Finding autumn in Highland County, Va.

Over four dozen photos of the autumn colors, scenic farms, and brightly-colored mountains in Highland County, Virginia's "Little Switzerland." Leaves, sheep, clear blue skies, cool air ... bringing fall to you....  (Photos, continue reading here)

Smoke-filled skies over western Augusta County

 The skies in western Augusta County were smoke-filled Thursday as smoke drifted east-southeast and raised questions about the origin. Someone on Facebook mentioned a controlled burn at Phillips Lick near Deerfield west of Churchville.

 These photos were taken Thursday evening shortly before sunset looking west toward Buffalo Gap, North Mountain, and Elliott's Knob.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 24, 2014

Staunton Forum at Blackfriars: 'To be, or not to be ... on city council'

Staunton's Blackfriars Playhouse was the backdrop for Tuesday night's city council candidates forum on the arts and tourism. A crowd of almost 150 turned out to get to know the eight candidates as moderator Chris Graham facilitated the event.

Pre-forum ... preparing as the public arrives.

"To be, or not to be ... on City Council. That is the question." Staunton city council candidate Shelley Bryant set the tone with her paraphrasing of that famous line at the opening of last night's candidates forum at downtown Staunton's Blackfriars Theater, bringing laughter and applause from the audience. On the eve of what most celebrate as Shakespeare's birthday, one almost expected to see the Bard himself sitting in the seats nodding his head in agreement.

The arts, an important element woven into this central Shenandoah Valley city, were front and center for the third and final forum Tuesday night between the eight candidates vying for three seats. With only two weeks left before election day, the crowd of 150 included many involved in the various playhouses, museums, and entertainment venues of the area.

Chris Graham, owner of the Augusta Free Press, moderated in his usual relaxed manner, putting the audience at ease as well as the candidates. His wife Crystal acted as timekeeper although sometimes it seemed as if she needed more than a sign to stop an ongoing response.

Incumbent Carolyn Dull is the only one running for reelection while Mayor Lacey King and councilman Bruce Elder are stepping down. With the large number of candidates in the running, yard signs are sprouting up as fast as spring flowers along city streets in the quest for name recognition leading up to the election. The addition of at least two new faces is of interest to many including current city council members Andrea Oakes and Ophie Kier who were in the audience as well as former Augusta County supervisor Nancy Sorrells.

The forum gave candidates an opportunity to show a different, sometimes more playful side of themselves as they shared their love of music and playing in bands and orchestras, their remembrances of being read Charles Dickens as a child, and most who admitted holding season tickets to local arts outlets. While the event was not too full of substance, obvious by the many quick "yes" answers given to a question about funding without the obvious background financial information necessary for such a response, it provided a peek into the varied personalities of those who wish to service the citizens of Staunton.

Political reporter Calvin Trice with the Staunton News Leader was there jotting notes and taking photos for his article. You may also want to check out the News Leader's Voter Guide.

Staunton council elections are Tuesday, May 6.  

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 22, 2014

Bill Bolling posts Facebook status updates

Jean Ann and Bill Bolling

January 2014

Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling recently posted a status update on his public office Facebook Wall  and regular Facebook Wall that caught the attention of his supporters.

On Saturday, April 12, he wrote:

Many of my Facebook friends have asked what Jean Ann and I are doing to stay busy now that my term as Lieutenant Governor has ended. So, for the next few days I will be updating you on some of the things we are doing to stay busy in the public and private sector. Stay tuned for Part 1 tomorrow.

Update #1 - On Sunday, April 13, the first update was posted:

Here's the first update on what I've been doing since my term as LG ended. Professionally, I have returned to the private sector and taken on some new duties as Managing Director of Virginia Operations for RCM&D, one of the nation's largest independent insurance brokers. You can read more about this below. While I enjoyed public service a great deal, I'm a business guy at heart, and I have really enjoyed getting back to the private sector full time and focusing on growing our firm's business in Virginia. More to come tomorrow.

Included was a link to the RCM&D News announcing that long-time employee "former Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling joined the firm on a full time basis when his term ended on January 11, 2014. Bolling assumed the position of Managing Director of RCM&D’s Virginia operations, and will have lead responsibility for managing all aspects of the firm’s strategic growth plans in the state."

RCM&D was founded in 1885 and ranked among the top privately-held independent insurance advisory firms in the country with over 300 professionals and six locations throughout the mid-Atlantic region including Richmond. They provide "property and casualty; management liability, and employee benefit services to clients in a number of critical business sectors, including health care, higher education, manufacturing, technology, construction and real estate, and transportation and logistics."

The announcement continued, "Lieutenant Governor Bolling has been affiliated with RCM&D on a part time basis since 2003. His focus had been on new business development and client retention. As Managing Director of RCM&D’s Virginia operations, Bolling will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategic growth strategy for the firm in Virginia, and overseeing all aspects of the firm’s operations in the Commonwealth."

Update #2 - Monday, April 14:

In January, I agreed to serve as Chairman of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce's Industry Council on Business Climate and Economic Development. This is an excellent way for me to continue the work I did during the McDonnell administration as Virginia's Chief Jobs Creation Officer.

Update #3 - Tuesday, April 15:

At the request of former Gov. Jerry Baliles, I have agreed to serve as co-chair of the Rural Virginia Horseshoe Initiative. One in four Virginians across parts of the Rural Horseshoe have less than a high school education, and this initiative seeks to change that.

Update #4 - Wednesday, April 16:

As an avid fly fisherman and outdoor enthusiast, I was honored to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

It's good to see that the Bollings continue their involvement in public life even while finding a bit more private time like their recent trip to Cancun.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

National Library Week and thanking Augusta County Library folks

Newest Augusta County Library board trustee Dr. Kurt Michael with library director Diantha McCauley at the Fishersville main branch. Read more about Dr. Michael here.

 

 Goodies for staff and volunteers to celebrate National Library Week.

 Lucy, the resident dinosaur, dressed in her Easter bonnet as she oversees the children's section.

Check out the Augusta County Library ... there's so much to see and do!

Update: Thanks for the shout-out from the library crew: http://aclstaff.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/april-16-2014/

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 15, 2014

Augusta County Library: More special events during Nationial Library Week

 Children's Department in the Augusta County Library in Fishersville, Virginia.

This week Augusta County Library joins libraries across the country in celebrating National Library Week. Special events include a book signing with author Billy Coffey, a Wizard of Oz performance for children, a book sale and a fine removal event.
 

Started in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association to highlight the value of libraries and library workers.  Libraries today are more than repositories for books and other resources. Often the heart of their communities, libraries are deeply committed to the places where their patrons live, work and study.  

“Service to the community has always been the focus of the library,” says Diantha McCauley, ACL Director. “As a result, our library system has grown and evolved to provide for the needs of every member of our community.” 

The National Library Week events at the Fishersville Library illustrate the range of free services offered by the library. This week's activities include:


·         Using the Internet for Beginners, Wednesday, April 16 at 3 p.m.
·         Wizard of Oz Performance for Children, Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m.
·         Accessing Free EBooks for Kindles, Thursday, April 17 at 3 p.m.
·         Author Billy Coffey Book Talk and Signing, Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. 
·         Who Done It Crime Scene Investigation for Teens, all week long

In addition, the Friends of the Augusta County Library will be hosting a special book sale where gently used books may be purchased individually or by the bagful in a Friends book tote. 

The library is also waiving overdue fines on request at all five of its locations.

For additional information, contact the library at 540-885-3961 or visit www.augustacountylibrary.org.  

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

April 15, 2014

Follow that truck

Pretty dang good slathered on a rack of ribs....

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell April 13, 2014

Milmont Garden Nursery and Stuarts Draft

I followed the road to the river in Stuarts Draft last week, driving past the Little Debbie factory and Target warehouse in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was a pretty spring day so I let the road lead me.

Milmont Nursery. The summer annuals aren't in yet but there were plenty of other varieties of trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 2014

Now you see it, now you don't

Do you see what's missing in the second picture? The first photo was taken Friday and the second photo was taken Saturday. As seen in the middle of the first picture, SWAC Husband took out the river birch that had been robbing our Colorado Blue Spruce, named Albert, of water. Since we have an abundance of river birches in the yard but only one Albert, the decision was made to eliminate the water-grabbing culprit. Voila!

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 14, 2014

Full moon over Virginia Tech

 Full moon over the Inn at Virginia Tech. Sunday, April 13, 2014.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 13, 2014

Virginia Tech weekend with SWAC Niece ... college decisions

 I'm at Virginia Tech this weekend with SWAC Niece and her-mother-my-sister for a follow-up visit to help in SWAC Niece's college decision after she was accepted at both Virginia Tech and University of Virginia. She visited UVa last week; this weekend it's Tech.

 This James River High School senior has worked hard, studied hard, been involved in all kinds of extracurricular activities, athletic, plays guitar, and is fluent in French.

 Her grandpa was in the Cadet Corps at Virginia Tech and graduated with his engineering degree, Class of 1947.

 Hundreds attended today's events, breaking up into groups to tour the campus.

 It's spring in Blacksburg with blooming flowers and blossoming trees.

 Our home away from home for the weekend is the Inn at Virginia Tech.

 Look at that view of the mountains from downtown Blacksburg. Beautiful.

Tonight, as we returned from dinner, a full moon could be seen in the sky over the Inn at Virginia Tech. SWAC Niece has a meeting Monday morning with one of the professors -- Chesterfield County schools are on spring break this week which presents the opportunity to finish visiting and make her decision -- and then we're heading home. It's been fun. This aunt was honored to be asked to join in this adventure as SWAC Niece makes her decision about whether she will become a Hokie, or a Cavalier. Stay tuned....

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 13, 2014

Daffodils and jonquils

One of the first and cheeriest signs of spring ... daffodils and jonquils at the rock wall.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 11, 2014

Signs of spring 2014

Our wisteria burst out in bloom this week as warm temperatures crept into the Valley.

The back yard is greening nicely.

Flowering trees are beginning to bloom.

This flowering weeping cherry was in Staunton next to Rowe's restaurant.

A sure sign of spring! Yard work is well underway and annuals will be planted in a few weeks. The

 safe frost date in the Shenandoah Valley is May 15 so we're still a month away from moving tender summer annuals outdoors.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 11, 2014

Saturday sunrise in the Shenandoah Valley

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 12, 2014