Eye Health

Eye Strain Relief with the 20-20-20 Rule

Staring at screens all day? Your eyes are paying the price. When glued to digital devices, we blink less, leading to dry, tired eyes and potential vision problems. Plus the less we blink, the less we’re irrigating our eyes, which means that they can get sore after hours of screen-staring—whether crunching numbers, gaming, or Instagramming […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Untangling the Myopia Mystery

Myopia rates tell a startling story: in just three decades, nearsightedness among Americans jumped from 25 percent to 42 percent. The World Health Organization’s projection is even more concerning: by 2050, half the global population could be affected, with one-fifth facing potential blindness from severe myopia complications. And children are especially vulnerable. While genetics play […]

by Madeline Mayhood

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Top 10 Fall Festivals in Virginia 2025

Alexandria – 23rd Annual Alexandria Art Festival Sept. 13–14: Stroll Old Town’s John Carlyle Square Park as it’s transformed into an outdoor art gallery for this fall festival. Admire the work from more than 200 juried artisans from around the globe. VisitAlexandria.com Virginia Beach – VIRGINIA BEACH NEPTUNE FESTIVAL Sept. 26–28: The 51st anniversary of […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Where to Eat, Drink, & Stay in Staunton During Queen City Mischief & Magic

Staunton might be a small town, but during the annual Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival, the last week of September, it’s larger than life. The festival draws tens of thousands of witches, wizards, warlocks, ghouls, and more to the Shenandoah Valley—and they fill up the local hotels, restaurants, and bars quickly. To plan ahead […]

by Hope Cartwright

A Couple’s Small-Town Makeover

After a successful career in investigative services in Washington, D.C., Terri Wesselman and her husband, Julien Patterson, decided to settle down in Irvington. Initially drawn to the area by the Tides Inn, the couple had been weekending in the Northern Neck since the late ’90s. “There was something about the area that was quiet but […]

by Stephanie Ganz