Articles

Lt. Col. Mark Boonshoft, associate professor in the history department and chair in American Constitutional History at Virginia Military Institute, is discussing the literacy tests that denied many African Americans the right to vote during Jim Crow on the public radio program, With Good Reason, March 18-24.

Pieces By Native American Female Artists Acquired

The Rockbridge Christian Academy will hold its annual open house tomorrow, Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m.

On March 4, three members of the Educators Rising Club traveled to Deep Run High School to compete in the Educators Rising State Leadership Conference and Competition. Senior Jake Cline placed second in lesson planning and delivery of the arts. Senior Mayliah Hickling placed first in impromptu speaking, and junior Cheyanne Clark placed first in lesson planning and delivery for CTE classes.

The Rockbridge Regional Tourism Board is offering a sponsorship opportunity for local tourism events in Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County.

Just in time for the annual Rockbridge Community Cleanup (now underway), hundreds of colorful anti-litter pledges written by local schoolchildren bring energy and inspiration to a large installation in downtown Lexington. The public art project highlights the value of keeping local land litter-free as a way of protecting our river and ocean ecosystems, said a spokesperson. The “Ocean Protectors” project is a collaboration between Rockbridge Conservation, sponsor of the cleanup, and Boxerwood, which provided special classroom outreach to 26 grades three and five classrooms. Created by VMI engineering professor Jay Sullivan and cadets, the metal sculpture will be on display in front of Wells Fargo for two weeks. (Joann Ware photo)

Lauderdale Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary with events on Sunday, April 23.

Area residents gathered in Randolph United Methodist Church Sunday for the “Community Sing: Songs for Peace and Justice” sponsored by CARE Rockbridge, Grace Episcopal Church and Randolph Street United Methodist Church. AT TOP, FAR LEFT, Elizabeth Harralson gives one of the readings. ABOVE and LEFT, Martha Jones Burford leads the audience in songs. AT BOTTOM LEFT, the Rev. Reginald Early leads in the singing of “We Shall Overcome.” BELOW, Maria Quillin accompanies the singing on a drum. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photos)

Twelve students from Lylburn Downing Middle School participated in the District 4 Virginia History Day competition on March 9 at Mary Baldwin University.

The Rockbridge NAACP will once again be offering grants for families sending young people to educational summer youth programs this year.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) student organization at Rockbridge County High School recently took students to the regional conference at Longwood University. Five students won first place awards in their respective competitions.

The Rockbridge SPCA is having a rabies clinic March 27-31 from 1 to 3 p.m. at its location on Greenhouse Road for dogs and cats ages 4 months and up. One and three year shots are available.

Street Closures Cause Some Traffic Delays

Editor’s note: Last week, Sunshine Week was marked across the country in the continuing effort to promote open government. This week, we thought we’d share with you a piece from the America’s Newspapers organization, of which The News-Gazette is a member, about an important aspect of maintaining open government.

In March 2020, we really had no clue what was about to befall us.

By Joseph Haney

The career and technical education building at Rockbridge County High School, known since its beginning as the Floyd S. Kay Vocational Center, has been renamed the Rockbridge Innovation Center.

The annual Rockbridge Community Cleanup got underway this past Saturday with various groups and individuals tackling roadways in the county. Among those braving the cold was Joanne Baroco, who was among several people working along Old Buena Vista Road. The cleanup continues through Saturday. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photos)

By Ed Smith

By Joseph Haney