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You are here: Home / Archives for News

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

A Sensational Spring Break at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes April 2-10, 2022

April 3, 2022 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Owl at Woodlands Nature Station

Owl at Woodlands Nature Station

As I said in my last post, everything is coming back to life around Kentucky… everything from Genuine Kentucky to trees and the wonderful Land Between the Lakes are filled with hope and are firmly facing better days ahead!

If you’ve read Genuine Kentucky any, you know how in love I have always been with the Land Between the Lakes. I cherish every minute I spend there and downright miss it when I’m away. That’s why I’m kind of tickled that my first “coming back to life!” event we’re posting on the Kentucky blog involves the Land Between the Lakes and one of my favorite places in the world, Woodlands Nature Station.

From The Friends of the Land Between the Lakes:

Spring has sprung at Land Between the Lakes and the Woodlands Nature Station offers plenty of family friendly activities throughout the month of April to celebrate. Special programs include Spring Break activities, guided hiking and kayaking trips, Homeschool Day, and more.

“A Sensational Spring Break” is April 2-10 with themed programs, crafts, games, and hikes. April is also Homeschool Month at the Nature Station with the 8th annual Homeschool Day on April 29. Educators are encouraged to check the online calendar at landbetweenthelakes.us for homeschool programs and activities.

“With blooms of wildflowers dotting Hematite Lake, wildlife becoming more active, and the many programs and activities offered at the Nature Station, the next few weeks present the perfect opportunity to get outside and have fun!” said Interpretive Naturalist Marissa Lindstrom.

April program highlights at the Nature Station include:

  • A Sensational Spring Break (programs include Bioluminescence Boogie and SLIME!), April 2-10
  • Homeschool Spring Learning Series: Native Bees, April 14
  • Wildflower Wander Hike, April 16
  • Animal Treat Baskets and Sunday Funday: Rabbit Playtime, April 17
  • Earth Day Sunset Kayak Trip, April 22
  • 8th Annual Homeschool Day: Forest FUN-damentals, April 29

The Woodlands Nature Station is in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults ages 18+; $5 for children ages 5-17; and free for children under 4.

Fun animal-themed programs are available daily and included in the cost of admission.

About the Friends of Land Between the Lakes
The Friends of Land Between the Lakes have partnered with the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area of the USDA Forest Service to provide interpretive and informative services along with support services for those visiting the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
More information is available at www.friendsoflbl.org. The Friends are supported through business and personal memberships, gift shop sales and other contributions.

Filed Under: Events, LBL, News, Springtime in Kentucky, The Nature Station Tagged With: Kentucky Events 2022, Land Between the Lake, Land Between the Lake Events 2022

240 Percent Increase in Childhood Covid-19 Cases Since July: St. Jude’s Experts Response to the Dire Situation

September 17, 2021 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The following (VERY troubling news and press release is from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We are in a very dangerous time in most parts of our country and most of us know it… the ones who don’t “know” it are so far in the darkness of denial that it scares me to think what it’d take for them to see the light of reality.

And just so you know, if you’re one of those constantly angry deniers, don’t waste your time spouting off your anger or nonsense in the comments – I’ll neither read them or publish them. Comments have to be approved by me for them to show up on the blog, so, again, if you’re one of those people, don’t waste your time. Please, everyone, just read the facts and take every precaution you can to keep your family, friends, and community safe.

St. Jude pediatric infectious disease expert says, “our children are in a very, very dangerous moment”

Less than half of eligible adolescents are currently vaccinated, as the Delta variant surges in pediatric populations across the country

MEMPHIS, TENN. – New data from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows a 240% increase in Covid-19 cases since July in our nation’s children and Diego R. Hijano, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN is warning that unless we act now our kids are facing the most dangerous moment of their lifetimes.

“The message here cannot be more clear, all parents and eligible children should take steps today to receive the life-saving Covid-19 vaccine,” said St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Dr. Diego Hijano who specializes in infectious diseases in children and conducts research into the spread of respiratory viruses among pediatric populations.

Dr. Hijano continued, “Our children are in a very, very dangerous moment and the Delta variant has proven, as predicted, to be the most highly transmittable strain of the virus we’ve yet faced. With less than half of the eligible adolescent population fully vaccinated, every American must do their part and take action now by getting vaccinated and masking up in public settings – or the situation is likely to get worse and our kids will continue to suffer.”

Dr. Diego Hijano specializes in infectious diseases in children and conducts research into the spread of respiratory viruses among pediatric populations. The FDA’s emergency use authorization for the Covid-19 vaccine covers every child 12 years old and up. The CDC Director reported yesterday the public health agency’s scientists are working on the Covid-19 vaccine for children younger than 12 and hope to have it available by the end of the year.

“As we await emergency use authorization of the Covid-19 vaccine for children younger than 12 years of age, those in close contact with them should be taking additional precautions such as masking up to protect them,” Dr. Hijano concluded.

 

# # #

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. St. Jude is ranked the No. 1 pediatric cancer hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: COVID, News

Ale-8-One Has Brought Back a Favorite Drink This Summer: Orange Cream Ale-8-One

July 17, 2021 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soda
Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soft Drink

If you’re a Kentuckian, you know all too well how delicious Ale-8-One soft drinks are. While the original is the “go to” drink for a lot of Kentuckians, the Cherry Zero is my personal obsession. OBSESSION. It’s unbelievably delicious.

The iconic Kentucky soda is bringing back the summer fan favorite, Orange Cream Ale-8-One, while supplies last. This popular seasonal addition to the current Ale-8-One family
of products delivers a dreamsicle inspired flavor that evokes a sweet sense of nostalgia, just in time to kick off the brand’s 95-year anniversary this summer! Orange Cream Ale-8-One made its debut on June 8th in the Bluegrass region along with expanded footprints in, Louisville, Cincinnati, Pikeville, and most of Western Kentucky in Kroger, Walmart, and Meijer retailers.

I found this particular box of smooth deliciousness at one of the Kroger stores here in Owensboro. It was on a display near the meat and deli, so when you’re looking for this iconic seasonal drink,  be sure to tour your store. They get creative with product placement sometimes.

Continued Below….

Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soda

Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soda

“The tremendous positive response from our first two summer launches of Orange Cream Ale-8-One has been overwhelming. We are delighted to be able to return this summertime classic to the shelves this year. Consumers had plenty of time last summer to experiment with recipes at home; we are excited for them to share their float and cocktail creations with friends this time around.” –  Chris Doyle, Marketing Director for Ale8-One

Orange Cream Ale-8-One will be available as a limited edition 4-pack. The small batch seasonal soda is crafted with an all-natural orange and vanilla blend combined with the Ale-8-One secret formula.

About Ale-8-One

Ale-8-One Bottling Company was founded in 1902 by G.L. Wainscott in Winchester, Kentucky, and remains the oldest, privately held bottler in the United States still owned and operated by the founding family. Ale-8-One soft drink has been bottled in green glass in Winchester since 1926. The only soft drink invented in Kentucky still in existence, Ale-8’s proprietary blend is flavored with ginger and citrus and contains less carbonation and fewer calories than conventional sodas. The company’s founder and inventor, G.L. Wainscott, developed the recipe, and to this day, his great-great-nephew, Fielding Rogers, personally blends every batch of Ale-8-One. Ale-8-One is widely available in Kentucky, available nationwide online, available in Kroger stores throughout
the Southeast, and can be found at most Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores and Fresh Market. For more information, visit ale8one.com and follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soda

Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soft Drink

Filed Under: Facts About Kentucky, Kentucky Food, News, Summertime in Kentucky Tagged With: Ale-8-One, Made in Kentucky

Memorial Day Weekend at Woodlands Nature Station in the LBL

May 23, 2021 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Gorgeous Owl Nature Station

Great Horned Owl: One of the Gorgeous Residents at Woodlands Nature Station

One of my favorite places in all of Kentucky (and beyond) is Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes. In fact, as soon as the weather allowed this year, it was the first place we visited in the region. I told the bobcat, owls, groundhog, eagle, possum, turtles, deer, turkeys, and other birds how much I had missed them.

I did not give the snakes the same greeting. They understand – they know a walking phobia when they see it.

This Memorial Day weekend, for “River Days,” The Woodlands Nature Station will have extended hours and will be open until 7:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, May 29 & 30.

There will be many great programs throughout the weekend to celebrate the area’s rivers and to welcome back the season. For most of us, Memorial Day Weekend just feels like the whole world is coming back to life. And with so many things opening back up and mandates being lifted soon… I don’t know about you, but it makes me so happy, I can feel happy tears building up, threatening to flow like the rivers that’ll be celebrated!

Fourth grade students can go to https://everykidinapark.gov/, for their free Every Kid in a Park pass, and get their family in for free! For more information, call the Nature Station at 270.924.2299.

Woodlands Nature Station is located at 3146 Silver Trail Road (a beautifully scenic road you’ll most definitely enjoy).

Beautiful Turtle at Woodlands Nature Station

One of the Turtles at the Nature Station

Filed Under: Events, LBL, News, Summertime in Kentucky, The Nature Station Tagged With: Kentucky events, LBL, Woodlands Nature Station

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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

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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

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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”)

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