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“An Evening with Rosemary Clooney” Ticket Sales Begin

March 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Rosemary ClooneyTicket sales have begun for “An Evening with Rosemary Clooney,” a Chautauqua performance and cocktail party hosted by The Friends of Audubon on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 6 p.m. in the Audubon Museum.

Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at John James Audubon State Park in Henderson. The event will be a fundraiser for the Audubon Theater Project and will feature an actress portraying Kentucky-native and Grammy Award winning artist Rosemary Clooney. Live music, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, prize raffles and an inspirational film montage of Clooney’s career are all part of this event honoring one of Kentucky’s most treasured entertainers.

Rosemary Clooney was born in Maysville, Ky., in 1928. In 1945, she and her sister Betty won a spot on Cincinnati, Ohio’s radio station WLW as singers. After her first recordings with Tony Pastor’s big band, she broke out on her own with a hit single “Come On-a My House” in 1951. From duets with Marlene Dietrich to her role in the 1954 movie “White Christmas” with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen, Clooney was always in good company throughout her career. By 1956, she had her own half-hour syndicated television musical-variety show “The Rosemary Clooney Show.”

Rosemary Clooney, an entertainer in every sense of the word, continued to perform even late into her life. She sang a duet of “Green Eyes” with Barry Manilow on his 1994 album, “Singin’ with the Big Bands.”

She also guest-starred on ER, the television medical drama starring her famous nephew, George Clooney in 1995. Rosemary Clooney died in June 2002 from lung cancer. She is buried in Maysville, Kentucky.

For more information, call the park at (270) 827-1893.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Famous Kentuckians, Henderson, John James Audubon State Park Tagged With: , ,

John James Audubon State Park: Wildflower Extravaganza April 2

March 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Black-Eyed Susans

If you love flowers, trees, and birds as much as we do in our home (I guess “in our yard” would be more appropriate), here’s something you’ll be very interested in.

John James Audubon State Park’s Annual Wildflower Extravaganza will be held on Saturday, April 2 , from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (CT).

Throughout the day, visitors to the park in Henderson will have the opportunity to stretch their legs, expand their minds and create botanical landscaping masterpieces. This annual event features programs for all ages including three wildflower walks, informative presentations and a children’s scavenger hunt.

Visitors will learn about the area’s incredible spring flowers and their historical uses. “Long before pharmacies, people looked to nature to cure their ills,” said Audubon Park Naturalist Julie McDonald. “Some of those medical uses were valid while others were just plain dangerous, however, since then we’ve lost touch with nature, and the stories that connect us to it.”

Evansville Courier and Press writer Sharon Sorenson will introduce visitors the art of birdscaping or landscaping to attract birds and wildlife. With all of the wonderful landscaping plants available, one would think that there’s plenty of food available.

“Not so,” said McDonald. “The toughest time to find food is toward the end of winter when natural food sources such as grasses and berry plants are depleted and the insects haven’t come back in large enough numbers to feed hungry mouths. If we plant the right plants to sustain birds through the winter and provide a frost-free water source, we’ll have a better chance of creating the best habitat for our feathered friends while reducing lawn mowing time throughout the summer.”

Saturday, April 2 activities include:

  • 9 a.m.: Wildflower Walk (1.5 hour)—We’ll identify as many flowers as we can on this challenging one-mile trail ranging from ridge to river. Audubon Museum – Front Porch.
  • 11 a.m.: Wildflower Walk—Learn about the traditional uses of native wildflower plants on this moderately easy trail. Audubon Museum – Front Porch.
  • Noon: Kids Wildflower Scavenger Hunt (30-minute program for children ages 3-5 and their parents)—Learn about shapes, colors and our local flowers on this easy, paved trail. Audubon Museum Back Porch.
  • 1 p.m.: Wildflower Walk (one hour)—Stroll along on this guided moderately easy walk of less than a mile. Audubon Museum – Front Porch.
  • 2 p.m.: Birdscaping: Landscaping for Birds (one hour)—Irrevocably tied to the plants around them, birds turn to plants for food, shelter, nest sites and nest-making materials. Which flowers, trees, shrubs and vines grow in your yard determine which birds visit there. Presented by Sharon Sorenson. Audubon Meeting Room.

For more information contact Julie McDonald at (270) 826-2247 or juliea.mcdonald@ky.gov.

John James Audubon State Park also has a museum, gift shop, campground, cottages, hiking trails and a nine-hole golf course!

Filed Under: Events, Gardening, Henderson, John James Audubon State Park, Kentucky Birds, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: , , , ,

John James Audubon: Before His Birds

August 18, 2010 By 1 Comment

“John James Audubon: Before His Birds” will be presented on Thursday and Friday,  Aug. 19 and 20, at 7 p.m. in the museum garden of John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Ky. The play was written by A.J. Casey and is co-directed by Casey and Steve McCarty, technical director at Henderson Fine Arts Center.

“John James Audubon: Before His Birds” focuses on Audubon’s life and his influences as the creator of the masterpiece “Birds of America.” His intense love affair with his wife Lucy, as well as his many years spent gathering inspiration and material in Henderson, Ky., played heavily into Audubon’s life and success and are chronicled in Casey’s original play.

The gorgeous outdoor setting of the play’s presentation is in keeping with Audubon’s love of the natural world, and is a fitting tribute to Audubon’s many treks into the wilderness surrounding Henderson, Ky., during his time there. The museum itself will lend a dramatic backdrop to the production.

A.J. Casey holds a theatre degree from Murray State University and currently teaches at RiverBend Academy arts school. “John James Audubon: Before His Birds” is Casey’s first full-length script and was written as a thesis project. He created the script in cooperation with the Audubon Bicentennial Committee as part of Audubon in Henderson: A Bicentennial Celebration – 1810-2010.

The local cast includes: John (Chris Reaves); Lucy (Megan Mortis); Capt. Jean Audubon and Artistic Admirer (Frank Furbush); Anne Moynet (Megan Nantz); William B. and Thomas B. (Rick Chandler); Woman and Lady Artistic Admirer (Brianna Barron); Dacosta, Attendant and Mr. Bowen (Kurt Denton); Assistant (Isaac Vaughn); Thomas Bakewell (Adam Casey).

Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children and students. Tickets may be purchased at Matt’s News & Gifts in downtown Henderson and at the Audubon State Park museum.

The play will be preceded on Thursday, Aug. 19 by the opening reception and awards presentation of Views of Audubon, an exhibit of paintings inspired by landscapes and wildlife of the park, from 5 to 6:45 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 20, a drawing for a 2010 Jeep Wrangler will be held prior to the play at 6 p.m. in front of the Tea House; $25/ticket entries. The proceeds will help support the Audubon in Henderson: A Bicentennial Celebration – 1810-2010. For more information on bicentennial events, visit: www.audubon2010.com

About Audubon in Henderson: A Bicentennial Celebration – 1810-2010:
John James Audubon arrived in the river town of Henderson, Ky. in 1810 with his wife and infant son. Audubon loved the frontier spirit in Henderson, and as he worked to support his family through business he also spent much time roaming the woods, observing and painting the many species of birds abundant in the area. Audubon’s skills as an artist grew during his years in Kentucky, and after nine years in Kentucky, he went on to publish his ornithological works in the masterpiece, “The Birds of America.” In celebration of the bicentennial of Audubon’s 1810 arrival in Henderson County, the Friends of Audubon, Ohio Valley Art League and the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources have come together to celebrate with a wide variety of events. For more information, visit www.audubon2010.com. For more information about Audubon State Park and other Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, Henderson, John James Audubon State Park, Kentucky Birds, Kentucky State Parks Tagged With: , ,

Governor Beshear Announces Three Economic Development Projects in Henderson

July 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

One new location, two expansions lead to new and retained jobs

Gov. Steve Beshear visited Henderson, Kentucky today to announce three economic development projects that will create as many as 30 new jobs, as well as retain an additional 32 jobs in the community. Accompanied by company and community leaders, Gov. Beshear revealed Legacy Plastics will relocate its manufacturing facility from Evansville, Ind. to Henderson, Ky. to accommodate the company’s growth. Additionally, Henderson-based Matrix Composites and Sunrise Tool and Die will expand their operations.

“The location of Legacy Plastics and the expansion of Matrix Composites and Sunrise Tool and Die reflect the hard work of Henderson County officials and demonstrate the confidence these companies have in the area’s workforce,” said Gov. Beshear. “Kentucky looks forward to a long and successful partnership with each of these exceptional companies.”

Legacy is a leading custom thermoplastic profile extrusion company that produces parts for GE refrigerators and display materials.  The company is moving into a 25,000 square-foot facility located at 1116 5th Street in Henderson.  The relocation represents a nearly $1 million investment and 20 new and relocated jobs.

Matrix Composites, a locally owned manufacturer of woven and knitted fiberglass reinforcements, has been in operation since 1993.  The company’s products are used in a number of applications, including ballistic panels, marine applications, automotive, as well as construction, recreational and energy products.  Matrix is currently located in a 25,000 square-foot facility in the Henderson Corporate Park, but has purchased the former 157,000 square-foot AMI Building, allowing the company to initially add 10 new jobs with a significant opportunity for more in the future.   The expansion will also result in a $3.1 million capital investment.

Founded in 1989, Sunrise Tool and Die manufactures and repairs plastic molds weighing up to 10,000 pounds.  The Henderson plant is currently operating at capacity, limiting the company’s ability to expand into larger markets.  The company plans to invest $2.5 million in its facility, allowing it to seek additional business opportunities and maintain its existing 32 employees.  The investment project will consist of increasing crane capacities from five to 15 tons, ceiling heights from 20 to 26 feet and increase floor space to meet the demand for larger capacity molds and more profitable business opportunities.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Sunrise Tool and Die for tax incentives up to $250,000 through the Kentucky Reinvestment Act, a program that was expanded in the Governor’s Incentives for a New Kentucky bill last summer to assist companies that need to make significant capital investment in Kentucky facilities in order to remain competitive.  Without the renewed investment and state assistance, Sunrise Tool and Die would likely see a decrease in sales and would be forced to consider alternative locations.

“The mere fact that Sunrise Tool, Matrix Composites and Legacy Plastics will produce more jobs in the area is an excellent boost to our citizens,” said Sandy Lee Watkins, Henderson County Judge Executive. “Expanding businesses also play a crucial role in the business community. We must not overlook the worth of having these three companies in our region and the impact they have on the economy.”

“As part of our continued strategy to further expand businesses in the Northwest Kentucky region, our economic development efforts are focused on retaining and growing jobs, which these three companies display and are being rewarded for,” said Henderson, Kentucky Mayor Tom Davis.

A detailed community profile for Henderson (Henderson County) can be viewed at http://thinkkentucky.com/EDIS/cmnty/index.aspx?cw=031.  Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.

More on this story.

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