1/23/2014 Meg's Phenomenon, CJ's Thumbs Up Ball, Hanover Idols at HAAC

 

Never in my life have I witnessed a phenomenon like Meg Menzies.  Even if you don't have a Facebook account, you must have seen the news reports everyday, and the multiple articles in the local papers.  A distant friend of Meg's, searching for a way to honor her, invited people on Facebook to come out and run in Meg's memory on Saturday- the day after her funeral.  This invitation kept getting forwarded, and forwarded, and forwarded, until people across the globe had heard of the story of the young mother killed while running on a beautiful morning with her husband. 

 

Meg's story touched thousands of people, and I think there were almost 100,000 people who had signed up to run in her memory.  It was so incredible to log onto Facebook Saturday and see story after story popping up on the screen.  People ran in the snow in Canada, in China, and in Australia; one man ran the Boston marathon route for Meg.  People ran, people walked, and people swam in her honor.  There were so many stories of people who said that they hadn't run in years, or they had never run, or they were still on crutches after an accident.  Meg's story reminded everyone of the gift of life and I know that this outpouring of love and support has lifted up her family.  As tragic as this past week was, how good to see the love of humanity shinning through. 

 

The hard work, however, begins now.  Just as Charlotte Reynolds is remembered everyday by the work done by CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation, we have to keep Meg's memory strong by fighting against drunk driving.  How many times have you suspected that someone might be too tipsy to drive, but didn't say anything because it would have been embarrassing?  I think it's happened to many of us and we have to start speaking up.  Talk to your kids about it, talk to your friends about it.  When you have a party, have an awesome non-alcoholic drink for all the designated drivers. 

 

CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation continues to raise funds to support families who are battling childhood cancers.  It is amazing to see the good that they have been able to do in four years.  Meals have been delivered, bills have been paid, families have been helped.  Please visit their website:http://www.cjstuf.org/,  and find out about the 2014 Thumbs Up Ball coming up on February 8th.

 

Come out to your neighborhood library on Monday, January 27th, from 6:30 to 7:30 to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss!  Bring your 3-12 year old and hear some of those wonderful stories that have become a quintessential part of childhood.  Cake will be served by the Friends of the Ashland Library.

 

Mark your calendar for the 2014 Hanover Idols Competition coming up in March!  The 2014 Hanover Idols Junior Competition will take place Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 3:30 at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center.  Doors will open at 3:00pm.  The 2014 Hanover Idols Competition will take place on the same day, but at 7:00 pm.  Doors will open at 6:30pm.  $7.00 donations will be accepted at the door.

 

I'm writing this from my kitchen table waiting for the snowstorm.  Ashland is a wonderful place, but it is certainly lacking in the area of a good sledding hill.  I hope you are warm and snug as the flakes start piling up. 

 

1/16/14 Losing Meg

It is so hard to write this, especially since we have so many runners in our community.  There is nothing so exhilarating than a good run through our pretty streets and roads.  There is nothing that makes you feel more alive than your lungs filling with air, the steady beat of your heart, and the strong muscles in your legs repeating the footfall over and over again.  We are heartbroken to hear of the death of Meg Menzies who was out for a morning run this past Monday along Rt. 54.  We can’t imagine the pain that her family and friends are experiencing.  They have our deepest condolences. 

 Meg’s husband was Sgt. Scott Menzies with our Ashland Police Department, and they had three children: Gabriel, Whitfield, and Skye.  Donations for the family can be made through that Ashland Police Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization established to help its members in times of need.  Donations may be sent to the “Ashland Foundation” at 601 England St., Ashland VA 23005.

Meg was an incredible runner who was training for the Boston Marathon and who was a member of the Richmond Road Runners Club.  The club is encouraging people of all running abilities to come out and run this Saturday, January 18^th, in memory of Meg.  Whatever the distance and wherever you are, run outside in the fresh air as a way to honor the daughter, sister, wife, and mother who was lost this week.  Maybe we all need to do more to stop drunk driving and spread safe, responsible road-sharing. 

We have so many talented people in Hanover; start thinking about a song and plan on coming to the auditions on Sunday, Jan. 26^th at 7:00 pm at the Arts and Activities Center.  Hanover Idols is open to ages 16 and older, and the Junior Idols is for kids ages 10 to 15.  Application forms are available at www.hanoverarts.com or by calling 804-798-2728.  Application forms are due January 20^th!

Here’s an opportunity to have a fun evening and support that Patrick Henry athletic teams!  The PATS (Patrick Henry Athletic Teams Supporters) Casino Night will be Saturday, February 1^st at 6:00 pm at Hanover Academy.  Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple and are available at Patrick Henry High School.  Prices go up after January 19^th.

The only days of the week when there is no live music playing at the Ashland Coffee and Tea are Sunday and Monday.  Five days a week!  We have a gold mine of original music right on the tracks and you are only cheating yourself if you don’t find the time to walk over and listen to it.  Check out their website at www.ashlandcoffeeandtea.com.

Don’t let the construction stop you!  Crawl over those bulldozers- well, not really- use the side doors or shimmy safely past the heavy equipment, and pay a visit to some of the best shops in Ashland.  I love the “new” side entrance to the Ironhorse- it adds a lot to that corner.

 

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com.  Hug your family and friends tight.