TOPS in Lexington Magazine, June 2015

20 JUNE 2015 | TOPSINLEX.COM

30 Out & About

32 TOPS In Lexington Preview Party

34 Fabby Abbey Ball

36 Talk Derby to Me

38 Purses Pouts & Pearls

40 Dancing with the Lexington Stars #1

42 Dancing with the Lexington Stars #2

44 Education Builds Hope Luncheon #1

46 Education Builds Hope Luncheon #2

180 Women Leading Kentucky Conference

182 Central Kentucky Heart Walk

184 YMCA 162nd Annual Celebration

186 Taste of the Bluegrass #1

188 Taste of the Bluegrass #2

190 Broadway Live Gala

218 TOP Shots

TOPS AROUND TOWN

Captions for event photos are typically provided to TOPS by the event organizers. We do our best to check names and spelling…but we are all human and make mistakes. Please contact [email protected] with any corrections and we will make note of it in the next issue.

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IN EVERY ISSUE

The views and comments expressed by the authors are not always that of our editors or publishers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, TOP Marketing Group accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences, including any loss or damage arising from the reliance on information in this publication.

All images contained in TOPS in Lexington Magazine are subject to copyright of the artist or photographer as named, but not limited thereto. Reproduction of any part of this magazine without prior written permission is prohibited.

50 Sports: UK Football 2015

53 Parties: Summer Shortcuts

55 Etiquette & Entertaining: Niceties or Nice Ties

140 Family: Accessories

141 Fashion: Flare Flair

142 Relationships: Growing (together) Pains

144 Gardening: The Future of Farming

145 Posh Paws: Pet Food Safety

177 Business News

196 Weddings: Bridal Separates

198 Lakeside Luxury at Palmers Fresh Grill

202 TOP 5 Dining: Brunch

205 Taste of Thyme: School’s Out for Summer!

206 Lesley’s List

209 Lex & the City

215 Save the Date

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OUT + ABOUT | SOCIE T Y

NAWBO Awards

Kitty and Meredith Lane

Lexington Philharmonic Luncheon and Fashion Show

Carl Meyers and Kathy Gentry

CM Gatton at the YMCA Rededication Event

Preakness Party at the Vinery

Etiquette & Entertaining

JUNE 2015 | TOPS MAGAZINE 55

A nicety is the subtle distinction of detail of etiquettes. In to-day’s terms, it is the difference between just ok and WOW!

Most people are well aware of the how’s and why’s of politeness. Adding nicety takes any detail to the next level. It can and should be applied to every detail of what you do, what you wear and how you act. Become aware of niceties.

When getting dressed, add a special contrasting belt. Would a sin-gle strand of pearls be enhanced with the addition of a link neck-lace? When brushing your hair into a ponytail, could you add a scarf or a tie or a barrette? Do men’s navy blazers become more distinctive with a colorful pocket square? When selecting a pair of shoes and a handbag of a different color, could the colors be more interesting with a patterned scarf tied to the handle? Could Grandmother’s diamond broach pinned to a strand of pearls add the just needed look of individuality? Try adding a black satin bow to black shoes to wear to a cocktail party. These are merely suggestions to add a nicety to the otherwise ordinary.

One of the subtleties of politeness is the nicety of giving a host-ess gift to the person who is entertaining you. Arriving at some-one’s home with a small wrapped gift shows gratitude. Never take a large ostentatious gift which would cause other guests to be embarrassed. Small gift ideas could be a cheese knife, appetizer spreaders, cocktail napkins, a box of notecards, guest towels or a candle. Flowers are always welcome, especially if they are al-ready potted or arranged in a vase. Cut flowers wrapped in paper are often difficult if the hostess must excuse herself from greeting guests to slip away to fix the flowers. A delivery of flowers the day before or the morning of the party is thoughtful as they can already be placed in a perfect location before any quests arrive. A special bottle of wine or spirits is another hostess gift often brought to a party. This is a better choice if one is aware of the preferences of the host and hostess. Any of these hostess gifts to say thank you will be able to “go the second mile” when the pre-

sentation is special. For example, tie a ribbon or even two ribbons around most anything, then add a posy or a sprig of herbs in the bow or knot.

Another opportunity for niceties is to do something for someone who is ill, recovering from surgery, has a new addition to the family, a death or just to add a cheerful thought. Flowers of all colors and varieties come to mind. With summer at its peak, flowers from

your own garden brought with a plate of cookies is always wel-comed. If your time is tight, your favorite florist can help by deliv-ering a selection in a timely fashion. Arriving at someone’s home with a prepared meal, a small flower and a book is such a helpful gesture. Make the drop-off simple by gathering all the gifts into a basket or colorful heavy duty gift bag. Containers that do not need to be returned are appreciated. Add any nicety to give a personal touch; such as a few flowers from your garden, brightly colored paper napkins, a small box of mints, a small notebook or box of cards with a pen.

Giving any special touch to someone is a nicety in the truest sense. This gift may even be given by an anonymous person. Such gifts stem from the 1400s. There were, and still are, silver cone shaped containers meant to be filled with fresh flowers and hung on someone’s front door. These silver containers have been called a Tussy Mussy. Today these are often used for bridal bouquets. The idea remains the same: to do something extra special for someone else—A Nicety!

by Sue Ann TruittEtiquette & Entertaining Consultant

Niceties or Nice TiesIs there a difference?


TOPS Cares

By Mary Ellen SlonePhotos by Kristin Tatem

Bennett LesterAn Angel in Our Midst

If you will—try to visualize this setting: it’s a recent Saturday afternoon in Lexington, and at the Lester home off Harrodsburg Road, two adorable little girls are gleefully playing together in the sun-lit family room of their home. Bennett, who is three, and her sister Juliet, who is 10 months. At first glance these sisters appear to share a similar hairstyle, but a closer look will allow you to recognize that Bennett’s closely cropped hair only partially covers the myriad of surgical scars on her head. At times, as Bennett runs, her balance isn’t perfect.

Bennett is one of fewer than 300 children worldwide who have been diagnosed with ETANTR, an extremely rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer, which manifests itself as a tumor and enlarges in the brain of children. To date, despite extensive ongoing research, there is no known cure.

Prior to the onslaught of this invasive disease, Bennett was a ‘sprightly’ young toddler who spoke in full sentences, was incredibly inquisitive, and perpetually happy. She has been surrounded by love, yet now, despite her ready smile, there’s an evident element of sadness beneath her exuberance. She has been the recipient of virtually every medical procedure that advanced science can currently provide; yet there is a residual tumor in her brain—and it is growing. In a few months of her three short years of life, this child has had to face one of the toughest treatment plans which includes multiple surgeries, the strongest level of chemotherapy that is available, two bone marrow transplants, long months in Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and/or Cincinnati’s

Ronald McDonald House; and a considerable amount of pain, coupled with the probable question that she must wonder, even at her young age—‘can you stop the hurt’?

Bennett two weeks before her brain surgery. Photo by Matt Malicote


TOPS Cares

Resultantly, there exists within the Lester family, and all across the nation, an ever-increasing number of individuals who pray daily for a miracle for Bennett and her family. Yet, the reality of the situation is this—God will someday take this beautiful little girl home reaffirming that there really is an angel-to-be in our midst, and that her name is Bennett Lester.

My recent meeting with the family, Katie Anne and Billy Lester and their beautiful daughters, provided significant insights into how the family has coped, noting that Bennett’s baby sister Juliet was born less than one month before Bennett’s condition was diagnosed.

Katie Anne has an insightful and incredibly moving blog on the internet: CaringBridge.org/visit/BennettLester. From that blog, this information was posted by her mommy:

“We welcomed our second daughter, Juliet, into the world on June 15, 2014. We were told that integrating a new baby into the family with a 2½ year old at home wouldn’t be easy, and our older daughter Bennett’s change in behavior certainly validated. Looking back, we thought she just wasn’t adjusting well to the new baby. Until July 6, 2014 Bennett had been the healthiest little girl; she had never even had an ear infection. On this Sunday she reached a new level of behavior and symptoms. Earlier in the week she was grumpy, she threw up twice, and she was very tired. Thursday she was better and we thought ‘we were out of the woods’. Friday, she was lethargic, but would have brief periods throughout the day when she was back to her normal self. That day, I noticed a couple of times that her left eye seemed a little inward set…then, when I would look at her again, her eyes were

normal. Saturday was much, much worse. I called Billy’s Dad, who is a physician, to come over and evaluate the situation. He suggested taking her to a different environment. My Mom and I decided to take her walking in a nearby park. I noticed immediately that her walk was unsteady. I tried to get her attention, and she was just staring. I snapped my fingers and then she was back. As my mom began to push Bennett on the swing, the ‘blank stare’ continued. We went to the ER immediately, during the trip the blank stares continued. By the time we got to the ER, she could barely open her eyes.

That’s how fast this all happened. The CT scan in the ER discovered a large brain tumor. We were rushed to the UK ER that night, and were scheduled for brain surgery the next Monday afternoon. Her tumor amassed about three fourth of the right hemisphere of her brain—saying it was large was an understatement—and at this point, we were close to losing her.

They removed 95% of the brain tumor, but couldn’t get the remaining 5% due to the location and the loss of blood. Her recovery from the surgery was painful. My vivacious two year-old-had staples covering half of her head, and she could barely function. The next five days were prayerful. Will she be able to move her hands? Her eyes? Can she sit up? Thankfully, after two weeks, she recovered enough for us to take her home.

Three weeks from the day of surgery, we finally had a diagnosis. UK sent its findings to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, who re-tested the sample. After finding it difficult to diagnose, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital forwarded the samples to St. Jude. The diagnosis: a high grade and very aggressive infant brain tumor called PNET, with the subset being ETANTR. While the initial mass resection was considered successful, the remaining 5% that was left was a BIG problem. After meeting with the doctors, we began praying for a miracle. Due to the rarity of the disease, there is not much research and clinical data on this specific subset of the tumor. In general, the median duration of survival after diagnosis is a year.


TOPS Cares

“Plan A was to attack the disease with all modern medicine had to offer with a goal of complete healing. However, that wasn’t in God’s plan for her or for us—so we have transitioned to ‘plan B’—showering Bennett with love and prayers here at home. No more needles, no more surgeries; just a lot of love.”

That decision has proven to be the right one in many ways. Recently Bennett and her parents returned from a fascinating trip to Disney World, thanks to the Lexington Dream Factory’s “Grant a Wish” outreach. According to Billy, “Although Bennett tired easily, it was a joy to be able to get our daughter ‘out in the sunshine’ and to watch her smile, listen to her ‘giggle’, and to react so positively to the experience.” He noted that ‘thanks to the VIP passes provided to the family, the trio was able to be ‘first in line’ anywhere in the park. The first ride that Bennett chose was the hugely popular/iconic Disney “It’s A Small, Small World”; she was mesmerized by the experience so much so that she didn’t want to go anywhere else! The family spent ‘a disproportionate amount of time’ on that ride until Billy finally convinced Bennett that there were, indeed, other things to see and ride.

According to her parents, to some degree it seems as if Bennett is actually getting better. The chemo is leaving her body, and she is regaining some normalcy. Her mom talks to her about Heaven, and meeting Jesus, but whether or not Bennett ‘gets it all’ is questionable. There are days when three separate bubble baths are in order—likely because there were so many months when the surgeries wouldn’t allow her to enjoy that little girl pleasure.

The ongoing acts of kindness from the Lester’s community are noteworthy: fully prepared dinners arrive on the front porch of the family’s home; photographers donate their time to capture precious moments and businesses like Two Chicks & Co. and The Beaufort Bonnet Company created special products for their customers bearing Bennett’s name.

From within and far beyond Central Kentucky, the family has received thousands of cards and letters. The overwhelming theme is a fervent prayer for healing to the One who loves Bennett the most and has shown up in so many ways. The Lester family recognizes that their strength and courage to face each day is derived from others’ persistent petitions on their behalf. They want TOPS readers to know they have felt His love through His people and are forever changed.

Katie Anne noted: “Every day is a gift; it was true before this happened, and only now do I fully realize it. We have to believe that this is not Bennett’s home, and that she will someday be going to a place where no fear, no pain, and no sadness exists. She will run as fast as Clifford the dog, and jump as high as the monkey Curious George. And the real hope at the end of all of this is that we get to see her again—at her heavenly best, THAT assurance is what will sustain us.”


Dining Al Fresco

Drake’s3347 Tates Creek Road | 859.335.6500 | DrakesComePlay.com

Whether for lunch, dinner or late night fun, Drake’s is Lexington’s favorite neighborhood joint with something for everyone. Drake’s calls itself a bar that loves food and a restaurant that loves beer. With a new burger of the month, new craft cocktails and rotating craft brews all summer long, there’s always something new to enjoy. Their website features weekly events and tap nights.

The walls of Drake’s are designed to open up to make the whole space an open-air spot. Giant Jenga, toss across, great music and flat screen TVs make Drake’s fun for every-one, all year long.

Harry’s American Bar & GrillPalomar - 3735 Palomar Centre Dr. | Hamburg - 1920 Pleasant Ridge Dr.

859.335.6500 | BluegrassHospitality.com

The Harry’s patio is a staple of Lex-ington dining, but the fun always ramps up in the summertime. With new craft cocktails and rotating craft brews all summer long, there’s plenty to enjoy at Harry’s! Try the Mini Hot Ham ‘n Brie Sandwiches, fresh Aqua sushi or the classic Har-ry’s Chopped Salad.

Great music and tons of flat screen TVs that broadcast all the sports games make the Harry’s atmo-sphere perfect for mingling. Ample seating and parking mean it’s easy to swing by—no reservations needed!


Dining Al Fresco

Old Chicago1924 Pavilion Way | 859.977.4640 | OldChicago.com

Old Chicago, located in Hamburg, is Lexington’s favorite lunch, dinner and late night destination! Open Monday through Saturday 11am-2am and Sun-day 11am-12am, Old Chicago serves up pizza, pasta, small plates, sand-wiches, salads and more, all alongside an extensive list of beers, wines and cocktails. Everyone should try the Old Chicago Thick Crust pizza!

The covered patio has six tables, per-fect for gathering with friends. Enjoy Old Chicago’s Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3pm-6pm and every day 10pm-close. For a truly spectacular night out, join them on Tuesday nights for Team Trivia, starting at 9pm!

Rincon Mexicano Restaurant & Cantina3901 Harrodsburg Rd. | 859.219.0181 | RinconMexicanoRestaurantKy.com

Rincon’s Harrodsburg Road loca-tion features a patio that’s perfect for sampling their half price house margaritas (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 5pm-10pm). An inti-mate covered patio section is great for conversation on sunny days while the open patio section of-fers umbrella shade to help keep things fun and cool. Their great Mexican fare, Mexican Gift Shop and everyday happy hour specials (3pm–6pm $2.99 House Mar-garitas, $5.99 Domestic Pitchers and $6.99 Import pitchers) make Rincon a wonderful spot for get-ting together with friends. Also try Rincon’s other location, located at 818 Euclid Ave.


Dining Al Fresco

Shakespeare and Co.1060 Chinoe Road | 859.303.5760 | Shakespeare-And-Co.com

Enter a world of lavish design and comfort with an international taste at Shakespeare and Co.’s newest loca-tion on Chinoe Road! This property hosts a beautifully renovated indoor-outdoor patio and bar that is full of greenery and covered by canopies and umbrellas, accommodating up to 100 guests comfortably with a variety of patio couches, chairs and bar top tables.

Guests can choose their fare from the regular menu or special “Bar Bites Menu” while enjoying Happy Hour from 3pm-7pm Monday through Fri-day with $1 off all cocktails. Be sure to discover Shakespeare and Co.’s Down-town location on West Short Street.

bd’s Mongolian Grill2309 Sir Barton Way | 859.264.0686 | GoMongo.com

bd’s Mongollian Grill delivers a unique, interactive dining experience to guests of all ages. Their “Stir it Up” philosophy ensures that everyone in your party will be pleased. Guests can choose their own ingredients from a huge variety of veg-etables, meats, seafood and spices.

During the summer, that experience is amplified with their large and vibrant patio. Guests can enjoy cocktails, ap-petizers, and live music every Tuesday and Thursday night from 7-10pm. bd’s is always serving up some killer cocktails, like the Berry Mint Sangria. Domestic beers are just $2 and premium drafts and bottles are only $3.

Make sure to add the patio at bd Mon-gollian Grill to your summer bucket list!


Dining Al Fresco

City Barbeque2187 Harrodsburg Road, 859.605.9113 | 3292 Richmond Rd,, 859.317.4430 | CityBBQ.com

City Barbeque is a casual, come as you are joint. Their national award winning meats are smoked on-site with love and attention. Tasty scratch made sides are a perfect complement to their signature barbeque.

Their patios make the perfect spot to stop and enjoy delicious barbeque without the wait. The wooden picnic tables are one of the few places to sit outside and eat in the area.

With catering, curbside pick-up and online ordering, City Barbeque makes a great choice for the company picnic, grabbing the office lunch or a quick, satisfying after work dinner with the family.

Mi Pequeña Hacienda3501 Lansdowne Drive, 859.245.4679 | 110 Cynthia Drive Nicholasville 859.309.3840

MiPequenaHacienda.com

Lexington’s fun, festive, casual neighbor-hood Mexican restaurant has recently renovated their patio, and they’re invit-ing everyone to come see! Known for its relaxed dining experience with a great family atmosphere, the Mi Pequeña Ha-cienda patio at the Lansdowne Drive location offers guests more to love with ample outdoor seating to enjoy all sea-son long! Enjoy 2 for 1 margaritas on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays!

Mi Pequeña Hacienda’s patio is perfect for gathering with amigos or stopping in for a casual lunch during the workday. Be sure to visit them at their Brannon Crossing location for a totally different patio experience!


Dining Al Fresco

Palmers Fresh Grill161 Lexington Green Circle | 859.273.0103 | PalmersFreshGrill.com

Escape to Palmers Fresh Grill patio! Located at The Mall at Lexington Green, the Palmers patio is situated facing the water, making it a getaway for the senses. Open daily for lunch at 11am, Palmers also features Social Hours every day 4:00-6:30pm. Their live music and beautiful scenery make the patio a can’t-miss dining experi-ence!

Palmers serves only USDA Choice or higher steaks and chops. They hand-cut their fresh steak and fish, and their scrumptious desserts are cooked in their kitchen daily. With small plates, handcrafted cocktails, wines, wells, craft and domestic bottles all under $6, Palmers is a perfect spot to mingle!

Proud Mary Honky Tonk BBQ9079 Old Richmond Road | 859.913.5611 | ProudMaryBBQ.com

As the only family-friendly live music venue and restaurant on the water in the area, Proud Mary boasts plenty of fun alongside “Honky Tonk BBQ” just off I-75 on exit 99. Their menu features barbeque with Cajun flavors and flares. Enjoy all of that with live music Wednesday-Sunday eve-nings.

Located on the banks of the Kentucky River, Proud Mary has three patio options for guests to enjoy: one up top, one on the side and one over the river. Each fea-tures seating with umbrellas for shade. Enjoy their outdoor bar or order up some catering!


Dining Al Fresco

Coba Cocina2041 Richmond Road | 859.523.8484 |CobaCocina.com

Located just minutes from Downtown, Coba Cocina invites guests to explore Latin contemporary cuisine at its finest. Coba’s Pork Belly Tacos, Agave-Glazed Salmon and Mushroom Enchiladas created by Executive Chef Jonathan Lundy will delight the senses. Cobar Cantina offers signature cocktails and live music, while Cocoh! Confectioner offers satisfaction for every sweet tooth.

The beautiful interior of Coba certain-ly wows, but their patio offers a differ-ent dining experience altogether. With open-air seating starting at 11am every day, Coba’s patio is perfect for enjoying the outdoors during lunch or sipping cocktails as the sun sets.

Azur Restaurant & Patio3070 Lakecrest Circle #550 | 859.296.1007 | AzurRestaurant.com

Located in Beaumont, Azur offers cov-ered and open air dining on its multi-level patio. Enjoy their full menu; piz-za oven and outdoor bar all summer long! Azur features a changing menu of regional and local specialties, with many ingredients from the Bluegrass Farmer’s Market. Enjoy Brunch on the Patio every Sunday, or join them for Sunday Night Suppers, served family style with fresh vegetables and Azur’s famous bourbon fried chicken. They can accommodate small and large parties for luncheons or dinners; they also offer special events through-out the summer. Visit The Bluegrass Farmer’s Market at Azur on Saturdays and Thursdays!


Derby 141 Fashion

Normally when I report to Churchill, we are ushered in a side entrance to access the pink carpet where I search for my photographer and reserved press space. For the first time in almost a decade, I entered through the main gate. In all the years reporting from the track, I had forgotten how impressive this iconic horse racing arena is. Churchill Downs truly rises to greet you with nobility alongside tradition that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Not just by its legacy or sheer mass, but more so by the draw it has for all ages. I was more so impressed that all classes of ticket holders displayed their Sunday best! While waiting in line, I was befriended by a group of fashionable fillies after performing a public service of informing one of them that she had neglected to remove the tag from her Badgley Mishka cocktail dress. The following twelve minutes, my new besties and I chatted about derby, shoes, and what they were wearing! After mentioning they were attending the infield, I had an overwhelming sense of admiration as all of these ladies wore very fashionable high heels. At that moment I knew I was not only in the company of fellow shoe addicts, but style troopers about to invade the infield with terrific fashion savvy.

Oaks Day honors the fighters and survivors as well as remembers those who found peace in the battle against breast cancer. In an over-whelming tribute to not only the venue, but the volume of people in attendance, was an explosion of any and every shade of pink imagin-able. Ladies seemed to find a level of comfort from the warm weather by wearing laser cut and lace panel dresses. There was no dominating trend in dress style or length, but the masses clearly got the reinvention memo by making a unique trend using their hairstyle as millinery. Up-dos and braids were adorned with anything from feathers to crystals. Not only is this creative, but as one feathered head stated, “It’s the best way to transition your hair style from the day to night events without the dreaded HAT HAIR.” Guys wore their usual light suits or separates with pink neckwear, pocket squares, and even socks to achieve their POC. Holding their usual rank, Vineyard Vines reined as most popular neckwear.

Around the first bend (for those of you still following the racing analogies) was the stable of Derby parties starting with the Barnstable Brown Gala. This event remained loyal to its usual flavor and style. After given the recent title by Conde Nast, clearly they are doing some-thing right. Guy Ferreri is my usual offender in having a uniform opposed to a style, as he wore the same cowboy style button down shirt from Derby 138 through 140; black with white flames shooting down the shoulders…clearly far from black tie! This year, guest Johnny Weir did his infamous gender bent style; I would best describe it as a dash of Mark Twain stuffed into more than form fitting capris and polished off with a purse he kept clutched Queen Elizabeth style (just like the queen; I wonder and speculate on its contents).

Racing out of the bend, starting the second stretch placed me at what was rumored to rival all Derby parties…the Hermitage Grand Gala! While I do not believe philanthropy is intended to be competitive, I can say this event was worthy of the hype. Case in point, the most interesting fashion was not even the garments; it was the paint! Staff of the event were painted in jockey silks and riding jodhpurs. In my opinion, the trend in body painting has been waning for a number of years; however, it seemed to wow even the most calloused party goer. Laser light shows covered what felt like acres of tents filled to capacity. Local guests included everyone from coach John Calipari in his two button suit and tie combo to Derby veteran celebrity couple Nick & Vanessa Lachey. Nick looked dapper in a traditional tux with a modern skinny tie; Vanessa was wrapped in red lace to the floor, resembling the winning garland of roses. I have a strong feeling this event is the beginning of a tradition.



Derby 141 Fashion

The annual Unbridled Eve had us rid-ing the inside of the rail around the fi-nal bend with our final stretch in view. As always, this event rolled out a red carpet comparable in length to the Os-cars. Event spaces where transformed into different fantasy status environ-ments. The allure of all these unique spaces kept the crowd in constant circulation. Attendees’ attire varied from effortlessly elegant displayed by Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, to complete confusion with the grandma doily dress and the now tired larger than life hair bow popularized by Lady Gaga that actress Majandra Delfino was covered in.

Derby Day was met with sunshine. Churchill Downs and surrounding blocks in all directions reminded me of an ant farm with so many people marching like worker ants to the iconic twin spires. The most surprising fash-ion statement was that traditional madras and seersucker patterns were barely present. Men played with bold colors and traded in their usual acces-sories of cigars and mint juleps for the trendy colored shoe laces and fantastic fedoras. The women had all but aban-doned the usual wide brim elaborate hat, embracing the fascinator frenzy so tightly that most of them were sculp-tural and extreme.

Just as the ponies lapped around for a cool down, I charged to the nearest exit. On this mad dash, I kept an ear to the sky for an official confirmation of placement. This brought to mind what a gift it has been having the op-portunity to compete in this race of fashion and style. I think, just as I as-sume the horses and jockeys would, I may not have won or placed, but I was shown that this historic happening has no plans of becoming a repetitious antique. This bluegrass tradition and internationally famous sporting event will continue to evolve and will always celebrate Kentucky’s love for mint Ju-leps, horse racing, and of course any good reason to party!


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Inspired by highly talent laden and competitive � elds, this years Kentucky Oaks and Derby was doubly blessed with picture perfect weather that drew record crowds beneath the historic Twin Spires on both days. To say “the sun shined bright on my Old Kentucky Home” was an understatement. It was complimented by a so� breeze that blended whi� ed cigar smoke and the sweet smell of Mint Juleps throughout the grandstand that drew throngs of beau-tiful belles in their best Bluegrass dress and hopeful handicappers set to make the score of a lifetime.On Friday’s Oaks Day there were 123,763 revelers on hand, best-ing the 2010 mark of 116,046. � ey reached in their pockets and pulled out some greens totaling $12 million and wagering on the Oaks itself was a record $3.1 million. � e Kentucky Derby grew o� that momentum with a new on-track a� endance of 170,513 eclips-ing the 2012 crowd by over � ve thousand. On track, they wagered a record $12 million on the Derby itself, but enjoyed a 7% increase on all-sources Derby handle of $137.9 million.

� e days leading up to the � rst weekend in May were near perfect for the horses pu� ing in their � nal workouts and daily gallops on the main track at Churchill Downs. A� er the special time reserved each morning for runners in the Oaks and Derby, throngs of media were magnetically drawn to the barn of three-time Derby winner Bob Ba� ert who appeared to hold the strongest hand going into the race with the two pre-race favorites. With cameras whirring

and television crews jostling for position, the towering undefeated colt Dortmund struck statuesque poses while being bathed. Amer-ican Pharoah, winner of four consecutive graded stakes, was a li� le more on the muscle in front of the surrounding crowd as he gave his handlers a bit of a � ght. He was an imposing, well muscled � g-ure nonetheless.

Ba� ert would obligingly hold court with the press corps a� er the morning work was done. � e most obvious question that was asked was, “Which one do you like be� er?” His answer was dip-lomatic and simple: “Aw come on–that’s like asking me which one of my kids do I like best.” Diplomacy had to play its part, as the white-haired conditioner trained these top two colts for di� erent owners. While both horses had each amassed over $1 million, Baf-fert laid out a masterful schedule where they would not face each other until the � rst Saturday in May.

A� er two late scratches, eighteen horses loaded into the starting gate, shortly a� er the traditional song “My Old Kentucky Home” resonated through the record-se� ing crowd. As the latch was sprung Dortmund and his west coast nemesis Firing Line cleared the � eld with American Pharoah just to their outside in third. With Dortmund maintaining a slight lead, the top three held their po-sition that way for the � rst mile of the 1 ¼ mile race. � ey had done so with relatively easy fractions on the front, which ultimately would spell disaster for the late runners in the bulky � eld.

Kentucky Oaks and Derby Recap:RECORDS FALL AS BAFFERT WALKS LIKE AN EGYPTIAN IN THE DERBY

AND IN THE OAKS YOU HAD TO KEEP UP WITH THE JONES’by John C. Engelhardt

JUNE 2015 | TOPSINLEX.COM 131

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� e crowd went wild as a three-horse ensued to the wire. Firing Line and Gary Stevens � nally edged in front of Dortmund, who dug back gamely. Swinging wide on the � nal turn, American Pharoah was roused vigorously by Victor Espinosa and those three were on even terms with a sixteenth of a mile le� to run. In the � nal yards it would be American Pharoah pulling away from Firing Line who was two lengths clear of a game Dortmund. � e � nal time was 2:03.02. American Pharoah became the third consecutive favorite to win the Kentucky Derby followed by wins by California Chrome and Orb.

Bob Ba� ert has now secured four Derby wins. His three previous win-ners – Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998 an War Emblem in 2002 all went on to win the Preak-ness Stakes. Ba� ert is just the fourth trainer to win four Kentucky Der-bies. � is was the third Kentucky Derby win for Victor Espinoza. He captured last year’s Run for the Ros-es on California Chrome and won the 2002 edition on War Emblem, both who went on to win the Preak-ness Stakes. He is the 10th rider to achieve at least three Derby wins.

As the connections packed the Churchill Downs winner’s circle, perhaps no one beamed brighter and more enthusiastically than owner and breeder Ahmed Zayat – and rightfully so. Since 2009 his horses had run second in the Kentucky Derby and American Pharoah rewarded him with the sweetest of redemptions.

� e previous day’s Kentucky Oaks was not without its share of emotion. In April 2014 trainer Larry Jones was thrown from a frac-tious 2-year-old and su� ered a severe head injury that put him in a coma for two days. “To make a story short, I quit breathing in the MRI, so they had to resuscitate me and wait 24 hours to do the sur-gery. But, when they went back in to do the MRI, all the bleeding had quit and had gone away,” recalled the deeply religious trainer. “Great things happen on Easter. � e doctors were in awe.” E� ect of the fall lingered for a while but against doctor’s wishes, he was back to riding a pony.

While favored west coast invader Stellar Wind arrived to Churchill late and galloped in the early morning darkness, Jones could be seen on his pony in the sun shortly a� er the renovation break with his two Oaks contenders. I’m a Cha� erbox swept the Fair Ground

series for � llies that has been a successful route to the Oaks win-ner’s circle in recent years and Jones decided to separate the stable-mates for their � nal prep and he shipped Lovely Maria to Keenel-and to capture the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes.

As a man of strong beliefs, Jones believes that you should stick with those who helped with your suc-cess. 56-year-old Kerwin “Boo Boo” Clark had never won a Grade 1 race until the Ashland aboard Lovely Ma-ria and he would get his chance for a second on May 1. A stellar � eld of fourteen faced the 1 1/8 mile test of the Kentucky Oaks and as he had in the Ashland he was content to sit just o� the early pacese� ers. When An-gela Renee took over the lead from Condo Commando it turned into a repeat of the Ashland with Lovely Maria acceleration past that � lly to win by 2 ½ lengths over Shook Up who was a length be� er than a fast closing I’m a Cha� erbox.

Lovely Maria is owned by former Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones, who also had eighth-placed � nisher Included Be� y in the race. It was the third Kentucky Oaks for both Brere-ton and Larry Jones. � ey teamed to win it with Proud Spell in 2008 and Believe You Can. A tearful Kerwin

Clark made his way back to the winner’s enclosure. A� er the cel-ebration Clark embraced the moment and re� ected on his past. “I mean I’ve been doing this for 40 years. And if you would get lucky and � nd a good horse, most owners would come to the big dance and want to switch riders,” stated Clark, still � lled with emotion. “But I got lucky and I got blessed to be connected with Larry Jones and Brereton Jones. � ey just kind of grabbed me by the collar and said, ‘Here look what I got for you. Go do something.’ So. I mean, I am just blessed to be here with some great people. Like Larry said, it is just a blessing all around. Couldn’t be happier.”

John C. Engelhardt has been an equine photographer and turf writer for 30 years and served as the President of the Turf Publicists of America. He hosts a weekly radio show on winningponies.com. For reprints of his images or future assignments you may contact him at [email protected]


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The Great American Fitness Challenge: Sat-urday, June 13

� e Great American Fitness Challenge is coming to the Horse Park and bringing excitement for the entire family. With 15 years of � tness experience and events across the nation, a� racts � tness enthusiasts of every level. Located next to the Horse Park’s Stee-plechase Course, the 5K Fun Run and the 15K Race take runners through the rolling hills and stunning backdrops of the Park. � e Open Steeplechase Experience channels inner equestrian skills with participants going through 3 miles and 7 exercise stations and tackling jumps that are usually reserved for the horses. It is open to all � tness levels. Meanwhile, the Elite Steeplechase Expe-rience is the ultimate test of skill and � nesse. � ere will also be a Fitness Expo and the event is also a great opportunity to volun-teer! Go to ga� tnesschallenge.com to see what might be the right � t for you.

KY Horse Park Run Club

Speaking of � tness, a new and FREE activity is beginning this June! � e Kentucky Horse Park Run/Walk Club will meet every Monday from June 1- September 28 between 5-8pm. Run or walk the pre-mapped out routes at a pace comfortable for you. Road bike enthusiasts are also welcome to join the Bluegrass Cycling

Club who will make their way around the cities of Lexington and Georgetown. It all begins at the Kentucky Horse Park Visi-tor Center, which will also feature local cra� beers, food trucks, information tables and horse meet-and-greets.

June 1 will have food trucks Sweet Lily and the Snack Shack. June 8 will host the great John’s Run/Walk Shop, along with Honnah Lee Bubble Tea and Bradford BBQ food trucks. And get that pup of yours something too with the Bluegrass Barkery truck, here every week! For more information, please contact Candace Rose at 859-259-4267.

Lexington Rodeo: Friday, June 19 – Saturday, June 20

From bull, saddlebronc and bareback riding (known as rough stock) to timed events like steer wrestling, barrel racing and rop-ing events, the Lexington Rodeo is as much about variety as it is about being a highly competitive, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)-sanctioned ProRodeo event. � e Alltech Arena is � lled with the energy and excitement of competitive tests of strength and skill.

Put on each year by the Rotary Club of Lexington (which is cel-ebrating it’s 90th anniversary this year), the Lexington Rodeo has grown to include a 5K for runners of all ages and abilities as well


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as a one-mile “fun run” while children’s events include mu� on busting and a calf scramble. For additional information, includ-ing the event schedule and tickets, visit lexingtonrodeo.com.

Silverama Arabian Horse Show and Regional Championships: Wednesday, June 24 – Sunday, June 28

� is annual event is hosted by the Arabian Horse Association’s 14th Region, which includes Kentucky, Ohio and West Virgin-ia. It is the only event of its kind in this region, celebrating the beauty and versatility of Arabian and half-Arabian horses – and showcasing the very best Kentucky horse country has to o� er! Competition is found throughout a broad array of classes with virtually all disciplines represented.

� e Bill & Be� y Zekan Memorial Youth Show (celebrating it’s 20th anniversary in 2015) o� ers an impressive variety of youth classes. Be sure to stop in to check out the new Arabian Horse Galleries at the nearby U.S. Equestrian Federation’s headquar-ters. More information can be found at aha14.com/silverama.

St. Rita Charity Cup: Saturday, June 27

Ready for some polo action? Join Lexington Polo Club for an af-

ternoon of chukkers, mallets and fast horses. Bene� � ing the St. Rita Comprehensive Communication Resources that provides education resources for children that have language development impairments, this Charity Cup is one to bring the family out for. With a high-intensity and fast-paced action out on the � eld, spec-tators can enjoy the sights just right o� the � eld and even have their own tailgate. Make it an a� ernoon to remember!

35th Annual Egyptian Event: Stallions, King of the Nile Tuesday, June 2 – Saturday, June 6

Born of the desert wind and racing across the sands of time, the Egyptian Arabian is celebrated by the Pyramid Society’s annual event, the world’s largest showcase dedicated to the Egyptian Arabians. � is special event o� ers world-class halter and perfor-mance competition while o� ering a sweeping diversity of specta-tor events and activities.

From expert-led seminars, unparalleled shopping and na-tive costume demonstrations to all-ages activities, the oppor-tunity to meet the competitors and a gala that includes din-ner, dancing and fundraising auctions among much, much more. It is an event unlike any other – to learn more, visit pyramidsociety.org/egyptian-event

JUNE 2015 | TOPSINLEX.COM 137

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Filly ofthe Month:MeganTurlington

Megan Carmichael Turlington grew up in Nashville, and although she lived the life of a city girl, her heart belonged on a horse farm in the country. She has an innate love for horses and started riding at age six. “I loved being out at the barn and with horses so much that sometimes I would hide from my mother when she came to pick me up,” she said.

Before long, she was a show jumper. “� ere is no greater high in life than jumping,” she said. “It’s completely exhila-rating, relying on yourself and the animal to take you over the fence.”

When Turlington moved to Lexington in 2003, her � rst job was as an ICU technician at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. “It was much more of an experience than I could appreciate,” she said. “� at place is incredible.” Her next job was at Hagyard Medical Institute, where she was an as-sistant to an ambulatory veterinarian, and then she worked at Woodford Animal Hospital as a receptionist, technician and later in a position in the billing department.

She doesn’t ride as much as she used to, but she still con-siders “any moment in the barn or in the � eld with horses is where I � nd the most joy in life.”

In January 2014 Turlington took the position of manag-er at Carl Meyers, an upscale clothing boutique on Clay Avenue with the same name as the store’s owner. “He’s a wonderful boss,” she said. “He used to make custom riding apparel for the Saddlebred riders.”

Carrying European lines of clothing from sportswear to cocktail a� ire and evening gowns, the Carl Meyers store is known for one-on-one a� ention. “His customers are

By Kathie Stamps

(photos by Keni Parks)


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wonderful,” Turlington said. ”I’ve enjoyed ge� ing to know all of them.” � ere are plenty of horsey occasions for a custom-length dress or special-order top and trousers from the boutique, what with the Derby and the racing meets at Keeneland, as well as year-round charity galas galore.

Turlington has a strong devotion to philanthropy. “Giving back to others is a core value I learned from my parents growing up,” she said. In 2013 she helped develop and organize the Cinderella’s Closet of the Bluegrass chapter here in Lexington. In addition to serving high school students in Lexington and surround-ing counties, a bus of 40 girls came in from Eastern Ken-tucky that � rst year.

“Each chapter provides prom gowns, shoes and accessories to girls who could not oth-erwise a� ord it,” Turlington said. Participants are referred to the program by a church or school counselor, and the two-day event takes place at a local church in March. Most of the prom dresses and ac-cessories are donated (hint hint: if you have a dress to donate to this group, look up CinderellasClosetBG on Facebook!)

“� e girls come and get reg-istered, and they have all the time in the world they want to try on gowns,” Turling-ton said. “We have shoes, handbags, jewelry, the dress, and we can make minor al-terations on site.” Cinder-ella’s Closet of the Bluegrass provides each teenager with a goody bag and, other than hair and makeup, they are dressed for prom.

Turlington has also shared of her time and talents as a volunteer child advocate with CASA of Lexington. “I was studying psychol-ogy at school,” she said. “I love kids and I love to help my com-munity.”

CASA stands for Court-Appointed Special Advocates. � e orga-nization helps abused and neglected children who have been re-moved from their homes, by advocating for the child and going to court on his or her behalf. “You’re not legally involved, but you’re

there to give a voice to the child, not the lawyer, mother, father, or psychologist,” Turlington said. “I’d like to take on another case at some point. It’s eye opening. Not everybody gets great parents. It’s sad that not everybody gets that. It gives you hope that maybe you helped out a li� le along the way.”

Turlington is grateful for her close-knit family growing up in Ten-nessee, and the time she gets to spend now with her husband and 9-year-old stepson. Plus their two dogs, a cat and � ve riding horses (three Quarter Horses and two o� -the-track � orough-

breds). � e Turlingtons live at Stoney Lane Farm, in Fay-e� e County near Keeneland. Her husband, Stuart Turling-ton, is co-owner and operator of the farm.

� rough hard work and de-termination, she is living her lifelong dream of living on a horse farm. “When I wake up in the morning I hear horses,” she said. “When I look out the window they’re there.”

Megan and Stuart met at an event at the Kentucky Horse Park. “It was truly love at � rst sight for both of us,” she said. Early in their courtship they found out they had a lot in common and they spent time at Keeneland going to the sales and the races. “As I did, he grew up riding and engag-ing in many di� erent � elds of the equestrian world,” she said. “Our love for horses brought us close together and continues to be our pride and joy to this day.”

In May 2014 Megan Carmi-chael and Stuart Turlington got married at Keene Place. � e historic home was built

in 1805 and became part of the Keeneland property in the early 2000s; it was renovated by 2009. Epitomizing a Southern home with its beautiful décor and manicured lawns, Turlington said it was the perfect location for their smallish wedding.

“My husband has made all of my dreams come true,” she said. “Together, living and working on a beautiful farm here in the heart of the Bluegrass, is all we both could ever hope for. We are truly blessed to get to do what we love and love what we do.”

Fashion


by Beth ParkerFashion Blogger/Stylist

seersuckerandsaddles.blogspot.com

Sure, ‘tis the season for skirts, dresses, and shorts, but there’s one other article of clothing we may not think to snag this season…but you must. You simply must. The Flare Jean. She’s been around for decades, but she’s back and I must say, she is better than ever!

Coming in all sorts of washes and rises, the flare jean is one that doesn’t disappoint. Talk about a flattering fit! These suckers will elongate your stems more than you ever thought imaginable. I challenge you to give them a go because I know at first glance, you may not think to try them—but trust me, you should, gang.

Aside from elongating the leg, they also slenderize your waist. Because the bottoms widen, it makes your waist appear smaller than what it actually may be. How is this not a win-win?

Also, I highly encourage you to try out a few different washes and rises. High is a bit tricky, but if you’re boy shaped—go for it! I absolutely love a dark wash in the flares but also, love the distressed option, too.

Again, I know our first thought is to toss on a little sundress in these warmer months, but with all of the fun off the shoulder and swing tops, the Flares are the perfect complement for a summer night out! Be sure to give them a go…you’ll be super glad you did!

photos by Kristin Tatem

Flare Flair

Gardening


by Michelle RauchGardening Enthusiast

The Future of Farming

The future of farming is so bright I gotta wear shades. Sorry, I could not resist the reference to the 1986 song from Timbuk3.

A cheesy reference aside, the forecast is promising for farming from the backyard gardener to large-scale producers. The issue was the topic of discussion last month at Locust Trace Agriscience Farm. Alltech, an organization at the forefront in regional and global ag-riculture research, hosted the discussion. Panelists included Delia Scott, University of Kentucky County Extension Agent for Horti-culture, Ryan Koch from Seedleaf, Chelsea Jacobson from Alltech, and Callaway Stivers, a Locust Trace high school student.

Before looking ahead, the panel gave a snapshot of what is happen-ing now. Cattle and horses remain the primary agriculture industry in Fayette County. The average farm for fruit and vegetable growers is ten acres. Growth is everywhere you look. The biggest growth is within smaller niche growers. Herbs are among the most popular right now in this group. “We are growing gardeners,” said Seed-leaf founder and director, Ryan Koch. During the last eight years, Seedleaf has grown from one community garden to sixteen gardens and includes a composting program that picks up waste from local restaurants, gardening classes, cooking classes for kids, and urban chicken keeping. They are addressing the needs of people who face barriers to fresh produce. “I cannot change what happens around the globe, but I can affect it locally,” Koch says.

Panelist Callaway Stivers is an example of what can happen when young children are exposed to homegrown fruits and vegetables. Stivers started growing vegetables in his backyard to sell to neigh-bors when he was in elementary school. The demand for his home-grown produce has allowed him to expand. Today, Stivers and his

brother grow fruits and vegetables on their grandfather’s farm and sell them at the Lexington’s Farmers Market. While he is part of a movement now to grow and eat locally, Stivers worries about the threat of industrialization. “I hope the small town farmers can hang on,” he said.

As efforts are made daily to nurture gardening and farming one per-son at a time, researchers at Alltech are studying crop science, con-stantly examining how crops grow and how to live off the land in a sustainable way. I’ll be honest, when Mrs. Jacobson started talking-about the soil sets, integrated pest management and getting down to the very basics of microorganisms, I was a little overwhelmed. Science class never was my forte, but I was able to sort through the science to be able to tell you, they are doing some pretty amazing things at Alltech to promote a productive and healthier future in farming.

Gardening and farming in many ways is taking a nod from the past as much as it is looking to the future as Delia Scott from the Ag Extension of-fice pointed out. She said it has come full circle from the World War II era of victory gardening. “It’s exciting. I hope it sustains,” she said. I asked the panel to sum up the future in the simplest way. Their responses: The future of farming is about backyard growers and small-scale market growers. It’s deli-cious and delightful.


Tour of Homes


Tour of Homes



Tour of Homes

Clearly, Vickie is full f good ideas to save time, space and maintenance so her clients can rela and enjoy their homes. One more example is the side panel of the kitchen island. “Usually, this is just a dummy panel, to create leg space,” said Vickie. “But there is no reason to lose valuable storage space, so I created a shallow cabinet for cookbooks and other small items.”C


Tour of Homes

Whe master bedroom is painted a soothing shade of taupe, with custom bedding and

drapery selected by Holly Hanna. This was one of Holly’s favorite rooms to work with Vickie on. The recessed ceiling is painted a contrasting dark gray, which beautifully sets off the Brecher’s chandelier. Twin glossy black end tables adorned with sleek sil-ver lamps complete the look.

The closet is truly a girl’s dream come true, with plenty of custom-built shoe and bag storage, anoth-er chandelier and a full length tri-mirror for perfect views at any angle. It is connected to the laundry room, which features more custom cabinetry and a clothing bar for hanging delicates.Off the laundry room and master closet area is a mudroom, where Jim can come in straight from the garage. “Some-times he’s behind a desk all day, and sometimes he comes home covered in grease, so this is another way to keep the house clean and save time.” Plac-ing the laundry room close to the master closet is a great idea, but at the same time, it’s not too close to the bedroom so that the noise disturbs.

A lot of women appreciate having a place to hang their good blouses.“ ”


Tour of Homes

The master bath features an open shower with two entry points. This is another one

of Vickie’s maintenance tricks. Having no shower doors means you never have to clean them. When people ask if an open shower is cold, she explains that taking the shower all the way up to the ceiling and creating angled walls holds the heat in. Again, the use of tile over natural stone makes for easy cleaning.


WOW WeddingThe bride and groom kicked off the party with a first dance to a mix created by PartyZone Productions that included Michael Jackson, The Doors, Prince and Justin Timberlake. During the father-daughter dance, Stephanie discovered her dad had some serious moves, including spins, twists and more. The couple then shared a dance with Jason’s children to kick off a special Parents’ Dance, followed by a solo number from one of the bride’s childhood friends that had everyone entertained, especially when her husband jumped in.

Dinner was an Italian-style buffet with Angus prime rib, chicken picatta, angel hair pasta, along with an assortment of salads and vegetables. The bride designed the wedding cake, a three-tier cake with champagne colored ribbons and blush pink roses on a fondant petal base layer. The flavors were white cake with hazelnut, Italian cream, and red velvet with buttercream.

Looking back, the couple cherished the time bonding with family and friends during both the planning process and the wedding. Since many of the guests were from out of state, the couple felt grateful to have so many of their friends and family in one place. The time spent talking, dancing, and laughing served as the perfect ending to a fairy-tale day. •

Weddings


Choosing a wedding dress is a big deal, and sometimes a bride just can’t find exactly what she has in mind; what will work with her

ceremony, what works with her shape. Maybe everything she has seen out there just isn’t…quite right.

Because today’s weddings aren’t just the church and reception hall fetes they used to be, there is now more whimsy and creativity thrown into the mix. Sometimes the wedding ceremony itself might be quite formal, while the reception is more fun and frivolous. This opens the

door for a different kind of wedding gown look, or one that can be changed up as the wedding event progresses. Wedding gown separates have entered the scene, allowing you to put together the look you want, and even take apart your look as the day or evening moves on.

Piece TogeTher Your Wedding daY Look

Wedding designers have seized upon the separates idea and offer ready-made wedding gown components that allow

you to put together a look that is all you. or you can take these pieces and add a few of your own. Start with a foundation that fits your style and shape, and build from there. options range from a short foundation dress with a sheer overskirt, to a sweetheart gown with a full ball gown style tulle skirt, to a simple sheath and an amazing bodice piece…the options are virtually endless, and your look can be truly one of a kind.

an oPPorTuniTY To incorPoraTe VinTage or heirLooM PieceS

Let’s say you have sourced an amazing vintage top that screams wedding, or you have a bodice to a family wedding dress. These pieces can be worked in with other wedding separates. Pairing that vintage top with a perfectly hued tulle skirt or basic strapless wedding dress can equal the most unique and truly perfect custom ensemble.

Be carefuL

Make sure your look is cohesive. involve a professional and choose wisely. The last thing you want is to look like your gown is a hodge-podge. But choosing well-designed components can be very smart—and can also be very budget savvy. We will be talking about the different pieces you can work with in the next few issues, and walk you through it “piece by piece”.

by Marsha KollerWedding Consultant

Bridal SeparatesA New Take on Wedding Day Dressing

Dining


Located in the Lexington Green shopping center, the ambiance in Palmers Fresh Grill strikes a balance between upscale and warm and wel-coming. Of course there are the more observable characteristics—the lakeside patio, the well-designed interior featuring private high backed

booths, finished in plush white leather, matching sheer drapery that catches the soft glow of rustic chandeliers overhead. Not to mention, locally inspired touches such as modern equestrian photography. But as General Manager Scott Hawkins can attest to, there is something about Palmers that you can’t find anywhere else in Lexington.

“Palmers was created to be an environment as well as a restaurant,” Scott explained. “We are known for our seafood, but that’s only about fifty per-cent of our menu, with the rest being hand cut steaks, chops, and pasta dishes.” As General Manager, Scott oversees both the front and back of the house. Palmers’ Culinary Manager, Oscar Santillan, spent the better part of a decade cooking in an upscale seafood restaurant.

Rather than emphasizing a certain type of cuisine, Palmers’ focus is on the freshest ingredients they can find, prepared for maximum flavor, using techniques like pan searing, slow roasting, and wood fire grilling. Everything on the menu is made from scratch, with many locally sourced ingredi-ents. For example, gnocchi from Lexington Pasta is paired with basil pesto cream, sundried tomato, and shaved parmesan cheese; diners can choose from jerk chicken, sautéed shrimp or scallops to complete the dish. All draft beers are locally sourced as well.

By Michelle AielloPhotography by Keni Parks

Lakeside Luxury at Palmers Fresh Grill

Combining a serene environment with top quality food, a well-Curated wine list & inventive CoCktails

859.273.0103 | palmersfreshgrill.com | the mall at lexington green

monday-thursday 11am-9pm | friday & saturday 11am-11pm | sunday 11am-pm

Dining


The Ahi Tuna Sashimi is a hearty appetizer comprised of thinly sliced sushi grade tuna, barely seared to give it the sashimi style look and flavor. It’s served over a bed of coarse, crunchy Napa cabbage. In the center is an Asian style garnish of cold, crisp green onion and shredded carrots. The sauce is an Asian-inspired glaze made from Thai chilies, garlic, cilantro, a dash of oyster sauce and a sprinkling of sesame seeds. As a creative touch, the tuna is flanked by wasabi cream accented with heart-shaped dollops of sriracha sauce. “It’s rich and sweet with a tiny kick,” said Scott. This appetizer is a bestseller. It serves two to three people, and it’s light, with a lot color, flavor, and nice presentation.”

Another popular item, the Pan Seared Diver Scallops, are seasoned with salt and pepper and served on a bed of Israeli couscous, mixed with chunks of prosciutto and leeks to give a bit of crunchiness and color. Grilled asparagus is served on the side with a lemon thyme beurre blanc sauce. The sauce is very rich and brings out the natural flavor of the scallops. Scott explained, “We use U10 Count dry packed scallops that are handpicked by divers. They’re the best scallops to use for this dish be-cause of their large size – about 2 ounces apiece. They’re pan seared on one side over very high heat and placed in the oven briefly. This makes them swell a bit and become much juicer and more flavorful, and they don’t tend to fall apart as they might with other cooking methods.” He recommends pairing this dish with a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, such as Kim Crawford, but personally prefers a California variety or a Chardonnay for a richer flavor.

Palmers Angry Mussels is a Thai inspired take on a classic dish. A great mussels entrée is a must in any seafood-based establishment, but rather than the traditional garlic butter or white wine and tomato sauce, Palm-ers takes a pound of Prince Edward Island mussels and pan sears them at a extremely hot temperature with their signature bourbon smoked salt & pepper mix and a little garlic, shallot and ginger. The mussels are then steamed for about a minute until they open. They are served with a complex sauce made from lemongrass, Kaffir lime, coconut, cream, red curry and ginger, and topped with toasted sesame seeds and fresh parsley. Wood fire toasted French baguette slices are served on the side. Scott recommends pairing the dish with a glass of Prosecco bubbly.

A customer favorite that doesn’t fall into the seafood category is the Steakhouse Meatloaf. Made from a savory mixture of 80/20 chuck, ground ribeye and tenderloin, the meatloaf slices are wood fire grilled, giving them the look of a sirloin. Onions, peppers, and rich brandy cream sauce accompany the thick slices. On the side is a colorful group-ing of zucchini and yellow squash steamed with roasted red peppers and blackened seasoning. The meatloaf slices sit atop a bed of hand whipped potatoes, and topped with Tabasco infused onion rings. “This is one of our most popular menu items –you get savory, sweet, smoky and spicy in one dish.”

Palmers features a variety of classic cocktails, and over thirty wines by the glass, but each is carefully chosen with a little bit of atwist. “We like

to keep drinks clean, elegant, and sleek, while staying true to the nature of the original cocktail. If you order anything on the rocks here, you’ll get that single Voss still water ice cube. It keeps the sprit pure and melts slowly, keeping it cold for as long as it takes to enjoy it.”

Like their food, drink ingredients and selections are handpicked at the peak of the season. “We are currently featuring Southern Belle, a Span-ish wine aged in Pappy Van Winkle barrels.”

With the sumptuous décor and ambient lighting, Palmers certainly has a “date night” vibe; the outdoor patio makes it a popular everyday res-taurant as well, with a variety of specials offered during the week, such as their social hour menu of small plates, half price wine bottles every Tuesday, and several local beer specials. “We get a lot of diners who stay for two and three hours and just enjoy the atmosphere. It feels secluded, but it’s right in town.” And with Comedy Off Broadway and the Hilton Suites in adjoining buildings, Lexington Green is an ideal local getaway.

Like any good manager, Scott attributes Palmers’ success to the envi-ronment of creativity and teamwork he shares with his employees. “You really can’t hand the praise to one person. This concept has been developed by multiple people. We are constantly testing, tasting, and trying new things. Research and development is what this business is all about.”

Unlike many dining establishments, the employees at Palmers enjoy a sense of ownership because they know their ideas are valued. “There’s a saying in this business. When you ask how someone is doing, they say, ‘just chasing the dream’. But it’s true. We are making decisions and creating on a daily basis. Not only do I get to create, but my employees know that they work in an environment where they can bring ideas to the table. If they have a great idea, we’ll put it on the menu. We are build-ing something special together.”

Save the Date

216 JUNE 2015 | TOPSINLEX.COMAdd YOUR event to our online calendar for FREE!Visit TopsInLex.com /calendar_submission.php][

26-27 FRI-SATRED, WHITE & BOOMWhitaker Bank Ballpark

FUNDRAISING1-2 MON & TUES Markey Golf ClassicChampion Trace Golf Course

5 FRIDAYMarkey Cancer Survivor’s DayUK Markey Cancer Center

6 SATURDAYPearls, Pumps, & Bowties1-4p | Clarion Hotel

Bike Prom 5p | Living Arts & Science Center

12 & 13 FRI-SATThe Healthiest Weekend in LexLexington, KY

20 SATURDAY2015 EGGFEST10a-3p | Housewarming’s Parking Lot

29 MONDAYSusan G. Komen Golf Classic11a-12:30p | Andover Golf Club

ARTS4 THURSDAYCapital Expo Festival10a-12p | Capital Plaza Complex, Frankfort KY

11-13, 18-20 THURS-SATIt’s a Grand Night for SingingSingletary Center for the Arts

13 SATURDAYJane’s School of Dance Recital4:30p | Lexington Opera House

SPORTS6 SATURDAYHorsin’ Around 5K8-9:30a | 4861 Athens Boonsboro Rd

7 SUNDAYThoroughbred Farm Soccer Tournament3-8:30p | Dixiana Farm, 3787 Kenny Ln

9-11 TUES-THURSLexington Legends vs LakewoodWhitaker Bank Ballpark

12-15 FRI-MONLexington Legends vs GreensboroWhitaker Bank Ballpark

19-21 FRI-SUNLexington Legends vs RomeWhitaker Bank Ballpark

LEARNING4 THURSDAYDiscovery Night : Family Planetarium Night6-8p | Living Arts and Science Center

THEATRE7 SUNDAY2015 Lyric Summer Film Festival3-5:30p | Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center


TOP SHOTS | SOCIE T Y

Chris Stapleton CD Release

Citizens Police Academy AssociationTaste Of The Bluegrass

Sherri Welborn & Kenny McPeek Wedding

Maserati Mingle

Cardinal Hill Telethon

Documents

TOPS in Lexington Magazine, June 2015