Thursday, October 31, 2013

10-31-2013 Chilly Mornings, Light Evenings, Farmers Markets, Professors and Authors



Where are my gloves?  Where is that hat, and where did I put all my sweaters?  Let’s all practice our layering techniques as we remember what cold weather feels like.  As bundled up as we may be, it is the perfect time of year for sitting around a fire pit, or with friends in a warm restaurant somewhere.   Ashland certainly knows how to make the best of any weather. 

Ashland’s 11th Annual Train Day Celebration is this Saturday, all along the tracks from 10 to 4:00 pm.  There will be trolley rides, store specials, and events all day at the Ashland Library.  Come out and celebrate the trains, for as much as they may annoy you sometimes, what would we be without them?

The Ashland Farmer’s Market is still going strong on these fall mornings!  Come take home some wonderful late-season vegetables and fruits, as well as baked treats for your kitchen.  The Market is open from 9:00 to noon on Saturday behind Town Hall.

Daylight savings ends this weekend.  We’ll have more light in the morning, but it may be dark by the time you get home!

On Tuesday, November 5th, Randolph-Macon will host Professor George Greenia, from the College of William & Mary, who will give a free lecture on “Sacred Steps: Medieval Pilgrimage and American Myth” at 7:30 pm in the Andrews Hall Multipurpose Room (420 Henry St.).  If you think about it, we all make pilgrimages- trips home, tours of historical sites- come and hear about this human characteristic.

On Monday, November 4th, come meet author Katie Anderson at the Ashland Library and listen to her talk about her book for young adults called, “Kiss and Make Up,” from 7:00 - 8:45 p.m. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Ashland Library.

If you have any door-to-door salesmen come by your house, remind them that they need to register with the Ashland Police Department.  If there’s anyone who you have questions about, don’t hesitate to call and ask the APD: 798-1227.


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

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

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 26th 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


It's a shame we didn't get any snow this winter...

Especially since we're building this new town ski lodge.  I mean, I guess it could potentially bring in tourism dollars, if we ...