Wednesday, October 29, 2008

10/23/08 Ashland, Ashland, Center of the Universe



Well Ashland, you outdid yourself. Your 150th birthday party was one of the best, and certainly the largest birthday party that we’d ever attended. The food was great; the music inspiring, and the guest list was top-notch. You ordered up a beautiful fall day- chilly enough to keep us moving, but not cold enough to send us home. We had tears in our eyes as we watched children sing “Ashland, Ashland”, and we went to bed exhausted but smiling.

I could fill up this column with the names of people who helped put on that party, as it includes almost everyone on town and even many outside of town. Robert Lindgren, president of RMC, said “Have the party at my house”, and brought out his staff and students to help celebrate. How sweet of him to say that R-MC is just as proud to be a part of Ashland as Ashland is to have R-MC here.

Thank you Charles Hartgrove and all the Town employees who spent so many hours working towards that day. Thank you Town Council, Board of Supervisors, School Board, and Hanover County. Thank you CSX for lending a hand and coming to the party. Thank you to Lorie Foley and Kathy Abbot who smiled all day Saturday and then had to attend the funeral of their beloved uncle. Thank you to the marching bands of Patrick Henry, Hanover, Atlee and Lee-Davis High Schools who gave us goose-bumps with their thrilling sound. Thank you RMC Chorus whose beautiful song, “It Takes A Village”, reminded us of how lucky our kids are to grow up here. Thank you Nancy Cozart and AC Bruce for building that wonderful birthday cake sculpture. Thank you to the men and women who were up at 6am Saturday morning cleaning the streets and setting up tables and chairs. Thank you to everyone who came and ate cake. It was good to see you there.

Happy Anniversary to Carl and Cathy Sloppy who will celebrate their wedding anniversary on October 25th!

Happy Birthday to Dave Gilmore on October 21!

John M. Gandy’s Bedford Falls Book Fair will be open beginning October 27th through October 31, 8am to 3pm daily. This is a great Book Fair with titles for all ages - picture books, reference books, and all the newest and most popular chapter books. The prices are great and the fair benefits Gandy's library too!

Remember to stop by the Arts and Activities Center on your trick-or-treating rounds on Halloween! Call or email me with your Ashland news: 804-310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. There is no place in the world that I would rather live. We are Ashland.


From 150

10/31/08 Halloween, Train Day, Public Transportation Survey



If you have a chance, you should go see our new town clock by the Train Station. It’s really beautiful and is keeping excellent time. It really fits the train station, but may lead people to believe that the trains travel on time. Come for the dedication on Saturday, November 8th at 9:30 am.

There are two fun programs coming to the Ashland Library. Local author and historian, Roseanne Shalf, will talk about the relationship between Ashland and its Railroad on Wednesday November 5 at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Then on Friday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m., wear your pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed friend to a special evening Family Story time. Specifically, milk and cookies will be served. Both of these fun events are sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Library.





Happy birthday to Hanover Education Foundation Director Robert C. Brown and Parker Marchetti who will both celebrate birthdays on Halloween! I know Parker had 3 candles on his cake, how many did you have, Mr. Brown?

It’s so exciting to hear about Randolph-Macon’s growth and future construction. Robert Lindgren has proven to be an incredible asset to the school and to our town. My congratulations to him on a job well done.

If you’re trick-or-treating on Halloween, remember to stop by the Hanover Arts and Activities Center for treats and some spooky music performed by the Hanover Concert Band. Last year, we felt like we were on a movie set, with ghosts and goblins running past, and the soundtrack drifting from the open doors of HAAC. This year they will be playing on the front lawn, so we should be able to hear them from several blocks away.

The Town website has a survey asking for your opinions on public transportation. Visit http://www.town.ashland.va.us/ and spend a few minutes letting the Town know your ideas about a public transportation system.

The Ashland Farmer’s Market will be open for one last Saturday! Don’t pass up the chance to buy local. It won’t return until April, 2009.

Happy Birthday to Kellan Morris who will turn 7 on November 2nd!

Train Day is coming on November 8th. From 9:30 to 4:00 pm, come downtown and enjoy free train rides, refreshments, children’s activities, and trolley rides. Events will be taking place at the Ashland Library and at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. Call Train Town Toy & Hobby for more information (798-0330) or see the flyer on the community calendar on the town website- http://www.town.ashland.va.us/

Here’s a little lesson in Trick-or-Treating Etiquette. Do not ring the doorbell on a house with front porch lights turned off. Don’t be greedy- take only one piece of candy, and don’t ask for something different than what you’re given. Let smaller kids walk up the steps first. Don’t run, and for goodness sakes, STAY OFF THE TRACKS!!
Call or email me with your Ashland news: 804-310-5320, or ashlandnews@gmail.com. Happy Halloween!

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 ...