Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

A few months ago, my pastor made a comment that’s stuck with me. He chose to go for a heavier topic that week, but lamented while at the podium that he struggled with his subject choice. That’s because another minister once told him what I’m about to share with you: “They’ve had hell all week. Give them Heaven.” Despite that, it wasn’t a feel-good, Dolly-Parton-singing-“Old Time Religion,” everything’s-perfect hour. And neither is this week for many of our readers.

I can’t give you the results that some of you might’ve wanted Tuesday night. But I can offer you hope. I can tell you that no matter how crazy this world gets, there are still going to be good people doing great things. I can promise you that the sun still shines, and the stars still twinkle. I can assure you that there are folks who care about you (and if you’re ever thinking there aren’t, reach out to me because I’m one of them that does). And I can say that no matter who’s in the White House, who’s in the Senate, who’s in the House, or who you voted for, I’m so glad you’re here. 

P.S. Monday is Veterans Day, and our offices will be closed. Our Monday newsletter will resume on Nov. 18. Thank you to all who serve(d) in our armed forces! 

Here’s what you need to know: As the leaves turn vibrant shades and the crisp air settles in, Culpeper transforms into a picturesque autumn paradise. From scenic outdoor escapes to delightful dining events, here’s your guide to experiencing the best of fall in Culpeper.

Top things to do:

• Lake Culpeper is the ideal location for a relaxing day outdoors. Enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, or paddle boating while surrounded by vibrant fall colors. The lake’s serene environment also makes it a great spot for a picnic, letting you savor the beauty of autumn by the water.

• Mountain Run Winery offers a unique and rustic experience for wine lovers. Housed in a converted corn crib barn, the winery provides a charming and laid-back atmosphere perfect for casual tastings. Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of wines, including award-winning varieties, while experiencing the beauty of the surrounding countryside during the fall season.

• Hundred Acre Books is an independent bookshop offering a diverse selection of new and used books, alongside unique gifts from local vendors. The store hosts regular events such as open mic nights and book clubs, and is committed to highlighting banned books and fostering a community of readers.

Looking for more adventure? Don’t let Culpeper’s small size fool you—it’s full of fun things to explore.

Question of the Week: I’ve communicated with enough of our newsletter readers to know that we’re not all on the same page politically. That’s fine—and I respect the political opinions of others, just as I hope that they’d respect mine. That said, how do you feel about the election results? Let me know at amie@couriernewsroom.com.

We all have our personal struggles in life, from work stress to relationship drama, but something about the 2024 election season simply felt different when it came to anxiety—like a communal anxiety attack everyone was experiencing at once. 

And it wasn’t just a feeling—there was data to back it up. In May, the American Psychiatric Association’s annual mental health poll showed that anxiety was spiking in the United States, with 70% of respondents saying they were feeling anxious about current events. Of those folks, 73% specifically named the 2024 US election as the source of their anxiety. 

With that in mind, I (Ryan Pitkin) reached out to James C. Rachal, MD, medical director of Behavioral Health Charlotte at Atrium Health, one of the largest nonprofit hospital systems in the country. Rachal is also chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Charlotte, NC. I called to ask him about what was going on in our collective nervous system, and what we could do about it in the days following the election. 

Click below to learn what Ryan discovered.

• Gerry Connolly, the Democrat representing Virginia’s 11th congressional district who recently won reelection in the Fairfax area, announced Thursday that he has cancer of the esophagus. Connolly said he learned of his diagnosis a few days ago, and that it came as a surprise, because his only symptoms were intermittent abdominal aches and pains. Connolly plans to undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy soon (READ MORE HERE).

• While our role as voters has been taken care of, the election process certainly isn’t over. We thought we’d take this opportunity to walk you through what happens next, from the moment the last vote was cast to Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, 2025—no conspiracy theories, no unfounded claims, no interference, just the safe, peaceful process as it was designed to work and has for generations (READ MORE HERE).

• US Sen. Tim Kaine defeated far-right challenger Hung Cao in Virginia’s US Senate on Tuesday. Kaine campaigned hard this year and maintained a comfortable lead in the polls heading into Election Day. Kaine will serve a third six-year term in the US Senate after he was first elected to serve there in 2013 (READ MORE HERE).

This week, we’re featuring a football highlight! If you’d like to see your team’s accomplishments broadcast on Dogwood’s platforms, send a note and photo to amie@couriernewsroom.com or reply to this message. Just be sure you have permission to share from all of the proper sources—players/guardians, photographers, and coaches/schools, to name a few.

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

The small town of Altavista only had a little over 3,300 residents in 2020—but coming from a dot on the map didn’t stop Juan Thornhill from making his dreams come true. 

The football player, who attended and played for the University of Virginia, currently plays for the Cleveland Browns. Before his stint with Ohio, Thornhill was on the Kansas City Chiefs team, where he won two Super Bowls.

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