09/26/2023
Party at the Park
By Morgan Hall
The Greenup Beacon
Cathie Shaffer, President of the South Shore Lions Club shared her sentiments regarding the upcoming Party at the Park and what it signifies. “Party at the Park in South Shore is a celebration of how the city and community pulled together to revitalize the park. The impetus was a decision by the South Shore Lions in the height of COVID in 2020, to seek funding for new playground equipment. COVID brought home the fact that in South Shore, kids can’t walk to the school to play. The equipment at the park was old and some had to be removed because of the age.The Lions asked the SOMC Foundation for $5,000, hoping to get at least enough for a handicap swing. The foundation generously granted the whole amount and the club began to poreover equipment catalogs.COVID complicated everything. Not only did prices soar, but availability tightened up. A community organization added to the original grant so that a merry-go-round, all new swings (including a handicap swing) and baby swing could be purchased along with one of those spring bouncy things in the little kid area. Thus, adding to the horses there is now a bouncy bulldozer. The playground equipment was installed earlier this summer, with the help of community partners, a walking track was built and the old tennis courts have been renovated into pickleball courts. New basketball posts are also up. In addition, there are cameras and new lighting at the park to make people feel more secure, especially at night.”
What made the party at the park come to fruition? Shaffer explains how the Lions created this upcoming event.
“The Lions were looking for a date for this celebration, when they learned that the annual Quilt Festival was not being held this fall. The club chose to use what would have been the Saturday of the festival, for Party at the Park.”
Shaffer elaborates regarding the Lions partnering with the South Shore mission to help those in need, in the local community.
“One of our causes; being the Lions Club, is to help the South Shore Mission. Last month, the mission – which operates on donations and the proceeds of its small retail store – helped 45 families. Everyone working with the mission is a volunteer. As president, I’m thrilled that the small club we started, has turned into a beautiful park that is well-used. We are continuing to look at adding equipment and are part way toward the purchase of a slide, to replace the one which had to be taken down.”
Food and activities available:
Flatwoods Lions Club : Funnel cake and hamburgers
GOTEM Ice Cream (old tractors)
Mike Worthington: Popcorn
Pizza Hut:Pizza
Bookmobile: Crafts with kids
Katie Shaffer: Face painting
Danny Howell: Barrel train
Greenup Gazette: Free newspapers
CRAFTERS AND OTHER VENDORS
Country Charm Cakes and Pastries
Charles Romans: Books
Brassy Berry: Bath bombs etc
Two Heifers in a Kitchen: freeze-dried candy and treats
Lisa Taylor: Resin soap dishes, salves, lotion and more
Stuffin Fun: Stuffed animals
Connie Voiers: Goat soap, fabric stuff
The Baby Hut: Handmade children’s clothing and accessories
Mandy’s Little Treasures: baked goods
Cat Shaffer: books
Sabra Blevins: Mary Kay
Christel Harr: Scentsy
Christina Nelson: Oddities
Tavis Crafts: Handsewn items
SS Meals on Wheels: Quilt raffle
The Insomniac Quilter : quilted stuff
Thread Dog Designs: Printed t-shirts
Thursa Keathley: Handmade crafts
Lawrence Oster: Sports cards and collectibles
Jamie Yongue: Shirts, wood crafts, bracelets, cups
Kenny’s Wood Crafts: Wood crafts
Chicken in the Weeds :Hemp based salves and tinctures
Naomi’s Baked Goods: Cakes, pies, cookies, etc
In conclusion, please join the South Shore community on September 30th from noon to 8 p.m. Trek the Track begins at 12:30 p.m. Food will be collected for the mission during the walk, anyone making one lap around the track will be entered in a prize drawing. Kids games with prizes will be hosted at 1, 2 and 3:30 p.m. The Greenup Cheerleaders will take the stage at 3 p.m. The cruise is from 5-8 p.m. Its a $5 entry fee with a 50/50 split the pot. The Zack Griffith Band takes the stage at 5 p.m. The Willis Twins at 6 p.m. and Brady Ross and Highway 23 will close the night, beginning at 7 p.m.
Centrus Energy visits RATC

Centrus Energy, a trusted supplier of nuclear fuel and services for the nuclear power industry, visited Russell Area Technology Center and Russell High School on September 22nd. Andrea Conley, Human Resource Manager and Director Dan Watts of Regulatory Affairs spoke about employment and the use of nuclear energy. The program was part of professional development conducted over the summer for teachers around the movie Oppenheimer
Centrus has designed, manufactured, and successfully operated the world’s most advanced gas centrifuge enrichment technology, the American Centrifuge, which has undergone rigorous testing by the Department of Energy and is available for national security deployment. Restoring America’s capability to enrich uranium with a domestic technology is critical to meeting long-term national security requirements, such as supplying fuel for the U.S. Navy and providing a source of tritium — which is necessary to maintain the effectiveness of the nuclear deterrent. U.S. treaty obligations and longstanding nonproliferation policies prohibit the use of foreign uranium or foreign technology for these purposes.

Russell High School has been named a Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education. Russell High School was nominated for this prestigious award in the category of an Exemplary High Performing School.
The Blue Ribbon School Award is given to schools that demonstrate remarkable academic excellence, innovative teaching methods, and leadership in education. Russell High School has earned this recognition for its unwavering dedication to preparing its students for success and setting an excellent example for other schools to follow. This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire school community.
Russell us the only Public School awarded this honor in our state!
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.