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FROM THE EDITOR
Publisher/Creative Director Jason Tanner Editor Steven Wilson
CELEBRATE OWENSBORO
Ad Sales Brock Quinton Robert Williams
Springtime is here, and there’s plenty to celebrate in Owensboro. We’ve dedicated the pages of this issue to
Photographers Jamie Alexander David Grinnell Clinton Lewis Taylor West
celebrating the people and events that shape our fine city: the life of a beloved fireman, who showed unmatched bravery in his fight against cancer; 30 years of ministry
Ad Design Jamie Alexander Andrea Roberson Jason Tanner Taylor West
for a radio station dedicated to preaching the gospel; and a helping hand and a safe place for single mothers in need of a fresh start. We also celebrate the opportunity to pursue your dreams, even if the path wasn’t as you originally planned. And we celebrate with a runner who never set out to be a world-class athlete, but who conquered the world in pursuit of bettering himself. In addition to these inspiring stories, be sure to check out our annual guide featuring home tips from the pros. From outdoor lighting to interior design, we have you covered with valuable pointers from our trusted partners. And don’t forget to cast your votes in our annual “Best Of ” contest, where you, the reader, can make your voice heard. Find out who you picked as your favorites in our upcoming June issue, and, as always, thanks for picking up this issue of Owensboro Living. Steven Wilson Editor, Owensboro Living steven@owensboroliving.com
"WE’VE DEDICATED THE PAGES OF THIS ISSUE TO CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE AND EVENTS THAT SHAPE OUR FINE CITY"
Contributors Jamie Alexander Nicholas Hardesty Gail E. Kirkland Danny May Jaime Rafferty Ashley Sorce Taryn Norris Steven Wilson Lora Wimsatt Cover Photo Photo by Jamie Alexander Online www.owensboroliving.com facebook.com/owensboroliving twitter.com/owensboroliving issuu.com/owensboroliving Offline Owensboro Living Magazine PO Box 9503 Owensboro, KY 42302 888-304-5416 Subscribe Delivery of Owensboro Living is available by visiting owensboroliving.com/subscribe Advertise Owensboro Living is a FREE magazine because of community support. Thank you to the great group of businesses & organizations who advertise.
TANNER PUBLISHING CO.
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2017
APRIL MAY
[08]
THE BUZZ
THE REAL PEOPLE, PLACES AND EVENTS THAT SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY
[12]
THE PULSE
URGENCY OR EMERGENCY: WHAT CARE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
FEATURES
[56]
[16] FROM CAR SALESMAN TO OPERA SINGER [20] FELLOWSHIP IN FAITHFUL SERVICE [26] A FRESH START
[42]
[29] TAKING A STAND AGAINST CHILD ABUSE [30] MARATHON MAN [34] A BRIDGE TO LIFE [36] OWENSBORO'S HITMAKER [42] 30 YEARS OF SPREADING GOOD NEWS [46] MONETA SLEET JR. [51] OWENSBORO'S BRAVEST
[56]
[36]
HOME TIPS FROM THE PROS
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR HOMEOWNERS AND HOMEBUYERS
[74]
[30]
THE DISH
LOW CARB BAKED DONUTS
[76]
THE SCENE
YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AND AROUND OWENSBORO
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THE
BUZZ
BLUEGRASS JAM
PHOTO BY JAMIE ALEXANDER
On March 17-18, the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront hosted Kentucky Fried Pickin’, a jam session for bluegrass musicians. The inaugural event was free of charge for musicians and fans alike. All 30 rooms on the fifth floor of the hotel hosted musicians who played with their doors open, so attendees could go freely from room to room. Musicians could also be found throughout the weekend playing in the lobby, and even the hotel hallways.
FORD HONORED AS CIVIC LEADER
On March 16, during the KHSAA Sweet 16, Diane Ford was recognized as the 2017 Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award winner. The award recognizes individuals for their extraordinary efforts to promote civic engagement among Kentucky students. Ford was nominated for her time and service spent working with students in the Statesmanship Academy at The Wendell H. Ford Government Education Center.
ROBBINS NAMED SUPERINTENDENT
The DCPS Board of Education selected Matt Robbins to serve as the district’s next Superintendent. Robbins is the current assistant superintendent for finance and operations at DCPS, overseeing a budget of $142.7 million in a district of 11,790 students and 2,300 staff members. Robbins has served DCPS for the last 21 years, implementing, among other programs, the School Safety and Healthy Schools Programs initiatives. 8 OWENSBORO LIVING
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ATHENA AWARD
Girls Incorporated and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce hosted their 19th annual ATHENA luncheon, presented by First Security Bank, on March 9. The luncheon serves as a celebration of the contributions and accomplishments of women in the community. The recipient of this year’s ATHENA Award was Kathryn Raymer, an executive vice president and mortgage lending national operations manager with U.S. Bank. The late Clara Oldham was honored with the inaugural Legacy Award.
NATIONAL ARCHERY CHAMPS Both College View Middle School and Daviess County High School were named national champions at the Scholastic 3-D Archery Indoor National Championships. The event, held in Cincinnati, also saw Daviess County Middle School finish as runner-up to College View. DCHS improved on last year’s runner-up finish, and College View defended their
WESTERFIELD INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME Former Apollo teacher Joe Westerfield was honored with induction into the Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame. Chosen by a statewide selection committee, Westerfield was one of three teachers inducted into the ninth class of the Hall of Fame. Mr. Westerfield, who retired in 2002, taught social studies in Daviess County schools for 33 years. As an instructor of American government, he also helped over 5,000 of his students register to vote.
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title, with 2017 marking their second consecutive national championship. Apollo High School also claimed third place at the event, which included more than 500 individual competitors.
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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY
2017 COLOR BLAST 5K
The Color Blast 5K was again a huge success on March 18, 2017. The unofficial count was 2,000 participants who enjoyed a foam pit at the finish line. The Color Blast 5K is a fundraiser that is hosted by five non-profits who split the proceeds: Puzzle Pieces, Wendell Foster’s Campus for Developmental Disabilities, Dream Riders of Kentucky, Team Karlie, and GRADSA. Participants wear anything and everything WHITE and along the run/walk route, participants are “BLASTED” with a safe and non-toxic COLORED POWDER at each mile marker and the finish line. The color fun continues to the After Party for music, crazy fun, and group color showers!
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THE
PULSE
URGENCY OR EMERGENCY: What care is right for you?
BY ALBEN SHOCKLEY ONE HEALTH URGENT CARE
You’ve got a medical issue and you need to get care. Where do you go? For the most serious issues, the emergency department of the nearest hospital is the best choice. It is well equipped, and it has medical personnel specifically trained to offer advanced care. Some problems need timely medical attention, but they aren’t emergencies. For these, an urgent care may be able to handle all your needs. But how do you know which to choose?
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When it’s not an emergency… One of the biggest reasons we encourage patients to come to urgent care is because these clinics are efficient and experienced at caring for minor problems. That allows them to see patients quickly and get them back to work, school or life in general. Emergency rooms prioritize patients based on their needs. That’s why they’re the place to be for people with symptoms of heart attack, stroke, or severe injuries. Urgent care is also a great value. Because we don’t see severe or emergency problems, we can equip urgent care clinics with equipment and supplies suited to non-emergency needs. That helps us offer our care at lower costs to the patient. Some of the needs we can effectively treat at an urgent care include: 1. Non-complicated infections and illnesses: These include strep throat, sinus infections, bronchitis, mono or the flu. We can often do rapid tests for the flu and strep throat right in the clinic, which helps speed up treatment. * When to go to the emergency room instead: • If you have an issue that might complicate the flu • If you think you might have pneumonia • If you suspect someone is dehydrated because of illness, an emergency department is also a better choice, since urgent care clinics are not equipped to administer IV fluids.
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2. Minor injuries: For sprains and joint injuries, we can help splint, immobilize or wrap the affected area. If it’s a laceration (a cut or gash), we can clean and bandage the injury, or apply stitches if needed. We can also do x-rays to look for and treat noncomplicated fractures. * When to go to the emergency room instead: • If the laceration is jagged or might involve a major blood vessel (if it is bleeding heavily) • If the patient very obviously has a broken bone (the limb is visibly bent in an unusual way or the bone is visible through the skin) • If the patient is suspected to have a head injury or concussion
3. Other minor issues: Urgent care can easily treat other issues like ingrown toenails, rashes and minor eye injuries.
Working together Urgent care also helps connect patients with other areas of care. Some of these include: 1. Lab testing: Owensboro Health’s urgent care clinics at the Ford and Parrish campuses have the ability to take blood and other types of samples for lab tests. Owensboro Health’s courier service operates every day to get samples to the lab at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, which often means results will be available the same day.
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2. Diagnostic imaging: Owensboro Health Urgent Care Ford,
When it’s an emergency…
adjacent to the Owensboro Health Healthpark on Ford Avenue,
When in doubt, you should always err on the side of caution. If you think the situation is severe, call 911.
has the added benefit of a diagnostic imaging center. This allows us to quickly get x-rays at that location. 3. Electronic medical records: All Owensboro Health clinics and facilities use the same secure electronic medical records system. That means if you’ve received care from an Owensboro Health primary care provider or specialist, our urgent care staff can have that information at hand when we treat you. It also means if you go to one of our urgent care clinics and follow up with an Owensboro Health primary care provider or specialist, they can review the records from your urgent care visit instantly. 4. Referral to providers: Being part of a regional health system means we can help guide you to care and resources that you might not know about. That includes not just primary care providers and specialists, but also dietitians, physical therapists, exercise physiologists and more.
Some conditions which you should go straight to the emergency department include: • Heart attack (including chest pains of any kind) • Stroke symptoms • Difficulty breathing • Confusion or disorientation If you have a question about whether or not an urgent care can treat your issue, you can always call Owensboro Health’s 24-hour info line (855-417-8555), which is staffed by medical professionals who can help advise you on whether or not to seek medical attention. We’re always glad to help you get the care you need. Dr. Alben Shockley is a board-certified urgent care physician at Owensboro Health Urgent Care – Ford on Ford Avenue. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an Owensboro Health provider, call 844-44-MY-ONE (844-446-9663).
Owensboro Health now has two urgent care clinics open and caring for patients in Owensboro! Owensboro Health Urgent Care Ford
Owensboro Health Urgent Care Parrish
2211 Mayfair Drive, Suite 101 | 270-688-1352
811 E. Parrish Avenue | 270-688-5310
Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week
Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday | Open noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANTHONY CLARK EVANS
A
nthony Clark Evans, just “Clark” to those close to him, moved to
Owensboro with his family in 1991 when he was in the third grade. Both his father and mother, Steve and Stacie Evans, are originally from Owensboro and moved home for Steve to accept a pastoral position at Macedonia Baptist Church. Evans remembers his time at both Daviess County Middle and Daviess County High Schools with fondness, but it was those memories made playing and singing music that he remembers best. As a four-year member of the DCHS Band, Evans played saxophone in concert band, and drums in marching band. He also joined the choir his senior year. “I remember my middle school band director, Ann Burch. She just gave me a lot of confidence and said I had a lot of talent,” Evans said. “Mr. Clark at DCHS made me work really hard to get where I wanted to go. They both taught me the meaning of practicing the right way.” Evans went on to Murray State University in 2003, where he studied voice. “At that time, I wanted to teach voice.
Local Talent BY ASHLEY SORCE
FROM CAR SALESMAN TO OPERA SINGER
Owensboro has produced a number of talented artists throughout the years, but one you may not be as familiar with is Anthony Clark Evans, who has stunned the opera world after winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
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Get my master’s and doctorate in vocal. I wanted to teach people to use their voice. I just got more interested in performing the further I got into voice lessons,” Evans said. When the economy declined in 2008, the financial factor of college caught up to Evans, who was paying his own way through school. He eventually dropped out and began looking for work.
Evans had met his girlfriend just a year
into school at a welcoming event with the Murray State band. “My girlfriend had just graduated. She was on her way to start her career as a music teacher. I just wanted
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to go with her,” Evans said.
credits in opera. No one knew me. I was selling cars at the
time. Hadn’t taken lessons in 3-4 years. But I was mad at
Evans admits that life was pretty bleak after that. The
two moved to his girlfriend’s hometown of Elizabethtown,
myself for not trying.”
Kentucky. “I would get a job, then try to get a better job. We
wanted to get married and buy a house. Just trying to get our
he had something worthy of this competition. “My voice
feet under us. We lived with Kim’s dad. Neither of us had a
teacher taught me to critique myself. Taught me how to fix
job with the bad economy. About a year out of school, I got a
myself. I had all of the tools there. I just needed to put them
job selling cars and that started paying the bills,” Evans said.
all together,” Evans said.
But something always felt missing for Evans, who was
Regardless of training, practice, and lessons, Evans felt
And he was right. He won the district competition. He
still drawn to music and singing. While in school at Murray,
moved on to the regional competition, also held in Memphis,
Evans and classmates always kept up with the Metropolitan
where he won again. He then moved on to semi-finals and
Opera National Council winners. (The Metropolitan Opera
finals, both held at the Metropolitan Opera in New York
National Council Auditions is a program designed to
City.
discover promising young opera singers and assist in the
development of their careers.) He admits to following them
I figured I am a car salesman. That’s what I actually am. I
on YouTube and thinking, “I can do that.”
want to be an opera singer. At least I’ve made a splash and I
And finally in 2012, Evans traveled to Memphis,
may get some publicity. I never thought I would win. I was
Tennessee to compete in the district level of the competition.
just very low key. I’ve never really been nervous on stage.
“I was scared,” Evans said. “I had no college degree, no
There’s no reason to be. It’s fun. Who gets to say they get to
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Was he nervous? According to Evans, no. “At that point,
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sing for a living? Being nervous isn’t acceptable in
was stunning to them, not because I won, but they
my book,” Evans said.
didn’t think it was real. But I have proven myself
And it turns out, Evans had nothing to be
since then.”
nervous about, because he was chosen as one of five winners in the 2012 competition. As a winner, he received $15,000 and a lot of publicity to jumpstart his career as a baritone opera singer.
Since 2012, Evans has been busy performing in productions and competitions, including a two-year stint with the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s
“People that won this thing, they have gone on
Ryan Opera Center. Among his recent roles have
to be the best in the business,” Evans said. “I have
been Sharpless in “Madama Butterfly” for the San
to be as good as those other people. I have to keep
Diego Opera, Marcello in “La Boheme” for Opera
up this tradition. Your name gets out there. I went
Theatre of Saint Louis and Simon Thibault in the
from sitting there to 100 miles per hour in a day.
Lyric Opera’s “Bel Canto.” And in early February,
Instant recognition. That’s literally the only way I
Evans made his debut at the Met in the company’s
could have started my career.” But just because he won such a prestigious competition, doesn’t mean he was instantly embraced. “I think stunned is the perfect word,”
production of Antonín Dvorák’s “Rusalka.”
“I think opera is the best art form because it
combines all art forms-- visual art in the scenery
Evans said. “I met Renee Fleming, the most
and costumes, singing, acting, literature. When
famous soprano in the world. The first thing out of
you combine all of those things together, it makes
her mouth was, ‘you were really a car salesman?’ It
for a really good night of entertainment.”
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FELLOWSHIP inFAITHFUL
SERVICE
Sitting behind a modest desk in donated space at First General Baptist, her words flowed quickly and enthusiastically from the first mention of her calling with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
BY GAIL E. KIRKLAND
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PHOTO BY DAVID GRINNELL
Strong in her belief and confident in her cause, Erica
family. Todd became a member of the FCA board and Erica
Houston tirelessly serves as FCA’s Area Representative for
began volunteering with FCA.
a 9-county region. FCA’s vision: To see the world impacted
for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and
consists of four C’s: Coaches, Campus, Camp and
athletes.
Community. First and foremost is the intentional support
It began with recognition that coaching a team, being
of coaches, who receive a Coach’s Bible with specific
an athlete, and being a coach’s wife can be highly stressful.
devotions tailored for a coach, reminding them that their
In 2008, Erica and husband Todd attended their first
purpose and worth is found beyond a scoreboard. “You
Coaches’ Clinic, recommended by another Danville coach,
coach very differently when an athlete is a product to get
who himself had tapped into the invaluable resource. “I was
you a win versus coaching the heart of the athlete,” Erica
honestly in tears most of the time, because all these other
said. FCA’s hope is that the encouragement and values
ladies were talking about bringing their friends because
reinforced in coaches spill out onto their players.
their husbands were on staff together . . . they talked about
encouraging one another—wife after wife,” Erica said. The
school “huddles,” which range from elementary school to
tears flowed from her realization that she didn’t have that
college campuses. “The elementary school huddles are the
and she didn’t do that for others. “It was an eye-opening
ones growing by leaps and bounds; at the end of this year,
experience. It was a great reminder to my husband [head
we will have started five elementary school huddles, so it’s
football coach at Ohio County at that time] why he does
very exciting,” Erica said. The most recent huddle began
what he does, because these men would talk about the ways
at Sutton Elementary School, where 25 students enjoyed
they made sure to add character to the middle of coaching
Christian music and listened as Erica talked about FCA
offense, for example,” she said. They came home and listed
and led a short Bible story about kindness and using words
all the things they wanted to do differently as a coaching
of encouragement toward one another. School huddles have
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Erica’s role is to oversee the ministry of FCA, which
The second C, “Campus,” provides an emphasis on local
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staff sponsors and student leaders, who have been equipped, PHOTO BY DAVID GRINNELL
through FCA training, to lead the meetings. Additionally, at least 40 Character Coaches volunteer with middle and high school teams, providing weekly “character clinics,” 10-15 minute sessions about teamwork, integrity, commitment, honesty and other positive character traits. According to an FCA flyer, “These clinics are grounded by stories from the Bible, helping athletes to apply these truths to their everyday lives and especially to their team.”
The third C, “Camp,” involves taking an average of 30
students to Campbellsville University for a leadership camp each summer. Coaches and school sponsors recommend potential leaders who would benefit from attending camp. “It’s a pretty powerful experience for the students who attend,” Erica said. This year’s camp, July 6-9, features testimonies from Stephen Johnson, UK quarterback; Katy Downing, WKU softball; Avery Jones, Tennessee State basketball; and Jerry Ramirez, U of L soccer. A local Coaches’ Clinic will be held in Bowling Green, April 29, where attendees will not only share some X’s and O’s, but also their testimonies and encouragement to pour character and values into their athletes. The monies raised from this clinic will be used to send kids to FCA camp this summer.
FCA BANQUET
“Community,” the 4th C, includes Character Clinics for
Tuesday, May 2, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ Owensboro Christian Church $60 per ticket / $500 table Contact Erica Houston at 270-570-3290, ehouston@fca.org, 620 Maple Ave. 42301
the Owensboro-Daviess County Youth Football League, Kids’
Featuring Freddie Maggard, former UK quarterback now a
these values to their athletes. Devotions are also available for
dynamic Kentucky Sports Radio analyst; Wade Gaynor, former
various teams traveling on weekends and unable to attend
professional baseball player and Hancock Co. graduate. Also featuring the presentation of the first "Bobby Watson
Football League and cheerleaders. A coach, assistant coach or parent volunteers to lead weekly character clinics which focus on a key value (teamwork, integrity, etc.). FCA hopes to expand this to any team / coach interested in teaching and reinforcing
worship services.
FCA’s presence and programs are growing exponentially
FCA Coach's Award," celebrating strong character & an
throughout Owensboro and worldwide. As for Erica’s devotion
outstanding example to their athletes.
to, passion for, and role with FCA, she said, “I couldn’t NOT do it.”
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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
A L L E R G Y & A S T H M A S P E C I A L I S T S , P. S . C .
Allergists:
THE DOCTORS YOU DIDN’T KNOW COULD HELP YOU WITH YOUR ASTHMA
ALLERGISTS PROVIDE THE BEST CARE FOR THOSE WITH ASTHMA If you have allergies, the medical professional you want
You should consider going to an allergist if you:
to see is an allergist. And if you have asthma, the medical
•
professional you want to see is…also an allergist.
Have asthma symptoms every day and often at night that limit your activities.
•
Have had a life-threatening asthma attack.
Many people with asthma don’t know allergists are specialists
•
Have symptoms that are unusual or hard to diagnose.
in asthma care – and they can get asthma symptoms under
•
Have co-existing conditions such as severe allergic
control. “Allergists are specially trained to identify the factors
rhinitis (“hay fever”) or sinusitis that complicate asthma
that trigger asthma,” says allergist Dr. Lee Clore. “But
or its diagnosis.
statistics show most people with asthma, including children,
•
Have been admitted to a hospital because of asthma.
don’t see an allergist – a specialist who could improve their symptoms. Allergists take a detailed history, and may do
While asthma cannot be cured, it can be controlled. And
testing to identify your unique set of triggers and symptoms,
when asthma is controlled, you can expect improvement in
and create an asthma plan to treat them.”
your overall health. Controlling asthma means: •
Studies show that when an allergist treats asthma,
No or fewer asthma symptoms, even at night or after exercise.
it results in:
•
Prevention of all or most asthma attacks.
•
A 77% reduction in time lost from work or school.
•
Participation in all activities, including exercise.
•
A 45% reduction in sick care office visits.
•
No emergency room visits or hospital stays.
•
A 77% reduction in emergency room costs.
•
Less need for quick-relief medicines.
•
Improved emotional and physical well-being, and
•
Minimized side effects from asthma medications.
greater satisfaction with your physician and with the quality of your general medical care.
Treatment for your allergies may include immunotherapy
May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness month, and
(allergy shots). Allergists are specialists at providing allergy
it’s a great time to evaluate whether your asthma is under
shots, which can reduce sensitivity to the allergens that
control. If it’s not, ACAAI has information on why you should
trigger asthma attacks, and significantly reduce the severity
see an allergist. With the right measures in place, those who
of the disease. They can also prevent the development of
suffer from asthma can reduce or stop their symptoms.
asthma in some children with seasonal allergies.
For more information about treatment of asthma, visit our website at www.owensboroallergy.com.
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A
BY JAIME Y T RAFFER
B
Fresh START
PHOTO BY TAYLOR WEST
eing a parent can be hard enough in a dual-parent household. Being a single mother is immeasurably more difficult. Add in hardships brought on by circumstances and destructive decisions, and life can seem impossible. Recognizing a need among these struggling single mothers, several local women, who were no strangers to helping other ladies out, are providing a new beginning to these mothers and their children. Fresh Start for Women opened its doors in Owensboro on November 1, 2016, with lowcost housing that provides positive “community� support for women trying to get back on their feet. As the local ladies looked to help the community, they reached out to other agencies that help women in areas such as housing and life skills. Their ultimate goal is to place these women on the path to success. This special 12-apartment complex is located in downtown Owensboro and provides a safe and encouraging atmosphere for those in search of bettering themselves for a more hopefilled future. Modeled after The Next Door in Nashville, TN, Fresh Start for Women is a place where single mothers, along with their children, are experiencing the struggles that accompany divorce, domestic violence, drug recovery and many other life challenges. But like its name, Fresh Start is a place women can come to reside and begin anew with the assistance of a program designed to empower them and honor them so that they do not return to a destructive lifestyle or unhealthy relationships. Fresh Start for Women offers a safe living environment, with a property manager on site,
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and the rule that no men are allowed on the premises so that the women are not reliant on a relationship or a partner to obtain their new life. The focus is on personal growth for them and their children. This is achieved by mentoring from a recovery advisor who helps residents, through a oneon-one monthly session, to focus on the tenant’s current situation and develop a feasible plan for the future. Fresh Start housing is not free, but is designed for those who need a hand up. The women must go through a proper application process. Fresh Start provides the women partial payment towards their rent, as well as a safe atmosphere to raise their children. Additionally, the residents are required to be enrolled in activities that promote the betterment of life for their future. These can include, but aren’t limited to, budgeting, parenting, church, and recovery programs. The current maximum length of stay at Fresh Start housing is one year, but there is no minimum stay required.
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Fresh Start relies on the partnership with other community agencies to navigate the women to the required services, as they do not have them on site. This also holds true with funding. Fresh Start relies on the kindness and generosity of local citizens to see the value in the work they are doing, and hope they will want to be a part of the many new starts they are providing for women in our area. They currently have no debt thanks to the generosity of Owensboro/Daviess County residents. However, further donations are needed and welcomed to help additional families, and to continue this vital community service. Fresh Start graciously accepts money, toiletries, laundry items and food products. As you can see, Fresh Start for Women is changing and enhancing the lives of single mothers and their children. It’s more than a structure that provides housing; it rebuilds lives for those starting fresh.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO DONATE PLEASE CONTACT: CAROL ADKINS FRESHSTART5554@GMAIL.COM 270-315-8974 FRESH START FOR WOMEN P.O. BOX 1386 OWENSBORO, KY 42302
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Taking a Stand
AGAINST CHILD ABUSE BY STEVEN WILSON
THE
most recent Child Maltreatment Report, authored by the Children’s Bureau, reveals that 522,476 children were victims of abuse in 2015. Each day, countless unnamed individuals and non-profit organizations work toward the goal of eradicating child abuse. For those groups, April is the month when extra attention is focused on the heartwrenching issue. Designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the month of April sees many groups hosting events to raise awareness of the plight of so many helpless children. Here in Owensboro, The Community Collaboration for Children Regional Network (CCC) and the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) join together to promote awareness of the reality of child abuse in the local community. These organizations do so by providing a family-friendly event known as The STAND. According to Kristy Clark, the Program Coordinator for CCC at GRADD, CCC is a federally-funded program through a contract with DCBS. More specifically, CCC is designed to prevent child abuse and neglect, to support and strengthen families, and to encourage communities to work together. The program consists of a Regional Network, with direct services offered throughout GRADD’s 7 counties: Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Mclean, Ohio, Union, and Webster. For this region, The STAND serves as a tool to bring awareness to the child abuse epidemic, as well as to educate families about the community resources available to them. Kimberly Butler, MSSW, has been employed with DCBS for 14 years, and has seen the event evolve over time. Butler says, “It started years ago with individuals lining the streets of Frederica to bring child abuse awareness to the community. However, over the last several years it has grown into this large event that has brought our community together with the same goal in mind: to educate, prevent, and take a stand against child abuse.”
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Last year, the event drew approximately 30 agencies and vendors actively involved with the cause, as well as roughly 500 individual participants. This year’s STAND is set to include a bounce house, corn hole, side walk chalk, as well as lots of free giveaways. Jodi McCarty, BSW, a foster care specialist with Sunrise Children’s Services, is one of those individuals who participates in the event, and has seen firsthand the positive impact that the STAND has on children and their families: “The Stand Against Child Abuse provides our community the opportunity to stand for the defenseless. The STAND lets children know they have an advocate, someone who cares about their present and their future, and is there for them, fighting for them.” Butler echoes McCarty’s sentiments, stating: “I am so proud to be a part of a community that is willing to come together for our children. There are so many community agencies that are ready to come together and support one another to make a difference. Unfortunately it is a reality that child abuse does occur so it is awesome to see everyone coming together to assist in protecting this vulnerable population…our children.” This year’s STAND Against Child Abuse is set to take place on Thursday, April 13 from 4:30 – 7pm on the lawn in front of the KWC softball field (3000 block of Frederica Street). Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come to this valuable community event.
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MARATHON
MAN BY NICHOLAS HARDESTY
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“I HATE RUNNING.”
THOSE ARE PROBABLY THE LAST WORDS YOU WOULD EXPECT TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS RUN OVER 40 MARATHONS IN HIS LIFE. BUT, THAT’S DAVE JONES FOR YA. WHILE AN AVERSION TO RUNNING WOULD KEEP MOST PEOPLE FROM EVEN ATTEMPTING A MARATHON, THAT AVERSION IS ACTUALLY WHAT GOT HIM STARTED. www.OwensboroLiving.com
PHOTO BY DAVID GRINNELL
B
ack in 2012, the Hanson, KY native was at West
marathons, and in six months he went from literally not
Virginia University watching a football game with
being able to run the length of his driveway to running
this friends. Overweight and out of breath from his
his first marathon – the Southern Indiana Classic in
two-pack-a-day cigarette habit, he could only make it
Evansville, IN, on April 6, 2013.
through the first half before calling it quits. While his
friends continued having fun, he went back to his car and
did he find the determination to make himself get up and
went to sleep!
run when he was so out of shape and dying for a cigarette?
After waking up in the middle of the night in an empty
“To really make a change in your life, you have to look in
parking lot, he realized something needed to change.
the accountability mirror,” he said. “Take a really honest
That’s when he asked himself, “What’s the thing you hate
look at yourself. Ask yourself, ‘Am I stronger or is the
doing the most? From now on, that’s what you’re going to
addiction stronger? Am I stronger or is the pain in my
do every time you want to use nicotine.”
muscles stronger?’”
That thing was running. Eventually, he found himself
Addiction typically saps a person’s will power. Where
Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to decide once
running so often that he decided to get serious about it.
and for all that you have to make a change. For Jones,
Running – the very thing he hated – was becoming the
he was just tired of being tired. “I wasn’t happy,” he
good addiction that replaced the bad addictions in his
remembers. “I didn’t like that aspect of my life, I felt like
life. And then he had a crazy idea.
I wasn’t in control.” Running became a school in how to
get that control back. And after that first marathon, he
“I came in one day from one of those runs and told my
family and friends: ‘By darn, I’m running a marathon.’”
became the class nerd.
They all laughed and dismissed him, but he was serious.
He hopped on Amazon, found a book about training for
I-love-to-set-goals-and-accomplish-hard-things bug,” he
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“I didn’t get bit by the running bug, I got bit by the
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said. “Pretty soon I was asking myself, ‘What can I do next?’
Since all that international travel means crisscrossing
Like any good addiction, it progresses!”
time zones, gaining and losing days, the only way to keep
He went on to run 12 more marathons that year. Running
track is to count the hours from the start of the first race. By
quickly came to mean more than simply getting his life back.
the time they got to Antarctica, they had to run the White
Marathon after marathon became a quest to discover what
Continent Marathon in under 6 hours in order to finish in
he was capable of, to test his limitations, but also to be with other people who were striving to do something great, to encourage them, and to share in their joy. That quest lead him to perhaps the greatest test of all, something no one had ever done before, The Triple-7 Quest (www.triple7quest.com): A marathon a day for seven
seven days. He ran it in 5:12:55, his best time of the entire quest, even though it was the hardest of the seven marathons, and it was on the last day.
He described it as a transcendental experience. “I believe
that the Spirit lives within me and that’s how God uses me and molds me,” he confessed. “That gives me a great deal of strength when the body fails or the mind is weak. When the
consecutive days, each one on a different continent. Just
mind and body fail and it’s just the Spirit … then it’s easy!”
check out the itinerary:
That’s what happened in Antarctica. It doesn’t happen to him very often. “Sometimes God
Jan. 25: Perth, Australia
just lets me suffer!” he exclaimed. But even that is a valuable
Australia Day Marathon
lesson. “I can’t transcend on my own,” he explained. “The
Jan. 26: Singapore
difficult runs teach me that it has to be on His time and in
Singapore Beach Marathon
His way.”
Jan. 27: Cairo, Egypt
What could possibly be next for the runner who
Marathon Cairo
conquered the world, who made Antarctica look easy? He
Jan. 28: Amsterdam, Netherlands
wants to run a marathon in 30 states, territories, or countries
Shri Chimnoy Marathon
in 365 days. He also hopes that the Triple 7 Quest will be
Jan. 29: New York, U.S.
a jumping off point for his career as a certified marathon
The Inauguration Day International Marathon
and IRONMAN coach. And finally, he wants to give back to
Jan. 30: Punta Arenas, Chile
the countries and out-of-the-way places that host races every
The Southern Cross Marathon
year and have given him so much, through his charity Must
Jan. 31: King George Island, Antarctica
Add Heart.
The White Continent Marathon
My guess is he has plenty of heart to go around.
Check out these websites that Dave is a part of: Eternal Endurance (www.eternalendurance.com) Marathon/Ironman Coaching and Clothing Line Must Add Heart (www.mustaddheart.com) Dave's Charity Marathon Maniacs (www.marathonmaniacs.com) The running group that Dave is a member of
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JAN 28 JAN 29
JAN 27 JAN 26
JAN 25 JAN 30 JAN 31
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A BRIDGE
to life
Some may wonder how a bridge can save a life. One man had to travel to the end of a road that lead to emotional waters and be handed a lifeline on the Gold-
BY JAIME RAFFERTY
en Gate Bridge to find out. This is where two men, Sergeant Kevin Briggs and citizen Kevin Berthia, met one fateful day, and began a journey of hope at a crossroads of desperation. Through the tireless work of the Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition, Inc. (ORSCP, Inc.), this true story of compassion and perseverance will inspire our community to never give up on each other, including those contemplating suicide.
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Sergeant Kevin Briggs (Ret.) and Kevin Berthia April 27, 2017 at 6:30pm Owensboro Health Regional Hospital Auditorium Seating is limited; Please pre-register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ORSPC2017 Free & Open to Public! Donations to continue work of ORSPC are welcome.
IN
2005, at the age of 22, Kevin Berthia attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Thankfully, on that day, he met Briggs. This was no chance meeting. Sgt. Kevin Briggs was a patrol officer that kindly provided a compassionate voice, along with a listening ear that thankfully prevented Berthia from taking his life at the Golden Gate Bridge nearly 11 years ago. Briggs is often called the "Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge," and rightfully so, as he has saved hundreds of lives, spending up to seven hours simply communicating with the suicide attempter to bring them safely back over the rail where their lives can be transformed from despair to a future filled with dreams and goals. Kevin Berthia is grateful to have survived a suicide attempt, and now has turned what could have been a terrible tragedy into a triumph by becoming a suicide prevention advocate. Berthia struggled with a major depression disorder, the same as his biological mother. Berthia attempted to take his life that day by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge, but thankfully, he met Sgt. Briggs, and his life
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changed for the better, forever. Both Kevin Briggs and Kevin Berthia will bring to Owensboro this powerful message on the importance of compassion, actively listening and of life-changing hope. This event has been made possible by the ORSCP, Inc. and co-sponsor Owensboro Health. Owensboro Health and the Coalition are also working on a Zero Suicide initiative. Zero Suicide is “a commitment to suicide prevention in health and behavioral health care systems, and also a specific set of tools and strategies. It is both a concept and a practice.” This model uses these key elements : LEAD, TRAIN, IDENTIFY, ENGAGE, TREAT, TRANSITION and IMPROVE, and will be offering training to health care systems in the area to help combat the ongoing crisis of death by suicide. ORSCP, Inc. invites the community to be a part of the solution by exploring the work they’re doing in the community, or by attending this event to hear firsthand the encouraging story that bonded… "bridged"… two men for LIFE.
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Owensboro's HITMAKER PHOTO AND ARTICLE BY DANNY MAY
IF
you happened to run into Brad Paisley at Gene’s Health Food, or Keith Urban at the Healthpark in the early 2000's, you
can thank Steve Chandler for that. As Director of Entertainment at the former Executive Inn, Steve booked the concerts in the Showroom Lounge for a span of around 10 years. “Brad and (his wife) Kimberly were always very healthconscious. Brad wanted to work out every day so I’d take them over to the Healthpark the day of the show.” Keith Urban and Randy Travis were a few more who Steve drove to work out at
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the Healthpark before concerts at
everything
the Showroom Lounge.
overdubs, mixing and editing,” he
Steve refers to many of the
explained. He’s one of the main
biggest names in music by first
engineers for Rounder Records
name like they’re old friends.
(Allison Kraus, Steve Martin,
Not in a boastful way. Far from
Ricky Skaggs). He’s also gotten
it. But when you’ve spent 40
calls from Curb Records, Capitol
years involved in various aspects
Records, and RCA.
of the music industry, you cross
Steve may or may not be
paths with some big names.
the last person to record Merle
“Hitmakers” as they’re called in
Haggard before Haggard passed
Nashville.
last April. He recorded George
These days, Steve is primarily
Thorogood (“Bad to the Bone”)
a sound engineer, meaning he
and Keith Whitley in the former
spends his days recording songs
Electric Arts studio on 2nd Street
for
music
here in Owensboro. Throughout
studios
his career, Steve has worked on
record
producers around
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labels in
or
various
Nashville.
“I
do
from
tracking,
to
projects with BJ Thomas, Billy
STEVE ALSO HAS RUN THE SOUND FOR ROMP SINCE IT STARTED AND THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, WHICH STARTED IN OWENSBORO AND HAS SINCE RELOCATED TO NORTH CAROLINA, FOR ABOUT THE PAST 20 YEARS.
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Joe Royal, Vince Gill, Wynonna, Dolly Parton, Trace
and recorded a 45-inch record, an experience which
Adkins, Gene Watson, Crystal Gayle, and Joe Diffie,
served as a good launchpad for Steve’s transition to
to name a few. “Merle Haggard is probably my favorite
the other side of the sound board. The other members
though. I always enjoyed working with him. What I
of Midwest (Bobby Blackford, Larry Evans, Larry
liked about Merle is he didn’t have an ego. He was
Maglinger, Bill Lewis) pursued music, but Steve
easy to work with. We’d go hang out on his bus all
started tinkering with recording and never looked
afternoon and he’d tell stories before we recorded.”
back. “Larry (Maglinger) and I got into recording at
But even though he spends his weekdays working
the same time. We had a little two track recorder in
with a talented roster of famous artists, you can still
a basement, and that’s how I got started learning the
find the two-time Grammy Award winner behind
craft.”
the sound board at Owensboro Christian Church just
about every weekend. It’s there that he mixes the
early days has come full circle with recent technology.
sound for Saturday night and Sunday services, even
“Back then, you had to learn a lot about signal to noise
though Steve and his wife relocated to Nashville 20
and dynamic range. With technology today, it’s still
years ago. “I enjoy this. It gets me out of the Nashville
important to learn how to use dynamic processors like
scene once a week.”
compressors and limiters correctly. So I think I was
Steve’s passion for recording can be traced back
blessed to have learned it on the real thing, because
to his time playing in local bands, namely The Mags
I still use those same concepts today when I set
and Midwest, which both enjoyed regional success in
thresholds with a plugin on a computer desktop."
the ‘70s. Midwest opened for Jefferson Airplane once,
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Steve says he has noticed what he learned in those
Steve’s career took a major step forward when he
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had the opportunity to be a sound engineer at legendary
or whatever was needed.”
steel guitar player and producer Pete Drake’s studio in
Nashville. “That was about the same time RCA closed their
at the E on Thursdays, work the shows over the weekend,
studio in Nashville, so Al Pachucki - who recorded Elvis’
then drive back down to Nashville on Monday to work for
records - also came to work with Pete,” Steve recalls. “It was
a few days. “The Nashville acts loved playing Owensboro
interesting. I learned a lot from those guys. And it really
because they could be back home in their own bed that
opened the door for me to work on some other major label
night instead of riding on the bus all night long for another
projects after that.”
show. Charlie Daniels used to love it so much he’d come up
When another opportunity presented itself, Steve
here and do a one-off. But those Nashville connections I
purchased the Goodman Studio in Madisonville, which
made down there and at the E really helped my career, and
he brought to Owensboro, renamed Electric Arts, and ran
vice versa.”
with his old friends and partners Bobby Blackford, Hank
A great example of that is the Black Crowes concert
Starks, and Gordy Wilcher. Electric Arts afforded Steve a
that Steve booked at the Sportscenter in March of ‘08. The
way to record in Owensboro as well as Nashville.
Crowes’ management called Steve because they were routing
It meant a lot of miles traveling back and forth between
through the area and needed a show on a certain night.
Nashville and Owensboro, but that has become the norm for
“We sold 3,500 tickets that night. Every hotel in this town
Chandler. With his growing connections in the Nashville
was booked and every bar was busy.” Or like the time Joe
music scene, the Executive Inn contracted Steve to book
Cocker’s manager called and said a show had fallen through
shows in the Showroom Lounge. “I would book shows for
and he needed to fill a hole in the schedule that was only
the E, and sometimes run the stage sound or front of house
three weeks away. The Showroom Lounge was a win-win.
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During those years, Steve would work out of his office
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Looking back on 40 years of recording, Steve still grins when he thinks
about the good ol’ days of 16- or 24-track 2-inch tape at Electric Arts; the kind on a big reel you had to move forward and backward by hand. Most musicians agree that tape has the most authentic, warm sound. “That was and still is my favorite to use, but not many people use tape anymore because it’s so expensive. But with computers the way they are today, there is a convenience. Now you can take your whole album home on a flashdrive, and it’s so easy to send files back and forth from one studio to the next. If I’m working with a session musician or background singer, I can literally send it to their house, they can record it at home, send it back, and we’ll mix it in the studio.”
As we finished the interview, Steve leaned over to adjust a knob on the
digital console in the soundbooth overlooking the sanctuary at Owensboro Christian, his glasses low on his nose and his eyes on the stage. How do you summarize 40 years?
“It’s been a blessing to get to work with some of the greatest there is and
to get to know them personally. Not that I'm great. It’s just that I’ve been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time in a lot of cases. It’s a blessing, but it’s nothing I did.”
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS IN A RECORDING STUDIO?
Most radio listeners make the assumption that the band you see on stage is the
same band who records the songs in the studio. That may be likely for rock bands, but by Steve’s estimation, 90% of the hits on country radio are actually recorded by what are called “session musicians.” So while a touring band accompanies the artist on the road, these musicians are hired by the label to record with the artist in the studio.
“These guys are fantastic. Session guys can read charts (using the “Nashville number
system,” a sort of short hand for reading music) so you can hand them a chart, play the demo once or twice, and in most cases I can hit red (record) and they can go!” Speaking in very general terms, the way a Nashville studio session works is this: When a record label is ready for an artist to record another song or album, either the label or artist calls the engineer (like Steve) to coordinate dates. The label hires a producer, who names a session leader, and then books a studio somewhere in Nashville for a set amount of hours. The session leader lines up session musicians. Usually the producer gathers the songs from Nashville songwriters for the artist to choose from when recording the album. The session leader charts the songs with instructions for session musicians so they are ready to rock when they get there.
The whole process is usually very collaborative. The producer trusts the session
leader, who trusts the session musicians, who respect the artist. The artist contributes input and usually gets their way if they have suggestions, but the producer has final say.
Steve’s job as a sound engineer is to run the soundboard, adjusting the knobs and
sliders to get the best recording of each instrument and voice. He says the collaboration in the studio is what he enjoys most about engineering. “If producers know you and your work, they’ll ask your opinion about certain things and trust you.” On occasion, he serves as producer for the recording session as well. “I enjoy producing because I like the human element to it. I enjoy interacting with artists and musicians and seeing what we can come up with.”
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30 YEARS of SPREADING GOOD NEWS
“WE ARE HERE TO SERVE OUR CITY AND TO PROVIDE A MEDIA PRESENCE WITH A KINGDOM WORLDVIEW.” - Executive Director Bridget Kehrt-Groce
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BY TARYN NORRIS
F
or the last 30 years, Christian Family Radio has worked diligently to fulfill their mission “to showcase God’s glory through the
story of his people by using life-changing media.” (christianfamilyradio.com/about-us/our-mission/). As CFR is celebrating its 30th anniversary, they are just as devoted to that mission as they were when they first started. www.OwensboroLiving.com
PHOTOS BY CLINTON LEWIS
In 1984, Warren County grain farmer James Troutman
Bridget Kehrt-Groce says “we are here to serve our city and
took his kids out west and heard Contemporary Christian
to provide a media presence with a kingdom worldview.”
Music (CCM) for the first time, and immediately fell in
love with it. When the Troutman family returned home to
from sex trafficking with the Cups of Cold Water program
Warren County, James felt called to pray for a CCM radio
(cupsofcoldwater.com), donated clothes to Socks for Seniors
station to come to south central Kentucky. With fervent and
and Barren River Safe Space, and helped bring Christian
dedicated prayer, James spent the next two years helping
artists like For King and Country, Casting Crowns, and
found Christian Family Radio by forming a steering
Natalie Grant to the area.
committee, applying to the Federal Communications
Commission, and finally, helping the organization sign on
the voice of the church through media.” This theme of
for its first broadcast in 1986. Nearly 31 years later, CFR is
unity is reflected in the listeners that they attract. CFR
broadcast on three different FM radio stations in Kentucky,
is interdenominational and is listened to by people of all
and to more than 125 countries via livestream.
faiths, and even people of no faith who are seeking positive
and uplifting programming.
While CFR plays plenty of positive and encouraging
Most recently, CFR held a radiothon to eradicate women
According to Bridget, CFR “brings the vision of uniting
music over their airways, they also seek to serve the
Bridget has served CFR since her college days at
community as a source of strength and inspiration through
Western Kentucky University, and for the past three years
their broader media ministry. They provide encouraging
has served as the Executive Director and vision-caster for
scripture verses, testimonies, prayer time, and information
the organization. She finds great fulfillment in this role,
about local Christian events. CFR seeks to be a source of
stating, “We get to tell the stories: churches, pastors, non-
encouragement to the struggling, depressed, or lonely; an
profits, personal testimonies…we are directly engaging in
uplifting and constant reminder of faith; and a service to
spiritual warfare,” through the ministry of CFR.
the community. They are actively working to bring life
to others by pursuing social justice and meeting physical
an open house and planned 30 community events to serve
and spiritual needs in the community. Executive Director
their main broadcast location, the city of Bowling Green.
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To celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2016, CFR hosted
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THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT WAYS TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF CFR: 1. Listen, share your story, and/or lead a prayer time. 2. Connect your church with CFR and ask them to volunteer their services and partner with the ministry of CFR. 3. Financially support CFR by giving. For Owensboro listeners, Christian Family Radio can be found by tuning in to FM 91.7 WCVK.
These events included a number of free concerts, community events to serve the homeless and the hungry, outreaches with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in local schools, participating in the annual See You at the Pole Rally, and various other events throughout the year. Their goal in all of these events was to make an impact by representing Christ in the Bowling Green community.
For 30 years, CFR has been on a mission to share all the stories
of what God is doing in their community and how lives are being changed. Bridget says that “the mission is to showcase God’s glory through the story. We tell that story continually, keeping it current...it should be vital, vibrant, alive, and well-displayed.”
CFR wants to hear and share more stories from its listeners,
whether it’s a praise report, prayer request, or something that God has taught or is teaching them.
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BY DANNY MAY
MONETA SLEET, JR.
PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER O
n a table inside the chambers of United States District Judge Gregory Sleet lies a book. The cover of that book is a picture that was taken by Judge Sleet’s father, Moneta Sleet, Jr. The black and white photo captures a moment in time that signified an era. It was one of thousands of photos taken during hundreds of assignments all around the world - a single frame that was a culmination of skills acquired from a career of shooting photographs for such notable publications as Ebony, Jet, and Our World magazines. But this particular frame made history. The photo, taken of the grieving Coretta Scott King and her daughter Bernice at the funeral for Dr. Martin Luther King, earned Moneta Sleet, Jr. a Pulitzer Prize in 1969, making Moneta the first black man ever to receive the award for journalism. The Associated Press processed the black and white film immediately following the service, and put it out on the wire. It became Sleet’s most iconic photo of a career spanning 40 years, which took him to the front lines of the
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Civil Rights Movement and all around the globe. Sleet’s long-time employer, John H. Johnson, editor and publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines, dispatched him to points all over the world - Liberia, Libya, Sudan, Ghana, Gambia, Kenya, Nigeria, Norway, the Soviet Union, South America and the West Indies, as well as across the United States. His body of work includes photos of nearly every entertainer in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s. He was a sought-after photographer because celebrities and foreign dignitaries could trust that he would not exploit their photos – or the moment. Two years after his death, Johnson Publishing released a book honoring the legacy of his work: Special Moments in African American History 1955-1996: The Photographs of Moneta Sleet, Jr., Ebony Magazine’s Pulitzer Prize Winner. (This is the book that sits in his son’s chambers). Sleet’s love for photography can be traced right back here to Owensboro, in the house he grew up in on Seventh Street, which is now marked with a historical marker plaque across the street.
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OWENSBORO
PHOTOS BY TAYLOR WEST
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Moneta Sleet, Jr. was born on February 14, 1926, to Ozetta Allensworth Sleet and Moneta Sleet, Sr. He said growing up in Owensboro was “a real pleasant experience” in Special Moments. “Despite the segregated pattern, my school years were a good, wholesome experience for me.” As an adult, when Sleet won the Mayor’s Award of Excellence, he again referred to growing up in Owensboro. “Every parent looked out for every child, and every teacher taught every student as if the quality of their life depended on it. And as I have found out many times since I left, it did.” Moneta’s parents gave him a small box camera when he was nine or ten, and he began “fooling around” taking photos of the family. When he got to Western High School, he joined the camera club. “We would go into the makeshift darkroom in a little bathroom and develop pictures,” Sleet recalled in Special Moments. “And I became fascinated by it.” After graduating Western High, Sleet attended Kentucky State College, where he spent all the time he could in the photography studio. Sleet then served in India and Burma with an all-black unit in WWII, and used his G.I Bill to finish his business degree. Soon after he took a photography course at the School of Modern Photography in New York,
and received his Master’s Degree in Journalism from NYU.
THE WORLD THROUGH A LENS Moneta’s daughter, Lisa, lives in Baldwin, New York, in her late parents’ house. As we spoke on the phone, she walked into a room with about 20 boxes of her father’s belongings. As she combed through boxes, looking for the proclamation from the Mayor of Owensboro (see sidebar), she found a letter from President Bill Clinton, her dad’s old typewriter, canisters of undeveloped film, and the actual Pulitzer Prize medal. She took a quiet moment with that one, and then continued… “There’s so much stuff here; it’s like a museum. He was very meticulous. He kept everything. It’s all labeled and categorized. My father loved traveling. I think he went to Africa 26 times. Paris, Germany, lots of places. And every time, we’d gather as a family and he’d show us a slide show of the places he saw.” The old family projector still sits in that room, too, along with reels, slides, and film. Lisa was 12 when her dad took the Pulitzer-winning photo, and remembers watching her father work at fashion shows and other events. “I used to love watching him work. He was serious about it when he was shooting. His subjects got all of
“UPON MEETING OR LEAVING MONETA SLEET, THE AIR WAS ALWAYS THICK WITH HIS GRACIOUS SMILE.” - Gordon Parks, Moneta’s friend and colleague. From the introduction of Special Moments.
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“WHEN I ASK MYSELF WHAT MAKES ME TAKE THE TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPHS THAT I TAKE, IT IS BASICALLY MY FAMILY, AND THE FAMILY TRADITION FROM WHICH I CAME. A STRONG FATHER AND MOTHER WHO ENCOURAGED ME TO DO WHAT I WANTED TO DO, WHO SAID ‘THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT? JUST GO AHEAD AND TRY IT.’” – Moneta Sleet, Jr., from Special Moments.
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his attention, no matter who it was,” Lisa said, retelling a story of the moment when Moneta learned he had won the Pulitzer. Well, almost. He didn't actually take the phone call because he was in the middle of a shoot with Harry Belafonte. He said he’d have to call them back when he was done with the shoot. “He was that dedicated to his assignments,” Lisa summarized. “I didn’t appreciate what my dad did when I was a child. He was just dad to us,” Judge Sleet told me during our phone interview. But he clearly remembers the moment he realized his father was a pretty big deal. “I was 13 years old. We were dropping dad off at the airport, and I was expecting my mother to park, but she drove right up to a side door. We walked into a double door that opened up into a large room with a lot of people. My dad told me to stay there and he would be right back. When he came back, he walked over to me with Martin Luther King, Jr. beside him. He (Dr. King) walked right up to me, bent down a little bit to my level, shook my hand, and looked me right in the eye.” Another photographer, G. Marshall Wilson, took a photo of the handshake. In 1994, Wilson found a copy of it and mailed it to Moneta. Today, that photo also hangs in Judge Sleet’s chambers. Although it was just another “one of dad’s trips” to young Gregory, the flight that day was headed to Oslo, Norway, because Moneta had been personally invited to photograph Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize reception. Also in Gregory’s possession today is a program from the Nobel ceremony, autographed by Dr. King with the handwritten message “To Gregory, for whom I wish a great future and whose father I admire very much.” “Here was one of the greatest men in history expressing admiration for my dad,” Greg recalled.
The City of Owensboro Declared February 24, 2000, Moneta Sleet, Jr. Day with a celebration at St. Paul AME Church on Elm Street. City officials also unveiled a bronze historical marker at Max Rhoads Park on Seventh Street.
Official Proclamation by Mayor Waymond Morris: WHEREAS, Moneta Sleet, Jr., was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for his photograph of the family of Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr., at the slain civil rights leaders' funeral; and WHEREAS, Mr.Sleet inspired a generation of photographers through a distinguished 41-year career with Ebony and Jet magazines; and WHEREAS, his photographs documented the American civil rights movement and African Americans' struggle for independence; and WHEREAS, he is a native of Owensboro who grew up on Seventh Street and graduated from Western High School; and WHEREAS, Owensboro and Kentucky officials will dedicate a historical marker in his honor February 24, 2000, at Max Rhoads Park. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Waymond O. Morris, Mayor of the City of Owensboro, Kentucky, do hereby proclaim February 24, 2000, as "MONETA SLEET, JR., DAY" in Owensboro in honor of his contributions to the civil rights movement and to journalism.
FA M I LY M A N Lisa and Greg’s brother, Mike, had Down syndrome, an experience Lisa says impacted the whole Sleet family. “Mike taught us all about unconditional love. I think Mike helped my dad be a more compassionate person, and I think that came through in his photography in a way.” In Lisa’s recollection, Moneta’s favorite thing was being at home with his family. “He enjoyed mowing the lawn and normal things everybody did. He kept his work separate, really. We didn’t know the ugly things he was seeing – with the marches and things like that – until we were much older. He protected us.” The moment Moneta couldn’t keep from his children was April 4, 1968, the day Dr. King was assassinated. “We were at home when the news announcement came on the radio. We all heard it together. I’ll never forget the look on my dad’s face,” Lisa recalled. Five days later, Moneta photographed the funeral at the request of Coretta Scott King, where he shot the now-famous photograph. He later wrote of the photo: “What I noticed…this was prior to the funeral, was the little girl fidgeting there on her mother’s lap. I could relate to that, being a father and having a child close to the same age. Mrs. King was sitting there, stoic and stately, but it was the child who I was thinking about at the time.” www.OwensboroLiving.com
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PHOTO BY TAYLOR WEST
BY ADDIE JAMES
Owensboro's
BRAVEST
On March 15, Owensboro lost one of its bravest. David M. McCrady, former Battalion Chief with the Owensboro Fire Department, made a lasting impression on his family, his coworkers, and our community. After being diagnosed with brain cancer, McCrady tirelessly spent his time advocating for other firefighters stricken with the disease. Shortly after his diagnosis, his niece, Addie James, a journalism major at the University of Memphis, penned a story that captures how McCrady and his fellow firefighters bravely battle the challenges that accompany cancer.
FIREFIGHTERS BATTLING CANCER SHED LIGHT ON FINANCIAL, EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES **Originally published May 4, 2016, by Addie James on addiejames.wordpress.com.
It was a normal day of laughter and chatter for 49-year-
“It’s gonna get me at some point,” McCrady says. “I’m
always looking over my shoulder to see where the reaper’s at. But if I can set an example and inspire people, then that’s worth it.”
McCrady has been a firefighter for over 20 years,
beginning as a volunteer in 1991 and following in his
old firefighter David McCrady as he sat in his mother-in-
father’s footsteps.
law’s living room with the rest of his family. Until he got
a phone call from his doctor.
McCrady says. “My mom would get so worried about him
being gone for however long, but I knew that it’s people
“I asked her, ‘Can you tell me that again?’” McCrady
“I knew what it meant to him, helping people out,”
says.
like him who could save us if something were to happen.”
Glioblastoma multiforme. A mass on the right side of
It was that easy. McCrady knew he wanted to have that
his brain had formed, giving McCrady brain cancer and a
good feeling of helping someone else, especially where he
three to six month lifespan.
lived. On Aug. 2, 1993, McCrady was inducted into the
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Owensboro Fire Department, changing his life forever.
Kentucky firefighter, agrees with his outlook. Logsdon was
diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor in January and forced
“Best decision of my life,” McCrady says. “Besides marrying
my wife Christy, of course.”
to retire in April.
McCrady became a battalion chief and trained his fellow
“Most of the time it doesn’t feel like a job,” 41-year-old
firefighters on safety – preaching the basics of wearing air packs
Logsdon says. “It was really hard to walk away from, especially
and breathing apparatuses. But this protective gear can get
the guys I worked with.”
heavy, adding more than 30 pounds on the firefighter.
old down was difficult for him and his wife.
“There’s a lot we don’t do because we’ve never been taught,”
Logsdon says sitting his 8-year-old, 10-year-old and 16-year-
McCrady says. “We’ve always been careful because we know
there’s bad stuff, but we never knew it was things like hydrogen
would be okay,” Logsdon says. “I’m used to being the guy that
cyanide, which was used in gas chambers years ago.”
takes care of folks, so that was very hard to do.”
With the way houses are built now, fires can emit
formaldehyde from the plastic in furniture and carbon
Paris where he studied French, but his cancer has slowed down
monoxide from wood and other fabrics. This poses a serious
that dream. McCrady began to feel the side effects of just how
danger to firefighters, even though they go to great lengths to
much his body had taken a toll when he broke his leg just a few
clean their gear.
months ago.
The financial burden, hospital visits, chemo and radiation
“I just let them know that daddy’s sick, but that everything
Additionally, McCrady has longed to take his children to
“I was laying down on the ground thinking, ‘What else
treatment have taken a toll on the former firefighter. With
is going to happen?’” McCrady says. “And after I got to the
limitations such as no stairs or ladders on the line, McCrady
hospital, I got a call from my doctor in Louisville saying they
stayed active on the administration side of the department, but
were stopping the study I was a part of. At some point it gets
the radiation made him too tired to continue.
harder to find that silver lining, and that was it for me.”
“When I finally had to retire, it was like I had my second
McCrady explained his drive to carry on despite the illness
family ripped out from under me,” McCrady says. “It was killer
and injuries, especially since he doesn’t enjoy sitting around for
to see the difference in my arms after the cancer hit. I did lots of
too long. He says he does what he can even though doctors have
teaching and training, but to see the difference in muscle mass
fussed at him for pushing it.
was hard.”
get to see my 18-year-old son William shoot his first turkey and
And that’s not the only change McCrady has had to deal
“I’ve missed out on some things,” McCrady says. “I didn’t
with.
things like that, but there’s also a lot that I didn’t think I’d see.
“I’ve never really been like, ‘Why me?’, but it does get
His graduation is coming up, my daughter Georgia is turning
harder and harder every day,” McCrady says. “When you’ve
16… It keeps me going knowing that I’m here for those events
always done stuff for others, you have to take a step back when
in spite of the cancer.”
others start doing things for you. As a firefighter you’re used to
being active and heroic. It’s hard to sort of humble yourself, to
rescue training classes for the state of Kentucky. He knows what
try and come to grips with when you need help.”
he’s talking about, considering he’s been teaching it since 2000.
McCrady says that there wasn’t a day he wasn’t happy to
put on his uniform and go to his job. Matt Logsdon, a fellow
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What also has kept McCrady going is his ability to teach fire
McCrady has also been able to use that knowledge to help
the passage of SB 195, a legislative plan for Kentucky which
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gives benefits to firefighters and their families who contract certain cancers while on the job.
Joe Baer, a retired firefighter of Ashland, Kentucky, is the
president of the Kentucky Professional Firefighters Association (KPFF). The organization championed SB 195 for years, and Baer says seeing it finally passed is the start to help these people.
“Our next step is to provide a workers’ compensation benefit
from the time of diagnosis for those of us that contract this horrible disease,” Baer says. “I believe that future studies will show an increase in firefighter cancer diagnosis due to all the synthetic materials loaded with carcinogens that are freed into the environment upon combustion.”
Ironically, these synthetic materials are also found in the vast
majority of flame retardants. Baer says there is a push to reduce these from the manufacturing process, but unfortunately there is an effort by those manufacturers to defeat any such legislation.
Why would someone not want bills like this to pass? Well, some
are still unaware of the correlation between firefighters and cancer. According to a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study completed in 2015, lung cancer and leukemia mortality risks were modestly increasing with firefighter exposures. Among 19,309 male firefighters eligible for the study, 2,609 cancer incidence cases appeared, as well as 1,333 cancer-related deaths.
“Cancer in the fire service is an epidemic,” says Columbus,
Ohio firefighter Mark Rine. “It’s really happening. It’s not a coincidence.”
34-year-old Rine received his stage four melanoma diagnosis
about four years ago. His wife and five children have done their best to stay positive throughout the monthly chemo treatments and “umpteenth” scars.
“You go through stages of wondering whether or not you should
make videos for them,” Rine says. “I’ve never been a depressed person, but the sadness is never ending when it comes to this illness.”
Rine says he and his family are big on their faith, relying on
God and the prayers of others to get through the difficult times. Portraying positivity is crucial for his 4-year-old, 10-year-old, two 13-year-olds, and 16-year-old.
“Would I change it if I could? Absolutely,” Rine says. “But that’s
not an option. It’s not fair and you’re mad and you’re angry about it, but you have to keep pushing for your family and the people that rely on you.”
Rine explains that firefighters are a determined and independent
group of people. They are taught from day one how to self rescue through temperatures as high as 1,300-1,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
“The gear is not a filtration unit,” Rine says. “You get cancer
from leaving the fire scene and not taking action. Firemen take their time for protocol. Then clean the truck, sure, but then they tell half-true stories and have a six pack. It’s what they do.”
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Rine travels all over Ohio to teach about the dangers firemen
in 2009, I met some great guys,” Abundiz says. “As a firefighter
face. But he explains that it’s not always easy to get firemen to
you learn to adapt.”
take it seriously.
Abundiz is the founder of the Code 3 For A Cure Foundation,
“We’re creatures of habit, and we don’t like to change the way
which was established in 2006 as a non-profit public charity.
we do things,” Rine says. “You have to explain what’s occurring
Abundiz has battled three different cancers, with no regrets for
to them with facts and numbers. For example, in a standard car
helping save those that he did.
fire, there are a minimum of 99 known carcinogens.”
“It’s not a million dollar space suit,” Abundiz says. “They
Rine explains that he also speaks out to try to prevent this
do their best to protect us, but cities can’t afford that. The
from happening to others. After all, being a firefighter is all
equipment is getting better, but fire is fire. Despite that gear,
about putting others before yourself.
we’re still coming down with cancer.”
“You lose your purpose and your identity,” Rine says. “For
Abundiz officially retired in 2001, leaving behind a crew
years you’re the man and the hero and then all of a sudden it’s
that he missed deeply and a job that didn’t feel like work.
taken away from you. People then try to use the excuse of, ‘Well
now you can go do something you love,’ but that’s what I loved.
Abundiz says. “My world was flipped upside down. Now I’m
That was my goal. What do you do when you’ve already reached
used to doctor’s appointments and uncertainty.”
your goal?”
when making decisions concerning cancer, but it does affect
Rine made the decision to come back to work while on
“I was so used to the world of heroic acts, of rescuing people,”
Abundiz explains that there’s no right or wrong answer
chemo after two surgeries, and others even offered to take his
those around you.
shift for a year and a half just so he could still get paid.
“You are the general in the battle against cancer,” Abundiz
“My kids have more uncles than anyone in the world,” Rine
says. “It’s hell going through the different treatments and
says. “It’s a brotherhood and a bond that’ll never go away. It’s
diagnoses. When you can’t see it, it’s hard to take, but you’re
forever.”
just battling a different enemy now instead of fires.”
Just ask 62-year-old Lorenzo Abundiz of the Santa Ana Fire
Close to death multiple times, Abundiz has put his energy
Department in California.
into his faith, family and foundation.
“When I had to go away for treatment of my prostate cancer
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“You have to take the initiative,” Abundiz says. “To this day
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I tell people if I can beat it, they can beat it. I never believe in
those time frames that doctors give. It’s all up to God.”
bone cancer located in her sternum, after being exposed to a
Abundiz argues that the key is early detection, but to remain
chemical fire. She underwent surgery for a prosthetic, but her
patient when dealing with lawmakers who question their safety
body rejected it for some time.
efforts.
“Why should I be questioned like this? Yes, we took on a
until they could fix it, but that didn’t stop her. She stayed a full
dangerous job, but we need help,” Abundiz says. “Firefighters
duty firefighter for seven years without a sternum and her heart
take on this task willingly, but we should be compensated when
exposed.
something happens to us after we put our lives on the line. We
“It’s not just your job,” MacDonald says. “It’s who you are.”
just want to be taken care of.”
MacDonald was forced to retire in February, which has
caused her to find a regular job to pay the bills.
Rine agrees, saying that firemen deserve to be protected just
like everyone else.
Ten years ago, MacDonald contracted chondrosarcoma, a
MacDonald’s doctors urged her to not continue her work
“I haven’t really dealt with it,” MacDonald says. “I think I
“Your family doesn’t ask you to be a firefighter,” Rine says.
can get through the day without crying now, but it’s only been
“Your family doesn’t ask you to get cancer. They suffer too, and
two months. I went through a denial phase and later a depressed
that’s not fair.”
phase once the reality of it hits you. It’s all so unpredictable.”
Another advocate for giving support to firefighters battling
Abundiz’s wife Peggy says that there’s a reason things
cancer is Donna MacDonald, vice president of the eastern
happen the way they do. For firefighters who contract cancer
region of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
after years of exposure, it becomes the new normal.
In college, MacDonald was a dance major and later took
“When you’re one step closer to being on the other side,
an anatomy class, sparking an interest in the medical field.
you realize that persistence and faith is a big part of why you’re
She took her talents to EMT work, later becoming a full duty
here,” McCrady says. “My son wants to go into the fire service,
firefighter in Providence, Rhode Island, in 2001.
and I’ve taught him all along that all we’re doing is trying to
“You see a lot of bad things, but you deal with those together,”
help people. I’m proud that he wants to do that knowing what
MacDonald says. “You work so many hours together and you get
I’ve done and what I’ve been through. The benefits given to my
really close to those people. It really is a family.”
family after I’m gone is what gives me peace of mind.”
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Buying, building, or modifying a home can be an intimidating, difficult road to navigate. Owensboro Living wants to make it less stressful on our readers by providing tips you need to know, whether you are buying or building, or somewhere in between. Our vision for the “Home Tips” guide is to provide a resource to help our friends, family, and neighbors navigate the home market in Owensboro, using local businesses that are experts in their respective fields. We are bringing the experts to you in order to simplify the process. These experts offer valuable and reliable insights, pulling years of experience and a wealth of understanding in Owensboro’s home market. So, sit back, relax and keep this guide handy as you break ground on a new home or projects around the house this spring.
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RIVERFRONT APPRAISALS Three Ways You Can Over-Improve Your Home We all want to get the most out of our homes when they sell. However, over-improving your home could result in you actually getting less than you were hoping for. Here are a few over-improvements you want to avoid: 1. Adding too much square footage. If all the homes in your neighborhood are 1,500 square foot ranch-style homes, and you build on a 1,000 square foot two-story addition, your home will be overimproved, and may still sell for close to what other, smaller homes sell for in your neighborhood. 2. Upgrading too much. Let’s say, for example, you paid $140,000 for your home, which is the median sale price for homes in your neighborhood. Then, you remodel your kitchen with high-end appliances, countertops, and cabinets. You also replace all the nice wood laminate flooring with special hardwood floors, and then remodel both bathrooms with the latest & greatest features and finishes. You could easily spend more than $50,000 on these improvements, but you now likely have an over-improved home, and will realize only a fraction of that remodel cost in appreciation. 3. Converting a garage to a living space. Unless it is typical in your neighborhood to convert a garage to living area, you will likely be over-improving your home if you do so. Not only will you possibly have more square footage than the market warrants (See #1), you could also lose value due to the removal of the garage. A good rule of thumb, then, is to keep in mind the principle of conformity. This is the rule that a home will likely appreciate in value if its characteristics (age, size, condition, etc.) are similar to (conform to) other homes in the neighborhood. If you have questions about recent improvements, and how they can impact the value of your home, give us a call today! 58 OWENSBORO LIVING
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NITELITERS People choose to add outdoor lighting to their homes and businesses for many reasons, including: creating outdoor living spaces; accentuating specialty features; enhancing security; and increasing the value. What should you look for in an outdoor lighting design firm? • A company with verifiable experience, credentials, insurance, and a belief in continuously updating their techniques and technology. • A designer who listens to your desires, as well as your concerns; who utilizes a variety of highquality fixtures and lamps, and creates a custom design for your home or business. • A production crew trained in low-voltage lighting systems and expert installation. • A dependable service team who supports and maintains the integrity of your system. A quality outdoor lighting firm should meet all these requirements.
TAYLOR HOMES Why Building A Home May Be The Right Choice For You Whether you are renters, empty nesters, busy professionals or a young couple with a growing family, there are many opportunities in the housing market – including low mortgage rates and energy savings – to build the home that is right for you, now. Low interest rates are helping home buyers find affordable housing. But it’s important to keep in mind that interest rates are sensitive to market forces and can change quickly. Even a slight rate increase can push monthly payments higher then might fit your budget. Our mortgage calculator on taylorhomes.com can help. Newly built homes also feature flexibility in design, low maintenance materials and a big plus – energy efficiency. A newly constructed home is more energy efficient in comparison to homes built just 10 years ago. Taylor Homes is proud to be an Energy Smart builder. Lower utility bills equals more money in your pocket! www.OwensboroLiving.com
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VACUUM TECHNOLOGY (A Division of Murphy Sewing Machine Co.) Indoor air quality is something we’d all like to improve, and the best way to ensure a cleaner, healthier home is to remove the dust, dirt, and allergens for good. The best method to do this is a Central Vacuum System. What is a Central Vac? Central Vacs direct all vacuumed debris through pipes to an out-of-the-way canister, usually in the basement or garage. The canister has a larger motor than portable vacs, and its exhaust air can be vented, ensuring that no dust or allergens find their way back. Why is a Central Vac better? Ushering all vacuumed dirt outside helps cut down on dusting, and provides verifiable allergy relief. It’s also lighter and easier to use than standard vacuums. Because the Central Vacuum System is built into your home, all you carry is a lightweight hose and electric power brush, which allows you to vacuum tile, hardwood, carpet and more - every inch of your house!
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What about Portable Vacuums? Vacuum Technology also carries several portable vacuums, including lightweight models, cordless models, robot models, and all-in-one (carpet, wood, tile) models. One of our newer models is designed especially for pet odor control. We have what you want no matter what kind of vacuum you’re interested in. Many models integrate HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration and we offer lifetime belt systems on certain models as well as 4-8 year warranties on most models with free in-store service. We are proud to say our products are MADE IN THE USA. Vacuum Technology, along with Murphy Sewing Machine Co., is locally owned and operated, and has installed and serviced Central Vacuum Systems in Owensboro and surrounding areas for 19 years. Call us today at 270-684-5566 and breathe easier!
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damage. Other wind damage may not be easy to see, especially if the adhesive seal that provides a watershedding surface is broken. Always be safe when checking for roof damage or call us for a free inspection. We are Preferred Contractors with Owens Corning, fully Think you mig licensed and insured, and accredited through the BeEer damage? Business Bureau.
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must be sealed to each other as one water tight roof deck. www.dynamicrestora/onky.com - PH 270-215-1050
Always be safe when checking for roof damage or call us for a free inspection. We are Preferred Contractors with Owens Corning, fully licensed and insured, and accredited through the Better Business Bureau.
KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU INSURANCE As I spoke to a millennial recently, it was apparent that home ownership is alive and well, despite the reports that you see of millennials putting off buying homes until later on in life. This particular client was a young professional woman here in Owensboro, who was buying her first home at the age of 24. Here is what we spoke about when insuring her home; and these tips would apply to anyone: 1st - Insure your home with an agent that is local and reputable.; 2nd - Insure your home with a top-rated company with a local claims staff; 3rd - Insure your home with an agency that is focused on customer service. If you are in need of homeowners insurance and looking for these three very important criteria, please give me a call. My name is Gavin Roberts, my awardwinning office staff and I are here on Frederica St. to take care of your homeowners insurance needs, along with anything else you may need insured. www.OwensboroLiving.com
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growing s e l b a t e g e v in difficult locations BY ANNETTE MEYER HEISDORFFER, PH.D., COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT FOR HORTICULTURE – DAVIESS COUNTY
How much space does it take to grow vegetables? What if it is hard to dig in the soil in the yard to make a garden? How can the drainage of water through the soil be improved?
T
he answers to these common questions are containers and raised beds. These methods allow for growing vegetables in small spaces and avoiding the complications of compacted and poorly drained soil. Containers fit in small spaces, and potting soil placed in them provides loose, well-drained growing conditions for plant roots. One tomato plant only requires a four to five-gallon food-grade bucket for growing space. Look for varieties that say “bush type” or “good for containers.” Cherry and grape are my favorite tomatoes to place in buckets. Other vegetables grow in smaller containers. Raised beds also provide opportunities to grow vegetables. The width of a raised bed is determined by how easy it is to reach across. In narrow spaces within a yard, the bed width could be one to no more than two feet wide. The raised bed should be no wider than four feet with access from opposite sides. Most people comfortably reach two feet into the bed. The length of the raised bed will vary depending on the desired amount of vegetables grown and space available. For example, one tomato plant fits in a 1x2-foot area. Locate the raised bed in full sun or with at least six hours of direct sun. Keep it away from trees to avoid roots growing into the bed and competing with vegetables for water and nutrients. Also place it where water is easily available because the beds dry out quickly and require more frequent watering than conventional gardens.
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An ideal soil to put in raised beds consists of equal volumes of good garden soil, organic matter such as compost, peat moss, and porous material like vermiculite or perlite. If good quality garden soil is not available, substitute with additional organic matter. Lime and fertilize soil as recommended by a soil test of the finished mixture. Adding too much lime and fertilizer can result in poor plant growth. Do not add manure to the bed unless it has been composted, because of food safety concerns. To get the most out of the garden, plan to grow cool season crops first, such as cabbage. After harvesting the cabbage, replace it with a warm season crop like tomatoes, or another cool season crop in the fall. Training vining vegetables such as pole beans and cucumbers on a trellis saves space. To help reduce the buildup of disease and insects, rotate the crops to avoid growing related plants like potatoes, peppers, and eggplant in the same location each year. Wait two or three years before planting the same plants within the same family. Another important tip is to remember that the soil in containers and raised beds dries out quickly. Spreading mulch such as compost, straw, or newspaper helps to reduce weeds and retain soil moisture. Plants grow best with one inch of water each week either by rainfall or supplemental irrigation. Using drip or soaker hose irrigation keeps plant leaves dry and reduces the development of disease. If watering with a hose or sprinkling can, keep as much water off the foliage as possible, and allow plants to dry before nightfall. Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky and Gardening in Small Spaces are two publications available from the University of Kentucky. These resources are available through our website at daviess.ca.uky.edu/content/ www.OwensboroLiving.com
horticulture or by calling the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service at 270-685-8480. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status, and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political
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belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating.
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FIRST LIBERTY FINANCIAL MORTGAGE Four Qualities To Consider When Choosing A Mortgage Lender When you start looking to buy a home or refinance your current home, consider these four qualities from the best organizations. Communication – When you have a question, your mortgage banker should be willing to answer—or find you the answer. If you are in the process of buying a home, your loan officer should stay in touch and keep you abreast of everything that is happening. Picking a local company in Owensboro, Kentucky can help build a relationship with face to face conversations. Excellent communication is an essential quality of a good mortgage company. Knowledge – Does your lender know about VA loans, FHA loans, and options available in Kentucky to help you save on closing costs? They should! A great mortgage banker will always be up to date on the latest programs and know the best options to help you get a great deal on your mortgage.
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Timeliness – When you decide to buy a home, you want to close as quickly as possible. A good lender will do everything in his or her power to make that happen. Work with a firm that is focused on getting things done fast! Superior Customer Service – Last, but certainly not least, look for a company that makes customer service a top priority. You should be treated like you are the company’s #1 customer. If you experience that type of customer service from the beginning, it will assure you are in good hands throughout your transaction. If you are in the market for someone to help you close on the home of your dreams or determine if refinancing would make sense for you reach out to us at First Liberty Financial Mortgage in Owensboro, Kentucky. We would love to show you why our clients come back to us time and time again.
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RYAN RUTMAN REALTOR Are you considering selling your home? The thought of selling your home can be overwhelming, I know! So, take a deep breath and focus on just a few things that you can do and do well to prepare your home for sale! You have a busy life…work, kids, sports etc., so try not to make the process more overwhelming than it needs to be. And please remember that it’s very important to not look at your home through your own eyes, but rather the eyes of prospective buyers! You can accomplish all of this by following these four simple steps! Show it off! A cluttered home is very difficult for buyers to look at and see the potential that the home offers. Minimize your “stuff ” and you will maximize your sale! Show your house off! Clean it up! Buyers want to know that a home has been cared for. Make it a point to make sure your home is visually appealing and buyers will want it and will be willing to pay top dollar for it! Fix it! Take care of the little fixes. We all have those little things that we always procrastinate fixing. Those little things are hurdles for buyers! Eliminate the obstacles and make it easy for a buyer to say “I want your house!” Dress it up! First impressions are crucial! When a prospective buyer drives by your home, they are making a judgment based on the exterior. A landscaped yard and maintained exterior send a great first impression! Bonus Tip…Call Ryan! The final thing to do to get your house ready to sell! Ok, so you have the tools and information you need so Good Luck. And remember… Choose Ryan, Choose Sold! www.OwensboroLiving.com
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THE BAKERS RACK
W
Are You Warm or Cool?
ith the unpredictable weather here in the Ohio River Valley, you might think my question has to do with the temperature. Not this time. Home decor is the topic, and yes, it can be described as warm or cool. Which are you? Which do you like, and which works for your own space? Warm or cool looks in home decor are affected by a lot of factors, including color palette, the style of accessories chosen, the materials of floors, walls and accessories, and even the light of the room and how it plays within the walls. Color Palette refers to the predominant colors you use and feature within the room. In general, warm refers to earth tones - browns, tans, reds, and golds. Cool colors are the blues, greens, whites, grays and blacks. The colors evoke moods associated with them - the golden sun is warm, the white moon is cool. Brown earth is warm, but blue water is cool. Keep in mind that you can mix colors in for interest and accent - what we are talking about here is the dominant feel of the room. What do you prefer? Materials play a large part of the warm or cool nature of our decor. Natural textures like wood, foliage (plant life), simple fabrics and traditional building materials - brick, porous tile and plaster - remind us of the familiar, less complicated past. Cool-feeling textures tend to be very smooth and shiny - gloss finishes, mirrors and glass, stark or very vibrant colors. For example, a wooden or rusty iron horse sculpture might seem warm when viewed, while a crystal or freshly painted glossy
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horse could be seen as cool. Accessory styles vary widely, and can be mixed in with many decor styles and themes. Age, quality, workmanship, and condition all contribute to the warmth or coolness of any accessory. Sometimes the warmth we sense in accessories comes from their purpose - treasured family photos, nicely preserved on our walls, will likely feel warmer than a skillfully painted portrait of someone we will never meet. Lighting is a factor many overlook when thinking about how a room looks. Think about what windows are present, and when the sun shines brightly through them. The warm look favors lamps and lights that primarily light the important areas and features of the room. Overhead lighting in the center of a space appears cool, as everything is lit equally. Even the style and color of your light bulbs have a strong influence. The traditional, warm look comes from “warm white” bulbs, while “daylight” bulbs emit a cooler blue hue. Use the color of your lighting to reinforce your decor style. Sometimes, we may like and appreciate one style or another when we see it, but realize it’s not practical to live with. The obvious example is the stark white and black decor seen in magazines like Architectural Digest, which looks very elegant. But who among us could keep that clean and perfect with our pets, children, and ourselves running through on a daily basis? We need to choose a style that we can use! A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 7
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FIRST SECURITY BANK 10 Commandments of Applying for a Mortgage Loan Once you find that perfect home to buy, or the right rate for refinancing, the last thing you want is to have an interruption or delay in your mortgage. Keep in mind these “10 Commandments� so that you may secure the very best loan product and interest rate, PLUS speed up your loan approval and closing time!
6. Thou shalt NOT omit debts or liabilities from loan application. Be honest about all of your debts, including support or alimony obligations. Unrecorded debts found later in the process may affect the amount of money for which you qualify.
1. Thou shalt NOT change or quit your job. If you change your employment status, you will need at least one year of personal tax returns in your new position.
7. Thou shalt NOT buy household furnishings before closing. Large purchases causing deductions in your banking accounts or additional debt on credit cards can negatively affect your loan process.
2. Thou shalt NOT co-sign a loan for anyone. Co-signing any type of car loan, student loan, or other loan would result in inquiries into your credit, plus additional financial responsibilities. 3. Thou shalt NOT buy a vehicle. Applying for a car loan will be recorded as an inquiry into your credit by the credit bureaus and may decrease your credit score. 4. Thou shalt NOT use credit cards excessively or make late payments. Excessive use of credit cards and late payments can have unwanted effects on your credit rating. 5. Thou shalt NOT spend money you have set aside for closing. Most mortgage loans require two months of reserve money to be verified in your available financial accounts.
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8. Thou shalt NOT originate any inquires into your credit. Multiple inquiries into your credit may result in decreasing your credit score. This applies to purchasing vehicles, furniture, appliances, and household items, as well as any other credit checks. 9. Thou shalt NOT make large deposits without first checking with your mortgage consultant. Out of the ordinary or large deposits into checking, savings, or any financial account beyond normal payroll deposits must have money sources verified. 10. Thou shalt NOT change banks. Because the loan process requires a two-month history of reserve funds, opening new financial accounts near a closing date may void the history.
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MUDD'S FURNITURE Bring New Life to a Room in Your Home 1. Decide how you want the room to be used. Do you want the room to be comfy, cozy, and casual, so it’s a great room to relax in? Or a dressy, formal sitting room. Plan your furniture according to the purpose for the room. 2. Determine the focal point. A fireplace? A TV? Align your furniture to be functional and line up well with the room’s centerpiece. 3. Make sure your furniture is scaled correctly for the size of the room. Oversized furniture feels cramped in small rooms, while minimalist furniture makes a large room feel empty. 4. Incorporate different textures. Mix it up by using various elements like wood, glass, or metal in the room. Then complement those elements with different fabrics such as burlap, linen, velvet, cotton, etc. For example, leather furniture is still a popular choice at Mudd’s, especially when paired with a fabric piece. 5. Choose a color palette first to find a color scheme you like. Then find accent colors to make those colors “pop.” For example, many people like neutral colors for carpet, furniture, or paint and then complement it with a colored pillow, rug, or piece of artwork. 6. Have fun with your redesign! We always tell customers to trust their instinct. You know what you like, and you know the feel you are going for. Tell us what your ideas are and we’ll be glad to help you get the desired effect. www.OwensboroLiving.com
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LIPSCOMB HYDRA CLEANING SYSTEMS Tips for spot cleaning common household mishaps: Drinks spilled on the carpet? Do not scrub or rub the stain! Start by drying the spot. Blot with clean white towel. When dealing with a large spill, change towels as they become saturated. Try mixture of vinegar, water, & non-bleach detergent like Dawn dish soap. Apply liberally with spray bottle (mist), blot with dry, clean, white towel. Repeat until stain has disappeared & carpet is mostly dry. This method is a good outline for approaching any stain. Always be sure to perform a test on an inconspicuous area of the carpet to make sure cleaning solutions will not lead to further damage on certain types of flooring. Eyeliner, mascara, & other oil stain on the carpet? Remove excess by blotting stain. Dampen white cloth with rubbing alcohol, repeat until stain has disappeared. 1 cup of warm water mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of dishwashing soap. Stain on upholstery? Use a stiff-bristle brush to loosen dried dirt and debris. Vacuum and use the crevice tool for hard-to-reach places. Baby wipes are also very effective for quick DIY upholstery cleaning, follow by wiping areas with dry white towel. If you are unsuccessful in removing the stain contact a local professional like – Lipscomb Hydra Cleaning. We gladly provide free estimates.
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Did you know? Most carpet manufactures require a yearly professional cleaning to maintain the warranty.
Restoration: When disaster strikes, you need more than professional cleaning. Lipscomb Hydra Cleaning has you covered any time day or night! Lipscomb Hydra Cleaning specializes in property restoration of all kinds. We’ve been restoring homes & businesses from water, fire, & smoke damage for more than 30 years. When it comes to water and fire damage here are some things to keep in mind: • Call a Pro. Immediate response helps minimize the damage, and cleaning & restoration costs. Contact a professional as soon as you see any trace of water or after a fire has been extinguished. Early action is the key to preventing major damage. Lipscomb Hydra Cleaning will respond quickly helping minimize damage, and could save you thousands. • Insurance Claims. When Lipscomb is on the job, part of what we do is work with your insurance provider to insure you are treated fairly, and to get your home or office back to your normal ASAP. Leave the worry to us.
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PHILL'S CUSTOM CABINETS Planning Your Dream Kitchen Installing new kitchen cabinets is an excellent way to upgrade your home. Before you get started, here are some helpful hints from the experts at Phill’s Custom Cabinets. Develop a plan. Phill’s custom-built cabinets can fit into any existing space. If you can dream it, we can build it! For inspiration, browse our “idea gallery” at phillscabinets.com for examples of what your new kitchen could look like or find design ideas on our Facebook page. Decide on a layout. Our team can guide you through the entire process and produce a 3D image of your room so you can visualize your new cabinets. We’ll start with an accurately scaled floor plan of the existing space, accounting for doors, windows and other architectural dimensions, as well as the location of utilities such as electricity and water connections, heating and air registers, cook-top ventilation, and electrical outlets. Countertops, too? Determine the scope of the project. Do you want countertops to complement your new cabinets? Which finish would you like? Whether you prefer natural stone or engineered surfaces, laminates, tile or even wood, Phill’s has the countertop to complete your project at prices that will keep you within budget. Consider resale issues. How long do you plan on staying in your home? What improvements are standard for similar homes in your area? These are important considerations if you plan on selling your home in the future. Ensure a high-quality product by choosing a trusted, local, family-owned cabinet maker. Phill’s Custom Cabinets has been setting the standard for quality craftsmanship since 1975. When you choose Phill’s, you get gorgeous cabinets, built locally to your exact specifications, for about the same price you’d pay at a big box store. Our friendly team and attention to detail will leave your feeling confident to take on your project. www.OwensboroLiving.com
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GREEN RIVER APPLIANCE 5 Reasons to Take a Nap Break Today Remember when we were kids and naps seemed like punishment? Then in college naps became a necessary way to survive long days after short nights. Now that we’re all grown up with jobs and families and countless responsibilities, napping seems like a dream that’s to-good-to-be-true. But science is telling us that naps have similar benefits to night sleep. Here are five benefits:
a burst of activity in the right side of the brain (where creativity happens) after a nap.
1 – Naps boost productivity. If you are sleep deprived or worn out, studies show a nap can give you a better boost than tea or coffee. That’s why more companies are encouraging employees to nap on the job.
4 – Naps boost your spirit. Adults get grumpy just like kids when they’re tired; we just tend to keep it in more. A National Sleep Foundation study showed naps can be a mood booster.
2 – Naps boost creativity. Have you ever had a brilliant idea in the middle of the night? Or woken up with a solution to a recent problem that was puzzling you? Naps can have the same effect. In fact, Georgetown University researchers found
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3 - Naps boost alertness. A NASA study found pilots are more alert after a 40-minute nap compared to pilots who remained awake. The same study showed even a 10-minute power nap could perk you up. Remember those from college?
5 – Naps decrease stress. Sometimes we just need a break. Even escaping for 20 minutes can be a major stress reliever. A few midday minutes of shut-eye and a few deep breaths can melt our stress away. We’ll likely come back happier, refreshed, and ready to work again.
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MURPHY EXCAVATING Building Your Dream Home on a Piece of Property? Consider These Three Things: You’ve got your perfect location in mind, and the price for the property is just right. Or, you’ve already bought some property, and now you must decide where to position your new house on the land. It’s time to bring in the pros! Jamie Murphy, with Murphy Excavating, says a skilled excavator can recognize potential pitfalls that a homeowner may not be aware of. To get a more realistic expectation of what is required to prepare your acreage, Murphy recommends getting these three estimates: • An estimate on clearing the land. If the land is wooded, trees need to be removed in order to level the land. • An estimate for site grading the land. Many homeowners love the idea of a house on a hill, but that could mean more expense. • An estimate for drainage. Once the land is
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cleared and level, the next obstacle is coming up with a drainage plan. Should the runoff be directed toward a pond or ditch? Or does the land need to be tiled? Getting an understanding of these expenses upfront can help determine if that piece of land really is the perfect location, or if your initial idea is the best spot to build your house. Murphy Excavating is a locally owned excavating company that strives to meet the needs of individuals, farmers and businesses in the Owensboro and surrounding area. Murphy Excavating’s mission is to preserve and enhance the land; provide custom solutions, whether simple or complex, to meet our customer’s needs; complete the job professionally and in the shortest time frame possible; add effectiveness and efficiency with new equipment and technology; and to ensure the safety of employees, environment, and those around the work sites.
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THE
DISH
Low Carb BAKED DONUTS PHOTO AND RECIPE BY JAMIE ALEXANDER
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Everyone loves donuts. With this recipe, you can enjoy these delicious donuts with a little less guilt. If you prefer the texture of a traditional donut, try frying them at the end. Otherwise, these turn out more like cake donuts. They can be served with any topping, but the ones listed below have low carb options. Be sure to check out ratios for sugar substitutions! www.OwensboroLiving.com
DONUT BASE
1 cup almond flour 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/3 cup honey (or pure maple syrup) 2 large eggs 2 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 300F. Pour all ingredients into a bowl and mix until smooth. Fill GREASED donut pan 1/2 way full (if you have extra batter, fill 3/4 way). Bake around ten minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (overcooking will dry these out). Allow to cool. After removing from tin, turn donut upside down and dip in your favorite topping.
FROSTING
Chocolate Chili Ganache 1 cup whipping cream Chili flakes (to taste - start with 2 tsp) 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate (for a lower carb diet, use 2/3 ounce unsweetened dark chocolate and 2 teaspoons of sugar substitute) .5 tbsp unsalted butter
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Heat cream to boiling point then remove from heat. Add chocolate and mix until smooth. Add chili flakes (taste test the spiciness to your flavor). Will thicken as it cools. Add edible glitter for decoration.
Blueberry Glaze
1/2 cup blueberries (fresh) 2 cups powdered sugar (for a low carb diet, use Swerve confectioners substitution) 1 stick butter
Puree blueberries until smooth. If you can’t achieve smoothness, add a small amount of milk (eyeball this - start with 1/2 tbsp). In a separate bowl, beat butter until whipped (2-3 minutes). Add pureed blueberries and powdered sugar to butter and mix.
Maple Glaze
2 tbsp pure maple syrup 3/4 tsp maple extract 1 tbsp almond milk 3/4 cup powdered sugar (for a low carb diet, use Swerve confectioners substitution)
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth, dip donuts in glaze and sprinkle pecans (or bacon chunks) on top.
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THE
SCENE
DOWNTOWN
2017 INTERNATIONAL BAR-B-Q FESTIVAL May 12 – 13 | Downtown Owensboro Entertainment, cooking competitions, bar-b-q and burgoo, and many other events for all ages! Make a visit to the “Bar-B-Q Capital of the World” a must attend event! Come for the food, stay for the fun! Please see www.bbqfest.com for the complete list of details and schedule!
FRIDAY AFTER 5 Begins May 19 | RiverPark Center through Smothers Park A summer-long series of FREE outdoor concerts held each Friday evening on the beautiful Owensboro riverfront from the RiverPark Center through Smothers Park to the Owensboro Convention Center.
DOWNTOWN CRUISE-IN April 1 from 3 – 8pm | Downtown Owensboro First Saturday of each month April thru October! Monthly Downtown Cruise-In with class cars, hot rods, and roadsters! April’s theme will be Trucks - all makes and models welcome. Close to downtown restaurants, shopping, door prizes and Downtown Smothers Park. Enter at 3rd & Allen Streets. Gates open one hour before Cruise-In times. Visit us on Facebook or email sunset_cruiser@aol.com for details.
100 MEN WHO COOK April 22 at 6pm | Owensboro Convention Center One-hundred local “chefs” prepare food to sample at this fundraising event that benefits the Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club. Single ticket $60, table for eight $500. For more information about this event contact Kathy Doup 270-685-4903 or Shawn Brumfield 270-691-1900. More information coming soon at owensboro100menwhocook.com
LIVE ON THE BANKS Saturdays May through August | Smothers Park Overlook Stage LIVE on the Banks is a FREE, outdoor concert series on Saturday nights May thru September at the River Overlook Stage in Downtown Owensboro, KY. Presented by the City of Owensboro. 76 OWENSBORO LIVING
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FAMILY
KENTUCKY MAVERICKS
throughout April & May | Owensboro Sportscenter See www.mavup.com/schedule for complete schedule.
MARKET DAYS
April 1 – 2 & May 6 - 7 | Preservation Station, 9661 KY 56 Preservation Station Market Days are held the first full weekend of every month. Sat. 10am – 5pm and Sunday Noon to 5pm with over 100 vendors of antique, vintage, handcrafted, and boutique items, live music, and good food. Preservation Station Market and Event Center, 9661 Hwy 56. Also open daily Tuesday through Saturday from 10am - 5pm and Sunday 12 - 5pm. Call 270-993-7532, go to www.visitpreservationstation.com, or find us on Facebook.
OWENSBORO REGIONAL FARMER'S MARKET
Saturdays Starting April 22 – October 8am - 1pm | 1205 Triplett St www.OwensboroLiving.com
ARTS
A GIFT OF NATURE through April 16 | Owensboro Museum of Art
The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art will unveil a gift of three major paintings by Frankfort, Kentucky artist Ellen Glasgow. The paintings are a part of an exhibition representing a series of promised gifts to be given to the museum’s collection by the Glasgow family over the next several years.
A CELEBRATION OF REGIONAL ART: THE OWENSBORO ART GUILD’S 55TH ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION through April 14 | Owensboro Museum of Art
The Owensboro Art Guild is Kentucky’s oldest continuing visual arts organization operated by artists which sponsors a variety of exhibition opportunities throughout the year.
HONK! BY BACK ALLEY MUSICALS April 20 – 23 | RiverPark Center
Honk! is a delightful full-length musical adaptation of one of the most beloved fables of all time, Hans Christian Anderson’s The Ugly Duckling. It is for adults and children alike. A baby swan named “Ugly” looks quite a bit different from his duckling siblings, a fact not lost on the other barnyard animals. Follow Ugly on his journey of self-discovery in a tale that also incorporates a message of tolerance! Honk! is written for a broader audience and has more songs that the well-known junior version, which is for younger audiences. Evening performances on Thursday through Saturday evenings at 7:30pm
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and Saturday and Sunday matinees will be 2:00pm. Tickets are $25 adults, $15 students plus $3.75 handling fee per ticket. For tickets, contact the RiverPark Center Box Office 270-687-2770 or online at www.riverparkcenter.org
AWAITING SUMMER PRESENTED BY THE OSO April 22 at 7pm | RiverPark Center The Conductor Search Season comes to a close with an electrifying overture to Rossini’s opera L’italiana in Algeri. Following the overture, Conductor finalist Roger Kalia and the Symphony will be joined by one of Virginia Opera’s Emerging Artists, Soprano Katherine Polit, in a performance of Samuel Barber’s Knoxsville: Summer of 1915 – a simple, dreamlike depiction of a summer evening in the American South. The Symphony will conclude the search season with Antonin Dvorak’s pastoral Eighth Symphony, where the music is inspired by the tranquil landscapes, depicting a summer’s day, interrupted by a thunderstorm. Concert Tickets Available at www.theoso.com and www.riverparkcenter.com or calling The Owensboro Symphony Orchestra 270-684-0661.
MAMMA MIA May 2 at 7pm | RiverPark Center A Mother! A Daughter! 3 Possible Dads! A trip down the aisle you will never forget! People all over the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show with the timeless music of ABBA that propel this enchanting tale of love, laughter, and friendship. Tickets are on sale now online at riverparkcenter.org/event/mamma-mia or call the RiverPark Center box office 270-687-2770.
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KIDS
OPEN BOUNCE NIGHTS
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays | U-Bounce The perfect party place for kids. Amazing inflatables in an unbelievably cool bounce stadium. Private, clean and climate controlled. All children must wear socks. $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free; On Toddler Tuesday, children 5 and under get in for $5 all night. Tuesday and Wednesday 5 – 8pm and Friday 5 - 9pm 270-685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
HISTORIC COAL MINE TOUR
ongoing | Owensboro Museum of Science & History Historic Coal Mine Tour – A Day in the Life of a 1930’s Rudy Coal Mine Miner. Put on a coal mine helmet and join us on a trip through the Rudy Coal Mine, an historic Daviess County coal mine featuring the history of coal mining in the 19th Century, along with the 1930’s time period. This tour is included with admission, but space is limited. Please sign up at our admissions desk when you check into the museum. Enjoy the tour! Contact the Museum at 270-687-2732 for more information.
FREE STORYTIMES
Mondays & Thursdays | Daviess County Public Library Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30am. 270-684-0211 or dcplibrary.org.
1ST WEEKEND WONDERS
April 1 | Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens Help the Garden at their volunteer work session and then enjoy weather watching for kids ages 5 – 11.
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2ND ANNUAL PINKIES UP TEA PARTY April 15 from 11am – 1pm | RiverPark Center
The Junior League of Owensboro invites you to the 2nd Annual Pinkies Up Tea Party, April 15th from 11a.m.-1p.m. at the RiverPark Center. Special guests will include Snow White, Cinderella and Bella. Tickets available at www.jlowensboro.org/third-event
ACTIVE
USFA BORDER FASTPITCH
April 8-9 | Jack C. Fisher Park Jack C. Fisher Park hosts the 2017 4th Annual USFA Owensboro Season Opener. Hosted by Kentucky USFA Softball, this twoday event includes teams in the 10U, 12U and 14U age groups. www.usfastpitch.com.
GRANT G. TALBOTT MEMORIAL 5K
April 8 at 9 a.m. | Legion Park This 5K race starts at Legion Park on East Byers Avenue and finishes at the OCTC Main Campus. All proceeds are used to support the Grant G. Talbott Scholarship Fund at OCTC and to support participating student clubs and organizations! Checkin and late registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at OCTC's Main Campus, Administration Building. The race begins at 9 a.m. at Legion Park. T-shirt guaranteed to early registrants. For more information, contact Barb Tipmore at 270-686-4530 or visit www.owensboro.kctcs.edu.
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PERFECT JUST THE WAY THEY ARE
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ven Mother Nature is shaking out the cobwebs from every forlorn, droopy corner, filling the dull, faded landscape with bright greens and pastels. Bradford pear trees impress not only with the spectacle of their white blossoms but also the perfect symmetry of their silhouettes as they line the streets. Early daffodils and forsythia make even the overcast days look sunny and bright. Birds flutter from branch to branch, darting down to the ground now and then to snatch up a bit of material as they weave their nests in preparation for their spring fledglings. Parking lots are overflowing at the home and garden stores as everyone hurries to welcome spring with fresh mulch and landscaping. Windows are flung open to allow the crisp, clean breeze to blow through, filling rooms with a cheery freshness that makes a person feel like they haven’t drawn a deep breath in months. Vacuum cleaners hum and an old rag swishes over tabletops, seemingly sweeping away the last dreary shadows of winter along with the dust. In the subdivision down the road, construction workers scurry about like worker ants, assembling the framework of yet another home for yet another family. Friends huddle together in conversations about their various remodeling projects, fingering the textures of fabric swatches, comparing flooring samples and proudly fanning out paint chips like winning hands of poker. Yes, it’s spring – the season for new beginnings and fresh starts. The perfect time of year for cleaning and building and moving and remodeling. There’s just something hopeful in the air, anticipation and excitement, as all creatures great and small work with
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renewed energy to build, clean and clear their homes. Well, maybe not quite ALL creatures. There are a few of us who dutifully complete their regular weekend cleaning chores, sweeping and mopping right on schedule, just as we always do, and we’re more than happy to open our curtains and appreciatively breathe in that fresh air … … but other than that, we look around our homes – old, familiar, comfortable homes – and don’t really feel the need or desire to change a thing. Yes, the couch is old and tired, and you have to keep the end cushion turned over to hide the stain where your grandson fell asleep with bubblegum in his mouth and it fell out and you never could get it completely out of the fabric, even with the old ice cube trick. And the carpet is worn and has that raveled spot where the dog fluffs it up with his claws before curling up and snoozing in the place where the sunbeam through the window keeps it warm. And you have to jiggle the doorknob before the key will turn, and the doorbell – gosh, did that thing ever work? Maybe the kitchen needs a makeover, but then again, don’t we all? But just as our lines and wrinkles and sags and grey hairs tell a story of a life well lived, so does the chip in the linoleum and the loose hinge on the cabinet. So what if color scheme hasn’t been popular in years; it’s still your favorite color. So to those who build and remodel and renovate and repair – that’s wonderful, it really is. Enjoy every moment of creating the perfect home. But for some of us, our homes are perfect just the way they are.
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