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

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

A Magical Opportunity Takes Center Stage for Greenup County Students Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   The spotlight is shining brightly on Greenup County Schools, and the stage is set for something truly extraordinary. In a rare and exciting honor, Greenup County Schools has been selected as one of only 70 school systems nationwide to participate in Disney Musicals in Schools, a nationally acclaimed program created by Disney Theatrical Group. Even more impressively, Greenup

Prescribing Peace of Mind How Restoration RX Is Healing Homes and Communities Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   When disaster strikes a home—a burst pipe, creeping mold, or an unexpected flood—it rarely happens at a convenient time. For homeowners in the region, Restoration RX has become the name they call when stress is high and answers are needed fast. But behind the trucks, equipment, and emergency calls is a story rooted in family, faith, and a deep commitment to the com

Hanging out in Style for the New Year with El Hasa Shriners Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon             As the holiday season has moved in, with it comes the new year bringing with it hope that something mysterious and exciting may await just around the turn of the calendar. While some of us may pack into city squares grinning through the cold weather and blustery winds of winter others may decide to spend their time indoors watching from afar surrounded with jovial bur

How One Woman Is Bringing Adventure and Empowerment to Eastern Kentucky Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   Somewhere between a forest trail at sunrise and a yoga mat rolled out under open sky, a movement is growing—and it’s led by women who aren’t waiting for permission to explore. Women Who Explore is part adventure club, part sisterhood, and all about stepping outside your comfort zone. And in Eastern Kentucky, that movement has found an energetic new leader in Karen Pierza

Making the Right Move How Chess Changed Lunch at Greenup County High Courtesy of Greenup County Schools The Ashland Beacon   A surprising trend has taken over Greenup County High School during lunchtime this week, drawing crowds of students for an unexpected reason: a chess tournament. While many might assume students would spend their free time on their phones, the school library has instead become the center of excitement, competition, and connection. This lunchtime che

Restoring the Community with Caring Hands Community Cleanup Day with Advocates for Appalachia Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   When taking a winter drive through the Appalachia region, one may see open rolling hills clustered with barren tree lines and frost-covered pines, inviting us to gaze upon its glory. Snuggled in the hills are the cities and communities that make the mountains and foothills their home. Ashland, Kentucky, boasts one of the most colorful and diver

A Season of Giving and Encouragement Christmas with the Brothers Forgiven Ministry Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon              Every year millions of people fill stores throughout the world in search of gifts and souvenirs to presents to loved ones in exchange for the holidays. Where we find ourselves tethered to a sofa listening to relatives pass stories of their childhood, others may not be so fortunate as to have the same Christmas celebration available to them. Pres

In Recognition of Great Accomplishment Heather Moore-Frame Invited to the Kentucky Academic Standard Revision Team Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon             As we move into the new year, many begin taking account of where they are and what they may have accomplished for the last 12 months. Each year a many set a goal for themselves and work towards that goal with the intent of surpassing their expectations. With each new year come the occurrences and highlights that w

Ashland Town Center Serving the Community With Joann Building Space Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon   In a move that underscores the growing importance of local entrepreneurship, the Ashland Town Center opened its doors to a thriving array of small businesses this season, offering dedicated space for crafters and artisans across the tristate area. The goal is simple but powerful: give local creators a bigger stage to reach more customers, while giving shoppers a chance

When Love Runs the Distance Tim Holmes The Ashland Beacon The quote,  “Life is like a marathon, not a sprint,”  popularized by Dr. Phil (Phillip C. McGraw), is a simple yet true statement with an array of rich implications—emphasizing endurance, pacing, long-term vision, and perseverance. Fifty-four-year-old Scott Balengee and his wife, Angie, of Catlettsburg had reached a point in life where they were running short of options with Scott’s health concerns. In spite of year

Decking the Halls, Grinch-Style The Hall’s  “Grinchmas” Tradition Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon It all started innocently enough, as many Christmas traditions do—with a simple desire for a little extra holiday cheer. Sarah Hall, a self-professed Christmas enthusiast, has always been a Christmas enthusiast and looked forward to breaking out the decorations with each passing year. One might say that Sarah was eager to deck the halls of her home in every way imaginable. The t

Ashland’s Annual Festival of Nativities Opens This December with Expansive 700-Piece Exhibit Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon   In a sunlit room at Ashland Grace Nazarene Church, something magical has taken root. What began as a seed of an idea after a trip to a Festival of Nativities in Charleston, West Virginia, has blossomed into a beloved December tradition that now showcases more than 700 nativity sets from around the world. The festival, born from the vision of tw

Greenup County Christmas Fun A Holiday Set List That’s Sure to Bring the Merry Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   Christmas is just around the corner, and the excitement awaits as we enter the season of joy. Something special fills the air each year as millions of people partake in the holiday cheer. From ice rinks to farmers markets, each year we find ourselves drifting from festivals to inspired Christmas events as we look to continue with the honored traditions handed

Small Fries, Big Smiles Downtown Boutique Brings Holiday Magic for Moms and Tots Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon There’s something special about downtown Ashland at Christmastime—the glow of the lights, the excitement in the air, and now, a brand-new shopping destination that promises to make holiday gifting easier and sweeter than ever. Just in time for the busiest shopping season of the year, Small Fries children’s boutique has officially opened its doors inside th

A Family Affair in Fashion Ashland’s Beloved Zella Rose Boutique Tim Holmes The Ashland Beacon If a boutique could tell a story, Zella Rose Boutique would sing like a Southern ballad—full of charm, heritage, and heart. Named after two remarkable women, Zella and Rose, the grandmothers who helped shape the life of their granddaughter Kelly Elkins, this beloved Ashland business carries more than fashion inside its walls—it carries legacy. For nearly twenty years, Zella Rose

Shop Local, Live Local How Our Small Businesses Build the Heart of Our City Tim Holmes The Ashland Beacon Have you ever wondered how ordering a plate of wings in your favorite pub could help preserve our city’s history? It may sound simple—even surprising—but the truth is that every time we choose to support a local business, we’re doing far more than making a purchase. We’re strengthening families, fueling dreams, reviving traditions, and helping shape the future of Ashl