Thursday, May 04, 2000
Owensboro shows off its hospitality
President Clinton got a a taste of Moonlite Bar-B-Q
By Kristina Goetz
The Cincinnati Enquirer
OWENSBORO, Ky. — It's the kind of hometown welcome most big city folks know little about.
But when the first president to come to Owensboro since Harry Truman was on his way, there was plenty to do to make sure Owensboro doled out the appropriate helping of Southern hospitality.
Schoolchildren made signs and some donned homemade Uncle Sam hats to welcome President Clinton.
The library displayed books about U.S. presidents on its tables. And a group of students from Daviess County and Apollo high schools laid out their best jazz performance for the president, including a rendition of “New York, New York.”
But the biggest unofficial event of the day was a presidential visit to the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, which includes a restaurant world-famous for its mutton and ribs.
All week, the town had been hearing rumors that the president might make a stop there. The Secret Service had visited earlier in the week. It is owned by the Bosley family, a well-known Owensboro clan that includes Ken Bosley, the county's Democratic chairman.
Mr. Bosley said the restaurant had saved a special seat for Mr. Clinton, in a back room with no windows, but the president got take-out.
“The president came over and instead of going to eat he started working the crowd,” Mr. Bosley said. “He was shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Our customers really enjoyed it.”
So how did the most powerful man in America make time for lunch?
“He got a go plate,” Mr. Bosley said. “Ribs, chicken, green beans, corn and corn bread.”
Even the wave goodbye was impressive. Although the Secret Service wouldn't let residents without an invitation too close to the school, dozens lined a picket fence across the street. If they couldn't see the man himself they at least wanted to see the helicopter he was flying in.
Robert Bowlds, one of those in the crowd watching the president's helicopter depart, said of Mr. Clinton's visit:
“It kind of puts us on the map, I think.”
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