Feature Articles

by Tom Chillemi –  Many modern expressions evolved from nautical terms, like the word “ship.” Today we ship things by mail, truck, plane and occasionally by ship. Here are just a few of those water words: • Above board — Meaning honest and open, may have its origins on the seas. The...

Story and photos by Jackie Nunnery –  First, there’s the name, pronounced mare wär. There is a long-accepted term in winemaking, terroir, that describes how environmental factors shape the way grapes, and ultimately wine, taste. The story goes that a food writer coined the term in 2003 to describe the...

by Jackie Nunnery –  Mathews-based crafter Tamara Rollins says she has been “crafting things from natural resources since I was a child, from homemade paper to rose-petal beads and pine cone roses.” Rollins is using that love of nature to create a line of care products with natural ingredients, the...

Twenty-four hours is not enough time to explore all that Colonial Beach has to offer. I realized that on a recent visit as I was leaving town and making note of what I’d missed seeing and doing. The tiny Westmoreland County town packs a ton of fun into its 2.8...

by Jackie Nunnery Scanning the horizon, they intently search the riverbanks and trees for signs of life. “Over there” says Betty Waldrop softly yet excitedly, pointing at a heron camouflaged near a piece of driftwood as it too looks intently, in this case, for lunch in the waters. Bob Waldrop,...

Photos and story by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi  Brunch at Reedville Market comes with crazy cocktails, whopping portions and delicious desserts I’m ashamed to say it’d been quite a while since I made the drive from lower Lancaster County to Reedville to dine. In fact, the last time I’d visited 729 Main Street...

Story and photos by Shaune Lee Painting might be the first thing to come to mind when you hear the word “art.” But if you have a chance to look at a well-made quilt, such as the ones Danette Morning makes, “art” seems to be an appropriate word for them...

Story and photos by Tom Chillemi -  Machicomoco State Park tells the story of Algonquian life. Displays at the open air interpretive center chronicle Virginia’s Native people who lived around the rivers of eastern Virginia. Machicomoco (pronounced: mah-chee-CO-mo-co) is an Algonquian word meaning “a special meeting place.” Machicomoco is dedicated to increasing awareness...

    Story and photos by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi -  Disc golf isn’t just a sport, it’s a culture—a family of folks who enjoy being outdoors for friendly competition with fellow enthusiasts. By all accounts, it’s addictive. “It’s relaxing and affordable and you don’t have to wear plaid,” said Brian Bayford, who loved the...

A pleasant and delicious way to take a break and grab a bite in Yorktown by Jackie Nunnery -  It all started with a grandmother’s recipe for carrot cake. Now over a quarter century later, owners Debi and Glenn Helseth are also serving up flavorful lunches with the same dedication to...