CollinO’Donnellhasmaintained hislifelongheroinhisgrandfather,PurpleHeartrecipient JohnathanPusateri,whoserved withthe14thInfantryDivisionin GermanyduringWorldWarII. Itwasalmostinevitablethat
FourWytheCountyschoolswereamongthe92 statewidetoearntheBoardofEducationHighest AchievementAward.
Theboardofeducationrecentlyrecognized141 schoolsforhighachievementwith92earningthe highestawardandanother49earningthecontinuousimprovementaward.
TheHighestAchievementAwardisbasedon performanceduringthe2023-2024schoolyear andtheContinuousImprovementAwarduses
O’Donnellwouldenlist formilitarydutyimmediatelyafterhigh schoolgraduation.
WhiledeployedinAfghanistan,acleanup fromabridgeexplosion landedO’Donnellin variousmedicalunits aroundtheworld,includingatwo-yearstint atWalterReedMilitaryMedicalCenterin Washington,DC,where heunderwentmultiple surgeriestosavehis legandfootfromamputationafterbeingexposedtoalethalcocktailofinfection.
"Iwasinvitedtothe WhiteHousebythenPresidentObamatoreceivethePresidential CalltoServiceAward whereImadetherash decisiontoaskthe Commander-in-Chief, infrontofaroomfull ofhigh-rankingofficials,ifhewantedto shareabeerwithme formyupcoming21stbirthday,”O’Donnell recalled."Thatevening,Ireceivedacall fromtheWhiteHouse topreparemyselffora presidentialvisit.Soon after,sixbottlesof ‘homemade’presidentialWhiteHousebeer arrivedatmyhospital roomwithaninvitationtoreturntothe WhiteHouseandenjoy aconcert.”
O’Donnell’sothermilitaryawardsincludethe AfghanistanCampaign Medal,ArmyCommendationMedal,Global WaronTerrorMedal, andtheGoodConduct Medal.Healsoreceived nationalrecognitionfor hismilitaryfootballcareerwiththeLockheed
Militaryservicetocoffeeservice
MartinArmedForces MeritAward.O’Donnell wasalsobestowedthe RichmondTouchdown ClubManoftheYear Award,spanningall Virginiacollegefootball programs.
Withadesiretocontinueplayingcollege football,O’Donnellacceptedanofferfrom BluefieldUniversityin 2017,whichtookhim farawayfromhisnativeUpstateNewYork, bringinghimtoSouthwestVirginia.
Hispopularfranchise,TheGrindcoffeeshop,whichhas gracedWytheville’s MainStreetsincethe pandemic,aswellas inBluefield,wasborn outofhisweariness oftoomanyboring5 a.m.cupsofblackcoffeefromdifferentlocal baristasduringcollege. Hesimplywanteda bettercupofcoffee.
Jugglingschool, maintaininghisgrades, andplayingfootball, fewthoughtO’Donnell couldthrowcoffee
shopownerandoperatorintothemix,buthe provedeveryonewrong.
"Forthefirst98days, weworked19-hour days,”hereflected. "Lookingback,even Idon’tknowhowwe wereabletopullitoff, butwedidit.”
"Therearemanyaspectsinrunningyour ownbusinesssuccessfully,”O’Donnellsays, "thatIhaveadapted frommystructured militarycareer.”
Firstly,henotedthat freedomcomeswitha price,whichisnotonly paidbythoseserving inthearmedforces.
"Weallmustsacrifice forthefreedomsweenjoy,”O’Donnellpointed out."Wehavebillsto pay,peopletoserve, productstoproduce, andifwewantsomethingniceroraproductthatwillhelpus enjoyourfreedommore comfortablyorenjoyably,wemustsacrifice somethingforit.”
Hesayshebecame enamoredwithDown-
townWytheville’sidealsofsupportinglocal businessbyhostinglocalevents,andthought thatexpandingThe Grindinalocationthat woulddrawtrafficfrom Interstates77and81 wouldbeano-brainer. O’Donnell’spartnershipwithDowntown Wytheville’sExecutive DirectorToddWolford broughtTheGrindits keysuccess.
O’DonnellisconfidentthatTheGrind willsoonbeanational exampleofsmall-town businesstriumph.
Ofcourse,Collinnow staysbusyrunningPi-
lotFlyingJinWythe County,whilehisfiancéeTaylorhandlesthe day-to-dayoperations ofthecoffeeshop.They alsoownafoodtruck aswellasalocalAirbnb.Muchoftheproceedsfromtheirvariousenterprisingefforts gotowardtheirprimarycharity.TheWarrior RideFoundationsends severelywoundedsoldierstoamountainous resortinColoradofor peacefulrespite.
"Nomatterwhatwe do,wetakeeverything wehaveandpayitforwardasmuchasis physicallypossible,”
O’Donnellasserted. "OurgratitudeforWythevillerunsdeep,and ourdesiretogrowhere isunmatched.”
"Iwanttothankall thoseIservedwithin myunit,aswellasat WalterReed,myfamilyandfriends,andthe greatcitizensofWytheville,Bluefield,and SouthwestVirginiafor theircontinuedsupportofallthatwedo,” headdedinclosing. "Wearealwayshumbledbyyoursupport andgenerosity.You makeusbetter,andwe strivetogrowcontinuouslyalongsideyou.”
TheInnatFosterFalls, aniconicstructurelocatedwithintheheartofNew RiverTrailStatePark,has beenhonoredwitha2024 VirginiaHistoricPreservationAward.
PreservationVirginia presentstheawardsannuallytorecognizeexemplary historicpreservationprojectsandhistoricalresearch intheCommonwealth.
"Thisrecognitionreflects ourcommitmenttopreservingVirginia’srichhistory whileensuringthathistoric siteslikeFosterFallsremainaccessibleforfuture generations,”saidVirginia StateParksDirectorDr. MelissaBaker."Byrestoringtheinn,wenotonly
celebratethepastbutalso createnewopportunitiesfor visitorstoengagewiththe beautyandheritageofour stateparks."
Thefull-serviceinn,the firstofitskindwithinthe VirginiaStateParkssystem,offers10unique roomsforovernightguests, statelybanquetandmeetingrooms,acateringkitchenandbeautifultwo-story
porches.
Originallybuiltinthe late19thcentury,theinn openedin1888astheFosterFallsHotel.Overthe next30years,itservedthe communityasapostoffice, meetinghall,commissary andboardinghousebefore beingconvertedintoanindustrialschoolin1919and thenachildren’shomein 1938.
Thebuildingwasabandonedin1962andsatvacantuntiltheVirginiaDepartmentofConservation andRecreationtookownershipofitaspartofan acquisitionthatwouldbecomeNewRiverTrailState Park.
In2013,DCR’sPlanning
Rankings
2023-2024andprior schoolyears.
MaxMeadowsand RuralRetreatelementaryschoolsandFort ChiswellandRuralRetreathighschoolswere awardedtheHighest AchievementAward.
"TheBoardisthrilled torecognizeandcelebratethe141schools whohaveearnedthis year’stopachievement,”saidBoard ofEducationPresidentGraceTurner Creasey."Weapplaud theircommitmentto excellenceandhighqualityeducation.Congratulationstoallthe Virginiaeducators, parents,andcommunitiessupportingthese schoolsinachievingat thehighestlevel.”
"Beingrecognizedin theExemplarSchool RecognitionProgram
isadirectreflectionof aschool'scommitment tohighperformance andincreasingexcellence,"saidSuperintendentofPublicInstructionLisaCoons."I amproudofeachofthe 141schoolsthathave beenrecognizedtoday, 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 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.
•AchieveatLevel OneintheChronicAbsenteeism,Graduation andCompletionIndex (GCI),andDropout Rateschoolqualityindicators.
andRecreationResources Departmentstartedthe renovationprocess,aprojectthatrequiredspecialized contractorsbecauseofits historicnature.
Fortheexterior,PRR usedvintagephotostorecreatetheoriginalroofline andtwo-storyporches. Theinteriorwasafull-gut renovation,butafewofthe originalcomponentswere saved,includinganoriginal staircaseandafewwalls oftongue-and-groovewainscotingonthefirstfloor.
Workingfireplaceslook astheydidin1888,and antiqueandreproduction furnishingsallowformodernconveniencessuchas queen-andking-sizebeds,
mini-fridges,microwaveovensandtelevisions.
"Wearedeeplyhonored toreceivethisrecognition,” saidPRRDirectorKellyMcClary."TheInnatFoster Fallsismorethanjusta building—it’sawindowinto Virginia’sindustrialpast andatestamenttoDCR's effortstopreservethathistory.Thisawardacknowledgesthehardworkof manydedicatedindividuals whoensuredthatitslegacy endures."
TheInnatFosterFallsis managedandoperatedby NewRiverRetreat,LLC.For moreinformationortobook aroom,visitstayinnfosterfalls.comorcall276-5955905.
MotoristsheadingintoNorthCarolinawereinforalongwaitinWythe CountyasThanksgivingEvetraffic backedupontheInterstate81and 77overlapWednesdayevening.
Officialssaidtheculpritforthe backupwasavehiclefirenearmile marker26onI-77southbound. NorthboundI-81wasbackedup throughmilemarker73.Secondary routesalsoexperienceddelays,officialssaid.
Earlier,Wytheofficialsurgedresidentsandtravelerstopreparefor significanttrafficincreasesthrough theendoftheThanksgivingweekend,explainingthattheintersection ofI-77andI-81serveasamajorhub forregionalandnationaltravel.The threatofheavierthanusualtraffic loomsastheroadsarealsoservingasdetoursfromstorm-damaged highwaysinwesternNorthCarolina.
Travelersareencouragedtoplan alternateroutes,allowextratimefor theirjourneys,andbepreparedfor potentialdelays.
"Ourcountyservesasacrossroadsforthousandsofholidaytravelers.Thisisalwaysoneofourbusiestweekends,”saidChuckParnell, DirectorofEmergencyServicesfor WytheCounty."Withtheadditional detourtrafficfromNorthCarolina, we’reaskingeveryonetoremain patient,drivecautiously,andplan aheadforlongertraveltimes.”
Inanticipationoftheincreased traffic,WytheCounty’sDepartment ofEmergencyServiceshasbolstered staffingfortheholidayweekendto assistwiththeinfluxoftravelers. Residentsplanningtostaylocalfor theholidayareencouragedtoutilize secondaryroadssuchasLeeHighwayandChapmanRoad.
CongressmanMorganGriffithvolunteeredforthe2024 FoodCity–United WayCelebrityBagging Event,visitingtheWythevilleFoodCityat 155WLeeHwy,one ofmanyparticipating FoodCitylocations, andbaggedgroceries forlocalcustomers.
"Thispartnershipbe-
tweenFoodCityand UnitedWaydemonstratesthefantastic charityandgenerositytowardslocalcommunitiesintheNinth District,”saidGriffith. "Iamhumbledtobe apartofthemany volunteerswhobag groceriesatFoodCity andhighlightthegreat charityworktheydo
fortheregion.
"IwishallinWythevilleandacrossthe NinthDistrictahappy Thanksgiving!”
GriffithhasvolunteeredforCelebrity Baggingonseveraloccasions.Lastyear,he baggedgroceriesat theFoodCityinWeber City.
AWytheCounty womanisjailedatthe NewRiverValleyRegionalJail,facinga first-degreemurder chargeafteraNov.17 attack.
Accordingtothe
WytheCountySheriff’s Office,deputies,assistedbythePulaskiPolice DepartmentandPulaskiCountySheriff’sOffice,arrestedSavannah ReneeAdamstheday aftertheattackthat
sentanotherwomanto thehospital,suffering burnwounds.
Thatsameday,on Nov.18,thewoman, TiffanyNicholeDunford,diedfromher wounds.
Theholidayseasonisuponus,andmanyofusare eagertodeckthehallsand trimthetree.Butforpet owners,thefestiveseason canalsobringsomeunique challenges.Asweprepareto bringaChristmastreeinto ourhomes,it'sessentialto considerthesafetyofour furryfriends.
AccordingtotheAmerican SocietyforthePreventionof CrueltytoAnimals(ASPCA), Christmastreesanddecorationscanposeasignificant threattopets.Fromelectricalshockandpoisoningto obstructionandentangle-
ment,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.Usecordprotectorsorconcealcordswith tapeoracordorganizer.
Toxicplants:SomeChristmasplants,likepoinsettias andmistletoe,aretoxicto pets.Keepthemoutofreach orchoosepet-friendlyalternatives.
Supervise:Keepaneyeon yourpetswhenthey'renear thetreetopreventanyaccidents.
TheWytheCountySheriff'sOfficerecently unveiledanewdesignforitspatrolcars.
Thedesign,whichfeaturesaprominent Americanflag,isdedicatedtohonoringthe braveryandsacrificeofourpatriotsand veterans.
Itservesasasymbolofgratitudetothose whohaveservedourcountryandareminderofthefreedomstheyhelpedprotect.
TheSheriff’sOfficesaidthehopeisthat thisnewdesignnotonlyshowsourrespect forourveteransbutalsostrengthensthe bondbetweenthecommunityandthose whoworkeverydaytokeepitsafe.
Beonthelookoutforthesevehicles aroundWytheCounty,andfeelfreetostop byandseethenewdesignupclose!
Pet-proofthetree:Considerusingababygateorpet gatetoblockaccesstothe treewhenyou'renotsupervising.
Providealternativestimulation:Keepyourpetsoccupiedwithpuzzletoys,treats, andplaytimetodistract themfromthetree. Byfollowingthesesimple tips,youcancreateasafe andenjoyableholidayseasonforyourpets.Remember,it'salwaysbetterto erronthesideofcaution whenitcomestoyourfurry friends.
GeorgeWytheandRural Retreatwerebothrepresentedonthe2024Class1 All-Statevolleyballsecond team.
SeniorsHannahRepass ofGeorgeWytheandTayln
MooreofRuralRetreatwere eachselectedforsecondteamhonors. TheVirginiaHighSchool Leaguenameditsall-state teamsthisweek,picking GilesjuniorSophieTaylor 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 statesemifinallosstoAuburn.
Volleyball
Auburnheadcoach SherryMillironswas namedtheClass1 CoachoftheYear.
MillironsguidedAuburntoa29-2record anditssixthstraight Class1championshipandninthoverall.Millironsledthe EaglestotheClass1 statevolleyballtitle witha3-0(25-10,25-
10,25-16)winover Rappahannockinthe statefinals.Millirons hasguidedtheEagles programsince1995 andwon538matches, thethird-mostwinsin VHSLhistory.Along withherninechampionshipsoverthepast 13seasons(2012-14, 2019-24),theEagles wererunners-upin 2015.
Theall-statevolleyballteamconsistsof ninepositionplayers andonelibero.Only thoseplayersselected totheall-regionfirstteamareeligibleforselectiontotheallstateteam.Theallstateselectioncommitteecompriseseight coaches,withtwofrom eachregion.
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-
EmmaFaulknerofGeorgeWythe HighSchooldeliveredanimpressive performanceattheClass1State CrossCountryChampionshipson Saturday,claimingtherunner-up spotinahighlycompetitiveraceat VirginiaTech.Faulknerrecordeda timeof20:05.30,narrowlyedged outbyEastside'sShelbyStanley (19:58.00)inatightbattleforthe statetitle.
Thecompetitionforthegirlsteam championshipwasequallyintense, comingdowntojustfivepointsand araretie-breakerscenario.Auburn HighSchoolcapturedthestatetitle with89points,whileMathewsand GeorgeWythebothfinishedwith 94points.Mathewssecuredsecond placebyvirtueoftheirsixthrunnerfinishinghigher,comparedto GeorgeWythe’ssixth,inteamscor-
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.
ing.
Faulkner’ssecond-placefinishled theGeorgeWytheteam,followed byCarrieSageDalton,whoplaced 16thwithatimeof22:03.20.SophiaMcCroskeycrossedthelinein 35that23:50.30,whileAlanaMalavoltifinished39thin24:13.30.MaggieSimonsroundedoutthetopfive witha47th-placefinishin24:26.30. Additionalteammembersincluded AllisonSchmidt,whoplaced83rd in29:15.90,andJadelynFaulkner, whocompletedtheracein88thwith atimeof30:06.20.
Despitenarrowlymissingthe runner-upspotintheteamstandings,GeorgeWythe’sthird-placefinishcappedoffasuccessfulseason. Theirstrongshowingatthestate meethighlightstheteam’sdepth anddetermination,settingthestage forcontinuedsuccessinfuturecompetitions.
Nov.8toDec.22
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
VeteranBarterTheatreactorJohnHardy isbringinghisone-
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.
manadaptationofA ChristmasCaroltothe MillwaldTheatrein WythevilleonSaturday,Dec.21,at7:30
p.m. Thisone-of-a-kind performanceofthe CharlesDickensholidayclassicshowcases
Hardy’sversatilityas anactor.Heportrays 43charactersinone riveting70-minute show.
"Iamnotre-telling thestory,”HardyassertedinaNov.19 phoneinterview."Iam lettingthecharacters livethroughme,from momenttomoment.” Thephenomenalfeat ofportrayingsomany
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
DuringtheNov.12meetingofWythevilleTownCouncil,amutualseparationagreement,effectiveimmediately,was reachedbetweenthegoverningbodyand WythevilleTownManagerT.BrianFreeman.
FreemanbecameTownManageron June1,2021.Hehadbeenamemberof TownofWythevillestaffsince2008,havingheldthepositionsofGIS/911Coordinator,AssistantDirectorofPlanning& Development,DirectorofOperations,and AssistantTownManagerandDirectorof Planning.
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.
JasonFowlerofWytheCountyCommunityHospitalwasrecentlyhonored withTheDAISYAwardForExtraordinary Nurses.TheawardispartoftheDAISY Foundation'sprogramstorecognizethe super-humaneffortsnursesperformevery day.
FowlergraduatedwithhisADNfrom WCCin2018,startingatBRMCuntilValentine’sDayof2019whenIcamehome toWytheCountyCommunityHospital. HeandChelseyhave4-year-oldtwingirls MaggieandLexieandtwofour-leggedchildren,HarleighandHenry.
Thankyou,Jason,foryourabilityto easetheheartsandmindsofourpatients astheywalkthroughourdoors.CongratulationsonwinningtheDAISYAward andthankyouforyourcontinuedsupport ofourmissiontomakeourcommunities healthier!
Thenot-for-profitDAISYFoundationis basedinGlenEllen,California,andwas establishedbyfamilymembersinmemory ofJ.PatrickBarnes.Barnesdiedatthe ageof33inlate1999fromcomplications ofIdiopathicThrombocytopenicPurpura (ITP),alittleknownbutnotuncommon auto-immunedisease.ThecareBarnes andhisfamilyreceivedfromnurseswhile hewasillinspiredthisuniquemeansof thankingnursesformakingaprofound differenceinthelivesoftheirpatientsand patientfamilies.
SaidBonnieBarnes,FAAN,CEOand Co-FounderofTheDAISYFoundation, "WhenPatrickwascriticallyill,ourfamilyexperiencedfirst-handtheremarkable skillandcarenursesprovidepatientseverydayandnight.Yettheseunsungheroesareseldomrecognizedforthesuperhumanworktheydo.Thekindofwork thenursesatWytheCountyCommunity HospitalarecalledontodoeverydayepitomizesthepurposeofTheDAISYAward.”
Atkinswinsre-election
HollyAtkinswonherbidforre-election inthetownofWytheville,claimingoneof thetwoseatsupforgrabsin2,487votes. JosephHandJr.isalsoreturningtocouncilafterreceiving1,751votes.JimCohen received1,017votes.
It’sthattimeofyearforShopWithaCop. OfficersanddetectivesattheWythevillePoliceDepartmentraised$2,100 todonatetotheWytheCountySheriff’sOfficeShopWithaCopevent. Themoneyraisedwasbyofficers'donationssotheycouldgrowabeard forouryearroundNoShavecampaign.
Picturedlefttoright:OfficerRobertDoyle,OfficerJohnOglesby,Sergeant BrandonSmith,ChiefDeputyAnthonyCline,andSheriffCharlesFoster.
ThebrassquintetfromtheRoanoke SymphonyOrchestra returnstotheMillwald TheatreinWytheville onSaturday,Dec.14, at7:30p.m.fortheir
"HolidayBrass”concert.Afterasuccessful andwell-attendedperformancelastyear,the groupisexcitedtoreturntoWythevillethis Christmasseason.
"Wehadagreattime,” recalledtrombonist JayCrone,whoisalso amusicprofessorat VirginiaTech."Wehad afriendlycrowd,and peopleseemedtoenjoy it.”
Heclarifiedthatthe brassquintetwillconsistofapairoftrumpets,atrombone,a Frenchhornanda tuba.
"Iwoulddescribethe concertasamixture ofsacredandsecular holidaymusic,”Crone explainedduringa Nov.22phoneinterview."Wewillalsohave somelightclassical piecesandsomepop selections.”
AnativeofCalifornia, CronecametoBlacksburgtoworkwiththe MarchingVirginians in1994,happilycallingVirginiaTechand Blacksburghishome eversince.Fromthen until2008,heserved asasubstitutetrombonistfortheRoanoke SymphonyOrchestrabeforegainingthe full-timepositionasa contractplayersixteen yearsago.
"Ourconcertwillbe reminiscentofsomethingyouwouldhear fromtheBostonPops
ortheNewYorkPhilharmoniconNew Year’sEve,”headded. "Wewillperformasuite ofpiecesbyarecently rediscoveredAfrican composerwholivedin Parisduringtheeighteenthcentury.”
AlongwithmoretraditionalChristmascarols,Cronepromised morecontemporary holidayfavorites suchas"Frosty theSnowman,” LeroyAnderson’s"Sleigh Ride,”andeven anarrangement ofLeonardCohen’s"Hallelujah.”
"It’sawonderfulmixture,” heassured. "There’ssomethingforeveryone.”
"Wewillhave theentiresound effectexperience,”Crone addedregarding "SleighRide.” "Wearegoing tohavebells, andsomeoneis evenbringinga whip.”
EarlierinNovember,fifthgradestudents acrossthe countyenjoyed amusiclesson attheMillwald
Theatretaughtbytwo membersoftheRoanokeSymphonyOrchestra.
JayCronehadneverheardofVirginia Techuntilamentor connectedhimwith astudentwhowasa memberoftheschool’s faculty.Heappliedfor ajobteachingmarchingbandstudentsthe lowerbrassinstruments.Sincethen,he hasusedhismusical talentstobotheducate studentsandentertain audiencesfromacross theregionforover threedecades.
"IcallBlacksburg myhome,”henoted
"It’sabigmission oftheRoanokeSymphonyOrchestratoassistthemusicteachers intheregionwhoare workingeverydayto enhancemusicaleducationbyparticipating incommunityoutreach programs,”Cronesaid. "VirginiaTechdoesa lotofthatsortofthing aswell.”
proudly."Iflewout hereforaninterview, andtherestishistory.”
Cronehasbeena musiciansinceelementaryschoolafter learningpianofrom hismother.Sheand hisfatherwereDutch immigrantsfromthe Netherlands.
"Onherpilgrimage toAmerica,”herecollected,"mymotherinsistedonbringingher pianowithher.”
"Ilovedtopractice,” heremembered."The keytobeingamusicianisenjoyingthe practice.Ifyoudon’t liketopractice,you needtofindanother
lineofwork.” Croneprovidedmore insightintothegroup withwhomhewillplay attheMillwaldTheatre justfourdaysbefore Christmas.
"Thetrumpetersare fromNorthCarolina andMaryland,”heexplained."OurFrench hornplayercomes fromGreensboro, NorthCarolina.”
Cronehasaspecial connectiontothetuba player.
"Heisactuallyaformerstudentofmine,” hestatedproudly."He isanativeofChris-
TheVirginiaDepartmentofEducationannouncedtheawarding of$12millioninSchool SecurityEquipment Grantsto96school divisionsand472 schoolstohelpprotect students,facultyand staff,andvisitors.
"Theequipment purchasedwiththese grantswillhelpen-
surethesafetyofall studentsandstaffin Virginia’spublic schools,”saidSuperintendentofPublicInstructionLisaCoons. "Everychilddeservesa high-qualityeducation experience,onewhere theycandeeplyfocus onlearningandgrowingtheminutetheystep ontoaschoolbusor
WytheCountyCommunityHospitalreceivedan"A”HospitalSafety GradefromTheLeapfrogGroup. Thisnationaldistinctioncelebrates WCCH’sachievementsinprotecting hospitalpatientsfrompreventable harmanderrors.
"Weareverypleasedwiththishigh mark,whichplacesWytheCounty CommunityHospitalamongthetop
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 onacompetitiveba-
tierofhospitalsacrossthecountry whenitcomestopatientsafety,” saidVickiParks,WCCHCEO."I wouldliketoextendmypersonal
RSO
tiansburg,whonowlivesinChicago, whereheteachesandfreelances.”
HewillreturntohisnativeSouthwest Virginiatovisithismotherandperformin thisgroupofconcerts.Thecurrenttourfor theRoanokeSymphonyOrchestrabrass quintetincludesstopsinCaveSpringand Blacksburg,aswellasWytheville.
"It’sarealtreatforustoplayinWythevilleagain,”heremarked."TheMillwald staffwasterrific,andeveryonetreatedus reallywell.”
HavingplayedseveralconcertsinWythevillethroughouthiscareer,Crone promisesagreatshow.
"Itshouldbefun,”hesaidinclosing. "It’sawonderfulgroupofverytalented people.”
Forticketstotheshow,visithttps:// ci.ovationtix.com/36798/pr/1214869/ pe/11530321orcalltheMillwaldTheatre boxofficeat276-284-2958.Doorsopenat 6:30p.m.,withtheshowstartingat7:30 p.m.Ticketpricesare$30.20and$40.40.
sis,witheachawarded schooldivisionseligible toreceivegrantawards upto$250,000.
The472schoolswere awardedfundsbased onarankorderingof applications’pointtotal onthecompetitiveapplicationcriteria.
WytheCountyreceived$23,944for FortChiswellHigh,
FortChiswellMiddle, GeorgeWytheHigh, JacksonMemorialElementary,MaxMeadowsElementary,Rural RetreatElementary, RuralRetreatHigh, RuralRetreatMiddle, ScottMemorialMiddle, SheffeyElementary, SpeedwellElementary andSpillerElementary schools.
gratitudetoeverymemberofour teamfromournurses,clinicaland ancillarystafftoourphysiciansand boardmembersfortheirongoing commitmenttoqualitycareandpatientsafety.”
TheLeapfrogGroupisanindependentwatchdogorganization.
ThepediatricteamatWythePhysician Practicesisinplaceandreadytoprovide everythingfromback-to-schoolcheckups andvaccinationstosportsphysicalsand careforseriousinjuries.
WythePhysicianPractices–Pediatrics offershealthcareforchildrenfrombirth throughadolescence,providingwell-child visits,developmentalscreenings,hearing andvisionscreenings,same-dayvisitsfor illnesses,24-houraccesstohealthadvice, parentaleducationandsupportandcare coordinationwithpediatricspecialistsif andwhenneeded.
OntheWythePhysicianPractices–PediatricsteamisDr.MatthewAneyand nursepractitionersKaseyStamperand TessChaney.
Aney,apediatricspecialistwithmore than30yearsexperiencecaringforchildren,earnedhismedicaldegreefromUniversidadAutonomadeGuadalajaraand hasbeenprovidingexceptionalcaresince 1986.
Stamperisaboard-certifiedFamily NursePractitionerwhobeganhercareerin alevel1traumacenter.Shecompletedher bachelorofscienceinnursingatKingUniversityandearnedamasterofsciencein nursingatWaldenUniversity,specializing indermatology.Awifeandmotheroffour, Stamperisfocusedonprovidingholistic caretothecommunity.
Chaneyisaboard-certifiedFamilyNurse Practitionerandacertifiedlactationconsultant.Shebeganhernursingcareerin obstetricsandalsograduatedwithabachelor’sdegreeinnursingfromKingUniversity.Shegraduatedwithamaster’sdegree innursingfromKingin2014.Themother ofsevenchildren,Chaneyenjoystraveling, golfandspendingtimewithherhusband andkids.
Avisittothepediatricianisanimportant partofhealthcareforchildren. Bringallnecessarydocuments,making suretohaveyourhealthinsuranceinformation,includinginsurancecards,photo identificationfortheguardians,immunizationrecords,previousmedicalrecords, pharmacycontactinformationandhospitaldocumentssuchasbirthdetailsand dischargepapers.
Also,writedownanyquestions,con-
cernsorobservationsaboutyourchild’s healthtotalkwithmedicalpersonnel.
TheAmericanAcademyofPediatricsrecommendsatotalof12well-childvisitsfor infantsandtoddlers.Thesevisits.Arean importantwaytotrackhealthanddevelopment,withproviderstakingmeasurements,conductingthoroughexamsand answeringanyquestionsandconcerns, alongwithprovidingimmunizationsas needed.
From4to9yearsold,check-upprovideanopportunitytotalkaboutsafety, healthyeating,physicalactivity,school readinessandscreentime.
Children’sbodiesbegintochangeand
charactersinoneproductionisexactlythe kindofchallengethat attractedHardytothe concept.
"Themoreimpossible itseemed,themoreI knewIhadtodoit,”he recalled."Itwasalmost asifDickenswrotethe bookexpectingsomeonetoadaptitinto thiskindofshow.It’s ajourney.Journeys makegreatplaysbecausethey’realways movingforward.”
Hardyhasnowperformedthispopular stageshowmorethan 150timesinthepast decade,earningthe highestcriticalacclaim andaudiencereception alike.
"Myaudiencesrange fromages7to87,”he observed."Theyareall equallyinvolvedinthe story,takingthejourneywithme.”
"TheNewYorknative BarterTheatreactor isthedefinitiveorator fortheDickensclassic,”readareviewof his2023performance attheLincolnTheatre
VeteranBarteractorpresenting
inMarion."Hardytells thestoryjustaswritten,withsharpvigor. Inseventyminutes, whichflewbyasa singlebreath,heheld thecrowdofnearlya hundredenthralledlistenersinsilentawe— fromhisfirstutterance onstage,‘Marleywas dead:tobeginwith,’to hisfinalwords,‘God blessus,everyone.’”
"Ialmostfeellike Ihavenothingtodo withcreatingit,”Hardysaidabouthisown performance."Ifeellike I’minthemiddleofit, andI’mconstantlysurprisedbyit.”
Adownsidetoperformingtheshow, Hardyadmits,isthat hecanneverwatchor thinkaboutanyother adaptationoftheclassicnovella.
"It’slikelythatIwill neverwatchanotherA ChristmasCarolfilm again,”henoted."BecauseIhopetocontinuedoingthisshowas longasIcanwalk.”
Yet,notwoperformancesareidentical.
"WhenIamperform-
ingthisshow,Igetthe actoroutoftheway,” heexplained."Iletthe characterstellmewhat tosaynext.Asaresult, eventhoughthestory isthesame,eachperformancecanbealittle different.”
Thisaspectaddsto thespontaneityofeach show.
"IfIcan’tpredict it,thentheaudience can’tpredictit,”Hardyconcluded."IfI’m surprisedbytheperformance,Iknowthey willbetoo.”
Forthatgift,hegives fullcredittoDickensandhisamazing
Hospital
hormonebegintofluctuatein thepre-teenyearsbetween10 nd12.Healthcareproviderscantalkaboutpuberty, screentime,physicalactivityandtherisingrisksof depressionandeatingdisorders.
Adolescence,thetimebetween13and18,comes withmanyphysical,socialandemotionaldevelopmentsaswellasanincreaseddriveforindependence. Atthispoint,healthcareproviderscandiscusssafety, bodychanges,mentalhealth,stress,substanceabuse andsleep,amongotherthings.
Formoreinformation,visitWythePhysicianPractices.comorcall276-228-2405.
WythePhysicianPractices–Pediatricsislocatedat 590W.RidgeRoad,SuiteJ,Wytheville.
characters,whoremainasrelevanttoday astheywerein1843.
"I’mamazedathow muchofthebookIget intotheplay,”hestated."I’mnotreadingthe story,butsomuchofit comesthroughasI’m lettingthesecharacters liveinthemoment.”
Hardylivesinthefull revelryoftheFezziwig Christmasballandin theinsurmountable griefofBobCratchitas hefacestheimpending lossofTinyTim.
"ThosearethemomentsIjusthaveto takeadeepbreathand lethappen,”hesaidof
thelatter."They’reas hardformeastheyare fortheaudience.”
Hardyhasvisited Wythevillebeforeas theinauguraldirectorofthetouringBarterPlayers.Histripto theMillwaldTheatre willbethefirsttimehe bringshisversionofA ChristmasCaroltothe area.
"Itissuchathrillto beonstageattheMillwald,”hecommented. "Ilovethefactthatit isnowapresenting house.”
Suchvenuesarethe reasonHardywanted todothisshow.
"There’snothing likebringingproductionslikethistoparts ofthestatethatrarely gettoseethesetypes ofshows,”Hardysaid inclosing."Eitherthey can’ttravelorcan’taffordit.Withthisshow, IgettobringAChristmasCaroltoevery nookandcrannyof Virginia.”
Forticketstothis incredibleshow,visit https://ci.ovationtix. com/36798/performance/11530335or calltheMillwaldTheatreboxofficeat276284-2958.Doorsopen at6:30p.m.
