7/13/07 Faster than a Speeding Train, Apple Pie Winners, Hypnotic Snow Cones

As I was walking up Center St. the other morning, an Amtrak train traveling north passed me, and as it did, one of those portable speed-detecting machines from the Ashland Police Department clocked the train at 34 miles per hour. While that’s under the train’s in-town speed limit of 35 mph, it made me wonder why the speed limit for cars on Center, traveling 10 feet away from the tracks, is 25 mph. Shouldn’t the trains go as slow as the cars?

Congratulations to all the contestants in the Hanover Arts and Activity Center’s Apple Pie Contest on the 4th of July! They deserve a lot of praise for all the effort and time they spent; our judges had a hard time making a decision. First place went to Judy Johnson; Second place to Marilyn Coleman; Third place to Sean and Maggie Hartigan; Most Imaginative to Jen Chambers; Most Decorative to Jim & Nancy Donlon; and Most Patriotic went to Hailey and Cassidy McGrain.

The second Ashland Street Party of the summer is Saturday, July 21 from 5 to 10:30 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Ashland Library. Music will be provided by Premiere, with a Best Barbeque in the Universe Contest and sidewalk sales beginning at noon. Visit http://www.ashlandstreetparties.com/ for more information.

The first Bluemont Concert of the summer will be Sunday, July 29 beginning at 7 p.m. on the front lawn of the Arts and Activities Center (500 S. Center St.). The Mary Ann Redmond Band, a rhythm and blues band that has won 15 Washington Area Music Association Awards, will be performing that evening. Tickets will be available on the evening of the performance and are $5. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic dinner (and maybe some bug spray). These concerts are wonderful and we’re really lucky to have them here in Ashland. Go to http://www.bluemont.org/ for more information.

Tonight is Teen Movie Night at the Ashland Library beginning at 6 p.m. Drink and pizza will be served. Bring your little kids on Friday, July 10th, to meet Mother Moose at the Library at 3 p.m. for her own special kind of story-telling.

On July 4th, I overheard a little girl talking to her sister who had just won a hula-hoop contest at the Arts and Activities Center. The younger sister said: “I helped you win- I hypnotized her with my snow cone!” Don’t you wish that was your summer? Let me know if you have any summer stories to share. Email me at ashlandnews@gmail.com, or ring me at 804-310-5320. Have a great week!

7/6/07 Missing the Ashland Theater, Second Street Party, Sidewalks of Town

The summer seems to be a fine one so far. The only thing missing is movies at our lovely old Ashland Theater. We had such a great time there- knowing almost everyone in the house, singing the National Anthem at the beginning of the Film Series shows, and the routine clapping at the end of the picture. Our girls saw the Wizard of Oz there, and I have a perfect picture in my mind of Jenny Donahue, sitting between Daphne Gilmore and Amanda Schloss, turning around in her seat to her father and saying: “I need three Hershey Bars, Daddy.” Steve Donahue didn’t miss a beat- he got up and went for that chocolate on command. I hope those girls remember that night, and I hope that someday we’ll be in that place again.

Mark your calendars for the second Ashland Street Party on Saturday, July 21 from 5:00 to 10:30 p.m. in its usual spot behind the Ashland Library. This is always a nice evening, and you’ll get to see all the progress being made on the Plaza in front of the library.

The Ashland Barracudas Swim Team suffered their first loss of the season by less than one hundred points to Chestnut Oaks Recreation Association this past week. It was a long meet, one made longer by a thunder delay, but an exciting one nonetheless. Lui Mallory, Elisa Worrell, Curran Henry, Will Mallory, and Marcus Maphis all broke team records.
The Barracudas will be losing a good friend when Kara LeFever completes her final season. Kara will be going off to Radford in the fall, and her father, Ron, has been an extraordinary volunteer from the beginning in 1994. Ron was a past recipient of the Ron DesRoches Award in appreciation of service to the team and has served in many positions on the board of the Greater Richmond Aquatic League. Many thanks to Ron & Julie LeFever for all the years that they’ve supported the Barracudas!

Friday, July 13th is Teen Movie night at the Ashland Library, beginning at 6pm with pizza and drinks provided. Call the library at 798-4072 for more information. If your kids are a bit young for that, stop by Tuesday, July 10 at 4 p.m. for the Rainbow Puppet performance of “From the Sea to the Sky”- the story of a nation that struggled to find freedom and opportunity for all people.

The Ashland Farmer’s Market is looking for musical groups to perform on Saturday mornings while the market is open. Call Josh at Town Hall if you’re interested- 798-9219.

I hope you all have a beautiful week and that you find the time to take a walk around town. With most of the Randolph-Macon students gone, it’s a great opportunity to stroll around the campus. The town has done a lot of work on the sidewalks, so there are lots of safe places to walk. It’s a lovely time of year to see our town and to say hello to your neighbors. Let me know if you hear of anyone who deserves to be recognized for their contribution to our community. There are so many special people around here who go unnoticed in their daily efforts to make the world a better place. My phone number is 310-5320, and my email is ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week!

6/29/07 Booth Homecoming, Henry Clay PTA, July 4th

It might seem like this column is all about the Hanover Arts and Activities Center, but there really is hardly a better way to spend your Fourth of July. The Center is a non-profit community group that occupies the original First Baptist Church building on S. Center St. in the heart of town. Used as a hospital during the Civil War, today the Center raises money by renting out its space for receptions and gatherings. Some of the monies raised are used to sponsor the many wonderful activities throughout the year. The Ashland Variety Show, The Victorian Christmas House Tour, The Ashland Railroad Run, The Bluemont Concert Series, and the Fourth of July Celebration are just a few of the community events that make Ashland such a grand place to live.

If you see lights on in the Booth house until the wee hours of the morning this coming week, don’t be alarmed. Mike and Phyllis will have a full house with daughter Jessica and her husband, Major Chris Bergstol, USAF, home after a year in Korea. Jessica has spent time there studying voice at the University of Seoul and taking care of Henry, 7, and Ella Grace, 3. The Bergstol’s will be in Ashland for a little while before moving to Idaho where Chris will be taking a command position at Mt. Home Air Force base. Many thanks to Maj. Bergstol for the fine job he has done serving his country.

Also home this week is Emily Booth who just completed her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at the University of Delaware. Emily will also be here for just a short time before she leaves for a professorship at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. Thank goodness Phyllis has her son Ross and his wife Kristen living next door! The news there is that a baby boy will be joining the Booth clan this fall.

Congratulations and thanks to the 2007-2008 newly elected PTA of Henry Clay Elementary: Rosemargaret Maier (Pres), Jen Layne (V.P. Membership), Susan Spence and Tracey Brown (V.P. Fundraising), Candace Mraz (Treas.), and Sarah Datovech (Sec.). An extra special cheer to Rosemargaret for being nominated as one of Hanover County’s 2007 Outstanding Volunteers.

The place to be on the Fourth of July is right in the middle of the Center of the Universe at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. The Non-motorized parade will begin at 11 am at Henry Clay and Railroad Ave, and make its way down the tracks to the front lawn of the Center. Listen to the amazing vocal talents of the Croquet Brigade, the fine synchronized movements of the Lawn Chair Brigade, and the graceful steps of the Basset Hound Brigade. Dress up in your finest red, white, and blue and join the parade if you feel inspired- line up by 10:30 am in the grassy area at Henry Clay and Railroad.

There’s still time to work on your apple pie recipe! Bring your home-made pie to the Arts and Activities Center between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. for judging at 9:30. Awards will be given to the most patriotic, most imaginative use of ingredients, best presentation, and overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Pies will be auctioned off at noon with the proceeds benefiting the Arts and Activities Center.

The Friends of the Ashland Library will be having their annual book sale beginning at 9:00 am inside the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. If you have some books to donate to the sale, bring them to the Library before July 3rd. You might want to bring a wagon with you to carry home all the books that you’ll find to replace the ones you’ve donated.

So I hope to see you at 500 South Center Street this Wednesday. I’ll be there bright and early to check in the apple pies. Bring lunch and plan to picnic the day away. There will be games for the kids, food, and sweet music from the Hanover Concert Band. Bring me your news for next week if you think of it, and have a wonderful (& safe) Fourth of July! Email ashlandnews@gmail.com or call (804) 310-5320.

6/15/07 Fountains, Snakes, Book Sale, Black Belts

Summer is here, school is out, and the pool is open everyday! I’m sure that it will go as quickly by as other summers. Open days without schedules seem to devour the hours, and before we know it September will be here. Lightening bugs are out at night and it’s hard to get the children to bed before 9 o’clock.

Blue skies prevailed for another beautiful Strawberry Faire. All those wonderful trees at Randolph Macon help make it such a shady event. How about all those kiddies swimming in the fountain? They look like future Randolph-Macon professors to me!

Congratulations to Josh Sanders who received his black belt at Old Dominion Martial Arts here in town! Josh has been training with Master Oliver there since he was 4 years old, and has absolutely loved the program. His mom, Tish, says that Old Dominion teaches their students great self-discipline and confidence.

I’ve got an easy way to support your local Ashland Library. Clean out your bookshelves and take all those books that you haven’t read in ages over to the Library now before July 2 for the 4th of July Book Sale. This great sale takes place inside the Hanover Arts and Activities Center on July 4th while all the celebrations are taking place on the front lawn. It’s really a wonderful sale, but you’ll want to get there early. Add to your children’s bookshelf. Find some good books to read this summer! You never know what treasures you’ll find for fifty cents. The sale goes from 9am to 2pm.

There’s a great new shop right by the Ashland Library. Check out Lady Grey’s selection of new and antique home furnishings if you’re over that way.

Now that the hot weather is here, you don’t have to live in the country to have some snakes in your yard. Please watch where you put your hands and feet, especially in any of the parks or walking trails around town. I’ve heard reports of copperheads, black snakes, and garter snakes from neighbors and friends in Ashland.

Town Council will meet this Tuesday, June 19th at 7pm in Council chambers at Town Hall. On June 5th, Town Council voted to defer making a decision on the Lowes rezoning until their next meeting. Many people are opposed to a Lowes building on the property behind Slash Cottage for several reasons, but the main one seems to be that the building is large for a relatively small piece of land. Residents of Slash Cottage are also concerned about the noise from daily operations, and added traffic to the intersection of Rt. 1 and Ashcake Rd. If you’ve got concerns or questions, please contact your town council members. You can go to the town website: www.town.ashland.va.us, or call 804- 798-9219.

Come out to the Ashland Skate Park on Saturday, June 23rd at 10am, for a Skating Competition sponsored by the Ashland Police Department and Dominion Skateboard. Categories include Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Best Trick Competition. This event is limited to 20 participants per division, and you should arrive at the park by 9:30 am. Helmets are required. Call the Ashland Police Department, 804-798-1227, for more information.

As the haze rises in the morning, announcing another humid Virginia day, I hope that you all will appreciate having your own personal sauna and enjoy the summer! Call or email me with your news and special events. Do you know of a non-profit that needs some help or is having a fundraiser? Call me at 804-310-5320 or email ashlandnews@gmail.com Have a great weekend!

6/8/07 End of School, Summer Camp, Train Whistles

Does anyone in your home know how many days are left of school? In our house, there are some children who can tell you almost the exact number of hours of instructional time left before the end of the school year. I have mixed feelings about it. At the end of my oldest daughter’s first year at Henry Clay, we stood and watched as all the teachers came out to wave good bye to the buses. I found myself getting choked up thinking about the bitter-sweet end of the school year. Even with the expanse of summer laid out ahead, saying goodbye is tough, especially when it’s goodbye to teachers who care so much about our kids. I’d like to say thank you to the teachers and staff of Henry Clay, Gandy, Liberty, and Patrick Henry, for another year- well done.

Everyone must know by now that The Strawberry Faire is tomorrow-Saturday, June 9, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Randolph Macon College. I promise you that you will not be disappointed if you take the time to stroll down Henry Street. Not only will you see neighbors and friends, but you’ll certainly find something that you need. Strawberries are actually packed with vitamins, fiber, folic acid, and calcium…so, I think that means that strawberry shortcake is healthy don’t you?


Summer Story Time at the Ashland Library begins this week on June 11 and goes until August 14. Mondays have Mother Goose story time at 10a.m., and Family (all ages) at 10:45. On Tuesdays there’s Toddler story time at 10 a.m. and pre-school at 10:30. The cool library is a great place to spend some time in the summer. Don’t forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Program while you’re there.

Also at the Ashland Library on Thursday June 14 at 7:00 p.m., Ms. Wisteria Perry with the Pamplin Historic Center will talk about the connection between quilts and the Underground Railroad, and the impact they had on African-American history. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Library. Refreshments will be served.

Come out and have Lunch on the Lawn in front of the Hanover Arts and Activities Center every Wednesday around lunchtime. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs, enjoy the shade and watch the trains go by on those brand new rails.

As thoughts these days turn to summer activities, consider the Children’s Musical Theatre Camp at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. This camp is for rising 3rd though rising 9th graders and will take place Mon- Thurs from July 15th to August 16th from 3-5 p.m. The talented Lorie Foley is the camp director, and the young actors will stage a production of the “Pale Pink Dragon” at the end of camp. Incidentally, the “Pale Pink Dragon” was the first play that Lorie ever performed in, so this production must have the power to inspire talent and encourage the creative spirit. Registration forms and information are available at www.hanoverarts.com.

Delegate Frank Hargrove and Jon Hatfield, Executive Director of the VA War Memorial Foundation gave an excellent presentation at the Ashland Library on May 24. The video on the battles of Okinawa gave first person accounts from veterans, who spoke about how they felt going into the battle and their experiences. We can only continue to learn from those who have lived before us. The stories of veterans all around us are so important to hear.

The Ashland Planning Commission meets on Wed., June 13th, at 7pm in the Council Chambers at Town Hall.

Certainly Ashland is centered on the train tracks that run through town. Our town is frequently divided by the rumble of a freight train, or the slow swish of Amtrak. One of the sweetest sounds that I’ve ever heard is the whistles of two approaching trains. They can sound as if the trains are speaking, or singing to one another as they approach the town from different directions. Late at night it sounds like a lullaby to me, and reminds me of how fortunate I am to live here. Call or email me and share your stories of Ashland. Tell me about your wonderful neighbors, your fundraising events, or a new grandchild. 804-310-5320, or ashlandnews@gmail.com Have a wonderful week!

6/1/07 Memorial Day Silent March, Town Hall Staff, Strawberry Faire, Ashland Library, Relay for Life

I submitted this column late this week because I had to write about one of the best, but hardly known, ways to celebrate Memorial Day in Ashland. For the past four years, our family has attended the Silent March that is sponsored by the American Legion Ashland Post # 206. The procession from the Ashland Library down Hanover Ave. to Woodlawn Cemetery is a small but reverent group. This year they were joined by a Jr. ROTC Color Guard, Boy Scout Troop # 789 from Beaverdam, and a handful of dedicated followers. Under the shade of a giant white oak, the 155 names of Ashland and Hanover war dead were read, and the clear notes of a bugle playing taps (by Michael Voss) echoed across the quiet field. One of the Boy Scouts, Joe Mallory, heard a long gone cousin’s name read with the list of war dead from the Civil War. If you think about it, try and make a note to remember it for next year.

Cathy and Charles Waldrop hosted their annual Memorial Day picnic to the delight of many friends and families. Their yard is always a welcoming place to be where the desserts almost out-number the side dishes!

Join your friends and co-workers for “Lunch on the Lawn” every Wednesday during the summer. This event started May 30, but will run through August 29th. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful front lawn of the Hanover Arts and Activities Center, located at 500 South Center Street in town.

We are lucky to have such helpful and accommodating staff at Town Hall here in Ashland. The Ashland Pool opened this weekend, and everyone rushed to get their passes before the Treasurers Office closed. When faced with a line out the door at 4:30 on Friday afternoon, the staff patiently snapped pictures for pool passes and gave lollypops to tired kids. They were still laughing when the last folks left at 5:30. I hope they all had a relaxing weekend! The pool looks great, by the way, with lots of beautiful flowering hibiscuses.

Don’t forget, the Strawberry Faire is next weekend, June 9, from 10am to 5pm. It’s an event not to be missed. You can park at either Henry Clay or Gandy Elementary and catch the shuttle bus over to the streets around Randolph-Macon.

The Ashland Library is a cool place to go on a hot summer day. Summer Story Time at the runs from June 11 to August 14. Mondays have Mother Goose (6-24 months with an adult) story time at 10am, and Family (all ages) at 10:45. On Tuesdays there’s Toddler (2yr. olds) story time at 10am, and Pre-School (3-5 yr. olds) at 10:30

If your kids are a bit old for those story times, then send them over for Teen Movie Night on Friday, June 8th from 6-8pm at the Ashland Library. Pizza will be served.

The Summer Reading Program begins Saturday, June 9th, and is a great way to keep your kids, and you, reading through the summer. Prizes are awarded when participants reach their reading goals. Call the library at 798-4072 for more information on any of these events.

Here’s a last minute event, but a worthwhile cause: the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life takes place today, Friday June 1 beginning at 6pm and goes through the night to Saturday morning at 6am. Come out and donate or just support the walkers who will walk to remember or honor the victims of cancer.

Please let me know if you’ve got some news to share. There’s so much that make Ashland such a great place to live: babies, baptisms, church events, school news, scouting awards, everyday heroes, and remarkable tales. What’s the most remarkable thing you’ve seen in Ashland? You can reach me by phone: 804-310-5320,or email: ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great weekend.

5/25/07 RMC Bells, Street Party, Kate Melson, CRG Mtg., Soccer, RMC KA

This past Thursday, a few minutes before 2pm, I walked out into my back yard to here the bells at Randolph Macon playing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. Those bells have been a real joy to listen to since their installation almost a year ago. Not only do they sweetly chime the hours, but apparently they play popular favorites as well.

Mark you calendars early for the 25th Annual Strawberry Faire coming Sat. June 9th on the streets around Randolph-Macon from 10am to 5pm. It’s so nice to have those streets closed off to traffic and be able to stroll along with your wagon or the friends that you’ll need to help carry home all the good things to be found there: hanging baskets, flats of strawberries, hand-made crafts, antiques, and plenty of strawberry shortcake. Linger a while and listen to some great music and cheer on the contestants in the Little Miss and Mr. Strawberry.

From all the essays in the Ashland Library, you know that we’ve got some kids in our town who are involved citizens and who really care about this place. Here’s what Kate Melson, a second grader at Henry Clay Elementary has to say about Ashland: “What I like about Ashland is that I have the best town and everybody is nice. We have a great community. We get to bike ride and I walk my dog. Especially, I like my parents and my wonderful teacher, Miss Smith at Henry Clay. She is very nice and caring. I love Ashland very much! I'm so glad to be here.” We sure are glad that you’re here, Kate!

What a time we all had this past Saturday at the Street Party! We look forward to them every summer, and you couldn’t have asked for a better evening to be out under the stars. The weather was cool, like a California evening, and the waxing crescent moon paired up with the planet Venus for a stunning backdrop above the Library. The band, Alibi, was lively and talented, playing a wide variety of music from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Jimmy Buffet to Keith Urban. A surprising benefit from the work on the train track was that the trains crept through town and didn’t drown out the band. As usual, the dancing was slow to start. Maybe people wait for the sun to go down and shadows to fall, or to have a glass of wine before they try out the dance floor, but I am always impressed by the talent that is eventually displayed. Lee and Amanda Sloppy are an especially enjoyable pair to watch.

There was beer- poured by the Ashland Jaycees, wine from James River Cellars, food from the Smokey Pig, and ice cream from the Club Car. Tabitha Boothe painted faces for three hours as a representative of her beloved Ashland Community Preschool. Her children, Dalton, Lane, & Emily, enjoyed the fun and displayed wonderful patience as well. There were babies and kids everywhere, a moon bounce to help tire them out, balloons from TownHound.com, and a wonderful pot-bellied pig to giggle and point at. We had to leave around 9pm as our baby had fallen asleep, but we walked away smiling and laughing from such a great evening with good friends. What could be better? Mark your calendar for the next Street Party on July 21st, and check out the pictures on http://www.townhound.com/.

Wish A.C. Bruce a Happy Birthday if you see him this weekend!

On May 30th, at 7pm at Ashland Library, The Citizens for Responsible Growth will be holding an open meeting for all Ashlanders regarding the application from Lowe’s to build a home improvement store on Route 1 behind Slash Cottage. Mayor Faye Prichard will be in attendance. Whether you support Lowes or not, your opinion is important to the town and your voice should be heard.

There were some sad faces Sunday afternoon as the U6 division of the Ashland Youth Soccer wrapped up its final games on the beautiful fields of Poor Farm Park. It’s been a great spring season and the players of Bob Brown’s team were disappointed to hear that Bob will not be returning to coach in the fall. His daughter Madison was drafted by the Kicker’s Travel Soccer Team and won’t be returning to recreation soccer. They will both be missed by many.

Speaking of soccer, Henry Clay Elementary was the lucky recipient of two soccer goals from the Richmond Strikers Soccer Club. On hand to assemble the goals were Alan Abbot, Greg Calabrese, Mike Spence, Bryan Cline, Sharon Stiles, and Keith Hunter. Many thanks to these parent volunteers.

Randolph-Macon’s graduation is this Saturday, June 2nd. Ashland is a little quieter over the summer without the students, but we miss their energy and community involvement when they’re not here. A good example was the Kappa Alpha fraternity who spent much of a Saturday putting together the new playground equipment for St. Ann’s Catholic Church, under the guidance of parishioner Dave Kliz.

Thank you so much to everyone who has mentioned that they’ve read this column and enjoyed it! I’m having a great time putting it together and hopefully will improve as time goes by. We’ve got a wonderful town with lots of interesting people, so there’s no shortage of interesting stories and fun events. Let me know if you’ve got a graduate to brag about, a new baby to welcome, or a neighbor who makes this world a better place. You can reach me at 804-310-5320, or ashlandnews@gmail.com Have a great weekend!