Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

A feast for all      Some of the more than 100 who enjoyed the Community Thanksgiving Feast at the Hot Springs Firehouse included, on left, Frances Gwin, Evelyn Peery, and Dot May. On the right are Lillie McElwee, Alma Stevenson, and Virginia and Percy "Buzz" Nowlin. See photos, page 13-15. (Recorder photo by Margo Oxen... More ... Battlefield Days 2009 to be skipped to prepare for 2012 BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       McDOWELL - The Highland Historical Society is in the early stages of planning the sesquicentennial of the Battle of McDowell in 2012 and is looking for volunteers. Since 1999, the society has sponsored a biennial McDowell Battlefield Reenactment to commemorate the May 8, 1862 battle between Gen.... More ... Planners recommend mobile home subdivision BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - The Bath County Planning Commission worked quickly through three public hearings Monday night, recommending approval of a conditional use permit for Burns Auto Repair and a rezoning and subdivision plat that could double the size of the Village at Cedar Creek. More ... Adopt a family      Todd Lacks of Hot Springs donated and custompainted a new sign for the entrance to the Christmas Mother shop this year. Christmas Mother Trudy Woodzell urges those eager to help to adopt a family soon. The shop is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call (540) 839-LOVE. (Recorder photo by Ch... More ... Wintertide celebration to be held this weekend BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "Join us this holiday season and celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas in Highland County," says Highland County Chamber of Commerce executive director Carolyn Pohowsky. The annual Wintertide Celebration will be held this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More ... Bath reviews tourist trail project idea BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - "I think it was very productive," said Bath county administrator Bonnie Johnson following a citizen input session last Tuesday for the proposed Alleghany Highlands Tourist Trail. "We had several people there who have an economic interest in tourism development. They brought ideas ... More ... Friends of Pendleton to meet Dec. 7 to review wind project       FRANKLIN, W.Va. - Friends of Beautiful Pendleton County meet Friday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at Pendleton County Library, lower level, to update citizens about industrial wind turbine project activities locally and beyond. In addition, organizers will discuss ways citizens can support the group's effor... More ... Planners, BZA meeting on different schedule       WARM SPRINGS - The Bath County Board of Zoning Appeals will not meet in December. The next regular meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals will be Monday, January 21 at 7 p.m. The Bath County Planning Commission will hold its regular December meeting on the third Monday of December. The commissio... More ... Christmas at Springs a joy BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       ASHWOOD - Perhaps it's time to reveal the secret of The Springs Nursing Center, for those of you who don't already know. The secret is this: A visit there is the best thing you can do for a Springs resident, and truly, the best thing you can do for yourself. More ... First novel 'no accident' Review BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "Accidents of Time and Place" is Head Waters resident Paul Klein's first novel. But it's not his first writing experience. His resume includes hundreds of scripts for radio, TV and film on many subjects including art, history, industry, medicine, politics, religion, and science. More ... 'My father was a gangster' Son writes tribute to father BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Jim Vaus found Jesus in 1949. Not that Jesus wasn't around for him: Vaus grew up the son of a Baptist minister. It's just that he wasn't looking for Christianity to consume his life. His story of corruption and redemption is lovingly retold by his youngest son, Will, in the biography,... More ... It's tree-mendously capitol       MONTEREY - In elementary school, Capitola "Cappie" Shultz Hull realized her name had the word "capitol" in it. All her life she was told she was named after a book titled "Capitola" that her grandfather and great-uncle read. Now she has written a book about a tree that came from Highland County's... More ... Bath's big supper draws 100 to dine      Cathy Singleton, left, enjoyed a moment with Becky and Richard Armstrong, center, and Blanche Sizemore, right, before the dinner. The Armstrongs first organized Bath's Community Thanksgiving Feast about 10 years ago, along with her parents, Junie and the late Walter Failes. More ... On the agenda Highland County Board of Supervisors       Highland County Board of Supervisors Modular Conference Center Tuesday, Dec. 4 7:30 p.m. ¦ James White Jr. More ... Keeping the internet safe for our children vital BY BOB GOODLATTE • U.S. CONGRESSMAN       The Internet is one of the most useful inventions of all time. The Internet provides access to a wealth of information and services that enable our children to look up information for school projects, allows us to check the weather for Saturday's soccer game, and even to order groceries online and... More ... U.S. 250 claims another victim BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - A 30-yearold Mathias, W.Va. man died Friday around 11 a.m. at the eastern foot of Shenandoah Mountain in Augusta County. According to media sources and Highland County sheriff Herbert Lightner, Jarrett Kyger's tractor-trailer flipped over while he was westbound on U.S. 250. More ... Christmas tradition comes alive at The Homestead       HOT SPRINGS - The Homestead Resort continued a classic holiday tradition with the formal lighting on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 21 at 4 p.m. This year, a 21-foot Fraser fir takes center stage in The Homestead's spectacular holiday celebration. The tree comes from West Jefferson, N.C., and will s... More ... FFA to sponsor wild game show on December 7-8       MONTEREY - The Highland FFA is sponsoring the first annual game and wildlife show Dec. 7-8. This event is an opportunity for residents of surrounding counties to bring wildlife game for the area to see. Animal registration will start at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 7 and end at 7 p.m. that evening. More ... Wedding Parker - Kershner       WATERTOWN, N.Y. - Heather Marie Parker and Pv 2 Trenton Elliott Kershner were married Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 in Watertown, N.Y. The bride is the daughter of Sonia and Matthew Parker of Watertown, N.Y. More ...      Bath County High School cheerleaders presented the Bath County Animal Shelter with $75, which was collected on "hat day" during spirit week. Picture (l-r) are: Sherrie Woodzell, Erica Plecker and Andie Rosenberg. (Photo courtesy Pat Whitson) More ... McCaig to speak at Bath library       WARM SPRINGS - Local author Donald McCaig will be at the Bath County Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. to speak about his latest novel, "Rhett Butler's People." The novel is based on Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind," and was written in full cooperation with her estate. More ... Club plans next tour       MONTEREY - The Monterey Garden Club met Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Highland County Public Library. Hostesses for the meeting were Mary Hager and Barbara Richards. Blue Ribbon winners for artistic exhibits were Susan Blanchard, Elizabeth McCoy and Mary Hille McCoy. For horticulture exhibits, blue ri... More ... East meets West: Marrying traditional art forms       WARM SPRINGS - The Gallery at Seven Oaks has announced the arrival of its "Mountain Seasons" collection of Tibetan rugs. The collection, conceived by gallery owner Anita Back, is a collaboration between the ancient art of rug-making in Lhasa, Tibet, and the work of two Virginia artists, Peg Sher... More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ The 50/50 raffle organized by residents to raise money for the John Mace Memorial Fund generated $1,702. The raffle drawing was held last Sunday and winner Doris Ayers of Goshen donated her entire amount, $851, back to the memorial fund. Donations can continue to be made to: The John Mace... More ... Wedding Sedwick - Thorn       ORANGE - Allison Sommers Thorn and Richard Hugh Sedwick were married Oct. 6, 2007 in Orange, at James Madison's Montpelier. Mrs. Sedwick is the daughter of Nancy and Joe Baillie of Marblehead, Mass. and Brooks and Arthur Thorn of Afton. More ... Library Notes Christmas books in stock By Tomi Herold Highland County Public Library       MONTEREY - The holiday season is upon us and it's been great to see so many of you coming in and stocking up on books and movies to share with your families. We have lots of Christmas books to help you get into the spirit of the season, and Chanukah books as well. We'll be collecting those books ... More ... Highland elementary students hike at Douthat State Park       MONTEREY - Highland Elementary School second and third graders recently traveled to Douthat State Park, northeast of Clifton Forge, on a field trip. Ranger Eric Harold guided each class on a hike through the woods and showed the group many of the park's wonders, such as two-lined salamanders and... More ... Academic Honor William Brady Martin       CHARLOTTE, N.C. - William Brady Martin graduated cum laude from Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, N.C. He graduated Aug. 24 with highest honors in culinary arts. He is also graduating from Blue Ridge Community College with an associate's degree in applied sciences. More ... Pool fund takes in over $23,000; bid accepted BY GEOFF COX • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The Highland County pool fund continued its speedy growth last month pushing total pledge and donation amounts to $160,000. Added to the $110,000 Virginia Outdoor Fund grant and the $100,000 grant for maintenance over four years the total money acquired for the project now totals $370,... More ... USDA reminds farmers to sign-up for programs       LEXINGTON - Farmers who suffered losses caused by natural disasters in recent years are reminded to sign up for three new ad hoc disaster program, as announced by Christopher S. Ashby, executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Lexington. More ...