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A Little Piece of History

Written by ASHLEY WEDDING

Photos by AP IMAGERY

Tucked away on Freeman Avenue, just off of Griffith, this craftsman is full of charm and a lot of local history. It was built in 1926 by Fleming Bowlds and his wife, Ella.

Bowlds was a real estate developer, beginning his career in the 1930s. He is responsible for the development of the Lexington Avenue, Fleming Park, Maple Avenue, Mayfair Drive and Winston Avenue areas of Owensboro. Later in his career, he partnered with Carlos Jagoe to convert the old Central Junior High School into the JagoeBowlds Building at 920 Frederica Street, now known as the Midtown Building.Bowlds died in 1970, and Ella remained in the home until her death in 1988. It was then that the second owners of 1718 Freeman Avenue, Steve and Pat McFarling, bought the home from Ella’s estate.

“I fell in love with the home almost from the first time I walked through the door,” Pat said. “As a matter of fact, we made an offer to purchase that same day!”

Pat says she has always liked older homes and the uniqueness and character of the Craftsman on Freeman appealed to her right away.

The open floor plan, which was unusual for a home of this era, was one feature the McFarlings loved, along with the dining room, detailed with a wall of built-ins and window seat, as well as a comfy sunroom.

The home bears many of the common characteristics of traditional Craftsmanstyle homes built in the early 20th century – like its triangular roof line, dormers, deep overhanging eaves, exposed rafters, multipane windows and stone-topped porch piers. Inside, the built-in cabinets and bookcases, as well as unique custom woodworking are

true Craftsman features.

Over the years, the McFarlings did make some changes, like renovating the kitchen and bathrooms and extending the living space with an addition on the back of the home.

“But we always made an effort to retain the character of the home,” Pat said.

The McFarlings recently sold their little piece of history, ready to move on to their next chapter. And the house on Freeman, built nearly a century ago, is ready for its third owners to call it home.

ABOUT THE REALTOR

Ryan Rutman has been selling homes in Owensboro for over 13 years. He was honored to help the McFarlings through the process of selling their home on Freeman Avenue.

“We feel very fortunate to have selected Ryan to sell our home,” Pat said. “Working with him has been a pleasure. His knowledge of the real estate market and responsiveness to our needs and questions put us at ease. I highly recommend him!”

Ryan has grown his real estate team to include his wife, business partner, and fellow Realtor, Chivonne, as well as Realtors Stephanie Hardesty and Katie Drab. The Ryan Rutman Group is available to help both buyers and sellers navigate the current real estate market. For them, it’s not about the houses, but about the relationships formed along the way.

Are you looking to buy or sell a home? Contact the Ryan Rutman Group today! OL

270-315-7464 WWW.RYANRUTMAN.COM

316 Booth Ave. Owensboro, KY 42301

OWENSBORO HEALTH OFFERS ALTERNATIVE TO OPEN-HEART SURGERY

THE HEART CARE TEAM AT OWENSBORO HEALTH IS EXCITED TO OFFER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT (TAVR) PROCEDURES. THIS MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO OPEN-HEART SURGERY FOR PATIENTS WITH AORTIC STENOSIS, A CONDITION WHERE THE HEART’S AORTIC VALVE NARROWS AND A LACK OF BLOOD FLOW CAUSES AN ARRAY OF SYMPTOMS.

Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, which is more invasive and requires a lengthy recovery time, TAVR patients go home the next day. Patients are back to everyday life with a few days of rest – typically with more energy and easier breathing.

The procedure itself happens very quickly. Interventional/Structural Cardiologist Ashish Rastogi, MD and the Owensboro Health heart services team insert a catheter (a small tube) into the patient’s right femoral artery in the groin area. They advance a wire up into the blocked heart valve through that tube by following it with an x-ray. Then an artificial valve - which is flattened and attached to a balloon - is sent over the wire and positioned. When inflated, the balloon expands the new valve, and the calcium buildup inside the old valve works to hold it in place.

According to Dr. Rastogi, once the balloon is deployed, it’s a matter of seconds before the new valve is in and working, and there’s no need to stop the heart or use a bypass machine.

TAVR’s minimally-invasive approach makes it a good option for older patients who may not be candidates for traditional open-heart surgery.

Studies show that 1 in 8 people over age 75 could have some form of aortic stenosis. Symptoms may include fatigue, chest pain, heart flutters, dizziness and shortness of breath. Dr. Rastogi said that many people accept these conditions as normal aging and do not realize they have a treatable disease.

“Some patients don’t realize they feel bad,” he said. “They develop symptoms over the course of five years and don’t realize it, or they think ‘this is just how you feel when you turn 80.’ For many, the procedure increases their life expectancy and helps them feel better right away.”

Dr. Rastogi also offers alternative mitral regurgitation and atrial fibrillation treatments, which work similarly to the TAVR procedure. For mitral regurgitation, he’s able to go in the same way and put a clip over the mitral valve to stop the leak. For a-fib, a condition where patients typically use blood thinners to prevent strokes, he can place a plug inside the heart in the area where clots develop, eventually eliminating the need for blood thinners.

Owensboro Health has launched a series of innovations within the heart program over the past year. In addition to recruiting an interventional/structural cardiologist (Rastogi), Owensboro Health Regional Hospital has expanded its cardiac imaging and electrophysiology capabilities, renovated the catheterization lab and partnered with Cincinnati Children’s to provide advanced pediatric cardiology services close to home.

To learn more about heart care at Owensboro Health, visit OwensboroHealth.org/Heart. OL

HEATHER BLACKBURN IS RUNNING FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE IN 2022.

In 2000, I took a job as a defense attorney in Owensboro after originally believing I wanted to practice law in the field of medical malpractice defense, but it was there that I realized public service was a calling for me.

I discovered that representing indigent people can be sometimes frustrating and sometimes exhilarating. I ended up falling in love with the process.

As a public defender, I am actively representing clients in District Court on a regular basis. District court handles everything from traffic violations to misdemeanor crimes and from juvenile cases to small claims. District judges may also hear the beginnings of felony criminal cases.

I have been serving in the district courtroom for over 20 years, but I’ve especially worked in the criminal docket - the largest docket district court has.

Because district court hears a wide array of cases, for many in the community, it is their primary experience with the court system. By working with defendants in this system, my experience in district court would give me the skills needed to sit on the bench as a District judge.

A judge is there to make sure the person’s rights are protected, and that both parties have their say. Judges have to apply the law as it is intended.

COVID shook up the court system and as a result, backed up many cases in the books. If elected, I would work to see if prosecutors and defense attorneys could resolve misdemeanor cases in the early stages, so cases could be closed in a more efficient manner.

Outside of the courtroom, I love to stay involved in this community. I’ve served on the Christmas Parade committee, in multiple positions in the Junior League of Owensboro, and on the board of the Owensboro Youth Hockey Association and the Owensboro. I also volunteer as a foster family for animals through Saving Paws Animal Rescue Kentucky (SPARKY).

My commitment to serving our community is why I am running for the District Court Judge position. When my husband returned to active duty after 9/11, he was gone for seven years. Owensboro supported and lifted my daughter and me when Jim had to parent and be a husband from afar. I hope to repay the strength and friendship Owensboro gave us by working tirelessly as your District Court Judge.

As a candidate, my courtroom experience sets me apart. For over two decades, I have represented people in criminal/ traffic and juvenile courts where every case is a story, involving real lives and demanding just resolution. I have represented individuals facing involuntary hospitalization or drug and alcohol treatment. I have worked in district court and family court on civil contempt cases involving child support or domestic violence order violations. I know the mechanics of the court and will guarantee a smooth transition if I’m chosen to be your judge. OL