Wednesday, April 30, 2008

5/1/08 Planting Trees, Clunker Cruise, Town Council Election, Movie Theater Ghost



This past Saturday was a great day for our sweet town. Not only were there Randolph-Macon students everywhere cleaning and planting, but The Arbor Day Celebration on the front lawn of Town Hall was a huge success! The town Christmas tree was planted, “Happy Birthday” was sung, those big pink birthday hats were worn, and many, many seedlings were planted by our kids. I think Carter Spence potted almost twenty. He said that he was going to take them home and put them in his room! I know Susan was happy to hear that.



Many of the leftover loblolly pines and tulip poplars made their way over to Julie Erickson’s house for her Backyard Plant Sale this weekend. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to help out a wonderful organization- The Nature Conservancy, and to find local plants for your garden. Julie’s backyard will be open for business this Friday from 4pm until dark, and again on Saturday from 9am to 1pm. You can call her with any questions: 752-7671






The gardens at John M. Gandy are looking beautiful this week thanks to the dedication and hard work of Sharon Stiles. She was helped by an energetic bunch of volunteers from Randolph-Macon who participated in Ma-Con a Difference Day. Michelle Mitchell, Matt Browna, Justin Ramos, Faith Hall, Kristine Eberts, and Katie Newton spent most of their morning helping to move mulch and plant flowers. It was really great to work along side them. I hope that during their time here in Ashland, they come to think of this as home. We certainly consider the students good neighbors.


Happy Birthday to Meriwether Harper Gilmore who turns 2 on May 8th!

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). And 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. Carl Sloppy, you should ride your unicycle! If you have any questions, call or stop by at Cobblestone. http://www.cobblestonebikes.com/

Town Council Election Day is Thursday, May 6th. Come out and make Patrick Henry proud by exercising your voting privileges to decide who will fill the vacant Town Council seats. The polls, at Town Hall, will be open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Can you believe it? The Ashland Farmer’s Market opens this Saturday, May 3rd from 9:00 am to Noon! Now spring is really here.

Mark your calendars for the first Street Party on Saturday, May 17th, from 6:00 to 10:30 pm behind the Ashland Library. King Edward and the B.D’s Band will be playing. Advance tickets are available all over town. Visit http://www.ashlandstreetparties.com/ for more information.


If you’ve lived in Ashland for 50 years or more, meet out on the football field at RMC for a group picture this Thursday, May 1st at 6pm. Call Susan Tucker for more information- 798-7123. The rain date is May 8th.


The “For Sale” signs in the Ashland Theater are yellowing with age. I imagine that cobwebs are collecting under the seats, and dust has settled over the ticket counter. It makes me happy to think that maybe a ghost or two has taken up residence there. At least someone would be enjoying the building.


If you have a chance, pick up a copy of the May edition of Richmond Parents Monthly. There's a half-way decent article on page 16. Have a good week. Meriwether

It's a shame we didn't get any snow this winter...

Especially since we're building this new town ski lodge.  I mean, I guess it could potentially bring in tourism dollars, if we ...