My mother always has said that October has the prettiest
skies, and I have to agree. It’s usually
a wonderful month full of perfect weather, good food, and beautiful colored
leaves. As with any outstanding month (see
also: May), the Town of Ashland is outside in full force enjoying our piece of
Virginia.
The recent news about the Ashland Theater being donated to
the Town at first left me dumbfounded, and I thought that someone was playing a
practical joke. But as the surprise wore
off, I was incredibly humbled by this gift from Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker. I am so proud to live in a town where people
are this thoughtful and giving. I hope
that the people of Ashland
appreciate what has been given to them, and that this theater becomes a symbol
of community, growth, and prosperity.
The End-of-Summer
Street Party is this Saturday, October 5th,
and from the looks of the weather you may need to find some summer clothes to
wear. The gates open at 6:00 pm in the
Plaza behind the Ashland Library, and Ron Moody and the Centaurs start playing
at 7. Tickets are available from local merchants, or at the door.
Did you have fun at the Off the Rails Beer Fest? I missed it, but I’ve heard that half of Richmond was there! If you’d like to find out more about your
favorite malt beverage, the Ashland Library
will welcome the COTU brew masters to talk about how they brew beer on
Wednesday, October 16th. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be
followed by a tasting of the COTU beers at the Caboose Wine and Cheese Shop. You
must be 21 and older to attend.
There are two great races that are being held on October 5th,
and if you time it right (and run fast) you can do both. The 15th Annual Pumpkin Run is a
5K run and walk that will be held at the Ashland Berry Farm. This great race is an incredibly important
fund-raiser for Hanover Safe Place ,
and all participants will receive a free pumpkin! Visit www.hanoversafeplace.com for more
information.
So run the Pumpkin Run and then hurry back to town to Carter
Park and the CROP Walk to end hunger.
This 3 mile walk benefits local food banks and will be held from 8:30
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Email Cathy Tillman
for more information: cgtillman@comcast.net.
I went out of town last weekend with some old friends from
high school, and we all sat around talking about our lives now. It became pretty clear that we have something
special in our little A-town, and I had to stop myself from monopolizing
conversations with stories of movie theaters, town songs, and the friendships
that are here. Don’t take it for
granted.
Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Go visit the businesses affected by the Center Street
construction this weekend!
