Chances are really good that you have either heard someone sneeze already today or have done so yourself. ‘Tis the season for ragweed and pollen and all manner of allergic reactions. Although I used to suffer miserably, I’m thankful to say that my late summers and early falls are much…
By the time you read this article, Hurricane Florence will likely have made landfall in the southeastern United States affecting millions of people and, if forecasts prove accurate, causing billions of dollars in property damage. As I write this, I’m praying that God would minimize its impact and shrink its…
Over the years our father told us many stories about his school experiences. Times were very different, rules were very strict, and expectations were very high. There were no SOLs and the board of education was often applied to the seat of learning. That’s not to say there weren’t weaknesses,…
My dad would have turned 96 this week. After his birth in Washington, DC, he and his family lived in various locations including New York as well as the Shenandoah Valley. Many people knew dad through his work as a taxidermist along the Valley Pike but we, his children, were…
Mention either of two very different animals, and you are sure to trigger an outbreak of free entertainment. Allude to either snakes or skunks, then sit back and listen as the tales spill out. This is one such story about a skunk that my dad shared with us years ago.…
What would you do if someone showed up to burn your barn and devastate you financially? For many Shenandoah County residents, this question was more than theoretical when Sheridan’s Union troops went through the Valley in the fall of 1864 doing exactly that. I can only imagine the anger, bitterness,…
Shenandoah County primarily offers two roads for north/south travel. Most days, those who enjoy lighter traffic and more scenic vistas take Route 11 while the majority who prefer speed and directness opt for a more crowded Interstate 81. Eleven is slower than the Interstate, but it treats its travelers to…
We are blessed here in the valley to see thousands of birds out our windows and over our heads. Hundreds of species inhabit our fields, mountains, and even our towns. Rare is the day that one of these feathered wonders doesn’t cross our path somewhere or the other. One specie…
I don’t remember much about the sixth grade, but I vividly remember a field trip to Thunderbird Archaeological Dig in Warren County. Mrs. Josephine Lynn transmitted her love for history and geography to many of her students and planned this special outing for us to experience the work of archaeologists…
Over the last several months, there’s been much discussion about keeping families together. Protesters along the Mexican border and in many communities all over America have demanded that children be reunited with their parents and that laws be changed to prevent such separations. While politicians on both sides have spun…