Waynesboro’s Wildlife Center founder inspired by John Denver’s music

By Lynn R. Mitchell

I found it very interesting to learn that Ed Clark, founder and president of Waynesboro’s Wildlife Center of Virginia, was inspired in his life’s work by the music of singer-songwriter John Denver.

Since Denver was my favorite singer-songwriter, I sat up and paid attention when I saw the title of this piece written over at the Wildlife Center’s website. It is so good I’m going to post it here in full — there is no name attached to it so I don’t know who to give credit to other than the Wildlife Center. The pictures are theirs, too. This organization was included on my Summer 2016 … 40 things to do in and around Staunton, Va post.

Take a few minutes and read this inspirational piece.

Bojangles coming to Staunton and Waynesboro

Charlottesville Bojangles at Pantops. (Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell)

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Stopping by the brand new Bojangles in Charlottesville’s Pantops (I-64, exit 124) on Rt. 250) area on Tuesday, we got the low-down on future Bojangles locations in the area from the owner himself. He confirmed the rumors that have been circulating in the Staunton area.

He is opening a Bojangles in Staunton on Richmond Road near the Sheetz and Frontier Culture Museum. From I-81, that’s exit 222 — WalMart, Lowe’s, Starbucks, Rowe’s, Cracker Barrel, Texas Steakhouse, Chili’s, and Martin’s Food Market. He mentioned that plans also call for a Chick-Fil-A and McDonald’s (replacing the one in the service station on the east side of the interstate) that will locate in that same area along with a hotel and restaurant. Exit 222 has been begging for development along the strip of Richmond Road between the interstate and Frontier Drive.

He said he also plans to open a Bojangles in Waynesboro at the location of the old Ladd Elementary School located off I-64’s exit 96. That area of Rt. 340 also has WalMart, Martin’s Food Market, Applebee’s Ruby Tuesday’s Starbucks, Cracker Barrel, Target, Kohl’s, and other restaurants and hotels.

Many in the area have been asking for a Bojangles and Chick-fil-A so it looks like we won’t have much longer to wait, Staunton. Perhaps in 2017….

Sidewalk chalk creativity shut down in Waynesboro

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Some people are saying, “Lighten up, Waynesboro!”

Is it Big Brother bureaucracy, or safety for citizens that has stirred up a downtown controversy (see City shuts down company’s art project):

It seemed to him like something creative, a way to separate his business from the rest. After Kris Krupa’s coffeehouse French Press opened this month in downtown Waynesboro, he reached out to some kids from Waynesboro High and asked them to help with a little artwork. They came and drew Yoda from Star Wars on the sidewalk, along with arrows directing people to the new coffeehouse. They also put up several other designs, with the help of chalk.

After someone lodged a complaint with the city, however, employees from the business had to wash it away, as officials argued that since no one had asked permission, it violated state and local ordinances.

The chalk picture of Yoda included a humorous quote in Yoda-speak, “Drink coffee, you must. At the French Press, you must.”

Interestingly, the publicity generated by the city’s response to one complaint has provided far more advertising for the French Press coffee shop than the sidewalk art.

Comments have been left on the newspaper’s online site, and many more can be seen at the Facebook page.

 

 

 

Waynesboro: Zeus Theater’s Orbital Grill has closed

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Sadly, but perhaps not unexpectedly to some, the Brett Hayes’ Orbital Grill that sat across the parking lot from his Zeus Theater closed last weekend. In an interview with the News Leader, he plans to renovate and reopen as a hamburger restaurant in about four months (see Orbital Grill closes its doors).

 

Waynesboro Chick-fil-A

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Eating on the patio at the Waynesboro Chick-fil-A in the Target shopping center offers this backdrop — the Blue Ridge Mountains. On those ridges are Afton Mountain, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Just another reminder that we live in one of the most beautiful places in Virginia….

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
August 22, 2015

Pete Giesen’s former legislative aide June Noell passes away in Waynesboro

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Sometimes my Richmond world, where I grew up and where parents and extended family lives, collides with my Shenandoah Valley world, where my family has called home the past 19 years. A death this weekend brought the two together.

My RVA sister’s good friend and neighbor Beth lost her mother Friday. Beth’s son Austin, SWAC Niece’s close childhood friend, lost his grandmother. I knew their mother/grandmother lived in Waynesboro. The obituary told the rest of the story. She had been political, and she had worked as Delegate Pete Giesen’s legislative aide for years in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s before I moved to the area. She was a part of Virginia’s political history.

Our condolences to Beth, Austin, and the entire family of June Noell.

June Noell

June R. DeBoer Noell, 89
Waynesboro, Virginia

June R. DeBoer Noell, 89, of Waynesboro, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015 at Summit Square in Waynesboro. She was born in Lexington, VA on May 4, 1926, daughter of the late Emmett and Maude Reynolds.

June was a woman of deep faith, who loved Waynesboro First Baptist Church, of which she was a long time member. She worked as a legislative aide to Delegate A.R. “Pete” Giesen, Jr. from the mid 1970’s until the early 1990’s. June loved politics and government, and was a supporter of the Republican Party. A sign hung in her kitchen that said, “We do not rent rooms to Democrats.”

6th District supporters rally around Congressman Goodlatte at outdoor Augusta County event

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Hearing the issues now being tackled by Congress reminded of a gathering of supporters from Augusta, Rockingham, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Harrisonburg held for Congressman Bob Goodlatte earlier this month in Weyers Cave. While there, the congressman was able to address the crowd of about 60 donors and supporters and expand on the wide array of discussions and issues that are occurring in Congress. With the animosity that is prevalent these days in politics, it was good to hear the update.

Signs signs signs #4 … Hanger campaign

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The Emmett Hanger for Senate sign team has been busy in Virginia 24th’s Senate District leading up to the June 9th Republican Primary. From Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County to eastern Rockingham, Culpeper, Greene, and Madison, the red, white, and blue Hanger yard signs, 4’x4′, and 4’x8′ signs are out to remind folks to vote on June 9th at their regular polling places from 6am-7pm.

Signs signs signs #3 … Hanger campaign

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The Emmett Hanger for Senate sign team has been busy in Virginia 24th’s Senate District leading up to the June 9th Republican Primary. From Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County to eastern Rockingham, Culpeper, Greene, and Madison, the red, white, and blue Hanger yard signs, 4’x4′, and 4’x8′ signs are out to remind folks to vote on June 9th at their regular polling places from 6am-7pm. Above is Hanger headquarters located at 700 Richmond Road at the corner of Statler Boulevard in Staunton.

Senator Emmett Hanger.

Signs signs signs #2 … Hanger campaign

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The Emmett Hanger for Senate sign team has been busy in Virginia 24th’s Senate District leading up to the June 9th Republican Primary. From Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County to eastern Rockingham, Culpeper, Greene, and Madison, the red, white, and blue Hanger yard signs, 4’x4′, and 4’x8′ signs are out to remind folks to vote on June 9th at their regular polling places from 6am-7pm.

LTE: ‘I have already voted for Hanger’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Absentee voting is now available at registrar offices throughout the 24th State Senate District. This Emmett Hanger supporter has already voted using absentee. In-person absentee voting is also taking place at registrar offices:

To the Editor:

I admire the foresightedness that incumbent State Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr. exhibited when he chose a primary rather than a convention to pursue his Republican party’s nomination for a sixth term in the Virginia senate. I feel like he has simply made it much less difficult for the elderly like me to vote for someone who is best at publicly servicing the needs of everyone.

I am fully aware of Sen. Hanger’s attempts to secure Medicaid for poor working mothers in need of it and America’s most modernized mental health care coverage for us all. I have already voted for Sen. Hanger in his Republican primary by completing and mailing in my absentee ballott.

PATSY MAE MONGER
Waynesboro

The Primary is June 9. All precincts will be open so voters will go to their usual voting places from 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Waynesboro: Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival this weekend

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The weather is sunny with temps in the 60s for Waynesboro’s 15th Annual Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival this weekend. This is the largest outdoor event of its kind in the county so expect to see crowds on the banks of the South River and in downtown Waynesboro, taking in the vendors, restaurants, shops, and the experience of fishing in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Waynesboro is a heartbeat away from Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

!nnovate LIVE coming to Staunton in April

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Get ready, Staunton … Innovate LIVE is heading our way the weekend of April 24-26. Staunton is stunning that time of year — spring flowers and blossoming trees, soft warm breezes, and the historic downtown area just waiting for visitors. Surrounding it all are the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains. A full agenda will begin Friday morning and last through Sunday.

Organizers are excited:

Innovate LIVE is a crowd-sourced, energy-packed, festive convergence of Local Innovators, Visionaries, and Entrepreneurs.

Over three days, social entrepreneurs, community organizers, and artistic creators will converge in coffee shops, patios, and classrooms to explore the next wave of innovative ideas that are transforming our local communities.  Sustainability, cooperation, the new economy,  arts and music will be the lenses through which we explore local opportunities for change and evolution. Together, we will develop and share the tools to build more vibrant communities and more creative lives.

Primary, or convention in 24th Senate District?

By Lynn R. Mitchell

A lawsuit driven by one man, Waynesboro GOP Chairman Ken Adams, embraced by challenging tea party candidate Dan Moxley, reportedly backed by anonymous consultants and financiers from other areas of the Commonwealth, and represented by local lawyer John Wirth along with Ken Adams’ son, the 24th State Senate seat has become a proving ground of sorts for the right wing of the Republican Party of Virginia that wants conventions to rule all political candidate selections in the Commonwealth (see Republican committee challenges Virginia law in court).

Situated in Augusta County, Rockingham, Madison, Green, and Culpeper as well as the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, the 24th has been represented since the 1990s by Senator Emmett Hanger. This time around sees a challenge from tea party candidate Moxley, Augusta County supervisor Marshall Pattie who also has tea party backing, and local farmer Donald Sheets, an unexpected last-minute entry (see Hanger gets another challenger).

On Wednesday the Staunton News Leader opined about the latest in a continuous stream of battles put forth by those who make up the tea party and Libertarian membership of the GOP (see Of primary importance):

Augusta County registers sub-zero temps, more wintry weather on the way

By Lynn R. Mitchell

West of Staunton the temperature at 6:00 a.m. on Friday registered -5.6 frigid degrees ensuring the snow covering would not be going anywhere for the next 48 hours.

Interestingly, the area is now under a Winter Storm Watch with weather moving in from the southwest and expected to arrive in Augusta, Staunton, and Waynesboro during the wee morning hours of Saturday. Forecasters are uncertain on this tricky winter event that could bring 3-5″ of snow to the Valley followed by sleet and then freezing rain. Stay tuned for all the latest at Charlottesville’s NBC-29 and Harrisonburg’s WHSV TV-3.