Welcome to Wickliffe

Recently my family has taken up geocaching. For the unfamiliar, geocaching is basically a global treasure hunt in which you search for small boxes using GPS coordinates. They are hidden all around you and they are incredibly fun to find.

One of the best parts of geocaching is it forces you to leave your comfort zone and explore areas you might have otherwise neglected. Case in point, a week ago my family and I went to geocache in the little town of Wickliffe.

Located 30 miles West of Paducah on the confluence of the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers, Wickliffe only has a population of about 800. It's no metropolis but it makes a fun day trip on a fall day.

First we stopped in this fun little park in the shadow of the town hall. 

Next we stopped at Cross at the Confluence City Park. The name is deserved let me tell you.

The 95 foot cross overlooks one of the prettiest views I've seen in Kentucky and we were so happy to have seen it.

Last, we stopped at the Wickliffe Mounds, a Kentucky STATE park (which meant it was open, take that shutdown!). The Mounds were the site of a Native American village somewhere between 1100 to 1350 A.D. Sit with that date for a minute. It took me a while to process just how long ago that was.

We learned quite a bit about the Native American society that existed in Kentucky long before the days of Daniel Boone and it was incredibly fascinating. 

It was the perfect end to a fun little trip to Wickliffe and another good reminder that Kentucky has so much to offer beyond headliners of bourbon and bluegrass!

~ Sarah Stewart Holland

Wear Red to Keeneland for the American Heart Association

I feel like we spend a lot of time here at HerKentucky talking about finding just the right outfit for Keeneland. We've picked the perfect outfit, we've shown you the wrong outfit, and we've discussed the dress code for every area of the track. If you find yourself headed to the track tomorrow, though, we've got one more simple rule for you: Wear Red.

Tomorrow, Wednesday October 16, is Keeneland's Wear Red for the American Heart Association day. The first 3,000 guests will receive a special Red Dress lapel pin, and the day will build awareness of women's heart disease. 

The CDC estimates that 1 in 4 women's deaths in Kentucky will be due to heart disease. As I've said before, this is a cause really near to, well, my heart. Educate yourself. Visit the American Heart Association's website for more information. And wear red to the track tomorrow!

Kentucky Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Did you know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Kentucky?

  

Upon assigning this mission to the month, Governor Steve Beshear recently announced some sobering statistics:

Domestic violence crosses all spectrums – no matter your race, religion, economic or social standing. Anyone can be affected, One-third of Kentucky women report being abused at least once during their lifetime, and it is our duty as public officials, citizens, friends and neighbors to reduce this outspread of violence. Please join us in bringing awareness to the scope of domestic abuse and support victims in your communities.

One-third of Kentucky women report being abused at least once. That is a staggering, heart-breaking statistic.

Governor and Mrs. Beshear have worked hard to bring awareness and change to this situation. For the past five years, Mrs. Beshear has helped KDVA and anti-domestic violence advocates sponsor Shop and Share Day, a one-day drive to gather goods and necessities for domestic violence shelters across Kentucky. Since 2008, the drive has raised more than $2 million in goods and monetary donations. 

In addition to commemorating October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, state legislators also announced that they will support a new dating domestic violence bill during the upcoming 2014 General Assembly. “Once a national leader in domestic violence protection, Kentucky has fallen behind,” said Rep. John Tilley, chair of the House Judiciary Committee.  “The next step is to include dating couples under this umbrella of protection, something more than 40 other states already provide.  I am committed to doing all I can to make sure the Commonwealth is on that list.” 

Kentucky is one of only four states that do not provide protection for dating violence victims. Research shows that young women between the ages of 20 to 24 are at greatest risk of intimate partner violence, and the state’s current protective order law does not protect victims of dating violence.

The organization formerly known as the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program recently re-branded itself as Greenhouse17. This organization brings social, legal, and housing services to help with crisis situations. Executive Director Darlene Thomas, 

We’ve been aware for a long time of the disconnect between our name and our mission.We take a holistic approach to helping people not simply to survive a crisis, but to grow as human beings and move on to lead full and fulfilling lives.Our new name, GreenHouse17, gets to the heart of what we do – nurture lives damaged by intimate partner violence – in 17 Kentucky counties

Greenhouse17 recently launched their 17 days/17 ways initiative, a way of bringing awareness of domestic violence to every Kentuckian with simple steps that we can all undertake. These aren't just an October mission; they're something we should all be doing every day. 

TUESDAY 10/1: Dial 911 if you see or hear about intimate partner abuse.

WEDNESDAY 10/2:Speak out. If you see or hear someone using abusive or controlling language, say “I don’t appreciate that,” and explain why it's unacceptable.

THURSDAY 10/3: Reach out to someone you think might be experiencing intimate partner abuse. Listen, believe in and support this person. Give them our toll free crisis hotline number: 800-544-2022.

FRIDAY 10/4:Add domestic violence to the list of crimes on your neighborhood watch list. 

SATURDAY 10/5: Volunteer your time at GreenHouse17. There’s always a long list of things to be done.

SUNDAY 10/6: Help your workplace or church develop a written policy regarding domestic violence if they don’t have one. Greenhouse17 can help. 

MONDAY 10/ 7: Purchase the fresh flowers and produce grown on the Greenhouse17 farm.Call 859-233-0657 to order.

TUESDAY 10/8:Invite educators to speak on domestic violence prevention at your school, church, civic group, or business. 

WEDNESDAY 10/9: Like GreenHouse17 on Facebook and share the page with your friends.

THURSDAY 10/10: Throw a GreenHouse party and ask guests to bring items to donate to our shelter.

FRIDAY 10/11: Talk to the young adults in your life about healthy relationships. Help them recognize the signs of dating violence. 

SATURDAY 10/12 Donate to GreenHouse17. Money, goods and supplies are always welcome. Donate gently used clothing and furniture in the name of Greenhouse17 to Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity. They’ll exchange these for vouchers so Greenhouse17 families can shop for what they need. 

SUNDAY 10/13: Tell your state representatives you support protections for survivors of domestic violence. 

MONDAY 10/14: Ask yourself honestly if your own behavior is truly violence-free. 

TUESDAY 10/15:Write a letter to your local paper describing the problem of domestic violence in your community and suggest solutions like these. 

WEDNESDAY 10/16: Adopt GreenHouse17 where you work so your co-workers are encouraged to donate money and allowed time off to volunteer. 

  

THURSDAY 10/17: Believe that your voice and actions can make a difference. 

Please, this month, educate yourself about domestic violence, and lend a hand in some small way. Contact your local legislator and let him or her know your concerns. There are a lot of Kentuckians who are truly suffering.

Story Sessions

Y'all know that I just love Story Magazine.

Editor Julie Wilson has done an amazing job with the two-year old publication. (That's right: new print. Succeeding. Thriving. Beautifully.) Story curates the unique, offbeat, and different aspects of Kentucky life. I find that, with every issue, I'm learning something new and cool about our Commonwealth.

Tonight, Story will continue its mission to spotlight cool and offbeat Kentucky with the launch of Story Sessions, which will spotlight Kentucky bands in intimate venues across the Commonwealth. 

The inaugural Story Session will be held at 9 PM tonight at Louisville's Shangri-la Productions, featuring Lexington-based band Oh My Me. Fronted by singer Erin O'Donnell Reynolds, Oh My Me is an eclectic band that was featured at the 2012 SXSW festival.

Story Sessions will include conversations with the artists along with the performance. If you weren't lucky enough to score one of the limited release tickets, you can catch the livestream on Story's website.

Lexington Fall Visitors Ideas

In a little over a week, I have friends from out of state coming in town for the Tough Mudder in Maysville. They're staying with me in Lexington, and I have a very short amount of time to convince them how amazing this city is. Here are some of my initial ideas. Consider using them if you're trying to entertain guests this fall!

Keeneland

I mean, you know that'd be the first thing on anyone's list, right? Thankfully, the Fall Meet runs through October 26th on all days except Monday and Tuesday. First race post time is 1:05 pm daily.

Kelley Farms Corn Maze

photo credit: Kelley Farms

This year's corn maze at Kelley Farms just out Old Richmond Road in Lexington is a tribute to R.J. Corman. Corman was a Nicholasville native and backhoe operator turned railway magnate. He passed earlier this year, and this is a great tribute. Kelley Farms has the corn maze, goats, hayrides, yummy festival food, pumpkins, and more. The farm is open through October 26th. Hours and prices are on their website.

Ghost Tour at Buffalo Trace Distillery

photo credit: Buffalo Trace Distillery

Going on a tour of at least one distillery is a must-do for visitors and residents alike, but seasonally appropriate is the Ghost Tour at Buffalo Trace. These night time tours are equal parts spooky and interesting. The tours run Thurs-Sat at 7pm, and last 1 hour. Reservations must be made well in advance.

Food

photo credit: Shakespeare & Company

As much as I love my friends, I don't like cooking 3 meals a day for groups. A list of non-chain restaurants is always handy in these occasions. Maybe we'll stop by Nick Ryan's Saloon for The Stirrup Cup Hot Brown plus a little flavor of downtown. Or we could head to my favorite place for southern diner food plus a piece of Missy's Pies: Ramesy's. For a completely different environment, we might go to Shakespeare & Company (photo above) downtown. And if we want some of the best brunch around, a trip to Winchell's on Southland Drive will be on the agenda. Elvis Pancakes, perhaps?

What other fun visitors ideas do you have?

A Day at Devine's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Taking my girls to the area apple orchards and pumpkin patches is one of my most favorite fall activities. I love spending the day outside, and the girls love the farms and the playgrounds. Every year, we make the rounds through Boyds Orchards, Evans Orchard and Cider Mill, and Bi-Water Farm.

This year, we discovered a new one: Devine's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Devine's is located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky--about a 40 minute, beautiful drive from Lexington through the Bluegrass Parkway.

My daughter and I went to Devine's on a class field trip. I'm used to extremely crowded farms this time of year, packed with kids from all over central Kentucky on their own field trips. There are generally rows and rows of school buses in the parking lot. At Devine's, there was one other bus there besides ours. It wasn't crowded at all.

Like most of the area farms, Devine's offers tractor rides, pumpkin picking, a petting zoo, a playground, and concessions. And then, there's the corn maze.

The Corn Maze has three levels: the kiddie level, the first-timer/4-H level, and the featured FFA level. Since I was with Lauren's class, we went through the kiddie level. I'd love to go back and explore the FFA level. It seems like such a classic, fun fall activity that I've never gotten to do before. The corn stalks are much taller than me, and I'm absolutely, 100% positive I would get lost in the middle of them, but even that sounds fun. (Also, they turn the corn maze into a Field of Horror on Halloween weekend and the next weekend--I'd love to check that out sometime.)



The kids' favorite part, of course, was the play area. They had several of the attractions I've seen on playgrounds at other farms--large slides, human hamster wheels, tire mountains, tricycle paths--but the absolute best part was another Devine's exclusive: the bouncing pillow.

Just so you know, dear readers, I did a highly scientific study of the bouncing pillow just so I would be able to adequately describe it for you here. It went like this:

Me: Are adults allowed to jump on that too?
Staff: Sure.
Me: Like, right now? With the kids on there?
Staff: Yep.
Me: *TEARS OFF SHOES AND TAKES OFF RUNNING*

It was basically the most fun I've had in weeks. If you go, you have to jump on it. It's a must. Adults can jump REALLY HIGH, you guys.

I'm thrilled that Lauren's school discovered this place. We'll definitely be adding it to our yearly tour of area farms. What are some of your favorite local fall activities?

Pumpkin Picking Means Fall

Every year since we moved back to Kentucky we've gone pumpkin picking. We've been to all the local favorites in Paducah - Wurth Farms, The Pumpkin Barn, and Schmidt Farms. 

Every year through cold weather and warm we pick the perfect pumpkin (or pumpkins) for our family.

Every year we take hayrides and buy candied apples and pose for a family picture. 

Every year as our family grows and changes, we come together to a pumpkin field and welcome another autumn with open arms. 

~ Sarah Stewart Holland