Poised in the witness box, an 81-year-old woman scanned a near-empty Hanover County courtroom yesterday, looking for the man she told police had raped her. She testified that the man entered her second-floor apartment, strolled to a back bedroom, and then returned to the recliner where she sat and attacked her. “Let’s have some fun,“ she quoted the man as saying.

Poised in the witness box, an 81-year-old woman scanned a near-empty Hanover County courtroom yesterday, looking for the man she told police had raped her. She testified that the man entered her second-floor apartment, strolled to a back bedroom, and then returned to the recliner where she sat and attacked her. “Let’s have some fun,“ she quoted the man as saying.

Take that, Peter Greenberg—known now in song as “Peter, Peter, town cheater.“ You can’t trash Ashland without consequences.

Carolyn Peart and her husband bought Pine Grove Farm in Ashland in 2001 to escape city life in Chicago and be closer to family. But the Pearts never imagined that the century-old dairy farm they’ve come to love would bring the community together to benefit others. Peart is hosting the fourth annual “Deck the Halls” fundraiser tomorrow from noon to 4:30 p.m.

Henrico From today through Dec. 20, holiday shoppers at Henrico County malls will be under the watchful eyes of ACT NOW volunteers on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. ACT NOW (Awareness of Crime Today—Neighbors on Watch) is an award-winning crime-prevention program designed to increase awareness of holiday crime-prevention and shopping safety. The volunteers, dressed in maroon vests and equipped with cell phones and whistles, patrol mall parking lots and shopping areas. For details or to schedule a free crime-prevention program, call (804) 501-4838 or visit www.henricopolice.org.

Six years ago, an evening shift at the Hanover County Emergency Communications Department erupted into chaos. It was Oct. 19, 2002, and the D.C. snipers had struck in Ashland.

As Ashland celebrates its 150th anniversary, which portrait best reflects this quaint little town with the immodest slogan? The portrait of NBC travel writer and editor Peter Greenberg, who ridicules the town that touts itself as “The Center of the Universe”?

Lights flashed and sirens blared as police and emergency vehicles made their way down England Street in downtown Ashland yesterday afternoon—signaling the beginning of the Ashland Olde Time Holiday Parade and with it, the holiday season.

How much would you pay to see some of Ashland’s finest men in nothing but their birthday suits? How about $14.95? The “Nekkid Men from the Center of the Universe” calendar—featuring 14 town residents minus their clothes—comes out next month to raise money for Ashland Christian Emergency Services.

Here are Ashland’s “Nekkid Men” January—Bartlett Shaw, an employee at Ashland Coffee & Tea February—Al Dickerson, executive director of ACES March—Jeff Reihl, physician and mountain-bike enthusiast April—Jerry Shalf, physician and gardener May—Robert Traweek, owner of Ace Hardware in Ashland June—Rob and Ned Stiles, father and son; Ned Stiles is a retired senior vice president at the former A.H. Robins Co.

Anderson, Ms. Sandra J., 52, of Richmond, a U.S. Postal Service employee. Brinkley, Mr. Lonnie Linwood, 79, of Richmond, husband of Carrie Brinkley. Coates, Mr. Ernest Vernon, 73, of Hanover, formerly of King and Queen, a retired factory machine operator. Evans, Mr. Allen E. of Richmond. Flowers, Mr. John Albert, 71, of Matoaca, a retired agent for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.

Ashland was overrun with train lovers yesterday as thousands packed in for the town’s sixth annual Train Day on the Tracks. Along South Center Street, people lined up to shop for trains, to talk about trains and to occasionally watch trains. The town, which was developed in the 1840s when the railroad used it as a mineral springs resort, started train day six years ago to celebrate its heritage.

At a homecoming gala tonight, Randolph-Macon College announced it has received $7.5 million in gifts that will help build two dormitories, a science building and permanent stands for the football field at the Ashland campus. “It’s a great weekend,“ said Randolph-Macon College President Robert Lindgren. This fall, the college saw its largest enrollment—with 1,201 students—and an increase in minority representation. Of new students, 24 percent represent an ethnic minority, including 15 percent who are African-American.