Positively Shelby

Starting in 2023 and for the first time in more than four decades, when you put new tags on your car, you won't write your check to County Clerk Sue Carole Perry. The 2020 election was the proverbial straw that broke Perry's back and made her decide to retire. Tony Harover won the primary election, and barring any unforeseen and unlikely circumstances, Harover will take over the office in January. Sue Carole sat with POSITIVELY Shelby for a bit to talk about her career, how she got the job in the 1970s, and some of the quirky things that have happened since.

Todd Brown's dream becomes a reality THIS FRIDAY when he and several other local musicians offer a FREE concert featuring all music from the late great John Prine, who was a victim of COVID-19 in 2020. The event is 5:30-8:30 Friday, June 24, at Stargazer Plaza in downtown Shelbyville.

Since COVID-19 disrupted our lives dramatically, people have been slow getting back to business. Shelby County Industrial Development Foundation Executive Director Libby Adams gives us the lowdown on an upcoming seminar to help employers get and retain great employees. This is a must podcast and seminar for anyone who needs to hire workers.

Our local ham radio enthusiasts talk about the importance of a network of amateur radio enthusiasts and what they might mean in the event of a disaster.

Say hello to Stephanie Dillon, executive director of Awake Ministries since August 2021. Stephanie brought some of her military background to direct the local mission, a non-profit organization that offers services and resources that facilitate lasting recovery from the hurts, habits, and hang-ups of life. Every resource that offered by Awake is free. "We are completely reliant on the faithfulness of God and funding from our community to continue in this work." Also meet a former court-forced client who has since turned from a life of drugs and violence to a Christ-loving gentler soul, free of drugs.

One of Shelby County Public Schools' focus is preparing students for the work world. Listen to learn about College and Career Readiness from Director Steve Coleman, and Work-Based Learning from Liaison Kelly Samples McNew.

Simpsonville resident Doug Butler was a navigator in the Vietnam War, and an environmental engineer after. He has retired from both, but stays busy with volunteer work and building dry stone fences. His current project is on Main Street near Centenary United Methodist Church, where he carefully places limestone rocks, obtained from interesting sources, to form a secure wall.

Everything you need to know for a great evening to ring in the holiday season.

You've seen them working the streets in their crisp, white shirts and ties. You've peered from behind your curtains, hoping they won't stop at your house. They are those pesky religious guys, trying to lure you to their way of thinking. Actually, Nicholas Hart and Vince Duario are very well-mannered young men, members of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (Mormon), who will gladly tell you about their faith, but only if you so desire. The western United States men are on their two-year mission in Shelbyville, Ky., to simply help people. They are offering themselves as free labor to anyone who asks. They'll mow your lawn, move your bricks, do any kind of yard work, or help paint your house. If you ask about their church, they'll sure tell you, but if not, they will simply do the work and move on. That's their mission: to do good. Nothing more. For POSITIVELY Shelby, this is episode #21, so we are moving right along and gaining new listeners each time. If you have an idea of a topic or would like to advertise and help support the podcast mission to bring the good news, call or text James Mulcahy at 502-321-9159.

Anna Murphy, an artist from England who now lives in Chicago, has been working without fanfare on a 96x25 mural in the rear of The Gatsby as part of the property makeover for a wedding venue. Anna is enchanted by Shelbyville and beautiful rendition of all things love might be a catalyst for more murals in the region. Stay tuned ....

Shelby County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sally Sugg is happy that our students are back to in-classroom learning, despite being mandated by the state Board of Education to do so in masks.  But her talk is not all about COVID-19, variants, masks, and, oh yes, COVID testing. Dr. Sugg also talks about how Shelby County is a remarkable community; about how the schools can help parents who want to home school; and about the need for more school bus drivers. SCPS Public Relations Coordinator Cyndi Skellie also talks about the Shelby County Education Foundation and Shelby County Education Association, and about the Foundation's fund raiser, the Dogwood Festival.

Shelbyville Historic District Coordinator Trace Kirkwood delves into the many questions he faces daily, like "Why can't I paint my historic building bright orange?" or "Why are those people in the historical society trying to tell me I can't install a permanent inflatable?" or "Why is it important to keep our local history intact anyway?" Learn that Trace and the Historic District Commission really are trying to work with people to solve issues while staying within the local directives. 

For decades, Shelbyville's own Byron Crawford drove across Kentucky, finding people like you and me — who are not celebrities — and telling their stories. He's been on television, the radio, a Courier-Journal columnist, and still writes monthly for Kentucky Living. Now POSITIVELY Shelby turns the tables and tells you the story about storyteller Byron Crawford. Enjoy.

Just a few months ago, Christie Kenner and Ashley Warren wanted to do something for the community. They chose to start a local chapter of 100 Women Who Care, an organization with chapters worldwide. Their name says 100 women, but as of late July, 174 women were participating — each writing $100 (some smaller in a few cases) quarterly for local charities. So far, Father's Love and The Butterfly House have received thousands of dollars from the group. Hear their story now. You'll laugh, and you'll cry. Mostly, you'll have yet another reason to be proud to call yourself a Shelby Countian.

Shelbyville Funeral Director John Shannon talks about his adventures — and sometimes misadventures — on the 2,180-mile Appalachian Trail, which he has segmented and is a work in progress. It's a lengthy podcast, but worth a listen from beginning to end. You could do like John and segment it, listening to some now and some later. It's all about flex, right, John?

We are all hearing about how restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses are having difficulty hiring people, who apparently don't want to work. The problem is spilling over into other areas, specifically, our local fire departments are needing more volunteers to help battle the blazes or support the departments. Bagdad Fire Protection District Chief Rusty Newton and Jennifer Stenger, who is in charge of recruitment and retention for the Shelby County Suburban Fire District, talk about how their departments, as well as most, can't find the needed volunteers.

This Shelbyville artist/filmmaker/writer/director has a penchant for horror, but fear not — he won't invade your dreams .... or will he? Say hello to Nathan Milliner. Is it coincidence that this is Episode 13? Perhaps. Hang on tightly to anyone within reach. Muahahahahahah ...

In a longer-than-normal program, Simpsonville's own Stanton Garr talks about his successful career, from his lengthy role as Stephen Foster, to Broadway shows, to his tour of Japan, and how the young introvert ended up being a sensation on the stage. Now retired from show business, Garr might do an occasional gig for fun, but he's perfectly happy growing dahlias and lilies (and lots of other varieties of flowers) in his bountiful garden behind his home just outside of town. He also writes a bimonthly column called "In the Garr-den." Take a listen; you'll be glad you got to know Stanton Garr and appreciate his amazing talent.

Dave Charlton, minister at Shelbyville's First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is also an accomplished guitarist — and rocks with the best of them. The mild-mannered Dave can give a heart-tugging message on Sunday morning, and then make the room shake that night with the Christian rock group Hush Harbor. He's also a fan of classic rock 'n' roll and groups from a half-century ago when music was good!

Local Boy Scout JL Cinotto's Eagle Scout project makes brilliant use of technology to tell visitors and residents alike the histories of Shelbyville's downtown buildings and landmarks.

Ron and Carissa Waldridge have been fostering and adopting kids of all ages for years now. Find out why they do it, and what's in their future.

Do you teach your children to fight? How would you diffuse a volatile situation? SPD Officer Kelly Cable, also a black belt, talks about self-defense strategies.

With the world slowly reopening, what does the Shelby County Community have planned? Listen as Executive Director Cheryl Van Stockum talks about theatre after COVID.

Brian comes to Shelby County from Locust Grove in Louisville and the Oldham County Historical Society. 

Say hi to Derrick Griffitts, Kentucky's Golf Pro of the Year for 2021. Derrick is the pro at Clear Creek Golf Center in Shelbyville.

This Lexington native is a Shelbyville music instructor who has a tendency to get people to put on their thinking caps on Facebook — something very rare these days.

This is an anonymous crime tipline that pays cash rewards to tipsters.

All about History Camp

POSITIVELY Shelby — The podcast about all the cool people and cool things happening in our little corner of the world.

We plan to have weekly episodes. Join us, won't you?