Rico Bush

For The Beacon

   Having dreams is one thing that doesn’t change from childhood to adulthood. The subject of our dreams change some as we grow older, and eventually, most of us begin to leave these visions behind as we age, thinking that they will never come to fruition. 

   However, the bravery and determination of one little girl has shown us that if you believe in yourself, you can make your dreams a reality. I’m sure we have all heard the saying, the proof is in the pudding, so with that, said I hope you are ready for some dessert! 

   Newly appointed principal of Catlettsburg Elementary, Jana Osborne, regales us with a dream that she has had the pleasure of watching come true. Osborne shared that this dream started during the fall of 2021 within the mind of one beautiful little girl by the name of Jenna Cumpston. Cumpston was a fifth grade student at Catlettsburg Elementary at the time. This aspiration is one that every young boy and young girl, no matter what age has dreamt of…  a big shiny new playground!

   Jenna Cumpston is teaching us that for our dreams to come true, we have to be willing to put the work in. Osborne shared with us that Cumpston went to various individuals, businesses, and city officials to raise funds for this new playground. Osborne went on to add, “Cumpston was able to get all the funds needed for this dream from individuals and corporations. The entire process from vision, to dream, to raising money and designing took about a year to completion.” Cumpston also showed that any worthwhile dream takes time, effort, and determination for the dream to come true. How many adults can stick with something for over a year to see something through? Let alone a fifth grader. I firmly believe that this fifth grader could be a role model for most adults.

   Now close your eyes… imagine being able to see your dream in your mind and then being able to open your eyes and see it come true right before you. Osborne delighted us in sharing, “watching Jenna cut the ribbon to enter her dream and run across the playground and straight to the swings will forever hold a space in my heart.” As we all know it would only be fitting that Little Miss Cumpston have the honor of being the first to play on the new playground. Osborne shares the same thought, “It was only fitting that Cumpston was the first to play because she was so instrumental throughout the entire process. I was humbled to be able to stand alongside all of all those who worked and sacrificed so much to make her dream a reality for not only her but all of our students. Catlettsburg is a wonderful place. I am beyond blessed to be a small part of all that happens here.”

   Dreams inspire dreams, as we found out from talking to Principal Osborne, who let us in on her own little dream of her own for the school. “We are currently working on creating an outdoor learning space. Something that both teachers and students will be able to utilize as an alternative to their everyday classrooms. Sunshine and fresh air is vital to both students and teachers alike.” We are all looking forward to Mrs. Osborne’s dream come true and I myself am looking forward to hearing about more local dreams coming true.  

Lisa Patrick 

The Ashland Beacon

   The United States Flag Code states that “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” This past Thursday, November 10th, a group of people gathered at the Ashland Riverfront to give some United States flags a respectful retirement. 

   Although the Ashland Fire Department has always tried to do a flag retirement ceremony twice a year-one on Veterans Day and another on Flag Day-this is the first one since 2019, before COVID hit the nation and social distancing became the norm for most people. A few years ago, a local Eagle Scout had built boxes where people could drop off flags that could no longer be used and placed them at each of the fire departments in Ashland. During the almost-three year gap between flag ceremonies, the number of flags that were dropped off filled up the entire bed of a pickup truck. 

   Cheryl Spriggs, head of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, led the ceremony. The Ashland ROTC presented the colors and the gathering sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and recited “The Pledge of Allegiance.” Spriggs had also invited local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to participate in the ceremony. 

   The first ceremonial flag to be burned was cut into pieces first by the scouts. While the flag was held in place by Kenzie Patrick and Iris Aldridge of Girl Scout Troop 1100 and Blake Patrick and Jazz Holbrook of Boy Scout Troop 1100, Catie Hardesty of Girl Scout Troop 90 proudly cut out the blue field of stars. Nick Osborne, Senior Boy Scout of Troop 1100, then proceeded to cut out each stripe of the flag. As each strip was cut, members of the Girl Scout Troop 1100 and Boy Scout Troop 1100 would read out the name of the colony that it represented and the date that the colony was founded. Osborne would then give the newly cut piece of the flag to Hardesty. Hardesty then passed it to Ashland Fire Captain, Carl Stambaugh, who would then surrender it to the flames. 

   Once the last piece of the ceremonial flag-the stars- was submitted to the flames, Robbie Perkins played TAPS. Then members of the Ashland Fire Department proceeded to throw the rest of the retired flags into the flames. 

   When asked how he felt about being able to be a part of the flag retirement ceremony again after almost three years, Boy Scout Zack Dillon said, “it is so important for the greatest symbol of our country to be taken out of action respectfully.” Dillon said that “it means a lot for me to be here because I’m proud of my country and honored to do my civic duty.”

   Boy Scout Jazz Holbrook said that “the flag is important to me because it represents freedom, justice, and the sacrifice of the people who have fought for our country.” Holbrook went on to say that he was “honored to be a part of the ceremony” and that he hopes to continue “to be a part of the ceremony for years to come.”

Jarrod E. Stephens

The Ashland Beacon

   There are times whenever we need to get away from the daily tasks and take on some adventure. Unfortunately, we are now entering the time of year where the weather may dampen the opportunity for outdoor adventures. It’s no secret that we live in one of the most beautiful regions whenever it comes to diverse landscapes and natural beauty. 

   Thanks to the foresight and generosity of some lawmakers and landowners, an underground world of exploration exists that rarely is affected by our outdoor weather. Hidden away in Carter County is a gem of a place where in spite of cooling weather and sometimes sour conditions you can enjoy mild temperatures and relatively dry conditions year-round.

   Carter Caves State Resort Park is home to an amazing series of underground caves that any explorer from beginner to expert can appreciate. Some caves don’t offer wintertime tours but were important in our local history. One cave in particular has quite an historical significance. The Saltpeter Cave is said to have been used to mine saltpeter which is an ingredient used in gunpowder. Some say that the saltpeter was actually mined and used to produce gunpowder for the War of 1812. This cave is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 

   Another cave that offers limited tours is the Bat Cave. The Bat Cave is considered a wild cave tour because is has not been modernized with pathways or lighting. As its name suggests, it is home to many bats. That’s the primary reason for limiting the cave tours from Memorial to Labor Day. Many bats hibernate in the cave and limiting the tours keeps them from being disturbed during hibernation.

   While the temperatures will cool some during the winter months, the temperature inside the caves will generally stay in the 50s. Guided tours of X-Cave and Cascade cave are given year-round. Cascade Cave offers the longest scenic cave tour in the park. Inside you’ll get to see a 30-foot waterfall and an enormous room called the Dance Hall. Other notable features are the Cathedral, North cave, and Lake Room’s reflecting pool. 

   X-Cave is also open year-round and is so named because of the crossing of the caverns in the middle of the cave and it forms an X. The Great Chandelier can be seen and is the largest collection of stalactites in the park. Some other features are formations known as Headache Rock, the Pipe Organ and Giant Turkey. 

   Nearly a decade ago a sad chapter for the caves had begun to be written. A disease that is known as white-nose syndrome began infecting the hibernating bats in the caves. The disease is fatal for up to 70-100% of bat populations when it is introduced. White-nose syndrome is carried and spread by visitors who wear contaminated clothing into the cave. Extensive measures for monitoring the bats and providing decontamination of clothing and shoes for visitors have been put into place to protect the fragile bat population.  

   If you don’t care to brave the fall and winter elements or if you catch a relatively nice day, then you can also take advantage of their many trails that will offer you a unique experience. The park has five natural bridges and several miles of walking trails. The trails will give you a glimpse of the area’s unique geology and you’ll maybe realize for the first time what an amazing place Carter Caves really is.

   Don’t let the late fall and coming winter days keep you from embarking on a journey. Take the short drive to Carter Caves State Resort Park and experience its rich history and see for yourself why so many visitors come back. 

   Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. Like all cancers, it is most treatable when discovered early. King’s Daughters is pleased to offer an imaging study called low-dose CT scan, allowing providers to detect lung abnormalities, including lung cancer, earlier and more effectively than ever before. 

   The scan can find signs of lung cancer before a patient is even experiencing symptoms and has shown to decrease mortality from lung cancer by 20%.

   “If we do a low-dose CT and we find a nodule that’s pea sized, you actually wouldn’t have any symptoms. And that’s the whole goal of doing low-dose screening, is to detect lung cancer as early as possible so we can begin treatment,” said King’s Daughters Oncologist/Hematologist Galena Salem, M.D. “Early detection can save your life.”

   Low-dose CT is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. To be eligible, patients must:

•Be between 50 and 77 years old

•Have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer

•Be a current smoker (or quit in last 15 years)

•Have a tobacco use history of at least 20 pack-years (One pack-year equals smoking 20 cigarettes/day for a year)

   King's Daughters provides the testing in Ashland, Grayson, Prestonsburg and Portsmouth. To discuss eligibility, please call 606.408.8999 or visit bit.ly/KDLowDoseCT.

Preventing Lung Cancer

   The best way to prevent lung cancer is to not smoke. No matter your age or how long you’ve been smoking, quitting improves your health both immediately and over the long term. 

   Within 20 minutes of quitting, your blood pressure and pulse rate drop to normal and the temperature of your hands and feet return to normal. Within 24 hours, your chance of a heart attack decreases. After three months, your circulation improves, walking becomes easier, and, your lung function increases up to 30 percent. 

   After one year, your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker. After five years, the lung cancer death rate for the average former smoker decreases by almost half; the stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker; and the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker. 

   Quitting smoking isn’t easy. Successful quitting is a matter of planning and commitment, not luck. It all starts with day one.

   “Unfortunately, not that many people can quit cold turkey,” said Dr. Salem. “So what I always tell my patients is ‘every cigarette matters.’ Have a goal, set a date and go toward that goal.”

   King’s Daughters offers tobacco cessation classes and one-on-one counseling to community members. For more information, contact tobacco treatment specialist Deidre Justice, RN, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 606.408.6400.