My artistic abilities are limited to stick people and even they aren’t what you could call brilliant (Is it a dumbell…no, no, it’s a tree, right?… the state of Rhode Island?..). I guess that’s why I’m completely blown away by illustrators, cartoonists, and artists of all strokes of life.

One of our own, Kentucky native Britt Spencer is featured heavily in the September/October issue of the wonderful magazine The Saturday Evening Post. Britt has the cover as well as a number of remarkable illustrations inside the magazine. I’m a total history buff, so I would love to get my hands on these illustrations and frame them – they’re truly amazing. Click HERE to see Britt Spencer’s work in this issue.

Britt Spencer was born and raised in the foothills of Eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian mountains. When he saw his first drawing, he knew he’d seen his future: “It was as if my reality as I knew it had imploded and I was left with the daunting responsibility to rebuild.” And so he did.

To learn more about this wonderfully talented artist and see more of his work, visit his web site, Britt Spencer.com.

Be sure to grab a couple of copies of this issue – you know the rules:  Always support the home team!

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!

Red Mill Farms Market
1442 Red Mill Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Bring your class for a fun filled educational outing to our farms! We are located close to the Hardin/Larue Line – short distance for a lot of fun.

No “per child” charge… only the cost of the pumpkin.

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING:

• NATURE WALK, PUMPKINS
• PUMPKIN ICE CREAM (FREE SAMPLE FOR EVERYONE IN YOUR PARTY)
• COLORING BOOKS FOR THE CHILDREN TO TAKE HOME
• HAY MAZE
• DUCKS, RABBITS, CHICKENS AND SNACKS FOR THE KIDS
• CANDLE MAKING DEMO
• THE CHILDREN WILL GET THE CHANCE TO MAKE BUTTER AND WATCH A DEMO ON BUTTER CHURNING AND CANDLE MAKING
• HAYRIDES

Book early to reserve your spot! Bus parking available.

Call Pam or Kathy at 270-769-1001/270-268-6028/270-268-6691

E-mail Cksherra@aol.com for more information.

Edit: On October 31, from 5 to 8 pm, Red Mill Farms will be celebrating Trick or Treat with hayrides, live music, free food, a pumpkin rolling contest for kids and adults (with prizes and a trophy for 1st place) and a costume contest with trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!

There were a couple of standing ovations, dancing in the aisles, and an audience full of happy, twisting, singing, laughing,  clapping, and thrilled individuals who were having the time of their lives.

It wasn’t a Montgomery Gentry concert or a Johnny Depp autograph signing.  And it wasn’t even me in a Starbucks, though the description’s fitting.  It all went down in beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky at Badgett Playhouse.   The Fabulous 50′s Show lived up to its name and then some.

The dance numbers were fantastic and the singing was even better.  As always, there was plenty of humor and remarkable chemistry among the cast members.  The majority of the audience (except for, maybe, 10 of us) lived through the 50′s the first time around and seemed to be totally enthralled by the lovely trip home afforded by this extremely talented group of performers.

I’ve always loved 50′s music and these singers brought it to life as beautifully as anyone could have.  Michael Inge was so powerfully moving during one of his ballads that we all gave him a standing ovation.  As you know, I’ve been to The Grand Ole Opry on a number of occassions and I can tell you, truthfully, I’ve never heard anything any better.  Ever.

I loved the entire show, as did the sold out crowd. There were a few great  films during the show as well.  One showed several commercials from the 50′s and they were beyond hilarious.  I kept thinking, “Are you kidding me?!” – You’ll have to see them to believe them!

The costumes were also incredible, as were the sets.  A very, very friendly couple who sat beside us (from Paducah) were saying how everything was “just right.” The lady said, “It was just like that.”  I think she was especially moved by the fact that, according to her, Bill Minihan’s character was “exactly” like her husband was.  She even used the word “cocky!”  I loved it.  When I was leaving, I wanted to have a chance to tell each of the performers how amazing they were but they were, literally, swarmed with ecstatic men and women who were doing just that. Ironically, the couple beside us were talking to the Minihan’s (Bill and Sara) and I didn’t want to interrupt.  So I just floated outside and watched, joyfully, as others came floating out – each a little happier than the last.

The smiles?  They lit up the little town of Grand Rivers.

You have one more opportunity to see The Fabulous 50′s Show this year – on September 4.    Please click HERE for ticket information.  If you know anyone who lived during the 50′s or anyone who wished they’d seen the fun firsthand, invite them along.  I promise you, you’ll all have the time of your life.

In fact, any time you get a chance to see a show at Grand Rivers Variety, don’t hesitate for even a second.  Get thyself to The Badgett Playhouse Theater in Grand Rivers, Kentucky every chance you get.  You’ll never be disappointed.  Their always entertaining Variety! Music, Memories & More show is currently running – it’s definitely a must-see.  Check out the full schedule on GrandRiversVariety.com and grab your tickets ahead of time.  It’ll be the smartest thing you did since you began drinking coffee.

Michael (aka husband) and I went to Barren River Lake State Resort Park Saturday.  It was the first time either one of us had visited this gorgeous state park, but it certainly won’t be the last.  As a matter of fact, he and some of his friends are going this Thursday to take their chances with Barren’s 18 hole golf course.

Barren River Lake State Resort Park was a pretty short drive from Owensboro.  It’s located in Kentucky’s world-famous cave area

We ate dinner in the Driftwood Restaurant inside the Louie B. Nunn Lodge.  The beautiful lodge overlooks the even more beautiful 10,000-acre Barren River Lake.  Our server (Taylor) was exceptional.  You know how great it is when you have a server who never lets your sweet tea (or whatever your favorite drink may be) run out?  Well, this young lady never even let our glasses get half empty.  She was on her toes and was also very warm and friendly.  Come to think of it, so was the adorable young lady who showed us to our table.  Her smile lit up the room.

And the food? Holy cats, I’m not sure where to begin.   Driftwood Restaurant serves three meals a day (click HERE for their breakfast menu and HERE for the lunch/dinner menu).  The majority of the diners when we were there were eating off of the impressive looking buffet, but the husband and I ate off the menu.  You know me, I had to try out their catfish.  I also had pinto beans, onion rings, and hush puppies.  Michael, uncharacteristically, ordered a meatless meal with fried potatoes, coleslaw, pinto beans, and cornbread.  We also had fried green tomatoes and a spicy dip as an appetizer.

For dessert, he vetoed my choice (Chocolate Fudge Pie – what can I say,  chocolate’s an obsession) and said that he’d really like to try the chess pie, so we shared a slice of chess.  At least it was drizzled with chocolate.

The pinto beans, the catfish, and his fried potatoes were, in my opinion, the stars of the show.  The beans were extremely flavorful and seasoned just right.  The catfish was fantastic and the fried potatoes were scrumptious.  They were thinner than most fried potatoes and there was just something extra delicious about them.  Whatever oil they’re fried in was ideal for potatoes.  If I had to guess, I’d guess it was peanut oil – but I really can’t say for certain.

Have you ever heard the country song, “She’s Got Whatever IT is?”  These potatoes most definitely had whatever IT is, and I’d climb the tallest tree in town right now, at 9:30 at night no less, if I were promised a bowl of them when I came back down.

Barren River Lake State Resort Park has 22 very handsome cottages with remarkable views.  Each cottage has two baths and two bedrooms. Tableware, cooking utensils, and linens are provided, with fresh linen available daily.  The cottages are available year round and I can’t think of a single season when the view wouldn’t take your breath away – as quickly as Driftwood Restaurant’s food will take your willpower away.  Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for activity, so you can burn the calories you’ll greatly enjoy consuming.

This State Resort Park offers:

• Camping
• Cottages
• Meeting Rooms
• Louie B. Nudd Lodge with 56 rooms
• High Speed Wireless Internet Service in the Lodge
• Boating
• Fishing
• Golf (18 holes)
• Nature Trails
• Horse Trails
• Horse Stables
• Swimming
• Playgrounds
• Beach Area
• Picnic Shelters
• Driftwood Restaurant (!!!)

From the Brochure:

Barren River Lake State Resort Park is a water-lover’s paradise, surrounded by forested, folling hills.  The resort is located near Kentucky’s famous cave area, which includes Mammoth Cave National Park, the longest cave system in the world!

Interesting Places to Visit:

• Mammoth Cave National Park, with the longest recorded cave system in the world, is located 27 miles northwest of Barren River.

• Old Mulkey Meeting House State History Site, the oldest log meeting home in Kentucky, is located in Tompkinsville, 44 miles southeast  of Barren River.

• Dale Hollow State Resort Park, which offers a conference center, is 70 miles southeast of Barren River.

Getting There: The resort is located 44 miles southeast of Bowling Green.  Take I-65 to the Louie B. Nunn Parkway east, to US 31E south.

Barren River Lake State Resort Park
1149 State Park Road
Lucas, Kentucky 42156
Phone: 270.646.2151
Lodge Reservations: 1.800.325.0057

The images in this post are clickable and will lead you to larger images. Photo Credit goes to Michael, the King of Chess Pies… but we’re getting Chocolate Fudge next time.

Be sure to check out our Barren River Lake State Resort Park Video.  I was thrilled that Michael caught an adorable little squirrel with his camera.  While we were sitting on a balcony oohing and ahhing over the scenery, the little guy hopped right up on a heating (cooling?) unit and entertained us.

If you read any of my articles on Genuine Kentucky, you know that I LOVE the Greater Tuna shows at Grand Rivers Variety. They’re simply hilarious and as entertaining as sitting in a roomful of chocolate. Alone.

Oddly, there weren’t any Greater Tuna shows on the schedule all year – something that never set right with me or my funny bone. I mean I didn’t send them any threatening letters or anything… but I didn’t exactly remember them in my prayers either.

Last night, I was in the kitchen doing kitchen-y things when my husband called out to me. I didn’t hear everything he said but I definitely made out the words, “Greater Tuna.” So I asked him to repeat himself. He said that Greater Tuna would be back on the schedule. I asked for hard, cold proof. He showed me the proof and if I weren’t already married to the man, I’d have proposed at that moment.

Sure enough, Greater Tuna will be playing at Grand Rivers Variety during the month of October. Click HERE for the complete schedule. Round up your family, your friends, your friends’ family, and your family’s friends and come fall in love with this outrageously fun show. Of course, if outrageous fun isn’t your thing…..

Grand Rivers Variety has added two encore showings of The fabulous 50′s Show. Apparently it has been a fabulous success. If you haven’t caught the show yet, you have two more chances to do so: September 28th and October 4.

The 50′s are all gussied up and waiting for you at the Badgett Playhouse in beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky. Click HERE for more information. See you there!

The Pastor’s local itenerary:

Friday, May 15: Murphysboro, Marion and Goreville, IL, Elizabethtown and Marion, KY

Saturday, May 16: Sebree, Owensboro, Cloverport and Bradenburg, KY  and Corydon, IN

(group will be staying in Corydon area through morning of May 19)

56-year-old California pastor Randy Gardner began his Biking for Bibles cross-country bicycle trip on Monday, April 20, 2009. The trip commemorates the 200th anniversary of International Bible Society, an affiliate of IBS-STL Global. Gardner hopes to raise awareness of and funds for IBS’s mission to provide Scripture resources to people worldwide who need the life-changing message of God’s love and mercy.

IBS traces its history to an evening in December 1809, when a group of men met in a home located in lower Manhattan to launch the New York Bible Society, later renamed International Bible Society. Nearly 200 years later, on Friday, May 29, 2009, Gardner will end his trip in this same area of Manhattan, along the historic waterfront of Battery Park.

Weather and health permitting, Gardner will average more than 100 miles daily, with one double-century day (200 miles) on his 3,800-mile journey. This exciting—and grueling—adventure requires Gardner to successfully wheel his way through the California desert, over the Rocky Mountains, through Tornado Alley, across the Ozarks, and over the Mississippi River. Part of his route will include the historic Underground Railroad.

Accompanied by a support team, Gardner will cycle through 14 states: California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Daily destinations are indicated at www.bikingforbibles.com, where viewers can view Gardner’s itinerary, check his progress, read his blog, and learn more about IBS ministry. Riders are welcome to join along the way and ride at their own pace.

This is Gardner’s second cross-country bike ride for IBS. In April 2003 he pedaled from Cabrillo Beach to Victory Monument in Yorktown, Virginia, raising awareness for IBS’ translation ministry.

About IBS-STL
IBS-STL Global is one of the largest Bible and Christian literature ministries worldwide, translating the Bible into major languages and distributing Christian resources to engage people with the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ. It is the translation sponsor and copyright holder of the New International Version® (NIV) of the Bible, the world’s most widely read contemporary English translation. IBS-STL also holds the copyrights to the Today’s New International Version® (TNIV), Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI), and 45 international Bible translations. For more information on IBS-STL Global, visit www.ibsstl.org.

Best of luck and God bless- I send my prayers and very best thoughts with you and what you stand for!

The home-made ice cream made at Chaney’s Dairy Barn near I-65 and Bowling Green has won national recognition -  It was even named one of the top 10 “scoop shops” in the country by Good Morning America.

If you’ve never been to Chaney’s Dairy Barn, make a point to drop in and see them.  It’s a perfect spot for lunch, with a menu featuring soups and sandwiches.

SOUPS OFFERED AT CHANEY’S DAIRY BARN:
Creamy Potato – offered daily
Monday – White Bean Chicken
Tuesday – Vegetable Beef
Wednesday – Chef’s Choice
Thursday – Chili
Friday – Chicken Noodle
Saturday – Broccoli Cheese

SANDWICHES OFFERED AT CHANEY’S DAIRY BARN:
Chicken Salad
Tuna Salad
Brown Sugar Ham
Egg Salad
Pimento Cheese
Smoked Turkey

Chaney’s also has something fun planned this summer for the entire family: Starting June 5, each weekend will be served up with mooovies.  Family-friendly movies will be featured each weekend, using the side of the barn as a screen. How clever is that?!

Chaney’s dairy operation will be open for tours, which would be interesting for ice cream lovers of all ages. Of course, we all know the most important part of it all: The ice cream!

Here are just some of the flavors (the ones that caught my eye and captured my heart): Toasted Coconut (what?! I love coconut!) Cotton Candy, Butter Pecan, Purple Cow, Cow Tracks, Chocolate Chip, Pralines and Cream, Birthday Cake, Strawberry Cheesecake, Vanilla, Strawberry, Peach, Chocolate, Chocolate Cheesecake (being a chocoholic, I’m dying here), and many others. Some seasonal ice creams sound freaking amazing too: Pumpkin, Apple Pie, Watermelon…

Click HERE for the other flavors.. if you think you can stand it.

Call 270-843-5567 or visit www.chaneysdairybarn.com for more details.

As you may know, I have a recipe blog, Get Cooking, that’s near and dear to my heart.  What can I say, I LOVE to cook and have grown particularly fond of eating as well.  I love all kinds of foods and try to make a wide variety of types of food for my family.  However, I have to admit, when it all comes down to it – there’s nothing quite like Southern Food.  Beans with relish, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, okra, cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, squash…

Hmmm, now I’ve gone and made myself hungry.  Dang it, Joi.

I am in the middle of putting up a brand new recipe blog – dedicated entirely to Kentucky Recipes, and that’s where you come in.  I want to include recipes and stories from all over our beautiful state.  I would love for you to go ahead and start e-mailing me your favorite recipes.  If you’d like to include a little bit about how the recipe originated, who in your family is particularly fond of the recipe, etc – that would be incredible.  It’s that down home, personal angle that I’m going for. If you don’t want to include any personal information, that’s fine too – just send in the recipes and we’ll enjoy them, as is!

DO include what part of Kentucky you’re from and/or where you reside now. You may not even be a born and bred Kentuckian – but if you’re here now, we’ll sure claim you.

Send me as many recipes as you’d like to include on the site.  Each recipe will include your name and what part of the state you’re from (unless, of course, you want to cloak yourself in secrecy – in which case, I’ll just call you Ida – as in “Ida tell you, but she won’t let me.”)  I’ll tell you the site’s name and give the address where you can find it as soon as I get it presentable.  It’s a hot mess right now and actually begged me to let it get its makeup on before inviting company over.

Tell your neighbors, friends, family members, and even mortal enemies to start sending in their recipes! E-mail me at joisigers@aim.com