7/6/07 Missing the Ashland Theater, Second Street Party, Sidewalks of Town

The summer seems to be a fine one so far. The only thing missing is movies at our lovely old Ashland Theater. We had such a great time there- knowing almost everyone in the house, singing the National Anthem at the beginning of the Film Series shows, and the routine clapping at the end of the picture. Our girls saw the Wizard of Oz there, and I have a perfect picture in my mind of Jenny Donahue, sitting between Daphne Gilmore and Amanda Schloss, turning around in her seat to her father and saying: “I need three Hershey Bars, Daddy.” Steve Donahue didn’t miss a beat- he got up and went for that chocolate on command. I hope those girls remember that night, and I hope that someday we’ll be in that place again.

Mark your calendars for the second Ashland Street Party on Saturday, July 21 from 5:00 to 10:30 p.m. in its usual spot behind the Ashland Library. This is always a nice evening, and you’ll get to see all the progress being made on the Plaza in front of the library.

The Ashland Barracudas Swim Team suffered their first loss of the season by less than one hundred points to Chestnut Oaks Recreation Association this past week. It was a long meet, one made longer by a thunder delay, but an exciting one nonetheless. Lui Mallory, Elisa Worrell, Curran Henry, Will Mallory, and Marcus Maphis all broke team records.
The Barracudas will be losing a good friend when Kara LeFever completes her final season. Kara will be going off to Radford in the fall, and her father, Ron, has been an extraordinary volunteer from the beginning in 1994. Ron was a past recipient of the Ron DesRoches Award in appreciation of service to the team and has served in many positions on the board of the Greater Richmond Aquatic League. Many thanks to Ron & Julie LeFever for all the years that they’ve supported the Barracudas!

Friday, July 13th is Teen Movie night at the Ashland Library, beginning at 6pm with pizza and drinks provided. Call the library at 798-4072 for more information. If your kids are a bit young for that, stop by Tuesday, July 10 at 4 p.m. for the Rainbow Puppet performance of “From the Sea to the Sky”- the story of a nation that struggled to find freedom and opportunity for all people.

The Ashland Farmer’s Market is looking for musical groups to perform on Saturday mornings while the market is open. Call Josh at Town Hall if you’re interested- 798-9219.

I hope you all have a beautiful week and that you find the time to take a walk around town. With most of the Randolph-Macon students gone, it’s a great opportunity to stroll around the campus. The town has done a lot of work on the sidewalks, so there are lots of safe places to walk. It’s a lovely time of year to see our town and to say hello to your neighbors. Let me know if you hear of anyone who deserves to be recognized for their contribution to our community. There are so many special people around here who go unnoticed in their daily efforts to make the world a better place. My phone number is 310-5320, and my email is ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week!

6/29/07 Booth Homecoming, Henry Clay PTA, July 4th

It might seem like this column is all about the Hanover Arts and Activities Center, but there really is hardly a better way to spend your Fourth of July. The Center is a non-profit community group that occupies the original First Baptist Church building on S. Center St. in the heart of town. Used as a hospital during the Civil War, today the Center raises money by renting out its space for receptions and gatherings. Some of the monies raised are used to sponsor the many wonderful activities throughout the year. The Ashland Variety Show, The Victorian Christmas House Tour, The Ashland Railroad Run, The Bluemont Concert Series, and the Fourth of July Celebration are just a few of the community events that make Ashland such a grand place to live.

If you see lights on in the Booth house until the wee hours of the morning this coming week, don’t be alarmed. Mike and Phyllis will have a full house with daughter Jessica and her husband, Major Chris Bergstol, USAF, home after a year in Korea. Jessica has spent time there studying voice at the University of Seoul and taking care of Henry, 7, and Ella Grace, 3. The Bergstol’s will be in Ashland for a little while before moving to Idaho where Chris will be taking a command position at Mt. Home Air Force base. Many thanks to Maj. Bergstol for the fine job he has done serving his country.

Also home this week is Emily Booth who just completed her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at the University of Delaware. Emily will also be here for just a short time before she leaves for a professorship at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. Thank goodness Phyllis has her son Ross and his wife Kristen living next door! The news there is that a baby boy will be joining the Booth clan this fall.

Congratulations and thanks to the 2007-2008 newly elected PTA of Henry Clay Elementary: Rosemargaret Maier (Pres), Jen Layne (V.P. Membership), Susan Spence and Tracey Brown (V.P. Fundraising), Candace Mraz (Treas.), and Sarah Datovech (Sec.). An extra special cheer to Rosemargaret for being nominated as one of Hanover County’s 2007 Outstanding Volunteers.

The place to be on the Fourth of July is right in the middle of the Center of the Universe at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. The Non-motorized parade will begin at 11 am at Henry Clay and Railroad Ave, and make its way down the tracks to the front lawn of the Center. Listen to the amazing vocal talents of the Croquet Brigade, the fine synchronized movements of the Lawn Chair Brigade, and the graceful steps of the Basset Hound Brigade. Dress up in your finest red, white, and blue and join the parade if you feel inspired- line up by 10:30 am in the grassy area at Henry Clay and Railroad.

There’s still time to work on your apple pie recipe! Bring your home-made pie to the Arts and Activities Center between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. for judging at 9:30. Awards will be given to the most patriotic, most imaginative use of ingredients, best presentation, and overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Pies will be auctioned off at noon with the proceeds benefiting the Arts and Activities Center.

The Friends of the Ashland Library will be having their annual book sale beginning at 9:00 am inside the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. If you have some books to donate to the sale, bring them to the Library before July 3rd. You might want to bring a wagon with you to carry home all the books that you’ll find to replace the ones you’ve donated.

So I hope to see you at 500 South Center Street this Wednesday. I’ll be there bright and early to check in the apple pies. Bring lunch and plan to picnic the day away. There will be games for the kids, food, and sweet music from the Hanover Concert Band. Bring me your news for next week if you think of it, and have a wonderful (& safe) Fourth of July! Email ashlandnews@gmail.com or call (804) 310-5320.