Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

“Do you know his name?” I asked Jen, the co-owner of a local coffee shop, as the young boy slinked out the door. “No, I’ve never seen him before.” It’s one of those instances you read about in books or watch in movies—but it could never happen in real life… could it?

Last week after paying the mortgage, I took my five-year-old to our favorite in-and-out spot, Callands Coffee. There, he struck up a conversation with another boy, age 11. They talked a bit about monster trucks and video games and content creation as they waited in line. Despite the age gap, they became instant friends, talking just like two older guys might about the good ole days over a cup of joe. When it was time for the boy to go, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a $10 bill. He handed it to Colton with a warm embrace, stating only that he had two younger brothers he didn’t get to see often, and he knew the gift would make C happy.

I don’t know about y’all, but when I was 11 years old, $10 was a lot of money. He ran out right after to where his grandma was waiting, so while we did get to thank him quickly, we didn’t get to immediately repay his kindness. Jen and I chatted a bit about just how friendly the chap was, and what a nice thing he’d done for Colton, but neither of us had a clue who he was (fear not—your community editor knows enough folks to ask around, and we were able to properly thank the young man the following day).

As we’re approaching Christmas weekend, I hope you’ll realize it’s not about the number of presents under the tree or the amount of money spent on gifts. This most precious time of year centers so much more around togetherness and kindness than it ever could about material things. Soon, we’ll gather with our friends and families—both given and chosen—and I challenge you to pay more mind to the memories than the merchandise. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Amie Knowles

Community Editor, Dogwood

Baby, it’s fun outside! Here’s what to do in Virginia this winter

Here’s what you need to know: Winters in Virginia vary quite a bit. Some years, the season brings with it frigid temperatures and lots of snow, whereas other years see milder weather patterns. Either way, there are tons of exciting winter activities to do in Virginia.

Our top picks:

Reston Town Center—Public skating is offered at the Reston Town Center from early November through mid-March, with extended hours for the holidays. If you’ve never skated before, stop by the skate shop for a pair of double-bladed, flat-edge skates that are ideal for novices.
Wintergreen Resort—The massive 11,000-acre Wintergreen Resort on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia says that it’s “the perfect snowy playground for winter sports.” The resort has 24 slopes and trails with terrain that is appropriate for both beginners and experts.
Lake Anna State Park—Although ice fishing is rare in Virginia, that doesn’t mean you can’t go fishing in the winter. In fact, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources said there are plenty of good fishing opportunities in the commonwealth during the winter months, with Lake Anna being one of them.

Wanting more fun? Consider ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or fishing at one of the commonwealth destinations linked below.

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What’s your favorite Christmas tradition? For us, it’s taking our son to Dollar Tree to pick out a gift for all of his extended family members. Great laughs always abound when folks open up the item specifically chosen for them (example: Aunt Gail won the top prize as the grant recipient of a toilet plunger a couple of years ago). I’d love to hear what makes this season special at your home! Drop me a line at amie@couriernewsroom.com or simply reply to this email.

One Capitol Hill office looks especially festive this time of year, and it belongs to US Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).

Traditions of putting up a Christmas tree and lighting candles for Hanukkah date back to Warner’s first year in office—but he doesn’t deck the halls alone. Since 2009, Warner and his team have extended a decoration invitation to children in Virginia almost every year.

Click below to read all about a kindergarten group from Bel Air Elementary School in Woodbridge participating in the tradition.

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~ ICYMI ~

Imagine the shock and sadness of stolen toys at Christmastime. Now take it a step further and make them donated toys for children in need. That’s the story that seemed to unfold in Danville at Planet Fitness earlier this month, when a woman left with hundreds of dollars worth of Toys for Tots items. Spoiler alert: It was all a big misunderstanding (READ MORE HERE).
The cost of internet service can often be out of reach for Virginia families. Over the past two years, however, millions of Americans have gotten a discount on their internet bills, thanks to the passage of President Biden’s Infrastructure Law in 2021. About 429,000 households in Virginia have enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program—and here’s how to sign up (READ MORE HERE).
A poll released by the Virginia Interfaith Center, a member of the Virginians for Paid Sick Days Coalition, found that a whopping 88% of Virginians support a requirement that employers provide paid sick leave to their workers. In the most recent legislative session, Democratic Sen. Scott Surovell sponsored a measure that would have required employers to provide paid sick leave to those who work in health care and grocery stores, but it didn’t pass (READ MORE HERE).

Your Commonwealth Connection

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

The year was 1946—and 11-year-old Ruth Maxie knew that Santa Claus was real.

As a child, Ruth didn’t have many dolls of her own. She and her five sisters lived with their single mother in the Danville area, and money was understandably tight. That’s why when Ruth walked into a local department store around Christmastime and spotted the most beautiful doll she’d ever seen, she knew it wasn’t a realistic item to request for Christmas.

She knew her mother couldn’t afford the $12 purchase, and besides, the girls were ever-so grateful for the tasty treats Santa usually brought, like an orange and some nuts. Still, she mentioned the blonde-haired, brown-eyed doll in the pink dress to her mother.

Come Christmas morning, Ruth awoke to the shock of a lifetime. Not only had Santa come the night before, but he’d left the very same doll she saw in the department store downtown—and it was all hers.

“I could not believe that I got it because I knew mama didn’t have that much money, but I was the happiest little girl in the world,” Ruth said.

Now 88 years old, Ruth still doesn’t know how her mother could’ve afforded the doll. That left only one option, and it’s one she’s told her family for years. In 1946, Ruth knew with certainty that there was a Santa Claus—and the magic of that morning still exists over 75 years later.

📸: Ruth Maxie

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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