ASHLAND — I knew I was in for something good when my buddy Rick at Rick’s BBQ and More called up to say he had come up with a new menu item and then added, “I’m proud of this.”

I stopped by to sample the new entree, Pulled Pork Nachos, and Rick set me up with a double helping and encouraged me to take it home and share it with my baby. In a quirk of timing, I pulled into the driveway and handed the aromatic package to my wife as she handed me the other end of a dog leash. When I got inside I found her practically hovering over the tray with a fork and going to town.

She saw me standing there and actually stomped her foot twice before she pointed to the box and tried to say, “That’s really good,” with a full mouth. She quickly handed the fork over and I have to back her up on that opinion. Truth be told, the combination of smoky pulled pork, tortilla chips, cheese sauce with a mild jalapeno kick and a generous glazing of Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce was so good, we ate it all right there on the spot — stopping only long enough to trade that fork for a napkin as we tag-teamed the big meal.

Rick’s BBQ and More is located on Rt. 60 in the Summit Plaza.

For more information or to place an order call (606) 929-5522.

Now open

I feel I’ve been following Melvin Ward since he graduated from barber college and moved through his apprenticeship to earn his Master Barber certification. I have to say I’m proud of him this week as he has moved on and opened his very own barber shop in downtown Ashland.

Melvin’s Barber Shop, at 209 15th St. in the former location of The Lion’s Den barber shop as well as a beauty salon and a hairbow shop, is now open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday specializing in flat-tops, fades, “all old-fashioned barber shop cuts” as well as razor shaves, he said. The place is clean inside and everything, including the barber pole outside, looks brand new. After a quick visit last week I found myself wondering what was missing from the pristine shop and only then realized Melvin hasn’t had a chance to start collecting the old photos and other items that give so much personality to the walls of any barbershop.

Walk-in customers are welcome at Melvin’s Barber Shop, which is between Katie’s Corner Cafe and Field’s Flower Shop, or you can make an appointment by calling (740) 646-2270.

Food and fun

I was definitely a child of the video-arcade era, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn I was intensely intrigued when told the folks at Gattiland in Ashland’s Mid Town Plaza recently adopted a new system for the amusements in their massive game room.

The restaurant’s game room, which I maintain is an unrecognized tourist destination in this city, now

uses a convenient “swipe card” system instead of the old key-based system, providing customers a more modern, convenient way to play games, collect points and add to their available resources. The card system also eliminates the need to collect and shred paper tickets, or stand in line to feed the “ticket eater” or ticket-counter machine, although anyone who prefers the paper tickets still has that option.

 Gattiland co-owner and operator Rocky Gibbs said the card system simply has more features for the customer allowing them to customize their information and add money to their card at any time, and is easily carried in a wallet or attached to something like a wristband for immediate access. Gibbs, who obviously takes a lot of pride in his business, made a point of saying Gattiland “is not just for kids,” with many specials designed to attract entire families as well as senior citizens and church groups.

“You can eat as a family and play as a family. People can’t just come in and play the games,” he said, adding the 11-year-old restaurant was among the first in the area to adopt an atmosphere totally free of tobacco and alcohol.

Gattiland is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the “back of the house” remaining open for an extra hour each night to accommodate anyone who wants to enjoy the games. For more information, call (606)329-8381.

Creative things

I enjoyed a quick visit with Michele Gehringer at the new shop she and her husband, Carl, have opened at 211 16th St. in downtown Ashland last week, although you’ll just have to check the place out for yourself for an accurate idea of the amazing variety of items they have to offer anyone seeking a gift or something for themselves or a home decorating project.

Gehringer’s Creative Cottage may be characterized as a gift shop, she said, although it truly is much more than that featuring unique handmade crafts in numerous themes along with “primitives,” special occasion florals, custom furniture, antique glassware and (coming soon) purses. While Michele’s crafty works have been getting most of the attention from the first wave of customers, she is quick to tout the talents of her husband, who is a metal artist and knife maker. Between them, the Gehringers have filled their shop with plenty of great things from whimsical to practical and decorative.

Gehringer’s Creative Cottage is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The shop offers 30-day layaways as well as delivery to local hospitals, funeral homes and residences after 4 p.m. For more information, drop by the shop or call (606) 325-0440.

And, if you stop by this week you may want to check out the new fabric and quilt shop next door. I hope to have more information about that business in next week’s column.

Hair help

Annette Featherstone is a busy lady in recent days following the opening of her new shop Bel’ Viso Electrology, offering permanent removal services for anyone with unwanted facial and body hair.

Featherstone, owner and electrologist, stresses the concept of individual service at her new business located at 700 Wheatly Rd. in the Westwood section of Ashland, catering to the needs of men, women and teens in a professional, private, clinical setting using advanced technology to provide comfortable treatment in all three methods of electrolysis.

"If you are tired of bleaching, tweezing, waxing, shaving, laser or any other methods you have tried and if you are ready to turn your image around and become maintenance free, call today for your free consultation,” she said.

For a consultation or more information, call (606) 324-HAIR (4247).

Grumpy Gordon’s

Dick Dowdy passed along a note advising the kitchen at Ashland’s American Legion has changed hands “and is cranking out some good food.”

The restaurant portion of the post on 20th St. is now known as Grumpy Gordon’s, he said, adding a personal recommendation for the “Grumpy Burger.” Dowdy said the daily specials are also good, noting he enjoyed the pork chops, corn, mashed potatoes and roll they served Monday.

I’m not sure how this works for non-members, but suspect you won’t have any problems getting someone to sign you in as a guest if you just want to stop by for a good meal. For more information (Dowdy said the kitchen is open weekdays and evenings except Tuesday), call American Legion Post 76 at (606) 324-0110.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.