Let’s address the elephant in the room: On Wednesday, your newsletter was shorter than intended. The two other stories I included were accidentally nixed at the last second (an error on my part), and I didn’t realize that happened until a few minutes after the email went out.
I sure am sorry that happened, so how about this: let’s look at some good news stories from around the commonwealth, shall we?
✅ The story behind Staunton’s 20-foot tomato plant
✅ What to know and how to prepare for Virginia’s hurricane season
✅ Inside the rivalry that defines Virginia football
I’m so glad you’re here to read all about it—now let’s get into some other happenings.
P.S. Our offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12, for Indigenous Peoples Day. Your next Dogwood newsletter will arrive on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
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Head to the Norfolk Waterfront for the 38th Annual Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Festival. (Norfolk Festevents/Darryl Miles)
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Aila Boyd
Here’s what you need to know: No matter what part of the commonwealth you’re in, you can still put on your favorite plaid shirt and partake in the excitement.
Our top picks:
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Happening this weekend (Oct. 9-11), you can raise a glass at George Washington’s estate during the Fall Wine Festival. The event will feature samples of Virginia-made wines with views of the Potomac River.
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Embrace fall with a variety of local wines on the Norfolk Waterfront during the 38th Annual Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 18. Wineries and vineyards from throughout the commonwealth will be participating, including Lake Anna Winery in Spotsylvania and Virginia Mountain Vineyards in Fincastle.
- Through Oct. 31, the Reston Farm Garden Market’s Fall Fest—which is ideal for energetic young ones—will feature everything from an inflatable corn maze and petting zoo to face painting and train rides around the farm.
Ready for fun? We’ve got more information on these and other Virginia fall events at the link below.
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By Ava Edwards
Since it was announced in May, the proposed Dominion-NextEra merger has had Virginians talking. Now, local lawmakers are entering the chat.
Here’s what they’re saying:
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“They need the public scrutiny, they need to be called out on their intentions, and now is truly the time to speak up.”—Del. Katrina Callsen
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“These giant monopolies keep sticking Virginia families with higher bills, hidden costs, and horrendous transmission lines and data centers that communities clearly do not want.” — Tom Perriello, 5th District candidate
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Voters cast their ballots on the first day of early voting, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Alexandria, Virginia. (AP Photo/Nathan Ellgren)
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By Ava Edwards
Your voter identification may be one of the most significant parts of your voting plan. It’s important to plan what form of ID you’ll bring with you to the polls and understand the rules surrounding it.
Accepted forms of voter ID
- Virginia driver’s license (current or expired)
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Virginia DMV-issued ID card (current or expired, as well as in electronic form)
- Valid employee ID card, containing a photograph, issued by voter’s employer in ordinary course of business (public or private employer)
- US military ID
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Valid student ID issued by a high school or institution of higher education located in Virginia
More forms of identification are available here.
Non-accepted forms of voter ID
- Out-of-state driver’s license
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Student ID from a high school located outside of Virginia
- Membership card from private organization displaying a photograph
- Credit card displaying a photograph
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Virginia Driver Privilege Card and Identification Privilege Card
In the case you forget your identification at home, you may still vote if you sign an ID statement affirming your identity, or you may receive a provisional ballot and extra instructions from poll workers to ensure your vote is counted.
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You’re election-ready. 🙌 Now help a friend get there, too—forward this email before Nov. 3.
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By Ava Edwards
Earlier this week, we asked what questions Dogwood readers had about the upcoming Nov. 3 election. One common question that we’d like to address is where, exactly, to cast your ballot—especially considering your place to vote early may differ from where you’d vote on Election Day. Whether you’re new to voting or new to the area, it’s a good idea to research your polling place ahead of time.
Polling locations can vary from one election to another, as building availability changes or districts are redrawn. These frequent changes are why it’s so important to stay up to date on where you vote during each election season.
Vote.org has a polling place locator to find your voting location directly from your state’s elections website.
To use this tool, select your state from the drop-down selector on top. From there, you’ll be taken to your state’s elections website. For Virginia, you can find out where you can register to vote, check your registration status, apply for an absentee ballot, and finally, find your polling place.
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Would you share this newsletter with a friend?
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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 with reporting by Monique Calello/Staunton News Leader, Aila Boyd, Joey Held, and Ava Edwards. It was edited by Paula Solis.
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