5/13/10 Home Again, Home Again; Safe Routes Grant Success, Another Secret Shop

Hey Ashland, I missed you! Bavaria was beautiful, but you all weren't there. No one invited me to a party, or asked me to serve on a committee. No one asked me out to lunch, or called my name from across the street. It it good to know that you belong somewhere.

Summer is creeping up on us! Did you know that the first Street Party of 2010 is fast approaching? Get your ticket now to come and hear King Edward and the B.D.'s play lots of great dancing music this Saturday, May 15th at 6pm. Tickets are $5 in advance, and $10 at the door, and you can purchase your tickets at lots of places in town: Cross Brothers, The Caboose, Train Town, and Ace Hardware. Come and see the beautiful "Chalk Walk" pictures that will be displayed!

Congratulations to Shelly Adair (the Yowell Road Runner) who recently competed in the National Duathalon in Richmond and who qualified in her age group to compete in the World Duathalon Championship to be held in Scotland in September! Shelly is really excited about representing Team USA and Ashland- and we'll be excited to hear about her adventure.

The movie at the Firehouse Theater this weekend is an absolute classic: "Cassablanca" with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. There is nothing like seeing this on the big screen, and to make the evening really fun, there will be a 15 minute Charlie Chaplin short film: "Easy Street." Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for kids- see you at the movies!

Hapy belated birthday to our local maniac runner, Dave Klisz! Dave is planning on running a 50 mile race in June with Rodney Bardwell and Tom Grant. You know, an Ironman race is only running 26.2 miles, biking 112 miles, and then swimming 2.4 miles. Boys, don't you think you need one of those medals?

I've heard that there will be tons of wonderful fresh produce and baked goods at this Saturday's Farmer's Market! Come hear David McKenney serenade you as you fill your basket with asparagus, free-range eggs, warm muffins & scones, early tomatoes, and bouquets of flowers to grace you table. The market is open from 9 to noon, and is THE place to be on a Saturday morning.

Congratulations to Chris Holloway and all the people who helped with the Safe Routes to School Grant. The Town of Ashland has been awarded almost $50,000.00 for sidewalk construction and $1590 for crossing guard training! In a small town like this, the children should have the joy of walking to school and this is certainly a big step towards that. Well done!

And in case you were stumped two weeks ago, the Ashland business with the "good sense of humor" was The Station Cafe on the tracks downtown next to the library. Kellan and Rosie Morris quickly figured this out and won the $10 gift certificate! I hope they filled up on ice cream, or maybe an excellent hot dog. Stop by The Station Cafe anytime- don't wait for a presidential sighting!

To resume the contest this week, here is your clue: This business has food, medicine, and bedding for sale, and you can buy it, but the food is not for you to eat. The medicine might make you sick if you took it, and if you slept on the bedding, you'd wake up itchy. If you think you know what shop this is, run on over and say the secret word- "Doolittle." Good Luck!

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

5/6/10 Operator, I'd like to place a long distance call...

(Please note- I never saw this view. The clouds hid the mountains all week.)
I am writing this column from a hotel room on the shores of the Eibsee Lake in Grainau, Germany. We are down in the southern area of Bavaria with the Alps all around us. It's a really gorgeous area, very lovely with green pastures and flowers blooming everywhere. Travelling is fun, but by the time you read this, I will be ready to return to my COTU. Not only do I miss all my Ashlanders, but I'd love a big glass of ice water. When you ask for water, they bring you a tiny juice glass with mineral water. But that's my only complaint! The Germans are very friendly & kind, and the food is wonderful.

Happy Birthday to little Meriwether Gilmore, our sunshine, who will turn four on Saturday, May 8th!

The Firehouse movie theater has two great treats for us this Saturday. At 3pm, they'll show the classic "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" staring Gene Wilder. Tickets are $5 and 10% of the proceeds will go towards the Hanover Arts and Activities Center Children's Theater Camp, which will be producing their own Willy Wonka later in the summer!

Then later in the evening, we get to watch "Guys and Dolls" with Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando at 7:30pm. This is just a wonderful movie with great songs! My favorite is the one that says, "Sit down, you're rocking the boat!" Tickets for adults are $6, but are half-price for kids. This is really a great movie for kids- they'll love the singing and dancing.

The Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale will present two performances of its 2010 spring concert featuring Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Randall Thompson’s Frostiana: Seven Country Songs. The first performance will be Thursday, May 13, 7:00 pm, at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, in Ashland, and the second will be Sunday, May 16, 7:00 pm, at Grace Baptist Church, 4200 Dover Road, in Richmond. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students, and may be purchased in advance at Cross Brothers’ Grocery or from any Chorale member, and may also be purchased at the door prior to each performance. To reserve tickets, call 804-798-3283.
The Farmer's Market is open and running for the season every Saturday from 9 to noon behind Town Hall. Stop by for some wonderful local vegetables, lovely flowers, and beautiful native plants.

My deadline is too early to comment on the Town Council elections, but I hope that all of you town residents got out and voted!

I'll be a bit brief this week since it's kind of hard to report on Ashland News from the other side of the world; difficult but not impossible! Call or email me with your Ashland stories and news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week!

4/29/10 Farmer's Market Opening, Movie at Firehouse, May Day, Contest in the Third Part

Ladies and Gentlemen, the score now stands Lower Ashland: 1; Western Ashland: 1. Congratulations to Tim Crowder who knew that I was talking about the Ashland Feed Store last week in the contest, and won a $10 gift certificate! The secret word was a clue, too. For those of you who don't know, owner Danny Adams ran in the San Diego Marathon several years ago. Look further down the column for this week's contest.

The Ashland Farmer's Market opens this Saturday! We're really lucky to have a Farmer's Market in town, and if you can walk to it, you're luckier still. Come out and see all the early vegetables, find some beautiful flowers to put on your kitchen table, and some freshly baked breakfast goodies. You can find out more information on the town website: http://www.town.ashland.va.us.com/.

The Farmer's Market sits on the parking lot of the Town Hall, which, if you're a Town resident, is where you need to be on Tuesday, May 6th to vote for Town Council. This is a really important opportunity that you need to grab a hold of. This governing body is responsible for running our sweet town; they make decisions about growth, capital improvements (sidewalks), and the services that our taxes pay for. We want this group of people to be dedicated, trust-worthy, dependable, and (here's a big one) steadfast. We need people who have shown their love and support of this town. Come out and vote!

Congratulations to all the Catholic children who celebrated their First Communion at St. Ann's recently, including Kellan Morris, Madison Spence, Jack Wheeler, and Sadie Flag.

The Ashland Pool is opening soon- have you turned in your membership? It is THE place to be in the summer- all the best people are there.

Congratulations to Tamra Bardwell and Tom Hatz who competed in the National Duathalon in Richmond this past weekend! Riding a bike and running by themselves are difficult at times, but when you combine them and start running as soon as you jump off the bike- that it a feat unto itself.

The Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale will present two performances of its 2010 spring concert featuring Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Randall Thompson’s Frostiana: Seven Country Songs. The first performance will be Thursday, May 13, 7:00 pm, at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, in Ashland, and the second will be Sunday, May 16, 7:00 pm, at Grace Baptist Church, 4200 Dover Road, in Richmond. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students, and may be purchased in advance at Cross Brothers’ Grocery or from any Chorale member, and may also be purchased at the door prior to each performance. To reserve tickets, call 804-798-3283.

This Saturday, May 1st, the Firehouse Theater presents "Charade" by Alfred Hitchcock at 7:30 pm staring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn- their only movie together! The movie is set in Paris and Johnny Mercer wrote the music for it- so you know that the score is fabulous. The Firehouse Theater is in the old Ashland Firehouse at the corner of Duncan and Hanover Ave. Tickets are $6 and refreshments are available at the concession stand.

Do you mind if I tell you a quick story? May 1st is a special day; it's May Day. When I was at school (all-girls boarding school) all the seniors (Sixes) would get up early and decorate the entire school with flowers. Everyone would wake up to find flowers outside their dorm room doors, and all the teachers would have flowers in their classrooms. I'm sure the azaleas were decimated, but everything did look really nice. I think it's a nice tradition to continue, so an early Happy May Day! Pick some flowers, bring them inside, give them away.

Ok, I hope you didn't skip to the end, but read through all the other Ashland News. Here's the third installment of the Ashland Column Contest. Figure out the clue, be the first to go to the business and say the secret word, and you'll win a $10 gift certificate to that store! The clue is: "This young business helps us wake up in the morning and has a very good sense of humor." The secret word is:"schnitzel."

The column will be here next week, but the contest has to take a hiatus. It will return the week of May 10th. Call or email me with your Ashland News: 310-5320, or ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week! Auf Wiedersehen!

4/22/10 Chemistry Award at RMC, Officer of the Year, Second Installment of Contest

Hopefully by the time you read this, they will still be there: the weeds. If you look up or down the tracks early in the spring, before CSX has had a chance to spray weed killer, you'll see green grass growing between the rails and through the gravel. I really like the way it looks because I think that it must have looked that way a hundred years ago. A lazy town where dogs sleep in the middle of the streets, and grass grows on the train tracks- isn't that nice?

Ladies and gentlemen, the score now stands: Lower Ashland, 1; the Rest of Ashland, 0! Corinne Luck of LA figured out that a "big red monster" was actually a bottle of wine (very good wine) and picked up a $10 gift certificate to The Caboose Wine and Cheese shop. If you have never been inside this wonderful shop that sits directly across the tracks from the library, you are missing a treat. Not only can you find excellent wine, proseco, and beer, but they have an extensive selection of cheeses, olives, and crackers to go along with it. There is usually a wine tasting Friday night. You can find out more information by visiting their website: www.caboosewine.com.

Congratulations to Professor April Marchetti who was awarded the first Garnett - Lambert Endowed Professorship in Chemistry at Randolph-Macon! April earned this distinction because of her "exemplary teaching, innovative research and scholarship.” Not only did April graduate from RMC, but (and this may be the most important thing) she is from the Northern Neck. She's also an incredible mom to three little kids, a fabulous wife, and a super neighbor. Well done!

This coming Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 PM, the Ashland Firehouse Theater will screen the great James Stewart movie, "Harvey". This is a delightful movie about a man and his imaginary rabbit. Tickets are $6 at the door, with refreshments available at the concession stand.

The Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale will present two performances of its 2010 spring concert featuring Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Randall Thompson’s Frostiana: Seven Country Songs. The first performance will be Thursday, May 13, 7:00 pm, at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, in Ashland, and the second will be Sunday, May 16, 7:00 pm, at Grace Baptist Church, 4200 Dover Road, in Richmond. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students, and may be purchased in advance at Cross Brothers’ Grocery or from any Chorale member, and may also be purchased at the door prior to each performance. To reserve tickets, call 804-798-3283.

Please join me in congratulating one of our own- Dave Klisz, who was chosen as Hanover County's Officer of the Year! I think this came as no surprise to many, as Dave consistently shows dedication and care when protecting the people of Hanover. Thank you, Dave!

OK, here's your chance to win the second $10 gift certificate in the Ashland Column contest. Figure out who this merchant it, go and be the first to say the secret word to the proprietor, and you'll win a $10 gift certificate to this store. Here is your clue:

If I was 10 years old, this is a store that my grandfather would take me to on a Saturday morning. The floors are old and worn, but they feel soft under bare feet. On it's shelves can be found dog collars, apple-flavor wafers, and quick-kill. The secret word is "San Diego Marathon."

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week- enjoy this spring weather!

4/15/10 Hilliard House Tea, Little League Begins, Anniversary Contest

I swear, if it weren't for the pollen, we'd have our own special paradise right now, don't you think? I love the way wisteria weaves through our woods, and that color of green that is so new, so cool, and so fresh. Take off your shoes and feel that cold grass between your toes. Touch those baby leaves on the boxbushes, and watch for the irises to open. Virginia paints a beautiful picture these days. It never ceases to make me smile.

Happy belated birthday to Ann Bruce on April 9th! Anyone know who shares her birthday? Also, happy birthday to Delaney Thompson who will blow out 6 candles on April 15th!

Congratulations to Tammy Proffitt for organizing another wildly successful Railroad Run! The weather was perfect and the new course was a delight. You can always be sure that any event that Tammy is involved in will be darn-near close to perfection. The Hanover Arts and Activities Center is very lucky to have her on their board.

Make your reservations now for the 3rd Annual Afternoon Tea for Hilliard House on Sunday, May 2nd at the Arts and Activities Center. This event has always sold-out and this year will feature a fashion show from the 1950's and famous TV shows! Come enjoy a traditional Ladies Tea in the beautifully decorated Center. Tickets are $20 per person in advance, and $15 for those 13 and younger. You can make reservations by calling 798-9131, or buy tickets online at http://www.hilliardhouse.org/.

Opening day for the Ashland Little League is this Saturday, April 17th. Even if you don't have a little boy to cheer for, it's a wonderful display of Americana.

Also this Saturday at 10am is the Spring Bazaar & Music Festival at Providence Baptist Church in Ashland. There will be a craft sale, yard sale, and a silent auction, as well as food for sale starting at 11:30. Music will fill the trees all day, and all of the proceeds will benefit the Wickham School SOS organization.

I know that you've all been breathlessly awaiting our Anniversary Contest, so here is is! I'm going to give you some clues about a business in town and a secret word- the first one to go to that business and say the secret word to the owner will win a $10 gift certificate to that store. And just so you know, I had to throw in the secret word twist because I'm going to make you say silly stuff.

Here goes: This store has been a staple in Ashland since 1997 and it is one of the few places around where you can find big red monsters. This week's secret word is "yeti."

Good luck, and call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com.

4/8/10 Mea Culpa, Railroad Run, Tim Kaine Visits

Sorry, sorry, sorry. Let me give a belated message- April Fools! No, President Obama wasn't really coming to Ashland. I hope no one got too worried or excited. I did not inherit my grandmother's talent for telling jokes!

This coming weekend is very important. It's going to be a beautiful weekend, and our fair streets will be filled with people running the 32nd Ashland Railroad Road 10K. This is one of the oldest road races in Virginia- there are only a handful of races that have been going on for so long.

If you're planning to run or walk, sign up now online. Visit the Arts and Activities Center website: http://www.hanoverarts.org/, and follow the links to the race registration. If you'd like to volunteer (and that's what it's all about, isn't it?) call Faith Boyle at 798-2728. We could use people to help at the Center, and folks to help guide the runners along the new course. But, one of the best things that you could do is to simply come out and cheer for these people as they push themselves to reach a goal.

There will also be the wonderful Green Fair on the front lawn of the Center this Saturday. This event was such a success last year, that it has returned just as wonderful. Come see the latest in green technology with Luck Chevrolet's high mileage vehicle! Come see how compost helps your garden grow and disposes of your waste in an environmentally safe manner! There will be lots of demonstrations of easy ways to help conserve energy and enjoy the afternoon.

Former Governor Tim Kaine will be in Ashland this coming Monday, April 12th to speak at Randolph-Macon on "Lessons Learned in 16 Years in Elected Office" in the Blackwell Auditorium at 7 pm. This event is free to the public but it does require tickets. Many tickets were mailed in advance, but there may be some available at the door. Never give up hope- come out and vie for a seat.

Friday, April 16th is Teen Movie Night at the Ashland Library! The show begins at 6pm. Bring a friend! Pizza will be served compliments of the Friends of the Ashland Library.

So remember to come out and support the Ashland Railroad Run this Saturday beginning at 8am at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center at 500 South Center St. Events like this are really important to this town, and when everyone is involved it really makes it special. Call or email me (ashlandnews@gmail.com, 310-5320) with your Ashland News and have a magical week!

4/1/10 April Fools, Railraod Run, President's Visit

I know you've heard this before, but every April Fool's Day I think of my grandmother, Pauline Delano, and the jokes that she would play. She would call my house early in the morning before you realized what day it was, and tell me to go look out the window because Aunt Gertrude's cows had gotten out and were headed our way. This was perfectly believable because Gertrude's cows were notorious for escaping, and rounding them up occupied a great deal of time in the small community of Oldhams.

In fact, one of the most exciting Christmas Eves in my memory was the time that those cows got loose in the middle of dinner, and all the dads left the table to get them back in the pasture. They came back carrying Tom Kelly who had stepped in a hole and broken his ankle. Isn't it funny how if those docile, slow-moving creatures much adventure they brought to my childhood?

Then, of course, after I had put down the phone and run to the window, I would come back and say, "I don't can't see any cows down here, Nannar.", she'd giggle and say, "Oh Meriwether- it's April Fools Day!" Spread the silliness- make sure you get someone on April 1st!

Congratulations to all the Ashlanders who ran in the Monument Ave. 10K this past weekend! Running a 10K for the first time were Madison Brown, Kipp Proffitt, and Chris Dull! There is no better feeling than achieving a tough goal, and we're all very proud of them. Sign up quickly for our own 10K- the Ashland Railroad Run. The rates will increase on April 4th, so register now online. Visit the Arts and Activities website: www.hanoverarts.org , and follow the links to the race registration. If you have any questions, call the Center Director, Faith Boyle at 798-2728.

My hat is off to Sharon Stiles and the Outreach Committee of the Arts and Activities Center for the wonderful production of "We Were There, History through the Arts" this past weekend at Randolph-Macon. This Black History event was re-scheduled from February when were were buried in snow, and was well worth the wait. Actor Tony Cosby did a wonderful job bringing the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to life, and our Community Choir always makes us want to join in singing. Thank you so much for all the hard work that went into this event, and look for something equally as phenomenal next year!

Happy Birthday to Brent Chambers and April Marchetti who blew out candles on March 30th, and an early birthday cheer to Becky Stanley Sewell who gets her presents on April 2nd! I hope everyone gets lots of kisses, hugs, and fabulous gifts.

President Obama will be paying our sweet town a visit this coming Monday! My sources have said that the First Family will be stopping in Ashland for coffee and hot dogs at the Station Cafe on their way to Williamsburg for a Spring Break outing. Everyone wants to come to the Center of the Universe!

A special advisory note to any new chicken farmers in town: while chickens are permissible in town, they do require a permit. As you delight in your peeps, please write our town manager a note to let him know that you have some chickens and pledge to take care of them. Remember that gang of wild chickens that lured poor Vanilla away from her home on Duncan St.? We don't want history to repeat it'self.

There's going to be some great music at the Ashland Coffee and Tea this weekend. Saturday, April 3rd brings Grammy winner Richard Leigh in concert at 8pm. Richard has written eight songs that reached the top spot in the Country Music charts, including "The Greatest Man I Never Knew" sung by Reba McEntire. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Contact Moya for more information: 798-1702.

I have not forgotten about the contest! It's just taking me a while to think of something really good! And now I've finally figured it out, but I need to talk to coerce some people into helping me make it work. Watch for the April 15th column- we'll need some brevity on that day! Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashalndnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week, and safe travels for Spring Break!