Hi there. It’s Amie.

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

Me too, Anne. Me too. October is an incredible month, filled with seasonal transitions, pumpkin spice everything, and of course, Anne of Green Gables.

It’s also a time to celebrate the second half of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), enjoy the flavors of National Pizza Month, fight for a cure during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and stand up for those facing difficult situations in Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Beyond the month-long observances, there are also several special days sprinkled throughout my personal favorite month of the year. These include Banned Books Week (going on now!), a partial solar eclipse on Saturday, Oct. 14, and Halloween.

What are you most looking forward to this month? Drop me a line—and I might add your favorite activity to my own list of things to do.

12 Must-Visit Fall Hiking and Biking Trails in Eastern Virginia

Here’s what you need to know: Fall in Virginia is ideal for both hiking and biking. The weather is starting to cool off while the leaves are turning vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Those looking to be active in nature this fall should consider exploring one of these noteworthy trails in the eastern half of the commonwealth.

Our top picks:

Washington & Old Dominion Trail—Also known as the “skinniest park in Virginia,” this trail stretches for 45 miles across several counties. The nickname comes from the fact that it’s a former historic railroad bed.
New Kent Bike Trail System—In 2010, New Kent became the first county in Virginia to have fully mapped and signed bicycle routes when it launched its unique bike trail system, which includes six different bike routes. With each route ranging in length from 15 to 100 miles, it makes things easier that each one is visibly marked with color-coded arrows.
Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail—Stretching for 16 miles, this trail offers a robust ride for bicyclists along the route of the 1940s Dahlgren Branch Rail Line. The trail stretches across King George County just south of the Potomac River on the Northern Neck.

Ready for more adventure? We’ve got nine more trails that are ready to ride.

Read this article

We want to hear from you: What’s your favorite fall activity to do in Virginia? Email me at amie@couriernewsroom.com or reply back to this email and we may feature your response in a future edition. Don’t forget to mention what part of the commonwealth you call home!

There are several important deadlines to know if you plan to vote early this year. We’ve gathered them for your convenience:

The deadline to register to vote or update your existing voter registration is Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (Voters may register after this date—and any time up to and including Election Day—and still vote using a provisional ballot).
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 ~

Following news that an unknown number of Virginians have been illegally removed from voter rolls, pro-democracy groups are condemning the Youngkin administration for the state Department of Elections’ actions (READ MORE HERE).
The Biden administration announced that all 10 drug companies whose medicines were selected for Medicare price negotiations have agreed to participate. Now, these drugmakers will negotiate directly with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to lower the cost of 10 commonly used drugs, thanks to a provision in Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (READ MORE HERE).
Nearly half of all borrowers say they aren’t financially prepared to begin repaying their student loan debt. Despite this, interest began accruing again on Sept. 1, and payments will be due again this month on many loans, while others were recently forgiven (READ MORE HERE).

Your History Highlight

Our weekly history highlight uncovers local stories you might not have heard—even if you’ve lived in Virginia for years! Got an untold story or legend you’d like for us to investigate? We’re all ears.

Have you ever wondered how your community got its name? We’re happy to report that in the case of Horsepasture, it’s exactly what you might expect.

Located just a few miles outside of Martinsville, the district of Horsepasture got its “claim to name” in the 1830s. As the story goes, some travelers from up North were passing through the area. An account on the Bassett Historical Center website states that the group’s horses were “undernourished and overworked.”

The travelers continued trading their horses for some of the local Virginia ones. When the time came to return North, they rode through the same community again. They saw the sickly horses they traded earlier that year, which were healthy and grazing on the “high-quality grass.”

Legend has it that the travelers remarked that the area had the “best horse pasture”—and the name stuck. Today, you can still travel through Horsepasture to the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. Though now, you’re more likely to do so along US Route 58 in a vehicle than on horseback.

📸 : Library of Congress/Historic American Buildings Survey

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.
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