WinCity Voices

Field Trip: Poultry Processing Earthy-green, bright, and warming -- this is what chicken tastes like. My mouth watered as I carved into the roast chicken, and familiar aromatics filled the air. It’s not anything you could get around town or even in a big city. No one would ask for the recipe, and there isn’t one really to write down. What rested on my father’s Sunday table was home cooking. The whole roaster was only a few shades darker than the white platter it sat on. My father, ever health-conscious, lightly coated the skin with olive oil. He used no salt on account of his high blood pressure (the tablespoon of soy sauce he rubs on is low-sodium and therefore doesn’t count). He stuffed the cavity with a fist-sized bundle of home-grown lemongrass with ginger and anise. These slim seasonings on store-bought poultry would be paltry. Fortunately, this bird did not come from Kroger or Walmart.

Last November, this story by Rebecca Campomanes garnered many views and shares. Check it out!

New Memorial to be Dedicated on Nov. 11 After more than 20 years of planning, a fitting memorial to the Clark Countians who gave their lives in World War II and the Korean War will be unveiled on Tuesday, November 11, at 11 AM.  A dedication ceremony will take place at the Memorial, located at 18 East Broadway. Following a special meeting of the Clark County Veterans Council on Monday, November 3, the general format of the dedication was established.

Updated to clarify the date of the dedication: Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 11 AM.

Reel Classics: Alice’s Restaurant Thanksgiving is upon us, and today our Reel Classic is Alice's Restaurant, starring Arlo Guthrie.  As I am sure many of you know, the film was based on the song Alice's Restaurant Massacree released in 1967.  The song was a story about a Thanksgiving visit with his friends Ray and Alice, who lived in an old church in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.  Many folks had been invited to this celebration and as a good deed, Arlo and his friend Roger offer to take a large pile of garbage to the dump in Arlo's VW bus.  Unbeknownst to Arlo and Roger, the public dump was closed on Thanksgiving Day, and they ended up throwing the garbage over the side of a hill, where they saw some other garbage had been dumped.  What they didn't know was that there was a couple passing by who witnessed this terrible event carried on by a couple of hippies and called the police (Officer Obie). 

Last November, this Thanksgiving-themed Reel Classic by Ron Kibbey, was quite popular with our readers. Maybe revisit it today?

New Memorial to be Dedicated on Nov. 13 After more than 20 years of planning, a fitting memorial to the Clark Countians who gave their lives in World War II and the Korean War will be unveiled on Tuesday, November 11, at 11 AM.  A dedication ceremony will take place at the Memorial, located at 18 East Broadway. Following a special meeting of the Clark County Veterans Council on Monday, November 3, the general format of the dedication was established.

New Memorial to be Dedicated on Nov. 13

After more than 20 years of planning, a fitting memorial to the Clark Countians who gave their lives in World War II and the Korean War will be unveiled on Tuesday, November 11, at 11 AM.  A dedication ceremony will take place at the Memorial, located at 18…

Thanksgiving: What Are You Grateful For? Modern life as we know it would be impossible without the societal structures and institutions that allow us each to pursue our own vocations and avocations, and the collective fruits of our labor to increase the thriving and prosperity of all. Just the act of acknowledging that none of us can sustain life as we know it alone is an invaluable gift.

Here's Thanksgiving-themed story Pete wrote last November. Take another look and contemplate his questions: "What are you thankful for?"

Reunions, Time Travel, and Coming Home Sometimes a reunion can be overwhelming. Traveling back to the hometown is not a trip back in time but a slow walk through memories. It is a review that floods through the back of the eyes, and brings forth surprising memories and feelings. The good and the sad and the hurt come in without logic and with no timeline. It is so unexpected. How to deal with this? Mostly in silence, reveling in the good parts and shivering at the hurt and sadness.

Reunions, Time Travel, and Coming Home

Sometimes a reunion can be overwhelming. Traveling back to the hometown is not a trip back in time but a slow walk through memories. It is a review that floods through the back of the eyes, and brings forth surprising memories and feelings. The good and the…

The Parable of Plymouth Historically, we’ve accepted a very whitewashed version of what happened in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. The story we were told as children was that the friendly local Wampanoag tribe swooped in to teach the struggling pilgrims how to survive in the New World, culminating in a three-day feast of thanksgiving. I bet most of us were actors in this very play in kindergarten, wearing a construction-paper headband with attached feathers if we were playing the kindly Native American or a black construction-paper cylinder with a yellow buckle on the front to signify that we were a tired and overwhelmed pilgrim. Here is how you plant corn using a fish! The racially insensitive play culminated in the entire cast sitting at a table laden with plastic food, holding hands, and singing the Shaker song ‘Tis a Gift To Be Simple.

While this story was written by Erin Smith during the COVID-19 pandemic, the message is timeless.

The Parable of Plymouth Historically, we’ve accepted a very whitewashed version of what happened in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. The story we were told as children was that the friendly local Wampanoag tribe swooped in to teach the struggling pilgrims how to survive in the New World, culminating in a three-day feast of thanksgiving. I bet most of us were actors in this very play in kindergarten, wearing a construction-paper headband with attached feathers if we were playing the kindly Native American or a black construction-paper cylinder with a yellow buckle on the front to signify that we were a tired and overwhelmed pilgrim. Here is how you plant corn using a fish! The racially insensitive play culminated in the entire cast sitting at a table laden with plastic food, holding hands, and singing the Shaker song ‘Tis a Gift To Be Simple.

While this story was written by Erin Smith during the COVID-19 pandemic, the message is timeless.

Boone Beyond Boonesborough I confess to an enduring fascination with Daniel Boone and still read everything I can get my hands on about him.  He is best known to Kentuckians as the skilled woodsman responsible for the settlement of Boonesborough in 1775.  More importantly for us, he left his footprints all over Clark County.  The title and topic of this essay were suggested by Nancy Turner, our former tourism director, before she fled to join the high muckety-mucks in Frankfort.  This is an effort to identify the most important documented Boone sites in Clark County.

Boone Beyond Boonesborough

I confess to an enduring fascination with Daniel Boone and still read everything I can get my hands on about him.  He is best known to Kentuckians as the skilled woodsman responsible for the settlement of Boonesborough in 1775.  More importantly for us, he left his…

Use and Abuse of the Insurrection Act President Trump has allegedly—and erroneously, if true—concluded that, if he invokes the Insurrection Act, even the courts’ verdicts can be suspended.  He also claimed that 50% of the presidents have used the act.  Actually, the number is 15. He is quoted as stating: “Everybody [not sure that everybody is completely accurate] agrees you’re allowed to use that and there are no more court cases, there is no more anything.”

Use and Abuse of the Insurrection Act

President Trump has allegedly—and erroneously, if true—concluded that, if he invokes the Insurrection Act, even the courts’ verdicts can be suspended.  He also claimed that 50% of the presidents have used the act.  Actually, the number is 15. He is quoted as…

Lincoln Theatre: Winchester’s theater for ‘colored people’ Silent films took the country by storm in the early years of the twentieth century.  The silent film era in Winchester began in 1907 and ended with the first “talkie,” which made its appearance at the Leeds in 1929.  During that era, a dozen of these “nickelodeons,” opened in the downtown area.  They got the name from the nickel admission charge.  In the beginning, most of the films were “one reelers,” one thousand feet of film that ran for about fifteen minutes.  As public amusements were limited at the time, citizens flocked to the new theaters, and a cultural revolution was born. 

Here's a story by Harry Enoch that was very popular last November. It's worth a read, or a re-read!

We All Lose when SNAP is Lost The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as “food stamps”) is the largest federal nutrition assistance initiative in the United States. Administered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP provides electronic benefits each month to low-income individuals and families to help them purchase groceries. It is a cornerstone of the social safety net, designed to reduce hunger, support health, and stimulate local economies.

We All Lose when SNAP is Lost

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as “food stamps”) is the largest federal nutrition assistance initiative in the United States. Administered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP provides electronic benefits each month to…

All Voices Reading Room Has Grand Opening Last Saturday was the grand opening of All Voices Reading Room, located on the third floor of the historic McEldowney building on the courthouse square in downtown Winchester. A good crowd enjoyed sweet treats from 2 Dudes Baking and other light refreshments. Kentucky Author Laurie Lee Hall was there to chat and autograph copies of her memoir. The reading room was established in June by Lisa Bush, along with several other folks who comprise the board of All Voices Reading Room. The establishment occupies an ample, beautifully-restored space in suite 301 of the building at 5 Cleveland Avenue.

All Voices Reading Room Has Grand Opening

Last Saturday was the grand opening of All Voices Reading Room, located on the third floor of the historic McEldowney building on the courthouse square in downtown Winchester. A good crowd enjoyed sweet treats from 2 Dudes Baking and other light…

Jeff’s Playlist: ‘Killer’ Alice Cooper has always been appropriate for celebrating Halloween. Sit back and enjoy. This is a good one.

Jeff’s Playlist: October 31, 2025

Reel Classics: ‘The Haunting’ As Halloween approaches, Reel Classics will take a look at a film well-suited for that creepy, ghostly evening.  Our movie today is The Haunting, starring Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Russ Tamblyn, and Richard Johnson.  The setting is the 90-year-old Hill House, which Hugh Crain built for his wife.  Unfortunately, the new home did not bring the joy to his family that he had hoped for.  As his wife approached the new home in a carriage, it crashed, and she was killed.  Crain later remarried, but his second wife died from a fall down the stairs. Crain’s daughter inherited the house but never moved out of her nursery, where she eventually died calling for her nurse-companion.  The companion inherited the home but hanged herself from the spiral staircase.

Reel Classics: ‘The Haunting’

As Halloween approaches, Reel Classics will take a look at a film well-suited for that creepy, ghostly evening.  Our movie today is The Haunting, starring Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Russ Tamblyn, and Richard Johnson.  The setting is the 90-year-old Hill House, which…

Newly bought Main Street building tells deep Winchester history Brenda Salyers, a long-time Winchester resident, is perhaps best known as the owner of Frames on Main, located at 10 N. Main Street. However, owning several properties, Salyers recently added another to her list when she bought the building at 24 N. Main Street – just a few doors down. The building, which now hosts The Past Time Social Club and Cigar Lounge, was also home to the likewise named Pastime Theatre many years ago.

Newly bought Main Street building tells deep Winchester history

Brenda Salyers, a long-time Winchester resident, is perhaps best known as the owner of Frames on Main, located at 10 N. Main Street. However, owning several properties, Salyers recently added another to her list when she bought the…

How Teach-Ins Can Offer a Place to Start and a Place to Stay Without too much trouble, I’m willing to bet just about everyone can name three examples of mutual aid in action in their community. Far from “X nonprofit opened a modest four-million-dollar food bank complex,” examples are often so much closer to home. That neighborhood mom who works from home has volunteered to make sure all the kids get on the bus safely when their parents are commuting. The physical clean-up after a natural disaster and goods drives to replace those basic human needs in the recovery.

How Teach-Ins Can Offer a Place to Start and a Place to Stay

Without too much trouble, I’m willing to bet just about everyone can name three examples of mutual aid in action in their community. Far from “X nonprofit opened a modest four-million-dollar food bank complex,” examples are often so much…

KY Legislature Seeks to Limit Governor’s Pardon Power Kentucky Republican legislators have introduced a bill—not for the first time—that would seem to make sense regardless of who holds the governor’s office. Christian McDaniel, 23rd District Senator, is the sponsor of a bill that seeks to amend the Kentucky Constitution to limit the Governor’s power to issue pardons within a specified period of time before and following a general election during which a governor is elected.

KY Legislature Seeks to Limit Governor’s Pardon Power

Kentucky Republican legislators have introduced a bill—not for the first time—that would seem to make sense regardless of who holds the governor’s office. Christian McDaniel, 23rd District Senator, is the sponsor of a bill that seeks to amend…

General Leslie Combs, the ‘Boy Captain’ Leslie Combs (1793-1881) was a larger-than-life figure—youthful war hero, prominent attorney, multiterm legislator, railroad executive, and Union loyalist.  Combs left an unusual will that included a capsule of his family history. Leslie’s parents were Benjamin Combs and Sarah Richardson.  Benjamin came to Kentucky with a group of Virginia adventurers in 1775.  He staked a claim to 1,000 acres at Indian Old Fields, but eventually settled at a smaller tract on present-day Becknerville Road.

General Leslie Combs, the ‘Boy Captain’

Leslie Combs (1793-1881) was a larger-than-life figure—youthful war hero, prominent attorney, multiterm legislator, railroad executive, and Union loyalist.  Combs left an unusual will that included a capsule of his family history. Leslie’s parents were…

Thoughts on Bears and Daylight Saving Time Someone spotted a black bear just a few scant miles from Quisenberry Lane recently, posting online some incredible black-and-white selfies the bear took with their wildlife camera. I’ve been waiting almost 30 years to see one on my property. Everyone responded with "bring your pets inside and get your gun," but they were thinking of brown bears, which tend to be far more aggressive than black bears. Though black bears will tear it up if you threaten their cubs, this guy was probably just lumbering about, looking for an open trash can to scavenge.

Thoughts on Bears and Daylight Saving Time

Someone spotted a black bear just a few scant miles from Quisenberry Lane recently, posting online some incredible black-and-white selfies the bear took with their wildlife camera. I’ve been waiting almost 30 years to see one on my property. Everyone…

Flailing at Failure This lovely poem from Bill McCann is a composition that blends realism with poetic symbolism—highlighting themes of childhood, transformation, and the quiet triumph of finding one’s way despite early challenges.

Flailing at Failure

This lovely poem from Bill McCann is a composition that blends realism with poetic symbolism—highlighting themes of childhood, transformation, and the quiet triumph of finding one’s way despite early challenges.

Winchester’s World War II and Korean War Memorial continues development The World War II and Korean War Memorial in Winchester, located at 18 East Broadway Street, has been a work in progress since construction began in May 2024. Viewing it from the outside, some notable progress has recently occurred. Since the installation of six spring arborvitae trees in August, planted by Red River Lawn & Landscaping. End pedestal caps have been set up. These pedestal caps display geography with names of different countries and places associated with both World War II and the Korean War.

Winchester’s World War II and Korean War Memorial continues development

The World War II and Korean War Memorial in Winchester, located at 18 East Broadway Street, has been a work in progress since construction began in May 2024. Viewing it from the outside, some notable progress has recently…

Honor Rupp if you will but bring his full legacy to the party Recently I’ve had occasion to look into the 1960s world of Lexington and the University of Kentucky, particularly the fraught nexus of the two with race. It’s been an interesting journey through local myth, oral histories and, of course, basketball.  By the time I got to Kentucky in 1992 it had been 20 years since Adolph Rupp had coached the Wildcats and 15 years since his death. But he was still a dominating presence in Wildcat and Lexington lore, his name even enshrined on the basketball arena  As my family could tell you, big time sports, whether so-called amateur or professional, are not my thing. I’ve learned to hate Duke and to avoid driving into town on Tates Creek/High Street on game nights but beyond that I’m a Kentucky men’s basketball agnostic.

Honor Rupp if you will but bring his full legacy to the party

Recently I’ve had occasion to look into the 1960s world of Lexington and the University of Kentucky, particularly the fraught nexus of the two with race. It’s been an interesting journey through local myth, oral histories and, of…

Community Engagement and Local Government Challenges in Winchester Winchester often feels divided, with many residents expressing dissatisfaction over the limited entertainment, shopping, and dining options available in the area. While some advocate for new businesses and amenities, others resist any new development. This tension is further complicated by residents' tendency to blame the local government for these issues. No government is perfect, and neither is the government of Winchester or Clark County. Recent events have highlighted this reality, including the budget issues faced at the courthouse and several missteps with city projects. These incidents raise important questions: What led to the county’s budget crisis? Why is there ongoing conflict between the Judge-Executive and the Fiscal Court? What caused the problems with the high side project, from water line breaks to property damage and other complications? Why isn’t the new splash park free for all children?

Community Engagement and Local Government Challenges in Winchester

Winchester often feels divided, with many residents expressing dissatisfaction over the limited entertainment, shopping, and dining options available in the area. While some advocate for new businesses and amenities, others resist…

Ghosts of Appalachia When my father was a young boy living at the top of a cliff in Wolfe County, he recalls lying in his bed one lonely night, unable to sleep.  As he lay there quietly in the dark, he could hear an approaching sound in the distance.  As the sound grew closer, he realized it was the sound of someone running.  His heart raced as he lay frozen under the blankets.  The fleeing person ran right past the window.  Soon afterwards, he could hear the sound of hoof beats in a full gallop.  The hoof beats followed the path that led to the bottom of the cliffs to a ravine.   Then… silence.

Ghosts of Appalachia

When my father was a young boy living at the top of a cliff in Wolfe County, he recalls lying in his bed one lonely night, unable to sleep.  As he lay there quietly in the dark, he could hear an approaching sound in the distance.  As the sound grew closer, he realized it was…

In ‘Chat World’, Not So Much Compared to today’s retail practices, a yesteryear shoe-buying encounter was a long-term relationship. The mere manipulation of the cold-steel Brannock Device on your foot was an affirmation of personhood. Flipping open the box top and peeling back the wrapping paper to release the aroma of tanned leather and a peek at your intended purchase brought you a squirt of Dopamine. You sat enraptured, while perched upon the fitting stool, your purveyor of fine footwear untied the laces and threw back the tongue. With a sleight of hand more adept than Uri Geller, a shoehorn magically appeared and slipped your foot effortlessly into side one of the new pair. And then side two. Ah, yes, these are the shoes I want to marry.

In ‘Chat World’, Not So Much

Compared to today’s retail practices, a yesteryear shoe-buying encounter was a long-term relationship. The mere manipulation of the cold-steel Brannock Device on your foot was an affirmation of personhood. Flipping open the box top and peeling back the wrapping paper…

‘No Kings’: Warning Signs of Democracy in Peril As soon as he achieved office, he pardoned hundreds of individuals who openly supported him in the past, despite their crimes being against the state over which he now resides. He oversees the discharge of long-term administration officials, most of whom have vast knowledge of their positions and responsibilities, and replaces them with sycophants who have little or no government experience and indeed no experience with the positions they are now placed in. He begins an assault on universities and colleges, claiming they are responsible for allowing student unrest and offering courses inconsistent with his government’s newly espoused positions.

‘No Kings’: Warning Signs of Democracy in Peril

As soon as he achieved office, he pardoned hundreds of individuals who openly supported him in the past, despite their crimes being against the state over which he now resides. He oversees the discharge of long-term administration officials, most of…

Scobee Name Has Been an ‘Undertaking’ for Over a Century In 1921, three men—J. E. Grubbs, David B. Scobee, and Ben S. Bartlett—merged their talents and capital to form the company of Grubbs, Scobee & Bartlett.  The new business was located in Grubbs’ former hardware store at 70 South Main Street (now Mason on Main).  They specialized in hardware, stoves, and undertaking.  Scobee had previously been an embalmer for Henry H. Hall and would soon be elected mayor of Winchester.  In addition to notices for Grubbs, Scobee & Bartlett, there were also ads for David Scobee, “Funeral Director and Embalmer, Undertaking, Ambulance Service.”

Scobee Name Has Been an ‘Undertaking’ for Over a Century

In 1921, three men—J. E. Grubbs, David B. Scobee, and Ben S. Bartlett—merged their talents and capital to form the company of Grubbs, Scobee & Bartlett.  The new business was located in Grubbs’ former hardware store at 70 South Main Street…

A ‘magical’ day in Winchester You know the day is going to be magical when a real (sort of), live unicorn shows up! Saturday, October 18, was in fact a magical day for pride and inclusion in Winchester. Folks from Clark County and beyond gathered on Depot Street (renamed “Dr. John Fryer Blvd.” for the day) to celebrate, have fun, enjoy great entertainment, and grab some merch from vendors and nonprofits. Over 750 guests showed up, according to organizers. The weather was spectacular. Color was everywhere. People from the LGBTQ+ community, along with friends and allies, enjoyed a safe and fun day of community and unity.

A ‘magical’ day in Winchester

You know the day is going to be magical when a real (sort of), live unicorn shows up! Saturday, October 18, was in fact a magical day for pride and inclusion in Winchester. Folks from Clark County and beyond gathered on Depot Street (renamed “Dr. John Fryer Blvd.” for…

What I Learned From Michelin Stars It began, as most revolutions do, with a problem. In a quiet French town, the Michelin brothers Édouard and André were running a struggling tire company. Their main product was a modest ring of rubber, meant to keep cars rolling on bumpy roads. In 1900, there were fewer than 3,000 cars in all of France. People weren’t driving enough to wear down their tires. The brothers could have cut costs, downsized, or waited for the market to catch up. Instead, they made a pivot. Not away from their product, but toward their purpose. They didn’t just want to sell tires. They wanted people to fall in love with the journey.

What I Learned From Michelin Stars

It began, as most revolutions do, with a problem. In a quiet French town, the Michelin brothers Édouard and André were running a struggling tire company. Their main product was a modest ring of rubber, meant to keep cars rolling on bumpy roads. In 1900, there…