I submitted this column late this week because I had to write about one of the best, but hardly known, ways to celebrate Memorial Day in Ashland. For the past four years, our family has attended the Silent March that is sponsored by the American Legion Ashland Post # 206. The procession from the Ashland Library down Hanover Ave. to Woodlawn Cemetery is a small but reverent group. This year they were joined by a Jr. ROTC Color Guard, Boy Scout Troop # 789 from Beaverdam, and a handful of dedicated followers. Under the shade of a giant white oak, the 155 names of Ashland and Hanover war dead were read, and the clear notes of a bugle playing taps (by Michael Voss) echoed across the quiet field. One of the Boy Scouts, Joe Mallory, heard a long gone cousin’s name read with the list of war dead from the Civil War. If you think about it, try and make a note to remember it for next year.
Cathy and Charles Waldrop hosted their annual Memorial Day picnic to the delight of many friends and families. Their yard is always a welcoming place to be where the desserts almost out-number the side dishes!
Join your friends and co-workers for “Lunch on the Lawn” every Wednesday during the summer. This event started May 30, but will run through August 29th. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful front lawn of the Hanover Arts and Activities Center, located at 500 South Center Street in town.
We are lucky to have such helpful and accommodating staff at Town Hall here in Ashland. The Ashland Pool opened this weekend, and everyone rushed to get their passes before the Treasurers Office closed. When faced with a line out the door at 4:30 on Friday afternoon, the staff patiently snapped pictures for pool passes and gave lollypops to tired kids. They were still laughing when the last folks left at 5:30. I hope they all had a relaxing weekend! The pool looks great, by the way, with lots of beautiful flowering hibiscuses.
Don’t forget, the Strawberry Faire is next weekend, June 9, from 10am to 5pm. It’s an event not to be missed. You can park at either Henry Clay or Gandy Elementary and catch the shuttle bus over to the streets around Randolph-Macon.
The Ashland Library is a cool place to go on a hot summer day. Summer Story Time at the runs from June 11 to August 14. Mondays have Mother Goose (6-24 months with an adult) story time at 10am, and Family (all ages) at 10:45. On Tuesdays there’s Toddler (2yr. olds) story time at 10am, and Pre-School (3-5 yr. olds) at 10:30
If your kids are a bit old for those story times, then send them over for Teen Movie Night on Friday, June 8th from 6-8pm at the Ashland Library. Pizza will be served.
The Summer Reading Program begins Saturday, June 9th, and is a great way to keep your kids, and you, reading through the summer. Prizes are awarded when participants reach their reading goals. Call the library at 798-4072 for more information on any of these events.
Here’s a last minute event, but a worthwhile cause: the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life takes place today, Friday June 1 beginning at 6pm and goes through the night to Saturday morning at 6am. Come out and donate or just support the walkers who will walk to remember or honor the victims of cancer.
Please let me know if you’ve got some news to share. There’s so much that make Ashland such a great place to live: babies, baptisms, church events, school news, scouting awards, everyday heroes, and remarkable tales. What’s the most remarkable thing you’ve seen in Ashland? You can reach me by phone: 804-310-5320,or email: ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment