By Whitney Dunlap II Guest OpEd This weekend, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Experiment. This journey began around 1620, when forward-thinking Puritans escaped the Old World to build a “shining city on a hill” — a patriotic beacon of liberty that, nearly 200 years later, then-presidential candidate Ronald Reagan called the world’s vision of America. These brave dissenters, wanting reform, broke from the stagnant Church of England. Without their progressiv

KRISTIAN LOSTOCCO, wearing his Florida Gator cap and t-shirt, hardly looked away when an American alligator – his favorite animal – was introduced during a Kentucky Reptile Zoo program at the Woodford County Library on June 24. Zookeeper Kat Dale, a graduate of Woodford County High School, is also pictured. (Photo by Bob Vlach) ZOOKEEPER KAT DALE and several of her non-venomous friends, including a boa, participated in a children’s program at the Woodford County Library on

KEN REED of Versailles was awarded the Honorary State FFA Degree at a special ceremony during the 97th FFA State Convention, held June 9-11 in Lexington. Reed is pictured with his wife, Barbara. (Kentucky FFA photo) CAROLINA RHEA was elected vice president of Kentucky FFA at its annual convention, held June 9-11 in Lexington. (Kentucky FFA photo) By Scott White Woodford Sun Staff This year’s 97th Kentucky FFA annual convention, held June 9-11 in Lexington, was particularly

East Tennessee State University Luke Ray, of Versailles, was named to the spring 2026 dean’s list. Miami University Jaxson Bugg, of Versailles, was named to the spring 2026 dean’s list. University of Mississippi Laya Moore, of Versailles, and Lauren Harrod, of Midway, were named to the spring 2026 chancellor’s honor roll.

THE LAVENDER FESTIVAL at The Kentucky Castle provided visitors with a shopping experience in the castle›s greenhouse that included a large group of regional vendors. (Photo by Scott White) LAVENDER FESTIVAL visitors at The Kentucky Castle were undeterred by the rain and damp ground as they enjoyed harvesting a small amount of the fragrant lavender. (Photo by Scott White) RAPUNZEL came down from her room in one of The Kentucky Castle towers to meet some of her friends, a gro

GARY AND MARIANNE MOSLEY, with daughter Emily, on a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Emily has Angelman Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes severe intellectual disability, along with physical disabilities and epilepsy. Her quality of life depends on a Medicaid program the Kentucky Legislature chose not to fund, but Gov. Andy Beshear can restore— as he did by redirecting appropriated funds. (Photo provided by the Mosley family) By Marianne Mosley Guest colu

By Cassie Prather Woodford County Public Health Director As we are wrapping up Father’s Day celebrations, let’s not forget to remind the men in our lives to keep their health in check. Preventative visits save lives and add years of life lived for us all, but especially for men. Unfortunately, those tasks often get ignored by men. A 2023 survey by the Cleveland Clinic found men are often lacking when it comes to scheduling health screenings, eating a healthy diet, and talk

In the June 4, 2026, edition of the Sun, in the story “Woodford County general election field in all races now set,” we made an error. There are three supervisor seats up for election, not four as we reported. A special thank you to WCCD Supervisor Peggy Carter Seal for making us aware of the error. We thank her and apologize for the error.

By Al Cross Guest Columnist The rap on rural Kentucky is that it’s a swath of largely backward places that don’t value education and where the main export is human – young people who don’t come back to raise families after completing school, which for most is high school or trade school. Like all stereotypes, there is truth in that, but never the whole truth. Increasingly, small towns in the state are bootstrapping themselves into the modern mainstream with downtown revital

CYNTHIA BOHN stands next to one of the barrels that is now aging wine her company, Equus Run Vineyards, is making. It will eventually go through the final processes of becoming wine and be bottled on-site for folks to enjoy. (Photo by Scott White) By Scott White Woodford Sun Staff When Cynthia Bohn was growing up on a farm in Hardin County, her plan was to shake the dirt off her boots and “never go back.” Well, she didn’t until she did. First, after completing college at th

KATHLEEN WOOD, physical therapy assistant, is shown receiving the 2026 Mercy Award for Centerpoint Health-Versailles. Pictured from left: Bruce Tassin, CEO and market president of Centerpoint Health, Wood and Angie Ingram, senior nursing officer at Centerpoint Health – Versailles. (Photo submitted) Special to the Sun Kathleen Wood, a physical therapy assistant with Centerpoint Health-Versailles, received Centerpoint Health’s 2026 Mercy Award, the top honor an employee can r

Anissa Penn Davis Special to the Sun The Woodford County Library is proud to celebrate one of its dedicated volunteers, Anissa Penn Davis, Ed.D., who recently earned First Place at the 2026 DAR State Conference for the lineage program she hosts at the Main Library. Davis leads “Tracing Your Roots,” a genealogy program that helps participants explore their family histories, uncover ancestral connections, and preserve their personal stories for future generations. Her passion