9/22/11 Autumn Birthdays, Road Races, Reading Dogs, Hometown Football Games

Goodbye linen, madras, and seersucker; hello corduroy, plaid, and wool. This cool weather is always a welcome change as we put away the bathing suits and start thinking about campfires and football games. Autumn is a wonderful time of year in the Center of the Universe. I hope you find some time to get outside and enjoy it!

Happy birthday to Father Chris Haydinger, who celebrated his birthday this past weekend. We are so glad that he's here in Ashland, and keeping those Catholics in line with his faith, dedication, and sense of humor.

If this cooler weather has rejuvenated your walking or running, sign up now for the 2011 Henry Clay & Gandy Tiger Trot to be held on Saturday, October 15^th. The kid's races begin at 8:00am and the 5K begins at 9:00am at Henry Clay Elementary, and you can register online at http://www.raceit.com/ or pick up a registration form at either school.

Birthday wishes also go to Lorie Foley, our favorite director of anything! Her non-stop energy and creativity continue to enrich our little town and make us smile.

The Tiger Trot will be great training for the 8th Annual Ashland Harvest Run on Saturday, October 22, 2011. The 10 K race begins at 9:00, with the 5k following at 9:15. This year, the race proceeds will benefit Hanover Habitat for Humanity and Patrick Henry Family YMCA- two very important organizations. For more information, or to register for the race, please go to http://www.ashlandharvestrun.com/ or call 690-1259.

Dolly the dog returns to the Ashland Library Tuesday, September 27 ^th at 7pm. Dolly is a trained listening dog who will listen as your child (ages 5-8) reads a book to her. This is a wonderful way to encourage good reading habits and help the child who is struggling. Call the Ashland Library to schedule a reading session: 798-4072. Dolly is sponsored by the Ashland Library and Sprite’s HERO.

Go watch a game this weekend: Patrick Henry plays Lee-Davis at home this Friday at 7pm, and the Randolph-Macon Women’s soccer take on Randolph College at home on Saturday at 2pm. Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com . Have a beautiful weekend!

9/15/11 Street Party, CJ Art Auction, Football, BBQ

One of the reasons that I like Ashland so much is its oddities. Has anyone else seen the chicken and her friend, the duck, strolling near the 7-11? They seem very content together, and I was wondering if they are pets or if they just happened to find a backyard they like.

Happy birthday to Rachel Reynolds who celebrated her birthday just the other day! Rachel is busy getting ready for the CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation’s Art Auction to be held Friday, September 30^th from 7 to 11pm, at the Cultural Center at Glen Allen. I know that many of you remember her daughter, Charlotte, who passed away almost two years ago from a brain tumor. The CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation raises money to help families of children with chronic and life threatening illnesses. You can find out more at http://www.cjstuf.org/.

It’s very hard to believe that we’re looking at the End of Summer Street Party this weekend! Come dance outside one last time before the cold weather gets here to Ron Moody and the Centaurs from 6 to 11pm behind the library. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Children 12 and under are free with adults.

I love having the R-MC students back on campus these days, and I love all the activity that happens on the weekends. Come out to cheer for the football team as they take on Shenandoah at 1pm, and try to keep this winning streak that they’re on! Women’s soccer also plays at 2:30 at home against Hollins College. Go Jackets!

And if that wasn’t enough to do this weekend, the 40^th Annual Ashland Kiwanis Club Barbecue is on Saturday, Sept. 17^th from 4-7pm. 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 (804) 627-1003 or email jmcdaniel@bbvirginia.com.

The weather should be beautiful this weekend. I think that the heat & humidity may be gone, but you never know. Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Enjoy this prelude to autumn!

9/8/11 The End of Summer, Tiger Trot, Kiwanis BBQ, New Yellow Jackets

The summer ended the way most summers end, with a final whistle at the town pool and the slow departure of kids from the water. Those Ashlanders do not like to be alone: they celebrate endings and beginnings together. There are frequently not enough chairs, or plates, but that doesn’t seem to matter because no one is ever left without food or conversation.

I’d like to thank the staff of the Ashland Town Pool for another stellar season. The lifeguards blew their whistles with authority, and played with the kids when they were off-duty. The managers were amazing and we felt like we were at the Country Club! A big thanks to Hunter Hoy, Kevin Proffitt, and Mike Rohr.

If you were inspired by those dedicated runners, sign up now for the 2011 Henry Clay & Gandy Tiger Trot to be held on Saturday, October 15 ^th. The kid's races begin at 8:00am and the 5K begins at 9:00am at Henry Clay Elementary, and you can register online at http://www.raceit.com/ or pick up a registration form at either school.

Happy birthday to Daphne Read Gilmore who turns 11 on September 14 ^th!

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.

This Friday is Teen Movie & Pizza Night at the Ashland Library. The movie begins at 6pm, and ages 12 to 18 are invited. Bring a friend! Pizza and drinks will be provided by the Friends of the Ashland Library.

If the world of computers is foreign to you, come to the Computer Basics Class next Monday, September 12^th at 6:30 pm at the Ashland Library to learn how to do basic tasks in Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer.

We’re glad to see all the Randolph-Macon students back on campus this week, with apparently the largest freshman class ever! The Yellow Jacket football team had a great season opener against Methodist College, winning 47-3. Our fingers are crossed for next weekend when the boys in gold and black travel to Averett College. This is our year to beat Hampton-Sydney!

Call or e-mail me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great weekend!

9/1/11 Picking Ourselves Up and Dusting Off...

I don’t know where to start. Since the last time we’ve talked, there have been earthquakes and a hurricane, and I’m wondering if I shouldn’t have bad-mouthed the month of August.

I give my condolences to everyone who is still without power, who lost a beautiful old tree, or who had an old tree fall on top of something. We’ve noticed that most trees seemed to have been blow down by a wind from the north, and there are big patches of sunlight where there used to be shade.

The earthquake was another matter entirely, and I am surprised to find myself startled at any little rattle or rumble that I mistake for another quake. I wouldn’t be surprised if the majority of Ashlanders are sleep-deprived these days; there has been a lot to worry about the past week.

Congratulations to all the soggy runners who finished the Patrick Henry Half Marathon just before Irene arrived! And a big thanks to all the volunteers who stood out in the rain all morning to help. I’ve heard good things about the new course.

If you were inspired by those dedicated runners, sign up now for the 2011 Henry Clay & Gandy Tiger Trot to be held on Saturday, October 15 ^th. The kid's races begin at 8:00am and the 5K begins at 9:00am at Henry Clay Elementary, and you can register online at http://www.raceit.com/ or pick up a registration form at either school.

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.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. I hope your Labor Day Weekend is filled with lots of electric light and free-running water.