6/30/11 Summer Storms, 4th of July Celebrations, Ashland Tweets, Crepe Myrtles

We’re glad that no one was hurt in that odd little storm we had last Wednesday. The National Weather Service won’t confirm that it was a tornado, but it sure looks like something decided to take a walk from Dejarnette Park, behind Allan Funk’s house, towards the tracks! Those tree service companies are loving Ashland this week.

It’s time to decorate, Ashland! I know it’s one of your favorite things to do. Shake out those flags and that bunting, and show your patriotic pride. It’s time to stock up on crepe paper and decorate those bikes for the Annual Ashland 4th of July Parade. Line up begins at 10:15am (on the 4th) in the Henry Clay Elementary parking lot.

Pack a picnic and plan to spend the 4 th on the front lawn of the Arts and Activities Center. This event is the epitome of what a 4th of July celebration should be: friends, family, mom, apple pie, and John Philip Sousa marches played by the Hanover Concert Band. The Friends of the Ashland Library will be having their annual used book sale, so you might want to bring a big box, or a wagon, to carry home your books.

Have you thought about your pie for the Apple Pie Contest? You can drop off your homemade apple pie between 9 and 10:30am on the 4th for judging. I might have a shot at it this year if Jill Voekler stays away. Call the Center at 798-2728 for rules.

This Friday, July 1st is Movie night at the Ashland pool! Bring your rafts and floats to relax in the pool and watch the movie, “Hoot” around 8pm. A sweatshirt usually comes in handy when the sun goes down. Regular admission applies.

Do you Tweet? The Town of Ashland and the Ashland Police Department are now both using Twitter to help inform citizen quickly of town emergencies. If you have a cell phone and a texting plan, this might be something for you to try. I know it comes in handy when a train gets stopped on the tracks and you’re just about to walk out the door for work. Visit http://www.twitter.com/ and search on “townofashland.”

Today, the crepe myrtles are heavy with their white, pink, and purple blossoms. If you look upward, there are big fluffy clouds in a beautiful blue sky. I would advise you to find a hammock. Call or email with your Ashland news: ashlandnews@gmail.com, 310-5320. Have a lazy week!

6/16/11 Farmers Market, Mightly Barracudas, Summer Camps

The Ashland Farmers Market is bursting at the seams with fresh, local produce these days! You can find everything you need for your kitchen from the vegetables and meats, to home-baked bread, and flowers to decorate. Stop by every Saturday morning from 9am until noon.

Congratulations to the mighty Ashland Barracudas who won their first swim meet against the Milestone Makos by over 500 points! It looks like those Barracudas are on their way to a third undefeated season, and while they do have some amazing swimmers, there are a ton of volunteers who make sure those meets run smoothly.

The Hanover Arts and Activities Center still has room in their summer Theater camp for rising 1^st through 8^th graders. If you’ve ever seen any theater or musical production that has been produced through the Center, then you know how amazing this camp will be! The camp runs July 5^th through July 21^st from 12:30 to 2:45pm. Register now online at http://www.hanoverarts.org/, or in person at the Center, 500 South Center St.

The Center will also be offering Improvisation classes for teens on July 6, 7, 13, and 14 from 3-5pm at the Center. The cost is $10 per session, and you can sign up for all or individual dates. Please call Faith Boyle if your teenager would like to attend: 798-2728.

If you didn’t get a copy of that Ashland Variety Show and would like to see some of that amazing talent again, please give the Center a call, 798-2728. I can tell you that those DVDs are providing hours of entertainment at our house!

Happy Belated birthday to Oliver Mudd who turned 5 recently!

Congratulations to all of the local kids who graduated from high school! Maggie Chambers, Kevin Cook, and Jimmy Foley will be leaving town shortly to begin their great adventure.

Enjoy this warm, humid weather. I heard a cicada the other day; there is hardly another sound which is more “summer” to me, except maybe the slam of a screen door or the hum of a fan in a window. Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great weekend!

6/9/11 Graduations, Theater & Improv Camp, Variety Show DVDs

Congratulations to all the kids who are graduating this June: from pre-school to high school, the finishing of a year and looking forward to a fresh start in September is always a satisfying feeling. Can there be anything better than the whole summer stretching out before you? I hope that the Ashland kids get the chance to be lazy & ride their bikes around town. Give them good memories to talk about when they’re all grown up.

The Hanover Arts and Activities Center still has room in their summer Theater camp for rising 1^st through 8^th graders. If you’ve ever seen any theater or musical production that has been produced through the Center, then you know how amazing this camp will be! The camp runs July 5^th through July 21^st from 12:30 to 2:45pm. Register now online at http://www.hanoverarts.org/, or in person at the Center, 500 South Center St.

The Center will also be offering Improvisation classes for teens on July 6, 7, 13, and 14 from 3-5pm at the Center. The cost is $10 per session, and you can sign up for all or individual dates. Please call Faith Boyle if your teenager would like to attend: 798-2728.

A little bird told me that there are extra videos of the recent Ashland Musical Variety show. If you didn’t get a copy and would like to see some of that amazing talent again, please give the Center a call, 798-2728. I can tell you that those DVDs are providing hours of entertainment at our house!

There is a wonderful exhibit right now at our very own Gallery 606 art gallery on England St. There are works on display from the Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association, and the gallery is open Monday through Friday from 11 to 5pm, and Saturdays from 11-4pm. Call 752-7126 for more information.

Wave to those buses one last time on Thursday! Thank those teachers that have worked so hard with our local children, and then get to your summer. I know you’re tired of me telling you to be lazy- I say it because I want it so much for myself. Plan a cook-out. Smile at a beautiful Daisy. Happy Summer! Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com.

6/2/11 Start of Summer, Library Events, New Farmer's Market Location

I know that this heat feels unbearable sometimes, but it’s this time of year that we have to remind ourselves to switch into that summer gear; slow down, dress lighter, and care less about the sweat rolling down your back. We should all be as lazy as is possible without losing your job, and spend ridiculous amounts of time sitting by the Ashland pool.

There are some birthday girls to congratulate this week: Katelynn Brown turned 10 on June 8th and JoAnn Hunter turned 18 on the 9th! We hope that they both had a wonderful day and got lots of presents.

There are lots of events going on at your friendly, neighborhood library, from Teen Movie Night, to Computer Classes, to a Teddy Bear Beach Party! Stop by the library for more information or visit their website: http://www.pamunkeylibrary.org/.

The Bluemont Concerts will return to the lawn of the Arts and Activities Center this summer, so block off each Sunday in August on your calendar! This event is completely run by volunteers, so if you’d like to lend a hand, please call 798-2728.

The Ashland Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning in their new spot behind Town Hall from 9am to noon. Come early to get the freshest vegetables, baked goods, and flowers.

Lunch on the Lawn is back every Wednesday through the end of this month. Bring your lunch and join your neighbors on the front lawn of Town Hall from noon to 1:30pm. This event is sponsored by the Ashland Main Street Association.

The Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association will exhibit new and recent works by its members at Gallery 606 on Thompson Street in Ashland from June 9^th through June 29^th. The opening reception will be this Friday, June 10^th, from 7-9pm. Please call 752-7126 for more information.

There are only a few more days left of school! Do you have kids graduating and leaving for college? Call or email with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great weekend!

5/26/11 Dr. Wilson, Father Chris, Goodbyes

I think there were a lot of people who let out a collective sigh of relief when the Hanover County School Board announced that the new superintendent will be Dr. Jamelle Wilson. How fortunate we are to have a new leader who has been a part of our school system and who understands our county, our schools, and the dreams that our parents have for their children. Congratulations to Dr. Wilson!

Happy birthday wishes to Corinna Cline who turns 11 this Friday!

Happy Anniversary to Father Chris at St. Ann’s Catholic Church who recently celebrated 35 years of being a priest. He embodies everything that a religious leader should be- someone who is tolerant, patient, and supportive. If you see him on one of his daily walks around town, please wish him well.

It is so hard to lose a good dog, no matter how old they are, and our hearts go out to the Brown family who had to say goodbye to their sweet puppy Cody. He was 16, and spent a wonderful life here in Ashland.

The Ashland Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday (9 to noon) from now until the fall in its new spot behind Town Hall. Stop by for your pick of the freshest vegetables, fruits, homemade goods, and gorgeous flowers for your home.

It has been a tough week in our house as we said goodbye to my aunt, Nancy Delano Moore who passed away on May 23rd, the same day that her father died 26 years ago. My Aunt Nancy was a wonderful story-teller, and I remember best the stories that she would tell on herself. She was a picky eater, and when she was 6, she ate only crab-meat and drank Coca-Colas for an entire summer. She’ll be buried this Friday in a beautiful cemetery in Westmoreland County, and we will miss her very much.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@hcps.us . Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

5/19/11 50 Milers, Learn to Shag, Farmer's Market

If you could have any view from your bedroom window, what would it be? I was asked this question recently and I had to think about it. The ocean? The Eiffel Tower? The train tracks of Ashland? If I close my eyes, all I can see are the green fields of Westmoreland County.

My hat is off to two COTU runners who travelled all the was to the Florida Keys to run in a 50 mile race from Marathon Key to Key West! Dave Klisz and Rodney Bardwell both finished the race with hardly any injuries other than some ugly blisters. The determination and dedication that they use in their race training is evident in other parts of their lives; Randolph-Macon and the Hanover County Sheriff’s office are lucky to have them.

And let us not forget the support team that enabled them to finish this race! Monica Klisz and Tamra Bardwell were following close behind in a car full of food, band-aids, and ice to help them get through the 50 miles. Obviously Dave and Rodney are very lucky to have such supportive family.

Summer is truly upon us, because it’s time to dance! The first Street Party of the 2011 season will be Sunday, May 22^nd behind the library. We’re starting the season off right this year with a Shag Festival! Come early for free shag lessons at the Library at 3pm, and then stay to dance the night away. This will really be a fun evening. Visit http://www.ashlandstreetparties.org/ for more information.

This Saturday, May 21^th, come see “The Natural” starring a beautiful, young Robert Redford and Glenn Close at the Ashland Firehouse Theater. Tickets are $6 and the show starts at 7:45 pm- perfect timing for dinner and a movie.

Congratulations to all the Randolph-Macon graduates! I hope that you’ve come to think of Ashland as a home for the time that you’ve spent here. The summers are always quiet without you.

The Ashland Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday (9 to noon) from now until the fall in its new spot behind Town Hall. Stop by for your pick of the freshest vegetables, fruits, homemade goods, and gorgeous flowers for your home.

Happy Birthday to Bryan Cline who celebrated this past weekend!

What would you want to see out of your bedroom window? Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@hcps.us.

5/12/11 Bike Tours, Street Party, Afternoon Tea

Last weekend, some of our COTU girls travelled all the way to New York City to ride in the Five Boroughs Bike Race. Monica Klisz, Tana Garcia, & Laura Boone rode their bikes past the Empire State Building, over the Brooklyn Bridge, through Harlem and past the Statue of Liberty. What a fun way to see the Big Apple! We’ve heard that they all had a marvelous time, and no one crashed- which is surely what I would have done.

To prove that you really never need to leave Ashland, we held our own bike tour in Ashland recently- the Annual Klunker Kruise. Not to be out-done by NYC, our bikers visited such landmarks as Randolph-Macon College, Henry Clay Elementary School, the Ashland Library, and the Station Café. Look for this fun ride again next year- it’s free and open to all!

Summer is truly upon us, because it’s time to dance! The first Street Party of the 2011 season will be Saturday, May 22^nd behind the library. We’re starting the season off right this year with a Shag Festival! Come early for free shag lessons at the Library at 3pm, and then stay to dance the night away. This will really be a fun evening. Visit http://www.ashlandstreetparties.org/ for more information.

This Saturday, May 14^th, come see “Something’s Gotta Give” starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton at the Ashland Firehouse Theater. Tickets are $6 and the show starts at 7:45 pm- perfect timing for dinner and a movie!

There are still tickets available for the 4^th Annual Afternoon Tea to benefit Hillard House at the Arts and Activities Center on Sunday, May 15^th at 1pm & 4pm. The theme for this year is “All Weddings Are Royal” and models will be wearing wedding gowns from the 1880’s to modern day. These tickets sell out every year, so get yours early! Visit http://www.hillardhouse.org/ or call 798-9131 to purchase.

The Ashland Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday (9 to noon) from now until the fall in its new spot behind Town Hall. Stop by for your pick of the freshest vegetables, fruits, homemade goods, and gorgeous flowers for your home.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@hcps.us . It’s a beautiful time of year to live in the Center of the Universe; take a walk and smell those roses!