Kentucky Life

The season premiere of Kentucky Life begins with a visit to Bardstown (voted The Most Beautiful Small Town in America in 2012); historic markers point out Kenton County homes with presidential connections; meet Doc Shuffett, Dave's cousin, a nonagenarian physician; and artist Kathleen O'Brien creates mixed media watercolor collages inspired by nature.

In this season's first Dave Does It, Dave gets his sea legs in Paducah at the Seamen's Church Institute's Center for Maritime Education; Frances BBQ in Monroe County is Today's Special; the stone masonry of Camp Springs in Campbell County provides a unique beauty to the area; and Ruby Moon Vineyard and Winery in Henderson produces award-winning wines.

Dave explores the hardwood forests and sandstone bluffs of Muhlenberg County's Lake Malone with outdoor enthusiast Cory Ramsey; Winchester is Our Town; Amy Hess introduces us to Kentucky luthier Douglas Naselroad, a Master Artist in Residence at the Appalachian Artisan Center in Hindman; and Artists Collaborative Theatre has been promoting the performing arts in Pike County for over ten years.

The spooky side of local history is featured in the Haunts of Owensboro walking tours; the Haycraft Inn marker in Hardin County states it was a popular stop for stagecoaches; Greenup County band The Whipps play original music they call hick-hop; and Louisville food trucks offer a variety of cuisines.

The Camp Nelson Honor Guard is the resident volunteer guard of Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Jessamine County; a West Liberty monument honors women in military service; the Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green features military aircraft and is a memorial to distinguished aviators; and the story of Sgt. Reckless, the heroic horse who carried ammunition for the Marines during the Korean War.

The gravesite of frontiersman Daniel Boone is the number one tourist attraction in Frankfort, but is he actually buried there; a Taylor Co. historic marker describes the origins of Campbellsville University; Amy Hess tours the Pulaski Co. city of Somerset and visits its newly renovated Fountain Square; & in Perry Co., Coal Country Beeworks is committed to re-establishing beekeeping in the region.

Pennyroyal Scuba Blue Springs Resort in Hopkinsville is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the region; a Daviess County historical marker tells how politician George Graham Vest gained international fame thanks to a dog; self-taught artist Ken Swinson's paintings and prints; and Dave enjoys a day at The Festival of the Bluegrass in Lexington.

The revival of building Drystone walls with master stone mason Cecil Aguilar; a historical marker in Carter County points out the home of former Kentucky Gov. William Jason Fields; the vintage motorcycles at the Bluegrass Motorcycle Museum in Hartford; Barbourville in Knox County is Our Town; and Jane's Saddlebag, a family-friendly tourist destination in Boone County are featured.

Experience the history and excitement of the Eighth of August weekend. Every year, African-Americans in parts of Western Kentucky and central Tennessee gather to celebrate Emancipation, a homecoming tradition begun in 1868.

Kentucky's signature Hot Brown from Louisville's Brown Hotel, the river town of Henderson is the Downtown Destination, northern Kentucky's Roebling Bridge, and the Iroquois Hunt Club and its innovative Hound Welfare Fund are featured.

Kentucky Life celebrates Presidents' Day with stories about U.S. Presidents who have ties to Kentucky. The 1806 Logan County duel involving future president Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville next to the family home, and Lincoln's hometown of Hodgenville is Our Town. Plus, Confederate President Jefferson Davis' ties to Kentucky are also featured.

Kentucky Life highlights the sporting traditions around the state. The hardwood action from the Marshall County Hoop Fest, historical markers in Kenton and Meade counties document the achievements of Major League baseball players from Kentucky, Dave plays a round or two along the Kentucky State Parks Golf Trail, and Dave casts for a trophy fish at Dale Hollow in a new Dave Does It are featured.

Meet Jim Embry, a passionate advocate of community gardening; in Leslie County, the history of a barn built in the 1900's; the Greyhound Tavern in Ft. Mitchell serves Today's Special; and the restored grandeur of historic Richwood Plantation Inn in Milton are featured.

Appalachian artist Tami Booher uses the palette knife technique to create textured landscapes and nature scenes; a visit to the 200-year-old Bodley-Bullock House in Lexington's Gratz Park; Amy Hess explores downtown Shelbyville; and in Casey County, Dave meets master wood worker Robert Vannevel.

The pageantry and flair of performances by Lexington Vintage Dance; Louisa, the county seat of Lawrence County, is Our Town; YouthBuild Louisville helps young adults reach their potential; and in Paducah, dog trainer Gene Glastetter and his dog Versace have become a successful team in the the fast growing sport of dog agility despite a special challenge.

Dave tours the Great Saltpetre Cave in Rockcastle County; a marker recounts the history of Scott County's Cardome Center, once the home of Kentucky Governor James F. Robinson; meet Black Bear, a Native American potter, who lives and works in Morehead; Prestonburg's Billy Ray's restaurant is serving Today's Special, and find out about Kentucky's cotton industry.

Kentucky Life celebrates Earth Day. Visit Dawson Springs, a designated Trail Town, and popular destination for visitors in search of Kentucky Adventure Tourism; Today's Special comes from Miguel's Pizza in the Red River Gorge area of Powell County; meet the Red River Gorge Trail Crew, hard-working volunteers dedicated to maintaining the extensive trail system of the Gorge; and GRIT magazine name.

Kentucky Life highlights Derby day. The career of Kentuckian Roscoe Goose who rode Donerail to victory in the 1913 Kentucky Derby; a look at Churchill Downs, which officially opened on May 17, 1875; the mint julep, the quintessential southern cocktail; and Zenyatta, the first filly ever to win the Breeders' Cup Classic are featured.

BB Riverboats, operating at Newport Landing, have been cruising Northern Kentucky waters for more than 30 years; a historical marker in Whitley County recounts the history of Cumberland College, now the University of the Cumberlands; a look some rare white thoroughbreds in Marshall County; and fascinating information about the U.S. Bullion Depository at Ft. Knox from two knowledgeable insiders.

A profile of General John Hunt Morgan, known as the Thunderbolt of the Confederacy, was born in Alabama, but is considered a true son of Kentucky, and the romantic ideal of the Southern cavalryman. He is known for his daring raids across Kentucky, southern Indiana, and Ohio during the Civil War.

Since 2004, the Keeneland Concours d'Elegance has not only been showing off the best of automotive history but the best of the Bluegrass as well. The Keeneland Concours, consistently ranked one of the top 20 events in the southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, is a three-day car exhibition held each July on the grounds of historic Keeneland Race Course.