“The Grinnin’ Possum” is a podcast created by Transylvania English professor Maurice Manning. Manning is from Danville, Kentucky, and he claims that his ancestors were some of the earliest settlers of Southeast Kentucky. For that reason, Manning feels he has a deep bond with Kentucky, and he claims that through his podcast, he has broadened his sense of the state. He has a passion for history and seeking the truth, and he integrates that history into his poetry, which serves as the centerpiece of the podcast. Although each poem in each episode is full of history, they also have a silly side, with Manning describing his poems as “humorous, farcical, and outlandish.”
The podcast also focuses on Kentucky folk music, with the main theme of the show having been performed and composed by Manning himself. The locations where the episodes are recorded are also used as instruments. Manning described how he wanted to record his episodes in various settings and to use the sounds of those spaces as an instrument along with his poems. He wanted to give the audience an interactive experience of poetry, something more than just reading the sentences. The podcast visits sites across the state, from the Red River Gorge to the Rock Hill Plantation in Paducah, and Manning integrates the sounds and history of these places into his poetry and music. Manning stated how he’s always wanted to bring art and geography together in this way, but that he couldn’t have done it without his podcast editor Steve Cody. Both Manning and Cody appreciated what the other brought to the table for the podcast to come to life, with Cody working with microphones and sound equipment to make sure they got the best sound from each recording location. Manning described the podcast as his first creative activity that was a truly collaborative effort and said he couldn’t have done it alone.
agreement with the city of Lexington, which will provide LexHistory with $270,000 in yearly funding as long as specific benchmarks are met, including a physical location.
Black jockeys and trainers to early Kentucky Derby winners, the history of black four-rail fences, and the HorseMania events of the 21st century. Another of Lexington’s world-famous industries is Bourbon, and the museum tells the history of some of Lexington’s most famous distilleries of the past and present, from James E. Pepper to the Town Branch Distillery. These industries were bolstered in the late 19th and 20th centuries by the success of the hotel industry in Lexington. The museum focuses on the Phoenix Hotel that operated in downtown Lexington in some capacity from 1797 to 1981, highlighting its famous guests and its importance to the Civil Rights movement in Kentucky with the 1961 NBA boycott. The later portions of the museum dedicate significant attention to the importance of IBM in 20th-century Lexington, displaying several IBM products and contrasting how its arrival drove up local wages but led to divestment in downtown Lexington. Other aspects of the museum include a whole room dedicated to the Hunt Morgan Family that once lived on the property and a wind vane that once stood atop the old Fayette County Courthouse that is displayed at the entrance. 
vocalist Tyler Baker described the experience as “a great opportunity” for the musicians. He stated that “having the chance to play alongside our friends in Sphynx, as well as other incredible local artists, was perfect.” He added, too, that “having the support of the Transylvania community was wonderful, and we’re excited to grow in the Lexington music scene.”
Jack: Wow! That had to be a stressful month, especially on top of classes and other obligations.
Yesterday also happened to be the date of a standard health code inspection. With a previous score of 100 and a mostly consistent history of passing scores, students were shocked at the failing score of 86. While that would count as a “B” on your final exams, this score is similar to a “D” in the eyes of health inspectors, as a score less than 85 would constitute a process that might lead the facility to be shut down. More curious was the fact that the inspection notice was covered up by a miscellaneous sign during dinner hours, a small move that slid past many unsuspecting students. Once revealed, the health code inspection listed violations of the following requirements: Good Hygienic Practice, Protection from Contamination, Temperature Control for Safety, Utensils/Equipment, and Physical Facilities.