Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Touchdown!      A Cessna 182 lands at Hannah Field outside Monterey Saturday after a tour with the county administrator. After 25 years of inactivity the airport is back on the map. (Recorder by Geoff Cox) More ... Commissioner to retire early; special election to be held By Anne Adams • Staff Writer       MONTEREY - Following a series of publicized criticism about her job performance, Highland's commissioner of revenue Bobbie Griffin announced Monday she intends to retire Sept. 1, more than three years before the end of her second term in office. More ... Highlander takes 1st flight from airstrip By Geoff Cox • Staff Writer       MONTEREY - Roberta Lambert, native Highland resident who grew up in the Blue Grass area, is well-known county-wide for her dedication and service as county administrator. Over a lifetime, the self-taught woman has done many things, but she had never flown in an airplane. More ... Rivenbark guilty of drug store burglary By Margo Oxendine • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Guilty. Times twelve. Randall Rivenbark is just 22 years old; yet, his criminal record now includes 12 felonies. Rivenbark, wearing suit pants, a dress shirt and tie, pleaded guilty last Friday in Bath County Circuit Court to a series of crimes associated with three break-ins at ... More ... Pritt, Tolbert plead guilty in Bath Court By Margo Oxendine • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Two defendants pleaded guilty to felony charges in Bath County Circuit Court last Friday. Brandon Tolbert, 29, of Covington, was found guilty of two counts of drug possession; he was indicted by a Bath grand jury in June. More ... Debit-card larceny charged       WARM SPRINGS - Bath sheriff's deputies have made yet another arrest related to grand jury indictments returned June 16. Brandon Mikel Phillips, 32, was arrested Monday in Rockbridge County. He is charged with four felony counts of grand larceny, and will be arraigned in Bath Circuit Court Friday... More ... Builder constructs Preserve's first 'green' home By Mike Bollinger • Staff Writer       HOT SPRINGS - The Homestead Preserve now has its first green home, constructed by a local builder for whom the project was his first in the development. Andrew Watkins Custom Homebuilding of Millboro built the EarthCraft house for Tom and Betsy Regnell of Alexandria in the Sheep Meadow neighborh... More ... Highland schools to get security cameras BY M.K. LUTHER • ST AFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The Highland County School Board approved installing surveillance cameras and a new secure entrance system on campus. Speaking to the school board this past Thursday, new Highland High School principal Kelly Wilmore recommended the equipment to improve building security. "We are reall... More ... In Brief . . .       . The Highland County School Board met July 10 and welcomed acting superintendent Percy "Buzz" Nowlin. . New Highland High School principal Kelly Wilmore made his first presentation to the board. More ... One dead in Bath car crash       WARM SPRINGS - A Richmond man was killed Monday night when his car struck a tree on Route 39 east. Sgt. R.J. Carpentieri, public information officer for the Virginia State Police, Salem headquarters, said Carlos Mendell DeBrill II died Monday at 6:17 p.m. when his 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva struck ... More ... Four-day week considered in Bath schools By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Statewide, schools are considering a four-day week to save money on fuel and reduce expenses. But it could mean serious day-care issues for parents of small children, and pretty long days for others. The Bath County School Board met Tuesday to ponder the idea; all three school pri... More ... In Brief . . . Bath County School Board       . The board received an update on the Bath County High School renovations from Superintendent Dr. David Smith. More ... In Brief ... Highland County Supervisors       . The Highland County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday and approved supervisor Robin Sullenberger's motion to join Mountain Waters Resource and Development; the board appointed Sullenberger as representative. . More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       n The Millboro Christian Church will conduct Vacation Bible School the week of July 21-25, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., for children from pre-school to sixth grade. The closing service will be Sunday night, July 27, at 6:30 p.m. More ... Carnival comes to Millboro By GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MILLBORO - Old-time carousel rides, funnel cakes, hot dogs and barbecued chicken - along with a colorful parade - come to town next week as the annual Firemen's Carnival opens a four-day run in the industrial park from July 23-26 to beckon young and old from 7-11 p.m. each night. More ... Millboro school renovation group plans fund raising By GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MILLBORO - It's full steam ahead for the Millboro Preservation and Cultural Association in regard to their plans for renovation of the old Millboro school and obtaining money for the project. More ... Old classroom demolished       MILLBORO - Part of the old Millboro school came down in chunks on Monday - the old band classroom on the side facing Crooked Spur road. The demolition was accomplished by the Bath County Department of Parks and Recreation after asbestos- containing floor tiles were removed by Waco Inc. of Mt. Cr... More ... Club holds a truly splendid day in McDowell      Ole Blue is the mountain retreat of Virginia Beach residents Thomas and Peggy Crooks. They bought the house in 1973 and renovated it. The house is called Ole Blue because it was and is painted blue. "We have made every effort to maintain the integrity of the house while making it a comfortable place... More ... Street dance gets feet a tappin'      Highland's Little Switzerland Cloggers, led by Dorothy Stephenson, left, gets the crowd revved up and ready to dance. (Photo courtesy David Cockerham) More ... Art, poetry draw record crowd to gallery By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - When Martha Woodroof of the Virginia Foundation of Humanities found Warm Springs Gallery owner Barbara Buhr after Friday evening's opening reception, she tried to interview her for a National Public Radio spot about the event. But Buhr had to wave Woodroof away, still too overwhelm... More ... Clarification       In the June 26 Recorder article on the merits of commercial wind power, a quote refuting concerns over the killing of bat and bird species at East Coast wind turbine sites was mis-attributed to Chris Burkett of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Dr. More ... New pool demands rec director position BY M.K. LUTHER • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The Highland County Recreation Commission is serious about getting a full-time director to run its programs this year, especially since the new swimming pool will require management. Tuesday, supervisors agreed to allocate $20,000 for a director, as they have the previous three years. More ... Summer days have me thinking about cherry pie Growth Spurts By Jim Jacenich       The warmer weather is coaxing people outdoors. The Monterey Lions Club Street Dance in Monterey made its annual return last weekend. One of the ever-popular features of the dance is the cake raffle. People buy tickets, proceeds to benefit the Lions Club and its many community building projects, an... More ... Local artisans featured in ACN exhibition       WAYNESBORO - Creations from artists Tate Swecker and Lisa Jacenich will be featured in the Alleghany Craft Network Exhibition at The Artisans Center of Virginia. ACN received 77 entries for the exhibition and 33 were chosen by a jury selection. Two jewelry pieces made by Swecker and two pieces of... More ... Rescue volunteer decline called 'critical' By Mike Bollinger • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS and MONTEREY - When someone needs an ambulance in Bath or Highland counties, as well as many other rural areas, volunteers leave their jobs and families and answer the call. But it's becoming more and more difficult to find people willing to give up the time to answer calls and take... More ... What's blooming in your back yard? By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff Writer       The poor Witch Hazel - so neglected in the summer months, as the shrub's showy, frayed, yellow blossoms bloom in fall or winter, mostly on leafless branches. Yet, it is during the summer months when this plant is most interesting and unusual. More ...      Celebrating the recent remodeling of the Monterey ABC store with a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday were (l-r) ABC clerk Delana Kelly, Monterey Mayor Janice Warner, Chair of the ABC Board Pam Evans, Highland Supervisor Jerry Rexrode, ABC Commissioner Susan Swecker, ABC clerk Patrica Wright, ABC Direct... More ... Correction       In last week's paper the caption with this picture should have read: Representing Highland and Bath as U-12 Little League All Stars are (l-r) in front: Luke Lyons, Ethan Botkin, Kyle Bradley, Michael Criser and Shane Pitsenbarger; middle: More ... FSA acreage reporting deadlines extended       LEXINGTON - The Rockbridge/ Alleghany/Bath County Farm Service Agency reminds producers that the deadline for filing 2008 acreage reports for all crops, except small grains, has been extended to Aug. 15. This includes corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, hay, pasture, and CRP/ CREP acreage. More ... Births Brendan John Munchel       CHESTERFIELD - Dustin and Lisa Willingham Munchel announce the birth of a son, Brendan John Munchel. He was born at 1:41 p.m., Friday, June 27, 2008 at Johnston and Willis Hospital, at Richmond. He weighed 8 pounds three ounces and was 20 and one-quarter inches long. More ... FSA sign up for farms continues       LEXINGTON - Sign-up for the 2008 Direct and Counter- Cyclical Program is under way at the Rockbridge/Alleghany/Bath County Farm Service Agency Office. Any farm with a wheat, feed grain, or soybean base is eligible to be enrolled in the 2008 program. Signup began June 25 and continues until Sept. ... More ... Achievement       Caleb William Sweeney RADFORD - Caleb William Sweeney of Hot Springs graduated from Radford University at the end of the spring semester with a bachelor of science degree in computer science and technology. He is the son of William Keith Sweeney of Hot Springs. More ... USDA Farm Service Agency now accepting county committee member nominations       LEXINGTON - The USDA Farm Service Agency office serving Rockbridge, Alleghany, and Bath Counties, reminds agricultural producers that they can now nominate eligible candidates to serve on the Rockbridge/Alleghany/ Bath FSA County Committee. The nomination period continues through Aug. 1. More ... Achievement Amy E. Halterman       SALEM - On June 12, the Western Virginia Emergency Services Council held its annual awards banquet at the Salem Civic Center. Each year, emergency medical service agencies and individuals within the community have an opportunity to nominate individuals they feel have gone above and beyond in orde... More ... Art show a marvelous must-see See a Show! By Margo Oxendine Staff Writer       ASHWOOD - Go ahead; I dare you. I double-dare you to go to the 44th annual Bath County Art Show and not find something with which you fall helplessly in love. Or several somethings. It happened to me, and I do not fall in love easily. More ... Clifton Forge Happenings       Did you know? n The Town of Clifton Forge was chartered in 1906, but its history dates back to the 1700s. The land the town occupies was originally part of a 1770 land grant to Robert Gallaspy by Lord Botetourt, the Governor of Virginia. The land changed several times, and the Williamson and Smi... More ... Dabney to offer study for manufacturing, engineering careers       CLIFTON FORGE - The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute Education and Training Foundation has recently announced approval of an application for funding from Dabney S. Lancaster Community College for student scholarship awards. More ... Robertson to participate in Little Miss Virginia By GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MILLBORO - Taylor Dale Nicole Robertson is a little excited, and no wonder - she has been selected as a state finalist for the 2008 Miss Virginia Princess Pageant being held July 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency in Reston. The 7-year-old, whose nickname is "Baby Dale" after NACSAR racer Dale Earnhard... More ... Out and about in Clifton Forge …       Clifton Forge has been known far and wide, for many years as the "railroad town." Although trains still roll through Clifton Forge moving their cargo and delivering people from as far away as Colorado, New York and Illinois, there is a whole more to do than just hear the whistle blow. More ... Bath, Highland artists make good showing       ASHWOOD - Plenty of artists from Bath and Highland counties have works on display at the Bath County Art Show; two have even been awarded prizes by judge Jacquelyn Serwer. More ... Bath County Art Show award winners       Best in show - Red House in Clifton Forge (oil) by Sharon Kincheloe; Warm Springs Valley Garden Club award, best flower painting - Spring Mix (oil) by Dennis W. More ... Attend the July 28 forest planning meeting       CHARLOTTESVILLE - More than 26 percent of the land in Shenandoah County lies within the George Washington National Forest, almost 85,000 acres, and much of the area's drinking water drains from forest areas. The George Washington National Forest Plan is the second largest guide to land use in the... More ... Cloverbud 4-H camp scheduled next month       MONTEREY - Virginia Cooperative Extension will hold a summer Cloverbud 4-H Camp for area youth ages 5-8. The camp will be held Aug. 12-14 at the Highland Modular Conference Room, adjacent to the Extension Office, in Monterey. Activities are scheduled from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. daily and will include snac... More ...      The Bath Senior Center and Bath Parks and Recreation sponsored a trip to Lancaster, Pa. Thirty seniors traveled by motorcoach to Lancaster and stayed two nights at the Hotel Brunswick. They walked to open markets and Amish shops, went to a market in Amish Country for a buggy ride and also saw the pl... More ...      K-9 4-H Club members enjoy an evening stroll with their dogs in the Town of Monterey recently. Pictured (l-r) are: Tabitha Hiner, Amy Hull, Savannah Hevener, Andrea Hull, and Abby Hylton. Not pictured are Penny Hiner and Kathy Beverage. (Photo courtesy Kathy Beverage) More ...