EverydayinAmerica,thousandsofpeopleundergogastric bypasssurgeryinaneffortto combatsevereobesity.
KenHeathisoneofthem,havingexperiencedboththehighs
ThreeSmythCountyschoolswereamongthe 92statewidetoearntheBoardofEducation HighestAchievementAward.
Theboardofeducationrecentlyrecognized141 schoolsforhighachievementwith92earningthe highestawardandanother49earningthecontinuousimprovementaward.
TheHighestAchievementAwardisbasedon performanceduringthe2023-2024schoolyear andtheContinuousImprovementAwarduses
ofweightlossandthe challengeofkeepingit off.Despitetryingeverydiet,program,and evensurgeryavailable, Heathfacedtheharsh realitythatformany, theweightreturns— sometimesmoreaggressivelythanbefore.
Ken’sbattlewithhis weightbeganearly.
Asachild,hewaslabeled"husky,”andby fourthgrade,hestruggledtofitintoschool desks.Hisreport cardsroutinelycarried thecheckmarkinthe "overweight”box.
Ashehitpuberty, theweightgainaccelerated.
Injuniorhigh,he enduredteasingand remarksabouthis shape.
Onefriendcommentedthathewas shapedlikeaCoke bottle,butotherswere farlesskind.Thepainfulmemoryofaclassmate’syearbookmessage—"Whydon’tyou losesomeweight?”— stilllingers.
Highschooldidn’t bringrelief.
Kenwasneveran athlete,buthefound solaceintheband. Eventhen,hisweight madethingsdifficult. Herecallswearing hisfather’soldshirts andslackstohide hisgrowingsize.One night,atahighschool photoshoot,hisband uniformsplitatthe seams.
Thehumiliationwas overwhelming.At16, Ken’sfatherdecidedit wastimeforachange.
HetookKentoadoctorwhoprescribed
Learningtoliveinanewbody
amphetamines—then acommonweightloss tool.Thedrugshelped; thepoundsmelted away,andforabrief time,Kenfeltasenseof victory.Butthesideeffectslefthimdisoriented,asiflifewasmovingtoofast.Ultimately, Kenchosetostopthe medication,andthe weightreturned.
Lifeafterhighschool continuedatahectic pace.Kenworkedlong hoursathisfirstjob inMountAiry,North Carolina,whileattendingcommunitycollege. Withlittletimeforsleep andevenlessforpropermeals,junkfoodbecameastaple,andthe poundspiledon.The recessionoftheearly 1980sforcedhisfamily tomovebacktoMarion,wheretheyrelied onfoodstampsand governmentaid.Despitelimitedresources, hisweightcontinuedto climb.
Heathtriedevery weightlosssolution onthemarket:Weight Watchers,JennyCraig, NewWeigh,andeventually,gastricbypass surgery.Athisheaviest,hetippedthescales atover540pounds. Eachtime,he’dlose weightonlyforittoreturn.Itwasn’tamatterofwillpower;itwas arelentlesscycleof temporarysuccessand subsequentdefeat.
Heexplains,"Icould nomorecuremyself ofobesitythanIcould curemyselfofcancer. It’sadisease.”
By2017,Heathleveledoutat375pounds andmanagedtomaintainthatweightfora
fewyears.Butaseries ofhealthsetbacks— hipandkneeinjuries—pairedwiththe pandemicledtoweight gain.Hisfrustrationgrewashissuits nolongerfit,andhe foundhimselfdigging throughtheatticfor hislargestclothes.
InMarch2022,Ken’s doctorprescribedWegovy,amedicationthat changedhislife.For thefirsttime,hefelt full.
Theconstantmentalchatteraboutfood disappeared,andhis cravingsshifted.
Henolongerdesired sweetsorchips,and foodbecamefuelratherthanareward.
"Therewasn’tan‘aha’moment,”Heath says,"butIfinallyhad thetoolstomakethe life-savingchangesI’d onlydreamedofbefore.”
Injustninemonths, Heathlost100pounds. Hisdoctorthen switchedhimtoZEPBOUNDtocontinue theweightloss.Nowat 330pounds—thelowesthe’sbeeninadecade—Kenisplanning forthenextphase: addressingstubborn problemareas,undergoingskinremoval surgeryandpreparing forahipreplacement.
"Weightlossona GLP1isn’tthatdifferentfromtraditional weightloss,”Heath says."It’sagameof number—caloriesin, caloriesout.Butthe medicationhelpstame myappetite,making iteasiertosticktomy goals.”
Evenwiththehelpof
medication,thejourneyhasn’tbeenwithoutsetbacks.
"Plateausstillsuck,” Heathadmits."Ihate notseeingtheweight dropofforseeingit bumpupabit.But I’vecometorealizeittrulyisamarathon,notasprint.It canbedisheartening attimes,butIlookat overallhealth—how myclothesfit,howI feel—insteadofjust thenumbers.”
Heathisnowlearninghowtoliveina bodythat’snolonger thebiggestintheroom.
"Theweirdestthing
isseeingmybodyasit was,stillyet,”hesays.
"I’llpickupa2Xshirt orapairofpantsand thinktheywouldnever fit,whentheyendup beingabittooloose.”
Heathfirmlybelieves thatoneday,science willconfirmthatobesityisadisease—not justaresultofpoor choicesorlaziness.
"Toomanydoctors stillseeobesityasa lackofwillpoweror anunwillingnessto change,”Heathsays. "Butit’snotthateasy. Scienceisprovingit’s animbalance,andlike somanyothercomplex
diseases,there’sno singlecauseorsingle cure.”
Forthosestruggling withweight,Kenoffers empathyandencouragement.
"Obesityisadisease, notachoice.Itrequires treatment,support, andpatience,”hesays. "Thereishope.Never giveup.”
AsKencontinueshis healthjourney,hecontendsthatthebestis yettocome.
"At62,I’mpastmy GQmodelingdays. Ijustwanttofitinto
2023-2024andprior schoolyears.
MarionandSaltville elementaryschools andNorthwoodHigh Schoolwereawarded theHighestAchievementAward.RichVallleyElementarySchool wasawardedtheContinuousImprovement Award.
"TheBoardisthrilled torecognizeandcelebratethe141schools whohaveearnedthis year’stopachievement,”saidBoard ofEducationPresidentGraceTurner Creasey."Weapplaud
Rankings
theircommitmentto excellenceandhighqualityeducation.Congratulationstoallthe Virginiaeducators, parents,andcommunitiessupportingthese schoolsinachievingat thehighestlevel.”
"Beingrecognizedin theExemplarSchool RecognitionProgram isadirectreflectionof aschool'scommitment tohighperformance andincreasingexcellence,"saidSuperintendentofPublicInstructionLisaCoons."I amproudofeachofthe 141schoolsthathave beenrecognizedtoday,
TheMarionSenior HighSchoolTheatre teamsecuredsecond placeattheSouthwestDistrictcompetitiononSaturdaywith theircaptivatingoneactplay,"TheStormin theBarn.”
Theperformance receivedhighpraise fromjudgesandaudiencesalike. Thisachievement hasearnedtheteama spotintheSuperRegionalcompetition,set
tobehostedatMarion SeniorHighSchool onNov.23.
"Thetalentofthis grouphasimpressed mefromthestartof theseason.They’ve developedtheproductionastruestorytellers.Oneofmyfavorite momentswaswhenwe firstbuiltoutourchorusrhythms—itwas alightbulbmoment wheretheygrasped thevisionfortheplay andbroughtittolife. Ican’twaittoseehow theygrowoverthenext
twoweeks,”saidtheatresponsor,teacher KristinUntiedt.
Severalindividual accoladeshighlightedtheteam'ssuccess.ZoeyKarneswas namedanOutstandingActorforherrole, showcasingimpressive talentandemotional depth.TrinityThornburgreceivedanHonorableMention,and thechoruswasalso recognizedwithan HonorableMentionfor theircollectiveperformance.
Newbody
seatsattheballgame, shopofftherack,and haveabodypropor-
tionatetoptobottom. Thankgoodnesswe liveinanagewhere modernmedicinecan help,andI’mlooking
forwardtoutilizing everytoolpossibleto makemyfourthquarterhereonearthas goodasitgets.”
andIcommendeach school’sleadership,educators,students,and communityforearning thisachievement.”
2024-2025Board ofEducationHighest AchievementAward Schoolsrecognized forHighestAchievementdemonstrated highlevelsofsuccess acrossallschoolqualityindicators,including successinnarrowing achievementgaps,as wellas:
•AchievePerformanceLevelOnefor reading,mathematics, andsciencebasedon
TheLincolnTheatre presentsTheLonesome RiverBandChristmas ShowonThursday, Dec.12,at7p.m.
Sinceitsformation decadesago,Lonesome RiverBandhascontinueditsreputation asoneofthemostrespectednamesinbluegrassmusic.Five-time InternationalBluegrassMusicAssociation(IBMA)BanjoPlayeroftheYear,andwinneroftheSteveMartin PrizeforExcellencein BanjoandBluegrass, SammyShelorleads thegroupwhoareconstantlybreakingnew groundinacoustic music.Withtwostellarleadvocalists,Jesse Smathers(guitar)and AdamMiller(mando-
lin),andtheimpressive talentsofMikeHartgrove(fiddle)andKameronKeller(bass),the bandseamlesslycomes together,performing
thestudentpassrate (whichdoesnotinclude growthmeasures)for the"allstudents”group intheschool,aswellas foreachstudentgroup intheschool.
schoolswithtwostudentgroupscould havenomorethana five-percentagepoint differencebetweenthe performanceofeach studentgroupandthe "allstudents”group; schoolswiththreeor morestudentgroups couldhavenomore thanaten-percentage pointdifferencebetweentheperformance ofeachstudentgroup andthe"allstudents” group.
thetrademarksound thatfanscontinueto embrace.
LonesomeRiver Bandputonatop-tier performancenomatter
Rankings
•AchieveatLevel OneintheChronicAbsenteeism,Graduation andCompletionIndex (GCI),andDropout Rateschoolqualityindicators.
Schoolsrecognized forcontinuousimprovementmetatleast oneofthefollowing criteriabasedonperformancefromschool years2021-2022, 2022-2023,and20232024.
Theschooldemonstratesanincrease: •inthecombined rateformath,reading, andscienceforeachof thepastthreeyears, withatotalincrease acrossthethreeyears oftenpointsormore;
•inthecombined ratefortwoormore studentgroupsin readingandmathfor eachofthepastthree years,withatotalincreaseacrossthethree yearsoftenpointsor more;or
•intheGCIfor eachofthepastthree years,withatotalincreaseacrossthethree yearsoffourpercentor more;andtheschool demonstratesadecreaseinthedropout rateforeachofthepast threeyearswiththe totalreductionacross threeyearsoffifteen percentormoreofthe firstyear’sdropout rate.
theseason,buttheir upcomingChristmas showisdeckedout withallofthestellarmusicianshipthat canbeexpectedofthe award-winningband withanultra-festive twist.
Thisbluegrass Christmasspecial promisestocharmthe wholefamilyforonly $15perseat.Formore informationaboutThe LincolnTheatreand eventtickets,please visitwww.thelincoln. orgorcall(276)7836092.
Fryethirdin Patriot'sPen essaycontest
Fryefinishesthird inPatriot’sPenessay NorthwoodMiddle Schoolseventh-grade studentKenzleyFrye placedthirdinthe 2024-2025Veterans ofForeignWars(VFW) Patriot'sPenessay contestsponsored
byVFWPost4667in Marion. Thisyear'stheme was"MyVoicein America'sDemocracy?".
Kenzleywastheonlyseventh-graderand youngestwinnerwithinSmythCounty.
Theholidayseasonisuponus,andmanyofusare eagertodeckthehallsand trimthetree.Butforpet owners,thefestiveseason canalsobringsomeunique challenges.Asweprepareto bringaChristmastreeinto ourhomes,it'sessentialto considerthesafetyofour furryfriends.
AccordingtotheAmerican SocietyforthePreventionof CrueltytoAnimals(ASPCA), Christmastreesanddecora-
tionscanposeasignificant threattopets.Fromelectricalshockandpoisoningto obstructionandentanglement,therisksarereal.But withalittleplanningand precautions,youcancreate asafeandjoyfulholidayenvironmentforbothyourpets andyourfamily.
Herearesometipstokeep yourpetssafearoundthe Christmastree: Securethetree:Makesure yourtreeisstableandwon't
tipoverifyourpetbumps intoitortriestoclimbit. Anchorthetreetotheceilingorawallifnecessary. Keepdecorationsoutof reach:Petsarenaturallycurious,sokeepdecorations, especiallythosewithtoxic materialsliketinsel,garlands,andornaments,out ofreach.
Electricalsafety:Keepelectricalcordsandlightsoutof reachofpetstoavoidelectricalshock.Usecordprotec-
torsorconcealcordswith tapeoracordorganizer.
Toxicplants:SomeChristmasplants,likepoinsettias andmistletoe,aretoxicto pets.Keepthemoutofreach orchoosepet-friendlyalternatives.
Supervise:Keepaneyeon yourpetswhenthey'renear thetreetopreventanyaccidents.
Pet-proofthetree:Considerusingababygateorpet gatetoblockaccesstothe
treewhenyou'renotsupervising.
Providealternativestimulation:Keepyourpetsoccupiedwithpuzzletoys,treats, andplaytimetodistract themfromthetree. Byfollowingthesesimple tips,youcancreateasafe andenjoyableholidayseasonforyourpets.Remember,it'salwaysbetterto erronthesideofcaution whenitcomestoyourfurry friends.
TheVirginiaDepartmentofEducationtodayannouncedthe awardingof$12millioninSchoolSecurityEquipment Grantsto96school divisionsand472 schoolstohelpprotect students,facultyand staff,andvisitors.
"Theequipment purchasedwiththese grantswillhelpensurethesafetyofall studentsandstaffin Virginia’spublic schools,”saidSuperintendentofPublicInstructionLisaCoons.
"Everychilddeservesa high-qualityeducation
experience,onewhere theycandeeplyfocus onlearningandgrowingtheminutetheystep ontoaschoolbusor passthroughthedoors oftheirschool.These grantshelpcreatesafe, supportiveenvironments,bothonschool groundsandwhile travelingtoandfrom school.”
Mostoftheequipmentappliedandapprovedforpurchase includevoiceandvideo internalcommunicationsystems,massnotificationsystems,securitycardaccesssystems,visitorIDbadging
systems,surveillance cameras,two-wayradios,securityvestibules, interiorbuscameras, andbustwo-wayradios.The2024-2025 schoolyeargrants havebeenawarded onacompetitivebasis,witheachawarded schooldivisionseligible toreceivegrantawards upto$250,000.
The472schoolswere awardedfundsbased onarankorderingof applications’pointtotal onthecompetitiveapplicationcriteria.
SmythCountyreceived$100,524forAtkinsElementary,Chil-
LowejoinsBalladmedicalassociates
StephanieLowe,DNP,CNM,has joinedBalladHealthMedicalAssociatesOB/GYN,specializingin women’sreproductivehealthand pregnancy.
AtBalladHealthMedicalAssociatesOB/GYN,Loweoffersabroad rangeofservicesandtreatments, includingbreastfeeding,contraceptivemanagement,hormonetherapy,menopausecare,menstrual disorders,naturalfamilyplanning, papsmeartesting,STItestingand women’spreventivecare.
"Ibelievethatinordertoreally helpwomen,Ihavetolistentowhat theyaretellingmeandunderstand whattheirgoalsare,”Lowesaid.
LoweearnedherDoctorofNursingPracticeandMaster’sinnursing atFrontierNursingUniversityin Hyden,Kentucky,aftercompleting herundergraduateworkattheUniversityofTennesseeinKnoxville, Tennessee.Sheisboard-certifiedin midwifery.
howieMiddle,Marion Elementary,Marion
Middle,SaltvilleElementaryandSugar
GroveElementary schools.
TwoNorthwoodhighschoolerswereselectedfor theClass1All-StatevolleyballfirstteambytheVirginiaHighSchoolLeague.
SeniorSyndeyCarter wasselectedamongthe10
namedtotheAll-Statefirst team.SeniorKarleeFrye wasnamedtothesecond team.
TheVirginiaHighSchool Leaguenameditsall-state teamsthisweek,picking GilesjuniorSophieTaylor
MarionseniorDomenicBruzzo-Morello madehisfinalhigh schoolcrosscountry raceonetoremember, placingfourthatthe Class2CrossCountry StateChampionship onSaturdayatVirginiaTech.Bruzzo-Morello’stimeof16:48.00 earnedhimall-state honors,markingMarion’sfirstall-staterunnersince2004.
FloydCountyseniorMasonEurchull (16:15.70)claimed theindividualtitle, narrowlyedgingout histeammateQuilan
astheClass1Playerofthe Year. Standing6feettall,Taylorfinishedtheseasonwith 750kills,50aces,40blocks, 367digs,a.373hitefficiency,anda92%servepercentage.Her750killsarea
VHSLsingle-seasonrecord. CommittedtoplayatOle Miss,itisherthirdstraight selectiontotheall-state firstteamandhersecond straightPlayeroftheYear awardafterearningClass1 PlayeroftheYearhonorsin
2023.Taylor’s1,830career killsarethethird-mostin VHSLhistory,andher46 killstiedtheVHSLsinglegamerecordintheSpartans statesemifinallosstoAu-
Beegle(16:16.20).Tazewell’s DrakeYoung(16:58.30)also earnedall-staterecognition, finishingeighth.
ClarkeCountysecured theteamchampionship, withFloydCountyasthe runner-upintheboysrace.
Inthegirlsrace,Tazewell’sAbigailRhudydominatedthecompetition,winningherfirststatetitlewith
Bruzzo-Morelloplacesfourth
runners.
atimeof18:58.30,overa minuteaheadofthenearest competitor.
MarionseniorRubyHoerterdeliveredasolidperformance,finishinginthe tophalfofthefieldat40th withatimeof23:33.90.
Ontheteamside,Floyd Countyclinchedthegirls statechampionship,narrowlydefeatingClarke Countybyonepoint,44-
45,inahard-foughtClass 2battle.
Earlierintheseason, MarionSeniorHighSchool’s cross-countryteamdeliveredimpressiveperformancesatthe2024VHSL Region2DChampionships, heldWednesday,Nov.6,at UVA-Wise.SeniorDomenico Bruzzo-Morelloledtheway, capturingtheClass2RegionDRunneroftheYear titlewithadominantfirstplacefinish,clockinginat 17:03.12.
Inthegirls'race,Marion seniorRubyHoerterracedto afourth-placefinish,crossingthelinein23:32.64. Bruzzo-MorelloandHoerter willnowrepresentMarion HighattheClass2state championshipsonNov.16 atVirginiaTech,competingalongsidethestate’stop
HurricaneVolleyballinAction
burn.
AuburnheadcoachSherryMillironswasnamedthe Class1CoachoftheYear. MillironsguidedAuburn toa29-2recordandits sixthstraightClass1championshipandninthoverall. MillironsledtheEaglesto theClass1statevolleyballtitlewitha3-0(25-10, 25-10,25-16)winoverRappahannockinthestatefinals.Millironshasguided theEaglesprogramsince 1995andwon538matches,
thethird-mostwinsinVHSL history.Alongwithhernine championshipsoverthe past13seasons(2012-14, 2019-24),theEagleswere runners-upin2015.
Theall-statevolleyballteamconsistsofnine positionplayersandone
libero.Onlythoseplayers selectedtotheall-region first-teamareeligibleforselectiontotheall-stateteam. Theall-stateselectioncommitteecompriseseight coaches,withtwofromeach region.
Marion’sboys’teamplaced fourthoverallinthemeet, withseveralstrongindividual performances.AlexArmbristerledtheadditionalpack, finishing19thwithatimeof 19:00.06.OtherresultsincludedWillBurkett,who placed36th withatime of20:51.31; JoshMarousek, 45thin 22:37.64; Isaac George, 46thin 22:57.71;JonathanBarbrow, 51stin23:49.14;andCollin Creggar,whocompletedhis racein27:09.42.
Forthegirls,freshmanKortniePeakcappedherseason witha41st-placefinish,clockinginat35:52.67.
WythevilleCommunityCollege(WCC)celebratedthe14thcohort ofpowerlineworkers inagraduationceremonyledbyPerry Hughes,WCCVicePresidentofWorkforce DevelopmentandOccupationalPrograms, ontheWythevillecampusonFriday,Nov.1.
"Inthemiddleof theceremony’sprogram,wedefinehero. Whatwewitnessedin ourownregionand inNorthCarolinain thelastfewweeks, hasshownyouwhat ittakestobeahero.
Somemaythinkthis isjustajob,buttothe personwithoutoxygen andinneedtohave theirpowerturned
backon,youaretheir hero,”Hughessaidto thegraduates."Our sloganisRisingtothe Top,andtoday,you achievedthatclimb.”
Asofthisclass,357 studentshavesuccessfullycompleted thepowerlineworker trainingprogramat WCCsinceitsinceptionin2017.Mike Morrison,PowerLine WorkerTrainingInstructor,addressedthe groupofgraduatesofferingadviceandpraisingthestudents’success.
"Youshouldnever beokaywithsecond place.Ifyoudo,you’ll neverstrivetodomore. Itwasapleasureto watchyouallworkto-
SWVAMedia,doingbusiness asSWVAsun.com,isproudtoannouncethatitisthefirstrecognized onlinenewspaperinSmythCounty authorizedtopublishpublic/legal notices.Thislandmarkachievementmarksasignificantstepforwardforlocalresidentsseekingconvenientaccesstovitallegalinformation.
Previously,publicnoticeswere solelypublishedwithprintnewspapers,limitingaccessibilityforthose whodon'tsubscribeorhavedifficultyobtainingphysicalcopiesof newspapers.SWVAMedia'sonline platformoffersareadilyavailable andsearchablearchiveofpublicnotices,ensuringtransparencyand widerdisseminationofimportant legalinformation.
"We'rethrilledtobeattheforefrontofthischangeinSmythCounty,"saysCurtisHawkins,Publisher
gethertheselastfourteenweeks,toformrelationships,andtogo outintotheworkforce. Weneedyou.Youare thenextgeneration thatAmericawillbuild upon.Youarethe backbone,”Morrison said. Studentsthatcompletetheprogramin 14weeksgaincertificationsandtheskills tobecomesuccessful
powerlineworkers. Skillsthatthesestudentslearninclude electricaltheory,aerial framing,rigging,safety,commercialtruck driving,andtheuseof utilityserviceequipment.
WCChostedthestudentsandtheirfami-
liesforbreakfastbefore theceremony.
Aftertheceremony, thenewgraduatesaccompaniedJimmy Powers,WCCPower LineInstructor,tothe poleyardtoshowoffa littleoftheirnewlyacquiredclimbingskills tofamiliesandfriends. Powersisagraduate ofthefirstWCCPowerLineprogramand isnowaleadinstructorforthestudents. Hesaid,"inthefirst weeks,wechallenged them[thestudents]to learnthatifyouhita brickwall,theyshould faceitheadon.You willfaceotherbrick
walls.Thatislife.I believeinyou.Isaw whereyoustartedand whereyoufinished.If youstickwithit,you willgetthere.”
Manyofthegraduatesareeitheralready employedwithapower linecompanyorhave movedforwardtoparticipateinWCC’sUndergroundPowerLine TrainingProgram. Formoreinformation aboutWCC’sPower LineWorkerprogram, pleasecall223-4717, oremailLisaLowe, WorkforceDevelopmentCredentialsand CareerCoachatllowe@ wcc.vccs.edu.
atSWVAMedia."Byofferinglegal publicnoticesonline,weaimtoempowerthecommunitybymaking crucialinformationmoreaccessible anduser-friendly."
BenefitsofOnlinePublicNotices:
•IncreasedAccessibility:Residentscanaccesspublicnotices 24/7fromanydevicewithinternetaccess,eliminatingtheneedfor physicalcopiesornewspapersubscriptions.
•ImprovedSearchFunctionality:Theonlineplatformallowsusers toeasilysearchforspecificnotices bydate,keyword,orcategory.
•EnvironmentalSustainability:Byminimizingrelianceon printednewspapers,SWVAMediais contributingtoamoresustainable future.
SWVAMediaisaleadingonline newsandmediacompanyserving SouthwestVirginia.
Nov.8toDec.22
LifestylesEntertainmentGetOutandGo
WohlfahrtHaus:Celebratetheseason insonganddancewith“Christmasinthe Park,”wrappingupwithanativity.
Thursday,Dec.12
LincolnTheatre:TheLonesomeRiver BandbringsitsChristmasShowtothe LincolnTheatreinMarionfora7p.m.showcase.
Friday,Dec.13
LincolnTheatre:What’syourfavorite color?GetfullyintotheChristmasspirit withholidayclassic"Elf”at7p.m.Tickets are$5atthedoor.
Saturday,Dec.14
MillwaldTheatre:TheRoanokeSymphonyOrchestrawillbeinWythevillefora 7:30p.m.“HolidayBrass”show.
LincolnTheatre:Dailey&Vincentwill makeastopontheir2024ChristmasTour fora7:30p.m.concert.
Thursday,Dec.19
LincolnTheatre:ACelticChristmasbyA
TheLincolnTheatrepresentsACelticChristmasby ATasteofIrelandonThursday,Dec.19,at7:30p.m. and4CallingBirdsonFriday,Dec.20,at7p.m.
ACelticChristmas:Irish Song&DanceSpectacular WitnesstheverybestWorld ChampionsofIrishdance taketothestageforamagicalnightoftunes,taps,and traditionastheytellthestoryoftwostar-crossedlovers. ImmerseyourselfinanauthenticCelticexperienceby laughing,clappingandsingingalongtocarolsunderthe mistletoe.
TasteofIrelandwillcelebratethejoyofthe seasonwithIrishsonganddanceat7:30 p.m.
Friday,Dec.20
LincolnTheatre:4CallingBirds,featuringthemusicaltalentsofIanandEvanBenjamin,ErinnDearthandDanBeckmannwill createaliveholidaysoundtrackat7p.m.
Saturday,Dec.21
MillwaldTheatre:ActorJohnHardywill bringhisone-manshowof“AChristmas Carol”totheMillwaldTheatreat7:30p.m.
Monday,Dec.30
LincolnTheatre:PrideChatswillbeat thetheatrefrom5:30to6:30p.m.
Tuesday,Dec.31
LincolnTheatre:RingintheNewYear withEaglestunesastributeband7Bridges bringstheirstunninglyaccurateshowtothe Lincolnat7:30p.m.
Tuesday,Jan.7
LincolnTheatre:Incollaborationwith AppalachianEchoes,thetheatrewillhost alivecommunitytheaterperformancein 2025.Aninterestmeetingissetfor6to8 p.m.
Saturday,Jan.11
LincolnTheatre:SongoftheMountains returnsfor2025witha7p.m.performance ofBeckyBullerandScythian.
Friday,Jan.17
MillwaldTheatre:CowboyBill,also knownasWilliamLeeMartin,bringshis comedytoWythevillefora7:30p.m.show. LincolnTheatre:TheBristolAcademyof MusicwillpresentAladdinJr.liveonJan.17 and18at7p.m.
Saturday,Jan.18
MillwaldTheatre:EmoNightKaraokeis setfor7:30p.m.Signupatthedoorona first-come,first-servedbasis.
Saturday,Feb.1
LincolnTheatre:SongoftheMountains welcomesTheSeldomSceneandAmanda CookBandat7p.m.
ACelticChristmastransportstheaudiencetoatime andplacewheremusicand dancearethecornerstones ofcelebration.Featuringan unparalleledcastofWorld &NationalChampionIrish dancers,alongsidesomeof themostsought-aftertraditionalmusiciansfrom aroundtheglobe,ACeltic Christmasbringsthemagic ofChristmasinIrelandto
thestagethisyear. Theperformancefuses contemporaryandheartfelt airstotellaromantictale asoldastime.Dazzlingfeet meetmomentsofIrishwit
inthisunforgettablenight ofstorytellingandentertainment.Reserveyourticket for$45-$65anddon’tmiss themagiconThursday,Dec. 19,at7:30p.m.
4CallingBirdsThisholidayshowcasewillfeaturethe musicaltalentsofinternationallyacclaimedperformersIanandEvaBenjamin, aswellasErinnDearthand DanBeckmannofLetters FromHome!Celebratethe seasonwithaneveningof dazzlingvocalperformances, enchantingharmonies,and amessageofhopeandenduranceofspirit—allsetto asoundtrackofDecember’s mostbelovedholidayclassics.
4CallingBirdswillperformonFriday,Dec.20,at 7p.m.Ticketsforthisdelightfuldisplayofworldclasscarolingareonly$28 includingfees.FormoreinformationaboutTheLincoln Theatreandeventtickets, pleasevisitwww.thelincoln. orgorcall(276)783-6092.
RadfordUniversity isexcitedtoannounce thelaunchoftheTartanTransferprogram, anewinitiativedesignedtostreamline thetransferprocess forstudentsfromeight VirginiaCommunity CollegeSystem(VCCS) schools.
Radfordandcommunitycollegerepresentativessignedthe transferagreementata ceremonyonNov.6on Radford’scampus.
Thisprogramwill createanaccessible pathwayforcommunitycollegestudents seekingtocontinue theireducationand earnabachelor’sdegreeatRadford.The universityistheonly four-yearpublicinstitutioninthecommonwealththathaspartneredwiththismany communitycollegesto provideaseamlessexperience.
TheTartanTransfer Programisastrategic collaborationbetween RadfordUniversityand
severalofVirginia’s CommunityColleges includingNewRiver CommunityCollege (NRCC),MountainEmpireCommunityCollege(MECC),Mountain GatewayCommunity College(MGCC),PatrickHenryCommunity College,SouthwestVirginiaCommunityCollege(SWCC),Virginia HighlandsCommunity College(VHCC),VirginiaWesternCommunity College(VWCC),and WythevilleCommunity College(WCC).
Throughthispartnership,studentswill benefitfromarangeof featuresaimedatmakinghighereducation easiertonavigateand moreaffordableand
AveryCornettemergedvictoriousfroma five-personfieldseekingtheMarionmayoralseat.Cornettclaimed843votes,more than200aheadofhisclosestchallenger, TomGraham,whoreceived613votes. AlsorunningwereSuzanneJennings, whoreceived394votes,AmandaCurrin, whoreceived292,andHerbertClay,who received165.
Fivecandidateswerealsoseekingoneof threeseatsavailableontheMarioncouncil,withHunterAtwell,ToddMayandJim Gatessecuringthespots.Atwellreceived 1,264votes,May1,080andGates922. LarryCarternetted699votesandJanene Walker683.
Saltvillealsosawtwohotlycontested
careerfocused.
"TartanTransfer demonstratesthat RadfordUniversity andVirginia’sCommunityCollegesare committedtocreating accessibleandaffordabledegreepathways forVirginians,andto buildingbridgesacross thecommonwealth.We areproudofhowthis partnershipformalizes aseamlesstransfer process,andaddseven greatervaluethrough dedicatedacademic advisingandaccessto Radford’suniquestudentlifeopportunities. Isincerelyappreciate thepresidentsofeach ofourpartnercommunitycollegesfortheir supportoftheTartan
Transferprogram,and fortheirrolesinhelpingtoimprovedegree attainmentandeconomicsuccessincommunitiesthroughout westernVirginia,”said RadfordUniversity PresidentBretDanilowicz.
Keybenefitsofthe TartanTransferProgramincludeaffordability,maximized transfercredits,personalizedadvising,earlycampusintegration andevents,andcareer preparation.
"Weareexcitedto provideourWytheville CommunityCollege studentswithaddi-
tionaleducationalopportunitiesbypartneringwithourfour-year universitycolleagues. ThankyoutoRadford UniversityandtheTartanTransferprogram forprovidingvaluable transferopportunities toensurethatWCC studentscanachieve theiracademicand careergoals,”saidDr. DeanSprinkle,WCC president.Radford’s TartanTransferprogramunderscoresthe university’smissionto enhanceaccesstoeducationacrossVirginia, whileprioritizingstudentaffordabilityand success.Byaligning
resourceswithVCCS institutions,Radford ispavingthewayfor amoreinclusiveand streamlinedhighereducationexperience. FormoreinformationabouttheTartanTransferprogram, pleasevisitwww. radford.edu/tartantransfertolearnhow toparticipate.Tolearn moreaboutWytheville CommunityCollege’s transferopportunities, contactSusanEvans, WCCDeanofTransfer andEducationalPartnerships,at(276)2234740,orsevans@wcc. vccs.edu.
Gov.GlennYoungkin,alongsideSecretaryofEducationAimeeGuideraandother localleaders,inauguratedtheSouthwest VirginiaHealthcareExcellenceAcademyLab School(SWVAHEALS) onOct.29attheEmory&HenryUniversity HealthSciencesCampusinMarion.
Thisinnovativeprogramissettoequip localhighschoolstudentswithessential healthcareskillswhile earningcollegecredits—empoweringthe nextgenerationof healthcareprofessionalsfortheregionand addressingacritical workforcegapinrural Virginia.
races,withCheriHeath Fullenclaimingthe mayor’sseatwith391 votes.MonicaJohnson received232votes,JamieMichaelRoarktook 95andBryanMorris 28. Sixwerevying,too, foraslotontheSaltville council,withSuzanne CarterAbramson, R.B.HendersonJr. andThomasNorwood DickersonJr.finding success.Abramsonre-
"Sincethebeginning, we’veseentheopportunityforlabschools tochangethewaywe aredoingeducation
andbringthecommunitytogether.HEALSis anexcellentrepresentationofthelabschool initiative,harnessing
ElectionDay
ceived519votes,Hendersontook481and Dickerson262.Tyler DaltonArnoldreceived 215votes,NoahHorn had166andDavid Huff163. TwoSchoolBoard raceswerecontested aswellTuesday.Lynn Whitewonelectionto theParkDistrictseat, beatingWilliamAmmi Fields934votesto743. SueDyeTilsonwon theRyeValleyDistrict seatinaracedivided
by26ballots.Tilson received1,052while GwynCombsreceived 1,027,accordingtounofficialresults.
GaryHeningerwas unopposedintheChilhowiemayor’srace,receiving573votes.Bill "Coach”Clear,Julie SturgillandP.J.Wolfe wereunopposedinthe ChilhowieTownCouncilrace.Sturgillfinishedwith395votes. Clearreceived390 votes,andWolfe361.
theintersectionbetweenhealth,excel-
lence,andeducation. Thislabschooldemonstratesthatwehave thecapabilitytofulfill workforceneeds,like inthehealthcarecommunity,ineachVirginiacommunity,"said Youngkin.
SWVAHEALSisa collaborativeinitiative offeringhighschool studentsfromSmyth, Wythe,BristolCity, andWashingtoncountieshands-ontraining,jobshadowing, anddual-enrollment coursesthroughpartnershipswithEmory& HenryUniversityand localhospitals.
Aimedat10thto 12thgradersinterestedinnursing,behavioralhealth,andother healthcarecareers, theprogramaddresses theruralhealthcare workforceshortageby inspiringstudentsto pursueandsustain theircareerslocally. Dr.LouFincher,interimpresidentofEmory&HenryUniversity,underscoredthe importanceofteamworkinherwelcome address,saying,"Today,you’llhearagain andagainaboutthe collaborativespiritthat
NorthwoodHigh SchoolseniorsDee HooverandAubrey Tolbertwerecommendedfortheirexceptional workatthe23rdAn-
nualBarterTheatre’s YoungPlaywrights’ FestivalonOct.28. Theirplay,entitledTheAdventuresof Nexus,wasselectedas
oneofthetopeigh tfromover250regional entriesandshowcased bytheBarterPlayers.
NorthwoodHigh SchoolPantherPride MarchingBandwins bigatthe8thAnnual CougarBandClassic hostedbybytheGoldenCougarMarching BandofPulaskiCountyHighSchoolinPulaskionSaturday,Nov.2.
Thebandreceived thefollowingawards forClassA:1stPlace Marching,1stPlace
DrumMajor,3rdPlace Music,3rdPlaceGeneralEffect,3rdPlace Percussion,3rdPlace Colorguard,and3rd PlaceOverallinClass AwithanExcellent Rating.
Thebandisunder thedirectorofErica Coates,withthecolorguardunderthedirectionofKelseyWaddle.
ProgramlaunchedatE&H
broughtthisprogram tolife.”
Thismilestonecomes shortlyaftertheprogram’sinauguralorientationonAug.9at theSouthwestVirginiaHigherEducation Center,with45juniorsnowundertaking in-personinstruction acrossEmory&Henry’sHealthSciences CampusinMarionand theHigherEducation CenterinAbingdon.
Theprogramanticipatesenrolling49 sophomoresinspring. DanteLee,execu-
tivedirectorofSWVA HEALS,highlighted theprogram’spotentialtoinspireimpactful careers:"TheSouthwestVirginiaHealthcareExcellenceAcademyLabSchoolisa modelofcollaboration amongourpartnering schooldivisions,our localcommunitycolleges,theA.Linwood HoltonGovernor's School,Emory&HenryUniversity,OldDominionUniversity,BalladHealth,Wytheville CommunityHospital andtheVirginiaDepartmentofEduca-
tion.Together,these stakeholdershavecreatedaninnovative, student-centeredcurriculumthatistailored forthosewhoaspireto holdacareerinhealthcare.
SecretaryofEducationAimeeGuidera sharedapivotalmomentintheprogram’s development:"AsIlook around,I’mreminded ofthemeetingatthe SouthwestVirginia HigherEducationCenterwherefourofyou sharedthevisionfor thislabschool.Irememberthinking,this
iscoolandamazing. Whatweenvisioned, launchedbytheGovernorinJanuary2022, wasacommitmentto preparingeverystudentforsuccessinlife andintheircareers, byharnessingthe strengthsofourcommunity.Andtoday, we'veseenthepower ofonewordechoedby everyspeaker:collaboration."
WiththeGovernor’s attendance,theevent underscoredVirginia’s commitmenttofosteringinnovativeeducationalprogramsthat
meetregionalworkforceneeds. SWVAHEALSisdesignedtoaddressthe shortageofhealthcare professionalsinrural Virginiabyencouragingstudentsfrom thesecommunitiesto buildandsustaintheir careerslocally.SupportedbyaCollege PartnershipLaboratory Schoolgrantfromthe VirginiaDepartment ofEducation,withOld DominionUniversity asthefiscalagent,the SWVAHEALSinitiative representsadynamic partnershipamong
Emory&HenryUniversity,regionalschooldivisions,hospitals,and highereducationinstitutions.TheVirginia LabSchoolsprogram wasestablishedtodevelopeducationalpartnershipsandcareerorientedprogramsthat inspirestudentsand strengthenthestate’s workforceacrossall gradelevels.Through immersiveexperiences andstrongcommunity ties,studentscanenvisionsuccessfulfutures inhealthcareright wheretheyliveand learn.
ASmythCounty propertyreceiveda portionof$14.4million inVirginiaLandConservationFoundation fundingannouncedrecentlybyGov.Glenn Youngkin.
Themoneywillhelp conserveatotalof 11,220acresacross thestate.
TheVirginiaOutdoorsFoundationreceived$914,017fora conservationeasement toprotect850acresof workingfarmlandin SmythandWashing-
toncounties.Theacreage,theGregandKyli WaddleProperty,will beheldbythefoundation.
Stateofficialssaid thefundswillhelpprotectkarstgeologywith nearly200mapped sinkholeswithinafew hundredfeetofthe MiddleForkHolston River.Thefundswill alsohelpprotecthabitatforastate-threatenedbird,theloggerheadshrike,andarare bird,thebobolink. The28projectsre-
ceivinggrantawards forfiscalyear2025includeinvestmentsin newparksforthepublic,conservationeasementstoprotectworkingtimberlandand farmlandandtwoland acquisitionsbyVirginia’sTribalNations.
"Wetakepridein sharingtherichbeautyofVirginia’snatural resourcesandhistoricalplacesandremain committedtoincreasingpublicaccessso moreVirginianscan enjoythem,”Young-
TheLincolnTheatrepresentstheDailey&Vincent ChristmasTour2024on Saturday,Dec.14,at7:30 p.m.
ThewildlypopularmusicalgroupDailey&Vincent willreturntoTheLincoln Theatretocelebratethe Christmasseasonwiththeir 2024ChristmasTour.This specialperformancewillincludefestiveclassicsand fanfavoritessuchas"White Christmas"and"Rudolph
TheatreBristolpresentsthehilariouscomedy,ATunaChristmas, sequeltotheriotousshow,Greater Tuna,andbringsChristmasmagic totheARTspacestageweekends Dec.13-22.Ticketsareonsalenow attheatrebristol.org/tickets.
It’sChristmasinthethird-smallest towninTexas.Radiostationnews personalitiesThurstonWheelisand ArlesStruvie,playedbyMikeLocke andFredDunagan,respectively,reportonvariousYuletideactivities,
kin."Ourparks,open spacesandothervital outdoorrecreationassetsdrivetourismand economicgrowth,and theyprovideresidents aplacetoconnectwith nature.Supporting Virginianssotheycan continuetoworktheir farmlandsandforests helpsourkeyagricultureandforestrysectorscontinuetothrive.”
Grantswereawarded inthefollowingcategories:farmlandpreservation,forestpreservation,historicpres-
theRedNoseReindeer,”as wellasoriginalsongsfrom theirChristmasalbum,The SoundsofChristmas.
Dailey&Vincentisan award-winningbluegrass groupdeliveringanallAmericaninfusionofcountryandgospel.
Havingreleasednine chart-toppingalbumssince 2007,Dailey&Vincentcontinuetowarrantrecognition andpraisefortheirgenrebendingstyle.Theyarefive-
includingthehotcompetitioninthe annuallawn-displaycontest,and JoeBobLipsey’sproductionof"A ChristmasCarol"thatthetheatre isdependingontopaytheoverdue electricbill.WithLockeandDunagan,DanGray,HunterJohnson, RichardAlbright,andDanielWallenroundoutthecastofsixwho portray22over-the-top,eccentric characters,quickchangesandall, throughouttheshow.
WrittenbyJastonWilliams,Joe
ervation,naturalarea protection,andopen spacesandparks.
"Bymakingsignificantinvestmentsthat notonlyprotectnaturalresources,butalso ourhistoricresources, weareabletoensure thatVirginianscan benefitfromvisiting thesespecialplaces,”saidVirginiaSecretaryofNaturaland HistoricResourcesTravisVoyles."Whenwe increasepublicaccess opportunities,weallow Virginiansandthose visitingtoexperience allthattheCommonwealthhastooffer.” "TheseprojectsselectedforVLCFgrant fundingwillhelpprotectecologicallyimportanthabitatsaround theCommonwealth thatsupportrareplant speciesaswellasavarietyofwildlife,”said DirectoroftheDepartmentofConservation andRecreationMatthewWells."Virginians willbenefitfromthe improvedwaterqualityofourrivers,creeks
timeGrammyAwardwinnersindividually,three-time GrammyAwardnominees collectively,four-timeDOVE Awardwinners,andwinners of35IBMAAwardsaltogether.
TheDailey&Vincent ChristmasTouristheperfectfamily-friendlyexperienceforcelebratingthetrue Holidayspirit.Fromjazzy renditionsofhigh-energy tuneslike"Rockin’Around TheChristmasTree,”to
Sears,andEdHoward,manycolorfulTunaresidents,somerecognized fromGreaterTunaandsomeappearingforthefirsttime,joininthis holidayfarcerecommendedformature,sophisticatedaudienceswho appreciateimmatureunsophisticatedhumor.
ATunaChristmasisdirectedby ChrisMcVey,withsupportfrom stagemanagerSamMcCalland propsartisanRebeccaRyan,along withLukeGray,AlbertTester,Amy
moredialed-inandheartfeltrenderingsoftrackslike "MaryDidYouKnow,”the groupissuretodelighteveryfaceintheaudienceand sendthemhomebeaming withChristmascheerThe Dailey&Ticketsforthis holidayspecialstartat$43 andmaybepurchasedonline,overthephone,orat Lola’satTheLincoln.Don’t waittoreserveyourseatsfor thishighlyanticipatedperformance!
Reid,CamilleGray,andproducer SamanthaGray.
ATunaChristmaswillbeonthe ARTspacestageFridaysandSaturdaysat7:30pm,andSundaysat 2:30pm,December13-15and2022.Ticketsare$15foradultsplus feesand$10forseniorsandstudentsplusfees,andareavailable atwww.theatrebristol.org/tickets. ATunaChristmasispresentedby arrangementwithConcordTheatricals,concordtheatricals.com.
BarterTheatre’s23rdAnnualYoungPlaywrightsFestivaltookplaceonOct.28, withoneperformanceinthe morningatGilliamStagefor 344students,andapublic eveningperformanceatBarter’sSmithTheatre.
The2024festivalincluded 260playswrittenby399 playwrightsfrom12high schoolsinVirginiaandTennessee.Sinceitsinception in2002,Barter’sYoung PlaywrightsFestivalhasincludedmorethan5,100plays andover7,700playwrights. 2024’sfirst-placewinner
isAlone,writtenbyMadeline JenningsfromMarionSenior HighSchool,whoseteacher isKristinUntiedt-Barnett.
Thesecond-placewinner isVillainsAnonymous,written byEmilyMullinsfromDanielBooneHighSchool,whose teacherisJamieArnold.
ThirdplaceisANew Chapter,writtenbyKara WigginsfromScienceHill HighSchool,whoseteacher isSethGrindstaff.
Thehonorablemention plays,innoparticularorder,are:BeaufortAnniversarybyKiyaHudson,Ten-
WythevilleCommunityCollege (WCC)isproudtoannouncethe graduationofitslatestcohortof weldingstudentsatBlandCorrectionalCenter.Thisgroundbreaking program,whichaimstoequipincarceratedindividualswithvaluable skills,marksasignificantmilestone inboththeirpersonaldevelopmentandfuturecareerprospects. Graduatesoftheweldingprogram havecompletedtrainingthatincludesbothclassroominstruction andhands-onexperience,preparingthemforhigh-demandjobsin theskilledtradessectorupontheir release.
Theweldinggraduatesparticipatedinacapandgownceremonythat includedcommentsfromDr.Dean Sprinkle,WCCPresident;Mr.Devin Allison,WCCWeldingInstructor; andMr.PerryHughes,WCCVPof WorkforceDevelopmentandOccupationalPrograms;andWarden White,BlandCorrectionalCenter. Mr.Hughespresentedeachstudent withtheircertificate.
"Wearecommittedtoempowering ourstudentswithskillsthatopen doorstomeaningfulcareers,”said Dr.DeanSprinkle,WCCPresident. "Byprovidingaccesstoeducation andjob-readyskills,wearenotonly
nesseeHighSchool,Teacher:AmberDavis;GoEastby HaelynnGruell,ScienceHill HighSchool,Teacher:Seth Grindstaff;TheAdventures ofNexusbyDestinyHoover andAubreyTolbert,NorthwoodHighSchool,Teacher: DavidBurns;TheDeathof IrisCrowebyBlaineAdams, ScienceHillHighSchool, Teacher:SethGrindstaff;VastDistancesbyAva Garrett,TennesseeHigh School,Teacher:AmberDavis.
TheYoungPlaywrights Festivalisanannualevent
thatcultivatesandcelebratesthetalentofhigh schoolstudents.ThepurposeofthisFestivalistoencouragethedevelopmentof students'writingskillsand creativity,withtheadded benefitofdiscoveringtalentedplaywrightsinourregion. TeachersaretaughtplaywritingbyToddRistau, professionalplaywrightand directorofthePlaywright’s LabatHollinsUniversity.Teacherstheninstruct theirstudents,whohavea 7-weekperiodtocreatetheir originalworks,whichare
thensubmittedtoBarter. Everystudent’splaygetsindividualizedcommentsand feedbackfromBarterprofessionals.Thethreewinning playsarelightlystagedat BarterTheatrebyprofessionalactors,andthehonorablementionplaysare givenareading.Writersof thetopthreeplaysreceive cashprizesandamentoringsessionwithaBarter professional,whichallows thestudentstohavevaluableone-on-onetimewith expertsinthefieldoftheatre andplaywriting.
improvingindividuallivesbutalso buildingaskilledworkforce.Weare excitedtowatchthesegraduates thriveastheyembarkontheirnext chapter.”
Thisisthesecondcohortofweldingstudentstograduatefromthe program.Atotalof12graduates havecompletedtheprogram.Oneof thesegraduateswaseligibleforan earlyreleasefromBlandCorrectionalCenter,andMr.DevinAllison, WCCWeldingInstructor,worked withthisgraduatetoreceivehiscertificationsbeforetheearlyrelease date.
WCCandBlandCorrectionalCen-
tercollaboratedwithotheragencies toassistwithpostreleaseneedsto includecommunicatingwithsecond chanceemployers,providingfundingforcontinuingeducation,and purchasingneededitemsforstudentstousewhenintheworkforce.
Oneofthegraduatessaid,"We weretreatedlikecollegestudents, notjustinmates.”Anothergraduate thankedtheWCCrepresentatives fortheopportunity,andsaid,"this isanopportunitythatIdidn’thave before.Icannowfurthermyeducationandhavecareeropportunities.”
Ms.AshbyTaylor-PerkinsisWCC’s CoordinatorofHigherEducationin
PrisonPrograms."Iamincredibly proudofourrecentgraduates,who havedemonstratedexceptionalskill anddeterminationthroughouttheir training,andIhavenodoubtthey willexcelintheircareers.Asthey continuetheirjourneyintheweldingfield,Iwishthemallthebest ofluckandsuccess,”saidPerkins. "Weplantocontinuethewelding programattheprisonandarecurrentlyworkingtoaddanadditional courseinPrecisionMeasuringat thefacility,”Perkinscontinued. ForinformationaboutWCC’sPrisonPrograms,contactMs.TaylorPerkinsat(276)223-4796.
NostalgicVirginiansareharvestingmemoriesasiconicchestnut treesmakeacomebackfromnear extinction.
Chestnuttreesonceblanketed AmericanforestsfromNewEngland toMississippi,andtheirediblenuts providedfoodforNativeAmericans, pioneersandwildlife.Earlyinthe 20thcentury,ablightdestroyed millionsoftrees.
Now,severaldisease-resistant chestnuthybridsarebeingraised acrossthecountry.
Multiplevarietiesoftreenutswere cultivatedon301acresintheOld Dominionin2022,accordingtothe latestCensusofAgriculture.The largestshareofthatharvestwas chestnuts,producedon133acres.
Thisfall,multipleorchardsacross thestatewelcomedcustomersto
picktheirownchestnutsthrough lateOctober.
Aftermorethanadecadeofsuccessfulonlineandfarmersmarket sales,KimandDavidBryantknew thatfresh,localchestnutswerein highdemand.Theyownandoperate VirginiaChestnutsLLCinNelson County,wheretheirfirsttreeswere plantedin2009.Fifteenyearslater, they’reshippingchestnutsnationwideandinvitingvisitorstopick theirown.
"Wedidn'tknowifanybodywould drivetowhereweare,”Kimsaid. "AndnowmorethanhalfofourcustomersarecomingfromtheNorthernVirginiaarea,fromRichmond. Wehadtwodifferentfamiliescome fromRaleigh,NorthCarolina,to pickchestnuts.”
Althoughit’stoolatetopickchest-
nutsthisyearattheBryants’farm, youcanorderonlineandhavethem shippedintimefortheholidays.
InnearbyRockinghamCounty, DanielJeffersonandhisfamilyhave beenraisingchestnutssince2014. LiketheBryants,theJeffersonsbeganofferingapick-your-ownoption in2022asanexperimentatEast RockinghamChestnuts.
"Wedidn'tknowifpeoplewere goingtocomeandpickchestnuts,” Jeffersonsaid."Thefirstyearwegot aprettygoodresponse.Andthen lastyear,eventhoughwedidn'tget asmanychestnuts,wegotanoverwhelmingresponseforpick-yourown.”
Thisyear’scrophasbeenbountiful,headded.Sobountifulthatthey arenowsoldoutofchestnutsfor theseason.
Bothgrowersagreethatpickyour-ownchestnutshavebeenespeciallypopularwithcustomers fromculturalbackgroundswhere chestnutsareadietarystaple.
"WhatIlikeaboutthisiswehave learnedsomuchaboutpeoplethat havemigratedtothiscountry,”Kim said."Andtheywanttotellustheir storiesaboutwhatbroughtthem here,thentheirmemoriesofchestnutsandtheirhomecountries.And sothat’sbeenthebiggestjoyfor me.Anditwastotallynotwhatwe thoughtthebusinessmodelwas goingtobe—soit’sjustbeenawonderfulsurprise!”
LearnmoreaboutVirginia-grown chestnutsonanepisodeofVirginia FarmBureauFederation’sRealVirginiaatbit.ly/realvachestnuts.
Gov.GlennYoungkinannounced thepre-proposalandapplication datesforthenextroundofVirginiaFoodAccessInvestmentFund (VFAIF)programgrants.AdministeredbytheVirginiaDepartmentof AgricultureandConsumerServices (VDACS),theVFAIFprogramsupportslocalfoodsystemsbyinvestinginneworexpandingfoodretailersthataddressfreshfoodaccess issuesintheCommonwealth.
Thepre-proposalperiod,fromDec. 1throughDec.31,allowsinterested applicantstosubmitproposalsto ensuremandatoryrequirementsare metandtoaskquestions.Theapplicationperiodforbothprograms willbeginonFeb.3,2025,andend
onFeb.28,2025.Grantawardswill beannouncedinthespring2025.
"Improvingfoodaccessandbuildingpartnershipswithcommunity foodorganizationsandprivateindustryisaninnovativeapproachto increasingaccesstonutritiousfood andeliminatinghungerinurban andruralVirginia,”saidYoungkin. "Inadditiontoincreasingmarket opportunitiesforourfarmers,focusedexpansionoftheVFAIFprogramhelpsustoincentivizeeconomicdevelopment,supportVirginiafarmers,andcreatejobsinthe Commonwealth.”
TheVFAIFprogramprovides grantsfrom$10,000upto$50,000, tosupportbusinessdevelopment,
construction,rehabilitation,equipmentupgrades,orexpansion.Eligiblegrantrecipientsincludegrocerystores,smallfoodretailers, andinnovativefoodretailprojects inlow-incomecommunitiesthatexperiencelowaccesstofreshfood. VDACSisencouragingsubmissions fromeligibleprojectsfromcommunitiesimpactedbyHurricaneHelene,orotherrecentnaturaldisasters.
Fortheupcomingfundinground, VDACSisexpandingtheVFAIFprogramtoincludealarge-scaleretailercategory,competingforgrant awardsof$100,000upto$250,000. Large-scaleretailergrantsareonly availableforgrocerystores,exceed-
ing15,000sq.ft.,thatarelocatedin underservedcommunitiesandmeet publishedprogramguidelines,includingarequirementforaccepting expendituresofbenefitsprovided underthesupplementalnutrition assistanceprogramandparticipatinginaprogramthatmatchesor supplementsthesebenefits,suchas VirginiaFreshMatch.
Toaccessadditionalinformation oneitherVFAIFprogram,pleasevisitwww.vdacs.virginia.gov/marketing-food-access-investment-fund. shtml.Programapplicationsare alsoavailableontheVFAIFwebsite. Interestedapplicantsshouldvisit theVFAIFwebsiteoftenforprogram updatesandapplicationworkshops.
bTheVirginiaDepartmentofConservationandRecreation’sNutrient ManagementProgramwilloffera two-partagriculturenutrientmanagementtrainingschoolinJanuary. Theschoolisforanyoneinterested inlearningaboutthedevelopmentof agriculturalnutrientmanagement plansorhowtobecomeacertified
nutrientmanagementplanwriter. Thefirstsession,Jan.9-10, 2025,isalectureseriesbyVirginia Techprofessorsonsoilscience,soil fertilityandcropproduction.The two-daysoilsandcroplectureserieswillbehostedthroughMicrosoftTeams. Thesecondsession,Jan.14-16,
2025,willcovernutrientmanagementplanwritingusingacasestudyfarm.Thethree-dayplan writingtrainingwillbein-personat BrightpointCommunityCollegein Midlothian,Virginia.
Eachdaywillrunfrom9a.m.until4:30p.m.Registrationis$150for eachsessionwithadeadlineofDec.
30.Registrationisavailableonline atwww.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-andwater/nmtrain. Nutrientmanagementcontinues tobeanimportantfactorinafarmer’sdecision-makingprocesswhen consideringapplicationofmaterials tosupplynutrientstocropsand forages.
