The Fair, as usual, is held the second half of August every year in Louisville, Kentucky. The dates for this year are August 16 through August 26.

Although August seems to be many moons away, it is actually only slightly more than three months down the road. Furthermore, show entry forms for livestock, crafts, arts, gardening, culinary arts, and virtually all other areas have a deadline of mid-July.

Should you wish to obtain the omnipotent Kentucky State Fair manual/entry handbook, contact the Fair Board at KFECEntry@ksfb.ky.gov, or visit the website at www.kystatefair.org. The mailing address is P.O. 37130, Louisville, KY 40233.

Perhaps you wish to visit the Fair and not compete in any categories. Be sure and mark your calendars for August 16 through the 26th! It would also be a great idea to book rooms at this time to avoid sell outs and potential price hikes.

The entrepreneurs (a husband, wife, and mother team) offer handmade jewelry, fine manufactured jewelry, handmade crafts and novelties, and various souvenirs. Furthermore, and most intriguing to this visitor, is the walk-in humidor which offers a full variety of fine cigars.

If one is hungry, The Happy Monkey has a chuckwagon delicatessen and cafe, where handmade sandwiches on absolutely decadent hoagie rolls are more than sufficient to fulfill most appetites.  Top off your meal with a fresh baked pastry and a cup of coffee or cappucino. The after dinner cigar or cigarette, both available here, are obviously up to the visitor!

Before you leave, be sure and obtain your fishing supplies: live crickets, minnows, and other live bait are available, along with general fishing gear and various bobbers or hooks to replace any errant ones snagged that morning in a tree!�

The Happy Monkey is located at 1293 Lone Valley Road in Campbellsville, adjacent to the entrance to Green River Lake State Park.� A renovated old barn/milking parlor was transformed into this comprehensive country store; hence, it is easily identified by its rustic exterior and facade. The phone number is 270-465-7191.  Hours are 6:30 a.m. through 9:00 p.m., although they are often open until 11:00 p.m. on holiday weekends.�

When you visit, tell 'em Carla sent you!

     A snack bar is available, offering an efficient selection of sandwiches, chips, nachos, sweets, and drinks. 

     For more information, call Carla at 270-789-3459, Stephanie at 270-469-5410, or Todd at  270-789-8081. 

     One must call to schedule an appointment for a tour.  (270) 465-8726 or (270) 465-1548, 112 Kensenton Way, Campbellsville.

     Mom and Pop establishments, also known as country restaurants, rarely advertise outside their "small ponds," largely due to ample clientele.   Such quality eateries need no extra advertising due to the quality of their food and atmosphere; furthermore, they become coffee and social hang outs -- as well as eating establishments -- for many town regulars.   Orville's is exactly such an establishment.  This medium-sized restaurant lies on the southern edge of Campbellsville at 402 S. South Central Avenue and Walnut Street.   This is the same road which becomes Hwy. 70 towards Mannsville and the Elkhorn Bridge area.   

     For those of us who are somewhere between ages 12 and 55, a very fulfilling noon meal of one entrée, three vegetables, and bread may be obtained for under $5.00.  Add a drink and tip, and one may dine quite comfortably for under $7.00.   However, steak, limited seafood, and other pricier items are available for under $10.00 per meal, not including the beverage.  One may also dine in the evening for sparsely more money, and a limited children's menu is available, including grill items.  There is one senior citizen promotional endeavor held on Tuesdays, but it is this writer's opinion that the promotion is not an endeavor to build business; it is essentially a benevolent community outreach that provides a home cooked, tasty meal to any senior citizen over age 55.   Any such privileged citizen may select one meat entrée and two vegetables for under $3.00, and this includes a free dessert, although the drink is not included in this price.  The dessert menu is ample, with various homemade pies, cobblers, and hand-dipped ice cream.

     The only deficit that I have encountered on occasion has been slow service, usually due to volume of business, which is a typical pitfall of most any restaurant.    A few of the employees and management could use a few improved interpersonal skills as well, but nevertheless, it is well worth the trip and the money.  Orville's phone number is (270) 789-2568. 

     Library buffs who are closer to the Columbia and Adair County area have access to a wonderful library hosted by several helpful and benevolent employees.    My favorite portion of the library is the books on tape or CD section, which has practically become an addiction for my travels!  The Adair County Library has recently added a very pleasant and inviting reading area, complemented by coffee and snacks with a donation cup nearby.  This seating area offers some cushy chairs and a "coffee" table in its midst.    The Adair County Library offers myriad literary, technical, video, and audio materials, including internet usage with the typical usage parameters.   "Bookmo-Bill" --- the genial bookmobile maestro so appropriately nicknamed since his given name is Bill --- is a bright spot of personality in anyone's day.   A trip down the stairs and along an artistically painted wall will take a visitor to the children's library area, which is equipped with small tables and desks to accommodate juvenile readers.   The library also hosts research materials for the many genealogy buffs seeking more information about their lineage.    The Adair County Library is easily found on Greensburg Square, within ¼ mile of the town square.   The phone number is 270-384-2472; the mailing address is 307 Greensburg Street, Columbia, Kentucky  42728.    

    A vigilant shopper might find a slightly used pair of leather shoes for under $5, or a collector may  find that perfect fine piece of China or glassware - the one needed to replace that errantly shattered one missing from the valued home collection --- for a fraction of regular retail.   Depression era glassware abounds, as does gently used clothing for all ages, toys, tools, videos and DVD's.    A shopper will also encounter valuable or costume jewelry, vintage items, new hardware, crafts, and even food products such as canned jellies, jams, and packaged nuts and candies. 

         The Campbellsville Peddler's Mall is open Mondays through Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 8 p.m., and even Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.  The phone number is 270-465-0236.  Be sure and budget plenty of time to browse a market wherein you most likely will not need a lot of money to buy loads of items!