Chamber awards 2026: Educator of the Year 2026-05-19 - Adair County, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com. J.R. Thompson was recognized as Educator of the Year for his commitment to helping students succeed. He is pictured with his FBLA student, Natalie Bardin, who said, "As I served as state president, Mr. Thompson was one of my biggest supporters and helped guide me through every challenge and opportunity. He always believed in me, encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone, and reminded me of the leader I was capable of becoming." Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Chamber awards 2026: Small Business award 2026-05-19 - Adair County, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com. North Century Pharmacy, owned by Easton Bryant, center, earned the Columbia Adair Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award. During the presentation, director Ellen Zornes described Bryant as someone who built the business from the ground up through hard work, long hours and a servant-hearted attitude. Bryant was recognized not only for filling prescriptions, but also for delivering medications after hours, on holidays and during emergencies when customers needed assistance. Family members described him as humble, compassionate and deeply committed to serving others, while chamber officials pointed to the pharmacy's continued growth and strong community reputation. Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Chamber awards 2026: Business Man of the Year 2026-05-19 - Adair County, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com. Matthew Loy, second from right, was selected among these nominees to receive the Business/Professional Man Award for his leadership and service through United Citizens Bank. A graduate of Adair County High School and the University of Kentucky, Loy began his banking career in 2003 and eventually became CEO of UCB in 2014. Zornes described him as a leader who values personal relationships and community banking while remaining approachable to customers and active in his children's activities. In addition to his work in banking, Loy spends much of his time supporting youth sports and attending games involving his family. Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Kathy Parker wins a new Viper 2026-05-19 - Adair Co., KY - Photo courtesy Kathy Parker. Kathy Parker of Columbia was the winner of the Sheffield Financial National Wild Turkey Federation Giveaway held in Nashville in February 2026. Mark Souder from Sheffield Financial and Mike Mitchell, President of Viper Manufacturing, delivered the prize, a 2026 Viper 860 XP mower, this week. Kathy's will be the first Viper Mower in Kentucky. They tell Kathy that it has a 60-inch cutting deck and 34.5hp engine that will make summer grass cutting a dream. Kathy's husband, Paul, was as excited as she was about winning this prize. Pictured are Mark Souder, Paul Parker, Kathy Parker, and Mike Mitchell. Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Mary Berry Charitable Trust makes 1st distribution to TJCMF 2026-05-19 - Glasgow, KY - Photo courtesy T.J. Community Mission Foundation. T.J. Community Mission Foundation (TJCMF) received the first annual distribution from the Mary Elizabeth Jones Berry Charitable Trust during a special check presentation ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Shanti Niketan Hospice Home in Glasgow. Those present included (L to R): Barrett Metzger, Karla Gentry - Director of Hospice, Neil Thornbury - President and CEO of T.J. Regional Health, Randy Burns, and Dan Foutch. Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Mary Elizabeth Jones Berry 2026-05-19 - Louisville, KY - Photo courtesy T.J. Community Mission Foundation. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Jones Berry, who was a patient at Shanti Niketan Hospice Home prior to her passing, chose to remember the hospice home in her estate plans by naming the TJCMF as a beneficiary of her charitable trust. The trust will provide annual distributions in support of the Shanti Niketan Hospice Home for the next 50 years Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

birds of Kentucky: Robin in the mulberry tree 2026-05-19 - Central Kentucky - Photo by Pen. A robin drops in to sample the new crop of mulberries. Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

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