We hope everybody is recovering this Friday morning after what seemed like a hectic week – tornado warnings, heavy rainfall, and now hot days.
We have a loaded weekly roundup today as several BIG announcements were made in our region this week.
STEM Goes Red Awards Scholarship Recipients
The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, is proud to announce the winners of its 2023 Eastern Kentucky STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Goes Red scholarships.
Three $10,000 scholarships, which were made possible by the Murry Foundation and are renewable for up to four years, were awarded.
This year’s recipients are Ashten Elizabeth Wall from Russell County High School, Ella Brooke Bussell from Rockcastle County High School, and Emily Brooke Neal from Lawrence County High School.
They were honored during a reception on May 8.
The American Heart Association in Central and Eastern Kentucky created the scholarship program in honor of Carol Barr, the late wife of Congressman Andy Barr, with the goal of bridging the gap between Eastern Kentucky students’ interest in pursuing a career in a STEM field and achieving their dreams. Carol lost her life in 2020 due to complications from mitral valve prolapse, a heart valve disease that affects the valve between the left heart chambers.
All female high school students who live in any of the 54 Eastern Kentucky counties served by Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) planning to pursue a degree in a STEM-related field were eligible to apply.
For more information, you can click HERE.
Delta Ashland is Ranked No. 1 Hotel by Marriot
The Delta Ashland Downtown has recently reached the No. 1 hotel ranking of all Delta Hotels in the United States and Canada!
In addition to the hotel receiving the top spot among all others, The Winchester Restaurant is also ranked as the No. 1 restaurant among all Delta properties.
Rankings for the Delta brand are based on guest reviews that score the hotel on items like cleanliness, front desk, restaurant, intent to recommend, and a variety of other hotel-focused points.
This is the second time that the Ashland Delta has reached the No. 1 ranking, however, since the hotel opened they have been consistently ranked in the top 10.
The hotel is also known to have hosted several famous people, one of them being Retta, known for her role as Donna on Parks and Recreation and Ruby Hill on Good Girls.
Here is proof that she was there, please ignore my face as I was emotionally having a moment meeting Retta.
Congratulations Delta!
Burger Week in Ashland
Another “happening” in Ashland is something that makes my stomach happy, Burger Week will begin Sunday, May 21st and it will end May 27th!
There are 12 burgers total for you to choose from and also taking place is a burger week competition/contest.
The rules are simple:
One winner will be randomly selected from all hashtag entries on social media and notified by messenger on or before May 30, 2023.
To participate in the contest:
- Visit and eat a burger at three participating restaurants.
- Show proof by sharing your experience on your Facebook or Instagram.
- Tag your photos with the following: #akyburgerweek #visitaky.
- Vote for the most creative burger in our website poll, www.akyburgerweek.com/vote 5. Follow Ashland’s Tourism pages on Instagram and Facebook: @visitashlandky
You can download the “official” AKY burger week passport HERE.
On a personal note, one of my greatest life achievements was eating 8 burgers at Corbin’s Burger Week in ONE DAY – so I am willing to accept the challenge for Ashland’s!
Lights, Camera, Action in EKY
London
The sights of London and Somerset will soon be seen around the world on a national cable network as filming took place in London this week.
RNR Media crews were set up in the James Rose Building in London’s Main Street this week to film “Night Lily,” which will air on the Lifetime network later this year.
This is apparently the third film RNR Media has done in southeastern Kentuck – “The first was “An Amish Christmas” and the other was “Sparks.”
“Night Lily” is the story of an advertising creative director, Lily Loftusis, who has finally made her mark on the advertising world, being featured as the cover story for Advantage Advertising magazine. But just when Lily thinks her life is taking a turn for the better, her personal and professional life takes a hit that challenges her in seeking her dreams.
Lily’s boss, Henry, takes a vacation in Big Bear and then decides he is going to retire. That pits Lily against her arch-rival, Victor, for the top job, causing her to fight for the job she’s always dreamed of while competing against Victor and his ruthless assistant, Maria.
*Gasp* Not Maria!
Complicating the situation, even more, is Lily’s personal life. While dealing with the competitiveness of the workplace, Lily must also find time for her new love interest, Ben. How the story ends will remain a mystery until the film airs.
I sure cannot wait to watch the movie while trying to point out our local Eastern Kentucky Towns.
While we are discussing films … another Eastern Kentucky town will be featured in a film as well …
Louisa
Another film being made in Eastern Kentucky is one titled “Ghosts of the Big Sandy,” that is taking place in Louisa!
You can follow the movie’s Facebook Fan Page HERE.
You can watch a film summary of Ghosts of the Big Sandy HERE.
6th Annual Wild & Scenic Red River Fest
Outdoor lovers and nature friends unite!
Join your hosts – Friends of Red River and Kentucky Waterways Alliance – for the Wild and Scenic Red RiverFest annually on the 3rd Saturday of May to celebrate the Red River, the only waterway in Kentucky that has this invaluable designation from the National Wild & Scenic River System which keeps it free-flowing and protected.
The 6th annual Red RiverFest is on Saturday, May 20th, and includes the 4-mile Red River Clay City Loop Fun Float, live music, rock climbing wall, food & drink vendors, environmental & recreation presenters, auction, prizes, and more festivities!
You can learn more info HERE.
Red RiverFest benefits Friends of Red River (under Kentucky Waterways Alliance) which works to protect, restore and celebrate Red River through cleanups, environmental education, access & recreation.
It also benefits local Search & Rescue teams.
Your participation and donations stay in our community and help make improve the water quality and make it more accessible.
AmeriCorps VISTA Service Opportunity
The American Red Cross is seeking AmeriCorps members to serve a one-year term supporting community recovery efforts following devastating floods impacting Kentucky last July.
Members will gain tremendous experience in Disaster Services, Community Recovery, relationship management, project management, volunteer leadership, fundraising, donations management, and general business.
Service opportunities are available in the following communities:
Jackson, Hazard, Hindman, Pikeville, and Whitesburg in Eastern Kentucky.
You can download the job description flyer HERE.
You can also read about the job description and apply HERE.
Phew …
Well, that is going to do it for this week’s Weekly Roundup.
Know of a program that needs applicants from our region?
Do you know of a grant opportunity that one of our Eastern Kentucky non-profits could benefit from?
or just have good news from your town?
Email us at: roundup@soar-ky.org
Future events to add to your calendar:
May
- AKY Burger Week, May 21 – 27
One winner will be randomly selected from all hashtag entries on social media and notified by messenger on or before May 30, 2023.
To participate in the contest:
- Visit and eat a burger at three participating restaurants.
- Show proof by sharing your experience on your Facebook or Instagram.
- Tag your photos with the following: #akyburgerweek #visitaky.
- Vote for the most creative burger in our website poll, www.akyburgerweek.com/vote 5. Follow Ashland’s Tourism pages on Instagram and Facebook: @visitashlandky
You can download the “official” AKY burger week passport HERE.
June
- TEK Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, June 2nd
The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will be having a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Inez starting at 1:30 pm for the new TEK Center!
You can learn more about the ceremony and its location HERE.
- Kiss the Goat Trail Race, June 24
If you enjoy trail running or want to train for something challenging, Kiss the Goat is unlike most races. You will be tested to your limits on a roughly 3.77-mile-long uphill course. Besides, what better way to treat yourself at the top of the hill than to blow a kiss to the goat? Yes, a real-life goat.
Don’t think this race is for you? Consider volunteering and spectating; you can even walk this course!
You can sign up for the event HERE.
- Bluegrass Mountain Cup, Perry County Park, June 25
A new and fast-growing trail system just down the road from downtown Hazard, KY, Perry County Park packs a lot of punch in a small area.
A bit of a climb to the top, but well worth the reward that you get coming down.
Creator of the Perry County hiking trails, Ben, and crew dedicated year around countless hours to making these trails some of the best in the state.
If you’ve not been there yet, you have to check this place out.
More details coming soon!
Registration is live HERE.
July
- Paint the Park 5k, July 1
Join the park for some “Fun on the Run” at Kentucky’s highest-in-elevation state park!
Participants will make laps equivalent to a 5k through the park’s shelter loop.
Make sure you come prepared to be doused with colored powder as you run/walk through the park!
9 a.m. registration at the park gift shop.
The run will begin at 10 a.m.
Pre-register before June 23 to guarantee a free event t-shirt!
The cost is $25 to register.
You can register for the event HERE.