Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Well, the holidays came and went (and I sure hope yours were wonderful). Now it’s time to relax and… actually, scratch that—it’s time to plan a birthday par-tay! That’s right; next week, Colton turns seven. That means there’s only 11 years until he can officially drive the Grave Digger monster truck. 

He’s well on his way. For Christmas, Santa brought a motorized Grave Digger ride-on toy. Admittedly, C’s way too tall for it—but that hasn’t stopped him from zooming around the house, giggling while seemingly trying to run me over. It’s a joy to see. 

As we embark on a new year together, I hope this one’s good for you. I hope 2025 brings every joy to your doorstep, and every wonderful thing you could ever wish for. Three days in, it’s already brought me happiness because I’m so glad you’re here. 

Here’s what you need to know: Virginia’s 2025 festival season offers a dynamic mix of traditions, music, food, and culture, showcasing the state’s vibrant communities and unique charm. From coastal celebrations to mountain getaways, these events promise unforgettable experiences for every interest.

Our top picks: 

• Coastal Virginia Magazine WineFest—The 11th Annual Coastal Virginia Magazine WineFest returns on Jan. 18 and 19, offering a sophisticated weekend of wine, spirits, and entertainment. This highly anticipated Hampton event will showcase Virginia’s finest wineries, cideries, and distilleries alongside local cuisine and specialty craft vendors.

• Virginia Festival of the Book—Held Mar. 20-23 in Charlottesville, this event brings together writers and readers from across the nation to celebrate the power of storytelling and ideas. Featuring a wide range of voices and perspectives, the festival offers programs that are free and open to the public, creating an inclusive space for learning, discussion, and inspiration.

• Virginia Highlands Festival—This cherished summer tradition in Abingdon invites visitors to celebrate the vibrant arts, history, and culture of Southwest Virginia. From July 25 to Aug. 3, this beloved event will feature over 200 individual activities—from uncovering treasures at the Antiques & Vintage Market to shopping handcrafted creations at the Juried Arts and Crafts Show and exploring Appalachian traditions through food and history workshops.

Got cabin fever? We’ve rounded up 10 events sure to get you out of the house this year.

Question of the Week: Have you made your New Year’s resolution yet? I’m still deciding on mine—and whether that’s to be quiet or loud. 😅 I’m open to great ideas and would love to hear yours at amie@couriernewsroom.com.

Photo by University of Virginia

U.S. News cooked up its list using a complex recipe of graduation rates, expert opinions, and student excellence—though some might argue it’s more alchemy than science. Love them or loathe them, these rankings wield undeniable influence in the college selection game. This year, a handful of Virginia’s finest have elbowed their way onto the national stage.

Leading the pack of Virginia institutions is the University of Virginia, securing an impressive 24th-place tie in the National Universities category. This achievement solidifies UVA’s position as one of the nation’s premier public universities, known for its rich history and academic excellence.

Not far behind, Virginia Tech shares the 51st spot in the same category. The Blacksburg-based institution continues to be recognized for its strong engineering programs and research initiatives.

In the National Liberal Arts Colleges rankings, Virginia shines with multiple entries:

• Washington and Lee University stands out at 19th place, highlighting its commitment to a well-rounded liberal arts education.
• The University of Richmond follows closely, tying for 22nd place and reinforcing its reputation for combining liberal arts with strong pre-professional programs.
• Virginia Military Institute, the nation’s oldest state-supported military college, ranks 59th, showcasing its unique blend of military discipline and academic rigor.

The College of William & Mary, America’s second-oldest institution of higher learning, ties for 54th place in the National Universities category. This ranking reflects its continued dedication to combining the best aspects of a liberal arts education with the opportunities of a research university.

Want to learn more about the impacts and implications of these ratings? We’ve got what you need to know linked below. 

• In a thrilling display of artificial intelligence and automotive engineering, the University of Virginia’s robot racecar team, Cavalier Autonomous Racing, clinched victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The team’s AI-driven car not only won the speed trial portion of the Indy Autonomous Challenge but also set a new record, marking a milestone for American teams in the competition (READ MORE HERE).

• Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is trying to again block state funding for low-income people seeking abortions when faced with severe fetal diagnoses. The proposal is included in the budget amendments Youngkin presented to lawmakers this week and is one Youngkin has pushed for in previous budget debates (READ MORE HERE).

• Whether we found it on the yellow brick road, or in videos from a Thailand zoo, or perhaps in unlikely Olympic heroes, we gravitated toward fantasy and feel-good pop culture moments in 2024. After a year where much changed but some things held steady, here’s the Associates Press’ annual, very selective trip down pop culture memory lane (READ MORE HERE). 

This week, we’re featuring a basketball highlight! If you’d like to see your team’s accomplishments broadcast on Dogwood’s platforms, send a note and photo to amie@couriernewsroom.com or reply to this message. Just be sure you have permission to share from all of the proper sources—players/guardians, photographers, and coaches/schools, to name a few.

Freshman Breona Hurd’s already had a successful season—and 2025 just started!

In 2024, Hurd signed with the Hoos while finishing up her high school career in Waynesville, Missouri, where she became the Waynesville High School All-time Scoring Record Holder.

Now playing for the University of Virginia, Hurd recently participated in Mic’d Up Mondays. That’s a recorded segment where players wear microphones during practice to capture the on-the-court action. In her clips, Hurd congratulates her teammates often, giving compliments and hive-fives for good plays.

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