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Tourism, sports & entertainment n Curiosity, fascination draw people to area natural wonder Page 2 n Sense of the dramatic: Region is rich in arts history Page 5

Second in a four-part series Bowling Green Coming April 10: Education & technology DailyNews THR2

Thrive 2 Sunday, April 3, 2016 Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky

“The mysteries and scenery of the cave had the same dignity that belongs to all natural objects, and which shames the fine things to which we foppishly compare them.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Curiosity, fascination draw people to area natural wonder Mammoth Mystery By Justin Story [email protected] or centuries, the area we now know as Mammoth Cave National Park Family Owned & Operated has arguably been the linchpin that has brought people here, whether it be indigenous people mining for crys- For Over 53 years. tals deep in the cave system more Fthan 2,000 years ago, a 19th-century doctor who C hoosing a funeral home is saw the cave as a possible holder of healing pow- a decision that many families face at some point, for their ers for tuberculosis sufferers or present-day tourists own pre-arrangements or on and biologists who study and admire the rare bats, behalf of deceased family members. This can be a very cave shrimp and other organisms that comprise the emotional process as choosing complex, flourishing ecosystem both on the surface a funeral home often provides the final closure for those left and in the subterranean caves that render the word behind. When loved ones are in 832 Broadway “mammoth” an understatement. a state of shock and grief, the task can become even more challenging. This year, Mammoth Cave is observing they go and what’s in there,” Merideth said. Funeral homes are often selected because they are close to home, have its 75th anniversary in the National Park Last fiscal year, about 478,000 people vis- System and commemorating 200 years since ited Mammoth Cave or took part in some provided service to the family in the past or have been recommended by a trusted tours began being offered. ranger-led activity there, part of a record- friend. While this might be a The poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo breaking 307.2 million visits recorded at all useful way of finding a funeral Emerson’s 1857 essay “Illusions” begins NPS sites in 2015. home during a distressing time, with a recollection of a tour of Mammoth The earliest evidence of visitors to it is smart to learn about Cave he made years earlier with a group of Mammoth Cave’s 52,830 acres dates back processes and options before people who admired the Star Chamber, a between 2,000 and 4,000 years ago, the age portion of the cave in which cave crystals attributed to sets of human remains and arti- you or your family actually and soot from years of lanterns combine to facts such as torches and drawings that have need to research and choose a produce the effect of a starlit sky on the ceil- been discovered there over the years. funeral home. Armed with the ing. The cave’s history as a tourist attraction right knowledge, this Emerson noted that the chamber was “the has its roots in the early 19th century, when 820 Lovers Lane experience can be remembered best thing the cave had to offer.” miners extracted saltpeter from the cave sys- as a positive one. “The mysteries and scenery of the cave tem to help make gunpowder during the War had the same dignity that belongs to all natu- At J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Chapels, we offer a wide selection of options that of 1812, Merideth said. ral objects, and which shames the fine things Mammoth Cave officially recognizes 1816 will help you make the best choices for your loved one. J.C. Kirby & Son to which we foppishly compare them,” as the year guided tours began being offered, Funeral Chapels are more than just a funeral home, we are a unique, locally Emerson wrote. and Merideth said he recently came across owned, hometown funeral home, that sincerely cares about providing the people Johnny Merideth, a tour guide at Mammoth a contemporaneous newspaper account in of this area with the absolute best quality in funeral services available. J.C. Kirby Cave for the past 20 years, said the allure which the author remarked upon how people & Son Funeral Chapels’ goal since the beginning has been to provide the utmost that brought the first waves of curious tour- working in the area seemed to be oblivious ists two centuries ago persists today. in funeral services in the most professional and dignified manner possible. to the natural beauty of the caves. “I think one thing is at its core, and that “There wasn’t the variety of tours that you is caves are inherently interesting, myste- have today, but the tours were overall much rious places, and there are people all over longer in that time,” Merideth said. We are a un ique hometown funeral home that the world who flock to this spot to explore Never mind automobiles – rail travel was and study, and people come to tour and visit cares about providing our community with the best these mysterious places to learn where do See MAMMOTH CAVE, 3 quality funeral and crem ation services! Kaytlynn Kirby Clark, Kevin & Lynn Kirby. On the front: Top: Visitors tour Mammoth Cave’s Rafinesque Hall in 2013. Daily News file photo

Bottom: Visitors tour Mammoth Cave’s Echo River. Ray Scott/Courtesy of Wm. Gross Magee Above: Top right: People dine in Great Relief Hall in a photo published by E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., circa 1866. 270-843-3111 Courtesy of Library of Congress Top left: People line up in the History Entrance. 820 Lovers Lane www.jckirbyandson.com Bowling Green, KY Ray Scott/Courtesy of Wm. Gross Magee THR3

Thrive Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky Sunday, April 3, 2016 3 From Page 2 MAMMOTH CAVE decades in the future in those early days, and southcentral Kentucky held much more wilderness, meaning that the earliest visitors to tour the caves were affluent people with the means and time to make the journey. The presence of saltpeter made the land more valu- able and raised its profile beyond the region, leading Miranda Pederson/[email protected] some enterprising landown- Horseback riders travel along trails in 2010 as people wait for ers to trade on that reputation their turn on a zip line platform on at Mammoth Cave Adventures. by charging visitors to tour were thoroughly reported in each responsible for about the caves. the media of the time, but 10 percent of spending. The Franklin Gorin, a Glasgow were ultimately unsuccess- remaining visitor dollars attorney, bought the prop- ful, and Collins died after 18 were spent on groceries and erty for $5,000 in 1838. He days of entrapment. camping. sold the property the follow- It was in the early 20th Tabor and leaders in other ing year to Louisville doc- century when support for communities are looking to tor John Croghan, in whose making Mammoth Cave a incorporate the park into a family the caves remained national park gained traction far-reaching plan to encour- for several decades. locally. age more exploration by Stephen Bishop, a slave “We were certainly one of tourists and healthier behav- that Croghan acquired in the the oldest tourist attractions, ior among locals. $10,000 sale, spent the next and the cave itself is incom- The Cave Country Trails several years exploring the parable for its size and his- project seeks to set up a cave system and mapping it, tory,” Merideth said. “There network of connector trails A.V. Oldham/Courtesy of Library of Congress and is recognized as the first was a concerted effort on among Barren, Edmonson, Ten women and a man appear in 1912 around the Consumptive’s Room in Mammoth Cave. human to travel through large the part of a large number of Hart and Warren counties. portions of the cave system. citizens, organizations, busi- Plans have evolved over “From about 1838 until nesses and the railroads that the past year, and Cave about the mid-1860s, the were very involved in want- Country Trails is receiving majority of guides were ing to make this a national assistance from the National slaves that would take people park.” Park Service in developing through,” Merideth said. The Mammoth Cave the project and gathering Croghan’s research into the National Park Association public input. well-preserved artifacts left was formed in Bowling When Mammoth Cave over from previous centuries Green in 1926, dedicated to was envisioned as a national inspired him to build a sani- acquiring the land that would park, Tabor said one of the tarium to house patients with be needed for Mammoth early hopes was that having tuberculosis – Croghan’s Cave to gain entry into the that park would enhance the specialty as a doctor and a national park system. area’s outdoor tourism pos- disease that had no cure at Federal legislation passed sibilities. the time. that same year providing for “With the Cave Country “Tours would pass a the creation of Mammoth Trails initiative, we’re con- bizarre scene,” a history of Cave National Park. necting 11 communities sur- Mammoth Cave on the NPS Using private donations rounding the park and revis- website states. “Pale, spectral at first and then receiving iting the original dream,” figures in dressing-gowns state funds, the association Tabor said. “We have an moved weakly along the pas- bought several acres of land opportunity to create some- sageway, slipping in and out for the park. Some properties thing that will help more of shadowed huts, the silence were seized through eminent people in the area by creat- of the cave broken by hollow domain, and state legislation ing hiking trails, biking trails coughing and muttered con- passed in 1928 allowed for and paths that bring the park versations.” land to be acquired through in closer to town ... and pro- Croghan’s belief that the condemnation proceedings, vide an opportunity for the air within the cave could resulting in the displacement community to get out. improve patients’ health was of an estimated 500 families. “One of our initiatives is to not borne out, however, and The NPS took control of provide user paths for mul- Croghan himself died from land acquisition in the 1930s tiple users, hikers and bikers tuberculosis in 1849. and by 1941, the minimum out in the community.” The cave, however, amount of land had been Help from the state remained in his family until acquired to allow for the in promoting adventure the 1920s, and in the inter- establishment of Mammoth tourism and designating vening years rail service Cave National Park. Munfordville as a Trail would cause an exponential Today, the park serves Town are seen as crucial jump in the number of annual as an invaluable teaching steps in the Cave Country visitors, sparking further geo- tool that gives Kentuckians Trails initiative. An appli- logical study of the area and insight into their history and cation to the state tourism sowing a lodging industry to their environment. The Green cabinet to confer Trail Town accommodate the thousands River, which courses through status to Munfordville, of sightseers. the park, is an attraction in its which allows for more state The boom times fostered own right for kayakers. assistance in publicizing an environment known Travelers on Interstate the city’s trails and outdoor among park historians as the 65 have a choice to make tourism avenues, has been “Cave Wars,” in which own- when the get off at Exit 53 submitted. ers of nearby cave proper- in Cave City. On an average Mammoth Cave National ties resorted to aggressive, day, 1,500 drivers turn in the Park has proved to be an and at times unscrupulous, direction of Mammoth Cave, economic juggernaut for the sales pitches to lure visi- while 38 go the other direc- area, and the main reason for tors to caves on their land tion into Cave City, accord- that may be the same as what rather than the Mammoth ing to Tabor. attracted Emerson and others Cave property owned by “That many vehicles is a here generations ago. Croghan’s estate. tremendous impact on lodg- “We don’t really write “Cave City and the sur- ing, dining and other expen- diaries or things like that rounding area kind of grew ditures for tourists in the now, but people are shar- up and thrived for several area,” Tabor said. “Not many ing their pictures on Twitter hundred years on the tour- communities have the ability and Facebook, telling about ism impact of Mammoth to have a 53,000-acre park in their experiences on vari- Cave, especially during the our backyard.” ous travel sites,” Merideth Cave Wars,” said Sharon According to the NPS, said. “They’re still writing Tabor, executive director of Mammoth Cave visitors about their experience in the Cave City Convention spent an estimated $43.6 Mammoth Cave, and while Center and Tourism million in the region in 2014, we’re detached from the days Commission. with those expenditures of a horse and stagecoach In 1925, Floyd Collins, supporting a total of 685 and a lantern lit with burning whose family owned Crystal jobs, $21.3 million in labor animal fat, I think a lot of the Cave, was exploring Sand income and $59.8 million in underlying experiences are Cave as a potential spot for economic output. the same and our reasons for tourists when a heavy rock Slightly more than half them are the same.” dislodged and landed on his of that spending focused on — Follow courts reporter ankle, trapping him in the restaurants and hotels, with Justin Story on Twitter at cave. Rescue efforts drew transportation, gas, retail twitter.com/jstorydailynews widespread attention and and recreation industries or visit bgdailynews.com.

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Thrive 4 Sunday, April 3, 2016 Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky

‘An urban oasis’ Local site has unique history, treasure trove of nature

ncient game hunters, Civil War soldiers, noted big bands, toddlers chasing butter- flies and even (according to local legend) famed bank robber Jesse James found sanctuary at the unique urban oasis known as Lost River Cave and Valley. Today best known for its underground boat tours, Lost River Cave and Valley in BY WES Bowling Green has a unique history and role as a nature preserve and tourist attraction serving SWIETEK A wswietek@ tens of thousands of area residents and tourists annually. bgdailynews. Centuries before a famous sinkhole swallowed eight Corvettes at the National Corvette com Museum, the roof of a large cave system collapsed, forming a karst valley which became known as Lost River Valley. A mostly underground river flows through the valley, revealing itself in several “blue holes” in the valley (so named because the mineral content in the water often tints it a distinctive blue) and in a swiftly flowing river near the cave entrance. The first people to call the valley home were “Paleo Indians. This was a great place for big- game hunting,” as animals were drawn to the water, said Katie Cielinski, Lost River Cave’s community impact and donor relations coordinator. When European settlers arrived in the area, they found the rapidly rush- ing water perfect for water mills, and a succession was built starting in the early 1800s – the last one burned down in 1915.

Main photo: People eat and drink in 2013 during the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society Garden Party in the Cave. (Daily News file photo)T op left: A group tours Lost River Cave in 2014 in kayaks. (Austin Anthony/[email protected]) Top middle: People eat and drink in 2013 during the 12th annual Spirits in the Cave event. Top right: Jacob Rondeau, 7, of Rockfield peers into a tunnel in 2013 as he waits for his friend to emerge during Warren County Public Library’s summer reading kickoff event. (Miranda Pederson/[email protected])

During the Civil War, Spring – nevermind that the in a space called The River both Union and Confederate ground water dribbling into Birch Room – for meetings troops were lured to the area the cave wasn’t the purest of and special occasions such for encampments. “It was water sources. as birthdays and weddings – a refuge in difficult times,” “It was an excellent way to about 40 couples hitched the Cielinski said. get them from the nightclub knot at the valley last year, The experiences of the to the cave tour” for a nickel Cielinski said. troops in the valley are docu- a pop, Cielinski said. The Nature Explore mented in their letters home During that time, the private Outdoor Classroom also and diary entries. property owners of the valley opened recently and features “It was notable enough and surrounding lands cashed kid-friendly ways to explore for them to” write about it, in as much as they could on nature with an underground Cielinski said. the site, promoting its (strict- tunnel, gardens, natural art And then there’s famed ly unofficial) designation by studio and climbing equip- bank robber Jesse James. That Ripley’s Believe It or Not as ment made of timbers instead James used the cave as a hide- the “shortest and deepest river of plastic or metal. out is a major piece of Lost in the world.” At the above- Lost River now serves River Cave lore. The James ground reception center off about 60,000 visitors annual- connection is also claimed by Nashville Road, a large sign ly, Cielinski said, and is fund- numerous other underground beckoned travelers to stop ed largely by the tours and attractions across the country. and see not only the afore- donations. It employs 15 full “If every cave that claims mentioned river and the Jesse time, and during the summer Jesse James had been there James hideout, but also the hires dozens more part-timers. (was valid), Jesse James “Man That Turned to Stone,” The human visitors and would never have been on the which was the supposedly workers share the valley with surface,” Cielinski said. mummified body of a native snakes, rabbits, foxes, over There is evidence, however, American that was reportedly 200 species of birds, Bowling that the James-Lost River link found in the cave. A photo Green’s famed white squir- “is a valid piece of folk his- of the “Man That Turned to rels, and in the cave, craw- tory,” she said. Stone” in “The Spirit of Lost fish, crickets, fish and sala- According to the legend, River,” a book published by manders. James and his gang were the Friends of Lost River in That unique treasure trove on the run after robbing the 1992, shows what looks like a of nature – in the heart of a Southern Deposit Bank in crude sculpture of a man gen- small city – dovetails with Russellville of $60,000 on tly laying on his back. future plans for Lost River, March 8, 1868. A gang mem- The nightclub closed in which include a nature cen- ber had been hurt during the the early 1960s, and the val- ter with classrooms, lab space getaway and James person- ley turned into a dumping and exhibits – “a place to ally went to the home of a ground for trash. Because of local doctor and brought him its low elevation and being learn more about nature,” back to the cave to treat the downstream, trash and even said Cielinski, who started as wounded man. The doctor’s toxic pollutants washed down a tour guide at Lost River 11 wife wrote about the incident into the valley. It was desig- years ago. in her diary. nated a U.S. Environmental On a recent windy and wet A more fully documented Protection Agency Super morning, Donna and Steve chapter of the cave’s history Fund site for clean-up efforts, Feldman from Dacula, Ga., is its role for three decades as according to “The Spirit of were among those taking the perhaps the country’s most Lost River.” underground boat tour. unique nightclub. The land was eventual- They were staying in “The nightclub opened in ly donated to WKU, and in Nashville when they saw a 1934 – the year after prohi- 1990 the nonprofit Friends of flier for Lost River Cave at bition ended,” Cielinski said. the Lost River was formed to their hotel and decided to give The cave’s large rounded cleanup and preserve the area. the boat tour a try. open-air dome was a perfect The Friends still maintain and As they stepped off from structure for such a facility, operate the roughly 70 acre the flat bottomed boat, Steve and it had natural air condi- valley and surrounding lands. Feldman said he was most tioning – the cave retains a “There was a concerted impressed by the cave’s his- steady 57-degree temperature effort to undo the misuse of tory. even on the hottest days. “It the cave. It was in terrible “It’s a great thing to share was also mid-point between shape,” Cielinski said. with others,” Donna Feldman Louisville and Nashville” After years of cleanup, in said, a sentiment echoed be Cielinski said, and drew 1998 the first modern cave Cielinski. many well-known touring tour on the underground por- “It’s a resource to get bands and singers – Dinah tion of the Lost River was Bowling Green and surround- Shore, Tommy Dorsey and held. ing areas unplugged,” she others – to the “Underground Over the years since, many said. “It’s an urban oasis – Nite Club,” as it was named. features and programs have a place to get in touch with The James link continued been added, such as a butter- nature.” to be prominent in the night- fly habitat area and butterfly — For schedules and more club’s operation. The legend house, a wetlands area, a trail information about Lost River was that a trickle of water system, a Junior Naturalist Cave, visit lostrivercave.org. from the cave roof was what program, geocaching events, — Follow city govern- sustained James and his gang a gift shop, cave crawls, ment reporter Wes Swietek during their hideout. It was nature discovery camps, kay- on Twitter at twitter.com/ labeled by the nightclub own- aking tours and space avail- BGDNgovtbeat or visit ers as Jesse James’ Lucky able – both in the cave and bgdailynews.com. THR5

Thrive Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky Sunday, April 3, 2016 5

Story by Alyssa Harvey | [email protected] rom the early days of the Capitol Arts Center as a vaudeville house in the 1890s to the Regal Cinemas Bowling FGreen 12 and the Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10 today, Bowling Green has a lot to offer in the arts. SENSE OF THE According to “A Salute to Theatre in Bowling DRAMATIC Miranda Pederson/[email protected]

ars Green” by Nancy D. Baird and Carol Crowe-Carraco, e Bowling Green has been welcoming to the per- Region is rich in arts history Fountain Square Players rehearse “Dearly Beloved” in 2009 at forming arts. They describe Bowling Green’s early Phoenix Theatre.

19th century theaters as “crude, makeshift edific- e The Princess Theatre was owned by the Crescent Another place for youth to perform is es.” Enterprising individuals could turn any vacant

Early y Early Amusement Co. and opened in July 1914, accord- Xclaim! Helmed by founding executive

building that could accommodate performers and atr laim! e ing to information provided by Clements. It may director Christopher Cherry, Xclaim! pro- c an audience into a theater. Seating, heating and light- h have been one of the first theaters built in Kentucky vides a place where school-age children x ing arrangements were primitive. The programs given T for the express purpose of showing motion pic- and teenagers can not only perform in in Bowling Green antebellum theaters included spec- ss tures. After operating for more than 40 years as plays, but learn the skills they need to become tacles, dancing, recitation, pantomime and combination ce a theater, the Princess at 430 E. Main St. closed good actors. Weekly acting, voice and dance animal-dramatic performances as well as true drama. in 1957 and was remodeled in 1959 for retail lessons are offered for fees, and participants

There were also melodramas, farces and comic operas. rin

P use. Several retail operations occupied the build- learn backstage production as well. Everything Shakespeare and Sheridan were favorites, but local e ing until 1980. The theater, which is now known as is through donations, sponsors and social authors fared well. h the Princess Building, once again houses several activities. T Because performances were long, they started early. businesses. — For more information, visit xclaiminc.com. Admission was 25 cents to a dollar, being raised to keep out undesirable people. Blacks and ladies not received Public Theatre of Kentucky has a rich history. It that goes on forever. in society sat in segregated sections. Sometimes unac- ky

c began with the Alley Playhouse in 1963 with indi- It was during this season that the board of directors companied ladies were refused admission. Traveling viduals who loved theater and saw a need for it in maintained the PTK without the services of an artistic theatrical companies and amateur groups performed ntu Bowling Green, according to information provided by director. Combs took on many of the responsibilities of regularly in Bowling Green. There were several amateur e producing director Amber Turner. Under the direction that position. groups. Showboats also provided entertainment. of Dr. Russell H. Miller, and with lots of support from The following year, Mike Thomas became artistic direc- Bowling Green’s first building for theatrical productions of k of Western Kentucky University, the former warehouse tor of theater. Popular and charismatic, Thomas dubbed was Odeon Hall. The original three-story building was e on Morris Alley was named after the famous theater himself “Mr. PTK.” Many new innovations and commu- erected in 1866 by John Cox Underwood, according to in Houston called Alley Theatre. The Alley Playhouse nity outreach programs were started during his tenure. atr

“Our Heritage: An Album of Early Bowling Green Kentucky e stage was “in the round” as 135 canvas director In December 1996, Combs died and PTK lost its dear Landmarks” by Irene Moss Sumpter. The first perfor- chairs served as seating for patrons. After the death friend and staunch supporter. The Whit Combs audito- mance there was a piano recital in 1869. Later there were th c of Miller in 1969, the Alley Playhouse closed its rium in the Phoenix Theatre was dedicated in honor of local talent plays, minstrels and Broadway shows making doors and once again became a warehouse. his memory. stops between shows in Louisville and Nashville. After it ubli Following her graduation from Western Kentucky Before the decade came to a close Thomas took a was purchased in 1887 by Pleasant J. Potter it became P University, Marci Woodruff continued her education, position in Frankfort and Mark Funk became artistic The Potter Opera House. The building was later renovated director. Funk’s association with PTK began in the early for business. At one time it was the home of BB&T bank. receiving her Ph.D. from Florida State University. She pursued a career in higher education, holding teach- years with Woodruff. Before becoming artistic director, The building still stands at the corner of Main and College Funk had served as actor, musical director, director and Streets and is currently not occupied. ing positions at University of Pittsburgh and Bloomsberg State University. At Bloomsberg she became familiar assistant to Thomas. Funk’s directorship gave needed with a small professional theatre that prospered in that continuity to PTK. r The Capitol began as a vaudeville house in the The millennium was ushered in at PTK with Alexis e quaint community. To establish such a theatre became late 1890s before being renamed the Columbia Combs McCoy, Combs’ daughter, as artistic director nt Theatre, according to the Southern Kentucky Woodruff’s dream. She and three young actors moved to Bowling Green and founded PTK in 1987. and Delia Brown as producing director. Beginning with ce Performing Arts Center’s website at theskypac. the McCoy/Brown tenure, a number of innovative addi- com, which operates the Capitol. During the 1980s and into the early 1990s PTK per- formed at the Capitol Arts Center, the former Leachman tions came to PTK, including the Sunburst Youth Theatre, According to information provided by Miranda which involves youth of this community in theatre activi- arts arts Auto Building and the storefront at 912 State St. Whit Clements, Greenways coordinator of the City-County ties and public performance. Planning Commission a series of theaters have occu- Combs, a friend and former mentor of Woodruff, was a constant supporter and adviser to the project. He and his In January 2002, Brown took over the responsibilities pied the site since the Columbia Theatre opened in of artistic and producing director at PTK. In the past year 1911. Remodeled and renamed the Capitol Theatre wife, Gerri, often opened their home to the many guest PTK has grown to include even more outreach programs

Capitol in 1920, this building was razed in 1938 to allow artists that Woodruff brought to the theatre. Woodruff, construction for the present structure. Owned by the for southcentral Kentucky. The After Hours Series is very the resident company, guest directors, actors and design- popular and has brought new audiences to the theatre. Crescent Amusement Co. of Nashville, the Capitol was ers, WKU and community talent, produced plays that the fourth theater in Bowling Green run by the company. The Mondays @ 7:00 New Play Reading Series, in which become known for their high standards and quality. PTK will present staged readings of original scripts, fur- Closed as a theater in 1972, the Capitol reopened in Ironically, the 1993-1994 season marked the begin- 1981 as the Capitol Arts Center. This building is one of ther promotes theatre in this region. ning of a new era for the Public Theatre of Kentucky. Bowling Green welcomed Woodruff to the Phoenix to the few Art Deco structures found in the area. It was the first season in the newly renovated Phoenix The Columbia Theatre was redesigned as a movie direct “Crimes of the Heart” during the fall of 2001. After house in the mid-1930s and presented movies for more Theatre and was the first season without Woodruff. her many years at The Public Theatre of Kentucky, this than three decades before it closed in 1967, according to Newly designed by Tom Tutino, the old Alley Playhouse was her first production in the Phoenix Theatre. From the SKyPAC website. After being vacant for more than 10 was christened the Phoenix Theatre and opened with 2011 to early 2015, Jenny Wells took over from former years, a group of citizens formerly known as the Bowling Beau Jest. The Phoenix Theatre was named after the director Brown. In April of 2015, Turner was named the Green-Warren County Arts Commission purchased the bird from Arabian mythology that lived for 500 years, producing artistic director. building. After reopening in 1981, the building was man- burned itself to death and rose out of its own ashes to aged by the Capitol Arts Alliance for 30 years. start another long life. The phoenix is symbolic of life See ARTS, 6 THR6

Thrive 6 Sunday, April 3, 2016 Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky From Page 5 Fountain Square Players ing and space. “A Thurber “We had a courtroom drama Carol,’ ” the Capitol suffered Carnival” was presented in June. there,” Honeycutt said of the damage to its ceiling and they Fountain Square Players has A second play, “Spoon River courthouse. “I think we had one had to find another home. Van been around in a sense since ARTS Anthology,” followed in late July. twice.” Meter Auditorium, the old court- 1977. With the help of Combs Two more plays were produced Next was the quandary of where PTK does four to five and Bill Leonard of WKU’s house and the old Bowling Green Mainstage productions in collaboration with WKU the to build the sets. Members’ Junior High were some of the plac- Department of Theatre, a group next summer. In 1978, the name garages were quickly outgrown and three to four Sunburst set out to bring the defunct Alley es FSP performed at before they productions per season. was changed to Fountain Square and borrowed spaces needed to Players back to life as the Warren Players. Articles of Incorporation be used by others. A successful returned to the Capitol. Funding There is also a summer County Community Theatre, caused them to move back to arts camp, Turner said. were filed and the first “season,” production of “Annie” brought in according to information pro- 1978-79, came to pass. enough money for FSP to buy a the Phoenix, where they’ve been “The kids produce vided by FSP historian Elizabeth since 2006. their own show and have The fledgling group had to find scene shop and studio at 313 Honeycutt, who also manages a place to perform. During the State St. The mortgage was Bill Russell, who died last year, guest speakers such as the theater group’s rehearsal Broadway the Clown and first three full seasons, plays burned in the summer of 1989. was a guiding force for FSP for a space. were produced at various plac- “We’re not just actors,” long time, Honeycutt said. Alice Gatewood Waddell,” “The idea was that there could she said. es on WKU’s campus, at Warren Honeycutt said. “We have to per- “He helped build sets and cos- be a place for grown people who County Courthouse, at State form in other areas, too.” tumes. He wrote a play that we PTK always tries to get still loved play acting. There are the community involved, Street United Methodist Church, In August 1993, Public Theatre did, a musical,” she said. “He lots of children’s theater now,” in different stores in the vacant of Kentucky allowed FSP to use directed a lot of them. He won a Turner said. she said. “When we got here “For example, Wendy’s Bowling Green Mall and in the the Phoenix Theatre, which was there was only was the Red Jefferson Award last year.” of Bowling Green has Holidome motel. In April 1981, the old Alley Playhouse, to pro- Stocking Revue and the Alley the Capitol Arts Center allowed duce “The Cemetery Club.” FSP has been a haven for all really helped us get the types of people, Honeycutt said. word out about our show Players had been here but were the group to present “Little Mary Several other plays were also defunct. The Western Guild had Sunshine” in the renovated produced there. “We’ve fostered some people (‘Inside Out Atlas’),” she who have made it a career,” she said. been here but was defunct. The Capitol Theatre building. They In 2001, just before their reviv- Red Stocking Revue had a gala stayed at the Capitol for the al of the play “Farndale Avenue said. “We do it just for fun.” The Phoenix Music — For more information, visit Series showcases local once a year.” 1981-82 season, opening with Housing Estates Dramatic Guild’s and regional musicians. WKU provided direction, fund- “Our Town.” Production of ‘A Christmas fountainsquareplayers.org. The After Hours Series usually features edgier Horse Cave Theatre college in the bluegrass He was available and Funds were raised for Kentucky. Most of them productions. Turner also region. With a friend in excited about the Horse the first season with a were developed in playwrit- wants to collaborate with While Horse Cave Theatre, 1966, he began dreaming Cave project. According to $150,000 line of credit ing classes at the theater. someone like Yellowberri which later became known his dream of a theatre in Hammack’s report to the at the Horse Cave State The theater continued to to start a movie night. as Kentucky Repertory his hometown which would board of directors on Oct. Bank, backed by pledges expand, purchasing the orig- “Our auditorium is a Theatre, is no longer open, educate and entertain local 31, 1977: “It (HCT) came from scores of area busi- inal building and its neigh- perfect place to set up a it had a major impact on children and adults as well into being at that time nesses, individuals and bor and creating offices, a screen and show movies southcentral Kentucky. as tourists who came to (1975) primarily because of even children. The estimat- costume shop, a rehears- in an intimate setting,” As longtime artistic direc- visit nearby Mammoth Cave the vision and work of two ed budget was $150,722, al hall and ample back- she said. tor Warren Hammack said in and other attractions of the people, Tom Chaney and including renovation of the stage space. The season Turner hopes to expand October 1977, after one sea- area. Bill Austin. I had become building, salaries, publicity, also continued to expand, PTK’s reach into acting son of Horse Cave Theatre: In 1975, Chaney returned actively involved about two travel, sets and costumes, extending through October lessons. “live things grow,” accord- to Horse Cave as a dairy months prior to the mile- etc. The Austins donated and occasionally offering a “We’re doing improv les- ing to information provided farmer after stints as col- stone event (incorporation) the rent of the building and Christmas production. sons right now. We’re look- by Sandra Wilson, execu- lege instructor, theatre ... . From that time until now paid for its renovation. Hammack retired in early ing at doing outreach in the tive director of the Horse technical director and edi- I see the life of Horse Cave From the first sea- 2002, after completing 25 schools,” she said. “We’d Cave/Hart County Tourist torial writer. Bill Austin, a Theatre springing from and son a Children’s Theatre seasons of directing and do whatever workshops Commission. The theatre local businessman who resting on one thing: faith Workshop was held. By acting and building the they want us to do rath- had started on vision and owned the largest tourist ... faith in the idea and faith the fifth season there was theatre. Robert Brock was er than have the children faith. It had played to over attraction in Horse Cave, in each other.” an outreach production artistic/producing director bussed to our facility.” 9,000 people in its inaugu- liked Chaney’s idea of a The prospectus of the the- for students. Volunteers from 2002-11. Getting ready for a sea- ral year. “Candida,” “Mary, theatre and put his resourc- atre as set forth by Austin, assisted professionals with The theater was making son takes a lot of work, Mary” and “The Glass es behind it. Together they Chaney and Hammack rest- costumes, sets, props, its final curtain call in 2012. Turner said. Menagerie” had been artis- looked about to recruit ed on several pillars: an box office duties, ushering Kentucky Stages artistic “I read a lot of scripts. tic successes. a director to join them in audience of tourists in cave and a hundred other tasks. director Ken Hailey made We invite some of the The theatre was incor- the task of changing their country and local residents Actors and technicians an offer to buy it after local directors to sub- porated Oct. 22, 1975. It dream to a community within a 250-mile radius; a from around the country moving its operations to mit scripts,” she said. began as a dream in the dream with money and true repertory season with enriched the life of Horse the Southern Kentucky “A couple of board mem- mind of a native son. Tom muscle behind it. different plays performed Cave and the surrounding Performing Arts Center. The bers read scripts. Then Chaney had grown up in Hammack had shared on succeeding nights; a area by living and working organization tried raising you have to think about Horse Cave and became theatre at Center College professional company who here. money through Indiegogo, a what the audience wants involved with theatre at with Chaney, going on to are members of Actors Hammack began a series fundraising site, but didn’t to see – drama, comedy, Georgetown College as part Europe and the Dallas Equity Association; and a of new plays he called succeed. Citizens First new, classic.” of the Orlin and Irene Corey Theatre Center to study and promotion staff to get the Kentucky Voices, plays Bank in Bowling Green now Turner is excited to be era at that small Baptist winding up in Los Angeles. word out. by Kentuckians or about owns the property. producing director. “I can’t wait to see the BG onstage Charny. It started with visual stage, but there are tools “We had a lot of educa- season I had a chance “That proved to be a arts and dance, Charny to learn like ensemble tors and teachers in the of choosing unfold,” she BG OnStage developed mouthful, so we changed said. work, leadership and pub- community who wanted said. in 2009. It’s first name it,” she said. “We are “We wanted to get kids lic speaking,” she said. to be in our productions, — For more information, was the Art Education mainly a school-based involved,” she said. “The BG OnStage has per- but they had to be in their visit ptkbg.org. Task Force, said Elise group.” kids showed more interest formed a variety of plays, classrooms,” she said. in theater, so we became including “Junie B. Jones,” Charny fondly remem- a theater company.” “James and the Giant bers the musicals she BG OnStage is commu- Peach,” “Anne Frank” did with Fountain Square nity theater with classes, and “Charlotte’s Web.” Players. workshops and produc- They do their productions “Fountain Square tions, Charny said. at WKU’s Van Meter Hall Players used to have a “Our smallest class size Auditorium, which lends summer musical every is 10, but the cast can be itself to big productions, year. I participated in four as many as 40 people,” Charny said. of them,” she said. “It she said. “It’s nice to get them was usually in late sum- It’s not just for children, while they’re young and mer or early fall.” Charny said. watching them go through All kids need theater, “We have a lot of adults their teen years,” she art and some enrichment, that come and perform said. “We have fun with Charny said. in our pieces,” she said. our adults, too. They’re “It allows them to see “We have ages 6 to either serious or they through the eyes of some- adult.” enjoy being there.” one else, which helps the The goal of BG OnStage Charny hopes to do the grow as people,” she said. is to promote education musical “Sweeney Todd” “Arts are being taken out through theater, Charny with mainly high school of schools.” said. students and older this — For more information, “We like to get on summer. visit bgonstage.org. Southern kentucky performing arts center Funera l Serv i ces Southern Kentucky Performing Arts reach than we’ve had in the last four We provide a wide range of funeral services to fit your personal Center is one of the latest on the years for the BRADD region,” he said. traditional needs and requests. We can hold services of any size and are arts landscape in Bowling Green. The “We want to make a better quality of life honored to accommodate your special requests. 74,500-square-foot SKyPAC opened its for people in this region.” doors March 10, 2012. The organiza- Zarr wants to bring more educational Burial or Cremation • Caskets • Ashes and Urns tion came about after a group of people opportunities to more than just kinder- Monuments and Markers saw a need for something larger than garten through 12th-graders. He wants the Capitol. State Rep. Jody Richards, to reach seniors, adults and young D-Bowling Green, secured $6.7 million adults as well. Honoring Life in the state budget for seed money for “They can have that experience,” he In addition to funeral services, we also provide memorial services and SKyPAC. There was also additional fund- said. other unique ways to honor life at our facility or offsite. Let us know how ing, including county tax revenue bonds When kids walk into the theater during we can best honor the life of your loved one or allow us to provide you being paid for with a special motel tax school day performances, “they think guidance and ideas. and Bowling Green’s Tax Increment they’re in the Taj Mahal,” Zarr said. Financing district for the project. There “We’re bringing students in the arts were also naming opportunities to raise and giving them the opportunity to have Obituaries money. Even though it has gone through something we hope will last them a life- During a time of grief it is often difficult to find the right words to honor financial turbulent waters, SKyPAC has time,” he said. someone. You may submit a finished obituary, work with our staff to recently celebrated its fourth season. The shows are part of the educational create one, or send us some information so that we may provide a Shows such as “Million Dollar outreach. An example that Zarr remem- thoughtfully written obituary. Quartet,” which tells of a jam session bers is the Pink Floyd Experience. with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl “We saw hundreds of parents, but I Perkins and Johnny Cash at Sun Record was surprised at how many young peo- Online Memorials Studios in Memphis, help bring people ple 12 and up came to that show,” he Provide images and videos of your loved one and our staff will put in, said SKyPAC Executive Director Jan said. together a tribute memorial video for friends and family to watch in Zarr. SKyPAC isn’t solely for the arts. It has remembrance. Coming soon we will also be able to provide alive private “We’re bringing in top-quality enter- been used as a venue for nonprofits and stream of services for those who are unable to be at the service. tainment where people don’t have to commercial businesses who want to drive out of town,” he said. rent space for meetings or other events. There have been education and out- People have also had weddings, show- reach programs. such as Blues in ers and trainings there, Zarr said. Schools, presented by the Kentucky “The facility is to be used by the com- Blues Society. munity. We want to make it more so,” “We’re reached 50,000 students he said. and educators in the last four years,” It is also a space for schools in the Zarr said. “We continue to expand in BRADD region, Zarr said. neighboring counties. One reason is the “There are up to four every year (that Duncan Hines Festival proceeds.” can) use the main hall, the Capitol or SKyPAC has contributed to Bowling smaller spaces for free through contrib- Green and Warren County’s economy, uted funds that come in on an annual Zarr said. basis. We send out applications to all “We bring people into Bowling Green the schools. They have to apply for it,” that go to eat in restaurants, go to shop he said. “They have to answer certain and get gas,” he said. “For ‘Annie,’ we questions. We look at how it will affect were able to provide wardrobe people the community of that school.” and stagehands.” — For more information, visit thesky Zarr wants SKyPAC’s reach to be pac.com. beyond its walls. — Follow features reporter Alyssa “We want to become more than an Harvey on Twitter at twitter.com/bgdn arts center. We have a much larger features or visit bgdailynews.com. THR7

Thrive Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky Sunday, April 3, 2016 7

Tippi Toes franchises bring dance fun to kids from coast to coast By JACKSON FRENCH [email protected] Though Sarah Nuse, as the owner of Tippi Toes Dance Co., must keep track of 26 locations across the country, she still teaches children to dance. Once a week, she goes to Briarwood Elementary School after school lets out to teach about 20 students, including her two daughters, to dance. Gathered in the library, where the tables and chairs were rearranged to form a wide open space, the chil- dren, either barefoot or wear- ing pink dance shoes, spread out, each confining them- selves to what Nuse called a “dance square,” a patch of the carpet roughly 2 feet square. “We’re going to try a new Tippi Toes song,” she said in a cheerful voice when the children quieted down, “but it’s kind of tricky because it gets faster and faster.” In a moment, the lesson started with a funky, upbeat number as Nuse led the stu- dents through several exer- cises and stretches. The stu- dents responded energetical- ly, shaking their hips, touch- ing their toes and stretching their arms skyward. Austin Anthony/[email protected] Sarah Nuse of Bowling Green teaches a lesson Tuesday with Tippi Toes Dance Co. at Briarwood Elementary. Tippi Toes was featured on the television show Shark Square One Tank and is currently filming a commercial in Bowling Green. Nuse founded Tippi Toes when she was 18, not think- neighborhood since she was Toes unique, its lack of a not have otherwise been able incredibly huge difference” to children from 16 months ing it would be a permanent 12. fixed location, like the com- to find the time. to many busy families. old to 12 years, Baptiste career. At the time, she was a “I charged the moms in pany itself, was originally “Our goal at Tippi Toes is Tippi Toes also sets itself said. Tippi Toes’ 16-month- student at the University of the neighborhood for me to the product of necessity, she to instill a love of dancing apart by striving to make old students take classes that Oklahoma working to get a teach their kids,” she said. said. When she founded the for kids but also to be a con- dancing fun for kids rather teach the basics of ballet like communications degree. “It was like $5 a day. I made company, she didn’t have venience for parents,” Nuse than focusing on competi- vocabulary and stances. “The short of it is I had just nothing, but at 12, it seemed the means to buy or rent a said. “At the end of their tion, Baptiste said. “At that point, what you’re gotten fired from waitressing like a lot of money.” building to hold classes in so long work day, their children “I think it’s very encourag- doing is a lot of music and because I decided to go to a Nuse started dancing when she decided to take the class- have already danced because ing for children of all skill dance repetition,” she said. football game instead of go she was 2. es to schools and day cares we’ve already brought dance levels because love of dance “Baby ballet class is going to my job,” she said. “And I “My mom was a dance throughout Norman, Okla. into the location where their is something all children to look very different from a had just bought a car and so I teacher, so it’s been in my Throughout Tippi Toes’ kids have been all day.” have and we want to nurture kindergarten-through-third- needed quick money.” blood since I was born,” she existence, the company’s Kyleen Baptiste, owner that,” she said. “We want it grade hip hop class.” At the time, she was no said. ability to provide classes of the Bowling Green Tippi to be challenging but we also After the lesson in the stranger to teaching dance. at places where its students Toes franchise, said the com- want every child to feel like Briarwood Elementary She had six years of expe- Unique features would already be has given pany’s commitment to bring- a superstar and that they can library, Trish Sherrod, whose rience, having offered dance What she considers to be children a chance to dance ing dance to where its stu- dance.” classes for children in her the feature that makes Tippi when their families might dents already are makes “an Tippi Toes offers classes See DANCE, 8 Come to Grinstead’s Flooring & Furnishings for some unbelievably low prices on flooring during our BUILT FOR YOU tthh Feature after Feature, We Prove Why Country 1199 Clipper is Built For You

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Thrive 8 Sunday, April 3, 2016 Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky From Page 7 DANCE daughter, Madison, a kin- dergartener at Briarwood, has been taking Tippi Toes classes since last autumn, was among the group of par- ents who had come to pick up their children. Madison got involved with the program because sever- al of her friends were doing it and has grown to love it, Sherrod said. “I think she likes how it’s more than just ballet,” she said. “It’s a little bit of ballet, a little bit of jazz, a little bit of hip hop.” Nuse and Tippi Toes’ other instructors focus primar- ily on making the programs engaging for kids, Sherrod said. “They’ve really made it fun for her,” she said. Brian Martin, who was there to pick up his daughter Anna Rose, said Tippi Toes coming to his daughter’s school is a blessing for his busy family. “With both parents work- ing, it’s good to try to limit activities to where they already are,” he said. Before she was a student at Briarwood, Anna Rose attended Tippi Toes class- es at the child care center La Petite Academy for two years. Martin also said the class- es have made their students PHotos by Austin Anthony/[email protected] more outgoing, he said. “I Above: Megan Reily of Ormond Beach, Fla., teaches a lesson Tuesday with Tippi Toes Dance Company at Briarwood Elementary. Tippi Toes was featured on think it makes them more the television show Shark Tank and is currently filming a commercial in Bowling Green. Below: Simayia Cardwell, 5, of Bowling Green, dances during a lesson with well-rounded, not as embar- Tippi Toes. rassed to do stuff in front of Nuse had to relocate when leading to numerous other Nuse is still unsure wheth- people,” he said. her husband Adam landed a Tippi Toes franchises through er or not franchisees will be job in Kansas City. Rather the United States, including bringing Tippi Toes to any of More than dance than moving the entirety of Daytona Beach, Minneapolis these countries. At Tippi Toes, Nuse does her operation, though, Nuse and Washington, D.C. “We’re not really seeking more than simply operating left a manager in Norman In 2011, Nuse and her international business out, the business side of things before she left and started a sister Megan Reilly, who but there’s been a lot of inter- and teaching one class every new branch of Tippi Toes in works with the company as est,” she said. week. She also comes up Missouri. Between then and a nutritionist, competed on For now, Nuse has her with the lessons that are 2014, she’s also been sta- “Shark Tank,” an ABC real- eyes set on Nashville, she used in Tippi Toes classes tioned in Corpus Christi and ity competition show where said, adding that she hopes from coast to coast and mak- Memphis. entrepreneurs make pitches she can find someone inter- ing sure instructors are up to In January 2014, Adam to “shark” investors, who ested in opening up a fran- speed on dances and other became the Bowling Green then decide whether or not chise there. parts of the curriculum. Hot Rods’ general manag- to invest in their ideas. “That’s a huge market “The classes that you see in er and the Nuses moved to Their appearance on where there’s nothing like Bowling Green are the same newest of which, a children’s “We do everything as very Bowling Green. “Shark Tank” netted Tippi this so I think it would do ones that are in Washington, hip hop CD, is due out in original from our music to Everywhere she’s been Toes international attention, really well,” she said. D.C., and California.” October. The music in these the way that we train our since starting her company, Nuse said. Since then, she’s — Follow Daily News She is also heavily involved albums, which she described teachers,” Nuse said. she’s left a Tippi Toes loca- gotten calls from people reporter Jackson French in creating the music her as energetic and positive, is tion in her wake. In addition, wishing to open up Tippi on Twitter at twitter.com/ classes use, having penned designed to be used in Tippi Spread the business has attracted Toes franchises in India, Jackson_French or visit four albums since 2007, the Toes lessons. While still in Oklahoma, interest across the country, China and Saudi Arabia. bgdailynews.com. Thrive Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky Sunday, April 3, 2016 9

Local teams stack up athletic accomplishments

Joe Imel/[email protected] Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty celebrates Dec. 5 after the Hilltoppers defeated Southern Mississippi 45-28 to win the Conference USA championship in Bowling Green.

By JUSTIN STORY pionship? Or maybe it’s the players on letics likely has the highest profile to gram, and that’s a huge responsibility [email protected] the city’s minor league baseball team outsiders. WKU athletic director Todd that we take very seriously,” he said. What comes to mind when you think trading in their Hot Rods uniforms Stewart said that perspective would WKU athletics raised its collective of sports in Bowling Green? for a day and taking the field as the make athletics the “front porch” of profile by joining Conference USA in Is it Western Kentucky University’s Bowling Green Cave Shrimp? the university to people who might be 2014. Stewart characterized the move basketball team advancing in the Maybe it’s none of the above, which watching the Hilltoppers on TV some- at the time as a “transformational NCAA Tournament? Or is it Bowling isn’t necessarily surprising for a city where. moment that will elevate” the univer- Green High School’s football team that has a number of athletic accom- “Whether it’s fair or not, I think sity and its athletic programs. running roughshod over another oppo- plishments. people do form their first impressions nent, securing yet another state cham- Of all the local sports, WKU ath- based on the success of an athletic pro- See BANNER, 10

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For men’s and women’s Behanan in boys’ basketball basketball, C-USA member- and Clemette Haskins and ship has the potential benefit Sese Helm on the girls’ side. of increasing the opportu- The city for several years nity for at-large bids to the hosted the girls’ state bas- NCAA Tournament. ketball tournament, held “I think the more at WKU’s Diddle excited your alum- Arena from 2001- ni are, the better 15. you feel, the more For all the hoop engaged you are in dreams dancing a number of areas around in kids’ – TV, ticket sales, heads, though, sponsorships, con- Bowling Green is cessions, parking, the final destination all those areas,” for high schoolers Stewart said. “I Julian Tackett seeking out glory on think any time either the football field. one of those sports is play- Houchens-Smith Stadium ing in postseason play ... on WKU’s campus hosts they both certainly have a the state football champion- major impact. I think pro- ships, known as the Gridiron longed athletic success can Bowl. help with enrollment.” Bowling Green and South WKU men’s basketball Warren high schools cap- has seen its share of recent tured state football titles in postseason success, includ- their respective classes this ing two victories in the 2008 past season. This was the NCAA Tournament high- first major state champion- lighted by a buzzer-beating ship for the Spartans, while 3-pointer by Ty Rogers in the Purples won their fourth an opening-round win over championship in five sea- Drake. sons. Four years later, WKU Houchens-Smith will host pulled off a comeback vic- the state football champion- tory over Mississippi Valley ships through 2018. State with President Barack KHSAA Commissioner Obama in attendance. Julian Tackett said in an email that WKU, the spon- Hot Rods heat up summer sors, local businesses and The Hot Rods became staff at the Bowling Green a part of the city’s sports Area Convention and establishment by making Visitors Bureau have helped bold plays for attention. foster a welcome and sup- A name-the-team contest portive environment. ahead of the team’s inaugu- “Additionally, the size of ral 2009 season brought the the stadium at WKU is a Hot Rods into existence, but huge plus in that it is large a What Could Have Been enough to accommodate our Night promotion that year crowds, but small enough saw the team take the field to create a great intimate for one game as the Cave atmosphere to maximize the Shrimp, one of the alterna- experience for the students,” tives to Hot Rods that fans Tackett said. “The playing could have voted on as the surface at any potential site team name. would likely be the same, That was voted Best but the close confines and Promotion for that season small stadium atmosphere in a fan poll on the official have been one of the very website for Minor League positive points mentioned Daily News file photo Baseball. by our coaches and partici- Bowling Green’s Ben Kline jumps to avoid Lake County’s Jeremy Lucas after forcing him out at second base in 2013 during a Hot Rods General pants.” Hot Rods game at Bowling Green Ballpark. Manager Adam Nuse is Other noteworthy local entering his third season prep sports accomplish- with the team and is over- ments include Greenwood seeing a rebranding of the High School’s undefeated franchise that includes new state championship fast- logos and new uniforms that pitch softball season in 2013 trade out red and yellow and Bowling Green High for orange and blue as the School’s 2014 state cham- team’s primary colors. pion boys’ soccer team. “Changing the look and In youth sports, the the feel, you can never get Bowling Green East Little your number one back, but League All-Stars made a this is an opportunity to get respectable showing in last people out to the ballpark year’s Little League World and see it firsthand,” Nuse Series, advancing to the said. third round. Minor league baseball High school and youth teams often rely on eye- sports can be the center of grabbing promotions or gravity in a smaller commu- amenities to supplement the nity, but a successful team on-field action. can also raise the profile of Bowling Green Ballpark a larger community. added a playground for chil- “People from all walks of dren last year, and Nuse said life, all levels of education he is looking forward to see and across all incomes join how the ballpark and the together to root for a com- retooled Stadium Park Plaza mon team with the same goal will mesh together on game in mind,” Bowling Green nights. East coach Rick Kelley Other upcoming promo- said. “When it involves tions include a 3-D fire- our youth and live televi- works night and a promo- sion, it goes to a whole new tion in which the team will level and completely off the play a game as the Bowling charts. It becomes a daily Green Bootleggers. topic of conversation, the “These days with social games are ‘must-see’ televi- media you get feedback sion and everyone is in awe quickly on a lot of things, of the players’ skills, their and community involve- poise, their confidence and ment is a big part of our mis- their pride in representing sion here,” Nuse said. Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hot Rods use the ball- “Youth sports are a vital park for 70 regular-season piece of this community. games each year, but a con- Our youth must develop certed effort has been made skills of teamwork, self-con- in the past couple of years to trol, sportsmanship and ded- have the stadium host addi- ication if they are to succeed tional events, like concerts as productive members of a or other sports. community.” Last year, the ballpark Some area sporting events hosted the Hot Rods or other satisfy certain athletic nich- events on 123 nights. Nuse es: said he hopes to have 150 •The Bowling Green events there this year. Inline Hockey League has been active since 1995, Preps, etc. holding youth, high school Any native Kentuckian and adult matches at Basil knows that basketball is the Grififn Park. center of the state’s sporting •The Vette City Vixens universe, and Lexington’s roller derby team has devel- Rupp Arena is the destina- oped a loyal following since tion that high school boys’ 2009, skating home bouts at basketball teams all over the the Skate Box against teams state aim to reach. from other cities. The city’s boys’ basketball •The Bowling Green teams have had an extraor- Bandits semi-pro American dinary track record, with Basketball Association team Warren Central winning plays a fast-paced brand of the 2004 state champion- basketball. ship and earning the runner- — Follow courts reporter up trophy in 2005 amid a Justin Story on Twitter at run of several consecutive twitter.com/jstorydailynews 4th Region titles for the or visit bgdailynews.com. Thrive Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky Sunday, April 3, 2016 11

Daily News file photos Above: Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty runs with the football during the Hilltoppers’ 45-28 win Dec. 5 over Southern Mississippi to win the Conference USA championship in Bowling Green. Below left: Bowling Green High School’s football team celebrates its 2013 state championship at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Below right: South Warren High School’s Cameron Buckner (19) and Jacob Wilde hug Dec. 6 after the Spartans defeated Johnson Central for the state championship.

Warren County Parks & Recreation Department Warren County Parks and Recreation Department B ASEBALL / S OFTBALL U MPIRES F IELD A TTENDANTS T RAINING O UTLINE 2016 T RAINING O UTLINE 2016

WCPRD is looking for individuals to fill 30 field attendant Day/DateTi me Topic Location (Part-time Position - Seasonal Only) positions to keep score during Mon. 3/28/16 6:00 p.m. Training on FieldMoore Park Field 1 baseball and softball season. Mon. 4/4/16 6:00 p.m. Training on FieldMoore Park Field 1 Applicants must be 14 years of age or older. Mon. 4/11/16 6:00 p.m.Mechanics Test Parks Office Organization meeting: Mon. 4/18/16 6:00 p.m. Scrimmages Various Sites Tuesday, March 29, 2016•6:00 p.m. Additional training will be offered for any new umpires on the following Basil Griffin Park Office Sunday Afternoons (2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.) as needed in March 20th and April 10th. This training will focus primarily on mechanics and positioning of (2055 Three Springs Rd) umpires.

Assignments will be emailed by assigners as soon as game schedules are Day/Date Time Topic Location made. Tues. 3/29/16 6:00 p.m. Field Training Griffin Field 2 Scoreboard TrainingParks Office Kris Fields 2055 Three Springs Rd Athletic Coordinator Tues. 4/5/166:00 p.m. Makeup from Class #2 Parks Office WCPRD and local youth leagues Thur. 4/7/166:00 p.m. Makeup from Class #3 Griffin Field 2 will be looking for youth baseball and softball umpires. Competitive wages offered by leagues per game. Individuals who are interested should attend an informational meeting on March 28, 2016 or April 4, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Phil Moore Park. Thrive 12 Sunday, April 3, 2016 Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky

Austin Anthony/[email protected] Kass Shrum of Scottsville does a front flip off the diving board in 2015 at Russell Sims Aquatic Center. Water parks gearing up for summer By JACKSON FRENCH there’s always something that the facility harder to clean. city of Bowling Green’s web page, Gonzalez said. [email protected] could use improvements,” he said. Next winter, staff members will though it does not give a specific While the park is closed for the While most people aren’t think- This winter and spring, the main need to paint the pool, something date. winter, machines vital to its sum- ing about swimming during the project has been renovating the that must be done every four years Charlotte Gonzalez, general man- mer operations like pumps and fil- cooler months of the year, staff restrooms and retiling the entrance or so because the paint gradually ager at Beech Bend Park and the ters are shut off, hibernating in a members at pools and water parks to the aquatic center, parks depart- cracks and wears away, he said. attached water park Splash Lagoon, storage building on the property, are still routinely going out to those ment Director Brent Belcher said. The park is also changing the for- said while the park is “not very excit- Gonzalez said. drained pools and dry slides to get “We felt like for our customers, mat of season passes, Belcher said. ing” in the winter, it does undergo Meanwhile, someone is always them ready for summer. it was time to give them something Formerly the size of a credit card, preparations for the upcoming sum- at the park, making sure every- At Russell Sims Aquatic Center, better,” he said. this summer they will be small mer. “Our pools are all drained,” thing stays quiet, she said. “We there’s been a bit more activity in The new tiles will be slip-resis- enough to fit on a keyring, he said. she said. “We’ve basically got con- have someone here 24 hours a day recent months. tant, Butler said. “It’ll be a lot safer This year, the Russell Sims staff crete holes for our pools.” watching over it,” she said. Adam Butler, recreation division for customers, less chance of them is also changing the sand in its fil- Staff members are painting the Gonzalez said she is eagerly manager at the Bowling Green slipping,” he said. ters for the first time, Belcher said. pools this year, Gonzalez said. The awaiting Beech Bend’s May 7 parks department, said Russell This should do away with the “We really hadn’t needed to until painting is typically done in April, opening and Splash Lagoon’s May Sims staff members use the time need to put mats down over the this year,” he said, adding that this though it depends on how the 21 opening. the park is closed to get it ready for existing tile, Butler said. These is a normal lifespan for filter sand, weather is expected to be, she said. — Follow Daily News report- the summer, which always includes mats have been a problem in the he said. “Some of these are very large er Jackson French on Twitter at some kind of tune-up. past because, while they prevent Russell Sims opens around painting projects so you need twitter.com/Jackson_French or “The facility’s 16 years old, so slipping, they trap dirt and make Memorial Day, according to the three to five warm days in a row,” visit bgdailynews.com. Bowling Green ... Geared for tourism!

Tourism is booming locally with growth in our region surpassing that of the entire state. Check out these results from the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s 2014-15 fiscal year.

Nearly $388 million visitor spending in Warren County

4,207 tourism jobs supported

Nearly 900,000 VisitBGKY.com page views

205,483 Bowling Green Area Visitors Guides distributed

37,349 visitors personally served

145 groups and events personally serviced

$355,320 value of earned media mentions

22 million reached through print & online mentions

11.5 million reached in print ads

2.3 million reached in online campaigns

Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau 352 Three Spring s Road Bowling Green, KY 42104 270-782-0800 • 800-326-7465 VisitB GKY.com

Do you belong to a group or association that holds meetings or events? We’d love to keep you close to home and host it in Bowling Green! Contact us to learn more! Thrive Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky Sunday, April 3, 2016 13

By JUSTIN STORY • [email protected] If a glass is raised in the city and a toast is made to happy memories or a hopeful future, it’s increasingly likely that the drink in the glass may have been made here. See CHEERS, 15

DAILY NEWS PHOTOS Left: Steve Whitledge at Corsair Artisan Distillery offers samples to customers in Bowling Green. Center: Marc Dottore will open Dueling Grounds Distillery this year in Franklin. Right: Debbie and John Pace stand at Green Palace Meadery in Barren County.

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2137 Glen Lily Road • Bowling Green, KY 42101 270-842-5184 www.StewartRichey.com Thrive 14 Sunday, April 3, 2016 Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky

Cave City studio specializes in extreme metal productions By JACKSON FRENCH [email protected] CAVE CITY — When Scott Briggs of Horse Cave isn’t working at his fac- tory job, he can frequently be found contributing to Kentucky’s extreme metal scene. He does that sometimes as a musician but mainly an independent record pro- ducer. As owner of Velocity Studios, which he operates out of the basement of his father’s Cave City home, he has recorded, mixed and mastered about 20 albums. Briggs said he started Velocity Studios “out of necessity.” In 2007, he was a member of the now-defunct death metal band Aeons of Eclipse when the group decided to record an album. After agreements with two studios fell apart, Briggs decided to try his own hand at recording the album, he said. “It didn’t work out ... so I decided I’d figure it out myself,” he said. This decision was moti- vated partly by the high cost Submitted Photos of recording material with Above: Scott Briggs owns Velocity Studios, which he professionals and partly by operates out of the basement of his father’s Cave City home. a feeling that no existing Right: Briggs records a solo from Jacob Wilson (right) of Somer- studio in the area could do set heavy metal band Old Wolf. extreme metal justice, Briggs said. He also figured know- ing drum parts to go with the fan has been more valuable ing how to produce recorded guitars, he said. than the experience of less material would be a valuable “Prior to us recording, he’d specialized professionals. skill, he said. never actually heard any of The band recorded six “Doing it myself would be these guitar parts,” McCoy albums at Falk Audio in an investment if I learned it said. “So he’s taking his time Louisville between 1998 and well,” he said. to make sure to write appro- 2008, said Mike May, the So he got to work on learn- priate parts to everything that group’s bassist. “Over time, ing the trade from sources we have so far.” I think it got to be kind of a on the Internet and buy- Gorgy endured a frustrat- cycle with us, and one that ing equipment. “I have no ing recording process at the we needed to break,” he said. formal education on any Bomb Shelter, a Nashville The engineers at Falk of this,” Briggs said. “It all recording studio where came from forum boards didn’t understand or accom- and tutorials on the net. The the band recorded its 2011 modate the group’s desire for wealth of information that is debut album, “Birth of a rougher, dirtier sound qual- free is mind-blowing.” Damnation,” McCoy said. ity, he said. Since getting his studio set The producer they worked “I personally butted heads up, Briggs has added to or with had plenty of experi- with the guys for trying to upgraded practically every ence working with tradi- overproduce and clean us piece of recording equip- tional rock and indie musi- up too much, which was not ment he has and can’t esti- cians but had trouble figur- only counterproductive for mate how much money he’s ing out what a death metal us, but also very expensive put into the business. band might want an album for something we did not Originally, the studio was to sound like. want,” May said. in his barn, a cluttered space “There are aspects to Seeing that a change was where Aeons of Eclipse extreme metal that it seems needed, Abominant sought would practice. Eventually, that mainstream engineers out Briggs after hearing and he moved it into his father’s don’t always understand,” liking his work on “The basement after his father McCoy said. “Scott just gets Hour of Desolation,” the suggested the idea. it.” Briggs-produced Aeons of Though his father is “more He also said Briggs takes Eclipse full-length debut. of an Eagles, The Band and the guesswork out of record- Worried about working with Bob Dylan-type guy,” he ing, adding that once they’re someone new so long after doesn’t mind having the stu- done recording, Briggs han- settling into a routine, May dio in his house, Briggs said. dles the rest, though he will didn’t know what to expect When the studio was built send samples to the band but figured that Briggs, as a in the basement, it was made to determine any additional member of numerous metal to be as close to soundproof changes that might need to bands over the course of his as possible, he said. be made. life, probably knew the sort “It’s not 100 percent, but Though the band has yet of sound Abominant wanted. it isn’t bothersome whenever to record bass parts, vocals Over the course of record- someone is playing in there,” and guitar solos, McCoy said ing three albums at Velocity, he said. the members are expecting one of which has not yet been Recording in progress their third full-length, a con- released, Abominant has cept album titled “Sexually grown confident in Brigg’s Gorgy, a Franklin-based Transmitted Disfigurement,” ability to handle their mixing the cleanup for hours at a Studios when they feel the doesn’t think of his role as a death metal band, is in the to be released this summer. and mastering without the time, over and over and over need to record. This causes record producer as a job. process of recording its sec- and over. business to range unpredict- “I have never really ond full-length album with band’s guidance, which they Trying something new couldn’t do at Falk. “To say we trust him would ably from heavy to nonex- approached it as a business Briggs and third overall. be an understatement,” he istent. per se,” Briggs said. “More Kelly McCoy, the group’s Abominant, a death metal “It is so very nice to guitarist, said the band laid band that’s been operating walk away from the stu- said. “We trust him more Briggs doesn’t do much as a hobby that I can occa- down all the guitar tracks for out of Elizabethtown since dio, the songs, each other than we trust ourselves.” to advertise his studio, but sionally make a little side the album in one four-hour 1993, with 10 full-length and let Scott handle things word of mouth and return cash from.” session in January. Briggs, albums under its belt, had at his own pace,” May said. A hobby, not a business customers provide him with — Follow Daily News who served as Gorgy’s plenty of experience with “Nothing will burn you out Kentucky’s extreme metal business throughout the year. reporter Jackson French drummer from roughly 2013 traditional studios and also on songs or even the band community is small, mean- Though he would rather on Twitter at twitter.com/ to 2015, is currently work- found that Briggs’ back- (more) than having to hear ing that bands from all over produce albums for a living Jackson_French or visit ing on writing and record- ground as a longtime metal the songs, the mistakes and the area come to Velocity than any “normal” job, he bgdailynews.com. Dunlap Dunlap RVRV isis StartingStarting ourour FourthFourth CampingCamping Season.Season. • Just started our 4th year in the BG Market • Been in Business for over 22 years in 3 states • Just invested in the Bowling Green community by purchasing the 8.2 acres of land we are currently on. • Jayco Gold Circle of Excellence Dealer • Added Full Service Garage for inside service • Community Involved (Chamber Members, Support WKU, Sponsor 4th of July Fireworks at State Park) 321 Corvette Drive Bowling Green, KY 42101 270-904-1456 Where we treat customers FIRST and the company SECOND! www.dunlaprvcenter.com • H ours: Mon-Sat, 9-5 D UNLAP , T N R INGGOLD , G A L EBANON , T N K NOXVILLE , T N 423-949-7007 706-965-3311 615-444-6161 865-233-4010 Thrive Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky Sunday, April 3, 2016 15 From Page 13 counts 14 wineries in south- central Kentucky. Statewide, there are about 60 small farm CHEERS wineries, and about 113 pro- Where central Kentucky ducers growing 550 acres of has hosted many travelers on grapes. the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Reid said he hopes a Bowling Green is forging Kentucky wine trail can be a name for itself as a place established in the near future where one can find locally to help bring attention to the made beer, wine and spirits. region’s wine industry. Enthusiasm for a red wine “We always try to recom- of a fine vintage, a bourbon mend other venues in town or gin appealing to an adven- people would be interested turous palate or a robust, fla- in,” Reid said. “We’re one vorful beer has translated little part of (tourism), but into a from-the-ground-up the more things you have for industry of sorts here made people to do when you get up of DIY enthusiasts who here, the more people you love the work that goes into draw.” making a good drink and Brewed Attitude sharing the results of their efforts with people who A scan of the bars at a enjoy a high-quality product. number of downtown restau- “We are taking some of rants tells you that there is these really hot tourism a captive audience for lovers assets and extending the of craft beers. reach,” said Vicki Fitch, While there is no short- director of the Bowling age of drinks on tap for the Green Area Convention and fans of microbreweries and Daily News file photo at least one Facebook group Visitors Bureau. Diane Reid of Alvaton pours a glass of wine in 2013 at Reid’s Livery Winery in Alvaton. Before 1960, Bowling dedicated to craft beer enthu- Green had what one might creations such as the Dueling Grounds Distillery Mammoth Resort and Green gallons to then this past year siasts in the city, local beer- call a checkered history with Hopmonster whiskey, dis- in Franklin is anticipated to Palace Meadery in Barren I made 1,500,” Reid said. making endeavors have met County, which makes wine “That’s not a lot in winery with mixed results. alcohol. Sandwiched around tilled with hops that normal- open in the spring and sell Blue Holler Brewing the Prohibition era were ly make themselves known two kinds of clear whiskey, from honey, have established standards, but it’s probably Supplies has reached the numerous wet-dry votes in in a craft beer. as its bourbon ages in barrels themselves in recent years. above average in Kentucky market of home brew- the city that led to taps open- Other products of theirs in preparation to be sold at In Logan County, Carriage with licensed wineries.” ers who enjoy beermaking ing in some year and beer have earned plaudits in least a couple of years from House Vineyards will be The winery’s website touts as a hobby, but Bliss Ave barrels being junked in other magazines focused on the now. able to move forward with the 2011 black raspberry Brewing Co. was open for years. spirits industry and more Corsair is a stop on the plans to bring in new cus- wine, which took the 2013 just a few months downtown The city has allowed alco- general publications, and Kentucky Bourbon Trail tomers after a special elec- Kentucky Commercial Wine last year before going out of hol sales since the vote in Corsair, which also has a Craft Distillery Tour, created tion March 22. Commissioner’s Cup for the business. 1960 to go wet, but it has Nashville facility, distributes by the Kentucky Distillers’ Reid’s Livery Winery in best boutique wine. White Squirrel Brewery, only been within the past its creations in more than 30 Association to raise aware- Alvaton was among the ear- Five of Reid’s wines however, appears to be flour- few years that there has been states as well as the United ness of the industry. liest small-farm wineries in won medals at last year’s ishing as it approaches its a development of a beverage Kingdom. “We might see connois- the area and has become the Commissioner’s Cup. first full year at its Broadway industry meant to bring in A 2014 economic impact seurs who know everything most accomplished, accu- “I had to start from scratch Avenue location. visitors. study from the University of about our product and are mulating about 150 medals several years ago, and I made Conceived a few years “It fits right in with culi- Louisville found that craft excited to get something at state, national and interna- wine as an amateur and gave ago by its three co-owners, nary tourism, with the diver- distilleries, which produce that’s not in their market, and tional contests, per founder away what I didn’t drink,” the bar and restaurant takes sity of our restaurants here,” on a small scale, are still in a we might see someone who Rex Reid’s estimate. Reid said. “As far as that its name from the white Fitch said. “A lot of visitors relatively embryonic stage in was just walking downtown The winery, however, goes, when we went com- squirrels that are a common like to visit more home- Kentucky, though there is a and saw we did this,” said sprang forth from humble mercial, I like to think that sight on Western Kentucky owned and operated restau- market to be captured among Aaron Marcum, head distill- beginnings. I made better wine that I did University’s campus. rants that they don’t have in consumers of spirits. er in Bowling Green, about Reid had brought black- in 2008 ... . We’re either just The brewery produces an their own communities, and “According to our survey people who come through berries and other fruits to real lucky or we’ve managed India Pale Ale, a nut brown the fact that some of our bars of KDA members, craft dis- during tours. farmers markets for some to put together a little bit of and a German-style Kolsch serve products that we have tilleries combine to employ time, and wine was initially knowledge about it, that’s for beer, and also rotates season- made right here all makes it 127 people with salaries Living on the vine looked at as a way to add sure.” al beers such as a Scotch Ale. fit really well together.” totaling over $4 million,” the Small-farm wineries have value to his farm. It’s only been in the past Co-owner Sean Stevens Downtown holds the epi- study said. “Most are still at flourished in Bowling Green After deciding to go year that Reid has kept a has been brewing beer for center of the local spirits the stage where they are pro- and surrounding communi- commercial in 2008, Reid guestbook for visitors to 18 years. He told the Daily industry, with the employees ducing a very modest num- ties, thanks to special elec- improved his product thanks sign, and the far-flung points News in May that the secret at Corsair Artisan Distillery ber of barrels, but altogether tions that have produced to the help of state agricul- of origin – California, Peru, to brewing beer is “a little experimenting amid barrels they have invested about $30 favorable results for growers tural officials with knowl- Canada – illustrates the OCD, consistency and an of aging whiskey, develop- million in land, buildings who want to sell and pack- edge about the ideal condi- potential for a local winery attention to detail.” ing flavors meant to make a and equipment since 2008, age their wines. tions for growing grapes and to develop into a focal point — Follow courts reporter strong impression. and expect to invest another Crocker Farm Wines in berries for wine. for tourism in the area. Justin Story on Twitter at That willingness to tin- $25-$30 million during the Simpson County, Cave “It’s grown from the first Currently, the Kentucky twitter.com/jstorydailynews ker has led to small-batch next five years.” Valley Winery in Park year, when I think I made 130 Grape and Wine Council or visit bgdailynews.com.

THE YEAR WAS 1947. H arry S. Truman was President, and a candy bar cost five cents. Air Force Pilot Chuck Yeager flew the first U.S. airplane at supersonic speed, and you could get a meal in a restaurant (including dessert) for about a dollar. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball. And here at home, in 1947, 93 WKCT went on the air and began its first year of broadcasting to South Central Kentuckians. In those early years at WKCT, we were charmed by the live broadcasts of Jo and Russ Fisher. We sat on our porch swings on warm summer nights entertained by the melodic sounds of Joe Marshall and his Roving Ramblers THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, with their special guest Jerry the Bear. THE MORE WE STAY THE SAME. And at 8 o’clock on Sunday mornings, we enjoyed the gospel S ure, we’ve seen some changes since 1947. Prices are sounds of the Crusaders as we got ready for church. skyrocketing. No more “pony prizes” or free water. Modern radio technology seems like science fiction when compared to then. And the days of bringing live bears into crowded studios are long gone! But one thing remains the same. WKCT’s commitment to bringing you up-to-date news, sports and weather every day of the year...from 1947 to the present and into the future.

In 1960, WKCT broadcasted live from the Southern Ky. Fair (no small feat at the time). Visitors of the WKCT booth registered to win a J o and Russ Fisher along with pony and saddle. Many met the reigning Miss their son broadcast their live radio USA and picked up some free ice water to cool show from the WKCT studios. themselves down. THR16

Thrive 16 Sunday, April 3, 2016 Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky

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