Greetings, Neighbors!

Following the early roll out of vaccinations in Lexington and a few remarkable winter/early spring storms, I am looking toward a brighter and warmer 2021.  As we hope for the lessening of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have expanded ways in which to keep and grow our connections to the neighborhood and each other. Take a look at the website we reintroduced recently for news of upcoming events (www.ashlandparklexky.com).

The APNA Board is continuing to work to increase neighborliness, protect our tree canopy and landscaping in public areas, and keep our neighborhood connected, engaged, and safe. Your new officers are Sara Smith, President; Jill Marion, Vice President; Melissa Wilson, Secretary; and Rita Carlisle, Treasurer. New Board members include Rita Carlisle, Desha Road, who will also serve as our Treasurer and Brian Gardner, South Hanover. Many thanks to Departing Board members, Mark Streety and John Winn Miller whose contributions over their terms have been significant and important. Mega thanks to David Jaquith who has served as APNA’s Treasurer for years and is now critical to a smooth transition. Thanks also to Rodney Jackson, South Ashland Avenue, for accepting an additional term on the Board.

While our traditional in-person activities have been postponed until a later and safer time, we are continuing to find ways to connect and share our neighborhood experience with each other.

Upcoming Activities:

Watch for a special packet of flower seed delivered to you soon to plant in your front garden or in pots. We will be celebrating the blooming of our neighborhood together as spring moves into summer. Pots of these flowers will also be planted in some of our park and green spaces. Join in this colorful display!

We miss our gatherings so let’s re-connect on Zoom on Thursday, April 8th @ 7:30 PM with a To-Go supper from the Sage Rabbit.   We can chat and catch up with one another as we support and enjoy a superb dinner from a favorite restaurant in our own neighborhood, The Sage Rabbit.  The menu is posted on line at thesagerabbit.com.  Zoom link will be emailed prior to start of our virtual gathering.  So looking forward to "seeing" you!

Our new City Council representative will join us for a Zoom meeting on April 15th @ 7 PM to discuss upcoming issues that may impact our neighborhood and to fill us in on her priorities.  (Zoom link will be provided)

Learn about the newly completed Ashland Historic Markers and the neighbors who worked to accomplish this remarkable project. We will hear from each primary author though a Zoom discussion. Walking the trail is fascinating and provides new insight on our neighborhood and its development. (Zoom link will be provided)

Meet Gary, proprietor of Corner Wine, and learn about the best deals in wines and wines most enjoyed by our neighborhood. (Zoom link will be provided)

Stay safe and neighborly! As the winter storms we experienced in the first few months of the year highlighted, we need to continue to be aware of our neighbors and watch for ways to be helpful. Let’s keep an eye out and stay connected to see if one of our friends may need help with clearing sidewalks, picking up downed limbs and branches, or whatever makes our experience here better.  

Quoting Past President Mark Streety: “Go outside and select either your left or right side neighbor. Check-in with them. See if they're still ok or need anything. It will mean a lot to them, and to me. If you have extra time left over, check on the other side too. If you learn something that needs more help, every Board member can be contacted on our website. Still more time left? Pay your APNA dues, consider a donation, join an APNA Committee like Tree and Landscape. And count your many blessings.”

Call me anytime with suggestions or concerns.

Sara Smith, APNA President

859-221-0459