LIKE FINE WINE
TALON WINERY TOASTS ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY
THE SPIRITED ISSUE: THE BLUEGRASS DEATH DOULA MILWARD FUNERAL HOMES' MORTICIAN MIRANDA HUMMELDORF
Nick S. Morrow, DMD W. Scott Jenkins, DMD, MD
Matthew N. Gayheart, DMD, MD
Contributors
Michelle Aiello is a Chicago-born writer, editor and indie publisher. Her interests include living room karaoke, snail mail and all things vintage. She contributes to our monthly “tadoo list” (our calendar of cultural happenings, page 41).
Liz Carey (“Like a Fine Wine,” page 23) is a Kentucky-born journalist, author and writing teacher living in Lexington. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her porch with her dog, cat, a great book and a relatively good glass of wine.
Smiley Pete contributor Shannon Clinton (“Craveworthy,” page 9) is an Elizabethtown native who now lives in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. She has been a full-time freelance writer for 21 years for publications across the Southeast.
Emily Giancarlo (photography for “A Kindred Spirit” and “Like a Fine Wine”) is a professional photographer based out of Lexington, specializing in lifestyle and commercial photography. For more information and images, visit www.emilygiancarlo.com.
Celeste Lewis (“Quick Six: Hayward Wilkirson and Lisa Meek,” page 33) is a visual artist and freelance writer and director for the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center. She loves to interview interesting folks from the Lexington area, including artists, writers and small-business owners.
Tanzi Merritt (“A Kindred Spirit,” page 11, and “creative Types: Miranda Hummeldorf,” page 17) is a writer and marketing and communications professional born and raised in Lexington. She loves sharing stories of the lesser-known and quirkiest aspects of her hometown with anyone who will listen.
Smiley Pete intern Olivia Tader (“A Walk in the Woods,” page 37) is a senior at the University of Kentucky studying Journalism and Communication. A Chicago-born and -raised writer, she’s inspired by her love for co ee and adventure, and hopes these things will take her far in her interest in becoming a travel journalist.
Please direct all editorial questions and story pitches to editor Saraya Brewer – saraya@smileypete.com. ■
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WE PROUDLY WELCOME ANNA TO THE TEAM.
A graduate of University of Kentucky’s Landscape Architecture program, Anna Del Rio joined the JHGD design studio in May of 2024, after having worked as an intern on our team the prior year. She has quickly established herself as a talented addition, bringing a sense of curiosity and attention to detail to her work, each of which are core values to every project at JHGD.
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ANNA DEL RIO
Landscape Designer
CIVIC CONNECTIONS URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION
EXPO
BY HANNAH LEGRIS, 3RD DISTRICT COUNCILMEMBER
As local elected representatives, we often hear from residents about the importance of pedestrian and cyclist safety. Like many of my constituents, these are more than policy issues for me — they’re personal. Fourteen years ago, my life changed dramatically when I was hit by a truck while riding my bike on Euclid Avenue. It took me two years to get back in the saddle, but ultimately that accident reaffirmed my commitment to walking and biking in our city. My experience as a cyclist has bolstered my commitment to making Lexington’s streets safer for everyone, informed my work around our Complete Streets policy, and shaped my overall perspective and priorities.
For the past several years, Mayor Gorton’s administration and Urban County Council have been hard at work on a Complete Streets Policy and Action Plan. The objective of the policy is to provide a transportation system that is safe, affordable, accessible and dependable for everyone. This legislation, along with a statewide Complete Streets Policy, has been crucial to defining best practices and priorities as we seek to construct a city that is safer, better connected and more accessible for everyone.
As we move forward with transportation-oriented initiatives, it remains crucial that we continue listening to and engaging with our community. The work we do today will shape Lexington’s future. Because community involvement and education are so important, I want you to know about the upcoming Urban County Council Transportation Expo, an event that will bring together residents, councilmembers, experts and stakeholders around transportation policy in Lexington. This expo will be a casual drop-in event and will cover a range of topics, including bike and pedestrian safety, public transit and road improvements. It is another opportunity for residents to connect with decision-makers, share their experiences, and contribute to the conversation about the future of Lexington’s transportation system.
The Transportation Expo will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Marksbury Branch of the Lexington Public Library. I encourage everyone interested in the future of transportation in Lexington to attend. We want you to join us in the effort to help make Lexington more connected and navigable, no matter your mode of travel. Together, we can create a transportation system that truly serves everyone and ensure that our streets are safe and welcoming for all who use them. n
LEGRIS
PHOTO FURNISHED
CRAVEWORTHY LOCAL RESTAURANT NEWS
BY SHANNON CLINTON
A small batch granola shop with more than a dozen years of regional ties is opening a Lexington storefront in October, at 808 N. Limestone St.
Sweetgrass Granola was founded by Jacob and Carolyn Gahn on their Berea homestead in 2011. Kyle Ayres was one of Sweetgrass’ earliest employees and later became manager.
The business moved to Lexington in 2018, and Kyle and his wife, Samantha Ayres, became co-owners in early 2023. Until now, the granola was sold in retail grocery stores and shops in the area, online at www.sweetgrassgranola.com, and at the Saturday Lexington Farmers’ Market.
Its first brick-and-mortar retail location represents another milestone for the growing company and its three employees.
“We wanted to find a spot that was close to our home, for convenience reasons, and that could house all our ingredients, inventory and kitchen equipment under one roof,” Samantha Ayres said. “It’s been a slow work-in-progress, but we’re getting closer to having a space where customers can come buy granola where it’s manufactured, along with other local items.”
Sweetgrass Granola currently offers four different varieties, each made from sustainably sourced ingredients. Samantha said the best seller is its original flagship variety, Kentucky Harvest, which includes organic oats, Kentucky-grown hemp hearts, sorghum syrup, millet, pumpkin seeds, brown rice and Appalachian sea salt, harvested from a brine
aquifer beneath the Appalachian mountains.
“Our granola is essentially made to order,” she said. “We don’t keep a large inventory in stock because we want it to be as fresh as possible for consumers.”
In other local food and beverage industry news:
Saga Spirits Group, led by Angel’s Envy co-founder Wes Henderson, plans to develop a $92.5 million whiskey distillery, interactive visitor center, tasting room, lodging, restaurant, retail and event space at the 150-acre Edgewood site in Versailles, with groundbreaking set for this fall. The group will also be making improvements to The Kentucky Castle.
“It has been a huge blessing to be members of the Kentucky bourbon industry for many generations,” Henderson said in a press statement. “To begin this next chapter for the Henderson family, we have chosen Versailles and Woodford County. We are humbled and honored by the support we are receiving from government officials, tourism development and residents.”
He added that his team includes experts in distilling and distilling finance, supply chain and logistics, marketing, packaging and hospitality.
Bourbon n’ Toulouse is closing its South Broadway location and relocating to Leestown Road, just inside of New Circle Road at Townley Center. The fast casual Cajun-themed eatery’s original Euclid Avenue location remains open.
“We’ve been interested in
Lexington-based granola company
the Leestown Road corridor for many years, but we could never find the right location,” representatives said. “This is our dream spot.”
The new location, which features a drive-thru, will open this fall and the South Broadway location will close by year’s end when the lease runs out.
Umami Ramen & Grill, founded by the co-owner of Omakase, Guang Ni, is set to open this fall at 836 Euclid Ave. in Chevy Chase Plaza.
After some additional fundraising, nonprofit Food Chain is opening a new 2,600-square-foot grocery store at its 501 W. Sixth St. location in the Smithtown neighborhood, with a projected opening time frame of 2026, multiple media outlets have reported.
A relocated, renovated and reopened Tolly Ho is once again welcoming diners to its new location at 350 Foreman Ave.
Belle’s Cocktail House, which opened in 2013 by Justin Thompson, Seth Thompson and Larry Redman at the corner of Market and Church streets, is under
a new ownership group, which includes its current general manager, Jason Curtsinger.
Hello Falafel has opened at 3120 Pimlico Parkway, with chicken and beef shawarma, kebabs, lamb dishes, vegan bowls, platters, baba ghanoush, and, of course, falafel.
Zundo Izakaya & Ramen is adding a revolving sushi restaurant nearby, Toku Revolving Sushi, at 127 W. Tiverton Way.
Wingstop is coming soon to 3080 Richmond Rd., according to the company’s website. A second location is headed to 4101 Tates Creek Centre Dr. Other Kentucky locations can be found in Bowling Green, Florence, Louisville and Paducah.
Watan Mediterranean Grill has opened at 3344 Partner Place.
Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen is coming soon to Fayette Mall’s food court.
The 1483 Boardwalk location of Taco Tico has closed, though the Pimlico Parkway site is still up and running. n
PHOTO FURNISHED
The
Sweetgrass Granola will open its first brick-and-mortar storefront this month at 808 N. Limestone.
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A KINDRED SPIRIT
THE BLUEGRASS DEATH DOULA AIMS TO PROVIDE COMFORT AND GUIDANCE FOR THE DYING AND THEIR LOVED ONES
STORY BY TANZI MERRITT
PHOTOS BY EMILY GIANCARLO
While it has become fairly common to hear about people hiring a doula to help guide them through the birthing process, the option of having a professional to guide us through the end-oflife is something out of the ordinary. But an increasing number of end-of-life doulas, or death doulas, have been emerging in recent years. Their goal is to provide emotional and practical support for people who are dying as well their families and loved ones.
Lauren Hunter-Smith, founder and owner of the Lexington-based business Bluegrass Death Doula, says she has found death to be a topic people shy away from. Even though it’s one of life’s universal experiences, people often find it uncomfortable to talk about or even consider.
She has always felt differently.
“I’ve always been death curious,” she said. “When I was looking at colleges, I was drawn to mortuary school, but at that time funeral homes were still mainly family businesses.”
Instead, Hunter-Smith studied biology and painting at the University of Kentucky, then joined the Peace Corps in Benin, West Africa, as a women’s health advocate. That experience helped cement a longstanding interest and passion in how we understand and approach death.
“I learned a lot about life and death while I was there, because they are so much closer to it than us,” she said recalling a story about a particularly revelatory experience.
Through her business Bluegrass Death Doula, Lauren Hunter-Smith provides practical and emotional end-of-life support.
PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO
The Fund for Greater Lexington is a permanent community endowment held at Blue Grass Community Foundation. It’s an always growing charitable resource investing in transformative community projects that improve the quality of life for all of Lexington.
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Fund for Greater Lexington co-chairs (from left) Wes and Anne Murry, Noa Gimelli and Headley Butler
HunterSmith’s ultimate goal with her business is to help famillies say goodbye to a loved one in a way that feels right to them.
PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO
“One day, a colleague and I were riding our bikes, and we saw two men o in the distance next to a huge fire,” she said. “We got closer, and they o ered us a drink. While standing there, my colleague grabbed my arm and said, ‘Lauren, that’s an arm!’ That’s when we realized this was a funeral pyre, and these men were just hanging out, having a drink and disposing of a friend. It was just part of their day.”
During her time in Benin, Hunter-Smith was also struck by the strong reverence for life that she encountered in that community. “An elderly woman passed away in my concession and they played drums for 90 days non-stop in her honor,” she recalled.
After her Peace Corps experience, Hunter-Smith went on to work in higher education, museum education and other service industries. But during the pandemic, after losing her job, she seized an opportunity to pursue her interest in end-of life care. She signed up for an online death doula training program that was o ering scholarships specifically for people who had been laid o .
“That made it possible for me to pursue this,” she said.
The mission of Bluegrass Death Doula is to o er comprehensive death education and planning services that support and enrich the end-of-life experience. Hunter-Smith is trained in aromatherapy and sound therapy, which can provide comfort to a dying person, and is an ordained celebrant, which allows her to act as an o ciant. Most importantly, her mission is to normalize conversations about death and help people become educated about and more comfortable with death.
Your destination
Hunter-Smith said her clients, who are typically in their 30s and 40s, often approach her initially for their own advanced care directives. That conversation often turns into a catalyst for her clients to have a conversation with their aging parents about doing funeral planning together.
“There’s a generational difference in how we talk about these subjects,” she said. “The older generation is not as comfortable talking about death and dying, so their adult children are often the ones broaching the subject and encouraging conversation.”
Other services she offers include assisting with legacy projects, comfort therapy and home funeral education, where she teaches how to care for a loved one’s body at home.
“I encourage people to do legacy projects where they create something by which others can remember them. It gives people time to create thoughtful memories,” she said.
“Comfort therapy” is the act of comforting dying people. It also entails educating families on what to expect in those final moments and steps they should take after a family member dies.
“People tend to shy away because they are uncomfortable or don’t know how to interact with a person who is actively dying,” she said.
Another passion of Hunter-Smith’s is educating people about natural burial options. With natural burials, the body is not embalmed and is buried at three-anda-half feet instead of six feet so there’s still oxygen with the atmosphere to aid decomposition. Natural burials also require a biodegradable container such as a cotton shroud, a cardboard cremation box or a wooden box made without any metal fixtures or fasteners.
“The whole idea is you are going to decompose and rejoin the earth rather than remain in an underground vault,” she continued.
Natural burials are gaining in popularity for those who want a different, more organic and eco-friendly experience.
“A big part of it is not leaving a lasting impact on the environment. But there’s also a spiritual component where you are literally rejoining the earth,” she said.
Not all cemeteries allow for natural burials, but Hunter-Smith noted four natural burial grounds in the region that she’s familiar with. While some, including Pisgah Presbyterian Church, Walnut Hill Church and the Nature Preserve at the Loretto Motherhouse, are reserved only for church members or those who have a specific connection to the community, Lawrenceburg’s Windy Knoll Memorial Sanctuary is one that’s open to the public. Windy Knoll is the natural burial ground that HunterSmith has worked with most closely. It allows for natural burials or scattering of ashes for both human and animal remains.
While she acknowledged that there are reasons people might be uncomfortable with the concept of natural burials, it’s something she hopes will shift as educa-
Educating families about nontraditional funeral and burial options — including home funerals and nautral cemeteries — is part of HunterSmith’s offerings through Bluegrass Death Doula.
tion and understanding about it grows. She sees an important part of her job as helping people understand the full picture when it comes to end-of-life options. But ultimately, she views her job as a way to help people grieve and say goodbye to their person in a way that feels right.
“I can tell when I’ve helped a family. It makes a big difference and people have a better experience. When people have these conversations and have support to get through the process, it makes a huge impact on the experience for both the dying person and their loved ones.
“I can help people make it a more comfortable and beautiful experience,” she said. “Grief is horrible, but avoiding the idea doesn’t help any of us process.” n
PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO
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Miranda Hummeldorf CREATIVE TYPES
A MORTICIAN WITH A VIRAL SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE, MIRANDA HUMMELDORF IS PASSIONATE ABOUT RESTORATIVE ARTS
STORY BY TANZI MERRITT PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES
When mortician Miranda Hummeldorf attended Eastern Kentucky University, she initially thought about following in her parents’ footsteps and becoming a nurse. Clinicals, however, set her on another path — one that lets her talk less to the living and more to the dead.
“When it came down to it, I found that instead of the sick and dying, I preferred being with those who had already passed,” she explained. A particularly stressful night at clinicals led her to look into other options, and a bit of research led her to the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. At the time, she was seeing someone who lived in Cincinnati — her now husband — so it made sense for her to end up there for school.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Mortuary Science in 2016, Hummeldorf came to Milward Funeral Directors for a one-year apprenticeship; since then, she has since taken on the management of the funeral home’s crematory and of its Care Center, where bodies are prepared for viewing and disposition. Although she holds the title of Funeral Director, Hummeldorf works primarily behind the scenes, as Milward’s senior embalmer.
“Embalming allows for the deceased to appear clean and whole for viewing,” she explained. “It’s an important part of the grieving process for many to see and be with their deceased, even if they will be cremated. If you are planning a public visitation, embalming is a no-brainer as it preserves and delays natural decomposition, providing a better presentation for loved ones.”
For many people, the act of seeing a loved one for a final time is an important part of being able to truly understand they are gone, she said.
“It can be difficult to process a death without seeing the body,” she said. “Your mind feels like they could still be out there somewhere.”
“Whether the disposition is a burial or a cremation, the act of gathering together and seeing the deceased helps with grief and healing. I love that I can help people with that.”
PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES
Miranda Hummeldorf has been working for Milward Funeral Directors since 2016. The funeral home celebrates its bicentennial anniversary next year.
In recent years, Hummeldorf become somewhat of a nationally known public figure with a video that the Vice Media outlet Refinery29 made about her having gone viral in 2018. Today, she has more than 26,000 followers on her Instagram account (@mortician.miranda), which reflects her tongue-in-cheek, retro-goth aesthetic that sets her squarely apart from other popular “influencers.” With performance and costume design in her history and a strong current focus on the restorative arts — reconstruction and restoration of a body to a natural state after a trauma — she considers herself an artist at the core.
“I love what science can do to help the art of restoration,” she said.“I like to take on the difficult cases that can make other embalmers nervous. Talking with families in those situations is where I thrive.”
Though her work doesn’t regularly bring her into contact with the loved ones of those she cares for, she finds that, at times, talking with families about how she will care for their loved one provides additional comfort.
“They put a lot of trust in me. I have no words that I can say that will change what they are going through, but it can help to know that I have a connection to their deceased and that I will give them my best care,” she said.
A project that Hummeldorf is excited about is the upcoming bicentennial of Milward Funeral Directors. Started as Milward Furniture Company in 1825, the business soon added caskets to their offerings. In 1905, Col. William Rice Milward, head of the business and son of founder Joseph Milward, built the current downtown location on North Broadway. Since then, the Milwards have established three additional locations in Lexington, and Milward Funeral Directors holds the title of the longest continually operating business in Lexington, and the 37th longest in the nation.
Hummeldorf and a group of staff are making plans for the celebration including a history display specific to each location. A history tour of the North Broadway location is in the planning stages, and Hummeldorf has a dream of hosting a block-party style event in the parking lot complete with a hearse show.
“This is such a historic property, and we have a lot of unique photos from the past. This business has such deep ties to the community after 200 years, and we’d like to thank and honor the community for its support,” she said.
Hummeldorf began her training at a time when the funeral industry saw an increase in the number of women entering the business, a trend that continues today. According to a National Funeral Directors Association study from 2017, 65 percent of graduates from funeral director programs were women, and that number has continued to rise. And while men still make up nearly 70 percent of funeral directors, the balance is shifting.
“Historically, women have been the ones to care for the dead. Men would build caskets and dig graves, but women washed and prepared the body,” she said. “Women are drawn to this profession and care for the deceased like a mother cares for a child.”
One way that Hummeldorf cares for the dead and their loved ones is by inviting them to be a part of the preparation of the body.
“It’s important for families to know, although it’s not talked about a lot, that they are welcome to help with anything they want. While most still want the help of a professional, family members can come and style their loved one’s hair, paint their nails, or just be there while the body is prepared,” she said. “Some people come in to help and are terrified but are soon comforted by the contact. It’s like a weight is lifted from their shoulders.”
While she would one day love to teach the art of embalming, Hummeldorf is currently relishing her role in helping bring families together with funeral services.
“Embalming is one of those dying arts,” she said. “When I go to conferences there are a lot of people with embalmer’s licenses, but there aren’t a lot of people that really know how to embalm. I think that’s been my ‘why’ for focusing on embalming.”
One day, Hummeldorf says she would love to teach the art of embalming, but for now she’s focused on her role in helping bring communities together with funeral services.
“Whether the disposition is a burial or a cremation, the act of gathering together and seeing the deceased helps with grief and healing,” she said. “I love that I can help people with that.” n
Miranda Hummeldorf is competing in Face of Horror, a national competition for fans of the horror genre. The winner will win $13,000 and team up with actor Kane Hodder (best known for his portrayal of Jason Voorhees in the “Friday the 13th” franchise) for a paranormal photo shoot. She was in first place at the time of publication; to cast your vote, visit faceofhorror.org/2024/ miranda-benge-hummeldorf.
PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES
LIKE FINE WINE
RUN BY FOUR GENERATIONS AND CELEBRATING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY, TALON WINERY IS A TRUE FAMILY AFFAIR — AND ONE THAT GETS BETTER AS IT AGES
STORY BY LIZ CAREY
PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO
Down Tates Creek Road, just outside of the city limits of Lexington, Talon Winery sprawls across 300 acres of rolling farmland.
Established in 1999 by Harriet Allen and her late husband, the winery has long been one of the region’s most thriving vineyards, and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Now run by four generations of Allen’s family, the winery is not only a place to grab a good bottle of Kentucky wine but a destination to get away from the city and enjoy the natural Bluegrass landscape.
Originally known as Fair View Farm, the winery boasts an original farmhouse built in 1790, which has since been converted to the Homestead Tasting Room. Though the building has been fully rehabilitated, visitors can still see most of the original floors, windows, walls, brick and more. When Allen and her husband bought the place, they wanted to create not only a home for her family, but an agricultural experience unlike anything else in the area, said Lauren Rutherford, Allen’s granddaughter and Talon’s marketing director.
“We were actually, at one point, all going to move out here,” she said, “but they found out really quick that when you have 300 acres, you’ve got to have something that produces a little bit of income with it. They wanted to do something in the agri-tourism business, and at the time it was coming out that red wine was good for your heart.”
PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO
Talon sprawls over 300 acres of Kentucky farmland on a historic property that was originally called Fair View Farm.
After purchasing the property, Allen wanted to make use of her experience in law, real estate development, entertainment and family business to create something special, Rutherford said. The idea came together to grow grapes to turn into wine, but to also create a destination. The business has grown steadily over the past quarter century, expanding into Shelby County in 2009.
Through it all, Allen has run the business with her family close by her side: Her aunt, Lori Baumgardner, handles human resources issues, while Rutherford handles the website, public relations and marketing. Allen’s cousin, Robbie Bissell, handles the tasting room, and just about all of the family has worked on the farm in some respect, Rutherford said.
She added that she always knew that she’d spend her professional career at the winery in some capacity.
“The first thing I did I was in high school, at probably 16, I sold soft drinks outside during one of our events,” she said. “Before I was 20, I did some of the bookkeeping and things that didn’t have to do with the alcohol inventory. Then, as soon as I turned 21, I started working in the tasting room, managing the tasting room, and working weddings.”
PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO
The winery produces more than 20 different types of wine, with grapes grown, harvested and processed on site.
Even Rutherford’s young kids have gotten into the business, she said.
“They’re young right now, but all the owner’s great-grandchildren except for one have been in some sort of ad or something like that,” she said.
“We count that,” she added with a laugh.
Like Rutherford, some of the younger family members are getting their start selling drinks during live events. Every Saturday, the venue has live music, and during the summer, extends the live music to Fridays. The winery also hosts live entertainment on some Sundays and during wine club pick-up days.
have
ventilation
Talon’s marketing director
Lauren Rutherford is the granddaughter of the winery’s founder and owner, Harriet Allen.
PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO
Ask the Home Services Expert with Jamie Clark
Question: I heard you on the radio talking about environmental changes coming to HVAC Jan 1, 2025. I’ve got an older unit, what do I need to know?
Mary P., Lexington
Answer: As of January 1, 2025, the HVAC manufacturers can no longer sell equipment using the current refrigerant. We went through this phase out process with Freon in 2010, and it was a bit of a challenge. This time it’s quite a bit different because the new refrigerant is blended with propane and is mildly flammable. Because of this, all new HVAC equipment must have safety sensors and a suppression system to contain the gas in case of a leak. These new requirements are driving the price of HVAC up approximately 25%. We’ve already seen the new equipment hitting the streets, so if you are considering replacing your heating and air-conditioning, I would recommend doing it sooner rather than later. It will never be any less expensive than it is today, and we know the price increases are going to be steep.
Question: I have horrible allergies. What’s the best filter for my HVAC to help?
Dawn S., Nicholasville
Answer: If you only have a 1-inch filter, then you want to make sure you can see through it because pleated or dense filters that are 1-inch will put too much stress on your HVAC fan and can kill your system. 1-inch filters are there to protect the fan, not for your air quality. You can install a 4-inch
pleated filter in a media cabinet that will allow you to use high efficiency filters without putting stress on the equipment. The added benefit is that you will typically only change them once per year, so if it’s in a hard-to-reach place like an attic or crawlspace, then it keeps you from having to drag yourself to the HVAC every month.
Question: We keep getting squirrels in our attic. I’ve heard you talk about spray foam encapsulation of the attic; will this keep the animals out?
J. Patel, Lexington
Answer: Yes! The spray foam acts as a deterrent and makes it much harder for the animal to get in. Most animals chew their way in, and because the foam is latex based, it tastes bad to them. They don’t like it, and they choose to go somewhere else. We’ve been spray foaming attics and crawlspaces since 2006, and I can only think of a few times that a critter got back in. Because of this, we now offer a 10-year critter guarantee. If we encapsulate your attic or crawlspace with spray foam insulation and a critter eats its way in, we will come back and touch up that area for free for 10 years. Also, we vacuum out all the old insulation so if the critters left behind waste or any other nasty stuff, we clean it out so it doesn’t impact your home’s air quality. This process usually reduces the dust in your house by better than 50%, improves your home’s utility bills by 30%, and right now the federal government will give you $1200 back when you file your taxes. It’s one of the best things you can do to improve your home’s air quality, comfort, and efficiency.
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JAMIE CLARK PRESIDENT OF SYNERGY HOME LLC
Do you have a question or a concern about your home’s efficiency, comfort or air quality? Send your questions or comments to info@ mysynergyhome.com.
“We want people to know it’s not a snooty place. We’re more of a casual nice place to come to and hang out.”
LAUREN RUTHERFORD, TALON WINERY MARKETING DIRECTOR
The tasting room is open daily for wine tastings of Talon’s nearly two dozen wines, which range from dry Chardonnays to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons to sweet blackberry Moscatos.
The vineyard is also open for events including weddings, corporate events, private tours and group wine classes. A smaller upstairs space in the tasting room is available for smaller private events such as baby showers, bridal showers and birthday parties.
“We also do the UK wine class and Center College’s wine class. They will come out and do tours as well,” Rutherford said. “And then we do some tastings with the winemaker throughout the year.”
The winery has been celebrating its anniversary throughout the year, and plans to continue.
“We opened in August of 1999, so we had an event
in July,” she said. “But there will be things going on throughout the whole year. We want to focus on our wine club members. We have had some members who have been with us since the beginning, so we’re giving them a little something extra. But we’ll be doing freebies and giveaways through the year.”
The family plans to keep on moving forward for the next 25 years, she said.
“We want to keep going and keep plugging along,” she said. “We want to continue to be a place for people to come out to. We’ve been here for so long, but we still run into people who don’t know where we are or what we do.
“We want people to know it’s not a snooty place,” she added. “We’re more of a casual nice place to come to and hang out. We want [folks] to know you don’t have to be scared to come to a winery.” n
DRINK OF THE MONTH
Apple Sangria
A recipe created by Talon’s founder and owner Harriet Allen utilizing apple cider, Kentucky wine and fall spices, this batch drink is a great way to celebrate the local fall harvest. This is a party staple that Allen’s family calls “Gram’s Party Punch,” and has long served at family holidays, weddings and events throughout the years. They are delighted to share this tradition with our readers.
Recipe yields 8-10 servings.
Ingredients:
• 1 bottle sweet wine, white or red
• 6-7 cups apple cider
• ½-1 cup orange juice
• 2 cups pineapple juice
• 3-4 cups ginger ale, optional
• 10 Cinnamon sticks
• Optional: 2 sliced apples, 1 sliced orange
*We usually use Talon’s Sweet Evening Breeze (white) or Coyote Red (red).
Method:
Combine ingredients in a pitcher or large container and stir. If adding ginger ale for added effervescence, add it after you have stirred the other ingredients. Serve at room temperature or over ice. n
RECIPE BY TALON WINERY
PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO
Quick 6 with Kentucky Theatre’s HAYWARD WILKIRSON & LISA MEEK
BY CELESTE LEWIS AND SARAYA BREWER
In 2020, when the Kentucky Theater was two years shy of its 100th birthday, the historic downtown theater’s longtime management group announced that it was retiring.
The announcement came during the height of the pandemic, when many things were uncertain — including, all of a sudden, the future of Lexington’s beloved historic movie theater.
Enter Friends of the Kentucky Theatre, a non-profit organization that had been formulated in 2012 to help support the theater. Cochaired at the time by Hayward Wilkirson and Lisa Meek, longtime friends and movie fans who had spent countless hours since their college days at the theater, the organization stepped up with a well considered plan to take the theater into a new era.
Since 2021, that organization has managed the day-to-day operations of the theater, with Wilkirson stepping into the full-time role of executive director and Meek providing invaluable support as board chair; longtime theater manager Fred Mills remains an integral part of the operation as well. In those three short years, the theater has transitioned into a non-profit with a growing membership program, employed new marketing and outreach efforts to increase audiences, and maintained a full and diverse calendar of engaging events. While first-run films, from arthouse to blockbusters, are regularly in the programming mix, the theater also curates a rotating array of film series highlighting cult classics and other important films of yesteryear. And in 2023, The Kentucky Theatre launched one of its most ambitious projects yet: the Twelve Lions Film Festival, an international film festival which celebrated its second installment in September. In its second year, the festival has grown exponentially with 800 submissions compared to around 100 in year one.
It’s been a whirlwind three-year period for Wilkinson and Meek, and as the dust is finally settling, Smiley Pete reporter Celeste Lewis caught up with the duo to get some feedback on how things are going with the theater.
BY EMILY GIANCARLO
Hayward, you’ve been the executive director of the Kentucky Theatre for three years now. How’s it going? What kind of feedback are you receiving from Lexington moviegoers?
HW: It’s been an honor to direct The Kentucky. It’s a LOT of work, more than I imagined, and I imagined it would be a LOT. But what a privilege to be part of the effort to preserve and grow this beloved cultural institution! We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from Lexington moviegoers. Nearly every day, someone stops us in the lobby, or at Kroger, or at the YMCA, to say they appreciate our work.
Lisa, as board chair, what do you see as the biggest challenge facing The Kentucky Theatre and other local historic theaters around the country?
LM: Aside from competing with myriad streaming services, we find that even with a 102-year-old institution, it’s hard to reach folks — especially new students and people who have recently moved to town. Social media is so siloed these days. Even with a huge emphasis on marketing, we know we’re not always getting our message out to our fullest potential audience.
Tell me about some of the creative, new ways you are inviting people to engage with the theatre.
HW: From day one, we knew we had to go the extra mile to revitalize the theater, in the face of a lot of challenges, not the least of which is the ease of streaming movies. For that reason, we try to make film-going a special experience. Part of that is easy because we have a great staff who thinks of our patrons as family. We started our membership program as a way of giving patrons an even greater sense of ownership and investment in the theater.
LM: And as much as we possibly can, we try to add something extra to the film-goers experience. Sometimes that’s Q&As with filmmakers or film scholars; sometimes it’s costume contests, door prizes and special movie-themed cocktails. And sometimes it’s going all-out to decorate the theater — just wait till October, and you’ll see what I mean.
PHOTO
L-R: Friends of the Kentucky board chair Lisa Meek, Kentucky Theater general manager Fred Mills and executive director Hayward Wilkirson.
How do you choose the films shown at The Kentucky?
HW: It’s a team effort, involving Max Morris, our programming coordinator; Lisa; Fred Mills; and myself. Max does an incredible job keeping up with first-run films, and we also pay attention to what other art houses are screening. We also do a lot of curated repertory series. In that case, Lisa, Max and I sit down to develop a theme, then pick the films and program any extras, like Q&As. We also get a lot of great suggestions from our patrons. We can’t always show every suggested film, but we do take the suggestions very seriously.
Tell me about how the small, independent theaters throughout the country support each other.
LM: The Art House Convergence is a fantastic organization of people running arthouse theaters that will jump on a group chat to help with a problem. We have receivedgreat tips from the group and been able to return the favor to others. AHC also holds excellent conferences which we have attended twice and come away with very helpful information each time.
What are each of your top three favorite films and why?
HW: Oh, wow. That’s really hard. I can bet that Lisa and I will agree on one film, for sure — “Cinema Paradiso.” We just showed it as part of our Summer Classics series. No film better captures what an independent cinema like The Kentucky means to its community. I love both Fellini’s “8 ½” and a somewhat lesser-known film called “La Grande Belleza.” Notice a pattern here? Seems I really love Italian film.
LM: Definitely “Cinema Paradiso” — I have seen it 20+ times and its tenderness and the regrets of the characters get me every time. “La Grande Bellezza” also beautifully captures the feelings of a person pondering life around his 65th birthday. “The Tree of Life” has an incredible way of showing our connections to each other and the repercussions of our actions. n
3 Bottle Club
6 Bottle Club
Case Club
PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO
ON OUR TABLE
Autumn Harvest Salad
A perfect lunch or dinner choice as the temperatures begin to ease, this salad is a colorful and flavorful celebration of fall. The blend of sweet, savory and nutty flavors, along with the rich, roasted squash, brings warmth and coziness to your table. A standout dish for any fall occasion.
Ingredients:
• 4 cups mixed salad greens (such as baby spinach, arugula and kale)
• 1 cup roasted butternut squash, cut into cubes
• ½ cup pomegranate seeds
• ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese, alternatively use feta cheese
• ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
• 1 apple, thinly sliced (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji)
• ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
• Salt and pepper, to taste
Roasted Butternut Squash
Toss butternut squash cubes with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 2025 minutes, or until tender and caramelized. Allow to cool.
Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup or honey, salt and pepper until well combined.
Salad assembly:
• In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, roasted butternut squash, pomegranate seeds, crumbled goat cheese, toasted nuts, apple slices and red onion.
• Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
• To serve, arrange the salad on a platter or divide among individual plates. Garnish with additional pomegranate seeds and extra cheese or seeds if desired.
Serving tip: For an elegant touch, serve with a side of crusty bread or warm rolls. n
RECIPE AND PHOTOS BY AMY EDDIE
PHOTOS BY AMY EDDIE
Delicious and nutrient-packed, this sweet and savory autumn salad is bursting with color, flavor and texture.
A WALK IN THE WOODS
NEW EXHIBIT SEES FAMILIAR SUBJECTS DEPICTED BY A NEW TECHNIQUE FROM ARTIST LYNN SWEET
STORY BY OLIVIA TADER AND SARAYA BREWER
With colors and imagery that are reminiscent to his other recent collections, the new exhibit by artist Lynn Sweet at New Editions Gallery might feel familiar to audiences who know his work. But a closer look at the pieces in the exhibit “A Walk in the Woods,” on display at the gallery through Nov. 2, reveals a significant departure from the artist’s signature technique and a return to a method he says he hasn’t employed since he was a teenager.
For much of his painting career, Lynn Sweet has been creating fresco-style paintings — a style he was first inspired to try decades ago during one of many annual trips to visit his best friend in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“The process includes mixing earth pigments and oxides with marble dust and acrylic artist medium, slathering it on, layering it and sanding it down to reveal the upper levels of the lower layers,” he explained. Initially using a palette knife to apply the layers of pigment, he later transitioned into a more unique — albeit painstaking — approach, using cake piping bags to paint down one line at a time.
It was a detail-oriented and labor-intensive process and one that eventually took a physical toll on the artist. After years of making fresco-style paintings, Sweet was forced to move away from this style in recent years due to straining the ligaments of his thumbs, which required surgery on both of his hands . After his operations, he was devastated to learn that he could not return to his beloved fresco process because of the pain he was still experiencing.
Artist Lynn Sweet sits in the living room of his Kenwick home amongst his newest collection of paintings.
PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES
New Editions Gallery owner Frankie York offered to sell Sweet’s last collection of fresco work at her gallery, but they were too special to him to sell.
“Even if all of them sold, it wouldn’t make a difference to my lifestyle,” he said. He decided he would rather keep the collection for sentiment and create an entire new collection of landscape paintings, which he’s been working on for the past 20 months. The landscapes depicted in this collection are similar to those in the pieces from his last collection, but the paintings were created using a different technique with acrylic paint and a paintbrush rather than the fresco style he had spent so many years honing.
While acrylic painting is a common technique, it was his first time since high school using these materials, Sweet said.
“I thought [these paintings] would be easier,” Sweet said of the process. “They aren’t easier — they are just a different kind of work.”
As with his frescos, Sweet still starts with what he calls a “cartoon” of the painting: a smaller initial sketch colored with gouache. He then creates a grid of that smaller sketch that he references blockby-block when creating the larger, final painting. That initial part of the process can take dozens of hours alone. But throughout the process, he has enjoyed the different challenges of using a new method, and also a new freedom from some of the restrictions caused by the tools and techniques of his former style.
Much of Sweet’s landscape work is inspired by time he’s spent out in nature, including personal experiences riding through central Kentucky on his motorcycle with his friends. Many of the specific images depicted in this collection came directly from photographs taken by Kentucky photographer David Allen Fitts, including many paintings of photos of Red River Gorge. The landscape of New Mexico has also long been a source of inspiration for Sweet’s work. n
Lynn Sweet’s exhibit “A Walk in the Woods” will be on display at New Editions Gallery located at 500 W. Short St., through Nov. 2.
The acrylic landscape paintings in Lynn Sweet’s new exhibit, “A Walk in the Woods” are inspired by photographs taken of various nautral places, primarily in Kentucky and New Mexico.
IMAGES FURNISHED
2024 Kentucky Book Festival
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Events Calendar
CONCERTS & GIGS
Thievery Corporation. Oct. 1. Initially known for making abstract, instrumental, mid-tempo dance music, Thievery Corporation’s sound expanded to include vocalists and live instrumentation that’s heavily influenced by bossa nova and soul. 8 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com
Here Come the Mummies. Oct. 4. Often dressing in mummy-themed costumes, this funk-rock band is known for their energetic live performances and kitschy stage presence with a sound that blends funk, rock and soul with catchy melodies and infectious grooves. 8 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com
Troubadour Concert Series: An Evening with Sam Bush. Oct. 17. Bowling Green, Kentucky, native Sam Bush is a renowned mandolin and fiddle player also known as the “King of Telluride.” As a founding member of New Grass Revival, he helped pioneer progressive bluegrass music and was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame twice. 7: 30 p.m. Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St. www.kentuckytheatre.org/ troubadour
Richard Lloyd Group. Oct. 17. A founding member of the group Television, Lloyd is known for his distinctive guitar style, characterized by its intensity and emotion, He has influenced countless musicians and earned a reputation as a true pioneer of the 1970s New York rock scene. The local group Letters of Acceptance will open. 7 p.m. The Burl, 475 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com
Origins Jazz Series: Dave Meder Trio. Oct. 19. This show centers on NYC-based pianist Dave Meder, whose music layers intricate harmonies, dynamic rhythms and a keen sense of storytelling. Building on elements of classical music, modern jazz, gospel and folk, his approach reminds one of Vijay Iyer or Brad Mehldau's trio albums. 7 and 9 p.m. WUKY Studios, 2640 Spurr Road. www.originsjazz.org
Outside the Spotlight: Tim Daisy & Sebastian Strinning with Tandem. Oct. 20. Outside the Spotlight presents jazz and improvisational artists who are making music that doesn’t fit with commercial sensibilities. Performances are held at smaller venues and generally ask only a donation/pay-what-you-want for entry. 7 p.m. Niles Gallery at University of Kentucky Fine Arts Library, 160 Patterson Dr. www.outsidethespotlight.org
Electronic music duo
Thievery Corporation will perform at Manchester Music Hall on Oct. 1.
PHOTO FURNISHED
CONCERTS & GIGS
Sixpence None the Richer. Oct. 22. Alternative rock band Sixpence None the Richer is known for their popular songs “Kiss Me” and “Breathe Your Name.” With catchy melodies and lyrics, the band's catalog explores themes of love, faith and hope. 7 p.m. The Burl, 475 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com
Little Stranger. Oct. 23. “Born and raised in Philly, crashlanded in Charleston,” Kevin and John Shields are breaking into previously uncharted waters with their quirky indie hiphop group, Little Stranger. Between John’s singer-songwriter magnetism, Kevin’s in-your-face delivery, and an undeniable groove, this duo is sure to get an audience up and moving. 8 p.m. The Burl, 475 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com
The Avett Brothers. Oct. 26. The Avett Brothers achieved mainstream success with albums like “I and Love and You,” “The Carpenter, Magpie and the Dandelion” and “True Sadness.” Their music has topped charts and earned Grammy nominations. 8 p.m. Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. www.centralbankcenter.com/rupp-arena
Deer Tick
OCT 27
As a phenomenally rowdy live act who once averaged 250 shows a year, Deer Tick’s deep-rooted connection is tied to a mutual love for the unpredictability of the musical impulse. “Emotional Contracts,” their latest album, catalogs all the existential casualties that accompany the passing of time, instilling each song with the irresistibly reckless spirit that’s defined the band for nearly two decades. 7 p.m. The Burl, 475 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com
DEER TICK
PHOTO BY LAURA E. PARTAIN
ART & EXHIBITS
REIMAGINE. On display through Oct. 11. A creative reimagined interpretation by professional artists inspired by drawings submitted by Fayette County elementary students. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.10 a.m.-2 p.m. Living Arts & Science Center, 362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. www.lasclex.org
Anne Kindl and Pattie Edmon: Variations of Observations. On display through Oct. 31. Originally from Lexington but now residing in Michigan, Anne Kindl is a pastel artist who has received international acclaim. Patti Edmon is a Lexingtonbased artist whose passionate painting articulates feeling and emotion. Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hockensmith Fine Art Editions Gallery and Press, 190 Jefferson St. www.finearteditions.net
Hockensmith Fine Arts Gallery hosts an exhibit of work by artists Patti Edmon and Anne Kindl through the end of the month. (Pictured here is Edmon's painting "A Trip to Sally's.")
PHOTO FURNISHED
A Walk in the Woods. On display through Nov. 2. Reinventing himself using acrylics instead of fresco, celebrated Lexington artist Lynn Sweet shares his talent in his latest exhibit, “A Walk in the Woods,” which features 15 new paintings. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 12-5 p.m. New Editions Gallery 500 W. Short St. neweditionsgallery.com
MC Sparks. On display through Nov. 2. MC Sparks’ figurative paintings blend elements of realism and surrealism, creating dreamlike compositions that invite viewers into a world of introspection and self-discovery. By centering queer bodies within natural landscapes, Sparks challenges conventional representations of gender and sexuality, offering a nuanced perspective that celebrates diversity and individuality. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Institute 193, 215 N. Limestone St. institute193.org
DOGS & CATS: An Exhibition. On display through Nov. 24. This fun and accessible art exhibition features internationally acclaimed artist Jamie Wyeth, 10 notable Kentucky artists (including Andre Pater, Jaime Corum, Kelly Brewer, Suzy Smith, and Rodney Hatfield), new works by Ellen Skidmore, mid-1800s paintings from private collections, and whimsical dog houses. Gallery hours: Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Headley-Whitney Museum, 4435 Old Frankfort Pike. www.headley-whitney.org
PRHBTN 13. On display Oct. 11-Nov. 22. PRHBTN began in 2011 and is now responsible for facilitating over 40 major murals by artists from all over the world, covering some of Lexington’s most prominent walls. The annual exhibition takes pride in being known for a no-holds-barred ethos, which has resulted in displaying some of the most provocative artwork in the city each year. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 12-5 p.m. Lexington Art League at the Loudoun House, 209 Castlewood Dr. www.lexingtonartleague.org
APRIL–OCTOBER
SHOP WITH LOCAL ARTISTS AT TANDY CENTENNIAL PARK 251 W. MAIN STREET
• THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE THURSDAYS 5–9PM
• FARMER’S MARKET SATURDAYS 8AM–2PM
• ART ON THE TOWN AT TANDY PARK 3RD FRIDAYS 5-9PM
ART ON THE TOWN LEX ARTONTHETOWNOFFICIAL LEXINGTONKY.GOV/AOTT
ETC.
LexPhil: Titans. Oct. 5. The Lexington Philharmonic’s 2024’25 season will kick off with the sweet and playful “D’un matin de printemps (Of A Spring Morning)” by Lili Boulanger followed by “The Oak” by Florence Price. The concert will come to a riveting conclusion with Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, appropriately nicknamed “Titan.” 7:30 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St.. www.lexphil.org
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert. Oct. 10. Jim Henson’s original masterpiece “Labyrinth” will be shown on a massive HD screen, accompanied by a combination of live orchestra, synth, percussion and fantastical effects. This show brings beloved characters, epic music and breathtaking practical visuals from the Labyrinth universe to life in a heartwarming fusion of film and live music. 8 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com
Scott Frieman: Deconstructing Dark Side of the Moon. Oct. 10. Musicologist Scott Freiman celebrates the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s groundbreaking album with his first non-Beatles “deconstruction.” Scott will take audiences on a track-by-track journey through the iconic album, explaining the inspiration for the songs and their evolution in the studio. 7:30 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. finearts.uky.edu
Lexington Tree Week. Oct. 11-20. Founded by Lexington's Urban Forest Initiative, this celebration of trees and greenspaces has grown into a statewide initiative, with independently organized events taking place in across the state. In Lexington, events include a family-friendly kickoff event at Mary Todd Park (Oct. 11); an outdoor yoga session at Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate (Oct. 13); educational nature hikes at Raven Run, McConnell Springs and Lower Howard's Creek; poetry readings; botanical dye workshops; tree plantings; a tree and plant sale; and more. Visit www. treeweeklexington.com for more information and a full schedule of events.
An Evening with Emily St. John Mandel. Oct. 17. For this year’s Bale Boone Symposium, an annual event spotlighting distinguished artists and public intellectuals, University of Kentucky’s Gaines Center for the Humanities will host the award-winning author of several acclaimed books, including “Station Eleven,” which was featured in the New York Times “Best Books of the 21st Century” as both a critic and reader’s choice, and was adapted to an HBO limited series. The moderated conversation will focus on the role of humanities in a world navigating climate change, global pandemics and fracturing leadership; a book signing will follow. The event is free but reservations are recommended. 6 p.m. Haggin Auditorium in the Mitchell Fine Arts Center, 350 N. Broadway transytickets. ticketspice.com/gainesctr-emilystjohnmandel
SMILEY PETE’S RETAIL GUIDE
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UK Opera: “The Marriage of Figaro.” Oct. 18-20. Centered around Figaro and Susanna’s wedding day, the captivating narrative unfolds with unexpected twists, mistaken identities and some of the most enchanting music in opera. Since its premiere in Vienna in 1786, it has consistently ranked as one of the most frequently performed operas, captivating audiences with its enduring charm and musical brilliance. 7: 30 p.m. Fri.; 2 p.m. and 7: 30 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www. lexingtonoperahouse.com
An Evening with David Sedaris. Oct. 21. With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that he is a master of satire and one of the most observant
writers addressing the human condition today. 7:30 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com
SMILEY PETE’S DINING GUIDE
David Cross: The End of the Beginning of the End. Oct. 22. Renowned American comedian and actor David Cross is celebrated for his sharp wit and observational humor. Best known for his role as Tobias Fünke in the acclaimed sitcom “Arrested Development,” Cross has also made significant contributions to sketch comedy and stand-up. His work often explores absurdity, social commentary, and the human condition, delivered with a unique blend of intelligence and irreverence. 8 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com
Serving the freshest sushi in town, Aqua chefs offer sushi lovers rare flavors and perfectlyexecuted classics. And the Crab Rangoon? Just try it! Aqua Sushi is made to order in all Malone’s, Harry’s and Drake’s locations. bluegrasshospitality.com | 859.335.6500
Kentucky Ballet Theatre: “Dracula.” Oct. 26-27. The Kentucky Ballet Theatre brings the iconic vampire story to life through the beauty and power of dance. 7 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingto noperahouse.com
PETE’S PROPERTIES
40502
132 Victory Ave. $290,000 20 Richmond Ave. $305,000
330 Park Ave. $410,000 3437 Fleetwood Dr. $420,000 3415 Woodside Way $425,000
403 Holiday Rd. $450,000
510 Albany Rd. $520,000
3362 Mantilla Dr. $560,000
Chinaberry Ct. $569,900
Kannapolis Pl. $615,000
Peppertree Dr. $756,000 3109 Hemingway Ln. $867,000 2101 Brevard Ct. $955,000 4253 Captains Ct. $989,900 3228 Linville Ln. $1,370,000
2053 Huckleberry Cir. $225,000 4217 Kensington Garden Ct. $240,000 4229 Canterbury Green Way $265,000
Pine Ridge Way $317,000
Clemens Dr. $382,500
Harrods Pointe Trce. $400,000 2145 Ladera Ln. $520,000 2461 La Cross Ct. $620,000
40515
737 Fitzroy Ln. $337,500
884 Edgewood Dr. $370,000
Recent Residential Property Transactions Recent arm’s length residential sales for this magazine’s distribution area. Information compiled by Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator David O’Neill. For more information on any of these properties, or others, please visit www.fayettepva.
328 Colony Blvd. $531,500 1370 Fontaine Rd. $593,000 822 Melrose Ave. $660,000 1501 Richmond Rd. $665,000 217 Henry Clay Blvd. $699,900 198 Sherman Ave. $700,000 1209 Taborlake Cv. $725,000 3525 Castlegate Wynd $750,000 936 Turkey Foot Rd. $870,000 211 Chenault Rd. $875,000 1757 Eastwood Dr. $3,295,000
4505 Meadowbridge Ct. $452,500 604 Clearwater Ct. $464,000 3008 Ashley Oaks Dr. $525,000 4844 Chelmsbury Ln. $1,075,000 n
