NEWSWORTHY

5 things we’re talking about now

1

Fetta Grows Under New Ownership

After several decades in the restaurant industry, Dennis Weafer purchased Fetta Specialty Pizza & Spirits in September. Undeterred by the pandemic, Weafer took his love for pizza and his restaurant experience, and revitalized the downtown eatery. In addition to new seasonal offerings and specialty pizzas, Weafer has also changed the atmosphere inside by featuring the work of local artists on the walls.

2

Black History Month Parade

Dozens of vehicles participated in a parade to celebrate Black History Month on February 6. Event organizers said they were excited by the great turnout and positivity that helped kick off a monthlong celebration honoring Black communities, cultures and leaders. The event began at the H.L. Neblett Community Center at noon as a caravan of vehicles lined up to drive in a loop from west to east Owensboro and back. The H.L. Neblett Center teamed up with the Owensboro Black Expo and the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance (NWNA) to make Saturday’s parade happen. Larry “Chick” Owen, director of recreation at the Neblett Center, said he was pleasantly surprised by the high turnout.

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Gov. Beshear Appoints Smith-Wright to Advisory Board

Pamela Smith-Wright was recently appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear to the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) Advisory Board for a twoyear term. Smith-Wright said she was recommended to the board by J.D. Chaney, executive director for the Kentucky League of Cities. SmithWright had previously served on the KLC’s 18-member executive board of directors, representing communities of all sizes across the state. “Transportation is important in this Commonwealth,” she said. “There are things I can bring to Owensboro as far as highways and other important roadways that are needed here.”

Team Kentucky Donates to Pitino Shelter

The Daniel Pitino Shelter is one of 19 qualified nonprofit organizations statewide receiving $20,000 each from the Team Kentucky Fund, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday. Each nonprofit serves Kentuckians by helping prevent homelessness and/or assisting families impacted by the opioid epidemic. According to a release, Beshear focused on addressing homelessness and the opioid epidemic because those two crises have worsened significantly since the start of the pandemic, compounding the challenges families impacted by COVID-19 face.

Photo by

AP IMAGERY

5

Community Rallies for Mural Restoration

In our January issue, we brought you the story of the new mural at

Kendall Perkins Park.

Painted by Aaron Kizer in collaboration with the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance, the project was a celebration of Black history. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, someone senselessly defaced the painting with racial slurs. But in a show of unity and to send a message that Owensboro will not tolerate such hate, individuals and businesses have donated money, security cameras and lighting to bring the project back to life.

Both the City and the County have pledged to contribute money, too.

These resources will be used both to restore the mural, and also to help prevent this type of vandalism from happening again.

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A PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION STORY

Jacob Kiper

Written by LAURA MURPHY Photo by JAMIE ALEXANDER

Jacob Kiper understands what it means to undergo personal transformation. Not only has he found a way to connect with an important piece of his past, but he has also been on a weight loss journey that helped him to reconnect with his children and himself, too.

When his father passed away from cancer in 1992, he left his 10-yearold son a special gift. Though he did not know it at the time, that gift was a bit of a legacy in the making — and decades later allowed Jacob to identify with his father in a way he could have never imagined.

“Four years ago, my mom told me she had saved the last bottle of Maker’s Mark that was my dad’s. When she asked me if I wanted it, I took it,” Kiper said.

Although Kiper says he had no previous interest in bourbon, he decided to pick up the book “American Whiskey, Bourbon and Rye: A guide to America’s Favorite Spirit” by Clay Risen as a way to

feel connected with his father.

“I realized that I did not know a lot about bourbon,” Kiper said. “Being from Kentucky, that was a bit unacceptable.”

He started bourbon tasting, and continued his discovery of the distilled spirit’s history by picking up new books every time he got the chance. “I finished my 260th book about booze history,” he said. “I am currently reading number 261. It’s a way for me to identify with something my dad enjoyed, decades later. Dad had been through numerous cases of cancer over the years. I did not know much about what my dad enjoyed.”

In November, Kiper posted on Twitter and Facebook what that bottle meant to him on the anniversary of his dad’s death.

When Maker’s Mark officials saw the Twitter post, they sent Kiper a personal letter, letting him know that his story touched them.

“I shared the letter they sent me, and it was viewed by 1.63 million people, which is absurd,” Kiper said. “The letter meant something to a lot of people. I shared it for a few friends that I interact with. I did not expect Maker’s Mark to see it; it was a bit of an emotional moment.”

While Maker’s Mark is the drink that started his interest in bourbon as a hobby, he has decided to dive headfirst into his study of American whiskey history. And he has another 150 books still on his reading list.

“I love being able to understand a product that my dad enjoyed with his friends,” Kiper said. “My mom also appreciates that 28 years later I have a way to connect with my dad.”

Aside from his special journey to understand something his father enjoyed, Kiper encountered a personal breakthrough, offering him a way to reconnect to his sons and to life.

“January 14th marked three years since I joined Weight Watchers. Growing up, weight was a stumbling block for me. I was obese much of my life,” Kiper said.

Kiper had two main goals in mind—to be a better dad to his 8-year-old twin boys, Reid and Sam, and to live longer.

“We would go to Holiday World and I couldn’t fit into any of the rides. My kids had never known a dad who could physically chase after them the way a young kid wants from their dad,” Kiper said.

A breakthrough moment came when Kiper was 90 pounds into his weight loss journey.

“About two years ago, we were outside, and I tried chasing my kids, and I realized I could actually run after them. It was quite the revelation to realize that I could. I

still had quite a bit to go, but just knowing I could chase them was a revelation to me,” Kiper said.

Kiper remembers trying everything he could to lose weight, and becoming frustrated when the diet would end, and poor eating habits would take him right back to where he started. “I have had weight loss success in the past and it didn’t last—I didn’t do it in a healthy manner. I wouldn’t eat much, follow a super strict, super rigid diet. I would have one bad day of eating, the towel would get thrown in, and I would give up. I was trying to do it on my own,” Kiper said.

In January 2018, he made a decision that changed his life.

“Something just clicked this time. I thought I would give Weight Watchers one more try and this time, I found that I could do this,” Kiper said.

At the start of his weight loss, he weighed 280 pounds. Now at 162 pounds; Kiper says he looks the healthiest and he feels really good where he is at right now.

“This process has re-educated me. Nothing is off-limits; I just look at food differently. Instead of six slices of pizza, I have two. I don’t overeat anymore, and I do portion control,” Kiper said.

Today, his lab work is good. His cholesterol went from high to healthy, a significant change for someone with a family history of heart disease and diabetes.

“My dad had a heart attack. I realized genetically, I was a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. I realized that I am not going to die an early death from being obese—it took a lot of stress off me and my family.”

Kiper says one of the positive benefits of his weight loss is that he truly feels healthy now.

“I no longer worry about diabetes or dying from a heart attack,” Kiper said. “This has given me the physical ability to be a better dad than I was before.”

As far as his bourbon goes, Kiper says a respect for alcohol means portion control there, too, an aspect that is still considered under what he consumes.

“If I want to consume a glass, I count the points for it. It is one of my pleasures in life, and I work it into the program with me. It doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the occasional beer or liquor. I drink in moderation—one for the respect for alcohol and one because I have to count it into my points and my health journey,” Kiper said.

It’s hard to picture the place he was three years ago when he made the decision to make a lifestyle change. From becoming a more active dad, to having energy and feeling good about himself, Kiper has reaped the benefits of a new life.

“I am thankful for getting off the couch, being energetic with my kids, things I didn’t do before. Today, I do push-ups and planks every day. I have met my weight loss goals and I am trying to be a more active dad,” Kiper said.

Kiper’s advice for others who want to see their own personal transformation is simple—try not to give up.

“I started and failed at getting healthy dozens of times and this time it stuck. It is something I can maintain for a lifetime, unlike other things I tried which are not long term or sustainable. Try not to give up if you fail, because eventually it will stick,” Kiper said. OL

Service Has No Age Limit

Written by MELODY WALLACE Photo by JAMIE ALEXANDER

For nearly three decades, Renee Beasley Jones has been writing, reporting and serving her community in some capacity. Whether it was serving as the marketing director for the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, the public relations manager for Kenergy, or as the Arts and Entertainment reporter for the Messenger-Inquirer, Beasley Jones has found a way to make a positive impact in her community. In December 2020, the Henderson, Kentucky native decided to hang up her reporter hat and retire. However, she allowed very little time to go by before setting out on her next altruistic adventure.

“I’ve been fortunate that my first tour at the Messenger-Inquirer was as the arts and entertainment reporter, and I reported on non-profits,” Beasley Jones said. “I think that’s where I got my first glimpse of, ‘Wow! Look what they’re doing.’ Non-profits are really what make the world go round, and I think we often lose sight of that in our communities.”

On August 30, 2020, Beasley Jones wrote a story for the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer regarding two AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) positions available at St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter and River Valley Behavioral Health, respectively. Then, in anticipation of her retirement in November, she found herself applying for the St. Benedict’s AmeriCorps position. Beasley Jones recalls joking with St. Benedict’s Executive Director Harry Pedigo for approximately two years that she was going to retire and come work for him.

“Every time I would interview Harry, I was so impressed,” Beasley Jones said. “This AmeriCorps position is like my dream come true. I’ve always been so close to St. Benedict’s and Harry, to share in that experience was really one of my goals when I retired. AmeriCorps made it possible for me to do it in a meaningful way.”

While AmeriCorps seemed to be the perfect opportunity for Beasley Jones to reduce the number of hours she was working and still be involved in helping the community, at age 66, she was initially afraid she wouldn’t meet the requirements.

“I would interview them (AmeriCorps workers),” she said. “I would just always assume AmeriCorps and VISTA positions were for people just starting their careers, trying new things, getting their educations... because all the AmeriCorps people I knew were young people in their 20s and their 30s.”

According to the AmeriCorps website, “AmeriCorps is an opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to give their time and talent to strengthen communities.”

When Beasley Jones discovered that there was no upper age limit, she knew her prior experience would be the perfect fit for the shelter.

“The St. Benedict’s job was made for me,” she said. “It had all the components I did for many years— fundraising, grant writing geared more towards outreach—those are things I've done my entire life.”

Pedigo agrees that the diverse skill set and amount of experience Beasley Jones brings to the position are invaluable.

“I’ve been working with Renee for a long time; she’s very special that’s for sure,” Pedigo said. “She brings a lot of wisdom and experience with her, but also life experience, too. She’s also done a lot of corporate work. That determination that she’s had to succeed and be passionate about what she does—it shows without a doubt.”

AmeriCorps volunteers are funded by federal money through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). These volunteers receive a modest yearly stipend, along with other benefits such as healthcare, childcare, and an educational award to help with college expenses. Each organization that hosts an AmeriCorps volunteer is required to contribute a matching cash donation of $5,250. According to Pedigo, Beasley Jones’ position was made possible through an Audubon Area joint grant written to include five local non-profit organizations.

“Typically, with most AmeriCorps and VISTA volunteers, they work so well they work themselves into a position, because you can't afford to lose their value,” Pedigo said. “She's going to be one we don't want to lose— she's already that valuable.”

In the two short months Beasley Jones has been with the shelter, Pedigo said she has created new and innovative campaigns that have helped to not only destigmatize homelessness, but have also generated close to 15 new monthly contributors to the shelter.

“To me that's huge,” Pedigo said.

Beasley Jones encourages others that are nearing retirement, but are still looking to serve the community, to consider a position with AmeriCorps.

“AmeriCorps isn't just for people who are 21 years old and going to college—it’s for people who are at the end of their working years and thinking about retirement—it's a way to give back,” Beasley Jones said. “Honestly, when you reach the end of your career, you have so much talent, and job skills that you didn't have when you were 30, 40, or even 50. You don't get those skills overnight, they come with years of experience.” OL

KISHOR VORA M.D. STANDS AGAINST AMPUTATION

Kishor Vora M.D. Stands Against AmputationKishor Vora, MD, FACC, FSCAI has been practicing Interventional Cardiology and Endovascular Medicine for over 30 years in Owensboro, KY. While he continues to see patients for heart, vein and artery disease at his office and at the hospital, his profound passion is saving critical patients’ limbs from amputation.

Dr. Vora was deeply interested in Peripheral Intervention because he realized that a large percentage of people face chronic health issues due to Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). But unfortunately, the symptoms, like leg pain or swollen ankles, are not seen as “life-threatening”. So, most people don’t approach specialists until it is too late. PAD starts as blockage in arteries of legs. If left untreated, this can lead to severe blockages, cutting off blood supply to our extremities. This condition is called Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), and can lead to limb amputation.

Dr. Vora believes amputation to be absolutely avoidable in most of the cases. So, to help his patients better, Dr. Vora decided to open his own Office-Based Lab (OBL) in 2019. Here, he is able to use cutting-edge technology and devices, and achieve quick results for his patients. In fact, he recently put Owensboro on the global map by becoming the first person in the world to use a device that removes large blood clots from arteries and veins. There is no peripheral disease complexity that he feels uncomfortable performing at his OBL. The time, money and effort needed for starting this endeavor were enormous. But, his patients’ needs motivated him to bring his plans to fruition.

From his experience, he knows that Peripheral Vascular Disease patients often present with nonhealing wounds. Consequently, as he realized he had to work closely with a wound clinic, Dr. Vora decided to open VORA Wound Healing Centre with his team last October.

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that a more holistic treatment is offered to complex CLI patients. One such stark case that Dr. Vora dealt with recently was a 54-year old patient from a neighboring county who had severe diabetic foot ulcer, and calcified plaque blocking his limb artery. The patient had already been referred for amputation. However, because of some complications, the team decided to refer the case to Dr. Vora for his interventional expertise. Dr. Vora removed the blockage using an Atherectomy device, and opened up the artery to improve his blood circulation. So, the patient was examined in the morning, revascularization was done in the evening, and was able to go home the same day! Imagine that for someone who was told they were going to lose their limb just the previous week!

Dr. Vora credits the efficient teamwork from all concerned units for this success story - the local wound care team, the surgeon who referred the case to Dr. Vora, the NP at Owensboro Heart and Vascular (OHV) w ho assessed the patient, the Diagnostic Tech at OHV, the OHV Cath lab staff who stayed back late to take care of the patient and all the support staff. All over the US, Primary Care Doctors, Diabetes Specialists/ Endocrinologists, Orthopedics, Podiatrist, Nephrologists, Interventionists, and Surgeons are working together to accelerate wound healing, prevent amputation, and improve quality of life for these patients. So, Dr. Vora affirms that he would love to work with other specialists to ensure holistic care for a patient.

Although complex CLI intervention procedures mean longer hours at work, Dr. Vora derives immense satisfaction from the improved quality of life that his patients lead post procedures. With a serene smile on his face, he says, “For me, that is enough.” OL

MARK GADDIS

OWENSBORO’S Winning Link

Written by MARLYS MASON

Owensboro now has a winning link to “The Weakest Link,” a triviastyle show that runs on NBC. Mark Gaddis, originally from Owensboro but living in Los Angeles, won $59,000 on the game show on Oct. 19, 2020.

The show, based on a British version, has eight contestants each episode who are strangers, but must work together to bank the maximum amount of money each round, building chains with their answers that raise the total prize money. This all happens while host Jane Lynch verbally punches the contestants as one, considered the “Weakest Link,” is voted off each round.

After applying online and having a Skype interview for the show, which he said went really well, Gaddis was cast to tape in early September 2020 in Hollywood, California.

“I love game shows, always have,” said Gaddis, who also made a 2018 appearance on the Game Show Network’s “America Says.” That show pits two teams of family and friends against one another to guess America’s responses to survey questions from around the country.

As for auditioning for “The Weakest Link,” Gaddis quipped, “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get insulted by Jane Lynch on national television.”

Gaddis said that being on the show was fun, and that the set itself is just as fun.

“The stage, as you can see in the episode, is very cool, and it is every bit as amazing in person,” he said. “The whole experience was nerve-wracking, but in the best way.”

Gaddis said that all safety protocols were in place, and that he felt very comfortable taping the show during the pandemic.

When the taping was over, and Gaddis knew he had won, he still was unable to discuss it due to a contract that each contestant signs prior to the taping, regardless of winning or losing.

“Some people knew I had taped it, but I wouldn’t talk about it at all so as not to give it away,” he said. “I wasn’t allowed to publicize it at

Photos by CHRIS HASTON/NBC | 2020 NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC.

all until it was going to air, and even then I could only help promote the episode, but couldn’t say how I did until it aired.”

And people in Owensboro, where Gaddis graduated from Apollo High School and his family still lives, were unaware he had even been a contestant due to not traveling home to visit during the pandemic.

“I barely mentioned that I had done it, so they never thought to ask me about it when we talked,” he said.

As for friends in Los Angeles, he said that since he hasn’t seen them as much since the pandemic, he was able to steer the conversation away from the show until it aired.

And while he said that not much has changed for him since winning, due to the ongoing pandemic and inability to celebrate, which he plans to do with friends after the Los Angeles lockdown ends, he has realized that social media is a tool that allows strangers to find him.

“I was shocked how many people reached out to me after my appearance. Who knew?” he said. OL

Hunters

FOR THE Hungry

Written by MARLYS MASON Photos by JAMIE ALEXANDER

See a need, fill a need. It’s a simple phrase, but one that, when acted upon, can have a profound impact. That’s exactly why Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry was formed. A grassroots effort that began in 1988 and formally incorporated in 2000, the organization has funded the processing of deer for use by various

non-profit organizations for over 20 years.

“In general, each harvested deer yields, on average, 40 pounds of ground venison,” said Jeremy Shiflet, regional director for Kentucky Hunters for Hungry and Daviess County resident. “We then estimate that four servings are provided by each pound of processed venison.”

As the regional director of the organization, Shiflet is responsible for identifying processors and partnerships that would be beneficial to the nonprofit, as well as identifying organizations that would benefit from assistance with KHFH. Shiflet also facilitates the distribution of the processed venison to local food banks and help offices.

“KHFH’s role is to come alongside and help local organizations provide protein to families in need,” he said. “We are not trying to take over and do our own thing, we are just trying to make use of available, nontraditional resources to help the local organizations help local folks in need.”

In January 2020, the organization distributed around 1,300 pounds of venison through the Owensboro Help Office, New Life Baptist Church and Walnut Memorial Baptist Church in Daviess County, and another 1,400 pounds through God’s House of Hope Food Pantry in McLean County, all of which came from deer donated during the 2019 hunting season. Independence Bank of McLean county has also been working very hard to use a local chapter of this program to service needs in their community. They were responsible for funding the processing of 60 deer, or another 2,400 pounds of venison for God’s House of Hope in 2019.

In December 2020, approximately 1,550 pounds of venison were distributed in Owensboro through New Life Baptist Church and CrossRoads Food Pantry. An additional 650 pounds were distributed through Hope to All Food Bank in Nortonville, Hopkins County, and approximately 820 pounds through the Providence Community Food Bank in Webster County.

“We estimate that KHFH will

end up with approximately 1,500 deer donated and processed for the 2020-2021 hunting season,” Shiflet said. “If we use that number, we have 5,056 deer donated over the past three hunting seasons, totaling 61,528 pounds of venison, and 235,288 meals/servings provided to Kentucky residents since 2018.”

Shiflet said they try to help smaller, local food banks as much as possible since those organizations typically have fewer resources. And in this pandemic, Shiflet said food insecurity is a “much bigger” problem than most people realize.

“Folks who are struggling with various issues have enough to contend with as it is without needing to meet one of their most basic needs: food. And most of these same homes have children in them,” he said. “A lot of kids get the majority of their meals during the week from school. With schools running virtually most of the last 10 months, and a summer break mixed in, meals have been tougher to come by for a lot of kids and families.”

Using local meat processors to process deer legally harvested by local hunters, KHFH pays the processors for their work, although there are some who donate their time and materials, Shiflet said. The venison is frozen in one-pound or two-pound packages, and then either food banks or KHFH volunteers pick it up to distribute.

Kentucky hunters participate by locally harvesting deer and then taking them to a recognized KHFH processing facility. They can also donate to cover the costs of processing, which are often offered at a lower cost.

Donations are accepted from September 1 through mid-January or the entirety of Kentucky’s deer hunting season. OL

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