Pictorial

The Stonewall Ruritans installed a “Welcome to Highland County” sign atop Shenandoah Mountain March 5 after two years of planning and negotiating with county officials and the Virginia Department of Transportation. The sign is beautiful, and perfectly located to alert visitors they are about to enter a friendly county with much to share — and just in time to greet the thousands we look forward to seeing this weekend and next at the Maple Festival. Congratulations to all the Ruritans who worked so hard to provide a warm welcome, worthy of its message. The club is one of many civic organizations that will create a superb environment for visitors this year as they raise money for the many worthwhile causes they support year-round. Pictured (l-r) are: Wes Maupin, Ronnie Hodge and David Neil. (Photo courtesy Carson Ralston)