Callie Hudson, with Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, is interning this summer at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) in Frankfort. Hudson, the daughter of David and Kimberly Hudson of Versailles, is working in the department’s Office of Agricultural Marketing. Callie will be a sophomore this fall at the University of Tennessee’s Herbert College of Agriculture in Knoxville, where she is pursuing a double major in agricultural business and agricultural leadership.	KENTUCKY GYM held a ribbon cutting sponsored by the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce on June 19 at its new location. Its new Versailles location offers free weights, circuit training, cardio, group boxing classes and a commercial dry sauna and cold plunge. It is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Pictured from left, Dawn Breda, Nate Wells, Josh Meeder, Versailles Mayor Laura Dake, Connor McNee, founder/manager of Kentucky Gym, Brian McNee, Kathryn Million, Dakota Jenkins, Jessic	FOOD PANTRY OF WOODFORD COUNTY received a $6,000 grant from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels to purchase beef. Grants are made possible through donations from Kentucky Colonels from throughout the Commonwealth and around the world who choose to exercise the honor of being named a Kentucky Colonel in a meaningful way. From left, Ashley Jackson, Executive Director of the Food Pantry, and Commanding General Gary Boschert, with the Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Five members of the NexJen BJJ and Martial Arts kids’ competition team attended the FUJI BJJ Lexington Summer Championships on June 14. The team brought home 2 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals. Pictured, standing from left are Dakota Erwin, Marek Irwin, Graham Irvin, Bentley Young and Silas Humphries. Seated in front is Coach Vince Tabscott, head instructor. (Photo submitted)	PIRATES T-BALL team finished runner-up in both the league and tournament. Front, from left, Jack Perkins, Beckett Cottrill, Will Downey, Cade Baldwin, Henry Miller, Duke Adams; back, Anson Rider, Barrick Mittle, Kyle Lalumandier, Henry Matthews, Nathaniel Johnson. Back row, Head Coach Nick Rider, and coaches Michael Matthews, Tyler Baldwin, and Taylor Perkins. (Photo submitted)	THE STINGERS were league and tournament runner-up in the under 8 softball league this year. Front, from left, Alayna Brown, Alianna Eller, Makynzie Vickery, Caroline Daley, Eretria Butcher, Isabella Ferment, Zulay Rodriguez; back, Haven Struble, Macy Gesner, Lacie Hutchinson, Taylor Singleton, Reese Couch; Coaches L-R: Tim Vickery, AJ Hutchinson, Tyler Singleton, Chris Daley. Not pictured: Millie Downey and Coach Marybeth Ferment. (Photo submitted).
10 AND UNDER STINGERS finished second in the league, but won the tournament. Back, from left, Courtney Maines, Bryce Bland, Gabby Roark, Catelyn Ferment, Brooke Jones, Kaiya Drake, Davis Hall; Front, Paityn Garrett, Kinley Donovan; Not pictured: Carsen Cottrill, Harbour Shouse, Danielle Myers; Coaches: Marybeth Ferment, Devan Donovan, and not pictured Coach Gretchen Cottrill. (Photo submitted)	THE ANNUAL MIDWAY BOURBON & BLUES FESTIVAL on Saturday, June 7, was a big success. Folks enjoyed the opportunity to sample products from distilleries, wineries, and craft beer while shopping various vendors, listening to a remarkable lineup of Blues artists, and dining at world-famous Midway restaurants. (Photo by Scott White)	WOODFORD COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT firefighters were out last weekend, May 30-31, and again this weekend, June 6-7, at the intersection of Lexington Road and the U.S. 60 Bypass, hoping to fill empty boots with donations for the 73rd annual WHAS Crusade for Children. According to its website, the charity funds programs to make life better for children with identified health care, educational, and emotional wellness needs by inspiring generosity. (Photo by Scott White)
BUFORD-LANDMARK MASONIC LODGE NO 41’s Jeremy Kifer presented Ayana “YaYa” Wilson with a $1000 scholarship during the Senior Class Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 19. Wilson’s resume included her membership in the National Honors Society, Beta Club, FCA, Track Team, NIA Club, Homecoming Queen and member of the National Cheerleading Championship Team. Wilson plans to pursue a degree in kinesiology/pre-physical therapy while cheering for the Georgetown College Tigers. Her late grandfather, William	At the Woodford County FFA Banquet Carson Probst and Faith Harris were awarded the C.O. Neel Agriculture Achievement Award sponsored by Ken and Brenda Reed. Pictured from left Carson Probst, Ken Reed, and Faith Harris. (Picture Submitted)	The Woodford County Woman’s Club enjoyed an afternoon touring the Kentucky Aviation Museum for their May meeting. Some of the members are, from left, Carol Gill ,Vicki Scott, Brenda Scott, Brenda Jackson, Judy Tinsley, (guides Hunter Moore and Ed Robie), Jane Pictor, Sue Dozier and Kay Curl. (Photo submitted)
MENTORS AND MEALS April STAR (Smart, Trusting, Achieving, Respectful) Student of the Month is Jalaya Parmer, pictured on left; the Mentor of the Month is Preston Graham. (Photo by Lisa Johnson)	MENTORS & MEALS honors Midway University interns who dedicated their work-study hours toward tutoring students at Mentors & Meals this past semester. “They are all amazing role models and they will be missed. Wishing them all the best as they make it through finals week,” says Lisa Johnson, executive director of the program. From left, Daniel Coffey, Madeline Parm, Blair Riney, Trevor Alexander. Missing from photo is Elliot Pope. (Photo provided)	VIEW OF SHORE ACRES taken on Tuesday, April 22. As can be seen, nearly all of the debris has been removed thanks to both volunteers and contractors hired by Woodford County Fiscal Court who have been working long hours, every day there and in Clifton, Lower Clifton, Buck Run, Fintville, Mundy’s Landing, and Oregon Road, A photo of this same view, below, was in last week’s Sun, and it seems like a different place. Despite the cleared debris, a significant amount of work still lies ahead for area
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL is organizing a new chapter for Woodford County. It held its first meeting at the headquarters of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System last week. The next meeting will be April 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the same location. (Photo supplied)	The 10u Rockers baseball team, coached by Curtis Ham (member 2012 WCHS State Champion team), went 4-0 in Harrodsburg, Kentucky last weekend to win the championship. From left, front, Carson Elliott, Bennett Ham, Deacon McCarty, Joshua Woolums, Kip Gotcher; middle, Colton Andrews, Mason Hausfeld, Declan Atwood, Christian Switzer, and Carson Reynolds; back, Steven Andrews, Curtis Ham, Kenny Switzer, Todd Gotcher and Jonathan Woolums, Not pictured is Chris Wood. (Photo submitted)	The Woodford County Womans Club Garden Department April meeting was held at the Woodford County library. The guest speaker was Woodford County resident Sarah Landers, who enlightened us on the art of beekeeping. From left, Mary Ann Summers, Sarah Landers and Becky Greco. (Photo submitted)
WCHS SENIOR TRIP this year was to New York City. In addition to visiting several sites around the city, they showed up in the “plaza” for the Today Show on the morning of April 9 and received a shout-out from co-host Carson Daly. (Screenshot by Scott White)	A bird flies over South Elkhorn Creek at Weisenberger Mill on Monday as trees keep budding out. (Photo by Al Cross)	SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Wild daffodils are showing their yellow heads along Steele Road this week. (Photo by Scott White)
A “GATHERING for democracy,” attended by nearly 1,000 people, according to estimates, was held Saturday, March 22, at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington. A group of eight women, both Democrats and Republicans, came together to form the group to put on a town hall event for people to address questions on a wide variety of topics to 6th District Congressman Andy Barr, who declined to attend. Pictured is Nonesuch resident Marilyn Daniel, a retired lawyer who ran a legal clinic representing immigrant	ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, founded in Wilmore, Kentucky, in 1923 and which has enjoyed a long relationship with Woodford County, announced David F. Watson, PhD, will become its newest president beginning July 1. Watson earned his B.A. degree from Texas Tech University, and both his Master of Divinity and PhD from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He was ordained in the United Methodist Church and served in the local church and on the staff of a United Methodist campu	On March 20, Shawn and April Helton of Versailles paid off their mortgage to Woodford Habitat for Humanity. They also just welcomed their first grandchild. The Heltons are now one of 25 Woodford County families that have paid off their loan from Habitat and own their home free and clear. Woodford Habitat is now beginning construction of its 44th home. Pictured, from left are Habitat board members Melissa Gregory and Ted Noe, and Shawn and April, holding their deed. (Photo submitted)
BONKERS is the mascot of the Woodford County Library’s “Kindercard” program, which was handmade by Assistant Director Heather Plunkett, pictured. This program was developed to encourage kindergartners to get their very own library card. Between now and April 9 any kindergartner who gets a library card will receive a wallet and a headband. (Photo by Scott White)	SHELBY HAYNES was crowned Miss Teen Kentucky America 2025 at the annual pageant held in Somerset on March 14-15. Shelby, who is the reigning Miss Woodford County, has appeared at several events, including the Woodford County Rodeo and the Twilight Festival. (Photo provided)	Mentors & Meals marvelous STAR (Smart, Trusting, Achieving, Respectful) mentor and students of the month for February are, from left, College Mentor of the Month Kyleigh Davis and STAR students Alex Hartzell and Laurel Hensley. (Photo submitted)
SUTTON SHERRARD, a WCHS student, attended the Youth Ambassador Program at the University of Kentucky on March 8. This is an annual event held by Congressman Andy Barr which is a non-partisan educational experience designed for high school students. According to the press release, Barr says the event, “provides a unique opportunity for students to hear directly from Kentucky leaders while serving as an ambassador for their school.” (Photo provided)	GREAT THINGS LLC, a business consulting and marketing firm founded by Josh Meeder, and HOLTON HEALING ARTS, which offers spiritual life coaching, held a joint ribbon cutting on March 12 at the Woodford Chamber of Commerce office. Pictured from left, Dakota Jenkins, Kerry Hanibach from City National Bank, SpiritBird Holton of Holton Healing Arts, Josh Meeder of Great Things LLC, Midway Mayor Grayson Vandergrift, Versailles Mayor Laura Dake, Leeann Bland, Holly Ellis and Zanga Nassem (on the far r	Troy Presbyterian Church’s children, youth and adults delivered 239 pounds of food, including cans of soup, chili, crackers and other non-perishable items to the Food Pantry for Woodford County on March 9 as part of the 2025 Souper Bowl Sunday Hunger Offering. The offering brought in over $600, split between the Community Service Center of Wilmore – Highbridge and the Presbyterian Hunger Program. (Photo submitted)
Buford-Landmark Masonic Lodge No 41 hosted an Entered Apprenticeship Degree for three new members on Tuesday, March 11. There were 40 Masons in attendance representing over 16 different Lodges from across Kentucky, along with MWGM Mitchell May. (Photo submitted by David Paul)	MIDWAY PHOTOGRAPHER Roger Jordon was driving on Payne’s Mill Road Sunday morning when he said, “this beautiful rainbow appeared.” (Photo by Roger Jordan)
THOMAS DAVENPORT of WesBanco, Versailles, was honored by the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors at a recent meeting held at the Woodford Business Center. Davenport completed his four-year term on the Chamber board at the end of 2024 and served as the Chamber’s treasurer. Pictured from left, Micheal Moorman of Lakeshore Learning, Cassie Prather of the Woodford County Health Department, Megan Fields of Eckart’s Orchard, Corey Cooley of Rector Hayden Realtors, Davenport, Aust	4-year-old Abri Joe Hall is shown with a snowman built Tuesday, Feb. 11 with her grandmother Debby Hall of Versailles. (Photo submitted)	The Woodford County Woman’s Club February speaker was Sioux Finney, left, who has been instrumental in the development of Huntertown Community Interpretive Park. Brenda Jackson, right, lived in Huntertown as a young girl and has been a valuable resource for preserving the community’s history. (Photo submitted)
Members of the Woodford County Farm Bureau (WCFB) recently traveled to San Antonio, Texas, for the American Farm Bureau (AFB) Convention to display its booth for the Annual WCFB Rodeo. This trip was largely granted for winning a County Activities of Excellence Award. Pictured from left to right are Jeremy Dotson (WCFB President), Christy Durbin, Marshall, Beau Neal, Shawn Knight, Austin Wingate, AFB President Zippy Duvall, Melissa Tomblin, Dusty Tomblin, Rick Wallin, and Amanda Wallin.	NORTH MAIN STREET in downtown Versailles was closed temporarily on Wednesday morning so workers could finish repairing a sanitary sewer line, with work likely to continue on Thursday to replace the pavement, Utilities Manager Mitzi Delius told the Sun. The closures are temporary and will occur only when work is being done, she said. (Photos by Bob Vlach)	KCTCS PRESIDENT Ryan Quarles gave the keynote address at the Woodford County Chamber Annual Awards Luncheon on Jan. 31. (Photo by Scott White)
ELECTED OFFICIALS representing Versailles and Woodford County governments held their annual food drive on Saturday, Jan. 25. Thirteen elected officials collected 1,752 pounds of food and $564 for the Food Pantry for Woodford County. Fiscal Court Magistrate Darrell Varner is pictured participating in the food drive at Kroger. (Photo by Laura Dake)	THE JOHN COYLE MEMORIAL FOOD DRIVE collected $9,871 in donations and 400.4 pounds of donated food for the Food Pantry for Woodford County. With the cost of food rising at the grocery store, son John Paul Coyle, pictured, said his family was pleased that so many people donated to the food drive. Family friend Connie Weber Sutherland organized the first food drive in memory of John Coyle, a former county judge-executive and sheriff, after Coyle’s death in November 2018. This past year’s 7th annual