9/25/08 A Town Full of Superheros, Volunteers, and Birthday Cake

I want you to sit down and listen hard to what I'm saying to you. Do you know what you have here? Do you really know? I have asked myself, can it really and truly be as good as I think it is? Am I walking around wearing rose-colored glasses? I know that life is not perfect here and there are things that I would change, but this town could possibly be as good as life can get. Now, if your expectations in life are big things, like international travel, yachting, and skiing in Aspen, then I can't help you. But if you're looking for a place where you can go all day and never see a stranger, this is where you're supposed to be. If you want to walk down the street and hear your name called out by friends, then this is where you need to be. You should stand back, and pinch yourself if necessary. Don't take this for granted. Keep this town safe in your hands, and hold your friends close. It is a gift.

From Street Party and JDRF Walk

And if you still don't believe me, go ask Anthony and Jennifer Morris what makes this town a special place. This past Sunday was the Central Virginia Walk to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, an event that the Morris' are familiar with because they have two sweet babies with that insipid disease. Of the thousands of people who walked in Byrd Park on Sunday, the largest team was from St. Mary's Hospital. Do you know who had the second largest team? Seventy people showed up to be superheros for Kellen and Rosie, and more than that have reached out to the family over the past few weeks. Anthony and Jennifer have been over-whelmed by kindness and want to extend their thanks and appreciation to everyone. Battles are never fought alone here.

The Second Annual Tiger Trot 5K and Kids' Races enjoyed a beautiful day this past Saturday! One hundred and ninety kids ran in the Half-Mile and One Mile Kids Race and were cheered on by their parents and many Gandy & Henry Clay teachers and staff. Gilbert Jones, Assistant Principal at John M. Gandy handed out wrist bands to the kids as they finished, and former Gandy Principal Tricia Miller ran in the 5K. There were also kids from Elmont, South Anna, and Our Lady of Lourdes, who's track team made a strong showing. The smashing success of the day rests in the hands of two incredibly capable volunteers: Tracy Brown and Susan Spence. The countless hours that they spent in planning have been with one goal in mind- to make Henry Clay and Gandy the best schools for our kids. You should say “thank-you” to them, a least two or three times.

From Ashland Pictures

The last Street Party of the summer was this past Saturday night, and we were not disappointed. I was unsuccessful in convincing people that it was a tradition to stay until the end, and so we finally left a little after ten when the moon bounce started to deflate. Ron Moody had a full dance floor the entire evening, and many members of the Patrick Henry High School Class of 1988, in town for their reunion, came to cut a rug. The weather was perfect, as always, and the conversations were worthy of writing down and remembering. We heard that the Cow Catcher is opening mid-October, and that Lorie Foley and Jen Burch both had birthdays on Saturday. We'll think of these beautiful evenings all winter until they re-appear next May.

On Monday, September 29, the Town of Ashland will hold a community meeting: “Where Are We Now? Defining Community Character” at 6:30 pm in the Gandy Elementary cafeteria. What makes this place special? What can we do to make Ashland a better place to live? This is a great opportunity to talk to community planners and give them your ideas. For more information, please call the Dept. of Planning at 798-1073.

A big Happy Birthday to Captain Davis Luck who turned 5 on September 22nd!

Max Reiderer has volunteered to be chairman of the Ashland Nap Committee. Please get in touch with Max if you have any questions about how to nap, where to nap, or the best kinds of pillows to use. The Ashland Town Nap will occur Sunday, October 19th from 2 to 5pm, and is a designated time for people in this town to get some sleep, for Pete's sake.

You have a little time left to get ready for the next race in Ashland. On Saturday, September 27th, the Slay the Dragon 5K Walk/Run will be held in memory of Richard Lloyd and to raise money for the National LeiMyo Sarcoma Foundation. The race begins at 9am at Carter Park, and you can register online at http://www.slaythedragon5k.com/. Remember what Tom Grant says: “Run Ashland First!”

You have been given an extension on the chance to buy an Ashland Yearbook at the early bird price of $55. Visit http://www.ashland150.com/, and go to the Yearbook section to print out an order form by October 31st. You spent all that time writing up your family story, have you not bought your copy yet? These books will be beautiful, and they will give us a valuable snapshot of our town. Plus we can have a party and sign everyone's yearbook.

This cool weather has opened the windows at our house. We can curl up under our blankets and fall asleep to the lullaby of crickets and train whistles. My favorite sound is when two trains are coming into town and they whistle at each other. They sound like they're competing to see whose whistle is loudest or longest, and they make a sort of harmony when they blow together. On still nights, we can hear the dinging bell of an Amtrak as it slows to a stop, and the "swoop" sound of the engine when it begins to move again. I bet we could write our own dictionary of train words, just like the Eskimos have so many ways to describe snow. What word would we use to describe a train that gets slower and slower and finally stops in the middle of town? How about when the guard rails go down but there's no train coming? A slow moving trash train in the heat of summer? What about when you're waiting for one train to finish, and just when the guard rails should be coming up, another train comes on the other track?

In honor of school opening, I'm giving homework this week. Make up a train word and it's definition, and send it to me. Email me at ashlandnews@gmail.com. Call me at 804-310-5320. Or you can write your train word on a piece of college-ruled loose-leaf paper (with a No.2 pencil) and mail it to the Herald Progress. Have a wonderful weekend!

9/18/08 Speeding Ticket, Community Character Meeting, Tiger Trot, Street Party, 150 Party

With the Randolph-Macon students back on campus and the Hanover County school buses running once more, there are lots of reasons to watch your speed on our town streets. Those wonderful men in blue are keeping a close eye on speed limits and watching to make sure that cars stop at cross walks. I’d like to say hello to Officer Andy Kain who gave me the nicest ticket that I’ve ever gotten. Officer Kain was Employee of the Quarter in June at the APD, and is obviously an asset to our sweet town.

On Monday, September 29, the Town of Ashland will hold a community meeting: “Where Are We Now? Defining Community Character” at 6:30 pm in the Gandy Elementary cafeteria. What makes this place special? What can we do to make Ashland a better place to live? This is a great opportunity to talk to community planners and give them your ideas. For more information, please call the Dept. of Planning at 798-1073.

Happy Birthday to Daphne Read Gilmore who turned 8 on September 14th!

If you haven’t signed up to run in the Tiger Trot this Saturday, there will be a last chance on the morning of the race to register at Henry Clay Elementary. There is a half mile kids race, a one mile kids race, and a 5K run. All of the proceeds benefit the Gandy and Henry Clay PTAs. Of course, what is a race without spectators to cheer you on, so if you’re in town and not running, consider standing on the sidewalk and cheering. All the fun begins at 8am at Henry Clay Elementary.

Does anyone know when the Cow Catcher is opening? There are all kinds of rumors going around…

I hope to see you Saturday night at the Last Street Party behind the library this Saturday! You really can’t miss it. The music of Ron Moody and the Centaurs begins at 6pm, and there will be food, drinks, ice cream, and lots of fun things for the kids to do. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the gate. You can buy your tickets at Cross Brothers and Ace Hardware, to name a few spots. Children under 12 are free with a paying adult. For more information call 752-7944.

Happy Birthday to Kipp Proffit and Trey Inge who turned 11 on September 18th.

It’s harvest time, and one of the best times to visit the Ashland Farmer’s Market. They’re open every Saturday from 9 am until noon in the parking lot behind Town Hall. There are late tomatoes, cut flowers that will last all week on your kitchen table, and enough vegetables to fill a cornucopia. Come out and take advantage of this valuable community resource.

Are you ready for the Sesquicentennial Celebration on October 18th? (Sesquicentennial is such a fun word to say.) Everyone is invited- leave your money at home and join us at Randolph-Macon from 12:30 to 5:30pm. It’s going to be a wonderful party with games for the kids, and lots and lots of cake to be eaten. It will be one of those typical Ashland celebrations, where it always ends too quickly and we find ourselves lingering, looking for more chairs to help fold and put away. We will hang around not wanting it to be over because we have been smiling and laughing all afternoon. Don’t despair Ashland, there is a Variety Show on the horizon and rehearsals in January. I adore a full calendar! Send me your dates: ashlandnews@gmail.com or 310-5320. Have a beautiful weekend.

9/11/08 MOPS, Tiger Trot, Last Street Party (sigh), Ashland Nap Day

It seems that Hanna was good for washing things off and watering the lawn, but she did not bring me any excitement or blowing lawn furniture. Oh, and she shut down the Ashland Farmer’s Market, which did not please me at all. However, you should be able to easily dig a hole now to plant your Ashland 150 tree that you ordered last week. You can go to http://www.ashland150.com/ if for some reason you didn’t get around to placing that order.

St. Ann's MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month beginning September 24, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Ann's Parish Hall. At our MOPS you will have a chance to socialize with other moms, hear some great teaching, have discussion time and participate in creative activities. For more information on MOPS and meeting dates and times contact Julie Hottinger at 261-2732 or jc4@carolina.rr.com

This Saturday, September 13th is “Hands on Colonial Day” at Scotchtown, home of Patrick Henry. From 10 am until 3:30 pm, costumed interpreters will show you how to turn raw materials like flax, cotton and wool into cloth used to make clothing. Try your hand at colonial spinning and weaving. The cost is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $7 for a child or student. For more information, call 227-3500. It’s hard to ignore history when it’s sitting in your backyard.

There are two big events happening on Saturday, September 20th here in Ashland. The Henry Clay and John Gandy Elementary Schools' PTA's 2nd Annual Tiger Trot 5K race will begin at 9:00 am at Henry Clay. There are two races for the kids to choose from: The Half-Mile Run will begin at 8:00 am, and the One Mile Run will begin at 8:15am. I’ve heard that there will be lots of fun door prizes and fun things to do. Pick up your entry forms at Fin & Feather, Henry Clay, John M. Gandy Elementary, or the Ashland Library, or register on-line at http://www.raceit.com/. All proceeds will go to the two PTA’s: Henry Clay and John M. Gandy. For more information please contact Susan Spence at 804-537-5257, or Tracy Brown at 804-752-7762.

So after you’ve run the 5K, treat yourself to a fun evening at the last Street Party of the summer. Come dance to the music of Ron Moody and the Centaurs, Saturday Sept. 20th from 6 to 11pm behind the Ashland Library. There are always lots of children’s activities, as if giggling and dancing around weren’t fun enough. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the gate. Children under 12 are free with a paying adult. For more information call 752-7944.

Do you put out your recycling every week? Central Virginia Waste Management Authority is having a contest with a change to win $250 just for doing what you already do- recycle! Go to their website: http://www.cvwma.com/, and click on “Win with Your Bin”. Entries will be accepted until September 30th.

No one should have an excuse for not exercising in our sweet town. Not only do we have block after block of lovely sidewalks, but there is a race of some kind in town almost every weekend. On Saturday, September 27th, the Slay the Dragon 5K Walk/Run will be held in memory of Richard Lloyd and to raise money for the National LeiMyo Sarcoma Foundation. The race begins at 9am at Carter Park, and you can register online at http://www.slaythedragon5k.com/.

If you go out in your backyard in the evenings now, you can hear the crickets- not the cicadas of summer, but fall crickets chirping in the leaves that are beginning to appear on the ground. The tomato plants are all dried up, the morning glories are strung up over the fence, and deflated pool toys are taking up space in my garage. There is an event every single weekend, and we are all going to too many meetings during the week. I propose a Town Nap Day sometime in November where we all have to go inside our houses at 2pm and go to bed for several hours. We will all be exhausted by the time Thanksgiving gets here. Call or email me to get on the Nap Committee: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great week!

9/4/08 Storms Approaching, Successful Pool Season, Tiger Trot, Last Street Party of 2008

School has started, summer is over, and hurricanes are approaching. Do your flashlights work? Do you have any bottled water? I know that Bobby Ukrops has some milk to sell you. When I was little, I loved getting ready for a hurricane: helping my grandmother tape her big picture window that looked out over the creek, picking up anything outside that the wind could blow around, and trying to figure out where the “eye” was. Of course, now that I’m older I am more cautious and reserved, and only hope that no one gets hurt.

The final whistle at the Cater Park Pool was met with applause as the pool closed for the summer. Many thanks to the wonderful life guards who watched our kids and stayed late on movie nights. I’d also like to thank the manager, Hunter Hoy, whose attention to detail makes it such a great place to be in the summer.

Happy Birthday to Cark Sloppy and Kim Dye who both turned 29 on September 1st!

There are two big events happening on Saturday, September 20th here in Ashland. The Henry Clay and John Gandy Elementary Schools' PTA's 2nd Annual Tiger Trot 5K race will begin at 9:00 am at Henry Clay. There are two races for the kids to choose from: The Half-Mile Run will begin at 8:00 am, and the One Mile Run will begin at 8:15am. I’ve heard that there will be lots of fun door prizes and fun things to do. Pick up your entry forms at Fin & Feather, Henry Clay, John M. Gandy Elementary, or the Ashland Library, or register on-line at www.raceit.com. All proceeds will go to the two PTA’s: Henry Clay and John M. Gandy. For more information please contact Susan Spence at 804-537-5257, or Tracy Brown at 804-752-7762.

So after you’ve run the 5K, treat yourself to a fun evening at the last Street Party of the summer. Come dance to the music of Ron Moody and the Centaurs, Saturday Sept. 20th from 6 to 11pm behind the Ashland Library. There are always lots of children’s activities, as if giggling and dancing around weren’t fun enough. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the gate. Children under 12 are free with a paying adult. For more information call 752-7944.

Have you bought a tree yet in honor of our sweet town’s 150th birthday? With all the talk about the old bicycle tree near the R-MC soccer fields, it makes me think that someone needs to plant another great tree like that, so that our great-grandchildren will have a tree to preserve in 100 years. Visit www.ashland150.org for an order form; they are only $15 each.

Those rainy days this past week would have been perfect for sitting inside a movie theater. Too bad we don't have a- oh never mind. I'm getting tired of talking about it. This has gone on long enough, don’t you agree? Call me at 310-5320, or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week!

All things summer are ending this week, and it is bittersweet because it has been such a lovely season. I have asked myself several times- what did we do to deserve such incredible weather? I know we need rain, but I don't think we've seen 90 degrees for a week or more. Were we better than usual? Did we all behave ourselves so much that God smiled on us? Surely there must be an Indian Summer lurking around the corner, ready to remind us of the true value of central air. The pool will close in a few more days, the buses will start their routes, and children will have set bedtimes again.

The Bluemont people have packed up and left until next year, but not before a stellar concert this past Sunday. I wished that they were the “Ashland” Jazz Orchestra, and that we could hear them at least once a month. When I closed my eyes, I knew that it was Louis Armstrong up there singing to me, “...and I think to myself, what a wonderful world.” Perfect.

The Second Annual Patrick Henry Half Marathon was a successful event this past Saturday morning. Not only did the Hanover County and Ashland Officers stop traffic, but they clapped and cheered us on. The volunteers who worked the water stops deserve their own medals for standing in the sun until the last runner went by. I also have to mention Tom Grant, who has personally inspired so many people to begin running, and to run faster. We’re lucky that he’s our friend. As we ran through town, I overheard someone ask, “Why do they call it the Center of the Universe?” And I had to say, “Because it is!” What a silly thing to ask!

Register now for the 2nd Annual Tiger Trot to benefit the Henry Clay and John Gandy PTAs. The big day is Saturday, September 20th, with the children’s races (1 and ½ mile) starting at 8 am, and the 5K starting at 9am. You can register on-line at http://www.raceit.com/ , and there are special prizes waiting for the kids who complete the summer training program. If your child is interested, send an email to Tracy Brown at bob.and.tracy@comcast.net. If you don’t want to run, email Tracy anyway and tell her that you’ll be a volunteer.

Our Sesquicentennial Celebration is just around the corner- are you ready? Have you bought one of the 150 trees? Have you ordered your yearbook? Have you chipped in for the town birthday present? I know it sounds like a lot, but we are on a tight schedule, Ashland! Visit http://www.ashland150.com/ or go see Susan Tucker who can give you some jobs that need to get done.

The Randolph-Macon students are returning this week, and football games will start soon. I’ve heard that Spike Lee is coming to campus for a lecture, which sounds very exciting. You can see all the events that are open to the public at http://www.rmc.edu/. I always look forward to them coming back, and the energy that they bring to town. So have a wonderful year, R-MC students!

Send me your news, Ashland- your stories of local hero’s, birthdays to be recognized, babies born, or the beautiful ordinary events that make living in this sweet town so special. You can reach me at 310-5320, or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week and stay off the tracks.

8/21/08 Make-believe, Summer Ending, Looking Ahead to Autumn

Our sweet town received a wonderful gift this past weekend- a gift of memory from Lorie Foley, Mary Kay Thompson, and Chris McKelvy. They gave us their time, patience, and laughter for this year's Hanover Arts and Activities Center's Theater Camp and their performance of "The Wizard of Oz". The play could not have been better. I wanted to catch them all in my arms and say, "Don't grow up-stay young & beautiful like this! Remember this summer because it is the way that life should be." Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Summer is really coming to an end. I can see the first day of school on the horizon, and the very last Bluemont is almost here. We've had great weather for these concerts, and I expect nothing less for the Martinsburg Jazz Orchestra who will be here this Sunday, August 24 at 7 pm on the lawn of the Hanover Arts and Activities Center, 500 S. Center St. Get there early to find a nice spot. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and Bluemont Friends, $2 for children under 12. Let’s all go and pretend that it’s June and summer is spread out before us.

This Friday, August 22nd, come to a free concert at the Ashland Library at 7:00 pm for their Summer Reading Celebration, featuring my favorite band, The Godfearin' Snake Handlers! Not only is the music free, but there will be free ice cream as well. Honestly, no one is going to be home this weekend. Come find us all in downtown Ashland.

Saturday morning the Patrick Henry Half Marathon will be running through town. Come down to west side of Railroad Ave., near the Henry Clay Inn, or over to the front lawn of the Arts and Activities Center to cheer on the runners, who should begin coming into town around 8 am. My fingers are crossed for a cool morning- stay away Fay! And of course, I mean the hurricane, not the mayor.

Register now for the 2nd Annual Tiger Trot to benefit the Henry Clay and John Gandy PTAs. The big day is Saturday, September 20th, with the children’s races (1 and ½ mile) starting at 8 am, and the 5K starting at 9am. You can register on-line at http://www.raceit.com/ , and there are special prizes waiting for the kids who complete the summer training program. If your child is interested, send an email to Tracy Brown at bob.and.tracy@comcast.net. If you don’t want to run, please call Tracy and tell her that you’ll be a volunteer.

I am not too sad about summer ending because we have such a fun autumn to look forward to. There’s another street party in September on the same day as the Tiger Trot, and then the big birthday celebration on October 18th. Then there’s Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and then look out- we’ve got a Variety Show in March! We’ll all need a lot of coffee for the next 10 months. Call or email me with your Ashland news: (804) 310-5320, or ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a beautiful week!

8/14/08 Bluemont, Wizard of Oz, Free Concert at Library

Consider yourself warned: there are only two Bluemont concerts left this summer! This past Sunday was another beautiful night, almost cold, and we listened to John McCutcheon wearing jeans and long-sleeves. The stage looked as though it was set up for a dozen musicians, but it was just him and he moved from instrument to instrument as the night went on. The best part was at the very end when he pulled out a fiddle to play a medley of Virginia bluegrass, and a long freight train came into town. Did he stop? No, he actually turned towards the rumbling hunk of steel and began to play with it! His bow kept time with the wheels and the train seemed to be singing back to him. The shadows from the bright stage lights danced across the box cars and McCutcheon looked like some kind of wizard, a “Lord of the Trains.” Very cool.

This Sunday is Dawn Drake and ZapOte, who will bring some dancing music to the lawn of the Arts and Activities Center. Playing samba, jazz, salsa, and funk, this promises to be a fun evening. The show begins at 7pm, so get there at 6:30 to find a good spot to put your chair or blanket. Tickets are available at the door and are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and Bluemont members, and $2 for kids under 12. Refreshments will be provided by the Ashland Community Theater Group (thank God someone is still trying to open that theater) so come out and buy lots of cookies! No alcohol, smoking, or pets, please. See you there!

As soon as you read this, run, don't walk, to the Hanover Arts and Activities Center to buy your ticket to this weekend's performance of The Wizard of Oz, staged by the kids from Lorie Foley's Theater Camp. Do you remember how wonderful last year's Pale Pink Dragon was? It's only bigger and better this year. You could be watching future Hollywood or Broadway stars! Shows are August 15th at 6:30 pm, August 16th at 1:00 and 6:30 pm, and Sunday, August 17th at 1:00 pm. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Seating is limited- hurry.

Next Friday, August 22nd, come to a free concert at the Ashland Library at 7:00 pm for their Summer Reading Celebration, featuring my favorite band, The Godfearin' Snake Handlers! Not only is the music free, but there will be free ice cream as well. Aren't those librarians swell? Sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Library, who are swell as well. (Couldn't resist.)

We have been really lucky the past few weeks- I can’t remember a nicer August around here. Blue skies, free from the haze and cool evenings make everyone want to stay outside all day long. Take advantage of it; you never know when the heat will return or a hurricane decide to visit. 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/. Cheers!