Whimsically Witchy returns, a MaDee Project benefit and Fort's new softball coach: The Chalkboard
STAUNTON — Camille Dierksheide got a much later start than she wanted this year on her annual Halloween display. A classical singer who enjoys crafting on the side, Dierksheide didn't get started with her display until September. She only had a month to get everything where it needed to be by early October when she wanted to be finished.
"It was like a mess," she said. "I was freaking out."
The final touches went up Monday, Oct. 2. She said that month was pretty intense, but certainly worth all of the work and stress.
Dierksheide is a mom of a Staunton elementary student. She has been putting out a Halloween display — Whimsically Witchy — since 2017, but it really took off a couple of years ago and last year she decided to give back to the community by asking people to donate to the McSwain Elementary School's arts education program. Dierksheide's house is right across North Coalter Street from the school. The idea raised over $2,400 for the school.
"It was amazing to have a supplemental money source to get the permanent, pricey items and to purchase the additional consumable items for the art program," said Tina Purdy, an art teacher at McSwain.
This year Dierksheide expanded that idea. While the display is free, visitors are asked to donate through the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge payment portal via QR code displayed on yard signs. You can also visit a website Dierksheide set up for donation information. Proceeds will benefit not one, but three art departments this year — Bessie Weller, McSwain, and Ware elementary schools.
“I started extreme crafting during the pandemic so I wouldn’t lose my mind,” Dierksheide says. “The result was a front yard Halloween display that received so much attention we decided to use it for some greater purpose.”
Dierksheide designed and hand-crafted the display with recycled materials, electronics and building supplies she and her husband purchased as well as generous donated materials, time and talent from local businesses, family and friends all over the country. The display features:
A cast of six life-size witches in period dress made from recycled vinegar bottles and garbagebags;
A haunted forest of seven-foot trees with light-up faces;
The “Booridge Gardens,” a cemetery of hand-made head stones, featuring the graves ofHalloween icons including the Sanderson Sisters; and
Motorized flying bats atop nine-foot Grecian Doric columns.
The bats are just one of the new items in the annual display. Dierksheide's nephew, who has a master's in aeronautical engineering, designed the bats. He actually did it last year to fly ghosts, but the motor Dierksheide had was too small. This year the bats are flying.
“Growing up, music and art were profound influences in my life,” Dierksheide says. “Despite the arts being an essential element of a first-class education, they are chronically underfunded.”
The Whimsically Witchy Halloween display is located at 1101 N. Coalter Street, Staunton.
"I'm profoundly grateful for the support from Whimsically Witchy," said Berkeley Harner, McSwain Elementary School's music teacher. "The fund contribution enriched our shows and empowered the students to pursue their musical passions and creativity."
MaDee Project benefit concert set for Friday
STUARTS DRAFT — A worship band and a DOVE Award-winning gospel quartet are using their music to support local families with children battling cancer.
Gold City will perform a benefit concert for the MaDee Project Friday. The concert, which features local fan favorite band Faithful Praise as an opening act, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at Cornerstore Church of Augusta in Stuarts Draft.
The MaDee Project is a charitable fund within the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge that helps families who have children battling pediatric cancer in Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County and the counties bordering Augusta. The organization has helped 125 families since 2010.
All concert proceeds benefit The MaDee Project.
“Faithful praise is a local favorite, and Gold City was recommended by guests who attended our first Southern Gospel Concert in 2021,” said Tamara Campbell, the long-time leader of The MaDee Project and mother of the organization’s namesake. “Southern Gospel has fans of all ages, so everyone should come out. We hope to see everyone Friday night.”
The MaDee Project was founded in October 2010 in honor and memory of MaDee Nicole Boxler. During Boxler’s sophomore year at Roanoke College, she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. The diagnosis was March of 2008.
Boxler fought for 23 months, completing a double major in psychology and criminal justice from Roanoke College in the process. The Fort Defiance High School graduate worked at the Staunton-Augusta Family YMCA. She was also the statistician for the basketball team at Fort Defiance and later at Roanoke College.
In April 2022, The MaDee Project partnered with The Community Foundation of Central Blue Ridge. Boxler’s legacy will always be a part of this community. Donations to The MaDee Project can be made through The Community Foundation of Central Blue Ridge at PO Box 815 Staunton, Virginia, or online at www.cfcbr.org.
For more information email Tamara Campbell at tamaratcampbell@gmail.com
Fort Defiance names new softball coach
FORT DEFIANCE — Fort Defiance High School announced that Logan Dunkum will be its new head softball coach. Dunkum is a Bridgewater College graduate where he earned his BS in psychology.
Dunkum coached at Buffalo Gap High School as an assistant with the varsity helping lead them to the state tournament this past season. He had been with the Bison since 2016.
"Dunkum looks forward to working with the Fort Defiance community to grow the Indian softball program," a press release said.
"Dunkum is currently building his staff to compliment and improve our student athletes," the release said. "Coach Dunkum’s leadership and coaching style will suit our athletes wonderfully."
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Whimsically Witchy returns, a MaDee Project benefit and Fort's new coach: The Chalkboard
