Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Sweet Stuff!      Left, two-year-old Maggie Rouse enjoyed a maple lollipop at Rexrode's Maple Sugar Farm Saturday. Rouse is the daughter of Jessica and Charles Rouse of Richmond, and the granddaughter of Rick and Susan Webb of Mustoe. (Photo courtesy Susan Webb) More ... Property value debate heats up BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - There was little doubt what was on the minds of most of the standing room only crowd in the circuit courtroom Tuesday night at the monthly meeting of the Bath County supervisors- property values. More ... Highland Medical Center welcomes new CEO BY PAM FLYNN • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MONTEREY - On Feb. 12, Highland Medical Center officially welcomed its new chief executive officer, Dr. D. Bradley Drawbaugh, an energetic and competent individual whose experience and knowledge have allowed him to hit the ground running. More ... Two tech awards go to Highland residents BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       WILLIAMSVILLE - Frank and Judy Marks of Williamsville and Robin Sullenberger of Mill Gap received technology awards at the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council Awards Gala March 5. The Marks earned the High Tech Entrepreneur Award and Sullenberger earned the High Tech Leadership Award. The Highla... More ... No candidates up for town election, again BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The March 4 filing deadline is past and no one registered to have his or her name put on the ballot this year for town council or mayor of Monterey. While the candidates' filing date has passed, citizens have until 5 p.m. April 7 to register to vote in the May 6 town election. More ... In Brief . . . Monterey Town Council       ¦ Town council will hold a joint public hearing with the board of supervisors on the proposed changes to abattoirs and livestock markets in the county zoning ordinance. The hearing is 7:30 p.m. More ... Reassessment: What's the end game?       WARM SPRINGS - The reassessment of real property in Bath County is still months from completion, and the final numbers for many landowners and the county as a whole will not be known until June. But the bottom line assessed value on the notices recently sent out is far from the whole story of how... More ... Hearings extended       WARM SPRINGS - Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal has extended the time available for land owners who have questions regarding the new assessment. Field agents will conduct hearings Monday and Tuesday next week, March 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the courthouse. More ... Auditor says nothing inproper in sheriff's action       Editor's note: The auditor charged with reviewing the Bath County books shared its findings recently with Bath's board regarding the recent question of how Bath's sheriff department used budgeted funds: More ... Car crashes into Bath County store BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       MILLBORO SPRINGS - Cheryl Thompson, owner of Tender Heart Quilts, had worried about a truck or car speeding by on Route 42 would crash into her store. Such a crash came last Wednesday, but not in the way Thompson anticipated. More ... Break-in reported at pharmacy       HOT SPRINGS - The Hot Springs Pharmacy, located on Main Street in downtown Hot Springs, was broken into on Tuesday morning, May 11. Details are sketchy, but pharmacist Bill Shaver confirmed there had been break-in. He said he could not provide more information until the Bath County deputies rele... More ... State clarifies wind plant permits Analysis BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Both county and state permits have been granted to Highland New Wind Development for Virginia's first industrial wind utility, but there seems to be some confusion about what happens next. Part of the trouble stems from determining exactly what the company needs to do in order to proc... More ... Behind the Scenes Festival vendors a hearty, friendly lot By Margo Oxendine       MONTEREY - It's a weekday, mid-afternoon. Main Street is drenched with rain. The sidewalks are almost bare. Folks are busy, going about their business. Only this day, the Friday before the 50th annual Maple Festival begins, is anything but normal. The business is "everything maple. More ... Legislative proposals: What's the status? BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       RICHMOND - Some of the legislation being watched by Highland and Bath citizens has survived the General Assembly now; other bills remain hung up in committees. More ... In Brief . . . Bath County Board of Supervisors       ¦ Bath supervisors approved the 2007 audit of the county's financial records, including a letter with a few recommended changes in county procedures and a letter reviewing some recent actions in the More ... Photos      Kerry Dortch is the man behind "The Puppet Farm: Raising Puppets Since 1985." He hails from Ila, Ga., and is about as friendly a fellow as one might find. (Recorder photo by Margo Oxendine) More ... Poet makes appearance at Southernmost this weekend       BOLAR - Nyle Henderson, Christian cowboy poet, will be at Southernmost Maple near Bolar Sat. March 15 and will be at 11 a.m. Sunday morning worship service at Southernmost. "I want to give people something to put down in their hearts and take home with them," says Henderson. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ Winners in the March Math Olympiad have been announced for Millboro Elementary School. Zach Brinkley was the elementary winner and Laura Haney was the middle school winner. This was the last Math Olympiad competition for the school year. Teacher Herb Hardbarger was pleased to report the r... More ... Legislative Update Taxing abilities of authority unconstitutional Sen. Creigh Deeds       The Virginia Supreme Court ruled the taxing abilities granted to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority in last year's transportation package were unconstitutional. More ... Correction      The Web site for Machen Retreat, left out of last week's article, is www.machen.org. All errors in fact brought to our attention will be quickly and gladly corrected. Clarifications will also be made as needed. We will appreciate having inaccuracies brought to our attention. (540) 468-2147. More ... Bath kindergarten registration held April 4       WARM SPRINGS - For students who will enter kindergarten for the 2008-09 school term, Bath County Public Schools will hold group counseling and registration sessions on Friday, April 4. Valley Elementary School has scheduled a morning session for 10 a.m. More ... Engagement Moyers - Propst       McDOWELL - Mr . and Mrs. John L. Moyers Jr. of McDowell announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura Elizabeth Moyers, to Nathan Warren Propst, son of Steven W. Propst and the late Helene Clouet Propst. More ... Engagement Cliffe - Enstminger       WILMINGTON, N.C. - Dan and Sarah Cliffe of Wilmington, N.C. announce the engagement of their daughter, Anne Cliffe, to Brandon Entsminger, the son of Larry and Liz Entsminger of Millboro. Miss Cliffe is a liberal arts major and a senior at Southern Virginia University. Entsminger is a food and b... More ... Births       Bridgette Ann Cale STAUNTON - Christophor Cale and Priscilla Apgar announce the birth of their daughter, Bridgette Ann, born Thursday, Feb. 28 at Augusta Medical Center hospital. She weighed seven pounds and 11 ounces and measured 20 inches. More ... Building Permits       WARM SPRINGS - The following building permits were issued by the Bath County Building, Planning and Zoning in the month of February: Hot Springs - Jewel and Sandra Anderson, addition; Debbie and Donnie Bogan, addition; Don and Joyce Ryder, addition; Debbie and Donnie Bogan, doublewide. More ... BCHS FCCLA club makes a difference in the community       HOT SPRINGS - Members of the Virginia Association of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America joined more than 220,000 members in celebrating National FCCLA Week, during the week of February 10- 16. This year's theme was "MADE: Making A Difference Everywhere. More ... Photos      Jeanette Robinson gives a close-up view of one of the secrets to the sausage at the Bolar Ruritan breakfast. Start with a big handful of fresh sausage and make the patties by hand. (Recorder photo by Charles Garratt) More ... Correction       The Highland High School Band Boosters hot dog trailer and the Monterey United Methodist Church funnel cake booth are located next to the Highland County Public Library, not on U.S. 250 and on the courthouse lawn as reported in last week's story in the Spring Guide on festival food. More ... Photos      Oh no, there are bugs in the pancake batter. Not in the batter, but making the batter. Bugs Phillips watches over the aging mixer at the Bolar Ruritan Building, adding just the right amount of liquid to make the next batch of batter for the cook at the grills. More ... Short day in tough bracket at states BY GEOFF COX • STAFF WRITER       SALEM - Charger Wrestling coach Chuck Burger hoped for two things to happen last weekend at the state wrestling tournament in Salem. One was for a no-show, so Charger senior Travis Williams could move up from an alternate slot. The other was for Matt O'Conner to get a good draw in the seedings. N... More ...      This year's Allegheny Mountain Radio Star Award winner is Julian Griffin (left), presented by AMR board president Butch Washer at the annual board of directors meeting and dinner at the Hot Springs Presbyterian Church March 2. Griffin received the award in recognition of his substantial commitment a... More ... Youngest member joins Bolar Ruritans       Will Thomas, son of Jed and Shelley Thomas of Bolar, became the youngest member to join the Bolar Ruritan Club when he was penned as a student member and given a Rudy Bear at the March meeting. More ... Free streambank willows available       WARM SPRINGS - The Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District is again offering, free of charge, locally grown willow cuttings for streambank stabilization projects. The district established the willow nursery on a local farm several years ago so that adequate and affordable plant materials c... More ... FFA member spotlight: Chad Lightner By Jessie Siron, reporting for the Highland County FFA       MONTEREY - Chad Lightner, a senior at Highland County High School, is the son of Raymond and Jill Lightner of Headwaters. He was asked the following questions about his Future Farmers of America experience. More ... FFA member spotlight: Samuel Ellington - By Jessie Siron, reporting for the Highland County FFA       MONTEREY - Samuel Ellington is the son of Ske and Debora Ellington who reside in Forks of the Water (Blue Grass). He is a 16 year old junior at Highland High School and has been a member of the Future Farmers of America for six years. Ellington is currently the Student Advisor for the chapter. More ... Lambert named employee of the year at BRC       BRIDGEWATER - Kathy Lambert has been named employee of the year at the Bridgewater Retirement Community. Born in Harrisonburg, Lambert spent her growing-up years in Moyers, W.Va. She was still in high school when she met her future husband, Mark. More ... Hot Springs Fire and Rescue staff honored BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       HOT SPRINGS - They're there when you need them. Whether it's a flue fire, a severed tendon, a fall, or a brush-burn gone badly awry, the Hot Springs Fire and Rescue Association is as close as your phone. If you're lucky, a fireman or rescue squad medic is your next-door neighbor. There is a cert... More ...      Girl Scout Week is celebrated each March, starting with Girl Scout Sunday, which gives the girls an opportunity to attend their place of worship and be recognized. The Monterey United Methodist Church is the group's sponsor and gave a generous donation toward the all-service unit trip to Savannah, G... More ... McWilliams joins Wittenberg University board of directors       SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg University Board of Directors recently welcomed five new members, one of whom is Sarah Hagen McWilliams, Wittenberg class of 1988, and coowner and operator of The Inn at Gristmill Square in Warm Springs. More ... What's blooming in Bath, Highland BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       DOUTHAT STATE PARK - Spring slipped a toe into the Highlands early this week with the blooming of the first few trout lilies in the warmer areas of the southeastern corner of Bath County. Over the weekend, a few trout lilies had opened along the road into the Walton Tract. Many more were open on... More ... Virginians invited to explore local food       BLACKSBURG - Virginia Cooperative Extension is inviting farmers, food entrepreneurs, local government and economic officials, institutional food buyers and other interested community members to learn and engage in discussion about integrating Virginia's agriculture, local economies and health com... More ... Tornado drills save lives Tornado Preparedness Day is March 18       RICHMOND - The recent tornadoes in Tennessee and Alabama show how important it is that everyone knows what to do during a tornado warning. Virginians will have a chance to practice tornado safety during the statewide tornado drill on March 18. Last year in Virginia, more than 210,000 people repor... More ... State entrepreneur workshop scheduled in Bolar       BOLAR - Business owners and potential entrepreneurs from Bath and Highland counties are invited to attend "Entrepreneur Express: Moving Your Business Forward," a workshop designed to deliver practical, hands-on training and provide information on available business resources. More ... Sign up for junior 4-H camp       WIRTZ - Junior 4-H Camp will be held at the W.E. Skelton 4- H Educational Center at Smith Mountain near Roanoke. The camp is open to all youth in Bath and Highland counties ages 9-13. This year, Highland and Bath campers will join campers from Alleghany and Rockbridge counties. Youth do not have... More ...      Old Ashwood School Antiques celebrated its January grand opening with an official chamber of commerce ribbon-cutting Tuesday morning. From left are Susan Phillips, chamber director; Jonah Windham, chamber vice president; Dean Humphries of Old Ashwood School Antiques; and Melinda Nichols, executive d... More ...