Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

The dryer broke last Saturday, and the part took nearly a week to arrive. That meant I needed to get creative. I went to Home Depot with little more than a vision and a debit card, and there they sat: A pile of 8-foot-fence-post-lookin’ pieces of timber. They had all the rustic charm, complete with authentic wooden patterns and the promise of multiple splinters.

My tiny self loaded three pieces onto one of those long, flat orange buggies and proceeded indoors. I decided that heading to the cutting station was necessary 1) so my haul would fit into my Ford Fusion sedan and 2) because I planned to create the top of the signature “T” shape by slicing one post in half. It would’ve been a flawless plan, I’m sure, if the saw would’ve worked—alas, it was broken. 

Of course, that didn’t deter me. I rolled our portable clothes rack right onto the front porch and made a makeshift clothesline that way. It might not’ve been the most beautiful neighborhood decoration, but it worked. Long story short, the piece to fix the dryer came a day earlier than expected, and I installed it in five minutes. All’s well in the world of clean clothes—and I’m so glad you’re here.

Here’s what you need to know: Want to try something new while also exploring some of the hidden gems the commonwealth has to offer? We’ve found a variety of fun attractions to enjoy with your family—from hiking trails to wine trails, Virginia has it all.

Our top picks: 

• The Monticello Wine Trail celebrates 40 nearby wineries close to Charlottesville. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a day trip, the Monticello Wine Trail is the perfect destination for all vino lovers.  

• When the weather starts to get warmer, the cherry blossom begin to bloom. Once the blossoms are in peak bloom, the Tidal Basin begins budding with people striving to capture and admire the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s unique experience.
• Fredericksburg Brewfest is an annual event in the city to showcase regional brewery products. The festival will take place on Apr. 5 at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds. Attendees can enjoy beer and cider samplings, live music, and more. 

Springing up for adventure? We’ve rounded up 10 fun activities for you below.

From Mar. 17-31, we are running our Supporter Drive, and we need your help to ensure we can continue to cover the critical local stories that matter most to Virginia, especially as the upcoming elections approach.

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Question of the Week: What’s your favorite spring festival in Virginia? Let me know at amie@couriernewsroom.com, and you might see it featured in an upcoming article!

We are pleased that COURIER has voluntarily recognized our union at this crucial time when media workers everywhere are fighting for stronger protections against layoffs and better pay. 

We look forward to negotiating a strong contract that empowers every worker at COURIER as we navigate the ongoing transformation of our industry.

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• Hear from a dad who lives in Fairfax about how devastating it would be for his family—including his son with an intellectual developmental disability—if they lost access to Medicaid. Republicans in Congress want to make massive cuts to federal spending that would threaten Medicaid here in Virginia (WATCH HERE).

• “I grew up clear on who was on our side and who wasn’t, with a keen sense of who will pocket the profit at the end of the day,” says Gwen Frisbie-Fulton, sharing her view from rural America. “That’s why when I see Teslas for sale on the White House lawn or hear pundits yelling at me as if it were a Honduran immigrant who hiked up my rent, I’m hot onto their business plan” (READ MORE HERE).

• Lisa Coons is the second Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointee to abruptly resign as Virginia State Superintendent. Reports indicate that under Coons, the Virginia Department of Education failed to meet several deadlines for submitting reports and teaching materials (READ MORE HERE).

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