Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Warners dedicate new pavilion at Flag Rock By Margo Oxendine • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Hawks swooped overhead - but not that far over - the Flag Rock outcropping atop Warm Springs Mountain last Friday. Perhaps they were welcoming former Virginia Governor Mark Warner and his wife, Lisa Collis. A new pavilion at the lofty scenic overlook was recently completed by co... More ... Grottoes man innocent of sex crimes BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY — Charles Edward Massie, 50, of Grottoes, was found not guilty June 25 in Highland County District Court of misdemeanor charges of sexual battery and indecent exposure. A jury of two women and five men overturned a Dec. 3, 2008 district court finding of guilty. More ... In Brief . . . Highland Board of Supervisors       • Highland supervisors held their fiscal-year end closeout meeting Wednesday, June 24, and approved changes to the 2008-09 budget after holding a public hearing. More ... Drilling under way at wind plant site County says it needs accurate maps to review utility plans By An e Adams • Staff Writer       MONTEREY — Neighbors near the proposed wind energy utility on Allegheny Mountain became alarmed this week when a large truck with a drilling rig was seen poking holes in several places where turbine towers might go, and a few times, loud blasts were heard. More ... Options considered for rezoning in Monterey BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY — Town officials joined the Highland County Planning Commission and county supervisor David Blanchard June 25 to discuss Kevin Thornsbury's proposal to build a shell building for commercial businesses along U.S. 250, on the eastern border of Monterey. More ... In Brief . . . Town of Monterey       • Council reviewed a draft town sign ordinance. Councilman Francis Fenn said the ordinance should define a sign as the whole structure excluding its support. The sign must be a minimum of 12 inches from an existing sidewalk. More ... In Brief . . . Highland County Planning Commission       • The Highland planning commission met Thursday, June 25 at the Highland Modular Conference Center and set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. More ... Warm, Hot Springs churches hold Bible school       WARM SPRINGS — Warm Springs and Hot Springs Presbyterian churches will conduct Vacation Bible School for children and teens the week of July 13-17, from 5:30-8 p.m. each day at Warm Springs Presbyterian Church. Classes will be held for: Preschoolers, rising first through fourth grade, rising... More ... Bath Relay for Life wanting to update information       HOT SPRINGS — The Relay for Life in Bath County is just around the corner and organizers do not want to leave out any survivor who would like to participate. Those who have at any time been diagnosed with cancer and have not received an invitation to the relay in the past, should contact or... More ... Benefit set to help Kincaid family       WARM SPRINGS — The Bath County community will again step up for one of its own, this time with "An Evening of Inspiration," a benefit for cancer victim Patty Kincaid, on July 11 at the Bath County High School auditorium. More ... Reunion Carpenter family       STAUNTON — On Sunday, June 14, descendants of Joseph Carpenter and his wife, Martha Wiley, held their 19th annual family reunion at Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton. Following the welcome by president Otis Carpenter Jr., Mamie Carpenter Thom said grace and a meal was served. More ... Bolar Ruritans announce essay winners       BOLAR — The Bolar Ruritan Club celebrated the winners of the sixth annual "Old Glory Essay" Contest. Attending were Woodrow Wilson District Zone IV Governor Tim Duff and his wife, Terry, plus 24 guests. More ... Williamsville Presbyterian Church celebrates 150th year       WILLIAMSVILLE — Current and past members, relatives and friends of the congregation of Williamsville Presbyterian Church celebrated the 150th anniversary of use of their classic church building in the heart of the community recently. More ... See Flag Rock on guided hike       WARM SPRINGS — Marek Smith, The Nature Conservancy's Allegheny Highlands Program Director, will lead a hike to the Collis-Warner Overlook at Flag Rock for residents and visitors on July 18. The new pavilion was recently dedicated, but is not open to the public. Take this opportunity for a g... More ... Wedding Shumate — Mullins       MONTEREY — Lele Barbara Shumate and Glendon Thomas Mullins were united in marriage on April 4, 2009, at Word of Faith Church. The double ring ceremony was performed by Pastor Chip Hill. The bride is the daughter of Steve and Pat Shumate of Mc- Dowell. She was escorted by her father and give... More ... Wedding Lindsay —Milton       Cheryl Denise Lindsay and Danny Ray Milton II were united in marriage on April 25, 2009, at Christ United Methodist Church in Covington, by the Rev. Michael Snider. Cheryl is the daughter of Jerry and Sharon Lindsay of Warm Springs. Dan is the son of Danny and Sonya Milton of Covington and Connie... More ... Photos      Clusters of pink wild roses are among the myriad flowers blooming along Bath County roadsides these days. Their tiny blossoms and sweet scent are a delight to behold, but watch out for their thorns! (Recorder photo by Gina Hamilton) More ...      The Alden and Margaret Bird family reunion was held Sunday, June 28 at Ashwood United Methodist Church. From bottom left: Phyllis, Betty, Peggy, Libby, and Polly. From left second row: Danny, Dwight, Richard, Carol, Pete, Mack, Aldene, and Benny. Thirteen out of the fifteen children were present. Jo... More ... Ghastly goings-on aboard Petulant Express A Party of One By Christine Agatha Contributing Writer       THE PETULANT EXPRESS - My dears, I hardly feel as if need to introduce myself. If you read at all, then surely you will recognize my name. I am simply the most famous mystery writer in the world today. I write from Cabin 704 aboard the Petulant Express, the swiftest means of getting from New Yor... More ... Post 92 to honor veterans       HOT SPRINGS —On Thursday, June 18, at the monthly meeting of the Bath County American Legion Post 92, members voted to approve a Veterans Memorial project for Bath County. A committee was formed to find a site and design. The committee members are: J.D. More ... An atypical day at the office A Party of One By Margo Oxendine       While my colleague is on vacation, the boss "encouraged" me to work in the Bath office. I always work at home. My phone seldom rings. It is 11:48 a.m. and, while I have been at it for four hours, I am still wearing pajamas. I have never operated a cash register. Scanners scare me. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       • As we head into the Fourth of July weekend, Douthat State Park has planned all kinds of activities to reflect Independence Day on the Saturday holiday. The lakefront beach will be the activity center for free events between 2-6 p.m. ranging from Sea to Shining Sea sand sculpting, liberty l... More ... Court Cases Highland County       MONTEREY — The following decisions were handed down in Highland County General District Court on June 3. Criminal and traffic Divisions. Donnie Dean Adkins, speeding 65/55, fine $50, costs $61; Ruben Lawrence Adkins Sr. More ... Dr. Moran joins BCH       HOT SPRINGS — Bath Community Hospital has announced that family practitioner Michael Moran, MD will join Bath Community Family Practice, and the active medical staff, beginning Monday, Aug. 3. More ... Building permits Highland County       MONTEREY — The following building permits were issued by the Bath County Department of Building and Zoning in the month of May: Warm Springs district — Locust Hill Properties, remove porch structure, haul debris from site and build open, uncovered deck on site of old porch, value $4,5... More ... Highland FFA attends convention       MONTEREY — The Highland County FFA Chapter left early June 22 to attend the 83rd annual Virginia State FFA Convention in Blacksburg. A group of 18 students, chaperones and advisor Steve Heavner headed for Virginia Tech to participate in competitions that started at 3 p.m. that Monday. More ...      The Bath County High School Class of 1984 held its 25th year reunion at Douthat State Park in Clifton Forge recently. Eleven members of the class and their families enjoyed a picnic lunch and fellowship. The class remembered Ed Brinkley, the only known class member that is deceased. The class has me... More ...      Volunteers and substitutes for the 2008-2009 school year at Valley Elementary School were recognized for their service at a recent banquet held at the school. Over 60 people provided volunteer time to the students at Valley during the school year. They were treated to a barbeque dinner with all the ... More ...      Highland Ballet Academy wrapped up its season Saturday, June 6 with a performance at The Highland Center. Students danced "Nutcracker" excerpts including "Sugar Plum Fairies" by the pre-ballet class; Mirliton by the ballet I class; Spanish, by ballet II class; and a Chinese dance with the preballet ... More ... Photos      On Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27, 16 artists gathered to share in the joys and challenges of painting from life outdoors. The event brought people into the county from Moatsville,WV, DC, and all over Virginia. Beginning early each day they could be seen working away at their easels in the Blue... More ... Street dance set for July 11       MONTEREY — The Monterey Lions Club Street Dance will be held Saturday, July 11 at 5:30 p.m. on the corner of West Main Street and Spruce Street in Monterey. This year's annual event will feature live bluegrass music from the band Mud Hole Control, as well as a performance from the Little Sw... More ... Video contest sponsored for 'Keepin' It Rural'       LEXINGTON — Farm Credit of the Virginias is calling for entries to the firstever "Keepin' It Rural" video contest. Entrants can submit funny, inspiring, unusual, or amazing farm- or rural-themed videos for cash prizes. Full details are posted on the Web site; www. iKeepItRural.com .Videos m... More ... American Legion installs new officers       WARM SPRINGS ­— Bath County American Legion Post 92 installed the new officers for 2010 at the June 18 meeting held at the Old Dairy barn in Warm Springs. More ... Valley High class of '59 celebrates 50 years       HOT SPRINGS ­­— The 1959 graduates of Valley High School of Hot Springs celebrated their 50th class reunion recently. The event began with a fellowship gathering and dinner on Friday evening, June 5 at Cliffview Bed & Breakfast Inn, Falling Springs. More ...      Mr. and Mrs. Fred R. Ward Sr. of Stuarts Draft were surprised by their children on June 20 with a 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration. The party was held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Stuarts Draft. There were approximately 100 guests in attendance consisting of family and friends ... More ... Ft. Lewis Lodge becomes 'Mussel Beach' for a day By Polly Newlon• Cowpasture River Preservation Association       MILLBORO — On Sunday, June 21, John and Caryl Cowden of Fort Lewis Lodge hosted an event that was a little off the beaten path from their usual roles as hosts of a rural getaway. Amidst a busy day of making hay, they welcomed biologists with a carpet of freshly mown hay. More ...      Right: Stone fly larvae live under cobble stones in shallow riffles on rivers and stream and are quite vulnerable to pollution. When "critter counters" monitoring the water quality of a stream find lots of these, it is a happy day. More ... Adult summer reading program offered at Rockbridge library       LEXINGTON — Rockbridge Regional Library is hosing an adult summer reading program this year, and there are three ways to participate. Come to the kickoff event, "Get More Fun Out of Your Reading," on July 1, from noon-1 p.m in the Piovano Room at the Lexington Headquarters Library. Anyone w... More ... Mountain Hospice quilt winner announced       BELINGTON, W.Va. — Mountain Hospice has been raffling off a quilt, a special quilt handmade by a past patient, Monnie Ford. The quilt was donated to Mountain Hospice in memory of not only Monnie Ford but her sister, A. Pearl Miller, who also had hospice services. More ... Brinkley retires from active military duty       BUCHANAN — Lt. Col. Grant P. Brinkley Jr. retired from active military duty on Dec. 31, 2008. Brinkley was assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard. He completed 22 years and seven months of active federal service with a total of 28 years and nine months of total military duty including... More ... Weather report       Rain fell on 20 of the 31 days in May and totaled 3.5 inches above normal. Temperatures were very close to normal. John R. Sweet of Mustoe, who runs a weather station for the National Weather Service, compiled these statistics. More ...