Owensboro Living - September/October 2023

10 Years of Owensboro Living

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since we launched Owensboro Living. I remember sitting down with Jason (Tanner, our publisher) to brainstorm concepts for the magazine when it was still just an idea. At the time, there was no shortage of exciting stories to share with our readers. The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum was in the early planning stages, and the late Jack Wells was among a group of developers bringing new energy to downtown. With all of the excitement around bluegrass, local musician Randy Lanham graced our very first cover.

Since that time, we’ve had the privilege of telling the stories of the people of Owensboro, covering refugees, politicians, athletes, musicians, volunteers, entrepreneurs, and many others. Our pages have highlighted artists such as K.O. Lewis, musicians like the aforementioned Randy Lanham, and local doctor Jim Tidwell. For this 10th Anniversary edition, we thought it appropriate to revisit these folks, and find out how their lives and careers have changed since the last time we sat down with them.

In addition to looking back at some of our favorite people from past issues, we’re also proud to continue bringing you fresh content that showcases the people, places and events that make us proud of our city – like musician Colt Graves. And if his early success is any indication, we’re definitely looking forward to the 10-year follow-up on the story of his career.

At the end of the day, we couldn’t do any of this without the support of our readers and advertisers, and we truly appreciate each and every one of you. Here’s to another 10 years!

STEVEN WILSON, EDITOR

steven@owensboroliving.com

WHAT I’M READING LISTENING TO

Stuff You Should Know Podcast

I’m fairly sure I haven’t mentioned it here, but I’ll tell anyone who will listen about my favorite podcast, Stuff You Should Know. You can’t really call it a well-kept secret, because it generally charts in the Top 25. But for those that don’t know, it’s co-hosted by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, who delve into topics ranging from elephants to the mafia, coffee, the Grand Canyon and Genghis Kahn. The pair approaches each topic with intelligence, humor and relatability that makes every episode a great listen.

I’m partial to the history episodes, but no matter your favorite subject, with a catalog of over 1,500 shows, there’s something for everyone. And now, my son, Jude (12), has also become of fan of the podcast, so we can listen together on the way to school.

EDITORIAL

EDITOR

Steven Wilson

PUBLISHER

Jason Tanner

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jay Fallin

Libby Johnson

Marlys Mason

Danny May

Kristi McCabe

Dana Peveler

Jamie Plain

Jacqueline Russell

Lora Wimsatt

Do you have a story idea? We want to hear from you! Email your suggestion to steven@owensboroliving.com

ADVERTISING

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Brock Quinton

Owensboro Living is a FREE magazine because of community support. Thank you to the great group of businesses and organizations who advertise.

For more information about advertising call 270-297-1600 or email brock@tannerpublishing.com.

DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jamie Plain

LAYOUT DESIGNER

Andrea Roberson

AD DESIGNER

Monica Tapp

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Dave Mackey

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

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5 things we’re talking about now

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Owensboro Developer Releasing Retro Game

Bluegrass Legends Car Show

On August 18 and 19, Moreland Park was filled from corner to corner with about 600 cars and thousands of people. Dozens of vendors and food trucks also lined the Sportscenter parking lot on for the inaugural Bluegrass Legends Experience Car Show presented by Don Moore. The show featured 600 entries, including cars, trucks, rat rods, Jeeps and motorcycles. All proceeds from the car show will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore is set to be the spiritual successor to several favorite classic video games like the Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Brothers, and other early 90s-era games, and at the game’s head is Owensboro game developer Seth Fulkerson. Fulkerson said that the game does not have a release date, and they are still working on finishing it, hoping to release it by the end of the year. The game will be available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series S/X, Steam, and Switch.

Photo by RYAN RICHARDSON

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Habitat Builds 155th House

On August 13, Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County had a house dedication ceremony on West 10 St. for new homeowner Ms. Tonya Sowders. “This house build was a very special project as it was indicative of why Habitat works in our community,” said Jeremy Stephens, executive director for Habitat. “I often say, we run on volunteers, and on this project alone, Habitat had over 500 community volunteers putting in time to serve others. The house marked 155 homes built by the organization, which has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon.

25th Annual Owensboro Multicultural Festival

The 25th annual Owensboro Multicultural Festival was held August 19, celebrating diversity in the community, and offering more than 40 exhibit booths and food trucks, as well as live entertainment. Chair Debbie McCoy noted: “The Multicultural Festival has connected people who are different from one another but share the same community for 25 years now.”

5 Hops on the Ohio

Local residents and tourists from all over flocked to the Owensboro Convention Center for Hops on the Ohio, held August 12. Guests toured the convention hall and waterfront pier to sample a large selection of local and hard-to-find national brews. Event-goers also enjoyed live music, soaked in riverfront views, and perused items from various vendors. While beer was the focal point, folks also sampled various ciders, seltzers, and wines. Green River Distillery even showed up to offer bourbon sampling and cocktails.

MUSIC: THE “CALHOUN COWBOY” BECOMES OWENSBORO’S FASTEST RISING SINGER-SONGWRITER p. 14

IN THE KNOW: 9 EVENTS TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR p. 15

CULTURE

Photo by TAYLOR GRAVES

Colt Graves

THE “CALHOUN COWBOY” BECOMES OWENSBORO’S FASTEST RISING SINGER-SONGWRITER

Written by DANNY MAY // Photos by TAYLOR GRAVES

Was it really blind luck that brought Colt Graves to Owensboro 11 years ago? Or, was it something more, like fate or destiny?

Or, was it his deeper subconscious that landed Colt in the emerging Bluegrass Capital of the World, considering his grandfather “Uncle Josh” Graves has a plaque in the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame as a legendary dobro player for Flatt & Scruggs.

That little tidbit, Graves says, had no bearing on his decision to move from Nashville to Owensboro in 2012. “I changed my life around and wanted someplace new to start fresh. I literally opened up a map, closed my eyes, plopped my finger down, and Owensboro just happened to be where it landed. That was it. It could have been anywhere in the United States.”

Which begs the question: was he running away from something when he landed in Owensboro, or running toward something?

Either way, fast forward to the day of this interview and Colt Graves is finally a free man; free to make the music he wants, how he wants, and whenever he wants.

In just a few seconds, it’s clear that Colt Graves doesn’t do anything halfway. He goes big. He doesn’t just have a band; he has a team. (Several actually.) He didn’t just show up to Porchfest; his team parked a vintage tour bus on Griffith Avenue for their green room. He didn’t just accept this request for a phone interview; he invited me to his house, opened the front door, and completely took Owensboro Living inside his world for an hour and a half.

When I turned on the recorder and opened my notebook, the first thing I noticed was a look of relaxed determination. Two weeks before our interview, Colt was still a sales manager at Don Moore Automotive on Frederica. But on this blazing hot August afternoon, I had Colt’s full attention with nowhere to be as he kicked back on his sofa, propped his boots on an ottoman, and explained how he was now able to focus on his music full-time since signing a record deal with megaproducer Timbaland in June.

These days, Colt’s team is loading up his socials with video clips and status reports daily. His PorchFest performance: “Dirt on Me” surpassing 200K streams on Spotify and a plaque from Amazon Music for hitting #2 on the country new release chart; “Lonesome Roads” surpassing 100K streams on Spotify as well; a packed-out celebration performance at Brasher’s Lil Nashville in July. Then, on August 2, a photo and reel of Colt recording next to Timbaland in Soul Train Sound Studios in Nashville.

At the time of this printing, “Dirt on Me” was Team Graves’ latest release, and the one that broke the doors

wide open for him, but there were many, many steps along that path to crafting this first batch of songs.

FROM NASHVILLE RAPPER TO CALHOUN COWBOY

Yes, there were Colt’s early days in Nashville where he helped look after Johnny Cash’s goats (True story!). There were also the days he taught himself to play guitar and the day he won a talent contest in the 5th grade playing Jewell’s “You Were Meant for Me” in front of the whole school.

But there were days that weren’t so great. One day, a 16-year-old Colt stood before a judge and was legally emancipated by the State of Tennessee, which meant he was on his own with no parent or guardian.

Because of that, there were days and weeks and years spent raising himself where he got into some wild things you wouldn’t believe. Those were the days he was rapping in innercity Nashville and living the “thug life,” as he called it with a chuckle.

Then there was the day he needed a new beginning and moved to Owensboro, two hours away from all that. Which led to some long, hot days on a roofing crew to start making good, honest money. But his music dream was still very much alive in Kentucky.

“The first summer I was here in

IN THE KNOW

Owensboro I think I handed out like a thousand rap CDs at the Barbecue Festival,” Colt remembered, laughing about the fact that his new band will be playing one of the main stages during Friday After 5 on September 1.

There were many Sundays spent in church, playing on stage behind a worship pastor, which led to some recording projects and writing sessions in his Christian music phase, which is where his Biblical references and spiritual influence sprinkled throughout his recent lyrics largely come from.

Soon after that, there were a few years spent collaborating, writing, and performing with a buddy from Philpot on a project they called “Kenessee.”

Then there was the day Colt had saved enough money to buy a farm in Calhoun. Equal parts relaxation and inspiration, it also kept him grounded and reminded him of his roots. He enjoyed the wide-open space and room to breathe, and the satisfaction of caring for chickens, horses, and a mischievous small herd of goats. Make no mistake, there is still actual dirt on those cowboy boots we see in the photos.

Then there was “the year” that changed everything.

Still in the midst of Covid, Colt

9 EVENTS TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR

“I gotta give a lot of thanks to Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll for opening up the doors for me with this genre. If they hadn’t broken that door open, I don’t know that I would have found success this fast.”

decided to take a year and throw everything he had into his music, and focus 100% on finding his unique, authentic sound. “I was working at Don Moore then. My fiancé and I decided to sell the farm in Calhoun and buy a house here in Owensboro so we could be closer to things. I shut everything else out and just started writing fresh,” Colt explained.

“Things didn’t really happen for me until I decided exactly what I wanted and made it very clear. I had three goals; to provide for my family full-time doing music, to play on the Grand Ole Opry, and to win a Grammy. To make a big jump like that, you have to sacrifice time, talent, and treasure. So that’s what I did. And that’s when people started catching on and things

6TH ANNUAL SUNFLOWER EXPERIENCE

SEPTEMBER 2-22 @ TRUNNELL’S FARM MARKET

The Sunflower Festival is an experience on the farm that all guests will remember for a lifetime! Take the tractor-drawn wagon ride to Trunnell’s beautiful field of sunflowers. Guests will be amazed by the brilliant colors across the field. Each guest will get to search through a Million Sunflowers looking for the perfect one to pick and take home! Don’t forget your camera. This is Kentucky’s most InstaGrammable event!

APOLLO LTD

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SEPTEMBER 8 @ BLUEGRASS MUSIC

HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM

BUMPS & BUNDLES BABY EXPO

SEPTEMBER 9 @ OWENSBORO CONVENTION CENTER

Come join Hope’s Embrace for Bumps & Bundles. Learn about businesses and services geared towards pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. Interested vendors can email info@hopesembraceky.org for a vendor application. The event will be from 12pm-5pm where Noon-1pm will be VIP entrance and 1pm-5pm will be general admission. There will be opportunities to win prizes from each booth, as well as grand prizes. All proceeds benefit Hope’s Embrace to make birth support accessible to all.

- COLT GRAVES

started happening fast.”

When he emerged from that year, he was ready to reveal his new music to the world. “Dirt on Me” was released on May 11, 2022, and things have skyrocketed since.

YOUR VIBE ATTRACTS YOUR TRIBE

“Lonesome Roads” might be one of his most-streamed songs, but Colt is far from lonely these days. Once his close-knit friends and collaborators heard the songs he was cranking out in his upstairs writing loft, people started paying attention and wanting to be a part of it. He now has a team that helps him with vision, marketing, and promotion (see sidebar), another team of writers and musicians he can call upon to perform live, and his

IN THE KNOW

producer/engineer Jake Parshall who records and masters the final versions of the songs in a Nashville studio.

Colt gives a lot of credit for his success to his team. “My team is my tribe. My people. We’ve really become like a family. They get what I’m doing and take it to the next level. They’re all amazing at what they do.”

The video for “Lonesome Roads” is a perfect example of the creative synergy of Colt’s team. The production value is way beyond what most unsigned artists produce. The idea for the video was Colt’s vision to create “a blend between the movie O Brother Where Art Thou and Blow.” The team then scripted it, meticulously planned the scenes, and made it all happen. There are airplanes buzzing

9 EVENTS TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR

by, horses in several scenes, a chain gang, multiple sets and locations, and sounds from the visual story overdubbed to add impact to the video. And that was before the Timbaland deal.

SIGNING WITH TIMBALAND

The deal with Timbaland started earlier this summer during a random moment on Timbaland’s TikTok channel where he reviews and does reaction videos for independent artists. At this point in the conversation, Colt pointed to a stool at his kitchen bar across the room and recalled the story, “There are thousands of people in those live videos, and I had been on the channel several times watching. So, I’m halfway watching this with the kids running around in the background when all of sudden I see my song pop up and I about fell off my stool.

“He stops and says he likes it and then he pulled up ‘Lonesome Roads’ but turned it off right before the rap part, so he wasn’t even aware I could rap at that point. I expected him to hate it because I’m a country artist. But he brought me up on his live chat and told me I was fire, and he was going to follow me. About a week goes by and I don’t hear anything so I thought I would do something crazy and message him. He messaged right back and asked for my email. Then a

OWENSBORO AIR SHOW

SEPTEMBER 15-17 @ SMOTHERS PARK

The Owensboro Air Show will feature the Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration Team, a wide range of aircraft on display and aerial demonstrations at the OwensboroDaviess County Regional Airport on Friday, Sept. 15. On Saturday and Sunday, the focus returns to the riverfront for an air show that will feature some of the best civilian and military demonstrations in the world. This event is free to the public.

NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND

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SEPTEMBER 16 @ BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM

With a refreshed lineup and newfound energy, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band remains one of the most accomplished bands in American roots music. Tickets are on sale now, and each ticket includes access to the lawn for viewing of the 2023 Owensboro Air Show. In the event of weather moving the concert indoors, Preferred tickets will have a seat within Woodward Theater, and General Admission Tickets will be refunded. Be sure to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the show. No coolers allowed at the concert. Bar and concessions available the entire evening.

JURASSIC QUEST

SEPTEMBER 22-24 @ OWENSBORO CONVENTION CENTER

Walk with a larger-than-life dinosaur herd with your friends and family as Jurassic Quest roars through Owensboro! Jurassic Quest is the world’s largest, most popular Dino event with unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. Observe their herd of life size animatronic dinosaurs, including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus and T-Rex!

few days later he emails me and asks for my number. A week later I get a Facetime from an unknown number, and I take it and it’s Timbaland right there on my phone.”

It took some negotiations, but once the deal went through, Colt was able to quit his day job and focus full-time on music. A few days after our interview, Colt spent several days in a studio in Nashville with Timbaland.

Focus. Sacrifice. Hard work. Determination. Positioning. Perfect timing. Opportunity. Or as Colt calls it: “Manifestation.” (See sidebar)

That’s the fascinating thing about Colt’s story: if you take away any one of the pieces of his past - his bluegrass and country pedigree, his inner-city Nashville rapper phase, the Sundays on stage with a worship band, the “Kenessee” collaboration, or the Calhoun Cowboy on the farm with his chickens and goats - then these last five songs don’t sound like the Colt Graves songs he’s releasing now. Which means they might not have caught Timbaland’s ears.

It took every step on that path, every piece of the musical puzzle, falling into place at the right time.

Would an independent upstart from Owensboro be in the studio with Timbaland if he hadn’t

BLUEGRASS ‘N BOOGIE

SEPTEMBER 23 @ DREAM

RIDERS OF KENTUCKY

Join Dream Riders of Kentucky for an amazing evening of Bluegrass music by Kings Highway, BBQ, live and silent auctions, cash bar, and entertainment for the whole family. Support Dream Riders in their mission to provide therapeutic services for our community members with special needs.

dedicated that full year of focus to reset and write fresh songs with a whole new vibe?

FINDING FREEDOM

In the days to come, you can count on this: fans find the music they like. And the music Colt and his team are putting out is finding a LOT of ears.

If you ask Colt, this moment is exactly where he always hoped and dreamed he’d be.

“Everybody goes through their things in life. All my songs are feeling-based about breakups or depression, but faith also definitely comes through. This is music with a purpose. I hope people see it’s important to be real with yourself. The moment I was truly honest with myself is when everything changed for me. I was able to be honest about my mindset and my feelings. Don’t be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. That’s where it’s at; a change of mindset. Be who you are because free is the absolute best thing you can be. You can find freedom in Christ. Freedom in yourself. Freedom from any ties. The truth shall set you free. I want to be truly myself to everybody… And it’s working. I can’t believe it. But it worked.” OL

WAR

SEPTEMBER 30 @ RIVERPARK CENTER

Multi-platinum-selling WAR, the original street band, has been sharing its timeless music and message of brotherhood and harmony for over 4 decades before millions across the globe. The long list of hits includes “Low Rider,” “The World Is A Ghetto,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “The Cisco Kid,” and many more. The phenomenal group has been honored twice by its hometown of Los Angeles for making positive contributions to the betterment of the community with its powerful music and has been honored by President Obama, as “All Day Music” was placed on his official playlist of the Summer.

THE TEAM

Christian Potts - management/promotion

Nick Gray - tour manager/music director

Taylor Graves - photography/videography

Alan Richeson, Jordan Centers, & Adam Scott - songwriters

Jake Parshall - producer, sound engineer (Nashville)

THE TIMELINE

April 2022 - Colt is ready, and the team makes plans for first release

May 11th, 2022 - First Single, “Lonesome Roads” released

May 10th, 2023 - Colt is discovered by Timbaland on TikTok

May 11th, 2023 - “Dirt on Me” released

May 12th, 2023 - “Dirt on Me” charts #13 in US on iTunes in country

May 13th, 2023 - “Dirt on Me” charts #2 on Amazon Music for country

June 11th, 2023 - Colt Graves breaks 500K total music streams

June 12th, 2023 - offer from Anthem

Entertainment (Timbaland) received

July 22-25 - Recording with Timbaland in Nashville

Sept 1 - Colt Graves closes out the season at Friday After 5

EMPTY BOWLS 2023

OCTOBER 26 @ RIVERPARK CENTER

Empty Bowls annual fundraising event will be held on October 26 from 6-8 at the RiverPark Center in downtown Owensboro. The goal of this grassroots movement is to raise money to assist organizations whose primary role is fighting hunger, while also raising awareness about the issues of hunger and food security. They strive to foster an attitude that will not allow hunger to exist in our communities.

THEN & NOW

As part of our 10th Anniversary edition, we’re looking back on stories that have made an impact on our readers and the community.

Randy Lanham

THE GIFT OF MUSIC

Written by LIBBY JOHNSON

Photo by JAMIE PLAIN

→

Some years ago, I attended a Saturday morning bluegrass lesson session at the old bluegrass museum in order to write an article about the program. Dozens of children sat perched wherever they could find a spot, and parents crowded the perimeter. Randy Lanham stood at the front of the room, conducting the class. With nothing but his voice, he directed the students to

play the first few notes of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Little bows screeched across strings at different pitches and lengths all over the room. I don’t think I had ever experienced a more jarring cacophony. I nearly fled the space. What kept me was the presence of Lanham. He didn’t wince. He didn’t look at the parents and make a face that conveyed “whoo whee - there’s a long

RANDY LANHAM WAS FEATURED ON THE VERY FIRST COVER OF OWENSBORO LIVING IN OCTOBER 2013.

way to go.” He didn’t even exhale. Instead, he calmly said, “Good, good…that’s a start…now listen to me play it.” I knew then that music wasn’t just a gift this man had been given, it was a gift he was determined to give.

For over twenty years now, Randy Lanham has been the face and the force behind spreading bluegrass music to the next generation. In fact, Lanham was also the face of the first ever cover of Owensboro Living in 2013. To celebrate our 10-year anniversary, Owensboro Living caught up with Lanham to see what has changed, what has not, and what is next.

Since its inception, the Bluegrass Music Academy has been offering group lessons in fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo every other Saturday. However, this fall, they are trying something different. For eight weeks in September and October, the group lessons will take place on Tuesday evenings, providing more flexibility for students and teachers alike. But that’s not all the academy is introducing this year. Responding to the growing demand for personalized instruction, they have expanded their offerings to include oneon-one private lessons for guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and bass. These private sessions are led by skilled musician and instructor Chris Armstrong, with plans to add more teachers in the future.

The new facility has been a game-changer for the academy, providing more space for group lessons, live music performances, private sessions, field trips, open mic nights, jam sessions, and more. The expansion has also brought in new staff members

whose unwavering support and dedication have been vital to the academy’s success.

Moreover, the academy is embracing technology and the digital age by launching its website, www.bluegrassmusicacademy. org. This new platform will host online videos that allow students to learn songs and play along with other instruments. The online lessons aim to make bluegrass music accessible to a wider audience, reaching beyond the local community.

However, the heart of the Bluegrass Music Academy still lies in its commitment to education and community engagement. The “Bluegrass in the Schools” program, which has been running alongside the group lessons, takes music education directly into the classroom. Through BITS, Randy Lanham brings up to 30 instruments into local third, fourth, and fifthgrade classrooms, providing an introduction to fiddle, mandolin, or guitar.

Beyond BITS, the academy offers schoolwide assemblies and field trips to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, providing interactive and immersive experiences for students to discover the beauty of bluegrass music. These events foster a deep appreciation for traditional music and ignite a spark in the hearts of young learners.

Extending the offerings, Randy’s brother, Barry, is now teaching clogging classes at the bluegrass museum, too. “That adds a whole new element to what we do,” he says.

The impact of the academy

extends even further, with Randy Lanham intentionally seeking to bring more people together to play music and take it out into the community. His vision is to use music as a tool to address the mental health crisis, a challenge that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Through group performances, teaching, and leadership, Lanham hopes to create a network of musicians who can bring the healing power of music to nursing homes, hospice facilities, hospitals, mental health centers, shelters, and more. He envisions a “wildfire of healing” brought to communities via small bands and groups that use banjoleles and percussion instruments to spread joy and healing through music, setting an example for other communities to follow suit. The goal is to create a template that can be replicated in various regions, forming a network of world-changers united by their love for music and their dedication to others’ well-being.

For Randy Lanham, the “aha” moments he experiences are constant reminders of the profound impact music can have on people’s lives. From teaching a young girl with no arms to play the Banjolele to guiding a refugee with limited English language skills to play the fiddle, he constantly witnesses the transformative power of music in action.

“The biggest misconception is that a musician thinks they have to be a certain level of good player to get out and do anything. I want to make it so easy that anyone can do it, and we will train you and do this by example,” he says. OL

Fresh Start →

LASTING IMPACT

Written by KRISTI MCCABE

Photos by JAMIE PLAIN

Fresh Start for Women is a transitional housing community that helps women reach for a “new normal.”   Since opening its doors in Owensboro in 2016, Fresh Start has served at least 200 women, providing them with a safe, encouraging atmosphere, and enabling them to build a better future for themselves and their families.

Cindy Jean, co-founder and Executive Director of Fresh Start for Women, credited community support with much of the organization’s success.

“Our community has been so supportive,” Jean noted.  “The impact made on the lives of these women and their families is lasting.  Within two or three years of being with us, most of them go on to further their education, purchase their own homes, find new careers, and reunite with their families.  The transformation is amazing.”

Fresh Start offers addiction recovery services; classes in budgeting, cooking, parenting and other life skills; counseling; Bible studies; and educational and career advancement opportunities.  The organization’s low-cost apartment complex is located in downtown Owensboro.

WE FIRST FEATURED FRESH START FOR WOMEN IN THE APRIL/ MAY 2017 ISSUE OF OWENSBORO LIVING. SINCE THAT TIME, THE ORGANIZATION HAS MADE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF WOMEN.

“Our clients are very selfmotivated,” said Jean.  “This isn’t a handout.  Our women have jobs and pay rent; many of them qualify for government housing but they choose to come here because of the high level of accountability.”

Within just a few years of living at Fresh Start, many clients are able to purchase their own homes.

“These women return to the community with a renewed sense of purpose, and then begin to help others,” Jean continued.   “Eight of them have gone on to work at treatment centers for addiction, and some work with children at River Valley Behavioral Health.”

For many, Fresh Start is a place of healing, a vital step in breaking dangerous addiction cycles and life habits, and a means of finding hope.  Cindy Jean recalled one client in particular who has been a

model of inspiration.

“She came to us from the Pitino Shelter and lived at Fresh Start for around two years,” said Jean.  “She was able to regain custody of her son, received a Habitat house, and now works at the Pitino Shelter with the AmeriCorps program.”

Looking to the future, Fresh Start hopes to continue its growth and outreach.

“We have a large portion of property that we own behind the apartment complex and are interested in building there,” said Jean.  “Currently, we own three homes debt-free.  We would like to become a self-supporting organization, so we don’t have to rely on fundraising efforts.”

Fresh Start does not apply for state and federal money; its success has been made possible largely due to support from

area businesses, churches, and individuals, as well as grants.

“We are thankful for the Marilyn and William Young Foundation, Impact 100, the Kentucky Colonels, and many others for their support,” Jean said.   “The Keller family and Fr. Ray Clark have gifted us with homes, and RNA Rental helped to revamp one of them.  So many people in the community are invested in our mission. Fr. Clark even sang and played the guitar at our Chamber ribbon-cutting!”

Fresh Start for Women is poised to impact the lives of many generations for years to come and offer a safe place to land for those in need.

For more information about the organization, visit freshstartforwomenowensboro. org. OL

KO Lewis

THE EVOLUTION OF AN ARTIST

Written by JAY FALLIN

Photos by JAMIE PLAIN

Louisville native Kenneth “KO”

Lewis has called Owensboro home his entire adult life. Lewis originally moved to Owensboro when he enrolled as an art education major and football player at Kentucky Wesleyan College in the fall of 2004. While at KWC, Lewis’ met his future wife, Erin. After graduating, he began his career as an educator at Owensboro Public Schools’

alternative high school, which was then located at the former Seven Hills Elementary. In addition to teaching, Lewis worked as an assistant football coach for the storied OHS football program. After 7 years teaching and coaching, Lewis transitioned into administration as an assistant principal at OHS. Five years later, KO and Erin welcomed a daughter, Eva. This fall, he is set to begin his third year as an assistant principal at Newton Parrish Elementary.

As Lewis’ life has changed and evolved over the last two decades, so has his relationship with art and his career as an artist. Lewis has always had a love for painting, and it was his art skills that helped him to gain admission to the highly selective and prestigious duPont Manual High School in Louisville. After high school, KO continued to create art during college and

his early career as a teacher through painting. “At that time, I was essentially just painting commissions when a friend wanted a portrait of their children or their family. It was a way to make a little money and continue painting, but it wasn’t really something that I was passionate about,” said Lewis in a recent interview. In fact, it wasn’t until Lewis entered the East Bridge Art Festival in downtown Owensboro in 2010 that he realized that people were interested in purchasing his own original artwork. “I sold a couple of pieces that first year, and that’s when I realized that maybe this was something that I could do.”

Lewis says the success he experienced in his early shows kindled a fire within him to begin to create more and more original artwork. “At that time, my goal was to sell art and to one day have the

opportunity to get to St. James, so I tried to create pieces that featured or centered around popular, wellknown figures that I felt would have broad appeal.” Lewis realized his goal of earning admission to the prestigious St. James Art Fair several years later, and continued to be invited to display and sell artwork in cities all over the United States. Over the course of the decade that passed after that first art show, Lewis consistently sold paintings and drew invitations to some of the biggest art shows in the region.

Despite his success, Lewis felt as though he wanted to develop a deeper connection to his art.

“Several years ago, I decided that I needed to stop trying to paint figures who I thought would be popular or have broad appeal to the masses, and instead create artwork that centered around people who had been influential in my life. Whether that was a musician, an athlete, a social or political figure, it was important to me that the art I create centered around someone who had influenced me.”

Lewis said he was prepared to sacrifice monetary gain in order to make his art true to

himself. However, just the opposite proved to be true. “Strangely enough, I have found that since I started painting portraits of people who have influenced me in my life, my work is more popular than ever. I truly believe that because I am now painting who and what I want and I am passionate about, my art is deeper, more meaningful, and more powerful than ever. It speaks to people because it is from my heart.”

Lewis recently entered work

a portrait of Emmett Till. Till, a 14-year old Chicago native, was visiting family in Mississippi in 1955 when he was lynched. The ensuing court proceedings drew shock and outrage outside of the south when Till’s murderers were acquitted, and it created a national discussion around the horrors of the Jim Crow south. The purchaser of the Till painting did not want to keep it for their private collection, according to Lewis. “The individual who purchased the painting of Emmett Till commissioned me to find a museum or other location meaningful and central to the fight for civil rights and social justice for the painting to be on permanent display. That was definitely a powerful moment for me, and definitely showed me that I was making the right decision in choosing subjects for my art that spoke to me and influenced me.”  Lewis is a self-described contemporary expressionist and says he is still just as passionate about creating art as he was when he entered the East Bridge art festival back in 2010. “I just want to

KO WAS FIRST FEATURED IN THE AUGUST 2014 ISSUE OF OWENSBORO LIVING. HIS BUFFALO PAINTING PICTURED ABOVE STILL HANGS IN THE TANNER PUBLISHING OFFICE TODAY.

Dr. Jim Tidwell→

FIVE YEARS LATER

Written by MARLYS MASON

Photo by JAMIE PLAIN

Five years ago, Dr. Jim Tidwell suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury. Immediately, the community wanted to know what it could do for someone who had not lived in Owensboro long but had made an impact as a reconstructive surgeon, as well as through Faith in Practice, an organization for mission trips to Guatemala to repair cleft palates.

“It was unreal how much love they showed,” he said. “Still, when I meet people, I get hugs and people telling me, ‘I prayed for you.”

Tidwell joined the plastic surgery team at Owensboro Health in 2014 and found success in his job and friendships throughout the community and his religious community.

“In the time we were here, we really embraced the community,” Tidwell said. “We enjoyed camping and hiking with our young kids…just being outdoors. We camped at the state parks and our backyard backs up to the Greenbelt, and there wasn’t a day we weren’t on it. We even built a bridge to make it easier.”

When the accident happened, Tidwell said his mom asked about the family returning “home,” which for Tidwell was Utah and for his wife, Texas.

“But for us, this is home,” he said.

Through fundraising efforts, over $150,000 was raised for the family to

help with the immediate needs and changes that would be necessary for Tidwell’s rehabilitation and home and transportation modifications.

Tidwell’s truck is something that stops people in their tracks when they see him getting in and out. The camper opens on a hinge to reveal a crane that will take Tidwell from his wheelchair to the lowered cab seat. The process takes less than 10 minutes, and while that seems quick, Tidwell jokes that it isn’t in the rain or cold weather.

The cervical spine injury left Tidwell nearly paralyzed and with little strength in his hands, resulting in quadriplegia.

“There wasn’t an idea of the future, but I was really fortunate to have the support of the hospital,” he said of his employer.

Since hand strength would be necessary as a reconstructive surgeon, Tidwell returned to Owensboro Health in a leadership role as vice president for population health in 2019.

“They said to me, ‘We are going to use you in a leadership position,” he said. “My kids joke and say it is a pity position, but I had enough respect from [the hospital administrators] to create a focus trying to do what we can to help people be healthy outside these walls and clinics and to be involved in health fairs.”

Tidwell’s focus has been on groups where there is disparity and on those who often feel marginalized. He serves on steering committees and leadership teams within the healthcare system and says they benefit from having a physician on the team.

“My personal values are the core

commitments of Owensboro Health – Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Respect, Service and Teamwork,” he said. “I have a loyalty to the organization and said, ‘I can do that; I can be the leader.”

Tidwell has used the information he has gained serving in this role to create an endowed fund to help others in similar, low-mobility situations.

He and his wife, Jennie, created the fund to honor disabled individuals by purchasing wheelchair cushions to avoid pressure-related wounds, something Tidwell treated as a surgeon, and is vulnerable to developing himself. The cushions cost around $450, and insurance companies and Medicare cover it based on time and not wear.

“We wanted to do this as a show of our heartfelt and sincere gratitude,” he said. “As I went back to work and am compensated as a physician and administrative leader, it didn’t feel right to have people donate to me and now be in this position.”

As part of the OH Foundation, he said this will be something that will live on its own and for the future.

With the five-year anniversary mark of the accident, Tidwell said it is a time of reflection, and that prompts feelings of gratitude.

“My wife changed her life to revolve

around me to a degree,” he said. “Now, since I am more independent, she is doing more…she is even in clogging classes.”

Tidwell said his kids grew up really fast because of his accident, but he said he holds the key to having great kids.

His son is currently on a missionary trip for the next two years and his oldest daughter is applying for one. His youngest daughter will be a junior in high school and is very active.

As for his leadership in the hospital, Tidwell continues to tackle the challenge of the future of healthcare and the paradigm shift of the fee-forservice model.

“We need to make the patient healthy and help as we go through this transition to a value-based model,” he said. “We need to see a healthy population and fix the metrics we [the United States] lag behind in. Those are the focus areas we are working on.”

Tidwell still enjoys being outdoors, but said much has changed for the ease of access. He said travel is tough because of the special chairs and items he needs, but he really would like to return to doing activities his family enjoyed prior to the accident.

And with a son in Spain, a daughter applying for mission work and one graduating in two years, Tidwell just might have the opportunity for travel. OL

DR. JIM TIDWELL WAS FEATURED IN THE OCTOBER 2018 ISSUE OF OWENSBORO LIVING.

HEALTH: GET READY TO RUN FOR YOUR LIFE p. 34

HEALTH: TOP 8 BENEFITS OF SAUNAS p. 38

LIFESTYLE →

Bridging the Age Gap

Written by DANA PEVELER , Executive Director of Senior Living—Leisure Living Communities

Afew years ago, a friend told me the older she became, the less relevant she felt. She shared that she sat with her children, and they no longer wanted her advice, her perspective, or her opinion. I felt compassion for her, but I wasn’t able to relate. Interesting how a few short years can open one’s

eyes. I spent some time with two of our girls recently. Frankly, I squandered that precious time being in my own headspace about feeling old and irrelevant.

My grandkids think I’m their personal playmate, and my girls love me – no question; that isn’t the problem. They still listen

to my perspective, and they tolerate my opinion. I steer clear of offering advice unless asked, though – that’s tough for a southern momma, let me tell you! Their lifestyle isn’t even entirely different from mine at their age, so why did I feel like the gap in our relatability had stretched miles in

what seemed like a blink?

What I realized is that they have their own language. I don’t mean slang, or texting lingo – I mean references to experiences they share that I haven’t; inside jokes that are apparently hilarious, and maybe even about me! They’re growing their careers; I’m on the other side of mine. They’re growing their families; they’re mine, and they’re grown. I almost accepted the self-inflicted emotional isolation. I even almost wallowed in it – almost.

The 12-hour drive home gave me time to reflect – I don’t have to continue to let that gap grow. I don’t have to shy away from spending time with the younger generations because their youth makes the passing of mine a griefriddled reality. I can take steps to find ways to stay relevant.

Research has shown that intergenerational activities enhance quality of life for both the young and the more seasoned. Studies show all age groups benefit, from toddlers, to teens and beyond. The youngest have shown increased compassion, and empathy. Teens struggle so much with acceptance – social media can shatter their self-esteemspending time with older adults can build their self-confidence and mend that self-esteem. Even their relationships with peers have been shown to improve. For the older adult, these relationships have shown to decrease social isolation, increase mood, improve mental health, increase cognitive ability, and create a sense of connectivity.

There are so many opportunities to embrace activities where youth and older adults interact! One way is to take a class. Old and young alike are learning something for the first time, each bringing experiences to the other. Another way is to volunteer. A young person watching the work ethic of an older person through volunteerism, can make a lifelong change in their attitude toward work and community service. The conversations that take place enrich both. Our youth enjoy our stories, and let’s face it, we’re happy to tell them!

Consider being a tutor. Covid did a number on our youth and their education. As an older adult, we have a way of making complicated concepts seem simple. History may be hard for someone. Our perspective, our world awareness, makes us the perfect people to talk to about it. We can apply practical life examples to math, science, business…everything!

Join a gym. My kids taught me that my flab doesn’t matter. Commitment to living healthily longer does. I’ve heard them talking about admiring a senior at the gym who was matching them push-up for push-up. Never have I heard them talk about how someone looked – not at the pool, the gym, anywhere. Only what they admire.

Take in a boarder. A friend hosts an Otters Baseball team member each summer. They have sports in common. She feels safer knowing someone is in her home, gets the best seats at the ballpark,

and he gets a home and gourmet cook for the season!

Going back to work can put a little extra money in the bank and give you a sense of belonging and purpose. It can also provide an opportunity to mentor a younger adult. For a while now, I’ve been working in a school environment. I’m one of the older members of the staff. The reality of the age difference hit me when a coworker asked who Billy Joel was! Ouch! At first it was awkward –I’d joke about being an artifact. Now, I see the advantage I have in perspective. I’m able to stay calm during chaos because my years have trained my brain to function through it. I’m a better co-worker, friend and teacher, because I have patience I didn’t have in my youth. I’ve learned that even the teenagers appreciate me asking about their lives and listening –actually listening. They want to talk about their lives; they crave encouragement, and affirmation. I used to feel silly saying, “I don’t know what that means.” I don’t feel that way now, because I’ve found they’re thrilled to tell me! Some of my students have even adopted a few of my phrases!

We can be relatable. We can learn their language and have meaningful relationships with younger generations. It is going to take being present and open, but together we can heal the gap. I truly believe that when we learn to embrace each other’s differences, we find our similarities. OL

GET READY TO RUN FOR YOUR LIFE

currently running at all, he would suggest first building a strong base of regular walking by starting with a few minutes and gradually adding more until they are briskly walking three times a week.

“Doing this will help the body acclimate and gradually build and strengthen muscles and connective tissues that will prepare the body for the high impact of running,” he said.

“Once this is established, I would mix in one minute of easy jogging or running and four minutes walking and gradually add more minutes running and fewer minutes walking until a person can run for 30 to 45 minutes nonstop,” Anderson said. “Once you do this, you’re there!”

The Run for Your Life 5K has been an annual event for the last ten years, and both the 5K and Fun Run each see around 200 participants from ages 4 to 80.

It’s that time of year again — Owensboro Health Healthpark is gearing up for the annual Run for Your Life 5K road race and Kids’ Fun Run. And it’s not too late to join in the fun!

Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, the Run For Your Life 5K road race begins at the Healthpark, goes down Ford Avenue, over to Booth Avenue and back to the Healthpark.

Prizes will be awarded following each individual event to the overall male and female winner and in each age division.

The Kids’ Fun Run will begin at 9 a.m. The race is a half-mile course, and participants will be registered to win a $500 wellness grant for their school.

Kids’ Fun Run participants will receive

a free T-shirt and a finisher’s medal and have the opportunity to be placed in a drawing for a new bike. Participation is free but limited to the first 300 kids, so advanced online registration is required to participate.

Participants can pick up their race packets at the Owensboro Health Healthpark at 1006 Ford Avenue on Friday, September 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., or on Saturday, September 23, before the race from 7 to 7:45 a.m. for the 5K or 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. for the Kids’ Fun Run.

Jason Anderson, Manager of Health and Fitness at the Owensboro Health Healthpark, said that if someone is considering running a 5K and is not

Anderson said, “The Kids’ Fun Run is important because we want to instill the importance of movement and physical activity in kids early. We want them to live active lifestyles to benefit them, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. And we want to help kids realize the joy of movement, how their bodies work and how good exercise makes them feel.”

“Besides all this,” he said, “It’s fun.”

It’s not too late to participate in either event. Sign up by going to OwensboroHealth.org/Race.

Both events are sponsored by Owensboro Health Foundation. The foundation acts as a bridge between the community and Owensboro Health, providing opportunities for individuals, corporations and foundations to support the Owensboro Health mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the community. OL

Emotional Wellness

Work, family, financial challenges, and all the other stressors in the world can really take a toll on one’s emotional wellness. It’s not easy to be happy and enjoy life if your emotional health isn’t at a high level. While many of life’s ups and downs are beyond our control, there are a lot of things that are within our control.

There are several things you can do to increase your emotional wellness that won’t cost a penny or require a lot of time.

Practice these strategies and positively affect your emotional wellness:

MOVE MORE.

Your brain and your body are connected. You feel your emotions in your body. If you move around more, your body will be healthier and better calibrated to your environment. Sitting around too much increases the likelihood of feeling stressed or depressed.

USE YOUR TIME MORE EFFECTIVELY.

The more you get done, the less you leave undone. Having your work and chores done on a regular basis results in less stress and a greater opportunity to feel calm and relaxed.

Putting your attention on determining the best way to use your time is a great habit to develop and will benefit your life for the rest of your life.

ADDRESS ANY FINANCIAL CHALLENGES YOU’RE FACING.

There are only three basic strategies for addressing financial challenges: Worry about them, ignore them, or address them. Find a solution to your financial woes and

begin working on it. The other options only result in stress and misery either today or in the future.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP.

Your brain and body are a mess if you’re not getting enough sleep. Find a sleep schedule that works for you and stick to it. Everyone has different sleep requirements.

BE SOCIABLE.

As solitary as you might think you are, you still need to be around other people on a regular basis. Having people you can count on makes a huge difference.

LET GO OF EXPECTATIONS AND FOCUS ON GRATITUDE.

Misery largely results from unmet expectations. Spend some time each day focusing on gratitude rather than being annoyed that life, you, or others, have failed to meet your

expectations.

AVOID THE NEWS.

The news today is little more than mayhem and political news, because that’s what people like to watch. Engaging isn’t the same as useful. You’re not missing anything. Watch or read something else instead.

AVOID MOST SOCIAL MEDIA.

The basic premise of social media is admirable: Stay in touch with friends and family. The reality is that the most common use of social media is to make everyone else jealous of their family, car, house, or vacation. The image that people project is often false, and it makes others feel small by comparison. Be smart in how you use social media.

LIMIT YOUR OBLIGATIONS.

A simple and meaningful life is the best option for most people. Keep

your life simple by avoiding optional obligations that don’t add anything to your life.

TAKE A DAILY WALK.

Get out of the house and the office and take a nice walk each day. Just take a stroll and enjoy being outside.

Avoid those things that can have a negative impact on your sense of emotional well-being. This includes social media, the news, unreasonable expectations, and unnecessary obligations. Get your rest, move around, and address the challenges in your life that are within your control. Spend time with people that you love.

When your emotional health is high, you have a solid foundation for enjoying many other aspects of life. Review the tips above and pick one to implement today. OL

THE TOP 8 HEALTH BENEFITS OF SAUNAS

4. RELIEVE STRESS

The heat in a sauna helps you to relax and regulates the level of cortisol in your blood. Cortisol is the hormone that our body releases when we are stressed. High levels of cortisol can lead to a number of health issues impacting your sleep & immune system. Regular sauna bathing reduces the level of cortisol in your blood & stimulates the production of serotonin.

5. HELP FIGHT ILLNESS

As the body is exposed to the heat of a sauna & steam (in the case of traditional saunas), it produces white blood cells more rapidly. This helps to fight illnesses and helps to kill viruses in your body. In addition, saunas can relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of sinus congestion from a common cold or allergies.

6. BURN CALORIES

Saunas are packed with benefits for your skin, body, and mind. The health benefits of saunas have been touted for thousands of years. The body’s response to gentle, persistent heat is well-documented and proven every day by people worldwide. Here are the top 8 health benefits of saunas that you should know!

1. IMPROVES HEART HEALTH

In high temperatures, your skin heats up & your core body temperature rises. In response to these increased heat levels, the blood vessels near the skin dilate, and cardiac output/input function increases. Medical research has told us that the heart rate can rise from 60-70 bpm (beats per minute) to 110-120 bpm in the sauna (140-150 bpm with more intensive bathing), and can often sink to below normal after the cooling off stage.

2. TRADITIONAL SAUNAS FLUSH TOXINS

When your core body temperature rises, you start to sweat. Sweating is primarily designed to cool your body and is composed of 99% water. However, deep sweating in a traditional sauna can help reduce levels of lead, copper, zinc, nickel, mercury, & other chemicals - which are all toxins commonly absorbed from our daily environments.

3. IMPROVE BRAIN HEALTH

A 25-year study conducted with more than 2,300 participants at the University of Eastern Finland by Dr. Jari Laukkanen and his colleagues revealed regular sauna use (4-7 times per week) at 176 degrees Fahrenheit for 19 minutes lowered the risk for both Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

While some individuals may experience high amounts of calorie burn at first, saunas are generally treated as one of the many tools in our arsenal when it comes to weight loss & burning additional calories over the long term. According to U.S. Army medical research (Ward Dean, M.D.), “A moderately conditioned person can easily sweat off 500 grams in a sauna in a single session, consuming nearly 300 calories in the process.” As your heart activity increases & these processes demand more oxygen, the body begins to convert more calories into usable energy.

7. CLEANSES THE SKIN

When the body begins to produce sweat through deep sweating, the skin is then cleansed and dead skin cells are replaced. Sweating also rinses bacteria out of the epidermal layer & sweat ducts. Cleansing of the pores has been shown to improve capillary circulation while giving skin a softer-looking quality.

8. AID IN RECOVERY AFTER EXERCISE

Saunas relax muscles and soothe aches & chronic pain. Under high temperatures, the body releases endorphins which can minimize pain. After physical activity, you can use the heat and steam of a sauna to promote muscle relaxation, reduce muscle tension, and eliminate lactic acid & other toxins that may be present. OL

40 UNDER 40: CONGRATS TO THE 2023 HONOREES p. 42

CHAMBER BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: JOHN MARSHALL MOORE p. 60

CELEBRATING OUR PORTS: BIG WINS WITH PREMIER PORTS OF ENTRY p. 66

UNDER FORTY

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 GREATER OWENSBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 40 UNDER 40 HONOREES

The following 40 individuals were nominated for 40 Under 40 based on their leadership and potential to influence our community. Each nominee was recognized as hardworking, bold, innovative, and going above and beyond to affect change in the workplace and in the community.

They are executives and directors of businesses and nonprofits. Educators and farmers. Some are fourth and fifth generation business owners while others are entrepreneurs and pioneers. All are shaping the future of Owensboro in their unique way.

After nominations were received, each nominee was sent an application. Those applications were carefully reviewed by an anonymous panel of judges on a selection committee that was independent of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce staff and board members. Final selections were made by that independent committee based on the nominee’s experience, contributions, and essay answers.

EDRIS AKBARI

MEGAN CARTER

TRISTAN DURBIN

SUMMER ALDRIDGE

KATIE CECIL

ELLEN EBELHAR

STEPHANIE BERTRAM

SHARMY DAVIS

JAY FALLIN

JAKE BOSWELL

DIRK DOOPER

BRANDON GILLES

CHRIS ANDERSON

DEMARCUS CURRY

ASHLEY EVANS-SMITH

JIM GILLES

ROSS HYLAND

TRAVIS OWSLEY

BEN SKIADAS

DUSTIN WARREN

DAVID GRINNELL

JAMIE JOHNSON

TREY PIPPIN

SAMANTHA TAYLOR-KA’AI

SYDNEY WARREN

ANDREW HOWARD

DAVE KIRK

RYAN RICHARDSON

MARIO VIZUET

SARA WILLIAMS

KARA HOWARD

AMANDA OWEN

CODY RUSSELBURG

ASHTIN WARREN

EMMY WOOSLEY

MASON HEAD

JOSH KELLY

JARED REVLETT

SHAELIE VELEZ

WILL WATHEN

KATIE CECIL, 36

Owner, Chief Floral Designer, Katie Ann Flowers LLC

Katie Cecil is a second-generation farmer at Cecil Farms Produce, bringing a dynamic perspective to the family legacy. After spending a decade working in marketing at Chick-fil-A, she returned to her roots in Owensboro, partnering with her dad, Gary Cecil, brother, Ryan Cecil and sister, Suzanne Cecil White, to enhance the farm’s produce division. This journey took an exciting turn as she ventured into wholesale fresh-cut flowers through the Southern Kentucky Floral Exchange, reaching florists from Owensboro to Nashville, TN. In 2020, she founded Katie Ann Flowers, LLC, specializing in wedding and event floral design, bringing her creativity to various celebrations across Kentucky.

Graduating in Business Administration from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2009, Katie continued to expand her horizons. In 2023, she completed the Kentucky Agriculture Leadership Program (KALP) and in 2022, she successfully graduated from the Kentucky Farm Bureau LEAD Program. Her commitment to agricultural growth earned her the title of the 2022 Kentucky Farm Bureau Generation Bridge Advocate of the Year. Katie’s journey is a testament to her dedication and progressive spirit within the agricultural community she serves.

Summer is the senior director of engagement at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where she oversees the College’s alumni and career engagement efforts. She’s also the co-owner of Something Borrowed, which offers event rentals and event planning services.

A Madisonville native, Summer earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from KWC and her master’s in public administration from the University of Evansville. She was named Hopkins County’s Citizen of the Year and to its 30 Under 30 list in 2019, co-founded the Hopkins County Young Professionals, and was named Staff Member of the Year at KWC in 2022. She is a graduate of both Leadership Hopkins County and Leadership Owensboro and is active in the Owensboro Rotary Club and Chamber Young Professionals.

Summer is married to her Wesleyan Sweetheart, Kirk, and they have two pups – Mako & Rupert.

SUMMER ALDRIDGE, 31

Senior Director of Engagement, Kentucky Wesleyan College

Dustin Warren, a farmer at Warren Farms in Daviess County, collaborates with brothers Jared and Cory to raise corn, soybeans, wheat, tobacco, hay, and cattle. He holds the role of Captain/EMT at St. Joseph Fire Department, contributes as a Daviess County Farm Bureau Board Member, and actively participates in the Daviess County Agricultural Development Council. Serving as a Daviess County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, Dustin’s commitment to the land is evident. He is a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School in 2002.

DUSTIN WARREN, 39

Farmer, Warren Farms

Chris Anderson’s impactful journey is anchored in dedication and leadership. As the 4th generation part-owner and VP of Operations at Sun Windows Inc., he orchestrates day-to-day functions and strategic expansion, influencing the livelihoods of 160 families in Western Kentucky. With a fulfilling marriage of 15 years to his best friend Kellyann, they are parents to Anabelle (12), Adelyn (10), and Austin (4).

Hailing from Owensboro, Chris attended The Webb School in TN for high school, and then ventured to Stetson University and WKU, graduating with a degree in Finance. His professional path commenced in the banking industry in Austin, TX, but his aspiration for a career in the window industry steered him towards Charlotte, NC. Here, he took on the role of National Account Manager at Newell Rubbermaid’s window hardware division. Collaborating with manufacturers across 13 states and 3 Canadian provinces, Chris honed his industry insights and strategic acumen.

A significant move brought him back to Owensboro, where he stepped into his family business, Sun Windows Inc., as the 4th generation leader. The financial knowledge garnered from his time in banking, combined with the time he spent learning the operational models of numerous other window manufacturers has been essential in the continuation of success and growth of Sun Windows. From 2018 to 2022 the Sun Windows team propelled the company to new heights, growing 142% in 4 years, creating dozens of new jobs in Owensboro, and positioning themselves as an industry leader in the premium window and door market.

Beyond his professional sphere, Chris’s influence extends to nonprofit and professional organizations. His commitment to the Home Builders Association of Kentucky as the current Associate Vice President showcases his advocacy for 4,000 employers and 30,000 employees statewide. With a deep-rooted passion for his family, community, and industry, Chris Anderson exemplifies the embodiment of success with a heart for growth and service.

CHRIS ANDERSON, 39 VP of Operations, Sun Windows

Sharmy Davis is the Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Cultural Diversity at Owensboro Community & Technical College.

As Dean, Davis oversees the Pathfinder Den, the Office of Cultural Diversity, the Experiential Learning Center, as well as the Pathfinder Pantry, and leads advising, transfer, and retention efforts.

Sharmy is a shining example of professionalism and has a proven record of success. She is deeply involved in the community, serving on multiple boards and recently participating in the Dancing with our Stars fundraiser for the Boulware Mission.

She played a key role in planning and executing the successful 2023 Regional Diversity Conference and was instrumental in creating the ACE mentoring program, a partnership with Owensboro Black Expo that offers high school students valuable college and career insights.

Davis graduated from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. She also holds a Master in Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master in Business Administration degree from Midway University. Currently, she’s working towards completing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky.

TRAVIS OWSLEY, 35

Travis Owsley wears multiple hats as the founder of Beverly’s Hearty Slice, Director of Recreation at Genesis Senior Living, and Assistant Basketball Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Through his work in the field of senior living, Travis brings an extraordinary blend of passion, enthusiasm, and joy to the residents and the wider community. He established Beverly’s Hearty Slice in honor of his late mother, offering meals, assistance and supplies to those in need.

He shares a message of empowerment for local youth, emphasizing resilience in the face of challenges and the importance of fighting for the right reasons.

Travis has worked to collaborate with the community, exemplifying that positive change truly requires a village.

Founder/Executive Director, Beverly’s Hearty Slice

SHARMY DAVIS, 38

Dean of Student Affairs,

David Grinnell serves as the Executive Producer and Head of Production at Tanner+West, a journey that began when he filmed a wedding for a friend. Over the span of nearly nine years at Tanner+West, his unwavering commitment has been to elevate every production to a level where it can compete on a national stage in terms of creativity and execution. This dedication has yielded remarkable results, including 13 regional Emmy Awards and a prestigious national Emmy nomination during this time frame.

David’s passion lies in storytelling that touches people’s hearts, and his ultimate goal is to produce visuals that immerse the audience in emotionally resonant moments. He firmly believes that in order to change someone’s mind, you must first move their heart. He values the profound lessons hidden within seemingly ordinary stories, which can teach us about resilience, perseverance, and the indomitable power of the human spirit. Every individual’s journey, no matter how “crazy” or “ordinary” it may seem, is a wellspring of inspiration.

Within Tanner+West, David is pivotal in various aspects, including writing, budgeting, planning, and executing photo and video shoots. Living in Owensboro for 23 years, he is now raising a family with his wife of 16 years, Sara, and their two daughters, Harper (9) and Luna (2).

DAVID GRINNELL, 38

MEGAN CARTER, 27

Megan Carter grew up in Owensboro and attended Daviess County High School. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2018 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, majoring in Marketing and Business Management. Megan has spent the last four years working for Owensboro Health, currently as a Physician Recruiter and previously working in Marketing/ Advertising. She is a graduate of the 2023 class of Leadership Owensboro and is on the Chamber Young Professionals Executive Committee. Megan is a member of the Junior League of Owensboro, previously serving on the Board of Directors, and is also a member of First Christian Church of Owensboro.

Physician Recruiter, Owensboro Health

Producer, Tanner+West

MASON HEAD, 32

Assistant Principal, Apollo High School

Daviess County Public Schools would like to congratulate Mason Head for being named to the 2023 40 Under 40 list!

Mason Head is an Assistant Principal at Apollo High School where he has spent the entirety of his 11 years in education. He spent nine years working as an English teacher and is in his second year in his current role. While at Apollo, he has coached and sponsored various sports, clubs, and activities.

Mason’s education background includes Holy Angels Elementary, F.T. Burns Middle School, Apollo High School, Georgetown College (Undergraduate and Graduate), and Western Kentucky University (Graduate). He is the son of David and Jill Head and is married to Allie Head, who teaches English at Daviess County High School.

Mason and Allie have one beautiful daughter, and the family may most typically be found simply enjoying the splendors that are the whimsical jollies of a toddler - most especially going for a walk, swimming, playing with their pets (Jack, Maggie, and Cleo), or reading as a family. Mason chose education because he holds the belief that investing in our youth is one of our society’s chief responsibilities – one that is not to be taken lightly nor one that may be given anything less than the most sincere attention and most steadfast dedication.

As the Public Information Officer for Owensboro Public Schools Revlett is responsible for sharing the OPS story and developing community partnerships that benefit the student population.

After earning a Communication degree from Hanover College, Revlett spent several years broadcasting collegiate and professional sports and worked in corporate public relations in Louisville. While at OPS, Revlett has served as President of the Kentucky School Public Relations Association and was named a Top 35 Under 35 School PR Professional by the National School PR Association in 2021.

Revlett is a strong proponent of public service and community engagement. He serves on the local Girls Inc Board of Trustees, Bicycle Owensboro, the Chamber Young Professionals Executive Board and the city’s Community Development committee.

Revlett is married to his beautiful wife Liz. They are the proud parents of Biscuit the cavapoo who joined their family in July 2022.

JARED REVLETT, 33

Public Information Officer, OPS

ROSS HYLAND, 26

Owner, Lark Electric

Lark Electric would like to congratulate Ross Hyland on his 40 Under 40 selection.

Ross started his business at 21 years old and now, at the age of 26, he has grown the organization to encompass Lark Electric, Patterson Westbrook Electric and Hyland Enterprises. Lark Electric was founded in 1963 by the Fulkerson family. Since Ross purchased the company in 2021, Lark Electric has grown to one of the largest electrical contracting companies in the region.

“I want to thank all the people in my company for growing the business to where it is today,” Ross said.

“It truly is a team effort, and I am humbled to be selected for this award.”

Josh Kelly is a Reporter at Owensboro Times and Freelancer for Owensboro

Living, covering any and all news of this city. He is an Owensboro native graduating from Owensboro High School before he attended Northern Kentucky University. Since returning home, he has become an integral part of the community, actively contributing to its journey forward. He is a board member of the Chamber Young Professionals, Through Sleet’s Eyes Festival, Breaking the Cycle, a recent graduate of Leadership Owensboro 2023, and a member Rotary International - Owensboro Chapter and the National Association of Black Journalists. Outside of work, he enjoys coffee shops and watching the newest episode of Survivor.

RYAN RICHARDSON, 31

Managing Editor, Owensboro Times

Ryan Richardson has served as the Managing Editor for Owensboro Times since March 2020. He oversees the day-to-day operations and has helped the award-winning news outlet expand its presence and dedicated following in the area. He previously served as the OT Sports Editor, a position he held since the company was founded in August 2018. Ryan also held several roles for weekly and daily newspapers in Tennessee and Kentucky before joining Owensboro Times. Ryan was born and raised in Gleason, a small town in northwest Tennessee. He attended Murray State University, where he obtained a degree in journalism in 2014 and where he met his wife Meghann, an Owensboro native. They have one daughter, Emery.

JOSH KELLY, 24

News Associate, Owensboro Times

JAMIE JOHNSON, 39

Center Director/Business Coach, Owensboro Small Business Development Center

Jamie Johnson is the Director for the Kentucky Small Business Development Center in Owensboro. Over the last three years, she has helped local entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Johnson graduated from Western Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication. Previously, she has held positions at Marshall Ventures, a $2 million venture fund created by local investors, the Owensboro Convention Center, and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. Jamie and her husband Logan have two sons, Henry, and Simon. Her goal is to help make Owensboro a better place for families to live and work.

An Owensboro native, Trey Pippin attended the University of Louisville after being awarded the prestigious McConnell Scholarship.

After working stints in both houses of Congress and even the Walt Disney World Resort, Trey served as a teacher and counselor with Daviess County Public Schools where his contributions to dual credit programs were recognized on a national level.

Leaning into his adventurous spirit, Trey transitioned to a role with Greenwell Chisholm, a longstanding staple of Owensboro’s small business community, and he’s having a blast.

He is most proud to be husband to Maddy and dad to their children— Sawyer and Ford.

TREY PIPPIN, 33

Founder/Executive Director, Puzzle Pieces

Amanda Owen left her job as a special education teacher over a decade ago to launch Puzzle Pieces, a nonprofit that serves individuals with disabilities, offering them more opportunities outside the classroom and after graduation. Amanda has grown Puzzle Pieces to serve more than 400 clients with a staff of over 100 and a $5 million operating budget. Puzzle Pieces offers clients social and vocational skills, supported employment, residential living, behavior therapy and the region’s only targeted autism programming.

Under Amanda’s leadership, Puzzle Pieces was named the 2019 Nonprofit of the Year by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Employment Opportunities (a division of Puzzle Pieces) was named the 2023 Education & Workforce Development Institution of the Year. Amanda is a founding member of the Nonprofit Coalition of Owensboro and was appointed to the Kentucky Employment First Council by Gov. Andy Beshear.

Driven by her unique perspective as a sibling to a brother with a disability and a nonprofit service provider, Amanda launched Pieces of Me, a social media platform where she reaches 3.5 million people. She has authored two children’s books and a gratitude journal for special needs moms, hosts a podcast, and coaches both special needs parents and female entrepreneurs across the country.

Sales Representative, Greenwell Chisholm

AMANDA OWEN, 39

BRANDON GILLES, 33

Dirk Dooper serves as the Assistant City Engineer for Owensboro, holding this role for 8 years. He oversees the city’s infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, and storm sewers as well as reviews plans for new private developments. Dirk has successfully managed key construction projects like the Greenbelt Trail expansion and the Grover Cary Bridge Lights and is currently supervising the construction of the Owensboro Fire Training Center.

Born and raised in Owensboro, he’s the eldest of four siblings. Dirk graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky. Outside work and his role as Treasurer for Friday After 5, he enjoys running, biking, hiking, and canoeing. Dirk is also a licensed private pilot and is working towards an instrument rating.

Brandon Gilles currently serves as a Regional Vice President of Crop Insurance for Farm Credit Mid-America. In this role, Brandon works with a dedicated team of insurance agents across Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Their team is known for their customer service and helping farmers and agribusinesses leverage opportunities and reduce risks.

Brandon earned his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky and his MBA from Northern Kentucky University. He joined the Farm Credit Mid-America team in 2013 where he managed a diverse lending portfolio as an agricultural loan officer. During this time, he worked to build relationships with farmers and businesspeople in and around Owensboro.

Brandon is also a fifth-generation farmer and was raised on his family’s farm in western Daviess County. He functions in a part-time capacity on the farming operation now. Raising livestock, grain, and tobacco, he has gained an appreciation for the farm and all the lessons it has taught him. He has enjoyed learning all aspects of agriculture, from production to agricultural policy.

Brandon is passionate about giving back by being active in his community and state. He enjoys being involved in many agricultural and civic organizations and serves on multiple committees and boards.

Regional Vice President Insurance Services, Farm Credit Mid America

DIRK DOOPER, 37

Assistant City Engineer, City of Owensboro

BEN SKIADAS, 39

Owner/Operator, Lure Seafood & Grille

Ben Skiadas has significantly impacted the Owensboro food scene by continuing the family legacy at Famous Bistro, opening Lure Seafood and Grille, Lure Smoke Shack, and most recently The Lot Food Truck Park. He has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, collaboration, innovation, and dedication throughout his career, and he is always looking to help the community progress.

While growing up in the culinary world, he still found time to pursue other passions, such as theatre and the fine arts, attending the prestigious theatre program at the University of Evansville. There he learned to express his passion and honed his skills as a visionary. His love for the arts is always on display at his restaurants through artistic platings and cocktails as well as his insistence that live music and local art enhance the dining experience.

Skiadas is always on the go in his pursuit of new experiences. Traveling to new places and finding unique experiences has profoundly affected his desire to bring world-class experiences to his hometown of Owensboro.

Throughout his career, Ben has consistently displayed a passion for pushing the culinary envelope and creating memorable and noteworthy events. His expertise, collaboration, and leadership have allowed him to partner with significant distilleries, breweries, and wineries for unique tasting events and philanthropic ventures. His commitment to excellence and drive for success have earned him a reputation as a highly respected professional in Kentucky.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ben is deeply committed to giving back to the community. Actively participating in collaboration with the City, Friday After Five, Kentucky Motor Sports Week, Nicky Hayden Day, The Holiday Stroll, Owensboro Food and Beverage Coalition, Rally Point Events, Coalition for Workforce Diversity, The Bluegrass Legends Car Show and Food Truck Rally, and Beverly’s Hearty Slice.

Ben is a proud son of Owensboro and looks forward to working toward building a better Owensboro for tomorrow. He is honored to be recognized as one of Owensboro’s 40 Under 40.

SAMANTHA TAYLOR-KA’AI, 31

Program Director, Audubon Area Community Care Clinic

CODY RUSSELBURG, 36

Assistant Principal, Sutton Elementary School

Samantha Taylor-Kaai directs the Audubon Area Community Care Clinic, a crucial primary care provider for the underserved in Owensboro. Her role marries her dedication to serving the vulnerable with her healthcare administration expertise. Beyond work, Samantha is active in Owensboro’s nonprofits, including Junior League as membership chair and St. Stephens Cathedral’s social concerns ministries. She serves on the boards of Girls, Inc. and Crossroads Emergency Shelter for Women. Samantha recently completed her MBA at Brescia University and is pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration with a Healthcare Administration emphasis at the University of the Cumberlands.

DeMarcus Curry is a dedicated professional, excelling in roles at U.S. Bank and Kroger. As the founder of the Owensboro Youth Empowerment Summit since 2007, he uplifts local youth. DeMarcus is also a mentor in the Breaking the Cycle program and a board member of the ODC Drug Task Force. Recognized by Owensboro Black Expo, NAACP, and Owensboro Human Relations Commission, he’s an influential community figure. A family man, he’s been married to Aunjanae for a decade and is a proud father of three boys: Zion, ZayDen, and ZayVion. Beyond his community service, DeMarcus is a minister and musician at Tenth Street Missionary Baptist Church and Asbury United Methodist Church.

DEMARCUS CURRY,

Performing Operations, U.S. Bank

36

Cody Russelburg, Assistant Principal at Sutton Elementary School, brings four years of leadership experience. Previously, a Social Studies Teacher and Boys Tennis Coach at Owensboro High School, he earned Teacher of the Year honors twice. His educational journey started at Newton Parrish Elementary and Owensboro High School, followed by University of Kentucky and currently, the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at Western Kentucky University. A family man, Cody enjoys nine years of marriage with wife Jana, alongside daughters McKinley and Peyton. They love to watch any sport they can, especially if the players are wearing red and black, or blue and white. Cody is passionate about teaching, continuous learning, and thoughtful leadership.

SYDNEY WARREN, 39

Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Brescia University

Brescia University would like to congratulate Sydney Warren, Vice President of Institutional Advancement on her 40 Under 40 selection. Sydney has served the University for over 10 years, taking on new responsibilities in the Advancement office several times before leading the team since 2019. She has a heart for Brescia’s students, faculty, staff and alumni and lives the values of Brescia Difference.

Sydney is grateful for the opportunity to work and raise her family in the Owensboro community. She is involved in many organizations, including the Owensboro Nonprofit Coalition and Impact 100, and teaches religious education in St. William’s Parish.

WILL WATHEN, 38

Director, Supply Chain Services, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline Inc

Will Wathen is the Director of Supply Chain Services at Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline where he manages the overall supply chain strategy as part of the executive leadership team. Before beginning work for Southern Star in 2019, Will served in the United States Marine Corps as a commissioned officer for nearly 11 years, culminating in the rank of Major. During his time in the Marines, Will held various leadership roles managing teams focused in supply chain, logistics, manpower management, and operations in support of two overseas deployments to Afghanistan and Spain.

Will was born and raised in Owensboro and has been married to his wife, Kelly, since 2008. He is the proud father of three daughters, Caroline, Lucy, and Maggie. He attends Immaculate Parish and enjoys coaching youth sports, fishing, hunting, following UK athletics, and watching his girls dance. He is a 2023 graduate of Leadership Owensboro. Will holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Edris Akbari is the Afghan Community Liaison for the International Center of Owensboro and co-owner of Pamir Afghan Cuisine restaurant. Edris holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and worked as a journalist for The Kabul Times from 2015-2021.

As the Afghan Community Liaison for the International Center of Owensboro, Akbari builds bridges between the Owensboro community, the Afghan community, and the entire refugee community. He also works to build connections, friendships, and unity by encouraging acceptance, understanding, and compassion between these groups of people.

Akbari and almost 200 other refugees left Afghanistan in September of 2021 and lived in Virginia for a couple of months before making their way to Owensboro. Opening Pamir Afghan Cuisine was a way for Akbari to do something for the refugee community and for Owensboro people so they could experience good and new food. The restaurant, housed in Windy Hollow Biscuit House, also serves as a gathering space for the Afghan community during their holidays and other celebrations. Akbari is proud to have helped create a space that will bring joy and a piece of home to both his community and others in the Tri-State.

EDRIS AKBARI, 33

Afghan Community Liason, International Center

MARIO VIZUET,

31

Wealth Advisor, Old National Investments

Mario, who was born in Mexico City, moved to the US at age 12. With a business degree from Texas A&M University, he began his career at Old National Bank in 2016. Mario is deeply involved in the community. He has chaired the Chamber of Young Professionals, is an active volunteer in financial education for Junior Achievement, and a is consultant for Owensboro’s Community Development Committee. He’s a board member for Boys & Girls Club and Beverly’s Hearty Slice, as well as a 2018 Leadership Owensboro graduate. Beyond work, Mario cherishes family time, exercises, travels, plays golf and pickleball, and roots for his Texas A&M Aggies on college game day.

JIM GILLES, 35

Owner/Operator, Hill View Farms Meats

Jim Gilles is the 5th-generation to operate Gilles Farms, a 2,500-acre diversified farm in Daviess County that has been running for over a century. Their farm boasts corn, soybeans, hay production, wrapper tobacco, registered Angus beef cattle, pastured chickens and meat sales.

With a degree in agricultural economics and political science from the University of Kentucky, Jim founded Hill View Farms Meats in 2013, providing the community a local protein source. He added an on-farm retail store in 2016, which is a hub for Kentucky Proud and local products. Jim prioritizes product quality year-round while also contributing to several local and state boards across the Commonwealth and the Owensboro community engagement.

Ashtin Warren is the Director of Talent Programs for the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bellarmine University where she studied abroad in both Spain and Argentina.

In her role at the Chamber, Ashtin serves as the program director for Leadership Owensboro, a talent development program focused on educating, engaging, and empowering individuals to improve the quality of life in Greater Owensboro. In addition to Leadership Owensboro, Ashtin connects graduates of the program through Leadership Owensboro Alumni to increase awareness, participation, volunteer involvement and philanthropic commitment in our community.

Ashtin also serves as the staff liaison for Chamber Young Professionals, a talent retention and development program that creates strong ties in the community through corporate tours, professional development, social events, and philanthropy events and encourages those involved to serve as future community leaders.

Her role at the Chamber also includes coordinating the Educators in the Workplace program, a business and education partnership that exposes educators to the needs of regional employer to provide meaningful careers for their students beyond graduation.

Ashtin grew up working on a fourth-generation family farm, Riney Farms. Ashtin is married to James, and together, they have two children, Jane and Pete.

ASHTIN WARREN, 36

Director of Talent Programs, Chamber

SHAELIE VELEZ, 30

Communications & Marketing Manager, City of Owensboro

JAY FALLIN, 36

Social Studies Teacher, Head

Football Coach, OHS

This fall, Jay Fallin started his 14th year teaching and coaching football at OHS, his ninth season as head coach. Fallin holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a dual certification in social studies and special education from Kentucky Wesleyan College, as well as a master’s in K-12 administration (principal’s certification) from the University of the Cumberlands. In addition to teaching and coaching, Fallin sponsors the annual Bradshaw History Tour of New York and Washington, DC for OHS students, as well as the Student Y Club. Fallin and his wife, Allison, a physical therapist and clinic manager for KORT, have two sons, Drew and Ben.

Shaelie Velez is the Communications and Marketing Manager for the City of Owensboro. She moved to Owensboro after graduating from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2016, and worked at 14 News as a reporter and morning anchor for six years.

Owensboro immediately felt like her home. She met and married her husband, Marcus Velez, in this city and it’s now become home to their first child, Ruth Velez.

Shaelie is an active member of the Chamber Young Professionals, a mentor at Mentor Kids Kentucky, Board Member for the Boulware Mission, and a youth teacher at Bellevue Baptist.

In November 2022, she started a new career working for the City that she’s come to love and now calls home. She says it’s been an amazing year working with a great team of people who strive to make the City of Owensboro a phenomenal place to live. She’s learned so much working under the great individuals leading our city, and looks forward to keeping the community informed on the great things happening here in Owensboro.

Wendell Foster would like to congratulate Kara Howard on being named 40 Under 40. A graduate of Western Kentucky University with a degree in Advertising, Kara realized her love for the non-profit sector when she joined Wendell Foster in 2021. Her creativity and fresh perspective led to her promotion as Wendell Foster’s Vice President of Development and Community Engagement. As Vice President, Kara increased brand awareness and modernized fundraising for the organization. She obtained her certificate in Fundraising Management from the IUPUI Lily Family School of Philanthropy in 2022 and is a 2023 Leadership Owensboro graduate.

KARA

HOWARD, 32 VP

of Development & Community Engagement, Wendell Foster

Independence Bank is proud to recognize what makes our Bank revolutionary: our employees. Congratulations to Andrew Howard, Ellen Ebelhar and Jake Boswell for being named to the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under 40.

Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer Andrew Howard continues to serve as a leader on multiple non-profit boards across Owensboro while also leading on the court as a coach at his alma mater, Owensboro Catholic High School.

Retirement Plan Advisor Ellen Ebelhar spends her time putting others first as a board member of Boulware Mission and leading the Owensboro Chamber Young Professionals as this year’s Chair.

Assistant Marketing Director Jake Boswell is continuing to build the Guys and Ties program with the Owensboro Chamber Young Professionals. The mentoring program for 8th grade students at Burns Middle School is beginning its 5th year.

Andrew, Ellen and Jake are just a few of the more than 450 employees working to make a difference in the community where they live. Banking is always, and forever, about People. About YOU. We’re Independence Bank. We’re Here For Good.

JAKE BOSWELL, 33

Assistant Marketing Director, Independence Bank ELLEN EBELHAR, 30

Retirement Plan Services Officer, Independence Bank

ANDREW HOWARD, 36

VP, Commercial Loan Officer, Independence Bank

ASHLEY EVANS-SMITH, 36

Executive Director CASA

Ashley began her career at CASA of Ohio Valley in 2017. She assumed the role of Executive Director of CASA in August 2021 after four years working within the organization.

Born and raised in Hartford, Kentucky, Ashley learned the value of family, leadership, and commitment to community from observing the manner in which her parents operated their own small businesses.

Inspired by her mother’s passion for early childhood education and commitment to create successful families for women who work outside of the home, Ashley is proud to have worked with the CASA of Ohio Valley Board of Directors to provide child care assistance as a benefit for CASA staff.

Ashley is honored to be able to serve the community through Impact 100, Junior League Owensboro, and the Building Stronger Families Board. She also enjoys volunteering with the International Center of Owensboro.

Ashley obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and master’s degree from the University of Louisville. She will complete a masters degree in children’s law and policy from Loyola University Chicago in December 2023. Ashley also worked to enhance her skills and passion for her state and community through ELEVATE Kentucky and Leadership Owensboro.

It is with the love and support of her husband, Lance, that she is able to effectively juggle her dedication to being a lifelong learner, passion for her work, and absolute joy she finds in their four children: Michael, Case, Jesse, and McKinley.

Sara Williams is a Supervisor in the Tax Services Division with Riney Hancock CPAs PSC. Sara is a 2015 graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College. She went on to become a Certified Public Accountant in 2017. Sara serves as Board President for the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden and Board Treasurer for the Daniel Pitino Shelter. She is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Owensboro, and a member of Chamber Young Professionals, previously serving on the Executive Committee from 20172022, including as Chair from 2020-2021. Sara’s favorite titles she holds are wife to Chris and “mama” to 1-year-old daughter, Miller Jane.

John Marshall Moore is the Chair-Elect of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. John is CEO of Moore Automotive Team, Founder/Manager of Marshall Ventures and Owner of Legends retail store.

We sat down with John and asked him about his career, who inspires him and his role on the Chamber Board.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Working with the people on our team. Solving problems, developing new strategies and getting everyone behind it as a team is definitely my favorite part of my job. I love working with my team to accomplish the different goals we are trying to reach.

Who inspired you when you were growing up?

When it comes to business, my brother Don.

JOHN MARSHALL MOORE CHAMBER BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: CHAIR ELECT

I loved coming home from college and going to his office to catch up on life and the business. We share lots of similarities. We both love to analyze numbers and solve problems. We do have different styles though. I’m more intense and thrive with change. He is more traditional and likes to stay consistent. Regardless of how we get there, 90% of the time we agree with the best plan of action.

My other brother David has also been a huge inspiration. He is truly a servant leader and has the biggest heart of anyone I know. He has been at the dealerships for over 30 years, and I really don’t know what I would have done without him when I came back as the CEO 7 years ago. I always appreciate his perspective and his love and loyalty for people inspire me to be better everyday.

What are some of the biggest challenges that come with running a fourth generation family business?

First of all, just not screwing it up. Don Moore has been in business since 1918, and there have been multi-decade challenges that we have had to overcome. Everything from wars to the recent pandemic have affected our family business in different capacities, and we have had to work together as a team to strategize to find ways to move past those challenges. We never know what is around the corner, but the secret sauce is really the people. We are lucky to have a great team that just wants to take care of people.

What are you most proud of to date in your professional career?

I think there are so many little wins. Whenever I think about the different things I have accomplished over the years, it is not necessarily like hitting the lottery. Whether it be the Venture Fund or Legends, none of those are overnight successes like hitting the lottery. That is not how businesses work.

Ultimately, we have been able to develop a fantastic team with great people. Frankly, I’m proud of the success we’ve had because of that. Of course there is always more work to do, but between our team and the little wins we have had over the years those are the two things I am most proud of.

Take us through a day in your life. What does day to day look like for you while running a business, spending time with family, and still doing the things that you love?

A typical day for me starts with checking texts and phone calls and then looking at the schedule to see what the day will bring. I like to go by different stores on different days. One day may be spent at the Auto Mall and another at the Chevy Store. My office is located at the Frederica location, but typically where I’ll be just depends on what is going on at each location. On a standard week I am actually only at my office one day or two at best.

Tuesdays are dedicated to our managers’ meeting, so our top 8 managers meet at our headquarters for usually 4-5 hours. We discuss what is going on with the business, what things we want to change, what marketing looks like, what leads sales, people we need and different topics like that. The managers’ meeting usually determines the rest of my week.

From there I will decide what projects need the most support and where I can be the most beneficial.

As far as family, that really always comes first. I will definitely always plan my schedule around what I have going on with my family. Whether that is with the kids or my wife, I have plenty of time for that thanks to our amazing team.

What are your favorite things to do outside of work?

I like to do anything active. Pickleball has to be a big one. That is something I am currently spending a lot of time on, but also I like mountain biking, Orange Theory, yoga classes, and cross fit. I enjoy the class environment, and I find it motivating and encouraging to be surrounded by other people. Outside of that I love coaching my kids. I have coached basketball for over 20 years now. So, I enjoy that and seeing the kids I coached a while back off doing successful things is definitely a great feeling.

What is your favorite “Chamber memory?”

Definitely my favorite Chamber memory has been our trips to Washington D.C. and what that does from a team building perspective. The trips to D.C. are always great fun, but they also produce lots of success.There have been a lot of different

personalities involved in those trips over the years, and it is just really neat to see how we come to a point of focus for what really needs to be done for our community, and I know how effective those trips have been. Knowing that we have actually seen results from conversations we had in D.C. such as the recent groundbreaking of Highway 331 has certainly made my appreciation for the Chamber grow more than anything.

What makes you proud to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors?

From my perspective I am proud to be a part of the Chamber Board and serve our community because we need one voice in a competitive environment across the state and the nation. I think the Chamber’s role in that is somewhat my obligation as a business owner to help make Owensboro a great business community. I certainly love being able to do my part, by contributing financially, and being able to provide a voice especially for local and small businesses in our community. As a small business owner of Legends I know a lot of the unique challenges that small businesses face, and without an organization like the Chamber there really is no chance for small businesses to have that unified voice, so I am proud to be a part of that. OL

CHAMBER MEMBERS OF THE WEEK

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.

Today, with a membership base of nearly 1,000, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives, serving as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.

JULY

KIGHT HOME CENTER - A DIVISION OF THE CARTER LUMBER COMPANY

Family-owned since 1957, Kight Home Center has been an Owensboro staple for over six decades. Carter Lumber acquired Kight in 2005, opening locations in Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Evansville, and Nashville.

BELL BANK MORTGAGE

Bell Bank Mortgage services 60,000 loans in 35 states for various borrowers, investors, and insurers. The mortgage company is a division of Bell Bank – a rapidly growing family and employee-owned bank. In 2022, Bell Bank announced it was growing its footprint and expanding to Owensboro.

SHILOH’S LOUNGE AND GRILL

Justin Davidson opened Shiloh’s Lounge nearly 3 years ago, bringing a wealth of fun, food, and drinks to Owensboro all in one spot. Davidson named the establishment after his son and takes pride in offering an experience unlike any other community. The restaurant offers breakfast and lunch daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., reopening from 5-10 p.m. for dinner and even staying open until 2 a.m. on weekends to serve the late-night crowd.

CHAMBER AMBASSADOR

OF THE MONTH

CANDI COSMETICS, LASH ARTISTRY

Candi Cosmetics Lash Artistry celebrated its grand opening with several business partners, friends, and family members earlier this summer. Situated at 5000 Backsquare Drive, Building C in Owensboro, Candi Cornatzer is thrilled to offer lash services, eyelash tints, foreign fills, extension removals, brow shaping, tints, lamination, and much more.

JULY

JUSTIN MERRIT

Justin, a native of Whitesville, has been employed by ADVANCED for 12 years as a physical therapist assistant and outreach coordinator. Justin is very motivated by helping people reach their goals, rather it be excelling at a particular sport, being pain-free, or just moving better. Improving the quality of life in his patients is his drive.

OWENSBORO INSULATORS

Matthew Purcell founded Owensboro Insulators in 2011, growing and evolving the company over the past 12 years. As a thirdgeneration home builder, Purcell said he recognized a need in Owensboro and the surrounding community for an insulation contractor. For 12 years, Purcell and his team have operated with solid attention to detail, excellent customer service, and high-level knowledge of building performance.

VIZION MORTGAGE

Pat Cason launched Vizion Mortgage in Owensboro this year, focusing on lending for clients on purchase transactions. Cason and his team have over 25 years of experience in the industry and take great pride in serving existing and potential homeowners in the area. The company offers 30-year Fixed Conventional loans, FHA loans, USDA loans, and will soon provide VA and Kentucky Housing products.

LILLIANNE SHARP PHOTOGRAPHY

Lillianne Sharp is a maternity and newborn photographer specializing in emotive documentary photography. She’s available for sessions and adventures around Owensboro and surrounding counties.

EVER BIN CLEAN

Ever Bin Clean provides professional garbage can cleaning services for homeowners and businesses. Their innovative cleaning equipment and process cleans, sanitizes, and disinfects your garbage cans, leaving them looking and smelling better than new. Their team of experts goes through proper training and works with a satisfaction guarantee on each cleaning.

STRENGTH RENEWED LLC

Strength Renewed provides personal training + massage therapy services to help renew and strengthen your body and mind. Owner Ulysses Johnson, LMT, CPT has more than 15 years of personal training experience and more than 10 years of massage therapy experience, equipping him to support a broad range of clients in meeting their health and fitness goals.

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Shelly Nichols, Chamber Vice President, at 270-926-1860 or shelly@owensboro.com.

KEVIN GIBSON

Kevin Gibson is Vice President/Commercial Lending at South Central Bank. He has been a Chamber Ambassador since 2010 and earned the Ambassador of the Year award in 2013 and 2016. Kevin currently serves as Board President for the Opportunity Center of Owensboro. He is past Chairman of the Board of Hospice of Western Kentucky and previously served on the Board of Directors for Kiwanis. He is a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College, The Kentucky Bank Management Institute, Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Leadership Owensboro. Kevin is the proud father of two sons, John and Jack.

CHAMBER CURRENT

ROOSTER BOOSTER RECAP: JULY

Speaker: Seema Sheth

Sponsor:

Seema Sheth is Senior Vice President and Regional Executive of the Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Ms. Sheth became head of the Louisville Branch in December 2021. The Branch serves southern Indiana and western Kentucky.

Ms. Sheth joined the Bank from PNC Private Bank in Louisville, where she served as vice president and relationship strategist. In this role, she specialized in financial planning and stewardship of high net worth clients. Passionate about financial capability, Ms. Sheth founded the Adulting Academy, which teaches the basics of finance to young adults, and still speaks frequently on the topic and its importance.

July’s Rooster Booster was sponsored by R.W. Baird.

Founded in 1919, Baird is an international financial services firm with more than $375 billion in client assets. We provide Private Wealth Management, Trust, Asset Management, Investment Banking, Capital Markets and Private Equity services to clients through our offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.

For more than 100 years, Baird’s capabilities have grown with their clients’ needs. Their five complementary businesses help diversify and balance revenue through all types of market conditions. Their structure and independence give them the financial strength to make ongoing investments in the professional expertise and distinctive culture that make Baird a trusted partner for individuals, municipalities, corporations and institutions around the world.

The Chamber invited local youth and interns to join the July Rooster Booster as well as highlighted Shop Owensboro – Summer Edition, powered by Independence Bank.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Credit Union Days Inn

Dental Designs of Owensboro Diggers, Inc.

Digital Group LLC

Don Moore Toyota-Mitsubishi-Nissan-Honda

Donatos Pizza, West Parrish Avenue

Dr. Richard Good, OB/GYN

Dunkin’ Donuts

Edward Jones, Ed Krahwinkel, Financial Advisor

Elder Advantage

Elevator Solutions Inc.

En Vogue

Estes Farms

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Owensboro, KY

Fern Terra Assisted Living LLC

First Christian Church

Fischer Farms Inc.

Flat Lick Grain Farms, LLC

Foreman Watson Land Title, LLC

Foundation for Daviess County Public Schools

Four Seasons Heating & Cooling

Friday After 5

Friends of Sinners

Furniture Warehouse

Gardner Engineering & Consulting PLLC

Gerling Law Offices

German American Girls Incorporated of Owensboro-Daviess Co.

Gramps Coffee and Donuts Granted

Green River Appliance Co, Inc.

Green River Area Down syndrome Association- GRADSA

H & R Block Hafer

Hartz Contracting, LLC

Hayden and Co. PSC, CPAs

Hayden Construction

Hayden Electric Inc.

Hendrick Screen Company

Heritage Federal Credit Union

Hill View Farms Meats, LLC

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Home Inspired, Inc.

Hometown IGA

Honor Home Loans

International Bar-B-Q Festival

Irving Materials, Inc.

J&R Construction

J.E. Shekell, Inc.

John E. Hammen, D.M.D., Owensboro Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery PLLC

ROOSTER BOOSTER RECAP: AUGUST

Speaker: Elizabeth Monarch

AUCTIONEER AND REALTOR

Sponsor:

Johnson’s Dance Studio

Jones Insurance Agency

Kaiser Aluminum Warrick

KeeFORCE

Kentuckiana Animal Clinic

Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance - Bill Hodskins

Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance - Gavin C. Roberts

Insurance Agency, Inc.

Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics Department

Kidstop Children’s Boutique, LLC

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

Kiwanis Club of Owensboro

KM Specialty Pump/ Straeffer Pump & Supply

Koger Properties, LLC

KORT - Physical Therapy

L. Ruth Interior Design

Lawton Insurance

Lee’s Famous Recipe Fried Chicken

LifeMark Securities Corp.

LinGate Hospitality

Liquor Barn

Lizzie’s Diner

Madison Square Boutique and Bridal of Owensboro

Malone Workforce Solutions

Marilyn and William Young Charitable Foundation

Martha Fitts Clark

Matthew 25 AIDS Services

McEnaney Family McDonald’s - Hwy 54

McEnaney Family McDonald’s -2750 Frederica Street

McEnaney Family McDonald’s -4800 Frederica Street

Mechanical Systems Inc.

Messenger-Inquirer

Midsouth Rentals

Midwest Ear Nose & Throat, Head & Neck Surgery (operated by Ohio County Healthcare)

Miracle Ear

Mizkan America, Inc.

Morley

Morton Holbrook, lll MPD, Inc.

Murphy Appliance Co., Inc.

Musick Studios

As a second-generation Auctioneer and Realtor, Elizabeth Monarch entered the Auction and Real Estate Industry in 2002. Elizabeth is currently serving as the 100th State President of the Kentucky Realtors and is the Principal Broker for eXp Realty in Kentucky managing over 580 Realtors. Having sold over 3,200 homes in her career, Elizabeth is licensed in both Kentucky and Indiana and is the co-owner of Auction Solutions, LLC and owner of The Monarch Group brokered by eXp Realty, LLC. She is passionate about her work and is known to be the “Hardest Working Real Estate Agent You Will Ever Meet!” Elizabeth currently resides in Bowling Green and Louisville KY.

August’s Rooster Booster was sponsored by Greater Owensboro Board of REALTORS®.

GORA offers a wide array of benefits and advantages when buying or selling a property. These licensed professionals, members of the National Association of Realtors, are committed to upholding a high standard of ethics and are well-equipped to guide clients through the complexities of real estate transactions.

Additionally, Visit Owensboro presented their award for Most Valuable Recruiter to Daviess County Property Valuation Administrator Rachel Pence Foster.

Musick Studios

Nick T. Arnold Jewelers

Nick T. Arnold Jewelers, Inc. 54

Niko’s Bakery NiteLiters Inc.

OASIS, Inc.

O’Bryan Contracting, Inc.

Ohio Valley Insurance LLC

Ole South Barbeque

Owensboro Bourbon Society

Owensboro Brew Bridge

Owensboro Convention Center

Owensboro Daviess County Regional Airport

Owensboro Health Foundation

Owensboro Human Relations Commission

Owensboro Insulators, LLC

Owensboro Museum of Fine Art

Owensboro Sister Cities

Owensboro Symphony

Owensboro Toastmasters Packages Plus PakMail/Store It All

Pasture Belt Farms, LLC

Paul Martin Builders, Inc.

Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 633

Poole’s Pharmacy Care

Prairie Farms Dairy

Premier Medical Group

Professional Properties and Construction LLC

Public Life Foundation

PVF Supply Company, Inc.

Raymond James

RE/MAX Professional Realty Group, Glenn Ashby

Real Hacienda Mexican Restaurant Republic Services, Inc.

River City Insurance Agency

River Metals Recycling, LLC

RiverCities Asset Management, LLC

Riverside Transport, Inc

Robin’s Resale and Boutique

Rolling Pin Pastry Shop, Inc.

Rowland Family Dentistry

Shivmir Hospitality Management, Comfort Suites Owensboro Shoe Stop

SIP Owensboro

SKY Engineering

Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.

St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter

State Farm Insurance, Daniel Dick

Summit Medical Specialists

Sun Windows, Inc.

Super 8

Swank Style & Boutique

T & W Valve and Machine Co. Inc.

T.H.E. Insurance Group

Tanner Publishing Co.

The BHG Realty, Jason Bellamy

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Green River

The Honey Do Service, Inc

The Malcolm Bryant Corporation

The Miller House Restaurant & Catering

The Owensboro Times

The Ryan Rutman Group

The Scrub Shoppe

Theatre Workshop of Owensboro Thompson Homes, Inc.

To The Max Behavior Therapy, LLC

Tony Clark Realtors, LLC

Trinity High School Trophy House, Inc.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Frederica Street

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Hayden Road

Truth Outreach, LLC

U.S. Bank

Vector Engineers, Inc

Volunteers of America Mid-States

WEHT ABC 25/WTVW Local 7

Wells Health Systems

Western Kentucky Minerals

WinSupply of Owensboro

WKU Public Radio 89.5

CELEBRATING OUR PORTS

The Riverport Authority’s recent groundbreaking on Highway 331 will enhance the 340 acre rail served site. The Riverport is a U.S. Customs Port of Entry and Homeland Security Facility and in the Foreign Trade Zone making it a site for London Market Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

The Airport recently celebrated non-stop jet service to Chicago O’Hare making it possible to get anywhere in the world from right here.

Brian Wright and Tristan Durbin and their board of directors continue to lead our ports with innovation and integrity.

GREATER OWENSBORO CONTINUES TO CELEBRATE BIG WINS WITH ITS PREMIER PORTS OF ENTRY.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

A TIME-HONORED TRADITION

Ribbon Cuttings are so special to local businesses and organizations. The tradition of a Ribbon Cutting is most commonly known to celebrate a grand opening, but Chamber Members also use a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate renovations, anniversaries, new locations and joining the Chamber.

OPTIMIZE U

GOODWOOD

YELLOW BANKS RECOVERY CENTER

SUMMIT MEDICAL SPECIALISTS

STRENGTH RENEWED

JOSH’S BROKEN FEATHER

2023 CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC

The 2023 Chamber Golf Classic was a swinging success! This annual event allows Chamber Members the opportunity to network on the greens, fostering valuable connections that go beyond the fairways. This event has proven to be a great opportunity for Members to drive their business forward while enjoying a fantastic day of camaraderie and collaboration.

We want to thank our sponsors who made the 2023 Chamber Golf Classic possible:

Presenting

Owensboro Health

Platinum

Houchens Insurance Group

NextEra Energy Resources

RiverValley Behavioral Health

Golf Ball

Big Rivers Electric Corporation

Gold

323 Staffing Solutions

American Engineers

Atmos

Audubon Area Community Services

Cleveland Cliffs

Don Moore Automotive

EM Ford

Evergreen/Weed Man

First Kentucky Bank

Greenwell Chisholm

Hartz Contracting

Liberty Federal Credit Union

Limestone Bank- Peoples Bank

O’Bryan Contracting

Old National Bank

OMU

Owensboro Riverport Authority

Owensboro Times/Tanner+West

RBS Design Group

Riney Hancock CPAs PSC

South Central Bank

Southern Star

Southwire

Sun Windows

Team Owensboro

U.S. Bank

U.S. Lawns

Wonder Boy Media

Bloody Mary Bar & 19th Hole

Ruoff Mortgage

Hole

Cedarhurst Senior Living

Fastek LLC

German American Bank

Green River Distilling

Heritage Federal Hospice

Indepence Bank

Kentucky

Wesleyan College

Koorsen Fire and Security

Morley

Wendell Foster

Hobgood Wealth Advisors

Optimize U Owensboro

SERVPRO of Daviess County

Food and Beverage Sponsors:

Chick-fil-A

Chicken Salad Chick

Brew Bridge

Ole South

Fraternal Order of Police

FLAVOR

Photo by JAMIE PLAIN

Autumn Lattes

With home espresso machines growing in popularity, it is easier than ever to make your “go to” latte orders right in your own kitchen. Even if you don’t have a home machine, it is still possible to make espresso using an AeroPress, a French press, or a moka pot - all which are fairly inexpensive alternatives! If you prefer your espresso in the form of a sweet treat, look no further than these delicious recipes. They are basically the entire season of autumn in a cup, and we all know that autumn flavors and espresso make the tastiest treats together.

Caramel Biscoff Latte

INGREDIENTS:

2 shots espresso (or more/ less to taste)

1 cup milk (of your choice)

1 tbsp Biscoff Cookie Butter

1-2 tbsp caramel syrup ice

INSTRUCTIONS:

Microwave your biscoff in a small glass, then combine with your 1 cup of milk and froth until fully incorporated. Pour over your caramel syrup into your glass, add ice, then top with your espresso shots. Mix and top with more biscoff cookie garnish. You can also use the melted cookie butter to decorate the glass.

Pumpkin Cold Foam

INGREDIENTS:

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 Tbsp. pumpkin puree

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place all ingredients in a small mason jar and froth with a handheld milk frother until the mixture is thickened but pourable.

Recipes and photos by JAMIE PLAIN

Maple Latte with Brown Sugar Foam

INGREDIENTS:

2 shots espresso (more/less to taste)

1 cup milk

2 Tbsp real maple syrup

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

optional: pinch of cinnamon

Foam:

1 Tbsp. Brown sugar

1 Tbsp. Hot water

1/4 Cup heavy cream

2 Tbsp. Milk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:

- Pour espresso shots into your mug then add vanilla extract and maple syrup and mix until incorporated. Mix in milk (optional: froth milk before pouring in).

- Mix brown sugar and hot water until the sugar has dissolved. Pour in a glass with all the other foam ingredients and froth with a handheld milk frother until it’s a thickened foam. Top your latte with the foam and add any additional garnishes.

Smores Latte

INGREDIENTS:

2 shots espresso (more/less to taste)

1 Tbsp. Chocolate sauce

1 Tbsp. Marshmallow Cream (you could also use 2 Tbsp vanilla syrup or toasted marshmallow syrup)

1 cup milk (of your choice)

Garnish of your choice

INSTRUCTIONS:

- Pour chocolate sauce and marshmallow cream in a mug and microwave for 30 seconds. If you are just using syrups with the chocolate sauce, you can skip microwaving and just brew the espresso over the chocolate sauce, then stir.

- In a separate glass, microwave your milk for one minute, then use a handheld frother to froth the milk until foamy (if you are using syrups add them to the milk before frothing). Pour the foamed milk over the espresso mixture, then stir. Top with any garnishes.

What we’re eating now

Red Swing Coffee

Think regular waffles, but with fluffy bite-sized spheres in place of hollowed-out squares. They’re perfect for tearing apart and dipping, or diving into with a fork and knife. For this version, Red Swing combines the classic combination of peanut butter and banana for their “Monkey Business” bubble waffle.

The Cottage

Located on Highway 56, the Cottage Farm Stand offers a number of delicious and filling breakfast options. Keeping with the waffle theme, we’re trying their take on the bubble waffle. Try it covered in chocolate or topped with fried chicken fingers and maple syrup.

Windy Hollow Biscuit House

This one’s another local breakfast spots with deep roots in Daviess County. Their newest location offers all your favorite biscuits, but if you’re looking for a traditional waffle with a twist, look no further than the dark chocolate waffle drizzled with chocolate gravy and whipped cream.

As the temperatures cool (probably – it’s Owensboro, after all, so who knows), everyone is in search of something warm and comforting. And what’s more comforting than waffles? Especially when you pair them with a coffee! Here are some of our favorite spots where you can find both.

SPECIALTY PIZZA & SPIRITS

Fetta Cooks Up Success

Written by JACQUELINE RUSSELL

Photos by JAMIE PLAIN

It’s been nearly three years since Dennis Weafer took ownership of Fetta

Specialty Pizza & Spirits, the downtown pizza restaurant known for its creative offerings. With a background working in restaurants, he felt like it was time to go for his goal of being his own boss. “And, you know, everyone loves pizza,” he said.

While that may be the case, Weafer’s background as a chef brings a unique perspective to the business. “I was at Niko’s Italian for eight or nine years,” Weafer said. “I was out there with Niko, and then when he passed away, I became the chef there after that.” He’s also worked in the medical field for hospice, and also at Ellis Park for a bit. “But Niko’s was kind of where I learned everything,” he said.

While he may have swapped one Italian career for another, Fetta pizza is anything but traditional — featuring BBQ pizzas, mashed potato pizza and even a BLT pizza. But don’t worry, they’re also serving up the classics.

Weafer said he didn’t make too many changes when he purchased the popular restaurant, but he did put his twist as a chef on it. “We did change the dough a little bit,” he said. “We make more things in-house than some pizza places do. And that was a little bit of a change.”

It turned out to be a winning recipe.

“We try to keep everything fresh and local with pretty much everything that goes on the pizza or whatever we produce in-house,” he said. “You know, just that

FETTA

attention to detail and quality food. We try to give great service and good food to keep people happy and coming back.”

Weafer said the restaurant’s more unique pizza toppings allow the team to be creative and keep them from getting bored.

“We’re always trying to find something new and different,” he said.

As for his favorites, Weafer said they change every day, but right now, it’s the Chicken Chorizo Valentina, The Green and the Spicy Facemelter (which features chili paste, mozzarella, chili flakes, jalapenos, habaneros and pepperoni.)

The eatery also prides itself

on an eclectic atmosphere, showcasing art from local artists and even hosting an annual art show.

“We just like to support the local community as much as we can, as a small business and everything,” Weafer said. “I think it helps bring out the uniqueness of a town when you have local businesses supporting the local artists and stuff like that. And we like to have fun, you know. It’s a pizza place, so we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”

Serious or not, the community can’t get enough of Fetta. With its prime location at 118 St Ann Street, by Smother’s Park, the restaurant is enjoying the boom of summer.

“When the weather’s nice, we are a little bit busier because there are more people downtown and stuff going on,” he said. “When there are events or something at the Bluegrass Museum or anything that’s going on, obviously it makes us a little bit busier. It’s nice when people can sit out on the patio.”

If pizza isn’t your passion, they also offer a variety of salads, garlic knots, calzones and more.

You can try Fetta — which is Italian for “slice” — 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. OL

“We try to keep everything fresh and local with pretty much everything that goes on the pizza or whatever we produce in-house. We try to give great service and good food to keep people happy and coming back.”

The Place to Be this Fall!

When the weather cools and the air turns crisp, there’s no better place to feel the magic of fall than on the farm.  The harvest season brings colorful foliage, crisp apples, mild weather and pumpkins galore. The Farm is the place to be this fall.

Trunnell’s Farm Exprience, the premier agri-tainment venue in Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana, is the place to score the perfect pumpkin and farm family fun this season! You’ll fall in love with fall over and over again at Trunnell’s. You can enjoy the warmth of the bonfires, eat caramel apples, search for the perfect pumpkin, get lost in the giant corn maze, grab a cocktail slushie or sip on your favorite fall drink. Every autumn, thousands of visitors flock to this family farm to make lasting memories. Kids that come to Trunnell’s long treasure the memories of taking an old-fashioned tractor-drawn wagon ride to the pumpkin patch and picking their own pumpkin right off the vine. Sometimes that means tall and skinny, sometimes short and round, sometimes even green and misshapen!

Trunnell’s Farm Experience & Market located in Utica, KY off Hwy. 431 (Frederica Street), at first glance

looks like many other farms across the tri-state this time of year, but there is something magical about this farm and the experience they give their guests. The minute you step out of your vehicle, you are greeted by a sea of bright orange pumpkins, golden corn shocks, colorful gourds, bales of straw and stunning mums. As you approach the farm market, the delicious smell of fresh baked pumpkin bread, fried apple pies, and apple cider donuts tickle your nose, and your mouth starts to water for a glass of their cold, crisp apple cider. While strolling among the thousands of pumpkins displayed, your ears ring with laughter from families making memories exploring the 35+ attractions at Trunnell’s Farm Experience! From atop the hill, you can see hundreds of families walking the paths of the giant corn maze adventure and the beautiful sunflower fields! Kevin Trunnell exclaims, “Guests of all ages love to visit our farm and make magical memories! We are excited to share with all our guests the new additions we have for the 2023 fall season September 2 - November 3! SEE YA’LL AT THE FARM! OL

Fall Farm Experience Kickoff

SEPT. 23

Wine Your Way Out

SEPT. 30

Wine Your Way Out

OCT. 6

Fall Break

OCT. 9 – OCT. 13

Pumpkin Glow Fest

OCT. 14

Pumpkin Glow Fest

OCT. 20

The Great Gourd Hunt

OCT. 21

Trail of Treats

OCT. 28

HalloWine Bash & Brew

OCT. 28

Trail of Treats

OCT. 29

One Hundred Autumns

Written by LORA WIMSATT

One hundred autumn seasons have come and gone since 1923, yet the spirit of this bright and beautiful and blustery and bleak season is as enduring as ever.

One need look no further than the pages of the local newspapers, from a time in which writers were not shy about expressing their feelings with words of poetry.

A verse credited to William Herbert Carruth, published in the Oct. 28, 1923, edition of the Messenger-Inquirer includes the following stanza:

“A haze on the far horizon, The infinite, tender sky, The ripe, rich tint of the cornfields, And the wild geese sailing high; And all over the upland and lowland

The charm of the golden-rod –Some of us call it Autumn, And others call it God.”

Another article, featured in the Oct. 12 issue, explores the beauty of “Nature’s Philosophy,” observing “The seasons have again brought autumn around – autumn with its fulfillment of the promises of spring and summer in harvests of field and forest. And now, with its rustle of falling leaves, with its wind gusts that hint of chilling blasts to come, it sounds last call for outdoor sports. With its sparkling sunshine, its crimsoned and purpled forests,

its gold-carpeted fields, autumn beckons one and all to go out and play.”

Going out to play is all well and good, but of course, one must be dressed accordingly! Not to worry; the Nanz Clothing Co. offered a fabulous selection of “Coats for Fall,” some with fur collars and cuffs, in prices ranging from $12.50 to $85.

Not to be outdone, Levy’s advertised fall suits for $47.50 –with trimmings of “Viatka squirrel, natural squirrel, beaver, fox and many other furs.”

Owensboro’s ladies needn’t have worried that autumn rains might spoil their style. McAtee, Lyddane and Ray were there to save the day, offering autumn umbrellas that promised to “add to one’s personal costume and make a gray world a gay one.”

And while the shopper was at

McAtee’s, she might as well pick up a woolen auto robe, constructed especially for automobile use with a “motor weave.”

Nature and shopping aside, one of the best things about autumn is the opportunity to throw a party! Whether for Hallowe’en or “just because,” Sister Mary was there to help, with an Oct. 28, 1923, article in the Owensboro Inquirer featuring everything the hostess with the ghostest mostest needed to know!

She must first set the atmosphere with seasonal decorations. “A large pumpkin, used bowl fashion, filled with rosy apples and nuts and grapes, has the merit of being as inexpensive as it is artistic,” Sister Mary said. Carrots, turnips, apples, potatoes and cabbages could be carved or hollowed out to serve as candle holders, and, of course, “jolly little round pumpkin-yellow cakes with a surprise in the center

are vastly more fun than the most elaborate of crackers.”

Guests were sure to enjoy activities such as apple bobbing, fortune-telling and ghost stories.

Thanks to festivities such as these, the words of an anonymous author published on Oct. 31, 1923, ring especially true – as true now as then:

“Have the poets been quite fair to autumn in associating it with old age and ‘melancholy days’? Why should the harvest time be the saddest days of the year when there is nothing more satisfying than achievement of which the harvest is symbolical, nothing more dazzling beautiful than autumn leaves and sunsets, and nothing more invigorating and rejuvenating than autumn air, sunshine and frosts?”

It’s a fair question.

We shall close with the concluding words of that same article from 100 years ago: “Let her coming remind all, who liken their years to her moods, that autumn and old age are the climax of the book and they ‘live happily ever after.’” May it ever be so, in all the seasons to come. OL