Community encouraged to support local shops

IRONTON — Friday is National Mom and Pop Business-Owners Day and local non-profit group Ironton aLive is encouraging everyone to get out and shop local.

Jon Ferguson, executive director for Ironton aLive, said supporting locally owned businesses not only helps the business, but also help the families that own them.

“You help them pay their bills and pay their kids’ tuition and buy their kids shoes,” Ferguson said. “It’s more of a personal basis. …. Not only that, you’re helping your own community, helping grow the place you live, and that’s horribly important for city like Ironton.”

Ferguson said sometimes it is easy to forget that consumers can purchase items from local shops rather than going across the river to the big box stores.

“It’s just changing habits of how we do things,” Ferguson said.

In the near future, Ferguson said Ironton aLive plans to work with the local shops and restaurants to create Ironton’s own mom and pop day.

“I think there are several avenues we can go down to make a very successful event,” he said.

— By Michelle Goodman

 

 

Local Kiwanis Club seeks applications for scholarship

The Ironton Area Kiwanis Club, continuing its dedication to community involvement, is once again accepting applications for its annual scholarship.

Students graduating from any Lawrence County high school this year are able to apply for the 2013 Ironton Area Kiwanis Club scholarship.

Steve Call, club president, said since community service is one of the key guiding principles of Kiwanis Club, it is the first thing looked at when screening applicants for the scholarship.

“Solid academics are also important, but we look at GPAs and college board scores second,” Call said. “Club members are amazed at the amount of good work that our students do in the community. All too often all we hear are the negatives, but our youths are engaged in giving back.”

Call said the club will be awarding one scholarship this year, and hopes it will be in the $200-300 range. He said the exact amount is dependent on financial market returns.

Applications can be picked up in the schools’ guidance offices, or by contacting club president Steve Call at 740-533-4559 or irontonareakiwanis@gmail.com.

— By Shane Arrington