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Vol. 37, No. 29 | Richmond Suburban News | October 27, 2021
County mourns Hargrove passing Hanover, region enjoy rebounding tourism numbers By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local
T
wo names are synonymous with Hanover County. One is Patrick Henry and the other is Frank Hargrove Sr. Hargrove passed away last weekend at age 94, and Hanoverians are grieving the loss of one of the county’s most recognized and respected leaders, a sort of Renaissance Man who made his mark in many different areas. Hargrove passed away on Oct. 16, but the memories and contributions he left behind will likely endure for many generations. Hargrove attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, where he was a standout on the foot-
By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local
Contributed photo
Frank Hargrove Sr., center, is pictured on the floor of the General Assembly with fellow Hanover representatives Del. Buddy Fowler, left, and Del. Christopher Peace in 2016.
ball team, and joined the U.S. Army when he graduated, serving in occupied Japan following World War II. By that time, the young
Hanoverian had already made an unaccompanied tour of the Southland, and learned to fly an airplane while in his teens. The love of flying accom-
panied him for the remainder of his life, and he eventually bought the plane from his college days and flew it regularly see HARGROVE, pg. 14
President and CEO of Richmond Region Tourism Jack Berry told Hanover supervisors earlier this month that tourism is on the rebound in the Richmond metro region. “It’s been quite the year,” Berry said. “Now more than ever, tourism is more important and in the last 19 months, we’ve certainly rose to the occasion.” Berry reflected on a tumultuous period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was just 19 months ago that life was great, and it was at that time that the NY Times notified us that we were the 39th world destination to visit in 2020,” he said.
Jim Ridolphi/The Local
President of Richmond Region Tourism Jack Berry addressed the Hanover Board of Supervisors earlier this month.
Paris was number 31 on that list. “That’s how great things were going,” Berry said. see TOURISM, pg. 17
Ashland Theatre plans concerts, plays and movies Landmark comes back to life after COVID-19 By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local
Jim Ridolphi/The Local
The Ashland Theatre is ready for a full season of movies, activities and events.
The Town of Ashland and its residents have established a long and lasting relationship with the small movie theatre that has occupied a prominent space on England Street since 1948. But, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
threatened that existence, and since March of 2020, the Ashland Theatre has offered a limited schedule of pop-up events. This month, the landmark reopened with the airing of two first run movies, the latest James Bond adventure and the new Adams Family animated movie, and the theatre is gearing up for a full season of activities and events. Theatre Manager Courtney Caldwell came on board in July and said a series of upcoming events is the perfect way to re-introduce the beloved landmark to an appreciative public.
“The entire Town loves this building and they really want it to succeed, and that’s awesome,” Caldwell said last week. “We are so lucky that the Town supports this building. They provided a small but steady stream of revenue during the pandemic by renting out our front marquee for messages.” The theatre reopened in 2018 following a years-long effort to restore the facility that originally began as a grassroots effort by volunteers from the Ashland community. Much of the initial work required to shore up the aging building see THEATRE, pg. 14