04/12/2018 Remember When the Music: Bluemont Concerts End, Elections Approaching, Running and Swimming

Perhaps we will remember 2018 as a year of transitions. 

It was announced last week that the Bluemont Concerts are no more.  Those outdoor summer concerts were one of our soundtracks when our kids were little.  August evenings would find us on the front lawn of the Arts and Activities Center, or at Randolph-Macon, sometimes working a bake sale table to raise money for a PTA, sometimes chasing children who had comfortably scattered through the crowd.  

We will miss the music and the gathering, and we wish the best to the Bluemont staff who worked for years to bring live music to us.  

There are two Ashland Town Council seats open this year and there are three candidates for the vacancies: Les Cook, John Hodges, and Dan McGraw.  All of these would be wonderful citizen representatives, but do your part to learn more about them before Tuesday, May 1st, when the poll will be open at Town Hall.

 Have you registered to race the rails on Saturday, April 21st, at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center?  This will be the 40th year that this race will be held- so lets all come out and show our support for things that last.  If you're not running, come cheer on the runners as they fly past.  There will also be a Green Fair on the front lawn of the Activities Center, with lots of wonderful ecological companies and ways to help keep our planet beautiful.  

There are so many interesting events happening at your Ashland Library that they are hard to list!  Click on the link above to view their events.

Summer passes are on sale now for Carter Park Pool which will have a lovely new snack bar by opening day.  Those who purchase their pool passes on or before April 30th will receive a small discount.  Click here to access the application or apply for a pool pass scholarship.  

And if the pool is open, then it's time for swim team!  Having your child swim for Coach Kevin Trent may be one of the easiest and best parenting decisions that you will ever make.  Not only will they learn a life-long skill, but they will make friends and be a part of a team that includes kindergartners and seniors in high school.  It is one of the best parts about life in the Center of the Universe.  

Visit the Barracudas website for more information and to register.  

This Saturday, April 14th, the Barracuda swim team will be having a ridiculously fun fund-raiser: The Battle of the Brains.  Have you heard of trivia nights where you bring your iPad or smart phone, and answer trivia questions?  It's like you own Jeopardy game!  Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.  Please email Megan Mudd preppedplate@comcast.net to make reservations.  

Have a beautiful weekend, Ashland.  I think the sun is gonna shine.  Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com.