Middletown Magazine April 2026

A TASTE OF KENTUCKY

BELOVED GIFT SHOP BLENDS TRADITION & MODERN GROWTH

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Personalized Care in the Heart of Middletown

In the heart of Middletown, our community is where neighbors become good friends and support is always nearby. Assisted Living residents enjoy 24/7 on-site staff, faithinspired support, and personalized care plans, including medication management to ensure comfort and safety

Christian Care Communities Middletown offers spacious suites with separate bedrooms, community dining rooms, chapel and activity areas, and all with secure entry. When you tour, you’ll see firsthand how comfort and safety are top priorities, with emergency call buttons readily available in a welcoming home-like environment.

Our community encourages residents to engage in lively activities that meet them where they are. Our Activities Director, Leslie, works hard to develop creative and engaging activities for our entire community. Assisted Living residents, as well as our independent living apartment residents, can laugh and try new things together!

Annually, our residents look forward to holiday and themed parties including Christmas Card decorating contests, Halloween costume parade, a Derby Hat Runway Show with Lunch, and our own resident choir. Life-enriching activities bring constant smiles to our residents.

The calendar is always full of musical guests, artists, experts, and local church youth groups – all of which spark joy in our residents with things like singing along to the oldies or working on a puzzle with a team of elementary school children. No day is the same, making wonderful new memories with selfies to share.

Assisted Living residents in Middletown thrive because of the warm environment, attentive staff, and thoughtful attention that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit Our goal at Christian Care Communities is to help residents live their best lives by providing trusted support and a nurturing environment.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED

EASTERN AREA COMMUNITY MINISTRIES MARKS 50 YEARS OF MEETING BASIC NEEDS

Writer / Gavin LaPaille

Eastern Area Community Ministries is celebrating 50 years addressing human needs in eastern Jefferson County. EACM aims to help residents with food, utilities and housing concerns while providing assistance to neighbors who need it most.

“We will do anything that helps someone struggling with their basic needs or having a good, quality life,” says Carrie Gerard, executive director. “We partner with all kinds of organizations and community groups that help us put on different programs. It really takes a whole village to do what we do.”

EACM, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides help and services to those living east of the Watterson Expressway and north of Interstate 64, including areas such as Middletown, Lyndon, Eastwood, Northfield and Prospect. Services include financial assistance for basic needs, food pantries, diaper closets, financial literacy courses and

home-delivered meals. EACM is one of 13 ministries that make up the Association of Community Ministries, which serves all of Jefferson County, and is the only network of its kind nationwide in a metropolitan city.

More than 30 churches are part of EACM, including Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist congregations. Gerard says while the churches have their differences, they come together to help those in need.

“It’s so important right now that we have this example of churches from different varieties coming together for a common purpose,” Gerard says. “They don’t all agree on a lot of things but they all agree our neighbors shouldn’t be hungry. We have these group meetings and individuals from all the churches talk about how we can do this better. In so many places you don’t have diverse groups like this coming together like they do.”

Eastern Area is the only community ministry that has a multicultural program, which includes free English classes and preparation for the U.S. citizenship test. The classes are for those whose native language is not English and who wish to improve their abilities to read, write, speak and understand the language.

“We love that we get to help our newest neighbors integrate into American culture,” Gerard says. “It’s fun to help them learn our customs and the logistics of being an American. It’s truly a way to help people learn the day-to-day aspects of living in Louisville. We have over 100 students who are learning English and experiencing these other programs that help make them feel more comfortable.”

The home-delivered meals program is also unique to EACM and provides affordable meals delivered right to residents’ doors. While mostly targeting senior citizens, the

food program also helps those who are rehabbing from surgery, moving to a new home, suffering from an illness or injury, or welcoming a new baby into the family. The program charges $13 per meal and isn’t just for those who are economically unstable.

“This is a good, prepared meal that gets delivered by a volunteer who can make sure everyone is answering the door and looks OK,” Gerard says. “We’re hoping long term this will grow and help fund our other programs. It’s a needed service and we provide it countywide. If you participate in this, you’re also giving back by supporting other programs.”

Gerard says people are surprised to learn the ZIP codes EACM serves have some of the largest eviction and utility disconnection rates among the ACM.

“You don’t see what’s happening behind closed doors,” Gerard says. “Folks are struggling to manage their bills. It’s those who at the end of the month had something unusual happen with their car or paycheck, and that can lead to a utility disconnection or loss of food. That can sometimes

tumble and get worse and worse. We just don’t know it’s happening because it’s too hidden.”

While each group in the ACM works independently, they all come together regularly to discuss challenges in their specific neighborhoods and ways to better assist the community as a whole.

“We work extremely collaboratively,” Gerard says. “All the executive directors meet monthly and talk about joint initiatives we are working on. We’re making sure administratively we’re fulfilling all the duties of different grants and how we can get our message out to more partners. We have a common database where we can see the impact of all our work and track our services as people move. We definitely work together on a lot of levels and constantly are in communication with each other about how we can do things better.”

There are many ways to get involved with EACM. More than 200 volunteers work alongside staff members to support its mission, including those who work special

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events and others who are in the office several times a week. Gerard says she is excited to help celebrate volunteers all year long.

“We have more than 40 volunteers who have put in more than 10 years of consecutive service,” Gerard says. “They’re as much part of the team as our staff and we can’t wait to celebrate them and make a big deal about the family we have become. We could not do what we do without the incredible core of volunteers we have.”

Gerard says the community has proven its willingness to step in and help those who are in need, especially in times of crisis.

“What’s so beautiful is that we are microlocal and can respond to what is happening on the neighborhood level,” Gerard says.

“That’s really special. These are our folks and we are working together to make sure everyone has what they need. If the community has better stability, we all benefit from that.”

For more information on EACM and how to get involved, visit eacmonline.org.

ON TOP ROOFING

Writer / Gavin LaPaille

On Top Roofing aims to guide homeowners in the complicated process of dealing with insurance companies. On Top Roofing is a one-stop solution for all roofing needs, providing a voice and needed resources to get every project completed at the highest standards possible.

“We classify ourselves as insurance specialists,” says salesman Bruce Scales. “We work with the homeowner to identify if they have any problems with their roof. Louisville gets its fair share of storm damage and we survey their roof and look for hail damage, wind damage or both. If they do, we recommend to the homeowner that they file a claim with their insurance company. We make sure they have damage before they make a claim so their rates won’t go up.”

On Top Roofing was started in 2023 by owner Derick Hihn and has quickly become a leader in the industry. They offer complimentary roof inspections to assess quality and structural integrity, identifying areas needed for repair or replacement. After the assessment, On Top Roofing provides a detailed report and any necessary actions to keep the roof in optimal condition. The team will also go back to the

insurance companies if they disagree with its assessments.

“We’ll negotiate on behalf of the owner,” Scales says. “We guide the owner throughout the process. They are elated that we come in and basically take over. We are very knowledgeable about roofing and what the issues are.”

On Top Roofing serves the entire Louisville and Southern Indiana area, and completes the repair or replacement projects on asphalt shingles & gutters. Project Manager Americo Imperatore says On Top Roofing’s customer service and attention to detail stand out from its competitors.

“We are there for the customer from start to finish from filing the claim until that roof is fully replaced,” Imperatore says. “However long that takes, we are with the customer and are available whenever we need to be. Our communication sets us apart.”

One new avenue for the On Top Roofing crew is Shingle Tomb, a separate company also owned by Hihn that was started to

provide long term marketing for contractors after jobs are completed. This durable, ecofriendly, storage box stores extra shingles plus the logo and contact information of the contractor that completed the job, ensuring clients remember who they worked with for years to come. Shingle Tomb has already become a popular way for roofers to resonate with homeowners.

“This box is a marketing piece for the roofing contractor,” Scales says. “Homeowners ask us to leave shingles behind sometimes in case they need to do a repair. Once the job is complete, we provide our logo and contact number and put a full bundle of shingles inside the box. We strategically work with the owner on where to place in the garage. It’s a tool for the roofing contractor that can continue marketing for 20 years. It’s worked out really well. We’ve taken it a step further and customize these boxes based on their needs. Not only do we have our standard box, we are customizing boxes for contractors. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

For more information on On Top Roofing, call 502-727-4484 or visit them online at ontoproofingky.com.

CONNECT

DARE TO CARE

TASTE OF DERBY FESTIVAL HELPS FEED FAMILIES IN NEED

Writer / Grace Schaefer

Each year at Slugger Field, more than 1,000 Kentuckiana neighbors gather for good community, great food and a wonderful charity. Planned in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby, this special evening is the Taste of Derby Festival, and proceeds go to feeding families in the region through Dare to Care.

“[We host] at least 1,400 people, and they’re able to go through and taste from all these different restaurants, all different kinds of food, all different kinds of drinks; it’s a really fun night,” says Andrea Shepherd, Dare to Care’s senior director of philanthropic partnerships.

“[The Taste of Derby Festival has] been going on for more than three decades,” Shepherd says. “It’s had lots of different iterations, but now we just call it the best way to launch Derby season, and it is, I think, the most fun tasting event we have in Louisville. We just get great feedback that people really enjoy the food, they enjoy supporting the cause in this way, [and that] this is a beautiful way to connect.”

Hosted at Slugger Field, the Taste of Derby

Festival features restaurants and beverage companies offering tastings for visitors.

Last year saw the largest turnout, with 107 vendors, and Dare to Care hopes to beat that number this year. About 1,200 tickets are available — and they sell out quickly.

“We will have incredible eats, incredible drinks; we’ll have more lounge areas that Watson’s of Louisville makes possible, we’ll have some fun photo areas, we’ll have lots of different activities, and I can promise that people will leave with a full belly and smile, having had a great time and knowing they’ve supported a great cause,” Shepherd says.

Dare to Care is more than a local organization — it’s a team of neighbors working consistently to end a rising crisis in Kentuckiana.

“We are the food bank that serves the Kentuckiana area — eight counties in the Louisville region, Jefferson County region, and then five counties in Southern Indiana. We were formed after the death of a 9-yearold boy in 1969 on Thanksgiving Eve,” Shepherd says. “His name was Bobby Ellis;

he was 9 years old and weighed 30 pounds, and he died of malnutrition. That sparked a movement of the neighbors in this area coming together to make sure that never happens again.”

To do this work, Dare to Care partners with nonprofits; most nonprofits providing food to the community get most of those meals from this organization. Beyond that, Dare to Care also runs school pantries, prescription pantries, mobile pantries, cooking nutrition classes and Kids Cafes for hot meals after school.

“Food insecurity is everywhere,” Shepherd says. “It’s in every single ZIP code. No matter where you live, there’s food insecurity there. If you’ve got kids in school, check with the school and the resource officer there, and see what needs they might have, and encourage a food drive in the school, make a donation, or encourage others to donate. There are so many ways that people can make a big difference with just small steps.”

The need for Dare to Care is growing in the community. Shepherd notes that “the

food insecurity rate increased 48% over two years. We are seeing a growing need among our neighbors.”

Currently, the organization provides about 22 million meals yearly.

“We are here with a goal of making sure that everyone is nourished — because nobody should go without food,” she says.

The situation is painful, but it has also revealed just how willing the Kentuckiana community is to support its own.

“It’s just so lovely to see the community come together and have such positive attitudes and enjoy a night together and make a difference for this community. This event makes hundreds of thousands of

meals possible for kids and families, and so it’s important for us as an organization to make meals possible, because they need it now more than ever. At the same time, it’s such a lovely way for people to learn about Dare to Care, and hopefully stay connected with us,” Shepherd says.

At the end of the festival, Dare to Care, in partnership with Feed Louisville, takes that food back, makes it servable and shares it with the community. Even in the midst of

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fundraising, the organization’s most basic cause is not forgotten.

“There are hungry people in our neighborhoods, and we need to show them love and support them, because no one should go hungry,” Shepherd says.

Even those who cannot attend the Taste of Derby Festival this year can still make an impact. Shepherd encourages community members to look at which restaurants participate and then support them.

“Eat at those restaurants, buy those

products and thank them for being supporters ... because these vendors are all donating everything. It’s pretty incredible,” Shepherd says.

Dare to Care also accepts volunteers — both generally and for the evening of the festival.

Ultimately, the Taste of Derby Festival is both an act of service and a way to get more connected with the Kentuckiana community.

“Dare to Care exists because this community cares that nobody goes hungry, and this event is a really critical fundraiser for Dare to Care, so I would encourage people to find a way to make a difference in this community when it comes to food insecurity. Know that we always have an open door with our events, with volunteering, with food and fund drives, and with getting involved. It takes all of us, and we can all do something to make a difference for our neighbors,” Shepherd says.

A TASTE OF KENTUCKY

BELOVED GIFT SHOP BLENDS TRADITION & MODERN GROWTH

Writer / Gavin LaPaille

Karen Taylor always loved visiting A Taste of Kentucky and seeing all the beautiful products. That passion ran so strong, she and her husband, Rob, decided to purchase the store known for connecting its customers to the heart and soul of Kentucky. The Taylors bought A Taste of Kentucky from John and Sherry Hassman in 2023, with Karen now managing day-to-day operations.

“We knew the previous owners and I felt like we could do it,” Karen says. “I had worked for a company that kind of had the same structure. I’ve always loved the store. It has beautiful products and has always been great. They wanted someone who would take it and move it forward. It felt right, so we bought it.”

With more than 40 years of history, A Taste of Kentucky has built a reputation for sharing the best its home state has to offer. From handcrafted treasures made by local artisans to gourmet foods that capture the essence of Southern hospitality, each item in stock is carefully chosen to reflect the spirit of the community.

Products fall into a variety of categories and themes, including all things bourbon, home decor, gift baskets, Kentucky Derby, food, souvenirs, apparel and books. Since the Taylors have taken over, they have strived to give A Taste of Kentucky a more modern look without disrupting what it does best.

“I never wanted to change the core of who

we are, but wanted to give it a little bit of a cleaner look, more like a boutique,” Karen says. “We have expanded the offerings. In addition to our local and online customers, we have a lot of companies across the United States that contact us for high-end corporate gifts. Featuring items with price points that meet everyone’s needs is really important to us.”

The physical store location is at 11800 Shelbyville Road in the heart of Middletown. Visitors come from all over the country, shopping for items to take back home, and Karen says locals also frequently stop in before traveling abroad to pick up special gifts so they can share “A Taste of Kentucky”.

“To my knowledge, the store has been in this location at least 30+ years,” Karen says. “It’s a fixture here in Middletown. When they walk in, they talk about how beautiful the store is. We hear that a lot. You can find something for everyone here, at any price point.

A Taste of Kentucky also has a thriving e-commerce business. While there is a lot of overlap with the items physically sold in the store, Karen says the website stands out on its own with a unique marketing strategy.

“On the website, you never know what someone is going to buy,” Karen says. “Our strategy has really grown. We do weekly and biweekly email blasts. We advertise and do a lot with Google. We’re strategizing our marketing dollars. Almost every product that leaves here has our tag on it that says A Taste of Kentucky. When we ship something out, we put a card inside with a thank you that has our information on it. If someone

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sends a gift, when the recipient gets it they know exactly where it came from. That has increased our e-commerce presence.”

The store works with many local and national companies that often want gift baskets or other items. A Taste of Kentucky coordinates with these groups to fit individual needs, including many requests during the holiday season and around the Kentucky Derby. These baskets are also popular for special events, such as weddings and other celebrations.

“Local and national companies will call and say they want to send gifts to their employees or partners,” Karen says. “Our gift baskets are a large part of who we are for Derby and Christmas. People will send gift baskets to friends and family. Businesses will send them to clients and suppliers. We work with places in all industries. It’s what really made A Taste of Kentucky grow over the years. That and our focus on customer service.”

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While it’s helpful to have multiple avenues of revenue, Karen says it’s important for all phases of the business to be thriving for A Taste of Kentucky to continue having success.

“I didn’t realize how multidimensional the company is,” Karen says. “Each revenue segment is different but kind of the same. They each make up a third of the business and they’re all growing. All things have to be going the same direction to make it work. You can have the best product in the world, but if it accidently gets tagged with the wrong price, it’ll never move.”

No matter how a customer interacts with A Taste of Kentucky, Karen stresses customer service at every opportunity.

“They have always gone over and above with customer service and we have continued that,” Karen says. “We love happy customers, building personal connections and relationships. When we

build that connection, they remember and will become a returning customer. Building that repeat business is big. Making a customer happy is our priority. We are so centric on customer service that it is second nature. If you take care of the customer, they will take care of you.”

While the store is at its busiest near Christmas and Derby, Karen’s goal is to keep the store relevant all year long with additional product offerings and customer service.

“We have grown the business in the months between,” Karen says. “The peaks are still the peaks. That’s the goal, to be self-sustaining all months and have two nice peaks. You are constantly looking for new products and new ideas for what is out there and what people are looking for. You have to listen to what people want. We never carried a lot of jewelry previously, but we had a lot of people ask for it. Little by little we started bringing more in, and it

sold like crazy.”

Karen loves what she does at A Taste of Kentucky and hopes to continue giving that joy to all of her customers.

“The company is great,” Karen says. “We have great products and wonderful customers. We have a great staff of people who have been here for many years. We have a solid employee base that cares and loves it. It’s hard to work here and not love what we do. We are so grateful for our customers, our employees and our community.”

A Taste of Kentucky is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information on how to place an order, check out the website at atasteofkentucky. com or call (502) 244-3355.

BEYOND THE SECRET

ZOOM GROUP EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO THRIVE THROUGH INCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Writer / Grace Schaefer

Kentucky has a well-kept secret — and it’s called Zoom Group.

For 40 years now, Zoom Group has served members of the community with intellectual or developmental disabilities, allowing them to grow their careers while engaging with their passions, too.

“Zoom Group is a health and human services organization that provides support and services. We’ve been in existence since 1986, so we are embarking on our 40th year,” says Melissa Marvel, president and CEO of the nonprofit. “We provide a wide array of services from behavioral support to housing, to transportation, to employment, to transitional programs that work with students and families in school to help them transition not only into careers, [but] try to provide a wraparound service to help them be successful. Our mission is to assist them, to help them explore, create and realize their journey, because every individual is different.”

Originally started by parents of children graduating high school, and partnering with the local Council on Developmental Disabilities, Louisville Diversified Services was established. In 2013, the organization became Zoom Group. Since its inception, it has partnered with the federal government, as well as large logistics companies such as UPS, and has provided vocational training. Now, the group has expanded to include a host of programs: a life skills program (LifeWorkZ); a transportation service (RideWorkZ); a Level 2 family home provider service (LifeStyleZ); and a Positive Behavior Support service to provide behavioral therapy (SupportWorkZ).

They even host StudioWorkZ, “our flagship art program. Individuals with disabilities who want to learn a variety of mediums in art are in that program; we have an art gallery, so their work is available in our gallery that’s open daily, Monday through Friday, for sale. It’s basically selfemployment for the artist.”

While located in Louisville, many of Zoom Group’s services range statewide and are incorporating online programming and satellite partners so that families who cannot come to one of the two Louisville campuses can still have access.

“If there are families that are interested in our services in their area, I would encourage them to reach out to us,” Marvel says.

Even those who do not use Zoom Group’s collection of services can still be involved.

“We would love volunteers to help us with our nonprofit fundraising events, to help us out with job fairs. We have volunteer days where we’ll have groups and individuals come in. We’ll have artists come in and teach classes to our artists in our programming,” Marvel says.

The group also looks for business partners to expand vocational training and partnership opportunities, including

hosting field trips so that participants can learn more about career options.

“We also do offer community workforce training,” Marvel adds. “Oftentimes, you have a person with a disability going into a workplace, and people there have never

be impactful,” Marvel says. “This 40th anniversary, it is my hope that we’ll no longer be a well-kept secret, [but] that we’ll be a known, successful entity. Because 40 years of success in this environment — we should be very proud. I would like to not be such a secret.”

As it is, Zoom Group already has around 500 individual program enrollments and an active waiting list. As they prepare for another decade of service, they look ahead to more growth and more one-on-one connection. One of the biggest changes will be serving children from a younger age.

“Typically before, it was 18 and above,” she says. “Post-pandemic, we started working with students and families at age 14, and now we’re going to go to as soon as the child’s been diagnosed. My passion is [to change] the dynamics for those in the future so that they readily know what those resources are, that we meet those families

when their children are younger, because it’s no different than preschool for children — the more you can get them started on a good, strong foundation when they’re young, the more likely they’re going to have greater success as they get older. And it’s no different for any child, regardless of their abilities.”

Ultimately, supporting Zoom Group is all about supporting the reach and accessibility of its services.

“I’m so passionate about making sure that families [with] a child that has the need for these resources have the ability to reach out to an organization that will help support them, providing those resources and making them feel like they’re not walking alone,” Marvel says. “Everybody’s disability is different. That’s really what I find Zoom Group trying to be — you walk into our array of services, and you feel supported in many different ways and feel successful, and

obtain the goals that you desire, to the best of your ability.

“At the end of the day, we are all human. And we all need to be included and respected and appreciated for who we are.”

Ultimately, Zoom Group is more than a collection of services; it’s a bridge to bring the Kentucky community together in ways we never have before. The Zoom Group family has been thriving for 40 years, and they only plan to continue. And no matter the background or ability, Kentuckians are a part of that family — and that journey — too.

For more information about Zoom Group, including a list of all available programs, enrollment and ways to get involved, please visit zoomgroup.org.

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RANGES & COOKTOPS

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH

WHAT GIVING BACK REALLY LOOKS LIKE IN LOUISVILLE

Writer / Heather Cregger

Every day, while most of us are going about our business — meeting deadlines, tidying our homes, chasing children, enjoying time with friends — boxes are being filled. Canned goods are stacked, floors are swept and modest but honest work is being done.

For one Louisville resident of more than 50 years, Sue Shewmaker, these small, steady tasks have been part of her routine for decades. From packing food at a local pantry to helping residents gather for weekly activities at an adult care home, volunteering has followed her through different seasons of life — from her teenage years to raising a family and now into retirement.

April is National Volunteer Month, a time set aside to recognize the many ways people

give back to their communities. Across Louisville, volunteers show up in quiet, practical ways every day — often without fanfare — helping neighbors meet basic needs, feel included and stay connected. Their stories offer a clearer picture of what volunteering really looks like and how accessible it can be.

A LIFE SHAPED BY SHOWING UP

As a teenager, Sue first began volunteering with her local children’s choir. Noticing the sense of joy and purpose she felt in giving back, she continued to serve throughout her life. Volunteering later became a way to bond with her daughter, adding depth to her parenting by teaching the satisfaction that comes from helping others.

As life moved forward and retirement came, Sue continued to find meaning through volunteering at a local food pantry and an adult care facility. She describes volunteering at Louisville East as “part of my DNA.” Her involvement there began when a friend’s brother became a resident but was too shy to participate in activities. Sue made him a simple deal: She would come once a week and go with him to try something new.

Over time, she watched him blossom. And even after his passing, she continued to show up each week — now helping other residents feel included and supported in their daily lives.

WHAT VOLUNTEERING ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

Many of us talk about wanting to volunteer. We say things like, “I would like to volunteer,” or “I should take my kids to volunteer.” But busy schedules can make it feel daunting to add one more commitment. So what does volunteering actually look like?

At the food pantry, Sue commits about an hour and a half one day a week. Boxes are packed for morning distribution, with everyone assigned a specific task. Once packing is finished, the area is cleaned and left ready for the next shift. It’s structured, efficient and manageable.

many discover an unexpected return. Joy, fulfillment, usefulness and purpose are often part of the experience.

Sue says what surprised her most was “how happy it makes me feel,” adding that she receives as much — if not more — than she gives. Over time, relationships form naturally and small moments of connection become something to look forward to each week.

HOW SMALL EFFORTS HELP OTHERS

Volunteering supports not only the people being served but also those working alongside volunteers. At the food pantry, volunteers work side by side to ensure a smooth flow from station to station. In adult care settings, volunteers assist staff by helping residents gather for activities and return to their rooms afterward.

Once a week, Sue also spends time at an adult care facility, helping two or three residents play bingo. This is the type of interaction many people can expect when volunteering in an adult or senior care setting — simple, relational and centered on inclusion.

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While Sue chooses to volunteer weekly, she notes that there is flexibility if another commitment arises. She has even brought teens with her at times to help, showing that volunteering can span generations and life stages.

THE UNEXPECTED RETURN

Most people don’t begin volunteering asking what they’ll get out of it. Yet

In areas like health care, where staffing is often stretched thin, this kind of consistent support is welcomed. Reliable volunteer help allows daily operations to run more smoothly and gives staff the ability to focus attention where it’s most needed.

“I DON’T HAVE TIME” — LOWERING THE BARRIER

One of the biggest barriers to volunteering is the belief that it requires a major life commitment. While Sue chooses to show up every week, many organizations are grateful for whatever time people are able to offer.

Thirty minutes matters. Flexibility exists. Volunteering doesn’t have to be permanent or perfect — it can begin with a one-time event or a short commitment. Often, it starts simply by reaching out and asking what help is needed.

Volunteering can be meaningful at every stage of life. For Sue, retirement has brought

the opportunity to stay active and focused on others rather than turning inward. For those experiencing loneliness or a lack of purpose, volunteering can offer connection, routine and a sense of belonging.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO VOLUNTEER IN LOUISVILLE

Volunteering doesn’t look the same for everyone. Across Louisville, there are many ways to get involved that fit different schedules, personalities and seasons of life. Knowing what kinds of places to look for can make getting started feel far less overwhelming.

SHORT, STRUCTURED COMMITMENTS

For those who prefer clarity and defined roles, many volunteer opportunities are built around short, predictable shifts. These roles are often found at food pantries, community ministries, donation centers and distribution hubs, where volunteers help pack food boxes, sort donated items, assemble care kits or

prepare spaces for daily operations. Shifts are commonly one to two hours long and have a clear beginning and end.

RELATIONAL VOLUNTEERING

Some opportunities focus less on tasks and more on presence. These roles are commonly available at adult care homes, senior living facilities, assisted living centers and memory care units, where volunteers help residents participate in group activities such as games, crafts or music programs, or simply spend time in conversation. In these settings, consistency often matters more than the length of each visit.

ONE-TIME OR SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES

For those with limited availability, onetime or seasonal roles can be a meaningful way to help. These opportunities are often coordinated through neighborhood associations, parks departments, community centers or local nonprofits

hosting cleanups, beautification projects, food drives or special events. These roles allow people to contribute without an ongoing commitment.

FAMILY- OR TEEN-FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERING

Many volunteer opportunities are appropriate for families or teens when supervision and structure are in place. These roles are often found through food pantries, community outreach programs, faith-based organizations and youth-serving nonprofits and may include packing meals, organizing donations or assisting with group service projects. These opportunities allow families to volunteer together while keeping expectations realistic and age-appropriate.

SKILL-BASED OR BEHINDTHE-SCENES SUPPORT

Not all volunteering happens face to face. Many organizations rely on behind-the-

scenes help to function well. These roles are often available at nonprofit offices, community organizations and service agencies and can include administrative support, organizing supplies, data entry, event setup and cleanup or basic communications assistance. These quieter roles are often flexible and just as essential as more visible forms of service.

EXPLORING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS LOUISVILLE

For those ready to explore volunteer opportunities more broadly, citywide volunteer portals make it easier to search by interest, location and time commitment. These platforms connect volunteers with organizations throughout Louisville, including Jeffersontown, Middletown and St. Matthews.

METRO UNITED WAY VOLUNTEER CONNECTION volunteer.metrounitedway.org

JUSTSERVE justserve.org

VOLUNTEERMATCH idealist.org/en/volunteer

After years of volunteering, what stays with Sue isn’t any single moment, but the simple signs that things went well — boxes filled, a space left tidy, a resident who had a good time.

She’s quick to point out that volunteering doesn’t require endless free time or special skills. Sometimes it starts with a phone call. Sometimes it’s just 30 minutes. What matters is showing up.

“Helping your neighbor is a good thing,” she says. And across Louisville, that belief continues to take shape in food pantries, senior homes, community centers and countless other places where small acts of service quietly make a difference.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY,

LOUISVILLE AREA EVENTS

6

BOB DYLAN: ROUGH AND ROWDY WAYS TOUR

Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th Street.

8 p.m.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This event will be a phonefree experience. Use of phones or recording devices will not be permitted in the performance space.

7

THE PARKLANDS WALKING CLUB (MOSS GIBBS WOODLAND GARDEN TRAIL)

Ogle Foundation Woodland Pavilion in Broad Run Park, 10801 Lasater Rd.

8:30 - 11 a.m.

This walking club will meet almost twice a month, for a morning and an evening session, to trek all over The Parklands, exploring different trails each time.

8

CERAMIC WORKSHOP: WALL HANGING PLANTER

Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave.

6 - 8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 8· 6:00 to 8:00pm

Graeser Family Education Center

$65 | $52 WBG members

Create your own functional wall art!

10

SIXTEEN CANDLES: THE ULTIMATE 80’S TRIBUTE

Mercury Ballroom, 611 S 4th Street.

8 p.m.

The Mercury Ballroom is an all-ages, standing room venue, all tickets are General Admission unless otherwise stated. Doors open one hour prior to the event.

UNIVERSITY

OF LOUISVILLE BASEBALL VS STANFORD

Ky., Jim Patterson Stadium, 6 - 9 p.m.

University of Louisville Baseball vs Stanford TV: ACC Network

11

BRUCE HORNSBY AND THE NOISEMAKERS

Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W Main St.

8 p.m.

TREEFEST 2026

Thurman-Hutchins Park, 3227 River Rd.

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

TreeFest is Louisville’s Arbor Day celebration, bringing the community together to explore the essential role trees play in our lives.

12

BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH W/ THE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF LOUISVILLE

St. Francis in the Fields, Harrods Creek, 6710 Wolf Pen Branch Road. 3 - 4:30 p.m.

An all-Beethoven program featuring the most famous four notes ever written.

JOHN LEGEND

Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W Main St. 8 p.m.

17

STEWART COPELAND: POLICE DERANGED

Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W Main St.

7:30 p.m.

Stewart Copeland’s Police Deranged for Orchestra is a high energy orchestral evening celebrating the work of legendary rock star and composer.

WORLD BALLET COMPANY: SWAN LAKE

Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th Street.

7 p.m.

The World’s MOST Iconic Ballet - Live on Stage!

18-19

LOUISVILLE HOME SHOW

Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane.

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Home Show! It’s For Everything In And Around Your Home!

BLUEGRASS WORLD OF WHEELS CUSTOM CAR SHOW

Kentucky Expo Center, 937 Phillips Lane.

10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday

Classic cars from all over the country will compete for the coveted Bluegrass Cup and the Bourbon Select trophies. There will be hundreds of cars, trucks, motorcycles, go-carts, and just about anything with wheels on display for the public to enjoy. Discount tickets available at O’Reilly Auto Parts.

18

THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE

Waterfront Park, 129 River Road. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Thunder Over Louisville

To some, it’s the official kick-off to the Kentucky Derby Festival. To others, it’s the unofficial beginning of spring.

21

UNIVERSITY

OF LOUISVILLE BASEBALL VS KENTUCKY

Ky., Jim Patterson Stadium, 7 - 10 p.m.

University of Louisville Baseball vs Kentucky TV: ACC Network

24

ABRA CADABRA - CELEBRATING THE MUSIC & MAGIC OF ABBA

The Brown Theatre, 315 W Broadway. 7:30 p.m.

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.

“I’m a family person and we want everyone to feel like they’re part of our family.”

—Gustavo Reyes

5 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU

WHERE NEIGHBORS BECOME FRIENDS

The Courtyards At Curry Farms

MICHELLE HEARETH

New Home Sales Specialist

502.503.5125

Michelle@PerfectionBuilders.com

The Courtyards At Oakland Hills

Amanda Goldfarb

New Home Sales Specialist

502.490.2614

Amanda@PerfectionBuilders.com

From morning walks to evening conversations, our neighborhoods are thoughtfully designed to bring people together. It’s a more comfortable, more connected way to live— every single day.

MONDAY: KARAOKE: 9-1AM $2 MINI BURGERS $5 QUESO & BONELESS WINGS $4

TUESDAY: TRIVIA: 7-9PM $4 OLD FORRESTER

WEDNESDAY:

THURSDAY: .99 WINGS

FRIDAY:

A CENTURY STRONG

LOCAL RESIDENT & VETERAN REFLECTS ON 100 YEARS OF FAITH, FAMILY & SERVICE

Writer / Melissa Gibson

Veteran and local resident Jesse McGee recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

Born Sept. 19, 1925, in a small Kentucky town, one of his first memories was Christmas Day in 1931. McGee had appendicitis, and after calling the doctor, who recommended a trip to the hospital in Louisville, the trip itself proved difficult because no one had a car. The family had to ask neighbors and friends and eventually find someone in town who could transport the ailing 6-year-old.

“These were horse-and-buggy days,” McGee says. “We had no electricity or running water. We’d get water from the well, but it

would go dry every summer.”

Growing up, McGee recalls summers spent working on the farm, hunting, fishing and playing baseball. He has plenty of stories surrounding family, getting into trouble with his siblings and having fun.

He remembers the 5-mile walk to and from school and the family purchasing their first car around 1938.

The 1940s served as a decade of change in McGee’s life.

Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941 when McGee was a sophomore in high school. By

1944, he was headed to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for basic training at just 18 years old and spent his 19th birthday on a threeday pass to London.

“In the early part of my service, I was at a camp in southern England near the English Channel and then on to France, Holland and Germany,” McGee says. “I was in harm’s way a few times but never saw combat. Still, when I earned enough points to come home and you see the Statue of Liberty, it really does something to you.”

While overseas, McGee had been writing letters to Edwina, a friend from his high school days. The special relationship they

built through letters led to love, and the two married in 1947.

He recalls living in an apartment in Bardstown for $40 per month and making 74 cents per hour. Just one year later, he took a job at Robertson Paint Co., later named Porter Paint and then PPG Paints, for 90 cents per hour.

Like many in the 1940s, McGee worked hard and worked his way up, spending nearly 40 years with the company and eventually becoming superintendent at the industrial finishes plant.

“I started out as a laborer and worked a lot

of long hours but took classes in the evening at the University of Louisville and received promotions as I went along,” McGee says.

The couple moved to Jeffersontown in 1948, and McGee began volunteering at his church, Jeffersontown Christian Church, and joined the Masonic Lodge. He was instrumental in the launch of Jeffersontown Little League and served as a coach for several years. In addition, McGee served on the Jeffersontown City Council in the early 1950s.

“When Edwina and I moved here, Jeffersontown was just a small town,” McGee says. “I don’t know if there was even a traffic light. Growth was just beginning to take effect, and I was able to be a part of some of that growth when subdivisions were coming in and changes were taking place.”

He served only one term, however. Work and family life were calling.

The couple had four children — Dennis,

Walter, JoAnn and Rob — and advances in technology were moving quicker than many could keep up.

their day. They would eventually ask me to guess what we were having for dessert. I’d usually guess right, and they accused Mom of telling me beforehand. She never did. She just had good mental telepathy, I guess.”

my own children. They treat me just like their father. I believe when Edwina went to be with the Lord, she asked that He send someone to me so I wouldn’t be lonely.”

McGee says there are four things in life that really matter: God, country, neighbors and family.

McGee recalls buying his first television in 1949, purchasing a microwave, an 8-track and more.

“Some of the best memories of our family life were when the children were all home and in school,” he says. “I used to call Edwina and let her know I was on my way home from work. Our dog, Pepper, got the message and would wait at the door for me, announcing my arrival when I turned the corner. The kids would all be called in to have dinner, and we’d sit around the table, and I would listen to each of them talk about

After 53 years of marriage and a long illness, Edwina passed away in July 2000.

McGee says he knew then what it was like to be lonely. However, life didn’t stop there.

In 2002, he met Evelyn and eventually her children. They were married for 14 years before she passed away in 2016.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have had two of the best. Now I have two angels in heaven,” McGee says. “I’m so glad we had time together with all the memories and two great families. My stepchildren are just like

He has read the Bible from cover to cover at least three times, and these days, McGee still resides in the home that he and Evelyn purchased in Jeffersontown. His children visit often and say he spent so long taking care of them, now it is their turn to take care of him.

The secret to celebrating a 100th birthday?

“I guess just living a clean life,” McGee says. “I’ve been blessed in so many ways. The Lord has helped me through some sad times, and there are things I wish I had not done and things I wish I had done or said that I didn’t. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”

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