RCI Builders Supports Ashland Train Day

RCI Builders hosts the Touch-A-Truck Area at Ashland Train Day on April 30, 2022. Downtown Ashland Association welcomes the partnership with this hometown team! Their sponsorship makes it possible to keep Ashland Train Day free to the public. 

RCI Builders has been building well-crafted, high-quality homes at an affordable price in Ashland since 1999. The company has grown to become one of central Virginia’s largest locally owned construction companies. Now holding land positions in more than 20 communities and a highly successful build-on-your-lot program, the company directly supports more than 30 employees and contracts with 62 additional Hanover County companies. 

Downtown Ashland Association visited with Patrick Ashley, Vice President and Co-Owner for RCI Builders, to learn more. When asked about the company’s success, Ashley explained, “Yes, RCI Builders sold over 100 million dollars in new homes in 2021! From the homes we build, to the service we provide, to the relationships we form with clients and the community, high quality service is given every time.” 

RCI Builders is supporting Ashland Train Day to give back to the community. “As a builder who predominantly builds in Hanover, specifically Ashland, we love working within the community we're helping build! We get to watch every new homeowner fall in love with Ashland as much as we have,” Ashley explained. The company is involved with many local organizations, including serving food with Moments of Hope Outreach. 

Ashland will be welcoming new neighbors this year in Lauradell, Lakeview at Luck Farm, and Lankford’s Crossing served by RCI Builders. The company features craftsman-style single family homes in Ashland, along with a suite of ranch, farmhouse, and other styles. “We believe that offering a large variety of floor plans and elevations allows our clients to build a home that is uniquely theirs,” says Ashley. With more than 30 floor plans to choose from, there is an option for everyone. 

At Ashland Train Day, you can find RCI Builders welcoming guests to the Touch-A-Truck Area on England Street. Heavy Equipment, dump trucks, tractors, a fire truck and ambulance, and many more unique vehicles will be on display for kids to explore. RCI Builders offers this opportunity for local kids to get a glimpse into the fun of construction! 

RCI Builders has been awarded the “Builder Integrity Award” four times and continues to uphold its high standards of both business integrity and community engagement. Ashley explained the company’s spirit by saying, “once a client decides to build with us, they’ve become part of the RCI family; not only are we building high quality homes, but also high-quality relationships.” 

Downtown Ashland Association is grateful for our relationship with RCI Builders in support of the local community. We look forward to celebrating Ashland Train Day on Saturday, April 30 with an expanded Touch-A-Truck Area!

To learn more about RCI Builders visit rcibuildersnewhomes.com

To learn more about Ashland Train Day visit ashlandtrainday.com

Artist Spotlight: Carrie Cheatham

The 2022 Ashland Train Day tshirt design was created by local artist and entrepreneur Carrie Cheatham.

The commemorative shirt for kids and adults will be on sale at Downtown Ashland Association’s booth on the tracks during the event. We are proud to showcase our community event with the work of a local artist!

 This week, we interviewed Cheatham about life and art:

What is your favorite thing about Ashland?
The fact that you can walk or ride a bike just about anywhere. There is something special about walking or riding through Ashland and seeing all the quirks and history on "foot." From cruising around campus to get to class to long runs through town, this place surely has a way of making you feel like you're home.  

I recall that you are a Yellow Jacket alumna, what did you study? 
I am a Randolph-Macon College alumna and graduated in 2015 with a degree in Sociology. During my time there I was a four-year athlete on the field hockey team. My husband, Andrew, is also an alumnus and former baseball player for R-MC. Safe to say, we both love R-MC and Ashland, because it's where we met! 

When did you start Snail.Mail? How has it changed over time? 
I started Snail.Mail as a side business in 2018 and would work on small batches of cards after coming home from my "real" job. I never guessed that I'd be doing it full-time five years later!
Over the past few years, I've gone through a lot of change. Everything has grown into a brand that represents my passions and my style. I updated the cards and products, the logo and branding, the website development, and so much more. The one thing that hasn't changed at all—my solid foundation—is the mission: Using each card to advocate for and show love to our refugee and migrant neighbors here in our state. 

Where does your inspiration come from? 
Literally everywhere. I carry a little notepad with me most days to jot down random ideas, as well as pulling inspiration from my childhood, family life, and experiences. What I've learned is that if I can find inspiration from my own life, it will resonate with someone and their life too. Human connection is a beautiful thing. 

Where can people find Snail.Mail cards? And do you take special orders? 
Snail.Mail cards and other gift items can be found online at Ashland Meat Company, R-MC Campus Store, and Thrill of the Hunt. Special orders and commissions are always welcomed and encouraged. Whether it's a card, a commissioned home portrait, t-shirt design, or anything in between. If I can draw or paint it, we can make your ideas come to life! Please use the website to contact us with any special order ideas you may have.

Visit Carrie Cheatham and Snail.Mail online cheathamsnailmail.com and on social media via Instagram @cheathamsnail_mail, TikTok @cheathamsnail_mail, and Facebook @cheathamsnailmail.

Celebrate Ashland Train Day on April 30, 2022

ASHLAND, VIRGINIA – The perennial favorite street festival Ashland Train Day returns on April 30, 2022 from 10 am to 4 pm. This family-friendly event hosted by Downtown Ashland Association invites you to enjoy freight and passenger trains, touch-a-truck, model trains, railroad history, live music, kiddie rides, festival food, dance music, gift shopping, and more!

“We are thrilled to host Ashland Train Day on April 30, after postponing two years due to the pandemic!” said Maggie Longest, executive director of Downtown Ashland Association. “It’s a joy to showcase our town’s railroad attractions and local businesses with this family-friendly event.”

More than 12 fully-loaded CSX freight trains and Amtrak passenger trains will pass through the center of the event. The Kid Zone offers a world of fun with a bouncy house, obstacle course, and games. The Touch-a-Truck area will thrill gear heads of all ages with a display of heavy equipment, a fire truck and an ambulance, dump trucks and tractors. Two kiddie train rides invite families to tour the festivities. All aboard!

Model trains of every size and scale will be on display, including lego and racing trains. Plus, vintage railroad equipment and a red caboose. The event brings Virginia’s railroad history to life with two museums, three storytellers, and a 10-stop scavenger hunt. Railfans of all ages will enjoy Ashland Train Day!

“Ashland is proud to host Train Day and welcome visitors from across our region and around the world to celebrate with us,” said Ashland Mayor Steve Trivett. “Come see why we consider Ashland the Center of the Universe!”

Mark your calendar and gather your friends for Ashland Train Day on April 30, 2022! In the meantime, visit ashlandtrainday.com for event info.

To have your business featured with our 10,000 expected participants, join online. Retail and food vendors are welcome at the event, apply here. To join the fun as a volunteer, sign-up online.

Community Spotlight: Berkleytown Heritage Park

By Michael McIntosh and Maggie Longest

The Town of Ashland recently announced plans to develop a heritage park in the Berkleytown neighborhood, an area of Ashland that is home to many generations of African American families. The park will provide a public and easily accessible green space for residents and visitors, while also celebrating the neighborhood’s history as an important and influential center of the Black community in Ashland.

“We are so grateful to the Hanover and King William Habitat for Humanity for their generous donation of the property to the Town for use as a public park, and to the Hanover County Black Heritage Society for suggesting the idea,” explained Martha J. Miller, Community Engagement Manager for the Town of Ashland. “As a next step, the Town will hold a series of public input meetings in February and March with neighborhood residents and community stakeholders to inform and guide our decision-making around the park’s design.”

During segregation, Berkleytown became one of few areas in Hanover County where African American residents could own property and build a community. Lifelong Berkleytown resident NaChay Grimes sees the advent of the Heritage Park as a positive opportunity for the community. “I want the park to emphasize the impact Berkleytown had on the Black community of Ashland. And I think it will be good for more people to be aware of Berkleytown and our community’s history.”

This sentiment is echoed by Carolyn Hemphill of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society. “We are also working to have Berkleytown approved as a Historic District on the Virginia Landmarks Register. So, there are many opportunities to use this Heritage Park to educate the broader Ashland community.” While the neighborhood is diversifying in modern times, Hemphill believes that a heritage park will allow the Black heritage of Berkleytown to live on.

To learn more about the Berkleytown Heritage Park development process or to share your comments, attend the upcoming Public Input Meeting on February 28th from 6-7pm at the Pride of Hanover Lodge (311 Berkley St); a virtual participation option will also be made available via ashlandva.gov.

Business Spotlight: Eagle Construction

Eagle Construction aims to supply quality housing to the residents of Virginia. The company builds approximately 300 homes each year, the majority in the Richmond area. Eagle also builds in Smithfield, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg. Each of Eagle’s homes provides new housing opportunity for our communities and quality living for its residents.

Recently, Downtown Ashland Association met with Kellye Ruckman, Marketing Manager for Eagle Construction, to learn more about the company’s work in Ashland. Eagle currently has two communities under development in Ashland: Lauradell and Lankford's Crossing.

In the Lauradell neighborhood, off Thompson Street near the western edge of town, Eagle offers 140 new homes with smaller home sites for single-family households. Offering many layouts including, first or second-floor primary bedrooms and rear garages in an open landscape with a “gathering barn” for community functions.

Lankford’s Crossing is a spacious neighborhood off Ashcake Road with greenway paths that connect residents to Downtown Ashland. Eagle provides residents an opportunity to personalize a new home while embracing a community mindset.

The company notes its pride to have Downtown Ashland as a landmark for its residents. “Along with quality housing, residents are able to enjoy the Town of Ashland and fully experience all that downtown offers. From the local shops to the events, residents are able to immerse themselves in the culture of Ashland,” explained Ruckman.

Eagle offers residents multiple options for their new homes. The “Quick Move-in” option to the people relocating to the Ashland area, where they are able to speed up the move-in process and get settled quicker. Eagle also offers customers a more “Hands-on” homebuilding process, giving customers an opportunity to come to the design center and personalize the design of their new home. This not only allows customers to build a connection with their new home but also brings a form of creative excitement to the process. 

Eagle Construction supports Downtown Ashland Association’s work to build community and support local business as a Gold Sponsor. We appreciate their commitment to our local efforts, and look forward to meeting our new neighbors in Lankford’s Crossing and Lauradell.

To learn more, see eagleofva.com or visit the Richmond Design Center at 10618 Patterson Ave. Henrico, VA 23238; open daily 11am - 6pm.