Episodes
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This episode discusses a murder, listener's discretion is advised.
Mariam and Wayne sit down to discuss a murder mystery that captivated Lexington and the surrounding area for almost 30 years. The Tent Girl. More Who-Is-It? than Who-Dun-It? when she was found in 1968, the city of Georgetown adopted the girl in the tarp, placing a headstone on her grave with her description and the police sketch of her face. Wayne talks about the difficulties behind her identification, and how one man’s dedication eventually solved the mystery of her identity.
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Jerry Meriweather joins us this Veteran’s Day with a remembrance of his Honor Flight.
A proud husband, father and grandfather. Jerry loves God. He is a Deacon at Shiloh Baptist Church. Jerry served in the US army. He is also currently the Co-Commander of the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) Chapter 23. This organization advocates for veterans and their families assisting in filing claims and educating them on benefits they
should be receiving.
Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole. -
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Holly Epperly joins us for a story about self-discovery and making your own meaning from life’s messages.
Holly Epperly is a mother to 3 elementary aged children and a Kentuckian since she was very young. Raised in a family that encouraged and facilitated artistic expression, she has always had a story to share. Writing for connection, communication and sometimes therapy, she hopes to continue sharing her thoughts and experiences through stories and poetry in the years to come.
Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.
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Mariam sits down with Raymond McLain and Ruth McLain Smith ahead of the McLain Family Band’s induction into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. They talk about their beginnings as a band in 1968 on television in Hazard, Kentucky and their musical childhoods. They toured extensively throughout the 1970s and 1980s in 64 countries through Africa, Europe and Asia. Raymond and Ruth reflect on their career so far, and the joy music has brought to their lives.
Their father, Raymond McLain, Sr., was a professor of music at Berea College, and later in his career became a librarian at Lexington Public Library, working in children’s and then in the Kentucky Room. He retired in the 1990s. Ruth and Raymond perform a song their father wrote, Kentucky Wind, for us on the podcast.
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Christine Stephany joins us with a story from her childhood about how she and her father came to understand each other better.
Christine W. Stephany is a daughter, sister, Mom, YaYa and friend. Years of note taking and jotting down thoughts brings her to a turn in the highway…learning to writing. With a lifelong spirit of curiosity she embraces nature, biking, learning, people and an evolutionary career of 47 years. Working with the national and local Multiple Sclerosis Society, Wreaths Across America (for Veterans) and Valentines for Veterans are her “give-backs.” She shares her time in Lexington and in Northern Kentucky, with extended family and lifelong friends.
Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.
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This episode has brief strong language when reading a quote from the killer in the newspaper, listener’s discretion is advised.
Mariam sits down with longtime listener of the podcast Zach Davis to discuss the 1897 murder of local pension attorney Thomas H. Merritt. Zach Davis is the President and Principal Broker of local real estate brokerage Kirkpatrick & Co., and came across this story while researching Gratz Park. Jacob Harris shot and killed Merritt after suspecting Merritt was having an affair with his wife Effie. The murder captivated the nation, less because of the circumstances of the murder itself, rather because of the precedent set by the presiding judge D. G. Falconer in dismissing charges against Harris because of societal norms, rather than written law.
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Lauren Cole Brown joins us with a humorous tale from her time in nursing school.
Lauren Cole Brown is a Registered Nurse who received her BSN from the University of Kentucky. She stays busy designing online nursing school curriculum with Archer Review, allowing the use of her nursing knowledge as well as her creative background in the arts. Lauren is married to James, an avid cyclist, poet and scientist and is Mom to Oliver and Odin, the joys of her life!
Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.
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Mariam sits down with Tammi Johnson, lead researcher and founder for the Project USS Strong DD467 website, to discuss her life’s work finding the ship her uncle Billy Hedrick served on in World War Two. The ship, the USS Strong DD467, was torpedoed in the battle of Kula Gulf in the Solomon Islands and sank, killing Billy and 45 other men on July 5, 1943. They talk about her work with David Mearns and Paul Mayer finding the ship, and her work with Stephen Harding on the book The Castaway’s War.
At the time of recording, Tammi had not yet taken the plaque to the South Pacific World War Two Museum on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. She has made the trip now, and wrote about it on her blog on the Project USS Strong DD467 website.
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Join Sylvia Lovely as she tells a story of her own in our Quilting Kentucky's Stories series recalling a humorous moment she shared with her family during a time of impending loss.
Sylvia often introduces herself as a lawyer by training, a CEO by experience and a media mogul in her dreams. She has a rich history in media as the author of three books, numerous articles and opinion pieces for a variety of publications. She is also in the restaurant business with Azur Food Group, owner of Azur Restaurant and Patio and The Lexington Diner. She has for ten years co-hosted Food News and Chews Radio with Chef Jeremy Ashby, Executive Chef of Azur Food Group and her business partner. She currently provides coaching and regular classes on the art of writing/telling the story for the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning and Good Foods Co-op Grocery and Community Center. She also works in other venues in pursuing her passion to encourage others to be storytellers.
Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.
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Mariam sits down with Matthew Strandmark about his biography of Kentucky’s perennial political candidate, Gatewood Galbraith. They talk Gatewood’s childhood in Carlisle, Kentucky, his family life, his local law career and he captured the state’s attention with his political career.
In Gatewood: Kentucky's Uncommon Man, Matthew weaves together personal stories, public records, and oral history interviews to provide a comprehensive overview of the life and career of an eccentric and fascinating figure. From his ailment-plagued childhood in Carlisle, Kentucky, to his young adulthood spent at the fringes of Lexington society, the opening chapters of Galbraith's life were vital in developing the values that later came to define his political career—his passion for rural communities and low tolerance for bullies.
Gatewood: Kentucky’s Uncommon Man is available for check out from the library and for purchase.
This episode discusses Gatewood Galbraith’s personal politics and political platform and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities the speakers represent.
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Kali Mattheus joins us with a story of finding comfort in our memories and letting go of the guilt of missing a goodbye.
Kali Mattheus is a podcaster, producer, videographer, editor, and writer who has called Lexington, Kentucky home for more than half her life. She has a rich background in television and movie production that stems from a deep love of storytelling. She sits on the advisory boards for BCTC’s Filmmaking and Cinematic Arts and Tahlsound Concert Series, where she also serves as the Internship Director and Videographer. She has a love for connecting people and helping them with their passion projects.
Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.
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Forget what you know about the Daughters of the American Revolution and join Mariam as she sits down with three members of Kentucky’s Lexington chapter of the DAR. Judy Owens, Robin Fisher, and Sharon Withers talk about the contemporary society and what it means to each of them, their work to research and identify patriots of color, historical preservation at McConnell's Springs and Sharon's pioneering use of DNA in DAR genealogy research, and the use of DNA to find patriots of color and their descendants.
The Lexington Chapter of the DAR is hosting a DNA Beginners Seminar at Beaumont Branch on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The oral history series mentioned in the episode is Daughter Dialogues, and is available at https://www.daughterdialogues.com
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This Memorial Day, Terry Hall joins us with a story of hope and healing. While Terry's story has a happy ending, he describes the darkest period of his life as he dealt with alcoholism and post traumatic stress, including thoughts of of suicide, deaths during war, and a description of the murder of a friend. Please take care of yourself while listening to this episode.
Terry Hall is a disabled Army veteran from eastern Kentucky who enlisted in the US Army after graduating high school in 1983. He quickly rose to the rank of W2 due to his outstanding leadership skills and commitment. In 1991, Terry was deployed to the Middle East for Operation Desert Storm, where he demonstrated bravery and determination in the face of danger. After returning from serving in the Gulf War, he has struggled with PTS and has recently turned to writing as a way to share his story and inspire and encourage others. Terry has been married to his wife Vickie for 30 years and together they have 3 sons, 3 daughters-in-law, 4 grandchildren, and 1 fur baby.
Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, call 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/
For veterans struggling with post traumatic stress, you can find out more about the Save a Warrior project at their website https://saveawarrior.org/
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Mariam sits down with Kim Wickens, author of Lexington: the Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America’s Legendary Racehorse, to discuss her book and Lexington’s impact on the sport of horse racing in the mid-19th century.
Kim tells us about Lexington’s racing career, how his racing career ended in 1855, and how his offspring fared in both war and the racetracks in the Northern Union States. Lexington: the Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America’s Legendary Racehorse is available for checkout from the library and for purchase at your favorite book stores.
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Leo York joins us to tell us about the magical experience he had in Kentucky's forests.
Leo is a copywriter from Corbin KY. He writes commercial screenplays, and also writes all manner of narrative fiction, and helps assist inventors and entrepreneurs at Inventors Network KY. He is also cohost of the popular paranormal podcast, The 13th Floor.
Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.
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Yesterday, April 2, 2024, there were three confirmed EF-1 tornado touchdowns in three different Kentucky counties, with severe storm damage affecting many more, including Lexington. Today, April 3, 2024, is the fiftieth anniversary of the tornado super outbreak in 1974, with 7 F5 tornadoes attributed to this one storm. The super outbreak affected thirteen states with a total death toll of 319 people, with 75 of them in Kentucky.
Wayne Johnson sits down with Mariam to describe his memories of day in Lexington, Kentucky, which was spared from the super outbreak, and the destruction in the counties that were not so fortunate, and to give important safety tips of always listening to the warnings, and getting to shelter as fast as you can because seconds can mean the difference in survival.
This episode discusses deaths and destruction a result of natural disaster, so please take care of yourself as you listen.
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Librarian JP Johnson joins Mariam to discuss his research into the life of Ella Offutt Pepper, avid horsewoman and long-time owner of the James E. Pepper distillery. When her husband James E. Pepper took ill, he sold her the distillery to manage, which she did until after his death in the early 1900s. JP tells us about her widely-reported divorce from her first husband in Louisville, to the quiet ceremony of her second to Colonel Pepper, to her later years settling the Meadowthorpe estate.
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Retha Hicks joins us with a tale of how she successfully protested the dress code for teachers in Fayette County Public Schools in the early 1970's.
Retha Perkins Hicks is a writer, a tour guide at Waveland State Historic Site, and a retired public school teacher. She was born in an Eastern Kentucky coal camp and lived in several different coal camps until she was eight years old. Those coal camps are the background of many of her childhood stories. She is a proud mother of four sons and grandmother of four grandchildren. She lives in Lexington with her Miniature Schnauzer, Edgar.
Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.
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Quilting Kentucky's Stories is a year-long series of autobiographical tales from Lexington Residents, some of them funny, some of them heartwarming and some heart wrenching, but all of them important as they build the quilt of Kentucky life.
Donna Carter joins us for our inaugural episode, performing the speech she gave on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for Winchester (Clark County), Kentucky. She recounts her 30 years in recovery, and how equity helped her to build the life she has now.
Donna resides in WInchester, KY with her husband of 23 years and their 14 year old daughter. Donna has over 20 years of HR experience within various industries. Over her career she has been responsible for leading HR departments and DEIB initiatives in the manufacturing, non-profit, government, education and private sectors. She is currently the Director of Professional and Community Development at Internal Family Systems Institute, headquartered in Chicago, IL and also oversees the HR department.
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Mariam sits down with JP Johnson, Kentucky Room Librarian to discuss his research into Pralltown, one of Lexington’s best known Black Enclaves. They talk about the founding of Pralltown, how the residents of Pralltown stood up to urban renewal and destruction of their neighborhood in the mid-twentieth century, and a few of Pralltown’s famous residents: community leader James Herndon, known to most as Sweet Evening Breeze; Lou Johnson, the professional baseball player for the Dodgers; and Tony Briggs, a leader in Lexington’s Punk music scene.
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