Madison Community Fund and Richmond Rotary Club donate to God’s Outreach
R. David Shew Recently, Jennifer Brubaker with God’s Outreach and the Madison County Food Bank reached out to the Madison County Community Fund, the local arm of The Bluegrass Foundation, and shared that their 25-year-old electric tow mower had run out of steam. The Madison County Community Fund Board came together and authorized $5,000 to […]
The Band Perry Rocks The Vine
R. David Shew Kimberly Perry and husband Johnny Costello put on an electric show Friday night at The Vine in Madison County. The young lady from Greeneville, Tennessee kept thanking Kentucky throughout the show for being so kind to The Band Perry. Originally a country band discovered by Major Bob of Garth Brooks fame, The […]
Dolly Parton leaves a legacy of music and philanthropy and lasting mark on Richmond
R. David Shew First, I received a text this afternoon from a friend who told me that Dolly Parton passed away. When I got home, I strolled Facebook and viewed the many quotes from friends, entertainers, and others. Curt ‘Uncle Daddy’ Chapman used a song by Dolly on her 9 to 5 album You Know I […]
Josh Turner Show a Victory for The Vine and Dreamland Entertainment
R. David Shew The lyrics for Josh Turner’s song Long Black Train say “there’s victory in the Lord, I say Victory in the Lord.” Last night at The Vine, it was truly a “VICTORY” for The Vine and Dreamland Entertainment. Josh Turner has been making music for over 20 years, and after his show at The Vine […]
Grow Madison County, Yea or Nay? Sell the Family Farm, Yea or Nay?
R. David Shew What is the one of the constants in life? From my perspective, the answer is change. Most people do not enjoy changes in life like getting older, not getting chosen for a promotion, getting fired, hearing “you have cancer” are just a few of the changes that annoy us. For me, the […]
Phil Vassar brings his band and piano to The Vine and turns up the temperature
R. David Shew To say that Phil Vassar and his band heated up the stage at The Vine is an understatement. Phil’s t-shirt was drenched by the end of his hour and half show, and the crowd was treated to a fabulous show last night at The Vine. Phil continually thanked The Vine and Dreamland […]
Dreaming Creek Farm and Jerry Jones entertain campers at RPD summer camp
R. David Show Yesterday, Monday afternoon, it was my pleasure to go back in time and become a summer camper. The Richmond Police Department sponsors summer camp for Richmond youths from 11 to 14 years of age. The young summer campers get to go bowling at Galaxy Bowling Alley, horseback riding at Stepping Stone Ranch, […]
Bed build with Richmond Rotary Club and Sleep In Heavenly Peace good fit
R. David Shew “Service Above Self” is the principal motto of Rotary International. In 1950 this motto was formerly adopted as the official motto at the Rotary International Convention in Detroit, Michigan. The motto perfectly encapsulates the unselfish, community-focused mission of Rotary’s 1.2 million global members. Sleep In Heavenly Peace is a national nonprofit organization […]
Cody’s Wish – A Boy, a Racehorse, and a fight for life-Paul K. Halloran Jr.
R. David Shew A couple of weeks ago, I got a call from Leslie Dorman. She asked me if I would help her find a place to have a book signing for Paul Halloran Jr. Paul was coming to Kentucky for a book signing tour regarding a book that Paul had written and published about […]
Madison County’s Linda Hager Pack and Pat Banks celebrate release of third book about Appalachia
R. David Shew Linda Hager Pack and Pat Banks held a successful book signing this past Saturday, May 9th at Hager Cabinets. Over 200 people showed up as Linda welcomed everyone to the book signing while Pat signed their third book, Appalachian Plants: In the Garden, in the Yard, and in the Wild. Linda had signed several […]
Cherie DeVaux and Golden Tempo write history on first Saturday in May 2026
R. David Shew The sun shined bright on Churchill Downs and the state of Kentucky this past Saturday. Cherie DeVaux became the first woman in 152 years to win the Kentucky Derby, and Jose Ortiz became the ninth jockey to win the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby on the first Friday and first Saturday […]
Berea hosts 38th annual East Kentucky Leadership Conference
Berea, “The Folk Arts and Crafts Capital” of Kentucky welcomed the participants of the 2026 East Kentucky Leadership Foundation Conference. Mayor Bruce Fraley and Dr. Cheryl Nixon, the President of Berea College, welcomed those in attendance to the reception and awards banquet which was held at Churchill’s this past Thursday. Both Fraley and President Nixon […]
Family support defines 2026 Mr. Basketball Jake Feldhaus
By R. David Shew Thursday afternoon this writer who is a sport’s junkie was fortunate enough to interview the 2026 Kentucky Mr. Basketball, Jake Feldhaus, and Madison Central basketball coach Allen Feldhaus who happens to be Jake’s uncle. For those who do not know, both Jake’s grandfather Allen Feldhaus Sr. and his father Deron Feldhaus […]
Happy belated Valentine’s Day from Renfro Valley, Exile, and Briley Jean
R. David Shew Exile came to Renfro Valley on Valentine’s Day and did not disappoint. Sonny LeMaire talked about enjoying coming back to Renfro Valley and how much the audience at Renfro Valley means to the band. J.P. told the story of growing up in the Old Barn Theatre listening to his mother and the […]
Richmond’s Famous landmark “The Dog” has new plans/new owners
R. David Shew It’s official! Robbie Robertson and Jack Vanwinkle closed the deal Friday the 13th on the purchase of The Family Dog from Robbie and Jean Robinson. The partners are excited about owning the landmark on First Street that once housed Speck’s, The Steakout, and The Family Dog. Bottom line, The Family Dog is […]
Jerry Seinfeld comedy routine a hit again at EKU Center for the Arts
R. David Shew Jerry Seinfeld was taking questions from the audience at the end of his comedy show when a member of the audience asked what it was about central Kentucky that keeps him coming back. Jerry told the crowd that Kentucky was a very friendly place and nice place to visit. Maybe Jerry should […]
David Stipes retires from Richmond Industrial Development Board
By R. David Shew The Executive Director of the Richmond Industrial Development Board, David Stipes, officially retired from Richmond city government today. Stipes is the son of John and Dottie Thomas Stipes and is a native of Richmond. David graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technical Agriculture in 1980 […]
Chapter 2025 comes to a close and the beginning of chapter 2026
R. David Shew According to the Chinese Zodiac, something that I do not study very often, 2025 was the year of the Wood Snake. Per my Internet research and we all believe whatever is on the Internet, the Wood Snake symbolizes wisdom, renewal, transformation, and strategic growth. Also, it is time to let go of […]
Passing of the torch, Richmond Rotary spearheads the annual RPD appreciation day in big fashion
R. David Shew The Richmond Rotary Club helped the Richmond Police Department kickoff the Christmas holidays by celebrating the eleventh annual RPD Appreciation Day at the Police Department Thursday evening. In 2015, Steve Rosenberg held the first annual RPD Appreciation Day, and this year Steve passed the baton off to the Richmond Rotary Club who […]
Friendships
R. David Shew Something that is important to me is friendships. I will always remember when my father told me “Son, if you have five true friends, you are a fortunate person.” Over the next fifty plus years, I have begun to understand what my father was trying to teach me. Last April my great […]
Madison County Community Fund donates to Berea Food Bank and God’s Outreach during food crisis
R. David Shew The Madison County Community Fund Board recently voted unanimously to send $5,000 each to the Berea Food Bank and God’s Outreach Madison County Food Bank. Due to the continuing government shutdown and lack of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Board decided to provide assistance to these two organizations. […]
EKU celebrates completion of Alumni Coliseum with ribbon cutting
R. David Shew Eastern Kentucky University held a special ribbon cutting this morning celebrating the completion of Alumni Coliseum remodel. The project was completed with new seating installed and updated video boards among other final touches. President David McFaddin, Director of Athletics Kyle Moats, and Senator Jared Carpenter addressed the crowd along with two current […]
Remembering Richmond Police Officer Daniel Ellis 10 years after tragic death
By R. David Shew The Richmond Police Department held their annual Memorial Celebration today for Officer Daniel Ellis, who lost his life in the line of duty on November 5, 2015. Community members gathered at the Richmond Police station for the annual dedication. Chief Rodney Richardson talked to his officers about their service and paid […]
Homecoming ’25, Straight No Chaser – Holiday Road
By R. David Shew To close out the EKU Homecoming weekend, the a cappella group, Straight No Chaser, came to the Eastern Kentucky Center for the Arts and entertained those in attendance from the opening video to the closing encore. The musical entitled “Holiday Road” helped this EKU alumnus close out and up and down […]
The Bond: Two Hearts – One Spirit, Madison County’s Cody Dorman and the statue dedication of Cody’s Wish
By R. David Shew Sometimes in life, you are where you are supposed to be. Being a thoroughbred lover, this morning at the Kentucky Horse Park was a special moment in my life. Kelly, Leslie, and Kylie Dorman along with sculptor, Jocelyn Russell, gathered together with the Darley family and unveiled the Cody’s Wish monument. […]
