Taylor Swift Never Goes Out of Style at Queens Formals

Taylor Swift Never Goes Out of Style at Queens Formals

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

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From country to pop, R&B to alternative, the music of Taylor Swift has been the soundtrack for people of all ages since her debut. This past Wednesday, Queen’s Formals–part of Queen’s Cottage–hosted a Taylor Swift-themed party to celebrate all of Swift’s eras, as well as the “eras” of her fans.

The event was the idea of Kelly Queen’s (the owner of Queens Formals) two daughters–Kristin and Kendall. The event featured several Taylor Swift-themed photo booths, a fashion runway, Swift-themed drinks such as pink lemonade and album-inspired cookies. Party-goers could also “Shake it Off” with polaroids, friendship bracelets and a hair tinsel station. T-Shirts, printed by Kendall Queen were also available for purchase.

“I'm a huge Swiftie–I love Taylor Swift. I actually went to the Eras tour in Nashville. I was just sitting in my kitchen, and I looked over and I saw some beads for friendship bracelets. I was like, ‘You know what? We should have a Taylor Swift party this weekend since she’ll be in Cincinnati,’” commented Kendall Queen.

Listening to Taylor Swift tunes and enjoying the festivities was also a perfect opportunity for party-goers to get to know “All Too Well,” other community members and Swifties while getting to try on beautiful dresses from your “Wildest Dreams” and walk down a balloon-scattered runway. For some, all of the different stations at the party were like walking down memory lane as they reminisced about the different stages of their lives they were in when they enjoyed different Taylor Swift albums. Whether you are a Speak Now aficionado, or a 1989 girl, this party was for you.

“I've been listening to Taylor Swift since I was really little. She really got me into music–listening to her songs in the kitchen and stuff like that. I feel like the whole ‘eras’ in general is kind of like going through stages of life, if that makes any sense, because I've been listening to her forever. Going out and doing fun things about Taylor Swift is just awesome,” explained Abigail Skaggs, a Russell native who purchased her prom dress from Queens Formals, and could not wait to check out the event.

Kelly Queen, the owner of Queens Formals and the original Queen’s Cottage, explained that the shop is a family-owned and run business, that is all about the power of community and confidence that never goes out of “Style.” The formal shop was an expansion of the original Queen’s Cottage–and it has become a venture that the girls really love. The formal shop also offers wedding dresses and tux rentals, and aims to be the one-stop-shop for brides, prom goers, homecoming attendants, and event connoisseurs.

 “She was like, ‘well, I just want every girl to walk through this door and feel so comfortable and so good about themselves because everybody's beautiful.’ I mean, she's terrific,” commented Kelly Queen, talking about her daughter and her vision for the formal shop.

Kelly Queen could not be more proud of her two daughters, who orchestrated the event, and are blossoming into passionate young business women like herself.

Whether you are feeling “22” or just trying to boost your “Reputation,” you should check out Queens Formals’ exciting upcoming events on their Facebook page, stop in during their business hours, or call to set up an appointment.

Unspoken – Sharing Music of Hope and Encouragement

Unspoken – Sharing Music of Hope and Encouragement

Grace Phillips

The Ashland Beacon

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Unspoken, the chart-topping contemporary christian band will take the stage at the Ashland Riverfront during Summer Motion on Monday, July 2nd at 9:00 p.m.  The band features a unique mix of music from soulful pop sounds to hip-hop with a touch of southern gospel sound thrown in occasionally.  They have toured with Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Big Daddy Weave, Danny Gokey and many more.  Chad Matson, the lead singer is from Maine with other group members from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, making them one of the most geographically diverse bands today.

   

The story of Unspoken begins with Mattson—a young man raised in a Christian home with parents who taught him all the things in life needed to be successful.  Mattson said he grew up believing in Jesus; he was the good kid in high school who never drank…always the designated driver…but he lived like someone who only “KNEW” about God, not someone who had truly experienced the change that He can make in your life. 

As a young adult, Mattson found himself deep in addiction and living a life he never dreamed would be his…that of a drug dealer in the basement of a rodent-infested drug house.  Things got so bad that he finally moved back home taking with him all the shame and guilt of where his journey in life had taken him. 

All of that changed one day when his brother brought him a card from a missionary in the Dominican Republic he had just heard speak at their church.   Mattson said he looked at the card and thought, “What am I supposed to do with this?”  He continued, “But God was working behind the scenes as He often does…kind of stirring me to want to walk with Him.  I got saved when I was 12, and I really believed in Jesus, but I just didn’t have my life surrendered to Him.”  Eventually, he called the missionaries and told them, “I’m kinda in rough place, but I want to get my life together. Is there any way I could come work with you for a while?”  

The missionary called the church pastor and talked with him about Chad.  The pastor agreed that he needed something, and he believed that God had a plan for his life.  The missionary decided to take a chance and allowed him to come stay there.  According to Mattson, it was there in a 12 x 12 room that he began to read his Bible and pray in earnest, and God began to change his life. 

On that trip, Chad met Mike Gomez, guitarist.  They began singing and ministering in the area and eventually moved back to Maine when Chad’s longtime friend, Jon Lowry, was added to the mix and the group Unspoken began.  The group’s name was chosen because it was their goal to live lives that are unspoken testimonies to God’s love and power and to speak openly what often times goes unspoken.

The group’s first release was in 2012 and since then they have had numerous chart-topping songs such as “Who You Are,” “Lift My Life Up,” “Good Fight,” and “Just Give Me Jesus.”  Their fourth EP titled “God Help Me” was released earlier this year with the title song as the first single.  According to Mattson, God Help Me is about those moments in our lives when you have absolutely reached the end of the line. There is no place to go, and nothing you can do except cry out… “God Help Me.” The group’s newest single from that project is titled “More Church Than Church,” a pop song about recovery co-written by Matteson and Grammy Awards nominated artist Walker Hayes.

Mattson has always been very transparent about where he has been and where God has brought him. Now 20 years sober, he truly knows the depths of despair and darkness and the amazing grace and forgiveness that only God can give an individual.   In his closing thoughts, Mattson told me, “We just want people to know that we are followers of Jesus and trying to speak what goes “unspoken” in our culture.  We use music to preach the gospel and try to bring hope to hopeless people...no one has gone too far…it’s just one small step back towards God.” 

Don’t miss the chance to experience the remarkable ministry of Unspoken and hear their testimonies of God’s grace, mercy and deliverance on Monday, July 2nd at 9:00 p.m. at the Ashland Riverfront.  You will not be disappointed!

Legends of Baseball to Hold Final Reunion at Tomcat Bourbon and Brewhouse

Legends of Baseball to Hold Final Reunion at Tomcat Bourbon and Brewhouse

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

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            Tomcat Bourbon and Brewhouse is one of the most frequented places in our humble little town of Ashland Kentucky. Located at 2018 29th Street, the Tomcat Brewery as so many lovingly call it, is no stranger to hosting exciting events and are continually supporting our local youth’s teams and community. So, it should come as no surprise to hear that this well-known establishment will be host to what many are calling “the biggest event of the year.”

            On Saturday, August 26, 2023, Tomcat Bourbon and Brewhouse will be hosting the “Grand Ashland Stan Musial Homecoming Reunion.” Stan Musial nicknamed “Stan the Man,” was an American baseball player who is widely considered one of the greatest and most consistent hitters in baseball history. Musial made his major league baseball debut in the latter part of 1941 where he played a total of 22 seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals. Musial has three World Series titles under his belt, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969, and shares the Major League's record of 24 for most All-Star Games played with baseball legends Hank Aaron and Willie Mays.

   

            During his career, Musial racked up a total of 3,630 career hits, 1,951 runs batted in, 3,026 total games played, had 10,972 chances at bat, scored a total of 1,949 runs, which includes a total of 725 doubles, and hit an impressive 475 career homeruns. At the time of his retirement, Musial had a total of 17 major league records, 29 National League Records, and nine All-Star game records. With a record like that, it’s no wonder Musial was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom award, which is the highest civilian award that can be bestowed upon a person by the US government. Stan Musial passed away on January 19, 2023, shortly after receiving this honor.

            Musial was once described as, “representing more than two decades of sustained excellence and complete decency as a human being” by the famous sportscaster, Bob Costas. With such a legacy of excellence, it wasn’t long before “Stan Musial Baseball Leagues” began to pop up all over the US. In fact, we actually had our own “Grand Ashland Stan Musial Baseball League” right here in Ashland, Kentucky.

            The Grand Ashland Stan Musial Baseball League was founded about 40 years ago by David Withrow and Mike Tussey. Both Tussey and Withrow had coached many years coming up the different ranks of little league. It wasn’t until sometime around 1981 that the area had a real need for a league for those in between graduating high school and going off to college to play during the summer months. “There was just no place in the summer months… June, July, and August for these athletes to play. There was just no outlet for them to hone their skills and continue playing to prepare for their college career,” noted Tussey. It was Tussey’s and Withrow’s hope to create such a league that would not only offer those caught in that in-between stages of their baseball careers but also create a type of feeder system. One day while over at Withrow’s house, Tussey brought up the idea of creating a league for these boys. The two tossed around different leagues they could possibly join and the two ultimately settled on the Stan Musial League. The closest Stan Musial League at the time was located in Barboursville WV, so Tussey reached out to the head coach of the Barboursville league and inquired about joining the league. Tussey was told that if he could provide a place to hold games in Kentucky that he could join their local league.

            Tussey quickly went to work and reached out to various city officials.  The Ashland Park Board was able to secure a spot for the league to hold games a couple of days a week. “CP1” better known as Central Park Field One became the home field for the Grand Ashland Stan Musial League. Withrow and Tussey wasted no time getting started and, in the winter of 1981, the two went to work raising funds for things the team would need such as uniforms.

            In 1982, the league was officially formed. Over the course of the next nine years, the Grand Ashland Stan Musial Baseball League would go on to win several championship titles. They earned the titles of the 1985- Cocoa Beach Expo Champions, 1988- AABC Kentucky State Champions, 1988- West Virginia Buck Stove Champions, 1990- AABC West Virginia State Champions, and earned a total of six league championships. To say that they brought a sense of pride to our area was an understatement. The community loved having the league in the area and was very supportive of the team. In fact, they respected them. Tussey stated, “That’s a type of respect that you just can’t pay for. It has to be earned.”

            Tussey reached out to the Beacon recently to invite everyone out to the Grand Ashland Stan Musial Baseball Homecoming Reunion. This will mark the group's 41st and final reunion. Please join us as we celebrate the legacy that these men leave behind, and may it serve as a sort of guidebook and inspiration for future players of the great American game of baseball.

            Tussey is hopeful that the players and their families from 1982 to 1991 will be able to come out to reminisce, celebrate, and honor all they have accomplished. “You don’t want to miss this! Please join us on August 26, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tomcat Bourbon and Brewhouse to help us honor all our team members and their families,” an excited Tussey proclaimed. At 7 p.m., there will be a special presentation from our honorable Mayor Matt Perkins that you won’t want to miss. During the event, you can take part in a delicious dinner menu, great local entertainment that will be on the patio stage at Tomcat Bourbon and Brewhouse, karaoke, games, team photos and special team exhibits.

“Blood, sweat, and respect. The first two you give… the last one you earn.”- Dwayne Johnson

The Superhero Powers of Writer Jonathan Joy

The Superhero Powers of Writer Jonathan Joy

By Pamela Hall

The Ashland Beacon

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It is always exciting when someone in our area has success with achieving something out of the ordinary. It is even more exciting when that person is one of the writers of The Greater Ashland Beacon!

Jonathan Joy, the writer of our “Bedtime Stories for Kids” column, has recently published a play based on the characters from the column. Kid Superheroes on the Rise is a children’s play published through Drama Notebook, a website that contains drama resource materials for teachers. The website, www.dramanotebook.com, has the world’s largest collection of materials for teaching drama, including scripts, monologues, drama games and activities, and even lesson plans. It is subscribed to by teachers all over the world.

   

“Drama Notebook has a few other works of mine as well,” Joy noted. “This is my fifth publication with them in the past five or six years. The website is a great teaching resource for grades K-12.”

As you can see, Joy is no stranger to writing and has experienced much success from his craft. He is an Associate Professor of English at Ashland Community and Technical College where he teaches composition and creative writing. He has written over 50 plays, which have been performed in at least 18 states. He has also won numerous awards, including nine West Virginia Writers awards.

“Bedtime Stories For Kids” came about as a result of Joy telling his son stories… at bedtime, of course. He has been writing the column for about seven years.

“My son was five years old when I started writing bedtime stories for him,” Joy explained. “As he grew, he began to get his own ideas and come up with characters of his own. It became something we could work on together.”

Writing the column soon resulted in a podcast that Joy and his son began nearly five years ago. Professor Theo’s Mystery Lab is also partially based on the characters in the column. Joy is the voice of Professor Theo for the podcast. It can be heard on www.professortheo.com.

“We have almost 200 episodes now,” Joy said enthusiastically.

Kid Superheroes on the Rise was released on June 1 by Drama Notebook. It is the story of Buck and several of his elementary school classmates that have acquired superhero powers. They come together, trying to learn how to use their powers, as they attempt to overcome the bullies and bad guys. The story emphasizes the importance of using one’s creativity and imagination, working together, and stopping bullying.

Joy is another example of the amazing talents and artistic abilities with which our area is blessed. He has, indeed, achieved something out of the ordinary for which our area should be proud.

Congratulations to Jonathan Joy on his new publication. We think he’s the one with superhero powers!

A Community “In Harmony” with the Louisville Orchestra

A Community “In Harmony” with the Louisville Orchestra

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

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Music is the universal language that brings us all together. From the marching band that gets the crowd riled up at football games, to the national anthem that brings us to our feet at baseball games, or even the violin solo at the high school orchestra concert–music is just one thread that runs between us all. This is the message the Louisville Orchestra is promoting with their new, free, concert series, “In Harmony.”

“In Harmony” is the brainchild of the conductor of the Louisville Orchestra, Teddy Abrams–and this concert series is meant to be one that connects and builds in every eastern Kentucky county they play in.

   

“I think his vision is he’s looking to kind of break down that divide between urban and rural, which is: ‘how do we connect everybody through music because it's a common language,’” explained Arricka Dunsford, the Kentucky Tour Project Manager for the Louisville Orchestra. “He wanted to go to as many places in the state of Kentucky as possible to not only share the music but to work with each of the communities to collaborate where possible with other local nonprofits, schools, community organizations, the orchestras themselves (if there are some there of course), the venues in each of these wonderful places that we are going. We are the only orchestra in the United States who is doing something like this at this time.”

The “In Harmony” tour will land in Ashland on July 8th at the Paramount Arts Center. However, this main performance is not the only show of the event as various ensembles from the orchestra will be performing at local community sites–including the Boyd County Public Library (July 8th at 2 p.m.) and the Olive Hill Center for Arts and Education (July 8th at 3 p.m.).

Holly Canfield, executive director of the Paramount Arts Center also could not wait to unveil the concert to the community.

“I'm 41, and I remember when I was younger coming to performances at the Paramount, but the majority of performances that I was exposed to were plays or musicals. I didn't get the opportunity to really come to see an orchestra. It wasn't until I was in my 30s that I sat down and listened to an orchestra performance–and there are several people in our area that still have never seen an orchestra before. This is an opportunity for them to be able to do that at no cost and to hear one of the best groups out there,” expressed Canfield.

“It's also a way to have a closer connection to the communities, [to be] more up close and personal. When we take our ensembles into the libraries, we perform our ‘Once Upon an Orchestra’ program which is something that was piloted here in Louisville with the Louisville free public library system. The idea is to be in every library system in Louisville with this program, and we’re taking that and trying to branch it off into each one of these stops that we're making. It's really great. They teach about the instruments, they do some demonstrations, they tell a story to put together something between reading, art, and music,” commented Dunsford.

This tour is all about understanding and connecting communities, and what better way to do that than to tour and bring their music to these community sites. After visiting downtown Ashland, Dunsford explained that the Orchestra absolutely fell in love with the area and knew that this would be a perfect play to showcase “In Harmony.”

“We kind of have a community conversation to get to know everybody: what are the challenges in the community? What are the arts and music like in that community? That's trying to find out the points of intersection because this is a tour that begins this year, but we hope to continue it for years to come,” stated Dunsford.

The tour is also meant to serve as a source of inspiration for those that it reaches–showing that even when it seems like a far-fetched dream, there is a path to pursue and thus achieve.

To experience “In Harmony,” plan to attend one of their many performances on July 8th.