Thanks to all who attended and supported the Fall Fun Festival at Bowling Green’s Prairie’s Edge. Thanks to Tonya and her staff for all the hard work and organization that goes into this awesome event!

I hope you had a chance to hear Jane Gartman on KJFM on Monday morning as she promoted the October 4th Relay for Life which is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.  Jane and her team have put in hours of organization to honor those who have passed and those who may still be in the battle against cancer. From food trucks to bingo, from raffles to silent auction, plus speakers and luminaries, this Relay for Life was packed with opportunities to help support the fight against cancer. I’m told this Relay for Life program was a huge event in Pike County for 40 years till 2017. Jane has caught the vision to resurrect the amazing support in the fight against cancer. Thanks to all who have donated items, time, sponsorships, and abilities for this greatly needed event!

I have been writing a lot about preparing Bowling Green for the future and what may be needed down the road. Vision and action are ingredients that will need to take place sooner rather than later. However, I am not ignoring the present needs and desires of you citizens and the City! We have such great potential and possibilities for the present and the future. Contractors have stepped up to the plate in the construction of much needed housing. Business owners have expanded their inventories, built additions to their existing structures, and initiated new ideas and endeavors. Infrastructure has and will continue to be upgraded and improved along with features like the new splash pad in the park. Added picnic tables and trash cans at the main park and a new pavilion at the Barb Allison Park are all plans to improve opportunities for you citizens. We are a town with outstanding innovation! Let’s put our visions and dreams to work! Let’s mentor our younger generation to one day take over and advance our current businesses, services, industry, manufacturing, entertainment, recreation, and health care! Let’s keep, invite back, and grow our Bowling Green graduates to invest in our fabulous community. This will require work on our stakeholders’ part to make Bowling Green attractive and profitable enough to bring home or keep our Bowling Green High School graduates who need good paying jobs, activity, entertainment, housing, and social opportunities!

Our United States of America celebrates its 250-anniversary next year along with Route 66 celebrating its 100th anniversary. Route 66 was called the “Mother Road” because it was built in 1926 and was the first highway system that covered 317 miles and went through several states. So much great heritage in our country and in Bowling Green. Take time to appreciate our American history and all that has gone into the development of what is defined as a “RUPUBLIC.”