Kala Dunn

Oh, William Seward... you folly fool. The Secretary of State was the laughingstock of the nation when he purchased Alaska from Russia in March of 1867, little did anyone know that the land was rich in gold, copper, and oil. The transfer ceremony was held on this day 145 years ago. Russians went home, Americans moved in. They couldn't pay me to live there!

It’s Thursday, October 18

The voice faculty of Murray State University presents “The Way We Were” tonight at 7:30 in the Performing Arts Hall.  Performers include Sonya Baker, Randall Black, Tana Field, Chris Mitchell, Hope Fairchild Thacker, and pianist Mee Youn Park.  The repertoire includes songs the faculty members originally performed on their own undergraduate recitals.  Admission is free.

America's legendary daredevil would be 74 today. Evel Knievel (1938-2007) earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for "most bones broken in a lifetime" (35). On motorcycles he jumped over cars, buses, trucks, rattlesnakes, sharks, fountains, and canyons, into America's TV sets. He said, "I did everything by the seat of my pants. That's why I got hurt so much."

It’s Wednesday, October 17

Market House Theatre presents the last Lantern-Lit Ghost Tour of the season on Friday.  Hear chilling legends of Paducah’s past during the lantern-lit walking tour, from dreadful doings at Devil’s Half Acre to riverside witch burnings.  Groups leave at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30.  Make reservations by calling 444-6828.

The Cuban Missile Crisis began on this day in 1962, a confrontation between the Soviet Union & Cuba and the US - a major moment in the Cold War. Cuban and Soviet governments began building secret nuclear missile bases with the ability to strike most of the US. It was diffused with agreements to never invade Cuba and that missiles on both sides would be dismantled.

It’s Tuesday, October 16

Little Shop of Horrors opens this weekend at Murray’s Playhouse in the Park.  A floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation with the help of an ill-tempered, R&B singing carnivorous plant.  Shows are Friday and Saturday at 7PM and Sunday at 2:30.  Reserve tickets by calling the Playhouse at 759-1752.

On this day in 1997, the ThrustSSC (Supersonic Car) set the land speed record, achieving 763 miles per hour, officially breaking the sound barrier. This came exactly 50 years after Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier with the Bell X-1 research rocket plane in 1947. Anything to shorten the commute!

It’s Monday, October 15

The Calloway County Extension Office offers a one-day rain garden workshop on Wednesday from noon to 6 at the Chestnut Street Park Pavilion.  The workshop format provides both classroom and hands-on instruction for creating a rain garden.  The cost is $15, and lunch is provided.  To register, call 753-1452.

The Pledge of Allegiance was composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892, and adopted by Congress in 1942. Public schools were the first to use the pledge on this day in 1892, Columbus Day, coinciding with the opening of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. All together now!

It’s Friday, October 12

St. John’s Episcopal Church hosts the Blessing of the Animals Sunday afternoon at 4 in the Memorial Garden.  The community is invited to bring pets on leashes or in cages to receive individual blessings from the rector of St. John’s.  You can also bring a photo if your animal doesn’t like crowds or is unwell.  Refreshments are provided for pets and people following the service.

On this day in 1910, former president Theodore Roosevelt flew in a plane for four minutes with Wright Bros. pilot Arch Hoxsey in St. Louis. He was also the first to be submerged in a submarine, own a car, have a telephone, travel outside of the US, and the first to give record keepers chronic fatigue.

It’s Thursday, October 11

The Make A Difference Community Food Drive invites Paducah residents to bring nonperishable food items to the Paducah Cooperative Ministry during the month of October.  This year’s goal is to collect 10,000 pounds of food to help households in need.  The Paducah Cooperative Ministry is located at 402 Legion Drive. 

The US, UK, and Russia were the first to enforce that the exploration of space should be carried out for the benefits of all countries, free for exploration, not subject to sovereignty, not a place to orbit nuclear weapons, that the Moon shall be used for peaceful purposes, that astronauts are envoys of Earth, and that countries should be responsible for any damage of space objects. Tell that to Darth Vader.

It’s Wednesday, October 10

First Christian Church of Mayfield holds a Blues Night tomorrow beginning at 7.  Enjoy traditional and contemporary Christian music through the lens of New Orleans-style blues.  Featured performers include Dr. Jessie Webb and members of the local Pearl House Band.  Dress for the evening is casual.

Che was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, a major figure in the Cuban Revolution, and a ubiquitous international symbol of rebellion. He was both revered and reviled for repelling the Bay of Pigs invasion and precipitating the Cuban Missile Crisis. TIME named him one of the most influential people of the 20th century; Maryland Institute College of Art called this photo one of "the most famous photographs in the world."

It’s Tuesday, October 9

Girls of all ages interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are invited to attend a forum on Thursday at the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Emerging Technology Center.  The free event features hands-on activities and demonstrations by area professionals.  Registration begins at 3:30, and the forum lasts from 4 to 6:30.  For more information, call 442-3174.

The 2nd-longest running show on Broadway made it's debut on this day in 1982. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats began its 18-year run, telling the story of a tribe of cats and reincarnation. With much critical acclaim, show is widely considered to be the cat's meow.

It’s Monday, October 8

Maiden Alley Cinema presents “Mary and Max” tonight at 6:30 as part of the Faith in Film series.  The animated film tells the story of two unlikely pen pals.  For more information, visit maidenalleycinema.com.

Dr. No, starring Sean Connery as James Bond, was the first film based on Ian Fleming's spy series. It was filmed with a low budget, of $1M, but took in almost $60M in the box office. The film featured one of the most famous one-liners in cinema history: "Bond... James Bond."

It’s Friday, October 5

The city of Madisonville offers a Gallery Hop tomorrow evening from 5 to 9.  Visitors can view and purchase art from thirty artists in nine locations within in a three-block downtown area.  The event also includes live music, with guitarist Eddie Pennington performing at 6:30.  See event details at visitmadisonvilleky.com.