Come Visit Owensboro!

My hometown of Owensboro, KY has many different attractions that would cause anyone to want to come and visit. Owensboro has many different events that appeal to a variety of people, so if you look closely, you will find something that you like. Owensboro also has a beautiful river side location (as seen in picture above). Some of the major attractions that might cause you to come and visit are the food, festivals, museums, and theater.


It is not uncommon to be driving down a street in Owensboro and begin smelling the sweet-hickory smell of barbeque. One of the major things my hometown is known for is our food. Owensboro is said to be the “barbeque capital of the world.” We have several different barbeque restaurants to fit anyone’s barbeque tastes. Some examples would include: Moonlight, Old Hickory, and Old South. You will find delicious barbecued meats like mutton, pork, and chicken. All of those restaurants also serve burgoo; a hearty soup made of mutton, chicken, and a variety of vegetables. Bill Clinton ate at one of our most famous barbeque restaurants, Moonlight. Owensboro should be the first place you go when you are in need of an amazing barbeque meal.




Owensboro also puts on two major festivals a year that always draw a big crowd. The first one is the International Barbeque festival. It is held in our downtown streets and the saying is, “come for the food, stay for the fun.” This event hosts the Classic Cook-off to find out who makes the best barbeque in town. There are also tons of rides and games for the whole family. If you’re a music lover, then you should come and see the variety of performances held each day of the festival. This festival also features a large car show, homemade crafts for sale, and a petting zoo. This event is always the second week in May, so come and check it out!


The second festival is the Apple Fest; it is a more small-town festival feel. This event is held the third weekend in October, so it is a great way to celebrate autumn. It is held at one of Owensboro’s largest orchards, Reid’s Orchard. There is always great food like apple sundaes, apple turnovers, apple cider, and caramel apples. There are games, rides, and the famous corn maze that will excite the whole family. You can also buy the locally grown pumpkins, corn, and of course, apples. This event was chosen as one of the Top 10 festivals in Kentucky. You will defiantly feel right at home at the Apple Fest.


Owensboro is also home to two different museums. The first one, International Bluegrass Museum, pays tribute to Kentucky being the “Bluegrass State.” If you love Bluegrass, or even if you don’t, you will find this museum very interesting and eye opening. You will learn about the history of bluegrass and several major figures of that genre. The museum also showcases vintage instruments. We are also home to the Owensboro Museum of Science and History. It is located in the downtown area and the admission is just $3.00 per person. The museum can be an educational and fun experience for the whole family. This museum is especially exciting for children, because they feature an indoor playground and it even goes on top of the street. There is something for everyone at Owensboro’s museums.


Lastly, Owensboro is home to a wonderful theater, the Riverpark Center. This center is located downtown on the river front, creating a beautiful location. This place shows anything from Broadway to gospel groups. It also features different workshops and ceremonies. The Riverpark also puts on “Winter Wonderland" every December for Christmas. There is an outdoor ice skating rink and large movie screen. They also have children’s rides; this is a really fun way to celebrate Christmas with your whole family. Just check out the website to see what is showing at the Riverpark soon.


As you can see, Owensboro is filled with different events and attractions for the whole family. It has great food, festivals, museums, and a great theater. It is a beautiful place that you must come and see. It is a truly great place to visit, and I promise that you won’t be bored.

My Detailed Revision Outline & Peer Review Feedback

Revising my essay is a very important part of any writing process. This is the time you can make your paper the best it can be. The feedback I got from my peer reviewers was mostly positive, but like anything, I had much to improve on. I am also taking several steps to revise my essay to make it the best it can be.

One of the main things I needed to improve on is my grammar errors. I had many spelling mistakes that needed to be fixed. One main thing I wrote a lot is verity instead of variety. I have now learned the difference in those two words, and I will not make that mistake again. Another thing I needed to work on is the clarity of several of my sentences. I need to make sure that the reader can understand everything I am saying. I also need to make sure my paragraphs flow into each other and I have connections to make this happen easier. After making these several different changes, my essay will be close to perfect.

In order to revise my paper, I first fixed all of the grammical errors. I simply saw where one of my peer reviewers pointed out a mistake, and then I fixed it on my draft of the essay. All I did was click on the misspelled word and retyped it. I then will find a new picture using Google or an Owensboro website to add to my blog. The picture will be about Owensboro in general maybe on the river or something like that. I will do this because my peer reviews suggested that I add another picture. I might add this to the end or middle. I will just click on the “add a picture” link and add it. I will then read through the whole essay checking for clarity, making sure that all the points are clear. Lastly, I will read through the essay and look for connections that I could add to make the essay flow better.

I am glad that we peer review, because my reviewers always find things that I missed when reviewing my own paper. I know that revising is one of the critical parts of the writing process. I am glad that I am given time to review and revise my essay to make it my best work possible. Revision is not something I enjoy, but I know it is necessary.

Extra Credit

The writer, Lili Wright, read some of her essays on Thursday night. She was the winner of the Southern Indiana Review nonfiction contest. Her writings were about a verity of things that went on in her life. She is a very good writer, and I learned a lot about writing from her.

She first spoke about her mother and father’s relationship. She used a verity of metaphors and language to make her essay really interesting and entertaining. The next thing she spoke about was when she was younger and she did not want any children. She related well with her audience and added some comedy to make you entertained. The next essay she read was how things had changed in her life and she now really wanted children. She wrote about how kids are all she thought about and the fact that she tried almost anything to have them, but sadly never did. It was very interesting to see how her feelings changed. The next essay she read was very emotional and sad. It was about how right before her trip to Spain she lost her baby. It was a very detailed description about how that event happened; it really kept the reader engaged. The next essay she read was about her trip to Spain. It was interesting to see her point of view of Spain. She also read an essay about her daughter’s point of view of Spain. I really enjoyed this one, because it was very interesting to make an essay from that point of view. She lastly spoke about a driving lesson she had to drive stick shift when she was still in Spain. This was a very funny piece and was very entertaining.

I thought she was a very good writer and I was very surprised how descriptive she was. This technique really made her essay’s that much more interesting. I might try to incorporate more descriptive images in my writing. I really enjoyed her writings, and I learned a lot about the different ways you can get your point across to the reader.

Come Visit Owensboro!

My hometown of Owensboro, KY has many different attractions that would cause anyone to want to come and visit. Owensboro has many different events that appeals to a verity of people, so if you look closely, you will find something that you like. Owensboro also has a beautiful river side location (as seen in picture above). Some of the major attractions might cause you to come and visit is the food, festivals, museums, and theater.

It is not uncommon to be driving down a street in Owensboro and begin smelling the sweet-hickory smell of barbeque. One of the major things Owensboro known for is our food. Owensboro is said to be the “barbeque capital of the world.” We have several different barbeque restaurants to fit anyone’s barbeque tastes. Some examples would include: Moonlight, Old Hickory, and Old South. You will find delicious barbecued meats like mutton, pork, and chicken. All of those restaurants also serve burgoo; a hearty soap made of mutton, chicken, and a verity vegetables. Our most famous restaurant, Moonlight, was visited by our former president, Bill Clinton. Owensboro should be the first place you go when you are in need of an amazing barbeque meal.

Owensboro also puts on two major festivals a year that always draw a big crowd. The first one is the International Barbeque festival. It is held in our downtown streets and the saying is, “come for the food, stay for the fun.” This event hosts the Classic Cook-off to find out who makes the best barbeque in town. There are also tons of rides and games for the whole family. If you’re a music lover, then you should come to see the verity of performances held each day of the festival. This festival also features a large car shown, homemade crafts for sale, and a petting zoo. This event is always the second week in May, so come and check it out!

The second festival is the Apple Fest; it is a more small-town festival feel. This event is held the third weekend in October, so it is a great way to celebrate autumn. It is held at one of Owensboro’s largest orchards, Reid’s Orchard. There is always great food like apple sundaes, apple turnovers, apple cider, and caramel apples. There are games, rides, and the famous corn maze that will excite the whole family. You can also buy the locally grown pumpkins, corn, and of course, apples. This event was chosen as one of the Top 10 festivals in Kentucky. You will defiantly feel right at home at the Apple Fest.

Owensboro is also home to two different museums. The first one, International Bluegrass Museum, pays tribute to Kentucky being the “Bluegrass State.” If you love Bluegrass, or even if you don’t, you will find this museum is very interesting and eye opening. You will learn about the history of bluegrass and several major figures for that genre. The museum also showcases vintage instruments. We are also home to the Owensboro Museum of Science and History. It is located in the downtown area and the admission is just $3.00 per person. The museum can be an educational and fun experience for the whole family. This museum is especially exciting for children, because they feature an indoor playground and even goes on top of the street. There is something for everyone at Owensboro’s museums.

Lastly, Owensboro is home to a wonderful theater, the Riverpark Center. This center is located downtown on the river front, creating a beautiful location. This place shows anything from Broadway to gospel groups. It also features different workshops and ceremonies. The Riverpark also puts on “Winter Wonderland" every December for Christmas. There is an outdoor ice skating rink and large movie screen. They also have children’s rides; this is a really fun way to celebrate Christmas with your whole family. Just check out the website at the bottom of the page to see what is showing at the Riverpark soon.

As you can see, Owensboro is filled with different events and attractions for the whole family. It has great food, festivals, museums, and a great theater. It is a beautiful place that you must come and see. It is a truly great place to visit, and I promise that you won’t be bored. Here is a list of websites for more information:

Moonlight: http://www.moonlite.com/

International Barbeque Fest: http://www.bbqfest.com/

Apple Fest: http://www.reidorchard.com/

Bluegrass Museum: http://www.bluegrass-museum.org/general/splash.php

Museum of Science & History: http://owensboromuseum.com/

Riverpark Center: http://www.riverparkcenter.org/

Owensboro in general: http://www.visitowensboro.com/index.aspx

Why I Want to Be a Teacher

When I was a kid, I would lay out different old folders calling them desks, and pretend to be a teacher. I would pass out papers, call on students, and teach math lessons. Little did I know that several years later I would be studying to become what I practiced as a child. Although I have not always claimed to want to be a teacher, it has always been in my mind since I was a little kid. I want to be an elementary school teacher for several different reasons.

I believe that since I am an only child, I have always liked children and working with them. This might be because I was never around them at home. I love their goofy remarks and sweet smiles. I love the fact that they are so innocent and don’t have a care in the world. Children really do inspire me to find that innocence that everyone looses. I love the fact that they are so eager to learn new things. I love the fact that if they care about something so much, they will put there 100% effort and passion into it. I have babysat for several years and I also worked for the YMCA Day Camp over this summer, through these experiences, I have found that I love working with children. I have also found how easy it is to fall in love with kids. I just love the way children can brighten your day.

I can not wait to have my own classroom and being able to show new things to my students. Another reason I want to be a teacher is the fact that I can truly influence a child’s life. I hope that each and every child in my classroom will learn something new everyday. I hope that I don’t just teach them school things, but also character development and life skills. I hope that all my students know that I care about them and want them to succeed. I know that because I am their teacher I will have a large influence on their life, so I hope it is always a positive and uplifting one. I hope to show my students that even if they feel know one else loves them in this world; they will have me and I will always love them.

Another reason I want to be a teacher is because I know it is a very rewarding career. I know that seeing my students succeed will be my energy to keep going and keep teaching. I want to work with a child who might be having problems reading everyday and celebrate with him or her when they finally feel confident with their reading skills. Or, I want to show a student how to subtract for the very first time and see how their face lights up knowing that they now understand. I know that I will be encouraged daily from my students’ smiling faces. I can’t wait to feel the rewards of teaching.

I have had several great teachers growing up and I hope to be the kind of teacher that my students also think of me as a good teacher. I can remember the ones who took the time to get to know me, not just have me in class. I hope to take the time to get to know all of my students. I hope to be the teacher that students will say I actually learned something from. From my own teachers, I have learned what kind of teacher I want to be.

I know that teaching will not always be all smiles and laughter; I know I will have several changeling days. I just hope that I can always remember why I first chose to be a teacher and put on a smile on my face anyway. I hope I can inspire my students to be a great person in this world, and do awesome things.

Scapbooking

One hobby or interest I have is scrapbooking. I have scrapbooked for several years now, and it never really gets old to me. Scrapbooking is usually stereotyped to be a stay at home mom thing, but it really should not be. Anyone of any age and ability can scrapbook. I have scrapbooked several different events in my life. I really enjoy creating something that I can keep forever and that will hold my memories forever.

Scrapbooking is one way I can show my creativity and it also is one place I feel at rest. I don’t do any other types of art, just scrapbooking. I love putting together what I believe truly is art. Scrapbooking calms me somehow. It puts me in a place where all I think about is the happy pictures I am scrapbooking. I just remember the events that took place. I will continue to scrapbook because it really makes me content. I can sit down at the table and scrapbook for over an hour and I won’t even notice that I had been sitting for that long. Scrapbooking is a place I can let out all my stresses.

I started when I was in the sixth grade. I am really not sure why I started, I think it was because I saw other people doing it, and I thought that looked really fun and enjoyable activity. My best friend’s mom gave me my first scrapbook album and tools. When I look back at my first scrapbooks, I now laugh at my lack of abilities. I was really not that good at first, but over time I have gotten much better. I now try using new tools and have a better page outline. I am very glad I started scrapbooking.

I have scrapbook a variety of events and things that happen in my life. I have scrapbooked birthdays, holidays, and vacations. I love looking back and remembering that funny gift I got at that Christmas three years ago or that church camp I went to and the people I met. Without scrapbooking I might never have remembered that ever took place. Scrapbooking has created for me sort-of memory box. Each page is filled with different memories almost like I opened a time capsule that was buried years ago. I am grateful that years from now I will still have these memories with me and I will also be able to pass this down to future generations.

One specific event I scrapbooked was my high school years. This one album is filled with my high school memories. It makes me smile when I look at it and see pictures from my first dances, football games, and most recently graduation. I will be able to give this to my future children one day and they will get a small insight to my high school experience. My mom mentioned to me that she really wishes she had a memory tool like that. It will be neat to look back at my high school experience when I am old and retired.

Another specific event that I have scrapbooked was the ice storm of 2009. My town of Owensboro, KY was hit very hard from the storm. We were out of school for two weeks and some were out of power for months. Because this made such a big impact on my life, I thought I would scrapbook it. I was able to put my own pictures from damage we had, and I clipped pictures from the newspaper to also include in the pages. I know this will be very interesting thing to look back on and recount that hard time in my towns’ history.

I encourage others to start scrapbooking because it is an easy hobby that will allow memories to last forever. It is something simple that you can do that will keep your memories alive. Unfortunately, after starting college I have not been able to scrapbook. But, I hope to do this again in the summer months or at winter break. I never want to stop my hobby of scrapbooking.

Come to Owensboro, KY!

My hometown of Owensboro, KY has many different attractions that would cause anyone to want to come and visit. My hometown tries to appeal to a verity of people, so if you look closely, you will find something that you like. It also has a beautiful river side location (as seen in picture above). Some of the major attractions would be the food, festivals, museums, and a theater.

One of the first things we are known for is our food. Owensboro is said to be the “barbeque capital of the world.” We have several different barbeque restaurants to fit anyone’s barbeque tastes. Some examples would include: Moonlight, Old Hickory, and Old South. You will find delicious mutton, pork, and chicken all barbeque style. Our most famous restaurant, Moonlight, was visited by our former president, Bill Clinton. Owensboro should be the first place you go when you are in need of a amazing barbeque meal.

Owensboro also has two major festivals a year that always bring out a big crowd. The first one is the International Barbeque festival. It is held in our downtown area. We have different cook-offs to find out who makes the best barbeque. This event also has tons of rides and games for the whole family. The festival also always has a large car shown, homemade crafts for sale, and a petting zoo. This event is always the second week in May, so come and check it out!

The second festival is the Apple Fest. It is held at one of our large orchards, Reid’s Orchard. You will find foods like apple sundaes, apple turnovers, apple cider, and caramel apples. This is always in the fall time around October. There are games, rides, and the famous corn maze that will excite the whole family. You can also buy the locally grown pumpkins, corn, and of course, apples. You will defiantly get the home-town feel at this festival.

Owensboro is also home to two different museums. We have the International Bluegrass museum for all you bluegrass lovers out there. You will learn about the history of bluegrass and major figures for that genre. We also have the Owensboro Museum of Science and History. This is a really neat attraction downtown; it has several cool things that will also teach you too. This museum is especially exciting for children, because they have a great playground inside of it.

Lastly, Owensboro is home to a wonderful theater, the Riverpark Center. This center is located downtown on the river front, creating a beautiful location. This place shows great artist, plays, and shows. It also features different workshops and ceremonies. The Riverpark also puts on “Winter Wonderland" every December for Christmas. There is an outdoor ice skating rink and large movie screen. They also have rides; this is a really fun way to celebrate Christmas with your whole family. Just check out the website at the bottom of the page to see what is coming to town soon.

As you can see, Owensboro is filled with different events and attractions for the whole family. It has great food, festivals, museums, and a great theater. It is a truly great place to visit, and I promise that you won’t be bored. Here is a list of websites for more information:

International Barbeque Fest: http://www.bbqfest.com/
Apple Fest: http://www.reidorchard.com/
Bluegrass Museum: http://www.bluegrass-museum.org/general/splash.php
Museum of Science & History: http://owensboromuseum.com/
Riverpark Center: http://www.riverparkcenter.org/

Top 10 Cheesiest and Inspirational Songs

1. Find Your Wings By: Mark Harris
This song is perfect for your son or daughter’s graduation or simply when they go to school for the first time. You will be inspired to go and find your wings. Mark talks about finding your own wings in the world and following your dreams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4NS7gChzvk

2. Butterfly Kisses By: Bob Carlisle
This song shares about the special bond between a father and daughter. It goes through the major life moments like riding a pony for the first time, sweet sixteen, and walking down the aisle. You will laugh and cry as you remember the moments you also shared with your daughter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaZl1RrTnco

3. Suddenly By: Billy Ocean
This is the perfect song for your significant other. Billy romantically pores out his love for his girl. This song will bring you back to your first love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWaqauMk5ts

4. You Raise Me Up By: Josh Groban
Play this song anytime you are feeling down or depressed. It will literally “raise you up.” This song will give you inspiration to move mountains and do anything in the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VqRlO3wa1A

5. Because You Loved Me By: Celine Dion
This song will make you think of that one person in your life that has always been there for you. Celine will give you chills as you listen to this cheesy song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CkKuA86Mis

6. Hero By: Mariah Carey
This song will show you that there is a hero inside of each of us, just waiting to come out. You will find that you can be a hero to anyone if you just have the strength to try.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLC73DB7jE8

7. What a Wonderful World By: Louis Armstrong
This song teaches us that truly we live in a great world. Sometimes we all need to be reminded of this, because we all go through hard times, some so hard that we can’t remember when this world was wonderful. Next time you feel thins, just play this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc

8. This is my Now By: Jordin Sarks
This song teches you to live in the moment and reach for your dreams. It shows to live in the "now." It will inspire you to leave your dreams behind you and follow your dreams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OyD_ZfqXXw

9. Time of My Life By David Cook
"Time of My Life" was my high school graduation song. It teaches you to live out loud your life. It is very inspirational to anyone at any age to do best with the life they are given.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKTMAQKimeY&NR=1

10. God Bless the Broken Road By: Rascal Flatts
This is one last romantic song. This song shows how is was a long broken road to finding his true love. Maybe after hearing this one, you will find your true love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkWGwY5nq7A

The positive Side of Television

Television is looked at from many parents as a monster, eating at children’s minds and hearts. Some parent’s have even gone so far to not allow their kids to even watch television. But, I feel that it had a greater positive impact on me, rather than negative. I know I learned a lot about different cultures, how to react to different situations, and even school lessons through the TV, just to name a few. I think that people should realize the fact that television might be better for their children than they might first think. The three television shows that stand out the most in my childhood are Arthur, Sesame Street, and Full House.
I loved the show Arthur as a child, and honestly, I might not mind watching it still today. I truly feel that I learned a lot of life lessons from that show. Sure, the show was really about an aardvark, but I felt that I really related well to him. I was the same age as Arthur when I first started watching it. I remember Arthur being put in different situations and often learning the hard way how to respond. I can specifically remember Arthur learning how to react to a new “strange” kid at school. I remember him interacting with his friends and me thinking how I do some of the same things with my friends. I also specifically remember Arthur dealing with his rotten sister, DW. I felt like I had several DWs in my life and I tried to do what Arthur did to deal with them. I know I made some decisions as a young person by what I thought Arthur would do. Arthur defiantly influenced my behavior as a child.
The second show I know that made an impact on my childhood was Sesame Street. I know children, like me, can learn a lot of things from learning shows like Sesame Street. I remember my Grandmother turning it on for me every day before I was in school and she babysat me. I know I learned some of the alphabet and numbers from Mr. Count and Elmo. Those songs were just so catchy. I also remember learning about different cultures from Sesame Street, because they often showed children from around the country and world. I learned about cultures such as Hispanic, Latino, and African American. I would have never known about them without television, because the lovely town of Owensboro does not have much culture diversity. The show has taught me many different things that I will continue to carry with me my whole life.
The final show I remember as a child is Full House. I believe this show truly taught me what a family is, and how it does not always have to be what most would call, “traditional.” I learned that not every family has a mother, and sometimes other people can be considered family, even though they are not blood related. I also related well to having some crazy family members like Joey in the show; I have a few “Joeys” in my own family. Full House is still one of my favorite shows because it is good, clean, and funny show. Even though it is not said to be a children’s show, you never have to worry about something unacceptable coming on it. I learned a lot from the show Full House.
I honestly believe that I would not be the person I am today without television. Shows like Arthur, Sesame Street, and Full House have taught me many different lessons that apply to me life today. I hope parent’s will look at the TV in a better light and see that you can also use it as a learning tool for your children. Television can teach a lot to eager young people like I was as a child. Television is not a monster if used in the right light.

Hi! My name is Jessica Thrasher and I am a freshman at the University of Southern Indiana. I am an elementary education major from Owensboro, KY. I am writing this blog for my English 101. Have a great day! :)