Get Out and Grow Something

April Is National Gardening Month

Sasha Bush

Ashland Beacon

Some people are born with naturally green thumbs while others like myself find ways to kill houseplants. For those who possess the uncanny ability to grow and provide food for their families, the knowledge and experience of gardening are priceless. April is National Gardening Month. Gardening can be a soothing hobby for the whole family. It’s a great way to spend time together, exercise, and improve our knowledge of how to be self-sufficient.

With the prices of groceries skyrocketing since the start of the pandemic, many have turned to learn the ways of gardening. This newfound trend of gardening is driven by the fundamental changes in consumer behavior who had more free time, money, and space during the pandemic. Two out of every three gardeners tried a new gardening activity during this time. According to a study conducted by National Gardening Association in 2021, due to the Covid pandemic, 18.3 million new gardeners have immerged, 55% of American households now engage in gardening activities, and 35% of U.S. households are now growing their own fruits, vegetables, and other self-sustainable foods.

The benefits of gardening go far beyond just being able to grow and provide food for your family. The number one reason that most people gave when asked why they got into gardening during the pandemic was that it was just relaxing and good for their mental health. Gardening can be quite relaxing and empowering. To be able to grow something from nothing with attentive care and time is really something quite magical. It’s no wonder that so many have turned to gardening and are now helping others to do the same.

Twenty-five years ago, the “Tree and Seed Giveaway” was launched in an effort to help local farmers and landowners properly grow and sustain their gardens and trees. The Tree and Seed Giveaway is an event that the local Conservation districts take part in for their respective communities. Andrea Stratman, one of the volunteers for this year’s Tree and Seed giveaway reached out to us and shared a little bit about what makes this event so important to our communities and local farmers. “We give away garden, flower, and vegetable seeds to landowners to plant in their gardens. We also give away tree seedlings to help control erosion and protect the soil. In addition to the seeds, we also give away assorted food, hygiene, and cleaning products to those that may be in need.” The Tree and Seed giveaway also happens to be a treasure trove of knowledge for aspiring and experienced farmers alike. With each passing year, this event seems to gain in numbers and popularity.

This year’s event was held on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Boyd County Fair Expo which is conveniently located at 1758 Addington Road (used to be the Boyd County Fair Grounds). The event began at 10 a.m. and closed once everything had been given out. Farmers, gardeners, and nature enthusiasts from all around were present at this weekend’s event. They all look forward to next year’s event.  “We want to encourage people to raise a garden in order to provide fresh food for their table, and we want them to plant trees to prevent erosion and to provide clean air. The flower seeds are of course for beautification,” noted Stratman.

Why Do We Observe Easter Sunday?

Sasha Bush

Ashland Beacon

“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV

This past Sunday millions of people across the world celebrated Easter Sunday. For some, this meant spending time with loved ones around the dinner table. For others, it meant attending Easter Sunday Church service and of course, for many children, it meant getting to color eggs, go on egg hunts, and let us not forget what every child looks forward to most…an Easter basket. Oh, that lovely basket filled with plastic grass, small trinkets, and candies galore. No matter how you celebrated Easter this past weekend, there is no wrong way to do so as long as you are surrounded by your loved ones and always remember just why it is that we celebrate Easter.

Easter is one of the most important holidays or Holy Days of the Christian faith.  It is a time when Christians can glorify and give thanks for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After the crucifixion, death, and burial of Christ, he rose from the grave just three days later. By doing so, he not only conquered death but redeemed us from our sin as we are told in the Bible in 1 John 4:10 KJV, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

The significance of Easter is Jesus Christ’s triumph over death. His resurrection means that eternal life shall be granted to all who believe in him as it is written in John 11:25-26 NKJV, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” What a powerful thought. How many of us would be willing to lay down our lives for the souls of others? Christ’s death on the cross is one of the most heartbreaking and yet most beautiful events in Biblical history. How heartbreaking it is to sit and ponder upon what Christ must have gone through in the days leading up to his crucifixion, and yet how beautiful it is to come to the realization that he loved EACH and EVERY one of us REGARDLESS of our sins, that he was willing to lay down his own life. It is the most compassionate act of love in our history.

Not only is the observance of Easter meant to celebrate his resurrection, but it is also to understand that had the tomb not been emptied on that third day, all those who followed the teachings of Christ would have thought of him as nothing more than a mere man who was claiming to be a prophet. With the resurrection of Christ, this rebuked all of that and provided the final and undeniable proof that He was indeed the Son of God and that He had overcome that which no other could… death. No matter what Easter Sunday looked like for you this weekend, my hope is that it was spent making memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. 

Free Skin Cancer Screening on May 4

   Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Having five or more sunburns in your lifetime doubles your risk for melanoma. However, skin cancer can be treatable if caught early.

   King’s Daughters is pleased to offer a free skin cancer screening on Thursday, May 4 at King's Daughters Family Care Center Cedar Knoll, 10650 U.S. Route 60, Ashland, Ky. The screening will be conducted by family medicine physician Stewart Carraway, D.O., and takes place from 8 a.m. to noon.

   The screening consists of an exam of the affected area(s) as identified by the participant. Recommendations for follow-up, if necessary, will be provided. Spots that are irregularly shaped or have jagged borders; are uneven in color; are larger than a pea; or that have changed in the past few weeks or months should be examined. Appointments are necessary and may be made by calling 606.408.9304.

Wound Center Specialist Sonja Lichtenstein, M.D., Joins KDMC Medical Staff

   Wound Care Specialist Sonja Lichtenstein, M.D., is joining our medical staff, practicing in our Wound Center. She comes to King’s Daughters from South Carolina, where she practiced with Vohra Wound Care where she provided care at skilled nursing facilities and via telehealth. She also practiced general surgery and wound care in Portsmouth, Ohio, from 2002 to 2016.

   Dr. Lichtenstein earned her medical degree from State University of New York at Syracuse College of Medicine in 1996. She completed a residency in general surgery at Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, Bronx, New York (1998) and Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2002. Dr. Lichtenstein is board certified by the American Board of Surgery, as well as in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. She also is certified in Wound Care by the The American Professional Wound Care Association.

   Her office is located on the Ashland campus of King’s Daughters Medical Center. The address is 617 23rd Street, and the telephone number is 606.408.1260. Self-referrals are welcome.