Five Things You Need To Know About The Kentucky - Duke Rivalry
Tonight, the University of Kentucky Men's Basketball Team takes the court against the Duke Blue Devils. For many of us, this is a game fueled by intense rivalry, which makes it rather surprising that this will only be the twenty-first time the teams have met over the span of eighty-five years.
As we count down to tip-off, here are a few must-know trivia tidbits to fuel your #BBN obsession. Go Big Blue!
The Atlanta City Auditorium, site of the 1930 Southern Conference Championship.
1. The Kentucky-Duke rivalry spreads over eighty-five years. The teams first met in March 1930 in Atlanta, at the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament.Duke won that game, 37-32. (Duke went on to lose to Alabama in the finals.)
2. The teams have met twenty times: Kentucky has won 11 of those games, while Duke has won 9.
3. The record for most points scored by a single player in a Duke-Kentucky game is held by UK legend Jack "Goose" Givens in the 1978 National Championship Game. Givens scored 41 points, including 18 fields goal.
4. Kentucky holds 8 National Championship Titles; Duke has 5.
5. The 1992 East Regional Final game is remembered by most Kentucky fans as perhaps the most painful loss to Duke. The 104-103 overtime Blue Devils win included Christian Laettner's memorable technical foul against Aminu Timberlake and that last shot -- you know the one, because the Worldwide Leader shows it a thousand times every spring -- well, you know how it ended.
Louisville's French Connection
A look at some of the symbols and stories of French influence in Louisville, KY.
Over the past few days, we've all been thinking of France. The recent tragedies in Paris have been in our hearts and on our minds. Here in Louisville, our city reflects French heritage in so many aspects of our everyday lives. Fleurs de lis adorn everything, we sip whiskey that carries the name of a French ruling house, and our city itself bears the name of a French monarch. In fact, our city was French well before it was a city or even part of Kentucky: the Falls of the Ohio were once home to an outpost of La Belle, France.
Among the earliest settlers of the areas now known as Louisville, KY and New Albany, IN were second-and third-generation American-born French, the descendants of Hugenots who had fled France in the late 17th century to avoid religious persecution. These adventurers followed René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle's expedition into the area. The next wave of French settlers included by the French military forces who'd allied themselves with American troops during the Revolutionary War. A third group of French settlers were members of the clergy and nobility who fled the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century, settling in the commercial areas known as Shippingport and Portland. The strong ties between early Americans and the French are still reflected in the heritage and branding of modern Louisville.
Fleur de Lis
When the city of Louisville was founded by George Rogers Clark in 1778, legend tells us, he carried a French naval flag bearing three fleurs de lis; until the consolidation of the Louisville metro area, our city's flag included three fleurs de lis as well. The fleur de lis icon -- the stylized lily that represents nobility in French heraldry -- is visible all over Louisville as a symbol of our city.
King Louis XVI
The area now known as Kentucky was still part of Virginia in 1780, the year in which Louisville's town charter was approved. The Virginia General Assembly named the town in honor of King Louis XVI, whose soldiers were allied with American troops in the Revolutionary War. Although the French king soon fell out of favor with his own subjects, who overthrew the monarchy in 1791, the Derby City continues to honor a leader who assisted the United States' fight for independence. In 1967, Louisville's French sister city, Montpellier, presented the city with a statue of Louis XVI.
Bourbon
Louisville isn't the only Kentucky place whose name reflects the French monarchy. Bourbon County was first established as part of Virginia in 1785 in honor of Louis XVI, a member of the royal House of Bourbon. The present-day Central Kentucky Bourbon County reflects the historical county from which it was carved. Of course, Kentucky's bourbon county is recognized as the home of bourbon whiskey, that special concoction of corn, wheat, and limestone water for which Kentucky is famous.
Here's to the French settlers who made Louisville a distinctive and charming city. Salut, y'all!
Pink + Green Hearts + Polka Dots Quilt
Every Thursday, HerKentucky presents a Quilt of the Week. Over the years, my grandmother has made some absolutely stunning quilts for me; I love to photograph them and share their stories with y'all. This week's Quilt is a pink and green hearts and polka dots pattern. Several years ago, I was walking through the grocery store and saw a cute hearts pattern on a magazine cover.
Of course, my tastes run more toward jewel tones, Lilly Pulitzer-ish prints, and deeper pinks and greens than the magazine's example. My granny was able to work with colors she knows that I love, and the result couldn't be more stunning.
I absolutely love the sense of motion that the subtle paisleys and swirls add to the hearts.
Check out more Quilt of the Week posts here:
- Navy + Blue Bear Paw Quilt
- Orange + Green Halloween Quilt
- Pink + White Dresden Plate
- Blue + White Kentucky Wildcats
- Pink + White Double Wedding Ring
- Yellow + Green Grandmother's Flower Garden
- Pink + Green Plaid Butterfly
- Red + White Ohio Star
- Pink + White Kentucky Wildcats Patchwork
- Pink + Green Lilly Pulitzer Patchwork Quilt
The HerKentucky Guide to Jump-Starting Your Holiday Shopping in Louisville
'Tis the season to start your holiday shopping! If you're like me, every year you tell yourself that this is, absolutely, the year that you'll stay in budget and get the holiday shopping done early. Now, I can't guarantee the budget part, but there are plenty of events coming up in Louisville that will help you find unique holiday items now while shopping locally and supporting local causes.
- Anchal Holiday Trunk Show: I simply can't say enough good about the Anchal Project. This Louisville-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization provides former sex workers in India with a new beginning as an artisan. The Anchal Project transforms old saris into stunning textiles that are used for home goods and accessories. Their newest project is a series of gardens in Louisville's up-and-coming Portland neighborhood which will be used to provide sustainable, natural textile dyes. If you aren't already convinced, check out Anchal founder Colleen Clines' recent Creative Mornings talk, which was nothing short of inspirational. The Trunk Show will be held this Thursday, November 12th, at Whitehall Mansion & Gardens, 3110 Lexington Road.
- Temptations Holiday Boutique: Join a select group of Louisville-area business owners for a premiere local shopping event November 17th-19th at the Olmsted, 3701 Frankfort Avenue. Admission is free and open to the public; shoppers are encouraged to bring a 30" square scarf to donate to Hope Scarves, a St. Matthews-based nonprofit which provides scarves and stories of hope to female cancer survivors.
- Middletown Boutiques Holiday Open House: Join The Prickly Pear, Tunie's and Moss Hill Thursday night November 12th for shopping until 8, refreshments, and free gifts with purchases over $25.
- Festival of Trees and Lights: This volunteer-driven decor boutique features beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and assorted greenery. Area businesses and individuals show their support by sponsoring these trees, and creative designers generously bring them to life. Proceeds benefit Kosair Children's Hospital. This year's event will be held November 13th-15th at Slugger Field.
Happy shopping, y'all!
Make-a-Wish and #MacysBelieve present Reece's Wish
Today, my holidays got off to the most amazing start. I had the opportunity to meet a 13 year-old boy from here in Louisville who has set a pretty incredible goal for the holiday season.
Reece, a Make-a-Wish "Wish Kid," is working with Make-a-Wish and Macy's to serve as a Make-A-Wish kid Believe campaign ambassador. A couple of years ago, Reece was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His wish is to raise $1 million to help other kids battling cancer. Reece hopes the money he raises will go toward improving teen patient rooms and common areas at Kosair Children's Hospital; he also hopes to help grant more wishes to kids throughout Kentucky.
The eloquence and poise Reece displayed while being interviewed was inspiring. At a press conference held earlier today, Reece said he'd originally been on the Make-a-Wish list for a custom treehouse built by the Treehouse Guys, but he removed himself from the selection process, believing that other kids may be more deserving than he. He also said that his cousins had forgone birthday presents this year, asking instead for checks to go toward Reece's wish. How amazing is that? These kids have such a heart for service and giving. So far, Reece has raised more than $210,000 through local initiatives.
Today, Reece publicly announced his initiative with Macy's and Make-a-Wish.The Macy’s Believe campaign returns for the eighth year to celebrate the season’s spirit while benefitting Make-A-Wish. From November 6 through December 24, “Believers” of all ages can bring their stamped letters to Santa to their local Macy’s store or send a letter by visiting macys.com/believe. For each letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million, to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
New this year, Macy’s Wish Writer stylus and app are a fun way kids can learn the magic of giving through interactive games and write the most magical letters to Santa. Available at approximately 600 stores across the country and macys.com, the stylus can be purchased for $14.99 and $1 from each sale will go to Make-A-Wish.
Donate to “Reece’s Wish to Raise $1 Million” by visiting reecemakesawish.org, texting 80077 to give a $10 donation or by calling toll free (877) 206-9474. Make-A-Wish relies on the financial support of the local community to grant wishes. Currently, there are more than 150 eligible wish children in Kentucky. For more information on ways to help Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana, visit kentucky.wish.org or call 1-877-206-9474 and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @makeawishohkyin.
Navy + Blue Bear Paw Quilt
This week's Quilt of the Week is a navy and blue Bear Paw quilt. If you look closely, this is really just a variant of a nine-patch, but the addition of the triangular "claws" adds a sense of motion to the pattern. My granny made this one a few years ago for my beau. I think it's just beautiful.
If you want to try a Bear Paw quilt of your own, here's a downloadable pattern.
Check out more Quilt of the Week posts here:
HerKentucky Shops! Capes & Wraps for Autumn
This time of year, I'm obsessed with capes and wraps. They're the ultimate layering piece for days when drastic temperature changes require multiple costume changes. They dress up jeans or leggings; they pull an outfit together with a pop of color or a fun pattern.
This weekend at the Breeders' Cup, I was thrilled that I'd accessorized with a sweater-knit wrap -- it was cool and rainy trackside, but warm inside the Bourbon Lounge. I was so glad I'd seen this awesome Talbots piece on two of my very favorite Kentucky bloggers, Authentically Emmie and Seersucker + Saddles; it was the perfect piece for an awesome day of racing!
If you have all the money to spend on a cape and wrap collection, then I'd suggest Burberry, as their colors are simply dreamy...
There are lots of amazing capes to be found at a much more realistic price point.
Of course, your favorite local boutiques are always a great place to find the latest trends. I love this one from Monkee's of Lexington.
Monkee's also has a lookalike for SJP's amazing Burberry wrap -- you can even get your monogram!
And head to the Peppermint Palm in Lexington or Louisville for one of these adorable Lilly Pulitzer Harp Wraps. I have one, and can tell you that it's super-comfortable and functional!
