THE ARTS
SANTA RUNS
Officials check out theatre work
Ashland Station 1 continues with Santa Runs page 14
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Vol. 3 No. 18 | Richmond Suburban News | December 6, 2017
Town lights up tracks to attract visitors and sales By Logan Barry for The Hanover Local ASHLAND – The Town of Ashland continued its holiday festivities on Friday with the third annual “Light Up the Tracks!” event at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center. “We had a full crowd at the beautifully decorated Center to enjoy music, dance and theatre performances. Central Virginia Dance Academy performed selections from ‘The Nutcracker,’ [and] The Whistle Stop Theatre Company performed a couple of scenes from their production of ‘Little Women,’” said Lorie Foley, who manages public relations for the Ashland Main Street Association. Foley also said that 804 Dance Place performed various dance numbers, and the all-male chorus of “Hanover Harmony” sang holiday-spirited songs. “They even got the audience to join in
with them,” she said after the event. “After the main program, Santa and Rudolph stopped by to visit with the children. It was a quintessential Ashland event – magical and lovely,” Foley said. The Whistle Stop Theatre Company also presented an exclusive sneak peek of its newest adaptation, “The Little Match Girl.” Audiences were delighted as the classic work of Hans Christian Andersen was brought to life in time for the holiday season. “Light Up the Tracks!” is sponsored by AMSA, but the nonprofit organization partnered together with HAAC for the Dec. 1 event. Starting off the month-long celebration with “Light Up the Center,” and throughout the rest of December until New Year’s Day, the portion of town that lines the railroad tracks, including downtown Ashland businesses, Randolph-Macon College and
trackside residences, will be decorated with sparkling lights from one end of town to the other. There will continue to be holidayfocused events throughout that time as well. On Saturday, Dec. 2, Santa Claus strolled through downtown Ashland, starting at Cross Bros. Grocery, where he read a story to children. With the goal of bringing more visitors to the historic downtown portion of the “Center of The Universe” to enjoy the holiday lights, as well as to shop and dine in Ashland’s trackside shops and restaurants, the Main Street Association has planned and will be coordinating musical and dance performances, additional family activities, arts and crafts, holiday open houses and more throughout the month.
Nick Liberante The Hanover Local
The Whistle Stop Theatre Company presents a scene from see LIGHTS UP, pg. 4 “Little Women” at the Light Up the Tracks! event.
Supporting Hanover Safe Place
Same day access to Social Services started Saturday By Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local
Nick Liberante for The Hanover Local
TV 6 newscaster Cheryl Miller, left, was honorary co-host. She is shown with Carolyn Peart, who hosts the annual Deck The Halls! event at her home. At right, Vivien McClain ran to give Santa a welcome hug when he arrived.
ASHLAND -- In an effort to increase accessibility and efficiency, Community Service Boards across the Commonwealth are engaged in efforts to offer timely services to its clients. Hanover County began those efforts earlier this year, and a plan to increase same day access to services was officially
initiated in March with a kickoff event. As of Saturday, Dec. 2, those walk-up services are available in Hanover to those who need them. Hanover’s efforts are the result of a statewide effort called STEP (System Transformation Excellence and Performance), a multi-year plan to address challenges in the CSB system. Hanover’s initiative is a three-pronged attack that see SOCIAL, pg. 4