Tri-State Living • May/June 2019

May/June 2019

GROWING SPORT Pickleball gaining popularity in Tri-State

sweet destination Ohio candy shop inspired

by Willy Wonka

LOCAL BREWS 7 Pour 0 brings unique craft beer to region

For more than 94 years, the physicians, nurses and staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center have dedicated themselves to providing the most advanced treatment and care for patients.

U.S. News and World Report is recognizing that excellence by awarding St. Mary’s the prestigious “Best Regional Hospitals” designation. Now part of a regional health system that gives you even greater access to physician specialists in all areas of care, St. Mary’s is proud to be the Hands of Experience® in Advanced Healthcare.

from the editor

Working to make a good first impression Maybe you’ve heard naysayers asking why anyone would bother to clean up since litterbugs will inevitably trash it again. We need

SARAH SIMMONS is the general manager of Ironton Publications, Inc. She is a native of Ironton and a life-long resident of the Tri-State.

H

ave you heard about the #trashtag challenge?

People across the globe are cleaning up littered areas and revealing the positive impact they make by sharing before and after photos on social media channels.

That’s a challenge I can get behind, and one our tri-state community is already embracing through initiatives like Project First Impression, Build Ashland’s community cleanups and West Virginia’s Make it Shine program.

4 | Tri-StateLiving

to change that narrative. We need to expect better of ourselves and our neighbors.

Besides beautifying our public spaces, controlling litter increases our overall quality of life. It improves community safety, property values and business development.

According to Keep America Beautiful, 36 percent of business development officials say that litter impacts a decision to locate to a community. We need to work together to make sure potential homebuyers, businesses and tourists are able to see the beauty of our area.

I believe good deeds are contagious, and caring for our communal spaces is something we can all take responsibility for.

If these spaces are important to us, we need to make it apparent by showing more care for them.

Do you know someone who makes a difference in keeping your community clean and green? If so, email me at sarah.simmons@ tristateliving.com!

EDITORIAL Sarah Simmons, General Manager Heath Harrison, Staff Writer Mark Shaffer, Staff Writer Dawn Nolan, Contributor Benita Heath, Contributor news@tri-stateliving.com ADVERTISING Shawn Randolph, Advertising Director Doug Pinkerton, Sales Consultant advertising@tri-stateliving.com PRODUCTION Kandi Thompson, Creative Director Kelli Jameson, Composing PHOTOGRAPHY Jennifer Cremeans, Contributor Carla Bentley, Contributor Lacy Golden Davis, Contributor (lacygoldendavis.com)

May/June 2019

GROWING SPORT Pickleball gaining popularity in Tri-State

sweet destination Ohio candy shop inspired

by Willy Wonka

LOCAL BREWS 7 Pour 0 brings unique craft beer to region

on the cover Jeff Fannin, of Portsmouth, Ohio, who has been brewing craft beer for several years, recently opened 7 Pour 0 Brewery in his hometown, offering a menu of locally-brewed beer.

May/June 2019 Contents

20

arts & culture 10

ON DISPLAY Stained glass celebrates Paramount Arts Center history

living

54

30

16

DIFFERENCE MAKERS Carol Allen works to beautify Ironton

shopping 20

IN THE BIZ Chillicothe store has a world of candy

feature 30 PICKLEBALL

Game with funny name

is heating up in Tri-State

homes 40

SWING INTO SPRING Five ideas to make your home better with technology

food 44

7 POUR 0 BREWERY Portsmouth man turns home brew into business

54

FROM THE COOKBOOK This month’s recipes feature spring flavors

in every issue

44

4

FROM THE EDITOR Working to make a good first impression

66

THE LAST WORD Seeing the view of progress

Enjoy your summer savings with

Citizens Deposit Bank.

Enjoy summersavings savings with Enjoy your your summer with

Citizens DepositBank.

Bank.

Citizens Deposit

Free Online Banking/Free Bill Pay at cdbt.com.

IT’S NOT JUST A FLIGHT

It’s a chance to make memories Whether it’s for business or leisure, Huntington Tri-State Airport can help you get where you need to be.

tristateairport.com

Ironton • 221 Railroad St. • (740) 533-4505 Proctorville • 7604 County Rd. 107, Unit A • (740) 886-2500

FreeSouth Online Banking/Free Bill Pay at cdbt.com.

Webster • 110 N. Jackson St. • (740) 778-4444

Free Online Banking/Free Bill Pay at cdbt.com.

Ironton • 221 Railroad St. • (740) 533-4505 • 221 Railroad • (740) ProctorvilleIronton • 7604 County Rd.St. 107, Unit533-4505 A • (740) 886-2500 Proctorville • 7604 County Rd. 107, Unit A • (740) 886-2500 South Webster • 110 N. Jackson St. • (740) 778-4444 South Webster • 110 N. Jackson St. • (740) 778-4444

Helping You or a Love One

Live Life to the Fullest Tri-State LifeCare is a new home-based program that focuses on improving the quality of life for those dealing with a serious illness such as COPD, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and more. We are at your service. Call today to see how we can help you or a loved one.

304-399-0225 | tristatelifecare.org

Tri-State LifeCare is a non-hospice program of Hospice of Huntington, Inc.

Specialized Care that’s Just the Right Size The pediatric experts at the Hoops Family Children’s Hospital are ready to provide the right care, right here, for those you love most.

The Hoops Family Children’s Hospital is supported by Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine with over 60 pediatricians and pediatric sub-specialists including:

1340 Hal Greer Boulevard Huntington, West Virginia 25701 www.hoopschildrens.org 304.399.4667 (HOOP)

• Adolescent GYN • Allergy/Immunology • Anesthesia • Cardiology • Gastroenterology • General surgery • Hospitalists • Neurology

• Orthopedics • Ophthalmology • Pediatric Intensivists • Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology • Plastic surgery • Psychiatry • Pulmonary

PHOTO BY SUE DOWDY

Ashland/ Boyd County UPCOMING EVENTS

Back on the road to good health.

MAY 3 – First Friday – Downtown Ashland MAY 3 – Guy Penrod, Russ Taft, Jason Lovins – Paramount Arts Center MAY 5 – Eastern Kentucky Guitar Show – Boyd County Community Center MAY 9 – Josh Turner – Paramount Arts Center (Iron Ore Hiking Trail Opening Early June) JUNE 7 – First Friday – Downtown Ashland JUNE 15 – Firkin Fest – Downtown Ashland JUNE 22-29 – Boyd County Fair – Boyd County Fairgrounds JUNE 29-JULY 4 – Summer Motion JUNE 30 – Highlands Museum Garden Tour – Various Locations

Ashland/Boyd County Tourism & Convention Bureau 1-800-377-6249 www.visitashlandky.com

At HIMG Physical Therapy, patients have access to the latest in therapy equipment and techniques. Our trained and experienced staff of professionals will assist you in getting back on the road to good health.

SUPERIOR LIGHT BEER 2.6 CARBS

Find out how we can help you get back to good health.

95 CALS

HIMGWV.COM (304) 399-2200 | 5170 US ROUTE 60 E

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2019 Anheuser-Busch, Michelob Ultra® Light Beer, St. Louis, MO 95 calories, 2.6g carbs, 0.6g protein and 0.0g fat, per 12 oz.

HOURS Monday / Wednesday / Friday 7 am – 7 pm Tuesday / Thursday 7 am – 6 pm Saturday 7:30 am – 12:30 pm by appt only

Anheuser-Busch: Michelob ULTRA

Production Job# 308924

Project Name: Trim Size: Bleed Size:

Item Number: PMU2019012 Date/Round: cs Operator:

MU - Iconic - SLB - Bottle/Glass 3.55" x 4.8" 3.8" x 5.05"

Creative Job# XXXXXX

arts & culture Tri-State Living

up close Artist crafts stained glass window for Paramount’s 85th anniversary

p. 10

arts & culture | On Display

Celebrating HERITAGE

Stained glass windows honors Paramount Art Center’s 85 years of history Story Benita Heath | Photography J.Bird Cremeans

D

iamonds dance in the sunlight that flashes through the front windows of the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland.

They nestle in two trees sculpted in vibrant jewel tones of stained glass by artist Debbie Eoff, planted across the Paramount’s storefront panes of crystal clear glass.

The trees are simple, majestic and symbolic, created out of a commission Eoff received from then PAC director Norma Meek.

Meek, gearing up for the performing arts center’s

10 | Tri-StateLiving

85th anniversary in 2017, wanted to honor contributors to that special celebration. Meek knew what she wanted and definitely what she didn’t want.

“I didn’t want plaques,” Meek said. “And I wanted something in stained glass. I wanted something artistic for an arts center. I wanted an artistic piece and she created it.”

Eoff listened well to Meek.

“Norma wanted it bright. She wanted it to stand out. She wanted to have the names of the contributors sandblasted into the glass.

“I got to thinking, 85 years, that’s old. A tree is old. A tree starts as a seed. A seed finds its place and becomes established and keeps growing.”

So Eoff let Meek’s ideas dance around with her own.

“I always want to put my own spin on things,” she said.

Her reasoning is simple.

“It’s a Debsterpiece instead of a masterpiece,” she said.

Out of Eoff’s seeds of creativity sprang two stained glass paintings of trees that now live in the PAC’s Winchester Avenue windows.

But before Eoff could begin cutting into 36 by 36 inch or 48 by 24 inch sheets of green, blue, red, gold or brown glass, she had another challenge.

“I had to sell it to the board,” she said.

With the board’s blessing, Eoff picked up her brush — or rather an oil-fed swivel tip cutter — to begin painting with glass.

“It’s like a pencil,” she said. “You hold it like a pencil.”

With sheets of glass stacked up in her home, Eoff took an aesthetic trip back in time to meet with an art form that some say dates to ancient Egypt. It had a Golden Age in the 12th and 13th centuries when European cathedrals sprang forth in their glory.

Appreciative of the history of her art, Eoff attacked her paintings simplistically.

“You start in a corner and put it together like a puzzle. Glass and lead. Glass and lead,” she said.

Tri-StateLiving | 11

arts & culture | On Display

Creating her art from glass, Eoff reaches for a medium that comes out of a chemical recipe.

The ingredients for glass are combined and fired red hot. Into that are dropped metallic oxides that create the colored glass.

“You can paint with glass,” she said. “I don’t know how to paint, but I can paint with glass.”

After Eoff’s designs were approved, she sketched them onto poster board. On top of that, she laid tracing paper onto which she reproduced the design again.

That done, she cut the tracing paper into the individual shapes that would be placed on the glass sheets.

Then she went to work.

“My dining room, my kitchen I use as my studio,” she said. “You don’t often meet someone who has a compressor in her living room. I put the stereo on and it’s just me and my cats.”

Her cats — Frank and Effie, named for her great-grandparents — have adapted well to having an artist as their owner and their home transformed into part-studio-part manufacturing site.

“If they could only cut glass and solder,” Eoff said.

The Springfield, Mo., native came to Ashland in 1980 already well-trained in her art.

“A man in Springfield took me under his wing,” she said. “He had a stained glass business and he wanted someone to teach.”

After teaching her the basics, he led Eoff into design, a natural progression for her.

“I’ve always been an artist,” she said.

“I’m an only child and I had to keep myself

12 | Tri-StateLiving

entertained. I took high school art. I’ve always been really creative.”

Besides a new skill, Eoff gained a new moniker — Stained Glass Debbie.

For the past 15 years Eoff’s day job has been with the city of Ashland. But when it’s quitting time she dons her artistic cap and creates.

“What I enjoy most about stained glass is the challenge, the design, bringing out the colors,” she said.

And the satisfaction she gets when the client sees the finished product.

“They will have it forever,” she said.” It never fades. It never depreciates. It is a lasting piece.”

It also is a metaphor for the support the Paramount has enjoyed for almost a century.

“It branches in different directions,” she said. “When there are other fundraisers, they can add to this. A tree can grow if it has water. I see the community as the water.” a

Tri-StateLiving | 13

Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY TEAM The human body is a remarkable network of bone, tissue, and joints that work in perfect harmony unless injuries occur.

Are you considering a knee or shoulder repair? Searching for a minimally-invasive hip replacement? Maybe you have a young athlete in need of an ACL reconstruction or other sports medicine procedure.

With innovative surgical techniques, our team is able to lessen pain, maximize comfort and shorten recovery times so patients return to normal activities sooner. Let the orthopedic team at OLBH put your body back in harmony and you back in motion.

Lean more about the OLBH orthopedic surgical team‌.with over 60 years combined experience from your hometown team.

Visit BonSecours.com to find a surgeon that is right for you.

Tri-StateLiving

up close After retiring, Carol Allen has spent years beautifying Ironton

p. 16

living | Difference Makers

Planting PRIDE

Allen works with groups for the betterment of Ironton Story, Photography Mark Shaffer

C

arol Allen is involved in a lot of things, Ironton In Bloom, the Child Welfare Club and Ironton aLive, just to name a few.

She got involved in so many civic groups after retiring from Ohio University Southern in Ironton where she had worked for 20 years. She started out in Community Education in 1986, then went to Student Services, helped write and publish parent-training programs called “Together, We Can,” and was associate dean and Student Service director before her retirement in 2006.

“I held a lot of different positions, it was great,” Allen said. “I am an educator by profession and it is what I enjoy the most.”

She took a year off after retiring to rest and enjoy life. She joined a book club at the Lawrence County Briggs Library to meet more people. She got reengaged with the Child Welfare Club and became

16 | Tri-StateLiving

chairperson of their annual Eddy banquet.

In 2008, she joined a group that would eventually become the Ironton In Bloom. The group’s mission was to upgrade the look of Ironton by planting flowers in pots around town and planting trees.

They went to Gallipolis to see how they ran a beautification program and came back to have a meeting with about 50 people in Ironton. From that group came Ironton In Bloom. With a $1,000 donation from the Ironton Rotary Club to pay the membership fee, the group became part of America In Bloom.

“We came up with three goals: to put flowers around town, to make our visitors feel welcome by cleaning the entrances to town and to support our businesses, and getting our residents involved in beautification,” Allen said. “Our vision was to plant pride in Ironton.”

She said they have had all kinds of successes, from

Difference Makers | living

a community garden to new parks to putting a bridge across a creek and a prairie garden on the St. Mary’s Medical Center property to having a hundred or so planters and hanging baskets throughout Ironton.

“I am pleased that Ironton does take so much pride in the flowers,” Allen said.

Allen said that one main thing she has been involved in is Christ Episcopal Church, where she has taught Sunday School and been the director of the acolytes and is now the director of Altar Guild and the flower memorial fund.

“My life in the church is central to my life,” she said.

Allen was the first chairman of Ironton aLive.

“The goal is to bring people from the various aspects of Ironton and the county to support the businesses of Ironton,” she said. “I am there because we have community club members.”

And being part of Ironton aLive and Ironton In Bloom intersects once a month during the summer. Ironton In Bloom buys food from the vendors at Ironton aLive’s market on Second Street in Ironton and then they cook it up for people attending the market in return for a donation that is used for the beautification of Ironton.

“We need to have a vibrant downtown area,” Allen said. “It doesn’t have to be big, but you have to have people down there. And I’m happy to be part of the groups trying to make that change to our community.”

Tri-StateLiving | 17

OHIO UNIVERSITY SOUTHERN OHIO UNIVERSITY SOUTHERN

making

y{}ur dreams affordable

Apply Today!

LARGE UNIVERSITY DEGREE SMALL UNIVERSITY COST

Joint deterioration can make the simplest, most routine activities painful. That’s why you want a team with the skill and expertise to get you back on your feet in less time and with less pain. At Kingsbrook, an outstanding team of therapists and nurses provide joint replacement patients with innovative care that gets them active faster and keeps them active longer.

“Rehab at its Finest” 2500 STATE ROUTE 5, ASHLAND, KENTUCKY 606-324-1414 Call today or come by for a tour and see what Kingsbrook has to offer.

Fall classes start August 26, 2019.

Enroll Today!

ohio.edu/southern 740.533.4600 740-533-4600

NATIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE MONTH – NOVEMB Providing compassionate forN T H40 N AT I O N A L H O S P I C E A N D PA LLI AT I V Ecare C A R E MO – N Oyears V E MB E R 2 0 1 8

NAT IO NAL HO S P ICE AND PALLIAT IVE CARE MO NT H – NOVEMBER 2018

Your Hometown Pharmacy Yankee Candles • Boyds Bears • Webkinz • Willow Tree Thomas Kinkade • Russell Stover • And Much More…

A Program that Works. A Benefit that

Living life to the fullest is what

Your Hometown Pharmacy Yankee Candles • Boyds Bears • Webkinz • Willow Tree Thomas Kinkade • Russell Stover • And Much More…

4 4

$ .00 Prescriptions

without the hassle $ .00 Prescriptions See pharmacy for details or visit the hassle without www.stultzpharmacy.com See pharmacy for details

1615 Ashland Road Greenup, 1615 AshlandKy. Road •473•7346 606 Greenup, Ky. 606•473•7346

or visit www.stultzpharmacy.com

2420 Argillite Road Flatwoods, 2420 Argillite Ky. Road •834•1052 606 Flatwoods, Ky. 606•834•1052

8991 Ohio River Road, Wheelersburg, Ohio | 740•981•3334 Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. • Sat 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. • Sun 1-5 p.m.

Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. • Sat 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. • Sun 1-5 p.m.

A Program thatcare Works.

Benefit that Matters. hospice isAall about.

a cure possible, Community Living life to the fullest is When what Living life toisn’tthe fullest is Hospice whatoffers a person-centered a to treatment thatWorks. includes expert medical care, A Program that A Benefit thatcomprehensive Matters. pain manag hospice care is all about.

hospice care is all about.

and emotional and spiritual support – most often provided in your home. Li When a cure isn’t possible, CommunitytoHospice offers person-centered the fullest, up toa the final moment isapproach what hospice care is all about.

When a cure isn’t possible, Livingto life tothat the fullest is what treatment includes expert medical care, comprehensive painCommunity management, Hospice offers a person-centered approach and emotional andall spiritual support – most often provided in your home. Living life hospice care is about. to the fullest, up to the final moment is what hospice is all about. to treatment thatcare includes medical care, #MyHospice

When a cure isn’t possible, Community Hospice offers a person-centered comprehensive pain management, and approach and spiritual support — management, most to treatment that includes expert emotional medical care, comprehensive pain Learn more at: www.chospice.org #MyHospice often provided your home.

Living life Living to and emotional and spiritual support – most ofteninprovided in your home. life the is fullest, up to the fi nal moment is what to the fullest, up to the final moment what hospice care is all about.

Ashland Care Center Ironton Paintsville Learn more at: 606-329-1890 606-329-0767 740-532-8841 606-297-1095 hospice care is all about. www.chospice.org Ashland 606-329-1890

#MyHospice

Care Center 606-329-0767

Ironton 740-532-8841

Paintsville 606-297-1095

Toll-free 800-926-6184

Learn more at: www.chospice.org Ashland 606-329-1890 IRONTON

Care Center Ironton Paintsville Toll-free 606-329-0767 606-297-1095 800-926-6184 ASHLAND 740-532-8841 CARE CENTER PAINTSVILLE

2029 S. 3rd Street Ironton, OH 45638 740-532-8841

1480 Carter Avenue Ashland, KY 41101 606-329-1890

2330 Pollard Road Ashland, KY 41101 606-329-0767

Paintsville, KY 41240 606-297-1095

8

shopping Tri-State Living

up close From 275 sodas, unusual candy to bobbleheads, Grandpa Joe’s is for kids of all ages

p. 20

living | In the Biz

a world of Pure

Imagination Story Dawn Nolan | Photogr aphy Lacy Golden Davis

Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop offers sweet retreat

C

HILLICOTHE — It may have been inspired

by Willy Wonka’s famed factory, but you don’t need a golden ticket to step inside Christopher J. Beers’ world of pure imagination — also known as Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop.

“I dreamt about a candy store that was filled with candy from floor to ceiling — filled with the hard-to-

find candies from all over the world,” Beers said. “I wanted my candy store to be an experience and not just a regular shop.”

Beers, a 15-year restaurant industry veteran with an “obsession” for Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, the 1971 movie starring Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka), Peter Ostrum (Charlie) and Jack Albertson (Grandpa Joe), opened the first Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop in

Tri-StateLiving | 21

living | In the Biz

XX | Tri-StateLiving

In the Biz | living

Pittsburgh’s Strip District in 2012. As of April 2019, he has added seven more locations throughout Ohio (Chillicothe, Miamisburg, Middletown and Troy) and Pennsylvania (Beaver, Mt. Lebanon, Stroudsburg).

“The assortment of over 265 varieties of glass-bottled soda, practically every candy bar still made, our handcrafted chocolates and our huge collection of bulk candy are in each of our locations,” Beers said. “It’s really important for us to have an active role in each community. We find a way to say yes to every single donation request we receive. We attend business partnership meetings and planning meetings. We sponsor some community organizations as well,” Beers said.

Tri-StateLiving | 23

In the Biz | living The Chillicothe location opened in 2017 in the former Lloyd’s Sweet Shoppe.

“I found Lloyd’s Sweet Shoppe — a candy store that was in Chillicothe for 45 years — listed for sale on a business website. I contacted the owners and made them a deal to keep the tradition of Lloyd’s alive,” Beers said. “Chillicothe has welcomed us tremendously. We had over 100 people in line when we first opened our doors. The store was packed for weeks, every single day, from opening to closing, with customers. It has truly been amazing. Families have had a tradition of going to the candy store on West Water Street for decades, and that tradition continues today with Grandpa Joe’s.”

From the odd, like Pickle Flavored Cotton Candy (“It’s been a tremendous success,” Beers said.) to the classic, like Necco Wafers, to the more mainstream candies like M&M’S (in various varieties), Grandpa Joe’s has something to satisfy any sweet tooth. And, if you have a hard time choosing, there’s the World Famous $5 Candy Buffet, which removes the hassle of weighing out your selections.

“I really enjoy when a customer comes into our shop and asks for a product that they haven’t had in years, or can’t find anywhere. Usually, we have the item they’re looking for and their reaction is always priceless. I think our customers love the nostalgic feeling we offer. As children, regardless of where they grew up, they had a special store that they went to get candy. We’re bringing back that feeling,” Beers said.

Tri-StateLiving | 25

living | In the Biz

26 | Tri-StateLiving

In addition to their candies, Grandpa Joe’s has a vast selection of “all that crazy carbonated stuff that tickles your nose” — sodas in all sorts of flavors like birch beer, sasparilla, buffalo wing and bacon — and an eyecatching array of wacky gifts, which range from Bob Ross bobbleheads and Ruth Bader Ginsburg socks to giant crying baby masks.

“Customers are always amazed and not prepared for the volume of inventory that we have. We add some little details like our slinkies and rubber chickens hanging from the ceiling to enhance the experience,” Beers said. “We really want our customers to slow down for a minute, relax, and have some fun looking at the candies from the past and the unique gifts that really make everyone laugh. They know we have gifts for just about anyone in our shop and they’re all things you won’t find at a big box store.”

Looking ahead, Beers has high hopes for Grandpa Joe’s growth — as a company and the Chillicothe store itself.

Tri-StateLiving | 27

XX | Tri-StateLiving

“We’ve got 900 square feet right now, and I’d love to get 1,800 square feet. We have some other ideas that we’d love to cram into our shop, but those are a secret.

So, you’ll just have to wait,” Beers said. “However, if one of our loyal fans is headed on a road trip, they should check the map and stop into one of our other locations.

We hear so many times that people drive over two hours just to visit one of our stores. The loyalty of our customers, and their excitement about our shop is very rewarding. I couldn’t be happier.”

Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop is located at 22 W. Water St. in Chillicothe. Current hours of operation are Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. For more information, visit grandpajoescandyshop.com (online ordering is available) or call 740-773-7100. Find them on Facebook: @grandpajoescandychillicothe or @grandpajoes on Facebook and Instagram. a

Tri-StateLiving | 29

feature | Pickleball

Getting into

PICKLEBALL Story Benita Heath | Photography J.Bird Cremeans

30 | Tri-StateLiving

Growing sport draws diverse range of players

A

SHLAND — The yellow pickleballs slap down on the glazed wooden floor of the basketball courts of the Ashland YMCA. Suddenly the gym sounds like a convention of tap dancers trying out a new step.

There’s 81-year-old Bennie Shields who returns a diminutive wiffle ball with a backhand stroke. Her form correct, determined; her shortsleeved shirt, fuchsia.

For 60 years, this school teacher was a diehard tennis player. Then one day she had to keep a promise to herself.

“I said if I ever broke a bone, I’d quit tennis,” Shields said.

Tri-StateLiving | 31

32 | Tri-StateLiving

Pickleball | feature

Two years ago, that’s what she did, taking a dive to return a serve. So, she traded in her racket for a paddle and hasn’t regretted that move.

“There are a lot of nice players here,” Shields said.

“It’s a good group. They take me in stride.”

“This is my exercise,” she said. “This is more fun than walking on a treadmill. It’s pretty much the same stroke as tennis. It’s the same forehand. the same backhand.”

Watching Shields play is why those not in the know call pickleball the geriatrics tennis. But Ashland Pickleball Club president Lynn White knows better.

“It’s an activity for all ages,” White said.

In fact, the ages of the Ashland club’s members start at 17 years and go up to 81. And all ages in-between.

“It is geared for most senior communities,” White said. “It’s not as demanding as tennis. Some people saw how it was. They played tennis and this they could play at any age.”

Pickleball was created from a variation of an old saw. Boredom is the mother of invention.

Doing the inventing in the late 1960s was onetime Washington State representative and lieutenant governor, Joel Pritchard. He and some buddies had come back to his house after a round of golf.

Tri-StateLiving | 33

XX | Tri-StateLiving

What they found were three families — theirs — going crazy from boredom. A game of badminton was proposed, but no one could find a shuttlecock.

So, a wiffle ball was substituted, tennis nets lowered and paddles made out of plywood. They had invented pickleball.

That history is thanks to Wikipedia, which also gives two explanations for the game’s name.

One is that pickleball was named for the Pritchards’ family dog, “Pickles. Another is that Pritchard’s wife coined the name. The third is that a bad stroke could land the player “in a pickle” — to use the British phrase for being in a bad way.

Whatever the story, it appears to matter little to the

players — at least not to those who show up weekday mornings at the Ashland Y. Like David Pingley, a retired truck driver.

“I joined the Y and saw the joy these people got playing,” he said. “There’s not a lot of stress in the body with this. You can participate at any age. This is more a game of finesse and eye-hand coordination.”

Like any sport, a little practice is the key to learning and improving.

“The first year it’s harder to play,” White said.

“Everyone gets better. There’s a lot of thinking in this game.”

Mike Pence knows that; he’s been playing for three years.

Tri-StateLiving | 35

Pickleball | feature

Tri-StateLiving | 37

feature | Pickleball

“I used to come in here and run,” he said. “Some guys kept hounding me. You’ve got to come and play. And I got to like it. It takes agility, endurance and technique.

“You can put a spin on the ball. The pros will do soft shots. They can place the ball where they want to.

Strategy is the first requirement. Patience is a tool.”

Michael Nelekona got to liking it so much he drives down from Louisa, Kentucky, twice a week.

“There’s a little learning curve,” he said. “But if you play racketball or tennis, you can adjust quickly.”

38 | Tri-StateLiving

Helping others see what the club members enjoy in the game is an unspoken credo of the group. So far, the club has gone out to Cannonsburg Elementary to give free lessons to the children and has offered free lessons at Ashland’s Central Park at the newly marked off pickleball courts.

And besides a new skill to add to one’s sports resume, players get an extended family.

“We’ll play for three hours,” White said. “It’s a sport where everybody gets along. And we have just as much fun afterwards. That’s when we go out and eat.” a

homes Tri-StateLiving

up close Upgrade your home for efficiency and improved living

p. 40

homes | Seasonal Upgrades

Swing into

5 ideas for updating your space

spring (Family Features) — While spring naturally means it’s time for a refresh for many homeowners, it doesn’t mean you’re limited only to a cleaning party. Take advantage of the season by using it as an opportunity to upgrade different areas of your home for reasons ranging from energy efficiency and convenience to ease of living and safety.

With increasing technology for smart home devices and ever-evolving

40 | Tri-StateLiving

design styles, upgrading your home can be nearly anything you make of it.

These ideas include ways that you can add organization, revolutionize your home tech, increase energy efficiency, enhance security and more.

Find more ways to enhance your space this spring at eLivingToday.com.

g FUNCTIONAL SHELVING

REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR HOME

NATURAL LIGHT, FRESH AIR

Open shelving can add character, design and attractive storage to your home. For example, ClosetMaid’s Ventilated Shelving exhibits simple elegance and is both an aesthetically pleasing way to showcase your favorite things and functional enough to keep linens fresh in the closet or hold clutter at bay by the front door. Made from solid wood and epoxy-coated steel, these shelves are easy to install, durable and can complement nearly any room. Learn more at closetmaid.com.

Take your smart home setup to the next level with assistance from a product like the Google Home Hub. Its 7-inch touch screen and built-in Google Assistant technology answers your questions, shows you the weather and more using voice recognition software. The virtual assistant is available at retailers like Office Depot or OfficeMax. It also works with other smart hubs for fluid integration between all your at-home tech devices. Content courtesy of Office Depot, officedepot.com.

Add natural light and fresh air to your home with an option like Velux No Leak Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylights featuring pre-installed light filtering or light blocking shades in more than 80 colors. The skylights use a solar panel to capture daylight and recharge a battery-operated control system.

They can also be opened and closed via remote control or smartphone app, and a rain sensor closes the skylights during inclement weather. Find more information at whyskylights.com.

A FRONT DOOR FIXER UPPER

SMART HOME SAFETY

Anytime is a good time to make sure your home is safe, particularly at what’s often the main point of entry — your front door. This spring is an ideal time to keep out unwanted guests with a door that’s sturdy and draft-resistant while also providing an aesthetic touch for enhanced curb appeal. When choosing a door that’s right for your home, focus on options that include a strong deadbolt and thick frame for peace of mind.

With safety typically representing a top priority for most homeowners, taking advantage of smart technology can be one way to improve your feelings of safety and comfort in your home. A solution like a smart lock on the main entryway to your house can add security while also ensuring you’re never locked out of your own home. With options that can pair with apps on your smartphone or feature keyless entry via unique numerical passwords, you can marry convenience with safety.

Tri-StateLiving | 41

Marketplace Marketplace Tri-State Living • 740.532.1441

Alternative Building Concepts, Inc Alternativebuilding conceptsinc.com WV License #026216 304-736-0494 • Foundations • Footer Repair • Helical Pier • Foundation Systems 30-year Transferable Warranty Engineered Solutions Guaranteed Results • Renovations • Room Additions Leader in Construction, Followers of Jesus Armstrong Lawn Care 25 years experience, FREE ESTIMATES Budget Plan Available!

304-412-8735 Bill Allen Construction Now Hiring Carpenters & Roofers Must have own tools, transportation & pass drug test. Call (740)237-0077 Seeking Child Care Workers at The Children’s Center of Ohio, LLC. Position is working with and monitoring delinquent youth. Must be able to pass drug screening, background check and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least 21 years of age and pass physical requirement.

Apply in person at 55 Allison Road.

Patriot, OH 45658 or call (740)379-9083 Mon-Fri, 9-5.

Boy’s Facility or 2234 Boggs Rd. Patriot, OH 45658 or call (740)256-1766 Girl’s Facility.

Crager’s Ink Solutions Quality Printing

by Quality Printers.

314 Chestnut Street, Ironton, OH. 740-533-3404 email: cragersink@gmail.com DVR Storage, Inc. 300 Twp Rd 1086, Division Street, South Point, OH. 740-894-4045

D.C. Tree Service, Trimming & Removal.

Fully Insured • Free Estimates • Stump Removal • 100’ Crane • 60’ Bucket Truck • Crane Rental 740-894-2003 cell: 740-646-0392 Eastham & Associates - Ronald L. Eastham, RPSPresident 3992 St. Rt. 7.

Chesapeake, OH 45619.

(740)867-8369 (800)424-5258 Fax (740)867-8146

Garage Doors • Residential • Commercial • Sales • Service • Installation • Operators & Controls.

GARAGE DOOR PLUS, INC. 804 Solida Road. South Point 740-894-4060 garagedoorplusinc.com HERITAGE PIANO Opening Our New Woodshop! We build custom swings, baby swings, and do furniture restoration! Call Dan at 606-262-7378 We do Piano Restoration & In-Home Fine Tuning. Also repair accordions & string dulcimers.

4700 Spears Rd. Catlettsburg, KY. Call for appointment: 606-262-7378 or 606-547-6000 heritage_piano@yahoo.com Now Hiring! Physical Therapist. Competitive Compensation/Benefit Package Available! Minimum education/Experience required: • Graduate from a PT Program that is CAPTE Approved and/or Accredited by the APTA • Licensed in Ohio as a Physical Therapist. NEW GRADUATES WELCOME! Apply at www.holzer.org/careers. For more information call Human Resources at 740-446-5105

Tri-State Living

740-532-1441

Tri-StateLiving.com

Now Hiring! Laboratory Tachnologist/Technician.

Full-time positions available; Varied shifts. Competitive Wages with excellent benefits.

• Associate degree in MLT required • BS degree in MT/ Clinical Laboratory Science Preferred • ASCP Board Certified or Board Eligible.

Apply at www.holzer.org/careers.

For more information call Human Resources at 740-446-5105 New Graduates Welcome!

Positions Available in: • Critical Care Unit • Geriatric Psych • Internal Medicine •Post-Acute Care • Medical/ Surgical • Home Health • Inpatient Rehabilitation • Emergency Department • Maternity & Family Center.

Apply at www.holzer.org/ careers For more information call Human Resources at 740-446-5105 Iron Town Upholstery Upholstery for • Automotive • Commercial • Residential Also Remote Starters and Window Tint 90 Mulberry Street.

Ironton OH 740-479-0506

I-Town Plumbing Installation and Repairs. Jobs done right, the first time, on time, every time! Fully Insured.

Call Kurtis at 740-547-8287 www.i-townplumbing.com IRON CITY STORAGE If your garage is a pity, call Iron City! (740) 532-8414 Will Pay Top Dollar for Junk & Unwanted Cars, Trucks, Vans. Free Pick Up. (740)727-3134 KUSTOM KOATINGS Powder Coatings & Ceramic Finishes www.kustomkoatings.com 114 Bridge St Huntingdon, W.V. 304-523-5880

WANTED TO BUY • OLDER MOTORCYCLES • DIRT BIKES • PARTS • WORLD WAR 1-2 ITEMS • OLD KNIVES & SWORDS 606571-3772

South Point Storage Chesapeake • 3BR/1BA House. $670/mo. S/G Paid.

See our other properties: www.mysouthpointstorage. com 740-377-4321

Patriot Metals MFG Customized Metal Solutions.

1588 Gage Road.

Patriot, OH 740-379-9101.

Monday-Friday.

6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday. 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Contractor’s Discounts Available. Next Day Delivery.

40 Year Warranty.

SAND AND GRAVELLimestone, Washed Gravel, Fill Sand, Top Soil, Mason Sand, & Fill Dirt. Pick up or Delivery. Bulk Rates Available.

On New 52, Chesapeake, OH. 740-867-4244 www.bhearthmoving.com

Construction Work.

Jim Taylor. 740-237-6693 Licensed. Insured.

WE DO IT ALL! Roofing and Construction.

Jim Taylor. 740-237-6693.

Licensed. Insured.

WE DO IT ALL! •Covered Storage for RVs and Boats• 3 Bedroom House with attached garage for rent.

Call Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm 740-442-2000 R & J Mini Storage “Affordable and Secure” 1107 South Third Street, Ironton, OH. 740-532-3685 SANCTUARY OF THE OHIO VALLEY HIRING STNA’S, LPN’S, AND RN’S **Sign-On Bonus** STNA: $500 • LPN: $1000 • RN: $2500 • APPLY IN PERSON: 2932 S 5TH ST. “Above the Rest” Scherer Mountain Insurance 740-532-8755 209 S. Third St Ironton, OH NOW HIRING DRIVERS • 1yr Verifiable Tractor Trailer Class-A Experience • Doubles Endorsement or ability to obtain Home Daily Monday-Friday Nights Call:740-464-1262 Email Resume to: jule.trucking@hotmail.com

GARY LEACH STATE FARM. 213 S. 5th St. 740-533-0144.

FREE QUOTES. Susan Court ApartmentsGround level. Off-street parking. Walking distance of Post Office, banks & stores.

Senior Discounts!

740-533-3973 TNT Heating & Cooling.

Dynamite Service!

740-867-5235 Tri-State Enterprise Tri State Lawn Care, Inc. 1305 Argillite Road, Flatwoods. 606-836-2534.

Accepting applications for: Lawn Care Technicians, Production Manager, Landscape Designer, Sales Personnel, Laborers. Pay is negotiable & based on experience. Benefits induded.

Must have valid drivers license, pass background check/drug test.

White Eagle Antique.

Estates, Liquidation, Appraisals & Auctions. www.whiteeagleantiques.com.

Elizabeth “Butch” Nichols.

606-831-2511 Parnell Painting & Home Maintenance (740) 646-2304 Complete Remodels Inside & Out. Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook. com/parnellpaint

Tri-StateLiving

food

up close 7 Pour 0 Brewery brings unique craft beer to region

p. 44

44 | Tri-StateLiving

7 Pour 0 Brewery | food

AS LOCAL AS IT GETS 7 Pour 0 Brewery offers changing menu of beer Story Heath Harrison | Photography Carla Bentley

P

ORTSMOUTH — The 7 Pour 0 Brewery opened its doors at 631 Second St. in Portsmouth on March 1 and, for owner Jeff Fannin, it was the culmination of events that began 16 years ago.

He was working as a respiratory therapist in Cincinnati when he started brewing.

“I was working the ICU and a buddy of mine — one evening, we didn’t have a lot of patients — he asked if I wanted to go out and have a beer,” Fannin said. “He said ‘We’ll have some good craft beer,’ and I really didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. I normally drank Bud Light.”

He said his friend bought it for him and told him he would love it.

“The first craft beer I had was an amber ale from Great Lakes Brewery,” Fannin said,

Tri-StateLiving | 45

food | 7 Pour 0 Brewery

XX | Tri-StateLiving

7 Pour 0 Brewery | food

stating he did not have the taste for it. “To me, that was an extremely dark beer at the time — now its super light beer. I found it undrinkable, to say the least. I wasn’t used to those kinds.”

Fannin made a proposition to his friend.

“I said, ‘Dude, if you like that, I can make something better,’” he recalled. “I started researching and after a year, I started home brewing.”

He said his first effort was an all-grain batch.

“The first beer I ever made was River Water, which is now one of my staples,” Fannin said. “It turned out absolutely great.

It was more flavorable than a lighter beer. It turned out really good, so I never changed the recipe.”

He said, shortly after that, he started making other beers, first trying kit recipes.

“I tried those and they were horrible,” he said. “I swore I’d never do a kit again and started doing my own recipes and own ingredients. And I kept home brewing for another 15 or so years.”

From Cincinnati, he went to Piketon, then was laid off, before moving home to Portsmouth, where he found more work in the medical field.

He continued brewing with his uncle, and taught his fiancé, Tiffany Hadsell, the craft as well.

“So I was working here local and my boss mentioned possibly people would get laid off and business was slow,” Fannin said. “I thought, ‘Man, you’ve gotta be kidding. Twice.’”

Tri-StateLiving | 47

food | 7 Pour 0 Brewery

48 | Tri-StateLiving

It was at this point that he began considering the idea of opening a brewery.

“Everybody had my beers and liked them, and I’d given them away to friends,” he said. “Other breweries tried to buy them, but I would never sell my recipes. So I started really researching how to open a brewery.”

With Hadsell’s encouragement, he began filling out the paperwork, in detail, providing blueprints and plans.

“It was two months later, I was sitting at work and my cell phone rings,” he said.

The call was from a woman representing Ohio Liquor Control.

She told him he was approved and that they would be coming to do an inspection in two weeks, wanting to know if the facility was ready.

He said, due to rain, all he had was a foundation.

“I said, ‘Sure, but is there any way we can get an extra week?’” he said, adding that they agreed. “I figured I’d better pour some concrete and put the walls up.”

He said, offering a group of friends pizza and beer as payment, they were able to get everything ready in the short time before the inspectors arrived.

After a thorough check, they granted him approval to start brewing.

Fannin said that a half hour after getting approval, he was also told by his boss at work that he was getting laid off.

“For me, that showed it was meant to be,” he said. “I no longer had a job. So it was all out brewing, as fast as I could and as much as I could — all small batches.”

He said the response surpassed his expectations, with Port City Pub being the first to put his beer on tap.

Tri-StateLiving | 49

“Our plan was to stay here a few months, then expand to Chillicothe and Circleville,” he said. “But, in less than a month, we were at the edge of Columbus and Cincinnati and all the way up into Ironton.”

After several months, he said Hadsell asked him if he was satisfied with the business.

“I said, ‘No. I want the tap room. I want to see people enjoying my beer, instead of just dropping them off.’”

With her encouragement, they began looking for a building, eventually renting their location from an old school friend.

It took them a few months to remodel and clean, between the front and the brew system in the back.

Then they were inspected and approved to open.

“We finally got up and going and it’s doing well,” Fannin said. “We have people coming in as regulars.

They’re amazing. I love just talking to them, sharing and letting them enjoy my beer.”

He said the menu is always changing, with several permanent and one or two new beers added each week.

“There’s always something new, because I do small batches,” he said of the selection, with locally-themed names such as Scioto River Sour, The Mill and River Rat. “I have three new ones brewing. And, it’s not released to the public yet, but I’m working on a cider right now, so that’s coming.”

Fannin, who works at the location full time, describes the atmosphere and how it differs from a bar.

“Most of the day, it’s laid back, like a coffee shop, with music playing,” he said. “In the evening, it gets busier, but it has that same relaxed environment.

Tri-StateLiving | 51

7 Pour 0 Brewery | food

People bring in families. I encourage them to bring kids in.”

He said they have food trucks on most weekends, but when that isn’t the case, he encourages customers to bring in or order food.

He said they plan to expand, hire additional employees, create an outdoor area for children and eventually offer food on the menu.

He says their slogan is “As local as it gets,” noting that the wood for the kegs is from Ohio, while the metal is from AK Steel. And the woodwork for the bar was done by Wayne Stump of Stump Standards in Portsmouth.

“We have as much from Ohio as I can get,” Fannin said. “Our doors are from Portsmouth High School before they tore it down. We cleaned up and redid them. And my coasters advertise local businesses. How much more local can you get than that?“ Fannin said the area around the brewery reminds him of downtown Cleveland.

“We have a lot of little hangout spots,” he said. “That’s what Portsmouth has now, between me and other local businesses. And you don’t have to leave town to have a laidback place to enjoy a craft beer. It’s here.”

He said, in the summer, there are concerts and a craft beer festival in the area, all done by locals.

“People are making Portsmouth absolutely awesome, like it used to be, and is again,” he said.

The 7 Pour 0 Brewery is open from 5-10 p.m. on Thursday, and 2-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. a

Tri-StateLiving Tri-StateLiving||XX 53

food | From the Cookbook

Cherry Pecan Energy Bites • 1 cup toasted pecan halves or pieces • 1 cup dried cherries • 4 medjool dates, pitted • 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats • 1 tablespoon cacao powder, plus additional, for coating (optional) • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

XX ||Tri-StateLiving 54 Tri-StateLiving

In bowl of food processor, combine toasted pecans, dried cherries, dates, oats, cacao powder and vanilla extract.

Pulse until ingredients begin to bind and form loose, dough-like ball.

Roll into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in additional cacao powder, if desired, and transfer to airtight container.

Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to seven days.

Note: To make gluten-free, substitute 1/4 cup of certified gluten-free old-fashioned oats.

From the Cookbook | food

Banana Pecan Cherry Oatmeal • 1 cup old-fashioned oats • 2 cups water • 1/2 cup pecan milk • 1 banana, sliced • 1/4 cup pecan halves • 1/4 cup dried tart cherries • 1/4 cup honey

In large, microwave-safe bowl, combine oats and water. Microwave on high 3-4 minutes, or until oats are cooked through. Watch carefully to avoid boiling over.

Remove from microwave, stir and divide between two bowls. Pour 1/4 cup pecan milk over each bowl.

Divide sliced banana, pecan halves and dried tart cherries between each bowl and drizzle with 2 tablespoons honey. Serve immediately.

Tri-StateLiving | 55

food | From the Cookbook

Mini Hash Brown Casseroles • 1 package refrigerated Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns • 1 pound Bob Evans Farms Original Sausage Roll • 4 large eggs • 1/2 cup milk • 3 tablespoons butter, melted • 1 cup ham, cubed • 1 cup red pepper, diced • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

56 | Tri-StateLiving

Heat oven to 350˚F. Remove hash browns from refrigerator and let rest.

In skillet, cook sausage according to directions.

Lightly grease two 12-cup muffin tins. In bowl, whisk eggs and milk. Add hash browns, butter, ham, red pepper, black pepper and cheese; mix.

Fill muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake 27-30 minutes.

From the Cookbook | food

Jalapeño Popper Cups • 8 strips bacon, chopped • 4 medium jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced • 2 teaspoons minced garlic • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese • ½ cup sour cream • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided • 1 package frozen phyllo dough sheets • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Heat oven 375°F. In medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crisp. Drain bacon; reserve 1 tablespoon grease.

Add jalapeño peppers and minced garlic to bacon grease. Cook until peppers are tender.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Stir in bacon, jalapeño mix and 2/3 cup shredded cheese.

Gently fold one pastry sheet in half. Fold in top corners to middle, forming point. Fold bottom corners to middle, forming point. Place phyllo dough in muffin pan cavity, forming cup.

Fill phyllo cups with cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over cups.

Bake 7-8 minutes or until heated through. Remove from pan and sprinkle with cilantro.

Tri-StateLiving | 57

food | From the Cookbook

Ruby Beet Chicken Salad Skewers • 1 jar (16 ounces) Aunt Nellie’s Baby Whole Pickled Beets • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound) • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided • 1/2 teaspoon pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided • 4 1/2 tablespoons stone ground mustard, divided • 1 1/2 tablespoons, plus 1/3 cup, orange marmalade, divided • 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives • 1 large lemon, zest and juice (1/3 cup juice) • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1 bag (9 ounces) leafy romaine lettuce pieces • 1/3 cup chopped almonds, toasted • 1/3 cup crumbled blue, feta or goat cheese

58 | Tri-StateLiving

Heat oven to 375˚F. Drain beets; set aside.

Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper, to taste. In small bowl, combine 1 1/2 tablespoons mustard and 1 1/2 tablespoons marmalade. Brush mixture over chicken until coated. Bake chicken on rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil about 20-25 minutes, or until juices run clear; set aside.

In medium bowl, combine remaining mustard, remaining marmalade, chives, lemon zest and juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Slowly pour in oil while whisking vigorously until combined.

Slice cooled chicken into 1-inch pieces. Onto each skewer, thread one beet, one piece of chicken and 4-5 pieces of lettuce; repeat two times for each skewer, adding one beet at ends.

Stir vinaigrette; drizzle lightly over skewers.

Sprinkle with almonds and cheese.

From the Cookbook | food

Rainbow Buddha Bowl • 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced • 1 cup broccoli florets • 1/2 small purple cabbage, sliced • 1 tablespoon olive oil • Salt, to taste • Pepper, to taste • 2 cups quinoa, cooked according to package directions • 1 cup red cherry tomatoes, quartered • 1/2 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, quartered • 1 avocado, sliced • 4 tablespoons yogurt ranch dressing

Heat oven to 425˚F. Place sweet potatoes, broccoli and cabbage on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Toss with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Bake 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.

Divide cooked quinoa into four bowls. Top with roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, red tomatoes, yellow tomatoes and avocado.

Drizzle with dressing.

Tri-StateLiving | 59

food | From the Cookbook

Veggie Smoked Sausage • 1 package Eckrich smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces • 4 servings premade white or brown rice • 1 tablespoon peanut oil • 1 bag (16 ounces) frozen stir-fry vegetable mix • 1 package stir-fry dry seasoning mix • 2 tablespoons honey • 1 teaspoon vinegar • 2 tablespoons sesame oil • Toasted sesame seeds (optional) • Sliced green onions (optional)

60 | Tri-StateLiving

In pan over medium-high heat, brown sausage; set aside. Heat white or brown rice according to package instructions.

In same pan over medium-high heat, heat peanut oil and stir-fry vegetable mix. Add stir-fry dry seasoning mix, honey, vinegar and sesame oil.

Divide rice, sausage and stir-fry mixture among four bowls.

Sprinkle each with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.

From the Cookbook | food

Pepperoni Pizza Sliders • 1 package slider rolls • ½ cup pizza sauce • ½ cup mini pepperoni • 1 1/2 cups shredded, low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese • ¼ cup butter, melted • 1 teaspoon parsley flakes • ½ teaspoon dried oregano • ½ teaspoon garlic powder • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese • Nonstick cooking spray

Heat oven 350ºF. Keeping rolls connected, cut sheet of rolls horizontally, separating tops from bottoms. Place bottom halves of rolls in baking dish.

Spread pizza sauce evenly over bottom halves.

Sprinkle pepperoni over sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella over pepperoni and cover with top halves of rolls.

Mix melted butter with parsley flakes, dried oregano, garlic powder and shredded Parmesan cheese.

Spoon evenly over sliders.

Cover baking dish with aluminum foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to keep cheese from sticking.

Bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake additional 5-10 minutes or until Parmesan is melted and golden brown.

Tri-StateLiving | 61

food | From the Cookbook

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus • 1 pound Michigan asparagus • Olive oil • 1 package uncooked bacon, thin sliced • Balsamic glaze (optional) • Salt and pepper, to taste

62 | Tri-StateLiving

Wash asparagus and trim ends. Place asparagus on tray and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat.

Wrap 2-3 spears with one slice bacon. Repeat with remaining asparagus and bacon.

Heat grill to medium heat and clean grates.

Place asparagus bundles on grill and cook 3-4 minutes per side, or until bacon is crispy.

During last minute of grilling, brush asparagus bunches with balsamic glaze, if desired. Avoid adding glaze too soon or it may burn.

Add salt and pepper, to taste.

Apple Pie Empanadas • 4 cups peeled, sliced Gala apples • 1/4 cup maple syrup • 1 tablespoon cornstarch • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 12 frozen empanada shells, thawed • 1 large egg white, beaten Heat skillet over low heat. Add apples, syrup, cornstarch and cinnamon. Cook 10 minutes, stirring frequently, or until apples are tender.

Line center of each empanada shell with apples; fold and use fork to press edges together and seal. Brush with egg wash.

Heat oven to 375˚F. Place sealed empanadas on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Tip: To make in air fryer: Heat air fryer to 375˚F. Spray air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.

Add sealed empanadas and cook 8 minutes, or until golden brown.

food | From the Cookbook

Slow Cooked Shredded Chicken Tacos • 1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves • 1 teaspoon chili powder • 2 teaspoons ground cumin • 1 16-ounce jar Pace Chunky Salsa or Pace Picante Sauce-Medium • 12 6-inch flour tortillas, warmed

64 | Tri-StateLiving

Season chicken with chili powder and cumin.

Place chicken into 6-quart slow cooker. Pour salsa over chicken.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or until chicken is fork-tender. Remove chicken to work surface. Using 2 forks, shred chicken. Serve chicken in tortillas. Top with favorite toppings.

From the Cookbook | food

Ricotta Puff Pastries with Strawberry Compote • 2 sheets puff pastry • 1/2 cup, plus 1 tablespoon, heavy cream • 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon • 1 tablespoon water • 1 package fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced • 1/2 cup homemade, part-skim or whole milk ricotta cheese • 1/4 cup powdered sugar • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Heat oven to 400˚F. Cut both puff pastry sheets into nine squares. Make slit in corner of each square toward middle of pastry. Fold corners to other corners to create pinwheel shape.

Brush pastry with 1 tablespoon heavy cream.

Combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar and ground cinnamon then sprinkle on each puff pastry. Bake 12-15

minutes until pastry is golden brown and raised.

In medium saucepan on medium to high heat, pour in remaining granulated sugar and water. Once sugar is dissolved, pour in fresh strawberries.

Bring mixture to boil then simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until strawberries are broken apart and semi-thick sauce is created. Let chill in refrigerator 2 hours. To chill faster, put in freezer 45 minutes.

In medium bowl, using mixer, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside. In separate medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until fluffy. Return whipped cream to ricotta mixture and whip 1-2 minutes until mixture is light and fluffy.

Spoon ricotta cream into center of each puff pastry pinwheel. Spoon strawberry compote in middle of ricotta mixture.

Tri-StateLiving | 65

the last word

Seeing the view of progress

I

f my life were a movie, I can see the opening scene. There is some peppy background music playing while I put my mascara on and mobile order an Americano and sprouted grain bagel from the drop-off line. I navigate road construction to get to Starbucks. I pull into the parking lot, finish a quick phone conversation and walk in the door. I am greeted warmly. As I grab my coffee to leave, I wish everyone a great day. I turn onto Winchester Avenue and take a deep breath.

My view is clear from The Paramount Arts Center to my office. The sun is just peeking over the tops of the buildings. The music is ethereal. The camera zooms in on my face as I smile, sigh and say, “THIS.” Obviously, this is an overly dramatic scene, but it’s a thought I have quite a lot. This is truly the best part of my day. I am not addicted to Starbucks coffee. If I skip this step, I miss the moment of my day when I am reminded that I live in the best place in the world.

Daily, I see progress. Giant dumpsters on the streets tell me we are re-building. Young people walking to office buildings tell me we are becoming more attractive. City workers cleaning sidewalks tell me pride has finally returned to this place I love.

I am grateful to all the fighters who came before

66 | Tri-StateLiving

Amanda Clark is the vice president of operations for the Ashland Alliance, the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Agency for Boyd and Greenup counties. Amanda was elected to the Ashland Board of City Commissioners in 2015. She and her husband Brian share two sons, Casey and Drew, who share their love for Eastern Kentucky.

me that paved the way for this renaissance. I can see how difficult it must have been when it seemed they were destined to fail. I am thankful to the newest crop of fighters who are taking responsibility for making sure Ashland weathers this transition in such a way that we all come out better in the end.

I truly believe we are living in days of Ashland that will be recorded in history. We certainly didn’t get near the bottom overnight and it may take a little while to dig out — but we are doing it! How awesome is it that we get a front row view to watch it happen?

TRI-STATE REGIONAL CANCER CENTER American College of Radiology Accredited

GOLD SEAL RADIATION TEAM Serving King’s Daughters Medical Center and Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital

Call 606-329-0060 for an appointment or visit us online at tsrcc.com 706 23rd St., Ashland, Kentucky

When you’re fighting cancer, When you’re fighting cancer, there is strength in numbers. there is strength in numbers.

Eachday dayatatSOMC SOMC Cancer Cancer Services Each Serviceswe wecome come togetherasasone onecoordinated coordinated team in in together teamwith withone onegoal goal mind. To help you beat cancer, right here at home. mind. To help you beat cancer, right here at home.

With state-of-the-art technologies and proven With state-of-the-art proven treatment plans andtechnologies therapies, it isand the care treatment plans therapies, it is the care we show and theand hope we give. Together.

we show and the hope we give. Together.

SOMC Cancer Center

1121 Kinneys Cancer Lane | Portsmouth, OH 45662 SOMC Center (740) 356-7490 | www.somc.org/cancer

1121 Kinneys Lane | Portsmouth, OH 45662 (740) 356-7490 | www.somc.org/cancer