Five Ways Kentucky Can Inspire You Today!
Have y'all heard of Creative Mornings? It's a monthly lecture series geared toward creative people. Here in Louisville, we're headed into our seventh month of CM meetings, which offer coffee and pastries from the best local shops, a chance to hang out with the movers and shakers of the local creative community, and an always-inspiring message. (Last month's event with the guys from Kentucky for Kentucky actually led me to go home, secure an internet domain, and get started on a business plan for an idea I've had in mind for a while now.) For creative folks across the Commonwealth, the Creative Mornings events are a regularly scheduled burst of inspiration. In fact, the theme of this month's CM talk is Inspiration.
Earlier this week, CM Louisville announced an Instagram contest where they asked their fans and friends to post a photo that symbolizes inspiration. Of course, I knew immediately what I'd say. Kentucky inspires me. Every. Single. Day.
This week, there's been a whole lot of bad news. I've been heartbroken by the stories coming in from Johnson County; there's just so much devastation and sadness back home that it just doesn't seem real. But, there are so many incredible people across the Bluegrass State who are putting so much good back into the world. Kentuckians are donating time and resources to provide immediate aid to Johnson County. And there are so many more ways that our fellow Kentuckians are making our Commonwealth a better place. Just in case you need a little reassurance that people -- especially your fellow Kentuckians -- are trying to do good things, here are five ways that Kentucky can inspire you today:
- Glean KY's Burgers & Beats, this Sunday at Wallace Station in Versailles. Glean KY makes use of a really simple, yet brilliant premise: the food that's being wasted at supermarkets, farms and farmers' markets can be collected and donated to food banks. Don't miss their annual fundraiser at Ouita Michel's charming Wallace Station restaurant, featuring live music, local ice cream, and more!
- My Kentucky Tee's Old Friends Campaign Tee. Our friends at My Kentucky Tee are so creative and fabulous. Now through Monday, July 20th, you can order this adorable t-shirt from My Kentucky Tee; $5 from every tee sold will go to Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center. I love the idea that we can give back to the horses who bring us so much entertainment (and often big wins!) as they age! (Check out Love, Lexington for more information and gorgeous photos of Old Friends!)
- The Missing Animals of Flat Gap Flood Facebook Page: It's often an afterthought, but in the wake of major catastrophes like the floods in Johnson County, the pets who are fortunate enough to survive are often displaced or separated from their owners. It's awesome to see the lost and found communities springing up on social media to help offset this problem!
- Sundy Best Johnson County Benefit: Sundy Best is my hometown's favorite up-and-coming roots-country duo. They've played the Grand Ole Opry, but they'll always be Prestonsburg boys at heart. Next Wednesday, July 22nd, they're putting on a free benefit concert in Johnson County as a donation drive for those affected by flooding.
- The Abbey at Gethsemani: The Trappist Monastery in Nelson County served as the inspiration for Thomas Merton's classic memoir The Seven Storey Mountain. The oldest monastery continually operating in the United States, the Abbey sustains the simple, contemplative life of its inhabitants through farming efforts and the production of cheeses, fruitcakes, and fudge. A few days ago, Kentucky celebrated Summer Harvest Day; the Kentucky branch of the U.S. Postal Service celebrated this occasion at the Abbey at Gethsemani while presenting the USPS's Summer Harvest Forever Stamp. When I received a press release about this event, I was reminded of the interesting history of the Abbey and the ways that life at the monastery inspired Mr. Merton.
What's inspiring y'all today?
How You Can Help Johnson County!
Eastern Kentucky area impacted by severe flooding.
Earlier this week, Johnson County was impacted by severe flooding.
We're talking houses and cars being washed away. Two people are confirmed dead; several more are still missing. And countless folks have lost everything. The stories from back home are simply heartbreaking.
For those of y'all who aren't quite sure where Johnson County is, it's in the heart of eastern Kentucky. It's where Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle spent their formative years. Richard Thomas (John Boy from the Waltons) has roots there. For basketball fans, you may recognize the names of hometown favorites John Pelphrey, J.R. Vanhoose, and Todd Tackett. And, on a personal note, it's home to a whole lot of my family and friends.
It's going to take a long time to rebuild. This is an area where people aren't always food secure; it's hard to describe the ways that a catastrophe impacts an area that is already economically fragile. Just trust me when I say that it's going to be really hard.
Here are some ways you can help:
The quickest and easiest is to visit Kentucky Brewed Tees before 3:30 EDT today to order this t-shirt. 100% of their proceeds will go to benefit recovery efforts. They've already raised over $1200! (The owners of KBT are based in Johnson County, and I can personally vouch for the fact that your funds will be handled responsibly!)
If you're local to Eastern Kentucky, stop by the Paintsville or Pikeville Food City and donate non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, or toiletries. If you're in Floyd County, you can also stop by Parkview Pharmacy in Minnie to drop off supplies.
The needs are immediate. Right now, Johnson County natives are looking for the most basic items. There will be a time when clothing and permanent shelter are needed, but these are the items that are currently needed. Johnson Central High School is serving as an immediate crisis center.
If you'd like to donate funds, you can contact the Johnson County Long-Term Recovery Group, which was formed a few years ago to address regrowth following the 2012 tornados that struck the same area. JCLTRG has an online donation page, and is conducting a radio donation drive on Paintsville's WSIP (98.9 FM) station this Saturday.
If you know someone who is impacted by the flooding:
Obviously, immediate shelter and provisions are the most important thing. However, we have seen some gracious offers of help (this will be updated as we hear more offers!)
- Duracell is bringing its Rapid Responder charging station to Johnson County. Follow them on Twitter for information about free batteries and mobile charging stations.
- If your photographs were damaged by floodwaters, Paula Goble Photography has offered to help restore them free of charge.
HerKentucky sends warm thoughts and deepest hopes for safety, peace, and resillance for our friends and family in Johnson County!
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know about Happy Chandler
Observing the 117th anniversary of Kentucky Governor A.B. "Happy" Chandler's birth.
Albert Benjamin Chandler was born July 14, 1898 in Corydon, Kentucky. Three years later, Chandler's teenaged mother, Callie, fled the state, abandoning her husband Joseph and their young sons. Chandler worked his way through college and law school, going on to achieve memorable careers in both politics and sports. An ambitious and often polarizing figure in his chosen fields, Chandler never failed to show his deep love for the Bluegrass State. In honor of the inimitable Kentucky politician and perhaps the most famous singer of Kentucky's state song, here are 10 things you probably didn't know about Happy Chandler.
- Chandler earned his undergraduate degree at Transylvania College, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, captain of the football and basketball teams, and quarterback of the football team.
- At Transylvania, Chandler earned the nickname "Happy", because he was always jovial and pleasant.
- After earning a degree from Transylvania, Happy considered a career in professional baseball (he even threw a no-hitter in a development league game!), but chose instead to attend Harvard Law School.
- While matriculating at Harvard, he scouted the University's football team; many credit this intel as a factor in Centre College's famous 1921 victory over Harvard.
- After one year of Harvard education proved too financially draining, he completed his law degree at the University of Kentucky. Throughout law school, he worked as a high school baseball coach and a football scout and assistant coach for Centre College.
- Chandler's political career spanned over sixty years. He was named Chairman of the Woodford County Democratic Party in the 1920s, and master commissioner of the Woodford County Circuit Court in 1928.
- Happy served as the 44th (1935-1939) and 49th (1945-1951) Governor of Kentucky and the 2nd Commissioner of Baseball (1945-51). Innovations attributed to his terms included a free textbook program, participation in the federal rural electrification program, establishment of a teachers' retirement system and an old-age assistance program, and the start of a special rural roads program
- As Baseball Commissioner, Happy approved the Brooklyn Dodgers' contract with Jackie Robinson, paving the way for African-American players in baseball.
- Other jobs held by Chandler included newspaper publisher, Senator, and Commissioner of the Continental Football League.
- Chandler was named to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Man of the Year by both The Kentucky Press Association and the Kentucky Broadcasting Association, and was the longest-living Kentucky governor.
Here's to Happy on the 117th anniversary of his birth! He wasn't always right, but he always loved the Commonwealth!
The 5 Kentucky Festivals That'll Make You Look Forward to this Weekend
This weekend's top summer festivals!
Here in Kentucky, we love to celebrate things. Any old excuse will do, really. It seems that this weekend, we've got lots to celebrate. There are festivals all over the Commonwealth this weekend, celebrating everything from Corvettes to Corn. Here are five upcoming Kentucky-based Festivals that will make you look forward to this weekend.
- Forecastle. The rock star of Kentucky festivals. Three days of music, local art, and general hippie fun. Headlined by hometown heroes My Morning Jacket and jam band favorites Widespread Panic, Forecastle is Louisville's very own answer to Bonnaroo. July 17-19, Louisville.
- Shriners Bluegrass Festival. Love old-timey bluegrass? Want to camp out in Carter County? This one's for you. July 16-18, Olive Hill
- National Corvette Homecoming. The Corvette is Kentucky's car. This weekend, a whole bunch of Corvette owners are driving to Bowling Green, where it all begins. Vendors, parades, car shows and more. July 16-18, Bowling Green.
- BreyerFest. You know those Breyer horses that were always at the toy store when you were a kid? They looked neat, and you always knew that SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE collected them. Well, this weekend at the Horse Park, all of those somebodies are in one place. July 17-19, Lexington.
- Augusta Riverfest Regatta: Everything from a 5K and beauty pageant to live music. Oh, and of course, boats. It is a regatta, after all. July 17-18, Augusta.
Of course, you can't just wear anything to a festival; you need a look that incorporates layers, protection from the elements, and a sense of effortless chic. Fedoras and maxi dresses, wellies or sneakers, funky tees and of course sunglasses are in order. We've put together a festival style guide below! (And, if you'll be in Louisville on Thursday, don't miss Kentucky for Kentucky's festival gear pop-up at Hound Dog Press!)
Shop the Look: Summer Festival Style
Are you taking in any fun Kentucky festivals this summer?
The 5 Best Bourbon Tours for People Who Really Don't Drink Bourbon
Kentucky's distilleries offer so much more than just bourbon!
Now and again, I find myself singing the praises of a bourbon distillery tour, either to a fellow Kentuckian or an out-of-towner,only to be met with an unenthusiastic "Oh, I'm not a big drinker" or "I don't really like bourbon." I'm always taken aback by these responses. Sure, distilleries produce bourbon, which is often quite delicious, but they also tell so many authentically Kentucky stories.
The thing that makes Kentucky's bourbon distilleries so very special isn't just the product that's being made. It's the timelessness, the history, and the community spirit that surround the Kentucky spirits industry. The master distillers still carry a little jar of their secret recipe home every night so that the original mash bill can never be lost, in a throwback to the earliest days of bourbon-making. When tragedy strikes a distillery, Kentuckians are concerned. We don't just worry about the lost booze or the hit to the Commonwealth's tourism industry; every distillery contains friends, relatives, and colleagues who are directly impacted. This week alone, when the site of the upcoming Brown-Forman Whiskey Row visitors center was destroyed by fire and the Heaven Hill warehouse was damaged by storms, our thoughts turned immediately to the safety of our friends who work in the spirits industry. It often feel that even those of us who don't choose to imbibe are connected the bourbon family.
In the spirit of our Summer Fun Lists, here are the top 5 can't miss bourbon attractions for folks who aren't all about the bourbon. Click here to download.
5. The Speakeasy Experience at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. If you're interested in the history of Louisville or a fan of Jazz Age history, you absolutely MUST take this tour. It's quick (usually runs around half an hour) and cheap ($12). It's led by a bourbon historian who takes on the character of a Prohibition-era barkeep; he even infuses a fascinating little story from his own family into the tale. If you or your guests find yourselves in downtown Louisville on a weekend, you should make a point of stopping by this attraction on your way to the Slugger Museum or 21C. If you don't like bourbon, I can promise you that someone in the tour group will be happy to take the complimentary taste of 23 year Evan off your hands for you!
4. The National Landmark Tour at Woodford Reserve. This is an amazing experience for history and architecture buffs. It's about the evolution of Central Kentucky; it just happens to use a bourbon distillery to tell that story.
3. Jim Beam American Stillhouse. It's just so amazingly beautiful out at Jim Beam. It's like you've been carried back in time to a perfect little village amidst rolling foothills. As you pass the on-site fire department and the statue of Jim Beam, you feel more like you're in a really well-decorated theme than a distillery; don't miss barbecue from the on-site restaurant!
2. The Ghost Tour at Buffalo Trace. Spend an eerie hour or so on the historic riverbanks of our Commonwealth's capital city, looking for the ghost of Col. Blanton. If haunted mansions and ghostly lore are your thing, you must take this tour!
1. Dinner Series at Maker's Mark. Maybe you don't like bourbon, but you love good food in a gorgeous setting, right? Maker's Mark has some pretty incredible dinners lined up for the summer, including the Rick Bayless. That's right: Rick Bayless at Maker's Mark. That one is a foodie can't-miss!
Happy Touring, y'all!
The 10 Best Fried Chicken Places in Kentucky
Celebrate National Fried Chicken Day with Kentucky's most famous dish!
Happy National Fried Chicken Day, y'all!
The rest of the USA may have one day to celebrate this delicious dish. Of course, here in Kentucky, it's an iconic meal every single day, thanks to an enterprising Indiana-native businessman named Harland Sanders. (Fun fact: Colonel Sanders earned a law degree via correspondence course, and practiced law in Little Rock, Arkansas for a few years. His legal career ended when he punched a client during a courtroom brawl!)
Of course, my granny makes the absolute best fried chicken in Kentucky, but we may have to sweet talk her a little to get her to fry up enough for all the folks who read HerKentucky! So, in honor of fried chicken, the Colonel, and our awesome Commonwealth, here's our list of the 10 best Fried Chicken Places (that aren't my granny's house) in Kentucky.
10. Beaumont Inn, Harrodsburg. Classic southern-style dinner at this boarding school - turned B&B. Don't forget to ask for some of their house label Kentucky Owl bourbon.
9. Blue Heron Steakhouse, Lexington. A hip new restaurant in Lexington's up-and-coming Jefferson Street district that serves have a bird with gravy and two sides -- what a perfect fusion of Kentucky's culinary past and future.
8. Greyhound Tavern, Ft. Mitchell. This legendary Northern Kentucky eatery serves up a crispy, delicious bird as its Monday and Tuesday special, and with waffles on the weekend brunch menu.
7. Colonial Cottage, Erlanger. Built in the 1930s to feed workers from nearby tobacco farms, the Colonial Cottage has become an institution on the Northern Kentucky food scene. Their chicken is the stuff of legends.
6. Joe's Fried Chicken, Isom. Joe's is one of those Eastern Kentucky dives where you just have to go with a local. It's well worth the trip.
5. Parkette, Lexington. Lexington's 1950s drive-up diner serves what many people call THE REAL KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN. It's a must-visit for all Kentuckians!
4. Harvest, Louisville. This farm-to-table dining concept reimagines Southern cuisine with a few flourishes. Buttermilk-soaked chicken is served with a drunken pork biscuit hoecake, smoked peppercorn gravy, and seasonal hot sauce.
3. Claudia Sanders Dinner House, Shelbyville. Colonel Sanders' legacy was continued at this historic Shelby County mansion after the KFC chain was sold. Don't miss the Sunday buffet for all the fried chicken you could ever hope to eat!
2. Ramsey's, Lexington. I can't tell you how many weekend mornings I wake up and try to convince my beau to "just run over to Lexington" for the fried chicken at Ramsey's. This southern meat-and-three style diner is a Lexington classic, and the food never changes. You get great ingredients, huge portions, and you'll see everyone you know!
1. Merrick Inn, Lexington If you want to get fancy, it doesn't get better than this. Lexington's traditional "fancy restaurant" serves the best fried chicken you can find anywhere!
Did we miss anything? Who makes your favorite fried chicken?
(Here are the best and worst in Fried Chicken-themed goods. I have the Kentucky for Kentucky shirt; I think I'll skip out on the onesie, though.)
This Weekend in Louisville
Photos from around the Derby City
