Lexington city arborist Celia Raney “braids” the leaves of the daffodil plantings along McCrum’s parking lot last Wednesday. Braiding, she said, keeps the leaves together and fresh. She learned the technique from her grandmother, who’s 84 and lives in Florida now. (Claudia Schwab photo)
The College of William and Mary has a tradition where seniors ring the bell at the oldest building on campus on their last day of class. Since COVID-19 forced all students home, 2020 W&M graduate Caitlyn Whitesell (right) was invited to ring the bell at her home church of Fairfield United Methodist Church Friday. With her is her mother, Cathy Whitesell. Members of the church gathered in their cars outside of the church and honked their horns as they joined in the celebration. A video of the event can be seen on The News-Gazette’s Facebook page. (Mary Woodson photo)
Using a Weed Eater, Smith Hinty, 20, works at Mountain View Elementary School last month, which is something he’s been doing since he went on spring break from college in March. Hinty, who’s a sophomore at Hampden-Sydney College, is a 2018 graduate of Rockbridge County High. Trimming is only one of the things he does at the school where he’s employed doing outdoor maintenance. “Even though there’re no kids in here (he says, looking toward the school), grass is still going to grow,” he said. (Claudia Schwab photo)
There is a food pantry on the back porch of New Monmouth Presbyterian Church. Please share this news with anyone who needs some extras to tide them over during this time.
Rockbridge County High School seniors Aaron Jarvis (center left) and Wes Jarvis (center right), earned their black belts in karate last November. The students have studied Shito-Ryu Karate for the past eight years under the direction of Sensei Alton Tate Jarvis (far left) and Sensei Michael Rhodes (far right).
Despite the often winter-like temperatures that have lingered in the area, butterflies have begun to make their appearance in recent weeks. This tiger swallowtail was seen visiting an azalea in Fairfield two weeks ago. (Mary Woodson photo)
All High Bridge Presbyterian Church services are canceled until further notice. Church pastor, the Rev. Jason Grimes, continues to send the weekly sermon to members and members continue to check on each other especially the elderly to see if they need help with anything.
One often hears the expression “If these walls could talk.” In the case of a home on Randolph Street, one wall did speak and in the voice of a Civil War soldier with ties to Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
