Thursday, May 15, 2008

3/15/08 Goodbye Cobblestone, Rabbits Dancing, First Street Party of Summer, Invest in a Pair of Galoshes


The 150 Clunker Cruise was a perfect event this past Saturday, with an assortment of bikes- all shapes, sizes, and ages- that toured through town escorted by Ashland‚s Finest. The group even crossed Rt. 1 and stopped for ice cream at the Dairy Freeze. What a great way to spend a Saturday evening! I know there are many people who hope this event returns. Joel Street outdid himself, and we will miss him and Cobblestone Bicycles. Center Street will not seem as bright without the splash of colorful jerseys and the sparkle from polished frames. Bike riders always remind me of butterflies, so quiet as they fly down the street.


This evening, May 15th, Roseanne Shalf will present a lively, entertaining, and informative history on the town of Ashland. Come and learn how to answer those out-of-town guests who ask, "Why is it named ‘Slash Cottage’?" The presentation will begin at 7 pm at the Ashland Library with refreshments provided by the Friends of the Ashland Library.


The Concert Ballet of Virginia will present “Peter Rabbit” at the Henry Clay War Memorial this Friday, May 16th, at 7pm. The evening will begin with the instillation of the 08-09 PTA Officers and a concert by the Neighborhood Children’s Choir. Tickets are $4 each in advance, and $5 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Henry Clay.


The Ashland Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday through the summer behind Town Hall from 9 to noon. Shopping there is one of the easiest ways to support our local growers. Not only does everything grown in Hanover County taste better, but every penny that you spend goes directly to the farmer. You’ll find lettuces, herbs, honey, eggs, spring vegetables, cut flowers and potted plants. You’ll also see your neighbors and catch up on all the town news.


Come out to Poor Farm Park next Sunday, May 25th at 2pm. for a guided wildflower tour by Naturalist Shirlea Pemberton. Follow the road all the way to the end and meet Ms. Pemberton at the amphitheater, one of the prettiest sites around. For more information, call 798-1197.



I hope to see you this Saturday at the first Street Party! 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 an intro by The God Fearin’ Snake Handlers (featuring out own town manager Charles Hartgrove) and then music by King Edward and the B.D’s. You can find tickets all around town. Visit http://www.ashlandstreetparties.com/ for more details.



The PTA at Henry Clay could use a little help this Saturday morning, May 17th, at 9am. They were awarded a grant for a designed out-door classroom & lunch area called the "Cub's Cafe". Sarah Datovech is in need of volunteers to help put in the plants and get this garden ready before the end of the school year. Please give her a call if you can help, or just show up with a shovel- 752-6175.

Stay dry in all this wet weather. Think of those dry days of August that will be here soon. Call or email me with your Ashland news! I can be reached at 310-5320 or ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can find a record of these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/. Have a wonderful week!


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 ...