April 2025 Issue

Historic Riding Program Evolves Into Learning Tool

Since 1939, horses have been woven into the fabric of Congressional School, a legacy that began with the founding family’s passion for equestrian life. The Devers’ love of horses not only shaped the school’s identity—inspiring the “Colts” team name and horse mascot—but established a tradition that continues to innovate today. During the warmer months, Congressional’s […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Raise the Region Gala Supports Equity in Northern Virginia

MCLEAN – 2024 Raise the Region Gala Hilton McLean Tysons Corner The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia shattered records at its 2024 Raise the Region Gala, surpassing $100 million in lifetime grants while raising an additional $740,000 in a single evening. The Oct. 18 hybrid event drew hundreds of supporters both in-person and virtually, united […]

by Staff

Madeira School Dominates State’s Ranking Again

The Madeira School has secured its position at the pinnacle of Virginia education, claiming the top spot in two prestigious categories on Niche’s 2025 Best Schools list. The all-girls powerhouse swept both the “Best Boarding School” and “Best Girls High School” rankings in Virginia, marking another year of educational excellence. The school’s dominance extends beyond […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Immersive Learning Adventures at Sullins Academy

Sullins Academy transforms education through carefully crafted field trips that complement classroom learning while igniting students’ natural curiosity. These excursions, both local and further afield, blend academic enrichment with hands-on experiences that students remember long after they return to campus. Local cultural experiences include visits to the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, where literature comes alive […]

by Madeline Mayhood

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Eight Virginia schools received the National Blue Ribbon 2024 award for their high performances. The Exemplary High Performing Schools are Spring Hill Elementary in McLean, Green Run Collegiate in Virginia Beach, Bethel Manor Elementary in Hampton, and St. Andrew the Apostle School in Clifton. The Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are Central Academy Middle […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

The University of Virginia has climbed to No. 4 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings, advancing one position from last year. The university maintained its No. 24 overall ranking, tying with Emory and Georgetown universities. UVA’s commitment to accessibility and student success stands out in several key metrics. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

How a Yellow Fever Outbreak Devastated Virginia Cities

It was an eerie summer morning in 1855. Before the sun had risen, it seemed like every man, woman, and child in Portsmouth was on the move. Horses loaded with bags, porters laden with trunks, wheelbarrows, carts, suitcases, boxes, and entire families scurried together in amoeba-like blobs. Parents almost ran as they dragged their small […]

by Lon Wagner

Small Town, Big History: The Stories of Abingdon

Long before the first European settlers ventured into the American wilderness, the Delaware and Catawba tribes tracked a buffalo trace through the Shenandoah Mountains. Abingdon—once known as Wolf Hills—emerged along this trail, today’s Route 11. Frequented by westward expansionists on the Great Valley Road, Main Street grew. Today, the city of 8,336 residents hugs Route […]

by Michael C. Upton

Shenandoah University’s International March

The marching band stepped it up in London. The Shenandoah University Marching Band made history with its first international performance at the 2025 London New Year’s Day Parade, joined by the Studio Big Band and cheerleading squad. The young marching band launched in 2022 with 73 members and has now grown to over 150 students. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Virginia Educators Turn to Nature to Enhance Learning

Take a midday spring stroll through Virginia Beach’s First Landing State Park and you might happen upon a heartwarming sight: A group of about a dozen children aged 3 to 6 snoozing in a motley array of sleeping bags and hammocks beneath a canopy of live oaks, dripping with Spanish moss. The Lost–Boys–esque tableau repeats […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Unexpected Lessons From the P.E. Department

“What’s your sport?” Coach A. asked me during my first staff meeting after she’d made introductions. I wanted to make a good first impression, but I’d never played a sport in my life. A longtime school nurse, I was thrilled to be teaching 9th and 10th grade health classes. But the new job had landed […]

by Sherrie Page Guyer

How Service Dogs are Breaking New Ground in Healthcare

Stephen Colbert asked Dr. Jane Goodall a big question. “What’s your favorite animal?” he wondered when the world’s most famous primatologist was a guest on a Late Night episode last September. Given Goodall’s groundbreaking research and conservation advocacy in Africa, he assumed her answer would be the chimps she’s worked with throughout her seven-decade career. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

A New Chapter for Virginia’s Independent Bookstores

“ Think about when you read a book you really, really loved,” prompts Paige Williams, owner of Downtown Books in Lexington. “Where were you? Does it tie you to a beach? Does it tie you to a cozy chair by a fire at your grandparents’ house? What makes you love that book?” As an independent bookstore […]

by Hope Cartwright

Dirty Sodas Arrive in Virginia at Coco’s Sodas + Sweets

It’s not your standard big gulp that you can get from 7-Eleven,” says co-owner Ben Cichelli of the tricked-out drinks at Coco’s Sodas + Sweets in downtown Vienna. The shop caters to “soda purists,” as Ben might say—those who know the fizz difference between a fountain-pour drink and a bottled 2-liter, and who might be […]

by Hope Cartwright

Gluten-Free and Tasty Bakeries In Virginia

Gluten-free bakeries may sound like an oxymoron to some. After all, isn’t flour supposed to be the star of the show? Determined to set the record straight, dedicated GF bakeries around the state, however, are deftly baking delicious gluten-free delectables—from cakes and muffins to cookies and scones—ratcheting up competition with traditional bakeries. These dedicated GF […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

This Gluten-Free Soy Sauce is Made in Henrico

“As a child, soy sauce was such a familiar part of my life that I never considered it extraordinary,” says Takashi Sato, president and eighth-generation member of the founding family of San-J, an international soy sauce brand. Yet, the unassuming 10-ounce bottles of soy sauce have become just that: extraordinary. San-J produces those bottles at […]

by Hope Cartwright

Coastal Virginia’s Distilleries Embrace Seaside Inspo

A sun-warmed beach and an ice-cold cocktail: what is it about the pair that make such a perfect match? When the two adored relaxation rituals meet, magic happens—especially inside of Coastal Virginia’s distilleries. These distillers take oceanside inspo and bottle it, bringing the beach vibes to you. Blue Sky Distillery: The Blackbeard’s Point Rum reminds […]

by Hope Cartwright

Carpenter Bees: Virginia’s Valuable Pollinators

My introduction to carpenter bees came via a mysterious drift of sawdust on our deck. Stooping down to examine the underside of the railing, I found a perfectly round, finger-sized hole drilled neatly into the wood. When another tiny mound of sawdust appeared, then a third, I did as one does when faced with a […]

by caroline kettlewell

Shining a Spotlight on Local Flora

The 2-acre educational garden at Roanoke’s Virginia Western Community College welcomes its newest addition: the Sunny Meadow Native Garden. The carefully curated space, transformed from a former conifer patch, showcases Southwest Virginia’s native plant species. After extensive research and planning, students, staff, and volunteers brought the vision to life in spring 2024, creating a vibrant […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Pages: 123

Events

May 28, 2025

May – June @ Art Works!

Art Works

May 28, 2025

Flute Frenzy’s ‘Overture’ Flute Class

May 29, 2025

47th Annual Richmond Greek Festival

Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral

A New Experience at the Virginia Scenic Railway

Virginia Scenic Railway Adds Dome Car for Spectacular Valley Views The popular Virginia Scenic Railway just upped its game with a vintage dome car offering breathtaking 360° views of the Shenandoah Valley. The “Shenandoah”—built in 1948 as the “Silver Palace” for the California Zephyr—now gives passengers an unmatched vantage point on three-hour excursions from Staunton. […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Williamsburg Archaeologists Uncover Secret Garden

In Colonial America, a grand garden was the ultimate status symbol—the 18th century equivalent of a Lamborghini. So when archaeologists at Colonial Williamsburg uncovered John Custis IV’s property, they struck horticultural gold: the remains of a football field-sized garden alongside his Jacobean manor house. Custis, a tobacco magnate and Martha Washington’s first father-in-law, went all […]

by Madeline Mayhood

April 2025 Issue

Historic Riding Program Evolves Into Learning Tool

Current Issue

Events

May – June @ Art Works!

Flute Frenzy’s ‘Overture’ Flute Class

47th Annual Richmond Greek Festival

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A New Experience at the Virginia Scenic Railway

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Williamsburg Archaeologists Uncover Secret Garden

April 2025 Issue

Historic Riding Program Evolves Into Learning Tool

Current Issue

Events

May – June @ Art Works!

Flute Frenzy’s ‘Overture’ Flute Class

47th Annual Richmond Greek Festival

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

Most Popular

A New Experience at the Virginia Scenic Railway

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Williamsburg Archaeologists Uncover Secret Garden

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

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weekly newsletter: VL Today

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weekly newsletter: VL Today