Chevy Chaser Magazine, December 2025 by Smiley Pete Publishing

GOOD TIDINGS SEASONAL RECIPES, HOLIDAY EVENTS AND WAYS TO GIVE BACK THIS SEASON

CREATIVE TYPES SPOTLIGHT ON FRANKIE YORK'S CAREER AS THE NEW EDITIONS GALLERY OWNER PREPARES TO RETIRE

ALBUMS OF THE YEAR THE STAFF OF CUT CORNER RECORDS WEIGH IN ON THEIR FAVORITE MUSICAL RELEASES OF 2025

DEC. 2025

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Contents Creative Types: Frankie York

A spotlight on the career and final show for the New Editions Gallery owner as she prepares for retirement

Spotlight on Operation: Secret Santa Local grassroots organization helps provide extra Christmas cheer for local families

Season for Giving (Back) As community needs increase, we highlight some ways to give back this holiday season

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December tadoo List

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Lexington’s best art exhibits, performances and other local haps taking place this month

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CELEBRATE THE SEASON ALL W I NTER LONG

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Contributors Michelle Aiello is a Chicago-born writer, editor and indie publisher. Her interests include living room karaoke, snail mail and all things vintage. She contributes to our monthly “tadoo list” (our calendar of cultural happenings, page 41). Smiley Pete contributor Shannon Clinton (“Craveworthy,” page 7) is an Elizabethtown native who now lives in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. A proud graduate of Western Kentucky University’s journalism program, she has been a full-time freelance writer for 21 years for publications across the Southeast. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending to her collections of vintage Pyrex and hot sauce. Smiley Pete intern Hannah Hobbs (“Season for Giving [Back],” page 21) is a junior at Transylvania University majoring in English with an interest in publishing. Born in Lexington, she’s been creating and writing stories since elementary school. Besides reading and writing, her days include making handmade art like crochet wearables and blankets or polymer clay keychains; perfecting her chai latte; and cozying up with her cat, Karma, for her favorite shows Mick Jeffries (photography for“Creative Types: Frankie York” and “Spotlight on Operation: Secret Santa”) is a longtime contributor of words and images to the Smiley Pete universe. He works in an ever-changing array as graphic designer, photographer, writer, radio show host and oral historian to celebrate and evangelize the ever-unfolding zeitgeist of Lexington, his beloved home for more than three decades.

’Tis the Season for Bright Smiles!

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Tanzi Merritt (“Creative Types: Frankie York,” page 11) is a Lexington native with a background in history, libraries and archives who works in the world of marketing by day and volunteers for many community organizations in her free time. ■

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CIVIC CONNECTIONS

MIND BODY STUDIO

Lexington Residents Invited to Participate in First City Charter Review Since 1998 BY CIVIC LEX

Over the next several months, Lexington residents will have a rare opportunity to help make local government more representative and responsive to our community. For the first time since 1998, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Charter — the document that outlines how local government is set up and the rules it has to follow — will undergo public review, marking a significant milestone for our city. CivicLex, a local civic health organization, wants to hear your thoughts on what should change or stay the same in the Charter. Lexingtonians can weigh in by completing an online poll (civiclex.org/civic-assembly-get-involved) or reaching out to CivicLex directly (info@civiclex.org) for paper surveys.

“Relaxing the body. Quieting the mind. Opening the heart.”

Discover the power of mindfulness. Mindful, empowered self-care is the heart of healing. Dr. Patterson offers experiential consultations and classes for persons with stress-related chronic conditions – emphasizing a mindfulness-based approach to promoting resilience, managing stress, preventing burnout and cultivating compassion. Mindfulness is heartfulness. Visit mindbodystudio.org for more information.

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Your responses will directly guide what parts of the Charter will be considered for changes at Lexington’s first-ever Civic Assembly, a process designed to bring everyday residents together and create meaningful conversation about how government can work better for everyone. The Civic Assembly hopes to strengthen representation, trust and participation in local government. Hosted in March 2026 over several sessions, the assembly will feature 36 Lexington residents who will meet to learn, deliberate, and ultimately make recommendations for potential Charter updates that will be presented to the Urban County Council. Participants are compensated for their time and trained facilitators help guide conversations. To select Assembly members, CivicLex will conduct a lottery process by mailing 10,000 postcards to randomly selected households across the city. These postcards will invite anyone 16 years or older in the home to apply to become a member of the Civic Assembly. From that applicant pool, final members will be chosen through a lottery to reflect the city’s demographics across age, political affiliation, race, income, geography and more. Civic Assemblies have been used more than 700 times around the world and have proven successful for tackling complex issues, by bringing everyday residents into the decisions that shape our community. Lexington’s own Assembly aims to do the same, offering Lexingtonians the chance to rethink how residents and government collaborate, not just for this particular opportunity, but also for future generations. While the participants for Lexington’s first Civic Assembly are chosen at random, taking the Charter survey is your chance to influence the process and the future of Lexington! Visit www.civiclex.org for more information. ■

JOHN A. PATTERSON MD, MSPH, FAAFP, ABIHM

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CRAVE WORTHY

LOCAL CULINARY NEWS

The Greek classics you crave. The dining experience you deserve. Welcome to dinner at Athenian Grill.

BY SHANNON CLINTON

With Cole Arimes, the chef/owner behind Epping’s and Cole’s 735 Main, at the helm, The V, a new seafood-driven fine dining restaurant, has opened downtown in The Vine Lexington, a commercial building recently converted to include residential space, short-term rentals, a private club and more. While some elements of The Vine will only be open to members and residents, the restaurant, which celebrated its grand opening in September, is open to the public and now accepting reservations. • By combining far less celebrated soap suds with the more fun, drinkable kind, The Laundry Room on Regency Point Path is now serving libations, spinning together a mundane chore with adult beverages for some good, clean fun. • After some delays, the Haitian family restaurant Le Gourmet opened mid-September at 1080 S. Broadway. • Specializing in gourmet grilled cheeses and other sandwiches, the Berea-based Bert’s Speakcheezy has opened a Lexington location at 2985 Liberty Rd. • Mama Linda’s Chicken opened at 580 Eureka Springs, serving chicken, ribeye, burgers, fish, salads, desserts and sides. • Southern Cookhouse & Bar has opened at 844 Hays Blvd., serving starters that include beer cheese with pretzels and deviled eggs, aka “church eggs.” Creative salads are also available, along with various burgers, pizza and entrees like bourbon-glazed filet and Orleans pasta. • Kung Fu Noodle has opened at 535 S. Upper St. on the University of Kentucky campus, with hand-pulled noodles, Chinese burgers and skewers. • Ford’s Garage has opened near Fayette Mall with a Ford automobile-themed aesthetic in which burgers, sides, salads, soups and more are served, including a “Giant Funnel Tower of Piston Onion Rings.” • Fond farewells are in order for: The Wok, which closed on Waller Avenue and is set to become China Hut. Maple Street Biscuits on Nicholasville Road and the Lucille Drive Biscuit Belly both closed recently, as did Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen on Broadway at The Square. A bevy of local pizza places recently served their last slice, including West Coast Pizza on Nicholasville Road, Giovanni’s Pizza on East New Circle Road, Mod Pizza’s Tates Creek location, and Puccini’s Boston Road location. And lastly, Tuk Tuk Snack Shop will close as of mid-November.

Combining traditional cooking techniques with modern innovation, we provide an elevated Greek dining experience. Now with table service at our new beloved brick-and-mortar establishment in Lexington. Welcome to dinner at Athenian Grill. Beer, wine & liquor menu available.

• Meanwhile, Marco’s Pizza has opened at 2051 Richmond Rd. Suite 120, with pizzas being but one category in its extensive Italian menu. • A third location of the popular “elevated everyday dining” eatery Bella Cafe & Grille was set to open in mid-November in Hamburg Pavilion, 2200 War Admiral Way. • Papi’s Citation, the fourth location in the Lexington-based family of fast-casual Mexican restaurants, opened in November 1988 Stockton Way, near the Citation Publix. ■

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CREATIVE TYPES

FRANKIE YORK A SPOTLIGHT ON THE CAREER AND FINAL SHOW FOR THE NEW EDITIONS GALLERY OWNER AS SHE PREPARES FOR RETIREMENT STORY BY TANZI MERRITT PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES

or nearly four decades, New Editions Gallery has been a defining force in Lexington’s art landscape, and owner Frankie York has been at the center of it, curating more than 100 exhibits and championing dozens of artists during her career. Now, as she prepares to retire at year’s end, closing New Editions and handing the space over to a Louisville-based gallerist, it’s a fitting moment to revisit her career: how it started and how it unfolded over the past four decades. While York has always had art in her blood, she was originally on another path altogether. After growing up in various places throughout the midwest, she followed her father’s footsteps in attending Hamilton College in upstate New York. “At the time I thought I would become a doctor like my dad and grandfather,” she said. “I think I got a C in chemistry, and studying biology was hard, so pretty quickly I saw that maybe medicine wasn’t for me.” Instead, she shifted to art and design, taking inspiration from a life surrounded by the creative work of her mother, stepmother and paternal grandmother.

New Editions Gallery owner Frankie York, pictured here at the door of her Short Street gallery, will retire at the end of the year. PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES

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PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES

“My mother was an artist,” said York. “When my dad was working at the University of Chicago they took night classes at the Art Institute together. They started painting, and she really, really embraced it and excelled at it. She was actually preparing for her first art show in Chicago when she died of an aneurysm when I was 10.” York’s stepmother was an expert quilter and certified quilt appraiser who was instrumental in establishing the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society and the National Quilt Museum, and her grandmother was an acclaimed interior designer in Lincoln, Nebraska. “[My grandmother] had a wonderful eye. I don’t remember the homes I grew up in so much, but I remember every fabric, every drapery, every decorative item in my grandparents’ home,” York said. “I can almost feel the fabric on the couch, even now.” A couple years into college, York started applying to work at galleries in New York City. “A lovely couple hired me to work at their poster gallery, and I started learning about framing,” she said. “From there I moved on to a gallery in Santa Fe, and I stayed there for a year or two before coming to Kentucky.” When York’s father became the chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the

“The greatest gift I’ve received from owning New Editions is the friendships I’ve developed with the artists and the patrons. Those relationships came about because of this work, and that is the real gift... I’m so grateful for it.” FRANKIE YORK, NEW EDITIONS GALLERY OWNER

University of Kentucky College of Medicine in the 1980s, he and her stepmother moved to Lexington. York followed and enrolled in UK’s interior design program. With previous gallery experience and a degree in hand, she jumped into small business ownership in 1988, when she opened New Editions, a contemporary art gallery, in Dudley Square at the age of 28. The gallery remained in Dudley Square for one year before merging with another gallery owned by local artist Debbie Westerfield, with whom York worked for several years before Westerfield left the gallery to focus on her own art. When that location sold, York and her husband bought a space on Euclid Avenue in Chevy Chase, where the gallery remained for a number of years. In 2001, York sold New Editions to an employee and stepped away to focus on her two toddlers. The gallery changed hands for a second time in 2006, and in 2009, York finally reacquiring New Editions again, after an eight year hiatus. The gallery relocated to its current home on Short Street in downtown Lexington in 2014, and New Editions’ final show, a tribute to Mona Lisa featuring 28 artists, will be on display through Dec. 23, 2025. The idea for the show came from Marsha Cone, an artist that York has represented who knew she was thinking about retirement.

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“She had a number of ideas for me, and one of them happened to be a show reimagining the Mona Lisa,” York explained. “I thought it sounded like a lot of fun and ran with it.” The show consists of 26 pieces by artists who have Kentucky ties, including Arturo Sandoval and local architect Graham Pohl among others. Using a variety of media, each artist is presenting their interpretation of Da Vinci’s famous old master, which is widely considered the most famous painting of all time for a handful of reasons: its groundbreaking use of his signature sfumato, a hazy soft focus technique that eliminates hard lines and borders; a 1911 heist during which the painting was stolen from the Louvre in Paris; and the subject’s alluring and enigmatic expression. Opening in late November, the show will close on Dec. 23, marking the last day for York and New Editions. In late February, gallerist Daniel Pfalzgraf, owner of the Louisville-based Wheelhouse Gallery, will open a new gallery in the space. As to what is next for York, she has plans to assist with an upcoming retrospective of artists Rodney Hatfield and Lynn Sweet at the Headley-Whitney Museum, followed by time with family. “Rodney and Lynn are artists who are much-loved in the community, and because I’ve represented them for so long, I’m going to be very active in helping put that together,” she said. “Past that, I just want to travel and visit my sons more. And I want to spend more time with my dad, who is 97 now.” As much as there is to look forward to, retiring from a career that one loved often brings a bittersweet feeling. Fortunately for York, the favorite part of her work is one that will endure. “The greatest gift I’ve received from owning New Editions is the friendships I’ve developed with the artists and the patrons,” she said. “Those relationships came about because of this work, and that is the real gift. And it’s a gift that I’ve been able to do this for so long. I’m so grateful for it.” ■

A sampling of the artwork that has been on display at New Editions Gallery. PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES

IF YOU GO: “Mona Lisa” at New Editions Gallery, 500 W. Short St. For the final exhibit at New Editions Gallery, 26 artists who either live in Kentucky or have lived here in the past have interpreted the Mona Lisa, in varying media of the same size (24x18”). The show will be on display Nov. 21-Dec. 23. Gallery hours and more info at www.neweditionsgallery.com PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES

SMILEYPETE.COM || DECEMBER 2025

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Smiley

Pete’s

Holiday Gift Guide 10

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1. Birkenstock Boston Birkenstock’s most sought-after clog, the Boston, lends a fashion-forward edge to any style.

John’s Run/Walk Shop 317 S. Ashland Ave. • 3735 Palomar Centre Dr. 3090 Helmsdale Pl. • johnsrunwalkshop.com Lexington’s family-owned running, walking and lifestyle footwear store since 1978

2. Handmade Mr. Bird Birdhouse Give your backyard birds a present for the holidays. Worlds Apart 850 E. High St. • worldsapartlex.com Your destination for seasonally inspired clothing plus home goods, accessories and unique gift items.

3. Backstage Duo Cheeks Muted warm and cool powder blush pairings. Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio & Boutique 312 S. Ashland Ave. A gift boutique offering a full line of makeup, skin care, ladies apparel and specialty items not found in department stores.

4. Balsam Fir Scented Candle with Wax Seal Elevate your home with a luxurious, lasting fragrance. Frances M 631 E. Main St. • shopfrancesmreviews.com An experience-based home, gift, and garden shop.

5. Forbidden by Talon Winery Locally made Talon wine with crisp apples and warm cinnamon, perfect for gifting or sharing. Talon Winery 7086 Tates Creek Road (Lexington) • 400 Gordon Lane (Shelbyville) • talonwine.com Now in its 26th year of operations, Talon winery has long been one of the region’s most thriving vineyards.

6. Tart Acrylic Ornament Photo Frame Turn a favorite photo into a modern holiday keepsake. Peggy’s Gifts 112 Clay Ave.• peggysgifts.com A charming boutique offering curated collections of stylish clothing, accessories, home decor and distinctive gifts.

7. Iconic Barbour at LV Harkness Women’s quilted and waxed jackets, cozy scarves and essential winter accessories. LV Harkness 531 W. Short St. • www.lvharkness.com A collection of distinctive pieces from around the world. Transform your home with pieces for every occasion.

8. Wise Bird Cider Club Each quarterly shipment includes two bottles of rare, new or exclusive ciders. $45 quarterly. Wise Bird Cider Co. 1170 Manchester St. #140 • www.wisebirdcider.com

9. Lidded Pangara Breadwarmer Keep your favorite loaf nice and cozy with this handcrafted kasia grass & terracotta bread warmer. Lucia’s 328 N. Ashland Ave. • www.luciasworldemporium.com Lexington’s Fair Trade marketplace, offering ethically made clothing, jewelry and decor, as well as holiday gifts

10. Ceramic Holiday Frames These 5x7” frames will perfectly capture and display holidays past and present. Interior Yardage 303 Southland Drive • interioryardage.com Specializing in home decor and holiday gift items, plus custom drapery, bedding and valances in an array of fabrics.

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Smiley

Pete’s

Holiday Gift Guide 18 20

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11. Wise Bird Cider Wise Bird ships its Kentucky handcrafted cider to over 44 states. (Bottles range from $18-29)

Wise Bird Cider Co. 1170 Manchester St. #140 • www.wisebirdcider.com

12. Holiday Bow Mug and Giftbox Cannisters Cozy up with a hot cup of cocoa with this adorable mug, and cannisters for storing your marshmallows. Interior Yardage 303 Southland Drive • interioryardage.com Specializing in home decor and holiday gift items, plus custom drapery, bedding and valances in an array of fabrics.

13. Soap Sampler Handmade soaps featuring popular essential oils. Greenhouse17 GreenHouse17.org/handmade-by-survivors. Every purchase nurtures the lives of survivors of intimate partner abuse.

14. Natural Lip Oil in Cola New lip oil in shimmering chocolate brown with a hint of holographic pearl. Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio & Boutique 312 S. Ashland Ave. A gift boutique offering a full line of makeup, skin care, ladies apparel and specialty items not found in department stores.

15. Night Before Christmas Glasshouse Candle A luxurious candle with black currant, plum and spice. Peggy’s Gifts 112 Clay Ave.• peggysgifts.com A charming boutique offering curated collections of stylish clothing, accessories, home decor and distinctive gifts.

16. Talon Winery’s Equestrian Series A unique house wine that captures the grace, strength, and spirit of the Bluegrass. Talon Winery 7086 Tates Creek Road (Lexington) • 400 Gordon Lane (Shelbyville) • talonwine.com Now in its 26th year of operations, Talon winery has long been one of the region’s most thriving vineyards.

17. Hand Knit Floral Sweater Stay warm in this beautiful sweater. Worlds Apart 850 E. High St. • worldsapartlex.com Your destination for seasonally inspired clothing plus home goods, accessories and unique gift items.

18. Rumpl Yosemite National Park Blanket The Original Puffy blanket is durable, packable, and warm. Enjoy it everywhere, from camping to tailgates. John’s Run/Walk Shop 317 S. Ashland Ave. • 3735 Palomar Centre Dr. 3090 Helmsdale Pl. • johnsrunwalkshop.com Lexington’s family-owned running, walking and lifestyle footwear store since 1978

19. Bicycle Pizza Cutter This handcrafted stainless steel pizza slicer, a wonderful gift for foodies and cycling enthusiasts.

Lucia’s 328 N. Ashland Ave. • www.luciasworldemporium.com Lexington’s Fair Trade marketplace, offering ethically made clothing, jewelry and decor, as well as holiday gifts

20. Baccarat Crystal Give light, pleasure and joy to any moment with this luxurious crystal. Exclusively at LV Harkness. LV Harkness 531 W. Short St. • www.lvharkness.com A collection of distinctive pieces from around the world. Transform your home with pieces for every occasion.

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We recently celebrated the grand opening of our new state-of-the-art HVAC facility right here in Lexington! To everyone who came out to support us – thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This milestone wouldn’t be possible without this amazing community that has believed in us from day one. A special thank you to Mayor Linda Gorton and Adam Edelen for taking the time to speak and share in this moment with us. Your words meant the world to our team. And to Commerce Lexington Inc. — thank you for being there and for your continued support of local businesses like ours. Lexington isn’t just where we do business – it’s our home. Growing here, hiring locally, and serving our neighbors has always been at the heart of what we do. The new facility represents our commitment to this community and our promise to keep delivering excellence for years to come. To our team, our customers, our partners, and every single person who will walk through these doors — we’re so grateful for you. Here’s to the next chapter of growth, innovation, and serving the community we love! And of course a huge thank you to Season’s Catering for the amazing food!”

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JAMIE CLARK PRESIDENT OF SYNERGY HOME LLC

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Season for Giving (Back) AS COMMUNITY NEEDS ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH IN MANY LOCAL SECTORS, WE HIGHLIGHT SOME WAYS TO GIVE BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

STORY BY HANNAH HOBBS

his time of year, the air is filled with twinkling lights, festive gatherings and joyful giftgiving, but behind the sparkle of decorations, many local families are facing significant challenges, lending an added layer to the spirit of holiday giving. In these times of uncertainty, giving back to the community has never been more crucial, according to Lauren Parsons of Blue Grass Community Foundation (BGCF), a Lexingtonbased foundation that connects donors with nonprofits and stewards charitable funds across the region. “We’re definitely seeing increased need… across all sectors,” she said. One of the most high profile ways that BGCF exemplifies its commitment to helping meet those needs is through its Bluegrass Gives Campaign, a regional giving event formerly known as the GoodGiving Challenge. Co-founded by Smiley Pete Publishing, the parent company of this publication, in 2011, the campaign is designed to support regional nonprofits by

PHOTO FURNISHED

Danielle Bozworth and Laura Brooks (pictured left to right above) have seen increased food insecurity this year in the 50 Kentucky counties their organization services.

providing an easy platform for donors to give to charitable organizations through a user-friendly online directory. Taking place on Dec. 2, a day widely known as “Giving Tuesday,” this year’s campaign features 232 local organizations. “You can give to all of them, some of them, or just one of them,” Parsons said. “There are causes for everybody to support.” Participating in the initiative, which has raised an average of nearly $3 million annually for nonprofits in recent years, is a great way for donors to ensure their contributions are reinvested into the community in a meaningful way, Parsons said. The event is able to stretch the dollars donated throughout the campaign by offering matching funds and prizes for various local charities. It’s also a great way for smaller nonprofits that might not yet have widespread recognition to gain followers and donors, she added. “There’s a misperception that only the big nonprofits do really well [in the campaign], and that is not true,” she said. “Sometimes, these grassroots nonprofits do really well. We’ve seen groups raise

their entire budget for the following year in this campaign.” Building on its established history as one of the largest online-giving events in the region, Bluegrass Gives is entering a new chapter this year, implementing changes aimed at enhancing community support. In addition to changing the title of the campaign to more accurately and succinctly reflect its mission, the event has been condensed this year into a single, impactful day — a shift from the multi-week format of previous years. This change aims to maintain high energy and streamline the giving process for both donors and nonprofits. “We really want to keep the momentum high on that day, and we want to simplify it for donors,” she said. While nonprofit needs are at an all-time high across the board, among the most urgent needs for Lexington families this year are centered on housing and food security. God’s Pantry, a food bank that serves 50 Kentucky counties and works with over 500 partner programs, is reporting a staggering 85% increase in demand — a historic high for the organization, which was founded in the 1950s.

SMILEYPETE.COM || DECEMBER 2025

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At the time of publication, the government shutdown had affected the local salaries of 17,000 federal workers, and the temporary pausing of SNAP benefits, a federal funding program designed to help low-income families with grocery purchases, had created uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of other Kentuckians, including over 280,000 people in God’s Pantry’s service area. Rising grocery prices and decreased federal funding have also had a significant impact on individuals as well as the food banks that help bridge the gaps for low-income families. “Our agencies have seen longer lines and more new people seeking service,” said Danielle Bozarth, vice president of operations and philanthropy for God’s Pantry. Laura Brooks, the organization’s director of marketing and communication, echoed how immense the strain on food banks is during these times of need. “Here at the food bank, our purchasing has gone up from spending about 1.2 million dollars on food last year [to] nearly 7 million dollars on food this year,” Brooks said. That spending is all part of a large-scale operation that distributed 50 million pounds of food to partners and distribution centers last year, equaling 42.5 million meals for those in need. When asked about the upcoming winter season, God’s Pantry expressed

that products like peanut butter, cereal, canned goods and pop-top meals are especially needed.

Like many nonprofits in the Lexington community and beyond, God’s Pantry has reported an uptick in needs when it comes to volunteers and financial donations.

The heightened need for basic necessities has created a ripple effect across the entire nonprofit sector. Large scale federal funding cuts have impacted everything from housing and winter survival support, such as emergency shelters, to immigrant and youth services; environmental and arts-based non-profits have also been gravely affected by funding cuts.

PHOTOS FURNISHED

“We’re definitely seeing increased need in those basic areas like human services, food insecurity, housing… but also [other] things that make life worth living, like the arts and education,” said Parsons. “There are just so many funding cuts across different industries…there’s need across the board.” While funding is always going to be one of the greatest needs for non-profits, supporting these organizations doesn’t require monetary donations. Donating food items to food pantries, volunteering time, and advocating on behalf of nonprofits are also incredibly powerful ways to give back this holiday season. “We all win when we give back,” Parsons said. “Any cause that is speaking to you, it will need your support.” ■

SMILEYPETE.COM SMILEYPETE.COM |||| DECEMBER DECEMBER 2024 2025

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Spotlight on Operation: Secret Santa THIS LOCAL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION HELPS PROVIDE EXTRA CHRISTMAS CHEER TO MORE THAN 2,000 LOCAL FAMILIES, WITH A FOCUS ON FILLING IN THE GAPS AND ELIMINATING BARRIERS

STORY BY SARAYA BREWER PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES anta’s elves are gearing up for a busy month ahead in a certain Lexington workshop, and they are seeking the community’s help to bring some extra Christmas cheer to an estimated more than 2,000 local families this year.

Operation: Secret Santa is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local families during the holiday season, by delivering Christmas gifts and holiday meal kits to local families who have either self-nominated or been nominated by someone else to receive some extra cheer. As organization founder Katie Keys points out, there are plenty of other local organizations that operate wonderful toy drives and free holiday meals. But due to a variety of circumstances, a lot of local families are often still left needing assistance this time of year. “We exist to fill in the gaps,” Keys explained. These are some of the facets that make Operation: Secret Santa stand out: The organization (literally) meets people where they are. Operation: Secret Santa volunteers deliver toys and meal kits directly to the doorsteps of the nominated families in the days leading up to Christmas each year, eliminating the need for families to take time off work or arrange childcare or transportation to access the benefits.

Pictured clockwise from the middle, Operation: Secret Santa board members Jenny Coakley, Ramona Fry, Katie Keys, Saralyn Kingsolver and Beth Carey Amos. The organziation relies on 100% volunteer effort. PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES

SMILEYPETE.COM || DECEMBER 2025

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There are no early calendar cut-offs. While application deadlines for many local toy drives are as early as August or September, Operation Secret Santa’s nomination window is in early December. This year’s window for nominations is Dec. 1-4. “Especially right now, people’s financial situation can change rapidly,” Keys said. “Maybe you didn’t know you needed help 4 or 5 months ago. Or maybe you were in survival mode and weren’t thinking about the holidays and now it’s upon you. We go right up to December with the cut-offs.” It serves children of all ages, including teenagers. Due to limited resources or other reasons, many organizations have an age cutoff for their toy drives. O:SS seeks to serve children of all ages, including teenagers. In fact, there are other local organizations that send their teenage applicants to O:SS. “Teens are hyper aware of what their peers have, and they need to be loved on as much as anybody,” Keys said. Gifts AND meals are part of the package. Though the organization initially began as a toy drive, upon realizing the number of families that it was serving who were also experiencing food insecurity, the organization started including a shelf-stable pantry box in 2020. This year’s pantry box includes ingredients for a Christmas casserole and holiday breakfast, with a recipe card to help guide families through the steps of assembling. As for toys and other gifts, the organization collects them year-round and activates hundreds of volunteers to hand-select items for each family based on their application. Volunteers hand-deliver the meal kits and gift items to the families’ doorsteps in the days leading up to Christmas. It’s a 100% volunteer-based organization. The Operation: Secret Santa team has no paid employees, and to keep the overhead costs at an absolute minimum, its all-volunteer board works hard year-round to secure in-kind donations — everything from workshop space and internet service to paper towels, toilet paper, snacks, beverages and other items that keep the workshop running. As a result, nearly 100% of all monetary donations go directly toward the families served. The final weeks leading up to Christmas will be especially busy, and the organization is seeking help to ensure that as many families as possible can be served.

Donations of toys (new and in the original packaging) for kids of all ages, as well as specific food items for a holiday pantry box, will be accepted at the Operation: Secret Santa warehouse in December. PHOTOS BY MICK JEFFRIES

Ways that you can help: Donate money. “Funding is our first and foremost need,” Keys said. “We’re really good at stretching our dollars.” At the time of publication, Operation: Secret Santa was working to raise funds to purchase a collection of pallets of high-quality toys that had been offered to the organization at wholesale cost; financial needs will continue to be higher than ever throughout the rest of this holiday season. Donating via ZEFFY is the best way to ensure the organization gets 100% of your donation and that the funds are available to them immediately; Venmo donations are also an option. A link to donate can be found at the organization’s website, www.operationsecretsanta.org (note: the listed nonprofit name is Lift Up Lexington). Donate toy/gift items. Donations of toys, clothing and other gift items — new and in original packaging — will be accepted at the workshop (350 Elaine Dr.) on Dec. 3 (9 a.m.- 6 p.m.) or between Dec. 8-21 (hours vary; check website or social media for updates). Gifts for children of all ages are accepted, with gifts for teenagers generally the greatest need. Amazon and Wal-mart wishlists are posted at linktr.ee/operationsecretsantalex. Donate food items. In addition to accepting donations of specific food items for the pantry boxes, the organization is opening up an option this year for businesses or other groups to put together food boxes themselves. Donations can be dropped off at the warehouse on Dec. 3 between 9 a.m.-6 p.m. or a drop-off can be scheduled with coordinators. Email opsecretsantafooddrive@gmail.com for a list of food items needed and to schedule a drop-off time outside that window. Volunteer. Volunteer sign-ups will be posted on O:SS’s website and social media at noon on Dec. 1. Shifts will include food boxing on Dec. 6-7 and helping organize the toy workshop / making deliveries between Dec. 8-22. Sing your heart out at Christmas Karaoke. Chevy Chase Inn will host a Christmas Karaoke night to benefit Operation Secret Santa on Dec. 5. More details can be found at www.operationsecretsanta.org, or at Operation: Secret Santa on Facebook or Instagram.

SMILEYPETE.COM || DECEMBER 2025

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DEC 2ND

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The GoodGiving Challenge is now:

Driving Local Impact 230 Participating Nonprofits

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A Caring Place A Chance to Dance A Sense of Place - Lexington’s Black Hamlets Access Ministries dba McLeods Coffee House ActOut Theatre Group African American Ballet Troupe African American Genealogy Society of Kentucky Allegro Dance Project Alpha Beta Lambda Chapter Education Foundation Alzheimer’s Association of Greater KY & Southern IN AMEN House American Spiritual Ensemble AppalReD Legal Aid Arbor Youth Services Art Center of the Bluegrass Arts Commission of Danville/Boyle County Arts Connect Ashland Terrace AVOL Kentucky Baby Health BedHeads Betty’s Brave & Beautiful Hearts Foundation Bike Walk Kentucky Black Male Working Academy Black Yarn Blessing Hands Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation Bluegrass Care Navigators Bluegrass Community and Technical College - Winchester Bluegrass Greensource Bluegrass Heritage Museum Bluegrass Land Conservancy Bluegrass Ovarian Cancer Support Bluegrass Parkinson’s Alliance Bluegrass Youth Ballet Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop Camp Horsin’ Around Caritas Care Solutions Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning Casa de la Cultura Kentucky CASA of Lexington Catholic Education Opportunities Foundation Central Kentucky Riding for Hope Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras Central Music Academy Charlie’s Heart Charity Child Care Council of Kentucky

Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass Chrysalis House CivicLex Clark County Community Services Clark County Equity Coalition Clark County Homeless Coalition Clark County Youth Sports Association Common Good, CDC Community Inspired Lexington Community Response Coalition of Kentucky Inc. (CRCKY) ComposeArts Cuddles & Coo Diaper Pantry Cynthiana-Harrison County Chamber Foundation Digital Access Project of Kentucky Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee DV8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation E7 Kids Cafe Easterseals Bluegrass Exhilarating Inc. Family Services Association of Boyle County Fayette Cooperating Preschool Fayette County 4-H Council Fayette County Bar Foundation Fayette Eating, Education & Delivery-FEED FC Kentucky FoodChain Fostering Goodwill Foundation for Affordable Housing Freedom Bridges Friends of Huntertown Community Interpretive Park Friends of Parks and Recreation Friends of the Clark County Animal Shelter Friends of the Lexington Senior Centers Friends of the Parks in Fayette County Glean Kentucky Gleanings Housing God’s Pantry Food Bank Grace Cafe Green Forests Work GreenHouse17 GreenRoom Exchange Habitat for Humanity of Madison & Clark Counties Harstad Fine Arts Series Holly Rood Hope Center HOPE Spay Neuter Clinic Hospice Care Plus Hospice East

Imagination Library of Frankfort Isaiah House ITNBluegrass Jessamine County Homeless Coalition Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Josephine Sculpture Park Jubilee Jobs of Lexington Just Fund Education Project Kappa Tau Alumni Association Kentucky Center For Economic Policy Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Kentucky Equine Adoption Center Kentucky Heartwood Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Kentucky Natural Lands Trust Kentucky Refugee Ministries Lexington Kentucky Resources Council Kentucky State University Foundation Kentucky Student Voice Team Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Homes Kentucky Watershed Watch Key Assets Kentucky Kingdom Mission Outreach KORE Academy KSDAR Endowed Fund for Duncan Tavern Historic Center KY Foundation for Black Women and Families League of Women Voters of Lexington Leeds Center for the Arts Legacy Greenscapes Legal Aid of the Bluegrass LexArts Lexington African-American Sports Hall of Fame Lexington Art League Lexington Children’s Museum Lexington Children’s Theatre Lexington Community Orchestra Lexington Friends Preschool Lexington Habitat for Humanity Lexington History Museum Lexington Humane Society Lexington Leadership Foundation Lexington Montessori School Lexington Philharmonic Lexington Pride Center Lexington Rescue Mission Licking Valley Singers Life Adventure Center Lift Up Lexington

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Lighthouse Ministries Lower Howard’s Creek Nature and Heritage Preserve Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center M’Power Rhythm Marafiki Center Marco Shemwell Foundation Mary Todd Lincoln House Master-Pieced Mentors & Meals Micah Legal Mission Health Lexington Moveable Feast Lexington NABA-Central Kentucky Natalie’s Sisters Nathaniel Mission Neighbors Immigration Clinic New Beginnings of Winchester New Opportunity School for Women Newton’s Attic Northside Common Market Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass One Parent Scholar House Operation Be You Operation Making A Change Organic Association of Kentucky Paris Independent Schools Education Foundation Partners for Youth Partners In Education Pearls of Service Foundation Phoenix Rising Lexington Pioneer Playhouse Primate Rescue Center Project Ricochet Providence Montessori School RADIOLEX Rapha Ministries Red Oaks Center for Nature and the Arts Redwood Cooperative School Refuge Clinic Refuge for Women Rhema Word Foundation Rohs Theatre Company Rose Mary C. Brooks Place Rowland Arts Center Sayre Christian Village Seedleaf

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Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Sisters Road To Freedom Society of Saint Vincent De Paul Saint Joseph Conference Spark of Hope (Spark Community Cafe) Spay Our Strays Sphinx Academy St. Agatha Academy St. Mary School (Paris) Step By Step STRIDE Program Studio Players Sunrise Children’s Services Surgery on Sunday Sustainable Berea Swimchester Sailfish TAR Syndrome Association The Aviation Museum of Kentucky The Beacon of Hope Emergency Shelter The Black Soil Charitable Fund, Inc. The Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families The Lexington Theatre Company The Living Arts & Science Center The Nest - Center for Women, Children & Families The Toy Chest Corporation TKs Special Programs Transform Scott County Trees Lexington! United Way of the Bluegrass Uniting Voices Lexington Urban League of Lexington - Fayette County WalkBike Frankfort Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation West End Community Empowerment Project Winchester Black History & Heritage Committee Winchester Christian Ballet Winchester Community Work Group WinCity Media Woodford Habitat for Humanity Woodford Theatre Woods & Waters Land Trust YOU ARE CO.

Thanks to our generous sponsors Clark County Community Foundation* Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund* Marksbury Family Foundation James A. and Martha R. Brown Charitable Foundation Mitchell Family Foundation* Thomson R. Bryant Jr. & Betty R. Bryant Fund* Evangelos “Angel” Levas Foundation* Traditional Bank Mason Investments THE GROOVALUTION* Independence Bank Edith D. Gardner Charitable Fund* Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative* Lexington Legends Mahan Multimedia and Blue Grass Community Foundation! *at Blue Grass Community Foundation

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ALBUMS OF THE YEAR Picks from Bob Lewis:

BY CUT CORNER RECORDS STAFF

While the beloved local record shop CD Central may have closed its doors this year after 30 years of business, our friends at Cut Corner Records, which took over CD Central’s space in September, have picked up on our running tradition of having staff members provide snippets about their favorite albums that came out this year. Read on for holiday gift ideas for the music geeks in your life or for your own year-end listening!

Deep Sea Diver: “Billboard Heart” Deep Sea Diver’s Jessica Dobson is the rare triple threat of singer, songwriter, and guitar hero. But she’s not the shredding kind, playing instead to serve the song, firing off a distorted solo as easily as she does waves of texture, tight and to the point. She formerly served as a touring guitarist for Beck and The Shins, and it’s easy to see why. Matt Berry: “Heard Noises” Matt Berry isn’t just Jackie Daytona, the regular human bartender from Tucson, Arizona he protrays on the FX show “What We Do in the Shadows” — he’s also a brilliant musician who’s released 13 albums. “Heard Noises” is a lovely slice of psychedelic rock, that showcases Berry’s versatility and talent while leaving you feeling like you’ve discovered a hidden gem from the 1960s. Sharp Pins: “Radio DDR” “Every Time I Hear” starts with a Hüsker Dü vibe, but its pop sound solidly incorporates a range of influences, from power to jangle pop. The solo project of Chicago-based musician Kai Slater, Sharp Pins manages to effortlessly conjure the spirit of the British Invasion and Guided By Voices, while delivering a string of hits from start to finish.

PHOTO BY MICK JEFFRIES

Cut Corner Records owners Bob Lewis (left) and Tony Manuel opened the record shop in former location of CD Central late this year.

Japanese Breakfast: “For Melancholy Brunettes” “For Melancholy Brunettes” marks a shift away from Japanese Breakfast’s usual bright pop sound of prior releases, with moody distortion and dreamlike synth. The opening track, “Here is Someone,” sets the tone with an ethereal, melancholic sound juxtaposed with hopeful lyrics. This is an album that rewards you over multiple listening sessions.

SMILEYPETE.COM || DECEMBER 2025

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Picks from Ronnie Donahue:

Picks from Elizabeth O’Dell:

Purity Ring: “Purity Ring” Released this past September, the album presents the duo’s boldest concept yet: a sonic journey modeled after an RPG where two avatars traverse the ruins of a broken world in search of healing and hope. Sonically, it fuses ethereal vocals and gleaming synth pop with a touch of drum and bass, trance elements and glitchy video game textures, creating a dream-like alien soundscape. Separating itself from their previous records, this one shifts from catchy songs toward immersive atmospheres and emotional resonance — an immaculate album for late night listening.

Stereolab: “Instant Holograms On Metal Film” After a long 15-year wait, Stereolab returns with a banger of an album. A radiant mix of rhythmic grooves, dreamy synths and lush harmonies, the record feels fresh and forward looking. Carrying themes of autonomy and creative renewal, and reflecting on the strangeness of modern life, this elegant art-pop work shows us that re-emergence after silence can still sound vital and adventurous.

Darkside: “Nothing” This album surprised me when it dropped earlier this year. “Nothing” finds the trio expanding their sound into wilder, more unpredictable territory, balancing tight grooves with sprawling improvisation. The addition of drummer Tlacael Esparza gives the record a pulsing, organic energy that pushes against its electronic core. Moments of funk, dub and psychedelia swirl together to create a sense of motion and release. The album thrives in its own uncertainty, feeling restless at times, but ultimately transcends.

S.G. Goodman: “Planting By the Signs” This one blew me away. I was already a fan of her last two releases, but this one feels a lot more raw and more personal, conveying a sense of yearning for something big while coming from somewhere so small.

Picks from Michael Wright:

Militarie Gun: “God Save the Gun” This L.A.-based, hardcore-adjacent band is making pop punk that I actually like. The music is super polished, with great breakdowns and build-ups that are super catchy. Lyrics seem to go one way, but end up taking you another direction. Fans of the band will dig the signature “ooh oohs” sprinkled throughout the record. It took me a few listens to get past the obvious hits, “Thought You Were Waving,” “BADIDEA” and “Throw Me Away.” They were all on playrepeat-play. But once I dug a little deeper, I started finding more of the goodness.

The Unknowns: “Looking from the Outside” Do you like classic punk? Do you like Australian punk? Are you craving some new classic punk from Australia? Look no further! Catchy driving punk rock that will burn through your preferred choice of listening device in about 28 minutes. If you are in your car, you’ll be on your second helping by the time you get across town!

Eli Winter: “A Trick of the Light” This collection of great longform compositions with beautiful pedal steel kicks off with a stellar arrangement of “Arabian Nightingale,” originally done by Don Cherry and Ed Blackwell. The whole album is a sonic journey into many different styles.

Ty Segall: “Possession” Full confession, I like pretty much everything this guy does. So, it wasn’t a big surprise this ended up in heavy rotation in the car. The first impressions of the record didn’t hit me, but going back to it a few times had me loving it more and more. “Shoplifter,” “Possession,” “Skirts of Heaven,” and “Alive” are all favorites from this perfect fall/autumn record, with “Shoplifter” being the one super standout for me — damn, I really like that song!

Charley Crockett: “Dollar a Day” In what is perhaps Crockett’s best songwriting since “Man From Waco,” the instrumentation is tight and the lyrics engaging. While the album is full of top-notch country, my favorite is the instrumental spaghetti western track “Age of the Ram.” ■

SMILEYPETE.COM || DECEMBER 2025

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ON OUR TABLE

PHOTO FURNISHED BY COLES 735 MAIN

Coles 735 Main’s Rich Chocolate Brownies 'Tis the season for decadent sweets! Impress your favorite teachers, co-workers or neighbors with a gifted tin of these chef-elevated brownies — or eat them all yourself! No judgment here.

Ingredients: • 1 pound (about 2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks • ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder • ¼ teaspoon baking soda • 8 large eggs • 2 cups granulated sugar • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract • Nonstick spray or butter (for greasing) • Parchment paper Method:

RECIPE BY MEGAN DUFFY, CHEF DE CUISINE AT COLES 735 MAIN

In a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water (double boiler), melt the chocolate and butter together. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and baking soda. Sift if you want a smoother texture. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch pan with nonstick spray or butter. Line with parchment paper and grease the paper too. In another heatproof bowl over the simmering water, whisk the eggs and sugar constantly until warm to the touch (about 135°F). Remove from heat. In a large bowl, combine the warm egg mixture with the vanilla and dry ingredients until just combined. Add the melted chocolate mixture and stir until smooth and glossy.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake at 325°F for 12– 15 minutes, rotating halfway through. The brownies are done when the top is set but the center is still slightly soft. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan (or chill in the fridge for cleaner slices). Trim the edges if you like, then cut into 12 even squares. For added decadence, serve topped with ice cream, chocolate or caramel sauce, nuts or other favorite toppings. Keep brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. ■

SMILEYPETE.COM || DECEMBER 2025

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With forecasters calling for colder-thanaverage temps this winter, we are stockpiling ideas for winter beverages that will help us stay warm. Elevated with hints of coconut for a slight tropical nod, this hot cocoa is a great recipe to help fill your favorite holiday mug and warm your bones by the fire this season.

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Ingredients: • 1 cup coconut milk (we used the unsweetened kind that comes in a box; whole milk can be substituted if you prefer less coconut flavor or want a thicker version) • 2 ounces coconut rum (omit for an equally delicious non-alcoholic version) • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract • Toasted coconut flakes, for garnish Method: Heat the coconut milk in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in brown sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla extract until smooth. Once hot, remove from heat and stir in the rum. Pour into mug and top with toasted coconut flakes. ■

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EventsCalendar CONCERTS & GIGS Andrea Bocelli. Dec. 6. This evening with the iconic Italian tenor will feature holidaythemed selections and the Lexington Philharmonic in full flourish. 8 p.m. Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. www.rupparena.com Southland Jamboree: Liberty Road. Dec. 4. During winter months, this long-running bluegrass music series moves indoors, with a live bluegrass music band on a select Thursday each month from October through April. This month’s installment features Liberty Road. 7 p.m. Farish Theatre (in the Lexington Public Library Central Branch), 140 E. Main St. www. lexpublib.org

Backed by the Lexington Philharmonic, Andrea Bocelli will perform at Rupp Arena on Dec. 6 . PHOTO FURNISHED

Jazz! Live at the Library: Michael Cruse and Threo. Dec. 11. Jazz at the Library presents live jazz performances on the second Thursday of every month, presented in partnership between Jamey Aebersold Jazz and the Jazz Arts Foundation. This month’s installment features Michael Cruse on trumpet, Tom Covello on contrabass, Dave McWhorter on drums and Keith McCutchen on piano. 7 p.m. Farish Theatre (in the Lexington Public Library Central Branch), 140 E. Main St. www.jazzartsfoundation.org Hollerday GitDown with Nicholas Jamerson. Dec. 12-13. This annual two-night celebration of Appalachian soul and high-spirited revelry will feature central Kentucky songwriter Nicholas Jamerson and guest musicians Justin Clyde Williams (Dec. 12) and Emily Jamerson (Dec. 13). 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www. theburlky.com

John Michael Montgomery. Dec. 12. The country music icon brings his farewell tour “The Road Home” to Lexington with a family-collaborative set of hits and heartfelt storytelling. 7 p.m. Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. www.rupparena.com Ginuwine. Dec. 13. The R&B hitmaker brings smooth vocals, seductive energy and fan favorites like “Pony,” for a night of throwback nostalgia and infectious groove. 8 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com Andy Frasco & the U.N. Dec. 14. Known for their blend of blues, funk and rock with improvisational flair, Andy Frasco & the U.N. turn every show into a communal, joy-fueled experience. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com The Local Honeys. Dec. 19. The acclaimed Kentucky duo returns home to weave mountain tradition and heartfelt reflection into a mesmerizing live set. Local favorite Abby Hamilton will open the show. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com Troubadour Concert Series: Over the Rhine Holiday Concert. Dec. 10. Celebrated Ohio duo Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler will bring over 30 years of soul-nourishing songwriting and holiday resonance to the stage. 7:30 p.m. Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St. www. troubashow.com New Year’s Eve with the Bolo Mules. Dec. 30-31. Ring in the new year with two nights of rowdy, good-time country, honky-tonk swagger and singalong anthems from Lexington’s favorite throwback band. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. www.theburlky.com

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ART & EXHIBITS

CLASSIC HOLIDAY MOVIES ANNUAL POSTER SALE CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG ...AND MORE!

IMAGE FURNISHED

"Untitled" by Ed Franklin is among the works featured in this year's "3x33" exhibit, on display at Luigart Gallery.

“3x33–2025: The Power of Three.” On display through Dec. 6. Luigart Event Gallery celebrates local creativity with 33 artists each presenting three related works across painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media — 99 pieces in total. Curated by Marco Logsdon and Mary Rezny, the exhibition highlights the diversity and strength of Lexington’s visual arts community. Gallery hours: Fri.-Sun., 1-5 p.m., and by appointment. LuigART Event Gallery, 110 Luigart Ct. www.luigartgallery.com

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The Nude Biennial. On display Dec. 12-Jan. 30. The Lexington Art League revives one of its most anticipated traditions with “The Nude Biennial,” a juried exhibition celebrating contemporary interpretations of the human form by Kentucky artists. Presented at the historic Loudoun House, the show features painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media works exploring vulnerability, strength and identity through figurative art. Opening reception and awards: Dec. 12. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 12-5 p.m., and by appointment. Loudoun House, 209 Castlewood Dr. www.lexingtonartleague.org Casey Joiner: Housekeeping. On display through Dec. 20. Institute 193 presents “Housekeeping,” a poignant photographic exhibition by New Orleans-based artist Casey Joiner. Created in the years surrounding her father’s illness and passing, Joiner’s images move through still lifes, interiors and imagined portraits to explore memory, grief and the fragile architecture of family life. Her work blurs the line between documentation and remembrance, evoking both the tenderness and disorientation of loss. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Institute 193, 215 N. Limestone. www.institute193.org Mona Lisa. On display through Dec. 23. New Editions Gallery presents an imaginative group exhibition inspired by one of the most recognizable faces in art history. Twenty-six regional and national artists reinterpret the iconic Mona Lisa through painting, sculpture and mixed media. Gallery hours: Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. New Editions Gallery, 500 W. Short St. www. neweditionsgallery.com

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ETC. Bluegrass Gives. Dec. 2. Formerly known as the Good Giving Guide Challenge, this regional giving event unites donors across Central and Eastern Kentucky in support of local nonprofits, schools and community initiatives. Hosted by the Blue Grass Community Foundation, the campaign is moving to a “24 hours only” model this year, taking place on Giving Tuesday. Bluegrass Gives empowers residents to make a collective impact, helping strengthen arts, education and health and human services organizations across the region. Donations accepted online throughout the day. www.bggives.org Harlem Globetrotters. Dec. 6. The world-famous basketball entertainers bring their 100-Year Tour to Lexington, with jawdropping tricks, fan interactions and nostalgia-rich spectacle. 3 p.m. Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. www.rupparena.com The Lexington Antiques Show at Athens. Dec. 13-14. This monthly antiques show taking place the second Saturday and Sunday of each month features a wide range of furniture, primitive cupboards, vintage Kentucky and Bybee pottery, estate jewelry, 40's-60's glassware, Kentucky collectibles, vintage furs and clothing, coins, artwork, phonographs and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Athens Schoolhouse, 6270 Athens Walnut Hill Pike. www.thelexingtonantiqueshow.com. Freaky Fridays: “True Stories.” Dec. 19. David Byrne’s cult classic returns to the big screen as part of Kentucky Theatre’s Freaky Fridays series. The 1986 film — a surreal blend of music, comedy and Americana — follows a small Texas town preparing for its 150th anniversary, narrated by Byrne himself and featuring John Goodman in one of his earliest roles. Expect eccentric characters, Talking Heads tunes, and a joyful dose of 1980s weirdness. 10 p.m. Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St. www.kentuckytheatre.org

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Classical Music Sunday: Ballads of John Jacob Niles. Dec. 21. The library’s monthly classical series features J.C. Hamilton, Riley Ledford and Bernardo Scarambone (emcee) performing beloved ballads collected by Kentucky folk icon John Jacob Niles. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Central Library, Farish Theater, 140 E. Main St. www.lexpublib.org Horror Movie Club: “Black Christmas.” Dec. 27. The original 1974 slasher classic screens as part of the Lexington Public Library’s cult horror series. When a group of sorority sisters begin receiving disturbing phone calls over winter break, the tension escalates into a night of terror. 2-4 p.m. Central Library, Farish Theater, 140 E. Main St. www.lexpublib.org

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HOLIDAY EVENTS A Kentucky Christmas at Ashland. Dec. 1-6. Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate will celebrate the holidays with a five-day Christmas shopping experience featuring a curated selection of local goods and taking place in the Keeper’s Cottage, open during standard museum hours Dec. 1-6. On Dec. 6, Santa will be on hand for pictures with children and pets and seasonal refreshments will be available; at dusk that evening, Ashland’s outdoor Christmas tree will be illuminated for the first time. Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate, 120 Sycamore Road. www.henryclay.org Slay Bells: A Holiday Drag & Variety Show. Dec. 7. The Lyric Theatre will deck the halls with an evening of drag, comedy and high-voltage holiday entertainment in this benefit for Moveable Feast Lexington. Dazzling drag performances, festive music and over-the-top glamour will abound in this beloved seasonal showcase celebrating inclusivity and joy. 5-10 p.m. Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St. www.lexingtonlyric.com The Rink at Triangle Park. Daily through Jan. 4. Ice skating in the center of downtown is a classic holiday tradition with friends and family or a special event. Mon.-Fri., 4-8:30 p.m.; Sat., 12:30-8:30 p.m.; Sun., 1-8 p.m. with extended hours during FCPS winter break. Triangle Park, 400 W. Main St. www.downtownlex.com Southern Lights Holiday Festival. Daily through Dec. 31. This annual event has been helping Kentuckians get in the festive spirit for more than 20 years. Attendees can drive through more than three miles of extravagant holiday lights before heading inside to meet Santa, visit a petting zoo or take mini-train rides. Open daily 5:30-10 p.m. (closed on Christmas Day). Kentucky Horse Park, 3785 Campground Road. www.khpfoundation.org

Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill. Select evenings Nov. 28-Dec. 23. This historic campus will transform into a glowing spectacle, with a dazzling light display and other enchanting features. Highlights include a magnificent gingerbread exhibit; an artisans’ market with handcrafted gifts; a holiday tent cafè with live music; and gourmet food trucks. Christmas campfires, carriage rides, holiday tea, supper club, and season passes also available. Mustard Seed Hill, 1122 Main St., Millersburg, Ky. www. mustardseedhill.events Luminate Lexington: Official Tree Lighting Ceremony. Nov. 30. Lexington’s official Christmas tree will be lit with beautiful lights; Lexington’s Hanukkah menorah will shine; and community choirs will sing festive songs that will put everyone in the holiday spirit during this official city holiday festival. 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Triangle Park, 400 W. Main St. www.downtownlex.com Holidays at Shaker Village. Various dates in December. Shaker Village will transform into a holiday wonderland, with lively music, roaring fires, candlelight tours and more. The grounds will feature a variety of performers, programs and tours, including photos with Santa, a crafting station at the Elf Shop, bonfires, hot drink stations, a Jingle Bell Shuttle and more. For more, visit shakervillageky.org/ event-calendar. Downtown Lexington Christmas Parade. Dec. 6. Santa Claus is coming to (down)town! This holiday parade presented by Commonwealth Credit Union will feature a variety of organizations, bands, floats, and, of course, Santa himself. 11 a.m. Main Street between Midland Avenue and Mill Street. www. downtownlex.com Holly Day Market. Dec. 6-7. The Holly Day Market brings together more than 80 vendors from across the country for a weekend of holiday shopping. Vendors sell jewelry, clothes, toys, books,

PHOTO FURNISHED

Shaker Village transforms into a winter wonderland throughout the month of December, with indoor and outdoor decorations, candlelight tours and more.

holiday decorations, ornaments, art, food and much more. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., with a ticketed preview party on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5-9 p.m. Alltech Arena at Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pkwy. lexington.jl.org Crafted Social Winter Market. Dec. 6-7. This event unites traditional and contemporary artists, craftspeople and functional designers for a two-day festive market ripe with locally made holiday gifts. Preview party on Fri., 6-9 p.m.; main shopping event on Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Greyline Station, 101 W. Loudon Ave. www.crafted socialky.com Michler’s Christmas Market. Dec 6-7. Michler’s Greenhouse will provide the idyllic setting for a romantic

Christmas Market, featuring pastries, music, and a diverse array of artists and artisans showcasing locally-made ceramics, jewelry, cards, toys, soaps, scarves, ornaments and more. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.. Michler’s Greenhouse, 417 E. Maxwell St. www.michlers.com Trans-Siberian Orchestra's The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. Dec. 10. With an unparalleled blend of rock, classical and theatrical spectacle, this show promises a reimagined and expanded presentation of the beloved holiday tradition, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” alongside a special second set of hits and fan-favorites that includes a 25th-anniversary salute to Beethoven's Last Night. 7 p.m. Rupp Arena, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY. www.centralbankcenter.com

SMILEYPETE.COM || DECEMBER 2025

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ART & EXHIBITS LexArts HOP. March 21. During the LexArts HOPs, thousands of locals and visitors alike converge on downtown Lexington to celebrate art throughout the evening with Buy $100 Receive a $25 Bonus Card new gallery exhibitions and special arts events, at traditional and nontraditional gallery spaces alike. Patrons begin at one of 40-plus locations and visit as many or as few participating venues as they would like. Official HOP hours are 5-8 p.m., with many venues keeping additional hours. A full guide is Stop by and enter to win one of our giveaways. available each month at the LexArts We cannot wait to seelexarts.org/discover/ you! HOP website. lexarts-hop

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Aquaventure 2025. On display March 3-May 2. This exhibit will display diverse works from an array of top artists from the Kentucky Watercolor Society. An opening reception will take place in conjunction with the LexArts Hop on March 21 (5-8 p.m.). Gallery hours: Fri-Sat., 12-4 p.m. and by appointment. Artist’s Attic, 401 W. Main St., Suite 401. www.theartistsattic.org VISIT BLUEGRASSGYN.COM OR CALL 859-475-5050 TO LEARN MORE. LuigART Women 2025. On display March 1-31. Hosted by the

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SMILEY PETE’S RETAIL GUIDE

HOLIDAY EVENTS Lexington Singers and LexPhil: “A Cathedral Christmas.” Dec. 12-13. LexPhil and The Lexington Singers return to the Cathedral of Christ the King for this holiday tradition in a program of timeless orchestral and choral works. This aweinspiring musical experience in a divine setting will transport audience members to a place of peace while evoking the spirit of the holiday season. 8 p.m. Cathedral of Christ the King, 299 Colony Blvd. lexphil.org Kentucky Ballet Theatre: “The Nutcracker.” Dec. 13-14 and 20. Kentucky Ballet Theatre presents its rendition of this magical Christmas ballet set to the music of Tchaikovsky. This holiday performance features Drosselmeyer and Clara, along with a cast of snowflakes, mice, soldiers, angels, fairies, and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Sat., 2 and 7 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W Short St, Lexington, KY. www.centralbankcenter.com Lexington Ballet: “The Nutcracker Sweets.” Dec. 19-20. The classic holiday performance returns with an enchanting production designed to delight audience members of all ages. Join Marie on a magical journey with the Sugar Plum Fairy, waltzing flowers, the Snow Queen and the Nutcracker prince, as they battle the Mouse Queen and travel to the Land of Sweets. Fri., 7:30 p.m. and Sat., 2 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonballet.org ■ Dolly Parton’s “Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol.” Dec. 26-28. Featuring songs by Dolly Parton and book by David H. Bell, this incredibly heartwarming, unforgettable production and amazing cast imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season until he is visited by his past and is compelled to see life anew. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.centralbankcenter.com ■

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PETE’S PROPERTIES Recent Residential Property Transactions

BIGGEST MOVER: 1775 MOORELAND DR. $1,954,750 40502

2005 Lakeside Dr. $1,475,000

2013 St. Christopher Dr. $195,000

310 Holiday Rd. $1,700,000

260 Lincoln Ave. $230,000

1775 Mooreland Dr. $1,954,750

1011 Fontaine Rd. $500,000 2937 Montavesta Rd. $545,000

40503

16 Richmond Ave. $555,000

3470 Clays Mill Rd. $127,450

561 Albany Rd. $675,000

242 Tahoma Rd. $520,000

427 Dudley Rd. $690,000

337 Arcadia Park $575,000

1554 Tates Creek Rd. $725,000

306 Blueberry Rd. $600,000

424 Ridgeway Rd. $752,000

1980 Blackhorse Ln. $625,000

429 Ridgeway Rd. $860,000 164 Idle Hour Dr. $880,000

40513

512 Chinoe Rd. $1,045,000

3640 Cottage Cir. $305,000

905 Lakewood Dr. $1,050,000

3624 Cottage Cir. $327,500

341 Kingsway Dr. $1,138,000

2108 Sovereign Ln. $460,000

2204 Madrone Way $501,000

40514

2105 Mangrove Dr. $512,500

2499 Harrods Pointe Trce. $285,000

2212 Madrone Way $525,000

1453 Copper Run Blvd. $485,000

2605 Clubside Ct. $565,000

1340 Copper Creek Dr. $495,000

4291 Captains Ct. $712,000

2156 Tracery Oaks Dr. $610,000

2209 Barnwell Ln. $720,000 4845 Firebrook Blvd. $735,000

40515

1313 Cordele Ln. $1,330,000

4748 Windstar Way $416,200 4013 Brookwater Ct. $595,000 2204 Woodburn Hall Rd. $730,000 ■

Recent arm’s length residential sales for this magazine’s distribution area. Information compiled by Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator David O’Neill. For more information on any of these properties, or others, please visit www.fayettepva.com.

48 JULY 2018 || SOUTHSIDERMAGAZINE.COM

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Bluegrass 1 9 9 9 R i c h m o n d R d . , S t e 4 0 0 • L e x i n g t o n , K Y 4 0 5 0 2 • t 8 5 9 - 2 6 8 - 0 0 9 9 • f 8 5 9 - 2 6 8 - 0 0 9 8 • w w w. b g s i r. c o m NEW PRICE

NEW PRICE

342 Waller Avenue 6D $128,900

200 W. Second Street #300 $439,000

508 E. Main Street #409 $439,900

2920 Eastbrook Drive $469,000

361 S. Upper Street $479,500

2105 Twain Ridge Drive $512,900

Gwen Mathews 859.608.3471

Emily Miller 859.948.8281

Jimmy Turek 859.221.2575

Steve Klein 859.983.3468

Jimmy Turek 859.221.2575

Steve Klein 859.983.3468

647 Gingermill Lane $599,900

406 Dudley Road $969,000

870 McMeekin Place $1,595,000

1404 Meganwood Circle $1,745,000

3905 N. Cleveland Road $1,780,000

1742 Lakewood Lane $4,699,000

Whitney Durham 859.983.9500

Betsy Herrington 859.699.2655

Whitney Durham 859.983.9500

Dan Elkinson 310.698.2418

Abby Jones 561.436.4097

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Representing fine homes in ALL price ranges.

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Bluegrass

3337-3389 Rushing Wind Lane $16,500,000 Own this Rushing Dream Farm, an exquisite compound w/ 3 luxurious homes and two barns with a total of 26 stalls. Recently reimagined by the nationally acclaimed Matthew Carter Interiors, renowned for his signature ‘Southern-chic style,’ and architect Brent Bruner.

103 S. Limestone #1150

$3,795,000

Stunning high-end fully furnished luxury condo located in The Penthouses of City. Center in the heart of downtown Lexington. 3 BR/4 BA, 5,989 sq.ft., marble flooring throughout, breathtaking floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and multiple gathering areas.

100-102 S. Hanover Avenue

$1,395,000

Charming 6-unit apartment building in Ashland Park. Each unit offers hardwood floors, high ceilings, unique built-ins, living room, dining room, kitchen, 2 BR, and a full BA. $200,000 Kentucky Heritage Council historic tax credit that can be passed along to the purchaser.

1004 Wil Rose Lane

$1,395,000

246 Suzanna’s Arch Road

$489,000

Nestled in the Wil Rose Estates of Versailles, KY, and situated on 1.66 landscaped acres. 6 BR/6 BA, 9,281 sq.ft. of privacy, space, and convenience. Features refinished American cherry hardwood floors, soaring ceilings, and exquisite woodworking throughout.

CONTINGENT

269 S. Hanover Avenue

$1,325,000

Lovely renovated home in historic Ashland Park. 4 BR/ 5 BA, 3,965 sq.ft w/ inviting front porch, hardwood floors, first level living room, dining room, and family room open to a stylishly decorated kitchen. One-car garage, plus alley access for additional parking.

110-112 S. Hanover

$750,000

This lovely Ashland Park duplex features hardwood floors, unique built-ins, living and dining rooms, 2 BR and full BA. Lower level offers shared laundry and storage. Seller prefers to sell 100-102 South Hanover and 110-112 South Hanover together.

Becky Reinhold, Managing Broker

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cell 859.338.1838 • office 859.268.0099 • www.bgsir.com • becky@bgsir.com

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$499,000

Located in the heart of Ashland Park, this 3 BR/4 BA, 2,260 sq.ft. townhouse offers a rare combination of timeless charm and modern convenience. Versatile third floor w/skylights and full BA. Private, brickenclosed patio w/direct access to 2-car garage.

In the heart of Cliffview Resort, this secluded 3 BR/ 2 BA, 1,250 sq.ft. log-sided cabin, offers the perfect blend of privacy, comfort, and adventure. Set on 1.26 wooded acres and surrounded by the beauty of Natural Bridge State Park and Red River Gorge.

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$20 GIFT CARD BONUS For every $100 gift card purchase, receive a $20 bonus.*

*Valid through Dec 31, 2025. Available in-store or online, select e-gift card for instant delivery. Restrictions for bonus cards apply. Visit bluegrasshospitality.com for details.

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11/11/25 1:28 PM