We were honored to host the first annual Evening of Hope Aug. 27 in Barboursville and are extremely pleased to report that our first attempt at holding a fundraising event was a huge success.

The Orange County Unit of the American Heart Association would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2008 Heart Walk on Sunday, Sept. 21.

We had a wonderful experience Saturday night at the Sally and David Lamb’s Bull Riding Rodeo with Friendship Force guests from Germany.

When I think about who would be a good President, I think about issues and I think about temperament. Issues matter, but temperament matters, too, because it determines how issues will be addressed.

We also attended Back to School Night on Sept. 4 and were anticipating the remarks given by the current principal, Mr. Phillips, since we knew that OES did not make AYP.

I’m responding to the letter last week from Ms. Katina Brown regarding Orange Elementary School Principal Dan Phillips’ remarks at the “back to school night.“

On Oct. 2, an important meeting will be held to review proposed changes in the comprehensive plan.  If you think these changes don’t affect you, think again.

A new appreciation

Several months ago Mason Insurance and Reynolds Pontiac-Cadillac-GMC Truck-Buick-Subaru began giving away reusable shopping bags. It was successful and Mason Insurance ordered more.
More importantly, several others have joined the fray.

objective of these proposed changes is to stop, or severely limit, growth in the agricultural district

I am shocked and upset that Orange County officials are planning to let Wal-Mart build a store across from the Wilderness Battlefield!

Is this the way someone in a “leadership role” should speak to students, parents and staff?

The photo “Street Festival washout” made it sound like it was just a case of bad luck that the festival was a bust, and not, in my opinion, a serious case of poor judgment by the chamber of commerce.

Hopefully, in the future a different awareness to severe weather forecasts will be observed and a change in thinking with regard to a need for rain dates will be considered.

Thirty-four years is a long time to hold an event and needless to say they could not all be perfect - that would be impossible!

Raining on our parade, or in this case, the street festival

The 221st anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention will be commemorated September 17-23.

A year from now, in September of 2009, 60 years will have passed since WJMA radio in Orange signed on the air for the first time.

Still, while we were spared extended power outages, torrential rains and damaging floods, it got us thinking about whether or not we’re prepared in such situations.

I know everyone enjoys the non-stop through traffic lanes and the safety factor alone is invaluable.

I am astounded to learn that Orange County officials are even considering a proposal to allow Wal-Mart to build a store across from the Wilderness Battlefield.

I am sure the school board and the school system’s administrators will try to put spin on this and give one excuse after another, but the fact is that only one school passed all the necessary requirements.

When only one of our eight schools meets the established benchmark, we’re concerned.

We are completely and utterly appalled by the activities of the Orange County School Board, and question their concern for the continuity of education for the students of Orange County.

Mark Johnson crossed a line that should never be approached by the chair of any governing body.

Our opinion

Are you ready for more of George Humphrey’s “9/11, The Great Illusion?“ If so, consider the following quotes, regarding the Bush/bin Laden family connection.

We cannot understand why one of the most important jobs in our county should have to take a cut in pay.

Thank you for “It happened, but not recently,“ amazing and priceless old photographs of Orange and Gordonsville.

Forgive us for finding the irony in the fact it was the same VSBA that helped the county hire Dr. Crawford unanimously in the first place.