<body><div><p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Yje2g_0vm1NySD00" style="display:none" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Yje2g_0vm1NySD00" width="1000" height="563" ></p><p>Hey y’all — City Editor Aayat here. In case you missed it, this is the last newsletter I’ll be writing as a City Editor here at LEXtoday. My goal from the start, way back in February 2023, was to tell the stories that maybe readers hadn’t heard before. To investigate and answer questions that made Lexingtonians scratch their heads. And most importantly, to make <a class="Link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAD9nfUxp8t/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> some of y’all laugh </a> + learn something new. <br><br> As I transition to a new position, I wanted to look back at my time with LEXtoday and highlight some of my favorite stories. <br><br></p><figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-780000" name="image-780000"></a><source height="563" type="image/webp" width="1000"><source height="563" width="1000"><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4VMcHc_0vm1NySD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4VMcHc_0vm1NySD00" width="1000" height="563" ><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p> The project started here in Lexington, with large tapestries draped over the Old Fayette Co. Courthouse. | Photo courtesy of the I Was Here Project </p></figcaption></figure><h3 id="i-was-here-shines-a-light-on-neglected-history"><a class="Link" href="https://lextoday.6amcity.com/arts/i-was-here-project-lexington-ky" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> “I Was Here” shines a light on neglected history </a></h3> Curiosity has always been a driver for my work. Seeing these recognizable photographs around town led me to speak with artist Marjorie Guyon, whose homegrown idea has become a nationally renowned project. <br><br><figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-330000" name="image-330000"></a><source height="563" type="image/webp" width="1000"><source height="563" width="1000"><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0HsigF_0vm1NySD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0HsigF_0vm1NySD00" width="1000" height="563" ><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p> This historical plaque is located on the Madison County side of the ferry dock. | Photo by LEXtoday </p></figcaption></figure><h3 id="the-story-behind-kentuckys-oldest-operating-business"><a class="Link" href="https://lextoday.6amcity.com/valley-view-ferry-lexington-ky" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> The story behind Kentucky’s oldest operating business </a></h3> For years, I had heard about the tales of the free ferry that takes you from Lexington to Richmond — and finally became determined to see it for myself. Little did I know how much I would learn <a class="Link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxGJ_B7Oa7m/?hl=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> along the way </a> . <br><br><figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-200000" name="image-200000"></a><source height="563" type="image/webp" width="1000"><source height="563" width="1000"><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0bMupk_0vm1NySD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0bMupk_0vm1NySD00" width="1000" height="563" ><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p> The rounded arches throughout the property are inspired by bourbon barrels. | Photo by LEXtoday </p></figcaption></figure><h3 id="sneak-peek-lexingtons-newest-boutique-hotel"><a class="Link" href="https://lextoday.6amcity.com/sneak-peek-newest-boutique-hotel-lexington-ky" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> Sneak peek: Lexington’s newest boutique hotel </a></h3> City Editor Molly and I lived out our <a class="Link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtAA75DunVs/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> Wes Anderson dreams </a> at the opening of The Manchester. From the Art Deco-inspired rooftop bar Lost Palm to the Kentucky-centric eats at Granddam, this hotel is a must-see for Lexingtonians. <br><br><figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-180000" name="image-180000"></a><source height="563" type="image/webp" width="1000"><source height="563" width="1000"><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1E7d6N_0vm1NySD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1E7d6N_0vm1NySD00" width="1000" height="563" ><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p> Faulkner was known as an organic farmer and raised goats + rams. | Photo courtesy of John Hockensmith </p></figcaption></figure><h3 id="the-life-and-legacy-of-lgbtq-icon-henry-faulkner"><a class="Link" href="https://lextoday.6amcity.com/city/legacy-of-queer-icon-henry-faulkner-lexington-ky" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> The life and legacy of LGBTQ+ icon Henry Faulkner </a></h3> After speaking with Henry Faulkner’s friend, gallery owner, and mentee John Hockensmith, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Hockensmith has a way of sharing Faulkner’s history in a way that is both jovial and sentimental. <br><br><figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-580000" name="image-580000"></a><source height="563" type="image/webp" width="1000"><source height="563" width="1000"><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2C7Azo_0vm1NySD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2C7Azo_0vm1NySD00" width="1000" height="563" ><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p> The Pope Villa was designed by one of America’s first professional architects. | Photo courtesy of Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation </p></figcaption></figure><h3 id="help-rehabilitate-this-200-year-old-building"><a class="Link" href="https://lextoday.6amcity.com/real-estate/latrobe-pope-villa-lexington-ky" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> Help rehabilitate this 200-year-old building </a></h3> This neoclassical home, aka the Latrobe Pope Villa, took me on quite the journey. I learned more about architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe, you know, the man behind designing the White House and US Capitol, as well as the work of our very own <a class="Link" href="https://lextoday.6amcity.com/blue-grass-trust-lexington-ky" rel="nofollow"> Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation </a><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> . </div></body>

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Alexa, play \"I Will Remember You\" by Sarah McLachlan.

City Editor Aayat's top 5 favorite stories

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Alexa, play "I Will Remember You" by Sarah McLachlan.