Henderson Family - June/July 2023

Lyndi's Top Picks

Portable Folding Rocking Chair

Last Mother’s Day, I received a portable folding rocking chair. Yes - it makes me feel a little old to say this is one of my favorite things during the warmer months, but it really is so comfortable. I can sit in the shade and rock while watching my kids soak up all their summer fun. It has a cup holder on the side, and it doesn’t take up room to store in our garage when I’m not using it.

Hair Claw Clips

These hair clips have become my new favorite. I can easily throw my hair up when we are on the go or when we are headed outside by the lake or pool. They are fashionable and can easily be dressed up, too.

Summer is just around the corner, and I have two kiddos who are very excited for summer break! The lake is calling our name, and we also received passes to a water park where lots of memories are going to be made this summer. We have so many fun adventures planned, and we can’t wait for the warm, sunny days ahead!

Father’s Day is always bittersweet for me. I love looking back and thinking about the wonderful memories I had with my dad, but it makes me sad all at the same time. I love sharing stories with my kids since they never had the opportunity to know him. I want them to know their Papaw and just how wonderful he was. But, celebrating their own dad makes my heart happy. They love giving and showering him with love on Father’s Day, and our family is so blessed to have him and grateful for everything he does for us.

Speaking of family, this issue features our Family Favorites where you, our amazing readers, had the opportunity to vote for all of your favorites in Henderson. From boutiques to restaurants to healthcare, we were so excited to hear from you. Take a look inside to check out all of our winners!

Inside, you will also find features of a father being honored for all of his hard work and now enjoying retirement through woodworking, a Henderson artist whose talent can be found all across Henderson and a new partnership between the Deaconess Foundation and Marsha’s Place bringing safety to all of the precious little babies here in Henderson.

Make sure to check out our our yummy, Unicorn Yogurt Bark recipe. This magical summer treat is sure to be a hit with your kiddos. We also have the perfect patriotic party poppers craft to help you celebrate this Fourth of July.

Thank you to our amazing advertisers - you are the reason we are a FREE magazine!

Snow Cones

When I was growing up, I loved getting snow cones during the summer months. There was always a little snow cone stand right up the road from where we lived, and I would drive up there often with my friends when I was in high school. They are the perfect summer treat on those hot summer days.

EDITORIAL

EDITOR

Lyndi Mauk

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christina Dalton

Jamie Plain

Kaycee Inge

Ashley Wedding

Do you have a story idea?

We want to hear from you! Email your suggestion to lyndi@tannerpublishing.com.

ADVERTISING

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Brock Quinton

Henderson Family is a FREE magazine because of community support. Thank you to the great group of businesses and organizations who advertise. For more information about advertising call 270-297-1600 or email brock@tannerpublishing.com.

DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Andrea Roberson

Monica Tapp

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jamie Plain

CONTRIBUTING

PHOTOGRAPHER

Sarah Bond

Darrin Phegley

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Dave Mackey

To add your business or organization to our distribution list, give us a call at 270-297-1600.

ONLINE

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We want to wish all of the wonderful dads in our community a Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Summer,

LYNDI MAUK Editor, Henderson Family Magazine

TANNER PUBLISHING CO.

PUBLISHER

Jason Tanner 2624 New Hartford Rd, Building A Owensboro, KY 42302 270-297-1600

HENDERSON LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE GROUP UNVEILS SIGNAGE PROJECT

In March, a 2022 Henderson Leadership Initiative group unveiled their community signage project. This group consisted of eight women who set out to create a project that would impact the Henderson community for months and years to come. The ladies involved with this project were: Justina McDaniel, Nikki Tabor, Sarah Crick Vowels, Holli Blanford, Brianna Cessna, Danielle Ervin, Chasity Taylor-Nance, & (not pictured) Brandy Boucherie.

Student Spotlight:

THE OHIO VALLEY ART LEAGUE HOSTS 2ND ANNUAL KITCHEN TOURS

On Saturday, April 29, five homes were featured in this year’s OVAL Kitchen Tour. Events in the homes included a silent art auction, an herb sale, and a raffle for a portable cooktop grill from Dixon’s Appliances. Participants had the opportunity to taste flavors from local chefs as they were in the kitchens preparing a sample recipe to be given to each participant.

The event was sponsored by Owensboro Health, Liberty Federal Credit Union, First Federal Savings Bank, Cabinets by Design, Beachbum Farms Designs & Company, J’Petals, and Braco, Inc.

THE HENDERSON COUNTY 4-H TEEN LEADERSHIP TEAM GRADUATES FROM PROGRAM

On Thursday, April 20, the Henderson County 4-H Teen Leadership Team met for the last time and graduated from the program. Their final day ended with a tour at the television station and being on set behind the scenes.

Teen Leadership Academy involves teens from Henderson, Ohio, Webster, Union, Daviess, and Hancock Counties. They met once a month, starting in September. Throughout the year, they completed a challenge day (similar to the amazing race) and learned about state 4-H opportunities (leadership boards and the Kentucky 4-H Achievement application). They have learned about their leadership styles, how to write resumes, etiquette, manners and food safety. They worked as a team in a chopped challenge and had to do a group presentation over the challenge. The team worked on a community service project, visited and toured the old capital and current capital and met with local legislators. The team also participated in a workshop with KET, made 4-H Camp promotional videos, and toured the local news tv station. These students will have an opportunity this September to lead a middle school team challenge day camp.

They had 5 youth from Henderson County complete the program this year: Carson Troxel, Alex Johnston, Ana Tichenor, Henry Francke, and Anna Bennett.

Located on the Henderson Riverfront, it provides the perfect photo opportunity as the newest addition to downtown Henderson!

Ryan and Cynthia Nunn

Tell us a little about yourself (Family, kids, pets, etc).

Nunn Party of Five! We have three of the most amazing kids, Jaxon (16), Jacob (14) and Juliet (10) and one crazy fur baby, Boxer, Mazie! Ryan and I have been married for almost 18 years!

What do you both do for a living and how long have you been in those positions?

Ryan just recently became the Human Resource Manager for Crosspoint Polymer Technologies in Evansville, and I am completing my 2nd year of teaching at the High School as a Health Science Instructor.

In April 2023, we opened a new business – Triple J Jumpz offering 2 bounces houses and 1 obstacle course that can be wet or dry. We book VBS celebrations, birthday parties, end of year and beginning of year school celebrations and more!

Where did the idea originate from to start a new family-owned business?

WE are side hustlers We believe in working hard and this is a great way for our entire family to work together. It is also a great way to teach our children customer service skills and how to run a business.

Outside of working full-time jobs and managing your new business, what hobbies does your family enjoy?

We love to just hang out and play cards and board games! We enjoy vacationing together as well. We all enjoy fitness and being active!

What have you enjoyed most since starting Triple J Jumpz? What has been the most challenging?

We love to see the kids jumping and smiling on the inflatables. Celebrating people is a passion of ours and Triple J Jumpz gets a front row seat at bringing joy to people.

How do you find balance between work and family?

Whew it’s tough-still working on it. We will let you know when we figure it out LOL

What do you hope your kids take away from seeing their parents “jump” into a new adventure? We hope they are willing to try new things, even if they fail, even if it’s hard!

What advice would you give someone who feels led to take a leap and try something new?

What is the worst that can happen? If it is a passion, GO FOR IT!

Photo by Darrin Phegley

Making it

CRAFTS, RECIPES, AND ACTIVITIES FAMILIES CAN ENJOY TOGETHER

INDEPENDENCE

DAY IS TUESDAY, JULY 4TH!

A PATRIOTIC CRAFT THAT POPS! THAT POPS!

Written by Ashley Wedding

Add these patriotic party poppers to your Fourth of July celebration this year! Kids young and old will not only love the confetti, but they will love making this super simple craft!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

›› Toilet paper tube

›› Red, white & blue tissue paper or construction paper

›› 12-inch balloons

›› Scissors

›› Tape

›› Decoration materials (paint, paper, markers, ribbon, etc.)

INSTRUCTIONS:

›› Decorate the toilet paper tube however you would like! Set out patriotic decoration materials and let your kids use their creativity.

›› Knot the end of a 12-inch balloon, then cut it in half using scissors. Wrap and tape the cut end of the balloon over one end of the toilet paper tube.

›› Cut red, white, and blue construction paper or tissue paper into small confetti pieces, and fill the toilet paper tube with the confetti. In our example, we used a hole punch to make the confetti. But cutting confetti would be great fine motor skill practice for little ones.

›› Pull on the knotted end of the balloon and let it go to see the confetti fly.

If you make these adorable crafts, be sure to tag a photo of them on our social media accounts! We would love to see them!

ASHLEY WEDDING is the editor of Owensboro Parent Magazine. She enjoys everyday adventures with her husband, Drew, and their three kids, Avery, Reed and Mason.

Photo by Jamie Plain

UNICORN YOGURT BARK

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

›› 2 cups Strawberry Yogurt

›› 1/2 cup Vanilla Yogurt

›› Rainbow Sprinkles

INSTRUCTIONS:

›› Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

This magical summer snack could not be easier to make! Kids love eating this colorful treat, and it is perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day. Just three ingredients and a quick trip to the freezer and this healthy snack is ready to enjoy!

›› Pour strawberry yogurt on the baking sheet and spread it out into an even layer.

›› Place dollops of the vanilla yogurt over the strawberry yogurt.

›› Using a spoon, slowly swirl the vanilla yogurt and the strawberry yogurt together. Avoid overmixing to keep a swirl pattern! Top with

rainbow sprinkles.

›› Place the baking sheet in the freezer until completely frozen (at least 3 hours).

›› Once Frozen, peel the yogurt bark off the parchment paper and break into smaller pieces. Serve immediately or store the pieces in a freezer bag! HF

JAMIE PLAIN is a nationally published culinary and commercial photographer working as a full-time staff photographer for Tanner Publishing. She has a knack for making tasty food and pretty art. See more of her portfolio at jaastudios.com.

Recipe & Photo by Jamie Plain

Community

WOODWORKING WOODWORKING A Lifelong Passion Turns into a Retirement Hobby

LOOKING AHEAD

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

Karl Neely was born and raised in Henderson, KY. He has been married to Brenda for 36 years. They have two daughters, Jessica and Sarah, and two grandchildren. Karl was an owner and manager of Qualex Engineering in Mt. Vernon, Indiana and a civil and structural engineer. His friend/co-worker, Bob Milne, who has now passed, took a risk and bought John Brown. He turned it into Qualex Engineering, and he asked Karl to run it in 1994. After several years, Karl became a joint owner and later on, the sole owner.

Karl and Brenda bought 20 acres of land in Henderson in 1986 through auction and built their home in 1990. The moment they bought their property, Karl began drawing up the plans to build their forever home. The home they have raised their family in was a project in itself, and Karl was using his love of being a visionary and creator on behalf of his family from the very beginning.

Five years before retirement, Karl chose eight men to purchase his company and two men to run it. Those men eventually paid the company off and the Neely’s were officially no longer part of Qualex. For some, retirement can be scary wondering what you are going to do. This wasn’t the case for Karl. He was excited about all the things he was going to do. Traveling was at the top of Karl and Brenda’s list. Having daughters who live out west and two precious grandbabies, they knew their free time would be spent traveling and visiting loved ones. However, Karl also knew he had a love for woodworking - a hobby that brings him joy. This was something he couldn’t help but plan ahead for - knowing he wanted to bless others through it after he retired.

A PASSION FOR WOODWORKING

Karl has always had a passion for woodworking, and he knew once he retired he wanted to focus on that passion - which is why a year and a half before retirement he began working on his shop. “He has put a lot of work into the detached garage on our property in Henderson. It was one of his long-time hobbies to do woodworking, and he had a goal of creating his

“When Karl retired in 2020, after managing over 100 engineers, he started creating beautiful wood pieces that will live on for centuries,” said Brenda Neely, Karl Neely’s wife.

Written by Lyndi Mauk // Photos by Sarah Bond

woodshop and getting into woodworking after retirement,” expressed his youngest daughter, Sarah.

Karl’s mom, Elaine Neely, went on to say, “Karl became interested in working with wood when he attended HCHS. His first project was a gun cabinet made in Billy Joe Crowley’s Carpentry Class, that he made for his Dad. We still have the gun cabinet. His interests have grown, and he knows a lot about wood and its features. Recently, he helped his Dad and me pick out the right wood for the floor that was recently installed at our house. He also made a table that was just the right height for his Dad to use when he cooks in “his kitchen” - which is our garage.”

Although his daughter, Sarah, made him a logo, Karl only does his woodworking out of the love he has for using his skills as

an engineer and putting his creativity to work. The pieces he has made have all been for family or very close friends. Some of his woodwork includes sofa tables, a coffee table, dining room tables, a hanging planter box he was able to work on with Sarah’s husband for their new home and a beautiful grandfather clock. He has also made items for his church.

Reflecting on the man who raised her, Sarah proudly said, “He is one of the most detailed, hard-working people I know. He’s definitely an artist as well - I think you have to be if you’re a woodworker - but he wouldn’t call himself one. I always say in some ways I feel like there was an instant soul connection, which sounds silly but it’s the only way I know how to put it. It’s no wonder I own my own business. I grew up watching my Dad draw out designs

The clock design was kind of developed from a design of a clock we saw at Feagan’s furniture in Fredonia, Ky., but rather than two smaller wood slabs with a gap between and a pendulum arm behind, Brenda and created this design. The design incorporates a solid American Elm live edge slab from our property locked into a four piece solid walnut base to anchor the clock, a brass and walnut purchased clock piece with a fixed pendulum, brown pigmented epoxy to fill the natural hollowed spaces of the slab & LED clock face and rear accent lighting. As I started with this design, I initially thought “oh well, it’s going to be a clock we will stick somewhere,” but it ended up being one of our favorite pieces to date I think because it’s unique and simplistic. Out of the different walnut base designs, Brenda insisted on a curved flow design to tie on with the live edges of clock.

for homes on his big drawing desk in the basement. He designed homes for my aunts and uncles - people he cared about. I like to think I got some of my business smarts and creative heart from him.” Sarah is the proud owner of a photography business in Colorado. As a way to honor her dad, she took photos of her dad in his woodshop showing all the happiness his work brings while allowing her the opportunity to put together a photography project of her dad living out his dream after retirement.

Brenda explained how Karl always has 2-3 projects going on at once in his shop. His mind is always thinking of what he can make next. It brings him so much joy to make beautiful pieces. His next project is to make a brand new bedroom suite for their master bedroom and a wood top for one of their dining tables.

Karl’s oldest daughter, Jessica, happily stated, “When my dad was preparing for retirement, he wisely knew it was important to have a plan of how he was going to spend all this new-found free time. This guy can

not sit still for long! Woodworking was a perfect blend of his engineering side and an opportunity to bring more creativity into what he always loved doing. What really made it work was the fact that he could also use his skills to help improve others lives, one of his greatest joys. He has created two pieces that I benefit from on a daily basis. One is a beautiful desktop that he fashioned into an electric standing desk at the beginning of the pandemic. I was six months pregnant and very uncomfortable sitting all day, so having the ability to change positions really improved my quality of life during a very rough time. The second is our dining room table. My husband and I bought our first home together last year, and my dad wanted to build us a dining room table as a housewarming gift. We designed it together, and it turned out more perfect than we could have imagined. We spend so much time as a family at this table and it will be an heirloom for future generations. Thank you, Dad, for sharing your gifts with us!”

The coffee table is patterned after George Nagashima (famous woodworker from PA, starting 1945 https://nakashimawoodworkers.com/furniture/minguren-i-copy/). It was a fun project as it stretched and expanded my woodworking skill set working with other machines and hand tools in the shop due to the hidden joinery in this piece. I had wanted to get my refurbished 1960’s large band saw calibrated and this project was just the motivation I needed to research and understand the keys to using a band saw more effectively. I have used it extensively since. The base is maxed of hard, figured and curly maple, while the top is soft ambrosia curly maple.

A FAMILY MAN

Although Karl held a position of much responsibility within his company, his family never saw work consume him. When he came home from work, he was home with his family. When they would travel together, he wouldn’t answer the phone. He was able to balance and separate work and

This American Elm dining room trestle table is the largest project to date and weighing in at ~175 lbs. The top is 38” x 78” x 1 3/4” thick & is made with 2 live edge slabs. The legs are also 1 3/4” thick made in 2 pieces with a live edge elm stretcher locked in with hand sculpted walnut tusk pegs on each end. The top required 2 people to flatten and square the sides & for the glue-up.

With this project, I was able to incorporate some important woodworking techniques that I had learned from previous projects and research, such as how to more accurately plane the wood faces and edges to achieve flatter surfaces and a better glue joint, incorporation of top stiffeners on underside of table to maintain a flatter table surface, the stretcher/tusk peg design and a more efficient/accurate top glueup technique.

This one is very important to me because it’s a piece that Jessica, Stefan, Remy and Arlo will hopefully enjoy many family dinners around.

family. Brenda gratefully said, “That’s why our daughters love him so much and respect him.” They saw a man who worked hard, but more than anything, loved his family.

Outside of work, Karl and his family enjoyed traveling - especially spending their summers at Lake Barkley on their boat where they now own a lake house. Brenda laughed

thinking back to when Sarah was born and Karl telling her he wanted to get a boat. She said Jessica’s response was, “What will we do with a boat?” The answer was simple - they made lots of family memories. “It was the best thing for our family,” expressed Brenda. Since retirement, Karl is not only able to travel with his best friend, spend more

time with family, go to the lake and enjoy a day of fishing, but he has been able to take something he is passionate about and contribute to their family. Karl is interested in making items and using his skillset to bless his family members or close friends.

Brenda explained how Karl is a very considerate husband. As much as he loves woodworking - he never wants to miss time with his wife or make her feel as though he is spending too much time in his shop. He usually only goes out to his shop to work on his projects if Brenda isn’t home, but she loves seeing him finally having the time to do more with a hobby he has always enjoyed.

They have been blessed with a beautiful life, and Karl was blessed with a special gift and talent. This is only the beginning of this new season of life for the both of them as they enjoy Karl’s retirement and honor all the hard work he put in for their family over the years. Brenda smiled, “If there’s a perfect husband, he’s it!” HF

LYNDI MAUK, editor of Henderson Family Magazine, was born and raised in the Bluegrass State. She is grateful to be going through life alongside her husband and best friend, Brandon, and being a mother to their two kids.

SAFE BABIES PROGRAM SAFE BABIES PROGRAM

Written by Lyndi Mauk //

The Deaconess Foundation is focused internally on ways to help Deaconess Health System’s patients and employees. From funding large pieces of equipment to purchasing teddy bears for pediatrics in the emergency room, their work revolves around helping those in need. “It is quite rewarding and lots of fun!” expressed Deaconess Foundation Executive Director, Lance Wilkerson.

In 2022, Henderson lost the lives of four infants within six weeks. It became a mission of the Deaconess Foundation

to always have that number at 0. They were determined to figure out what they could do to help. After the Henderson community experienced so much loss, Lance and Linda White, Deaconess Hospital Chief Administrative Officer, sat down to discuss what had happened. They spent time brainstorming on what their foundation could do to help. What they found was many of the mothers did not have resources to help them in their new journey of motherhood. Lance explained it wasn’t just about putting together a program and raising money

to go towards that program. It was about truly getting involved from the moment a woman finds out she is expecting until her child reaches toddlerhood. Providing support throughout the journey was their number one priority.

They decided to set a goal of $100,000 ($20,000 in 5 years) to help parents who can’t afford a good car seat or portable crib (Pack ‘n Play). Currently, they are at $70,000 towards their goal thanks to amazing donations they have received. They were gifted two large, private donations from mothers in Evansville

Photo by Darrin Phegley

who heard about Henderson’s loss, and special gifts from the Partnership of Women (POW) and River View Coal, LLC to name a few. But this was only a piece of their idea. They didn’t want to only purchase items needed. They wanted to bring on the educational component for new mothers as well, and this is where the perfect partnership formed.

THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIP

Marsha’s Place, a pregnancy resource center, has been serving the community and surrounding counties for over 30 years, and the Henderson community has supported their services every step of the way. When Deaconess was brainstorming how they could best benefit the mothers and families in our community, reaching out to Marsha’s Place was an easy decision. “Our relationship with Marsha’s Place gelled immediately. They are so good to work with. Our ideas, our vision are so aligned,” said Lance. Both organizations had their first meeting in November 2022 and the Safe Babies program launched in February 2023.

Marsha’s Place had previously met a representative from the Deaconess Foundation in the summer of 2022 through an event. The representative had come to Marsha’s Place and took a tour and saw what they offered. At the same time, Marsha’s Place was talking to several nurses at Deaconess about prenatal classes because there were no in-person birthing classes offered in Henderson. Those discussions were going on simultaneously and somewhere along the way those became one thing, and it all united.

“When Deaconess approached us with this opportunity to work together, we were thrilled to partner with them. Our interests are perfectly aligned in this area. We want babies in our community to be safe at home and on the go, and we want to help moms and dads flourish in their responsibilities. We’re excited to be working with the great folks at Deaconess because we truly believe we can do more good together than we could

do separately,” stated Jared Marshall, Executive Director of Marsha’s Place.

THE SAFE BABIES PROGRAM

Safe Babies: Secure at Home and On the Go is a Deaconess Foundation initiative made to help with both safe sleeping habits and car seat needs in Henderson, Webster and Union counties. Families are connected to Deaconess Henderson Hospital Case Management to determine eligibility for the program, in which they may receive a portable crib and/or infant car seat. The goal of this program is to be a resource for families by offering in-person classes throughout the pregnancy to better prepare families for their precious little one and to then continue their education through Marsha’s Place by enrolling in their “Earn While You Learn” program. The first Safe Babies class is taught at Marsha’s Place because many women enrolled in Safe Babies find out they are pregnant at Marsha’s Place. They felt it would be a good way to introduce mothers to Deaconess Henderson in an environment they know and are comfortable with. Then the second two classes are taught at Deaconess Henderson Hospital. These classes include: Healthy Me, Hungry Baby and How To Prepare. Both of these programs are free to those who are qualified.

THE COLLABORATION:

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN

Marsha’s Place has been offering their “Earn While You Learn” program for years. However, with their new partnership with Deaconess Henderson Hospital, the hope is their clients who deliver at Deaconess Henderson will be provided with a portable crib and infant car seat through the Safe Babies program and then as the client continues the education in the Earn While You Learn (EWYL) program they can earn a convertible car seat through Marsha’s Place. Clients are eligible for diapers and wipes each week based on their completion of educational videos and quizzes geared specifically towards their needs. The videos are 15-20 minutes long, and Marsha’s Place is able to see how many videos and/or quizzes have been completed. A client is considered “active” in the program by committing to complete 2 videos a week and in-person classes as they become available. Parents also have the opportunity to shop the

boutique for items they are in need of such as clothing, shampoos, lotions, etc. “We let them know from the time their baby is born until the time they are out of diapers they can come to Marsha’s Place once a week for diapers and wipes as long as they are actively receiving education. That is the one big thing we offer. Along with Safe Babies, we didn’t want to duplicate services because that’s a waste of resources so we encouraged them to get the Safe Babies classes and infant car seat through the hospital and continue with us and get the convertible car seat when their baby grows out of the infant seat,” explained Christi Bailes, Client Services Director at Marsha’s Place.

For someone who is planning to give birth at Deaconess Henderson, the ideal flow would be: Marsha’s Place sees them first, and they provide the client with the list of doctors by connecting them to Deaconess and Safe Babies. The client will go through the Safe Babies process and after they give birth, Deaconess Henderson will refer them back to Marsha’s Place to continue their education through the “Earn While You Learn” program. Whether a mother goes to an OB-GYN at Deaconess Henderson first or finds out they are pregnant at Marsha’s Place first, they are referred to one another and work together.

Jared explained, “It’s great for us because one of the best services we provide is connecting them to a local doctor for ongoing care. I didn’t know before working here that some clients have never been to an OB during their pregnancy and show up at the hospital to deliver their baby.”

Getting the first doctor’s appointment set up is a big deal, and Marsha’s Place is grateful they are able to help their clients with this first step. “Keeping our babies safe is vital to our community and through these two programs joining forces I believe we are making a difference,” expressed Christi.

With “Earn While You Learn,” the videos are the foundational educational piece of the program, but in-person classes are also offered as part of the program. There is value in the in-person classes to create relationships. Masha’s Place recently formed a partnership with a program at IVY Tech Community College where professors and students will come to Marsha’s Place twice a month and teach classes upstairs from 11am - 1pm. For moms who work during the day, they are encouraged to attend a class - even if they can only come during their lunch hour. It’s a great way to build connections with other moms. “The heart of the program is continuing education and relationship building,” explained Christi.

THE LAUNCH AND FUTURE OF SAFE BABIES

The Safe Babies program launched in February 2023, and one mother enrolled around the time of the press conference. Since then, there have been 6 mothers who have completed the program since its launch.

Marsha’s Place has also noticed a difference since they have had more strict guidelines of continual education. More structure has grown the program. “We want to partner with clients to help

them feel equipped and confident in their responsibilities as mom and dad,” said Jared.

The equipment is kept ready for newborns in need, and the parents are shown how to install and use both the car seat and portable crib before leaving the hospital. By participating in this program, mothers and parents have the relationships and resources needed both throughout their pregnancy and after delivery. “The community and support system that comes with it is one of the best things we can offer people,” said Jared.

For those interested in making a donation towards this program, they may visit deaconess.com/safebabies and donate. This money goes directly to Henderson to restrict those dollars to where the donor wants them to go.

Lance stated, “We understand some are hesitant to reach out, but we want to make sure they feel comfortable to do so. The Henderson community is very fortunate to have someone and an entity like Marsha’s Place because that’s not true everywhere. To do what they do is amazing, and I think that’s why it’s worked. As successful as Henderson has been, we would like to do this in some of our other Deaconess locations as we see a need but Henderson was perfectly rolled out due to our great staff at Henderson and Marsha’s Place and is the perfect template to work from.” HF

LYNDI MAUK, editor of Henderson Family Magazine, was born and raised in the Bluegrass State. She is grateful to be going through life alongside her husband and best friend, Brandon, and being a mother to their two kids.

Henderson Native is a

RISING LOCAL ARTIST

Written by Kaycee Inge // Photo by Darrin Phegley

Hadlie Comer Long, age 23, is a Henderson native who now lives in Muhlenberg. Though Hadlie is young, she has several art projects and successes under her belt already. Whether she is selling art and taking commissions at the store “A Bushel and a Peck,” brightening up Henderson’s downtown with a fantastic new mural, working on personal pieces for her own wedding, or showing off her art in a gallery exhibition, Hadlie has been quite busy in her art career.

Hadlie claims that she started drawing at age 11 or 12. After some time, she started to take an interest in photography, as well. She says she has always had an interest in art, but it was her grandpa that inspired her to keep going. She says she will always remember what her grandpa told her in high school: “Hadlie, you’re good at photography, but you’re great at art, and you can really go somewhere with that.” Hadlie says her family has always been very supportive of her and her art, but her grandpa was always one of the ones to push her to continue. After his passing, Hadlie found out that her grandpa was an artist himself. She has in her possession a few pieces of art on yellowed paper that he made at age 13. Hadlie stated: “I think that he had always wanted to go into that but couldn’t, and when he saw that I could he really pushed for me to do it. I think that having that support system made me really get into it.” Hadlie’s artistic inspiration comes from more than just her family, as well. Hadlie states that she has been inspired by famous painters such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Frida Kahlo.

Hadlie’s art career has taken off, and her most recent project has recently been completed. The mural on Tomblinson’s Funeral Home, while very new, has already become a staple in the Henderson community. “The Henderson Mural,” also known as “The Map of Henderson,” depicts several local landmarks that all Hendersonians know and love. Included in the stunning mural are Ellis Park, Audubon Park, the Riverfront bridge and a lovely riverboat, the Soaper building, the Train Depot, the Henderson County Public Library, the Central Park fountain, a smaller version of the mural found at the Perch, and more. Intertwined with the landmarks are lampposts, trees, and several other delightful smaller paintings that make the whole project feel connected.

“A Bushel and a Peck,” owned by Hadlie’s mother, while no longer possessing

Photo by McKenna Rhyne Photography

a physical storefront, is still booming by selling pieces on Facebook and other social media sites. The store can be found at “A Bushel and a Peck” on Facebook and @KYaBushelandaPeck on Instagram. Hadlie, while at the storefront, took custom commissions where she painted Bourbon bottles with many intricate, personalized details that the customers are sure to adore. Hadlie still currently takes commissions and can be contacted at hadscomerart@ gmail.com or through the store for more information.

When asked what about Henderson inspires her to create such beautiful artwork, Hadlie replied: “I grew up there. I have always wanted to do art, and I didn’t really know if there was a career in that. Right before we started ‘A Bushel and a Peck’, I was working at this other job. The job was great, the people were great, but it just didn’t fit. My mom and I had so many conversations about it and she said ‘We can try this in Henderson. We can try this storefront and try to sell your art.’ At this point, I had done a few pieces but I hadn’t really done much custom stuff. When I

opened the commissions, Henderson just welcomed me with open arms. I got so many orders and I still get a ton of orders from people in Henderson and I still have customers that I’ve had since the beginning. There was art in Henderson but not a lot, but I still took that chance and Henderson said, ‘keep it coming.’”

Hadlie’s creativity does not end there: Hadlie also designed multiple clothing pieces for her recent wedding. “I wanted to do a custom jacket for me that was more than just the ‘Mrs. Long’ or ‘bride.’ I wanted it to tell our story. On the jacket I have everything from our first date to when we got engaged. It has things like the number of our house and our pets’ names and just… everything.” Hadlie did the same with her husband’s tie, and also painted custom

shoes for him to wear on their special day. On one shoe, an adorable picture of Baby Yoda (from the “Star Wars” show “The Mandalorian”) surrounded by white flowers and greenery adorns the leather. On the opposite shoe, similar flowers and greenery highlight a painting of Boba Fett, another character from the series.

In the summer of last year (May 17thJuly 23rd), Hadlie displayed several of her art pieces at Gallery 101 in downtown Henderson. In her gallery, Hadlie featured paintings of bottles and cans that had flowers sprouting out of them. Hadlie showed a painting of a can of “La Croix” that had been crushed and then brought to life with vibrant color and textures, with greenery flowing out of the top. Hadlie also completed another mural in the hallway between the Henderson Tourism Department and Gallery 101, as well as a mural for Magnolia Bridal in Evansville.

Hadlie’s advice to future artists is to start doing commissions, even though it can be intimidating. “Still do the stuff that you love and put it for sale but start doing commissions to get your name out there. People will share it, people will support you, and the next thing you know you’ll be selling your pieces all the time.” Hadlie thanks her family, including her husband, her parents, Kennie and Angela Comer, and her grandparents for all the support they have given her.

Hadlie’s future promises far more than only art. Hadlie and her husband, Spencer, have recently announced that they are expecting a baby in the fall of this year. Hadlie will be creating a mural for her baby’s nursery and hopes that this will lead to future projects of doing at home murals. We wish Hadlie and Spencer all the best on their new journey to parenthood. Thank you, Hadlie, for bringing so much creativity to Henderson and beyond.

KAYCEE INGE has lived in Henderson her entire life and plans to keep it that way. She loves animals and movies, and enjoys drawing with charcoal and working on local political campaigns in her spare time.

Photo by McKenna Rhyne Photography

Photo by Darrin Phegley

We are excited to announce the winners of our 4th Annual Henderson Family Favorites contest, where you, our loyal and trustworthy readers, have the opportunity to make your voices heard. Hundreds of you cast your votes for your favorite local spots — from pediatrician to preschools, and sweet treats to boutiques. Take a look at all of the 2023 Family Favorites and see if your choices made the cut.

Favorite Breakfast

PLATINUM WINNER

EASTGATE FAMILY RESTAURANT

Eastgate Family Restaurant has been serving the community of Henderson for over 35 years. Known for all day breakfast, southern cooking, and homemade desserts, Eastgate Family loves being a place where friends and family gather around the table.

GOLD WINNER

BROWN BAG BURGERS

Favorite Food Truck

PLATINUM WINNER

TRAPPIN CHICK’N

You can find Trappin Chick’n parked in different locations throughout Henderson. They offer wings, sliders, quesadillas loaded red potatoes, fries, nachos and more. Check out their Facebook page to find there they are headed to serve the community next.

GOLD WINNER

MINI CHIMMI (TACOHOLICS)

Favorite Restaurant

PLATINUM WINNER

TACOHOLICS

Tacoholics is known for their affordable prices, friendly service and unforgettable flavors. Not only do they offer traditional Mexican dishes, but they also offer catering services, live music, and a taco truck to spice up any public or private event.

GOLD WINNER

HOMETOWN ROOTS

Favorite Sandwich Shop

PLATINUM WINNER

SIDEWALK CAFÉ

Sidewalk Cafe is a family-owned business serving the Henderson community. Offering a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, sides and desserts, you will enjoy this familyfriendly restaurant making you feel right at home.

GOLD WINNER

HOMER’S BARBECUE

Favorite Burger Joint

PLATINUM WINNER

METZGER’S TAVERN

Metzger’s is more than a local neighborhood bar. Known for their delicious burgers, bean soup, house-made chili and old-fashioned dipped dogs, you’ll never leave the tavern hungry.

GOLD WINNER

MR. D’S

Favorite BBQ Restaurant

PLATINUM WINNER

HOMER’S BARBECUE

Homer’s Barbeque is a local barbeque joint located in downtown Henderson offering smoked meats, craft sides and more.

GOLD WINNER

THOMASON’S BARBECUE

Favorite Sweet Treat

PLATINUM WINNER

COFFEE + CREAM

Located in the Eastgate Shopping Center, Coffee + Cream is a coffee and hard ice cream shop. Offering over 16 hard scoop ice cream choices, 20 toppings and over 25 flavored creamers and syrups, customers are sure to find the perfect treat to satisfy their sweet tooth.

GOLD WINNER THE DAIRETTE

Favorite Coffee Shop

PLATINUM WINNER

ROAST COFFEE BAR

Roast Coffee Bar is the perfect place to grab your morning brew, offering a variety of delicious coffee and latte flavors. Not a coffee drinker? Grab a refreshing iced tea instead and satisfy your sweet tooth with fresh made muffins, scones, or parfaits to go along with your favorite Roast beverage.

GOLD WINNER

ANTLER SPECIALTY GOODS

Favorite Donut Shop

PLATINUM WINNER

DONUT BANK

Donut Bank is a local, family run bakery business serving the community and Tri-State area since 1967. They offer donuts, pastries, cookies, coffee drinks and more.

GOLD WINNER

GOLDEN GLAZE BAKERY

Favorite Mexican Restaurant

PLATINUM WINNER

TACOHOLICS

Tacoholics offers traditional Mexican dishes. Made with fresh ingredients and full of flavor, you can find your favorite dishes all week long. Local customers love the fajitas, chimichangas and Mexican street tacos.

GOLD WINNER

AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL

Favorite Kid-Friendly Restaurant

PLATINUM WINNER

TACOHOLICS

Tacoholics offers the perfect kid-friendly atmosphere for those fun, family outings, and kids eat free on Saturday.

GOLD WINNER

ROCKHOUSE ON THE RIVER

Favorite Pizza Place

PLATINUM WINNER

ROCKHOUSE ON THE RIVER

Rockhouse opened in 1996 in Robards, KY as a small, carryout and drive-thru only business. Best known for their strombolis and delicious pizza, Rockhouse soon expanded to wings, salads, and sandwiches. They have been at their riverfront location since 2018, offering a family-friendly atmosphere, great service and exceptional food.

GOLD WINNER

MISTER B’S PIZZA & WINGS

Favorite OBGYN

PLATINUM WINNER

DR. JOHN RASHIDIAN

Dr. Rashidian is affiliated with Deaconess Henderson Hospital and has more than 48 years of experience specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. His primary practice is located at 1023 North Elm, and he is currently accepting new patients.

GOLD WINNER

DR. SARAH O’NAN

Favorite Pediatrician

PLATINUM WINNER

DR. RACHEL FARMER

Dr. Farmer is a pediatrician with Deaconess Clinic Henderson Pediatrics. She is board certified in the American Board of Pediatrics, and her goal is to “equip families and caregivers to provide the best care for their child.”

GOLD WINNER

DR. JENNIFER LILES

Favorite Primary Care Physician

PLATINUM WINNER

DR. CHARLES FUTRELL

Dr. Charles Futrell is part of Deaconess Clinic – Klutey Park and board certified with the American Osteopathic Association.

GOLD WINNER

Favorite Medical Practice

PLATINUM WINNER

OWENSBORO HEALTH

Owensboro Health’s mission is to “heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities we serve.” They have three hospitals and more than 20 locations across an 18-county area.

GOLD WINNER DEACONESS CLINIC

DR. SCOTT WATKINS

Favorite Pharmacy

PLATINUM WINNER

BUTLER’S APOTHECARY

Butler’s Apothecary is a hometown family-owned pharmacy located in downtown Henderson. They offer low prices on prescriptions, compounding, free pill packaging, free delivery, curbside service, immunizations, strep/flu/covid testing and a 24/7 pharmacist on call.

GOLD WINNER

DUNAWAY’S IMPERIAL PHARMACY

Favorite Chiropractic Office

BAKER FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

Baker Family Chiropractic is focused on holistic, natural healing. Some of their services include sports related and work injuries, pediatrics, pregnancy care and women’s health issues, in addition to, school physicals, performance training, and more.

GOLD WINNER

NUNEZ CHIROPRACTIC

Favorite Retirement/ Assisted Living Facility

PLATINUM WINNER

HOMEPLACE OF HENDERSON

Homeplace of Henderson is a senior care facility offering trained staff, state of the art technology, a home-life atmosphere and more. Their residents have a range of socialization and activity opportunities, while also offering both personal and memory care services.

GOLD WINNER

COLONIAL ASSISTED LIVING & INDEPENDENT LIVING

Favorite Optometry Office

PLATINUM WINNER

FAMILY EYE CARE OF HENDERSON

Family Eye Care of Henderson has been providing care to patients for 35 years. Their mission is to provide a family atmosphere while helping their patients obtain the best eye care.

GOLD WINNER HOMETOWN VISION

Favorite Dental Office

PLATINUM WINNER

AUDUBON DENTAL

Audubon Dental offers a variety of services to the Henderson community including crowns, dentures, bridges, relines and more. They are committed to providing you with all your dental needs.

GOLD WINNER STARLITE SMILES

Favorite Accounting Firm

PLATINUM WINNER

ALEXANDER THOMPSON ARNOLD PLLC

ATA is a full-service accounting firm. Their professionals provide a wide array of accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting services for their clients ranging from small family-owned businesses to publicly traded companies, and international corporations.

GOLD WINNER

KEMPER CPA GROUP LLP

Favorite Mortgage Company

PLATINUM WINNER

LIBERTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Liberty Federal Credit Union, formerly Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union, offers purchase, build or refinance program options. You may call today for your free consultation.

GOLD WINNER

FIELD AND MAIN

Favorite Credit Union

PLATINUM WINNER

LIBERTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Liberty Federal Credit Union, formerly Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union, serves community members from all walks of life, and they are ready to help you with all of your credit union needs.

GOLD WINNER

HERITAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Favorite Bank

PLATINUM WINNER

FIELD AND MAIN

Headquartered in Henderson, Field and Main Bank is a Kentucky-chartered community bank with Modern Craft Banking being their brand promise by offering a more personalized banking experience. From checking and mortgage to loans and business services, they are ready to assist you with all of your banking needs.

GOLD WINNER

INDEPENDENCE BANK

Favorite Financial Advisory Group

PLATINUM WINNER

GUIDEWISE FINANCIAL GROUP

GuideWise Financial Group is a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. They are committed to helping you prepare for your life, whether its expected or unexpected. Some areas of focus include charitable giving, estate, retirement and intergenerational planning, social security retirement benefits, investment management, family finances and more.

GOLD WINNER

EDWARD JONES

Favorite Real Estate Agent

PLATINUM WINNER

MELINDA LUNTSFORD

Melinda Luntsford is an agent with ERA First Advantage Reality and has earned many local and national awards. Providing exceptional customer service, she is always just a call away from buying or selling your home or business.

GOLD WINNER TARA DIXON

Favorite Real Estate Company

PLATINUM WINNER ERA FIRST ADVANTAGE

ERA First Advantage Realty provides quality customer service, making every real estate transaction as easy as can be.

GOLD WINNER FC TUCKER/COLLIER

Favorite Law Firm

PLATINUM WINNER

KING, DEEP AND BRANAMAN

King, Deep and Branaman have been serving the Henderson community since 1927. With seven attorneys and eight support staff, King, Deep and Branaman is able to provide legal representation across a wide variety of practice areas and is committed to betterment of the Henderson community and to providing professional and quality legal services to their friends and neighbors.

GOLD WINNER CURT HAMILTON INJURY LAW

Favorite Funeral Home

PLATINUM WINNER

TOMBLINSON FUNERAL HOMES

Tomblinson Funeral Homes offers a variety of funeral and cremation services to meet your family’s needs. Their directors will assist you and your family through every step from choosing the type of service and monument to offering life tribute videos in memory of your loved one.

GOLD WINNER

BENTON-GLUNT & TAPP FUNERAL HOME

Favorite Insurance Agent

PLATINUM WINNER

ANNE THRASHER BOYD

Anne Boyd has been a State Farm agent in Henderson since 2001. She has consistently ranked in the top 3% in the country out of 19,000+ State Farm agents. Her team members have a total of 65 combined years of experience in the insurance industry. Anne has a philosophy of, “Always do what’s best for the customer,” which has been the core value in building her team and growing her agency.

GOLD WINNER JAMES RUNION

Favorite Insurance Agency

PLATINUM WINNER

KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU

Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company has been serving its members of Kentucky Farm Bureau since 1943 and is now the #1 property and casualty insurance provider in the state. Offering two offices in Henderson County, it makes it easy for members of this community to access all the membership benefits.

GOLD WINNER STATE FARM

Favorite Car Wash/Detailer

PLATINUM WINNER

GREEN STREET

CAR WASH

Green Street Car Wash provides professional car detailing services to give your vehicle the shine it deserves. Their experts not only scrub and wash down the outside but give the interior a spotless, clean finish, too.

GOLD WINNER CLAY G’S DETAILING

Favorite Automotive Repair

PLATINUM WINNER

HARGIS COLLISION

Hargis Collision is an automotive body and repair shop offering great customer service and quality, detailed work.

GOLD WINNER CLASSIC AUTOMOTIVE

Favorite Auto Dealership

PLATINUM WINNER

HENDERSON

CHEVROLET BUICK GMC

Henderson Chevrolet Buick GMC has been serving the Henderson community for over 20 years. From purchasing a new vehicle to offering maintenance service, their dealership professionals will provide you with quality customer service every step of the way.

GOLD WINNER

AUDUBON CHRYSLER

Favorite Boutique

PLATINUM WINNER

ELITE DOWNTOWN

Elite Downtown is located in the heart of downtown Henderson. A unique boutique – they offer boutique clothing, printed t-shirts, jewelry and hair accessories, gift items and more.

GOLD WINNER

BEACHBUM FARMS

DESIGNS AND COMPANY

Favorite Kids Clothing Store

PLATINUM WINNER

FALCON CREEK BOUTIQUE

Falcon Creek Boutique offers fashionable infant and children’s clothing, gifts, embroidery services and more.

GOLD WINNER

ELITE DOWNTOWN

Favorite Gift Shop

PLATINUM WINNER

BEACHBUM FARMS

DESIGNS AND COMPANY

Beachbum is a family-owned business located in downtown Henderson. They offer a wide variety of home decor, baby and wedding gifts, floral arrangements and more.

GOLD WINNER

SWEET PEA’S GIFT SHOP

Favorite Florist

PLATINUM WINNER

J’PETALS FLORAL

& GIFTS

J’Petals has been serving the Henderson community for over 14 years. From florals and gift registries to wedding and interior design services, they are ready to serve you.

GOLD WINNER

SHAW’S FLOWERS INC.

Favorite Park

PLATINUM WINNER

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK

For over 75 years, John James Audubon State Park has been serving the Henderson community. Open yearround, this park is a hidden treasure that is a favorite for children’s programming, local art exhibits, weddings, family reunions, school field trips, and more.

GOLD WINNER

CENTRAL PARK

Favorite Place for Rainy Day Fun

PLATINUM WINNER

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Henderson County Public Library offers a variety of services and programs for all ages. Community members can spend time reading their favorite books, participating in classes (children, teens and adults) and more. From reading and crafting to gaming and genealogy, the fun never ends!

GOLD WINNER

ECHO LANES HENDERSON

Favorite Place to take a Family Hike

PLATINUM WINNER

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK

For over 75 years, John James Audubon State Park has been serving the Henderson community. Visitors can experience the beauty of the outdoors on their own hiking adventure, or they may hit the trails on a hiking event hosted by Audubon Park.

GOLD WINNER

SANDY LEE WATKINS PARK

Favorite Date Night Spot

PLATINUM WINNER

HOMETOWN ROOTS

Hometown Roots is locally-owned and located downtown Henderson offering delicious, southern comfort food. With weekly specials, a welcoming atmosphere and friendly customer service, you’ll be ready to plan your next visit before walking out the door.

GOLD WINNER

FARMER AND FRENCHMAN

Favorite Place to Work

PLATINUM WINNER

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The mission of the Henderson County Schools is to provide extraordinary educational opportunities for every student. The vision of Henderson County Schools is to excel as a national innovative leader in education.

GOLD WINNER DEACONESS

Favorite Home Builder

PLATINUM WINNER

JOE MATTINGLY BUILDERS, INC.

Joe Mattingly Builders, Inc specializes in custom homes, home remodeling, home building, and various subdivision developments.

GOLD WINNER

DAVID SHELTON HOMES

Favorite Heating & Air Company

PLATINUM WINNER

WOODARD COOLING & HEATING

Woodard Cooling and Heating is family-owned and operated with over 40 years of experience and knowledge. They specialize in both residential and commercial HVAC and commercial refrigeration, custom duct and metal fabrication.

GOLD WINNER

HAGER AND SON HEATING & COOLING

Favorite Hair Salon

PLATINUM WINNER

SALON CALIDORA

Salon Calidora is here to meet all your beauty needs. Located in downtown Henderson, Salon Calidora’s stylists not only cater to cuts and color, but they offer services such as special hair treatments, microblading and more. New clients are always welcome, so make your appointment today.

GOLD WINNER

BEAUTY BOX SALON

Favorite Dog Groomer

PLATINUM WINNER

HAPPY HOUNDS PET SALON

LLC PLUS BOARDING

Happy Hounds consists of 4 groomers with 41 years combined experience - making them one of the most experienced grooming shops in Henderson.

GOLD WINNER

SLEEK & SAVVY, LLC

Favorite Barber Shop

PLATINUM WINNER

LEE’S BARBER SHOP

Lee’s Barber Shop is located in an old house from the 1930s that was renovated back to its original look. Specializing in men’s haircuts and shaves, men can come to a place where they can relax, sit in old school barber chairs and leave with a fresh, new look.

GOLD WINNER

K.T.’S BARBERSHOP

Favorite Photographer

PLATINUM WINNER

B + B PHOTOGRAPHY

Brooke Hallmark and Brylee Cannon are two best friends just chasing their dream and telling your story with their cameras.

GOLD WINNER

HJRR PHOTOGRAPHY

Favorite Dance Studio

PLATINUM WINNER

THE DANCE FACTORY

The Dance Factory opened in 1992. The studio offers dance instruction in a Christian environment for all ages from toddlers to adults. Classes include ballett, jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop along with several preschool class options.

GOLD WINNER

FIERCE DANCE STUDIO

Favorite Sports League

PLATINUM WINNER

HENDERSON PCMA

The Henderson PCMA (Players, Coaches and Managers Association) is a non-profit, recreational baseball league for youth between the ages of 5-10.

GOLD WINNER

HENDERSON GIRLS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION

Favorite Running Race

PLATINUM WINNER

TRI-FEST 5K

The Tri-Fest 5K is in conjunction with the Henderson Breakfast Lion’s annual Tri-Fest fundraiser for local nonprofits.

GOLD WINNER

TURKEY TROT

Favorite Golf Course

PLATINUM WINNER

THE BRIDGES GOLF COURSE OF HENDERSON

The Bridges Golf Course of Henderson offers a variety of leagues for all ages including men, women, kids and couples. The course is open to the public and golf lessons are offered with Bill Rendall, who is a Quarter Century PGA Member and golf professional.

GOLD WINNER

HENDERSON COUNTRY CLUB

Favorite Preschool

PLATINUM WINNER

THELMA B. JOHNSON EARLY

LEARNING CENTER

Thelma B. is providing a high-quality education through exploration and learning in a nurturing environment. Every child. Every effort. Every day.

GOLD WINNER

BUSY BEES EDUCARE

Favorite Annual Event

PLATINUM WINNER

TRI-FEST

The Henderson Breakfast Lion’s Tri-Fest is an annual fundraiser for local non-profits. All money raised by the Lions goes back to the community. This event offers a variety of vendors, music, food and carnival rides for the entire family to enjoy.

GOLD WINNER

THE W.C. HANDY BLUES & BARBECUE FESTIVAL

Favorite Gym/Fitness Center

PLATINUM WINNER

THE YMCA

The YMCA has been serving Henderson County youth, adults and families since 1894 through programs, services and facilities that help build Christian spirit, mind and body for all.

GOLD WINNER

PLANET FITNESS

Favorite Charity Event

PLATINUM WINNER

RUNWAY RED — MATTHEW 25

Runway Red is a Matthew 25 signature fundraising event highlighting 10 locally owned boutiques in a fashion showcase. There are 30 community members who model the spring/summer items, and guests have the opportunity to shop vendors, participate in a silent auction and enjoy cocktails and appetizers before the show begins.

GOLD WINNER

NIGHT FOR LIFE – MARSHA’S PLACE

PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER

The Book Nook

All of these books are available for check out at the Henderson County Public Library.

Biscuit Loves Father’s Day

By: Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Celebrate Father’s Day with Biscuit!

Unfold the big flaps and join Biscuit for fun times with dad--exploring, playing, and sharing.

We Love Our Dad

By: Jan Berenstain

Papa Bear is the best dad that a cub could ask for. So for Father’s Day, the cubs decide to do all of Papa Bear’s work for him. What a special treat!

I Love You, Daddy!

By: Edie Evans

Each page of this sweet rhyming Little Golden Book celebrates the love shared between dads and their young children. Spending time together camping, gardening, at the petting zoo, or even just hanging out at home is extra-special when Daddy is there!

My Dad is Awesome!

By: Bluey and Bingo

Everyone loves Bandit, but especially Bluey and Bingo! He’s always making up funny games, playing Daddy Robot, and taking them on exciting adventures. This is the perfect book to celebrate your dad on Father’s Day, or any day, and share what makes him awesome!

Elmo’s Daddy Day

By: Andrea Posner-Sanchez

Elmo and his dad love spending the day together! Babies and toddlers will enjoy peeking beneath the easy-to-lift oversized flaps on every spread to join in the fun as they bake yummy snacks, read stories at the library, go to the playground, and more. A great book to read for Father’s Day or any day!

Self-care for all ages

Written by Christina Dalton

We all know that self-care is important for us as adults, but it is also important for our children. It is critical that we model ways for children and teenagers to learn how to take care of themselves. Self-care for all ages can help us be more introspective and make us aware of our own emotional and physical needs. This can help all of us be more prepared for what life throws at us. Even the smallest acts of self-care can improve relationships, decrease stress and increase overall health and wellness.

Kids are tiny sponges that soak up everything we do as adults. We can teach them healthy ways to care for themselves but we can also teach them unhealthy ways that we handle stress. We can all be

teaching and modeling healthy self-care habits for any age. When we teach our children about self-care at a young age, this will teach them that their mental and physical health is important. Remember that our kids often learn more from what we do rather than what we say. Self-care is unique to the individual and what works for one person may not work for the next person. You can model what taking care of yourself looks like for your children. Remember to start small with kids. Think about a task that may cause frustration for your little one. When you are exploring self care for littles, just keep in mind their age and developmental level. If they are having a hard time at a task, try taking a break and modify the

steps so that they feel less overwhelmed than before.

The benefits of this practice are twofold. You get to teach your children how to identify their own physical and emotional needs. You are also practicing self-care for yourself and we all need some extra care. You are creating a foundation for success for your children that will benefit them well into adulthood. Your child will be able to become more independent and learn how to take care of themselves.

Teach basic skills. Think about areas such as diet and hygiene. When you feed your child healthy foods, giving them a bath and brushing teeth, you are developing a foundation of healthy habits.

Below I have some self care activities

that you and your child can try together. I did some research to get some ideas from children aged 4 and up regarding ways that they like to take care of themselves. These are great activities to do together and create connections between you and your child all the while taking care of yourself as well.

Don’t be afraid to be silly and have fun. Activities like coloring, painting, and playing are less likely to feel like work and they create emotional outlets and foster connection. Music and dance can have positive effects on your child’s development and self-awareness. Music is a great self-care activity and has been known to improve mood and promote well-being. Consider using background music to improve a frustrated or anxious child to improve overall mood.

Children want us all to put our phones away and play. Playing together fuels imagination, creativity, problem solving skills and well-being. Give yourself permission to play. These activities don’t necessarily have to be structured but you do need to have fun.

Create quiet family time. A few moments of singing favorite songs, reading a bedtime story or hearing about your child’s day before bedtime can create connection. When you prioritize this slow down time, it helps to create lasting, healthy habits.

Use mindfulness to be present in the moment. Every time we come home, we have the opportunity to shift our mental focus in a positive way. Remind yourself to leave what happened at work in the past and be present in the current moment now. Your middle and high school children may think you are being weird but you are modeling healthy self-care strategies and hopefully they will follow suit.

You can practice what is called a 3-step compassion break. This is something that you can model for your children. The first part is to acknowledge when something has been stressful. The second part is to acknowledge that stressful situations are part of life and other people experience this as well. Lastly, ask yourself, “What can I do right now to be kind to myself?” When your child sees you go through this and talk about it, you are setting them up for success to follow in your footsteps. There is no wrong way or right way to perform selfcare. You have to find what works for you and your family. All families are different and enjoy different forms of selfcare. The earlier that you can start teaching these habits, the easier it will be to incorporate them into their daily lives. Practicing self-care will help you manage whatever stressors life throws your way. HF

CHRISTINA DALTON, MSSW, LCSW is a District Social Worker for Daviess County Public Schools.

Out & About

3

TRAIL OBSTACLE SERIES AT SANDY LEE WATKINS PARK

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

@ 10AM - 5PM

SANDY LEE WATKINS PARK {

Participate in a variety of trail divisions (youth, novice or open) with in hand and under saddle classes in each division. You may enter each class up to 2x. Cost is $20/per run. For daily ribbons and series prizes, a person must attend all 3 series to be eligible for grand prize buckles. This is presented by the Henderson Area Riding Club. For more information, please contact Rachel at 712-898-9513 or Karen at 270-855-0290.

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W.C. HANDY BLUES & BARBEQUE FESTIVAL

THURSDAY, JUNE 15 -

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

AUDUBON MILL PARK

Feel the energy that the blues bring to the Henderson riverfront at one of the largest free music festivals in the nation! Four days of world-class blues performances draw thousands of music lovers from just about every state and many countries. For more information, please email wchandyfestival@gmail.com.

PORCHFEST

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 @ 5 - 8PM

DOWNTOWN HENDERSON

SOUTH MAIN STREET {

There are few things more delightful on a beautiful summer night than food, friends, and live music al fresco. You can expect all this and more at this year’s annual Porchfest. Sit against the backdrop of beautiful, historic homes while you experience a variety of live musicians performing from front porches. Bring a blanket, a chair, or just mosey up and down the street taking it all in. If you’re hungry, grab dinner from one of several food trucks at either end of the event. For more information, please call 270-826-7505.

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SUMMER DANCE CAMPS

WEDNESDAYS, JUNE & JULY @ 10AM – NOON THE DANCE FACTORY {

Let your little ones have some summer fun as they enjoy dancing and crafts. They are welcome to wear anything comfortable including themed costumes. Each camp has a theme including princess, Encanto, unicorn, mermaid princess, olympic, Hawaiian princess, fairy and beach party. These camps are offered for ages 4-12 and are $30 per camp. They need to bring a healthy snack and water bottle. To learn more about each camp or to register, please visit http://www.deannasdancefactory.com or find them on Facebook.

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SUMMER MOVIE SERIES

TUESDAYS IN JUNE & JULY @ 9:30AM

SHOWPLACE CINEMAS

Take a break from those hot summer days and enjoy the 2023 Summer Movie Series sponsored by Field & Main Bank. Admission is only $1.50, and tickets are available at the box office. Check out Showplace Cinemas for this summer’s movie schedule.

EXPLORING THE ARTS 3-DAY ART CAMP AGES 6-8

TUESDAY-THURSDAY, JUNE 6-8 @ 1011:30AM

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK MUSEUM {

Students ages 6-8 will be exploring the arts by using different mediums such as tempera,pastels, colored pencils and more. If your student loves art, they will certainly enjoy this 3-day Art Camp. Pre-registration is required and the class is limited. Supplies are included. Cost is $34/ Friends of Audubon $32. Pre-register at 502-782-7918.

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ADVANCED ARTS 2-DAY ART CAMP AGES 9-13

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13 & 14 @ 10AM - 12:15PM

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK MUSEUM {

ART, ART, ART and more ART! This class is designed for the serious artists ages 9-13 who love art. They will be working in acrylic on canvas and tempera. Students must have previous art experience. Pre-registration is required. All supplies are included. Cost is $34/Friends of Audubon $32. Pre-register at 502-782-7918.

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DINOSAUR ENCOUNTER

FRIDAY, JUNE 16 @ 4PM

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY {

Bring your kiddos and come meet Beaux the T. Rex, Roxy the Raptor, Takoda the Pteranodon , Dolly the Diplodocus , and Stedman the Stegosaurus! Feller Express Dinosaur encounter is an interactive, educational experience that is great for all ages! Don’t miss this prehistoric fun in the Pittsburg Tank & Tower Event Room. For more information, please call 270-826-3712.

LITTLE REMBRANDTS AGES 3-6

FRIDAY; JUNE 16 & JULY 21

@ 10:30 - 11:30AM

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK MUSEUM

Bring those little artists, for a fun-filled morning of art. Get creative with lines, shapes and color. Students must pre-register and DRESS for a mess. All students must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $7. Pre-register at 502-782-7918.

SANDY LEE WATKINS SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26 -SATURDAY, JULY 29

DOWNTOWN HENDERSON

Nashville-style songwriter rounds come to life as downtown Henderson bars and restaurants transform into listening rooms. Each year, we welcome dozens of award-winning songwriters to Henderson, offering an intimate experience with the folks who wrote the hits we sing along to today. Cost is $20. For more information, please email sandyleefestival@gmail.com.

STUDIO ARTS 2-DAY WORKSHOP AGES 9-13

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27 & 28 @ 10AM - 12:15PM

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK MUSEUM

Students are invited to explore different art techniques and enhance your creative skills. Dress for a MESS and come ready to have fun. All students must have previous art classes and enjoy art. All supplies are included in the fee. Cost is $34/Friends of Audubon $32. Pre-register at 502-782 7918.

INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORK CELEBRATION

MONDAY, JULY 3 @ 5 - 9:30PM

DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT

Come celebrate Independence Day as we light up the sky on the downtown riverfront with dazzling fireworks plus live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun. Food vendors open at 5:00pm, children’s Entertainment & live music begins at 6:00pm, beer garden opens at 6:30pm and fireworks show begins at approx. 9:15 PM. Thank you to our sponsors: Independence Bank & The City of Henderson.

WATER PLAY DAY

THURSDAY, JULY 6 @ 2:30 - 4:00PM

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Don’t miss this summer tradition. Grab your swimming clothes, sunblock and a towel. This event is open to kids of all ages.

PRINCESS AT THE CASTLE 3-DAY ART CAMP AGES 6-8

TUESDAY-THURSDAY, JULY 18-20

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK MUSEUM

Girls will have a blast at the Princess at the Castle camp. The girls will start each day wearing a tiara and having 3 days of non-stop fun doing art projects, learning about reptiles, having fun with Bertha Bubbles, chalk art and learning about Lucy Audubon.

Thursday, July 20 will be the Princess tea, as the girls dress the part of a Princess and enjoy the royal treatment. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $38/ Friends of Audubon $36. To register, please call Kim McGrew-Liggett 502-782-9726.

Tuesday & Wednesday @ 10:00am -12:00pm | Thursday Princess Tea @ 10:00am -1:00pm

KIDS meal deals

*The Kids Eat Free list is subject to change. Please contact restaurants to ensure their participation. Restaurants, please contact lyndi@ tannerpublishing.com with additions or corrections.

SUNDAY

Tumbleweed

1 free kids meal for every adult entree

MONDAY

Rookies Sports Bar & Grill

Kids under 8 eat free with purchase of adult entree from 4-10pm (Dine-In Only)

TUESDAY

Fazoli’s

.99 kids meal with adult purchase 5-8pm

Wings Etc.

Kids eat free 5-8 with purchase of adult entree

SATURDAY

Tacoholics

1 free kids meal per adult entree (dine in ONLY)

Cancun Mexican Restaurant

Free kids meal with adult meal purchase.

ONGOING

Shoney’s Kids under 4 eat free with adult purchase.

Fun in THE SUN!

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Fun in THE SUN!

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