Meet Grant County's newest Kentucky Colonels

Joe and Rhonda Dupuy, owners of Street Art Kustoms in Dry Ridge, received a pair of certificates in the mail Feb. 13, making them Grant County’s newest members of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

Being made a Kentucky Colonel is the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and requires submitting a nomination to the governor.

The Dupuys were nominated by the former chaplain of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Tim Polley.

The Dupuys had no idea they had been nominated. “We would like to thank Tim. Receiving the Kentucky Colonel Award was a very unexpected surprise for both of us.”

“Joe and Rhonda are constantly giving back to the community,” Polley said.

Street Art Kustoms does custom graphics for apparel, signs, banners, car magnets, and more, and the Dupuys have been very generous with organizations in the community.

During his time as chaplain, Polley had a bird’s eye view of that generosity. The Dupuys were essential in employing their business to help out with the Pink Patch Project, which raises funds for breast cancer awareness and treatment.

In October, Street Art Kustoms wraps a couple of cruisers with the Grant County Sheriff’s bright fuchsia Pink Patch logo.

“They also have underwritten our pink T-shirts as well as our Pink Patch Coffee,” Polley added.

Polley enumerated a few of the other projects they have done, such as fundraisers to help local youths fighting cancer and helping with Williamstown’s Christmas parade. They also provided the sheriff’s office with blankets to sell as a fundraiser for the Kentucky and Boy’s Sheriff’s Ranch.

“Whenever a community need arises,” Polley said, “Joe and Rhonda are involved in some way to make their community better.”