Ashley's September Update

This month flew by, which means we are getting closer, sadly to the end. But that doesn't stop all the activity going on. Since the beginning we have been helping all throughout our towns with community events. I have been keeping up with attending Saturday clean ups at Point Marion Park. I have found my new favorite activity, operating heavy equipment.

The first weekend, we also had the Art Blast on the Mon going on in Greensboro, so I headed over there to assist. I was volunteering wherever I was needed, whether manning a booth or socializing with the community members. It was a good success. They even had some music going on throughout the event as well, which I personally loved. Mid way through the month both teams headed down to the C&O Canal Towpath in West Virginia & Maryland, along the Potomac River. We were not sure whether we were actually going to be able to ride the whole thing, due to flooding in the whole area, so we decided to just make it a driving tour of the towns. We were able to still do a little riding from Sheperdstown, WV to Brunswick, MD, in the pouring rain for most of it. The entire purpose of this adventure was actually for work. We were touring around the Canal Towns & meeting with different community members. It was great seeing how involved these towns are within each of their communities. And many had great volunteer base that makes it happen. We each had our own town to observe and mine was Sheperdstown, WV. This little college community was one of my favorites.

Along with the fun stuff, I also attended a few meetings. One of them being the Fredericktown Action Team Meeting. It is great seeing how other river town communities interact differently. We also had the monthly Point Marion Park Commission meeting were we discussed a variety of different things including weekly schedules, closing areas for the season, beautification projects, etc. I am also continually working on collaborating information about getting a public art piece in Point Marion. We are trying to put together possible locations, local artist, & what the public art will consist of.

Near the end of the month Friendship Hill National Historic Site had their annual Festifall event. The River Town Corps were there volunteering all weekend. Myself, I worked the candy & toy booth, even dressing up in outfits and everything. It was a great turn out & the corps were all very excited to lend a hand.