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

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

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

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

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

Go For the Gold with the YMCA’s No Boundaries Games Gwen Akers The Ashland Beacon   This year, the Ashland YMCA is proud to announce their third annual No Boundaries Games. Modeled after the Special Olympics, the No Boundaries Games celebrate and welcome all, giving individuals from all across the region the chance to make new friends and compete for the gold. Launched three years ago after YMCA CEO Scott Campbell saw an opportunity to create an event like the Special Oly

Craft and Vendor Boutique Launches Holiday Shopping Season Grace Phillips The Ashland Beacon   The first snow flurries of the year are forecast for this week, making it the perfect time to begin your Christmas shopping. If you're searching for unique, one-of-a-kind, or handmade items, the Boyd County Convention Center is the place to be on Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15. The 7th Annual Boyd County Craft and Boutique Show will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on

Making Music in the Military Melyssa Brookshire Jarrod E. Stephens The Ashland Beacon   Life is sometimes compared to a journey that we all embark upon when we are born, and our choices navigate a pathway that is unique to us. At the completion of high school some choose a career while others choose college or the military. Some even choose a combination. That’s the case for Raceland-Worthington High School Band Director, Melyssa Brookshire. During the day you can find Me

Celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s Legacy Dinner with the Republican Party Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon             Grab your calendars and get your tickets, it’s almost time for “The 2025 Boyd County GOP Lincoln Dinner.” In honor of President Abraham Lincloln and his historically recognized accomplishments with the Republican party, dinners are held each year commemorating his service. Elected in 1860 Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican President of the United St

HANKSgiving Concert Brings the Tri-State Together to Tackle Hunger Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   As the nation faces the uncertainty of an impending government shutdown, the Ashland community is stepping up in a big way to support families who may be impacted—especially those relying on SNAP and other food assistance programs. Total Media Radio, Kentucky Bluebird Grill & Pub, Facing Hunger Foodbank, and River Cities Harvest are joining forces for HANKSgiving: Songs for S