TOPS in Lexington Magazine May 2014

18 MAY 2014 | TOPSINLEX.COM

27 Out & About

28 TOPS April Preview Party I

30 TOPS April Preview Party II

32 Bluegrass Council of the Blind See Cruise

34 Dream Factory “Sweet Dreams” Gala

36 Fabby Abbey Ball I

38 Fabby Abbey Ball II

40 Down Syndrome Red Carpet

42 Christ the King Big Blue Fling I

44 Christ the King Big Blue Fling II

188 Bluegrass Conservancy 14th Annual Farmland Conservation Celebration I

190 Bluegrass Conservancy 14th Annual Farmland Conservation Celebration II

192 Lex. Children’s Theatre Celebrity Curtain Call

194 Run the Bluegrass

196 Bluegrass Airport: An American Aviation Story

198 Fayette County Democratic Party Annual Dinner I

200 Fayette County Democratic Party Annual Dinner II

202 Keeneland College Day

204 Keeneland Military Day

206 Keeneland Horses & Hope Pink Day

226 TOP Shots

TOPS AROUND TOWN

192

206

188

40Captions 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.

Parties


by Deanna TalwalkarParty Planner Extraordinaire

Photos & Styling by Mirabelle Creations

8 Great Waysto Use Fabric for Parties

Ever since I walked into my grandmother’s sewing room as a child, I’ve had a love of fabric. Her sewing room had a whole wall lined with shelves that were �lled with folded fabric. My cousins and I spent many hours playing and learning to sew in that sewing room. When decorating my house or styling a party, I o�en look to fabric for inspiration. Fabric can be incorporated in so many creative, fun ways in party design. Here are 8 ways to incorporate fabric into parties.

1 BACKDROPSSe�ing up food or desserts in a beauti-ful way at your next party will encour-age guests to sample all the great party food. To give an extra “wow” factor to a food table, you can add a pa�erned background to the table. One way to accomplish this is by stapling fabric to a large, thin wooden board. �en, set the board at the back of the table, leaning it against the wall.

2 BANNERS & GARLANDSNo sew fabric banners are a festive touch to any party. You can simply cut out triangles or other �ag shapes of your favorite fabric. An easy way to hang them on ribbon is by a�ach-ing them using mini clothespins. Another no sew fabric banner op-tion is a rag fabric garland. To make

a rag garland you’ll need thick jute twine or rope, a measuring stick, fabric, and scissors. To make, simply cut strips of coordinating fabric into 3” by 24” strips. Tie the strips of fabric onto the rope, kno�ing in the middle so there is an equal amount of fabric that hangs down on each side. As you tie, push the fabric to one end of the rope. Repeat until you have the desired amount of fabric on the rope. You can hang your garland from a mantle or on the front of a food table.

3 NAPKINSSometimes table se�ings need an ad-ditional punch of color. Adding fabric napkins is a great way to add a li�le pop of color to a table. Although neutral white napkins are a safe choice, color-ful ones can really make a place se�ing come to life. Another way to give life to

some white napkins is to trim them with colorful ribbon using iron on hem-ming tape.

4 UTENSIL HOLDERSFor kids tables, felt utensil holders whim-sically hold all the necessary utensils in one spot. �ey can also be used over and over each year. You can make felt utensil holders by gluing together the fabric or hand-stitching it for a hand-cra�ed look. For example, felt owls or turkeys would be great for �anksgiving.

5 TABLE RUNNERFabric table runners are another way to add color and interest to a table. You can lay table runners either ver-tically or horizontally down a table. If you’d like to make a table runner without having to actually sew, you can use iron-on hemming tape to hem your fabric.

6 T�Y LINERWhite serving dishes are the most versatile party dishes. However, sometimes the food you are serving looks a li�le be�er on trays with some color.

Using fabric to line serving dishes is an inexpensive way to add color.

7 BOWTIESBowties are one of my favorite party accessories to make. �ey are simple to make and instantly add a li�le Southern style to a place se�ing or dessert table. Try using them laid on top of napkins, a�ached to the front of a cake plate or vase, or tied around a ma-son jar.

8 FAVOR JAR COVERPint size mason jars make fabulous con-tainers for take home treats. Simply cov-ering the lids with fabric makes them co-ordinate perfectly with your party dé-cor. Cut your fab-ric into a

square slightly larger than the top of the mason jar. Top the lid with the fabric, then tie it o� with jute twine.

For more party ideas, visit topsinlex.com.

Fashion

MAY 2014 | TOPS MAGAZINE 57photos by Ti�any Mitchell

Tunic Time

by Beth ParkerFashion Blogger/Stylist

seersuckerandsaddles.blogspot.com

We are in the thick of my favorite time of year. Flowers in bloom, crisp clean air, pool weather right around the corner, and, most importantly, we can o�cially bust out our spring/summer wardrobes! Hallelujah.

Easy and breezy is how I like to de�ne my style throughout the warmer months. And I’ve found there is one blouse in particular that always �ts that easy breezy bill. I’m talking about the tunic, gang.

Not sure if it’s because they remind me of my Floridian summers on the boat or their versatility or even their fun and �owy a�itude, but I dig a tunic. I really dig a tunic. Why don’t we break down why they’re so fantastic, yes?

Casual and e�ortless de�ne the tunic. Paired with some distressed white denim, un-tucked and free �owing, this is quite possible my favorite way to sport these threads. Carefree at its �nest.

A smidge unconventional, pairing the tunic with a neon short tucked in and belted is another fave look of mine. Truly, paired with heels, this look could be sported from day to happy hour. Also the perfect ensemble for a li�le BBQ or soirée at a friends.

Saving my most favorite to last, a nautical in-spired tunic. My father is quite the �sherman, therefore I’ve got the nautical vibe �owing through my veins. If it’s got an anchor on it, I’m sold. If it’s got an anchor on it AND it’s a tunic – stop it right there – I’m a happy chap. Nothing says summer more than the following—white, straw fedora, nautical tunic; one of the many reasons I dig this all white ensemble.

Good news for us, you can snag a tunic just about anywhere and at ANY price point and in a slew of designs and colors. Another bonus, they don’t discriminate against age and size. I just so happen to equally love tunics on my li�le ladies. So word to the wise, if you’re in the market to up the ante on your spring and summer threads, I highly suggest you toss a tunic into the rotation!

Congrats CATS!

MAY 2014 | TOPS MAGAZINE 61

UK head football coach Mark Stoops and recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow make their way to their seats prior to the UK-UL showdown

Congrats cats, BBN loves YOU!

Photos by De. Michael Huang

Former UK and current UL Head Coach Rick Pitino looks on as Aaron Harrison launches a three point shot

James Young drives past UL’s Stephan Van Treese in UK’s thrilling 74-69 victory over Louisville

Andrew Harrison scores against Louisville

Aaron Harrison reacts to hitting a huge three point shot in the �nal minute of the win over Louisville

Dakari Johnson celebrates a big basket

Crazy Kentucky fans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the big UK-UL rivalry game

Congrats CATS!


I was driving around before the Elite 8 game against Michigan trying to get to the arena. Several hundred feet from my destination, my GPS says, “Turn right on Kentucky Ave.” I turned right, pulled over and took this photo of the street sign with

Lucas Oil Stadium in the background. I posted it on Facebook and within a few hours over 1,400 people shared it.

One of my favorites of the tournament: Injured forward Willie-Cauley Stein celebrates with his replacement Marcus Lee after Lee’s tremendous performance in the win over Michigan to send UK back to the Final Four.

Kentucky players celebrate a return trip to the Final Four after the exhilirating 75-72 victory over Michigan

Replacing the injured Willie Cauley-Stein, freshman Marcus Lee scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, much to the chagrin of Michigan’s Glenn Robinson III

Congrats CATS!


UK students celebrate the game winning shot

Julius Randle and the Kentucky Wildcats get pumped up before the semi�nal game against Wisconsin while Coach John Calipari quietly re�ects on his own.

Julius Randle attacking the basket

My personal favorite of the entire tournament. Aaron Harrison nails his 3rd game winning three pointer in 3 games to send Kentucky to the Final Four

Kentucky players celebrate the victory over Wisconsin after Aaron Harrisons heroic basket.

Congrats CATS!


UK fans, including Coach John Calipari’s son Brad and recording artist and rapper Drake, share a tense moment late in the game.

Alex Poythress goes to the basket against UConn in the National Championship game

UK President Eli Capilouto and other UK fans enjoy watching the Dance Cam on the massive video board of AT&T stadium during the National Championship game.

Photo taken with my remote camera set up on the sideline during the championship game

Photo taken with my remote camera set up on the sideline during the championship game

UK students take a sel�e with ESPN’s Andy Katz before the National Championship game

With no reason to hang their heads after a brilliant run in the NCAA tournament, UK players leave the court after the loss to UConn.

Aaron Harrison making a move on UConn’s Ryan Boatright

Coach John Calipari shouts out to his players during the championship game

Congrats CATS!


the story behind the shotsby De. Michael Huang

As a lifelong maniacal fanand an aspiring photographer, shooting the Kentucky Wildcats in the Final Four is a dream come true. I’ve had the unbelievable good fortune to photograph the Cats for TOPS in Lexington in three of the past four. In 2011, the experience was overwhelming. Just hap-py to be there, I was tucked away somewhere in the upper reaches of Houston’s Reliant Stadium without the skill or proper equip-ment to capture anything memorable. In 2012 our beloved Wild-cats won the National Championship. Although my vantage point was still high up in the New Orleans Superdome, I man-aged to get a few good ones. My pho-tograph of Anthony Davis leaping to block a shot in the championship still is my favorite I’ve ever taken.

�is year was spe-cial because the tumultuous regu-lar season made the run through the NCAA tourn-ament so exciting and so spectacular. Fully expecting to be treating patients on the days of the later rounds, I only cancelled clinic for the open-ing weekend. Luckily, Kentucky advanced to the Sweet 16 in near-by Indianapolis so I didn’t have to reschedule any sick people dur-ing the regional �nals. When we miraculously advanced to Dallas, I arranged for work coverage, made last minute travel arrangements, and I was on my way!

One may not appreciate the work that goes into bringing these pho-tos to life. At Rupp Arena, I’m familiar with the lighting and know the camera se�ings that work best there. I have the same assigned area on the �oor for every game. Even then, I arrive 2 hours early to set up, and I am editing photos for at least 2 hours a�er each game. �e NCAA tournament is crazy because I don’t work for Sports Illustrated or Associated Press so I rarely have an assigned seat on the �oor. I o�en don’t know whether I will be on the �oor or in the ra�ers until tip-o�. �ere’s much wheeling and dealing among pho-tographers because even the ones with assigned spots want be�er

ones. For the Sweet 16 game against Louisville, I was assigned to the over�ow upper photo deck, but persistence and luck paid o�. I found a photographer from Indianapolis who was leaving a�er the Tennessee-Michigan game, and I ended up with his coveted seat on the �oor.

I’d never had an assigned seat on the �oor for the Final Four, and I was fairly certain this year would be no di�erent. I rented a top of the line 1Dx camera with a 600mm zoom lens from Canon Pro-fessional Services to shoot from far away. �at’s $20,000 worth of

gear, and it’s really amazing. For the semi�nal games, I was nowhere near the �oor. �e over-�ow upper pho-tography section was so small that I would’ve had to stand behind pho-tographers that had assigned spaces. I moved to a section where there was a small open space along the rail. Two ushers told me I couldn’t stay there, but I was insistent. A�er pleading my case with the su-pervisor, I was al-

lowed to stay on the condition that if I got in anybody’s way I had to leave. I stayed in that spot for 5 straight hours for fear of another photographer taking it. �e photo I took of Aaron Harrison sink-ing the winning shot against Wisconsin is now my second favorite photo, partly because of the moment, but also because of how hard I worked to get it.

Floor spots for the National Championship games are reserved for national media but some local newspapers get lucky. �roughout the season, I’d o�en help an Eastern Kentucky newspaper group when they needed photos. Prior to the tournament, we decided that if they got a �oor assignment, I would take it and give them some photos to use. It happened! I am truly blessed to have cap-tured the National Championship game from the �oor. It’s been a labor of love. I am proud of my work and overjoyed to be able to share my photographs. I hope you enjoy perusing them as much as I enjoyed the work it took to present them to you!

Buying & Selling


by Elizabeth Adams

Colts gallivanting along perimeter farm fences, dogwoods blooming with

color and children playing in front lawns are all clear signs of spring’s arrival in the Bluegrass. And dur-ing this season of renewal, many hopeful homeowners will place “for sale” signs in their front yards.

Since the burst of the housing bubble in 2008-2009, homeown-ers have been hesitant to test the waters of an unstable market. Some homeowners feared their biggest investment lost its value as home prices dwindled. Other would-be sell-ers watched in disbelief as similar houses around their neighborhoods remained on the market for months - even years. �e resounding of the phrase “it’s a buyers’ market” had homeowners wondering if there would ever be an ideal opportunity to sell.

According to national statistics and realtors in Central Kentucky, the sun is �nally coming out for home sellers in the Bluegrass. Linda Wiley, president of the Lexington Bluegrass Association of Realtors and a realtor with Keller Williams-Bluegrass, has noticed that many Central Kentucky homes are be-ing snatched o� the market more quickly and buyers are making multiple o�ers on houses in show condition. And spring – when yards are bursting with color and warm weather brings out potential buyers – is the season for sellers.

“�e sellers are ready to move, and buyers ready to buy – it could be that they have a renewed sense that the economy is be�er,” Wiley said.

THE STATE OF THE LOCAL HOUSING MARKET

Based on a report from the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors, the number of new listings in Central Kentucky is up 3 percent from March 2013, which indicates seller con�dence. In fact, more than 1,544 new list-ings were added to the market in the month of March, making the total number of listings 5,213 to start the spring season. Wiley said it’s neither a buyers’ nor a sellers’ market in Central Kentucky – the market is currently stable.

Statistics from the month of March show that single-unit homes ranging in price from $50,000-100,000 make up the highest amount of inventory in Central Kentucky. Coming in second are houses priced in the range of $120,000-$140,000 and following in third position are houses in the $300,000-500,000 range. Houses that stay on the market the longest are in the $750,000 – $1 million category.

FINDING A REALTOR WHO WORKS FOR YOU

When it comes to selling a home, real estate agents give their clients resources and guidance to reach their selling goals. In addition to marketing your home, a realtor can provide statistical data for pricing on sold homes in your area. Realtors will give candid advice on any necessary improve-ments or upgrades that will make

the home more a�ractive. Some realtors are even certi�ed staging experts who can improve the �ow and aesthetics of the home before show time. Most importantly, realtors act as partners and advisers, taking away some of the burden during an already stressful process.

In addition to posting your home on online listing services, realtors will in-crease exposure for your home through their personal and company web-sites. Knowing the ins and outs of certain neighborhoods, realtors can iden-tify the target buyers for your home and play up the features of your home that will a�ract those desired buyers. Every online listing should include detailed photos of every room and a�ractive feature of the home. Wiley said 97 percent of people who buy homes �rst saw the home online or driving by prior to going inside the house. When it comes to the back and forth of negotiating an o�er on your home, realtors will serve as mediators between the two parties involved. In fact, sellers on average receive 16 percent more from their home when they work with a realtor.

Surveys show the best way to �nd a realtor is by reference or word-of-mouth. If you don’t personally know a realtor, talk to family and friends who have previously sold a house. Ask for references from people in the neigh-borhood or co-workers who are currently trying to sell their home. Once you’ve identi�ed a couple realtors with experience in your area, conduct short introductory interviews at your home. Wiley encourages sellers to ask realtors open-ended questions, such as “How would you prepare my home for selling?” and “What will you do to bring in potential buyers?” Make sure they’ve had prior experience both listing and pricing houses similar to yours and in your area.

MISTAKES TO AVOID

More o�en than not, the price listed for the house can be a di�cult �gure for a realtor and seller to agree upon. Wiley strongly advises sellers heed their realtor’s advice concerning list price. �e realtor will show sellers a compar-ative market analysis (CMA), a statistical calculation of price that takes into account square footage, location, age of the home and other factors.

Not sold on selling? Think Again.The Housing Market is Blooming in Central Kentucky

Buying & Selling


“It determines a feeling – a very close estimate – for how much the home would sell for,” Wiley said of the CMA. “Many times, sellers don’t agree and they want to put it up high, then lower it later. Right now, that’s a very bad idea in this market. “

Another common mistake is listing the home at an unrealistic price and lowering the price over time – termed “chasing the market.” Wiley said every time a seller lowers to a di�erent price point, they start from scratch trying to interest buyers at the new price level. Also, as inventory increases through the season, buyers will have more opportunities to buy homes at the correct price point.

Wiley reminds sellers to strike while the iron’s hot in the springtime. List-ings will steadily increase through the summer and the market will peak in June or July. Wiley said homeowners should list their house before August, as many buyers with families want to se�le in a new home before the start of the school season. �e market starts slowing in July, so waiting until August could result in interest from less quali�ed buyers.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

In addition to hiring a realtor who has a track record of success in your area and shares the same objectives for selling your home, there are a few steps to take to move the selling process along. Remember, buyers rank school dis-trict, community and amenities as the top-three things they are looking for in a new home. Sometimes making extreme upgrades to the house won’t end up paying o� when the house is sold.

First, establish a relationship of open communication and accessibility with your realtor. Wiley said the more your realtor knows about your goals, the more they can help you achieve them. Make a list of priority projects with your realtor that might include projects around the house, spring-cleaning, painting touch-ups or larger investments in the home necessary to be com-petitive in the market.

“You need to be open with the realtor with what your motive is and your time frame,” Wiley said. “�e more you tell the realtor, the be�er they can help.”

�en, establish the desired timeline for selling the house. �e amount of �exibility sellers have with time will impact the price. For some sellers, a quick-turnaround 30-day period necessary for relocation to a new job or living situation will lower the price in order to a�ract buyers on a deadline. Other sellers with moderate motivation to move opt for a medium timeline of 60 days. And for those sellers with li�le motivation to sell, a 90-120 pe-riod will allow for a higher list price. Don’t be discouraged about the time it takes to generate interest – Wiley said homes simply take more time to sell than they did a decade ago.

“�ere are homes I am listing now that I sold 8 to 10 years ago in a few weeks, and now it’s taking 90-120 days,” Wiley said.

As far as aesthetics go, a li�le tidying and polishing will go a long way to impress potential buyers. First, focus on the exterior – the �rst impression your potential buyer will get of the home. Clean up dead shrubbery and de-bris and remove any plant life that died or browned during the winter. For curb appeal, make sure the front door looks inviting – not scraped, faded or dinged. Wiley said a coat of paint or stain to the front door can really

change the appearance of the home. If mildew or residue develops on your siding, use a pressure washer to remove. If you have an outdoor patio, make sure it’s cleaned up and in good condition, with no jagged edges or nails sticking out.

Arranging the interior of the home can be a constant struggle for busy fami-lies showing a house. Still, piles of paperwork and boxes in the corner can spoil the vision of a future home for many buyers. Wiley said it’s impor-tant to de-clu�er from the get-go. She recommends clearing the house of any unwanted material and furniture before you start showing. Organize your items into “keep” and “discard” piles and donate your unwanted items. Make sure pathways and windows throughout the house aren’t blocked.

If you’re considering major remodeling or upgrades to the home to increase sellability, look no further than the kitchen. State-of-the-art appliances, stone countertops and custom cabinetry are all zingers for potential buyers. �e second place to invest is the bathroom. But don’t feel like you have to go overboard. Small investments in home decorating can also increase sell-ability, Wiley said.

An absolutely essential step on the selling preparation list is tracing any signs of water around the house. Leaks, mildew, �ooding or any sort of moisture or water penetration are red �ags for realtors and home inspectors. If you are dealing with water issues, be sure to hire a professional to address them before buyers �ood you with questions.

Preparing to sell a house can seem overwhelming at �rst. But with the right resources and a realtor to help you through the process, you’ll be swapping that “for sale” sign for a “sold” sign in no time. If you have the itch to upgrade or are facing a relocation, now’s the time to contact a realtor and discuss the right plan to sell your house. A place �lled with southern charm, tradi-tion and a sense of community, Central Kentucky is a wonderful place for anyone to call home.

“�ere are 2,000 realtors with the highest training and so much expertise in Central Kentucky,” Wiley said. “Find a realtor you can work with and that you feel comfortable with, and it will be the best investment.”


Building A Home


by Robbie Clark

Building your new home, be it your � rst home or move-up home, is considerably di� erent than buying a new home, and there are a lot more things that need to be considered than just � nding the right re-

altor, lender and location – such as deciding on a builder and a � oor plan to the type of insulation and countertop you want to use.

KNOW YOUR BUDGET

Before you’re scratching your head on whether or not you want a tiled or standard � berglass shower, you need to know how much money you have to spend. And since most people can’t write a check for their new home, you will need to speak with a few lenders to de-termine the amount you are quali� ed to borrow.

As you’re thinking about how much you want or are able to spend, Todd Johnson, the executive vice president of the Home Builders Associa-tion of Lexington, warns potential builders to not get caught up with cost per square foot – a popular, but � awed, cost determiner.

“� at’s kind of a rule of thumb that everybody wants to use, and it’s re-ally a bad way to look at things, because you can have a 1,500-square-foot house that can cost $120,000 and you can have the same size house that can be over $300,000,” he said. “It all depends on what you put in that house, so price per square foot is really, really misleading. You don’t go buy a car by the pound.”

BUILD A RELATIONSHIP BEFORE YOU BUILD A HOME

Once you have a budget in mind, you need to � nd a professional builder who is right for the job – one that you will be comfortable working and building a relationship with.

“Building a new home is something that is very personal, especially if it is a highly customized home,” he said. “You want to be able to have a good rela-tionship with the builder to be comfortable and con� dent that they are the ones you want building your home. You’ve got to be able to communicate well, because that is where things break down. Most of the time with the problems that we see, it’s usually communication on one side or the other.”

Johnson says this is a crucial � rst step in the building process and that future homeowners should talk with two or three di� erent builders before making a decision.

“You think that sounds logical, but it’s funny – some people will spend more time researching an appliance for their house or researching a new car than they will for a house, which is typically one of the biggest investments that anybody will ever make,” he said.

Many builders work in certain areas or developments in town, so if you have an idea as to where you would like to live, there are probably going to be a

few builders already to consider. Johnson said his organization also provides a directory of members who have the “HBA of Lexington seal of approval,” mean-ing the organization has already done their due diligence when al-lowing builders to join.

LOOK AT THE PLANS

Once you have found the builder you want to work with, you will want to have a lengthy conversation, probably many, about how you want the home’s layout to work for you and your family.

“I think it is good, as the person who is hav-ing the home built, to

sit down and come up with a list of things that are on your priority list of what’s important to you,” Johnson said. “Do you want to make sure that your living space is open for entertaining? What’s important in your bath-rooms? What’s important to you in your kitchen? What’s important to you in your closets? � ose are the places where your conveniences need to be met. Do that on the front end of the design of your house or choosing your � oor plan.”

In terms of helping a builder envision what it is that you would like spe-ci� cally in an area or a room, Johnson said it’s great when clients do some research and come to the table with things that they like. � ere are many websites completely dedicated to home design, decoration and products, such as Houzz.com. Johnson said his organization has even o� ered classes to member builders and clients on how to properly utilize websites when making building suggestions.

Building a New Home

Building A Home


“Builders like it at any level when clients bring pictures of things they have found online or in magazines,” Johnson said. “� ere’s a lot of online resources, and even on a lot of our member builders’ website, where you can get a really good idea of some of the things that can be done in their homes in terms of amenities and design.”

BUILD A HOME THAT WORKS FOR YOU

A� er you and the home builder have an understanding about the de-sign and � oor plans, it’s time to get into the nuts and bolts, literally. You are going to need to make decisions about the type of materials the house is going to use, inside and out, and this is where a lot of give and take will happen with the budget.

Behind the walls, you will need to decide what sort of insulation you want – be it traditional � berglass insulation all the way up to high-per-formance, and high cost, spray foam insulation. You will also decide what sort of HVAC system you want installed, dual electric and gas or all electric, or even geothermal, which is much more e� cient, as well as expensive. Johnson said there are tax credits available to some home-owners, depending on the level of energy e� ciency they incorporate into their home, and that HBA member builders should be aware of any energy incentives available.

Outside the walls, the materials you decide to use for the interior � nishes will also be a big cost determinant. “� e biggest cost drivers in your house are typically your cabinets, countertops and � ooring,” Johnson said.

Deciding what materials you are going to use with the interior � nishes and the structural makeup will a� ect the budget, and this, again, goes back to having the right builder you can communicate e� ectively with.

“� e important thing is knowing your budget and picking a builder that you are comfortable with,” Johnson said. “It’s probably the biggest investment people will make in their lives.”

As you may have heard before, building a house can be one of the most stressful things you do! Well, there’s a ton of truth to that, but keep in mind the end result! From someone who just � nished this challenging (but totally worth it) experi-ence, here are a few suggestions.

• Choosing a mortgage company is just as important as choosing the builder. Invest in a company or person who you can have a great relationship with, someone you can trust and rely on.

• Take time to meet the neighbors. We made good friends with ours while building and they were our set of eyes the entire time. We would get photos and updates on the progress every day. It was totally worth the wine and goodies I brought them every now and then!

• The estimated closing date is usually just a space-� ller on the contract. Try not to take mental possession of that date because odds are, it’s going to take longer!

• Have a budget and stick to it! Quite a few builders have nice upgrades as standards, however, they are usually things that can be switched out later. For example, gran-ite countertops are easy to swap out. Use that money to-wards a � replace or more windows.

• Be involved in the building process. Go onsite and check out the house. Call the builder/foreman with questions or concerns every single time you see something you don’t feel comfortable with. Don’t feel bad about nagging. You’re the client, afterall, it’s YOUR home. I’m sure you want it done right! Let them know you care and you will push and push.

• There are a TON of expenses that come with a new home. Each month, set aside a small amount. By the time you’re ready to start decorating your new place, you will have some extra “fun” money.

• Speaking of � nances, my husband and I committed our-selves to saving for the 7 months it took to build. Our goal was to get to the point of not having to pay PMI (which can tack on a serious monthly fee). We did it! It wasn’t easy, but totally worth it at closing. Ask your mortgage com-pany how.

• NO is not a good enough answer. If you want something in your home that seems to be out of reach, ask your build-er to brainstorm di� erent ways to make that happen.

• Lastly, take a deep breath, and enjoy!

- Danielle & Chris

Been There / Done That


Posh Paws

by Amanda Harper,Pet A�cionado

Moving With Fido

If you really think about it, human behavior probably seems pre�y weird to a dog. One of those weird things that people do that dogs just don’t get is the whole process of moving. We know what we’re doing, but to our pets, it probably seems really bizarre.

Human, why are you pu�ing all of your stu� into stinky cardboard? Where did my toys go? I’m hungry–hey, my bowl is missing , too! Wait, who are these strange people taking all of our stu�? Wow, okay, I’ve never been to this place before–it’s nice, but when can we go HOME?

If you’re moving, it’s important to consider how to best acclimate your pets to their new environment and make them feel at ease with all the changes going on around them. �is process may be

stressful for you, but for your pet, it can be downright dangerous–moving stresses can cause health woes and teetering boxes can pose a physical threat to pets.

While actively moving, keep your pets crated up or locked away in a safe area, far from the hubub. Keep them leashed and out of harm’s way when walking around moving trucks or heavy boxes. Finally, don’t forget your pet’s needs!

Don’t pack up their food, medicine, dishes or toys until the very last second. Remember to keep to your daily schedule as much as possible–take a walk, give your pet his medicine and food all at the usual times to avoid unnecessary stress. And always reassure your pet as much as possible. Your calming voice will allay anxiety.

How can you help a pet call a new place home? Unpack cozy items early, like their bed and favorite toys. Set up a safe haven for them to relax while you �gure out which box you put the plates in. Allow your pet to sni� around as much as they want–this is how they discover their environment. Be patient if your pet hides or forgets their manners.

If the process drags out a while or your pet refuses to eat, consult your vet. Your pet’s anxiety may need some intervention. In the meantime, o�er your pet plenty of a�ention. Snuggles on the couch will usually help a pet feel comfortable anywhere. Long walks will help her feel more comfortable with the neighborhood–just be slow and vigilant when introducing her to strange dogs and new friends on the block.

Making a new place your home is a process. For pets, it can be a di�cult transition because they just don’t understand what you silly humans are up to. With a li�le patience and a lot of love, you and your pet will be at home in no time.

Lexington Living


LLocal residents enjoy the Moondance at Midnight Pass Amphitheater, which opened in 2010 and is within walking distance for Beaumont Park residents. � e amphitheater has brought many family-friendly op-portunities for entertainment, including food festivals and summer musical performances, to the community.


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well,” she said. “Our customers also love spending the summer in Lexington because there are many di� erent activities in the area to keep the whole family busy.”

Kennedy Ellingson, a current University of Kentucky student majoring in Equine Science, moved to the Bluegrass state from her native Canada in large part to experience the show circuit in Kentucky. A� er hauling her horses for a 40 hour trailer ride, the risk has paid o� . Ellingson’s string of successes since arriving stateside has included representing the University of Kentucky Equestrian Team at the national level and competing at the Young Riders Championships. With hopes of going professional, Ellingson’s spring and summer is focused on as much time in the saddle as possible. “I think that the atmosphere at the Horse Park is a large part of what makes it exciting to show there and that’s what I’m looking forward to this spring and summer. It’s still a thrill every time I walk into Rolex Stadium and I can’t wait to jump around in there again.”

Javier Berganza Anderhub, a professional rider and trainer who recently relocated to Lexington, is used to life on the road, but during the spring and summer their barn can relax a li� le. “We will be doing all of those shows at the horse park, a� er a long winter season in Wellington, Florida a change in pace and weather is welcomed. � e grand prixes are always big targets for us as well as the amateur owner/junior classes. We are Kentucky residents so it’s always nice to cone back home to that special Lexington atmosphere a� er 6 months out of state.”

Meagan Nusz is an up-and-coming top show jumper and with a farm nearby, showing at the Horse Park is something she looks forward to every year. Devoting her time to her passion, Nusz took up riding as a young child and hasn’t looked back. “Kentucky is always a breath of fresh air for not only myself as a rider, but my horses as well. A� er long circuits of traveling around,

I always look forward to going home to Kentucky. � e laid back life style and rolling hills are right up my southern rooted alley!,” said Nusz who hails from Texas. “You can’t get much be� er than the beautiful Rolex stadium at the show facility. Not only are the grounds nice for the horses the money o� ered in the bigger classes makes it that much more worthwhile. My quiet li� le farm nestled in Georgetown is what my horses and I look forward to this time of year!”

� e show series is a breath of fresh air for local businesses too. Owner of the Tack Shop of Lexington, Abby Converseenjoys this time of year when trailers and trucks rolling in and out of the Horse Park are a regular sight. “What I enjoy most about the shows is ge� ing to see friends and customers that have returned to Lexington for the summer,” she said. A� er moving to Lexington to pursue a career as a professional rider and trainer, Converse realized that a big barn atmosphere wasn’t for her. “I noticed Lexington was lacking in a tack shop that catered to the hunter/jumpers show crowd. My mom has had a tack shop in Texas for 20+ years, so it made it quite easy to get up and running!”

From Track to Ring

� e � oroughbred Horse Show Association (TBHSA) will host its third annual horse show on Sunday, May 4. An exciting option to showcase the breed and provide an avenue for o� -the-track thoroughbreds to shine in a second career, classes will be held in dressage, jumping, pleasure and in-hand.

Providing a venue to build their resume, the classes are open to Jockey Club registered thoroughbreds only. TBHSA’s � rst show saw over 100 entries pouring in from 10 di� erent states. Two Kentucky Derby starters competed in the inaugural event, along with other well-known track names. � e show is a great opportunity to see some familiar track names making successful starts in another discipline!

“Kentucky is always a breath of fresh air for not only myself as a rider, but my horses as well.After long circuits of traveling around, I always look forward to going home to Kentucky.”

-Meagan Nusz

“I think that the atmosphere at the Horse Park is a large part of what makes it exciting to show thereand that’s what I’m looking forward to this spring and summer.”

-Kennedy Ellingson


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Horsin’ Around May Events

May 4-May 5 Cross Country Schooling • Cross Country Course

May 4 Thoroughbred Horse Show • Hunter Jumper Complex

May 7-May 11 Kentucky Spring I Hunter Jumper Show • Rolex Stadium

May 14-May 18 Kentucky Spring II Hunter Jumper Show Spring Classic • Rolex Stadium

May 17-June 1 Northside RV Sale • KHP Campground

May 18 High Hope Steeplechase • Steeplechase Course & Infi eld

May 22-May 25 KDA Spring Warm Up & Annual Dressage Show • Dressage Complex

May 23-May 25 Kentucky Invitational High School Rodeo • Covered Arena

May 23-May 25 MayDaze Horse Trials • Cross Country Course

May 30-June 1 Carriage Driving Event • Carriage Driving Course

MAY 2014 | TOPSINLEX.COM 155

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Fillies in the Workplace:Anastasia Austen

Brand Development Manager, DerbyDeals.com

Anastasia Austen

Some people go to the Kentucky Derby once in a lifetime, while others are fortunate enough to see the Run for the Roses in person each year. � en there are those who live, breathe and eat Derby on a daily basis, year-round, for their livelihood. Anastasia Austen is a year-rounder. She is the brand development manager at DerbyDeals.com, a sports travel agency based in New Albany, Ind., just across the river from Louisville.

“We specialize in � oroughbred horse racing events, especially the Kentucky Derby,” Austen said. “A lot of locals don’t understand what a big deal the Derby is on an international level. We bring people in from all over the world.”

When people purchase a Derby package from DerbyDeals.com, the company then takes care of accommodations, tickets, sought-a� er invitations to parties, and those hard-to-get dinner reservations. It is almost impossible to get a reservation anywhere in Louisville during Derby week.

“We have relationships with hotels and such, so we’re able to provide these to our customers,” Austen said. “We are one of the top agents that handle Derby tickets on the secondary market.”

Many Derby tickets have been in families for generations. � ey’re just di� cult to come by, so a company like DerbyDeals.com is a godsend for anyone trying to � nd this very special ticket.

By Kathie Stamps


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Sometimes Austen’s clients are the owners and trainers of horses running in the Derby itself. Unlike vacationers who plan their Derby trip a year or two out, the horse racing insiders often don’t know until the last minute that they’ll be going to the Derby. Then they typically like to have accommodations for large groups. “It is a lifetime dream to have a horse in the Derby,” Austen said. “To get 50 to 100 tickets in the same area is a very difficult task.” One she is up for, of course. DerbyDeals.com will buy tickets and trade them, in addition to selling tickets and putting together packages.

“We start strategizing immediately after the Derby,” she said. “It’s a year-round company. We have to negotiate with hotels on blocked rooms in advance; we have to secure tickets in premium areas; we start that very early.”

Austen loves horses and the horse industry, but it was sports in general that captured her attention early on. She grew up in the Monterey Bay area of California. At Monterey Peninsula College she was a captain of the cheerleading squad, and that is when she became interested in sports marketing. “I didn’t really know what it was at the time,” she said, “but it became a passion of mine, raising funds for the squad.”

She transferred to the University of Louisville to get an undergrad degree in sport administration, and in the early 2000s went to Webster University in St. Louis for a master’s degree in marketing. During her college career at Uof L, Austen had internships through the university’s athletic department, and at Churchill Downs and for ESPN. When the network would come to town, Austen was pouring coffee, running errands, helping the producers and learning the ins and outs of sports coverage. One of her fondest memories is working the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

“We used to lay cable,” she said. “We would climb to the roof of Keeneland and lay utility cable for the cameras. I was standing on the roof with my gloves, looking out at the track, one of most beautiful places I’d seen in my life. Sitting on the roof was one of the best seats I’ve ever had at the track.”

Although she doesn’t know too many people in Lexington, Austen has a love for the area and is working on connecting with more people, particularly during the Keeneland meets and through her membership with the Kentucky Horse Council.

Specializing in Thoroughbred horse racing for a living often sends Austen and her DerbyDeals.com colleagues traveling across the United States, to entertain clients and get in some networking at the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, and races at Belmont Park and other tracks around the country.

CEO Scott Davis started the company DerbyDeals.com in 2008. Prior to that, anyone who wanted a ticket to the Derby had to know somebody who knew somebody, or was perhaps taking a chance on an ad in the newspaper or online. “Back in the day, people would meet somewhere and trade tickets for cash,” Austen said. The industry has really changed in that sense, as credit cards are perfectly acceptable.

In addition to working on packages for the Kentucky Derby, DerbyDeals.com is also involved with basketball and football tickets for UK and Uof L. When the Kentucky Wildcats were headed to Indianapolis in the Sweet 16 game of the NCAA tournament to take on Wichita State, Austen says UK fans were very enthusiastic and willing to spend a lot of money on their tickets. “Our phones started blowing up,” she said. “It was so exciting. We were able to obtain very good seats right on the floor for some of our clients and they

were very happy.”

DerbyDeals.com also has a sister company that focuses on Super Bowl packages. “As ticket brokers we have relationships with brokers across the United States,” Austen said. “If a client wants to go to the Masters, we have relationships with other brokers that specialize in that.” It’s a reciprocal relationship, as DerbyDeals.com provides expertise for other brokers who have clients wanting to come to the Derby.

“We could get pretty much any ticket to any event, or give it a good shot,” Austen said.

For Derby weekend, DerbyDeals.com offers packages up to $31,000 per person, which will get you a stay at the Brown Hotel, a personal butler, party tickets at the Barnstable-Brown Derby Eve Gala, a limo for the whole weekend, and private dining arrangements. Packages are also available for bachelor parties in the infield, horse farm tours in Lexington and tours of bourbon facilities.

“We think everyone’s experience is important,” Austen said. “Every seat at Churchill Downs for the Derby is special. We’ve never not had anyone have a wonderful time.”


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� e � rst Saturday in May belongs to Louis-ville, but racing’s spotlight is on Lexington on the second Satur-day in April at Keeneland. � e Blue Grass Stakes has a storied history that was a magnet for horses making their last e� ort be-fore that “Run for the Roses.” For those that came this year they saw history recorded and were almost a part of another water-shed event.

On a day that produced a warming clear sky accompanied by a cool breeze, 39,722 � ocked to this Mecca of racing – the second largest crowd in 90 runnings of the race. � e aristocracy of the sport made their way gently to the con� nes of the exclusive Club-house, while younger revelers tailgaited outside on the grassy hills and tree lined parking areas. Tour Busses lined the lots with bu� et o� erings from burgers to clams casino. For some it was a “Holy Day of Obligation” that had been carried on for genera-tions. For others it was a � rst-time starter “Drink and Drown” festival and their friends would help carry each other out without ever seeing the race – reminiscent of the Kentucky Derby in� eld.

� e Blue Grass Stakes gained its marked reputation as the spring-board to the Kentucky Derby from 1959 to 1972. During that pe-riod winners of both races included Tomy Lee (’59); Chateaugay (’63); Northern Dancer (’64); Lucky Debonair (’65); Forward Pass (’68); Dust Commander (’70) and Riva Ridge (’72). A� er a seven year gap it went on to play center stage to Derby winners and eventual Horse’s of the Year Spectacular Bid and eight years later saw Alysheba � nish � rst, only to be disquali� ed and placed third. � e last Derby winner to win the Blue Grass was Strike the Gold in 1991.

Racing legends abound in Blue Grass history. One of the great-est riders to put his tiny feet in the irons, Bill Shoemaker, re-corded six victories. � e Devil’s Red and Blue silks of Calumet farm graced the winner’s circle six times. Over six decades four of the most respected trainers in the sport have managed to win the race three times – Ben Jones with Ocean Wave, Faultless and Coaltown; Woody Stephens trainees Halt, Goyamo and Judger; LeRoy Jolley conditioned Ridan, Honest Pleasure and For � e Moment; Nick Zito charges Strike the Gold, Halory Hunter and � e Cli� ’s Edge.

Early in the program the award-winning Keeneland video depart-ment headed by G.D. Hieronymus presented a video honoring the legendary Northern Dancer on the 50th anniversary of his win in the Blue Grass Stakes. A� er the viewing Keeneland’s Pres-ident and CEO Bill � omason introduced Lexington Mayor Jim Gray who presented a proclamation declaring the day Northern Dancer Day to Ric Waldman, who accepted on behalf of the late E.P. Taylor’s Wind� elds Farm, owner and breeder of Northern Dancer.

� e 90th running of the Blue Grass Stakes was supported by a strong undercard of Graded Stakes races that o� ered a variety of distances and surfaces for which the enormous crowd were chal-lenged to handicap. Local trainer Ken McPeek took down the � rst in the series when his Occasional View circled the � eld � n-ishing strongly catching the British-bred pacese� er Dimension in the Grade 3 Commonwealth Stakes. Longshot lovers rejoiced in the Grade 3 Shakertown outcome as Robbie Albarado urged Marchman to a front-running neck victory for a $49.60 return on a $2.00 win ticket.

Former Eclipse Award winning jockey-turned-trainer Wesley Ward has had his fair share of success at Keeneland, most nota-bly for his young runners. He recorded his � rst Grade 1 win at Keeneland in the Madison Stakes with a 5-year-old mare aptly named Judy the Beauty, whom he also owns. Comparisons are being made to the fan favorite Groupie Doll as Judy the Beauty is 4 for 4 at Keeneland and the win in the Madison put her over the $1 million mark. Rounding out the undercard was the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley and racegoers were treated to a masterful ride by Javier Castellano aboard Hard Not to Like. � ey were roughed up at the start, split horses on the turn and he snuck her down to the rail to get up in the � nal stride.

� e $750,000 Blue Grass drew an over� ow � eld and 14 starters lined up in the gate for the 1 1/8 mile race. It was quite the evenly matched � eld as the favorite was sent away at 4 to 1 while three others vied for the second spot in the wagering at 6 to 1. � e tep-id favorite was Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s homebred Bobby’s Kit-ten, winner of the Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes and 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last season. � e son of leading sire Ki� en’s Joy

The Blue Grass StakesLexington’s Derby:

by John C. Engelhardt


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Corey Nakatani and Dance With Fate Were Number One

Dance With Fate

This year’s crowd was the second-largest ever for the Blue Grass Stakes

Bouncing to a Blue Grass Win


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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]

was a recent winner of a $40,000 allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs. � e front-runner was favored in all � ve of his lifetime starts and never � nished o� the board – he also had never raced on any surface other than turf.

When the gates opened Pablo Del Monte shot to the front and Bobby’s Ki� en went in pursuit, despite the e� orts of Javier Cas-tellano to get him to relax. Two horses that did relax in stride for their riders were Dance With Fate and Medal Count who were 11th and 8th respectively until they rounded the turn for home. Corey Nakatani swung Dance With Fate six horses wide to be clear and Medal Count took a similar route. Dance With Fate � nished fastest to keep Medal Count at bay by 1 ¾ lengths. Pacese� er Pablo Del Monte ba� led on to be a clear third.

“� ey were actually going a li� le slower than I anticipated, but being on the Polytrack you don’t know what’s going to hap-pen,” Nakatani said. “In talking with Peter (Eurton) about the race before, he said, ‘If you can, get him to switch o� and just have a target for him to run at, save a li� le and just make your best run when it counts,’ and I said. ‘OK, let’s do it.’ “

Owned by the partnership of Sharon Alesia, Michael Mellen and Joseph Ciaglia, the 3-year-old Florida-bred is a son of the young sire Two Step Salsa. � e Grade 1 Blue Grass was his � rst start outside of California and it pushed his career record to 8-3-3-0 for total earnings of $680,050. Dance With Fate is trained by California-based Peter Eurton.

Since that Strike the Gold victory in 1991, the winner of the Blue Grass has not worn the garland of roses on Derby day. � e rea-sons can be varied, as over time trainers have changed philosophy, conditioning methods and have come into the Derby with more lightly raced horses. Some major prep races have been shu� ed on the calendar and another in� uencing factor could be the racing surface. Many trainers prefer to have their � nal prep race over a dirt surface, similar to the one they will travel over on the � rst Saturday in May, rather than an e� ort over a synthetic surface.

Fans in a� endance on April 12 may or may not have known they were there to witness the last Blue Grass run on Keeneland’s Polytrack surface. � e main track will be pulled up a� er this meet and returned to a dirt surface. Speculations for the decision have been widely discussed spread across the potential for a bid for

a Breeders’ Cup; a� racting the most talented � elds for the Blue Grass Stakes and to increase handle from players that prefer to wager on a natural surface vs. a synthetic one.

For many years, Keeneland had experienced quirkiness with its dirt surface, ultimately leading to the move to Polytrack in 2006. Horsemen frequently complained that horses had an obvious bias favoring rail-drawn and/or speed horses. � ere also were drainage and runo� problems that many times led to scratches in dirt races.

On the other side of the coin, not long a� er Polytrack was in-stalled at Keeneland, horsemen said that the surface was too slow and tended to favor stretch runners. Keeneland president Bill � omason said the Poly-track surface, � rst used for rac-ing at the 2006 fall meet, will be replaced by a “state-of-the-art” dirt surface using locally mined material composed of sand, clay, and silt, and that track of-� cials strongly feel that safety is not being compromised “in any way” a� er conducting “diligent research” into the new surface.

“� e core of our mission at Keeneland is providing racing at the highest level,” � omason said. “We are very proud of Polytrack and its safety record, and we believe it initiated a discussion that has made dirt tracks around the country even safer and be� er as well. We had hoped Polytrack would become the preferred surface, but for various reasons, that hasn’t happened. It wasn’t accepted the way we had hoped by horsemen and fans.” � omason repeatedly emphasized that safety concerns were paramount in the decision to switch to dirt and that Mick Peterson, who has become the foremost expert on racing surfaces in North America, has been heavily involved in researching how to proceed.

Whatever the surface, Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes will always remain a prestigious part of Lexington’s great racing tradition – 90 years and counting.


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Is it Derby time yet? Well, for some of us, it certainly is!

Here at DerbyDeals.com, we are super busy working until the wee hours with last-minute orders and excited guests, nervous owners and trainers needing party invites (hoping they are in the big race) and trying to get some time in at the track ourselves! Tickets are pouring in and we are shipping them to people all over the world for an amazing time in the Bluegrass. Whew!

� is month’s Derby Glam will be short, sweet and to the point—just like me! With no time to spare on waxing poetic, let me present to you for consideration the “Derby Do’s and Derby Don’t“ List.

Derby Do’s:

• Eat breakfast. Do not skip this important meal, it may be the only thing you eat all day. No, you will not eat much at the track and the day is long. Eat!

• Do get the best seat you can fi nd and/or aff ord. Th e Derby is not the time to scrimp on expenses. � is is something you will always remember! And do not be intimidated by budget constraints, I have watched the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs’ roof-top with nary a seat --nor cocktail --and had a great time. Each seat is magical.

• Wear stylish shoes that are comfortable. Th is is where fashion meets function. Ladies, do not wear a stile� o. � ere are bricks and cobblestone walkways everywhere, and a� er a few Mint Ju-leps, wobbling about with your heels stuck in grooves each step

will be a heady challenge. Opt for a wedge or platform or even a chunky heel. � is will save your tootsies by end of day, and you do not want to be the girl walking barefoot with heels in hand.

• Wear a hat! Th is tradition never goes out of fashion.

• Take a clear poncho from the dollar store. Stay dry and still look fabulous.

• Th row a safety pin, Kleenex, Band aid , rubber band and a Tide stain remover pen thing in your travel bag or purse. Just do it. You personally may not need any of these things but someone will!

• Pay up for parking. Bring cash. It is totally worth it.

• Do take a stocked cooler in your car for unavoidable traffi c delays. Most people hang out and party in the parking lots and neighboring streets as the gridlock winds down.

Derby Don’ts:

• Don’t be in a hurry. Th is is Kentucky and it’s Derby time! No one is moving too fast so go with the � ow.

• Don’t take an umbrella, they are not allowed and you will see huge stacks outside the gates when you leave.

• Don’t forget to make dinner reservations and be sure to ask if they charge for cancellations. Also inquire if a prix fi xe menu is being served or if the regular menu is also available.

• Don’t forget to study the program!

• Don’t leave the house without extra shoes and an extra outfi t. Keep it in the car. You may think you will have time to go home,

The Do’s and Don’ts of Derby

Derby Glam!by Anastasia Austen


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but most likely not. Also, people spill drinks and that Tide pen may not do the trick!

• Don’t forget your manners. Many visitors (Yankees!) fl ood our beloved Bluegrass State for Derby and do not understand our ways and culture. Flash a smile and some Southern Charm and they will be hooked.

• Don’t wear jeans and a hoodie. Please. Dress to impress.

Th e most important thing is to remember how lucky we are as Kentuckians to host something so special and unique as the Kentucky Derby. Th is is our time to shine to the whole world.

Author John Steinbeck said it well–“During Derby Week, Louisville is the capital of the world,” he wrote in 1956. “Th e Kentucky Derby, whatever it is—a race, an emotion, a turbulence, an explosion—is one of the most beautiful and violent and satisfying things I have ever experienced.”

Enjoy!

Anastasia Austen is the Brand Development Manager for DerbyDeals.com, a Louisville-area sports travel agency specializing in � oroughbred Horse Racing events and the Kentucky Derby. Originally from Carmel-by-the Sea, California, she earned her BS in Sport Administration from the University of Louisville and a Masters in Marketing from Webster University. She has worked in various aspects of the horse racing industry including equine fashion, sports journalism and special events.


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As I walked into D.Lee’s studio, my eye immediately went to a painting started earlier that day on the easel, four hounds. � ey were only “blocked in,” yet already start-ing to have personalities. Her studio windows overlook her farm, so she can see her � ve horses and three German Shepherds who are a continual source of inspiration and study for her art. On a computer screen to the le� of the easel is a continual loop of wild-life photos she took – wolves, cows, calves, sheep, bison, foxes, and elk amongst them.

D.’s love of animals is apparent in the emotions she transfers into paintings. Animals have always been an intrinsic part of D.’s life. She was born in Saratoga, NY, lived much of her life in Idaho, spent some time in Presco� , Arizona and moved to “� e Horse Capitol of the World” to live amongst the horses.

Look at any of D.’s paintings – they express untold emotions. Whether it be the inqui-sition in a sparkle of an eye, the movement of a shoulder as they run, the so� ness of a tu� of curly hair on a calf, or the serenity of a foal sun-bathing, D. gives them life on a canvas.

D. has always drawn. “Horses, mostly, as the majority of horse crazy girls do,” she laughs and her face � ashes into one of her ever-present vibrant smiles that lights up the entire room, one of the traits friends love most about her.

She picked up a paintbrush in her late 20s when she took a local oil painting class out of curiosity. As she says, “What a life changer!” � e smell drew her in, just like the smell of horses and the barn draws horse people in. “I knew then I wanted to paint. It was the begin-ning of a wonderful journey that will continue until I die.”

At that time, she was a professional horse trainer and instructor in Idaho, working in her husband’s metal art business. “Yes, I can cut steel.” Painting was reserved for when she had time in the eve-nings a� er she put her two young daughters to bed. � ey moved to

Presco� , Arizona dur-ing when he developed

cancer and wanted to spend his last months in the high desert sun. His death combined with that of her parents made her realize she needed to “live for today.”

“Living in the moment and all those catch phrases is easy to say, and a bit harder to do. � ose are still words I live by.”

She has been “very lucky” for the opportunity to work with some of the best artists anywhere – Morgan Weistling, Dan Mieduch, Jim Wilcox, Greg Beecham, Jim Norton, Sam Savi� and most re-cently Andre Pater.

“Morgan was a huge in� uence early in my painting career. I was so fortunate to be in one of the few workshops he has done and that he stayed in contact with me a� erwards. Jim helped me tremen-dously with plein air and it has greatly in� uenced my work.”

During this time she was accepted into a galleries in the resort communities of Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Sun Valley, Idaho and she has never le� . Jackson and surrounding areas, primarily Grand Teton and Yellowstone Park, she considers dear old friends. D. has spent time there since she was a child, and going there always feels like going home to her. “It’s hard to � nd a be� er place to observe and paint wildlife, nor a more wonderful place to do it. I am involved in the Fall Arts Festival in Jackson Hole every September, partici-

pating in the Quick Draw on the Square and meeting the collectors who come from all over for Jack-son’s biggest art events of the year.”

She has been a Quick Draw artist, completing a painting in an hour from an empty canvas, for many years. 2013 will be her eighth year participating in the Jackson Hole Quick Draw. “I really enjoy it

more and more. It’s a great challenge, I love painting with my good friends and meeting the spectators.”

Meeting and marrying Tim, also a widower, brought a huge change to her life. Not only to her personally, but to her ability to concen-

The Journey of Artist D.Leeby Cyndi Goyer-Greathouse

“My desire with my paintings is to convey moments

I have experienced, the connection I feel, with animals.”

“I’ve always drawn, ever since I could remember.

Just the smell and feel of the paints drew me in,

not unlike the horse/barn smell I loved.

I knew then I wanted to paint.”


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trate on art rather than on just survival. “In the last few years I have grown tremendously as an artist and am still striving to constantly improve.”

In 2006, they moved to Kentucky from Ari-zona. She laughs again as she explains, “as Tim likes to say ‘When the horses heard there was a chance we were moving to Kentucky they were in the truck and honking the horn!’ It gives me so much joy to see them playing and grazing in the grassy � elds here, those are some of the moments I love the most”

She still spends time in the Rocky Mountain West, when she is pulled to get back to the mountains and the “hugeness of the land-scape there.” Her ca� le and bison paintings portray a gentle side to these animals, oppo-site to the norm and shows her admiration and adoration for them.

Painting has grown into a large part of her life, and has slowly taken over and she now sees possible paintings everywhere. “It’s true that once you start painting you never ‘see’ the same again. Mood and light are what get me excited and make me want to put something on canvas. I have occasionally cried when the sun set behind a mountain and ended what was a spectacularly lit scene of elk, or horses, or a brilliant landscape.”

Her studio is a haven, a place of comfort where she can retreat from the world and create. Al-though she cherishes the time she spends painting with friends, she describes herself as “a lone painter.”

D. occasionally paints commissions for peo-ple of their beloved animals, and while those can be some of the most challenging pieces for her, they are o� en the most rewarding as she sees the emotions her paintings bring to their owners’ faces. She delights in being able to capture that for them.

Supporting charities that are dear to D. is something she feels strongly about. She has donated paintings throughout her career to help animals, cancer research, land conser-vation, and art. Woodford Humane Society, � oroughbred Charities of America, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Bluegrass Con-servancy, Art Division Los Angeles, and the Lexington Cancer Foundation are among the lucky recipients of her art.

Art has taken her on quite a journey so far. “It lets me be alone, to spend time in remote places I love with the animals that inspire me, and yet it puts me in situations where I meet some of the most amazing people. It is humbling, exhilarating, frustrating, satisfying and it is work. I never pictured myself an artist when I was a kid, and yet here I am. I guess you just never know.”

D. will undoubtedly have many more adventures, and we look forward to viewing the paintings inspired from those. As she sums up her life and art in one of her favorite quotes: “� e journey is the destination.”

To learn more about D.Lee:

h� p://www.dleestudio.com

[email protected]

“Animals have been my companions, my sanctuary,

my solace in dark times and now the source of

inspiration for my art. I never tire of watching them.

I paint what I find beautiful, and therefore animals

are an easy choice for me. They each have a unique

beauty and soul that is my goal to capture.”


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Real estate agents are in the business of help-ing people � nd their dream homes. When those agents get to work out of a dream o� ce them-selves—well, that’s some pre� y tasty icing on a really good cake.

Cypress Property Group and Cypress Residential Group are fortunate enough to operate out of the Smith House on South Limestone. � ey moved their o� ces to the historic building at the end of March this year. Built as a residence in 1880 by Lexington a� orney J. Soule Smith (1848-1904) and known as the Smith House, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the area is zoned for commercial use now.

� e Cypress company has two divisions, com-mercial and residential. � e residential agents have set up their o� ces on the second � oor, while the commercial group has the main � oor. “On both � oors we o� er places to meet with our clients and work contracts for the property pur-chase,” said Kim Soper, partner and Realtor with Cypress Residential Group. She has been in real estate for 10 years, and is one of four Cypress partners.

� ey were able to move into the Smith House with no remodeling necessary. “We did touch up the � oors,” Soper said. “We needed to go in and shine them up a li� le. � ey’re beautiful.”

She is pleased that the original charm of the re-stored Italianate-style building is still there. � e historic building has a grand entry, glass win-dows and plenty of natural light, huge rooms, and architectural details like archways and moldings. � e original hardwood � ooring is one of those timeless materials so sought a� er today. Cherry and mahogany wood are found throughout the building, which has just over 6,000 square feet. � ere is also a 1,500-square-foot un� nished basement for storage.

In addition to being a residence for many years, the South Limestone building has also been a restaurant. For a few years in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was 1880 Restaurant & Bar, or “1880’s,” as many Lexingtonians called it. In 1993 Good Samaritan Hospital bought the property and had everything re� nished and re-done. � e hospital also built an addition.

“� at addition is great for us,” Soper said. “To have an elevator so we are accessible is impor-tant for us. � is was a huge factor for us, because so many historic places don’t o� er that.”

Before moving to the historic Smith House near the UK campus, the Cypress o� ces were in a glass building on Tates Creek. “We le� our 40502 roots and moved downtown,” Soper said. Cypress Property Group and Cypress Residen-tial Group went from a modern o� ce space to a historic property that showcases everything that is great about architecture and history. “We have more space for our clients, and a more relaxed environment,” Soper said.

In 2009, David Graves and Brian Lubeck formed Cypress Property Group, which represents com-mercial clients, including restaurants and retail-ers, in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee and the Carolinas. In the summer of 2010, Kim Soper and Nick Ratli� joined the Cypress team with Cypress Residential Group, which now has nine agents with residential real estate experi-ence. Together, the boutique � rm of Cypress specializes in residential, commercial, Kentucky farms and property management.

Soper is happy to see the revitalization of histor-ic areas downtown, and for her company to be right in the middle of it on a daily basis. “We’re so excited to be in downtown Lexington,” she said, “but also on the cusp of the UK campus. It is such a vibrant area.”

By Kathie Stamps

In 1880, the original homeowner of 270 S. Limestone was J. Soule Smith. Born in northern Georgia, Smith moved to Lexington and graduated from Transyl-vania University. He was an a� orney and judge in Lexington, and was elected grand master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Kentucky. In his spare time, Smith was known to wax poetic about the mint julep for various publications. Mint juleps are part of “all things Derby,” and you can’t have a Kentucky Derby without horses or mint juleps.Judge Smith once wrote about the famous bourbon and mint drink, “Who has not tasted one has lived in vain.”Once upon a time, recipes were called “receipts.” In the late 1800s, Judge Smith wrote an eloquent receipt for the Kentucky mint julep.

Take � om the cold spring some water, pure as angels are; mix it with sugar until it seems like oil. � en take a glass and crush your mint within it with a spoon—crush it around the borders of the glass and leave no place untouched. � en throw the mint away—it is a sacri� ce. Fill with cracked ice the glass; pour in the quantity of Bourbon which you want. It trickles slowly through the ice. Let it have time to cool, then pour your sugared water over it. No spoon is needed, no stirring allowed—just let it stand a moment. � en around the brim place sprigs of mint, so that the one who drinks may � nd a taste and odor at one draught. When it is made, sip it slowly … the breath of the south wind is upon you … Sip it and dream; it is a dream itself. No other land can give so sweet a solace for your cares; no other liquor soothes you so in melancholy days.

The Smith HouseAnd Its Unique Julep Connection


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If the � owers are blooming the trees are turning green in the Bluegrass, it can only mean one thing-- the Keeneland Spring meet is in full swing. For just a few weeks in April, Lexing-ton becomes an international destination for some of the � nest horse racing in the world. Steeping in a rich tradition of class and style, the spring meet combines all the elements of high end life- clothes, hats, and accessories - to see and be seen. But it isn’t only the world’s elite that can enjoy the prestige of Keeneland, a pauper can be a prince on a spring day, and Cinderella can turn from maid to princess. It’s all about a� itude and style that Central Kentucky is well known for – bourbon, fast horses and beautiful women. Sometimes the revelry gets the best of us - acting up like a wild Mustang can make even the most esteemed Bluegrass heiress look like a cheap claimer. � e photos speak for themselves. Here is a list of dos and don’ts, prepared by ladies “in the know”! - Photos by Keni Parks

Trackside Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

by Lisa Sheehy and Miss Cass Dwyer

Lisa: WOW! � is Bluegrass beauty is de� nitively a do as she makes her way to Keeneland. � e hat is fabulous!

Miss Cass: Pairing a bright, beautiful hat with a simple dress is the perfect way to look amazing in the Paddock.

Lisa: Miss Springtime is as fresh and pre� y as the Dogwoods in bloom!

Miss Cass: Keeping your hair and ac-cessories demure is the best way to rock a big hat. Love the blue hues and the delicate � owers.

Lisa: She has it all together! She is sport-ing a must “Lilly” dress - every Bluegrass gal should have at least one in their clos-et.

Miss Cass: Keep Calm and Put on a Lilly.

Nickers Horse Talk Around Town

Do

Do

DoLisa: Keeneland Spring Meet is a sporting event not the prom and the beer is a nice touch!

Miss Cass: If you are going to have the audac-ity to wear an evening gown to Keeneland, at least drink champagne or a mint julep. Be fabulous all the way, sweetie.


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Lisa: Classic Bluegrass royalty! She has the classic Keeneland class and style. Black is always the “new black”.

Miss Cass: Always remember big hat etique� e! When moving through a big crowd, keep a hand on your brim to ease past others. Or, just wear a hat that is so stunning, the crowd will literally part before you. Like Moses.

Lisa: Oh dear–those shoes! Derby Doll it’s Keeneland... not a “Gentleman’s Club”

Miss Cass: � is is no way to end up in the Winner’s Circle.

Lisa: Bet on the jockey, don’t be the jockey!

Miss Cass: Although boots are a great fash-ion choice, choose a pair that makes a state-ment in your favor. Puss called, he wants his boots back.

Lisa: Having fun at the track is always in style.

Miss Cass: No ma� er who you bet on, you will always be a winner at Keeneland: just remember to have fun and stay classy!

Do

Do

Special thanks to Margalee Turner Conlee, owner of Head Turners for providing the one-of-a-kind uniquely designed hats. For your spe-cial designed hat go to www.myheadturner.com It’s always a do!

Do

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by Mary Ellen Slone

My dad died when I was 11 years old, and soon therea� er, I started to drink with my uncles, in order to cope with Dad’s loss. I wasn’t aware that my drinking was a sign of my becoming an alcoholic, or that I had lost control of my life. When I was 17, I ended up in an ICU unit having quit breathing as a result of alcohol poisoning. I still wouldn’t admit that I was in serious trouble. I worked, and went to school, but I drank on week-ends, and started using marijuana and other drugs. Finally, the drug court in Boyd County sent me to the Hope Center.

I learned that the pain meds I’d taken for a back injury which oc-curred at my former place of employment just fueled my addiction; whatever was necessary for me to ease the pain I used it; and ended up in the criminal justice system. Ironically, my ‘major’ in College was Criminal Justice.

Although I had been terminated from drug court, I was reinstated for one ‘last ditch e� ort’ to get my life back on track. � rough the grace of God, the Hope Center was assigned to help me with that commitment. � e peer mentors and the sta� at the Center’s Recov-ery Program had both the education and the experience in the � eld of addiction. � ey showed me how to live by not enabling me, and by accepting from me NOTHING but the truth. � ey showed me a way to deal with my many issues; past, present, and future. While at the Hope Center, I experienced God’s grace—participating in the program, I experienced a complete and total transformation. I can now enjoy life; I can and do smile and laugh, I don’t have to be “treated like a dog” anymore. I am honored to have been hired as Sta� at the Center, and I’m currently working as a recovery case-worker at the Jacob’s House.

A childhood friend and I now co-own Grace Painted, LLC here in Lexington. It’s a start-up, but it’s our goal to grow the business, and concurrently, to help others going through recovery. My personal goals are to remain clean, to continue my relationship with God, family, and friends, and to give back to the Hope Center for all that their programs have given me!

Les’ Story

HOPE is the state of mind which promotes the desire of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one’s life – while despair is recognized as the opposite of HOPE.

� ere is a vast di� erence between being disappointed and being hopeless. While virtually everyone experiences disappointment from time to time, hopelessness is a bo� om of-the-barrel, nega-tive category all of its own.

If you’ve ever been or currently are in a hopeless situation, you’ve experienced the genuinely insurmountable feelings of failure, fear, grief, futility, and o� en, most devastatingly, shame. Are you aware that each day in Lexington and Central Kentucky, men and women of all ages are barely existing and drowning in a world of despair?

� ankfully, for those stuck in this ‘living hell’ paradigm, there is a beacon of hope, literally and � guratively—the Hope Center. For

WE HELP ◆ WE HEAL ◆ WE GIVE HOPE

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twenty years, the Hope Center has embodied the concept of hope for thousands, by providing shelter, food, clothing, recov-ery, pathways to employment, transitional housing, and physical and mental health services.

Originally created in 1993 by the Lexington-Faye�e Urban County Government as a temporary shelter for homeless men, the Hope Center’s mission and its outreach have each expanded dramatically, providing both men and women with opportuni-ties to regain stability, sobriety, self-respect and purpose in their lives. In the name of hope, this organization provides food, shelter, and clothing to people who are homeless, recovery for those men and women su�ering from addiction, health services for those who are sick, diagnosis and treatment for those who are mentally ill, employment services for those who can work, transitional housing for those who are on their way back, and permanent a�ordable housing for those who need it. In just over twenty years, this amazing organization has positively impacted thousands of lives by o�ering these services and more to those in need in our community. �e opportunities for both hope and health are signi�cant and numerous.

�e Hope Center has several facilities around Lexington. �e West Loudon Avenue Men’s campus includes the Emergency Shelter, where homeless men can �nd the basics and begin the process of rebuilding; the Jacobs Hope Cafeteria, where hun-dreds of people each day can �nd a warm meal; the Don & Cathy Jacobs house for men in the Mental Health, Employment, and Recovery Programs; and the George Prive� Recovery Center for Men, where men over 18 who’ve chosen to escape addiction can recover in a supportive environment.

Several Hope Center programs are housed inside the Emergen-cy Shelter, such as the Employment and Hispanic Programs and the Recovery Detox facility, as well as the Hope Center Veterans Program, which provides shelter and other life-rebuilding ser-vices to those who have served our country in the Armed Forces.

On Versailles Road, their Women’s Campus o�ers many of the same opportunities; the Ball-Quantrell Jones Recovery Center for Women houses nearly 100 women recovering from sub-stance abuse, and the 44-unit Barbara Rouse Apartments for Women provides women who have completed a recovery pro-gram and their children with a supportive, sober, and perma-nent place to call home.

Also on Versailles Road, men in recovery can �nd permanent housing at the Hill Rise Apartments. Not to be overlooked, through the generosity of Baptist Health and others, the op-portunity to purchase the new “Hope Mobile” facilitating an expanded capability of providing community health services at various locations across Lexington. Because of the success of the recovery program at the Hope Center, it has been used as a model for Recovery Kentucky, a series of recovery centers across the Commonwealth. Ten of these centers are now open, and more are planned.

Jacqueline is a hard worker—and a �ghter. As a native Lex-ingtonian stationed in Germany, Jacqueline le� the military at the end of 2011 when she was pregnant with her second child. She returned to Kentucky with the commitment to a�end col-lege and the goal earning not one, but two medically related degrees. Having just earned her Certi�ed Nursing Assistant’s Certi�cation, Jacqueline has maintained a 4.0 GPA, and will soon complete her Associates in Science and Associates in Art Certi�cations. She’s hoping to transfer to the University of Kentucky for nursing school, and then to complete an l8-month Midwifery Certi�cation soon therea�er.

�is amazing young woman credits the Hope Center’s One Parent Scholar House as empowering her second chance, and, she’s justi�ably proud of the example she’s se�ing for her children. She commented,“ My son is �ve, and he’s at that age where he watches and sees everything. I know that my children are picking up habits from me, so we have weekend study ses-sions – my daughter, who is two, sits in her highchair with her colorful “ABC and 1,2,3” cards and my son sits at the table with his workbook, and I’m there with my homework.”

Although Jacqueline is o�en justi�ably exhausted from being a medical student, a mom, and working at a part time job, she’s adamant about the lead role the Hope Center has played in her life. I’ve hit rock bo�om before, and I never want to do that again. So, if I have to ask for help I will ask…this is me, today, growing, and doing what I know I can, and I will do!”

Jacqueline’s Story

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR MAY 15THOne Parent Scholar House is a unique facility, which is part of the Hope Center, and makes it possible for single parents with small chil-dren to earn their college or post-secondary degree, empowering them to sustain their families, and pass the love of education to their own children.

� e featured speaker is Naomi Judd—Grammy Award Winner, TV Personality, Actress, Humanitarian, Former RN, and mother of two highly successful daughters. Naomi’s life story reinforces the power of hope overcoming hopelessness in her life.

From humble beginnings as a single mom in a small Kentucky town to her meteoric rise as a country music superstar, Naomi is, in many ways, the poster child for overcoming the odds through hope and hard work. At the pinnacle of her career, Naomi was stricken with Hepa-titis C, a potentially fatal chronic liver disease, incurred from an infected needle when she worked as an RN. Today, leveraging her fame, her nursing experiences, and her passion to help people, she’s re-directed her energies to share her story by educating audiences about the scienti� c link between mind, body and spirit.

Also lending his support to this important and exciting event is UK Basketball Head Coach John Calipari.

For additional info, visit oneparentscholarhouse.org.

Relationships


There have been tons of books about the mystery of relationships. And for good reason! People don’t typically begin a

heartfelt relationship or marriage think-ing, “Honey, I can’t wait until we screw this up, drag all of our friends, family and children through a nasty break-up and wish hateful things upon one another for the rest of our lives!” Un-less out of desperation or convenience of some kind, we genuinely believe we have met the love of our lives when making a long-term com-mitment.

So the question in many of those self-help books is how to keep the love light burning over the course of time. Obviously there is no simple answer to this question or the divorce/break -up rates would be much di� erent. So, I have decided to over simplify the situation and o� er two straightforward suggestions.

Suggestion number one: Choose well. If you are a total and com-plete neat freak health nut, don’t choose a partner who has multiple Arby’s bags thrown on the � oorboard of the car, closet and bedside table. No ma� er how adorable they might be, this will likely bother you. A lot. And if you think that you are going to change them…good luck.

If you are a person who has multiple Arby’s bags thrown on the � oorboard of your car, closet and bedside table, don’t choose a partner who is a total and complete neat freak health nut. Likewise, this will bother you. A lot.

You might have a vision for your life of extreme wealth, or wish to be a stay-at-home mother and raise four beautiful children. In that case, you might opt against � nding a partner who’s primary

income is being the drummer for a local band called “SLASH”. No ma� er how gorgeous and how many songs have been wri� en in your honor, chances are at some point, this will bother you. A lot.

We are all weird birds in our own way. Human beings are as complicated as it comes, but ba-sic compatibility is such an important and very

overlooked aspect in choosing well. It really doesn’t ma� er who’s right or wrong. � e ques-

tion is, can you reside together peacefully without the need of changing everything about your partner to make you happy.

Suggestion number two: Don’t o� er some-body a Filet Mignon and make them se� le for a

burnt cheeseburger.

If you bring them co� ee in bed in the early days, bring them cof-fee in bed when the honeymoon is over. If you le� sweet li� le love notes in their travel bag before a road trip, continue to do this over time. We seem to play the old switcheroo on each other and pres-ent ourselves di� erently than we are willing to be long term. We get lazy in the relationship and forget to remember to do the li� le things that made us fall in love in the � rst place.

We are not allowed to suddenly become lazy in our jobs. If we did, we would be � red. When problems arise at work, we communicate to � nd solutions. We must show up on time and are accountable for the work that we were hired to do. If for one year, you arrived at work on time every day, reached goals, did extra assignments on weekends and were pleasant to be around, then suddenly played the old switcheroo, your boss would have a very serious issue.

It is incredible how clearly we understand what is required in most all areas of our lives to keep things working. But we get the laziest with the one person that we chose to spend our lives with. Take this from somebody who has ordered many � let mignons and eaten a lot of burnt cheeseburgers.

by Bu� y LawsonRelationship Veteran

BurntCheese-burgers

Filet Mignon

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keeneland college scholarship day

College Scholarship Day, one of Keeneland’s most popular events, took place on April 4th. College students had the opportunity to spend a day at the races, and some even went home with prizes or college scholarships. Keeneland awarded $1,000 in scholarships after each race. Students received free general admission with their college ID.

www.keeneland.com

Photos by Alex Orlov

Scan here to see all the photos for this event at

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keeneland military day

Keeneland honored all the brave men and women who fight for our country on April 6th. With a form of military ID, active duty soldiers, veterans and military family were granted free admission at all gates. The event featured special activities and giveaways for children in honor of the Month of the Military Child.

www.keeneland.com

Photos by Paul Atkinson


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KEENELAND HORSES AND HOPE PINK DAY

Keeneland joined forces with First Lady Jane Beshear’s Horses and Hope program in order to host Pink Day on April 13th. The event promoted and raised money for breast cancer awareness. Supporters and survivors sported their pink and participated in special events throughout the day. One race was named the Horses and Hope race in honor of all breast cancer survivors.

www.keeneland.com

Photos by Paul Atkinson


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WOW Wedding

�eir wedding was held on October 19, 2013 at �e Hunt Morgan House Garden. �ey chose the location because it was a beautiful, outdoor se�ing that would allow their family and friends to share in the intimacy of the day. However, the day of the wedding, it looked like rain was on the horizon. Cassie panicked but when she and Zach met for a private moment before the ceremony, the clouds parted and the sky looked absolutely beautiful. �e bride describes that moment as feeling as though all of their lost loved ones were looking out for them on their wedding day.

Cassie’s wedding dress was Monique Lhuillier and the shoes Jimmy Choo. She wore jade drop earrings that belonged to her late, great grandmother. She also tied a 5191 coin to her bouquet in memory of her late grandfather and step-grandmother, victims of the �ight 5191 crash. On her right hand, she wore her late grandmother’s ring.

Friends and family served in the wedding parties and the couple alternated bridesmaids and groomsmen on either side instead of having all the bridesmaids on one side and all the groomsmen on the other. Rishi, one of the couple’s best friends, o�ciated the wedding. He wrote the whole ceremony, creating a personal and special experience. At one point, he said, “Will you trust and respect her…” then added, “and her bold fashion choices?” �e joke made everyone laugh and lightened the mood.

�e ceremony decor was simple, as the garden provided a gorgeous se�ing. �e bridesmaids wore Eliza J. dresses, while the groom and the groomsmen wore Jos A Banks. Whitney Williams at Fleet Street Hair Shoppe provided hair and make-up for the bride and bridal party. Sarah Leer served as the rehearsal and day of wedding coordinator and Melanie Mauer was the photographer.

Following the ceremony, a large reception was held for the bride and groom at Idle Hour Country Club. �e color scheme was gold, ivory and peach and the decorations �owing and whimsical. Patrick Howard helped in creating tulle curtains to adorn every doorway and curtains were tied back with delectable ivory and peach �ower arrangements. Flower arrangements of similar style and color were placed on each cocktail table, including the mantle and mirror behind the cake table. Claudia Engle provided the calligraphy, including a monogram using the couple’s initials.

Guests were greeted with hors d’oeuvres of mini black bean cakes and mini hot browns. Since the bride is a vegetarian and the groom is not, guests were treated to both options. Dinner was served bu�et style, with beef, chicken, and �sh as well as pasta and salad. �e cake, from Martine’s, was ivory with two gold and peach stripes on each layer, separated by �owers. Entertainment was provided by one of the couple’s favorite groups, �e Jimmy Church band.

Weddings


Choosing a wedding gown is the number one decision on any brides ‘to do’ list – from going with mom’s gown, picking a style

to go along with a theme, styles that suit your � gure, considerations on the venue - the nuances of the decision are endless. But in the past few years another choice has been added to the mix—color.

� ere are amazingly beautiful color choices out there and one of them is hardly a color at all. It’s blush! � is tone is more than ivory, less than pink, maybe a touch of ecru, possibly a hint of peach… it is simply rich, luscious and completely beautiful.

To Blush or Not to Blush

Many times you may look at a wedding dress and say “Is that white or ivory?” � e choice of a blush gown is that one more tonal change that shows that your gown is a step beyond the rest. Many times the catego-ry of blush includes dress colors that are a very speci� c hue like peach toned or outright pink, but the true blush is that so� est of so� tones that doesn’t have too much of one color and still very much looks like a wedding dress. Traditional white wedding gowns don’t � a� er every skin tone, and the option of Blush is a welcome addition to the wed-ding pale� e. It is so� , subtle and completely feminine.

Say Yes to � e Dress, Not the Trend

Ever since celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, and Gwen Stefani walked down the aisle in blush gowns, their popularity has soared. But be prepared – many brides walk into a wedding salon pre-sold on a blush gown to be on trend, but walk away with the more traditional white or ivory wedding dress, having been swept o� their feet with the magic of seeing themselves in that classic white gown.

Choose the Tone Based on Your Skin Tone

If you go blush, your guests won’t hush – it’s a way to set yourself apart from every other bride. It is easier to look your best and to glow in a so� ly colored gown—you’ll take your guests’ breath away! It is fair to say that blush is universally � a� ering – however if you are very fair, a blush gown may be so close to your skin tone that the gown may appear to wash you out. However, to be true to trend, the very pale look is in a big, way (thanks, Edward and Bella.)

We will explore more colors and tones in the next few articles, but for now don’t be bashful to try blush – it could be just the thing to set your wedding apart, make your skin tone glow, and transform you into a beautiful ‘Blushing Bride’!

Blush but not Bashful

by Marsha KollerWedding Consultant

Choices are Flush with Blush Wedding Gowns


6 TUESDAYPeter Case8p Natasha’s Bar & Bistrobeetnik.com

7 WEDNESDAYCult Film Series: Zardoz8p Al’s Baralsbarlexington.com

Legends vs. Asheville8p Whitaker Bank Ballparklexingtonlegends.com

8 THURSDAYCentral Bank Thursday Night Live4:30p-9p Cheapside Parkdowntownlex.com

Perfect Wedding by Studio Players8p Carriage House Theatre� nearts.uky.edu

Garrison Keillor Book Signing7p Joseph-Beth Booksellersjosephbeth.com

9 FRIDAYJerry Seinfeld7p EKU Center for the Artsekucenter.com

Big River8p Falling Springs Recreational Centerwoodfordtheatre.com

10 SATURDAYCentral Kentucky Heart Walk8a Keeneland Race Courseheartwalk.org

2nd Annual Craw� sh Festival4p The Red Milekentuckycraw� shfestival.com

Mayfest Arts Fair10a-6p Gratz Parkdowntownlex.com

Dancing with the Lexington Stars6:30p Gri� n Gate Marriottdancingwiththelexingtonstars.com

14 WEDNESDAYPreservation Hall Jazz Band7:30p Lyric Theatrelexingtonlyric.com

Larry Reeb7:15 & 9:45p Comedy O� Broadwaycomedyo� broadway.com

15 THURSDAYCentral Bank Thursday Night Live4:30p-9p Cheapside Parkdowntownlex.com

16 FRIDAYLexington Philharmonic presents Beethoven’s No. 97:30p Singletary Centerlexphil.org

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy7:30p Lyric Theatrelexingtonlyric.com

Taste of the Bluegrass7p Keene Barngodspantry.org

Legends vs. Savannah7p Whitaker Bank Ballparklexingtonlegends.com

Up & Coming

MAY


17 SATURDAYKentucky Ballet Theatre presents Sleeping Beauty2p & 8p Lexington Opera Housekyballet.com

Lexington Humane Society’s Mutt Strut9a Coldstream Parklexingtonhumanesociety.org

Craft Brews and Food Fest12p Lexington Convention Centeralltechbrewsandfood.com

18 SUNDAYGirls on the Run 5K2p Keeneland Racetrackgotrcentralky.org

19 MONDAYThe Infamous Stringdusters and Elephant Revival7p Lyric Theatrewoodsongs.com

High Hope Steeplechase11a Kentucky Horse Parkhighhopesteeplechase.com

20 TUESDAYBig Band & Jazz7p Moondance Amphitheatermoondancelex.com

22 THURSDAYLegends vs. Savannah7p Whitaker Bank Ballparklexingtonlegends.com

23 FRIDAYFood Trucks for a Cause11a Downtown/Thoroughbred Park dressforsucess.org

Summer Nights in Suburbia7p Moondance Amphitheatermoondancelex.com

26 MONDAYTea with Paula Deen2:30p Carrick Housesaintmarkcatholicchurch.net

27 TUESDAYAn Evening with Dolly Parton8p EKU Center for the Artsekucenter.com

29 THURSDAYJon Lovitz7:15 & 9:45p Comedy O� Broadwaycomedyo� broadway.com

Central Bank Thursday Night Live4:30p-9p Cheapside Parkdowntownlex.com

30 FRIDAYThe Black Jacket SymphonyLexington Opera Houseblackjacketsymphony.com

31 SATURDAYEncore! Presented by OperaLexKeenelandoperalex.com

Up & Coming

MAY


1 SUNDAYTunes in the Vines2p Equus Run Vineyardsequusrunvineyards.com

3 TUESDAYPyramid Society Egyptian Arabian Event 8am Kentucky Horse Parkpyramidsociety.org

Big Band & Jazz7p Moondance Amphitheatermoondancelex.com

4 WEDNESDAYCult Film Series: Blue Velvet8p Al’s Baralsbarlexington.com

5 THURSDAYGreat American Brass Band FestivalDowntown Danvillegabbf.org


Taylor Mason7:15 & 9:45p Comedy O� Broadwaycomedyo� broadway.com

6 FRIDAYSummer Nights in Suburbia 7p Moondance Amphitheatermoondancelex.com

Fair Trade Festival and27 Hour Triathlon 6a Spindletop Halltri4freedom.org

7 SATURDAYKentucky Tour de Cure 7a Norton Commonsdiabetes.org

L & N Railroad Day9a Berea Tourism Centerberea.com

9 MONDAY25th Annual Golf Tournament8a University Club of KYkentuckyonehealth.org

Legends vs. Asheville7p Whitaker Bank Ballparklexingtonlegends.com

12 THURSDAY41st Annual Festival of the Bluegrass Kentucky Horse Parkfestivalofthebluegrass.com


13 FRIDAYPappy for your Pappy6p Bu� alo Tracebu� alotrace.com

14 SATURDAYDowntown Poker Stroll6p Fifth-third Pavilionlexe� ectky.com

Up & Coming

JUNE

Documents

TOPS in Lexington Magazine May 2014