see THEATRE

Continued from pg. 1 began as a grassroots effort by volunteers from the Ashland community. Much of the initial work required to shore up the aging building was performed by volunteers. That core group formed the roots of the Ashland Theatre Foundation.

“The theatre basically reopened to the public in December 2018,” Caldwell said. “They had a great 2019 and then they got in to March 2020 and had a showing of ‘Freddy vs. Jason’ Halloween weekend planned when the decision was made to shut down the state of Virginia.”

During the shutdown, the theatre held pop-up events to bolster operations and offered the marquee for rent to the public.

Caldwell said the Foundation also took advantage of shuttered venue grants available during the pandemic, an effort spearheaded by board member Chris Ray “to keep the doors open and keep the marquee running.”

“Between March 2020 and July 2021, the theatre did a small series of drive-in events in the field behind our building in a partnership with the Town,” she said. “They also did a series of concerts called Tunes on the Tracks.”

Those events were scheduled during the summer and fall, but the winter of 2020 the building was basically closed.

The theatre opened in 1948 with a showing of “Sitting Pretty” with Robert Young and Maureen O’Hara and operated until the 1990s with numerous periods of non-use.

Owners Jean and A.D. Whittaker donated the building to the Town in 2013, and proposals were issued seeking a nonprofit to run the operation of the theatre. A group of citizens who eventually became the Ashland Theatre Foundation came forward and began plans to reopen the facility.

Throughout 2014, community work days were planned where volunteers provided the sweat equity required to bring the building back to life. An estimated $40,000 in donated skills covered the plumbing, electrical and plaster work, allowing the theatre to open for pop-up events.

In 2015, Ashland Town Council approved the Foundation’s plans to renovate and reopen the theatre, and a Capital Campaign entitled Ashland Theatre: A Classic Reborn was instated to begin the fundraising efforts.

Aided by numerous grants and an annual commitment from the Town, renovation work began in 2017 and was completed in 2018 for the grand reopening.

“The building is owned by the Town of Ashland and the Ashland Theatre Foundation is in charge of operations,” Caldwell said. Clark Mercer is president of the Foundation’s Board and Hugh Joyce serves as vice president.

“This organization more

see THEATRE, pg. 7

JOBFAIR

Tuesday,November2 8:30a.m.to4p.m.

CALENDAR

| News, Updates & Listings

Fax submissions to calendar to 344-8746, email to events@mechlocal.com, or mail to 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville VA 23116. Deadline is 1 p.m. Thursday for the following week’s issue. Calendar announcements cannot be taken by phone. We reserve the right to edit all items submitted to Ashland-Hanover Local.

Th ursday, Oct. 28

The Ashland Museum and the Hanover Museum of History and Culture continue the story about change in our rural communities with a special conversation, “Story Stop: Hanover,” led by writer, Kris Spisak. Join Kris and a panel of local writers including Kate Tweedy, Anne Geddy Cross, and Kelly Merrill. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Ashland Library located at 201 S. Railroad Ave. in Ashland. Free, but reservations are required. For more information or to make a reservation, email museum@ hanovercounty.gov or call 804365-7150.

Friday, Oct. 29

Virginia State Police Richmond Division is hosting a Trunk or Treat and Game Night at its office/HQ at 9300 Brook Road from 5 to 7 p.m. Candy and games! All are welcome! Come on out and say hello.

Cobb Technologies is welcoming the public to its annual Cobbtoberfest celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. at 1000 Technology Park Drive, Glen Allen, Va., 23059. The event benefits Imprint, the charitable arm of Cobb Technologies whose mission is to serve and feed children in our communities, and will kick off with five ultra-runners crossing the finish line to a 350 mile relay race.Admission is free – donations are welcome – all donations go to benefit Imprint’s mission. Activities include live music by Big Boss Man, children’s face painting, a bounce house, costumes, raffle prizes, and an assortment of vendors. There will be fun activities for the entire family so bring the kids and your dogs.

Saturday, Oct. 30

American Legion Post 175 is sponsoring a Community Breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. in the Main Hall of the Post located at 8700 Bell Creek Road in Mechanicsville. Diners may choose from a hearty buffet. The cost is $8 per adult, $4 for children ages 12 to 4, and free for children under the age of 4.

see CALENDAR, pg. 16