Breakthrough Workshop Arrives in Ashland

In a moment when burnout is widespread, motivation feels fleeting, and workplace purpose is harder to pin down than ever, two powerhouse coaching firms—Your Path Coaching & Consulting and CMdA Consulting—are bringing an innovative professional development experience to Downtown Ashland. Their upcoming workshop, Finding Fulfillment at Work in 2026, will be held on December 8 at 2 PM at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, offering a rare opportunity for professionals to rethink how they define success in the year ahead. With only ten seats available, this session promises an intimate, high-impact environment designed for meaningful reflection and transformation.

Rather than rehashing the familiar formulas of traditional goal-setting, this workshop takes a bold step forward. Participants will explore a human-centered approach that prioritizes the deeper why and how behind their ambitions, moving beyond checklists and temporary motivation. The session introduces a framework that blends mental fitness, self-leadership, and strategic alignment into one cohesive system. Through this approach, attendees will learn to navigate imposter thoughts, protect their momentum, and build the kind of clarity and confidence needed to pursue goals sustainably.

Dorian Cunion leading the Start Up Business Accelerator with Downtown Ashland Association at Around the Table in 2024

A central part of the experience involves three synergistic models that guide participants toward lasting fulfillment. The Power6 Leader Framework sharpens self-leadership and strengthens accountability, helping individuals maintain the consistency required for progress. The Co-Active Model infuses the coaching experience with emotional insight and confidence-building practices, grounding participants in their inherent capacity for success. Finally, a Hybrid Goal Architecture weaves together the ambition of OKRs with the precision of SMART criteria, ensuring that each attendee leaves not only with a vision for 2026 but also with a realistic pathway for achieving it.

For Downtown Ashland Association, bringing this level of coaching expertise to the community is deeply intentional. “Everyone in the daily grind should feel fulfilled in their work,” says Coach Antonio Miller, Executive Director of the organization. He emphasizes how transformative hands-on coaching can be, reflecting on his own experience. “When I became Executive Director of Downtown Ashland Association, I worked one-on-one with Dorian Cunion until I was ready to run. Bringing both Dorian and Cristina to Ashland is one more way we’re helping the Center of the Universe—and beyond—find joy in their work.” The Association already offers free monthly Entrepreneur Bootcamps in the Ashland Branch Library to foster connection and collaboration among locals, but this workshop expands the organization’s commitment by providing a deeper, more individualized experience for those ready to take the next professional step.

Cristina Martinez de Andino

Guiding the workshop are two dynamic leaders known for their wisdom, warmth, and transformative impact. Cristina Martinez de Andino, CEO of CMdA Consulting and widely recognized as The Employee Activator, has spent more than 15 years helping organizations reignite morale and realign their teams. With experience supporting Fortune 500 companies through organizational change, she brings an empathetic, people-first approach to every session. Her workshops blend storytelling with practical tools, empowering participants to navigate uncertainty and turn strategy into action.

Dorian Cunion

She joins forces with Dorian Cunion, an executive coach and small business consultant whose 21-year leadership career with 7-Eleven shaped his expertise in goal clarity, strategic thinking, team dynamics, and organizational culture. Known for his ability to listen deeply and help leaders recalibrate their thinking, Dorian guides professionals toward behaviors and habits that elevate their performance. Together, Cristina and Dorian create a coaching environment that is both supportive and rigorous, challenging attendees to uncover their strengths while building the structure needed for consistent growth.

As the workshop approaches, excitement is building for what promises to be one of the most forward-thinking professional development sessions Ashland has seen. Finding Fulfillment at Work in 2026 invites participants to begin the new year with intention, resilience, and a personal blueprint that aligns their goals with their values. The session will take place on December 8 at 2:00 PM at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, located at 201 Duncan St, Ashland, VA. Tickets are $69, with only ten available to ensure an interactive and personalized experience.

For professionals eager to step into 2026 with clarity and purpose, this workshop offers a chance to redefine success from the inside out—and to do so with guidance from two of the region’s most respected coaching experts.

Sip, Shop & Celebrate Small Business Saturday in Downtown Ashland

Historic downtown Ashland, Virginia

There’s something truly magical about spending the holidays in a town where every storefront tells a story. In downtown Ashland, Virginia, our shops are run by dreamers, makers, neighbors, and family-owned businesses who pour their hearts into every product, cup of coffee, handcrafted gift, and warm welcome. This Small Business Saturday, that spirit shines brighter than ever—and you’re invited to be part of it.

✨ Pop-Ups, Freebies, and a $100 Gift Certificate Giveaway

Kick off your Small Business Saturday adventure with a visit to one of our downtown pop-up spots! The Downtown Ashland Association will be making surprise appearances at local favorites like Classic Coffee, Tea & Books, Take Away, and Miss Timmies throughout the morning.

📸 Here’s how to enter our $100 giveaway:
Take a photo in downtown Ashland on Saturday, November 29, follow @AshlandVirginia on Instagram, and tag us. That’s it! You’ll be automatically entered to win a $100 Town of Ashland Gift Certificate—perfect for holiday shopping at local businesses.

Bonus treat: Show up in Downtown Ashland between 10 AM–12 PM and you might just run into the Downtown Ashland Association gifting free coffees, ornaments, and more to brighten your morning.

@AshlandVirginia on Instagram

❤️ Supporting Downtown Ashland Means Supporting Small Businesses

As a nonprofit, the Downtown Ashland Association (DAA) works year-round to lift up local businesses through free community events, small-business resources, and powerful marketing initiatives. And while end-of-year donations are always appreciated, there’s a simple, free way to make a huge impact:

👉 Follow @AshlandVirginia on Instagram.
We’re just 3K followers away from 10K, a milestone that will help us reach more residents, visitors, and small businesses with vital news, events, and marketing support at no cost to our community. Every follow amplifies the voices of our entrepreneurs and helps build a thriving, connected downtown.

✨ Explore a Hallmark-Worthy Holiday Downtown

Once you’re caffeinated and cozy, take a stroll through our historic streets, glowing with over 10,000 holiday lights stretched across two miles of festive charm. Whether you walk, jog, or cycle, every visit helps illuminate more than our decorations—it lights up the lives of the small business owners who make Ashland extraordinary.

Every purchase supports a small business—and every small business shapes the heart of Ashland.

🎨 Make It a Picture-Perfect Visit

While you’re exploring, don’t miss Ashland’s iconic public art, including Secretariat: Racing Into History and America’s longest train mural—two perfect backdrops for festive holiday photos (and your giveaway entry!).

🚆 The Most Magical Way to Arrive

Skip the parking and ride in style on Amtrak Virginia. Step off the train and into a downtown that shines like a living Hallmark movie—complete with glowing lights, local shops, hot coffee, happy neighbors, and all the warmth of a small-town holiday celebration.

56th Ashland Hanover Olde Time Holiday Parade

Contributed article by Ashland Kiwanis Club

Well, we heard Santa was coming so let’s have a parade to welcome him back. We at the Ashland Kiwanis Club have worked diligently to do just that. Due to Santa’s busy schedule, the parade is a rain or shine event, so check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. 

This year’s parade will have 122 units with nearly 1900 individuals taking part, walking, riding, marching, and dancing. The parade is sponsored by the Town of Ashland with the Ashland Kiwanis Club doing the organizing and direction for the parade as we have done for 29 years now. The starting location is at the intersection of Thompson Street and Snead Streets. The step off time is 2:00 pm. Units travel east on Thompson and England Streets, turning North at Henry Street, through the Randolph-Macon Campus and ends at Berkley Street.

Ashland Kiwanis Club Olde Time Holiday Parade in historic Downtown Ashland

Representatives of the Town of Ashland Police and Hanover County Sheriff’s office will lead the parade following the Color Guard. This year’s Parade Grand Marshal is Dr. Michael Hill, the incoming President of Randolph Macon College. Please come out and welcome him to town.

And, as usual, the last unit is Santa Claus.  Between these two very important people there will be the Patrick Henry High School marching band, Navy Junior ROTC units from Patrick Henry and Mechanicsville High Schools, antique vehicles, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Fire and Rescue Units, as well as several of ACCA Temple’s Units to put a spark in the entertainment. The 2025 Hanover Christmas Mother, Ricki Hall Smith, will also be riding in the parade. And no parade is complete without a few horses and this year will be no exception.

Ashland Kiwanis Club Olde Time Holiday Parade in historic Downtown Ashland

New this year and since there is no charge for parade entries as we give entertainment to the community, we have joined with the Hanover Youth Service Council to collect shelf-stable food items to give to our Hanover Food Pantries at the same time. So, in lieu of an entry fee, we are asking participants to bring an item to be shared among affiliated Hanover Food Pantries.

Now, if you are not in the parade this year but would like an invitation next year, just let us know at ashlandkiwanis@gmail.com. Invitations go out via email in early September. If you would like to know more about our Club and our projects, you may drop us an email at the same address or go to our web site which is www.ashlandvakiwanis.org and check us out.

Mark Sunday November 23, 2025, at 2:00 pm on your calendar to attend the parade that begins the Holiday Season in Ashland, Hanover County and Metropolitan Richmond. Bundle up and come out for the parade and a ringside seat along the route. See you there.

Minuteman Press of Ashland Brings Cozy Cheer to Downtown’s Light Up the Tracks

Minuteman Press of Ashland’s 2025 Light Up the Tracks Design

Get ready to light up your holiday season! Minuteman Press of Ashland is keeping the community cozy, creative, and glowing with their new “Light Up the Tracks” holiday apparel—a must-have for anyone enjoying downtown Ashland’s winter wonderland.

The talented in-house design team at Minuteman Press has crafted the cutest “ugly” sweater-inspired design ever. Featuring a woven rail motif, the design is available as a short-sleeve tee, long-sleeve tee, or hoodie—perfect for snuggling up at the Grand Illumination, cheering at the Olde Time Holiday Parade, or singing along during Saturday caroling in downtown Ashland.

The Light Up the Tracks crowd in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia

It was time to toss out the old designs and shine a spotlight on Light Up the Tracks,” said Caroline Sweeny, owner of Minuteman Press of Ashland. “In collaboration with Downtown Ashland Association, we’ve cooked up a design we’re really proud of. We hope everyone will deck the halls in Ashland pride this season!”

Minuteman Press isn’t just printing—they’re design pros who combined their superpowers to create holiday apparel that will make you stand out in the crowd. Over 10,000 lights outline two miles of downtown Ashland, thanks to Dominion Energy and Wells Tree Service, and now your wardrobe can shine just as brightly.

This season, Minuteman Press is taking their mission on the road with their mobile print truck, debuting at the Grand Illumination on Saturday, November 22, at Ashland Town Hall (112 Thomson Street), starting at 3 PM. Guests can watch their apparel come to life on the spot—including the new Light Up the Tracks design—with no waste.

They’re also issuing a playful challenge: How glow will you go? Guests arriving in illuminated attire can enter the Illuminated Costume Contest for a chance to win a free Light Up the Tracks design. Simply get your raffle ticket at the event, write your phone number on the back, and after the Ashland Town Tree is lit at 5 PM, ten winners will be drawn and notified by text to claim their prize. If you’re a winner, you can pick out your very own Light Up the Tracks long-sleeve shirt.

But the magic doesn’t stop at cozy apparel—every purchase of downtown Ashland items from Minuteman Press of Ashland contributes 20% to the Downtown Ashland Association, ensuring beloved events like the Grand Illumination remain free for all to enjoy.

Discover the full lineup of holiday apparel, including the beloved Light Up the Tracks design, at LightUpTheTracks.com.

Pre-Order the Ashland Cookbook Collection

This holiday season, bring the warmth, flavor, and history of Ashland right into your kitchen with the Ashland Cookbook Collection, a lovingly curated compilation of 100 local recipes spanning the 1950s through the 2020s. Printed by Minuteman Press of Ashland just in time for festive gatherings, this collection is perfect for inspiring Thanksgiving feasts or holiday celebrations with family and friends.

“We’re all about bringing communities together,” says Caroline Sweeney, owner of Minuteman Press of Ashland. “Printing a community cookbook is like a love letter to the town that has fed and nourished us for generations.”

The Ashland Cookbook Collection is more than just recipes—it’s a celebration of Ashland’s enduring sense of community. It brings together cherished recipes from Ashland’s past, including On the Tracks, originally compiled by the Ashland Junior Woman’s Club in 1958; The Ashland Book of Cooking, created by the same spirited club between 1961 and 1963 and printed by The Herald-Progress; and Blessings and Dressings, gathered with care by the members and friends of Saint James the Less Episcopal Church in 1996. To these timeless classics, the collection adds recipes shared by Ashland neighbors today, all captured and printed with gratitude by Minuteman Press of Ashland for the Downtown Ashland Association in 2025.

Vintage Ashland recipe books

“So many of these homemade recipes were getting lost in church basements and family notebooks,” adds Downtown Ashland Association Executive Director Coach Antonio Miller. “Thanks to our friends, neighbors, and sponsors like Minuteman Press of Ashland, we're able to print, bind, and share these recipes so they're available to every kitchen shelf.”

Minuteman Press of Ashland has turned this community treasure into more than a piece of history you can eat—it’s also a fundraiser for the Downtown Ashland Association, which works tirelessly to provide programming and resources that keep downtown Ashland vibrant. Twenty percent of proceeds from cookbook sales will go directly to the Downtown Ashland Association, who will, in turn, make donations to ARC of Hanover and St. James the Less Episcopal Church—honoring the original fundraising intentions of the Ashland Junior Women’s Club and St. James the Less Episcopal Church.

Beloved Ashland writer Phyllis Theroux, in Blessings and Dressings, reminds us that, “A good cook must be a kind of kitchen contemplative, grounded in the present and entirely focused upon the onions as you are chopping them. Onions resent being chopped haphazardly.”

In that spirit, Downtown Ashland hopes these pages will invite readers to slow down, savor the moment, and reconnect with your town, your table, and the stories that make Ashland the Center of the Universe.

Pre-Order Today!
Copies of the Ashland Cookbook Collection are $30 each. Pre-orders end on Black Friday, November 28, and only 50 copies will be sold!

You can cook up Ashland’s revered recipes from the comfort of your digital device! Make a $1 donation to Downtown Ashland Association and have a digital copy sent to your email.