WQXE News

The Stephen Foster Drama Association will be hosting auditions next month for their upcoming summer productions.

In-person auditions for The Stephen Foster Story and The Sound of Music will be held Saturday, February 22 at Nelson County High School in Bardstown. The drama association says they look forward to welcoming returning performers and new faces to the amphitheatre at My Old Kentucky Home State Park this summer.

Audition time slots are available on a first come, first served basis. Interested participants should reserve a time by emailing stephenfosterstoryauditions@gmail.com with the subject line “Local Audition Time.” Virtual auditions may also be submitted for principal roles and ensemble dancers. Youth auditioning for The Sound of Music are asked to prepare material listed on the Auditions page at stephenfoster.com.

Following auditions, some participants may be asked to submit additional material via video or to attend a callback. Rehearsals begin on or around May 28.
The Stephen Foster Story runs June 14 through August 9. The Sound of Music runs July 9 through August 6. Visit stephenfoster.com for more information.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their second meeting of the month Tuesday evening.

The court approved an ordinance amending the budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul said the main element of the amendment was to facilitate a federal Community Development Block Grant for Family Scholar House.

“It’s kind of a pass-through that needed to be dealt with for this grant to come to fruition, so that’s $1 million,” Taul said. “So $1 million comes in and then it adds up to $1 million back out again.”

An ordinance amending annual standing orders to pre-approved recurring expenses was also approved, which Taul said was also related to the grant.

County IT Director Aaron Miller presented on the redesigned county website which was prepared with CivicPlus. Miller said the new website offers better functionality with mobile devices and offers features such as a citizen notification feature and a dedicated fiscal court hub.

“The new website is more streamlined,” Miller said. “It’s easy to navigate. The search function works really well, and the menus, instead of having to click on it and click and click and click, it’s right there and you can find it fairly easily.”

Hardin County EMS made 1,391 responses in December, and E-911 answered 4,000 calls. The county issued a proclamation declaring January 28 as Timmy Carr Day in honor of Carr’s 23-year career serving county citizens. Hardin County EMS Director Mark Peterson said the department would not be the same without Carr.

“When Timmy and I started this journey, he told me ‘Mark, I’m gonna give you 110 percent,’” Peterson said. “And I feel very confident that you’ve done that and then some. I want to personally thank you for your leadership, your mentorship, and most importantly your friendship.”

During approval of the consent agenda, Magistrate Kenny Saltsman motioned for a resolution for the termination of the county’s contract with Forever Homes for Paws be acted on separately. The resolution then died without a second.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet February 11.

If you enjoy singing and are looking for a chance to share and practice those talents, the Heart of Kentucky Chorus invites you to their Guest Night, which will be held Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the East Hardin Middle School Band Room.

The chorus sings a capella in a variety of styles including barbershop, jazz, gospel, country, and pop. The chorus is open to singers male and female, high school age and up.

Visitors to Guest Night will get to hear about and participate in what the chorus has meant to members such as Bob Swope.

“I’ve enjoyed the chorus now for a number of years,” Swope said. “I like to sing, and we have a wonderful group. It’s much like an extended family, really, that also love to sing. Fortunately, we have an awesome director in Aaron Dale. He has a way of getting some pretty fantastic sounds out of some rather average voices (laughs), and he makes it a lot of fun, too.”

Guest Night is a no pressure way to learn more, and to have a good time.

“We’ll have some good food, as well as opportunities for our guests to learn a few tags and sing along with the chorus.” Swope said. “There’s no obligations or commitments expected. If you like to sing, come on out and join us.”

The chorus hosts their regular rehearsals Thursday evenings at East Hardin Middle School. Find the Heart of Kentucky Chorus on Facebook for more information.