3/22/12 Railroad Run, Scotchtown, Firehouse Movie, Tickles & Giggles

Everywhere I look there are people out on the sidewalks of Ashland enjoying the nice weather and the flowers that are popping up everywhere. The Ashland Railroad Run is late this year on Saturday, April 21st, so you have plenty of time to train (pun intended). Stop by the Arts and Activities Center for a registration form or download one at www.hanoverarts.org.

This Sunday, March 25, Patrick Henry's Scotchtown will have a special event to celebrate the 237th Anniversary of Patrick Henry's famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech. Actor Mark Wilcox will share those words as Patrick Henry, the Voice of the Revolution for this event at Scotchtown. The speech will be presented at 2 PM, 3 PM and 4 PM. For additional information please call 227-3500.

The Ashland Firehouse Theater has a big, beautiful movie for you this weekend: The “King and I”, starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. This is one of my favorite movies and it is just bursting with Technicolor! The movie will start at 7:30 and tickets are free! Popcorn, snacks, and drinks are available for purchase.

There’s a great opportunity this weekend to find inexpensive, quality children’s clothes. The Tickles and Giggles Children’s Consignment Spring sale in will be held this weekend (March 24-25) in the Presidential Business Park on Hill Carter Parkway. A portion of the proceeds are donated to Hanover Safe Place. Visit their website, www.ticklesandgiggles.net for more information.

If you know someone who is interested in learning some computer skills, tell them about the Learning Microsoft Word Class at the Ashland Branch Library at 6:30 p.m. today, March 22nd. This class will let you get a handle on the basics and commonly-used features in Word. Basic computer skills are preferred. Call 798-4072 to sign up for the class.

I did it; I made the switch. I took all those dull winter clothes and packed them up. It was almost like Christmas to find all my spring clothes and to hang them up on hangers. How lovely to have some pink to wear now instead of dark, cold weather colors!

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

3/15/12 Cross Brothers' Birthday, Scotchtown Events, Firehouse Movie

We are on the brink of spring around here. By the time you read this, the Redbud trees may be blooming along with the Bradford Pears. Before long, that lovely pale green will start to spread among our trees and the sound of lawn mowers will fill the air.

These pretty weekends are a perfect time to do your shopping close to home. Stop by some of the wonderful stores in town, both old and new: Ashland Feed Store, Cross Brothers, Thrill of the Hunt, and the Tobacco Trading Center.

Speaking of Cross Brothers, did you know that they will celebrate their 100th anniversary this year? Stay tuned for opportunities to celebrate that incredible achievement!

On March 25, Patrick Henry's Scotchtown will have a special event to celebrate the 237th Anniversary of Patrick Henry's famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech. Actor Mark Wilcox will share those words as Patrick Henry, the Voice of the Revolution for this event at Scotchtown. The speech will be presented at 2 PM, 3 PM and 4 PM. For additional information please call 227-3500.

This Saturday night, the Ashland Firehouse Theater will give you a comedy from the Emerald Isle. “Waking Ned Divine” will be shown at 7:30 and tickets are free! Popcorn, snacks, and drinks are available for purchase.

This Thursday evening, come to the Ashland Library and meet Elizabeth Van Lew at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Van Lew, a Richmond resident who built and operated an extensive U.S. spy ring during the Civil War, will be interviewed in the library. Meet the area’s most notorious spy in person! Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Ashland Library.

Next Wednesday, March 21st the Ashland Library will host a Microsoft Word Class at 6:30 p.m. This is a class to help you understand the basics and commonly-used features of Word. Basic computer skills are preferred. You must call 798-4072 to sign up for the class.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. I hope your Ides of March is a good day!

3/8/12 Library Fun, ET Returns, Spring Soccer Sign-Ups

By all accounts, the Raise-the-Roof evening at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center was a huge success! Money was raised to help with much needed repairs, and shoes were worn out from dancing. I do have to mention Sara Holloway who headed the decoration committee. Who knew that a construction-themed party would be so cool?

Our best wishes are with Dave Klisz this weekend as he participates in the Outer Banks’ “Graveyard 100K Race” this weekend. That’s right; that’s not a typo. We are continually amazed at how far his feet will take him!

Happy birthday to two March babies: Tamra Bardwell and Tracy Brown! We hope that they both got lots of presents and birthday cake.

On Thursday, March 8th, the Ashland Library will be celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday with a special story time. The event is at 6 p.m., open to kids of all ages, and will feature guest readers from Henry Clay & Gandy Elementary Schools. Come dressed as your favorite Seuss character!

Send your teenager to the Ashland Library the very next day, Friday, March 9th, for YouTube Video Sharing at 6:00 p.m. Share your favorite YouTube videos and find more from your friends. Pizza provided by the Friends of the Ashland Library.

There’s a fun, free movie this Saturday night at the Ashland Firehouse Theater! “ET” will be shown at 7:30 and, as always, admission is free. Popcorn and snacks are available.

We think its fun that there will be a “Center of the Universe Brewing Company” opening soon. They picked a great name, and I will be sure to think of them when I need interesting Christmas presents this year.

The soccer fields at Poor Farm Park will be open soon, and I highly recommend signing your child up for the Ashland Youth Soccer League. Registration is available online at www.aysl.org.

By the time you read this, I think the weather will have warmed up. I have to say that this winter greatly disappointed me and I am moving on. Spring is my new focus, and my garden is calling my name. Stop by the Ashland Feed Store for wonderful cool crops to plant now in your garden. The earlier you put in peas, the sweeter they will be.

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

3/1/12 Raise the Roof, Birthdays, Singing Methodists, Firehouse Movie

Where are your dancing shoes? Go home this afternoon and find them, and then go get your ticket to the biggest party of the weekend: The Raise-the-Roof Celebration at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. I think that these are tickets still available, but you should call the Center as soon as you can to make sure: 798-2728.

It’s really hard to believe that Jackson Proffitt turned 18 last week! I know that his family had a wonderful time celebrating with him.

And speaking of birthdays, we have two Toms blowing out candles this week: Thomas Voekler and Thomas Grant. Many happy returns to them both!

It’s become customary for children to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss, in March, by reading his wonderful books. On Thursday, March 8th, the Ashland Library will be celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday with a special story time. The event is at 6 p.m., open to kids of all ages, and will feature guest readers from Henry Clay & Gandy Elementary Schools. Come dressed as your favorite Seuss character!
Congratulations to all the kids who put on a fabulous show at Duncan Memorial this past weekend! We heard that “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was spectacular, and we’d expect nothing less from these talented COTU kids.

Your Ashland Firehouse Theater is open for the spring with a wonderful line-up of free movies! This Saturday, March 3rd, “Born Yesterday” will be shown at 7:30pm. This film was nominated for four Academy Awards, and the star, Judy Holliday, won an Oscar for Best Actress. I think you’ll find this comedy timely today, as it shows you the art of political lobbying.

The weather has really been beautiful lately! We’re fortunate to have lots of great out-door spaces near Ashland. The Pufferbelly Park playground should be installed soon, and Poor Farm Park is always a beautiful place to spend an afternoon.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. See you Saturday night at Raise-the-Roof!

2/23/12 Circus Train, COTU Dogs, Raise the Roof at the Center

I am yawning this morning while I write this because I tried to stay up to watch the Circus Train roll through town last night. We had hoped that we’d see elephants waving their trunks at us, but we just couldn’t stay up until 11:30. Apparently it took longer to turn the train around in Burkeville then they thought it would. But, there’s always next year!



Dolly, the Greyhound- who-loves-to-be-read-to, returns to the Ashland Library, this Saturday, February 25th. Stop by the Library to sign up for a time slot for your child to read to Dolly. This event is sponsored by Paws-To-Read, a non-profit group that encourages kids in their reading by using their well-trained dogs.



Speaking of dogs, we have heard that Father Chris Haydinger, priest at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, has a very special beagle at his house. So special, in fact, that he was awarded a medal at the recent Westminster Dog Show in New York City.



Hurry up and get your tickets for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” which will be performed at Duncan Memorial Church on February 25th, 25th, and 26th. Tickets are $5 per person with children 6 and under free. Proceeds support Duncan youth mission projects, retreats, and special programs. For more information, call 798-7224.

Do you know what you’re wearing to the “Raise the Roof” celebration? This fundraiser will be held at the Center on Saturday, March 3, 2012, from 7:30 – 11:00 PM. You can find tickets at The Center and at Cross Brothers Grocery. Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple and include heavy hors d’oeuvres, dancing to your party favorites and a night of fun. All proceeds will benefit their roof repair fund. For more information, visit www.hanoverarts.org or call 804.798.2728 or email info@hanoverarts.org.

And if you see Rodney Bardwell next week, wish him a happy birthday! He’ll turn 52 on February 27th.

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

2/16/2012 Valentine Town, Feeding the Elephants, Catholics Gambling

 

Hey sweet town, hope you had a good Valentines Day!  There are all kinds of fun things on the horizon, so read carefully.

Councilman Jim Foley told me that the new playground for Pufferbelly Park is scheduled to be installed in April, just in time for warmer weather!  We can’t wait to see it.

There are so many business renovations springing up around town.  We’ve heard wonderful things about the big renovations at Luck Chevrolet, and we love the work that Chopper Dawson & Becky McKown have done to the old shop on Center Street.  It makes the empty Ashland Theater & the broken windows on England Street that much more apparent. 

The circus has arrived in Richmond, and if you’re planning on going, you can take pride in knowing that our Ashland Feed Store is supplying the food for the elephants!  Ringling Brothers called Danny & said they needed “Elephant chow.” Isn’t that a great request?

The St. Ann’s Casino Night is this Saturday, February 18^th .  Tickets are $20 per person, and that includes dinner and some chips to start off your evening.  There are always lots of wonderful things up for auction: trips, club memberships, spa trips, etc.  A good time is always had by all. 

Dolly, the Greyhound- who-loves-to-be-read-to, returns to the Ashland Library on Saturday, February 25^th.  Stop by the Library to sign up for a time slot for your child to read to Dolly.  We all know that dogs can be wonderful listeners.

Happy Birthday to Sam Voekler of Elmont and Zachary Rutherford of Montpelier who both celebrated this past weekend!

Hurry up and get your tickets for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” which will be performed at Duncan Memorial Church on February 25^th, 25^th, and 26^th. Tickets are $5 per person with children 6 and under free.  Proceeds support Duncan youth mission projects, retreats, and special programs.  For more information, call 798-7224. 

Plan on being at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center this Saturday, February 18^th for the first event in a three-part series for Black History Month. “Black History in Story, Film and Dance” will feature nationally-known storyteller Dylan Pritchett. These are free events, but donations are appreciated. Look for details about the other events to come on March 16 at the Firehouse Theater and May 6 at the Center.

And a big birthday kiss to our town as Ashland celebrates its 154 ^th year this Sunday, February 19^th!  Show your town some affection by walking her sidewalks and shopping in her stores.

I told you there was a lot going on!  Call or email me if I have missed something: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com.  Have a wonderful weekend, fingers crossed for snow!

2/9/2012 Playground still Missing, Police Chief Plunges, Window Dressings

 

For Publication February 9

Oh, it’s almost Valentines Day Ashland- let’s show the love!  I would like to see mailboxes full of red hearts and pink candies. 

Happy belated birthday to some winter babies! Monica Klisz, Allan Funk, Jen Chambers all blew out some candles recently.

The first event in the three-part series for Black History Month will be held Saturday, February 18^th at 2pm at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. “Black History in Story, Film and Dance” will feature nationally-known storyteller Dylan Pritchett. These are free events, but donations are appreciated. Look for details about the other events to come on March 16 at the Firehouse Theater and May 6 at the Center.

Congratulations to Ashland Police Chief Doug Goodman for participating in the Polar Plunge in Virginia Beach this past weekend!  Chief Goodman went for a swim in the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for Virginia Special Olympics.  Even though it’s been a warm winter, I bet that water was still bone-chilling.

I’d just like to thank Nursing Companion Extraordinaire for their nice window display on England Street.  It reminds me of the big Miller & Rhodes’ and Thalhimers’ windows that you used to see downtown.  Their window right now is called, “Nursing Then,” and it shows all the old equipment that nurses used.  I am expecting a “Nursing Now” window to appear shortly.  Stop by and take a look if you can!

There are two fun events coming up in Ashland.  The first is the St. Ann’s Casino night on Saturday, February 18^th at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Snead St.  This party is famous for its wonderful auction items and dinner!  Tickets will be available at the door or by calling the church office: 798-5039.

The second event is the “Raise the Roof” celebration and fundraiser at the Center on Saturday, March 3, 2012, from 7:30 – 11:00 PM.  A limited number of tickets will be available, going on sale beginning Monday, February 6, 2012 at The Center and at Cross Brothers Grocery.  Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple and include heavy hors d’oeuvres, dancing to your party favorites and a night of fun. All proceeds will benefit their roof-replacement fund. For more information, visit www.hanoverarts.org or call 804.798.2728 or email info@hanoverarts.org.

Mark your calendar for the weekend of February 24^th as the Youth Group presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”  Tickets will be $5 with children 6 and under, free.  Proceeds support Duncan youth mission projects, retreats, and special programs.  For more information, call 798-7224. 

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