Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Waiting tables not for faint of heart Bath County servers share tips, stories about their work BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       DINING OUT - What can make an ordinary dining experience a dining delight? Good service. And what does good service deserve? A decent, if not stunning, tip. The tipping standard across the United States is 15 percent, and 20 percent or more for an exceptional server. More ... Ag center captures county's attention BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Monday, the Highland County Economic Development Authority held its second closed session in one week on the proposed agriculture center and animal processing facility. More ... Proposed ordinance changes: Up for hearing BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Highland County proposes a change to its zoning ordinance to allow slaughterhouses as a conditional use in general agriculture (A-2) and light industrial (M-1) zones instead of in business zones (B-2). The proposed change also provides a setback of 200 feet from any lot line of a resid... More ... See A Show Theater discussion draws crowd; production slated By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - More than 30 people have expressed an interest in learning more about a community theater in Bath County. At least 25 of them showed up at the library on a dreary Sunday afternoon, and they were full of ideas and enthusiasm. More ... Eagle survey still in need of 'watchers' Reporting balds, goldens crucial this time of year for project BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - What started as a relatively informal tally of Highland County eagles is gearing up for its third year in action. The Highland Eagle Survey, coordinated by Patti Reum of Hightown and Sandy Hevener of Blue Grass, has two complete years of data in hand. More ... Party of One Reminiscences of a reluctant waitress By Margo Oxendine       I, like many of you, and those profiled today, have been a waitress. There were times I was very good, and times I was very bad. My first thought about waiting on tables is, it's hard work that requires organization, multitasking, a ready smile, and a very thick skin. Waiting tables is no job for ... More ... Correction       ¦ In the story last week about Bath County Sheriff Larry Norfleet, the paper incorrectly stated the sheriff's department would receive $30,000 in refunds of fuel taxes. That amount, $30,000, is the approximate annual fuel budget for the department. The amount of refund expected is $4,000. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ I stand corrected. In the picture I sent to The Recorder last week, I identified the wrong species of woodpecker. A reader, Jean Stinnett, very nicely pointed out in her e-mail that "it shows one of a pileated woodpecker we call a wood hen. The downy woodpecker is the smallest we have and... More ...      The friendly new face at the Millboro Post Office belongs to Joe Cormier, of Staunton, who started working at the local facility on Dec. 8 as sales and service associate with Postmaster Claudette Wilcher. Cormier's primary responsibilities are assisting residents with walk-in service, getting mail r... More ... What's news in nature? BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       HIDDEN VALLEY - Mid to late winter is a difficult time to find food for birds and other animals in the Highlands. Red berries standout against the forest floor or in a light snow making them easy to find. More ... FFA Spotlight: Michael Botkin       MONTEREY - Michael Botkin, son of Jerry and Debbie Botkin of Blue Grass, is a junior at Highland High School and vice president of the Future Farmers of America chapter. He has taken a leading role in the HHS chapter. More ... On the Agenda       Bath County Public Schools Budget work session Thursday, Jan. 17 - 5:30 p.m. School Administration Building The following meetings and work sessions are scheduled for budget development at Bath County Public schools. More ... Births Heidi Rayna Grimes       BLUE GRASS - French and Deborah Grimes of Blue Grass announce the birth of their daughter, Heidi Rayna Grimes, on Oct. 3, 2007, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg. She weighed eight pounds, six ounces. Maternal grandparents are Kenneth and Dianne Huso of Stanardsville. Paternal gra... More ... Academic Honor Cody Armstrong       McDOWELL - Cody L. Armstrong, 2007 graduate of Highland High School, and the daughter of Mike and Georgeanne Armstong made the dean's list at Blue Ridge Community College this fall with a GPA of 4.0 for her 12 credit course load. She is currently in the transfer program. More ... Two injured in accidents       WARM SPRINGS - OnT uesday, Jan. 8, Virginia State Police troopers Bostic and Hipps responded to an accident on Crooked Spur Road, Route 635, which is 20 feet north of Route 636 outside of Millboro. More ... Nursing home changes name       FRANKLIN, W.Va. - Pendleton Nursing Home has served the community since 1975. Long term care services have expanded over the years to include the skilled therapy and rehabilitation services that allow many residents to recover and to return to their own home. There are also outpatient rehabilitat... More ... Highland rescue elects '08 officers       MONTEREY - The Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad has announced new officers for 2008. They are: president, Beth H. Armstrong of Mill Gap; vice president, John Wright of McDowell; secretary and treasurer, Kristie Moyers of Doe Hill; captain, Ronald Wimer of Monterey; quartermasters, Richard W... More ... Highland FFA travels to Pennsylvania By Jessie Siron, reporting for the Highland County FFA       MONTEREY - On Friday, Jan. 11, the Future Farmers of America took a charter bus to Harrisburg, Pa., to the Pennsylvania Farm Show. More ... Medicare seminar scheduled       LOW MOOR - H2U at Alleghany Regional Hospital will offer an informative seminar regarding changes in Medicare. The seminar will be held on Friday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. in Conference Room B of Alleghany Regional Hospital. In case of inclement weather, the seminar will be held Feb. 15. More ... Saxman announces assignments       RICHMOND - Speaker Bill Howell announced Jan. 9 that Del. Chris Saxman will serve on the following standing committees: Commerce and Labor; Counties, Cities, and Towns; Transportation; and Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources. More ... 4-H club to meet       ASHWOOD - The Trottin' Horseshoes 4-H club in Bath County will meet Monday, Jan. 28, at Valley Elementary School in room 211, from 3:30-5 p.m. The program topic will be project record books. The club is open to youth from ages nine to 18 years. The adult leaders are Cindy Martin and Amy Blake. More ...