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

Christmas Cheer Awaits at Morning Pointe’s Magical Mistletoe Market Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   There’s something unmistakably heartwarming about the arrival of Christmastime—the twinkling lights, the scent of pine, and the joyful energy that settles over homes and towns alike. As wreaths are hung on doors and glittering ornaments take their place on trees, the holiday spirit begins to glow brighter with every passing day. And with that glow comes one of the seaso

Holiday Style, Wrapped with a Bow Step Into the Season at Ady & Aves Boutique Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   With November comes crisp air, twinkling lights, and the official kickoff to the holiday season. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s all fill the calendar with festive celebrations we’ve come to love. Families gather, communities host cheerful events, and the excitement of holiday parties and winter festivities fills the air. And with th

Stroll, Shop, and Celebrate Thanksgiving Night Comes Alive in Downtown Russell! Charles Romans The Ashland Beacon   The City of Russell, Kentucky, is ready to keep the Thanksgiving magic going long after the last bite of pumpkin pie. Once the parade wraps up and dinner plates are cleared, the fun doesn’t have to end—because Downtown Russell is swinging open its doors for an evening of festive cheer, extended shopping hours, and community celebration. It’s the perfect way t

Sweet Sips, Local Trips The Magic of the Hot Cocoa Crawl Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon If your idea of holiday cheer involves cozy mugs, twinkling lights, and a whole lot of chocolatey goodness, then mark your calendar—because the Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has whipped up a festive adventure that’s part shop-local celebration, part sugar-fueled spectacle, and entirely irresistible. The annual Hot Cocoa Crawl, timed perfectly with Small Business Saturday, invit

Blazer High School Launches JAG Program Opening New Doors for Students’ Futures Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   The energy inside Blazer High School could be felt the moment the doors opened. A sense of possibility—real, powerful possibility—filled the room as students, educators, and community leaders gathered to celebrate something destined to change lives. For many in attendance, this wasn’t just the start of another school initiative. It was the beginning of a movement

A Winter Wonderland Comes to Life The 41st Festival of Trees & Trains Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon   The Paramount Arts Center once again opens its doors to a season of glow, whimsy, and communal generosity as it hosts the beloved Festival of Trees & Trains. This holiday showcase has transformed the city’s historic theater into a living postcard of twinkling lights, towering evergreens, and toy-train magic—an experience that enchants guests of all ages. This year

Winter Market in Greenup Charles Romans The Ashland Beacon   Beginning on November 21, 2025, and running through November 23, Imel’s Greenhouse in Greenup, Kentucky will be hosting a new event called Imel’s Winter Market. The greenhouse has been host to many events over the years including the annual Farm 2 Table event, the largest in the state of Kentucky, and owner Kenny Imel said that the Winter Market is the latest in a series of events designed to bring the community

Working Together to Feed the Hungry Charles Romans The Ashland Beacon   The Argillite Community Service Center on RT 207 in Greenup, Kentucky is dedicated to filling in the gaps for the community it serves. Located in a former United Methodist Church, the organization operates as, among other things, a food pantry for those in the community who suffer from food insecurity. Lew Nicholls, who served as both a Judge in Greenup County and a former Democratic member of the Kent

Ashland Town Center Turns Mall Space  Into a Thriving Showcase for Local Makers Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon   In a kind move to support small businesses and craft vendors, Ashland Town Center has opened its doors to local crafters and small businesses inside the mall this holiday season. The arrangement gives local entrepreneurs a platform to reach tristate shoppers who fill the center’s hallways every day, capitalizing on impulse buys and the warmth of a community

Holy Family Elementary Students Honor Veterans with Patriotic Performances at Local Nursing Homes Linda Cannon For the Ashland Beacon   In a heartfelt tribute ahead of Veterans Day, students from Holy Family School in Ashland brought music, gratitude, and youthful energy to three local nursing homes this week, performing a selection of patriotic songs for area veterans. What began as a simple musical outreach has grown into a deeply meaningful tradition for both the school

The Power of Entrepreneurship Why Teaching Business to Kids Matters and How Greenup Students Are Leading the Way Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   Teaching kids about business from an early age can have a profound and lasting impact on their development. By fostering business thinking in children aged 6–12, we equip them with essential life skills that support their growth into capable and confident individuals. This approach goes beyond preparing kids for future careers—it

A Century of Grace Celebrating Jerry Carroll’s 100 Remarkable Years Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   What does a 100th birthday really mean? I guess that would depend a lot on the centenarians that you asked. Generally speaking, most are blessed to have reached this magical number. Reaching the century mark is more than just a milestone — it’s a testament to endurance, faith, and the quiet power of a life well-lived. Turning 100 is the benchmark for an elite club of senior

A Thousand Faces Charles Romans The Ashland Beacon   There have been a lot of stories written about veterans, each as valuable as the last. Many authors have focused on the trials of veterans, and others have written about the commitment of the men and women who have served our country. Some of these stories – far too many – have involved those veterans serving during wartime and the pain and horror they endured to fulfill their service. I know this because I have written a

Hart Sanitation Celebrates 50 Years in Business! Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon   Hart Sanitation is marking a golden milestone this year: 50 years in business serving the tri-state area with dependable waste management and a family-operated approach that has weathered changing markets and shifting times. On the anniversary, co-owner Sherry Hart recalls how a dream turned into a decades-long mission to keep neighborhoods clean and customers cared for. “I think it’s ama

The Life of a Veteran and Enlistment of a Tomcat Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   When considering our futures as young adults, we find ourselves surrounded with choices that line up with who we are as people, matching our personalities and the skills that we build throughout schooling. The classmates that we passed by each day ventured into the ether of the workforce and higher education establishments across the globe. Driven by our imaginations, hopes, and understan