SPECIAL GUEST CHRIS FERGUSON FROM ‘CASTING WITH KIDS’
Summer Stage has been cancelled this year
By Susan Salyer
The LC Tourism had a Regular Scheduled Monthly Meeting at the Fred M Vinson Museum, 315 East Madison Street, Louisa, Kentucky 41230 on Monday February 17, 2025 at 5:30PM. LC Tourism Commissioner Wes Kingsmore was in attendance along with members Brenda Hardwick, Debbie Hill, Susie Chambers, Chris Jobe and Christy Moore.
SPECIAL GUEST CHRIS FERGUSON CASTING WITH KIDS
Chris Ferguson started ‘Casting for Kids’ eleven years ago, last year raising $90,000 for the Shriners organization.
“Yatesville Lake is a great lake for fishing and can host 160 boat field,” Ferguson said. He also discussed a potential for a 300 foot boardwalk for Yatesville Lake compared to the one at Paintsville Lake.
The Casting for Kids event will be at Yatesville Lake on April 12-13 2025 and at Paintsville Lake on June 6-7 2025.
MINUTES
The Minutes for January were unanimously approved by the Members with a Motion by Brenda Hardwick seconded by Chris Jobe.
Lawrence County Tourism Meeting, Jan. 20, 2025
Prepared by: Susie Chambers, Secretary
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission met on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 5:30 pm at the Fred Vinson Tourism office. Members in attendance were Chairman Wes Kingsmore, Thomas Bradley, Brenda Hardwick, Debbie Hill, Christy Moore, Chris Jobe and Susie Chambers. Johnda Barker was also present.
The meeting was called to order by Wes and he also gave the opening prayer.
Old business:
1. Johnda brought our new brochures and rack cards. We are very pleased with them.
Helmets, bicycles and coloring books have all been purchased with our grant.
We collected a total of $5,364.00 at the Turkey Trot. Checks will be distributed to all resource centers on Wednesday morning, Jan. 22 at 10:00 am at our office.
4. A big thank you to Thomas for hosting our Christmas get together.
Minutes for November were approved with a motion by Tom and a second by Christy. All in favor. We did not have a business meeting in December.
The financial report for Nov and Dec was presented and accepted with a motion by Tom and a second by Susie. All in favor .November balance was $20,876.26 and the December balance was $22,791.29.
New business:
1. Johnda had a budget prepared for us and it was approved with a motion by Tom and a second by Susie. All in favor. Wes will present our budget to the Lawrence County fiscal court on Tuesday, Jan. 21st.
2. We have partnered with the Lawrence County Health Dept. to sponsor a 2025 initiative called 25 for 25. Rack cards with a check off list for things to do this year in Lawrence County will be distributed at various locations.
3. Johnda will be handing out our brochures at upcoming travel shows.
Tom made a motion to roll over the $1,715.00 Trail Town $’s to our general account with a second by Susie. All in favor.
With no further business to discuss a motion was made by Tom with a second by Brenda to adjourn. All in favor.
Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 at the Fred Vinson Tourism Office.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Approval of January Financial Report was unanimously passed with a Motion by Susie Chambers seconded by Christy Moore.
ARPA
The Members anxiously completed the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) paperwork required by a recent Grant from ARPA. The deadline is approaching and the paperwork is heavy, Commissioner Kingsmore said. Funds must be spent in specific ways and the local commission is still discussing how to spend the $40,000.
JASON MICHAEL DAY?
The Members discussed a way to show support for Jason Michael who is the Philadelphia Eagles Assistant Coach. One of the suggestions is to have a ‘Jason Michael Day’ celebration but no action was taken.
RYAN SAMMONS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The members spoke about various ways to show support Ryan’s legacy including a car show. Ryan Sammons was a LC Teacher and Coach who passed away recently at a young age. The commission decided to not spend money on a scholarship fund which was discussed.
2025 EAST KENTUCKY GOSPEL FEST
The 2025 East Kentucky Gospel Fest will be on April 25-26 at the Lawrence County Community Center in Louisa, Kentucky. Everybody is welcome and nice door prizes will be given, Kingsmore said.
FALLSBURG SUMMER STAGE
This year Fallsburg Summer Stage has been cancelled. No reason was given for this cancellation but owners say they are simply taking a year off and will be back soon.
AGENDA
1. Opening Prayer
2. Call to Order
3. Special Guest Chris Ferguson-Casting For Kids
Old Business
4. Minutes to Approve for January Meeting – Motion by Brenda Hardwick 2nd by Chris Jobe. None Opposed.
5. Approval of January Financial Report – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Christy Moore.
New Business
6. ARPA Account Bank Account – Discussion
7. Jason Michael Day – Discussion
8. Donation to Sammons Scholarship Fund – Discussion
9. 2025 East Kentucky Gospel Fest – April 25-26 – Discussion
10. Fallsburg Summer Stage – Discussion
11. Adjourn – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Debbie Hill
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The next LC Tourism Regular Scheduled Meeting will be in Monday March 10, 2025 at the Fred M Vinson Museum at 5:30PM
