SPRING TIME CLASSES IN AND AROUND LOUISVILLE 20 Mar 2012, 10:10 am
THINKING OF CHICKENS AND MUSHROOMS
BACKYARD CHICKEN CLASS
For several years I have been wishing that I had enough space for a few chickens on the property. In Louisville you can have up to 6 chickens in residential areas. You don't need much space and you don't even need to have a rooster...neighbors appreicate the lack of early morning crowing I'm sure.
And the quality of the eggs is so superior to store bought. I buy the eggs we use here at the Inn from Whole Foods and they are cage free. And when the local farmer's market opens each spring through fall we can get organic eggs from area farmers.
There is a class at Foxhollow Farm March 31 from 9:00am to Noon
Learn everything you need to know about backyard chicken keeping from the expert - Fresh Starts Steve Paradis. Cost is $15 and to register call 502-241-9674.
MOREL MUSHROOM RETREAT
I must say we don't do mushrooms very often for breakfast...most guests like their mushrooms later in the day! But when we cook special event dinners here, then we can get into recipes using organic wild mushrooms. I am not knowledgable enough to pick my own though.
So I was very excited to see information on a Morel Mushroom Retreat coming up Saturday, April 21. The sixth annual retreat is a day long program which includes two full vegetarian meals, a wildflower walk, farm tour and discussion of mushroom cultivation. Plus particpants get to take home recipes and mushrooms!
To register go to this website: www.ForestRetreats.net
THE 1937 FLOOD IN LOUISVILLE 19 Jan 2012, 1:10 pm
Seventy five years ago this month much of Louisville was under water. Torrential rains caused the Ohio River to rise to levels it had not reached before or since. In Louisville 175,000 people had to be evacuated to higher ground. The west side of the city was hit the hardest and that was where most people lived at that time. My grandmother told of being boated to the Highlands from their home in the west end. Many houses, businesses and hotels were never rebuilt. One whole area near Butchertown on the river is now empty and a park.
Most of Jefferson County was rural at that time, but quickly built up after the flood when people moved to the areas that were safe from flooding.
It is fascinating to see the pictures of familiar buildings under water. Of the major metropolitan areas in the country Louisville was hit the hardest.
Several events will give a in depth look at the time and impact of the Great Flood.
Historian Rick Bell author of " The Great Flood of 1937, Rising Waters, Soaring Spirits", will give one lecture at the Water Tower on River Road at 2pm on Sunday January 22 and another at 6pm Tuesday January 25 at the Filson Historical Society on South Third Street. Both Lectures are free.
Also, there will be a Photo Exhibit at the Ekstrom Library on the University of Louisville campus. And opening reception is January 26 from 5pm to 7pm and historian Robert Reid will talk at 6pm on the impact of the flood . The exhibit will run 9am to 5pm weekdays through March 9.
SEASONAL EVENTS TO ATTEND WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS 19 Dec 2011, 3:00 pm
Schimpffs Confectionery where they make candy the old fashioned wayThe museum at Shcimpffs is full of candy making equipment and photos of the store in years past.
This time of the year there are so many varied special events that you can take advantage of in Louisville. So take a break from the shopping and wrapping and plan some special time with family members and friends.
I love to visit Schimpffs Candy Museum and Confectionery. For more photos and hours they are open check out there website at www.schimpffs.com
It is a trip back in time to a candy store where the owners and staff still make fabulous candy using the same molds and methods of years gone by. You can stand and watch the candy production and tour a museum and then pick through the hundreds of candies to take to family and friends. My children and grandchildren love to go, and it has become a tradition with us to visit the day after Thanksgiving. I always bring samples back to the Inn as a special treat for the guests.
Two old favorites are the "Nutcracker" and "A Christmas Carol".The Nutcracker is performed by the Louisville Ballet and held at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Tickets are available for Tuesday, thursday and Friday and prices range from $27 to $97. For information call: 800-775-777."A Christmas Carol" will be showing at Actors Theatre through Friday. To purchase tickets call: 502-584-1205.
TOURS AND TALES 10 Oct 2011, 1:38 pm
Civil War tour of Cave Hill Cemetery
This is the perfect month to tour one of Louisville's treasures. You would not think of a cemetery as a treasure, but Cave Hill is full of history and beautiful landscaping. Originally a farm and quarry with a spring that flowed from a cave, the farm was purchased by the city of Louisville in 1846 and became a popular burial spot for prominent Louisvillians during the Victorian era. Elaborate marble and granite monuments were erected and the landscape gardeners embellished the natural setting with exotic trees and shrubs. The grounds are beautiful year round and the spring fed lake especially lovely.
Although Cave Hill was a very rural part of town in 1846, it is now in the city, close to many Louisville attractions and restaurants and only 3 miles from our Inn at Woodhaven.Tours are held throughout the year at twilight and on other special occasions.
Saturday, October 22 at 9:00am there will be a Civil War tour. Bryan S. Bush, author and tour guide will talk about the history of the cemetery and famous Civil War people who are buried there. The cost for this tour is $15.
For more information you can check out www.cavehillcemeteryc.com or call 502-451-5630.
FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE FALL 24 Sep 2011, 12:04 pm
September is almost over but there are still activities in town that you can attend.
THIS WEEKENDThe Designer's Show House is still open through the 25th. The 38th annual tour features Stonecote Estate. Located on Alta Vista, Road the home includes a Scottish Tudor house, carriage house, pool and pool house and five stall horse barn, all situated on five beautiful acres near Seneca and Cherokee Parks. Also, you can do some shopping at the boutique and eat at the cafe.
Hours are 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday and noon to 5pm Sunday.
www.bellarmine.edu/womenscouncil
FREE WALKING TOURS OF THE LOUISVILLE WATERFRONT 1 Sep 2011, 9:44 am
Waterfront Park's free walking tours are offered the last weekend of each month through October, with one tour Saturday at 10:00a.m. and one tour on Sunday at 2:00p.m. each month.
The tours last 90 minutes and begin on the Fourth Street wharf in front of the Belle of Louisville. The two mile walk takes you east through Waterfront Park and ends at the new Lincoln Monument.
The tours are lead by local historian Rick Bell who recently published a book, "Louisville's Riverfront Renaissance." Along the way he will tell stories about the history of the waterfront from before Louisville was founded to the present day.
STREET ROD NATIONALS 9 Aug 2011, 8:15 am
The Street Rod Nationals were held this past weekend in Louisville. Attendees come from all over the US and many foreign countries. The great majority also bring their restored cars. It is truly a labor of love for these car enthusiasts. Each car is a work of art and represents many hours of work restoring the car and creating a one of a kind finished product.
And what fun to go to the Expo Center and see 10,000 plus of these colorful cars. Just driving around town you see them everywhere.
This group pictured have been here at Woodhaven for many years. I made them pose for a group picture in front of each of their fabulous cars.
BELLE OF LOUISVILLE 1 Aug 2011, 10:23 am
Historic Louisville SteamboatThe Belle of Louisville is the oldest operating Mississippi style steamboat in the world. A cruise on the Belle is truly a trip back in time. The Belle, now in her 95th year still carries passengers along the beautiful Ohio River. Take one of the cruises up the river and leisurely watch the tall buildings of downtown Louisville fade into the green riverbanks of the countryside. Especially nice are trip on the river in the Fall when the fall color on the trees is at peak.
There is plenty of food and beverage options on board and music supplied by the calliope and bands. Information and rate for the daily cruises and special event cruises can be found on the website at:
www.belleoflouisville.org
Summertime Events at Locust Grove Historic Home 11 Jul 2011, 10:57 am
The Summer Antiques Market is June 26, form 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on the grounds of Locust Grove Historic Home. In addition to American Country antiques you will find an abundance of formal furniture, jewelry, toys, garden antiques, textiles and silver. Truly there is something for everyone and in every price range as well. The admission is $6 and includes a tour of the historic home.
July 4th at Locust Grove will be a treat as it is open FREE to visitors that day!
And my favorite event at Locust Grove - the Jane Austen Festival - will be held both July 9 and 10. Each day the festival is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The tea sells out each year so make reservations early. We have guests staying with us to attend this event that come from all over the US.
JULY 24 1:00PM TO 5:30PM LOCUST GROVE HISTORIC HOME 50TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY Free food courstesy of YUM/KFC Brands and a special concert by the Kentucky Center Chamber Players in honor of Emilie Strong Smith.
For more information on these events and others that are offered at Locust Grove check out their website at www.locustgrove.org
PICTURES OF THE JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL 9 Jul 2011, 11:07 am
The fourth annual Jane Austen Festival at Locust Grove Historic Home. Pictures show visitors dressed in period costumes and vendors set up with period reproduction clothing and antiques in the Shoppes of Meryton.BEAUTIFUL DAY AT LOCUST GROVE FOR THE JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL.
