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Dear Louisville Voices & Readers,
Let’s jump into our March edition of the VOICE-TRIBUNE’s Home, Garden, & Spring Fashion Volume— blooming with stories that we believe capture the spirit of Kentucky as we emerge from winter and mosey on into spring. This month, we’ve put together an eclectic mix of features—from inspiring profiles of local trailblazers to must-attend events and fresh ideas in design and outdoor living—curated to celebrate everything that makes Louisville our unique City.
We encourage readers to join us as we rally for the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund, as well as to seek out and support mutual aid organizations from areas affected. We send our sincere condolences to those who have lost homes, businesses, loved ones, and cherished memories of the recent flooding and severe weather- our hearts go out to each and every one of you. News travels fast, but it takes a long time to rebuild- let’s keep an eye out and a hand ready for our neighbors as they pick up the pieces.
In this volume, we explore some of the region’s best spots to swirl a glass of wine and chat with Master Sommelier Scott Harper at Cuvée Wine Table. We’ll take a sneak peek at the electrifying Irish dance production coming to town, “A Taste of Ireland” featuring international champions Alliyah O’Hare, Callum O’Neill, Julia O’Rourke, and Cian Walsh. We also spotlight Deal or No Deal Island reality TV participant Alexis Lete and celebrate the storytelling art of Appalachian painter Ceirra Evans. Chris Morris answers the question- “Why Corn?” for a taste of bourbon history, and the artistic and historical Rockdale Estate, owned by Don Wenzel and Ron Darnell, is a history lesson in and of itself.
Of course, we are going to dote on some of the visionaries driving Louisville’s cultural scene. From the legendary musicianship of Sam Bush to the soulful songs of Drew Crawley, our arts section is a tribute to the creative brilliance of Kentucky. On the sports front, we spotlight the leadership of Pat Kelsey and Dan Meske. For film, we sat down with entertainment powerhouse Dwight Turner. In literature, the Kentucky Author Forum brings captivating discussions with literary legends Colm Tóibín and Silas House. Most importantly, we recognize the extraordinary women shaping our Louisville community —pioneers like Frances Brunner and trailblazers like Whitten Montgomery, whose leadership continues to inspire progress across every field.
Our spring fashion shoot was artfully styled by our new Fashion Coordinator, Cleo Heine, who will work with guest stylists to highlight the diverse fashion scene in Louisville. We extend a huge thank you to Susan’s Florist for inspiring our creative vision and providing an abundance of stunning blooms that transformed every scene into a celebration of life.
Mark Your Calendars for Two Unmissable Events
This month, we proudly spotlight two landmark events that embody the best of Kentucky’s cultural scene:
A Night at The Frazier History Museum (April 5, 2025):
Enjoy an all-inclusive evening of history, food, and innovation with exclusive gallery access, live entertainment, and the unveiling of a brand-new exhibition. This is your opportunity to celebrate our past while investing in a vibrant future. Let’s make history together!
The Kentucky Derby Museum Ball – Ruby Jubilee (April 25, 2025):
Step into the glamour of Derby season at this iconic gala celebrating 40 years of tradition. With a red-carpet cocktail hour, sumptuous dinner, and an afterparty to live for, is your chance to shine while supporting a cherished institution that proudly supports Louisville.
FINALLY! Introducing LouisvilleCalendar.com – Your Go-To Guide for Everything Happening in Louisville!
Whether you’re looking for trivia nights, the hottest concerts, the best local festivals, or the most exclusive galas, LouisvilleCalendar.com is your ultimate resource for discovering the best events in the city! Designed for both locals and visitors, this comprehensive event guide covers arts & culture, live music, food & drink, sports, community initiatives, and more—all in one easy-to-navigate platform. Stay in the know, explore new experiences, and never miss out on the events that make Louisville vibrant. Plus, get involved and collaborate with us, event organizers can submit their listings to reach an engaged local audience.We hope you like this volume!
Amelia Frazier Theobald
EDITOR’S NOTE
SPRING BEGINS SHYLY
The season of Spring is abundant with metaphors for renewal, growth, and transformation. Colors return, trees bud, flowers bloom. Fresh starts are always possible and just as nature reaps the old to make way for the new, spring shows us how to embrace change and grow forward.
It is a time to plant new seeds, both literally and metaphorically. This month, we shine the spotlight on some locals who are planting seeds of their own—cultivating art, ideas, businesses, and initiatives that are sure to blossom into something special. We hope this volume holds some inspiration for our readers as you step into your Spring, even if you’re off to a shy start.
Take care,
Alisha Proffitt Chief Director of Editorial & Co-Editor
“Spring begins shyly With one hairpin of green grass In a flower pot.”
-Richard Wright
PRESIDENT/CEO, AMELIA FRAZIER THEOBALD OPERATIONS MANAGER, MARY ZOELLER
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER, JULIE KOENIG
CHIEF DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL & CO-EDITOR, ALISHA PROFFITT
COPY EDITOR, RENAE ISON
CHIEF EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER & DIRECTOR, EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER, KATHRYN HARRINGTON
CHIEF GRAPHIC DESIGNER, JOSH ISON FASHION & EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER, MATT JOHNSON
FASHION & EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER, ANTONIO PANTOJA SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR & CONTENT CREATOR, BRYLEA PEACH
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, CLEO HEINE
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, KEVIN SIVAKUMAR
DISTRIBUTION, KELLI & RAGAN VAN HECKE, JILL & JOHN MINNIX
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: ALISON CARDOZA, ALISHA PROFFITT, ANTONIO PANTOJA, CHRIS MORRIS, CLEO HEINE, JACKIE ZYKAN, KATHRYN HARRINGTON, KELSEY KNOTT, KEVIN MURPHY WILSON, MARTY KING, REMY SISK, RENAE ISON, RUSS BROWN
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: A TASTE OF IRELAND, CEIRRA EVANS, FILSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, FRAZIER HISTORY MUSEUM, GIOIA PATTON, JACKIE ZYKAN, ROCKDALE ESTATE, SAM BUSH, SHELBY TRAILS PARK, SHOHEI KATAYAMA, UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY AUTHOR FORUM, UOFL ATHLETICS, YEW DELL BOTANICAL GARDENS
CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS & ARTISTS: CLEO HEINE, J MICHEALS SPA & SALON- CORRINE BUTCHER & AVERY SELCH
A Ball for All–The Kentucky Derby Museum’s Ruby Jubilee
Whitten: The American Lung Association’s
Taste of Ireland Brings World-Class Irish Dance to Kentucky
Second Annual Night at the Frazier By VOICE-TRIBUNE
Provided by Frazier
the Past Present with Dr. Patrick A. Lewis By Kevin Murphy Wilson
by
Kentucky Author Forum Presents: COLM TÓIBÍN
by
Notes of Prestige and Simplicity: Master Sommelier Scott Harper Welcomes Any and All to Cuvée Wine Table
Historical Rockdale Estate: An Eclectic Ode to Past, Present, and Personality
VOICE-TRIBUNE
by Matt Johnson and Provided by Rockdale
Taste of the Region: Your Guide to Local Wines
the Unseen:
Jackie Zykan: Maître Liquoriste + Perfumer + Herbalist
Discovering an Oasis: The Secluded Verdant Charm of Yew Dell Botanical Gardens
Remy Sisk
provided by Yew Dell
Red Fern Riding Center at Shelby Trails Park
By RUSS BROWN
Photos by Matt Johnson and Shelby Trails Park
Beautiful Nightmare By Antonio Pantoja
Alexis Lete’s Reality TV Playbook: Strategy, Strength, and Sass
By VOICE-TRIBUNE Photos by Matt Johnson
Spring Fashion: The Language of Flowers
Styled by Cleo Heine
Photos by Matt Johnson and Antonio Pantoja
Believing in Achieving: Hazard Native Dwight Turner Discusses His Rise in the Industry of Entertainment
By Remy Sisk Photos by Matt Johnson
Frances Brunner: Change Agent and Fearless Transformer
By Kelsey Knott Photos by Matt Johnson
Artist, Ceirra Evans: Painting the Beauty and Pain of a Misunderstood Region
By Alisha Proffitt Portrait Photos by Matt Johnson
Dan Meske on his new role as Louisville Volleyball’s Head Coach
By RUSS BROWN
by UofL Athletics
March Madness Tipoff Is Near and Both UofL Teams Are Ready to Join The Fun
By RUSS BROWN Photos by UofL Athletics 154
Spencer’s Stand: UofL’s Spencer Legg offers support to children with type 1 diabetes
By RUSS BROWN Photos by UofL Athletics
Help Kentucky Recover: Donate to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund
Swinging with Strength into the Spring Season By Alison Cardoza
Monarch Artist Feature: Drew Crawley
By Kelsey Knott
A Vamp in the Middle: Trading Licks with Sam Bush By Kevin Murphy
Scan to view this month’s collection of featured properties
THE KENTUCKY DERBY MUSEUM’S RUBY JUBILEE
Kelsey Knott • Photos by Matt Johnson and Provided If there’s anything I know (and love) about being a Kentuckian and Louisvillian, it’s that we know a great party. And the Kentucky Derby Museum is throwing one you can’t miss–the annual Kentucky Derby Museum Ball!
The Ruby Jubilee will celebrate the museum’s 40th anniversary, and the museum is thrilled to bring the ball back on-site this year. As the kickoff to Derby week festivities and Louisville’s gala season, The Kentucky Derby Museum Ball is always the Friday evening before Churchill Down’s Opening Night–this year, on April 25th. While Thunder over Louisville with the Derby Festival provides a public celebration two weeks before the big race, the KDM Ball builds the excitement that Derby week is finally here.
For 40 years, the Kentucky Derby Museum Ball has been a glamorous evening celebrating history, tradition, and community. Since the nonprofit museum first opened its doors in 1985, this annual gala—its largest fundraiser of the year—has brought together Derby lovers, partygoers, and philanthropists alike to revel in the magic of the Derby season while supporting the museum’s mission. Flipping through black and white photos of past Kentucky Derby Museum Balls is like stepping back in time—elegant gowns, dapper tuxedos, and the unmistakable energy of Derby season. This year, the Ruby Jubilee will bring that same timeless glamour to life with a vibrant, modern twist, promising a night of luxury, excitement, and unforgettable memories.
Patrick Armstrong, CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum, has been in the Derby business for 30 years. He speaks on the tradition of this springtime event and urges Louisvillians to take part in this night to celebrate the joy of Derby season as a celebrity in their own right. “When I first came here in 2015, it seemed that the general public didn’t think they could access the ball or thought they had to be invited. It’s not celebrity focused. We turn to Louisville’s celebrities and folks who just want to have a good time and get in the spirit for Derby week.” Although there is a mailing list and invitations, anyone who buys a ticket is on the list for the ball. Last year’s event welcomed 750 guests, and this year’s Ruby Jubilee promises an even more intimate and exclusive experience. With limited capacity, securing tickets early is the best way to guarantee a spot at this unforgettable celebration.
In the past, the event has been held elsewhere, like the Infield, Churchill’s parking lot, and the First Turn Club. Because the museum itself is hosting this year, Armstrong and the KDM staff are excited to reveal updates the museum has made. “A brand-new The Greatest Race movie in the Great Hall will be shown the night of the ball. We’re going to premiere it a couple of weeks earlier, but we’re known for the 18-minute movie that shows in our 360-degree theater space.” The film will be shown before the band starts.
The KDM Ball is a black-tie event, starting with a cocktail party that leads into an elegant sit-down dinner and ending with live music and dancing. Armstrong acknowledges the hard work of the KDM Ball Committee, made up of about 25 volunteers to help the museum staff plan, sell, and pull off the gala. “They do fabulous work. They start a year ahead and are very tapped into the community.” This year’s Ball Committee Chair is Ashley Davis, Davis Jewelers VP of Sales and Service. It was the KDM Ball Committee that came up with the idea for The Backstretch Afterparty a few years ago, allowing folks who are less interested in dinner and more interested in dancing an option to do so.
As many Kentuckians may know, the true magic of Derby lies in the spirit of the event. Armstrong recalls the feeling in the air when showing The Greatest Race in the 360-degree movie theater. “Most people will get a tear in their eye when they see it. We love the emotion.” When asked what he hoped people gained from experiencing the ball this year, Armstrong’s reply was simple: “A great time getting into the Derby spirit. There’s not a lot of talking heads and programming. It’s dinner and a really great party.”
As the museum’s main fundraiser, the KDM Ball supports the museum in offering free field trips, developing new programs, building new exhibits, and more. “Our mission is to engage, educate, and excite everyone about the Kentucky Derby and certainly, the ball does that.” It’s a night where guests are part of something bigger: a legacy of Derby celebrations that spans four decades. Whether sipping cocktails in the museum’s own Winner’s Circle or dancing the night away at the Backstretch Afterparty, every guest contributes to the ongoing story of the Kentucky Derby Museum—one of passion, preservation, and unforgettable memories.
The museum is open every day to tell the stories of the Kentucky Derby. Last year, the museum saw a record number of 258,000+ visitors. This is the third of three big years for the museum– after opening a permanent Secretariat exhibit for his 50th anniversary in 2023 and celebrating Derby 150 last year, it’s now the museum’s time to shine with its 40th anniversary.
So, if you’re from Louisville or visiting and want to make your mark on Derby history, you can buy tickets to the Ruby Jubilee now! And don’t wait–Armstrong reminds us: “Anyone can purchase tickets to the ball. They do go pretty quickly, so purchase early!”
By VOICE-TRIBUNE
Photos Provided by Frazier History Museum
Get ready, Louisville! The Second Annual Night at the Frazier is back and bigger than ever, bringing together history, entertainment, and a whole lot of Kentucky charm for one spectacular evening. On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the Frazier History Museum is opening its doors for a night of merrymaking, all in support of its mission to preserve and celebrate the stories that make our state so special. All proceeds from the event are taxdeductible, support exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach– making this a perfect opportunity to both support and celebrate the community we call home!
From 5:30 p.m. to midnight, the Frazier will be featuring exclusive gallery access, a brand-new exhibition unveiling, live entertainment, a silent auction, the Guys & Dolls Lounge, Kentucky-oke, and an array of fun activities. This year’s gala marks the official opening of Love & Marriage, a new exhibition that explores 150 years of wedding traditions in Kentucky— and trust us, it’s got something old, something new, something borrowed, and definitely something Bluegrass! If you think Love & Marriage is just about white dresses and wedding bells, think again. This exhibition will showcase over 50 wedding dresses spanning from the 1840s to the 2020s—the most historic costumes ever displayed at the Frazier. Featuring everything from Mexican, Nigerian, Buddhist, Jewish, and African American wedding traditions to Kentucky’s most iconic nuptial wears.
Attendees will be treated to a night of exploring the museum, 360-degree photo ops (because what’s a great party without great photos?), a fragrance sampling of an extinct Kentucky flower (hello, nostalgia.), and even a game called “What the What?” that’s sure to keep guests on their toes. And if that’s not enough, Elvis himself will be making an appearance. Yes, you read that right—Elvis is in the building!
And what’s a Kentucky celebration without bourbon? Some of the state’s finest distillers—including Jim Beam, Horse Soldier, and Kentucky Peerless—will be on hand pouring expertly crafted cocktails and tastings. Pair that with delectable small plates and bites from RK Bluegrass and Michaelis, and your taste buds will be just as entertained as the rest of you.
No great party is complete without music, and Night at the Frazier is delivering in style. The event will feature live performances from the Bluegrass trio Esteemed Colleagues, setting the perfect tone for the evening’s early hours. Then, as the night heats up, Louisville’s favorite yacht rock party band, Tony & the Tan Lines, returns to bring the late-night vibes and get everyone on their feet!
In between the fun, the Frazier will present the prestigious Owsley Brown Frazier Impact Award, recognizing an individual who has made outstanding contributions to history, the museum, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Whether you’re coming for the bourbon, the music, the history, or just an unforgettable night out, Night at the Frazier promises to be one of Louisville’s most talked-about events of the year. Grab your tickets, dress to impress, and get ready for a night of Kentucky magic. See you there!
CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Night at the Frazier Guests: 5:30 p.m.–Midnight Includes cocktail hour, elevated seated dinner, and late-night party
Late Night at the Frazier Guests: 7:30 p.m.–Midnight Includes gallery access, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and the late-night party
With dinner tickets already limited, those looking for the full VIP experience should act fast! (For inquiries, contact Hayley Harlow at hharlow@fraziermuseum.org or (502) 753-1693)
Become a Frazier History Museum member between now and April 5 and unlock the 20% discount on Late Night tickets typically reserved for only Sustainer level members.
www.fraziermuseum.org/membership
By Kevin Murphy Wilson | Photos provided by FHS and Megan Coleman Photography
Dr. Patrick A. Lewis is a noted author, historian, and the newly named President + CEO of the Filson Historical Society—a beloved institution that has remained an important community resource since its founding in 1884. We recently caught up with Lewis to hear about his own professional journey and what the future holds for Old Louisville’s history hub.
VT: Can you please tell us a little bit about your own background?
PL: “Growing up in Trigg County [located in the Pennyrile region of Kentucky] was the best preparation for my life as a historian. The past was all around me in the water, the creeks, and the farm fields, and my dad really made that come alive. I started practicing historic interpretation at Fort Donelson National Park just across the county line from us in Tennessee and then after college I was really lucky to be able to work at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park which introduced me to thinking about not only what happened in the past, how we talk about it carefully, how we research it, but also how it feels to the American public. We have a challenge of getting people interested in knowing about their past seeing their place in it but also being willing to challenge myths and misperceptions. Growing up in the small-town-South, I grew up with a fair amount of those myself and was really challenged when I went to Transylvania University in Lexington to examine the ways that my understanding of local and Kentucky history had been shaped to exclude people from the record of the past and from full participation in the society of the present.”
VT: What excites you most about the study of history now?
PL: “I love the ability that the study of history gives us to travel through time. You have these experiences when you’re handling a 200 year old letter or standing on a mountain side where a historic battle was fought, crawling through an archaeological site, or sometimes having a sensory experience getting food from historic recipe or hiking through an old growth forest, that transport you from your everyday experience into something that you know someone hundreds or thousands of years ago felt and did. When I was at ‘Transy’ I was a classicist, studying ancient history, traveling to Greece and Italy, and that resonated with me just as much as some experiences here in Kentucky. But ultimately, I wanted to be able to share that magical transportation with other people and make it meaningful for the people I cared about and so that led me in graduate school at the University of Kentucky to go back to my first love of American history, particularly of Civil War Kentucky.”
VT: How would you characterize the mission of your organization and the significance of Filson Historical Society both locally and nationally?
PL: “Filson’s mission is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of Kentucky and the Ohio Valley and that is virtually unchanged from how it described its mission 140 years ago when it was founded. What’s important about it, though, is that the way we think about and live that mission is so much broader. We want to make sure that everybody who walks through our doors to see an exhibit, or to attend a lecture, or to do research feels welcome here, feels represented in our historical collections, sees their experience documented, celebrated, feels like they are welcome to contribute to our ongoing conversation about how our state and our region have come to be what makes them distinctive. In that sense of growing beyond the limitations of our founders but still guided by their good intentions, the Filson is like American democracy when it is at its best. We’re not bound to our past, we’re inspired by it, and we look to do better and strengthen ourselves by welcoming new voices to the table.”
VT: Besides the popular concert series, Jazz at the Filson, what other sort of activities does FHS facilitate for the community throughout the year?
PL: “Our calendar is always busy! We have a steady line up of book lectures and presentations by national historians. A few times a year we have our Gertrude Polk Brown lecture series which brings in national bestsellers. This June we will have Rick Atkinson, a Pulitzer Prize winner, to talk about the second book in his trilogy about the Revolutionary War. In the summer, we turn to focus on active learning with children through the cultural past program, often engaging those families in creative activities that respond to Filson exhibits and collections. In recent years we have done bus tours, and I hope to pair that with more on site experiences and hands-on learning that blend my National Parks background with our membership’s excitement to go experience the past directly.”
VT: In this line of work, how do you measure success?
PL: “We’ve been talking about new metrics of success as the year has kicked off. The Filson is really fortunate in that our members fill our event space every week. So, on one level you would look at a crowded room and think that there’s nowhere else to grow, but we’re challenging ourselves to bring new people in the door. We’re thinking intentionally about the topics of our programs—be that housing, sports history, the performing arts, or the past and future of the Black beauty pageant circuit—and connecting with a social group, a nonprofit, a local business, or some other space where people are excited about this topic but don’t necessarily think of themselves as ‘history people.’ We want to introduce ourselves to people who care about these topics and, through them, the future of their communities. The Filson wants to equip them with this deeper perspective on how whatever particular knot their organization is trying to untie, our historical perspective allows them to see how it came together in the first place. So, this year, not only do we want to see our space is full of people, but we’re also really getting into tracking the impact of these connections.”
For more information visit: filsonhistorical.org.
BITTNERS
designing for the way you live
MEETING WITH THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
By Renae Ison • Photos By Matt Johnson
In a significant leadership transition, Whitten Montgomery has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the American Lung Association (ALA), a revered institution dedicated to improving lung health and preventing lung disease across the United States. With a history of impactful work with organizations like the American Heart Association, Montgomery has crafted a skillset in nonprofit management, advocacy, and public health. Montgomery brings with her a fresh perspective and dynamic energy to the role and is uniquely positioned to elevate the ALA’s initiatives at a critical time when lung health issues are at the forefront of public health concerns. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Whitten about her new role.
RI: Tell us a bit about your background.
WM: I was born and raised here in Louisville. I went to a small school in Gambier, Ohio, Kenyon College. The most unique thing about me is when I was nine years old, I started a local nonprofit here in Louisville. It does not exist anymore, but I started 501c3 called Kids Acting Against Cancer. We ran for over 20 years. Our mission was to change the lives of children touched by cancer through the arts. We provided drama therapy for kids touched by cancer. This gave kids the opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes in a safe space while they were navigating their own or a family member’s diagnosis. When I was five, my mom was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She is doing great now, but her perseverance and positivity are what inspired me to get involved with non-profit work.
RI: How has that helped you in your current role today?
WM: I often joke that I learned a lot of my nonprofit expertise through trial and error. Since I started nonprofit work at such a young age, I am not afraid to ask for anything. When I was a kid, I would go door to door and ask all businesses to support my work to help kids with cancer. So, I think it has made me a little bit fearless, and it has also made me scrappy. Starting an organization from scratch, I had to be adaptable and learn to act quickly. I think this gave me the ability to look at problems from a different mindset because I still have that childlike belief that we can fix anything, and this mindset helped me learn to communicate with all kinds of people. When I was a kid, I would talk to anybody with no fear because if they just said no, that was okay. We could just move on and talk about something else. I never wanted to force someone to do something they weren’t interested in. I was doing work that I believed in, and if others didn’t support it, I knew that I could find people who did. This has helped me as an adult as I develop my career in the nonprofit space. I never look at fundraising as a “sales” job, because I don’t think I am selling something. I believe that I am supporting a mission and creating a vision for a better tomorrow. My work is to find others who are passionate about the mission and combine resources to make change. After I stepped back from my day-to-day role with Kids Acting Against Cancer, I still managed the board. I started working at March of Dimes, where I managed the March for Babies campaign. This is when I first learned about the peer-to-peer fundraising world. My next role was with the American Heart Association, where I worked for over five years. I was their Senior Development Director, and over the years, I led the Heart Walk, Heart Ball, and Go Red for Women Luncheon. Managing large-scale fundraising events like these provided me with an excellent foundation to step into my role as the leader of the Kentucky market for the American Lung Association. It’s interesting, because when I was in college I studied Spanish, lived in Costa Rica, and even took the LSAT. After that, I went on to get my Master’s at UofL in College Student Personnel. I thought that I was going to do all these different things, but my heart just kept saying, “No, you’re called to service through non-profit work.” So, here I am, and I couldn’t be happier.
RI: Can you tell us about the current day-to-day, and what that role as an Executive Director looks like for you?
WM: Well, every day is different, which I love. Our mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education and advocacy. This is a big mission - so, I have to wear several different hats to support our work. In terms of research, much of this is managed by the national organization; however, we are lucky to have some of our research grants funded right here at the University of Louisville. I love to meet with our local grant recipients to learn about their work and share it with our local leadership and volunteers. In terms of education, I hope to make some large strides locally. During the pandemic, many of our statewide programs had to decrease, and I am working to launch the first Community Connections in the Midland States Region. These are educational events - catered to either medical professionals or the general public - that provide innovative panels or presentations around our strategic priorities. In terms of advocacy, we just hosted our annual Advocacy Day in Frankfort. We partnered with #ICanEndTheTrend and the American Heart Association to help bring awareness to our Representatives and Senators about the current lack of enforcement for the Tobacco 21 Law. We are hopeful that in this session, Senate Bill 100 will be passed, so that we can ensure children across Kentucky are protected. In order to support all of these efforts for our mission, I manage our Local Leadership Board and our Development Team. We host three large-scale fundraising events.
Our largest event is the Fight for Air Climb at Lynn Family Stadium - it’s a one-of-a-kind event where individuals climb the perimeter of the stadium! We also host the Derby Eve gala that we do at the Seelbach on Oaks night. We also are launching a new event in November called Breathe. It will be centered around Bourbon - and we loved the name because bourbon breathes just as our lungs breathe. I am hopeful that this event will attract individuals from different age groups, so that we can diversify our support base.
RI: Currently what challenges are you facing today with the American Lung Association?
WM: When I first started, I surveyed our Local Leadership Board to see what they thought our biggest challenges were. I completely agree with their assessment. We need improvement in local awareness and education. A lot of people do not know that we are here in Kentucky. People might know we are a national organization, but they do not know we are here making a difference with local programming specifically curated for the needs of Kentuckians. We are creating a strategic plan to revitalize our communications and marketing to ensure that the community learns about the work that we are doing and that we are present in cities beyond Louisville that need our support. Additionally, we are launching the Community Connections series to ensure that we are providing education statewide around lung health. Kentucky is constantly ranked as one of the worst states of lung health and air quality, and we need to ensure that we are providing resources, tools and education to all of our constituents. Our programs, knowledge and tools can save lives, but it’s our job to ensure that we are meeting people where they are. I love Kentucky, and I believe that we can do better to share our resources and support our citizens. So, I am working to provide that support. It will take time, but it is worth it.
RI: To anyone interested in, for example, doing advocacy work or donating to the American Lung Association, what would they be able to do to do that?
WM: They could join some of our events! The 2025 Louisville Fight for Air Climb is coming upon March 23 at Lynn Family Stadium. Learn more about it at climblouisville.org. Our Derby Eve Gala is an incredible event at the Seelbach - learn more at derbyevegala.org. For advocacy, anyone can join our action network! You can go to https://www.lung.org/ky and learn a whole lot about the diverse ways to get engaged with us.
Want to learn more about Whitten?
She and her friend Maggie Patten started a podcast called Unmute. Three years ago, Whitten faced the darkest chapter of her life, losing her home, safety, and sense of self. Filled with shame and fear for her personal safety, she never shared her story. Whitten is finally ready to unmute. Join Whitten Montgomery and Maggie Patten on “Unmute,” where they share Whitten’s story and her hard-earned wisdom about abuse, the legal system, and personal safety. Unmute aims to provide support and understanding, creating a vital resource for those who need it most. Tune in and discover the strength to reclaim your voice. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Buzzsprout.
By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photos Provided
Louisville, Kentucky has long been a thriving center for arts and culture in the Southeastern U.S. and is home to many artists, writers, and creatives across disciplines. While locals know this well, the city’s vibrant literary and arts scene often feels like a hidden secret to those outside the region. One local event that continues to elevate Louisville’s profile on the national stage is the University of Louisville Kentucky Author Forum—a world-class literary series that brings renowned authors and thinkers from around the globe to engage in meaningful conversations.
The Kentucky Author Forum is a nationally recognized, non-profit literary event that pairs an esteemed author with a thoughtfully curated interviewer for a dynamic, hour-long conversation in front of a live audience. Hosted in the Bomhard Theater at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts-the Forum’s set, designed by Bittners, pulls the audience into the discussion with the intimacy of a private library setting. Each conversation is recorded and distributed by KET, airing nationwide on PBS member stations as part of the Great Conversations series, and also made available as a podcast, Great Podversations, through Louisville Public Media.
This season, the Kentucky Author Forum has added an exciting fifth event featuring two of the most celebrated writers of our time: Colm Tóibín and Silas House. Seven-time New York Times Bestselling Author Silas House, Kentucky’s Poet Laureate, is a native of the Bluegrass State and widely respected for his journalism, activism, and most recently his work on the docuseries Distilled in Kentucky. House will join his interviewee, Colm Tóibín, for a grand finale to top off this season of Kentucky Author Forum.
Tóibín is the author of eleven novels, including Long Island, an Oprah’s Book Club pick and the much-anticipated continuation of Brooklyn, the novel that introduced readers to the unforgettable Eilis Lacey. His previous works have earned him numerous accolades, including the Rathbones Folio Prize for The Magician, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for The Master, and three Booker Prize shortlistings. His novel Brooklyn was adapted into a major motion picture starring Saoirse Ronan, earning three Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Ronan’s portrayal of Eilis.
Born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland, the same town as his literary heroine Eilis Lacey, Tóibín’s work explores themes of identity, displacement, and personal transformation. His latest novel, Long Island, revisits Eilis 25 years after Brooklyn, now living a settled life on Long Island, New York. But when a sudden disruption forces her to return to Ireland, she must confront long-buried secrets and choices that shaped her life. Tóibín himself has noted that he doesn’t see Long Island as a direct sequel but rather as a new story that follows the same characters decades later. In this novel, Eilis emerges more confident and self-assured, while still possessing the quiet charisma that made her such a compelling figure in Brooklyn.
Silas House will interview Colm Tóibín, exploring Tóibín’s literary career, creative process, and perspectives on storytelling. His breadth of work—spanning novels, essays, journalism, criticism, and poetry—offers a wealth of discussion points that will surely captivate.
To honor Tóibín’s Irish heritage and the setting of Long Island, the Muhammad Ali Center will be the site of a dinner catered by Wiltshire Pantry, and Susan Hershberg following the Forum featuring Irish elements, with vegetarian options available at ticket purchase.
Book sales, facilitated by Louisville’s oldest independent bookstore, Carmichael’s, will also be part of the event, giving attendees the opportunity to take home a pre-signed copy of Long Island and other works by Tóibín and House.
Since its inception, the Kentucky Author Forum has provided audiences with access to some of the most influential voices in literature and journalism. Founded by Mary Moss Greenebaum, the Forum was initially created as part of the University of Louisville’s bicentennial celebration but quickly evolved into one of the premier author events in the country. Owsley Brown II, President of Brown-Forman at that time, joined Mary’s creative effort. The Brown family has been its major sponsor throughout, joined recently by Chris Dischinger, of LDG Development. The Forum’s reach extends nationwide through its partnership with KET. On March 16 at 2 p.m., KET will premiere the Great Conversations episode featuring Sebastian Junger, author of In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife, interviewed by Rachel Martin, host of NPR’s Wild Card! podcast. The Great Podversations episode featuring Junger and Martin is also available on all major podcast platforms.
EVENT DETAILS:
Monday, April 14, 2025 Kentucky Center
5 PM Wine and Cheese, Carmichael’s pre-signed book sale in the lobby
6 PM Interview in the Bomhard Theater
7 PM Q&A with audience in the Bomhard Theater
$35 tickets include all events before 7:30 pm
7:30 PM Ticketed Dinner with Colm Tóibín and Silas House at Muhammad Ali Center
$170* includes all events, plus dinner
(*$40 tax deductible to benefit non-profit Kentucky Author Forum)
Discounted tickets for University of Louisville students, faculty, and staff must be purchased over the phone. UofL ID must be presented when picking up tickets on the Forum evening at KPA Will Call. Limit of two tickets per order.
Join Kentucky Author Forum’s email list to receive early notice of ticket on-sale dates for upcoming Forums.
www.kentuckyauthorforum.com
SILAS HOUSE
A CONVERSATION WITH SHOHEI KATAYAMA
By Kevin Murphy Wilson • Photos Provided
Shohei Katayama is a Louisville-based Japanese American visual artist, professor, and curator. This month, Katayama’s work in the latter capacity is featured at KyCAD’s 849 Gallery in Machina Ex Natura, a show that explores the intersection of the natural and technological and contains contributions that he assembled from Jacklyn Brickman, Ian Brill, Nathan Byrne, Isla Hansen, James Hartunian, Joshua Challen Ice, Ezra Kellerman, Sebastian Llovera, Erin Mallea, Abhishek Narula, Kristina Sheufelt, Georgia B. Smith, Hannah Smith, and Todd Smith. We recently caught up with Katayama to hear more about his practice overall as well as the current exhibition that remains on view through March 31.
VT: So, how did your journey as an artist begin?
SK: “I grew up in Tokyo, Japan during my early adolescence and have lived in the U.S. since. I’ve always been deeply curious about the natural world—how light bends, how forces interact, how patterns emerge in nature. As a child, my curiosity sometimes got me into trouble—like the time I ‘experimented’ with magnets on newly purchased TVs, mesmerized by how they distorted the screen. That same inquisitiveness still drives my work today—occasionally leading to trouble but always pushing me to explore materials and forces in unexpected ways. My journey began at the intersection of that curiosity and a need to express what I couldn’t always put into words. Moving to the U.S. presented a significant cultural and linguistic gap—gestures, posture, slang, accents— subtleties that were entirely new to me. Without a community that shared my upbringing, I leaned heavily on mimicry to assimilate and blend in.
I spent a lot of time observing friends and acquaintances, trying to understand not just what they were saying, but how they experienced the world. This question of whether true understanding requires direct experience shaped my approach to both people and art. Could a musician who has never sculpted truly grasp what it feels like to carve stone? Could a painter ever fully understand the motion of a dancer’s body? Rather than following a linear path, I expanded my interests in multiple directions, seeking to embody different disciplines as a way of connecting. This examination of the world is likely why I’m always drawn to materials, processes, and experimentation. It’s what eventually led me to explore technology alongside traditional artmaking, blending disciplines to better understand—and challenge—the structures that shape perception and interaction.
Over time, my practice evolved into something that blends sculpture, digital fabrication, and kinetic elements, often engaging with concepts from philosophy, science, and ecology. Eastern philosophies, particularly those emphasizing interconnectedness, have been a huge influence on me, especially in the way they align with ideas about systems, forces, and the invisible networks that shape our reality. One of the defining moments in my journey was the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, which deeply impacted my thinking about the fragility of systems—both natural and human-made. That event reinforced my interest in the ways technology and nature intersect, sometimes harmoniously and sometimes in tension. It also led me to explore themes of grief, resilience, and transformation in my work. My journey is still unfolding, but it’s always driven by a desire to explore the unseen forces that connect us all, something that feels both intimate and universal.”
VT: Can you speak to what makes the process of creation special for you?
SK: “For me, creativity is about discovery—the ideas that emerge through making. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching an abstract concept take physical form, transforming thought into something tangible. The process allows me to explore questions without clear answers, test ideas, and engage with the unknown in a way that’s both challenging and liberating. It’s an act of freedom, a way to exercise agency in a world often bound by rigid structures. Another deeply rewarding aspect is how my work resonates with others. When someone interacts with a piece and experiences a moment of realization, curiosity, or even just a visceral response, that connection is incredibly meaningful. When viewers engage with my work on an intuitive, reflective level, it reaffirms why I create in the first place.”
VT: Do you see any overlap between professional practice and your role as an Assistant Professor of Studio Art at KyCAD?
SK: “Absolutely—there’s a deep overlap. Everything I teach is grounded in what I wish I had known as a student—insights I gained only through the lived experience of being an artist. The lines between artist and educator constantly blur because, in many ways, teaching is an extension of my practice. That said, I recognize the importance of timing. When students are just beginning their journey, the focus isn’t on deep theoretical discourse—it’s on exploration, experimentation, and developing an intuitive relationship with materials. Overloading them with complex ideas too soon can lead to paralysis by analysis, stifling the curiosity that fuels creativity. While I don’t always get it right, my goal is to create an environment where students feel empowered to take risks, discover their own process, and engage with theory as a tool rather than an obstacle.”
VT: Finally, what is the relationship between your work as an artist and as curator?
SK: “I see my work as an artist and curator deeply intertwined, both rooted in the desire to build community and create spaces for dialogue. I’ve long been drawn to project spaces as a means of sculpting society—places where different demographics can converge, exchange ideas, and recognize shared experiences. I first explored this through ThinkBox, a basement/garage space at Magnolia and 3rd Street, later rebranded by Julie Leidner as Sheherazade. More recently, I founded Carbon Copy at 4th Street and Oak. These spaces were never about institutional authority or commercial viability; they were platforms for artists to experiment freely, exhibit work with minimal risk, and engage in discourse. In many ways, I acted more as a facilitator than a curator. That said, Machina Ex Natura, the latest exhibition at KyCAD’s 849 Gallery, marks my first official curatorial project—one that fully aligns with my artistic practice and inquiries. The show explores the convergence of nature and technology, investigating how digital processes and machines act as extensions of organic forms and creative impulses. As KyCAD launches its
Digital Fabrication Pathway, this exhibition highlights how contemporary artists incorporate industry techniques—3D printing, laser cutting, CNC, CAD, and physical computation—not just as tools for efficiency, but as integral, poetic elements of their work.”
For more information about Machina Ex Natura visit kycad.org
LVA Honors is an annual celebration recognizing outstanding achievements in the arts, culture, and leadership within our community. This year, LVA proudly marks its centennial—sparking ideas for over a century!
We are thrilled to honor the exceptional contributions of these remarkable individuals (left to right): Chuck Swanson, Annette Cable, Juliet Taylor, and Dr. Jabani Bennett.
Scan the QR code for tickets and more information or visit LVAHonors.org
Friday, March 21, 2025
Seelbach Hilton
Dinner | Cocktails | Entertainment Creative Formal Attire
Including upbeat jazz music and dancing with Carly Johnson and her Quintet
Brittany Pymm performing “Vikings”
Photo Credits: Vincent Rommelaere
BRINGS WORLD-CLASS IRISH DANCE TO KENTUCKY
By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photos provided
This March, audiences in Kentucky will have the rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s top Irish dance productions, A Taste of Ireland—The Irish Music & Dance Sensation. This electrifying show, featuring a star-studded cast of international dance champions, makes its way to the Brown Theatre in Louisville on March 20, 2025, and the RiverPark Center in Owensboro on March 21, 2025.
Presented by Pace Live as part of its 2025 world tour, A Taste of Ireland has captivated audiences across the globe with its breathtaking choreography, live music, and storytelling. Following a successful U.S. debut in 2024 with a sold-out Off-Broadway run, the production has continued to amass acclaim worldwide. Time Out Sydney raved about its “world-class Irish dancing, melodic folk music mashups, live acapella tap battles, and craic galore,” while BroadwayWorld Sydney called it “an evening to excite and satisfy your Irish palette.”
At the heart of A Taste of Ireland is an ensemble of World Champion Irish dancers, musicians, and vocalists who bring the spirit of Ireland to life on stage. Featuring reimagined classics such as Danny Boy, Wild Rover, and Tell Me Ma, the production blends traditional Irish charm with modern innovation, creating an experience that is both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary. The high-energy performances convey stories of Ireland’s rich and often tumultuous history through vibrant dance sequences, dramatic set designs, and stunning lighting effects.
The show boasts a stellar cast, including Alliyah O’Hare (nine-time World Champion, formerly of Lord of the Dance), Callum O’Neill (World Champion, formerly of Riverdance), Julia O’Rourke (four-time World Champion, star of JIG), and Cian Walsh (World Championship runner-up, who has appeared Off-Broadway). Their precision footwork and compelling storytelling transport audiences straight to the heart of Ireland, making for an unforgettable evening of entertainment.
Ulster champion fiddler
Megan McGinley performing “Banging Reels
Brent Pace, the show’s director and producer, describes the performance as an immersive journey: “Every beat of music and every step of dance shares a captivating story. Our goal is to bring Ireland’s history to life in a way that is both deeply moving and incredibly entertaining.” He also emphasizes the authenticity of the performance: “Dance fans will be thrilled to know that the taps in A Taste of Ireland are not pre-recorded—they’re performed 100 percent live, showcasing the sheer skill and stamina of our dancers.”
Pace, a six-time national champion and world medalist, has spent over two decades perfecting his craft, training with some of the finest dancers across the world. His co-producer, Ceili Moore, is an All Ireland and World Champion who has performed in Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. Together, they have crafted a production that seamlessly bridges the gap between traditional Irish dance and contemporary stage spectacle.
Photo Credits: Vincent Rommelaere
With over 150 five-star reviews on social media, A Taste of Ireland has left audiences around the world leaping to their feet. Now, Kentucky audiences have the chance to experience this breathtaking celebration of Irish culture. Don’t miss this chance to be swept away by the rhythm, storytelling, and undeniable magic of A Taste of Ireland—The Irish Music & Dance Sensation.
MASTER SOMMELIER SCOTT HARPER WELCOMES
ANY AND ALL TO CUVÉE WINE TABLE
By Remy Sisk • Photos By Matt Johnson
When it comes to wine, Scott Harper is literally the expert. A managing partner of the Bristol and co-owner of Cuvée Wine Table, Harper is a Master Sommelier, a certified mastermind in the world of wine. Master Sommelier is the highest level of distinction there is in the wine industry, and the title is so notoriously difficult to attain that the exam holds a 5 percent pass rate with only 279 people worldwide currently holding the title, and Harper is one of them.
Harper was first drawn to wine at a young age when he had a job bussing tables at an Italian restaurant. His interest piqued, trips to California and Italy broadened his knowledge and expanded his palate. In the early 1990s, he decided to pursue the formal sommelier title. Now today, there are three levels before attaining the title of Master Sommelier, but when Harper embarked on his journey, there were only two. After he passed the second one, he remembers making the decision to go ahead and work toward the top title.
“You have to be dedicated,” he says of the process. “There’s no formal classes. There are a very limited number of classes but nothing like a semester in college. You have to be a passionate person. If you’re not really passionate about wine, then you’re not going to get through it. If you’re doing it for a raise, a promotion or anything like that, it just doesn’t make sense.”
There are a multitude of elements to the certification process including theory, a blind tasting and a hospitality and service component. Harper identifies that the exam challenges every candidate in different ways and to actually pass the exam takes years of dedicated study. He shares, “If you said today, ‘Scott, I want to become a Master Sommelier. How long do you think it will take?’ I would probably say 10 years.”
Having emerged triumphant from such an erudite endeavor, Harper puts his knowledge to good use at Cuvée Wine Table, a chic eatery and wine bar in Springhurst here in Louisville. But he’s sure to not let his refined knowledge eclipse the merriment inherent in wine. “Drinking wine is about having fun and enjoying yourself for God’s sake,” he laughs. “So, let’s not all be too hoity-toity about it. We have 58 wines by the glass at Cuvée, a couple of hundred by the bottle and we do a 2-ounce taste as well.”
Certainly, Cuvée is an ideal destination for those interested in exploring more intentionally the world of wine, even if you’re not even sure where to start. “If you give us an idea of what you like, what you normally may drink,” Harper shares, “we can help you. … It’s just really about listening to our guests and seeing what they like and then doing our best to match that.” For those who want to dive even deeper and learn more, Cuvée also hosts wine dinners monthly and offers a wine club, where members can choose from different tiers to experience wines they may not otherwise.
Regardless of the prestige of the Master Sommelier title, Harper is insistent that Cuvée is anything but pretentious – it’s an inviting and accessible place that can open your mind to the world of wine with menu selections curated by literal experts. “Wine is about pleasure, having fun, engaging with fellow people,” he emphasizes. “It never needs to be overly serious. … I always find that people who drink wine are happier people.”
YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL WINES
By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photo by Bruno Cantuária (Pexels.com)
There’s something undeniably beguiling about a good glass of wine—how it carries the essence of a place, a story in every sip. Louisville and its surrounding areas are home to a vibrant tapestry of wineries, shops, tasting rooms, and wine bars that offer everything from robust reds to crisp, floral whites. Whether you’re a connoisseur or simply looking for the perfect pour to pair with good conversation, this guide will lead you to some of the finest spots to sip, savor, and celebrate.
OLD 502 WINERY
915 E Liberty St, Louisville, KY 40204
THE WINE RACK
2632 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
CUVÉE WINE TABLE
3598 Springhurst Blvd, Louisville, KY 40241
BROOKS HILL WINERY
2746 Brooks Hill Rd, Brooks, KY 40109
WESTPORT WHISKEY & WINE
1115 Herr Ln, Louisville, KY 40222
THE CHAMPAGNERY
1764 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
TASTE FINE WINES AND BOURBONS
634 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
BRIX WINE BAR & BISTRO
12418 La Grange Rd, Louisville, KY 40245
NOUVELLE BAR & BOTTLE
214 S Clay St Ste B, Louisville, KY 40202
WIGHT-MEYER VINEYARDS & WINERY
340 Meyer Dr, Shepherdsville, KY 40165
SCHOOLYARD WINERY
14923 Walton Verona Rd, Verona, KY 41092
VERONA VINEYARDS
13815 Walton-Verona Rd, Verona, KY 41092
BRIANZA GARDENS & WINERY
14611 Salem Creek Rd, Crittenden, KY 41030
OFF THE RAILS TASTING ROOM AND WINE DEPOT
2118 Bruce Ave, Louisville, KY 40218
FOREST EDGE WINERY
1910 Clermont Rd, Shepherdsville, KY 40165
TALON WINERY SHELBYVILLE 400 Gordon Lane, Shelbyville, KY 40065
MILLANOVA WINERY
744 Gentry Ln, Mt Washington, KY 40047
BLUEGRASS VINEYARD
5016 Smiths Grove Scottsville Rd, Smiths Grove, KY 42171
HUBER’S ORCHARD AND WINERY
19816 Huber Rd, Borden, IN 47106
JBELL WINE CO.
3310 Gilmore Industrial Blvd B, Louisville, KY 40213
By Jackie Zykan
With over 20 years of experience in beverage alcohol, and a love affair with the natural world, I am delighted to share some of Kentucky’s finest distilled spirits alongside fresh, local, and seasonal botanicals.
As winter slowly subsides and the first signs of spring begin to poke through the ground, you may notice some familiar tufts of onion grass making their debut. The scent of this wild edible is intense, and anyone who has ever run over a patch with a lawnmower will undoubtedly know the aroma. Much like other unintentional guests to your yard, such as nettle and dandelions, this little beauty is completely edible and offers a free source of flavor and nutrition in plenty. It cannot be emphasized enough to be sure to only harvest from areas which have not been doused in weed killer. This delicious plant grows wild in fields across the state, and with such a potent flavor, a little goes a long way for use in the kitchen after a very thorough wash.
Featured Kentucky Product: Castle & Key Sacred Spring Kentucky Vodka (80 proof; $30)
Let’s face it, not all Kentuckians are bourbon enthusiasts. Luckily, most distilleries in the state have a house vodka available as well if clear spirits are more your fancy. The vodka from Castle & Key is produced using their bourbon mash recipe of 73% white corn, 10% rye, and 17% malted barley. While vodkas are “neutral” in flavor by definition, this particular product has a very subtle savory and verdant tone to it making it the perfect choice for a Bloody Mary.
Featured Kentucky Flora: Allium vineale (wild garlic)
Seen as a nuisance or a “weed”, onion grass (also known as wild garlic) is a frequently overlooked culinary gem. The plant in its entirety is edible, from bulb to stalk. This common invader of lawns packs many medicinal and nutritional benefits including lowering of blood pressure, antiviral and antibacterial properties, and houses a plethora of vitamins and minerals. As one would assume, the plant is quite pungent, and can easily be incorporated in recipes calling for standard garlic and onions. When harvesting, be sure to carefully identify the plant before use.
There are similar looking plants which produce long green tube-like stalks and have white bulbs, but are not safe for consumption. A quick sniff of a plucked blade will quickly assist in their identification, as the most troublesome lookalikes lack the characteristic onion smell.
Wild Garlic Bloody Mary
1.5 oz Castle & Key Sacred Spring Vodka
4 oz Wild Garlic Bloody Mary Mix
Assorted garnishes (cocktail onion, celery stalk, pickle, dill sprig)
Salt, for glass rim
Directions for all variations: Combine ingredients in shaker tin with ice. Shake, pour entire contents into salt rimmed glass. Dress with variety of garnishes.
For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the vodka in the recipe.
Wild Garlic Cocktail Onions
¼ c White Vinegar
¼ c Apple Cider Vinegar
½ c Water
1 tsp Coriander Seed
3 TBSP Sugar
¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
½ tsp Cumin Seeds
1 Bunch Wild Garlic
1 c Pearl Onions
1 Sprig Fresh Dill
Directions for all variations: Combine all ingredients except garlic, onions, and dill in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat, stirring to dissolve. In a glass jar, combine garlic, onions, and dill. Once mixture is dissolved, allow to cool for 5 minutes. Pour liquid over contents in jar, allow to sit for 3 days, shaking on occasion. Store in the refrigerator.
Wild Garlic Bloody Mary Mix
*Yields approximately 7 servings
3 c Tomato Juice
1 Lemon, juiced
1 Lime, juiced
1 TBSP Horseradish
1 ½ TBSP Worcestershire
¾ tsp Celery Salt
½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
⅓ c Wild Garlic Cocktail Onion Brine Liquid
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher, store in the refrigerator.
By Chris Morris • Photos by Matt Johnson
A quick review of the global standards for Whiskey (I’m going to spell it with an “e” throughout this article) reminds us that a Whiskey must be crafted from a fermented cook, mash or wash of cereal grain. Following the global standard, we know that the Bourbon Whiskey standard requires the predominant use of corn, 51% or more, in its grain recipe composition. That has been an established fact since the current Bourbon standard was approved in 1935. This leads me to the question that no one has ever asked me, “Why corn?” Why not rye, wheat or oats? The answer is two-fold, history, and environment, in other words time and place.
First, maize, called corn by North America’s European settlers, is a cereal grain. It was domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago. It is therefore native to North America. Rye, barley, wheat, and oats are not native cereal grains – they were introduced to North America by Europeans.
The origins of Bourbon Whiskey began in the settlement of the Virginia Colony’s western Fincastle County in the mid 1770’s. Yes, the early Kentucky settlers were actually settling Fincastle County. In 1776 Fincastle was renamed “Kentucky” County. If this hadn’t happened, would we be talking about “Fincastle Bourbon Whiskey” today? Roseann Reinemuth Hogan’s book, Kentucky Ancestry, provides a fascinating look at the early days of Kentucky’s settlement.
Hogan points out that one of the important motives in the settling of Kentucky was the fact that the farmland of Virginia’s populated tidewater region was being exhausted. This was due to the lack of crop rotation and the absence of modern fertilizers. Also, one of its main crops, tobacco, was very destructive of soil fertility. New land had to be cleared approximately every seven years to keep up with the demands of Virginia’s agricultural economy.
The settlement of Virginia’s western lands began in 1773 when veterans of the French and Indian Wars began to acquire land in Fincastle County as compensation for their service in that conflict. These were military land grants. However, others took advantage of this activity to also stake out a claim and begin a new life on the western frontier. Land speculation companies like the Transylvania Company also began to claim land in Fincastle County. The rush for land was so out of control the Virginia General Assembly had to step in and impose order on the chaos.
By the time Virginia began to settle land claims in 1776 Kentucky County had been formed. Virginia decided to recognize the claims of squatters, French and Indian War veterans and the grant of the Transylvania Company at Fort Boonesboro. To bring order to the situation the Virginia General Assembly passed a law in 1779 that allowed new claims to be filed. This law has been called “The Cabin and Corn Act.”
Settlers under this law were entitled to purchase 400 acres at $2.25 per 100 acre and the right to an additional 1000 acres for $40 per 100 acres if they met the following conditions…
• They had to have lived in Kentucky County for one year prior to 1778.
• They had to have built a cabin.
• They had to have grown a crop of corn on the claim.
The bottom line? To become a landowner in Kentucky County you had to grow corn.
Why corn? Because it was grown in Kentucky by the native people, and it was not required to be planted as a row crop. As the early settlers cleared the land, they were left with fields full of tree stumps. This restricted their ability to plow the soil and plant rows of rye, barley, wheat, or oats like they did in traditional European farming. Corn, however, could be planted in the “native style.” Walking among the stumps a planter would poke a hole in the soil with a sharp stake and drop a few kernels of corn in it and then step on the hole to seal it. It was that simple. What happens when everyone is planting corn and there is too much for the local market to absorb as food? And it can’t be stored for long periods of time and there is no way to ship it east because of the Appalachian Mountains. You turn it into Whiskey of course! A bushel of corn weighs 56 pounds. If mashed, fermented and distilled that bushel would produce or yield a little over 2 gallons of Whiskey (today the yield has improved to 5 gallons). Reducing 56 pounds to around 15 pounds (Whiskey weighs less than water per gallon) made it easier to store and transport your corn crop – and made it more valuable as well!
Why Whiskey? The first census of Kentucky County’s population conducted in 1790 revealed that many of the settlers were of Scotch, Scotch- Irish and Irish descent. These were Whiskey making people. And now they were making Whiskey from corn. And from this early beginning Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey was born. More next time on where the name “Bourbon” comes from.
Photo by Todd Trapani - Pexels.com
Kentuckiana Honda Dealers
DAY AT THE DOWNS
THURSDAY, MAY 1 11:30 AM CHURCHILL DOWNS, 4TH FLOOR SKYE TERRACE
Experience the buzz on this action-packed day with the Kentucky Derby Festival! While the first race kicks off at 12:40 PM, the spotlight moment will be the third race, which is named in honor of the Festival.
Get access to perks on top of perks: reserved seating, a chef’s table buffet, open bar, covered views of the races, in-room mutuel tellers for a table of eight, and more.
GET TICKETS (LIMITED SUPPLY). CALL 584-FEST OR SCAN QR CODE:
SPONSORED BY
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OFFICIAL AFTER PARTY SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSORS
AN ECLECTIC ODE TO PAST, PRESENT, AND PERSONALITY
By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photos by Matt Johnson & Provided By Rockdale
Initially drawn to Rockdale’s history and multiple historic buildings, owners Don Wenzel and Ron Darnell have been hard at work restoring the property and adding exciting new additions for those looking for a quiet getaway in Louisville.
Rockdale originated in the late 1700s as a land grant property acquired by Edward Tyler through grants and purchase of Treasury Warrants for his service in the Revolutionary War. The original stone house, ca. 1783, is made from 23-inch-thick limestone slabs quarried on the property. “The quarry is still here, and we continue to source native limestone for various landscape projects,” the couple shared. Built around 1845, the Georgian main house radiates a timeless grandeur, its historic authenticity unmistakable. Featuring eight fireplaces, towering 12-foot ceilings on the two main floors, a stately 54-foot entrance hall, and original bald cypress floors, it houses a level of craftsmanship that feels almost lost to time— they truly don’t build them like this anymore! Nestled on over 13 acres of rolling hills, pastures, and forested areas, the estate offers a pastoral escape just 15 miles from the pulse of downtown.
Rockdale underwent an extensive restoration process, as several of its historic structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To preserve the integrity of the main house, stone house, and springhouse, the owners secured historic rehabilitation tax credits, ensuring that all architectural elements remained intact. ” Inherent in the process of using historic tax credits for rehabilitation is the tight restriction on retaining all contributing architectural elements to ensure the object of historic preservation is achieved. Because we feel a deep sense of responsibility for care and custody of this amazing place for future generations, we embraced that dynamic,” said Wenzel.
“In three years, we have managed to complete a top-down rehabilitation of the main house, stone house and the spring house – all using historic tax credits (no, we didn’t sleep those three years!). It was a massive effort, and we are so gratified with the end result, that while preservation was preeminent, the living spaces are remarkably suitable for modern-day living. We don’t feel like we sacrificed practical and functional living to accomplish the preservation objective. Next up is the build out of the Rockdale event space on the adjacent parcel of land utilizing a historic ca. 1880’s barn frame. The scale of the project is immense, and we are beyond excited to create and activate this space so others can enjoy and experience Rockdale.”
Aside from their dedication to restoration and hospitality, Don and Ron share Rockdale with their two beloved dogs Cody, an 11-year-old West Highland White Terrier, and Finch, a 6-year-old English Setter, embracing the historic estate as both a passion project and a cherished home. Finch enjoys his time roaming and hunting, while Cody delights in the lively energy of frequent guests and gatherings. In their home, the design follows a firm principle—dogs are welcome in every room. After all, a home is meant to be lived in, not treated as a museum.
The word “eclectic” best describes Don and Ron’s style, the result of a lifetime of creative study, inquiry, curiosity and open eyes. “Within limits, we are okay pushing some traditional boundaries of what others might consider ‘good taste’; we don’t think there should be rules around what makes style and design ‘work’. If it makes sense for the space, we enjoy blending period American and European antiques with mid-century, Hollywood Regency, Art Deco and even some transitional pieces. When done well, this makes for a visually stimulating and interesting space that is also functional and comfortable. Extensive traveling, owning a retail design and home furnishings business, possessing several properties of various ages and architectural styles over many years, suffering some inexplicable losses and celebrating some unexpected victories – all have been contributing influences. In short, the breadth of our life has indeed defined our design style.” they explained.
At Rockdale, no single piece defines the space; instead, the collective curation tells an evolving story. Visitors often ask about a favorite item, but the owners believe each piece gains meaning through personal interpretation. The property adapts to large events, intimate gatherings, and everyday living. Texture takes precedence in Rockdale’s overall design, with neutral tones allowing the contemporary art collection to stand out as the focal point. The clean, near-Shaker aesthetic of the moldings enhances the home’s architectural integrity while providing a versatile backdrop. Texture is not only a visual and tactile element but also a fundamental part of the home’s structure, influencing the ambiance and functionality of each space.
Every space at Rockdale holds a distinct charm, making it difficult to choose just one favorite. The library in the main house, with its grand fireplace, salon-style paintings, and Le Corbusier LC-3 chairs, is a refined retreat. In the stone house, the gathering room transports visitors to the late 1700s. The springhouse offers a rare experience—listening to the gentle bubbling of a natural spring beneath the floor, perfectly paired with a sip of bourbon. Evenings often center around the outdoor fireplace, where guests enjoy wine on the stone terrace.
Future plans for Rockdale include transforming the third floor of the main house into a billiards room and speakeasy, converting the root cellar into a bespoke wine sanctuary, and repurposing an old cistern into a leather-clad bourbon lounge. “What is so fun about a property like this is the process of discovering these spaces and allowing our creativity to envision what these amazing and unique historic features CAN be!” said Wenzell.
At its core, a home should be an honest reflection of those who live there— their history, passions, and journey. Don and Ron have embraced this philosophy, Rockdale is not just a beautifully restored historic property but a place that truly represents their lives. They believe in authenticity over trends, encouraging others to create homes that reflect their own unique stories.
Now recently retired, Don and Ron have built a life rich with experience, from careers in finance and hospitality to various entrepreneurial ventures, including thoroughbred breeding, home design, and short-term rentals. Their shared love for entertaining, historic preservation, and travel—often in their Airstream with their beloved dogs—continues to shape their lifestyle. Yet, despite their many pursuits, their greatest joy remains the simplest: spending time together at Rockdale, a home that is not just a project, but a personal and ever-evolving expression.
BOOK NOW ON AIRBNB
ANNUAL
DERBY TROT
Kick off Derby season with Chenoweth Square and race over for all of your Derby needs!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 • 5-8 PM
FROM BRUNCH TO BOW TIES, HATS & SHOES, BAGS & TOTES, OR EVEN HOME DECOR & GIFTS... AS ALWAYS, THINK CHENOWETH SQUARE FIRST.
Sitting Pretty.
Elevate your outdoor living space with timeless designs from Digs Home & Garden. Shop our new Spring Arrivals crafted for Louisville living, inside and out. Featuring our newest collections from Bernhardt Exteriors. Let our expert team help you choose the perfect pieces from collections designed to grow with you, season after season.
THE SECLUDED VERDANT CHARM OF YEW DELL BOTANICAL GARDENS
By Remy Sisk • Photos Provided By Yew Dell Staff • Sponsored
Just outside Louisville in Oldham County sits Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, a sprawling and abundant oasis that invites guests to lose themselves in its rich natural beauty. Whether you’ve visited before or have yet to make the journey, Yew Dell is a must-see destination to explore not only its lush landscapes but also its historical architecture, signature bites, and charming gift shop.
Yew Dell is characterized by gorgeous winding paths and trails that take visitors on adventures through its stunning display gardens. Once the home and commercial nursery of Theodore Klein and his family, particular plants and buildings dating back decades are paired with award-winning architecture and display gardens. It’s not hard to find yourself spending a whole day discovering all the grounds have to offer. And with the weather on the brink of getting warmer, there’s no better time to plan your trip.
Yew Dell will be opening on March 4 this year – earlier than usual – to welcome visitors to witness the earliest blooms of the season. Yew Dell Public Relations and Marketing Manager Manda Barger explains that spring is an especially singular time at Yew Dell, “This spring will be the time to visit and visit often. Yew Dell already has a beautiful collection of early spring blooms including hellebores and witch hazel. To top it off, we have our annual Big Bloom, which will feature 27,000+ blooming tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, snowdrops, fritillaries, and other bulbs to make for a spring that you can experience in different ways from March through June!”
In addition to its existing offerings, Yew Dell has a very exciting new development in the works that guests can anticipate this coming summer. “The attraction that everyone will be talking about this year is our brand-new Castle Gardens, a $5.1 million project that brings beauty, accessibility, and inspiration around our iconic Yew Dell castle,” Barger shares. “We will be holding a community ribbon cutting on June 22 and we invite everyone to come and enjoy the gardens that day for free!”
That’s not the only expansion Yew Dell is preparing this year. The team has been hard at work building out their programming to be better than ever before. The on-site eatery, Martha Lee’s Kitchen, will be refreshed with an expanded menu from its new chef, Mike Ross, and there will be an even broader variety available in the Online Plant Market and Garden Gift Shop. Yew Dell will also be offering expanded workshops, added weekly plant walks, and is particularly looking forward to hosting a new evening event called Fabulous Fridays. This monthly happy hour series will kick off April 25 and feature a delightful selection of wines, seasonally themed cocktails and mocktails, and some delicious garden-fresh foods. Admission is waived for this series and visitors can mark their calendars to attend every last Friday of the month from April through October.
Without question, Yew Dell has something for visitors to discover not only on their first venture to the gardens but also on many visits to follow. As the season changes, there’s always something new to see at Yew Dell, and all of this resplendent beauty is waiting for you here in our very own city, much closer than you might imagine.
For more information and to plan your visit, head to yewdellgardens.org.
Photo Credit: 2025, John Fitzgerald
RED FERN RIDING CENTER AT SHELBY PARK
By RUSS BROWN • Photos by Matt Johnson & Red Fern Riding Center
With cold weather drawing to an end before long -- at least we hope so -- winter-weary people in Kentuckiana are starting to think about recovering from cabin fever by enjoying outdoor activities once again. And there is a little-known gem nearby that is a perfect spot for reconnecting with nature on foot or horseback.
Shelby Trails Park is nestled in the heart of Kentucky’s horse country on Aiken Road in Simpsonville, only 35 minutes from Louisville. It is owned by the Shelby County Parks Dept. and offers something for almost everyone, including hikers, equestrians and nature lovers.
A little background on the relatively youthful park: It was officially deeded to Shelbyville/Shelby County Parks & Recreation in 2010 by Dr. Roger & Diane Shott of Anchorage, Ky. The family’s vision was to dedicate the 387-acre parcel in Shelby County as an equestrian and nature preserve for all to enjoy.
The Shotts were horse enthusiasts who loved their farm and designed, built and maintained miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding that they enjoyed for many years. Now, thanks to their generous donation to the park system, all of Shelby County’s residents, along with visitors to the area, can take advantage of a premier multi-use equestrian park and nature preserve. Besides equestrians, the park welcomes hikers, trail runners, bird watchers, photographers and other outdoor and nature enthusiasts.
The park has grown to 462 acres that include 21 well-maintained hiking and horseback riding trails that were designed by the Shotts. The centerpiece of the park is Red Fern Riding Center, which is leased from the Parks Dept. by Justine Saudan, who runs her business out of the stable and is assisted by Program and Facilities Manager Lyndsey Estes.
“Our trails are accessible and able to fit your needs, with differing skill levels to choose from,” Saudan said. “Own your own horse? We welcome you to trailer in and enjoy. We simply require a day use fee or a yearly permit. Indulge your love of horses and nature.
“You’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. Unplug from the hustle and bustle, slow things down and spend a little time with friends or family getting back to the basics and connecting with horses and the natural environment.”
Boarding at Red Fern Riding Center includes access to lessons, clinics and events at the park.
“And the best part is we have a wonderful, cohesive barn family with a variety of interests, breeds and schedules,” Saudan noted.
The Riding Center is open year-round and offers guided trail rides, riding lessons, horse training and horse boarding. (There are no fees for hikers and other park patrons). The park has a 32-stall barn, indoor and outdoor areas for year-round riding and 25 miles of trails. The 1 1/2-hour tours include safety training and a short introductory lesson, followed by one hour out on the trail.
“Take a spin on our cross-country course designed to accommodate all riding levels and enjoy scenery best viewed from the saddle of a horse,” Saudan said. “We offer starter, beginner novice and novice classes for riders just starting out or looking to fine tune their skills. The course is designed over changeable terrain and will keep you on your toes. Our jumps are variable, with something different around every corner. They are colorful and bright and include water obstacle options.”
Saudan said Red Fern’s primary discipline in horse training is Eventing with a heavy emphasis on dressage foundation, teaching horsemanship, safety and building relationships with horses through equality, communication and shared partnership
“Our training program is geared toward starting horses under saddle, young and old, and helping horses and clients who are experiencing challenges in their training or relationship with their horse. We help identify and solve issues around groundwork, nervousness, pushiness, distracted, disengaged or buddy sour horses. We can help assess if your horse, or potential horse, is the right fit for you and your goals. We provide English riding lessons instructing adults and children. We welcome first time riders to advanced students to learn the joy of riding in a safe and welcoming environment.”
If hiking is your passion, the park features trails for all ages, from beginner to experienced hikers. Variable terrain allows for finding a trail that best suits a hiker’s needs or interests, providing opportunities to keep it simple or take on a challenge. There are detailed trail maps and the trails are well-groomed and clearly marked.
“Shelby Trails Park is a great way to experience a great hike, a new adventure for you and your own horse, a guided horseback ride, or take a lesson and learn to ride,” Saudan says. “Take advantage of what we have to offer. We are sure Shelby Trails Park has something to fit your needs.”
GUIDED HORSEBACK RIDES - Experience Kentucky’s horse country by taking a guided tour on horseback. Explore your premier equestrian center and nature preserve as you and your trusty steed saunter down the trail with one of our seasoned guides. Our tours include basic safety training followed by one hour out on the trail.
NATURE RIDE $65.00 ONE HOUR - Whether you have never ridden before or you’re an experienced rider, you will be provided with a safe, fun, guided horseback ride atop their trusty steeds. Your ride will be led by an experienced guide who will be watching you and your horse for safety and entertainment, so you can relax and enjoy your experience!
ADVENTURE RIDE $90.00 1.5 HOURS - Perfect for a date, anniversary or just to do something different. Their longer ride takes you through more challenging terrain than their hour-long ride. You’ll ride up and down hills, through creeks and encounter wildlife.
2025 SEASON - March 29th - November 15th
RIDE DAYS AND TIMES - Wednesday - Sunday at 9:00, 11:00, 2:00 and 4:00
AGE LIMIT - Per the park’s insurance, riders must be 7 years of age or older to go out on the trail.
WEIGHT LIMIT - For your safety and the well-being of the horses, they require the rider not to exceed 20% of the horse’s weight. The current weight limit is 250 lbs.
MAX NUMBER OF RIDERS PER GROUP - 12
To learn more and to access Red Fern’s services, visit: www.redfernridingcenter.com or call 502-437-4375
Adopt Me! Bluegrass Pet Rescue and R&R Incorporated of Louisville present:
Friday, April 11, 2025 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Bulleit Distilling Co. 3464 Benson Pike•Shelbyville, Kentucky
Don’t miss this unforgettable evening, where the spirit of compassion meets the Bourbon Trail! The Bulleit Distillery Visitor Center will transform into a haven for animal and bourbon lovers alike. Join us for
• Bourbon tastings and gourmet hors d’oeuvres
• Live and silent auctions featuring hard-to-find bourbons, unique items and experiences
• Limited VIP private experience including a Smoked Old Fashioned Class or Elevated Tasting Experience
• Fabulous prizes and giveaways To get your tickets, scan the QR code or visit AdoptMeBluegrassPetRescue.com
Zach Finnel
Vanessa Smith
Cleo Heine
Margaret Streeter
Jose Brooks
Ember McMurry
Florist: Susan’s Florist
Photo By Matt Johnson
“Anyone can grow into something beautiful.”
- Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Language of Flowers
This season, fashion blooms in the silent poetry of petals—soft as a sonnet, bold as a wildflower breaking free from the frost. Like love notes tucked into bouquets, these looks carry their own hidden messages. A dress blushes like a peony in full bloom, a billowing sleeve flirts like a daisy in the breeze, and deep emeralds and violets add a bit of mystery. We hope these looks inspire you to weave a little whimsy into your wardrobe, buy local this spring and to let this season be your invitation to bloom boldly, beautifully, and entirely as you.
Susan’s Florist set the scene for this month’s shoot. Styled by our very own, Cleo Heine- looks were paired with floral arrangements crafted by Amy Streeter and feature new spring collections from Mamili Boutique, Rodeo Drive, Rodes for Him for Her and Sassy Fox Upscale Consignment
Location provided by Susan’s Florist
Styled by Cleo Heine
Photographed by Antonio Pantoja & Matt Johnson Hair & Makeup provided by J Micheals Spa & Salon: Corrine Butcher & Avery Selch
Featured Boutiques
Mamili Boutique, Rodeo Drive, Rodes for Him for Her, and Sassy Fox Upscale Consignment
Modeled by
Vanessa Smith
Ember McMurry
Margarete Streeter
Zach Finnel
Jose Brooks
Production Team
Amelia Frazier Theobald Cleo Heine
Julie Keonig
Alisha Proffitt
Brylea Peach
Special thanks to Amy Streeter for her kindness and hospitality!
Photos By Matt Johnson & Antonio Pantoja
Hello! My name is Cleo and I had so much fun styling the 2025 Spring Fashion shoot. Getting to do this at Susan’s Florist was such a bonus. Amy Streeter did a magnificent job adorning this shoot with the beautiful flowers her shop has to offer.
There are certain flowers that survive through the cold months. They have deep seated roots that anchor them in and protect them from the frost. They even go dormant to reserve their energy to bloom big in spring. The VOICE-TRIBUNE’s Spring Fashion Shoot felt like an ode to this phenomena. It’s natural for humans to go through a bit of a hibernation process when it’s cold, and it’s healthy to let ourselves do so. Sometimes that can feel difficult as life is very busy - but it’s okay to rest. It’s funny and ironic that resting is sometimes the most productive activity you can do! Spring is such a magical time. A time of waking back up and blooming again even bigger and more vibrant than ever before. Here’s to getting through the cold hibernation months and blooming together as the sun gets closer.
Major shout out to Susan’s Florist, Rodeo Drive, Rodes, Sassy Fox, and Mamili Boutique and their teams for helping to make the styles in our Spring Fashion Shoot magical. Matt Johnson and Antonio Pantoja did such a wonderful job capturing these photos. Working with the entire team at the VOICE-TRIBUNE is always such a fun and enriching experience. Thank you to Amelia for this amazing opportunity.
Shop local and Flower Power to the people! - Cleo Heine
On Margaret
Dress: Rodes For Her
Blouse: Rodes For Her
Bag: Rodes For Her
On Margaret
Top: Sassy Fox
Skirt: Mamili Boutique
Jewelry: Sassy Fox
Photo By Matt Johnson
Photo By Antonio Pantoja
On Margaret
Top: Rodeo Drive
Dress: Rodeo Drive
Belt: Rodeo Drive
Jewelry: Rodeo Drive
Photo By Matt Johnson
By
On Margaret
Blouse: Sassy Fox
Pants: Sassy Fox
Earrings: Sassy Fox
Flowers: Susan’s Florist
Photo
Matt Johnson
On Ember Dress: Rodeo Drive
Jacket: Rodeo Drive
Jewelry: Rodeo Drive
On Margaret
Dress: Rodeo Drive
Earings: Rodeo Drive
Photo By Matt Johnson
By
Photos
Antonio Pantoja
On Margaret
Top: Rodes For Her Skirt: Rodes For Her Jewelry: Rodes For Her
Photos By Antonio Pantoja
On Zach Entire Outfit: Rodes For Him
Photos By Antonio Pantoja
On Zach
Top: Mamili Boutique Shorts: Mamili Boutique
On Zach Top: Rodes For Him Pants: Rodes For Him
On Zach Top: Rodeo Drive
Photos By Antonio Pantoja
On Jose
Top: Mamili Boutique Pants: Mamili Boutique Belt: Rodeo Drive
On Ember
Top: Rodeo Drive Pants: Rodeo Drive Bag: Rodeo Drive
Earrings: Rodeo Drive
Photos By Matt Johnson
On Jose
Top: Rodeo Drive
On Ember
Top: Rodeo Drive Pants: Rodeo Drive Bag: Rodeo Drive Earrings: Rodeo Drive
Photo By Matt Johnson
Photo By Antonio Pantoja
By
On Jose Entire Outfit: Rodes For Him
Photo
Matt Johnson
On Ember
Dress: Sassy Fox
Blouse: Sassy Fox
Jewelry: Sassy Fox
Photo By Matt Johnson
On Ember
Top: Rodes For Her Skirt: Rodes For Her Earrings: Rodes For Her Bag: Sassy Fox
Photo By Matt Johnson
On Vanessa Dress: Sassy Fox
Jewelry: Sassy Fox
Photo By Matt Johnson
On Vanessa Blouse: Rodeo Drive
Pants: Rodeo Drive
Jewelry: Rodeo Drive
On Vanessa Dress: Rodeo Drive
Jewelry: Rodeo Drive
Photo By Matt Johnson
Photo By Antonio Pantoja
By
Photo
Antonio Pantoja
On Vanessa
Top: Rodes For Her Skirt: Rodes For Her Sunglasses: Rodes For Her Jewelry: Rodes For Her
On Vanessa
Dress: Mamili Boutique
Jewelry: Sassy Fox
Photos By Matt Johnson
On Vanessa
Top: Rodes For Her Dress: Rodes For Her Scarf: Rodes For Her
Jewelry: Rodes For Her Purse: Rodes For Her
Photo By Antonio Pantoja
On Vanessa
Overalls: Sassy Fox
Blouse: Sassy Fox
Earrings: Sassy Fox
Photo By Matt Johnson
By
On Vanessa Top: Rodeo Drive Pants: Rodeo Drive Bag: Rodeo Drive
Photo
Antonio Pantoja
By
On Vanessa:
Dress: Mamili Boutique
Jewelry: Sassy Fox On Ember:
Dress: Mamili Boutique
Earrings: Sassy Fox
On Margaret:
Blouse: Mamili Boutique
Pants: Mamili Boutique
Bag: Sassy Fox
Earrings: Sassy Fox
Photo
Matt Johnson
By
Photo
Matt Johnson
Frances Brunner
By Kelsey Knott • Photos By Matt Johnson • Models: Triniti Paige Russell |Emmitt Lavaughn Green | L’Cris Amaru Rēal Weathers | Claire Cantacuzéne Smith
A young Louisvillian on a sustainable fashion mission, Frances Brunner is here to open the conversation about the future of fashion and how it can contribute to personal growth. She received the Rising Star sponsorship for Vancouver Fashion Week and shares stories of self-transformation along her journey.
KK: Tell me about your start. What first got you interested in fashion design?
FB: In my junior year of high school, I explored and expressed my style more. I dealt with the loss of a best friend and coped with that grief through embroidery. Right before she passed away from suicide, we had an entrepreneurial dream to create this fashion brand, Frank & Glenn, so I used that to raise awareness and donate to mental health causes. It feels like a legacy piece, a gift she gave me before she left. I went to fashion school at Kent State and took an unplanned gap year in Hawaii, where I felt inspired by community-centric living and being in touch with the land. After that, I took an internship in New York–the polar opposite. Hawaii is internal, about the body, self, and inner core, while New York is external, expressive, and goes fast. I returned to University in hopes of creating something that embodies both, internal and external expression.
KK: What influences/inspires your art?
FB: A lot of my work is based on personal transformation, like limiting beliefs and mindsets or how we critique ourselves. How can we use clothing as a language to transform these narratives and expand into a kind of limitlessness?
KK: How do the materials you use limit or add to your process?
FB: I’m a sustainable designer, so you have to problem-solve the materials and systems beyond the designs themselves. I go for dead stock or secondhand garments, even curtains or tablecloths. I’ve also self-developed a textile, showcased at the Hong Kong Redress Design Awards, called “deniim,” which is reprocessed denim fiber needle-felted together. I’m bringing that back in my Vancouver collection!
KK: What is the most important aspect of the design process?
FB: Sustainability, but also the individual. Instead of exploring deep emotion or personal experience, I ask, ‘What do we need? Who could we become without our limiting beliefs?’ We can change mindsets by opening this conversation and rewriting our critical ego carrying negative experiences and stories we tell ourselves.
KK: What does it mean to you to receive Vancouver Fashion Week’s Rising Star sponsorship?
FB: It’s insane! They found me through Redress Design Awards, an international competition. Being recognized and welcomed was huge, and going through and hearing that my past two collections were readable was nice because you’re trying to translate these ideas through a simple garment. Aesthetics and art are subjective, but I hope to use the language of fashion to create this universal conversation. Notable are times I’ve tried to step away, but opportunities and big dreams always pull me back, and the support I have and the mindset I take to handle the stress, diversity, and pivoting makes me think I am in the right spot.
KK: What do you wish more people knew about clothing design?
FB: Not many people can answer where garments go after you throw them away. Producing overseas could mean unethical treatment and long hours for workers, and even in good factories, it’s hard work. I’m always interested in shifting the consumer mindset around materials, production, and cost. You’re quick to grab a shirt because it’s only five dollars. It’s an unpopular opinion, but we should raise the value to level with the amount of work and labor–less clothes and more value to less! Minimalism is part of my journey, but it’s possible to see fashion as a uniform and reinvent community around fashion.
KK: What do you hope people gain from seeing and wearing your designs?
FB: Being present, and presently changing the future. It’s about self-transformation, our conceived potential, breaking down limitations, and rewriting those stories and narratives. Changing perspectives helps you show up differently. Clothing is so close to the body that some say it’s your second skin, but you embody the clothing, and fashion has the power to change and transform the wearer.
Check out Brunner’s portfolio site at francesbrunner.com or through her Instagram @franbrunner3. You can also support her journey and fund her next Vancouver collection through GoFundMe!
By Kelsey Knott • Photos By Matt Johnson
“There’s an encouragement factor and community support I never really experienced until I lived in Louisville. Even if it’s not something I’m passionate about, I connect with people here because I see their passion for their things reflected, and I feel it too.”
Growing up in a musical family in Oklahoma, Drew Crawley started playing music in the church, and his mother ensured her six children began piano around the age of four or five. When the church was no longer a part of his life, he found himself searching for community, sometimes in self-destructive places. “When I was no longer in the church, I was like, ‘Oh, I lost music too.’” In the process of getting sober, he re-engaged with music through journaling and connecting those words with music, ultimately allowing him to rebuild a new magical, passionate community.
Two things spark inspiration in Crawley’s world: “Journaling and thinking through what recovery looks like in everyday situations, whether that’s relationships, individual goals or just wrestling with trying to be a better person than I used to be. And the other thing is people’s stories. The great songwriters I admire, John Prine, Willie Nelson, and other legends, have a way of writing other people’s stories, so I’m really inspired by that as well.” When songwriting, he takes pride in editing and re-editing for the perfect phrasing and word choice. “I also have a few trusted voices at the Monarch. I love my wife, and she’s my biggest supporter and biggest critic, but I need other ears and eyes on it before I’m comfortable saying it’s done. If I don’t convey what I intended, I didn’t do a good enough job.”
The Monarch has gifted Crawley a space for consistency when dedicating time to his craft. Once a week, he schedules himself to have around three hours there: “Knowing that that time is blocked off in the calendar, even if I get nothing out of it, I still did the practice of coming, and I feel like I have grown as a songwriter through consistency–not just waiting for the inspiration or waiting for the topic, but making myself do it.” The magic of the Monarch helps keep him from “getting in his own way,” not to mention connecting him with others working towards similar goals: “I’ve met other people that are in recovery. I’ve met beautiful artists and seen beautiful shows. But when I can sit upstairs and co-write with somebody, it’s just lightning in a bottle. Not saying those songs are great, but the experience of writing with another person is incredible. The shows are great and important, but the community during the week and the early morning hours is where the magic is.”
Drew Crawley knows that writing and playing songs is all that artists truly want to do, recognizing the downfalls of the seemingly broken industry of unfair contracts and fighting to own one’s music. His hope for his listeners is a beautiful sentiment: “I hope that people receive grace and hope and that they see themselves reflected in my music, especially for folks in recovery. I was given gifts by other artists in their reckonings with that in their own lives, like Ruston Kelly and Jason Isbell. But the thing about that is not necessarily that they are experts at the craft–it’s the connection they make through their lyrics. With this newest record, I had a chance to play it and an opportunity to talk to somebody who had gone through the same struggles as me–divorce, church breakup, addiction, and recovery down to the substances. He was gracious enough to share that with me, and that was worth every penny, every hour we spent making the record. I touched someone else’s life in the same way that my life has been touched by other songwriters.”
Songwriter Nights, Crawley’s project at the Monarch, typically occur on the third Monday of every month. “Folks can come in and share a song that’s either partway finished or all the way finished. There’s an opportunity to receive feedback if you want that, but it’s really just a good opportunity to get in a room of like-minded people. We want to address the different phases that songs go through and, hopefully, give folks a place monthly to work on that.” As it grows, Crawley hopes songwriter nights become fluid and flexible for everyone, where some are co-writing or jamming on something new, some are talking through songwriting details, and some may even be bravely taking their song to the stage for its debut.
Listen to Drew Crawley’s newest record, Hard to Hold, out everywhere, and stay tuned for a brand-new song with Glory Daze on March 14th! Follow his Instagram and find tour dates on drewcrawleymusic.com.
Model: Bethany Hood Hair and Makeup:
Raina Trimble
By Antonio Pantoja
March is such an important month for me. It’s my birthday month. And this year, I turn... old.
Despite having lots of successes and reasons to celebrate over the last few years, I think I’m the saddest person that I know of.
The only other person that I could think of who was even sadder than me was my cousin, James. He was also the most brilliant artist that I’d ever met in my life. James was the sweetest, most kind person I ever knew and ironically, 2 years ago, he was shot and killed by the police.
James showed me how to play music about 20 years ago. He was the best guitar player I’d ever seen. We both had a very tough upbringing and while my mother was a complete lunatic, his was even crazier. I felt for him. He was older than me so, he always had life lessons for me.
One night, James invited me to his house and wanted to show me a song he’d written for his baby. His wife had delivered the baby but through complications, the baby had passed away just as it had taken its first breath. They had a funeral for her and all. It led to complications in his marriage and James was alone. He had written the song once he’d been alone for a while.
James picked up his guitar and played this song for me. He had to turn his back to me to play it. He couldn’t bear to play it in front of someone.
There were no lyrics. But it was the most beautiful and emotional song I’d ever heard.
With tears in my eyes, I asked him when he was going to record it so that everyone could hear it. He said, “No one will ever hear it, it’s just for me”. James told me “You know Antonio, I’m scared one day that I’ll be happy.” I was so confused by this. He continued, “Because then I won’t be able to write beautiful music anymore.”
As much as I looked up to James, he was wrong.
There is so much beauty in this life to be explored. Even through the darkest moments, beauty finds a way to shine through—whether in music, memories, or the love we share with those around us. James poured his pain into his art, but that doesn’t mean happiness would have taken his gift away.
True creativity isn’t born solely from sorrow; it’s a reflection of the depth of our experiences, both beautiful and heartbreaking.
James’ song was his way of capturing something deeply personal, but his life— his kindness, his talent, and his lessons will still live on through me. And through all of us who choose to embrace both the pain and the beauty of living. Let it be a reminder that sadness doesn’t define you.
Happiness is not the enemy of art, nor is it a betrayal of the past. It is proof that we have survived, that we still have more songs to play, stories to tell, and love to give. And that, in itself, is something worth celebrating.
ABBY
Model: Abby Hendershot Hair and Makeup: Raina Trimble
JILL Model: Jill Spicer
Hair: Liz Heet
Makeup: Trista Noe
Gown: Belinda Barry - Romantic Threads
Location: Ravenwood Castle
Creative Direction: Bernadette Newberry
JUSTIN 1
Model: Justin Sinkler
Makeup: Matt Goodlett
JUSTIN 2
Model: Justin Sinkler Makeup: Matt Goodlett
Makeup: Trista Noe
Gown: Belinda Barry -
Romantic Threads
Location:
Gown: Belinda Barry -
Location:
Creative Direction:
NIKKI 2
Model: Nikki Roeder
Hair: Liz Heet
Ravenwood Castle
Creative Direction:
Bernadette Newberry
NIKKI 1
Model: Nikki Roeder
Hair: Liz Heet
Makeup: Trista Noe
Romantic Threads
Ravenwood Castle
Bernadette Newberry
SARAH2
Model: Sarah Logann Thomas
Hair and makeup: Rian Miller
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HAZARD NATIVE DWIGHT TURNER DISCUSSES HIS RISE IN THE INDUSTRY OF ENTERTAINMENT
By Remy Sisk • Photos By Matt Johnson & Movie Stills Provided
Dwight Turner still remembers as a child watching a local television program in Hazard, Kentucky, and asking his dad how much you have to pay to be on TV. His father explained that it was the other way around; you don’t pay to be on TV – they’ll pay you! At that moment, Turner’s interest in exploring the entertainment industry was born, and now, decades later, he’s a successful actor, director, producer and casting director as well as a true testament to the power of believing what you can achieve, no matter where you come from.
While the spark came early for Turner, it wasn’t until after college that he really dove into the industry. Armed with a degree in communications with a radio and TV emphasis, he made the move to Los Angeles. “I knew so very little,” he remembers. “I was so naive. I had no connections.”
His lack of experience didn’t hinder him, however, as Turner booked a national commercial at his first-ever professional audition. Since then, he’s acted in over 50 projects including last year’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” In addition to acting, he’s also had success in the world of voiceover and print modeling. Moreover, he’s ventured into directing and producing and even heads his own casting firm while also serving on the SAG-AFTRA Nashville Board and as the Festival Coordinator for Louisville’s International Festival of Film. “Turner Casting just cast our first Super Bowl commercial. It’s a regional spot for Clark’s Pump-N-Shop.” Turner shared, “This was an exciting milestone for us, and seeing it air during the game was incredible.”
While the start in acting came uncannily quick for Turner, how he branched into the other areas was a bit less direct. Turner actually found himself working in payroll at Warner Bros. and through being there, was able to land a job as a content programmer with the studio, developing various online shows. From that position, he continued to explore more behind-the-camera opportunities, though, to be clear, he still cites acting as his deepest passion. “I’m still acting and always will be because that’s my first love,” he says “I always love acting. I love being in front of the camera. That will never go away.”
Deep into his career, Turner’s mother, who still lived in Kentucky, started to experience health issues, which led to him making the major decision to move back to the Bluegrass State in what he assumed would be a temporary relocation. But now, years later, Turner admits he’s likely here to stay. “After living out there for many, many years, Kentucky was like a breath of fresh air, I guess is the best way to describe it,” he shares. “And, you know, it was kind of nice to have a change. Will I ever move back to LA? It’s possible, but I’m enjoying being here and all that is happening here.”
Living in Kentucky, Turner continued his acting career, flying out to different cities for different projects, but soon, film began having more of a presence much closer to home. “A lot of them are happening here now because Kentucky pays out 30 or 35 percent depending on the geographic area to productions,” he explains “But what separates Kentucky from a multitude of other incentive programs around the nation is Kentucky actually gives production a check that they can use for the production instead of them having to wait to get it back through taxes. And that is a big difference. And that is really one of the big pulls that is bringing production – entertainment production work – into the state.”
Indeed, Kentucky has seen a major boom as a film destination with frequent celebrity and production sightings across the state. “And it’s employing people in the state,” Turner continues. “I’m so excited to see where all of this is going. And I am so happy that all of this is happening because if it were not, I may have actually at this point moved back to LA once my mom was doing better. But because all this is happening here, I’m very happy to be here.”
In addition to being a part of the on-screen work, Turner has launched his own casting company called Turner Casting where he helps get the right people in for the right projects. On his next horizon is offering acting classes in both Louisville and Lexington, in which he hopes to help those interested in pursuing an entertainment career have more of a leg up than he did when he got started.
In the meantime, a great deal of his time is spent as CEO of Movie Town Productions, a company he launched with colleague Steve Damron upon moving back to Kentucky. The company’s first film, “REP” – directed by Turner – chronicles the lives of freshman state representatives and is currently in post-production. Another directing project that’s upcoming, though not through Movie Town, is the horror film “Deep Within the Caves,” which draws inspiration from Appalachian folklore. It’s been a multilayered and multifaceted feat for the boy from small town Kentucky, a whirlwind of a career that, to some, could have seemed unlikely. “I’ve had people ask me, ‘Well, how did this occur?’ And you know, I think a big part of it is just having determination,” he relates, “and having a good idea of what it is that you want to achieve. And I’m a firm believer that it doesn’t matter where you begin. It doesn’t matter where you start out. It’s where you finish. And don’t let anybody tell you you cannot achieve things because you can.”
For more information on Dwight Turner, visit dwightturner.com.
To submit to Turner’s casting firm, visit turnercasting.com/talent-submissions.
To contact Turner for casting needs, email dwight@turnercasting.com.
To contact Turner for directing or producing needs, email dwight@movietownproductions.com.
PAINTING THE BEAUTY AND PAIN OF A MISUNDERSTOOD REGION
By Alisha Proffitt • Portrait Photos By Matt Johnson
Artwork Photos Provided By ceirraevans.com
Born and raised in Owingsville, Ceirra Evans is a Kentucky-based painter whose work is deeply rooted in the landscapes and narratives of Appalachia and the working-class South. Earning her BA from Spalding University in 2021, her paintings often blend oil painting, folk art, and illustration traditions. Her work has been featured in major publications like The New Yorker and Hyperallergic. Evans’ recent solo exhibitions include Come Home With Me at Virginia Tech’s Perspective Gallery, A Wild Weed at Galerie Geraldine Banier in Paris, and Be Careful Out There at Moremen Gallery in Louisville. Her latest work was featured in the group exhibition Queer Art | Queer Archives at the University of Kentucky’s Bolivar Gallery. Evans’ paintings are in private collections in the U.S. and the UK, as well as in the permanent collection of the Speed Art Museum.
Evans’ art often tackles the complicated emotional polarities that occur when the place you grow is a source of both comfort and pain. In true Appalachian tradition, each of Evans’ paintings has its own story to tell. “Storytelling is at the core of my practice. It’s how I explain myself and connect with others. Most of my work begins with a piece of a story, an anecdote, or a conversation. From there, I decide how far to push the narrative, and what the painting ultimately reveals. It’s always deeply personal but also a reflection of the larger community,” says Evans.
Many of these stories are reflections of Evans’ childhood and personal experiences. “My childhood in Eastern Kentucky is filled with vivid, complex memories that can feel irreverent but also warm,” she reflects. “As the youngest in the house and my mother’s sidekick, I observed a lot– the people who came and went, their tattoos, scars, the way they carried themselves, and the work they did. Those moments have shaped my understanding of people and place, and I carry those stories with me into my art.”
Evans’ paintings critique perceptions of Appalachia and the South, challenging misconceptions about the region. “Appalachia and the South are often written out, misunderstood, and unfairly labeled as politically backward or as home to ‘bad people. ’That’s horses**t,” she says. “I challenge this perception by highlighting the diversity, artistry, and resilience that thrive in the Region.” A primary focus in her art is addiction, particularly in Appalachia. “It gets oversimplified as a ‘regional problem.’ The truth is that addiction is a multi-faceted issue, and it’s exacerbated by corporate greed,” she explains. “My work pushes against these one-dimensional narratives, offering a more nuanced view of both the struggles and the resilience of the people here.”
Humor occasionally plays a role in Evans’ art, adding or taking away depending on whether it serves the story. “I’ve learned that humor helps maintain humility in the process and adds an element of humanity to heavier topics. When it comes to generational poverty and addiction, I draw from my personal experiences, never using humor to judge or trivialize. Instead, it’s a way of reflecting on life’s hardships with honesty, sometimes laughing at myself and those closest to me along the way.”
Beyond the place she calls home, Evans draws artistic inspiration from art itself. “I’m inspired by a wide range of artists. Nicole Eisenman, for example, has always been a major influence. Her boldness in creating large, unapologetic works motivates how I approach my own paintings,” shares Evans. “Thomas Hart Benton’s dynamic movement and storytelling is another key influence. More recently, I’ve found myself returning to Alexandre Hogue, a member of the Dallas Nine. His work, which often tells stories of the Dust Bowl and land degradation, has inspired the way I use light to convey depth and narrative.” Influences also include the work of the Kinney and Tolson families “Their storytelling is straightforward yet deeply personal, something I strive for in my own work. I’m continually drawing from regional artists and folk-art traditions, working to bring these influences into my practice.”
Evans’ work is part of the Speed Art Museum’s permanent collection, an institution that holds a special place in her heart. “It was the first fine art museum I ever visited, at age 16, during Governor’s School for the Arts. Working at the Speed from late 2018 to 2022 deepened my appreciation for museums and their role in preserving history. Having my work exhibited there is both an honor and a full circle moment. I hope it helps pave the way for more diverse Appalachian artists to be recognized and celebrated in major collections. Our stories deserve to be told.”
Access to representation and diversity in art helps us to better understand ourselves and those around us. Evans’ work illustrates the unique perspective of life in rural Appalachia and the South from a queer lens, without being put in a box. “Appalachia lends itself to being queer. It’s a sentiment that other folks from the region and I talk about often. Queerness isn’t just about sex or gender, it’s about living in a non-traditional way. I am a butch woman and will always say that my butchness has been inspired by other working-class women of the region. They may not have led a “genderqueer” life, but they carry themselves as a challenge to the status quo with strength, discipline and charm,” she says, “Being seen as a queer, Appalachian artist does make me uncomfortable to a degree. I don’t want the conversation around queerness and Appalachia to be trite. However, these degrees have helped me understand how important it is to speak about the existence of queerness within the region. It’s important to the younger generation to see queer adults living, thriving, and fighting.”
For those unfamiliar with Ceirra’s work, she offers these closing sentiments -“I would hope that viewers engage with my work by leaning into any discomfort or confusion it might stir up. For my queer Appalachian folks, I hope they find a sense of home in my paintings, a place where their experiences and identities are validated and celebrated.”
ceirraevans.com
By Kevin Murphy Wilson | Photos Provided
Sam Bush is a Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist best known for his mastery of the mandolin. Over the course of a lengthy career that began right here in Kentucky and expanded in every direction possible, Bush has developed a distinctive style of picking and singing that is evocative of many disparate musical forces, including Bill Monroe, Bob Marley, and the Allman Brothers Band. His own groups—such as Bluegrass Alliance, New Grass Revival, Strength in Numbers and the Sam Bush Band—are legendary. Remarkably, even after 50 years in the business, Bush continues to expand the boundaries of acoustic music and remains a perennial favorite among peers, critics, and fans alike. We recently chatted with Bush about his latest album—Radio John—which is a carefully-crafted tribute to his late friend and co-conspirator John Hartford, as well as Bush’s neverending tour that lands him back in the area for a March 7 performance at the Grand Theatre in Frankfort.
VT: Radio John is replete with songs by [musician, songwriter, steamboat pilot, author, artist, disc jockey, calligrapher, dancer, folklorist] John Hartford. What can you tell us about your relationship with him?
SB: “I had been a big fan of John’s music long before we ever crossed paths. Then, I finally got to meet him in the summer of 1971 at Bill Monroe’s Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival. The band John had with him included Tut Taylor, Norman Blake and Vassar Clements, and they just blew minds that night. Late in the evening I got to spend some time around the campfire with those guys and I had never before met anyone that liked to jam or play music more than John. He literally would rather pick than eat. Anyway, that initial encounter led to a working relationship and a friendship that lasted decades.”
VT: Speaking of Vassar Clements, at the beginning of the year you were invited to take part in an Old & In the Way celebration at the Ryman Auditorium. What, in your estimation, was so significant about that short-lived group?
SB: “If I’m correct, at one point it [Old & In the Way’s eponymous 1975 LP] was the largest selling bluegrass album ever.
Simply put, it brought bluegrass to a rock n’ roll audience because Jerry Garcia was the banjo player. And so, by introducing that project to his large Grateful Dead fanbase, a lot of people who might not have been exposed to that level of bluegrass musicianship before were hearing Peter Rowan in his prime singing and David Grisman kicking ass on the mandolin as well as the great Vassar Clements on fiddle. Just think, if your first impression of bluegrass fiddle was Vassar Clements, I mean wow. And, you know, to me, Jerry’s banjo playing was perfect for that band because it wasn’t built around the hard-driving banjo of J.D. Crowe or Earl Scruggs, it was truly an ensemble that kind of weaved their music together in and out.”
VT: Your classic Louisville-based band Bluegrass Alliance featured guitar great Tony Rice for a while. How did he end up in the mix?
SB: “I was functioning as their guitarist, having taken over for Dan Crary. Then one day I encountered what appeared to be the skinniest man on earth playing Clarence White-type phrases in the middle of this big field outside the Camp Springs Bluegrass Festival in North Carolina. It turned out to be Tony, and, after we got to talking, I proposed that he join our group so that I could switch my focus back to mandolin. I probably should have asked the other guys first, but they warmed up to the idea pretty quickly once they heard Tony play.”
VT: All these years later, what are your thoughts on the shape-shifting acts who are now at the forefront of today’s acoustic music scene, like Molly Tuttle, Greensky Bluegrass, and Billy Strings?
SB: “Well, I’m just appreciative of the fact that I even get invited to the party with all these younger musicians who are now my friends. I didn’t have a bigger hero on the mandolin than Jethro Burns when I was starting out. And one time when he was opening up for New Grass Revival, which totally should have been the other way around, he told me that if I lived long enough, I’d also see the day when I was the support act for the people I had influenced. He didn’t really phrase it so nicely or with words that were suitable for print, but it was a point well taken.”
VT: At this juncture, it must feel nice to spend your days roaming around the live music circuit with a superb band of your own behind you, right?
SB: “I feel extremely fortunate. Mainly because my whole musical life I have always played exactly what I wanted to, and at this point, the measure of success is really just having the opportunity and the ability to go out and play some more.”
For more information visit: sambush.com.
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You might recognize Alexis Lete from her time at WWE or as former Miss Indiana USA. These days Alexis is riding the reality TV roller coaster with big ambitions to win big money on Deal or No Deal Island, airing on NBC. Her multifaceted background and competitive athletic experience make her a perfect fit for the show’s unique physical and mental challenges.
Growing up in Southern Indiana shaped her in many ways that prepared her for anything—including the twists and turns of Deal or No Deal Island. “The Southern Indiana values are something that I have taken with me everywhere I go. I am an incredibly outgoing person, and my parents joke that I’ve never met a stranger. I think this honestly helped me get booked on the show because I’m so open with who I am and authentic to myself. Producers love to cast people that aren’t afraid to be them,” Lete shares. That authenticity, mixed with her competitive edge from years in sports, made her a natural fit for the island.
When she got the call that she had been cast, she knew she was about to embark on an unforgettable adventure. “I was so excited! I’ve always wanted to go on a reality show. I just never knew which one, and Deal or No Deal Island is honestly the perfect show to go on because it’s like a mixture of Survivor, Big Brother, and Deal or No Deal!”
But reality TV is never as simple as it seems. The game threw some unexpected curveballs her way. “The show had some tricky challenges where we would have to do things for other people rather than competing in the challenge for ourselves. This made things very complicated and dynamic because you would have to think of what your actions for somebody else would end up doing for you in the long run.”
Pressure is nothing new to Alexis. Her time as Miss Indiana USA and her experience with WWE helped her navigate the intensity of reality television. “Being Miss Indiana USA helped me communicate with different people in different walks of life. There are all different types of people on the show, and I think that my experience of being Miss Indiana USA helped me be able to make connections with every different contestant in a different way,” says Lete. As for keeping her head in the game? “The WWE prepared me an immense amount for this. The training environment there was incredibly intense and incredibly competitive, sometimes in a toxic way. Going on Deal or No Deal Island just felt like another day on the job at the WWE Performance Center. Also, millions and millions of dollars are pretty motivating.”
That prize money was no joke, and Alexis played to win. “I’m going in all or nothing, burning the boats, putting my all into every decision, every night, every challenge. I had to act like there’s no tomorrow because if I get voted out, then there really is no tomorrow.”
Her Midwestern roots kept her grounded throughout the experience. “I mean, I am who I am because of where I grew up. My morals and values are very much based on the Midwestern belief system. Probably my biggest attribute from growing up is playing sports, especially at Kiva! They instilled a competitive nature in me, a go-getter mentality, and a crazy sense of determination to reach my goals.”
One of the biggest takeaways from the show? The way reality TV reflects real life—just with higher stakes. “There are so many different lessons I learned. Something big that I noticed is that everything on the show is a reflection of life, just amplified. I think a lot of people like to get lost in a crowd rather than standing out or going for something that is the biggest prize– and that happened quite a few times on the show. I was always trying my best and going for the highest cases even though I knew that would put a target on my back sometimes.”
Now that the show is airing, Alexis is watching her own journey unfold along with the rest of us. “The show is currently airing! It’s been so much fun to see what they end up putting in the show versus what they don’t put in the show and to see how I am portrayed, which honestly is exactly how I feel like I am in real life. I might be a little bit more reserved on the show because there’s strategy and contemplating and planning things out. I’m excited for my friends and family to see the adventure that I went on while being on Deal or No Deal Island. I’m incredibly proud of the way I presented myself, and I know Kentuckiana will think the same—and if not, then they’re not my people,” she laughs.
DAN MESKE ON HIS NEW ROLE AS LOUISVILLE VOLLEYBALL’S HEAD COACH
By RUSS BROWN • Photos Provided By UofL Athletics
Good things come to those who wait. Dan Meske could be the poster boy for that idiom.
After exhibiting patience and loyalty for nearly a decade while helping Dani Busboom Kelly build one of the premier college volleyball programs in the country at the University of Louisville, Meske’s wait has finally paid off and now he’s in charge of keeping the program at its current level or beyond.
When Busboom Kelly was hired last month as the head coach at volleyball powerhouse Nebraska, her alma mater, Meske was promoted from his associate head coaching position almost immediately, ending the uncertainty he had lived with about if or when he might be able to ascend to the top.
Although Busboom Kelly repeatedly said she was happy in Louisville and had no desire to take another job, it was commonly believed that she would leave for Nebraska once legendary coach John Cook retired. Her roots are deep in the state. Not only did she play and coach for the Cornhuskers, but she grew up on a farm just outside Lincoln and her parents still live there.
Less than 48 hours after the Cornhuskers announced Busboom Kelly’s hiring, UofL named Meske to succeed her, although Meske said UofL athletic director Josh Heird told him in a phone call 10 minutes after learning Busboom Kelly was leaving, that he was “99.9 percent” sure Meske was going to be hired.
“One of the things that kept me here for so long is that I thought there was a small possibility that this could happen,” Meske said. “It didn’t really surprise me when the opportunity arose that she would jump on it, but I was good if nothing changed. We had a great thing going. I had some opportunities, but I never stepped foot on another campus other than for a match. So, I didn’t get too far down the road with anybody because from my perspective nothing really compared to Louisville. The support we have, the fan base is growing. It’s just such a cool moment to be a part of that we were never close to leaving.” Busboom Kelly says she enthusiastically supported Meske as her replacement.
“There is no one in the country better than Dan to lead Louisville volleyball,” she said. “Not only is he an amazing coach, but he is an incredible person who leads with integrity, passion and love for the players. While I’m sad I won’t be on the same sideline with Dan anymore, I want Louisville volleyball to continue to break barriers. Dan will work tirelessly to make sure the program succeeds.” The 40-year-old Chicago native’s promotion also figures to be a popular one with his players, according to All-American Anna DeBeer, who has graduated after four seasons as the Cards’ star.
“Dan is one of the hardest-working coaches I’ve ever had and is always finding ways to improve himself every day,” DeBeer said. “We would not have accomplished what we did these past few years without him. There is no one I trust more to take over this amazing program and continue the legacy Louisville volleyball is building.”
Meske said at his introductory press conference that he is incredibly proud and humbled to be UofL’s head coach, adding that his eight seasons in the ‘Ville “ have been the best of my life. . .This place means the world to me. Anyone who follows our program knows that there is a joy and love for each other and for the game within Louisville, and I plan to keep it that way.”
Meske has his work cut out for him. Busboom Kelly’s eight-year reign at UofL produced two national runner-up finishes, three national semifinals appearances, four ACC championships and an unprecedented undefeated 2021 regular season.
“Throughout his tenure, Dan has had several opportunities to leave U of L for head coaching roles, but he has stayed committed to making U of L one of the elite programs in the country,” Heird said. “He’s been loyal to this place, and I am supremely confident in his ability to lead this program into the future. Dan is a proven leader, teacher and program builder who will keep us on a national championship trajectory. He knows this program. He’s been here every step of the way since Dani started.”
Meske said he welcomes the challenge and feels he has an excellent nucleus for next season. The Cards return 11 players from the Final Four squad that posted a 30-6 record, including redshirt senior setter Elle Glock and middle blocker Cara Cresse, both redshirt seniors; junior opposite hitter Reese Robins; redshirt middle blocker Hannah Sherman; and sophomore setter Nayelis Cabello, the returning leader in digs with 210.
“The coaching lingo is that pressure is a privilege,” Meske said. “Clearly, we have a great roster. We worked really hard to get this roster to where it’s at with the players we have coming back and the (recruiting) commitments we have. So, we really haven’t skipped a beat. Anytime I think about pressure I go back to what a great opportunity this is. Every once in a while my mind goes there (to pressure) because it’s just human nature. But I’m always reminded that we’ve worked so hard to have that pressure and opportunity that it’s a pretty cool moment to be in.”
Meske’s five-year contract through Dec. 31, 2029, includes a base salary of $300,000 and a monthly car allowance of $500. His performance bonuses, which include seven accomplishments such as a Final Four appearance, national championship and ACC Coach of the Year, amount to $125,000. Should the Cards appear in the NCAA Tournament in any of his first three years, he will receive an automatic one-year extension.
Prior to joining Busboom Kelly’s staff, Meske was the head coach at Division II Augustana College in Rockford, Ill. for two seasons after eight years as an assistant coach at Nebraska. He and his wife Laurel have three sons: Ryne, Maddox and Hendricks.
Heird praised Busboom Kelly while calling her departure “bittersweet.”
“Dani doesn’t owe the university, the city a thing,” he said. “You think about what she did to elevate this program, and, I mean, honestly, I’m going to be cheering her on. I’m a Nebraska volleyball fan now. Because I truly want her to win national championships there and just continue to rise in the sport.”
Busboom Kelly played at Nebraska from 2003-06, winning a national championship her senior season as a libero. She also served as an assistant coach from 2012-16 -- which included a national title in 2015 -- before taking the Louisville job in 2017.
She signed a six-year contract extension in 2022 that boosted her base salary from $225,000 to $400,000. Her contract included a provision waiving a $300,000 buyout if she became the head coach at Nebraska, where she signed a six-year, $4,575 million deal, plus bonuses. Her starting base pay will be $700,000, increasing $25,000 each season. That places her second in the NCAA in base salary behind Texas coach Jerritt Elliot, who was paid $724,750 for winning the national championship in 2023 (500,000).
AND THIS TIME BOTH UOFL TEAMS ARE READY TO JOIN THE FUN
By RUSS BROWN • Photos By UofL Athletics
Pat Kelsey’s vaunted “ReviVILLE” project can already be counted a smashing success even before the all-important postseason, with the Cardinals’ surprising regular season success creating optimism that they can continue to compile more impressive accomplishments.
Heading into its last four games, UofL was 21-6 overall with a five-game winning streak, victories in 15 of its last 16 games and its first NCAA Tournament bid in six seasons a lock. The Cardinals are also tied for second place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 14-2 record, just one game behind league-leading Duke, and have earned a double bye in the conference tournament after being picked ninth in the preseason poll.
The school record for ACC wins is 15, set in 2019-20 by Chris Mack’s team, a mark UofL seems certain to eclipse, since its last three games are at home against second-division teams. The Cards will be solid favorites in all of them, with KenPom.com putting their chances of sweeping at 85%.
However, Kelsey is reluctant to consider the prospect of Louisville’s first appearance in the Big Dance since 2019.
“We never, ever, ever talk about that,” he says. “I say all the time, our sole focus is the most important thing in the history of our program, which is the next thing we do. And I’ve said that time and time again.”
Throughout his 11-year head coaching career Kelsey has emphasized what he terms “the process,” a philosophy he attributes to his mentor, the late Xavier and Wake Forest head coach Skip Prosser.
“It’s challenging our guys to have unbelievable excellence in our weight session and our film session, practice, walk-through, being process oriented,” Kelsey says. “The outcomes will take care of themselves down the road if we just stay focused on that thing right in front of us. I can’t do anyting about hsoe other things right now. The only thing we can do is try to maintain our daily excellence.”
So far, obviously, that has been enough. UofL has earned its first 20-win season since 2020 and first winning record period since the pandemic-shortened 13-7 mark in 2021. The Cards’ 9-1 ACC road record is their best ever and they have ended numerous program losing streaks, the most notable being a nine-game drought and 2-19 ACC record against Virginia with a series sweep.
So where will Louisville be seeded for March Madness on Selection Sunday March 16? Going into the final three weeks of the season, counting the conference tournament, the consensus is that the Cards will be a No. 7 seed, but with a chance to move up to No. 6 or maybe even No. 5. Among the teams projected ahead of them that they could overtake are Maryland, Marquette, Kansas, Ole Miss, Illinois, Missippi State and Clemson.
Kelsey has orchestrated one of the biggest turnarounds in college basketball and positioned himself as a strong candidate for national coach of the year honors. He was plus-13 wins over last year’s UofL record of 8-24 going into a Feb. 25 game at Virginia Tech. Only Michigan’s Dusty May (20-6, plus-12 from 8-24) and Missouri’s Dennis gates (20-7, plus-12 from 8-24) are close to him.
He has been named to the Naismith Award Coach of the Year Watch List and is also in contention for the Associated Press National Coach of the Year award, an honor that, incredibly, Denny Crum and Rick Pitino never won. Voting takes place after the regular season ends and before the NCAA Tournament begins, with the winner being announced the week of the Final Four, which will take place April 5-7 in San Antonio.
UofL’s renaissance is all the more extraordinary because Kelsey constructed this season’s roster from scratch, getting 12 of his 13 scholarship players from the transfer portal, and the 13th as a freshman. The Cards have had to overcome unexpected adversity to the roster with two season-ending injuries and two other injuries that impacted previous starters for a significant number of games. Still, Kelsey joined Crum (1976-77) as the only Louisville coaches to win 21 regular season games in their first season.
“I think they have done a tremendous job of picking the right kind of guys who fit the way they want to play,” said veteran Florida State coach and former UK assistant Leonard Hamilton. “That’s not easy. That’s really masterful. Sometimes, you can recruit kids who are talented, but they don’t necessarily fit the way you want to play. Louisville is playing connected, playing well together, playing within their skill set, playing for each other and executing their system.
NCAA IS A HABIT FOR UOFL WOMEN
Meanwhile, the Louisville women’s team is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the 14th consecutive time. Going into their final two games against Clemson at home on Feb. 27 and at No. 1 Notre Dame on March 2, the Cards stood 19-8 overall and 12-4 in the ACC.
They had won four in a row and six of seven before falling to No. 10 North Carolina 79-75 on Feb. 23. All of Louisville’s losses have come against Top-25 teams.
The Cards have rebounded from a 6-5 start, and are projected as a No. 6 seed in the 68 NCAA field. They have advanced to two Final Fours and three Elite Eights in their last six appearances, and coach Jeff Walz appears to feel good about chances for another successful run. The ACC Tournament will be played March 5-9 in Greensboro, N.C., with NCAA competition starting March 18 leading up to the Final Four in Tampa.
“We are playing really good basketball right now,” Walz said. “There’s a lot of games in front of us. And the exciting thing is we’re competing for a top four seed (in the ACC), so there’s a lot of basketball left. When we were 6-5, I’m not sure anybody thought we’d be competing for a top four seed.
“We’ve taken a bunch of punches in the mouth, even in games when we’ve been up 16 or 18, and then we’ll let someone go on a 10-0 run, and now all of a sudden it’s a six-point game. We played in a bunch of those games and a lot of it was self-inflicted. But we’re playing some really good basketball at the right time.
“You know, everyone kind of crossed us off the list when we were 6-5, but it’s the people that don’t know much about our game. I mean, what are we now, and our losses are against good teams that are ranked No. 20 or higher? It’s not like we played a bad schedule. And you know, when you’ve got eight freshmen who are playing a lot and we’re counting on them, they’ve gotten better and better, and it’s fun to watch them.”
Walz hopes he can enjoy the fun deep into March.
By RUSS BROWN • Photos By UofL Athletics
Spencer Legg was scared. As an 11-year-old elementary school student, he had just been officially diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2013 after his parents, Elizabeth and Jonathan, along with his teachers, noticed him losing weight and becoming ill.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic condition where one’s pancreas makes little or no insulin, which is a hormone that turns food into energy by allowing sugar, or glucose, to enter cells. The exact cause of T1D is unknown, therefore there is no way to prevent it and there is no cure for the condition either. So, treatment is focused on managing one’s blood sugar, diet and lifestyle to prevent complications.
“I remember my parents used to talk about how much skinnier I was compared to other kids my age,” Legg recalled. “I didn’t really look like I was super healthy, I looked sick. When I was diagnosed it came as such a shock. That’s a lot to throw on someone that age. It was really scary. There was just so much coming at you, and I was scared that my life was gonna change significantly. The first question I asked the doctor was, ‘Am I going to still be able to play sports?’”
Legg, who played basketball, football and lacrosse at the time, answered that question long ago. At a formidable 6-foot-7, 200 pounds he is now a junior small forward for the University of Louisville’s nationally ranked basketball team and has drawn praise from coach Pat Kelsey for his contributions to the program, even though he rarely sees much action on game day.
Legg played for Kelsey at College of Charleston and followed him when he took the UofL job at the end of last season. While at C of C, the Washington, D.C. native started a foundation to help children deal with diabetes and when he moved to Louisville, he rebranded it as “Spencer’s Stand.”
Legg works with local families in conjunction with 502Circle, the official NIL (name, imaging, licensing) collective of UofL athletics, offering three services for T1D children: attending a UofL basketball game, a “virtual hangout” for those who can’t make it in person and a one-on-one workout with Legg at the Cardinals’ practice facility on campus, the Planet Fitness Kueber Center. The game experience includes a visit to the locker room afterwards to meet players and coaches. Legg said a major event, his biggest so far, is planned for UofL’s final regular season game on March 8 against Stanford in the KFC Yum! Center.
He noted that his approach with children is a mix of distracting them from their diagnosis and giving them advice and said it was his own experience coming to terms with diabetes that led him to form the foundation.
“When I was diagnosed and when I was first struggling with it, I wish I had someone who could have done the same thing,” he said. “I wish I had someone who told me it was possible, that I could keep playing sports.”
Spencer’s Stand accepts donations on its website and is also active on social media, including Facebook and Instagram. As evidence that Legg’s work is having an impact, the mother of a child he worked with in Charleston is planning a trip to Congress this month to advocate on behalf of type 1 diabetes.
Although Legg has appeared in only seven games for a total of 6 1/2 minutes, Kelsey makes sure people understand that he is a big part of the coach’s “25 Strong” culture that refers to the power of the unit and the pursuit of success. He describes Legg’s personality as being “dynamic,” with a sense of humor, passion, intelligence, wit, adding that “he could charm that folding chair over there.”
“What Spencer Legg is doing is truly phenomenal,” Kelsey says. “To be playing high level Division One basketball, carrying that (diabetes) cross with him every single day, and then having the heart and the passion to make a difference and to create awareness for the disease, just to see how he goes about his daily life and dealing with that, I have so much respect for him. Young people with diabetes can look up to him and see that you can make it, you can be a Division I basketball player. You can be anything you want to be.”
“And then, you know, the organization that he started is touching so many, is making such an impact. It’s special. He’s making a difference in the world and I’m proud of what he’s doing. He’s gonna write his ticket, whatever the heck he wants to do. Young people who have diabetes can look up to him and say, ‘the adversity I’m facing in life, man, you can make it.’”
Sports medicine today is much more focused on assisting T1D athletes with their diet and exercise regimen. There are a number of athletes who have thrived despite living with the disease, which hasn’t limited their excellence in competitive sports. Among them are Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews; swimmer Gary Hall Jr., winner of 10 Olympic medals; former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler; Olympic cross country skier Kris Freeman; and LPGA champion Michelle McGann.
No list exists for college basketball players with diabetes. The only other known current D-1 player with T1D is Creighton sophomore forward Isaac Traudt, who wears a glucose monitor during games. He has played an average of 17 minutes in 26 games this season for the Top 25 Bluejays.
Legg’s primary treatment is insulin injections he gives himself, and he also wears a glucose monitor.
“It was definitely a learning process,” Legg said. “It took me a while to get a hold on how to manage it and to talk about it too. I kind of wanted to keep it private. I didn’t really want to tell my classmates or friends or teachers. So, I have definitely turned the corner into running a foundation where I literally advocate for it.”
Legg, a sociology major, said he isn’t sure what direction he will take after graduation in 1 1/2 years. What he does know is that he’s glad he came to UofL with Kelsey.
“The fan base has been so warm and welcoming to me,” Legg said. “I couldn’t ask for a better basketball experience. It’s really a production at Louisville, and it’s cool to be a part of that machine.”
Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones in the recent floods and severe weather. We extend our deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with all those affected.
These floods and severe weather have devastated communities across Kentucky, leaving many families in urgent need. You can make a difference.
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Dan Horton, a certified TPI Golf Fitness Instructor at Baptist Milestone, has been teaching golf fitness for over 15 years. He enjoys working with many clients that enjoy the game of golf and want to better themselves physically and mentally on the course. Dan’s client, Purna Veer, who is President and Co-founder of V-Soft Consulting and on the board of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, perfects his game by training with Dan on a weekly basis. Purna is also an avid hiker who has climbed Mount Whitney, Pikes Peak, and to the base camp of Mount Everest. Let’s tap into what it is like to train with Dan and get ready for the game of golf, this spring.
By: Alison Cardoza • Photos By Matt Johnson • Sponsored
“It is time to get the golf clubs out and hit the course for some fun competition and improve your game. Believe it or not, golf is a sport. Golf requires strength, speed, eye-hand coordination, balance, and flexibility in order to play the game with excellence. Ideally, your body needs to be fit in order to play the game well. Oftentimes, when our body is weak and not well kept, injuries can occur in the game of golf. Specifically, individuals who play golf regularly are more prone to low back injuries, due to the swing motion’s dependence on the core muscles of the abdomen and back. So, in order to play the game injury free, you want to have some general fitness routines to improve your body.”
What are some key elements to have in your fitness routine for golf?
“You need to work the key muscles in your glute (backside) and your core (abs/back). These muscles help you develop balance and rotational strength for your golf swing. Lunges with rotational movements are an excellent way to work balance and your glutes, along with using one legged exercises in your workouts. Secondly, you want to use speed in your workouts. Throwing a medicine(weighted) ball or swinging a cable with speed, are ways to increase your club head speed when you swing a golf club. The faster you swing, the further the ball will travel on the course. Finally, you have to stretch your body in order to gain flexibility. Stretching your torso, hips, back, and hamstrings will create a more powerful full swing. If your workouts include the aforementioned areas of exercise, then you will have a better score as you hit the golf course this upcoming season.”
Swing your way into Spring and try something new this season!
Alison Cardoza, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and Fitour Group Exercise Instructor at Baptist Health Milestone Wellness Center. BS Exercise Science and Sports Medicine with a minor in Health Promotions from the University of Louisville. Former UofL Ladybird and NFL Colts Cheerleader.
In Loving Memory of “Big Dad” Clyde Franklin Ensor, Jr
February 8, 2025
Clyde Franklin Ensor, Jr., Age 81 of Shelby County passed away peacefully on February 8th, 2025, under the loving care of Dr. Paul Loheide and the wonderful nurses at Baptist Health.
He is survived by his wife, Debra, children Clyde Franklin Ensor III (Julie), Howard Ensor (Whitney), Stephanie Smith (Greg), Jeff Chaney (Katie), and Jon Chaney (Carisa) and grandchildren Annabelle Ensor Klein (Max), Sarabeth, Katie, and Molly Ensor, Michael, Parker and Jack Griffin, Howard II and Jay Ensor, Caroline Chaney, Treye and Jennifer Chaney. He is also survived by his brother Larry Ensor (Lina).
Franklin’s love shone through his life in every way, and everyone who met Franklin loved Franklin. His deep and unfailing faith in God made the world a better place through his acts of kindness and his loving and generous spirit. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with as many people as possible. He never met a stranger.
Visitation was held Thursday February 13, 2025, at Pearson’s, 149 Breckenridge Lane in Louisville, with a private graveside service for immediate family as he wished.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in his honor may be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 or giving.billygraham.org/honor-memorial or Georgetown College with the memo to either The George McGee Winterpast Theatre Scholarship or The Ensor Scholarship at 400 East College Street, Georgetown KY 40324.
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BOURBONVILLE®
Well folks, I don’t know about you, but I am certainly ready for spring. As winter reluctantly loosens its frosty grip on Louisville, March is stirring to life like a bear emerging from hibernation. Our dear city is in the beginning stages of transforming into a vibrant carnival, where mismatched weather patterns and enthusiastic event planners collide in a delightful and mad dance of unpredictability. One moment you’re basking in the sun at an outdoor festival, and the next you’re dodging raindrops at an indoor art show, all while trying to navigate the delicate balance of spring fashion—floral or fleece, anyone?
Let’s kick things off right with one of my favorite holidays of the year, St. Patrick’s Day! As a former Irish dancer and current Celtic fiddler, this holiday always puts a pep in my step. Thankfully, Louisville certainly knows how to celebrate accordingly. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Bardstown Road in the Highlands is absolutely the pot of gold for anyone wanting to celebrate the Emerald Isle and its patron saint. If you’ve never been, I’ll paint you a picture: a colorful procession of floats, bagpipers, glittering leprechauns, Irish dancers, and more making their way down the street in a display of festive flair. As you stand there, dodging flying beads and possibly an occasional rogue potato, you can’t help but laugh at the sea of mismatched green outfits—because nothing says “Irish pride” quite like a neon-green tutu layered over cargo shorts. It’s an absolute blast.
While we’re still on the subject of all things Irish, I have to recommend a good Irish jam session. If you play an instrument and are interested in Celtic music, I suggest checking out the Irish Jam with Jannell Canerday at Hadley Pottery on March 15 at 1 p.m. Even if you don’t know much about traditional Irish music, I guarantee you’ll pick up a few new riffs and maybe even learn a couple of tunes!
OK, it’s time for the glamour, y’all. March is also the time of year, after the frost melts and we all come out of our hovels, when our beloved balls, galas, and dinners really get back into full swing. I guarantee it will be tough to choose what to attend. All of the galas we have lined up for this month benefit incredible organizations, so I’ll give you a mere few of my personal favorites that are all listed on our online calendar. I highly recommend the Tyler Gerth Art Gala on March 8th benefiting the Building Equal Bridges Foundation, the Beacon Ball on March 15 benefiting Harbor House Louisville, the Louisville Visual Arts Honors Gala on March 21 benefiting LVA, and the Fairness Dinner on March 22 benefiting the Fairness Campaign. Trust me, I know, they are all amazing!
Now we can’t possibly forget the pre-Derby March events that will get you prepped for the absolute madness that is the entire month of April up until the big day on May 3. First up is the annual Fillies Derby Ball “A Toast to the Regency Era” on March 22. If I know one thing for sure about the Regency Era, it’s that the fashion was FANTASTIC. It’s a grand opportunity to find yourself some stylish Regency Era duds and witness the presentation of the Queen’s Coronation while preparing to dance all night to the Juice Box Heroes at the after-party. Up next is the always-popular Kentucky Derby Museum Hat Show on March 23. If you haven’t quite gathered up that picture-perfect vision of your Derby season attire, this event is the place to be! This runway show features the latest couture designs for women and men from the Featured Milliners at the Kentucky Derby Museum.
As the month winds down, anticipation grows for the full-fledged Kentucky Derby season, where every hat transforms into a statement piece and mint juleps become a food group. So, whether you’re out painting the town in festive green, dining in elegance at one of our city’s many galas, or simply trying to keep your umbrella handy, Derby City in March promises a whirlwind of events that scream spring has sprung. Embrace the chaos, dear friends; spring is coming, and it’s bound to be a wild ride.
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