Volunteer Spotlight: John Working

John Working began volunteering with Downtown Ashland Association in 2019 to help promote the local business community, and he currently serves as Vice President.

John Working, J.D.

Working is the co-owner and a founding partner of Railside Law Group. His practice focuses on criminal and traffic defense, family law, and estate planning. Together with partner Virginia Podboy, The Railside Law Group operates as a general practice at 307B England Street.

John Working explained the partners’ choice to locate in Downtown Ashland, saying, “There is a real sense of community among Ashland business owners. People rally around each other and the community values supporting local business.”

John Working is a 2001 graduate of Randolph-Macon College.  He earned an English major and Education minor. Working says, “I was grateful to not only receive an education from the College, but also make meaningful connections with professors and coaches.” After graduation, Working spent seven years teaching English and coaching football at Varina High School and Mechanicsville High School.

John Working and his wife Jessica Robertson Working are both entrepreneurs in Downtown Ashland.

During his time in the public school system, Working was inspired to advocate for youth and the less fortunate, and he became interested in the legal field. He attended the University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law. Now an attorney, Working volunteers with the Hanover County Drug Court defending youth who are criminally charged and are at-risk of developing substance dependency. The Drug Court helps divert youth away from the criminal justice system, while helping them develop tools to build better futures.

Downtown Ashland Association is fortunate to have John Working’s leadership as an advocate and business owner in our community.

Ashland Fourth Fridays 2021

Friday, April 23 from 5-7pm Ashland Fourth Fridays will launch its 2021 Season celebrating arts and culture in Downtown Ashland. Stroll the streets for sidewalk sales, art exhibits, live music, and outdoor dining!

Now in its second year, this event is an opportunity for local artisans to showcase their work. Downtown Ashland enjoys a vibrant community of jewelers, painters, designers, entertainers, chefs, farmers, and musicians—just to name a few!

“Our goal is to support local creatives, while bringing attention to what Downtown Ashland already has to offer. We hope to provide a place for artists to regularly share their work and reach new supporters,” says Kitty Barnes the event organizer and co-owner of RED VEIN Escape.

Stay updated on the latest plans for each month’s event by following Ashland Fourth Fridays at the links below:

Untold Stories: A Retrospective

“Untold Stories: Growing up in Ashland/Hanover — Black & White Experiences” is a powerful annual event hosted by Downtown Ashland Association and our non-profit partners. Local residents share personal memories of life in our segregated southern community during the 40s, 50s, and 60s. The stories are often powerful, emotional and inspiring.

While we couldn't hold our Untold Stories forum this year in-person, we are proudly sharing the video retrospective of our past seven programs. We are deeply grateful to the volunteer storytellers and organizers for sharing these stories with our community.

Volunteer Spotlight: Penny Boyd

Recognition of Penny Boyd’s community spirit, written by her friend and fellow Downtown Ashland Association volunteer, BJ Zarris.

“Individuals build communities” is a guiding principle which Penny Boyd demonstrates every day in every facet of her life.

Penny is one of many Ashland citizens who make up the backbone of the activities provided to residents and visitors in our town. She is also a uniquely positive and generous person who is proud to live in Ashland and be a productive member of this community. She and her husband, Gary Robertson, live on Center Street along the railroad tracks. In addition to their volunteer activities, they provide an opportunity to view and enjoy art and some humorous artifacts as people walk or drive by their front yard.

After obtaining a degree in Community Development and working as one of the early volunteers with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), Penny has engaged in helping people in varied and creative ways. She is a longtime employee of the Virginia Department of Social Services and currently works from home. Her two children are grown and she has two wonderful grandchildren. Even with family and work responsibilities, she has always made time to participate in helpful volunteer activities, and Ashland has truly benefited. After graduating from the first Ashland Citizens Leadership Academy, she served on the Board of Zoning Appeals, is a docent for the Ashland Museum, recently became the Secretary of the Friends of Ashland Library, and has been active in supporting the Ashland Theater.

Penny’s generosity of spirit even conveys to how she shares her space.

The yard in front of her house is always a work in progress and changes with the seasons. She and Gary enjoy finding items to add to the scenery. Penny especially looks for things the children walking by may like and enjoy.  Penny’s quirky sense of humor and eye for detail are readily apparent. She loves working in the yard and chatting with passersby. She says one of her favorite things is celebrating Halloween with all the children and families coming by with their wonderful costumes and effusive appreciation for treats; as many as 800 trick-or-treaters have come knocking in years past!

When describing her vision for Ashland, Penny spoke of the Ashland Town Council meetings she attended before COVID. Those meetings were about visiting with and listening to neighborhoods, and striving for equity among citizens of Ashland. She hopes that Ashland will continue to be a welcoming and friendly community while becoming more united, especially in terms of race. For example, she envisions the collaboration of Ashland Museum and the Hanover County Black Heritage Society in order to tell a more complete history of Ashland and to provide a place, a way, to go forward as one diverse but united community.

The Ashland community is strengthened by Penny Boyd’s community spirit and avid volunteerism. Her commitment to our community is recognized by Downtown Ashland Association and our partners.

Light the Way to 2021

Welcome the New Year with a lighted walk in Downtown Ashland!

Ashland neighbors and visitors will walk South Center Street at 6pm on New Year’s Eve with lights of all shapes and sizes. Join the celebration! Bring a light—such as a candle or flashlight—and your favorite people. We will shine our lights and stroll the town in celebration of the new year.

Meanwhile, Light Up the Tracks is in full swing in Downtown Ashland, thanks to presenting sponsor Dominion Energy. White lights outline each building along the railroad tracks. Participants will at once enjoy and add to the spectacle!

This event is proposed by Hanover Arts & Activities Center as a creative option to build community in Ashland despite the global pandemic. Join us to bid adieu to 2020 and celebrate our town’s bright future in 2021!

To maintain everyone’s safety from COVID-19, please utilize face masks and social distancing during this event. If you are sick or exposed to someone who is sick, please stay at home. Walk on sidewalks and cross the tracks at designated crossings, as railroad and vehicle traffic remain open during this event. Battery-operated lights are highly encouraged and open flames are not permitted on public property. Maintaining these precautions can help our community to celebrate together safely.

See you on South Center Street at 6pm on Thursday!