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.

1/7/10 Where Ashland Overcompensates for Cold Weather by Filling Social Calendar to Capacity





I was a little sad about the Holidays being over with, and then I took a look at the January & February calendars. This is the most gettin'-together-est town that I've ever seen, don't you think Rodney Bardwell?

The Classic Film Festival begins at our Firehouse Theater this Saturday, January 9th with the movie "Shadow of a Doubt" which was said to be Alfred Hitchcock's personal favorite. It will feel warm and balmy outside after you've been chilled by the classic suspense that can only be found in a Hitchcock film. The movie starts at 7pm. Come early to get a seat.



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. Then call me and tell me what you're wearing.

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.

In honor of Black History Month, the Hanover Arts and Activities Center will present "We Were There: History Through the Arts" on February 5th and 6th at 7pm. This is just another one of those incredible programs that can only be found at your Center! Call 798-2728 for more details.
By the time you read this, I can't imagine that our Charlotte Reynolds will be here. As I write this, I keep checking Roger & Rachel's blog every hour to see what is happening. They are so good at keeping everyone informed, and there are hundreds of people keeping vigil. She is so near the end that her parents can't believe that she is still here, and this waiting is very hard. It is full of anxiety, and worry. But I am proud of all of them- of Roger, Rachel, and especially Charlotte. In her four years on this earth, she has touched more lives than many of us do in a lifetime. What do you call that? Don't you think it must be divine grace? Well done, Charlotte, well done.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Stay warm. Cross your fingers for a snow day.

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 ...