The Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky
Kentuckians have so much fun with Halloween – no one seems to celebrate the fun of autumn quite like we do.
Below is a news release from Kentucky’s Department of Tourism all about a ghostly tour that’ll have you shaking in your sneakers.
Fall, the best time of year for stories of ghosts and other haunting, is upon us. From now through early November, take a trip to where your spine gets tingled by tales of paranormal activity throughout Kentucky.
A new ghostly tour gets underway this weekend in Newport, where accounts of the city’s racy and mobster past come together to raise your fright quotient. The new “Ghosts and Gangsters Tour,” developed by the group that started the Newport Gangster Tours last spring, is an hour-long exploration of haunted sites in downtown Newport. The tour, which costs $20 per person, starts and ends at The Syndicate night club, whose violent past as a casino and speakeasy during Prohibition has led to tales of haunting by the spirits of slain gangsters. For more information, visit www.newportishaunted.com.
Uncanny sights and sounds are the subject of a jaunt through the historic Old Louisville neighborhood, where several of the impressive Victorian mansions are said to be haunted. The 90-minute tours, based on author David Domine’s books on the neighborhood’s ghostly history, depart Fridays from the Old Louisville Visitors Center at 7:30 p.m. and cost $25 per person. For reservations, call 502-637-2922 or visit www.ghostsofoldlouisville.com.
The otherworldly residents of Bardstown are the subject of the Bardstown Ghost Trek Saturdays from 8-10 p.m. The $15 tours, led by paranormal expert Patti Starr, start outside the Old Stable Restaurant. For more information, go to www.ghosthunter.com/ghosttrek2.htm. Starr is also organizing a Ghost Hunting Getaway Weekend Nov. 6-8, 2009. Call 859-576-5517 for info and reservations.
Experience the Haunted Frontier at Old Fort Harrod State Park, where you will be guided through the graveyard, hear a ghost story and then navigate a large maze, where spirits of long-ago residents of the fort in Harrodsburg may still linger. The volunteer-led tour of the fort’s otherworldly side is $5 per person. For more information, call 859-734-3314 or visit the park’s web site at www.parks.ky.gov.
One of the reputedly most haunted sites in Kentucky is the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville. Although the former tuberculosis hospital closed in 1980, the spirit world remains rampant. The Waverly Hills Historical Society hosts a haunted house every Friday and Saturday in October from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. To learn more, visit www.ghosteyes.com/waverly-hills-sanatorium.
Get in touch with the spirits at Camp Nelson, a Civil War training facility just south of Lexington, with the help of a mother-daughter ghost-hunting team from Nicholasville, Jessi and Starr Chaney. Friday and Saturday tours for $15 per person provide hands-on experience on how to use ghost-hunting equipment and communicate with spirits from the other side. For more info, go to www.ghosthunter.com.
Wide-ranging information about ghost tales and legends throughout Kentucky can be found at www.prairieghosts.com/hauntky.html.
For more information on the Kentucky Department of Travel, visit their Web site at www.kentuckytourism.com.
*** To Read more about The Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky, click the link. I dare you.
Great food and Bluegrass music? Come on, does it get any better?!
Kings Highway and Men of the Week will be performing in Owensboro on October 24th. Each of these bands is currently playing at the Jerusalem Bluegrass Celebration in Rosine.
Kings highway (pictured above) is a band from Henderson Ky, Men of the week (pictured below) hails from the home of the next World Series champions (from my lips to God’s ears, hopefully!) St. Louis Cardinals, St Louis Missouri. (www.myspace.com/menoftheweek)
Both bands are closely followed in the Kentuckiana area, playing festivals in Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro, Louisville as well as performances in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri , Ky, Georgia ,Florida and Tennessee. Men of the week are currently performing at IBMA music showcase in Nashville, Tennessee.
These bands will start performing at 5pm Saturday Oct 24th outdoors at Reds Fish House in Owensboro, Kentucky.
From an e-mail sent to me by Reds Fish House: This is the second performance Kings Highway has done at Reds Fish House, By request from all our friends that enjoyed the first performance Reds Fish House will have this as an annual event for the Owensboro community
Reds will be serving dinner, our own fried fish meals as well as a louisiann crawfish boil ,during the performances, making this a fun night of entertainment and dinner for the Owensboro community. Admittance for both shows and dinner will be $25.00
This event will be an outdoor event seating is not available so attendees will want to bring their lawn chairs. Space is limited reservations are highly suggested in advance, Reservations can be made thru our comment page on Reds fish house web page, www.redsfishhouse.com
Reds Fish House is located at 7056 Highway 56. For directions, see the website.
Music Born in Kentucky is Center Stage this Fall
There’s a profusion of bluegrass music festivals throughout the state of Kentucky this autumn. Seems appropriate, since this is its birthplace, after all. Make it a point to get out and enjoy the music we should all be proud of. Choose from the events highlighted below, courtesy of http://www.kytourism.com/
The sixth annual Franklin Music Festival will be held the following weekend near I-65 close to the Tennessee border. Set for Sept. 11-12, the Franklin fest will feature the Lonesome River Band, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage and many more outstanding performers. For info, check www.franklinkymusicfestival.com.
Bluegrass faithful will be making an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem Ridge at Rosine, Ky. near Owensboro the first weekend in October. From Oct. 1-4, the home place of the “Father of Bluegrass,” Bill Monroe, will resound with music by some of the genre’s leading artists. Visitors can tour the Monroe family’s carefully restored 1918 home filled with mementoes from Monroe’s illustrious 70-year music career. More information about campgrounds and other accommodations nearby can be found at www.jerusalemridgefestival.org.
Combine attendance at Jerusalem Ridge with a visit to the nearby International Bluegrass Music Museum (www.bluegrass-museum.org), a fascinating institution in Owensboro devoted to preserving all things bluegrass. The IBMM is also home to the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame, recognizing noteworthy individuals for outstanding contributions to bluegrass music. New members are inducted each year.
The IBMM hosts its own annual mega-festival, the River of Music Party (ROMP), each June in Owensboro. This festival includes stellar bands from North America, Europe and the Far East, the Bluegrass Masters Film Festival, instrument workshops, juried arts and crafts, clogging and camping. For more info, visit www.www.bluegrass-museum.org/riverofmusic.
Many other smaller festivals provide opportunities to experience bluegrass music outdoors while enjoying Kentucky’s beautiful scenery. For more info, consult the Kentucky Department of Travel’s web site, www.kytourism.com, and click on “Festivals and Events.”
Be sure to check out Owensboro’s Bluegrass Musuem’s Web Site. Lots of fun!
This Saturday is Marina Day in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. Click HERE to learn more about the festivities.
The video above includes footage from last year’s Marina Day. Don’t miss the fun this year!
Owensboro, Kentucky (I just call it home) is gearing up for a special guest who’s coming to pay us a visit on August 1. Jason Aldean (Hicktown, Johnny Cash, She’s Country, Big Green Tractor…) is headlining Big O Music Fest and this part of the state couldn’t be more excited.
Jason Aldean has, as they say, hit it big with his unique blend of country rock. He’s winning new fans to country music and giving old fans even more of a reason to dance. He’s having a lot of success on CMT with his videos as well as on the radio with his music. I guess that makes the young man a double threat!
The 2009 Big O Music Fest will be held on Saturday, August 1st at Reid’s Orchard in Owensboro, Kentucky (4812 State Route 144, Owensboro). Click HERE to purchase tickets at TicketMaster. Other performers will include Colt Ford, Chris Young, Brian Davis, Tabor Dame, Aubrey Collins, and Scott Lindsey (from Beaver Dam, Kentucky).
Gates open at noon with the music starting at 1:00 with Aubrey Collins, former lead singer for Trick Pony, and ending with Jason Aldean. There will be food and beverage booths, t-shirts, and souvenirs. Come join the fun as Owensboro throws its annual party.
Fellow Jason Aldean fans: Watch Brian Adams (love him too) and Jason Aldean perform some of their songs together on CMT Crossroads on cmt.com. Great stuff!
Enjoy Homegrown Bluegrass Music and Arts Activities at Audubon Festivals May 15-16
Beautiful John James Audubon State Park in Henderson Kentucky will come alive with Bluegrass music on May 15-16, 2009.
The Homegrown Bluegrass Festival, presenting nearly a dozen music groups from the tri-state area, will kick off at 5 p.m. on Friday May 15 and continue from noon until 9 p.m. on Saturday. Among the groups who hail from Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois will be Bold Witness, Sassafrass, Keith and Gary Vincent, Highway 41, Suzuki Fiddlers, Fields of Home, River Bottom, Brush Fire, Kings Highway, and Phillip Steinmetz.
The Creative Arts Festival will kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday May 16 with visual art booths and crafters selling their work in addition to showing how it’s done. Woodworking, glass blowing, stained glass, watercolors, soap-making, weaving, jewelry, acrylics and pottery are just a few of the booths at this year’s festival.
A special section just for kids, called Creation Station, will include face painting, art classes, balloon creations, a potter’s wheel, bertha bubbles, inflatables, a petting zoo, magicians and more.
There is a parking fee of $3 per car, but admission to the festivals is free. For more information about the arts and music festivals, contact Kim McGrew at 270-827-1893 or Mark Kellen at 270-826-2247.
Audubon State Park is located at 3100 U.S. Hwy. 41 in Henderson Kentucky.
John James Audubon State Park
This beautiful park boasts the world’s largest collection of John James Audubon’s art and also features exhibits about the painter’s life in Henderson. John James Audubon moved to Henderson with his family to operate a small mercantile business and devote himself to exploring the surrounding wilderness. He found countless birds and captured them in his wonderful art work.
The park offers overnight accommodations in six cottages and a campground and hiking, fishing golf, tennis and other outdoor activities.
There are 6.5 miles of trails at Audubon State Park, winding through the nature preserve, including 2.7 miles of back-country hiking. These trails provide an opportunity unlike any other for those of us who love birds and bird watching. The Eagle Glen Pet Trail is a one-mile trail where dogs on leashes are allowed with their owners. View trail information.
Click the following link for more information about the John James Audubon State Park.
If you make a weekend of it, I can vouch for the friendliness of Henderson Kentucky’s residents. They don’t know the meaning of the word “stranger.” You can also rest assured that Henderson has many places to eat including one of the best Cracker Barrels in the area. Their Grandy’s is also one of the best (I often wish our Grandy’s in Owensboro was as good!) Another great place to eat in Henderson Kentucky is Golden Corral. Delicious.
The Kentucky Library & Museum at Western Kentucky University will host its third annual “Christmas in Kentucky” event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 6. Apperently, this will run immediately following the Bowling Green Christmas Parade.
Children will have a chance to have their picture taken with Santa as well as Mrs. Claus, visit with Big Red (who should be in especially high spirits after the big U of L win…), make ornaments, and even join in a scavenger hunt throughout the museum!
Last year, over 1,000 people participated during the events and they’re expecting another great turn out.
This year’s theme is centered around the 1860s to coordinate with the new Civil War exhibit, “A Star in Each Flag: Conflict in Kentucky.” There will be individuals dressed in both Victorian and Civil War attire. Related activities will include carolers, open hearth cooking in the log cabin, storytelling and a magician making balloon animals.
“Christmas in Kentucky” is sponsored by University Libraries and free to the entire community. The Kentucky Library & Museum is located at 1400 Kentucky St. with plenty of free parking on any of the parking lots directly across the street.
For information, contact Christy Spurlock at (270) 745-6082.
This Fall, Grand Rivers has Family, Fun, Festivals, Food, and Fudge on its mind. Fantastic!
The Hunter’s Moon Festival will take place October 11. Mark your calendar and get ready to get your groovy all the way on.
The Grand Rivers Southern Storytelling is something else the community is really excited about.
The following is courtesy of Grand Rivers.com:
The first Grand Rivers Southern Storytelling event will include seven professional songwriters and storytellers in two full nights of southern music and tales. Here is the lineup:
Appearing Friday Night -
A native of Covington, GA, Andy Irwin started out in comedy, but added music and storytelling because he had a lot more to say. In storytelling circles, he is known for relating the adventures of his eighty-five-year-old aunt, Marguerite Van Camp, M.D. He’s always on the go, performing at festivals, and theatres throughout the United States, including two gigs at the National Storytelling Festival.
Mary Hamilton has a straightforward “just talking” style, using her voice and her body to tell stories. Mary entertains audiences of adults, families, or children with Kentucky tales, world folk & fairy tales, plus a few myths, legends, true stories, and original fiction.
Amy and Cole Bruce have performed at the Badgett Playhouse in productions of Variety!, Always Patsy Cline, and Pumpboys and Dinettes. Amy and Cole now live in Nashville, TN where they do studio work, write and record music, and performed live for various artists and songwriters. As part of the Grand Rivers Southern Storytelling Event, Amy and Cole will perform some of their original songs.
Appearing Saturday Night –
Kaci Bolls was born and raised in the college town of Murray, Kentucky. Kaci now lives in Nashville and has become an in demand demo singer, singing the demos for songs that have been cut by artists such as LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Sara Evans, and more. She can’t wait to share some of her own songs and the stories behind the songs.
Michael Reno Harrell hails from the Southern Appalachian Mountains and is an award winning songwriter, as well as a veteran storyteller and entertainer. Michael’s recordings top the Americana Music Association charts year after year. Michael’s natural knack for storytelling has earned him praise from both the music community and the storytelling world.
Ellouise Schoettler calls herself an “old-time Southern storyteller” like those she grew up listening to in her native North Carolina. Schoettler combines personal memories with family and local history in stories that reveal and bring to life moments in the lives of ordinary people.
Join us in Grand Rivers for this celebration of southern heritage and enjoy a variety of lively talks that inspire, make you laugh and celebrate a simpler time. Show times are 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, October 10 and 11. Call the Badgett Playhouse Box Office at 888-362-4223 for tickets today. Information is online at www.grandrivers.com/storyfest.
Food-licious News!:
Sugar and Spice will feature a Oktoberfest buffet starting October 3, at 5:00 p.m. and continuing every weekend through October 26. You can look forward to traditional German favorites – sauerbraten, schnitzels, red cabbage, kraut and more. Reservations required. Call 362-2362.
And, as always, don’t even think about stepping foot in Grand Rivers without going by The Fudge Factory for the best fudge on earth.
I’ll be adding more Grand Rivers news later today. They simply have too much going on to cover in one article. Apparently autumn has the same intoxicating effect on them that it does me. Ragweed be danged, I’m having a great autumn!
The Grand Rivers Hunters Moon Festival will soon be getting its groovy on. And when it does, it’ll be a glorious thing. In addition to the Festival, be sure you attend the Grand Rivers Storytelling Event.
And just why is the Grand Rivers Chamber feeling so groovy? This will be the 30th Anniversary of their Famous Fall Festival featuring Food, Fun, Crafts, Live Music, Children’s Activities and the Big Parade! They’d like to extend an invitation for everyone to join them and celebrate 1978 – 2008…. thirty year’s of fun!
The Grand Rivers Hunters Moon Festival will take place Saturday, October 11.
Visit the website to learn more.
* The great picture of the adorable girls throwing peace signs is used courtesy of Grand Rivers.com. There are beautiful smiles, and then there are beautiful smiles!
The Hunter’s Moon Schedule Courtesy of Grand Rivers.com:
Here is the full schedule for Hunters Moon. Join us for this special “70s” themed festival and celebrate 1978 – 2008. Thirty
year’s of fun!
Thursday, October 9
Little Mister and Miss Pageant at the Community Building, 6:30 p.m. Admission is $1.00 admission. No charge for contestants. Registration 5:30 p.m. You can pick up applications at First Kentucky Bank in Grand Rivers or the Chamber office.
Friday, October 10
Dance at the Community Building featuring the Stanley Walker Band. Admission is $5.00 and the dance starts at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 11
Craft & Retail Vendors, Taste of the Lakes Food Vendors, Children’s Games and Activities in Little Lake Park, starting
at 9:00 a.m. All Day.
Chamber Silent Auction beside Chamber office from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Winners will be announced at 4:30 p.m. Come bid on lodging packages, restaurant gift certificates and merchandise from our local stores.
Children’s Halloween Costume Parade 10:30 a.m. Registration. Starts in front of the Badgett Playhouse. Prizes for best costumes and floats. No pets. Free.
Grand Rivers Trolley runs from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.. Free.
The Big Street Parade, 2:00 p.m. on JH O’Bryan Street.
Cake Walk 4:15 p.m. in the street dance area in Little Lake Park. Walk to win cakes and pies. $1.00 to enter.
Final Street Dance of the year will be in the bandstand/street dance area of Little Lake Park, 7:00 PM until 10:00 p.m.. The band Southern Fry’d will entertain.
For those of us who are artsy-minded, this is the sort of thing that makes us wag our creative tails. Kentucky Western Waterlands is sponsoring an Arts and Crafts Festival that will run on August 30, 31, and September 1. It’ll take place at Little Lake Park in beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky. For those unfamiliar with the area, Little Lake Park is behind Badgett Playhouse.
You can look forward to handmade jewelry, furniture, baskets, quilts, pottery, clothing, belts and wooden decorative items are featured along with stained glass, embroidery & paintings by vendors from nine states. There will be over 100 different artisan & Craftsmen booths! Enjoy barbecue, traditional carnival food, live music and shopping.
Okay, you know the drill. What do I do each and every time I point you toward Grand Rivers, Kentucky? You got it – bonus points for you! I tell you to take your taste buds to The Fudge Factory and load up on the world’s best fudge. Then I point out that you MUST get some of the Peanut Butter Fudge, Dulche de Leche Fudge, and Tiger Butter Fudge. I say, feel free to load up on others, too, just make sure you grab this trio immediately (better be quick, if I beat you there, it’s all over with).
I tell you that the friendliest people on the face of the earth can be found inside this adorable little shop. In addition to fudge that’ll make your world stand still, they have gifts and goodies as well. But, I hasten to point out, the main thing is the remarkable fudge.
Yep. That’s pretty much the drill. But you know what, I don’t like being predictable. So, I’m not going to say any of that this time. I’ll let a post go by without telling you that I lie awake at night thinking about this fudge.
I won’t tell you that when we go to the lakes, we’re going to start carrying a cooler with ice to bring back plenty to get us through the week. Nah, you don’t need to know that.
Maybe next time I’ll rave and rave about the world’s best fudge – but, for now, I’ll just cool my heels. And wish to God, above, that I had some fudge in front of me right now.
