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FROM THE EDITOR
Publisher/Creative Director Jason Tanner Editor Steven Wilson
‘ T IS BE T TE R TO G I VE
B
Ad Sales Rudy Strahan Robert Williams
y this time every year, the signs of the Christmas season are clearly visible. Colored lights brightly
Layout Design Andrea Roberson
adorn neighborhood trees and wreaths festively hang from frosty windows.
We happily fill our
Ad Design Andrea Roberson Taylor West
schedules with school programs, office parties, and family dinners. With these reminders of the season everywhere we
Contributors Ben Hoak Gail Kirkland Bryan Leazenby Danny May Dr. Khanh Nguyen Adam Paris Stuart Peck Jaime Rafferty Ashley Sorce Melody Ann Wallace Lora Wimsatt
go, it’s easy to embrace the spirit of Christmas. And since its inception, the heart of Christmas has been the act of giving – from the world receiving its greatest gift in the form of a Savior, to our own traditions of exchanging gifts with friends and family. In this issue, our cover feature profiles an Owensboro toymaker who not only embraces the spirit of Christmas giving in December, but holds onto it year round.
For almost two
decades, Clyde Fogle has been busy each year crafting thousands of toys for children in Third World countries from January through December. We all know the adage “Tis better to give than receive,” and many of us do a nice job living it out around Christmastime. But what about the other 11 months of the year? What if we chose to extend the joy that comes with Christmas giving to the other 364 days on the calendar? Then we’d all be a little closer to knowing the joy that Clyde Fogle, “Kentucky’s Santa Claus,” has known for a long time. Steven Wilson Editor, Owensboro Living
WHAT IF WE CHOSE TO EXTEND THE JOY THAT COMES WITH CHRISTMAS GIVING TO THE OTHER 364 DAYS ON THE CALENDAR? -JASON TANNER
Printing Greenwell Chisholm Owensboro, Kentucky Online www.owensboroliving.com facebook.com/owensboroliving twitter.com/owensboroliving issuu.com/owensboroliving Offline Owensboro Living Magazine PO Box 23237 Owensboro, KY 42304 (270) 314-5240 Subscribe Delivery of Owensboro Living is available by visiting owensboroliving.com/subscribe Advertise Owensboro Living is a FREE magazine because of community support. Thank you to the great group of businesses & organizations who advertise.
A Jason Tanner Design Group Company
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DEC JAN
2013-14
[08]
[30]
THE BUZZ
THE REAL PEOPLE, PLACES AND EVENTS THAT SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY
[12]
THE PULSE
WHEN WAS YOUR LAST TUNE-UP? TAKING THE PLUNGE
FEATURES [19] TAKING CENTRE COURT ADVANTAGE OWENSBORO [24] MAKING THE TOUGH CALLS [30] ARMSTRONG ATTEMPTING WORLD RECORD [34] KENTUCKY’S SANTA CLAUS [38] LIGHTING UP THE TOWN [42] SOLVING PROBLEMS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY [46] OWENSBORO ON ICE
[52]
THE STYLE
38TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY FOREST
[60]
[46]
[30]
[12]
THE DISH
A COMPLETE HOLIDAY TABLE
[64]
[24]
THE SCENE
YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AND AROUND OWENSBORO
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BUZZ
CITY WINS PARKS AWARD The City of Owensboro was honored with two awards at the Kentucky Recreation and Parks Society Conference, which was held November 12-14, 2014 at the Owensboro Convention Center. Smothers Park was honored with the 2014 Kentucky Recreation and Park Society Outstanding Facility award. With the new slogan ‘Let’s Go Downtown,’ the
Owensboro Parks and Recreation Department is celebrating Owensboro’s revitalized riverfront as a point of pride for residents. In addition to the state award for Smothers Park, Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne was selected 2014 Kentucky Recreation and Parks Society Outstanding Public Official for his vision and success implementing Owensboro’s riverfront revitalization.
FIRST RIVERARTES ART PIECE INSTALLED Six works of public art have been selected for
being leased for the RiverArtes project by Ann
installation in downtown Owensboro from
Murphy Kincheloe and will be on display in that
the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art’s recent
park through October of 2016.
exhibition, RIVERARTES: THE ART OF PLACEMAKING, a project being coordinated for the city by the museum. The first installation in the public art project, a bronze figure of a Native American hunter, was installed in the museum’s Ryan Park earlier this week. Created by Loveland, Colorado artist Denny Haskew, the one and one-fourth life-sized bronze, entitled “Strength of the Maker,” is
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PHOTO BY AP IMAGERY
THE
OHS PRINCIPAL TO RETIRE AFTER SCHOOL YEAR Anita Burnette, the beloved principal of Owensboro High School for the past 12 years, announced her intent to retire at the end of the school year in May. Her announcement came at a faculty and staff meeting at the school during November. Burnette started with Owensboro Public Schools in 1988 as a special education teacher. She later became an assistant principal, then in 2002, Burnette became the principal at Owensboro High School. Students describe Burnette as a mother figure; someone who always puts her students first.
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78th Annual
CHRISTMAS PARADE
The Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade
Association held the 78th Annual Christmas parade themed “Christmas Miracles” Saturday afternoon, November 22, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. The Owensboro Christmas Parade is the largest Christmas parade in
PHOTOS BY AP IMAGERY
Kentucky and the Tri-state area.
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THE
BUZZ
LOCAL STORIES DELIVERED DAILY
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it
music, sports, education, and everything
again: This is an exciting time to live
in between, there is simply no other
in Owensboro! Now, were excited to
place that offers so much local content
invitie you to owensboroliving.com -
right at your fingertips.
your free online source for local news in Owensboro and Western Kentucky. “The Buzz” section in our print version simply wasn’t big enough to contain all of the amazing things going on in our city. Updated daily, owensboroliving. com is quickly becoming the go-to site for the latest news in our vibrant community. Covering local news,
NEW OWENSBORO VIDEO PREMIERED
OCTC NAMED TECHNICAL SCHOOL OF THE YEAR WIX® Filters, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Tomorrow’s Tech magazine named Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) as the 2014 Technical School of the Year during a surprise ceremony at
The Owensboro Daviess County Visitor’s Bureau released an exciting
the school on Monday, Oct.
new Owensboro tourism video at the Greater Owensboro Chamber of
27. OCTC was selected as the
Commerce Rooster Booster. The video, titled “Owensboro, Kentucky –
seventh-annual School of the
The Perfect Recipe,” features vibrant scenes of Owensboro and its people along with upbeat music. The video will be used for tourism as well as customized and narration added by several other organizations and can be viewed on OwensboroLiving.com.
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Year from 151 applications nominating school technical training programs nationwide.
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THE
PULSE
WHEN WAS YOUR LAST TUNE-UP?
I’m not talking about for your car or for any other machine you might use. I’m talking about for your body. When it comes to your car, a breakdown is an expensive problem to have. If you don’t take care of it and give it the attention it needs, a little problem can become a big one. When it’s your body you neglect, it can have life-altering consequences.
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BY DR. KHANH NGUYEN OWENSBORO HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP
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The end of the year is upon us and healthy living includes
• Cholesterol – High cholesterol levels typically don’t cause
getting a physical once a year, getting your vital stats checked
signs or symptoms, but can ultimately lead to heart
out and knowing what you can do to take better care of yourself.
disease; a simple blood test is all it takes to tell you what your cholesterol numbers are.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Unfortunately for us, the human body lacks a console with gauges and lights to warn us when we’ve got a problem. That’s
• Blood sugar – This test can determine your risks for diabetes or kidney disease; this test is typically done from the same sample as a cholesterol screening.
why it’s important to see your doctor once a year and get the
• Weight – Being over or underweight is a key warning sign
appropriate tests done. Doctors are also trained to look for
for a wide range of issues; make sure to talk to your doctor
physical changes to your body that can indicate problems,
about what your weight means and what you can and
so a face-to-face physical examination at least once a year is
should do to maintain a healthy weight.
recommended. Also, if you use any tobacco products, talk to your doctor Routine physicals should include the following tests:
about quitting. There are a great number of resources to help
• Blood pressure – Catching high blood pressure early can make
you quit for good and the sooner you stop, the better it will be
a critical difference in preventing a heart attack or a stroke.
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for your health in the long run.
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WARNING SIGNS
CHEW ON THIS
In addition to annual physical exams, there are certain
Diet and exercise are critical components to living a
regular screenings men should be getting based on their age,
healthy, happy and long life. Eating the right foods not only
family history or risk factors. These screenings, especially
keeps you going day after day, but also helps stave off long-
for certain cancers, can help catch a problem early. Early
term problems like obesity, diabetes and various diseases.
detection is the best way to prevent problems in the long
Likewise, exercise helps maintain our bodies and keep them
term. Screenings men should get regularly include:
functional.
• Colon cancer – You should get screened for colon cancer
It’s also important to keep in mind that our bodies change
beginning at age 50, or earlier if a family member has
over time, and that’s not just limited to minor aches or pains
been diagnosed with colon cancer, using a test like a
or trouble keeping up with younger individuals. The way
colonoscopy; these screenings should be done every 10
your body functions changes, and that includes how your
years if nothing is found and you have no family history,
body handles and metabolizes what you eat. That’s why it’s
or more frequently as recommended by your doctor.
important to be conscientious and careful with what you
• Prostate cancer – This screening should typically be
eat as you get older. Talk to your doctor and find out what
started at age 50, though family history or other risk
resources are available to you. It can have a lasting impact on
factors can indicate a need to start earlier; screening for
your health.
prostate cancer can be done with a PSA blood test or by a physical examination by your doctor.
Dr. Khanh Nguyen (pronounced “Khan Win”) is a board-certified family medicine physician with Owensboro Health’s Medical Group. He is a
• Skin cancer – Men are two to three times as likely as women
veteran of the U.S. Navy, previously holding the rank of Lt. Commander
to develop certain skin cancers, with risk increasing as
and serving in Pensacola, Florida, Washington, D.C., and at the Marine
lifetime sun exposure accumulates; check yourself every
Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan. To schedule an appointment, call Owensboro Health Family Care at 270-688-4401.
three months for new or changing skin lesions and ask your doctor to check you, head-to-toe, once a year.
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THE
PULSE
BY JAIME RAFFERTY
TAKING THE PLUNGE! T
rying to think of something special to do with your sweetie, or for someone you love on Valentine’s Day 2015? This may be the only time you are allowed to give your love a cold shoulder. How about making a time or monetary donation, and taking the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Kentucky (SOKY) without even leaving Owensboro/ Daviess County? The Special Olympics Mission is “to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities by giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical
year. In these few years, the event has brought in more than $6.5 million for Special Olympics Kentucky programs. If you aren’t familiar with “The Plunge,” it works like a Walk-A-Thon. Polar Bears register and ask friends and family to support them in their efforts, which will benefit Special Olympics. The difference is that Polar Bears take a chilly plunge, or dip, into either a lake or a pool. Kendra Lowther, Special Projects Coordinator, says this is the 10th year for the Owensboro Plunge. Residents are in for a treat in 2015, as the plunge will take place in beautiful downtown Owensboro at
fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.” Special Olympics’ signature event, The Polar Plunge, celebrates its 17th year in Kentucky this
the Mitch McConnell Plaza. This year, with the new location, Kendra says, Special Olympics wants to encourage Owensboro residents to come out and participate, or be a spectator and support the cause. Previous years have seen 100+ “plungers.” However, in 2015 coordinators
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PHOTO BY MARK SMITH
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would like to see at least 250 participants. Perhaps this is a bucket list item that SOKY can help the local community check off that list. What’s new this year, besides the location? The 2015 Polar Plunge festivities include the inaugural Donut Dash 5K, a fun run/walk through Downtown Owensboro where participants have the opportunity to also plunge into donuts, furnished by The Rolling Pin Bakery, as part of their run. Participants are not just limited to plunging or dashing, they can double their fun and do both! Local radio personality with WBKR, Chad Benefield, is a long-time committee member and the emcee for the event. When asked how long, he quips, “Over 10 years, but I’ve lost track. I think it’s because my brain is frost-bitten.” He humbly puts his money and his body where his mouth is by also participating as a plunger. Chad, in his good humor, says, “It’s just an awful way to raise money and every time I hit the freezing cold water I swear I see dead relatives waving me toward the white light. But it’s an absolute blast. And I wouldn’t miss it for the world. It’s the one charity event in town where someone can launch an obscenity into the air and everyone forgives them.” Chad thinks the Donut Dash 5K will be a fun addition. Just before the plunge, he explains, “At the starting line, runners are given a donut hole. At the first mile marker they’ll get the donut the hole came from. And the second mile marker, they’ll get a chocolate long john. And at the end of the race they’ll get . . . in honor of the Polar Bear Plunge . . . a
bear claw!” Some may run from the sweet treats, as others run towards them, either way it’s a new and inventive way to engage the community in an event to help everyone have the opportunity to train and compete as an athlete. This cause is close to Chad’s heart, “I am a huge fan of the Olympics Games. Summer. Winter. I’m there. And I think the reason I have been so drawn to them (participants), since I was a child really, is that I love underdog stories, and I love when anyone overcomes obstacles to achieve their goals and cross a finish line. And the Special Olympics are the ultimate testament to that. These Olympians, in many ways, are the ultimate underdogs. The Special Olympics gives them a platform to train, compete and conquer. It’s an amazing organization and the athletes involved are proof that the world of sports is the single most unifying force on the planet. There may be agony in defeat, but with these incredible and amazing special Olympians, there is pure thrill in victory.” The beautiful thing about the Polar Plunge and Donut Dash 5K is that you do not have to be an athlete; you just have to be able to eat donuts, walk, run or be willing to take a chilly plunge for a wonderful cause. So on Valentine’s Day 2015, show Special Olympics of Kentucky some love by participating in the Owensboro Polar Plunge! For more information or to register, contact Candace Thompson at 800-633-7403 or 502-3265002 or via e-mail at cthompson@soky.org.
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RENDERING BY HAFER ASSOCIATES
BY GAIL E. KIRKLAND
P
taking centre court
ADVANTAGE OWENSBORO
erseverance has yielded an unprecedented partnership.
raised by ODCTA in donations to build the indoor complex.
The Owensboro Daviess County Tennis Association
In the end, the City contributed $1 million and land for the
(ODCTA) and the City of Owensboro have combined efforts
project; ODCTA raised the initial $500,000 down payment,
to make a long-time vision of a new indoor tennis facility a
and financed a $1.2 million bond; the County contributed
reality. Centre Court, which features six indoor tennis courts
$100,000, and individual donations continue to roll in.
and nine indoor courts, is expected to open in February 2015.
Strong motivation for seeing such a large project to
The massive tennis facility is nestled in the sports complex at
fruition came from the desire to remember Luke Woodward,
Russell Shifley Park off Bittel Road—visible from the Bypass.
an exceptional young man and 1995 Doubles State Champion,
“I believe we will have a healthier community with our new
who died of a brain aneurism his final year of law school.
tennis facility; that’s one of the reasons we were able to raise
Much good can come from bad. One of the six courts will be
the money we’ve raised,” said Noel Clayton, who has been
named in his honor. Ashley and Max Lile, whose 1-year-old
instrumental in the entire project. The initial idea began 8-10
son is Luke’s namesake, met at Luke’s funeral. Ashley was
years ago with a nucleus of three avid tennis players: Noel,
in law school with Luke; Max had worked tennis camps at the
Norman Woodward and Phil Clark. After a series of failed
Hamptons in New York with Luke. The couple gladly accepted
attempts and multiple proposed locations, the project gained
the challenge to raise $50,000 needed for the court naming.
traction when Mayor Ron Payne agreed to match $500,000
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Another key component of the project involved the search
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for a tennis director. Over 50 pros submitted
said. Josh (wife Brittany and son Sebastion, 5)
applications nationwide. A former pro himself who
said that they were drawn to Owensboro’s small-
knows the tennis industry, Altaf Merchant took a
town appeal, strong school system, the warmth
principle role in the search process. “That was a
and hospitality of its people and its proximity to
huge step forward for us when he came on board;
home—Lebanon, Indiana.
he’s been all in since he joined us,” Noel said. The
newly-hired tennis director, Josh Whitman, will be
host a wide array of programs: junior clinics, adult
responsible for day-to-day operations and oversee
ladies’ and men’s clinics, private lessons, cardio
the full programming of the club. A graduate of
tennis, ball machine rentals, permanent court time,
Tyler Junior College, Josh has a degree in tennis
league play, and special event planning (birthdays,
management. A shortened list of his credentials
anniversaries, etc.). “I’m very excited. I think the
includes USTPA, Elite P-1 and USTA High
new facility is going to bring a whole other tennis
Performance Certification. Less than one percent of
population to the community. Something this
tennis coaches nationwide have attained the High
new will make more tennis happen here. Basically
Performance Certification. “Josh started playing at
anything with a ball and a racquet, we can make
13; he’s only been around tennis 18 years. Tennis
happen,” Josh said. He explained that a facility like
is something he absolutely loves. He is energized,
this will open new possibilities for USTA Southern
refreshed and all his references said they knew that
Tournaments — big tournaments — which bring
one day he would be a director of tennis,” Altaf
large groups to town. In addition, ODCTA expects
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Centre Court, a 48,000-square foot facility, will
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the return of several adult tournaments, possibly USTA’s 40 & Over and 55 & Over state tournaments. (Henderson hosted the 55 & Over State Tournament this year.) Other college conference tournaments are within the group’s sights, too.
“I’m confident we will have the Junior Team Tennis
State Tournament here in 2016,” Noel said. Organizers want to move tournaments like these around the state; the tournament includes 20 teams with 6-8 players per team playing a 3-day event.
The bottom line? “We need to make sure that we
program the facility in ways that maximize its usage, and we have not experienced having a club available for use during the summer,” Noel said. The Executive Racquet Club (3 courts) was open October-March.
As an added perk, the indoor facility will provide
camp-type programs for all the kids, different ages and abilities,” Josh said. Players from age 5 through high school age will have skills programs. Courts are available at half-price rates during the summer. Nonprofit groups will have opportunities to use the courts
programming during summer months, which will
for special rates and special projects.
help generate more revenue to pay down the debt on
the facility. “We will have a lot of during-the-day,
I think is so cool about it . . . you have 5-year-olds
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Tennis is considered a life-long sport. “That’s what
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playing, and then I think of Jared Barron playing
healthy recreation and physical fitness for all area
until he was 95—and that’s just so cool,” Noel said.
residents, and to cooperate with the USTA and
Oftentimes, a wide range of ages play together. When
other organizations, including Owensboro Parks
he said, “You’ll get to play with your grandkids,”
& Recreation, to pursue these aims. The ODCTA
that caught my attention.
is not an exclusive organization, and relies on
Josh has lofty goals for the facility, hoping to
volunteers to oversee and promote activities that
nearly triple memberships within two years. In his
can be enjoyed at all skill levels.”
opinion, the best way to grow tennis is “product
on the court.” He brings that. Several tennis pros
tennis complex. Our next endeavor is to promote
will be working as independent contractors at the
tennis. We will be going into the elementary
Centre. “Before the start of the [next] indoor season,
schools, teaching 10 & Under tennis, and going
a Head Pro will likely be hired on staff,” Noel said.
to large corporations promoting tennis as a
With six courts, more pros are needed. Presently,
healthy lifestyle,” said Charlotte Miller, ODCTA
tennis players are using the Executive Racquet Club
president.
for indoor play, with Josh and Bill Henness as the
only two full-time pros working there.
bringing some national pros in for an exhibition
ODCTA’s
mission
is
“to
encourage
and
“I’m really excited about the completion of our
A Grand Opening is in the works, with hopes of
game. Can you say, Advantage Owensboro?
support the development of tennis as a means of
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BY . GAIL E D N A L K KIR
MAKING THE H
er gold tennis racquet necklace, accented
Each place and each responsibility on court has
with a diamond ball, only tells part of the
its own set of pressures. “You have to have really
story. A latecomer to tennis, she had never seen
good eyes, stamina, be able to stand on your feet
a tennis match. Friends Vivian Montgomery and
a lot and you have to have really thick skin—not
Shannon Erickson were going to the Western
only thick skin, but a lot of confidence in yourself.
Southern Open in Cincinnati and invited her to
Without that, you’re going to be eaten alive. It’s
go. After seeing Agassi, Sampras and Chang play,
the most competitive thing I’ve ever done in my
she was hooked. In 2007, she called her first small
life—and the sweetest gig I’ve ever done in my
tournament. Tennis official. Chair. Linesman.
life,” Laura said.
Referee. Umpire. Laura Clark is all that.
Her primary roles at tournaments include
and by this time, Laura was going to Cincinnati
referee (the person who is officially in charge of
regularly. “I saw her on the court, and I said ‘I want
everything at the tournament), chair (literally
to do that. I want to be there.’ She told me who
sits in the chair and makes calls) and linesman
to talk to.” Laura began the application process:
(stands on court and calls balls in and out). She
Contacted the local league coordinator. Applied
does junior, college and professional-level tennis.
on the USTA website. Read the rules book. Took
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A friend in Henderson was calling tournaments,
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a test on it. Went to school. “After you go to school, you start begging . . .” Laura said emphatically. Officials can apply online for every USTA tournament, but to break into the ranks is easier said than done.
She did it. Laura has called at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the U.S.
Open in New York and the Davis Cup in Chicago this past September. She aspires to being on the line at an ATP final, and a U.S. Open final. “I have no intention of slowing down at this point, because I am still growing. I’m such a newbie . . . for me, it’s what’s next,” Laura said. “I have had the support of a very, very good man who said, ‘If you want to do this, I support you wholeheartedly; I can’t imagine anything more fun,’ and you’ve got to have that.”
Her first tournament was in Evansville. She recalls it as “comical.”
They used Laura’s racquets for her on-court training. “Thankfully it was a woman’s 10K. Some are still playing. They don’t know me from Adam, but I remember them and how much I screwed up that first tournament. That may be why it took me a year to get another tournament,” she said.
One official’s misfortune became Laura’s good fortune. “I broke in
because a guy had a mild heart attack the week before and they needed someone local to fill in,” Laura said. The top person in charge of officials is from Newburgh, Indiana, and knew of Laura. That’s when
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she got the call. They knew Laura lived in proximity to Memphis. “I got home from Telluride at midnight, got up at 6 a.m. and drove to Memphis. I didn’t tell her that part. That got me some ATP grades.” Then the same guy could not go to a Florida tournament, so she was asked to fill in again. “I was not going to say no,” Laura said. That happenstance launched her career.
“We apply for every tournament. We know what the
pay is going to be, what the accommodations are going to be, what the travel is going to be. We know up front and we can say no,” Laura said. The first three years, she continued begging to get into tournaments. “Every single time we step on court we are being evaluated. Those grades determine whether or not you are going to work. It’s a catch-22. You need grades to be hired. You can’t get grades unless you are hired. I begged people to let me work the days evaluators would be there, so I could get some grades,” Laura said. Tennis officials work independently, not as a team. She has worked her way up with the ATP and she knows the core people who will work those events. Her first big-time court, big stage was in 2009 in Cincinnati—quite soon after her start. “I got lucky. A lot of it is luck. I worked my bottom off, but a lot of it is luck, too.” Typically, she’s gone about a week, but some of those are back-to-back tournaments. The crème de la crème of tournaments for her is the Western Southern Open in Cincinnati, “because it’s home, it’s where I see my friends from home,” Laura said. Keeping her personal excitement in check can be challenging. “The only times we are seen by the people are during our mess-ups. Period. The first time you are on a big court it is terrifying, and it is the coolest, most terrifying experience in the whole world. You are shaking so hard and you’re sure they can see you shaking. As soon as the match starts, as soon as it’s time to stand up and look down at that court, the nerves go away—until you mess up or your voice goes shrill. Then it comes back,” Laura said.
How does she prepare for a tournament, to be her best
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that’s going on. At a big tournament, there are a hundred of us. We have a big break room where we are all together, playing games all day…catching up or getting to know one another… There’s a bunch of buzz about what’s going on. For me, I play cards or whatever, but 15 minutes before it’s time for me to go on, I get away and remind myself why I’m there and what I’m doing. I have to do that to clear my head, to do my best, to not screw up a call,” Laura said.
Compensation comes in many forms. It is all in relation
to the tournament itself. Some are very generous with the officials; some not so much. “I would do it for free. It’s not something you are going to make a huge amount of money doing, but . . . I love it,” she said.
Imagine standing there, knowing your call could change
the momentum of the game. “Most of the time you don’t
will be eaten alive and you will be the most miserable person
know. Then you realize it was a very crucial point and you
there,” she said.
realize someone’s not going to be happy . . . someone is,
someone else is very unhappy. It doesn’t take long to get past
“Electronic review is only on ATP and WTA. The only USTA
that. It’s a call and it’s either IN or OUT. That’s my call. You
tournament with electronic review is the U.S. Open. It’s only
tell yourself you are doing the right thing. I can only call
at the highest level. The amount of money a tournament has
what I see. You have to stick with it . . . face it head on. If
determines how much that electronic review will be used,”
you can’t do that in good conscience, you can’t be there. You
Laura explained. “We love electronic review. It’s a backup
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The electronic review plays into the bigger tournaments.
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27
for us. To the players, this is the way it is. If you want to
weren’t guessing!” Her husband Phil framed a picture of
challenge, challenge. It ends the discussion. That point’s
that exchange, which was captured on TV and it sits on the
over. It shuts everyone up. It’s a great tool for us.”
secretary in their downtown condo.
Physical challenges include heat, cold, wind, a tickle, rain
Laura is sympathetic to the players and the pressure they
delays, a cough—and bugs. At Indian Wells, for example,
are under while playing, regardless of the level. “There are
it could be 100 degrees during the day and 50 degrees at
no calls that are not significant, that are not important to
night. Officials are layering and unlayering constantly. “It
that player, whether a qualifying match or a championship
is draining to work August in Lexington, where your shoes
match. Every call, every match, every point, every game is
are melting and sticking to the courts—and they really are,”
crucial to someone.” She noted how important that is at the
she said.
lowest level because it could impact whether that player will
continue on with tennis.
Memorable moments come in many forms. Laura took a
130-mph serve at her lip in one of her first men’s tournaments
in Louisville. “I had never learned the technique of move,
every year. The rules and laws change, so they must stay
and it busted my lip totally. That’s probably the most
up-to-date. “I learn something new every tournament I go
memorable because I was brand new.”
to,” Laura said. Within a year’s time, for ATP tournaments
One of the top pros (as in top, top pros) asked her if she
Laura travels to Memphis; Del Ray; Indian Wells; Miami;
was guessing on her call. Typically, officials do not interact
Washington, DC; Cincinnati; Winston-Salem and the U.S.
with the players. “I just nodded and he asked again, ‘Are
Open in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. She loves the travel, not
you sure or were you guessing?’” She smiled a little and
so much the hours. The days can be very long. The upside
told him she was not guessing. The electronic review
is the constant adrenaline rush, the challenge of making the
confirmed her call and the pro then smiled and said, “You
tough calls.
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The officials have on-the-job training and must re-certify
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Army Armstrong is on a mission to build the world’s fastest bookmobile. For that to happen, Armstrong’s creation has to exceed a speed of 211 miles per hour. To be exact, he’s building a car in his garage to attempt to break the world land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah next August. It’s what he’ll do with the car after the
PHOTOS BY TAYLOR WEST
trial that makes it an educational piece. “All
BY DANNY MAY
my cars are built with a purpose,” Armstrong said. “This would be a great teaching tool to talk with kids about math and chemistry. You could talk about tire rotation, cubic feet, horsepower, all those different things.” As you can see, Armstrong never misses a chance to teach or encourage kids. He may have legions
ARMSTRONG ATTEMPTING WORLD RECORD
of monster truck fans around the country who know him as a Hall of Fame announcer, but he’s just “Mr. Knuckles” to the kids in the carrider line at Sutton Elementary. For about 15 years now, he’s been the guy who gives kids knuckle bumps each morning at the back door.
After that, it’s back to work in the garage,
tinkering on his Bonneville car and trying new ideas. Cooling the engine is one of the things he’s still figuring out. “At that speed, it can overheat, so I’m trying to cool it using CO2.” He’s come up with a system that has a timer on it that shoots a puff of CO2 every six seconds. If his plan works, that little innovation just might be the thing that gets him enough extra
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horsepower to break the existing record.
includes
5
(mostly
NHRA)
Another issue to figure out is keeping
national
championships
across
different
the car straight. Once a car goes past
platforms of drag racing, designing, and
200mph, it has a tendency to spin out.
building cars. Then he lucked into an
Armstrong thinks he has an idea for that
announcing gig at monster truck events
too. “I put something like a truck bed on
and tractor pulls. It turns out that all his
a car once and it actually helped keep it
first-hand knowledge and experiences
steady by changing the aerodynamics.”
with the racing industry, combined
Basically, this car is a culmination
with his wit, humor, and personality,
of a lifetime of experience in the racing
make him a pretty good announcer,
industry. For as long as he can remember,
too. Armstrong was inducted into the
Armstrong has always loved racing, and
Monster Truck Hall of Fame in 2013.
fast cars are all he’s ever thought about.
Before that, he was also inducted into the
His first job was at a drag strip when he
Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame in
was 10 years old. “This is my passion.
2009.
Everybody has theirs and this is mine,”
he explained. His career in motorsports
trick and tip he’s learned along the way
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Armstrong is now putting every little
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31
into building this car. He’s named the vehicle the “Original
project that is still a year away from completion. Bonneville
Kentucky Colonel,” in memory of a friend who passed away
only holds races once a year, and this year it got rained out,
from cancer.
so Armstrong now has another year to tweak his car and get
Racing at Bonneville is a bucket list item for Armstrong,
it ready. If all goes according to plan, Armstrong will have
but with all his experience in racing, he’s never done
a serious shot at breaking the world record, especially if his
anything quite like this. Drag-racing cars are typically very
innovations work.
light, with wide back wheels and small, narrow front wheels,
but Bonneville cars are built to be heavy, to keep them on
tools, and other memorabilia from a lifetime of racing, but
the ground. Unlike a drag strip, the salt flat course is several
he’s also a man of many other talents. One of his hobbies
miles long, which means the cars have a mile to get up to
is painting doll houses, which he donates to children whose
speed, a mile to reach top speed, and at least a mile to slow
fathers or mothers are overseas in the service.
down after the parachute deploys. Therefore, the back wheels
and front wheels are the same size. Another difference is the
and you never know what you’re going to hear next. But
cars at Bonneville don’t race side by side. You’re really racing
with Armstrong, nothing should surprise you - not even a
the clock. The cars line up single-file and race one at a time.
74-year-old from Owensboro, Kentucky breaking the world
The Original Kentucky Colonel has been a 2½ year
land speed record.
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Armstrong’s garage is filled with signs, stickers, pictures,
Being an announcer, Armstrong always has a story to tell,
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ARTICLE BY
DANNY MAY
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PHOTOS BY JASON TANNER
O
wensboro toymaker Clyde Fogle is giving Santa a run for his money. Over the last twelve years, Fogle has made 144,000 wooden toys in his backyard wood shop and given them away to children all over the world, in over 80 countries, through Operation Christmas Child.
On the back wall of his dusty workshop, just
with his friends, David and Judy Heady, who were
beyond the bandsaws, drills, and sanders, hangs a
missionaries in Haiti through Global Outreach.
map that has a pin in it for every country where his
Of course, those children in Haiti were thrilled to
toys have been delivered. Most of the pins are in
receive the cars, and a spark was lit in Fogle.
Central America and Africa, but it’s an impressive
After praying about what to do next, some
visual to see how far his toys have traveled.
friends suggested he should contact Operation
Christmas
It all began when Fogle retired in 1997. One
Child,
an
organization
run
by
day, he was moving a piece of furniture up a
Samaritan’s Purse that delivers shoeboxes filled
staircase, which was pretty cumbersome for a
with goodies to children in Third World countries.
man with muscular dystrophy and leg braces on
“Those who have seen them hand out the
his ankles, when he decided it was time to do
shoeboxes to the kids say it’s priceless to witness
something else.
the joy and happiness on those kids’ faces,” Fogle
said. “They just squeal they’re so happy.”
“I’ve always been interested in woodworking,
but I was mostly making cabinets and furniture.
But then I noticed an article in a woodworking
pocket car. He buys the wheels pre-made in bags
catalogue about a kit you could order that had
of 5,000. Then he traces, cuts out, and sands the
enough material to make 100 small cars.” Fogle
car bodies, snaps the wheels on the axles, and
tried his hand at the cars and decided to send them
assembles them on the cars. His favorite body
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The toy that Clyde makes most often is a little
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style is what he calls the “little ‘vette,” but he also makes
but word has gotten out. Samaritan’s Purse produced a
a slick-looking drag car.
Helicopters with spinning
promotional video for Operation Christmas Child that
propellers are another favorite of his to make. Fogle
featured Fogle making toys in his shop. CNN found
has recently perfected a Hummer-style jeep with drilled
out about it, and aptly called Fogle “Kentucky’s Santa
headlights and carved-out fenders. For the girls, he makes little figurines they can use to play “house.”
Charlotte, North Carolina is the closest distribution
center for Operation Christmas Child.
Once a year,
they’ll send a truck to Clyde’s house. “Whenever I get a pallet full of toys ready, I’ll send them an email, and
Claus.” That story was picked up by a Louisville station and WFIE News 14 featured it as well. But I wouldn’t call him comfortable with the attention. “The only reason I agree to do interviews is I hope that it might inspire someone else,” said Fogle.
a few days later there’s an Estes truck backing a 35-foot
container into my driveway.” After Christmas, they’ll
One man from Arizona contacted Fogle last week
also send Fogle an email, telling him where his toys
after he heard about the shoeboxes from a missionary
ended up.
visiting their church.
Owensboro Christian Church is Daviess County’s
man has already ordered materials to start making toys
drop-off point for shoeboxes for Operation Christmas
himself.
Child. “As a regional collection center, we cover from
Crittenden County over to Hancock County and down to Muhlenberg County,” says Owensboro Christian Children’s Director, Emily Leach. “People either pick up boxes from us to pack, or pack their own boxes and bring them to us. My job is to package the shoeboxes in larger boxes.” Those boxes are loaded on two tractor-trailers
It already has.
After talking with Fogle, the
David Colburn, who started out doing yard work at
Fogle’s house, has become his apprentice. “I’d be out working in the yard and see him in the shop all the time,” Colburn said. Eventually, he asked what Fogle was up to. “Once he showed me what he was doing, I kind of got the itch for it.” Fogle called Colburn a pretty
and taken to the processing center in North Carolina for
fast learner. Right now, he’s working on a doll chair for
repacking and shipping to Third World countries.
his two-year-old daughter, but he says he’d be honored to
carry on Fogle’s toy-making legacy.
Operation Christmas Child’s website says they ship
the shoeboxes by plane, train, truck, boat, canoe, or even
For now, the legacy lives on. As he answered my
camels. At the end of the line, a church leader in each
questions, Fogle dropped another pocket car into a barrel
village receives the boxes and is in charge of distributing
next to his work bench. “That makes about 600. A full
them to the children in the community.
barrel will hold close to 1,500.” He has slowed down a
How much joy can one shoebox bring? Ask the one
hundred million children around the world who have received a shoebox full of goodies at Christmastime through Operation Christmas Child. Typically, the boxes contain toys, clothes, toiletries, and school supplies. Many of those children get one of Fogle’s toys, made right
little bit this past year though, dropping from about 50 hours a week down to 35 hours. “My wife and my doctor both told me I needed to cut back some,” he smiled. “Plus, I’m 74.” For more information about Operation Christmas
here in Owensboro. One of Fogle’s prized possessions is
Child, visit www.samaritanspurse.org. Collection week
a picture of a boy in Peru, holding one of Fogle’s wooden
was Nov 17-24, but to get involved in next year’s shoebox
toys from a box the boy had just opened.
collection, contact Emily Leach at Owensboro Christian
Fogle has never sought recognition for his efforts,
Church.
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BY MELODY ANN WALLACE
LIGHTING up the
TOWN
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PHOTO BY AP IMAGERY
Every year, thousands of people pack their cars full of children and hot cocoa and come from all over the Tri-state, to get a little taste of Christmas cheer. It has even become somewhat of a tradition for those that have moved away from Owensboro to set aside time to view the lights at “the Stonegate house” when they return home each winter to visit.
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With the lights typically on display by Thanksgiving, it is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. However, this season the lights were up for viewing a little earlier than usual. This year, the Lashbrook family was hanging and assembling decorations in anticipation of a new set of viewers. What once began with a few milk jugs and a handful of tea lights has now transformed into a neighborhood spectacular on view for the entire country to see. On the evening of Sunday, October 19, Indian Creek Loop was transformed into the backdrop for family-friendly reality television, as camera crews and production assistants buzzed around positioning cameras and lighting, in an effort to get the perfect shot. The street quickly took on the feel of a wintery Christmas commercial as approximately 150 neighbors and family members, dressed in Christmas-themed apparel, lined the streets, eagerly awaiting the cue to illuminate the block. That cue came in the form of a black Lincoln Navigator transporting pint-sized designer Sabrina
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Soto, one of the judges from ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight. Sabrina stepped out of the vehicle to a cheering crowd, a warm welcome from the Lashbrook family, and a special serenade of Christmas carols provided by the Daviess County High School Chamber Choir. After a short, friendly conversation with the family, the crowd then assisted with the countdown to initiate the lights. 1-2-3… Magically, the entire property began to come alive with the glow of thousands of colored lights that, when lit, looked akin to something that you might see in a frozen fairytale. In the front yard, the first tree to spring to life was the massive blue spruce, covered with shining ornaments and over 10,000 lights. Alongside of it was the “ball tree,” adorned with handmade lanterns and one-of-akind globes that the family created using clear pretzel containers and miniature lights. The family believes that such homemade items will set them apart from others in the competition. While the Lashbrook family has always incorporated
AFTER WATCHING ONE OF LAST YEAR’S EPISODES OF THE GREAT CHRISTMAS LIGHT FIGHT AS A FAMILY, TYLER THOUGHT, “WE CAN DO THIS.”
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PHOTOS BY JASON TANNER
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homemade and hand-crafted items into their display, this year there was a different motivation for doing so. Knowing that celebrity judge and host of The High-Low Project, Sabrina Soto, has an appreciation for DIY and handmade items, this is where the Lashbrooks chose to place their focus. Jeff and Connie Lashbrook started having customdesigned and lighted pieces created when their children were small. Kelsey, the oldest of the Lashbrook children, says her dad has “always put stuff up” and remembers displays as young as age five. The Christmas train is the one piece that she recalls being around the longest. The first original pieces that Jeff and Connie had designed were the carved statues that were created to depict the actual size of each of the Lashbrook children, Kelsey at age 9, Tyler at age 7, and Jessica at age 5. Also incorporated into the winter scenes are toy soldiers and five snowmen, which were each artfully crafted to represent this tightly knit family of five. Jeff ’s love of all things Christmas does not stop with light and decorations. Connie recalls that one day Jeff came home with a Santa suit and began to hand out candy. It has since become tradition for Jeff Lashbrook to dress as Santa, hand out candy canes, and collect donations as onlookers exit the neighborhood. As far as asking for donations from visitors to fund the increased electricity that it takes to run this spectacular display, the family prefers that the money be donated to local charities. In 1999, the neighborhood joined with the Lashbrooks to create “Christmas at Stonegate.” The neighborhood association chooses which two local charities should receive the thousands of dollars given each year in donations. Past recipients have been the Pitino Shelter, Christmas Wish, and the Mary Kendall Home. This ongoing act of kindness may have attributed to the family being chosen for the show. After watching one of last year’s episodes of The Great Christmas Light Fight as a family, Tyler, the second oldest of the three Lashbrook children, thought, “We can do this.” The family then read the rules at the end of the show and decided to submit a home video of their Christmas light display. From there, the process went into motion. The show,
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To see the Lashbrook family and their amazing display of lights, as well as members of the Owensboro community, tune in to The Great Christmas Light Fight Monday evenings in December. The show will premiere on Monday, December 8 on the ABC Television Network and continue to air back-toback episodes on the following dates: Monday, December 8 (7-8 p.m., CT) and (8-9 p.m., CT) Monday, December 15 (7-8 p.m., CT) and (8-9 p.m., CT) Monday, December 22 (7-8 p.m., CT) and (8-9 p.m., CT) now in its second season, selects twenty-four families through an extensive nationwide search, “based on their previous elaborate Christmas light displays, incredible choreography and over-the-top designs.” In each episode, four families then compete with the goal of winning the grand prize of $50,000. After viewing the video, ABC loved the Lashbrook’s house and the charity component so much that they were automatically advanced to the next round. At that point, they were able to participate in a Skype interview with an ABC producer in Los Angles. Once selected for the show, the family was asked to fill out what they describe as “mounds and, I mean, mounds of paperwork.” The last step involved completing background checks for each family member, reviewing the official rules, and designating who would receive the prize money should they win. The episode featuring the Lashbrook’s magnificent Stonegate light display is due to air in mid-December. Regardless of the outcome of this season’s episode, it is certain that the Lashbrooks will continue to light the neighborhood with the joy of Christmas for many years to come.
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solving problems throughTECHNOLOGY
BY MIN BENJA K HOA
A
sk around about the kind of company Louisville-
“I’M PROUD THAT EVEN WHEN WE WERE STRUGGLING, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT OUR NICHE, THAT WE NEVER LOST SIGHT OF THE BIGGER PICTURE – HOW DOES THIS IMPACT THE COMMUNITY? WE DIDN’T FOCUS ON MONEY, BUT ON IMPACT, AND THE MONEY CAME,” HE SAID.
based Interapt is and you might hear any of the
following: • A Silicon Valley-type tech business that focuses on mobile technology. • The newest Google Glass partner, one of just 10 companies nationwide to emerge from a rigorous selection process approved to develop enterprise applications for the wearable computer. • A mobile app developer. • What’s an Interapt?
While all of the above are true, Interapt CEO
Ankur Gopal has a different answer about Interapt’s focus: they solve problems. They just happen to use mobile technology as their solution of choice.
Born and raised in Owensboro, Gopal sees
Interapt as much more than just another tech startup.
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“I like doing something that I know benefits the community,” he said, “and furthers the mission of economic development in Kentucky in terms of creating jobs. The companies of the future will keep the best and brightest in Kentucky – not bolting for the coast because there’s no opportunity here.”
Interapt (interactive + application + aptitude) is certainly creating that opportunity
by raising eyebrows around the country with their success, most recently with Google’s October 21 announcement of its latest partners. The deal gives Interapt instant credibility, especially with companies leery of doing business with firms outside the traditional Silicon Valley/New York pipeline. “The announcement cleared up that problem nicely,” Gopal said.
Gopal has seen a surge of interest in his company in the last few weeks.
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer both publicly praised Interapt, and CNN and USA Today interviewed Gopal about Interapt’s work. The publicity generated 470 LinkedIn requests for Gopal, which resulted in more than 50 clear leads, including top-level decision makers from Fortune 1000 companies who want to discuss using Google Glass in their operations.
“We’re hearing that people are surprised we came out of Kentucky,” Gopal said. “My
response is ‘Why not Kentucky?’ The beautiful thing about technology is that you can do anything from anywhere.”
Interapt applied for the Google partnership based on their work with Yum! Brands in
Louisville. Interapt’s Glass application condensed an 80-page training manual for KFC
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employees to a series of on-screen prompts employees could
right technical solution, whether it’s Glass, a smart watch, a
quickly and easily follow while keeping their hands free to
mobile app, or more.
work. That project led to a pilot employee training program
with Taco Bell, which is expected to save tens of millions of
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and studying
dollars in operations costs.
entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago’s Polsky
Gopal sees endless applications for Glass. Doctors on
Center for Entrepreneurship, he came back to Owensboro
rounds could take video or audio with Glass and automatically
in 2009 to chase his vision of mobile technology as the next
add the files to the patient’s chart so the next nurse in the
frontier. He started a text messaging service called Agent 511;
room is working with up-to-date information, leading to
once smartphones hit the scene, he realized the tremendous
better care and quicker patient improvement. Reporters in the
opportunity in the mobile app market and charted a new
field could broadcast video straight to the newsroom. Several
course, even though he knew nothing about app development
other projects have transformational potential particularly for
at the time. (The same strategy served him well when he first
healthcare and employee training.
heard of “wearables” such as Google Glass.)
Interapt doesn’t develop cool applications just to be cool.
Gopal has come a long way. After graduating from the
In 2011, Gopal moved the growing company to Louisville
“If it doesn’t make the patient better, what’s the point?” Gopal
to take advantage of the larger companies there; the team is
said of the healthcare solution. When a company approaches
now at about 80 employees and is in “an aggressive growth
Interapt with a problem, Gopal and his team conduct a
phase.” Greater Louisville, Inc. named Interapt a “Hot Dozen”
strong discovery process to reveal the critical needs that keep
company in September 2014 as one of the most innovative up-
company leaders awake at night. Interapt then assesses the
and-coming companies in the area, and Gopal was named a
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2014 Emerging Entrepreneur by the Kentucky Entrepreneur
focus on money, but on impact, and the money came,” he said.
Hall of Fame.
He’s appreciative of his time in Owensboro. While here,
works in the community as well, including teaching regularly
the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation
at the Kentucky Science Center. He loves to aid entrepreneurs
invested in his company with a $30,000 seed loan, which he
when they ask for help. Some of his best advice includes
has since repaid with interest so the money can be used to
reading constantly, watching how similar companies grow,
help other emerging companies. Sound advice from Malcolm Bryant, Madison Silvert, Nick Brake and Terry Woodward still guides him today, Gopal said.
In his Louisville office – Interapt is located in The
Nucleus building downtown – Gopal still keeps a copy of a feature story from the Messenger-Inquirer about his company. The story included a photo of him working at the Owensboro
Gopal volunteers with Junior Achievement and his team
obtaining advice from other entrepreneurs and staying open and honest about where your company is and where you want it to be. “You need a vision and a plan,” he said. “Make sure you have support. Know your resources and know where to get help.”
Solving problems, coding apps, hanging with Google,
Panera with no office, no overhead, no payroll – just a man
giving back - all in a day’s work for Ankur Gopal, who honed
trying to build a plan, formulate a business and figure out how
his inherent entrepreneurial skills with hard work and a
to survive.
hunger to succeed. “I hope this encourages other people to
“I’m proud that even when we were struggling, trying to
think of Kentucky not as a limitation but as an opportunity,”
figure out our niche, that we never lost sight of the bigger
he said. “There are a lot of successful companies already.
picture – how does this impact the community? We didn’t
There’s no reason there can’t be 20 more.”
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A
s one of only four ice arenas in the Commonwealth, and the only one that is publically owned, Edge Ice Center is a true asset to the Owensboro area.
Visitors are impressed with the $6.5 million facility, and upon entering the front doors are greeted with a friendly staff and a fun atmosphere.
owensboro
ON ICE
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At more than 42,000-square-feet, the arena was built to accommodate a growing population of recreational and competitive ice skaters and hockey players. “We have the nicest facility in the state, if not the Tri-state,� said Kerry Bodenheimer, Owensboro Parks and Recreation Superintendent.
The large facility holds three rooms available for
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birthday parties or public rental, a spacious lobby
the International Silver Stick competition in
for daily guests, five locker rooms, and spectator
Canada. Over 200 hockey players make up the local
seating for 300 people.
league, something that was not possible before the
An indoor ice arena was not new to Owensboro.
establishment of Edge. High school competitions,
In fact, the original Owensboro Ice Arena was built
travel teams and state tournaments are all now
in 1963, but “she aged” after years of operation,
held at Edge, boosting the local economy through
said Bodenheimer. Opened in September 2009, the
sporting tourism.
Edge Ice Center just celebrated its 5th birthday.
“The old rink just wasn’t up to standards,”
said Clint Rowell, President of Owensboro Youth
When the doors opened in 2009, nearly 2,500
people came to the first three weeks of public
Hockey Association.
skating. Perhaps the best birthday present for
close, so [Edge] has really given us stability.”
Edge and Bodenheimer this year is the continuous
support that the arena sees each year. More than
is now able to hold competitions at Edge, bringing
25,000 people visited Edge last year for public
150 competitive skaters to Owensboro last year.
skating, group and private events, and free-pass use.
January will mark the fourth annual competition
The previous Owensboro Ice Arena was not
for the club, which, in the past, has brought in
open year-round, something that Bodenheimer
competitors from Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio
believes sets apart this new facility. She has seen a
for over two days.
growth in public participation through activities
like summer day camps and Learn to Skate classes,
people out of town,” said Cindy Bowman, mother
opening up ice skating to new audiences each day.
and a coordinator of the skating club. “Edge is a
The
top-notch ice rink with quality ice, which is a big
arena’s
200-by-85-foot
rink
is
the
regulation size of the National Hockey League.
“It was always going to
Similarly, the Owensboro Figure Skating Club
“It’s just a nicer facility, which is a big draw for
plus for ice skaters.”
This, combined with the new facility and spectator
Given that Edge is publically owned and
area, has broadened the utilization of the ice arena.
operated by Owensboro Parks and Recreation,
Competitors like the Owensboro Youth Hockey
Bodenheimer is happy that the ice arena is giving
Association and Owensboro Figure Skating Club
back to the community.
are now regular fixtures at Edge, bringing a new
“We
are
making
an
economic
impact,”
world of competition to Owensboro.
Bodenheimer said. “We are paying back our
The Owensboro Youth Hockey Association
community. We have always been known for
houses nine divisions, including the Rampage
baseball and football, but now we are bringing
High School Hockey team, who was named State
people to Owensboro for sports during the winter
Champion in 2011-2012, and the Owensboro
months.”
Puckhogs Pee Wee Team, who was runner-up at
Jared Bratcher is sports marketing director
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for the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau. He told the Owensboro MessengerInquirer there were more than 50 tournaments in Owensboro in 2013, including figure skating, hockey, baseball, running, soccer, softball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, fishing and football. In fact, there was some type of tournament in town every month, filling every hotel room in the city on 10 weekends last year. Bratcher said Edge Ice Center is the reason for increased participation in ice skating and hockey.
Bodenheimer believes it is also important to give
back to the community through group events. Edge is often the destination for community fundraisers for schools, and hosts a number of local organizations like Girls Inc., Wendell Foster’s Campus for Developmental Disabilities, and The Daniel Pitino Shelter. But it is not just these local organizations that are taking advantage of this state-of-the-art ice arena. Edge has become a source for family fun in Owensboro during the cold winter months. Bodenheimer says that she sees at least 60 percent of customers for the year between the months of November and January. And with events like last month’s Frozen at Edge and this month’s Skate with Santa coming up, it is not hard to imagine why. Bodenheimer says, “Believe it or not, our busiest day is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We see about 400 people.” 48 OWENSBORO LIVING
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DOES YOUR CHILD WANT TO LEARN TO SKATE? PHOTO BY AP IMAGERY
Here are a few questions you may be asking yourself about starting your son or daughter skating at Edge.
What is the Edge Ice Center Skating School? The Edge Ice Center’s Learn to Skate program follows the guidelines set forth by the Ice Skating Institute of America (I.S.I.). Classes range from beginner to advanced, aiding development of fundamental
But a typical weekend during the busy season
skating maneuvers. The I.S.I. WeSkate program is America’s original
will consist of events, competitions, practices and
learn to skate program, and has introduced over 5 million individuals
open skating from 7 a.m. Saturday morning to 9
to the wonderful world of ice skating.
p.m. Sunday night, with constant skaters on the ice.
What does each class consist of?
So if you and your family are looking for something
All class times include 30 minutes of instruction, plus 30 minutes of
fun to do this winter, be sure to check out Edge Ice
practice ice time at the end of each class. The practice time will benefit
Center.
your child by enabling him/her to master new skills and progress at a faster rate. The exception is the Learn to Skate Hockey class, which consists of 45 minutes of instruction each week, with no practice ice.
SKATE WITH SANTA
How old does my child have to be?
Saturday, December 13 from 1 – 4 p.m.
Edge offers classes from 3 years through adult.
Edge Ice Center
Get into the holiday spirit and skate with Santa!
The Tots class is especially designed for children ages 3- 6 years old.
Can a parent be in the same class as their child? The great thing about ice skating is that it is a recreational activity that
There will be free hot chocolate and candy canes,
can be enjoyed by all ages, together. Parents are welcome to learn
and some exciting exhibitions by local members of
with their children and make it a family event. Adult classes are also
the Owensboro Figure Skating Club, plus giveaways and door prizes throughout the session.
available. Only those registered for lessons are allowed on the ice during instruction time and practice time.
How do I register? Classes are divided into groups according to ability, and are limited on
4TH ANNUAL I.S.I. FIGURE SKATING COMPETITION
a first-come, first-served basis. You may register in person or by calling
Friday, January 30 – Sunday, February 1
Edge Ice Center | 1400 Hickman Ave. | (270) 687-8700
the Edge Ice Center.
Edge Ice Center
All lesson participants are invited to participate
in the annual Ice Skating Institute competition held at Edge. Watch out for more information on registering for this fun event. www.OwensboroLiving.com
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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
DAYMAR COLLEG E
ALIVE AND WELL D
aymar College has been through a lot of changes in a short
of Nursing, and also serves as Vice President of the Kentucky
amount of time. From selling their building to a new
Nurses Association. Dr. Rager, along with the nursing program
Chancellor and a new leadership team at the campus, Daymar
faculty, collectively has 120 years of hands-on experience in
has proven to be a resilient and ever-evolving business in
the healthcare industry. According to Dr. Rager, “We are
Owensboro.
dedicated to doing our part to secure the nursing profession,
Over the summer, the Daymar Property Group decided to
which is projected to continue to experience a shortage, and
sell the 33,000 square foot building on Buckland Square that was
with registered nurses who embody the principles of holistic
home to Daymar College to the Daviess County Public School
nursing care. We also look forward to continuing assisting in
system to house the new alternative school. Daymar realized that
the shortage of BSN prepared nurses through our online RN to
the business of real estate and property management was not the
BSN program. Our students are the reason for our work and we
business they are successful in, and selling the building to lease
appreciate the opportunity to help transform their lives through
part of it back has enabled them to focus their resources on what
education.”
they are most passionate about – educating their students.
Daymar College’s Nursing Program differentiates itself
In October, Daymar Colleges Group welcomed a new
from other institutions by providing its students with a modern
Chancellor and CEO to carry on their legacy and begin a new
simulation lab. This lab allows students to experience situations
chapter for the college that is made up of 12 campuses and
that may be found in the work environment, but may not
an online college that span across Kentucky, Tennessee and
necessarily be encountered during their clinical rotations. The
Ohio. Dr. Dan Peterson is a first generation college graduate
simulation lab is similar to a post-operative unit, complete with
and a retired U.S. Air Force commander who served 23 years
a nurses’ station and a control room in which instructors can
in the military and also has over 20 years of experience in
watch their students in action without being seen and therefore
higher education. Under his leadership, Daymar can expect
too relied on by the student while in a high-stress situation.
fundamental changes that will both continue Daymar’s legacy
The simulation lab and mannequins provide a controlled
and push the institution to being a leader in career education in
environment in which students can practice administering
the communities it serves.
care in a high-stress environment before being exposed to the
“Daymar has indeed been operating in a challenging
scenario in real life.
environment over the last few years, but our dedicated faculty
Daymar College’s Owensboro campus had a renewal
and staff have not let that get in the way of providing a high-
accreditation visit in September that was done by a team of seven
quality education to our students,” according to Dr. Peterson.
directed by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges
Dr. Peterson went on to say, “There is a well-known skills
and Schools (ACICS). In their findings, Daymar College had
gap that exists in America today, where many employers want to
zero areas of non-compliance and received four honorable
hire employees but have a hard time finding qualified applicants
mentions for campus preparation, learning environment,
who possess the skills necessary to meet the 21st century job
student satisfaction, and faculty and staff. Full grant renewal
demand. Daymar looks forward to being a key player in filling
approval will be released by December 31st.
that gap by graduating students who possess the skills needed by
these employers.”
those in the Owensboro area that may not have the opportunity
One of the most exciting aspects of Daymar College’s
or resources to attend a traditional college. We are here to help
Owensboro campus is its Nursing Program. It is currently the
them realize their capabilities and to help them better their lives.
only no-wait nursing program in the Owensboro area and is
Our students are our family and we are all truly invested in their
led by Dr. Michael Wayne Rager DNP, PhD(c), MSN, FNP-
success,” says Rich Horwitz, the Area Campus President for the
BC, APRN, CNE. He is the Owensboro Campus Dean, Dean
Owensboro and Madisonville campuses.
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“We look forward to continuing to bring higher education to
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THE
STYLE
38th annual
BY DANNY MAY
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HOLIDAY FOREST www.OwensboroLiving.com
I
t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and the Ow-
thousands of Christmas lights.
ensboro Museum of Fine Art does it up in style! Their
One of the trees celebrates Native American cultural
38th Annual Holiday Forest “Festival of Trees” opened
traditions in honor of paintings gifted to the museum’s
November 15 and runs through December 31.
permanent collection. Gary Tunget, a florist at Fleur de Lis,
The Holiday Forest is an annual tradition at the
has designed trees in three period rooms in the historic John
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art (OMFA) that started
Hampden Smith Decorative Arts Wing. The Owensboro
in 1977. This year, the forest includes 15 trees displayed
Herb Society decorated a tree that will be featured in the
throughout all three wings of the museum. Each tree is
Field Stained Glass Gallery. Burns Middle School will be
decorated by local artists, floral designers, craftsmen,
represented by decorations in the Waymond Morris Young
schools, or civic organizations, using their own style and
Art Gallery, and Ohio County glassmaker Linda House
motif, mostly embellished with handmade ornaments.
will feature a stained glass tree in the Nancy Field Wilson
Some are period pieces that take you back to yesteryear.
Religious Art Gallery. Members of the Daviess County
Some are modern interpretations. Some are vignettes with
Barn Quilt Trail Committee have recreated quilt squares
scenes that tell stories, while others are inspired by nature.
painted on Daviess County barns.
You’ll see ribbons and bows, angels and stars, and of course,
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The Holiday Forest attracts thousands of visitors each
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year, and has become a significant fundraiser for OMFA. It’s the only exhibit the museum ever charges admission to, but it’s still a very nominal fee for the experience: $2 for adults and $1 for children.
It’s also a very popular spot for school field trips. OMFA
Director Mary Bryan Hood says, “The children love to see the Christmas trees decorated and hear the stories. For many of the students, it’s their first introduction to an art museum.” The hope is that those students will have a great experience, and then return to this museum and others with their families. It really is a win-win for everyone. This year, the Holiday Forest runs concurrently with the Consummate Craftsman exhibit, which is designed to showcase major artists from the Southeast who work in three-dimensional media, including clay, glass, metal, fiber, wood, and mixed media, expressing environmental design, interior design, and functional design.
The two exhibits
go hand in hand, as each of the artists and organizations who decorate trees are asked to interpret the Consummate Craftsman themes.
Hood is especially ecstatic that glass artist Brook White,
who grew up in Owensboro and now runs Flame Run glass studio in Louisville, and his mentor and world-renowned glass blower, Stephan Powell, will be collaborating on an exhibit for Consummate Artist. “We’re thrilled to have them,” Hood said. “Their work is remarkable, so this will be quite a spectacular year for us.” Their exhibit for Consummate Craftsman will be on the first floor, featuring 12 recent works, including some very large vessels and pedestal pieces. They have also crafted three brand new pieces just for this show. As an added bonus, Brook also contributed 100 glass ornaments to decorate a tree for the Holiday Forest that he has entitled “Great Balls of Fire.” Participating in the Festival of Trees is significant for Brook because he remembers seeing the Holiday Forest during a school trip when he was a kid. “I remember seeing trees decorated from all over the world and I thought that was really neat. So this is really cool for me to be a part of, because it brings me full-circle. I would have never dreamed back then that I’d be an artist decorating one of those same trees now as an adult. Who knows, maybe a kid will see my glass ornaments this year and remember it later like I did.”
The Festival of Trees comes down at the end of December, but
the Consummate Craftsman exhibit runs through February 22. 54 OWENSBORO LIVING
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OMFA’s interactive art studio, ARTLAND, will offer a
special feature for children during the six-week Christmas exhibition where kids can create holiday take-home decorations.
The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is located at 9th
and Frederica streets and is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the museum’s website at www.omfa.us.
DID YOU KNOW? The Glenmore Distillery was the first corporate sponsor of the OMFA, and they remain the signature sponsor to this day.
ARTLAND, which is sponsored by the Michael E. Horn Family Foundation, is presented free to the public during regular museum hours.
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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
THE BAKERS RACK
a Gifting
TRADITION A
s the owner of a home accessories and gift store, I have been able to watch and help thousands of customers select and purchase gifts for
others. Sometimes, the gifts revolve around an occasion, such as Christmas or a wedding, and occasionally the gifts are bought to fulfill a need experienced by the receiver.
In my experience, the best gifts are the ones given “just because.” These
are the gifts given in gratitude, happiness and the desire to convey a message of how much the other person has improved the life of the giver. Think of people in your life who have made a positive difference through a kind word, an important event, or during shared experiences. You probably have a list of people that come to mind. Friends from way back. Mentors whose words kept you on track. Kind hearts that remembered you in hard times.
Likely, you are acquainted with those on your list well enough to discern
their personality, their likes, their passions. With that knowledge, you have the ability to find something that would make them smile, appreciate and remember. Let a local professional help you select that gift. Specialty retailers know their stock, and can match a gift to the story, emotion or event.
One recent customer told of a discovery she made when decorating her
home for the holidays. She and her husband progressed through each room, adding Christmas items to tables, desks and doorways. Nearing the end of their task, he realized that each room now contained a gift from a single longtime friend. Each of the items held special meaning, reminding the couple of good times. The passing of years has only added to their sentiment. “We want to have her over for tea or lunch,” the customer said, “but we want to give her something as well. She has been such a blessing.”
A small tray turned out to be the perfect gift. “Count Your Blessings”
is engraved on it, and it is used daily as a place for reading glasses on her desk. Every time she picks up her glasses, she remembers and appreciates the couple who gave her the gift - out of appreciation for her gifts of friendship through the years.
Start a new tradition of gift-giving by choosing a person from your history
who has had a positive effect on your life, but to whom you have not given a gift for some time. Choose your gift by its meaning. The richness of life is made of the experiences and unique friendships we make as we go through life. Gifts to friends and family should be reminders of the relationships we have experienced and appreciate. You will find that both your heart and theirs will open up in the process.
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THE
DISH
A Complete
HOLIDAY TABLE Nothing pleases the senses like a home filled with family, friends and the welcoming aroma of a holiday meal. Whether you’re cooking up a full-menu feast from your own kitchen or you need a delicious idea or two to share at a potluck-style gathering — these dishes please the palate. With timeless flavors of turkey and butternut squash, or treats that charmingly display a symbol of the season, guests will surely be encouraged to dig in.
ROAST TURKEY WITH SAUSAGE STUFFING Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 3 hours, 30 minutes Servings: 20
Ingredients: 1 pound breakfast pork sausage 1 1/2 cups hot water 2 packages (6 ounces each) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Turkey 1 Butterball Frozen Whole Turkey (10 pounds), thawed 60 OWENSBORO LIVING
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Heat oven to 325°F. Brown sausage in skillet; drain, reserving 1/2 cup drippings. Add drippings to large bowl; stir in hot water. Add stuffing mixes and sausage; stir just until stuffing mixes are moistened. Stuff neck and body cavities lightly with stuffing. Truss turkey; place, breastside up, on rack in large roasting pan sprayed with cooking spray. Spoon any remaining stuffing into separate baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover. Refrigerate stuffing until ready to bake. Bake turkey 3 to 3 1/4 hours or until internal temperature of thigh is 180°F and breast and center of stuffing are 165°F, adding dish with remaining stuffing to oven for the last 30 minutes. Keeping it safe: Do not stuff turkey until ready to roast. Substitute: Substitute butter for the sausage drippings. For more recipes, visit www.kraft.com. www.OwensboroLiving.com
BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND APPLES
Prep time: 15 minutes | Total time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4 Ingredients: 3 tablespoons Parkay Original Spread tub 1 package (12 ounces) refrigerated butternut squash pieces (about 3 cups) 1 1/2 cups chopped Granny Smith apple (about 1 large apple) 1/2 cup apple juice 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/8 teaspoon salt Melt spread in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add squash; cook 5–7 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Add apple, apple juice, cinnamon, ginger and salt; stir to combine. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until squash is tender. Note: Fresh butternut squash may be used in place of refrigerated squash. It will take more time to peel and cut into pieces. For more recipes, visit www.readyseteat.com.
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TURKEY CASSEROLE
Prep time: 15 minutes | Total time: 55 minutes | Servings: 6 Ingredients: 4 cups leftover prepared stuffing, divided 4 cups coarsely chopped leftover cooked turkey (about 1 pound) 3/4 cup Hellmann’s or Best Foods Real Mayonnaise, divided 1/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 8-inch baking dish with no-stick cooking spray. Spoon in 2 cups stuffing, then top with turkey. Combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise with cranberry sauce; evenly spread over turkey. Combine remaining 1/2 cup mayonnaise, potatoes and cheese in large bowl. Evenly spread on turkey, then top with remaining 2 cups stuffing. Bake 40 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish, if desired, with dried cranberries. For more recipes, www.hellmanns.com.
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PAN ROASTED CHEERIOS CHRISTMAS TREES Prep time: 45 minutes | Total time: 1 hour, 45 minutes | Servings: 18 Ingredients: 6 cups Honey Nut Cheerios cereal 6 tablespoons butter or margarine 4 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows Betty Crocker green gel food color Betty Crocker red cinnamon decors or sliced gumdrops Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Pour cereal into 4-quart bowl. Set bowl aside. Place butter and marshmallows in 3-quart saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in food color until mixture is evenly colored. Pour marshmallow mixture over cereal and stir until cereal is evenly coated. Lightly spray hands with cooking spray. For each tree, shape about 1/4 cup of cereal mixture into tree shape on cookie sheet. Press candies into trees to decorate. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store trees in loosely covered container. Note: Personalize trees using decorator icing (from 4.25-ounce tube) and use as place cards. Use icing to add garland. For more recipes, visit www.generalmills.com.
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THE
SCENE
ARTS
SIMPLER CHRISTMAS: WYNONNA AND BIG NOISE December 4 at 6 p.m. | Owensboro Convention Center Enjoy the sounds of Wynonna Judd and Big Noise at the Convention Center. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and the performance starts at 8 p.m. Contact the Owensboro Convention Center for ticket prices and other details.
OWENSBORO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S HOLIDAY POPS December 14 at 3 p.m.| RiverPark Center The Owensboro Symphony Orchestra brings its Holiday Pops to Cannon Hall stage, featuring excerpts from “Winter” of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, along with other traditional holiday favorites.
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THE NUTCRACKER December 7 at 7 p.m. | RiverPark Center Owensboro Dance Theatre is proud to present the family holiday favorite, The Nutcracker. Owensboro Dance Theatre has been performing The Nutcracker annually since 1992. The Nutcracker has sold out for the last four consecutive years, so be sure to get your tickets fast!
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DOWNTOWN FREE HOLIDAY
STROLL
December 6 | Downtown Owensboro Stroll the downtown streets to get in the holiday spirit. Strolling carolers, storefront decorations, and indoor performers will make this evening a reminder of the good old days of being downtown at Christmas. The stroll will follow Second and Third Streets from Daviess to St. Ann and will last from 4 - 8 p.m.
OWENSBORO FLEA MARKET December 5 – 6 | Owensboro Convention Center The Owensboro Flea Market features over 200 booths and dealers from several states. Items to be found include a wide variety of antiques and collectibles, jewelry, furniture, arts and crafts, and 1000s of other items; Friday, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Admission is $1.
KIDS
OPEN BOUNCE NIGHTS Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays | U-Bounce The perfect party place for kids. Amazing inflatables in an unbelievably cool bounce stadium. Private, clean and climatecontrolled. All children must wear socks. $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free. On Toddler Tuesday, children 5 and under get in for $5 all night. Tuesday and Wednesday 5 – 8 p.m. and Friday 5 - 9 p.m. (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
FREE
STORYTIMES
Mondays & Thursdays | Daviess County Public Library Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m. (270) 684-0211 or dcplibrary.org.
ACTIVE
FREE
HOLIDAY HUSTLE December 6 | Owensboro Parks and Recreation This 5K Run/Walk will take place on the Adkisson Greenbelt from 8 – 10 a.m.
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SATURDAY MORNING LIVE!
Mondays & Thursdays | Daviess County Public Library Visit the library every Saturday morning for self-guided fun and educational activities with a focus on literacy and school readiness. 10 a.m. – noon (270) 684-0211 or dcplibrary.org.
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THE
SCENE
FAMILY
28TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY IN THE PARK
beginning November 21 | Legion Park Giant elves, trees, toys and figures, not to mention Santa in his sleigh, line Legion’s half-mile walking path.
CHRISTMAS AT PANTHER CREEK PARK
beginning November 21 | Panther Creek Park An outdoor driving lighted tour with 400,000+ lights winding through Panther Creek Park. $3.00 charge per carload. Wagon rides through the park are also available. 5160 Wayne Bridge Road. Open from 6-9 p.m. each night.
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MARKET DAYS
December 6-7 and January 3 - 4 | Preservation Station Preservation Station Market Days are held the first weekend of every month, Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday noon – 4 p.m. with over 65 vendors of antique, vintage, handcrafted, and customized items, live music, and food. Preservation Station Market and Event Center, 9661 Highway 56. Call 270-215-1045, go to www.visitpreservationstation.com, or find us on Facebook.
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LADIES NIGHT
December 7, 2014 | Nick T. Arnold Jewelers Join us for a special night to try on jewelry. Over $5000 in prizes with one person winning a $250 shopping spree. A 1.30 carat Diamond Halo Ring will be given away to our Grand Prize Winner. Food will be provided, Come help Santa by making a wish list we keep on file for you!
2014 BEYOND BEAUTY EXTRAVAGANZA
December 6 - 7 | Owensboro Convention Center Owensboro Black Expo presents this pageant, social and ball. Pageant Only $10; Social & Ball Only $20; Pageant, Social & Ball $25. For more information, contact Linda Board at (270) 684-1149.
LANHAM BROTHERS JAMBOREE
December 13 at 7 p.m. | Diamond Lake Resort The Lanham Brothers Jamboree Christmas show is a fundraiser for local nonprofit Help Someone. There will be guests along with Barry Lanham and the Footstompin’ Express Cloggers, and Randy Lanham and the Band. Show is 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6 to 12, and 5 years and under are free. All shows are at Diamond Lake Resort Good Time Theater, just west of Owensboro, KY and include music, dance, comedy, skits, and crowd interaction. You never know when you will end up being part of the show.
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GOLDIE’S NEW YEAR’S EVE REUNION SHOW – TAKE 2
December 31 at 8 p.m. | RiverPark Center The show is made from the best of the best – Goldie, her Backstage Band and singers. The cast and crew will be coming from Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida to be a part of this 2nd annual reunion. To describe everything you’ll see at Goldie’s New Year’s Eve show would be impossible. Goldie, Jon Brennan, Alyssa Roby, Katie Herron, Amy Beth Mason, Tara Estes, Janie Jett Mason and Jerry, Travis Estes, Natasha Neely, Goldie’s Girls, and more make this evening a fun family experience. Adults $20 or $25; adult breakfast $15.00, or an adult show/breakfast combo for $35.00 or $40.00. Children (12 and under) prices are $10.00 or $12.50 for the show and $10.0 for the breakfast, or a kids show breakfast combo for $20.
2014 NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH
December 31 from 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. | Owensboro Convention Center Step back in time to the Roaring 1920’s! Enjoy live music by the 2nd Street Big Band! Watch the ball drop in New York on large screens. Dress is Cocktail or Roaring 1920’s Attire. Balloon drop at midnight! Enjoy free party favors like noisemakers and more! Around The World Themed Dinner! Champagne Toast at midnight! Tickets are $50.00 per person. Tickets are available by calling the Owensboro Convention Center at (270) 687-8800.
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THE LAST WORD BY LORA WIMSATT
CHRISTMAS IS HERE You have often wondered why you even bother risking your life balancing on that wobbly chair to get the big turkey platter off the top shelf of the cabinet you can hardly reach, when it only goes back up there again a few days later … but now you are also wondering why you didn’t just leave it down in the first place, because wasn’t Christmas just here last week? No, it’s been a year, the calendar testifies, but it sure doesn’t seem like it’s been that long since you untangled that long string of lights and promised yourself that this year, you would wrap them up carefully instead of just stuffing them back in the box just to get rid of them. But of course, you did just wad them up in a big knot, and now, with a heavy sigh, you sit down to once again unwind and unkink and unsnarl that big knotted-up jumble. Which gives you plenty of time to reflect on the fact that you had intended to buy new stockings back in January when everything was half-price, but by the time you generated enough energy to venture back to the stores, the leftovers were skimpy and crummy, and the only stockings left were one with a furry “Duck Dynasty” beard and one with a drunken reindeer holding a martini in its hoof. This was also supposed to be the year you got your Christmas shopping done early, but instead, all you have is a cookie sheet for your daughter. And the only reason you have that is because you had bought it last year and then hastily shoved it into the linen closet when she dropped by unexpectedly, and then you forgot all about it and didn’t find it again until you went looking for the beach towels in July.
68 OWENSBORO LIVING
. DEC 2014 / JAN 2015
Not that it matters; she borrowed yours sometime around April and never gave it back, so you might as well keep this one for yourself now. Of course, that would imply that you actually have time for baking cookies. As if. Something’s got to give, and between working every day and getting the oil changed in your car and raking those leaves – still! more! leaves! – that have drifted up against the back fence and taking the dog to the vet and taking the grandchildren to the parade and trying to get caught up on your book study and – oh no! You almost forgot about the office potluck this week, and didn’t you ….? Yes, you had signed up to take cookies. So there ya go. But in the meantime, the dog is nudging your elbow with her big snout and dancing rather desperately amid the strings of lights, so in a mood that could be described as anything but festive, anything but peaceful, you toss the whole tangled mess aside and follow her to the back door to let her outside. It’s dark, but not too cold, although you remember those dark predictions of another polar vortex heading our way for the winter, bringing with it all the misery of slick roads, frosty windshields, school closings and high heating bills. It would be ironic to say that something is melting in the cold, but that’s the truth. As you stand there, in the dark and silent night, something happens. The turkey platter doesn’t matter anymore; neither does the turkey. The old stockings are fine for another year, and probably another year after that too. As for the potluck … you know what? Everyone likes “Chips Ahoy.” Let’s let Nabisco worry about the cookies. For you, for now – there is a bright star in the sky. It was there last year; it was there two thousand years ago. And it’s Christmas right now, and always.
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69 OWENSBORO LIVING
. DEC 2014 / JAN 2015
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70 OWENSBORO LIVING
. DEC 2014 / JAN 2015
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DEC 2014 / JAN 2015
. OWENSBORO LIVING
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72 OWENSBORO LIVING
. DEC 2014 / JAN 2015
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