On Thursday, March 11, Crabbe Elementary School hosted an academic team blitz for all Ashland Independent elementary schools. This entire day of study was for students and quick recall teams who were advancing from the district match to the regional match.

We had approximately 35 fourth and fifth grade students from the Ashland district in our school rigorously working on content area information and practicing quick recall.

We thank Bill Pinson, store manager of Riverhill Walmart, for donating breakfast items such as muffins, milk and fruit and for donating crackers and juice for an afternoon snack.

We also thank Dixie Johnson, Ashland academic team coordinator, Colonel Burgess and Janice Ledford, Ashland District consultant, for organizing this event and spending the day at Crabbe preparing our students.

We thank Superintendent Steve Gilmore for allowing this event to take place and for encouraging our district’s young students to value academics.

Brad Greene, principal , Christine Scott, Instructional coach, Crabbe Elementary School



Imagining the best rather than fearing the worst can turn a snowstorm into the perfect setting for a Christmas fundraiser.

The 7th Annual Stephen Salyers' Sounds of Christmas concert was December 19. A strong committee, volunteers and couple of ACM nominated friends turned it into a successful evening!

Many thanks to the event's first Troubadour Community Award recipient, Margaret Adkins, for her support to the Billy Ray Cyrus Charities Foundation. I also thank co-chairs Brent and Stephanie Clark, the Bellefonte Country Club staff, emcee Randy Yohe and the loyal sponsors!

A special thanks to my music colleagues Steel Magnolia. In the midst of making their record, planning a tour with Brad Paisley and being nominated for an Academy of Country Music award, they were a nice touch to the evening.

I’m determined this event will evolve into an evening that will have a wide effect on the Tri-State.

Stephen Salyers, Nashville



Recently our family lost a son and brother. He didn’t have any insurance and was on Social Security. We faced a very difficult time, as all people do during such times.

You read in the paper about the bad things in the world and how humanity is on its way down. Well, in our case, something happened to restore our faith in human kindness. So many people brought us food and donated money to help us with the costs.

We thank them. Texas Roadhouse was a huge blessing, as was Ashland Eagles Club and all the trustees and members who gave. We thank Lazear Funeral Home, Bellefonte Memorial Gardens, The Independent and the many scores of friends and family. May God bless each one of them.

Bruce Collins, for the Collins Family, Ashland



On Feb. 28, 2007, I started cardiac rehab at the Vitality Center at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital following recovery from triple bypass heart surgery. Debbie Martin, RN, manager of cardiaopulmonary and wellness, evaluated me and set up an exercise schedule specific to my needs, health and age. I’d never exercised previously , but after thee years of contiuing rehab exercises, I feel beeter than I have in 20 years.

Debbie and staff are the best in the area. I recommend them to anyone requiring cardiac rehab. The staff and patients are like a big family. If one is absent for any reason, another will check on them. We visit with each other, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries together and celerbrate our milestones in improving our health.

If you require caridac rehab or physical therapy, Consider the Vitality Center.

Lowell W. Barker, Ashland