St. Matthews Magazine August 2023

HOMETOWN HELP

ST. JOHN CENTER ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

For one Louisville man, lacking housing for years not only kept him from stability and safety, but also wore down his confidence to speak for himself.

Until he walked into St. John Center, located on Muhammad Ali Boulevard in downtown Louisville, Vaughn Boone felt lost for directions.

St. John Center is the city’s only full-service day shelter for men, providing several programs and services intended to help people without a home receive and sustain stable housing.

Last September Boone sought out the center and started applying for disability. Without strong reading and writing skills, he was becoming frustrated with the paperwork, until Housing Counselor Nikki Mullins approached him.

“Ms. Nikki Mullins approached me and everything started from there,” he says. “I felt confident about my next move and what she was going to do for me. I was able to come back and to keep coming back, because she made me feel that they were there for me and they weren’t going to let me down.”

While he was living on the streets, Boone knew he needed help and didn’t want to be in his position anymore.

“I was really on the edge of destruction, giving up, until I came to St. John,” he says. “I was able to regain my spirit and I was able to reach my confidence level again. I was able to open up and share.”

As a housing counselor, Mullins not only aided Boone as he filed for disability, but she also walked alongside him as he applied for social security and food stamps, was hired on a part-time basis at Goodwill, secured temporary housing and got a Section 8 voucher.

“Working in this type of community atmosphere, you see a lot of hard things, and so with Mr. Boone I’m just really proud,” Mullins says. “I’m here to help. He was the one who made all the effort. It’s a privilege and an honor to see that.”

Last year 235 day-shelter guests of St. John Center moved home, and 74 guests increased their income.

“If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t know what to do,” Boone says. “They were there for me when I needed them most. I’m thankful for St. John, for being on my side.”

The number of people receiving homeless services in Louisville has been increasing since 2019, after a steady decrease between 2008 and 2018, according to Louisville’s Coalition for the Homeless.

There were 10,640 people in the city seeking homeless services in 2021. Along with the increase in people seeking services, those who reported having one or more disabilities increased by two-thirds.

In an effort to provide housing for the thousands of people in the city without a stable home, St. John Center is developing their first apartment complex with LDG Development. Louisville-based LDG Development is one of the largest affordable-housing companies in the country.

St. John Center Executive Director

Ra’Shann Martin says this will be the first single-site supportive housing development of scale in the state.

“We’re really looking forward to bringing a new model of supportive housing here in Louisville, just to show the community and stakeholders what is possible when you invest in housing resources instead of emergency services,” Martin says.

The complex will include 80 one-bedroom units designed specifically for people who

Writer / Makenna Hall Photography Provided

Ra’Shann Martin, St. John Center Executive Director

have been without housing for a long time. These individuals who have a complex mix of mental and physical health needs can find it challenging to stay in housing, according to Martin.

The facility will be staffed 24 hours per day and will provide access to supportive services.

The location for the apartment was chosen meticulously by the center. Martin says there were certain criteria taken into consideration so that they could house anybody.

“When we decided to do the work, we knew that we wanted to be a landlord to everybody,” Martin says. “We needed to house everybody who needed housing. There are a lot of restrictions on where people can live based on their backgrounds.”

A spot on Preston Highway was chosen for its vicinity to the bus line, food and medical resources.

Ground breaking is expected this summer, and leaders are hoping to have people moving in by July of 2025.

A total of $17.5 million was invested in the facility’s construction from Louisville’s American Rescue Plan fund. LDG Development is also supporting the cost by applying for low-income tax credits, according to Martin.

This project is just one example of the services that St. John Center provides to the Louisville community.

The day shelter and social services center that Boone walked into last September does not only offer the support of housing counselors. It is also a place where people without homes can get fresh coffee, take a hot shower, receive personal mail, take phone calls and access personal products.

“It’s a day-shelter social-service center,” Martin says. “It’s almost like triage. People come to us and we say, ‘What is it that

we can help you with?’ Then we get them to those services.”

Before she began working at the center more than a year and a half ago, Martin worked in social services at an agency focused on young-adult development. Her role included helping young adults succeed by connecting them to services and overcome barriers such as stable housing.

When she was contemplating taking the role at St. John Center, a combination of the center’s values caught her eye.

“I started volunteering before making my decision and I very quickly saw that it is a place I wanted to be,” Martin says. “There’s a lot of beautiful things that happen here, but more than outcomes, it’s really the way that we achieve the outcomes that is so

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impressive and really aligns with my own personal values.”

Those values include partnership, diversity, advocacy and volunteering.

Valuing community partnerships is at the core of St. John Center, meaning they are not interested in duplicating services, but instead want to connect people with those that exist and fill in the gaps.

The center partners with Veterans Affairs, Legal Aid Society, Centerstone, and Uniting Partners for Women and Children, among others.

One way St. John Center helps to fill in the gaps is by helping people obtain identification in the form of state IDs, birth certificates and social security cards. The center also advocates for changes in policy, to ensure that obtaining identification is not another barrier to housing.

For those who are able to obtain permanent housing, the center offers supportive long-term case management and support. St. John Center provides in-home visits, assistance with job searches and disability benefits, along with life-skills classes and community-building opportunities.

In 2022 the center had 93 people in the Permanent Supportive Housing Program, and 98% retained housing for 12 or more months.

The Street Outreach Team is St. John Center’s newest initiative, which was started in 2019 as a part of the community-wide effort to address homelessness, according to Martin.

“The makeup of outreach is to utilize people with lived experiences to go to individuals who are living places not meant for human habitation and to build rapport with them, to build trust,” Martin says. “We really spend a lot of time on relationships because

that is what matters.”

After the St. John Center’s team reaches out to people without homes, it connects them with overnight shelters, health care and recovery services, among other resources.

Having the aid of volunteers is the lifeblood of St. John Center and facilitates the ability to fulfill their mission, according to Martin. Anyone at least 18 years old can volunteer at the center.

Martin says they are always in need of volunteers to help collect, sort and distribute mail, direct people, answer phones, check people in and out of the shower rooms, and hand out hygiene items, among other duties.

St. John Center is located at 700 East Muhammad Ali Boulevard in Louisville. For more info and to sign up to volunteer, call 502-568-6758 or visit stjohncenter.org.

THINK TANK MARKETING

Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided

Think Tank

Marketing believes it can help small businesses, because it is also a small business.

The Louisvilleowned marketing, advertising and social media agency partners with other companies in the local community that have a story to be told. Featuring passionate clients that want to share their work, product or services, Think Tank believes it can help any business reach new heights.

“It’s hard to be a small business,” says Think Tank Marketing CEO and Co-founder Randy Blevins. “We feel like people should have access to the quality marketing needed in order to be successful in today’s world. When you’re a business owner, you have to do everything and you can’t always hire a lot of people. We want to remove the burden of marketing and social media off the owner so they can get back to what they are in business for.”

Blevins started Think Tank in 2011 after he was laid off from a previous position during the 2009 recession and completed his Master of Business Administration degree. During this time, the popularity of social media from a business perspective began to expand, and Blevins saw an opportunity to take his career in a new direction. After originally starting with a partner, Blevins eventually moved forward alone and continues to run Think Tank today.

“I recognized social media was this new and exciting medium that was going to be a good tool to market your business,” Blevins says. “I decided to go on and start my own thing, which is scary. It was kind of out of necessity because the job opportunities at the time were nonexistent, but also out of curiosity from the new social media platforms that were emerging.”

Think Tank offers services in strategic marketing planning, social

media management, media relations and event promotion, as well as traditional and digital advertising. Knowing each of its clients requires a different strategy, Blevins and his team of four develop unique and creative plans that fit specific brands.

“We work in social media and use those platforms to get the word out about products and services,” Blevins says. “It’s a two-way engagement. When you’re having a conversation with someone, you’re sizing them up, trying to figure out who they are. You also are trying to earn their trust, and that is what we try to do.”

Think Tank’s clients include the Louisville Orchestra, Royal Jewelers, Digs Home and Garden, and Bourbons Bistro. With the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic limiting marketing budgets across the board, Blevins took the time to examine what companies he partners with and why, coming up with the technique of social-centric.

“It’s important to me that we’re working with people who want to be part of our community and participate,” Blevins says. “There’s nothing wrong with getting into business just to make a profit, and that’s usually an important goal for clients, but that’s not how we approach our marketing. We approach it from a social-centric perspective, which means you are a business that has a mission, a purpose and a goal that betters our community. We work better with people who have that type of outlook on their business.”

Blevins is always looking for new clients to partner with, and welcomes the opportunity to learn about any industry, even if he hasn’t worked with it in the past.

“It’s always fun to learn a new industry we aren’t familiar with and maybe come up with some new, creative ideas they haven’t thought about,” Blevins says. “We’re always open to new challenges.”

Randy Blevins

Having a sick child is a scary time in parents’ lives. TyiaLynn Scott knows this all too well.

“One of my children, now 22, was diagnosed with internal bleeding and being medically complex,” Scott says. “It took me 10 years to navigate items such as fighting denied medical claims, and I chose homeschooling because I was unaware of 504 education plans available. We had so many trips to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and without a specific diagnosis, it can make the path even more difficult.”

For these reasons, the former consultant in the for-profit business world felt a calling to establish Critically Loved, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its focus is providing assistance to parents for managing their children’s health care, parental peer support, professional

Critically Loved

NONPROFIT HELPS PARENTS NAVIGATE CHILDREN’S MEDICAL NEEDS

Writer / Shelly Sack Photography Provided

family counseling, and even simple care packages for parents who need to stay at the hospital for their children’s care.

“I didn’t want parents to struggle like I did,” Scott says. “I wanted to help parents practically in areas such as school and medical billing. It’s emotionally draining to be a caregiver.”

As the executive director, Scott founded Critically Loved in 2015 and worked on building its resources during her spare time before moving to full-time status as a formal nonprofit in 2017. The number of families helped has steadily grown each year since, with 2021 numbers alone showing

“Families have been involved with one service or more, but we’re happy to service them any way we can,” she says.

The main service parents benefit from is spiritual support, in the form of both group support in the community as well as online in a five-to-six-week program.

“There’s a lot of anger and emotions that come with managing a child’s health care,” Scott says. “They also grieve for expectations they had for their child. Group support is the heartbeat of what we do. A lot of our group leaders are past participants. They went through group support and we’ve paid for counseling, and then they went on to become leaders. It’s amazing to see them get healing and come full-circle.”

One such example is Amanda Hutchison. “Critically Loved came into my life during one of the hardest times my family had ever

been through,” Hutchison says. “I was able to find friendship, fellowship, comfort, peace and healing, thanks to their Bible study and through the resources extended. Critically Loved has given me a family.”

Hutchison also went on to serve as a Bible study co-leader for two years.

Critically Loved offers a wide range of other resources as well, all at no cost to the families, who are often overburdened with medicalrelated expenses.

“All of our services are at no charge to families,” Scott says. “They are already overwhelmed with caring for their child and taking off work. We don’t want to add to their burden.”

Community events to connect families range from family picnics to Moms Night Out for mothers with special-needs children.

The professional counseling is a way to provide an emotional outlet to both parents and children.

“[Child medical care] affects the whole family

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and the divorce rate is higher,” Scott points out.

Another focus is inclusion education at Louisville-area schools, to teach children how to appreciate differences in their peers and help them overcome obstacles. This program is provided by Cincinnati-based partner company Skool Aid.

When parents need to stay with their child at a Louisville hospital, Scott says many come from other cities, and often unexpectedly due to a medical situation. Critically Loved steps in with hospital comfort bags, containing items such as egg-crate mattress toppers, fuzzy socks, lotion, age-appropriate books, thank-you cards, plastic storage baggies, deodorant, laundry detergent and tissues. All these items are intended to help relieve some of the stress for parents and keep their costs down during difficult times.

While Critically Loved is supported by 61 pediatric health providers and nonprofit partners both local and national, fundraising events are important to keep the no-cost services in place. Scott says she spent a lot of time visiting other executive directors to learn fundraising tips. A major fundraiser, called Over the Edge, includes rappelling off the Hyatt Regency Louisville. Blood drives have also been used in the past and Scott plans to start that program up in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Critically Loved is overseen by a board of directors, employs two full-time employees and one part-time employee, and receives support from hundreds of volunteers.

For more information, visit criticallyloved.org, and to connect for volunteering opportunities, email admin@criticallyloved.org.

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The Write Approach

BOB HILL HAS A WAY WITH WORDS

Writer / Evan Gorman Photographer / John Nation

Journalism wasn’t on Bob Hill’s radar as a potential career, but after writing one column, he was hooked on the industry. More than 4,000 articles later, writing remains in the blood of the longtime Courier-Journal and Louisville Times staffer.

“I was never that good at articulating what was on my mind when I was younger,” Hill says. “You don’t know what you think about something until you start writing about it.

Writing is my easiest form of expression.”

Hill grew up in Sycamore, Illinois, just west of Chicago, and was a four-sport star at Sycamore High School, competing in basketball, football, baseball and track. After high school, Hill went to Rice University on a basketball scholarship, playing four years for the Owls and marrying his high school sweetheart, Janet, while getting his degree.

“My major was in basketball, with a minor

in pool,” Hill jokes. “I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do.”

Hill worked a few different jobs after college but was struggling to find his niche, so he decided to take a shot at journalism.

“I knew I could write,” Hill says. “No one ever told me I could make a living out of it. I just got to thinking, ‘What do I really like to do, what am I good at?’ I never took any courses on it, but I wrote letters

to 10 different newspapers, including my hometown weekly. At the time, the editor had just quit so they hired me with no experience. I was a hometown guy and they needed someone - $105 a week with no benefits. I got to be a writer and write a column right away. That was it, game over.”

Attracted to the idea of expressing what was on his mind, Hill wrote columns and served as a police reporter for the Sycamore Sun Tribune, before garnering interest from a paper in Rockford, Illinois. They offered him a job, but on one condition - he had to learn how to type.

“I couldn’t type when I was in Sycamore,” he says. “I never learned. A recruiter at the Rockford paper liked my stuff and they wanted to hire me, but I had to type. I started typing with two fingers and never changed.”

Wanting to try his hand in a bigger city, Hill sent letters to larger papers across the country, catching the interest of the Courier Journal and Louisville Times. In 1975 Hill, his wife and their two children moved into a 160-year-old farmhouse on six acres of land in Utica, Indiana, where they still reside today. Hill started as the Kentucky columnist, traveling around the state and writing about what he encountered.

Care that Comes to You

“At the time it was a perfect fit,” Hill says. “I didn’t want to live in a big city. [The Courier] was one of the best papers in the country back then. I liked the area, and I knew we could live outside the city but still be close.”

Hill worked as a writer for the Times and Courier Journal for 33 years, winning numerous awards and praise along the way. He is also the author of 10 books, including “Double Jeopardy,” which details the acquittal of Mel Ignatow in the murder of his then-girlfriend, Brenda Schaefer. The book put Hill in the national spotlight, including a spot on “The Geraldo Rivera Show” to talk about the unusual case.

“Favorite isn’t the right word, but it took the most work, and was the one I was most proud of,” Hill says of the book. “I spent a year and a half on it. I wanted to do it right.

include being on-site for University of Louisville and University of Kentucky men’s basketball NCAA championship runs, chatting with Muhammad Ali, and seeing John Wayne at the Kentucky Derby. But most of all, Hill loved the challenge of writing his daily column.

“IT HAS TO BE YOU. LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE TALKING. IT HELPS TO IMITATE SOMEONE EARLY ON THAT YOU LIKE, BUT IF IT ISN’T YOU, IT ISN’T GOING TO WORK.”

There were tears in my eyes the last couple paragraphs.”

Hill retired from the Courier in 2008 after a lifetime of experiences covering different stories. Some of his fondest memories

“About half of the time when I went to work to write a column, I didn’t know what I was going to write about,” Hill says. “I liked the pressure of having to write a column.”

“I pick up things I wrote now and think, ‘This guy is pretty good,’” he adds. “You forget coming up with it. Sometimes I read

things and say, ‘It’s close but I didn’t quite get there.’ The good thing about writing three to four times a week is if you write a bad column, you get another one soon. After a while you hit a certain level. On a scale of one to 10, I never wanted to shoot below a seven or eight, and I could do that. Every now and then you’d hit a 10.”

Despite changes to the newspaper industry since he retired, Hill still reflects on his time with the paper fondly, and even has his byline still appear occasionally.

“I caught the last golden years of the Bingham empire,” Hill says, referring to the former owners of the Courier Journal. “It was a really good paper with good people. I was so blessed to be part of that.”

Retirement hasn’t slowed Hill down much. After leaving the newspaper industry, Hill worked as a historian for the Parklands of Floyd Fork, writing about the people, places and history of the 20-mile park

system. He and his wife also ran the Hidden Hill Nursery & Sculpture Garden on the property of their home, welcoming visitors to explore the grounds that featured folk art and rare plants. The couple operated the nursery for 19 years before calling it quits in the fall of 2018.

“That was another dream I’d had,” Hill says of the nursery. “I had the land already and we built the barn. I thought it would be fun to have a nursery, and have rare and unusual plants and other hard-to-find stuff. We sold art and plugged into different stuff across the country. I was a good salesman because I believed in the product. My enthusiasm for different plants would rub off on the customers. People loved coming out here.”

Since closing up the nursery, Hill has been writing a book on the life of Humana cofounder and Louisville native David Jones, who passed away in 2019. Hill has also been in the process of writing several children’s books he hopes to get published soon,

while serving on the board of directors for the Waterfront Botanical Gardens, which is currently building a two-acre Japanese Garden on its grounds.

Hill, who turned 80 in November, says working with the Botanical Gardens is his way of giving back to a community that has given him much in return.

“We’ve had a good life here,” Hill says. “I want to leave something behind, so I am trying to give my knowledge of plants and art, and we’re doing that.”

Hill says the best advice he can give to aspiring journalists and other professionals is to be true to yourself in whatever you are undertaking.

“It has to be you,” he says. “Let your fingers do the talking. It helps to imitate someone early on that you like, but if it isn’t you, it isn’t going to work.”

AUGUST CROSSWORD PUZZLE

DOWN

1. A little of a lot?

2. Bright, as a color

3. Carry

4. Criminal-record listing

5. Bottom line

6. Angel’s antonym

7. Detect

8. Ratings period

9. Far from ruddy

10. South African org

11. “Wow!”

17. “___ the season ...”

19. March hare characteristic

22. Cow poke?

23. Madrid Mr.

25. Lighten

26. Like, with “to”

27. Others

28. Sprays

29. Not as planned

30. Teutonic turndown

31. Backgammon equipment

35. Blackjack’s cousins

38. Art installation 40. Farm call

42. Get to the bottom of things?

Angler’s hope

Adversary’s

Stead

SENSATIONAL SOUNDS

LOUDER THAN LIFE AND BOURBON & BEYOND FESTS ARE BACK

Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided

Eight big days of music are coming to Louisville this summer. Outdoor festivals Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond are back on the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center this September, showcasing some of today’s top artists from a range of genres.

“We are really excited this year because both of our lineups are spectacular,” says Chamie McCurry, chief marketing officer for Danny Wimmer Presents, the producer of both fests. “They are the biggest lineups we’ve ever had for each festival. It truly is the eight biggest days of music in the United States. You will not find eight bigger days

back to back with this kind of fire power and affordability.”

Known as a “love letter” to Louisville, Bourbon & Beyond is September 14 through 17 and features more than 65 musical acts across rock, pop, folk, blues and country. Each day has different headliners while emphasizing the Kentucky bourbon and culinary scene throughout the festival.

After receiving high praise for her performance last year, Brandi Carlile returns to Bourbon & Beyond on opening day, joining Billy Strings and Train. The Killers, Duran Duran and Hozier take over for the

second day, while the Black Keys, the Black Crowes and the Avett Brothers follow on day three. Fifteen-time Grammy Award winner Bruno Mars will help close out Bourbon & Beyond, along with Blondie, Jon Batiste and Ryan Bingham.

“We are excited to end the weekend with Bruno Mars,” McCurry says. “He’s one of the best live performers of the last 20 years. This is one of the only places outside Las Vegas that fans are able to see him in the United States. We know he will put on an unbelievable show, to put a cap on a magical weekend.”

Living up to its name as the world’s biggest bourbon and music festival, Bourbon & Beyond will host daily workshops and demonstrations at the Team Kentucky Bourbon Stage Presented by Kentucky Proud, and the Kentucky Venue Culinary Stage Presented by GE Appliances. Amanda Freitag, Chris Santos, Ed Lee and Chris Blandford will lead the programming featuring world-renowned master distillers and celebrity chefs, including Blind Bourbon Live with Fred Minnick. The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar returns with bluegrass music, line dancing and a menu of the nation’s top whiskey, while fans can stop by a number of other experiences that feature cocktails curated specifically for the event.

“Beyond the music, the festival has so many great experiences,” McCurry says. “There is something for everyone there. We will have some special programming and great partnership activations throughout the event. It’s an amazing festival experience from beginning to end.”

Louder Than Life, a hard rock and metal festival, follows with more than 100 acts on five stages, and Louisville’s finest spirits and cuisine, from September 21 through 24. Foo Fighters, Weezer and Rancid open the festival, with Tool, Godsmack and Limp Bizkit headlining the following day. The weekend lineup sees Avenged Sevenfold, Pantera and Falling in Reverse on Saturday, with the final day featuring Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age and Turnstile.

Last year, Louder Than Life set the record as the biggest rock festival in the U.S. with more than 170,000 in attendance over the four-day event. McCurry says this year should be even bigger.

“We’re going to beat that record,” McCurry says. “Everything points to this remaining the biggest rock festival in the United States

and then some. It’s such a great festival experience with so many things to do. It’s a wonderful weekend.”

Tickets for both festivals can be purchased online, including a specially priced Exacta

offer unique experiences.

“They’re very different, genre-wise,” McCurry says. “Both festivals are uniquely curated to that festival’s brand. Bourbon & Beyond is rooted in the bourbon and local Kentucky scene. Louder Than Life has several more stages and is very musically driven with multiple performers playing at the same time. The layout is the same but we customize each within the grounds to be unique for each festival.”

Pass package that includes all eight days. While the layout is similar, McCurry says Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond

They are two of eight music festivals produced by Los Angeles-based Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) this year. With a history in Louisville dating back to 2014, both festivals have seen rapid growth and continue to attract some of the biggest acts in music. The festivals moved to the Exposition Center in 2019 after initially taking place

in Champions Park.

“We have a great partnership with Kentucky venues,” McCurry says. “They have allowed us to find a long-term home that isn’t quite as vulnerable to weather. That has also given us the ability to grow the festival’s footprint. As these festivals have brought in fans from all over the country, the grounds have allowed us to scale the experience. They have amazing infrastructure that lets us have camping right there. There are a lot of hotels and the site is airport adjacent. Without the great support we have gotten, this would be a much different festival.”

Fans have come to expect Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond on back-to-back weekends. The condensed schedule reduces the costs of putting on the events, resulting in lower ticket prices. Many attendees stay for both, generating an estimated $43 million in economic impact for the city in 2022.

“Ever since Bourbon joined Louder they

have been on consecutive weekends,” McCurry says. “What that allows us to do is reduce the very real costs of producing live events. We’re able to keep our tickets affordable for fans. Producing eight days of music in 11 isn’t easy, but with the infrastructure already being there, it makes it much more accommodating.”

Already, DWP is working on finding the right mix of talent for 2024. McCurry says while pausing the festivals during the COVID pandemic was difficult, the group was able to better understand their fans and what they value.

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

Fans shouldn’t expect these festivals to leave the local community any time soon. McCurry says DWP sees Louisville as a second home and hopes to continue putting on great events that highlight the city.

“People are discovering Louisville for the first time and falling in love with it, like we did back in 2012 when we first started scouting,” McCurry says. “Louisville has been an amazing host city, which makes it easier for people to come back when they have a good experience. People feel at home there. That’s a true testament to what we love about Louisville, which is the people and the community. That’s what makes us the proudest, when people come from all over the country and see Louisville the way we see it. Our long-term goal is to continue that and showcase the people, and put Louisville on the national spotlight for having great entertainment and festivals.” For more info, go to dannywimmerpresents.com.

Natural Stone Artisans

Brendan Kelly, owner of Archadeck of Louisville, is a man of many talents. Though he holds a degree in graphic design and fine arts, he was eager to find a way to create what he calls “usable art.”

“I wanted to create a place you can use, but that is also beautiful,” says Kelly, who became an owner in the 40-year-old national franchise in 2016. When Kelly was looking into starting a franchise, he considered what was important to him, and outdoor living topped the list. This endeavor was the perfect fit for his passion, ambitions and diverse skill set.

“I never thought of this work as construction,” he says. “Designing and building decks enabled me to be outdoors and utilize my degree in a unique way.”

Kelly’s crew is skilled and seasoned, having built hundreds of decks over the last 15 to 20 years. For Kelly, maintaining the structural integrity of the product is of paramount importance, and frankly, it’s what sets him apart from other outdoor deck and porch builders. Instead of doing the minimum, he and his crew go above and beyond. For example, local building code states that decks are only supposed to meet 40 pounds per square foot at a minimal. Kelly and his crew try to hit 60, which means they do one and a half times what is required. This is important because decks that are built incorrectly simply won’t last.

“I’ve seen hundreds, if not thousands, of decks that have not been built correctly,” says Kelly, who estimates that 80 to 90% of them are not built in accordance with modern code.

“The biggest faux pas is when you have a column and there’s a beam on top of it, you really should notch the top of the column that’s holding the deck up - the big 6”x6" posts,” Kelly says. “A lot of times they are bolted or nailed to the side of post, so the entire deck is basically held up by six bolts. You should notch it so the beams are sitting on top of the post. That way the whole post would have to disintegrate for the deck to fail.”

In addition, his carpentry crew is stellar at framing and trim work.

“A deck is structural yet it has to look nice, with finishing touches,” Kelly says.

Specializing in custom decks, open porches, screened patios, paver patios, and sunrooms, they also do pergolas and fire features, which have become popular this year.

Prior to owning Archadeck, Kelly was a religion teacher, having earned a theology degree and attended seminary. He married his wife, Leah, and now has four children. He decided to switch gears and try something new, which he admits was a bit nerve wracking, but he’s been pleased with the result.

502-309-9891 archadeck.com

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

WOODED

WONDERS

GET A KNACK FOR NATURE AT BLACKACRE STATE NATURE PRESERVE AND HISTORIC HOMESTEAD

Writer / Susan Speece Photography Provided

When you think about a “must-go” place to visit in the local area, Blackacre State Nature Preserve and Historic Homestead should be on your radar, if it isn’t already. People unfamiliar with the Bluegrass State may think about the natural beauty of Red River Gorge, the pastoral setting of Lexington’s horse farms or Louisville’s historic Churchill Downs. Hidden inside the Gene Snyder Freeway at Taylorsville Road, you will find 280 acres of natural beauty in your own backyard.

However, Blackacre is a hidden gem that offers much more than meets the eye. It not only offers superior hands-on nature and

history education programs throughout the school year, but it’s also becoming a regular destination for Louisville residents and out-of-town visitors. It’s where outdoor enjoyment, the farm experience and Kentucky history can be found in one place.

Blackacre includes hiking trails, a historic homestead that was built near the time Kentucky became a state, the largest community garden in Jefferson County and so much more.

“We try to keep the farm and homestead like it was in the 18th and 19th centuries,” says Dennis Craig, Blackacre executive

director. “We want families to see this as a place where they can unplug from the 21st century and go back in time to relax a little bit.”

You can leave the busy world behind at Blackacre and see what it’s like to be on a real working farm, home to cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses. If you come out any day of the week, you will find people feeding apples and carrots to the farm animals along the fences.

“The farm animals play a large role in our environmental education programs, including field trips, summer camps and our

Saturday Morning Farm Animal Feeding program,” says Nancy Pifer, a longtime volunteer and head of the animal care team. On Saturday mornings you can drop by to meet Pifer and help the animal care team feed the animals, while learning about caring for livestock.

“The homestead is an outdoor museum where people can learn about the historic barn, spring house and stone cottage,” says Susan Speece, director of marketing and events.

Next to the Presley Tyler House is a colonial kitchen garden, established by Amy James, along with naturalist and master gardener Liam Dellagnello. It includes homeopathic and culinary herbs and plants present in gardens during this time. During the summer on Sundays, docents dressed in period attire bring history to life, offering tours of the 1844 Presley Tyler House.

Blackacre’s hiking trails provide

opportunities for nature appreciation and passive recreation. The trails lead through forests, meadows, wetlands and streams. Guided hikes offered throughout the year focus on plants and fauna found on the preserve. Hikes are a great opportunity to celebrate the change in seasons and embrace Kentucky’s history and folklore.

Blackacre is home to many birds and wildlife. The avian population includes wild turkey, barred owls, red-tail hawks and Henslow’s sparrows, a rare bird in Kentucky. With numerous ponds and streams, Blackacre supports a healthy population of snakes, salamanders, frogs and toads. And when driving down the gravel lane into the preserve, be ready to brake for turtles.

Through the Bobwhite license plate grant, Blackacre and the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves will be revitalizing the savanna woodlands on Sunrise Trail. Savanna woodlands provide excellent habitats for Bobwhite quail and other

migratory songbirds and pollinators. This project will start a long-term savanna woodland restoration in Jefferson County at Blackacre.

Do you love to get outside and learn something new, or have a passion for history and healthy living? Or maybe you want your child to connect with nature to gain an appreciation and love for earth. Blackacre offers hikes, workshops, camps and outdoor events that promote health and wellness, as well as an appreciation for the environment and history.

Dr. Ryne Clos, an experienced teacher, historian and outdoorsman, recently joined the Blackacre team to lead and expand their education program. Clos grew up on a farm in rural Kentucky and understands firsthand the importance of nature and agricultural spaces for physical and mental well-being.

“What I like about Ryne is that he is a down-to-earth guy with a love for

nature and learning,” Craig says. “I am excited about the high-caliber programs he is planning for this fall. There will be something for all ages to enjoy.”

Blackacre Conservancy is a volunteer and donor-driven nonprofit organization. Manpower, financial support and community involvement are vital to maintain a historic homestead and nearly 300 acres of land, in addition to the community events and activities. “It is so great to see and hear of people visiting Blackacre and wanting to volunteer,” Craig says. “We have an endless list of maintenance and improvement needs such as leaky roofs, worn-out pasture fences, landscaping, HVAC repair, potholes to fill, dead trees to cut, and the list continues. Many of these items require substantial financial outlay. We would be delighted if a company or persons skilled in these areas could help with their time, talent or treasure.”

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“One of the ways we raise money for Blackacre is our Sunday Sunset Music Series,” Craig adds. “It spans over four weeks, featuring music styles that originated in Kentucky. People bring their blankets and chairs and listen to bluegrass, jug music and more. This year’s lineup is the best yet. Kids feed the horses or climb hay bales while adults enjoy the music. It is a great place to unwind and enjoy music and the spectacular sunset. It’s just $20 per carload to attend.”

Blackacre is located off Taylorsville Road at 3200 Tucker Station Road. Gather your family and friends, bring a bag of carrots, unplug from the world and enjoy nature.

For more information on activities, events, volunteering and sponsorship opportunities, go to visitblackacre.org or call their office at 502-266-9802.

Unveiling Autumn Gardening Secrets and the Beauty of Fall Planting

Writer / Paula Henson, Owner, Above the Dirt Garden Shop Photography Provided

As the vibrant colors of summer begin to fade, a gardener’s attention turns towards the hues of autumn. Mums, asters and ornamental cabbage are the instant showstoppers from the garden shop, but did you know that fall is also an excellent time to plant perennials, native plants and landscaping? Mix the instant gratification of mums with the long-lasting benefits of perennials.

While spring often steals the spotlight as the optimal time for planting, gardeners in the know understand the hidden treasure that lies within autumn. As the air becomes crisp and the leaves turn into vibrant hues,

fall unveils its magic, making it an exceptional season for planting perennials, fruits, native plants and new landscaping elements. By planting during this season, you can unleash the full potential of your garden while ensuring a stunning display in the years to come. Don’t let the fall foliage fool you - there is still much to be done in your garden before winter arrives. So grab your tools, don your gardening gloves, and let’s embrace the wonders of autumn gardening together!

Planting in the fall offers several advantages compared to planting in the spring. Here are some reasons why you might consider planting in the fall:

1. Cooler temperatures are beneficial for newly planted vegetation

Cooler weather reduces stress on plants and allows them to establish their root systems more effectively before the heat of the summer arrives.

2. Moisture availability

Fall often brings more consistent rainfall, providing plants with natural watering. The soil retains moisture better during the fall, allowing plants to establish roots and grow stronger.

4. Extended root development

By planting in the fall, you allow plants to focus on root development rather than allocating energy towards foliage growth. With an extended period of root growth during the winter months, plants become more resilient and better prepared to face the challenges of the following growing season.

3. Less competition

Many pests and weeds are less active in the fall, reducing the competition for resources and decreasing the likelihood of damage to your new plants. Fall planting also gives your plants a head start over weed growth in the spring.

5. Early establishment

When you plant in the fall, you give your plants a head start in the growing season. By the time spring arrives, the plants will have already established a strong root system, enabling them to grow faster and produce healthier foliage and blooms.

As autumn paints the world with its enchanting palette, it also provides a fertile ground for gardeners to sow the seeds of lasting beauty. By choosing fall as the season to plant perennials and incorporate new landscaping elements, you harness the advantages

of cooler temperatures, established root growth and an extended growing season. So, embrace the wonders of autumn gardening, and let your landscape thrive with the vibrant colors and enduring charm that only fall planting can provide.

Photography Provided

On August 12, fans of the band U2 will want to be sure to check out U2 Hype, based out of St. Louis. They are a long-running U2 tribute act coming to Louisville and performing at the Whirling Tiger. Keep reading for some info and insights from Daniel Burrow, lead singer:

WHAT KIND OF SHOW CAN WE EXPECT?

You can expect a high-energy, highly engaging performance of some of the greatest U2 songs, as well as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of their pivotal album “Achtung Baby,” performed in its entirety

by passionate, professional musicians. Attention to detail for all the senses is something we have always held as the paramount ingredient to a successful show.

HAS U2 HYPE PLAYED LOUISVILLE BEFORE?

In our 23 years we have made it to Ireland, Grand Cayman island, Honduras, and almost every state in the Union, but we’ve never played Louisville or anywhere else in Kentucky.

WHAT DOES U2’S MUSIC MEAN TO YOU?

Since I first heard the opening drum cadence of “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and the mantra of “40” I’ve been hooked on

the band. The music of U2 always inspires me to look inward on what I’m doing with my life to make things better, and also to challenge myself to be real.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SONGS THAT YOU ENJOY PERFORMING THE MOST?

The song I can still honestly say is the one that I enjoy performing the most is “Where the Streets Have No Name.” Every song has its own special meaning for me and they are all fun to perform.

Tickets can be found at thewhirlingtiger. com. The show starts at 8 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m.

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

Writer / Chris Palmore

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

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

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

The idea is taking the simple statement of what we are grateful for and expanding it. It will make our appreciation grow. This is wonderful to do when listing people we are grateful for in our life. For example, I am grateful for my dad. I’m not only grateful for my dad, but also for all the love, care and support he has given me.

I’m grateful for him teaching me about love and dependability and for all the adventures and all

the fun we’ve had together.

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

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

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

Healthy Habits for the Whole Family

Writer/ Melissa Horsell, Owner of Jazzercise Louisville

Photography Provided

Creating and sharing healthy habits with your family is a great way to bring the family together while also passing on the wonderful gift of physical and mental health. Making a regular habit of a few simple things can be fun and extremely rewarding.

MOVE

You have probably heard a million times to take the stairs instead of the elevator or to park in a parking spot furthest from the building to get more steps in, but healthy habits can be FUN! Playing outside as a family is a great way to get moving and enjoy time with your loved ones. Taking walks together is great exercise. And, if you take that walk after dinner it will aid in digestion!

NOURISH

Come together as a family to take care of your body from the inside! Eat around the dinner table as often as possible. This is a great opportunity to connect with every member of the family. You can also pull the family into meal preparation by allowing each member to select the fresh vegetable to be served on a given night. The simple habit of only drinking water at meals not only hydrates your body but saves you from consuming hundreds of empty calories (and it’s cheaper, too!).

SLEEP

Sleep is an incredibly powerful tool in your effort to be healthy as it restores the body and mind. For it to be effective, one needs to get the right amount. Ranges vary based on age, but in general, school-age children should get nine to 11 hours of sleep per night while teenagers need eight to 10 hours and adults require approximately seven to

nine hours sleep each night. It also vital to maintain a schedule as closely as possible so you go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time each day.

Creating a bedtime routine for your children, whether it is a bath, reading, singing or another calming activity you enjoy together will get them settled and ready for a good night’s sleep. Crucial habits to promote quality sleep include avoiding caffeine at least six hours prior to going to bed as well as turning off electronics at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Lastly, don’t forget to take care of your mental health by reviewing or making a gratitude list before bed which will leave you feeling content before sleep.

Don’t be daunted! As with any habit, it starts with doing something just once. Support and encourage each other along the way. Healthy habits can be fun and easy –just take it one step at a time and remember that every healthy habit you create will lead to a happier, stronger and healthier family.

UofL Health – Urgent Care Plus. Here to take care of you.

For life’s non-threatening ailments and injuries, from flu symptom treatment to stitches, UofL Health – Urgent Care Plus is right around the corner. With no appointment necessary and less waiting time you can get in, get out and get on with your life. Common urgent care services for adults and children over two include:

n Allergies and asthma

n Allergy shots

n Bronchitis

n Burns

n Cuts and lacerations

n Colds/flu

n Ear infections

n Eye illnesses

n Fractures (non-compound)

n Foreign body removal

n Injections

n Lab work

n Migraines/headaches

n Minor injuries and illnesses

n Nausea/vomiting

n Physicals

n Sports physicals

n Employment physicals

n DOT physicals

n Pink eye and strep

n Sprains/strains

n Stomach issues

n Urinary tract and yeast infections

n Work injury

n Wound care

We’re close to home and open seven days a week, so you never need to put your health on hold. That’s the Power of U.

UofL Health – Urgent Care Plus

Hurstbourne Corners 9409 Shelbyville Road Suite 104 Louisville, KY 40222 502-588-0740

Hours:

Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sunday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

We accept most commercial insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid. THAT’S THE POWER OF U