Published: May 15, 2008 05:51 pm            

Words of Thanks — 05/17/08

I am writing to thank The Independent for its coverage of local academic teams.

The Independent is always willing to report on events involving local teams, and print accompanying photos as well. Your paper also sent a reporter to the Governor’s Cup State Championships in Louisville in March to cover all the students from the local area.

This was appreciated by not only me, but also the players, parents and administrators in my school system. Having previously worked in an area where getting the local paper to cover academic events was next to impossible, I thank you for all you do to cover these hard working players.

Matt Knupp, Academic Team Head Coach, Russell High School



As the many wishes of thanks that I expressed toward the Gusslers and my students in one interview with the Independent’s reporter were excluded from May 10 story regarding the Gussler Endowment Award, I want to make my sentiments clear.

I thank Dr. Gordon and Mrs. Dixie Gussler for establishing an award rewarding math and science faculty at ACTC, who inspire students toward greater achievement. Their generous endowment is appreciated beyond that which words can express. I feel honored and privileged to be the first Gussler Fellow.

I also thank my students, past and present, who have afforded me the opportunity to contribute to their knowledge of science, community and life. I’m blessed that our lives' paths brought us together to learn and achieve more.

Finally, I thank my division chair, Dr. Jim Schmidt, for his many years of support, Dr. Adkins, and the members of the Gussler Endowment Selection Committee.

Dr. Mary Catherine Flath, Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, Ashland Community and Technical College



On Thursday, May 8, our son, Stephen Jackson, was struck by a hit-and-run driver at the corner of 39th Street and Belmont Avenue.

We thank all those who attended to him until the ambulance arrived. A special thanks goes to the nurse who cleaned his injuries and the man with the umbrella who kept the rain off of him.

Ashland surely has guardian angels. Our son was just bruised and scraped and is doing OK now.

Billy R. Jackson and Rebecca Mullins, Ashland



I thank the businesses and volunteers that made the Ashland Alliance’s 10th annual U.S. 23 Cleanup a success.

More than 200 volunteers cleaned nearly 40 miles of roadway, gathering approximately 175 bags of trash. We thank these volunteers: Marathon Petroleum employees; Ramey–Estep Home; Boy Scout Troop 112; Phyllis Copley; Donald Spears; Jim Moore; Missy Taylor; Ashland Kiwanis; Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis; Knights of Columbus; Oakmont Manor Employees; Cody Grant; Johnny Shearer; Sam Hieneman; East Greenup Kiwanis; Jim Belt and the Greenup County Detention Center.

We thank these sponsors: AK Steel; A & A Residential Septic Service; Boyd County Fiscal Court; DTR Inc.; Greenup County Fiscal Court; Kentucky Power; KYOVA Mall; Marathon Petroleum; Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital; Veolia Environmental Services; Ashland Wal-Mart; Woodland Oaks/Oakmont Manor.

State road garages in Boyd and Greenup counties supplied safety vests and trash bags and picked up the collected trash. We thank them.

Missy Conley McCalvin, Boyd County Volunteer Coordinator, Ashland Alliance



On April 26, 2008, the AHS ‘45ers hosted a “bruncheon” at the Ponderosa for the AHS Grads 1943-1948. Sixty-five attended. The “Reunion Phenomenon” kicked in and laughter, hugs and other signs of long-time friendships took over.

The program was led by Cy Reynolds, jokes and drawings for prizes, prayers by the Rev. David Rule, and Pledge of Allegiance by Col. Jack Moon. Bill Green led the songs: “God Bless America,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” Tomcat fight song" and “Auld Lang Syne.”

On behalf of the group, I thank the following: Kentucky Farmers Bank, Jesse Stuart Museum, Community Trust Bank, State Farm Insurance, Ashland Sporting Goods, Butch’s Auto Center, Boyd County Public Library, Fields Flower Shop, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Western Hills Florist and Gift Shop, The Independent, Boyd County Extension and '45er classmate Jim Broughton of Columbus for their generous gifts.

Roger G. Noonan, Ashland



Friday, April 25, was National Arbor Day. Ashland’s Tree Board and more than 30 students from Ashland Community and Technical College celebrated by working together distributing young trees through our annual seedlings giveaway in Central Park.

Eight thousand seedlings were given to more than 630 friends and neighbors in Ashland and nearby communities.

Through the coming years, these “youngsters” will develop into mature giants shading pastures, porches and homes and, beginning now, producing cleaner, healthier air for all of us to breathe. What better gift could we give ourselves and future area residents?

Thanks go to our city officials for purchasing the trees, to our partners from ACTC and to Kroger’s for providing hundreds of bags needed this year and in all our past seedling giveaway projects.

We’ll see you all next year.

Joyce Welch, chairperson, Ashland Tree Board



The Ashland Post Office’s “Stamp Out Hunger” drive provided more than 15,000 pounds of food to six local service agencies, which distribtued the food to the less fortunate in the area.

River Cities Harvest thanks the post office letter carriers and their volunteers, Medical Transportation Service, for the use of its facilities to receive and distibute the food, the boys from the Ashland Group Home, and Pizza Hut.

Special thanks go to Richard Hoffman, Sam Greening, and Ruth and Charlie Rice for their dedication to this project and many other RCH activities.

Jim Fout, River Cities Harvest



A very special thanks to the South Shore Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the loving care they gave my mother during her 41/2 years under its care.

From the nursing staff, therapists, and administrators to the kitchen staff and housekeeping, they were all outstanding. I visited nearly every day during her stay and any small problem brought to their attention was addressed immediately.

During the last two weeks of her stay, they made me a private room so I could stay around the clock with her. The kitchen staff fed me three meals a day and the food was very good.

Again, a very heartfelt thank you. I will never forget the kindness.

Geneva Bailey, daughter of Thelma Shepherd, Greenup

        

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