As a Food Network addict (seriously, I’ve got it bad), I find this to be pretty outstanding: The Louisville Kentucky restaurant Cake Flour will be featured on an upcoming episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate. The flourless chocolate cake at Cake Flour will be highlighted on a September episode.
Chef Aaron Sanchez taped the segment at Cake Flour, 909 E. Market St., in July.
Cake Flour owner Claudia DeLatorre told the Courier Journal that she was skeptical at first. “I didn’t really believe it was the Food Network when they called and said they wanted to feature my cake. But when they started talking about scheduling, I knew they were for real!”
Visit Cake Flour’s Website to learn more about the Restaurant and their culinary mission!
Gov. Steve Beshear today announced that the state’s Web portal, Kentucky.gov (http://www.kentucky.gov), has been recognized by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) as one of the top five sites in the nation for 2010. The nonprofit agency ranked the site fifth among state Web portal entries in this year’s Best of the Web contest based upon innovation, functionality and efficiency. Louisville’s website, Louisvilleky.gov, placed second in the nation for city websites.
“My administration’s firm commitment to keeping government accessible and open to the public has once again earned Kentucky national recognition for its online resources,” said Gov. Beshear. “We work very hard to maintain and improve the site as new technology and resources evolve. This ensures Kentucky.gov is a reliable resource for our citizens to gain information in a timely and accurate manner.”
This award completes a trifecta of national recognition for the state’s websites. The Open Door e-transparency site was recently named best in the nation and the state’s stimulus reporting website, Kentucky at Work, garnered a national second-place award for excellence in accountability for citizens.
Site Offers Services, Accountability for Citizens
CDG is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government.
According to Cathilea Robinett, executive director of CDG, Kentucky.gov successfully provides government leaders with a way to effectively communicate with citizens while increasing public trust.
“Kentucky.gov, with its increased focus on transparency, is achieving the essence of what it means to be a more open and accountable government,” said Robinett. “The portal gives Kentucky constituents a view into the government’s budget and allows them to see that their tax dollars are put to good use. The site’s increased usability features ensure citizens can conduct their business with the state quickly, efficiently and hassle-free by taking advantage of the multitude of services and transaction options the site offers.”
The site offers multiple services for users. Citizens can use the site to renew driver licenses, register vehicles, find voter information, buy hunting and fishing licenses, register businesses and review the state’s budget.
“Kentucky’s continued commitment to improve service to the businesses and citizens it serves through improved and streamlined technology methods is reflected in this improvement to number five in the nation for this year’s Best of the Web award,” Kentucky Chief Information Officer Phil Baughn said. “Kentucky.gov offers a variety of government-related services and information around the clock.”
History of Excellence for State Websites
Kentucky.gov is the official website of the Commonwealth. The site is managed and operated using no tax dollars through a public-private partnership between the Commonwealth and Kentucky Interactive, the Frankfort-based official eGovernment partner for the state. Kentucky Interactive helps state government entities Web-enable their information services, and is part of eGovernment firm NIC’s family of companies. (NASDAQ: EGOV)
In April 2010, Kentucky was the only state in the nation to receive an ‘A’ rating for openness in government spending for its Open Door website, online at http://opendoor.ky.gov, based upon a report issued by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The site was also named one of the best of its kind nationally by the Center for Study of Responsive Law, a nonprofit organization that researches government and corporate accountability. The Commonwealth was recognized as a national leader for transparency in state contracts for publishing the full text of state contracts.
Similar to Open Door, the Commonwealth’s stimulus spending site, Kentucky at Work, online at http://kentuckyatwork.ky.gov, received national attention in January 2009. In a report issued by Good Jobs First, a national policy resource center, Kentucky was recognized for receiving the second highest rating nationally for accountability to taxpayers.
“This most recent reward for a Kentucky government website continues to highlight Gov. Beshear’s persistence for transparency and openness in government,” said Jonathan Miller, secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet. “A critical element for providing that transparency is making our internet presence as user friendly and comprehensive as possible and that’s what this award indicates.”
Kentucky at Work and Open Door are both maintained by the Finance and Administration Cabinet.
Congratulations to each of these Kentucky websites for the honors they’ve received… may the recognition continue to roll in!
My husband and I were in the Land Between the Lakes region around lunchtime recently and we knew exactly where we wanted to eat: Main Street Java in Benton, Kentucky. We’ve been there for supper numerous times but had never had the opportunity to have lunch with them.
Opportunity knocked and we answered with fork in hand.
When our server asked what we’d like to order, my husband told her that we we’re thinking about ordering a little bit of everything.
And then we did.
First of all, we hadn’t had lunch at Main Street Java before, so we wanted to find out what several different menu items were like. Second of all, we were starving!
I ordered the California Pizza and it was love at first sight, even before I took my first bite. Fresh, premium ingredients (olive oil, spinach, artichoke, roasted red pepper, red onion, black olive, Italian seasoning, cheese) on flat bread pizza? Words can’t even describe how fresh, healthy, outstanding, and delicious this pizza is. You honestly have to make a point of driving to Main Street Java in Benton Kentucky just for the California Pizza alone.
It’s unbelievable and it has been on my mind ever since.
My husband ordered chili and a panini. I couldn’t pull myself away from the California pizza to become very familiar with the panini but it looked amazing. The chili and I did get acquainted. In fact, I pulled it away from my husband with one swift ninja move.
The chili was super special – it had large meat chunks in it that were mind-blowingly delicious.
We also tried some of their outstanding Macaroni and Cheese with jalapeno peppers in it – their Macaroni and cheese isn’t just good, it’s beyond good.
It’s so good, in fact, that it comes with its own menu. You can add any of the following to the original Macaroni and cheese for just a tiny bit more:
- Bacon
- Asiago Cheese
- Tomato
- Red Onion
- Black Olives
- Bread Crumbs
- Red Pepper
- Chili Pepper
- Jalapeno Pepper
Click the following link for Main Street Java’s menu. Better yet, GO! You won’t regret a single bite.
For other Genuine Kentucky reviews of Main Street Java, see:
Main Street Java In Benton, Kentucky Home to the Best Steak in Kentucky – Possibly the World
Returning to Main Street Java in Benton Kentucky!
As you’re planning your Labor Day weekend activities, you’ll definitely want to keep the Jefferson Davis State Historic Site in mind.
As part of the Labor Day holiday weekend festivities, you can see an impressive collection of reproduction Civil War flags, both Confederate and Union.
The flags, by Spencer and Linda Brewer of Central City, represent units from Kentucky and Tennessee. The flags will be on display outside the museum.
Jefferson Davis State Historic Site marks the birthplace of the Confederate president, Jefferson Davis. Kentucky has always taken pride in the fact that the President of the Union (Abraham Lincoln) as well as the President of the Confederacy (Jefferson Davis) were BOTH born in Kentucky.
The park features a 351-foot monument that was completed in 1924 and includes an elevator. The site also has a museum and gift shop. There is also a picnic area on the park grounds.
The gift shop features Kentucky handcrafts, souvenirs, books and Civil War memorabilia. The site is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October. There is a fee for the museum and monument.
The site is 9 miles east of Hopkinsville on U.S. 68.
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park will hold its annual weekend honoring Kentucky writer Jesse Stuart on Sept. 24-25.
The weekend is dedicated to the works and memory of the former Kentucky poet laureate, who was born in Greenup County, worked as an educator and became known for his poems, short stories and novels. He often used education and his Greenup County surroundings for themes in his stories.
The weekend begins on Friday, Sept. 24, with an afternoon hike to the Jesse Stuart Nature Preserve. There will also be talks about Stuart and on Saturday a tour of the Jesse Stuart Foundation in Ashland, a visit to W Hollow, Stuart’s home, and book appraisals.
The weekend will also feature “The Needles Eye,” a dramatic production with music taken from Stuart’s book about his experience as an educator “The Thread That Runs So True.” Show times are Saturday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 26, at 2:30 p.m. Both shows will be at the Greenbo Lake Amphitheatre. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students. Preschoolers are free. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets with you.
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park is on KY 1, 18 miles north of I-64 from Grayson exit or 8 miles south of U.S. 23, the Country Music Highway on KY 1. Greenbo Lake features the Jesse Stuart Lodge with 36 rooms, convention center, and Anglers’ Cove Restaurant. The park has a 225-acre lake for boating and fishing, tennis courts, 25 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The campground is open April 1 through Oct. 31. Greenbo Amphitheatre features musical concerts and plays during the summer and fall.
Call 1-800-325-0083 for information and reservations.
The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 51 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges — more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our website at http://www.parks.ky.gov
* Greenbo Lake State Resort Park appears in a recent issue of Bridges Magazine. Angler’s Cove restaurant at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park is featured, highlighting an all you can eat seafood buffet.
This sounds awfully fun! If the Murder and a Meal at Lake Barkley State Resort Park’s Dinner Theater is even half as entertaining as the Comedy Dinner with Marty Pollio at Lake Barkley State Resort Park, we’re all in for a night to remember!
Lake Barkley State Resort Park’s Dinner Theater series presents a murder mystery where the audience tries to figure out whodunit!
“Check-out Time,” a murder mystery about a troubled innkeeper and her staff, will be performed by Laughing Corpse Production Company out of Nashville, Tenn., with lots of audience participation. So grab your magnifying glass and mystery solving skills and head out to Lake Barkley State Resort Park on Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
While piecing the clues together, guests will also enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet, including salad bar, parmesan crusted chicken and beef tips, dessert and more. Tickets are on sale now for $40 a person until Sept. 15 after which prices will increase to $45 a person. Limited seating is available, so get your tickets now! For tickets or additional information call the lodge at 1-800-325-1708 or email Mary Schmidt at mary.schmidt@ky.gov
Besides the lodge with a spectacular view of the lake, the park includes cottages, the Windows on the Water Restaurant, a seasonal campground, 18-hole golf course, fitness center with indoor pool, marina, fishing, tennis courts, hiking trails, gift shop and recreational and nature programming. The park is near Cadiz and the Land Between the Lakes at 3500 State Park Road just off I-24. Exit at Highway 68. From the exit go west toward Cadiz and the park.
“John James Audubon: Before His Birds” will be presented on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 19 and 20, at 7 p.m. in the museum garden of John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Ky. The play was written by A.J. Casey and is co-directed by Casey and Steve McCarty, technical director at Henderson Fine Arts Center.
“John James Audubon: Before His Birds” focuses on Audubon’s life and his influences as the creator of the masterpiece “Birds of America.” His intense love affair with his wife Lucy, as well as his many years spent gathering inspiration and material in Henderson, Ky., played heavily into Audubon’s life and success and are chronicled in Casey’s original play.
The gorgeous outdoor setting of the play’s presentation is in keeping with Audubon’s love of the natural world, and is a fitting tribute to Audubon’s many treks into the wilderness surrounding Henderson, Ky., during his time there. The museum itself will lend a dramatic backdrop to the production.
A.J. Casey holds a theatre degree from Murray State University and currently teaches at RiverBend Academy arts school. “John James Audubon: Before His Birds” is Casey’s first full-length script and was written as a thesis project. He created the script in cooperation with the Audubon Bicentennial Committee as part of Audubon in Henderson: A Bicentennial Celebration – 1810-2010.
The local cast includes: John (Chris Reaves); Lucy (Megan Mortis); Capt. Jean Audubon and Artistic Admirer (Frank Furbush); Anne Moynet (Megan Nantz); William B. and Thomas B. (Rick Chandler); Woman and Lady Artistic Admirer (Brianna Barron); Dacosta, Attendant and Mr. Bowen (Kurt Denton); Assistant (Isaac Vaughn); Thomas Bakewell (Adam Casey).
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children and students. Tickets may be purchased at Matt’s News & Gifts in downtown Henderson and at the Audubon State Park museum.
The play will be preceded on Thursday, Aug. 19 by the opening reception and awards presentation of Views of Audubon, an exhibit of paintings inspired by landscapes and wildlife of the park, from 5 to 6:45 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 20, a drawing for a 2010 Jeep Wrangler will be held prior to the play at 6 p.m. in front of the Tea House; $25/ticket entries. The proceeds will help support the Audubon in Henderson: A Bicentennial Celebration – 1810-2010. For more information on bicentennial events, visit: www.audubon2010.com
About Audubon in Henderson: A Bicentennial Celebration – 1810-2010:
John James Audubon arrived in the river town of Henderson, Ky. in 1810 with his wife and infant son. Audubon loved the frontier spirit in Henderson, and as he worked to support his family through business he also spent much time roaming the woods, observing and painting the many species of birds abundant in the area. Audubon’s skills as an artist grew during his years in Kentucky, and after nine years in Kentucky, he went on to publish his ornithological works in the masterpiece, “The Birds of America.” In celebration of the bicentennial of Audubon’s 1810 arrival in Henderson County, the Friends of Audubon, Ohio Valley Art League and the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources have come together to celebrate with a wide variety of events. For more information, visit www.audubon2010.com. For more information about Audubon State Park and other Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park was established to preserve the cave system, which includes not only the infamous Mammoth Cave, but the scenic river valleys of the Green and Nolin rivers, and a section of south central Kentucky as well.Within Mammoth Cave National Park lies the longest, and most remarkable cave systems on earth, with over 350 miles of passageway mapped and surveyed. Little wonder it was named Mammoth.
Did You Know?
Stalactites grow downward – they hang “tight” to the ceiling – while stalagmites grow upward – they “might” reach the ceiling someday. Mammoth Cave’s formations include many types of calcite formations.
Even after 4,000+ years of eager exploration, this water-formed labyrinth still remains a mystery. It’s this fact, of course, that adds to its beauty and excitement. Mammoth Cave National Park should be on everyone’s MUST SEE list – and maybe it’s because I’m a Kentuckian, but I think it should be at the top.
This is one extra, extra special place. The type of place you have to see to believe. The photography opportunities, alone, make a family trip to Mammoth Cave National Park more than worth it.
Mammoth Cave National Park: Cave Tour!
The National Park Service offers several cave tours to visitors. Many of the most famous features of the cave, such as Grand Avenue, Frozen Niagara, and Fat Man’s Misery, can be seen on lighted tours ranging from one to six hours in length. Two tours, lit only by visitor-carried paraffin lamps, are popular alternatives to the electric-lit routes. Several “wild” tours venture away from the developed parts of the cave into muddy crawls and dusty tunnels.
The park’s tours are notable for the quality of the interpretive program, with occasional graphics accompanying artifacts on display at certain points in the cave. The lectures delivered by the National Park Service cave guides are varied by tour, so that in taking several tours the visitor learns about different facets of the cave’s formation, or of the cave’s human history and prehistory.
The Echo River Tour, one of the cave’s most famous attractions, used to take visitors on a boat ride along an underground river. The tour was discontinued for logistic and environmental reasons in the early 1990s. - Wikipedia
A trip to the Mammoth Cave National Park could include:
- Cave tours
- Surface hikes
- Canoeing on the Green River
- A cruise on Miss Green River II
- Picnicking, horseback riding, bicycling, camping and more.
If You’re Planning to Visit Mammoth Cave National Park:
- Visitor Center Hours – Daily: 8:45 am – 5:15 pm
- Click HERE for the Summer Cave Tours Schedule.
- All cave tours and nature walks are pretty strenuous, so be sure you’re up to a particular tour before setting off. Ask questions, the rangers can let you know exactly what will be involved.
- Trails can be slick, so be certain to wear appropriate shoes. All tours have a strict policy requiring the visitors to wear shirts and shoes.
- Camera tripods and monopods, child strollers and infant backpack carriers are prohibited in the cave for visitor safety.
- For further safety advice and tips, be sure to read the literature available at the park. Most of it’s common sense, but read it all to be on the “safe side,” literally.
- For all the information you could possibly ask for about Mammoth Cave National Park, Visit http://www.nps.gov/maca/
Did You Know?
- Early guide Stephen Bishop called the cave a “grand, gloomy and peculiar place.“
Mammoth Cave National Park, 1887
Many believe that the best way to experience Mammoth Cave National Park is to camp out amongst the beauty. The park offers camping in three developed campgrounds and in more than a dozen primitive sites in the backcountry and along the Green and Nolin Rivers. Visit http://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/camping.htm for more information regarding the different campgrounds.
Did You Know?
- The Green and Nolin Rivers course more than 30 miles through Mammoth Cave National Park, offering hours of boating, canoeing, fishing, and floodplain camping.
Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest known cave. As for the competition, if the second and third longest caves in the world were joined together, Mammoth Cave would still be the planet’s longest cave. But that’s not all, there’d be over 100 miles left over. Now tell me that’s not something you want to see close up and personal?
The Kentucky State Parks will be in full swing with events and activities during Labor Day Weekend.
All 32 campgrounds will be open and many parks are planning special festivities for guests. The park system’s 17 resort parks – all with lodges, full-service restaurants, hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and other amenities – will be open.
The recreational parks and historic sites will also be open. Most have hiking trails, picnic areas, camping, fishing and other recreational opportunities for guests.
Golfers have 18 courses across the state from which to choose. Several courses have received national honors for being among the best places to play. The Kentucky State Parks also offer golf packages that include overnight stays.
For more information about all 51 state parks and to make lodging or camping reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov. Information about lodging discounts and coupons is also available on the website. Below is a listing of events scheduled during Labor Day Weekend 2010:
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet
Sept. 3
Tomahawk Throwing at the Pioneer Museum
While the tomahawk was a formidable weapon, unlike the movies, it was probably never actually thrown in frontier warfare. However, games of skill were common on the frontier. Join the park “expert” for a talk about the history of games of skill and a chance to test skill with a tomahawk. This program is open throughout the day and is part of the Pioneer Museum Summer Series. It is free with paid admission to the museum. 1-800-443-7008.
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet
Sept. 4
Labor Day Blood Drive
You can be someone’s hero! The Central Kentucky Blood Center Blood Mobile will be just outside the Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park Pioneer Museum. All blood donors will receive complimentary passes for the Pioneer Museum and be eligible to win door prizes. Donate blood between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Call the park at 859-289-5507 or 800-443-7008 for overnight accommodations, directions and additional information.
General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton
Sept. 4
Goldenrod Gala
The park will host a one-day juried Arts & Crafts Festival featuring handmade items. The gala includes a variety of demonstrators, all-day entertainment, food concessions, Farmer’s Market and activities for kids. 866-462-8853.
Fort Boonesborough State Park
Sept. 4
CKBC Mobile Blood Drive
The Central Kentucky Blood Center will be conducting a blood drive in the Recreation Hall of the campground from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All donors will receive a t-shirt, a gift and will be entered into the door prize drawings for gift certificates from the park and area businesses. Open to the public. 859-527-3131.
Jefferson Davis State Historic Site, Fairview
Sept. 4
Civil War Flag Exhibit
Spend part of your holiday weekend visiting Jefferson Davis State Historic Site to see an impressive collection of reproduction Civil War flags, both Confederate and Union, by Spencer and Linda Brewer of Central City. 270-889-6100.
John James Audubon State Park, Henderson
Sept. 3-4
Plein-Air & Studio Workshop
Artists, are you ready to learn how to construct a good composition? This two-day adult workshop is designed for beginning-to-advanced artists seeking more knowledge to enhance and create a beautifully composed painting. The workshop will consist of students learning the fundamentals of a composition and compositional studies in the studio. Don’t miss the instruction by the award winning wildlife artist Devere Burt, of Cincinnati. Registration is required. A supply list will be provided. Fee: $60 for both days. Times: Friday 9-4 p.m.; Saturday 9–noon. 270-826-2247.
John James Audubon State Park, Henderson
Sept. 2-6
Labor Day Weekend
John James Audubon State Park will be celebrating Labor Day Weekend throughout the park. The fun starts with Fishing Fun on Thursday, Sept. 2 at the boat dock on Recreation Lake and ends with Recycled Bird Feeders on Monday, Sept. 6. There will be nature crafts, wildlife games and guided hikes throughout the weekend. The highlights of the weekend will include a Labor Day Campground Parade, Live Raptor Show and Ice
Cream In-A-Bag. Call for programs, times, and location at (270) 826-4424.
Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas
Sept. 3-5
Labor Day Weekend Activities
Join the recreation staff at Barren River for a weekend full of fun. The park will be ending the “summer season” with a variety of activities for campers, guests and visitors. There will be a Leave No Trace Awareness workshop at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4. Participants will learn how to be good stewards of the land and will receive a discount card for 10 percent off lodging or camping valid through September 2011. Dave Stahl will be providing live musical entertainment in the campground on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. Nature hikes, reptile shows, fabulous fossil activities and more all weekend long. 800-325-0057.
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup
Sept. 3-5
Labor Day Getaway
Close out the summer with lots of family fun at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park. There will be crafts, hayrides, a scavenger hunt, mini golf and all sorts of fun-filled activities to keep you busy. Don’t forget the community pool will be open through Sept. 6, so come out and enjoy that last swim of the summer. 800-325-0083.
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg
Sept. 3 – 5
Labor Day “Fun in the Sun”
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park will be celebrating Labor Day with several activities. Come build your own “Pine Derby Car” on Saturday morning and then race it Saturday evening. The park will also have a reptile show with the Kentucky Reptile Zoo on Saturday at 5 p.m. Don’t forget to wear your dancing shoes as we will have a “heel-clicking” good time Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights with folk and country line dancing. Other activities include a pet show, tomahawk throwing, arts and crafts, archery, primitive fire starting demonstration, tie-dye t-shirts and much more. 800-325-0142.
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown
Sept. 3-5
Labor Day Weekend Activities
The end of summer is near so let’s spend the holiday weekend together at Lake Cumberland. The park’s recreation department has plenty of fun activities planned for the entire family. The park will have activities such as bingo, youth archery, balloon launcher, pool games and a magic show featuring Dave Cottrell. For information, contact Robert Myers at RobertA.Myers@ky.gov or call 1-800-325-1709.
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn
Sept. 3-6
End of the Summer Celebration
Buckhorn Lake is having its annual End of the Summer Celebration filled with lots of fun and excitement for guests. Cool off from the summer heat by enjoying the pool and water games. Have fun drying off during the many yard games and sport activities that will continue throughout the weekend. Evening activities will include a campfire and s’mores and much more. 800-325-0058.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin
Sept. 3-6
Labor Day Weekend
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park’s recreation staff will offer a variety of programs Labor Day Weekend, including a hike to Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower, archery, folk dancing, craft programs and more. The community pool will be open from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. 800-325-0063.
E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, Louisville
Sept. 3-6
NBL/BMX Grand Nationals
Join E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park for the annual NBL/BMX Grand Nationals. Watch the best of the best riders from all over the world. This event is sponsored by Derby City BMX, www.derbycitybmx.org. 502-429-7270.
Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora
Sept. 3-6
Labor Day Weekend Celebration
Kenlake State Resort Park’s Labor Day festivities will begin Friday night, Sept. 3. Come help the park say farewell to Summer. This will be the last weekend of daily recreation/naturalist led activities until May 2011. Activities include Friday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the back lobby. Scott Shupe, an old friend of the park, will bring many of his animals for his live animal presentation. Other activities include junior naturalist programs, guided nature hikes, campfire programs, sports activities, and arts and crafts. End the summer with a live band Sunday night on the front lawn. 800-325-0143.
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville
Sept. 3-6
Labor Day Weekend – Say Goodbye to Summer
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park’s Labor Day festivities will begin Friday night, Sept. 3. Say farewell to Summer and all the heat and enjoy the last weekend of scheduled daily recreation activities for the year. Activities include tie-dye, an all-you-can-eat Ice Cream Social, Ping Pong Tournaments, Nintendo Wii Tournaments, arts and crafts. Heath Eric will perform to close out the weekend on Sunday night at 7 p.m. at the campground! Fees for some events. For details contact Anthony.Lawrence@ky.gov or call 1-800-325-0146.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz
Sept. 3-6
Labor Day Celebration
Lake Barkley State Resort Park says farewell to summer with a Labor Day weekend celebration. Activities will start on Friday evening at the campground and continue through Monday afternoon at the lodge. The recreation staff has packed this last weekend of summer with lots of activities for the entire family. Activities include a snake presentation, tie-dye shirts, corn-hole games, trap shooting and an owl prowl. And don’t forget to stop by the beach on the last few days it will be open for the summer. For more information contact Mary Schmidt at mary.schmidt@ky.gov or 1-800-325-1708
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs
Sept. 3-6
Labor Day Weekend Celebration
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park’s Labor Day festivities will begin Friday night, Sept. 3. Come help the park say farewell to Summer. This will be the last weekend of daily recreation/naturalist led activities until May 2011. Activities include junior naturalist programs, guided nature hikes, campfire programs, sports activities, and arts and crafts. Don’t miss Music in the Park on Friday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. with local artist Heath Eric. 800-325-1711.
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill
Sept. 6
Pickin’ at the Caves
Bring your instruments out to Carter Caves State Resort Park to gather and play music with other local musicians. Don’t play? No problem! Come and enjoy the tunes that local talent has to offer. The pickin’ will be in and around the lobby of Lewis Caveland Lodge from 7-9 p.m. Visit early and enjoy a country meal in the Tierney’s Cavern Restaurant. This event is held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. 800-325-0059.
The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 51 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges — more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov
My oldest daughter, Emily, and I ate lunch at Olive Garden this afternoon. That’s actually pretty much a given. Owensboro’s Olive Garden is one of our favorite places to have lunch. Sometimes one or both of my other daughters (Brittany or Stephany) will join us. Their dad (aka the husband) always has to work… poor guy…. so he never partakes of the Lunch at the Garden.
Emily and I, like clockwork, order the Soup and Salad lunch. It’s so good, I can’t even describe it. First of all, Olive Garden’s salad is super special – fresh, crisp, light, delicious. The bread sticks? Forget about it – nothing should be that wonderful. I always, always, always get the Chicken & Gnocchi soup (A creamy soup with roasted chicken, Italian dumplings and spinach.) – it’s just the most wonderful soup. It’s stupid good. Emily loves the Zuppa Toscana (Spicy sausage, russet potatoes and cavolo greens in a creamy broth). I think she just likes showing off the way the name rolls off her tongue.
Needless to say, Olive Garden is freaking amazing for dinner as well as lunch – what with beef, seafood, spaghetti, lasagna, and a whole arsenal of other delectable meals. Maybe if we ate lunch somewhere else we’d have enough room left for dinner.
Just a thought.
Our servers at Olive Garden – as well as the hosts and hostesses – are always extremely professional and friendly. The manager of this particular Olive Garden is completely on their game. The restaurant is always impeccably clean and beautiful and the staff can’t be beaten.
However. Our server today just raised the bar. Alex was his name and he was simply outstanding. On the drive home, I put my finger on what made him extra-special. He made you feel like you were a guest at a relative’s house rather than a customer in a restaurant. He was very warm and friendly. What’s more, he brought us everything we needed before we even asked. Our drink refills came before our first ones ran out (it feels like 150 degrees outside, Alex must’ve known we were parched), he brought our soup along with our salad (sometimes we have to request the soup), and he even brought us a second bowl of soup without our having to ask for it.
We loved this guy.
He was so on his game that I wasn’t surprised he passed the final “server’s test” with flying colors. As a gal with an incredible sweet tooth, I HATE when servers bring your check without even asking if you’d like dessert. It’s a small thing, but I can’t tell you how many times I was planning on getting dessert but didn’t because I didn’t want them to have to add it to the bill after they’d already rang it up.
Alex asked before even thinking about bringing the bill. Bonus points!
The next time you’re looking for a remarkable place to eat – promise me you’ll go to Olive Garden in Owensboro, Kentucky. It’s gorgeous, the food can’t be beaten, and everyone who works there seems to love their job. They’re special people in a special place. What’s not to love?
