7/9/09 Ashland the Beautiful, Unstoppable Barracudas, Second Street Party, Bubble Prank

What a beautiful Fourth of July weekend! I’d like to send many thanks to all the volunteers at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center for putting on another wonderful 4th celebration. Carolyn Peart was committee chair for the parade and all the fun on the front lawn, and she did an amazing job as always. The new parade route was different, but I think everything went smoothly. We loved all the pets- the dogs, the puppies, and the rat! The sun shone, the humidity was low, and the controversies over the balloon toss were settled amicably.

I hope all your afternoon activities on the 4th were fun. We spent most of the afternoon and evening on Virginia Street, and might have spent the night if we didn’t have to go see some fireworks. A good time was definitely had by all.

The Ashland Barracudas are completely unstoppable these days. Their meet against Kings Charter was interrupted by a tornado warning this past Wednesday night, and continued the next evening where Ashland prevailed with a 1206 to 1111 win. Ashland was even the smaller team by 50 swimmers!

This Friday, July 10th, is Teen Movie night at the Ashland Library from 6-8pm. This event is hosted by the Friends of the Ashland Library- drinks and pizza will be served.

Mark your calendar for the second Street Party of the summer! Saturday, July 18th will bring local wineries for a wine tasting with music by Premiere. Tickets are $10 in advance, and $15 at the gate, and are on sale at Cross Brothers Grocery, Ace Hardware, and Hometown Realty. Gates open at 7 pm in the parking lot behind the library.

The first class to graduate Patrick Henry High School, he class of 1960, will be celebrating a reunion at the Hanover Country Club on September 19th. Reunion chairman is Franklin Jones from Doswell, and he can be reached at 876 3644. Please call for more information- don’t miss this party!

I was late to work this morning because I had to stop and take pictures of the Randolph-Macon campus. Huge blobs of bubbles had escaped from the massive bubble-bath that was the fountain, and had drifted across the street to the Brock Center. There was a R-MC physical plant employee standing next to the fountain with a blank look on his face. I’m sure he’s tired of cleaning up from practical jokers, but it sure was entertaining- it almost looked like a new art installation.

Remember: No news is too small for summertime. Send me your stories of the sublime and the miniscule. Do your hydrangeas like all the wet weather? Did you buy some new flip-flops? Who won the washer game in the backyard last weekend? Everyone wants to know! You can reach me at 310-5320 or email, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week!