Introduction

Welcome to my Blog!

Let me give you a quick introduction of myself. This fall I will be a sophomore computer science major at the University of Kentucky. For the past seven years I have lived in the wonderful state of Kentucky, and in my opinion, Lexington, KY is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. Some of my interests include working out, playing basketball (and of course, watching UK Basketball!), and fantasy football.

If you look at several other blog posts I have already posted, or select one of the pages beneath the title, you can read/watch/hear my work and reflections on my Composition and Communication class I took this summer. I would really appreciate if you read my two written posts and made a comment on your opinion of what you thought. Let me know if you like my work, and please be sure to let me know what you think I can work on. I know I can always improve, so I will value your opinion.

One purpose for this blog could be to continue to strengthen my written communication skills through blog posts. However, to be honest, I feel that maintaining a blog and keeping it up to date with material is quite an undertaking. And I do not feel as though I have the time with a busy schedule this fall, and a job. On the other hand though, I can always strengthen my written communication skills, because it is vital in nearly every aspect of life. I believe it would be very advantageous for my future work, so I will definitely consider maintaining this blog, and posting my work.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the material I have already posted. And please, do not forget to leave your opinion on my posts!

C4 Reflection Podcast

This podcast gives a brief background of who I am and what I believe. It also is a reflection on what I have learned in my Composition and Communication class this summer, and how I can apply what I have learned to my future.

Audio

C3 Analysis Speech

This video post is a speech on my process behind my research and analysis I did for my C2 Analysis essay on Windy Corner Market. Watch it to get a better understanding of my process!

C2 Analysis Essay

This post is a research and analysis essay that I have written on Windy Corner Market. Read my essay to find out more about Windy Corner Market and its lovely atmosphere and they great food they serve!

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Windy Corner Market is a small restaurant located just outside of Lexington in a more rural area or the countryside. Surrounded by horse farms, it is in the perfect location for a real country style feel. And that is the goal that Windy Corner Market is attempting to achieve. However, one look at their menu, and you will see that they are trying to attract more than just country style people. While their menu does contain everything from burgers to po-boys to catfish, they also serve salads, and they even have an entire gluten free menu, for those of you who are unfortunately allergic to gluten. Windy Corner Market is a unique rustic style restaurant, with a mission to bring you a country style atmosphere to your everyday meal, and while serving the best quality, local ingredient food they can.

            Windy Corner Market is one of three restaurants and stores owned by Chef Ouita Michel. Windy Corner Market is her newest venture, and according to their website, they fashioned it after an old country store. They wanted it to resemble Windy Corner Markets sister restaurants; “We knew we wanted a new place that felt as old as the wonderful historic buildings that house Windy Corner’s sister restaurants, Wallace Station Deli and Bakery and Holly Hill Inn in neighboring Woodford County,” (Michel 4) Michel said. With this is mind, they built exactly what they wanted, and they have really designed an excellent place.

            From the outside, the plank siding is all gray and fading, making the building look like an old, run down structure. Stepping onto the porch and through the door onto the old, re-milled oak floors, you can nearly smell the country before you even see it. It is the smell of fresh cut grass, home cooked food, and sometimes even horse manure! It is a cheerful and bright atmosphere, with primarily light, off-white colors or yellow. Immediately to your right, behind a glass barrier, there are all types of pastries and desserts that will make your mouth water. On a short table, there are newspaper style menus that are held within a small woven basket that you can grab. Just a few steps forward, and you are ready to place your order. And regardless of what you choose, you are going to be in for a treat! After placing your order, you can find a table to sit at, and they will call your name and bring your order to you. As you are seated, you will notice the walls are surrounded by built in shelves carrying locally made treats like chutney, jam, and peanut butter to caramels, chocolate, and taffy. High up against the back wall you can locate different jerseys for jockeys each representing a farm in the area.

 

            Windy Corner Market cooks with a purpose; they want to provide the greatest quality food they can produce, and this purpose is evident in their results. Once sinking your teeth into a Kentucky beef burger, made of local beef, your taste buds will be having a party. The flavorful juices will fill your mouth giving you a tasteful delight. Windy Corner Market also uses a special sauce they make, giving the burger a salty-sweet zing. However, if you ordered something other than a burger, you will have just as much delight; anything from a pulled pork samich, as they like to call them, to a catfish po-boy. Your taste buds are in for a treat!

On select nights, you may also have the opportunity to listen to some live bluegrass music. This is a true experience, and an extremely unique feature of Windy Corner Market. If you do not know what bluegrass music is, it is often considered a sub-genre of country music. Dwight Worden better describes what it is in an article he wrote titled, What is “Bluegrass”, Anyway? “To traditionalists, bluegrass is what Bill Monroe and Flatt and Scruggs produced in the 1940s and ‘50s. This music is performed by a band with guitar, upright bass, mandolin, fiddle, and banjo, and features ‘high lonesome’ three-part singing.” (Worden 2) This entertainment is the icing on the cake for the already overwhelming country atmosphere, and really is a treat for those who enjoy this style of music. However, I must warn you, if you do not appreciate bluegrass style music, you may want to avoid the live performance; and to be blunt, if you do not like it, you will probably hate it.

Outside of Windy Corner Market, there is a decorated horse statue. If you have ever been through Lexington, you will have noticed that these are scattered throughout the city. This particular horse is painted with historic scenes of Lexington. It is just another unique characteristic that sets Windy Corner Market apart from other places comparable to it. And it fits perfectly within the horse culture of Kentucky, and in particular Lexington. The statue also adds an artistic flavor to the simple style of Windy Corner Market, and its uniqueness really stands out.

Painted on the exterior wall facing Muir Station Road is a mural of what appears to be a bustling farm. In the center of the mural is the Windy Corner Market emblem, and extending from the emblem are gusts of winds. I think the designers’ purpose of the mural was two-fold: one, the mural seems to depict a cheerful, bright day, fitting directly in with the feeling that Windy Corner Market is trying to portray, and secondly, the mural really helps advertise Windy Corner Market, because people driving down Muir Station Road are immediately attracted to the large, colorful mural. Also, the artistic mural ties in with the horse statue which is on the other side of the store, and along with the horse statue, the mural adds to the artistic flavor.

I believe that the builders and designers of Windy Corner Market had a specific purpose for why they designed and decorated it the way they did. They created this style of atmosphere for a relaxing and enjoyable place to appreciate a good meal. There is not anything overwhelming about Windy Corner Market. And I’m not the only one who believes this; according to Seth Gifford, during an interview I had with him regarding Windy Corner Market, he stated, “This place displays a sense of tranquility. The simplistic achievement they have acquired creates a carefree environment to enjoy a great meal.” (Gifford) Seth truly appreciated the thought and effort that went behind the design, because even behind its simplicity there is much complexity involved in its design. The rugged southern look from the outside sets off a simple and easy going tone, while the soft colors, modest trim work, and the reclaimed wood flooring on the interior balance together for a really relaxing atmosphere. It is more than just an enjoyable experience to dine at Windy Corner Market, it is a memorable experience also.

With their upbeat and rustic, country style atmosphere, all types of people from around Lexington, and even further, travel to dine at the tables of Windy Corner Market. However, Windy Corner Market has attracted a specific core of people among the area to become return customers. But what draws a customer to come back for a second, third, or even fourth time? According to Ed Waters, he stated in his article, The Silent Salesperson on the Fredericks News-Post, where he refers to a discussion he had with Casey Wilson the retail industry manager for the Maryland Small Business Development Center, “In particular, for restaurateurs, Wilson said atmosphere and cleanliness are the keys to success. Even with mediocre food, a great atmosphere will draw customers back.” (Waters 26) A clean restaurant and an appealing atmosphere often draws a customer back; however, it should not become a purpose to neglect the quality of the food, but instead a purpose to achieve with quality food. Windy Corner Market has built a recurring customer base, and even become a recommended place to eat, because of an appealing atmosphere. And that is not even regarding the quality of their food, which is exceptional to say the least.

Not only does an appealing atmosphere and high quality food draw a customer back though. Friendly customer service is the next key to building a recurring customer base. Meredith Estep claims in her blog post 6 Ways to Make Your Customer Service Friendlier, on the Maximize Customer Service blog, “Friendly service often begets a feeling of trust between a customer and company that transcends other factors when it comes to nurturing a loyal customer base. There is no doubt that friendlier service can be as good for your bottom line as it is for your customer’s satisfaction.” (Estep 2) Because of Windy Corner Markets friendly staff, they have built a recurring customer base; and at the same time, they have received recommendations from their customers to friends. Windy Corner Market has the perfect combination of a unique, appealing atmosphere, great food, and excellent customer service, making it an enjoyment for anyone to dine at their tables.

Windy Corner Market has both an appealing atmosphere with quality food; and they make this one of their purposes. Another purpose of Windy Corner Market though, is to provide a market for local farms. Here is an excerpt from their About Us page on their website, “Our aim for Windy Corner is to provide a market for Kentucky farms. We invite you to join our quest to build our local farming and food communities and economies by eating and buying local foods.” Like I stated earlier, the built in shelves along the walls of Windy Corner Market are filled with local ingredients and foods, in an attempt to support our Kentucky farms. This is yet another distinctive feature of Windy Corner Market. Their focus and goal in using local ingredients attracts people who prefer to buy local. Not only does it support our local farms, but it supports our local economy, as it creates a cash flow within our community.

            I highly recommend Windy Corner Market to anyone looking for great southern food in a classic southern country atmosphere. Like I described earlier, they have an excellent atmosphere with superb tasting food, and outstanding customer service that puts the customer first. Windy Corner Market truly delivers on their mission. Head out to Windy Corner Market and enjoy a mouthwatering, juicy burger or a tasty po-boy, or even something on their gluten free menu! You will not regret it.

Windy Corner Market - Tons of vehicle line up across the street because of lack of parking.