February 25, 2025
Six-year-old Laura Bell Bundy sang My Old Kentucky Home at the beginning of Leukemia Society benefit and fashion show on Jan. 23, 1988, in Lexington. Bundy, a Lexington native, is a singer and actress who has performed on Broadway, on TV and in movies. On Broadway, she is best known for her Tony Award-nominated performance as Elle Woods in the musical version of Legally Blonde and originating the role of Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray. On TV she has played opposite Charlie Sheen on Anger Management on the CW’s Hart of Dixie. She also had many guest appearances in shows including Home Improvement and How I Met Your Mother. She has produced several successful Web sketch comedy series. Bundy appeared in the movies Jumanji and Dreamgirls. She also has released five country music albums, the most recent in June 2015. Bundy is set to star as Trixie in an all new Broadway musical version of The Honeymooners alongside Hank Azaria, Leslie Kritzer and Michael McGrath. Photo by Alan Lessig
Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali took part in the 1984 Olympic Torch Relay through downtown Louisville on May 27, 1984. Ali, “the greatest of all time,” died June 3, 2016. Click here to see other photos from our archives posted to this blog. Photo by Ron Garrison | Staff
Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali as he was leaving Freedom Hall in Louisville on Oct. 27, 1966, after a six-round charity exhibition fight with Doug Jones. UPI called it “humiliating” for Jones, who had hoped a good showing might get him a rematch. In 1963, Jones lost a 10-round decision to the young Cassius Clay in a sold-out Madison Square Garden. Ali, “the greatest of all time,” died June 3, 2016. Here some other Ali photos we have previously posted from our archives on this blog. Published in the Lexington Herald on Oct. 30, 1966. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
Officer Karen Love, on Red, talked with Harlan McQuinn in downtown Lexington on Dec. 29, 1986. Love, then 30, went on the job that week as the first female member of the Lexington Mounted Patrol. You can see a story, photos and video on the Lexington mounted unit in Wednesday’s Herald-Leader and on Kentucky.com. Photo by David Perry | Staff
Aerial photo of the Springs Motel in 1962, looking east toward the Southland shopping center and subdivision. Harrodsburg Road runs horizontal at the bottom of the photo. Lane Allen Road intersects it at lower left. The motel opened in 1948 with 68 rooms on Harrodsburg Road, which was a two-lane road at the time. The site is now a CVS Pharmacy, a McDonald’s and a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers restaurant. Here is another photo of the hotel in 1985. Published on Jan. 14, 1962. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
The merry-go-round at Woodland Park in Lexington was a good place for children to enjoy Memorial Day, May 29, 1972. The park recently got some new playground equipment. Published in the Lexington Leader on May 30, 1972. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
Marty Jo Payton of Eastern Kentucky University got an assist from pageboys who held her train after she was crowned queen of the Mountain Laurel Festival in Pineville on May 30, 1970. This year, the 86th Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival ends Sunday in Pineville. This year’s queen coronation was held Saturday. Photo by Tom Woods II | Staff
Transylvania University graduating seniors jumped for joy in anticipation of receiving their degrees on May 31, 1981, at Transylvania’s commencement. From left, Susan Amato of Lexington, Michelle Jackson of Maysville, Amy Black of Pikeville and Kim Siebers of Fulton, N.Y. Poet Wendell Berry was principal speaker at the ceremony in Haggin Auditorium, and 156 students received diplomas. At 9 a.m. Saturday, Transylvania University will award 270 degrees to the class of 2016. Photo by David Perry | Staff