St. Matthews Magazine June 2023

GOOD DAY FOR A 5K

ST. MATTHEWS INDEPENDENCE DAY 5K RETURNS

Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided

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

With a history dating back to the 1970s, the 5K had been part of the annual St. Matthews Street Festival for a number of years, but was moved to the Fourth of July last year for the first time. Race Director Bill Nowak thinks the change has pushed the race to a higher level.

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

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

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

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

“The last several years, we’ve gotten businesses to donate a lot of food,” Nowak says. “There will be food and refreshments, and there will be door prizes all the runners will be eligible to get. We have a lot of booths set up for people who finish early so they have something to do.”

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

“We expect more and more as people find out about the race,”

Nowak says. “We got a tremendous response last year from runners who participated. I know they’re going to be talking about it. I think it’s going to be something runners can look forward to every year.”

Fittingly, Independence Bank became the primary sponsor of the event last year and is back this year, along with other community sponsors. Packet pickup for the event is held at the bank on Shelbyville Road, with those stopping by to get their bib entered into a drawing for a $100 Fleet Feet gift card.

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

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

repairs for the elderly, putting together care packages for frontline workers, making blankets for those in need, doing local park cleanup, and beautifying St. Matthews Elementary.

St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) is another major beneficiary of the proceeds. They seek to unite the resources and people of area congregations to effectively meet community needs. Through St. MAM, area congregations collaborate and partner with government, schools, businesses and other nonprofits to meet emergency needs, stabilize families in transitional situations, provide a nurturing and healthy environment for children and youths, and offer resources for the benefit of the whole community.

“The proceeds go right back into the community and support programs and services that assist St. Matthews residents,” Nowak

says. “The last race, we had over 20 sponsors and local businesses who donated things. To give right back in the community and support it was the icing on the cake for me.”

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

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

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

TOWERING ACCOMPLISHMENT

RESTORATION PROJECT CONTINUES FOR LOUISVILLE WATER TOWER

Writer / Makenna B. Hall

Photography Provided

from deteriorating,” says Channa Newman, Louisville Water Company’s education and outreach manager. “That’s obviously a huge part of the reason why we’re doing all of this.”

Though many changes are happening to update the building, Newman is hoping that the appearance will not shock familiar residents.

Keeping the historic landmark title is important for the water company, so they are ensuring they follow any landmark stipulations, like using similar types of materials and matching to the original state.

“The best thing that we hope comes from this, and what should come from this, is it looks very much like it always has, but just much more cleaned up and sturdy and sound,” Newman says. “It’s just a refreshed and refurbished look to that history that we want to

The water company began planning for the restoration project beginning with an investigation in 2020 by K. Norman Berry Associates, a Louisville-based architecture firm.

The investigation followed the discovery of extensive insect damage, rot, and moisture damage in the tower. Along with the cosmetic changes to the park, the restoration includes adding a ventilation system to fix moisture buildup in the tower.

Another important piece of the restoration puzzle is returning the 10 statues that typically adorn the water tower’s circular balustrade. The statues were removed by a crane in 2020 to be driven to EverGreene

Architectural Arts in Washington D.C.

A group of four to six people at EverGreene, a

company that specializes in historic restoration and conservation, spent a year with the statues before sending them back to Louisville.

Today’s sculptures are not the original 10 but are rather replacements, with nine of them made in 1899 after a tornado and another in 1980 after a thunderstorm. The statues include Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Mercury, Neptune, Hebe, Danaide, Flora, and Indian Hunter and Dog.

EverGreene confirmed through metal composition analyses that the 19th-century statues are made of zinc. Zinc’s composition as a softer metal, along with the age of the statues, meant that EverGreene needed to rebuild the armature, or inside support frame.

“The sculpture is hollow and inside there’ll be different beams depending on the shape that’s needed,” says Silvia Callegari, an EverGreene conservator. “Also, [the armature] helps to attach it to a roof or wherever it may potentially be installed.”

Flora, the statue recreated in the 1980s, was made of aluminum and did not require work to be done on the armature.

The EverGreene team also cleaned the structures and removed soiling, repaired and patched deteriorating parts, and also repainted.

In the case of the Indian Hunter and Dog statue, more had to go into the restoration. “His arm was actually separated from the rest of the sculpture, so it had to be reattached,” Callegari says. “The repair was also done successfully.”

The statues have been crated and shipped back to Louisville, where they await the completion of the park’s restoration before being reinstalled.

EverGreene sent the statues back with maintenance recommendations to ensure they stay in pristine condition in the future.

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“THE BEST THING THAT WE HOPE COMES FROM THIS, AND WHAT SHOULD COME FROM THIS, IS IT LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE IT ALWAYS HAS, BUT JUST MUCH MORE CLEANED UP AND STURDY AND SOUND.”

—CHANNA NEWMAN

“The paint coatings over time are going to potentially deteriorate,” Callegari says. “They’re white. They’re going to get soiled, so just regular general cleaning can help to kind of lessen that deterioration. If it does eventually get to a point where there’s flaking or the coating is not intact anymore, they should be repainted, but that won’t be for some time. As long as another tornado or a storm doesn’t come through, hopefully they’ll weather well.”

Pumping Station No. 1 has not provided Louisville residents with water since 1910. Though fresh water is no longer a product of the park, it still offers a variety of services to the public from tours to space rentals.

With this restoration project, Louisville Water is also looking to improve the setting for events by refurbishing the pumping station. The building will have updated windows and doors, configured landscape to address drainage issues, and a fresh coat of paint on the outside. Panels will also be added inside the high-ceilinged building to improve acoustics by creating a sound buffer.

“With it being also a rental facility, [it is] able to have meetings and events, weddings and things in that space, able to optimize the experience for people using the facility,” Newman says.

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The pumping station is a popular venue for weddings and outdoor events. According to Newman, the water park is one of the most photographed places in Louisville, where people come to take prom and wedding photos.

“It’s really important that we help to maintain that and keep that in the forefront of what we do, that those facilities help us tell our story,” Newman says. “They’re the beginning of everything we do in water and they still are today, so we want to make sure that we maintain that history.”

Louisville Water regained use of the pumping station in 2014 to open the museum on the history of the company. Schools and other groups are able to tour the facilities and learn about how water is supplied to the city.

Displays of videos, photographs, memorabilia and special exhibits fill the museum, and share the story of Louisville Water and its contribution to the innovation of safe drinking water.

“There’s a lot of great history to learn about how Louisville Water kind of grew up along with the City of Louisville,” Newman says. “The museum follows a timeline from our very beginnings in 1860, and some of the new pieces we’re adding will really bring it into the present day.”

When the museum reopens there will be new exhibit spaces, updating the company’s historic timeline and including more information on the people that make water possible.

The walking tour gives visitors a look into the park grounds, around the pumping station and inside the water tower. Visitors will once again be able to walk into the water tower after construction is complete.

In September all events scheduled at the park for 2023 were canceled, due to longer-than-expected renovations.

“With any building that is over 160 years old there’s going to be some challenges, and the timeline did get pushed a little bit,” Newman says.

By pushing the timeline and taking care of the issues, Louisville Water leaders wanted to make sure that any events hosted would be done in a safe structure.

Newman says that as of now, they are on track to hopefully reopen in some capacity at the end of 2023. For more info, go to louisvillewater.com.

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THE WONDERS OF WILDLIFE

SECOND CHANCES WILDLIFE CENTER FOSTERS CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

It all started with baby opossums. Brigette Brouillard was camping with family when, out hiking, they came upon orphaned baby opossums. Worried for their safety, she reached out to shelters and humane societies only to learn that their services did not extend to the preserving of wildlife. It was in the finding of those animals that Brouillard and a handful of knowledgeable and erstwhile volunteers began the facility known as Second Chances Wildlife Center.

Spread across 23 acres, the Second Chances mission is to foster compassion, conservation and environmental stewardship through education and wildlife rehabilitation. Their mission is accomplished in two waysfirst, environmental education programs, which not only teach facts, but also foster compassion and excitement for nature and environmental sustainability, and second, the rescue, rehabilitation and safe release of orphaned, injured or displaced native wildlife.

The educational component of the wildlife center helps to connect humans to the needs of the wildlife that surround us each day. Brouillard shares that the soonest we can share our knowledge and experience with young people, the better the chances they

will be good stewards of our environment, including wildlife.

Having been a school teacher for 18 years and also worked with the Louisville Zoo for 20, Brouillard and her trained volunteers often travel within a two-hour radius within Kentucky and southern Indiana with classes such as “While You Were Sleeping,” “Wildlife and Waterways” and “Awesome Opossums.” If you are looking for a more robust educational experience, Second Chances also offers a compendium of classes that can take place over the course of weeks, or you can choose to bundle the five courses in the same week. All materials are included with the classes, and oftentimes an ambassador animal will accompany the teacher.

Ambassador animal? Yes, Second Chances has a select group of animals that serve as program ambassadors. You may have the

opportunity to get to know one of the four opossums that have residency at the sanctuary - Peaches, Cinnamon, Nutmeg or Clove. Have you ever wanted to see a bat up close? Currently there are 17 brown bats, 10 Egyptian fruit bats, and two eastern red bats named Pumpkin and Pepperoni, who reside at the compound and very well might accompany the instructors for a session.

Speaking of Pepperoni the bat, she has a book written about her, “Pepperoni: The One Winged Bat.” As if Brouillard was not busy enough, she wrote an adorable true story about Pepperoni’s journey to the sanctuary, and how she learned to adapt to her new way of life. With illustrations by Lori Sargent, the book is dedicated to Brouillard’s children, Kyle and Molly, and can be found on Amazon.

Besides bats and opossums that take up permanent residency, there are other animals on site including Juan Carlos and Blackjack the raccoons, one groundhog who goes by the name of Major, Apache and Rocket the African sulcata tortoises, Blu and Amelia the flying squirrels, Rawlings the red fox, Livia and Spartacus the box turtles, Danica, Rudy and Brooks the skunks, and Bougie the beaver.

Writer / Annette Skaggs Photography Provided

When asked why these animals are on permanent residency, Brouillard shares that for many of them, injuries and inability to survive in the wild precludes them from being released.

“I have an outstanding group of volunteers from all kinds of different walks of life - vet techs, nurses, teachers, techno wizards, bankers, public servants, etcetera,” Brouillard says. “These dedicated folks travel as far as Cincinnati, Fort Knox and Goshen to help care for and nurture these animals, as well as assist with the curricula. Some of my volunteers have been with me for as long as nine to 11 years. We ask a lot of our team in that they must commit four hours a day, and we offer various shifts to accommodate those schedules. These invaluable people are here to assist with animal intake, cleaning and maintaining the habitats and/or cages, feeding and watering the animals, allowing the animals recreation and assimilation, and serve as docents for on- and off-campus classes. I’d be delighted to have 20 more.”

And what about those enclosures - are they natural? Man-made? “With conservation of these animals, we try to get their surroundings as close to what their natural habitat would be,” Brouillard says. “Our outside enclosures are rather large, 18’x20’, and we include tree limbs, rocks and other woodland accoutrements that you’d expect in the outdoors. We also have animals that reside indoors and that could be for medical or rehabilitation reasons.”

Of course, Brouillard and her team did not go into this endeavor blindly. It is a rigorous and painstaking process to run a facility such as Second Chances. “There are a lot of courses and certification processes that need to take place before we can

Care that Comes to You

legally operate,” Brouillard says. “Through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife there is a gauntlet of class clinics, labor works, homework and tests that one has to go through to be licensed. Our sanctuary goes through the same procedure as the Louisville Zoo does. We have an annual inspection that includes lengthy and detailed accounting of all animals that have arrived and been let go of at the sanctuary. Our permanent residential animals are licensed, just like the animals at the Zoo. So, we absolutely have the passion and drive to serve the wildlife in and around our area.”

ACROSS 23 ACRES, THE SECOND

What about the upkeep of the animals and the property? “Second Chances is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, where we receive 80% of our operating costs from individual funding,” Brouillard says. “Recently we participated in the Community Foundation of Louisville’s Give for Good campaign and did well, but we absolutely rely on donations and class fees. For example, it costs $231 for a bucket of baby formula that we feed to our babies.”

“We also spend a small fortune in other foods too, such as cat and dog food, fruits and vegetables, yogurt, fish, jarred baby food, mealworms and mice,” Brouillard continues. “We also go through so many paper towels and baby wipes, like you would not believe. Of course, there are the other things such as vet bills, utilities, property upkeep, and medicines and vaccinations. We make sure that all our animals are vaccinated against diseases such as parvo and rabies, as is required by law.”

What does one do upon coming across an animal that may be in need? “Like I had encountered before I began Second Chances, many well-meaning and kind people do not have an inkling of the resources that may be out there to take care of wildlife that may be in need,” Brouillard says. “There are often calls to the shelters, animal hospitals and pet stores, but luckily many of these places know to direct calls regarding wildlife to sanctuaries like mine now, and we do the same if it relates to an animal beyond our abilities to assist. It is not uncommon that our office receives 50 calls a day regarding any array of animals. I believe we have received about 3,000 so far this year. The months of March through October seem to be the busiest for us, as those are prime baby months. Things seem to slow down just a hair in the winter, but we are still busy.”

Along with Brouillard’s talent for treating animals as well as teaching about the animals

themselves and conservancy, she adores having the ability to reach out and experience conservancy in person. Recently she and a small group of environmentalists traveled to Belize and the Galápagos Islands, where they assisted in the tracking of endangered sea turtles. “Having the opportunity to watch these turtles come to the beach, dig out a nest that many of us were able to assist with, watch as this mother turtle lays hundreds of eggs, covers them and goes back out to sea, is life changing,” she says with a smile, adding that she is currently planning for another trip soon.

If you are interested in any of the programs offered by Second Chances, or would like to volunteer or donate, please feel free to go to secondchanceswildlife.org. There you will find a robust website filled with information about their classes and programs. Second Chances is a pathway to help those animals in need, and teach us how to be better to ourselves and our wildlife friends.

JUNE CROSSWORD PUZZLE

1. Bed problem

2. Clan members

3. Made known

4. Face-off

5. Experienced one

6. First name of two U.S. presidents

7. Act like a chicken?

8. Explorers’ destinations

9. Allies opponent

10. Small change

11. On bended ___

19. Den denizen

20. Collect slowly

21. Blacksmith’s implement

22. Choral voice

24. Grig, when grown

26. Back in?

28. Boxing

29. “___ bitten, twice shy”

30. Picks up the check

32. An eye for the poetic?

34. Canter, for example

37. It’s a bore

39. Complete

___ Dame 42. Blueprint 43. Some parasites 44. Soprano Gluck

46. Classroom drilling 48. Make a choice 50. By way of

Wing it?

CHOOSING CHANGE

ADRIA JOHNSON OF METRO UNITED WAY LOOKS TO BRING ABOUT LASTING LOCAL IMPACTS

Acommon theme has emerged in Adria Johnson’s nearly three-decade-long career - her ability to build community support. This skill has served her well in her new role as chief executive officer at Metro United Way.

Johnson took over as CEO of Metro United Way in August of 2021. Since that time she has continued to lead the transformation of the 105-year old nonprofit from a fundraising organization to a community pillar that inspires change.

“We’re continuing to lean in with the intent of being very focused in the ways of supporting the community, of bringing about greater transformational and lasting changes,” Johnson says. “We’re really pushing to support those things that bring about equity, and to start to get into some of the systemic issues that shape our state of affairs as we all navigate this world.”

Prior to her role as CEO, Johnson was the organization’s chief impact officer for three years. She worked with community leaders from the seven counties served by Metro United Way.

A native of Louisville, Johnson earned a degree in accounting from Ball State University and later completed Master of Business Administration courses at the University of Louisville. Her career has spanned the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

She began her career in various accounting roles at Humana as well as Louisville Gas and Electric. She then served as an analyst and finance manager at Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, before joining Louisville Metro Government as a capital planning analyst.

“I had a really rewarding career in the private sector,” she says. “It allowed me to widen my expertise and skill set. I wanted to find a way to fill the passion for what fuels me as an individual, for what feels like purpose on this planet.”

When she stepped into city government, she realized she had the opportunity to impact lives more directly.

Later at Louisville Metro Government, she held several executive positions in the Department of Housing and Family

Services (later named the Department of Community Services and Revitalization).

“All along the way I was learning and honing my leadership skill set,” she says. “I was able to take those talents, skills and abilities to understand how to effectively lead an organization.”

Her executive experience later led her to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, where she served as deputy commissioner from 2012 to 2015 and later as commissioner from 2015 to 2018. As commissioner, she led a staff of 4,600 and an operating budget of approximately $1 billion. While there, Johnson led the formation and implementation of a comprehensive child welfare reform initiative.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work with a variety of stakeholders,” Johnson says. “I’ve been able to develop meaningful relationships and work collaboratively with people across aisles, demographics, and from varying philosophies and stances. We worked together for the greater good we are all striving for, to solve the community’s greatest challenges.”

She serves on the boards and advisory councils of numerous area charities and nonprofits including Kosair Charities, Coalition for the Homeless, Social Current, Community Foundation of Louisville, Evolve502, Center for Nonprofit Excellence,

Writer / Jessica Able Photography Provided

Adria Johnson

University of Louisville’s Project on Positive Leadership, and Fifth Street Baptist Church.

She also took part in Leadership Louisville in 2022 and will complete Leadership Southern Indiana in 2023.

Metro United Way began in 1917 as a volunteer-driven organization primarily to solicit donations to address the social needs of the day. Throughout the years, the organization became synonymous with its annual fundraising campaign that supported numerous community foundations and charities. Today it serves Bullitt, Jefferson, Oldham and Shelby counties in Kentucky, and Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties in Indiana.

While in her role as chief impact officer

at Metro United Way, Johnson led the Community Impact department. In that role she studied the overall approach and strategy for implementing programs and addressing disparities across the health, education and economic sectors.

“When we look at the history of Metro United Way, we know that it has supported a wide variety of community organizations,” she says. “It’s a fierce fundraising engine.”

What is taking place now, Johnson says, is

“WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH FOOD INSECURITY, TRANSPORTATION AND MENTAL HEALTH.” —ADRIA JOHNSON

a monumental shift from viewing Metro United Way as simply a “community-chest pass through” to an organization intent on investing in solutions

“We can’t be everything to everybody,” she says. “We began looking around across the seven counties and were not seeing improvement in certain areas the way we would like. We began to ask, ‘What are the greater needs? What are the roots of these challenges? How can we bring about change in the communities we so desperately want to see?’”

The organization asked its constituents, donors and community partners what needs were most pressing, and if they saw Metro United Way taking an active role in solving those challenges.

A couple of common themes that came from these discussions, Johnson says, was a lack of educational and economic success.

“We’re just not seeing the level of educational success we’d like to see across various ages and grades,” she says. “We also began to hear we’re lagging in terms of the ability people have to prosper economically, to amass wealth to break the cycles of poverty.”

While Metro United Way will continue to play a vital role in meeting the basic needs of the local community, it also seeks to address the root causes of bigger systemic issues.

“We will continue to support those organizations that serve those who struggle with food insecurity, transportation and mental health,” Johnson says. “Everyone deserves to have those needs - basic needs, basic human rights - met. All that aside, we are focused on investing in solutions.”

Johnson says she draws inspiration from two things - her own personal experiences and her family.

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“I experienced poverty growing up, and I know the pain and the shame that often come along with the struggle, along with what it takes to lift out,” she says. “That personal experience offers tremendous inspiration to use my time, talent and treasure to help others.”

When she’s not on the job, Johnson enjoys spending time with her two grown children, two grandchildren, and her goddaughter. She also enjoys reading, dining at Mojitos Tapas and, when time permits, hot yoga.

For more info on Metro United Way, visit metrounitedway.org.

CULTURAL PASS

Writer / Julie Engelhardt Photography Provided

Summer is here, which means the kids are out of school. The thought of not living by the alarm clock’s constant warning or stressing out about homework sounds delightful, but then this question comes to mind: How do I keep my children happy, as well as engaged, for the next couple of months?

There are family vacations, but those only last a week or so, and then there are day camps, visits to the pool or taking trips to local amusement parks…but soon these little outings can start costing a whole lot of money.

Fortunately, there is an ingenious way that parents and caregivers can keep their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews active during the summer, and the best part is, it doesn’t cost participants a single dime.

It’s the Cultural Pass.

This is an admission-free program for young people, ages 0 to 21, that supports and encourages summer learning by providing access to more than 40 arts and cultural institutions across Louisville and Southern Indiana. The program kicks off June 1 and concludes August 6, when public and private schools return to regular session. The program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

“The Cultural Pass started as a collaboration between the city (of Louisville), the library, the Fund for the Arts, and the Arts & Cultural Alliance,” Tory Parker says, Director of Marketing and Communications/Fund for the Arts.

“This is a program that runs alongside the library’s summer reading program,” she says. “It’s quite unique. Nowhere else in the country has a program this robust, and certainly not this old, that has as many venues participating for no cost.”

These important city entities make certain that obtaining a Cultural Pass is as easy as visiting your local library. Participating locations are the Louisville Free Public Library and Bullitt County Library in Kentucky; the Jeffersonville Township Public Library, Charlestown-Clark County Public Library, the Floyd County Library, and Harrison County Public Library in Indiana. Participants do need to register for a library card to obtain a pass.

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“As of right now it’s a physical pass, like a passport, that you take to the cultural venue,” Parker says. “It’s really just a program to help get people out and about into the community to places that they might not be able to visit due to cost or that they might not be able to visit during the school year.”

Parker says that the Cultural Pass has been wildly successful, and the committee is excited about this year’s programming.

“We had over 40,000 passes given out last year, and over 56,000 visits to our venues,” she says. “We also had over 168 zip codes from Kentucky and Indiana represented.”

Parker explains that the passes are registered under each child’s name and one adult is welcome to accompany each child.

To be selected as a Cultural Pass location, venues first go through an application process.

“It’s open to any 501 (c) (3) that wants to participate that is in an arts and cultural institution,” Parker says. “We have an open registration period. They need to meet the qualifications and determine what they will offer and when they will be offering it. If it’s a first-time venue and if they have never completed the registration before or aren’t necessarily sure what they would do for Cultural Pass, we will work with them to help them establish what their programming can be, so that we can make sure that we have as many diverse experiences on the passport as possible.”

Kentucky Shakespeare

Louisville Zoo

21C MUSEUM HOTEL

Good for ages 13 and older. Visitors will be able to explore the art of the 21st Century with “Fragile Figures: Beings and Time,” and permanent exhibits at 21c Museum Hotel, Louisville! Catch the falling letters in “Text Rain,” see what objects you can find in the swirling “Wheel of Fortune,” enjoy the billowing rings from “Cloud Rings,” and lose yourself in a glowing landscape wallpaper by Virgil Marti. Learn more at www.21clouisville.com

ART FM, INC

Good for all ages. Guests can visit the WXOX broadcast studio to learn how things work behind the scenes at an FM radio station. You will learn how to use a microphone, cue up records, and send shout outs to your friends and fans!

ARTS COUNCIL OF SOUTHERN INDIANA DBA ARTS ALLIANCE OF SOUTHERN INDIANA

Good for all ages. Explore galleries of local art and create your own masterpiece via the craft corner. Explore the monarch educational gardens and learn about the beautiful monarch butterfly and its migration. Local workshops are offered all summer long, and you can enjoy a special surprise at the end of your visit!

FRAZIER HISTORY MUSEUM

Good for all ages. Enjoy a variety of hands-on exhibits. tours, screenings of KentuckyShow! and more! Learn about 500 million years of Kentucky history in “The Commonwealth: Divided we Fall,” take the trail with Lewis and Clark, or explore teamwork and healthy competition (and Pop-a-Shot!) in the Kentucky Rivalries exhibit.

KENTUCKY DERBY MUSEUM

Good for ages 3 and older. Programming will include thoroughbred care, creating traditions, horse tales, and Derby Fashion. Enjoy museum exhibits, the 360-degree film, “The Greatest Race,” and a guided track visit at Churchill Downs. Visit the website for more information about Cultural Passspecific programs: www.DerbyMuseum. org/CulturalPass.

HISTORIC LOCUST GROVE

Good for ages 6 and older. Explore the stories and skills of all who lived and labored at Locust Grove, both free and enslaved. Learn about cooking over a fire in our hearth kitchen, playing historic games, and about the important connection between Locust Grove and Mammoth Cave through the eyes of Stephen Bishop, a famed enslaved guide at the cave.

THE LOUISVILLE LEOPARD PERCUSSIONISTS

Good for ages 5 and older. Learn basic techniques and patterns on hand drums and auxiliary percussion instruments from drumming professionals as well as Louisville Leopard Students! All experience levels are welcome to explore and experiment with new sounds without fear of judgement.

MUHAMMAD ALI CENTER

Good for ages 8 and older. Explore Muhammad Ali’s legendary life with the Ali Center’s interactive and multimedia exhibits and discover the six core principles that Muhammad Ali embraced throughout his life.

SPEED ART MUSEUM

Good for ages 8 and older. Enjoy free admission to the Museum and special exhibitions Rounding the Circle: The Mary and Al Shands Collection and Louisville's Black Avant-Garde: Robert L. Douglas (opening June 30). Admission includes access to Art Sparks, Speed’s interactive hands-on gallery, and a fun gallery scavenger hunt for all ages.

YEW DELL BOTANICAL GARDENS

Good for all ages. In addition to beautiful flowers and trees, visit highlights include a Castle, a Fairy Forest, a Gnome Adventure on the Woodland Trails, and a greenhouse filled with plants. Pick up a scavenger hunt at check-in or use your phone for a QR-code tour of our gardens and grounds.

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“A friend knows the song in your heart and sings it to you when you’ve forgotten the words.”

Redline

LOUISVILLE NIMBLE THIMBLES REMAINS A WELL-CRAFTED GUILD ORGANIZATION

Chances are that you have a quilt laying across your bed or on the back of your couch at this very moment. Maybe you inherited it from your great-grandparent or perhaps found it at a bargain-basement sale. No matter how you may have obtained your quilt, there was a tremendous amount of time and talent that was devoted towards its creation.

While many believe that the art of quilting is a one-person operation, nothing can be further from the truth. There are many opportunities for those who enjoy the craft to sew and stitch alongside others in likeminded artistry.

Susan Wolfe serves as the president of Louisville Nimble Thimbles (LNT), a

quilting guild located in Jeffersontown.

Founded in 1979, LNT is the oldest guild in Louisville and still going strong. While one may think that LNT is like a quilting bee, Wolfe says the group is “not quite like that. If you are looking for a group to hang around, drink wine and gossip with an occasional quilt making, we are not going to be your cup of tea. However, if you enjoy the art, and learning new and creative ways to make your craft better, then I welcome all to the circle.”

The Thimbles meet twice a month, on the first Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and the third Thursday at 10 a.m. “We have a mix of members whose schedules vary around times that they can meet, so we wanted

to be accommodating to their want to participate as a member,” Wolfe says. “At this time we are averaging around 50-55 members, and have men and women and a range of age from 40s to 80s.”

When asked what the LNTs focus on as part of their foundational mission, Wolfe beams with pride. “While our meetings have a more educational bent to them, such as learning and demonstrating new techniques, different concepts, designs, materials and products, the meetings are a step towards fulfilling our missions, such as with our main charity, Norton Children’s Hospital’s Cuddle Care program.”

While there are many different iterations of Cuddle Care throughout the United

Writer / Annette Skaggs Photography Provided

Cuddle Care at Quilted Joy

States and beyond, LNT members share their talents by providing cuddle quilts for the patients at the hospital, much like the Project Linus project that provides blankets and stuffed animals to children who are experiencing something traumatic or are sick. Wolfe says the quilts are “quite substantial, averaging 40’x40’, and some smaller for the neonatal unit. They are made with all cotton and no holes or embellishments, and are comfortable. In 2022 we were able to donate over 500 quilts to the project. We try to change the design and look of the quilts each year and this year we are planning on doing a Scottie dog design.”

“Because of our attention to the Cuddle Care mission, we schedule four sessions each year dedicated to the creation and finishing of these quilts,” Wolfe adds. “One of these sessions is held at a local American Professional Quilting Store (APQS), which fortunately is owned by one of the guild members. While we are at the APQS, she allows us to use her floor models so that we can quilt several quilts in a day, that we have affectionately called Quilta-thon, which is typically held in July. The following week we have a binding party and once that step is completed, we can deliver the quilts.”

“While Cuddle Care is our largest charity, we also create tote bags that are used by the residents of Maryhurst, an agency for children across Kentuckiana suffering

from neglect and abuse,” she says. “From what I’ve been told, the ladies have to earn their tote bags and they become a prized possession.”

It is quite evident that LNT is a benevolent and giving organization, but they do not stop there. While they are not part of an organization known as Quilts of Valor, they have established their own quilts-forservice program, named Patriot Quilts. When implementing this program, the local American Legion assists with the selection of a recipient and the Jeffersontown Legion Post helps to provide a location. It is a major event when the quilt is finished and presented, in a ceremony that calls upon the public, city officials, guild members, family and friends to attend.

When asked if the guild members were involved in the myriad of quilt and art shows within the area, Wolfe laughs. “Yes indeed,” she says. “In fact, it has been long thought that our guild would have a heavy concentration on presenting quilting shows as a means to promote the quilting arts, but over time we have turned our collective energies to serving those in the community with needs.”

“As to quilting shows, about five years ago Louisville Nimble Thimbles began sponsoring a kids quilt show, a show that consists of quilts made by kids but not necessarily for kids,” she continues. “The show is open to any youth under the age of 17. No themes or judging or entry fee. While we give out participation ribbons, the real win is in the pride and joy of making a

quilt and being allowed to show it off. The event is open and free to the public.”

“While we are not the only quilting guild in the area, we do participate in some of the same events that are synonymous with the art of quilting, such as Quilters’ Day Out - ‘Gathering of the Guilds,’” Wolfe says. “The day is used as an opportunity to share with other quilters the kind of learning opportunities our guild provides. Additionally, we use the day as a fundraiser to set up a boutique where donated items such as books, notions, fabrics, and supplies are made available to fellow quilters for a suggested cash donation. The funds that we raise are then used to support future classes, our charities and other guild-sponsored expenses. Recently our boutique has raised as much as $3,000.”

While the Jeffersonian has been a great place to meet over the years, field trips are always welcome. Wolfe shares that in addition to regular meetings and a scheduled Quilt-aThon at the local APQS, the organization has occasional carpools to visit the Filson Historical Society for programs and then have lunch. They also occasionally visit Amish county to check out their quilt shops, along with a must-do visit to the Amish Grocery Store.

When asked where she feels her strength in quilting is, she smiles and laughs. “I have been doing this for about 15 years and I am still working on the eye in designing and color blocking,” she says. “Also, I am not a big fan of binding, but love to create the quilt top.”

While many believe that a quilting hobby is expensive and time consuming, that is not necessarily the case. Yes, some quilting machines can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, but most home quilters use machines that are but a few hundred dollars. While they are not capable of the varied stitches that the more expensive machines can do, the smaller machines can do the tried-and-true basics like straight and zigzag.

Wolfe laments the loss of some local and regional quilt shops that have closed over the years, causing some challenges for the avid and devoted quilters in the community, but she is grateful for those that are still around, especially for their willingness to participate and educate.

When asked how LNT adapted to the pandemic, Wolfe beams. “We were able to do many teaching and sew-a-long sessions via Zoom, and kept both Cuddle Care and Maryhurst programs going by scheduling quarterly drop-off/pickup events where members could drop off quilt tops needing to be quilted, quilted pieces that needed binding, and completed quilts and bags that were ready for delivery,” she says. “Because of these endeavors our members kept busy and involved. You could see those smiles through their masks.”

If you’d like more information about meetings and are interested in participating and/or joining LNT, you are welcome to send an inquiry through their website, nimblethimbles.com, or their Facebook page @LouisvilleNimbleThimbles.

WELL CRAFTED

ARTS ON THE GREEN SHOWCASES FINE ART, FOOD TRUCKS, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND MORE

Writer / Helen E. McKinney Photography Provided

When organizers began Arts on the Green (AOG) in 1999, they had no idea how the juried arts and crafts festival would grow into an amazing two-day event featuring the best local, regional and national artists to be found. What they did know was that they had an incredible concept that was worth promoting.

Donna Miller and Sandra Graves, both artists, put their heads together to create an event that has lasted 23 years. Both women were founding members of the Arts Association of Oldham County (AAOOC), the 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity that hosts Arts on the Green and runs Gallery 104 in

La Grange. Both had previous experience with outdoor art shows and laid the groundwork for the first show.

“We started the AAOOC at the suggestion of the Chamber of Commerce,” Miller says. “My husband and I owned Biscotty Bistro restaurant in La Grange and had artists exhibit in the restaurant. That eventually grew into Gallery 104.”

At the time, seed money was needed to establish the AAOOC. “I had been an artist in glass in Germany for four years doing large shows,” Miller says. “I took that

experience to our first Arts on the Green. The very first AOG was the Louisville Opera performing on the lawn of the courthouse. From there, we did the arts and crafts shows. The rest is pretty much history. It was indeed my baby.”

First held in April, the event then moved to June and was held for many years on the grounds of the Oldham County Courthouse. Due to extensive courthouse renovations, the event then settled at its current location in Crestwood at The Maples Park, owned and managed by the City of Crestwood.

AOG will take place on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, June 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artwork will be judged by professional jurors, and awards and cash prizes given in the categories of ceramics, painting, sculpture, glass, fiber, jewelry, metal, photography, wood, digital art, drawing, and 3D mixed media.

“The quality of artists who jury into AOG at The Maples Park is paramount to the success of the festival,” says Jim Cheski, AAOOC president. “We look for creativity, originality, craftsmanship, adoption of established design principles and the body of work by the artist. All art must be created and produced by the artist, and we even evaluate photographs of previous booth displays for artful display and ergonomics.”

You’ll find artists such as Crestwood jewelry artist Josie Wiseman. She says she began her career when her daughter “saw an ankle bracelet she liked and wanted.” Wiseman knew where to buy jewelry materials so “we

went and bought enough beads for half a dozen bracelets.”

Once hooked, she took a silversmithing class at the Louisville Visual Art Association. Wiseman took additional classes, and early in her career she decided to add fine silver clay to her materials. “All of my pieces are made by hand,” she says. “I try to make them special.”

Louisville-based artists include Steve Harris, owner of Steve’s Wood Crafters. Harris crafts functional art from select exotic and interesting hardwoods. A woodworker for over 40 years, he says that he believes “all woods have a story to tell.”

Shepherdsville artist Karen Terhune will display and sell her beautiful sculptures crafted from soapstone, alabaster, marble and Indiana limestone. This year artists will travel from all over Kentucky in addition to Alabama, Indiana, Tennessee and Florida to attend AOG.

The festival includes local entertainment, and an Emerging Artists booth representing work created by students of the Oldham County Schools Art Center. Attendees will be able to cast votes for their favorite student artwork, and the winning student will receive a People’s Choice Award.

A children’s activity booth will be set up with crafts and hands-on activities, staffed by volunteers from the Oldham County Public Library, Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve and others. The park features a splash pad and playground area.

“It’s a community-oriented, free, family-friendly event featuring high-quality art at affordable prices, with great festival food and drinks for sale and daily musical entertainment,” Cheski says. Many local sponsors have donated funds to ensure that this high-quality destination art show continues to fulfill the expectations of participating artists and the community as well.

At the suggestion of Oldham County

Tourism & Conventions, AAOOC is partnering with the Louisville Food Truck Association (LFTA), which will provide 15 food trucks daily. There will also be a free shuttle bus, courtesy of LFTA, transporting attendees to and from The Maples Park and three designated public parking sites: South Oldham Middle School, South

Oldham High School and Camden Station Elementary School. Handicap parking and transport will be available on-site, as well as artist parking.

When AOG leaders celebrated the event’s 20-year milestone, former Director Mary Klausing remarked that it had lasted for two decades because of “dedicated people who love the arts and want the arts to be a part of this community. Whether to appreciate someone else’s creativity or enhance your own, the arts pops up everywhere in our day-to-day lives. It is a positive, and a bright light that awakens the spirit and the soul.”

“It tickles me to see the show grow and last 23 years,” Miller says, adding that there were 28 artists at the first show. “The largest one was over 100. It developed in the direction I had hoped for. Sandra, if she was still with us, would be so proud.” Graves, a licensed professional art therapist, passed away in 2021.

“AOG grew into a community tradition over the first 20 years when it was held on the quaint, tree-shaded Oldham County Courthouse square,” Cheski says, adding that a new site was immediately sought within the county to find a similar setting, and organizers settled on The Maples Park in Crestwood. “Then COVID-19 hit, and the momentum of 20 years came to an abrupt halt with cancellation of the 2020 festival. We came back to The Maples in 2021.”

For more information, contact Helen McKinney, 2023 AOG director, at artsongreen@aaooc.org or 502-487-0379. Contact the AAOOC at execdir@aaooc.org or 502-222-3822. Also visit aaooc.org.

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