Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

I didn’t know what to write about, so I ate a snack instead. I think the world could use a little more honesty. And a smidgeon more marinara sauce.

And coffee. The best cup’s the kind that’s a little too sweet. That recipe boils down to about one ounce of actual coffee, two teaspoons of sugar, and enough steamed milk to nearly justify purchasing the dairy cow of my dreams. One day.

Then there’s the best food group known to humankind. Yes, I’m talking about potatoes. The superior variety comes pre-diced in a can, which you then throw onto a too-hot skillet and toss in some chicken seasoning. Trust me, it works. It also smokes. Turn on the fan.

After all that, you sit down and cross your fingers that writer’s block is gone. It’s not, but at least you’re snacky happy. There’s more good news, too, and it’s even better than the best latte in the world—it’s that I’m so glad you’re here.

Amie Knowles

Community Editor, Dogwood

Some of the oldest graveyards in Virginia and the stories they hold

Here’s what you need to know: Given its long and storied history, it should come as no surprise that Virginia is home to many old graveyards. Although some have been lost to history, other historic cemeteries are still standing today. Here are five of the oldest known graveyards in the commonwealth, beginning in colonial times.

Our top picks:

1607 Burials at Historic Jamestowne—Excavations close to the western palisade wall and inside James Fort have revealed 29 grave shafts dated to the beginnings of the fort, but analysis using ground-penetrating radar indicated additional graves, totaling approximately 36 burials.
Blandford Cemetery—The land has been used as a burial site since the early 18th century, with the oldest marked grave dating back to 1702. Blandford is home to a mass grave that contains the remains of 30,000 Civil War soldiers, though records have only identified 3,700 of them.
Old City Cemetery—Five small museums at the site help tell the stories of the diverse populations of nearly 20,000 people buried there. Recorded audio messages and brochures help visitors interpret what’s inside the museums—the Chapel and Columbarium, Pest House Medical Museum, Hearse House and Caretakers’ Museum, Station House Museum, and Mourning Museum—as they make their way through the self-guided tour.

Are you a history buff? Learn more about these sites and two others by clicking below.

Read this article

Old tombstones absolutely fascinate me! As a matter of fact, Kody and I almost bought a house with an 1800s cemetery attached a few years ago (alas, a tree fell on the roof, so we bought a different home instead). Are there any graveyards that you know of that didn’t make our list, but deserve honorable mentions? Let me know at amie@couriernewsroom.com or by replying to this email.

Did you know that temperatures dipped into single digits this week in some parts of Virginia? Wind chills were even colder, making several localities feel like temps lowered to negative numbers.

The commonwealth offers various options for unhoused individuals during cold snaps, but spreading the word can be challenging. Please help us reach those in need by sharing this map.

~ ICYMI ~

Have you ever forgotten about an autodraft, only to later receive an overdraft? It can be a costly mishap! Thanks to a recent White House proposal, the cost to overdraw a bank account could drop to as little as $3. That’s a savings of 90% in some cases (READ MORE HERE).
A record 20 million Americans have signed up for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans for 2024. As a result of the law, enrollees will pay no more than 8.5% of their income on premiums for benchmark Silver plans, with many qualifying for near-free coverage (READ MORE HERE).
The NFL playoffs officially kicked off. We’re cheering on three Virginia natives with their eyes on the Lombardi Trophy. See if you can spot someone from your city (WATCH HERE).

Your History Highlight

Our weekly history highlight uncovers local stories you might not have heard—even if you’ve lived in Virginia for years! Got an untold story or legend you’d like for us to investigate? We’re all ears.

Yes, she’s wearing her prison uniform.

Pauline Adams was part of a group of women known as the Silent Sentinels, who first picketed the White House on Jan. 10, 1917. Alongside the 11 other ladies, the Virginia woman sought the right to vote. The movement gained attention over the next few months, with female participants repeatedly being arrested and briefly jailed.

The tides turned on Sept. 4, 1917, when Adams and a dozen other women were arrested for “attempting to ‘flaunt their banners’ in front of Woodrow Wilson’s reviewing stand before a Selective Service parade,” according to the Library of Virginia. The women served time at the Occoquan Workhouse in Fairfax County. Adams was sentenced to 60 days imprisonment.

“Adams spent time in solitary confinement deprived of her blanket, hairbrush, and toothbrush,” the library wrote.

Upon her release, she continued to fight for what eventually became the 19th Amendment.

📸: Library of Congress

This email is written by Amie Knowles, community editor at Dogwood, lifelong Virginia resident, and mom to a fantastic six-year-old who loves monster trucks.
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