I'm certainly not graced with the opportunity to chat with a Vietnam veteran every time the wind changes direction . . .but this week, I enjoyed this very privilege, and you're reaping the benefits!! Introducing Mr. Donald Elmore, a Bowling Green native, who first served in Germany, and then completed two tours of duty in Vietnam. Mr. Elmore even authored a book entitled "The Road Taken", which features written accounts and drawn pictures tracing his childhood, army service, and even a portion of his post-military life in California. Grab a seat as he explains what led him to serve our country, reflects on highlights of his service ventures, and speaks of his career pursuits and art-centered hobbies after military retirement. He also extends words of wisdom to the service personnel of tomorrow. We can all learn something from Mr. Elmore's voice of extensive experience . . .so listen intently, and soak up his splendid story!

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If you have considerable appreciation for the unique music history and tradition synonymous with Kentucky, you already have common ground with this week's guest!! Introducing Mr. Dave Howard, Founder/Director of the Louisville Folk School, which has been molding marvelous musicians since 2015. Dave's music background includes a Kentucky Arts Council apprenticeship on the fiddle, along with an abundance of professional recording and performing! Come along as he discusses this background in-depth, and describes the inspiration behind the Louisville Folk School. He also takes us through the course offerings available through the school (some of which may be taken anywhere via Zoom) on instruments ranging from the fiddle, to the mandolin, to even the banjo! Finally, he informs us of upcoming concerts being presented by the school . . .and, we'll be treated to a few samples of his mandolin work on songs recorded by Louisville's own Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Feel free to email Mr. Howard with any inquiries you may have at dave@louisvillefolkschool.org. Also, be sure to visit the folk school's web page linked here: https://louisvillefolkschool.org/. Finally, you can access the application for the Kentucky Arts Council's fiddle apprenticeship (which is due by March 31st) through the website linked here: https://artscouncil.ky.gov/.

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This week, I'm delighted to present another great guest of the "Healthcare Hero" variety!! Meet Mrs. Taunya Eyre of Henderson, who serves with pride and professionalism as a Nurse Consultant with a Boston-based company known as Linus Health. The title of "Nurse Consultant" may likely not ring a bell with you, so what exactly does this role entail? Taunya will give us the scoop, and also discuss the well-versed path she took to get there, along with her impressive educational credentials (which include a Master's of Business Administration!). She'll also shed light on the mission and services of her employer (Linus Health), share a few inspirational stories from her former patients, and extend advice for tomorrow's medical professionals. Feel free to drop Taunya a line with questions you may have regarding our conversation, and for additional information about how you can put Linus Health to work for you, at teyre@linus.health. I'd also encourage you to visit Linus Health's web page linked here: https://linushealth.com/.

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Might you be surprised to learn that many future teachers of the visually impaired are preparing for this career in dear ole Lexington? They are indeed, thanks to the Visually Impaired Teacher Prep program at the University of Kentucky!! Telling us all about it this week is Dr. Amanda Lannan, a professor in the department, who is totally blind herself! Join Dr. Lannan as she describes the cause of her blindness at birth, the manner in which she found her way to UK, and the history of the unique and exciting program in which she teaches. She also discusses the courses she often leads, the curriculum through which students grasp braille and explore effective means of teaching it, and the desirable prerequisites for admission. Learn more about UK's Visually Impaired Teacher Prep program by emailing Dr. Lannan at amanda.lannan@uky.edu. And, be sure to visit the university's grad school page linked here: https://gradschool.uky.edu/admissions/explore-degrees-and-certificates.

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Like me, this week's very special guest has a passion for promoting all things great in our unique state . . .and this passion is clearly conveyed through weekly television segments!! Meet Marvin Bartlett, Anchor/Managing Editor at Fox 56 in Lexington, who has developed quite a following thanks to his "Spirit of the Bluegrass" television features. These weekly segments are syndicated to several television stations across the Commonwealth, and they are real eye openers . . .literally!! Marvin has even written a book entitled "Spirit of the Bluegrass", based on his popular television spotlight of the same name. Join the fun as Marvin reflects on several decades of broadcast journalism experience, describes the inspiration behind "Spirit of the Bluegrass", and details the engaging content we are treated to in this popular segment/book. He also discusses another heart-warming masterpiece from his book catalog called "The Boy Who Delivered Joy", written about an inspirational cancer patient he covered as a reporter. Both of Marvin's aforementioned works are available through Amazon . . .and for additional info on these books (and potential avenues for purchasing them), feel free to email him at mbartlett@fox56news.com. And, be sure to follow Fox 56's Youtube channel linked here to view all of Mr. Bartlett's previous and future "Spirit of the Bluegrass" spotlights: https://www.youtube.com/@FOX56News. Finally, for links to all of the features that are highlighted in his "Spirit of the Bluegrass" book, simply visit the following Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritoftheBluegrass.

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Very few of us can say that we've experienced the excitement of competing on a nationally-televised game show . . .but this week's special guest is one of these precious few!! She is Mrs. Molly Sperling of Owensboro, who traveled to Dublin, Ireland last year to be a contestant on Season 4 of "The Floor" hosted by Rob Lowe. And, Molly enjoyed quite a journey on the show, advancing all the way to the Final Four! Come along as she shares a bit about her background as a former elementary school teacher, and her current post with GRADD (Green River Area Development District). She also describes her inspiration for trying out, the application/selection process she went through to become a contestant, and the general rules of "The Floor". Finally, she explains the aspects of the game which she found most challenging, and discusses the special relationships she formed with her fellow contestants (a few of which she now hosts a podcast with!). So pull up a chair and enjoy a look back on Molly's whirlwind adventure on national television . . .and be sure to listen and subscribe to "More from The Floor", the podcast she co-hosts, by simply following this link!: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-from-the-floor-podcast/id1845934730.

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This week's guest is certainly near and dear to my heart...not only because he is my former Youth Director at First Methodist Church of Henderson...but also because his wide array of career pursuits gave me a considerable amount of water to tread during our conversation!! His name is Bert Montgomery, and he has worn various hats over the years ranging from Senior Minister, to College Professor, to even Juvenile Probation Officer! We'll learn a bit about his service as a Probation Officer in Jackson, Mississippi and Memphis prior to his full-time commitment to ministry work. We'll also hear about his experience teaching courses and leading a church at Mississippi State University, and briefly discuss two fascinating books he has authored: "Elvis, Willie, Jesus and Me" and "Going Back to New Orleans: Post-Katrina Re-Connections and Recollections". Feel free to drop Mr. Montgomery a line at bert@bertmontgomery.com, and be sure to visit his website linked here: http://bertmontgomery.com/.

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Extension can be of value and benefit to us in ways that we have probably failed to consider . . .which is why I'm proud to spotlight one particular area of emphasis within extension this week!! Introducing Tracie Ettensohn, an agent with the Henderson County Cooperative Extension Service, with a specialization in Family and Consumer Sciences. How would we describe Family and Consumer Sciences? What are the seminars, programs, and services through which Tracie helps families to thrive and prosper? Come along for answers to these and other questions, details on Tracie's monthly newsletter, and info on upcoming events/activities to mark on our calendars. Feel free to reach out to Tracie with any inquiries you may have by emailing her at tracie.ettensohn@uky.edu, or calling the Henderson County Extension Office at 270-826-8387. And, be sure to visit Henderson County's Family and Consumer Sciences web page linked here: https://henderson.mgcafe.uky.edu/fcs.

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