April 29, 2009

Hot Rods Fever Fueling Bowling Green

I can't believe we are almost three weeks into the Hot Rods' inaugural season and I've been to eight of the nine home games thus far! Let me explain that I am not a huge baseball follower... I barely understand the game, and I am not obligated to attend for the Visitors Bureau or any other political reasons. It just happens that my husband is the site superintendent of the Ballpark for Alliance Corporation. Considering there is still finishing work to be done, he feels more comfortable being at the games just in case. And after the first game, there is no dragging, begging or guilting me into keeping him company... I am hooked on the Hot Rods!

There is so much excitement and energy bouncing off the outfield and surging through the stands that is hard to not become hooked. From laughing at the contestants in the Build-A-Burger contest and the Sumo wrestlers to cheering on every Hot Rods' hit or catch to talking and people-watching, this is truly wholesome entertainment. It is great to see so many kids in the stands, running after foul balls, jumping around in the Kids' Zone, and munching on Cracker Jacks. I love to catch them acting goofy, having a good time and just being themselves in a place that promotes family fun!

It is also wonderful that parents of the older kids are comfortable enough in Bowling Green Ballpark to let them explore their freedom a bit and make new friends. I am sure there will be some tears at the close of the season! By the third game, I was already seeing several regular patrons and enjoyed hearing the familiarity of players' names being called out from the crowd. I don't have a favorite yet, but I am certainly keeping my eyes on a few!

What can I say about the new facility?! Considering it dominated our life for eight months and I was able to see it every step of the way, I am extremely proud of it! With a overhanging roof to shield most of the seats from weather, a beautiful Stadium Club area, a grassy section for lounging with another one on the way (as soon as the rain holds up), and not a bad seat in the whole place, Bowling Green is very fortunate to have such an entertainment venue. I look forward to seeing what groups our office can lure there during the off-season.

I already have a girlfriend planning a birthday celebration on the Party Deck- totally her idea! While I may not be able to keep up my current attendance record for the entire season, I will be at every game possible... because I definitely have the Hot Rods fever!

Check out http://www.bghotrods.com/ to see which games you can attend. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter... you never know when we may be giving tickets away!

What's Happening this Week in Bowling Green

Kentucky Proud & Strawberry Festivals
Come out and support Kentucky artists and producers, see the Jersey cows, and eat homemade ice cream at the 5th Annual Kentucky Proud Festival this Saturday at Chaney's Dairy Barn. Admission is free from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the event will take place rain or shine! Pony rides for the kids will be provided by the Warren County 4-H Club.

While south of town, why not mosey on down to the Woodburn Strawberry Festival. Browse among collectibles, crafts, primitives and antiques before grabbing some strawberries to take home from the area that once shipped more of the luscious fruit than any other place in the U.S. Don't miss Rock Garden Farm's Spring Gathering while there!

NMCA Muscle Car Nationals
Louisville won't be the only Kentucky city focused on speed this weekend! The race is on in Bowling Green with the running of the 8th Annual NMCA Muscle Car Nationals presented by NOS at Beech Bend Raceway. See more events here.

April 21, 2009

Vietnam War Enemies Reunite on Anniversary of Dogfight


The dedication of Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green and the unlikely reunion of two Vietnam War enemies took place April 16, 2009 at 10 a.m. The chain of events leading to this day is a remarkable and inspirational story of reconciliation.
The concept of Aviation Heritage Park began in 2004 when Dan Cherry, a Bowling Green native and USAF Brigadier General (Ret.), with a group of friends discovered an F4-D Phantom II 550 in Ohio. Cherry flew this exact aircraft on April 16, 1972 when he shot down a MiG-21 flown by Lieutenant Nguyen Hong My.
The idea began of restoring the plane and creating a tribute to distinguished aviators from South Central Kentucky. A vision emerged of a park that would allow future generations to learn of and be motivated by these aviators’ extraordinary achievements.
“We imagined the unlimited uses such a facility would offer to our community,” Cherry explains in his new book, My Enemy… My Friend. “We considered how teachers could use the displays as educational tools… how such a community project could motivate and inspire the youth to reach for their dreams, to work hard, and to believe anything is possible for those who apply themselves.”As Aviation Heritage Park became a reality, Cherry continued to wonder what happened to the fighter pilot he watched cascade to the ground that day and if he survived. Through a network of friends, Cherry contacted a reunion show producer in Vietnam who located Hong My. Cherry apprehensively accepted an invitation to appear on the show and he met Hong My in person on April 5, 2008.Now, on the 37th anniversary of their aerial dogfight, the two former enemies will shake hands over American soil at the unveiling of Aviation Heritage Park’s centerpiece. The restored Phantom II 550 sits prominently, soon to be joined by a Grumman F9F-5 Panther, similar to one flown by Lieutenant Commander John J. Magda, Jr. Magda, a Western Kentucky University graduate, became the Commander of the Navy Blue Angels in 1950.
South Central Kentucky has played a significant role in the history of aviation. In addition to Cherry and Magda, other aviators with ties to Bowling Green include one of the first pilots to fly in combat, a World War I flying ace, and a pioneer instructor pilot. A Commander of the famed Air Force Thunderbirds, a presidential helicopter pilot, and the Mission Commander for the space shuttle Atlantis also make the list.
Cherry and Hong My also spoke about their experience on the evening of April 16 at an Olde Stone Country Club private event and again on April 20 at WKU’s Mass Media and Technology Hall. The two also attended the Southern Kentucky Book Fest on April 18 for a discussion of My Enemy… My Friend. More information and the book are available at http://www.aviationheritagepark.com/.