For more information:
• Newport Aquarium

Producer/Videographer: Frank Simkonis
Audio: Roger Tremaine
Editor: Dan Taulbee

Dave Does It!—Taking Care of Penguins

Dave Shuffett has plenty of experience working with dogs, but this week brings him an avian challenge. Dave meets the experienced penguin trainers at the Newport Aquarium for a lesson in how to tend to the tuxedoed birds.

The Newport Aquarium boasts the second most diverse collection of cold-weather penguins in the country with five species: Macaroni, King, Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Rockhopper. All live in a 34-degree habitat called Penguin Palooza.

The habitat features rock formations allowing the penguins to nest and explore. The lighting itself—based on the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands—is also designed to mimic the penguins' natural habitat. Dave helps clean the habitat and serves a meal of raw fish to the penguins.

Producer: Jim Piston

Historical Marker 1895—Sulphur Well

If you were seeking good health in the 1800s, you surely knew about sulphur water. Sulphur Well in Metcalfe County is among the many towns that owe their existence to the discovery of highly prized mineral springs.

The story goes that back in 1845 an enterprising man named Ezekial Neal was drilling for a well when he hit water at 180 feet down. Lucky for him, the water was found to have sulphur, magnesium, salt, and iron—minerals thought to cure all manner of ills.

A community was born, and hotels flourished as people flocked to "take the waters." Aching joints, bad skin, fatigue, all could be improved, it was believed, by drinking or bathing in the mineral waters. The Beula Villa Hotel, built across from the well, stayed in business until the 1960s.

For more information:
• Vendome Copper & Brass Works, 729 E. Franklin St., Louisville, Ky. 40202

Producer: Dave Shuffett
Videographers: John Schroering, Dave Shuffett
Audio: Brent Abshear
Editor: Jim Piston

Vendome Copper & Brass Works

Kentucky's world-famous distilleries draw bourbon lovers from the around the world. Many of those bourbon lovers wouldn't miss a look at Vendome Copper & Brass Works in Louisville, where coppersmiths craft the vessels used in bourbon making.

Vendome began a century ago creating the kettles, tubs, cookers and piping needed by distilleries and breweries.

It weathered the storm that was the Prohibition era by expanding its line of products. Today the company is a major supplier of equipment for a wide array of industries, such as confectioneries, dairies, food, as well as chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Tom and Dick Sherman are the third generation of their family to run Vendome, carrying on the work begun by their grandfather.

Producer: John Schroering

Our Town—Mousie

In 1916 a new post office was being built to serve the Jones Fork area of Knott County. A local landowner, Clay Martin, apparently by virtue of wealth and position, had the opportunity to name the newfound community. Thinking of his lovely 20-year-old daughter, he chose the name Mousie.

According to From Red Hot to Monkey's Eyebrow by Robert Rennick, Mousie was not an unusual name in Eastern Kentucky in the years after the Civil War.

Nicknames that evoke creatures small and cute still show up occasionally today with the occasional Kitty, Ducky, Tweety, or even Birdie joining Mousie. As far as place names, you'll find a Duck and a Kitty Hawk in North Carolina, but the name of Mousie Martin lives on in the hills of Knott County.

For more information:
• The Kentucky War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission
• River Raisin Battlefield

Producer/Editor: Paul Smith
Videographer: Prentice Walker
Audio: Roger Tremaine

The War of 1812

Over 60 percent of the Americans killed in the War of 1812 were Kentuckians. We travel to Michigan to visit the River Raisin Battlefield, where many Kentuckians were killed not only in battle but afterward in a notorious massacre of the wounded.

The battle took place in Frenchtown, now known as Monroe, not far from the western shore of Lake Erie in the southeastern part of Michigan. The British and their Native American allies were fighting the Americans for control of the Lower Great Lakes. The defeat of the Americans and the massacre of their wounded rallied the nation and especially Kentucky.

Five out of six Kentucky men of military age fought in the War of 1812. Eight Kentucky counties were named to honor Kentuckians who died in the Battle of the River Raisin: Allen, Edmonson, Graves, Hart, Hickman, McCracken, Meade, and Simpson. Ballard County, named for Capt. Bland Williams Ballard, is the only county named for a survivor.

Kentucky's War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission hopes to draw attention to this heritage with events throughout the year, including recognizing the more than 30 Kentucky counties named for War of 1812 casualties and veterans.