Maysville | Mason County

Oct 21 - Oct 25, 2025 | Gateway to Kentucky

Buffalo herds crossed the Ohio River at what is now Maysville for thousands of years. Colonial explorers and settlers created a port at this gateway and a road into Kentucky. Over the next two and a half centuries, the seat of Mason County grew into a prosperous river port and tobacco market. Maysville today is a city of rich history, beautiful architecture and friendly people trying to figure out what the future holds. “Maysville is a wonderful little community,” said retired journalist Nick Clooney, brother of Rosemary and father of George. “A great thing that a little town will do for you is they will support you.”

Shaping a life with ceramics
Photo

Shaping a life with ceramics

Erin Williams, a Maysville native, has found a way to turn her passion for ceramics into more than a hobby.

Collecting memories
Video

Collecting memories

Scotty Fulton, 84, has been collecting hammers for more than 50 years, amassing a collection of over 27,000. But something is missing.

The last press
Video

The last press

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.

A man of many hats
Photo

A man of many hats

Dr. J.T. Williams is a man who wears many hats, balancing his time between his interests and care of his family.

Inspiring faith
Photo

Inspiring faith

Pastor Greg Jones is a lifeline to people in recovery.

Murals of us
Video

Murals of us

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.

Queen of fuzz
Video

Queen of fuzz

Jennifer Q. Smith spreads joy across the nation as a maker of mascots.

Homelessness challenges Maysville
Photo

Homelessness challenges Maysville

Being able to offer shelter to families in crisis is a blessing that Pastor Chad Current doesn’t take lightly.

On air
Video

On air

WFTM is the voice of Maysville, a small-town radio station fighting the odds to keep the airwaves local.

Steady in the spotlight
Photo

Steady in the spotlight

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.

On the go
Photo

On the go

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.

The heartbeat of a community
Photo

The heartbeat of a community

Carrie Taylor is teaching and inspiring the next generation of farmers in Maysville.

Skating for generations
Video

Skating for generations

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.

Found family in Maysville
Photo

Found family in Maysville

The family-owned R-Farm has embraced Sara Mullet and become her second family.

Cheering others on
Video

Cheering others on

Tina Barksdale, a former NFL cheerleader, finds ways to motivate others as a fitness instructor at the YMCA.

Rooms available
Photo

Rooms available

As the owner of Moon River Bed and Breakfast, Denny loves preparing and sharing a continental breakfast with his guests.

A love letter to Maysville
Video

A love letter to Maysville

Organist Christian Kalb, born and raised in Maysville, brings heart and hands to his community.

Food made with extra love
Photo

Food made with extra love

Chef couple Amy and Marc Fry bring people together through food at Parc Cafe in downtown Maysville.

Committed to craft
Video

Committed to craft

Charlie Hunter is just the third music director at Mason County Schools since 1960, following the legacy of his father

A man in motion
Photo

A man in motion

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.

A full planner
Video

A full planner

Maysville native Kathy Bess embraces her community through service, and encourages her students to follow in her footsteps.

Harvesting a legacy
Photo

Harvesting a legacy

Dale Appelman and his brothers tend to the land their father left behind while teaching Dale’s son the benefits of hard work.

Healing through community
Video

Healing through community

Working multiple jobs and parenting three children, Bridget Haughaboo finds new purpose through practicing self-compassion and connecting with community.

Returning home to guide the next generation
Photo

Returning home to guide the next generation

Bradley Boone’s first season as head coach is about more than wins — it’s about shaping young men for life.

A lasting impression
Video

A lasting impression

Hair stylist Shelby Turkelson, working at Lasting Impressions Salon, creates a space where community members can share feelings and release stress.

Together we win
Photo

Together we win

Mason County High School Principal Seth Faulkner is committed to student and faculty development.

Making concessions
Video

Making concessions

A stroke disrupted the lives of Christine and Justin Helvey. Two years later, volunteering at a local theater gives them purpose. 

Making Maysville run, one day at a time
Photo

Making Maysville run, one day at a time

Luke King helps keep Maysville operating as director of Public Works.

Almost a home
Video

Almost a home

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.

Cancer won’t stop her
Photo

Cancer won’t stop her

Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer, Stacey Miller manages her life with a positive attitude.

Faith and fur
Video

Faith and fur

Faith has led Lindsay Gregory to salvation, family and dog grooming.

History, hospitality and heart
Photo

History, hospitality and heart

Angella and John Brucellaria never planned to become restaurateurs, preservationists or local heroes, yet somehow became all three.

Dancing through the division
Video

Dancing through the division

Barred from dancing in her youth, Linda Thomas works to instill values of equality and connection in the youth she teaches today.

Home is where the horses are
Photo

Home is where the horses are

From an early age, Barb Bern loved horses and promised herself that someday she would move to Kentucky.

Family dough
Video

Family dough

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.

Beyond the badge
Photo

Beyond the badge

From lieutenant to dad, Paul Mellenkamp wants to make an impact on everyone he meets.

It’s a small world, after all
Video

It’s a small world, after all

Through her devotion to miniatures, Kaye Browning transforms passion into preservation.

Journey toward help and hope
Photo

Journey toward help and hope

Niccole and Josh Harris were once homeless. Now they focus on helping people in similar situations, especially through the Maysville Hands of Hope center.

The pie maker
Video

The pie maker

Cindy Gilkison, at the age of sixty-eight, works hard baking pies to support not just her community, but her family.

Loving Mr. Lamont
Photo

Loving Mr. Lamont

After a lifetime of giving back to his community and family, Maysville native Lamont Johnson has no immediate plans to stop.

When life changes
Video

When life changes

Mike and Debbie Merrill have been married for nearly 50 years and are navigating health challenges together.

Love on a plate
Photo

Love on a plate

New York transplant Sean Connelly is delivering community to Maysville, one pizza slice at a time.

Coming home to make a difference
Photo

Coming home to make a difference

Kaleigh Zeigler finds new purpose in Maysville and keeps progress moving.

Family man
Photo

Family man

Patrick Boggs loves to give back to the community, but his family is ‘my everything.’

The dead and the living
Photo

The dead and the living

Hunter Hamilton, 28, carries on a family legacy of tending to Maysville’s dearly departed.

Where hope still lies
Photo

Where hope still lies

Bridget Satkowski finds healing through faith, family and the rescue cats that fill the spaces once held by loss.

Serving Mason County
Photo

Serving Mason County

Ryan Swolsky, the Mason County sheriff, balance the demands of work, family and farm.

Nourishing the community
Photo

Nourishing the community

Barbara Goldman Nartowicz is a beloved chef bringing people together over food.

Local jail aims to rehabilitate
Photo

Local jail aims to rehabilitate

Programs at the local jail prepare those getting out for life on the outside.

Keeping history current
Photo

Keeping history current

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.

In the shadow of the future
Photo

In the shadow of the future

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.

Helping kids find their voices
Photo

Helping kids find their voices

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.

One foot in front of the other
Photo

One foot in front of the other

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.

On call
Photo

On call

Farmer and May’s Lick Fire Chief Jason Gifford is available to his community day and night.

Firm but fair
Photo

Firm but fair

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.”

Keeping the past afloat
Photo

Keeping the past afloat

Orloff Miller, a retired historical archaeologist, works to keep history alive while enjoying his retirement.

Pastor to the rescue
Photo

Pastor to the rescue

Emergency Management Director, chaplain and pastor Tony Liess knows when to don one, two or all three hats he has to wear.

Always showing up
Photo

Always showing up

Rebecca Cartmell’s grandmother, mother and brother all served as mayors of Maysville. She chose a different path to serve her community.

Labor of love
Photo

Labor of love

Judge Executive Owen McNeill juggles the intense demands of his position while also maintaining deep roots in his community.

One step at a time
Photo

One step at a time

Vonda Lofton brings smiles and spirit while she delivers the mail to Maysville residents.

Changing the scenery
Photo

Changing the scenery

Dustin Cottrill works to nurture future generations at the Tom Browning Boys & Girls Club.

Where time stands still
Photo

Where time stands still

Amish family clings to its believes and maintains a life that rejects much modern technology.

The family that plays together
Photo

The family that plays together

Basketball star De’Sarae Perry gives back on and off the court.

Everyman, handyman
Photo

Everyman, handyman

Bruce Bellingham saves history and helps friends and neighbors, one building at a time.

Family, community and giving back
Photo

Family, community and giving back

Vickie Prather — matriarch, grandmother and active community member — is always on the go. And she’s always doing it with a smile.

Answering the call
Photo

Answering the call

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.

A traveler finds his community
Photo

A traveler finds his community

From an immigrant’s dream to a communities heartbeat, the Mexican restaurant El Caminante has become a part of Maysville’s culture

Furnishing a future
Photo

Furnishing a future

Pastor Gordon “Gordy” Jones helps people in need with food, clothing and used furniture. His inspiration was his own childhood.

A center of hope in Maysville
Photo

A center of hope in Maysville

The center of “the center of the universe” is a bakery that gives people with disabilities a chance they might not get elsewhere.

People first, projects second
Photo

People first, projects second

A family-owned hardware business in Maysville tries to treat customers like family.

Home is where the art is
Photo

Home is where the art is

How a ubiquitous Maysville artist was first championed by his community.

More than music
Photo

More than music

Senior marching band member, co–field commander and aspiring music teacher Maddie Luther has found her passion not just in performing, but in teaching.

Servant to God and people
Photo

Servant to God and people

Darin Spence serves as utility director in Maysville but also serves his community in other ways.

A quiet life
Photo

A quiet life

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.

Passion for sports, property preservation
Photo

Passion for sports, property preservation

A couple gets enjoyment out of sports and out of preserving property, including renovation of historic homes.

Melody of love
Photo

Melody of love

Randall and Bedouin Dennison share a love of music, which brought them back together.

Mr. Mason County
Photo

Mr. Mason County

James L. “Buddy” Gallenstein is the former Mason County judge executive, but his ties to the community continue to flourish well into his retirement.