KET’s next Kentucky Life spotlights the land once owned by George Washington and profiles African American graduates of Berea College. The program also gets a behind-the-scenes look at how animals are kept healthy and well-fed at the Louisville Zoo and visits the bustling Mississippi River port town of Hickman. The program airs Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8/7 pm and Sunday, Feb. 19 at 4/3 pm on KET and Monday, Feb. 20 at 7/6 pm on KET2.

First, in honor of President’s Day, Kentucky Life travels to Grayson County to explore the roughly 5,000 acres once owned by George Washington. The program details the history of the land – which was sold to Washington by the father of Robert E. Lee – and the work of its current landowners to maintain and preserve its heritage.

Then, host Doug Flynn talks with Dr. Alicestyne Turley of Berea College about the Carter G. Woodson Center for Interracial Education. She shares information about some of Berea College’s famous African-American alumni and explains why Berea College has long had a reputation as a welcoming and progressive place to learn.

Next, Kentucky Life explores the processes involved in feeding and keeping the animals healthy at the Louisville Zoo. Flynn interviews senior staff veterinarian Dr. Zoli Gyimesi about the zoo’s overall animal health program, including his daily rounds and procedures. Then, Flynn talks with zookeeper Rebekah Vaile about the variety of foods that must be served in order to meet the zoo’s wide range of animal appetites.

Finally, the program travels to far Western Kentucky, where the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport serves as a bustling economic engine for the area. Assistant Director Keleia McCloud and Harbor Master Terry Roncali explain the role of the Riverport – which serves as a key stop for barges shipping food and supplies throughout the U.S. as well as foreign countries – while viewers experience the action from the pilot seat of a tug boat working to place the barges into their holding positions. The segment also spotlights the Dorena-Hickman Ferry, which, in the absence of bridges, plays a vital role in helping Hickman’s citizens navigate the waters of the Mississippi.

Kentucky Life is a KET production, produced by Brandon Wickey. Segment producers for this episode are Paul Smith, Sean Anderson and Gary Pahler.

KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, serving more than one million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization on Twitter @KET and facebook.com/KET and at KET.org.

Contact:

Todd Piccirilli
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
859-258-7242
tpiccirilli@ket.org