Longtime Tourism Board member Keith Chaffin said so-long at his last meeting Monday night. He said he wanted to give the opportunity to serve to the next generation. He will remain on the Louisa city council, he said. LAZER PHOTO BY SUSAN SALYER. CLICK ON KEITH FOR LAZER VIDEO
CHAFFIN RESIGNS FROM THE LC TOURISM BOARD
By Susan Salyer
LOUISA, Ky. — The Lawrence County Tourism Regular Scheduled Meeting met on Monday, August 21, 2023 at the Fred M. Vinson Museum Building in Louisa, Kentucky at 5:30PM. LC Tourism Chairman Wes Kingsmore was present along with Brenda Hardwick, Susie Chambers, Keith Chaffin, Vince Doty and Chris Jobe. Special Guests include Kevin Wilson, Ralph Wellman and Amanda Short.
SPECIAL GUEST Kevin Wilson
Kevin Wilson from the Fallsburg area attended the LC Tourism to help with any Car Shows or Cruise-Ins in Lawrence County. Mr. Wilson also volunteers with the Fallsburg Fire Department. (SEE VIDEO)
SPECIAL GUEST Ralph Wellman
Ralph Wellman from the Louisa area also presented the idea to the LC Tourism to have RockOctober for all of the Lawrence County Community. Mr. Wellman explained that the rocks are painted with quotes to have a nice day or bible verses. Once the rocks are painted they are placed out in the community. When you find a rock, you will have to directions on who to contact and win a prize. (SEE VIDEO)
SPECIAL GUEST Amanda Short
Amanda Short, Safety Educator, Independent Damsel Pro is from the Fallsburg area. She runs her own business “Damsel in Defense.” She is available for Workshops, Little Ringer Stun Device, Road Trip Auto Emergency Tool, Protected Pepper and Hear Me Out Personal Alarm with Shield Technology. Her phone is (304)916-4115 and you can contact her by email at bluegrassdamsel@gmail.com or go to her website www.mydamselpro.net/pro34208 or by Facebook Group @Amanda’s Bluegrass Damsels. (SEE VIDEO)
Old Business
Old Business Items on the Agenda were discussed by the LC Tourism which included the Louisa City Pool Celebration. LC Tourism provided a bubble machine at the end of year party and it was a great success.
Also the LC County Fair and Open Mic Night were successful and fun was had by all who attended. LC Tourism Member Keith Chaffin, represented the LC Tourism at the Kentucky State Fair this year and had an enjoyable time.
The July 2023 Minutes of the LC Tourism were passed. Motion made by Keith Chaffin and seconded by Brenda Hardwick. None Opposed.
The July 2023 Financial Report was passed. Motion made by Susie Chambers and seconded by Christy Moore.
New Business was then discussed by the LC Tourism Board. In September 2023 there will be a Septemberfest 5K, Harvest Moon Gala and The Harvest Tour. Fright Nights discussion had to be tabled until the September Regular Scheduled Meeting. Motion by Wes Kingsmore seconded by Keith Chaffin. Also Promo Items had to be tabled. Motion by Wes Kingsmore seconded by Keith Chaffin.
Chaffin resigns Tourism seat…but will remain on Louisa city council
LC Tourism Member Keith Chaffin attended his last LC Tourism Board Meeting. He gave his resignation to the board at tonight’s regular meeting. Mr. Chaffin said, “I want to resign to give someone younger a chance to work for the community with the LC Tourism Board,” he told the commission members. Keith Chaffin has been on the LC Tourism commission for many years and is one of the newest Councilmen on the Louisa City Council and will remain with the Council, he said.
AGENDA
1. Blessing
2. Call to Order
3. Special Guests – Ralph Wellman, Amanda Short and Kevin Wilson
Old Business
1. Pool Celebration
2. LC County Fair
3. Open Mic Night
4. Kentucky State Fair
5. Approval of July 2023 Minutes – Motion by Keith Chaffin 2nd by Brenda Hardwick. None Opposed.
6. Approval of July 2023 Financial Report – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Christy Moore. None Opposed.
New Business
1. Septemberfest 5K- Saturday, September 9
2. Harvest Moon Gala – Thursday Sept 28
3. Harvest Tour – Saturday, Sept 30
4. Fright Nights – All thru October
5. Second Saturday Cruise-In September or October
6. Promotional Items – Tabled till September Regular Scheduled Meeting
7. Public Comments – None
8. Adjourn – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Chris Jobe
The next meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 pm at the Fred Vinson Tourism office.
Lawrence County Tourism Commission
Treasurers Report
For Month Ending 6/30/23 – 7/31/23
Balance Forward $22,440.59
Deposits $ 7,477.31
Checks $ 9,642.08
Debit Card Activity $ 522.40
Balance $19,753.42
Trail Town Budget $ 1,715.00
Paula Nye Grant $ 4,000.00
Outstanding Checks thru 8/18 $ 12,961.00
Outstanding Debit Card thru 8/18 $ 819.63
Deposits not added thru 8/18 $ 901.00
Balance $ 1,158.79
Trail Town Operating Budget is currently $1,715.00 ($1,250.00 designated to MeClure Branch Project and $465 to other activities) $160.00 was spent for signs for walk/runs/bike events sponsored by Tourism or Trail Town.
Submitted by Brenda Hardwick
8/21/2023
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Last month’s minutes approved
Lawrence County Tourism Minutes, July 17, 2023
Prepared by: Susie Chambers, Secretary
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission met on Monday, July 17, 2023 at the Fred Vinson Tourism Office at 5:30 pm. Members in attendance were Chairman Wes Kingsmore, Brenda Hardwick, Chris Jobe, Christy Moore, Keith Chaffin and Susie Chambers. Also attending were Tamrya New, Susan Salyer, Rick Blackburn and Melissa Blackburn.
Under old business Tamrya told us that the scavenger hunt at the Wilderness Park had been postponed until October. We just need to set a time to install the boxes for the Storybook Trail. Fiscal Court bought trail markers for the Horse Park. Wes said if we need money for the Harvest Heritage Tour he will ask the county for help.
The June minutes were presented and a motion was made by Chris with a second by Keith to approve. All in favor. The financial report was given showing a balance of $12,334.78. Susie made a motion to accept the report with a second by Keith. All in favor.
Under new business the Country Music Highway Tribute Show is on July 29th in Paintsville from 1-10. Keith will attend to represent Lawrence County. Soar designed a sign for the shelter at Buchanan. The county will cover the cost. It will emphasize that Lawrence County is the county of the year. Music in the Park is scheduled for July 20th and August 17th. The Second Saturday Cruise-In will be on August 12th. We hope to have it downtown this time. We will sponsor the Septemberfest 5K. It will be a fun run and we may charge a small entry fee. We may have trophies for the first three to finish the race, Wes will research some promotional items for us to have as give aways. With a motion by Wes and a second by Susie we voted to have Kate Cecil as our IT committee member. All in favor. She has already updated our events on our website. Wes asked if we could run an ad on WSIP to promote the fair. Chris made a motion and Brenda a second to do this right away. All in favor. On August 8th the state will be dedicating Rt. 3398 at Fallsburg to Vietnam Vets.
Rick and Melissa Blackburn gave us an update on the upcoming fair. It will kick off actually a week ahead of the actual fair with a beauty pageant and pickle ball tournament. From Thursday the 27th through Saturday the 29th there will be livestock shows, cowboy church, live music, food vendors, mutton busting, a horse show, corn hole, tractor pull, outhouse race, greased pig contest, a rodeo and even other events. It should be a great fair this year.
Wes attended the EHN meeting on July 17th. EHN will have a booth at the state fair and pay for the booth set up fee.
With no further business to come before the board our meeting was adjourned with a motion by Chris and a second by Susie. All in favor.
Our next meeting will be on Monday, August 21st at 5:30 pm at the Fred Vinson Tourism office.
