On Feb 18, my family and I ate at Captain D’s on Winchester Avenue. After returning home more than an hour later, I realized I had left my purse at Captain D’s. I frantically drove back to the restaurant.

I was sure someone had found and stolen my purse. I thought of all the things in my purse: My children's birth certificates, insurance cards, credit cards, my license and my money.

Upon returing to Captain D’s, I was told four women who sat beside us had turned a purse into a worker named Connie. I was relieved to see it was mine. I thanked her . Looking inside the purse, I found nothing had been touched, not even the money.

I’m so thankful to Connie and the four honest women who turned in my purse. Captain D's is truly lucky for having such an honest employee like Connie.

Terrisa Short, Danleyton



I thank the sponsors who made Black History Month at the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center a wonderful celebration for our community: Arts Council of Northeatern Kentucky, Ashland Community and Technical College, Boyd & Greenup County Branch of the NAACP, Ashland Human Rights Commission, Dr. William Boykin, Dr. James Martin, Dr. Charles Rhodes, Dr. Michael Canty, Dr. Cheryl Bascom, Paramount Arts Center, Clear Channel Communications, Tri-State Radiology and Kentucky Historical Society.

Thanks to the participants of Apollo Night and to the winners for their encore performances. Special thanks to Kings Way, Firtt Baptist Church of Burlington, Antioch Missionary Baptist, and Christ Temple for rocking the museum on Gospel Night. Thanks to Jerry Johnson for the inspiring display of paintings and to Bill Schaefer and staff for the fabulous food. Thanks to all the folks who attended Black History events. We appreciate the community’s support.

Debbie Miller , Executive director, Highland Museum & Discovery Center



Hillcrest-Bruce Mission thanks everyone who made our 2nd Choir Festival such an amazing event. We appreciate the six choirs that shared: Grassland Community, Unity Baptist, Advance United Methodist, Wildwood First Church of God, South Ashland United Methodist and First Baptist Church. We also appreciate participants Randy Loschert, Rick Triplett and family, the Rev. Mark Girard, the Rev. Phil Hogg, and Jason Mullins and family. A special thank you goes to young soloist Naediene Gussler.

We also appreciate everyone who helped before and during the event: Jeanie Patrick, Valarie Apts, Maebelle Shepherd, Kathryn Moore, Michael McAlister, Dr. Bill Pence, Bonnie Fisher, Kristina Tomlin and Krysti, Macey and Maddie Klaiber. We thank The Independent for its coverage, the Paramount Arts Center, Artsreach, Kentucky and all who attended. We pray the evening was a blessto all who attended.

Cyndi Downing, Executive director, Hillcrest-Bruce Mission