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Ashland localtownpages
Vol. 1 No. 1
Postal Customer Local
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August 1, 2013
Introducing Our First Edition
Ashland Farmers’ Ashland Resident Patty O’Neil Might Be “The Hero” Market Has Big Impact on a Small Suburban Town
BY REBECCA KENSIL, EDITOR
Ashland resident, mom, and reality show junkie Patty O’Neil, 46, saw an application for “The Hero” reality show that her son, Alex, had left open on the computer one night last November. She browsed through the application, reading about how the show would be hosted by “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson, who is known as a professional wrestler and for several blockbuster movies. And she read about epic challenges that would be a part of the show.
Then she thought, “I’m going for this.” So she filled out the application, and the next day the phone rang. It was the media company.
moved to a $6 million home that producers dubbed the Pent House. From there, the contestants began challenges filled with temptations to test their bravery and integrity. This was all to win the title of “America’s Hero,” which would be decided on by the audience July 25. While there, O’Neil tested limits and overcame fears.
“I used to be afraid to fly. I can fly like nothing now,” she said. “I’m not terrified of heights anymore, but I can’t explain further other than to say that fear has been conquered. I got self-confidence that I never had before. I lost 22 pounds since the show. And just again, just with a little bit of confidence anyone’s life can “The Hero” reality show contestant Patty O’Neil and her boss Richard Arminio, owner of Richard Francis Salon in Ashland, pose change. It’s pretty unbelievtogether for a photograph. Photo Credit: Photo/Rebecca Kensil able.”
After two months of what she described as grueling interviews, which included many Skype sessions and a lot of paperwork, she flew out to Los Angeles as a finalist. Out of 20 finalists, she made the cut as one of the nine contestants. She was just the mom they were looking for: hardworking with three jobs: a full-time salon assistant at Richard Francis Salon, a realtor at
RE/MAX Executive, and a holiday ringer at Macy’s.
O’Neil also described working with the Rock, who motivated and mentored contestants along the way.
She was sent to Panama, where the show would be filmed. After a few days in a Panama hotel, the nine contestants were
BY CYNTHIA WHITTY, WRITER This summer Ashland Farmers’ Market (AFM), held each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 125 Front Street on the grass across from the Ashland library, is drawing Ashland residents and groups together. The sheer numbers are impressive. According to steering committee members Rob Moolenbeek and Florence Seidell, AFM has 16 premier sponsors, 35 food vendors (up from 16 last season), 22 participating community organizations, 19 kids’ corner programs, 18 live music programs, 25 artisans, 8 theme days, a dozen high school kids volunteering for community service credits and over 40 adult volunteers. On opening day, June 15, 1,400 people visited; 600-900 are expected to visit each Saturday throughout the season. Locals know downtown for its congested traffic, due in part to the train dissecting Main Street. There are businesses, but you rarely see many people walking, strolling or bicycling. Now, on Saturdays downtown bustles
HERO continued on page 3
FARMERS continued on page 2
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