2/29/08 Leap Day, Hall of Fame, 150 Yearbook, Liberty Talent Show and Dinner

Hey Ashland, Happy Leap Day! You’ve got to do something different today, something special to mark this date. Poor old February 29th, it’s a lonely date stuck in limbo while waiting to appear on our calendars every four years. Someone should have a party or a parade, or maybe a celebratory race.
Teen Tech Week , and snacks will be served.

If your kids are too young to appreciate Guitar Hero, bring them out for Dr. Seuss’ birthday party on Thursday, March 6th, at 6:30 pm. Celebrate with stories read by special readers, games, balloon, crafts, and more! This party is co-sponsored by the Henry Clay Women's Club and the Friends of the Ashland Library.

You will get tired of me mentioning this, but one of the most important parts of the Ashland 150 Celebration is the Hall of Fame Committee. Sandra Lynne and I want to find stories of the characters of Ashland- the slightly odd or maybe eccentric who make us smile and give us stories to tell. Jeremy, isn’t there an Elvis who walks around Virginia Street? The pictures and stories we assemble will become a traveling exhibit that will be displayed around town and on the web. Email Sandra (or me) with any names or suggestions: slynne@hanover.k12.va.us.

Put a big red circle around Saturday, March 15th on your calendar. The 30th running of the Ashland Railroad Run will be taking place at 9 am, and even if you’re not going to run it, then pull out your best outfits from 1978 and come hang out with us at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. We love having people to cheer the runners along the race route. Visit http://www.hanoverarts.com/ for an entry form and a map of the race.

If you’re doing any spring cleaning these days, think about Henry Clay and Gandy before you take kid’s clothes to Good Will. The nurses in the clinics are usually in need of clothes to have on hand for those who need something warm.

You really need to get your family’s information to the 150 Yearbook committee. Your children will look at this yearbook years from now and want to know why you didn’t take the time to include them. It doesn’t cost anything to submit you history, and it will be a better yearbook for having you in it. Brenda Flippo (798-7419) will be at the Ashland Library on Tuesday, March 13th from 2-4pm to help write it if you need it. The entries are due April 1st. Do not let this deadline slip by!

This Thursday, March 6th, Liberty Middle School is having its annual Talent Show starting at 6:30 pm. Come early at 5 pm and enjoy a Potato Dinner and a silent auction. There will also be a demonstration of the new Smart Board technology that Liberty is fortunate to have. Tickets to the Show are $3 and dinner also costs $3. Proceeds benefit the Liberty PTA. Call Debbie Agliano at 883-6160 with questions.

It’s a beautiful time of year to be living in Ashland. The dogwoods and redbuds are just starting to come out. Nancy Hugo would tell us to get out in our yards and start looking for those first green shoots that pop up, and the baby chicks will be in the Feed Store before you know it. I can be reached at (804) 310-5320 or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great week!

2/22/08 Happy Birthday Ashland, Mark Warner visit, Hall of Fame, Boys Running, Lacrosse

Happy Birthday Ashland! This past Tuesday, our sweet town celebrated her official 150th birthday on Tuesday, Feb. 19th, which was the date of the actual incorporation in 1858. If you’re not on one of the Ashland 150 committees, think about volunteering. A party like this won’t happen again for a long time. http://www.ashland150.com/

Here is something that you must do. You must be shopping in downtown Ashland this Monday, Feb. 25th around 11 o'clock in the morning. If you do this, you will certainly have the chance to meet former Gov. Mark Warner, shake his hand, and tell him some of the things that he could do as senator to help Ashland and Hanover County. After he walks around town, he'll be at Ashland Coffee and Tea at noon to socialize.

One very important committee is the Hall of Fame, featuring your truly and Sandra Lynne as co-chairs. We’re looking for stories of the famous and infamous; the interesting characters that have made us smile. Jay Pace, Dick Gillis, and Dorothy Jones are some names that come to mind. The pictures and stories we assemble will become a traveling exhibit that will be displayed around town and on the web. Email Sandra with any names or suggestions: slynne@hanover.k12.va.us.

Happy Birthday to Jackson Proffitt who turns 14 on Feb. 25th. Wow Tammy, he'll be driving before too long.

Have you registered yet for the Ashland Railroad Run scheduled for March 15th? Visit http://www.hanoverarts.com/ for an entry form and information about the race. Seriously, I want to see lots of people out there in their tube socks and OP running shorts. Come out and run like the person you were in 1979! I was seven- I’ll run the Kids One Mile.

Speaking of runners, best of luck to our Ashland boys who will be running in the B & A Marathon in Annapolis on March 2. Dave Klisz, Bryan Cline, Tom Grant, Alan Abbott, and Dennis Johnson will be representing the Center of the Universe. Tom will also be celebrating his birthday on Feb. 28th . Run, Baby, Run!

The Yellow Jacket Women’s Lacrosse team will play tomorrow, Feb. 23rd, against Salisbury University at 3 pm on the home field. This is a beautiful game to watch: graceful and athletic at the same time. It’s also the oldest sport in North America, created by Native Americans as a preparation for war and played on fields fifteen miles long.

Stop by the Gandy Elementary Cafeteria this Saturday night for the 2nd Annual Celebration of African Americans beginning at 7 pm. There will be recognitions of African American contributions to our community and a performance by the Ashland Community Choir. Call the Town at 798-9219 for more information.

The daffodils crocuses are coming up, and Easter will be here in a few weeks. I keep telling myself that a March snowstorm is a distinct possibility. It could happen, don’t you think? I can be reached at (804) 310-5320 or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great week!

2/15/08 Valentine Town, 150 Yearbook, Hanover Idols, Another Committee for Lorie Foley

“Ashland, Ashland, Center of the Universe….It’s our Valentine Town!” I think that everyone has been too busy this year to think much of Valentine’s Day. There are meetings almost every evening for the 150th Birthday Celebration, and I’m sure that many people are suffering from lack of sleep. But, how often does your town turn 150?

There are lots of Valentine’s babies having birthdays this month: Monica Kliz, Judd Flagg, John Datovech, and Donna Delvecchio.

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.

Warm your soul with some sweet music at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center this Sunday, Feb. 17th at 6:30 pm when the Hanover Idol Competition takes place. Not only will there be great singing accompanied by Fred Horn, but Kevin and Tricia Trent will keep the evening rolling along as hosts for the evening. Tickets ($6) will be available at the door starting at 6pm. The chosen Idols will perform at venues throughout the year. Call 798-2728 for more information.

Entry forms for the 30th Annual Ashland Railroad Run have been pouring in. Have you registered yet? This is such a beautiful course, and one of the friendliest races in Virginia. There are wonderful door prizes this year and lots of fun activities planned for the 30th running. Seriously, I want to see lots of people out there in their tube socks and OP running shorts. Come out and run like the person you were in 1979! I was seven- I’ll run the Kids One Mile.

At least the kids know how to celebrate Valentines Day. Send your teens over to the library on Friday, February 15 at 6:00 pm for a Chocolate Fun Festival. 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.

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. 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.

At the Town Council meeting this Tuesday, Feb. 19th we’ll celebrate the incorporation of our sweet town on February 19, 1858. Remember to record your family history for the 150 Yearbook! All entries are due April 1st. This yearbook is intended to be a snapshot of our town so that your children and grandchildren will be able to look back and reminisce about what Ashland was like when they were growing up. Don’t let them look at you and ask, “Why didn’t you send in our story?” Visit http://www.ashland150.com/ or call Susan Tucker at 798-7123

Where’s the love Ashland? Maybe we should have a Valentine’s Committee. Lorie Foley, why don’t you organize that? Call me at (804) 310-5320 or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great week.

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.