Middletown Magazine December 2022

LOVELY LOCKS

EMMA JUSTINE COLOR & EXTENSION LOUNGE HAS BECOME A TOP SALON DESTINATION

After graduating from hair school in 2009, Amie Migirova dreamt of opening up her own salon - but not just your average, runof-the-mill salon. She and her husband, Nison Migirov, wanted to create a place that would offer clients something special, in a welcoming atmosphere that shined. She didn’t have great past experiences working in salons. Therefore, she was intent on

establishing a positive workplace culture for both guests and employees.

“It’s common for stylists to either get burnt out from working long hours, or dread coming to work because they don’t have supportive management, co-workers or mentors,” Amie says.

Amie and Nison wanted to put down roots in the right location. Five years ago they came across a property in the heart of Middletown on historic Main Street. After working through some red tape and tackling extensive renovations to the property, the couple celebrated the grand opening of Emma Justine Color & Extension Lounge in October of 2018, complete with a cocktail party, an open bar, ice sculptures and a deejay. This past October they celebrated four years in business.

Following their inaugural year in business, they won Salon Today’s Salon of the Year award in 2019. They also received the Phorest Client Experience Award for providing exceptional guest experiences, based on ratings and comments by clientele. In addition, in June of 2022 the business was named to Inc.’s annual Best Workplaces list.

After collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. selected 475 honorees this year. The list is the result of a comprehensive measurement of American companies that have excelled in creating exceptional workplaces and company culture. It’s no wonder that Emma Justine made the list. Amie and Nison are extremely selective about the individuals they hire to join their team. They focus not only on existing skill sets, but also on each individual’s aptitude towards learning, and on overall personality

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

and attitude.

This is because they want to maintain a salon team that doesn’t compete with one another, but rather motivates one another. This means that if a stylist is busy, overwhelmed or running behind, another stylist will step in to help. This type of team structure is not typical of a standard salon, and guests regularly comment on how nice it is that everyone works together.

“The beauty industry as a whole has a reputation for being catty and full of drama,” Amie says. “That’s not us. We want to make sure that both our guests and our team members are taken care of.”

This is why bringing the right people on board is key. The team has to have a desire to help one another in order for that vibe to come across and be authentic. Nison and Amie interviewed a team member who was so miserable in her previous styling job that she was on the verge of changing careers.

Getting hired by Amie and Nison changed the trajectory of her life.

In keeping with the focus on taking care of her team, Amie came up with a unique idea in January of 2021 - one that everyone initially thought was crazy.

“The salon is closed three Saturdays a month so that the team doesn’t have to work every weekend,” says Amie, who, at one point in her life, worked every single night and weekend. “I wanted a healthy work-life balance for the team because people are happier when they get to spend time with their families.”

Years ago when Amie and Nison were dating, Nison’s grandmother, who didn’t speak any English, thought early on that Amie’s name was Emma, and they never corrected her. She has since passed away, and the couple decided to honor her by naming the salon Emma (rather than Amie) Justine.

When it comes to financially investing in their team’s continued education, the owners raise the standard by investing tens of thousands of dollars every year into education. This includes an in-depth apprentice program, monthly in-house trainings, in-salon guest-led trainings, as well as out-of-state trainings, seminars and certification programs.

As the name of the business suggests, the team specializes in hair extensions, blonding and complex coloring services. They hold 11 different extensions certifications, leading the Louisville area in the extension service category.

“That’s something we pride ourselves in - always having an extensive selection of luxury hair extensions in stock, from the brightest blonde to the darkest black, with different length options,” Nison says. “This is not something that salons typical invest in. When you walk into our salon, you’ll see long racks of beautiful, flowing hair

extensions on the wall. It’s our statement piece. This is how we truly signify what we specialize in.”

When people think of extensions, they might envision clip-ins, and while there are different kinds of extension methods, at Emma Justine they specialize in semipermanent, hand-tied extensions that are colored and customized for each guest, to create a seamless blend.

“You can take a shower with this hair, go to sleep with this hair, go to the beach with this hair, put it in a ponytail,” Amie says. “They are virtually invisible.”

Some guests suffer hair loss as a result of chemotherapy or other medical issue. Others may simply want to add thickness or length to their locks. Regardless of circumstance, hair is often tied to one’s self-esteem.

“If someone previously had thick, natural

hair and is now experiencing hair loss or suffering from alopecia, that’s a big blow to their self-confidence,” Amie says. “We’re not only creating confidence, but giving it back to them. We make them feel the way they felt before experiencing hair loss, and it’s life-changing.”

Guests have shared that they began to shy away from activities they once enjoyed because they were self-conscious of their hair loss. “I’ve had women tell me that they literally weren’t leaving their house anymore because they didn’t want to be seen,” Amie says. “They no longer felt pretty, feminine or confident. One of my guests actually quit her job because of her hair loss.”

Some of these women are able to benefit from crown extensions and, as a result, their hair and their lives have been transformed.

“One guest told me that when she first had her consultation about crown extensions, she felt it was pricey, but after receiving the

service she indicated it was worth every penny,” Amie says.

This is why the salon’s motto is, “Feel bold. Feel beautiful. Feel confident.” Their mission statement is, “To create a one-of-akind salon experience that is led by a team with exceptional talent.”

“We are very proud of each of the team members and their successes,” Amie says. “We wouldn’t be here without them. But most importantly, we are grateful that we can provide this transformative experience to guests that truly need it, whether it’s due to hair loss or just to boost one’s selfesteem.”

Emma Justine Color & Extension Lounge is located at 11511 Main Street in Louisville. For more information, call 502-3845561 or visit emmajustinesalon.com. To see some transformations, check out emmajustinesalon on Instagram.

Years Of

Experience

THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS

LOCALS TAKE DIFFERENT PATHS TO BECOMING MRS. CLAUS

Writer / Julie Engelhardt Photography Provided

Discovering when Mrs. Claus first appeared on the scene results in conflicting information. One report states she is first mentioned in an 1849 short story called ‘The Christmas Legend,’ written by missionary James Rees. In the story, a couple disguises themselves in angel-like clothing while traveling to seek shelter with a family.

A bit more research reveals that although there were occasional references made about Mrs. Claus in the 19th century, it wasn’t until 1881 when an issue of ‘Harper’s Young People’ featured a poem by Margaret Eytinge’s poem entitled ‘Mistress Santa Claus’ appeared, featuring Santa’s good-natured wife.

Earliest depictions of Mrs. Claus portray her

Laura Jo Uber

as having a no-nonsense, take- charge attitude. Yet, during the last 100 years or so, her character seems to have mellowed some, and she is often depicted as kind, patient helpmate.

Barbie Mueller, who was raised in Louisville, made her first appearance as Mrs. Claus in 2008.

“I lived in Missouri at the time, volunteering at the parks and rec department,” she says. “My friend, Miss Amy, asked if I would want to be Mrs. Claus at the breakfast with Santa.”

This request hit home with Mueller, as her father had played Santa for many years for family and friends and at a local club he belonged to.

“Earlier that year, my Mama had passed away and Daddy had a stroke that left him in a nursing home,” she says. “Needless to say, it was not a good year. Nothing would be the same. When Amy asked me, I teared up, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since.”

Portraying the Claus family definitely runs in Mueller’s family, as her younger brother, Michael, now makes appearances as Santa.

Mueller keeps extremely busy as Mrs. Claus. She visits daycare centers, nursing homes, schools and retail stores.

“I love being Mrs. Claus!” she says.

Amanda Spalding is a Louisville native who now lives in Prospect. She began her journey portraying Mrs. Claus several years ago alongside her Santa husband, Jay Kluckhohn. Their first appearances began in 2018 with small events and visits, but during the past four years, they have been invited to participate in wellknown events in the area.

Spalding says that she has grown significantly over the years in her role as Mrs. Claus and as a member of the Holiday Performer Community.

She’s served on the board of directors for IBRBS, which was formerly known as the International Brotherhood of Real

Bearded Santas. The organization officially took on ‘IBRBS’ moniker when Mrs. Clauses were added as full members.

Spalding says. “I’ve been able to speak at the International Santa Organizations conference, at local organizations and I’m a subject matter expert for the Santa Nana

“I always have my business cards with me, and I talk to people in places that we patronize,” she says. “We’ve gotten referrals from word of mouth, and that’s how we worked with the Louisville Orchestra in 2021. I’m also working out the details for two solo Mrs. Claus events.”

They’ve even been the featured Clauses at Westport Village’s ‘All is Bright’ celebration.

Amanda and Jay have had wonderful experiences as Santa and Mrs. Claus, but Amanda says there is one moment that she will always remember.

“At Westport Village, a family from Columbia was walking by us. The children were whispering about Santa.  The whole family’s eyes lit up when I wished them a Merry Christmas and asked what they wanted for Christmas in Spanish.  And it’s always awesome when the children shout “It’s Santa and he brought Mrs. Claus!”

In last year’s edition we featured Laura Jo Uber’s husband, Michael, who can be seen zipping around Oldham County and Louisville in his little, red, toy car with Laura sitting right beside him.

Uber began portraying Mrs. Claus in 2011 when Michael began his Santa journey.

“I almost exclusively appear only in tandem with my hubby Santa,” she says. “I wanted to be his Mrs. Claus because it seemed it would be fun and extraordinarily effective since we have been married so long… we easily portray a married couple.”

Laura and Michael have appeared at many community events, including Light Up La Grange, sleigh rides with Santa at the Paddock Shops, a night at the Kentucky Science Center with Santa, Oldham County Day parade, Shop Small in La Grange and Boy Scouts Christmas events.

Donna Clontz

Amanda Spalding

“My favorite is Light Up La Grange because we have been doing this long enough now that we see the same children that used to be babies in our laps,” says Uber. “It is also our hometown and families know us and we have a bond with many of them. We also do a very lager party for a gentleman who invites many families into his home. We see these children each year and have seen the families grow and grow.”

Portraying Mrs. Claus and Santa often takes a lot of work and research. The Ubers frequently travel to conventions where they can hone their holiday skills.

“Together, my Santa hubby and I have attended the International University for Santas school which gave a great deal of background on the history of Santa,” Uber says. We have gone to Santa gatherings in Santa Claus, Indiana, where they gave workshops on everything from makeup to sign language. They also had a market available where suits and accessories can

be bought. The largest event we have done is the Discover Santa event in Branson, Missouri, where more than 750 Santas, Mrs. Clauses and elves gather to have fun and train at offered workshops.”

Donna Clontz began her journey into the Mrs. Claus world in 2011 when the Belle of Louisville was looking for someone to play Santa for their Santa cruise.

Clontz was working for the Belle at that time in their accounting office, and she let them know that her husband Tom had been portraying Santa for many years for family and friends.

“They said, ‘oh, really?’ Well, maybe you guys can do it, because we need a Mrs. Claus, too!” she says.

“I was like okaaaay…,” Donna says. “I went out and got all the stuff together, the red dress, the apron and the little hat. We did the first one on the ‘Spirit of Jefferson.’ It’s

always been Santa and Mrs. Claus together.”

Clontz says that during their first time as the Clauses on that cruise, they would appear from behind a screen at the back of the boat and would visit with the kids during breakfast. The kids would tell Santa what they wanted and then they would do fun activities like the limbo, the chicken dance and the Hokey Pokey.

“I help Santa. That’s kind of my thing,” Clontz says.

The Clontzes will continue to appear on the riverboat three times this year. Other appearances during the past few years also include working with the Louisville Philharmonic.

When asked what she loves most about being Mrs. Claus her answer is: “I enjoy watching Tom with the kids, it’s so cool to see. “He’s happy and the kids are just overjoyed and so excited!”

LOUISVILLE ZOO OFFERS OUTLET

Writer / Julie Engelhardt Photography Provided

For many Louisville children, a visit to the zoo can be a leisurely way to spend the day in the community. It’s pretty much a normal activity they’ve done numerous times with family or friends. Yet, for other kids in Louisville, seeing a real rhino or a long-necked giraffe for the first time can be inspirational—even quite therapeutic for some.

These are children who live a life which many aren’t familiar with. They live in areas where they’ve grown up witnessing gun play and gun violence on their streets and possibly even in their own homes. Some are just babies or very young children.

Yet, thanks to one man who is making a

powerful impact in the community, some of these children are being offered a chance to escape the violence of their neighborhoods and look towards a safer future. He is Christopher 2X, the founder and Executive Director of the non-profit organization Christopher 2X Game Changers.

“Game Changers is a continuum of what I’ve been doing for these many years--reaching out to kids who are unfortunately impacted by violent crime issues in Louisville,” 2X says. “When I say kids, they are 4 to 13 years old. Kids either directly, or in their family, suffer from secondary trauma as it relates to this plague from the public health side.”

Game Changers goal is to create the best possible way to link and connect resources

and to help these children understand there is more to their world than what they know.

“We’re trying to get families into better spaces with their kids,” 2X says. “We need to understand that we might not be able to change their environment, but we want to give them some healthy options to look at so they don’t follow a direct family member or someone in their family’s friendship circle and become part of this reckless, violent culture situation that’s going to be detrimental to these kids’ lives.”

One program initiated by Game Changers is Future Healers, an innovative idea involving reaching out into the community to help these kids.

The first phase of Future Healers began

when 2X started working with the University of Louisville Hospital. They brought in children to meet and learn from physicians. The post on the U of L Health site says:

“This outreach program is focused on building stronger bridges between the Louisville health care community and our city’s youth most impacted by gun violence. Our goal is to introduce more youth to the field of medicine while helping them navigate through the emotional trauma that stems from the increasing violence currently plaguing their communities. Through compassion, mentorship, and advocacy, this program will do its part to uplift and empower our city’s young individuals to aspire for better futures for themselves and for the communities in which they reside.”

The second phase of Future Healers premiered in September 2022 and its home base is the Louisville Zoo. This idea started through a chance encounter between 2X

and the Assistant Director of Conservation Education and Collections at the zoo, Steven Taylor.

“So much of it is being in the right place at the right time,” says Taylor.

“I was at work on a Saturday and Chris had brought out the Future Healers to the zoo. I ran into him down at our Gorilla Forest Sanctuary and stopped and introduced myself and spoke to him just for a minute about his program and how excited I was that it was in place,” Taylor explains. “I told him I would love to talk him when he got a chance; to see if there was something maybe we can do at the zoo to help. Our little impromptu meeting got us both excited and that led to a series of conversations right after that and about the potential of what we might be able to do. The rest is history.”

They began by bouncing ideas off each other to understand what would be involved with a program at the zoo. After many

discussions, the children who were to be involved chose the name “Future Healers Got Zoo Buddies.”

Kim Allgeier, Curator of Conservation Education at the zoo, plays an integral role in this new venture.

“Steven and I met with Chris about the Future Healers program and what they’re doing with the kids,” she says. “I was brought in to develop the partnership in this relationship, how we could work with the families and the kids and what the potential would be. From there, I have been the person who has developed the curriculum and I will be involved with the kids and families for the longevity of the program.”

The first meetings involved talking with 2X to get to know more about the children that would be participating. 2X hand selected 17 children, from ages 4 to 13, to participate. He says that these specific children were chosen based upon his knowledge of their families and which ones would be fully invested in helping with the program.

“We had the kids come out and we did some introductions and I actually had a meeting with the families. We used that to introduce ourselves to them,” Allgeier says. “We had activities set up for the kids and some animals they could meet, but that was really our opportunity to talk to the parents and caregivers directly and kind of set the tone of what we were hoping to get from them as part of the program and really get their buy in.”

The children, along with their parents or caregivers, will participate in 10 different day sessions for a couple of hours that are scheduled monthly. The families of the children 4 to 8 years old will be doing one activity, and the families of the children 9 to 13 years old will be involved with another project. Then, they all join together during the second half of their day to have a zoowide experience.

Taylor and Allgeier are very excited about this program and cannot wait to see where the future takes them. The program is different because there is no specific end date each year. The children will continue until they’re 13 years old, then they have the option of becoming a junior volunteer if they so choose to do so.

“The thing that is really special about this is that we put in a lot of focus and intent, not necessarily on the science content that the kids are going to be doing, but we put a lot of emphasis on building relationships with them, building trust with them and building engagement with their families,” Allgeier says.

Allgeier and Taylor want these families to get to know them and the zoo staff on a deeper level.

“We want those families to know who we are… we want them to know us by our first names and we want to know their first names,” she says. “We want to understand their kids and we want to be able to help them along their personal journey.”

Christopher 2X Game Changers is located at 1800 Muhammad Ali Blvd, Suite 2D2, Louisville, Ky 40203. You can reach them at chris@2xgamechangers.org or visit www.2xgamechangers.org.

Therapy session

Where the Heart Is

Therapy session

Writer / Renee Larr Photography Provided

Home of the Innocents in Louisville was founded in 1880 by Dr. James Taylor Helm, Episcopalian minister of Christ Church in Louisville, to enrich the lives of children and families.

In 1972 it was relocated to a facility on East Chestnut Street. Subsequently the organization took over child-care programs that had been run by the county government, and pediatric services provided by the old Jewish Convalescent Home for Children.

The 20-acre campus in NuLu can accommodate the needs of the community’s

most desperate children. The Home has offered assistance to more than 10,000 children and families. As a nonprofit, it offers residential and community-based behavioral health services, therapeutic foster care and adoption services, supportive services for homeless young adults, and long-term care for medically complex or terminally ill children.

“We do this with 13 different programs within our organization,” says Meredith Pack, director of communications. “That is split up between our residential and emergency shelter, pediatric convalescent center, and community services.”

The pediatric convalescent center serves as a skilled-nursing facility providing short-

term, long-term and respite care for children from birth to age 21. These children face significant medical, developmental and physical disabilities. Many are on supportive technology such as feeding tubes or ventilators.

“When the children arrive here, their condition is typically too acute to be hospitalized,” Pack says. “We have a 76-bed facility staffed with doctors, nurses and all types of therapists. They get all the medical care they require, while still having normal childhood experiences like attending school and participating in activities such as community outings, swimming, creating art projects, and music therapy.”

The residential and emergency shelter

HOME OF THE INNOCENTS IS HELPING TO DRIVE LOCAL CHANGE THROUGH MULTIPLE PROGRAMS

provides residential care for children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned, for a period of a few days to a few years in some cases. The Home staff members step in when a child is removed from an unsafe living situation. The Home is available to receive children 24/7, 52 weeks per year. Kids stay in the emergency shelter until a more permanent and suitable situation is found.

“These children are here because of a

situation they encountered, whether that be abuse, abandonment or neglect,” Pack says. “They’re here with us to get the treatment they need until they can be reunited with their family, if it’s safe, or enter a foster-care adoption program. We have room for up to 90 kids based on the need.”

Home of the Innocents also offers community-based services such as Pathways HOME, behavioral health services, Parents Acquiring Skills and Strength, Safe Exchange,

aquatic therapy and Project Keepsafe. Pathways HOME provides safe and secure housing and services for homeless young adults from 18 to 24 years old.

“Many times, people come to us through the judicial system,” Pack says. “All these programs aim to educate people and break the cycle. We provide ways to help identify ways to overcome the barriers and challenges of growing up in today’s environment. We’re giving

Graduation

Therapy session

them the foundation and skills to be fully independent.”

The therapy pool is fully accessible for those with special considerations, equipped with an aquatic wheelchair, a stretcher lift, a zerodepth entry ramp and an exercise bench.

The facility also offers a splash pad for small children, and aquatic exercise equipment including stationary bikes, treadmills and an elliptical machine. In addition to locker rooms featuring lifts and adjustable shower tables, there are also family changing rooms. The saltwater pool has a ultraviolet filter and is heated to 92 degrees for therapeutic benefit.

Pack says the aquatic center benefits the children at Home of the Innocents greatly. The floating sensation allows them to move their limbs in a way that they might not be able to on dry land. She says it’s utilized as a behavior incentive for children in the residential and emergency shelter.

Project Keepsafe allows parents to voluntarily place their children in a licensed foster home situation, so that they can seek treatment for addiction, mental health problems or physical illness. This enables the parent to focus on healing themselves while ensuring the safety and well-being of their children.

“This program provides an opportunity for the parent to remain as the custodian of their child while they seek the medical help they need,” Pack says. “The child is placed in a very safe, skilled environment with as minimal changes to their normal routine as possible. It’s a great way for parents to take care of themselves while knowing they will be reunited with their child.”

Kendra Simon, outreach coordinator, says it’s important to remember the children they serve could be your friends’ or neighbors’ kids.

“People often think we have mostly babies

here at the home, but really we serve mostly teens and adolescents,” Simon says. “It’s important for people to keep this in mind when they want to help our organization. Frequently, people want to help provide infant and baby supplies, but we need things like board games, personal hygiene products and clothing for teens and youth. It’s also important to note that we can only accept new items.”

There are several ways people can get involved with Home of the Innocents, including hosting a fundraiser, supporting a collection drive, selecting Home of the Innocents as a charitable recipient at Kroger, AmazonSmile, or Nanz & Kraft Florists, and attending an information session.

“We’re helping more than just the population of Louisville,” Pack says. “Through our various programming throughout the state, we serve Kentucky’s greater commonwealth.”

Cheryl Wimsatt has hosted a toy drive and craft show benefitting the Home for the last six years. This year’s event is on December 10 from noon to 6 p.m. at Bud’s Tavern (9119 Galene Drive in Louisville). She also accepts donations at her hair salon, Looks Hair & Nail Salon (201 Breckenridge Lane, Suite 103 in St. Matthews), throughout the holiday season.

“I was compelled to help Home of the Innocents because these kids have been through so much,” Wimsatt says. “Often, they’re the victims of abuse or neglect, and the Home helps protect them from those situations. I just want these kids to have a good day when they receive these toys, and to know people in the community care about them.”

Home of the Innocents is located at 1100 East Market Street in Louisville. To learn more and to get involved, call 502-596-1000 or visit homeoftheinnocents.org.

Cheryl Wimsatt

VILLAGE CROSSING RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

We all strive for autonomy in our lives. However, relaxation sure is nice too. At Village Crossing Retirement Community, residents can enjoy the best of both worlds. It’s an all-inclusive community, and seniors pay a monthly expense that covers electricity, gas, WiFi, landline, entertainment, maintenance and all meals. Weekly housekeeping is also included.

“There are no surprises for families because they are able to count on that monthly expense,” says Kelly Jo Hinrichs, vice president of marketing at Village Crossing Retirement Community.

The meals alone are a primary hook, as they are healthy and made fresh daily.

“We don’t do freezer to oven to table,” she says, noting that they have an executive chef, a sous-chef and a full culinary team, including a dining room supervisor so that residents have access to all kinds of choices and variety. “It’s good, healthy living and eating.”

They have a chef’s pantry that’s open 24 hours a day for residents who want to grab a prepackaged, grab-and-go salad or sandwich.

“Those are made daily and packaged by our culinary team,” Hinrichs says. They also have a pizza and sandwich station that’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so if a senior is craving a burger at 3 in the afternoon, they can step up, ring a bell, and someone will come out and make it for them.

“It’s food when you’re hungry,” Hinrichs says. All food is included, so residents don’t have to pay extra for that 3 p.m. burger.

Residents also appreciate not having to deal with maintenance issues, whether it’s changing a lightbulb or fixing their washer and dryer (which are included in every apartment unit). They offer 24hour concierge services and valet parking as well.

Village Crossing plans a robust calendar of events and activities for seniors, which includes a variety of health and wellness programs. They line up guest speakers and offer dances, fitness classes, educational

talks, and volunteer opportunities through which residents can participate in events with the community at large.

“We focus on making sure residents really do live their best life,” she says.

Though Village Crossing is an independent-living community, they have a home care provider located in the community if a senior needs that support.

“That’s contracted out since we are independent living, but we do have them on premises for our residents’ convenience,” she says.

At Village Crossing the managers live on-site, which means they are extra attentive and always available to residents.

Seniors can choose from a variety of floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, twobedroom and three-bedroom options, all with full-sized kitchen appliances.

Village Crossing

2400 Arnold Palmer Blvd. Louisville, KY 502-694-3740 rlcommunities.com

“When families start talking to their loved ones about the possibility of moving into a retirement community, the answer they often hear is, ‘I’m just not ready yet,’” Hinrichs says. “After they move in, however, I consistently hear, ‘I wish I would have done this sooner.’”

Hinrichs encourages anyone interested in learning more about Village Crossing to stop by for a tour or join them for lunch. Just call the community and the concierge can help set it up.

IDEAS TO PUT THE JOLLY IN YOUR HOLIDAYS 7

Writer / Aimee MacArthur Photography Provided

When I think of the holiday season, I think of snowy afternoons spent in front of a roaring fire listening to holiday music. I get excited about trees dusted with snow, displaying the Advent calendar and hanging up strings of lights around the outside of the house. The kids are home from school and it’s time to play games, work on crafts and other activities for them to do. There is always a lot happening during the holidays and a full calendar of events can seem daunting. Don’t worry. I’m here to help and share a few ways I try to stay merry throughout the season. Here are seven ideas to put the jolly in your holidays. I’m wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy and blessed holiday season.

TWINKLE, TWINKLE

SEE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS

Is there anything more festive than going to see holiday light displays? I don’t think so. My family has a tradition where we visit our local light show. We visit a drive-thru light display and see the millions of flickering lights set to holiday music. We marvel at all the hard work and magic put into decorating for all of us to enjoy. Don’t forget your neighborhood holiday light displays. You can search online for listings of holiday displays near you.

YAY, YULETIDE!

ATTEND A HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OR PARADE

There are always a handful of holiday festivals and parades in most cities and towns. My friends and I like to put on our cheeriest winter wear (I have a hat with the word “jingle” on it) and visit a local Christmas festival. I enjoy looking at the decorations and seeing happy kids waiting in line to meet Santa Claus. There are even a few reindeer you can feed treats to while you wait to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. We buy hot cocoa and sugar cookies and listen to carolers while we pop in and out of local stores and pick up last-minute gifts. After you attend a holiday festival or parade, you will be singing “Jingle Bells” in no time.

VISIT A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

I have so many childhood memories of visiting the local Christmas tree farm and picking out a tree to bring home. It took about an hour to get to the tree farm, but the beautiful country drive was worth it. We passed the time by talking about what kind of tree and what size tree we wanted. Our favorite tree farm is beautiful and filled with hundreds of trees. The smell of fresh pine just gets me in the holiday spirit. It smells so earthy and woodsy. My go-to tree is Frasier fir, but there are so many trees to choose from. I also like to pick up fresh garland, a wreath and some mistletoe to hang over the doorway.

WINTER WONDERLAND

ICE SKATING, SKIING, SNOWBOARDING AND MORE

Visit your local indoor or outdoor ice rink and practice on your spins, turns or just glide along with the best of them. I have so many cheery memories of visiting my local skating rink during the holidays. I’m not the best skater and fall a few times, but it is so much fun. If ice skating isn’t your best sport, try skiing, sledding or snowboarding. I’m better at skiing and there’s nothing I enjoy more than spending a day at the slopes with friends. If there isn’t snow near you, try driving a few hours north to find a ski resort.

GO TO A HOLIDAY CONCERT OR CHRISTMAS SHOW

I grew up listening to Johnny Mathis’ Christmas albums. Make a Christmas playlist and share it with family and friends. Consider attending a holiday concert or Christmas show. My neighbor and her family attend the symphony orchestra holiday concert every year. They say it’s a wonderful night with joyful holiday songs. It fills them with Christmas cheer for at least a month. I also enjoy attending productions of “A Christmas Carol” or “The Nutcracker.”

Joey

HOST A WHITE ELEPHANT PARTY

Is there any party as fun as a white elephant party? I don’t think so. If you haven’t been to one, now is the time. My aunt hosts an annual white elephant and holiday sweater party. She sets a limit of $25 for funny and impractical gifts. Each guest is required to bring a white elephant gift and wear an over-the-top holiday sweater. My aunt provides food (small bites like meatballs, mini mac and cheese, mini slider sandwiches, stuffed mushrooms and chocolate peppermint cupcakes) and drinks (hot cocoa and mulled cider) and later the guests decide the rules for swapping gifts. It’s a party filled with merriment. My aunt awards prizes for the funniest gifts and the best holiday sweaters.

HOLIDAY TREATS

BAKE AND SHARE YOUR MOST CHERISHED AND FESTIVE COOKIES

I have a favorite holiday cookie. It’s my mom’s decorated butter cutout cookie. The cookies are in the shape of bells, reindeer, stars, snowmen and all sorts of delightful holiday shapes. My mom and I make dozens of cookies to give to family and friends. Spend an afternoon baking and make up baskets and plates to give to family, friends and neighbors. A good friend makes plates of cookies and other treats for delivery drivers, mail carriers and trash collectors. It brings me great satisfaction to share homemade treats. I try to deliver the cookies as soon as I make them, so I’m not tempted to eat an entire plate of cookies. Believe me, it’s hard not to sneak a few cookies here and there.

NATURAL WONDERS

Writer / Erin Kinnetz Photography Provided

Recently, while checking out an area for a school program in Beckley Creek Park, The Parklands of Floyds Fork’s education staff came across some very unusual animal signs. We found blood, and a lot of it. While we know that violence is a part of our park ecosystem, it isn’t very often that we get such an intimate look at the events in some of our animals’ lives. While a bit upsetting, it was also very exciting to piece together their story.

I’m going to give you the facts and my interpretation of them, but keep in my mind that we will never know the complete story and there may be a better interpretation out there.

Before we came across the blood, while walking through an open field we saw a large buck heading south into the forest. He was one of the biggest whitetail bucks I’ve seen this year and had a substantial rack on his head. I wasn’t able to photograph this deer as it was only a brief encounter.

We headed into the forest, moving away from the buck. We were loosely following the creek when we saw another, smaller buck cross the creek ahead of us. This second buck paused and I was able to snap a few pictures as he turned to check us out. He appeared fine and had no visible injuries, but he only showed us one side of his body.

After the deer gracefully picked his way up the bank and out of sight, we discovered the blood - fresh, red blood

that had been spilled so recently that it had not oxidized in the slightest. It was not only a spot of blood, but also a trail of drips and larger splashes. First we followed it to the creek and it seemed to follow along the same path across the creek as the second buck we had just seen. While he didn’t seem injured, it also didn’t seem likely that another animal had passed by so recently, following that same trail. Crossing the icy cold creek was not a safe option for us, especially if it meant cornering a potentially injured deer.

Instead, we opted to follow the blood trail back to where it came from. We followed the drips, occasionally pausing as they were spaced out in some areas, as maybe the deer had taken a leap. In other areas the blood flowed a little more heavily, perhaps as the deer paused in one spot for some time. After about 100 yards, the

blood trail took us back out of the forest into the grassy clearing where we started and where we spotted the first, larger buck that took off in the other direction.

The mowed area was where our blood trail ended, and it seemed the most likely place where the trail began and where the injury had taken place. This is where I start to weave our observations in with my own knowledge of behavior and seasons together into a story.

Deer rut is the mating season for whitetail deer. It lasts two to three weeks, around the last week of October and the first two weeks of November. During this hormone-fueled time, males will spar with each other to establish territory and mating rights. These sparring matches generally don’t last very long as the two deer butt heads and lock antlers.

Typically these matches are over in a few minutes after one deer realizes that he’s outmatched. Death is rare, but injuries can be fairly common and sometimes serious. What we probably saw when we first happened into the grassy clearing was the victor dashing away after the spar was over, having been startled by our presence. The loser picked his trail through the forest and eventually made his escape across the creek, where we saw him after we entered the forest. I only think of him as the loser in this fight because he ended up with an injury. There is definitely room for other interpretations in which he was the victor even though he was injured, or in which neither of them were victorious because of our human presence.

The final piece of our story came as we reentered the forest and got back on track with our original reason for heading out

to that area. We startled another deer, this time a doe that was hanging around at the edge of the forest near the spar sight. She was startled and fled as we resumed our walk back into the forest. She would have been a good reason for a spar between two bucks.

While it is unsettling, the bucks were both hardy enough to survive and heal from most injuries sustained in a fight. The injured buck will likely heal and learn to be a better match next year. As we headed back out of the forest, we paused to try and find the trail of blood once more, but already the blood trail was obscured from oxidizing into the same brown color as the leaves on the ground. We truly stumbled into the trail at just the right moment, and even half an hour later, the opportunity for a glimpse into these animals’ lives would have closed.

Expressing Gratitude Helps Recognize the Things Most Important to Us in Life

Writer / Chris Palmore

It’s often said a good practice is to list three things we are grateful for every day. The idea is to take time each day to think about all the things and people we are grateful for in life.

The way to make things memorable and to create a more lasting impact is to list everything connected to the things we’re grateful for as well. For instance, I am grateful for my coffee. I’m grateful for the water with which I make it, the beans, the machine in which I make it, the cup out of which I drink it, the warmth, and, after twenty minutes or so, the little perks the caffeine is going to give me.

Expressing gratitude in this way is much more powerful for the person, the person it's for, and the audience. It intensifies it, adding another dimension to the initial expression of gratitude.

The idea is taking the simple statement of what we are grateful for and expanding it. It will make our appreciation grow. This is wonderful to do when listing people we are grateful for in our life. For example, I am grateful for my dad.

I’m not only grateful for my dad, but also for all the love, care and support he has given me. I’m grateful for him teaching me about love and dependability and for all the adventures and all

the fun we’ve had together.

I am also grateful for water. I’m grateful I can drink it and use it while cooking, washing and cleaning. I’m grateful that it flows endlessly into my home 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I’m grateful that somewhere out there, people are checking the water and filtering out elements that would be harmful to me. I’m grateful that I was born in this day and age, so I don’t have to travel great distances by foot to a lake or a stream or a well to collect it. I’m grateful that I always have easy access to it.

Let’s take it a step further. I am grateful that I get to pay the water company every month for this amazing service that really is worth far more than its cost to me. I love this incredible life-sustaining substance that flows endlessly within steps of where I lay my head. I can think of all the people and all the time it took to lay the pipes and how the creation of new types of metal made it safer. Then, there's the filter cover on the sink, the adjustable volume and pressure and the adaptable temperature.

Naming what we're grateful for is the tip of the iceberg in relation to how amazing something or someone is and how much gratitude can be given.

PARK PLEASURE

ST. MATTHEWS PARKS HAVE PLENTY TO OFFER ALL AGES

Writer / Fred White Photography Provided

The City of Louisville has had a long tradition of parks. Residents for many years have been proud of how city planners have made room, even in prime real estate areas, for public green spaces like Seneca and Cherokee parks. As St. Matthews has grown, it has fostered that love of parks and has developed its own park system, consisting of four distinctive parks that combine for more than 100 acres. While each has unique features, they all share paths for walking.

The most well-known park is Brown Park. Centrally located at the corner of Browns Lane, Hubbard Lane and Bowling Boulevard, residents from three large apartment complexes can access it easily, as well as employees and visitors from Baptist Health.

While 28 acres may seem small for a park in Jefferson County, Brown Park has multiple walking paths, ducks and geese in Beargrass Creek, a shelter that’s popular for birthday parties, as well as plenty of open space for privacy - and the park continues to grow. In May of 2019, park leaders finished renovations

of an enhanced play area, along with permanent restrooms and water fountains.

“The newly renovated Brown Park has been such a treat for our family,” says Katty Middleton. “We have met new families to play with while there. It gives us a great, fun activity to do with the kids that is cost-free.”

The meandering walking paths make Brown Park unique. Within walking distance from hospitals, shopping centers, apartments and traffic from busy roads, one can walk through wooded areas with algae-covered stone figures and forget that they are in a city. The winding creek also has a thriving population of ducks, geese and even an occasional white crane.

History buffs can visit (but not enter) the Brown Cemetery located at the park. James Brown first owned the 500 acres that make up much of what people know as St. Matthews, and his son, Theodore Brown, built the historical house now known as the Inn at Woodhaven. Both James and Theodore, as well as other family members, are buried in the cemetery.

The park also serves as the venue for annual St. Matthews events. In the fall, parents and children come from all over to enjoy Halloween at Brown Park, sponsored by the Chamber. Chamber members will line the walking path, with goodies for the kids. About one month later, people come to Brown Park for Light Up St. Matthews. The park is filled with Christmas lights that are lit throughout the Christmas season.

Not far from Brown Park, on the other side of Cypress Pointe Apartments, is Arthur K. Draut Park, named for the former St. Matthews mayor and longtime principal of Waggener High School. Originally it was slated to be an area on Bowling Boulevard for water retention during heavy rains after Shelbyville Road became more developed. City leaders at the time decided that the 24plus acres of land could be used as a park. The park harbors wildlife that favors wetland areas including cattails and other water grasses.

“I have seen many different birds that I don’t otherwise see in the area,” says Amber Nicole Keown, who currently lives within walking distance of the park. Keown even visited the park when she previously lived in

Hikes Point.

Nature enthusiasts and joggers enjoy the park with its walking path that spans nearly three-fourths of a mile. It includes contemporary bridges that cross Beargrass Creek, and has benches for the visitor who might want quiet time. This is the main focus of the park, since it is the only St. Matthews park that does not have a play area for children.

“It’s small, but private, peaceful and beautiful,” Keown says. “I go there a lot to clear my mind.”

Like Brown Park, despite the nearby

traffic, the paths offer a pleasant diversion for someone who just wants to watch the creek run. The park has plenty of parking off of Bowling Boulevard, and the lot is marked with a clock and a popular yellow Gallopalooza horse, which recently underwent repairs after being damaged by a tree.

While Brown and Draut parks are visible in high-traffic areas, the other two St. Matthews parks, Community and Warwick, might be considered hidden jewels.

For many years the space around St. Matthews Community Center was thought to be just an area with a shopping center,

bowling alley, and baseball fields for the St. Matthews Little League. While all of that is still there, the city has managed to develop the park system’s largest park at 45.8 acres. The city designed Community Park with the athlete in mind. It has a basketball court and tennis courts, but it is mostly known for being the home of the St. Matthews Little League and the Trinity High School baseball team, with six baseball fields that serve hundreds of kids aged 4 to 18.

Laura Snyder Hagedorn, one of the donors for the Trinity field, has two boys and has spent a lot of time at the park.

“On the playground we always looked out for everyone’s kids,” she says. “The park always gave me such a joyful feeling. Dogs, toddlers, skateboards and parents everywhere - it was pretty cool.”

Hagedorn also points out that baseball isn’t the only type of game you will see.

“It’s always fun to see deer peek out,” she says. “The new paths are so peaceful in the woods as they wind around old trees and streams.”

While Community Park is the largest park, Warwick Park spans 8.4 acres. Many Louisville residents have a hard time thinking that anything outside the Watterson Expressway can be within the city limits, and incorrectly think that Warwick Park - if they know that it’s even there - is in Lyndon.

Nestled well short of the Herr Lane border of the city, Warwick is the only St. Matthews park completely surrounded by homes. Hundreds of neighbors can walk to the park in a matter of minutes like it’s an extension of their backyard.

“My daughter and I like to walk the walking track,” says Shannon Langley, who lives nearby. “My son plays basketball there and my granddaughter loves the playground.”

The playground, with a pavilion and porchswing seating to make supervising adults comfortable, has more for kids than even Seneca Park, and it seems to have another advantage that Langley points out.

“It’s usually not crowded, which is a plus,” Langley says.

In addition, the park has a large space that, when not used for baseball or soccer practice, is ideal for picnicking, throwing a Frisbee or flying a kite.

Even for its size, Warwick allows residents to get away for a few minutes or more, to give people an option besides staying home.

All of the parks, though limited on space, manage to offer much to the people of the area, and a few surprises. When it comes to parks, as Frederick Law Olmsted once said, “Gradually and silently the charm comes over us; we know not exactly where or how.”

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