4/2/09 The Promise of Spring, Railroad Run, ARG's, Lorie Foley- Super Catholic

Have you seen it? Have you seen that bright, new green color working its way into our field of vision? It’s a gradual thing, and if you’re not careful, you’ll miss this transformation. As we all know, spring doesn’t get much of a chance to shine before summer barrels its way onto the scene, so enjoy these days. Find the pump to put air in those dusty bike tires. Put away your corduroy and plaid, and wear more pink and green. Your hands need to be in the dirt planting lettuces and peas, and there will be baby chicks at the Feed Store soon. It is a lovely time to live in the Center of the Universe.

The 31st Annual Railroad Run is this Saturday! Come out and cheer the participants, or come sign-up and run that morning. The 1 mile kids run starts at 8:30 am, and the 10K starts at 9:00 am. Everything begins and ends at the Arts and Activities Center. The 5K Fun Walk begins at 9:15, and the Green Fair on the front lawn of HAAC runs from 8:30 to 11:30. Come out and learn about lots of earth-friendly products, and things that you can do to help the environment.

Congratulations to the Ashland Runner Girls who shed any ounce of composure or sense of decorum, to participate in the Monument Avenue 10K dressed as a bunch of cave women! Whatever they lacked in respectability, they made up for in laughter and smiles, which I believe is worth more in terms of a good life.

Ok, so obviously other people have learned about the phenomenon that is Lorie Foley. There are three Community Service Awards that will be given out by the Commonwealth Catholic Charities Organization on April 30th, and one is going to our own resident extraordinaire! If you care to attend the gala event at the Botanical Gardens, and cheer on our hometown girl, visit http://www.cccofva.org/ for more information. Well done, Loretta, well done.

Congratulations to the Brown/Winslow U8 Soccer Team who had a great game against Rockville this past Sunday. Now, U8 soccer doesn’t officially keep score, but I do believe that I saw a scout from the Richmond Kickers out there talking to those amazing Ashland kids. Kaci Bentley, Katelynn Brown, Isaac Faison, Daphne Gilmore, Caleb Kulinowski, Camryn Mason, Joseph Prince, Anna Winslow, and Nathan Hayes were all very impressive and a delight to watch.

Happy Birthday to Ann Bruce, who celebrated her birthday on April 9th! Someone else in Ashland has a birthday on April 9th. I’ll give a prize to the first person who can tell me who it is, and Ann- you can’t enter this contest!

Open your windows and breathe in this fresh air. Enjoy your Spring Break and safe travels if you’re leaving home. Send me your Ashland news, and I hope to see you Saturday at the Railroad Run! You can reach me at ashlandnews@gmail.com, or 310-5320. You can find a record of these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/. Have a wonderful week!