Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Can you believe it?! 2023 is nearly finito. It’s been my pleasure to highlight stories that matter most to you this year, and I hope you’ll enjoy this little recap newsletter to round things out.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed seeing how aligned everyone’s interests are, and here’s what I’ve learned: We like trains, food, and positive news. Want some more of that in 2024? Me too—consider it coming.

No matter where the end of 2023 finds you, I wish all the good and happy things for you in the new year. As we stand at the precipice of new adventures and exciting experiences, I hope these next few moments allow you some time to unwind, relax, reflect, and of course realize that I’m genuinely, really, seriously so glad you’re here.

Amie Knowles

Community Editor, Dogwood

3 Virginia colleges and universities are ranked among the best

Here’s what you need to know: Virginia is home to some of the nation’s most prestigious educational institutions. Three remarkable Virginia schools have even earned their place among the top universities in the United States.

The three VA schools:

University of Virginia—Founded by Thomas Jefferson, UVA is a prestigious institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Often referred to as Mr. Jefferson’s University or simply The University, it has a rich history and a strong academic tradition. UVA is ranked #24 in National Universities.
Virginia Tech—Located in Blacksburg, VT is known for encouraging students to “invent the future.” It’s a research powerhouse with seven research institutes and two university research centers, providing undergraduate and graduate students with ample research opportunities. Virginia Tech is ranked #47 in National Universities.
William & Mary—Tied for #53 in National Universities, William & Mary holds the distinction of being the second-oldest college in the United States. It was founded by King William III and Queen Mary II of England in 1693.

Want to learn more about these top three? We’ve got everything from tuition and fees to undergraduate enrollment numbers at the link below.

Read this article

Is there some specific news coverage you’d like to see next year? One thing that sets Dogwood apart is that we actually cater our coverage to you. If you’re interested in a topic, but haven’t seen much buzz around it, send me an email at amie@couriernewsroom.com or reply to this newsletter. We’re planning for 2024 now, so it’s a great time to drop a line!

A slew of new laws went into effect this year—among them, many that could impact your livelihood and your wallet.

Click below to discover more about the changes, and to see how they could affect you financially.

Read this article

~ ICYMI ~

Fort Barfoot, formerly known as Fort Pickett, became the first of nine US military bases with Confederate references to get a new name, which now honors a decorated officer who fought in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War (READ MORE HERE).
If you’re new to the Brunswick stew scene, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. Thankfully, Dogwood readers know the best spot—even if they don’t all agree on exactly what that is. Hundreds of readers recommended dozens of restaurants from every corner of the state. We put together a list of the most frequently-mentioned stops in each region (READ MORE HERE).
The Inflation Reduction Act ensured that 63,000 Virginians were able to keep their health insurance, reduced the cost of insulin for over 36,000 seniors, and incentivized several manufacturers to invest in the state and create more clean energy jobs. On the one-year anniversary of its passage, we took a look back on how the law impacted Virginia (READ MORE HERE).

Your Commonwealth Connection

Our weekly #ThisIsVirginia post spotlights the people, places, and things that make us a commonwealth.

Many times, localities erect statues of people after they’ve passed away. That isn’t the case in Arrington, where the Nelson County Historical Society’s Oakland Museum installed a larger-than-life bronze likeness of Jimmy Fortune over the summer.

Fortune grew up in Nelson County, which is just south of Charlottesville. He attended Nelson County High School in Lovingston—and if you search around long enough, you can find pictures of him singing in the school’s choir.

Fortune’s singing caught the attention of Lew DeWitt, tenor singer for the Statler Brothers. DeWitt recommended Fortune as a fill-in, and later, Fortune sang with the group for 21 years. Fortune pursued a solo career after leaving the group.

📸: Nelson County Historical Society

This email is written by Amie Knowles, community editor at Dogwood, lifelong Virginia resident, and mom to a fantastic five-year-old who loves monster trucks.
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