The arts are alive and well across the Commonwealth, thanks in large part to my very special guest this week!! Meet Dr. Leeann Potter, who proudly serves as Communications Director for the Kentucky Arts Council. This Frankfort-based agency is committed to creating educational opportunities in all forms of the arts, for patrons of all ages, in all parts of the state. Lend Dr. Potter your listening ears as she discusses such opportunities, which often stem from collaborative efforts of artists with schools, libraries, and other community partners. She also highlights organizational programs offering notable membership perks, such as the "Kentucky Crafted" program featuring a yearly market weekend for artists to display and sell their creations. Finally, she describes other networking and professional development resources available to artists through the council, and tells us how to nominate that deserving someone for a Governor's Award in the Arts, which will be awarded this fall. For additional info regarding any aspects of our conversation, please drop Dr. Potter a line at leeann.potter@ky.gov. And, be sure to visit the Kentucky Arts Council's web page linked here: https://artscouncil.ky.gov/.

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Quite frankly, there is very little that this week's special guest hasn't dabbled in at some point . . .but, chances are you'll recognize the name, thanks to her nationally-syndicated radio program!! I'm delighted to welcome Pem Pfisterer Clark, host of "Wedding Planning with Pem", heard on Henderson's WSON Radio, and many other stations across the Commonwealth and beyond! Pem is also a licensed wedding officiant, who offers several scenic settings which are uniquely suited to accommodate intimate ceremonies. If that weren't enough, she is an excellent source of tuxedo and suit rentals for special occasions...and, she skillfully teaches art to children of all ages through her downtown Henderson studio of art instruction. Join me and Pem as we discuss the discovery of her artistic talents, her masterful works of art that have been sold both nationally and internationally, and the specifics of the classes she regularly teaches. We also detail her tuxedo/suit rental business, her splendid wedding venues, and the creation/evolution of her radio show (which is still going strong after 25 years!). Lastly, we touch on a podcast she co-hosts with long-time WSON News Director Bill Stephens Stark known as "Around Town with Stark and Clark". For inquiries regarding any and all aspects of my conversation with Pem, don't hesitate to call or text her at 270-454-8181. Additional information about "Wedding Planning with Pem" is readily available through the web page linked here: https://weddingplanningwithpem.com/. Be sure to click on the following link to find out more about Pem's engaging art classes for children: https://mspemsartforkids.com/. Details about her intimate wedding spaces are as close as the following website: https://marrymesimply.com/. And finally, listen and subscribe to the "Around Town with Stark and Clark" podcast by simply clicking here: https://aroundtownwithstarkandclark.com/.

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If you're a fan of UK and other Commonwealth sports, you most certainly owe this week's special guest a listen!! Introducing Mr. Mark Story, a Sports Columnist from the Lexington Herald-Leader, who has been a fixture at the newspaper since 1990. Mark has been privileged to cover each and every Kentucky Derby since 1994, every UK-U of L football game since 1994, and all but four UK-U of L basketball games since 1996! Grab a comfy chair as he discusses his path into sports journalism, and the manner in which he quickly found himself at the Herald-Leader. He also looks back on many highlights of his sports coverage pursuits, including unforgettable games he has witnessed, notable connections he has made, and memorable interactions with players/coaches. And, tune in to find out if he has any scoops on comings/goings in the transfer portal, or other aspects of UK basketball, that Cats fans may want to be on alert for in the near future! Feel free to contact Mark Story via email at mstory@herald-leader.com. And, be sure to enjoy his insightful articles, and support his work with a digital subscription, by visiting his Herald-Leader web page linked here: https://www.kentucky.com/profile/218577285/.

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This week, I'm super stoked to be joined by one of my former radio partners from Western Kentucky University's student-run station (WWHR)!! Meet Amanda Hagerman, affectionately known by her radio name "Lucky", who I teamed up with for a radio show the second semester of my Freshman year. Lucky's most recent media venture came in the realm of television, where she handled production duties behind the scenes at WDRB (Fox 41) in Louisville. Come along as she and I look back on the fun we had together on the Bowling Green airwaves, and discuss an exciting internship she enjoyed with Sony LA. She also details additional radio experience, and other directions her career has taken over the years, prior to arriving at Fox 41. Finally, she shares highlights of her rewarding time in television production, and extends advice to youngsters aspiring to pursue a career behind the mic, on camera, or perhaps somewhere in the middle. Tune in and treat yourself to Lucky's story, her whit, and her wisdom!

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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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