8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
As we welcome the beautiful month of May, our community comes alive with the sights and sounds of spring. Trees are in full bloom, days are growing longer, and there is a renewed sense of energy throughout the City of Jeffersontown.
May is a time of reflection and gratitude. We celebrate Mother’s Day, honoring the mothers and caregivers who give so much of themselves to their families and our community. Later in the month, we observe Memorial Day, remembering and honoring the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their legacy reminds us of the freedoms we cherish each day.
Be sure to hop aboard the Gaslight Trolley on the Go! Trolley Hop, a fun and unique way to explore our city. Our seasonal favorites are back as well, including the Farmers Market and the popular Night Market, showcasing local vendors, fresh produce, and handcrafted goods.
Warmer weather also means the return of outdoor recreation. The Plainview Swim and Tennis Center will be opening for the season, along with our splash park, offering fun and relief from the summer heat for families and children.
This time of year also marks the end of the school year for many of our students. Congratulations to all who are moving up, graduating, or beginning new chapters in their lives.
Here in Jeffersontown, summer brings a full calendar of events and activities for residents of all ages. We are excited to once again host Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park, offering free, live performances under the stars. Our beloved summer concerts at the Tway House will return, providing a wonderful setting for music and community gatherings.
KY SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK
Kentucky Shakespeare will continue their Shakespeare in the Parks Tour with a performance of THE TEMPEST on Thursday, May 21, from 6 - 8 pm. The show will take place at Veterans Memorial Park, 10707 Taylorsville Road with the rain location at The Jeffersonian, 10617 Taylorsville Road.
The event is free and open to the public. Chairs and blankets are encouraged as seating is limited.
We are especially thrilled to welcome residents to the new Jeffersontown Amphitheater, where a series of free concerts will take place throughout the summer. It’s a fantastic addition to our city and a great place to gather with friends and neighbors.
Looking ahead, June 20 will bring an exciting, daylong celebration of America’s 250th Birthday, filled with activities and events for all to enjoy. It will be a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate our nation’s history and future.
As always, thank you for being part of what makes Jeffersontown such a special place to live, work, and play. I encourage you to get out, participate in our many events, and enjoy all that this season has to offer.
MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM
The City of Jeffersontown and American Legion
G.I. Joe Post #244 will hold their annual Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 25 at Veterans Memorial Park, 10707 Taylorsville Road at 3 pm.
In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the Jeffersonian, which is adjacent to the park.
Carol Pike Mayor
SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE TWAY
The City of Jeffersontown is excited to announce that The Checkmates are returning this summer for the Concerts at the Tway Series. Join us on Thursdays, June 25 and August 6, 5-8 pm at the Tway House located at 10235 Timberwood Circle. The concerts are free to attend. Local food trucks will also be present.
Be sure to bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the show!
NIGHT MARKETS ARE BACK
The Jeffersontown Night Markets are set to return this summer. Join us on Saturdays, May 16, July 18, and August 15 at the Jeffersontown Farmers’ Market Pavilion, located at 10434 Watterson Trail, from 6 pm -10 pm.
The summer markets will include vendors from the Jeffersontown Farmers’ Market, along with other various local businesses, offering a variety of handmade items, fresh produce, hand-picked florals, baked goods and more. Enjoy live music at each market, along with food trucks and local breweries!
For more information on the Night Markets, call Jeffersontown City Hall at (502) 267-8333 or email dhendrick@jeffersontownky.gov.
GASLIGHT ON THE GO! TROLLEY HOP
Come and explore the Historic Gaslight District with the return of the Gaslight on the Go! Trolley Rides. Rides will run the last Friday of every month, (May 29, June 26, July 31, and August 28) from 7:00 pm10:00 pm.
The trolley is free to ride, but seating is limited. Routes will run twice each hour, but are subject to change.
For more information, please call Jeffersontown City Hall at (502) 267-8333 or email: dhendrick@jeffersontownky.gov.
Trolley route and event pages will be posted and updated on our Facebook page.
Plainview Swim Center - Opening Day May 22, 10 am - 9 pm
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Skyview Splash Park - Opening Day May 22, 11:30 am - 7 pm
Jeffersontown Salutes America - June 20, 3 pm -11:00 pm, more details to come!
!Bienvenido!
Welcome to Gustavo’s Mexican Grill—more than a dining venue, it’s a heartwarming community. Our unique edge? Personal touch. Often, you’ll find Gustavo himself welcoming you. At Gustavo’s, we’re a family-oriented environment where you’re not just a customer but a valued part of our extended family. Join us for an authentic, delicious and fun dining experience.
Catering
“I’m a family person and we want everyone to feel like they’re part of our family.”
—Gustavo Reyes
Private Parties
Looking to host a large party at our restaurant? Let Gustavo’s take care of the catering with our delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine that will keep your guests coming back for more.
We offer delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine for private parties, with customizable menus and professional catering services to ensure the success of your event.
5 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
401 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy, Hurstbourne / (502) 690-7070
GROWN-UP STORY TIME 502 BUILDS COMMUNITY THROUGH SHARED STORIES
Writer / Carrie Vittitoe
We all have at least one great story we tell. Maybe yours is about a blind date that went nowhere fast, or perhaps you met a famous person once. One that I sometimes tell is about when I got tossed out of Cardinal Stadium for public intoxication right after I turned 21 years old. [Let the record show that I developed a two-drink limit and swore off vodka after that particular hangover.]
The stories we tell are sometimes funny, sometimes sad. Some of them give others a small window into our souls, while others show who we used to be once and left behind. Listening to other people’s stories can be a form of entertainment as much as a lesson in humanity’s triumphs and foibles.
Both Abby and Katy have backgrounds in theater. Abby lived in Houston, Texas, for many years and was part of a theater group that started a similar concept of live storytelling.
Abby Koenig and Katy Hopkins are both so passionate about the power of storytelling that they created Grown-Up Story Time 502 in
2023, a monthly storytelling event in which writers and non-writers submit their personal stories, which are then read by others in front of a live audience.
“It was a little more theatrical out there; people would get dressed up and play roles. It was really just to hear your writing from someone else’s perspective,” she says.
Katy earned a degree in theater and lived in
Currence
New York City, gaining experience directing performances.
“I became increasingly passionate about theater’s ability to amplify voices and stories that are not typically heard,” she says, and that’s something she loves about Grown-Up Story Time 502.
If you’ve heard of The Moth, you have an
idea of what Grown-Up Story Time 502 is like, but there are distinct differences. For one thing, GrownUp Story Time is not competitive, so there is no pressure to win or worry if you run over the allotted time.
Abby has experience as a dramatic writer and says, “If you don’t feel comfortable with your writing, you’re probably not going to submit [to The Moth]. And if you don’t like reading, forget it; you’re not going to do it,” she says. Not every person who writes also likes to read what they wrote aloud to an audience.
Abby says Grown-Up Story Time can be a useful tool for writers because they get to hear something they wrote read by other people who, through their performance, may put a different spin on the words and what they mean. Sometimes a writer may realize they need to change their story to better reflect their intentions.
Not every person who writes a story
for Grown-Up Story Time considers themselves a writer, which shouldn’t prevent anyone from submitting a story.
“For the most part, we try to stay true to the writing that we get as long as it fits the theme and doesn’t go too long,” Abby says. “If it runs over 10-12 minutes, I’ll go back to the writer. If stories go too long, people tune out, and that’s not fair to anybody involved.”
Anyone who has told a story to a friend has the potential to share their story at GrownUp Story Time 502. Abby often encourages people who have a good story to tell theirs aloud to themselves or a friend while recording it on their phone. The transcript of that story is the type of story that GrownUp Story Time is looking for.
Each month, Grown-Up Story Time 502 announces its theme or prompt for the month. Past themes have included “Best Laid Plans,” “Family Secrets,” “Beginnings/ Endings,” and “Food,” so they are broad enough that the stories encompass many
Katy Hopkins & Abby Koenig
directions, styles and tones.
Katy says the Derby-themed stories have been especially impactful and bring in voices from all over the city.
“I particularly love the stories that are submitted that have a sense of place and really root us in Kentucky,” she says. Some stories explain how the writers landed in Kentucky or share a slice of their life further afield in the state.
Both Abby and Katy serve as co-hosts of the monthly event, which for the past year or so have been taking place at West Sixth Brewing. Readers are invited on stage to perform the stories that have been submitted, but attendees who come to hear stories will also have the chance to write a very short story (1-3 sentences) if they want.
“We encourage audience members over the course of the evening to complete a prompt and put them in a basket. They’re
anonymously submitted, and we read them between the stories,” Katy says.
The feel of a Grown-Up Story Time event is very casual.
“When we moved to West Sixth, we hoped to encourage people to drop in. It’s wonderful when we have a full audience that sticks with us, but we also want people to feel comfortable to come in, stay for a story and then leave if they’ve got somewhere else to go,” Katy says.
While Grown-Up Story Time 502 isn’t R- or X-rated, the stories are often about adult issues and reflections, so it’s not an event that children would find appealing.
When Abby and Katy began Grown-Up Story Time 502, Abby was looking to come out of the COVID-19 funk, feel better about life and get motivated to write. Her reasons were personal, but she has discovered that the people who listen to the stories gain a sense of solidarity and community.
“Every time I’m like, ‘Why are we doing this? This is so much work,’ someone will come up to me after the event and say, ‘This is my favorite night of the month,’” Abby says.
“We’ve definitely had people come up and thank us for the community service. That isn’t something that Abby and I would have labeled it, but it is something that people identify it as. It is a community service to give voice to people around everyday things,” Katy says. Plus, hearing stories reminds people of their common humanity. “It’s a nice reminder that we have quite a bit in common with each other,” Katy says. “It is a respite from the typical dialogue we can get caught up in on social media.”
Whether you are interested in attending an event as an audience member or would like to read or write as part of Grown-Up Story Time 502, you can find each month’s prompts and event updates on Facebook and Instagram.
Rooted Art
GREATER LOUISVILLE BONSAI SOCIETY CONTINUES TO GROW
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Russ Stevens, president of the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society, can explain.
“Nomads from the Arabian Peninsula would travel with spices and began growing these plants in containers. China adopted the practice of ‘training trees’ or penjing, but it wasn’t until after World War II in the 1950s that the Japanese really took what China was doing and have since redefined the practices that we use today,” Stevens says.
Today, bonsai plants are associated with mindfulness and meditation, artistic expression, environmental awareness, community and connection.
Even though the Louisville Bonsai Society was founded more than 50 years ago, Stevens says the U.S. is still behind when it comes to bonsai, with interest only spreading over the past 75 years or so.
“Our primary goal in the society is to increase awareness for bonsai and to educate any individual interested in how to be successful in growing and developing their plants,” Stevens says.
The word bonsai simply means “grown in a container,” and while the stereotype might put one image in our minds, there are actually hundreds of variations. We test it
Some are outdoor only; others are outdoor in the summer and need to come inside during the winter. Some grow in the ground; others are considered tropical and can’t tolerate frost.
In the beginning, plant enthusiasts are simply learning how to keep their bonsai alive.
“We are able to accelerate their growth by using specialty soil and other things, but the design and styling of a bonsai come many years down the road, when the tree or plant is
around five to eight years old,” Stevens says. “There has to be enough branches to use some and remove some to create the art.”
Stevens teaches classes at a local nursery in Louisville and says it’s all according to what you’re looking for. Some customers want to start at the very beginning; others want to start with a mature tree, ready for design.
To purchase a tree that “looks good” can be costly, considering the time and money that went into it. Stevens says there’s a list
of guidelines one uses to create and design and that they determine the artistic value of the plant.
“One of the guidelines talks about tapering; leaving a larger bottom and skinnier as it gets taller. Foliage placement is very important as well,” Stevens says.
Those interested in learning more can attend a monthly meeting of the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens. There is an overview
with general information, a directed discussion or workshop based on the season and a ‘beginner’s corner’ for those looking for first steps.
“We cater to all interest and knowledge levels. Bonsai is a regional thing. If it’s within three hours of you, that’s considered close, so we have around 80 members in 2026, but some of them live in neighboring states, so each meeting has around 25 people in attendance,” Stevens says.
For bonsai enthusiasts, becoming a member for $35 per year can be worth the distance.
In its fourth year, Stevens says the event continues to grow.
A committee is currently approving or declining trees submitted by members of the society to exhibit in the show, and Jennifer Price, professional guest artist, will be on hand to judge the 45 to 50 regional bonsai on display.
“We’ll have demonstrations and workshops throughout the weekend. We’re working with the Japanese-American Society of Kentucky, and we’ll have a tea ceremony and performances by Southern Indiana
each year,” Stevens says. “We hope to have a bonsai festival but also to honor the culture that brings us bonsai.”
Outside the annual festival, the bonsai society will continue educating and spreading the word about the joy and camaraderie they find surrounding the practice.
In 2027, the Waterfront Botanical Gardens is slated to open a bonsai garden — a project led by the bonsai society.
It’s part of the garden’s $22 million project, a Japanese garden including a Japanese tea house, a waterfall, lake, stream and bonsai garden designed by Shiro Nakane, designer.
“Construction will start in the spring, and we hope to have it finished and open by the spring of 2027,” Stevens says. “This will be a world-class bonsai garden with at least 50 trees on display year-round. We’ve got that number in our collection now, and we’ve
WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT –WE’VE GOT IT!
With a list of activities a mile long, Clarksville has what you need to make your trip a good time. Historic attractions, an artsy vibe, naturally beautiful rivers and trails, a trendy craft food and beverage scene, and a variety of events throughout the year deliver fun times and lasting memories.
Make the quick drive and you’ll see what we mean.
hired a curator to begin taking on more trees. We’d like to have around 150 trees total to switch out based on the season throughout the year.”
Bonsai Weekend will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 29 and 30 and 11 a.m. to
4 p.m. May 31. Tickets are $10 for Bonsai Society members, $12 if purchased in advance or $15 at the door. Youth 16 and under are free. For more information, visit waterfrontgardens.org/bonsai/.
CUT ABOVE
KINGSLEY MEATS & CATERING FOCUSES ON QUALITY & COMMUNITY
Hiram Hogg’s journey with Kingsley Meats & Catering began as a teenager while washing dishes, a role that introduced him to the inner workings of a beloved local institution. He has now come full circle as owner and operator, leading one of Louisville’s most respected butcher shops and catering services.
Hogg officially took ownership in 2024 from Jeff Fisher after progressing through various roles over the years. Kingsley has operated since 1947 and has been renowned for its freshest cut-to-order meats and comprehensive catering services across Louisville and beyond. The shop’s vision was to make quality meat accessible to
the local community. It opened primarily as a butcher shop but, over time, evolved by adding a large catering business that has left its mark on Louisville.
Hogg developed into a natural successor thanks to his longstanding loyalty to Kingsley, his friendship with Fisher and his passion for the meat industry.
“I learned a lot about the business as time went on,” Hogg says. “I went off to college, but I would help out around
Christmas and during summers. Eventually, I started working at the counter and doing catering jobs. I learned how to cut meat. Early on, I was not thinking about taking over. (Jeff) offered it to me because he didn’t have kids or anyone to pass it on to. He singled me out as the one who could do it.”
The retail butcher shop is located at 2701 Taylorsville Road in the Highlands community. Customers can stop by the store to peruse all of Kingsley’s fresh-cut and ground offerings on display or in the large freezer and also take home items including USDA Prime dry-aged beef, Amish-raised organic poultry, local pasture-
raised lamb, fresh seafood and homemade pork sausages. Kingsley also offers a selection of mouthwatering sauces and spices that pair great with all of its meats.
The box lunch menu offers smaller portions featuring Kingsley’s signature items in convenient combinations, such as the
popular Derby Classic: two country ham sandwiches on butter buns, one smoked tenderloin sandwich on a croissant, plus salad, fruit and a pie tart. Other options include The Snack, The Lunch Box and The Hearty Lunch, all of which come with variations of sandwiches, sides and desserts.
“We have a deli with all kinds of lunch meats and salads,” Hogg says. “We do a pretty good plate lunch business. You can come in and get meat with two sides and hearty portions. Some people are here nearly every day. You can come in not knowing what you want, shop around and look at the selections. Customers can browse items, and we’ll prepare it however you want right on the spot.”
Kingsley has remained in the same area throughout its history, which Hogg says gives him a big advantage when interacting with customers. He enjoys butchering the meat and also connecting with customers
who come inside.
“There’s good clientele in this area,” Hogg says. “They tend to live here a long time, so you get to know a lot of the people. I grew up a few blocks away, so I know a lot of people.”
Kingsley offers an extensive catering service for weddings, corporate events and casual gatherings. Menus include selections for meat, vegetables, salads, bread, desserts and drinks.
The special holiday menu — available year-round — includes rib, pork or rump roast, sirloin, brisket and tenderloin. Other options include turkey breast, baked country ham, shrimp trays, goose, duck and turduckens. Sides are plentiful with options such as green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, casseroles, hash browns and fruits and vegetables that can complement any meal. Hogg generally lets his chef come up with the menu but stays
true to the classics and traditions Kingsley is best known for.
An a la carte menu contains numerous entrée options including chicken, beef, pork, seafood, soups and salads. Kingsley provides a unique pig roast menu with available carving services and various price points depending on size.
All events are buffet-style, with Kingsley handling setup, cleanup and replenishing the selections as needed during the meal, with bar services also available. Disposable plates, forks, knives, napkins and linens for the buffet are included in the price. If there is an item that customers want that isn’t already on the menu, special requests are welcomed.
Customizable menus are available for all corporate events. Kingsley is able to handle any size group, from business meetings to product launch events, holiday parties and
safety lunches. Casual buffets can also be designed for cookouts and private parties, while a la carte provides flexibility on all the delicious dishes Kingsley has to offer.
Hogg says it’s important for his customers to enjoy the food that is in front of them. All of Kingsley’s products remain popular with guests locally and beyond.
“We’re all about quality,” Hogg says. “The quality we have doesn’t compare to anything you are going to get anywhere else. It’s the best of the best. I have good suppliers that consistently give us good meat. We cut it up ourselves, so it’s not something prepackaged or contains any preservatives. It’s always really fresh and good.”
“We will go anywhere that will have us,” Hogg says. “It doesn’t matter to me, really. I will go anywhere.”
Kingsley already has events booked in 2027 and often will handle many in a single day.
Saturdays during wedding season tend to be the busiest, prompting Hogg to pull in outside help when more requests come in.
“I’ll do 7-8 events in a day,” Hogg says. “I have 18-20 regular workers and another 30 I can pull in who have other jobs but will work weekends for me.”
Hogg says the biggest surprise since taking over has been on the administrative side, with the volume of paperwork that is now his responsibility. So far, he hasn’t made any major changes to the operational model but is still keeping his eye on the future.
“I like the way it’s going,” Hogg says. “I’m not saying nothing will ever change, but I loved it the way I found it. I try not to mess with it too much.”
Hogg has seen every side of the business through various roles over the years. He says that gives him some credibility with his employees, as he is still willing to take on
any role needed.
“I appreciate every single person here, from the lowliest dishwasher to the head meat cutters, because I’ve done it all,” Hogg says. “Every once in a while, I’ll jump in there and do some dishes if I need to and get back to my roots. It’s definitely weird to think about. Still doesn’t quite feel like it’s my own.”
Kingsley is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on how to place an order, call 502-459-7585 or visit its website at kingsleymeatsandcatering.com.
WOMEN WHO LEAD
THE WOMAN’S CLUB OF LOUISVILLE BLENDS HISTORY & SERVICE
Writer / Carrie Vittitoe
If you think back really hard to your high school U.S. history class, you may recall learning about events that happened in 1890. The Sherman Antitrust Act became law in July of that year, followed days later by the admission of Idaho and Wyoming to the country as states. The Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota would follow
less than six months later. In a quiet parlor of a home at Fourth Street and Broadway in Louisville, Kentucky, another historic event was happening.
A group of women had gathered at the invitation of Susan Look Avery, the 68-yearold widow of a local businessman, B.F.
Avery, whose successful plow business had made them wealthy. She had an idea, and that was to begin a civic organization run and organized entirely by women with the goal of helping the community.
One hundred thirty-six years later, The Woman’s Club of Louisville (WCL) remains
a vital and vibrant organization that continues to build on its long legacy. Its history is one of the things that Margaret Young most enjoys about being a member. As a volunteer at the ConradCaldwell House Museum, Margaret already had an interest in local history, so in 2011, when fellow museum volunteers encouraged her to check out The Woman’s Club of Louisville, she accepted and now serves as fundraising chair and historian.
For history enthusiasts, The Woman’s Club has much to offer. The organization petitioned for the passage of the Married Women’s Property Act of 1894, which allowed women to keep and hold property in their own name after marriage. It also worked to have the age of consent changed from 12 to 16. In her time as a Woman’s Club member, Margaret has been able to use her interest in history to have a Kentucky Historical Society marker about Susan Look Avery and The Woman’s Club of Louisville written and installed in front of
their building at 1320 S. Fourth St.
Of course, history isn’t the only draw for members. Woman’s Club President Gayle Bonnarens didn’t really have an interest in the club, even though her mother had been a member for many years. When she did finally visit after a friend hounded her to do so, Gayle walked in and immediately saw her mother’s best friend, a connection that
made her feel that being part of the organization was actually for her.
With experience running a medical practice, Gayle has used her passion for organizational structure to help The Woman’s Club review and revise its bylaws, some of which were more than 100 years old.
If there is a downside to such a long history, it is often the misperceptions that people have about what The Woman’s Club is like. They may think incorrectly that the club is only comprised of older women who don’t work and have extensive wealth. Perhaps they may imagine members still coming to events in their Sunday finery as they did in the 1890s, with hats and high-neck blouses with gigot sleeves. While The Woman’s Club takes pride in its history, its members live throughout Kentuckiana, with unique personal and professional experiences and from a variety of age ranges.
One thing members of The Woman’s Club share in common is a desire to do good in the community and actively serve
others. For more than 25 years, the organization has worked closely to support children at Whitney Young at Englehard by donating clothing and food. They also have a long-term supportive relationship with the Heuser Hearing & Learning Academy. In fact, it was The Woman’s Club that co-founded the school in 1948, which was originally known as the Deaf Oral School.
Members of The Woman’s Club of Louisville are proud of their fundraising efforts, which go to not only support their three historic buildings but small, local nonprofit entities that provide worthwhile services.
“In the last five years, we gave out more than $153,000 in community grants. That includes COVID years when we couldn’t do fundraisers,” Margaret says.
“We’re really proud that we’re on track to give $45,000 this year,” Gayle adds.
In order to generate these funds, The Woman’s Club hosts a variety of events throughout the year. For example, their Bourbon & Bites event in November 2025 showcased 18 distillers for a remarkable bourbon-tasting event that included a live auction. The Woman’s Club also runs Carriage Trade, an upscale consignment boutique that accepts donations. All items sold help to benefit the Charity Fund.
As if history and service weren’t enough, The Woman’s Club is also focused on the simple act of connecting women with each other and having fun. Each week, The Woman’s Club hosts a luncheon for its members, which features some kind of entertainment, whether that be a speaker or even a fun performance by a local musician. Within the club, there are also numerous “special interest” groups, including a book group, a drama group, a garden group, a musical interest group and a travel group. Sometimes these groups host special events for the public. For instance, in 2024, The Woman’s Club drama group performed “In Juliet’s Garden,” in which several of Shakespeare’s heroines discuss issues they have with their respective plots. In addition to an enjoyable play, it featured a beautiful pre-show reception.
Suffice it to say, The Woman’s Club of Louisville is a place that cherishes its history but strives to effect positive change in the here and now, with an eye on the next 136 years. Whether sponsoring its Non-Jury Art Show, an annual event for the past 87 years, or filling up its Little Free Library with books that neighbors can enjoy, the club remains a dynamic force for good in our city.
If you are a woman 18 years or older, have a wide range of interests and want to be part of a long history of exceptional women who offer service to the community, The Woman’s Club of Louisville might be for you. To learn more, you can visit wclouisville.org.
SPRING LIVING STARTS
Chenoweth Appliances is locally owned and operated by Danny & Wayne Lyons
Our sales team: Steve Combs, Mark Cain, Rodney Kistner, Mary Kay Head and Kristen Lyons See why our customers become life long customers.
502 HEMP WELLNESS CENTER OWNER FIGHTS FOR INDUSTRY SURVIVAL
For Dee Dee Taylor, the hemp business is far more than a career — it’s deeply personal. That’s why she continues to fight so fiercely for its survival.
Taylor is the owner and founder of 502
Writer / Gavin LaPaille
Hemp Wellness Center and its sister store, 812 Hemp. Both stores offer consumers a selection of products derived from hemp, such as CBD, Delta-8 and Delta-9 that are federally compliant for sale and use. Many consumers report using these products for issues such as anxiety, pain, and sleep difficulties.
“The anecdotal evidence of these products is absolutely breathtaking,” Taylor says. “They help with so many different ailments,” she adds, pointing to what she describes as strong anecdotal results. “It’s been such a game changer for so many people.”
Taylor’s journey into the hemp industry began after her husband, John, sought a natural alternative to control the grand mal
seizures he regularly experienced. John learned about CBD oils, started making his own and used them in place of the 28 pills he was taking daily. According to Taylor, the results have been life-changing: while not a cure, the number of seizures declined and he was able to get off all pharmaceutical medications. In 2014, when Kentucky launched its Hemp Pilot Program, John and his business partner were among the first to be licensed as processors.
Taylor began using her husband’s hemp products to control her own anxiety and panic attacks and says she noticed a remarkable difference. In 2016, Taylor switched career paths from her paralegal background to focus full time on the hemp industry, selling products at local fairs and expos. 502 Hemp officially opened in 2018 and 812 Hemp in 2022, becoming Louisville and Clarksville’s premier hemp education boutiques. 502 Hemp also has space at Logan Street Market as an in-between location complementing both stores.
Dee Dee Taylor
“These products made such a huge difference I had to educate myself as to why they worked for me and why they worked for John,” Taylor says. “The more I learned, I realized everyone should have safe access to these products. I wanted people to come into the store and learn how to use these products correctly. My number one reason for opening the stores was for consumers to be able to ask questions and get educated answers.”
Many of Taylor’s products have become customer favorites. Blueberry Dreams, which contains CBD, CBN and chamomile, is marketed for sleep support and reduced nighttime awakenings. Strawberry Feels is a gummy featuring CBD and CBG that customers often seek out for mood support. DZD9 Ganja Grape — 502 Hemp’s biggest seller, according to Taylor — is a gummy derived from Delta 9 THC and CBN that is designed to promote relaxation and better sleep.
While many consumers report benefits, hemp-derived products are not evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating medical conditions, and research remains ongoing.
“I’m blessed with a great team here,” Taylor says. “A lot of us are certified cannabis educators. The more we learn about each individual cannabinoid, the more we are able to create individualized gummies or products that benefit people. By focusing on specific cannabinoids, we can make them work for specific ailments. I love being able to formulate our own products like
that. My team helps me with some of those thought processes, so I can’t take credit for every product we have. It’s been a lot of fun, learning and creating new products that customers love.”
That success is currently under serious threat. Taylor’s recent focus has been fighting a new federal restriction that would make most of her products illegal. A provision in the 2025 federal spending bill caps total THC at 0.4 milligrams per final consumer package, effectively banning nearly all current hemp products such as gummies, oils and drinks. The provision
takes effect Nov. 12, 2026, and could devastate Kentucky’s $300 million hemp sector.
“I will not be able to stay in business if this goes through,” Taylor says. “There’s no way. What they are proposing would kill about 98% of our products and I couldn’t survive on the other two percent.”
As president of the Kentucky Hemp Association, Taylor champions the entire industry, not just her own stores. Her leadership has earned major honors, including being commissioned a Kentucky
Public Policy Catalyst Epic Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners, along with multiple 2025 chamber awards for advocacy and entrepreneurship.
“Every legislative session there is something we have to focus on to stay in business and continue to sell some of these products,” Taylor says. “That takes up quite a bit of my time, more than I’d like. I’d rather be focused on my customers and team. Being the president, it’s not just about me though. I’m working to benefit everyone in this industry. Even if people don’t come to my store, I want them to have safe access and
the option to go to their favorite place. It is important to me to advocate for the entire industry, not just for my stores.”
Taylor offers a variety of resources to anyone looking to help. 502 Hemp sends out a weekly email with detailed information on products and industry news. Taylor also hosts a podcast called Hempin’ Happiness that dives deeper into hemp-related topics, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. She urges anyone who has benefited from hemp products to reach out to local politicians and ask them to save the hemp industry. You can also support the industry
by becoming a member or supporter of the Kentucky Hemp Association.
“I appreciate everyone who has supported and bought from me over the years. Loyalty means everything to me.” Taylor says. “I love what I do and being able to help others with these products is the most rewarding “job” that I have ever had. Afterall, happiness is found in helping others.”
For more information on 502 Hemp, check out its website at 502hemp.com or call 502654-7100.
LOUISVILLE AREA EVENTS
1
6TH ANNUAL KEGS & EGGS
Lou Lou on Market | 812 E. Market Street
KY Oaks Morning
9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
FREE Admission | Benefiting APRON Inc
Reservations Recommended: 502.515.9699
Music: Slapstick Rehab 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
2
FARM ANIMAL FEEDING
KICK-OFF CELEBRATION
Blackacre State Nature Preserve & Historic Homestead, 3200 Tucker Station Road.
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
3 THE BLACK KEYS: PEACHES ‘N KREAM
Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th Street.
8 p.m.
Doors open at 7:00 pm. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Everyone, regardless of age including babes in arms, must purchase a ticket.
7
LOUISVILLE BATS VS. NASHVILLE SOUNDS
Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E Main St.
9
HARBOR HISTORY
401 W River Rd.
3 p.m.
Let us guide you into the unique and intriguing history of Louisville on the Ohio River.
14
LOUISVILLE CITY FC VS PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SC
Lynn Family Stadium, 350 Adams St.
7 p.m.
AI ESSENTIAL
University of Louisville, 2301 S. 3rd St..
8:30 a.m.-12 a.m.
Unlock the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with our exclusive executive education course.
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE BASEBALL VS VIRGINIA
Ky., Jim Patterson Stadium, 6-9 p.m.
University of Louisville Baseball vs Virginia
15-17
RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS
KFC YUM! Center, 1 Arena Plaza.
7 p.m. / 11 a.m. / 3 p.m.
16-17
LOUISVILLE HORROR CON 2026
Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane.
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Join Us: Mark your calendars for May 16-17, 202, and prepare for an unforgettable experience at Louisville Horror Con.
21
BRIT FLOYD - THE WALL, THE MOON AND BEYOND!
Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th Street.
8 p.m.
Doors open at 7:00pm. Palladium Entertainment and Live Nation present BRIT FLOYD: The World’s GREATEST Pink Floyd Show: The Wall, The Moon and Beyond! All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
22-25
KENTUCKY FLEA MARKET MEMORIAL DAY SPECTACULAR
Kentucky Expo Center, 937 Phillips LN.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. / 11 a.m.-5 p.m. / 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The KY Flea Market is your chance to find treasures old and new. Shop over 600 booths of antiques, collectibles, jewelry, clothes, bath & body, surplus, and more.
23
ABBEY ROAD ON THE RIVER
Big 4 Station Park Jeffersonville IN, Mulberry St.
8:30 p.m.
Festival is 5 days
Different ticket options available
ZOSO - THE ULTIMATE LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE
Mercury Ballroom, 611 S 4th Street.
8 p.m.
The Mercury Ballroom is an all-ages, standing room venue, all
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
27
WFPK WATERFRONT
WEDNESDAY
Big Four Bridge, Wheel Fun Rentals, 1001 River Rd. 5-10 p.m.
WFPK Waterfront Wednesday
Where: Big Four Lawn – 1001 River Road
Waterfront Park and 91.9 WFPK Independent Louisville are delighted to announce the 2026 dates for WFPK Waterfront Wednesday®.
29
LOUISVILLE BATS VS. ST. PAUL SAINTS
Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E Main St.
PROM ON THE BELLE
Belle of Louisville, 7-9 p.m.
Dress up, hit the dance floor, and cruise the Ohio River for two hours of music, memories, and cocktails, all with scenic waterfront views and a relaxed, nostalgic vibe.
30
21ST ANNUAL FEAT 5K WALK/RUN FOR AUTISM
The Parklands at Floyds Fork, 9200 Shelbyville Rd, Suite 530. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Welcome to the 21st Annual FEAT of Louisville Run/Walk for Autism.
LOUISVILLE H.E.R.O. RUN/WALK/RUCK
5K & 10K
Cardinal Track Stadium, 2125 S. Floyd St. 8-10 a.m.
The 5th Annual Louisville Honor Earned, Remembrance Owed (H.E.R.O.) Run/Walk/Ruck honors those who died in battle and those we lost at home to the psychological wounds of war.
ROLLIN’ ON THE RIVER FEST
Big 4 Station Park – Jeffersonville, Indiana 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
A festival of craft drinks, music, and community — all benefiting the WHAS Crusade for Children. Benefiting the WHAS Crusade for Children
General Admission – $45
Purchase Tickets: hrollinontheriverfest.com
THIS IS HOME NOW
HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
SHARE STORIES OF RESILIENCE & RENEWAL IN LOCAL AUTHOR’S BOOK
Writer / Melissa Gibson
There are numerous documentaries, educational books and other tools to share the atrocities of the Holocaust of the 1940s. It’s known in Hebrew as Shoah, or “catastrophe,” and included the genocide of European Jews throughout World War II, a systematic murder of more than 6 million Jews, two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population.
We’ve heard or seen images of ghettos, labor and extermination camps.
However, we don’t often hear about the survivors and their stories after World War II ended. Where did they go? What did they do?
Arwen Donahue was working for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., in the late 1990s and when she and her husband decided to move to a rural Kentucky farm, she kept her job coordinating interviews with Holocaust survivors across the country.
The museum was interested in learning about their lives after the war; their experiences immigrating to the U.S., building their
communities and virtually rebuilding their lives.
“Once I moved to Kentucky, it was a natural thing for me to ask if there were any survivors here. I was curious to hear their stories,” Donahue says. “I wanted to continue collecting the oral history but with a different focus. This time, I was focused on a specific place.”
Most Jewish immigrants came to America through New York and remained there once they arrived. The community already established and the understanding survivors had for each other kept many in the Jewish community rooted to that environment. For those who ended up in Kentucky, however, one can only imagine the lack of Jewish community, language barriers, trauma responses and other challenges that came with a new environment — a new country.
With her connections to the museum, Donahue requested a list of Holocaust survivors living in Kentucky from its
national registry.
She contacted 40 individuals and interviewed 14 of them to document their oral histories.
The reactions she received after reaching out varied.
“There were those who didn’t want to talk and those that felt compelled out of a sense of duty,” Donahue says. “A recurring theme I saw was talking about it and the repercussions. They were bringing back painful memories and many said it’ll bring back the nightmares; they won’t be able to sleep. It’s a real burden for a lot of survivors because it’s so painful.”
She interviewed one individual who later retracted permission to share the interview, in fear of being targeted in their community. Still, others expressed a deep faith in the United States, its people and their community.
“The word ‘survivor’ comes with a broad definition. You may not have been in a concentration camp but you survived by hiding or escaping Europe. As far as I’m
Justine Lerner
concerned, anyone who had to live under the Nazi regime is a survivor,” Donahue says. “So, to some extent, how easy it was to talk about it aligned with their personal experience.”
Donahue participated in an exhibit in 2005, sharing the oral histories she had compiled. One thing led to another and with the partnership of a professional photographer and interest from the University Press of Kentucky, a book was created and published in 2009.
“This Is Home Now: Kentucky’s Holocaust Survivors Speak” led to another host of inspiring opportunities and experiences.
“I didn’t know this project would lead to its own process of community building, particularly between some of the survivors,” Donahue says. “We
had a large event with a gathering of the survivors and it was truly moving to see. Some of them became friends with each other. None of them had really ever met another survivor in Kentucky.”
Today, the only survivor in Kentucky she is aware of is 95-year-old John Rosenberg, a longtime civil and human rights activist. It’s a shining example of why Donahue says oral histories are so important. Their stories are quickly becoming faded or lost altogether.
As time passed, Donahue says her role has evolved and shifted.
“For years after the book, people would get in touch with me to get in touch with a Holocaust survivor. I would often go with them to various events and speak to classrooms or at a museum,” Donahue says. “Today, there’s a group of educators who need materials to teach the Holocaust in the classroom and there’s a foundation that’s partnered with the University of Kentucky to provide teacher trainings and I participate in that.”
She says it’s always interesting and there’s always more information to capture.
“I think it’s so important. One of the best affirmations I’ve heard is talking to teachers who are bringing oral history to their classrooms and sharing them with the students. Teacher after teacher have said this material makes my students excited about
the Holocaust feel real to them because they hear a story about Sylvia Greene living in Winchester, Kentucky, and they know where that is. These are our neighbors and it’s no longer abstract.”
Donahue has gone on to do other oral histories outside of Holocaust survivors. She used to think history was boring but has seen firsthand how hearing others’ stories can leave a lasting legacy.
“It’s in my DNA. I love listening to people’s stories and that’s really what history is; a collection of experiences and too often, we don’t think of it that way,” Donahue says. “These are our people.”
Today, Donahue is focused on creative writing and other artistic expressions.
She’s the author of a graphic memoir, “Landings: A Crooked Creek Farm Year,” and her comics, essays and graphic stories have been featured in numerous literary publications.
“This Is Home Now” is still used in classrooms and available through Amazon or the University Press of Kentucky. For more of Donahue’s work, visit arwendonahue.com.
Ann Klein
Alexander Rosenberg
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