• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
      • Advertise
    • Facts About Kentucky
      • Kentucky Geography 101: Where is Kentucky?!
      • Kentucky’s Lakes (Listed Alphabetically)
    • Famous Kentuckians
    • Kentucky Birds
      • Joys of Bird Watching
      • Bird Watching: Keeping a Journal
      • Backyard Birds Love Water!
      • Create a Backyard Bird Watching Haven
      • How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
    • Kentucky Food
    • Kentucky History
    • Sitemap
  • Pictures
  • Restaurants
    • Best Catfish Restaurants
    • Best Pizza in Ky
    • Best BBQ in Ky
    • Bowling Green Restaurants
    • Gluten Free in Kentucky
    • Kentucky Lake Restaurants
    • Off the Beaten Path
    • Owensboro, Gluten Free
    • Owensboro Restaurants
    • Where to Eat Lunch in Owensboro
  • KY State Parks
    • Carter Caves State Resort Park
    • Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
    • Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
    • Kenlake State Resort Park
    • Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
    • Lake Barkley State Resort Park
    • Rough River Dam State Resort Park
    • Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
    • Pine Mountain State Resort Park
    • John James Audubon State Park
    • Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
    • More Kentucky State Parks
  • Things to Do
    • Grand Rivers Variety
    • Kentucky State Parks
    • Kentucky Lake
      • Kentucky Lake Pictures
    • Land Between the Lakes
      • Elk & Bison Prairie
      • Golden Pond Planetarium
      • The Homeplace
      • The Nature Station
      • LBL Pictures
        • Elk and Bison Prairie Pictures
    • Windy Hollow Campground and Speedway
    • Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
    • Smothers Park and Owensboro’s Riverfront
    • The Hitching Post
  • Events
You are here: Home / Archives for Joi Sigers

Enjoying all Kentucky Has to Offer in Cold and Flu Season…

December 28, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Pond Grilled Shrimp and Baked Potato.

Delicious Grilled Shrimp at The Pond in Aurora, Kentucky

If you’re anything like me, you LOVE to get out in all the hustle and bustle around the holidays – whether it’s Christmas shopping, hitting up all the after Christmas sales, or shopping for things that’ll help you with your ambitious New Year’s resolutions and goals.

Not to mention hitting up Starbucks for a Chai Tea Latte as often as possible.

The fact that we’re smack in the middle of a vicious cold and flu season (on top of ever-lurking COVID) is keeping a lot of people at home. I may be in the minority on this opinion – but I think that’s a bit sad. Unless you fall in a particularly vulnerable category (with pre-existing medical conditions), living your life in fear or allowing what “could” happen to dictate your life is, let’s just say, less than you deserve.

It’s a big, beautiful, endlessly fun and exciting world out there and we only get one chance to live this life. Always make the most of it! Having said that, naturally common sense has to (and should!) prevail.

If you have pre-existing medical conditions, be EXTRA cautious. Flu, COVID, and even a cold can be more nasty for those of us with conditions than others. Me? I have bronchial asthma and Celiac, so I am cautious when I go out, as you should be whether you have conditions or not.

I’m so notorious for having hand sanitizers with me that I receive them in gift bags and in my Christmas stocking. I’m very happy to say I’ve gotten my family hooked on them as well. Even my two oldest grandbabies (ages 5 and 3) know to use them anytime we’ve been in a store or restaurant. I’ve taught them to use them effectively and they are more diligent than some adults!

In addition to hand sanitizers (seriously, you should always have a great supply… are you ready for it… on hand. Sorry I could not resist.), here are a few other ideas to stay active and involved but also stay well:

  • Get plenty of rest. The more rested you are, the healthy your immune system will be.
  • Eat right and drink green tea. Eating a healthy diet and drinking green tea also help keep your immune system in top working order. If you don’t like green tea, drink regular tea – it’s also very good for you.
  • Have your vitamin levels checked and talk to your doctor about vitamins and supplements. As I am not a professional, I won’t make any recommendations here but there’s a wealth of information online about zinc, vitamin c, and vitamin d. Each are frightfully important. Please talk to your doctor about what vitamins could help keep you well.
  • Airborne viruses can be nasty (more about just how WELL I know below). If it makes you feel better to wear a facial mask, wear it when you go out. Combined with safe-distancing and frequent use of a good hand gel, this will help put the odds in your favor.
  • Wash grocery carts with the provided towelettes.
  • When it’s cold outside, wear your gloves and continue to wear them in stores. When you come home, throw them in the wash and they’ll be ready to go next time!

I don’t want to, in any way, make light of seasonal illnesses. They’re nasty! Last year, around Halloween I got a cold and didn’t think much about it. Colds happen! But it held on and held on and kept getting worse until it went into all out bronchitis – the worst I’ve ever had. Bronchitis is hideous for anyone but for someone with chronic bronchial asthma, it’s next level and quite frightening. You feel like you’re breathing through a coffee stirring straw and have a nonstop cough, fever, and aches on top of it. Due to the fact a family member was going through an illness and surgery at the time, I didn’t go to the doctor nearly soon enough (I was the last thing on my mind at the time…. silly, I know) and it got really bad. When I did go to the doctor, he was CONVINCED it was pneumonia because of how bad my lungs and cough sounded (plus the high fever). X-rays showed it wasn’t anything that dramatic and a quick test proved it wasn’t COVID – I simply had the worst bronchitis known to man and was thisclose to the hospital.  So when I say I know how scary cold and flu season can be, trust me… I know. With that hideous bout of bronchitis, I even started sleeping with my asthma rescue inhaler under my pillow because I’d often wake up at night unable to get a good breath.

When cold and flu season hit this year, I’d be lying if I didn’t say the memories of that illness weren’t in the back of my mind. Something about coughing for over a month, being short of breath, unable to sleep, aching, and running a temperature for days doesn’t appeal to me. However, I realized that living in fear of what MIGHT happen or what COULD happen rob you of so much – spending time with family, making memories, and enjoying all the beautiful world has to offer.

You just have to be smart, that’s all. So, in conclusion, get out there and see the world, support local businesses, State Parks, restaurants, and stores. Spend time with your family and friends and make memories you’ll be proud and overjoyed to spend the rest of your life with.

Just be sure to keep your hand sanitizers on standby!

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Island View Restaurant at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park

Island View Restaurant at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park

 

Filed Under: Winter in Kentucky

Throwback to 2014 and the Kentucky Ice Storm… Even Then, There was Beauty

December 26, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Cardinal 2014

Cardinal Riding Out the 2014 Ice Storm

Can you believe it’s been 8 years since the famous 2014 ice storm (well, it was famous here in Kentucky anyway!). While contending with the sub-zero cold, I’ve reminded myself several times that it could be worse. The ice storm knocked out power for so many for days and damaged so many trees and homes.

So, we may be freezing right now and navigating around in snow, but at least it doesn’t look like Elsa from Frozen just toured the state!

Stay safe, stay well, and stay warm everyone… Spring will be here before you know it.

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Spring at Green Turtle Bay

Spring at Green Turtle Bay

Filed Under: Winter in Kentucky Tagged With: Cardinal in Winter, Kentucky Ice Storm pictures

The Pond at Kentucky Lake: Always a Relaxing and Wonderful Place to Dine

October 16, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Pond Catfish and Baked Potato

Baked Potato and Grilled Catfish at The Pond

One of my favorite Kentucky restaurants is The Pond in Aurora, Kentucky. I love the atmosphere, the ambiance, and (of course) the food! Before Catfish Kitchen was destroyed by fire, we’d alternate restaurants when in the Kentucky Lake area because each had their own wonderful strengths….

  • Catfish Kitchen (also rich with atmosphere and ambiance) had gluten-free fried catfish – fried in its own separate fryer. Given that fried catfish is my complete and utter obsession, this meant the world to me!
  • The Pond has a delicious red pepper relish for their beans that is always one of the highlights of my visit. It’s even available to buy in jars – which I HIGHLY recommend!
  • Catfish Kitchen had a delicious appetizer/side, green tomatoes, that I still think about to this day. It was delicious and a perfect accompaniment to their beans.
  • The Pond’s coleslaw is consistently good… Catfish Kitchen’s never was lmao! It was so bad,  I always wanted to ask the server, “What’d I ever do to you?!” when she’d ask if I wanted more. Having said that, now that the restaurant is gone, I think I’d eat that coleslaw with bells right about now.
  • The Pond has grilled shrimp that’s absolutely delicious. The seasoning is outrageously good!

Two historical and wonderful restaurants and I wish so much both were still standing. While I’m wishing on a star, I also wish The Pond had gluten-free catfish, fried in a dedicated gluten-free fryer.

A girl can dream, right??

When you’re in the Kentucky Lake area, I hope you’ll stop in and enjoy a great meal at The Pond. Their prices have gone up this year, as the sign in the foyer states, but if you’re like us, you really don’t eat out that often AND it’s always wonderful to support Kentucky businesses and Kentucky’s workers.

~ Joi (“Joy”)

The Pond Catfish and Baked Potato

Beans and Red Pepper Relish at The Pond


Filed Under: Aurora, Best Catfish, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: Catfish Restaurants in Kentucky, Kentucky Lake restaurants, restaurant reviews, where to eat at Kentucky Lake

Genuine Kentucky… Recovering from a Whirlwind of Changes!

October 9, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Kentucky Lake - Winter at Lighthouse Landing

Lighthouse Landing at Kentucky Lake

If you were a regular reader of Genuine Kentucky, you know all too well that we’ve been very  inactive on the Kentucky blog (and Twitter for that matter!) for some time now. The Pandemic rocked most of our normal lives and knocked us out of our regular routines. Masks, mandates, closings, restaurant restrictions, increased prices, etc has made a lot of people look at where they place their time, energy, efforts, and money.

I’m sure you’ve noticed a big increase in prices at restaurants. The portions seem to stay the same (or, in some cases, get smaller) but the prices have gone up considerably in a lot of restaurants. Frankly, it’s very often easier and less expensive to cook at home – plus, for those who are still scared of catching COVID, they reason that they’re safer at home.

Ironically, it’s the perfect storm for restaurants to suffer, yet most aren’t doing anything to entice visitors. Telling them your bills have gone up, so they now have to pay more for their food doesn’t exactly scream, “Welcome! We’re Glad You’re Here!”

Seriously, I understand some businesses are fighting to stay alive, but a little concession (such as free drinks… a very small thing that would at least be something).

Just a thought.

Also, personally, I think that if you have price increases, you should be as forthcoming as you can possibly be. Let your visitors know they will now have to pay more… and, by all means, let them know what they’re now expected to pay. Simply saying, “You’re going to have to expect to pay more now” isn’t worth much because “more” could mean anywhere from a dime more to two dollars more.

Big difference… and if restaurants “feel the pinch” of the economy, don’t they realize their visitors feel it every bit as much?

I got kindly off track there, but given that I’ve always done restaurant reviews on Genuine Kentucky, it ties in.

Not only are restaurants higher than ever, one of my personal favorite restaurants in the world, Catfish Kitchen, burned down! This was a terrible blow to the owners and  staff, obviously, but it is also a huge loss to the Kentucky Lake region. This was a beautiful, delicious, and historic part of the area and I can’t even begin to tell you how much I miss it. It was the one place in the entire area where I could get gluten-free catfish.

It is so very missed.

On top of all of the pandemic and economy-related struggles, my computer had to be repaired and I lost every single photo I had stored on the computer. All of my Kentucky photos, restaurant pictures, State Park pictures… etc. Every bit, completely gone. A lot of the photos had already been added to the Kentucky blog, but many had not. They were waiting for their big moment.

Sigh.

But, life goes on and it is, after all, (to a very large degree) what you make it. So, let’s get going!

I am committed to reviving Genuine Kentucky because I love my state so very much. Although we don’t travel often and pretty much eat at the same restaurants (when we do go out to eat!), I will do my best to provide Kentucky news, updates, events, Kentucky pictures, and restaurant reviews and news as well.

I am sorry for the absence but excited and happy to be back! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Catfish Kitchen

Catfish Kitchen… I miss you A LOT!

Filed Under: Kentucky Lake, News Tagged With: Kentucky, Kentucky Blog

Hot Dog Days of Summer at the Kentucky Legend Cafe in Owensboro (Located in the Convention Center)

July 7, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Kentucky Legend Cafe

Photo Credit: The Owensboro Convention Center

My youngest daughter, Stephany, often talk about squeezing as much joy out of each season as possible. Actually, we don’t just talk about it, we do it!

The Joy Squeezing Includes…

  • ENDLESS lemonade in the summer months – we literally try every fast food and sit-down restaurant’s lemonades (and faithfully put our favorites on repeat). We also make our own.. I mean, summer calls for all the lemonade you can get your lips on!
  • Planting seeds in the spring and taking long drives through the country to see daffodils and other beautiful spring flowers and trees.
  • Sampling every restaurant and coffee house’s hot chocolate and chai lattes in the winter! When my husband and I are in a different town during the winter months, we seek out every chai latte in the area. It’s pretty hard to compete with Starbucks’, but a few come dangerously close.
  • Turning into hot dog and hamburger fanatics ALL summer, EACH summer! Seriously.. along with lemonade, it just isn’t summer without them.

Which brings us to something extra delicious and fun the Kentucky Legend Cafe is… excuse the pun on a bun… cooking up.

The following is a press release from the Owensboro Convention Center:

Ready for a taste of summer? OVG360, the provider of Venue Management to the Owensboro Convention Center is proud to partner with Kentucky Legend for a delicious take on a classic favorite!

Drawing upon July being National Hot Dog Month, the Hot Dog Days of Summer will feature a specialty hot dog Lunch Special at the Kentucky Legend Café for the remaining Fridays throughout July. Guests are invited to come and try them all!

Friday, July 8 – The Texas Dog:  Topped with chili, cheese, and jalapenos

Friday, July 15 – The Pastrami Dog: Topped with pastrami, Swiss cheese, mustard, and a pickle

Friday, July 22 – The Junkyard Dog: Topped with chili, mustard, grilled onions, and French fries

Friday, July 29 – The Seattle Dog: Topped with cream cheese, grilled onions, jalapenos, and Sriracha sauce

“I love the creativity of our Food and Beverage team!” stated Director of Marketing, Jeanette Goins. “Most people know the Chicago Dog, but these are also varieties you’ll find on menus all across the U.S. It’s great to be able to bring a taste of that here locally.”

“Obviously National Hot Dog Month is near and dear to us at Kentucky Legend! We couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of this creative celebration with the Owensboro Convention Center. We hope everyone can find some time to come on over and try one of our delicious hot dogs with a fun twist!” says Brooklyn Maple, Brand Manager for Specialty Foods Group, LLC.

The Kentucky Legend Café is located inside the Owensboro Convention Center and is open for lunch from 10am to 2pm Monday through Friday for dine-in and carry-out. All Daily Lunch Specials are $10 and come with choice of a side item or make it a combo with a drink for $12. Garden salad bar and soup of the day are also available. All major credit cards are accepted and prices include tax. For the complete menu, click here.

I hope you get a chance to try each one! They all sound wonderful.. in fact, they’re inspiring me to come up with one for my family this summer, an Owensboro Dog – complete with barbecue, sauce, onions, and chopped pickles. Add a little coleslaw to the situation and I think we’re on to something.

Learn more about the Owensboro Convention Center by visiting the link.

Filed Under: Owensboro, Owensboro Restaurants, Where to Eat Lunch Tagged With: Owensboro, Owensboro Convention Center, where to eat in Owensboro

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 145
  • Go to Next Page »

Welcome to Genuine Kentucky!

Genuine Kentucky is a Kentucky Blog and online magazine celebrating the beautiful Bluegrass State. We shine the spotlight on Kentucky with pictures, restaurant reviews, news, tourism, Things to Do in Kentucky, and more.

We’re proud Kentuckians and the non-profit effort you see before you is a labor of love.

E-mail me anytime! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Kentucky Blog Updates

The Pond Grilled Shrimp and Baked Potato.

Delicious Grilled Shrimp at The Pond in Aurora, Kentucky If you're anything like me, you LOVE to get out in all the hustle … [Read More...] about Enjoying all Kentucky Has to Offer in Cold and Flu Season…

Beautiful Cardinal in Ice Covered Tree

Cardinal Riding Out the 2014 Ice Storm Can you believe it's been 8 years since the famous 2014 ice storm (well, it was … [Read More...] about Throwback to 2014 and the Kentucky Ice Storm… Even Then, There was Beauty

The Pond Catfish and Baked Potato

Baked Potato and Grilled Catfish at The Pond One of my favorite Kentucky restaurants is The Pond in Aurora, Kentucky. I love … [Read More...] about The Pond at Kentucky Lake: Always a Relaxing and Wonderful Place to Dine

Kentucky Lake - Winter at Lighthouse Landing

Lighthouse Landing at Kentucky Lake If you were a regular reader of Genuine Kentucky, you know all too well that we've been … [Read More...] about Genuine Kentucky… Recovering from a Whirlwind of Changes!

The Kentucky Legend Cafe

Photo Credit: The Owensboro Convention Center My youngest daughter, Stephany, often talk about squeezing as much joy out of … [Read More...] about Hot Dog Days of Summer at the Kentucky Legend Cafe in Owensboro (Located in the Convention Center)

Golden Pond Visitor's Center and Planetarium

The Golden Pond Visitor Center Planetarium and Observatory International Astronomy Day is Saturday, May 7, 2022 and The … [Read More...] about Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Activities for Astronomy Day (May 7, 2022)

Smothers Park Owensboro

Some of the more popular posts we've done on Genuine Kentucky have been the ones under the category "Where to eat in … [Read More...] about Kentucky Legend Café: Delicious Place to Enjoy Lunch in Owensboro, Kentucky

Gorgeous owl at the Nature Station

Owl at Woodlands Nature Station As I said in my last post, everything is coming back to life around Kentucky... everything … [Read More...] about A Sensational Spring Break at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes April 2-10, 2022

Follow Genuine Kentucky on Twitter!

Tweets by @GenuineKentucky


"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Flowering Tree in Bowling Green
Fraley Music Festival
Maddox

Kentucky News and Events

  • Enjoying all Kentucky Has to Offer in Cold and Flu Season…
  • Throwback to 2014 and the Kentucky Ice Storm… Even Then, There was Beauty
  • The Pond at Kentucky Lake: Always a Relaxing and Wonderful Place to Dine
  • Genuine Kentucky… Recovering from a Whirlwind of Changes!
  • Hot Dog Days of Summer at the Kentucky Legend Cafe in Owensboro (Located in the Convention Center)
  • Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Activities for Astronomy Day (May 7, 2022)
  • Kentucky Legend Café: Delicious Place to Enjoy Lunch in Owensboro, Kentucky
  • A Sensational Spring Break at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes April 2-10, 2022

Kentucky State Parks

We have a special passion for Kentucky State Parks, so you'll find many articles and reviews centered around the beautiful state parks in Kentucky.

A personal goal is to visit, photograph, and enjoy each and every one of our state parks and eat at each of the state resort parks. Make no mistake about it, we're well on our way!

Bird Watching in Kentucky!

One of our greatest passions is birds and bird watching is an absolute favorite pastime. If you love our feathered friends and want to learn more about bird watching and attracting birds to your own backyard, be sure to check out our section dedicated entirely to Kentucky birds.

Kentucky Restaurants and Reviews

Kentucky Restaurant Reviews

Where are the best Kentucky restaurants?! Find out in our Kentucky Restaurant Reviews.

Also See: Best Fried Catfish in Kentucky
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Kentucky Events

The pandemic has crushed many activities, events, and normalcy – not just in Kentucky, but all around the world. As we creep back toward normal, I want desperately to highlight any and all events going on around Kentucky. Please E-mail me any information you’d like shared about your Kentucky event! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Kentucky Pictures

Kentucky Pictures
Check out the beautiful Pictures of Kentucky in our photo albums!

Advertising & Reviews

If you are interested in advertising on Genuine Kentucky, please contact us: e-mail Joi Sigers.

Also, if you have a resort, condo, golf course, restaurant, or even a cup of coffee (LOVE coffee!) you'd like for us to review, please contact us at joi@genuinekentucky.com.

Genuine Kentucky Disclaimer

We do not work for any Kentucky service or organization. We are simply proud to have been born and raised in the greatest state in the country and are thrilled to call it home. This site serves as our tribute to Kentucky and its warm and wonderful people. Our mission is to bring more travelers to Kentucky and keep more Kentuckians home! See our Privacy Policy.
Copyright Genuine Kentucky 2022