Published: June 10, 2009 09:32 am      

In Your View — 06/10/09

Visitors impressed by Harbor Hill

A friend of mine, Janice Bush, and I attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Harbor Hill facility on Thursday. Not only am I impressed by the way the needs of women and children subjected to domestic violence are being met by this project, but by the total effort of the area population in getting this challenging feat accomplished. What a great job!

The president of AU Associates, Holly Wiedemann, the project director, has monuments of her talent all over Kentucky and other parts of the country. She adapted a closed school here in Irvine into beautiful apartments for elderly residents. There is a waiting list for these apartments, so we all know of her expertise.

I also met another woman that day, your own Ann Perkins. I’m also impressed with Ann as a person who can make things happen. I’m so glad these two remarkable ladies teamed up to pursue this project. I also got to meet so many of the necessary support people who are so vital in a project of this magnitude.

It was also interesting that the planners included some history of the residents of the hospital from its days as a TB hospital. There was a room full of pictures and articles from that day, and some of the former patients. The stories they told make our hearts thankful for their healing. What a wonderful thought to include these people in the program.

May this dedicated staff, volunteers, other supporters, and the facility give all who need its services a new beginning, a safe place to continue their lives on a different level. What a thought and mission, straight from the Great Commission. My love and prayers to all involved.

Nelle Williams, Councilwoman, City of Irvine



The arts are alive and well in Ashland

Whether quilting, designing vehicles, creating on canvas or film, spinning clay, making jewelry, entertaining on stage, or working in today's digital business environment, the arts are imperative to individual and community success and quality of life. Thriving artists, along with community appreciation and support of the arts, is a measurable competitive advantage in our global marketplace. Ashland has made and continues to make great strides toward this end.

Ashland’s support of the arts was once again demonstrated by the number of attendees in Ashland’s Chalk Walk ’09 and Pendelton Art Center’s First Friday event. Community arts organizations collaborated to create an event designed for children and families to showcase an artistic Ashland and involve residents in creating art in the form of pastel pavement chalk art drawings on the sidewalks of Judd Plaza. Additionally, the event provided opportunities to stroll Ashland’s historic arts district and Pendleton galleries; hear live musical performances; tour Highlands Museum & Discovery Center; and enjoy clowns and vintage cartoons,; a motorcycle and classic auto show, and concessions.

All activities and concessions were free to the public thanks to the generous support of area arts organizations, local businesses, civic and community organizations, sponsors and underwriters, volunteers and the city.

On behalf of all who helped organize the event, we extend a collective heartfelt expression of thanks and gratitude. Together we continue to demonstrate that the arts are alive and well in Ashland.

Finally, photos and videos of the event are being posted to the website: www.ashlandchalkwalk.com. We invite you to visit the site to view the event, post your event images, and provide feedback to help make Chalk Walk 2010 even better.

Paul Clere, for the Art Walk ’09 Organizing Committee



1970s classes planning reunion

As many are aware, we are in the planning stage of a joint reunion between Ironton High and St. Joe classes from 1970 through 1979. The reunion will be in Ironton during the summer of 2010.

We need your help in contacting members of the classes. We can use help in locating alumni even from those not planning to attend. We also need input on planning the event. The major decisions about the reunion are being aided by surveys of alumni.

There are several Web sights dedicated to this event, plus we are designing one that will be a central Web site solely for the reunion.

We need e-mail addresses, street addresses, phone numbers and married names of graduates of IHS and St. Joe between 1970 and 1979. Class lists can be obtained through www.facebook.com/l/ or www.tigertown.com/alumni2/

Russell “Rusty” Ball, IHS class of 1976



‘Odd Couple’ made for great evening

This past weekend at the Greenbo State Park Ampitheater, the Red Lion Theatre group did an outstanding performance of the play “The Odd Couple.” If you missed this play, you missed some really great entertainment. The play was well directed and entertaining.

The Greenbo Ampitheater will host the Red Lion performance of “The Wiz,” June 25-28.

We need to support our local theater groups. Our area is blessed with tremendous talent.

Come out to Greenbo, sit under the stars, enjoy the play and support our local talent. You will not be disappointed. Oh, don’t forget your lawn chair.

Darla Reed, Russell