Kentucky thoroughbred retirement farm cares for ‘Old Friends’
Kathy Witt
Last month the racing world lost a legend with the passing of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem. Thanks to the work of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY... was able to live out his remaining years in comfort, companionship and with excellent health care.
Tourism at Work in Georgetown
2/28/20 Kathy Witt
Thousands and thousands of visitors, $150 million, five tourism staff members and one dynamic community – tourism at work in Georgetown. We all know that traveling can enrich and enhance our lives. But did you know that other travelers traveling to our community can also enrich and enhance our lives?
Travel Tips
12/6/19 Kathy Witt
Tis the season to travel, both locally and farther afield to see friends and relatives and share the beauty, bounty and blessings of the season. Several Georgetown celebs share their best travel tips for hitting the hotspots in Georgetown and beyond.
G-town Holiday Gift Guide
11/19/19 Kathy Witt
Our G-town Holiday Gift Guide lets you show your love of Georgetown, of shopping local, of finding those unique, small-town surprises that can only be found here. And something to make merry about – all but one fit beneath the tree. (Hint: You’ll have to hide the big one at a neighbor’s house . . . or garage.)
Storytelling with Jeff Mattingly of Bourbon 30: How to craft bourbon
9/18/19 Kathy Witt
Bourbon distiller Jeff Mattingly appreciates being mere steps from where bourbon whiskey was (allegedly) first made way back in 1789 – that is, on the banks of Royal Spring, located right across the street from Bourbon 30 in what is now known as Royal Spring Park.
9 Best Spots for Cocktails, Coffee and Craft Beer
7/25/19 Kathy Witt
Georgetown has plenty of great places to raise a glass, a stein, even a dainty demitasse cup. Here are some faves:
Storytelling with a Country Boy: Daniel “DH” Harrison talks dreams, brews, horses
5/23/19 Kathy Witt
Back in 2008, when he was living and working in Japan, Daniel “DH” Harrison was a Kentucky country boy with a big dream. He fantasized about owning a brewery, thinking at the time it was really just a pipe dream. Today, as one of the four founders of Georgetown’s Country Boy Brewing, opened in 2012, DH is living that dream.
Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters hops with horse activity
4/19/19 Kathy Witt
The calendar page has flipped to April and everyone’s mind has turned to horses, especially in Georgetown, Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters.
Storytelling with Ron Bryant: The Behind-the-Scenes Word on Ward Hall
3/18/19 Kathy Witt
A grand manse built in the 1850s and paid for in gold is one of Kentucky’s foremost architectural treasurers – and a rich repository of equally grand stories.
Pete, the famous Talking Crow
1/23/19 Spirit of Pete the Crow
This guest blog was curated in the spirit of Pete the Talking Crow, who once made a memorable albeit unwelcome habit of starting horse races before they officially started.
6 Reasons Why I love Georgetown, KY
12/5/18 Trip101
There are a lot of reasons to love this quaint, charming town in the heart of Bluegrass country. Georgetown is the epitome of small-town America. Slap-bang in the middle of the golden triangle of Cincinnati, Louisville, and Lexington, this special place is a homely and familiar escape from the big cities.
10 Ways to Warm Your Winter in Georgetown
Kathy Witt
When you start hearing the song, “Baby, it’s cold outside,” you know it’s time to move playtime indoors. Georgetown has 10 ways to while away a winter’s day where it’s warm.
Let’s Get Local: An Approachable Dining Experience
9/20/18 Hannah Sither & Natalie Partin
Sitting on the corner of South Water Street and West College Street is a farm-to-table restaurant promising locals and visitors a fine dining experience without breaking the bank. Local Feed has been proudly serving the Georgetown community southern meals and craft cocktails since owner and chef Justin Thompson converted the original ice house building into a restaurant in 2012.
Got farm fun? Georgetown does!
Kathy Witt
Apple cider, pumpkin picking and fall festivals.
Why is a fall outing to the farm such a beloved tradition for so many?
Georgetown celebrities – Legendary ‘Old Friends’
6/19/18 Kathy Witt
Some famous celebrities have been spotted galloping around in Georgetown, and the paparazzi have tracked them down to a patch of bluegrass filled with paddocks. These stars of the racetrack are now living large on the land at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, an aftercare facility for retired thoroughbreds.
Six Free Things to See & Do in Georgetown
Kathy Witt
Free? As in no charge?
Yep, you read that right. Here are six fun Georgetown attractions you can’t put a price tag on because they’re all on the house. Yours for the taking – and enjoying.
Travel Then and Now in Georgetown, Kentucky
5/10/18 Natalie Partin
Even if we weren’t there at the time, many are likely familiar with the groundbreaking announcement by Dr. Shichiro Toyoda in December 1985 declaring Scott County, Kentucky as Toyota’s first wholly-owned vehicle manufacturing plant in the U.S.
Let’s Get Local: The Galvin’s Movement
4/25/18 Natalie Partin
A Friday night in Georgetown prior to 2008 often times consisted of a cold beverage at a chain restaurant or watering hole in our neighboring city of Lexington. One of the first to begin the Georgetown movement for local beverages in a community environment was the popular Galvin’s on Main.
Georgetown’s Guide to Keeneland Season
4/4/18 Natalie Partin
When the flowers begin to bloom or the leaves start to fall, central Kentucky converts to one uniform season – Keeneland season. In a tradition all its own, Keenland spring and fall meets bring out the finest in all things horse. Georgetown just happens to be in the epicenter of it all… how lucky are we?
Georgetown’s African American Heritage
2/22/18 Kathy Witt
There are lots of ways to mark Black History Month in Georgetown/Scott County, including attractions, exhibits, activities – even neighborhoods that have a story to tell.
Let’s Get Local: A Culinary Home Away from Home
2/13/18 Hannah Sither
Arriving at 751 Slone Drive Suite #4, one can be welcomed by soothing Italian music and a group of cheerful Banderas’, owners of the tasty and local dining establishment, Formaggio Italiano.
8 Reasons to Visit Georgetown this New Year
Natalie Partin
Does your New Year’s resolution include a visit to legendary horse farms, tasting a sweet bourbon concoction (or two), or basically anything involving a relaxing but entertaining getaway? If so, Georgetown, Kentucky is calling your name!
Acts of Kindness in Georgetown, KY
Kathy Witt
Acts of Kindness in Georgetown is an outlet to highlight the light and graciousness of our people and their actions.
Here’s what cooking in Georgetown
Georgetown's foodscape is flavored with down-home faves. Get the inside tips, tricks and recipes from Georgetown Chefs.
Horsey events not to be missed in 2020
1/29/20 Kathy Witt
Georgetown – Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters – rounds up its best horsey events for 2020.
An Interview with Old Friends’ Little Silver Charm
10/10/19 Kathy Witt
One of Old Friends’ most dashing equine stars is Little Silver Charm, a miniature horse named after his idol, the aforementioned (big) Silver Charm. Despite his small stature, Little Silver Charm is big on personality, as a recent interview with the superstar stallion reveals.
Girlfriends’ Guide to Georgetown Getaways
8/21/19 Kathy Witt
Come to Georgetown for a girlfriends’ getaway as legendary as Sallie Ward herself.
Storytelling with stained glass artists
Kathy Witt
One of Kentucky’s only authentic stained glass shops, Heirlooms & Gretchen’s is a colorful and distinctive business mix based on the passions of its proprietors, Gretchen Soards and Kim Hooks. Custom stained glass – design, repair, supplies, workshops; lamps, lamp parts and lamp repair and restoration; dollhouse miniatures; and costume, antique and estate jewelry combine for a unique shopping experience.
5 things to do with your kid this summer in Georgetown
5/10/19 Kathy Witt
Bring your fishing pole, favorite float and appetite for adventure to Georgetown this summer. No need to rein in the horseplay – it’s encouraged in Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters, especially at these five kid (and parent) pleasers...
East Meets West: Georgetown’s Main Street Dining & Drinking Guide
Kathy Witt
Within a six-block stroll, 15 different dining and drinking places dish up all variety of gastronomical delights, from local artisan chews and brews and come-hither confections to old-timey diner delectables and linen-draped fine dining.
7 Sweet Somethings in Georgetown
2/14/19 Kathy Witt
Georgetown is more than just a pretty face – and with its Victorian-era downtown and rolling countryside, it is a really pretty face! – but it’s romantic, too. Wear your heart on your sleeve at these hot spots for a day or evening of romance.
Georgetown, a Baptist minister and Kentucky bourbon
12/20/18 Spirit of Elijah Craig
Many know the name, Elijah Craig, for the mellow bourbon with delightful hints of warm spice and smoke named in honor of the hot-tempered Baptist minister and produced by a major Kentucky distillery. Bourbon and the bible? It was a match made in heaven right here in Kentucky and it all started at the site of present-day Royal Spring Park in Georgetown.
Celebrate Georgetown's Japanese Connections
Kathy Witt
Did you know Georgetown has a sister city? Tahara, Japan, located in Aichi Prefecture in central Honshu Island, is an area known for its rich cultural heritage and landmarks including the restored 17th-century fortress of Nagoya Castle and the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology.
Things to Do in Georgetown This Fall
10/11/18, updated 9/16/19 Natalie Partin
Fall brings more than just colorful trees and cozy sweaters to town, it also entertains festivals, concerts, shopping sprees, Halloween nights, horsey fun and more! Check out the events Georgetown, KY has waiting for you and your family this season.
#GtownEats: Local Restaurant Serves Up Special Dishes for Kentucky’s Year of Food
8/30/18 Kathy Witt & Nicky Reynolds
Good food and aged bourbon are two things Kentucky does best. In fact, the state has such an excellent reputation for its unique food heritage that Kentucky Tourism and each of the state’s nine tourism regions have crafted a signature meal to complement “The Year of Kentucky Food.”
Fun Fingertip Facts
Yes, Georgetown/Scott County is a dapper destination, but did you know it has something of a checkered past? Here are some fun facts about the famous, the infamous and the fabulous in Georgetown.
Let's Get Local: Award-Winning Pizza Dreams
7/16/18 Hannah Sither
Thirteen years ago, restaurant owner Kathy Lyons envisioned a family-friendly pizzeria on behalf of a small, but fast-growing, city of Georgetown. After identifying a need within the community for a local dining spot featuring artisan pizza, FatKats Pizzeria was born.
Let’s Get Local: A Georgetown Dining Tradition
5/24/18 Hannah Sither & Natalie Partin
Tucked within our Victorian downtown is an old-fashioned restaurant that has been serving the people of Georgetown since 1910. Fava’s Restaurant is a local diner that stays true to its beginnings, remaining the same in style, flavor, location and family.
Sallie’s in Town!
5/1/18 Spirit of Sallie Ward
Hello, Sweeties! I am once again in my beloved Kentucky, visiting my Aunt Matilda and Uncle Junius at Ward Hall, and painting Georgetown as red as I possibly can.
#GtownEats Week
4/11/18 Back Road Bluegrass
When the creators of #GtownEats invited me to write a blog featuring their inaugural food fest, I was thrilled! Downtown Georgetown has an inviting ambiance and such a great vibe. The intricate, historical embellishments adorning the buildings that line the main street are well-kept and preserve the classic ole' town aura.
Celebrate National Quilting Month in Georgetown
3/7/18 Kathy Witt
Georgetown points the needle at all things quilts and quilting during March’s National Quilting Month, with a special exhibit, classes, trail and more.
Let’s Get Local: A Cup of Giving
3/14/18 Hannah Sither & Natalie Partin
Start your day off right with a visit to Upbeat Café- Georgetown’s only fully operating café. Filled with beautiful art pieces, made-from-scratch dishes, and delicious coffee, this café is sure to be one you will forever remember.
Of Cougar Bait and Shotgun Weddings
Kathy Witt
The old road trip song, “99 bottles of beer on the wall,” springs to mind when entering Country Boy Brewing, an enormous watering hole on the outskirts of Georgetown that hums with conviviality.
Here’s what cooking in Georgetown
Georgetown's foodscape is flavored with down-home faves. Get the inside tips, tricks and recipes from Georgetown Chefs.
Acts of Kindness in Georgetown, KY
Kathy Witt
Acts of Kindness in Georgetown is an outlet to highlight the light and graciousness of our people and their actions.
Kentucky thoroughbred retirement farm cares for ‘Old Friends’
Kathy Witt
Last month the racing world lost a legend with the passing of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem. Thanks to the work of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY... was able to live out his remaining years in comfort, companionship and with excellent health care.
Tourism at Work in Georgetown
2/28/20 Kathy Witt
Thousands and thousands of visitors, $150 million, five tourism staff members and one dynamic community – tourism at work in Georgetown. We all know that traveling can enrich and enhance our lives. But did you know that other travelers traveling to our community can also enrich and enhance our lives?
Horsey events not to be missed in 2020
1/29/20 Kathy Witt
Georgetown – Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters – rounds up its best horsey events for 2020.
Travel Tips
12/6/19 Kathy Witt
Tis the season to travel, both locally and farther afield to see friends and relatives and share the beauty, bounty and blessings of the season. Several Georgetown celebs share their best travel tips for hitting the hotspots in Georgetown and beyond.
G-town Holiday Gift Guide
11/19/19 Kathy Witt
Our G-town Holiday Gift Guide lets you show your love of Georgetown, of shopping local, of finding those unique, small-town surprises that can only be found here. And something to make merry about – all but one fit beneath the tree. (Hint: You’ll have to hide the big one at a neighbor’s house . . . or garage.)
An Interview with Old Friends’ Little Silver Charm
10/10/19 Kathy Witt
One of Old Friends’ most dashing equine stars is Little Silver Charm, a miniature horse named after his idol, the aforementioned (big) Silver Charm. Despite his small stature, Little Silver Charm is big on personality, as a recent interview with the superstar stallion reveals.
Storytelling with Jeff Mattingly of Bourbon 30: How to craft bourbon
9/18/19 Kathy Witt
Bourbon distiller Jeff Mattingly appreciates being mere steps from where bourbon whiskey was (allegedly) first made way back in 1789 – that is, on the banks of Royal Spring, located right across the street from Bourbon 30 in what is now known as Royal Spring Park.
Girlfriends’ Guide to Georgetown Getaways
8/21/19 Kathy Witt
Come to Georgetown for a girlfriends’ getaway as legendary as Sallie Ward herself.
9 Best Spots for Cocktails, Coffee and Craft Beer
7/25/19 Kathy Witt
Georgetown has plenty of great places to raise a glass, a stein, even a dainty demitasse cup. Here are some faves:
Storytelling with stained glass artists
Kathy Witt
One of Kentucky’s only authentic stained glass shops, Heirlooms & Gretchen’s is a colorful and distinctive business mix based on the passions of its proprietors, Gretchen Soards and Kim Hooks. Custom stained glass – design, repair, supplies, workshops; lamps, lamp parts and lamp repair and restoration; dollhouse miniatures; and costume, antique and estate jewelry combine for a unique shopping experience.
Storytelling with a Country Boy: Daniel “DH” Harrison talks dreams, brews, horses
5/23/19 Kathy Witt
Back in 2008, when he was living and working in Japan, Daniel “DH” Harrison was a Kentucky country boy with a big dream. He fantasized about owning a brewery, thinking at the time it was really just a pipe dream. Today, as one of the four founders of Georgetown’s Country Boy Brewing, opened in 2012, DH is living that dream.
5 things to do with your kid this summer in Georgetown
5/10/19 Kathy Witt
Bring your fishing pole, favorite float and appetite for adventure to Georgetown this summer. No need to rein in the horseplay – it’s encouraged in Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters, especially at these five kid (and parent) pleasers...
Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters hops with horse activity
4/19/19 Kathy Witt
The calendar page has flipped to April and everyone’s mind has turned to horses, especially in Georgetown, Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters.
East Meets West: Georgetown’s Main Street Dining & Drinking Guide
Kathy Witt
Within a six-block stroll, 15 different dining and drinking places dish up all variety of gastronomical delights, from local artisan chews and brews and come-hither confections to old-timey diner delectables and linen-draped fine dining.
Storytelling with Ron Bryant: The Behind-the-Scenes Word on Ward Hall
3/18/19 Kathy Witt
A grand manse built in the 1850s and paid for in gold is one of Kentucky’s foremost architectural treasurers – and a rich repository of equally grand stories.
7 Sweet Somethings in Georgetown
2/14/19 Kathy Witt
Georgetown is more than just a pretty face – and with its Victorian-era downtown and rolling countryside, it is a really pretty face! – but it’s romantic, too. Wear your heart on your sleeve at these hot spots for a day or evening of romance.
Pete, the famous Talking Crow
1/23/19 Spirit of Pete the Crow
This guest blog was curated in the spirit of Pete the Talking Crow, who once made a memorable albeit unwelcome habit of starting horse races before they officially started.
Georgetown, a Baptist minister and Kentucky bourbon
12/20/18 Spirit of Elijah Craig
Many know the name, Elijah Craig, for the mellow bourbon with delightful hints of warm spice and smoke named in honor of the hot-tempered Baptist minister and produced by a major Kentucky distillery. Bourbon and the bible? It was a match made in heaven right here in Kentucky and it all started at the site of present-day Royal Spring Park in Georgetown.
6 Reasons Why I love Georgetown, KY
12/5/18 Trip101
There are a lot of reasons to love this quaint, charming town in the heart of Bluegrass country. Georgetown is the epitome of small-town America. Slap-bang in the middle of the golden triangle of Cincinnati, Louisville, and Lexington, this special place is a homely and familiar escape from the big cities.
10 Ways to Warm Your Winter in Georgetown
Kathy Witt
When you start hearing the song, “Baby, it’s cold outside,” you know it’s time to move playtime indoors. Georgetown has 10 ways to while away a winter’s day where it’s warm.
Celebrate Georgetown's Japanese Connections
Kathy Witt
Did you know Georgetown has a sister city? Tahara, Japan, located in Aichi Prefecture in central Honshu Island, is an area known for its rich cultural heritage and landmarks including the restored 17th-century fortress of Nagoya Castle and the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology.
Things to Do in Georgetown This Fall
10/11/18, updated 9/16/19 Natalie Partin
Fall brings more than just colorful trees and cozy sweaters to town, it also entertains festivals, concerts, shopping sprees, Halloween nights, horsey fun and more! Check out the events Georgetown, KY has waiting for you and your family this season.
Let’s Get Local: An Approachable Dining Experience
9/20/18 Hannah Sither & Natalie Partin
Sitting on the corner of South Water Street and West College Street is a farm-to-table restaurant promising locals and visitors a fine dining experience without breaking the bank. Local Feed has been proudly serving the Georgetown community southern meals and craft cocktails since owner and chef Justin Thompson converted the original ice house building into a restaurant in 2012.
Got farm fun? Georgetown does!
Kathy Witt
Apple cider, pumpkin picking and fall festivals.
Why is a fall outing to the farm such a beloved tradition for so many?
Six Free Things to See & Do in Georgetown
Kathy Witt
Free? As in no charge?
Yep, you read that right. Here are six fun Georgetown attractions you can’t put a price tag on because they’re all on the house. Yours for the taking – and enjoying.
#GtownEats: Local Restaurant Serves Up Special Dishes for Kentucky’s Year of Food
8/30/18 Kathy Witt & Nicky Reynolds
Good food and aged bourbon are two things Kentucky does best. In fact, the state has such an excellent reputation for its unique food heritage that Kentucky Tourism and each of the state’s nine tourism regions have crafted a signature meal to complement “The Year of Kentucky Food.”
Fun Fingertip Facts
Yes, Georgetown/Scott County is a dapper destination, but did you know it has something of a checkered past? Here are some fun facts about the famous, the infamous and the fabulous in Georgetown.
Let's Get Local: Award-Winning Pizza Dreams
7/16/18 Hannah Sither
Thirteen years ago, restaurant owner Kathy Lyons envisioned a family-friendly pizzeria on behalf of a small, but fast-growing, city of Georgetown. After identifying a need within the community for a local dining spot featuring artisan pizza, FatKats Pizzeria was born.
Georgetown celebrities – Legendary ‘Old Friends’
6/19/18 Kathy Witt
Some famous celebrities have been spotted galloping around in Georgetown, and the paparazzi have tracked them down to a patch of bluegrass filled with paddocks. These stars of the racetrack are now living large on the land at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, an aftercare facility for retired thoroughbreds.
Let’s Get Local: A Georgetown Dining Tradition
5/24/18 Hannah Sither & Natalie Partin
Tucked within our Victorian downtown is an old-fashioned restaurant that has been serving the people of Georgetown since 1910. Fava’s Restaurant is a local diner that stays true to its beginnings, remaining the same in style, flavor, location and family.
Travel Then and Now in Georgetown, Kentucky
5/10/18 Natalie Partin
Even if we weren’t there at the time, many are likely familiar with the groundbreaking announcement by Dr. Shichiro Toyoda in December 1985 declaring Scott County, Kentucky as Toyota’s first wholly-owned vehicle manufacturing plant in the U.S.
Sallie’s in Town!
5/1/18 Spirit of Sallie Ward
Hello, Sweeties! I am once again in my beloved Kentucky, visiting my Aunt Matilda and Uncle Junius at Ward Hall, and painting Georgetown as red as I possibly can.
Let’s Get Local: The Galvin’s Movement
4/25/18 Natalie Partin
A Friday night in Georgetown prior to 2008 often times consisted of a cold beverage at a chain restaurant or watering hole in our neighboring city of Lexington. One of the first to begin the Georgetown movement for local beverages in a community environment was the popular Galvin’s on Main.
#GtownEats Week
4/11/18 Back Road Bluegrass
When the creators of #GtownEats invited me to write a blog featuring their inaugural food fest, I was thrilled! Downtown Georgetown has an inviting ambiance and such a great vibe. The intricate, historical embellishments adorning the buildings that line the main street are well-kept and preserve the classic ole' town aura.
Georgetown’s Guide to Keeneland Season
4/4/18 Natalie Partin
When the flowers begin to bloom or the leaves start to fall, central Kentucky converts to one uniform season – Keeneland season. In a tradition all its own, Keenland spring and fall meets bring out the finest in all things horse. Georgetown just happens to be in the epicenter of it all… how lucky are we?
Let’s Get Local: A Cup of Giving
3/14/18 Hannah Sither & Natalie Partin
Start your day off right with a visit to Upbeat Café- Georgetown’s only fully operating café. Filled with beautiful art pieces, made-from-scratch dishes, and delicious coffee, this café is sure to be one you will forever remember.
Celebrate National Quilting Month in Georgetown
3/7/18 Kathy Witt
Georgetown points the needle at all things quilts and quilting during March’s National Quilting Month, with a special exhibit, classes, trail and more.
Georgetown’s African American Heritage
2/22/18 Kathy Witt
There are lots of ways to mark Black History Month in Georgetown/Scott County, including attractions, exhibits, activities – even neighborhoods that have a story to tell.
Let’s Get Local: A Culinary Home Away from Home
2/13/18 Hannah Sither
Arriving at 751 Slone Drive Suite #4, one can be welcomed by soothing Italian music and a group of cheerful Banderas’, owners of the tasty and local dining establishment, Formaggio Italiano.
Of Cougar Bait and Shotgun Weddings
Kathy Witt
The old road trip song, “99 bottles of beer on the wall,” springs to mind when entering Country Boy Brewing, an enormous watering hole on the outskirts of Georgetown that hums with conviviality.
8 Reasons to Visit Georgetown this New Year
Natalie Partin
Does your New Year’s resolution include a visit to legendary horse farms, tasting a sweet bourbon concoction (or two), or basically anything involving a relaxing but entertaining getaway? If so, Georgetown, Kentucky is calling your name!
