Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”- Helen Keller

            It is said that great things in business are never accomplished by just one person, and it takes a true team effort for any business to succeed. This is a lesson we all should pay close attention to because a team is only as strong as each of its members; one cannot succeed without the other. Vanessa Akers, a first-grade teacher at Rose Hill Christian School, has been teaching her students about the importance of teamwork and giving back to the community since the beginning of this school year.

            Akers explained, “I think at a very age, we need to instill the importance of giving to others. We are working on independence, and that we all have a part to play on a team. We all have a job to do, and it doesn’t matter how big or how little the job is because if we all don’t pitch in and do our parts then the job won’t get done. So, my goal this year has been to teach the students that a team cannot be successful if all its members aren’t pitching in to get the job done.”

            Students of Akers first grade classroom have been working together all year long making, selling, and distributing lemonade in an effort to raise funds for various charitable organizations. Pricilla Hayes, grandmother to James Hayes, who is a student in Mrs. Akers first grade class, shared her thoughts on this wonderful and unique way of teaching: “This is just such a wonderful program. These kids have already raised $409 that they gave away for a mission trip. Today, they are presenting a check to our local firefighters. Not only are the kids learning how to work together as one unit, but they are also learning skills such as taking orders, counting money, filling orders, and how to be patient.”

            This past Thursday, Mrs. Akers first grade class presented a check to members of the Ashland Fire Department. Anthony Cornwell, a member of the Ashland Fire Dept, shared with us, “I think it’s great to see these kids working together as a team… working together with a common goal. We are so humbled by this donation to the Ashland Fire Dept.  It makes it even more special that its coming from this great group of kids.”

            I had the opportunity to speak with a few of the students from Mrs. Akers first grade class, and here is what they had to say:

Wes- “My job is to be sign dancer, and I really like to dance because it’s fun and makes people.”

Jett – “I am the ice giver. I really like being able to earn money and give it to people.”

Isabella- “I deliver the cups to the customers. My favorite thing is the lemonade… it’s so yummy.”

Xavier- “I pour the lemonade in the cups. I like working with my friends, and we are helping people.”

Akers shared, “We do this every Thursday, and we start about 2:50 p.m. except for the last Thursday of the month, and every month we do something different with our money. We plan on using the money to help purchase items for those in need as well as use some of it for the Sunrise Ministries. We encourage the public to come out and help support these kids supporting our community.”

Showing Love for Our Servicemen with Wreaths Across America Event

Pamela Hall

The Ashland Beacon

The Poage Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is at it again… doing good deeds in the community to promote patriotism, that is. This year, the Poage Chapter will participate in Wreaths Across America on December 16 at the Ashland Cemetery located on Belmont Street.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that began in 2007. Its purpose was to expand upon the wreath-laying ceremony that occurs annually at Arlington National Cemetery. That ceremony was started in 1992 by Morrill Worcester, a businessman from Maine who made the wreaths. The ceremony has grown throughout the years to include over 4000 cemetery locations across the country, with participants in each state and U.S. Territory. In 2018, the ceremony expanded to France to include over 9,000 wreaths for U.S. veterans at the Normandy-American Cemetery.

The mission of Wreaths Across America is “Remember, Honor, Teach.” Remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom. This mission is carried out in part each year through placing wreaths on the graves of veterans by over two million volunteers! The theme for this year is “Serve & Succeed.”

“We are forever grateful for the thousands of supporters who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to fulfilling our mission all year long,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director for Wreaths Across America, in a recent press release. “These individuals and their communities know the value of remembering the fallen, honoring those who currently serve, and teaching the next generation about the sacrifices made for our freedom every day, and because of their continued support, Wreaths Across America continues to grow and touch new people each year.”

For the first time, Ashland will be a part of Wreaths Across America this year, thanks to the sponsorship of the Poage Chapter DAR. The goal is to raise enough funds to place wreaths on all of the veterans' graves in the Ashland Cemetery. In order to accomplish this goal, they are asking for donations of $17 to purchase a live balsam wreath for a veteran’s grave. Donations may also be made in honor or in memory of a loved one. Volunteers are also needed to assist in placing the wreaths on December 16. To make your donation or volunteer, visit the website: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/KY0188P.

Wreaths Across America is an exceptional project that brings a measure of honor, remembrance, and dignity to those who have served in our military to defend our freedom. Some passed Veterans have also served. Others paid the ultimate price while defending the very freedom for which they died. All the Veterans deserve to be honored for having served our great country, and the Poage Chapter DAR intends to do just that. If you would like to assist and be a part of honoring these great men and women, visit the website links listed above.

Thank you, Poage Chapter DAR for all you do for our community!

Drop on By for Support: The Drop Opens in Boyd County

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

There is something to be said about having a support system, and how even one kind word from a friend can make a world of difference. The Drop, a community resource center that has recently opened in Boyd County, is meant to be that kind word or action that makes a difference in the lives of children and young adults.

“We offer peer support. We also have CSA, which is community support. Then, we have therapy on-site, and we also have a case manager. It's kind of like wraparound services,” explained site manager Taylor Eden.

Taylor Eden is the Site Manager of The Drop, and she could not be prouder of the support that they hope to offer to the community. Different times are set for different age groups–and these are meant so that community members can simply “drop by” and receive the help, encouragement, and advice they need.

"We give them so many days and then do a membership packet with them. We go over what services we offer and explain what the services are and what they're good for,” expressed Eden.

Serving ages 14-25, The Drop is a mental health and service center that is aimed at supporting the community and people of the community through the rising drug epidemic and other mental health struggles. They aim to be the haven that so many are looking for–as well as a lighthouse to the shore of success.

“They come in; they hang out with us. It can be as simple as playing video games or art painting, going on walks,” detailed Eden, “and that really opens them up to talking.”

Eden has a personal connection to The Drop as well, and so does all of the other staff there. They understand that the journey can be difficult, but they are there to help make the transitions a bit easier. From their experience, they hope to help as best they can.

“I made every wrong decision because I didn't have that support through my teenage years up until my early 20s–and that's whenever I was trying to seek help and trying to take care of my mental health. [I hope that] just being able to support and reach those that don't have a support and let them know there are people that will be there to support them.”

The Drop is part of KY TAYLRD, or the “Kentucky Transition Age Youth Launching Realized Dreams” program. The initiative began in Oregon and has since expanded into the heart of Eastern Kentucky. Tailored services, inclusivity, and a calm atmosphere are just a few perks of the haven. Those interested in learning more about the TAYLRD program, can check out their website at Boyd County Drop – TAYLRD.

Group or individual counseling, financial management counseling, skill building (emotional and behavioral management), peer support, art classes, and yoga are just a few of the numerous opportunities and support systems that The Drop has to offer.

Those interested in checking out The Drop are encouraged to “drop in” anytime during the week from 1-5 or to give them a call at 606.393.1522.

Big Foot Happenings in Boyd County

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

     One of the most mesmerizing things about art is watching someone’s vision come to life before your very eyes. To take an image you have in your head and bring it to life is something to be proud of and respected. For local chainsaw artist, Travis Williams, bringing his ideas into existence is something that just comes to him naturally. Williams has been carving for around eight years now. He first discovered the art of chainsaw carving while he and his family were on a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Williams shared, “We stumbled across some guys that were doing some chainsaw carvings, and I just decided that this was something I had to go home and try.”

     It didn’t take long for Williams to pick up this unique art. Williams remarked, “I really enjoy carving, but when I’m able to use my imagination and try new things that is when it is the most fun for me. My favorite carving that I have done is probably just a simple eagle bust with trees and feathers around it. It’s carved from cedar that came off my parent’s farm, and it’s probably the one thing I’ve done that I am 100% happy with.”

     Before Williams knew it, he became a social media sensation. News spread far and wide of his creations. Since then, Williams has always made it a point to give to the community every chance he gets. “I honestly just love to give back and make people smile,” stated Williams. His carvings have been seen at the Paramount Arts Center Festival of Trees and Trains, Foxfire events, and most recently Armco Park.

     Williams undertook one of his biggest carvings to date—a 14-foot-tall Sasquatch (better known as Big Foot) statue that has become a permanent fixture at Armco Park.  So, you might be wondering why Williams chose to carve a 14-foot statue of the legendary Sasquatch for Armco Park. “About a year ago there was a photo circulating on Facebook of a bear sighting in Armco Park. It turned out to be a log that was lying on the ground that looked like a bear from a distance. I contacted Justin Pruitt who is over the park, and said I should carve a bear and put it up there somewhere off one of the hiking trails. He loved the idea, but another revelation came about when Zach Daniels (local content creator) was looking at the outline of Boyd County on a map and said it looked like a profile of a Sasquatch. They even took that idea and had some shirts made with the help of another artist friend of his who drew Sasquatch into the county layout. That is why we decided on a sasquatch,” Williams explained.

     Williams shared that this was the biggest thing he had ever carved. Surprisingly, despite the statue’s size, Williams was able to complete the project from start to finish in about 40 hours which was spread across a week’s time frame.  Williams, exclaimed, “This project was really fun to do.”

     Being employed full-time at Marathon Petroleum, Williams considers his chainsaw carvings more of a hobby or side gig. You can reach out to Williams on his Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok accounts at @Trav_Carves if you are interested in having him create a one-of-a-kind work of art for you.

Williams continues to add to Armco Park’s wooded creatures, which now include a baby Sasquatch and a friendly bear that holds a sign reading “Thank you for visiting Armco Park.” Be on the lookout next time you visit Armco Park because you never know what creature sightings you might encounter!