Sunday’s a special day in our neck of the woods, and we’re excited to celebrate it with you. On June 28, Dogwood turns 7 years old. That’s right—in the summer of 2019, a few folks got together and formed the online news outlet we’ve come to know and love.
The following summer, a former boss of mine (hi, Brian) landed a job here as the managing editor. A couple of weeks later, my phone lit up, and when I answered, he cut straight to the point: “I want you to come work for me again.” I told him he was crazy. It was merited—I had a 2-year-old, and I wasn’t sure how I could balance home life with a 40-hour workweek. He convinced me to try it for three weeks. “If you don’t like it after that, we’ll pretend this never happened.”
Lord willing, those three weeks will turn into 6 years come September. In that time, I’ve seen Dogwood go from baby-puke-green branding to the vibrant electric green we have now. I’ve written stories that made me smile and ones that made me cry, and I’ve become close with exceedingly cool people I never thought would know my name.
And while this is my experience as the longest Dogwood employee, it’s so much bigger than what I alone bring to the table. It’s a collective effort by extremely talented journalists who I’m happy to call friends who show up each day to create something useful for you. I mean it—you’re the reason we do this, and this weekend especially, I’m so glad you’re here.
|
|
|
The Hungry Mother Arts Festival has been held at Hungry Mother State Park for more than 50 years. (Virginia Tourism Corporation)
|
By Aila Boyd
Here’s what you need to know: Whether you’re planning a beachside weekend, mountain getaway, or day trip, these standout festivals highlight the best Virginia has to offer
Our top picks:
-
This year marks the 38th year PrideFest has been held in Norfolk. The June 27 festival is meant to uplift the LGBTQIA+ and ally communities through a range of programming, like music, art, and activism. Make sure you attend the well-known Pride Boat Parade.
-
The Wintergreen Music Festival is a month-long musical celebration at Wintergreen Resort that’s nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A variety of well-known musicians from genres like classical, bluegrass, jazz, Motown, singer-songwriter, and Broadway will gather to delight audiences throughout July.
-
The Hungry Mother Arts Festival is the longest-running festival to be held in a Virginia State Park, having been held at Hungry Mother State Park for more than 50 years. The free event happening July 17-19 is held by the Arts League of Marion to generate funds to support art scholarships and a county-wide art show for high schoolers.
Ready for fun? Learn more about these and other festivals happening throughout Virginia at the link below.
|
|
|
We’re running our summer supporter drive through June 30, and we need your help to keep reporting the local stories that matter most to Virginia.
There are only 4 days left. We need 16 Virginians to donate $16 so we can smash our goal.
Donate today to support the Dogwood. Any amount helps us continue delivering trusted, community-focused journalism.
|
|
|
Colton (left) and Amie Knowles enjoy lunch at Fancy Frog in Gretna.
|
By Amie Knowles
Colton informed us in no uncertain terms that Fancy Frog’s double cheeseburger tied with Gordon Ramsay’s. The mom-and-pop diner in Gretna is one of those hole-in-the-walls you might miss if you’re not looking for it.
I strongly recommend you look for it.
I got the country vegetable plate, complete with three sides of my choice and a roll. Y’all, it was $5.85. Let that sink in for a second—all that food, freshly prepared, under $6.
In fact, the menu prices top out at $12.95, and that’s for 12 chicken wings. Colton’s double cheeseburger was under $7, and my husband’s chuck wagon steak was just $9.99. If you want some good down-home cooking, Fancy Frog is the place to go.
|
|
|
Earlier this week, we asked:
Which Virginia historical event do you wish you could’ve seen firsthand?
Responses came flooding in, and as a self-proclaimed history buff, that made my heart so happy. Todd Z. and Jeanne W. mentioned they’d love to have heard Patrick Henry’s 1775 “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech in Richmond.
Others, like Joseph S., Katrina K., and Donna G., wanted to witness Barbra Johns’ walkout at R.R. Moton High School in Farmville.
It’s not too late to weigh in with your opinion. Email me anytime to keep the conversation going.
|
|
|
|
Children sit in a classroom participating in a lesson. (Shutterstock/Rawpixel)
|
By Jonny Lupsha
Virginians could soon be asked to vote on a new 1% sales tax to fix aging public schools in their communities. Half of Virginia schools are more than 50 years old and need repairs, and state leaders are weighing whether to allow referendums on this November’s ballot as districts face growing repair costs and new financial pressure tied to private school voucher programs.
Under Virginia’s Dillon Rule, local governments can only exercise powers granted by state lawmakers, and former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed bills that would have given all communities the option to ask voters for a school construction sales tax.
Instead of allowing these bills to pass, Youngkin’s solution for education was to opt Virginia into the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). Passed into law as part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill in 2025, the ECCA establishes a voluntary federal school voucher program.
|
|
|
-
Prince William County employees are voting on whether the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Virginia 512 can represent them at the negotiating table. Voting for these workers, who total more than 2,000 and include county librarians, social workers, and IT specialists, ends July 22. (Read more)
-
The Swift Observatory has been scanning the cosmos for more than two decades while orbiting Earth. But in recent years, NASA has noticed that the crucial satellite has been unexpectedly descending—putting it at risk of burning up in Earth’s atmosphere. (Read more)
-
Former Vice President Mike Pence was hired for $150,000 to teach or co-teach one course in the spring 2026 semester at George Mason University on a nine-month contract. A document obtained by the American Association of University Professors shows that Pence’s role was a part-time appointment and that he was expected to make public appearances, give guest lectures, and advise students. (Read more)
|
|
|
Would you share this newsletter with a friend?
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
