Braxton McCoy, left, and NaTaya Lightfoot, both members of the Glasgow/ Barren County Boys and Girls Club, make pizza during a field trip stop at FAB Studios and Catering on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
GLASGOW, Ky. – Seeking the gems of a community may seem difficult when the scuffle of life gets in the way, but students from the Boys and Girls Club were given the chance on Tuesday to see some of Barren County’s gems.
MacLean Lessenberry, executive director of the Barren County Tourism Commission, and Angela Briggs, a representative with the Glasgow/ Barren County Boys and Girls Club, worked together to plan a day trip for several children.
The children visited several locations across Barren County to observe aspects of the community that many natives fail to see, Lessenberry said.
“And a lot of times, locals don’t experience these things anyway because we’re not tourists, and we kind of forget everything we have here,” Lessenberry said.
Lessenberry said one of her priorities has been to increase locals’ awareness of the culture and sites in the area.
“Any time we can do anything community based, we’re glad to do it,” Lessenberry said.
Students visited the Urban Den, where they made homemade hand sanitizers with essential oils.
Carsen Inman, owner and operator of the Urban Den, worked with the children to select their favorite scents. She mixed the oils with rubbing alcohol and gave the students their own bottles.
One of the children on the trip Tuesday was NaTaya Lightfoot, 9, of Glasgow. She said she enjoys trips with the club.
“I liked to make the hand sanitizer because of COVID, and we’ll need a lot of hand sanitizer so we won’t get the COVID,” Lightfoot said.
She picked peppermint oil to include in her sanitizer.
Students also visited the newest addition to downtown – a mural.
Many were surprised to learn about the mural’s creation. A brief photo shoot was held in front of the mural.
Peggy and Sandy Bates, owners and operators of FAB Studios and Catering, provided the students with a pizza bar. Each student was able to make a pizza, which was then baked at the studio.
“Making the pizza was really good,” Lightfoot said. “It was messy – a lot. And I think it’s going to turn out good.”
Lighfoot said her pizza included banana peppers, pepperonis, sausage and cheese.
The group wrapped up the afternoon at Jelly Stone Park in Cave City, which was a wet end to the day.
Lessenberry said her mission lies in creating a bridge between tourism and those interacting with it.
“That’s part of my job – educate them in that,” Lessenberry said. “Also, I think, to educate our tourism attractions and how they can get involved in the community. That’s a really symbiotic relationship, either way. I think it’s great for everyone. I’m excited for the kids.”
