Spirited Ashland old-timers josh during special photo shoot Image to be used in book celebrating the 150th anniversary of the town
Friday, May 02, 2008 - REED WILLIAMS TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Organizer Susan Tucker stood before the crowd of Ashland old-timers, giving instructions through a megaphone and holding a water bottle above her head with the other hand.
"Frances," Tucker jokingly scolded Frances Macmurdo Stebbins, an 83-year Ashland resident who was talking to some women on the bleachers as they waited to have their picture taken. Stebbins hadn't been listening to Tucker.
"We've got too many chiefs and not enough Indians," longtime Ashland resident Joe Stiles observed as organizers moved about with their clipboards and the photographer stood on a stepladder with a megaphone of his own.
About 90 people who have called Ashland home for 50 years or more posed yesterday on the football bleachers at Randolph-Macon College for the "Ashland 150 Yearbook." The yearbook, to be published next spring, is part of the town's celebration of its 150th anniversary this year.
The yearbook will tell the history of the town and include features on clubs and businesses -- those that are still around and some that aren't. It will have stories about Ashland's families and also feature active military and war veterans from the town, and much more.
"It's a bizarrely wonderful town," said Tucker, chairwoman of the yearbook effort, praising her army of volunteers.
Stiles, who owns a car dealership in Ashland, cupped his hand against his forehead and studied the people seated in the bleachers. "I think there's a lot of people here that weren't supposed to be here -- that I don't recognize," joked Stiles, who gave his age as 86½.
Stiles gave a warm handshake to Annabelle Reynolds, 91, a longtime friend who moved from Baltimore to Ashland on her 40th birthday. She told Stiles she wanted to sit next to him.
"I've got some other girls that want to sit beside me," he replied.
Stiles commented on the town's friendly feel. "Everybody knows everybody, and everybody will help each other," he said. "I see most of these people every two or three days. A lot of them I see every day."
Dal Wooten, a 76-year-old former teacher at Randolph-Macon who moved to Ashland in 1958, also spoke of kindness in the town. "It's got a nice small-town unity."
Ann Leonard, who turns 84 today, said everyone has an equal affection for Ashland, no matter how long they've lived there. "Not only do the old ones love it," Leonard said, "but the 'come-heres' also."
The photographer, Duane Berger, explained from his perch on the ladder that he was waiting for some late arrivals.
"It's 6:10," somebody yelled from the bleachers. The picture had been scheduled for 6 p.m.
Afterward, Leonard stood by the steps to the bleachers.
"It was so much fun," she said. "I haven't seen some of these people for 25 years. So many familiar faces." Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or rwilliams@timesdispatch.com.