Queens ran for nine seasons on CBS.

SAT SEP 30

UK takes on Florida at Commonwealth Stadium.

COMING SOON

OCT 7 Keeneland Fall Meet begins

NOV 17 The Eagles, Rupp Arena

Know Your Neighbors

Laura’s Lean Beef Founder shepherds big wins for Mt. Folly

Mt. Folly Enterprises, a farming enterprise founded and mentored by Laura’s Lean Beef Founder Laura Freeman, announced that it has been awarded a USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Project Grant. This grant will enable Mt. Folly Enterprises, with Mt. Folly Farm and other partners including Eastern Kentucky University and the Savory Institute, to implement innovative climate-smart farming practices and to build a network of climate-smart farmers throughout the Ohio River Valley.

In conjunction with its focus on climate-smart farming, Mt. Folly plans to partner with regional farmers to develop a new, climate-smart beef brand. Additional details about this new beef brand, which is expected to launch next year, will be forthcoming.

“Climate-smart, regional farming is the way of the future for the food industry,” said Laura Freeman, Founder and Chairwoman of Mt. Folly Enterprises. “By localizing food production, and by supporting climate-smart farming practices, communities can make a significant impact on the environmental challenges our society faces. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity, through the USDA Climate-Smart Commodities grant, to take an important step in this critical evolution, by implementing innovative, climate-smart farming practices throughout our region.”

A pioneer in climate-smart farming, Mt. Folly Enterprises will use the USDA grant to implement more broadly the

climate-smart practices already in use at Mt. Folly Farm. This work will include modelling and developing whole-farm carbon sequestration systems for mid-sized farms producing crops and beef in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee. Participating farms will receive incentives for their use of these systems, free technical assistance, and cost-sharing to help them implement climate-smart practices, including conservation crop rotation, reducing

Mt. Folly Enterprises includes Mt. Folly Farm, a hemp company, a beef brand, and a liquor brand. Ben Pasley, a farmer of the next generation, is the CEO of Mt. Folly Enterprises. Laura’s daughter, Alice Melendez, is Project Lead for the USDA Climate-Smart Commodities grant.

tillage, the use of cover crops, silvopasture, prescribed grazing, and tree or shrub establishment from crop or grassland, and more. Laura, a longtime innovator in the farming industry, began Laura’s Lean Beef in the 1980s, when the importance of organic, chemical-free farming wasn’t yet widely recognized. After successfully building Laura’s Lean Beef into the most valuable brand in the natural beef space, Laura sold the company and shifted her focus to other ecological agriculture practices and experimented with a new set of crops and applications. Today, she leads Mt. Folly Farm, one of the most innovative farms in Kentucky.

Currently, Laura is being recognized for her innovation by a traveling Smithsonian exhibit, Spark! Places of Innovation. The exhibit, which will be open at the Bluegrass Heritage Museum in Winchester, KY until September 2nd, highlights innovation in rural America, including agriculture and innovation in Clark County.

PHOTO CREDIT: KEVIN NANCE

PHOTO CREDIT: KEVIN NANCE

“Climate-smart, regional farming is the way of the future for the food industry.”

– Laura Freeman

LaRosa’s on Richmond Road has closed. The current franchise group is expected to place a Dunkin Donuts in the spot.

The Human Bean has opened on Richmond Road. A Mexican restaurant is planned for the former Newk’s location on Richmond Road in front of Southland Christian Church.

EAT & DRINK CALENDAR

SEP 9

Join St. Andrew Orthodox Church’s Annual Heritage Festival on September 9 and 10 for an assortment of beloved international foods as well as entertainment, church tours, and a silent auction.

THU SEP 14

Dine Out for Life at participating restaurants on Thursday Sep 14 and support AVOL.

SUN OCT 1

Happy Birthday, Neighbors!

FRI SEP 8

Happy Birthday Neighbors! The Athens Lunchroom turns two in September and will celebrate throughout the month. On Friday, September 8, 2023, Athens Lunchroom will debut the “Teachers Lounge.” The Lunchroom will be open all day, and feature happy hour specials, cocktails and pub food. New and existing patrons from Athens, Hamburg, and beyond are welcome — along with the teachers and staff from nearby schools.

to assemble your very own charcuterie board and learn the basics in this interactive and instructional course. Noon, Harkness Edwards Vineyards.

Dream Home

Once again, this year’s St. Jude’s Dream Home giveaway is located in Hamburg. It’s a 4 BR, 2.5 BA house located at 3517 Stolen Horse Trace in The

Home Place neighborhood. Proceeds of ticket sales go to St. Jude and its mission: Finding cures. Saving children. Tickets are $100, and the winner will be announced September 28, 2023.

HG CALENDAR WED SEP 15

The Central Kentucky Bonsai Exhibit is September 15, 16, and 17, hosted at Michler’s/ Kentucky Native Cafe.

% 30OFF

TREES & SHRUBS

SEP 16

Fayette County Residents are eligible for Lexington’s free mulch giveaway. Bring your driver’s license with a Lexington address. Follow signs to enter through Jimmie Campbell Dr., 1631 Old Frankfort Pike. One pick-up truckload per person. A smaller self-serve area is available for picking up smaller amounts of mulch. Due to demand, those who self-load mulch will be limited to a 10-minute loading time. Those self-loading must bring shovels, bags and other supplies.

SEP 23

Time for Fall Cleaning?

Hit the Free Paper-Shred Event, 9 am to 2 pm, at the Old Landfill Pad at 1631 Old Frankfort Pike. This event allows Lexington residents to safely dispose of their sensitive materials in an environmentally-friendly way. Fayette County residents may bring up to five boxes or bags of material to be shredded at no cost.

Please note:

No wet materials will be accepted. No plastic binders or binder clips should be included with materials.

Staples, paper envelopes and paper clips are acceptable.

Participants are asked not to arrive before 9 a.m. as event organizers will be unable to accommodate anyone before that time. Cardboard boxes will be collected at the event and sent to the Lexington Recycling Center.

PROPERTIES RECENTLY SOLD IN LEXINGTON

PROPERTIES RECENTLY SOLD IN LEXINGTON