By Joanna Sommer Local farmer shares his roots. Pedro Aponte’s hands are worn and weathered. Healed calluses are etched into the tough skin of his palms and knuckles. The quacks of the ducks and the chatter of the hens grow louder as the wind ruffles the leaves of the trees that line the outside of…

By Amy Needham Virginia Museum of the Civil War works to incorporate other perspectives into education. May 15, 1864 — the only time in U.S. history that an entire student body was engaged in battle. Two hundred fifty-seven cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) marched on New Market to defend their homeland for the…

By Meg Willcox “The parties they attended, the music they saw, the dances and so on — I love that the clothing gets to continue its stories.” Allie Motyka, the owner of Heartworn Vintage, and Mary Yoder-Anderson, owner of Dart Resale and Trade, believe every piece of clothing has a story. Heartworn Vintage is located…

By Madison Stevens The Shenandoah Valley is made up of nine counties that stretch about 150 miles. Along the way, travelers find small towns full of character with fields of farm animals, winding back roads and hidden treasures, including charming and quaint used bookstores with stories of their own.  Nothing compares to the distinct smell…

By Eda Tercan Traveling post-pandemic is unfortunately getting harder and harder, especially with gas prices as high as they are. If you’re looking to get a travel fix without going too far, you’re in luck — these four places are within an hour’s drive from Harrisonburg, and the journey is just as eye-catching as the…

By Maria Copeland The Church of the Lamb has been brainstorming the idea of developing a piece of land in Rockingham County, pitched as an abbey. They’re assembling a team and plan to work on the property over the next nine years. In Penn Laird, Virginia, about five miles from Harrisonburg, 30 acres of tree-studded…

By Kylee Toland Church’s After-School program provides local children a place for academics, faith and fun. A yellow school bus pulls up into a parking lot. As the doors open, tiny feet jump out and run toward the playground. The sounds of laughter and squeals radiate as young children run playfully at the heels of…