Bardstown High School celebrated the accomplishments of Career and Technical Education students Wednesday morning during the annual Path2Pro Industry Certification Awards Breakfast held in the multipurpose space at the Bardstown Polytechnic Center. Hosted each year by Workforce Development Coordinator Lance Blanford, the breakfast recognizes seniors for their hard work, certifications, technical achievements, competition success, and career readiness. Teachers, instructors, and community business partners who provide placement opportunities for students were also in attendance. Breakfast for the event was prepared and served by Bardstown High School culinary students within the Polytechnic Center, giving students an opportunity to showcase the real-world culinary and hospitality skills developed through the school’s Hospitality/Culinary program.This year, BHS students earned an impressive 154 industry certifications and state technical assessments across multiple Career and Technical Education pathways.Industry Certifications and Technical Assessments – 154 in TotalEngineeringStudents earned 16 NOCTI CAD Foundation certifications, recognizing foundational skills in computer-aided design and technical drafting.Hospitality/CulinaryStudents earned 17 certifications, including two students who earned the ServSafe Managers Certification for the first time in Bardstown High School history. The certification focuses on food safety, sanitation, and restaurant management practices.Business/MarketingStudents earned 18 certifications in accounting, administrative support, and marketing.Health ScienceStudents earned 77 certifications, including:42 Healthcare Core certifications17 MNA certifications8 Phlebotomy Technician certifications7 EKG Technician certificationsAdditional certifications included Patient Care Technician, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Veterinary Technician, and Pharmacy Technician certifications.General Contracting ConstructionStudents earned 44 Home Builders Institute certifications, an industry-recognized certification focused on foundational construction and workplace skills.Students also earned certifications through the school’s partnership with the Up Center in:Information Technology (3)Automotive (3)Carpentry (2)Carpentry students also successfully passed the Tech Ready Apprentices for Careers in Kentucky (TRACK) assessment, allowing them to bypass the first year of an apprenticeship program following graduation.Regional and State Competition RecognitionStudents were recognized for outstanding performances in both Engineering and Health Science regional and state competitions.Engineering Regional Competition Results1st and 2nd Place — CAD Architecture2nd Place — CAD Engineering2nd Place — Digital Video Production2nd Place — Music Production2nd Place — Photographic Technology2nd Place — PVC Design1st Place — Technology Problem Solving3rd Place overall finishEngineering State Competition2nd Place CAD Architecture — Isaac CecilHealth Science Regional Competition Results1st and 5th Place — Nursing Assisting2nd Place — Occupational Therapy1st Place — Parliamentary Procedures2nd Place — Dental Science4th Place — Emergency Medical Technician5th Place — Forensic Technology5th Place — Medical TerminologyHealth Science State Competition Results1st Place Occupational Therapy — Annebelle Mattingly3rd Place Nursing Assisting — Laken Lucas5th Place Dental Science — Alex RobyScholarship RecognitionEngineering student Everett Sagrecy was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from American Fuji Seal for his internship work in the ink lab. The award was presented by Wilma Sorrell and Scott Giffels of American Fuji Seal.Brenda Buffin Excellence in Career and Technical Education AwardThe Brenda Buffin Excellence in Career and Technical Education Award honors the legacy of Mrs. Brenda Buffin, who dedicated thirty years to Bardstown High School and Career and Technical Education. Throughout her career, she worked tirelessly to ensure students learned current business and workforce skills while creating opportunities for leadership, competition, networking, and personal growth.Mrs. Buffin served as a teacher, department chair, CTE Coordinator, FBLA adviser, and leader at both the local and state level. Most importantly, she believed in making learning meaningful, helping students grow, and teaching the importance of lifelong learning and respect for others.The award recognizes outstanding students from Engineering, Business/Marketing, Health Science, Culinary, and Construction who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic achievement, character, dedication to their program area, and a commitment to representing Career and Technical Education in a positive way.This year’s recipients included:General Contracting Construction — David LittonHealth Science — Laken LucasEngineering — Emily HillHospitality/Culinary — Matthew PenistonA huge thank you to the Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education for their generous financial support in helping make these certifications possible for our students.Bardstown High School congratulates all students recognized during this year’s Career and Technical Education Awards Breakfast and thanks the teachers, instructors, families, and community partners who continue to invest in student success.CLICK HERE to view all photos from the BHS Path2Pro Industry Certification Awards Breakfast.

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HAHarvey Walden

3 days ago

Patricia Meredith, 72

Patricia Meredith, of Bardstown, Kentucky, went to be with the Lord, Thursday, June 4, 2026. She was born August 4, 1953, in Louisville, Kentucky. The daughter of Daniel and Phyllis Meredith.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Danny Meredith.She is survived by her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildrenIn accordance with Patricia’s wishes, cremation was chosen by the family. The family will hold a private service at a later date. The Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home in Bardstown is in charge of arrangements.

general

HAHarvey Walden

1 week ago

Free Summer Meals Available for Bardstown Children Starting June 11

Bardstown City Schools is proud to offer free summer meals for children through the USDA Summer Nutrition Program. This program is open to all children in the community ages 18 and under — students do not have to attend Bardstown City Schools to participate. Each child registered will receive one weekly meal bag containing 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches. Meal bags are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with 400 bags distributed each week. Meal Pick-Up Information Dates: Every Thursday beginning June 11 through July 16Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.Location: Bardstown Elementary School Cafeteria Reserve Your Weekly Meal Bag To help speed up the pickup process, families are encouraged to complete the weekly reservation form before arriving. A separate form must be completed for each week you plan to participate. Weekly Reservation Forms Week 1 — June 11 Week 2 — June 18 Week 3 — June 25 Week 4 — July 2 Week 5 — July 9 Week 6 — July 16 For more information about the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement, please visit the USDA official website.

Community Remembrances

Bardstown Bourbon Festival Scheduled for September 2026

1 week ago

"The United States remains one of the most active markets for bourbon tourism. In Kentucky alone, for instance, tons of global visitors schedule whiskey-related travel, booking tickets for months in advance. For those who love attending, the second half of 2026 is packed with whisky and bourbon festivals across the nation. These gatherings bring together distilleries, collectors, and casual drinkers for a vast range of experiences, ranging from large-scale tastings to brand showcases, and cultural experiences. The rest of this review shows key confirmed and widely recognized events scheduled for the second half of the year. Kentucky Bourbon Festival: Bardstown, Kentucky (September 10–13, 2026) The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is the most important bourbon event in America’s calendar. It runs for four days in Bardstown, which is widely called the Bourbon Capital of the World. The festival attracts such a high percentage of out-of-state visitors that it has become a major tourism driver for Kentucky’s spirits industry. The 2026 edition doubles as its 35th anniversary and features dozens of distilleries, tasting sessions, and educational experiences. Visitors typically get access to scores of participating distilleries, guided tasting programs, exclusive single-barrel bottle releases, and live music and food vendors. Bourbon & Beyond Festival: Louisville, Kentucky (September 24–27, 2026) Bourbon & Beyond is one of the largest bourbon-themed lifestyle festivals in the States. Unlike conventional tasting events, it combines bourbon culture with live music and food experiences. The 2026 edition will run for four days in Louisville and features major international artists alongside bourbon tastings and culinary showcases. Key highlights to look out for at this event include bourbon tasting villages, chef-led food experiences, multiple live performance stages, and large-scale festival grounds at Kentucky Exposition Center. The event blends entertainment and whiskey culture, making it more than a traditional tasting festival. Whiskey Classic-Style Events (Regional Fall 2026 Tastings) Several regional whiskey events outside Kentucky are also set to take place in the second half of 2026 across the US. They include curated tasting festivals in cities like Chicago, San Diego, and Nashville – all focused on craft distilleries and limited releases. Common features at these meets include restricted audience sizes (to 100 or less), smaller-batch and craft whiskey sampling, masterclass sessions with distillers, and food-pairing experiences. These regional festivals often sell out quickly due to limited capacity and exclusive pours. Let’s see some of them. San Diego Spirit Festival: California (Late September 2026) If you live on the West Coast and are seeking a worthwhile bourbon festival to attend, The San Diego Spirit Festival is a great choice. It’s one of the most prominent West Coast whiskey events and brings together bourbon, rye, scotch, and craft whiskey producers in one venue. Key features visitors can expect include a range of experiences of experiences including premium tasting rooms, interactive brand showcases, cocktail demonstrations, and limited-edition bottle access. Thankfully for whiskey and bourbon festival lovers here, the West Coast whiskey audience has grown steadily in recent years, as demand has increased for premium and imported bourbon expressions. Midwest Whiskey Events: Chicago and Michigan (Fall 2026) If you’re in the Midwest, there are a range of whiskey festivals to explore as the circuit expands further 2026. Between September and November, Chicago and surrounding states are set to host multiple large tasting events for whiskey and bourbon lovers. Usually, these festivals focus heavily on American bourbon brands, rye whiskey producers, international whiskey imports, and educational tasting panels. Many events also include VIP sessions where attendees can sample rare or aged bottles that are unavailable in retail markets. Conclusion The second half of 2026 offers a strong lineup of whisky and bourbon festivals across the United States. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival remains the nation’s flagship event, while other regions follow closely with rapidly expanding festival circuits. Visitors at regional and coastal festivals can expect variety, as whiskey enthusiasts can enjoy more access to craft distilleries and rare pours. Wherever you are in the US, you can always schedule your visits to bourbon and whiskey festivals near you for a full cultural experience that transcends the conventional drink tasting. The post Upcoming Whisky and Bourbon Festivals in the USA: Second Half of 2026 – Key Dates & Highlights appeared first on Whiskeyfestival."

Stephen Foster Drama Association to Host Youth Performing Arts Academy This Summer

2 weeks ago

"Bardstown, KY — The Stephen Foster Drama Association (SFDA) is set to host a series of theatre camps for area youth this summer through its Youth Performing Arts Academy. A total of three distinct camps will be hosted, each centered on a different theatre production. Participants will learn core theatre skills, including solo and ensemble singing, choreography, ensemble work and more. Session 1: Annie Day Camp Date: July 10 | Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Grades: 2nd–8th This day camp gives participants an exclusive behind-the-curtain look at SFDA’s production of “Annie.” Campers will get a backstage tour of the production and the opportunity to learn the basics of vocals, choreography, acting and designing props and playbills. Camp wraps with a mini “Annie” showcase for parents at 3:30 p.m. and the opportunity to attend that evening’s performance of “Annie.” Cost: $150 per camper; includes one adult ticket and one student ticket to the performance of “Annie” at 8 p.m. Additional tickets will be available at the box office. Session 2: Dare to Dream Jr.: A Disney Musical Revue Camp Dates: July 20 – 26 | Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.| Grades: 2nd–12th At this day camp, students step into the spotlight with a deep dive into musical theatre, Disney-style. Campers will participate in acting and vocal workshops, solo and ensemble singing, choreography and ensemble work. Camp concludes with a public performance of “Disney Dare to Dream, Jr.” on July 26, featuring a thrilling mix of Disney’s contemporary songs, timeless classics and brand-new medleys. Cost: $250 per camper; includes two tickets to the public performance on Sunday, July 26 at 7 p.m. Additional tickets will be available for $5 each at the box office. Session 3: Winnie the Pooh KIDS Camp Dates: Aug. 24 – 29 | Time: 4 – 7 p.m.| Grades: 2nd–8th At this camp, participants venture into the Hundred Acre Wood with a show based on the beloved characters of A.A. Milne and the animated Disney film. Campers will engage in acting and vocal workshops, solo and ensemble singing, choreography and ensemble work. Camp ends with a public performance of “Winnie the Pooh KIDS” on Saturday, Aug. 29. Cost: $250 per camper; includes two tickets to the public performance on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. Additional tickets will be available for $5 each at the box office. Teaching artists include Allen and Katie Brooks. Allen is a math and theatre teacher at Thomas Nelson High School in Bardstown, where he directs productions. He also works in professional theatre as an actor and sound designer/engineer. Katie teaches theatre and English at her alma mater, Bethlehem High School in Bardstown. There, she directs all theatre productions, as well as the school’s International Thespian Society Troupe. “Through these camps, we want students to build confidence, express their creativity and experience the joy of storytelling in a supportive and fun environment,” Katie said. “Our goal is to offer an experience that fosters a love of theatre among a wide range of students.” Space is limited. All sessions will be held at the J. Dan Talbott Amphitheater in historic Bardstown, Kentucky (411 E. Stephen Foster Ave). To register, visit stephenfoster.com/academy. "

Bardstown City Council Overview

2 weeks ago

"The City Council is the legislative body of the City of Bardstown. It is comprised of six council members elected at large. The City Council is responsible for enacting ordinances, resolutions, and orders for the governance of the city."

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