2/8/08 Mike Spence, Ed Via, Bob Brown, Goodbye Chevron

Congratulations to Mike Spence who won the autographed copy of the 2003 Ashland Comprehensive Plan for correctly naming the number of Railroad Runs that Ted Schubert has participated in: 25. Of course, Ted started running when he was 8, you know. We expect to see Mike at all the future Planning Council Meetings with his well-read, tattered and dog-eared Comp. Plan. East Ashland is closer than you think Mike!

This story comes under the heading “Hometown Boy Makes Good”. Congratulations to Tres Bruce, son of A.C. and Ann Bruce, who recently won an Emmy for his magnificent film-making abilities behind the camera at ABC affiliate WTVD in Raleigh, NC. Tres and his reporter, Barbara Gibb, presented a feature story on a talented choir made up of homeless men. Watch out Kathy Abbot- looks like Tres might give you a run for your money!

This Monday, February 11th, our new supervisor- Ed Via, will be available to talk to citizens at Town Hall from 9am to 12 noon. While this kind of communication is critical for our voices to be heard way over in Hanover Courthouse, I hope that Ed schedules another time to meet with us outside of the normal business day- maybe after 5pm or on a weekend.

The Ashland Planning Commission meets this Wednesday, Feb. 13th at 7:00pm at Town Hall. We're all looking forward to watching the magic of Bob Brown as he takes Steve Trivett's place on the Commission. This is Bob Brown, retired planner from Philadelphia- not Bob Brown, soccer coach & PTA treasurer. It's confusing, I know.

Kindergarten registration for Hanover County Public Schools begins in March- are you ready? To find out, come to this free parent workshop at the Patrick Henry YMCA on Ashcake Rd.(wet) on Thursday, February 21 from 6:30 to 8 pm. Parents will be provided with helpful hints to get your child prepared, as well as things that children need to know before they enter Kindergarten. To register, call Kathi Thomasson at 798-2767 or Kenny James at 798-5556.

Jayne A. Hitchcock, cyber crime expert and author, will speak on “Virtual Villains – The Dangers of Blogs, IMs, and Predators” at 7pm on Monday, Feb. 18th in Old Chapel Room 212 on the Randolph-Macon Campus. Ms Hitchcock has written a book on net crimes and volunteers with numerous law enforcement agencies worldwide to help solve Internet-related crimes. The Old Chapel is just what it sounds like and is in the middle of campus- you can't miss it. This event is free and open to the public. Call 412-1559 for more information and better directions.

Looking for something safe for your kids to do in town? Send them over to the library on Friday, February 15 at 6:00 pm for a Chocolate Fun Festival for Teens. Play chocolate bingo, race to see how many chocolates you can unwrap wearing oven mitts, and more! This evening is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Library.

We are all so sorry to see the Ashland Chevron closed up and empty. I will miss seeing Chris, and his mother Lois, but wish him great success in his future ventures. Their phone number was always on my speed-dial.

Call or email me with your Town news or questions- like, how many people are running for Town Council this week? (804) 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can find a complete archive of these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/. Have a wonderful week!

2/1/08 Ashland Comprehensive Plan, RRR Quiz, Jerome Bridges at RMC

The Town held a kick-off meeting for the Comprehensive Plan Update this past Monday, and welcomed ideas and suggestions from the public. While attendance was light, those present talked at length with town employees and Planning Commission members. They divided the town into eight sections, and large maps of each part were placed on the walls around the room. Everyone was encouraged to post their ideas or concerns on the maps using sticky-notes; dangerous intersections were noted, concerns over traffic patterns and road plans were observed, and the approved developments were highlighted. We have a really talented and dedicated group of people working for our town. I love that they are so passionate about maintaining the integrity and the spirit of Ashland. Be sure to check the town website frequently for updates on the process: http://www.town.ashland.va.us/ The Planning Commission meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7pm in Town Hall and will hold a discussion concerning this process at every meeting. It would be worth your while to attend.

Congratulations to Andrew Datovech who won first place in the Henry Clay Spelling Bee! Andrew is a second grader and went on to compete against 7th and 8th graders at the County Wide Spelling Bee January 30th. Well done Andrew!

Register now the the 30th running of the Ashland Railroad Run to be held early this year, on Saturday, March 15th. Does anyone know how many times Ted Schubert has run it? The first person to email me the correct answer, besides Ted, will win your very own copy of the 2003 Comprehensive Plan, personally autographed by Town Manager, Charles Hartgrove. Go to http://www.hanoverarts.com/ to register or call 798-2728 for information.

In celebration of Black History Month, Jerome Bridges will be performing Friday, February 8th and Saturday, Feb. 9th at 7:30 p.m. at Blackwell Auditorium (RMC Campus). With his exceptional story-telling ability, Mr Bridges will give us first-hand stories of pre-Civil War slavery and Civil Rights activists. Accompanying Mr. Bridges with spirituals and gospel songs from these historic periods will be the George Crawford Memorial Choir from the Providence Park Baptist Church and a Community Chorus including over fifty voices from local church choirs. This event was created and is sponsored by the Hanover Arts and Activities Center (HAAC), with the local Hanover AARP Chapter as co-sponsor, and supported by Dominion Power and Randolph-Macon College. For more information please call Ragan Phillips at 798-9721 or Buddy Kelly at 798-8782.

Bring your children to the Ashland Library on Thursday, February 7th at 6:30 pm to celebrate Clifford the Big Red Dog. Listen to stories about that friendly and helpful dog, make a craft, enjoy face painting, and play games. As with almost every event at the library, refreshments will be served and the event is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Library.

If you've ever participated in one of our famous Ashland Variety Shows, then Lorie and Sue need your help. Visit the Arts and Activities website: http://www.hanoverarts.com/ to fill out a questionnaire about your memories and experience.

Still no snow and now February is here. I'm going to stop talking about it because it's too frustrating. We might as well start planning our gardens. My father always said that you should plant peas on President's Day- that's February 18th. Call or email me with your Town news, or the answer to the Ted quiz: (804) 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can find a complete archive of these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/. Have a wonderful week.

1/25/08 Casino Night, Comp. Plan, Jerome Bridges to perform at RMC

There is still time to get your tickets to St. Ann's Casino Night this Saturday. The party starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall on S. Snead St. The theme for this year's event is “Hollywood”, so come dressed as if you were walking the red carpet and enjoy an evening of decadent food, fabulous prizes, and all the fake gambling you could want. You don't have to be a Catholic to attend., and I'm sure you'd see many of your friends there. Call the church at 798-5039 for more information.

Tonight the Randolph-Macon Women's basketball team will play Roanoke College here in Crenshaw Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. It's a great opportunity to see some first class athletes without leaving town.

Register now the the 30th running of the Ashland Railroad Run to be held early this year, on Saturday, March 15th. The 10K course is one of the best around, and you will avoid all of the crowds that they get downtown on Monument Ave. This race started as an RMC event, and used to loop across the train tracks. Several years ago, the course was changed to avoid that tricky crossing, but now “I had to wait for a train” can't be used as an excuse for a slow time! Go to www.hanoverarts.com to register or call Faith Boyle at 798-2728 for more information.

Do you know how Ashland got to be 150 years old and still such a great place to live? Planning! (O.K., maybe a little luck, too.) By coincidence, but appropriate none the less, Ashland will be updating its comprehensive plan as we celebrate our 150th birthday this year. A kick-off meeting for interested members of the community will be held Monday, January 28th at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council chambers. Even if you don't have a speech planned, you should try to attend to hear what others have to say. As the development of Rt. 1 inches closer and closer, what do our town planners envision for that road? How do we want downtown Ashland (Railroad and Center St.) to look 15 years from now? How do we market our town to visitors without selling our souls? These and many other interesting questions will be answered in the coming months.

Mark your calendars now for February 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., when Jerome Bridges comes to town to speak at Blackwell Auditorium (RMC Campus). With his exceptional story-telling ability, Mr Bridges will give us first-hand stories of pre-Civil War slavery and Civil Rights activists. Accompanying Mr. Bridges with spirituals and gospel songs from these historic periods will be the George Crawford Memorial Choir from the Providence Park Baptist Church and a Community Chorus including over fifty voices from local church choirs. This event was created and is sponsored by the Hanover Arts and Activities Center (HAAC), with the local Hanover AARP Chapter as co-sponsor, and supported by Dominion Power and Randolph-Macon College. For more information please call Ragan Phillips at 798-9721 or Buddy Kelly at 798-8782.

Happy Birthday to Amy Flagg on January 30. Did you know she's only 25?

I wouldn’t mind these cold gray skies of January so much if there was some snow falling from them. Flurries are pretty, but I want enough snow to cover the ground, with not one blade of grass showing through. Our snow boots are collecting cobwebs, and the snow shovels are being used to hold up a roof in the kid’s clubhouse. I don’t think we even own a scraper for the windshield anymore. I’m hoping that since we are now unprepared, that the snow will come. I want melted snow on my kitchen floor, kid's gloves drying on an open oven door, and the quiet, quiet nights of a blanketed town. Does anyone remember what it's like at night when there's snow on the ground? The moon's reflection is so bright that it's a perfect time for a walk if you bundle up. What's the biggest snow that you can remember? Let me know- I love to hear people's stories. (804) 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can find a complete archive of these columns at www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com. Have a wonderful week.

1/18/08 Snow Falls with Goodbyes, Hanover Idol Deadline, RRR, Catholics Party

This past Tuesday’s weather was enough to make this column almost miss the press. Our fifteen minute blizzard came on a sad day for two families. I went to the funeral of Travis Conner, a 30 year old young man who is so missed by his family and friends. Losing a child is an unspeakable pain, and I cried for his mother and father. That same morning, Mrs. Lucy Stanley was being remembered for her long life here in Ashland by her many, many friends and family. I hope the snow was a beautiful distraction for everyone, and not an inconvenience. It must have come as both families were leaving the reception or the cemetery. I think that Travis would have run out to play in it, and Mrs. Stanley, having seen the snow from her kitchen window, would have called her children and grandchildren to make sure they were watching. My sympathy to both families.

Today is the deadline to register for the Hanover Idols Contest! Auditions will be held at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center on Sunday, January 27, with the final competition on Sunday, February 17th. Go to http://www.hanoverarts.com/ to print out an application and get it to Faith as soon as possible!

The 30th running of the Ashland Railroad Run is on Saturday, March 15th this year. Start your training now for one the prettiest and flattest 10K course around. Don’t drive downtown for the Monument 10K, struggle to find parking, and then try to run in a crowd of 15,000 people. Where’s the fun in that? Go to http://www.hanoverarts.com/ for more information and to register on-line.

Get your ticket now for St. Ann’s Catholic Church’s Casino Night on Saturday, January 26th. You’ll never really understand Catholics until you go party with them. This event is always a lot of fun and is the major fund raiser for St. Ann’s. There will be wonderful food, exceptional socializing, and many exciting silent auction items to bid on. Call the church office at 798-5039 for more information.

Along with celebrating its sesquicentennial (150th birthday) Ashland will also be updating its comprehensive plan this year! A kick-off meeting for interested members of the community will be held Monday, January 28th at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers. While maybe not as exciting as a birthday party, the comprehensive plan is the blueprint that will keep our town the way we want it for the next 150 years. I can’t stress enough the importance of citizen input and involvement in this process. Even if you live outside the town limits, you are reading this column because you are interested in what goes on here. Come and tell town officials what makes this town special to you.

Do you have any suggestions about ways to make Ashland’s 150th Birthday a spectacular party? Go to the town website: http://www.town.ashland.va.us/ and click on the 150th birthday link to fill out a short survey.

Please stop by the Ashland Library if you have a chance and see all the photographs of Ashlands across the United States. They're all lovely- which is hard to admit because I am very biased and opinionated. We should organize a tour.

Call or email me with you news of our center of the universe: (804) 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can find a complete archive of these columns at
http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/ Have a wonderful week.

1/11/08 Ashlands of the US, Doug Wilder to Visit, 30th Annual RR Run, Hanover Idols Deadline

I hope you’ve all had a chance to visit the website dedicated to Ashland 150th Birthday- http://www.ashland150.com/ is filled with information and events that will be going on this year to celebrate this momentous occasion. This will be an easy year for me as I’ll never have a lack of information to write about!

Although we certainly are special, our name is not unique! This Wednesday, January 16th, Betty Carol Stevenson will tell us about all the other Ashlands in the United States. How many Ashlands are there? Are they all named after Henry Clay’s hometown in Kentucky? Are any of them as cool as we are? Not likely. Come to the Ashland Library at 7:30 to find out the answers. Call the library at 798-4072 for more information.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday on Tuesday, January 15th, Mayor Douglas Wilder will speak at Randolph-Macon’s Blackwell Auditorium at 12 noon. This event is free and open to the public. There will also be a musical presentation by R-MC’s Yjima Gospel Choir. Come early to get a good seat- or any seat at all. Call 752-3712 for more information.

Registration is now open for the 30th running of the Ashland Railroad Run on March 15th, 2008. The day begins at 8:30 am for the Kid’s Mile Fun Run, followed by the 10K Run at 9:00 am and the 5K Fun Walk at 9:15. Why run packed like sardines on Monument Avenue when you have room to breathe on our fair streets? Go to http://www.hanoverarts.com/ for a registration form.

Are you a star waiting to be discovered? The deadline for registration to participate in the Hanover Idols Contest is next Friday- January 18th! Go to http://www.hanoverarts.com/ for guidelines and an entry form. Call the Center at 798-2728 with your questions.

As a part of the 150th celebration, an Ashland Yearbook will be assembled to tell the stories of our citizens, churches, businesses, cemeteries, military, and organizations. If you’re a “come-here”, have lived here all your life, or are reading this from far away, please tell your family’s story of living in Ashland in 300 words or less and include a picture. This will be a great historical document of the people living in our town. For years to come, scholars will refer to it in their research. Go to the website (http://www.ashland150.com/) or call 798-7123 with your questions.

There’s a new club in town for seniors- “Ashland Recycled Teenagers” who are proving that you don’t have to be young to have fun. Mark your calendars for the Omni Park Place Talent Show on February 1st at 11:30 am in the Social Hall at Duncan Memorial Church. Watch this space for more information to come.

Charles, have we found the time capsule yet? Send me your news by calling (804) 310-5320, or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can also find a record of all these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/.

1/4/08 Happy New Year, Can you say "Sesquicentenial"?

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday with lots of food, friends, and family. I am writing this on New Year's Eve where I have assembled all the ingredients to cook the traditional black-eyed peas and stewed tomatoes tomorrow, although I really can't stand either dish. But, I have an over-active imagination, and worry about the dire consequences that I might wreak on my family if I don't make them eat those lucky foods. My mother used to put a dime in the dish of peas and the person who got the dime on their plate would have extra luck in the new year. I'm sure that someone would choke on it at our house though, so we'll settle for just a little luck from eating a spoon or two.

Two thousand and eight will be a busy year around Ashland with the celebration of our town's 150th birthday. It's also the 150th birthday of First Baptist Church, and the 40th for the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. You can keep up on all the events by visiting the website: http://www.ashland150.com/. On Wednesday, January 16th at 7:00 pm., Betty Carol Stevenson will share stories, photos, and her research of all the towns with the name of "Ashland"in the U.S. I know of the one in Kentucky, and one in Oregon- isn't there one in Massachusetts? Refreshments will be served, and the event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Mark your calendars now for the St. Ann's Catholic Church Casino Night on Saturday, January 26th. Tickets are available tfrom parishioners and you can call the church office for more information: 798-5039.

There are two women's basketball games this coming week at R-MC: Tuesday, January 8th against Catholic University, and then Friday, the 11th against Guilford. Both games begin at 7 pm in Crenshaw Gym. This is some of the best best basketball around- and it's right in your backyard. These young women have won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Award for three straight years. I promise it'll be a great game.

The deadline to apply for the second annual Hanover Master Gardeners' Home Gardening Series has been extended to Friday, January 4, 2008. Interested persons can apply by calling 804-752-4310 or e-mailing pbland52@vt.edu. The eight-session series will be held on Saturdays from January 12 through March 1, 2008. Times will be from 9 to 11 am with the classes held in the Department of Social Services' meeting room in the Hanover Human Service Center on Washington Highway in Ashland. The classes will focus on topics of particular interest to the home gardener and will be taught by Hanover Master Gardeners.

There are still some 2008 Ashland calendars available at Town Hall for the affordable price of $10 each. These calendars are filled with wonderful pictures of our town and lots of helpful phone numbers. Stop by the Planning Office for your copy.

Does anyone know if snow is coming? We've all forgotten what it looks like and will have to travel north for this kids to go sleigh riding. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a nice snow storm- just enough to close schools but not pull down the power lines. Call or email me with your Ashland news: (804) 310-5320, or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can also find a record of all these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/.

12/28/07 Christmas Poem

As a Christmas present
I wrote this for you
To look back on the year
From my point of view.

This space had been empty
For quite a long time,
The Neighborhood Network
Had left Ashland behind.

With no one to write
Ashland’s news and events
The section was missing
Important contents!

Greg Glassner put an ad
In the classified section.
I saw it, and called him-
He said, with reflection:

“You must write about
Parties, birthdays, and races,
New babies, and concerts,
Historical places;

Library fundraisers,
PTA bakes sales,
Redistricting Meetings,
With colorful details.

As long or as short,
That will be up to you
But by Monday evening,
You must be through.”

That was in April,
Eight months ago-
And the fun in this job
Has continued to grow!

Writing these lines
Has been such a lark
I’ve loved every word,
And each question mark.

But this column is good
Because of you all,
The stories appear
With each telephone call.

So, thank you, dear Ashland
For reading my words
You’ve increased my happiness
At least by two-thirds!

May this year bring you each
A good life- first rate;
My sweet town, you deserve
A wonderful, wonderful 2008!
-Meriwether Gilmore
(804) 310-5320
ashlandnews@gmail.com