11/3/11 Halloween Fun, COTU Runners, Gallery Flux

Oh, we love a good holiday, don’t we Ashland? We love to have a reason to dress up, decorate, visit with friends, and listen to some wonderful music. The sidewalks of our town were packed with little princesses, zombies, and witches. We especially liked Alan Funk’s “Center of the Universe” costume!

Hopefully you got a chance to stop by the Hanover Arts and Activities Center to listen to the Hanover Concert Band play their spooky music. Visit their website to learn about some fun, and free, craft classed for kids over Christmas holidays: www.hanoverarts.org.

This Saturday, November 5^th, the Ashland Firehouse Theater will debut its first foreign language showing of the season with the Belgium film, “The Chorus.” A new teacher at a strict boarding school attempts to bring music into the lives of the students. Remember, this movie is FREE! The curtain goes up at 7:45pm- put it on your calendar!

We have our share of Halloween babies in Ashland: Parker Marchetti, Renee Maier, and Bob Brown all celebrated their birthday with ghosts and goblins.

Congratulations to the COTU runners who recently ran in (and finished) the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, D.C.: Susan Spence, Jill Voekler, and Rodney Bardwell. They all ran very fast, despite the freezing temperature and some snowflakes at the start!

Congratulations are due to Ashland District Chief Benjamin P. Murray who was recognized as Firefighter of the Year by the Doswell Ruritans. Chief Murray was honored for his experience and excellent leadership skills, and the countless hours he dedicates to public safety in Hanover. We are fortunate to have such dedicated public servants in our sweet town.

Have you heard about the new art gallery in town? Gallery Flux will have it’s grand opening on Saturday, November 12^th from 7 to 9pm. Come pretend you’re in a Manhattan art gallery and see some of the incredible art created by our local high school students. Gallery Flux is located in the brick building behind Jessica Roberson’s new photography studio at 301 England St. You can’t miss the great sculptures outside!

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have you turned on the heat yet? Have a wonderful week!

10/27/2011 Free Movies, Computer Class, Pumpkin Throwing

Most of the time the trains don’t bother me, and I am like the Ashland kids in the Library who hardly look up from their puzzles when a train goes by. They are just a pleasant background noise. But there are times when I’m reminded of what a nice interruption they can be. In this crazy, busy life, it is nice to have a 200-ton mass of steel make me stop and wait. I have to put the car in park and just sit there, not knowing exactly how long it will be. The trains don’t care if you’re running late, and no one can argue with you when you say, “Sorry I’m late- there was a train.”

Happy birthday to Megan Mudd & Paige Christy, and to Max Thompson of Beaverdam who all blew out candles on October 25th!

This Saturday, October 29 from 10:00am to 2:00pm, the Ashland Police Department will partner with the Drug Enforcement Agency to take part in a nationwide prescription drug “take back.” There will collection sites operating around the nation to include the Ashland Police Department where Americans can turn in their unused, unneeded, expired prescription medications. Drugs can stay in its original sealed container or emptied in the bin. For more information pertaining to the event, please contact Community Support Officer Joe Perkins at (804) 412-0601 or Officer Tommy Gilbert at (804) 412-0615.

The Ashland Firehouse Theater is back with some great movies for us this fall, and the best part is that they’re all free! Make plans to come see Ghostbusters II next Saturday, October 29^th. The movie starts at 7:45, plenty of time to grab a bite out beforehand. Stay tuned for some foreign language films in November! Visit ashlandfirehousetheater.org or call 798-3429 for more information.

The Ashland Library is holding a Beginners Computer Class on Monday, November 14th at 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in learning how to use a computer, this class will help you find out about the parts of a computer, learn how to use a mouse, and begin to explore & search the Internet, and set up an e-mail account. Call 798-4072 to register for the class.

Come take out your aggression on a pumpkin, and help a wonderful local charity at the same time! The Ashwood Gardens & Nursery 6th annual Pumpkin Chunk-A-Thon to benefit Hanover Arc will take place Saturday, October 29th from 10:00AM-3:00PM. There will be pumpkin chunking and carving, a pet costume contest, tattoo booth, face painting, hotdogs, games, a corn maze and an alpaca zoo and much more. All proceeds will benefit Hanover Arc, a non-profit organization serving adults and children with developmental disabilities. Please call Hanover Arc at 798-2400 or Ashwood Gardens & Nursery at 798-2280 for additional information.

Make it a Saturday morning ritual to visit your local Ashland Farmers Market open until November 12^th! The market has lots of wonderful fall fruits and veggies, plus wonderful homemade treats. Find your favorite vendor behind the Town Hall from 9AM until noon.

We have another beautiful weekend ahead of us, Ashland, and no shortage of out-door events to choose from! Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com .

10/13/11 Mystery Solved, Civil War Historian, Dolly the Listening Dog,

Well, apparently the playground wasn’t abducted by aliens, but it was removed for safety reasons: there were lots of splinters on it. We’ve heard that a new playground has been ordered, but we’re wondering why they didn’t leave the old one there until the new one had arrived. And maybe a sign could have been put up telling everyone the details. Just an idea.

Bob Krick of the National Park Service will be at the Ashland Library on Tuesday, October 25th at 7:00 p.m. He is a recognized authority on the Civil War in the Richmond Area and he will talk about the Civil War’s effect on the Ashland area, including details about everyday life and the impact of the military involvement.

Dolly, the dog who wants to be read to, will be returning to the Ashland Library on October 25^th at 7pm. Call the library with more information and to schedule time for your child to read to Dolly: 798-4072.

Let’s wish happy birthday to Corinne Luck, one of our favorite Ashland teachers, who celebrated this past Saturday. She followed it up by running 18 miles the next day- isn’t that a great way to start a new year!

Our Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets will play a little football with Washington and Lee this Saturday afternoon at 1pm.

Come out to cheer on all the runners this Saturday at the 2011 Henry Clay & Gandy Tiger Trot! The kids’ races begin at 8:00am & the 5K begins at 9:00am at Henry Clay Elementary. This is a wonderful fundraiser for our two little schools, so please come out and make it a great event.

The Tiger Trot will be great training for the 8th Annual Ashland Harvest Run on Saturday, October 22, 2011. The 10 K race begins at 9:00, with the 5k following at 9:15. This year, the race proceeds will benefit Hanover Habitat for Humanity and Patrick Henry Family YMCA- two very important organizations. For more information, or to register for the race, please go to http://www.ashlandharvestrun.com/ or call 690-1259.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. The leaves are getting ready to burst into color. Where’s your camera?

10-06-11 Missing Playground, Tiger Trot, Harvest Run, Baby Finn

Ashland, you just don't know how fickle I am. You don't know how many times I've almost thrown in the towel, how many times that I've said: 'I just can't think of anything to write." Do you know how many times I've been teased for my over-use of the word "lucky?" Do you know how many times my father has fussed at me about all the exclamation points? Here I sit, a jaded Ashlander complaining about the trains & my hectic life, and then something like this happens.

The playground at Pufferbelly Park has disappeared. Not just a swing to be repaired, not a slide to be replaced, but the whole thing. It is gone, like it was never there in the first place. The citizens of Ashland are rather vigilant, and yet, not one person that I've spoken to witnessed the removal. Kellan Morris has some suspicions about an alien abduction, and until we hear otherwise, that's what we're going with. I have a jar of sweet pickles that I made this summer for the first person who tells me where it went.

It’s Family Movie Morning at the Ashland Library this Saturday, October 8^th at 10:00am. Snacks will be provided! Dolly, the dog who wants to be read to, will be back at the Library on October 11^th and the 25^th at 7pm. Call the library with more information: 798-4072.

Happy birthday to Jill Voekler who celebrated her birthday this past Saturday at Maplewood in Elmont!

Now that the rains have gone, it’s a perfect time to get outside and walk or run around town. Sign up now for the 2011 Henry Clay & Gandy Tiger Trot to be held on Saturday, October 15^th. The kids’ races begin at 8:00am & the 5K begins at 9:00am at Henry Clay Elementary. You can register online at http://www.raceit.com/ or pick up a registration form at either school. We are only a good town if we have good schools- help support them.

The Tiger Trot will be great training for the 8th Annual Ashland Harvest Run on Saturday, October 22, 2011. The 10 K race begins at 9:00, with the 5k following at 9:15. This year, the race proceeds will benefit Hanover Habitat for Humanity and Patrick Henry Family YMCA- two very important organizations. For more information, or to register for the race, please go to http://www.ashlandharvestrun.com/ or call 690-1259.

This past Sunday was a happy day on Center Street, for sweet baby Finn Robert Morris was baptized by Father Chris at St. Ann’s. Surrounded by his Ashland friends and family, Finn laughed and smiled, and we were reminded of what really matters in life. We look forward to watching Finn grow up, to see him become an Ashland kid and enjoy a COTU childhood.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Go solve that mystery- find that playground!

9/22/11 Autumn Birthdays, Road Races, Reading Dogs, Hometown Football Games

Goodbye linen, madras, and seersucker; hello corduroy, plaid, and wool. This cool weather is always a welcome change as we put away the bathing suits and start thinking about campfires and football games. Autumn is a wonderful time of year in the Center of the Universe. I hope you find some time to get outside and enjoy it!

Happy birthday to Father Chris Haydinger, who celebrated his birthday this past weekend. We are so glad that he's here in Ashland, and keeping those Catholics in line with his faith, dedication, and sense of humor.

If this cooler weather has rejuvenated your walking or running, sign up now for the 2011 Henry Clay & Gandy Tiger Trot to be held on Saturday, October 15^th. The kid's races begin at 8:00am and the 5K begins at 9:00am at Henry Clay Elementary, and you can register online at http://www.raceit.com/ or pick up a registration form at either school.

Birthday wishes also go to Lorie Foley, our favorite director of anything! Her non-stop energy and creativity continue to enrich our little town and make us smile.

The Tiger Trot will be great training for the 8th Annual Ashland Harvest Run on Saturday, October 22, 2011. The 10 K race begins at 9:00, with the 5k following at 9:15. This year, the race proceeds will benefit Hanover Habitat for Humanity and Patrick Henry Family YMCA- two very important organizations. For more information, or to register for the race, please go to http://www.ashlandharvestrun.com/ or call 690-1259.

Dolly the dog returns to the Ashland Library Tuesday, September 27 ^th at 7pm. Dolly is a trained listening dog who will listen as your child (ages 5-8) reads a book to her. This is a wonderful way to encourage good reading habits and help the child who is struggling. Call the Ashland Library to schedule a reading session: 798-4072. Dolly is sponsored by the Ashland Library and Sprite’s HERO.

Go watch a game this weekend: Patrick Henry plays Lee-Davis at home this Friday at 7pm, and the Randolph-Macon Women’s soccer take on Randolph College at home on Saturday at 2pm. Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com . Have a beautiful weekend!

9/15/11 Street Party, CJ Art Auction, Football, BBQ

One of the reasons that I like Ashland so much is its oddities. Has anyone else seen the chicken and her friend, the duck, strolling near the 7-11? They seem very content together, and I was wondering if they are pets or if they just happened to find a backyard they like.

Happy birthday to Rachel Reynolds who celebrated her birthday just the other day! Rachel is busy getting ready for the CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation’s Art Auction to be held Friday, September 30^th from 7 to 11pm, at the Cultural Center at Glen Allen. I know that many of you remember her daughter, Charlotte, who passed away almost two years ago from a brain tumor. The CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation raises money to help families of children with chronic and life threatening illnesses. You can find out more at http://www.cjstuf.org/.

It’s very hard to believe that we’re looking at the End of Summer Street Party this weekend! Come dance outside one last time before the cold weather gets here to Ron Moody and the Centaurs from 6 to 11pm behind the library. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Children 12 and under are free with adults.

I love having the R-MC students back on campus these days, and I love all the activity that happens on the weekends. Come out to cheer for the football team as they take on Shenandoah at 1pm, and try to keep this winning streak that they’re on! Women’s soccer also plays at 2:30 at home against Hollins College. Go Jackets!

And if that wasn’t enough to do this weekend, the 40^th Annual Ashland Kiwanis Club Barbecue is on Saturday, Sept. 17^th from 4-7pm. There will be live music, a classic car show, and lots of fun door prizes. This is a major fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club which is such a valuable community group. Tickets are available at Union First Market Bank branches in Ashland, Luck Chevrolet, Cross Brothers Grocery and from any Kiwanis member. You can also buy tickets at www.eventbrite.com/AshlandKiwanis. For more information, call (804) 627-1003 or email jmcdaniel@bbvirginia.com.

The weather should be beautiful this weekend. I think that the heat & humidity may be gone, but you never know. Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Enjoy this prelude to autumn!

9/8/11 The End of Summer, Tiger Trot, Kiwanis BBQ, New Yellow Jackets

The summer ended the way most summers end, with a final whistle at the town pool and the slow departure of kids from the water. Those Ashlanders do not like to be alone: they celebrate endings and beginnings together. There are frequently not enough chairs, or plates, but that doesn’t seem to matter because no one is ever left without food or conversation.

I’d like to thank the staff of the Ashland Town Pool for another stellar season. The lifeguards blew their whistles with authority, and played with the kids when they were off-duty. The managers were amazing and we felt like we were at the Country Club! A big thanks to Hunter Hoy, Kevin Proffitt, and Mike Rohr.

If you were inspired by those dedicated runners, sign up now for the 2011 Henry Clay & Gandy Tiger Trot to be held on Saturday, October 15 ^th. The kid's races begin at 8:00am and the 5K begins at 9:00am at Henry Clay Elementary, and you can register online at http://www.raceit.com/ or pick up a registration form at either school.

Happy birthday to Daphne Read Gilmore who turns 11 on September 14 ^th!

Mark your calendar now for the 40^th Annual Ashland Kiwanis Club Barbecue on Saturday, Sept. 17^th from 4-7pm. Legend has it that the BBQ recipe is top secret, and is better than anything you’ve ever had before. There will be live music, a classic car show, and lots of fun door prizes. This is a major fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club which is such a valuable community group. Tickets are available at Union First Market Bank branches in Ashland, Luck Chevrolet, Cross Brothers Grocery and from any Kiwanis member. You can also buy tickets at www.eventbrite.com/AshlandKiwanis. For more information, call McDaniel at (804) 627-1003 or email jmcdaniel@bbvirginia.com.

This Friday is Teen Movie & Pizza Night at the Ashland Library. The movie begins at 6pm, and ages 12 to 18 are invited. Bring a friend! Pizza and drinks will be provided by the Friends of the Ashland Library.

If the world of computers is foreign to you, come to the Computer Basics Class next Monday, September 12^th at 6:30 pm at the Ashland Library to learn how to do basic tasks in Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer.

We’re glad to see all the Randolph-Macon students back on campus this week, with apparently the largest freshman class ever! The Yellow Jacket football team had a great season opener against Methodist College, winning 47-3. Our fingers are crossed for next weekend when the boys in gold and black travel to Averett College. This is our year to beat Hampton-Sydney!

Call or e-mail me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great weekend!