Wednesday, August 12, 2009

8/13/09 Peter Pan Debuts, Tiger Trot, Bluemont, Goodnight Billie

For the third year in a row, Lorie Foley has given the children of Ashland a beautiful gift. Her Theater Camp, held at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center, debuted “Peter Pan” this past weekend and we were all amazed and delighted.

The inside of the Center was decorated with a fairy tale set, the children all seemed to sparkle, and the small children who were invited to sit next to the stage were transfixed.
The tale of Peter Pan was especially poignant because none of us wanted those children to have to grow up. I wished that they could have summers like this for the rest of their lives. I hope, hope, hope that they remember this and know what a special thing it was. We could not help but wipe our eyes as the two Wendys, Madison Brown and Elena Reiderer, sang the song ‘Never Say Goodbye”, which asked us to not say “goodbye” which is final, but to instead say “goodnight.” Life goes by much too fast, Ashland.

In that respect, I will say goodnight to my grandmother, Betty Ward, who left us recently. She was 90, and she had lost her sister, Lucy, in January so she was ready to go. Billie was a good grandmother. Her house was an elegant place that smelled like Dove soap. When I was little and stayed at her house, she would let me eat ice cream in her bed while she and my grandfather watched Johnny Carson. She was the last of her generation, and we all seem a little older now. I am no longer a granddaughter to anyone.

The 6th Annual Ashland Harvest 10K Run/5K walk will be on Oct. 24 beginning at 9:00 A.M. at Carter Park. The course weaves through the beautiful, historical town past Randolph Macon College and along the railroad tracks. This year, the Ashcake Woman's Club is adding a Community Health Faire from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. All proceeds to benefit Saint James Free Clinic, WHEAT and various other local charities. Additional information can be found at www.Ashlandharvestrun.com or 752-4815 or 798-9341.

There are just two more Bluemont Concerts left this summer! Even in this hot August weather, the front lawn of the Arts and Activities Center is always shady and cool in the evenings. This Sunday we welcome The Lindsay Family- a mother & father and their three kids: 14, 12 & 9! There are always so many children in the audience; it will be fun for them to get to see young performers. Tickets are $5 at the door, and the show starts at 7pm. Visit http://www.hanoverarts.org/ for more information.

Have you signed up for the Tiger Trot 5K Race yet? This is an incredibly well-run race through the streets of Ashland to benefit the Henry Clay and John Gandy PTA’s. The race will be held on Saturday, September 19th at Henry Clay Elementary. You can run in the race in the morning and celebrate at the last Street Party of the season in the evening. Contact Tracy Brown for more information: bob.and.tracy@comcast.net.

Save your shopping for the Farmer’s Market this Saturday behind Town Hall. This heat is just what the Hanover Tomatoes asked for and it’s hard to find better vegetables than those grown on our local farms. The Market is open from 9 to noon. Bring a wagon.

This Friday, August 14th, the Summer Reading Program Celebration at the Ashland Library begins at 6:30 p.m. featuring our very own God Fearin’ Snake Handlers!Free ice cream will be served. Come and enter to win our prize drawings! This event issponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Library.

Alright, I supposed if you have to shop for school supplies you can go ahead and do it. As much as I’ve tried to ignore the end of summer, it is still steadily approaching. There is still time for cook-outs and croquet parties, I believe. Let’s keep dancing until the last song.

Send me your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can find a record of these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/. Have a lovely 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 ...