Ann Barrickman Smiser was born in Skylight, Ky. on August 1, 1918. She and her husband, Jack, owned the Chevrolet dealership in LaGrange as well as owned and operated the Melrose Inn and Restaurant that was located on Hwy. 42 at the Oldham and Jefferson County line. A longtime resident of Oldham County, Ann moved to Shelbyville in 1997 where she currently resides.

Ann was selected as the 2009’s February Living Treasure sponsored by the Oldham Era and Oldham County History Center. Her involvement in the Oldham County community has included her church, business and volunteer interest. She has been a member of Shiloh Methodist Church since she was 14 years old where she has served the capacity of secretary and/or treasurer for 50 years. Ann grew-up near Skylight and attended Liberty Elementary and High School. She met her husband, Jack, when she was a teenager and after they married, they began a car dealership in Skylight which they later moved to LaGrange.

The Melrose Inn was perhaps the well-remembered business that Ann and her late husband, Jack owned. Located near on the Jefferson County line on Hwy. 42, the Melrose was a popular stop for truck traffic, tourists and destination diners from Louisville. The Smiser’s hotel and restaurant became a popular Derby tradition, as well, for many folks. Their special minted bourbon juleps and country ham were a big hit along with the rib-eye steaks, Garibaldi salad, and the infamous Derby Pie. The Derby Pie was made by Mrs. Kern and sold only to the Melrose Inn for awhile, until the Kern’s expanded their business.

Ann has been a longtime supporter of the Oldham County History Center and she serves on the Board of Directors for Mahan Foundation. She is a golfer, gardener and is member of a local book club. She enjoys the “manual” labor of gardening and credits her active life style and well being to growing up with three brothers that started her playing sports at an early age.