Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

First major storm of 2008 visits area      Last Thursday a winter storm blew through the region, leaving four to five inches of snow locally and causing traffic problems in the valley. McDowell meanwhile, took on a wintry serenity under a coat of fresh snow. ( Recorder photo by Geoff Cox) More ... Ashwood School rejuvenated BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       ASHWOOD - It was a day to remember things past. To touch, to laugh, to recall history, even to purchase a piece of it. Pat Broyles and Dean Humphries have spent three years of 14-hour days working to restore the old Ashwood School. Now, the place is shiny and new, in an old sort of way. More ... Is another wind battle in Pendleton County's future? BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       FRANKLIN, W.Va. - The Liberty Gap wind energy project planned for the border of Pendleton and Highland counties did not get approval from West Virginia's Public Service Commission last year, but that doesn't mean the company is giving up. More ... Bath approves Burns Auto permit BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - The Bath County Board of Zoning appeals struggled for two hours Monday night to reconcile the needs of a growing small business and the view sheds of nearby residential neighbors. More ... 'No conflict' says county attorney BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Highland County supervisor Robin Sullenberger told the board of supervisors at Wednesday morning's meeting that he had asked county attorney Melissa Dowd to report on whether a conflict of interest was a concern for her since being elected commonwealth attorney. More ... In Brief . . . Highland County Board of Supervisors       ¦ The board of supervisors held a closed session Wednesday to hold a contract discussion and negotiation with commonwealth's attorney Melissa Dowd. More ...      Thomas Camden, director of special collections at the Library of Virginia, displays a 1535 copy of "Ptolemy's Geography" edited by Michael Servetus, a Spanish theologian who was burned at the stake as a heretic in 1553 by the Protestant Geneva governing council. Camden gave a presentation at the Hig... More ... Utility bills concern Highlanders BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       RICHMOND - Two bills introduced in this session of the General Assembly are putting Highlanders on alert, especially if they affect the Highland New Wind Development utility planned for Allegheny Mountain. The project received a permit from the State Corporation Commission Dec. More ... Tiptoe Through the Tombstones Union Chapel cemetery envelopes history, tragedy By Margo Oxendine       CARLOOVER - Recently, the little church at Union Chapel enjoyed a rebirth; it is again making history. Yet, the cemetery adjacent to the chapel - built of necessity, before the church - has a rich, enduring history all its own. Next year, those who might be inclined to note such milestones can... More ... Wind project permit stands; no appeals filed       RICHMOND - The deadline for appealing the State Corporation Commission's permit of Highland New Wind Development's proposal for a wind energy utility in Highland County came and went this week. More ... The Carloover Community: Who Lived Where?       Thanks to Sadie Hornbarger's history of the Union Chapel cemetery, it is easy to pinpoint just who owned which land down in the gorgeous valley at the southern tip of Bath. Descendants of many of the original landowners still live there today. More ... Ashwood School holds rich history BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       ASHWOOD - Sometimes, a building can become so much a familiar part of the landscape that it can seem forgotten. And surely, the old Ashwood School - disbanded in 1969 in favor of a shiny new school across the road - had fallen into disrepair. The roof had caved in, the floors were a mess, debri... More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ Brrrr! Talk about turning into a human Popsicle; I hope we're all thawing out! The snow sure was beautiful to watch last weekend, though, from the comfort of a warm home for those who did not have to venture out in it. More ... Photos from the Snow      From the intersection of U.S. 220 and Park Lane, the community on Little Mountain, known as French's Hill, is visible through the bare trees and enhanced with snowfall. In the foreground, Hot Springs Presbyterian Church's spire rises above the landscape and seems to be on level with Malvern Hall to ... More ... Correction       Orren L. Royal, M.D. M.S. advised The Recorder that the first sentence in the eighth paragraph of his letter to the editor in the Jan. More ... What's news in nature? BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       DAMP WOODLANDS - Today they are small plants creeping along the forest floor, but millions of years ago, club mosses dominated the plant world and stood as tall as giant trees. Running cedar, ground cedar, ground pine, tree groundpine, club moss, running clubmoss and wolf's claw - the small, ev... More ... FAFSA workshop scheduled       MONTEREY - Highland High School is sponsoring a Financial Aid Workshop for its juniors and seniors and their parents or guardians on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. in the school library. The snow date is Thursday, Jan. 31, at 6 p.m. More ... Campground changes at Lake Moomaw       HOT SPRINGS - The Warm Springs Ranger District announces opening changes at Lake Moomaw for the 2008 season. Opening dates and camping reservations for the north end of the lake have changed. Opening first will be campground three on Thursday, April 3. More ... Highland Center celebrates 10th anniversary       MONTEREY - On Monday, Jan. 14, members of The Highland Center met to celebrate the Center's tenth anniversary. During the celebration, board chairman, Lloyd Bird, gave special thanks and recognition to the founding board members and prior board chairs - Debora Ellington, John Reynolds, Laurie Be... More ... Highland FFA game and wildlife show       MONTEREY - The Highland FFA will be holding the first Annual Game and Wildlife Show Friday through Sunday, Feb. 1-3, at the Highland Elementary Gymnasium. This event is to help raise money for the annual Highland County American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. More ... Meet Your Neighbor       If anyone anywhere needs any information about goats, Herman Puffenbarger is the man to see! He raises a number of breeds of goats and can recite so many different ones in a matter of seconds, your head will spin! More ... FFA spotlight: Kate Obaugh       MONTEREY - Kate Obaugh, daughter of Kyle and Karla Obaugh who reside in McDowell. Kate is seventeen years old and is a junior at Highland High School. She has currently been a member of the FFA for six years. Kate serves proudly as secretary of the Highland FFA Chapter. She was asked the following... More ... Cowpasture River watershed workshop series       CLIFTON FORGE - Do you know what a watershed is or why it is important? If you used water today, you should. A watershed is an area of land that drains into an underground water supply, local stream, lake, small holding pond or wetland. Everyone lives in a watershed and everyone impacts their wat... More ... On the Agenda Highland County Board of Supervisors Highland Modular Conference Center Thursday, Jan. 24 - 7:30 p.m.       ¦ Joint public hearing with Planning Commission and Town Council on amendments to the Highland County Zoning Ordinance. More ...