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!

Greenup’s Got Talent:

Local Boy Signs Contract with Prestige Talent Agency

By Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

            Joshua Noah Fisher—take note of that name, and remember it because you will undoubtedly hear it again in the near future! At just 11 years old, young Fisher of Greenup County is making waves in the world of theater. Fisher has always had a deep connection to the stage. When Fisher was just three years old, he had his first experience when he played the part of a lamb in a local production of Mary Had a Little Lamb. Fisher shared, “I played the part of a sheep, and even though I don’t remember much about it, I know I was meant to be on stage.”

            After taking an almost eight-year break from performing, this little actor decided to dive back into the acting world. Fisher has played roles in some of the Paramount Players productions as well as local church and Aspire productions. “My favorite performance that I have done so far would have to be the Paramount Players Seussical where I got to sing a solo in a bathtub,” an excited Fisher explained.  Recently, Fisher’s riveting and expressive talent caught the eye of the Heyman Talent Agency, which is based out of Louisville, Kentucky.

            The Heyman Talent Agency has several locations across the United States and represents a wide variety of talent from acting to modeling. Fisher noted, “So, I just signed with Heyman Talent Agency, which is a talent group that will be sending me different things I can audition for if they feel like I am a good fit.” Young Fisher could be selected to take part in on-stage performances, commercials, TV shows, or even print advertisements. In fact, just recently Fisher’s profile was submitted to Shoe Carnival for an upcoming advertisement for shoes. So far, so good because Shoe Carnival really liked what they saw, and Fisher made the first cut. He is now anxiously awaiting the final decision, which will take place between October 31 and November 2. If selected for the advertisement, Fisher will be heading out to Evansville, Indiana on November 8 to take part in Shoe Carnival’s upcoming shoe ads.

In addition to awaiting Shoe Carnival’s final decision, Fisher is already making plans for 2024 to audition for the popular TV show America’s Got Talent. Fisher will need to make a video of himself dancing and submit it before March 8, 2024. If Fisher makes the cut, he will then head out to Los Angeles, California on March 25, 2024, to take part in the filming.

What does Fisher want to be when he grows up? As Fisher shared, “That’s not even a question! I want to be an actor, of course. It doesn’t matter what kind of actor. It could be on stage, TV, or just anything.” Fisher went on to add, “If for some reason acting doesn’t work out for me in the future, I do have a backup plan of possibly doing something that involves cooking. I love cooking.”

Fisher shared this advice, “If you are wanting to get involved in acting but just haven’t yet for whatever reason, you should just do it. You never know what you might enjoy doing if you never try things that you aren’t sure about.”  Acting for me is just … it’s amazing because on that stage you can be anything that you want to be. But when I’m up there, I just feel like myself.”

Ashland Area YMCA to Host Special Needs “No Boundaries Games”

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

          Honesty, respect, caring, and responsibility--these are the values the Ashland Area YMCA strives to share with members through the use of its facilities and the many programs offered. Becoming active in the Ashland Area YMCA will not only strengthen our community and its families, but it will inevitably help create a positive environment for our kids to grow and learn. The Ashland Area YMCA is a true staple within our community. Those who work at the Ashland Area YMCA work tirelessly to make sure everyone who graces its doors feels welcomed and finds something that caters to his/her interest.

            One of the greatest aspects of this facility is the fact the staff always come up with new and innovative ways to bring people together and also give our youth the best possible experiences in a safe, fun, and welcoming environment.  From youth rallies to special needs proms, the Ashland Area YMCA truly knows how to bring a community together and keep them coming back for more. 

            On November 10, 2023, the Ashland Area YMCA will hold its first-ever Special Needs “No Boundaries Games.” This event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Julie Vinson, Human Resources Director of the Ashland Area YMCA, took the time to explain what this event is all about, “LT Turner, one of our members, has been wanting us to host an event like the Special Olympics at the Ashland Area YMCA for quite some time now.  He has shared this idea with our Executive Director, Scott Campbell and our Fitness Supervisor, Brooke Yanik on several occasions.”

            The Special Needs No Boundaries Games will feature several events and anyone age 14 and older can participate in this event. “We have three general events to choose from. Each participant can choose two events. We will be having swimming, track, and basketball events. We will also have several wheelchair-accessible games.”

            An excited Vinson explained, “At the Y, we want to have something for everyone. I’m excited that we can host an event like this to see the pure joy and excitement of our participants as they demonstrate their abilities and talents. I can’t wait!”

            Max Hunter, Athletic Director at the Ashland Area YMCA, shared, “Providing No Boundaries participants with a day full of sports is just really exciting because we get to see them excel and compete in competitions—making it a day they will never forget.”

Fitness Supervisor, Brook Yanik, explained, “I am excited to provide a platform for the athletes to showcase their talents and abilities. Our goal is for the Y to be filled with a sense of belonging and inclusivity. We are ready to spread the joy!” Pat Ewing, Aquatic Director shared in everyone else’s excitement, “I can’t wait to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.”

            If you are interested in registering for this event you can do so by calling 606.324.6191. You can also register in person at the front desk, or check out the Ashland Area YMCA’s online app. Mark your calendars because this is an event that you will not want to miss!

Strong Bonds and Musical Ties

Boyd County High School Band Celebrates Alumni Night

By Pamela Hall

The Ashland Beacon

Learning to play a musical instrument can be a difficult task; however, starting that endeavor as a child within a school system music program makes the task so much easier. In addition, there are academic benefits for those students who are involved in music. There have been many clinical studies conducted where research shows that music students usually score better academically, especially in math and science. In fact, according to www.sciencedaily.com, students who continue music studies in high school are likely to be up to one academic year ahead of other students.

This certainly proves the importance of having a strong music department in our school systems. It also proves that there can be great benefits, as well as great fun, in learning to play an instrument and being a member of the high school band. Yet sadly, most people who play in their high school band rarely pick up their instruments after graduation. Often, this is due to the lack of available opportunities to play unless their skill is at a professional level. Of course, most of us are not at that level, yet we still enjoy playing.

Boyd County High School Band Director, John Johnson, recently gave previous students an opportunity to once again be a part of the high school band. Boyd County Alumni Band Night occurred at the Boyd County vs. Ashland football game earlier this month. Former students were invited to be a part of the pre-game show, as well as play in the stands during the game.

“We had a great turnout this year with about 40 alumni participating,” Johnson said. “We had participants that were band students ranging from the years of 1967 to 2023.”

In addition to the alumni musicians, Johnson also had a former band director to participate. Carl Taylor, who also previously taught vocal music at Boyd County, conducted the Fight Song during the pre-game show.

 Taylor remarked, “A highlight of returning to BCHS for the event was seeing former students again after many years and hearing about what has been happening in their lives during those years.”

Johnson started having Alumni Band Night the first year he came to Boyd County in 2006. It was so successful that he has had it every year since then.

Johnson recalled, “When I attended Morehead State University, there was always a game for alumni band members to participate. When I came to Boyd County, I decided to do the same thing. It has been very popular.”

It has been so popular, in fact, that Johnson added an Alumni Band Night during the basketball season as well. This gives former band members yet another opportunity to participate and play.

“Band members have a special bond,” explained McKensie Johnson, a 2018 graduate who participated this year. “No matter how far or close we are, we still manage to get together and make a special moment.”

It was indeed a special moment for the alumni to be able to march out on the field and perform once again.

“It was great to be on the field again,” said Andrew Hall, a 2014 graduate and former Drum Major for the band. “I was also a vocal student under Mr. Taylor so having him conducting the Fight Song was very special to me as well.”

“It's hard to imagine how many lives the Boyd County Band Program has impacted,” Johnson said. “The band program is outstanding because of all of the wonderful people past, present, and future that have been a part of it.”

There’s no doubt that music leaves an impression and has an impact on people’s lives whether it be from feeling emotional or recalling good memories from just listening to music, the feeling of being a part of a group that makes up a band or choir, or even from getting better test scores as students.  Only one conclusion can be drawn…music makes a difference!