5/8/08 Farmer's Market Ushers in Spring, Dancing at the Library, Planting Trees and Quick Chicks

This has to be one of my favorite times of year in Ashland. The humidity hasn’t set in yet, and everything is green, green, green. The Farmer’s Market returned last weekend with its wonderful fresh vegetables, farm eggs, flowers and herbs. Everyone is out in their gardens, and the neighborhood sounds of birds, lawnmowers, and laughing children last until late in the evening. If you have a moment, stop and look around you. Do you know how lucky you are to be living here?

Hurry up and get your tickets for the first Ashland Street Party coming next Saturday, May 17th. Tickets ate $5 in advance and then $10 at the door for adults. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. The party begins at 6pm, with music by King Edward and the B.D’s. I promise that you’ll have a great time, especially if you wear your dancing shoes. You can find tickets all around town. Visit http://www.ashlandstreetparties.com/ for more details.

Plant 150 is an effort to plant 150 trees this year in honor of our sweet town’s birthday. We’re decorating! These trees will be the balloons and streamers that you hang for your children’s birthday parties. If you don’t need another tree in your own yard, consider purchasing and donating one to be planted around town.

The trees are $15 each and the order form is available at http://www.ashland150.com/.

Come join the Ashland 150 Clunker Cruise. It takes place on Saturday, May 10 at 5 pm starting at Cobblestone Bicycles (102 South Railroad Ave., Ashland). No, it's not 150 miles. It doesn't even approach 150 km. It's just an easy two-wheeled tour around our fair town, with attitude. Any type of bike is appropriate for this cruise. You should come out just to see what Jeff Reihl will be riding. I’m sure it will be something fascinating, and possibly home-made. If you have any questions, call or stop by at Cobblestone. http://www.cobblestonebikes.com/.

The Ashland Runner Girls succeeded in conquering yet another road race this past weekend. Kathy Abbott, Tamra Bardwell, Laura Boone, Tracy Brown, Jo Ann Hunter, Monica Klisz, Corinne Luck, Susan Spence, and Tammy Proffit traveled to Frederick, MD to run as a relay team in a marathon to benefit the United Way and Special Olympics of Maryland.

I think the Olympic trials must be next on their list.

The deadline to register for the Patrick Henry Half Marathon Training Team has been extended to May 10th! You still have time to get in shape to run this great race, guided along the way by some attentive and energetic coaches- including, ahem, myself. Visit www.quickteams.com/rrrc-hmt for information and to register. You’ll never know how great running will make you feel until you try it.


Finally, no, I don’t think that the Ashland Movie Theater is really haunted, and in no way would I want to put off a potential buyer. I just like to imagine a spirit sitting in the seats watching a ghostly feature. I miss going to that theater so much that I have to find some way to write about it. It breaks my heart to think of it empty and silent. Sigh.



Get outside and breathe this wonderful air this week! Call or email me with any Ashland news: 804-310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can find a record of these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/.