Area ski resorts now open for the 2010-11 season

If you head west into West Virginia, you'll run into 31" of snow after a week of storms left plenty of the white stuff with more is on its way. Sub-freezing daytime highs are scheduled to return to the Valley area by Monday. As of Saturday, December 11, all area ski resort were open for the season:

* Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort in West Virginia has 24 trails and five ski lifts open.
* Wintergreen Ski Resort south of Charlottesville has 13 slopes and trails open along with three ski lifts.
* Massanutten Ski Resort east of Harrisonburg has 10 slopes and eight lifts open.
* Bryce Ski Resort in Shenandoah County has six slopes and three ski lifts open.
* The Homestead ski slopes are open as well as ice skating rink and more.

All have holiday programs and events planned with expectations for another great ski season. It's winter in western Virginia....

Wreaths Across America ... sacrifices of troops are not forgotten

Staunton, Va, National Cemetery in 2009.
Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Cross-posted at the Washington Examiner....

If you drive by a military cemetery this weekend and see tombstones decorated with fresh, handmade balsam Christmas wreaths accented with bright red bows, you will have witnessed the generosity of Wreaths Across America.

The tradition was started with 4,000 wreaths in 1992 by Morrill Worcester and continues on the second Saturday each December. This year, thousands of volunteers across the nation and around the world will lay 219,000 wreaths on military graves as a remembrance of those who sacrificed for our freedom.

Mr. Worcester's quiet donation eighteen years ago of 4,000 wreaths for Arlington Cemetery became an annual gift of love from this Maine wreath maker who recognized that freedom is not free. Because of his generosity and desire to remember those who sacrificed, he started a tradition that was fairly obscure for 12 years until a photo hit the internet in 2005 showing the Christmas wreaths on Arlington's snow-covered graves.

As the photo hit the internet with the Worcester story, an anonymous person added a caption: "Rest easy, sleep well, my brothers. Know the line has held, your job is done. Rest easy, sleep well. Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held. Peace, peace, and farewell."

Word spread quickly and wreath requests poured in for other military cemeteries around the country which led Mr. Worcester and his family to establish the non-profit Wreaths Across America with a mission to remember, honor, and teach.

What would drive this 59-year-old owner of the largest wreath producing company in the world to give away thousands of wreaths for the past 18 years? Mr. Worcester recalled that when he was a 12-year-old newspaper carrier, he won a Bangor Daily News subscription-selling contest that sent him to the Nation's Capital. The lines of white stones in Arlington Cemetery made an impression on him that never left.

Years later, Christmas 1992, the successful businessman's Worcester Wreath Company had 4,000 surplus wreaths and nothing to do with them so late in the season. Grateful that his success was due in large part to the sacrifice of American troops, and remembering the rows of white tombstones, he put in a call to Arlington Cemetery. With a handful of volunteers, they drove a truck load of wreaths to Arlington and spent the next six hours distributing them on graves, a tradition continued quietly for years by a man who did not seek publicity. The 2005 photo sealed his destiny.

This Saturday volunteers will lay wreaths at American military cemeteries around the world. National Cemetery in Staunton will be included as they have in previous years. On each wreath will be a tag that reads: Through the generosity and actions of hundreds of thousands of volunteers, this wreath is donated and placed on the grave of a True American Hero. Wreaths Across America ... we make it our business to NEVER FORGET."

It's once again a reminder that freedom is not free and that Americans have not forgotten. That is the legacy of Morrill Worcester and his Maine balsam Christmas wreaths.

SWAC bloggers out on the town ... Christmas in Staunton

A toast to the annual Christmas dinner for the SWAC bloggers at Depot Grille in Staunton.

The Depot Grille ... decorated for Christmas.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
10 December 2010

Holiday events this weekend in central Shenandoah Valley

Cross-posted at the Washington Examiner....

The winter woods have returned to the Shenandoah Valley and the surrounding mountains with the possibility of snow in the air as shops, restaurants, and hotels welcome guests during the holiday season. It's a special time of year and many activities are planned throughout the region. Get in the holiday spirit with continuous Christmas music on the radio from FM 96.1 and FM 93.1.

There's a festival of holiday lights now through January 5 in Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park located in the central Shenandoah Valley. Individuals, churches, civic groups, and businesses have teamed up for the seventh year in a row with light displays along the two-mile drive around the park including the "Field of Deer" dedicated by local citizens in honor or memory of others.

Hitch a ride during the holidays in historic downtown Staunton on the free trollies that carry folks around the area, hopping off and jumping on at stops along the way. Enjoy shops and restaurants that are decorated for the holidays with thousands of twinkly lights welcoming guests to celebrate a Valley Christmas.


A ceremony for "Wreaths Across America" will take place on Saturday, December 11, at 12:00 noon at the National Cemetery in Staunton located on Richmond Road near Martin's Foodmart. Wreaths donated by Worcester Wreath Company in Maine will be placed on military graves as a reminder that freedom is not free.

Santa will an appearance at Natural Bridge on three Sundays -- December 12 and 19 -- listening to little ones as they pass along their Christmas wishes. Join the jolly old elf for some cookies and hot chocolate from 2-5 pm.

Dress warmly and join in a free outdoor sing along on Friday, December 10, at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington as the cadets from the Glee Club present their "Carols in the Courtyard" concert at 7:30 pm featuring fun Christmas music and hot cider.

A tradition for 28 years, The Nutcracker returns to Staunton with local talent under the direction of the Shenandoah Civic Dance Company on Saturday, December 11 at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, December 12, at 2:00 pm. It's a magical ballet for young and old alike.

Historic Wade's Mill in southern Augusta County, one of the few working grist mills in the Shenandoah Valley, offers a unique opportunity on Saturday, December 11, to make decorations for the tree and also help prepare the pizza for a festive holiday party. It all begins at 10 am and costs $25 for decoration and meal. Reservations are required.

On Saturday, December 11, just over the mountain from the Shenandoah Valley in Charlottesville, Mr. Jefferson's Monticello will offer the first family-oriented 5K Holiday Classic and Deck the Halls Kids Dash at 8:00 a.m. featuring an adult event and the kids 1,000 meter dash and scavenger hunt.

Upcoming Events:

The annual Christmas in River City features a family-friendly evening on December 17 from 5-8:00 pm in downtown Waynesboro that includes horse drawn carriage rides, Santa, caroling and a yule log.

After last year's snows kept Afton's Hebron Baptist Church from presenting its annual "Bethlehem Village," this year they're back from December 17-21 at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Nelson County. A recreated "Bethelehem" offers the opportunity to walk the quiet, dark streets of the little village and interact in a living nativity reminiscent of a time long before Santa. Experience the reverence of Christ's birth with animals in the stable, village people going about their business, and Roman soldiers guarding the gate in this unique remembrance of the first Christmas.

There is a quiet in the cold winter air as visitors walk the darkened pathways with costumed interpreters during the Holiday Lantern Tours at Staunton's Frontier Culture Museum, taking place December 17-22. Experience a one-of-a-kind visit back in time to the Old Country and Early America. Four tours leave from the visitor center every 30 minutes beginning at 6:00 pm. Reservations are required.

For those who want to ski on Christmas Day, they're making snow at Massanutten Ski Resort and Wintergreen Ski Resort. Both offer Christmas packages with housing, skiing, snowtubing, special holiday meals, and all kinds of winter activities to celebrate the holidays in these winter wonderlands.

For the ultimate Christmas vacation at an historic landmark about an hour west of the Shenandoah Valley, The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs offers their Holiday Lights and Ice winter celebration with skiing, ice skating, carriage rides, indoor spa, soaking waters, and much more. They have been taking care of families for over 200 years. The Grand Hall's wood-burning fireplaces, the Grand Tree, twinkly lights on the grounds, afternoon tea, delicious holiday meals, and family-friendly activities make The Homestead a special destination.

There's always a birthday party on December 28 at Woodrow Wilson's Presidential Library and Museum in downtown Staunton. Free admission allows all to tour this presidential birth place and grounds during the holidays with costumed interpreters, period music, cake, and punch.

Kick off 2011 with a New Year's Eve Gala at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in downtown Staunton on December 31 to benefit the Frontier Culture Museum. Enjoy an expanded buffet, open bar, and entertainment from 8:30-midnight with special overnight packages available. It's a special way to welcome in the New Year in the Shenandoah Valley's Queen City.

Restoring integrity to our judicial system

By Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R)

Virginia - 6th Congressional District

It is a rare occasion when the U.S. Congress impeaches a federal judge and removes the accused from the bench.  Indeed, only 8 federal judges have been removed from office in our nation’s history.  However, when evidence emerges that an individual is abusing his judicial office for his own advantage, the integrity of the judicial system becomes compromised, and the Congress has the duty to investigate the matter and take the appropriate actions to end the abuse and restore confidence in the judicial system.

As the Ranking Member of the House Task Force on Judicial Impeachment I served as one of the two lead prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.  Earlier this week I presented closing arguments before the U.S. Senate in the Porteous case, which was the first Senate impeachment trial of a federal judge since 1989.  This was the culmination of months worth of work including the initial investigatory phase, four evidentiary hearings, the presentation of the articles of impeachment by the House Task Force on Judicial Impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee, a vote by the House Judiciary Committee, a unanimous vote for impeachment by the House of Representatives, and the presentation of the articles of impeachment before the Senate Impeachment Trial Committee. 

Our case was based on four articles of impeachment, which charged Judge Porteous with intentionally making materially false statements and representations under penalty of perjury, engaging in a corrupt kickback scheme, soliciting and accepting unlawful gifts, deliberately violating court orders and intentionally misleading the Senate during his confirmation proceedings.

Specifically, the four articles of impeachment charged that while on the federal bench, Judge Porteous refused to withdraw as the judge from a case when he had previously engaged in a corrupt kickback scheme with the attorneys representing one of the parties; that he later took thousands of dollars in cash from those same attorneys while the case was pending; that he took gifts from a bail bondsman in exchange for granting favorable bond rates for him and then improperly expunged the records of two of the bail bondsman’s employees, one after he was confirmed by the Senate to be a federal judge; that he lied to a bankruptcy court when he filed for bankruptcy and then violated a bankruptcy court order mandating that he not incur further debt; and that he made materially false statements to the U.S. Senate and FBI during his confirmation process.

Following the presentation of closing arguments the Senate found Judge Porteous guilty on all four articles of impeachment and removed the Judge from the federal bench, making him the eighth federal judge to be removed from office.   It is not a pleasant task to remove a federal judge from the bench, yet when a judge abuses his office, it becomes necessary to take the appropriate action in order to restore the confidence of the American people in the judicial system.  The Constitution gives the House of Representatives the power and responsibility to impeach federal judges and the Senate the power to remove the accused from office after a fair and impartial hearing.  These are powers that Congress utilizes only in cases involving serious allegations of misconduct.  In every step of this lengthy process, we in Congress worked in a non-partisan manner to uncover the truth in order to root out corruption and protect the integrity of our judicial system.  With the Senate’s vote to convict Judge Porteous on all four articles of impeachment it sets a new and much-needed standard of conduct of all who are entrusted with public duties.

This weekend ... a reminder that freedom isn't free

If you drive by a military cemetery this weekend and see tombstones decorated with fresh, handmade balsam Christmas wreaths accented with bright red bows, you will have witnessed the generosity of Wreaths Across America.

Tomorrow is the day ... more about the background of this tradition that began in 1992 in my latest at the Washington Examiner.

Aaron Sorkin needs to take a chill pill

This Hollywood liberal goes on a rant about Sarah Palin's reality television show. Love her or hate her, this guy acts like a jerk.

A look back: 2009 Christmas Wal-Mart commercial thanks the troops

Originally posted December 2009....

"Christmas Anthem -- Thank You to the Troops"

I get a lump in my throat every time I see this commercial ... the music, the snow, the little boy, the message to our troops, and the chance of miracles that happen at Christmas.

Who came up with such a touching commercial? Richmond, Virginia's, own award-winning Martin Agency. If you missed it, here is the video. Be prepared to have a lump in your throat.

The scene is American soldiers in a desert setting with tents ... light snowflakes begin to fall ... they all look up in wonder ... "It's snow!" The camera pulls out for a long shot of the desert covered with snow as the white stuff continues to fall ... and then it fades into a scene in America with a little boy about seven years old who has just visited with Santa. His mom leans down and says, "So what did you ask for?" The little boy looks up at her and says, "Something for Dad."

As it fades back into the snowy desert scene and the American soldiers, the voice-over says, "To all our troops and their families, we thank you. Because of you, we are all living better."

Thanks, Wal-Mart. And thanks to our troops and their families.

Larry Elder: "The WikiLeaks vindication of George W. Bush"

Time has a way of letting the facts come out. "Yellowcake" and all the faux outrage from Joe Wilson and the liberal left had President George W. Bush excoriated by mainstream media as well as the liberals. WikiLeaks exposes the fact there were weapons of mass destruction, according to Mr. Elder, who ended his article by writing:

Bush, hammered by the insidious "Bush Lied, People Died" mantra, endured one of the most vicious smears against any president in history. He is owed an apology.

When Hollywood makes "The Vindication of George W. Bush," maybe Sean Penn can play the lead.

With the former president's current approval rating higher than Barack Obama's, one has to wonder if it will creep up even higher as this news gets out there.

People may not have agreed with President Bush 100% of the time but he declared after 9/11 that his #1 job was the protect the American people from terrorism. He was ready, steady, and unflinching in the face of evil. As one person commented on the Larry Elder article ... who would you rather have with you in a foxhole? Joe Wilson (or any other liberal) ... or George W. Bush?

It's important who you choose to watch your back in battle....

Another cold morning in the Shenandoah Valley

Flashback - December 19, 2009: Drifting snow is piled against the porch as boxwoods were completely covered. Strong northern winds caused three- to four-foot snow drifts.

Last weekend's snow was light but pretty in the yard.

If there was an outdoor ice skating rink in the area, it would have been frozen solid for a week as we continue with cold temperatures in the Valley and surrounding mountains. For the second morning in a row, it was 9 degrees at our home west of Staunton with light frost

With errands to run and baking to do, the cold temps make it feel seasonal as Christmas approaches. We are spending time with family and friends, and taking in holiday activities around the area.

Don't forget The Nutcracker ballet this weekend at Lee High School in Staunton. Performances are Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, while visions of sugar plums dance in our heads, we also have dreams of a White Christmas. After that wish became a reality last year, dare we dream it could happen again? Here's a look back at the snow last December ... the winter of 2009-10.

A White Christmas?

 It's been so cold in the Shenandoah Valley lately that I've been letting myself dream of a White Christmas. Not that I'm greedy ... we had a White Christmas last year ... but they are so seldom in Virginia and I never tire of them. That's when I wandered over to AccuWeather where I found hope ... and so began a post at the Washington Examiner:

Could the East Coast have a White Christmas? It's 16 days until December 25th and for those hoping to have snow on the ground for that special day, AccuWeather's latest prediction should put smiles on many faces.

Suggesting that an amazing 50% of the country may have a white Christmas when the usual average is 25%, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Joe Bastardi has posted a map at the website showing the locations expected to have measureable snow for the holiday. Sweeping from the northwest to the mid-Atlantic and northeast, it is a wide path of dreams and happiness for many dreaming of a White Christmas.

Look out, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, DC. Have the snow shovels on stand-by in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Keep reading over at the WaEx ... we're in for some cold weather if predictions hold up.

Unbelievable ... Berkeley continues to represent over-the-edge leftists

Berkeley may pass resolution honoring army private who gave classified docs to Wikileaks....

"Bob Meola, who authored the resolution, tells the San Francisco Chronicle that [Army Private] Manning is a patriot who deserves a medal."

Unbelievable....

Dave Rexrode ... JMU political science grad guides Virginia GOP

Republican Party of Virginia Executive Director David Rexrode (JMU '01 - left)
with Virginia Democratic Party Executive Director David Mills (JMU '02 - right).
Photo from "Madison" magazine.

Every time I think of Dave Rexrode, I remember us sitting in the rocking chairs on my front porch in Augusta County during the summer of 2001 when he was freshly graduated from James Madison University and working as campaign manager for Staunton's Chris Saxman. Saxman went on to win that campaign for delegate of the newly-created 20th House District. I was a volunteer on the campaign and talked politics with Dave. I remember telling him how much fun it was to talk with the political science majors who were young people working various campaigns because they liked to talk politics. At the time, there weren't many people around me who were political junkies like myself.

Who knew Dave would eventually become Executive Director of the Republican Party of Virginia? Who knew I would eventually become a member of the RPV State Central Committee, seeing Dave at RPV events on a regular basis?

Dave had been active with the JMU Republicans before his graduation. At the time in 2001, I had no idea my own son would eventually earn a computer science degree six years later from Mr. Madison's university in Harrisonburg. As a result, Madison, JMU's quarterly magazine, arrived in the mail this week and there was an article about Dave and his Democratic Party counterpart David Mills (JMU Class of '02).

It's a good read. Check it out online and see the talent coming up the political ranks....

Palin & Obama thrown into spotlight too early?

Noemie Emery at the Washington Examiner poses an interesting question today in her column as she wonders if Sarah Palin and Barack Obama met fame before they could season into life in the spotlight:

Two years ago, two superstars lit up a dazzled political universe -- young, stunning, lissome, and bursting with talent -- and were propelled ahead of their time into prominence, after a minimal time on the national scene. Two years later, it seems as if this has done them no favors: President Obama is widely seen as "overwhelmed" by his office, and Sarah Palin is meeting resistance establishing her credentials as a possible candidate against rivals with rather more seasoning.

On election day 2008, Obama had been in the Senate for less than four years, two of which he had spent running for president, and Palin had spent less than three years as governor of one of the country's most remote and least typical states. Are their problems aligned with their so-called "good fortune"? Unhappily, yes.

Perhaps years toiling in the trenches help prepare for life in the limelight....

'Flash mobs' go viral around the world

Cross-posted at the Washington Examiner....

Have you seen them? Flash mobs, those random eruptions into song and dance in public places worldwide, sometimes by thousands of participants who appear to be going about their business as usual and suddenly begin a choreographed performance before dispensing back into the crowd, are popping up everywhere. Videos of these fun events are going viral, receiving tens of millions of hits from viewers as word spreads through emails, blogs, and Facebook about this growing phenomenon.

One very popular example of a flash mob is the March 2009 video that featured over 200 participants in Antwerp, Belgium, Central train station who spontaneously broke into choreographed dance steps to the  Sound of Music song "Do Re Mi" while passers-by watch in amazement. The video has received more than 21 million hits.

Not viewed by quite that many people but still popular, a "Glee" flash mob with over 1,000 dancers took place in Seattle earlier this year, dancing to a medley of songs from the hit television series. The video has already been viewed by over 1.1 million people so far.

Almost two million have watched the very entertaining Ohio State University students dance to "Don't Stop Belivin' " in the Ohio Union student activity center. Even Elvis got into the flash  mob act at the Mall of America, and Oprah was surprised with a flash mob of 21,000 who danced to the Black Eyed Peas song "Tonight's Going To Be A Good Night." That video has had more than 2.6 million viewers.

The Hallelujah Chorus, a popular Christmas selection, was the song of choice for over 650 Philadelphia Opera Company singers on October 30th of this year who labeled it a "random act of culture." Posing as shoppers in downtown Philly's Macy's Department Store, formerly known as Wanamaker's, the choristers responded as the Wanamaker organ, the largest pipe organ in the world, began the familiar opening chords from Handel's "Messiah" at precisely 12:00 Noon. The event was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation who hope to have 1,000 "random acts of culture" over the next three years with the intention of taking "the classical arts out of the concert halls and opera houses" and into the communities, as posted on the YouTube page.

Among its links of news stories on Sunday, the Drudge Report featured a link to the video of a flash mob that entertained unsuspecting shoppers in a food court, also with the Hallelujah Chorus. Filmed less than three weeks ago, it has already picked up almost 11 million views.

ImprovEverywhere has spent the past decade executing a flash mob-type of event including one at New York's Grand Central Terminal filmed two years ago featuring over 200 people who froze in place, a video that has had over 24 million hits. A dance tribute to Michael Jackson filmed in Stockholm, Sweden, has captured 8 million viewers watching 300 dance in sync to "Beat It."

One of the newest flash mobs that was filmed a week ago took place in a mall in Michigan when "shoppers" began singing "Silent Night." Another, filmed just two days ago at a pedestrian mall on Nantucket, features participants wearing Santa hats and dancing to a montage of Christmas music beginning with "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."

Want to find more flash mob performances? Go to YouTube.com and search for "flash mobs" or "random acts of culture" and take your pick from the dozens and dozens of videos available with more hitting the airways every day. With interest growing, don't be surprised if you're eating lunch in the food court one day and suddenly your fellow diners begin to sing and dance. You could be witnessing a flash mob.

Christmas ... Snoopy versus the Red Baron

Thanks to fellow bloggers Fishersville Mike and Yankee Phil for the retro look at our hero Snoopy's Christmas day encounter with his nemesis, the Red Baron.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." -- Luke 2:14

 Merry Christmas!

Pearl Harbor and 9/11 ... have we forgotten?

Today is December 7th ... Pearl Harbor Day.

December 7, 1941 ... 69 years ago America suffered the worst attack ever on our soil at the hands of the Japanese who conducted a sneak attack on our Naval base in Hawaii. It was, in the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, "a date which will live in infamy."

Or so we thought.

Sixty years later, on September 11, 2001, America came under an even larger attack on our soil and it wasn't on an island in the South Pacific. It was right here on the mainland.

America was attacked in New York City and Pennsylvania and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. More people died that day than in 1941. The big difference was that they were civilians.

Have Americans forgotten Pearl Harbor? Most who are alive to remember are now in their 70s, 80s, and 90s. Many of the survivors have passed away ... the rest are increasingly in frail health.

How on God's green earth do we expect people to remember Pearl Harbor, an event that happened 69 years ago, when many have already forgotten the terror from 9/11 that occurred just a short nine years ago? Have Americans lost their resolve? Their will? Their courage? Their honor? Their willingness to stand up for the home front?

Have we forgotten how to pull together in the face of adversity and in the face of the rest of the world? Have we allowed the worldview, politically correct elitists to so tie our hands so that we aren't even willing to stand up anymore for what we believe in?

So begins my post today at the Washington Examiner....

2010 performance of "The Nutcracker" this weekend ... a Staunton tradition for 28 years

A holiday classic that has been a part of Staunton for 28 years, Tchaikovsky’s full-length ballet The Nutcracker returns this weekend with local talent under the direction of the Shenandoah Civic Dance Company.

Made up of local school and home school children and dance alumni, the ballet requires almost 100 children and young adults to fill the parts of dancing mice, wooden soldiers, dancing bakers, dancing clowns, Mother Ginger and the little Gingersnaps, flowers, snowflakes, Snow Queen, Arabian dancers, dancing dolls, Sugar Plum Fairy, party girls and boys, couples, Chinese dancers, Russian dancers, Spanish dancers, little brother Fritz, and most importantly the Nutcracker and Clara. International guest dancer again this year is Jurijs Safonovs who was formerly with the Latvian National Opera Ballet.

This year will feature local dancers Kaitlyn McMillion and Darian Payne who will perform as Clara on alternating nights. Kaylin Pack will dance as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and her Cavalier will be Mr. Safonovs. 

With the wonderful choreography of Pamela McCray, original story by E. T. A. Hoffman, and timeless beautiful musical score by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker is a magical evening for young and old alike.



Performances will be held Saturday night, December 11, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon, December 12, at 2:00 p.m. at Robert E. Lee High School located at 1200 N. Coalter Street in Staunton.

General admission tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for children through high school age. Babies under age 2 sitting on laps are free. Limited reserved admission tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for children through high school age. 

Tickets are available at the door or may be purchased at Staunton's Bookworks at 101 W. Beverley Street, You're A Star in Harrisonburg's Valley Mall, and Party & Paper in Waynesboro. For ticket information call (540) 885-8524.

See you at The Nutcracker....

'Flash mob' videos go viral

From my latest at the Washington Examiner....

Have you seen them? Flash mobs, those random eruptions into song and dance in public places worldwide, sometimes by thousands of participants who appear to be going about their business as usual and suddenly begin a choreographed performance before dispensing back into the crowd, are popping up everywhere. Videos of these fun events are going viral, receiving tens of millions of hits from viewers as word spreads through emails, blogs, and Facebook about this growing phenomenon.

Find links to flash mob videos worldwide as this movement continues to spead to communities and towns throughout the world....

Winter settles over the Frontier Culture Museum

The winter landscape has settled over the Frontier Culture Museum in the central Shenandoah Valley. The museum is open year round but will be closed for the holidays on December 24-26 and December 31-January 2.

Holiday Lantern Tours will take place Dec. 17-22.

The American farm with bluebird houses in foreground.

Dark clouds gathered with snow flurries in the forecast.

Picnic tables wait until warmer weather when families and school children will once again picnic while visiting the farmsteads.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
December 2010

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care" ...

... at my parents' home.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
December 2010

Winter home school wedding....

 "YMCA" ... DJs love this song at weddings. SWAC Daughter joined fellow home school graduate friends to dance the night away.

 The bride grew up in the Shenandoah Valley. The groom grew up in Puerto Rico. They met in college and fell in love.

 The bride danced with her childhood home school friends as the snow came down outdoors and covered the ground and vehicles.

 SWAC Daughter danced with friends ... it was an evening of fun.

It was a magical evening as home school families from the Staunton-Waynesboro-Augusta County area came together to attend the wedding of one of their own. She was marrying a young man from Puerto Rico who attended college with her in the States.

On a winter night as the snow gently fell in the Shenandoah Valley, two cultures ... two families ... blended with a marriage ceremony followed by a buffet dinner in a winter wonderland setting of twinkly white lights and tables covered with white linens and candles. Imagine the surprise of guests from Puerto Rico at unexpectedly seeing snowflakes falling outside the windows as the DJ played weather-appropriate songs such as "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" and "Winter Wonderland."

Toasts by the father of the bride were followed by toasts by the cousin of the groom followed by cutting the wedding and groom's cakes followed by DANCING! The music cranked up and most everyone, young and young-in-spirit, hit the dance floor for a mix of new, old, and salsa music. It was interesting to see some of the Puerto Rican guests sit out on some of the American songs only to retake the floor when salsa hit the airwaves and some of  the local guests took a break. Some songs, however, are universal as we noted when the floor was crowded with everyone for Chubby Checker's "Twist" and line dancing with "The Electric Slide."

To say everyone had a fantastically wonderful time is an understatement. Home schoolers are like family ... the home school community is close-knit because most activities bring out the entire family and children know everyone in a home school family, not just the kids who are their own age.

It was heart-warming to be with friends and to help celebrate the wedding of a young lady we had known since elementary school. Good luck, Jill and Emanuel! We wish you love, happiness, and never-ending friendship. God bless you both.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
4 December 2010

First snow of winter 2010 ... magic in the air

 The first snow of winter 2010.

The winter woods have returned to the ridge behind the house.

 My child still loves snowy nights! She was prepared for wintry weather with boots in the car after leaving a home school friend's wedding (she's holding her high heel "dancing" shoes).

Lanterns on a dark winter night set the perfect mood for a winter wedding.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
4 December 2010

Christmas in the Shenandoah Valley ... 2010

Cross-posted at the Washington Examiner....

The winter woods have returned to the Shenandoah Valley and the surrounding mountains with the possibility of snow in the air as shops, restaurants, and hotels welcome guests during the holiday season. It's a special time of year and many activities are planned throughout the region. Get in the holiday spirit with continuous Christmas music on the radio from FM 96.1 and FM 93.1.

There's a festival of holiday lights now through January 5 in Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park located in the central Shenandoah Valley. Individuals, churches, civic groups, and businesses have teamed up for the seventh year in a row with light displays along the two-mile drive around the park including the "Field of Deer" dedicated by local citizens in honor or memory of others.

Hitch a ride during the holidays in historic downtown Staunton on the free trollies that carry folks around the area, hopping off and jumping on at stops along the way. Enjoy shops and restaurants that are decorated for the holidays with thousands of twinkly lights welcoming guests to celebrate a Valley Christmas.

The folks in Highland County invite all to western Virginia to celebrate Wintertide, an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas in downtown Monterey the weekend of December 3-5 featuring a tree-lighting at the courthouse, carolers on horseback, handmade fresh holiday wreaths, and hand-spun wool items in Virginia's Little Switzerland.

Santa will make an appearance at Natural Bridge on three Sundays -- December 5, 12, and 19 -- listening to little ones as they pass along their Christmas wishes. Join the jolly old elf for some cookies and hot chocolate from 2-5 pm.

Dress warmly and join in a free outdoor sing along on Friday, December 10, at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington as the cadets from the Glee Club present their "Carols in the Courtyard" concert at 7:30 pm featuring fun Christmas music and hot cider.

A tradition for 28 years, The Nutcracker returns to Staunton with local talent under the direction of the Shenandoah Civic Dance Company on Saturday, December 11 at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, December 12 at 2:00 pm. It's a magical ballet for young and old alike.

Historic Wade's Mill in southern Augusta County, one of the few working grist mills in the Shenandoah Valley, offers a unique opportunity on Saturday, December 11, to make decorations for the tree and also help prepare the pizza for a festive holiday party. It all begins at 10 am and costs $25 for decoration and meal. Reservations are required.

On Saturday, December 11, just over the mountain from the Shenandoah Valley in Charlottesville, Mr. Jefferson's Monticello will offer the first family-oriented 5K Holiday Classic and Deck the Halls Kids Dash at 8:00 a.m. featuring an adult event and the kids 1,000 meter dash and scavenger hunt.

The annual Christmas in River City features a family-friendly evening on December 17 from 5-8:00 pm in downtown Waynesboro that includes horse drawn carriage rides, Santa, caroling and a yule log.

After last year's snows kept Afton's Hebron Baptist Church from presenting its annual "Bethlehem Village," this year they're back from December 17-21 at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Nelson County. A recreated "Bethelehem" offers the opportunity to walk the quiet, dark streets of the little village and interact in a living nativity reminiscent of a time long before Santa. Experience the reverence of Christ's birth with animals in the stable, village people going about their business, and Roman soldiers guarding the gate in this unique remembrance of the first Christmas.

There is a quiet in the cold winter air as visitors walk the darkened pathways with costumed interpreters during the Holiday Lantern Tours at Staunton's Frontier Culture Museum, taking place December 17-22. Experience a one-of-a-kind visit back in time to the Old Country and Early America. Four tours leave from the visitor center every 30 minutes beginning at 6:00 pm. Reservations are required.

For those who want to ski on Christmas Day, they're making snow at Massanutten Ski Resort and Wintergreen Ski Resort. Both offer Christmas packages with housing, skiing, snowtubing, special holiday meals, and all kinds of winter activities to celebrate the holidays in these winter wonderlands.

For the ultimate Christmas vacation at an historic landmark about an hour west of the Shenandoah Valley, The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs offers their Holiday Lights and Ice winter celebration with skiing, ice skating, carriage rides, indoor spa, soaking waters, and much more. They have been taking care of families for over 200 years. The Grand Hall's wood-burning fireplaces, the Grand Tree, twinkly lights on the grounds, afternoon tea, delicious holiday meals, and family-friendly activities make The Homestead a special destination.

There's always a birthday party on December 28 at Woodrow Wilson's Presidential Library and Museum in downtown Staunton. Free admission allows all to tour this presidential birth place and grounds during the holidays with costumed interpreters, period music, cake, and punch.

Kick off 2011 with a New Year's Eve Gala at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in downtown Staunton on December 31 to benefit the Frontier Culture Museum. Enjoy an expanded buffet, open bar, and entertainment from 8:30-midnight with special overnight packages available. It's a special way to welcome in the New Year in the Shenandoah Valley's Queen City.

WaEx: "The rest of the story about those Andy Griffith ObamaCare ads"

Many have seen the ad on television of homespun Andy Griffith sitting in an easy chair singing the praises of ObamaCare and how wonderful it will be for everyone when this overreaching legislation is enacted. The part that really caught my attention was the "free check-ups for all" comment. Free?

Andy Griffith always came across as the guy who downplayed his smarts in roles he played on TV. Surely he has not fallen hook, line, and sinker for believing there will be "free check-ups for all"? Mr. Griffith, there is no such thing as "free" and I took you as someone who knew better than to believe the lines you fed TV viewers in that ad.

In the words of Washington Examiner OpEd contributor Tom Fitton:

"At a time when the government desperately needs to tighten its belt, taxpayers and principled members of Congress should be outraged that the Obama administration has wasted millions of taxpayer dollars on this propaganda campaign."

Here are the financial documents pertaining to that ad, courtesy of Judicial Watch through the Washington Examiner. Could the money spent to promote ObamaCare been better used?

Obama decides no "drill here, drill now" for Virginia

Cross-posted at the Washington Examiner....

The Commonwealth of Virginia has been smacked down by the Obama administration in its desire to drill offshore for oil and natural gas. The announcement on Wednesday blocked oil and gas exploration on the East Coast, West Coast, and part of the Gulf of Mexico for at least seven years leaving the U.S. with limited options for developing its own energy independence from those sources.

The announcement scrapped plans by state officials to embark on proposed exploration off the coast anytime soon, something many legislators had hoped would become a reality. That disappointment was expressed by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell:

“I am extremely disappointed that the Obama Administration has unilaterally blocked environmentally responsible, and economically crucial, offshore energy exploration and development in Virginia, along the Atlantic Coast and throughout other broad swaths of offshore territory nationwide. This is an irresponsible and short-sighted decision. It demonstrates a complete lack of confidence in the entrepreneurial spirit of American industry and its ability to fix the problems experienced in the Gulf spill, and no confidence in the ability of the U.S. government to better plan for and react to offshore emergencies.

The Governor noted that the country is experiencing one of the toughest economic times in U.S. history, and said oil exploration would have created jobs and expanded economic growth as well as help reduce American dependence on foreign oil.

Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling also commented about the decision, expressing his desire to increase America's energy independence while providing billions of dollars in capital investment. He added:

“Unfortunately, as a result of the President’s unjustified decision, these considerable resources will remain unutilized and our over-dependence on foreign sources of energy will continue. This is another example of the Obama Administration pursuing anti-business policies that will perpetuate our current economic malaise.”

Today's announcement turned around a decision made eight months ago when Obama reversed a long-standing ban in a decision that would allow offshore exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and along part of the East Coast including Virginia. At the time it caused an uproar among environmentalists who demanded there be no new oil wells.

The game changer was the BP oil spill that occurred just three weeks later which caused the Obama administration to step back from its decision to allow drilling. While Wednesday's announcement was a win for environmentalists, it did little to satisfy Virginians who had hoped to benefit from energy profits to help with the ever-increasing costs of running government and transportation needs, and perhaps ease the cost of fuel to consumers.

A grassroots group concerned with fiscal responsibility from government at all levels took note of the Wednesday ruling. Americans for Prosperity's Virginia Director, Ben Marchi, expressed the same concerns about jobs, energy independence, and fiscal benefits mentioned by others. His assessment was blunt as he commented:

“This excessive, sweeping and unnecessary move by the Obama Administration is nothing short of a kneejerk reaction that will have lasting repercussions on the economy of Virginia, potential job creation and the nation at large.

Even Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner joined in with McDonnell, promising "to explore ways to re-examine this decision" and saying he saw no reason to wait another seven years. His sentiments were not shared by environmentalists who cheered the decision.

Meanwhile, other countries continue to drill. One of those is Cuba:

Countries like Cuba–which is set to allow Spanish oil company Repsol to begin drilling off the northern side of the island next year. A BP-type blowout there could wash crude into the Florida Keys, 50 miles away, in just three days. If drilling near Florida is too dangerous for U.S. regulators to allow, shouldn’t the President be doing something to stop Cuba from taking the same risk?

That's a question others will also be asking.

Holiday events this weekend

This weekend has many holiday events going on throughout the Shenandoah Valley. The weather is cold, snow flurries are flying, and a hint of Christmas is in the air. The picturesque town of Woodstock in Shenandoah County will have its tree lighting ceremony tonight at the Courthouse at 6:00 pm including a parade and a visit from Santa. If you are in historic Lexington tonight, their annual parade titled a "North Pole Stroll" will take place at 6:30 pm on Main Street. The Harrisonburg Christmas Parade is also tonight at 7:00 on Main Street.

Though not in the Valley, the Commonwealth of Virginia Christmas tree will be lighted tonight on the Capitol grounds in Richmond with festivities beginning at dark. All are welcome to join in the fun with Governor and Mrs. Bob McDonnell and tour the Executive Mansion, decorated for the season and open from 5:30-8:00 pm.


Step back in time in Winchester for candlelight tours of Stonewall Jackson's headquarters Friday and Saturday,  December 3-4. Decorated for the holidays with interpreters and colonial music, it offers an opportunity to experience living history from the 1800s. For tour times and fees call 540-662-6550.

A historical look at Christmas on the Farm at New Market Battlefield will take place on Saturday, December 4, from 10 am-4 pm.

Hitch a ride tomorrow, December 4, in historic downtown Staunton when carriage rides will be available from noon-3:00 pm along with children's activities and music along Beverley Street, or take a free trolley ride around the area, hopping off and jumping on at stops along the way. Enjoy shops and restaurants that are decorated for the holidays with thousands of twinkly lights welcoming guests to celebrate a Valley Christmas.

Always a favorite event is Waynesboro's Winter Wonderland Christmas parade tomorrow, December 4, at 7 pm with floats, marching bands, and Santa himself. Later in the month, the annual Christmas in River City features a family-friendly evening on December 17 from 5-8:00 pm in downtown Waynesboro that includes horse drawn carriage rides, Santa, caroling and a yule log.

The folks in Highland County invite all to western Virginia to celebrate Wintertide, an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas in downtown Monterey all this weekend, Friday through Sunday, December 3-5, featuring a tree-lighting at the courthouse, carolers on horseback, handmade fresh holiday wreaths, and hand-spun wool items in Virginia's Little Switzerland.

A snow flurry day ... holiday events

There's much to do in the Shenandoah Valley during the month of December. My latest at the Washington Examiner....

Park Service to fence off National Mall?

Fence off the national mall? Under a new plan from the National Park service, that's what would be done to protect the grass that has been enjoyed by millions of Americans throughout the years. No more picnics, frisbee games, and children romping.

Liz Farmer with the Washington Examiner has all the details about the plan that also includes paving pedestrian pathways and adding an underground irrigation system. Should the park service be allowed to block Americans from their own front yard?

Shenandoah Valley ... chance of snow in weekend forecast

Have you seen the forecast for the next week in the Shenandoah Valley? In a word, it's going to be COLD. The next week sees temperatures that aren't supposed to get out of the 30s, and there's a slight chance of snow Saturday and Sunday.

And did you hear? They're making snow at Wintergreen and Massanutten. My snowboarding kids have been waiting for this ... it's turning into winter in the Shenandoah Valley....

Cold in the Shenandoah Valley ... frozen bird bath

I knew it was cold outside today ... the mid-day temperature is a chilly 34 degrees and it has been overcast and dreary-looking all day ... but I didn't realize just how cold it was until my eyes wandered out the window to the bird bath located on the back deck. It's heated but we had not plugged it in yet for this season.

There, sitting on the edge of the bird bath, was a junco who leaned down and pecked at the frozen surface. As he was trying to figure out how to get to the water, a titmouse flew in and landed on the edge, leaned over for a few pecks, then jumped onto the icy surface and went skidding.

I laughed out loud, and then several other small birds joined them, trying to figure out why that water they could see would not make itself available to their parched beaks. One little finch jumped onto the surface and his feet began sliding sideways, spreading further and further apart, until he finally flapped his wings and flew off. It was hilarious and reminded me of Woodstock from the "Peanuts" comic strip ice skating on Snoopy's frozen water bowl.

It's the first time this season the weather has sustained cold temperatures long enough to freeze the birds out of the bird bath. It's now plugged in, new water has replaced the ice, and the birds have been splashing and enjoying.

The variety of wild birds are an enjoyment and have been for years ever since we first hung bird feeders outside the farm house windows of our home school classroom when the kids were little. We still feed and water them, a small price for the hours of enjoyment they have provided over the years.

Winter is right around the corner in the Shenandoah Valley....

Obama: No drilling off Virginia's coast

Virginia wants to drill off her coast but the federal government has once again stepped in and said, "No." My latest at the Washington Examiner has responses from Gov. Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Americans for Prosperity's Ben Marchi, and even Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner who disagree with the Obama administration's ban.

Richmond has snow in weekend forecast?

The weather has turned frigid and weather forecasters are saying the Richmond area may have a dusting of snow this weekend. Anyone from there can tell you that forecast more than likely will not come to pass but just the thought of it brought a couple of thoughts to mind.

Whatever will Richmond do without a Ukrop's to stock up for groceries when it snows? This will be the first winter in 70+ years without a Ukrop's.

On my refrigerator is the January 2000 Gary Brookins editorial cartoon titled, "If Paul Revere lived in Virginia." In it, a horseman is galloping along shouting, "To Ukrop's! To Ukrop's! The snow is coming!" We all laughed at the realness of it. (Brookins, award winning cartoonist at the Times-Dispatch since 1979, was laid off from the newspaper in April.)

Not to worry, however. We can still pick up those Ukrop's goodies at Martin's Supermarkets, the group that bought out Ukrop's earlier this year. But somehow I cannot quite see the rallying cry of, "To Martin's! To Martin's! The snow is coming!" Besides, the snow probably won't materialize anyway.

Olde Richmond memories are stubborn things and Ukrop's has now taken its place alongside other Richmond icons from throughout the years.

Merry Christmas, Stacy ... wherever you are

Christmas ornament hand-painted by 10-year-old Stacy in 1975.

As I was growing up, a tradition in our family was for my parents to give us ornaments from places they had traveled each year. My husband and I continued the tradition with our children ... so we have a number of "special" ornaments that are placed on the tree year after year.

This year was no different. As I carefully unwrapped the tissue paper from around one particular ornament, memories flooded back as I saw the hand-painted ceramic decoration for the tree.

It was a jack-in-the-box painted in 1975 by a 10-year-old boy named Stacy. I held the ornament in my hand and remembered back to the days when, as a young 20-year-old, I worked at Children's Hospital in Richmond (called Crippled Children's Hospital in those days).

Stacy touched my heart more than any other child I came in contact with because of his devilish sincerity. I loved that child. He was from southwest Virginia, one of many children from a large, poor Appalachian family. As best I can remember, the accident that changed his life occurred when he was playing with his siblings and they tied him to a tree, piled leaves at the base of the tree, and set the leaves on fire.

Stacy was horribly burned, so much so that much of both legs and part of one arm had to be amputated. He came to Children's Hospital for rehabilitation.

The patients at the hospital lived in dorms and received daily treatment as well as schooling. Far away from home, Stacy was with us for a long time as therapists, doctors, and nurses worked with him to heal his stumps so he could receive prosthetic devices to help him lead a normal life.

For someone who had been through such a horrible experience, he had a devilish sense of humor. He was funny, playful, and almost always in a good mood. Perhaps it was the love he received from all of us as he went through physical therapy, recreational therapy (which was where he painted the Christmas ornament), and the one-on-one education he received from the in-house teachers.

I still remember the day he presented the painted ceramic decoration to me. I kneeled beside his wheelchair so to be at eye level with him as he flamboyantly presented it to me ... then I took it home to my Christmas tree and, after the holidays, packed it away. Every year since that time it has been placed on my tree.

Stacy would now be a young man in his 40s. I don't know what happened to him ... I lost track after leaving Children's Hospital. I have often wondered where he was, how his life turned out, and if he was able to handle the emotional scar of such a life-changing incident so young in his life.

I once again placed his ornament on the tree and again wished Stacy a Merry Christmas, wherever he is....

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Legislative ladies to get House restroom

~An idea whose time has arrived~

Building a bathroom is normally not blogging news but this item caught my attention.

With the number of lady legislators increasing, House Speaker John Boehner has directed a makeover of an office near the U.S. House of Representatives floor into a ladies room, something that has not been previously available, according to The Hill. While the men enjoyed a nearby facility, the ladies previously had to find their way downstairs in the Capitol or to a restroom several halls away ... but not for much longer. As Martha Stewart would say, it's a good thing.

Update: Check out Donald Douglas' post at American Power.

"A Valley Christmas" concert

The Harrisonburg/Rockingham Concert Band

presents

A Valley Christmas Concert

Given for the benefit of the

Central Valley Habitat for Humanity

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

7:30 pm

Massanutten Presbyterian Church

50 Indian Trail Road

Penn Laird, Virginia

A free will offering will be taken

Happy Hannukah

"It's not the size of our Army ... it's the strength of our faith."
--Judah Maccabee

Two thousand years ago, one family led by one man stood between the mighty Greek army and the conquest of the Jewish people. The family was the Hasmoneans, and the man was Judah Maccabee.

The Greeks were different from other empires. They didn't just want your land, your resources and your riches -- they wanted your national essence, your culture. They wanted you to think like them, live like them and even be entertained like them. The problem was most Jews weren't buying, and the Greeks didn't appreciate that. So the Greeks brought pressure to bear on the Jews.

Women who insisted that their sons be circumcised were killed along with their babies. Brides were forced to sleep with Greek officers before they could be with their husbands. Jews were required to eat pork and sacrifice pigs to the Greek gods. The teaching of Torah became a capital crime.

The sages and their students went into hiding in order to study and preserve the Torah. Secret weddings were held. Most Jews did anything and everything to remain Jewish. Many were tortured and murdered for their defiance. A period of darkness and suffering descended upon the Jews of Israel.

And then came the Hasmoneans.

The Hasmonean family was led by Mattisyahu and his five sons: Shimon, Yochanan, Yehudah (Judah), Elazar and Yonasan. Mattisyahu was a devout man who could not bear to see Judaism and the Jewish spirit crushed. It was his family that led the revolt against the vastly superior Greek forces. Mattisyahu understood that the battle was far less for national liberation than it was for spiritual and religious liberation. ...

Judah Maccabee was a fearless leader, a brilliant battlefield tactician and a man capable of inspiring thousands to take up arms in the battle for the preservation of Judaism. It was Judah Maccabee who conceived of ways for the Jewish forces to out-maneuver the larger, better equipped and seasoned Greek army.

When at last the Jews captured Jerusalem, rededicated the Temple and witnessed the miracle of the oil, it was with Judah Maccabee as the leader of the Hasmonean family and at the head of the Jewish army of liberation.

In many ways the story of Chanukah is the story of how one man and one family can make all the difference in the world for an entire people. It was the inspiration of Mattisyahu, the leadership of Judah Maccabee and the stubborn tenacity of the dedicated Jews that literally saved the Jewish people and the Jewish way of life.

Originally posted 12/23/08 and 12/11/09

From "Who Was Judah Maccabee Anyway" by Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf

Dickie Bell townhall Thursday

Del. Dickie Bell (R-20th House) will be holding a townhall meeting Thursday, December 2, 2010, at 6:00 pm at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona. The meeting is open to all and will offer an opportunity for input about the upcoming legislation session that begins in January in Richmond.

The state budget cuts will be discussed and local elected officials such as treasurer and commissioner of revenue may be present because of financial cutbacks in their offices.

The townhall will be held in the Smith Room West in the government center.