2/3/11 Valentine Town, Nina Totenberg, Railroad Run

We made it to February, that cold little month where we eat chocolate and write love notes- or at least that’s how it should be! If I had the time, I would cover my kitchen table with pink and red construction paper, lacey paper doilies, glue, and glitter. I think we should put love notes all over town- tell Ashland why it’s our Valentine town.

Get your tickets now to listen National Public Radio’s award-winning legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg present “The Supreme Court and Its Impact on You” on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackwell Auditorium at Randolph-Macon. This event, sponsored by the Watkins Lecture Series, is free and open to the public with a required general admission ticket. Aren’t we lucky to live close to Randolph-Macon? You can order tickets on line at www.rmc.edu, or by calling 752-3605.

Happy birthday to Roger Reynolds who blew out candles on the 31^st and had a wonderful fundraiser party at Bart’s Station Café this past weekend!

Congratulations to Anna Hogue, a junior at Patrick Henry, for being selected as a finalist for Fox Richmond's Lights, Camera, Take Action PSA contest on underage drinking. Anna is competing against 3 other students from Central Virginia for the Grand Prize. To help Anna win, please vote online at www.foxrichmond.com or text "Fox A" to 67336. Voting ends on February 4th and the winning PSA will be shown during the Super Bowl on February 6th.

Some of the southbound freight trains come through town covered in snow. Have you noticed that?

Today, Thursday, February 3rd, bring you kiddies in their pajamas for a special story time at the Ashland Library! Snuggle up and listen to bedtime stories and enjoy some cookies. Story time starts at 6 pm, and you'll be sure to have sweet dream!

Registration is now open for the 33 ^rd Ashland Railroad Run 10K and 5K Fun Walk to be held on Saturday, April 30th. Follow through on that New Year’s Resolution and sign up to run this wonderful race in your very own hometown! Monument Ave has become so crowded over the years, but here in Ashland we have lots of parking and elbow room. Visit http://www.hanoverarts.org/ for more information and a registration form.

Write some notes this week; they don’t have to be mushy, they can be notes of appreciation and sometimes that’s better than romance. Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Xoxo

1/27/11 Birthdays, Runners, Story Time, and Old Dogs

Oh, January is the longest month, isn’t it? I keep thinking that we should be closer to Valentines Day by now, but it’s still weeks away.

There must have been something wrong with the email last week, because we neglected to congratulate Sarah Farrar who also ran and finished the Willis River 50K. This was Sarah’s first Ultra-Marathon, and she finished 4^th in her age group! These flat roads of Ashland certainly make some talented runners.

There are some January babies that have been celebrating: Rob Stiles, Laura Boone, and Stephan Marchetti all enjoyed some cake this past week!

Congratulations to Anna Hogue, a junior at Patrick Henry, for being selected as a finalist for Fox Richmond's Lights, Camera, Take Action PSA contest on underage drinking. Anna is competing against 3 other students from Central Virginia for the Grand Prize. To help Anna win, please vote online at www.foxrichmond.com or text "Fox A" to 67336. Voting ends on February 4th and the winning PSA will be shown during the Super Bowl on February 6th.

Next Thursday, February 3rd, bring you kiddies in their pajamas for a special story time at the Ashland Library! Snuggle up and listen to bedtime stories and enjoy some cookies. Story time starts at 6 pm, and you'll be sure to have sweet dream!

Happy Birthday to Carleigh Luck (of Lower Ashland) who turns 14 on January 28^th! We hope that she gets lots of fun presents and yummy cake.

Registration is now open for the 33 ^rd Ashland Railroad Run 10K and 5K Fun Walk to be held on Saturday, April 30th. Follow through on that New Year’s Resolution and sign up to run this wonderful race in your very own hometown! Monument Ave has become so crowded over the years, but here in Ashland we have lots of parking and elbow room. Visit http://www.hanoverarts.org/ for more information and a registration form.

I said before that I would tell you more about our old dog Jack when my heart wasn’t broken. I have gotten used to his absence, except when we’re coming home from somewhere. I still think that he’ll be there, by the door waiting for us. We missed him at Christmas, too, because he really liked ripping the paper off presents. What a shame these pets can’t live longer. We send our condolences to the Sewell family who lost their dog Max last week. We know how you feel.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 804-310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a lovely week!

1/6/11 News Flash: Singing and Dancing Guaranteed Cure for Winter Blues!

Have you had a hard week? It’s been tough getting back to reality, hasn’t it? No more parties, back to school, back to work, decorations taken down…it’s a hum-drum time.

But wait, what’s that up ahead on the calendar? Have no fear; the 2011 Ashland Variety Show is here! New this year, you can sign up for the performance online at http://www.hanoverarts.org/. But hurry! The deadline is Wednesday, January 12^th and rehearsals begin on the 18^th!

Your winter will seem warm and sunny when you spend the evenings singing and dancing with your neighbors. The talent will amaze you, and your face will hurt from smiling so much. If you’ve got a child in Henry Clay or Gandy, please, please sign them up for Susan Winkler’s Children’s Chorus. It is always a favorite number, and she’s such a great music teacher.

There are numbers for Dads, numbers for middle-schoolers (“Freedom” by Jason Mraz), “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Walking on Sunshine,”- and that’s just a few. Now, think of those songs and imagine the costumes! I am always amazed at the incredible costumes that we are able to create here in this small town.

What- you can’t carry a tune, and you don’t like the spotlight on your face? That’s ok! You can still be a part of this wonderful show. We need volunteers to help with the set, those costumes, concessions, props, lights, and music. There are so many aspects of this production that there’s something for everyone.

If you are new to Ashland, this is a quintessential experience. When I saw my first show, I couldn’t believe my luck. How on earth did I wind up in such a wonderful spot where people come together to put on a show? It was one of those times when I was convinced that I was living in a Hollywood musical. Do not let this opportunity pass by you. You will regret it, I promise.

Congratulations to the Ashland Police Department who was unanimously recommended for re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement! The assessment team who visited Ashland noted the strong community support, and the commitment of our policemen and women to our town. They take good care of us, don’t they?

I have big hopes for 2011, Ashland. I want to see you at your best. There is so much potential here, let’s shoot for the stars.

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

12/23/10 Christmas

I have a challenge for you this week. I know, it's not like you need one more thing on your list, but this is important. I know that Christmas is different for adults; we have a ton of things to get done: food to buy & cook, presents to wrap, a house to clean and decorate. And on top of all that, we're working jobs and doing all those ordinary things that have to get done. But here is what you must do, you must stop for a few minutes in the chaos, and just look at this life around you. If you have a Christmas tree, you should lie down on your back underneath the tree and look up. Not only will you decrease your blood pressure by lying down, but as you look up you will see nothing but evergreen, twinkle lights, and sparkling ornaments. It instantly relaxes you and will make you smile, I promise.

Did you hear that our Ashland was voted the "Best Place to Raise Your Kids in 2011" in Virginia by Business Week? Of course we already knew that, but the magazine cites our wonderful Randolph-Macon College, our beautiful homes, and the Strawberry Faire. I would add our excellent public schools as well. Mechanicsville was the runner-up- yay for Hanover!

Happy Birthday to some more December babies: Susan Spence, Kevin Damien, Debbie Wilkinson, and Lauren Thompson!

If you'd like a little exercise before that Christmas feast, put on your tackiest Christmas sweater and meet at the Station Café on Christmas Eve morning at 9am for a 5K "Freezing Toes and Nose Run." You can warm yourself with a cup of Bart's coffee afterwards, and pick up your Christmas roast at Cross Brother's next door!

You look good, Ashland. The lights are beautiful and the garlands are shimmery. Doesn't it feel good to dress up?

As the year winds down, I always get a little wistful. I remember the Christmas Eves when I was little, when it was a whirlwind of wrapping paper, toys, cousins, and adults laughing in the kitchen. I remember grandmothers in their aprons and the wonderful food that they created. It seemed to take forever for it to get on the table, though, so my father and uncles would pack all the restless kids in the car to go look at Christmas lights. We would go see Motram Sanford's huge lighted tree at Hague (Westmoreland County) and the Santa out on the raft in Gardy's mill pond. After dinner, we would all go in the living room, my grandmother, Pauline Delano would play carols on the piano, and we'd open presents. Aunt Gertrude always gave socks. I can still hear their voices, and I think of the glow from the windows across those cold Northern Neck fields. Let's make sure that we are making good memories for the children of Ashland.

There's only one more column left for 2010. Send me your thoughts on the old year- are you glad to see it go? It has not been an easy year for many. All the better to look forward to 2011! Call or email me: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Merry Christmas you old town! You are one of the best presents I've ever gotten.

12/16/2010 Santa at the Firehouse, December Babies, Ashland Theater Open?

You’ve done a good job of decorating Ashland, and I’m really proud, but it’s not quite enough. We need a little bit more, especially now with this snow on the ground. The whiteness reflects everything and I think if we just put up a few more stands of lights, maybe one or two more candles, that it would be close to perfect. Why don’t we have an Ashland snow globe? I’d really like one of those, but more on my Christmas list later.

If you didn’t make it over to the Ashland firehouse for breakfast with Santa this past weekend, put it on your calendar for next year. There is hardly a better way to spend a cold morning than in a warm firehouse, with good food, & those wonderful, soft Hanover accents being spoken all around you. The firefighters had been out all night fighting a 3-alarm fire at the Super 8 motel, and the trucks still smelled of smoke inside.

We have a lot of wonderful public servants in this town. Bake some extra cookies for them this Christmas and go say “Thank you.”

I am falling down in the birthday department! There were three very important celebrations last week: Rebecca Cline, John Hodges, and most importantly, George Stiles who stepped over that threshold and became a teenager. Where has the time gone? I hope they all had lovely parties and got many wonderful gifts.

We were excited to hear that the Ashland Theater was opening, but apparently the news was incorrect because their doors have been shut and the lights dark. What's the latest, Anne Woodward?

There are too many church services to mention here, but a favorite of ours is the live Nativity at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church on Coatesville Rd. They’ll have it this weekend on Saturday and Sunday at 6 and 7pm. Call ahead in case the weather is bad- 883-5950.

And lastly… Dear Santa, For Christmas this year I would like some staff. Two would be ideal, but I can work with one. If you can’t swing that, please bring peace and love to Ashland, to Hanover, and to the world- in that order.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com . Let your hearts be light, sweet town!

12/09/10 A Christmas Carol, Small Treasures, Santa comes to Town

Wasn’t the snow beautiful? It was such a treat to wake up to the ground covered with those flakes. Out kids had to drag out their snow boots and pants for those flurries! I’d do anything for a white Christmas. I think the last time I saw one of those in Central Virginia I was eight years old.

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is making its annual return to the Randolph-Macon Cobb Theater beginning this Friday, December 10^th, and running through the 16^th. Tickets are $2.50 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under. For show times and to make reservations, please call 752-7316. You’ll see lots of familiar faces in the cast!

The 606 Art Gallery on England Street would love to have you stop by and see their newest show, “Small Treasures” which opens tomorrow- December 10^th from 7 to 9pm. The artists have been busy creating gifts that everyone will treasure; what a wonderful place to find some unique presents! Call 368-7588 for more information.

I know that Town Hall will miss Harold Mitchell who has been balancing the Town books for 36 years. We all wish him a wonderful and relaxing retirement!

Don’t miss your chance to have breakfast with Santa at the Ashland Fire Station this Saturday from 8 to 11am. All-you-can-eat pancakes are waiting for you, as well as that jolly old elf. Breakfast is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Pictures with Santa are $3 each.

Your pets need a Christmas picture too, don’t you think? Dress them up and bring them out this Saturday from 9-1 pm at the Ashland Feed Store. Bailey Herbert will be taking pictures to raise money for the South Anna 4-H, and the suggested donation is $5. Enjoy a visit to the Feed Store as well for their Christmas Open House. There are so many possible gifts in that wonderful old store.

Come join your neighbors for an afternoon of sharing and recycling as the Arts and Activities Center hosts their annual Abundance Swap on Sunday, December 12^th from 1 – 3pm. Bring something with you that you don’t need anymore: picture frames, ornaments, knick-knacks, toys, board games, etc., and then swap them out for something that someone else brought! Please no clothes, jewelry, or paperback books. Kids can also join in by making recycled Christmas decorations. Call 798-2728 for more information.

Lastly, we send our condolences to the Jones and Cook families who lost a favorite husband, father, and grandfather this week. It is such a tough time of year to lose someone, and we hope that they can find some peace in a life well lived.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com . Make sure your stockings are hung on the fireplace!

12/2/2010 It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Did you have a good Thanksgiving? Visit with family? Eat lots of turkey? I’m glad that everyone made is home safe and sound. I think we all needed that little break. But remember, it is only the beginning! The holiday season has begun, and Ashland is already beginning to sparkle. Decorate, decorate, decorate. String twinkle lights everywhere, and pull out your prettiest ornaments. I want Santa to see us glowing as he pulls into town!

There must have been a lot of cake at Town Hall these past few days! Both our Town Manager Charles Hartgrove and Project Manager Chris Holloway celebrated birthdays recently.

Happy Birthday also to Andrew Wilkinson who had a wonderful birthday on the 24 ^th!

Kick-off the holiday season by spending the afternoon of December 5^th making your Christmas decorations! The fundraiser, “Deck the Halls” is held at Pine Grove Farm in Ashland beginning at 12:30pm. All the trimmings will be there- you just put them together. Call 798-9131 for more information.

How much do you love the Ashland PD? Here’s your chance to let other people know. A team representing the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies will be taking public comments on the Ashland Police Department at an information session on Monday, December 13^th beginning at 7:30 pm in the Council Chambers of Town Hall. If you can’t make it to that session, you can call them on Sunday, December 12^th at 804-412-0609 between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.

Remember in all your holiday shopping that we have some wonderful shops in town: book stores, coffee shops, toy stores, and gift shops. I think you could fill every stocking without ever leaving the town limits.

For all the happiness this Christmas, we are so sorry to lose Lynda Bullock-Brown at Cross Brothers. She passed away on Thanksgiving, and we send condolences to her two families: her relatives, and those at Cross Brothers and in Ashland who loved her so much. We liked to see her smile and hear her laugh.

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. I’ll also accept any party invitations that you’d like to send! Have a wonderful weekend!