Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

The Bert Carlson Quartet featuring Danny Knicely on mandolin opened Saturday's full day of blues and jazz. Pictured (l-r) are: guitarist Bert Carlson of Millboro, Danny Knicely on mandolin, Ralph Gordon on bass and Garth Newel director Jacob Yarrow on saxophone. (Recorder photo by Cynthia B. Coleman... More ... Superintendent search under way By M.K. Luther • Staff Writer       MONTEREY - The Highland County School Board might consider hiring a part-time school superintendent to fillthe vacancy created by the resignation of Gary Blair, who resigns next month. The school board will have to finda temporary, or acting, superintendent, and then begin a search to hire a con... More ... New 911 digs coming along By Mike Boll inger • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - First, the brick building behind the sheriff's officewas a garage. Then, it was a storage building, and at another point it was officespace. Now, it is being transformed again, this time to a new 911 center for Bath County, and emergency services officials say the building's fourth... More ...      Bath Community Hospital donated an ambulance that is no longer in service to the Bath County Sheriff's Department Tuesday. On hand for the presentation were (l-r) Vickie Wood, nurse manager for the emergency room and transportation; Sheriff Larry Norfleet,Pat Foutz, director of clinical services for... More ... Monterey man to stand trial for vandalism BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Timothy Olen Armstrong of Monterey will come before the Highland County Circuit Court this August resulting from a charge against him of intentionally and feloniously defacing or damaging a sign belonging to the Montvallee Motel in Monterey. The charge is a felony because the damage ex... More ... Trust established for cemetery       MOUNTAIN GROVE - A gift from a native son will help make sure the Mountain Grove Cemetery is maintained for years to come. John "Buddy" Curry of Florence, N.J. made a $10,000 gift to the Mountain Grove Cemetery Perpetual Trust Agreement when it was established May 8. More ... Bath County grand jury indicts eight people on 32 charges By Margo Oxendine • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - A Bath County grand jury returned 32 indictments against eight people Monday morning. Until arrest warrants are served, names and charges are being withheld. Trial dates were set for several burglars arraigned recently. Randall Rivenbark of Ashwood will stand trial Friday, July 11... More ... Little Mountain Yoga, Thai Yoga Bodywork relocates to Highland Medical Center By M.K. Luther • Staff Writer       MONTEREY - A passion for yoga led Susan Applegate to become a certified instructor of the ancient exercise more than two decades ago. "I was certified as a yoga teacher 25 years ago because I thought if I moved to Highland County, I probably wouldn't finda yoga teacher here, but I knew I wanted t... More ... Correction       In last's week paper, on page five, the caption under the photo of Bath County High School salutatorian should have read Joey Pritt, rather than Joey Robertson, who was 2007's valedictorian. He does not live in Millboro but in Alleghany County. Joseph "Joey" Pritt received two scholarships to use ... More ... Missoula will present 'Snow White' See A Show By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       ASHWOOD - School may be out, but there was lots of excited hubbub at Valley Elementary Monday morning. Nearly 40 children between the ages of fiveand 18 showed up to audition for the Missoula Children's Theater production of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." No child was disappointed. More ... Variance request for carport denied By Mike Boll inger • Staff writer       WARM SPRINGS - The Bath County Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request from Richard Roberson of Mountain Grove Monday for a variance to the county's side and rear yard setback regulations. Roberson sought to place a carport on his property off Gatewood Drive to protect his motor home. More ... 'The Underpants' a comic sensation See A Show By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       LEWISBURG, W.Va. - Ready for a ribald romp through Victorian Dusseldorf? Hilarious and fast-paced live comedy is just a pleasant drive away, at the Greenbrier Valley Theater. Steve Martin's "The Underpants" runs June 27 through July 26, with an irregular schedule of evening and matinee performan... More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       n The new Bath County Farmers' Market will have its opening day this Saturday, June 21, from 8 a.m. to noon, under the covered porch at Lickety Splits restaurant at the intersection of Routes 39 West and 42 in Millboro Springs. It marks an effort initiated by Harmony Leonard and Donna Campagna tha... More ... Festival too hot for rain to put out By Geoff Cox • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Record numbers of fans spurred by the appearance of Blues legend Taj Mahal filled the Garth Newel Music Center last Saturday for the third Virginia Blues and Jazz Festival. "He an iconic figure," said Garth Newel executive director Jacob Yarrow. "He's definitely somebody who draws ... More ... What's blooming in your backyard? By Cynthia Coleman • Staff Writer       Lake Moomaw - In certain areas along Richardson's Gorge near Lake Moomaw, ferns cover the banks, many different kinds. But most striking are the fan-shaped Maidenhair ferns. For more than 300 million years, ferns have lived and grown in this world, and for nearly 130 million years - during the ... More ... VBS scheduled for June 23-27       WARM SPRINGS - This year the Warm Springs and Hot Springs Presbyterian Churches are joining to conduct Vacation Bible School for children in grades K 12. It will be held the week of June 23 27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Warm Springs Presbyterian Church. More ... What exactly is an internist? Healthy Living By Dr. Kim Bird, Medical Director, Highland Medical Center       When people find out that I am a doctor, the inevitable next question is, what kind of doctor are you? After answering "an internist," I am often met with a blank look and polite smile. I have been mistaken for a surgeon (dealing with things "internal") or a doctor still in training. More ... HMC praises passage of federal health centers renewal       WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives took a step forward the first week in June to strengthen and expand comprehensive primary healthcare to the nation's medically underserved, uninsured and low income individuals by overwhelmingly approving HR 1343, the Health Centers Renewal Act... More ... Reunion Carpenter Family       GROTTOES - The descendants of Joseph Carpenter and his wife, Martha Wiley, held their 18th annual family reunion, Sunday, June 8, in the picnic area at Grand Caverns, Grottoes. President Otis Carpenter Jr. welcomed everyone to the reunion. Grace was given by Mamie (Carpenter) Thorn and a meal wa... More ... Honor Major Dennis Bird Jr.       Columbus, Ohio - Dennis E. Bird Jr. was promoted to Major with the United States Air Force. Bird is currently based with the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, where he is pilot of a KC-135 tanker. The Air Refueling Wing performs refueling worldwide and... More ... Malcolm receives Selma Botkin 4-H Memorial Scholarship       McDOWELL - The Selma Botkin 4-H Memorial Scholarship for 2008 has been awarded to Roy Malcolm of McDowell. Malcolm has been a member of the Busy Bee 4-H Club for nine years, this year serving as president. His various 4-H projects over the years have included lamb, sheep, steer, hog, horse, and ... More ... Carter Scholarship awarded to Travis Williams of Millboro       CLIFTON FORGE - The Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Educational Foundation has awarded a Carter Scholarship to Travis Dale Williams of Millboro. The $4,150 award will assist with tuition and book expenses at DSLCC up to $2, 075 per year for two years. He is the son of Doug and Millie Willia... More ... Births Christian Ryan Knight       STAUNTON - Joe and Kimberly Knight of Staunton announce the birth of a son, Christian Ryan Knight, born Jan. 20, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. at Augusta Medical Center. He weighed seven pounds, fiveounces and was 20 inches long. Matemal grandparents are Patsy and Mike Lambert and Gene and Brenda Sheffer. ... More ... Where I see beauty, others see ugliness Conversations By Jim Jacenich       Many people don't want their picture taken. It's not a superstitious thing, necessarily. It isn't as though people believe the lens captures the soul of the subject, as some cultures do. It's more about how people see themselves and the fear or concern they have about how others will see them. More ... Bath farmers' market opens this weekend Growth Spurts By Jim Jacenich       Clayton Shell is a homeschooled second grader who is taking the summer off to study business. The young entrepreneur is operating a lemonade stand on Spruce Street, Monterey. A good deal of traffic heading to the Highland farmers market passes right by his booth. More ... Homestead Preserve completes first log cabin       HOT SPRINGS - The Virginia Hot Springs Building Co. recently completed construction on the first antique log cabin at Homestead Preserve in the community's Sheep Meadow neighborhood adjacent to The Homestead. The home is the first in a series of historically inspired log cabins Homestead Preserve... More ... Wedding Peery - Turner       HOT SPRINGS - Jessica Nicole Peery and Jason Wayne Turner were united in marriage Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Life Line Ministries Church. The Rev. Larry Thompson officiated the candlelight, double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Peery of Hot Springs. She is the gra... More ... Wedding Robertson - Madison       MILLBORO - Percillia Hope Robertson and Daniel Zachary Madison were married March 7 at Woodland Union Church in Millboro. The wedding was officiated by Pastor David George. The bride is the daughter of Billy and Bertha Robertson of Warm Springs. More ... Wedding Simmons - Flannagan       ST. LUCIA - Jessica M. Sim- mons and David W. Flannagan were united in marriage on May 30, 2008 on the beautiful island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean. The couple exchanged vows barefoot, in the sand, at the Sandals Resort surrounded by blue sky and beautiful ocean views. More ... Country Thrift Shop opens in Bacova Let's Shop! By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       BACOVA - Good things. At good prices. For a good reason. The Bath Animal Welfare Foundation, started in 2001 for the welfare of homeless and abandoned animals, is known for its good deeds. Already this year, more than 40 dogs and cats have been saved, and are either in, or on their way to, a lov... More ... Wedding Morgan - Mackey       RADFORD - Holly Lorraine Morgan and Kenneth Burton Mackey were united in Christian marriage on July 7, 2007 at four p.m., at Central United Methodist Church in Radford. The Rev. Richard Wright officiated the ceremony. Music was provided by Hope McLaughlin, organist, with solos by Carol Guthrie,... More ... Academic Honor Tiffany Renee Sheffer       STUARTS DRAFT - Tiffany Renee Sheffer, daughter of Gene Sheffer of Mount Solon and Patsy Lambert of Verona graduated with honors from Fort DefianceHigh School Tuesday, June 3. Sheffer received an advanced studies diploma with governor's seal, board of education seal, national honor society seal ... More ... Cooling assistance program offered by social services       MONTEREY - Highland County Department of Social Services announces its cooling assistance program for low income families. This program helps with home cooling costs including the purchase and repair of certain cooling equipment, as well as electric bills. More ... Get ready for a fun-filled night of dancing, singing and BBQ chicken       MONTEREY - The Monterey Lions Club will host its annual street dance Saturday, July 12. The event will include The first "Highland Idol" singing contest, live music, dancing exhibitions and great food. More ...      This photo was taken, Sunday June 8, around 10:30 a.m. in Bath County on Warm Springs Mountain (Rt.39-west-bound). The black bear weighed 300-325 pounds leisurely walked across road. The lady in the white car took the bear's photo with her cell phone. (Photo courtesy Ben Beale) More ... Honor Roll Highland Elementary School       MONTEREY - Teresa Blum, principal of Highland Elementary School, has announced the honor roll for the fourth quarter grading period. A honor roll - Fourth grade: Ian Adams, Grace Blanchard, Chelsey Isles, Luke Leech; fifth grade: Elizabeth Brown, Ahna Colaw. More ... Get buggy at the Bath library       WARM SPRINGS - Laugh with the lazy, but fun-loving grasshopper … Learn if the wooly bear really predicts the weather… Move and grove with "Itsy Bitsy Spider"… Enjoy all these and more when Suzanne and Jim bring Ain't No Bugs on Me to the Bath County Public Library on Wednesd... More ...      David O'Bryan (left), a frequent visitor to Highland County, picked up a copy of Chris Scott's "Images of America: Highland County" at Second Saturday on Mill Alley in Monterey. Second Saturday is a monthly event sponsored by Mill Alley merchants to encourage shopping in downtown Monterey through ex... More ... Virginia celebrates Great Outdoors Month in June       RICHMOND - Virginia is joining a growing number of states in celebrating June as Great Outdoors Month. For the fifth year in a row, President Bush has proclaimed June to be outdoors month. Most states have joined in with proclamations and celebrations for the event, which is sponsored by the Amer... More ...