ASHONTAE ELLIS HELPS PLAN THE JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM…
By Susan Salyer
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission had a Regular Meeting on Monday October 19, 2026 at 5:30PM at Taco Bell. (We still have problems with the heating and cooling at the Fred M. Vinson Museum.) The Tourism Commissioner Wes Kingsmore was in attendance along with the Tourism Members including Brenda Hardwick, Susie Chambers, Debbie Hill, Christy Moore and Kate Cecil. Members Chris Jobe and Thomas Bradley were absent.
SPECIAL GUEST ASHONTAE ELLIS
Ashontae Ellis was the Special Guest at the Tourism Meeting. She had a list of dates and times of events in Louisa, so she could help Tourism plan the “Journey to Bethlehem’. There was some discussion but ultimately the group has tentatively approved that Friday, December 18, 2026 will be the “Journey to Bethlehem.” There will be 7 dramatic stops around Louisa on the “Journey to Bethlehem.”
HERITAGE HARVEST TOUR
Wes Kingsmore and Chris Jobe made all 21 stops on the Heritage Harvest Tour. Wes explained that all stops were not open, but they saw most of them. Some of the stops were very interesting making this a good event for Lawrence County Tourism. Kingsmore said, “The Blaine group was happy and were having their Annual Harvest Days. There were only 2 stops in Boyd County, Kentucky and they were both good, very well received.
ROCKTOBER
Rocktober has been a busy time for Tourism. Rocks have been painted by LCHS students, hidden by the Tourism Members then anyone who wants to participate can get out and find a rock and receive $50. You have to go to the Big Sandy News to collect your payment. 3 rocks have been found so far. They were found at the Dollar Store, MOMO Theater and the pond at Three Rivers Medical Center. There are 9 rocks that have been sponsored, 2 have been sponsored by the Tourism Members. Motion for Tourism to sponsor 2 rocks by Susie Chambers and seconded by Debbie Hill. None Opposed.
MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER
The Minutes from the September Meeting were unanimously approved with a Motion by Kate Cecil and seconded by Debbie Hill.
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT
The September Financial Report was unanimously approved with a Motion by Debbie Hill and seconded by Susie Chambers.
“TAKE A HIKE” DAY
The day to go hiking is on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. Tourism will be hiking for 2 different days. You will hike the golf course and of course Trail Days are the weekend before. The Tourism Members unanimously approved spending up to $400 on snacks and gifts. Motion by Susie Chambers and second by Debbie Hill.
TURKEY TROT
The Tourism Members discussed the Turkey Trot costs. The Turkey Trot is a 5K run on the morning of Thanksgiving. Tourism spent $2,500. last year on the Trot so they don’t want to cut that amount. The Tourism Members decided to donate up to 3,500. to the Turkey Trot. Motion by Susie Chambers and seconded by Debbie Hill.
MOMO THEATER DONATION
The Tourism Members gave MOMO Theater a $500. donation to help with the shows and production. Motion by Kate Cecil and seconded by Debbie Hill. None Opposed.
CITY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
The Tourism Members have decided to donate up to $3000. for the City of Louisa Christmas decorations. (Also the Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, December 12, 2026.) Motion by Debbie Hill and second by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
ADJOURN
Motion to Adjourn by Debbie Hill and seconded by Kate Cecil.
AGENDA
- Opening Prayer
- Call to Order
- Special Guests- Ashontae Ellis
Old Business
- Heritage Harvest Tour – Discussion
- Rocktober – Motion by Susie Chambers and 2nd by Debbie Hill. None Opposed.
- Minutes to approve for September meeting – Motion by Kate Cecil and 2nd by Debbie Hill.
- Approval of September Financial Report – Motion by Debbie Hill and 2nd by Susie Chambers.
New Business
- Take a Hike Day – Motion by Susie Chambers and 2nd by Debbie Hill. None Opposed.
- Turkey Trot – Discussion of costs.
- Journey to Bethlehem – Ashontae Ellis helped with discussion.
- MOMO Show Donation – Motion by Kate Cecil and 2nd by Debbie Hill. None Opposed.
- City Christmas Decorations – Motion by Debbie Hill and 2nd by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
- Audience comments – None
- Adjourn – Motion by Debbie Hill and 2nd by Kate Cecil.
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The next Regular Scheduled Meeting is on Monday November 16, 2026 at 5:30PM at a location to be announced later.
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Lawrence County Tourism Minutes, September 21, 2026
Prepared by: Susie Chambers, Secretary
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission met on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 5:30 pm at Taco Bell. Members in attendance were Chairman Wes Kingsmore, Chris Jobe, Kate Cecil, Debbie Hill, Christy Moore and Susie Chambers. Committee member Brenda Hardwick attended, as well as Levisa Lazer reporter Susan Salyer.
Wes called the meeting to order and offered the opening prayer.
Old Business:
1) EHN meeting was at LCHS. The culinary class prepared lunch for attendees.
2) Heritage Harvest Tour has 21 stops this year.
3) Tourism will sponsor one table at the Harvest Moon Gala.
Approval of August minutes. Motion by Kate, 2nd by Christy. All in favor.
Bank balance as of 8/31/26 is $12,836.61. Approval of August financials. Motion by Christy, 2nd by Susie. All in favor.
New Business:
1) Take a Hike Day is Nov. 17th. We will hike the golf course that day in conjunction with Yatesville Lake State Park.
2) Friday November 13th kids from Lawrence County schools will hike the Storybook trail.
3) We need to get sponsors for Roctober at $50 per rock.
4) $1,000 was requested for the annual Haunted Hayride at Lawrence County Wilderness Park. Motion by Susie with a second by Debbie to make this donation. All in favor.
We received a refund from Quickbooks as we no longer needed their services. This refund was reflected on our bank statement.
With no further business to come before the board, a motion was made to adjourn by Susie with a second by Debbie.
Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Monday, October 19th at 5:30 pm. Location to be announced.
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