Jan and Bill Saxman ... preserving Virginia's past in 'Log Home Living'

The restored Saxman cabin in Highland County, Virginia.
(Photo from Log Home Living)

A log cabin, a dedicated Staunton couple, and a love of Virginia came together to restore a log cabin in Highland County, the getaway escape for these business owners in western Virginia. It's all featured in this month's Log Home Living magazine in an article written by Holly Smith with photographs by David Brown.

It takes a special vision to look at a dilapidated old cabin of worn wood, warped floors, and crumbling foundation, and see a finished product. Yet that's exactly what Jan and Bill Saxman, the parents of former Staunton Delegate Chris Saxman, saw when they set out to restore the old two-room log cabin on their property in the Allegheny Mountains, a project that Jan saw completed shortly before her passing in 2013. In photos, the transformation can be seen as well as the loving interest that went into the finished product set in this picturesque rural area.

Ah, Jan -- she was one of a kind. It's almost possible to hear her input especially when she wanted to keep the rusted-yet-intact cabin tin roof. Her vision for saving a piece of Virginia's history was completed in a place that now holds her memory.

Former President Bush 43 sees popularity rise

As clearly shown on this Gallup chart, former President George W. Bush's favorable ratings are now higher than his unfavorable for the first time since 2005. He spent his second term in office being pounded on by the left but, after four years of staying busy but keeping a low public profile, the President's ratings are on the mend. Glad to see it ... he deserves it.

Sally Landes: Lady of the English house at Frontier Culture Museum

 On Wednesday, Sally Landes was making cheese at the English house at the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia located in Staunton. Sally and I first met as homeschool moms about 16 years ago when our daughters were in the same gymnastics class. That was before I got to knew her brother-in-law, Delegate Steve Landes, through local politics. She is one of the costumed historical interpreters at the Museum.

When visiting the English farm, look for the smiling face under the bonnet and you'll find Sally. She may be baking in the kitchen or sheering sheep or making cheese but whatever she's doing, she often invites onlookers to participate. Children first wash their hands in her "kitchen sink," then help measure or stir ingredients for whatever she's baking. Food ingredients are collected on the farm -- yesterday's cheese was made from cow and/or goat milk from the animals that live at the museum. It's a fascinating experience, and Friday, June 7, will be FREE admission from 6-8:00 p.m., which offers the opportunity to visit and see what everyone is talking about.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
June 5, 2013