Sitting in close proximity to another person and exposing one’s open, maskless mouth to an instrument that will spray saliva into the air is likely not an experience people are happily anticipating in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. As businesses open back up and stay-at-home orders are …

Jaxon Milburn turned 1 on Wednesday, celebrating in a way that’s not typical for most children.

Washington-based pastry sous chef Cody Fitchett is bringing his expertise to area kitchens through his new virtual baking classes.

My primary work station has become the desk in my game room, which I only recently cleared of the pile of books and other random items that had accumulated there over recent months so that it could serve its intended purpose as I work from home for the foreseeable future.

On March 26, Woodstock author Jason Wright and his daughter Oakli Van Meter, 24, announced a challenge. He would spend an hour or so each day working on a new novel, live on Google Docs, and she would copy edit while readers followed along.

Places of worship around the area have canceled services to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and religious leaders are being creative in how they connect with the community.

WINCHESTER — As precautions against the coronavirus pandemic continue, area residents stuck at home might be looking to make the food in their pantry stretch longer than they’re used to.

WINCHESTER -- Echo, a 2-year-old hound mix, is available for adoption.

FRONT ROYAL – Augustus, a 2-year-old rottweiler-hound mix, is up for adoption.

WOODSTOCK – One of the important things couples have to deal with when planning a wedding is where they should have their ceremony.

Lee Santos is helping couples make their first dance together a wedding moment to remember.  

Couples looking to marry amid nature have two area venues on Skyland Drive in Shenandoah National Park: a Skyland wedding or a Big Meadows Lodge wedding, said Helen Morton, director of sales and marketing for the park.

Museum galas and intimate garden weddings are just a few of the many options that await brides and grooms at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester.

An event center with an onsite chapel, Historic Jordan Springs offers  an all-inclusive experience to couples.

The Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown offers its facilities and grounds for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

West Oaks Farm Market's wedding venue opened its doors in Spring 2018 and the facility has space for weddings and receptions.

The 1811 Historic Rosemont Manor House in Berryville, with its recently added Rosemont Springs barn, offers couples a combination of old and new.

Recently returned from photographing wildlife in the Falkland Islands and the Canadian Arctic, Front Royal resident Sharon Fisher hopes to share her love of birds and photography with others.

A new organization has made it its mission to help girls in Warren County reach their potential.

Early signs of spring put smiles of anticipation on the faces of nature lovers. Longer days, warmer temperatures and lawns slowly turning from brown to green are hard to miss. But the very first harbingers of spring are more subtle.

EDINBURG – Icicle, a 9-month-old domestic short hair, is up for adoption.

As nocturnal creatures, most mammals hide under the cloak of darkness. Squirrels are one exception to that rule. Even young children recognize gray squirrels, fox squirrels, and chipmunks that frequent backyards and city parks during daylight hours.

The Shenandoah County Library in Edinburg is hosting an exhibit produced by the Library of Virginia and Virginia Humanities on the history of immigration in the state of Virginia.

At an upcoming library program, hiking experts Susan Tschirhart and Golda Liebl plan to prepare people for enjoying the outdoors this winter.

WINCHESTER – Trashcan, a 3-year-old domestic short-hair cat, is available for adoption.

FRONT ROYAL — When Sensei Carol Corbin started a women’s karate club in 1991, she had just one member: Tracy Turybury.

WINCHESTER – Monkey, an 11-year-old domestic short hair cat, is up for adoption.

FRONT ROYAL – Milo, a 4-year-old boxer-bulldog mix, is up for adoption.

EDINBURG – Dogs are often known as man’s best friend, but Cecilla Rocha of Edinburg feels her five dogs - Shula, Loro, Jachi, Huitzi, and Murci - are much more than her friends.

On a recent episode of Jeopardy, the correct question to an answer was, “What’s a yellow-bellied sapsucker?”

EDINBURG -- Grinch, a 12-week-old domestic short hair, is up for adoption.

Animal tales often occupy this space. As the year comes to an end, thoughts of animal ends also come to mind – their tails. So, here’s a tale of tails.

In temperate areas, late January usually brings the coldest weather of the year. When temperatures plunge below zero as they do some winters, wildlife must adapt to survive extreme weather conditions.

WINCHESTER – Bullet, a 6-year-old Jack Russell terrier, is up for adoption.

It was the night before Christmas, 1993. Nora was barely 10 years old, and Emma would not start kindergarten for another eight months. We had just gotten home from an early Christmas Eve church service.