St. Matthews Magazine July 2024

DETAIL ORIENTED

THE SMALL THINGS ARE A BIG DEAL FOR THE LOUISVILLE MINIATURE CLUB

Little Libraries, Big Impacts

Local Little Free Library Program Looks to Have a Lasting Literary Influence

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VINTAGE VIBE

LEWIS PRINCE IS ENJOYING LIFE POST-RETIREMENT IN THE WORLD OF ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES

Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

Red Barn Antiques & Art Emporium, and Prince Home - Antiques, Art, Collectables and Decor, sit side by side on Old Shelbyville Road in Middletown. More than a century old, the structures house sister businesses owned by Lewis Prince and his wife of over 49 years, Linda. Prince had a whirlwind corporate career that included developing cutting-edge technical advances of the time. In retirement, Prince took a 180-degree turn to enter the world of antiques and collectables. One thing has stayed steadfast; the couple has continued to have a heart for the history and philanthropic causes of the Louisville area, as evidenced by their desire to give back to the community.

Before Prince retired at age 63, he worked for well-known, major corporations and lived in several different states. Originally from Georgia, Prince served in the Army for six years. He was stationed in Germany, Korea and Turkey. Afterward, his brotherin-law lured him to Bowling Green by offering a job, but instead Prince opted for college in Louisville.

“I used the GI bill to go to college,” he says. “I applied on a Wednesday, got accepted on Monday and started the next week. My brother-in-law wanted me to work for him while I was taking classes, but I wanted to do it right and just focus on school. I got degrees in sociology and political science because I thought I would go to law school, but instead I began working for the Burroughs Corporation in 1974.”

At that time the Burroughs Corporation supplied accounting machines to major banks. A pioneer in data processing, the company developed the technology to read magnetics for ledgers and checks. In the late 1970s Burroughs was instrumental in developing computer systems. Prince was a project manager for a line of products and spent 13 years with the company, traveling all over the world and working both in Louisville and Detroit.

Next, Prince relocated to New Jersey and went to work with AT&T for four years. While in New Jersey, he partnered with a group that bought a company that sold pagers to large national companies and their

employees. Eight years later went public and sold it for more than $30 million. The group then began buying up small internet companies. They consolidated them into a data processing center, which he later sold. His last business endeavor was a company that produced and sold telescoping ladders to establishments such as Sam’s Club and QVC.

“I retired to play golf but I got bored, so I bought the Red Barn,” Prince says. “The barn has special meaning for us. It was built on cinder blocks in 1904. It has two big doors and they used to work on Model A cars inside it. Our uncle died at age 97 about nine years ago. He told us he used to sit in front of the building and drink an RC Cola while he watched cars go by.”

“The little house next door came with the purchase,” he adds. “It became Prince Home. We don’t control what merchandise is in the Red Barn but everything in Prince Home is our stuff. When we opened the Red Barn, we came up with the idea of renting out shelves as well as booths. Shelves are a good way for someone to start

out for a minimal amount, and we don’t tell them what to put on it.”

The inside of Red Barn Antiques & Art Emporium is full of diverse objects and furniture, some vintage and others just kitsch. In one corner there is a wooden phone booth, and an ornately painted Singer sewing machine, and lots of toys sit a few steps away. Visitors can find children’s books, Hanna-Barbera dolls, mugs, buttons, Beanie Babies, M.A. Hadley pottery, records and more.

The layout next door at Prince Home is divided up into rooms. There is a dining area and kitchen, she shed and man cave, and a collectibles and jewelry room. Items are grouped appropriately. There are plenty of dishware, prints, paintings and even an old phone or two. Shoppers can find vintage Kentucky Derby memorabilia including an official Kentucky Derby mint julep glassprized collectibles since the 1940s.

“As seasons change we transfer stuff in and out of storage,” Prince says. “It’s hard to predict what people will buy. Big things take a while to sell. Sometimes we donate large pieces of furniture to Goodwill or another charity to make space for other things. Our merchandise comes from estate sales, online auctions or people downsizing from houses in the neighborhoods. We recently acquired 40 paintings, some dating back from the 1890s.”

Estate sales are the source of an extensive selection of costume jewelry. Prince estimates that there are between 30,000 and 40,000 pieces in inventory between both stores. Some customers buy it and use it for their own art creations. Linda sells a portion

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of it through her Etsy shop, LDBling. These items are not found on display, but visitors to the little house can ask a sales associate to view them. Likewise, if someone is from the Louisville area, they can save shipping costs and get a 10% discount on specific items if they pick up their LDBling purchases at the brick-and-mortar store.

“Our customers range from their 20s to late 70s and hear about us through word of mouth,” Prince says. “Some people come in looking for art deco, pieces from the early 1940s through 1950s, or for something specific. A couple ladies are from Japan and one is from Turkey. They buy things and ship them back home. One heartwarming thing that happened is when a son bought a key for his 75-year-old father. His dad had lost a key a mayor had given him many years ago, and this one looked just like it. They son relayed back that it gave his father so much joy to get it.”

Set designers from the movie industry are

also customers. Due to a Kentucky tax incentive, there have been several recent films shot in the Louisville area. Prince says staff from a movie came in several months back to purchase objects. Sometimes, he loans them out, but if they pay for things, he is willing to rebuy them.

“Linda and I believe in giving back,” Prince says. “We help where I can, and it means something special to us to get involved in causes. It can be as simple as supporting a concert pianist who performs in prison, to my wife giving away thousands of Beanie Babies at Christmas. We contribute to lots of charities and organizations such as Brightside Gallopalooza, which beautifies the streets of Louisville with local artists’ painted horses.”

“I get up in the morning and feel good,” he adds. “I still play 18 holes of golf on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and try to walk 10,000 steps a day. I’ve had a full life and enjoyed the heck out of it.”

Did you have a dollhouse when you were little?

Remember the intricate pieces of a tiny old-fashioned kitchen, positioning each doll in the living room, or preparing the “little ones” for bed?

Perhaps dad or grandpa hand-crafted some of the little wooden furniture or mom sewed clothing for the dolls. It was a world of imagination and a product that kept children engaged for hours.

Since 1973, the Louisville Miniature Club (LMC) has brought a passion for all things miniature to the community with that same

DETAIL ORIENTED

THE SMALL THINGS ARE A BIG DEAL FOR THE LOUISVILLE MINIATURE CLUB

magic and imagination from youth.

After submitting two miniature scenes for a national doll show and winning two blue ribbons, Founder Janette Hutchison began posting signs inside grocery stores and businesses in Louisville looking for interested collectors in the community.

The first meeting of the LMC brought together seven people who also loved creating, collecting and sharing their passion.

At the time, collecting miniatures was in the top-three hobbies in the country. Popularity has waned over the decades, but today it’s

experiencing a resurgence across the globe.

Chances are, you’ve seen the LMC before. Today the club consists of approximately 30 members and they are very active in the community. They attend school functions, the State Fair and Girl Scout activities. Since 2014 they’ve filled both display cases at the Bon Air branch of the Louisville Free Public Library with miniatures for an annual exhibit.

Nancye Johnson joined the LMC in 2008 and has served as club president since 2009. In addition, she serves on the board of the National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts (N.A.M.E.), headquartered in

Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography Provided

Carmel, Indiana.

“I’ve always loved dollhouses,” Johnson said. “As a kid I had a heavy cardboard house and one made of tin too. There’s a wide variety from kid-friendly to really high-end collectable dollhouses. I started out with a nice house and furniture, but at this point I’m running out of room and just looking for those one-of-a-kind pieces.”

What’s the attraction to miniatures?

Some members enjoy collecting the tiny figures, others enjoy making them, and there’s also the social aspect of joining together with like-minded collectors and makers for projects, group activities and sharing with the community.

As with most collector items, the quality and price varies, but in miniatures, size varies as well, based on the collector’s preference. Miniatures come in 1 inch, half scale, quarter scale, and micro mini, making

no two collections identical.

Johnson described a miniature Dutch kitchen she created, which underscores the intricate detail involved.

“I have a piece that is 2 inches by 2 inches, and the furniture and kitchenware in the kitchen are made of paper because they are so tiny,” Johnson said. “You need good lighting and a magnifying glass to catch all of the detail in that piece.”

Nancye Johnson

Some pieces are made of paper while others are carved from wood, and even now the club is seeing pieces created with 3D printing and laser cutting.

Some collectors prefer holiday decorative pieces, creating Christmas-themed displays, while others go with a specific character or era.

Take the YouTube sensation Ara Bentley, for instance, and her creation of a threestory “Addams Family” home. After nearly 10 years Bentley unveiled her 16-room mansion, complete with authentic miniature characters and room decor, and received worldwide recognition and appreciation for her masterpiece.

N.A.M.E. serves as a one-stop shop for event promotion and help with finding local clubs. Memberships are available, even a six-magazine subscription for enthusiasts to keep up on trends, news and more.

The world is watching, with interest shared

across the globe and groups coming from overseas to attend vendor shows in Chicago, St. Louis or Indianapolis to name a few.

“We have our own show in October each year,” Johnson said. “We bring in vendors from all over and have more than 200 people walk through, which is a pretty good crowd.”

Miniature museums are once again becoming popular and visitors flock to display locations across the country. Kentucky is home to The Great American Dollhouse Museum in Danville and the Kathleen Savage Browning Miniatures Collection in Maysville.

Johnson said whether visiting a museum or vendor show, once or repeatedly, each experience allows the viewer to discover something new or something they had not noticed before, and that’s one reason so many continue to come back.

The LMC meets at 2 p.m. on the first and

third Sunday of each month. Gatherings consist of a short business meeting, discussion of upcoming events and other needs, and then work on their current project, as well as gleaning information and advice from fellow club members and continuing to build their collections.

It takes different passions and skill sets for the club members to be as active as they are. Some enjoy creating or painting the pieces, and others like to do the needlework necessary for clothing and other fabrics in the miniature display. Learning a new technique from a club member or guest speaker helps to up their game and improve upon current and future projects.

“The club is like my second family,” Johnson said. “We go on retreats and bring extra projects to work on. It’s fun to do things with people who love what you do.”

It’s fun for the individual, but even more importantly, Johnson said the club mission

is to share miniatures as often as possible.

“At the State Fair we always have a Make Your Own Miniature project,” Johnson said. “We’ve made miniature corn dogs, cotton candy, an ear of corn, etcetera, and kids and adults really enjoy it. For the 50th anniversary celebration of the local Girl Scouts, we’ll be making a Christmas tree or winter scene in a cigar box. Once we attended a middle school math class to learn about scale.”

They keep up on recent trends and are constantly looking for new ways to entice young people to get involved. For example, a new miniature trend includes scenes inside a teacup and just may appear at an LMC event in the future.

Not only is it important to share the passion with others, but it’s also a skill and hobby Johnson hopes to pass on to a younger generation, particularly her six grandchildren. Her late husband

built dollhouses for each of the three granddaughters and she imagines her collection will eventually be passed on to them. Time will tell, but one of them might catch the bug that Johnson has so enjoyed.

“It’s a passion of mine,” she said. “When you retire, it’s a great way to keep your mind going and it keeps me busy. I love to go to the shows and the museums. They are just fascinating.”

The LMC members are always looking for new members to join, and invite residents from Louisville and surrounding areas to stop in for a meeting. Dues for the Louisville club are $24 annually, and include a T-shirt and name tag if a visitor wishes to join. The LMC is also affiliated with the national N.A.M.E. club, with access to additional events and information.

For more details on events and an LMC meeting schedule, visit thelouisvilleminiatureclub.org.

FINDING A STRONG FOOTING

SANCTIONED KICKBOXING TOURNAMENTS HELD LOCALLY

Eric Haycraft of Real Fighters Gym knows what it takes to become a professional kickboxer, and today he’s working to bring that knowledge and competitive edge to youth in Kentucky.

“It was my sophomore year of high school, and a friend and I kind of found this by accident,” Haycraft said. “We were skinny, runty kids going through awkward teenage stuff and we decided we should lift weights in my friend’s garage.”

From the small television in the garage, the boys saw a movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and knew the martial artist’s physique was exactly how they wanted to look. Coincidently, one of Haycraft’s friends found a kung fu club in the area and the group of teens joined the club. They bought uniforms and began taking weekly classes. Two months later, Haycraft was the only one still attending the class.

“I kind of got obsessed with it,” Haycraft

said. “I loved the sparring aspect of it and I thought I was good.”

Several years later he found a kickboxing gym in southern Indiana and enrolled, believing he had what it took to move to the next level.

“The coach put me in the ring with some boxing gloves, and a 115-pound kid comes in and beats the snot out of me,” Haycraft said. “I was shell-shocked. It was a serious

Writer / Melissa Stalb Photography Provided

Eric Haycraft & family

ego check. I felt like I had spent years learning to fight for nothing. I really needed to shift gears to the sport side of things, versus the cultural side of things you see in traditional martial arts.”

He began collecting VHS tapes of professional kickboxing fights, and discovered stars like Ramon Dekkers, a professional kickboxer and eight-time Muay Thai world champion. Haycraft reached out to Dekkers’ trainers in the Netherlands and inquired about training with them.

In 1994 he made his first trip to the Netherlands, and was hooked.

“I loved the training, the ideology, the professionalism and the popularity of the sport there,” he said. “I went for two weeks and extended my stay for another two weeks just to be able to learn more. I developed an amazing relationship with the whole team, and since then I’ve been there 40 or so times.”

Though he had found his passion, limits in the United States would hinder Haycraft’s dream of becoming a world champion.

“We didn’t have that infrastructure here for world-champion levels,” he said. “There were no amateur tournaments then. I don’t think I ever said it out loud, but my subconscious knew I was unlikely to become a world champion. What I could do was get the ball rolling to create it for someone else’s future.”

That’s just what Haycraft has done, essentially making it legal in the state of Kentucky to host competitive kickboxing events, and watching youths from his boxing gym soar to new levels.

Real Fighters Gym, the latest incarnation of Haycraft’s program, opened in 2009. While it is a full-on kickboxing gym, most of the participants are training for recreational purposes. Regardless of intent, be it fitness or competition, the programs push everyone to give their all and become a lot more than they realized

they could.

“Prior to COVID, we were producing some of the top athletes in the U.S. right here in Louisville without ever fighting in Louisville,” Haycraft said. “We couldn’t compete in this state, but yet we’re sending our athletes all over the world to compete.”

Lack of local access to competitions can

get expensive, and in addition, most of the competitors start a bit late in age, making it difficult to succeed at the highest levels.

“Think about children who have their sights set on the Olympics,” Haycraft said. “Whether it’s soccer or gymnastics, they didn’t start out at 22 years old. We had interested 20-somethings competing, but they’re moving on before they get a chance

Care that Comes to You

to become world-level.”

Forced closures related to the pandemic hit Haycraft’s gym hard, along with so many other small businesses, but when they began to rebuild clientele, a new wave of younger athletes found them.

A few teens began attending the gym and telling their friends. A new competitive kickboxing population was born. But not without another hiccup.

Adult competitors can pay their way to amateur competitions. They often have jobs that allow them time off, like serving or bartending, making it easier to compete in matches across the country and the world. However, that often isn’t the case with teens depending on their parents’ funds and support.

“You’re looking at a mom with several kids and the first tournament is in Iowa,” Haycraft said. “She has to take off work and bring the whole

family to a hotel for five days so her kids can compete. It’s a massive challenge with younger athletes in the system.”

He contacted the Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission in Frankfort and began the process of legalizing kickboxing competition in the state.

It took years to accomplish his goal, but eventually Haycraft was able to establish ways to license qualified officials, ensuring events are fair and safe. The commission adopted a set of modern rules and granted Haycraft professional license to host events in Kentucky. The first event was held in July of 2023, and the second, NEXT CHAMP II, was held December 3. They sold out both times, making it a success in financial terms - but more importantly, a success in building opportunities for local athletes and other amateur kickboxers across the country.

“We’re sort of propping up the entire region,” Haycraft said. “I have a handful of

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athletes that are very promising and could be superstars, but I can’t develop them in a vacuum. For example, Megan Culver, one of our female athletes, has competed in both of our events thus far. To build her, we must find eight female fighters dedicated to the sport, ideally within drivable distance from Louisville. We want to grow all of these athletes at the same time. It makes for better rematches and serves the goal for everyone.”

He keeps in mind some of the challenges that come with younger athletes as well. Instead of creating events that require a teen to attend for several days, he’s cutting down on time and cost for all of them.

“In a traditional event, athletes weigh-in the day before,” Haycraft said. “Not only does that require coming in an extra day and staying at a hotel an extra night, it’s really unhealthy because they’ll dehydrate themselves to make them as light as possible for the weigh-in. We convinced the state to allow us to do same-day weigh-ins. We

eliminate the need to dehydrate, and they show up fit and ready to fight at their real weight - arrive at 2 p.m. on a Sunday and the first fight is at 5 p.m.”

If an athlete lives in Chicago, for example, they can make the drive, weigh-in, compete in the first fight of the night and drive back home,

greatly reducing the cost of travel and time.

The remaining 2024 events in Louisville will be held at The Jeffersonian on July 21, September 15 and December 1.

“This blueprint I have created for developing athletes was a result of all those trips to

Holland,” Haycraft said. “We know how to make the fighters, how to keep them, how to prepare them, and now we’re creating opportunities for them here at home.”

For more information, visit realfightersgym.com.

JULY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

SIMETRIA

Feather holder?

Caterer’s dispenser

Bake sale offering

Hot spot

Amorphous mass

First name in spy fiction

Who or where follower

Browns

Fleet components

Crazily

Acquires

Palindromic title

Charge carrier

Bridge site

Fair feature

In addition

Wooden shoe

25. Mining finds

28. Clappers

30. Mall conveniences

31. Spar

32. On pins and needles

35. Songlike

38. Deep vein thrombosis (abbr.)

42. Ancient fabulist

44. Asia/Europe divider

45. Hoo-ha

46. Downtime

47. Like a crone

48. Pugilist’s weapon

51. Enough to tango

52. United

53. Turned on

54. Ang or Spike

ACROSS

1. Some trophies

5. Slant

9. Hit in the ring

12. “Carmen” selection

13. Poor, as excuses go

14. Outback runner

15. Pulmonary problem

17. Child occupier

18. Collar, as a perp

19. Puts on the line

21. Staff of life

24. Unexciting

26. Salad topper

27. Miles off

29. Application blank

33. Classified material?

34. “The Pirates of Penzance” heroine

36. Smidgen

37. Prepared to drive, with “up”

39. Curious, plus

40. “No ___”

41. Grand Canyon-esque

43. Out of practice

45. “Peter and the Wolf” bird

48. Oregon ___

49. Haul

50. Impassively

56. Start and end of the Three Musketeers’ motto

57. Has

58. In ___ of

59. Layer

60. Versifier

61. Kind of cell

Solution can be found on the magazine Facebook page

Little Libraries, BIG IMPACTS

LOCAL LITTLE FREE LIBRARY PROGRAM LOOKS TO HAVE A LASTING LITERARY INFLUENCE

You’ve probably noticed the dollhouse-like buildings dotted throughout Louisville, perched upon posts situated in front of churches, schools, stores and even your neighbors’ homes. What are they, and why are they there? These whimsical structures are part of an international program called Little Free Library. The name says it all.

These tiny houses store all kinds of books for all ages. Patrons can pick up fiction books with genres that include fantasy, humor and real adventure, or nonfiction covering topics such as cooking, sewing, mechanics, fishing or travel. A library card is never required. The Little Free Library slogan is “Books are always free.”

The concept for the Little Free Library program began in 2009 in Hudson, Wisconsin. The first library was built by Todd Bol as an homage to his late mother, June Pattridge Bol, who was a teacher, librarian and

Writer / Julie Engelhardt Photography Provided

avid book lover.

Domestically, Little Free Libraries can be found in all 50 states. Throughout the world, they are located in 91 countries and on all continents except Antarctica. Don’t be surprised if you take a journey to Argentina, Bermuda, China, Denmark, Taiwan or Zambia and see a Free Little Library. According to the official website, there are 150,000 Little Free Libraries worldwide.

Closer to home, one organization that’s instrumental in promoting the growth of these free book boxes is Metro United Way (MUW), specifically in neighborhoods on the west side of town. This effort began locally in 2014, thanks to resident Mary Sullivan, who was an MUW employee for 42 years. She now holds the honor of being the volunteer coordinator for donations and

distribution of books for MUW’s Little Free Libraries.

Sullivan’s involvement with Little Free Libraries happened somewhat by accident. She admits she really wasn’t one to surf the internet, especially during work hours, but one day a phrase online caught her eye: “If you’re interested in this, you may be interested in Little Free Libraries.” A post about the libraries explained that they provide an excellent way to distribute books into neighborhoods where there are no libraries, where the reading rate is low, or where there aren’t books in homes. It continued by saying that books in the home equal better reading skills, better grades and educational success.

One of Sullivan’s departments was volunteer engagement at MUW. She approached her boss about MUW participating in Little Free Libraries by reaching out to

community groups to donate books or hold book drives. She explains that one of MUW’s goals is to improve the outcomes and reduce disparities for children from birth to age 5, and also create a healthy system and produce equitable outcomes for youth aged 6 to 24.

Sullivan’s boss gave her the green light. MUW began partnering with the Bingham Fellows program of the Leadership

ground. That program’s leaders were looking at ways to become involved with programs that would benefit the neighborhoods west of 9th Street.

Gwen Kelly, a member of the team and a neighborhood advocate living in the 40210 zip code area, challenged the education team to bring 40 Little Free Libraries to that area. At that time, the 40210 area had the lowest reading rate for children attending

was granted permission from 15 homes and organizations to place libraries in what is known as the California neighborhood.

In October 2014, MUW held a workday at Victory Park to paint the libraries, but it was too cold and the ground was too hard to install them at the time, so they had to wait until the following spring to complete the project.

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

Al, book volunteer deliverer

Grandmother Joanne and granddaughter

MUW libraries are located in the 40202, 40203, 40208, 402111 and 40212 zip codes, which are in the Algonquin, Parkland, Portland, Shawnee and Smoketown/Shelby Park areas.

Currently MUW has 36 libraries. Each library receives between 45 and 50 books every two weeks. “We focus on placing in 15 books for children, which is about birth to second grade, 15 books for youth, which is mid-grade school to high school, and five to six books for adults,” Sullivan explains.

That comes to about 3,000 books per month placed in the libraries.

Book distribution is done with the help of loyal volunteers. There are six who go out on the biweekly run. They first make a stop at the MUW office to pick up boxes of books. The majority of the volunteers have five or six libraries to fill. One volunteer, Kathy Kremer, has eight libraries that she visits.

Kremer began volunteering with the program in 2015 when she heard about the libraries through her book-club cohorts.

“They sent word out that MUW was starting this Little Free Library project, and they needed volunteers to deliver the books,” she says. “I signed up because my parents were readers and they took us to the library. My aunt worked at the public library for 43 years. So it’s just a natural thing for me and I have an inclination to volunteer.”

Kremer goes on to explain that each library has a distinct personality of sorts.

“For example, one is in front of a Boys & Girls Club so I try to put all categories in there, because adults will have kids, and kids will have parents, and they all like to read,” she says. “I try to have a mixture of fiction and nonfiction adult and children’s books. Everyone has different tastes and they have different reading abilities, so trying to pack all of that into one little library is kind of a challenge.”

Kremer also services a Little Free Library in front of a middle school, and says that teachers have asked her to stock it with books that focus on careers. There’s another one in front of an apartment building for lower-income residents. “I’ve gotten requests for cookbooks and large-print material,” she says. “Another one is in front of a church, so I try to keep the books G rated.”

In 2023 Kremer received the WLKY Bell Award for her hard work and volunteer hours with the project, along with other volunteer work she does for the city.

Books are donated through a number avenues, by individuals, businesses and organizations.

“We’ve had books from retired teachers, and we get books from families who are moving,” Sullivan explains. “The Main Library and the Friends of the Library have

been a great resource. After their book sale last April, they donated 52 boxes of books to us. Those were the books that didn’t sell. Those books went into the little libraries that month and they were all probably gone by mid-June.”

Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble have also been great supporters, as well as two young volunteers.

“One time we were really low on books, but there were two children, unbeknownst to

us, that held lemonade stands during the summer, and they had signs up saying that the money would go towards gift cards to buy books for the Little Free Libraries,” Sullivan says. “We received two gift cards for $100 each, and they were both for Books-AMillion.”

Little Free Libraries not associated with MUW can be found throughout the metro area, including Jeffersontown, Middletown and St. Matthews. Visit app.littlefreelibrary. org/ourmap and search for your area as well

as other locations.

If you are interested in volunteering with the MUW’s Little Free Library program, you can reach Mary Sullivan or Dulce Solorio at 502-583-2821. Sullivan’s email address is mschocchip@gmail.com, and Solorio’s address is dulce.solorio@metrounitedway.org.

You can also bring books to the MUW building at 334 East Broadway in Louisville, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Stella, library host with Monica, book deliverer

Sabeem with her favorite childhood book

COMMONWEALTH CREDIT UNION

Writer / Gavin LaPaille

Photography Provided

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

“We are all about bettering the lives of our members and their families,” said 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.

“Commonwealth Credit Union has shown remarkable growth this year,” Griffin said. “Not only are we growing in the traditional

sense - member and asset growth - but we’re also growing in our knowledge base. This year we introduced a new operations training department, which has provided a consistent training plan for all front-line team members. We also continued to field feedback from our members and implement new initiatives where it makes the most strategic sense. Additionally, we rolled out new products such as Power Checking, Personal Goal Savings and, throughout the year, an array of Certificate Specials to help our members take advantage of the current interest rate environment. We also continue to offer a powerful home equity line of credit and other dynamic programs, like Full Home Lending.”

CCU is backed by the National Credit Union Administration, which federally insures savings to at least $250,000. CCU Certificates, IRAs, and Money Market accounts are also insured an additional $100,000 by the Excess Share Insurance Corporation. Griffin said everyone should feel secure having their money at CCU.

“We work continually to provide exceptional service, learn from our members

and implement their suggestions where applicable,” he said. “If it’s a suggestion we can’t implement, we provide them with the ‘why’ behind our decision-making process and help them understand our approach. Our Credit Union has been in business since 1951, and while that is a long time, we’re still growing and adapting to current technology, trends and member needs.  We are excited to be part of an evolution much larger than ourselves.”

“We want to ensure we are offering what is beneficial to you and your family,” Griffin added. “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. With our robust digital banking applications, we’re available to our members seven days a week. Stay tuned; the future is looking very exciting!”

CONNECT

Glenn Griffin

TRACKING HISTORY

REVISITING DOUGLAS PARK, ONE OF LOUISVILLE’S OTHER RACETRACKS

Churchill Downs is not the only horse racing track that has called Louisville home. There have been as many as six others. Many longtime residents can probably name two: Miles Park and Louisville Downs. Miles Park opened at the site of the old Kentucky State Fairgrounds in the West End in 1956. Initially a standard-bred harness racing track, it quickly switched to thoroughbred racing two years later, and actually had a couple of quarter-horse race meets before closing in 1978. Louisville was a standard-

Writer / Dave Matheis Photography Provided

bred harness racing track on Polar Level Road that operated from 1966 to 1991.

Lesser-known tracks were Elm Tree Garden, Oaklawn Race Course and Woodlawn Race Course. Elm Tree Garden was Louisville’s first amusement park. Located on Shippingport Island, it opened in 1829. The park included a racetrack. It closed in 1873. Oaklawn Race Course was located at 7th and Magnolia streets. It opened in 1832 and closed in the mid-1850s. Woodlawn Race

Course was located in far-eastern Jefferson County and operated from 1859 to 1870.

Douglas Park Racetrack had a longer history than any of those, existing from 1890 to 1958, although racing was only conducted during a small portion of that time. Located in the Beechmont neighborhood of south Louisville, Douglas Park Racetrack opened in 1890 as a standard-bred harness racing track. It was named for Colonel James Douglas, the original principal shareholder. Trotting races were held on the grounds until 1913, when the track changed to thoroughbred racing. Those races were only conducted there for five years. In 1918 the Kentucky Jockey Club purchased the 122 acres of Douglas Park and promptly discontinued racing. The Jockey Club began using the facility to stable and train horses for Churchill Downs.

One of the more famous temporary residents at Douglas Park was the horse Donerail. At the Kentucky Derby of 1913, the barns at Churchill Downs were overcrowded, so the connections of Donerail had to stable their horse at Douglas Park. He was walked the three miles to Churchill Downs on the day of the race. Despite the walk, Donerail won that Derby, becoming - and remaining todaythe biggest long shot to win in the history of the race.

The clubhouse and grandstand at Douglas Park were demolished in 1939. A series of damaging fires on the grounds started during the 1940s. In 1941 a fire destroyed one barn containing 11 stalls, but no horses were lost. Then, on New Year’s Eve in 1944, a large blaze destroyed another barn, killing a 77-year-old track attendant, nine racehorses and a track dog in the process. A smaller fire occurred in April of 1948.

Churchill Downs overhauled and improved the facility in 1950. In the same year, the Downs sold 21 acres of the property to the Archdiocese of Louisville. Later, a new church, St. John Vianney, was built on part of those 21 acres. Fire struck again in March of 1951.

This was only a prelude to a major fire that occurred on October 26, 1952. A large barn, reportedly one of the largest horse barns in the world, was destroyed. Sixty-eight thoroughbreds were killed.

That fire created quite a stir in the surrounding area. A fireman on the scene told the Courier-Journal the resulting crowd of onlookers was the largest he had ever seen at a Louisville fire.

“I lived at Fifth and Denmark,” recalled Dave Puckett, a teenager at the time. “From our neighborhood we could see a big red glow the night it burned. First thing next morning, we jumped on our bikes and went there. What a stinking mess, smoldering hay, dead horses.”

“I was 2 years old at the time and vividly remember the sound of the horse hooves hitting the pavement on Amherst Avenue as the horses fled the fire,” said Roger Burge. “Some of the fleeing horses were located as far away as National Turnpike.”

E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park

Louisville’s State Park is your natural escape for meetings and weddings, fun, sports, and trails. Peruse our diverse offerings at parks.ky.gov 3000 Freys Hill Rd, Louisville, KY 502-429-7270

“I was 4 and our young family lived in a second-story apartment near the fire station on Wellington,” said Pat Kincaid, another resident of the area at the time. “I remember my dad taking my 2-year-old sister and me out of the windows to sit on the roof, much to my mother’s chagrin. He tried to explain to us what was happening while we watched the flames rise high in the sky and listened to the sounds of the chaos. I didn’t understand the scope of it at that age, but I sure remember those flames.”

“I was 10 years old and living in my grandmother’s house,” recalled Jack Clark. “We were sitting on the front porch. The sky was turning bright red and my grandmother, who was very religious, thought the world was coming to an end. Scared the devil out of me. I also remember seeing horses run down the middle of Second Street, some of them appearing to be badly hurt. A couple of them fell on the street and were screaming. It was very horrible. My dad went over there to see if he could help and

came back dirty, saying that he helped the firemen hump the hoses. I remember that fire well.”

“I can remember the fire,” said William Stovall. “My mother and aunt took my cousin and me there the next morning. Horses were lying around along with thousands of feet of hose. Twenty years later, I became a firefighter. Go figure. I guess it made a impression on me.”

Donnie Hardin’s father was a teenager. He and his friends saw the smoke and rushed over on their bikes. They saw horses running around screaming. The scene haunted his father until he died.

A 24-year-old exercise boy later confessed to deliberately starting the fire while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, and was sentenced to five years in prison. He also admitted to accidentally setting the fire in March of 1951.

As successive fires plagued Douglas Park, Churchill Downs continued to sell off parcels of the property. In 1954 three acres were sold to George Gould for the construction of offices, and the Archdiocese purchased seven more acres for $28,000. This latter plot would become the site of Holy Rosary Academy, now the Americana Community Center.

Finally, at a meeting of the board of directors of Churchill Downs on June 5, 1956, the decision was made to liquidate the rest of the property. The board hoped to obtain a total of $1,000,000 for capital improvements at the Downs. The last horses left the grounds in July of the next year. The track surface was actually scraped off and deposited on the Churchill Downs racetrack. By the spring of 1958, the remaining 78 acres of Douglas Park were cleared of the last 10 barns, and the land was leveled and sowed with grass.

WELL-STAGED

BOURBON & BEYOND AND LOUDER THAN LIFE FESTIVALS RETURNING BIGGER THAN EVER

Celebrating its sixth installment, Bourbon & Beyond returns for its biggest year yet. Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the world’s largest bourbon and music festival is set to take the stage this September 19 through 22 at Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center. With two new music stages and 40 extra music acts for 2024, this expansion brings the total to five dynamic music stages hosting 100 talented artists, alongside captivating culinary and bourbon workshop stages, promising an unforgettable affair.

“Beyond the music, the festival has so many great experiences,” said Chamie McCurry, Chief Marketing Officer for Danny Wimmer Presents. “There is something

Story & Photography Provided

for everyone there. We will have some special programming and great partnership activations throughout the event. It’s an amazing festival experience from beginning to end.”

This year’s all-star lineup of music artists spans generations and genres, with legends Neil Young and Beck on Thursday, Dave Matthews Band and Tedeschi Trucks Band on Friday, Zach Bryan and Cody Jinks on Saturday, and Tyler Childers and My Morning Jacket on Sunday, along with Matchbox Twenty, The National, Whiskey Myers, Black Pumas, The War On Drugs, The Beach Boys, Mt. Joy, Fleet Foxes, Young the Giant, Maren Morris, The Head and the Heart, Melissa Etheridge, Teddy Swims, and

many more.

The festival attracts concertgoers from all over the world. Indeed, Bourbon & Beyond’s annual success has made it a can’tmiss event. Fans come from all 50 states and over 25 countries to Louisville for an unforgettable four-day journey filled with great music, tasty bourbon and renowned restaurant offerings.

Louisville is known for its southern hospitality. It’s where May is Kentucky Derby season, and now September has become festival season, stretching the city’s tourist season well into the fall. The tourism dollars generated from Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life have made it a true

economic boon for the city that welcomes horse racing and sports fans.

Outside of the great music acts are the culinary experiences with Food Network stars and “Chopped” judges Amanda Freitag and Chris Santos, James Beard Award-winning Chef and Author Ed Lee, and Kroger’s Wine and Spirits Expert Chris Blandford. Each day will see bourbon panels, tastings and food demonstrations with artists, bourbon experts and celebrity chefs.

The music lineup at Bourbon & Beyond is extensive and spans generations of music. In fact, new acts are still being announced. Make plans today to attend this year’s festival, whether for a single day or the entire four-day lineup. It’s an adventure you won’t soon forget!

THE LINEUP INCLUDES:

Zach Bryan, Dave Matthews Band, Tyler Childers, Neil Young, Beck, Matchbox Twenty, The National, My Morning Jacket, The War On Drugs, Whiskey Myers, Cody Jinks, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Black Pumas, The Beach Boys, Mt. Joy, Fleet Foxes, Young the Giant, Maren Morris, The Head and the Heart, Melissa Etheridge, Teddy Swims, Koe Wetzel, Milky Chance, The Red Clay Strays, Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett, KALEO, Sierra Ferrell, Charles Wesley Godwin, Shane Smith & The Saints, The Wallflowers, Cory Wong, X Ambassadors, Sunny Day Real Estate, Dinosaur Jr., Larkin Poe, Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, Lucius, JJ Grey & Mofro, Beth Hart, Allen Stone, Wilder Woods, Niko Moon, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The War and Treaty, Ole 60, Larry Fleet, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Mat Kearney, Arlo Parks, Hiss Golden Messenger, Smith & Myers, BRELAND, Patty Smyth, Wyatt Flores, Cimafunk, Futurebirds, The Bacon Brothers, M. Ward, Soul Asylum, Son Volt, Jade Bird, Neal Francis, Suzanne Vega, Wild Rivers, Dexter and The Moonrocks, KT Tunstall, The Dip, Meg Myers, Samantha Fish, Amigo the Devil, The Record Company, Taylor Acorn, Dan Tyminski, The Sam Bush Band, The Jerry Douglas Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Tony Trischka’s EarlJam, Sister Sadie, Devon Gilfillian, Robert Finley, Abby Anderson, Abraham Alexander, Vincent Neil Emerson, Andy Frasco & The U.N Royel Otis., Mac Saturn, Jake Kohn, The Castellows, Madi Diaz, Motherfolk, Grace Bowers, Mapache, Maggie Antone, Briscoe, Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel, Hueston, Robert Jon & the Wreck, The Brothers Comatose, Theo Lawrence, Colby T. Helms and The Virginia Creepers, Nicholas Jamerson & The Morning Jays, New Dangerfield, Big Richard, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Chatham County Line, Tray Wellington Band, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Lizzie No, The Jacob Jolliff Band, East Nash Grass, The Local Honeys, Mountain Grass Unit, Kaia Kater, The Last Revel, Kyle Ray and more.

“Our talent team prides itself on putting out the best lineup every year and being better than the year before,” McCurry said. “They have a lot of pride in curating that lineup specifically for the fans. We want to provide something new and something they love so people want to come back and experience it again.”

Passes are available to purchase at bourbonandbeyond.com and fans can lock them in as low as $10 down.

The weekend after Bourbon & Beyond, rock takes center stage for Louder Than Life, America’s biggest rock festival. With 140-plus bands over five stages, Louder will welcome Slipknot, Slayer, Motley Crue, Korn, Disturbed, Evanescence, Judas Priest and many more, September 26 through 29 at the same festival site.

Danny Wimmer Presents and the city of Louisville are ready to shine bright when they welcome the biggest eight days of music in the U.S., and host over 400,000 fans between the two festivals this September.

Expires 8/31/2024

Expires 8/31/2024

TALENT, REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN AMID LOUISVILLE’S CORPORATE CONSOLIDATION.

WORLD-CLASS CITIES ARE OFTEN MEASURED BY THE ECONOMIC

VITALITY OF THEIR DOWNTOWN, characterized by a diverse cultural and commercial landscape, thriving real estate, desirable schools and a central business district buzzing with activity. Over my lifetime, downtown Louisville has evolved from a hub of locally grown companies in the 1980s and 90s to a center focused on amenities like the Bourbon Trail, museums and sports complexes. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Louisville was bustling with energy and development.

Today, the downtown and business landscape in Louisville and similar-sized cities has shifted. Many local companies have been sold or merged with out-of-town entities, turning former local corporate headquarters into high-vacancy rental office towers. Additionally, a significant portion of the workforce has transitioned to remote work, changing the dynamics of the downtown area.

Louisville, like many cities, has seen a transfer of wealth and intellectual talent to cities where corporate headquarters have moved. This shift impacts philanthropic donations and job opportunities, as larger cities attract young professionals seeking employment. The challenge now is to reclaim and reinvigorate our downtown, ensuring it remains a vibrant center for the community.

To address these changes, Louisville must think big and bold. Independence Bank supports the plan by Mayor Greenberg, Louisville Downtown Partnership, and Greater Louisville Inc., which aims to enrich and revitalize the city by tackling crime, homelessness and creating a welcoming environment. This plan leverages Louisville’s strengths, including its medical district, higher education and innovation district, arts community, enhanced residential living, the Bourbon Trail and tourism. Initiatives like relocating the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and

potentially repurposing vacant office towers for Jefferson County Public Schools headquarters are steps in this direction.

Looking ahead, Louisville should consider even bolder ideas, such as converting downtown office towers into educational districts for high school STEAM and magnet programs.

Attracting college graduates back to Louisville could be achieved by creating professional jobs that accommodate semiremote work and offering tax incentives to reduce student loans.

It is crucial to act now, support local leaders and collaborate on innovative solutions. Independence Bank is committed to investing in Louisville, believing that positive change begins with small, bold ideas that can grow and drive the city’s economy forward.

Louis R. Straub, II President Loan Officer Independence Bank

Writer / Aimee MacArthur

While I like the idea of a summer bucket list, it can feel a bit overwhelming. I prefer to make a short list, so I feel a sense of accomplishment when I can complete the list. Here are 5 inexpensive ideas to add to your summer bucket list. I guarantee you’ll save money and have some fun this summer.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM … VISIT AN ICE CREAM SHOP!

It doesn’t seem like summer unless I’m standing in front of an ice cream stand. I have many fond memories of visiting ice cream shops when I traveled with my family. I enjoy standing in line and chatting with other customers about what they plan to order. Long lines don’t matter to me when there’s an ice cream treat waiting at the end. My favorite ice cream splurges are a hot fudge sundae and a cherry soda with vanilla ice cream. Go with a group of family or friends and each choose something different. Ask for recommendations and try some fun flavor combinations. Make it a contest and vote on who ordered the best ice cream treat. Award the winner a gift card from the ice cream shop.

HAPPY HUMMINGBIRDS.

SET UP A HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER.

These tiny birds bring me so much joy. A hummingbird feeder is an inexpensive investment. Most feeders run between $10-$20. You will need a pole or a stand to hang the feeder and

It’s easy to make the hummingbird nectar. It’s one part sugar to four parts water (1 cup of sugar 4 cups of water) and let boil. Let the solution cool and fill the feeder.

Hummingbirds are attracted to red, so be sure you have some red objects near the feeder. You can have red flowers or even a red patio umbrella. Hummingbirds will visit the feeder a handful of times a day. Believe me, they are fun to watch and sometimes I’ll have three or four at the feeder at one time. Delightful!

For more information on hummingbirds, visit the National Audubon Society at audubon.org.

VISIT A FARMERS MARKET

Summer is the time to appreciate local produce and other homemade goods. I enjoy stopping at a local farmers market and thinking of different things to cook. It’s a way for me to jump out of my comfort zone. I set a budget for myself before I go the market. A trip to the market doesn’t have to be expensive. A stop at a farmers market can be one-stop shopping for breads, dairy, produce and meat all in one trip. On a recent trip to my local farmers market, I purchased a loaf of country white bread, a couple of spice packets to make a fantastic meal, and some fresh produce. When I’m finished shopping, I sit on a bench and do some people watching and listen to music. It’s also a good time to see if I need to get anything else. I usually decide to make a few more stops at the market before I leave.

GO FOR A SUNSET WALK

Some of the best sunsets are during the summer. You can’t beat the mix of amber and violet hues. I take my dog, Louis for long sunset walks, and I always bring my phone. It’s a chance to capture a few photos and send to friends and family. I get some ideas by looking at my neighbors’ yards. As an extra bonus, you’ll be getting in a healthy workout while enjoying a gorgeous sky. Perfection!

CHILL AND GRILL

I can sometimes get into a grilling rut. Summer is the perfect time to shake up your grilling game. I like to make kabobs (veggie, chicken, shrimp, steak), which are inexpensive if you buy the ingredients and assemble them yourself. You can save money by using less meat and more vegetables. Don’t forget to season well with salt and pepper or spice mixes. Serve the kabobs with rice and a feta, tomato and cucumber salad and you’ve got a perfect meal. Grill packets are inexpensive and easy to make. Put veggies and potatoes in aluminum foil and season with salt, pepper and olive oil. Seal them up and cook them on the grill. Fajitas are another fan favorite. Choose your veggies, protein and put them on the grill. Any of these meals can be enjoyed outside. Want to save a little more money? Check the grocery store ads and select your grill meal based on what meat and produce is on sale. Make your meal fun by taking photos of your grilled feast.

For more information on grilling, visit foodnetwork.com and search for grilling ideas and recipes.

Emergency Room Wait Times at Your Fingertips

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In a medical emergency, every second counts. That’s why UofL Health offers the most ER locations in the region with shorter wait times. And now, when you text ERWait to 511511 you can get a list of wait times at all 7 ER locations. We also have expert Urgent Care Plus centers nearby.

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.