By Cheryl Steenerson, PFK Bluegrass Region Coordinator

As 2019 rolled in, I began to realize just how few opportunities existed for our adult consumers to socialize and make new friends, after they left school. That’s when the 3^rd Thursday Social Club was born.

Though PFK started it, we only organize and execute it, because we wanted to open it up to all adult IDD folks in the Bluegrass area. Any adult on the Waiver can attend, along with their staff.

Though 2020 got hijacked from us, 2019 saw lots of fun activities and attendees. On the 3^rd Thursday of each month we would gather for a meal and a fun afternoon activity like visiting the Bluegrass Airport Museum, touring Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory, The Movie Tavern, 3D printing, pizza and bowling, crafting and painting. Each event is kept low cost and each participant pays their own way, if there is a fee.

Now that 2021 has arrived, we already have one done! On Thursday, May 20^th, the group met at the Josephine Sculpture Park in Frankfort for an outdoor picnic and tour of the grounds.

It was a perfect day with plenty of sunshine and even a light breeze! Participants brought their own lunch and then followed the map to see numerous astounding works, complete with information signs explaining the work and the artist. Everyone had a blast!

Several of the pieces were interactive and invited the participants to touch, climb and even sing within them. The park is a nonprofit that runs on donations. A golf cart is available for use for those with mobility issues. They also have classes and events, both day and night, to introduce visitors to a variety of art and even understanding the night sky!

Many events for 2021 are in the works including Shaker Village (Harrodsburg), The Living Arts & Science Center (Lexington), lake fishing (Richmond) and the River Cruise (Frankfort). Suggestions for events are encouraged from the participants. 

Denise Knight and Teresa Lonkard

Paulette has always been passionate about learning and about achieving her goals. When she learned about the College Connections program through Down Syndrome of Louisville with a partnership with JCTC, she knew she wanted to be a part of it. On May 23, 2019, after almost 3 years of hard work and determination, Paulette celebrated graduating college at Jefferson Community and Technical College. Paulette enjoyed taking part in classes including Life Skills, which she attended with several of her peers. She then chose a variety of integrated courses including African American Music History, Drawing, and History of Rock and Roll. She reported that she loved her music classes and learned a lot. After giving a speech during her ceremony about what graduating meant to her, she celebrated her accomplishment with her family home provider and her siblings. She said it was a “great day” and she was sure to let all of her friends know about her graduation. Paulette shared that her mother had always told her that she could graduate college and she wanted to complete the program for her mother.  Paulette is excited to have her certificate of completion and to be a college graduate. She is ready to go out and change the world. Congratulations Paulette!

The Bluegrass Does It Again!

The Bluegrass Region of PFK held their annual Fun & Fit Field Day in June at Lawrenceburg’s Splash Park and BOY was it fun! Each year DSPs, consumers and their families are invited to participate in a day of healthy food and fun physical exercise.

This year, over 35 participated in the Splash Park antics along with Frisbee fun, beach ball volleyball, hula hooping, jump roping, water balloon fights and best of all making giant bubbles!

Healthy salads, fresh fruits, chicken, grilled garden veggies and turkey dogs beat out avocado chocolate pudding, brownies and watermelon slushies, only by a nose!

Even Wiggles, the Humane Society’s mascot showed up to give hugs and get pictures taken. Path Forward of KY is proud to offer this free and fun event that not only promotes opportunities for learning about healthy choices in an inclusive environment, but grows socialization skills for our wonderful consumers while on their road to success! At PFK, we’ll make the journey with you!

The Bluegrass Does It Again!

The Bluegrass Region of PFK held their annual Fun & Fit Field Day in June at Lawrenceburg’s Splash Park and BOY was it fun! Each year DSPs, consumers and their families are invited to participate in a day of healthy food and fun physical exercise.

This year, over 35 participated in the Splash Park antics along with Frisbee fun, beach ball volleyball, hula hooping, jump roping, water balloon fights and best of all making giant bubbles!

Healthy salads, fresh fruits, chicken, grilled garden veggies and turkey dogs beat out avocado chocolate pudding, brownies and watermelon slushies, only by a nose!

Even Wiggles, the Humane Society’s mascot showed up to give hugs and get pictures taken. Path Forward of KY is proud to offer this free and fun event that not only promotes opportunities for learning about healthy choices in an inclusive environment, but grows socialization skills for our wonderful consumers while on their road to success! At PFK, we’ll make the journey with you!

Chelsea, Eric and I first met in an art studio years ago. They both were very active and enthusiastic about trying different types of art. Since that time it’s been my honor to work with them outside of that studio and we’ve continued to use art as a means to relax, study and give away as gifts. We’ve painted wine glasses, done wood burning, and used a variety of mediums to create different pieces.

     Eric: I like to do art to make myself and others happy. I painted a portrait of my friend’s father after he passed away and she loved it. Working on art is fun to do. I have no favorite type of art. It’s like food, I like to try different things. When I paint I like to do characters from movies or design my own. One day I’d like to design characters for a video game.

     Chelsea: Art relaxes me. I also like to make crafts for myself and others. I really like to make yarn hair bands and other items for my reborn doll. Sketching Anime is one of my favorite activities. After a car accident, I was afraid I couldn’t do art again, but it has helped strengthen my hand and arm and I’m getting better than I was before I broke my arm.

by: Deb Owens, DSP

Community Activity @ painting with a Twist by Chelsea 

Acrylic painting by Eric

Wine glass painted by Eric 

Wood burning and watercolor by Chelsea