For Release: July 30 , 2007
A Kentucky landmark and an industry in a cottage that has become a cottage industry are featured on the next edition of Kentucky Life , airing Saturday, Aug. 18 at 8/7 p.m. CT and Sunday, Aug. 19 at 4:30/3:30 p.m. CT on KET1 and Sunday, Aug. 19 at 7/6 p.m. CT on KET2. Dave Shuffett and his dogs Charlie and Sadie host the program from the Underground Railroad Museum in Maysville.
Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg has delighted generations of visitors with its clean, simple architecture and lure of an idyllic life. In this segment, Dave learns about the Shakers' arrival in Kentucky, who they were and some of their beliefs. He also witnesses demonstrations of Shaker music, crafts, architecture, food and farm and agricultural life.
For years, making yarn was the purview of large manufacturers only, but a recent resurgence in the popularity of knitting and crocheting has led to yarn-making once again becoming a cottage industry. Kentucky Life stops by the Springfield farm of Kathy and Mark Koenig, operators of Koenig Farm & Spinnery. In order to produce their luxurious mohair yarns, their Angora goats "share" their mohair with them twice a year. The yarn, which is richly colored and amazingly soft, comes from their herd of approximately 100 goats and is washed, dyed, hand painted and spun right at the spinning mill located on the farm.
Finally, Dave tours the National Underground Railroad Museum in Maysville to learn more about the story of hope and struggle. The Maysville area is surrounded by stations on the Underground Railroad, each with a fascinating story to tell.
Kentucky Life is a KET production, produced by Joy Flynn. Segment producers for this program are Brandon Wickey, Cheryl Beckley and Dave Shuffett. More about KET programs and educational services, and how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org.