Sears Hill Bridge Day offers festive atmosphere in historic downtown Staunton

Sears Hill Bridge Day in Staunton, Virginia - Noon on April 13, 2013 - Dedication of the refurbished foot bridge over the railroad tracks connecting the Sears Hill neighborhood to the Historic Wharf District of downtown Staunton. It was reminiscent of a Mayberry day with the local Stonewall Brigade Band providing music, balloons, and a turnout of citizens from throughout the region to join in the festive mood. City Council members and other local dignitaries joined in with business owners and others.

The crowd spilled out onto the cobblestone parking area and into the street including ladies dressed in Victorian attire. 

The husbands....

President Woodrow Wilson aka Judd Bankert arrived in the Pierce Arrow from the nearby Woodrow Wilson Birthplace accompanied by Mayor Lacy King.

Judd makes a very convincing 28th President of the United States.

Local businessman Tom Sheets recognized businesses who participated as well as donors.

Councilwoman Andrea Oakes on the bridge with a constituent.

Afterward, we walked to the Clocktower Restaurant on Beverley Street for lunch with Kenny and Andrea Oakes.

 
Lunch at Clocktower was followed by a walk to the Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room on Middlebrook Avenue where we enjoyed a tasting and glasses of award-winning wine on the outdoor patio.

Congratulations to homeschool friends and owners John and Susan Kiers who were recently named by the Washington Post as one of the mid-Atlantic top ten wineries to check out. My favorites were the Ox-Eye Riesling and White Ox and, while I'm usually a Riesling girl, the White Ox was a tad sweeter and went home with me ... but I'll be back for a bottle of the Riesling next time.

For more photos of the Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room, check out Ox-Eye Vineyards offers wine tastings and fun in downtown Staunton.

With temperatures in the  mid- to upper-60s and bountiful sunshine, it was a perfect day in downtown Staunton to enjoy the festivities and all this small city has to offer.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 13, 2013

Andrea Oakes receives board appointment from Gov. McDonnell

Staunton City Councilwoman Andrea Oakes has been appointed to the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board by Governor Bob McDonnell.

Mrs. Oakes, who is married to Kenny Oakes and is mother of three, is an Insurance Claims Professional with the Cincinnati Insurance Company.

Congratulations, Andrea!

May SWAC Conservative Breakfast with Del. Dickie Bell

Kurt Michael led the May SWAC Conservative Breakfast with special guest speaker Del. Dickie Bell and guest Staunton Councilwoman Andrea Oakes.

Dean Welty, Director of the Valley Family Forum, passes out information about the David Barton "Salute to the Family" lunch to be held May 24 from 12-1:30 p.m. at JMU. The dinner for the same night has been sold out. Here he talks with Constitution Party members Steve Bright and Dave Mason.

Andrea Oakes, Staunton City Councilwoman. At later week's City Council meeting she was the lone council member to vote against raising water and sewage fees and personal property taxes.

Del. Bell addresses breakfast. He discussed the 2010 General Assembly and answered questions.

Churchville attorney Francis Chester talks about the real estate assessment issue that has been perculating in Augusta County the past year. Here he asks people if they will sign and collect signatures on a petition asking the Commonwealth Attorney to look into the 2009 assessments.

Kurt Michael, who served as a reserve officer in US Army, stated that he took an oath, like all who serve in the military, that he would support and defend the Constitution of the United States. He reminded the group that it was Armed Forces Day and paid tribute to the men and women who risk their lives to preserve our constitutional freedoms.

Mr. Speedy Hite talks with Del. Dickie Bell. He was recognized and thanked on Armed Forces day for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He was recognized for his birthday on Thursday when he turned 92 years young.



Katie and David Karaffa.

Photos by Kurt & Mike
15 May 2010