Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Hats off!      When BCHS principal Pete Pitard announced graduation and the students moved to switch their tassels, a riot of confetti and silly string erupted on stage, catching some students by surprise. Area ceremonies held last weekend, see pages 4-5. (Recorder photo by Cynthia Coleman) More ... Preserve sales affected by slump in real estate market By Mike Bollinger • Staff Writer       HOT SPRINGS - While building lots are still selling at the Homestead Preserve, sales have been slowed by the nationwide downturn in the housing market. "It has affected us to a certain extent. We are still selling property, but not at the pace we were a year or two ago. We would like to be doing... More ... Superintendent resigns early Blair breaks contract, to leave a year sooner BY JAMES JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - A teacher came to school later than normal. It was the end of the year and students had left and these last days of faculty attendance are for finishing paperwork and making preparations for the next school year. She noticed the faculty was missing when she arrived. She was told they w... More ... Mussels show some muscle at creek By Gina Hamilton • Contributing Writer       MILLBORO - Mussels were the star attractions last Saturday at Camp Accovac as biologists invited families to participate in releasing baby mussels into Mill Creek on the camp property. Why make such a big deal about these mollusks? Information presented at Saturday's event explained that mussels... More ... Neighbors sound off about town noise BY JAMES JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. To some the sound is noise. To others, the sound is money being made. To still others, it's just the sound of a mini front-loading Bobcat tractor backing up. More ... EDA uncertain about opinion on Hannah airfieldfate By M.K. Luther • Staff Writer       MONTEREY - The Economic Development Authority Tuesday voted 3-2 against a motion to verbally express support for the petition to rezone property at Hannah field. The owner of the property, Jeff Ward, is requesting rezoning so he can apply for a conditional use permit for a private airfield.A hea... More ... In Brief . . . Monterey Town Council       n Town council approved the 2008-09 budget after a public hearing last Thursday, June 5. The budget will be adopted at a closeout meeting 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26. No residents commented on the budget. More ... Bittersweet night at HHS ceremony BY JAMES JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "My classmates have shown neither fear nor sorrow at the thought of graduating," said Highland High School salutatorian Sean Duff at Saturday's graduation ceremony for the 26-member class of 2008. Friends, family and well-wishers filled the bleachers and spilled over onto the floor of... More ... BCHS graduates 56 seniors for 2008 By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff Writer       HOT SPRINGS - "An hour from now you will have forgotten everything I have just spoken about," recalled Bath County High School's 2008 commencement speaker Joe Jones about his own college graduation speaker. But by preparing the graduates and their family and friends, Jones and others made the eve... More ... Beloved music teacher pumped for study at JMU BY JAMES JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "I didn't apply for it," Highland County Public Schools music teacher Jerry Philp said. "The assistant director of music at James Madison University, Scott Rikkers, called me in early to mid May. "Do you want to come to graduate school for free?" he asked. Philp couldn't turn down an ... More ... $60,000 raised for old Millboro school, challenge on to raise more By Gina Hamilton • Contributing Writer       WARM SPRINGS - The Bath County Board of Supervisors received a progress update Tuesday on efforts to line up funding toward renovating the old Millboro school. Jackie Plecker, co-chair of the residents' group, the Millboro Preservation and Cultural Association Inc., reported that about $60,000 in... More ... Request by McDowell VFD spurs creation of special fund By M.K. Luther • Staff Writer       MONTEREY - The Highland County Board of Supervisors established a special fund to provide loans to local volunteer fireand rescue organizations Monday night. The McDowell Volunteer Fire Department had requested a nointerest loan of up to $130,000 from the Highland County Board of Supervisors to ... More ... 10-cent tax hike too much, Bath says Supervisors argue no room left to maneuver in county budget By Mike Boll inger • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - The Bath County Board of Supervisors listened to citizens Thursday night, June 5, and for the most part the message was loud and clear - don't raise taxes. More ... Claire Collins resigns post By Mike Boll inger • Staff writer       COVINGTON - Claire Collins, longtime Bath County administrator and currently city manager of Covington, has resigned her post effective June 30. Collins, who has served as Covington manager for the past 26 months, said she is resigning to explore other options. More ... Hydro Inc. proposes plant at Gathright Dam By Mike Boll inger • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Dr. James Price, president of W.V. Hydro Inc., updated the Bath County Board of Supervisors Tuesday about a proposed hydroelectric generation facility at Gathright Dam. Price said this is the second time a license has been requested from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for... More ... Zoning amendment for horses approved By Mike Bollinger • Staff writer       WARM SPRINGS - After an almost two-hour, sometimes contentious public hearing and board deliberation period, the Bath County Board of Supervisors passed a zoning amendment that will allow horses to be kept in residential zoning districts. More ... School board to spend leftover funds 'Frugal spending' resulted in surplus of $166,000 in instruction By Mike Bollinger • Staff Writer       ASHWOOD - The Bath County School Board voted unanimously Wednesday, June 4 to spend $100,888 in surplus money on various needs, and to ask the board of supervisors to transfer $65,640 from instruction to maintenance in order to purchase heating oil for the 2008-09 school year. More ... In Brief . . . Bath County Board of Supervisors       n Supervisors received a letter from Bath County Public Schools superintendent Dr. David Smith indicating about $65,000 would be returned to the county general fund from the school system. More ... Bath County band concert springs into tune By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff Writer       Hot Springs - On Wednesday, June 4, the Bath County High School's auditorium filled with excitement as family and friends of those in Bath County school bands prepared to play their last concert for the school year. If you have not put these band concerts on your calendar, you are missing some o... More ... Season's first farmers' market brings out shoppers Growth Spurts By Jim Jacenich       The Highland County farmers' market opened last Friday. Garden greens producers Lee Mitchell of Blue Grass and Bruce Folks of Harrisonburg showed up with lettuce and onions, broccoli and spinach and mustard greens. The market is open again this Friday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at The Highland Center Fa... More ... Hikers discover biodiversity on Warm Springs Mountain By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff Writer       Ingalls Field - On a windy and cloudy Saturday afternoon, on May 31, Keith Carson led eight hikers on trails atop Warm Springs Mountain, which ran on the far side of Bath County airport's runway. More ... What's blooming in your backyard? By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff Writer       HOT SPRINGS - At one point in Valley Elementary School's new nature trail there is a flurry of apple trees on the upper trail, with one lone tree down below. During the dedication, children were asked how they thought the apple trees came to be in that area. Several suggestions were made, but the... More ... Don't believe everything you see, hear Conversations By Jim Jacenich       The sign said, "Leave your pants outside." At least I thought it did. I lost my glasses recently. Someone asked, "Where did you lose them?" If I knew that they wouldn't be lost. I've ordered a new pair of glasses. The optometrist said I see just fine. He said I could probably drive without glas... More ... Boys' Home alumnus gives a piece of America to show thanks       COVINGTON - On May 29, SPC Reginald Gibbs, a Boys' Home alumnus gave Boys' Home something significantto show his thanks. That significantitem was the American flag. More ... Correction       The June 5 article about retiring Highland High School principal Randy Hooke had a number of errors in the chronology of Hooke's and John Reynolds' careers. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       n Make time to enjoy an old-fashioned community fair at Windy Cove Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 14, from 2-8 p.m., on Windy Cove Road (off Route 39 West). A variety of free activities will be featured, as well as food and performances. More ... Births Mary Anne Rogers       MILL GAP - Steven R. and Jessica Rogers announce the birth of their first child, Mary Anne Rogers, on June 4, 2008. She was born at 12:03 a.m. at Augusta Medical Center in Fishersville. She weighed seven pounds, and was 20 and one-half inches long. More ...      Daniel Newcomb was inducted into the Monterey Lions Club Monday, June 9. Pictured (l-r) are acting club secretary Larry Held, Newcomb and Lion Francis Fenn. Newcomb is entering his senior year at Highland High School. (Photo courtesy Clay Hamilton) More ... Chi Experience! opens at Highland County Crafts       MONTEREY - Lisa Jacenich has opened an art studio and classroom on the second floor of Highland County Crafts, Inc. at 127 West Main Street, Monterey. "I feel so fortunate to be able to use the space," says Jacenich. "The natural light is perfect and the size of the room will allow me to work in ... More ... BCPS announces summer schedule       WARM Springs - Bath County Public Schools will be operating on a summer schedule that will take effect the week of June 16, and run through the week of Aug. 4. This is based on a schedule of four 10-hour workdays per week. The new schedule will be implemented as follows: Monday- Thursday. More ... Library Notes Tomi Herold Highland County Public Library       ¦ The summer reading program at the Highland County Public Library has begun. The theme this year is "Catch the Reading Bug." We're offering a reading incentive program to encourage kids to read over the summer. The goal is to read fivehours. We break the time down into twenty minute segmen... More ... DSLCC announces scholarships awarded       CLIFTON FORGE - The Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Educational Foundation has announced a unique scholarship opportunity for current DSLCC students who wish to gain experiential learning in their field of study. "Bridging the Gap- College to the Community" Internship Scholarship applicati... More ... Reynolds joins Bath sheriff's office       W A R M SPRINGS - Jennifer N. Reynolds, 20, of Millboro, joined the Bath County Sheriff's Officestaff May 1. Reynolds, a 2007 graduate of Bath County High School, will serve as a secretary/ dispatcher. More ...      Nine members and guests of the Monterey Garden Club took a field trip to the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton on Thursday, June 5. Member Ann Wefer is shown trying out the Cooper's bench. After a tour of the museum grounds, those attending had lunch at Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant. (Photo courtesy Barb... More ... Roseloe celebrates 55 years of culture, history By Margo Oxendine • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Sitting high atop Routier Hill, on a promontory with a commanding view of the valley, is Roseloe Manor. It is a gracious house, yet one few have ever had the pleasure of visiting. Sitting at the base of Routier Hill is the Roseloe Motel. There, visitors are welcomed graciously, an... More ... Patriotic quilt show ahead at Tender Heart Quilts       MILLBORO - Tender Heart Quilts is participating in a unique quilt show the weekend of June 27-29. Owner Cheryl Thompson has rented a show from Buckboard Quilts in Oklahoma City, Okla., which will be on display on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. More ... Beach party goes on all summer Party of One By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       ROANOKE - It's a long, hot drive to the beach. And with the price of gas, can you afford to stay and eat, once you get there? And what about entertainment? No worries. A comparatively short drive to Roanoke will give you that sun- andsurf feeling all summer long. There will be no sand in your bl... More ... Highland's summer drama camp to kick in       MONTEREY - The Highland County Arts Council's annual summer drama camp is coming up soon, and plans are under way for another fun week for kids of all ages. "For 11 years now, I have had the delightful drama camp mystery to solve," says coordinator Caroline Smith. "I know how it ends with two pe... More ... VCC hands out 'better model' awards in region       STAUNTON - The Valley Conservation Council has announced its Better Models for Development awards at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel highlighting projects throughout the Shenandoah Valley region. More ... Photos      Top left: Pete Pitard, principal of Bath County High School announces the Boys State Delegate for 2008. Alex Maliwauki, son of Ms. Judy Maliwauki of Hot Springs, is sponsored by American Legion Post 92. Boys State will be held at Liberty University in Lynchburg, June 15-21. Pictured are Talmadge Bla... More ... Photos      Third-, fourth- and fifth-graders sing and sign "I Can Only Imagine." Pictured singing the word "imagine" are (l-r) front row: Oliva Crutchley, Allison Stump, Noah Arnott, Jacob Green, Grace Blanchard, Chelsey Isles; back row: Tyler Arbaugh, Suzanna Landrum, Kaitlyn Crutchley, Savannah Arnott, Ahna ... More ... Highland Girl Scouts become 'fairies' for a weekend       MONTEREY - If you've heard stories of fairy sightings in West Virginia you probably were not aware of the Highland County Girl Scouts "Fairy Fun Weekend." During the recent Memorial Day weekend thirty six Girl Scouts and leaders ranging in age from fiveto fifty-something headed off to "Camp Hidde... More ... Photos      Highland Elementary School May good citizens are (l-r): Justin Whitaker, kindergarten; Damiaen Mullenax, first grade; Haley Terry, first grade; Chayton Benson, fourth grade; Bethany Hoover, second grade; Patricia Lindsay, third grade; and E than Botkin, fifth grade. (Photo courtesy HES) More ... Bath library kicks off summer programs       WARM SPRINGS ­- Bath County Public Library begins its summer reading club on Monday, June 23. Children ages two though seven can participate in the program by visiting the library in Warm Springs and signing up. Free books will be distributed as long as supplies last. More ... Youth wins photo contest, photos published       GOOCHLAND - Congratulations to Dillon Rapalee, a ninth grader at Goochland High School, who received news that his photograph of a grey tree frog was selected as the Kid's Grand Prize winner in the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Virginia Wildlife magazine's annual photography contest. More ... Turn to VCE for gardening and lawn care expertise       BLACKSBURG - Whether seasoned horticulturalists developing new varieties of plants or first-time homeowners trying to thwart the yearly emergence of spring weeds, gardeners of all stripes will benefit from Virginia Cooperative Extension's expertise on gardening and lawn care. More ... Photos      Bath County Student Government recently announced officersfor the up coming 2008-09 school year. Picture (l-r) are: Marion "Bo" Trumbo, SCA advisor; Dascher Pasco, vice president; Emily Plecker, president; Carrington Pasco, secretary; Zechariah Horne, treasurer. (Photo courtesy Bo Trumbo) More ... Court Cases       Highland County MONTEREY - The following decisions were handed down in Highland County General District Court on April 16. More ...      The Highland Center opened its 11th season of the farmers' market on June 6. Peggy Brown Paviour, of Charlottesville, won the door prize; a hat courtesy of the center, and presented by Scott Smith, market master. (Photo courtesy The Highland Center) More ... Weather report       Temperatures for May ran slightly below normal. Precipitation was 1.4" above normal for the month and 3.8" above normal for the year to date. John R. Sweet of Mustoe, who runs a weather station for the National Weather Service, compiled these statistics. More ...