10/24/13 Homecomings, Spooky Play, Pumpkin Abuse, No More Sandbags

The Center of the Universe was busy this past weekend!  We had a 10K race, two Homecomings (Randolph-Macon and Patrick Henry), a big dance, and beautiful weather.   Sometimes I feel more tired at the end of the weekend than I do on a Friday afternoon, but I think, that’s ok.  If I’m busy on the weekends, then that means that there are fun things to do and life is full.  In a book by Annie Dillard, a character says that he’ll “sleep when he’s dead,” and while that’s completely unreasonable and unhealthy- I get it.  The day is never long enough in the COTU. 

Congratulations to the Patrick Henry Football team who beat Thomas Jefferson HS this past Friday night!  It was a very exciting game- just the way Homecoming should be, with a chill in the air, a full moon rising in the east, and the parade of the Homecoming Court.  If you ever have a Friday night without anything to do, check out the schedule of the Hanover games at www.hcps.us.  It will make you smile, but mostly it will remind you of the promise of youth. 

The Whistle Stop Theatre Company invites families and friends to the first annual “Spooktacular!” at the Firehouse Theatre, 201 Duncan Street, for an interactive presentations of “The Monkey’s Paw,” “The Raven,” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”  These productions invite audience participation and they are suitable for ages 5 and up (not too scary)!  Performances are Saturday at 6 pm; Sunday at 2 pm and 4 pm, with songs, games, and snacks to be shared:   Tickets are $5 and available by reservation at whistlestoptheatre@gmail.com.

Do you realize how much stress you could get rid of by launching a pumpkin way up in the sky and then watching it smash to the ground?  Ashwood Gardens and Nursery is having their annual Pumpkin Chunk-a-Thon on Saturday, October 26^th from 10:00 to 3:00 pm.  There will be hayrides, face painting, food, and pumpkins flying everywhere.  All proceeds benefit the Hanover Arc.  Call 798-2400 to sponsor a team.

As you carving your pumpkins, and putting together your costumes, make sure you remember to stop by the Arts and Activities Center to hear spooky music from the Hanover Concert Band.  The Band will play from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and they are all dressed in costume as well.  I really like it when they play outside because it becomes background music for your trick-or-treating!

We’d like to wish a happy birthday to some of our favorite Ashlanders!  Tammy Proffitt, Sara Holloway, Jackie Jones, Craig Hatz, and Dave Gilmore all marked another year in the Center of the Universe.

The new sidewalks look nice along Railroad Ave!  Do you think that the Coffee and Tea and Suzanne’s can throw away their sandbags now?

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com.