The Medical Leader

Cheryl Hickman, VP/Asst. to the President/CEO:
“Anyone that knows the long- standing history of Eastern Kentucky University will know that its location was originally supposed to be in eastern Kentucky. I believe it was supposed to be located in Prestonsburg. This is why it was named Eastern Kentucky University.

Education needs to be accessible and affordable for every student who wants to attend college. In today's economy, tuition at a private college or university is very high, thus making it difficult for potential students. Eastern Kentucky has always been viewed as an area that is under- served, under-educated and under-developed.

There is now the opportunity to change this with the help of the leadership of former Governor Paul Patton. This will not only change the future for our youth, but it will also change the economic future for all citizens of eastern Kentucky. State government leaders need to make this decision based on what is right and not on how this will affect the budgets of existing universities in the state.”

Dr. Tamara Musgrave, Oncologist:
“I have practiced medicine in this community for 15 years. I have taken care of many people with damaged livers from Hepatitis C. Most have acquired it from drug abuse. As I listen to their stories, I hear regrets of mistakes they made in their teens and early twenties as they struggled to make a life for themselves. I believe the only way to change Appalachia forever is through affordable college education and job opportunities. UPIKE is trying to make a difference and by becoming a state-funded university I believe it will impact many lives in a positive way.”

Willena Moore, Registered Nurse:
“This is the best idea for Pike County and eastern Kentucky that I have heard in a while! The need is here and the people deserve a university in our region! PMC has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that our medical center is better than most in the country, i.e. National Hospital of the Year times two! Now is the time for our higher education to do the same! As an alumnus of Pikeville College, I am so proud of this endeavor! Go UPIKE!!!”

Brigetta Collins, RN, Cardiac Rehab Coordinator:
“I think that our state leaders really need to consider the fact that a higher education should be affordable to all who desire to reach out for it. After all, our state leaders do acknowledge that we are living in an under-served area and that lots of our youth leave their hometown to achieve an affordable education. Once they leave the area, very few ever return. If the University of Pikeville were not a private institute but a state university, it would allow for more of our youth to attend college locally and remain in the area. If they remain in the area, this would increase revenue and enrich our area with well-educated professionals.”

Roy Reasor, Director of Pharmacy, Pikeville College Class of 1975:
“I am very proud to be a graduate of Pikeville College. This is a great institution of higher learning and I think becoming a state university will make it more affordable for students of this area which will increase enrollment and better serve the needs of all the students of not only Pikeville and Pike County, but the entire eastern Kentucky area.”

Teresa Mullins, Director, Central Registration:
“This institution means a great deal to my family, siblings and mother, who have all attended and graduated from there. The student-teacher ratio provides a better learning environment. Economically, the school has been a great asset not only to the hospital but the community as a whole. We should be very proud of our school.”

Rusty W. Shanklin, Director, IT/IS:
“Having grown up in rural western Kentucky, I had an option to drive at most 90 minutes to Western Kentucky State University, Murray State University or Austin Peay State University. My daughters growing up in Pikeville do not have a single state university that close to their home. Eastern Kentucky needs to have the same access to resources as we have in other parts of the state.”

Vickie Tanselle, Senior Accountant, Decision Support Services:
“I think if the tuition is more affordable, it will enable so many more of our young people to stay in our area and get a college education rather than moving away from home to other state universities. I also believe it will give an extra boost to our local economy as I believe if the tuition is more affordable, the enrollment will go up and create the need for more university staff and local business to support the extra student population – a win-win situation, I believe.”

Carol Derry, Home Medical Equipment clerk:
“It is about time! This will help our community tremendously and the degrees will carry more clout. I worked there 12 years and wish it had happened during my tenure. Thank you, Paul Patton!”

Linda Greer, Cardio/Pulmonary director:
“I am excited to see UPIKE take such a positive step for our kids. It means so much to me to see opportunities for the future of the students in our area. The feeling this brings to our community is extremely positive. With my position at PMC, I am hopeful we will see more local people fill the professional positions at the hospital because of upcoming opportunities at UPIKE.”

To whom it may concern:

The University of Pikeville has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. Boasting a medical school and national championship-winning basketball program, UPIKE has spanned the spectrum of both academic and athletic achievements.

Those who live and work in Pike County, and especially the students at UPIKE, knew the continued prosperity of the school was inevitable.

I personally can think of only very few things that would be more beneficial to central Appalachia than Pikeville College becoming part of the state university system. There is an educational need in eastern Kentucky and making UPIKE a state institution would meet that need as well as create a positive economic impact, which are just two of the countless benefits to adding the University of Pikeville to the state system.

The future of Pike County and its residents is bright, and the University of Pikeville helps light the path to the future.

Sincerely,

Hon. Wayne T. Rutherford
Pike County Judge/Executive

Officials seeking to make UPIKE a state-supported institution propose that it serve residents in Floyd, Pike, Martin, Johnson, Magoffin, Breathitt, Knott, Letcher, Perry, Leslie, Harlan and Bell counties, all of which are currently served by Morehead State University. Here's what some legislators in those counties had to say about the effort:

Sen. Ray S. Jones,
District 31 (Johnson, Martin, Pike)

“I am fully committed to making this come to pass. It's something that will make a major difference in our region.

We're the only geographic region of the state where our students seeking higher education do not have access to a four-year, public university. Access to higher education is the key to alleviating a lot of the problems that have historically plagued our region: poverty, illiteracy, lack of higher paying jobs, and, if you look at the overall picture, the drug abuse epidemic.

Education is the key to overcoming a lot of these obstacles. We're never going to be able to diversify our economy in a meaningful way without increasing access to college education.”

Sen. Johnny Ray Turner,
District 29 (Breathitt, Floyd, Knott, Letcher)

“I think it will give the middle class people an opportunity to go to school locally to get an education and maybe stay here after they get their education.

I think it's probably a good idea. It's probably a great idea.

I look forward to working with other eastern Kentucky legislators and legislators across the state to make this happen when we get back into session. I notice that the governor is doing a study to see if it's a good idea, if it's feasible.

I'm looking forward to seeing the result of that.”

Rep. Greg Stumbo,
District 95 (part of Floyd)

“I am aware of the discussions regarding moving the University of Pikeville into the state system. I have always advocated the need for a four-year state university in the deep mountains to educate our children and pull ourselves out of a cycle of poverty.  I would hope all of our universities would recognize this great need and join with us to form a plan that would benefit every Kentuckian in the long run.”

Rep. Hubert Collins, District 97 (Johnson, Martin, part of Floyd and Pike)

“I think we've got to wait to see what the survey is doing, what the governor is doing now, before we make any rash decisions.

We need to look at it and see the possibility. It sounds good, it would probably be good, but with any piece of legislation, you've got to look at it before you make a decision. I don't want to make a comment either way at this time.”

Rep. Leslie Combs, District 94
(part of Harlan, Letcher and Pike)
Has worked 23 years as Chief Financial Officer at UPIKE

“I think this is an extremely positive opportunity for our region, in particular, education in our region.

I think this will bring us a lot of opportunities for students who want to go to college, more so than the opportunities they have now.

I think it's a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to it.

I think we'll have a good outcome.”

Rep. Keith Hall,
District 93 (part of Pike)
Pikeville College alumnus

“I was involved with Speaker [Greg] Stumbo, Gov. [Paul] Patton and Sen. [Ray] Jones, along with Judge [Wayne T.] Rutherford in the discussion of this issue. Being a person who went two years to the University of Kentucky and two years to Pikeville, and knowing firsthand the value of a quality education; and being a person whose son graduated from UPIKE and whose daughter is now attending UK, I think it would be the most critical step we could ever take as visionaries and leaders to make UPIKE the ninth state university. That, to me, is the key to truly diversifying eastern Kentucky's economy and bringing long-lasting business and economic development to our communities. I know of no other thing that I could do as a legacy to my term as a representative than to see the completion and fruition of UPIKE becoming a state university for our children today and the future of Pike County and eastern Kentucky.”

Rep. John Short,
District 92 (Knott, Magoffin, part of Letcher)

“I support it wholeheartedly. It would be good for our state. It'd be good for eastern Kentucky. It'd give people a more affordable education.”

Rep. Teddy Edmonds,
District 91 (Breathitt, Estill, Lee)

“At this point, I really have not got a lot I could say about it. I only know what was in the paper this morning, in the Lexington Herald, and what I saw on the news. When we get down there in Frankfort next week, I'm sure Gov. Patton, who's a good friend of mine and Speaker [Greg] Stumbo will have their I's dotted and T's crossed to make a good presentation. I'm certainly open-minded about whatever comes

Dear Editor:

Please accept this letter of support for the University of Pike-ville's consideration to transition to a state-sponsored institution. The University of Pikeville is critical to the economic growth and improved quality of life for the City of Pikeville and this region.

Many of our region's leaders are proud alumni of this wonderful institution. Education provides opportunities for citizens to lead self-sufficient, productive, fulfilling lives. It empowers our youth, family, friends, and neighbors to achieve their dreams and become leaders to ensure the City of Pikeville and region continues to grow and prosper.

The City of Pike-ville has long supported the University of Pike-ville and other higher education institutions. The City Commission and I understand the demands of our changing economy and the important role that education plays in its success. We strive to encourage increased numbers of citizens to obtain the skills and knowledge to become leaders in the knowledge-based economy. Modern manufacturing and high-tech operations seek locations with higher levels of educational attainment. Also, companies desire to locate in regions that can meet their changing educational needs. We believe that having a public university in the City of Pikeville will help attract such companies offering career opportunities creating economic advancement for Eastern Kentucky.

It is important to offer this education locally because many of our young people do not want to leave our region for various reasons. Statically many of students who leave our region do not return. Some students locate in other areas for employment, while others may meet a spouse from another region. We need our educated youth to stay here, to help advance Eastern Kentucky while enhancing our economic position and quality of life instead of allowing our youth's brain power to fuel growth in other parts of the nation instead.

When reviewing studies, it is clear that communities with higher levels of average education attainment have higher average household incomes. The two are closely related. Communities with public universities boast significantly higher education and income levels. We want our citizens to have this opportunity as we work diligently to diversify the economy as well as increase the standard of living.

We are very appreciative for our local legislators' leadership and their willingness to fight during the upcoming session to make this proposal a reality. We have a sincere hope for all of Eastern Kentucky's future in that the rest of the state's legislators will also understand the importance and support this plan.

We understand the budget difficulties the legislators will face during this session; however, through the investment in education for the eastern part of the state, they shall plant a seed which will create a more rapid and sustainable recovery for the citizens of Eastern Kentucky which in turn benefits all of Kentucky. The Pikeville City Commission fully supports this plan and calls upon our leaders in Frankfort to also support our region's youth, their future, and our region's future as well. The people of Eastern Kentucky deserve the same opportunities as has been provided throughout the rest of the state. The Pikeville City Commission shall do whatever necessary within our control to make this important opportunity a reality for our region and those we have been elected to represent.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Frank D. Justice
Mayor

Several local churches encourage residents to celebrate the New Year in the house of God rather than a bar or a club on Dec. 31.

Churches in Pike and Letcher counties are hosting several New Year's Eve celebrations that feature everything from special services, to a Christian movie night to a Christian rock concert.

The public is invited to attend:

Watch Night

Letcher County's Seco Pentecostal Church invites the public to “pray the old year out and pray the New Year in” during Watch Night, which will begin at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31.

“We start church at 8 p.m. with singing and preaching,” Pastor Ted Collins said. “Then, we'll have treats in the kitchen, and then, we'll come back in and start praying at 15 'till 12 a.m. We will pray all the way into the New Year.”

The Pentecostal Holiness church has carried on the Watch Night tradition for 18 years, Collins said. It also hosts an early morning Watch service for Easter.

He believes it's vital that churches reach out into the community.

“When I was out in the world, I'd always go to a party at a club,” he said. “I'd party the old year out and the new one in drinking. The Lord saved me, and I've always enjoyed serving the Lord and doing this more – praying out the old year and praying in the New Year.”

During Watch Night, the congregation asks God to watch over those who are partying in the New Year, to help people who are sick in nursing homes and hospitals and to bring blessings and peace to everyone, among other things.

“We do this because we feel led by the Lord to do this,” Collins said. “This is a great thing to let the world see. We're at Father's house enjoying what we never had until God saved us. People drive by and see the church open at 11 or 12 at night, and it gets their attention. There's so much to do that night. It's better to be in the Father's house worshipping than it is to be out in the world partying.”

His prayer for the New Year is “to see everyone who is lost come to the Lord and be saved,” and that God “blesses and blesses” everybody.

For more information, call 606-633-8654.

Christian rock concert

Kathy Hamilton, director of Worship Extreme events at Grace Fellowship Church, wants young people to know that “you can come to church and still have fun.”

Grace Fellowship, a charismatic church located at 743 Hambley Blvd. in Pikeville, invites young people 13 years and older to attend a free New Year's Eve Rave/Rock Show.

The event, featuring Christian rock bands Novas Effect from Lexington and Battlelion from Harold, will be held from “9 p.m. until 2012.”

Participants are asked to wear white and bright colors. There will be food, games and cash prizes throughout the evening.

Hamilton explained that the church has been hosting Worship Extreme events, like the annual July Jam concert, for at least seven years.

“We wanted kids to know that it was not your normal, traditional church event,” Hamilton said, when asked why these events are called 'Worship Extreme.' “We started out doing competitions with skateboarders and bike competitions. We've also done video game competitions. We've done just about everything to attract the youth to come to church-We want them to know that you can come to church and you can still have fun.”

Grace Fellowship wanted to provide local young people an alternative to traditional New Year's Eve celebrations.

“We wanted to give the kids an alternative, something fun, a safe place to be for New Year's,” Hamilton said. “We wanted them to know that they have a place they can go and it will be safe.”

This year's show is helping the church “go out with a bang,” she explained.

Grace Fellowship has been at its location on Hambley Boulevard for approximately two years, when their building, the old Weddington Theatre, was slated for demolition to make way for the construction of the new judicial building.

The church's last day in its current location is Jan. 31. Its building will be replaced with the Jenny Wiley Theatre building that will be constructed in the coming years.

For more information, call 606-437-7244.

Courageous plays at Kimper

One Pike County church is being Courageous this New Year's Eve.

Kimper Community Baptist Church, located at 1000 Upper Johns Creek Road in Kimper, is hosting a free showing of the movie Courageous at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Food and refreshments will be served beginning at 6 p.m. at the church.

From Sherwood Pictures, the movie-making industry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Georgia, the film is about four law enforcement officers who strengthen their relationship with God as they struggle to become good fathers.

After watching the movie in Logan, W.Va. with her family members, Kimper Community Baptist Church member Carol Napier said felt the need to share the movie with others.

“Courageous is a powerful, pro-family message of hope,” she said. “We were so touched by the movie that when I received the e-mail encouraging churches to host a movie night on New Year's Eve with the emphasis to 'Be A Courageous Church This New Year's Eve,' the Lord laid it on my heart that we needed to host this movie at our church to 'celebrate and encourage families.'”

Created by the same company that produced Fireproof, a Christian drama that followed the struggles of a young couple as they learned more about faith and love of God and each other, Courageous was recently released in theaters and on DVD.

For more information, call 606-631-9616.

Community Communion service

Celebrating the New Year in a new church, Community Lighthouse Ministries, a church that opened approximately six months ago on Route 199 in Huddy, is hosting a New Year's Eve communion service.

The communion service, which is free and open to the public, will follow regular services offered by Pastor Okey Varney and Associate Ervin Francis at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31. Church members will also host a special singing during the service.

“We want everybody to come and enjoy the service,” Varney said. “We know that the Lord will bless them for the effort that they put in for it.”

The church regularly hosts communion service, and the New Year's Eve service will come as the church “prays out the old year and prays in the New Year,” Varney said.

“All denominations are welcome,” Varney said. “We're an independent church and we belong to no organization. We'll just preach the truth and hopefully have a great service.”

Communion, the religious act of eating a wafer and drinking grape juice, follows the teachings of Jesus Christ during the Last Supper, as described in 1st Corinthians 11:24-30, when he instructed followers to take communion in “remembrance of me.”

For more information about the New Year's Eve service, call 606-237-4743 or 606-427-7409.

Burns Damron, 70, of Martin, died Dec. 19. Survivors: children Tony Damron, Angie Damron, Rita Damron, all of Indiana; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 23 at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home. Burial: Stratton Cemetery, Ivel

Tannie Hamilton, 57, of Harold, died Dec. 21. Survivors: son Curtis Gillespie of Harold; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 24 at Pilgrims Home Old Regular Baptist Church at Grethel. Burial: Davidson Memorial Gardens, Ivel, under direction of Nelson Frazier Funeral Home

Jack Wendell Hall, 64, of Oklahoma, formerly of Prestonsburg, died Dec. 17. Survivors: children Jackie Hall, Karen Hall Slaton, both of Ohio, Sharon Hall Grant of Oklahoma; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 24 at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home. Burial: Harve Spears Cemetery at Buffalo

Milton Eugene Ryan, 88, of Martin, died Dec. 26. Survivors: daughters Catherine Jean Gregory of Lexington, Sharon Ann Stumbo of Martin; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 29 at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home. Burial: Davidson Memorial Gardens, Ivel

Roberta Marshall Taylor, 84, of Prestonsburg, died Dec. 25. Survivors: daughters Judy Childers of Allen, Emma Lou Martin of Prestonsburg; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 28 at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home in Martin. Burial: Gethsemane Gardens at Prestonsburg

Paul J. Skeens, 61, of Prestonsburg, died Dec. 22. Survivors: wife Sharon Childress Skeens; son Gregory Paul Skeens of Eastern; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 24 at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home. Burial: Gethsemane Gardens at Prestonsburg

Stonney Burke, 45, of Martin, formerly of Jacks Creek, died Dec. 24. Survivors: mother Anna Sue Burke of Martin; wife Tiffany Dingus Burke; daughter Taylor Burke of Martin; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 28 at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home. Burial: Dinwood Cemetery, Martin

Ronald Gayheart, 59, of McDowell, died Dec. 23. Survivors: wife Tonya Howard Gayheart; children Dwight Gayheart, Emily Stiner, both of Ohio, Rita Moore, Angie Gayheart, Kennedy Gayheart, all of McDowell; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 28 at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home. Burial: Greenbury Hall Cemetery, McDowell

Don Sparkman, 62, of Hi Hat, died Dec. 26. Survivors: mother Martha Hall Sparkman of Topmost; wife Elizabeth “Liz” Mullins Sparkman; son: Lance Sparkman of New York; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 31 at 1 p.m. at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home

Brenda Faye Scott Lawson, 69, of Eastern, died Dec. 21. Survivors: children: Brian Lawson of Ohio, Jeffrey (Sarah) Lawson of Georgetown, Kristie Lawson of Eastern; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 24 at Hall Funeral Home. Burial: Davidson Memorial Gardens, Ivel

Christopher Michael Damron, 39, of Prestonsburg, died Dec. 27. Funeral: Dec. 29 at Hall Funeral Home Chapel. Burial: Davidson Memorial Gardens, Ivel

Gaylord Garson Martin, 65, of Langley, died Dec. 20. Survivors: wife Olive Duff Martin; children Travis Braden Martin of Martin, Allison Rena Peppi of Prestonsburg; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 23 at Hall Funeral Home. Burial: Harry Lee Moore Cemetery, Langley

Mavis Lindemann, 71, of Pikeville, died Dec. 23. Survivors: daughters Kimberlea Bartley of Pikeville, Karin Stump of Kimper; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 27 at Lucas & Son Funeral Home. Burial: Annie E. Young Cemetery

Ruth Mae Canterbury Sword, 88, died Dec. 16. Survivors: children Ray Sword, Dorothy Coleman, Clyde Sword, Carroll Scott, Columbus Sword Jr., Edith Farmer. Funeral: Dec. 19 at Lucas & Son Funeral Home. Burial: Sword Cemetery, Joe's Creek

Sue Collins, 70, of Jenkins, died Dec. 22. Survivors: children Tony Collins, Teresa Ross; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 24 at Burdine Freewill Baptist Church. Burial: Powell Valley Cemetery under direction of Lucas & Son Funeral Home

William Thurman Wolford, 69, of Pike-ville, died Dec. 28. Survivors: wife Ruth Bevins Wolford; children Bonnie Stewart of Millard, Gloria Kennedy of Richlands, Diana Sammons of Hurricane Creek, Jennifer Hampton of Virgie, Elizabeth Fletcher of Richmond; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. at Lucas & Son Funeral Home. Burial: Bevins Cemetery

Medeana Rashlle Hendershot, 22, of South Carolina, formerly of Sidney, died Dec. 10. Survivors: parents Larry William Hendershot, Brenda Sue Smith, both of South Carolina; sons

Dominick DePasquale, Willow Moon Hendershot, Easten Chance; other family members. Memorial service: Dec. 28 at McVeigh United Baptist Church. Burial: Smith Family Cemetery, Road Fork, Sidney, under direction of R.E. Rogers Funeral Home

Gregory Gene “Spanky” Slone, 49, of Danville, W.Va., died Dec. 22. Survivors: wife Ramona A. Rutherford Slone; children Jamie (Robbie) Gilmour, Alexandria Slone, Rickie Slone, all of West Virginia. Funeral: Dec. 27 at Chattaroy Church of God. Burial: Mountain View Memory Gardens, Huddy

Osker Thacker, 89, of Canada, widower of Gladus Crigger Thacker, died Dec. 22. Survivors: daughters Barbara Ann (Donnie) Williamson of Huddy, Wanda J. (Bill) Ferrell of Tennessee; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 27 at R.E. Rogers Funeral Home. Burial: Smith Cemetery, Sidney

Maxine Blanche May, 79, of Indiana, formerly of Pike County, died Dec. 21. Survivors: children Hershel A. (Sheila) Hughes of Stone, Dennis A. (Ruth) Hughes of Inez, Freda L. (Paul) Young of Indiana, Christy L. Hughes of Georgia, Todd B. (Marsha) Hughes, Vivian E. Jones, both of Florida; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 24 at R.E. Rogers Funeral Home. Burial: Mountain View Memory Gardens, Huddy

Elmer Ray Spence II, 45, of Delbarton, W.Va., died Dec. 18. Survivors: father Elmer R. Spence of Delbarton; stepmother Levon Sue Spence; other family members. The body has been cremated under the direction of Hatfield Funeral Chapel

John Kenneth Darbyshire, 76, of Belfry, died Dec. 21. Survivors: wife Connie Varney Darbyshire; children Marina Faith Darbyshire Beckett of Belfry; Johnny Darbyshire, Carol Balch and Robin Darbyshire, all of Temple, Tex.; other family members. Funeral: Dec. 24 at Hatfield Funeral Chapel at Toler. Burial: Mountian View Memory Gardens, Huddy

Marie Coleman, 84, of Pikeville, died Dec. 27. Survivors: three brothers and three sisters Funeral: Dec. 30 at 11 a.m. at J. W. Call Funeral Home Chapel in Pikeville with Freewill Baptist ministers officiating. Burial: Johnson Memorial Park

BREAKS, Va. – Civil War re-enactors and enthusiasts have the opportunity to hear speakers and learn about upcoming events at the Regional Lee-Jackson Reunion at Breaks Interstate Park on Jan. 14 in the Conference Center.

The event will feature three guest speakers: Randall Osborne, of Pikeville, is a historian and author of Virginia State Rangers, and State Line; historian and author; Elkhorn City resident Anthony Hawkins, who has worked to catalog the members of the 10th KY Cavalry; and Lee County native Brian McKnight, an American History professor at UVA-Wise, and author of Contested Borderlands.

Dinner will be served prior to the featured speakers' presentations, and following those speakers, regional groups will present information for their upcoming events, to allow everyone the opportunity to mark their calendars for the coming year. Local organizers of reenactments and other historical events will also have displays and information available, as well as merchandise for sale.

Tickets range from approximately $16 for program only attendees to $61 for the program, meal and overnight lodging for one person. Special rates are available.

For more information, contact Austin Bradley at 276-210-4655.

RURAL ROOTS: Coaltown Dixie band members Melanie Lynn Turner (banjo), Stephanie May Rose (bass), Kris Preston (mandolin) and Kalyn Bradford (guitar) met while performing separately during a Front Porch Pickin' event at the Mountain Arts Center a couple of years ago. This weekend, they are performing at the Sipp Theater in Paintsville.

PAINTSVILLE – As part of the on-going Rural Roots Series, Appalachian Artists Inc. will present the all-girl Bluegrass band, Coaltown Dixie on stage next weekend.

The concert, sponsored by Citizens National Bank, will begin at 7 p.m. on Jan. 7 at the historic Sipp Theater in downtown Paintsville.

Coaltown Dixie band members Melanie Lynn Turner, Stephanie May Rose, Kris Preston, and Kalyn Bradford, all natives of eastern Kentucky, met approximately two years ago at a Front Porch Pickin' event at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.

They quickly worked up a song backstage to perform on the show that night, and by the end of the evening, they sounded like an established band. They've been entertaining at various Bluegrass functions and festivals ever since, sharing stages with such well-known Bluegrass artists as Larry Cordle, Melvin Goins, Ricky Skaggs, Doyle Lawson, J. D. Crowe and many others.

The band has been featured as “Future Stars” in the 2011 U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Travel Guide and recently graced the cover of M.E. Music Entertainment Magazine.

Within six months after the group was formed, the group released its first CD, “Hotter Than a Coal Burnin' Fire,” followed a year later by a second release “Bluegrass State of Mind..”

Their upbeat material consists of well-written originals with a few traditional songs thrown in for good measure. They enjoy putting a Bluegrass spin on non-traditional cover tunes as well. The girls all take turns with lead vocals and harmonies, resulting in a fresh new sound that is appreciated by audiences of all ages.

“We like to shake it up a bit,” said Preston, who works at Pikeville Medical Center. “It keeps younger folks interested and introduces Bluegrass music to people who wouldn't ordinarily listen to this type of music.”

Participating sponsors in the Rural Roots Series include Appalachian Wireless, Care More Medical Management, Citizens National Bank, Hutch Buick/Chevrolet/GMC, McDonalds of East Kentucky, Ramada Inn and U.S. Rt. 23 Country Music Highway Museum.

For information contact Bob Abrams 606-367-0507 or visit coaltowndixie.com.

BREAKS, Va. – Bird watching enthusiasts counted more than 500 birds in a 15-mile radius during the 2011 Christmas Bird Count at the Breaks Interstate Park.

The park's Director of Visitor Services Austin Bradley reported that those 500 birds represented 47 bird species found on Dec. 17 between the John Flanagan Dam in Virginia and Elkhorn City in Pike County.

The annual event correlates with the 2011 Christmas Bird Count hosted nationally by the National Audubon Society, which continues until Jan. 5 across the U.S. Statistics about birds recorded locally will help the national organization identify trends in the country's bird population and help guide conservation action.

Bradley reported that there were no unusual findings or rare birds seen this year.

“All together, the folks who went out and searched for birds covered 40 miles on the road and then they walked 10 miles to get to bird watching sites,” Bradley said.

He reported that the park's most prominent bird species include various types of warblers, including the swainson's warbler, which attracts bird watchers from all over the country.

“Many of the bird species like the Scarlet Tanager, Black and White Warbler, Yellow Throated Warbler and Swainson's Warbler are all species that migrate through the Breaks during the Spring,” Bradley said. “In fact, while you are still apt to see some amazing species during the Christmas Bird Count at the Park, the Spring migration is impossible to beat in terms of the number and variety of birds that can be seen.”

Other birds reported during the count included the Great Blue Heron, Red-Tailed Hawk, Rock Pigeon, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, American Robin, Blue Jay, American Crow, European Starling, Tufted Titmouse, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Carolina Chickadee, White-Throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch and Horned Lark.

“The Breaks is making an effort to become a destination for birders,” Bradley said. “It surprises me how far some people will come to see some of these birds.”

The Breaks hosts numerous bird watching events throughout the year. Events slated for 2012 will be announced at a later date. Park visitors may also pick up bird watching guides at the Visitor's Center, which reopens in March.

For more information, contact Bradley at abradley@breakspark.com or call (276) 865-4413.

Local residents who missed the Christmas bird count at the Breaks can step across state lines and join the 30th annual Elkins Area Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 3. Participants will meet at 8 a.m. at the Division of Natural Resources Operations Center on Ward Road in Elkins, W.Va. For more information, e-mail richard.s.bailey@wv.gov or call 304-637-0245.

PROFESSIONAL HELP: Kentucky Opry member Misty Daniels, Director of Physician Services at Pikeville Medical Center, teaches children about being on stage during a previous professional audition workshop.

PRESTONSBURG – For even the most experienced performers, auditioning can be a nerve-wracking event.

That's why Jenny Wiley Theatre is hosting a professional audition workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 14 in Prestonsburg. The exact location of the event will be announced at a later date.

Professional Audition Workshops are designed for participants ages 8 and up, and are limited to 20 participants. High School students who will audition for the Governor's School for the Arts in 2012 are encouraged to apply.

Workshop participants gain insight from industry professionals who understand the process, and learn how best to prepare for that all-important two-minute audition. Participants also receive specific feedback on current audition materials and individualized instruction as to how to strengthen overall performance.

Registration costs $65 and the deadline to apply is Jan. 7.