Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Extending the reach Changing times drive farm service BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY and WARM SPRINGS - Not much about farming in the Highlands has remained the same as it was 50 years ago, and the struggle to farm one's land has not gotten easier despite all the new kinds of equipment and technology to manage crops and livestock. More ... Bath begins reassessment Citizens worried about increased land values BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - The Bath County board of supervisors approved a contract Tuesday to begin reassessing real property in the county and to set the effective date for the new valuations at Jan. 1, 2008 and not everyone's happy about it. More ...       Travis Hiner soars over the triples during the 250c class race at the Rockingham County Fair in Harrisonburg. Hiner finished third. See story page 29. (Recorder photo by Geoff Cox) More ... Students and inmates shape new trail system BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WILSON CREEK - On a rock strewn ridge in the national forest near Douthat State Park, two crews move forward inch by inch digging, chopping, raking a new trail out of the reluctant landscape. In one way the two crews are about as different as could be imagined. More ... Boy drowns at Walton Tract       WALTON TRACT - Four-year-old Derrick Beirne drowned while playing in the Cowpasture River on Saturday. The accident occurred about 6 p.m. at the forest service area known as the Walton Tract off Route 632 and Route 42 in southeast Bath County. Beirne was playing with other children in the water... More ... Extension programs wide-reaching       MONTEREY - Virginia Cooperative Extension is dedicated to improving the lives of the citizens of Virginia by providing educational programs, youth programs, and science-based unbiased research. More ... A short history of a long agricultural tradition BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The roots of the Virginia Cooperative Extension date back to the first land-grant colleges established by the Morrill Act of 1862. Southern states were added to the list of states having land-grant universities in 1890. More ... 2004 survey: Land use, employment priorities BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The Bath/Highland Virginia Cooperative Extension Leadership Council, chaired by Carol Bandy, said in its 2004 situation analysis, the top priorities in the counties were land issues, employment, youth concerns, agricultural profitability and resource management, health issues and elder... More ... Extension staff spread over Bath, Highland counties       MONTEREY - There are two Virginia Cooperative Extension service offices in the Bath and Highland area. The Bath office is in the Warm Springs Courthouse. More ... In Brief . . . Bath County Board of Supervisors       The Bath board of supervisors approved a change to the solid waste ordinance granting an exemption to the business disposal fees for any business willing to certify it generates less than 2, More ... Reunion Nelson family       STAUNTON - The 12th annual Raymond and Elva Nelson reunion was held Saturday, Aug. 4, at Gypsy Hill park. Those attending were Cornelia Nelson, Cassandra Nelson King, Alec and Bryn, Lynn, Kathy, Noah and Jarod Nelson, Irene Harris, Donna Harris, Rhonda Harris Siron, Misty Roadcap, Bethany, Kayla... More ... Academic Achievement Brittney Saunders and Tara Saylor       RADFORD - Brittney Robin Saunders and Tara Leigh Saylor, both of Hot Springs, graduated from Radford University at the end of the spring semester. Saunders, daughter of Robin Lee Saunders, earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice; and Saylor, daughter of Janie Tyree, earned a bach... More ... Bryan Obaugh: Seeking first term Highland circuit court candidates compete BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "I'm not simply looking for a job, I am looking for an opportunity," said Highland County circuit court clerk candidate Bryan Obaugh. "I'm looking for an opportunity to serve, to remain involved, to seek out a career that is challenging and yet fulfilling, the opportunity to continue t... More ... Lois Ralston: Seeking first term BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Lois Ralston likes what she's doing. That's the main reason she is running for clerk of the circuit court of Highland County, she said. That and she's been deputy clerk for nine years and the current clerk, Sue Dudley, is retiring. "My experience is a plus in this office," she said. More ... Ronald Wimer: Seeking first term BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "The philosophy I grew up with was: you serve the community and the community gives back to you," said Ron Wimer, circuit court clerk candidate. The Highland resident traces his work ethic and beliefs back to his childhood growing up in Mustoe and attending Victory Advent Christian Chu... More ... Cowpasture's caretakers celebrate the river BY MARGO OXENDINE • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MILLBORO - Cruising down the river on a sunny afternoon - what could be better? While about 100 folks gathered at the Lynchburg Camp along the Cowpasture River last Saturday, just a handful took advantage of the afternoon canoe trip. More ... Photos      Apples ripen in the sun on an old tree adjacent to the Millboro Post Office. It won't be long now before a taste test will be in order. (Recorder photo by Gina Hamilton) More ... Court Cases       MONTEREY - The following decisions were handed down in Highland County General District Court on June 20. More ... September is Brain Injury Awareness Month       LEXINGTON - The Brain Injury Association of America, through its annual Brain Injury Month initiative, is focusing on improving the lives of individuals living with brain injuries. According to BIAA, a brain injury occurs every 23 seconds and approximately 5. More ... Small grains crop insurance dealine nears       RALEIGH, N.C. - The Raleigh Regional Office, USDA Risk Management Agency, reminds Virginia small grains producers that Sept. 30, is the final date for those not currently insured to apply for crop insurance on wheat and barley, as well as for oats in eastern and south-central counties of the stat... More ... Important FSA program reminders       LEXINGTON - The Rockbridge/Alleghany/Bath County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office would like to remind producers of the following: Foreign Landowners: The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) requires all foreign investors who buy, sell, or hold a direct or indirect interest i... More ... Monterey Garden Club visits local garden       MONTEREY - Even though it was a sweltering day, the Monterey Garden Club's annual picnic was enjoyed by all. Special thanks were extended to Carolyn and Bo Aldredge for preparing their lovely backyard for the event and to Cris Elliott for serving as co-hostess. Members brought a favorite dish to ... More ... Labor Day Fair planned at St. Thomas       WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. - Catch up with new and old friends on the lawn of St. Thomas Episcopal Church at the 59th Anniversary Fair celebration on Monday, Sept. 3. The annual event starts at 9 a.m. on the front lawn of the church located at 205 West Main Street (Route 60) in White Sulphur Sp... More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       Parents can still apply to enter a child in preschool at Millboro Elementary School. Children who are or will be four years old by Sept. 30 will be given priority. Eligibility is also based on income level and/or identified need. If a child is accepted, the school must receive the following ... More ... Land Transfers       WARM SPRINGS - The following transfers of land were recorded with the clerk of the Bath County Circuit Court for the month of July. More ... Back to work: Busy as bees ...       The bees at the old McCutchan home in Doe Hill are back to work repairing their hive. Relocation efforts are ongoing but have yet to be successful. More ...       These cats have found a way to make the best of a hot day. Pictured (l-r) are Thomas, Nora and Duke. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) More ...       Debbie Washer, owner of Highland Apparel Company, hands a check to Elizabeth Wilfong. Wilfong decided to take the cash option instead of the car when she won a convertible Mini Cooper in the "Super Sweeps" sweepstakes put on by one of their apparel suppliers, More ... VDOT announces spray schedule       HIGHLAND - The Virginia Department of Transportation's Verona Residency Office has announced its schedule for the application of Krenite S for brush control in Highland County this year. The following routes will have Krenite S applied between Aug. 27 and Sept. More ... TAP housing will weatherize your home       COVINGTON- TAP housing and community development is weatherizing homes. TAP's weatheriztion program will: inspect heating and cooling systems, seal major air leaks, insulate walls, insulate attics, and insulate water heaters. All this can be done at no cost for those who meet program qualificatio... More ... Bath teens devote summer to working BY TYLER DIAMOND • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       HOT SPRINGS - The teenage population in this area readily claims there is little to do over the summer break, and some choose not to make the much of their time off from school. But there are others who find working toward their goals requires getting to work, and establishing a foundation upon ... More ... Engagement Brown - McCune       STAUNTON - Mr . and Mrs. E. Rodney Paxton of Staunton announce the engagement of their daughter, Lucy Paxton Brown, to Tyler Webb McCune, son of Helen McCune of Millboro and the late Lawrence McCune. Brown is a 1994 graduate of Wilson Memorial High School. She is employed by Tinkling Spring Pres... More ... Engagement Kling - Hughes       HOT SPRINGS - Mr. and Mrs. Wiley B. Kling Jr. of Hot Springs announce the engagement of their daughter, Karen Elizabeth Kling, to Jason Francis Hughes, son of Michael Hughes and Janet Gould of Benzonia, Mich., and Sandy Archer of Dataw Island, S.C., and the late Steve Archer. More ... Births Danielle Marie Munchel       SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J.- Danielle Marie Munchel was born to Dennis and Kimberly Munchel of Scotch Plains, NJ on May 18, 2007. She weighed eight pounds and was 19 inches long. Phil and Lisa Munchel of Monterey, Va. are the paternal grandparents, and Barton and Frances Smythe of Berkeley Heights are t... More ... What's blooming in Bath, Highland BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Most people who grew up in the Highlands know poison ivy and many of those who know poison ivy also know about jewelweed. The sap of crushed jewelweed stems is a well-known treatment for exposure to poison ivy. Many people insist if jewelweed is applied shortly after exposure, the... More ... Photos       A brush fire on Waits Mountain, about one and one-half miles east-southeast of Low Moor, was reported on Sunday evening caused by lighting. By 7 p.m. Tuesday evening there were 120 acres burned and about 400 acres expected to burn. More ... Reunion Mullenax       FRANKLIN, W.Va - Just like the birds flying south for the winter, one can count on the family of the late Edward and Tudie Mullenax to hold their annual reunion the first full weekend of August. Just like clock work, on Saturday Aug. More ... McLean Orchestra to perform concert at The Highland Center       MONTEREY - The McLean High School Chamber Soloists will perform a special concert on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. at The Highland Center. The concert will feature compositions by George Gershwin, J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, Aaron Copland, and Anton'n DvoY'k. The free concert is sponsored by the Highland... More ... Building permits Bath and Highland       MONTEREY - The following building permits were issued by the Highland County Department of Building and Zoning in the month of June: Blue Grass district - Country Convenience Store, repair and replacement; Jim Will, hunt camp; Peter Blake, repair and replacement; Richard Simmons, mechanical. More ... Land Transfers Bath County       WARM SPRINGS - The following transfers of land were recorded with the clerk of the Bath County Circuit Court for the month of June. Valley Springs District: Melvin Fields to Martha E. Grover, interest in lot; George D. Coatta to Lewis Michael Grackik Jr., interest in lot; Warm Springs Investment... More ... Library to hold fall discussions       LEXINGTON - The Friends of the Rockbridge Regional Library launch their annual series of book discussion programs on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at noon, in the Piovano reading room of the library at 138 S. Main Street., Lexington. This year's theme is the 400th anniversary of Jamestown. The other two pr... More ...