on the COVER Bounty from the Downtown Farmers’ Market
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“I don’t want to be big. I just want to be well known and well loved. —CAMILLE BRYANT
EVERYONE IS SEARCHING FOR THE NEXT BIG THING IN THEIR LIVES. THE NEXT big career move, the next big event, the next big trip to post on social media. We tend to forget that LIFE is so much more than the big moments, but rather the little things that add up.
“The Little Big Things” is a touching and inspirational memoir that tells the true story of Henry Fraser and his journey of recovering from a tragic diving accident that left him a quadriplegic. He shares stories about his friends visiting the hospital, cards sent from his school, his brother symbolically saving him a seat at games after joining a premier European football team. “I can honestly say that my soul was saved by these little big things during those dark times,” Henry writes.
His reflection during his darkest seasons serves as a reminder of “the little big things” we have every day, especially in those around us. The people that show up and keep showing up. The people who work to build something meaningful, putting a little work in a day at a time. That’s exactly what I hope you’ll find when you explore the stories we’ve put together in this edition. From market vendors supporting one another to encouraging young artists to learn musicality in entertaining ways, each story showcases how little can mean so much.
In this edition, I had the privilege of writing about my mother, Colette Buford, and her journey of starting her own home bakery. Though she struggled with me asking her interview questions (as you’ll read) and quarreled with having to have her photo taken, being able to share the story of the woman who raised me to be the person I am today through love, care, and plenty of stern discussions has been the most rewarding. It was a reminder of all the little big things we’ve shared through some of the most trying times and the most rewarding moments. Seeing her perseverance and dedication shine on the pages of PADUCAH LIFE Magazine is something I’m honored to be a part of.
May you all be well known, well loved, and always remember the little big things in LIFE.
caleb@paducahlife.com
by C ALEB BUFORD
Amark DAY at the
“ A New Community Has Formed Among Those Who Happily Spend Their Saturday Mornings at the Paducah Farmers’ Market appy Saturday, everybody!” Thomas Donaldson of My Grandma’s Hands gleefully declares to his Facebook viewers during his live broadcast as the riverfront transitions from golden rays to high sun. He, along with around
90 other vendors, are putting their final touches on their booths as opening time rolls around for the weekly Paducah Farmers’ Market—organizing new products, writing out price signs, the late straggling vendors rushing to put up their tables before the clocks hit 7:30 AM.
Among the final touches, you begin a day of adventure, strolling the aisles of canopy tents and folding tables, ready to grab your weekly vegetables or find a new piece of art for that corner in the entryway that’s been barren for far too long. What now operates as a multi-disciplinary weekly event was once a daily thriving piece of Paducah’s downtown, an economic hub for generations. But even though the farmers’ market has turned less commercial, a new community has formed among those who spend their Saturday mornings here.
THE EARLY DAYS
In 1827, General William Clark purchased 37,000 acres in western Kentucky, creating the foundation for Paducah. During site studies and reviews of topography, Clark determined that the 2nd street area between Broadway and Kentucky Avenue would serve as a market district. In 1836, the first market house was built out of logs. After a fire, a rebuild, a temporary time as a Civil War hospital, and 70 years later in 1905, a third market house was built, now known as the Paducah Market House and currently home to Yeiser Art Center, Market House Museum, and Market House Theatre. During it’s time as a market, produce vendors would rent booths along the outside edges of the open-air market while the central section was saved for meat and poultry. The market would later relocate after being deemed “unsanitary” but the market building now serves as one of Paducah’s premier cultural hubs.
The current outdoor Paducah Farmers’ Market, however, has now varied its product offering beyond traditional agriculture. From baked goods to art to handmade clothing, the market has become a weekly experience for Paducah, providing much more than a shopping spree.
8:00 AM
corner of the pavilion. “Would you like to try a sample,” a sweet voice chimes in from behind the table. It’s Colette
Buford, owner of Ortu Bread Co (and my mom!). After grabbing a few single-serve cinnamon rolls for a quick breakfast, you view the gamut of products she offers, all freshly baked the day before. This is her second year at the Farmers’ Market, after making the leap in December of 2024 to begin her sourdough journey. What started as a hobby quickly became a full market business.
Every week in the fall of 2024 after a long day as the Finance Director of the Merryman House, Colette would come home and experiment with her sourdough starter, lovingly named Fred the Bread. “It started out being something that I could come home to and it was relaxing,” she commented. From calculating ingredient ratios to equally dividing the dough, Colette’s love for numbers still was at the core but now she was creating tangible products that could be enjoyed, rather than digital spreadsheets.
After months of experimenting, she started selling to friends and family and launched a website. In 2025, she decided to take the plunge at the farmers’ market. “Caleb talked me into the farmers’ market,” she shared. I did much convincing to get her to the market. We worked for weeks to perfect her
ORTU BREAD CO.
From small orange tins packed with zesty sweet rolls to bags of freshly baked soft sourdough loaf bread, Ortu Bread Co stands at the
booth layout and get her the right equipment. Along the way, Colette’s sister, Alana Riley, and her parents, Alan and Gail Yates, also joined the fun. They’ve become assistant bakers, booth attendants, and even the occasional “whoopsI-forgot-something” runner. It truly is a family effort.
After a few weeks of uncertainty and hesitation, Colette shares that beyond the sales and long days baking before the market, she’s found something unexpected—connection. “I’ve met some really good friends down there,” she reflected. “I’ve got a couple of ladies—we message all the time.” Instead of competition, she was met with connection; a tight knit community that is focused on working together rather than pushing each other out. Colette and booth neighbors, Christy Croiser and Lori Unsel, stay in touch year long, sharing wins and losses and business updates. They all buy products from each other instead of relying on big box stores for items they can produce themselves. “If we could do without our large corporations and just use our local resources, we would all be better off for that,” she stated, challenging others to support the community around us.
9:15 AM
JUST FRIENDS COFFEE
After an initial stroll through the booths, you realize you haven’t had your morning pick-me-up. You soon stumble into Aidan Cooper, creator of Just Friends Coffee, a home-based coffee brand specializing in cold brew concentrate. You order a classic iced latte with oat milk, a perfect introduction to their original blend. “Can you only use the concentrate with milk?” you ask, noticing only milk options in his cooler. “You can cut the concentrate with anything, including water,” Aidan remarks, handing you the perfect iced latte as the heat and humidity begin to rise.
Aidan became interested in coffee when he worked part time for a local coffee shop. “Being the first person people talked to in the morning became really fulfilling,” Aidan recalled. “I already had an enjoyment of coffee, but that quickly grew into an appreciation for the artisanal craft behind a cup of coffee.” That started Aidan’s journey to crafting the perfect brew for himself.
Before he got to the market, Aidan, alongside his friend Anna, owner of Violette Bakery and fellow market vendor, made sure they were doing everything by the book. Licenses, sales tax, health department inspections; it all had to be done before
the first cold brew crossed over the folding table. He credits Jennifer Adams, the Farmers’ Market coordinator, for making that process far less daunting. “Jennifer got in contact with the health department for me and asked some questions I hadn’t even thought of,” he remembered. That kind of support, he says, reflects the broader helpfulness of the Paducah Parks & Recreation Department in getting new vendors off the ground.
After spending his first four summer Saturdays at the market, he’s already picking up lessons you can only learn by showing up. “There were a ton of things that even just the first two weeks I was thinking—oh, I need to change this
thing. I can adjust this part of my inventory. I need to have signage.” While he’s still finding his way around the market with other vendors, partnering with Anna has given him a built-in resource; sharing costs and leaning on her experience. He’s still finding his footing, but his mission stays clear: “I want to brew good coffee for my friends. I want it to be as community focused as it is artisan focused.”
10:25 AM
CAMILLE BRYANT
Beyond the food and coffee, a colorful assortment of what appears to be some type of fiber art catches your eye. As you approach, you notice a crocheted tapestry depicting someone's face. It’s crocheted together with multiple colors of yarn, appearing like a fabric painting. “Hey, baby,” you hear from a gleeful voice. It’s Camille Bryant with a big smile. “How are you today?” Camille never intended to become a vendor but, with time and creativity on her side, she’s found that this is her therapy.
From a young age, her mother taught her how to sew. For Camille, it was not only practical but a creative outlet. Soon after her daughter was born, Camille ruptured a disc in her neck, leaving her in severe pain. Sewing became more difficult. Camille first picked up a crochet hook as a girl, though it would be decades before the craft became central to her life. “When disability hit and I couldn't work anymore, it was easier for me to pick up a yarn and a hook than a bolt of material and a sewing machine,” Camille shared.
When trying to relearn crochet, Camille turned to YouTube videos. Watching demonstrations and the creativity of people across the world inspired her. “I don't have the imagination to come up with some of these patterns,” she quipped. "But my daddy used to say imitation is the best form of flattery. So here I am, flattering a whole lot of folks,” she laughs.
For Camile, crochet is way to relax. “You’ve got to have something to pour all the mess that life puts you through into,” she shared. “Without something creative, you are walking in a dark tunnel with no sunshine.” It was a friend who encouraged her to sell her work at the market. “They kept telling me, ‘You really need to put this out there.’ A friend of mine actually went and bought me a tent, gave me a table, and gave me $10 and said, go.” That moment of belief gave her the confidence to show off her artistry.
Her days at the market are an extension of her creative outlet. “The first year, there were a lot of folks just coming
in. I sold maybe one or two things, but I get paid on compliments,” she conceded. It’s not just about sales but, rather the community that makes her feel welcomed every week. “I’m a simple person in a small town,” Camille mused. “I don't want to be big. I just want to be well loved and well known.”
11:45 AM
MY GRANDMA’S HANDS
With the sun beating down on the market from high in the sky, you find it might be time to grab some lunch. The smells of smoked barbeque and frying fish waft past you, leading you to a plethora of food trucks at the far end of the market. It’s like a giant mobile food court laid out in the middle of downtown Paducah. Upon approach, you see a watercolored purple (Shea’s favorite) and green (her grandma’s favorite) food trailer with a painting of an older woman with smiling eyes. This is My Grandma’s Hands, owned by Thomas and Shanetha Donaldson, a couple whose love for cooking grew beyond the traditional market booth and into a full-grown food truck business.
Shanetha grew up in the foster care system, raised by her grandmother who took custody of her and her siblings. Every holiday, her grandmother handled the cooking while Shanetha handled the baking, learning the skills and recipes her grandma shared. That foundation stayed with her throughout her life, then to Paducah, where a church trip and a chance encounter led her to the man she would marry.
What started as selling desserts from her house on weekends eventually found its way to the Farmers’ Market four years ago, when fellow teacher and friend Danette Humphrey, owner of Cookies in a Bag, invited her to share a booth. Danette ventured out on her own, and Shanetha kept showing up at the market, gaining popularity for her new twist on banana pudding. “When I tell people it’s got four different cookies in it, that’s like their buy-in,” she shared with a grin.
This past year, Thomas and Shanetha purchased a food trailer and expanded well beyond baked goods. There was hesitation. But Thomas pushed through the doubts. “I’m like, what if this doesn’t work?” she admitted. “And it was really him saying, ‘Shea, we’re going to do it. God’s got us.’” That confidence was built at the market through customers who came back every week.
The community of vendors has shaped her just as much as the customers. It was a conversation with the vendors across from her that planted the seed for the hot food side of the business. They were talking one afternoon about wishing they had hot food during the long market days. That conversation led to the first hot dog roller last year, which led to the trailer this year. “It’s not even just about being able to sell things down there,” Shanetha reflected. “It’s the community of the people we get to talk to and meet every week that are doing the same kinds of things we’re doing.” She’s quick to send customers to neighboring booths for fresh lemonade or the pretzel vendor she can't stop raving about.
The name on the side of that trailer has always said it all. Her grandmother, now 93 and living in Nashville, had no idea her face would be wrapped across the side of a food truck until Shanetha and Thomas pulled up to surprise her. “She came outside and was almost in tears,” Shanetha recalled. “‘Shanetha, that’s my face,’ her grandmother commented. I said, “Yeah grandma, girl, you are popular now. Everybody’s going to know you.”
When asked what she wants people to feel when they eat her food, Shanetha didn’t hesitate. “Love is in everything I do.” She and her sister have been working on a slogan for My Grandma’s Hands for a while now. One of the contenders: Taste the Love.
12:30 pM
STORY FARMS
As you make one last walk through the booths to grab last-minute items, you notice a row of freezers under a giant banner; Story Farms. Wagyu Beef. “Wagyu?” you ask yourself. Curiosity
piques your interest and you pick up a wagyu chuck roast for Sunday afternoon lunch from Roger and Vicki Story. What started as a retirement hobby has become a joyful opportunity for connection.
Roger had been raising Angus cattle since 2003, a quiet operation that suited him after retirement. One afternoon he caught a television segment about farmers crossing Wagyu bulls with Angus cows and producing remarkable meat. “So, I called a guy in Texas, went to Dallas, and bought two bulls and a full-blooded Wagyu cow. And here we are." What started as five heifers and a bull has grown to a herd of 75 cattle.
Originally from Japan, Wagyu are slow-growing and require plenty of patience. Where a standard Angus calf might be ready in six months, a Wagyu cross takes nearly two and a half years. But that patience pays off in the meat. The fat in Wagyu marbles within the lean meat rather than sitting on the outside, producing a rich flavor.
Vicki is quick to tell you that the roasts deserve their own reputation. “We’ve eaten a lot of roasts in the last two years, and I’ve fixed them
AS YOUR BAGS HIT THE FLOOR OF THE TRUNK AND THE COOL AIR OF YOUR CAR WASHES OVER YOU, YOU FIND YOURSELF THINKING ABOUT NEXT SATURDAY. SAME TIME. SAME PLACE. YOU’LL BE BACK.
every way I can think of. We have not been disappointed with any of them,” she shared. Though the meat might be incredible, running the farm is not for the faint of heart. “It’s a seven day a week job, and it takes up pretty much all of our day, every day,” Roger said.
Even through all the chaos and trials of farm life, they both agree the farm has brought them closer. “We learn a lot together,” Roger said simply. They celebrate market wins, talk through the slow days, and have built something that carries both of their legacies. For them, the market gives them an opportunity to give people a local option for a household staple instead of relying on large packing houses with unfair pay for farmers. What Roger calls a retirement project, Vicki calls a second career she never applied for but found joy and comfort in—opening a gate for the years to come.
1:00 pM
THE END TO ANOTHER MARKET DAY
As you head to your vehicle with your bags full of food and art, you notice people packing up boxes of inventory and folding up tables. But even through the closing bustle, you see what the market truly is; a collection of your own community coming together to not only share their talents but also to enrich their lives.
Nobody said it was easy. The early mornings, the temporary setups, the weather, the slow day— it asks a lot from everyone who shows up. But Vicki Story said it best. "It's just a close-knit group of people trying to serve the community and give them something that they may not get on their own." What you found here today defines a community. A sourdough baker powered by family, a cold brew made for friends, a crocheted tapestry built stitch by stitch, a food truck carrying a grandmother's legacy, a farm run by a couple who chose to build something together. None of that exists at a big box store. None of it ships overnight. It's here, on Saturday mornings, made by your neighbors.
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Colorado, including ten years in the mountains where he was often the only banjo player in a resort town full of musicians. Along the way he's played just about every style imaginable, once even sharing a stage with cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
The bucket drumming class is ten sessions long, ending in a live performance. The concept is simple: five-gallon plastic buckets, a few pairs of sticks, and the challenge of getting a group of children to play together while holding a beat.
Before the lesson begins on this particular Friday, something quietly beautiful happens. The kids gather around a basket of colored tape and begin decorating their drumsticks, choosing colors, wrapping the handles in careful spirals. The room enters a brief, almost surprising calm. These aren't borrowed sticks – they belong to the drummers.
Then the buckets come out, and the noise resumes.
The class has its own vocabulary: rhythms are born with names like "Logan’s Beat," "Yoshi Egg," and "Bing Bang Boom.” These represent patterns the kids helped name, with playful handles they can grab onto. As the beat steadies, Padgett drifts to the keys and adds a line — simple and syncopated, just enough to knit the room together. The buckets hold the beat. The groove deepens into something that wouldn't feel out of place in a minimalist funk set. For a few seconds, the class stops feeling like a lesson at all. It sounds like a band.
Moments like this don't happen by accident. What Padgett is after, amidst all the noise and bucket-centered fun, is the felt experience of a shared beat.
"It's all about being able to play on time," he says. "Matching each other. Staying together." Each kid gets a moment to improvise, to step outside the rhythm and say something personal. But they have to know how to come back. "You gotta be able to come home," Padgett says.
His teaching philosophy is shaped by things he wishes he'd discovered earlier in his own musical life. The intuitive, feel-it-before-youcan-name-it side of music that formal training
doesn't always reach. To illustrate this point, he turned to the keyboard mid-conversation and played a few chords. It’s the kind of fluid, soulful playing you might hear on a Sunday morning in a historically Black church. "They might not be able to tell you anything about what they're doing," he says, "but they can just do it." That's what he wants for his students. "I just wish I'd known it sooner," he says, "because it would have been more fun along the way."
When the ten weeks were up, the kids took the stage at the Lowertown Arts & Music Festival. Grant, a returning student, led the group through their full sequence. They played it once through. Then they sped up the tempo and played the whole thing again.
Unexpectedly, a large bumblebee arrived and took the stage. It made several passes at the performers, showing particular interest in the little red-headed one — Edmund, whose eyes locked onto the bee as he slowly, carefully rolled his head away from the buzzy newcomer. He used his stick to swat at the bee between beats. The audience laughed, while the buckets kept going.
That, perhaps, is the whole point. Learning to listen and stay together, to fall out of sync and find your way back. And then, when a giant bee shows up, you just keep going.
Patrick Padgett, grinning, watched from the side—never missing a beat.
Time on the String is located at The Monroe Music Hall, 433 Monroe St., Paducah. For information on lessons and upcoming classes, visit timeonthestring.com.
by J ORDAN PRICE
LIfE is BETTER
Outside!
Explore Outdoor Excursions That Are Close to Home But Full of Adventure
Moss Creek Day Use Area
This is about as close as us land-locked Kentuckians can get to a beach. Located in Grand Rivers in the LBL area, Moss Creek Day Use Area is a great get-away that’s just a hop, skip, and a jump from Paducah. There is ample parking, so you shouldn’t have to drag your supplies too far. The access road to the beach is a little narrow and winding, but the drive through the woods to get to the shore is gorgeous, so slow down and take it all in. Moss Creek is a rock beach, with plenty of shoreline, sun, and surf
to go around. On our visit last summer, we walked down the beach to find a more secluded spot, and my family and I spent the day lounging in the sun, wading in the surf, and skimming across the pseudowaves that would crest as speed boats passed. We watched as a nearby crew of teenagers tried their hand at paddleboarding, and we hunted for rocks and shells. Moss Creek has a few picnic tables and camp grills, but I would recommend bringing your own folding chairs and a few blankets so that you can pick a place where the sun and shade are to your liking. Another bonus is that it has its own facilities station, so you don’t have to pack up when nature calls. Even on a busy day, we were able to find parking for two cars and plenty of unclaimed beach front to set up our chairs and umbrellas. Be sure to add this one to your summer schedule if you are looking for a beach vacation without the 14-hour car ride.
Giant City State Park
Giant City State Park is absolutely one of my new favorite discoveries. Having grown up in Paducah, I didn’t know this amazing place was just 45 minutes away until last year when my partner and I stumbled upon it. The park is extremely well-maintained and outdoor activities include horse-back riding, hiking, and rock climbing. The visitor center offers restroom facilities and a wealth of historical and ecological information. The staff is extremely helpful and can help you with trail options.
Further into the park are small cabins, a log cabin lodge restaurant, camp sites, and a water tower. (The restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat fried chicken dinner that is renowned.)
Paducah Greenway Trail
In the heart of our city, spanning from the riverfront, through Noble Park, and then further west to meet County Park Road, lies a combination of fine gravel and paved trails made for biking, hiking, or walking. While you can absolutely take the trail from end to end, my preferred method is to hop on in the middle (park at the Nobel Park ball fields and then walk to the entrance behind the skate park). If I’ve got my bike, I zoom on the paved portion to the right which takes me through the backside of the park, across Cairo Road, through a small underpass where my family and I scream-sing “It’s tunnel tunnel tunnel TIME!” as we peddle to make it up the hill on the other side, and then along the river until the trail ends downtown. The trail is clear and easy to follow up until it reaches the convention center where you’re able to branch off and either continue along the river for a bit or bike right on into downtown. If I don’t have my bike, I prefer the segment of trail that veers off to the left from the ball fields. It’s predominately gravel with a few wood-plank bridges along the way. This trail runs parallel to Park Avenue, but you wouldn’t know it as the road noise is almost non-existent in the summer when the trees are fully leafed out. This bit of trail goes
GIANT CITY STATE PARK
over several small creeks and streams, and runs up against the back of the new Paducah Sports Park. Watching the progress happen in real time on my walks has been pretty cool. I love to go around the lake where I can get a glimpse of the mountain bike skills course and the McCracken County Model Air Park. Plus, there is a covered bench perched above the lake that makes for a beautiful rest stop if you find that you need a breather. It’s a great opportunity to get out into nature and get some exercise without having to venture too far from home.
Ferne Clyffe State Park
The big appeals at Ferne Clyffe are the winding trails that move up and down along the cliffs and along the streams, the beautiful flowing waterfall, and a massive
rock overhang that would almost certainly classify as a cave in my book. On our last visit, we were able to scope out some of the climbing routes for which my partner is very excited, and I am very excited to…watch him…from the safety of the ground. This park is like the real-life version of a choose your own adventure story; pick your trail, pick the natural feature you’d most like to see, and enjoy every minute of your journey. Along the trails, you’ll also find small placards that detail native trees.
In addition to the other outdoor activities, this park is unique in that it also offers hunting and fishing opportunities in designated areas. While the natural beauty of this park is draw enough, the versatility makes it a must. From camping and climbing, to hiking and hunting, Ferne Clyffe is certainly a worthwhile excursion.
PADUCAH GREENWAY TRAIL
Mantle Rock Preserve
Did you know that we have a natural sandstone bridge right here in Western Kentucky? Move out of the way Red River Gorge, we’ve got some cool stuff on this side of the state too. The bridge is certainly a sight to behold—colored natural tones of sandy taupe, mossy green and deep brown—the bridge spans 188 feet. A small creek winds in and out of the features, providing a relaxing and tranquil background soundtrack. The trail is actually a living part of history.
Part of the trail was once traveled during the forced Indian removal of 1838 and 1839 called the Trail of Tears. During that time, 10,000+ Cherokee were forced to walk through and camp in the Mantel Rock area while awaiting passage across the nearby frozen Ohio River.
Because this is a Nature Preserve, it feels more wild than other parks. There are no facilities, or shelters, so plan ahead. There are historical information markers and exhibits
along the way, but the area is largely untouched. We walked the trail down to the bridge and looped around, before driving a little bit further down the road to Joy Falls where water from McGilligan creek is filtered through the sandy substrate to produce a remarkably clear cascade. This area is an extremely valuable ecological, cultural, and historical site, so it’s well worth a stop.
Cave in Rock
Cave In Rock is beautiful and offers the typical standards like hiking, camping, and fishing, but its claim to fame is the giant gaping cave right on the bank of the Ohio River. While the trip down to the cave’s mouth is short, the path to the
Honorable Mentions
Dixon Springs (Illinois)
Cache River State Natural Area (Illinois)
Bell Smith Springs (Illinois)
Tunnel Hill State Trail (Illinois)
Clarks River Natural Wildlife Refuge (Kentucky)
Metropolis Lake State
Nature Preserve (Kentucky)
FERNE CLYFFE STATE PARK
MANTLE ROCK PRESERVE
opening is down the side of the bluff, so sure-footedness is a virtue in this case. This spectacular element of nature’s design is a sight to behold with its rounded arch opening and mysterious echoing chamber.
Secondary only to the geological beauty is the local lore surrounding the cave. Legend has it that the cave
was used by river pirates who would con weary pioneers as they passed by on their boats. This pseudo-history was even further played upon when the cave served as part of the set in the 1962 major motion picture, How the West was Won.
Another cool and adjacent attraction is the free ferry right down the street that will shuttle you across the Ohio and back into Kentucky. If you’re looking for a little history, a little adventure, and a lot of fun, make the stop at Cave in Rock and make it the backdrop for a little bit of your own summertime lore.
CAVE IN ROCK
Dr. James K. Hunt, DMD
Dr. Allison Reed, DMD
Dr. Ethan Shelton, DMD
OWE P
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T ST e Ne the N INDUS
by y a va S
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history Paducah and the region have with the nuclear industry. “This community understands the work, responsibility, and level of technical skill these industries require,” she said. “We already have a workforce culture that is familiar with highly regulated, highly technical environments. When companies look at western Kentucky, they see a region that has infrastructure, and partnerships to support growth. We are focused on making sure the next generation of the workforce is ready.”
New nuclear-related industries come with specific needs—technical expertise, regulatory awareness, and workers who can operate and maintain complex systems. As these companies take root in the area, workforce demand is rising. These are careers that offer long-term stability, competitive wages, and opportunities for advancement.
WKCTC plays a critical role in making that future a reality by offering hands-on learning through labs, simulations, and industry-standard equipment, so students gain practical experience in real-world environments. Students can train locally in Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance
"When companies look at western Kentucky, they see a region that has infrastructure, and partnerships to support growth. We are focused on making sure the next generation of the workforce is ready."
- Ashley Burns
Dr. Anton Reece spoke to the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce about the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA) grant, which provided $1.5 million for the implementation of a nuclear workforce development program at WKCTC.
Ashley Burns shared details about WKCTC’s nuclear-ready academic and technical training programs now being created at the college.
Technology, Welding Technology, Process Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and Computer Engineering Technology—programs designed to prepare graduates for real-world demands.
WKCTC serves both traditional students and working adults. Those already in the workforce can upskill or retrain, ensuring the region’s talent base continues to grow alongside industry demand.
Workforce preparation received a major boost in March 2026, when WKCTC was awarded a $1.5 million workforce development grant from the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA).
“This grant really helps the college accelerate the work that has already been happening in the region,” WKCTC President Dr. Anton Reece stated. “It allows us to expand our capacity and strengthen our role as a regional hub for nuclear ecosystem education and workforce development. It helps us bring partners together, expand training and opportunities, and continue building the workforce pipeline that this growing industry is going to depend on.” Many of WKCTC’s programs offer a direct path from classroom to career in two years or less, allowing graduates to enter the workforce quickly.
As the nuclear industry continues to grow and change, one thing remains clear: a skilled, local workforce is essential, and WKCTC is built to support this growth. Through training, upskilling, and partnership, WKCTC ensures Paducah is not just ready for the next era of industry, but is also positioned to lead it.
Stone-Lang Celebrates Its Sesquicentennial Anniversary!
From a pharmacopeia of 19th century concoctions to the history of hearing, the Stone-Lang Company has brought health and healing to the people of western Kentucky for 150 years. Today Stone-Lang is the region’s premier hearing rehabilitation headquarters for state-of-the-art hearing services and products along with a myriad of other healthcare and medical merchandise. Michael Stone and his capable team of professionals bring 150 years of experience (and a ton of TLC) to the provision of innovative health and hearing solutions to their clients and friends.
“My father instilled in me a stewardship for our business and our community. It was important to him, as it is to me, to provide an unparallelled standard of care to our patients, and a lifelong dedication of service to our community.”
—MICHAEL STONE
Front from left are Taegan Thompson, Lauri Ezell, Maria Smith Back from left are Crystal Thompson, Lakyn Bastani, Mike Stone, Evgeniya Tsukanovich
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by A ZLYN GOODYKE
Success is More Than a Score
THE PADUCAH FUTBAL ACADEMY (PFA) IS A non-profit soccer program dedicated to developing young athletes with high-level training and competitive play. However, the leadership of the organization is focused on more than just field success; they hope to create a club culture that has a positive impact on everyone involved. “Childhood isn’t easy, it really isn’t, and kids need activities, something that they can hang their hat on. You want your kids to have a big life, and you want it to be positive,” explains Clair Hunt,
Vice President
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Paduc ah Fut bal Ac ademy
In social media, and the parent bloggosphere, travel sports aren’t always regarded kindly, but the PFA works to create a culture that defies that expectation. They’ve established an expectation of development, excellence, and family focus, where everyone can parent and collaborate cohesively. “In a smaller town like Paducah, if you want your child to have a certain kind of experience you almost have to take it into your own hands,” says Will McDowell, president of PFA. PFA seeks to create a soccer club that’s managed with both the parent and child in mind. They work hard to give every young athlete a chance of higher-level play, and reach families unable to encourage travel soccer due to time or cost constraints.
PFA teaches a wide range of young athletes, most of whom vary from a background in recreational soccer to no soccer experience. However, the board believes that every child has potential to turn into the best athlete they can be. The Co-Director of Coaching and Head Coach 2016 Girls, Destiny Gowins, has been with the organization since it was founded and has been watching her players grow all the while. “What makes PFA special is the way we go about it,” says Destiny. “We’re not always just looking for the players
Paduc ah Fut bal Ac ademy
that are good athletes, we’re looking for players that are willing to put in the time, effort, and the commitment to the club.” While field success is highly valued, so is helping children grow. Thanks to PFA, these young athletes have not only made leaps in technical skills, but they’ve grown as teammates. Children who started as strangers now celebrate and collaborate together. Teamwork, gratefulness in wins and losses, communication, and confidence are just a few things that this organization cultivates in its players.
When the club started in 2023, they had 50 players. Now, they’re approaching 200. At the start, there were approximately 23 girls, and now they have upwards of 70 female athletes. Board member Aaron Warmath comments that he can feel the ‘girl power energy’ emanating from the eight through ten-year-old girls’ teams. “When they go somewhere and they're together, they’re a presence. And that collective confidence, you can feel it
when you’re around them. If this didn’t exist, that wouldn’t be there,” he says.
The organization is trying to create something that’s sustainable. Growth to them is more kids within the club, more teams, and more opportunities. Recreational soccer is great because it’s accessible and not an overwhelming commitment, but more competitive play is a huge commitment, especially from a cost standpoint.
In an often-discouraging world of
pay-to-play youth sports, higher level play can often be hard for parents. Balance is important to managing this type of program. Winning matters, of course, but success doesn’t always look like a score sheet. Scholarships are a big part of what the PFA does, making sure that cost isn’t a barrier. Within the next few years, they hope to increase the scholarships and reduce fees across the board. They also want to introduce a multi-child scholarship for families with multiple players in the PFA program. “They’re great people, great kids, great parents, and we just want to spread that positivity and work ethic,” comments Morgan Parker, Co-Director of Coaching and Assistant Coach 2017 Boys.
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Erin states. The Papillion practitioners have also been pioneers in the field of mental health in Kentucky. “We are the only provider for prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol for the whole state. We serve clients from Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee counties. Western Kentucky used to be a desert for mental health services, but now we’re a part of the solution,” Erin says.
Papillion’s FASD program is working to gain recognition and build awareness around this serious and completely preventable issue. FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Prenatal introduction to alcohol can cause so much damage to the brain that it can actually manifest as behaviors and health issues. “It happens frequently and it’s often misdiagnosed, but if we can recognize it, we can put things into place to help families and schools adjust. It’s not curable, but it is treatable,” Erin explains.
The Papillion Family Counseling Center certainly does some transformative work, but they know when to have some fun too. They
host two fundraisers each year. The first is September 3, 2026 and it’s a huge Thanksgiving dinner. “We really feel that this is the community’s ministry, not ours, so it’s our way of giving back,” Erin says. “We celebrate with a traditional Thanksgiving meal on antique dishes that the community has donated.” The second fundraiser is the new addition of a Christmas Tour of Homes. It involves members of Paducah opening up their beautifully decorated homes for a walkthrough. Interested parties can purchase tickets online through Papillion’s website. While a date for this year hasn’t been set just yet, it usually commences sometime between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
“I think what I have seen over and over again is that kids and teens come into our office broken and scared. After several sessions with therapists, I see these kids really begin to feel valued and heard. They know we are a safe place for them to talk and share what they are going through. They begin to feel like they have hope and a purpose. That's my favorite part about working here,” says Dawn Garner, Papillion Office Manager. “We see people's lives change.”
LastWord
—VINCENT VAN GOGH
LUCY LEE McCLURE is a native Kentuckian and long-time resident of Paducah. She now “gets her mail” in Tennessee. An enthusiast of all things garden, Lee draws inspiration from most anything with roots! You can follow her art journey on Instagram @lucyleegalleries or email her lucyleegalleries@gmail.com
hen Brooke Willett and Ceci Henley head to the University of Kentucky this fall, they’ll be taking more than school spirit with them.
After representing Paducah Bank as Teen Ambassadors for several years, both have earned spots on the UK Dance Team and are preparing for an exciting new chapter in Lexington.
Wherever college life takes them, their Paducah Bank WOW debit cards will help keep them connected with tap-to-pay convenience, digital banking, mobile deposits, and access to more than 55,000 surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs nationwide. Because no matter how far you go, it’s nice to take a little bit of home with you.
