Neighborhood News

An exhibit of The Dinky Railroad will be held beside the Stuart Pavilion at JEB Stuart Birthplace, 1091 Ararat Highway, Ararat 2 p.m., on Saturday, September 23, and you are invited to participate. “Come help us drive a few railroad spikes on the Original Dinky railroad track,” organizers said. “Learn about...

The Stuart Ruritan Club would like to thank everyone who bought a raffle ticket in support of starting up the club. Funds will be used for community service projects. The club's first community service project is a Mental Health Awareness Walk, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, at the Patrick County...

Master Gardeners Jessica Hines, Jen Harrison and Norma Bozenmayer taught a workshop on the benefits of trees while Landmark artists created a whimsical tree to be displayed in their activity room. The oak tree can support over 700 species of native insects. For information on trees or Master Gardener programs email mgpcva@gmail.com.

Master Gardeners Carrie Ingles, Donnah Sparkle, Debbie Hyde, Denny Jennings and Sherry Easterbrooks taught techniques on preserving the garden harvest using canning, dehydration, freezing, fermentation and root cellars. There was also a special presentation on growing and using lavender. The presentations were followed by a feast of lavender cheese, lavender...

Local Stuart Eagles Aerie #4007, along with many selfless donors, raised an amazing $16,000 for the Ronald McDonald House on Saturday. The 3rd Annual Garland Hall Memorial Ride on September 9th was a little rainy, but folks still turned out and came together to support a great cause making it...

The Ararat Ruritan Club is wrapping up its third quarter community service projects. A Community Appreciation Day/Cruise-In honoring local veterans and first responders kicked off the summer season in mid-May, and many members placed flags on area veterans' graves for Memorial Day. In June, the club recognized the State Champion PCHS...

Thankful to all the musicians, singers, kitchen helpers, 50/50 ticket sales, and the audience who came out Friday night. We all enjoyed the (bluegrass) Banjo pickers immensely.  The open jam was held at the Willis Gap Community Center, 144 The Hollow Road, Ararat, an affiliated partner with The Crooked Road, Virginia's Heritage...

Meadows of Dan High School’s Class of 1964 reunited recently. Pictured, (L to R) are Hilda Stanley Vivier, Maurice “Smokey” Shelor, Evelena Newman Dalton, Joan Lawson Griffin, Ruby Boyd Asbury, Richard Conner, Buford Jessup. The photo was taken at the September 3, 2023, Ice Cream Social/Memorial Service honoring Gary Cockram,...

Last week, Mayberry Trading Post in Meadows of Dan hosted an antique Plymouth, while Robbie and Betty Vance performed Sock-Hop favorites. The mercantile is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Meadows of Dan. (By Joanne Hill)

In many cultures, summoning rain often included the use of musical instruments. One well-known example is a rain stick, an instrument that mimics the sound of rain. Young artists and their parents built their own musical rain sticks out of local bamboo, dried beans and wooden skewers in a library art workshop...