Hi there. It’s Amie.

First and foremost, I’d like to say a HUGE thank you to our wonderful readers! When we switched formats last week, several of y’all reached out with helpful tips on what went well and what didn’t. Do you know what’s super cool about that? Y’all were so nice. Every email I got was exceedingly friendly, and I didn’t want this newsletter to go out without saying how much I appreciate that. As we say down here in Chatham, “Somebody raised ya right.”

That said, we’ve been working to fix the hiccups, and hopefully, we’re well on our way. We think we’ve pinned down the dates where stories from the old design didn’t migrate to the new, and we’ll be working to re-upload those over the coming days. Thanks for your patience—and your encouragement, too!

Now for some good news: Our newsletter is rockin’, thanks to y’all. When I started writing our weekly wrap-up, we had about 2,000 subscribers. Last week, we eclipsed 25,000! Thanks for spreading the word about what we’ve got going on here. It’s really cool to see. Shameless plug, since y’all are awesome: Feel free to share our newsletter with even more folks here.

Photo Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation

Last-Minute Virginia Day and Overnight Trips for the Perfect Fall Weekend

Here’s what you need to know: Kick back and relax with these fantastic fall outings all across the commonwealth. From the mountains to the beach, there’s something for every day-cationer in Virginia.

Our top picks:

Smith Mountain Lake—A good place to start if you’re new to the lake is the SML Visitor Center, which publishes an SML Newcomer and Visitor Guide every year. To make the most out of your time at the lake, rent a boat or personal watercraft from Bridgewater Marina.
Tangier Island—Crab lovers will be thrilled to hear that the island is considered the “Soft Crab Capital” of the United States. Enjoy the soft-shell platter at Lorraine’s Seafood Restaurant. The crabs are prepared Tangier-style and seasoned with a special blend of Chesapeake Bay spices.
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area—This is the ideal destination for those looking for a mountain adventure, as it is the highest point in the commonwealth. The 5,000-foot-high area features large rock formations, mountain balds, spruce-fir forests, 400 miles of trails, and four wilderness areas. While exploring, keep an eye out for wild ponies and bears.

Ready for an adventure? We’ve got just what you’re looking for.

Read this article

What’s your favorite place to visit in Virginia during the fall? Email me at amie@couriernewsroom.com or reply back to this email, and we may feature your response in a future edition. Don’t forget to mention what part of the commonwealth you call home!

Early Voting Starts Today

Have you voted yet? As of today, that’s a possibility! Just contact your local registrar, and they’ll be able to provide all the details for your area. For dates and more essential information, we’ve got that for you right here.

~ ICYMI ~

US Rep. Jennifer Wexton (VA-10) announced on Monday that she will not seek reelection in 2024 and will retire from politics to deal with a devastating new medical diagnosis. In April, Wexton announced that she had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but she planned to continue to serve Virginians as she sought treatment and hoped to use her platform to advocate for disability rights (READ MORE HERE).
A new communication option recently launched for individuals with hearing loss and deafness who wish to get in touch with a crisis counselor. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has added American Sign Language (ASL) services nationwide (READ MORE HERE).
The Biden administration recently announced an executive action to create the American Climate Corps program, which will aim to train 20,000 young people for jobs focused on fighting climate change. Those who enroll in the program will learn how to install solar panels, restore coastal wetlands, retrofit homes to be more energy-efficient, fight wildfires, and more (READ MORE HERE).

Your Commonwealth Connection

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

Children across Virginia will get the experience of a lifetime this school year. Miss Virginia Katie Rose plans to promote healthy choices and substance use prevention in classrooms across the commonwealth, according to an Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) media release.

As part of the Virginia ABC’s Miss Virginia School Tour grant-funded program, Rose will speak with elementary school students about the risks of alcohol and drug use. The program enlightens children with age-appropriate methods, having one version for kindergarteners and first graders and another for students in second through fifth grades.

Specifically, students will learn how to say “No,” be a leader, and identify trusted adults.

“I know that I want to encourage and have a platform for every child to make healthy choices for themselves and feel that they have a safe place to come forward if they choose to do so,” Rose said in the release. “Substance abuse prevention efforts must begin in Virginia’s elementary schools.”

In addition to Rose’s presentation, ABC noted that students will receive an activity workbook on health and safety.

Click here to learn more about inviting Rose to your child’s school (in-person or virtually).

Photo credit: ABC

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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