Past, present and future of Town represented at big birthday bash
October 23, 2008 By BILL DORAN (Herald-Progress)
Photographer Duane Berger captured the prelude to the opening ceremonies at R-MC's Day Field with all four high school bands performing in this composite photo.
Over 2,000 people filled the stands last Saturday to celebrate the Town of Ashland's sesquicentennial. The event at Day Field on the Randolph-Macon College campus was attended by past, present and even future residents of the Town they call "The Center of the Universe."
They ranged from two weeks old to 103. As people arrived they were greeted with the sounds of all four of Hanover high school marching bands performing on the football field. On their way to the stands they passed by a huge birthday cake that was decorated by students from throughout Hanover. The frame was created by A.C. Bruce, a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals and a local contractor. Students then designed ceramic plates that were adhered to the cake form. The cake will be relocated to the Ashland Library and set up in the children's section.
It was a crisp windy day but clear of any rain as Rob Stiles, president of Team 150 opened the ceremonies with a quote from former Mayor Dick Gillis, "It's a great day to be in the Center of the Universe." "When we started planning this about a year ago we weren't sure how many people to expect. Thank you for exceeding our expectations. This all started over a cup of coffee at the Ashland Coffee and Tea.
Lorie Foley and Sue Watson got together to plan this out. The committee grew to over 1,000 people to put together the celebration," said Stiles. As Stiles gave his opening remarks, more than 200 children lined up behind him to form the Ashland Children's Chorus.
The Patrick Henry ROTC and the Ashland Police Honor Guard presented the colors and Hanover Idol Winner Kelly West sang the National Anthem. The Children's Chorus sang a beautiful song about living in the heart of America. The crowd then sang the Town's anthem, "Ashland, Ashland."
"The one thing that I am profoundly aware of as I stand here today is I am the luckiest person in the universe," said Mayor Faye Prichard. "There is no honor greater than being given the responsibility of the care of this town. It is our people and the shared sense of community that makes this town great. When I look at this town I see America and all the things we value most." "It is an honor to welcome you to the campus today," said R-MC President Robert Lindgren. "Fate has brought us here at this point in our lives. R-MC would not be what it is today without the community of Ashland. Learning and living in Ashland is a privilege.
"Ashland is passionate about its people. Not even Harvard can say it finds itself located in The Center of the Universe." Following Lindgren's remarks, the R-MC Choir sang a beautiful rendition of "It Takes a Village."
Ragan Phillips presented the time capsule that will be opened in 2058. This time capsule will be stored in the Town Vault; 25 years ago a time capsule was buried somewhere on the grounds of Town Hall and has yet to be found. Even up until the morning of the celebration people were out on the lawn with metal detectors looking for it.
"I didn't realize that when they asked me to be in charge of the time capsule that I would have to stay around another 50 years to open it up," Phillips quipped. "Fortunately I have my children and grandchildren to do that for me." The capsule will be sealed Dec. 31. Anyone who has an idea for the time capsule is asked to fill out a form at Town Hall with their suggestions. "We want the capsule to represent the people, places and things that represent Ashland in the year 2008," said Phillips. The caption on the capsule reads, "We lived, we loved, and we forged a great community which we pass on to you. We were Ashland."
The oldest citizen, Virginia Shelton, 103, and the youngest Lucy Helen Lynne, two weeks, blew out the candles on one of 150 cakes celebrating the anniversary. The Hanover marching bands then led the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday." After the opening ceremonies the crowd gathered at the fountain square to have cake and listen to several musical acts.
The opening band was The God Fearing Snake Handlers. This bluegrass band is made up of Town residents and employees, including Town Manager Charles Hartgrove on mandolin. In addition to the Snake Handlers, the Hanover Idols, the Ashland Community Chorus, The Workmen Twins, the Hometown Boys, the Traveling Jubilees and the Special Edition band all performed.
The Crenshaw Gym served as the exhibition hall for the celebration. The exhibition hall featured Ashland artists and writers, history, organizations and businesses, churches, Ashland 150 fashions, Ashland Musical Variety Show, Ashland 150 memorabilia, Hanover Black Heritage Society, Hanover Arts and Activities Center, the time capsule and many other historical exhibits.
In addition to the exhibits, entertainment was provided by the Community Children's Choir, Ashland History in Drama and Song, by R-MC's Barkley DuPriest, and the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale.