Mother’s Day 1984, I graduated along with 135 classmates from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. When I write down that year it seems like a long time ago. However, a gathering of classmates one September weekend in 2019 for our 35th Class Reunion erased all the time in between.
I traveled from my home in San Diego to Louisville (pronounced Lou-A-Vu y’all). The Colonel greeted me at the airport. Where ever I traveled in the world while I lived in Kentucky, the immediate response to my answer of “Where are your from?” was Oh, Kentucky Fried Chicken. Of course, Louisville has much more to offer. Over the weekend, I took in a few of my favorite attractions including a trip to Churchill Downs and Bourbon tasting.
I joined Dr. Kathleen Fitch and her husband Jim Waters for an afternoon tour of Angel’s Envy Distillery right on Main Street in downtown Louisville. An amazing experience that I highly recommend if you enjoy bourbon. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail doubled to 15 destinations since my 30th reunion. At the rate of one per reunion, I will never complete my “passport” that requires stamps from each one. Of course by the time of my next visit, I expect more additions to the list that will make a passport completion a moving target.
The Distillery is part of the revitalization of Louisville. The Med School sits on the eastern side of downtown. During our med school days in the early 1980s downtown resembled an abandoned city. Now it’s vibrant and happening. We boast that our classmate Dr. Alexandra Gerassimides is First Lady of Louisville. Her husband, Greg Fischer is in his third term as Mayor. His vision and hard work fostered investment and growth in the city.
I love Louisville! My “medical” birthplace.
