Shenandoah Valley: VDOT prepares for wintry weather

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8MlBeOvgWvp9sUbX7AcI1f9TbyrgboD4asZFw8ryYwaLHwYvVA2BzE9Q5qaY4fM5xXiiZ7CzsKQ-g9P31sMvGy4jUaZ7eYfbhbkU7wFXwkDHCa8Z2HvIWHmVsY6L2ibwcXwled-Uby8/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8MlBeOvgWvp9sUbX7AcI1f9TbyrgboD4asZFw8ryYwaLHwYvVA2BzE9Q5qaY4fM5xXiiZ7CzsKQ-g9P31sMvGy4jUaZ7eYfbhbkU7wFXwkDHCa8Z2HvIWHmVsY6L2ibwcXwled-Uby8/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Rt. 262 bypass around Staunton was being treated this morning as VDOT put down anti-freezing fluids on the roadways preparing for incoming wintry weather that could include snow, ice, and freezing rain. By this afternoon, both sides of the road had been done as well as many other main thoroughfares around Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IjOQhvU8vfTi3VBL8J__X2y_kSkNu-7HAamp_K0HSb-ag6XGAookafbOeFP7B54fw9aHykFNoTx1m_ehPjOb2p4Jh1YsGratGpWjFZUcuBhWwcMS0S_5o2nmyeSPw7zyx4wrEgzwUxs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IjOQhvU8vfTi3VBL8J__X2y_kSkNu-7HAamp_K0HSb-ag6XGAookafbOeFP7B54fw9aHykFNoTx1m_ehPjOb2p4Jh1YsGratGpWjFZUcuBhWwcMS0S_5o2nmyeSPw7zyx4wrEgzwUxs/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This VDOT worker was retrieving trash from the middle of the road. Keeping us safe ... many thanks for VDOT and the men and women who make our highways and byways safe all year round but especially during winter. It looks like they will have their hands full the next 24 hours.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />November 25, 2013

Augusta County highway safety Shenandoah Valley Staunton VDOT Virginia Department of Transportation Waynesboro western Virginia Shenandoah Valley: VDOT prepares for wintry weather

 The Rt. 262 bypass around Staunton was being treated this morning as VDOT put down anti-freezing fluids on the roadways preparing for incom...

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Election Day in SWAC area ... ongoing updates

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jj4EZIaBRTzmY0S1p6zcxvD-GTkkxhB98dC7CybLP1ChSotCZRvnXlPMPoOWBEA7iiOtSpMZM6rEm6ppGzPXUYk5sToF7tHAokkyiHIde6lELSFZbkNT2IcybM6NwPhxuX9m5vZcREDa/s1600/voting+booth+graphic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jj4EZIaBRTzmY0S1p6zcxvD-GTkkxhB98dC7CybLP1ChSotCZRvnXlPMPoOWBEA7iiOtSpMZM6rEm6ppGzPXUYk5sToF7tHAokkyiHIde6lELSFZbkNT2IcybM6NwPhxuX9m5vZcREDa/s1600/voting+booth+graphic.jpeg" /></a></div><br />It's Election Day 2013 in Virginia. The polls are open ... voters are voting, candidate supporters are greeting them, and volunteers are sending them out the door with "I Voted" stickers.<br /><br />The weather is good ... a cold, frosty start to the day with temps in the 20s is expected to lead to a high in the 50s under overcast skies.<br /><br />What an odd year it has been with some newspapers <a href="http://www.swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/no-gubernatorial-endorsements-from.html">refusing to endorse anyone for governor while others encouraged write-in votes for Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling</a>. Many are happy to see this election cycle finally come to an end.  For many, it marks the finish of the daily barrage of campaign emails, robocalls, and television ads.<br /><br />Virginia is being considered a bellwether for the country. The tea party and Libertarian wings of the Virginia Republican Party have their dream team of candidates in Ken Cuccinelli, E.W. Jackson, and Mark Obenshain for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. Four years after the Republican team led by Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling swept into office with historic leads, will it happen again?<br /><br />This is a notoriously red area of the Commonwealth so what's going on in the central Shenandoah Valley area that includes Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County? I'll pass along news as I hear it.<br /><br /><b>10:15 a.m.:</b> Churchville precinct had light but steady turnout. The voting location within Churchville Elementary School had been moved with only one table for check-in as opposed to the usual two. About half a dozen people were in line to sign in; two machines were in use. Interestingly, there was a card table set up with a McAuliffe sign and materials but no presence from the Republicans.<br /><br /><b>2:00 p.m.:</b> Wilson Precinct. Steady, light turnout continued.<br /><br /><b>7:10 p.m.:</b> Polls have closed and the wait begins for returns to be posted and announced.

Augusta County Bill Bolling Bob McDonnell E.W. Jackson Election 2013 Ken Cuccinelli Libertarians Mark Obenshain Shenandoah Valley Staunton SWAC tea party Waynesboro Election Day in SWAC area ... ongoing updates

It's Election Day 2013 in Virginia. The polls are open ... voters are voting, candidate supporters are greeting them, and volunteers are...

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Waynesboro: Sights & sounds along South River Greenway Trail

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpFOHoOHUhuRHVNP2kNai2LXwcY6eBWkon3nBfjwazkZv2JjwTceYHRp2t2nYNPwa-NGjaknYx9g9x6J_kRV7ZUNvxsD8-59_Gq_tKTACrj7GbjZnByJQvU7BVH1x0tYphgu03IZx4Ygt/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpFOHoOHUhuRHVNP2kNai2LXwcY6eBWkon3nBfjwazkZv2JjwTceYHRp2t2nYNPwa-NGjaknYx9g9x6J_kRV7ZUNvxsD8-59_Gq_tKTACrj7GbjZnByJQvU7BVH1x0tYphgu03IZx4Ygt/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Waynesboro's "Virginia Is For Lovers" fishing-inspired symbol is a perfect icon on the banks of the South River in <a href="http://www.visitwaynesboro.net/outdoors-your-way/parks/constitution-park/">Constitution Park</a>, site of fishing tournaments and festivals. It is also the site of the 0.8 mile South River Greenway Trail, opened in the spring of 2012, that is used by walkers, joggers, and bicyclists. <a href="http://www.revitalizingdowntownwaynesboro.com/infrastructure-improvements/south-river-greenway/greenway-trail-phase-2/">Phase 2</a> of the trail will add an additional 1.2 miles when completed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKg95NkPjwOP5WCAn27FGcf4AIdJXEnNQhPebt0qPX7VmBqnzrkEhR17PAsHnSP95QMX0DZf9fKygI2TrjjGb_fQP4DEjt0ry2_OcPcaX-l8BaOV3P67IfLPb2kxhPjel-LWA6dJwYvKQ7/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKg95NkPjwOP5WCAn27FGcf4AIdJXEnNQhPebt0qPX7VmBqnzrkEhR17PAsHnSP95QMX0DZf9fKygI2TrjjGb_fQP4DEjt0ry2_OcPcaX-l8BaOV3P67IfLPb2kxhPjel-LWA6dJwYvKQ7/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is an urban park in the midst of downtown Waynesboro. The land was donated in part by E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, and the surrounding industrial site includes buildings -- some abandoned -- as well as parking lots. Across the street is the location of the Waynesboro Farmers Market.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Designated as Virginia’s first Urban Trout Fishery, it is also home to the Waynesboro Arboretum with identifying labeling on trees and areas of shrub displays, bulb plantings, annuals, and perennials.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63brmA1zgn8ERM1p7n-A8UXl2zY_liX2MDSP2KQ5IZx7b7zxzTZiC5gUAXrcIuDW21rtoalK5CtlNh4pH9smcSAj2FhkTPLIpSdpYyB0D90F1-4V8G6iIBrNaWuyT5KeJlafq57JDIOr3/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63brmA1zgn8ERM1p7n-A8UXl2zY_liX2MDSP2KQ5IZx7b7zxzTZiC5gUAXrcIuDW21rtoalK5CtlNh4pH9smcSAj2FhkTPLIpSdpYyB0D90F1-4V8G6iIBrNaWuyT5KeJlafq57JDIOr3/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This freshly-gnawed tree stump was a reminder of the resident beavers who have done some damage to planted trees. Other more weathered stumps were visible along the river bank.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXW6MasCP8ik5RBwAThymDoooagY5bClZ67YyXBwII0CajCFGjiXJ0iudy_rk3hQ-G1A7tcJSxdk0ItmY0RBIkKHUDnIopEO873jU1VjOifOXw8gV_GxeW6u7Gby7R0kyaUcZpzyL3g9_/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXW6MasCP8ik5RBwAThymDoooagY5bClZ67YyXBwII0CajCFGjiXJ0iudy_rk3hQ-G1A7tcJSxdk0ItmY0RBIkKHUDnIopEO873jU1VjOifOXw8gV_GxeW6u7Gby7R0kyaUcZpzyL3g9_/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrxu-Uhi-YmXojpEvfqUG-DqfbqlnhA74_b4oV_adDL9YOqPPWOqQcD3BHj3bbZ-onOdb3LfN7mCbctdgn3YrgPOFPhkD8LipOZhvEvZROQfu_ygCpXtEZEi6E5ydfitZYXqayN58t9vt/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrxu-Uhi-YmXojpEvfqUG-DqfbqlnhA74_b4oV_adDL9YOqPPWOqQcD3BHj3bbZ-onOdb3LfN7mCbctdgn3YrgPOFPhkD8LipOZhvEvZROQfu_ygCpXtEZEi6E5ydfitZYXqayN58t9vt/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqnsjZp9b07DE8LHtSkIxWnqVYGEmFDQo2doEbGH5ypinNWGMvFbXBGSxhmGcDa00hWi_iai2KS3MUKbwyji-dHXKBwtcOi8o0dRmkSNTCyADmk7VthF4jKdhJkzPcqAnyATycqMWXHCa/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqnsjZp9b07DE8LHtSkIxWnqVYGEmFDQo2doEbGH5ypinNWGMvFbXBGSxhmGcDa00hWi_iai2KS3MUKbwyji-dHXKBwtcOi8o0dRmkSNTCyADmk7VthF4jKdhJkzPcqAnyATycqMWXHCa/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ducks were feeding in Loth Spring adjacent to the trail.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaN5gz1mOB8XccEsnmG200CRGfdKFwZ8bC-h8HoUv3Om5_0EimLr49qyPo3dzCf_NqvsPKdM7rsJgvKPTZ4b1U3XosikBEstMMX4HfyxO9HpyUOz7NZzBsULarKa4K7WyZmptahIlxri4/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaN5gz1mOB8XccEsnmG200CRGfdKFwZ8bC-h8HoUv3Om5_0EimLr49qyPo3dzCf_NqvsPKdM7rsJgvKPTZ4b1U3XosikBEstMMX4HfyxO9HpyUOz7NZzBsULarKa4K7WyZmptahIlxri4/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiPgujevpS8_yYgQ5Sjz9fzrobQEh-3oCarDFfrsP1Vz2tsiOKBUvFN6Y-KdntpZQbEq4vGhj_PIdVcczAymyvy3eOv8QwlM94UhJWXtxcJYZDjXIXVrs8gqOB89dogc8n7U0_MXlHCDe/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiPgujevpS8_yYgQ5Sjz9fzrobQEh-3oCarDFfrsP1Vz2tsiOKBUvFN6Y-KdntpZQbEq4vGhj_PIdVcczAymyvy3eOv8QwlM94UhJWXtxcJYZDjXIXVrs8gqOB89dogc8n7U0_MXlHCDe/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Picnic tables under the trees and shelter provide <a href="http://www.swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/08/waynesboro-lunch-from-market-on-main.html">shady picnic spots</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qVTF5XVY1yhQI6MvlTPjVrUb26SzopcVcibeAXm6zZw0pu62QXHkF8ENiOS4LstrMsFluXNvFcChyxQbH3iTM_zB8QvAkvvF-0IpCoXByK7GdUoxHATSIbnw-GR9QKYyQJTY4rVAN9dW/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qVTF5XVY1yhQI6MvlTPjVrUb26SzopcVcibeAXm6zZw0pu62QXHkF8ENiOS4LstrMsFluXNvFcChyxQbH3iTM_zB8QvAkvvF-0IpCoXByK7GdUoxHATSIbnw-GR9QKYyQJTY4rVAN9dW/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB47B7RrfXQFugzLJhxDFpW_dtEUgmeuOrzQ2FUHFE6pLXYvy5GtAcGPpiSo7gE_Ll9TiEhbErA5uoFRL8uTaf5WtesVJy9L-f3c1teHe7k33CktHQGQlhyphenhyphenuGcGNFq1rNEy4TYZ4SaJUDD/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB47B7RrfXQFugzLJhxDFpW_dtEUgmeuOrzQ2FUHFE6pLXYvy5GtAcGPpiSo7gE_Ll9TiEhbErA5uoFRL8uTaf5WtesVJy9L-f3c1teHe7k33CktHQGQlhyphenhyphenuGcGNFq1rNEy4TYZ4SaJUDD/s400/18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Wildflowers were blooming in abundance along the trail.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOlmYFvxrM0cpEZIhaj8ugemR6RCr-aiXKp_IHTb26U-8zbpESUwd98Qpvw8FtQZ9B89N2VQcRlpFTDsAQO3VCv87Ujze5VcGNXEz6HqP9ngQRDp9FC7yVeRZTgilcrURhHHPVN-dlXny/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOlmYFvxrM0cpEZIhaj8ugemR6RCr-aiXKp_IHTb26U-8zbpESUwd98Qpvw8FtQZ9B89N2VQcRlpFTDsAQO3VCv87Ujze5VcGNXEz6HqP9ngQRDp9FC7yVeRZTgilcrURhHHPVN-dlXny/s400/19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is a prime trout fishing stream.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyvNQbT0rhYU_yzvEPgkaKUnPp2kGkhn6J356PUBFIP0dmN087uJE1wlEa5kdqTdD1ok8vyYFtFW7xGdlpm_UQjIHkam56bwib_jjNpSwGxw9xPeqPBrrjLiLYJEB_9oudA2Db4Ald5wD/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyvNQbT0rhYU_yzvEPgkaKUnPp2kGkhn6J356PUBFIP0dmN087uJE1wlEa5kdqTdD1ok8vyYFtFW7xGdlpm_UQjIHkam56bwib_jjNpSwGxw9xPeqPBrrjLiLYJEB_9oudA2Db4Ald5wD/s400/20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Loth Spring adjacent to the Greenway Trail.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YA_yf-MGsQsV6aczJ4W8kcikL8ntZJLt6MAnmlS4ysbObDemglH4WXMUwWELZgMP3rxN8tNL1EbXjeS2nx5mFb3cTJShz8sG0d4tXg84jK-IRaFh9luLU7Q6wPZ07V9nbpuR7yulxdOM/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YA_yf-MGsQsV6aczJ4W8kcikL8ntZJLt6MAnmlS4ysbObDemglH4WXMUwWELZgMP3rxN8tNL1EbXjeS2nx5mFb3cTJShz8sG0d4tXg84jK-IRaFh9luLU7Q6wPZ07V9nbpuR7yulxdOM/s400/21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdJBCwr1YNITNUttPmCNLCkQyIZ2GiuobE7jhPxpFHIKCpVDGPFg6j915cDZUIKpnT5GZyTBSz2xNwIkjPX6njrZ8mXj7yy49HRlhcbgmVCb5vepo_Ky8uxZ0sd0tGfoRDJIaWfa8gZzX/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdJBCwr1YNITNUttPmCNLCkQyIZ2GiuobE7jhPxpFHIKCpVDGPFg6j915cDZUIKpnT5GZyTBSz2xNwIkjPX6njrZ8mXj7yy49HRlhcbgmVCb5vepo_Ky8uxZ0sd0tGfoRDJIaWfa8gZzX/s400/22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5sXbLxfFho36MvrCX98XJM-qFkCuL8lqJjrMEQKyetMpf3-Rzytfea7TPawJWbgGHYVfxTrdf-lushiKPFEhU5kd2XMCVeFC5R34dPoMfE8DjixnZns7EXakVdPHK8UlVK6G_RcJ3Vl1/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5sXbLxfFho36MvrCX98XJM-qFkCuL8lqJjrMEQKyetMpf3-Rzytfea7TPawJWbgGHYVfxTrdf-lushiKPFEhU5kd2XMCVeFC5R34dPoMfE8DjixnZns7EXakVdPHK8UlVK6G_RcJ3Vl1/s400/23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVm2h7okL-CTPgNjQd9WjEprYoXPjGcxcGwck_MOS8hAlO_vcHChfAaDAYLP6yGEB3lKg90ltQF-DqGdqTP6NkwI2nySo9JHha7noXkvWSCWylR7HLj-OAB968bXkKp0Tq_6mWLNfV71DC/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVm2h7okL-CTPgNjQd9WjEprYoXPjGcxcGwck_MOS8hAlO_vcHChfAaDAYLP6yGEB3lKg90ltQF-DqGdqTP6NkwI2nySo9JHha7noXkvWSCWylR7HLj-OAB968bXkKp0Tq_6mWLNfV71DC/s400/24.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />See also: <a href="http://www.swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/08/waynesboro-lunch-from-market-on-main.html">Lunch from Market on Main, picnic on banks of South River</a><br /><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />August 26, 2013

Constitution Park Greenway Trail Loth Spring Shenandoah Valley South River tourism trout fishing urban parks Virginia Is For Lovers walking trails Waynesboro Waynesboro: Sights & sounds along South River Greenway Trail

 Waynesboro's "Virginia Is For Lovers" fishing-inspired symbol is a perfect icon on the banks of the South River in Constituti...

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2004 Bush-Cheney campaign sticker

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOFooDb7sJZdOFs-xNmNJ-ZjxofqAQpSXIlM_4c9V8QxYqq4vKD9oETxBjRZvB-JKZ8ENrmjuMTSv_9uWkE6C3Ia5UFyOtasEZ3Qys-d_Hkrup3cyeN5SwvUSsLjPhr5RR4mvlYKMH7ux/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOFooDb7sJZdOFs-xNmNJ-ZjxofqAQpSXIlM_4c9V8QxYqq4vKD9oETxBjRZvB-JKZ8ENrmjuMTSv_9uWkE6C3Ia5UFyOtasEZ3Qys-d_Hkrup3cyeN5SwvUSsLjPhr5RR4mvlYKMH7ux/s400/14.jpg" width="270" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I saw this Bush-Cheney '04 bumper sticker yesterday in Fishersville. It brought a smile to my face ... what a campaign! People practically fell in the door of GOP headquarters in Staunton trying to get yard signs and bumper stickers, and headquarters was constantly full of people from the community stopping by to talk or vent about the war, terrorism, and the state of the country. We ended up opening HQs seven days a week to accommodate everyone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, that bumper sticker brought back happy memories of a successful campaign. Cheers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />August 26, 2013

2004 presidential campaign Augusta County Bush-Cheney 04 Dick Cheney George W. Bush political headquarters Staunton SWAC Waynesboro 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign sticker

  I saw this Bush-Cheney '04 bumper sticker yesterday in Fishersville. It brought a smile to my face ... what a campaign! People practic...

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Waynesboro's Brown Bag Express announces closing

Every morning for the past two years the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrownBagExpress?hc_location=stream">Brown Bag Express</a> restaurant in Waynesboro announced its daily specials with friendly messages on Facebook. However, this morning owner Faith Ayres posted a different message:<br /><blockquote>I'm sorry to say that we will be closing our business on Thursday August 15th. We will miss all of our customers. Thank you for your business for the last 2+ years!</blockquote>It was a surprise to those in the community who have become accustomed to running by 133 N. Wayne Avenue for delicious comfort foods on the go.<br /><br />Every morning, Monday through Friday, the day's specials were announced with familiar chirpy announcements:<br /><blockquote>Happy Wednesday! Today I'll have Mac & Cheese, Steamed Broccoli & Steamed Corn for hot sides. I have Chocolate Cake w/Peanut Butter Frosting, Strawberry Cake, German Chocolate Cake, Spice Cake, Chocolate Cake, Brownies, Chocolate Chip Cookies & Muffins for baked goods. See you later!</blockquote>Reporter Roger Gonzales with the <i><a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/quick-bite-for-those-on-the-run/article_d3b34b80-f7a8-11e2-ba72-0019bb30f31a.html#.UfZUXlxJTa8.facebook">News-Virginian</a></i> highlighted the restaurant two weeks ago, noting at that time that they were weathering the difficulties of lower traffic due to downtown construction and blocked streets. Now it sounds like it may have had more of an impact than the Brown Bag Express could take.

Brown Bag Express Faith Ayres restaurants in the Valley Roger Gonzales Shenandoah Valley Wayne Avenue Waynesboro Waynesboro News-Virginian Waynesboro's Brown Bag Express announces closing

Every morning for the past two years the Brown Bag Express restaurant in Waynesboro announced its daily specials with friendly messages on ...

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Random acts of kindness

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoREauoj3t6JtTRvgfmyMEl5N7tfgB_ii2H6aFNMrUCYhg_ikfs2rLn8hzF7rqXGXvd_yfTvAls6N6rXe5JKjBU3QVkidXx1_kcaEGLjQFqDa4cvlTZr7s0pUNyKrhpujoVUUmlCJzUSb/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoREauoj3t6JtTRvgfmyMEl5N7tfgB_ii2H6aFNMrUCYhg_ikfs2rLn8hzF7rqXGXvd_yfTvAls6N6rXe5JKjBU3QVkidXx1_kcaEGLjQFqDa4cvlTZr7s0pUNyKrhpujoVUUmlCJzUSb/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Staunton Braves baseball game on June 17, 2013</i></div><br />There is still good in the world, and there are still good people who commit random acts of kindness. Recent random acts of kindness have directly affected me -- generosity passed along from complete strangers.<br /><br />The first incident happened last week while out for lunch with a friend at Logan's Roadhouse in Waynesboro. A couple at the next table offered a newspaper coupon to help offset our meal, saying they already had one and it would expire in a couple of days so they wanted someone to be able to use it. We gratefully accepted -- every little bit helps -- and thanked them for their kindness.<br /><br />The second incident was at Monday's Staunton Braves baseball game. As my husband, sister, niece, and I approached the ticket gate, a couple getting ready to enter the game asked if we had tickets. No, we said ... we were about to buy them. The lady handed us four tickets -- rain checks from an earlier game that would expire that night. We thanked her and she thanked <i>us,</i> saying she was glad they could be used. It was especially appreciated when a lightning storm rolled in 20 minutes later and stopped the game, cutting short our game night out.<br /><br />Random acts of kindness. They happen every day....<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />June 17, 2013

Logan's Roadhouse random acts of kindness Staunton Braves Waynesboro Random acts of kindness

Staunton Braves baseball game on June 17, 2013 There is still good in the world, and there are still good people who commit random acts of k...

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AT Warrior Hikers coming to Waynesboro Sunday

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeO6Us0ldG6-0nbkow0BVtpYiOTvrif3JrTx2bMHscQXKwzTPYijjvhV6OHWpzC4ilHIjriXuegj7OlZgkxS7hIjtg74FtD5pBP5I20DpfwwaW76LhdYUN_6CeXhrNRkrrK31ol04ZW5l/s1600/Warrior+Hike+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeO6Us0ldG6-0nbkow0BVtpYiOTvrif3JrTx2bMHscQXKwzTPYijjvhV6OHWpzC4ilHIjriXuegj7OlZgkxS7hIjtg74FtD5pBP5I20DpfwwaW76LhdYUN_6CeXhrNRkrrK31ol04ZW5l/s400/Warrior+Hike+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This Sunday at 5:00 at the VFW Post 2424 in Waynesboro, meet the Appalachian Trail Warrior Hikers as they make their way north on their thru-hike.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.warriorhike.com/">Warrior Hikers</a> are our military veterans: <br /><blockquote>In 1948 Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk off the war” to work out the sights, sounds, and losses of World War II. Four months later, Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.<br /><br />Recognizing the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of hiking the Appalachian Trail, Warrior Hike has partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the Walk Off The War Program. The Walk Off The War Program is designed to support combat veterans transitioning from military service by thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.</blockquote>I was alerted to the Warrior Hike by a reader of my <a href="http://www.lynnrmitchell.com/">SWAC Girl blog</a> who writes a blog covering the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap -- <a href="http://rockfishtoreeds.blogspot.com/">Rockfish to Reeds</a>. She follows many of the hikers on the trail and has watched the Warrior Hikers since their March departure in Georgia. Merlot describes her blogs as, "Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap ..... that little piece of  'AT heaven' we all love so much. This is a blog for the dedicated volunteers who maintain the 19.1 miles of white-blazed AT and some blue-blazed side trails as well."<br /><br />So a tip of the hat to her for her interest in the AT, and for the heads-up about the Warrior Hikers. Sunday offers an opportunity to thank these military veterans who put their lives on hold and on the line to preserve our freedoms. I'll update with more info as I find it but it's this Sunday, June 16, at 5:00 at the VFW in Waynesboro. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-N3GmgNmor_52EOb0850cgtPsg2J0sLdSao4C9RdaKzD3ymlaaRGo-AAn7vuaGMyKNdYDpFGtKVrgy-BVff4NnAS1_rf-nZi06MK8uAnQG3zPOcWZKXCAxAWC_QLvIGHmAi40GGoCnzj/s1600/Warrior+Hike+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-N3GmgNmor_52EOb0850cgtPsg2J0sLdSao4C9RdaKzD3ymlaaRGo-AAn7vuaGMyKNdYDpFGtKVrgy-BVff4NnAS1_rf-nZi06MK8uAnQG3zPOcWZKXCAxAWC_QLvIGHmAi40GGoCnzj/s320/Warrior+Hike+map.jpg" width="61" /></a></div>

Appalachian Trail Blue Ridge Mountains military veterans Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom support our veterans Warrior Hike Waynesboro AT Warrior Hikers coming to Waynesboro Sunday

This Sunday at 5:00 at the VFW Post 2424 in Waynesboro, meet the Appalachian Trail Warrior Hikers as they make their way north on their thru...

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Waynesboro Circuit Court Clerk will not release concealed weapon permit info to RPV

<a href="http://blogs.nbc12.com/decisionvirginia/2013/06/before-new-law-rpv-requests-addresses-of-concealed-weapon-permit-holders.html">Last Friday</a> Ryan Nobles at Richmond's <i>NBC TV-12</i> reported that the Republican Party of Virginia had submitted FOIAs to state Circuit Court Clerks for the names and contact information of concealed weapon permit holders.<br /><br />Today he reported that at <a href="http://blogs.nbc12.com/decisionvirginia/2013/06/clerks-will-not-turn-over-permit-records-to-rpv.html">least twelve clerks would not be releasing that info</a> including the local city of Waynesboro.<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.nbc12.com/decisionvirginia/2013/06/clerks-will-not-turn-over-permit-records-to-rpv.html">Nobles wrote</a>:<br /><blockquote>Last Friday, <a href="http://blogs.nbc12.com/decisionvirginia/2013/06/before-new-law-rpv-requests-addresses-of-concealed-weapon-permit-holders.html">we broke the news</a> that the RPV had requested the personal information of hundreds of thousands of permit holders to communicate their political message to them leading up to the fall elections. The RPV was legally allowed to ask for the material, but in less than a month the release of that information will become illegal.<br /><br />The new law to seal the records of permit holders was passed in the 2o13 Virginia General Assembly session and was sponsored and championed by the Republican nominee for Attorney General, Sen. Mark Obenshain. </blockquote>Clerks who were reported as denying RPV's request represented the localities of Waynesboro, Dinwiddie, Winchester, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, Chesterfield, Southampton, Suffolk, Middlesex,Isle of Wight, Bedford, and Prince George.

circuit court clerk FOIA Republican Party of Virginia Waynesboro Waynesboro Circuit Court Clerk will not release concealed weapon permit info to RPV

Last Friday Ryan Nobles at Richmond's NBC TV-12 reported that the Republican Party of Virginia had submitted FOIAs to state Circuit Co...

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