WWII planes at Shenandoah Regional Airport, Memory Partners open house in Waynesboro: THE DIGEST

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Memory Partners open house

WAYNESBORO — As part of a growing movement to enhance quality of life for those living with dementia, the Valley Program for Aging Services and the Waynesboro Public Library will co-host a Memory Partners Open House on May 9 for older adults living with dementia and their care partners.

Located at the Waynesboro Public Library from 10-11:30 a.m., the event will provide stimulating activities for those living with dementia as well as an opportunity to for care partners to meet, share ideas, and network. Programming will feature socialization, games, Tai Chi, refreshments, live music, raffles, book displays and more.

As our population ages, the incidence of dementia is expected to increase — more than doubling in the U.S. by 2050. As the disease progresses, caregivers strive to help their loved ones navigate their home environments, but it can become challenging to interact successfully with others in public.

Memory Partners is designed to not only create joyful and stimulating outings for those living with dementia, but also a comfortable environment for interaction with care partners and other attendees on a similar journey. WPL and VPAS staff members are specially-trained to create safe, welcoming spaces for participants and lead programming that builds a sense of fulfillment and confidence for all.

According to Rachel McDowell, WPL outreach and engagement coordinator, “Memory Partners is a vital community resource, offering a haven where people can share experiences, laughter, and companionship, fostering connections that enrich lives and strengthen communities.”

Registration for the open house is not required and there is no cost to participate. Parking is available at the library. For easiest access, park in the lower lot and use the back entrance accessible only for the program. To learn more, call Heather Lawrence a 540-615-5341.

Three Notch'd Road presents Polyhymnia

Three Notch’d Road: The Virginia Baroque Ensemble presents "Polyhymnia: Praetorius for Eastertide" in both Charlottesville and Staunton.

In the final concert of its 2023-24 “Masterpiece” season, Three Notch’d Road performs selections from Polyhymnia, Caduceatrix, et Panegyrica, Michael Praetorius’s magnum opus published in 1615, at the very beginning of the Baroque era.

Fusing the ornate innovations of Italian Catholics like Giovanni Gabrielli with the simplicity and singability of the German Lutheran chorale, Praetorius creates an immersive, interactive musical experience unlike any other. There will be a pre-concert lecture by Susan Treacy, professor of music emerita, 30 minutes before each performance.

Tickets available online and at the door. $30 general admission; youth/students free. The performances will be Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St., Charlottesville. Then, on Sunday, April 28, the concert will be performed at Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley St., Staunton, at 4 p.m.

Visit www.tnrbaroque.org, email info@tnrbaroque.org or call (434) 409-3424 for more information.

Shenandoah Regional Airport to feature WWII Warbirds

CULPEPER – The Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is coming to Shenandoah Valley Airport this coming weekend.

On April 27 and 28, three different warbirds will come to the airport as part of the 2024 tour schedule. According to the press release, the headliner is a Stinson OY-1 with combat missions in its logbook at the Battle of Saipan.

"On this very weekend, 80 years ago, our Stinson was on the escort carrier White Plains steaming towards Saipan in the south Pacific," reads the press release.

Rides will be available in a Fairchild Forwarder which carries up to three passengers, and a Boeing PT-17 Stearman open cockpit bi-plane. The public can book any ride at the Capital Wing bookings website https://www.capitalwingwarbirdrides.org/ and flights not sold in advance will be available for sale on site during the event.

Some of the planes present will be a Japanese Fuji LM-1, one of only three in the world; a Navion L-17, a post-WWII warbird which served in the US Army during the Korean War; and a contemporary Pipistrel light sport aircraft. The Virginia Department of Aviation will be on-site on Sunday with an ICON A5 amphibian on static display.

Augusta begins spring clean up

VERONA – The annual Spring Clean-Up in Augusta County begins Saturday, April 20, running through April 27. The event allows residents to safety dispose of large waste items, car tires, and appliances for free. .

According to the county's press release, the Augusta Regional Landfill will accept:

• Automotive Waste – Motor oil, transmission oil, hydraulic oil, lead-acid batteries, and antifreeze. Gasoline or other hazardous materials will not be accepted.

• Free Tire Disposal – 6 car tire limit per household. Fees will not be waived for tractor trailer tires. Tires on split rims or from businesses will not be accepted.

• Appliances Disposal Locations – Augusta Regional Landfill and dumpster locations: Crimora, Mt. Solon and New Hope. Landfill accepts appliances free year-round. No liquids (gas, oils, or hazardous materials) when dropped off.

• The landfill is open from Monday–Saturday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. Visit https://www.co.augusta.va.us/residents/water-wastewater-trash-recycling for more information.

Local Ruritan clubs will be assisting. To volunteer to help, call 540-337-2857 or 540-245-5700.

Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center receives grant for shelter pets

LYNDHURST – Petco Love will donate $15,000 to the Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center "Love in support of their lifesaving work for animals in Augusta County and the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro," according to a press release from the center.

“Our investment in Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center is part of more than $15M in investments recently announced by Petco Love to power local organizations across the country as part of our commitment to create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized,” said Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love. “Our local investments are only part of our strategy to empower animal lovers to drive lifesaving change right alongside us. We launched Petco Love Lost, a national lost and found database that uses patented image-recognition technology to simplify the search for lost pets.”

“We are grateful for the continued partnership with Petco Love. This lifesaving investment will allow us to provide additional support for shelter pets, including medical care that is beyond the scope of what we can typically provide, and more critical spay and neuter surgeries,” said Jon Hilbert, Shelter Director, Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center.

Petco Love is a national nonprofit donating funds to organizations across the country.

Shenandoah National Park announces upgrades, artists-in-residence

LURAY – Since the storms and fires in Shenandoah National Park, park officials are working with utility partners to make repairs and upgrade infrastructure "to proactively mitigate damage from future weather events."

According to a press release from the park, the work will impact visitor services at Elkwallow, Mathews Arm Campground, and the Big Meadows area:

• At Big Meadows, there will be intermittent power outages throughout the month of April, Mondays through Thursdays. During outages, Big Meadows Wayside and the Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51) will utilize generators. Bathrooms and showers at the campground will be closed Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ice and wood sales will be moved to the Wayside. Work will begin in the northern part of the park once repairs in the Big Meadows area are complete. Elkwallow Wayside (mile 24) and Mathews Arm Campground (mile 22) will delay opening for the season.

• Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) and Shenandoah National Park were previously working on a project to upgrade electric equipment including poles. High fire danger coupled with a forecasted wind event prompted the Park to contact REC as well as Dominion Energy and Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative to request that five lines in heavily wooded areas be deenergized to reduce the risk of fire. Despite this precautionary measure, the event produced widespread damage causing outages and additional work.

• The Matthews Arm Circuit experienced an exceptional degree of damage which required the removal of more than 250 dead or downed trees on the powerline easement. More than a dozen poles were broken or damaged. REC has also identified 33 poles on the Big Meadows line that need to be replaced. Fixing the poles takes specialized equipment and there is a permitting process for work in the NPS easement, all of which impacts the timeline. At this time there is not a date for completion.

Meanwhile, the park has selected the artists that will each spend three weeks creating an original piece "reflecting the experience to donate to the park." The program is supported by donations to the Shenandoah National Park Trust. The artists include:

• Lia Pikus – Lia is a cellist, composer, and multidisciplinary artist whose practice centers around art’s ability to cultivate experiences of connection, both within community and in dialogue with the natural world. Her current preferred media are cello, loop pedal, voice, field recordings and biodata sonification. Lia was selected as the May artist and will be in the Park from May 1-22.

• Megan Evans – Megan uses her art to investigate nature, specifically the way in which mathematical concepts are represented. Megan was chosen as the July artist and will be in the Park from July 8-29.

• Jo Clark – Jo is a writer from Charlottesville, Virginia. She’s interested in all the threads that weave through nostalgia, and the simultaneous refuge and ruggedness of the natural world. Jo was selected as the August artist and will be in the Park from August 5-26. For more information about Jo, visit joclarkwriter.com.

• Susan Patrice – Susan is a documentary and contemplative photographer. Her photography and public installations focus on the Appalachian landscape and its people and feature intimate images that touch deeply into questions of place and belonging. Aimee was selected as the October artist and will be in the Park from October 3-24. For more information about Aimee, visit www.aimeebobruk.com.

Waynesboro begins N Delphine Ave pavement replacement project

WAYNESBORO – Pavement replacement on N Delphine Avenue will begin on April 22 in Waynesboro. The city announced the road work, writing the project will include pavement demolition, full-depth reclamation, grading, curb and gutter construction, traffic signal modification, asphalt paving, and pavement markings.

"The city and contractors will set up traffic controls to keep workers and vehicles safe," reads the press release. "During construction travel lanes will be restricted to ten feet of less. It is important to respect traffic controls and construction workers and equipment when traveling through the work zone. Your patience is appreciated."

VDOT traffic schedule for April 15 to April 19

STAUNTON – The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

INTERSTATE 64

• *UDPATE* Mile marker 95 to 96, eastbound – Overnight right lane and shoulder closures for sign installation work, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Wednesday nights. Daytime right shoulder closures, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

• *NEW* Mile marker 97 to 96, westbound – Right shoulder closures for sign work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

INTERSTATE 81

• *NEW* Mile marker 211 to 205, southbound – Right shoulder closures for shoulder work, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

• *UPDATE* Mile marker 220 to 222, northbound and southbound – Shoulder closures for median access, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through September 30.

• *UPDATE* Mile marker 221 to 223, northbound and southbound – Right shoulder closures for litter pickup operations, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.

• *UPDATE* Mile marker 221 to 223, northbound – Overnight single lane closures for bridge maintenance, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through night of April 25.

• *UPDATE* Mile marker 221 to 226, northbound and southbound – Overnight alternating lane closures for removing pavement markers, installing new markers and concrete barriers shifting travel lanes to the outside away from median, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. on nights April 14 – 26. Work is related to I-81 widening project.

• *NEW* Mile marker 233 to 229, southbound – Right shoulder closures for pipe work, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

PRIMARY ROADS

• Route 11 (Lee Highway) – Northbound right lane closures between Route 940 (Dick Huff Lane) and Staunton city limits for sidewalk installation, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through May 24.

• Route 42 (Parkersburg Turnpike) – Shoulder closures between Route 688 (Old Parkersburg Turnpike) and Route 1130 (East Village Lane) for sign work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Route 250 (Hankey Mountain Highway) – Shoulder closures between Route 715 (Braley Pond Road) and Route 629 (Deerfield Valley Road) for sign work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Route 254 (Parkersburg Turnpike) – Shoulder closures near Route 42 (Buffalo Gap Highway) intersection for sign work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Route 256 (Weyers Cave Road) – Flagger traffic control at Grottoes western town limits for maintenance to bridge over South River, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday.

• Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Eastbound and westbound left shoulder closures due to widening project in the area of the Route 252 (Middlebrook Avenue) interchange, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. through May 25.

SECONDARY ROADS

• Route 602 (Summerdean Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 682 (Troxel Gap Road) and Route 603 (Cales Spring Road) for utility work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 2.

• Route 612 (Laurel Hill Road) – Westbound right lane and shoulder closures between Route 818 (Dunsmore Road) and Route 1906 (Lodge Lane) for milling at various entrances, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through May 27. Work related to Verona pedestrian improvement project.

• Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through May 30, 2025.

• Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) – Closed between I-81 frontage roads (FR-217 and FR-218) for bridge replacement as part of I-81 southbound auxiliary lane project. Follow posted detour. Expected completion summer 2025.

• Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through June 30, 2025.

• Route 675 (Broadhead School Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 11 (Lee Jackson Highway) and Route 604 (McClures Mill Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

• Route 707 (Trimbles Mill Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 806 (Boy Scout Lane) and Route 713 (Shuey Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

• *NEW* Route 708 (Glebe School Road) – Closed to through traffic between Route 711 (Miller Farm Road) and Route 710 (Eidson Creek Road) for maintenance to bridge over Eidson Creek, April 22 – May 16. Follow posted detour.

• Route 876 (Glebe School Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 713 (Shuey Road) and Route 602 (Summerdean Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

• Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: WWII planes at Shenandoah Regional Airport, Memory Partners open house in Waynesboro: THE DIGEST