Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Fun fact: I’m 32 years old, and I’ve never been to a spa before. The closest thing I’ve done to a spa-like experience, I guess, would be—and this is going to sound weird—bathing in the mineral waters of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

At the Arlington, a resort with not-so-terrible prices if you book in advance, guests can add on a bath with water coming directly from the area’s temperate springs. It’s in a room with several tubs dating back to the 1920s, and each area is partitioned and private; think of it as your own little heated pool to enjoy for half an hour or so (with an attendant at the ready with everything from salts to temperature adjustments).

Afterwards, there’s this really cool hot and cold towel wrapping experience and a sauna to enjoy. I’d do it again in a heartbeat—so if a spa is anything even remotely like that, I’d highly recommend it. If you’re looking to pamper yourself this season, today’s lead story is especially for you. I’m so glad you’re here.

Enjoy a relaxing spa experience in Virginia. (Salt of the Earth)

By Dogwood Staff

Here’s what you need to know: Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, or just want to celebrate a job well done, a spa treatment is a great way to show yourself some love.

Our top picks:

• The Flowering Almond Spa in Virginia Beach is located at The Founders Inn, a hotel from Hilton’s Tapestry Collection. Spa guests can book various services including massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and more. The hot tub, pool, and fitness center are also open for spa guests.

• You can book traditional spa services like massages and facials at Neroli Med Spa & Beauty Lounge, but this gem also offers some additional services you might not find at other spas because of the “med” spa focus. If you are looking for injectables or body contouring, Neroli is the place. Other services include dermaplaning, microneedling, laser hair removal, and permanent makeup procedures.

• Salt of the Earth in Abingdon is the place to go for salt therapy—also known as halotherapy. In addition to massages, guests can spend time in the salt room, a controlled environment that simulates a natural salt cave. The spa also offers an infrared sauna and red light therapy.

Ready to book your experience? We’ve got more information about the featured spas at the link below. 

Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, a Buddhist monk on a Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, DC, speaks to a gathering in Spencer, North Carolina. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)

By Amie Knowles

A week and a half ago, my husband, son, and I made rather spontaneous plans to wake up before the sun to drive from Southside down to Spencer, North Carolina, to see a group of Buddhist monks on a Walk for Peace.

I’d heard about their journey from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, DC, and I’d casually observed their daily trek through Facebook and Instagram reels. The more videos I saw, the more invested I became in their safety, well-being, and mission—and when I saw that the monks’ itinerary included a variety of stops in our sister state, I grew even more curious.

We spent two hours on the road to get there and arrived earlier than necessary. That gave us an opportunity to strike up conversations with the people around us, who were also filled with curiosity and excitement. Our son, Colton, met a little girl named Amelia, and they played together for hours. Kody and I chatted with other parents and made friends with a family originally from Philadelphia. By the end of the wait, we were all laughing and talking together—and that was an unexpected treat.

After the monks arrived and ate lunch, Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the leader of the group, stepped to the microphone and delivered an hour-long talk. The topic, as you might’ve guessed, was peace. But it went beyond a simple call for harmony. He taught attendees about mindfulness, the value of putting cell phones away at times, and the importance of self-reflection. Then, the monks passed out peace bracelets before continuing on their walk.

If you’re interested in seeing the group on their walk to DC, they’re scheduled to arrive in Virginia today, Wednesday, Jan. 28. They plan to cross the state line near Gasburg as they travel toward South Hill, then up to Richmond. Access a live map of their daily journey, and see an overview of their trip from start to finish. 

Job: Assistant Director of Facilities

Location: Hanover County Public Schools in Ashland

Salary: $87,988–$114,840/year

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in related field
• Knowledge of maintenance and construction of public facilities
• Knowledge of custodial services, risk management, and development of capital improvement plans preferred
• Valid Virginia driver’s license required
• An equivalent combination of education and professional level experience may be accepted in lieu of level of education

Job description on Indeed: “This position assist with project permitting, scheduling and leading community meetings, obtaining necessary project easements, and working directly with regulatory authorities to ensure project success. This position will assist the Facilities Department to ensure minimal impact to instruction occurs as necessary and to coordinate with building principals and other administration.”

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