Beacon GREENUP
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Covering Life in Greenup County
Volume 11, No. 38
Keeping You In Touch
October 27, 2020
Russell/Flatwoods/Greenup, KY
Potter follows lifelong inspiration By Rick Elmore The Greenup Beacon Tina Potter has known since she was a child that she wanted to be an herbalist. One day while working in a garden with her mother, she said she wanted to be an herbalist without knowing what an herbalist was, what it meant or that it was something one could do for a living. When an opportunity to attend Berea College fell through, her chance to become an herbalist became a reality. Now, the 25-year-old Greenup County resident is using her herbalist training, a love of writing and her adventurous personality to write books. Potter’s second book, Escape into the Forest, was released in August and continues the saga of Ember, the 16-year-old heroine from her 2019 novella Secrets of the Forest. Potter, along with her co-
Lions fundraiser Flatwoods Lions Club is selling Atwell Pecans and Nuts as a Fundraiser to provide 3 Scholarships, Eye Glasses, other Lions Club projects. Nuts may be purchased at Flatwoods City Building, City National Bank, or from any Lions Club Member. Pecan Halves, Small Pieces, By Rick Elmore Black Walnut, $11.00 each, The Greenup Beacon English Walnuts, $9.00. Miller Funeral Home in Ashland is under new manGovernor's Service Awards agement effective on Tuesday Will Honor 10 Individuals, 10 after a deal was finalized beGroups tween owner Chip Miller and Jimmy Music. Music, owner of Music Funeral Home in Greenup, Kentucky, said on Wednesday that the acquisition of Miller Funeral Home had been ongoing for seven months and the finalization completes something he sought to do two decades ago. “I was interested in getting it for several years and I made an offer 18 or 19 years ago,” MuGovernor Andy Beshear sic said. and Cabinet for Health and Miller didn’t take the offer Family Services (CHFS) Sec- then, but that changed in the retary Eric Friedlander will last months. honor 10 individuals and 10 groups from across Kentucky for their volunteer and service contributions at the 25th Annual Governor’s Service Awards. Honorees will include: Earl D. Twinam – Russell/ Greenup County Earl has been involved in his community for a number of years by volunteering with civic clubs such as the Russell Rotary Club & Ashland Lions Club and serving on several community boards. He has helped lead drives for coats, canned goods, blankets, and eyeglasses; collected more than 300 backpacks and school supplies for grade school students in Greenup and Boyd Counties; and assisted an afterschool meal program for local students for a decade. Senior Volunteer Service Award Linda Firebaugh – Ashland/ Boyd County Since serving as executive director, Linda has become a volunteer at Ashland's Hillcrest-Bruce Mission, and has been instrumental in receiving four consecutive years of the
author Kenny Dietrich, wrote the books for the popular young adults genre, but has found that people of all ages have been drawn to them. “I can reach a broader audience, and we wanted to inspire people of all ages,” Potter said during a phone interview. She said Dietrich, an Ashland-native who adds the survivalist voice to Potter’s knowledge of plants in the book series, approached her about writing after the two met at one of Potter’s herbal medicine workshops. “We met and felt like we’d known each other forever,” Potter said. “He asked me about being the main author for a book series.” Potter invented Ember while Dietrich wrote for Ember’s father, John. The two write for their characters and submit the samples for each other to review. The books have been well
received. “A lot of people are reading them,” Potter said. “Most of the comments are about the cliff hangers, which I had a big cliff hanger at the end of the first book. “I received a lot of comments too about how people were learning about building shelters and plants.” Educating people of alternative medicine is central to Potter. The Ember series does that as does Potter’s blog, The Healer’s Nook website and business she runs. Potter lives in a cottage with her husband of five years, Ryan, who she met when he visited her looking for relief from flu-like symptoms. After the two married they lived in a tent large enough for a queen-sized mattress. Potter began blogging about that experience. A selfdescribed adventurer, Potter has begun a YouTube channel as well in which she discusses
local plant life and the medic- ries. inal value often overlooked Reading Potter’s books, by people. visiting her website, and The same themes are com- See Potter mon topics in the Ember seOn Page 7
Tina Potter
Music acquires Miller Funeral Home “It’s one of those things where you get a little older and Mr. Miller wanted take the opportunity to put it on me,” Music said. Music had known Miller since the Raceland High School graduate was a boy. Music described the two as friends and added that Miller splits the year between Ashland and Florida. The deal was financed through Citizens Bank in Ashland although Music declined to specify the amount the offer was for. Now that it’s complete, Music said the deal will not change how the businesses are run. “The business will not change, the employees will still be the same and Chip
63rd Dist. Champs
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Miller will continue to be a part of the business,” Music said. “Rusty Jordan is the funeral director there and he’s excited about the change.” Illustrating the close ties the two funeral homes had, Jordan began working for Music’s father as a 16-year-old on an ambulance service. Jordan then began working for Miller Funeral Home in 1976 and has been there ever since. “It’s been a good place to work, and none of us are getting any younger,” said Jordan, who is also the embalmer for Miller Funeral Home. “I know (Music) he’ll carry on the tradition.” Miller Funeral Home opened in 1946 under Chip Miller’s father, Fred Miller.
The funeral home has been located in the same location at 1941 Carter Ave. since it opened. Jordan said he had no desire to work for a corporate-owned facility and was pleased that Music would be the new owner of the funeral home. For Music, the additional funeral home won’t add to his workload, he said. With Miller still being involved with the business and Jordan on board at Miller Funeral Home each business will run as it always has. “The workload will be there, but I’m used to that,” Music said. “I’ve helped many funeral homes locally, so this is not changing for me whatsoever.” Music Funeral Home, located at 224 Main St., Greenup,
was opened in 2011. The ownership change has already been reflected on Miller Funeral Home’s website. “I only seek the prayers of my community and support,” Music said.
Jimmy Music
Photo by Marty Conley
Russell’s Girls’ Volleyball team captured the 63rd District Championship played at Raceland High School. The Lady Red Devils advance to the region tournament to face the hosts this year the West Carter Lady Comets. Check our sports pages for details and stories on the girls’ soccer team’s championship.