Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Farmers' Market      The Bath Farmers' Market serves as a place for local residents to shop for locally grown food and socialize. If the size of the crowd that showed up the past two weekends to buy and sample local foods is indication, this is one summertime tradition that is here to stay. See story page 12. (Photo cou... More ... Airfield cleared for landing BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The grass runway at Hannah Field on Airport Terrace Road just outside Monterey is freshly cut. Trees have been cleared from both sides of the 2,300-foot long runway and squares of freshly laid chalk dot the centerline on the runway. Bright orange windsocks hang limply awaiting a breeze... More ... Tax rate up 10¢ in Bath By Mike Bollin ger • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Citing the tightest budget the county's seen in recent years, Bath officials agreed on a 10-cent hike in property taxes last week. The Bath County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Wednesday, June 25 to set the real estate tax rate at 55 cents per $100 in property value, a 10-cent in... More ... Highland New Wind Development Continues to seek investors for industrial wind Farm Project BY M.K. LUTHER • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Highland New Wind Development cannot yet offer Highland County a site plan or specific plans on the proposed industrial wind facility because the company is still negotiating with potential investors for the project. More ... Juvenile apologizes for role in town vandalism       Editor's note: The following letter was written to the Monterey Town Council in care of town clerk Nancy Hooke on June 11 and shared with council members at their meeting last Thursday. More ... Grand jury indicts eight By Mar go Oxen dine • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Dr. Margaret Blount was arrested last week, and charged with one felony count of uttering a forged medical malpractice insurance certificate. Blount, 46, turned herself in to Virginia State Police Investigator Allen Brown Monday, June 23. She was released on a personal recognizance... More ... Highland commissioner defends actions Former deputy commissioner says firing not justified By Anne Adams • Staf Writer       MONTEREY - Highland commissioner of revenue Bobbie Griffin is once again under fire. Michelle Smith, former deputy commissioner fired by Griffin June 13, told the board of supervisors this week she has concerns about the way Griffin manages the office, and feels her termination was not justified... More ... Chamber sponsors tourism seminar By Mike Bollin ger • Staf Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Representatives of the chambers of commerce in Alleghany, Bath and Highland counties gathered Friday at the Gristmill to hear presentations on how to better market the area to prospective tourists and learn what is available on the state level to help them do so. More ... Supervisors, chamber to form alliance By Mike Bollin ger • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - The Bath County Board of Supervisors and the Bath County Chamber of Commerce board of directors began to lay the groundwork June 25 for what they hope will be an organized effort for the tourism industry in the county. More ... In Brief . . . Highland County Planning Commission       ¦ The Highland County Planning Commission and Highland County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing in joint session last Thursday to hear comments on a conditional use application from Debbi Stephenson to conduct an More ... In Brief . . . Monterey Town Council       ¦ The Monterey Town Council held its close-out meeting Thursday, June 26. Council members welcomed new town employee, Highland High School student Dustin Chapman. More ... Congressman Goodlatte delivers Iraq progress report       Positive steps have been made toward stabilizing Iraq, but the country is not ready for U.S. troops to leave, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-6th) said Monday during a conference call from Baghdad. Goodlatte was touring the region with five other members of Congress. More ... Board stumbles over subdivision proposals BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Many Highlanders believe a person should have the right to do with their property as they see fit. Charlie Hupman of Monterey, however, found out that opinion of property rights doesn't always carry over into the legal view. More ... It's a sign: zoning regs not so clear, however BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Signs are supposed to inform the public about a place and the activities taking place there. But the regulations governing signs in Highland County aren't as simple as the signs themselves. One resolved sign issue and another making its way through the planning review process illustrat... More ... Local foods come straight from the producer Growth Spurts By Jim Jacenich       One advantage to buying produce at a farmers' market is that you are buying directly from the producer. Another advantage is the produce was probably picked the same day you bought it. Unlike a grocery store or other third-party vendor, you have a certain degree of certainty the food is fresh and ... More ...      A fat bumblebee wades through the bright yellow flower heads of a St. Johnswort, or Hypericum perforatum, as it gathers nectar and pollen. The "wort" in the flower's name comes the Old English word "wyrt," and simply means plant. In this photo, the bumblebee's hind legs are fat with pollen. This is ... More ... In Brief . . . Highland County Board of Supervisors       n The Highland County Board of Supervisors met July 1. The board received a written report on the status of county roads and projects from Virginia Department of Transportation. More ... Correction       In the June 26 edition of The Recorder, page 44, the names of Barbara Howell and Kim Rexrode were reversed in the picture cutline. Howell is pictured on the right and Rexrode is on the left. In the June 26 edition of The Recorder, Ben Hull was omitted from the Highland High School A honor roll fo... More ... Kayaking 101 set at Douthat State Park       MILLBORO - Riders Up! Outfitters in Clifton Forge has teamed up with Douthat State Park to provide an interpretive program on kayaking every Wednesday from June 18-Aug. 27 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weather permitting. Guests will enjoy recreational kayaking instruction on Douthat Lake during the morni... More ... 44th annual art show kicks off July 13       HOT SPRINGS - The Bath County Art Show has been a highlight of Bath County's summer season for more than four decades, bringing together artists, art lovers and the curious to view and purchase works of fine art in a variety of mediums. This year's show, now in its 44th year, will be held at Vall... More ... Radio camp to be held       MONTEREY - Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a radio DJ? If so, join us at Kids Radio Camp for a hands-on learning experience. Kids Radio Camp is being sponsored by the WVLS Staff and Steering Committee and will be held at the WVLS Studio in Monterey Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 9:30... More ... Fort Seybert HEA mill documentary featured       FORT SEYBERT - The West Virginia Humanities Council selected Fort Seybert Heritage Educational Association "Mills of Pendleton" documentary to feature in their summer publication People & Mountains. The Humanities Council has been very supportive in an advisory and funding capacity. More ... Speaking of bones       MONTEREY - The bones of the dead have a lot to say to the living. They can reveal many traits or characteristics of the body in life.. A bioarchaeologist knows how to read those stories. More ... On the agenda Bath County Board of Supervisors Bath County Courthouse, Room 115 Tuesday, July 8 - 6 p.m.       Regular meeting ¦ Approve minutes of June 5 budget public hearing; June 10 regular meeting; June 18 work session for 911 outbound call system demonstrat 25 continued budget consideration meeting and More ... What's blooming in your back yard? BY CYNTHIA COLEMAN • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS MOUNTAIN - Near the end of the Bear Loop trail, some of which overlooks the Ashwood area, the path drops down into a thick, lush woodland. On the western side of the mountain slope, before the loop ties off into one dirt road again, a bright spot was spotted in the shadows, as a mass... More ...      Honey and tea are offered at the new Bath County Farmers' Market last Saturday, which brings vendors and their fresh produce and homemade products to the porch of Lickety Splits restaurant in Millboro Springs. It's a fun, healthy way to start the weekend and enjoy visits with neighbors and travelers... More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       n Tonight (July 3) is the last public meeting of the Millboro Preservation and Cultural Association, at 7 p.m. at the Millboro Ruritan Club building, before this group of residents finds out whether renovation of the old school buildings will be awarded to them or to a developer who has bid on thi... More ... Preserving Virginia's historical and natural landmarks Congressman's Report Senator Jim Webb       One of my highest priorities in the Senate is to preserve Virginia's abundant natural, historical, and cultural resources. As we approach the height of the summer travel season, I am pleased to report that we have enjoyed several significant accomplishments. More ...      Wednesday, June 25 the Bath County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the Homestead Preserve's newest business addition to Bath County. The Milk House Market opened for business May 23 in the recently renovated Old Dairy in Warm Springs. They are open from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday - Sun... More ... Summer forage conference to discuss integrated control of pasture weeds       BLACKSBURG - Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council will provide livestock producers with key strategies to control weeds in pastures and hay fields during a summer conference to be held July 30 and 31. More ... Virginia Beach a delightful diner's paradise Dining Delights By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       VIRGINIA BEACH - It's summer. You're headed to the beach. Yippeee! Think about it: There's really no reason to fight traffic all the way to Nags Head or, for heaven's sake, Myrtle, when you can fight traffic for just five hours to Virginia Beach. More ... On the agenda       Bath County School Board School Administration Building Monday, July 7, 2008 - 4 p.m. Called meeting Closed session ¦ Appointment of personnel. More ... ArrowCorps5 makes its mark in Bath County By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff writer       LAKE MOOMAW - During the week of June 21-28, more than 700 Boy Scouts of America descended into the Alleghany Highlands, prepared - as they are always prepared - to work with the United States Forest Service in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. More ...      Wes Maupin of the Stonewall Ruritan Club donated some community service time last week on behalf of the club to paint the trim at the Highland County Sheriff's office. Maupin is also an auxiliary deputy sheriff. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) More ... On the agenda       Highland County School Board Regular meeting Highland High School Library Thursday July 10, 2008 7 p.m. Regular meeting HCEA update; Kelly Wilmore; Teresa Blum; school board members; meeting dates. More ...      On Thursday, June 26, ACS Design Company celebrated the opening of its Bath County office in Warm Springs. Edward Hicklin, LS of Millboro manages the office, which is across the from the Bath County Courthouse. Hicklin is the only surveyor in Bath County and surveys properties from residential to th... More ... Quilts touch the heart in Millboro      Three generations of a family are recognized in this quilt lovingly made by Lorraine Provino of Norman, Okla., for their service in three different wars. It was part of the special quilt show of about 40 designs now traveling the country that was including in a stop at Tender Heart Quilts in Millbor... More ... Coalition urges parents to get the facts about energy drinks       LEXINGTON - Energy drinks seem to be everywhere these days. With edgy graphics and images of extreme lifestyles, drinks like Red Bull, amp Energy, No Fear, Adrenaline Rush, Full Throttle, Rip It and others have blasted their way into public consciousness and consumption, especially with young peo... More ... Volunteers clean-up at Douthat State Park      Camp Mont Shenandoah provided 25 volunteers for Douthat State Park on Thursday, June 26 who helped build trails and rehabilitate existing trails as part of an interagency cooperative project with the forest service. The volunteer work was part of the outdoor camp crafts class for Camp Mont Shenandoa... More ... Engagement Graham - Weedon       CHESTERFIELD - Mr. and Mrs. Fred Graham announce the engagement of their daughter, Pamela Denise Graham to SPC Joshua Franklin Weedon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Weedon, all of Chesterfield. More ...