The first Ashland Community Garden was located at DeBord Terrace in the hopes of providing people with the opportunity to grow their own produce and help children learn to garden.

Many who believe in the vision Community Gardens stepped forward to make this first garden project come to fruition.

Thanks to the following individuals and institutions: Ashland Fraternal Order of Police, Ashland Housing Authority, Ashland Milling, Jerry Bayless, Joe Burchett and the volunteer inmates, Ed Childers, city of Ashland, Phil Flesher, Foundation for the Tri-State, Joe Riffe, Bill Ruggles, James Stephens, Danny VanNatter of Stephens Pipe and Steel, and two generous individuals who wish to remain anonymous. Tony Mosser with the city and Lori Bowling, Boyd County Extension Office, have a passion for the gardens and are a big part of the project.

The Community Garden project is an investment in the future.

Cheryl Wooten Spriggs , Ashland City Commissioner



On behalf of the staff and board of Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky, I thank those who have adopted apartments for Harbor Hill. As the newest service for domestic violence clients, Harbor Hill is now providing secure and affordable housing, as well as wrap-around services for some of the FIVCO area’s most needy families.

Among contributing untold hours and financial contributions, along with furniture and household items, are Cannonsburg Church of the Nazarene, Christ United Methodist Church, King’s Way and Life Song Churches, and King’s Daughters and Sons Home. Providing sponsorship and volunteer assistance are Kentucky Education Development Corporation, Greenup County School System and the United Way. The Jeff and Pam Muncy family designed and completed an entire apartment.

“Adopt an Apartment” is an on-going initiative at Harbor Hill. For more information on renting or adopting an apartment, please call Debra Wright or Brenda Keathley at (606) 329-9304.

Debra Wright, Community Outreach Coordinator, Safe Harbor



Many thanks to all who helped with the 201st Welcome Home Family Picnic in August. More than 50 local entities helped with this event!

The picnic was at Princess Chapel Park. King’s Daughter’s Medical Center donated the meal, contracting with Texas Roadhouse. Starcon, Marathon Petroleum, Big Sandy SuperStore, McDonald’s, Eastern Kentucky Machinery, AEP, John W. Clark Oil, KCTCS Honor Society, KDMC volunteers, and South Ashland United Methodist youth group were invaluable in preparing and cleaning up.

Music was provided by Unity Baptist and South Ashland United Methodist churches, and soloists John Darin Rowsey, Andrea and Jason Covart, and Nick Skaggs. Rocky Adkins, Tanya Pullin, Walter Blevins, and Tom Kelley made special presentations.

Thanks to the hard working committee including Nan McGuire, Julie Marsh, Pastor Clell Lucas, Junior Fitzpatrick, SFC. Chris Epperson, SFC. Jack Howard, Rannie Cooper, Clancy Hatfield, Glenn Hardee, Dianne Clement, Kim Moore, Toby Welch, Debbie Frailey, Randy Boss, and Dan Bailey.

Rick Leake, Event chairman



September is National Preparedness Month and in celebration of this the Ashland-Boyd County-Catlettsburg Medical Reserve Corps held an informational booth at the Ashland Town Center on Sept. 12. This booth was set up to provide the community with information on winter weather preparedness, flu season preparedness and general preparedness.

I thank Vicki James from the Boyd County Chapter of the American Red Cross for partnering with us to host this event. I also thank the following Medical Reserve Corps members for volunteering to work at the event: Tammy Steele, Brian Elswick, Marty Vannatter, Freda Romans and Don Barker. Finally, I extend my thanks to Merri Hurn and Jamie Bloss from Ashland Town Center for their gracious hospitality.

Kristy Bolen, Coordinator, Ashland-Boyd County-Catlettsburg Medical Reserve Corps



On behalf of the staff, students and families of Hatcher Elementary, I offer my sincerest appreciation to the Ashland Alliance Young Professionals for their backpack program.

Their hard work certainly paid off. Many students were provided new backpacks and a variety of school supplies that helped to start the school year off on the right track. It is the dedication of groups such as this that makes our community great!

Once again, on behalf of Hatcher Elementary, thank you,

David Greene, Principal, Hatcher Elementary School



I recently celebrated my 38th birthday as a resident at Kingsbrook Lifecare Center. I was there because of a horrific automobile accident in which I nearly lost my foot and am still having surgeries on my left leg.

I awoke at Cabell Huntington Hospital and was told I would have to go to a nursing home. I was accepted as a patient at Kingsbrook and have been treated like family since my arrival.

I thank the administrators, nurses, CMTs, SRNAs, dietary staff, laundry, social services, therapy and activities department, wound care, housekeeping and Portsmouth Ambulance which transported me here.

I also thank Dr. Fioret for his wonderful bedside manners. Without these people, I don’t think I would made it. I also thank Pastor Dale Maddy who cut his vacation short because I needed him.

Lisa Coleman, Ashland



I thank Kyova Mall for all the events it has throughout the year. The excellent fireworks for our Labor Day Weekend were exceptional. This was the best fireworks I have seen for this area, I hope they will have them again next year.

Fran Fields, Ashland



Team Mosier held a bake sale Sept. 4 at Kentucky Farmers Bank in Summit to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk. We thank the bank for allowing us to hold the sale. We had a great turnout! We also thank all the employees and customers for being so generous and supporting this great cause!

Judy Wilburn, Tiffany Wilburn and Lanny Mosier, Team Mosier