What’s In Your Coffee?
One of the curses we have learned to live with in Virginia is the brown marmorated stink bug. This is the official name of the pest that arrived in the US from Asia some 20 years ago that has now spread throughout much of the nation. Although similar in appearance…
Finding God in the Valley – Episode #1 – Bricks
Church is Good For You!
Now there’s a headline you would expect from a preacher, right? But it’s actually only a slight paraphrase of a recent study by Harvard University, a school not known in recent years for its fondness for faith. Nevertheless, in a study released in this month’s edition of the American Journal…
Allergies, Immunities, and Television
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…
What Has Caused Florence’s Fury?
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…
Good Answers To Hard Questions
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,…
Plum Trees Should Bear Plums!
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…
When Dad Got Skunked
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.…
How To Save A Barn
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,…
Choosing The Road Less Traveled
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…