Kentucky

Family Feud Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): J. Eric Eckard It should come as no surprise that the bloodiest war on U.S. soil also sparked one of the nation’s most famous family feuds. Many historians trace the roots of the feud between the Hatfields and McCoys to 1865. Returning home from the Civil War, Union soldier Asa Harmon McCoy was killed by a band of Southern sympathizers, whose ranks were filled with Hatfields. But after years of fighting that led to 13 deaths, a pall cast over the Tug Valley between West Virginia and Kentucky, and the “mountain folk” j...

A Well-Preserved Past Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Christina Ipavec It’s no longer 1861 — far from it, actually — but that doesn’t mean visitors to Fort Duffield in West Point, Kentucky, can’t still be drafted into the Civil War. Situated among Fort Duffield Park’s 172 acres, the abandoned fort still stands tall, welcoming visitors to experience the past through walking tours and living-history programs that are offered twice a year on Memorial Day and Labor Day. Fort Duffield stood untouched on private property for 80 years when it belonged to Fort Knox — the army-trai...

Bear-ing the Cold Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Becky Linhardt “Mom, there’s a bear in the back of this truck!” Expect squeals of delight as young children get an unusual view of the bears at the new Bear Habitat and Town of Glacier Run at the Louisville Zoo in Louisville, Kentucky. This is not your average bear exhibit — momma bear, Inga, was tagged three times as a nuisance bear in Montana, and by law, was to be euthanized. But luckily, she and her cubs were offered a home at the zoo. Since the grizzlies and zoo-born polar bear Arki were familiar with human ...

Mind Matters Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Sandie Young Sitting at a school desk can be a drag, but here’s the good news — kids can get a hands-on education at the Explorium of Lexington in Lexington, Kentucky , an institution dedicated to inspiring young minds. A popular children’s museum, the Explorium attracts about 85,000 people each year, and offers several interactive exhibits that teach a wide variety of subjects, including culture, geography, nutrition, the human brain, physics and much more. For a crash course in health, head over to the Building Bet...

My Little Ponies Issue: Spring/Summer 2011 Author(s): Jill Sell Whether they live in a city or suburb or on a farm, many little girls dream of owning a horse with a silky mane and flying tail. That’s not always possible, of course, but a trip to BreyerFest in Lexington, Kentucky , is a nice compromise. BreyerFest, held July 15–17, is a festival for model horse collectors and horse lovers. The combined horse show, circus, county fair and shopping spree chose FairyTails as this year’s theme. Sponsored by Reeves International, makers of the famous Breyer model horses, t...

Bluegrass' Big Birthday Issue: Spring/Summer 2011 Author(s): Patricia Bates Keep family harmony by singing along to bluegrass tunes during Bill Monroe’s 100th Birthday Celebrations . “The Father of Bluegrass” will be remembered June 11–18 during eight days of activities at the 45th Annual Bill Monroe Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival in Brown County, Indiana . Parents can take up the banjo, guitar, or fiddle at workshops, while kids get one-on-one instruction at the Youth Bluegrass Boot Camp. More than 50 artists such as Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys wi...

Light Up Louisville Issue: Fall/Winter 2010 Author(s): Kathy Witt Louisville, Kentucky, will be lit up like a — well — a Christmas tree, when KaLightoscope Christmas makes its debut at the legendary Galt House Hotel. From November 18 through January 3, 2011, visitors can enjoy a larger-than-life, walk-through Christmas luminary experience of 12 holiday-themed sections, including “Toyland,” “Christmas Tree Maze,” “The Lighted Forest” and “The Nativity,” among others. The luminaries, created by dozens of Chinese artisans, encompass more than six miles of colored and pat...

Absolutely "Gorges" Issue: Fall/Winter 2010 Author(s): Laura Taxel There’s no reason to let the season keep you indoors and on the couch. Daniel Boone National Forest in the hills of eastern Kentucky , about an hour from Lexington, is a year-round destination. In winter, the rugged landscape of forested ridges, sandstone cliffs, deep ravines and frozen waterfalls is beautiful and deserted. Snowfall is generally light and temperatures are chilly but rarely bone-numbingly frigid. So, pack some polar fleece and thermal undies and plan to do some of the finest trekking this...