5/8/08 Farmer's Market Ushers in Spring, Dancing at the Library, Planting Trees and Quick Chicks

This has to be one of my favorite times of year in Ashland. The humidity hasn’t set in yet, and everything is green, green, green. The Farmer’s Market returned last weekend with its wonderful fresh vegetables, farm eggs, flowers and herbs. Everyone is out in their gardens, and the neighborhood sounds of birds, lawnmowers, and laughing children last until late in the evening. If you have a moment, stop and look around you. Do you know how lucky you are to be living here?

Hurry up and get your tickets for the first Ashland Street Party coming next Saturday, May 17th. Tickets ate $5 in advance and then $10 at the door for adults. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. The party begins at 6pm, with music by King Edward and the B.D’s. I promise that you’ll have a great time, especially if you wear your dancing shoes. You can find tickets all around town. Visit http://www.ashlandstreetparties.com/ for more details.

Plant 150 is an effort to plant 150 trees this year in honor of our sweet town’s birthday. We’re decorating! These trees will be the balloons and streamers that you hang for your children’s birthday parties. If you don’t need another tree in your own yard, consider purchasing and donating one to be planted around town.

The trees are $15 each and the order form is available at http://www.ashland150.com/.

Come join the Ashland 150 Clunker Cruise. It takes place on Saturday, May 10 at 5 pm starting at Cobblestone Bicycles (102 South Railroad Ave., Ashland). No, it's not 150 miles. It doesn't even approach 150 km. It's just an easy two-wheeled tour around our fair town, with attitude. Any type of bike is appropriate for this cruise. You should come out just to see what Jeff Reihl will be riding. I’m sure it will be something fascinating, and possibly home-made. If you have any questions, call or stop by at Cobblestone. http://www.cobblestonebikes.com/.

The Ashland Runner Girls succeeded in conquering yet another road race this past weekend. Kathy Abbott, Tamra Bardwell, Laura Boone, Tracy Brown, Jo Ann Hunter, Monica Klisz, Corinne Luck, Susan Spence, and Tammy Proffit traveled to Frederick, MD to run as a relay team in a marathon to benefit the United Way and Special Olympics of Maryland.

I think the Olympic trials must be next on their list.

The deadline to register for the Patrick Henry Half Marathon Training Team has been extended to May 10th! You still have time to get in shape to run this great race, guided along the way by some attentive and energetic coaches- including, ahem, myself. Visit www.quickteams.com/rrrc-hmt for information and to register. You’ll never know how great running will make you feel until you try it.


Finally, no, I don’t think that the Ashland Movie Theater is really haunted, and in no way would I want to put off a potential buyer. I just like to imagine a spirit sitting in the seats watching a ghostly feature. I miss going to that theater so much that I have to find some way to write about it. It breaks my heart to think of it empty and silent. Sigh.



Get outside and breathe this wonderful air this week! Call or email me with any Ashland news: 804-310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can find a record of these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/.

5/1/08 Planting Trees, Clunker Cruise, Town Council Election, Movie Theater Ghost

This past Saturday was a great day for our sweet town. Not only were there Randolph-Macon students everywhere cleaning and planting, but The Arbor Day Celebration on the front lawn of Town Hall was a huge success! The town Christmas tree was planted, “Happy Birthday” was sung, those big pink birthday hats were worn, and many, many seedlings were planted by our kids. I think Carter Spence potted almost twenty. He said that he was going to take them home and put them in his room! I know Susan was happy to hear that.

Many of the leftover loblolly pines and tulip poplars made their way over to Julie Erickson’s house for her Backyard Plant Sale this weekend. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to help out a wonderful organization- The Nature Conservancy, and to find local plants for your garden. Julie’s backyard will be open for business this Friday from 4pm until dark, and again on Saturday from 9am to 1pm. You can call her with any questions: 752-7671

The gardens at John M. Gandy are looking beautiful this week thanks to the dedication and hard work of Sharon Stiles. She was helped by an energetic bunch of volunteers from Randolph-Macon who participated in Ma-Con a Difference Day. Michelle Mitchell, Matt Browna, Justin Ramos, Faith Hall, Kristine Eberts, and Katie Newton spent most of their morning helping to move mulch and plant flowers. It was really great to work along side them. I hope that during their time here in Ashland, they come to think of this as home. We certainly consider the students good neighbors.


Happy Birthday to Meriwether Harper Gilmore who turns 2 on May 8th!

Come join the Ashland 150 Clunker Cruise. It takes place on Saturday, May 10 at 5 pm starting at Cobblestone Bicycles (102 South Railroad Ave., Ashland). And no, it's not 150 miles. It doesn't even approach 150 km. It's just an easy two-wheeled tour around our fair town, with attitude. Any type of bike is appropriate for this cruise. Carl Sloppy, you should ride your unicycle! If you have any questions, call or stop by at Cobblestone. http://www.cobblestonebikes.com/

Town Council Election Day is Thursday, May 6th. Come out and make Patrick Henry proud by exercising your voting privileges to decide who will fill the vacant Town Council seats. The polls, at Town Hall, will be open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Can you believe it? The Ashland Farmer’s Market opens this Saturday, May 3rd from 9:00 am to Noon! Now spring is really here.

Mark your calendars for the first Street Party on Saturday, May 17th, from 6:00 to 10:30 pm behind the Ashland Library. King Edward and the B.D’s Band will be playing. Advance tickets are available all over town. Visit http://www.ashlandstreetparties.com/ for more information.


If you’ve lived in Ashland for 50 years or more, meet out on the football field at RMC for a group picture this Thursday, May 1st at 6pm. Call Susan Tucker for more information- 798-7123. The rain date is May 8th.


The “For Sale” signs in the Ashland Theater are yellowing with age. I imagine that cobwebs are collecting under the seats, and dust has settled over the ticket counter. It makes me happy to think that maybe a ghost or two has taken up residence there. At least someone would be enjoying the building.

If you have a chance, pick up a copy of the May edition of Richmond Parents Monthly. There's a half-way decent article on page 16. Have a good week. Meriwether

4/24/08 Swamp Runners, The Greening of Ashland, High Tea in Hanover, Come Run with Tom

I usually avoid writing about myself in this column because I really don't consider it my column- it's yours. I'm just a steward of the Ashland news, maybe making it fun to read- but it's really all about you. However, I just have to share some news of my own this week.

I was lucky enough to get to run in the Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon this past weekend with a great bunch of Ashland girls: Susan Spence, Laura Boone, Monica Klisz, Kathryn Soiland (Atlee), and Jo Ann Hunter. Any trace of anxiety that I had over this race disappeared with their laughter, and their funny stories made the 13.1 miles fly by. We were happy to run into Dennis Hansen there- it’s always nice to see someone from home, and we were supported by a great crew made up of David Klisz, Keith Hunter, and Mike Spence. Thanks guys, for cheering loud and watching the kids.


I’ll see you this Saturday at 9:00 am in front of the Ashland Town Hall for the planting of our town Christmas tree and the kick-off celebration of Plant 150. Plant 150 is the green movement to plant 150 trees in honor of our sweet town’s birthday. There will be activities for the kids and information on tree planting and care. Afterwards we’ll join RMC students to clean up Carter and DeJarnette Parks as part of their “Ma-con a Difference” Day. These college kids will be all over town working, so if you see them, feel free to stop and lend a hand- or at least say “thank you”. Please call Monica Klisz with any questions: 798-1366.

Yard Sale season is in full-swing! Are you ready to haggle? Liberty Middle School is having a multi-family yard sale to benefit the PTA this Saturday, April 26th. Come and stroll the parking lot from 7 am to noon and find all the necessities you need for your life.

There will also be a huge yard sale on Saturday, May 3rd at Stillwater Farm, 13247 Farrington Road, from 8 am until noon. Over 2400 square feet of treasures, under cover, with a portion of the proceeds going to the non-profit organization Wings of Hope, an organization that works to reduce poverty across the world.

Julie Erickson’s famous Backyard Plant Sale is almost here! You really need to attend- it’s such a great way to fill your yard with beautiful, native plants and flowers. The sale happens Friday, May 2 from 4:00 pm until dark, and then Saturday, May 3rd, from 9:00 to 1:00pm at Julie’s house – 203 Howard St. The great thing about this sale is that you can donate plants from your own yard and then receive a discount on the plants you purchase. Donors will get a preview on Thursday, May 1st from 4pm to dark. You can read Julie’s blog at www.townhound.com/blog/garden for more information on the sale and how to donate plants (no dandelions or morning glories allowed!).

Mother’s Day is just around the corner! High Tea in Hanover will be held Sunday, May 4th, from 1:30 – 4:00 at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. Come sip tea and nibble sandwiches with no crusts as you watch a parade of fashions from the last 150 years. This event will benefit Hillard House, a women and children’s shelter in Richmond. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Seating will be limited, so call Carolyn Peart now for reservation: 798-9131.

Tom Grant called me and said that he hadn’t gotten your entry form for the YMCA Half Marathon training team, and I told him that I knew you were going to run, and that I would remind you! The fifteen week program will get you in top shape for the Patrick Henry Half Marathon. Saturday morning training runs begin May 10th. Visit their website: http://www.quickteams.com/rrrc-hmt or contact Tom for more information: tom.grant@comcast.net

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Please call or email me with your Ashland news: 804-310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can find a record of these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/.

4/17/08 Yard Sales Sprouting, Arbor Day Ahead, Half Marathons & 5Ks, Rumors of Re-Routed Rail Traffic

Oh Ashland, there is so much going on in April! Of all the words that I could use to describe you, “sleepy” would never be one of them. (The poster above is one of two commemorative designs available, for $15, at Train Town Toy & Hobby- 798-0330. See below for other poster.)

Liberty Middle School is having a Yard Sale in the school parking lot on Saturday, April 26 from 7 until noon. If you’re considering spring cleaning, you can participate in this PTA fundraiser by purchasing a space for $20. All profits are yours to keep. Please contact Debbie Agliano at 883-6160 or djagliano@embarqmail.com.

Arbor Day is Saturday, April 26. Put on your old clothes and meet at Town Hall at 9am to help plant the new town Christmas tree and clean up Carter and DeJarnette Parks.

Congratulations to our police-chief-to-be, Doug Goodman! We look forward to Doug taking the reigns of the Ashland Police when Chief Tom Clark retires this summer. Although he was only here for a short while, Chief Clark made many friends in Ashland and will be missed.

Mark your calendar for the spring performance of the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, set for Saturday, April 26, at 8 pm at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Ashland. This concert will feature Franz Schubert's Mass in G, as well as a wide variety of shorter works, including six brief waltzes from Liebeslieder Walzer by Johannes Brahms. Tickets are $5, $10, and $15 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. To reserve tickets, please call 798-7123 or stop by Cross Brothers.

If you’ve ever thought of running a Half Marathon, the Patrick Henry YMCA has a great program to help you reach that finish line. Sign up to participate in the Patrick Henry Half Marathon Training Team that will guide you through a fifteen week program to get you in top condition. Saturday morning training runs begin May 10th. Visit their website: http://www.quickteams.com/rrrc-hmt or contact Tom Grant for more information: tom.grant@comcast.net

Always thinking ahead, the Co-Directors of the Second Annual Tiger Trot 5K have begun planning their race to be held on September 20th, 2008. This is a major fundraiser for the PTAs of our two elementary schools. The goal this year is to raise enough money to buy a new sign for Henry Clay, which was stolen this past summer, and a new copier for Gandy. If you work for, or know of a company that would be interested in being a corporate sponsor, please contact Tracy Brown at 752-6672, or Susan Spence at 537-5257.

Wicked rumors abound that CSX is trying to divert all train traffic away from our town, and they appear to be true. CSX has asked for a study from VDOT to determine the benefits of re-routing train traffic away from Ashland and through Hanover instead. While it’s unlikely that this would happen, it wouldn’t hurt to let VDOT know how much we would lose without our trains. There is a public hearing on Wednesday, April 23rd at 6 pm at the VDOT Central Office Auditorium, 1221 E. Broad Street. If you can’t make it to the meeting, you can send your comments to: Public information Office, Virginia Dept. Of Rail & Transportation, 1313 E. Main St., Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219, or email drptpr@DRPT.Virginia.gov.

Call or email me with your Ashland news, and have a wonderful week! 804-310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com

4/10/08 Cold Spring Showers, High Tea in Hanover, Arbor Day

I’m not really sure how or when April and February decided to exchange weather, but it could have had something to do with the fact that the Ashland Feed Store put out tomato plants last week. It usually snows or freezes if I plant tomatoes before April 15th, and this year we got sleet. I’m looking forward to enjoying all the spring flowers if it ever warms up enough to go outside again.

Happy Birthday to Delaney Thompson, daughter of Jim and Mary Kay, who turns 4 on April 15th!

Ashland Girl Scout Troop 3095 had a wonderful weekend at Camp Pamunkey this past weekend where they learned the fun of canoeing in the rain, the importance of a bandana, and the value of two days with no Webkinz. The success of their weekend had a lot to do with their ever-enthusiastic troop leaders: Wendy Doyle and Noelle Lavach.

If you’re thinking ahead to Mother’s Day, consider this event- High Tea in Hanover will be held Sunday, May 4th, from 1:30 – 4:00 at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. Come sip tea and nibble sandwiches with no crusts as you watch a parade of fashions from the last 150 years. This event will benefit Hilliard House, a women and children’s shelter in Richmond. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Seating will be limited, so call Carolyn Peart now for reservation: 798-9131.

Ashland sent 186 runners and walkers to the Monument Avenue 10K this past weekend! Our hats are off to all of them who endured the rain and crowds to participate in a worthwhile event.

You have Arbor Day marked on your calendar, don’t you? It’s Saturday, April 26th. Put on some work clothes and meet at Town Hall at 9am to help plant our town Christmas tree. Randolph-Macon students will join us for the cleaning of Carter and DeJarnette parks after the ceremony.
The deadline for entries to the Ashland Yearbook has been extended to April15th. You really need to write up your family’s story if you haven’t done it yet. Don’t think for one minute that you’re not a crucial part of this town and our legacy! Whether your family was one of the founders or you moved here last month, your story is needed. Visit http://www.ashland150.com/ for more information.

John and Vandi Hodges had a wonderful visit recently from their grandson, Yugo Yamamoto, who is 3 and lives in New York City with his parents, Ames Hodges and Yumiko Yamamoto. Yugo arrived by train and enjoyed all that Ashland has to offer by walking to the pet store, the train store, and to Southern States to see the chicks and buy vegetables to plant in the garden.

Last week I mentioned all the great work that Dave Klisz has been doing with his PickUp150 campaign, but I forgot to include his blog address. Go to http://www.townhound.com/ and visit the blog section to read about Dave’s work and to see how you can get involved. Call or email me with your Ashland news, and have a wonderful week. 804-310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com

4/4/08 Pick-Up 150, Arbor Day, Ashland Trolley, Comp Plan Meeting at St. James

Our 150th birthday has inspired Ashlanders to take up new responsibilities and duties as we prepare for a spectacular party in October. There are many of us who have added new committee meetings to our calendars and who shoulder the added work with a smile knowing that an event like this doesn’t happen very often. Do you think that we will all put our feet up and rest in 2009?

One such dedicated citizen is Dave Klisz. Dave and his wife, Monica, have decided to make our town beautiful for her birthday. Monica is in charge of the Plant150 committee that is looking to plant 150 new trees in town and also honor the beautiful old trees that line our streets. Be at the Town Hall at 9am on Arbor Day, April 26th, to help plant the first tree- our Town Christmas tree- and to help clean up some of our parks and playgrounds.

Dave Klisz recently started his own committee called “Pick-up150” when he noticed trash on our streets while running through town. Dave spent over an hour picking up trash around the retention pond at the corner of Cottage Green Drive and Junction Drive across from the Food Lion. Let me say that again so everyone takes notice: He spent an hour of his own time picking up other people’s trash to make out town look better! We can all do this. We can follow Dave’s lead and pick up 150 pieces of trash. We owe it to ourselves and to our neighbors. Three cheers to Dave for taking charge. Click here to read Dave's Blog.

I was so excited to read about the new Ashland trolley in the Times Dispatch this past weekend! Our trolley will arrive in October, just in time for Ashland’s birthday party and will cost 25- 50 cents per rider. It will be a lot of fun to be able to hop on the trolley and ride to the library or the pool.

This Thursday, April 10, there will be a Community Input Session in the Fellowship Hall of St. James the Less Episcopal Church, 125 Beverly Road, at 7:00pm. The Town of Ashland is updating its Comprehensive Plan in 2008 and the purpose of this meeting is to gather input from the community to help with developing a vision statement for the introduction to Plan. Former Planning Director Neil Holthouser will facilitate this session. Your ideas and suggestions are very important to this procedure, so speak up!

Next Friday, April 11th, is Movie Night at the Ashland Library. The feature film begins at 6:00 pm with food and drink provided by the Friends of the Ashland Library. Call 798-4072 closer to show time for the name of the movie.

From March 10 until April 11, 2008 - The Best of R-MC Study Abroad in Photos will be on exhibit at the McGraw-Page Library. Visitors will see that R-MC students have a lot to say as they showcase photographs of their study abroad explorations around the world. Please call 752-3712 for more information.

Bob Crummette did a wonderful workshop on storytelling at the Library from on March 27. He’s a former educator, who has turned his love of storytelling into a very interesting hobby. I’ve heard that Bob is always willing to entertain if he is not off on vacation.

There’s another free Parenting Workshop on Thursday, April 17, from 6:30 -8 pm at the Patrick Henry YMCA on Ashcake Road. The topic of this workshop will be “Everyday Math & Science”, and will offer ways to help children (ages 4-7) explore, ask questions, problem solve, investigate, count, measure and experiment as they develop the foundation for a lifetime of math and science. This workshop will be presented by Betsy Phillips, a “Ready to Learn” PBS Educator.

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

3/28/08 Best Principal in the Universe, News from Elmont, Pig on Henry Street

I'm sure you know by now how highly I regard our public schools here in Hanover. I've always thought that they are a direct reflection on the kind of society we are. We are only as good as the schools we give our kids. I was so proud, but not surprised, to learn that Dr. Patricia Miller, principal of John M. Gandy Elementary School, was selected as one of the four 2008 REB Award Recipients for Educational Leadership. Dr. Miller is an exceptional principal; one who inspires her students as well as her staff. She is an amazing woman who deserves everyone's thanks and congratulations.

Did you all see Lorie Foley standing out by the old Chevron this past Saturday with her signs reminding people to write their story for the Yearbook? She was out there for hours! What dedication! What drive! If you haven't turned in your 300 word story about your life in Ashland, you only have a few days left. The deadline is April 1st, and you will be disappointed if you do not get this done, and I will say, “I told you so!” Visit http://www.ashland150.com/ for the details.

Congratulations to Annette Ardler and Sherly Phillips (Beaverdam) who walked a half marathon, 13.1 miles, in the Shamrock Sportsfest in Virginia Beach recently. With their team, these girls raised $130,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. What an incredible way to help others, and do something good for yourself at the same time! We should all be so motivated.

The news from LA, aka Lower Ashland, or Elmont as some people call it, has become a regular feature here in this column. Three cheers for Blair Moring and Adam Cheek who both placed in the Hanover County PTA Reflections Contest. Blair won 2nd place in Musical Competition and Adam took 3rd in Literature. This year's theme was "I Can Make a Difference by...", and clearly these kids are.

And here's another example of why I think that we have to stand back when we see Elmont kids coming down the street: two teams from EES participated in the Regional Odyssey of the Mind in Stafford recently. Zach Kahler, Hannah Hobson, Sean Hartigan, Jack Lavach, Isabella Trice, Brett Garrett, and Rachael Walsh represented grades K – 2. Carleigh Luck, Bennett Pienkowski, Ted Schubert, Maggie Hartigan, Phillip Hobson, Tessa Harris and Hannah Johnson represented grades 4 and 5, and received 3rd place in the Dinostories Problem. Well done kids!

Did anyone else see the large black pig strolling down Henry Street this past Thursday? I'd love to know if he's a local or just in town for a visit.

We have another free parenting workshop coming up in April sponsored by the Parenting Resource Network. Betsy Phillips, a “Ready to Learn” PBS Educator will present “Everyday Math and Science” from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. at the YMCA on Ashcake Road. This program will offer ways to help children (ages 4-7) explore, ask questions, problem solve and investigate as they develop a foundation for a lifetime of math and science. To register, please call Kathi Thomasson at 798-2767.

I hope you all have a fun April Fools Day! It was one of my grandmother's favorite days. Every year she would catch me with a wild story. More often than not, it involved Aunt Gertrude's cows getting out of their pasture and roaming down the road towards our house. I fell for it every time, because I'm naturally gullible, and because she would call early in the morning before anyone remembered what day it was. I would be ready to run out the door to see if I could catch a cow, and she would laugh, “Oh Meriwether, it's April Fool's Day!” So think of a fun joke and have a great week! Call me with your Ashland news or information about that pig. You can reach me by email at ashlandnews@gmail.com, or by phone: 310-5320.