The next edition of Kentucky Life looks at an extensive cleanup of a cave that is home to hundreds of bats, a nationally known bagpipe musician and Louisville’s Portland Museum. The program, hosted by Dave Shuffett, airs Saturday, June 7 at 8/7 p.m. CT on KET1; Sunday, June 8 at 4:30/3:30 p.m. CT on KET1; and Sunday, June 8 at 7/6 p.m. CT on KET2.
First, Kentucky Life spotlights a cleanup underway in Pulaski County at Saltpeter Pit, a cave that is home to a colony of 500 to 600 rare Rafinesque’s big-eared bats, one of the largest populations in Kentucky. During early U.S. military conflicts, saltpeter was mined from the cave for gunpowder. Then, for many years, people used the area as a dumping ground, filling the cave’s passages with trash. The American Cave Conservation Association is now sponsoring the second season of the cleanup, where volunteers have already removed more than 200 tons of garbage, hoping to restore the bat’s habitat and improve the quality of water in nearby wells and creeks.
Next, Kentucky Life travels to Bowling Green to meet nationally known musician Skip Cleavinger, who plays the traditional Irish “uilleann” bagpipes and tin whistle. Cleavinger has toured with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith and performed with more than 34 symphony orchestras. Most recently, Cleavinger was a featured soloist with Alison Krauss and the Nashville Symphony.
Then, the program features the Portland Museum, which is housed in Beech Grove, an 1852 Italianate mansion located in Louisville’s Portland neighborhood. Louisville’s river heritage comes to life at the museum through vivid dioramas, life-sized character mannequins, documentaries and more. Museum visitors may also learn about the Portland neighborhood through walking tours, art exhibits and heritage events.
Kentucky Life is a KET production, produced by Joy Flynn. Segment producers are Charlee Heaton and Tom Bickel. Some Kentucky Life programs are available for on-demand videostream viewing at www.ket.org/kentuckylife.
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