No more State Fair

AFP

State Fair of Virginia Inc., the nonprofit organization that produces the State Fair of Virginia, converted its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in Richmond District Court on March 7. As a result, SFVA will no longer produce the fair, the Strawberry Hill Races and the Meadow Highland Games & Celtic…

Riane Eisler and Catherine Bohnsack: Contraception, prosperity and quality of life

AFP

Some politicians are still calling contraception a social evil. This is an astonishing claim in the 21st Century when all the evidence is that contraception is key to a more successful economy and a better quality of life – not only for individual women and their families, but for us all. Because contraception makes it…

Application period for Ray Houser Scholarship opens

AFP

The Staunton Music Guild officially opened the application process for the newly established Ray Houser Scholarship on March 5. The scholarship fund was established in 2011 by the Staunton Music Guild in honor of Mr. Houser’s dedication to radio broadcasting, music, and his steadfast commitment towards helping others in his Shenandoah Valley community. Ray Houser…

Donaldson announces candidacy for City Council seat

Chris Graham

City firefighter Robert “Bob” Donaldson has announced his intentions to run for the Ward B seat on City Council during the May 1 general election. Donaldson is a lifelong resident of the City of Waynesboro. He was educated in the Waynesboro school system, graduating from Waynesboro High School in 1995.  Donaldson received his AASD in…

Staunton Augusta Art Center: Exhibit news

AFP

If you want to see some excellent, sophisticated art, don’t miss the current exhibit at the Staunton Augusta Art Center, which ends this Sunday, Feb. 19, 1-4 p.m. We have been very proud to host this exhibit, Divergent Visions: The Graduate Art Faculty of James Madison University, which includes drawings, paintings, photographs, and some very…

Disney heiress to speak at EMU commencement

Chris Graham

Her ties to the first family of entertainment are strong but this Disney focuses on brave women in peacebuilding rather than cartoons and children’s films. Abigail Disney, a philanthropist, scholar and award-winning filmmaker, will give the annual commencement address at Eastern Mennonite University 0n Sunday, April 29. “EMU is a remarkable institution, an island of…

Report: Wine industry contributes $747M to state economy

AFP

A newly released economic impact study shows that Virginia’s burgeoning wine industry contributes $747 million annually to Virginia’s economy, an increase of 106 percent over the figures from the last economic impact study conducted in 2005. All major economic drivers examined in the comprehensive study showed significant double-digit percentage growth. “The Virginia wine industry has…

Schorsch to present lecture/recital

Chris Graham

Ellen Schorsch, pianist, piano teacher and writer, will present a multi-media lecture-recital, sponsored by the Shenandoah Valley Art Center, “Music Inspired by Art and Artists” on Sunday, March 11 at 3 p.m.. at the P. Buckley Moss Museum, 150 P. Buckley Moss Drive in Waynesboro. Schorsch’s program will be accompanied by a power point presentation illustrating…

Race-car driver Leilani Münter to speak at Bridgewater College

Chris Graham

Leilani Münter, professional race car driver and environmental activist, will speak on “Never Underestimate a Vegetarian Hippy Chick with a Race Car,” at Bridgewater College on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Cole Hall. How does someone whose livelihood involves getting only 1.3 miles per gallon of gasoline call themselves an environmentalist? Recognizing that…