Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Bath school fails to meet standards BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - The school year started in Bath County Tuesday, but things got off to a difficult start when state test scores were announced. More ... Highland County 56th fair announces winners       KIDDIE SHOW (All winners listed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, except as noted with parents) HEALTHIEST BABY 6 months and under: Caitlyn Jones, Rhonda Dean and Calvin Jones, Broadway; Branson Hull, Billy and Lisa Hull, Staunton; Quinten Moyers, Fred Benzerka and Trina Moyers, Bridgewater. More ... Couple on track to reopen old Maple diner BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Rodney "Rock" and Lynn Turk moved to Highland County two years ago to begin the slow process of refurbishing the Maple Restaurant. "It was a leap of faith," said Rock. "I left a well-paying job to come here. We took all of our savings and put it in the restaurant. More ... In Brief . . . Highland County Board of Supervisors       ¦ Highland's board of supervisors met Sept. 4 in the Highland County Modular Conference room. Supervisors Robin Sullenberger and Lee Blagg attended; Jerry Rexrode was absent. More ... In Brief . . . Bath County School Board       ¦ All three county school principals reported a successful opening day to school board members Tuesday at the board's monthly meeting. More ... Language of God tough to negotiate Experience in Ethiopia changes course of Millboro man's life BY CYNTHIA COLEMAN • STAFF WRITER       MILLBORO - "I stood out as a white man, and as an ignorant white man who didn't know much," said Millboro native Brian Gilchrist about the first time he traveled to Ethiopia. "I felt a deep sense of genuine dependence on those around me. More ... Library News Summer library programs a big hit in Bath By Nancy Smith Bath County Public Library       Our summer reading pro- gram "Virginia Trails," presented by librarian Sharon Lindsay, is now over. We had numerous children, ranging in ages from three to 12, participating in five programs a week. Each program had a story hour and a craft related to the week's theme and lasted over an hour. More ... Grant workshop offered at library       LEXINGTON - As part of its mission to community, the Rockbridge Area Community Foundation will offer a free workshop on grant writing for not-forprofit organizations in Rockbridge and Bath counties. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18 in the Lexington Branch of the Rockbridge Regional... More ... Works of Geoge Delaney at William M. Grover Galleries      An opening reception was held for the collected works of George Delaney on Aug. 31 at William M. Grover Galleries, Hot Springs. Tom Delaney, the artist's son, introduced the works that will remain at the gallery through early October. Pictured (l-r) are William Grover, Ronda Clayton and Tom Delaney.... More ... Sudan missionary to speak to Highlands congregation Sunday       HIGHLAND - The Rev. Lauren Stanley returns to the Highlands this Sunday to speak to two Episcopal congregations that have supported her and the school where she teaches in the Sudan. She will preach at St. Luke's in Hot Springs at its 11 a.m. service. Then, after a coffee hour in the St. More ... What's blooming in Bath, Highland BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       HIGHLAND'S HIGHWAYS - Blue seems to be the flower color of late summer in the Highlands, perhaps a reflection of the coming of school and winter. Chicory is a common blue flower along most roads though it is often mowed while in bloom. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ There will be a pork barbecue for the Millboro Rescue Squad on Saturday, Sept. 8, starting at 4 p.m. The menu includes barbecued pork, hash brown casserole, green beans, cole slaw, bread, dessert, and drink. The fund-raiser will take place at the rescue squad. More ... Correction       The Bath County Board of supervisors hires the firm that performs the reassessment and determines the reassessment cycle, contrary to statements quoted in a commissioner of the revenue interview Aug. 23. More ... Appalachian forest expo, Farm Bureau safety day scheduled       CLIFTON FORGE - The annual Appalachian Forest Expo and Farm Bureau Safety Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College campus, Clifton Forge, Va, I-64, exit 24. More ... On the agenda       Bath County Board of Supervisors Bath County Courthouse, Room 115 Tuesday, Sept. 11 - 7 p.m. ¦ U.S. Forest Service Warm Springs District Ranger report. ¦ VDOT Resident Engineer District report. More ... About Your Pets Let's talk: Those furry friends (or foes) By Margo Oxendine       Welcome to "About Your Pets," where you're welcome to submit questions - humorous or serious - about those furred loved ones who bring joy and puzzlement to your lives. Notice I've used "who," rather than "that" when referring to your pets. This is the first thing many of us know: a pet is not ... More ... Monacan tribe topic of society meeting       NATURAL BRIDGE - Ten thousand years ago an indigenous people, now called Monacan, watched the travels of the sun from Bear Mountain in Amherst County. Descendents of those men and women are still there, and in many other parts of Virginia, and they are watching the sun shine on their heritage onc... More ... Millboro musician releases new CD BY GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MILLBORO - Musician Bert Carlson is a travelin' man with a busy schedule of performances, but it's Millboro he calls home. Originally from Illinois, he later he lived in the Washington, D.C., area, but said, "I grew up in a small town and couldn't stand the traffic in northern Virginia. More ... 4-H/FFA Livestock Show and Sale      "I told you, if you are not good you will not get supper!" 4-H livestock exhibitors, Charlie and Robert Moyers, work with their livestock on the farm to get ready for the Highland County 4-H/FFA Livestock Show and Sale. (Photo courtesy Caroline Sponaugle) More ... The Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly       The monarch butterfly is one of the most well-known and popular North American butterflies. The chrysalis stage, when the caterpillar changes into a butterfly, in the lower part of the photo last about two weeks. More ... Campground closes due to aggressive bear       WARM SPRINGS - Blowing Springs Campground on Route 39 has been closed indefinitly due to an aggressive bear. The bear is roaming the campground in search of food and has threatened campers. Do not camp or enter this area. More ... Contractor licensing courses scheduled       CLIFTON FORGE - Dabney S. Lancaster Community College will host a Virginia Basic Contractor Business Licensing class on Saturday, Sept. 22, and again on Saturday, Oct. 20, on the main campus in Clifton Forge. The class will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the DSLCC Center for Continuing Educat... More ... Nursing Center seeks donations       HOT SPRINGS - September is here one again, vacations are over for most and school has started. Residents at the Springs Nursing Center are making plans for fall and winter activities. Sept. 14 they plan a yard sale/bake sale to raise the money for special activities, including fall bus trips. More ... New officers installed for the Shenandoah Valley Partnership       HARRISONBURG - The Shenandoah Valley Partnership announces its new officers for 2007-08. Neal Menefee of The Rockingham Group will be serving as the Chair of the board of directors. A long-time supporter of SVP, he has been a board member since 2003. More ...