1/26/12 Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Abundance Swap, Dolly the Reading Therapy Dog

As I said last week, all we need is consistency, but we are certainly not getting it. We seem to have fallen into a weather pattern that changes everyday: cold, wet, warm, dry. No wonder we are as confused as the daffodils!

There are some birthdays being celebrated around town! Rob Stiles, Rhonda Lacoss, and Carleigh Luck are all getting presents this week. We hope they have a wonderful year.

Mark your calendar for the weekend of February 24^th as the Youth Group presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Tickets will be $5 with children 6 and under, free. Proceeds support Duncan youth mission projects, retreats, and special programs. For more information or to place an ad in the handbill, contact Kendra or Teena at 798-7224.

Clean out your cabinets and enjoy a fun afternoon at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center’s Abundance Swap on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Find 3 to 5 items in your home, shop or office that someone would enjoy as a gift, bring them to the Center, then you can pick out 3 to 5 items that you would like to have. No money is involved – just sharing. Feel free to drop off your items ahead of time if you’d like. No clothes, jewelry or paperback books, please. Call 798-2728 for more information.

Congratulations to everyone who auditioned for the Hanover Idol singing competition! The finalists chosen for the Junior Idol were Jordan Brown, Blake Draper, Allyson Flinn, Faith Gitchell, Haley Joyce, Kayla Lipford, Sara Newcomb, Sarah Prevost, Austin Riley, Brooke Walker, Kendall Wilkinson, and Jean Woodrum. Finalists for the Hanover Idol (ages 16 and above) were Carrie Cauthorne, Lindsay Coggins, Jamie Flanagan, Andrea Fornel, Sarah Hopkins, Zhane Jackson, Beth Martin, Tricia Wiles, Lisa Williams, Tim Wilson, Jr., and Alyssa Wright.

The finals competition will be held at The Center on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 (two shows – one for Hanover Junior Idols and one for Hanover Idols). Winners in each category will become this year’s reigning Hanover Junior Idol and Hanover Idol. For questions, please email info@hanoverarts.org or call 804.798.2728.

This Saturday, Dolly the Reading Therapy dog will listen to your school-aged child read a book to her for thirty minutes. Call your friendly neighborhood library to sign up for a time slot: 798-4072.

Readers, we’re coming up on the 5th anniversary of this Ashland column in April. We should have a party, don’t you think? Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com.

1/19/12 Firehouse Theater, A Day of Mindfulness, Knitting Class

I really don’t have anything to say about the weather. Whatever I write today will sound odd when you read this because the weather will be completely opposite. One day I can’t seem to get warm, and the next we’re sitting on the porch. This winter just can’t decide what it wants to do.

This Sunday will be a happy day in the Sloppy house! Dorothy Sloppy will turn 90 years old and we know that she’ll be surrounded by her family & gifts!

Dreaming of snow? You can bundle up and come see the James Bond movie, “From Russia with Love” on Friday, January 20^th at the Ashland Firehouse Theater. Tickets will be $5 each and all the proceeds will benefit the Model United Nations at Patrick Henry High School. The curtain goes up at 7:30pm.

Start practicing now for the 2012 Hanover Idol competition! Auditions will be held this Sunday, January 22nd at the Center. For more information and a registration form, visit http://www.hanoverarts.org/.

If one of your resolutions was to look inward, there is a wonderful retreat this Saturday at the Arts and Activities Center. Maria Fleshood, LCP, will offer “A Day of Mindfulness,” which will help you cultivate a greater awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Come find your path to spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Call 798-2728 for more information.

Knitting can be a wonderfully expressive craft, and one that it perfectly suited to the winter months. If your child has ever wanted to learn to knit, sign up for the Children/Teen Kitting Classes at the Center beginning next Tuesday, Jan. 24^th from 6 to 7pm. The $40 cost covers 4 classes and the knitting needles and yarn are included. Call 798-2728 for more information.

If you know anything about Duncan Memorial Methodist Church, you know that they can sing! Mark your calendar for the weekend of February 24 ^th as the Youth Group presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Tickets will be $5 with children 6 and under, free. Proceeds support Duncan youth mission projects, retreats, and special programs. For more information or to place an ad in the handbill, contact Kendra or Teena at 798-7224.

So I think instead of dividing our time by some wishing for snow, and some wishing for spring, we could come together and perhaps solve this Virginia winter dilemma. We only need to wish for one thing: consistency. Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Enjoy your weekend!

1/12/12 Planning Ahead, Center Classes, Bluegrass, Firehouse Theater

With cold and bleak weather outside, Ashlanders turn to their own talents to amuse themselves.

Lorie Foley is already planning a musical summer for the kids of Ashland. If you have an aspiring musical theater child in middle or high school, then mark your calendar for auditions on Sunday, April 22nd from 3:00 to 5:00pm. Auditions will also be held the next day, Monday, April 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Kids will be asked to sing a song a capella and to read from the script. For more information, call the Center at 798-2728.

There are a ton of winter classes at your Arts and Activities Center this winter! If you have ever wanted to knit, make beautiful origami, design jewelry, become more mindful, or learn how to contribute to the NPR project “This I Believe,” the Center is the place to be. Visit http://www.hanoverarts.org/ or stop by the Center at 500 S. Center St. for more information.

The Virginia Bluegrass and Country Music Foundation will present “A Cool Evening of Hot Bluegrass and Country Music by the Railroad Tracks” on Wednesday, January 18^th at (where else?) the Arts and Activities Center. The show starts at 6:30 and tickets are $10 for adults with children 12 and under, free. Don’t miss this chance to hear some wonderful Virginia music.

We’d like to send lots of happy birthday wishes to Samantha Slopey who will turn 8 on Jan 14!

Dreaming of snow? You can bundle up and come see the James Bond movie, “From Russia with Love” on Friday, January 20^th at the Ashland Firehouse Theater. Tickets will be $5 each and all the proceeds will benefit the Model United Nations at Patrick Henry High School. The curtain goes up at 7:30pm.

Come to the Ashland Library in your PJs for a good snuggle and great books. There is a special Pajama Storytime on Thursday Jan 12th at 6 p.m.. Pjs , blankets, stuffed animals are encouraged. Good books and light treats will be provided.

Start practicing now for the 2012 Hanover Idol competition! Auditions will be held January 22nd at the Center. For more information and a registration form, visit http://www.hanoverarts.org/.

Just look at everything that’s going on! This winter will surely fly by and the spring will be here before we know it. Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com.

1/5/12 Happy New Year, Richmond Jazz Society, Hanover Idol

Oh, I hate taking down Christmas decorations. The houses look so bare and bleak without them. I was trying to think of some kind of January ornaments that we could hang around the eaves, but only snowflakes come to mind. But some of that white stuff wouldn’t be too bad! I love the way our town looks after a snowfall- truly spectacular. Look for some of those trains from up north to come through town carrying some snow on their decks.

If you’re feeling the need to get some exercise after a indulgant holiday, come out to participate in a fun, unofficial 10 miler on Saturday, January 7th. This race begins at 9 am at Railside Trail behind the Brock Center at R-MC, and will wind it’s way around the town. “Uniffocial” means no closed roads or police support, so bear that in mind when planning. A donation of $10 per person will benefit the charity “Faces of Hope” which fights childhood obesity.

Birthday wishes go out to Caitlin Rutherford who tore open her presents on January 4th!

There will be a lot happening at the Arts & Activities Center this winter, so mark your calendars for some great events. On Sunday, January 8th, the Richmond Jazz Society’s “Make Music With Me” program will kick off the first event of the Children’s Culture and Concert series. Bring your kids over at 3:30pm and introduce them to some wonderful music and instruments. Tickets are $5 per person in advance, or $8 at the door. To make a reservation, email info@ hanoverarts.org or call 798-2728.

Start practicing now for the 2012 Hanover Idol competition! Auditions will be held January 22nd at the Center. For more information and a registration form, visit http://www.hanoverarts.org/.

We forgot to wish Ellen Wulf a happy birthday last week, but we’re sure that she had a wonderful New Year’s Eve.

We’re in a cold snap mid-week, so check in on your older neighbors and make sure they’re warm. Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a great first weekend!

12/15/2011 Cross Brothers' Baby, Scotchtown, RMC's "A Christmas Carol"

We have seen lots of birds these days in town. There was a hawk perched behind Town Hall and Bald Eagles spotted on both the east and west sides of Ashland. I am sure they are searching for some tasty autumn field mice- remember to look up when you’re outside!

There is nothing better than a new baby to remind us of the beauty that exists in the world. Elliot Thomas Warren arrived on December 8 ^th, and has brightened the lives of many people in Ashland recently, especially his great grandparents Catherine and David Willis, his grandparents Charles and Cathy Waldrop, and his doting parents Patrick and Casey! By all accounts, he is a sweet and charming boy.

This Saturday, December 17^th, bring your kids and pets by the Ashland Firehouse Theater to visit with Santa beginning at 1pm. Take pictures and give Santa any last minute changes to your Christmas list!

Then come back that evening at 7pm for that wonderful Christmas classic, “The Polar Express.” It’s a perfect movie to help kids & grown ups remember to believe in the unbelievable. As always, tickets are free!

Also this Saturday, there will be a Hansel & Gretel Party at historic Scotchtown for ages 6-12 years old. From 2 pm- 4pm, come decorate a Gingerbread house, and enjoy seasonal refreshments and entertainment. The cost is $25 per person and supplies are included. Call 804-227-3500 for more information.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of the most recent production of Randolph-Macon’s “A Christmas Carol.” It is a delight to see it, especially with so many Ashland kids in it. The tickets go on sale right after Thanksgiving, and they always sell out quickly, so if you didn’t see it this year, write a reminder for 2012.

We have some belated birthday wishes for George Stiles who turned 14 on December 9^th!

You’re not finished decorating, are you? If the lights still work, then you must hang them up. Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Sparkle and shine, COTU, sparkle and shine.

11/23/2011 Thanksgiving, Deck The Halls, Ashland Runners

Well Ashland, I hope that you have safe travels if you’re leaving town for Thanksgiving, and if you’re staying home, I hope that you have a wonderful day with your family and friends! Eat, drink, and be merry.

The Ashland Holiday Parade was a great success; many thanks to everyone who watched and clapper, everyone who waved from a hay bale on the back of a float, and everyone who made music fill the air.

The 7^th annual Deck the Halls event is right around the corner- December 4^th from 12:30pm to 5pm. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children ages 5 through 12. Included in your ticket are all the supplies you need to create holiday decorations for your home: fresh-cut greenery, ribbons, wire, wreath forms, gloves, etc. Tickets are available at http://www.hilliardhouse.org/ or by calling 798-9131.

There is no movie at the Ashland Firehouse Theater this weekend, but mark your calendars for the following Saturday, December 3^rd and “My Cousin Vinny” with Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei and Ralph Macchio. Remember, all tickets are FREE!

I can’t believe that last week I forgot to mention all the Ashlanders who ran in either the marathon, the half-marathon, or the 8K in Richmond on November 12^th! Running in the 8K were Emily Parris, John Hodges, and Kevin Proffitt. Half-marathon finishers were Jackie Plank and Dennis Hansen. Marathon finishers were Tamra & Rodney Bardwell, Susan Spence, Tracy Brown, Amy Rutherford, Patricia Reagan, Tom Grant. They were supported by some very enthusiastic home-town cheering squads!

The town is still this week. The Randolph-Macon students are gone, and the school buses are quiet. Take some time to walk through your beautiful streets and jump in a pile of leaves.

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

11/10/11 NYC Marathon Runners, Firehouse Theater, RMC vs. HSC

Here they are, those beautiful fall colors that grace our sweet town every year. It is simply stunning and it is easy to forget about our crazy mid-Atlantic weather when we watch this fashion show outside our windows.

Happy birthday wishes went out last week to Madison Brown who blew out thirteen candles on her cake! Good grief, she’ll be off to college in the blink of an eye.

Some really big congratulations are in order for the two newest members of the New York Marathon Club: Jo Ann Hunter and Craig Hatz! These two runners began with just a mile or two on the flat streets of Ashland, and now they’ve run in the world’s largest marathon. We are very, very proud.

This Saturday, November 12^th, the Ashland Firehouse Theater will feature its second foreign language film: “The Motorcycle Diaries” from Brazil. Produced by Robert Redford, this movie is based on the true story of Che Guevara’s motorcycle adventure across Latin America. Remember, all tickets are FREE! The curtain goes up at 7:45pm- put it on your calendar.

There are two great classes coming to your friendly local library next week. A computer basics class will be held on Monday November 14th at 6:30 p.m. This is a great class for someone who’s interested in learning the basics of using a computer. Find out about the parts of a computer, learn how to use a mouse, begin to explore & search the Internet, and set up an e-mail account. Call 798-4072 to register for the class.

Then on Tuesday at 7pm, come hear local gardening and author, Nancy Hugo, talk about her newest book, “Seeing Trees: Discover the Secret Lives of Everyday Trees. A book signing and refreshments will follow the presentation.

You do know what happens this Saturday, don’t you? The place to be is at the Randolph-Macon stadium for the last game on Day Field: our fearless Yellow Jackets against Hampton-Sydney! Kick-off is at 1pm, but it will be packed, so get there early. Please, please, please- knock the ties off those HSC boys. Go Jackets!

Call or email me with your Ashland news: 310-5320, ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful weekend- visit your local farmer’s market!