“The Road”

A Unique Series Spotlighting the Stories and Journeys of Individuals Within Our Community

By: Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

Life is full of twists and turns and can easily be compared to that of a rural country road. Like the winding lanes that snake through the rural landscapes, our journey through life is characterized by a series of highs and lows, challenges, and triumphs, each contributing to the rich tapestry that makes us who we are and each of our paths unique.

Every decision before us is a crossroad, with each choice leading to a turning point that sets us on a particular path or perhaps directs us to a dead end, forcing us to turn back and consider a different path. No matter how trivial or monumental, our choices form the roadmap of our existence, guiding us toward our destinies. From the mundane decisions of what to eat for breakfast to the more life-altering choices like career paths or life partners, every fork in the road holds significance.

As we navigate the twists and turns of life's country road, we are reminded that the path is not always smooth or straightforward.  Country roads are notorious for being a rough ride. There may be detours and roadblocks, unexpected turns and unforeseen challenges that force us to reassess our direction and find new ways forward. Just as a country road is dotted with potholes and rough patches, so too is life punctuated by moments of adversity and struggle. Like travelers navigating a rugged terrain, we learn to navigate the obstacles that stand in our way.

From unexpected career shifts to unforeseen health challenges, these twists in the road can leave us feeling disoriented and unsure of our footing. Whether it's self-doubt, fear of failure, or external barriers that are beyond our control, these challenges can test our resolve and perseverance.  And yet, it is often during these moments of uncertainty that we discover our resilience and adaptability, forging ahead with newfound determination and courage, emerging stronger and more determined than ever before.

While we may not realize that amid the chaos and turmoil, our journey through tough times often can transform us into leaders, unknowingly inspiring and guiding those around us with our strength, courage, and determination. You never know who is watching you go through your struggles and finding the will to get through their own because of your perseverance.

 It may seem counterintuitive to associate leadership with moments of hardship and adversity because most of the time leaders are envisioned as individuals who exude confidence, charisma, and authority—qualities that may appear elusive when we find ourselves fighting through the storms of life. However, it is precisely during these trying times that true leadership emerges, not from any grand gestures or lofty speeches, but from the quiet courage and steadfast resolve displayed in the face of adversity.

Through grit, determination, and unwavering faith in the face of uncertainty, those fighting life’s storms have the uncanny ability to offer a guiding light to others who may be navigating similar challenges, reminding them that they too possess the strength to overcome whatever life may throw at them.

Throughout the surrounding community are countless narratives waiting to be shared… tales of ordinary individuals who have embarked on extraordinary journeys, leaving an everlasting mark on the fabric of those around them. The Greater Ashland Beacon wishes to showcase these individuals and their unique stories of the roads that they have traveled.

We are excited to announce a new series entitled, “The Road,” which will be dedicated to celebrating individuals within our community whose stories have in some way touched the lives around them at one point or another.

“The Road" is more than just a series—it's a journey of discovery, an exploration of the human experience, and a celebration of the rich diversity that enriches our community. Each installment will shine a spotlight on a different individual, offering readers an intimate glimpse into their lives, their passions, and the roads they have traveled.

As "The Road" unfolds, we invite you to join us on this journey of discovery and celebration. Whether you're a longtime resident or a newcomer to our community, there's something to be gained from every story shared. If you know of anyone with a unique story to share, we would love to hear about it. Please send story suggestions to our Associate Editor, Sasha Bush at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call/text 606.585.2507. By sharing the triumphs and challenges of our neighbors, we hope to inspire compassion, understanding, and a sense of unity within our community. Please join us next week for our first installment of this new series as we highlight the first of many travelers on this country road that we call life.

A Seamstress of the Wacky and Wild

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

Everyone knows the feeling—when you are wearing something you are confident in, feeling as if you could be or do anything. Seamstress Samantha Young brings this feeling to life—crafting, designing and altering the costumes and dresses that serve to tell the stories of their wearer.

Graduating with degrees in operatic performance and music education, Samantha Young has always had a love for the theatrical and the stories that can be woven and told through fabric.

“I was taught by my grandmother who was a seamstress. She was a basic dressmaker, very casual alterations, and she taught me everything she could until she couldn’t anymore,”  explained Young. “Once I really discovered my love for musical theater and theater in general, I noticed a really big need for people [and these services] in the industry.”

After taking a break from sewing during her college years, Young fell back into the craft after seeing the need for her sewing skills in the industry. With the perfect blend of creativity and passion, Young embarked on creating her own business: Thumb and Thimble: a Seamstress of the Wacky and Wild.

With eight years of experience in the field, Young partners with the Paramount Arts Center, Aspire Art Conservatory and more to bring to life the costumes of their dreams. Young excels not only in alterations but in designing and creating costumes and dresses from scratch. To date, Young has designed over 200 projects. Her work includes crocheting, knitting, quilting, embroidery, beading and more.

Young wants to spread the word that this line of work is not a pastime. “ I think that there's so much new design and so much to gain from knowing how to do this and being able to provide it for other people,” expressed Young. “I think this is something that everybody can find a little bit of happiness in.”

Young loves getting to carry on her grandma’s legacy and help people bring to life the stories they can tell through fabric. Young has experience in creating wedding dresses, cosplay, puppetry, equestrian wear, theatrical costumes and ballet.

Perhaps the best part of her business is getting to be a part of the story of those around her and getting to meet and talk to so many interesting people. Young, a mother and wife, also loves the family aspect of the business and her ability to spread the glory of God through this. Young knows that she owes everything she has to the Lord, and she hopes to serve him in everything she does.

“It’s really important for people to understand that this is an art, and that art fuels our lives for everything. No matter what, we're constantly surrounded by art whether we realize it or not,” detailed Young.

Young’s business is based out of the Community Trust Building, and she can be contacted on her Facebook page. You can also see her costumes on display with the Paramount’s newest production of The Little Mermaid.

Total Eclipse of the Heart

Ashland Citizens Given Chance of a Lifetime

 By: Charles Romans

The Ashland Beacon

              Dig out your solar glasses for the eclipse viewing event at Broadway Square in Ashland Monday, April 8. The event will run from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and will feature viewing of the upcoming eclipse, live discussions, and other entertainment. The event is free to the public, and if you don’t have a pair of solar glasses don’t worry because not only will glasses be provided at no charge, but there will be special filtered telescopes set up for the public to view the event in a more up close and personal manner.

              Ashland City Commissioner (and self-proclaimed Space Nerd), Josh Blanton will be sponsoring the event in conjunction with the Highlands Museum and the Boyd County Public Library. Blanton said he saw the eclipse while in Alabama in 2017 and felt that the experience was “awesome.” Blanton said that he wanted to have the event for the people who are in Ashland and won’t be able to travel to a prime viewing spot in the path of totality where the maximum viewing experience is possible. “We’re going to have 3,000 pairs of solar glasses, so we’re going to be ready for anything,” Blanton shared. “We’ll have at least three telescopes with solar filters set up for people to look through. It will be a good place for people to gather and have a good time.”

              The prime viewing areas, according to NASA’s Eclipse Explorer, will be as follows: “Total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean. Weather permitting, the first location in continental North America that will experience totality is Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT.” The path of best viewing is expected to be in a diagonal progression from Southwestern Mexico to Northeastern Maine.

              Blanton said that the Astronomy Club plans to bring Ashland as close as possible with the solar eclipse event on Broadway Square and as the event progresses, they will talk about the science behind solar eclipses, mixing a little bit of education with the fun. The last eclipse event was held by the Boyd County Public Library, and Blanton said he’d been informed that the turnout was around 700 people, and even with the event taking place on a Monday during the normal workday Blanton expects to exceed that number. “The Peak will happen right around 3 p.m. when kids are getting out of school,” Blanton stated. Even though the timing is somewhat challenging, he hoped for a good turnout.

              Like all events sponsored by the Astronomy Club, this event is totally free to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend. Blanton remarked that he and several other like-minded individuals with a passion for astronomy started the Astronomy Club, and they hold several events like the solar eclipse viewing throughout the year. “We have a Facebook page, but there’s no membership or anything like that. You can go to the page and learn a few things and see some of the pictures that we take around town.”

Just One Word:  Reside & Desire

Lora Parsons

The Ashland Beacon

For the last few months, this column has focused on--as the title suggests--just one word.  We’ve dug deep, deconstructed, and delved into various definitions.  So, I figured maybe it was time to switch it up just a little bit.  We’re going to focus this time around on just one single GROUP of LETTERS…which can be scrambled into two distinct words:  reside and desire.

My first thought when I hear the word “desire” is the phrase:  do what your heart desires.  Do what makes you happy.  Live your best life.  Be your best self.  All of those phrases flood forward in my mind at once when thinking about satisfying what we individually want.  As we’ve done before, though, we can deconstruct this word into de-sire (like we did de-serve last month).  The definition of “sire” is to cause the birth of, to bring into existence, in a sense.  Specifically and literally, it’s the male parent of an offspring.  We know that the prefix “-de'' means to undo or move away from.  When the prefix and root word come together, they make new meaning, though.  They somehow go from meaning literally “to undo the existence of,” to instead, the meaning we’re familiar with: “my wants.”  That’s thought number one about this particular array of letters, spelling out “desire.”  It should mean “to eliminate, to kill.”

But, then we mix up those letters and rearrange them, and they yield the word “reside,” which we can also break into word parts.  “Side” has to do with which location you’ve taken physically, as in left or right of the sidewalk, for example, but it also means the location of one’s thinking or beliefs, as in whether we’re for or against repainting our car, let’s say.  “Side” in these senses connects to our position in the world or the position of our thinking based on our worldview.  The prefix “re-” means to do again or to change over.  To “re-” side, then, doesn’t mean to exist in a particular place or in a certain state as we know it to mean.  Rather, when you lump the individual meanings side by side, it seems like the word might mean something more like “ to choose a position over again.”  To re-make-up one’s mind about something.  It no longer means sitting in one’s thoughts or beliefs, but to reposition one’s thoughts or beliefs.

When we look at these new meanings side by side, I think something pretty cool happens.  These two words, made up of the same six letters, in two different orders, and with different deconstructed parts, change things so that “desire” no longer means “what I want” but instead means “to eliminate or kill what I want” and to “reside” no longer means “to continue in a particular state” but instead “to reposition my thought state.”  When I reside in my own desires, it’s really easy to fall into the trap of thinking this world is all about me.  I can identify what I want.  I can identify where I can go to get it.  I can identify what I need in order to get what I want.  And, I can easily fixate on making that happen…because that makes me happy.  It satisfies my desires.  I can focus on me, me, me, and I can reside in that happy place of deciding I want something and getting that something.

But, at this time of year, with Easter just barely in our rearview mirror, when we look closely at the life of Jesus and how He taught us to live, we don’t have to look far to see that the example before us didn’t focus on “me, me, me.”  Jesus’ life wasn’t about how He could satisfy His own desires.  He didn’t walk away from sacrificing His own life, because His purpose was glorifying His Father.  He re-sided his wants and desires--repositioned them--and traded them out in exchange for His Father’s will.  He put the will of God before His own.  He willingly chose to walk away from the satisfaction of His own wants, and instead repositioned His desires to be beneath those of the Father.  We see this play out in action and in word when He’s praying in the garden just before being crucified.  In Luke 22:42, He, in agony, prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.  Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”  There was no humanly part of Jesus that was looking forward to experiencing the cross; but, there was the divine part of Him, the holy part of Him, that was singularly focused on following the will of God.  He didn’t reside in His own desires.  He humbly positioned Himself to be in line with His Father’s will.  He first laid down his divine nature to enter into humanity, and then He walked willingly into death on a cross in order to save that humanity.  Because that was the will of His Father.  We’re called to do the very same--to lay aside our desire and reside instead in the Father’s will.  What I want has to be repositioned beneath what He wants.  I have to de-sire or “eliminate…kill” my own satisfaction and instead re-side or “reposition myself” to satisfy the Father’s will.  And, what is His will for each of us?  The same as was His will for Jesus--for us to bring others to Him.  To serve others, as Jesus did.  To share the Father’s love with those around us, as Jesus did.  To show the world God in us, as Jesus did when He stepped into humanity.  To speak Biblical Truth in love as we live out that Truth.  Our job is to reflect the Father in all we do.  There’s no need to ask, then, “What is Your will for my life?”  We already know it.  The better question is:  “How can I fulfill Your will today in whatever I do?”  Father, help me to put aside my DESIRE and instead RESIDE in Yours so that the world can see more of Jesus.  One little set of six letters, making up this month’s two little words.