Sue Grafton “Hometown Hero” Banner

Sue Grafton “Hometown Hero” Banner

Publication Date: 04-19-2016


For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Jeanne Hilt
Director of Marketing
Louisville Downtown Partnership
(502) 614-4122 (Office)

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L is for Louisville

#1 NEW YORK TIMES AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING MYSTERY AUTHOR SUE GRAFTON TO RECEIVE LOUISVILLE HOMETOWN HERO BANNER

(April 11, 2016 – LOUISVILLE, KY) –Downtown Louisville will add an air of local mystery to the city scene on Wednesday morning, April 20th, with the 10:30 a.m. dedication of the new 27’ x 40’ Sue Grafton “Hometown Hero” banner on the east-facing wall of the Springhill Suites/Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott at 132 E. Jefferson Street. “Sue’s Louisville” is the latest banner installation from the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation’s (GLPF) “Louisville’s Hometown Heroes” series. The banners recognize and honor the city’s prominent and accomplished citizens.

In conjunction with the dedication ceremony, GLPF is conducting a used book drive to benefit the Louisville Free Public Library. All used book donations can be made now through April 20th at Springhill Suites/Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 132 East Jefferson Street. A drop-off bin is located in both hotel lobbies.

Grafton, a native Louisvillian, was graduated from Atherton High School and the University of Louisville. Her perennially bestselling Kinsey Millhone novels are published in twenty-eight countries and in twenty-six languages. Named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America, she has also received numerous other honors and awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, the Ross Macdonald Literary Award, the Cartier Diamond Dagger Award from Britain’s Crime Writers’ Association, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Malice Domestic, the Anthony Award given by Bouchercon, and three Shamus Awards.

“It means so much to be honored by my hometown,” Grafton said. “Of all the accolades I have received, this one feels particularly rewarding.” Grafton’s devoted readers are eagerly awaiting the 2017 release of “Y”, which will be the next-to-the-last installation in her famous Alphabet Series of mystery novels. Her most recent book, “X” will be released in paperback in August of 2016.

According to Steve Bass, a Louisville entrepreneur who helped lead the effort for Grafton’s banner, “Sue is a tremendous asset to the Louisville community and has brought great recognition to the city. In fact, in ‘L is for Lawless’ readers will recognize a number of local landmarks as Kinsey comes to Louisville to solve that mystery.”

“One of the most unifying aspects in the life and health of a community is the pride that it feels for its people and for their accomplishments,” states the GLPF website. Started in 2001, GLPF’s purpose is to build pride within the local community and enhance Louisville’s image. Grafton joins other Louisville Hometown Heroes including:

  • Muhammad Ali (Installed April 2002) – LG&E Building at Second Street & River Road, facing the Ohio River
  • Pee Wee Reese (Installed February 2003) – Fetzer Building at 209 East Main Street, headed west from Slugger Field toward the H&B Factory and Museum
  • Mary T. Meagher (Installed June 2003) – Norton Suburban Hospital Building in St. Matthews, viewable from I-64 East (since removed)
  • Ed Hamilton (Installed September 2003) – Glassworks Building at Ninth & Market Streets, facing Ninth Street
  • Bob Edwards (Installed January 2004) – 624 Baxter Avenue, seen headed north
  • Streets, viewable from I-65.Pat Day (Installed April 2004) – Second & Broadway viewable from I-65 North/South
  • Colonel Harlan Sanders (Installed April 2004) – BP Apartment Building at Third and Guthrie
  • Judge Louis Brandeis (Installed May 2004) – Chase Bank Building, best seen headed east on Liberty Street between Fifth and Fourth
  • Kentucky’s Derby (Installed May 2005) – US Bank Building 5th and Market
  • Diane Sawyer (Installed September 2005) – Starks Building on Muhammad Ali between Third and Fourth Streets, viewable from I-65 North/South
  • Bud Hillerich (Installed July 2006) – Heyburn Building at Fourth & Broadway
  • Darrell Griffith (Installed September 2006) – Watterson City Building, along I-264 East at Newburg Road
  • Paul Hornung (Installed October 2006) – Watterson City Building, along I-264 West at Newburg Road
  • Tori Murden (Installed May 2007) – Kentucky Exposition Center, facing I-65 South just passed the Crittenden Drive exit
  • Patrick Henry Hughes (Installed February 2008) – OK Storage Building, East Broadway at Barrett
  • Kleinert & Kutz (Installed May 2009) – Jewish Hospital Heart and Lung Building
  • Phil Simms (Installed August 2009) – Southern High School east wall at Preston Highway
  • Wendy Whelan (Installed March 2010) – J Graham Brown School corner of 1st and Ali
  • George Garvin Brown (Installed September 2011) – 122 West Main Street
  • Denny Crum (Installed February 2012) – Marriott Courtyard across from KFC YUM! Center
  • Victor Mature (Installed April 2013) – Derby Dental Building on Shelby Street
  • Rudell Stich (Installed May 2013) – 5th Street just north of Ali
  • Tom Bulleit (Installed April 2014) – 3rd and Main Street
  • Will Wolford (Installed May 2014) – Market at 3rd Street
  • Bobby Nichols (Installed August 2014) – Watterson City Building
  • Jennifer Lawrence (Installed September 2015) – Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

For more information about Sue Grafton, go to: www.suegrafton.com.

For more information about the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation and the Hometown Heroes, go to: www. louheroes.org.

The Louisville Downtown Partnership is the dynamic organization that drives economic growth in Downtown for the benefit of the entire region, as well as oversees multiple on-street enhancements that help establish Downtown Louisville’s distinctive character and widespread appeal. LDP believes the economic engine of any great city starts with a strong Downtown. For more information visit: www.louisvilledowntown.org or call (502)584-6000.

#SuesLouisville

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