Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Highland vet closes clinic BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       McDOWELL - If you've got four legs, chances are pretty good you've seen one Highland County man for your share of shots, pills, and pats on the head. "Dr. Joe," as longtime veterinarian Dr. More ... Deeds seeks governor's seat in '09 BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - With a few clicks of a mouse, Creigh Deeds, the state senator from "the middle of nowhere," announced his campaign for the Democratic nomination to run for governor in 2009. Deeds is the only announced candidate for governor in an election that is nearly two years away. More ... Behind the Scenes Pulling off a parade takes hearty souls By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       HOT SPRINGS - Right about now, the elves in Santa's North Pole shop are probably exhausted. Some, no doubt, have caught a winter cold. They keep plugging and working, though; Christmas must go on! A lot of folks in Hot Springs know just how those elves feel. More ... Highland Medical Center pushes ahead despite churn Doctor, nurse to depart BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Doctors and staff seem to come and go with enough frequency at Highland Medical Center to cause patients and supporters concern lately about its stability, but the small rural clinic continues to thrive in the face of ongoing personnel challenges. More ... HMC's budget stable, but center still needs support       • Highland Medical Center's total fiscal year budget for 2007-08 is $950,000. • Of that amount, $310,000 in revenue is from a federal grant, about 25 percent is from donations and other foundation grants, More ... Who's on board at HMC       MONTEREY - The following are those currently employed by Highland Medical Center and make up its medical and administrative staff. Staff • Dr. Kimberly Bird, Medical Director • Dr. More ... Equine regulation moves forward BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Even though allowing horses in residential districts has been a hot topic in Bath County for more than a year, only seven people attended the public hearing Monday to discuss a new land use regulation that would allow horses in residential districts as a conditional use. More ...      Gift of life - Participating at the Millboro Ruritan Club blood drive last Thursday, Dec. 13, are Betty Loam, right, and Kathy Forbes, center, both of Millboro. Loam said she had donated close to three gallons of blood since the Ruritans started holding the events a number of years ago. For Forbes,... More ... Blanchard given SCORE award       WAYNESBORO - SCORE Chapter 427 awarded David Blanchard of Monterey its 2007 Small Business of the Year Award Dec. 6 at its annual meeting. This is the second time an award has been presented to a Highland business that uses SCORE/Small Business Development Center services.ºBlue Roof Caterers... More ... Highland Center gets foundation grant       MONTEREY - The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge has announced a $500 grant award to The Highland Center for enhancing the center's capacity to serve the community. The center participated in a regional assessment of non-profit organizational needs, and won a grant to be used toward ... More ... 4-H tree seedings available       WARM SPRINGS - Bath and Highland County 4-H members can now place orders for the 2008 4-H Tree Seedling Project. For this project, 4-H members may receive a limited quantity of free seedlings from the Virginia Department of Forestry. More ... $300,000 needed for bathhouse at pool BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The Highland County Recreation Commission said Tuesday it has enough money to build the swimming pool next year, but it doesn't have the money to build a bathhouse to go with it. The commission has $110,000 in grants from the Department of Conservation and Recreation and $110,000 in c... More ... In Brief … Highland County Recreation Commission       ¦ Maggie Cavell, Don Farrell and Sherry Sullenberger agreed to serve three more years on the recreation commission. More ... In Brief … Highland County Board of Supervisors       ¦ The board of supervisors met in closed session with county attorney Melissa Dowd at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. More ... HealthConnection Coping with grief this season By Cassie Brie Bath Community Hospital and Hospice of the Highlands       Traditions are what make the holidays. We re-create the same rituals year after year because it gives us comfort and lasting memories. We gather with family and friends, we make the same meals, sing the same songs, and decorate the tree in the same way. Our family and friends expect this from us a... More ... Photos      Clerk Darlene Carpenter congratulates C. David Peters after taking the oath to serve as a Director for the Mountain District of the Soil and Water Conservation Board. L. Ryan Hodges III was re-elected as a Director but was unable to attend the swearing in last Tuesday night. (Recorder photo by Charl... More ...      The memorial tree on the Bath Community Hospital, placed to honor "people who light your life," was illuminated for the holiday season Friday night by BCH social worker and volunteer coordinator Cassie Brie (right). The Love Light's program is sponsored by Hospice of the Highlands. (Recorder photo b... More ...      Mary Adderton (left) led the Piney Grove Baptist Church Choir and Jerry Adderton offered the invocation and benediction last Friday night at the Love Light's tree lighting ceremony at Bath Community Hospital. After the choir sang and before the tree lighting, an Honor Roll presentation had most of t... More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ The Millboro Volunteer Fire Association invites everyone to join them this Saturday, Dec. 22, for the 2007 Christmas Parade. Lineup will be at 1 p.m. and the parade will start at 2 p.m. at Millboro Elementary School on Church Street. All entries are welcome and trophies will be awarded to... More ...      James William Moore Real Estate Co. announces that Lisa S. Retzlaff has joined its Bath County staff as a sales associate. Retzlaff, of Hot Springs, is a lifelong Bath resident; she will work primarily in Bath and Highland counties. She has four years of experience in a real estate environment, with... More ... UPS, FedEx as dependable as Santa BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Who is the most important man about town this holiday season? It's not Santa. In many households, the UPS and/or FedEx man is the one who deserves the milk and cookies. Alas, they're much too busy to stop for milk and cookies. More ... Photos      Even with mittens on, Molly Watkins is able to scoop up more candy Saturday during the Christmas parade. There was a good crowd on hand to watch the parade and grab goodies. (Recorder photos by Charles Garratt) More ... Bath County Christmas parade results       HOT SPRINGS - The annual Bath County Christmas Parade results are: • Best over all - S.J. Neathawk Lumber. All the following won trophies: • Bath County High School Band. • Tiny Miss Bath County. • Miss Bath County. More ... Blue Grass lighting contest results       BLUE GRASS - The Blue Grass Ruritan Club announces the results of its recent lighting contest. ¦ Business: Blue Grass Valley Bank, first; County Convenience, second; Rexrode's Country Stone, third; Ginseng Mountain Store, fourth. More ...      Employees of Homestead Preserve pose with Christmas Mother Trudy Woodzell after their gift drop off for the Christmas Mother program. (Photo courtesy Homestead Preserve) More ... Unimaginable stories       BY CHRIS SCOTT • DIRECTOR, HIGHLAND LOGOS AND WORSHIP LEADER, MCDOWELL UMC "But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of th... More ... Firecracker Christmases       Back in the 1920's when I was growing up in Pot Likker Hollow in the Allegheny mountains of Virginia, we had snow for all of the Christmases I can remember. More ... Dear Santa ...       MONTEREY - The first graders from Highland Elementary School wrote letters to Santa and wish to share them. • I want a four-wheeler, and I want a dirt bike. My sister wants almost all of the toys in her toy catalog. I decorate the Christmas tree. I help put up the stockings. Santa, I wish ... More ...      In keeping with the holiday spirit, BB&T of Hot Springs collected more than a shopping cart of canned food for the Bath County Christmas Mother. This is the third year for the Hot Springs branch to do so. Pictured (l-r) are Trudy Woodzell, Christmas Mother, and Janice Webb of BB&T. (Photo courtesy B... More ... Send holiday cheer messages 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 ... Wonderland of toy trains beckons visitors      A charming Alpine village is part of the delightful toy train displays Earl Zanone has created in Millboro. Most of the trains are remote controlled and appear to zoom around effortlessly on their mission through various miniature settings. More ...