April 2025 Issue

Hargrave Military Academy Relaunches Flight Program

Hargrave Military Academy announced the revival of its aviation program through a strategic partnership with Averett University’s FAA-approved Part 141 flight school in Danville. The collaboration allows Hargrave cadets to pursue aviation studies, complete ground-school and flight lab courses for college credit, and gain hands-on flight experience. “The desired outcome is for cadets to complete […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Tour the Tastes of Virginia Through Honey

By Rachel Kester What does a forest taste like? Or perhaps a bustling city or lush meadow? Savoring a landscape’s flavor might seem impossible, but don’t tell honey that. Ranging from hardwood forests in the west to agricultural fields near the coast, Virginia’s diverse environment makes for a very tasty adventure that beekeepers seek to […]

by Staff

Peggy Singlemann is Horticulture Royalty

Peggy Singlemann and I sit at her kitchen table on a cold, snow-covered January morning, sipping Lady Grey tea and enjoying a fresh loaf of her sour cream coffee cake, made from a recipe handed down to her through a family friend. When Peggy was 10, she entered it in a church baking contest—and won […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is Among the Country’s Best

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts clinched 11th place in The Washington Post’s top U.S. museums ranking, outshining major institutions in Dallas, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Critics celebrate its seamless blend of galleries and gardens, world-class collections spanning global cultures, and standout exhibitions of contemporary photography. Richmond’s art scene is set for a seismic shift as […]

by Madeline Mayhood

World’s First Grid-scale Nuclear Fusion Plant in Chesterfield

Chesterfield is making history as the future site of the world’s first grid-scale commercial nuclear fusion* power plant, with a goal of delivering power in the early 2030s. Commonwealth Fusion System (CFS), a spin-off of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will independently finance, build, own, and operate the facility at the James River Industrial Park. […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Mom Hiked the Appalachian Trail with 13 Kids in Tow

Nikki Bettis stood on the jagged summit outcrop of Shenandoah National Park’s 4,011-foot Stony Man, awed by westward panoramic views. Her heart swelled with emotion as she turned to watch her 13 kids shoulder their loaded backpacks and fall into a clamorous single-file line heading back to the Appalachian Trail (AT). “We were in an […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Authentic Greek Olive Oil Comes to Richmond Coffee Shop

In Greek culture, the olive tree is a sacred symbol representing peace, prosperity, and love. For centuries, olive trees were included in marriage dowries, in which they were often split equally between the newlyweds and the bride’s family to keep the two connected for future generations. In Palaiopanagia, a small village south of Sparta at […]

by Stephanie Ganz

Flower-Forward Things To Do in Virginia This Spring

From flower festivals and farms to Historic Garden Week, Virginia bursts with spring blossoms and inspiration. The possibilities for fun are endless, but here are some of our faves. U-Pick flower farms are the places to be for spring. Load up on beautiful blooms—from tulips and cosmos to daffodils, peonies, and more—at these micro-farms all […]

by Madeline Mayhood

2025 Trends Include Purple and Dopamine Décor

Design trends this year include bold statements in color—from using kaleidoscopic palettes to incorporating mood-boosting décor. The color purple is making a splash, with color king Benjamin Moore naming Cinnamon Slate its 2025 Color of the Year. This sophisticated blend of heathery plum and velvety brown is similar to Farrow & Ball’s Brinjal, its own […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Barter Theatre: A Historic Stage Thriving in Abingdon

At 91, she looks darn good. Barter Theatre, the official state theater, is among America’s oldest theaters and one of the nation’s few remaining professional repertory companies. While many a regional theater are cutting back on productions or even shuttering their doors, Barter appears unstoppable, setting new records for success. From 2022–2023, tickets purchased for […]

by Dawn Klavon

Richmond’s Own Baby Pygmy Hippo Earns Global Fame

Moo Deng, Thailand’s baby pygmy hippo, took social media by storm when she was born last summer. With her outsized wails for attention—her screams bigger than her body—and her sweet, W-shaped snout, she became an overnight sensation from her hippo habitat at Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Bangkok. Fast-forward to last December, and the […]

by Hope Cartwright

Experience Burnside Farms’ Stunning Festival of Spring

A rainbow of blooms takes over Burnside Farms in Nokesville each spring, creating a breathtaking backdrop of yellow, pink, red, and orange blossoms. During their annual Festival of Spring, running mid-March to mid-April (check their Instagram, @BurnsideFarms, for exact dates), visitors can picnic, play, and pick their own bundles from over 150 tulip varieties and […]

by Hope Cartwright

Why Virginia Is the True Daffodil Capital of America

“With each daffodil, nature writes a love letter to the world, promising the beauty of fresh starts.” – Emily Dickinson Virginia’s love affair with daffodils isn’t just about pretty flowers—it’s a tale of survival, innovation, and pure American grit. While the state may be known as the “Mother of Presidents” and home to blue crabs, […]

by Catriona Tudor Erler

Daffodil-Centric Events Around Virginia This Spring

Virginia Daffodil Society Show Saturday–Sunday, March 22–23 From backyard gardeners to master growers, daffodils of every shape and size steal this annual show. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., VDSDaffShow@gmail.com for more info. Garden Club of Virginia Daffodil Day Wednesday, March 26 At one of the largest displays of daffodils […]

by Catriona Tudor Erler

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Virginia’s Best Festivals & Parades

It’s not just the luck of the Irish that Virginians are so passionate about St. Patrick’s Day. So many Irishmen settled in Virginia in the 1700s that the Shenandoah Valley was once known as the “Irish Tract.” Whether you’re tracing your Celtic roots or just in it for the Guinness, cities across the Commonwealth have […]

by Hope Cartwright

Top 10 Must-Visit Spring Festivals for 2025

Highland County – MAPLE FESTIVAL March 8–9 & 15–16: Virginia’s “sweetest event of the year” brings maple syrup to the scenic streets of Monterey, McDowell, Bluegrass, and other Highland County towns. Enjoy maple sugar camp tours, pancake meals, and maple donuts. HighlandCounty.org Charlottesville – THE VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK March 20–23: Virginia authors converge […]

by Hope Cartwright

Inside American Horticultural Society’s Memorial Garden

This is the full list of plants that were installed in the Clara B. Plein Memorial Garden at the American Horticultural Society in Alexandria in 2023. More information can be found on AHSGardening.org. Trees Amalanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’ – Apple Serviceberry (cultivar) Asimina triloba – Common Pawpaw Cercis canadensis – Eastern Redbud Cornus alternifolia […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Peggy Singlemann’s List of Undervalued Native Plants

Shrubs: Winterberry holly, Ilex decidua This native shrub is a favorite of mine because of the multi-seasonal interest it provides in our landscapes. I love the red berries in winter and so do the birds and pollinators. With different varieties growing to varying heights, there is a size for every garden and landscape. The plant […]

by Madeline Mayhood

A Vegan, Gluten-Free, Creamy Asparagus and Pea Soup Recipe

By Stacy Watkins San-J, the international soy sauce brand located right in the Commonwealth in Henrico, offers a range of dietary restriction-friendly sauces and recipes. This soup is vegan and features San-J’s original Tamari Soy Sauce, which is naturally gluten-free thanks to the brand’s traditional Tamari brewing methods. 1 pound asparagus 3 tablespoons olive oil […]

by Staff

Pages: 1234

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Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

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New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Around the world, as both a beverage and a pastime, tea is steeped in history and ritual. From the casual to the ceremonial, tea is a throughline for many cultures, and now, it’s enjoying a renewed interest from beverage pros who are drawn to tea’s unique flavor characteristics, health benefits, and cultural connections. Recently, two […]

by Stephanie Ganz

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

Virginia’s Top 10 Summer Festivals and Events 2025

STAUNTON – Festival of Concerts June 26–Aug. 2: The stunning strums and resounding chords of classical music echo through Staunton’s mountain landscape as Heifetz International Music Institute students from around the world take the stage, with new concerts every day. HeifetzInstitute.org GLOUCESTER – Food Truck Frenzy July 13: Virginia’s most mouthwatering food trucks descend on […]

by Hope Cartwright

April 2025 Issue

Hargrave Military Academy Relaunches Flight Program

Current Issue

Events

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Sounds of Summer Concert Series with The Embers

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

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New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Virginia’s Top 10 Summer Festivals and Events 2025

April 2025 Issue

Hargrave Military Academy Relaunches Flight Program

Current Issue

Events

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Sounds of Summer Concert Series with The Embers

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

Most Popular

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Virginia’s Top 10 Summer Festivals and Events 2025

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weekly newsletter: VL Today

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