My loss is your gain. For literal decades I’ve traveled over to Hillsville for the Labor Day Flea Market. In its heyday, an estimated 750K people lined the streets of the small town for the annual event dating back to 1964. Vendors from near and far set up booths to sell everything from handmade crafts to valuable antiques. It all makes for a neat, eclectic mix of items.
This season, I’m hanging up my hat. Why? Because I’ve realized we have too much “stuff” already—and over the past few months, I’ve been steadily working on storing the things that matter and downsizing the ones that don’t. There’s a real freedom that comes with reclaiming space.
By next fall, maybe I’ll have a couple corners that need extra adornment. But until then, if you’re looking for a great outdoor shopping experience, Hillsville comes with my personal mark of approval. It’s taking place now through Monday, so we sure to swing by if you can—and, if you do, let me know what treasures you find because I’m so glad you’re here.
P.S. Our offices are closed Monday in observance of Labor Day. Your next Dogwood newsletter will arrive on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
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The Virginia Beach Boardwalk hosts many festivals and events. (Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau)
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Here’s what you need to know: Virginia Beach isn’t just popular in the summer; rather, it attracts tourists from across the commonwealth and country all year round. Fall is an especially good time to visit because of activities ranging from Boardwalk festivals to pumpkin patch visits.
Our top picks:
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Sample more than 60 wines from some of Virginia’s top vineyards while relaxing by the oceanfront during the 29th Annual Fall Wine Festival on Sept. 11 and 12. Make sure you talk with some of the vineyard proprietors to learn about their techniques.
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Peruse the work of local artists and craftspeople during the Neptune Festival Art & Craft Show as part of the Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend taking place Sept. 25-27. Work from a variety of mediums, including paintings, ceramics, furniture, and sculptures, will be on display.
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Get into the autumn spirit by going to Hunt Club Farm’s Harvest Fair. Head to the family-friendly event to check out the large pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and hayrides from Sept. 26 to Nov. 2.
Ready to explore? We’ve got more on these and other fun fall activities in Virginia Beach at the link below.
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Amie Knowles can’t play the fiddle yet, but she’s excited to learn. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)
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By Amie Knowles
I didn’t “buy” this, but it was bought for me—does that count as “What I’m Buying?” I hope so because I’ve been super excited all week to introduce y’all to my new fiddle, purchased locally.
Can I play the fiddle? No. Can I screech the strings? Barely. It’s progress, and I’m sure the neighbors are thrilled. I, personally, was super happy with where my husband Kody bought the instrument. I showed him a few different styles I was interested in online, but lamented that it was hard to tell what was real and what wasn’t without seeing the models in person.
Kody took that concern as a personal mission. After work one day last week, he drove to The Music Post in Danville and perused their selection of stringed instruments. He handpicked the one you see in the photo and gave it to me for my birthday last Friday. We took it in for a tuneup, and now it’s all ready to go!
While I doubt I’ll be the next Lindsey Stirling, I sure am excited to learn how to play this fiddle real soon.
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I’ve come to the distinct conclusion over the past few weeks that we have Virginia trivia aficionados within our newsletter community.
Shoutout to Stephanie K., Cindy H., Dan H., Charles B., Lisa R., and others who knew the correct answer to this question earlier this week: Which Virginia town was originally called “Liberty” before changing its name in 1890?
Before the present-day town of Bedford became Bedford City in 1890, the community first formed as Liberty in 1782.
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Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden workers on strike on July 29, 2026. (Photo by Eryn Boyle)
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By Michael O’Connor
The fight for better wages at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is getting thornier.
Unionized Lewis Ginter workers with LGBG Workers United voted Sept. 1 to go on strike over a breakdown in contract talks that have dragged on with the garden’s management for over a year.
At issue is the workers’ desire for better pay after they rejected what the garden’s management said was its best offer.
“I am hopeful this strike will finally make the garden wake up and realize our labor is essential for ongoing operations and the long-term success of the garden,” Eryn Boyle, an LGBG Workers United member and horticulturist, said in a press release. “We all deserve much better and have proven we refuse to back down. United we bargain, divided we beg.”
The strike vote comes after weeks of a public pressure campaign waged by the workers, who unionized with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union in 2024. The union did not release the details of the vote to strike but said in its release “an overwhelming majority of union members voted in favor” of it.
The strike began on Sept. 2.
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Republican US Rep. Jen Kiggans voted against extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. The Virginia State Corporation Commission estimated that 100,000 Virginians have lost health insurance coverage as a result of higher premiums. (Read more)
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Virginia farmer Joel Salatin says Trump’s beef plan risks undercutting American ranchers just as many are finally getting prices that make raising cattle profitable. Salatin argued that bringing in cheaper foreign beef could push domestic producers back into the red. (Watch here)
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Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has launched a national policy group advocating for a federal school voucher program. Similar initiatives drain hundreds of millions of dollars from participating states while diverting resources away from public schools that serve low-income and rural families. (Watch here)
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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 Aila Boyd, Michael O’Connor, the breaking news team, and Jonny Lupsha. It was edited by Kimberly Lawson.
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