There is a population of people in our community who enjoy music, playing instruments, songwriting, and performing at the amateur level. Some of these people may perform as professionals, but not as an exclusive means of work for profit. Many of these people are retired and would benefit in a variety of ways from spending time together getting to know each other, sharing skills, sharing stories, sharing songs, and encouraging each other. Music and creativity provides a platform for people to make friends, grow relationships, and learn new things.  

Acting on an idea from the Greenup Extension Arts Council President, Shannon Spears, the Final Friday Friends Club was formed to give musicians of all backgrounds a space to share music, stories, food, and friendship. In a matter of months, this club has grown from four people to as many as twelve, thus far. All new attendees have returned. It is a multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-socioeconomic group of people. The music varies from original songs, instrumentals, traditional country, world music, and group sing-a-longs.  

Recipes are chosen from the Plan Eat Move website with recommendations from the Greenup County Family and Consumer Science Agent. Sourcing of ingredients comes from the Greenup County Farmers Market when possible.

Participants say that they look forward to our Final Friday Friends Club, lunch and jam session all month! Guests have come to listen to the music and ended up playing along with a percussion instrument - made available to everyone. Bonnie Spears said, "I have shopped at the Farmers Market and cooked at home more since trying these recipes than I have in the past 20 years!" Roger Smith (50+ years as a vegetarian) said, "I thought I had tried everything possible with zucchini and today I learned something new to do with them!" The group shares music in the round and ALWAYS wants to make "one more pass" around the circle before we are finished for the day.