Making it Happen

A nightmare of an injury woke Stacey Hardin from her dream job. Fortunately, an innovative procedure had her dreaming again before she even started counting sheep.

Hardin had started seeing trainer Dale Benedict in 1998 at The Training Studio in St. Matthews.

“I was like a completely different person after six months,” Hardin said. “Not just physically — mentally and emotionally, it just changed my whole life.”

One day, she told Benedict she envied his career.

“You’ve got the greatest job in the world,” she told him. “To see the changes that you make in somebody has got to be the most rewarding thing in the world.”

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Airport proposal takes flight

There may be some turbulence along the way, but an airport in Oldham County is in the process of being cleared for take-off.

An airport board was created this year to meet state and federal regulations and to analyze the feasibility of such a venture. The board will oversee the project to the end, said Judge-Executive Duane Murner, regardless of whether the end comes when the project is abandoned or when an airport is built.

The airport would reside on 250 to 350 acres, located in the eastern part of Oldham County. Federal Aviation Administration restrictions dictate the airport must be a 30-minute drive from the nearest other airport, Bowman Field in Louisville. The single runway would be between 2,500 and 7,000 feet long.

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‘Celebrated citizen’ was adventurous, independent

Georgia Tilden was a doctor’s daughter, growing up when house calls were standard and you took a horse and buggy to get there. When she was old enough, Tilden learned to drive and would take her father to make his visits in the car.

Her daughter, Beth Parrish, describes her as “pretty adventurous.”

Tilden, 94, of La Grange, died Tuesday, May 8, 2007.

“She was very independent,” Parrish said. “She had a vision about how she wanted things to be.”

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A long life of compassion

Mary Agnes Haunz learned to be frugal after growing up during the Depression.

“I think she invented recycling,” Sister Ruth Ann Haunz, an Ursuline nun, said of her mother. “She grew up very poor and learned values were much more important than things.

“But, she was extravagant with her love,” Haunz said.

Haunz, 97, of Pewee Valley, died Wednesday, April 25, 2007, in the presence of her eight children.

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Coming Attractions

Kentucky moves to find new ways to expand and enhance the state park system

Parks are usually places to relax, to unwind, to enjoy the calming effects of nature -- but those peaceful feelings don't extend to the Kentucky State Park system itself.

In fact, the parks system is so busy Parks Commissioner J.T. Miller wasn't even sure where to begin in a recent interview.

There are numerous building projects kicking off in 2007, including various cottage and lodge developments, marinas and restaurants at some of the system's 53 parks and historic sites.

But one aspect of these projects Miller emphasized is that the park system is delving into more public/private partnerships to create those lodges, cottages, marinas, restaurants and even some golf courses.

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