3/13/2014 Hanover Idols, PH Show Choir, Summer Theater Camp at the Center

This town is so ready for warm weather.  I think every child who has a bike was out riding this weekend, and it took every ounce of parenting strength that I had to make them come in when it got dark.  I need to start making a list of all the things that I need to do in my yard, because every time I happen to glance out the window I see something that needs pruning or weeding or cleaning.  Three cheers for the projects of Spring!

There is so much going on these days at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center.  The Mardi Gras fundraiser was a blast this past weekend with many fabulous masks and lots of beads!

And just the weekend before, that old building was alive with the voices of the Hanover Idol Competition.  Congratulations to Sarah Hopkins, who won the title of Hanover Idol and to Carrie Cauthorne who won runner-up.  In the Jr. Idol competition, Audrey kate Taylor took the title and Jean Woodrum was runner-up. DVDs of the competition are available for $20 from the Center. You can find an order form on the website- hanoverarts.org.

The Center will host the Barter Players on Thursday, March 27^th for their production of “Little House on the Prairie” at 6:00 pm.  Tickets are $2 and available at the door.

Congratulations to the show choirs of Patrick Henry High School who have spent the past two weekends deep in regional competitions!  They have won numerous awards, including Co-Grand Champion, Showmanship, People’s Choice Award, and a 2^nd Place.  This past Saturday at the Central Virginia Show Choir Competition, Best Overall Daily went to Max Cook!  They will be performing next at the Lee-Davis/Hanover Festival of Choirs on March 21^st and 22^nd at Hanover High.

Are you thinking ahead to summer?  Lorie Foley sure is!  The Summer Theater Program at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center has announced the dates of their annual theater camp and summer production.  The Camp, for kids in grades 1^st through 5^th, will run the week of July 14^th from 8:30 to 4:30 pm.  Tuition for the program is $250 and a registration form is available on the website:  www.hanoverarts.org.  Discounts are available for siblings.

For those middle and high school thespians, the summer musical will be “Once Upon a Mattress.”  Auditions will be May 14^th and 15^th at the Center, rehearsals will run May 18^th through June 26^th, and the performances will be June 27^th, 28^th, and 29^th at the Hanover Tavern!

There are lots of March babies out there who have been celebrating recently: Tamra Bardwell, Tracy Brown, Chris Dull, Patricia Reagan, and Alec and Meade Rheihl.  We hope they had lots of sunshine and presents on their special day!

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

2/27/2014 Fastest in the State, Hanover Idols, Mardi Gras Party, Tiger Trot 5K,

What a tease Mother Nature is to us these days.  Several nights ago we sat out on our side porch, warmed by the last rays of a setting sun, and let the peeping frogs from Mechum’s Creek serenade us as we drank a glass of wine.  Now today, I am looking at a low, grey sky that threatens to snow at any moment.  I am always ready for the next season, but now more than ever as we wait for this inexcusably cold winter to depart.  How many days until Spring?

Congratulations to our Ashland kids who competed in the Virginia High School League State Champs this past weekend!  Ted Schubert took home a first place medal in both the 100 meter back stroke and the 200 meter IM.  His times qualified him as an automatic NISCA All-American.  Thomas Perkins finished 8^th in the 100 free style, and Mattie Grant finished 5^th in the 200 free style and 2^nd in the consolation heat of the 100 butterfly.  To compete at that level is really impressive, and we are very proud of these three.

Sign up now to run the 7^th Annual Tiger Trot 5K benefitting the Henry Clay & John Gandy PTAs.  There are options for a ½ or 1 mile for kids 12 and under, and the 5K is open to runners and walkers.  You can register on line at http://www.onestoprace.com/search/event.aspx?id=22958 or on the morning of the race.  The event starts at 8am on Saturday March 8^th.

To compensate for this cold, dreary weather, you must get out more.  Fight the freezing temps with fellowship. 

The Hanover Idols Competition is this Sunday at the Arts and Activities Center.  The $7 tickets are available at the Center now or by calling 798-2728.  The doors will open 30 minutes before curtain time and any available tickets will be sold then.  Seating is limited, people!  The Junior Idols competition starts at 3:30, and the Idols competition begins at 7:00 pm. 

While you’re securing your seat for this Sunday’s spectacular event, go ahead and reserve your ticket for the Hanover Arts and Activities Center’s Mardi Gras party on Saturday, March 8^th, from 7:00 to 11:00 pm.  It’s $20 per person, or $35 per couple with tickets available at Cross Brothers Grocery or at the door.  Find some beads, put on a mask, and come shake the floor at the Center!

Ashland Youth Soccer is now accepting registrations for their Spring Soccer teams.  The fields at Poor Farm have been lonely all winter and they can’t wait for those little chaps to be out there on Sundays!  Visit www.aysl.org to sign up; practices will start mid-March.

A fundraiser for the American Cancer Society called “Finish the Fight” will be held on Saturday, March 8^th at the Holiday Inn Express from 11:00 am to 3.  Lots of local vendors will be there!  Please call Diane Jennings for more information: 630-284-9961.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Stay warm this weekend!