🌱 Hometown Top Gun Pilot Visits + Teacher Wins Lighthouse Award

Hello all. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Bowling Green Patch newsletter — here to impart everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Hazy sun. High: 83 Low: 54.
• Saturday: Sunny and pleasant. High: 85 Low: 59.

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Here are the top three stories today in Bowling Green:

1. During a visit to the Capitol Theater, former South Warren High School graduate Jacob “Atlas” Vaughan, who excelled in baseball, football, and bowling, as well as being an alumnus of Western Kentucky University, was recognized as a top gun pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard flying F-16 jets. Despite initially not planning to follow in his father's footsteps, a couple of knee surgeries and reflecting on a childhood photo inspired him to pursue a career in aviation. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed enjoyment despite the challenges of early training and advised aspiring pilots to strive for well-roundedness. (wnky.com)
2. A first-year teacher at Bristow Elementary School has won the inaugural Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Lighthouse Award. Avery Wilmurth, a fourth-grade ELA teacher, was one of 10 recipients across the country awarded for extraordinary work in and out of the classroom. Wilmurth, her mother, and some of her fellow teachers are receiving an all-expense paid trip to Orlando, Florida, where Wilmurth will receive her award. (WBKO)
3. The Cardinal Motel in Bowling Green, known for its iconic red bird statue, has reopened its doors after surviving the destructive tornadoes of 2021. Despite the devastation caused by the tornadoes, the motel and its beloved red cardinal statue remained standing. Now fully rebuilt, the motel offers 20 rooms and is situated in the downtown area of Bowling Green, providing a convenient location for guests. (wnky.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Bowling Green:

Friday, June 9

• Wired For Good Concert And Festival At Soky Fairgrounds (5:00 PM)

Saturday, June 10

• Eats & Beats Music Festival At Circus Square Park (4:00 PM)
• Points For Puppets Tennis Tournament At Michael Buchanon Park (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Downing Museum is hosting the "Feast Your Eyes: The Art of Food" exhibit for Duncan Hines Days! The museum's exhibit features unusual artwork focused on food, including pieces from local artists and the late Joe Downing. (WKNY)
• The Bowling Green Hot Rods moved closer to a playoff spot with a 7-2 win over Winston-Salem on Wednesday. The win takes the Hot Rods over the .500 mark with a 25-24 record in the South Atlantic League. The team is on a hot streak and is only two games behind division leaders Greenville and Winston-Salem. (BG Daily News)
• Mellow Mushroom unveiled two special menu items to celebrate Duncan Hines Days. The Hot Brown Smackdown Pizza is inspired by the famous sandwich, featuring beer cheese, turkey, ham, and a mushroom soup base. For dessert, enjoy a brownie sundae with vanilla bean ice cream and dark chocolate truffle sauce! (Mellow Mushroom via Facebook)

That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.