Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

I feel like we blinked and July was halfway over—or should I say “half-baked” with all of the heat we’ve had this month? I, for one, am a creature of autumn (the two weeks we get of it per year in Virginia). I’ve already started thinking about pumpkin spice lattes and roasting marshmallows.

Alas, it’s still summertime, as the thermometer continues to remind me. And that means there’s still plenty of time to plan some fun in the sun adventures around the commonwealth. We’re highlighting a super unique one of those in today’s lead story, and I’m so glad you’re here to read it.

Amie Knowles

Newsletter Editor, Dogwood

Adventure Park Massanutten Resort debuts Mountain Mayhem, the first alpine coaster ride in Virginia. (Massanutten Resort via Reuters Connect)

Experience the first alpine coaster ride in Virginia

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

Here’s what you need to know: Massanutten Resort, a family resort in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, launched Mountain Mayhem, the first alpine coaster ride in Virginia, on July 9.

Fun facts:

Spanning a total length of 3,380 feet, Mountain Mayhem will deliver an exhilarating downhill ride across 2,156 feet of track with two full 360-degree spirals. Each run lasts approximately six minutes and offers a fully customizable experience.
Riders can reach up to 25 miles per hour, but for those who wish to soak in the resort’s breathtaking Shenandoah Valley views at a more leisurely pace, riders have complete control and can customize their speed for a unique experience.
The new attraction joins an impressive lineup of activities at the resort’s Family Adventure Park, which delivers year-round excitement and stunning mountain views to guests of all ages.

Ready to ride? The coaster is open for business, and we’ve got details at the link below.

Ride VA’s first alpine coaster →

The first Christmas in our home. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)

Christmas in July, part two

By Amie Knowles

Y’all, I know this sounds crazy, but when I deep clean my house, I turn on Christmas music. It doesn’t matter what season it is, how hot the outdoor temperature reads, or how odd my neighbors might think I am—when the broom and dustpan come out, so does Mariah Carey.

Thanks to a healthy dose of ADHD, deep cleaning and I do not get along. If I’m lucky enough to actually start the task, it quickly devolves into picking up a cool thing to put away, only to realize how nifty it is, how interesting the thing next to the object I picked up is, and suddenly, I’m in another room rearranging my rock collection while the pile I originally started cleaning is somehow larger than when I began.

It’s easy to get frustrated with myself when that happens—especially if I set out to be really intentional with my time, and it got away from me regardless. I hate cleaning. What I don’t hate is Christmastime. So I came up with a theory: I think it’s actually impossible to be grumpy or angry or upset while listening to “Run, Run Rudolph” by Church Berry, “We Need a Little Christmas” by Angela Lansbury in the Broadway musical “Mame,” and of course, Carey’s holiday hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

Granted, what’s the best of the best when it comes to Christmas songs? In my opinion, that’s “Silver Bells”—any version, but I especially love Andy Williams’. The lyrics evoke such an idealized image of a perfect holiday season, and that’s a cheer I love to have around all year long.

Listen to “Silver Bells” (yes, in July) →

Lake Anna State Park is one of the 44 Virginia State Parks where you can volunteer. (Virginia Tourism Corporation)

Volunteer at a Virginia State Park

By Aila Boyd

Do you have students in your life looking for volunteer hours over the summer? Or maybe you’re looking to do something meaningful with your free time.

Virginia State Parks can be found in all corners of the commonwealth, and all 44 parks welcome volunteers willing to contribute to their sustainable mission.

Volunteer opportunities include clearing trails, pulling invasive plants, identifying plants and animals, and providing visitor support—and volunteer hours are highly flexible.

An application and background check are required. Volunteers are eligible to earn points that can be redeemed as benefits.

Volunteer at a state park →

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 USA Today Network via Reuters Connect and Aila Boyd. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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