Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Over lunch today, I found and watched the recording of a Christmas play I wrote years and years ago. And no, I’m not sharing the link. The writing was, well, mostly cringeworthy, if I’m being real. The story revolved around an overlooked, never-selected small evergreen tree, who… yep, you guessed it, Mary and Jospeh picked for the nativity. Smiling from secondhand embarrassment yet? I told you the plot was rough.

The transitions were even more interesting. This was at a fairly small, country church, so it wasn’t like we had a backstage or curtains to work with. Just a few artificial trees, some hand-me-down costumes, and a cast of a couple dozen people taking about two minutes to enter and exit the stage for nearly every song. Oh, did I fail to mention? It was a musical. 

But I’ll tell you what—as critical as I might be of previous things I’ve written, or ways I’ve directed past projects, there’s absolutely something unmistakably special about those artificial trees, hand-me-down costumes, and precious, precious friends who came together to put on that ragtag program. Seeing everyone up there together filled my heart with the warmest joy—and an important reminder that not everything has to be “perfect” to be “just right.” All in all, I sure am glad I stumbled across that video, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Here’s what you need to know: The Inn at Little Washington, nestled in the quaint town of Washington, is the only Michelin three-star restaurant in the state. Chef Patrick O’Connell, often called “the Pope of American cuisine,” has transformed this countryside inn into a world-class dining destination. 

Here’s what you can expect:

• The menu reflects a perfect marriage of French culinary techniques with local Virginian ingredients. O’Connell’s dishes are a feast for the senses, with every course intricately crafted to offer both visual and gastronomic appeal. Each dish pairs elegantly with selections from the restaurant’s impressive wine cellar, which boasts over 14,000 bottles from across the globe.

• The Inn offers more than just food—it’s an immersive experience where every detail contributes to a sense of grandeur and intimacy. From the opulent interiors—filled with lush fabrics, bold colors, and intricate designs—to the impeccable service, everything is designed to make guests feel pampered.

• In addition to being a restaurant, the Inn at Little Washington is also a boutique hotel, with rooms that reflect the same attention to luxurious detail as the dining experience. This makes it an ideal destination for special occasions, romantic getaways, or simply for those seeking an unforgettable culinary journey.

Treat yourself! In the midst of all the hustle and bustle this season, you deserve a trip to the Inn at Little Washington.

From Nov. 13-26, we are running our Supporter Drive—and we need your support to ensure that our newsroom is prepared to combat misinformation and continue to provide news that you can use in Virginia.

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Question of the Week: What kinds of news stories do you like best? Maybe you’re drawn to profiles of people in your community, the latest sports scores, policy explainers, or small business gift guides—or something entirely different. Tell me about the stories you love to read in your newsfeed at amie@couriernewsroom.com.

A Democratic-controlled Virginia House of Delegates committee advanced a resolution Wednesday to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution along with two other measures on voting rights and marriage equality. 

The abortion rights constitutional amendment resolution introduced by Democrat Del. Charniele Herring would make reproductive freedom a fundamental right in the state constitution and include protection for prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion care, miscarriage management, and fertility care.

A voting rights amendment resolution passed as well, which would automatically give people convicted of a felony the right to vote after they have served their time and returned to society. Currently, these people have to have their right to vote restored by the governor.

The committee also advanced a marriage equality amendment that would repeal the defunct ban on same-sex marriage that’s still in Virginia’s state constitution. The US Supreme Court in 2015 ruled that gay marriage was legal, which struck down state marriage bans. 

The resolutions to amend Virginia’s constitution still have a long way to go before they become law. They must pass in the state legislature twice with an election for the House of Delegates in between. If that happens, then the measure goes to the voters in a statewide referendum. 

• Dr. Danny Avula became a household name in the commonwealth in 2021, when then-governor Ralph Northam appointed him as the COVID-19 Vaccine Coordinator. Now, Avula is making history again. The physician, with a longstanding career in public health, recently won his mayoral bid in Richmond. Avula will be the first Indian-American to assume the position, as well as the first immigrant to win the seat (READ MORE HERE).

• It’s been over a week since former President Donald Trump was elected to a second term, and over the weekend, the public got its first clear signs of what that term will look like. Trump has announced a slew of nominees and appointments to key White House and Cabinet posts, with more expected to come in the weeks ahead. Let’s delve into who they are (READ MORE HERE).

• Breathe in. Breathe out. After such a stressful week, we want to remind our readers that we’re here for you—through the good news and the bad. Please take time to care for yourself. If you need a little nudge on how to start, we’ve rounded up some useful tips for you to try (READ MORE HERE).

This week, we’re featuring a basketball 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/Mike Kropf

College basketball player Isaac McKneely (pictured on the left) is on fire this season! The University of Virginia Cavaliers guard has participated in a string of wins this month.

He recently scored triple 3-pointers, which helped propel the team to a double-digit lead at halftime over Coppin State on Veterans Day. The team won the game, 62-45.

McKneely also helped defeat the Campbell Fighting Camels, based out of North Carolina, last week. The final score was 65-56 in favor of the Cavaliers.

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