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 some of y'all laugh + learn something new.

As I transition to a new position, I wanted to look back at my time with LEXtoday and highlight some of my favorite stories.

“I Was Here” shines a light on neglected history

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.

The story behind Kentucky’s oldest operating business

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 along the way.

Sneak peek: Lexington’s newest boutique hotel

City Editor Molly and I lived out our Wes Anderson dreams 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.

The life and legacy of LGBTQ+ icon Henry Faulkner

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.

Help rehabilitate this 200-year-old building

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 Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation.