Friday, January 15, 2010

1/14/10 A Chilly Town Loses it's Butterfly



It is too cold. I am so tired of those big piles of month-old snow that block the parking spaces in the parking lot. I am so tired of the bottles of lotion that I'm going through trying to keep my skin from turning into sandpaper. I am tired of layers. I am tired of socks. Thank goodness we have a lot going on in town to keep me distracted or else I might be tempted to make a break for Cuba.

VCU's Department of Urban & Regional Planning will present "A Downtown (Ashland) Enhancement Plan" on Wednesday, Jan. 27th at the Ashland Firehouse Theater. There will be a social hour at 6 PM and the presentation will begin at 6:30 PM. The "Downtown Enhancement Plan" is the result of a three month study that included extensive research into issues, interviews with Ashland residents and businesses, and visits to other communities who dealt with revitalization. The Enhancement Plan offers specific recommendations for possible future efforts that would enhance Downtown Ashland. This presentation, followed by a discussion period open to participants, is sponsored by the Ashland Main Street Association and the Town of Ashland, and all are invited to attend.

If you miss this party, you will only have yourself to blame. The hottest ticket in town is one to "22 Hullabaloo" at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center on friday, January 22nd. This will be a wonderful evening of food, dancing, and all your favorite people! Tickets are $11 each, and there is complimentary babysitting provided for children aged 4 - 12. Call early to reserve a spot- 798-2728.

It’s time for the third Hanover Idols Competition, sponsored by the Hanover Arts & Activities Center. Auditions will be January 24, 2010; the competition for finalists will be Sunday, January 31, 2010. Deadline to sign-up for the auditions is January 15, 2010. For more information, including the Sign-Up form, please visit http://www.hanoverarts.org/ or call Sue Watson at 804-798-5686.

Looking ahead to February, keep Saturday the 13th open because it is Casino Night at St. Ann's Catholic Church. We are all so excited because the theme this year is "70's Disco Fever in Funkytown." Yes, those crazy Catholics are at it again! It's hard to pass up an opportunity to party in the parish hall.

The great history of our country, both the tragedy and the triumph, will be presented in the production of "We Were There: History through the Arts." This event will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings, February 5-6, 2010, at 7 p.m. at the Blackwell Auditorium on the campus of Randolph-Macon College. Residents of Ashland and Hanover County will also participate as storytellers and presenters, and the strong voices of the Ashland Community Chorus, will move us with stories told in song. Admission to the event is free to adults and children, but donations are appreciated and may be made at the door. For more information contact The Hanover Arts and Activities Center at (804) 798-2728. http://www.hanoverarts.org/.


Well, Charlotte is gone, and now our job is to help her parents cope with her absence. Please come to her memorial service this Saturday, Jan. 16th from 1-4pm at Blackwell Auditorium on the Randolph-Macon Campus. Even if you never met this family, but followed their struggle, I would encourage you to attend. Think of how much it will mean to Roger & Rachel to see that auditorium filled to capacity and over-flowing into the lobby. There is strength in numbers, you know. They have asked that you wear something bright, preferably pink and/or purple. No somber black allowed.

Stay warm, Ashland. Bundle-up, eat soup, drink a little whiskey in front of a fireplace. Enjoy these winter months for the camraderie that they bring; if we're stuck inside, we might as well be stuck inside together! Call or email me with your COTU news: 310-5320, or ashlandnews@gmail.com. Brrrrrr.

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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 ...