Middletown Magazine July 2023

NATURAL FIT

WILLIAM BROWN TAKES ON RANGER ROLE AT E.P. “TOM” SAWYER STATE PARK

Writer / Carrie Vittitoe Photography Provided

Imagine a job in which you get to stand beneath a mighty oak listening to birds chatter in the early morning hours as the sun peaks over the horizon. Some days you’re lucky enough to spot a whitetailed deer darting into or out of a wooded area. Maybe you catch sight of an elusive fox sneaking across a leaf-strewn trail. This immersion in the natural world is simply part of the life of a law enforcement officer. This is part of the life of a ranger at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park in eastern Jefferson County, one of Kentucky’s 45 state parks. It has been several years since this position was filled, but 30-year law enforcement veteran William Brown was sworn in during the month of January in 2023, and he is excited to be the face of safety and security

at the park.

A park ranger at a state park in Kentucky is a bit different from a park ranger you might see at a national park in Colorado, Utah or Montana. Those positions fall under the U.S. Department of the Interior, so rangers in national parks have educational or ambassadorial roles (although some rangers are required to hold a firearm). “Here in Kentucky, a ranger is a peace officer,” Brown says. “A ranger has arrest powers, police powers, on the premises. Once we leave the premises, we turn into regular citizens.” Like national park rangers, though, Brown and other Kentucky state park rangers do serve as ambassadors, intent on making the park an enjoyable place for visitors.

Brown grew up in the Valley Station area and began his career in Metro Corrections, where he spent over five years, but he decided to spread his wings a bit. He spent the next 13 years with Louisville Metro where he worked in many different capacities, including patrolman and homicide detective. It was a bit of a dream for him since, as a kid, he always envisioned either becoming a basketball player or a policeman. “Unfortunately I didn’t grow too tall,” he says. When he did take the path to law enforcement, he quickly realized he had some natural skills that helped him. “I learned very quickly that I like talking,” he says. “I was a pretty good interviewer with people.”

His communication skills helped him get

guns off the street, a task that he says was especially meaningful for him, and it also helped him with solving homicide cases. “Taking a murderer off the street is a great feeling,” he says. However, working these cases weighed on him. “You’re dealing with a lot of sad people, a lot of unhappy moms and dads,” he says.

After retiring with 20 years of service, he moved to the University of Louisville Police Department. “That was a planned thing because if you go, whether you’re a policeman, a carpenter or a professor, any of your children who choose to go to that school go for free,” Brown says. He then moved to a couple small police departments, including West Buechel, but as he entered his sixth decade, he talked to his adult children and decided he would be OK with slowing down just a little bit. Even though he was in a small department, it was a hands-on job that resulted in a lot of stress, due in part to being short-staffed. While age 52 certainly isn’t old, Brown was starting

to feel the effects of three decades of police work and was concerned about what his health could be if he didn’t slow down a bit.

Brown was open to the idea of moving outside of Louisville for a state park ranger job, but was thrilled when he discovered the position at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park. Sandwiched between Hurstbourne Parkway and Freys Hill Road, the park is a respite surrounded by neighborhoods and businesses. It offers numerous amenities including a pool and splash pad, a BMX track, pickleball courts, and a radiocontrolled airfield.

As a ranger Brown is responsible for security and safety in the park, which could range from replacing a lightbulb to ensuring areas are well-lit to speaking to an individual in a suspicious vehicle. He has to know the park like the back of his hand, including all walking trails, because, should an emergency arise, he needs to know the most efficient ways to get to various points. The

park is, for Brown, the size of a city patrol beat, which he is used to, but “the biggest change is that 95% of the people I see are there to have a good time,” he says.

Still, there is always a possibility that something untoward can happen, which is why park rangers in the state have a background in law enforcement. “If the stuff hits the fan, I know I’ll be able to handle it,” Brown says. While the winter months are generally quieter than the rest of the year, Brown expects that the summer will see more issues, such as teenagers loitering, vandalism, and excessive speed on the park’s roads. Being a longtime law enforcement officer has its benefits, primarily because of the wisdom that comes with experience. “It helps to have a maturity level so you don’t fly off the handle quickly on something that, maybe if you assessed it slower, could have been smoothed out,” he says.

To be a park ranger, it’s a good idea to actually enjoy the outdoors, and Brown

does. He often takes his three grandsons fishing, and he spends a lot of time outside in his yard. He’s also a big fan of Otter Creek Recreation Area in Meade County, Kentucky. He says knowing he could be outside 80% of the time in the ranger role was a big selling point. In his first few weeks in the position, he spotted a one-rack deer and a coyote. He enjoys taking pictures of nature, so his role as a ranger is feeding the creative side of his personality.

Life often takes people on unexpected roads they might not have anticipated when they were younger. It’s likely that most young people wouldn’t envision that a life as a police officer could bring them so fully into nature as a state park ranger. Brown says young people don’t have to get a degree in police administration or criminal justice to have a successful career. “You can go into communications, psychology, social work, and you’ll make an awesome police officer,” he says. “You won’t be pigeonholing yourself into one thing.”

Photography Provided

Commonwealth Credit Union (CCU) has been supporting Kentucky families since 1951. With branches across central Kentucky and Louisville Metro, CCU takes pride in serving its members.

“We are all about bettering the lives of our members and their families,” says Glenn Griffin, CCU Operations Regional Manager. “We are about financial empowerment and education. We want our members to understand what they’re doing and how it impacts their home and family.”

CCU offers a variety of financial services including savings, checking and retirement accounts, credit cards, and loans for home and auto. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in 25 different Kentucky counties, including Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham and Shelby.

“Here, we really do CU differently,” Griffin says. “We like to take a hands-on approach with our members. We like to get to know them and build relationships. We offer pretty much every financial service you could want.”

Within the Louisville area, CCU has branches in St. Matthews, downtown and Shively. A new branch will open in western Shelby County this summer that could be of great use for those who commute to and from that area.

“We did a branching study and looked at some of the big businesses between St. Matthews and Shelbyville to see where a lot of people who work in those big factories live and vice versa,” Griffin says. “We found

that Shelby County was a really good gobetween for some of those folks.”

CCU is backed by the National Credit Union Administration, which federally insures savings up to $250,000. In addition, CCU purchases insurance through Excess Share Insurance, which adds $100,000 in protection for certain accounts. Griffin says everyone should feel secure having their money at CCU.

“From a 10,000-foot view, credit unions differ because we’re not for profit,” Griffin says. “We know our members and if we don’t know you from day one, we’re going to get to know you. When we sit down and interview you for a loan, it’s not just to determine if you qualify for that loan, it’s if we can get you a lower rate on other loans elsewhere so we can save you money. We’re trying to understand your whole picture so we can make your life better.”

Griffin says to check CCU’s products regularly, as there are always updates to services and rates to better fit the community’s needs.

“We want to ensure we are offering what is beneficial to you and your family,” Griffin says. “We do a lot of giveback and love participating in every community we’re in. These are our homes and neighbors and friends. It’s a really unique experience to be part of a credit union.”

Writer / Gavin LaPaille

“WE ARE ALL ABOUT BETTERING THE LIVES OF OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.”

Glenn Griffin

Hitting the Right Notes

FOX FEST RETURNS FOR SECOND YEAR

One of Louisville’s newest music festivals is coming back in 2023. Fox Fest, an all-day, parking-lot party hosted by the Fox Den in St. Matthews, returns for a second year of food, fun and live music on August 5.

Fox Den Owner Jared Matthews started Fox Fest last year in hopes of filling the gap left behind by the St. Matthews Street Festival, which hasn’t returned since the COVID-19 pandemic. Known as an annual gathering

featuring local musicians and food trucks, Matthews now hopes to expand Fox Fest after last year’s successful event.

“The community really liked [the St. Matthews Street Festival] and looked forward to it,” Matthews says. “It’s been missed. I decided to bring it back in our own parking lot. We’re going to host every year and build on it. Last year was the first one and the festival was awesome.”

Fox Fest will showcase three stages of

indoor and outdoor music that will play continuously from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., including a few returning acts from last year. Some of the bands scheduled to appear are Signal the Revolution, Catalyst, Hot Action Cop, Throwback Thursday, The Boot Scoots, IPCUS Pinecone and members of the Villebillies, along with several cover and tribute bands. Matthews says he wanted to keep the lineup musically diverse so attendees will get a taste of different styles.

“That is what I want this festival to be,”

Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided by Fox Den

Matthews says. “I don’t want it to be just a country show or a hip-hop show. I want it to be a very diverse group. It’s all over the board. We have country, we have rock, we have pop, we have cover bands. It’s a little something for everyone.”

Almost all of the bands and performers will be from the Louisville area, similar to the lineup from last year, and that is very important for Matthews. He wants Fox Fest to showcase local talent for a wider audience.

“It’s not news to anyone that the local music scene has taken a hit,” Matthews says. “A lot of people aren’t booking local music. We want to showcase why we need our live local music community thriving out there.”

Despite only having a couple of months to prepare, Matthews says more than 2,000 people attended the inaugural Fox Fest. Some had heard about the festival beforehand, but others discovered Fox Fest

while it was ongoing and decided to stop by.

“They absolutely loved it,” Matthews says. “[The inaugural event] was great and went way better than expected. It was cool to see how the parking lot looked. There was a lot of people in the neighborhood that saw what was going on and came over.”

Now a resident of the area, Matthews thinks Fox Fest can set an example for what type of event could be happening in St. Matthews on a regular basis.

“You’re always seeing events in other locations that shut down the streets for different things,” Matthews says. “Here, we don’t have that. I would love to see more events like that in St. Matthews.”

Fox Fest will highlight the event’s host, the Fox Den. Located at the former Diamonds Pub and Billiards location on Frankfort Avenue, the Fox Den opened in April of last year with a number of upgrades, including

a repainted exterior, repaved parking lot, new deck and completely renovated interior. The Fox Den features indoor and outdoor seating with 11 pool tables, live music seven days per week, and more than 30 TVs scattered across the venue. There is a full food menu with a wide variety of selections, including sandwiches, subs, salads and plenty of appetizers. Alcohol-wise, there are 17 beers on tap and a number of signature cocktails.

The Fox Den isn’t the first Louisville restaurant Matthews has left his mark on, after previously working with Lou Lou Food & Drink, Black Rabbit, and Equus and Jack’s Bourbon Restaurant. While it may look different, Matthews says the Fox Den has many of the same elements people came to love about the experience at Diamonds.

“The best way to describe the Fox Den is it’s all the things you loved about Diamonds,” Matthews says. “We have pool tables, live music, a sports bar. We just gave it a little

facelift and spruced up the food menu. We like to call it a chef-driven pub. We plan on having a lot more street food from all over the world in the future.”

For the second year in a row, a portion of Fox Fest’s proceeds will support APRON Inc., whose mission is to provide temporary, limited financial relief to professional food and beverage workers in the Louisville metro area. APRON Inc. works with employees at locally owned establishments experiencing financial distress due to illness, accidents, emergencies or catastrophic events through no fault of their own. Last year, Fox Fest donated 10% of all ticket and food sales to APRON Inc.

“We do a lot of work with [APRON Inc.],” Matthews says. “They help out serviceindustry workers when they fall on hard times. If a server falls and breaks their leg, APRON Inc. is awesome about coming in and paying the bills. It’s a great organization and there wasn’t anything like that for a long

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time. I really respect the people who run it.”

Matthews has been around the music scene in the area for quite some time. He was the booking manager for Diamonds for many years and also scheduled the music for the St. Matthews Street Festival. Through those roles, Matthews has built a number of relationships throughout the industry and says he hopes Fox Fest can help grow the ever-evolving Louisville music market.

“I definitely think the music scene has grown a lot,” Matthews says. “We’re becoming a foodie town and we’re becoming known for our live music. The big festivals have put Louisville on the map, so now other cities are looking at us. As the city grows, it’s neat to see more food festivals and music festivals popping up.”

Matthews plans to keep Fox Fest on the schedule for the foreseeable future.

He hopes to obtain more sponsors and vendors, to make the festival more appealing to guests and highlight other local products and companies. The Fox Den will continue to be the host, but Matthews doesn’t rule out a change of venue in the future if the festival continues to gain more interest.

“I’d love to keep it on-site because that’s our spot,” Matthews says. “I also just want to see it grow. If we have to move it to another area in Louisville, I wouldn’t be upset by that. Right now I’m trying to keep it within our parking lot, but we might outgrow that one day. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a great day - live music, local food. The pandemic taught us how important it is to come together and not take things like this for granted.”

The Fox Den is located at 3814 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville. Call 502-742-0068 or visit thefoxdenlouisville.com for more info.

STRONG MOVES

GYMNAST RETOSHIA HALSELL STICKS THE LANDING ON A DIVISION I COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography Provided

This fall, Retoshia Halsell is headed to Towson University in Maryland on a full-ride scholarship to compete on the university gymnastics team.

Towson ranks among the top 30 out of nearly 100 college gymnastics programs.

The first black female Division I gymnast to receive a full ride out of Louisville says she was “humbled” when learning about her record-breaking status.

However, like every success story, Retoshia has a tale of ups and downs, injuries and triumphs, leading the way to her chosen path.

“I had been in all-star cheerleading as a kid, and when I was 9 I was ready for something different,” she says. “I was already good at tumbling, so I got on the gymnastics team and was able to advance in levels pretty quickly because of my head start in cheerleading.”

She began at Level 3 from the get-go, quickly graduated to Level 4, then 7, then 9 and then 10 - Olympian level.

“Many people have to repeat levels and it was hard for me too,” Retoshia says. “I fractured my hip during that time, but I managed to get my Level 10 without repeating a single level.”

Even with that injured hip, she managed to earn first place on bars at the 2019 state meet, establishing her as someone to watch.

Becoming a Level 10 gymnast opens the door for athletes who wish to continue on the college track or even train for the Olympics,

Photo by Emily Turner Clothing from That Cute Little Shop

but with Retoshia’s dedication to her education and dreams of the future, she’s made her decision, signing with Towson.

“At this point many athletes are homeschooled and they train all week,” she says. “I decided I wanted to go to college.”

She’s inspired by her two sisters. One owns her own practice as a pediatrician, and another is completing her degree as a biology major at a college in Alabama.

Retoshia hopes to see the world as a traveling nurse and plans to major in biology.

The importance of education has been instilled in her from a young age, even while pursuing a career in gymnastics.

“She’s been on the honor roll for the last four years and takes advanced AP classes,” says Willia, Retoshia’s mother. “I’ve always stressed the importance of school. School is your job. It’ll pay off. It comes before gymnastics and you don’t want to lose sight of that.”

Excelling in school and gymnastics has certainly kept the Ballard High School graduate busy.

Retoshia can boast a long list of first-place competition wins. She walked away with 16th place in the 2021 nationals and fifth place in the 2022 nationals. She was also named the 2022 Kentucky Gymnast of the Year.

Despite her success, when it came to signing for a college scholarship, Retoshia hit a snag.

Care that Comes to

“MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO REPEAT LEVELS AND IT WAS HARD FOR ME TOO. I FRACTURED MY HIP DURING THAT TIME, BUT I MANAGED TO GET MY LEVEL 10 WITHOUT REPEATING A SINGLE LEVEL.”

“In February of 2021 I tore my UCL in my elbow, had surgery to repair it and did physical therapy to rebuild strength,” she says. “When I started recovery, I was really depressed. I was still going to practice but was unmotivated. You can try to [practice routines] but you physically can’t. I stopped talking to college coaches and I missed out on some opportunities.”

Despite the setback, Retoshia worked hard and is in fighting shape today. What’s more, she learned another lesson to take with her in the future.

“Towson didn’t look at the fact that I was hurt,” she says. “They looked at how fast I was able to recover. Injuries are just part of the sport and I’ve had many. You can’t let them define you. The hard work does pay off.”

She continues to learn life lessons, including time management, responsibility, perseverance and more, but Retoshia also serves as a mentor to younger gymnasts.

She’s coached younger athletes for years, works as a nanny for four young children and hosts birthday parties at the local trampoline park.

Families with younger gymnasts travel to watch her performances from the stands, and as the oldest at her current gym, Retoshia serves as a leader in many ways, whether braiding the hair of her younger counterparts or inspiring those struggling to keep going.

Willia admits watching Retoshia perform in front of an audience of 10 or 100 is a moment of pride for her.

“There’s nothing you can compare it to,” Willia says. “Gymnasts only have one chance to make a good impression in front of the judges. I’ve been to every meet, cheering her on. She never forgets her routine and more than anything else, she’s such a great person. She really inspires the younger gymnasts.”

Particularly gymnasts of color, many of whom couldn’t have imagined themselves in Retoshia’s position a few decades ago.

“Gymnastics is typically a white sport,” Retoshia said. “It’s also expensive but over the years, I’ve seen more and more black gymnastics come to the forefront. I have referred some younger athletes to join us and it warms my heart to help others and inspire them.”

Retoshia looks up to other gymnasts before her, like Olympic gold medalists Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles.

“Simone felt the weight of the world on her shoulders and suffered from the twisties, a mental block that makes it so you get lost in the air while twisting, making it hard to land the skill correctly,” she says. “She was struggling with that and she said, ‘I have bad days too. I’m not perfect.’ I find that really inspirational because she’s not afraid to say she struggles too.”

The soon-to-be college athlete may not suffer from the twisties, but she knows all about sacrifice and how to navigate through something many of us find overwhelming.

High school, for example.

“Regional competitions were held on prom weekend every year,” she says. “As a senior I get a little more leeway, but I’ve never been on a spring break trip with friends. I’ve always had curfews and I stay in town for those important competitions. My friends all understand though. They are supportive for sure.”

Willia recognizes the sacrifices too, but with a sense of pride.

“It was hard for her to miss out on things but she’s been able to balance school, practice, social time, boyfriends, home and family time, work, etcetera,” Willia says. “This will help her in the future.”

Though friends, family and fans look

forward to Retoshia’s career in university gymnastics, what she’ll do beyond that, only time will tell.

Either way, both mom and daughter agree gymnastics will always be in Retoshia’s heart.

“I think she’ll always be involved in one way or another,” Willia says. “The kids love her and she’s inspiring to them. She can always coach. Maybe she’ll have a gym one day.”

Retoshia is finishing her time in Louisville on a high note. Not only did she take first place at the Kentucky state competition, but she also qualified to compete in her third nationals in a row. She earned eighth place on bars, 11th on floor, and a 9.925 silver-medal finish on vault.

Despite the challenges, this young gymnast is going places.

Visit YouTube for recent routines by Retoshia at the state and national tournaments.

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1. Embargoes

2. Soon, to a bard

3. Elvis was known for them

4. Windshield cleaners

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6. Atoner’s worry

7. Excited

8. Languishes

9. ___ polloi

10. Part of T.G.I.F.

11. Art surrounder

19. Major, for one

21. Dolt

24. David and others

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44. Clock standard (abbr.)

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48. Pizzeria order

1. Bellhop’s burden

4. Big stinger

8. Fancy

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18. Gets game

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27. Does some PR work

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Colorway #8 - Member Colors

HERE’S THE SCOOP

CELEBRATING NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH

Writer / Julie Engelhardt

Photography Provided

Summer is officially upon us, which means we’re in the throes of hot and humid weather for the time being. How do you beat the heat? Many choose to cool down by eating a sweet treat, like ice cream.

July is National Ice Cream Month, which gives us the perfect excuse to dip into a bowlful of traditional vanilla or chocolate flavors - or take it up a notch with richer selections such as butter pecan, rocky road, eggnog, cookies and cream, raspberry ripple…the list goes on.

We’re here to give you the scoop on the history of this special occasion, and how ice cream was invented, plus we’ll check out some of the hot spots in Louisville for these creamy confections.

How, when and where did National Ice Cream Month begin? Many may not know this fact, but it started right here in Kentucky.

Senator Walter Darlington “Dee”

Huddleston introduced a resolution to proclaim the month of July in 1984 as National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday of that month as National Ice Cream Day. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law the same year, and the rest is history. Here is the former president’s cool proclamation:

“Ice cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over 90% of the people in the United States. It enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and snack food. Over 887 million gallons of ice cream were consumed in the United States in 1983.

The ice cream industry generates approximately $3.5 billion in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens. Indeed, nearly 10% of all the milk produced by the United States dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream, thereby contributing substantially to the economic well-being of the nation’s dairy industry.

The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution

298, has designated July 1984 as National Ice Cream Month, and July 15, 1984, as National Ice Cream Day, and authorized and requested the president to issue a proclamation in observance of these events.

Now, therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, president of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 1984 as National Ice Cream Month and July 15, 1984, as National Ice

Cream Day, and I call upon the people of the United States to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

Continuing his fandom of ice cream, four years later in 1988, President Reagan named Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s as the U.S. Small Business Persons of the Year.

Even though it feels at time that Ben and Jerry invented ice cream, who actually came up with the idea?

The origin of ice cream likely dates back to between 54 to 68 A.D., during the time when Nero was emperor of Rome. Evidence shows that harvesting ice or snow, then adding honey or other flavorings to the slush, made an ice-cream like concoction. It’s also thought that Alexander the Great may have enjoyed icy drinks that had flavorings such as honey or nectar too.

The first appearance of ice cream in the U.S. is found in a letter by former Maryland Governor William Bladen. Early presidents also had a liking towards ice cream. In fact, in the summer of 1790, George Washington spent approximately $200 on ice cream. For a while, ice cream was only an occasional special treat, mainly for the rich.

Fast-forward to the 19th century, and we

find that Nancy Johnson, an American inventor and entrepreneur born in New York, patented the hand-crank ice cream maker. Eight years later, Jacob Fussell built the first ice cream factory. The invention of mechanical refrigeration units helped keep large amounts of ice cream cool, allowing for more people to purchase this confection.

So what do Louisville locals think about ice cream, what’s their favorite, and where do they buy theirs?

Sisters Charlee and Bailey Boston both enjoy going to Sweet Savannah's. “They have a massive selection of toppings to choose from,” Charlee says.

Nikki Ownbey says her favorite place to buy ice cream is Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen.

“Their vanilla and mint chocolate chip are amazing,” she says.

Owners Gina and Mike Cox opened Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen in 1982. It began as a lunch counter in Louisville, in what had been an old automotive dealership. Not only were they doing well with their lunch offerings, but they also began gaining quite the reputation for their marvelous pies. Their lunch counter soon made way for a pie case, which soon was followed by an ice cream case. They soon purchased an ice cream machine in order to make their ice cream from scratch.

Amanda Spalding and Sara Banks place their votes for Comfy Cow ice cream.

“I like the Bourbon Ball ice cream at Comfy Cow,” Banks says.

Spalding agrees, and elaborates by saying that she loves this particular treat because the chocolate in the ice cream really enhances the caramel and smokey notes

of the bourbon flavor. Her go-to location is in the Paddock Shops.

The Comfy Cow has been around since 2009, and was founded in Louisville by Tim Koons-McGee and his partner and spouse, Roy Koons-McGee. They took pride in offering top-quality products in family-friendly locations. In 2018 they sold their business to Louisville investor Chip Hamm. Besides Bourbon Ball being a favorite flavor, the shop also serves Brown Butter Peanut Brittle, Cake Batter Up, and Black Raspberry Chip.

Mary Thacker says that her favorite is Ehrler’s chocolate.

Ehrler’s got its start way back in 1867 in Louisville. Joseph Maria Ehrler opened his own milk farm off of what is now Shelbyville Road. He delivered fresh milk twice a day, seven days a week. As the family business grew, Joseph and his wife, Lizzy, bought 40 acres of land to expand their enterprise. With that came a fleet of trucks with efficient cooling systems. Their product line grew to include

cream, butter and ice cream. Ehrler’s became Louisville’s largest independent dairy provider.

More locals chimed in with their favorite ice cream providers. Brenda Tierney-Renz picks Dairy Del on 7th Street.

“They have the best homemade orange sherbet,” she says. “It makes me feel like a child. They also serve chocolate malts that my mom loves.”

Finally, Jan Stuecker is a big fan of Graeter’s ice cream. She gets her ice cream fix from the store in Avish Gardens on the east side of town, across from the Paddock Shops. What flavor makes her happy?

“The Turtle Sundae…mmm,” she says. No matter what your favorite flavor is or where you like to buy it, just remember to celebrate in July with a big, delicious bowl or cone filled with ice cream!

SIP CENTRAL

JEFFERSONTOWN CRAFT BEER FEST RETURNS

ow in its eighth year, Jeffersontown Craft Beer Fest returns on July 15 with some 50 craft beer stations, wine, live music, food trucks and, perhaps most importantly, tradition.

“It’s all about summer,” Co-founder Tisha Gainey says when asked about her favorite aspect of the annual festival that brings regional craft breweries together for a day of seasonal fun.

The festival, set for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gaslight Pavilion and 3rd Turn Brewing’s Kentucky Corner, is going to feature more than 75 beers in a wide variety of styles, not to mention hard seltzers and wines for summer sipping variety. A few of the beverage vendors involved include 3rd Turn Brewing, Lexington Brewing, Country Boy Brewing, Butchertown Brewing, Dogfish Head Brewing, Truly seltzers, Oliver Winery, Against the Grain, Bell’s Brewery, Pivot Brewing, TEN20 Craft Brewery, New Belgium Brewing and Hometown Brewing Co., among many others.

But attendees can expect more than just tasty beverages.

For starters, the Glaser’s Collision Live Music Stage will bring

the tunes with One Louder. For a respite, festival-goers can take a break in Cox’s Cigar Lounge next to the pavilion, or catch shade in the German American Bank Shade Lounge under City Hall. The Truly Bubbly Bar will serve up the seltzers, and the Kentucky Corner will be set with more than a dozen Kentucky brewers, to get Bluegrass flavors in one spot. If you want to take a break for the beverages, Recbar will be on-site with a few arcade and pinball games.

Of course, longtime partner Oliver Winery will offer something for those attendees who may not favor beer. Oliver Division Sales Manager Travis Detenber says the Bloomington brand’s booth also will serve wine-based cocktails.

“Wine brings people together and so does this festival,” Detenber says. “It’s fun to give people an alternative to beer. A lot of people are excited to see something different, and there are always positive responses to our products. We gain fans every time we’re there. It’s great to see the same people coming back year after year too.”

The festival began when the Jeffersontown Chamber of Commerce decided to add a beer festival to its annual calendar, and as it happens, the owners of HB Productions, which had, at that time, recently launched the successful Tailspin Ale Fest, were introduced to the former chamber president. A partnership quickly formed, and the first Jeffersontown Beer Fest happened. It’s only grown in the years since.

“The City of Jeffersontown has absolutely embraced the event and is supportive with even utilizing the area under City Hall,” says Gainey, who is a co-founder of HB Productions. “With the growth of so many local businesses in the Jeffersontown area and the Gaslight Square business district, these shops and restaurants all benefit from the festival day with potential visits from patrons.”

The popularity has grown to the point that there are plans to move it to a larger venue starting next year, Gainey says.

For the first year, the festival was held in the Gaslight Pavilion, later expanded to include the space behind 3rd Turn, and has since expanded into the whole of Neal Drive. Next year the festival is expected to be held at Jeffersontown Veterans Memorial Park, where a new amphitheater is currently being built.

The past few festivals have sold out, Gainey says, and “we don’t like turning anyone away.”

Other new additions include a few distilled spirits from breweries that have branched out their production, such as Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., which will bring some of their cocktail-inspired beverages

as well as bourbon for sampling. Boston Beer Company will have a malt beverage produced in partnership with Jim Beam, and Truly has a variety pack of Red, White & True flavored vodka beverages. Other breweries are creating cocktail-inspired beers, such as Dogfish Head Brewery’s Citrus Squall, a double golden ale and paloma cocktail, brewed with grapefruit juice, blue agave nectar, lime peel and sea salt.

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

Festival-goers won’t have to worry about walking around hungry. Along with the many restaurants nearby, food trucks such as Drake’s, and local Jeffersontown Chamber members like Raising Cane’s, will have booths.

And, of course, there will be beer. Lots and lots of beer. Not to mention the aforementioned extras.

“This festival is great for someone still just getting into the craft beer category and wanting to explore,” Gainey says.

For more experienced or experimental beer lovers, there will be classic stouts and porters, while popular styles like IPAs and hazy IPAs will satisfy the hop heads in attendance. But for those looking for more of a summer thirst quencher, the fest will have some light, crisp lagers, golden ales and pilsners. If beer isn’t your thing, well, there will be plenty of options such as the wineand cocktail-inspired beverages.

“Another part of this festival is the dynamic of the attendees, as it includes everyone,” Gainey says. “Beer festivals are a great way to meet new best beer friends, as it’s a social event that brings thousands together.”

Jeffersontown is ready for the fun.

“It has been really cool to see how the festival has evolved over the years,” says Ben Shinkle, co-owner of 3rd Turn Brewing. “The first couple of years were heavier on national brands, but as the brewery scene in the state grew, so did the festival. Having been to a couple million beer festivals in my tenure, the J-town Beer Fest has a familiarity and a feel of a backyard get-together, only everyone brought really great beer.”

“The J-town Beer Fest kicks off our summer festivities and brings so many folks to J-town to see our thriving downtown, visit our locally owned restaurants and celebrate summer,” says Deana Karem, president and CEO of the Jeffersontown Chamber of

Commerce. “Beer Fest offers music, local food, friendship and a great way to spend a Saturday evening in downtown J-town.”

As we already know, it’s all about summer.

Tickets are $45 in advance and $55 on the day of the event, if available. Tickets can be purchased in advanced at select Cox’s and Evergreen Liquors locations. Buy tickets online and find more information at jtownbeerfest.com.

DESIGN WITH GREEN IN MIND

TIPS FOR MAINTAINING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS APPROACH IN INTERIOR DESIGN

“It’s not easy being green.” So says world-famous Muppet, Kermit the Frog. But actually, in today’s environment, with so many products and design options available, being green can be a relatively easy and environmentally beautiful design option.

From paint, lighting and accessories to fabrics, furniture and wall coverings, becoming eco-friendly has become an extremely high priority for many home furnishings manufacturers.

Let’s take a look at a few of these exciting options.

Writer / Kristen Pawlak, DDCD, Owner and Interior Designer, KP Designs Photography Provided

FURNITURE

Natural fibers found in rattan and plantation-grown woods (rather than depleting forest-grown woods) give homeowners a wide variety of styles, textures and designs. Also consider materials such as bamboo, abaca and government-certified hardwoods. If purchasing eco-friendly furniture for your home is a priority, you might check to see if your furniture manufacturer is a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council.

LIGHTING

Not only have LED lamps been all the rage for the past few years, but they are also a boon to energy savings, as are the wide variety of energy-saving light bulbs available

in the marketplace. In addition, many of today’s decorative lamps have been designed in wrought iron, allowing for an intricate detailing and design variety.

FABRICS

Believe it or not, gorgeous decorative fabrics are being made from recycled plastic water bottles, recycled polyester and recycled paper. Oftentimes these eco-friendly fabrics are treated and finished with only waterbased or environmentally approved dyes.

WALL FINISHES

Paints now feature low odors, faster drying times and stronger durability, all by maintaining environmental codes. If

repainting is in your future, be sure to ask if the paint you’re considering has a low rating for volatile organic compounds, so you can continue your environmental stewardship. Natural grass cloth wall covering is another way to add warmth, beauty and texture to your wall decor, while maintaining your green focus.

And let’s not forget the importance in design of the color GREEN!! Yes, it may not be easy being green, but this longdesired shade can be found in almost every design scheme. Whether you incorporate green in plant foliage displayed in your room’s design, or you make this shade predominate, usually any green shade will add a bit of the splendor of the great outdoors to any decor.

Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided

Christian Care Communities’ newest location sits on a lovely nine acres in the heart of Middletown, tucked away in a park-like setting with water features, mature trees, gardens and a walking path. Here you find beautiful garden homes, apartments and assisted-living suites, just moments away from shopping, medical offices, sporting events and church activities.

The highly trained staff cares for residents like family, encouraging active independence while providing trusted support when needed most. The chaplain provides vibrant spiritual care programming, and brings compassion to residents and families as they journey through life’s blessings and challenges. Having both independent living and assisted living in the same community provides a wonderful transition opportunity if a resident requires a higher level of care. Already knowing the staff and participating in community activities during independent days eases the transition to assisted living since many elements are familiar.

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO MOVE FROM INDEPENDENT TO ASSISTED LIVING?

It’s not always easy to know when to move from independent to assisted living. You might notice you need assistance with daily living tasks, but don’t want to lose your independence.

Moving to assisted living can come with misconceptions. You might think, “I won’t be able to do what I want on my own schedule,” or, “Someone’s always going to be checking in on me and managing me.” Yet, independent and assisted living provide similar lifestyles with many overlapping features.

Both lifestyles cater to personal needs and desires, and also feature maintenance-free living as well as convenient floor plans with

amenities to enhance well-being. They offer everything needed to live your best life - delicious and nutritious meal options, social activities and spiritual fulfillment. Residents no longer need to worry about yard work or house maintenance. Both have access to wonderful culinary options, include entertainment and game nights, and combined friends and family get-togethers.

Assisted-living residents may receive support as needed with daily activities, medication management or certain types of therapies, but only as needed to maintain independence and privacy. Team members respect privacy and coordinate a support schedule around needs and preferences. The perk is the ability to easily access help. This assistance does increase the cost, but it maximizes your freedom. Plans and costs vary, and may be surprisingly affordable when compared with obtaining services outside a community setting.

WHEN IS IT TIME FOR ASSISTED LIVING?

Ultimately, it’s your choice. Assisted living is about choosing to be comfortable so you can focus on living your best life. Some clues that may signal that it is time include more frequent accidents or falls, difficulty with daily living tasks, diminishment of quality of life with isolation and loneliness, and inability to access personal passions and hobbies. Team members can help and give you time to focus on what makes your life fulfilling.

It’s worth learning more about Christian Care Communities and how our Faith-Care-Family approach may be just what you need. Take advantage of our summer move-in specials! The Assisted Living Community Fee is waived for new move-ins through July 31, a savings of $2,500! In our Garden Homes, we are waiving the maintenance fees ($567/month) for the first two months for new contracts/deposits received through July 31.

GOOD DAY FOR A 5K

ST. MATTHEWS INDEPENDENCE DAY 5K RETURNS

While St. Matthews residents are accustomed to seeing runners and walkers charge up and down their neighborhood streets, this Fourth of July will bring that intensity to a higher level. The St. Matthews Independence Day 5K is back for 2023, allowing local residents the opportunity to challenge themselves against other competitors and help support the community, all while celebrating the United States of America’s birthday.

With a history dating back to the 1970s, the 5K had been part of the annual St. Matthews Street Festival for a number of years, but

was moved to the Fourth of July last year for the first time. Race Director Bill Nowak thinks the change has pushed the race to a higher level.

“When we were looking for another time to have a race, I was looking at the calendar and the Louisville area didn’t really have a July 4 type race,” Nowak says. “A lot of people are off work that day, and I thought it would be a great theme and something the runners can look forward to. It’s going to be July 4 every year from now on.”

The course has been consistent for the race

from the beginning, starting and finishing at St. Matthews Baptist Church on Grandview Avenue. The 3.1-mile loop takes runners down Macon Avenue, Prince William Street, Broadfields Drive and other community streets. All runners and walkers are welcomed to participate in the timed event, with overall and age-group awards up for grabs to the fastest participants. Registration starts at $25 and all money raised will go to programs that support and benefit the St Matthews community, including the St. Matthews Area Ministries and St. Matthews Baptist Church.

Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided

“There’s getting to be less and less races through communities because it’s difficult to close streets,” Nowak says. “Some of the bigger races are still running through the city but little neighborhood races are going by the wayside. St. Matthews the city has been fantastic to work with. The have a lot of officers on the course and keep everyone safe. The fire department comes out for medical support. It’s a great community event. The kicker is everything goes right back into the community. That, to me, means everything.”

The event will start at 8 a.m., and runners can expect post-race food, a variety of door prizes donated by local establishments, and vendor booths. Back this year is a team contest open to any group of three to five competitors, in addition to a new Fourth of July costume contest. Each registrant also receives a free moisture-wicking tech shirt.

“The last several years, we’ve gotten businesses to donate a lot of food,” Nowak

says. “There will be food and refreshments, and there will be door prizes all the runners will be eligible to get. We have a lot of booths set up for people who finish early so they have something to do.”

After being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the race returned in a big way on its new date last year, with 332 runners taking part in the event and raising over $8,000 for the local community. Most of the runners come from the surrounding area, but all are welcomed.

“We expect more and more as people find out about the race,” Nowak says. “We got a tremendous response last year from runners who participated. I know they’re going to be talking about it. I think it’s going to be something runners can look forward to every year.”

Fittingly, Independence Bank became the primary sponsor of the event last year and is back this year, along with other community

sponsors. Packet pickup for the event is held at the bank on Shelbyville Road, with those stopping by to get their bib entered into a drawing for a $100 Fleet Feet gift card.

“I went to them and pitched the idea of an Independence Day race sponsored by Independence Bank, and they thought it was a great idea,” Nowak says. “It fit in with their community spirit and what their name and theme is. It was perfect for the race and was a natural fit. I love that they went for it. They were the first ones to step to the plate and say they wanted to be part of it.”

St. Matthews Baptist Church has been involved with the race from the start as a major sponsor, coordinator and host. Many volunteers come from the church and help administer the event, as they strive to provide a fun and well-run race through St. Matthews. The event helps support the church’s “LOVE 40207” campaign that reaches people all over the community with such activities as working in gardens,

visiting people who are confined indoors, doing home repairs for the elderly, putting together care packages for frontline workers, making blankets for those in need, doing local park cleanup, and beautifying St. Matthews Elementary.

St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) is another major beneficiary of the proceeds. They seek to unite the resources and people of area congregations to effectively meet community needs. Through St. MAM, area congregations collaborate and partner with government, schools, businesses and other nonprofits to meet emergency

needs, stabilize families in transitional situations, provide a nurturing and healthy environment for children and youths, and offer resources for the benefit of the whole community.

“The proceeds go right back into the community and support programs and services that assist St. Matthews residents,” Nowak says. “The last race, we had over 20 sponsors and local businesses who donated things. To give right back in the community and support it was the icing on the cake for me.”

Moving forward, Nowak wants the event to continue growing and find new ways to raise money for local residents and initiatives, with registrations already flowing in.

“It started with a handful of people, and grew to 50 and then 100,” Nowak says. “We were just short of 400 last year. I’m hopeful for 450 to 500 this year. I think the sky is the limit. I know participation is only going to go up.”

For more information or to register for the St. Matthews Independence Day 5K, check out rivercityraces.com.

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We offer safe, fast, compassionate care close to home. And we accept most insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid. So there’s never a reason to put your health on hold. That's the Power of U.

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