Our annual meeting is less than a month away - join us April 21-22, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky at The Spindletop Club for CME credits, a top shelf bourbon tasting experience to benefit the KY Ophthalmological Political Action Committee and an afternoon at the Keeneland Thoroughbred Racetrack. Bring your family - the event venue is located right across the street from the Kentucky Horse Park!
HOTEL ROOM BLOCK ONLINE RESERVATIONS NOW OPENThe KAEPS will be offering online registration for the event again this year starting in January 2017. Room block information at the Marriott Griffin Gate and Resort and Spa on Newtown Pike in Lexington, Kentucky is NOW AVAILABLE! CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM TODAY! Hotel rooms are $169 and block rates are available only through March 30. For more information on hotel options in downtown Lexington (not participating in group rate) or other hotels close to the meeting facility please send us an email. | 2017 SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORSPRESENTING SPONSOR -  DIAMOND -  PLATINUM - Johnson and Johnson Vision, Regeneron, and Allergan SILVER - Retina Associates of Kentucky EXHIBITORS -
| THE HISTORY OF OUR NEW VENUE - The Club at Spindletop HallOn November 13, 1925, Miles Frank Yount struck oil at Spindletop field in Beaumont, Texas. The field, which had been dormant since the early 1900’s, produced over 340,000 barrels of oil an acre per year, pumping in excess of 50 million barrels within 5 years. Now financially secure, Miles Frank and wife Pansy established a stable of American Saddlebred horses, quickly becoming recognized as leaders in the industry. On November 13, 1933, the eighth anniversary of Spindletop’s second discovery, Miles Frank Yount died of a heart attack at age 53. Left as the beneficiary of great wealth, Mildred (Pansy) Yount chose Kentucky as the place she would start anew. Spindletop Farm was established in 1935 on 800 acres of land. At a cost of one million dollars, construction of Spindletop Hall began in 1935 and took two years to complete. Mrs. Yount deemed the house to be a showplace of Kentucky, a modern mansion of classical architecture. When completed, the mansion housed 40 rooms, each with its own thermostat, 14 bathrooms, 133 full size exterior and interior doors, 102 windows with screens of copper, and 11 fireplaces. There are over 45,000 square feet of floor space. At the time of construction, the circular staircase and the 30 x 60 foot living room were the largest in Kentucky. Eventually, Mrs. Yount expanded the farm to 1,066 acres. On the property were seven miles of metal fences, 17 houses for servants and farm hands, and 18 barns. There was also a greenhouse, a swimming pool, a bath house, a tennis court, two aviaries, and three kennels. Pansy Yount lived at Spindletop with her adopted daughter, also named Mildred, and third husband and horse trainer Cape Grant. She was considered "new money" by the Kentucky Blue Bloods and was never accepted into their social circle. After divorcing Mr. Grant, Pansy left Spindletop in 1955. In early 1959, Spindletop Farm was sold to The University of Kentucky for $850,000. The farm was self-financed by Pansy over a period of ten years with no interest charged to the University. Mrs. Yount died in 1962 and in that same year Spindletop Hall became the residence of the University of Kentucky Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Club. The Club’s roster boasts over 1000 family, couple, senior, and individual members. |