Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Old Millboro school facing doom or bloom BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER      MILLBORO — The decision whether to tear down all of the old Millboro school buildings or turn them over to a developer to be renovated into apartments drew closer this week when Bath supervisors set a public hearing on the question for Aug. 23. More ... Bracing for wind in Bath National forest land may get industry local officials can't control BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - As neighboring Highland County continues contentious discussions on commercial wind power, Bath County officials have taken another step toward learning what they can and should do to prepare for more inquiries from the wind industry about developing ridge tops here. More ... Dividing McDowell Historic preservation, growth should balance BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - With assurances from Howard Kittell, executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, that most of the McDowell battlefield had been protected and growth areas west of McDowell will be respected, More ...       Sticky business! Honeybees swarm at the old McCutcheon home on Doe Hill Road in Highland this week. A hive reported to number 70,000-80,000 bees was between the walls. More ... History project in need of old photos BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       McDOWELL - Chris Scott of McDowell is compiling a pictorial history book of Highland County after he had submitted a proposal to Arcadia Publishing, which was accepted. "This will be a book chronicling a wide cross-cut of Highland history," said Scott. "I want everyone in and of the county to be... More ...       Members of the Highland County Rescue Squad and the McDowell Volunteer Fire Department carry injured Pittman employee Jeff Pritt to the waiting Carilion Life Guard 10 for transfer to Roanoke Memorial Hospital Tuesday. More ... Grant money will bring preschool to Millboro BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Bath County schools have received a grant to pay for equipment and first-year operating expenses for a full preschool for at-risk four-year-olds at Millboro Elementary School. The program at MES will be the same as the one now offered at Valley Elementary School, Sue Hirsh, direct... More ... BCHS renovations well under way      Oops, there goes the principal's office and guidance, and the ceiling and the windows ... The first floor of Bath County High School has been gutted as workmen begin installing the new HVAC system, replacing windows, lowering the ceiling and building new walls for the office, principal and guidance ... More ... Head Waters couple restoring school house BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "It's like taking a step back in time," said Cy Houff. "This school house goes back to a period of time nobody remembers anything about." Houff and partner Karyn Doane are renovating the Head Waters School, a one-room school house that probably dates back to the late 1800s. More ... Catherine Hirsh recalls 42 years in Garden Club BY MARGO OXENDINE • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MEADOW LANE - Flower-bedecked chapeaux. Breezy summer sundresses. Genteel conversation. Sounds like just what you'd expect at a garden party, eh? Now, add some bubbly champagne, loud guffaws, and a feisty 92-year-old grande dame as speaker, and you've got a garden party to remember. More ... Soldiers prepared for a battle that never was Expert explains significance of Confederate breastworks on Shenandoah BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Dr. Clarence Geier, a professor from the department of sociology and anthropology at James Madison University, spoke to the Highland Chapter of the Archaeological Society of Virginia about Fort Edward Johnson July 12 at the Highland County Public Library. More ... School board adopts discipline plan, appoints personnel BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - The Bath County school board has adopted a new division code of conduct to define unacceptable behavior and the actions that will be taken in response. Dr. More ... Millboro carnival whirls into town BY GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MILLBORO - Four days next week carry the promise of a fun time in town, when the Millboro Volunteer Fire Association hosts its annual Firemen's Carnival from Wednesday to Saturday, Aug. 1-4, in the industrial park. A whirl of rides will beckon participants, along with food and game booths, and b... More ... Parade awards available       The Millboro Volunteer Fire Association will present awards in the following categories during its carnvial parade this year: 1. Best Appearing Municipal Fire Engine 2. Best Appearing Rural Fire Engine 3. More ... What's blooming in Bath, Highland       WARM SPRINGS - Orchids, orchids everywhere in the fields and woods of the Highlands this week and next. One that everyone can find, the downy rattlesnake plantain, is known by its distinctive rosette of leaves, but few people realize it is an orchid. More ... Vaus presents a guide to C.S. Lewis BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Will Vaus grew up reading the books of C.S. Lewis, author of many books including, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," "Perelandra," "The Screwtape Letters," and "Mere Christianity." Vaus says Christian convictions are reflected throughout Lewis' writings. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       The Millboro Area Rescue Squad is back in operation after passing a state inspection last Friday, July 20. The inspection was conducted by Paul Fleenor from the Office of Emergency Medical Service at the state's Department of Health. According to squad First Lt. More ... Library Notes By Tomi Herold, Librarian, Highland County Public Library       I am thrilled to report this year's summer reading program has been our best ever. Ninety-one kids have signed up to participate in the reading incentive program and 28 of them have completed their activity logs and claimed prizes already. We've had record attendance at our family programs a... More ... Academic Honor James Lawrence Minetree IV       MILLBORO - James Lawrence Minetree IV has been accepted into the class of 2009 at the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. He will begin his studies in September, with a double major in Finance and Political Economy and a minor in Marketing. While at Dabney S. Lancaster Communit... More ... Monterey school history on display       MONTEREY - Pictures and memorabilia from Monterey High School are on display in the gymnasium of The Highland Center. The public is invited to come and view the display, which will be up through the first weekend in September. After that, many of the pictures and documents will be archived and pr... More ... Class member recaps Millboro High reunion       MILLBORO - Anne Hall Higgins, who graduated from Millboro High School in 1956, was coordinator and emcee for the reunion held Saturday, July 7, for classes 1930-70. The event was held at Millboro Elementary School. More ... Correction       In last week's Recorder story on the Millboro High School reunion, a picture was misidentified. Ann Hall Higgins, right, also noted she was in the class of 1956, not 1957, as stated in the caption. Linda Tennant Weiss was the person in the photo in last week's paper. More ... Second sales tax holiday coming in early August for school supplies       RICHMOND - Need school supplies and clothing for the fall? Plan your shopping for the first weekend in August and you will save some money. Virginia's second sales tax holiday is set for Friday, Aug. 3, through Sunday, Aug. 5. During the three-day event, certain purchases will be exempt from the... More ... Photos      Bill Harman reaches in between the first and second floor of the Bendel's home near Doe Hill to cut away the honeycomb while searching for the qeeen bee. More ... BCH announces new gynecological clinic       HOT SPRINGS - Bath Community Hospital announces its new monthly gynecological clinic with Nina K. Smith, MD, of Harrisonburg. The clinics will be scheduled the first Monday of each month, beginning Aug. 6. More ... Fred Scheer's Lumberjack shows set for Augusta fair       FISHERSVILLE - Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. No it's not Superman - these "men of steel" are lumberjacks. Captivating audiences for the past 25 years, Fred Scheer's Lumberjack Shows, sponsored by STIHL, provide images of man against the impossible along with ... More ...       The Highland County Chamber of Commerce visitor information kiosk at the Highland County Courthouse was removed Monday to make way for the construction of the veterans' memorial. Richard Waybright manned the heavy equipment. More ... Bath in new health care survey       BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Rural Health Resource Center, on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy is conducting a community hospital satisfaction survey. More ...