LINK Streetscapes: CVG Airport

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

As exciting as the holidays are, few things compare to the stress of an airport during this time of year.

I recently stopped at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) for a flight to Las Vegas. Located in Hebron, CVG flies and welcomes millions of travelers every year. An October report from CVG shows nearly 5.6 million passengers have moved through the international airport this year alone – and that number spikes during November and December.

During my trip, I found spots that helped me ease the tension of travel. For this edition of Streetscapes, come fly with me at CVG.

Bruegger’s Bagels: Located at the Food Court

Located in the main hub of restaurants at CVG, Bruegger’s mostly offers breakfast staples. With more than a dozen bagel and cream cheese flavors, hungry travelers can truly customize an order.

At 5 a.m., I stuck with a classic everything bagel with plain cream cheese, and my traveling partner had a bold start to her day with an onion bagel paired with a bacon scallion cream cheese.

Bagel-seekers shouldn’t let a line stop them from having a taste of Bruegger’s. Those behind the counter move like lightning and have orders ready before guests finish paying.

Hop and Cask: Located in Concourse B

Travelers with an evening departure or those in need of liquid courage to soothe preflight nerves should stop at Hop and Cask. They boast a large drink menu of beer, bourbon, and cocktails, and offer the

Open from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Hop and Cask serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is only served till 10:30 a.m., but alcohol service is offered earlier in the day and few travelers would scoff at a beer with weary from overpriced convenience store snacks may find comfort in the boards the Taproom offers. Like Hop and Cash, the Taproom also features giant pretzels from local bakery Servatii’s, served with housemade beer cheese and spicy mustard. ports are populated all hours of the day and Beyond meal-worthy entrees, Hop and Cask offers flatbreads and Bavarian pretzels to tide hungry guests over until they reach their destination.

For those mourning the loss of Lil’s Bagels closing in Covington and craving a bagel, Bruegger’s Bagels is the perfect stop. Par for the course in a fast-moving airport, these folks were quick, friendly and efficient. By opening at 5 a.m., a line of 30 people quickly formed. Within 10 minutes, everyone had ordered, paid and was sent on their merry way.

Christian Moerlein Malt House Taproom: Located at Concourse A

Famous for their beer, Christian Moerlein Malt House Taproom also offers bar essentials like burgers, sandwiches and salads. Travelers facing flight delays and

Those familiar with Moerlein restaurants may be acquainted with their short rib grilled cheese. Labeled a staple item on the menu, this classic sandwich with a twist features slow braised short rib, Moerlein sweet onion relish, Butterkase cheese, and toasted parmesan sourdough.

Having a place to relax and recharge until the next flight can help passengers forget about all the stress of navigating an airport. With threatening winter storms and high volumes of passengers during the end of the year, a little research can pay off when travel plans are changed – making a mundane stop on the way to the destination an enjoyable part of the journey.

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

Jim DeLong returning to coach his alma mater Highlands

Wolfpack’s head coach for the 2023 season, has over 10 years in the playing and coaching world. He has worked with teams such as the Dayton Hornets, King Comets, Cincinnati Royals and some youth football teams.

Megan R. Scott was named the owner of the Wolfpack after running the NKY Titans, a youth football team. Tryouts for the team will take place on Jan. 8, 2023, from 12-4 p.m., at 1952 North Bend Road in Hebron. There will be a $65 tryout fee and players must bring their own equipment. Any player wanting to try out for the team must be 18 years of age by March 4, 2023.

coach Noel Rash was also honored after piloting the Tigers to their 3rd straight state championship and 6th in the last 7 years. Rash won his eighth state title in doing so.

Velasquez resigns at Bishop Brossart

Bree Velasquez has resigned as Bishop Brossart’s volleyball coach, a position she’s held since 2018. Velasquez, who tallied a 83-69 record in five seasons, just guided the team to the program’s most wins in a season, and the first district and region tournament championships in school history.

Bishop Brossart Athletic Director Ron Verst said Brossart will begin looking for a coach as soon as possible. Sydney Bragg served as an assistant with Carson Mayes leading the junior varsity and Shelbie Hanson leading the freshman teams.

Listerman gets 200th career win

Jim DeLong, who started his volleyball coaching career at Beechwood in 1996, originally coached two seasons at Highlands from 2000-2002. His 2002 team claimed the 20th district championship and finished with a record of 26-8.

DeLong’s past eight seasons at Wyoming have been nothing short of extraordinary. He has led Wyoming to a 175-32 record and eight Cincinnati Hills League Championships.

He is returning to a Bluebirds team that won their district championship last season and also has eight key players coming back. DeLong met with his new squad to introduce himself and is in the process of establishing a complete staff of assistants.

Semi-Pro team coming to NKY

The Northern Kentucky Wolfpack will be NKY’s new semi-professional football team, with tryouts beginning in January. Ryan Glover, who was recently named the

Four NKY coaches named KHSAA Coach of the Year honorees

Four Northern Kentucky head coaches were named to the KHSAA Coach of the year honoree list for the 2021-2022 seasons. Ian Johnstone, Conner’s cross-country coach, led the Cougars to both a regional championship and a 3A state championship. Jeff Floyd orchestrated the Ryle boys’ swim and dive team into placing second in the 7th region and fifth at the 3A state meet.

Highlands track and field coach Ryan Leopold guided the Bluebirds to a second place finish at the 2A state meet and a 2A, Region 4 championship. Beechwood Head Football

EACH WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS

Velasquez won two 10th Region Coach of the year honors and earned the Northern Kentucky Girls Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year award. The Mustangs also claimed four 10th Region All “A” championships during Velasquez’s tenure. The Mustangs finished ranked 24th in the final Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association poll. She leaves the Mustangs in good shape, only losing two seniors in setter Savannah Seiter and right side/defensive specialist Ava Thomas.

Nine players who played in at least 20 games last year return. That starts with junior libero Maddie Kremer, who led the Mustangs with 614 digs and 66 aces. Eighth grade setter Aubrey Rebholz stepped in for the injured Seiter including the postseason and finished with 332 assists. sophomore 6-foot-3-inch Corrine Blackburn with 404 kills and 87 blocks. But a number of other hitters return to take the pressure off Blackburn. Sophomore outside hitter Kate Neltner, junior outside hitter Kayla Hesse and junior middle blocker Payton Parker return after recording 212, 166 and 148 kills respectively, last season.

Highlands boys’ basketball coach Kevin Listerman won the 200th game of his career when the Bluebirds defeated Boyle County on December 17. The NKU and Covington Catholic grad is in his 12th season as head coach, 10th at Highlands. He’s 157110 at Highlands after the Dec. 17 victory and guided the Bluebirds to the 2021 state championship. Listerman has also had stops at Bellevue for one season in 200203 and Boone County from 2003-04.

The Bluebirds were off to an 8-0 start before suffering their first loss of the season in the Mason County Invitational Tournament against Henry Clay on Dec. 20. They’ve been posting impressive offensive numbers, first in the state in scoring with 87.9 points per game. They also lead the state with 88 three-pointers made. They’re led by four players in double figures, with Will Herald pacing the team with 22 points per game.