L.O.U. Executive Director David Smillie has been a veteran of street outreach in Louisville for about eight years, meeting people where they are, connecting them with resources and providing a variety of support. L.O.U. has a new home right across the street from The Table at 1801 Portland Avenue with a mini clinic as well as a meeting room, kitchen space, and shower facility.
Month: January 2026
Portland Boys Club Group “The Mohawks” Friends Since 1960s
The Mohawks, and many of the other Portland Boys Club members, grew up to be productive, successful men who had families of their own, raised children and contributed to the common good. The Mohawks remained friends throughout their adult lives. They still gather occasionally for lunch together to enjoy catching up and reliving the glory days of their club.
The Bridge Over The River: K&I
The Kentucky and Indiana Bridge, shortened colloquially to K&I, opened in 1886 as one of the first bridges to cross the mighty Ohio’s 981-mile run. It was designed to be multi-modal, meaning it would function as a crossing for trains, streetcars, stagecoaches, and pedestrians alike. Construction began in 1881 with private funding from the efficiently named Kentucky and Indiana Bridge Company. In a business move that would’ve made the late Steve Jobs beam with pride, the K&I Bridge Company also owned the ferry operation that would be cannibalized by the bridge’s construction and subsequent obsolescence of boat travel as a necessity for river crossings.
Nardie Enters the Workforce at Crittenden Drive International Harvester Plant
“We were making parts for John Deere, tractor parts, manifold parts. That’s when International Harvester had…remember the Scout? And they had Cub Cadet. So basically, in the foundry, it’s hot metal, you know, and we would do these molds. You add all these components to make the manifold. Once it goes down to the line, it goes down to the pour section. And then you got these guys that are basically pushing a dolly. It’s like a scooter, and it has a ladle. It’s got a ladle full of molten metal.”
Mayor Greenberg, Louisville Free Public Library Reopen Renovated Portland Library
On December 2nd, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg joined Louisville Free Public Library Executive Director Heather Lowe, Councilwoman Donna Purvis, and other city and community leaders to welcome the public back to the fully renovated and expanded Portland Library.
A Jolly Good Time, Presented by Portland Save A Lot
Mary Jolly works for the city at the Health Department and loves to support new and expecting parents. Her career wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for her Portland friends and family being there for her as she was raising her children. Support and love helped spark a passion to make sure every family had what they needed to thrive. Paul is a stay-at-home dad that volunteers in the community, is involved in the kids’ school and helps out the neighbors when he can.