8/25/11 Hello Irene, Planes Identified, New Rocking Chair at Library

I knew we were due for a hurricane. And isn’t it just like Mother Nature to send us some beautiful weather right before she blows Irene our way. If you haven’t found your flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and weather radios by now, drop this paper and get moving! You can find a lot of good information on www.vaemergency.com.

My sources on Mt Hermon Road have informed me that those two airplanes patrolling Ashland lately are AT-6s, which were training airplanes during WWII. They were known as “pilot makers” for their role in preparing pilots for combat. Now, I think the owners need to come forward because I’d love a ride, and I think I could convince Janet Taylor to come along!

The last Bluemont Concert of the summer is scheduled for this Sunday, August 28^th on the front lawn of the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. Get there at 5:30 to hear our very own Hanover Concert Band perform. The band this Sunday is the Pan Masters, who will bring their Caribbean, Calypso, and Reggae music to the COTU. Tickets are $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, and $2 for kids under 12. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic dinner.

Mark your calendar now for the 40^th Annual Ashland Kiwanis Club Barbecue on Saturday, Sept. 17^th from 4-7pm. Legend has it that the BBQ recipe is top secret, and is better than anything you’ve ever had before. There will be live music, a classic car show, and lots of fun door prizes. This is a major fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club which is such a valuable community group. Tickets are available at Union First Market Bank branches in Ashland, Luck Chevrolet, Cross Brothers Grocery and from any Kiwanis member. You can also buy tickets at www.eventbrite.com/AshlandKiwanis. For more information, call McDaniel at (804) 627-1003 or email jmcdaniel@bbvirginia.com.

The Patrick Henry Half Marathon is right around the corner (8/27/11), and this year the race will begin and end on the Randolph-Macon campus. Come and join the runners for this 13.1 miles course, or stand and cheer them on as they run through town! You can register online at http://www.sportsbackers.org/.

There is a wonderful new rocking chair in the Ashland Library’s children’s section. It was donated by the Friday Morning Book Club in honor of Elizabeth Dull, whom they all miss so much.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. My fingers are crossed that we’ll all get through Irene’s visit with little damage!