Cynthiana | Harrison County

Biancke’s invites its guests to put the phone down and talk to the person sitting at the next table. It’s a place where families and friends gather to reminisce and to dream of a better tomorrow.

Since Roger Slade’s father died when he was young, he fears losing his loved ones. Now, Roger is comforted by the afterlife and gives ghost tours in his haunted opera house.

James Smith is in his second term as mayor of Cynthiana. He not only serves the townspeople but also fills the roles of theater owner, pastor, husband and ghost-tour guide.

Reed and Ashton Masterson are illusionists who grew up practicing magic in Cynthiana and now perform hundreds of shows across the country. Magic has literally changed their lives.

Robin Gassett and his Licking River Outfitters provides wounded soldiers and disabled veterans with opportunities to hunt — and to bond with others like them.

After 48 years of marriage, Gary and Debbie Lizer have found a new togetherness in their time with their grandchildren, their faith and their work to preserve God’s creation. 

Austin Jones is known throughout Cynthiana for his happy energy. The 30-year-old man has Down syndrome. When he was young, the community banded together to watch out for him. Now, they’re good friends.

Bruce Florence has learned that staying engaged is important as you grow older. She fills her time by finding a need in her community and working to fix it.

With a long-term goal to help his mother, Harrison County High School athlete La’Darius Connor has the work ethic of a grown man.

By day, Kenny Whitaker is a truck dispatcher. By night, he is Cynthiana’s country balladeer. With songs of life and love, Whitaker explores how values, like music, change with age.

Farming dates back in the Clifford family for six generations. With rising farm costs and reduced tobacco allotments, Ben finds new ways to support the family while still keeping the farm.

Bonnie Teater, 72, stays young by doing things for others. Her community is her passion. But Bonnie wonders what will happen when age forces her to slow down.

Elizabeth Gross is still haunted by the memories of her past. But in working to reconcile her pain, she found purpose.

Jason Marshall and his family usher in the future at their Cynthiana CBD store, Rocky Ridge Hemp Company.

After a lifetime of being a daughter and caretaker, Beth Laytart is enjoying her newfound solitude. She doesn’t care for large crowds or social situations — unless she’s playing the piano.

At his grandfather’s request, Daniel Potter moved to Cynthiana to help run B.A. Maintenance Services, Inc., the family business George Velat had founded in 1987.

Mike Jones always knew he was different. He grew up wanting to be like his brother and friends, writing lyrics on the front steps. Today, he is on the stage. 

Herby Moore, 89, lives in a colorful world. Painting every day, he takes pleasure in sharing his historic Cynthiana scenes with old and young.

Jerry Jenkins didn’t have to go far to make an impact. The former principal and coach has been shaping lives since 1962. Now, in retirement, he is shaping something else.  

Alan Roque, a high school student with special needs, finds happiness is his love for a very special Pokémon character.

A ‘farm for sale’ ad caught David Kramer’s eye 30 years ago and turned him from corporate to craftsman.

United by a passion for farming and family, the Switzers have adapted their work to stay on the land for five generations.

Roboo Walker was told in 6th grade he wouldn’t go to college. He proved them wrong. Now he’s back in that school, encouraging kids in ways he was not.

Once determined to never return to her hometown, Cynthiana native Annastasia Hicks is now embedded in her community and doesn’t plan to leave it or the Ashford Acres Inn.

Taylena Cason Burgan runs VanHook Hardware with her husband, Kent. The family business has been around for more than a century, yet faces an uncertain future. 

For Crystal Prather, Cynthiana’s elders are family, and she cares for them in a way she says they deserve.

What goes into almost 70 years of marriage? Jane and Tommy Kearns met in the first grade – and have been married for 68 years.

A mother and co-owner of an auto repair shop, Jackie Arnold struggles with her son’s brain tumor diagnosis and related complications but is comforted by her strong community. 

With her trademark smile and nice-to-meet-you attitude, hardworking Judy Northcutt makes friends wherever she goes.

Debbie Shehadi was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in New Jersey. But through determination, perseverance and guts, she achieved her dream of owning a Kentucky horse farm.

Lifelong cook Odus Fryman has owned the Hilltop Grill for six years, bridging family, community and, of course, food.

Christine Garnett is bringing coding to elementary and high schools in Cynthiana. She is laying the foundation for young people to effectively navigate the virtual world. 

Karey Riddell, owner of The Burley Market, is raising her son, Wesley Smith, with laughter and love.

Tanya and Bubba Blake are living their dream of owning a sports bar, the Drunken Monkey. But the experience is turning out to be harder than they ever imagined.

For Joe Chambers’ family and many of his customers, Joe’s Place Bar and Grill feels like home.

After buying the last breeding herd of Gotland ponies in North America, Leslie Bebensee revived the rare breed. Today, she inspires others to embrace preservation and sustainability.

O.C. Jones, a sergeant with the Cynthiana Police Department, is a self-described “city boy gone country.” O.C. lives in a log cabin with his wife and works to be self-reliant.

Brandon Barnett comes from a long line of tobacco farmers. With the crop’s decline, he is searching for the next big crop to keep the farming tradition in his family. 

Family Court Judge Heather Fryman finds a balance between her work and her home life on the farm where she lives with her husband, two daughters and almost 200 animals.

In high school, theater was her refuge. Now Katelyn Chanslor works to bring Cynthiana a children’s theater program, with the hope of directing her students toward a brighter future.

With help from a close-knit family, Heather and Bradley Price are passing along the values of family and hard work to their children.

For Kim Wilson, Cynthiana has been and always will be home. Her love for this changing community has kept her focused on her business and family.

Cynthiana farm owner Mike Church is fighting battles on and off Civil War re-enactment battlefields.

As a hospice nurse, Sharon Adams travels Harrison County caring for people like Lina Dailey, 101, with whom she shares a passion for helping others.

Belly laughter, heavy lifting and beloved customers are all part of a day’s work for the four core employees at Kenny’s Value Center in Berry.

Lowell Clifford has been farming for most of life. Widowed and growing older, his passion for farming endures. But his struggle to maintain the farm grows.

At 60, Cynthiana nursing teacher Luanne Wilson saves lives and pushes the limits, including her own.

Avi and Karen Bear grew up in two different worlds, but they built a life together and now live in their own piece of heaven in Harrison County.

Whether it’s working in the Cynthiana Fire Department, volunteering in the community or training his bird dogs, it’s always a family thing for Fire Chief Jay Sanders.

At a Cynthiana manufacturing plant, women reveal the characteristic that helps them succeed in the male-dominated sector.

Ada Adair drives the bookmobile around Harrison County, delivering books for the Cynthiana-Harrison County Public Library. She hopes the traveling billboard invites residents to other library events.

Jerry Adams and his daughter, April Emery, have been cutting hair together at their Custom Cuts shop — and learning from each other — for 13 years.

Brad Allison wholeheartedly devotes his time to supporting young people in Harrison County through the schools and his church.

High school senior Anna Midden juggles dance, family, school and work while pushing toward her dream of becoming a Rockette at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.

Lifelong farmer Chappie Mastin approaches his retirement with a strong sense of community support from his peers.

At Harrison County High School, Jennifer Grause is building career paths for her students; it all starts in the kitchen.

Shonda Judy, a local photographer, increases animal adoption rates and educates the community about animal welfare by photographing animals in the local shelter and managing a local nonprofit.

Three generations of women have dedicated their lives to caring for patients at Harrison Memorial Hospital

Veterinarian Emily Bridge treats pets and farm animals in her community.

When Dennis Motell opened the Harrison County Auto Shop 24 years ago, he found more than customers. And they found more than a mechanic.

Boyd machinist and entrepreneur Sonny Spicer works hard for — and with — his family

Social worker Megan Nickerson counsels expectant parents on healthy homes for children. As a single mom in college, she had help from the same program.

Laura and Josh Ashbrook, together since seventh grade, share teaching careers and a busy family life with two young children.

Harrison County factory produces Kentucky’s Best brand cigarettes and pouch tobacco with old European machinery and local workers.

Bobby Poindexter and Bill Selin know the slow end of their family’s once-bustling company is coming. But for now, they’re open for business.