The 2013 Covington Calendar theme is Courgage + Vision = Growth and is a compilation of photographs taken by Covington students who took part in a digital photography summer camp at the Center for Great Neighborhoods.

By: Robert D. Hudson

America's economy stands at a crossroads. One direction leads the next generation to an economy where jobs are strangled by the noose of unnecessary governmental interference. The other direction lets American exceptionalism do what it has been doing for over two centuries — create the best opportunities in the world. In possibly the most important decision we will make in our lifetime, we get to choose the actual direction of our economy. In "A Better Tomorrow" author and local business leader Rob Hudson presents a common sense roadmap to success. The author and other prominent executives in Ohio and Kentucky developed national principles for recovery after the economic crash in 2008. Hudson chronicles this extraordinary time in history, its aftermath, and where we should go in the future.

The book presents thoughts from a large segment of our local business leaders on the Great Recession and recovery, together with issues unique to our region. .Rob led two of Northern Kentucky's largest business organizations, the Northern Kentucky Chamber and the Covington Business
Council, during the beginning of the recession and beyond. The book includes sharp political commentary and a quick wit which delivers a knockout punch to anti-business rules and regulations. Hudson inspires readers to imagine a tomorrow with the highest quality of life for our citizens.

By: Donald Clare

In the overall history of American Thoroughbred racing history, there are some key factors involved in this story about Tommy Murray, along with some key phrases, names, situations, and issues of the times. The title Flash in the Pan is what most accurately describes the career of my grandfather. In flintlock muzzleloading rifle terminology, a flash in the pan describes what takes place when the trigger of a fully charged flintlock rifle is squeezed, and the flint strikes the steel of the face of the frizzen to create the necessary sparks to ignite the very finely granulated priming powder, only resulting in the ignition of the powder in the pan without igniting the main charge in the rifle via the touch hole. A flash of smoke occurs, but no discharge of the rifle. So too, Tommy’s career had already peaked when the trigger was pulled, and his most notable accomplishments took form in the pan and not in the main rifle charge.
He was basically an orphan taken in by a race track and raised by a very wise and celebrated bush league horse trainer. They bonded like a father and son, and each made the other very proud and fulfilled. Tommy learned his trade and earned his status by starting at the very bottom and working very hard to advance his way up into a very competitive trade, one filled with outside obstacles at every step of the way. The horse racing business was on very shaky terms in this particular time (late 1910s-early 1920s). Gambling, organized crime, prohibition, national mores, war, pandemic disease and death, poverty and economic depression all negatively impacted the future of horse racing in the United States.

By: Callie Clare

Adapted from author Callie Clare’s master's thesis, “Potions & Notions” chronicles the socioeconomic characteristics of the town and includes dozens of photographs of many locals who call Rabbit Hash home. Proceeds from book sales will benefit the Rabbit Hash Historical Society.

Carl Kiger: The Man Beyond the Murder

By: Robert Schrage

Most people know Carl Kiger as the victim in one of the most famous murder trials in Northern Kentucky history. Author Robert Schrage has written Carl Kiger: The Man Beyond the Murder. Books, plays, and articles have been written about the murder on August of 1943, however little is known about the man. Carl Kiger worked his way up from his poor West Covington neighborhood to become Covington's most powerful and controversial elected official. This is the story of Carl Kiger, the politician and man. He was controversial. He mingled with governors, senators, and a future vice-president, and shared a stage with President Roosevelt. At times, he was a reformer and at others an old school politician. He served during the Great Depression, World War II, the Flood of 1937, and reforms of Covington city government. He was an enigma. This story is a lesson in civics, history, controversy, influence peddling, and even murder - a murder that stopped the career of Carl Kiger at the height of his personal and political power.

Wit and Wisdom of Doc Baker

Doc Baker happens to be the bard and sage of Rabbit Hash present. He is to this town what King Arthur was to Camelot. The Rabbit Hash Volunteer Fire Department, Swat Team, and String Band is his Knights of the Round Table. His Holy Grail is "truth, justice, and the American way." The ornately hand carved, copper tipped, silver inlayed Osage orange combination walking stick and Arkansas toothpick is his Excalibur. His wit and humor is his gift to his loyal subjects...the result of which is this book.

A Rabbit Hash Christmas

By: Caitlyn Clare

Illustrations By: Becky Haltermon

A story of Christmas in the wonderful little town of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky.