Friends of the Ashland Library's Annual Fourth of July Big Book Sale

Before you settle in for an afternoon of parades, picnics, and fireworks, make a stop at one of Ashland's favorite Independence Day traditions—the Friends of the Ashland Branch Library's Annual Fourth of July Big Book Sale on Saturday, July 4, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Ashland Branch Library's multi-purpose room.

Whether you're searching for your next beach read, a beloved childhood classic, audiobooks for the road, movies for family night, or hidden literary treasures, you'll discover thousands of pre-owned books and media for every age and interest. From nearly-new bestsellers to vintage finds, there's something waiting on every shelf.

Looking for the best bargain of the day? Toward the end of the sale, shoppers can fill an entire bag for just $5—the perfect excuse to stock up your home library while supporting a great cause.

Every purchase directly benefits the Ashland Branch Library by helping fund library programs, community events, educational resources, and special initiatives that enrich readers of all ages throughout the year.

While the Ashland Branch Library will otherwise be closed for the Independence Day holiday, the Big Book Sale will be open to welcome shoppers, making it the perfect patriotic stop before enjoying the Town of Ashland's Fourth of July festivities.

Bring your curiosity, your reading list, and maybe an extra tote bag—you'll be glad you did.

Ashland’s Applebee’s Invests in Community

Ashland Applebee’s at 101 S. Carter St., Ashland, VA 23005

In a town affectionately known as the “Center of the Universe,” community matters. That spirit of connection is exactly what Ashland’s Applebee’s hopes to strengthen through its new partnership as a Gold Sponsor of the Downtown Ashland Association.

While chain restaurants are often viewed through a corporate lens, Ashland’s Applebee’s is intentionally embracing a different identity — one rooted in neighborhood relationships, local traditions, and meaningful community involvement. The restaurant’s leadership says the goal is not simply to operate in Ashland, but to become part of the fabric of the community itself.

“Ashland blends small-town charm with steady growth in a way that’s incredibly unique,” leadership shared. “You have longtime residents, families, students, commuters, and visitors all crossing paths here every day. That creates an opportunity for the restaurant to become more than a place to grab a meal. It becomes a gathering place where people feel welcome, connected, and known.”

That philosophy aligns naturally with the Downtown Ashland Association’s mission of supporting a vibrant, connected downtown district that celebrates local businesses and community life.

As part of its commitment to the area, Ashland’s Applebee’s is focused on programming designed to bring people together. Leadership expressed excitement about hosting local fundraiser nights, partnering with schools and athletic teams, supporting veteran recognition efforts, celebrating community milestones, and creating family-focused events that serve residents throughout Hanover County.

Ashland Applebee’s at 101 S. Carter St., Ashland, VA 23005

Rather than seeing hospitality as transactional, the team views the restaurant as a space where relationships can grow.

“A meaningful moment is when you realize the restaurant has become part of people’s lives,” leadership explained. “Whether it’s guests gathering after a local event, a team rallying around a fundraiser, or simply recognizing regular visitors by name, those are the moments that remind you hospitality is about creating experiences people remember long after the meal ends.”

That emphasis on familiarity and belonging is especially fitting in Ashland, where local relationships remain central to daily life. Restaurant leadership says one of the most rewarding aspects of serving the community is becoming part of the routines, celebrations, and memories of local families.

The long-term vision for Ashland’s Applebee’s extends beyond food and service. Leadership hopes the restaurant will become recognized as a true community partner — a place known for supporting local causes, celebrating local people, creating opportunities for team members, and welcoming everyone who walks through the doors.

“The dream is for guests to feel like they’re coming to their neighborhood Applebee’s,” leadership said. “Not just an Applebee’s.”

For the Downtown Ashland Association, partnerships like this represent the growing collaboration between businesses of every size and the organizations working to strengthen the town’s historic downtown and greater community.

As Ashland continues to evolve, the restaurant’s investment serves as a reminder that community identity is not shaped solely by history or architecture but by the businesses and people willing to actively contribute to the place they call home.

New Book Illustrates Love of Horses and Home in Ashland

Eagle Point Farm – A Legacy of Grit and Grace” by Donna Dennehy

Readers of the new book “Eagle Point Farm – A Legacy of Grit and Grace” by Donna Dennehy can saddle up for an unforgettable ride with one very determined Virginia horsewoman. Donna Gilman Dennehy, at the age of 19, took the reins of her family’s Thoroughbred horse farm in Ashland, Virginia and led it on a 50-year journey through triumphs and trying times.   

“Eagle Point Farm – A Legacy of Grit and Grace,” published by Dementi Milestone Publishing,  

offers a heartfelt testament to Donna’s abiding love for her land, family and horses. Exceptional photographs capture that feeling and evoke nostalgic memories of a bygone era in Ashland, such as the early days of the Camptown Races. The book is both an inside look at running a training stable and an inspiring family saga.   Written in Donna’s straightforward style and laced with her trademark dry wit, it is hard to decide which are more colorful – her relatives or the racehorses. 

 Today, Eagle Point Farm, founded by Donna’s father Ed Gilman in 1947, ranks as one of the foremost Thoroughbred training operations on the East Coast. Donna has handed the reins over to her daughter Karen Dennehy, and they work together as the second and third generation to continue the proud heritage of their horse farm and homeplace.

To order a copy of “Eagle Point Farm – A Legacy of Grit and Grace” please email  epf@eaglepointfarm.com.

Win the Weekend: Build Your 4-Week AI Marketing Plan

Neighbors laugh under Your Path Counseling Center’s booth at Ashland Fourth Fridays

Are you tired of last-minute marketing panic before event weekends?

Executive Coach Dorian Cunion of Your Path Coaching and Consulting

Every month, the streets of Ashland come alive for our vibrant 4th Friday celebrations. Foot traffic peaks, energy is high, and the community gathers in the Center of the Universe. But as a local business owner or vendor, are you successfully turning that sidewalk crowd into actual storefront revenue, or are you just clearing off your sidewalk and hoping for the best?

To truly win the weekend, hope isn’t a strategy. You need a proactive roadmap, clear tactical hooks, and a repeatable system.

In this actionable marketing workshop, Executive Coach Dorian Cunion will teach you how to use the business model canvas and unlock the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create a revenue-driving marketing plan.

What You Will Learn & Create:

• The One-Page 4th Fridays Blueprint: Strip away the complexity of traditional planning. You will map out your specific event goals, target audiences, operational infrastructure, and revenue targets onto a single-page strategy canvas.

• The AI Marketing Engine: Stop staring at a blank page. Learn the exact, copy-and-paste AI prompting frameworks to feed your business details into tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, instantly generating localized social media campaigns, hooks, and email copy.

• Physical Activations That Draw a Crowd: Discover experiential marketing strategies—such as sidewalk "teaser" displays, micro-events, and localized interactive contests—that organically pull casual pedestrians off the sidewalk and into your checkout line.

• The Digital Bridge: Learn how to use simple tech setups like curated QR codes and targeted social media structures to convert immediate event-day foot traffic into long-term online buyers.

• A 4-Week Social Media Calendar Blueprint: Leave with a concrete framework detailing exactly what, when, and how to post starting 30 days before the festival to build maximum local anticipation.

Who Is This Workshop For?

• Main Street retail storefronts and boutique owners are looking to maximize event hours.

• Artisans, makers, and pop-up vendors want to stand out in a crowded market.

• Local food, beverage, and service providers are looking to build strategic cross-promotions with neighboring businesses.
  
  

The Result:

You’ll walk out of this session not just with "ideas," but with a customized, AI-powered 4-week marketing roadmap built specifically for your brand. Turn your next Ashland 4th Friday into your most profitable weekend yet.

Songs from the Center of the Universe, Vol. 2 Now Streaming

Songs from the Center of the Universe concert at the historic Hanover Arts and Activities Center

The Center of the Universe just got a little louder. Songs from the Center of the Universe, Volume 2 is now streaming on all major platforms, and Downtown Ashland Association invites the community to celebrate in style: gather at Origin Beer Lab on Friday, June 5 at 5 PM for a live listening party that turns Ashland's own streets and tracks into the venue they were always meant to be.

Legendary audio producer Matt Treacy of Free Jambalaya

The second volume of this beloved local series captures eight artists and more than a dozen original songs — every one of them a love letter to Ashland, Virginia. Tammy Hart Mosby, JOHNNY ROCK, Tim Nelson, Kevin Fergusson, Gerry Seeley, Brad Tuggle, Aydan Gill, and prolific songwriter Victor Gottlieb each contributed songs that capture the charm, character, and community of a town that proudly calls itself the Center of the Universe.

The album was recorded live during the Songs from the Center of the Universe concert at the historic Hanover Arts and Activities Center and produced by legendary audio producer Matt Treacy of Free Jambalaya, recorded inside Slipped Disc Studios — situated directly beside the iconic Ashland Theatre.

At the June 5th listening party, guests will hear these original Ashland songs played through Origin Beer Lab's speakers, just steps from the very railroad tracks and historic downtown that inspired them. Featured musicians will be on hand to meet fans, and as a thank-you for their artistry, each featured artist will receive two beverages courtesy of the Downtown Ashland Association.

Every stream of Songs from the Center of the Universe, Volume 2 directly supports Downtown Ashland. Neighbors near and far are encouraged to listen, share, and come raise a glass to the musicians who put Ashland's soul to song.

Event Details: 📅 Friday, June 5, 2025 🕔 5:00 PM 📍 Origin Beer Lab, Ashland, Virginia 🎵 Streaming now on all major platforms

Songs from the Center of the Universe concert at the historic Hanover Arts and Activities Center

Songs from the Center of the Universe, Volume 2 features:

• Tammy Hart Mosby — 1800 Amtrak to Ashland

• JOHNNY ROCK — Ashland #1

• Tim Nelson — To Henrys

• Kevin Fergusson — A Day and Night in Ashland

• Gerry Seeley — Ashland Is My Town

• Brad Tuggle — The Village that We Chose

• Aydan Gill — The Heart of It All

• Victor Gottlieb — Intro / Ashland, Virginia And You Here With Me / Ashland Gypsy Melody / I'm An Ashland Cowboy / Ashland Virginia - A Town Where I Have Been / Finger Picking Tour Of Ashland, Virginia / Ashland Mini Opera / Let's Go Back To Ashland / I'm Coming Home To Ashland, Virginia / Welcome To Ashland - Girl Scout Cookies