Inside NKY

Humana Communities Benefit has named Vision 2015 the winner of a $100,000 grant to create an urban greenway and multi-use trail system from the mouth of the Licking River in Northern Kentucky to I-275.

“This type of comprehensive trail and greenway system is key to improving the health and wellness of community members as well as enhancing Northern Kentucky’s urban neighborhoods,” says Kara Clark, vice president of Strategic Initiatives at Vision 2015.

“This generous investment by Humana will allow us to expand a network of trails in Covington that will be transformational for that community and beyond.”

The Humana Communities Benefit gala is the culmination of the health and benefit company’s grant program. Through Humana Communities Benefit, one-time grants are awarded to improve the well-being of the communities in which Humana operates. This was the fourth year for the program in Greater Cincinnati.

With this year’s awards, Humana Communities Benefit has invested $465,000 in the Tristate. The other winners were Dan Beard Council, Boy Scouts of America, $10,000; and University of Cincinnati Foundation, Clermont College, $5,000.

— THE EDITORS

DEVELOPMENT
Business Group seeks members

The fall membership goal is “200 by 2012” for the Covington Business Council. Executive Director Pat Frew says membership volunteers are hitting the streets of the central business district to encourage non-member businesses to join.

The council has 145 members representing retail and professional services firms. The CBC advocates for a healthy business climate. Its clean-and-safe program initiated by the Urban Partnership of Covington is off to a successful start. In its first six months, nearly 15 tons of litter and more than 400 instances of graffiti have been removed. “Making the area cleaner is a necessary first step in attracting people and making them feel welcome here. That can lead not only to shoppers but also eventually to residents and business owners who want to locate here,” says Frew. For details, (859) 431-1500 or www.cbcky.com.

— THE EDITORS

AVIATION HONOR
Dayton Native: “Go Fly, Have Fun”

Ed Schneider, a Dayton, Ky., native,and Thomas More College graduate is being inducted into the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame in recognition of his prolific career as a test pilot for the U.S. Navy and NASA. The Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame acknowledges Kentuckians who have made significant contributions to aviation and aerospace, and Schneider played an important role in researching and testing new military aircraft. The youngest graduate in the history of the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, Schneider conducted “first flights” in five unique research aircraft. Among these, as project pilot for the F-18, Schneider was the first pilot to conduct multi-axis thrust-vectored flight.

Flying new, untested aircraft has its risks, but that never stopped Schneider. He flew 6,700 hours in 83 different aircraft. He was drawn to test piloting “not only because of the variety of the work, but also because of our ability to work with leading-edge technology on a regular basis,” he says.

What about the danger? Schneider sums up his attitude toward his job in four words: “Go fly, have fun.” He’ll be inducted Nov. 12 at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky at Blue Grass Field in Lexington.

— JOE CARRIERE

SWEET TREAT
Graeter’s Is Back AND Scooping It Up

Graeter’s Ice Cream is once again scooping up in Newport and Fort Mitchell. Both stores have been renovated and are now open at 1409 N. Grand Ave., just across from Newport on the Levee, and 301 Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell.

The moves not only bring the ice cream we know and love back to NKY, but they’re just in time for the seasonal limited-edition flavors of pumpkin pie and peppermint.

What’s new? Graeter’s full line of bakery and candy products is being sold in stores for the first time in a decade. What hasn’t changed? Rich, all-natural ice cream in all your favorite flavors.

— JULIANNA ROCHE

BUSINESS
Bunning, Lasorda Headline Nov. 10 event at NKU

Northern Kentucky University welcomes Jim Bunning, known for his Major League Baseball play and long political career, on Nov. 10 with “U.S. Senator Jim Bunning: Baseball and Beyond,” a reception, dinner and lecture to raise money to support the processing of Bunning’s congressional papers and baseball memorabilia.

The former U.S. senator from Kentucky donated items from his years with the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, where he pitched no-hitters and a perfect game, along with correspondence and reports from his 24 years as a U.S. representative and senator to NKU’s W. Frank Steely Library. Bunning was voted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1996.
To speed the process of preserving and cataloguing the collection, NKU is hosting a fundraiser, where Bunning’s friends and supporters, including special guest Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda will honor the senator.
Tickets range from $1,000 for an intimate reception; $125 for dinner and a speech; and $25 for a lecture, in which Lasorda and Bunning will recall their Major League days and Bunning will reflect on the current political landscape.

For details: (859) 572-6062 or www.nku.edu.

— THE EDITORS

Thomas More College freshmen began their school year with the “90 Days of Service” project by participating in a number of service opportunities. The initiative reflects 90 years of service-oriented tradition at the college located in Crestview Hills.

The project was part of orientation for freshmen though other students, faculty, staff and alumni were encouraged to join.

Stacy Rogers, director of communications and public relations, says the goal is to inspire people to do good for others. The 90 days will end Nov. 19, but Rogers says the school is considering extending it.

— SAVANNAH STARK

LEGAL
Hughes Joins Attorney General’s Office

Dressman Benzinger LaVelle law partner Patrick Hughes has joined the Office of the Attorney General as the new Chief Deputy Attorney General.

He is on leave from DBL Law, where he practices banking, commercial transactions and litigation, administrative and corporate law, commercial real estate and public procurement.

“I greatly appreciate this opportunity to once again serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Hughes says.  “I look forward to assisting Jack Conway with running the Office of the Attorney General and being able to work so closely with him.” 

Hughes previously served as an attorney in the Department of Financial Institutions and was a senior staff member in the Finance and Administration Cabinet from 1995 to 1997 during the administrations of Gov. Brereton Jones and Gov. Paul Patton. 

Hughes is a graduate of the law school at the University of Kentucky.  He resides in Edgewood and is a member of several community boards in Northern Kentucky.

—THE EDITORS