From the Free-Throw Line to Basketball History Elks Club Annual Hoop Shoot Tim Holmes The Ashland Beacon   Since 1972, the Ashland Elks Lodge #350 has invited area youth to step up to the free-throw line and take part in a tradition that blends sportsmanship, confidence, and community pride. Their annual “Hoop Shoot,” run by the Elks National Foundation, is a long-standing free-throw competition for boys and girls ages 8 to 13. What begins as a local event can ultimately l

A City’s Heartbeat Remembering Sue Dowdy Charles Romans The Ashland Beacon Some people do more than live in a community—they  hold it together . They are the familiar presence at every event, the steady voice of encouragement behind every success, the quiet force connecting neighbors, organizations, and dreams. They are the thread woven through the fabric of daily life, binding it with energy, generosity, and compassion. Sue Dowdy of Ashland, Kentucky was one of those rare

Measuring Prosperity Jarrod E. Stephens The Ashland Beacon   Within just a few days of the publication of this article, the year 2025 will only be a memory. 365 ¼ days of sunrises and sunsets and innumerable events that helped to shape every one of us will have come and gone without us asking it to come or go. Some of the days will never be remembered because they were dull or uneventful while others will stand out for the rest of our lives as either being tragic or wonderfu

Deceased Lora Parsons The Ashland Beacon   I recognize as I begin typing my thoughts about this word that this isn’t exactly the type of word we might want to really be contemplating.  There’s something kind of harsh about thinking about it, maybe even insensitive.  I certainly don’t mean it to be either of those!  If you’ve lost a loved one you know the finality of the word, and I pray this honors their memory and offers comfort and hope to their loved ones left behind.   T

Promises at Midnight A Fun History of New Year’s Resolutions and Why They Still Work Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   Every year, as the clock strikes midnight and confetti rains down, millions of people make a quiet (or enthusiastic) promise to themselves:  This year will be different.  Whether it’s whispered over sparkling cider or announced boldly to friends and family, New Year’s resolutions have become one of the most recognizable traditions tied to the start of a new

Ashland Beacon 2025 Year in Review Celebrating Stories That Inspire, Connect, and Transform Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   2025 was a year of stories that highlighted the heart, resilience, and creativity of the Ashland community — and the Ashland Beacon was proud to share them. From local heroes to inspiring initiatives, the Beacon brought readers the moments that mattered most. January:  The year kicked off with a major win for the Ashland Beacon itself, celebrating a