Kentucky Life

Get up close and personal with big bugs and beautiful butterflies at Idlewild Butterfly Farm in Louisville, Doug talks to Agricultural Commissioner Ryan Quarles about what makes the State Fair so special, artist Dan MacPhail uses antlers to make one-of-a-kind art, and two Kentuckians were at the heart of a tragedy at a Major League Baseball game in 1920.

The community of Hopkinsville came together for 2017's Great American Eclipse; learn more about the science courtesy of the Franklin drive-in and the scientists and eclipse enthusiasts who came to Simpson County; Doug and the Kentucky Horse Park celebrate the 100th anniversary of Man o' War; and the history of native peoples in Mammoth Cave.

Disability does not mean inability at Lexington's Latitude Artist Community, Doug canoes Bourbon County streams and stops by downtown Paris, Kentucky's largest coal mine disaster took place in Webster County, and Camp Zachary Taylor in Louisville trained thousands of soldiers destined for the fields and trenches of World War I.

Nineteenth-century artist Thomas Noble was a Confederate Army veteran whose art is famed for opposing slavery, Doug takes in the sights in Mt. Sterling, it's 'farm-to-vase' for the locally grown flowers at Three Toads Farm in Winchester, and good works and good food go hand-in-hand at Bread of Life Café in Liberty.

Kentucky State University leads the way in sustainable fish farming, meet Doug's golden retrievers and Versailles' well-known trainer Kim Littlefield, Murray State grad Sue Darnell Ellis is a teacher and grandmother with a galactic mission, and The Seafood Lady serves up Florida-style seafood in the heart of Louisville.

Kentucky Life salutes our veterans. USA Cares focuses on supporting military families in need, Beattyville's pride in its veterans is on display at Three Forks Historical Center and the Lee County Memorial Wall, and the Canine Assisted Therapy program helps Fort Knox veterans with traumatic brain injuries.

Kentucky Native Americans built burial mounds and the story grew into the Three Sisters legend; Stanford celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day; take in the scenery, the history, and the bowfishing along the Kentucky River at Blue Wing Landing; and scratchboard artist Kathy Conroy creates lifelike animal portraits in Pleasureville.

Enjoy the a capella singing of the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers; Doug visits Rob Samuels of Maker's Mark Distillery; learn about Pikeville writer Effie Waller Smith, a daughter of former slaves who published poetry and short stories in the early 1900s; and songwriter Haven Gillespie, a Covington native, co-wrote one of the best-selling Christmas songs of all time.

The South Union Shakers in Auburn were a progressive community, the Capital City Museum highlights Frankfort's bourbon heritage, West End School in Louisville empowers its students and its community, and The Lexington Theatre Company brings in Broadway stars to work with Broadway hopefuls.

Bosnian culture makes up a big part of Bowling Green and Western Kentucky University life; Doug learns about the flavors and traditions of Bosnian coffee; enjoy the acapella stylings of the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood; and Wyatt Severs' woodworking is a collaboration between the tree, his tools, and himself.

Indulge your adventurous side with Treetop Adventure at Levi Jackson State Park, Georgetown's Ward Hall is one of the finest 19th-century homes in the nation, the Feminist Artists of Kentucky raise funds for children in need in Africa, and the Filson Historical Society is the home of Kentucky's history.

Kentucky Life visits the Owensboro Museum of Science & History, visitors to Red River Gorge can see snakes from all over the world at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, earn credits brewing beer at Western Kentucky University's College Heights Brewing, and more scenes from Georgetown's Ward Hall.

Heartland Chia in Simpson County is developing a versatile crop; get a taste of Kentucky's regional dishes though Kentucky Tourism and chef Ouita Michel; Farmer Brown Tha' MC mixes rap, agriculture, and the classroom to make tasty jams; and tree huggers are welcome to support the work of Central Kentucky's Venerable Trees.

Bourbon & Culture return to the Old Taylor Distillery in the form of Castle & Key, Children's Charity of the Bluegrass supports the work of dozens of charities, Doug tours charming La Grange in Oldham County, and the first American "Best Dressed Woman in the World" Mona Bismarck is celebrated again in Louisville.

Howl with the wolves at Refuge Ridge in Whitley County, a new distillery has come to town in Radcliff's Boundary Oak Distillery, and the ice cream classic Dippin' Dots is still the coolest place in Paducah.