CSX Community Service Grant Sponsors Ashland Train Day

Downtown Ashland Association is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a Community Service Grant from CSX Transportation in support of Ashland Train Day. This generous grant underscores CSX’s deep commitment to the communities it serves and will help bring the beloved railroad festival to life on April 26, from 11 AM to 4 PM in historic downtown Ashland.

Now in its 21st year, Ashland Train Day is a world-renowned celebration of rail culture, drawing an estimated 20,000 visitors annually to the Center of the Universe. But its reach extends far beyond Ashland. Thanks to programs like Virtual Railfan, train enthusiasts across the globe can tune in to experience the excitement, solidifying Ashland Train Day as a must-see event for rail lovers everywhere.

“CSX is honored to support the Ashland Main Street Association in bringing the annual Ashland Train Day to life. This cherished event celebrates the rich railroading heritage at the heart of the Ashland community while providing a safe, family-friendly experience for thousands of visitors,” said Randy Marcus, CSX Director of State Relations. “At CSX, we believe in the power of collaboration to strengthen communities and create meaningful connections, and Train Day exemplifies that spirit. By fostering tourism and driving economic growth, this event strengthens the vitality of central Virginia and enhances the quality of life for residents in Ashland and beyond.”

With more than 12 fully loaded CSX freight trains and Amtrak passenger trains rolling through the heart of the festival, attendees can witness rail power up close. Ashand Train Day attractions include Touch-a-Truck and PlayRVA’s immersive truck experience, interactive model train displays—ranging from LEGO layouts to racing trains—and vintage railroad equipment, including a classic red caboose. Families can also enjoy the Kid Zone, featuring bounce houses, an obstacle course, face painting, and interactive games. For those eager to dive into the festivities, the scavenger hunt offers a fun way to explore the event while collecting stamps to earn prizes.

“You can't think of downtown Ashland without thinking of CSX,” said Lou Keeton - Director of Operations with Downtown Ashland Association. “People come from far and wide to witness these majestic machines make their way through the center of town. We’re honored to be awarded the CSX Transportation Community Service Grant so we can celebrate all they do for our town to the fullest at Ashland Train Day.”

Ashland Train Day would not be possible without the dedication of more than 100 volunteers and the invaluable support of first responders from Ashland, Hanover, Randolph-Macon College, and CSX. As Ashland Train Day continues to grow, community support remains vital in keeping this event free and accessible to all.

Businesses, organizations, and individuals are invited to join in as sponsors or volunteers to ensure another incredible year of family-friendly fun.

VOLUNTEER

Sponsorship opportunities provide valuable exposure while helping to sustain a tradition that brings joy to thousands. Volunteers can take on engaging roles such as greeting guests, stamping scavenger hunt cards, or assisting with kiddie trains—all while receiving a complimentary event t-shirt!

SPONSOR

To learn more about Ashland Train Day sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, visit AshlandTrainDay.com or contact director@ashlandvirginia.com. Be a part of the magic that makes Ashland Train Day a truly unforgettable experience!

7 Steps to a Winning Pitch

Dorian Cunion of Your Path Coaching & Consulting

Pitching your business idea or product can be an anxiety-producing experience, but it's also an incredible opportunity to gain support, funding, and recognition. Whether you're facing a panel of investors, potential partners, or a curious audience, a well-crafted pitch can make all the difference.

Your Path Coaching & Consulting has crafted this article to save you time and guide you in masterfully educating people about your company. They’ve have done the research, studied film, and reflected on their clients' experiences to provide you with the 7  essential steps you should execute when preparing for a pitch:

1. Know Your Audience:

Melody Short judging the 2024 Center Street Pitch Competition. Apply to pitch in the 2025 Center Street Pitch Competition by 5 PM on March 19.

Before you craft a single word, take the time to understand your audience. Who are they? What are their interests and priorities? Why should they care about your company?  You'll establish a connection by tailoring your message to resonate with their specific needs and expectations. Consider their level of knowledge about your industry and adapt your language and explanations accordingly. Research their backgrounds and identify any common ground or shared interests that you can leverage to build rapport.

Pro Tip: Create a detailed profile of your anticipated audience, including their demographics, motivations, and pain points. Remember, some people lead with their hearts, while others focus on financials and logic. Be prepared to speak to all personality types. 

2. Hook Them From the Beginning:

People have short attention spans. You need a strong hook to grab your audience's interest right away. Your hook could be a compelling statistic, a thought-provoking question, or a bold statement that highlights the problem you're addressing. Make sure your hook is relevant to your audience and creates a sense of intrigue or urgency. Use storytelling techniques to draw them in and make them eager to hear more.

Pro Tip: Test your hook on different people and get their feedback. Does it pique their interest? Does it make them want to learn more? Refine your hook until it consistently grabs people's attention.

3. Tell Your Story:

Center Street Sound Company at the 2024 Center Street Pitch Competition. Apply to pitch in the 2025 Center Street Pitch Competition by 5 PM on March 19.

Humans are wired for stories. Share your journey and the inspiration behind your business to create an emotional connection with your audience. Let them see your passion, your struggles, and your triumphs. A little vulnerability will make your pitch more memorable and relatable. Use vivid language and imagery to paint a picture in their minds. Be authentic and vulnerable, allowing your audience to connect with you on a human level.

Pro Tip: Structure your story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Introduce the challenge you faced, describe the journey you took to overcome it and highlight the positive impact your solution has had.

4. Present a Clear Solution:

Once you've established the problem and captured their attention, it's time to shine a light on your solution. Explain how your product or service addresses the challenge uniquely and effectively. Use clear and concise language, avoiding technical jargon that might confuse your audience. Focus on the benefits of your solution and how it will improve their lives or businesses. Use visuals, such as charts or diagrams, to illustrate your points and make them easier to understand.

Pro Tip: Develop a concise and compelling value proposition that clearly articulates the benefits of your solution. Being brief and precise will help your audience quickly grasp the value you offer and why they should care.

5. Back It Up with Evidence:

Ashland Embroidery and DW Studioz at the 2024 Center Street Pitch Competition. Apply to pitch in the 2025 Center Street Pitch Competition by 5 PM on March 19.

Don't just tell your audience that your solution works – show them! Provide data, testimonials, or case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of your product or service. This adds credibility to your claims and strengthens your pitch. Use quantifiable metrics to showcase the impact you've made. Highlight the positive experiences of your existing customers or clients.

Pro Tip: Choose evidence directly relevant to your target audience and their priorities. This will make your claims more persuasive and impactful.

6. State Your Ask Clearly:

What do you want your audience to do after hearing your pitch? Whether it's investing in your company, partnering with you, or simply spreading the word, be clear and direct about your ask. Don't leave them guessing what the next steps are. Explain how their support will help you achieve your goals and make a difference. Make it easy for them to take action by providing clear instructions or contact information.

Pro Tip: Practice your ask beforehand to ensure you deliver it confidently and clearly. Make eye contact with your audience and show them you believe in your words. 

7. Practice Makes Perfect:

RVA Hot Wheelz at the 2024 Center Street Pitch Competition. Apply to pitch in the 2025 Center Street Pitch Competition by 5 PM on March 19.

A well-rehearsed pitch is a confident pitch. Practice your delivery, paying attention to your tone, pace, and body language. The more comfortable you are with your material, the more natural and persuasive you'll be. Record yourself practicing and identify areas for improvement. Get feedback from friends, family members, and other business owners you know. 

Pro Tip: To prepare for your pitch, practice it in different environments and in front of different audiences. This will help you adapt your delivery and ensure your message resonates.

Remember, a winning pitch is a blend of logic and emotion. By appealing to both the head and the heart, you'll create a lasting impression and increase your chances of achieving your goals. So, go out there, share your vision, and make your dreams a reality!

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The Center Street Pitch Competition is a dynamic event designed to empower local entrepreneurs and ignite innovation. Set to take place on April 10, 2025, at the historic Ashland Theatre, this competition provides an exciting platform for aspiring business owners to present their ideas and compete for over $35,000 in prizes. Apply for your chance to win before March 19 at 5 PM.

Around The Table Earns International Acclaim

Around The Table’s warmth and community spirit continue to inspire, proving that a simple meal shared with kindness can transcend borders! Originally published in Le Dimanche Parisien (The Parisian Sunday) on October 27, 2024, this article has been translated for our local readers. Read on to learn how owner Ammie’s story of perseverance and success has resonated across the Atlantic, earning recognition not just in the Center of the Universe but now on an international stage.

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Ammie’s American Dream

By Ariane Riou, special correspondent in Ashland, Virginia, for Le Dimanche Parisien (The Parisian Sunday)

As soon as he arrives, every customer is greeted with a warm, “How you doing, baby?” Ammie hands them out without hesitation. Her restaurant’s motto is proudly displayed on the back of the servers’ T-shirts: “There’s a place for everyone at Ammie’s table.” She repeats it cheerfully,  “You come here as a guest, you leave like a member of the family.”

On this October afternoon, the dining room at Around The Table is already bustling with hungry customers at 11 a.m. It won’t empty until closing time, nine hours later.

Ashland rushes there.

In Virginia, the economy is booming. As of September, the state boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country—2.9%, practically full employment—while the national average stands at 4.2%. “You can feel that the state is growing. The city’s population has doubled in just a few years. You see houses going up, businesses popping up everywhere,” notes Patricia, a regular customer. She takes her seat and orders the Thursday special: meatloaf with rich gravy. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

The Gathering Place next door to Around the Table hosting Downtown Ashland Association’s Business Leader’s Roundtable

In the next room, Ammie is busy decorating tables. In just a few days, she’ll be hosting a reunion for 50 octogenarians—members of Ashland High School’s Class of 1964. Gold balloons fill the space. Gisele, a decorator and friend, folds napkins into elegant swan shapes. “This place is the symbol of Ammie’s success.”

The 120-seat banquet room opened just a year after the restaurant’s launch. It has since become a coveted venue for private events—booked by everyone from county police officers to newlyweds and families celebrating life’s milestones.

“The dream isn’t dead,” Ammie declares, embodying the American mantra of perseverance.

After just four years, the Ashland-based restaurant—nestled in a town of 8,000 on the East Coast—is expanding again. In this typical American shopping plaza, where parking lots dominate the landscape, a neighboring barber shop recently vacated its space. Ammie seized the opportunity.

“I have customers waiting for tables, and I hate to keep them waiting. So, we’re expanding—50 more seats before the end of the year.”

It’s hard to believe that, in 2020, the owner with the ever-present smile thought she had hit rock bottom.

Built from the Ground Up

Ammie, 56, built everything with the sweat of her brow. “I’ve worked my whole life,” she says proudly.

The youngest of seven children, she grew up in the heart of Virginia’s lush forests. Taking a bite of potato chips, she recalls, “We didn’t have silver spoons in our mouths. At home, we didn’t even have plumbing. We washed in basins.”

Her mother, a single woman, passed away from a heart attack when Ammie was just four years old. She and some of her siblings were raised by their aunt, while the others lived with their grandparents.

Faith carried her through hardship. She attended church every week, sang in the choir, and, by age 12, started working.

“I did gardening for my neighbors every weekend. Then cleaning.”

She juggled countless odd jobs—seamstress, insurance employee, fast-food cook—often working two or three at a time. Like many, she had never dreamed of running her own business.

“At the time, I wasn’t thinking about starting a restaurant,” she admits. “I just wanted to earn a living and have a roof over my head.”

When her sister passed away, she dropped out of school to raise her niece and nephew—repeating the cycle of her own childhood. She raised them alone.

A Passion for Cooking

Cooking was her refuge. Ammie worked as a pastry chef at a university in the mornings and as a cook in a soul food restaurant in the afternoons.

Ammie judging pies at the Ashland Fourth of July Parade

“This cuisine connects me to my African American roots,” she says.

She loved it. She worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Customers raved about her creamy cornbread. They couldn’t get enough of her slow-cooked pig’s feet and crispy fried chicken.

In 2016, she started a small catering business on the side. It was her uncle who encouraged her to take the leap.

“I was terrified of failing. But I went for it anyway.”

She scraped together what little savings she had, found a location, and opened a café in July 2019.

Then, just months later, COVID hit. The pandemic put millions of Americans out of work, and Ammie’s dreams nearly crumbled.

“I was devastated.”

Her friends and family rallied around her. She pulled herself back up.

And so, the American Dream rolled on.

A Local Staple

Around The Table—a cozy, 50-seat eatery—welcomed its first customers on April 1, 2021. A local news station covered the grand opening. Ammie beams as she shows the video on her phone.

She poured her heart into this business. Photos of loved ones and cherished moments fill the walls.

“I never imagined we’d grow this fast,” says Shakira, a 21-year-old waitress who has been with Ammie since day one.

“Ammie’s success is an inspiration to all of us.”

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Sold out

Raffle - $100 Around the Table Gift Card

$5.00

Ashland's destination for soul-food is "serving up" a $100 gift towards their mouth-watering meals. Don’t let this "sweetheart" deal pass you by!

Raffle proceeds benefit Downtown Ashland Association’s non-profit mission.

The winner will receive an email from Downtown Ashland Association on Friday, February 28.

Win Big in Ashland’s February Raffles!

Love is in the air, and so are your chances to win some incredible prizes! Downtown Ashland is “serving up” a month full of exciting raffles, each supporting the mission of the Downtown Ashland Association. For just $5 per entry, you could win gift cards, luxury experiences, and unforgettable entertainment. The lucky winners will be announced on Friday, February 28—will your name be on the list?

Check out the prizes and enter today!

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🍽 $100 Around the Table Gift Card

Sold out

$5.00

Purchase

Ashland’s soul-food destination is offering a delicious prize—$100 toward their comforting, flavor-packed meals! Whether you’re craving savory classics or sweet treats, this “sweetheart” deal is too good to miss.

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🕯 Sweet Heat Candles Gift Basket

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$5.00

Purchase

Cozy up with a collection of custom-crafted candles worth $80! These hand-poured beauties will “light up” your home with warmth and relaxation. “Candle” you believe how great this is?

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💆 Revival Spa Massage or Facial

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$5.00

Purchase

Treat yourself to the ultimate relaxation experience at Ashland’s premier spa. With a value of over $100, the winner gets to choose between a rejuvenating massage or a luxurious facial. “Spa” love is definitely in the air!

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🎭 2 Tickets to Wish You Were Here Variety Show

Sold out

$5.00

Purchase

Experience an unforgettable evening of live music, comedy sketches, and storytelling at the Wish You Were Here Variety Show—a mix of Saturday Night Live and A Prairie Home Companion! Win four tickets to this family-friendly event and enjoy a night of entertainment right in the heart of Ashland.

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💖 Enter now for just $5 per raffle and support Downtown Ashland! The more you enter, the better your chances to win—so why not “wish YOU were here” on the winner’s list?

Winners will receive an email from Downtown Ashland Association on February 28. Good luck! 🍀

Welcome XtraSuite Salon Studios!

XtraSuite Salon Studios is the sanctuary our Center of the Universe has been searching for. Inside their studios, you’ll find every variety of health, beauty, and production services you can dream of. Discover how XtraSuite elevates your self-care game with extra sweet offerings that leave you feeling fabulous!

Imagine sinking into a Heated Zero-G Massage Chair, where your stresses melt away like butter on a hot biscuit. For just $15, you can indulge in a 30-minute massage that’s kinder to your wallet than a trip to the grocery store! And for XtraSuite members, you can enjoy four monthly massages for just $35 - because regular pampering should be a piece of cake!

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! XtraSuite Salon Studios isn’t just about relaxation; it’s a full-on wellness wonderland! Whether you’re looking for a fresh haircut, stunning highlights, or rejuvenating skin care, they’ve got you covered. And for those who love to capture the moment, take advantage of their studio photography and videography services to create memories that last a lifetime!

Now, let’s talk about the fun part: PMS Parties. No, not what you might think! PMS stands for Paint, Massage, and Sip! Starting February 13, join the talented Katie Grottenthaler for a unique evening of creativity and relaxation. Enjoy painting while getting a neck-to-feet massage - what’s not to love? It’s the perfect way to unwind, unleash your inner artist, and sip on something delightful, all in one fabulous night! Sign up here!

So, Ashland, are you ready to embrace the extra sweet life? XtraSuite Salon Studios invites you to become a member of their pampering paradise and join the fun at their PMS Parties. Let’s make self-care a priority and celebrate beauty in all its forms. Swing by, say hello, and see how they can help you look and feel your best!

Welcome to XtraSuite Salon Studios - where your beauty journey begins and pampering is an everyday affair! 💖