Murray Life Magazine Holiday 2010 by Helix Creative, LLC

What’s Inside

Joe Staton Logan Abbitt

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Go! Make You Ready

VOLUME 15 - NUMBER 5 - HOLIDAY 2010 Printed in the USA www.mymurraylife.com Managing Editor Robert Valentine

Murray Life Staff

Associate Editor/Operations Manager Rita Oldham

Ghosts in Our Midst Carrie Szwed

Assistant Art Directors Kyle Smith

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Kappa Tour of Homes

Internet Consultant Justin B. Kimbro, K-Squared Designs, LLC

Features Ask the Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Kim Cottingham Community Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Angela Denk Day Trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Logan Abbitt

Departments Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Robert A. Valentine Notes N’ Neighbors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Murray Life Staff Women’s Toolbelt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Rita Oldham Pet Paws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Leah Reising Count On It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Murray Life Staff Savvy Shopper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Kim Cottingham A Laughing Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Murray Life Staff Dining Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 From Fast to Fabulous Money Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Ron Arant Recipes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Rita Oldham Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 What’s Happening & Where Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Robert A. Valentine

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Sales & Marketing Rita Oldham Editorial Staff Logan Abbitt | Kim Cottingham

Jamie Helton

Art Director Justin B. Kimbro, K-Squared Designs, LLC

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Staff Photography Wm. Gross Magee | Justin B. Kimbro Contributing Writers Ron Arant | Carrie Szwed Rita Oldham | Jamie Helton | Logan Abbitt Leah Reising | Angela Denk | Kim Cottingham Printing Image Graphics, Paducah, Kentucky Murray Life is published five times annually for the Murray area. All contents copyright 2010 by Murray Life Productions. Reproduction or use of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Comments written in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the ownership or management of Murray Life. Subscription rate is $15.00 per year, two years $25.00. Subscription inquiries and all remittances should be made to Murray Life: 608-B Main Street, Murray, KY 42071. Subscriptions may also be made through the Web site, www.murraylifemagazine.com. All advertising inquiries should be directed to the Managing Editor at: Murray Life, or by calling 270-753-5225. E-mail us at: murraylife@aol.com This magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork. All submissions may be edited for length, clarity and style.

On the cover: Photographer Gross Magee of the Murray State faculty enjoys images of nature. His shot of a barn owl from LBL’s Nature Station is just right for the season.

Editorial

The Holidays

o wonder they call it “The Holidays.” In the next 90 days, we have more celebrations than in any other like time on the calendar and half of the “major” holidays of the whole year. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Superbowl Sunday (the biggest party day of the year), and Valentine’s Day will come and go. Whew! So, a few moments of quiet reading and reflection might be in order. As we pause to give thanks, we’re mindful of interim Mayor Danny Hudspeth. “Hizhonor” recently celebrated a re-election to the City Council with a vote margin that showed the city’s appreciation for his service. We appreciate the way in which he stepped in for his long-time friend, the late Tom Rushing. We’re thankful for the sacrifice of Danny’s family and his employer, Briggs & Stratton, all of whom cooperated in making his work possible. We have a new mayor in Bill Wells, and a new appreciation for an old friend, Danny Hudspeth. As always, we have included a list of local and regional dining choices, a calendar of upcoming events for you and your family and a few suggestions for shopping. From Kim Cottingham’s review of turkey fryers (read carefully, men) to Rita Oldham’s hints on quick fixes for expensive gadgetry, we’ll help you do the right thing. Naturalist Carrie Szwed from LBL’s Nature Station has picked the perfect time of year to discuss those ghosts of the night— barn owls. Most of us can’t remember our first Christmas, but if you opened a business in 2010, this first Christmas could be vital to your very survival. Angela Denk takes us on a tour of two new firms who are hoping for a very jolly holiday. And speaking of tours: We’ll visit the Murray Women’s Club Kappa Tour of Homes, and take one of our “day trips” to places you might visit during the holidays as Logan Abbitt suggests shopping opportunities you might as well seize since you’re there. Logan also introduces us to another of his famous Murrayans as MSU grad Joe Staton takes the local celebrity spotlight. Don’t know Joe? Shazam! You will. Laugh, plan, dine, enjoy. We hope this season of holidays brings you and your family warmth, love and comfort as you snuggle in front of a fireplace; that you find humility and gratitude as you share your holiday spirit with the unfortunate, and prosperity and favor as the New Year approaches. May the joy of all the seasons be yours, from your friends at Murray Life. O

Robert A. Valentine, Editor

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Notes ‘n Neighbors

Murray’s Shuffett Completes Historical Novel urray's Chuck Shuffett has been telling the stories of Kentucky all his life. Since the late 1950s, his voice and his pen have been a constant in Murray media, first as a radio station owner and commentator (WNBS and WAAW), as owner of Murray's first commercial TV station, and then as the editor of and principal contributor to Montage magazine. Now, in his second book since A Funny Thing Happened ("published sometime in the 90s, I think"), the dean of Calloway County communicators tackles a surprisingly timely bit of Kentucky history.

real-life drama of the BeauchampSharp Tragedy (sometimes referred to as the "Kentucky Tragedy"). In brief, young lawyer Jereboam Beauchamp, a politically-connected Kentuckian, fell in love with Anna Cook, a woman who refused to marry him unless he murdered Kentucky legislator Solomon P. Sharp for her. The tale is one of intrigue, politics, violence and seduction in Kentucky during the early 1800s. The story seems almost to foretell the future as Steve Nunn, son of the late Governor Louie Nunn, now awaits trial on a murder charge, apparently involving a love trist.

Hell's Fury is a novel of historical fiction. The book collects all of the story chapters that were serialized in Montage magazine. The story centers on the

Hell's Fury also delves into a great deal of Kentuck-iana, legends and stories of a region and a time long gone by. For ordering information of the hardbound version of the book, slated for publication by New Caledonian Press in time for the holiday shopping season this year, contact Chuck Shuffett or call the publisher at (270) 753-5225. O

Elkins Named “Citizen of the Year” s usual, the audience members were on the edge of their seats during the 83rd Annual Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce Banquet in July as they waited for the name of the “Citizen of the Year” to be announced. This year’s winner—Judge/Executive Larry Elkins—said the community and his family were the real reasons for his success in public service. Graduating first from Calloway County High School and then Murray State University, Elkins started out serving Murray as an officer with the Murray Police Department. Later he would become chief.

Elkins was first elected as Judge/Executive in 1999 and has made many contributions to the overall growth of the Murray and Calloway County region. However, he remains quite humble. “There are so many other people in this community that deserve it [Citizen of the Year] more than I do,” said Elkins. He also serves on the Murray-Calloway County Hospital board of trustees and the Calloway County Board of Health. In addition, Elkins and his wife, Jane run a business in Hazel specializing in antiques. O 6

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Notes â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Neighbors

And Murrayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Team is... he Tennessee Titans! With 42% of the vote, the Titans seem to have Murray's heart. Tennessee had twice the votes of the second choice, the Cincinnati Bengals. The Colts and the Rams got very little mention, but several other teams did get solid write-in numbers, including the Bears, the Cowboys and The Browns.

Although the team has been inconsistent, they are over .500 and getting better through the first of this season. They still have Chris Johnson, a monster of a running back, and a formidable defense. Most importantly, they're our closest NFL neighbor, and that counts for a lot. So, Go Titans! We're rooting for you. O

Murray Life Hits the Web Harder urray Life is expanding its Web presence in two significant ways. First, we are pleased to announce that you can now read the entire issue of Murray Life online! Art Director Justin Kimbro has integrated new software into the Web site which will enable you to peruse our entire publication, page by page, as if you were holding it in your hands. All you have to do is visit www.mymurraylife.com to see how well it works.

While there's no true substitute for reading a printed magazine, the Web site will allow you to access

the digital magazine from any computer, whether you're in Calloway County, or in California, or in Papua New Guinea. Now you can share your favorite Murray Life columns and features with friends and family around the world. Furthermore, Murray Life is on Facebook now. Visit www.facebook.com/Murraylife and keep up with our latest news and updates. Better yet, tell us what you think! Talk with us and with other readers on our Facebook wall. With this new interactive presence on the Web, Murray Life can be more involved in your life, and you can return the favor. O

K-Squared Designs Wins Two Awards -Squared Designs recently helped the Gallatin Tennessee Economic Development Agency win two prestigious awards from Tennessee regional and state economic development groups.

GallatinBusinessVisions.com, designed and developed by K-Squared Designs as an online resource center for entrepreneurs, recently received a "LinkTenn Design Excellence Award" at the Tennessee Governor's Conference for Economic Development. The Web site also awarded the Gallatin EDA with an "Excellence in Economic Development Award" at the Greater Nashville Regional Council's Annual Meeting. "It's extremely rewarding to help the Gallatin EDA receive these awards," Justin Kimbro, senior designer of K-Squared Designs, said. "I'm very proud of the multimedia and graphical contributions K-Squared

Designs has made to the city of Gallatin. When a city has a solid and effective economic development program in place, it reduces poverty and unemployment, lowers government borrowing, improves public services and improves the standard of living among all the members of the community. For those reasons I am honored to be a part of this successful endeavor." GallatinBusinessVisions.com offers Sumner County entrepreneurs a valuable resource to help guide them throughout the process of starting a business as well as offering educational services to improve the efficiency and profitability of the business once it is up and running. K-Squared Designs and the Gallatin Tennessee EDA have been partnering for some time to create a cohesive graphical vision that would express the importance of economic development and growth of Gallatin, Tennessee. O

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| Murray Life Magazine

Ask the Doctor

Ouch! Treating Household Burns By: Kim Cottingham ith all the extra cooking that abounds in preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, sometimes the undesirable happens and a burn occurs. Here, we have compiled some helpful tips on treating burns. These recommendations, from the Mayo Clinic and National Institutes of Health MedlinePlus Web sites, are for thermal burns, which typically are caused by hot liquids or metals, steam, or flames. As you will see, some minor thermal burns can be treated at home. Nevertheless, should you have any questions, do not hesitate to seek medical attention. Chemical and electrical burns should always be treated by medical personnel.

Types of Burns

A first-degree burn, or minor burn, affects only the top or outer layer of skin, making it red and swollen. In many cases, the area is painful. This type of burn can usually be treated at home. The Mayo Clinic advises that medical treatment be sought if the hands, face, a major joint, or sensitive area is significantly affected. Second-degree burns affect the first and second layers of the skin and are characterized by blisters, intense pain, and swelling. If the burn is small, covering less than three inches of skin, the treatment is the same as for a minor or first-degree burn. However, if the burn is larger than three inches or affects the hand, feet, face, a major joint, or a sensitive area, the Mayo Clinic insists the person immediately seek medical treatment.

Treatment

For a minor, or first-degree burn, the first step is to reduce swelling by cooling the skin. This can be done by applying a cold, wet cloth; by placing the affected area in cool water; or by running cold water over the burn. Applying ice is not recommended, as it can cause further damage. Use sterile gauze to cover the burn. This will protect the area from air, thereby diminishing pain. Avoid using a material that can stick to the burn. Do not apply pressure to the affected skin. 8

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i If the person is experiencing strong enough pain, he may want to take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Keep in mind that children under the age of 18 should NOT be given aspirin. Anesthetic cream or aloe gel can also help soothe the skin, or moisturizing lotion can be applied to cooled skin. To avoid infection, do not apply butter to the burn and do not break any blisters on the burn. If the pain increases or fever, swelling, or oozing develop, the wound has probably become infected and requires medical attention. In addition, if dehydration occurs, medical attention is necessary. Signs of dehydration include thirst, dry skin, dizziness, lightheadedness, or decreased urination.

Severe Burn

A third-degree burn is characterized by skin that is “charred black” or dry and white. The skin may also be numb, which means pain may be absent, despite the severity of the burn due to possible nerve damage. This type of injury affects all three layers of skin and can lead to permanent tissue damage, as well as damage to bone and muscle. Immediate medical treatment is needed. While waiting for help to arrive or if taking the person to the hospital, do not remove any fabric that is stuck to the skin. Be sure the material is no longer burning or smoldering. For this type of injury, applying cold water can cause complications such as hypothermia or shock. The Mayo Clinic advises using “a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.” Do not apply ointments and do not break the blisters. Also, do not blow on or fan the burn. If possible, have the person lie flat and raise the affected area above heart level. Lying flat is not indicated if the person has a head, neck, back, or leg injury or if lying flat leads to discomfort.

Ask the Doctor

Holiday Fire Safety • Do not ever use lit candles to decorate a tree, and place them far from tree branches. • Give live trees plenty of water daily to keep them as moist as possible. • When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant. • Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over. • When decorating Christmas trees, always use safe tree lights. • Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep. • Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house. • Avoid placing lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains could close over them. • Monitor pots and pans on the stove so that liquids do not boil over.

Hopefully, you will avoid this painful injury while preparing your Thanksgiving and Christmas dishes, but will instead have a safe holiday season with family and friends. However, if the unfortunate happens, we hope some of what you learned here will help you take quick action to minimize the pain and possible long-term damage from burns. O The contents of this article are not intended as medical instruction. In the event of a burn, you should consult your doctor or a medical professional for treatment or medication.

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• Turn pot and pan handles inward on the stovetop so children cannot reach them and pull them down. • Use the back burners to cook when young children are in the home.

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Women’s Toolbelt

Hi-Tech First Aid By: Rita Oldham

ou know how frustrating it is when your hitech gadgets either go on the fritz or meet with an unfortunate accident? After all, you work hard to earn the money to buy those not-so-inexpensive items that make your life easier or provide entertainment. Replacing them or having them repaired can be costly, so here are some tips to help you out.

Carefully use a vacuum to remove any moisture that remains. However, do not allow the vacuum to come into contact with the phone. In fact, you can leave it in front of a fan for a while. Allow the phone to air dry for a day or two then reassemble. If the phone still will not turn on, plug it into the power supply. If the phone still does not respond, it is probably time to go shopping.

Yikes! You Dropped Your Cell Phone in the Tub

What’s Up? Your iPod® Froze Up

The best hope to save your phone is fast action. First, remove the protective case, if there is one. Gently shake excess water off the phone. Then quickly remove the battery and SIM card (found in most models.) Open all the slot covers (where a charger, headset or memory card is inserted.) If your phone has a micro SD memory card inserted, you will want to remove it as well. DO NOT use a hair dryer to dry the phone; the heat can damage delicate components and, even on cool, the air pressure can push water further into your phone.

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Just like most computers, iPods and other MP3 players may need to reboot from time to time. If your iPod stops responding, check to make sure that the hold switch isn’t on. If it is on, switch it to off and the iPod should start responding again. However, if the hold switch is off and it still isn’t responding, it will need to be reset. To do this, switch the hold button from OFF to ON to OFF again, then press and hold the menu and center buttons at the same time for about eight seconds. You will know when it has reset when the Apple logo appears. Most other MP3 players have reset

Women’s Toolbelt

buttons that can be pressed using the end of a paper clip. You can also take the batteries out and reinsert to reset.

Your Computer Ate Your CD

If a CD or DVD won’t eject from your computer, try this tip. On a PC, find the small hole on the CD/DVD drive and, using a paper clip, depress the internal button. Hold the paper clip in place until the tray pops out. If you are a Mac user, try dragging the disc icon to the Trash. If that doesn’t work, quit all your applications, restart the computer and hold down the mouse button while the computer reboots.

You Have Been Disconnected

You sit down to work on your laptop, type in the name of the Web site you want to visit and hit “Go,” only to discover that your Internet connection is down. Resetting your modem can be done very easily; you just have to remember the sequence of steps. Done in the right order, your Internet connection will be back up and running in no time. First, reset your modem by depressing the reset button on the back with the tip of a pin or a paperclip. Next, reset the wireless router using the same method; holding the button in for 8 seconds. Once both the modem and router are reset, you will need to restart your computer. Now that you have some answers to a few of the problems that can plague your hi-tech gadgets, hopefully you will be able to save a little money in replacement and service costs. After all, you love the ease and convenience of advance technology but don’t want it to drain your bank account either. O

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Pet Paws

Heartworm Prevention in Winter Months By: Leah Reising

s the winter months approach, dog owners often ask, “Do I really need to give heartworm prevention to my dog in the winter?” The answer is, “Yes,” and to understand the answer, it’s important to know how heartworm disease is transmitted.

Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, it ingests the microfiliaria (immature heartworms) in the blood and passes them along to the next dog it bites. Just one bite from a mosquito is all it takes. Over the next three to six months, the microfiliaria mature into adult heartworms which produce more microfiliaria, and the deadly cycle repeats itself. Heartworm prevention kills these microfiliaria that are already circulating in the bloodstream before they can develop into adult heartworms and cause damage. Heartworm prevention is easy to administer and not terribly expensive as pet medicine goes. The average prevention ranges in price from six to ten dollars per month.

“People choose to skip on heartworm treatments during the winter months because they believe that they are saving money. However, the few dollars saved by stopping heartworm prevention for a couple of winter months are not worth the risk of costly and possibly fatal heartworm disease,” states Kathy Hodge, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Calloway County. “An ounce of prevention in the case of heartworm pills is worth much more than its pound of cure.” When heartworms are left untreated, adult heartworms can grow to a foot or more in length and live in the dog’s heart. There they slow blood circulation, which can cause serious damage to internal organs before any symptoms are ever seen. Once an animal has tested positive for heartworms, it is a very difficult disease to treat. According to the Web site, lovetoknow.com, heartworms can be treated, but treatment can be fatal because it can injure the animal’s liver or kidneys. After giving the pet shots to kill the adult heartworms, another series of shots has to be administered to kill off the larvae found in the bloodstream. All of this adds up to an expensive veterinary bill that could have been avoided if the pet’s owners would have administered heartworm prevention. Year-round heartworm prevention is advised regardless of where the dog lives because: • Even in colder climates, a single infected mosquito can survive in the warmth of a home. • If the dog is an inside pet, he must still go outside for potty breaks, and an infected mosquito needs only a few seconds to bite.

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Pet Paws

• Staying on a regular schedule makes you less likely to forget to give the prevention. • Most heartworm prevention also helps prevent other intestinal parasites such as hookworms and roundworms, which can be contracted any time of year. Heartworm disease is serious. Treatment is costly, it is not always successful, and there are often painful side effects. The best treatment is prevention! Talk to your veterinarian for help in choosing the best heartworm prevention for your pet. For more information about the Humane Society, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, or for questions regarding animal issues, contact the Humane Society, a United Way agency, at 270-759-1884, humanesociety@murray-ky.net; visit our website at www.forthepets.org, our office at 607 Poplar Street, Suite A-1, or you can find us at facebook.com/ForThePets. O

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This is a medium level puzzle...Good Luck!

Instructions: Place the numbers 1 through 9 in each blank field. Each column (down), row (across) and 3x3 region must contain each of the numerals only one time.

Again, good luck! Where is the Solution? Not sure of your answers? Visit our Web site to check your solution. Go to www.murraylifemagazine.com and click the “Puzzle Solution” symbol. We’ll see you next issue with another great puzzle! Puzzle Courtesy of www.sudoku-puzzles.net

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Count On It

All Things Candy Cane 300: 1.76 Billion: Number produced each year.

Degrees Fahrenheit the ingredients are heated in order to make the candy.

$24.88: Price of 144 Shrek candy canes from the Spangler Candy Company of Bryan, Ohio.

1847: Year candy canes were introduced to America by a German-Swedish immigrant.

Typical height in inches, although many other sizes are available.

90:

1670: Year a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany first bent the ends to resemble a shepherd’s staff.

83: Weight, [in pounds] of 1,000 candy canes.

Percentage of adults who purchase candy canes according to the National Confectioners Association.

12/26: National Candy Cane Day!

36’ 7”: Largest candy cane ever made; created in Michigan in 1998.

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1950: Approximate year Gregory Keller invented a machine to automate candy cane production. | Murray Life Magazine

Savvy Shopper

Turkey Deep-Fryers: A Buying & Safety Guide By: Kim Cottingham

f you’d like to try something a little different this year for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, you may want to consider deep-frying a turkey. Many who have tasted a deep-fried turkey say this cooking method produces a moist, delicious, melt-in-your mouth main dish that cannot be duplicated any other way. Here, we have included some basic information to help you as you shop for what may become one of your favorite cooking appliances.

First, you’ll need to decide if you want to buy an electric or propane deep fryer. Electric models are more expensive, but are considered to be less of a fire risk than the propane version. With the electric fryer, you don’t have to transport and refill a heavy propane tank. Electric fryers have a built-in thermometer and automatic safety shut-off in case the oil temperature is too high. On the other hand, propane frying is considered more

Safety Checklist • Use outside, in a well-ventilated area (no carports or garages.)

Another decision you’ll have to make is whether you want an aluminum or stainless steel fryer. The aluminum model tends to be the least expensive and conducts heat more evenly and efficiently than stainless steel models. However, stainless steel tends to be easier to clean and more durable than aluminum. With an average weight of about 20 pounds, the units are lightweight and relatively portable, notes Jason Ward of Tractor Supply. Of course, you’ll need to consider how much you want to pay for a fryer. Although electric fryers and some deluxe propane fryers can be purchased for well over $100, more basic propane fryers are available in the $50$75 price range, according to Jason. Some come with a thermometer, and the propane tank is sold separately.

• Fill fryer partially with oil to leave room for turkey; check for displacement before you heat the oil.

Most turkey deep fryers are available in either 30-quart or 32-quart models. Some come with a cooking basket which you can use to deep fry fish, hush puppies or fries. If you buy the traditional propane deep fryer, you’ll want to be sure the fryer has a regulator hose to connect to the propane tank. The regulator hose will keep the pressure at a low level.

• Wear gloves, long sleeves & safety goggles to prevent burns. No sandals or flip-flops. • Never leave fryer unattended while hot.

Once you’ve made these decisions and purchased your new appliance, be sure to read the owner’s manual before using the fryer, for safety reasons, and for best results. The fryer must be used outside in a well-ventilated area, not in a carport or open garage.

• Make sure turkey is completely thawed.

• Monitor the oil temperature throughout cooking process. • Have your fire extinguisher handy! 16

authentic and the preferred choice for optimum results. The propane version heats the oil more quickly and is often less expensive than the electric model. In spite of having to transport the propane cylinder, the propane version is more portable because it can be used when electricity is not available, such as when camping.

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After you’ve read the manual, you’re ready to cook. However, be sure the turkey is thoroughly thawed. Even a partially frozen turkey can be dangerous in a deep fryer. The ice and cold water in a frozen or partially frozen turkey causes the hot oil to bubble out of the fryer and catch on fire, which can result in serious injury and fire damage.

Savvy Shopper

Heat the oil in the fryer to 350 degrees. Peanut oil is recommended, because it has a high smoking point. If food “The meat is moist and flavorful. It is a allergies or your taste preferences lead you to use different most worthy thing to do with a turkey.” oil, be sure to use one with a smoking point of at least 450 degrees, to be safe. You’ll need between three and four gal- Kenny Darnell lons of oil to fill the container half way, depending on the size of the fryer. Filling halfway allows room for the turkey without overflowing the fryer as the turkey is immersed. When heating the oil, use a cooking thermometer to verify the oil has reached a temperature of 350 degrees. Once you’ve seasoned your turkey as desired, you’re ready to slowly add it to the hot oil. Turkey Fryers Online suggests wearing gloves, long sleeves, and safety goggles as an added precaution against any burns from splattered oil when lowering the turkey into or removing it from the pot. By the way, when seasoning your turkey, you may want to use an injectable marinade available in many varieties to enhance the flavor. At three minutes per pound, you will need to allow about 45 minutes to fry a 15 pound turkey at 350 degrees. A few other safety precautions: While the fryer is hot, it should not be left unattended, the way you might leave a slow cooker. Monitor the oil’s temperature throughout the cooking process. Keep the temperature at 350 degrees to avoid fire and personal injury. Remember, just like a backyard grill, the outside of the fryer can cause skin burns when touched. When you are ready to clean the fryer, wait at least two hours for the oil to cool before moving the fryer or removing the oil, according to Turkey Fryers Online. That’s all there is to it: Thaw the turkey; heat the oil; cook the turkey. Not much different than the traditional method of preparing the meal in the oven—and maybe a little faster, which means enjoying a wonderful meal with family and friends sooner. As outdoor writer and hunter Kenny Darnell told us, “The meat is moist and flavorful. It is a most worthy thing to do with a turkey.” Kenny also notes that some restaurants and barbeque experts will fry your turkey for you. You might find this option both safer and more convenient. If you cook it yourself, you can enjoy the nice fall weather as you sit outside, monitoring the fryer. So, if you decide to give this trendy new method a try this year, remember to follow the safety precautions, then, have a blessed holiday season. O

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Community Interest

Our First Christmas! By: Angela Denk

ife is filled with firsts: first loves, first kisses, first jobs, first cars, and everyone’s favorite, Baby’s First Christmas. We have ornaments, bibs, novelty hats, and frames to commemorate this event, but what if your baby is a business? The hat won’t fit, and it will take more than a blanket and a Onesie to make it through, whether your business is brand new or just new to town, but it’s no less special or exciting when it happens. Christmas is the bread and butter of retail – ‘tis the season to shop, but it’s also a precarious time, a potentially make-it-orbreak-it season. To get in the spirit, Murray Life took time to meet some of our area’s new businesses, to welcome these newborns, if you will, into our community, and to find out how they plan to survive their first Christmas.

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Milezone: Every Child’s Dream Toy Store Stepping inside Russ and Carla Burke’s toy store, Milezone, is a little like peeking into Santa’s workshop. Tucked in a glassed-in recess next to Gold Rush Jewelers, it is a child’s wonderland. The store is filled with shelves, floor to ceiling along the perimeter, displaying throwbacks and curiosities: kaleidoscopes here, Sea Monkeys® there, magic sets, wooden puzzles, and trains. The Barbie® nook adjoins the stuffed bear factory, a corner where children (and children-atheart) can customize their own critters, and throughout the 2,000 square-foot showroom, puppets are displayed on racks and stands. If there are whistles and bells to be found, they do not require batteries. On the surface, it is a yesteryear toy land, but much of the lifeblood of this operation comes from the Web, a very modern and tech-savvy way of marketing. In this economy, diversity is key.

Community Interest

Twelve years ago, Milezone sprang from Russ Burke’s love of 1:64 scale model die cast cars. From the start, most of his business came from the Internet, and the original Michigan City, Indiana storefront was only open during the holiday season. “We have the largest Johnny Lightning 1:64 die cast collection in the world,” Russ shared during a visit. The tiny, detailed replicas literally fill the remaining 2,000 square-feet of the shop, stacked and stored like warehouse goods out of their customers’ sight. If demand truly determines supply, then business must be good. Still, it’s a gamble to open a business right now, or as in this case, to relocate to a new physical market. Whispers and claims of an improved economy may abound, but the fact remains that people are spending less money.

Christmas is the bread and butter of retail – ‘tis the season to shop, but it’s also a precarious time, a potentially make-it-or-break-it season.

The Burkes, who chose Murray for their relocation because of family ties, are optimistic, though, about making it through this holiday season. When asked what strategies they might employ, Russ laughs, “There’ll be free popcorn at our grand opening?” It comes just like that – a questioning lift of tone at the end of his sentence, but it is underscored with good-natured confidence and hope. His wife and business partner, Carla, responds with a smile as well and stresses the quality and pricerange of their products. With a focus on educational toys through brands like Lamaze® and the ever-chic and simple Melissa & Doug®, and with many items priced at fifteen dollars or under, she is counting on these factors to pull them through. And of course, Russ points out again, there are the Web sales. Meanwhile, on the other side of town…

Revival: A Vintage Lover’s Dream Murray State senior, Kelsey Sykes, is working in reverse, quickly expanding from store-only sales to include

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Community Interest

supplementary Internet merchandising. Her vintage boutique, Revival, which occupies the corner space between Corvette Lanes and Massey Citgo Convenience Store, specializes in handmade items and found objects. Blazers, circa 1982, hang in a row next to 1960’s sunglasses. A transistor radio rests on a shelf. Canvases for sale, painted by local artists and students, decorate the walls, and in the middle of the room, hand-bound journals and memory books are splayed on top of an antique kitchen table. Even with the curtained dressing area exposed, Revival feels intimate. If not for Ms. Sykes, seated at a desk with a ledger, it might seem more like a chic parlor than a place of business, but have no doubt, she is serious.

The Lodge

To keep overhead low, Kelsey runs the store by herself, and she utilizes friends as models, dressing them in her found fashion treasures which she photographs to propel her Web sales. She makes good use of Facebook, too – the free marketing tool du jour for many new and old entrepreneurs. She updates the page daily and announces new items as they come in. When asked how she plans to survive the holiday season, she replied, “I am planning on selling gift certificates around the holidays and other gift oriented items, like vintage-inspired pendants and wall decorations with antique fabric lettering for MSU and different sororities. There are lots of projects in the works that I think are really exciting.” One such project will involve collecting people’s unwanted items – old furniture, clothing, mirrors, anything – and allowing local artists to implement them in new ways, then selling the “new” items. Dresses into curtains, window panes painted with art – the possibilities are limited only by imagination.

This Christmas looked to be a gift waiting to be unwrapped. Every weekend was booked with business and family parties. When we asked what Valerie expected from 2011, she responded with confidence and enthusiasm: “It will be an even better year.”

“I've wanted to open my own store for as long as I can remember. It's one of those things that I think is sort of everyone's dream, to own something of your own,” said Sykes. Was she scared, opening her business’ doors in October, just before the Christmas season? “I definitely was nervous about opening the store, not just because of the economy but for all sorts of reasons. However, it is truly a dream of mine and I knew that if I didn't take the opportunity when it was presenting itself that I would regret it for a long time.” So, the economy be hanged; Kelsey Sykes is living her dream. O

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And everyone, it seems, thinks about opening a restaurant. Few people, however, ever get around to doing it. The investment of time, money and faith in the future is daunting, but not for Valerie England and the “family” at The Lodge. That’s the paragraph that was to lead the examination of The Lodge. It was a hopeful piece, which discussed the struggle of a new business but also reported the joy and appreciation of Valerie England and her business family. “We opened at a bad time [for the economy],” she told us, “but everybody has really supported us.”

Then, on the night of November 8, The Lodge burned to the ground. As we go to press, we know only that the building is “a complete loss” as the official reports will say. We can tell you, also, that impressive hopes went up in smoke and flames, as well, and that The Lodge will not celebrate its first Christmas in 2010. Whatever happens in the future, we hope you will join Murray Life in keeping a special thought and a hopeful prayer for Valerie and all of the folks who were that dream called, “The Lodge.” For it is people – not buildings – who are the real stuff of dreams. Who is to say that this dream will not yet be fulfilled?

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West Kentucky’s favorite storyteller brightens the Holidays with laughter and lighthearted looks at life in our part of the country. Thousands have enjoyed his essays in print and on the air, and now Robert Valentine’s personal favorites are all in one place. New Caledonian Press is proud to announce the release of Bob Valentine’s first book of humorous essays and original stories. The perfect gift for everyone on your Holiday list!

The

Colorful Career of Comic Creator Joe Staton

By: Logan Abbitt “I’ve always been drawing, as far back as I can remember, and I’ve always been hooked on comics, both books and strips, since I was a really little kid.” In that respect, Joe Staton was a pretty typical boy. What sets the Murray State University alum apart from his peers is the career that blossomed from his artwork. Comic book readers have been enjoying Staton’s work with original characters, superhero legends and cartoon icons for 40 years. His legendary career shows no sign of stopping either. Best known for his work on E-Man, Green Lantern and now Scooby Doo, there are very few comic book characters that haven’t been rendered by his awardwinning pencils and inks. Joe Staton was born in North Carolina, but he grew up in Milan, Tennessee, a small town about an hour and a half from Murray. Milan High School didn’t have any art classes, so he was delighted to find the Summer Art Workshops at Murray State. He attended these workshops during several summers while in high school, so when he finally graduated from Milan, he was already accustomed to Murray State’s art department. The decision to attend MSU was only natural. “I loved my time at Murray,” Staton says. “I was on a work/study program at Murray and I worked for art history professor Jerry DeSchepper in his office 22

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preparing art history slides and keeping them organized and doing whatever office help he needed. It was a great spot since lots of students and teachers hung out there.” He remembers several members of the department fondly. “Bob Head was the soul of the department, teaching painting. He was great to be around because he was somebody so dedicated to art. My favorite teacher was Tom Walsh, who taught beginning drawing and who moved on to Carbondale.” Staton wound up taking more art history classes, with DeSchepper and Penny Knowles. He did editorial cartoons for the school newspaper and for an alternative paper concurrently. “The formidable Clara M. Eagle was the head of the department and had taught on the World Campus Afloat program (now Semester at Sea) and helped me get scholarships and loans to take a semester on shipboard in Europe and South America.” It was during one of these excursions that Joe met his wife, Hilarie, a California girl. When he graduated from Murray in 1970, Staton moved to New York to begin the unenviable task of finding work as a professional artist. “I was still focused on comics, but when I headed off to New York

I didn’t get work in comics right off the bat. I designed inflatable displays and toys for a POP [sales promotions] company, and did production work for a line of Brooklyn newspapers, and maintained the slides for a stock photo company. I enrolled at Hunter College in their museum restoration program.” His destiny wasn’t far off, however. “My California girl came to New York, we got married one day, I got work in comics the next day, and I dropped out of Hunter.” Staton started working with Charlton Comics in 1971. Charlton published a wide variety of genres, including crime, science fiction, horror, romance and superhero comics. Staton started out with the horror book The Many Ghosts of Dr. Graves. In 1973, he teamed up with writer Nicola Cuti to create E-Man, his first superhero, and the character that would establish his reputation. The first E-Man series was only ten issues, but it enjoys a cult-like following to this day. “No matter whatever else I do, that's what I usually get mentioned for. Fair enough. It was good stuff.” Charlton also produced comics on licensed properties like Space: 1999, Emergency! and The Six Million Dollar Man, and Joe worked on all of them. Eventually, Staton went on to work with Marvel Comics. He started out doing inks, that is finishing another artist's work for press preparation, on The Hulk and The Avengers. Later, he went to DC Comics where he got the opportunity to do his own pencil work, creating new, original art for the books. During his years at DC, he made a name for himself with work on established characters such as The Justice Society of America, The Doom Patrol, and Batman. His tenure with the space faring Green Lantern is where he really began to shine. For many, Joe Staton became synonymous with the emerald gladiator. He illustrated Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps.,

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Guy Gardner, and a handful of related titles. We’ll all get to see some of his original characters come to life on the big screen in Summer 2011 when the much hyped Green Lantern movie comes out. Staton has worked on a very broad range of characters with a wide variety of styles. While his style is often considered “cartoony,” he also creates realistic illustrations and paintings. He has adapted his style to incorporate such diverse characters as the Archie gang, Gargoyles, The Wild Thornberries, and one of his favorite projects, “the best-selling, most successful crime-detective book of recent memory—Scooby Doo. The detectives are all underage, one of them is a large talking dog, and the crime is almost always realestate fraud, but, hey, it just depends on how you look at things.”

Joe Staton

That versatility has been a great asset in his career. He drew the Classics Illustrated adaptation of The Christmas Carol in 1990. He received an Eisner Award (the Oscars for comics) in 1998 for World's Finest: The Superman-Batman Adventure, drawn in the animated style. He has illustrated educational texts and workbooks, and storyboarded ads and animated Web sites. “It's a question of being able to produce any style on any deadline. I can do that.” Staton has worked for over 27 publishers, and his career is far from over. He recently helped create Femme Noir, a critically acclaimed online comic that can be found at www.femme-noir.com. He still does the convention circuit, and he’s still in high demand. Two years ago, The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art in New York (MOCCA) presented the celebrated exhibit The Art of Joe Staton, which had to be held over. To call him a fan-favorite is an understatement. Despite living in New York for over thirty years, Staton’s a proud southerner. Born in North Carolina, raised in Tennessee, educated in Kentucky, he states defiantly: “You can't fool me about barbeque. I know my barbeque.” Above everything else, Joe Staton is one of the true gentlemen of the industry. He was extremely pleasant when approached about interviewing for this article. He laughs off notions of being a legend, though. “I’ve now been drawing comics for a living for a bit over 39 years. Sometimes I think museum restoration would have been fun.” Maybe so, Joe, but thousands of fans are glad you stuck with the sketches. 24

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go!

Make You Ready ne of the great advantages of having a university in town is the bountiful array of art that is available to residents. Murray State is, of course, well known for its graphic artists, its weavers, sculptors and innovators in the visual arts.

Perhaps even better known are the musicians. Each semester brings senior recitals with performances that would make America’s Got Talent want to reconsider the show’s title. Orchestras, jazz combos, symphonic bands and choral groups galore have given MSU an international reputation, and flood the evenings and weekends with unbelievable music and song. The campus has produced some significant theatre, as well, with celebrity grads like Earl Brown (Something About Mary, Deadwood), Charlie Hall (Radio City Music Hall) and Chrishell Stause (All My Children), just to name a few. For the last ten years, the campus has been a reservoir for theatre’s biggest name: William Shakespeare.

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Each year, faculty members of Murray State, in conjunction with regional high school teachers and local community arts leaders, organize and present the Murray Shakespeare Festival. Since its founding in 2001, the festival has helped thousands of students from schools throughout western Kentucky, northern Tennessee, southern Illinois, and south-eastern Missouri experience Shakespeare’s drama performed by highly skilled and immensely entertaining actors

2011 Schedule Tuesday, Feb. 15 10 a.m. Macbeth 7 p.m. As You Like It Wednesday, Feb. 16 10 a.m. Macbeth Thursday, Feb. 17 10 a.m. Macbeth 7 p.m. Measure for Measure Friday, Feb. 18 7 p.m. Macbeth Ticket Prices - Adults: $10 - MSU students, staff & faculty: $5 - All other students in 18-county services area: $5 - Other University students and faculty: $7 Visit the Department of English and Philosophy Web site at www.murraystate.edu for more information and updates on activities.

from The American Shakespeare Center. Professional actors conduct workshops with theatre students. Directors discuss Shakespeare (and other works) with English majors and other scholars. Papers are presented and panels are presented. Oh . . . and there are plays, too. For many students and community members alike, plays performed at the Murray Shakespeare Festival are the first Shakespearean drama they have ever attended, and often represent their only exposure to professional theater. It is a heavy responsibility. Professor William “Rusty” Jones heads the festival this year as the American Shakespeare Center brings Shakespeare’s Macbeth to the featured stage. There will also be performances of As You Like It and Measure for Measure. The style of the ASC promises that audiences will be as engaged by what they see as by what they hear, and the shows are open to the public.

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In addition to the performances there will be presentations from ASC artists and producers, as well as programs by Murray State faculty and students. Murray State Theatre often performs Shakespeare’s works, but the demand to meet the audience’s need to experience a variety of theatre means that MSU can only produce Shakespeare every second or third year. The Festival brings extra resources and enormous professional energy to the celebration of theatre and all its arts. As we go to press all the elements are not yet in place, so watch for scheduled events as they develop. This year there are three different plays instead of two; six performances have replaced four, and opportunities have expanded for everyone. It all starts on Valentine’s Day with lectures, discussions and demonstrations as, for the tenth consecutive year, Shakespeare comes to Murray. As Hamlet said to the players, “Go! Make you ready.” You’ll be glad you did. O

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in Our Midst

By Carrie Szwed

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erhaps it’s the hair-raising scream it emits…or its tendency to “haunt” old, dilapidated buildings. Maybe it’s the flash of white your eyes catch as it silently swoops by. One way or another, the barn owl has earned the distinctively eerie title of the “ghost owl.” It has been given more pleasant nicknames as well, such as the “sweetheart owl” for its heart-shaped face, the “monkeyfaced owl,” and the “screech owl” for its shrieking call that is even more frightening than that of the true screech owl. Whatever name you choose to call it, many people agree that the barn owl is an intriguing animal to say the least, fascinating people on every continent (except Antarctica) for ages.

Humans and barn owls have historically lived quite harmoniously together, especially because these owls are nature’s best mousetraps! One pair of barn owls and their young will consume up to 100 mice in one night, or 25,000 rodents in a year! In America, voles (otherwise known as field mice) are the single most important food item for barn owls. Pastures, hay fields, and meadows are prime grassland habitats for these small rodents. A barn owl's supreme hearing ability aids in the detection of prey, even when rodents are concealed by tall grasses. Asymmetrical ears allow the owl to triangulate the source of the softest sound, such as a mouse’s squeak. On dark cloudy nights, a barn owl can essentially catch its prey using hearing alone.

as a “threatened species” in Kentucky and Tennessee, and as an “endangered species” in Illinois and Missouri. Fortunately, the barn owl’s fate is certainly not sealed. We can take an active role in its conservation by providing undisturbed grassland habitat and putting up specially-designed nest boxes. While they naturally nest in tree cavities, barn owls are inclined to take advantage of human-made structures. In fact, studies of tracked wild populations indicate that they will often choose man-made structures over natural tree cavities. So, erecting a nest box on your property will certainly increase your chances of attracting this magnificent bird. If you think you have the proper habitat to host a barn owl family – that is, an open field that supports a sufficient amount of small prey – here are a couple of easy barn owl homes, published by the Raptor Trust, you can build. The box design works best when hung outdoors, such as on the outside of an existing structure, on a pole, or placed in a tree. The tray design is meant for inside a building where a roof already exists. The plans can be found at theraptortrust.org. Several other design plans can also be found on the Internet. Don't count out your property if it is not “out in the country.” Barn owls will be happy to live within city limits as long as there is a plot of grassland nearby, such as a fallow field or cemetery.

Only recently have barn owls been facing challenges There are many benefits to having barn owls on your in the company of humans. These owls need a secure property. Not only will you have a natural source of roosting and nesting area in addition to rodent-filled pest control, but you can also enjoy observing your fields—a combination that is much harder to come by raptor residents throughout the year. Unlike these days. Many of the old barns that were other owls, barn owls can nest almost once inhabited by barn owl families any time of year, and will often prohave been leveled and replaced by duce two broods (litters) in a pronew metal barns that are impenYoung barn owl ductive year. Each brood can etrable to any wild creature. be composed of between two Expanses of pristine fields and 13 young! You can also have been transformed into be assured that barn owls farms, where denselypose no threat to chickens packed monoculture or small pets; their crops leave little room appetite is strictly for for barn owls to swoop animals that can fit in down on their prey. the palm of your hand. Suburban areas also do Perhaps most importantnot fit the habitat bill ly, providing a home for because they do not supbarns owls can provide port as many small you with a sense of conrodents as do pastures, nection to the natural hay fields, and meadowworld, which as we all know, lands. This loss of hunting can be a priceless feeling. This grounds and nesting sites has is one kind of “ghost” you might been detrimental to the barn owl population. Barn owls are now listed like to be visited by! O

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Merry

Christmas Kappa Style By: Jamie Helton

Merry Christmas Comes to Murray” on Sunday, December 12, when the Kappa Department of the Murray Woman’s Club hosts the 29th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $7 at the Murray Chamber of Commerce or from any Kappa member. Available at the homes, tickets will be $8 on tour day. Proceeds will go to the Merryman House and Murray Woman’s Clubhouse, and a donation will be made to each homeowner’s charity of choice.

A “

Stephen and Kim Crouch—309 N. 10th Street

circa 1910 jewel furnished in an eclectic style. An updated kitchen and striped paint treatment mix easily with antique pieces. Kim skillfully turned an inherited painting of a dog into a striking folk-art piece. The charming open kitchen is large enough to accommodate a big gathering table, and the open staircase is a focal point of the home. The boys’ adorable bedrooms have unique closets under the eaves, and an antique desk in Collier’s room was made by Kim’s grandfather. Bright colors, polka dots and fun describe Kim’s holiday home. The keeper of family memories is the aromatic live tree adorned with family photos and ornaments collected on travels. A very special ornament is a wedding day champagne cork embellished with a silver bell, given to them by a family member from Holland. Assisting with the holiday decorating, Beverly Lemons, owner of The Red Barn, will combine family decorations with goodies from her store to transform this home into a holiday delight. The quotation on the kitchen wall sums up this home: “Good Food, Good Friends, Good Times.”

Andy and Tina Dunn—1507 Sandy P ine Drive Kim and Stephen believe they have found the perfect location to raise sons, Collier, 5, and Kellen, 2. It’s a 34

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Nestled in the wooded subdivision of Spring Creek is the brick and stone home of Andy and Tina Dunn and their 14-year-old daughter Elizabeth. The lush landscaping of this 2007 beauty is reflected in the interior

with its rich earth tones and warm oak flooring. Tina has successfully combined heirloom antique pieces such as a Duncan Phyfe sofa and an iron bed with comfortable traditional furnishings. The spacious kitchen/eating area offers a sofa for chats with the cook. Tina is fortunate to have her talented friend, Holly Bloodworth, to help create a nature-inspired holiday theme that complements the home’s warm color palette. Peacock and pheasant feathers, along with seasonal foliage, signal the season throughout the home. A vintage silver tree and snowflakes over the bed in Elizabeth’s room are dressed in the rich colors of the bedding to add a festive touch. Soothing winter white sets the mood in the elegant dining room. Hallmark ornaments given over the years to Elizabeth and those purchased on trips give their trees special meaning.

home will be decked out in natural materials to create an outdoor mood. His students will help him make ornaments for the “kids’ tree” in one of the bedrooms. Scarves, pearls, and gloves are not typical ornaments, but here they fit perfectly on the tree in the heirloom bedroom. From tree top to table top, Robin decorates his own home and also offers holiday decorating to services. With festive touches in every room, this house is ready for the holidays. A Merry Christmas has truly come to these three homes. All they need now is your appreciative visit in the spirit of the season. O

Although it’s a big home, the Dunns have made it warm and cozy and the perfect setting for the holidays.

Robin Brown—2208 Brookhaven Drive Since moving in four years ago, Robin has worked his magic in his 1998 home in the quiet Gatesborough subdivision. With dramatic deep wall colors, new hardwood floors, and a large center island in the kitchen, this home is open and welcoming. By mixing inherited pieces with comfortable contemporary furniture, Robin has added interest and personality to his home. The promise of Christ-mas is evident from the outside window boxes fill-ed with seasonal greenery to the large entry with a “friends’ tree” filled with ornaments supplied by friends. Trees throughout the

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Day Trips

Shopping Trips By: Logan Abbitt

On the twelfth day of Christmas My true love gave to me …

The gift giving season is nearly upon us. While some of us spend all year looking for that particular item to give to a loved one, many more of us haven't even started yet. Perhaps you simply can't think of what to get that certain special someone. None of the gifts you’ve found have that unique quality you're searching for. Our motto is, “Have a Murray Christmas” by keeping it local. Murray has an abundance of shops and specialty stores with friendly and knowledgeable sales staffs to help you in your search for just the right gifts for the special people in your life. After all, nobody wants to drive hours just to go shopping. But if there’s travel in your Christmas schedule, here are some places designed to entertain you with food, art and entertainment while you search the stores for unique and exciting gifts.

Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping …

The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

Visiting relatives in Derby City? Louisville's Museum Row on Main has a wide variety of galleries and stores that will attract everyone from art aficionados to sports fans. The unique gift potential is high on Museum Row. For example, what baseball fan wouldn't be interested in having his name engraved on his very own Louisville Slugger? Since 1884, Louisville Slugger has put prime lumber into the hands of the greatest players of the game with the Official Bat of Major League Baseball. A visit to The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory will show you how the sport has changed a bit between then and now. The location is well-marked by the World's Biggest Baseball Bat which casually leans against the side of the building. Professional baseball players continue to have their bats custom made there, and so can you! w w w. m u r r a y l if e m a g a z ine . c o m

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Day Trips

Glassworks Around the corner is Glassworks, an amazing art gallery and studio. Filled with fantastic glass sculptures, they also have artists right on the premises creating new pieces with a variety of techniques. You can watch the magic of glassblowing at the Hot Glass Studio, a process that begins with a roaring 2200 degree F furnace! There's nothing like the classic experience of blowing your own ornament during the holidays, a fun, family tradition that results in a wonderful holiday keepsake or gift. There are many more wonderful attractions on Museum Row, including The Louisville Science Center, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, The Muhammad Ali Center, and The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. You can learn more about any of these great attractions through www.museumrowonmain.com.

Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming … 38

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Headed for Nashville? The Leiper's Fork area in Tennessee was settled in the late 1790s by pioneers from North Carolina and Virginia. Today, Leiper's Fork is a Registered National Historic District containing some of the few remaining examples of late 19th century architecture. Leiper's Fork offers the quaintness of the past and the convenience of the present with friendly merchants and great country cooking. The general opinion seems to be that your first stop should be Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant. Founded by the Puckett family in the 1950s, Puckett’s served as a country store, providing fresh groceries, a good southern meal, a tank of gas and, a place to catch up with friends. Expect to hear some great live music while you sample the best cooking you could ever want. If you or the people you're shopping for are bibliophiles or historians, then Yeoman’s in the Fork was made for you. The finest rare book store in the South, Yeoman's is a caretaker of tangible pieces of American history, protecting and passing on these timeless relics. Feel free to browse the bookstore for rare books, journals, articles, documents, and maps.

Day Trips

assorted cheesecakes along with hot or cold gourmet coffee drinks, Italian sodas and smoothies. You will find an assortment of Bonsai on the front porch. These miniature wonders vary in age and size and make wonderful gifts.

Leiper’s Fork

Patti's and Grand Rivers have much more to offer, including golf, sailing, and the majestic beauty that is the Kentucky Lake area. You can find out more about the many shops and eateries available at www.pattissettlement.com.

Patti’s 1880’s Settlement It would be well worth your time to visit this rural, historic village. If you listen carefully on any Saturday night, you’ll still hear the faint strumming of a banjo and fiddle echoing throughout the hills and hollows around Leiper's Fork. Learn more about the community of Leiper's Fork at www.leipersforkvillage.com.

Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds … Closer to home, Patti's 1880's Settlement in Grand Rivers is something you don't want to miss. A complete vacation destination, Patti's is a top-rated restaurant and inn with fantastic dining, beautiful gardens, unique gift shops, winding streams, a miniature golf course, and much more. The gift shops offer a surplus of amusing and unique entertainments. Wagon Wheel Gift Shop is home to Christmas items and other unique collectibles. You will be enticed with the beautiful music boxes that are available for your listening pleasure. Wagon Wheel is also a vendor of the Fontanini Collection, beautiful Italian made nativity pieces and inspirational items. Bring your appetite for sweets to Anna's Café & Confections. Enjoy jumbo iced sugar cookies and

Three French hens, Two turtle doves, Don't be afraid to travel far and wide in your quest for that perfect gift. You'll find much more than shopping; you'll find wonderful experiences and memories beyond price. Don't forget, though, that there's no place like home for the holidays. Murray has plenty of fun and exciting shopping opportunities right here, too. Look for them at mymurray.com. More importantly, home is where you find friends and family, so wander as you will, but remember the reason you went looking for that special gift in the first place.

And a partridge in a pear tree!

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Laughing Matter

Make Yourself at Home "Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were." ~Unknown ............................................................................ "We dare not trust our wit for making our house pleasant to our friend, so we buy ice cream." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson ............................................................................ The New Year's Eve party had turned into a regular marathon with numerous guests coming and going. At one point, a man knocked on the door, was greeted heartily although no one knew who he was, and was led to the bar in the basement. He sat there happily for a couple of hours before he confided to his host, "You know, I wasn't even invited to this party. I just came over to tell you that some of your guests' cars are blocking my driveway." He took a sip of his eggnog and continued, "My wife's been sitting out in the car waiting for me to get them moved." ............................................................................ "Visits always give pleasureâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;if not the arrival, the departure." ~Portuguese Proverb ............................................................................ Unexpected guests were on the way, and mother, an impeccable housekeeper, rushed around straightening up. She put father and brother to work cleaning the guest bathroom. Later, when she went to inspect it, she was surprised that the once-cluttered room had been tidied up so quickly. Then she saw the note on the closed shower curtains. It read "Thank you for not looking in the bathtub." ............................................................................ Santa Claus has the right idea: Visit people once a year. ~Victor Borge ............................................................................ The old friends spent three days together. "You have a pretty place here, John," remarked the guest on the morning of his departure. "But it looks a bit bare yet." "Oh, that's because the trees are so young," answered the host comfortably. "I hope they'll have grown to a good size before you come again." ............................................................................ Hospitality, n. The virtue which induces us to feed and lodge certain persons who are not in need of food and lodging. ~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary 40

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Seen Around Town

Visit us online at :: www.wallappeals.com

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Murray Dining Guide ith each issue we are including a comprehensive list of the wonderful places where you can eat in Calloway County and the surrounding area. We’re hoping this will serve as a reminder to our residents that you don’t have to go far for a great meal, and will offer some help to visitors and newcomers.

We think you’ll find pleasure in the wide variety of styles and locations available to you. Our listing is organized by categories of style so you can easily choose the dining that suits your taste. If your favorite restaurant isn’t listed, please let us know. We’ll do our best to keep up. Enjoy! Quarters 200 N. 15th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-3406

Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill 816 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-5551

August Moon 1550 Lowe’s Dr. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-4653

Baldy’s Grill 901 Coldwater Rd. . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 762-0441

Big Apple Café 1005 Arcadia Circle . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-8866

El Mariachi Loco 406 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-9000

El Tequila 716 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 767-0026

Gloria’s World Village Food

905 Mineral Wells Ave. . . . . . .(731) 642-5030 Paris, TN 706 N 12th St., Suite 9 . . . . . . .(270) 761-7486

The Keg 1051 N 16th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 762-0040

638 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-3788

Magnolia Tea Room 306 Gilbert St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 492-6284 Hazel, KY

La Cocina Mexicana 501 S. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 767-1627

La Cocina Mexicana 314 Main St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (270) 492-6392 Hazel, KY

Los Portales 506 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . ...(270) 767-0315

166 Upper Village Dr. . . . . . . . .(270) 362-4271 Gilbertsville, KY

Largo Bar & Grill 4645 Hwy. 119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(731) 232-8323 Buchanan, TN

Willow Pond Catfish Restaurant The Olive 216 N. 15th St.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-3663

16814 Hwy. 68 E. . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 474-2202 Aurora, KY

Tom’s Grille 501 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-4521

Tumbleweed Southwest Grill 807 Walmart Dr. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 873-2300

Ann’s Country Kitchen 318 Main St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 492-8195 Hazel, KY

Bad Bob’s Bar-B-Que

305B S. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-0000

King Buffet

Kentucky Dam Village

Shogun

HRH Dumplin’s

506 N. 12th St. Suite E . . . . . . . .(270) 761-8424

500 Eagle Nest Rd. . . . . . . . . . .(731) 642-6192 Buchanan, TN

Olive Pit

124 N. 15th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-3233

Jasmine Restaurant - Thai & Asian Cuisine

Eagle Nest Marina & Dockside Bar and Grill

806 Chestnut St. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 767-0054

Aurora Landing Restaurant 542 Kenlake Rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 474-2211 Aurora, KY

Belew’s Dairy Bar US Highway 62 East . . . . . . . . .(270) 354-8549 Aurora, KY

Coldwater Bar-B-Que & Catering 8284 Hwy. 121 N. . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 489-2199

Cracker Barrel 650 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 762-0081

Crossland Diner Brass Lantern 16593 Hwy. 68 E. . . . . . . . . . . .1-800-474-2770 Aurora, KY

3034 Stateline Rd. W. . . . . . . . .(270) 492-6424 Hazel, KY

Domino’s Pizza Cindy’s on the Barge 888 Kenlake Marina Ln. . . . . . .(270) 474-2245 Hardin, KY

Cypress Springs Resort 2740 Cypress Trail . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 436-5496 New Concord, KY w w w. m u r r a y l if e m a g a z ine . c o m

117 S. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-3030

Happiness Restaurant 412 Main Street . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 293-4952

Holmes Family Restaurant 1901 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 767-0662

| Murray Life Magazine

Seen Around Town

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Murray Dining Guide Huddle House 1514 Hwy. 121 N. . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-1712

Spanky’s 9505 Hwy. 641 N. . . . . . . . . . .(731) 247-5527 Puryear, TN

Hungry Bear 1310 Main St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-7641

T & J’s Diner 2667 St. Rt. 94 E.. . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-4826

Laird’s Bar-B-Que 77 W. Main St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(731) 247-3060 Puryear, TN

Tom’s Pizza 506-A N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-9411

7010 Hwy. 94 W. . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 435-4500 1407 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-1648

Mary’s Kitchen 11205 Stadium View Dr.. . . . . .(270) 759-2036

Matt B’s Main Street Pizza 1411 Main St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-1234

Mr. Gatti’s Pizza 804 Chestnut St. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-6656

Mugsy’s Hideout 410 Main St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 767-0020

Nick’s Family Sports Pub 614 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 762-0012

Pagliai’s Pizza 970 Chestnut St. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-2975

Papa John’s Pizza 656 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-6666

Pizza Hut 1113 Chestnut St. . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-4646

Pizza Pro 605-C S. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 767-1199

Renfro’s Hih Burger Inn 413 S. 4th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-1155

Ruby Renee’s Restaurant 1196 St. Rt. 121 N. . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-1632

Rudy’s 104 S. 5th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270)753-1601

Ryan’s Steakhouse 801 Walmart Dr. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-3809

Sirloin Stockade 922 S. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-0440

Snappy Tomato Pizza 1550 Lowes Dr. . . . . . . . . .(270) 761-7627

217 S. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-9885

Subway

622 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-7827

Taco Bell

402 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-8758

Taco John’s

1100 Chestnut St. . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-9697

Lynn Grove Country Corner Martha’s Restaurant

Sonic Drive-In

Victor’s Sandwiches

1301 W. Main St. . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-7715

Arby’s

507 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-8841

Backyard Burgers

801 Paramount Dr. . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-2480

Vitello’s Deli

216 N. 15th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-3663

Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers

1111 Chestnut St. . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-4695

Brothers BBQ

4th & Sycamore . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 761-7675

Burger King

ARE WE MISSING ANYTHING?

Burrito Shack

If we’ve missed one of your favorite dining locations, please let us know by calling (270) 753-5225 or by emailing us at murraylife@aol.com. – Murray Life

814 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 759-8266 214 North 15th St. . . . . . . . . . .(270) 761-4444

Butcher Block

1203-C Chestnut St. . . . . . . . . . .(270) 761-MEAT

Captain D’s

700 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-9383

Culver’s

818 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 761-2858

Dairy Queen

1303 Main St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-4925

Dinh’s Vietnamese Eggrolls

715 S. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 761-7655

Doughnut Hole, The

404 S. 12th Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-4900

Fidalgo Bay Coffee Shop

1201 Payne St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 761-4800

Hardee’s

505 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-3246

KFC

205 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-7101

McDonald’s

107 N. 12th St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-5548

Quizno’s Subs

1203 Chestnut St. . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-8880

Sammon’s Bakery

974 Chestnut St. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(270) 753-5434

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| Murray Life Magazine

The Money Pages

IRA Rollovers: What You Need to Know By: Ron Arant, a Financial Consultant for Hilliard & Lyons

lanning to change jobs or retire soon? If so, you may be due to receive a lump sum distribution from your retirement plan at work, such as a 401(k). Depending on how long you have been building assets, this payout may well be the largest sum of money that you will ever receive at one time.

Therefore, it’s important to handle it properly. Mishandling it could cost you thousands in taxes, penalties and lost income. At Hilliard Lyons, we can help you take your lumps. There is no reason to pay a penalty on the transaction for example. Due to our firm’s broad experience with tax-qualified plans, we are familiar with all their prickly details. To prevent triggering the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty, for example, we recommend setting up an Individual Retirement Account and “rolling over” the money into it. In the securities business, it is called a direct rollover and many recipients of a lump sum choose to handle it this way. Why does receiving the money in this way avoid the penalty? Because the IRS allows it. In addition to the penalty matter, the bigger advantage of rolling the assets into an IRA is that the money will continue to grow in a tax-deferred manner. Therefore, you will accumulate more money over time. How? The longer earnings grow free from immediate

Rollovers are not as simple as they seem on the surface, and what you don’t know can cost you dearly. taxation, the faster they will compound (accrue interest earned on interest). Just how valuable is this inherent tax-savings benefit? Here is one way to quantify its value: Assume you received a lump sum distribution of $100,000 and earned 9 percent annually, tax-deferred. After 20 years, your account would be worth approximately $560,441. Now let’s assume you put that $100,000 in a taxable account and earned the same annual rate of return, but paid federal income taxes of 28 percent every year. After 20 years, you would have a paltry balance of only $351,043. As a result, by having the lump sum growing in the IRA, you’d be able to accumulate $209,398 more than if the money were in a taxable account. That’s a significant benefit.

A Wide Range of Investments When you rollover your lump sum distribution to Hilliard Lyons and set up an IRA with us, what value do we add? We bring to the table an elaborate smorgasbord of investment choices for one thing. Hilliard Lyons offers a wide spectrum of IRAs. This is our business and it has been since 1854. Our firm is older than the telephone, older than the automobile, older than the federal income tax. Along the way, we have cultivated a broad network of vendors and partners. Not all parties are capable of offering you a full range of choices. The typical employer, for example, offers a limited number of retirement investment options. Why? It’s not what they do. It’s not their primary line of business and there is no point in expecting them to offer a service that they aren’t chartered to properly offer. Look elsewhere.

Questions to Consider When selecting investments for rollover funds, you climb the same decision tree as with any other investment consideration. Therefore, you can expect your 46

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$ Hilliard Lyons Financial Consultant to ask you questions such as: • How much time do you have before you need the money? • What is your tolerance for risk? As you likely know, stocks hold the most potential for capital appreciation. The downside is that they are riskier than bonds, so you need time on your side to ride out the market’s ups and downs. We will steer you to an appropriate mix.

A Final Word Additional rollover facts to keep in mind: • Receivers of a lump sum distribution have the option of rolling part of it over and taking a portion in cash. Keep in mind, however, that any portion not rolled over is subject to income tax, and if you are under age 59½, you may also be subject to a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. • When you decide to take a lump sum distribution, instruct your employer to make the check payable to the financial institution (e.g. Hilliard Lyons) for the benefit of your IRA. If you fail to do this and receive a lump sum personally, your employer must withhold 20 percent for federal income tax.

The Money Pages

The complexities of building, preserving and passing along wealth have never been greater. Affluent investors are increasingly seeking guidance and comprehensive solutions that consider their unique circumstances and long-term goals. It’s my pleasure to work with such individuals to offer insight, advice and solutions in helping them reach their goals.

The long and short of the matter is that rollovers are not as simple as they seem on the surface, and what you don’t know can cost you dearly. Ask for help and I'll gladly provide it or answer any questions you may have. O Hilliard Lyons does not offer tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor or attorney before making any decision that may affect your tax or legal situation. Securities offered through J.J.B. Hilliard W.L. Lyons, LLC. | Member NYSE, FINRA and SIPC. ©2007-2009 All rights reserved.

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| Murray Life Magazine

Recipes

Spice Up the Holidays! Compiled By: Rita Oldham efore you know it, you will be entertaining guests for the holidays. Planning a menu can be stressful during a time when you may already be burning the candle at both ends—attending both professional and personal holiday functions, running around buying gifts, preparing for out-of-town guests, and keeping up with day-to-day work and family obligations. Helping His Kids Cookbook: Recipes for Holidays and Special Occasions can make the task less of a burden while helping a worthy cause. Proceeds from the sale of the cookbook benefit Helping His Kids Foundation, which provides toys for Christmas to needy children in our area. To get you started, here are some selections of appetizers from the cookbook sure to spice up your holiday party.

SAUSAGE BALLS

Submitted by Sarah Lovett Ingredients: 2 lbs sausage (mild or hot, to taste), softened 4½ cups Bisquick® 6 cups shredded cheese (mild or sharp cheddar works well) ½ tsp garlic powder ½ cup chopped onion

Directions: Set out the sausage ahead of time to soften. Mix all ingredients well. Roll into 1½ inch balls. Bake for 15-18 minutes at 375 degrees, or until golden brown.

CROCK POT CHEX MIX Submitted by Sherry Underwood Ingredients:

6 cups assorted cereal (original Rice, Corn and Wheat Chex) 1 cup pretzels 1 cup nuts ½ cup butter, melted 4 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce ½ tsp seasoned salt ½ tsp garlic salt ½ tsp onion salt

Directions: Combine cereals, nuts, and pretzels. Mix butter with remaining ingredients and pour over the cereal mixture, tossing to coat. Cook in crock pot uncovered on high for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Turn to low to cook another 2-6 hours.

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Recipes

HOT & SPICY MUSHROOMS Submitted by Christine Todek Ingredients:

1 lb slab thick cut bacon, sliced 2 lbs sliced mushrooms 1 package fresh green onions sliced 1 green pepper, chopped 1 red pepper, chopped 1 yellow pepper, chopped 1 small jar sliced mild pepper rings 1 small jar medium chunky salsa 1¼ cup ketchup

Directions: Fry bacon until crisp, drain. Set aside. Fry mushrooms until tender, drain. Add all other ingredients and cook until all vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally.

HOT JALAPENO CRAB DIP Submitted by Sarah Lovett Ingredients:

1 lb of lump crab meat 1 tsp chopped garlic ½ cup pickled jalapeno ¼ lb Monterey Jack cheese w/ jalapeno 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp hot sauce ½ cup mayonnaise 2 oz parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine crab, garlic, jalapenos, Monterey jack cheese, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt & mayonnaise. Sprinkle top evenly with parmesan cheese. Bake until golden brown and bubbly. Approximately 25 minutes.

BRUSCHETTA FOR DIP Ingredients:

1 loaf French bread 5 Tbsp olive oil ½ tsp pepper

Directions: Drizzle bread with olive oil. Sprinkle with pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 minutes on each side. Slice into individual portions. Serve warm on chip-and-dip tray with a spoon for guests to spread the dip on the bruschetta. To purchase a copy, visit Primary Care Medical Center at 1000 South 12th Street in Murray or, for more information, call (270) 759-9200.

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| Murray Life Magazine

Calendar of Events

November 22, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Quad State Junior Band Festival

Lovett Auditorium There is no admission charge. Call 270.809.ARTS for more information.

November 26 – January 2, 5:30 – 9:45 p.m.

December 3, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Main Street Merriment and Dickens' Alley

Downtown Court Square A visit with Santa, the lighting of the community Christmas tree, music, vendors, food, storytelling, caroler's and lights, lights, lights!

Festival of Lights/Christmas in the Park

December 3, 7:30 pm

Central Park Over 750,000 lights adorn Central Park for your viewing pleasure. New displays added each year. Sponsorships available by calling the Park Office at 270.762.0325. Cost: Donations accepted.

Lovett Auditorium The Jackson Purchase Dance Company will begin its 2010 production season with Holiday Dancefest, a concert of dances to holiday music favorites. Call 270.809.ARTS for more information.

November 27 – December 18, Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; December 11, 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18, 7:00 p.m.; December 5, 12 & 19, 2:30 p.m.

Holiday Dancefest

A Country Christmas Show

White Christmas

December 2, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

December 4, 6:00 – 9:00 a.m.; 10:00 a.m.

The Kentucky Opry The sights and sounds of the holiday season come alive each year when the Kentucky Opry presents its annual show: A Country Christmas. The show features a wide assortment of your favorite country Christmas classics and tells the Biblical story of Christ's birth through song and recitation. For tickets, call 270.527.3869 or e-mail kentuckyopry@bellsouth.net.

Socks for Santa

Chamber of Commerce Support the local school systems with the Santa Project and Tiger Christmas and give children warm feet this winter! Bring one or more pairs of children's socks and receive a free gift from the stocking tree. Bring 6 pairs of socks and receive 50% off customized holiday baskets. Door prizes every half hour and refreshments provided. Open to the general public, donation of children's socks requested. Phone: 270.978.0101

Live Nativity Scene

Come support Rotary while enjoying a delicious breakfast from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Pagliai's Restaurant. Then enjoy the Christmas Parade at 10:00 a.m. as businesses, organizations and churches show their holiday spirit. The parade starts at the corner of Main and10th Streets and ends at the Briggs & Stratton parking lot. More Information: 270.753.5171.

Laser Holidays

"Bill" Cherry Expo Center For more information: 270.809.3125.

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Rotary Club Country Ham Breakfast & Christmas Parade

December 4, 11 & 18 at 7:00 p.m. & 8:30 pm

December 2 – 4

Playhouse in the Park The uplifting story and Irving Berlin's beloved song White Christmas have been enjoyed by families for generations. Now you can continue the timeless tradition with your family at this glorious and exciting live production! Visit playhouseinthepark.net or call 270.759.1752 for more information.

Golden Pond Planetarium, Land Between the Lakes For more information call 270.924.2088. Schedule is subject to change. Show Tickets $6 all ages.

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EVERY DAY IN MURRAY

December 5, 2:00 p.m. Murray Woman's Club Holiday Open House

Clubhouse located at 704 Vine Street. For more information, call 270.753.5023.

December 5, 2:00 p.m. Murray Art Guild Member’s Exhibit & Art Market Holiday Open House

500 North Fourth Street. For more information, phone 270.753.4059.

December 12 Murray Woman's Club Kappa Tour of Homes

For information, contact the Murray Woman’s Club: 270.753.5023. See article, p. 34.

December 17, 7:30 p.m. Doug Gabriel Family Christmas Celebration

Kentucky Opry Doug is from Branson, Missouri, and will be doing his country show as well as his fabulous Christmas show! Group rates available. For tickets, call 270.527.3869 or e-mail kentuckyopry@bellsouth.net.

December 31, 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Motown New Year’s Eve Celebration

Calendar of Events

THE WEST KENTUCKY/WRATHER MUSEUM Preserving the visual and emotional traditions of the Jackson Purchase Area. Located at North 16th Street and University Drive on the campus of Murray State University, the museum is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Handicap access. For more info, call (270) 809-4771.

THE CHERI THEATER Murray’s seven-screen movie theater. For a list of current movies and times, please call (270) 753-3314 or visit www.moviesinmurray.com.

MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY’S FINE ARTS Presenting a variety of performances from dance to plays, from symphonies to choir concerts. For current information, call (270) 809-ARTS.

THE CLARA M. EAGLE GALLERY AT MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY Offering a variety of exhibitions throughout the year, from student artwork to national tours. Art ranges from drawing to sculpture, from photography to multimedia. For more information, please call (270) 809-6734.

PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK Calloway County’s 25-year-old community theatre. Playhouse presents a variety of plays throughout the year. For detailed information, please call (270) 759-1752.

Kenlake State Resort Park A Motown New Year’s Eve! Step back in time with us, dance the night away, and groove to the sounds of Motown. Dance starts approximately 9:00 p.m., and carries through to the New Year up to 1:00 a.m. Refreshments provided and FUN Guaranteed! Phone: 270.474.2211.

THE MURRAY ART GUILD

January 14 – 15

GLORY BOUND CHRISTIAN MUSIC

LoneStar Rodeo

“Bill” Cherry Expo Center For more information, call 270.809.3125.

A nonprofit organization that offers workshops and exhibitions for children and adults. Stop by and see some of the area artists at work. The Guild is located in downtown Murray at 500 N. 4th St. For additional information, please call (270) 753-4059.

7-9 p.m. every Thursday at the Goshen Family Fellowship Center. For more information, call Joe Lawrence at (270) 753-5643.

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| Murray Life Magazine

Calendar of Events

January 28 – 28

Truck and Tractor Pull

“Bill” Cherry Expo Center For more information, call 270.809.3125.

February 7, 7:30 p.m.; February 8 & 9, 9:30 a.m. & 12:00 noon; February 10, 10:00 a.m. Jack and the Beanstalk

Lovett Auditorium MSU Theatre Department presents Jack and the Beanstalk by Michele L. Vacca. Based on the traditional English Folk Tale. This is the annual children's show suitable for all ages. For more information, call 270.809.4421.

February 18 – 19

The Carson Four Rivers Center Events

November 19, 7:30 p.m. Grand Ole Opry Stars

Jimmy Dickens, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius and John Conlee with Special Guest - WSM Grand Ole Opry announcer for 30 years: Keith Bilbrey.

November 20, 7:30 p.m. Get the Lead Out

From the bombastic and epic to the folksy and mystical, Get the Led Out has captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the big concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six accomplished musicians, intent on delivering Led Zeppelin's studio recordings with all the bells and whistles.

Bull Blowout

December 1, 7:30 p.m. Grease

February 25, 26, March 4, 5, 11 & 12, 7:00 p.m.; February 27, March 6 & 13, 2:30 p.m.

December 2, 7:30 p.m. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

“Bill” Cherry Expo Center For more information, call 270.809.3125.

Hairspray

Playhouse in the Park Hairspray delights audiences by sweeping them away to 1960's Baltimore, where the 50's are out -- and change is in the air. Loveable plus-size heroine, Tracy Turnblad, has a passion for dancing, and wins a spot on the local TV dance program, The Corny Collins Show. Overnight, she finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. Can a larger-than-life adolescent manage to vanquish the program's reigning princess, integrate the television show, and find true love (singing and dancing all the while, of course!) without mussing her hair? Visit playhouseinthepark.net or call 270.759.1752 for more information.

February 26 – 27 MSU AQHA Show

“Bill” Cherry Expo Center For more information, call 270.809.3125.

March 4 – 6 ISHA Hunt Seat Show

“Bill” Cherry Expo Center For more information, call 270.809.3125.

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The one that you want is back! Grease, Time Magazine’s 2007 pick for "#1 musical of the year," is rockin' across the country in this new production direct from Broadway. Now starring Laverne & Shirley's Eddie Mekka (Carmine "the Big Ragu" Ragusa) as DJ Vince Fontaine.

December 9, 7:30 p.m. Legally Blonde It's here, and it's "AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (TIME Magazine). The hilarious MGM film is Broadway's new smash hit musical, and now Legally Blonde the musical is coming to you. Legally Blonde follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn't take "no" for an answer.

December 11, 7:00 p.m. Paducah Symphony Orchestra: Spectacular!

Sing along to your favorite Christmas and holiday tunes with the Paducah Symphony Chorus, Children’s Chorus, and the Paducah POPS Orchestra. This yearly celebration is a mixture of symphonic sugar and spice sure to have you humming and in the holiday spirit. Make this event a family tradition!

February 8, 7:00 p.m. Circa

The name says it all. With their beeline approach to high-flying fun, the Australian performers of Circa push their own limits as they barrel, bolt, and balance at breakneck speed. From awesome acrobatics to fantastic free-falls, the competitive camaraderie of four unbelievably skilled performers fuels awe and adoration in this “breathless barrage and banquet of circus pandemonium” (City News, Brisbane). Visit our Web site: www.thecarsoncenter.org Paducah’s world-class entertainment venue. Please call (270) 450-4444 for tickets or more information on any of these events. For group sales, call (270) 443-9932, ext. 2242. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Note: Open two hours prior to each performance.

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| Murray Life Magazine

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Oakwood Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

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Primary Care Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

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| Murray Life Magazine

Opinion

The Guardian By: Robert A. Valentine

Adonikam sat alone on the grassy hill overlooking the sleeping town. Around him, the sheep grazed and slept by fits and turns. The silence of the night was broken only by an occasional bleat.

“Is that what the singers said?” asked the boy. “Is that the message of which I heard?”

There would be no lions this close to a town, he knew, but wolves would gladly venture close to where people lived. His father and uncles had moved the sheep from the wilderness to the edge of the town, but they had not done so just to make him safe from danger. Wolves were nothing compared to hungry men, and hungry men were more plentiful in towns than in the pasture. He felt the smooth stone in his sling and rubbed the hard knob of wood at the end of this staff. Wolf or man, he was prepared.

“Yes,” said the man.

“You are alone, shepherd,” said a deep voice from behind. Adonikam leapt up and dropped the stone in its sling to his side. “Peace be with you,” said the man. He was tall and thin, and had no hair on his bare head. He was dressed like a shepherd, but was bare of foot. “I am going to the town, but I need to rest. A man could do worse than to sit in the warmth of the flock.” He sat on a spare bit of grass, and two of the sheep moved slowly toward him. He reached out to scratch the ear of one. Adonikam knew he was right; sheep clustered in herds, and a man alone might keep himself from freezing if the sheep drew in around him. “I am guardian of these sheep,” he said. “My father and uncles have gone to the town.” “I know,” said the man. “I go for the same reason.” “I know not the reason,” said Adonikam, sitting back on his rock. He felt strangely at ease with the stranger, who had not yet told his name or his tribe as the courtesy of the flock demanded. “Then I will tell you,” said the tall man. He leaned back against a ram that lay behind him. “They go to the town because they have heard that the Messiah is come. Do you know who is the Messiah, Adonikam?” “No,” said the boy. “He is God on the earth. He is a great teacher, and will bring hope to all men. That is his star,” he said, pointing to the bright star which seemed to hover over the town, “And that is the place of his birth among men.” He nodded down the hill toward the quiet town. 56

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“Why did I not hear such messengers? I have come as far as the men, and now I am here with the sheep while they go to see a Messiah.” “You have heard a messenger,” smiled the man, as he stood and stretched his arms. “You have heard the message as you should have heard it,” he said. Adonikam saw that all the sheep had now moved to surround the man, so that neither human could move. Every sheep looked at the tall man with the smiling face. “Now, I must go, Adonikam, and you must stay to guard the sheep. They will be safe with you this night.” The man moved as if through a wheat field of sheep, which parted for his passing and then closed behind him. “Shalom alekam,” said the boy, as he raised his arm. “The peace of God is with you, too, Adonikam,” said the man, without turning. He walked onto the road toward the town and soon was gone in the darkness, despite the bright star overhead. It was only then that Adonikam thought, “I never told him my name or tribe, yet he called me by my name three times.” Around him, the sheep were still silent. Every head was turned toward the place where the man had disappeared.

The peace of God was very still and very bright there in the darkness. O