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Pastmast

Outbound Louisville, Kentucky Exchange 2004

June Simpson - Exchange Director

n April 14, nine Lincoln ambassadors were greeted by their hosts at the Louisville airport. Nine others of us drove to host's homes in the Louisville area. Independent activities the first afternoon and evening included tours of beautiful parts of the city of Louisville, many in full bloom. Settling into "paradise in a 200-year-old cabin and adjoining addition set in lovely green meadows" was Leona and Brice Braziel description of the first day. Mary and Art Bryant were "overwhelmed by the profusion of dogwood blossoms, lilacs, azaleas and spirea, tulips galore, and red bud trees" at their host's home and throughout the city.

The welcome party, a pot luck dinner, at Freda Nicholson's home, was well attended by Louisville members. A very comfortable mix of group and independent activities filled a great week. Lynn Darling was able to help her host with gardening and made a life-long friend.

In Mary Bryant's words, "We did everything for which Kentucky is known and more visited Churchill Downs, lunched on Hot Browns, enjoyed magnificent weather, dined on BBQ and Fried Sweet Corn on the Cob, and toured a distillery." On Saturday, we were awed by a tremendous fireworks display viewed by some 700,000 people on both sides of the Ohio River, as the official start of the Kentucky Derby festivities. She, Art and their host had lunch at a 1799 Tavern in Bardstown and a tour of "My Old Kentucky Home."

Then there was the perfect tea at Rose's 200-year-old log cabin that had been expanded to a warm and comfortable home that took great advantage of the surrounding trees and water. Sitting in the front porch rocker was a real treat on such a weatherperfect day.

A visit to Cave Hill Cemetery with its opulent grave of Colonel Sanders, shopping at Joe Ley's three-story antique shop, touring the Louisville Slugger Bat Factory, and visiting the Glass Works were among some of the many shared experiences.

The Kentucky Horse Park and Museum (a celebration of the horse) included a Parade of Breeds, the American Saddlebred Museum and the Hall of Champions.

Some visited the famous Keeneland Race Track, and/or toured sites in Frankfort, including the Kentucky History Center Museum, and the Kentucky Capitol Building.

Sunday many of our ambassadors attended church with hosts. Monday included for many of us a visit to Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home and his birthplace. The Tuesday evening farewell dinner was held at the three story riverside condo, home of club President, Alba Jennings. Mary learned that a friend (of Alba’s) had smoked pork loins and Louisville club members supplied the rest including some outstanding Kentucky desserts. We left Louisville with many fond memories and new and renewed friendships.

After "that wonderful Kentucky hospitality," many of us watched the Derby when at home. Leona tells us that they "caught the excitement, and Brice picked the winner!"