Saddle up, gentlemen of the Bluegrass State! Welcome to the third edition of the Kentucky Dude. We want to pause and thank each of you for subscribing and sharing this newsletter with other Dudes, because we’re growing!

In case you missed last week’s edition; give it a read.

Are you thirsty for a potent cocktail of family values, sports thrills, bourbon wisdom, community spirit, personal growth, and outdoor adventures? Well, pour yourself a glass of the good stuff, kick back in your favorite recliner, and get ready for a wild ride through the heart of Kentucky living, Dude.

Before we proceed, let’s make sure you have a heartbeat.

Dad Joke of the Week

What did the football say to the quarterback?

(scroll to the end for the answer)  

Family First

A Day at the Races: A Kentucky Tradition

A Timeless Kentucky Experience

There's something truly magical about a day at the races. The competition's thrill, the horses' elegance, and the electric atmosphere create an unforgettable experience. As a Kentuckian, I've been fortunate to witness firsthand the excitement and pageantry of our state's rich horse racing heritage.

A Family Affair

A day at the races isn't just about the sport; it's about creating lasting memories with loved ones. Whether you're a seasoned horse racing enthusiast or a newcomer, Churchill Downs or Keeneland offers a variety of activities to engage the whole family.

Drag Your Kids to the Track (Trust Me On This One)

• Better Than Any iPad: Watch real-life horses thunder past at 40 mph. Trust me, even TikTok can't compete with that.

• History Made Fun: Meet horses with weird names who became legends. Did you know Secretariat ran so fast he broke the track clock? True story.

• Dress-Up Time: Break out the fancy hats and bow ties. It's like a Kentucky costume party where adults look sillier than the kids.

Here's a kid-friendly explanation of basic horse betting:

Think of Win, Place, Show like getting a medal at the Olympics 🏅

• Win (gold medal) - Your horse needs to finish 1st, pays the money

• Place (silver medal) - Your horse can finish 1st OR 2nd, pays less than a Win bet, but hey, better odds!

• Show (bronze medal) - Your horse can finish 1st, 2nd, OR 3rd, pays the least, but most likely to give you something to celebrate

Where to Go: Churchill Downs or Keeneland - both are kid-approved

Bottom line: Where else can your family wear crazy hats, scream at horses, and call it a cultural experience? Just don't blame me when they ask for a pony for Christmas.

Sports Central

Kentucky football has a history of awfulness. As fans grapple with another disappointing season, questions arise about the program's future direction. Is it time for a change at the helm, or should we continue to support the current regime? With a talented (questionable) roster and a dedicated fanbase, Kentucky football has the potential to rise to greater heights. Significant improvements are needed to break the recent cycle of mediocrity.

Robinson's Rain of Terror: 8 Threes Drown Minnesota State

The standout stat from this game is Kentucky’s impressive shooting performance, especially from three-point range. Jaxson Robinson led the way, making 8 of his 13 three-point attempts, contributing to Kentucky’s overall 13-for-37 shooting from beyond the arc. His scoring efficiency played a significant role in Kentucky’s commanding 98-67 victory over Minnesota State.

🏈 Football High School Rankings

Here's a quick look at the top-ranked high school football teams in Kentucky across the different divisions as of 10/21/24 from Sports Illustrated (computer generated).

Region 1A

Region 2A

Region 3A

Region 4A

Region 5A

Region 6A

Bourbon & Brews

Y'all Put Down That Summer Shandy - Fall's Calling! 🍺

Let's face it - when the leaves start turning and the flannels come out, drinking a Summer Shandy is like wearing flip-flops to a hayride. Awkward. Time to embrace those cozy fall vibes with some Kentucky craft brews that'll put a swagger in your step and warm your belly like a bourbon blanket.

Speaking of bourbon (because this is Kentucky, and when are we NOT speaking of bourbon?), we've got a killer story about that too. But first, let's talk about what's brewing in the Bluegrass...

Our local beer wizards have been busy cooking up some autumn magic. We're talking brews that taste like your grandma's pumpkin pie got friendly with a wheat beer, and porters dark enough to make a moonless night jealous.

Here's what's worth loosening your flannel for...

Lexington

• Ethereal Brewing Company: Known for their experimental brews, Ethereal’s “Sex Panther - Kolsch Style Ale” is super crushable style, originating in Cologne, Germany. Perfect for the anticipation of Fall and Oktoberfest. The name is a reference you know if you know, Cheers!

• Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company: This historic brewery offers a “Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale”, a barrel-aged ale brewed with Kentucky-sourced pumpkin, richly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, that hits the spot.  

Louisville

• Against the Grain Brewery: This Louisville staple consistently releases seasonal beers. Keep an eye out for their pumpkin ales and winter warmers.

• Goodwood Brewing Company: Goodwood is now offering their version of “Oktoberfest”, a traditional Marzen rich in malt with a balance of clean, hop bitterness.

• Falls City Brewing Company: A Louisville classic, Falls City’s year-round “Moon Fuel” is a coffee stout that gives a bold, robust chocolate flavor with a complex layer of sweet and dry espresso flavor. Perfect for cooler temperatures!  

Other Notable Kentucky Breweries

• West Sixth Brewing Company: Is it too early for Christmas? Perhaps for decorations but not for West Sixth’s “Christmas Ale”. Offering a big and bold winter warmth with a dark, sweet, and complex malt character complimented by an array of spices with orange peel, nutmeg, and cinnamon coming to the forefront. Merry Christmas!

• Country Boy Brewing: This Kentucky brewery is known for its creative and flavorful beers, including their “Oktoberfest” (with country flavors) and “Nate’s Coffee Stout”.

Beyond the Borders

Are Zombies real? True or False?

The concept of zombies originated in Haitian folklore and West African traditions, where they were believed to be reanimated corpses brought back to life through magic, often under the control of a sorcerer or "bokor." These undead beings were not monsters in the sense we think of today, but rather tragic figures, robbed of their free will and forced to labor. The term "zombi" in Haitian Creole derived from the Kongo word "nzambi," meaning "spirit of a dead person."

Zombies began to capture Western imagination in the early 20th century, with films like White Zombie (1932) introducing voodoo and reanimated corpses to American audiences. However, it was George A. Romero’s 1968 film Night of the Living Dead that transformed zombies into the flesh-eating monsters we know today. Romero’s zombies were not created by magic but by mysterious radiation, and they symbolized societal fears of the time, from consumerism to nuclear threats.

Since then, zombies have become an enduring pop culture phenomenon, evolving alongside society's anxieties. The 2000s saw a resurgence in zombie fiction, with films like 28 Days Later and shows like The Walking Dead (Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore, two Cynthiana natives are the creator and artist of this comic book series turned sci-fi TV show), as zombies became metaphors for pandemics and mass infection. In today’s world, zombies are versatile symbols, representing everything from mindless conformity to apocalyptic scenarios. While the Haitian origins are often forgotten, the modern zombie continues to capture imaginations, embodying our deepest fears of death, loss of control, and societal collapse.

Man on the Move

Every setback is a lesson, and every win is just a step along the way. The real power lies in resilience—the courage to pick yourself up, learn, and push forward no matter what. Whether you're facing a tough week or hitting a stride, remember that growth comes from the grit to keep moving. Progress isn’t a destination; it’s a mindset.

Outdoor Life & Fitness

🦌 Hunting Forecast and Moon Phase for Halloween Week

As Halloween approaches, the waning crescent moon will cast a dim glow on the landscape, providing ideal conditions for nighttime hunting. This reduced moonlight can increase deer activity, especially in pre and early rut phases. Bucks will be more active, seeking out does and establishing dominance. Look for increased signs of rubs, scrapes, and buck tracks.

🐟 Fishing Tips: Hooking Kentucky Bass as Temperatures Drop in November

In November, Kentucky's cooler temperatures make it a prime time to target bass, especially largemouth and smallmouth. As the water cools, bass tend to move to deeper waters near points, ledges, and drop-offs. Try using a jig or a deep-diving crankbait to reach them. Slow your retrieval, as the fish are less aggressive in colder water. Focus on Lake Cumberland or Kentucky Lake—they’re known hotspots for late fall bass.

💪🏼 Fitness in Kentucky: The Power of Mind-Muscle Connection

Many people struggle to get the most out of their workouts because they’re not effectively engaging the target muscles. Studies show that focusing mentally on specific muscles during an exercise can enhance muscle activation and improve contractions.

The “mind-muscle connection” is a technique where you focus on the muscle you’re working. This intentional focus can lead to greater muscle fiber activation and can help you feel and control the contraction better, which is key to maximizing growth and strength. By visualizing the muscle as it contracts and stretches, you heighten neural activity, which can boost the intensity and quality of each rep. Studies have shown that simply thinking about engaging a muscle can increase its activation by up to 20%, especially for smaller muscle groups.

To practice, choose a lighter weight and slowly perform the movement, focusing on the target muscle. As you go through the motion, think about squeezing the muscle at its peak contraction point, holding briefly, and then lowering with control. This approach helps you tune into weaker muscle areas, ensuring even growth and enhanced form. Over time, building this mental habit can lead to noticeable gains in strength and muscle definition, all while reducing the risk of injury.

Dad Joke of the Week: Answer

I'm getting tired of being passed around! 🥚

Our Bluegrass Handshake Deal, Fellas

We'll keep serving up your weekly shot of Kentucky living, free of charge. You spread the word faster than bourbon at a tailgate if you're digging it. Deal? Tip your hat and forward to a buddy using this link: (Forward to a friend)

P.S. Remember, a Kentucky gentleman's word is as good as a winning Derby ticket!

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