Freda Meriwether joins us for a remembrance of her father and his struggle with alcoholism. 

Freda Meriwether loves God, her husband, her children and grandchildren and spending time with them either at their sport events or family get togethers. She looks forward to traveling to Maysville once a week to care for her elderly mother. Enjoying life is the highlight of her day.

Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.

This episode discusses a murder, listener's discretion is advised. 

Mariam and Wayne sit down to discuss a murder mystery that captivated Lexington and the surrounding area for almost 30 years. The Tent Girl. More Who-Is-It? than Who-Dun-It? when she was found in 1968, the city of Georgetown adopted the girl in the tarp, placing a headstone on her grave with her description and the police sketch of her face. Wayne talks about the difficulties behind her identification, and how one man’s dedication eventually solved the mystery of her identity. 

Jerry Meriwether joins us this Veteran’s Day with a remembrance of his Honor Flight. 

A proud husband, father and grandfather. Jerry loves God. He is a Deacon at Shiloh Baptist Church. Jerry served in the US army. He is also currently the Co-Commander of the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) Chapter 23. This organization advocates for veterans and their families assisting in filing claims and educating them on benefits they

should be receiving.

Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.

Holly Epperly joins us for a story about self-discovery and making your own meaning from life’s messages.

Holly Epperly is a mother to 3 elementary aged children and a Kentuckian since she was very young. Raised in a family that encouraged and facilitated artistic expression, she has always had a story to share. Writing for connection, communication and sometimes therapy, she hopes to continue sharing her thoughts and experiences through stories and poetry in the years to come.

Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.

Mariam sits down with Raymond McLain and Ruth McLain Smith ahead of the McLain Family Band’s induction into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. They talk about their beginnings as a band in 1968 on television in Hazard, Kentucky and their musical childhoods. They toured extensively throughout the 1970s and 1980s in 64 countries through Africa, Europe and Asia. Raymond and Ruth reflect on their career so far, and the joy music has brought to their lives. 

Their father, Raymond McLain, Sr., was a professor of music at Berea College, and later in his career became a librarian at Lexington Public Library, working in children’s and then in the Kentucky Room. He retired in the 1990s. Ruth and Raymond perform a song their father wrote, Kentucky Wind, for us on the podcast. 

Christine Stephany joins us with a story from her childhood about how she and her father came to understand each other better. 

Christine W. Stephany is a daughter, sister, Mom, YaYa and friend. Years of note taking and jotting down thoughts brings her to a turn in the highway…learning to writing. With a lifelong spirit of curiosity she embraces nature, biking, learning, people and an evolutionary career of 47 years. Working with the national and local Multiple Sclerosis Society, Wreaths Across America (for Veterans) and Valentines for Veterans are her “give-backs.” She shares her time in Lexington and in Northern Kentucky, with extended family and lifelong friends.

Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.

This episode has brief strong language when reading a quote from the killer in the newspaper, listener’s discretion is advised. 

Mariam sits down with longtime listener of the podcast Zach Davis to discuss the 1897 murder of local pension attorney Thomas H. Merritt. Zach Davis is the President and Principal Broker of local real estate brokerage Kirkpatrick & Co., and came across this story while researching Gratz Park. Jacob Harris shot and killed Merritt after suspecting Merritt was having an affair with his wife Effie. The murder captivated the nation, less because of the circumstances of the murder itself, rather because of the precedent set by the presiding judge D. G. Falconer in dismissing charges against Harris because of societal norms, rather than written law. 

Lauren Cole Brown joins us with a humorous tale from her time in nursing school.

Lauren Cole Brown is a Registered Nurse who received her BSN from the University of Kentucky.  She stays busy designing online nursing school curriculum with Archer Review, allowing the use of her nursing knowledge as well as her creative background in the arts.  Lauren is married to James, an avid cyclist, poet and scientist and is Mom to Oliver and Odin, the joys of her life!

Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.

Mariam sits down with Tammi Johnson, lead researcher and founder for the Project USS Strong DD467 website, to discuss her life’s work finding the ship her uncle Billy Hedrick served on in World War Two. The ship, the USS Strong DD467, was torpedoed in the battle of Kula Gulf in the Solomon Islands and sank, killing Billy and 45 other men on July 5, 1943. They talk about her work with David Mearns and Paul Mayer finding the ship, and her work with Stephen Harding on the book The Castaway’s War.

At the time of recording, Tammi had not yet taken the plaque to the South Pacific World War Two Museum on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. She has made the trip now, and wrote about it on her blog on the Project USS Strong DD467 website.

Join Sylvia Lovely as she tells a story of her own in our Quilting Kentucky's Stories series recalling a humorous moment she shared with her family during a time of impending loss. 

Sylvia often introduces herself as a lawyer by training, a CEO by experience and a media mogul in her dreams. She has a rich history in media as the author of three books, numerous articles and opinion pieces for a variety of publications. She is also in the restaurant business with Azur Food Group, owner of Azur Restaurant and Patio and The Lexington Diner. She has for ten years co-hosted Food News and Chews Radio with Chef Jeremy Ashby, Executive Chef of Azur Food Group and her business partner. She currently provides coaching and regular classes on the art of writing/telling the story for the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning and Good Foods Co-op Grocery and Community Center. She also works in other venues in pursuing her passion to encourage others to be storytellers.

Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.

Mariam sits down with Matthew Strandmark about his biography of Kentucky’s perennial political candidate, Gatewood Galbraith. They talk Gatewood’s childhood in Carlisle, Kentucky, his family life, his local law career and he captured the state’s attention with his political career.

In Gatewood: Kentucky's Uncommon Man, Matthew weaves together personal stories, public records, and oral history interviews to provide a comprehensive overview of the life and career of an eccentric and fascinating figure. From his ailment-plagued childhood in Carlisle, Kentucky, to his young adulthood spent at the fringes of Lexington society, the opening chapters of Galbraith's life were vital in developing the values that later came to define his political career—his passion for rural communities and low tolerance for bullies.

Gatewood: Kentucky’s Uncommon Man is available for check out from the library and for purchase.

This episode discusses Gatewood Galbraith’s personal politics and political platform and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities the speakers represent.