Hats Off to Mrs. Hale

Greenup County Teacher Warms the Hearts and Heads of Students

 Lora Parsons

The Ashland Beacon

What better time of year to feature the extra special project of an extra special teacher than Teacher’s Appreciation Week! Winter has certainly passed and the scarves and toboggans are put away until another frosty season rolls around, but there’s never a wrong time to shine some light on a teacher worthy of some praise.

Brittany Hale from Greysbranch Elementary School in Greenup County posted a video back in March of an exciting reveal that she shared with her students. This video shows Hale opening up a large cardboard box and talking with her 1st graders about what they think could be in it. She reminded them of a picture they colored a few months prior, just after Christmas break, pulled one of the students’ drawings out of the box, and then pulled out a matching crocheted toboggan identical to the one on the paper.  Viewers heard students in the background getting more and more excited as other toboggans are revealed, and they excitedly asked where theirs is. Eventually the video closes with all of the toboggans being spilled out onto the table and each student modeling the toboggan of their own design.

Hale said the idea for the project came from another social media post that she had seen earlier in the winter, prompting her to follow suit and figure out how she could make the same thing happen in her classroom. These sorts of projects are the exact kind she searches out: “I am always looking for classroom community ideas and [for ways to make] lasting core memories with each other.” Hale stated her motivation for this project was to strengthen the connection between students, their parents, and the greater community at large. “It really takes us all to shape these children’s lives into amazing adults.” She also shared that a project of this type allows her to connect with the students on another level, one that she hopes will enable them to “look back at those toboggans when they are adults” and remember how much they were loved by their 1st grade teacher who took them on some amazing adventures.

While a project of this type is born from a teacher’s heart, it isn’t one that everyone has the skill or ability to pull off. Hale had to enlist the help of her step-grandmother, Denise Quillen Snoddy of Boyd County. Hale and other family members have been on the receiving end of numerous handcrafted gifts from Snoddy including blankets and tissue box holders, but this one required just a little more work than most created gifts. Each hat took almost a full skein of yarn, for starters, so the cost of supplies for 23 would have added up quickly. As far as difficulty, Snoddy said: “The hats with just a few colors were very easy to make and only took a few hours. The hats with multiple colors took up to two days each.” As it turns out, crocheting, she said, was the easy part; “the hard part was sewing in all the loose ends which couldn’t be cut.” She explained that doing so would have caused the hats to all unravel, so every loose end had to be sewn in to make them look perfect. Doing all this 23 times was no small feat!

The amount of work on getting these toboggans crocheted doesn’t come close to the smiles the project has brought about, not only from students in Hale’s classroom but also from those who have had the privilege of seeing the project unfold. Brynlee Newland recalled being excited, especially when hers was the first one pulled out of the box: “It was cool because I drew a picture of a toboggan and then it came to life!” Another student, Brody Hunt, said: “I thought the surprise was going to be a PS5 for the class to play on rainy days when we couldn’t go outside…BUUUUUUT the toboggan was actually cooler!” All of the students in her classroom were thrilled with the way their creations jumped from the page into reality.

During her teacher education training at ACTC, Morehead State, and the University of the Cumberlands, there were no instructions given about having toboggans brought to life in order to be a good teacher. Hale’s coursework that led to a master's degree and Rank I credentials didn’t require a project which would mean enlisting family members in the work of her instruction. But, Hale fondly recalled the teachers who impacted her own life as a student and, therefore, her life as a teacher. Those teachers were ones found in the same county--the same school district--she now gets to serve. “I am a proud Greenup native through and through,” as is clearly demonstrated through this sort of work that goes beyond the realm of what is expected. Influenced in this way by two former teachers, Mrs. Dean Oaks and Mrs. Donetta Griffith, Hale is honored to get to share with a new generation of students what her teachers shared with her. “They showed me the love for teaching and always believed in me.” In reality, her teacher training program began inside the walls of their classrooms when she was a student, watching them work their own magic.  It is Hale’s desire to continue to share with her students the ways that learning and connecting with the community can help all of us be inspired to make our own worlds a better place. These toboggans have touched her students’ lives and warmed their noggins for a few months now, but they also serve as a reminder to those of us on the sidelines of this project that there is still much good in the world…that sometimes comes in the form of turning a kid’s drawing into a toboggan (or 23 toboggans).

Joy in Every Stride

Ashland and Boyd County Schools Held Annual Special Olympics

By: Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

Ashland and Boyd County Schools held their annual Special Olympics Field Day for children with special abilities last week. Boyd County Public Schools held its special day entitled “Complex Needs Field Day,” Thursday, April 25 at the Boyd County High School football field. Ashland Independent Schools held its event Friday, April 26 at the Blazer High School track.

Though both events were separate from one another, they shared a common goal and that is to celebrate the unique abilities of their most special students as they competed in a day of fun field events. The Special Olympics Field Day is organized by dedicated educators, volunteers, and community leaders who provide a platform for students with special needs to showcase their talents, foster friendships, and experience the joy of athletic competition in a welcoming environment. Ponderosa Elementary’s Melinda Earl, shared, “This is something I’ve been interested in doing for a while, and I am so glad we had the opportunity to organize this special day for our special students. We had almost 30 kids from Boyd County’s elementary schools. We hope next year we can expand to the middle and high schools as well.”

From adapted relay races to sensory-friendly activities, every aspect of both events was carefully crafted to ensure that all participants could fully participate and feel empowered. Everywhere you looked children and adults were laughing, playing and having the time of their lives. In a world where one’s differences seem to always be put on display, it is essential to recognize and celebrate the remarkable abilities of children with special needs. These individuals, often described as having disabilities, possess a unique range of talents and strengths. For many students, the Special Olympics Field Day was a highlight of the school year, offering an opportunity to shine and be celebrated for their accomplishments. Chris Peters, a student at Blazer High School Special Olympic Team, had a blast.  Peters shared, “I’ve won three medals, and they are solid gold. This is really fun, and I’m glad I have my best friend Kenleigh here.” Kenleigh Woods, a junior at Paul G. Blazer School, shared what her favorite part about the day, “It’s all about the smiles for me. Just getting to see everyone smiling and having a good time. It’s just a really great feeling, and I love it.”

Through these events, local schools are not only creating opportunities for students with special abilities to thrive but also inspiring others to embrace diversity and champion inclusivity in all aspects of life… lessons that are important for everyone regardless of one’s abilities to learn. Phillip Caudill who is the Director of Staff and Student Services and Director of Special Education with Ashland Independent Schools stated, “Days like this really stress the importance of inclusion and togetherness. This year is probably the biggest turnout we have ever had. It doesn’t matter if you are an organizer, participant, or volunteer… seeing days like this can’t help but put a smile on your face.”

Building Bonds Beyond Business

Ison’s Cards and Collectables Treasures Every Customer as Family

By: Charles Romans

The Ashland Beacon

Collecting cards is something that many people take seriously no matter if you are a collector of baseball cards or Pokémon. The appeal of collecting cards is the same for most card collectors. The thrill lies in the hunt for rare and unique cards. Whether its scouring flea markets, attending conventions, or simply browsing your local online marketplace, the search for that elusive addition to one’s collection is like a never-ending adventure.

One Greenup County native and graduate of Raceland Worthington High School has turned his love of collecting cards into a successful business. Peyton Ison, owner of Ison’s Cards and Collectables, which is located at 444 Bellefonte Street in Russell, shared, “When you come through my front door, it doesn’t matter to me if you are here to spend $100 or just stopping in to say hello… I consider you part of my family.”  Ison is a firm believer that everyone who visits his collectible card shop becomes part of what makes the business work stating, “I am a huge sports fan, and I love being able to share that passion with others.”

Ison’s love of collecting sports trading cards began at a very early age. Ison would often ask his parents to buy the packs of cards that populated the racks of nearly every grocery store in the area. Once Ison entered high school and began playing sports himself, his card collecting slowed down a bit.  When the COVID pandemic hit and gatherings such as sports events were discouraged or prohibited, he got back into collecting.

It was around that time Ison and his father began discussing the future. Ison knew he planned to go to college but wanted to do something else. Ison recalled, “We threw around the idea of opening a card shop for a while. It took us about a year to get inventory and find a location.” Ison hopes the popularity of his shop will continue to grow from year to year.

Ison is currently enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University majoring in Business Management but spends as much time as possible on-site. His family steps in to help when he can’t be in the store. Despite being so busy, Ison stated that he will always make it a point to dedicate a lot of time to the business and the customers he loves.

One major segment of Ison’s customer base is younger kids. Ison sees himself in them, and he’s always happy to trade cards and talk sports with them. The store also appeals to older children and tells with the sales of sports jerseys, Funko Pops, and other memorabilia. Ison can order items if you can’t find them in the store. Ison’s Cards and Collectibles also does online auctions regularly and posts the schedule for those on social media channels such as Facebook. He shared that a website is also in the works, and he hopes to have that up and running soon.

In today’s digital world, an online presence is crucial to business, and Ison embraces it fully to benefit his customers. Ison stated, “I talk to people from all over the country like California and Florida. There might be a card that is really hard to get or really expensive locally but might not be as expensive elsewhere in the country and vice versa. So, one of the things I do is help them get the cards people in their area want, and they can help me get what I need for my local customers.”

For Ison, it is all about helping his ‘family’ find the things they enjoy. Whether it is ordering jerseys around Christmas time for football season, box sets, figures, or pretty much anything his customers want, he always makes an effort to find that perfect gift. If you haven’t checked out Ison’s Cards and Collectables, you are missing out. Ison shared, “I want everyone to feel free to stop in and look around.” Ison encourages you to call 606.388.2116 or send him and email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

From Classroom to Track

Celebrating the Trailblazing Legacy of Doris Puffer

Kathy Clayton

The Ashland Beacon

                Most of us are lucky enough to have a favorite teacher who made a lasting positive impression on us growing up. A few former students will honor one such dedicated teacher and coach Sunday, April 21, with a reception at Raceland-Worthington High School auditorium.

                Mrs. Doris Wilson Puffer, who taught biology and coached track and golf, will return to the school for the first time in decades to meet with her former students and track teams to reminisce about how she gathered a group of determined young women and started the school’s girls track team.

                “She is a wonderful lady, and I have fond memories of her,” said Kim Collins Connor, who was among the first runners on Mrs. Puffer’s track team in 1977-79. “We didn’t even have a track, we trained in parking lots and around town. After we had such success under her leadership, they put in a track.”

                Those successes included winning the regional track meet in 1977, ’78 and ’79, after starting the team in the spring of 1973.

                “I was hired in Sept. 1972, and they asked me to coach a girls' track team,” Mrs. Puffer recalled. “Track started in the spring of 1973. We practiced in the parking lot after school. The hurdlers jumped over trash cans, and we marked distances with a tape measure.”

                Connor said the idea to honor Coach Puffer came about when she heard that current RWHS history teacher and track coach Randy Helton was putting together a history of the school’s track teams. “I was talking with classmate Renata Huffman Boggs about how great she was, and how it would be nice to honor her.”

They got permission from the school to use the auditorium and set up the event. “It will be like a traditional pep rally, with the current cheerleaders leading us in the fight song, then she’ll lead us out to the reception and sit next to the ram. We have no idea how many people will be there, but we hope to have 50. We’ll serve refreshments.”

                “We think we had the first state champion from Raceland in girls track in 1979, Jill Stephens Lynch, who won in discus,” Connor continued, “then we had another, hurdler Bambi Fisher, in 1980 or ’81.”

                “I was overwhelmed. I never in the world expected anything like this to ever happen,” Coach Puffer said of being honored by her former students and teams. “It took me totally by surprise.”

                She remembered beginning the Raceland girls' track team virtually from scratch. “Liz Trabandt (legendary coach at Russell High School) was gracious enough to tell me what events we needed to cover,” she recalled. “We used Boyd County, Russell and Greenup County facilities. We had no discus or uniforms or any equipment.”

                “We won several class A regional meets, two or three years in a row, and sent several to state – Jill Stephens won discus and Bambi Fisher won hurdles. Rain, snow, sleet or hail did not keep them down,” Puffer continued.

                “They were a dedicated bunch of girls from the very beginning, whether they won or not, because they were having fun and supporting each other. If one fell down, they all ran to help. They were my girls, my children, one big happy family.”

                Connor noted that she became more appreciative of Coach Puffer after becoming a parent herself with kids who played sports. “My kids played tennis, and I saw some coaches who were harsh or not always fair. Kids should have a coach like Coach Puffer – she’s a classy lady. I loved her as my coach, but other kids loved her as a teacher. She was competitive and pushed us to get results, but she was also fun. She made a safe and comfortable space for us.”

                Puffer is now a vibrant, active 92-year-old who travels and remains active. She moved to her family’s farm near Lancaster in Garrard County to care for the farm and cows in 2002, and was a substitute teacher from 2003 until she turned 90.

                “My goals when I turned 90 were to substitute at least one time, walk five miles, and play at least one game of golf,” she said. “These days, I try to walk at least two miles a day. One of my daughters mentioned that she was doing a virtual walk across the state of Tennessee. I wanted to do it, but I wanted to walk across the state of Kentucky. So, I got a map and marked the farthest points across and North to South, and kept track of the miles.”

                Doris is the mother of three children, Valya Mobley, Patty Lane and Paul Wilson. “My children have been very supportive of me,” she said. “I’m very much involved in my church, with the praise team and sing an occasional solo.”

                She has also traveled extensively with her daughters, visiting the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Barbados, as well as hiking the Appalachian Trail. She has tracked Abraham Lincoln’s history through Illinois and Kentucky and the Underground Railroad in Cincinnati. She hikes numerous trails around her home and across eastern Kentucky. She has also hiked the highest points in all but four U.S. states.

                All former students and athletes are welcome to attend the reception at RWHS auditorium from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 21. “It’s all about honoring this great lady,” Connor declared. “She has left a lasting legacy for many of us.”