Jeffersontown Magazine November 2022

DR. AARON BERGER WITH HIS WIFE RACHEAL AND THEIR CHILDREN.

Peripheral

affects over

a

and can result in

minimally-invasive,

HappyHolidays!

THE MAYOR’S MESSAGE

JOYOUS SEASON ALSO TIME FOR A FOND FAREWELL

This year’s holiday season will be a very sentimental one for me as it will be my final one as Mayor of Jeffersontown.

Mayor Bill Dieruf

It has been a privilege to serve you as Mayor for the past 12 years in the community where I have lived and worked for many years. I have enjoyed representing you as Mayor, and I thank Jeffersontown residents for electing me to three terms.

While this season will be bittersweet, I am looking forward to

the many activities we have lined up to help make your holidays more fun and exciting.

From our Light Up Jeffersontown event to carriage rides on the square to the holiday lights display in Veterans Memorial Park, we have a lot of opportunities for Jeffersontown families to make special memories and joyfully celebrate the season! (See details on the facing page.)

I hope to see you at our upcoming festivities! Best wishes for a very Happy Holiday!

VETERANS DAY PROGRAM TO BE HELD NOV. 6 AT VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

The City of Jeffersontown and American Legion G.I. Joe Post #244 will hold its 28th annual Veterans Day Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 10707 Taylorsville Road, at the Freedom Wall Memorial.

The keynote speaker will be Brigadier Gen. Julius Berthold, Army National Guard (retired). Commander Matt O’Leary, G.I. Joe Post #244, will be in command of ceremonies. The National Anthem will be performed by Debbie Robbins, Ms. Senior America 2022.

A patriotic music program will be performed by the Kosair Shrine Dance Band.

In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held at The Jeffersonian, 10617 Taylorsville Road, which is adjacent to the park. There is no cost to attend the event.

Brigadier Gen. Julius Berthold and Mayor Bill Dieruf at Freedom Wall.

IMPROVEMENTS FURTHER ENHANCE WALKABLE DOWNTOWN; WORK TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR

Ongoing efforts to make Jeffersontown’s Historic Gaslight Square District more appealing have been a priority of Mayor Bill Dieruf and the Jeffersontown City Council in recent years. Now there’s more to come!

Next up are improvements to the streetscape along Watterson Trail between Maple Lane and Old Taylorsville Road. It also includes a new look for Jeffersontown City Hall with a new plaza replacing the fountain in place now.

This rendering shows updates that will be made at Jeffersontown City Hall.

the improvements already in place on the north side of the Watterson Trail/Taylorsville Road intersection near El Nopal.

Work on the project started last month with completion expected in September 2023. Drivers on Watterson Trail will be slightly in convenienced during construction.

Expanded sidewalks and accessible curbing with landscaping and benches will make the area inviting for pedestrians. The streetscapes will look much like

“We appreciate motorists’ pa tience as work on the streetscapes gets under way,” said Mayor Dieruf. “We are proud of the investments in Historic Gaslight Square. We believe these enhancements have gone a long way to attract people to our downtown and added to the inviting community atmosphere our city is known for.”

LIGHT UP JEFFERSONTOWN KICKS OFF THE HOLIDAYS

Bring the family to Gaslight Square for this year’s Light Up Jeffersontown celebration!

It will be held on Sunday, Nov. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m.

There will be train rides, Christmas light displays, performances by the Sacred Heart Academy Madrigals, face painting, hot cocoa — and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Bring letters to Santa and mail them in the special mail box on City Hall steps.

This fun Jeffersontown tradition always proves to be a great way to kick off the holidays!

HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW BRIGHTENS SEASON

The holiday light show at Jeffersontown’s Veterans Memorial Park gets better every year! There is no cost to drive through the park at 10707 Taylorsville Road and check out the displays.

The show begins Nov. 27 and runs nightly through Jan. 2.

CARRIAGE RIDES ARE NOSTALGIC HOLIDAY FUN

Get in the holiday mood with our Gaslight Square Carriage Rides on Saturday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The rides are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bundle up and come on out for free (but limited) rides on a horse-drawn carriage through Historic Gaslight Square, which will be all decked out with Christmas lights and holiday decor!

First Fire House - The Municipal Building, constructed in 1928, which housed the fire department, as well as city government

SPARKS OF GREATNESS

EXPLORING THE FOUNDING OF THE JEFFERSONTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT

Writer / Beth Wilder Photography Provided

No single article can even begin to do justice to the selfless individuals who have served as firefighters throughout the decades. Jeffersontown is no exception when it comes to brave men and women who have offered their services, often at great risk to their own lives, to make certain that others are kept safe. While Jeffersontown undeniably has one of the

best fire departments there is today, this article will actually focus on the origins of that department.

When one thinks of early settlements in America, certain images come to mind - log cabins, spring-fed wells, fireplaces for cooking food and warming the house, candles and oil lamps to light the dark of night. These are nostalgic images, but combined at the wrong time, they could prove to be a recipe for disaster. Back then,

it did not take much to spark a fire, but it took a great deal of effort and cooperation to put one out.

The earliest means of fighting fires was a simple bucket of water kept in the home for just such an emergency. Since most colonial settlers tended to live miles apart from one another, each homeowner was pretty much left to his own devices where fighting fires was concerned.

Those who lived in towns, however, had a little more hope of gaining assistance in putting out fires. Of course, being in close proximity to so many other wooden buildings, they also faced a greater risk of having their own places burned down if a fire got the chance to spread. Still, the closeness of neighbors allowed for what was

termed a bucket brigade - that is, everyone grabbed their buckets and formed a line to the nearest water source, then they simply filled the buckets and passed them down the row, poured them on the flames, then sent them back down the line to be refilled. Up through the 1920s, this was the primary means by which Jeffersontown residents fought fires on the town square. Their main source of water was the Old Mill Pond, behind the Jeffersontown Roller Mill, owned by David A. Davis (ironically,

the mill itself burned down in 1910). The property at 10404 Watterson Trail was later the site of E.G. Hewitt’s hardware shop, and is currently occupied by Neutz Brothers Cars, Trucks and Vans.

The earliest recorded mention of a need in Jeffersontown for more than merely a bucket brigade was in the July 1910 Jeffersonian newspaper. Rufus Smith addressed the Jeffersontown Commercial Club (which was akin to an early chamber

One of the old fire trucks with the volunteers

1916 Frank Fanelli: first chief of the fire department

BY BRYAN WIMSATT

of commerce), suggesting they should procure a fire engine for the town, so a committee was formed to investigate the cost of a chemical engine and other ways of extinguishing fires. The men also set about soliciting subscriptions to pay for an engine.

By the August meeting of the Commercial Club, it was noted that a fire engine seemed to be a certainty for Jeffersontown. The cost of a gasoline fire engine was estimated at $1,200, and the townspeople had already subscribed several hundred dollars at that point, indicating their eagerness to find a better means of fire protection for the town.

One major proponent for fire protection was Frank Fanelli, who owned a store at the corner of Watterson Trail and Taylorsville Road, where King Southern Bank now stands. The store caught fire early one morning in February of 1911, but the flames were quickly doused by the fire extinguisher Fanelli had just purchased the day before. A disaster was averted, and the Jeffersonian newspaper noted that “the damage will not exceed $25. A stiff breeze was blowing, and had the fire gained a headway the building and other surrounding property would have been consumed by the flames, entailing a loss of probably $25,000 or more.”

After that, many Jeffersontown businessmen purchased fire extinguishers from Fanelli at cost ($7.00). Fanelli strongly encouraged all the townspeople to buy extinguishers,

not because he sold them, but because they were invaluable to have in the event of a fire.

Residents of Jeffersontown were well aware of the dangers that even a small fire could pose to the town, if not their own property. By this time, many people had taken out insurance policies on their homes and businesses, but they really wanted even more protection from fire, so they did their part to contribute in any way they could. In June of 1912, the Jeffersontown Commercial Club purchased two LaFrance chemical fire engines, and in July they elected Frank Fanelli as chief of the volunteer fire department, with P.P. Litterer, Walter Jones, Roland Tyler and Barto Roemele as assistants.

Each of the new fire engines held 45 gallons of extinguishing fluid, which was a mix of sulfuric acid and bicarbonate of soda. One gallon of fluid was equal to 30 gallons of water. Buckets of water were still an important part of fighting fires, and drills were organized by the volunteers to make sure the bucket brigades worked in concert with the new chemical engines, which had to be loaded atop wagons furnished by Wigginton & Sweeney.

A test run of the new fire equipment was held for all the town to see. An old house near the town square was set ablaze, and once the alarm was given, the Jeffersontown Fire Department rushed to the scene. They

arrived so quickly, the chief gave orders to wait until the fire started spreading. Once the blaze took over, the firemen set to work and the fire was out within five minutes.

As wonderful as that sounds, the test run was made on a house close to the town square, where the fire apparatus was stored. A few months later, an actual fire gave a better idea of what the fire department was up against in the rural area it served. A headline in the Jeffersonian on December 19, 1912, read, “BARN BURNS - Outbuildings of W.S. Nicholson on Taylorsville Road Goes Up in Smoke.” The headline says it all, but the rest of the article mentions some of the problems the firemen had to deal with. After the alarm for the fire was given, it took half an hour for Fanelli to load the two fire engines onto a wagon and travel the two miles to Nicholson’s place. By the time the firefighters arrived, the burning barn was nearly destroyed. Fortunately for Nicholson, however, the firemen were able to prevent his residence from being damaged.

Still, the new department was incredibly advantageous to Jeffersontown, and it managed to grow quite well in the ensuing years. The town did suffer a couple of major fires in 1921 and 1925, after which it was ordered that anything built on the town square must be constructed of something more fire-resistant than wood frames. Dr. J.R. Shacklette’s home, which still stands in front of Neutz and Tudor Automotive Specialists on Watterson Trail, was the first local building to be constructed of terracotta tile. In 1926 a municipal building was erected at the corner of Taylorsville Road and Watterson Trail (near Karem’s Bait & Beverage) to house the firetrucks and city government offices.

As noted earlier, there is far more that could be said about Jeffersontown’s excellent fire department, but hopefully this article has given you an idea of how it came to be in the first place. Thanks to all the men and women who have given so selflessly and been a part of our fire department through the years, and those who continue to make our town’s safety a priority.

The Roller Mill (Davis Mill) which burned in 1910

Carol PIKE

J’TOWN MAYOR

BY THE FOLLOWING:

“Carol Pike is a longtime, dedicated leader in the City of Jeffersontown. She and I have worked well together for many years to make Jeffersontown the city you are proud of!”

holds a special place in my heart. Looking forward to continued growth and success for this great town with Carol as Mayor.

been my honor to serve as City Councilman for 12 years alongside Carol. It is my privilege to endorse her as the next Mayor of Jeffersontown knowing she will work tirelessly to promote and advance our city for future generations!”

endorsed by the Jefferson County Fraternal Order of Police

—Brian Abrams

—Bill Dieruf

French Henry

Pike

trustees have voted to support you in your election

HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS TO HOST CHRISTMAS CHARITY PAJAMA PARTY AND HOLIDAY MARKET

Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided

Christmas pajamas have become synonymous with the holiday season. Michelle Williams, executive director and founder of Santa’s Little Helpers, Inc., wants to make sure more children are getting in on the fun.

Santa’s Little Helpers, Inc. is a nonprofit organization in Louisville that hopes to empower the lives of children impacted by foster care, especially those in residential facilities. This year the organization is hosting its second annual Holiday Market, with a theme focusing on that late-night loungewear everyone likes to break out around Christmas.

Williams is asking the public to put on their pajamas, bring a new pair of adult-sized pajamas to donate, and join her December 4 at the Sawyer Hayes Community Center in E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., to kick off the holiday season with the Santa’s Little Helpers, Inc. Christmas Charity Pajama Party & Holiday Market. The event will feature Christmas crafts, face

Michelle Williams is ready for this year's Pajama Party

painting, a holiday market, a parade with the Grinch, a silent auction, and pictures with Santa, with the goal of receiving donations for the group’s Christmas care packages.

“This is something we do each year for foster kids,” Williams says. “The care packages always include a new pair of pajamas. That’s our signature thing each year at Christmas time.”

Last year Santa’s Little Helpers donated more than 300 pajamas to foster kids in local residential facilities, thanks in large part to sponsors and individual donors that made donations, and the inaugural Holiday Market. This year Williams is aiming higher, setting a goal of 500 pajamas to donate throughout the city. Williams says donations should be new and unwrapped, in adult sizes for boys and girls.

Williams says she reaches out to local facilities such as St. Joseph Children’s Home, Bellewood & Brooklawn, and

Maryhurst to see what the needs are and what she can donate.

“I reach out to them and see who has a need,” Williams says. “They all want pajamas. That’s something the kids really look forward to during the holidays. We give out pajamas to everyone as long as we have enough donations.”

The Holiday Market won’t be the only avenue the public can use to help Williams achieve her goal. Santa’s Little Helpers, Inc. will also have Pajama Trees at local Class Act Federal Credit Union locations and at the Louisville Indoor Racquet Club on Westport Road. There will be specific gender and size information on the trees so people can buy a pair of pajamas for a specific child. Once purchased, the pajamas can be dropped off at bins at the same locations. The trees will be available some time in late November, and will run until mid-December of this year.

“The pajama tree is a way to get more people involved,” Williams says. “At Christmas time people are looking for ways to help those in need. We know we need 500 pajamas and we don’t have the budget to meet those needs. If we can encourage families to buy one pair, that is one less pair we have to figure out how we’re going to fund.”

Williams started Santa’s Little Helpers five years ago in an effort to be an inspiration to foster children, and to serve in ways that support them while they face multiple challenges in residential facility environments. She says something that seems small like pajamas can go a long way toward bettering the lives of these children.

“I started this organization five years ago because I wanted to do my part in helping foster children get their basic needs met,” Williams says. “They receive support from many avenues, yet they still have more needs, especially at Christmas. My goal is to help normalize their lives by stepping in and

providing items that all children enjoy, as well as basic, everyday items.”

Williams became interested in helping foster children after watching her mother unofficially foster children. She also worked with foster children while obtaining her master’s degree in counseling psychology.

“My mom basically fostered a couple of kids over the years when we were growing up,” Williams says. “I have seven siblings and my mom had a day care. There was always a house full of kids. If there was a kid that didn’t have a place to go, they would come to our house. Most of the time it was for a day or so, until they could work things out with their parents. She communicated with their parents to make sure they knew where their kids were, and allowed them to stay until they could work things out. As I grew older I realized it was considered fostering, under the definition. I saw the importance of stepping in and helping kids find a safe place when they are in need. Residential

facilities do just that for foster kids.”

Williams says everything came full circle while watching a movie called “Christmas Oranges” with her daughter. The movie was about a foster child who is forced to leave her orphanage and move into a situation that is worse, where the only gift the children receive for Christmas is an orange, if they are nice. After watching the movie and realizing there are children out there who may not get any presents for Christmas, Williams went into action to get Santa’s Little Helpers off the ground.

“Our mission is to build the self-esteem and confidence of foster children by building a foundation of literacy, personal growth and development,” Williams says. “One of the reasons we donate pajamas is because kids wear pajamas every day. As they grow, they need new pajamas. A lot of times pajamas, socks and underwear are the basic things people buy for themselves or their kids when they need them. Those are the things

people don’t really think about for foster kids. Kids need underwear, they need socks, they need pajamas. Those things are really important, but people don’t think to donate those kinds of things.”

In addition to the Holiday Market, Santa’s Little Helpers also hosts a Christmas in July Back to School Party, which generated 500 school supplies that were donated earlier this year. It’s all in an effort to help the nearly 8,000 foster children who live in Kentucky, almost 10% of whom reside in Jefferson County.

“There’s a big need for the community to step up and help,” Williams says. “It’s really a good thing to give at Christmas to help these kids have some semblance of a normal life. A lot of the foster kids have some disability, learning or emotional or behavioral, so they can really use the extra support. They come from complicated backgrounds and that impacts their selfesteem, personal growth and development

in various ways. At the end of the day, we must remember they are just kids who want to be kids.”

Moving forward, Williams says she hopes to continue growing Santa’s Little Helpers, Inc. so they can impact even more children down the line.

“Overall, I would love to expand our service area to all of Kentucky,” Williams says. “That would be my ideal goal, where we could serve more foster children around the state. Right now we’re just in Jefferson County. I would love to expand to the rest of the state and then move to Indiana. We just want to continue to do good in our community by supporting foster children, so they can thrive and have a better chance of being successful when they get out of foster care.”

For more info, visit santaslittlehelpersinc.com.

Joey & Larry Craig

ON FULL DISPLAY

and passed away in 2020 at the age of 101, was a prolific figure in American folk art who captured memories of small-town domestic and community life, as well as biblical visionary scenes, through her paintings, murals, quilts, wooden sculptures, dolls and collages.

Drawing upon several of these mediums, the exhibition features more than 35 works showcasing LaFrance’s wideranging body of work, from glimpses of everyday life to powerful civic and spiritual moments. “Kentucky Women: Helen LaFrance” will be on view at the Speed through April 30, 2023.

regional collection loans, the exhibition documents her western Kentucky rural and small-town experiences, rooted in Mayfield and around Graves County.

Photography Provided

The Speed Art Museum will present “Kentucky Women: Helen LaFrance,” opening as a survey of the artist’s career spanning nearly six decades. LaFrance, who began painting in her 40s

A highlight of the exhibition is its selection of LaFrance’s celebrated sense-memory paintings. These recall moments from everyday life - church picnics, shared meals, parades and funerals - including a painting acquired by the Speed in 2021, “Quilting” (1998), which depicts a group of women working on a quilt. Drawing from private and public local and

“Helen LaFrance’s work provides an intimate look into a century of local history through the eyes of a black woman living from Jim Crow through the turn of the new millennium,” says Chief Curator Erika Holmquist-Wall. “LaFrance was an influential artist whose gifts were recognized by communities and collectors alike, and this exhibition is designed to introduce new audiences and longtime fans to her life’s work. It’s an important step in further cementing her artistic legacy, and we hope this display helps foster more interest in LaFrance’s unique perspective.”

As the second installment of the Speed’s “Kentucky Women” series spotlighting women artists from the museum’s home state, the exhibition will be displayed salonstyle in the Kentucky Gallery to illustrate the scope of LaFrance’s prodigious creative

Helen LaFrance

Photo Courtesy of Shelton Gallery

output, while placing it near other regional artistic traditions. Programming will include a screening of a 2018 LaFrance documentary at the Speed Cinema, as well as events and education surrounding the tornado that struck LaFrance’s hometown of Mayfield in December of 2021, nearly destroying the historic St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church but leaving intact a mural created by LaFrance in 1947 - one of her first-known public works. The exhibition will include a display regarding the mural and aftermath of the tornado, and information on how visitors can support the community’s efforts to preserve the mural and the rebuilding efforts in the Mayfield region.

“When the Speed began the ‘Kentucky Women’ exhibition series in 2019 with Enid Yandell, it was an affirmation of the museum’s commitment to tell the full story of the state and its artists,” says Speed Museum Director Raphaela Platow. “Now with Helen LaFrance we are able to highlight the influence of another trailblazing figure who made an indelible impact in the arts and in her community, something we look forward to continuing with this exhibition series.”

“Kentucky Women: Helen LaFrance” is organized by the Speed Art Museum and curated by Holmquist-Wall and Marissa Coleman, the Speed’s 2022 Association of Museum Directors intern. Support for the exhibition is provided by J.P. Morgan, Lopa and Rishabh Mehrotra, and Anne Brewer Ogden.

To learn more, visit speedmuseum.org/ exhibitions/kentucky-women-helenlafrance.

ABOUT THE SPEED ART MUSEUM

The Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, is an independent, encyclopedic museum, and the oldest and largest art museum in the state, where our mission is to invite everyone to celebrate art forever. The Speed serves as a cultural hub where people can connect with each other and the work of artists from across the world in new and unexpected ways. Raphaela Platow currently serves as museum director.

Established in 1927 by philanthropist Hattie Bishop Speed, the museum has undergone several renovations and expansions, now

occupying more than 200,000 square feet on the University of Louisville’s campus - the most recent of which, led by wHY Architecture’s Kulapat Yantrasast in 2016, tripled the amount of exhibition space and added a state-of-the-art cinema, a family education center, an indoor and outdoor cafe, a Museum Store, and a multifunctional pavilion for performances, lectures and entertainment to the Speed’s robust offerings. Thanks in part to the generous support of the Owsley Brown family and the Brown-Forman Foundation, admission to the museum is free on Sundays. For more information, visit speedmuseum.org.

Five Tips for aFun Thanksgiving Weekend

It’s time for turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a big slice of pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream. I’m hungry just thinking about all the delicious sides I’m going to put on my plate. Thanksgiving isn’t just about food, however. It is a time to celebrate with friends and family. While it can be a stressful weekend, I am here to help alleviate some of the stress with a few pro tips I’ve learned through the years.

I’ve experienced every kind of Thanksgiving weekend - traveling and visiting more than one Thanksgiving celebration, going out to a restaurant instead of cooking, hosting a large group, and being a guest. Between us, some weekends were more stressful than others. It doesn’t have to be. I learned that I need to squeeze in some fun for myself and family. The weekend should be fun for you. It’s a time to be grateful, but also to take care of yourself. Let’s have the best Thanksgiving weekend ever. Whether you are a host or guest, here are five tips for a fun Thanksgiving weekend.

Writer / Aimee MacArthur Photography Provided

ESCAPE

BRUNCH AND SHOP

It may seem silly to go out to eat when you already have a lot of leftovers and a stocked fridge. My dad says going out to breakfast or brunch reminds him of being on vacation. I agree. It’s relaxing, and you get an early start and have the whole day ahead to do whatever you want. The best part of going out to brunch? That’s easyno dishes. It is a win for everyone.

After my family goes to brunch on Thanksgiving weekend, we always like to do a little shopping. We make it a point to try and shop at local stores, and use the weekend to support small businesses. Bring a holiday list and use it as a time to grab a few gifts. I find that some small businesses will wrap presents or put them in a fancy bag with tissue paper. I always appreciate the personalized service small businesses provide.

After an entire day of

desserts, it’s a good time to work off those calories. Even better, why not participate in a walking or running event during the holiday weekend? There are usually a handful of events happening on Thanksgiving weekend. Recruit your friends and family to participate or to be part of the cheering section along the race course. Many of these events have a small fee to participate, and often money goes to a charity or other worthwhile cause.

If there is no event in your area, visit a local park with friends and family and do some walking.

EXPLORE YOUR HOMETOWN

PLAY TOURIST IN YOUR CITY

Take a break from shopping and play tourist where you live. I have the most fun when I am exploring my city. I love to visit my favorite places and also find new places to try. My family’s tradition is to go to the movies after Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a fun tradition, and a way to relax and be entertained. If you’re in the mood for some friendly competition, try a few games of bowling, pool, or even a trivia night at a local sports bar.

If you’re looking for something a little calmer, my family enjoys visiting our local art museum. We can spend a few hours looking at the gorgeous works of art and chatting about which is our favorite. We also like to take a few family photos in front of the museum.

Don’t forget the kids. We like to include a kid-friendly outing during Thanksgiving weekend and our go-to place is the local zoo. My nephew loves riding the train and seeing the animals. We like to try to stump each other with trivia about the animals. The zoo is also a good place to take a family holiday photo.

test it out, make you an offer and CUT YOU A CHECK ON THE SPOT.

RECHARGE

PAMPER YOURSELF

It

It’s all

you really enjoy

find relaxing.

time to schedule a haircut,

massage or other spa treatment. I already scheduled a chair massage and a haircut. I’ve always wanted to try yoga, so I might book a class with a friend.

If

know

at a local

enjoy a

biography

plan to read one during

weekend. I’m also a fan of listening to podcasts and music. Find the

There are many organizations that

help

holiday season.

feel renewed and recharged.

activity that makes

Best

CLATER JEWELERS

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

Clater Jewelers has served generations of Louisville and Southern Indiana families as their trusted jeweler for brilliant diamonds, colored gemstones, beautiful fine jewelry and treasured gifts for decades. With a tradition of trust, high ethical standards, knowledge of products, services, and fair pricing, Clater Jewelers has provided a great value to customers since first opening in 1949.

Now approaching their 73rd anniversary, this family-owned business is owned and operated by Sallie Clater Baer (daughter of founder William Clater) and Megan Campbell Martin, who have both been with Clater Jewelers for 49 years.

“Our staff has over 180 years of combined experience ,” Megan says. “Our knowledge of diamonds and jewelry helps us to serve our customers and find the perfect piece of jewelry, diamond or colored stone for their jewelry needs”.

Clater jewelers is the only member of both the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) and the Retail Jewelers Organization (RJO) in Louisville, which gives exclusive access to the largest independent jewelry buying groups in the world. “We travel to multiple IJO and RJO jewelry buying shows every year, and we buy diamonds directly from Antwerp, Belgium, the Diamond Capital of the World”, Sallie says. “Belonging to these organizations and going to the buying shows, we can acquire many pieces that no one else carries. We can personally shop for our customers and handpick pieces to fit their personality,” says Sallie.

In addition to their IJO and RJO memberships, Clater Jewelers has a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Graduate Gemologist on staff. Christy Martin Effinger, Megan’s daughter, spent one year in Carlsbad, California, to study diamonds and gemstones. She graduated with the prestigious Graduate Gemologist certification in October of 2009.

The highly trained staff works directly with customers to create custom pieces for any occasion. “We specialize in taking family

jewelry and redesigning it into a piece you will love to wear. We understand how special family jewelry is to our customers and take special care to create exactly what they envision,” says Sallie.

Their unparalleled customer service guarantees you will be satisfied with your jewelry purchase. They take pride in all the repair services they provide, including insurance and estate appraisals, on-site jewelry repairs, expert pearl and bead restringing, machine engraving, all done in house. They provide complimentary jewelry inspection, repair estimates and jewelry cleaning.

“We are all passionate about our jobs, and we love jewelry! We are very customer-service focused, and many of our customers are like family,” Megan adds.

1201 Herr Lane #170 Louisville, KY 40222 (502) 426-0077

Clater Jewelers is truly a family jeweler. They are committed to helping their customers, treating them like family, continuing their education and providing the best jewelry at the best value. They also have a Better Business Bureau A+ rating.

Conveniently located in Westport Village, 1201 Herr Lane, Suite 170, Louisville, KY. Clater Jewelers is open from 10a.m.-5p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 A.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit claterjewelers.com.

SHOW OF SUCCESS

JEN TULLOCK TALKS CAREER AND HOMETOWN CONNECTION

Writer / Julie Engelhardt Photography Provided

As you drive through downtown Louisville, you’re greeted by gigantic Hometown Heroes banners hanging on the sides of buildings, honoring Louisvillians from a variety of professions. There’s one for boxer, activist and philanthropist Muhammad Ali. Journalist Diane Sawyer has one, as does actress Jennifer Lawrence. There are many other entertainers and entrepreneurs from Louisville who have made their mark on the world, and possibly one day they will have their photographs flying high above the city. One person who might come to mind is actress Jen Tullock.

Tullock has been working very hard for the past 16 years in the entertainment industry, in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Her professional credits include guest-starring in the HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and on ABC’s “Bless This Mess,” plus she’s appeared in shows on Amazon, Hulu and Showtime. She’s done a great deal of sketch and improvisation work at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles, The Peoples Improv Theater in New York, and the Broadway Comedy Club. She’s been in quite a few commercials (you may have seen her as the harried assistant to actor Jon Hamm’s lead character in H&R Block

spots). Her film credits include supporting roles in the Netflix movie “6 Balloons” and in the Hulu film “Door No. 1.” She was the lead in “Red Light,” and the lead as well as co-writer for a film called “Partners.”

Tullock was born at Baptist Health Hospital and grew up in both Jeffersontown and Crescent Hill. She attended Christian Academy of Louisville for many years, but spent her final year of school at Eastern High School. Tullock explains that her performing and writing skills were somewhat self-taught. “I was kind of doing this on my own from the beginning,” she says. “I was like a lot of creative, hyperactive kids - constantly writing songs and plays, and performing with my friends in the neighborhood.”

She and her younger brother Ryan, a multiinstrumentalist, composer and bass player in the band Tennis, grew up in a household brimming with talent. Their parents are both musicians. Their mother is a singer, pianist, piano teacher and recording artist. Their upbringing definitely shaped the siblings’ future. “My brother and I were very privy to not just music, but to the music industry as well,” Tullock says. “We were in recording studios and we were able to attend live performances, so that was kind of a cool entryway to being on stage. I learned the value of why people feel connected to a live performance and I realized I wanted to make that a career.”

When Tullock was a teen, her family began spending summers in Poland. “They were working there doing music education,” she says, adding that her brother even had the opportunity to play in the Warsaw Youth Symphony. “I’ll be honest, it was a very strange chapter of our lives. It’s quite complicated, but what I will say, in the end, it provided a very cool addendum to an otherwise very American life. It’s been an incredible opportunity to have a community outside of the one we were previously accustomed to.”

Tullock says she didn’t do a lot of theater in the local Louisville scene because her family didn’t have a lot of money to spend on classes. “That was tough and it

made me jealous of kids who had those opportunities,” she says. “But, the positive in that is it required me to be creative.” As she entered her high school years, she spent time with Music Theatre Louisville, plus she performed in plays at Trinity High School.

After graduation, Tullock headed to Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Although she had been accepted into larger schools, she felt that staying in the Midwest suited her both financially and geographically. Her knowledge about the world of acting and associated disciplines flourished while attending the university.

“What’s cool about Millikin is they have an entirely functional and student-run theater called Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre,” she explains. “I was attracted to that school because you could build an interdisciplinary degree, which is what I did. I was studying playwriting and essay writing, and all the time you had this adjacent studentrun theater where you could do more

experimental stuff and put on your own plays. I already knew that I wanted to be writing plays, so that was very cool.”

One important lesson Tullock took from her time at Millikin was knowing she would have to be diligent about finding her own way in the world. “It wasn’t the kind of school that dumped you right out into a

closely connected community like you’d have in New York or Los Angeles,” she says. “I also think what I got out of the program is that there are so many options for creativity out there.”

Tullock decided to stay in the Midwest after graduating in 2006 and headed to Chicago. She appeared in plays and even

Jen with Alec Baldwin in "Before You Know It" Photo Courtesy of 1091 Pictures

wrote a one-woman show centered on her childhood obsession with singer and actress Barbra Streisand. She also began producing mockumentary shorts, but all the while knew she wanted to do something bigger. “Chicago is a great city, but it wasn’t where I saw my career longevity,” she says. She then packed her bags and headed to New York.

Her arrival at the Big Apple was, as she describes it, “pretty classic and almost obnoxiously romantic.” She had her belongings in a suitcase and $30 to her name. Fortunately, Tullock was able to find work at a variety of places. She was an assistant to a man who ran a media program at a graduate school, she waitressed, and she

I began writing stuff, and I slowly made friends and kind of became part of the downtown and Brooklyn comedy scene,” she says. She then went on to make a political satire video that went viral, and that led to her getting her first manager. She began making commercials and eventually headed to Los Angeles, where she began working steadily in television.

Tullock now makes her home in what she describes as a “cartoonishly lovely scenario,” in East Los Angeles. “We jokingly call it the compound,” she says. “I live in a beautiful, old Victorian craftsman house, and four of my six neighbors are my closest friends. We grow avocados and lemons and pomegranates, and so there’s constantly people harvesting in the backyard. It’s really cute.”

A variety of opportunities have come Tullock’s way. In 2019 she and her best friend and collaborator Hannah Pearl Utt had their feature film “Before You Know It”

premier at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Tullock says she and Utt met while waitressing in New York and they came up with the idea of writing a script together at the time. They worked on the film through several years, and after meeting up again in Los Angeles, they finished their script and took it to the Sundance Institute’s lab project. Tullock explains that the lab is somewhat like a camp for filmmakers. “The Sundance Institute at large is as supportive as can be, as far as helping to connect you with film markets and giving notes on drafts, and mentoring,” she says. “They changed our lives. I absolutely owe a huge portion, if not all, of my career to them.” Tullock even had the opportunity to work with her brother on the movie, as he wrote the score and played most of the instruments.

Their film revolves around two sisters, played by Tullock and Utt, and the trials and tribulations of their family. In the wake of a sudden family tragedy, the sisters learn that their mother, presumed deceased, is

actually alive and working as a soap-opera star, which leads them to deal with new issues. Tullock and Utt had the opportunity to learn from and work with three highly respected actors through their association at Sundance, including Judith Light (“One Life to Live,” “Who’s The Boss”), Mandy Patinkin (“The Princess Bride,” “Yentl”) and Alec Baldwin (“Beetlejuice,” “The Hunt for Red October”).

Tullock’s most recent project is a dramatic series called “Severance” on Apple TV+. The program stars actor Adam Scott (“Parks and Recreation”), with Tullock playing the role of his sister. Others involved with the production include show creator and writer Dan Erickson, actor Ben Stiller, who will direct the series, as well as Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower and Zach Cherry. “I’m really excited about it and I think Ben is an incredible director,” she says. “It’s really cool to be working with the show creator, Dan. I think he’s an incredible talent and it’s very special

because we knew each other at a very different point in our careers. It’s cool to come back together for something like this.”

Someday, Tullock says, she’d like to return home to Louisville to work on two projects she’s creating. “I’m writing a feature that I’ll also direct, produced by one of our producers from ‘Before You Know It,’” she says. “It will be like a love letter to Kentucky.” The other idea is for a semiautobiographical television series. She says she can’t divulge much about it, other than the fact that it’s about theater that takes place in churches.

Tullock says she feels incredibly lucky to be working in different mediums. She says she loves working in television because it’s so much fun, but film will always be close to her heart. And before we know it, we may see her picture smiling down on us from one of the tall, tall buildings in downtown Louisville.

ZEN AND THE ART OF NON-THINKING

Writer / Dave Schroerlucke Photography Provided

“He’s unconscious!” “She’s playing out of her mind!” These are phrases that you often hear when an athlete has entered the elusive “zone” of optimal performance, where execution seems almost effortless.

“You’re overthinking it!” “Get out of your head!” These words are likely to be uttered by coaches when an athlete is in a slump and searching for ways to recover their lost confidence.

The idea that excessive thinking disrupts performance is old news to teachers of eastern martial-arts disciplines such as archery and swordsmanship, who for centuries have been alerting students to the interfering nature of the ego and evaluative mind.

This article examines the Japanese concept of mushin, a state of non-thinking that

undergirds the practice of traditional martial arts, and considers how athletes and performers might learn to reliably cultivate such states while performing in high-stakes environments.

MUSHIN AND FLOW

“A single thought changes the path of the arrow.”

—Zen Proverb

The eastern martial arts tend to be closely associated with the spiritual traditions out of which they originated. The practice of the Japanese martial arts such as archery, swordsmanship and aikido, for example, share a deep connection with Zen Buddhist philosophy.

The Zen concept of mushin (“no-mindness”), along with the nearly synonymous munen (“no-thought-ness”), is used by instructors of these martial arts to emphasize the importance of removing

mental interference during combat or competition. Sometimes translated as “unintentional,” mushin refers to a state of consciousness that is free of intellectual deliberations or emotional disturbances of any kind.

In western psychology, the well-researched concept of “flow” is basically equivalent to mushin. When elite athletes and performers are asked to describe flow states, more commonly referred to as “being in the zone,” their descriptions inevitably include many of the defining features of mushin including merger of action and awareness, altered perception of space and time, loss of self-consciousness, and sense of effortless mastery.

The extent of the overlap between these two concepts suggests that flow might have been a thinly veiled rebranding of mushin for a Western audience. Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, the positive psychologist who coined the term “flow,” made no secret of the fact that

he is not the originator of the idea, nor of its applications, readily acknowledging that “in the east, techniques for achieving [flow] proliferated and achieved levels of enormous sophistication.”

EAST MEETS WEST

“How can you think and hit at the same time?”

—Yogi Berra

Mushin and other Zen concepts first made their way into western discourse through the efforts of early teachers of Zen philosophy, most notably D.T. Suzuki, who took up residence and began teaching on the U.S. west coast in the first half of the 20th century.

In “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind,” Suzuki explains that in order to perform optimally, conscious effort “must be given up so that it will not interfere with the fluidity of mentation and the lightning rapidity of action. The man must turn himself into a

puppet in the hands of the unconscious.”

The application of Zen ideas to sport followed closely behind. In “Zen in the Art of Archery,” Eugen Herrigel described his six-year course of training with a Japanese master of archery who “insisted upon the development of an ‘un-self-conscious’ drawing of the bow and releasing of the arrow.”

Herrigel’s book was to have a substantial impact on Western sports psychology, spawning a seemingly unending parade of “Zen and the Art of…” instructional manuals (this article included) as well as a host of other popular books in which Zen philosophy is applied to competitive sports.

THE “ZEN MASTER”

In one such book, “Sacred Hoops,” legendary NBA basketball coach Phil Jackson explains how he made use of Zen principles in creating a culture that helped

his teams win an unprecedented 11 world championships.

Jackson, affectionately referred to in popular media as the Zen master, expressed the concept of mushin in his own words: “The secret is not thinking. That doesn’t mean being stupid; it means quieting the endless jabbering of thoughts so that your body can do instinctively what it has been trained to do without the mind getting in the way.”

Jackson is careful to point out that not thinking is not the same as not being engaged. On

the contrary, by not being pulled away from the present moment by past regrets and future expectations, the athlete can become completely immersed in the action, to the extent that she is prepared to react spontaneously and intuitively to whatever the moment requires.

The clarity and fluidity of mind described

SHARE CERTIFICATE - *APY= Annual Percentage Yield. This offer, including the stated APY, is effective as of August 9, 2022. Deposits to this

maturing

or

in the

30

unless an additional $25,000 in funds transferred from another

At

certificates will not renew. Funds will be deposited to Regular Savings account. Penalty for early withdrawal. Rates and offer subject to change at any time without notice.

SUPER MONEY MARKET -*APY= Annual Percentage Yield. Rate guaranteed until March 31, 2023. Starting April 1, 2023, your Super Money Market will adjust to current non-promotional rates. You must maintain a minimum average daily balance of $250,000 in your account to obtain the disclosed APY in this advertisement. Dividends are calculated using a tiered dividend rate based on the average daily balance. Your average daily balance for the month that corresponds to the applicable account balance tier will earn the stated dividend rate. This rate will be paid on the full account balance. The highest dividend tier rate for Regular Savings will apply to balances below $50,000. Six free withdrawals per month are allowed. Withdrawals are limited to a minimum of $250 each. There are no monthly maintenance fees on this account. For fees related to the routine use of this account, please refer to the Credit Union Fee Schedule.

by Jackson is equivalent to mushin, because only the absence of evaluative thinking allows such total absorption in the present moment.

MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS

In Zen practice, the state of mushin is cultivated primarily through meditation. In fact, the word Zen originally derives from the Sanskrit word dhyana, which translates approximately as “absorption” or “meditative state.” Thus, a good starting point for athletes hoping to foster such a state is to establish a regular meditation practice.

By learning to become a detached observer or witness of the continual arising and passing away of thoughts, athletes can develop the capacity to allow the frenzied parade of thoughts to pass freely through consciousness, neither identifying with them nor trying to suppress them.

Ideally, through mindfulness practice (our name for meditation in the west) one can train the mind to enter a state of mushin both prior to and during competition, so that the inevitable arising of thoughts does not serve as an impediment to performance.

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

I get it. Meditation can be a bit of a tough sell these days.

In our age of technological hyperconnectedness, there are many sources of

potential distraction constantly beckoning for our attention. Between binge watching the latest season of “Game of Thrones” and monitoring all seven of your social media accounts, who has time to sit on a pillow and not think?

My sales strategy: Let someone else give the sales pitch. A good place to start is a popular book on the subject (perhaps the audio version). By now there are books applying Zen and mindfulness to just about everything under the sun. There are at least a dozen for golf alone. Just do a quick web search for your chosen craft and Zen/ mindfulness. You can hardly miss.

Another, perhaps better strategy is to make use of hero power (aka the “Be Like Mike” strategy). Find a superstar within the wouldbe meditator’s chosen sport or performing art who attests to the power of meditation or mindfulness. As we all know from the world of advertisement, the endorsement of cultural heroes is of inestimable value when trying to convince people to try something new.

In addition to outsourcing sales, you can also outsource training. With the number of meditation apps for your smartphone or tablet growing daily, learning meditation is now easier than ever. Insight Timer is a great free app that has all the functionality you need to start a daily practice.

My personal favorites are Waking Up (by Sam Harris) and 10% Happier (by Dan Harris, no relation). These are paid apps, but they offer far more in the way of instruction

and guidance for the beginner. Headspace is another popular meditation app, geared toward the hipster crowd, with both free and premium paid versions.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

As I explained in my article “Why We Choke,” there are multiple conflicting explanations for what causes people to choke under pressure. One point of agreement among the explanations, however, is that choking is ultimately the result of too much thinking. The antidote to the problem of excessive thinking is, of course, less thinking.

If you can learn to get yourself into the state of mushin, where you become so completely immersed in the task at hand that you are not really thinking at all, then you will have the best chance of executing what you have trained yourself to be able to do unconsciously through countless hours of practice and repetition.

Unfortunately, not thinking is not as easy as it sounds. It takes deliberate practicespecifically mindfulness practice (which is the socially accepted way of talking about meditation in the west), and a lot of it. So find yourself an app and a good cushion, and get on it.

With you in the pursuit, Dr. Dave

For more performance/mindfulness related content, visit ripeminds.com.

PARK LOUISVILLE MEMORY CARE

PEOPLE SAY THERE’S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT PARK LOUISVILLE.

It’s something you feel from the moment you visit. From premier supportive personal care services that empower residents to live with dignity, to our renowned Flourish Memory Care program. Charter Senior Living of Park Louisville creates a place where residents feel loved and treasured… because they are. Call today to ask about our move-in special!

Sue

Sue

Sue

J-TOWN CENTER

Louis Oechslin was an immigrant from Switzerland who arrived in America in 1889. He married Jefferson County native Katherine Kaelin, and the two eventually settled just outside of Jeffersontown and ran a dairy farm on Taylorsville Road. They also operated a truck farm (that is, they raised garden vegetables intended for markets), and Oechslin grew some of the largest turnips in Jefferson County.

The Oechslins had six sons to help on their farm, and they were active members of St. Edward Church. In the early 1900s they hosted several of the annual St. Edward picnics in their orchard. These picnics were not small affairs - everyone in the county was invited for 10 cents a ticket, and huge crowds attended the events.

Oechslin passed away on April 11, 1951, at the age of 84. Five years later he was followed by his beloved Kate, who passed

away at the age of 82 - she had lived on the same farm for 59 years. They were survived by their six sons, and by that time they also had 18 grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren.

During the time the Oechslins owned their farm, Jeffersontown was just a small, rural area along Taylorsville Road, and its most visible landmarks were a water tower and bus stop on the town square. In 1959, however, a developer named Jack Durrett had in mind to make some dramatic changes to the landscape of Jeffersontown - changes that would greatly increase the town’s population and spur further growth. He proposed buying the 63 acres that comprised the Oechslin farm, in order to construct a major shopping center with a 220-home development directly behind it.

There was one major caveat, however - he insisted Jeffersontown annex the land before he proceeded with the venture. Although two city council members abstained from the vote, approval was given to annex the area, which happened to be the largest

single tract of land Jeffersontown had ever annexed up to that point.

Today, annexation would seem a normal course of events, but it must be remembered that at the time the Oechslin property was taken into Jeffersontown, the city had very little to offer a major commercial development aside from police and fire protection. Durrett knew from experience (he had already created similar neighborhoods and shopping complexes in Okolona, Shively and Fern Creek) that not only would the new residential and commercial area be a success, but it would also promote progress in Jeffersontown. In fact, many older Jeffersontown residents feel the Bluegrass Industrial Park might never have been created if Durrett had not convinced city leaders that Jeffersontown had the ability to handle and sustain added growth.

The Oechslin tract cost Durrett $250,000. He immediately began work on the subdivision he dubbed Harmony Acres,

Writer / Beth Wilder Photography Provided

where all the street names would be musical - Harmony Road, Lyric Lane, Swing Drive, Ballad Boulevard and Melody Way. Shortly thereafter, construction began on the 24-unit shopping center that would face Taylorsville Road.

The J-Town Center held its grand opening on October 11, 1960, less than a year after construction began. It contained Citizens Fidelity Bank, Ranch House restaurant, Gateway Supermarket, WinnDixie, Taylor Drugs, and W.T. Grant Co., along with several small retail shops and professional offices. The development was an immediate success, and in 1961 Durrett created the post of promotion director for the center and hired Carl Shook, a veteran radio executive, to assist the various merchants with promotion efforts, as well as community and public relations programs. Within a very short time many new businesses had been added, including J-Town Bowling Lanes, Southern Supply, Duke’s Bakery, Lilyan’s

Beauty Salon, J-Town Barber Shop, Locke’s Furniture, Phillips 66, McBride Furniture, Roy’s Sporting Goods, Gibb’s Florist and the J-Town Lounge. By November of 1961 plans were already underway to add another 35,000 to 50,000 square feet, for a total of 29 businesses filling the center.

On Tuesday, September 29, 1970, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the J-Town Center for the entertainment complex that would become known as the J-Town 4 Theatres, which just so happened to be the first four-theater complex in metropolitan Louisville.

In July of 1972, Sunday sales became legal in Jeffersontown, but it was up to individual business owners to decide if it was worth the effort and increase in payroll. Most had mixed feelings about the prospect. Joe Williams, the manager of McJohn’s Shoes, felt the people in Jeffersontown were used to the notion that Sunday should be a day of rest. Still, most business owners were

Jack Durrett, founder of Jtown Center & Harmony Acres, signing papers for a business that leased space at the Center

willing to give Sunday sales a try, and it proved successful in the long run.

Needless to say, various businesses came and went over time - far more than can possibly be listed here - but the J-Town Center thrived under the management of Durrett, who personally operated the center for 26 years before selling it in 1986. During the years he remained the president of J-Town Center, Inc., Durrett saw to it that more additions and regular facelifts were made to the complex, and he actively participated in events to support the City of Jeffersontown and its various organizations, such as allowing the Jeffersontown Optimist Club to sell Christmas trees at the center. In fact, when Mayor Franklin Chambers was hesitant to allow the first Gaslight Festival to be held on the newly renovated town square in 1970, Durrett immediately offered to host it at the J-Town Center instead.

Now known as Jeffersontown Commons, the shopping center continues to flourish,

The Oechslin family's Onion Farm, where town Center was later built.

FOR BY SUSAN TYLER WITTEN FOR STATE REP

providing residents easy access to myriad retail stores and businesses. The shopping center will always prove to be a favorite location in Jeffersontown, and several generations of Jeffersontown residents will no doubt tell you that the J-Town Center in its early years helped shape the world in which they lived. People still bemoan the loss of W.T. Grant Co., the J-Town 4 Theatres, and so many other businesses that were once a part of their daily lives. Time marches on, however, and things change, not the least of which is the landscape of Taylorsville Road. So far as Jeffersontown is concerned, however, that busy stretch of establishments and neighborhoods can thank a man named Jack Durrett for having the foresight to encourage growth in the tiny rural town that Jeffersontown was at the time, and the faith to know that given the chance, the City of Jeffersontown and its citizens would not only accept it, but build upon it in the years to come.

M M A N U S I C

CONNER KINMON IS INSPIRING A LOVE OF MUSIC

taken over the baton.

Kinmon is a native of Kentucky, hailing from the city of Williamstown in the northern part of the state. He attended Williamstown Independent Schools, which encompasses the elementary, middle and high school on one campus.

many in the 12th grade. He wanted to drop out immediately.

The Eastern High School band has held a lofty position in the arena of marching organizations for many years, winning a multitude of awards and grand championships within the county, the commonwealth and even in neighboring states. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to take a peek inside the band class area, the room is teeming with trophies that showcase the band’s years of success and accomplishments.

The pandemic, along with other circumstances, brought the marching band’s rehearsals and performances to a silencing halt. The band director who had been with the school for more than 20 years parted ways, but an interim director stepped in to keep the program afloat. Now, it’s the dawning of a new day for this well-respected group of young performers as a new director, 27-year-old Conner Kinmon, has

This talented director began his musical career while in the sixth grade. His instrument: the trumpet.

“My dad was very insistent that I did band,” he says.

Both of his parents played instruments in school - his dad played trombone and his mom clarinet - but neither of them ever took it to a professional level to teach music. “At Williamstown, the band was pretty much the only thing that was any good,” Kinmon says. “They had just won two state championships in marching band. The athletics weren’t very much. Everyone who was in band was super proud to be a part of the program. I figured it was a good place to be.”

Kinmon admits that after he began with the program, he wasn’t too sure if it was quite right for him. As a seventh grader, he was playing and marching with older students,

“I begged my father to let me quit after my first day,” he says. “I was definitely in over my head. Everyone else seemed to know more of what they were doing than I did, and seventh graders don’t always fit in with seniors. I grew up really quickly to make sure I wasn’t that annoying little seventh grader. My dad encouraged me to stick with it, and I guess the rest is history, as they say.”

Kinmon did continue with the program through his senior year, and he had the distinct pleasure of being taught by Robert Gregg, a well-known band director in the state of Kentucky.

Kinmon confesses that the trumpet wasn’t his first instrument of choice.

“I originally wanted to play the mellophone,” he says. “When I asked about it, the band director said it wasn’t an instrument you can start out on, so he said, ‘What about the trumpet?’ I said, ‘Sure.’”

Kinmon explains that he decided to stay with the trumpet because there is a history of great trumpet players at Williamstown.

“I had some really great role models in the

Writer / Julie Engelhardt Photography Provided

older students,” he says.

After graduation, Kinmon went on to the University of Kentucky (UK) to continue his music education, stating that he was afforded many opportunities there that he may not have had elsewhere. He also formed a very tight network of friends and colleagues.

“I was able to play in a variety of really highperforming ensembles, I got to study with great teachers, and being in Lexington, I got plugged into the band director scene there,” he says.

Also while in college, Kinmon began working as a trumpet teacher at Lafayette High School, and he also taught private music lessons.

In college Kinmon was involved with the symphony orchestra, jazz ensembles, chamber groups and others.

“You name it, and I was a part of it,” he says. “I probably overcommitted. There was one particular semester I was in nine different groups, and sometimes I’d be playing from the morning to late at night.”

After Kinmon graduated from UK with a bachelor’s degree in music and music education, he began his career in teaching as a substitute instructor in Lexington.

“I had the opportunity to be in so many different classrooms, and in front of bands and general population classes,” he says. “I feel that extra time really prepared me for my first year of teaching.”

When the next school year was about to begin, Kinmon went on the job hunt applying for music director positions.

“I applied for everything,” he says. “I stopped counting after submitting 30 applications. I cast a wide net to see what I could land.”

His search landed him a job at Henderson County High School as director of bands. “Henderson has been a lot of fun and I’m fortunate that I came in at a really good time,” he explains. “We’ve had a lot of success. We improved a lot, going from 15th place in marching band to achieving eighth place in 2019. The wind ensemble was selected to perform at the Kentucky Music Educators Association conference in 2021, which was a great honor for the band

program.”

Although they weren’t able to perform in person, they did send in a recording of their performance to the conference. Kinmon is also proud of the fact that the number of students participating in the program grew from 68 students to 105 under his tutelage.

“The kids in the band really advocate for themselves,” he says. “We all try to promote

a positive atmosphere.”

Although Kinmon was quite happy at Henderson, he had heard through the band director grapevine that a position had opened up at Eastern for director of bands. His wife is a graduate of Eastern High, and she actually played flute in the band. He began doing his research, and eventually threw his hat into the ring. He was hired by the school this past spring.

“Eastern is probably one of the most admirable positions and programs in the state,” he says. “This was an opportunity to be part of something with a great history. This opportunity was too great to pass up. I’m excited about Eastern, and the opportunity to collaborate with the symphony orchestra and working with the choir. All of the fine arts programs at Eastern are so strong.”

Although the band’s summer season started out slowly, Kinmon did have small gatherings and meet-and-greets with the students and their families, at school and at Wetherby Park.

“We’re so excited to get started and to be a part of the Middletown community,” Kinmon says. “From an outsider’s perspective, the community really heavily supports the band program. Middletown is a very unique place. It’s pretty awesome what the community does to support all of Eastern High School.”