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Downtown on way up, Craig says

TIM PRESTON The Independent | Posted: Monday, March 2, 2015 5:01 pm
Danny Craig
Ashland In Motion Executive Director Danny Craig spoke to members of the Ashland
Rotary Club Monday. Tim Preston/The Independent
ASHLAND Citing a personal fascination with the origin of common phrases, and the
ways people often uphold traditions without wondering why, Ashland In Motion
Executive Director Danny Craig said he is excited the city is considering new ways
instead of saying Weve never done it that way before.
Speaking to members of the Ashland Rotary Club, Craig began by examining the origin
of phrases such as Got my goat, More than you can shake a stick at, and Dead
Ringer and Saved by the bell. He also cited the story of a lady who cut the end of her
ham before baking it because thats how her mother taught her. Her mother explained she
did it that way because her own mother taught her to slice the end off, Craig said, noting
they then asked the grandmother why she cut the end of the ham, only to learn she began
doing it because they once owned a tiny oven that wouldnt fit a full-sized ham.
Bringing many chuckles to the lunch-meeting crowd at the Ashland Elks Lodge, Craig
noted Got my goat began in the early days of horse racing when a goat was placed in
the stall with the horse to calm them before a race; Dead ringer and Saved by the
bell, originated many years ago when bells were attached to graves in case of a person
being buried alive. A funeral wake, he explained, has similar origins from days when a
person might not be as dead as they appeared, providing a chance for the dearly departed
to awaken before being buried.
Community growth and economic development, he said, often falls victim to similar
thinking, with phrases and philosophies applied without consideration of origin, or
application in modern times. Sometimes, Craig explained, people need to ask why they
continue to do things the same way.
A lot of times we keep doing these same things over and over again without asking
why, he said. Not all traditions are bad, but youve got to find the ones that get in the
way of progress.
Craig said the Ashland Fest of Ales is a welcome step forward for the city, which may
likewise break from some peoples traditional ideas. The citys first craft beer festival will
be held in downtown Ashland on Winchester Avenue, with restricted access limited to
1,000 adult ticket holders, and a few more VIP ticket holders. The festival is expected to
have more than 50 types of beer represented, Craig said.
I think we are moving in a positive direction, Craig said. When it comes to economic
and community development and growth you cant have growth without something
changing.
Craig concluded, When we make a decision based only on how it has been, it is like

using dead ringer or any of the others without thinking about why we do it that way.
After the meeting, Craig said Fest of Ale committee members are aware the first event
will be under the microscope, and offered his assurance everyone involved is going to
great lengths to make sure everyone is doing it the way it needs to be done
responsibly and so it is a fun event and a benefit to everyone in our town.