Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Board takes E-911 job from new sheriff Dispatcher enlists support to keep her position BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - In the first hour of Wednesday morning, the Bath County supervisors voted to move dispatcher Teresa Shelton and the E-911 administrator position out of the sheriff's office and put them under the county administrator. More ... Gala raises $10,000 for cancer research BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Sparkling. Spectacular. Successful. Those words best describe the first annual Giving Gala, mounted by the local Bath unit to benefit the American Cancer Society. Months in the planning, the event unfolded without even a hint of a glitch. When the last guest departed, almost $10,0... More ... Tree farms fill niche Boys' home plants more than seedlings BY GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       HIGHLANDS AREA - Finding a real Christmas tree to cut and bring home requires a little searching and driving but for some folks, having a tall, fragrant tree in the living room is worth the effort. More ...      Bath board of supervisors' chairman Cliff Gilchrest threw the switch to light the county Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn Tuesday night. About 20 people attended the brief ceremony before the newly elected county officials took their oaths of office in the district courtroom. (Recorder photo by... More ... EDA doesn't want to wait for final plan BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Members of the Highland County Economic Development Authority said the list of goals and objectives in the draft comprehensive plan submitted to supervisors in August and earmarked for EDA action did not necessarily match the EDA's own goals and objectives. More ... In Brief . . . Highland County Economic Development Authority       ¦ The EDA has endorsed a list of regional strategic initiatives circulated by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. The list has been endorsed by more than 70 organizations in the Valley, including all 10 local governments. More ... Town considers new sewerage connection policy BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Town Council is working on a draft policy regarding sewer connection lines outside town limits. Council is preparing for future expansions to the system and wants to make sure builders and contractors are aware of the town's sewerage compatibility needs. More ... Griffin pledges cooperation BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "I would like to pledge to you my intentions to avoid being late in giving assessments to your clerk in tax year 2008," wrote Highland County Commissioner of the Revenue Bobbie Griffin in a letter to Monterey town councilmen sent last Thursday. More ... In Brief . . . Monterey Town Council       ¦ Mayor Janice Warner of Monterey told town council that plans for the new sewer plant were delivered to the Department of Environmental Quality Nov. 7. More ... Sheep farmer pens bestseller BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - At first glance, it may have seemed like an ordinary night at the library. A nice-sized crowd filled every chair, some reduced to perching on stepstools, or simply standing on the sidelines. They were there to hear a local author talk about his latest book. More ... DEQ to return $60,000 to $80,000 to Highland BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Highland County supervisor Jerry Rexrode thanked county attorney Melissa Dowd and Highland County Public Schools superintendent Gary Blair last week for their work in the recovery of money spent on an oil spill clean-up at the school that occurred several years ago. More ... REMINDER: Recorder's Holiday Publishing Schedule       The Recorder will publish its last issue of this year next week. Deadline for news and advertising is Tuesday, Dec. 18, at noon, for the Dec. 20 edition. There will be no issue during the week of Christmas, and we look forward to the first issue of the new year on Jan. 3. More ...      The Christmas Mother's elves staffed the food pantry at Hot Springs Presbyterian Church Tuesday to prepare for distribution on Wednesday. Pictured are (l-r) Hella Armstrong, Jane Lyle, Merrie Jo Perkuchin, Nancy Johnson, Ernie Lyle, Tony Wiseman, Anita Wolf, Dan Perkuchin, Barrie Wolf and Cecil Arms... More ... In Brief . . . Bath County Board of Supervisors       ¦ The board of supervisors has agreed to Bath County being the field test site for the Virginia Renewable Scoring System developed at James Madison University. Dr. More ...      Greens galore - Members of the Warm Springs Valley Garden Club gather at Camp Accovac in Millboro on Monday, Dec. 10, for their annual wreath-making workshop. They are, from left: Ellen Ford, Kay Alexander, Jo Denius, who served as hostess; Vivian Manis, and Mary Ellen Williams. Others who particip... More ... Native nominated for fourth Grammy       FABER - Christopher King, a native of Hot Springs, was nominated for a Grammy for best historical album, for his role as coproducer and remastering engineer on "People Take Warning! Murder Ballads & Disaster Songs, 1913- 1938. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ A blood drive is being held today, Thursday, Dec. 13, until 5 p.m., at the Millboro Ruritan Club. The goal is 30 pints. Members of the American Red Cross, Roanoke Valley Chapter, will be on hand to process volunteers. For more information, please call Olivia Haney at (540) 997-9135. More ... Book signing set for Dec. 15       MONTEREY - Local resident and author, Cappie Hull, will sign her new book, "A Tree-Mendous Honor," on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 2-5 p.m., at Mill Alley Art and Frame, located on 120 West Main Street. The book, illustrated in color by Robert Vandevender, tells the story of the U.S. Capitol Christmas... More ...      Three wars, three veterans; World War II vet Alvin Durham (l-r), Iraqi Freedom vet Major Jeff Farmer and Korean Conflict vet Tommy Wood gathered with other veterans at Woodland Church Nov. 11 for a program and luncheon in their honor. Farmer spoke from a soldier's perspective about operation Iraqi F... More ... Sheriff named to board       MONTEREY - Sheriff Herbert R. Lightner has been named vice chair of the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training academy executive board for the year 2008-09. The training academy is for 59 regional sheriff and police departments in the Shenandoah Valley. It is located beside Blue Ridge Comm... More ... Dining Delights Wine Shop offers a taste of the world By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       HOT SPRINGS - Dining without wine can fall short of delightful. Here in the hinterlands, we relish our remoteness from the traffic and turmoil of urban life. Yet, if we want a good bottle of wine, we probably won't find it at the local grocery. More ...      Heavy fogs lifts from a pond at Camp Accovac in Millboro Monday morning as air temperatures reached toward the upper 60s while the water remained cold. The lovely scene prompted pause for reflection on the beauty of nature. (Recorder photo by Gina Hamilton) More ... On the agenda       Highland County Supervisors Highland County Courthouse Board of Supervisors' office Wednesday, Dec. 19 - 3 p.m. More ... Man charged with hunting death       GATE CITY - Conservation police officers with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries have charged a Scott County man with involuntary manslaughter in the hunting related death of a Bath County resident, which occurred Saturday, Nov. 10. More ... State extends deadline, grants waivers      RICHMOND - Motor carriers have been authorized exemptions to hours worked, at the request of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Virginia Departments of transportation and Motor Vehicles. More ... Photos      On Dec. 1, members of the Little Switzerland Cloggers attended the 2007 Radford University Clogging Workshop and Showcase. Pictured (l-r) are: Emily Kimble, Chelsey Isles, instructor Dorothy Stephenson, Ahna Colaw and Rebecca Landrum. Kimble, Isles, Colaw and Landrum all competed individually in the... More ... Ready Virginia focuses on getting prepared for winter       RICHMOND, Va. - As temperatures continue to drop, the Ready Virginia campaign reminds Virginians winter weather can cause downed power lines and slippery roads. There are simple, low-cost steps any resident can take to get ready for winter. More ... Johnston retires from Highland Data after 24 years of service       BLUE GRASS - Highland Data Services Inc. has announced the retirement of Linda G. Johnston of Monterey, who leaves her position as production manager after more than 24 years of service at the Blue Grass company. Before coming to Highland Data, she was employed at Aileen Corp. in Monterey. More ... Weather report       Average Temperature for Month 38.7 Temperatures for November were slightly below average. Percipitation was 0.6" below average but year-to-date is 5.6" above average. John R. More ... Keep tabs on your own blood pressure at HMC       MONTEREY - Highland Medical Center invites residents to visit a new blood pressure monitoring station in its waiting room. The station features an easy to use automatic blood pressure cuff and literature about managing high blood pressure and other heart disease and stroke topics. The public can ... More ... Last chance to tour Southern Accents house       HOT SPRINGS - The Southern Accents Showhouse, sponsored by the Homestead Preserve, will be open for tours until Dec. 30. The Southern Accents Showhouse was designed in the Highlands classical style by John Reagan Architects of Columbus, Ohio, with interiors by nationally recognized designer Barr... More ... Club holds Christmas auction       MONTEREY - Monterey Garden Club members and guests met on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the home of Susan Blanchard for the annual Christmas luncheon and auction. Peggy Bird was co-hostess for the highly anticipated event and also served as the club auctioneer. More ... Send holiday cheer to area nursing home residents       MONTEREY - As in years past, The Recorder will publish the names and addresses of Bath and Highland loved ones and former residents who are now living away from their homes in nursing facilities this week and next. Please help add to the list by sending information to The Recorder by fax, (540) ... More ... The Forest Place to close at end of year      Iris Leary has been the friendly face greeting visitors and shoppers at the Forest Place in Hot Springs for six and a half years. In addition to knowing most all things Bath County, she has helped cover the phones for the chamber of commerce office next door. More ...