Owensboro/2Q 2016 by Messenger-Inquirer

SECOND QUARTER 2016

WOOD WORK Artisan craftsmen are Kentucky-bred and dog-loving

Looking Back

OHS senior reflects on Statesman Academy

OWENSBORO

2ND QUARTER 2016

INSIDE THISISSUE

Infertility Awareness

Local Spotlight

Lawn Care

Prom Shopping

Cerberus Wood Co.

Lakewood Triathlon

Upcoming Events

Katie Bouchard has her sights set on Miss Kentucky tiara

Local stores prepare for busy spring dress season

Popular race laces up for 14th season

Couple celebrates miracle of life

Professionals can bring new life to home landscape

Pair turn hobby into woodworking business

Soapbox Derby, Bar-B-Que Festival, Romp headline list

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MESSENGER-INQUIRER MEGHANN RICHARDSON

Special Publications Editor 270.691.7233, mrichardson@messenger-inquirer.com

ALAN WARREN

Photography Editor 270.691.7294, AWARREN@messenger-inquirer.com

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GRAPHIC DESIGNERS MEGHANN ANDERSON AUSTIN RAMSEY PHOTOGRAPHERS GREG EANS JENNY SEVCIK AUSTIN RAMSEY

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TO ADVERTISE: FAYE D. MURRY

Advertising Director 270.691.7240, fmurry@messenger-inquirer.com Cover photo by Austin Ramsey, Messenger-Inquirer

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

Connect with the M-I messenger-inquirer.com Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

Katie Bouchard

Katie Bouchard has her sights set on becoming Miss Kentucky. The Owensboro native qualified for the the state pageant after being crowned the Belle of Louisville last fall. On May 20, Bouchard will attend Miss Kentucky orientation and have the opportunity to meet the other contestants. On June 26, she will leave for Miss Kentucky Week. “Representing the title Miss Belle of Louisville and preparing to compete in the Miss Kentucky Pageant is an honor that I am taking very seriously,” Bouchard said. “I am enjoying every minute of my journey to Miss Kentucky.” Bouchard is jointly admitted to OCTC and Western Kentucky UniversityOwensboro. Her plans are to graduate in May with a degree in Applied Science with an emphasis in Human Services. She plans to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at WKU, and her career goal is to become a Family Resource Center Coordinator. 4

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Awarding Owensboro’s Best For the eighth year in a row, the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer is presenting its Reader’s Choice Awards. This popular, reader-driven awards program began in 2009 to highlight the best products, businesses and services across a wide variety of topics. Readers vote on their favorite businesses from Owensboro and the winners will be compiled in the June edition of Owensboro Business, Life & Recreation magazine. Approximately 70,000 votes are cast each year that express who you feel is the best of the best in Owensboro businesses ranging from dining, entertainment, shopping, services, medical and more. The categories have changed a little the years, with market demands allowing new areas to be highlighted. Acknowledging your favorite places to shop and dine is not only interesting, but it encourages support for our local businesses. Local businesses define Owensboro and Daviess County’s character, creating a pleasing place to call home and increasing property values. Also, because local business owners also live in our 2ND QUARTER 2016

2016 community, they tend to have a vested interest and will support investments in our future. Winners receive a plaque or certificate to display in their business as well as bragging rights that come with knowing that the Messenger-Inquirer’s readers voted for their product, business or service. We support Owensboro businesses and hope to make this year’s Reader’s Choice Awards the best yet. Follow us on Facebook for updates and reminders and be sure to pick up a copy of the June 24 edition of the MessengerInquirer for a copy of the 2016 Reader’s Choice magazine.

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Deciding on the dress BY MEGHANN RICHARDSON SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

aria Overton, owner of Elizabeth’s Weddings & Formal Wear, started planning for prom season long before girls started shopping for dresses. Now, with just a few weeks until most high school proms, she is still helping girls find the right dress for the occasion. Chiffon, lace, sequins and bows adorn the hundreds of dresses that line the walls of the quaint bridal store, located at 1616 Frederica St. With a variety of styles, designs, colors and sizes ranging from 0-28, Overton hopes there is a dress for every girl at her store. Even with the popularity of online retailers, Overton said she encourages girls to actually try on dresses in a physical store. “The perfect dress doesn’t have to be super expensive,” Overton said. “The girl just has to feel good in it.” While two piece dresses became trendy last year, Overton said many local schools have a dress code prohibiting an excess amount of skin being shown. While Overton hasn’t seen what the “it” trend will be for

2016, she said she has been to some prom shows that are promoting form-fitting dresses with detailed cutouts. “Even on the runways and award shows we are seeing form fitting dresses with cutouts on the backs,” she said. Princess-type gowns are another timeless trend she said is popular with the girls. “Classic dresses are always in style,” Overton said. Elizabeth’s also has prom dresses from the popular Disney collection for about $149. Overton said no matter the trends, she and her staff always try to help girls choose a dress style that is most flattering for their figure. She also encourages girls to have an open mind when it comes to finding the perfect dress. “Most girls have something pictured in their mind, or maybe an idea from a magazine, but until they try it on it, they won’t know how it looks on them,” Overton said. “We suggest they try different things, but no matter what, we accommodate their needs and what they want.” In-store alterations are available for all dresses. Elizabeth’s also sells accessories such as jewelry, purses and hairpieces. Overton said she and her staff are always more

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Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer/geans@messenger-inquirer.com

Left: Anna Hayes, an employee at Elizabeth’s Weddings and Formal Wear, looks through prom dresses in the Ball Room of the business on Frederica Street. Above left: Among the many dresses at Patti’s Resale, this one offers a more classic and modest look, with wide straps. Above right: Kyleigh Cooper, 17, a senior at South Spencer High School, looks through prom dresses to wear, for her April senior prom, at Elizabeth’s Weddings and Formal Wear. than happy to help the girls complete their prom look. Up the road from Elizabeth’s is another popular prom dress destination — Patti’s ReSale. Martha Acquisto, co-owner of Patti’s ReSale, has more than 500 dresses in her store and more keep coming in daily. To see some of the dresses, visit them on Facebook or Instagram. While most of the dresses have been worn before, she said some dresses come in with the original tags attached. With so many options, she encourages girls to keep an open mind when shopping. “Dresses always look different on a body than on a hanger,” she said. “Every brand fits differently, and prom dresses tend to run small. Don’t be stuck with one size just because you typically wear it.” She said in this year’s prom magazines, she has seen the trend to be more modest dresses. Acquisto said wider straps, sheer fabrics that cover skin instead of revealing it and classic designs are all the rage this year. Patti’s ReSale consigns dresses yearround and are always looking for timeless staples and new trends.

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“While we have the most dresses during prom season, we also sell a lot of pageant dresses in the summer,” she said. “We also have dresses for charity and military balls. We have girls looking at dresses year-round.” Pattis’ ReSale carries dresses in sizes 00-30, with a mixture of styles, fits and colors and brands such as a Sherri Hill, Jovani and more. Acquisto said they have already surpassed their peak dress count from last year. Patti’s ReSale is located at 605 Park Plaza Drive. But don’t forget about the guys — looking for a tuxedo or suit to buy or rent can be just as hard as looking for a dress. The Earle, at 2656 Frederica St., and Savvi Formalwear, at 5101 Frederia St., are just two of many Owensboro locations young men visit while looking for what to wear to prom. According to a CNN survey of more than 1,000 parents of prom-aged teenagers, families in the United States pay an average of $1,100 on prom. Prom provides young adults with the chance to dress to impress. No matter the budget, Owensboro stores have something for every promgoer.

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LAKEWOOD

VALLEY

TRIATHLON

RETURNS

BY MEGHANN RICHARDSON

SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

wim. Bike. Run. Those are the basics of a triathlon. With summer quickly approaching, one of the most popular local races is gearing up for its 14th year. The Lakewood Valley Triathlon, sponsored by the Owensboro Family YMCA and Owensboro Health, is June 11 in Whitesville. Corey Gant, safety chair for the Lakewood Valley Triathlon, said the annual event hosts anywhere from 150-300 athletes and draws competitors from Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee and other southern states. The race is considered a sprint triathlon for its short distances and consists of a half-mile swim, 15 mile bike ride and a 5k (3.1 miles) run.

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Gant said race day is long and tiring, but also a lot of fun. “The Y really enjoys putting on these type of events,” he said. “It’s great for the community. We get a lot of support.” Currently, there are no other triathlons in Daviess County. Gant said the next closest race is in Evansville. The race is sanctioned by the USATA, which means you can get points and use the time for other time-qualifying races. Gant said the race is good for beginner triathletes because they can dip their toes into the water of what a tri-event is like. “The course is also challenging,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of people compete in our race, go to bigger races and come back for Lakewood.

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We call it the midwest’s most beautiful triathlon.” Keith Hudson, a long-time participant in the Lakewood triathlon said he is already looking for ward to this year’s race. “I really enjoy the sport,” he said. “Lakewood was my first triathlon, and I really enjoy the competition.” In the six years since he began racing in triathlons, Hudson has completed 21 events, including a full Ironman in 2014. After Hudson’s first wife died, he said he needed something to do — so he started running. “After I got remarried, I ran in some races and then started looking into triathlons,” Hudson said. “My first race was difficult, but a lot of fun.” Hudson has also raced in Indianapolis, Louisville, Booneville, Ind., and other nearby cities. For Lakewood, he usually trains with a group from the YMCA. He said while there are lots of seasoned veterans, newbies are also welcome to join the training group. While Hudson said he thinks he is past the point of setting a new personal record, he still enjoys the race and competition. He said one of his favorite parts of the race is that, for him, it is a family affair. This year, he will be competing alongside his youngest daughter and son-in-law. Registration is currently open, and race administrators prefer participants enter the race at least a week before the event. All participants receive a T-shirt, goodie bag and a post-race meal. Top-place finishers receive a medal and trophy. If racing is not your thing, the YMCA is always looking for volunteers to help at the event. Gant said they usually need about 40-60 volunteers each year to help with EMT and lifeguard duties, work water stations and direct cars for parking. Participants will receive one free parking pass, and there is a $10 parking fee for spectators and guests. For a list of policies and rules, race tips and results from previous years, visit www.owensboroymca.org/triathlon. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer contact the Owensboro YMCA at 270-926-9622.

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File photo

Left: Wesley Noble nears the end of the cycling portion of the 12th annual YMCA/ Lakewood Valley Triathlon. Above: In 2015, Jackson Morris, 16, was among the first few swimmers to exit the water during the 12th annual YMCA/Lakewood Valley Triathlon in Whitesville.

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SOMET IMES MIRACLES COME IN PAIRS 10

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Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer/geans@messenger-inquirer.com

Keitha and Tim Duke sit with their twin children, Ruby, left, and Dean, in their living room in Utica.

How one local couple struggling with infertility got the surprise of their lives BY MEGHANN RICHARDSON SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

National Infertility Awareness Week® is a movement that began in 1989. In 2010 National Infertility Awareness Week became a federally recognized health observance by the Department of Health and Human Services and this year will be recognized April 24 - 30. Here is one local family’s story about their journey with infertility.

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igh school sweethearts, Tim and Keitha Duke were together for almost 10 years when they knew they wanted to start a family.

But their journey wasn’t easy. After getting married in October 2011, the pair started trying to have a baby the following fall. From the start, Keitha knew something was off. “I always kind of thought I would have trouble getting pregnant since momma had trouble,” she said. “It took momma and daddy six years

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to have me. I knew something wasn’t right, but I didn’t know it would take me so long to finally get pregnant.” So she began her journey to get pregnant with an Owensboro doctor and the medicine Clomid. The medication works by stimulating an increase in the amount of hormones that support the growth and release of a mature egg. After a year, Keitha made the personal decision to see another

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer/geans@messenger-inquirer.com

Keitha Duke plays with her daughter, Ruby, in the living room of her home in Utica.

physician after differences with her initial doctor. “People aren’t the same,” she said. “Clomid was terrible for me. It made me angry. Tim and I were fighting a lot, and people at work didn’t want to be around me.” When Keitha switched physicians, he automatically referred her to a fertility specialist. “I felt so much better,” she said. “Seeing a specialist is something I wanted to do from the start. I encourage anyone who is not comfortable with their doctor, to switch.” After discovering she had a mild form of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a endocrine system disorder, the doctor prescribed her new medicine.

According to womenshealth.gov, “in women with PCOS, the ovary doesn’t make all of the hormones it needs for an egg to fully mature. The follicles may start to grow and build up fluid but ovulation does not occur. Instead, some follicles may remain as cysts. For these reasons, ovulation does not occur and the hormone progesterone is not made. Without progesterone, a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular or absent.” That was in September 2014. By October, Keitha was on her new medicine regimen and in November, she was pregnant. “We were so excited, but I didn’t want to tell anyone until I was at least 12 weeks along,” Keitha said. “Sometimes people mess up and tell sooner and something goes wrong

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and then you have people going, ‘I’m so sorry’ and ‘bless your heart.’ I didn’t want that.” On Christmas Eve, the Dukes shared the news they were expecting with their family. Then, during their first ultrasound on Jan. 2, Keitha and Tim found out they were having twins. “I had this feeling all along that I was going to have twins, she said. “Twins run in the family — daddy was a twin.” While Keitha wasn’t shocked, Tim said he was blown away. “I saw it first on the monitor when they found both little M & M’s,” he said describing the babies. “To be completely honest, I started thinking about how we were going to pay for two colleges.” Tim was also scared the two babies would both be girls, but on March 7, they found out they were having a son and a daughter. Keitha and Tim both agreed that struggling with infertility isn’t for the faint of heart. They struggled through the years, but in the end got two beautiful babies. During their struggle with infertility, the Dukes said people were really insensitive and intrusive. “Just avoid the people who are insensitive about your feelings,” Keitha said. “One thing that really bothered me was everyone was encouraging us to adopt,” she said. “Momma was adopted, and that’s great, that was my grandparents thing, but not everyone is meant to adopt. Also, adoption isn’t easy, and it’s a lot of money. It’s not like going to the toy store and picking out what you want, it’s a process.” Keitha said if your wife or girlfriend or fiancé is struggling to get pregnant and has been checked and everything is normal, the male should get checked. “Don’t make it all her fault,” she said. Roughly 1,046 days after Keitha and Tim began trying for a baby, Ruby Lynn and Dean Ray were born 49 minutes apart and six weeks early. Keitha only had three words to sum up life since the twins were born, “ I am tired.”

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Infertility Facts • 7.4 million women, or 11.9 percent of women, have received infertility services in their lifetime. (2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth, CDC) • 1 in 8 couples (or 12 percent of married women) have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. (2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth, CDC) • Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third attributed to the male partner and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, is unexplained. (www.

asrm.org) • A couple ages 29-33 with a normal functioning reproductive system has only a 20-25 percent chance of conceiving in any given month (National Women’s Health Resource Center). After six months of trying, 60 percent of couples will conceive without medical assistance. (Infertility As A Covered Benefit, William M. Mercer, 1997) • Approximately 44 percent of women with infertility have sought medical assistance. Of those who seek medical intervention, approximately 65% give birth. (Infertility As A Covered Benefit, William M. Mercer, 1997) • While vital for some patients, in vitro fertilization and similar treatments account for less than 3 percent of infertility services and about (or approximately) seven hundredths of one percent (0.07 percent) of U.S. health care costs. • Men and Women who smoke have decreased fertility. • The risk of miscarriage is higher for pregnant women who smoke. • Up to 13 percent of female infertility is caused by cigarette smoking. • Chlamydia causes about 4 to 5 million infections annually in the United States.

2ND QUARTER 2016

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The many benefits of hiring a professional landscaper T

BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

he flowers are blooming, and the grass has begun to grow,

making spring a great time for homeowners to once again turn their attention to landscaping. Those who aren’t looking forward to dusting off their lawnmowers and rethreading their string trimmers may want to hire professional landscapers to tend to their lawns and gardens. A recent joint study by the National Gardening Association, Residential Lawn and Landscape Services and the Value of Landscaping found that homeowners spend roughly $45 billion per year on professional lawn and landscape services, as nearly 30 percent of all households across the United States use at least one type of lawn or landscape service.

The rising use of lawn care services is indicative of homeowners’ appreciation of the convenience and craftsmanship professional services can provide. While the impact professional landscapers can have on a property’s aesthetic appeal is considerable, homeowners also benefit from working with professional landscapers in other ways. Rick Ebelhar, general manager of Weed Man of Owensboro, said hiring a professional gives the homeowner peace of mind that the job is going to be done right. “Lawn care can be hard, physical labor so passing that work on to a professional company can ease that burden,” he said. Other benefits include: • Time savings: One of the biggest benefits of leaving lawn

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care to the professionals is the amount of time it will save for the average homeowner. Lawns generally need to be mowed once per week during the spring and summer seasons and, depending on the size of the property, that can take an hour or more. Add the time it takes to clean up clippings, mulch landscaping beds and edge the property, and homeowners can expect to devote a significant chunk of their weekends to caring for their lawns. Lawn services employ a few workers who make fast work of the job, leaving homeowners time to enjoy their weekends however they see fit. • Reduced risk for injury: Maintaining a landscape is hard work, and those unaccustomed to this type of activity may find themselves winded or at risk of injury. Improper use of lawn

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harder to make each dollar go a little further,” he said. “Why would you want to spend money on products/equipment you really don’t know anything about when you could hire someone to do the work for almost the same money.”

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many homeowners. Ebelhar said professional service providers also know what the lawn needs and when it needs it so there is no guess work on how much fertilizer or weed control to put down. Weed Man of Owensboro does fertilization, weed control, crabgrass prevention, grub control, insect control, core aeration and seeding. “Basically, Weed Man does anything that has to do with making the turf healthy and weed free,” he said. Evergreen, the sister company to Weed Man, does the mowing and trimming side of the business, as well as landscape maintenance, new landscape design including building retaining walls, paver patio’s, outdoor kitchens, water features and more. “If you can dream it for the outdoor space, Evergreen can design and build it,” he said. Mosquito Man, another partner company to Weed Man, has started spraying for mosquitos as another service to homeowners. “Basically, we are a one stop shop for anything and everything that involves outdoor living,” Ebelhar said. “These days we are all working

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File photo

Landscape specialists with Evergreen Lawn Care dig down to irrigation lines along Ford Avenue near Owensboro Health’s Healthpark.

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equipment also is a safety hazard. Leaving the work to professionals can help homeowners avoid strained backs, lacerations, pulled muscles, sunburns and any other dangers that can result when tackling landscaping projects. • Financial savings: On the surface, hiring a landscaping service may seem like a costly venture. However, after crunching some numbers, many homeowners realize that doing the work themselves may cost more in the long run than hiring a professional landscaping service. Homeowners who decide to go it alone must purchase expensive equipment, and those lawn tools will require routine maintenance, which costs additional money. Inexperienced homeowners may incur extra fees to “fix” mistakes that occur during the learning process. Each year, new seed, fertilizer, mulch, pesticides and other supplies also must be purchased. But professional lawn care services typically charge a set fee per month, and that fee covers the maintenance of both your property and the equipment needed to keep that property looking great. • Know-how: Many professional landscapers know how to address lawn care issues that may arise throughout the year. They will know how to deal with dry patches of lawn or poorly draining areas, and they also can make recommendations on plants that will thrive under certain conditions. • Consistent maintenance: Homeowners who frequently travel or spend much of their summers away from home often find that lawn care companies are a wise investment. Established weekly schedules ensure the landscape always will look its best whether homeowners are home or out of town. Spring is a great time for homeowners to decide if hiring professional landscaping services is in their best interests. The time and money saved, as well as impact professional landscapers can have on a property, makes landscaping services a great investment for

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Love of craft leads two men to build a business with their hands BY MEGHANN RICHARDSON

SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

ehind the flannel shirts covered with sawdust and hands rough from a day’s work are brother-in-laws, Jordan Leach and Dustin Taylor, and their company — Cerberus Wood.

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2ND QUARTER 2016

The two describe Cerberus (sur-ber-us) as Kentucky-bred and dog-loving, with hand-crafted, custom, made-to-order furniture, signs and other wooden goods. The idea for their business started years ago when the guys learned woodworking from family members. Growing up, Leach said his father always loved working

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with his hands and would never pay for a job he could build himself. When Leach started getting more serious about woodworking 4-5 years ago, Taylor joined him and the two teamed up to expand what they could produce. After learning to make pictures frames, cutting boards and jewelry boxes, Leach and Taylor started working on bigger projects, such as furniture and major home decor pieces. In November 2015, they decided to make their hobby into a business. In the garage where they learned about woodworking, Cerberus was born. “We just started doing this for fun,” Leach said. “Then people started asking us to make things for them. It got to the point where we decided to put (the business) out there and start taking orders. It’s been kind of wild how many orders we’ve gotten in such a short amount of time.” They’ve had about 30 orders in three months and they keep coming. Some of their creations can be seen on Instagram at @cerberuswoodco. While juggling their new business, Leach and Taylor also have full-time jobs. Leach is a schoolteacher and football coach, while Taylor is a new dad and works at U.S. Bank. “It’s a lot of nights and a lot of weekends,” Leach said. Even with the long hours, Taylor

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Photo by Austin Ramsey, Messenger-Inquirer/ aramsey@messenger-inquirer.com

Jordan Leach, left, and Dustin Taylor, above, have built their business Cerberus Wood Co. from the ground up. In their small shop south of Owensboro, the pair of woodworkers let their imaginations run wild. They offer hand-crafted, custom, made-to-order wooden goods. Taylor says Cerberus has become a family business; everyone plays a part.

said it’s worth the time. Plus, Cerberus isn’t just about the guys, it’s a family business; everyone plays a part. Taylor’s wife has been talking with vendors about the future of putting their products in retail shops, and Leach’s fiancé handles a lot of the social media accounts and marketing of the brand. “We’re very open to helping local

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Kentucky-bred, hand-crafted, dog-loving.

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Photo by Austin Ramsey, Messenger-Inquirer/aramsey@messenger-inquirer.com

There’s a lot to offer in a piece of wood, Jordan Leach and Dustin Taylor agree. Cerberus Wood Co. often uses local reclaimed wood. At right, the company was born in the same garage in which Leach and Taylor learned woodworking.

artists and business and teaming up with other people when it makes sense,” Taylor said. “We at least want to get our smaller stuff into a retail store — that way it’s available for people to buy quick. Right now everything is custom and takes a while to make.” Even the family dogs are a part of the business. Ramsey, Tigger and Chanco posed for a picture that

eventually became the company logo. Friends and family even help gather wood for projects. Leach said they’ve gotten reclaimed wood from family farms, an old schoolhouse and friends who work at lumber mills. “It’s pretty crazy to see how many people just burn old wood,” Leach said. “This stuff is hot

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right now — reclaimed wood is everywhere. But, there are still people who will dig a hole, drive their barn into it and set it on fire. They are just burning thousands of dollars.” Taylor said if anyone has old wood they want to get rid of, call them and they will come look at it and hopefully be able to use it for future projects.

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92 Years is More than a Number

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It’ It’s’s a llong ong journey but a short distance from St. Ann to Breckenridge St. It's providing the best possible tax and accounting service. It’s serving the best clients in the tri-state. Photo by Austin Ramsey, Messenger-Inquirer/aramsey@messenger-inquirer.com

Jordan Leach and Dustin Taylor are looking to expand both their product line and their talents. To place an order or get more information, visit cerberuswoodco.com or email cerberuswoodco@gmail.com.

“It’s fun to go around and scavenge for different stuff,” he said. “You never know what you’re going to get.” Looking into the future, Leach and Taylor said they’re open to new projects and challenges. After building a king-sized walnut bed for his parents and installing a fireplace mantel, Taylor said he’s learned a lot about his trade.

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“Installing the mantel took about three hours longer than we expected,” Taylor said. “I’m pretty sure my back still hurts from that project. But it’s good — we learned a lot, good information for future projects.” To place an order or to get more information, visit cerberuswoodco. com or email cerberuswoodco@ gmail.com.

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Common causes of seasonal allergies BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Allergy triggers are all around, and the rates of those people affected by various allergies seems to be growing. Worldwide, the rise in prevalence of allergic diseases has continued in the industrialized world for more than 50 years, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. An allergy is defined as an overreaction of the human immune system to a foreign protein (allergen) that is eaten, inhaled, touched or injected into the body. Allergies can cause reactions such as stuffy or runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing/sneezing, rashes and hives. More severe reactions can include difficulty breathing, a lowering of blood pressure and asthma attacks. Here are some of the more common allergens: • Pollen: Of all things that can cause an allergy, those resulting from pollen tend to be the most prolific. Pollen can be released from trees, grasses, weeds and flowers throughout much of the year. While the main goal of pollen is to fertilize other plants, pollen that is inhaled can cause allergic reactions.

• Dust: A large portion of dust is comprised of dust mites. Dust mites feed on skin from pets and humans. They tend to spike in

numbers during warmer weather or if indoor temperatures are kept at 75 F or higher. Cleaning using a HEPA

filter vacuum can keep dust at a minimum. Air purifiers also may be able to help. • Animal dander: Millions of pet owners have an allergy to their animals, says AAAAI. It’s not the fur of the animal that causes the trouble, but usually proteins found in a pet’s shed skin, saliva and urine that can cause problems. An allergist may be able to suggest a course of treatment. • Mold: Tiny fungi with spores that float through the air, mold is yet another common allergen. Preventing the environment needed for mold to grow can reduce allergic reactions. Working with an allergist and avoiding the most common triggers can help people feel more comfortable. To make an appointment with an Owensboro allergy doctor call Allergy and Asthma Specialists, PSC at 270-684-6144 or Bluegrass Family Allergy at 270-228-2811.

OWENSBORO

Funeral Luncheons • Holiday Parties • Business Meetings

Call us today to book your next event. 2ND QUARTER 2016

WE THINK THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE ACCOUNTING PROBLEMS

Is to sit down in front of you and LISTEN. (CALL US OLD-FASHIONED, WE DON’T MIND.) KEVIN W. SCHWARTZ,

CPA, MBA, CGME, PARTNER

Every CPA firm should ask their clients hard questions. Your firm should dig deep to know what is behind your specific situation: your insight...your motivation. But, at Myriad CPA Group, it's our not just the questions we ask or the insight we look to obtain – it's the act of LISTENING that is the linchpin of our practice. Well-versed in industries as broad as financial institutions and utilities to your neighbor's retail shop or the corner store – it’s our ability not just to ask but then to listen to your greatest concerns – that makes the difference. At Myriad CPA Group, from the front door to a partner’s offices to every one along the way – we speak a numerically-astute language, and listen intently as we seek to enable empower and encourage our clients…to succeed. So, go ahead and call us old-fashioned, you can reach us at 1-270-691-8981.

CALL TOLL FREE: (866) 827-1577 • WWW.MYRIADCPA.COM • EVANSVILLE • HENDERSON • OWENSBORO • MORGANTOWN

2ND QUARTER 2016

OWENSBORO