Directed by Western Kentucky University’s Visual Journalism & Photography program, 87 student and professional photographers and videographers from around the nation, along with a staff of nearly 60 educators, editors and assistants, spent a week in October 2025 capturing the stories of this distinctive American community.
Erin Williams, a Maysville native, has found a way to turn her passion for ceramics into more than a hobby.
Scotty Fulton, 84, has been collecting hammers for more than 50 years, amassing a collection of over 27,000. But something is missing.
Buck Reed and Aaron Hardy operate one of the last newspaper printing presses in the region. Within the mechanical rhythm of the press, they find refuge from their own struggles.
Dr. J.T. Williams is a man who wears many hats, balancing his time between his interests and care of his family.
Stephanie Martinez paints the murals that define the artistic pulse of Mason County – and her husband of 32 years is her biggest inspiration. When he became disabled from chronic pain, they began to paint a new world for each other.
Take a look at the people behind the scenes who make this annual project a reality.
Being able to offer shelter to families in crisis is a blessing that Pastor Chad Current doesn’t take lightly.
WFTM is the voice of Maysville, a small-town radio station fighting the odds to keep the airwaves local.
From game day to recital night, Mason County senior Gavin Redmond bridges the worlds of football and music, proving strength and heart can share the same rhythm.
Mike Lundergan runs Emergency Disaster Services in Maysville. He also is working on building a replica of the Garden of Gethsemane at St. Patrick Cemetery.
Carrie Taylor is teaching and inspiring the next generation of farmers in Maysville.
Matthew Davenport’s roller skating rink has been a beloved meeting space for Maysville’s children for decades. He works tirelessly to ensure that it stays.
The family-owned R-Farm has embraced Sara Mullet and become her second family.
Tina Barksdale, a former NFL cheerleader, finds ways to motivate others as a fitness instructor at the YMCA.
As the owner of Moon River Bed and Breakfast, Denny loves preparing and sharing a continental breakfast with his guests.
Organist Christian Kalb, born and raised in Maysville, brings heart and hands to his community.
Chef couple Amy and Marc Fry bring people together through food at Parc Cafe in downtown Maysville.
Charlie Hunter is just the third music director at Mason County Schools since 1960, following the legacy of his father
Kyle Carpenter balances faith, family and the community’s needs in his many roles: fire chief, volunteer firefighter, technical director for his church, husband and father.
Maysville native Kathy Bess embraces her community through service, and encourages her students to follow in her footsteps.
Dale Appelman and his brothers tend to the land their father left behind while teaching Dale’s son the benefits of hard work.
Working multiple jobs and parenting three children, Bridget Haughaboo finds new purpose through practicing self-compassion and connecting with community.
Bradley Boone’s first season as head coach is about more than wins — it’s about shaping young men for life.
Hair stylist Shelby Turkelson, working at Lasting Impressions Salon, creates a space where community members can share feelings and release stress.
Mason County High School Principal Seth Faulkner is committed to student and faculty development.
A stroke disrupted the lives of Christine and Justin Helvey. Two years later, volunteering at a local theater gives them purpose.
Luke King helps keep Maysville operating as director of Public Works.
Heather Wheeler has found community and a sense of purpose through her work at the Mason County Public Library, where she hopes to create a welcoming space for others.
Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer, Stacey Miller manages her life with a positive attitude.
Angella and John Brucellaria never planned to become restaurateurs, preservationists or local heroes, yet somehow became all three.
Barred from dancing in her youth, Linda Thomas works to instill values of equality and connection in the youth she teaches today.
From an early age, Barb Bern loved horses and promised herself that someday she would move to Kentucky.
The family behind Pasquale’s Pizza keeps a decades long tradition alive, finding purpose and connection through a business that’s become part of the town’s story.
From lieutenant to dad, Paul Mellenkamp wants to make an impact on everyone he meets.
Through her devotion to miniatures, Kaye Browning transforms passion into preservation.
Niccole and Josh Harris were once homeless. Now they focus on helping people in similar situations, especially through the Maysville Hands of Hope center.
Cindy Gilkison, at the age of sixty-eight, works hard baking pies to support not just her community, but her family.
After a lifetime of giving back to his community and family, Maysville native Lamont Johnson has no immediate plans to stop.
Mike and Debbie Merrill have been married for nearly 50 years and are navigating health challenges together.
New York transplant Sean Connelly is delivering community to Maysville, one pizza slice at a time.
Kaleigh Zeigler finds new purpose in Maysville and keeps progress moving.
Patrick Boggs loves to give back to the community, but his family is ‘my everything.’
Hunter Hamilton, 28, carries on a family legacy of tending to Maysville’s dearly departed.
Bridget Satkowski finds healing through faith, family and the rescue cats that fill the spaces once held by loss.
Ryan Swolsky, the Mason County sheriff, balance the demands of work, family and farm.
Barbara Goldman Nartowicz is a beloved chef bringing people together over food.
Programs at the local jail prepare those getting out for life on the outside.
Mark Humphries has enveloped himself in history, whether it’s collecting and firing black powder rifles for his YouTube channel or performing frontier reenactments for tourists.
Global markets, rising costs and big tech threaten a 400-acre farm legacy, leaving its 67-year-old owner to face the heartbreaking end of a family tradition.
High school senior Natalee Miller’s passion for her future work in speech pathology grew out of her love for children and time spent with her mentor.
Marc Pawsat, a podiatrist and avid cyclist, is on a mission to keep the community healthy by providing specialty care to the people of Maysville — one foot at a time.
Farmer and May’s Lick Fire Chief Jason Gifford is available to his community day and night.
Nicole Brooks, Maysville’s code enforcer, rules with an iron fist and a warm heart, as she makes an effort to “solve problems before they become problems.”
Orloff Miller, a retired historical archaeologist, works to keep history alive while enjoying his retirement.
Emergency Management Director, chaplain and pastor Tony Liess knows when to don one, two or all three hats he has to wear.
Rebecca Cartmell’s grandmother, mother and brother all served as mayors of Maysville. She chose a different path to serve her community.
Judge Executive Owen McNeill juggles the intense demands of his position while also maintaining deep roots in his community.
Vonda Lofton brings smiles and spirit while she delivers the mail to Maysville residents.
Dustin Cottrill works to nurture future generations at the Tom Browning Boys & Girls Club.
Amish family clings to its believes and maintains a life that rejects much modern technology.
Bruce Bellingham saves history and helps friends and neighbors, one building at a time.
Vickie Prather — matriarch, grandmother and active community member — is always on the go. And she’s always doing it with a smile.
Kevin Doyle was Maysville’s fire chief the last nine of his 23-year career. A tragedy inspired in son, Keith, to become a firefighter.
From an immigrant’s dream to a communities heartbeat, the Mexican restaurant El Caminante has become a part of Maysville’s culture
Pastor Gordon “Gordy” Jones helps people in need with food, clothing and used furniture. His inspiration was his own childhood.
The center of “the center of the universe” is a bakery that gives people with disabilities a chance they might not get elsewhere.
A family-owned hardware business in Maysville tries to treat customers like family.
How a ubiquitous Maysville artist was first championed by his community.
Senior marching band member, co–field commander and aspiring music teacher Maddie Luther has found her passion not just in performing, but in teaching.
Darin Spence serves as utility director in Maysville but also serves his community in other ways.
She’s traveled the world, served her country, and now tends her cows in quiet Kentucky. But don’t call Cheryl French lonely, her life is anything but.
A couple gets enjoyment out of sports and out of preserving property, including renovation of historic homes.
Randall and Bedouin Dennison share a love of music, which brought them back together.
James L. “Buddy” Gallenstein is the former Mason County judge executive, but his ties to the community continue to flourish well into his retirement.