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Grand opening of the first Augusta County StoryWalk®

Chris Graham

Augusta County LibraryThe first official Augusta County StoryWalk® is scheduled to open on Oct. 24 at 6pm, including a ribbon cutting ceremony, refreshments, and a scary storytime at the library’s Fishersville location.

The Augusta County StoryWalk® project began in July 2017 in Churchville, Virginia. Assistant Branch Manager, Charley Schillinger, wanted to have a temporary StoryWalk® for the attendees of the annual Churchville Summer Market. Volunteer, Carl Shifflett, helped cut and place 12 posts all around the Churchville Branch Library.

The StoryWalk®was a hit not only for the Summer Market, but was also used by students of Churchville Elementary, Bison’s Beginnings, and additional library programs throughout the fall. A total of three stories were displayed on the StoryWalk® before it was dismantled in December of 2017. In February of 2018 the Library Director, Diantha McCauley, inquired about placing a StoryWalk®at the Fishersville location. Charley began inquiring with Augusta County Parks and Recreation about placing the StoryWalk® on their property surrounding the library.

Parks and Recreation Director, Andy Wells, suggested partnering on the project as well as possibly expanding it to other county locations.  A project team was assigned to the effort. They sent out sponsorship requests in the spring and received funding for two StoryWalk® thanks to a very generous patron family and the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club.

The second StoryWalk® location and opening will be announced late winter 2019.

If you are interested in sponsoring a StoryWalk® please contact Charley Schillinger at [email protected] or Nick Grow at [email protected].

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].