Ashland celebrates 150 years
October 20, 2008 - (By Melody Kinser MECHANICSVILLE LOCAL)
Excitement, entertainment, enthusiasm and mystery -- that's how the Town
of Ashland celebrated its 150th birthday on Saturday.
Excitement, entertainment, enthusiasm and mystery—that’s how the Town of Ashland celebrated its 150th birthday on Saturday.
A cool autumn breeze was blowing as the stands at Day Football Field on the campus of Randolph-Macon College filled with family, friends, residents and neighbors of all ages. Impressively greeting guests and the crowd in the center of the entrance was a 6-foot-tall, 4-foot-wide, 400-pound sculptured cake.
Unique in countless ways, the cake is the handiwork of Hanover County students, under the guidance of designer Nancy Cozart and builder AC Bruce. Cozart is the lead art specialist for Hanover County Public Schools.
Hand-sculptured faces joined by roses—and even a “lit” candle on top—prompted a quick stop upon arrival for further examination. Students were spotted searching for their additions to the special cake. One of those students was 11-year-old Katheryn Marmolejo, who was a student at Beaverdam Elementary School last year when she made her “frosting face.” She now attends Liberty Middle School.
The sculptured cake gets a home at the Ashland Library. Branch manager Cathy Bach-McElroy was admiring the creation just before the opening ceremony was to begin.
“I am welcoming the cake,” she said with a smile. Considering its size, she said, “We think it’s going to fit. It will be great. We want everybody to see it.”
As for the mystery, a time capsule was buried in 1983, with the intention of revealing it this year, but it has not been located. Co-chairman Lorie Foley earlier said that “the last time capsule is ‘lost.’ It’s been documented, but no one has found it.”
Rob Stiles, president of the Ashland 150 Steering Committee, said the town would welcome “any information, accurate information—please don’t hold it back.”
With the unveiling of a new time capsule for the 150th celebration, he said “this time capsule will be placed in the town vault.”
Reagan Phillips, who served on the Time Capsule Committee, said the new one “will be sealed at midnight Dec. 31, 2008, and not reopened until 2058.” He added, “Hopefully it will not be lost.” To mark the special day, the Ashland Running Club had logged 150 miles that morning, Stiles said.
The celebration kicked off with the county’s four high school marching bands—Atlee, Hanover, Lee-Davis and Patrick Henry—presenting their halftime shows. Combined, the field was filled with 400 Hanover students.
Wearing Patrick Henry Marching Patriots sweatshirts, several mothers were seated in the stands proudly naming their children as they stood on the field. Among those were Josh Pappas’ mom Debra; Travis Clark’s mom Cindy; Andrea Fritch’s mom Deanna; Daniel King’s mom Pam Martin; Jonathan Adams’ mom Donna; and Chris Bowles’ mom Linda. With the exception of Bowles, who is a junior, the other students are seniors at Patrick Henry High. Debra Pappas, who makes her home in the Ashland area, made a point to note “Uncle Buddy Pappas lives in Mechanicsville” and had planned to attend, but became ill.
In unison, the mothers referred to the band as “84 marching strong.”
Stiles officially opened the program, saying, “It’s a great day to be in the Center of the Universe.” Former mayor Dick Gillis had described the town in that manner and the slogan stuck.
Two hundred elementary school students from John M. Gandy and Henry Clay performed under the direction of Susan Winckler.
The event also included a special Ukrop’s cake, designed by Chef Jim Goodman, in addition to 150 birthday cakes that were being served by the fountain.
Also instrumental to the organizing the 150th birthday celebration were Sue Watson, co-chairman, and Ashland mayor Faye Prichard and Randolph-Macon College president Robert Lindgren who served as honorary chairmen.
For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.ashland150.com.