Hi there. It’s Amie.

What’s better than the simple fact that it’s Friday? It’s that I’ve got some great news for y’all! Remember near the beginning of the school year when we announced the sad reality that there wouldn’t be a tax-free weekend in Virginia this year? That’s changed.

Here’s how this happened: A forgetful legislature and six extra months of negotiations over the state budget resulted in a lapse of these three days of sales tax-free shopping earlier this year. Now back on track, the sales tax holiday will take place this weekend, Oct. 20-22.

Qualifying Virginia sales tax holiday items include:

School supplies, clothing, and footwear
Hurricane and emergency preparedness products
Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products

The savings extend beyond in-store purchases to also include select purchases made online, by mail order, and by telephone. To learn more about the special sales tax holiday, click here.

Amie Knowles

Community Editor, Dogwood

“Virginia is for Lovers”: 10 charming spots for a romantic getaway

Here’s what you need to know: It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a low-cost mountain retreat or to splurge on a luxurious urban experience, we’ve got you covered with this list of 10 places perfect for a quickie getaway.

Our top picks:

First Landing State Park—Spending the weekend in a cabin at First Landing State Park is a good option for couples who enjoy the outdoors. While the cabins don’t offer the type of amenities you might find at a resort, they make up for it by being located in a park that offers 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy Chesapeake Bay beach frontage.
Eagles Nest Tree House—This is the ideal spot for those looking for a rustic romantic getaway. The treehouse is nestled 17 feet high in the treetops. You can enjoy a meal on the lower patio area, which has a gas grill and picnic table. For drinks, move to one of the hanging rope chairs on the deck. Later, relax in the hot tub.
L’Auberge Provençale—It’s difficult to think of anything more romantic than a French getaway. While not in France, L’Auberge Provençale is a charming French-style country inn that is nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.

Ready for more adventure? To learn more about our top three choices—and discover seven more—click here.

Read this article

We want to hear from you: Do you have a favorite fall getaway in Virginia? Email me at amie@couriernewsroom.com or reply back to this email and let me know—I’m always looking for a great adventure. Don’t forget to mention what part of the commonwealth you call home!

Yes, Virginia, you can still register and vote in the 2023 elections

Virginia’s voter registration deadline has passed, but if you missed it and still want to cast your ballot in this year’s elections, you can still do so. As of last year, Virginia allows “same-day voter registration,” which means that eligible voters can still register and cast their ballots simultaneously through Election Day.

Through this process, voters will cast a provisional ballot—but don’t let the name scare you off, since as long as you’re eligible, it’ll count. After a provisional ballot is cast, the local registrar’s office will research whether the voter who cast that ballot is indeed eligible to vote in that locality.

If the voter’s registration application is approved, the provisional ballot is then counted like a normal ballot. If for some reason the provisional ballot is not counted, the voter will be notified by the general registrar.

Virginia’s key 2023 voting deadlines:

The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is
Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. The request must be received by your local voter registration office by 5 p.m.
Early Saturday voting at your local voter registration office begins Oct. 28, 2023.
The last day to vote early in-person is Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, by 5 p.m.
The general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. through 7 p.m.

Read this article

~ ICYMI ~

A nonprofit organization in Martinsville, The Harvest Foundation, helps positive community intentions become realities though a grant funded effort, Project Hope. Each year, the nonprofit opens an application period for charitable organizations, community engagement groups, volunteer groups, and more to submit ideas on ways to beneficially impact the Martinsville-Henry County (MHC) area. This year, the foundation funded nine ideas, totaling more than $91,200 (READ MORE HERE).
Eileen Filler-Corn, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates who served as the chamber’s first woman Speaker, has announced she’ll run for a northern Virginia seat next year in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. Current VA-10 Rep. Jennifer Wexton announced last month that she would not seek reelection because of a recent devastating heath diagnosis (READ MORE HERE).
Did you know that Virginia is actually home to the first Black-owned winery in the US? Woburn Winery opened in 1940, and Dogwood correspondent Carly Maher has some insight into this historic operation (WATCH HERE).

Your Commonwealth Connection

Our weekly #ThisIsVirginia post spotlights the people, places, and things that make us a commonwealth.

It’s not every day you see a cat out on a grand adventure, but Taupe isn’t your average feline. Taupe and Tyler S.—from Birmingham, Alabama—enjoy exploring the great outdoors together.

Equipped with a harness and leash for safety, Taupe prefers a unique mode of trans-purr-tation—perched atop Tyler’s shoulders. We met the traveling duo on a recent trip to Natural Bridge State Park, where Tyler regaled us with exciting stories of their ongoing adventure.

“I’m on a little road trip, and I’m slowly making my way back home,” Tyler said.

The pair traveled up to Maine before turning around, stopping at interesting spots they found along the way.

We’re wishing safe travels and a fun journey to Tyler and Taupe!

This email is written by Amie Knowles, community editor at Dogwood, lifelong Virginia resident, and mom to a fantastic five-year-old who loves monster trucks.
Have a question or comment? Reply back to this email!