Happy Thanksgiving!

I am putting this column to bed early this week as we all scatter to the corners of the map for Thanksgiving.  I hope that there are lots of big dinners planned in town.  It funny, but I honestly don’t like leaving Ashland for any holiday.  It always seems like we should be here, maybe because holidays are more fun in our sweet town, don’t you think?  Whether it’s Easter, the 4^th, Thanksgiving or Christmas, I think we always have the perfect setting for celebrations. 

Resist the urge to get up early on the 29^th and save your shopping for Small Business Saturday in the Center of the Universe!  If you sit down with your gift list, I know that you could find everything you need right here. 

Speaking of which, Ashcake Gardens will celebrate Small Business Saturday with lots of sales and specials.  Visit their website for special offers and coupons.  I have heard that their selection of Christmas trees is superb this year; www.ashwoodgardens.com. 

If you don’t know what to buy, visit Town Hall to purchase a town gift certificate which can be used at thirty-eight different businesses!  You could use it for jewelry, chicken feed, a hair-cut, furniture, or dinner out.  It may be the perfect gift for everyone. 

There are two opportunities to see theater productions in town this holiday season.  As always, Randolph-Macon will be showing Charles Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol” at the Blackwell Theater December 6^th through the 8^th.  There’s more information on the RMC website: www. rmc.edu/academics/drama. 

Also, our own Louise Keeton and the Whistlestop Theater will be performing “The Gift of the Magi” at the Firehouse Theater December 6^th and 7^th.  Tickets are $5 each and you can reserve your seats today at whistlestoptheatre@gmail.com(please provide your name, and indicate the day, time, and number of tickets requested!).

Do you have student in grades 4^th through 8^th who loves the stage? Sabrina Lacoss, a senior at Patrick Henry High School, is producing a Reader’s Theatre production of “Twelfth Night” by Shakespeare for her Girl Scouts Gold Award project, and she is looking for cast members. Rehearsals will start December 3 for two weeks, and the performance is December 19 at 7:00pm at the Center. Interested parents should call the Hanover Arts and Activities Center at 798-2722.

Do you know what I am thankful for?  A newspaper column, an editor who lets me occasionally write about ridiculous things, and, of course, readers who think it worth their while.

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