APRIL 2010 • KENTUCKYLIVING.COM

THE BEST IN KENTUCKYReader ratings from antiquing to zoos

NO GIRLS/GUYS ALLOWEDVacations where bad hair days are OK

STORM TROOPERS Christian County’s world-class weather watchers

CELEBRATING THE ENERGY OF YOUR COMMUNITY

CELEBRATING THE ENERGY OF YOUR COMMUNITY

TRAINS,PLANES, AND...HOT AIR BALLOONSFive offbeat ways to see the state

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8 AM – MIDNIGHT EST • SUNDAY 9 AM – MIDNIGHT ESTOFFER ONLY GOOD TO NEW DISH SUBSCRIBERS •

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• Never a better time to Ironclad your home with a Meridian Metal Roof GUARANTEED FOR LIFE!• Never Re-Roof Again • Your 35% Energy Savings Plan will pay for your roof

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APR 2010 vol 64 • no 4

54 32

2010TRAVEL

DEPARTmEnTs 5 KL On the web

7 KL COmmunity

8 frOm the editOr

9 LetterS

10 COmmOnweaLthSDirt on kids, Earth Day beef farm, FDR, Miss Cherry Blossom, and more

on ThE gRiD

14 the future Of eLeCtriCityA smarter power grid

16 CuttinG COStSGeothermal heat pumps

17 enerGy 101Power for the long run

18 CO-OperatiOnSLinemen rodeo, co-op scholarship

20 GadGetS & GizmOSEnergy-saving myths

36 KentuCKy traVeL18-page travel guideMammoth Cave Giveaway

40a LOCaL eLeCtriC COOperatiVe newS

22 storm spottersChristian County Weather Spotters put

themselves in the path of the storm to save lives.

27 guy/girl getawaysGirls just wanna have fun, but so do the guys.

Just not with each other.

32 The Road Less TraveledCoVER sToRy

See the state by planes, trains, boats, hot air

balloons, or horse-drawn carriages.

54 Best in Kentucky 2010 Winners

Readers vote for the best of the best in 20

categories.

on ThE CoVER Hop on the K&T Special at Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns for a scenic and educational hourlong adventure through the Daniel Boone national Forest and Big South Fork River and Recreation Area, with a stop at the Blue Heron Coal Mining Camp. Photo by Tim Webb.

KEnTuCKy CuLTuRE

59 wOrth the tripArt festivals

62 eVentSBluegrass, redbuds, Thunder Over Louisville, dulcimers

67 Chef’S ChOiCeSmith House Restaurant

68 Great OutdOOrSReelfoot Lake

69 Garden GuruEdibles for flower gardens

70 earth taLKTrain travel back on track

71 COOperatiVe herORon Murphy and disasters

72 Smart mOVeSType 2 diabetesEarn extra cash

73 Snap ShOtMy favorite Kentucky trip

77 KentuCKy KidS

78 the View frOm pLum LiCKBird-chirping weather

4 K e n t u C K y L i V i n G • a p r i L 2 0 1 0

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EDITORIAL STAFFEDITOR Paul WesslundMANAGING EDITOR Anita Travis Richter

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ellie HobgoodCONTRIBUTORS Dave Baker • Byron Crawford • David Dick • James Dulley • Mike Jennings • Linda Allison-Lewis • Angie McManus • Shelly Nold • Brian Orms • Sara Peak

ADVERTISING STAFFADVERTISING MANAGER Lynne ChristensonADVERTISING SALES REP. Curt SmithADVERTISING SALES REP. Monica PickerillSALES COORDINATOR Arlene ToonADVERTISING ASSISTANT Kathy Wade

PRODUCTION STAFFPRODUCTION MANAGER Carol L. SmithGRAPHIC DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR Kate WheatleyGRAPHIC DESIGNER Jim BattlesQUALITY CONTROL Paula C. SparrowWEB MASTER Tammy Simmons

KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVESPRESIDENT Bill CorumCHAIRMAN Eston GloverVICE CHAIRMAN Tommy HillSECRETARY/TREASURER Carol Hall Fraley

OUR MISSION STATEMENTKentucky Living is published to create a community of people who take pride in thinking of themselves as Kentuckians and as knowledgeable electric co-op members, in order to improve their quality of life.

TO CONTACT USPHONE: (502) 451-2430 or (800) 595-4846 FAX: (502) 459-1611E-MAIL: e-mail@kentuckyliving.comU.S. POSTAL SERVICE: P. O. Box 32170, Louisville, KY 40232NON-POSTAL SERVICE SHIPPING: 4515 Bishop Lane, Louisville, KY 40218

SUBSCRIPTIONS1-800-KY-LIVING (800-595-4846) CO-OP MEMBERS: To report address changes, please call your local co-op office.

WWW.KENTUCKYLIVING.COMKentucky Living’s award-winning Web presence. Current Web features are previewed at right.

CONTRIBUTOR GUIDELINESGuidelines for submission of writing and photography can be found under the “Ask About Freelancing” heading of the “Contact Us” section of www.KentuckyLiving.com

ADVERTISING OFFICESP. O. Box 32170 (40232), 4515 Bishop Lane (40218) Louisville, KY1-800-KY-LIVING (595-4846) FAX (502) 459-1611E-MAIL: lchristenson@KentuckyLiving.com

OUR NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVENational Country Market Sales Cooperative611 S. Congress Avenue, Suite #504 Austin, TX 787041-800-NCM-1181 • (512) 441-5200, FAX (512) 441-5211

AND NOW FOR THE LEGAL STUFFKentucky Living, Vol. 64, No. 4, (ISSN 1043-853X) is published monthly by the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives Inc., 4515 Bishop Lane, Louisville, KY 40218. Periodicals Postage Paid at Louisville, Kentucky, and at additional mailing offices. COPYRIGHT, 2010, by Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives Inc. All rights reserved. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $2.75 per year for members of co-ops that subscribe on a monthly basis; all others, $15 for one year, $25 for three years. NEWSSTAND COST: $2.95.POSTMASTER: Send address changes toKentucky Living, P. O. Box 32170, Louisville, KY 40232.ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO Kentucky Living, P. O. Box 32170, Louisville, KY 40232. Kentucky Living assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Manuscripts, photographs, and artwork must be accompanied by self-addressed envelopes with sufficient postage. to be returned. Kentucky Living does not guarantee publication of material received and reserves the right to edit any material published.Member, Audit Bureau of Circulations

l CONTACT US: Send questions, comments, or a letter to the editor.l SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES: Renewals, gift subscriptions, change of address.l ADVERTISERS: Check our editorial calendar, special sections, pricing, reader demographics. l WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS: Ask about freelancing.

Reader services at www.KentuckyLiving.com

AND MUCH MORE!

Printed on 10% post-consumer recycled paper.

Learn to spot storms like KenKen Buster is one of 57 highly trained members of the Christian

County Weather Spotters. Learn about the group in “Storm

Spotters” on page 22, then fi nd out what it takes to be a weather

spotter by going to www.KentuckyLiving.com and typing “spotter training” in the Keyword Search box. Photo by Joe Imel.

A mafi a for girls, a gym for guysAfter reading about “Girlfriend Weekends” on page 27 and “Guy

Getaways” on page 30, get the scoop on a gathering of women

since 1959 by going to KentuckyLivng.com and typing “girlfriend mafi a” in the Keyword Search box. For that men’s retreat, get a list

of historic sport spots by typing “old gyms” in the KentuckyLiving

.com Keyword Search box.

Party in the airLast year’s aviation celebration—the Muhlenberg Skyfest—was such

a hit it’s now an annual event. Learn all about the Greenville event,

plus other “Road-Less-Traveled” ways to see the state, by going to

KentuckyLiving.com and typing “roads” in the Keyword Search box.

THIS MONTH AT

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Coming inmay

Diy prosReaders tell us their DIY success

stories, from building a dream back

yard or a child’s outdoor clubhouse,

to revitalizing an old table into a piece

of art or turning drab basement walls

into dramatic murals. Read about the

Embrys, above, who built an outdoor

grill, fountains, and fire pit to comple-

ment the in-ground pool they had

installed. Photo by David Modica.

Sustainable surfacesCountertops and floors are going green

using durable and versatile products

such as concrete, bamboo, recycled

glass, cork, and even paper. These

products are not only environmentally

friendly and hip, but they are gorgeous.

You’ll never think of concrete in the

same way.

armed with a heartMay’s Kentucky Living Co-op Hero

Kevin Rigsby of Glasgow fingerprints

people, directs traffic, and works the

crossing guard at school, in addition to

his 12-hour shift as a hospital security

guard.

High-stepping through ShelbyvilleCalled the “Saddlebred Capital of the

World,”Shelbyville is home to nearly 80

Saddlebred breeding and training opera-

tions with lush pastures. And then there

are antiques, excellent restaurants, and

much more.

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is published to create a community

of people who take pride in thinking of themselves

as Kentuckians and as knowledgeable electric

co-op members, in order to improve

their quality of life.

HOW TO SUBMIT

For CHEF’S CHOICE reader recipes and SNAP SHOT submissions online, please

go to our Web site at www.KentuckyLiving.com and use the form noted above, or

look under “Contact Us.”

OTHER READER SUBMISSIONS ABOVE CAN BE SENT TO US BY: E-MAIL TO e-mail@kentuckyliving.com

MAIL TO Kentucky Living, (Subject Line or topic from above), P.O. Box 32170,

Louisville, KY 40232

PLEASE INCLUDE your name, address, phone numbers, e-mail address, the name of your electric co-op, and any additional information noted above in each category.

SEND US YOUR FAVORITE GARDEN RECIPE for July by

April 23. Submit online at www.KentuckyLiving.com/cooking, then click

on “Submit Reader Recipe” or mail it to us. If we publish your recipe,

we’ll send you a Kentucky Living mug.

CHEF’SCHOICE

SNAP SHOTSEND US YOUR PHOTOS OF “GONE FISHIN’” FOR THE JULY ISSUE so we receive them by May 14. Tell us where the photo was taken; identify who’s in the photo (left to right) and where they’re from; the name, address, and phone number of the photographer; your name and contact info; and the name of your electric co-op. Remember that close-ups of people work best.•SUBMIT digital images online at www.KentuckyLiving.com/submitsnapshots.html or mail prints to Kentucky Living, using subject line: Snap Shot. No color laser prints, as they do not reproduce well. Photos will NOT be returned unless you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.•GET A HEAD START by sending in photos of PET ADVENTURES for the August issue. Those photos are due June 15.

What I learned from my pet

PETS CHANGE US in ways we can never anticipate and

would never have believed until it happens. Tell us what won-

derful things you have learned from your pet, and include a mug

shot of you and your pet by e-mailing or snail mailing it (see “How to

Submit” below). Send a high-resolution jpg if e-mailing. Include your

name, address, phone number, the name of your electric co-op if applicable,

your pet’s name, who took the photo, and your story in 250 words or fewer.

We may use your animal story in the August issue. A winner will be drawn

from the entries for a free FURminator pet grooming gift pack, a $95 value.

WWW.K E N T U C KY L I V I N G . C O M • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 7

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The national electric cooperatives group gave its top journalism

award to Kentucky Living this spring.

For an editor of a statewide electric co-op magazine like

me, receiving the George W. Haggard award (more on George

later in the column) is like an actor getting an Academy Award. In

this case, the honor recognizes the magazine’s role in helping you,

as an electric co-op member, get the information you need to help

you understand complicated energy issues, and to use that knowl-

edge to keep your electricity reliable and affordable.

The CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association,

which presents the award, said that in the past year, “The magazine

increased its coverage of energy efficiency and developed content to

involve readers directly, like the new ‘On the Grid’ section and an

annual Energy Guide.”

One of the judges wrote, “Kentucky Living has set a new standard for statewide

publications.”

That’s high praise. There are 30 of these magazines around the country and they’re

good. Their editors are smart, skilled, and passionate about getting the word out on

electric co-ops.

Which brings me back to George Haggard and a phrase I first heard a few years ago:

“Standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Haggard worked as a statewide editor in the early days of the electric co-op pro-

gram, and he encouraged the development of the magazines. He died in a plane crash,

along with several officials of the Rural Electrification Administration, in 1951.

That was part of a history that built on itself, as hard workers and visionaries fash-

ioned a foundation that others could climb onto and build even higher. Some of these

giants include past and present editors and executives of the Kentucky Association

of Electric Cooperatives. They include the present-day staff of Kentucky Living—an

incredible group that knows how to produce quality and have fun while doing it. They

include the leadership of Kentucky’s electric co-ops. And they include a caring and

supportive group of readers—that would be you.

That’s my Academy Award-style acceptance speech, acknowledging those

who really made the Haggard award possible. Thank you for letting Kentucky Living

stand on your shoulders.

Big shouldersA national award for Kentucky Living restson a history of well-informed co-op members

Paul Wesslund

From the editor

Paul Wesslund receives the George W. Haggard Memorial Journalism award from Wally Wolski, president of the national Rural electric Cooperative association. Photo by Mike lynch.

8 K e n t u C K y l i v i n G • a P R i l 2 0 1 0

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Purple martin capitalThe February purple martin feature

should have mentioned Lewisburg in

Logan County, which is the Purple

Martin Capital of Kentucky, as you

can see from the photo I’ve included.

Tom Hilton, Lewisburg

Humanizing purple martinsThanks for the February article about

purple martins. I manage the public

site at Bernheim Forest and also one

where I work at Ford Motor Co. in

Louisville. I have already gotten lots

of responses about the article. Purple

martins almost entirely depend on

human supplied nest sites and I hope

this helps create more landlords for

them.

Larry Melcher, Shepherdsville

Straightening out energy factsOn page 17 of the February issue, the

sidebar “Dollars & Sense” doesn’t

make any sense with respect to the

ceiling fan and space heater electric

use. Rather than describing usage in

terms of watt-

age or kilowatt-

hours, it would

be better to

use the same

units. Also, I

doubt the .09 kilowatt-hour usage

described for the space heater is rel-

evant, unless the heater was used for

only about five minutes.

The biggest users of electric-

ity in a home are appliances and

devices that create heat and/or force.

Incandescent light bulbs, space heat-

ers, electric water heaters, pumps,

and compressors are a few of the big

users. If anyone doubts the amount

of electricity used by these new LCD

televisions, they ought to take a walk

though a television display area in a

store and feel the heat generated by

these displays.

Mike Stone, Rineyville

Editor’s note: You’re right—the ceil-

ing fan and space heater figures were

incorrect in the April Gadgets & Gizmos

column. It should have read that the

space heater uses 1,500 watts, or 1.5 kw,

and the fan .1 kw or 100 watts.

The school of Plum LickI know nothing of the era that David

Dick grew up in. But it is with great

interest and respect that I read his

The View From Plum Lick column

every issue. I usually go right to

that first. It is enormously refresh-

ing to read. I encourage everyone,

especially young people, to read it.

There’s much to be learned from it.

Robin Keene

Mayberry, KentuckyI live in a small town, Irvine,

Kentucky. I am from Ohio so the

change is drastic. Small towns have

certain charms about them. Imagine

Mayberry, just not so old fash-

ioned. One thing I have noticed in

Kentucky, everyone will wave at

you like they know you. That is the

charm of small towns and Kentucky

in general.

Melissa Jones, Irvine

Please address letters to the editor to: Letters, Kentucky Living, P. O. Box 32170, Louisville, KY 40232 or e-mail by going to www.KentuckyLiving.com and clicking on “Contact Us.” Letters may be edited for style, length, and clarity.

WriteKL

letters

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Lexington author Karen Angelucci feels

fortunate to have grown up in a set-

ting where it was okay for a kid to get

her hands dirty. As young as age 5,

she began to help her

grandmother in her

vegetable garden, fostering a lifelong

passion for nature and a distinction

as Master Gardener. Angelucci hopes

to plant these same seeds in many

other children with her book, Grimy,

Grubby Gardening: Kentucky Kids Dig It!

(McClanahan Publishing House, $14.95).

Th e book provides a thorough, but

kid-friendly, explanation of how plants

grow, what is required to garden, the

anatomy of a plant, and instructions on

growing particular crops. In addition,

Angelucci says, “Children gain more than

just plant knowledge. Th ey gain inde-

pendence and self-awareness. Th ey learn

about the cycle of life and learn to appre-

ciate the earth and how to nurture it.”

Brightly colored illustrations depicting

the author’s own children will also catch

the reader’s eye.

Angelucci loves to grow just about

anything, herbs, fl owers, trees, or bulbs,

but her favorite species is the Japanese

iris. As a child, she says her “fi rst love

was the bearded iris…ugly yellow ones.

Well, then they weren’t ugly, but com-

pared to the great selection now, they

pale in beauty.” She was also very active

in 4-H and the local and state fairs.

Angelucci’s gardening passion has

recently branched out to include trees,

and she now serves as chair of the

Lexington Tree Board. “Th ey do so much

for us, more than any other plant out

there,” she says. Visit www.lexington

treefoundation.org, her new nonprofi t

foundation, to learn more about including

them in your landscape.

Avid gardeners will also enjoy visiting

karenangelucci.com to see photos of the

author’s gardens, or fi nd helpful links for

more gardening tips.

getting the dirt on kids

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a signifi cant amount of the average home energy bill pays for heating water. take fi ve-minute showers instead of baths and make sure your water heater is set no higher than 120° f.

energytip

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commonWealths

taKing out the trash For mother earthIn observance of Earth Day in April each year, volunteers converge upon Tygarts Creek Gorge in Carter County to clean

refuse from its banks. Shown here

in 2009, Bill and Ally Criss along with Julie Helton (middle) pull a discarded tire from the water. For information on how to par-ticipate in this year’s cleanup on April 24, call Bryan Mattingly at (606) 928-6959.

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scholarships, courtesy oF co-opsWomen in Rural Electrifi cation (Kentucky W.I.R.E.) is taking applica-tions for $1,000 scholarships. The scholarships are open to any eligible student whose family is served by a Kentucky electric cooperative and has at least 60 hours of credits at a Kentucky college or university by the start of the fall term. W.I.R.E. will award three scholarships. The deadline for application is June 18. For an application form, go to www.kaec.org and click on the link at the bottom of the New Info box, or call your local electric cooperative or the Kentucky Living offi ce.

penny wOOdS fOr JOSeph-beth bOOKSeLLerS, pennymOuSe1@yahOO.COm,(800) 248-6849, www.JOSephbeth.COm.

10 K e n t u C K y L i V i n G • a p r i L 2 0 1 0

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FDR lives!“I signed the Rural Electrification Act (in 1936), which

set the grand experiment of the member-owned elec-

tric cooperatives into motion. It enabled citizens to

bring power to themselves, and with only a little

help from government. When those electric coopera-

tives were unleashed, they grew to a force of more

than 900, that powered Alaskan and Hawaiian fishing

villages, dairy farms in Vermont, oil fields in Texas,

Indian reservations out west, and so many communi-

ties in between. That, friends, is progress. Progress

never rests.”—Actor Ed Asner, portraying President

Franklin D. Roosevelt in February at the annual

meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative

Association in Atlanta.

Described as both visually appealing and mentally stimulating, photo-

graphs by University of Kentucky student Michelle Combs are on exhibit

at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset through

May. In her “Fences” photograph series, as shown here,

Combs’ imagery draws attention to economic stereotypes associated

with the type of fence surrounding a home—a chain-link fence, an elabo-

rate wrought-iron fence, or a faded white picket fence.

“My goal is to challenge the viewer of my photographs to question the

judgments they make based on appearance,” says Combs, a London native.

Her work can be seen at the center from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday

through Friday. More information available at www.centertech.com.

ARTIST

CHALLENGING PHOTOS

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Calling all techies, entrepreneurs, inventors, artists, and other

creative types—Lexington is the place to be in April. � e city

is the location for a monthlong series of events dedicated to

creative people and technology professionals.

“Lexington has a vibrant and growing community of

people who thrive on creating innovative approaches to busi-

ness, society, and the arts,” says IN2LEX chair Ben Askren, a

systems integration engineer with Lexmark.

� e ball gets rolling with the national Creative Cities

Summit, April 7-9, with many notable speakers including

Kentucky native Ben Self, creator of President Barack Obama’s

offi cial Web site for his presidential campaign. Kentucky’s

fi rst TEDx conference will be April 23. Based on the national

TED (technology, entertainment, and design) conference, the

program is designed to bring together communities, organiza-

tions, and individuals. Other events during the month include

seminars, presentations, exhibits, collaborative works ses-

sions, music, parties, and charity events.

For details and dates of more than two dozen IN2LEX

events, check out www.in2lex.com.

Lexington tech-fest

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WWW.K E N T U C KY L I V I N G . C O M • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 11

50 YEARS AGO IN KENTUCKY LIVING

TIME CAPSULE

I’LL BE FRANKBY FRANK STRUNK, EDITOR, RURAL KENTUCKIAN

On February 22, in St. Louis, the 18th annual meeting of your

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association offi cially got

under way.

Nearly everyone I unoffi cially “polled” there was very

much in favor of discontinuing the use of “REA co-op” to des-

ignate our locally owned rural electric systems.

There is a growing antipathy in this country to bureaucracy

in its many forms, and we are doing ourselves a disservice

by identifying our organizations as government agencies—

because we are not.

Let’s let people know we are rural electric co-ops, not “REAs”

or “REA co-ops,” because we need to stress the fact that we are

just as vital and integral a part of the American free-enterprise

system as any other segment of this nation’s business, and are

NOT a government agency any more than any business is an

agency of the bank which holds its mortgage.

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For the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, the Kentucky Beef

Council is holding a “Meat” Your Neighbor Educational Tour on April 14,

so that people interested in learning where food comes from can tour

four farms and see production and environmental practices fi rsthand.

The four tour farms are located in Bourbon County. These producers

represent a small part of the state’s 38,000 beef-producing farms, which

all raise a variety of beef types. These cattle producers are following

the best environmental practices available by rotating grazing, install-

ing water systems, fencing off ponds, and participating in the Animal ID

Program and the national Beef Quality Assurance Program.

To date, four Kentucky beef-producing families have been recognized

as national or regional winners of the annual Environmental Steward-

ship award, which has been sponsored in part since 1991 by the USDA

National Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

To make a reservation for the tour, contact Kentucky Beef Council

Director of Marketing Alison Smith at (859) 285-0204 or asmith@

kycattle.org. Reservations will be taken on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served

basis, and there are 55 seats available on the bus. Participants will

meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Bourbon County Extension Offi ce. Lunch will

be served, there is no charge for the tour, and the bus will return at

5 p.m. For more info visit www.kybeef.com.

EARTH DAY ON THE BEEF FARM

COMMONWEALTHS

A CHERRY BLOSSOM FOR WASHINGTONCassandra Compton of Somerset is representing Kentucky at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., where she will compete with young women from all 50 states to be named the 2010 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen. A Somerset Community College student, Compton (shown here) was chosen through a competition that included an application, essay, and inter-views. The annual competition is sponsored by the National Conference of State Societies.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual two-week event that celebrates the 1912 gift of cherry trees from Japan. This year, events run through April 11. More information about the festival is available at www.national cherryblossomfestival.org.

“I’ll be at fi ne stores everywhere.”

If you’re looking for a spring excursion that features natural

beauty, history, and wildlife, plus provides a good dose of exer-

cise, check out Cave Hill Cemetery tours. Located in Louisville,

Cave Hill is a garden-style cem-

etery founded in 1848 and is a

nationally recognized arboretum

with more than 500 diff erent

plant species. Shown here is the

cemetery’s Satterwhite Temple

framed by a brilliant white azalea

in full bloom.

Visitors can enjoy one of fi ve

themed tours sponsored by the

Cave Hill Heritage Foundation—

the Civil War Walking Tour,

Birding Tour, Historical Walking

Tour, Twilight Driving Tour, and

Geological Tour. Reservations

must be made in advance by

calling (502) 451-5630. � e tour

schedule is available at www.cavehillcemetery.com.

Cave Hill is the fi nal resting place for more than 135,000

people, including philanthropists, judges, authors, politicians, and

Union and Confederate soldiers. Many notable Kentuckians are

Walking in Cave Hill Cemetery

buried there, among them frontiersman George Rogers

Clark, KFC founder Harland Sanders, long-time Courier-

Journal publisher Barry Bingham Sr. and his wife, Mary

Caperton Bingham, a patron of the arts and civic leader.

When visiting, remember to take your camera. � e

foundation is sponsoring a photo contest open to the gen-

eral public through October 1, 2010.Entrants may submit

one Cave Hill Cemetery photo from each of the four sea-

sons. Winners will receive prizes and their photographs will

be featured in a calendar. Offi cial rules and entry forms are

available at the cemetery’s Web site address. KL

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12 K E N T U C K Y L I V I N G • A P R I L 2 0 1 0

LAND LOANS • CONSTRUCTION LOANS • EQUIPMENT LOANS • OPERATING LOANS • HOME LOANS

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www.K e n t u C Ky L i V i n G . C O m • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 13

LAND LOANS • CONSTRUCTION LOANS • EQUIPMENT LOANS • OPERATING LOANS • HOME LOANS

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 13 3/12/10 8:59 PM

The first crates of sleek new electric

meters have arrived in Somerset.

Workers at South Kentucky Rural

Electric Cooperative Corporation

(SKRECC) have started installing them

at homes and businesses in Pulaski

County and will soon expand into

neighboring counties.

Co-op members, used to old-

fashioned glass domes with tiny

spinning dials inside, will quickly

notice digital numbers on the faces

of the new meters. But the best parts

of the new devices are hidden away

inside—internal computer chips that

allow each meter to send and receive

information to and from the co-op’s

substations and offices.

The new meters and their com-

munications capabilities are part of

a major power-grid upgrade. During

the next three years, SKRECC’s elec-

tric power system in 11 southern

Kentucky counties and portions of

two nearby Tennessee counties will

become smarter than ever before. The

upgrades will change the way co-op

workers and members can inter-

act—and help better manage reliable

power service throughout the region.

Smart, smarter, smartestSKRECC’s vast service territory

includes about 6,700 miles of power

lines that bring electricity from 42

substations to co-op members. The

familiar routine of sending a person

to look at 67,000 meters each month

will no longer be necessary. The new

meters can automatically send usage

information back through the power

lines to the main offices, saving time

and money. That’s smart.

The new meters can also be set to

send usage details at six-hour inter-

vals daily, and include information

about amperage and voltage. That’s

even smarter.

Dennis Holt, vice president

of engineering and operations for

SKRECC, notes that the smart-grid

upgrades will also include vari-

ous remote sensors and two-way

electronic communication points

throughout the system. This will be a

big help to co-op technicians.

Holt says, “This will give us the

ability to better manage information

during large power outages such as

storms, and get the most members

back on as fast as possible.”

Eventually, the system will offer

more benefits for co-op members.

“The new system will also have the

ability to let members do Internet

viewing of their usage,” Holt says.

“We anticipate that in the future, the

system will read the meter, upload

that info to a Web site, and then

people can look at it to see how much

power they’ve used during each six-

hour period.”

In the national quest to manage

the supply and demand for electric-

ity more evenly throughout each

24-hour period, that information is

a big step. Active customer involve-

ment will be the smartest part of the

improved power grid.

In today’s world, most residen-

tial electric rates are based on average

expenses to generate and deliver that

power, no matter what time of day or

night, no matter what season of the

year. But in the smartest world of the

future, electricity users will be able

to see that using power during peak

hours costs more—and using power

during off-peak times is a lot cheaper.

In every state, regulators are looking

ahead to establish procedures for set-

ting the variable rate structures that

will be needed as part of a smart grid.

Co-ops lead on smart gridsThose price differences will be an

important tool to persuade consum-

A smarter power gridAs Kentucky co-ops upgrade for the future,consumers will need to learn new ideas, too

nAnCy S. grAnt

On the grid

the future Of electricity

“ In the future, the system will read the meter, upload that info to a Web site, and then people can look at it to see how much power they’ve used”

14 K e n t u C K y L i v i n g • A p r i L 2 0 1 0

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 14 3/15/10 1:43 PM

ers to change some of their electricity

use patterns.

Decreasing electricity use during

peak times is important to utilities.

Utility companies often must buy

extra electricity from distant sup-

pliers or build extra power plants to

meet extreme demand during peak

times. But those expensive plants

sit idle for part of the day or year. It

would be much more efficient to use

existing power plants more evenly

throughout each 24-hour period.

Instead of building new plants,

adding smart-grid technology to

the existing system may be a better

investment for the future.

Nationally, cooperatives lead the

utility industry in the deployment

of smart-grid features. In Kentucky

many other electric co-ops have

already added some smart-grid fea-

tures to their systems, including new

meters, remote switching devices,

and improved communications.

The National Rural Electric

Cooperative Association (NRECA)

reported that through 2008, almost

half of all co-ops have at

least some advanced meter-

ing within their systems.

Nationally, about one-third

have also begun to link those

smart meters with other

technology in their sections

of the power grid.

The American Reinvest-

ment and Recovery Act (also known

as the economic stimulus package)

includes $3.4 billion for smart-grid

infrastructure improvements. The

SKRECC project qualified for more

than $9 million in federal funds.

When the awards for new

smart-grid projects in 15 states were

announced last October, NRECA CEO

Glenn English said, “Cooperatives

welcome the challenge of moderniz-

ing the nation’s grid.”

In January of this year, the

Kentucky Department for Energy

Development and Independence

asked for proposals for more smart-

grid projects from all interested utili-

ties within the state. This spring, the

department will evaluate the applica-

tions and award up to $2.65 million in

additional funds from the U.S. Energy

Department’s share of other stimulus

money. KL

Energy journalist nAnCy gRAnT is a

member of the Cooperative Communicators

Association and the American Society of

Journalists and Authors.

South Kentucky rural electric Co-op metering team leader tony tupman will be among that co-op’s employees changing electric meters to upgraded “smart” meters that can send information about power use back to the co-op. photo by Joy bullock.

James Gardner, vice chairman of the Kentucky Public Service Commission,

is part of a 19-member national task force, the Smart Grid Collaborative,

sponsored by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the national

Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. Three times a year

Gardner joins his colleagues for wide-ranging discussions.

“The ‘smart grid’ is an important issue,” Gardner says. “There are expen-

sive items of technology and important regulatory issues out there. We have

to analyze these to be sure that we understand the consequences. Kentucky

needs to be prepared for the future.”

KentucKy’s national role

www.K e n t u C Ky L i V i n G . C O m • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 15

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 15 3/12/10 8:59 PM

Geothermal heat pumps are

extremely energy efficient and

generally yield the lowest util-

ity bills of any residential heat-

ing and cooling systems. With the

high cost of energy and the available

energy tax credit, installing a geo-

thermal heat pump could make eco-

nomic sense for some families.

A geothermal heat pump operates

similarly to a standard heat pump

except it exchanges heat with the

ground instead of the outdoor air,

essentially using solar energy, which

is stored as heat in the ground.

The outdoor air temperature can

vary 40 degrees or more from day

to night and more than 100 degrees

from the coldest winter night to the

hottest summer day. In contrast,

the temperature several feet below

ground varies little.

To capture the heat energy from

the ground in the winter or exhaust

the heat during the summer, a long

pipe is usually buried in the ground.

Heat is transferred by an antifreeze/

water solution running through the

pipe. All new models use earth-

friendly R410A refrigerant instead of

Freon.

efficient in all seasonsSince no outdoor condenser coils and

fans are needed, the entire heat pump

and all mechanical components are

located in an indoor unit. It oper-

ates quietly and, with no outdoor fan

or compressor, there is no noise to

bother neighbors or your family at

night.

During the winter, a geother-

mal heat pump can produce up to $5

worth of heat for each dollar on your

electric bill. Unlike standard heat

pumps, which lose efficiency and

maximum heat

output as the

outdoor tem-

perature drops,

the efficiency

and heat output

from a geothermal heat pump remain

relatively constant.

During the summer, a regular heat

pump or central air conditioner loses

efficiency and cooling output when it

is hotter outdoors. Cooling efficien-

cies for geothermal units are as high

as 30 EER (energy efficiency ratio).

A standard heat pump or central air

conditioner is typically less than half

as efficient.

Another summertime advantage

is free hot water when the geother-

mal heat pump is cooling your house.

Waste heat can be diverted to your

water heater with a device called a

desuperheater. KL

WA

te

rfu

rn

Ac

e

cutting costs

Mail requests and questions to James Dulley, Kentucky Living, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244, or visit www.dulley.com.

Saving energy from the ground upMy house needs a new heating and cooling system. I have thought about installing a geothermal heat pump for its efficiency and the tax credit. How efficient is one and how does it work?—Brandon D.JameS duLLey

the energy tax credit

The federal government provides a 30

percent tax credit covering the entire cost

of installing a geothermal heat pump. To

qualify, the unit’s efficiency must meet or

exceed EnERGY STAR requirements. Units

installed in 2008 were subject to a $2,000

cap on the credit. For any units installed in

2009 through 2016, you can take advan-

tage of the full 30 percent tax credit.

sAVEmoRE

a high-efficiency geothermal heat pump, shown with and without its front cover, is a quiet indoor unit with no outside fan or compressor to generate noise.

16 K e n t u C K y L i V i n G • a p r i L 2 0 1 0

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 16 3/12/10 8:59 PM

initely with proper mainten-

ance and part replacements.

One exception: nuclear

plants with boiling or pressur-

ized water reactors. Generally,

these plants have life spans of

upward of 70 years.

Political issues can reduce a power plant’s life span.

Economically, most coal plants will not become obsolete

because new plant effi ciency gains will be somewhat mar-

ginal. However, political forces could be used to shut down

these plants because of emission concerns.

There is no simple answer to that question, because plants

don’t typically have a life span. Instead, certain parts, or the

infrastructure that makes up the plant, have an operational

time frame.

For example, in a fossil fuel plant, the superheated tubes in

the hot-gas section could decay and fail over time. However,

a utility could simply replace and fi x this part of the plant.

Generating plants can continually get refurbished. For example,

the blades in a plant with combustion turbines have a fi nite life,

but replacing the blades will keep the plant operational.

Theoretically, power plants of any kind could be run indef-

ENERGY101

Power for the long runWith proper maintenance, many electric plants can last indefi nitely

—NRECA COOPERATIVE RESEARCH NETWORK

What are the typical life spans of different types of electric-generating plants?

EA

ST K

EN

TU

CK

Y P

OW

ER

CO

OP

ER

AT

IVE

Spurlock Power Station, a coal-fi red plant in Maysville, went into operation in 1977.

WWW.K E N T U C KY L I V I N G . C O M • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 17

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 17 3/15/10 1:44 PM

older guys in my category and

it felt good to beat the younger

guys, especially knowing you’re

going up against not only the best

linemen in Kentucky, but many

of the best in the world.” Clark

Energy lineman Samuel Adams

finished first in the begin-

ner category. Seventy-six

line workers from 11 co-ops

took part in the event on the

grounds of East Kentucky

Power Co-op in Winchester.

Making car ingredients Hopkinsville

Pennyrile Electric

Co-op salutes the

Riken Elastomers

plant, which makes

materials that may be in

your car’s windshield,

roof moldings, floor

mats, and arm rests. The

plant was established in

Hopkinsville in 2006,

and its parent com-

pany is Riken Technos,

headquartered in Tokyo,

Japan. The plant employs

12 people who work

12-hour shifts four days

a week. Thermoplastic

elastomers are a durable

material that’s especially light-

weight, helping with vehicle fuel

efficiency.

co-operations

Top line guyWincHesTer

Clark Energy Co-op trumpets con-

gratulations to Barney Toy for the

highest score at the 2009 Kentucky

Lineman’s Rodeo. Rather than

roping horses, the annual event has

linemen participate in several skill

exercises, all emphasizing safe work

practices. The rodeo included the

speed climb, in which the linemen

carry an egg up the pole in a bucket

then climb back down holding the

egg in their mouth, and rescuing a

mannequin from the top of a pole.

The 40-year-old, 20-year veteran

lineman, says, “I was one of the

on the line, in the plant, and going to schoolpaul Wesslund

Hopkinsville

WincHesTer

WesT liberTy

licking valley scholarsWesT liberTy

Licking Valley Rural Electric Co-op

will again sponsor a scholarship con-

test, with recipients announced at

the co-op annual meeting May 21.

The program awards a $1,000 schol-

arship to one senior in each of the

eight counties served by Licking

Valley. Application deadline is

April 22. For scholarship details call

Suzanne Vance at the Licking Valley

office, (606) 743-3179. KL

linemen for clark energy co-op, based in Winchester, Thomas branham, barney Toy, and roger nolan competed at the 2009 kentucky lineman’s rodeo, a friendly contest that emphasizes safety.

employees at the Hopkinsville riken elastomers plant showing off their achieve-ment of the iso 9001/2000 standard for excellence, which rates management practices. The plant is served by pennyrile electric co-op.

licking valley rural electric co-op 2009 scholarship winners included levi daniel Hollon from Wolfe county, brent Martley from Menifee county, and Joshua M. perry from Morgan county.

ph

illi

p b

lyt

he

hir

o o

ku

ra

18 k e n T u c k y l i v i n g • a p r i l 2 0 1 0

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 18 3/15/10 2:11 PM

www.K e n t u C K y L i V i n G . C O m • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 19

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 19 3/12/10 9:00 PM

DoLLARs&sEnsE

miKe JenninGS

Drawing up a checklist of energy-saving steps for

your home or business? It’s a good idea, but fi rst

make sure you’ve culled any steps that are based on

misinformation, outdated technology, or intuition that

doesn’t stand up to proof. Some of these energy-saving

myths may surprise you.

Fluorescent lights cost more than incandescent, and burn out faster if

turned off and on frequently. In general, turn off fl uorescents if you won’t

need them for at least 15 minutes.

gADgETs&giZmos

ECoConsumER

I knew that—these mythsare old news

Some energy-saving myths have

long been debunked and their falsity

widely publicized. They include:

electronic gear consumes no power when it’s turned off. Electronics that go into standby

mode, such as televisions, computer

monitors, and microwave ovens,

suck more power than devices

where off means off.

it’s better to leave a light or appliance on than to switch it off and on again.This advice once had validity, but

you can turn off modern lights, com-

puters, and other gadgets whenever

you don’t need them without short-

ening their life spans.

turning your thermostat way down or way up will make your home cool or heat faster. Just set the thermostat to the

temperature you really want. You’ll

get there just as fast, and you

won’t waste energy overshooting

the mark.

heating one room with an electric space heater uses less energy than heating a whole house with central heating.That’s rarely true, because space

heaters are such energy gluttons.

Leaving a ceiling fan on when you’re out of a room helps keep it cool.Ceiling fans have no effect on room

temperature. Fans cool people by

moving air rapidly across their skin.

energy-saving mythsIt’s important to separate conservation fact from fi ction

really? debunking more myths

Other energy-saving myths

haven’t gotten as much

press, including:

Cleaning refrigerator coils saves energy. the

u.S. energy department calls this

“a classic example of a widely held

belief based on assumptions rather

than measurements.”

you should close registers in unused rooms. in well-insulated

homes, closing registers saves no

energy, and it can throw forced-air

heating and cooling systems out of

whack.

it takes more energy to cool a house if you keep the air conditioner off all day rather than leaving it on at a higher temperature. One long cooling

cycle at the end of a hot day will

consume less energy than a series

of short cycles during the time you’re

out of the house.

washing dishes by hand uses less energy than running an electric dishwasher. the opposite

is true. to maximize energy saving,

avoid pre-rinsing dishes, wait until

the dishwasher is full before running

it, and don’t use the heat cycle to dry

dishes.

duct tape is good for sealing ducts. duct tape came in last in tests

of 32 sealants. the best sealant for

ducts is mastic, a gooey substance

that hardens after it is painted on.

20 K e n t u C K y L i V i n G • a p r i L 2 0 1 0

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•

P. O. Box 1100 • Stanton, KY 40380

10 AM - 5 PM • June 5 & 6

www.fortharrodbeeffestival.org • 859-734-5546

P. O. Box 371 • Hodgenville, KY 42748866-719-FEST (3378) • www.KFEA.com

On the readyAsk any of the 57 members of the

Christian County Weather Spotters

why they’re willing to put them-

selves in the path of high winds, hail,

lightning, even the threat of torna-

does—often at a moment’s notice, in

the wee hours of the morning—and

they’ll tell you: it’s simple. Th ey love

the weather.

Jessica Sargent’s weather fascina-

tion began at age 6, when she wit-

nessed her fi rst tornado across from

her grandparents’ house.

Spotter J.D. Smith’s mom used

to have to pull him inside as a kid

whenever the wind picked up.

Even if it’s 2 or 3 in the morn-

ing, when David Powell, the group’s

weather coordinator and fi rst in

charge, puts out a call for volunteers

to monitor a storm via the spotters’

dedicated two-way radio frequency,

25 or 30 will reply, ready to go

immediately.

“If we think bad weather may

be coming, we’re sleeping with our

radios on and one eye open,” says

Kenneth Buster, who at 72 is the

group’s oldest member.

By providing on-the-ground

assessments of severe weather as it’s

happening, the weather spotters help

verify radar observations coming

out of the National Weather Service

(NWS) offi ce in Paducah, giving

residents earlier warning for when to

take cover in the event of a storm.

While the NWS Paducah offi ce

must monitor weather in 58 coun-

ties simultaneously, the Christian

County Weather Spotters are able to

focus their attention on conditions in

Christian and the immediately adja-

cent counties.

“We know we’ve increased our

warning time for tornadic or severe

events at least two minutes on the

front end and up to 10 minutes on the

back end of the storm,” Powell says.

Just knowing the group exists has

helped to provide peace of mind to

Christian County residents, many of

whom had been rattled by the severe

tornado that struck the county in

2006, destroying 250 homes and

injuring 25 people.

It was that 2006 tornado—and

a desire to give residents more

advanced storm warning—that

prompted the formation of the

weather spotters group, in fact.

Since then, Powell has assembled

hoPKinsViLLE REsiDEnTs Jessica Sargent, her husband, Terry, and their 16-year-old-daughter, Savannah—all members of Christian County’s elite Weather Spotter network—were in the fi eld monitoring a severe thunderstorm last August when a tornado unexpectedly touched down not 200 yards away.

“We couldn’t see anything but dirt and debris everywhere,” Jessica Sargent says.Fortunately, the Sargents got out of the tornado’s path quickly and safely—though

Terry suffered a bruised shoulder from unidentifi ed fl ying debris and Savannah dislo-cated a thumb—all the while fl agging down approaching motorists and warning them to turn back.

The Christian County Weather Spotters’ motto is “Living on the Edge of the Storm.”That day, they truly did.

StormStormSpottersChristian County Weather Spotters help the area stay prepared for severe weather

BY ROBIN ROENKER • PHOTOS BY JOE IMEL

22 K e n t u C K y L i V i n G • a p r i L 2 0 1 0

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 22 3/12/10 9:00 PM

a team of spotters so well-trained and

highly organized that they’ve become

a model for the rest of the state and

nation.

Unlike other amateur weather

spotter groups that require train-

ing only once or twice a year to join,

volunteers with Christian County’s

group are required to attend at least

10 training sessions a year.

“It’s lots of clouds, clouds,

clouds,” spotter Jeanette Aldridge

says of the severe weather train-

ing. “We learn to look for rotation.

Something that may look like a tor-

nado to someone else really isn’t,

unless you see that rotation there.”

All members also complete a

course on downed power line safety

that Pennyrile Electric Cooperative

off ers to emergency fi rst responders.

High-tech operations centerRecently, Powell has been work-

ing with Brigadier General John W.

Heltzel, deputy commander, Joint

Forces Headquarters, Kentucky

National Guard, and director of the

Kentucky Division of Emergency

Management, to extend the Christian

County Weather Spotters concept

statewide.

Together with Heltzel, Powell has

developed instructional materials to

assist other counties in establishing

weather spotting networks.

“� ey’re at the top of the game,”

Heltzel says of the Christian County

group. “� ey are setting a model for

the nation. � ey really are. It’s some-

what unusual to fi nd volunteers that

are as professional and organized as

David has got his crew.”

Heltzel’s right. Walk inside the

weather spotters’ Weather Operations

Center in Hopkinsville—a converted,

former National Guard armory for

tanks, which the weather spotters

inherited in July 2008—and noth-

ing about the place feels amateurish,

despite the fact that it’s been outfi t-

ted nearly entirely out of the spotters’

own pockets.

On the walls are six large-screen

monitors where the weather spot-

ters’ weather operations person-

nel—usually Powell and at least one of

the team’s three meteorologists—can

track storms with a state-of-the-art

Doppler radar system called GR-level

3. Sophisticated indicators pop up on

the screens whenever there’s a threat

of hail or circulation indicative of a

possible tornado.

■ Spotting severe weather is a family affair for the Sargent family—Jessica, Terry, and 16-year-old daughter Savannah—shown off Highway 68 in Christian County as they radio in an approaching storm, while Savannah measures the wind speed.

“If we think bad weather may be coming, we’re sleeping with our radios on and one eye open.”

■ David Powell, weather coordinator of Christian County Weather Spotters Network, shows Brig. Gen. John Heltzel some of the equipment in their operations center in Hopkinsville. Heltzel is deputy commander of Joint Forces Headquarters, Kentucky National Guard, and director of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management.

WWW.K E N T U C KY L I V I N G . C O M • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 23

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 23 3/15/10 2:02 PM

One table is for communica-

tions: at the touch of a button on

the spotters’ two-way radios, they

can contact not only all of their 57

members but also personnel with

local law enforcement, fi re stations,

and other emergency management

fi rst-response teams. As a backup,

many of the spotters also stay in

touch with the operations center

via ham radio.

In the event of severe weather,

volunteers staffi ng the operations

center know at all times the pre-

cise location of every spotter in the

fi eld. Spotter chiefs, like Bob Celing,

who oversees the southern part of

Christian County, help ensure that

spotters have chosen safe locations

to monitor the storm.

Th e majority of the group’s

members work as stationary or

mobile spotters, assigned either to

track conditions in a specifi c site

(often their own homes) or to move

throughout the county.

A second level of spotters make

up the group’s storm intercept

teams, whose role is, as Kenneth

Buster put it, “to go out and meet

this thing (the storm), and get as

much information as I can. And

then run.”

Th e most dangerous role, per-

haps, belongs to the group’s storm

trackers, who not only meet a

storm, but then go on to follow it

across the county, collecting photos

and invaluable data on wind speed

and direction, humidity, and tem-

perature as they go.

Currently, the group has 10

spotters qualifi ed to track storms

in fi ve personal vehicles outfi tted

inexpensively with custom-made

mobile weather stations. J.D. Smith

made his anemometer to mea-

sure wind speed, for example, with

PVC pipe based on a plan he found

online from the National Severe

Storm Laboratory.

Representatives at the National

Weather Service’s Paducah offi ce

have routinely commended the

Christian County group for the ser-

vice they provide—at times specifi -

cally requesting that they track a

given storm to relay data.

Like an instinctTh ere’s no question the weather

spotters’ eff orts have saved lives.

Just ask Christian County Sheriff

Livy Leavell Jr.

On the night of February 5,

2008, during the “Super Tuesday”

tornado outbreak, Leavell was out

patrolling when he ran into some

hail. He radioed in to David Powell

at the weather spotters’ headquar-

ters to give him his exact location.

From the radar indicators,

Powell knew Leavell was in danger.

Immediately, Powell told Leavell

to get out of there: he was heading

into the path of a possible tornado.

Th e next day, Leavell went back

to survey the damage the tornado

had caused just 100 yards past the

area where he’d turned around.

“If I’d have continued just a

few more yards, I’d have run right

into it. Th ere’s no question about

it. Th ey provide a tremendous

public service to the citizens of

Hopkinsville and Christian County,”

Leavell says.

But it’s not only during thun-

derstorms and tornadoes that the

weather spotters’ services come in

handy.

In 2009, a few days in advance

of the ice storm in January,

Powell’s group alerted Pennyrile

■ the storm spotters’ weather Operations Center in hopkinsville is high-tech, outfi tted with doppler radar, large-screen monitors, and other indicators to track the threat of hail or circulation typical of a possible tornado. tammy Celing, seated in gray, and Janet diamond are two of the volunteers who staff the center along with weather coordinator david powell.

24 K e n t u C K y L i V i n G • a p r i L 2 0 1 0

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 24 3/12/10 9:00 PM

Electric to the potential for severe

ice accumulation and sponsored a

conference call for them with the

NWS. Th e early heads-up allowed

Pennyrile to review their disaster

preparedness plan and have extra

crews on hand and in town ready

to restore power the day before the

storm hit the county, says Brent

Gilkey, manager of member services

at Pennyrile Electric.

Th ey are in constant contact

with area schools, which depend

on their reports to help determine

when to cancel classes or send chil-

dren home early. Recently, they’ve

even begun sharing ground obser-

vations with nearby Ft. Campbell,

to help the 160th Special Operations

Aviation Regiment there better pro-

tect their helicopters from inclem-

ent weather.

After all the spotters have wit-

nessed the last few years—from ice

storms to Hurricane Ike to torna-

does—the camaraderie among them

is clear.

“We go through a lot of stuff

together,” says Mark Booker, one

of the group’s meteorologists and

second in command. “It’s like a

family.”

And after enough time together

out there in the fi eld, they almost get

to the point where they know what a

storm’s going to do before the storm

does it.

“It gets to be like an instinct,”

Powell says.

Still, there are always those times

when the weather fools them a

bit—as it did last August, when that

tornado near the Sargents’ loca-

tion developed unexpectedly from a

downburst in the storm.

It’s that chance of the unexpected

happening that keeps Powell’s team

on the edge of their seats whenever

the weather picks up. It gets their

adrenaline fl owing. And for this dedi-

cated group, it’s what makes weather

spotting so fun. KL

Become a Weather spotterWant to know what it takes

to become a spotter? The

Christian County Weather

Spotters network provides

information and links to basic and advanced spotter

fi eld guides, a cloud chart, weather forecast provid-

ers, radars and maps, a library of local and national

severe weather photos, and more. Go to www.

KentuckyLiving.com and type “spotter training” in the Keyword

Search box.

www.K e n t u C Ky L i V i n G . C O m • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 25

Spotters network provides

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Are you Are you ready?Are you ready?Are you

make sure your family stays safe and prepared in the

event of severe weather. implement these tips from

members of the Christian County weather Spotters

as well as the Preparedness Guide published by the

national weather Service and the national Oceanic and

atmospheric administration.

1. have a nOaa weather radio in your home to

alert your family in the event of dangerous weather

conditions.

2. never park under a highway or railroad overpass

during a severe thunderstorm or tornado threat. doing

so blocks access for emergency management vehicles

and, in the event of a tornado, underpasses act as a wind

tunnel, increasing the wind’s suction—making them one

of the more dangerous places to be.

3. don’t take lightning lightly. as the saying goes, “when

thunder roars, go indoors.” don’t assume that if it’s

not raining you’re safe from a lightning strike. in truth,

lightning often strikes more than 3 miles from the thun-

derstorm, far outside the rain or thunderstorm clouds.

for more lightning myths, go online to www.lightning

safety.noaa.gov and click on the “brochures, Links” tab

to fi nd the Lightning Myths brochure to download a pdf.

4. never attempt to drive through standing water: “turn

around, don’t drown.”

5. assemble a disaster preparedness kit for your home

and/or car to include, at minimum, the following:

• Water: 3 gallons for each person

• Food: a three-day supply

• Items for infants: formula, diapers, etc.

• Medications

• Kitchen tools: manual can opener; mess kits or dispos-

able plates and cups; re-sealable plastic bags

• Flashlights and batteries

• Portable, battery-powered radio or TV

• First-aid kit

• Blankets or sleeping bags for each person

• Change of clothing and shoes for each person

• Waterproof matches, candles

• Sanitation and hygiene items

6. in the event of a tornado, get to an underground

shelter, basement, or small, windowless interior room

on the lowest level of a sturdy building (i.e., bathroom or

closet). abandon mobile homes and get to the nearest

sturdy building if time allows. if you’re caught in a car in

the path of a tornado, do one of the following:

• Pull over and park. Stay in the car with your seatbelt

on. put your head below the level of the windows and

cover up with a blanket or jacket if possible.

• Or, if you can safely get lower than the level of the

roadway (i.e., in a ditch), exit the car and lie down in that

area, covering your face with your hands.

to download the entire publication, go to www.nws.noaa.

gov and search for Nature’s Most Violent Storms for the

link to download a pdf.

staying saFe in seVere Weather

26 K e n t u C K y L i V i n G • a p r i L 2 0 1 0

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an annual girls scrapbooking winter weekend at Cumberland falls State Resort Park. Front row: Katie Richardson, Berea; Jennifer Pingleton, Richmond; Sarah Clark, Richmond; Robin Richardson, Richmond. Back row: Robyn Fields, Berea; Beverly Wagoner, Berea; Alissa Taylor, Berea; and denena powell, berea. photo by Joe imel.

girlFriendWeekends

By KAThERinE TAnDy BRoWn

Though four hometown girlfriends and I

always had a ball on the occasions we saw

each other after Mayfi eld High School grad-

uation, it wasn’t until our 40th reunion in

2005 that we made a pact to rendezvous each

year somewhere special. So we spent an unfor-

gettable fi rst weekend at a cabin on Kentucky

Lake, wolfi ng down mile-high meringue pie

at Patti’s 1880’s Restaurant, driving go-karts,

having massages, and laughing until we wept

while crammed into a photo booth.

Our yearly getaways are times that we all

treasure, no matter what life tosses our way.

yes, girls just wanna have fun. It’s

not about where you are or what

you’re doing, but about spending

quality time with girlfriends who

accept you no matter what

www.K e n t u C Ky L i V i n G . C O m • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 27

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 27 3/12/10 9:00 PM

“Getting together is like being home again,

catching up with what’s going on in town,” says

one of my west Kentucky chums, Anne Wyatt

McLaughlin, now a North Carolina mountain

girl. “But the best is sharing what’s happening in

our lives. It’s like picking up a favorite old book

and reading new chapters about our families and

careers, dreams and hopes. The love, laughter,

and fun are comforting and renewing.”

Turns out, we’re not alone. Women—and

men—are discovering the benefits of getting

away with like-minded others, be they friends,

family, or co-workers. Though all admit that the

commitment to meet grows each time, begin-

nings, destinations, and durations of stay vary.

As many as 10 thirty-something former high

school pals from Berea convene three week-

ends a year to scrapbook. In April and October,

the women board a houseboat on Laurel Lake

in the Daniel Boone National Forest, and in

January, stay at a Cumberland Falls State Resort

Park cabin to take advantage of special low rates

Kentucky State Parks offer state workers from

November through March.

“For the moms, it’s a retreat from their

kids,” explains Katie Richardson, a customer

service representative for Peoples Bank in Berea.

“We stay up late, sleep late, don’t fix our hair

or wear makeup, and just hang out in sweats. I

usually do more talking than scrapbooking. It’s

about bringing memories together.”

A larger group in Pendleton County—as

many as 17 “Wood Cousins” and friends—has

come together annually since 2000 to celebrate

All-Girl Weekend. Descendants of 10 siblings

of the Wood family from Falmouth, the women

range in age from 16 to 68. Their rite-of-passage

event has taken place at numerous sites, includ-

ing Churchill Downs in Louisville and Blue Licks

Battlefield State Resort Park in Carlisle. Last

year’s gathering hit the Kentucky Artisan Center

and Boone Tavern in Berea, and took in a Loretta

Lynn concert in Renfro Valley.

A family favorite, says Melody Williams, district

librarian for Wheelersburg, Ohio, Local Schools

and the only cousin residing out of state, was a

2008 Wild West-themed murder mystery dinner

weekend at 1851 Historic Maple Hill Manor B&B

in Springfield.

Top: The “Wood Cousins” of Pendleton County booked the Maple Hill Manor B&B in Springfield for a Wild West-themed murder mystery dinner weekend in 2008.

Center: Brought together as community educators, these girlfriends meet up several times a year. Preparing for takeoff, back row, Karen King, Lebanon; Cora Heffner, Winchester; front row, Beth Lorenz, Peace Corps, and Shelly Wyatt, London, Ky.

Bottom: Mayfield High School girlfriends gather annually, shown here in Connecticut: Anne Wyatt McLaughlin, Katherine Tandy Brown, Kaye Britt Particelli, Nancy Mullins Sparks, and Sherry Wyatt Granner.

Me

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28 K e N T u C K y L i v i N G • A P r i L 2 0 1 0

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“We booked the entire property,” Williams

says. “Everyone designed and made costumes

ahead for the murder mystery, which was so

much fun. For the rest of the weekend, we got

to feed the farm’s llamas and alpacas, hear the

owners’ Civil War haunting stories, and just relax

and play games in our pj’s.”

Common work goals and shared humor

bonded four Kentucky community educa-

tion directors at a Paintsville training session a

few years ago. A goodbye gathering when one

gal changed jobs became a sightseeing jaunt

and a “slumber party with goofy pajamas.” Th e

women now have several reunions yearly.

“Most (getaways) are just one night and

always involve understanding and bonding,”

says Cora Heff ner, Community Education direc-

tor for Clark County Public Schools. “Th e lon-

gest was three days in Florida last June. We fl ew

down together and rented a Jeep and a condo,

and giggled and ate and shopped and swam and

lay in the sun and talked and talked.

“We don’t meet a set time of year. One of

us will say, ‘I’ve got to get out of here. You guys

coming?’ It has become important to us all to

have someone to lean on who gets you, under-

stands the problems of your everyday life, and has

enough distance to bring a fresh perspective.”

All girlfriend getaway groups agree that these

times spent out of their day-to-days are total

positives.

“It really doesn’t matter what we’re doing or

where we are,” says former Mayfi eld resident,

now living in Connecticut, Kaye Britt Particelli.

“We share a common history and with each visit

we add more memories. I can’t wait for the next

getaway!” KL

girls get outta toWn

“We stay up late, sleep late, don’t fi x our hair or wear

makeup, and just hang out in sweats.”

In 1994, Columbia

resident Glenna

Hammond and her

eight sisters, whose

ages span from 46

to 67, began their

annual trips when

a rain check for a

cancelled outdoor

drama inspired them

to meet the following

year. Though a few

jaunts have been out

of state, they often

peruse information in

Kentucky Living on the Commonwealth’s myriad rendezvous possibilities.

Each sister brings a specialty from her kitchen, and all pile into a van.

“As we age, we seem to spread out a little more, so someone always

makes a comment that the van’s getting more crowded,” Glenna laughs.

“We have fun no matter where we are.”

Since one sister lives near Irvine, one outing took them to a cabin

at Snug Hollow Farm Bed & Breakfast. From there they visited natural

Bridge State Resort Park, and shopped for handmade crafts in Berea and

at nearby Tater Knob Pottery. Other sister destinations have included

Mammoth Cave, Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Breaks Interstate Park,

Big South Fork Scenic Railway, U.S. 23 Country Music Highway, and

Kentucky Down Under.

plan your outta town girlfriend weekendAshland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (U.S. 23 Country Music

Highway), www.visitashlandky.com or (800) 377-6249

Bed & Breakfast Association of Kentucky, www.kentuckybb.com

or (888) 281-8188

Berea Tourism Center, www.berea.com or (800) 598-5263

Big South Fork Scenic Railway, www.bsfsry.com or (800) 462-5664

Kentucky Down Under, www.kdu.com or (800) 762-2869

Kentucky State Resort Parks, www.parks.ky.gov

or (800) 255-PARK (7275)

hammond sisters: Joyce, Glenna, avelene, Claris, Gayla, Julia, brenda, Shelia, and deloris

Gle

nn

A h

AM

Mo

nd

www.K e n t u C Ky L i V i n G . C O m • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 29

onLinE

girlfriend mafi aRead about the group of 16 girls from Owensboro Southern Junior

High School who have been gathering since 1959 and what Kentucky

destinations they recommend. You’ll also learn why they are known

as “the mafi a,” when you go to www.KentuckyLiving.com and type

“girlfriend mafi a” in the Keyword Search box.

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 29 3/12/10 9:00 PM

BY GARY P. WEST • PHOTOS BY TIM WEBB

Okay, so girls just wanna have fun. Guys, you

can, too—take a ride with us to old gym tours,

camping, motorcycle riding, hunting, and more

This group of basketball enthusiasts from Hardin County—Guy Kenny Tabb, Doug Gibson, Kelly Coleman, Charlie Thurman, and Ron Bevars—headed to Wayland in eastern Kentucky to fi nd the famed King Kelly Coleman and see the old gymnasium where he played in the 1950s. They also toured the Wayland Historical Society, far right, which has memo-rabilia from Wayland High School, which tells the story of King Coleman.

Guys can have fun shooting pool,

throwing darts, playing golf, or

bowling, but what about getting

together and discovering some-

thing just a bit out of the norm?

Old gyms and basketball kingsSome people say the golden age of high

school basketball was in the 1950s, and

for those who remember those great

teams from the mountains of eastern

Kentucky, what fun it is to visit some

of the tiny communities in the heart of

coal country and see a handful of the

gyms that have survived.

“Several of us took a couple of

days and went up to see where some

of these old great teams played,” says

Kenny Tabb, Hardin County court clerk

in Elizabethtown. “We had heard for

years about the teams from Carr Creek

and Wayland and we just wanted to see

where they played.”

“� ere are always people showing

up and wanting to see where King Kelly

Coleman played,” says Jerry Fultz, direc-

tor of the Wayland Historical Society,

talking about the former Wayland player

who still holds many of the state high

school basketball scoring records. “� ey

tell me they are going over the mountain

to the Carr Creek gym.”

Charlie � urman, who lives in

Sonora, calls himself a basketball

junkie, and, along with Ron Bevars

of Vine Grove and Doug Gibson from

Elizabethtown, joined Tabb in their old

gym quest.

“Old gymnasiums are a thing of the

past,” � urman points out. “� ey’re a

lot like covered bridges. We used to have

a bunch. Where did they all go? We tore

them down.”

Some refer to it as old guys wanting

to see old gyms. But that’s okay with

these guys, especially Bevars, a basketball

coach at North Hardin High School.

GUYGetaways

30 K E N T U C K Y L I V I N G • A P R I L 2 0 1 0

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“� ese gyms are our heritage,” he

says. “� ey need to be preserved so the

next generations can see how basket-

ball has evolved. � ey are museums.”

Gibson adds, “We have fun talking

basketball, fi nding good food to eat,

and planning where to go next.”

Campfi re campingFor Wade Hembree, an insurance

agent from Shelbyville, a trip to Hart

County with several guy pals has

become an annual fall ritual.

“We’ve been getting together

now for 23 years at a little farm near

the community of Linwood in Hart

County,” says Hembree. “� ere

are six of us: Tony Carriss, Eddie

Kingsolver, Mitch McClain, Rodney

Morris, and Denny Bailey.

“We started out in sleeping bags

and tents,” Hembree says, “but as

backs, hips, and knees got stiff er with

age, we’ve moved on to campers and

travel trailers.”

Group member Denny Bailey’s

family farm has provided space over

the years for hunting, fi shing, gun

shooting, golfi ng, caving, horseshoes,

and an occasional poker game.

A freshwater spring and waterfall

provide water needs and a shower.

“� e water is freezing cold, about

50 degrees,” Hembree points out.

“We used to see who could keep his

head under the waterfall the lon-

gest. � irty seconds is a good time,

but Denny’s brother, Dale, holds the

record at 1 minute and 20 seconds.

He’s been a little slow ever since.”

Hittin’ the highway on a HarleyNothing says guy getaway more than

Harleys, and for four Bowling Green

businessmen, all they need is a little

good weather and some good old

Kentucky back roads.

Kentucky is biker-friendly and

there’s a wide range of biker types.

Many bikers today are professional,

hardworking family men enjoying the

camaraderie of riding together, and

just having fun.

David Wiseman, Sam Hall,

Tommy Smith, and Mike Manship

have been riding together for several

years, and although some of their

treks have taken them across the

United States and into Canada, most

of their riding is done in Kentucky.

“It’s all about getting in some

seat time with the wind blowing in

your face, and then when we stop

to eat or spend the night, just talk-

ing with good friends about where

we’ve been and what we’ve seen,”

says Wiseman.

Hall, a rider for some 20 years,

says guys getting together to ride

motorcycles is much like a golf trip.

“We hang out together with no

real schedule, and at the end of the

day we enjoy a good meal with some

of our best friends,” Hall says.

“� e purpose of picking a des-

tination to ride to is so you’ll know

when to turn around and come

home,” laughs Hall.

Hunting seasonsBill Koch, a professional pilot from

Louisville, at least three times a year

joins some of his buddies to hunt in

Green County.

In April it’s a turkey camp,

September a dove camp, and

November a deer camp, Koch

explains. “Our usual number is seven

or eight guys per camp.”

Randy Addison, a fellow pilot

from Louisville, owns the Green

County farm and cabin where all of

the activities originate.

� eir getaways usually last from two

to fi ve days, with deer camp lasting the

longest. A somewhat upscale cabin pro-

vides the shelter as well as a venue for

some bragging-rights cooking.

“Food is big with us,” Koch says.

“We plan out everything.”

Koch says the group is encouraged

to bring their sons now, in an obvious

eff ort to pass along the fellowship and

lifelong experiences of their dads.

Louis Chelton, a physician from

Atlanta who makes most of the camps

each year, points out that the most

rewarding thing for him is the respect

and brotherhood exhibited.

So guys, now that you have your

thinking cap on, how about horse

racing, baseball, car racing, fi shing,

skiing, and hiking. KL

WWW.K E N T U C KY L I V I N G . C O M • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 31

ONLINE

Old gym tour For more about a possible “Old Gym

Tour” in the state and contacts for

touring the Wayland Gym, go to www.

KentuckyLiving.com and type “old gyms” in the Keyword Search box.

Old gym tour

+1-80 KYL 0410.indd 31 3/15/10 9:55 AM

From the western lakes to the east-

ern mountains, Kentucky is home

to a wealth of natural and histori-

cal landmarks. Many of our state’s

greatest treasures, however, can only

be seen by not taking the road at all.

Track back to the past “I always tell people that I feel like

Dorothy in � e Wizard of Oz when she

steps out of the house and onto the

porch. She’s been in black and white,

and now she’s in Technicolor. It’s a

magical spot on the rail line,” says

Becki Egnew, director of Marketing and

Passenger Operations, as she describes

the passage through the 256-foot-long

tunnel at the Big South Fork Scenic

Railway in Stearns.

Passengers climb aboard a diesel-

powered train to travel 16 miles, round-

trip, while experiencing breathtaking

views of dense forests, wildlife, rugged

rock formations, and the Big South Fork

of the Cumberland River.

After descending 600 feet into the

river valley, visitors step back in time

for a self-guided tour at Blue Heron Coal

Mining Camp. Egnew says, “� ere are 13

structures they can visit, as well as the

coal tipple. � ey can walk across the coal

tipple on the tramway bridge. � ey can

also go into the face of the mine, about

15 feet or so.”

Train engineer Matthew Jones adds,

“A lot of people think they’re just

coming on a train ride, and they get

the extra of the coal town.”

See what breathtaking adventures await you—by plane, train, boat, horse-drawn carriage, and hot air balloon

The Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns travels 16 miles round-trip, through the Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, where you’ll see scenic vistas, rock ledges, and a tunnel alongside a mountain stream. Photo by Tim Webb.

The three-hour train trip stops at Blue Heron Coal Mining Camp, where Violet Parks and Mary Isham of Elizabethtown share a picnic lunch. Photo by Amy Cobb.

Take the Road Less TraveledBY AMY COBB

32 K E N T U C K Y L I V I N G • A P R I L 2 0 1 032 K E N T U C K Y L I V I N G • A P R I L 2 0 1 0

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Take the Road Less Traveled

Shaker Village of pleasant hill in harrodsburg operates cruises on the 115-passenger dixie belle from nearby Shaker Landing for an hourlong narrated learning experience down the Kentucky river.

While at Blue Heron, Elizabeth-

town residents Mary Isham and Violet

Parks share a picnic lunch as the sound

of live bluegrass music fi lls the air.

Isham says, “I love the trees, the

mountains, streams, and the rocks. I just

love to see that. It’s neat to think about

when the coal mines were running.”

“Th e train ride is fun,” adds Parks.

Th e beauty and history of the river

valley attract many families. Jerry and

Donna Eaves of Powderly brought

three of their grandchildren along on

their excursion.

“I thought it would be educa-

tional for them,” says Jerry, “and I

wanted them to see some things that

they might not ever get to see.”

“It’s good family time, spending

time together without any distrac-

tions,” says Donna. “I love the fact

that it’s a simple trip that doesn’t

cost a lot of money.”

Tina George of Somerset home-

schools and brought her children

Alexandra, 9, and Shadrach, 6, to see

the coal mining camps.

“I think they were a little sur-

prised when they heard how long

we’d be on the train. Th ey didn’t

realize we’d be getting off and check-

ing stuff out,” says George.

While aboard Big South Fork

Scenic Railway, passengers view

scenery that would otherwise be

impossible to see. Engineer Jones

says, “At any given time, you may be

three miles off the highway.”

rollin’ on the riverFor a cruise along the tranquil Ken-

tucky River, travel to Harrodsburg to

board the Dixie Belle riverboat at Shaker

Village of Pleasant Hill. Aimee Darnell,

Shaker Village publicist, says, “Passen-

gers can experience beautiful scenery

along the river, including the Kentucky

River Palisades, waterfalls, cave

entrances, and occasional wildlife.”

To those unfamiliar with the

Palisades, Darnell explains they “are

truly an untouched natural beauty.

Th e Palisades are high limestone cliff s

and are the oldest exposed rocks in

the state.”

In addition to the scenic views,

the hourlong narrated tour on the

115-passenger Dixie Belle provides

a learning experience for guests.

“During the cruise, passengers can

learn about the river’s diverse ecosys-

tem and how the river was impor-

tant to the Shakers,” says Darnell.

She adds that visitors will also “learn

about diff erent fi sh, diff erent birds,

and wildlife in and around the area.

During the riverboat tours, guests

will have an opportunity to talk one-

on-one with the captain to ask any

questions they might have.”

Visitors also enjoy taking a look

at the bridge spanning the Kentucky

River. “Everybody likes High Bridge,”

says Bruce Herring, a Dixie Belle

captain since 1990. “It’s the tallest

railroad bridge in the nation over a

navigable stream.”

AFFORDABLEFAMILY FUN(800) 225-TRIPKentuckyTourism.com

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www.K e n t u C Ky L i V i n G . C O m • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 33

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Darnell has been a passenger on

the Dixie Belle many times herself.

“It’s a nice way to sit down and relax

and unwind. Th ere’s just something

about the peacefulness of the river,”

she says. “It’s being immersed in his-

tory and nature at the same time—

truly a breath of fresh air.”

flying skyward“How would you like to fl y an air-

plane? Yes—really fl y the airplane,”

says Andrew Broom, vice president

of communications with Aircraft

Owners and Pilots Association, who

also leads Let’s Go Flying, a learn-to-

fl y program sponsored by the AOPA.

It’s possible by taking an intro-

ductory fl ight with a Federal Aviation

Administration certifi ed fl ight instruc-

tor at a local fl ight school. “People all

around the state can go to our Web

site, put in their zip code, and get a

list of participating fl ight schools clos-

est to them,” says Broom. “In order to

sign up for an introductory fl ight, you

do not need to have any previous

“Being in a plane gives a whole new perspective—literally a whole new dimension—to any state’s beauty.”

onLinE

other roads to traVel Take the entire family for a fun-fi lled

day at the 2010 Muhlenberg County

Skyfest on June 12 in Greenville

and learn fun trivia

about taking roads

less traveled.

Go to www.

KentuckyLiving.com and type

“take the road” in the Keyword

Search box.

AIr

cr

Aft

oW

ne

rs

An

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Ilo

ts A

sso

cIA

tIo

n fl ight experience.

“Airplanes used for train-

ing have dual flight controls,

one set for you and the other

for the flight instructor,”

Broom explains. “With the

flight instructor’s help, you’ll

taxi from the flight school to

the runway, take off, and fly

in the local area for a bit before

returning to the airport. You

should plan to spend an hour

or two for the whole experi-

ence, which usually includes

30-45 minutes in the air.”

Broom, a pilot and fl ight instruc-

tor himself, says,“You’ll get to see

your hometown in a whole new way.

Being in a plane gives a whole new

perspective—literally a whole new

dimension—to any state’s beauty.”

up and awayGet carried away with Kathy Lee

of Glasgow as she gets a bird’s-eye

view of Kentucky while fl oating on

the breeze in her hot air balloon,

SpiritWind—Th e Celebration of Life.

Lee explains a typical fl ight. “You’ll

meet your pilot about three hours prior

to sunset. It takes about 20 minutes to

set up the balloon and get it ready for

fl ight. Th e fl ight lasts about an hour.”

She also off ers sunrise fl ights.

For those experiencing their

fi rst hot air balloon fl ight, Lee says,

“Everybody’s surprised that they’re not

as scared as they thought they would

be and how quiet it is up there.”

Marla Doty, also of Glasgow and a

member of Lee’s ground crew, recalls

her fi rst hot air balloon ride. “I’m a

big talker, but the fi rst time I went

up, I didn’t hardly say anything. I was

amazed and checking things out.”

Lee says the view of the country-

side and rolling hills from the sky is

“awesome.” “Getting off the high-

way, you see a lot of wildlife, diff er-

ent landscaping, and grids of land

and homes. It’s just amazing.”

For anyone considering their

fi rst hot air balloon fl ight, Doty says,

“Don’t second-guess it. Just go for it.

It’s the chance of a lifetime.”

Slow pace tourFor those more comfortable staying

on the ground, sit back and listen to

the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves

striking the pavement, while

touring the town in the back of

a horse-drawn carriage.

William “Jonesie” Jones of Bards-

town has owned and operated Around

the Town Carriage for 25 years. “We

congratulations to ourlet’s go Flying winner!

Rae-Anne Embry, Brandenburg, member of Meade County RECC, is the winner of a free fl ight lesson from Let’s Go Flying. She was chosen at random from those who voted in Kentucky Living’s 2010 Best in Kentucky featured on page 54.

Rae-Anne will receive an introduction to fl ying at a local fl ight school of her choice. The prize is donated from Let’s Go Flying, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association program that encourages people to learn to fl y.

34 K e n t u C K y L i V i n G • a p r i L 2 0 1 0

about taking roads

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give narrated tours of historic Bards-

town,” Jones says. Th e 2-1/2- to

3-mile tour lasts 25 to 30 minutes.

Jones says passengers will view

“old homes built in the 1700s and

1800s and go by St. Joe Cathedral.

Th at’s always fascinating.” Another

historic landmark on the tour is Th e

Old Talbott Tavern. According to

Jones, “It’s the oldest stagecoach stop

west of the Allegheny Mountains. It

was the end of the line in the 1800s

from Pennsylvania to Bardstown.”

In addition to tours, Jones’ ser-

vices include weddings and special

events. With several diff erent car-

riages, Jones says, “We’ve got a buggy

for every occasion. We’ve even got a

stagecoach.”

What do carriage rides off er as

a way to view the city that a car

doesn’t? “It’s a slow-paced way to

see the town,” says Jones. “You don’t

miss out on anything.”

Charlie and June Vincent of Hanson

recently toured downtown Lexington

by carriage. Charlie says, “We enjoyed

riding around the city, looking at

diff erent things, and the driver telling

us about diff erent historical sights.”

June believes the slow pace gives

you a chance to unwind and encour-

ages others to take a carriage ride. “It

would be an experience they would

not forget,” she says. “Th ere are

many amazing sights to see.”

So unfasten your seat belt, leave the

highway behind, and prepare to see Ken-

tucky in ways you never have before. KL

“don’t second-guess it. Just go for it. It’s the chance of a lifetime.”

aircraft Owners and pilots

association (AOPA)

Let’s Go Flying Program

421 Aviation Way • Frederick, MD 21701

(800) 872-2672www.letsgofl ying.com

around the town Carriage

223 n. Third Street, Bardstown

(502) 348-0331 or (502) 249-0889

bb riverboats

101 Riverboat Row, newport

(859) 261-8500 • (800) 261-8586www.bbriverboats.com

big South fork Scenic railway

100 Henderson Street, Stearns

(606) 376-5330 or (800) 462-5664www.bsfsry.com

Carriage marriage

900 Meadowbrook Road, Richmond

(859) 369-5430

www.carriagemarriage.com

Crawford hot air balloons inc.

1812 Foxboro Road, LaGrange

(502) 222-7600 or (800) 242-2966

www.balloonrides.org

dixie belle riverboat rides at Shaker

Village of pleasant hill

3501 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg

(800) 734-5611www.shakervillageky.org

Kentucky railway museum

136 S. Main Street, new Haven

(800) 272-0152

www.kyrail.org

my Old Kentucky dinner train

602 n. Third Street, Bardstown

(502) 348-7300

(866) 801-3463www.kydinnertrain.com

Spiritwind hot air balloons

P.O. Box 2401, Glasgow

(270) 404-0240www.spiritwindhotairballoon.com

to plan your road less traVeled

KentucKy Kids on the moVeFrom roller skates to bicycles and escalators to subways, how many dif-

ferent ways have you traveled? Keep track by keeping your own travel log

or journal. Each time you use a new mode (kind) of transportation, jot it

down. Here are some ideas to get you started: scooter, roller coaster, bus,

trolley, helicopter, elevator, tractor, and zoo train.

For even more fun, count the number of ways you’ve traveled and see

where you rank on the score sheet below:

1-5: You’re on the right track! Keep going.

6-10: You really know how to move! Don’t slow down now.

more than 10: Ready, set, go! At any time, you’re ready to zoom away

to your next adventure.

SET YOURSPIRIT FREE(800) 225-TRIPKentuckyTourism.com

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April 9 & 10, 2010 • Union College Campus • Barbourville, KY

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BESTIN KENTUCKY

2010

gOLF COURSE

Dale Hollow Th ere was stiff competition in this

category: more than 125 golf courses

were nominated. Th e winner, state-

run Dale Hollow, features fairways

with 61 bunkers, large undulating

greens, and to make things inter-

esting—moderate to severe eleva-

tion changes throughout. Bring your

camera. Dale Hollow is one of the

most scenic courses in the country

and is in the top 10 on Golf Digest’s

national list of Best Courses You Can

Play in Kentucky. Year-round pro

shop, lodge, restaurant, and camp-

ing; (866) 903-7888 or www.parks.

ky.gov (click on Golf tab).

SECOND PLACE valhalla

THIRD PLACE Burnside

FISHINg SPOT

Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland has 1,255 miles

of irregular shorelines, shoals, and

small tributaries, making this huge

lake an ideal habitat for crappie,

bream, walleye, trout, channel catfi sh,

and a variety of bass, including striper.

Perhaps that’s why the McElheneys

fi nd it ideal for fi shing. “We go as a

family, catch any kind of fi sh we can,

and then have a family fi sh fry,” says

Myra McElheney of Union. Fishing

information: (606) 678-8697 or www.

lakecumberland.com.

SECOND PLACE Kentucky Lake

THIRD PLACE green river/Lake

HIKINg LOCATION

Red River gorge“Around every corner, there

is something to see,” says Gabe

Gabehart of Campbellsville about Red

River Gorge. “Th e landscape changes

and it is very interactive. You can

climb on the rocks and get diff erent

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You chose them. We tallied the entries. Here are thewinners of Kentucky Living’s 2010 Best in Kentucky.

In truth, these are the winners among winners because all the places you named in your

entries are uniquely Kentucky. Sometimes the diff erence in fi rst and second place was as close

as an Olympic race. Such was the case with your favorite antiquing spot, as Berea edged out Glendale

by only one vote. In other categories, there was a clear favorite. In the category of local merchant, we

couldn’t declare a winner because there were so many diff erent merchants recognized. Th at means

as a state we have lots of good businesses as well as places to go.

54 K e n t u C K y L i v i n g • a P r i L 2 0 1 0

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views.” Located in the Daniel Boone

National Forest, the gorge is known

for natural stone arches (more than

100 of them), unusual rock forma-

tions, and striking sandstone cliff s.

Find out more at the Gladie Learning

Center at (606) 663-8100 or www.

redrivergorge.com.

SECOND PLACE Natural Bridge

THIRD PLACE Mammoth Cave

HISTORICAL LANDMARK/MUSEUM

Lincoln’s Birthplace“As I walked around the land-

mark, I had such a deep sense of joy

that a man who rose to such great

heights, both as a president and a

man with such integrity, had such

a humble beginning,” says Andy

Cable of Campton. “It touched my

heart thinking about his life.” Learn

more about our 16th president by

visiting this National Park Service

site, the Lincoln’s Memorial (as

shown), his birthplace, and his boy-

hood home. Please note: the inside of

the memorial is closed for renovations

until further notice; call or check the

Web site for updates; (270) 358-3137 or

www.nps.gov/abli/index.htm.

SECOND PLACE Mammoth Cave

THIRD PLACE My Old Kentucky Home

VACATION GETAWAY

Land Between The Lakes/Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley

Kentucky Lake is the largest

manmade lake in the eastern United

States, covering 160,300 acres, and

is 184.3 miles long. Lake Barkley is

118.1 miles long with 57,920 sur-

face acres. � e lakes run paral-

lel for more than 50 miles, and in

the middle is Land Between � e

Lakes—a 170,000-acre national rec-

reation area with camping, hiking,

wildlife, a planetarium, nature pro-

grams, and presentations, as well as

a host of nearby attractions. For Julia

Swim and her husband, Tommy, of

Wallingford, “It is beautiful for miles

and miles,” she says. “It is so big

it’s like being on the ocean and

really peaceful.” For information:

(270) 924-2000 or www.lbl.org.

SECOND PLACE Mammoth Cave

THIRD PLACE Lake Cumberland

ANNUAL FESTIVAL

Apple FestivalStart with 45 bushels of apples,

the fi rst ingredient for the 10-foot

baked apple pie that is served free with

ice cream at the Casey County Apple

Festival, held in downtown Liberty the

fourth weekend of each September.

And speaking of 10-footers, the festival

also features a 10-foot chocolate cookie

and a 10-foot pizza. Add free live music,

more than 300 vendors, contests, youth

events, pageants, a parade, and a carni-

val. � is year it will be held September

22-25; (606) 787-5355 or www.casey

countyapple festival.org.

SECOND PLACE World Chicken

Festival, London

THIRD PLACE (three-way tie)

Court Days in Mt. Sterling, the

Kentucky Derby Festival in

Louisville, and the Owensboro

BBQ Festival

HORSE FARM TO VISIT

Kentucky Horse ParkFrom September 25–October 10,

the equine world will turn its atten-

tion to the Kentucky Horse Park as

host of the 2010 Alltech FEI World

Equestrian Games. � ey will learn

what Kentuckians have long known:

this 1,200-acre working horse farm is a

mecca for horse lovers. Don’t miss the

parade of breeds, Man o’War’s burial

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site, the museum, theater, and, oh

yeah, nearly 50 breeds of horses. Special

events throughout the year; (800) 678-

8813 or www.kyhorsepark.com.

SECOND PLACE Calumet

THIRD PLACE Claiborne

ANTIQUING

Berea“You can go from shop to shop to

shop,” says Trina Davis of Hustonville.

“� ey are close together so you can

walk.” Antique lovers particularly

enjoy Chestnut Street, such as John

and Billie Payne of London, above,

in the Something Olde Antique Mall.

Berea is also known for exquisite

crafts. While in Berea, see the last

L&N station still standing, serving as

the Welcome Center; (859) 986-2540,

(800) 598-5263, or www.berea.com.

SECOND PLACE Glendale

THIRD PLACE Smiths Grove

BOATING LAKE OR RIVER

Lake Cumberland“I had so much fun at Lake

Cumberland that I ended up buying a

place there,” says Alexandria resident

Don Johnson. “Although I live in north-

ern Kentucky, this is my favorite place

to boat and fi sh.” Visitors will fi nd

50,000 acres of water, and 10 marinas

with approximately 5,237 slips. For

information: U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers Natural Resource Manager’s

Offi ce, Lake Cumberland, (606) 679-

6337 or www.lakecumberland.com.

SECOND PLACE Green River

THIRD PLACE (tie) Cave Run Lake

and Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley

WEEKEND GETAWAY

Cumberland FallsIt’s hard to describe Cumberland

Falls better than the state parks do

on their Web site: “Imagine a wall of

water falling 60 feet into a boulder-

strewn gorge, a whispering mist that

kisses the face, and a magical moon-

bow visible on a clear night under

a full moon.” Stephen Woods of

Richmond says it is everything com-

bined that makes it such a great place

to get away. Cumberland Falls State

Resort Park: (606) 528-4121 or www.

parks.ky.gov.

SECOND PLACE Mammoth Cave

THIRD PLACE Natural Bridge

KID-FRIENDLY SPOT

Louisville ZooWatch the elephants do aero-

bics, drop in for tiger training, and

then join the giraff es for lunch. Don’t

forget the gorilla program (a new

baby was born February 6) and then

learn about meerkats. It’s all in a day

at the Louisville Zoo; (502) 459-2181

or www.louisvillezoo.org.

SECOND PLACE Beech Bend

THIRD PLACE Kentucky Down Under

HOTEL/INN

Galt House Hotel & SuitesLocation. Location. Location. � e

Galt House has it with two 25-story

buildings overlooking the Ohio River,

and an easy walk (or horse carriage

ride) to any of Louisville’s downtown

attractions. For reservations: (800)

843-4258 or www.galthouse.com.

SECOND PLACE Boone Tavern

THIRD PLACE DuPont Lodge at

Cumberland Falls State

Resort Park

PERFORMING ARTS LOCAL

Kentucky Center for the Performing ArtsDance. � eater. Comedy. Variety. It’s

all at the Kentucky Center. Legally

Blonde: � e Musical comes in June and

Jersey Boys arrives in late July. To keep

up to date on new events, register for

the Center’s e-club at www.kentucky

center.org. For tickets, call the box

offi ce at (502) 584-7777 or (800)

775-7777.

SECOND PLACE Kentucky

Repertory Theatre

THIRD PLACE Stephen Foster—

The Musical

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KENTUCKY AUTHOR

Jesse StuartYour second choice for best

Kentucky author wrote a biography

about your first choice. David Dick

wrote Jesse Stuart, the Heritage,

a biography about Jesse Hilton

Stuart, Kentucky’s Poet Laureate

in 1954 and an author who pub-

lished 2,000 poems, 460 short

stories, and more than 60 books,

mostly about Southern Appalachia.

Stuart’s book The Thread that Runs

So True has been in print continu-

ously since 1949. For more infor-

mation contact the Jesse Stuart

Foundation in Ashland, (800) 504-

0209 or www.jsfbooks.com.

SECOND PLACE David Dick

THIRD PLACE Silas House

KENTUCKY PRODUCT

Maker’s MarkYou know it immediately when

you see it: that unusually shaped

bottle with the even more distinc-

tive red wax seal. Maker’s Mark even

holds a U.S. trademark for that wax

seal with drips. Of course, it’s the

taste that ultimately matters, and

that taste is part of a storied history.

Take a tour to learn more about this

uniquely Kentucky product distilled

in Loretto; (270) 865-2099 or www.

makersmark.com.

SECOND PLACE Ale-8-One

THIRD PLACE Jim Beam

NON-FRANCHISE RESTAURANT

The Lighthouse “� e country ham and the old-

style serving style,” says Eric Strode

of Center, about why he nominated

� e Lighthouse in Sulphur Well as

his favorite restaurant. It is known

for homemade cooking with heaping

helpings of fresh vegetables served

family style. Menu favorites also

include fried chicken, catfi sh, and

country ham, says manager Tammy

Deckard. Don’t forget the desserts.

Fried apple and cream pies are most

requested, she says.

SECOND PLACE Moonlite Bar-B-Q

THIRD PLACE (tie) Doe Run Inn

and Patti’s

Editor’s Note: � e Whistle Stop in

Glendale actually got the most votes, but

a fi re has closed this long-time favorite.

BARBECUE

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn “Mm, mm,” says Jim Eff ner of

Elizabethtown at the mention of

Moonlite Bar-B-Q. “I travel a lot,

and when I am in Owensboro, I

always go there. I like the ambiance

of the place, and the fact that they

have all diff erent kinds of barbecue

and pork, mutton, and spare ribs.

And they have desserts.” (Pecan pie

is his favorite). “� ey are usually

busy, but they get you in and out;

it’s clean, and it’s casual.” For more

tasty bites: (270) 684-8143, (800)

322-8989, or www.moonlite.com.

SECOND PLACE Sonny’s

THIRD PLACE Bootleg

WEDDING LOCATION

Cumberland FallsCumberland Falls is often called

the “Niagara of the South,” and that

is true not only for the beauty of the

falls but also for the romance of the

place. Every year, a myriad of couples

choose Cumberland Falls as the site

for their wedding. Cumberland Falls

State Resort Park has two sites for

the ceremony and two venues for

the reception, accommodating up to

225 people; (800) 325-0063 or www.

parks.ky.gov.

SECOND PLACE My Old

Kentucky Home

THIRD PLACE Doe Run Inn

BOOKSTORE

Barnes & NobleYou might not be able to quickly

fi nd Ella Jean Carmichael and husband

Jerry when you go to Barnes & Noble

in Dry Ridge. � ey regularly visit the

food, gardening, travel, music, and

Reader WinnersCongratulations to the fi ve lucky winners, drawn at random from

those who voted in Kentucky Living’s 2010 B K contest.

� ey each receive $100.

ANTHONY HOWE, Crittenden, member of Owen Electric Cooperative

ELLA JEAN CARMICHAEL, Dry Ridge, member of South Kentucky RECC

RONALD DOYLE, PARK CITY, member of Farmers RECC

DAN SMITH, Russell Springs, member of South Kentucky RECC

JEFF PIERCE, Sandy Hook, Grayson RECC

RAE-ANNE EMBRY, Brandenburg, was the GRAND-PRIZE WINNER

of the free fl ight lesson. See page 34 for more information.

EXPERIENCE OURUNBRIDLED SPIRIT(800) 225-TRIPKentuckyTourism.com

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history sections of the bookstore. Jerry

also likes the coff ee shop. Th e national

chain is known for its vast selection of

not just books, but also music and book-

related items. For locations: www.barnes

andnoble.com.

SECOND PLACE Joseph-Beth

THIRD PLACE (tie) Carmichael’s in

Louisville and half-Price Books

Tv NEWS ANCHOR/METEOROLOgIST

Tg Shuck“My interest in weather took on a

whole new perspective when the ‘super

outbreak’ of tornadoes occurred April

3-4, 1974,” writes T.G. Shuck on his

Web site (www.wkyt.com/station/

bios/news/3573877.html). Shuck was

about to turn 6, and the event at fi rst

frightened him and then sparked a

desire to learn more about the weather.

Now the chief meteorologist at WKYT

TV in Lexington, Shuck has won tons

of awards for his weather reporting,

including three Emmys; (859) 299-0411.

SECOND PLACE Bill meck, WLeX tv,

Lexington

THIRD PLACE John Belski, Wave tv,

Louisville KL

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Festivals shinespotlight on artKathy Witt

Paintings perched on easels,

sheets of metal pressed into

sculptures, yards of fabric ren-

dered into wearable art—the

Bluegrass State elevates and celebrates

the craftsperson, as its profusion of

arts and crafts festivals and fairs attests

each year. Call it a ham or a hillbilly

fête or a straight-up arts fair, artisan-

made items are the centerpiece or a

focal point of these events.

an award-winning fest

Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival, hosted

annually by historic Midway College,

is an outdoor exhibition of juried fine

arts and crafts. Held in late June, the

prestigious festival is named in honor

of Colonel John Francisco, the original

owner of the property where Kentucky’s

only college for women stands.

Marcie Christensen, the festival’s

event coordinator, has seen it grow

from a local event with 75 artists in

2004 to a nationally recognized one

that last year showcased 150 art-

ists from 17 states. Along the way, the

festival has scooped up a number of

awards and has been named one of

the Top 10 Art Fairs & Festivals in the

country four years in a row, including

2010, by AmericanStyle magazine, the

nation’s premier arts lifestyle magazine

for art lovers, collectors, and travelers.

“It’s quite an accomplishment for

a festival as young as ours to make the

list at all, let alone four years running,”

Christensen says. “Many festivals on

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Crowds gather around this iconic fountain at the center of the St. James Court art Show, held each October in Old Louisville, featuring nearly 750 artists and more than 300,000 attendees over three days.

the list have been around for more than

20 years—some as many as 50.”

This year, visitors can expect to see

more of the high-quality art for which

the festival is renowned, plus an array

of interpretations for the festival’s

changing gallery theme.

“The 2010 theme is ‘Francisco’s

Gallery Goes Green—Interpretations in

Recycled and Found Objects,’” Christensen

says. “It features artists who incorporate

these elements in their work.”

all about the art

For many artists and art lovers, the

St. James Court Art Show has become

an autumn tradition. Held in early

October amidst the Victorian splen-

dor of Old Louisville, the free-admis-

sion show was ranked the No. 1 fine

arts and crafts show in the country

by Sunshine Artist magazine in 2003,

2004, and 2006.

“This show began in 1957 with

a few artists stringing their paint-

ings on clotheslines between trees on

St. James Court,” director Marguerite

Esrock recalls. “After 53 years, it is

a nationally recognized, three-day

event over a four-square block.”

Artists from all over the country

come to display their original, hand-

crafted works: paintings, sculptures,

pottery, leather and woodcrafts, photog-

raphy, textiles, glass, and other fine arts.

“The Art Show Consortium always

strives to make the show a better

experience for the art patrons,” Esrock

says. “There are new artists and art-

work each year.”

One year, an artist surprised

attendees with huge sculptures of

animals that had to be lowered off a

semitruck with a crane.

“The towering giraffe and rhino

were hard to miss,” Esrock says.

Of hillbillies and ham

Celebrating its 34th year is

Pikeville’s Hillbilly Days Festival, an

event that brings out not only arts and

crafts booths, but festival food, car-

nival rides, live music, and Shriners

costumed in hillbilly garb and driving

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those colorful claptrap conveyances

called “modified hillbilly limousines.”

“Two local guys started the event

with a handful of participants,” says

Cindy Wheat, executive director of

Pikeville-Pike County Tourism. “This

little town of 7,000 puts about 200,000

visitors through here in three days.”

A fund-raiser to benefit the

Shriners Children’s Hospital in

Lexington, the festival teems with

Shriners from all over the country.

Adding to the fun is bluegrass music

from three stages and name entertain-

ment headlining at Pikeville’s Eastern

Kentucky Exposition Center.

Festival roundupAt the Bardstown Arts, Crafts & Antiques Fair held in October, nearly 200 juried artists, including local craftsmen (dulcimer maker, gourd artist, oil painter) share their exceptional wares during this weekend event now in its 30th year. Jewelry artists, potters, floral designers, woodcrafters, and other artisans mingle with antique vendors as thousands of visitors kick off their holiday shopping, browsing booths for handmade, one-of-a-kind items.

The festivals listed below have hundreds of arts and crafts booths. Of course, there’ll be plenty of the Kentucky-style vittles that festival-goers love, plus music and other fair fun, too.

Hillbilly Days FestivalApril 15-17, downtown Pikevillewww.hillbillydays.com

Spring into SummerMay 29-30, War Memorial Walking Trail, Oak Grovewww.oakgroveky-tourism.com

Capital ExpoJune 3-5, Capital Plaza Complex, Frankfortwww.capitalexpofestival.com

Francisco’s Farm Arts FestivalJune 26-27, Midway Collegewww.franciscosfarm.org

Hot August Blues FestivalAug. 27-28, Kenlake State Resort Park, Hardinwww.hotaugustbluesfestival.com

Kentucky’s Western Waterland Arts & Crafts FestivalSept. 4-6, Grand Riverswww.kentuckylakebarkley.travel

Constitution Square Arts FestSept. 10-12, Danvillewww.constitutionsquareartsfest.org

Black Gold FestivalSept. 16-19, downtown Hazard

Glasgow B&PW Arts, Crafts & Gifts FairSept. 25, downtown Glasgowwww.visitglasgowbarren.com

St. James Court Art ShowOct. 1-3, Louisvillewww.stjamescourtartshow.com

The Bourbon County Secretariat FestivalOct. 2, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, Pariswww.visitmyparisky.com

Trigg County Country Ham FestivalOct. 8-10, downtown Cadizwww.hamfestival.com

Bardstown Arts, Crafts & Antiques FairOct. 9-10

Fiber bowl artist Justine Dennis of New Haven will be at the Francisco’s Farm Art Festival.

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The other white meat gets its

due every year at the Trigg County

Country Ham Festival. Held the

second weekend in October, the event

averages 140 vendors with a variety

of arts and crafts, including leather

works, woodcrafts, quilts, and wild-

life photography, seen by more than

55,000 festival-goers.

In 1977, following in the hoof steps

of other rural counties that tradition-

ally held spring and fall events, Trigg

County expanded its local barbe-

cue dinner-baking contest to a full-

fledged festival that put the humble

pig at its pinnacle. Long distinguished

for this delicacy, it seems only fitting

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that Trigg County celebrates not only

the craft of curing hams, but the craft

of the individual artist as well.

“The most unique craft is the

farm-cured country hams that are

on display and judged for the Grand

Champion Ham,” says Bill Stevens

of the Cadiz-Trigg County Tourist

Commission. “These are local cured,

smoked country hams with the flair

of the farmer-producer hanging out

around them to talk ham talk.”

Talk ham or hillbillies, Kentucky’s

arts and crafts festivals and fairs have

plenty of fun and folk arts and crafts–

music, conviviality, and even ham on

the side. KL

This wall piece features stained glass, wood, and metal by Lexington artist Dan Neil Barnes, also at Francisco’s Farm.

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Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival will feature jewelry by artist Carol Freytag of Florence.

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Kentucky Living Events Calendar brought to you by the Kentucky Department of Travel. For a complete listing of destinations, attractions, and events happening in your own back yard or throughout the entire state, visit KentuckyTourism.com.

Kentucky Living Events Calendar brought to you by the Kentucky Department of Travel. For a complete listing of destinations, attractions, and events happening in your own back yard or throughout the entire state, visit KentuckyTourism.com.

EVENTCALENDAR Bluegrass

Returns to its RootsOwensboro celebrates the 9th Annual

Bluegrass Returns to its Roots on

April 23-24 at Diamond Lake Resort.

Entertainment will include J.D. Crowe

and the New South and other bands.

Tickets available online at www.owens

boroconcerts.com or (270) 302-5260;

$20 adults, children ages 6-12 $10. For

more information contact Diamond

Lake Resort at (877) 975-4900.

Barbourville Redbud FestivalSpringtime in the Appalachian Mountains

is something to see, especially when the

hills are coming to life with the fi rst burst of

color—the redbuds. On April 9-10 come to the

Barbourville Redbud Festival and Quilting

Workshop on the Union College campus to

enjoy bluegrass music, homemade barbecue,

storytelling, authors, art displays, and classes

taught by nationally known instructors on

quilting, dulcimer, and other heritage crafts.

For more information, go online to www.red

budfestky.com or call (606) 545-9674.

Dulcimers on the GreenCelebrate the mountain dulcimer as

the designated Kentucky State

Instrument at the 1st Dulcimers on

the Green in Central City, April 16-17.

Classes on the mountain dulcimer,

hammered dulcimer, and the thumb-

picking style of guitar playing will be

taught during this event. For more

information, go online to www.central

citykytourism.com/dulcimer.html or

call (270) 754-9603.

Thunder Over LouisvilleApril 17 kicks off two exciting

weeks for the Kentucky Derby

Festival with the daylong Thunder

Over Louisville. The Thunder Air

Show dazzles the crowd with more than 100 planes, aerobatics teams, daring sky-

diving, and breathtaking stunts. As darkness falls, the Thunder rolls and the sky

lights up during the largest fi reworks show in the U.S. For more information, go

online to www.thunderoverlouisville.org. Admission free.

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THU APR 1

Home School Month (800) 762-2869 Through the 30th. Kentucky Down Under, Horse Cave.

FRI APR 2

Bluegrass Classic Arabian Show (859) 259-4224 Through the 4th. Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington.

Cricketeer Antiques & Collectibles Show (859) 734-2364 Through the 4th. Harrodsburg.

SAT APR 3

Easter Egg Hunt (800) 325-0142 Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg.

Community Easter Egg Hunt (859) 734-3314 Old Fort Harrod State Park, Harrodsburg.

Eggstravaganza (502) 429-7270 Tom Sawyer State Park, Louisville.

Easter Weekend (606) 286-4411 Through the 4th. Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill.

Blow Your Own Egg (502) 584-4510 Through the 25th. Glassworks, Louisville.

Hot Squares Square Dancing (859) 552-5433 ArtsPlace, Lexington.

Contra Dance (859) 552-5433 ArtsPlace, Lexington.

Geological Walking Tour (502) 451-5630 Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville.

SUN APR 4

Easter Eggcitement (800) 325-1711 Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs.

Easter Buffet (270) 474-2211 Kenlake State Resort Park, Hardin.

Easter Sunday Buffet (502) 732-4384 General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton.

Easter Egg Hunt (800) 325-0063 Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin.

Easter Buffet (800) 325-0058 Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn.

Easter Celebration (270) 362-4271 Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville.

April Homeschool Month (270) 773-4345 Through the 30th. Dinosaur World, Cave City.

MON APR 5

Vertical Slat Rocker Classes (859) 986-7243 Through the 10th. Berea.

WE CAN! (270) 866-4477 Russell County Extension Office, Jamestown.

THU APR 8

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl(270) 351-0577 Through the 11th. State Theater, Elizabethtown.

FRI APR 9

Appalachian Mountain Remedies (800) 325-0058 Through the 10th. Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn.

Athens Schoolhouse Antique Show (859) 255-7309 Through the 11th. Lexington.

Contra Dance (859) 552-5433 ArtsPlace, Lexington.

SAT APR 10

Kentucky Magic Dinner Theater (859) 225-0370 Lexington.

Whiskey City Cruisers Car Show (800) 638-4877 Bardstown.

Michael Tygart Hike (800) 325-0083 Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup.

Dog-Gone Egg Hunt (270) 487-8381 Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site, Tompkinsville.

Canoeing for Beginners (606) 663-2214 Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade.

Hillbilly Night (606) 889-1790 Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg.

Cruz’ In (800) 325-0058 Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn.

Goose Creek 5K (502) 429-7270 Tom Sawyer State Park, Louisville.

Cirque Mecnics Birdhouse Factory (270) 826-5916 Fine Arts Center, Henderson.

Digital Discovery Hike (800) 858-1549 Salato Wildlife Center, Frankfort.

Big Band Swing Dance (859) 420-2426 Through the 11th. Lexington.

Woodford in the Kitchen—Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres (859) 879-1934 Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles.

SUN APR 11

Louisville Chorus Dvorak: Mass in D(502) 968-6300 St. Brigid Catholic Church, Louisville.

Spring Planting (502) 429-7270 Tom Sawyer State Park, Louisville.

MON APR 12

WE CAN! (270) 866-4477 Russell County Extension Office, Jamestown.

THU APR 15

Farmland Conservation Benefit Auction (859) 255-4552 Fasig-Tipton, Lexington.

A Fresh Perspective Art Exhibit (270) 826-9272 Through June 3. Public Library, Henderson.

Hwy. 55 Yard Sale (502) 834-7754 Through the 18th. Old Finchville School, Finchville.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl(270) 351-0577 Through the 18th. State Theater, Elizabethtown.

FRI APR 16

Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) and WOW (Wonders of Wetlands) (270) 343-3797 Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Jamestown.

The Bardstown Opry (859) 336-9839 Bluegrass Entertainment & Expo Complex, Bardstown.

3rd on 3rd (800) 638-4877 Through the 17th. Bardstown.

Adult Artist Retreat (270) 827-1893 Audubon Museum, Henderson.

Breakfast Lions Club Tri-Fest (270) 831-5027 Through the 18th. Henderson.

Wildflower Weekend (606) 558-3571 Through the 18th. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Bledsoe.

Contra Dance (859) 552-5433 ArtsPlace, Lexington.

SAT APR 17

Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem (270) 821-2787 Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, Madisonville.

WOW! Facilitator & POW! (270) 343-3797 Through the 18th. Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Jamestown.

LBL Earth Day Weekend: Celebrating Spring Wildflowers (270) 924-2000 Through the 18th. Land Between The Lakes, Golden Pond.

Saturday Nite Sock-Hop Show (859) 336-9839 Bluegrass Entertainment & Expo Complex, Bardstown.

Living History (800) 638-4877 Through the 18th. Civil War Museum, Bardstown.

Allen County Master Gardeners Expo (270) 237-9206 Extension Office, Scottsville.

Spring Golf Classic (270) 826-5546 Through the 18th. Henderson.

Arts in the Orchard (859) 498-9123 Bramble Ridge Apple Orchard, Mt. Sterling.

Redbud Ride Bicycle Tour (606) 862-8841 London.

Earth Day Festival (859) 548-5080 Lancaster.

Raggedy Ann Festival (859) 234-5236 Cynthiana.

Pennyrile Classic Car Club Summer Cruise-In (270) 498-1795 Hopkinsville.

Woodford Reserve Brunch & Keeneland Handicapper (859) 879-1934 Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles.

Olboystoys Car Show (270) 866-6322 Russell Springs.

Butterflies for Maddie 5K Race/Walk (270) 590-4495 Barren County YMCA, Glasgow.

MON APR 19

WE CAN! (270) 866-4477 Russell County Extension Office, Jamestown.

TUE APR 20

Nature Rocks! Family Nature Club (270) 343-3797 Public Library, Jamestown.

WED APR 21

Derby Bottle Signing (859) 879-1934 Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles.

THU APR 22

Little Orphan Anni-mals (502) 429-7270 Tom Sawyer State Park, Louisville.

Earth Day (502) 429-7270 Tom Sawyer State Park, Louisville.

FRI APR 23

Amy Grant (270) 821-2787 Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, Madisonville.

EvENTcALENDAR

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Hands Four Spring Dance Weekend (859) 986-7584 Through the 25th. Russell Acton Folk Center, Berea.

The Bardstown Opry (859) 336-9839 Bluegrass Entertainment & Expo Complex, Bardstown.

Blue Grass Gem & Mineral Club Rock, Gem, Mineral, & Jewelry Show (859) 854-0418 Through the 25th. Irvine.

Bluegrass Returns to its Roots (800) 489-1131 Through the 24th. Diamond Lake Resort, Owensboro.

Arbor Day (270) 831-1261 Kennedy Community Center, Henderson.

Audubon’s Birthday & Camper Appreciation Week (270) 826-2247 Through the 25th. Audubon Museum, Henderson.

Antique Anniversary Celebration (270) 598-9901 Through the 26th. Bright’s Antique World, Franklin.

SAT APR 24

Spring Back in Time (270) 354-8467 Aurora.

Kentucky Writers Day Celebration (859) 332-7715 Through the 25th. Penn’s Store, Gravel Switch.

Earth Day (270) 343-3797 Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Jamestown.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler (800) 638-4877 Bardstown.

Frogs & Toads! (502) 429-7270 Tom Sawyer State Park, Louisville.

Expect the Impossible: Mark Nizer’s 3-D Show (270) 831-9800 Fine Arts Center, Henderson.

Dixie Belle Riverboat Rides Begin (800) 734-5611 Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg.

Gateway Regional Farm, Home, & Garden Show (859) 498-8734 Through the 25th. Gateway Plaza, Mt. Sterling.

Train Robbery on the Rails (800) 272-0152 Through the 25th. Kentucky Railway Museum, New Haven.

UK Dance Ensemble Spring Concert (270) 566-2745 Singletary Center, Lexington.

OVAL Kitchen Tour (270) 860-1930 Henderson.

Knights of Columbus Car & Bike Show (270) 862-2058 Optimist Park, Vine Grove.

Hepcats Swing Dance (859) 420-2426 Lexington.

Blue Heron Spring Hike (800) 462-5664 Big South Fork Scenic Railway, Stearns.

Somernites Cruise Car Show (606) 872-2277 Somerset.

Garden & Art Fair (502) 834-7222 Fairgrounds, Shelbyville.

Civil War Walking Tour (502) 451-5630 Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville.

Warren, Edmonson, & Metcalfe County Days (800) 762-2869 Through the 25th. Kentucky Down Under, Horse Cave.

AMGRO Master Gardeners Flower & Garden Show (606) 864-4167 Through the 25th. Community Center, London.

SUN APR 25

Audubon’s Legacy Lives On (270) 827-1893 Through July 30. Audubon Museum, Henderson.

MON APR 26

Dye Painting & Quilting Workshop (270) 442-8856 Through the 30th. National Quilt Museum, Paducah.

WE CAN! (270) 866-4477 Russell County Extension Office, Jamestown.

WED APR 28

The Bardstown Opry (859) 336-9839 Bluegrass Exposition Complex, Bardstown.

64 K e n t u c K y L i v i n g • a p r i L 2 0 1 0

Sportsman’sportsman’sSWhat a deal for theTRUE Kentucky SpoRTSman!

all for only$95 Save 35%by purchasing your Sportsman’s License TODAY!

Available wherever licenses are soldand online at or call 1-877-598-2401.fw.ky.gov

includeS:Combo Hunting & Fishing LicenseSpring & Fall Turkey PermitsStatewide Deer PermitStatewide Waterfowl and Trout Permits

ICEnSEICEnSELL

Ky Dept of WL-License comp 0309.indd 1 1/29/09 10:41 AM

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THU APR 29

Ohio Valley Birding Festival (270) 826-2247 Through May 2. Audubon State Park, Henderson.

FRI APR 30

International Festival (800) 598-5263 Through May 2. Memorial Park, Berea.

The Bardstown Opry (859) 336-9839 Bluegrass Entertain-ment & Expo Complex, Bardstown.

Stock Dog Trials (800) 734-5611 Through May 2. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg.

Black Mountain Wildflower Weekend (606) 558-3571 Through May 2. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Bledsoe.

SAT MAY 1

Kentucky Colonel Breakfast (270) 826-3088 Henderson.

Downtown Walking Tour (270) 830-9707 Henderson.

Derby Day Brunch (800) 734-5611 Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg.

Sheep Shearing at the Farm (800) 734-5611 Through the 22nd. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg.

Cruise-In Car Show (859) 498-9874 Mt. Sterling.

Derby Day Trail Ride (270) 618-7500 Long C Trails, Scottsville.

Diesel Mania (859) 749-2615 Lincoln County Fairgrounds, Stanford.

Historic Homes Foundation Derby Breakfast (502) 452-9920 Farmington Historic Plantation, Louisville.

SUN MAY 2

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat(859) 336-5412 Opera House, Springfield.

Historical Walking Tour (502) 451-5630 Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville.

MON MAY 3

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Academy (859) 873-1812 Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles.

FRI MAY 7

The Bardstown Opry (859) 336-9839 Bluegrass Entertainment & Expo Complex, Bardstown.

Time for Tots (270) 827-1893 Audubon Museum, Henderson.

First Friday Art Gallery Opening Reception & Exhibit (859) 498-6264 Mt. Sterling.

Pioneer Power Tractor Club (502) 525-1030 Through the 9th. Kentucky Motors Showgrounds, Carrollton.

Spring Festival (502) 538-4897 Mt. Washington.

SAT MAY 8

Wildflower Myths & Realities (270) 343-3797 Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Jamestown.

Great American Music Show (859) 336-9839 Bluegrass Entertainment & Expo Complex, Bardstown.

Whiskey City Cruisers (800) 638-4877 Bardstown.

Mid-America Hound Show (800) 734-5611 Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg.

Dinner on the Rails (800) 272-0152 Kentucky Railway Museum, New Haven.

Girl Scout Day (800) 272-0152 Kentucky Railway Museum, New Haven.

A Canoeing Adventure for Wildlife Watchers (800) 858-1549 Canoe KY/Salato Center, Frankfort.

Mother-Daughter Tea (270) 765-2515 Brown-Pusey House, Elizabethtown.

Cruisin’ the Ridge (859) 391-0149 Dry Ridge.

Antique Tractor & Small Engine Show (606) 426-6080 Community Park, Shopville.

SUN MAY 9

Free Mother’s Day (270) 773-4345 Dinosaur World, Cave City.

Mother’s Day (800) 462-5664 Big South Fork Scenic Railway, Stearns.

Mother’s Day (800) 762-2869 Kentucky Down Under, Horse Cave.

R&W Nitro Tracker Team Tournament Trail (270) 469-0060 Campbellsville. KL

To view a comprehensive listing of events, go to www.KentuckyLiving.com and select Travel & Events. You can search by month, city, or event. Published events are subject to change. Please call ahead to confirm dates and times.

Events are published as space allows, must be submitted at least 90 days in advance, and include a telephone number for publica-tion. To submit an event online, go to www.KentuckyLiving.com and select Travel & Events, or send your info to Kentucky Living, Events Editor, P.O. Box 32170, Louisville, KY 40232, or fax to (502) 459-1611.

66 K E n T u c K Y L i v i n g • a P r i L 2 0 1 0

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BILLIE JO

ASHCRAFT is the

third-generation

owner of the Smith

House Restaurant in

Owenton. Her mother,

Mable Plunkett, and

grandparents Bill

and Kathleen Smith

opened the restau-

rant in 1968. Ashcraft

currently operates Smith House with

her daughters and granddaughters.

She attributes its longevity to her

small community. “Our community is

as strong as our regular business,” she

says. “We use local products whenever

possible, in addition to buying from

Kentucky Proud vendors.” The restau-

rant is known for its made-from-scratch

dinners and delicious sandwiches.

Prices are modest, and a combination

of taste and value keeps customers

coming back year after year. The des-

serts are a real specialty. Ashcraft says

her grandparents perfected their pecan

pie recipe many years ago when the

restaurant opened. The Smith House,

located at 1640 Hwy. 22E, is open every

day but Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

LINDA ALLISON-LEWIS writes from her

home in Bullitt County. A former restaurant

critic, her latest cookbook is Kentucky Cooks:

Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Living.

JEN

DA

LES

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

All in the familyThe Smith House carries on the culinary traditions of the owner’s mother and grandparents LINDA ALLISON-LEWIS

CHEF,SCHOICE

The recipe for the Smith House’s popular pecan pie was perfected by Ashcraft’s grandparents. Photo by Edis Celik.

Strawberry Spinach Salad8 oz (1 1⁄2 C) strawberries, hulled and

quartered1⁄2 medium cucumber, sliced and cut in half1⁄4 C small red onion, thinly sliced 1 pkg (6 oz) baby spinach

Dressing1 lemon2 Tbsps white wine vinegar 1⁄2 C sugar1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp poppy seeds

To make dressing, grate lemon for about 1/3 tsp of zest and squeeze 2 Tbsps of lemon juice. Combine juice, zest, and the other dressing ingredients. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Combine all other salad ingredients in large bowl and toss gently. Whisk dressing and pour over salad just before serving. Serves 10.

Submitted by DARLENE H. VINCENT, Park City, Warren RECC, who writes that the salad “is wonder-ful to make when strawberries are in season.”

READERRECIPES

Smith House Pecan Pie 1 stick butter, melted1 C sugar1 C dark Karo syrup3 eggs, beaten1 tsp vanillaPinch of salt1 unbaked pie shell 11⁄2 C chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine ingre-dients in bowl, mix well, and pour into pie shell. Bake for one hour or until pie doesn’t jiggle. Serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 8.

Submit your recipe. See page 7 for details.

Panama City Salad5 C cooked chicken, chopped7 oz cooked corkscrew pasta1 bag spinach21⁄2 C celery, diced1 C snow peas1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced3 green onions, chopped2 C green grapes, halved

Dressing1 tsp dried minced onion2 Tbsps parsley fl akes1⁄2 C oil1⁄4 C sugar3 Tbsps red wine vinegar1 tsp salt1 tsp lemon juice

Toss salad ingredients in large bowl. Whisk together dressing ingredients, pour over salad, and toss. Serve chilled. Serves 8-10.

Submitted by AMY NEIGHBORS, Edmonton, Farmers RECC, who writes: “My husband and I enjoy packing this cool refreshing salad in the cooler along with us whenever we go to the beach (hence its name) or our favorite lake.”

READER RECIPE CORRECTIONThe water was omitted from the Easy Chocolate Covered Cherry Cakein the March issue. Add 11⁄2 cups ofwater to the eggs and oil, then addcake mix and beat for 2 minutes.

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Reelfoot Lake is such a peaceful

setting today. But once upon a

time, the land heaved and rolled

like an ocean and the sandy soil

along the Mississippi River turned

into something like a milkshake. Trees

snapped like twigs, and from the

tumultuous abyss, sulfurous vapor shot

into the atmosphere, creating total

darkness.

During the winter of 1811 and 1812,

the few settlers and Native Americans

who lived in far western Kentucky

and Tennessee surely thought the

world was coming to an end. The

series of shocks was so powerful it

caused church bells to ring as far away

as New York City and Boston.

From one of the epicenters near

the little hamlet of New Madrid,

Missouri (hence the name the Great

New Madrid Earthquake), the damage

radius reached out across 50,000 square

miles. Scientists believe this series of

quakes may be the strongest in North

American history. And it’s in our own

back yard.

Out of this cataclysm, something

happened that is almost impossible to

comprehend. The upheaval caused the

Mississippi River to flow backward.

Water flooded into a large chunk of

land that sank. Reelfoot Lake was

born.

The 15,000-acre lake is located

primarily in Tennessee with fingers

extending north into Kentucky, but

it looks like it belongs in Louisiana.

White egrets fly above, and little

“mom-and-pop” resorts are tucked

away in the cypress forests that line

the shore.

Out in the middle of the lake, boat-

ers can find more cypress trees. How

they got there is astonishing. Cypress

trees like moist soil, but they won’t

grow from the bottom of a lake. These

trees still cling to life after they sank

upright nearly 200 years ago.

I travel to Reelfoot Lake whenever

I can, drawn to the great fishing and

nature photography. I like to rent a small

boat and take in the scenery in all its

glory. Every time I go there, my imagi-

nation runs wild. This pristine, peace-

ful setting is actually a seismic zone with

the potential to put all other earth-

quakes in the Lower 48 to shame.

Scientists say it will likely happen

again. Someday. These thoughts keep

me awake when the fish aren’t biting,

because something else much bigger

may awaken, too. But until then, this

place is an outdoor lover’s paradise

formed for us to enjoy. KL

great outdoors

Born of catastropheReelfoot Lake, a monument to the power of earthquakes, is an outdoor lover’s paradiseDave Shuffett

Winter at reeLfoot LaKe is a great

time to watch bald eagles. Bring

binoculars and a camera. Submerged

cypress stumps from the earthquake

provide excellent habitat for fish,

including hand-size bluegill.

inSiDertiP

One of several cypress trees that survive in the nearly 200-year-old Reelfoot Lake, a tes-tament to the Great New Madrid Earthquake. Photo by Dave Shuffett.

Dave Shuffett is host of Kentucky Life

on KET, airing Saturdays 7 p.m Central Time

or 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and Sundays 3:30 p.m.

Central Time or 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

68 K E N t u c Ky L i v i N G • a P R i L 2 0 1 0

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Have a gardening question? Go to www.KentuckyLiving.com, click on Home & Garden, then “Ask The Gardener.”

sHelly nold is a horticulturist and owner of The Plant Kingdom. Send stories and ideas

to her at The Plant Kingdom, 4101 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40207.

An

dy

Sm

Ar

t

gardenguruEdibles spice up your gardenPlanting ediBles in tHe FloWer garden is a great way to provide

your family with fresh, locally grown food. If you have a small space in the

garden that receives full sun, it is well worth the effort. There are many ben-

efits to growing your own vegetables, including a lower grocery bill and a sense

of accomplishment. Your children may even want to eat a carrot they grew

themselves.

inCorPorating ediBle Plants into your existing landscape is a great

way to disguise and keep your garden beds beautiful. Decide what will work for

you. It does not have to be traditional rows of crops. A glazed pot with lettuce

or herbs can be placed in any sunny garden bed.

getting Creative is half the fun of gardening, and there are lots of

options. Numerous vegetables have ornamental characteristics. For example,

several varieties of Swiss chard (shown below) have brightly colored stems

and are a great addition to soups, stews, and stir-fries.

HerBs suCH as roseMary, oregano, thyme, and sage provide attractive

foliage as well as flowers and are essential to fresh cooking. Peppers are easy

to grow and offer an abundance of bright, colorful fruit. Some varieties even

have variegated foliage. A trellis covered in beans can lightly screen an unat-

tractive view and supply a nutritious side dish.

For a PerManent addition to the garden, consider planting blueberry

bushes. In addition to the obvious edible fruit, these shrubs have attractive

spring flowers and beautiful red fall color. As you consider your options, you

will discover many other edible possibilities. Your taste buds will thank you.

q I have three nandina plants

but no berries, and also two holly

trees with no berries. What’s my

problem?

a Nandina domestica, commonly

known as heavenly bamboo, are a

nice colorful addition to the garden.

They are typically evergreen

and provide year-round interest,

although they can defoliate if we

have a harsh winter.

Unlike the larger growing species,

some of the newer, more compact

cultivars such as ‘Nana,’ ‘Gulf Stream,’

and ‘Firepower’ do not produce flowers

or fruit, but others such as ‘Harbor

Dwarf’ will fruit with age. I would

suspect they are not fruiting for one

of two reasons. First, it may not be

a fruiting cultivar, or, if they are new

additions, they may just need time.

As for the hollies, it is the females

that produce berries while the males

are the pollinators. One male can

pollinate up to seven females but not

every male will pollinate every female.

They need to flower at the same time,

and for best fruit production they

should be planted within 50 feet of

one another. If you have two males,

you will never see fruit on these

plants, but if you have females then

the solution would be to plant a male.

ANgIE McMANuS

ask tHe gardener

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Putting train travel back on track

Train travel is one of the lowest

impact ways to get from point

to point short of walking, jog-

ging, or bicycling. In the early

part of the 20th century, taking the

train was the only practical way for

Americans to get from city to city.

By 1929, the U.S. boasted one of the

world’s largest rail networks, with

65,000 passenger cars in operation

across 265,000 miles of track.

But a concerted campaign by U.S.

carmakers to acquire rail lines and

close them, along with construction

of the world’s most extensive inter-

state highway system, combined to

shift Americans’ tastes away from rail

travel. The U.S. became the

ultimate auto nation, with

more cars per capita than

anywhere else. By 1965,

only 10,000 rail passen-

ger cars were in operation

across just 75,000 miles of

track.

In response, the U.S.

government created

Amtrak in 1971 to provide inter-city

passenger train service across the

country. In 2008, upward of 28 mil-

lion passengers rode Amtrak trains,

representing the sixth straight year of

record ridership. Despite this growth,

the U.S. still has one of the lowest

inter-city rail usage rates in the

developed world.

But that may all change soon. In

spring 2009, President Barack Obama

allocated $8 billion of stimulus fund-

ing toward developing more high-

speed rail

lines, citing

the need

to reduce

greenhouse

gas emissions

and reliance

on foreign oil.

A 2006

study by the

Center for Clean Air Policy and the

Center for Neighborhood Technology

concluded that building a high-speed

rail system across the U.S. would

mean 29 million fewer car trips and

500,000 fewer plane flights each

year, eliminating 6 billion pounds of

carbon-dioxide emissions. KL

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL quEsTION? Write EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881 or e-mail earthtalk@emagazine.com.

earth talk

70 K e n t u c K y L i v i n g • a P r i L 2 0 1 0

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Deeds of humanityFrom 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina, Ron Murphy has dedicated his retirement to helping others

Byron CrawforD

As America wept follow-

ing the terrorist attacks on

New York City’s Twin Towers

on September 11, 2001, Ron

Murphy, a retired Bullitt County school

principal, headed to Ground Zero.

For 16 days, he helped feed and

assist rescue workers and others who

went about the grim task of recover-

ing victims.

“It’s difficult to list all the deeds

of humanity that Ron has performed.

I’m sure there are many that no one

else knows about except the person

involved,” says James Simmons of Mt.

Washington, who nominated Murphy

as a Cooperative Hero.

“He can be found working regu-

larly with our local food ministries,

which help countless families when

times are tough; building wheel-

chair ramps to help the elderly and

disabled; helping a homeless single

mother and her children with food,

clothing, and shelter; or working

tirelessly with our church congrega-

tion,” says Simmons.

“To know someone like Ron Murphy

makes me proud to be an American.”

The youngest of six brothers of a

McCreary County farm family, Murphy,

who holds degrees from Cumberland

College and Western Kentucky

University, retired in 1993 after 27 years

with the Bullitt County school system.

“I was only 49 when I retired, so

I knew I was going to do something

else, and I got into volunteer work

and have been blessed,” says Murphy,

a member of Salt River Electric.

Beyond his untold hours of local

service, he has worked extensively

in 11 other states with the Kentucky

Baptist Convention’s large mobile

kitchen and their cleanup crews, and

on occasion with the Salvation Army

on disaster relief efforts. He worked

in four states after Hurricane Katrina.

In 2006, the Bullitt County chap-

ter of the Scottish Rite Society named

Murphy its Citizen of the Year.

Strong support from his wife,

Karen, and their son and daughter,

and lasting memories of the devasta-

tion he has witnessed, have strength-

ened his commitment.

“One of the most emotional expe-

riences I had was up on Staten Island

(after 9/11) on the landfill where they

were going through the debris,”

Murphy says. “One day we were taking

water out to the different sites, and

we went by one site where there was a

whole stack of stuffed animals, and you

knew that they had come from the day

care at one of the Twin Towers.

“You couldn’t keep from crying.” KL

Byron Crawford is Kentucky’s

storyteller, a veteran broadcast and print

journalist, known for his colorful backroads

tales from The Courier-Journal, WHAS TV

and Radio, and KET’s Kentucky Life.

Nominate the hero in your community! See page 7 for details.

ron Murphy serves as a member of the Kentucky Baptist Convention Disaster relief unit, part of a larger network of the Southern Baptist volunteers who are trained to respond to disasters. Photo by randy Burba.

Cooperative hero

“I don’t feel worthy of any recognition at all, because I’ve gotten a lot more out of volunteerism than I’ve ever put in it.”

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About 14.6 million

Americans are cur-

rently diagnosed

with diabetes, and an

estimated 6.2 million additional

Americans have diabetes but

have not been diagnosed.

Diabetes is a serious and

costly disease that has reached

epidemic proportions in the past

10 years. In Type 1 diabetes, pre-

viously known as juvenile onset

Fighting Type 2 diabetesHealthy diet and regular activity are keys to preventionAnn BlAckFord

Smartmoney

Earn extra cash in

tough timesSArA PeAk

Here are five ways to earn extra money without taking on a full-time second job:

temPorary JoBS The Census

Bureau is currently hiring for part-time

temporary positions for the 2010 Census.

For more information, go online to

www.2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs.

Call (866) 861-2010.

tLC Consider providing in-home care

to young children or to the elderly.

Especially for the elderly, in-home day

care is a demanding need for families.

Caregivers are often needed on nights

and weekends, which is a great oppor-

tunity to work around your typical

weekday schedule.

SeaSonaL WorK Market yourself for

part-time jobs such as lawn care in the

summer, leaf raking in the fall, and snow

removal in the winter.

USe yoUr taLentS If you have skills

as a writer or photographer, consider

doing freelance work. If you have musical

ability, consider teaching piano or singing

lessons. If you are blessed with the

ability to cook and bake, consider cater-

ing or selling your homemade goodies.

oVertIme Where better to make extra

money than at the job you already know

how to do? With a shrinking work force,

fewer people are available when times

get desperate. If your employer offers

paid overtime, consider taking advan-

tage of such an opportunity. KL

Sara PeaK is a Certified Financial Planner.

Have a money question? E-mail us at e-mail@

kentuckyliving.com.

If you have Type 2 diabetes,

you can lower your risks of

complications by following

these steps:

n Maintain normal blood sugar:

Before meals 70-130 mg/dl

Two hours after eating <180mg/dl

A1c (three months average) < 7 percent

n control weight (Goal BMI

18.5-24.9)n control cholesterol:

ldl <100 mg/dl

Triglycerides <150 mg/dl

Hdl >40 mg/dln control blood pressure

<130/80n If you smoke, find a way to

quit.n Adhere to medications your

physician may prescribe.n check your feet daily.n Stay up to date on vaccina- tions (flu, pneumonia) and

annual eye exams.

diabetes, the body’s

immune system

destroys insulin-

producing cells in the pancreas. In

Type 2 diabetes, the most common

form of the disease, either the body

does not produce enough insulin or

the body’s cells have become resis-

tant to insulin.

Most cases of Type 2 diabe-

tes appear to be related to obesity or

weight gain, both of which can be

prevented through healthy diet and

regular physical activity. Preventing

Type 2 diabetes can mean a longer and

healthier life without serious compli-

cations from the disease, such as heart

disease, stroke, hypertension, blind-

ness, kidney failure, and amputation.

While some people develop

Type 2 diabetes because of a genetic

predisposition, most people have

the power to prevent it.

“Achieving or maintaining a

healthy weight and eating a low-

fat, high-fiber diet, along with

regular physical activity such as

walking 30 minutes a day, five days

a week, will significantly lower

your risk of developing Type 2 dia-

betes,” says Elizabeth Tovar, nurse

practitioner and assistant profes-

sor at the University of Kentucky

College of Nursing. “Achieving a

balance between caloric intake and

energy expenditure is important

for maintenance of weight, while

consuming fewer calories than you

burn is essential for weight loss.” KL

SmartHeaLtH

ann BLaCKford provides health

information for UK HealthCare.

redUCInG rISKS

Smart moveS

72 k e n T u c k y l I v I n G • A P r I l 2 0 1 0

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Submit your photo! See page 7 for details.

sNAPsHOT

my favorite ky tripp GORILLA FOREsT Avery Pile, age 5, Nicholasville, poses each year for a photo with the gorilla outline at the Louisville Zoo to compare how much she’s grown from year to year. Photo by Heather Pile, members of Blue Grass Energy.

u CAR DREAMs Ethan Martin couldn’t wait to see the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green on his first trip in October 2009. Photo by B.J. Potter-Martin, members of Jackson Energy Cooperative.

t  sPINO DINO Jaden Dishman, age 7, imperson-ates the Spinosaurus at Dinosaur World in Cave City. Photo by Cindy Sellers, Scottsville, members of Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation.

WWW.K E N T u C Ky L i v i N G . C O M • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 73

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1 K E N T U C K Y L I V I N G • O C T O B E R 2 0 0 9

KENTUCKY KIDS

When running water from the faucet until it gets hot, don’t let it go down the drain. Catch it in a container and use it to water plants, pets, wash vegetables, etc.Tip submitted by Sandra Pierson

Send us your Green Team Tip, and if it gets printed, we'll send you a free

CFL Charlie T-shirt! Send your best tip for conserving energy, in 50 words

or less, and name, address, and shirt size to KYKids@KentuckyLiving.com

or Kentucky Living, Green Team Tip, P.O. Box 32170, Louisville, KY 40232.

Win a T-shirt!

When you have work to do or are

playing a game, using teamwork

is the best way to get things

done. By cooperating, everyone

gets to be a part of the fun. It’s

a good way to make new friends

and keep the ones you have.

Cooperation

Green Team Tip

It’s a

What two things can you never have for breakfast?

Lunch and dinner.Submitted by Breana Grant, age 12

JOKE! Send your favorite joke to KYKids@KentuckyLiving.com. Put Jokes in the subject line.Did You

Know?Sharks never run out of

teeth. If one is lost, another

moves forward from rows of

backup teeth. A shark may

grow and use more than

20,000 teeth in its lifetime.

State It!TULIP TREEThe tulip tree has been the official

state tree of Kentucky since 1976.

It can grow to 145 feet and live for

200 years. It blossoms in May with

yellow-green flowers that look like

tulips. Some call it the tulip poplar,

but this tree is actually a member

of the magnolia family.

Springtime weatherSpring brings different kinds of

weather. You can have days that

are warm and sunny, very windy, or

rainy. You can use a spring breeze

to fly a kite or push your pinwheel.

Here are some ways that you can show

others what good sportsmanship is all about:

Be polite to everyone you’re playing with.

Don’t show off. Just play your best.

Tell your opponents “Good game!”

whether you’ve won or you’ve lost.

Learn the rules of the game.

Don’t make up excuses or blame

a teammate when you lose.

Be willing to sit out so other team

members can get in the game.

Play fair and don’t cheat.

Cheer for your teammates.

12345

678

BEING A GOOD SPORT

www.K e n t u c K y L i v i n g . c o m • A P R I L 2 0 1 0 77

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Of the hundreds of different species of Kentucky

birds, I’ve lately been fascinated by the flight

paths of a band of wildly determined feathered

folk.

They gather themselves, these starlings, although

they could be grackle cousins, or other members of

the blackbird family. Any way you look at it, they

tend to serious business.

They swirl around our front yard.

They swoop together in joyous abandon.

They soar up, then come diving back in, I suppose,

to taste again the insect targets. Then, as if to confuse

the community of worms, they rise once more in pat-

terns reminding me of the first lick of state fair cotton

candy, madness deliciously confected.

No, I do not for a minute wish I were a bird, neither

the starling nor the majestic bald eagle. But I do wish

to learn a few things whenever possible. It’s never too

late to check out untried home ports.

“Birds of a feather flock together” has been one of

the longstanding favorite sayings around

these parts, generally meant to convey an

uncomplimentary state of affairs.

Down with rampant individuality.

Watch out for those loner red-tailed

hawks. They’re definitely up to no

good. We need team players. There’s

a joker in every new pack of cards.

Watch out for the fly in the ointment.

Who said the camel was designed by

committee?

I turned to The Kentucky Encyclo-

pedia and read Burt L. Monroe Jr.’s

entry, which referred me to The Annotated

Checklist of the Birds of Kentucky. (There are other

helpful bird-watching sources, including Kentucky

Birds and The Complete Birder.)

My sympathy is with any bird driven by false

The View from plum lick

Bird-chirping weatherDaviD DicK

DaviD Dick , a retired news correspondent and University of

Kentucky professor emeritus, is a farmer and shepherd.

hope of safety or guaranteed success in numbers. I favor

bird in hand worth two in bush…insect in bill worth two

on fly…stitch in time saves nine…two to tango.

Mother Nature apparently has a different idea, and

who am I to think otherwise? Well, we were given

minds to think with, were we not? The point is: it

takes a courageous bird to test new flight patterns,

which could lead to new creative clusters. Sticking

with the old, the tried and true, just might lead a few

feathered friends down fatal garden paths.

Proposal: encourage originality; fear not differ-

ences of opinion; honor until-now untried problem

solving.

So cometh and goeth the month of April. (Remem-

ber, it was Jesse Stuart who said, “Hold April.”)

The songs of the poet laureates, past and present,

have emerged from wintry places with robin scouts

leading the way. The magnificent Kentucky cardi-

nal has warbled. The purple martin has returned. It’s

time to think of spring and festivals throughout the

Commonwealth.

Kentucky Living can help in locating new places to

visit. Why? To savor the richness of the land. To pro-

tect habitats of every sort. To remind both birds and

human creatures that there’s a place for everybody. kL

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