Walter Bailey

Covington during the 1937 flood

Civil War reenactor at Fort Wright

The northernmost tip of Kentucky is a vibrant region, rich with colorful history and an abundance of stories to tell. KET's Where the River Bends: A History of Northern Kentucky is the first extensive documentary to focus on Kentucky's Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. The program, narrated by Nick Clooney, airs Sunday, March 11 at 7/6 p . m . CT on KET1 and Thursday, March 15 at 7/6 p . m . CT on KET2 as part of KET's TeleFund 2007 .

Where the River Bends examines the social and historical events that contributed to the evolution of Northern Kentucky, beginning some 100,000 years ago with the shifting of the Ohio River to its current course and following the area's history through the arrival of Native Americans, European explorers and settlers, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Depression and up to the present day.

Some of the events highlighted are the influx of immigrants from Germany and Ireland, the growing rift between North and South in the years leading up to the Civil War, the development of street car lines and the Lagoon amusement park in the late 1800s, the election and assassination of Governor William Goebel of Covington, how Newport became known as "Sin City," anti-German hysteria in the World War I era , and a seemingly minor decision made during World War II that ultimately led to Northern Kentucky's current renaissance.

Where the River Bends also looks at the Ohio River flood of 1937 and the 1977 Beverly Hills Supper Club fire. Walter Bailey, a busboy at the Beverly Hills Supper Club at the time of the fire, provides a rare interview. Bailey , credited with saving many lives during the fire, received a letter from President Jimmy Carter and the Salvation Army award for his actions.

The program provides viewers with a sense of the people and places that shaped the area through interviews with local historians, writers, community leaders and residents as well as footage of rare photographs and vintage home movies.

Where the River Bends: A History of Northern Kentucky is a KET production, produced by Marsha Cooper Hellard. Line producers are Charlee Heaton and Tom Bickel. Craig Cornwell is executive producer.