How do you roast someone who has been a dear friend for more than a decade?
Roast & Toast: Terry Meiners • www.roastandtoast.org • Photo by Tony Bennett.
I FIRST ENCOUNTERED TERRY MEINERS on June 10, 2002, while traveling from my home state of Michigan to Louisville, where I would live until eventually relocating to New Albany.
Tired, hot and cranky from the long drive and an early morning, I rode in the passenger seat as my now-former husband carefully drove us, our four dogs and all of my belongings across the Ohio River. I glared at the radio as the voice on 840 WHAS streamed through the speakers and joked about how the heat sometimes caused even hotter tempers in women. “Who in the world listens to AM radio?!” I snarled. “And who is this jackleg?” It was, of course, Terry Meiners, the most popular radio host in the region.
The next day, for reasons I still don’t understand, I tuned back in to Terry on the radio. This time I was hooked, and for the next several months, I eagerly listened to what he had to say. Those few hours helped stave off the loneliness I felt living in a community where I knew no one and had lost track of who I was, too.
Unbeknownst to him, Terry taught me to seek out what to love about Kentuckiana and encouraged me to make it my home. Each afternoon, as I unpacked boxes of belongings or puttered around the house, I listened to his interviews and commentary. Through Terry, I discovered new restaurants to try and charities that needed help, experts offering advice and philanthropists making a difference, events to attend and average people who were doing extraordinary things, moments of gratitude and inspiration for living the best life I could and determining how to help others accomplish that, too.
Slowly, I began to feel more confident in my surroundings and in my abilities and talents. On Jan. 20, 2003 — my birthday — I finally met Terry face-to-face at the radio station while he was (I mean, we were) live on the air. Overwhelmed and embarrassed by my own giddiness, I babbled incoherently for a moment and then said, “I’ve listened to you every day you’ve been on since I moved her six months ago. Thank you for making me feel like I’m finally home.”
Since then, Terry has served as a mentor, confidante and ultimate cheerleader, but more than anything, he’s become one of my most cherished friends. We’ve shared milestones and setbacks, much laughter and some tears, quiet moments and wonderful celebrations. On March 3, we’ll share something else: That evening, I’ll join a number of people who have been asked to roast the region’s most recognizable radio personality – all in the name of charity. So, how do you roast someone who has been a dear friend for more than a decade? With much enthusiasm and the element of surprise. I’m coming for you, Terry Meiners, but we can hug it out afterwards.
Roast & Toast: Terry Meiners, presented by WHAS11, begins at 5:30 p.m. March 3 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown and benefits Seven Counties Services, Child & Family Division. Tickets are available at www.roastandtoast.org or by contacting Julie Mitchell of Seven Counties Services at jmitchell@sevencounties. org, 502.589.8600.
LE PHOTO SHOOT AT LE MOO
Finding the perfect location to photograph Terry Meiners for the February/March issue of Extol was no easy task – until Southern Indiana native Kevin Grangier opened the doors of Le Moo, his newest restaurant, to us. The gorgeous steakhouse provided much room for photographer Antonio Pantoja to get creative. We’ll be back in the near future to feature Kevin, who grew up in Sellersburg.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
We debuted Extol Magazine one year ago and are ready to celebrate our first anniversary. You’re invited to join us at the Extol Magazine Launch Party 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Volare, 2300 Frankfort Ave. in Louisville. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and valet parking, cocktail specials, lots of giveaways and an opportunity to toast Terry Meiners in person. It’s free to attend and everyone is welcome.
Thank you for taking the time to pick up Extol. We wouldn’t be here without your support.
Yours truly,
Angie Fenton
Editor in Chief Extol Magazine
