This author has not written his bio yet.
But we are proud to say that vaobserver contributed 322 entries already.
Boyce Dispatch By Frank Sheer As the conductor on the Polar Express states: “It doesn’t make a difference where a train is going. What matters is if you get on.” Visitors to the Norfolk & Western Railway (N&W) depot in Boyce will eventually learn more about railroad history at the surviving depot in Clarke County. […]
By Doug Pifer Starting in December, I look forward to seeing black ducks on the spring-fed pond beside the Fresh Walter Institute on Turner Road in Jefferson County. Sometimes they are on the downstream side of the culvert, at other times they’re swimming near a bed of watercress in the upper pond. The other day […]
Walk for WATTS in Winchester February 22 to stamp out homelessness By Cindee Steele The Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter (WATTS) invites everyone to come out for our annual “winterrific,” family-friendly fundraising walk — “Coldest Night of the Year” (CNOY). The walk, which will take place in 50+ participating cities all across the U.S. and […]
It was the perfect day to paddle the Shenandoah River in Page County. It was a fine August day, with the Old Town Canoe carrying a blanket, lunch, and cold beer. We watched the fish jumping and the birds working their way up and down the river. At one point, we heard the faint strains […]
By Amanda Mackay Smith It was in the mid 1950s, and I was 14 or 15 years old. There was one other contestant, a boy about my age. I have no idea who he was. We stood up on the weather beaten open air stage. We were given slabs of watermelon, and raced to see who […]
A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers seeks to balance economic growth with energy fairness and environmental protections. By Markus Schmidt A bipartisan coalition of Virginia lawmakers on Tuesday presented a series of bills aimed at addressing the rapid expansion of data centers, which have become a cornerstone of the state’s economy but have raised concerns about […]
A Tribute to John U. Miller, Jr. The story of Watermelon Park and the Clarke County family that invented the bluegrass festival Story and photos by Jennifer M. Lee I started contributing to the Clarke Monthly newspaper in 2013, and my first writing assignment will always be one of my favorites. I grew up on […]
Winter Session With The Union Men By David Lillard One January during winter break my father got me on with the union for a job at a refinery on the Delaware River. The union was the Heat and Frost Insulators & Asbestos Workers, Local 42. Pipe coverers. I was a helper — an official union […]
Winter Scene at Evening Stables Let’s say, five o’clock mid-winter. You’re down at evening stables, your quilted Carhartt’s on. Bare brown hills roll pink with color borrowed from tomorrow,white in every word you mumble to the dogs. Your neighbor’s barn: a line of yellow squares, as yours must shine for her. She is younger than you are, has yet […]