Earlier this week, our air conditioner gave up on us. And we finally gave up on it. It’s no secret that we’re hoping to make some big upgrades to our HVAC this fall, which will be costly.
Rather than spending a few hundred (more) bucks just to get through the next couple of weeks before we replace the whole system, I had another thought: Maybe we could come up with some ideas for staying cool in the meantime.
Many of our newsletter readers were either born around the same time as—or predate—the uptick of residential air conditioning in the late 1940s through ‘60s. That means several of you probably remember life without the cool, crisp commodity we’ve all come to appreciate. If so, what are some of the ways you or your parents kept the home cool in the summer?
I’d be very interested to hear your answers. If I receive enough of them, I might even write an article sharing your ideas with the next generation. Write to me at amie@couriernewsroom.com and let me know what worked well for you on the hottest days (bonus points if you remember the approximate decade, just how hot those scorchers might’ve been, and the city/state you called home at the time).
Stay cool out there this week because I’m so glad you’re here.
|
|
|
Clarksville is located on the water of Buggs Island Lake. (Virginia Tourism Corporation)
|
By Aila Boyd
Here’s what you need to know: While most people reside in Virginia’s large population centers, like Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Arlington, the commonwealth isn’t short on small towns that punch above their weight with charm and unique personalities.
Our top picks:
-
Known as “The Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capital,” Middleburg in Loudoun County has a population of less than 700. Its Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America features a wide range of foxhunting art, artifacts, and memorabilia.
-
While Smithfield, a town of 8,500 in Isle of Wight County, is a pleasant place to visit, it’s an especially appealing destination for those who love pork products because of the town’s legacy stemming from the Smithfield ham law from the 1920s. Visit the Isle of Wight County Museum to see the world’s oldest ham, as well as the world’s oldest peanut.
-
Clarksville, with its 1,300 residents, is defined by being Virginia’s only lakeside town. It sits against the 50,000-acre Buggs Island Lake, making it ideal for outdoor fun. The best way to experience the lake is to visit Occoneechee State Park, which offers 20 miles of trails and plenty of docks for fishing, boating, and swimming.
Ready for adventure? See if your favorite small town made our top 10 list.
|
|
|
Spooky season is right around the corner, and colonial Virginia has the market on ghost stories.
As Benjamin Harrison IV and his daughter, Hannah, attempted to close Berkeley Plantation’s second floor windows during a July 1745 thunderstorm, a bolt of lightning struck and instantly claimed their lives.
Some visitors report hearing a child’s playful giggling echoing through the corridors. Others sense a jovial host in the dining room.
The Ghost and Hauntings Tour—one of the private specialty tours offered at the site—delves into the stories of Berkeley’s paranormal activities.
|
|
|
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier leaves Naval Station Norfolk, June 23, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark, File)
|
By Michael O’Connor
As the Iran war enters its seventh month, Democrat Elaine Luria is calling out her opponent in one of Virginia’s most competitive congressional races this fall for going along with the Trump administration’s war and cuts to veterans’ services.
The Iran war is disrupting the world economy, driving up gas prices, and taking a toll on service members, said Luria, a US Navy veteran and former member of Congress looking to take back her seat from incumbent Republican US Rep. Jen Kiggans in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.
“It’s not making us any safer,” Luria said in an interview on Aug. 28. “It’s not making Iran any farther from having a nuclear weapon.”
Luria called the Iran war a conflict of choice that Trump “single-handedly got us into.” She criticized Kiggans for voting against constraining the White House’s power to continue to wage the war.
Recently, Kiggans has said she’d “like to see that conflict wrap up.” She did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
|
|
|
Have you shared this newsletter with a neighbor?
|
|
|
Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes stories from Aila Boyd and Michael O’Connor. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.
Dogwood is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.
|
|
|
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.
Our mailing address is:
Dogwood / COURIER Newsroom
3229 Greenpoint Ave., PMB 532
Long Island City, New York 11101
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or from this list.
|
|
|
|
