EKU Alumni Coliseum…read more I've spent many a happy hour inside the Eastern Kentucky University Alumni Coliseum! I return to visit as often as I am able. I always call it the arena. Starting in 1968 I saw music concerts that are historic now. In the early 70's I saw the Temptations, The Spinners, Earth Wind and Fire, and more. I can't remember all the shows now. I've tried to find a list of the shows at the EKU Coliseum but haven't located a list yet. I hope they have historical information. I attended other shows I'm sure and probably a basketball game. I'm not much of a basketball fan. I spent a lot of time swimming in the pool. Since my friends and family still live in the area I visit when I go to Richmond. I'm giving it Five Stars because I've never been disappointed. I hope other people can have the happy memories after their time spent at the Alumni Coliseum. If you live nearby like I did you know about the activities offered in this beautiful old venue. A little history: Built in 1963, the Paul S. McBrayer Arena located inside Alumni Coliseum, is capable of seating around 6,500 people in both chair-back seats and on wooden benches (8,000 for concerts) arranged in a horseshoe shape, facing a wall at the right side of the arena where staging is usually set up for events. The arena's ceiling is made completely of wooden beams and is believed to be the largest of its kind in existence. It was named for the former EKU Men's Basketball Coach Paul McBrayer who compiled a record of 219-144.

My review of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is focused on their athletic amenities. I visited…read moreEKU to attend the State Track Meet for Special Olympics of Kentucky and was mostly pleased with what they offer. It's a nice looking campus and features a number of older buildings mixed with some newer ones. There's also plenty of green space. EKU Athletics features the Roy Kidd Football Stadium as well as outdoor track facilities; softball and baseball fields; an indoor basketball arena; and a natatorium. Although EKU offers all these options, most of their facilities are outdated/worndown and arena-style seating is limited (example: there was only about 10 rows of bleacher-style seating at the track field). Still, EKU is a good option for sporting events!

Berea College is a campus I spent a lot of time visiting during the ten years I lived in the…read moreAppalachian Region of Eastern Kentucky. It's a beautiful campus that I love to visit when I return to Kentucky to see my family. The art and music buildings were always my favorite. It's gorgeous in all four seasons. There's food and shops on campus that I will review separately. Berea College caters to the residents of Kentucky when they admit students. It's a very small college and if you are admitted it's a privilege in my opinion. I'm a huge fan of the college and I have friends that have attended. I spent every weekend in Berea with my friends for at least two years. The town offers nothing. If you want activities they are usually on campus. Like many small Kentucky college towns the college is the heart of their social and economic growth. If you want a good dose of Kentucky Culture visit this wonderful campus.

Hands down one of the best colleges in this country. I could bitch about the food (er, although it…read morewas better than my cooking) or the long hours I put in on my labor assignment. But I won't because that's not what it was all about. 4 years of the best education that money CAN'T buy. Safe and comfortable, although not fancy, dormitories. Small classes. Professors that knew me and my interests and my ideas. Lively discussions. A close-knit student body with very varied interests. A Gay-straight alliance and Baptist Student Union that worked together. A work assignment that made me good money and taught me a lot of about bad bosses, good co-workers and responsibility. A fully paid year-long trip to Asia. Sponsorship for an internship in the Caribbean. One of the most unique colleges ever.

Attached to the local college, this lunch restaurant and farmer's market is quite prominent, with a…read moresubstantial-looking building that's hard to miss driving by. They sell products of the students' work, and I'm always struck by how underutilized Kentucky farm land seems to be relative to the food people actually eat here. The winter selection was modest, as one might expect, with greens, root vegetables, and mushrooms for sale, and a couple of hot lunch options and baked goods. Their chickpea dish was fine; nothing special but a decent lunch. Adding a cake pop was tasty; despite the semi-sweet chocolate flavor it was still definitely sweet. There was a lunch rush, and I imagine the locals fill the place up often.

I am really impressed with this store. It bears all the harvest from the hard-working students of…read moreBerea College. All the meat sold in the store comes from the locally-grown cows and pigs. As a matter of fact, just about everything that is sold in the store comes from local farms that are worked by students from Berea College. Of course, there were various types of fruits and vegetables, grains sold in bulk, some dairy (cheese and ice cream) and soaps and cleaners. Different types of sandwiches are sold daily (Tuesday -Saturday) and the store was having a plant sale on the day that I visited. I really like the concept of students working and learning a skill as they attend school to get a degree. I cant say enough good things about this store. Its was very clean, the workers were friendly. Some prices were reasonable and some (soaps and cleaners) were maybe a bit high. But higher prices are expexlcted when supply is low. Certainly, I would support this store in the future.

Small town Americana...life in the 50's. The heart of town is Boone Tavern, surrounded by local and…read morecollege stores. College students run the tavern. If you are old, and dreamed of college, this would be it. Brick dorms and green space. A kinder, gentler time. I've been visiting for 40 plus years. It never changes.

I met Michelle thru the Berea Make It, Take It program. I'd been in the shop before and got the…read morefeeling that I would like to work with her. When I found out that she was doing a class when I would be able to attend, I signed up before I even knew what we would make! I came out with a beautiful ornament and little blown glass vase. The shop is tidy and full of fun trinkets to look at...I *love* the sea themed items! Her jellyfish paperweights are probably my favorite but she does seasonal work as well with pumpkins and holiday ornaments. The class is great for an introduction to glass working in a hot shop. I appreciated Michelle's explanations & confidence in my abilities...she let me be creative and I had even more fun because of that! If you are in the Old Town area, definitely swing by for a look and check in with the Berea Tourism calendar if you are interested in classes.

The Madison Southern Boosters hosted one of KDCO's Regional competitions at this location. The…read morebuilding was spacious enough to host all of the dance teams that were competing, however teams had to share classrooms (make shift dressing rooms). The competition was right on schedule until the sound system went down. Eventually, the system issues were fixed. The Boosters selected a variety of vendors, yummy concessions, and friendly volunteers.

I was pretty sick during the KDCO dance competition held here, but my experience was decent. The…read moregym was large enough to hold everyone, but the sound system went out several times. Also, the teams had to share dressing rooms. That was a first time experience for me. The concession stand offered some decent snacks and the volunteers were really nice.

Large football stadium and that's all I got on this one folks cause I only went to the stadium.read more