Owensboro Living - August / September 2019

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FROM THE EDITOR

EDITOR

Steven Wilson steven@owensboroliving.com PUBLISHER

Taylor West

taylor@tannerpublishing.com

IT’S TIME TO DIG IN TO OUR ANNUAL DINING GUIDE!

AD SALES

Brock Quinton brock@tannerpublishing.com

Owensboro is full of great restaurants—from casual to fine dining, and big chains to local favorites, we have it all (and new ones keep coming all the time). We know our readers love to eat, and this issue has you covered from farm to table.

Did you know that there’s a lavender farm right here in Daviess County? And while most people know about the plants uses in skin and beauty products, it can also be used in a ton of tasty recipes. In fact, we have a scrumptious sampling of lavender recipes for you to try at home.

And though they’re not technically “farms”, this issue also features two community gardens. In addition to beautifying our city, these shared plots of land also provide a spot for locals to grow their own fresh produce. Don’t have a yard of your own? No problem! These church-run gardens are open to the public, and even provide tools for the gardeners.

On the “table” side, we feature George Skiadis, a longstanding fixture in the Owensboro restaurant community. If his name doesn’t immediately ring a bell, there’s a good chance you’ve dined at one of his downtown establishments—the Famous Bistro and Lure.

Robert Williams robert@tannerpublishing.com LAYOUT & DESIGN

Jamie Alexander Andrea Roberson Monica Smith CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jamie Alexander Casey Hamilton Jacqueline Jordan Beth Noffsinger Dana Peveler Katie Pickens Meghann Richardson Julia Hartz Tipmore Melody Ann Wallace Taylor West Lora Wimsatt ON THE COVER

Strawberries and cream pastry from Niko’s Bakery and Café Photo by Jamie Alexander FOUNDER

Jason Tanner jason@tannerpublishing.com Online owensboroliving.com

Travelling a couple of hours down south, you’ll find Owensboro native Mark Bolton, who now serves as Chef de Cuisine at Nashville’s Rolf and Daughters restaurant. With an impressive resume that includes stops in Chicago and San Francisco, Mark is a testament to the type of culinary talent our city can produce.

So whether this letter has whet your appetite or you’re just in the mood for some good reading, we hope you enjoy our latest issue of Owensboro Living!

facebook.com/owensboroliving instagram.com/owensboroliving twitter.com/oboroliving issuu.com/tannerpublishing Offline Owensboro Living Magazine PO Box 9503 Owensboro, KY 42302 888-304-5416 Advertise

Steven Wilson Editor, Owensboro Living steven@owensboroliving.com

Owensboro Living is a FREE magazine because of community support. Thank you to the great group of businesses & organizations who advertise.

TANNER PUBLISHING CO.

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2019

AUG SEPT [08]

THE BUZZ

[20]

THE REAL PEOPLE, PLACES AND EVENTS THAT SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE OWENSBORO TIMES

[10]

THE PULSE

PREVENTING INJURY FOR A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY

[14]

FROM THE DESK OF...

GEORGE SKIADIS

FEATURES [16] M.PORIUM DELIGHTS WITH UNIQUE ART [20] BIG ROOTS LAVENDER FARM [24] NICKY HAYDEN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION [26] HITTING A HIGH NOTE IN THE

NASHVILLE FOOD SCENE

[16]

[30] GENESIS MEN REENTRY: PREPARING

PRISONERS FOR A SECOND CHANCE

[34] COMMUNITY GARDENS

GROW COMMUNITY

[41]

DINING GUIDE

DISCOVER THE FLAVOR OF OWENSBORO

[52]

THE STYLE

[34]

A FUNCTIONAL FARM KITCHEN FALL FASHION TRENDS

[61]

SENIOR LIVING

[68]

NOURISHMENT FOR THE BODY AND SOUL

[64]

THE GETAWAY

36 HOURS IN BOWLING GREEN

[68]

THE DISH

A LITTLE LAVENDER GOES A LONG WAY

[72]

THE SCENE

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AND AROUND OWENSBORO

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[26] AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

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THE

BUZZ

LIC’S NAMED TO KENTUCKY TOP 10

The Kentucky 100, a new, twice-monthly emailed publication that delivers 100-word stories and short videos, named Lic’s Deli & Ice Cream in Owensboro one of the top 10 ice cream shops in the state. Lic’s, short for Lloyd’s Ice Cream Shoppes, was established in 1950 in Evansville, where the premium ice cream was made in the back room of one small retail store.

KENTUCKY YOUTH STORYTELLING TORCHBEARER

ROBERTS ADVOCATES FOR DIABETES RESEARCH IN D.C. 11 year-old Macy Roberts attended the 2019 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C. Roberts spent July 8-10 lobbying for continued research funding. She met and spoke with Kentucky’s most important political leaders, and participated in a Congress Committee hearing where delegates shared personal testimonies highlighting the challenges of living with T1D. Roberts was one of 160 delegates selected from 1,200 applicants.

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The Kentucky Storytelling Association has named Daviess County High School senior Kaytlyn Meyer as one of five Torchbearers for 2019-20. Being a Kentucky Storytelling Association’s Torchbearer means that Meyer will attend storytelling festivals throughout the year where she will perform stories as well as listen to other storytellers. At DCHS, Meyer has competed in the Kentucky Theatre Association competition where her team was regional runner up and she won all-star cast individually at the state competition. Meyer is also a member of the speech and debate team, and recently won second place in storytelling. She is also an officer in her thespian troupe. www.OwensboroLiving.com

SWIMMER SELECTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS CAMP

GET WITH THE TIMES!

Get more news like this on The Owensboro Times app.

Download the app today on the App Store or Google Play.

Local swimmer Cort Hoblemann attended the 2019 D and I Select Diversity Camp last month at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. He was one of only 48 athletes between the ages of 13-16 selected to attend the prestigious swim camp, an honor he did not take lightly. Hoblemann is 16 years old, and is entering his junior year at Owensboro Catholic High School. He is an active member of both the Catholic High School swim team and Owensboro Marlins swim team.

Invitations to the camp were extended to underrepresented populations who met specific qualifying times at USA Swimming sanctioned events.

KET PREMIERES BLUEGRASS DOCUMENTARY AT HALL OF FAME

OIA WINS NATIONAL HONORS Nineteen students from Owensboro Innovation Academy traveled to National Harbor, Md., near Washington D.C., to compete in the National TEAMS competitions June 28-July 2. TEAMS, which stands for Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science, requires the competitors to compete in three sections of competition—digital media, presentation, engineering computation and design. The OIA 9/10 team placed 4th in the Nation in the Engineering Design Build portion of the competition. The members of the fourth-place team are Caitlyn Belo, Danielle Carpenter, Evan Carpenter, David Christensen, Alex Foster, Katie Gray, Adam Lott and Kris Luck.

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Kentucky Educational Television (KET) debuted its latest documentary “Big Family: The Story of Bluegrass Music” July 13 at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum gets a mention in the film, and the filmmakers were present during the facility’s grand opening. The two-hour film is narrated by actor and bluegrass enthusiast Ed Helms. According to the film’s website, “it provides a comprehensive look at bluegrass music—what it is, key musicians who have shaped its sound, and its worldwide appeal. The film explores the evolution of the bluegrass sound through generations of musicians, from early pioneers to young contemporary performers.”

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THE

PULSE

OWENSBORO HEALTH REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Preventing Injury

FOR A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY

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Owensboro Health is a Level III Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons. But a big part of what we do is educating our community on preventing the injuries that we see most frequently.

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T

he National Trauma Database allows us to identify

even see our injury prevention nurse Kay Ewing out

the top injuries and the programs that we can use to

around town at various events educating on the key

help prevent them.

factors that reduce the risk of falls.

FALL PREVENTION

A SAFE RIDE

Falls are the No. 1 injury among those 65 years of

Motor vehicle accidents and pedestrian versus motor

age and older, but there are steps we can take to help

vehicle injuries are other main causes of injuries that

prevent falls. Through a partnership with the Green

we see in the Trauma Department. Car seats are the best

River Area Development District, we are implementing

way to protect your children while in transit. That’s

a Safe Aging Coalition to share knowledge on fall

why we have trained members from our community

prevention programs and to educate our community on

including nurses, police officers and fire fighters

some of the ways we can prevent this common injury

to be nationally certified to perform car seat safety

in the first place. We also utilize evidenced-based fall

inspections to help keep children in our communities

prevention programs like Bingocize to help people to

safe. We have even been able to provide free car seats to

gain mobility in senior living facilities. Or you may

families in need. Bike helmets are another important

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way to prevent a devastating trauma from a crash. You may have seen us at Friday After 5 or at the Owensboro Regional Farmers’

Market

handing

out

free bicycle helmets and we will continue to educate kids on the importance of always wearing a

STOP THE BLEED Research

has

demonstrated

that many people who suffer a traumatic injury actually pass away because of the bleeding and not the initial injury. Stop the Bleed is a program designed to train community members on quick

Your trauma center is here to serve! If you would like more information on any of the

helmet while riding. Each time we

techniques to prevent death due

provide a car seat or helmet, we

to life threatening bleeding. We

take that opportunity to provide

have taken this training program

please contact Alysia Adams,

comprehensive education to the

to local schools to train nurses

Director of Trauma services at

child and parents regrading key

and staff on these life-saving

safety features and usage. All

270-417-5922 or via email at

techniques. Through the help

car seats and bike helmets have

of the Owensboro Foundation,

been funded through the help of

we were able to provide Stop the

a grant from Owensboro Health

Bleed kits to all of the schools who

of the community we serve, and

Foundation.

received training.

look forward to hearing from you.

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community outreach efforts listed,

Alysia.adams@owensborohealth.org.

We are here to improve the safety

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FROM THE DESK OF...

George

SKIADIS OWNER, FAMOUS BISTRO

BY CASEY HAMILTON PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

You need only visit Famous Bistro one time to learn that they are “famous” for their delectable Greek-inspired dishes. However, you might also notice another characteristic for which they are famous—their hospitable, welcoming atmosphere. This is all due to George Skiadas, owner, and his staff.

George, who has been a restaurateur for over 45 years, says that his businesses are “So much more than trying to make a living. It’s a way of life.”

I took some time to talk to George about all the memorabilia that hangs on the wall in Famous Bistro. As a customer, the photos, paintings, and other artifacts have always fascinated me, and I have longed to learn the stories behind them.

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George got his first taste of Owensboro after beginning his degree at Kentucky Wesleyan College at the suggestion of his high school guidance counselor. However, life would temporarily take him in a different direction.

In 1974, after opening a pizza parlor in Rhode Island, along with his two cousins, George was officially bitten by the restaurateur “bug.” He settled in Pennsylvania, where he continued in the pizza business for 20 years before transitioning to a high-end fullservice restaurant.

In the mid to late 80’s, George continued his ownership of the restaurant, but took time to travel and compete in skydiving.

Above the bar in Famous Bistro, patrons can see photographs from this time in George’s life. Finally, Labor Day weekend, 1989, George returned to Owensboro to finish his degree at Kentucky Wesleyan, where he met his future wife, Nancy. Even after earning his degree, George continued taking classes. “I enjoyed the experience of reliving my college years,” George told me with a smile on his face.

Nancy and George married in 1992, and George considered teaching as a career, but he gravitated back to the food business because he missed it. June 1, 1993, Famous Bistro opened. George says this is his www.OwensboroLiving.com

favorite restaurant so far because of his “Long history with great customers.” According to George, who also owns Lure Restaurant in the Downtown Hampton Inn, “I can’t retire. I have to stay involved.”

George is quick to point out that his business skills are lacking, but his focus is on building relationships with his loyal customers and their families.

Though he wasn’t born in Greece, George has visited his extended family there many times, and he remains true to his Greek heritage, which is well-reflected in his bistro. George cordially showed me around his business, while explaining some of the items adorning the walls.

One of George’s favorite pieces is a black and white photo of the Central Plaza of Yannina, Greece, his family’s hometown. A flea market find, the photo illustrates much about life in the early 50’s.

No women are shown in the photo, and the men are dressed in their Sunday best. George explained that in the evening the men would walk up and down the promenade for hours to entertain themselves before going to meet up with their families.

Opposite this photo is a painting done by George’s mother-inlaw, which shows the adjacent side of the same Yannina plaza at a time when Greece was under military control after a coup by three Greek colonels. This is evident by the two winged statues located in the lower left part of the painting.

Many renderings of Famous Bistro decorate its walls, including a watercolor of the establishment gifted to George by Bill Gutsche, a Daviess County High School teacher. A colorful canvas painting of the Bistro shows a livelier version of the outside and brightens the wall near the kitchen.

Sepia toned photos of George’s family show his maternal grandmother and grandfather along with his mother, aunt and uncle.

The photo was taken in the 1930’s. Flanking a portrait of George photographed by Wendall Thompson, are his parents’ engagement and wedding photos. His parents watch over George and his thriving business from just above the opening to the kitchen.

At the top of the back left wall hang portraits of people George considers his heroes. Among the collection are photos of the Dalai Lama, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mother Theresa. At the end of this line of photos is a sweet picture of George and his son, Ben, at a young age. George tells me that his son, Ben insisted that picture be hung in this place of honor. George insists, “That one doesn’t really belong there.” Ben has followed in his father’s footsteps, and runs Lure. “It is his baby,” George explains, “And he is doing a fabulous job!”

Famous Bistro thrives on quality customer service. George Skiadas is truly a man who cherishes the relationships he builds with his patrons when he sits down to have a conversation over lunch or personally serves them crème brulee for dessert. He considers many of those he has met through the Bistro to be lifelong friends, even allowing the front window table to be dedicated to a loyal, frequent customer and friend who passed away last year. Of all his years in the restaurant business, George says, “It has been a wonderful journey.”

If you know of someone whose office we could feature in an upcoming issue, tell us about it at steven@owensboroliving.com www.OwensboroLiving.com

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M.PORIUM DELIGHTS WITH

Unique Art

BY JACQUELINE JORDAN PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

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A

rtist Mary Katherine Maddox was

While she still makes wonderfully colorful

considering a career change when the

pieces, she developed a more muted style to

universe sent her a pretty scary sign that

match her jewelry vibe.

it was time to make a move.

The former bank employee had been

brand, Maddox started making what she

dreaming of a more creative life, when a man

calls “remix paintings.” These works of art

with a gun came up to her teller window and

are made by taking a less-than-desirable old

demanded money. “Well, if that’s not a sign,”

painting and giving it some new life with pop-

Maddox said. That evening she went to dinner

culture-referencing text and updated frames.

with friends to calm her nerves and figure

For example, she took a lackluster painting

out a plan to move forward. Flash forward

of a Victorian woman and covered it with the

almost 7 years later and she’s pursuing a life

phrase “females are strong as hell”—a reference

full of creativity as her jewelry and art business

to the popular Netflix show “The Unbreakable

M.porium thrives.

Kimmy Schmidt.”

“I’ve always liked to make jewelry, and I

To be more cohesive with her M.porium

“It’s the same idea as the jewelry,” she said.

like to wear one-of-a-kind things,” Maddox

“Nobody wants it as is. Nobody loves it. So I

said. “I just wasn’t sure how to make it unique.”

put letters over it and give it a makeover.”

The answer came through antique and thrift

shopping with her mom. “We’d find boxes of

regularly sells her creations at Studio Slant and

keys, buttons and tags,” she said. “We treasure

on Instagram and Facebook. People message or

hunt, and I use what I find.”

comment, and she takes care of the sale from

there.

Recycled jewelry and vintage pieces are

The response has been great. Maddox

on-trend at the moment, so Maddox is ahead of

the curve. To keep her work interesting, she’s

to do more,” she said. “I have an angel of a

always looking for ways to make items even

husband and a great group of hype ladies so

more unique with beads and gemstones.

I’m not there (at festivals) alone. I also just

But making jewelry isn’t her only talent.

want people to come have fun when they’re

A year ago, she started selling her paintings,

with me. You don’t have to buy something. It’s

making some for herself, and putting some up

not just about the jewelry. I just want people to

for sale at Studio Slant. Those paintings were

come and be a part of what I’m doing.”

usually bright, pop art pieces that were fun, but

had a very different vibe from her jewelry line.

“I wouldn’t still be doing this if it wasn’t for

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Maddox also enjoys festivals. “I’d love

Maddox didn’t get to this point alone.

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Christy Chaney and Katherine Taylor (of Studio Slant). Imposter syndrome is real and they always cheer me on. I’m lucky to know a lot of bad mamajamas that support me.”

Overall, Maddox just seems thankful

to have the freedom to be creative for a living. “Creative things are so undervalued, but they’re what make life so great,” she said. “I want the lady who wears my earrings to feel like the coolest gal in the room. I want my artwork to make people smile when they see it in their homes every day. Little joys add up.”

Find

Maddox

on

Facebook

at

facebook.com/mkmporium or Instagram at @mporium.

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BigRoots L av e n d e r

fa r m

BY JACQUELINE JORDAN // PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

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T

o some, it may seem like the Ramseys are growing lavender. But they’re really growing something

moving to Kentucky because they’d found their farm.

“Everything just fell perfectly into place,” said Erin.

much more valuable—peace.

Erin and Doug Ramsey run Big Roots Lavender

May of 2017. “You don’t see a lot of lavender in Kentucky,

Farm in Hawesville, but their start as farmers is an

because it’s humid and it needs drainage,” Erin Ramsey

unconventional one—mostly because they had no

explained. “If you came to our farm, you’ll see if looks

farming experience when they started. “I grew up in San

different than in France or other places.”

Francisco, and couldn’t keep a houseplant alive,” said

Erin Ramsey.

built a smaller structure for a store and meeting place.

They use the meeting space for women’s retreats and

The couple found themselves living in Evansville,

They planted 1,900 seedlings from Washington in

After that, they painted the “big barn” purple and

in what they thought was their dream home and where

wreath-making classes.

they’d retire. They saw a small lavender farm while

traveling, and were inspired to plant some in their own

lavender fields. While many people think of a labyrinth

backyard. It wasn’t long before they were itching to do

as a maze, this is a simple walking meditation space. Erin

more.

Ramsey said their goal is for everyone to leave the farm

feeling better than when they arrived.

“As a family, we decided we wanted to contribute

They also built a labyrinth in the middle of the

differently, and we decided to start the lavender farm

because of its healing properties,” Erin Ramsey said.

anyone would show up. “We had thousands of people,”

said Erin Ramsey. “It was a dream come true.”

Erin, Doug and their children, Ryan, Molly and Jack,

When the farm opened last year, they didn’t know if

moved fast on their idea. They came up with the idea on

September 10, 2016, and two months later they were

when she was working in the store. She looked out onto

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She said one of the best moments last season happened

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PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

the field to watch people cutting their own lavender.

season’s Owensboro Regional Farmer’s Market, where

“There were so many people from so many backgrounds

they sold lavender sachets.

and ethnicities—I had a tear in my eye,” she said. “This

is how we grow peace as a country, by meeting people you wouldn’t and crossing paths with others.”

The farm expects a good harvest this season, and

sales are steady for the lavender products that they bottle themselves.

Their best seller is the linen spray, and they also find

For those wanting to visit the farm, they’re open

from June to August, Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. You can cut your own lavender for $10 a bundle, and there are fresh flowers, herbs and a sunflower field.

They hope to impact as many people as they can, Erin

that their body butter sells so fast it’s hard to keep in

Ramsey said, and she hopes that someday their 20 acres of

stock. They just recently had their first appearance at this

land are covered in purple.

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NICKY HAYDEN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION BY MEGHANN RICHARDSON

Nicky Hayden was more than a professional motorcycle racer—he was also a philanthropist.

Prior to his death in 2017, Hayden regularly

donated to charities in Owensboro and gave back to his community. Since his passing, his family has worked to keep his legacy of giving alive by starting a foundation in his memory.

The Nicky Hayden Memorial Foundation funds

local charities in the Owensboro community that help children.

According to the Foundation’s website, the 2006

MotoGP World Champion “loved where he came from. He loved to give back and he loved children.

The fund is being set up in order to help local children in the community he loved so much.”

The Nicky Hayden Memorial Foundation is a component fund of the Green River Area Community

Foundation,

an

affiliate

of

the

PHOTO BY AP IMAGERY

Community Foundation of Louisville.

Jenny Hayden Hansler, Nicky’s sister, said the

Foundation started right after his death, and since its inception has given thousands of dollars to numerous charities in Owensboro.

“In the last year, we have given the Cliff Hagan

Boys and Girls Club a new van to allow them to get more boys and girls to the club where they had no transportation before,” she said. “We want to be able to do as much as we can for children in Owensboro and Daviess County.”

The van transports 36 youth to participate in the club’s after school program. Without the van, these kids would not get that opportunity.

Hansler

said

the

Foundation has also contributed to the Daviess County Public School System, Goodfellows Club of Owensboro, Fresh

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Start for Women, Wendell Foster and St. Benedicts

in May, American Flat Track announced In honor of

Homeless Shelter.

Nicky’s memory that AFT Events would donate $1 from

In the last two years, the Foundation has also

every ticket sold for the Indian Motorcycle of Lexington

purchased books and food for children in need and

Red Mile to benefit The Nicky Hayden Memorial

provided countless resources to underprivileged youth

Foundation.

in the area.

recently made significant contributions of their own to

“This gift will also enrich children’s lives by placing

books in the hands of kids that need them. We are honored to be a part of programs serving children in honor of Nicky Hayden,” Kelly May, Family Resource Coordinator at Audubon Elementary school told the Owensboro Times last year.

Hansler said the Foundation mainly focuses on

giving to organizations who deal with children—“We mainly keep it to children and young children. If the family feels passionate about it, then we give.”

During the weekend of June 9, the Foundation held

its first fundraising dinner and auction.

“This was just another way to keep Nicky’s legacy

alive and keep his name going,” Hansler said. “We plan to make this an annual benefit to keep the foundation

Separate from the memorial fund, the Hayden family

two local agencies that also serve children.

The family purchased land across the street from

the Daniel Pitino Shelter, which they then donated to the shelter to be used for a 12-unit apartment complex bearing Nicky’s name.

The low-cost apartments will serve women or families

with children that need help getting back on their feet.

The Haydens also purchased and donated land to the

St. Joseph’s Peace Mission for Children that will be used to build the Hayden Home for Girls.

The Hayden Home for Girls will provide housing for

pregnant teenagers and pre-teens. It will also be available to girls who are currently parenting, among a variety of

going.”

other issues and needs. The home will house up to eight

occupants at a time.

People could donate online, buy tables for dinner

and participate in a live and silent auction.

August.

“We kept it small for the first one while we’re trying

Hansler said the plan is for the home to open in

to figure things out,” Hansler said. “We sold out real

quick. We have so many generous donors who helped

acts are to keep Nicky’s legacy alive,” Hansler said.

make the event a success.”

“Nicky was very generous and we want to keep that same

giving spirit going in Owensboro.”

While that was a large fundraiser for the Foundation,

“Our goal for the Foundation and other charitable

To donate to the Nicky Hayden Memorial Fund, visit cfl.iphiview.com/cfl/DonorsFundholders/GivingOpportunities/tabid/464/Default.aspx.

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BY KATIE S PICKEN

HITTING A HIGH NOTE in the Nashville Food Scene Mark Bolton is the Chef de cuisine at one of Nashville’s most popular restaurants, Rolf and Daughters. But before his career took off in fine dining, Bolton had to start somewhere. For him, that starting place was Owensboro.

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PHOTOS BY TAYLOR WEST

B

olton began a career in the restaurant industry working as a cook at Owensboro Country Club. For two years, Bolton learned the ins and outs of the kitchen—how to properly maneuver a knife when slicing, how to prepare and present dishes for guests and, above all, how to cook. All of this prepared Bolton for a career-defining choice he was about to make.

“I was probably 17 or 18 when I started at Owensboro Country Club,” he said. “I moved to Chicago at 20 years old.”

Compelled by a desire to live in a bigger city and do something “really different” with his creativity, Bolton packed his things and headed for the Windy City, where he enrolled in a one-year culinary arts program.

As willing as Bolton was to hone his skills, he found himself disappointed with the culinary program. Chefs and cooks taught students to make dishes at too fast a pace to truly understand the craft. Even more, Bolton was frustrated that the program focused so much on the basics—things he’d already learned to do while in Owensboro.

“I tell people now, ‘Just save your money,’” he said. “I tell everyone who wants to become a chef, ‘Just go to a kitchen somewhere. Start from the bottom and work your way up’.

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You just learn so much more by being in it and getting the repetition down.”

After school, that was exactly what Bolton did. He worked at Chicago’s BOKA for five years before landing a job at TRU—a Michelin-star French restaurant in the Streeterville area of Chicago. After moving to San Francisco for two years, Bolton returned to Chicago and opened up not one, but two different restaurants—Smith and The Loyalist.

There was some pushback Bolton encountered while trying to get Smith and The Loyalist off the ground, but once he broke those barriers, Bolton opened two highly successful restaurants, and they remain successful to this day.

Now, working as the Chef de cuisine at Nashville’s Rolf and Daughters, Bolton feels he’s hit his stride.

“I was looking for a place not so busy, where I could have a home and a yard,” Bolton said of his move to Nashville. “I’d been to Nashville and loved it.”

After speaking with the owner of Rolf and Daughters, a connection was made between the two of them, Bolton said.

He and his fiance were living in Nashville only two weeks later.

“I get to control the whole menu,” he said of his role.

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“Our philosophy is, we get every single product from a farm

Nashville, it has remained one of the hottest tables in town,”

[in the area]. We focus on whole animal butchery—we utilize

said a critic from food and drink travel guide site AFAR. “The

every part of the animal.”

restaurant feels welcoming with its dim lighting, brick walls

and locally-made Holler Design furniture.”

Agriculture is huge in the Nashville area, Bolton said,

which makes his restaurant’s farm-to-table approach even

more lucrative.

octopus, to chicken with preserved lemon and garlic confit,

“There’s so many farms here. There’s no reason you

wouldn’t source from here,” he said. “Winter’s a different animal, though. I got here in mid-January 2018, and there wasn’t much produce to choose from, so I tried to hone in on it.”

Because of Bolton’s idea to have farmers store parts of

their harvest during winter, he single-handedly spearheaded a new farming technique in the Nashville area. Bolton said the storage of crops during off-seasons makes it much easier for chefs to utilize produce for their winter menus.

Rolf and Daughters features an ever-changing menu that

Serving dishes that range from squid ink paccheri with

patrons can find the abstract, the classic, and the-everythingin-between at Bolton’s restaurant, and that’s all by design.

“We’ve built trust with our diners where we can do some

creative stuff,” Bolton said. “We don’t do weird combos. We’re just trying to pull all these flavors from beautiful produce we get. I’m always thinking, ‘How can we make this better? What if we did this instead?’”

In the end, Bolton said everything he changes—from

the oil used in a certain dish to the city in which he lives and works—is done with a single purpose.

is manifested through Bolton’s creativity and skill and, after

six and-a-half years, the restaurant has maintained a 4.7 out of

can be tough on guests, but when someone in your restaurant

5 rating on Facebook.

tries something new, something they aren’t sure about, and

then you see their face light up when they taste it, it feels pretty

“Rolf and Daughters opened in 2012 in the midst of

a restaurant boom, but even with all the new options in

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“We change to evolve,” Bolton said. “Sometimes change

amazing.”

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BY Y MELOD E C A L WAL

Genesis Men Reentry: PREPARING PRISONERS FOR A SECOND CHANCE

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L

iberian-born pastor Garswa Matally understands what it is like to feel imprisoned. Having lived in refugee camps during a time of civil war in West Africa, Garswa can identify with the feelings of isolation and the desires for a better life that prisoners encounter. These experiences are what make Garswa the ideal individual to start a reentry program for incarcerated men in Owensboro.

In January of 1991, at the age of 27, Garswa arrived in the United States. After graduating from seminary in Louisville in 1994, Garswa, “Brother G” as he is commonly known, moved to Owensboro to seek employment. Although Brother G has been very active in ministry and several local churches, his heart quickly led him to prison ministry.

“Because of my background with refugee life, I have been involved in jail ministry over the years. It’s very similar to being in prison,” Brother G said.

After working with individuals through Fresh Start and Friends of Sinners, Brother G began to see the need for a local program that would assist men in making a positive transition from life in jail to life back in society.

“I continued teaching the Fresh Start class and that evolved www.OwensboroLiving.com

PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

into the Genesis Men class,” Brother G said. “I’ve always thought of a program that would go beyond basic instruction—that would go into reentry. I found that there was no program for reentry in Owensboro, so I approached the [Green River] Reentry Council.”

The idea of Genesis Reentry Skills, Inc. was well-received, and is now in

the process of becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

“The goal and mission of Genesis Reentry is to walk with those who are

coming out of incarceration or are still behind bars,” Brother G said. “We teach them life skills to help with fruitful living in their life and with their families.”

Genesis Men learn job skills, money management, resume development,

how to prepare for job interviews, and may even receive the necessary clothing for those interviews. Brother G’s hope is to work with the Kentucky Career Center and local employers “to give guys with a record another chance” and act as a “liaison with employers on their behalf.”

“We will walk with them on how to handle money,” Brother G said.

“Money is one of the main reasons they revert to bad behavior. In that vein— we will sit with them and develop a one-page project and develop a budget so they can have a spending and savings plan.”

Brother G said Genesis Reentry will also teach men about manhood

and fatherhood, in hopes of equipping them with the skills they need to be a good husband and a good father, even going as far as to help with childcare arrangements, if necessary.

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“We want to assist them in very practical ways, by helping them get their documents (such as a driver’s license or social security card) back in order or reinstated to help them so they can be ready for the job market,” Brother G said. “We want to get to where we have a van and can move them around to look for jobs until they can get their own jobs.”

While Brother G has an obvious heart for those in transition, he also has a desire to better educate himself in understanding these individuals and their situations. He is currently attending classes at Western Kentucky University in an effort to receive psychological training to better understand and deal with mental health issues.

With the need to focus on his education and the other ministries he is part of, the Genesis Reentry board made the decision to name Donna Nolan as executive director and Brother G as her assistant director until he completes his schooling.

“He started this thing and he has put so much work into it,” Donna said. “He continues to go out to the jail and teach the Genesis part. Once people get out of jail, there is a big gap to get what they need to be productive and responsible citizens— that’s where Brother G comes in—he can teach them how to be men. He may not take any credit, but, without him, the Genesis program would not be where it is today.”

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BY ELINE JACQU N JORDA

Community Gardens

S

GROW COMMUNITY

ometimes you find yourself with a green thumb but no space to grow a garden. If you happen to be in Owensboro, community gardens could be the answer.

Century Christian Church at 1301 Tamarack Road offers raised garden beds for members of the community.

Marla Christian, church administrative assistant, said six of the total 26 plots are still open this growing season. “They fill up pretty well,” she said. “People continue to come in. A lot of the same people have a garden every year.”

Christian said maintaining a garden plot is a lot of work, but the church provides a small shed full of garden tools, and water.

“The only thing people have to provide is seeds or plants and fertilizer,” she said. “Someone could even just grow flowers for cut flowers.”

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Most of the beds are 4 feet by 12 feet, and gardeners use them for your typical summer crops of tomatoes, zucchini, onions and more.

The beds are a no-cost service to anyone in the community, and the church simply asks that gardeners pay it forward. “We ask that since there are no fees, they donate some to the Help Office, or leave some at the church. Just to pay back to the community.”

Anyone interested in one of the remaining garden plots can call the church at (270) 684-0286 or stop in and fill out an agreement, which simply says you’ll abide by the rules.

On Daviess Street, First Christian Church has approximately 40 raised garden beds that are overflowing with growth.

Janet Luckett, a member of the church’s outreach

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PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

program, said the gardens were started around 2011 for the number of Burmese refugees that live in the neighboring apartment complex.

Luckett said the late Carol Mark was owed credit for getting the project started. “She had an engineering background and she knew how to get it going,� Luckett said.

While the garden plots are open to anyone in the community, first priority goes to those who have been using them all along. The raised beds have served as a temporary place for the refugees to grow familiar foods until they can have gardens in their own yards. And with a seating area in the shade among the fruit trees, it also acts as a community gathering spot.

For these Owensboro organizations, community gardens actually grow community.

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BENEFITS OF A

Community Garden

»BEAUTIFYING THE CITY: Many community gardens are located on lots that once lay vacant. Their lush greenery and vibrant colors can give new life to a formerly-neglected area.

»FRESH PRODUCE: In areas where access to fresh produce is scarce, community gardens provide healthy options to families. »CLEANER ENVIRONMENT: The plants in a community garden add oxygen to the air and help reduce air pollution. Many also compost, recycling plant waste into useful fertilizer. »EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: They provide a great way for kids to learn about where food comes from, how to work in a garden, and even how to work as a team.

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

OWENSBORO MEDICAL PRACTICE

DOES YOUR CARDIAC DEVICE

Need a Tune-Up?

M

ost of us are born with a working natural pacemaker in our

heart failure exacerbation via the cardiac rhythm device home

heart that keeps our heart beating with normal rhythm.

monitoring system. Any abnormal findings are reviewed with

Sometimes this natural pacemaker might malfunction, causing

the cardiologists to begin any treatment deemed necessary. It

the heartbeat to be too fast, too slow, irregular or to present a

is gratifying to know that we are able to assist our patients with

blocked electrical pathway.

this very important aspect of their cardiovascular health.”

In some cases, medications are

added to a patient’s daily regimen to control these abnormalities.

During the device clinic visits, the staff will determine

Other times, Cardiac devices are implanted in patients with heart

if the device detected or treated any abnormal heart rhythms,

rhythm disorders. The devices included are loop recorders,

check the status of the battery, and check the integrity of the

pacemaker (Single and dual chamber), biventricular pacemakers

leads.

and ICD (Defibrillators).

device -- how and why it helps them. They are educated on

The patients are provided education regarding their

Interventional cardiologists, Dr. Kishor Vora and Dr. Lior

practical aspects of living with their device. The state-of-the-art

Shamai perform pacemaker implantation at OHRH. In addition,

remote monitoring system allows the patients fewer in-person

Dr. Vora performs defibrillator implantation. These are very safe

visits, saving them time and expenses.

procedures carried out under local anesthesia. The patients are

able to go home the same day or next day.

closely with Mrs. Futrell, monitors these patients on a daily

With innovations in medical procedures, Dr. Vora and Dr.

basis. “I have truly enjoyed coordinating and working in the

Shamai are able to perform loop recorder insertion and removal

device clinic as I feel we are contributing to the needs of the

at their office located at 1200 Breckenridge Street, Owensboro.

community, as well as surrounding counties for patients who

The procedure is painless, performed under local anesthesia and

have ICD’s, pacemakers and loop recorders. I take great pride

takes less than 30 minutes. Both the doctors follow their patients

in knowing we continue to help so many people, and will always

at the Device Clinic at Owensboro Heart & Vascular.

treat them like family, because in a sense, they are family.”

Owensboro Heart & Vascular (OHV) Device Clinic offers

Michele Vanover, the Device Clinic Coordinator who works

The cardiac device clinic at Owensboro Heart & Vascular

The

was started in 2001 by Dr. Kishor Vora for ongoing follow-up

remote monitoring starts as soon as the device is implanted.

care, regular evaluation, and management of implanted cardiac

With improved technology, most cardiac devices are monitored

devices. Dr. Vora is extremely proud of his nurse practitioner

remotely (via internet or over cellular network). The patients

team, including Becky Decker, Chace Franks, Leigh Ann

follow up within a month, and are then monitored regularly at

Futrell, Stacy Head, Ashley Moran and Amanda Ward, who have

the cardiac device clinic for device interrogation.

all helped these patients at one point or another.

comprehensive cardiac rhythm device management.

Nurse practitioner, Leigh Ann Futrell, APRN has

The device clinic at OHV is the region’s most experienced

dedicated one day a week to cardiac device clinic. She has

cardiac rhythm device management clinic.

received extensive training on evaluation and management of

patients at The Muhlenberg Clinic once a month, a satellite

cardiac device and has over 15 years of experience at Owensboro

office of Owensboro Heart & Vascular.

Heart & Vascular. “I enjoy working in the OHV Device Clinic.

The time that I spend in the device clinic allows me to assist

have it checked periodically. If you have a cardiac device and do

our device clinic patients to achieve and maintain optimal

not have a physician for your follow-up care, talk to your doctor

cardiovascular health. We often detect issues such as irregular or

and ask them for a referral to the Owensboro Heart & Vascular

dangerous heart rhythms, or even the early stages of congestive

Device Clinic. They can be reached at 270-683-8672.

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They also see

If you have an implantable cardiac device, then you need to

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

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Owensboro has labeled ourselves the Bar-B-Que Capital of the World, and we were even named Fast Food Capital of the World (per capita) in the late ‘80s.

Here is a list of restaurants that Owensboro Living compiled for this special dining edition. Full disclosure though: with new restaurants popping up every day and longstanding restaurants changing locations, a list like this is difficult to maintain. Openings, closings, and relocations are subject to

rant r e s ta u o r y direct

Sports Bars Bar Louie 234 Frederica Street Upbeat grill chain with American grub, martinis, and microbrews.

Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant 3189 Fairview Drive Family sports pub and restaurant.

Good food and sports in a friendly atmosphere.

Buffalo Wild Wings 4736 Frederica Street Lively sports-bar chain dishing up wings and other American pub grub amid lots of largescreen TVs. Legends Sports Bar & Grill 4431 Springhill Drive, Suite E Great place to watch the game.

They put the “happy” in happy hour!

O’Bryan Bar & Grill 7006 Highway 815 Family sports bar. Live music.

Rocky’s Bar & Grill 819 Crittenden Street Plate lunches, sandwiches, side items and homemade pies.

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Sandbar 1108 W. 9th Street Bar games and happy hours.

Taylor’s Tavern 2509 W. Parrish Avenue Bar and grill with live music and outdoor seating.

Coffeehouses Dunkin’ Donuts 3011 Frederica Street Donuts, coffee, teas, sandwiches and pastries.

Joe Muggs Café 4606 Frederica Street Specialty coffee and tea drinks.

Located inside Books-A-Million.

Overflow Café 3232 Villa Point (54) Hand crafted gourmet coffee drinks. Located inside Don Moore.

Starbucks 2402 Frederica Street 5151 Frederica Street (inside Target) 2710 Heartland Crossing A (on 54) Seattle-based coffeehouse chain. Signature coffees and desserts.

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change. That being said, if you notice any updates we need to make on this list, please email steven@owensboroliving.com.

The Creme Coffee House 109 E. 2nd Street Locally-owned, offering a relaxed atmosphere with gourmet coffees, specialty drinks, desserts, soups, and sandwiches.

The Spot Coffee and Finery 217 Williamsburg Square Live music, great drinks, local art and food.

Delis

Colby’s Deli & Cafe 401 Frederica Street Locally-owned, offering great breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, cookies and ice cream.

Gene’s Health Food, Inc. 1738 Sweeney Street Locally owned, deli in store with sandwiches, organic salads, juice, smoothies and more.

Great Harvest Bread Co. & Cafe 3211 Frederica Street 4431 Springhill Drive (54) Locally-owned, serving freshmade breads, muffins, scones, coffees and teas, signature sandwiches, soups-of-the-day, and salads.

Lic’s Deli & Ice Cream 2120 W. Parrish Avenue Old-fashioned, hand-dipped

ice cream and deli sandwiches, burgers, cakes, cookies, and chili.

McAlister’s Deli 2065 E Parrish Avenue Suite 500 Sandwiches, salads, soups, spuds and a heaping spoonful of southern hospitality.

Niko’s Bakery & Cafe 601 Emery Drive Locally owned, European style bakery. Breads, croissants, macaroons, pastries, and desserts.

Panera Bread 4600 Frederica Street Bakery offers freshly-baked breads, bagels, baked egg souffles, pastries and sweets.

Café offers sandwiches, soups, hand-tossed salads.

Trunnell’s Farm Market & Gourmet Deli 4399 Springhill Drive, Suite A Great sandwiches, fresh produce, and other Kentucky Proud products.

Fine Dining/Upscale Casual

Bill’s Restaurant 420 Frederica Street Seasonal New American cuisine.

Menus offering appetizers, entrees and desserts.

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Old Hickory Bar-B-Q

338 Washington Ave // (270) 926-9000 What is your go-to dish?

Pork ribs are for sure my favorite.

How much mutton do you serve a week?

We cook around 3 tons of mutton per week.

Around the holidays it’s easy to double that amount.

do you have any hidden menu items?

We don’t have any hidden items on our menu, but our mac and cheese is phenomenal!

What would you recommend to a family placing a to-go order?

The best option for take-home meals is buying our meat by the pound and our sides by the pint.

We have all the buns, pickles, onions, drinks, and desserts too.

Briarpatch 2760 Veach Road Owensboro’s finest locallyowned steakhouse since 1971.

Large soup and salad bar, with full bar service and fine wines.

Colby’s Fine Food & Spirits 202 W. 3rd Street Local, pleasantly casual and intimate, featuring American fare in a family friendly space.

Famous Bistro 102 W. 2nd Street Locally-owned, serving lunch and dinner, everything from sandwiches to fine dining with a Mediterranean emphasis on Greek cuisine.

Lure Seafood & Grille 401 W. 2nd Street Fresh seafood and more prepared with great expertise and precision with a green conscience.

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Niko’s Italian Cuisine 2200 E. Parrish Avenue Fine dining, wine and spirits with an emphasis on Italian cuisine.

Locally-owned.

The Miller House 301 E. 5th Street Dine on three levels of a beautifully restored downtown home. Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch with fullservice conversation bar.

The Pearl Club Grille 6501 Summit Drive Appetizers, entrees, burgers and wraps.

Barbecue

famous buffet with homemade sides, burgoo, and desserts, plus a full salad bar. Dine-in or carryout.

Old Hickory Bar-B-Q 338 Washington Avenue Locally-owned with dine-in, carryout, drive-thru and gift certificates. Celebrating 100 years of serving slow-cooked mutton, chicken and ribs.

Ole South Bar-B-Q 3523 Highway 54 Serving great barbecue with a lunch and dinner buffet, and Owensboro’s best breakfast.

Dee’s BBQ & Diner 1362 E. 4th Street Locally-owned diner offering plate specials and barbecue.

Buffet on Fridays and Saturdays.

Asian

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn 2840 W. Parrish Avenue Locally-owned with a world-

Fuji of Japan 4028 Frederica Street Full hibachi menu plus sushi bar.

Chopsticks 3023 Highland Pointe Dr (54) Chinese hibachi grill.

Gangnam Korean BBQ 3332 Villa Point Korean BBQ, sushi and other house specials.

Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant 1650 Starlite Drive Authentic Chinese cuisine.

Mr. Wok Express 3435 Frederica Street Eat in or take out. Szechuan, Hunan, and Mandarin style cuisines.

New China Buffet 4768 Frederica Street Largest buffet in town, featuring Szechuan, Hunan and Mandarin cuisines. Dine-in or carryout.

Pan Asian Chinese Food 2656 Frederica Street Chinese, Japanese, sushi.

Shogun of Owensboro 3415 Frederica Street 2127 E Parrish Avenue Japanese hibachi and sushi.

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Thai Food Owensboro 1401 Carter Road Authentic and delicious Thai dishes.

Tokyo Japanese Restaurant 3415 Frederica Street Japanese-themed restaurant with hibachi meals prepared in the kitchen, plus sushi at affordable prices.

Wasabi 636 Southtown Boulevard 238 Kidron Valley, Suite #5 Japanese cuisine, fresh sushi, and a full bar.

Greek Famous Bistro 102 W. 2nd Street Locally-owned, serving lunch and dinner, everything from sandwiches to fine dining with a Mediterranean emphasis on Greek cuisine.

Italian Fazoli’s Italian Restaurant 5060 Frederica Street Reasonable prices, food quality traditionally associated with casual dining and quick service; they’ve got something for everyone!

Niko’s Italian Cuisine 2200 E. Parrish Avenue Fine dining, wine and spirits with an emphasis on Italian cuisine.

Locally-owned.

Olive Garden 5204 Frederica Street Casual Italian dining featuring authentic entrees, soups, desserts, wines and more.

Mexican El Bracero 2945 Wimsatt Court Authentic Mexican restaurant.

El Mezcal 2100 W. 2nd Streed One of Owensboro’s not-sohidden secrets.

El Toribio 3034 E 4th Streed Locally-owned. Authentic Mexican cuisine with daily lunch and Happy Hour specials.

Mexican and American beers.

El Tucan Mexican Restaurant 1007 Tamarack Road, Unit 2 & 3 Locally-owned restaurant specializing in authentic Mexican cuisine.

Mi Ranchito 1146 Carter Road Locally owned, authentic Mexican cuisine.

Papa Grande 544 Southtown Boulevard 3830 Hwy 54, Unit 203 Locally owned restaurant specializing in authentic mexican

cuisine, drink special, and guacamole made right at your table!

Real Hacienda 4820 Frederica Street 3023 Highland Pointe Drive (54) Authentic Mexican cuisine, serving real south-of-the-border dishes with great atmosphere and fair prices.

Salsaritas 3500 Villa Point (54) Casual restaurant serving fresh Mexican foods, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and salads.

Diners, Cafés & Family Restaurants Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar 5120 Frederica Street American classics, also offering a Weight Watchers Menu. Separate bar area.

Olive Garden

5204 Frederica St // (270) 683-4848 what is your go-to dish?

I have so many favorites, but I would have to say the Chicken Alfredo, which is now served with 50% more chicken!

do you have any hidden menu items?

Our guest usually create so many great ideas on their own. We can usually accommodate just about any request. The “Cucina Mia” section of our menu is also a great place to create your own meal.

What would you recommend to a family placing a to-go order?

We have lots of Catering Combination options, however, the Family Lasagna Bundle is a great choice. It comes with Lasagna, Salad, Breadsticks and drink for 6-8 people. For more people, I recommend our “Create Your Own Pasta Station” which feeds groups in multiples of 10.

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Real Hacienda

3023 Highland Pointe Dr // (270) 684-5595 4820 Frederica St // (270) 685-5950 What is your go-to dish?

My go-to is definitely our Guadalajara-style street tacos. You get your choice of pork, pastor, steak, chorizo, chicken on soft corn tortillas.

do you have any hidden menu items?

It’s no longer on the menu, but we still make Demetrio’s Burrito upon request.

What is Real Hacienda’s most popular dish?

Arroz con Pollo—the grilled, seasoned, tender chicken over Mexican rice and topped with cheese is a customer favorite for all ages!

Bar Louie 234 Frederica Street Upbeat grill chain with American grub, martinis and microbrews, plus happy-hour deals.

Beef O’Brady’s 3189 Fairview Drive Family sports pub and restaurant to enjoy good food and sports in a friendly atmosphere.

Big Dipper 2820 W. Parrish Avenue Opened in April 1954, the Dipper offers real old-fashioned drive-in burgers, fries, shakes, and ice cream treats.

Burger Theory 701 W. 1st St. Located in Holiday Inn Downtown.

SFG Artisan Cafe 501 W. 2nd Street Inside Owensboro Convention Center.

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Cheddar’s Casual Cafe 3040 Highland Pointe Drive Family dining at affordable prices.

Colby’s Deli & Café 401 Frederica Street #101B Locally-owned, offering great breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, cookies and ice cream.

Country Ham Restaurant 5421 US Highway 60 W. Great country-style cooking.

Cracker Barrel 5311 Frederica Street Homestyle cooking, down-home service. Sit and rock a spell on the front porch in a comfy wooden rocker. Or browse the country store.

Dee’s BBQ & Diner 1362 E. 4th Street Locally-owned diner offering plate specials and barbecue.

Buffet on Fridays and Saturdays.

Del’s Place (Stanley) 7478 US Highway 60 W. Comfort food in a cozy atmosphere.

cream and specialty items such as salmon, turkey and veggie burgers.

Deloris’ Cafe 2123 Triplett Street Down-home-friendly diner where you can feel at home with a home-cooked meal.

Denny’s Restaurant 4545 Frederica Street Breakfast served 24 hours a day.

Full menu also offered.

Dinner Bell Restaurant 6057 Highway 2830 Diner meals and plate specials.

Firehouse Subs 5150 Frederica Street Made-to-order hot and cold subs, plus a variety of hot sauces.

Gary’s Drive In 2220 Veach Road Burgers, homemade soups, ice

Grandy’s 5000 Frederica Street Breakfast, lunch and dinner served. Dine in, carryout, or drivethru. Chicken, country-fried steak, and cinnamon rolls.

Hayden’s Drive-In 9209 Highway 56 Burgers, sandwiches and sides.

Huddle House 3248 Mt Moriah Suite C (54) Casual chain offering all-day breakfast, plus other hearty American eats in diner-like digs.

IDK Family Restaurant 3123 Highway 54 Home cooked food just like grandma use to make in an all you can eat buffet!

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Burger Theory

701 W 1st St // (270) 691-8960 what is your go-to dish?

The Lonestar Burger is my personal favorite. You just cannot go wrong with BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, bacon, and an onion ring on an amazing craft burger and we also have a Build Your Burger option to top your burger anyway you want it!

do you have any hidden menu items?

I don’t know about hidden, but we do have lots of items that we make from scratch that people might not know about, such as our onion rings, killer good burger sauce (KGB), garlic mayo, balsamic vinaigrette, and all our mason jar desserts!

What would you recommend to a family placing a to-go order?

Check out our partnership with Waitr and Doordash to look at our menu and to do a delivery order, but I would totally recommend they come dine in on Wednesday for kids eat free day, Thursday for our exciting and fun live trivia, or on Fridays in the summer for some free live music on our beautiful patio and lawn.

JD’s Restaurant 1420 Breckenridge Street Locally owned diner, breakfasts and plate lunch specials.

Jimmy John’s 2300 Frederica Street Freaky fast sandwiches.

O’Charley’s Restaurant & Lounge 5205 Frederica Street Steaks, seafood, chicken, homemade yeast rolls, with a variety of fresh-cut salads.

Penn Station

Longhorn Steakhouse 2974 Heartland Crossing Casual steakhouse chain known for grilled beef and other American dishes in a ranch-style space.

3525 Frederica Street

Madewell’s Corner Cafe 924 E. 2nd Street Home-cooked diner meals.

3410 Frederica Street

3023 Highland Pointe (54) Made-to-order East Coast grilled sandwiches and sides.

Red Lobster Family restaurant specializing in seafood dishes. Serving for lunch and dinner, a full menu of

Mendy’s Kitchen 924 Crabtree Avenue Burgers, sandwiches, sides and ice cream treats.

appetizers, salads, soups, entrees

Norman McDonald’s Country Restaurant 6161 Highway 54 Burgers and sides, take out only.

4710 Frederica Street

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and desserts.

Shoney’s Family-oriented chain serving an all-American diner-style menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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T.G.I. Fridays 5135 Frederica Street Family dining offering a full menu, including Atkinsapproved, low carb items.

Texas Roadhouse 943 Moseley Road Fresh-cut steaks, made-fromscratch side dishes, fall-off-thebone ribs, fresh-baked breads and lively atmosphere. Happy hour specials.

Windy Hollow Restaurant 8260 Highway 81 Open Sundays 7a.m. to 1:30 p.m., brunch buffet featuring country ham, fried chicken, red eye gravy and biscuits, fried potatoes, and their famous homemade doughnuts.

Wonder Whip 2434 E 4th St An Owensboro classic. Locally owned old-fashioned drivein offering burgers, sides and frozen treats.

Pizzerias 54 Pizza Express 1700 Starlite Drive (Off Parrish) 3101 Alvey Park Drive (54) Locally owned pizzas, sandwiches and salads.

Azzip Pizza 3800 Frederica Street Evansville-based chain, highly customized pizzas baked in a conveyor belt oven in front of customers.

Cadillac Restaurant & Grecian Pizza 1315 W. 2nd Street Diner meals, pizza and plate specials.

Donato’s Pizza 2601 W Parrish Avenue Crispy pizzas and oven-baked subs.

Domino’s 3333 Frederica Street 1003 Burlew Boulevard Pizza, pasta, chicken and more.

www.OwensboroLiving.com

Bar Louie

234 Frederica St, // (270) 215-7723 what is your go-to dish?

Definitely our Luigi sandwich. It’s insane good. It is shaved sirloin, provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion, Luigi seasoning, garlic aioli on a toasted hoagie bun.

do you have any hidden menu items?

Our buffalo chicken totchos. This is a lot of food.

It is tortilla chips, boneless buffalo wings, tater tots, queso cheese, smoked onion ranch, and fried onions.

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What appetizer would you recommend?

There are too many awesome appetizers to be able to pick just one. We have flatbreads, nachos, tacos, pretzels, potstickers, calamari, hummus and of course our wings.

What is one dessert that is worth the full belly for?

Our new espresso sundae squeeze. It’s vanilla ice cream, dark chocolate shavings, espresso syrup, whipped cream, with a mini squeeze bottle of sauce. Our spiked version is infused with Bailey’s.

Our non-alcoholic version is infused with coffee.

Either choice is fantastic.

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Fetta Specialty Pizza 118 St. Ann Street Italian for “slice,” Fetta serves delicious specialty pizza hand tossed right before your eyes!

JJ’s Pizza 5615 KY-144 Community pizza shop in Thurston area.

Little Caesars Pizza 3429 Frederica Street 1650 Starlite Drive Carryout only pizza chain.

Mellow Mushroom 101 W. 2nd Street Delicious food in a fun and creative environment.

MOD Pizza 2710 Heartland Crossing, Suite C Counter-serve chain featuring build-your-own pizza.

Papa John’s Pizza 2510 Frederica Street 3332 Villa Point (54)

Pizza, wings, and breadsticks.

Delivery or carryout.

Smoothie & Juice Bars

Papa Murphy’s 3211 Frederica Street, Suite 1 Take and bake pizza.

Wheatgrass Juice Bar 3500 Villa Point, Suite 102 Raw juice, salads, smoothies, juice cleanses, vegan food, wheatgrass shots.

Pizza By The Guy 3115 Commonwealth Court (54) Seven secret herbs and spices.

Pizza, wings, sandwiches, and pasta.

Gene’s Health Food, Inc. 1738 Sweeney Street Deli with sandwiches, organic salads, juice, smoothies and more.

Pizza Hut 4127 Frederica Street 1331 Frederica Street (take out only) 3189 Fairview Drive (54) 5151 Frederica Street (Inside Target) Family-friendly chain.

PizzAroma 611 Emory Drive (Wesleyan) Locally owned pizzas, sandwiches, calzones and Italian specialties for nearly 50 years.

Fast Food Arby’s 2960 W. Parrish Avenue 3401 Villa Pointe Drive (54) 4614 Frederica Street Large variety of sandwiches and sides. We have the meats!

Burger King 2401 Patriot Run (54) 1738 Triplett Street 2944 W. Parrish Avenue Clean restaurant, friendly employees, fast service. Drivethru open 24 hours.

Chick-Fil-A 4601 Frederica Street Chicken sandwiches, salads, shakes and sides.

Culver’s Frozen Custard & Butterburgers 3020 Highland Pointe Drive Frozen custard treats, burgers, salads, kids’ meals, chicken to go.

Dairy Queen 1715 Frederica Street 3022 E. 4th Street 3224 New Hartford Road Soft-serve ice cream treats, cakes, brazier food and beverages.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries 3248 Mount Moriah Avenue (54) Made-to-order burgers, fries and hot dogs, plus free peanuts while you wait.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers 4641 Frederica Street

Mellow Mushroom 101 W 2nd St // (270) 684-7800 what is your go-to dish?

Our House Special pizza! It is the best pizza you would ever put in your mouth. 13 ingredients, all freshly prepared and loaded on our signature crust and house made sauce.

What would you recommend to a family placing a to-go order?

I would start with everyone’s favorite Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese. Mom can build her own salad and our large pizza is 8 slices so you can do 1/2 Mighty Meaty and 1/2 Maui Wowie. Then, make sure you get several of our ginormous Gourmet Triple Chocolate Chip cookies.

What is one dessert that is worth the full belly for?

Mary Jane’s Triple Chocolate Brownie sundae! Large Brownie topped with all-natural Vanilla Bean ice cream, dark chocolate truffle sauce and house-made fresh whipped cream and an all-natural bing cherry.

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Gene’s Health Food 1738 Sweeney St // (270) 684-5052 what is your go-to dish?

Our go-to dishes would definitely be our awardwinning Brisket Grilled Cheese and our Smoked Salmon Tacos.

do you have any hidden menu items?

In the fall and winter we have soup flights, which is a sampler of three different soups.

What would you recommend to a family placing a to-go order?

We make healthy foodie food. So if you’re interested in something out of your norm, I’d order that day’s special with sides of our Smoked Sweet Potato Salad and Cucumber Cauliflower Salad.

Retro-style chain for steakburgers, hot dogs & other fast-food staples, plus frozen custard.

Lee’s Famous Recipe

Hardee’s 2705 W. Parrish Avenue 3101 Frederica Street Burgers, ham, chicken, roast beef sandwiches, and sides.

a family. Dine in, carryout, or

Kentucky Fried Chicken 3212 Highway 54 Chicken dinners, snacks, and sides for dine in or carryout.

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1800 Carter Road 1001 Burlew Boulevard Chicken dinners for one or for drive-thru.

Long John Silver’s 2519 W. Parrish Avenue 2770 Frederica Street (Wesleyan) 3005 E. 4th Street Fast seafood, fish and chicken.

Dine in, carryout, or drive-thru.

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers 2990 Heartland Crossing (54) Fast-food chain specializing in fried chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries & Texas toast.

McDonald’s 3328 Highway 54 324 Wesleyan Plaza 2306 E. 4th Street 2730 W. Parrish Avenue 4800 Frederica Street American fast food.

Popeye’s Chicken 2906 Highland Pointe (54) “New Orleans-style” menu featuring spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp and other seafood.

Rally’s 1301 Frederica Street Burgers, sandwiches and sides, fresh and hot.

Ritzy’s 4527 Highway 54 4925 Frederica Street Burgers, fries, and ice cream.

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Sonic Drive-In 3107 Frederica Street Old-time drive-in offering burgers, sandwiches, sides, and frozen treats.

Subway 2425 W. Parrish Avenue 3119 Frederica Street 3124 Highway 54 3739 E. 4th Street 636 Southtown Boulevard 3470 New Hartford Road 3151 Highway 54 (inside Walmart) Fresh subs.

Taco Bell 3335 Villa Point (54) 4620 Frederica Street 2500 W. Parrish Avenue Mexican-inspired fast food.

Wendy’s 2934 Highway 54 4545 Frederica Street Fresh, never frozen beef hamburgers.

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Zaxby’s 5030 Frederica Street Zaxby’s offers a variety of chicken and wings.

Ice Cream & Sweets Andria’s Candies 217 Allen Street Andria’s Candies has a tradition of making fine chocolates and candies that traces back to Greek candy-makers coming to U.S. in 1906.

Baskin Robbins 3245 Mt Moriah Avenue, #1 (54) Colorful ice cream parlor chain known for its many flavors plus sorbet and yogurt.

Cold Stone Creamery 5140 Frederica Street 112 Allen Street (Downtown.

Spring and Summer) Ice cream chain offering designyour-own creations hand-mixed on a granite slab.

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Cup Cakery 231 Williamsburg Square Custom cakes, gourmet cupcakes, cookies, and lunch options.

Koehler’s Bakery 1801 Carter Road Full line retail bakery offering donuts, pies, cakes, cookies, and breads.

Dairy Queen 1715 Frederica Street 3022 E. 4th Street 3224 New Hartford Road Soft-serve ice cream treats, cakes, brazier food and beverages.

Lic’s Deli & Ice Cream 2120 W. Parrish Avenue Old-fashioned hand-dipped ice cream and deli sandwiches, cakes, cookies, and chili.

The Family Bakery 3152 Commonwealth Court (54) Donuts, cakes, cupcakes, and more.

Maggie’s Cakes & More 4399 Springhill Drive, Suite B (54) Specialty cakes, gourmet cupcakes, and wedding cakes.

Dunkin’ Donuts 3011 Frederica Street Donuts, coffee, teas, sandwiches and pastries.

Great American Cookie Company 5000 Frederica Street Located inside Towne Square Mall. Cookies ready-made or made-to-order, large or small.

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt 4431 Springhill Drive (54) Frozen yogurt, specially selected toppings.

Rolling Pin Pastry Shop 1129 E 18th Street 20 kinds of donuts, plus pies and pastries.

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THE

STYLE

A FUNCTIONAL

Farm Kitchen

BY TAYLOR WEST // PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

The Farmhouse style has gained a lot of traction in recent

years. Thanks in part to Chip and Joanna Gaines and their show “Fixer Upper,” reclaimed wood, vintage prints, and bright, neutral paint schemes now adorn many American homes and Pinterest boards. But when Danielle and Daniel Hayden dreamed up the idea of the Hayden Farms Education Building at their chicken and cattle farm, function was just as important as form.

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IT STARTED WITH A SKETCH “Two years ago this was all a sketch on notebook paper. I used colored pencils and graph paper, blocked it all out, and then Dan made it happen and built it,” said Danielle Hayden, Farm Communications Specialist at Hayden Farms.

Danielle and her husband Daniel run Hayden Farms, a multi-generation chicken and cattle farm on the outskirts of Daviess County. Two years ago, the Haydens dreamed of a place where they could host and educate farm visitors on the inner workings of their operation.

“Our idea was a glass walls approach to farming,” Danielle said. “With chickens, you have the biosecurity risk, so you couldn’t just bring people with germs on their feet into a chicken house. With the viewing room, we can bring them in and see everything because it’s all glass wall in there, and experience it without affecting the birds.”

They took the idea of a glass walls approach quite literally. A year later, they were hosting a www.OwensboroLiving.com

ribbon cutting at the new Hayden Farms Education Building and chicken house viewing room, the first viewing room of its kind in the nation.

Featuring oversized windows inside the control room, visitors get a sneak peek inside the chicken house without disturbing the birds. “There’s not a lot of accurate and correct knowledge about how chickens are actually raised,” Daniel said. “We thought we’d take the proactive and transparent approach at our new operation, which led to the building of the viewing room.”

In true farm-to-table fashion, the Haydens didn’t want to stop the education at the viewing room. They designed the kitchen inside the Education Building for cooking demonstrations, food safety workshops, and catered events.

A FOCUS ON FUNCTIONALITY As an operating farm with workers in and out all day, the Haydens knew fancy flooring wasn’t an option. They decided on a finished concrete floor spanning the entire Education Building. “We don’t AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

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want the guys to have to take off their boots every time they come in. We wanted something that would be easy to clean and a floor that can handle the wear and tear of our lives,” Danielle said.

“It’s nice because now we have this area where the people who work here are able to have a space to come in that’s their own, make lunch, and take a break because they work really hard around here.”

Where most home kitchens of this size would have an island, Danielle and Daniel knew this was going to be a busy kitchen.

To keep everyone from stepping on toes, they decided to keep an open kitchen layout. “We wanted a really wide kitchen because we always envisioned this as a catering kitchen,” Danielle said. “I

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know I’ve been in situations where there’s a bunch of people in the kitchen, and you’re all doing different jobs and running into each other.”

When people think of Farmhouse kitchens, they usually picture white cabinets, but Danielle said white wasn’t ideal for them. “I didn’t want white cabinets in a farm kitchen because even though that’s traditional farmhouse, it’s really not functional for actual farm living because it’s always dirty, so that’s why we went with gray.” White paint did find its way on other parts of the kitchen. As a full-time photographer, Danielle realized the importance of white walls and ceilings when it came to helping light her photographs.

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EVERYTHING (ESPECIALLY) THE KITCHEN SINK When asked if they had any non-negotiables while designing their Education Building’s kitchen, Danielle had a couple—a farmhouse sink and pot filler. “My mother-in-law and I both have large gardens, so canning is a big part of our summer. That’s why we went with a lot of counter space and

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pot filler,” Danielle said. “I really fought for the farmhouse sink, and it has been wonderful. A sink that big works well for hosting big events because it’s easier to fill the large lemonade and water pitchers. Plus, I think it just looks amazing.”

“Did I have any non-negotiables?” Daniel said with a chuckle. “No no, as long as my wife is happy, I’m happy.”

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THE

STYLE

PHOTOS BY KRISTIN BIVINS

Fall TRENDS

BY JULIA HARTZ TIPMORE highheelsandhappyhartz.com

Can you guys believe it’s almost back to school time?

As they say in You’ve Got Mail, it makes me want to go out and buy school supplies. There’s a lot of exciting things going on this time of the year, especially when it comes to our local boutiques. I know it’s still hot outside so it seems crazy to be investing in fall clothes, but now is the time to go for it so you’re prepared when it gets really frigid out! We all know what Kentucky weather can be like…one day it’s 98 degrees and the next it’s snowing and you can’t find that favorite sweater from last year. Cozy sweaters, high waisted jeans, hair accessories, and bright coats are some big trends for this fall season, and our boutiques are in the know as usual!

Dress: $178 Handbag: $334

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Excursions 2738 Frederica St 270-926-8388

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Excursions has been getting in new fall merchandise nearly every day, so be sure to follow them on social media to keep up with new arrivals. I’m loving how fun and interesting the back of this dress is, it’s versatile for this time of year, and you could wear it to so many events! We went with orange for a pop of color, but you could choose anything—pink or yellow would be just as cute!

For a toned down look, neutrals would also work. If you’re wearing something dark or neutral, and looking for a way to take your look to the next level, I always add color! You can completely transform any outfit this way.

While we’re talking about bright colors, let’s discuss this beautiful Beck handbag. Beck handbags are a statement piece. They completely speak for themselves with the bright and bold color and chic classic shape. This particular one comes with a longer adjustable strap that can also be tucked inside and hidden when you only want to use the small handles. (As pictured.)

Throw a blazer and nude heels on and wear this to work, or wear it for a night out on the town with some fun shoes. Excursions always has what’s sure to be the next big thing, so stop in and see what they have going on! As I’m sure you know, they are located in Wesleyan Park Plaza, and now they are getting a new neighbor! www.OwensboroLiving.com

Top: $38 Jeans: $89 Blue Light Glasses: $75 Earrings: $18 Pearl Hair Clip: $10 Bella Ragazza Boutique 120 W 2nd St. 270-926-9546

Bella Ragazza is moving to Wesleyan Park Plaza sometime this month! They will be moving to the building that was previously Radio Shack. Natasha (owner) and the Bella Babes are so excited for this new location, and so are we! It will be so great having another boutique in the plaza area so it’s even more of a one-stop shop.

Bella Ragazza has a variety of back to school options, whether you’re going back to high school, college, or just back to work after the weekend. They are carrying tons of jeans this season, many of them without holes so they are school appropriate.

Agendas will also be a hot commodity this year, and a new agenda is a great purchase to motivate you to stay on track for the upcoming school year. (I know I feel like I have my life together more when I have one!)

One of my favorite things about this look is something I haven’t worn before in a magazine shoot—blue light glasses!

These block blue light that we don’t realize we are exposed to all the time, from TVs, to phones and computers. It’s such an easy and effective way to protect your eyes while being fashionable at the same time.

Thanks for reading, and make sure you stop by Wesleyan Park Plaza to check out the shopping scene! Follow Excursions on Instagram with the handle @excursions_owensboro, and Bella Ragazza @bellaragazzaboutique.

Follow me @hartzjl for life updates and fashion, and be sure and tag me in your outfit photos so I can see what fabulous things you found while you were shopping local! www.OwensboroLiving.com

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holiday world

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SENIOR LIVING

BY DANA PEVELER

Nourishment for the F

BODY & SOUL

ood nourishes our bodies and yes, it makes us happy! Just

functions; for example, grains such as oatmeal, brown rice;

watch any toddler enjoying his favorite meal! A few weeks

varieties of fish like salmon and tuna; nuts; oils; dairy items,

ago, I shared supper with my one-year old grandson. We had

including eggs and cheeses; and fruits like bananas, pineapple,

different responses to the same meal. I noticed it smelled good, I

grapefruit; and vegetables which include broccoli, corn, and leafy

was grateful my daughter prepared it, and I was enjoying the time

greens; beans or legumes; are all good sources of these. Dark

and conversation with her and our family. He, though, threw

chocolate, which is certainly one of my favorites, raises endorphin

his head back and belly laughed when he saw his supper placed

levels, which helps to enhance mood.

before him, readily accepted a meatball from the fork his mom

held, wiggled his shoulders and hips in unison in sheer joy, and

our foods have become more difficult than in our younger years.

began eating the rest of the meal happily by himself, smiling with

Discuss with your physician or dietician before introducing it,

every bite. He’s always happy when it is time to eat. I suddenly

but you may consider a probiotic to help with digestion.

realized, so am I!

What is it about food that makes us happy? Is it just that it

mastered this eating bit. If you’ve spent much time around them

fills our bellies and satisfies that need of hunger, or is it more? It’s

you know that to trying to get them to put off a meal or a snack

more.

immediately turns them into something resembling a melting

The nutrients B-12, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and antioxidants

bread sack on a hot stove. Our bodies respond best to a schedule

all help to regulate mood, appetite, and digestion and other

or routine to help maintain steady blood sugar levels, ultimately

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As we age, we may find that absorbing the nutrients from

It is interesting to me that toddlers seem to have instinctually

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helping to regulate moods.

Toddlers do not seem to want to eat alone either, because when left

that way, they act out, tossing bits of food, or repeatedly dropping the sippy cup on the floor to draw us back in. That has to be it, right? They are wanting someone to share their time with them while they enjoy their meal.

Research has shown that there are many health benefits of eating

with others versus eating alone. Sharing conversation, laughter, or telling stories, increases a sense of overall well-being. A study published in 2011 in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry reported a positive association between social connection and a healthy diet on telomere length, which is a marker associated with a rate of aging.

People who eat most of their meals alone may be at greater risk

for heart disease, and diabetes. Some of this may be due to having someone holding us accountable for the foods we are eating, but it may also be related to the stress-reducing benefits of being around others we enjoy. In other words—eating with others rather than alone is not only more fun, it may help you live longer!

As a culture, we focus so much of our socialization around

mealtimes. We gather as families at the breakfast table and discuss our plans for the day, maybe even share our crazy dreams we had the night before; we look forward to going to lunch with co-workers and having that time to build relationships; and in the evenings, we come together again as families and friends to share meals. We do that at the Senior Community Center, as well. We serve lunch daily at various locations throughout Daviess County so that seniors can gather and enjoy meals together rather than remaining at home alone. The social benefits are certainly a factor, but there are proven health benefits as well.

We should all wiggle a little when our food is good, and I

personally think we should all throw our heads back and belly laugh from the sheer joy of it!

DANA PEVELER is the executive director of the Senior Community Center, located at 1650 W. Second St., Owensboro. The Center offers activities, services and resources for people age 60 and older. Visit seniorcenterodc.com or call 270-687-4640 to learn more.

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THE

LOST RIVER CAVE

GETAWAY

PHOTOS BY PHIL COOLEY PHOTOGRAPHY/BGACVB

36 HOURS inBowling Green

BY BETH NOFFSINGER

A

s the Home of the Corvette, Bowling Green sure loves their

Hines,” which celebrates the Bowling Green native and man

fast cars, but the city offers so much more that we think

behind the cake mix.

you’ll be surprised by how much is happening here. With

All of that learning—especially about our favorite foodie,

such a close proximity to Owensboro you may have ventured to

Hines—will have you ready to grab lunch. Lost River Pizza and

Bowling Green in the past, but we hope this itinerary inspires you

Home Café are two family-friendly spots with amazing grub…

to visit some spots you’ve not been to before, or help you make

and are on the way to another wonderful attraction, Lost River

new memories at some classic BGKY attractions. Take a short

Cave.

one-hour drive down the Natcher Parkway and see what Bowling

Green has to offer.

Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom, walking trails, and butterfly

Spend the afternoon enjoying nature at Lost River Cave. The

habitat (open from late-May to late-September) are all free. If

FRIDAY

it’s in your budget, though, book a cave boat tour and zipline

also be supporting this nonprofit attraction’s mission to “educate

experience. Not only will you have a wonderful adventure, you’ll

Start your staycation at the Kentucky Museum, on campus

at Western Kentucky University, where you can learn about the

and enrich lives through connections with nature.”

history of Kentucky and so much more. Admission is free thanks

to a grant from the Carpenter Foundation.

about both the history and geology of the Lost River area on its

famous cave boat tour. After you’ve explored the lowest spot for a

One of our favorite exhibits is “Recommended by Duncan

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Book your tours in advance to ensure your spot. You’ll learn

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50-mile radius in the Lost River Valley, soar high above it on Lost River Cave’s new ziplines.

Older children and adults will love the Flying Squirrel

Zipline that gives you a birds-eye view of one of Lost River Cave’s blue holes and the beautiful foliage of the Lost River Valley. Kids ages 3-10 who weigh less than 70 pounds can do the Lightning Bug Zipline, which is a little closer to the ground, but just as much fun.

All of this exploration should have you ready for dinner, so

head over to Chaney’s Dairy Barn. Though it’s famous for its ice cream—USA Today even named it the best in Kentucky— Chaney’s also features a wonderful grill with great burgers, chicken nuggets, sandwiches and more.

Kids love Chaney’s playground almost as much as they

love its ice cream! For a nominal fee, Chaney’s offers selfguided farm tours and a jumping pillow. You might also want to plan your staycation around Chaney’s free Ice Cream & a

HISTORIC RAILPARK & TRAIN MUSEUM

Moovie series, which started the weekend of May 24-25 and is held every other Friday and Saturday until September.

SATURDAY Start your morning with breakfast or brunch. Boyce General Store, home to the Pie Queen and her famous Saturday Cinnamon Rolls, as well Micki’s on Main and Home Café all have wonderful breakfast and brunch offerings.

After you’re fueled up, it’s “all aboard” at the Historic

RailPark & Train Museum. Start with a tour of the museum’s restored cars, which include an E8A Diesel Locomotive, a 1911 L&N Presidential Office Car, a 1949 Pullman Dining Car, a 1953 Luxury Pullman Sleeper, and a 1921 Post Office Car. Also on display are a rare Jim Crow Segregation Car, a WWII Hospital Car, and a Chessie Class Caboose.

DOWNING MUSEUM

Plan ahead and schedule an Escape Game on a Train—

an interactive experience that is part brain teaser and part immersive theater. Then you can explore the historic L&N Depot, a train station built in 1925 that houses the train museum, including one of the region’s largest model railroad displays.

The RailPark is in the midst of its “Save the Depot”

fundraising campaign, so you might purchase one of its vintage-style posters as a souvenir!

Next, if you want some more outdoor exploration, head

over to the Baker Arboretum and Downing Museum. This hidden gem offers breathtaking views as it overlooks the rolling hills of western Kentucky. See beautiful foliage as you relax in nature—and then visit the adjacent Downing Museum.

The Downing Museum houses a phenomenal collection

of pieces by Horse Cave native, Joe Downing (and brother of

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DOWNTOWN BOWLING GREEN

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BEECH BEND AMUSEMENT PARK

former WKU president Dero Downing). Joe Downing had

a studio in Menerbes, France, where his canvases included

Cyclone Saucers water slides and a wave pool. If you want to

leather, linen, wooden doors, and found objects. The museum

slow down, enjoy the Lazy River. Even your smallest family

also highlights regional artists.

members will enjoy a trip to Splash Lagoon. New in 2019

are cabana and canopy rentals—but you need to make those

Fun lunch options include Mariah’s, Rafferty’s, Double

Dogs, Saladworks, Roosters, Pub by Novo, and Cambridge Market. These gems offer an affordable, delicious meal that the entire family will enjoy.

In the afternoon, visit Riverview at Hobson Grove, Bowling Green’s only historic home available for tours.

Though it wasn’t completed until 1872, Riverview has a rich Civil War history you can learn about. See how a prosperous family lived in Victorian-era Kentucky, and then hear the story of how area residents saved the home from demolition in the 20th century.

Once you’ve toured the home, explore its beautiful grounds—and then perhaps take in a round of disc golf at the adjacent Hobson Grove Park.

If you and your family are looking for a Saturday that’s

Cool down at the adjacent Splash Lagoon, featuring the

reservations in advance!

Spend your Saturday evening in downtown Bowling Green,

where your wonderful dining options include 440 Main, The Bluegrass at the Kentucky Grand Hotel, Gerard’s 1907 Tavern, Steamer Southern Seafood Kitchen, The Bistro, Mellow Mushroom, White Squirrel Brewery, and 6-4-3.

You might also plan your trip around a Bowling Green

Hot Rods game or one of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority’s Saturday night Concerts in the Park.

The Hot Rods are the reigning Midwest League champions. The Bowling Green Ballpark received a face lift in the offseason, including a new turf and video board—one of the largest in minor league baseball.

a bit more action packed, then Beech Bend Amusement

Park & Splash Lagoon is the perfect spot. Ride the award-

wonderful variety of promo nights, including Faith & Family,

winning Kentucky Rumbler, see amazing views before feeling

Harry Potter, and Princess & Pirate. Kids will love Axle’s

weightless on Zero G, and twist around on the swinging

Adventureland, Jimmy John’s Speed Pitch, and the Graves

pendulum of The Vortex.

Gilbert Carousel.

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This Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays also offers a

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SUNDAY

for parents/guardians who want to drive their child who is at least

Wind down your weekend with a delicious breakfast at Wild

Eggs or Corner Bakery. Then race into the home stretch of your getaway with a trip to the National Corvette Museum and its nearby Motorsports Park.

The National Corvette Museum recently renovated its entrance

and Gateway areas, and the refreshed Gateway exhibit features a new design to better tell the story of how Corvette was created and the cars that influenced its design, according to a Corvette Museum press release.

Children will love the KidZone, where they can design, build,

and test their automobiles. They can also play on the State Farm Safe Driver Street and Pat’s Corvette Super Service Center.

A visit to the Corvette Museum isn’t complete until you’ve

visited the exhibit dedicated to the infamous 2014 sinkhole that

42-inches tall.

The Motorsports Park also offers touring laps and Corvette

riding and driving experiences, and those should be booked in advance.

Grab lunch or dinner at Montana Grille or Shogun Bistro

as a final treat. Then you might want to head over to Aviation Heritage Park to see military aircraft on display that have ties to area residents. AHP is also in the middle of a fundraiser to build a museum at the park.

Bookmark VisitBGKY.com or download the Visit Bowling Green app to stay in the loop on all things Bowling Green while you’re on the go. From an events calendar, to ideas for driving tours, to detailed information about attractions, restaurants, shops, and lodging, you’ll find it on the website or app. You can also

opened beneath the museum’s iconic Skydome and swallowed

follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest: @

eight Corvettes (which are back on display).

VisitBGKY.

For additional fees, you can also get a ride in a Corvette or drive

Stop by the Visitor’s Center, 352 Three Springs Road, for

the museum’s Corvette racing simulator.

brochures and to browse the gift shop, or call 270-782-0800 for

information.

After you’ve toured the museum, the fun moves outside. Take

the kids to the NCM’s Motorsports Park where they can visit

the Kartplex to race go-karts. Junior karts are available for kids

or a first-time visitor, you’ll have a fantastic time as you explore our

who are at least 48-inches tall, and a two-seater kart is available

fabulous community!

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Bowling Green is geared for fun—whether you’re a long-time

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THE

DISH

A Little Lavender GOES A LONG WAY

When you think of lavender, you might consider using it in a diffuser for some aromatherapy, or as a nice bouquet to help brighten your home. While these are great ways to enjoy lavender, if you haven’t tried it in any recipes, you’re really missing out!

Lavender is a versatile herb that can enhance both the flavor and appearance of a lot of different dishes. It can be used to treat nervousness and stress, and is often used to help with insomnia.

Along with checking with your doctor to make sure lavender could help you in those ways, it’s also very important to make sure that you buy lavender specifically grown for culinary purposes

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to ensure it hasn’t been treated or sprayed with unsafe chemicals.

When using lavender in recipes, a little

goes a long way. You want to make sure you’re enhancing flavors as opposed to eating perfume.

The best way to use it is to infuse the buds in liquids such as syrups/milk, or finely grind them to use alongside sugars. It can be substituted for rosemary in many savory meals, and pairs beautifully with lemon for desserts. These recipes will help you get started with lavender, but you’ll quickly learn that it can be easily incorporated into a variety of different dishes!

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PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

LEMON & LAVENDER BUNDT CAKE INGREDIENTS: 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1 cup whole milk 2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender 1 cup unsalted butter (room temp) 3 large eggs 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon zest 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract TO MAKE THE LAVENDER MILK » This milk can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator (it should be cooled completely before adding to cake mixture). To make, bring the milk to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and add lavender. Let the mixture steep for 20-30 minutes before straining the milk through a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl. Discard the lavender, and let the milk cook.

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TO MAKE THE CAKE » Preheat the oven to 350. Grease your bundt pan thoroughly (use whatever method words for you—I use equal parts shortening, oil, and flour and it works every time!) » Whisk together flour and baking powder in a small bowl. » Cream the butter, sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Once fluffy, beat in each egg individually. » Add the lemon juice, zest, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and combine. » Beat in the lavender milk before slowly adding the flour mixture, while continuing to beat the batter until just incorporated. » Pour batter into your greased bundt pan and smooth the top. Bake the cake for 50 minutes, until a toothpick poked into the middle comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before removing it from the pan.

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ICED LAVENDER LATTE INGREDIENTS: 2 shots espresso (can be substituted with 8 oz. strong coffee) 6 oz. milk 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 water 3 Tablespoons culinary lavender (dried) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract » To make the lavender syrup, place the sugar, water, and lavender in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking until the sugar is dissolved. Cook for 1 minute before taking the saucepan off the heat and letting it cool completely. Strain the lavender out through a sieve (and discard it) before stirring in the vanilla extract (store extra syrup in a fridge). » Fill a tall glass with ice. Add 2 tablespoons of the lavender syrup (adjust this amount to your taste). » Pour in the milk and stir to combine with the syrup. » Top the rest off with your espresso shots. Stir again to combine.

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LAVENDER-INFUSED HONEY INGREDIENTS: 1 bottle of local honey (at least 12 oz.)

2 tablespoons dried lavender » In a small sauce pan, warm 2 inches of water. Place your open honey jar (make sure it’s a glass jar - no plastic!) in the middle of the pan to heat. Watch for the honey to get very runny (without boiling), then carefully remove the jar from the water. » Place the lavender in the jar with the honey and replace the lid. Shake to incorporate the lavender throughout the jar. » Place the jar in a sunny windowsill and let it sit for up to 5 days (the longer you wait, the stronger the taste of lavender comes through, so adjust this timeframe to your taste). » Heat the jar again using the same water-bath method in the first step. Once the honey is runny, strain out the lavender using a sieve (and discard it). Store your infused honey in a dark, cool place.

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FAMILY

2019 OWENSBORO AIR SHOW September 13-15 | Downtown Riverfront Come out for three days of festivities, as some of the country’s most remarkable planes, pilots, and parachutists exhibit their skills at the annual Owensboro Air Show!

OWENSBORO REGIONAL FARMER’S MARKET August 3—November 2 | 1205 Triplett Street Tuesday and Thursday 6:30 a.m.—noon; Thursday Evening Market August 8 from 4 p.m.—7 p.m.

A satellite market is also located at the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, 1201 Pleasant Valley Road, on Wednesday from 1:30 p.m.—5 p.m.

Both locations have parking lots for your convenience. All vendors accept cash, most will accept personal checks, and some will accept credit/debit cards. The Market also accepts SNAP/EBT payments as well as credit cards. More detailed information is available on their website. Check it out!

FREE MOVIES ON THE RIVER—DUMBO August 4 | RiverPark Center Free event! Beginning at dusk, join us for Movies on the River, where families come together for FREE movies and fun on the riverfront! Concessions will be available, please do not bring coolers, pets. Family! Fun! Friends! FREE!

PRESERVATION STATION MARKET DAYS August 3-4 | 9661 Hwy 56 Held the first full weekend of every month. Sat. 10 a.m.—5 72 OWENSBORO LIVING

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PHOTO BY AP IMAGERY

p.m. and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m. with over 100 vendors of antique, vintage, handcrafted, and boutique items, live music, and food. Preservation Station is open daily Tues-Sat 10 a.m.

- 5 p.m. and Sunday Noon -5 p.m. Call 270-993-7532, go to visitpreservationstation.com, or find us on Facebook.

FREE STORYTIMES Mondays & Thursdays | Daviess County Public Library Wee Read for ages 2 and younger @ 9:30 a.m.; Circle Time for ages 3-5 @ 10:30 a.m. DCPL’s youngest guests and their caregivers are invited to join in stories, songs and movement to help them prepare for a life of learning. Stay to play and socialize with a craft or other activity.

(270) 684-0211 or dcplibrary.org.

BUILDING BRIDGES FOR FAMILIES: SPECIAL NEEDS EXPO August 17 | Owensboro Convention Center The Building Bridges Expo is an opportunity for community agencies to collaborate in providing information about resources and services that will assist families in supporting a loved one with a disability. The Expo will include non-profit organizations dedicated to serving the special needs community, as well as state and private agencies that offer resources in the following areas: www.OwensboroLiving.com

Advocacy & Support, Early Childhood, Education, Futures Planning, Health, Service providers, Sports & recreation, Transition, and Waivers. There is no charge to attend the Expo. Registration for the 2019 Expo is now open. We encourage vendors to register early as space is limited to 100 tables. If you have questions about the event, please contact Cindy Huston, Director, Technology and Resource Center at 270-852-1488 or chuston@wendellfoster.org.

FREE 27TH ANNUAL MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL August 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church The 21st Annual Multicultural Festival is free for the whole community. We hope to foster the understanding and respect of our similarities and differences so that we may build a stronger community. The festival includes entertainment with vocal and instrumental music, dance, storytelling, demonstrations, and traditional costumes from around the world. There will be informational booths prepared by individuals or groups in the community who are from or who have traveled throughout the world who will talk with you freely about their experiences. Bring your appetite! Included is a food court offering food from around the world.

BANJOS & BRUNCH August 24 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Southern Star Gas Pipeline Habitat for Humanity of Owensboro-Daviess County will host their annual Banjos and Brunch. Enjoy an out-of-this world southern-style brunch including all your favorite dishes while bidding on the many exciting items in the silent auction. Oh yes, there will be plenty of exciting banjo music! Bring your own and play along. Just show up and pay at the door or reserve your table of eight by calling 270-926-6110.

INDEPENDENCE BANK FIREWORKS FESTIVAL August 31 from 5 - 8:30 p.m. | Panther Creek Park This family-friendly event hosted by daviess county fiscal court begins at 5 p.m. with fireworks at 8:30 p.m., and includes inflatables, pony rides, petting zoo, live music and multiple food vendors. Enjoy a beautiful night in west Daviess County, KY with both friends and family under the stars and leave mesmerized by the best fireworks show of the year! Parking is free, no dogs allowed, bring your own chairs (and food if you’d like).

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BOILIN’ IN THE BORO September 20 from 6:30 - 11:30 p.m. | Reid’s Orchard Join us for a casual evening filled with amazing food, music, auction, and wish granting. Enjoy a Low Country Boil and bourbon tasting to help grant Kentucky wishes. Throughout the night, guests will hear powerful mission moments from wish kids whose lives have been forever changed because of the generosity from supporters at events like Boilin’ in the Boro. This is a fundraiser event benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation.

GRILLIN’ & CHILLIN’ BBQ COOKOFF September 20-21 | Diamond Lake Resort Join everyone at Diamond Lake Resort to enjoy Kentucky’s State-sanctioned BBQ Championship! We’ll have as many as 48 of the best cooking teams from several states competing for thousands of dollars in prize money. We will also have a separate “Peoples’ Choice” contest at 11 a.m. Saturday, so come on out and be a judge! And this year we will again have a Campers Que!

PIGTAILS & COWLICKS 2019 FALL/WINTER CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT SALE September 20-21 | Owensboro Convention Center Pigtails & Cowlicks brings Owensboro and surrounding counties a weekend sale to shop from 425 families selling new or gently used items, ALL for kids–from babies to teens!

Clothing, toys, furniture, books, baby gear, shoes, and more.

No admission fee to shop! Open to the public! We accept cash and debit/credit cards.

5TH ANNUAL ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL September 21 | Daviess County Public Library Enjoy an afternoon filled with art and music at the Daviess County Public Library. This family affair will feature many

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returning artists, Rex Robinson, Visual Art Center, IArt Studio, Sean Wallace Windows of Opportunity, and Michael Cantrell Comic Artist. Afternoon will include Yoga demonstrations by Alicia Watts and plenty of delicious food vendors! Special guest speaker will be Pamela Smith Wright.

THE TOT, THE TEEN AND THE WARDROBE CONSIGNMENT SALE September 27-28 | Owensboro Convention Center This consignment sale features over 50,000 items from 350+ families. Featuring infant to adult clothing, toys, furniture, baby equipment, and home décor. Free admission. Half-off sale is Sunday, September 28 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

TRI-STATE PICKLE FESTIVAL September 28 | Yellow Creek Park The Owensboro Pickleball Association will hold the inaugural Tri-State Pickle Festival. The festival will included a variety of attractions for the family, with a free concert in the evening featuring winner of season 11 of “The Voice,” Sundance Head.

Activities include the Pickle 5K in the morning, a competition for the largest grown pickle or cucumber, as well as a pickle juice chug. Bounce houses, food trucks, craft vendors and carnival rides will be set up throughout the festival site.

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ACTIVE

OWENSBORO-DAVIESS COUNTY MOTORSPORTS FESTIVAL August 2-4 | Kentucky Motor Speedway A full weekend of racing-related activities kicks off at Windy Hollow Raceway Park on Friday, August 2 followed by a family fun day at the Sportscenter on Saturday, and wrapping up with a full county-wide race event ending at Kentucky Motor Speedway on Sunday August 4. Fans, new and old, will get the opportunity to meet their favorite drivers, interact with members of the community, and learn more about the sport that has captivated the country for more than 130 years. Whether you’re a fan of circle track racing, straight line racing, downhill racing or a good old fashioned demolition derby, there will be plenty of racing action spanning the county to satisfy anyone looking for family fun.

4TH ANNUAL BOURBON & BLUEGRASS CENTURY RIDE August 3 | O.Z. Tyler Distillery The Bourbon & Bluegrass Century Ride is a charity event hosted annually by Bicycle Owensboro in support of Dream Riders of Kentucky, a nonprofit organization that provides equine assisted activities to individuals with disabilities. The Bourbon & Bluegrass Century Ride offers routes and distances for every level of rider from beginner to competitive cyclists. Route lengths

everyone for a mixer/packet pickup as well as distillery tours and bourbon tastings at O.Z. Tyler Distillery.

Interested riders may contact Becky Martin 270-315-7243 or Paula Hayden 270-929-0739.

BECCA GREENWELL SKILLS CLINIC August 17 | Owensboro Catholic High School The BG Skills Clinic offers elite basketball instruction in a fun, learning environment. Through on-court skills instruction led by WNBA player Becca Greenwell, players will have the opportunity to improve the basics of offensive and defensive skills, footwork and ball handling. The skills players learn can help them on the court and in life.

Cost is $60, and players should bring their own basketballs.

SIZZLING SEPTEMBER BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FUNDRAISER PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT August 31 | Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club 2nd Annual “Sizzling September” indoor pickleball tournament for the Boys and Girls club! Juniors’ Individual scoring doubles.

No partner needed, will switch partners each game and score individually for winners. 19+, 50+, 65+/ 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 WD, MD and MXD Divisions. See owensboropickleball.org for compete details and costs.

include a full century (100 miles), metric century (62 miles), and a

WENDELL FOSTER’S GOLF SCRAMBLE

33-mile route. Last year 550 cyclists participated in the ride.

September 13 | Ben Hawes Golf Course

The ride will begin and end at O.Z. Tyler Distillery, 10 Distillery

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and Tee Off at 8:15 a.m. $300 per

Road. Riders will be provided with a continental breakfast

team includes lunch and goodie bag. Skirts and Mulligan $5 each;

prior to the race and a post-ride lunch. On Friday evening, join

limit 2 per person. Call Valerie Simmons, 270-687-2770.

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DOWNTOWN

FRIDAY AFTER 5 August 2-30 | Owensboro Riverfront Friday After 5 is the award-winning, summer-long series of free outdoor concerts held every Friday on the eight-block, stunningly beautiful Owensboro riverfront. The festival includes live bands, family events, food trucks and entertainment.

Our signature “Toast to the Sunset” takes place right on the riverfront at every Friday After 5. There are five venues of entertainment, plus a fun, kid-friendly street fair and costume characters. Friday After 5 has been named a “Top Ten Summer Festival” in Kentucky. Free! Family! Friends! Fun! Detailed information on schedule and venues is available on the Friday After 5 website. Visit fridayafter5.com and the FA5 Facebook page!

CORK & CUISINE-BOURBON AND BARREL August 1 | Owensboro Convention Center The Bourbon Trail makes a dinner stop in Owensboro! For the first time, bourbon will be incorporated into the next wine pairing dinner event. Guests are invited to experience Cork & Cuisine—Bourbon and Barrel on Thursday, August 1 at 6 p.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center and enjoy five courses of a bourbon-inspired menu perfectly paired with barrel aged wines and spirits! Tickets: $65.25 per person or two for $115. All tickets include all wines and spirits. Additional processing fees apply to all ticket sales. Reservations only. 21 and over only.

celebrities and their partners perform for your pleasure in competition for the coveted mirror ball trophy. Also, this year we will have a special treat as our Spotlight Couple perform for the audience.

5TH ANNUAL EMERGENCY SERVICES GALA August 24 | Owensboro Convention Center The 5th Annual Emergency Services Gala will honor and recognize those on the front lines and behind the scenes that work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe. An evening filled with live entertainment, dinner, prizes, dancing, and a guaranteed good time.

A VISION FOR CHANGE: AN EVENING WITH ELIZABETH SMART August 31 at 6:30 p.m. | Owensboro Convention Center Smart will speak about her experiences and tell her amazing personal journey. Tickets are for sale online or by calling the Owensboro Convention Center Box Office 270-687-8800.

CHEERS ON THE PIER CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL September 7 from 3-7 p.m. | Owensboro Convention Center

HOPS ON THE OHIO!

Bring your friends, meet new ones and craft beer fans alike at

August 3 from 3-7 p.m. | RiverPark Center A 4-hour tour of local Kentucky breweries and an exploration of the nation’s favorite brands. Prepare for an afternoon of music, brews and fun! Music on the BB&T Plaza provided by FatBox. Tickets now available online. A limited number of VIP tickets provide access to a VIP lounge with food prepared by Chef Josh Poling and special beer tastings.

craft breweries, some local wines and a bourbon, too! Enjoy all

7TH ANNUAL DANCING WITH OUR STARS OWENSBORO STYLE

September 7 from 6-11 p.m. | O.Z. Tyler Distillery

August 10 at 6 p.m. | Owensboro Convention Center Get ready for the 7th Annual Dancing with OUR Stars, where Owensboro celebrities take the dance floor in support of the Boulware Mission. Join us for a fun-filled evening, as six local

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the Cheers on The Pier Craft Beer Festival. Featuring over 30 the libations and live music on the Pier Stage. Breweries located in an air-conditioned convention hall and outside with the sunshine on the pier. Educational and most enjoyable! Cheers!

BATTLE OF THE BACKPACKS Step back in time…Please join us for an evening of school spirit and good-hearted rivalry to raise funds for the Foundation for Daviess County Public Schools in support of DCPS students, teachers and staff. Catered dinner from Niko’s, interactive games, dancing and surprises. Tickets $75, purchase online or see The Foundation for Daviess County Public Schools website.

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FREE BLUEGRASS IN THE PARK & FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL 2019 August 9-10 | Henderson The 34th annual, award-winning Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival returns this year for a weekend of live music, children’s activities, food, folklife displays and more.

The festival features two days of free bluegrass music and activities in an incredible riverfront setting. This year’s line-up will feature both traditional and progressive bluegrass acts, starting Friday at 4 p.m. On Saturday, the day of events kicks off with Breakfast in the Park at 7 a.m. with music and special events taking place all day. All events at the festival are free!

LANHAM BROTHERS JAMBOREE FIDDLE EXTRAVAGANZA August 10 | Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Brothers Randy and Barry Lanham celebrate roots music, clogging, and Kentucky arts with the Lanham Brothers Jamboree at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum beginning at 7 p.m. Fiddle Extravaganza features special guests David Morris, Annabelle Watts, Mackenzie Bell, Mark Shelton and the Foot Stompin’ Express Cloggers. Country and bluegrass music, clogging and square dancing, audience participation with comedy will all be featured in the familyfriendly show. This show is taped for public television.

Doors open at 5 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Bar and concessions will be open at 5 p.m., and exhibits will available for pre-show touring. Tickets are now on sale online or by calling the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum 270- 926-7891.

CONCERT ON THE LAWN “SPORTS ORCHESTRATED” August 17 at 7 p.m. | Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro Symphony Orchestra presents Concert on the Lawn “Sports Orchestrated” themed “Salute to Sports” at 7 p.m. The annual concert takes place on the front lawn of Kentucky Wesleyan College, 3000 Frederica Street, with the festivities beginning at 5:30 p.m. Back by popular demand, a buffet will be available for your enjoyment. Feed the team in your own picnic spot or reserve a table for eight. For those with a creative flare, have fun with the “Salute to Sports” table decoration contest. Advance reservations required for

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tables and the buffet by calling the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra 270-684-0661 or online at TheOSO.com.

THREE DOG NIGHT IN CONCERT August 17 at 8 p.m. | Owensboro Sportscenter Celebrating nearly five decades, Three Dog Night claims some of the most astonishing statistics in popular music. In the years 1969 through 1974, no other group achieved more top 10 hits, moved more records or sold more concert tickets.

Tickets are $45, $69, $79, and $99 and will be available online at OwensboroTickets.com, at the Owensboro Convention Center Box Office, or charge by phone at 270-297-9932.

Additional processing fees apply to all ticket sales.

JASON ISBELL & SHERYL CROW IN CONCERT August 24 | Beaver Dam Amphitheater Four-time Grammy Award recipient, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Nine-time Grammy Award recipient, and American music icon, Sheryl Crow, will co-headline a concert at Beaver Dam Amphitheater.

2ND ANNUAL ANABEL WOOD PLEIN AIR PAINT OUT September 1 | Rockport City Park Bring your own canvas and easel and spend the day creating your own masterpiece. Registration is at 7 a.m. at the Community Building at Rockport City Park. Please have your canvas stamped prior to beginning your work.

Canvases should be turned in no later than 4 p.m. Doors will open for the reception at 6 p.m. and awards ceremony will commence at 6:30 p.m. Prizes offered in the amount of $500, $200, and $100. Registration is $25 for up to two canvases and each canvas may have a max size of 36x36”. To register, send a $25 check made out to Epsilon Psi Kappa Kappa Kappa addressed to Teresa Schroeder, 1650 S. Old St. Rd 45, Rockport, In. 47635 by August 23, 2019. For more information call Teresa at 812-659-4676.

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THE LAST WORD THE BEST DINING EXPERIENCE

BY LORA WIMSATT

D

on’t you just love it when someone says something like, “Hey, I’ve discovered this new place to eat and

into a comfortable booth, scanning a menu that is filled with all your favorite things, “from soup to nuts” as your

the food is a-maz-ing!”

grandfather might have said, although as far as you know,

Because of course then you’ve just gotta go, and

nobody actually serves nuts—well, unless you count the

how cool is it when the food really is amazing, and the

peanuts at that place where some people like to throw the

atmosphere makes you feel welcome and the service is

shells on the floor, but you feel too guilty about creating

terrific and the prices are reasonable and they offer you a

work for the clean-up crew so you drop yours carefully

“to go” cup with your drink refill when you get ready to

into that extra bucket they give you.

leave?

So then you tell your friends, which gives you that

or family or friends, maybe teammates or co-workers,

extra added bonus of being one of the first to “know and

but someone whose company you enjoy enough to want

tell,” and it quickly takes its place among your rotation

to spend this time together.

of favorite places to eat.

Owensboro is just overflowing with these gems, as

order what they want, how they want it, even if that

this “Dining Guide” issue illustrates, from the big-name

means a cheeseburger with no cheese (long story) or a

franchises to the little diner that comes closer to “home

plain taco shell with nothing in it (even longer story).

cooking” than home ever did.

Not to mention the fact that you don’t have to do

It’s hard to know whether this is true of people who

the dishes, but instead someone comes swooping out of

live elsewhere, but it sure seems like people around here

the kitchen with a big tray and a washrag and wipes up

love to eat out.

the spills and splatters off the table and carries all the

And that’s great. What’s not to love about settling

dishes somewhere out of sight where you don’t have to

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And you’re with your favorite people: Maybe a date,

And there’s also the big plus of everyone getting to

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worry about them at all, unlike the situation at your house

answer to a great question might be found there.

where dirty dishes might sit around in the sink for a couple

of days before someone gets around to washing them or

the kind with the red plastic edge that you peeled off and

hiding them in the dishwasher until you are forced into

had to tuck deep into the trash can or else the dogs would

action by running out of clean plates or glasses.

sniff it out and chew on it and maybe choke. Colonial Bread,

bought fresh from the bakery just down the street, and

So there are a million reasons why eating out is great,

wonderful, fantastic, and everyone likes it.

Including me.

But if you want to know the truth—If I could pick one

meal, one place, as the “best ever” in the entire dining experience of my life so far and forever, it would be this one:

Sitting on the front porch of the house where I grew

up, on a hot summer night, the darkness illuminated only by the streetlights, the occasional flash of headlights as a car went down the street, and the slow-motion blinking of

I am eating a bologna sandwich. Field brand bologna,

whose aroma mingled with that of the tangled honeysuckle vines that are taking over the fence around the back yard.

Cicadas whirr in the background as my mother speaks

to me; her voice is quiet, gentle … tired.

I eat my sandwich; I don’t say much. Maybe I don’t say

anything.

I tear off two pieces of bread crust and throw them to my dogs, one each. They snap them up and swallow them whole, look toward me with expectant eyes, see the

fireflies.

sandwich is gone, and lay down again in the cool grass,

sniffing the night air and scratching at fleas.

I am leaning against the support post and my Momma is

sitting a few feet away on the edge of the porch, her bare feet

on the concrete steps where the paint is peeling away. Her

Dining Guide and to all the wonderful places I enjoy visiting

chin rests in the palm of one hand, her elbow is propped

… I would trade them all for just one more summer night,

on her knee, and she is looking into the darkness as if the

on the porch, with my Momma and a bologna sandwich.

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With all due respect to every restaurant listed in this

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