“Then came July like three o’clock in the afternoon, hot and listless and miserable.” ~Allie Ray
I think that quote pretty much sums up how a lot of people feel about this year’s summer and July. While our gardens love the rain, so have the yard and the weeds. Lots of things to get done around the house, but with the humidity, not a lot of energy to do them. Thankfully, the Chamber can work from the comforts of the air conditioning.
The month started off on a wonderful note with the great fireworks display that was provided by the Stuart Fire Department. Being a Blue Ridge Rising Ambassador, I attended the summit in Roanoke. This two-day summit covered everything from how local communities are learning to find alternatives due to their sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway being shut down either by the paving projects or the Helene hurricane damage, to lots of great new things to come with the Foundation’s Blue Ridge Rising initiative. I look forward to working with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation as we support our National Park and treasure.
The Fall Patrick County Magazine ad sales and article selection is coming along. We are once again projecting it to be printed and made available during the Patrick County Agricultural Fair in September. Remember to start working on canned items, quilts, and garden selections to enter the fair in early September.
We have had several meetings this month to help get us ready for the fall. Once August rolls around, it is a mad dash to the end of the year with community events. Go ahead and mark your calendar for the Chamber and Reynold’s Homestead’s “Lunch with Leaders” event. This year, the event will be held on November 12th.
August does seem to kick everything into high gear for the second half of the year. We have the last First Friday Summer Jam concert series, art take in at the Reynolds Homestead, Labor Day festivities with Front Porch Fest and Dominion Valley Park, as well as final preparations on the magazine. One other big event is Villa Appalaccia’s wine-versary on August 9. This event celebrates the seven years that the Block Family purchased and operated the winery. This year, they are partnering with Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation to raise funds to continue restoration work at the Mabry Mill complex. Come and enjoy some cooler temperatures along the Parkway that day and support a great cause.
For a complete lineup of events visit www.patrickchamber.com.
