2/16/2012 Valentine Town, Feeding the Elephants, Catholics Gambling

 

Hey sweet town, hope you had a good Valentines Day!  There are all kinds of fun things on the horizon, so read carefully.

Councilman Jim Foley told me that the new playground for Pufferbelly Park is scheduled to be installed in April, just in time for warmer weather!  We can’t wait to see it.

There are so many business renovations springing up around town.  We’ve heard wonderful things about the big renovations at Luck Chevrolet, and we love the work that Chopper Dawson & Becky McKown have done to the old shop on Center Street.  It makes the empty Ashland Theater & the broken windows on England Street that much more apparent. 

The circus has arrived in Richmond, and if you’re planning on going, you can take pride in knowing that our Ashland Feed Store is supplying the food for the elephants!  Ringling Brothers called Danny & said they needed “Elephant chow.” Isn’t that a great request?

The St. Ann’s Casino Night is this Saturday, February 18^th .  Tickets are $20 per person, and that includes dinner and some chips to start off your evening.  There are always lots of wonderful things up for auction: trips, club memberships, spa trips, etc.  A good time is always had by all. 

Dolly, the Greyhound- who-loves-to-be-read-to, returns to the Ashland Library on Saturday, February 25^th.  Stop by the Library to sign up for a time slot for your child to read to Dolly.  We all know that dogs can be wonderful listeners.

Happy Birthday to Sam Voekler of Elmont and Zachary Rutherford of Montpelier who both celebrated this past weekend!

Hurry up and get your tickets for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” which will be performed at Duncan Memorial Church on February 25^th, 25^th, and 26^th. Tickets are $5 per person with children 6 and under free.  Proceeds support Duncan youth mission projects, retreats, and special programs.  For more information, call 798-7224. 

Plan on being at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center this Saturday, February 18^th for the first event in a three-part series for Black History Month. “Black History in Story, Film and Dance” will feature nationally-known storyteller Dylan Pritchett. These are free events, but donations are appreciated. Look for details about the other events to come on March 16 at the Firehouse Theater and May 6 at the Center.

And a big birthday kiss to our town as Ashland celebrates its 154 ^th year this Sunday, February 19^th!  Show your town some affection by walking her sidewalks and shopping in her stores.

I told you there was a lot going on!  Call or email me if I have missed something: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com.  Have a wonderful weekend, fingers crossed for snow!

2/9/2012 Playground still Missing, Police Chief Plunges, Window Dressings

 

For Publication February 9

Oh, it’s almost Valentines Day Ashland- let’s show the love!  I would like to see mailboxes full of red hearts and pink candies. 

Happy belated birthday to some winter babies! Monica Klisz, Allan Funk, Jen Chambers all blew out some candles recently.

The first event in the three-part series for Black History Month will be held Saturday, February 18^th at 2pm at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. “Black History in Story, Film and Dance” will feature nationally-known storyteller Dylan Pritchett. These are free events, but donations are appreciated. Look for details about the other events to come on March 16 at the Firehouse Theater and May 6 at the Center.

Congratulations to Ashland Police Chief Doug Goodman for participating in the Polar Plunge in Virginia Beach this past weekend!  Chief Goodman went for a swim in the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for Virginia Special Olympics.  Even though it’s been a warm winter, I bet that water was still bone-chilling.

I’d just like to thank Nursing Companion Extraordinaire for their nice window display on England Street.  It reminds me of the big Miller & Rhodes’ and Thalhimers’ windows that you used to see downtown.  Their window right now is called, “Nursing Then,” and it shows all the old equipment that nurses used.  I am expecting a “Nursing Now” window to appear shortly.  Stop by and take a look if you can!

There are two fun events coming up in Ashland.  The first is the St. Ann’s Casino night on Saturday, February 18^th at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Snead St.  This party is famous for its wonderful auction items and dinner!  Tickets will be available at the door or by calling the church office: 798-5039.

The second event is the “Raise the Roof” celebration and fundraiser at the Center on Saturday, March 3, 2012, from 7:30 – 11:00 PM.  A limited number of tickets will be available, going on sale beginning Monday, February 6, 2012 at The Center and at Cross Brothers Grocery.  Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple and include heavy hors d’oeuvres, dancing to your party favorites and a night of fun. All proceeds will benefit their roof-replacement fund. For more information, visit www.hanoverarts.org or call 804.798.2728 or email info@hanoverarts.org.

Mark your calendar for the weekend of February 24^th as the Youth Group presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”  Tickets will be $5 with children 6 and under, free.  Proceeds support Duncan youth mission projects, retreats, and special programs.  For more information, call 798-7224. 

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