Autumn afternoon road trip to apple country

Apple Country was calling this afternoon so after whittling away the morning, we decided to hit the road to Paugh’s Orchard in Shenandoah County. I’m not even sure how long it takes … maybe an hour? … but it was a sparkling sunny drive. We left.... (Photos, continue reading here)

Apple season in Shenandoah County, Va.

 

There's nothing like a big red apple sign to entice travelers to stop at a roadside stand in the fall for apples and mums. That's exactly what happened as my sister and I traveled the back roads of Shenandoah County this week, meandering where the wind took us and making discoveries along the way.... (Photos, read more here)

WaPost: 'Route 11 Potato Chips finds success as a cult favorite in a fiercely competitive market'

Welcome to the world of Route 11 Potato Chips, a small Virginia chippery in the rustic Shenandoah that has been cooking up Kettle-style cult favorites for more than 20 years.

The Washington Post visited Route 11 Potato Chips in the northern Shenandoah Valley and discovered the yumminess that so many already know.

We stopped there in 2011 while roaming the back roads in that part of Shenandoah County with my parents and, even though they were not actively cooking at that time, the varied choices of chips was far larger than anything we had seen in retail outlets.

When in Seaside, Florida, last year, we were pleasantly surprised to find one of the food trucks offering Route 11 chips. The secret is spreading about this local gem.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
2011

South Fork wildfire north of Luray

A forest fire is raging north of Luray on 450 acres in both Page and Shenandoah Counties. Over 100 personnel are involved in the wildfire whose origin is unknown. From the National Park Service's Incident Information System:

The South Fork Fire was reported on Monday November 18 2013. This fire is located fourteen miles north of Luray VA. It is north of Habron Gap south of Indian Grave Ridge and west of State Road 717 in both Page and Shenandoah Counties.

There is no containment date.

Areas temporarily closed:
Massanutten National Recreation Trail (#408) from Habron Gap to Indian Grave Ridge and areas west to the Forest Service boundary and Habron Gap Trail and Indian Grave Ridge Trails are closed as is Forest Service Area west of SR 684 and 717 in the fire area.

Habron Gap Trail #559

Indian Grave Ridge Trail # 597

Hunting is not permitted adjacent to the active fire under Virginia State law.
Safety of the public and firefighters is always the number one priority when dealing with wildfires. Trails adjacent and within the fire area are closed. Observe all posted closures.

Conditions involve steep and rocky terrain with light winds and temperatures in the low 40s.

Mountain garden gate ... Shenandoah County, Va.

An invitation to a Shenandoah County secret garden
overlooking the Appalachian Mountains in the distance....

Open the garden gate
Butterflies float gently on the breeze as they flutter by
Emerald tones of grass blanket the ground.
Rose's trail and twist on the broken trellis.
Petals glisten and radiate rainbow blooms
Tiny birds flit across your path
The sun warms your face.
This is utopia
Open the garden gate

~Amber A. Whitman

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
22 August 2011

Shenandoah County farm

Shenandoah County sheep farm.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
22 August 2011

North Mountain Vineyards ... Shenandoah County, Va.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
22 August 2011

Jeremy McCleary to run for Shenandoah County Commonwealth's Attorney

The current Commonwealth's Attorney in Shenandoah County has announced he will not seek a fifth term although he will remain as Woodstock's city attorney.

Woodstock Mayor Jeremy McCleary announced on Monday that he will seek the position. McCleary, whose wife is an assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Shenandoah County, posted an announcement on Facebook stating his desire to seek the position. McCleary is also chairman of the Shenandoah County Republican Committee.

As of now, no one else has stepped forward to run for the position. The election will be held in November.

Bob Goodlatte ... what does $1 trillion look like?

Congressman Bob Goodlatte talks with Christy Huffman at Shenandoah County GOP dinner.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-6th CD, VA) addressed those who attended Friday night's Shenandoah County Republican dinner. The 9-term representative was part of the Republican fight to prevent ObamaCare from passing but Democrats pushed it through on a partisan vote.

Even now, he said, 62% of Americans want Congressional Republicans to continue fighting the health care reform bill with a rally cry of, "Repeal and Replace."

While talking recently with a group of high school students, the subject of the health care reform bill and its costs came up ... and those students realized they were the ones on whose shoulder the huge debt would fall ... and the shoulders of their children.

I'm a visual learner so I loved the example the Congressman gave to help students visualize what $1 trillion looks likes. After all, most people will never see anything near that amount of money.

Imagine, he told the students, that you had a 4-inch stack of $1,000 bills and that was $1 million. Four inches high ... how high would the stack be to have $1 trillion? After all, $1 trillion was what it cost for the stimulus package that was passed by Democrats in 2009, the bill that was supposed to save and/or create 2 1/2 million jobs but has instead lost 3 million jobs.

How high a stack would it be for $1 trillion? The stack would be 63 MILES high ... right up into outer space!

That is quite a visual.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
26 March 2010

Shenandoah County GOP dinner ... more guests at the Yellow Barn

Jon Comer, Wade Zirkle, Suzanne Curran

Daryl and Tara Bowman

Christy Huffman and Suzanne Curran

Tara Bowman with her mom, Peggy Huffman.

Del. Todd Gilbert talks with constituents after dinner.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte talks with constituents after dinner.

Trixie Averill, running for 6th District Chairman, during dinner.

Trixie Averill and Todd Gilbert.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
25 March 2010

Shenandoah County GOP dinner ... guests at the Yellow Barn

The Yellow Barn in Mt. Jackson welcomed guests of the Shenandoah County Republican Committee. Many thanks to Chairman Mike Monahan and Vice Chairman Jeremy McCleary for a wonderful event. Sue Hughes, president of the Republican Women, headed up the Silent Auction. Vito Gentile recognized notable faces in the crowd.

Speakers were Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Congressman Bob Goodlatte, state Sen. Mark Obenshain, Del. Todd Gilbert, and RPV Chairman Pat Mullins.

I was invited to join Shenandoah County residents Suzanne Curran and Tara and Daryl Bowman at their table along with Tara's mom and sister, Peggy and Christy Huffman. The fellowship at the table was wonderful and I thank them for their warm hospitality. It was also good to see Ken Cruise, the "Mob Czar," who was part of the group that went on the 9/12 Taxpayer March to DC.

Christy Huffman talked with Pete Larkin, who works for Congressman Bob Goodlatte in Roanoke.

Jon Comer (left) and Wade Zirkle (right).

Jon is a fellow blogger and chairman of the Page County GOP. Wade started "Vets for Freedom" about six years ago, is a veteran of Iraq, and an all-around great guy. We thank him for his service to this country.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
25 March 2010

Shenandoah County GOP dinner ... Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling shared the stage with a Republican elephant. You've heard the saying, "The elephant in the room...." This huge stage prop shared the speaking platform with Friday night's speakers. Bill Bolling was the keynote ... and he did not ignore "the elephant in the room." He looked at it, pointed it out and laughingly said, "This is a happy elephant ... a strong elephant ... a conservative elephant." Dinner guests laughed ... it was a hoot.

The Lt. Governor went on to talk about last year's historic Republican wins in Virginia, admitting that a change in the national mood helped Virginia candidates move from an election outlook of +7 Democrats ... to an election night reality of +12 Republicans for a 20-point swing.

People, he said, are scared to death about the future of their country ... Washington is making promises and spending money we don't have. The national debt per household when Obama took office was $56,000; currently it is $72,000 per household; it is projected to be $170,000 per household by the year 2020.

Americans, he said, sent a message with Republican wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts in November of 2009. In 2010, Americans can change the direction of our country.

When we are Republicans, he said, we win. When we are Democrat Lite, we lose. We loved Ronald Reagan because he made us believe it was morning in American.

We have to reach beyond the GOP. Most people in Virginia today, he said, are not Republicans or Democrats. They are independents. They are worried about their jobs, their families, how they will survive. "We can win every part of Virginia if we stick with our beliefs," he said.

Leaders are those who lift us up rather than tear us down.

In 2010, Virginia Republicans were energized. We won. As the Lt. Governor's voice rose and echoed throughout the Yellow Barn, he emphasized that the government is subservient to the people ... not the other way around! "The future of America is in our hands. America will continue to be the Greatest Nation on Earth!"

Those in the crowd jumped to their feet in a standing ovation for a man who has been in Virginia leadership for years ... a man who came from humble beginnings ... a man who understands what Patrick Henry meant when he implored his fellow Virginians, "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

Many thanks to Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling as he continues to inspire me in my volunteer work ... and as he continues to inspire others around the Commonwealth.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
26 March 2010

Shenandoah County GOP dinner ... RPV Chairman Pat Mullins

Pat Mullins, Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, addressed those at the Shenandoah County GOP dinner. Many thanks to Chairman Mullins for his leadership.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
26 March 2010

Shenandoah County GOP Dinner ... Congressman Bob Goodlatte

Congressman Bob Goodlatte addressed the Shenandoah County Republicans and guests Friday night from the Yellow Barn in Mt. Jackson. Seated at the table were Lt. Gov. and Mrs. Bill Bolling.

The Congressman talked with constituents after dinner.





Bob Goodlatte and Christy Huffman. Christy interned in his Washington office while in college.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
26 March 2010

Driving Miss Trixie

Trixie Averill

Playing off the "Driving Miss Daisy" movie, the title of this blog came to mind as I drove I-81 from Staunton to Shenandoah Friday evening with Trixie Averill riding shotgun as we headed to the Shenandoah County GOP dinner in Mt. Jackson.

Trixie is running for Chairman of the 6th Congressional District and has been traveling the District to ask folks to attend the convention on May 22 in Lynchburg to vote for her. Friday night was no exception as she mingled with the crowd, saying hello to familiar faces ... introducing herself to new folks ... asking all to sign up to be delegates to the convention.

She was introduced during dinner, and Congressman Bob Goodlatte endorsed her candidacy during his remarks. Indeed, an email was sent by the Congressman Friday night to Augusta County Republicans asking that they turn out for Tuesday's mass meeting for Trixie.

We both enjoyed dinner and, while driving in the dark down I-81 on the way home, we briefly discussed dinner and speakers and Republican politics ... and then conversation turned to our families and children and, for Trixie, grandchildren.

Our families truly are the wind beneath our wings as we go about our political endeavors, working for the principles we believe in, the tenets of the Virginia Republican Creed, and putting time and energy into electing principled candidates to carry those beliefs.

As I dropped her off in Staunton, she headed down I-81 toward Roanoke an hour away and I turned my vehicle toward western Augusta County for the 10-minute drive home. Saturday night Trixie would do it all over again at the Roanoke Reagan dinner, reaching out to ask for votes and encourage Republicans to come out and vote for her, a conservative, hard-working grassroots leader.

Please Vote for
Trixie Averill
6th Congressional District Chairman

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
26 March 2010

Hundreds turn out for Shenandoah Co. assessment meeting

"What do you do with all this money that y'all are taking from us?"
--Fred Parker, Shenandoah County resident, addressing Board of Supervisors (10/29/09)

Hundreds of Shenandoah County residents angry at huge increases in their real estate assessments turned out Thursday night for a meeting with supervisors in the high school gymnasium. From the Northern Virginia Daily:

At the largest supervisors meeting in years -- perhaps in history -- several hundred people filled Central High School's gymnasium seeking answers on the increased reassessments and likelihood of a tax increase as a result.

This takes place six months after Augusta County supervisors saw the largest crowd in history -- 1,000 strong -- turn out to protest their high real estate assessments. The paper continued:

With hundreds of people angry about the recent real estate reassessments present, the chairman of the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors conceded Thursday night that a meeting with the appraisal group to get justification of its findings was needed.

County Administrator Vince Poling offered a presentation to explain the reassessments:

In the presentation, [Poling] noted that the new reassessment does not necessarily mean a person's taxes will go up, which elicited laughter from the crowd and one person yelling, "Tell us another one."

Thursday's meeting was in place of the scheduled Tuesday meeting that was cancelled after residents showed up at the Government Center.

What is occurring in Shenandoah County happened earlier this year in Augusta County as landowners fear that higher taxes and out-of-control spending by electeds will cause them to lose their homes.

We have been involved with the Augusta assessment issue since the beginning in February 2009 when an overflow crowd of 600 people turned out on a snowy February night for a planning meeting of Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments to hear from attorney Francis Chester and Supervisor Tracy Pyles.

Petitions were circulated throughout the county ... 30+ businesses allowed them in their stores including Tractor Supply, that farm equipment store that has a finger on the pulse of the rural community.

Signatures were collected from more than 10,500 residents and taken to Augusta supervisors ... over 1,000 residents turned out for the supervisor meeting in March, the largest crowd ever in the county's history ... over 50 speakers addressed supervisors at the meeting. In March 2009 this blog reported:

There is a groundswell of discontent among those who pay taxes and feel those taxes are increasingly being squandered by the government. Tough times have hit Americans, something that is evident in the SWAC area of Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County after local companies laid off hundreds of employees ... Invista, Mohawk Carpet, American Safety Razor, Gem Ply, Unifi, Hershey ... as home prices dropped 18% the last quarter of 2008, as housing starts dropped to their lowest level since 1959. Baby boomers have seen half their retirement savings disappear as the Stock Market dropped ... others lost their investments. Unemployment in Augusta County has been reported at over 9%.

Nothing has improved since that time ... in fact, the financial and job situation has become worse. Mohawk Carpet announced they will close down in December. Layoffs have been announced for McQuay in Verona as well as Western State in Staunton.

Yet there is a disconnect between the supervisors and the general population.

Instead of dealing with the assessment issue, Augusta County sued Churchville attorney Francis Chester asking for financial sanctions against him for having the audacity to represent pro bono 10,500 county residents in a lawsuit against the county.

Taking a cue from Augusta, Shenandoah County filed a lawsuit earlier this month against a county resident who is currently a supervisor candidate for having the audacity to ask questions of the board.

The electeds are there to serve the community ... they are paid by citizens ... they are not there to intimidate and humiliate those same taxpaying residents who ask questions and want answers and a transparent government. At what point do they realize Americans cannot shoulder much more of the government's debt?

Fatal accident closes I-81 in Shenandoah County

I-81 southbound is closed this morning in the aftermath of a fatal accident last night that involved three tractor trailers and another vehicle. Reports are there have been three fatalities, according to the Northern Virginia Daily:

(Updated: 9:08 a.m.) WOODSTOCK - A portion of Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County between the Toms Brook and Woodstock exits will be closed for several more hours today due to a fiery crash late Monday night that killed three people.

The crash, which occurred before midnight, involved three tractor trailers and another vehicle, according to Mary T. Price, assistant Shenandoah County administrator.

"The Hazmat Team has the burning substance under control and are finishing extinguishing the fire... Wreckers have been contacted to remove the motor vehicle and tractor trailers and we expect this will take several hours," Price said in a press release.

At 9 a.m., Price reported that northbound lanes of Interstate 81 are now open to traffic.

Shenandoah County public schools are closed today due to the accident.

Todd Gilbert starts re-election campaign

Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock) has begun his re-election campaign as he pursues a third term in the Virginia House of Delegates. Read more in the Harrisonburg Daily News-Record.

Obenshain, Gilbert at AFP townhall meeting in Shenandoah County

Sen. Mark Obenshain addresses AFP townhall meeting as Del. Todd Gilbert listens in the background.

Sen. Mark Obenshain listens as Trixie Averill answers a question.

Suzanne Curran from Shenandoah County.

It was standing room only at another highly successful Americans For Prosperity townhall meeting Monday night in Shenandoah County. Seventy-five interested citizens were engaged and asking questions and ready to join up with AFP's mission to control government waste and spending.

Guest speakers were Sen. Mark Obenshain and Del. Todd Gilbert who joined Shenandoah County activist Suzanne Curran along with AFP's Trixie Averill.

Informative as always, Mark and Todd did a great job answering questions as they readied everyone for the General Assembly session that begins in January. There were many positive comments afterwards as folks mingled and talked at the conclusion of the meeting.

It was another great event for AFP!

Photos by SWAC Girl

Update ... Shenandoah County truck accident closes I-81 northbound until 3 p.m.

Update: VDOT is reporting I-81 North may be closed until 3 p.m. today, December 14, 2007.

Both northbound lanes of I-81 near Woodstock and Strasburg in Shenandoah County have been closed due to a tanker truck accident and is expected to remain closed until noon today. The overturned tanker reportedly was carrying flammable liquid. Interstate travelers are being rerouted on a two-mile detour around the accident site.