Name that Flyover City! — Aug 23, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions:

1. Which American city has played host to Queen Elizabeth of England, at its Lane’s End Farm?
2. What midwestern city is home to Grove restaurant, nationally recognized for responsibly sourcing their ingredients from local, sustainable farms and businesses?
3. Which midwestern city is the birthplace of legendary film actor Steve McQueen?

And here are the answers:

1. Lexington, KY. A lifelong devotee of raising, training, and breeding horses, it was only fitting that Queen Elizabeth II would visit Kentucky royalty during her three trips to Lexington’s Lane’s End Farm. Her hosts for the visits were Lane’s End owners William and Sarah Farish. The British Embassy explains: “I think the reason the queen keeps coming back here is firstly, she is an expert and very enthusiastic horse breeder, and Kentucky has an unrivaled reputation as a horse breeding state and horse breeding area.” Lane’s End sits on 2,300 acres of pristine terrain and has been the home to hundreds of Thoroughbreds, including legendary stallions A.P. Indy, Kingmambo and Dixie Union, sires Candy Ride, Lemon Drop Kid and Union Rags; and world-class broodmares like Weekend Surprise and Zenyatta.
2. Grand Rapids, MI. Declaring that, “food is our craft,” Grand Rapids’ Grove restaurant has been thrilling diners from Grand Rapids and beyond since 2007. Curating each dish with the freshest ingredients that follow the Midwest farming seasons, Grove creates thoughtful, inspiring menus centered around unforgettable experiences. Menu standouts include 36-day dry aged Wagyu beef, Pork Belly Chop with sesame-honey glaze, and a hand-stuffed Duck and Truffle Sausage.
3. Indianapolis, IN. Based on his rogue and charismatic image, one might assume that Steve McQueen was born and raised in California, but that person would be mistaken, as his origins are in the calm and quiet city of Indianapolis, Indiana. Or, more precisely, the Indy suburb of Beech Grove. Like fellow mid-century Cool Guy James Dean, McQueen is a Hoosier underneath it all! Steve McQueen’s childhood in Indiana was far from idyllic, causing him to run away from home and cause trouble. After serving in the US Marines, he found himself in New York City in 1950, where he began to study acting. His first film role was in “The Blob” in 1958, but it was his later movies – “The Great Escape,” “Bullitt,” and “The Getaway” that made him a genuine Hollywood legend. Sadly, McQueen died of a heart attack in 1980 at the age of 50.