Streetscapes: Alexandria Pike

Powered by Duke Energy STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

I’ve mentioned in previous Streetscapes that sometimes I visit an area, thinking I know it, but when I get there, I’m shown a new world. There are so many businesses in this area that I simply couldn’t visit them all in one trip. For now, this segment focuses on the most popular and suggested spots on Alexandria Pike.

Four Mile Pig: 7962 Alexandria Pike

Their menu of sides were mouth-watering. They offer Southern favorites to fit their BBQ options, like white cheddar macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, baked beans, and those seasoned fries. With four kinds of barbeque sauce for your choice of smoked pork, brisket, turkey and chicken, this is true comfort food.

Four Mile Pig offers drive-thru and carryout, but we enjoyed grabbing a seat in the dining room for the full experience.

Brass Key Coffee: 8109 Alexandria Pike Unit 9 ers studied with headphones on or, like me, caught up with a friend over a cup of joe. We sat for hours by the fireplace and Christmas tree, drinking copious amounts of caffeine, each drink just as delicious as the ones prior.

For anyone who likes their coffee with plenty of atmosphere, Brass Key is worth the visit.

Alexandria Brewing Company: 7926 Alexandria Pike

Nothing warms me up on a cold night more than a nice, local beer.

Alexandria Brewing Company is a local favorite, and those who have been here before know why.

I could smell the smoky BBQ before I stepped through the door. The decision to eat here was easy, but I found narrowing my options challenging. I dined with a friend, and we opted for the special of the day – a classic Cuban sandwich with a side of fries.

Within minutes, our food arrived, and we ate it just as quickly.

For those who have never enjoyed a Cuban sandwich, this lunchtime classic features two kinds of pork, loads of melted swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. It’s a tangy favorite, and it’s just not the same without pickles. In my opinion, the world is divided into those who enjoy pickles and those who do not. We both enjoy them, and finished our sandwiches – pickles and all – before we could take a picture.

The fries were seasoned and had, to my surprise, sugar on them. The little pinch of sugar made these a top-tier side that this Kenton County girl would drive 30 minutes for just one more sweet, salty, fried potato.

Brass Key Coffee has been on my radar for months. Their cute interior, spacious seating and gorgeous lattes have been calling to me.

Brass Key is tucked into a strip mall on Alexandria Pike, but once you’re inside you’re transported to a quiet, calm atmosphere that you’ll get lost in for hours.

Christmas décor and music welcomed us just as brightly as the barista did. I opted for my personal staple drink, a vanilla latte, and to match the cozy environment I switched from my normal iced to a hot latte.

The drink was the perfect balance of subtly sweet with a rich espresso topped with frothy foam. There were several guests chatting at the bar, while come custom-

I love a good beer as much as the next person but I find brewery beers often have a strong bitter aftertaste as well as a very staunch smell. This can take away from the refreshing beer you just sampled, so I’m a bit hesitant when trying new breweries. To my delight, the aftertaste and intense smell aren’t present at ABC and they still deliver some of the best beer.

If you aren’t a beer drinker, breweries can seem redundant. At ABC, they know beer is an acquired taste, and offer alternative, including an entire mule menu that features their house-made ginger beer.

They also have one of the best cocktail menus I’ve ever seen at a brewery, so everyone in your group can have their drink of choice. Their space is large and offers a variety of entertainment options for guests, from arcade style games to live music. Combine this with their ample drink menu, and it’s clear why ABC is more than just a local favorite.

Have a street, city or business you want me to check out next? Email me at mchehman@gmail.com and it could be featured on the next installment of LINK streetscapes.

Ludlow seeing red in 2023 and beyond

Dixie Heights promotes Ponchak to head girls soccer coach, Strum retires

The returning Dixie Heights Colonels girls soccer players will have a new leader on the sidelines next season. It will be a familiar face, promoting assistant Kellie Ponchak to head coach.

Ponchak takes over for Chris Strum, who announced his retirement after the season. Strum coached the team the last seven seasons, tallying a 94-48-15 record with four district titles.

Covington Catholic grad Mayer declares for NFL Draft

Notre Dame junior tight end and Covington Catholic grad Michael Mayer has declared for the 2023 NFL draft.

Mayer will skip his senior season, now draft eligible being three years out of high school.

Football Player of the Year after recording 50 receptions for 970 yards and 15 touchdowns. In his Colonels career, Mayer recorded 110 receptions, 2,231 yards and 30 touchdowns, winning Class 5A titles in 2017 and ’19.

The NFL Draft starts on April 27 in Kansas City.

No, not red financially, but red on the football field. Ludlow High School has announced they’ll be upgrading their football field to turf, along with renovations to the track that surrounds the football field. It will be a unique distinction for the Panthers, the only other known red turf football field being on the college level at Eastern Washington University. Plans to get started on the field are slated for January and expected to be finished by July 1, 2023, just in time for the 2023 season.

“It’s been the talk of the town,” Ludlow football coach and co-Athletic Director Greg Taphouse said. “It’s great for all athletes and long awaited. There had been rumors about it for 20-plus years. Being in the flood plane made things difficult. All the kids are excited, the hype back down here is through the roof.”

The upgrade is part of a $23 million special offer of assistance from the State Facilities Construction Commission to help them bring the school up to date. Ludlow was on a KFIX list, where schools were ranked according to their age and need for upgrades, Ludlow was in the top 10 on that list.

“I jokingly said this in the letter. He left me a legacy to carry on,” Ponchak said. “Chris has done a great job of promoting this program, promoting Dixie Heights. He’s done a great job of surrounding himself with talent in the coaching staff. He creates such a great environment for the girls to make memories. It’s easy to be part of Dixie’s program because of what Chris has done. I just hope that I can make him proud and going forward, just continue what he’s worked on.”

The 35-year-old Ponchak is a 2006 Woodford County graduate before playing collegiately at NCAA Division III Asbury University.

Dixie Heights graduates its top scorer from last year in Ashtyn Ivey, who scored 14 goals to go with eight assists. The Colonels return some quality scorers in junior Karolyn Lighthall, Maria Dilts along with freshmen Aubrey Elkins and Hailey Hall.

Prior to coming to Dixie Heights, Ponchak served as the University of Cincinnati Club head coach and has been an assistant at high schools where the family has lived.

“It has been an honor to wear the gold helmet and share a locker room with my brothers the last three years,” Meyer posted on Twitter. “I want to say thank you to all my coaches, staff and of course my teammates for making my Notre Dame experience unforgettable. I also want to express my gratitude to my family and friends. They have supported me all throughout my life, but especially in empowering me to pursue my dreams. The time has come for me to start the next chapter of my career. I’m excited to announce my intentions to the 2023 NFL Draft.”

Mayer has been the most productive tight end in Notre Dame history in his three seasons with the Irish, collecting the most receiving yards all-time (2,009) receptions (180) and touchdowns (18). His 180 receptions are third all-time in the program.

He’s projected as the top tight end to be selected in the draft and has the potential to be the highest draft pick out of Northern Kentucky. Boone County’s Irv Goode was selected 12th in the 1962 NFL draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. Another Boone County grad, Shaun Alexander was picked 19th by the Seattle Seahawks in 2000. Mayer is No. 8 on ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s Big Board.

Mayer was the 2019 Kentucky Mr. Football and also won the 2019 Gatorade Kentucky

St. Henry’s Schlueter named All-American

Amanda Schlueter, a senior on St. Henry’s soccer team was one of 62 players selected across the nation to the United Soccer Coaches 2022 fall high school All-American team. Schlueter is the first student-athlete at St. Henry to be named an All-American. In her senior season, Schlueter scored 35 goals and recorded seven assists, the Crusaders going 13-6-2 and making the 9th Region semifinals. The 35 goals were second most in St. Henry girls soccer program history for a single season.

The first team All-State selection is signed with Ohio State to continue her academic and soccer career in the fall.