Huntington hospital goes tobacco-free

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington is now tobacco-free.

A ban on tobacco use on the hospital’s campus went into effect Monday. Tobacco use already was prohibited inside hospital buildings.

Patients, employees or visitors who want to smoke must now leave the hospital’s property.

St. Mary’s spokesman Doug Korstanje tells The Herald-Dispatch that hospital officials believe it’s important for St. Mary’s to take a leadership role and prevent smoking on its campus. He says the hospital sees the impact of tobacco-related health problems daily.

The hospital has offered classes and support outlets to employees who smoke.

At least 10 other hospitals in West Virginia have adopted similar bans.

Local students gets MU degrees

OXFORD, OH — Miami University awarded 3,967 degrees to students during spring commencement exercises May 7 at Yager Stadium.

Miami University is a public university located in southwestern Ohio, offering more than 100 degree programs in humanities, science, engineering, business, education and fine arts.

Students with more than one listing have earned additional degrees or honors.

Amanda JoAnne Overbeck of Chesapeake, Ohio 45619 in Lawrence County, OH received a Bachelor of Arts degree .

Andrew Knipp of Ironton, Ohio 45638 in Lawrence County, OH received a B.S. in Applied Science degree .

John Kenneth O’Hare of Proctorville, Ohio 45669 in Lawrence County, OH received a Bachelor of Arts degree .

Library to host popular Appy Hour

ASHLAND, Ky. — There are two chances to get to Appy Hour at Boyd County Public Library in July.

The popular monthly program is a chance to learn about the latest smartphones and the newest apps for them. Representatives from AT&T will be on hand to show devices and answer questions.

Appy Hour is at the Main Branch, 1740 Central Ave. in Ashland, on July 5 at 6 p.m. It also takes place at the Kyova Branch on July 12, at 6 p.m. The Kyova Branch is located in the Kyova Mall, across from Elder-Beerman.

Everyone is welcome to come learn, and to share their favorite apps with others.

For more information, call (606) 329-0090. For information on all library programs and services, visit www.thebookplace.org

IIB Yard tour tickets on sale

IRONTON — Ironton In Bloom’s second annual “Over The Back Fence” Yard Tour will be from 1 to 4 p.m. July 10 (rain date, July 17).

Eight yards will be featured. The self-guided tour will begin at the Lawrence County Historical Museum, 506 S. Sixth St., Ironton, where free refreshments and maps will be available, and tickets may be purchased at the door.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at Merle Norman and Weber’s Florists in Ironton, All That in Coal Grove, and Town and Country Florists in Ashland.

Admission is $10. All proceeds will go toward the volunteer group’s downtown beautification efforts.

For further information, call Jan Wolfe at 740-532-1030 or Judy Sanders at 740-532-2954.

First Friday Film is ‘Field of Dreams’

ASHLAND, Ky. — Boyd County Public Library will be showing “Field of Dreams” at July’s First Friday Film event on Judd Plaza in downtown Ashland.

The July 1 showing will start at dark. Those who attend should bring their own refreshments and chairs.

Community Trust Bank is a co-sponsor of the First Friday Films.

“Field of Dreams” is a 1989 film starring Kevin Costner as an Iowa farmer who hears voices that lead him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield.

The final First Friday film this year will be “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” on Aug. 5.

There are no rain dates for the First Friday Films. For more information, call Amanda Clark at (606) 329-0518, ext. 1140.

Pilot Club to host annual antiques show and sale

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Pilot Club of Huntington has scheduled its 59th Annual Antiques Show and Sale for Friday, Sept. 23, Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25.

Proceeds from this event provide funds for many important charities in the Tri-State. But the primary focus is on brain-related disorders.

In addition to dozens of dealers showing their beautiful antiques for sale, the Pilot Club will have some exciting surprises in store in a new venue.

Mark the date on your calendar now so you won’t miss one of the most exciting events of the fall in 2011 in Huntington. Details of the show including times and ticket prices will be announced soon.

For additional information now, call 304-522-3553 or 304-736-3513.

Greenbo Lake to host Kyle Fields concert July 2

GREENUP, Ky. — Kyle Fields, who was raised near the Country Music Highway at Greenup, will perform July 2 at the amphitheater at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park.

The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets.

Fields got his first guitar at the age of 12 and began learning old Keith Whitley songs.

He started a band with a few buddies in high school when he began writing songs about his reflections and his life. In 2010 he began playing at local clubs.

He entered a national contest called Radio Lia’s “Your Big Break.” He went up against hundreds of contestants and was selected by fans and listeners as the winner this year.

Kyle will now have the opportunity to meet with some of Nashville’s biggest record labels in hopes of making his dream become a reality and add the next sign to the Country Music Highway. His debut independent album is expected to be released in mid-2011 with his original music.

“Music is my passion. This is what I love to do. This is who I am,” Fields said.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park is on KY 1, 18 miles north of I-64 from Grayson exit or 8 miles south of U.S. 23, the Country Music Highway on KY 1.

Greenbo Lake features the Jesse Stuart Lodge with 36 rooms, convention center, and Anglers’ Cove Restaurant.

The park has a 225-acre lake for boating and fishing, tennis courts, 25 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The campground is open April 1 through Oct. 31. Greenbo Amphitheatre features musical concerts and plays during the summer and fall.

For more information, call the park at 800-325-0083.

Greenup band to perform at Family Fun Days

GREENUP, KY. — Following the success of their debut concept CD Ghettobillies, Greenup, Ky.’s alt-country, hick hop band The Whipps announce the release of new single, “No Place I’d Rather Be.”

The new single follows the band’s formula of mixing traditional country vocals and instrumentation with rock and hip hop sensibilities.

The Whipps plan to release a new single every month on July 1, August 1 and Sept. 1. The first song in the series, “No Place I’d Rather Be,” is available now for preview and purchase on iTunes, CD Baby and from the band’s website www.TheWhipps.com.

Since the independent release of their debut CD Ghettobillies in 2010, The Whipps climbed to the #1 country spot on www.indiecharts.com and stayed there for over 8 weeks. Indiecharts is a fan-driven chart tracking independent artists across the web, ranking them according to airplay from sources such as Pandora Radio, Last.fm, Facebook and MySpace.

The Whipps are lead singer Don Hanshaw, bassist Eric Daniels and guitarist Larry Collinsworth, with Greg Fletcher on drums and Ed Price on banjo and steel guitar.

The Whipps will be appearing live on July 1 at the Coal Grove Family Fun Days Fireworks Celebration in Paul Porter Park and Saturday, July 2nd at 93.7 The Dawg’s – Dawg Dazzle Concert at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington, WV., with Kayla Dehart and Rivertown, and headliner recording artist Steve Azar. For more information please visit www.TheWhipps.com