St. Matthews Magazine December 2019

DECEMBER 2019

MAGAZINE

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DECEMBER WRITERS

Abigail Hake / Annette Skaggs Christy Heitger-Ewing / Dr. Vicki Danis Julie Engelhardt / Kelsey Schneider

DECEMBER PHOTOGRAPHERS Thomas Shelby & Erin Harrell

HISTORY BUFF: ST. MATTHEWS AUTHOR TOM MORTON STILL FEELING NOSTALGIC So what does a retired teacher & musician do to keep his or her mind and hands occupied during the day? Well, if you are someone like Tom Morton, you help to write a book. Not just any book, but a historical chronicle of what life was like in Louisville’s St. Matthews neighborhood from the turn of the century till the 1970s.

6 History Buff: St. Matthews Author

Tom Morton Still Feeling Nostalgic

10 Business Spotlight: Music Go Round

20 Roasting for a Cause: Kingdom

Bean Coffee Helps People Around the World

26 8 Reasons Christmas Is the Most

Wonderful Time of the Year 12 Winter Health Tips aking Up With Kelly K: 14 A Jolly Pair: Local Couple Portrays 30 WJeffersontown Resident and Santa & Mrs. Claus

19 Business Spotlight: Aerus Electrolux

Morning Radio Host Talks 20 Years In the Business

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philately (stamp collecting), Mr. Morton struck up a conversation with the author about his curiosity of the area of which he had So what does a retired teacher & musician do to keep his or her raised his family of four and worked for the past few decades. Over mind and hands occupied during the day? Well, if you are someone several meetings and discussions, the idea was eventually turned like Tom Morton, you help to write a book. Not just any book, but a into a storyboard. historical chronicle of what life was like in Louisville’s St. Matthews neighborhood from the turn of the century till the 1970s.

Mr. Morton talked about his life and some of the process and revelations that he and his co-author went through to achieve the When IUS history professor John Findling came to the St. final copy of their shared work.

Matthews Historical Society to talk about and promote his latest book titled “Louisville Postcards” and their shared interest in The lure of a new position with General Electric for the patriarch of Writer / Annette Skaggs

6 / ST. MATTHEWS MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / StMatthewsMag.com

the Morton family was the catalyst for a move to Louisville from Pennsylvania. Young Tom and his family found themselves in a quiet subdivision near Southern High School in Okolona, complete with lots of kids to pal around with and a new adventure.

Tom eventually moved to Maryland to go to school and make his way into the world but eventually found his way back to Okolona. It was shortly after his return to Louisville that he married and began raising his family in the Clifton area while employed with the Kentucky School for the Blind as a music teacher, band director and typesetter.

After a while the Mortons found themselves in St. Matthews off Cannons Lane which made it easy for Tom to get to the other jobs that he held at the time, including working with a Catholic parish as a music typesetter and later, a teacher for kids K-12 and adults while also substituting in their music groups.

As the family grew, the Mortons eventually moved to another St. Matthews home and have remained there ever since.

While Tom is not teaching any longer, he is still very

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involved in and around the Louisville community and can be found lending his enthusiasm and talent at a number of places.

For instance, he is an avid volunteer for Actors Theatre and serves on the board of Bunbury Theater. He has even been in one of their shows “A New Mrs. Claus.” Seems that Tom was a natural to be in that show, as he is a Santa Claus look-a-like. While he doesn’t perform at the malls like other Santas he’s been seen at events like the Flea Off Market.

And before you think that Tom isn’t doing anything musically, you’d be wrong. He loves to attend the Jam Sessions that fill the Butchertown Social with fun and excitement on Friday evenings with the Louisville Folk School.

Once the aforementioned storyboard was submitted to the editors at Arcadia Publishing, the real work began with the research and writing of the book.

The authors set out to retrieve as much documentation, treasures and stories as they could find among the libraries, businesses, churches, historical societies and residents. In the process of culling thousands of pieces of information as it pertained to St. Matthews, work began on assembling the look and feel of the book.

It is quite a trip through time when looking at the information that

was presented and shared with Morton and Findling. It was in the 1950s that St. Matthews was made into its own legal entity. Also, the Mall of St. Matthews is one of the first malls in America, having been built in the 1960s.

It is no secret that the St. Matthews area has a wealth of architecture, both past and current, such as the former Bacons Department Store that now houses Drake’s and Waylon’s Feed Store. And did you know that there was a White Castle at the corner of Lexington, Shelbyville, Chenoweth and Frankfort Aves that had been there since the 1920s? Unfortunately, because of the inability to build a drive-in, the building was relocated, but Eclipse Bank stands there now. The Vogue Theater was built in 1939 and flanked by a Kroger and the now-defunct Taylor Drug Store. While building changes happen, there was a constant that the authors found in their studies: family roots, such as the Ochsners who have owned their eponymous garage on Shelbyville Rd for almost a solid century and is still going strong.

So within these nuggets of information and the assemblage of said over the course of 15-18 months they completed the draft and submitted their work to the publisher. About six months later “St. Matthews”, as part of the “Images of America” series, was born.

Printed as a lovely hard-cover, the book focuses on the St. Matthews

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neighborhood of Louisville. Strewn throughout its pages are meticulously procured and curated artifacts of history, both tangible and orated. The authors often held or looked at pieces of history that dated back to the 1800s.

Hard to believe that an area of town that was once mostly farm land when it was established in the late 1700s has developed into one of the most vibrant and sought after neighborhoods of Louisville to raise a family or to do business in. And by the looks of things, it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Morton enjoyed the time that he had in writing “St. Matthews” and the wealth of information that he learned from doing so and is very proud of how it turned out.

While we may not be graced with another book from Mr. Morton we may see him around at the theater or even on television. Morton is an actor, too. Truly a man of many talents and Louisville is all the richer for his being here.

If you would like to purchase “St.Matthews”, please check out local bookseller Carmichael’s Bookstore. Copies were also seen at Lotsa Pasta as well as Half-Price Books, Books-AMillion and Barnes and Noble. You can go through Arcadia Publishers too.

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MUSIC GO ROUND 3640 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy Louisville, KY 40299 (502) 495-2199 MusicGoRoundLouisvilleKy.com

Music Go Round has been buying and selling instruments in Louisville for 21 years, including the last eight years at their location off Hurstbourne Parkway. Owner Doug Carlson didn’t have any professional experience in the music business before starting the Louisville franchise, but music was always his passion.

“I used to manage steel plants up in Pennsylvania,” Carlson says. “We made wire, some of which is used for musical instruments like pianos, guitars, mandolins and banjos.”

Carlson wound up in Shelbyville, Kentucky, 24 years ago to manage a small wire plant and had the opportunity to make a career change after his position was downsized.

“It’s sort of like being semi-retired, because it’s a lot of fun,” he says.

“Music had always been a hobby, but I wasn’t really good enough playing to make a living at it,” says Carlson, who has an engineering degree.

Doug’s son Phil is also a part owner in the business. Phil operates the store on a day-today basis, manages employees and oversees all inventory. Rather than leasing the space, Doug bought the building that houses Music Go Round when the business moved in and leases it to Phil.

Instead, finding himself in Kentucky and without a job, Carlson jumped on the chance to buy a Music Go Round franchise.

Music Go Round has 35 locations across 18 states, and the Jeffersontown store is the only location in Kentucky. The friendly and

10 / 38 ST./MATTHEWS MIDDLETOWN MAGAZINE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER / JULY 2018 2019/ atMiddletown.com / StMatthewsMag.com

knowledgeable staff has decades of experience across a wide range of instruments. The entire sales staff are musicians who have a genuine love for what they’re selling, many of whom started as customers at the business before joining the Music Go Round team.

Customers in search of anything from a guitar to a violin to keyboards can find what they’re looking for at Music Go Round. The selection is great for both seasoned musicians adding to their instrument collection and youngsters starting out in their school band.

And if it turns out you’re no longer using your instrument after a while or need an upgrade, Music Go Round buys instruments and gear seven days a week. The staff reviews each item then makes an offer based on fair market value. If you accept the offer, you’ll get paid on the spot.

If you’re looking to score a deal, be on the lookout for the store’s seasonal sales, including a back-to-school sale that’s great for families in search of school band instruments.

There are also clearance events throughout the year. The next upcoming clearance event is the Thanksgiving Day Event that takes place the day before Thanksgiving.

Music Go Round’s team of teachers even offer lessons seven days a week The 30-minute private sessions are available by appointment only and cover a wide range of instruments. Their teachers have a wealth of musical experience as performers and instructors and are committed to helping young people hone their craft.

Between all the new and used gear options, there is something for everyone. Music Go Round is also an authorized UPS shipper, so they can send gear across the country. All shipments are insured, and the staff has the know-how to expertly pack instruments for quick and safe transport.

Music Go Round, located at 3640 S. Hurstbourne Parkway, is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information please visit musicgoroundlouisvilleky.com or call 502-495-2199.

StMatthewsMag.com atMiddletown.com/ DECEMBER / JULY 20182019 / MIDDLETOWN / ST. MATTHEWS MAGAZINE MAGAZINE / 39 / 11

WINTER HEALTH TIPS VITAMIN D

Writer / Dr. Vicki Danis

Welcome Winter! We do indeed have four seasons here in Indy. With this cold weather comes cold and flu season too, unfortunately. So here are a few easy tips and considerations to help keep you healthy during this season.

SLEEP

Yes, sleep is necessary for health. Sleeping is the time your body repairs and heals itself. Make sure you are devoting enough time for a full rest. Do this regularly. The highest levels of HGH (Human Growth Hormone) are produced at night. This vital hormone replenishes growth for most all cells in our body. It can also help regulate blood sugar, reduce body fat, increase energy, build muscle and strengthen the immune system.

GUT HEALTH

It influences virtually every cell in the body. It can act like a switch to turn on the immune system and can increase its function by a factor of 3 to 5. Vitamin D turns on peptides within your immune system, which have a strong antimicrobial response to fight off any invaders.

But what if I’m already sick or feel like I’m going to get sick? Try some of these supplements to help boost your immunity:

ELDERBERRY

This is a great tasting syrup. You can buy or make your own. It is remarkable for Upper Respiratory Infections (URI’s) in both kids and adults alike.

VITAMIN C

This potent vitamin is needed by the immune system to function quickly. Tablets or capsules are easy to take. Drinking OJ does not count!

The immune system starts in the gut. In this case, we are talking about the intestinal tract. Are you digesting food? And if so, is it ECHINACEA being properly absorbed? How do we know? Reflux or heartburn This immune system stimulator can help cut days off a cold. Taking are signs of improper digestion and improper absorption. Try a digestive enzyme to ensure digestion can occur. Have constipation it preventatively has been shown to work as well. or diarrhea? Absorption is an issue with these concerns. A probiotic may help. Try one with many strains listed for more diversity and a ASTRAGALUS ROOT This herb has been used in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) better outcome. for years to help not only boost the immune system but to fight off invaders as well.

12 / ST. MATTHEWS MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / StMatthewsMag.com

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A JOLLY PAIR LOCAL COUPLE PORTRAYS SANTA & MRS. CLAUS Writer / Julie Engelhardt Photography Provided by Kitt Creative

With the holidays upon us, our thoughts turn towards readying for the days ahead which includes gift shopping, decorating our homes and other preparations. Prospect residents Jay Kluckhohn and his wife Amanda Spalding are really no different from the rest of us when it comes to prepping for the season, yet, they have a unique talent — one that our readers need to keep close to the vest. Here’s the scoop: Jay and Amanda are Santa and Mrs. Claus.

OK, so they may not be the ‘actual’ St. Nick and his dear wife, but they certainly play the parts quite well. Jay is a tall, robust, jovial man with rosy red cheeks and a head full of snowy-white hair and a beard to match. In

‘real life’ he is an aircraft mechanic inspector for UPS. Amanda has a kind, nurturing spirit about her, a sweet voice, a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye. In her real life, she is a nurse and Medicare claims review manager for Humana. So how in the world did these two make the decision to portray Santa and Mrs. Claus?

Jay and Amanda first met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend, and it all worked out, for they have been married for 16 years.

Generally, new couples will discuss their past, their work, hobbies and interests, but Jay wasn’t reluctant about telling Amanda about his desire to be Kris Kringle.

“I’d been growing my beard for some time, and I told her that I felt like Santa Claus and I thought that I’d be a good Santa,” he says.

DECEMBER 2019

Jay’s friend at work, who was portraying Santa at the time, told Jay that he could see him in that role as well. Nothing came of it at first, but three years later a chance meeting with another Louisville Santa convinced Jay to begin pursuing his passion.

“In January of 2017, Amanda and I walked into the Oxmoor Center and saw a man wearing a red coat and red hat, with this magnificent straight white beard that was combed out and styled,” Jay says. “That should have been a hint as to who he was.

We walked up to him and after talking, he told me that I would make a good Santa. He suggested we get together some time.”

This man turned out to be Walt Queen, a very well-known Santa in Louisville.

A few weeks later, the three met up again along with another man who portrays Santa. While they were talking, a little girl seated nearby continued to look at Santa Walt.

“She just kept looking and looking at him,” Amanda says. “And Walt just turned it on, and this little girl came up to him and just snuggled up and started talking to him about how she just loved what he brought her for Christmas. It was so magical to see Santa come to life in front of your eyes.”

That did it for Jay. He joined the Kentucky-based Bluegrass Santas, and he and Amanda attended the International Santa Celebration hosted by the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS) in Denver, Colorado in 2018. According to Jay, it was a life-changing experience.

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“All these men — black, white, Hispanic, Norwegian, short or tall — it was incredible,” he says. “None them of argued. None of them were fighting for left-right principals. None of them were yelling in disgust. They were all strangers to each other, but at the same time they were all together, and they were all friends. They literally impressed me up one side and down the other.

Even the guys selling Santa stuff in the back room were impressive. We have greatly enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship of the Bluegrass Santas and the IBRBS.” As for Amanda, she was a little hesitant, initially, when it came to diving into the persona of Mrs. Claus.

“I was 54, and the one thing I was struggling with is that I didn’t want to be frumpy,” she says. “I was just going to be Santa’s handler, his manager. I was going to be the person in the back of the room with the smart headset on whispering kids’ names to him. But, I loved all of the Santas and Mrs. Clauses I’d met at the Celebration in Denver, and I started getting into it a little bit more. The Mrs. Clauses there said I

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needed to attend an event called the Santa Nana Holiday University held in Columbus, Ohio. So I did, and that’s where I ‘found’ my Mrs. Claus.”

One of the exercises the ladies had to do was tell a story about being Mrs. Claus.

“My story was about how I met Santa,” Amanda recounts. “The story goes like this: One day I was eating lunch outside, sitting on a bench, and this bearded man came by and he asked if he could sit down and eat with me and I said yes. When I looked up at him I saw fairies and sparkles all around him, and I could hear bells. He sat down and as we ate, I kept looking at him all the while.

Finally, he asked, ‘Why are you staring at me like that?’ and I answered, ‘Well, you have fairies and sparkles, and you’re just radiating magic!’ Santa then looked at me and exclaimed, ‘You’re the one! You can see the magic!’”

The ladies simply loved her story and

Amanda admits it gave her goosebumps as she was telling it.

Amanda also experienced another epiphany while at the University. She wanted to have her picture taken by the professional photographer on hand, but

she had nothing ‘Claus-like’ to wear.

“One of the ladies lent me an outfit which had a gorgeous red wool cape and a big white fur hat,” she says. “I put them on, looked at myself in the mirror and I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh, I am Mrs. Claus!’”

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When asked what kind of joy they receive from portraying the most famous couple from the North Pole, Jay says, “It has been the most remarkable, rewarding type of work you can do. It must be like what a priest goes through.

The children respond to you positively.

The adults respond to you positively. It’s not you making believe — you are Santa for the period of time that you’re in front of the children.”

Amanda loves it because of the magic their characters bring to the families.

“Seeing their eyes light up and watching them interact with Jay, it’s just wonderful,” she says.

Jay and Amanda say they’d like to build this into a business and have enough income to do home visits for children and families who can’t afford to pay for a Santa. They would like to make hospital visits and work with the Shriners.

“We don’t want to get rich off of this, we want to give back to the community,” Jay says.

Last year was the first year for Jay and Amanda to appear in public. This year, their appearances included a visit to the Eastern High School Band Holiday Boutique in November, plus they’ll be at Kiddie Kastle Children’s Furniture Store, and Wild Eggs in Westport Village, along with a few other spots around the Louisville area.

It’s easy to see why they both simply love playing Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“It’s all about building your own North Pole,” Amanda says. “You’ve got to come with all of your backstories, and how you’re going to answer questions ahead of time. You’ve got to think of all of the things the children are going to ask you, and you need to know your backstory so well that you can answer as Santa.”

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Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

Aerus Electrolux manufactures and distributes a number of Healthy Home products, including systems for air purification, floor care and central vacuum.

The powerful but quiet central vacuum systems, which can cover up to 10,000 sq. ft., are low-maintenance and greatly improve air quality in the home. Dan Welker, who has been in the business for more than three decades, purchased the Aerus Electrolux franchise 16 years ago.

Welker is proud of the five-star rating the company has received on Home Advisor because he prides himself on providing excellent customer service. For instance, customers have referred to Welker as “extremely professional, knowledgeable and down-home friendly.”

Welker recognizes that people appreciate the little things — like that he takes his shoes off when he enters their home and that he takes the time to properly explain things. Plus, he’s not interested in upcharging people on unnecessary items.

“I was taught long ago to take care of your customers and your customers will take care of you,” Welker says. “I’ve done that forever and always will.”

generator and produces hydroxyl cells, which is like hydrogen peroxide and cleans the air as well as contaminants on surfaces. Those with allergies, asthma or COPD hugely benefit, though, as Welker says, “it’s for anybody that likes to breathe in fresh clean air.”

Welker mentions household cleaners that contain volatile organic compounds which cause some people to suffer headaches and nausea. Air purifiers keep such health issues at bay. Jenny Gassert, who has allergies to dust and pollen, purchased the Beyond Guardian air cleaner for both levels of her house and the Lux Guardian Angel for the master bedroom.

“We have definitely noticed how dust-free the furniture and baseboards are in our house. In fact, when our daughter shook out a throw blanket, she commented on how little dust she saw in the sunlight,” Gassert says. “I’m very happy we invested in these.”

When Welker meets with a customer, he takes the time to find out what their issue

Aerus Electrolux carries a top-of-the-line air purification system that is second to none.

“In fact, NASA uses our technology in their space station,” Welker says. “It’s called Activepure Technology.”

The way the machine works is that it mixes water molecules in the air and goes through a DECEMBER 2019

is and then provides them with all possible options.

“I don’t hard sell. Customers get to decide what they want to buy,” says Welker, who installs Aerus Electrolux central vacs for both new and existing homes.

“I’ve installed thousands of them. They are a very reliable product,” Welker adds. “Just the Aerus Electrolux name speaks for itself.”

Though Welker stands behind the product, he maintains, “If you’re upset with any part of my business, I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy. When you buy a product from me, you’re not just buying the product.

You’re buying my service and the expertise behind it.”

Offering free pick-up and delivery, plus free estimates, “we always try to give red-carpet service,” Welker says.

For more information, call 502-425-9568 or visit aerushome.com.

Owner David Dale

KINGDOM BEAN COFFEE HELPS PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

When David Dale first moved to Southeast Asia 15 years ago, he didn’t know he would find his life’s calling, but that’s exactly what happened. He initially worked for an agriculture company that promoted soybeans. Over time, however, he learned all about the farming community and the plight that upland farmers faced. Unlike the wealthier farmers who planted rice, soybeans and other crops in the lowlands, upland farmers plant their crops on the mountainside. Crops grow during the rainy season but due to heavy erosion, the land is not sustainable and the soil is degraded quickly, which means they have to clear new plots the following year.

“Basically, upland farmers have to do four times as much work for less than half the yield,” explains Dale, who wanted to find a way to help those farmers.

He began to think of an agricultural cash crop he could promote that would make sense to plant in the mountains rather than in the lowlands.

agency had promoted coffee cultivation but never helped connect them to markets so although the coffee grew just fine, they couldn’t sell it.

“It had to be something that would fetch a high enough price on the market that would make it worth our while as well as worth the while of the farmers to plant and sell it to us,” Dale says.

“We came along and that was the piece of the puzzle that was missing,” Dale says. “Not only could we provide them with the crop and technological expertise to successfully cultivate, plant and harvest that crop, but we could also provide them with the market to sell it.”

It also needed to be something that he could export to a larger stable international market.

By growing coffee, these upland farmers could have an income that was at least “I didn’t want to do some fad thing,” he says. quadruple what they were getting from “I wanted something stable.” upland rice or corn. Luang Prabang is the name of the city and province where Dale Someone suggested coffee and as Dale started the coffee company, so he jokes that researched the climate and terrain in he “put the bang in Luang Prabang!” northern Laos, the product checked all the boxes for a sustainable cash crop. Ironically, The other interesting part of this story at the time he wasn’t even a coffee drinker. is that these farmers in northern Luang He found one village where a development Prabang used to grow opium. Back in DECEMBER 2019

the day, Laos was known as one of the countries in the Golden Triangle (the area where the borders of Thailand, Burma, and Laos come together) and was the leading region from where opium was sourced.

The mountainsides were covered in opium poppy. Then in the early 2000s, Laos joined the international community and the government carried out a program to eliminate poppy cultivation. Opium plots were cut down, but the farmers were never given sustainable cash crops.

“That kind of poverty led these upland peoples to all sorts of problems, including sickness and human trafficking of young girls,” says Dale, who knew that by increasing people’s economic situation, vulnerability to human trafficking would be alleviated. He set out to do that with coffee.

Dale admits that his plan did not go smoothly at first. For one thing, he and his Lao employees were seen as outsiders to the upland farmers. They didn’t trust the suggestion of planting this new crop.

Dale understood their apprehension. After all, coffee wasn’t an established crop or livelihood in northern Laos.

“People who are in poverty are very risk adverse because they can’t afford to take a chance and fail,” Dale says. “It was difficult to get them to try something they had never done before.”

Ultimately, Dale made believers out of everybody, and in the end, prior to moving to Louisville in 2016, he promoted coffee cultivation to more than 800 families and

20 different villages in the province of Luang Prabang.

“It wasn’t a silver bullet,” Dale says. “It takes time, but it can definitely help the farmers to begin the climb out of poverty.”

When Dale and his wife, Tou, and their children Elijah, Hannah and Jonah left Laos, they didn’t shut everything down (they had opened two coffee shops in Laos while there).

“We were involved with coffee production all the way from planting the seeds and growing the trees through harvest processing, roasting and then with our coffee shops actually grinding, brewing and serving cups of coffee and espresso,” Dale says.

According to Dale, Luang Prabang is the number one tourist destination in the country of Laos because it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“A half a million tourists go through there every year,” Dale says. “That’s one way our coffee shop is able to help — because we sell to expatriate communities as well as tourists.”

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Last year, Dale opened Kingdom Bean Coffee in Louisville. He roasts in Jeffersontown but sources it from his own company in Laos as well as China, Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam, Ethiopia and Brazil — places around the world that also use coffee as a vehicle for helping disadvantaged people. It was important to him to open the coffee shop because he wanted to support the efforts of companies that use coffee to help disadvantaged people, which is why he sources from such social & sustainable enterprises. He also wanted to give others the opportunity to do so by purchasing their beans.

“Our plan is to give a portion of our profits to mission work in Southeast Asia,” Dale says. “I also want to use this business to have a local impact, too, and to use it to share the love of God with people.”

His primary goal of the business is to ensure that his coffee tastes great.

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“There are a lot of ‘do-good’ coffees out there, but some of them don’t taste very good,” Dale says. “I want people to buy our coffee because it tastes great and then it’s gravy to know that this is supporting some of the most disadvantaged people in the world.”

Dale sells eight different coffees, all of them single origins except for their blend which is an espresso blend — a medium roast. He notes that a common coffee myth exists that says an espresso roast needs to be really dark.

“That’s only true if the coffee is bad, but if you have good beans, you don’t have to roast them so dark, even for an espresso,” Dale says. “People are surprised when they see that our espresso blend is not dark roasted, but that’s probably our most popular one.”

“People get excited about coffee,” he says. “I think it connects to the romantic tendencies in people because it’s a naturally interesting subject,” says Dale, who is pleased by the doors his business has opened to the community.

And if you’re wondering, yes, Dale is now a coffee drinker.

So far the biggest reward to running Kingdom Bean Coffee is chatting with his customers and sharing the story of how they use coffee to serve people.

“I’ve met 10 times as many people in the last year in Louisville since we opened than I did the first two years living here,” Dale says.

“That’s been super rewarding.”

Kingdom Bean Coffee is located at 11700 Commonwealth Dr, Suite 100, Louisville, Kentucky. For more information or to place an order, visit kingdombeancoffee.com.

“I started in 2006 by pumping it up with a ton of milk and chocolate syrup, but now I drink it black,” he says.

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8 REASONS CHRISTMAS IS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR Writer / Abigail Hake Photography Provided

Growing up, there were certain things you looked forward to right after Thanksgiving.

The radio started playing Christmas songs, lights quickly went up around town, and the hustle and bustle of life started to run at a quicker pace because everyone knew the season was here and the holiday was coming, and fast! But while we all love the holiday season, there are a few things that really help make Christmastime the most wonderful.

1. THE LIGHTS

2. GIVING BACK The holidays are the perfect time to give.

People tend to channel their inner Saint Nick and give more generously around this time of the year. Sock donations are always welcomed and a great way to give to local shelters. There are plenty of kids who might not have a very magical holiday without donations, so look for local children’s centers and groups where you can adopt a child for the holidays by fulfilling their wish list anonymously. Giving doesn’t have to be done in monstrous ways, you can just grab an item off the donation tree at work, buy a preloaded bag of groceries at the store or even buy the coffee for the person behind you in line at your favorite coffee shop!

Often times, it’s the littlest things that make the biggest difference. Not only do you feel good doing it, you know you are making someone else’s day too.

There’s something about driving around on streets lined with lighted trees that transports most to a happy and carefree place! There’s something about the twinkling lights backed by the darkness that makes you feel like you are in a magical wonderland. And if there’s snow, the lights take on an even more magical effect. So, please light up all the things!

3. FRIENDS & FAMILY All lamps, fences, homes, anything and everything! And don’t feel rushed to take One of the best parts of the holidays, for them down either. most, is seeing our friends and family at DECEMBER 2019

times when we aren’t rushed to get from here to there. Taking time out during the holidays to unplug and reconnect makes for the most enjoyable gatherings! While this can be a stressful time of the year, it doesn’t have to be. Put that phone down and enjoy the time you have with your loved ones, unless you are snapping photos of course!

Anytime a large (or small) group gets together, it’s a good time. It’s always fun to see that cousin who’s in from California or your great grandmother surrounded by all her grand and great-grandchildren. Holiday get-togethers tend to make for some of the best memories!

4. CHRISTMAS PARTIES Speaking of get-togethers with friends and family, everyone is throwing a party during this time of the year and there’s definitely something for all! It’s amazing the different types of parties you can have these days – gift exchanges, crafting, cookie decorating or end of year work parties are sure to fill out your holiday calendar. And honestly, who doesn’t get a good laugh when the ugly Christmas

sweaters come out to play! Just make sure to drink responsibly and have fun.

5. DELICIOUS FOOD Holiday food is all about comfort and we can all use a little bit of comfort food now and again. It is funny how you might look forward to your grandmother’s pecan pie or your mom’s green bean casserole, but there’s also something about the sweets that come along with the holidays that really call you to the table. Pumpkin Pies, Christmas Cakes and all the cookies you can imagine tend to fill dessert tables to the edges and also make you wish you wore your best yoga pants to dinner.

6. PRETTY PRESENTS Gift wrapping has become an art form.

Beautifully wrapped packages are extra enticing sitting under the tree. Sometimes the best are brown paper packages tied up with string, but other times the winners are ones with sprigs of fresh greenery and beautiful

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handmade bows. While you can outsource gift wrapping to the kids running fundraisers at the mall or the shop you purchased at, it is fun to get creative with your wrapping. You can also create your own wrapping paper from drawings and pictures which is great if you want to go for a more personalized look. Either way, if you do it yourself or ask someone for help, pretty packages are something to look forward to each holiday season!

7. HOLIDAY MOVIES Some of the most loved movies out there are those that revolve around a holiday. Who goes through Thanksgiving without watching “A Christmas Story” or the entire month of December without watching “Elf ”? And let’s be honest “Home Alone” is a kid’s favorite year-round. Holiday movies can really get you in the spirit! You might be missing out if you haven’t watched “The Family Stone,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or “While You Were Sleeping.” Make a list this year and see how many you can check off!

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8. FAMILY TRADITIONS Traditions are an awesome way to make memories year after year. It could be volunteering together with friends and family, making ornaments with your kids or decorating gingerbread houses with friends. Whatever you decide to do, make it a tradition. You may already have some like wearing matching pajamas or going ice skating outdoors but there’s definitely nothing wrong with making sure you do something every year around the same time! It takes that normal everyday outing and turns it into something special everyone looks forward to.

So there you have it. Some of the best reasons that Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. And while it can be the most magical and fun-filled time of the year for most, please know that it can be extra hard for others. So, this holiday season, make it a goal to remember everyone has a story you might not see, to spread love and kindness and remember the reason for the season.

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WAKING UP WITH KELLY K JEFFERSONTOWN RESIDENT AND MORNING RADIO HOST TALKS 20 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS Kelly’s plan was to be a TV anchor one day and while getting some broadcasting experience, Kelly says she fell in love with Kelly K and her husband, Michael married radio. She loved entertaining audiences and in October 2006. They have two kids, Jacob “My internship turned into being a co-host continued on her path in radio. According and Ava. Their family hobbies include family on a morning show very much like our show to Kelly, after she graduated, her roommate games, shopping and movies. Kelly says they now.” Kelly says. suggested she move to Louisville. Kelly like to make silly videos and they also love

moved to Louisville in August 1996 and playing with their two pugs, Poppy and Piper. According to Kelly, her internship was the began work at MIX102.

best place to learn the ropes, and she says Kelly explains that her first radio gig was her first morning partner, Rick Mummy, was “MIX102 was an 80s and 90s format”, her internship. an incredible teacher. Kelly met Rick while says Kelly, 102.3 (formerly MIX102) is in Lafayette studying at Purdue. where Kelly did middays and became a ”I got into radio at age 19 while a student promotions director. at Purdue University as an intern (I was “Rick taught me so much about comedy and majoring in TV production thinking I structuring a show,” she says.

“The station was purchased a year later, the would do TV news),” she says. “I was format flipped and we were all fired,” she voicing commercials the first week, had a The biggest thing she had to learn was to be says. “Bounced from LITE 106.9 mornings weekend air shift in the first month, and was authentic. “Your audience will know if you to B 96.5 to HOT104.3 before landing at co-hosting the morning show by the end of are faking it to create some character version 99.7 DJX to do mornings with Peter B in the first year!” of yourself,” Kelly adds.

May of 1999.”

Writer / Kelsey Schneider Photography Provided

She says the station was similar to DJX and her internship was where she gained some broadcasting experience.

30 / ST. MATTHEWS MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / StMatthewsMag.com

Peter retired after 20 years with the station and The Ben Davis and Kelly K Show was born in March 2008.

Kelly’s other influencer, both in her personal life and her professional life is Barry Fox, the program director who hired her at WDJX.

DJX was founded in 1984 and has won Best of Louisville in 2000, 2001 and 2017.

“I just marked 20 years doing the morning

show on DJX,” Kelly says.

Kelly is one half of the Morning Show, mornings 5:30 am - 10:00 am The Ben Davis & Kelly K Show. Playing ALL THE HITS for Kentuckiana. DJX radio plays hit music and has cool contests.

Kelly has earned several awards, one including her AWRT On Air Personality of the Year award. She is frequently named in the top three Favorite Radio Personalities on the annual Louisville Magazine’s Best

of Louisville and year after year in Leo Reader’s Choice awards.

Kelly has recently taken up a job, a “side hustle”, with voice work she does for clients all over the country. She has a home studio where she does commercials that air in many other cities.

Thanks to social media, Kelly says, she and Ben are very interactive with their listeners even after the show airs in the mornings.

They use an app where notifications pop-up

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StMatthewsMag.com / DECEMBER 2019 / ST. MATTHEWS MAGAZINE / 31

every time someone interacts with a post on one of their platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook). Kelly says the listeners end up being a great resource for material.

This is how Kelly and Ben are able to put their show together. Kelly says every morning her and Ben look at a few show prep websites. The prep websites compile all the trending stories into different categories (news, weird, entertainment, etc.). She says she and Ben also watch social media to see what people are talking about. This gives them a plan for every day’s show. Kelly says her and Ben are prepared to go with anything that might pop up in the middle of the show, “it’s planned improv.”

She says that interacting with listeners all day keeps her and Ben invested in their brand.

They can comment and respond to questions from their phones no matter where they are.

“I do a lot of that from the carpool line during the school year,” Kelly adds.

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Their fans send them stories her and Ben think should be on the show, and her and Ben love that because, as Kelly explains, “it shows how well they know us and the show.”

When asked what the most challenging part of her job is, she says, “The early hours.

I’m not a morning person. Never have been. People who say your body adjusts to the schedule are lying. I’ve been doing mornings for 20 years on this show and I curse the alarm every dang morning. That said, once I get here, we have a ball every day. I love every aspect of what I do.

“I’ve always looked at our show as an escape for listeners from their own stress and struggles,” Kelly says when asked about a constant in her career at DJX. “We always try to make you laugh for a few minutes, and maybe turn around what may have started out as a challenging day. We’re not a drama or controversy-filled show. We are fun and silly. That has proven to be a pretty successful philosophy for us.”

When asked who Kelly’s “dream guest” to have on her show would be, she responded, Ryan Reynolds.

“Ryan Reynolds in studio is the pot at the end of the rainbow for me,” she says.

The show has had some pretty big names over the years including Jennifer Lawrence, Will Smith, Kevin Hart and Jennifer Lopez.

Kelly’s favorite radio station to listen to as a kid was U93 and the U Morning Crew in South Bend, Indiana. She says she grew up listening to U93 and the U Morning Crew.

She is a music fan.

“Richard Marx when I was in the 8th grade was my first concert,” she says. “One of the best shows I’ve seen, though, is Ed Sheeran.

He was incredible as a one-man show with no band, just him.”

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SADDLE UP VETE RAN’S C LU B FOU N DE R CONTI N U E S TO G ROW EQU I N E TH E RAPY PROG RAM FOR KE NTUC KY VETE RAN S Writer / Kelsey Schneider Photographer / Thomas Shelby & Erin Harrell

Kentucky’s identity is strongly surrounded around horses and the horse industry. In fact, the equine industry is a major part of the state’s agribusiness and Kentuckians claim that because Kentucky’s hills are filled with limestone, the bluegrass that grows there is rich in calcium. The calcium supposedly builds unusually strong bones in horses.

in 2003-2004. Harrell is married to his wife Erin and they have four children, Brooklyn, Mattie, Lola and Collin. Due to his military service in Iraq he was medically retired and diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.

and in this country. When you try to build relationships with people it doesn’t happen.

The odds are against you coming home.

“I truly felt like my identity was stripped from me and now I had no mission,” Harrell adds. “I felt lost, hopeless and unproductive “This in turn is what has lead me to start the while at the same time dealing with the Veteran’s Club,” Harrell explains. “Obviously issues of my service in Iraq. getting out of the Army early and becoming retired at 30 years old wasn’t the plan.”

This went on for nearly a five-year period and after three divorces that didn’t last Harrell recalls not knowing about any help three years total and several other failed Equine therapy involves different treatments groups or many organizations that were relationships with family and friends, and activities with horses to promote Harrell came to a point where he knew willing to help someone like him through human physical and mental health. something had to change. After being his transition back home.

Kentucky’s Veteran’s Club Founder and fired from his job, he was diagnosed with President, Jeremy Harrell, offers equine PTSD by the United States Department of “I felt like a fish out of water,” he says. “You therapy as a support to those in need. can’t relax, you have nothing to worry about Veteran’s Affairs. but you can’t relax. You don’t know how to Harrell is a Louisville, Kentucky native and react anymore and be civilized. Everyone is “You live it everyday” Harrell says. “I loved US Army Combat Veteran of the Iraq War. every minute of the military and felt like I proud of you and you get parades but then He was deployed during the initial invasion the parades stop. You feel alone in this world was making a difference.”

34 / ST. MATTHEWS MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / StMatthewsMag.com

Harrell explains his experience after going to the VA. ”I was sitting in my living room thinking about what the VA had said,” he says.

“I still get emotional because that was my identity. Lots of veterans have had the same experience. Now I know how important family is.”

After meeting his wife, Erin, Jeremy attended an equine program in Kansas.

“Erin was raised around horses most of her adult life,” Harrell says. “She thought it would help me.”

He and Erin were introduced to the horses.

According to Harrell, “I was very reluctant since I’d never touched a horse and hadn’t been any closer to a horse then at Churchill Downs. However, we’ve all heard the phrase Happy Wife, Happy Life so I went along.”

”Although I was very nervous at first, I became drawn to the animal,” he says. “I remember being so busy watching the horse and working with it that I was no longer thinking about all the ruminating thoughts I’ve been used to. I was too involved learning the horses and horsemanship skills.”

Harrell remembered feeling immediately relaxed out on the beautiful farm in Kansas.

After that weekend, he and his wife flew back home and Harrell vowed to share that same

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kind of program in Kentucky, the horse capital of the world.

“This was all an idea on a napkin and the idea was to get 12-15 veterans involved,” he says. “Nearly two years later, we’ve served around 90 veterans through our equine program which is now nationally recognized.

“I’ve had Vietnam veterans come up to me and say they haven’t felt that relaxed in 40 years,” he adds. “Being 38 years old, that was an overwhelming feeling to know that Vietnam vets have been struggling in silence longer than I’ve been alive and we were able to provide that kind of relief in five hours on the ranch with horses and conversation.

We’ve been privileged to see marriages and relationships with children restored after a few sessions of our Equine Program.”

The Veteran’s Club currently hosts the Salvation Army Homeless Vets and, according to Harrell, there have been

Jeremy Harrell

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several veterans who have found jobs, bought vehicles and found housing on their own after his work through the program. Veteran’s Club hosts Volunteers of America Shelby Men’s Recovery Program, InspiriTec in Fort Knox, and the club works with participants from the Jefferson and Fayette Counties veteran treatment court.

Harrell says Veteran’s Club has helped more than a thousand vets in outreach, therapeutic activities and job opportunities. The Veteran’s Club has expanded their programming by adding Veteran’s Club Yoga and monthly family cookouts to our therapeutic activities.

called Operation Care. We have a private Facebook group we use to reach vets in between events and to share resources and information within the veteran “During the winter months when we aren’t community, too.” engaged in Equine Therapy we focus on community outreach,” Harrell says. “We’ve The private Facebook group has more than 1,000 members and creates a raised money and food for the Coast platform for vets to communicate Guard members in Louisville during the privately and freely and has helped in a shutdown. We also donated a car to a Woman and Family Shelter in Shelbyville reduction of veteran suicide.

“We are growing exponentially and look forward to serving the veterans of Louisville and the state of Kentucky,” Harrell says. “It’s my new mission and a passion that I can’t tame.”

Harrell’s work with the Veteran’s Club has resulted in being named this year’s Kentucky Veteran of the Year, being commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel and nominated for the Kentucky Hall of Fame.

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