Latest news with #SpiritoftheBluegrass
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A ferry is still a loved way to cross the Kentucky River
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — There's a business in Central Kentucky that flies the flag of Virginia every day. That's because it's been here since before Kentucky was a state. For most people, the fastest way to cross the Kentucky River is to use the Clays Ferry Bridge on I-75, so named because there was a ferry there two centuries ago. A ferry is still a loved way to cross the Kentucky River Texas artist brings art to life in Nicholasville's murals Kentucky's historical markers ignite curiosity, community Seventy-five thousand drivers zoom across every day, paying little attention to the water below. But six miles downriver, you can still cross like folks did in the days of horses and wagons. 'It was here in 1785. Kentucky didn't become a state until 1792,' George Dean said. The Valley View Ferry is the oldest continually operating business in Kentucky. It takes just two minutes to ride back in time 200 years. 'It's cheap, and it's easy to get into Lexington,' a rider said. Some of the famous people who have crossed on the ferry over the years are Henry Clay, Daniel Boone, and Ulysses S. Grant. Today, cars cross three at a time. 'Anywhere between 14,000 to 16,000 people use this ferry every month,' a ferry operator said. Read more Spirit of the Bluegrass stories The ferry is propelled by a paddle wheel, centered in the river by cables stretched between four towers. 'The deck crew comes to us from the detention centers, and what they're doing, they're making sure the boat's balanced in proper trim and stability,' Capt. Clayton Embly said. Embly was a merchant marine for 30 years. 'I've sailed literally all the seven seas on all types of ships. You're always looking for what's going to cause you a headache, what could cause an accident,' Embly said. But this is a lot different than steering a 700-foot tanker in the Pacific Ocean. 'The big joke is: The boat I do not steer, the engines I do not go near; I don't even get to ring the bell. But let this ferry shut down and see who catches,' Embly said. Starting early: 11-year-old Lexington boy says he's running for Congress There's no toll on the ferry. The state transportation cabinet and the governments of Fayette, Jessamine, and Madison counties fund it. It's a constant challenge to keep the equipment shipshape. 'Every five years the barge has to be taken out of the water, cleaned, and inspected by the Coast Guard. Anything they see that needs to be corrected or fixed on the barge has to be done at that time,' George Dean, Kentucky River Historian, said. When the ferry is shut down for maintenance or because of high water, it forces some regular users to go 45 minutes out of their way. 'We actually live in Nicholasville, but we work in Richmond. The house we clean is just across the ferry, so we ride it every Wednesday,' Ashley McDonald, a regular rider, said. For some people, it's a convenience; for others, a tourist attraction. 'It's awesome. It's old school,' a visitor said. Sometimes, it's just good to take the road less traveled. And when that road ends at a river, another adventure can begin. Kentucky's first public school mariachi band fosters cultural pride 'Before we get into a hard day's work, it's nice to kick back and relax and be on the water,' McDonald said. Valley View Ferry generally operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. But the weather can change that. To keep up with its operating status, check the Valley View Ferry Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
FOX 56's Marvin Bartlett captures the essence of bluegrass spirit in new book
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — For 35 years, FOX 56's Marvin Bartlett has traversed the Commonwealth in search of strange, surprising, and sentimental stories that encompass the 'Spirit of the Bluegrass.' In his new book, 'Spirit of the Bluegrass: Strange, Surprising, and Sentimental Stories from Kentucky,' he explores the spirited places, holiday spirit, spirited people, and unexpected spirit that Kentuckians possess. 'Marvin Bartlett fills the reader with just that–the spirit of quaint, charming places, folksy, salt-of-the earth Kentuckians, and the 'small' stories that ring powerfully. Bartlett's uncanny knack for finding all of the above is amazing,' Steve Flairty, author and columnist, wrote. Over 220 pages span from unique celebrations like Wilmore's July Fourth Lawn Mower Brigade to unforgettable faces like the boy who loves presidents. FOX 56's Marvin Bartlett captures the essence of bluegrass spirit in new book Wagner's Pharmacy: Louisville diner celebrates racing history Hope runs high on Kentucky farms during foaling season 'With each Spirit of the Bluegrass segment, Marvin delivers a masterclass in storytelling. His unmatched passion and talent make him a true treasure of the Commonwealth,' former co-anchor Kristen Pflum said. It's one sure to entertain and proof that the Commonwealth isn't so common after all. 'Spirit of the Bluegrass: Strange, Surprising, and Sentimental Stories from Kentucky' officially releases on Tuesday, May 6. Viewers, readers, and Kentuckians alike can join Bartlett at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington Green for a launch event and book signing. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Read more Spirit of the Bluegrass stories To learn more about the book or snag a copy of your own, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hope runs high on Kentucky farms during foaling season
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — People driving on Military Pike in southwestern Fayette County shouldn't be so noisy when passing Winter Quarter Farm. There are babies asleep in the fields and other newborns trying to focus on their mothers. At farms all over the Bluegrass, foals will be born at a rapid pace in April and May. 'Every birth is very exciting, and to see these young foals running around, it's just the promise,' said Don Robinson, owner and manager at Winter Quarter Farm. Hope runs high on Kentucky farms during foaling season Kentucky's first public school mariachi band fosters cultural pride Starting early: 11-year-old Lexington boy says he's running for Congress He is proud of the thoroughbreds raised on this family farm; some of them are his, some have other owners. 'We are a bit like investment bankers,' Robinson explained, noting that most horse owners don't have farms. 'We keep their horses. We manage their equine portfolio. So, their horses reside here, we raise them, we advise them on breeding, and we consign and sell the horses at Keeneland and Fasig Tipton at auction.' All of the horses at Winter Quarter Farm will be prepared for racing or auction, and Robinson says there's no better place to raise a foal than central Kentucky. He's an advocate for the land, with mineral-rich soil that produces grass full of calcium, which makes for strong bones. 'It's God-given with the limestone underlayment and high phosphorus content of the soil,' he said. 'It is magic earth here. It's more than just because we love it and it's beautiful. It's productive, and it's considered endangered.' Read more Spirit of the Bluegrass stories Winter Quarter Farm is part of the Purchased Development Rights program, meaning the Fayette County government paid him to protect his land from future development. Robinson has 389 acres of the more than 33,000 acres that have been protected on nearly 300 farms. He is also one of a growing number of farm owners using solar power in his barns, saying that it has cut his electric bills nearly in half. Each spring, Robinson wonders if one of the foals on his farm will be a future champion. In 2005, his medium-sized farm was home to a giant of a yearling named Zenyatta. 'It ensured my reputation. It was a huge plus.' Zenyatta seemed unimpressive at first and sold for just $60,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale, where horses often sell for a million dollars or more. Four years later, she was the first mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic and was Horse of the Year in 2010. She won 19 out of 20 races in her career. Art project opens windows into Lexington's past: 'I Was Here' Robinson said no one could have predicted Zenyatta's success. 'Sometimes you can see it, often not.' Even non-horse owners can relate to the emotions that come with foaling season. The Jockey Club estimates that there are nearly 12,000 foals born in Kentucky each year. Only about 30 of them will be raised at Winter Quarter Farm. But somewhere in the mix of large and small farms across the state, there could be a future Kentucky Derby winner. You never know how your little ones will turn out. You just try to give them a good home and raise them right. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kentucky's first public school mariachi band fosters cultural pride
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Every high school has a music program, but Bryan Station is the only public school in Kentucky to have a mariachi band. Director Genaro Rascon formed the band at the high school in 2023 after heading up a similar program at Berea College. He said Fayette County Superintendent Dr. Demetrius Liggins, a Texas native, 'grew up around mariachi bands in the schools' and wanted to see a similar program in the district. It made sense to locate it at Bryan Station High School, where 36% of the student body has a Latino background. The school also has a Spanish immersion program. Kentucky's first public school mariachi band fosters cultural pride Starting early: 11-year-old Lexington boy says he's running for Congress Hazel Green, Kentucky gets a makeover as a 'Celtic Village' 'Mariachi is the folkloric music of Mexico, just as people in Kentucky might recognize bluegrass as their folkloric music,' Rascon said. Janely Hernandez, a junior, said she loves the way crowds react when the band plays at a concert or festival. 'I get really excited because everyone is super excited, jumping up and down, asking for more songs, and I get really happy that I'm doing this.' The students who transitioned from concert band or orchestra learned quickly that this is not a band where you can be timid. 'There's a lot more connection there, but it's also a theatrical performance,' said assistant director Nathan Bailey. 'They're not just learning how to play their instruments. They're learning how to sing and act on stage all at the same time.' There are also lessons in history and culture thrown in. Mariachi dates back to the 18th century. A typical band has violins, trumpets, and guitars, and the members take turns singing lead. Read more Spirit of the Bluegrass stories The directors say many people only think of mariachi bands as a novelty act. They hope to change that. 'So much of public-school teaching of music is that it's either John Philip Sousa and 'Stars and Stripes Forever' or Beethoven and Bach,' Rascon said. 'This music belongs in that conversation.' 'We want to showcase it as a fine art,' Bailey added. 'We're bringing our groups to stages where people sit and watch us perform. It's not just music that's performed in a corner as background sound.' In its second year, the band, called Mariachi Escudo de Bryan Station, got ornate mariachi suits and sombreros. Members say that has helped them feel more professional. 'Yes, it does,' said Jack Roblero, a senior who plays guitar. 'It makes me feel like I'm more connected to my culture. I really enjoy it a lot.' He said he would like to form his own mariachi band someday. There's a lot of pride in being in the state's first public school to teach mariachi, and that pride extends into the community. Jerry's Restaurant in Paris is the last of its kind Hernandez said, 'I like bragging about it!' 'It's the first time for a lot of these parents that they're happy to come to a school function, that they're excited that their kid is in band,' Rascon said. 'It means the world to me that they get to have that experience, and their students get to have that experience.' Bryan Station may not be the only public school to have a mariachi band much longer. A middle school in northern Kentucky has reached out to Rascon and Bailey for guidance in forming a band as early as next year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A picture connects Kentucky veterans to a chance meeting 70 years ago
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — Inside Bridgepointe at Ashgrove Woods, a senior living community, days can be fairly routine. For example, Donald Moore and Bobby Gene Combs eat meals together at the same table every day, three times a day. In late 2023, Combs found himself alone at the table after his wife of 67 years died. A few months later, Moore, also a widower, moved to Bridgepointe. 50 states, 50 protests, 1 day comes to Frankfort A picture connects Kentucky veterans to a chance meeting 70 years ago Sheriff's office searching for Kentucky man 'He came and he took my seat,' Combs joked, 'and I said, 'I've sat there for over a year. They told me that was going to be my seat.' And he looked around and said, 'Well, I like it and I think I'm going to make it my seat,' and he still sits there.' Moore laughed, saying he liked it better than the other seats at the table. Despite that awkward start, the two hit it off right away. It was as if they already knew each other. Over many dinner conversations, they discovered they both had been drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953. They had trained to go to Korea, but the armistice was signed just before they had to go into combat. So, both were assigned to Greenham Commons, an air force base in southern England. 'We knew we had been there at the same time, and we couldn't figure out why we'd never met,' Combs said. Just before Veteran's Day 2024, the staff at Bridgepointe's Adult Day Care Center, which is next door to the independent living facility, asked Combs to get some of his photos together for a display. A picture connects Kentucky veterans to a chance meeting 70 years ago Jerry's Restaurant in Paris is the last of its kind Best of 'Spirit of the Bluegrass' 2024 'So I went back and pulled out all the pictures I had and started going through them, and I kept coming back to one that showed three people in it. But I didn't recognize any of them but me, so I just brushed it aside,' Combs said. But after going through his stack of photos several times, he flipped that picture over and saw the subjects were identified. He had written that the man in the middle was 'Donald Moore of Kentucky.' 'And I couldn't believe it.' Surely, he thought, that wasn't the same guy he eats meals with every day. 'So I pitched it down on the table in front of him and said I needed some help identifying some people. Without bending over, he said, 'The one in the middle is me.' After he looked at it awhile, I finally I told him, 'Well, the one standing beside you is me!'' 'I was kind of surprised that it was still around after 70 years,' Moore said. He doesn't have any pictures of his time in the military. Both men, who are now in their 90s, marvel that they crossed paths when they were barely 20 years old, nearly 4,000 miles from their Kentucky home. Read more Spirit of the Bluegrass stories They've learned a lot about each other and have developed a tighter bond due to that photo of a chance meeting neither of them can remember. The inscription on the back of the photo says the third man in the picture was from New Jersey. Again, the two have no recollection of why they were together on that day. Combs grew up in Garrard County. Moore was from Covington. Both of them married after they returned home from the Army, and each had one son and one daughter. The moral of their story is simple. When you take in the big picture, it can sometimes be a small world. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
