THE DIGEST: Drug take-back day, talking Tories and the American revolution, and roadwork

Monique Calello and Jeff Schwaner, Staunton News Leader
·8 min read
A butterfly hook heats up in a 1500-degree furnace before being forged by The Social Butterfly Kristi K. Higgins and Thomas Goodemoot with Christ Centered Ironworks at the Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild Hammer-In in Chesterfield on March 11, 2023.
A butterfly hook heats up in a 1500-degree furnace before being forged by The Social Butterfly Kristi K. Higgins and Thomas Goodemoot with Christ Centered Ironworks at the Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild Hammer-In in Chesterfield on March 11, 2023.

Drop off unused medications on National Drug Take-Back Day Saturday

VERONA—On October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can drop off unused or unwanted medications as part of a national effort to reduce the availability of drugs.

The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the event October 28th at 127 Lee Highway in Verona, Virginia.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.

You can also find a prescription drug drop box in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office available every day.

From Tory wife to a bunch of blacksmiths: Variety of events at the Frontier Culture Museum

STAUNTON—The end of leaf-peeping season is just the start of some interesting local fall events. Here's what's happening at the Frontier Culture Museum, 1290 Richmond Avenue, in Staunton.

  • The Tory’s Wife book talk / Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 (7PM - 8PM) - Join the Frontier Culture Museum for a special book talk on October 24th from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. This new book, titled The Tory’s Wife, is authored by George Mason University professor of history, Dr. Cindy Kierner is a deep dive into one woman's role in the American Revolution.  More information available at www.frontiermuseum.org/2023-events/the-torys-wife-book-talk.

  • Native American History Day / Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 (9AM - 5PM) - Join the Frontier Culture Museum for Native American History Day. This event will bring tribally enrolled living historians to the museum to explore the history of Native American nations, and how they shaped and contributed to American culture. Activities will include cooking, pottery, flint knapping, canoe building and more. More details will be available soon at www.frontiermuseum.org.

  • 2023 Lecture Series, “Race, Removal, and the Right to Remain: Migration and the Making of the United States / Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 (6PM - 7PM) - Join the Frontier Culture Museum for the final installment of our 2023 Lecture Series. This month’s lecture is “Race, Removal, and the Right to Remain: Migration and the Making of the United States” presented by Dr. Samantha Seeley from the University of Richmond. More details available at www.frontiermuseum.org/2023-events/2023-lecture-series-race-removal-and-the-right-to-remain-migration-and-the-making-of-the-united-states.

  • Hammer In: Blacksmithing Weekend / Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 (9AM - 5PM) - Join the Frontier Culture Museum for a Hammer-In! Blacksmiths from across the country will be coming to the Frontier Culture Museum to showcase their skills and sell their wares. This is a general admission ticketed event. More information available at www.frontiermuseum.org/2023-events/hammer-in

  • Artisan Fair / Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 (9AM - 5PM) - Join the Frontier Culture Museum for our Annual Artisan Fair! We will have artisan craft vendors, selling one of a kind crafts for every person in your life. More details will be available soon at www.frontiermuseum.org/2023-events/artisan-fair

29th annual Artisans Studio Tour coming in November

CHARLOTTESVILLE — 52 artisans in 24 studios throughout central Virginia will display and demonstrate their craft during the 29th annual Artisans Studio Tour happening 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 11-12. The free tour is self guided and open to the public.

A driving map of participating studios, and photos and descriptions of the work of participating artisans is available at artisanstudiotour.com.

Something Old: The artisans who founded the Studio Tour in 1994 with the vision of enhancing awareness of professional artisans living and working in the region set up a juried system to open up spaces on the tour to newartisans. Many of those founders can be found on the tour year after year, welcoming back a loyal following of longtime customers. One such founder is Nancy Ross, who has shown her pottery on the tour for all 29 years.

You really don't even want to know how many roads are being worked on this week.

Okay, you do. Here's the list, according to Virginia Department of Transportation.

AUGUSTA COUNTY

INTERSTATE 81

Mile marker 211 to 207, southbound – Overnight single lane closures for pavement marking operations, 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. through night of October 29.

Mile marker 220 to 222, northbound – Overnight alternating lane closures for maintenance to bridge over eastbound I-64, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through the night of November 3.

*NEW* Mile marker 221 to 224, northbound and southbound – Shoulder closures for litter pickup operations, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Mile marker 221 to 225, northbound – Possible shoulder closures for sign installation, including along interstate ramps, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Mile marker 221 to 223, northbound – Overnight single lane closures for maintenance to bridge over Route 250 (Jefferson Highway), 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. through night of November 21.

*NEW* Mile marker 223 to 227, northbound and southbound – Overnight alternating lane closures for inspection of bridges over Lewis Creek, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the nights of October 23 and October 24.

*UPDATE* Mile marker 226 to 229, northbound and southbound – Overnight single lane closures for maintenance to Route 612 (Laurel Hill Road) overpass bridge, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through night of December 24.

Mile marker 238 to 235, southbound – Right shoulder closures for utility work, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through November 3.

PRIMARY ROADS

*NEW* Route 11 (Lee Highway) – Northbound shoulder closures between Staunton city limits and Route 612 (Laurel Hill Road/Quicks Mill Road) for curb and gutter repairs, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through October 27.

Route 11 (Lee Highway) – Northbound 24/7 shoulder closures near intersection with Route 256 (Weyers Cave Road) for turn lane construction, estimated completion in May 2024. Flagger traffic control as needed for nighttime and overnight work.

Route 56 (Tye River Turnpike) – Flagger traffic control between Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway) and Rockbridge County line for paving operations, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through November 17.

*NEW* Route 252 (Middlebrook Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 819 (Bittersweet Lane) and Route 694 (Stone Branch Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

*NEW* Route 252 (Middlebrook Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) and Route 693 (Cedar Green Road) for tree removal operations, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Route 256 (Weyers Cave Road) – Shoulders closed 24/7 between Route 11 (Lee Highway) and Route 2011 (Triangle Drive). Traffic restrictions are for construction of turn lanes with estimated completion in May 2024.

Route 256 (Weyers Cave Road) – Overnight flagger traffic control between Route 11 (Lee Highway) and Route 2003 (Wayside Drive/Triangle Drive) for paving operations, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on nights through November 16.

*NEW* Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Northbound lane closed due to railroad crossing work just east of intersection with Route 11 (North Commerce Avenue). Turn lanes from Route 11 onto northbound Route 262 also closed. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Follow posted detour.

Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Northbound and southbound shoulder closures for mowing operations along I-81 ramps just south of Staunton, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 16 through October 27.

Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Northbound and southbound shoulder closures approaching I-81 ramps just south of Staunton for sign installations, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Shoulder closures near Route 252 interchange (Middlebrook Avenue) for Route 262 widening project, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 27.

Route 340 (Stuarts Draft Highway/Rosser Avenue) – Shoulder closures for sign installations near I-64 interchange (Waynesboro) and intersections with Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway) and Route 608 (Tinkling Spring Road/Draft Avenue), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Route 340 (Stuarts Draft Highway) – Flagger traffic control between Route 655 (Walnut Hills Road) and Route 652 (University Farm Road) for paving operations, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through November 17.

Route 340 (East Side Highway) – Northbound and southbound single lane closures and flagger traffic control as needed between Route 612 (Crimora Mine Road/New Hope-Crimora Road) and Route 1343 (Northwood Drive) for paving operations, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through November 17.

SECONDARY ROADS

Route 612 (Laurel Hill Road) – Westbound right lane closures between Route 1906 (Lodge Lane) and Route 11 (Lee Highway) for pedestrian access improvements, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through February 2024.

*NEW* 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 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 664 (Mount Torrey Road) – Shoulder closures and occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 894 (Mount Torrey Road) for water line installation, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 31.

Route 694 (Mount Tabor Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 252 (Middlebrook Road) and Route 700 (Bowman Springs Road/Shirey Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

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: Drug take back day, Tory's wife at Frontier Culture, road work: THE DIGEST