Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Maple beauties beam      This year's Maple Queen Court is (l-r) Princess Kate Elizabeth Obaugh, her twin-sister Queen Kari Lee Obaugh, and Princess Abigail Adams Cavellier. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) More ... Festival had humble beginnings BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - What began as a simple inquiry about the relatively inexpensive maple syrup from Highland County 50 years ago has blossomed into this area's biggest, most important annual event. It all started with a conversation. More ... Landowners in sticker shock BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Bath County property owners received notices from the reassessment office last week and while it may be an exaggeration to say everyone is upset, all the talk around the county reflects a general dissatisfaction with the high values placed on land, and in some cases much lower valu... More ... Wind energy project stirs questions about process BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Highland New Wind Development's proposal for an industrial wind plant here continues to surface before supervisors, and this week was no different. Owner Henry "Mac" McBride and his son Tal updated the county board on their project, and refuted claims they were clear cutting on the pro... More ... Public a no show at budget hearing BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Not one citizen wanted to speak Tuesday at the first public hearing held by the Bath County School Board on the proposed budget for school year 2008- 09. Superintendent Dr. David Smith skipped the presentation on the draft budget and made only a couple of quick comments. The board... More ... In Brief . . . Bath County School Board       ¦ In school board action following a closed meeting, Teresa Jones was approved as a substitute cafeteria worker. More ... Planners review new construction BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Highland county planners last Thursday reviewed a proposed zoning change and several conditional use permits. The main issues were all sent onto one potentially long night of public hearings beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27. More ... County roads affected by VDOT cuts BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Verona VDOT residency administrator James White Jr. had bad news for Highland supervisors Tuesday. "We've had significant change in our allocation," he said. "Construction funds are made up of state and federal funds. Sixty percent of our funds are spent on federally reimbursed project... More ... In Brief . . . Highland County Supervisors       ¦ Highland resident Roy Gutshall, speaking on behalf of the Virginia Farm Bureau office in Monterey, accused chamber of commerce director Carolyn Pohowsky of fraud and trespass. More ... Superintendent cuts budget proposal by $179,796 BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - It's the season for budget negotiations. Numbers change as quickly as the temperature, it seems. The governor makes one spending proposal, the house of delegates another and the senate still another. The federal government threatens cuts to public school programs, too, adding to the co... More ... In Brief . . . Highland County School Board       ¦ The Highland school board Monday appointed Caroline Botkin as assistant track coach, Kenny Hiner for softball coach and Susan Cornelius as a teacher's assistant, More ... Citizens still might sue county BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Highland citizens have once again reminded county supervisors of their intent to sue the board if proper conditions are not met by Highland New Wind Development LLC. In a Feb. More ... Agricultural center project still looking at sites BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Scott Smith of the Allegheny Highlands Agricultural Center Project, told Highland County supervisors Tuesday the group was negotiating for a site for the agricultural center somewhere in a four-county area consisting of Highland and Bath counties in Virginia and Pendleton and Pocahonta... More ... Highland's Machen begins to grow       McDOWELL - The Machen Retreat and Conference Center nestled in Highland County about nine miles south of McDowell on 678, seeks to provide a haven of respite for Christian families from all over the East Coast and beyond. MRCC was initially conceived by Paul and Jane Cunningham, as they wanted t... More ... Skit drama comes to Life Line       HOT SPRINGS - The New Life Drama Company, America's leading skit drama ministry, is coming to Life Line Ministries, on Sunday, March 9, at 10:30 a.m. More ... 2008 Tiny and Little Miss Bath crowned      The Tiny Miss Bath County contestants ranged in ages from three to five, and kept their composure and smiles through the long evening. Pictured (l-r) are: Aleigha Lashay Ryder, fourth runner-up; Allyson Mackenzie Hall, 2007 Tiny Miss Bath County; Stephanie Ann Gardener, first runner-up; Cameron Alex... More ...      A line of heavy thunderstorms ahead of a cold front brought heavy rains and high winds to the Highlands Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Back Creek, Bullpasture and other streams and rivers reached bank full. The Jackson River is two feet above the low water bridge in Hidden Valley early Wedn... More ... Dotty's English Muffin Bread       5 cups flour (all purpose) 1 Tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons salt teaspoon baking soda 2 pkgs quick or rapid-rise yeast 2 cups milk cup water Cornmeal Set aside 1 cup flour. Combine remaining flour, sugar, salt, soda and yeast. Heat milk and water until very warm, about 130 degrees Add to dry mi... More ... On the Agenda       Bath County Board of Supervisors Courthouse, Room 115 Tuesday, March 11 - 7 p.m. Closed Session - 6 p.m. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ It must be getting close to spring since Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m., when clocks need to be set forward one hour. Does anyone really stay up until 2 a.m. to set the clocks? It should not be called 'savings' time, though, according to webexhibits.org. And s... More ... Rabies awareness week is March 10-15       Rabies awareness week is March 10-15. Special rabies clinics will be held at various locations throughout the area. Listed below are some of the area locations holding the special rabies clinics. Check with a local veterinarian to see if they are offering a special clinic and rates. More ...      Highland Medical Center held a reception last Friday for its new chief executive officer, Dr. D. Bradley Drawbaugh, third from left. To his left is his wife, Cindy Sue. To his right is Dr. Kimberly Bird, medical director of HMC, and her husband Lloyd. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) More ... Photos      Amanda Marie Harper is the daughter of Terry and Christy Harper and enjoys spending time with family and friends. More ... Fitness center opens in Monterey BY GEOFF COX • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Still have a few extra pounds left from the holidays? Stiff from being holed up during the winter? Want to feel better naturally? Good news! Monterey's newest business, Sun, Fun, and Fitness, is open to revitalize that bag of bones the healthy way. More ... Wright Kids to perform       HOT SPRINGS - Young bluegrass sensations, The Wright Kids, will perform again at the sixth annual Bath Bluegrass Jamboree on Saturday, March 29, at Bath County High School. The jamboree is from 6 to 9 p.m. The Wright Kids are Mason, age 18; Sage, 11; Baruch, eight; and Levi, five. They hail from... More ... Blacksmithing brought alive       MONTEREY - Have you heard the ringing of iron on an anvil and felt the heat of red, hot coals in the forge? Was there a local shop and a smithy that you can remember in the Highlands? More ... Sheriff's Report       Bath County ¦ Feb. 26 - Responded to activated alarm in Hot Springs; everything was OK. ¦ Feb. 26 - Responded to Millboro area to check on disturbed individual. ¦ Feb. 26 - Responded with Virginia State Police to an activated business alarm in Millboro; everything was O... More ... Wildlife habitat workshop comes to Monterey       MONTEREY - Virginia Cooperative Extension will host a workshop for property owners interested in improving wildlife habitat on their property. More ... March is Red Cross month       COVINGTON - The Jackson River Chapter of the Red Cross encourages you to get "Red Cross Ready" with three easy steps. They are: ¦ Prepare a disaster supply kit. ¦ Make a family communications plan and practice it. More ... Clarification       In the caption for the Elsie McCormick birthday party given by her family in last weeek's issue, her son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Carolyn McCormick of Williamsville, were inadvertently omitted. More ... Time change provides safety reminder Replace aging smoke alarms, not just batteries       AURORA, Ill. - With the beginning of daylight-saving time and the "spring forward" time change on March 9, along with setting their clocks ahead one hour, many people will change the batteries in their smoke alarms. More ... What's blooming in Bath, Highland BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       CREEK BANKS AND MARSHES - With the first weekend of Maple Festival approaching and the possibility of snow in the forecast, it is difficult to imagine wildflowers blooming in the Highlands. More ... & Bath County youth attend nature camp, scholarships presented BY: KATHIE SCHWEND, TREASURER; NATURE CAMP COORDINATOR,       Warm Springs Valley Garden Club WARM SPRINGS - Last spring, the Warm Springs Garden Club offered two scholarships to sixth-grade children from Bath County. The scholarship was for the full tuition to attend "Nature Camp," a camp that was begun in 1941 by the Virginia Federation of Garden Club... More ... Grants now available for recreational trails       RICHMOND - The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation recently announced available funding for recreational trails. The program has approximately $950,000 to award in trail grants. The deadline for preliminary applications is March 26 at 4:30 p.m. More ...      This view from a resort is one of the sights 4-H'ers can see during a trip Bath/Highland 4-H extension is planning this summer to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. 4-H'ers will learn and practice speaking Spanish, try tropical foods, work with Dominican teen partners, conduct environmental day c... More ... New county youth coordinator welcomed       HOT SPRINGS - The Bath County Board of Supervisors has announced that LaWanda Riley has accepted the position of youth programs coordinator effective March 17. Riley is a native and lifelong resident of Bath County and graduated from Bath County High School. Her recent background included work f... More ... New deputy hired in Bath       HOT SPRINGS - Sherif f Larry Norfleet announces the appointment of Roberta L. Lane as a deputy sheriff for Bath County. Lane commenced duties on Feb. 15 as a secretary and dispatcher. Lane is a native of Bath County and graduated from Bath County High School in 1990. She is currently enrolled in... More ...