Front Royal Oratorio Society annual spring concert
115 Luray Ave | Front Royal
VA 22630
Spring Concert! The FRONT ROYAL ORATORIO presents EVENSONG – A MUSICAL JOURNEY OF FAITH on Saturday, April 6, 4 pm (Braddock Street United Methodist Church) and Sunday, April 7, 4 pm (Front Royal Presbyterian Church). The concert is free, all ages are welcome and lasts about 55 minutes. (Freewill offering taken). Come and enjoy the music of the Easter season with your friends and neighbors. For more info, visit us at FROS.ONLINE or call 540-635-4842.
Local News
Congratulations to Skyline High School Seniors – Class of 2024
115 Luray Ave | Front Royal
VA 22630
Royal Examiner presents the Skyline High School Class of 2024. Congratulations to these wonderful seniors on their hard work and deserved accomplishments! We wish you the best in your next big endeavors. Photos courtesy of Victor O’Neill Studios and Tolliver Studios, LLC.
If your Skyline senior is not listed, please send in their Name and Senior Picture to news@royalexaminer.com.
Abraham Adams
Isaac Ali
Makenna Amos
Hannah Anderson
Kayla Anderson
Zayden Ankers
Kaitlyn Antonelli
Summerlin Arnold
Jayden Banks
Joshua Barnett
Elijah Bennett-George
Kaya Bieker
Carter Binnix
Jacob Blackburn
Cohen Blevins
Holly Blevins
Dakota Boggess
Jayla Bolstridge
Lance Booth
Jeffrey Bosley
Kaleigh Boyd
Mackenzie Brewer
Vycktoria Brigeman
Scout Broadbent
Kaipha Brown II
Gavin Burhans
Brandon Bustamante
Jimena Campos
Kirsten Cantrell
Kyle Carr
Amanda Carter
Anisha Carter
Austin Clark
Abreonia Clatterbuck
Wyatt Clatterbuck
Gavin Clem
Nathan Coffee
Stephen Collins Jr.
Jessica Colvin
Shyanne Cook
James Coppage
Ryan Covert
Courtney Cox
Michael Creasey
Ella Crisp
Megan Croft
Charly Cruz Gonzalec
Destiny Cunningham
Ryan Curl
Natalie Davis
Trinity Diamond
Shanna Dinges
Jaxen Doberer
Elijah Domino
Brenton Dove
Brady Duncan
Ignatius Elhinger
Natalie Elsea
Tayden Finch
Asher Fincham
Kierstyn Fincham
Scarlett Flores
Garret Foster
Zackery Franklin
Alexander Frenz
Savana Fritts
Alisha Frye
Victoria Frye
Nichol Fugett
Ryan Gale
Daniel George
Mia Gibson
Ayden Hamm
Timothy Heltzel
Alexandra Hemingway
Caiden Henry
Sam Hoffman
Anthony Hostetter
David Houghton
Keyshaun Jackson
Colby Jenkins
Jazmin Jimenez
Tanner Johnson
Hunter Jones
Kayla Jones
Christina Keresztesi
Dustin Kidwell
Joseph Laycock
Jadynn Leach
Samantha Lee
Tyler Lee
Ava Leger
Karlie Lily
Natalie Loy
Sydney Loy
Adalberto Lucero
Kaitlyn MacLeod
Angel Mandiak
Demitrias Manthos
Cordney Martin
Alexander Martinez Rivas
Emalee Mathews
Wyatt McCormick
Evan McCumbers
Haaron McKinney
Isabella Meadows
Madison Megeath
Karley Meyer
Kalinn Miller
Mia-Elizabeth Miller
Eduardo Mirasol
Garrett Mohr
Hernandez Joselin Morales
Cameron Morris
Cayden Morris
Waylon Mulligan
Audree Mullins
Nikalas Neale
Daryn Nguyen
Syre Norris
Brylee Painter
Logan Parsons
Ruth Pastore
Aysia Payton
Hunter Pearson
Laura Perkins
Tabitha Potter
Matthew Powell
Kheelei Priber
Brady Prince
John Ramey
Welmer Ramirez Guzman
Marisol Ramos
Taylor Reel
Tasia Rhodes
Shelby Riley
Layla Roberts
Christina Robinson
Ayla Ross
Mia Ross
Trinity Roy
Cailah Runyon
Kaden Rutledge
McKayla Sanchez-Thompson
Yovani Santiago Lemus
Vivian Schimitt
Jack Scott
Zoie See
Yusuf Shabanov
Noel Shayeb
Izabelle Shenk
Sadie Shotton
Gwenavere Shuck
Dalton Siers
Jacob Smith
Kaleb Smith
Lonnie Smith
Erick Solis Sosa
Madelyn Sperling
Emma Stelzl
Avery Stiles
Samuel Stockton
Sarah Stoltz
Ian Talbott
Annika Taylor
Trinity Taylor
Keevon Tharpe
Aaron Thomas
Caden Thorne
Robin Tibbs
Aiden Vaught
Isaiah Velez
Madison Vickers
Chayanne Villalobes Sanchez
Jayden Vina
Dorian Walker
Deaven Weatherholt
Bobby Webber
Julianna Williams
Drake Witt
Colby Wood
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Local News
Eastham Park Loop Enhanced with New Safety Measures for Pedestrians
115 Luray Ave | Front Royal
VA 22630
As the athletic, recreational, and outdoor community expands in Front Royal, ensuring safe and accessible infrastructure remains a priority. Recognizing that the Eastham Park to Skyline High School to West Criser Road loop is a heavily trafficked recreational route, the Front Royal Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) sought ways to improve the loop’s safety.
The section of West Criser Road that completes this loop was identified as a critical area needing attention. With its narrow shoulder and reduced visibility along a curve, this stretch was particularly dangerous due to the high traffic speeds. The road is used recreationally and is a main pathway for students traveling to and from Skyline High and Middle Schools. Additionally, it’s a key part of a local 5K course hosted by Shenandoah Valley Runners.
Over the past two years, ACES collaborated with Front Royal’s Department of Public Works to improve this stretch of road. During a scheduled repaving project, the team widened the road to provide additional shoulder space and added a double-white line to highlight the new shoulder. Recognizing further improvements were needed, ACES partnered with the Rotary Club of Front Royal to fundraise for vertical delineators along the entire stretch. These vertical markers create a tangible barrier between the roadway and the pedestrian path, enhancing visibility and safety.
The response to the new delineators has been overwhelmingly positive. One longtime runner wrote, “I’ve always wanted to complete the Eastham Park Loop but would turn back at West Criser Road because of the high traffic and limited visibility. The new delineators encouraged me to run that stretch, and I completed the loop for the first time ever.”
With this recent success, ACES is now examining further pedestrian infrastructure improvements along West Criser Road between Route 340 and the back entrance of Skyline High School. The project was made possible through ongoing collaboration with the Department of Public Works, contributions from the Rotary Club of Front Royal, and generous support from over 15 community donors.
ACES remains dedicated to promoting safe and accessible outdoor activities in Front Royal. Visit their website to learn more about their efforts or attend a monthly meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the back of Vibrissa.
Obituaries
William Jesper Brandt (1995 – 2024)
115 Luray Ave | Front Royal
VA 22630
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of William Jesper Brandt, 28, on April 20, 2024, in Linden, VA. Will was born on July 15, 1995, at Alexandria Hospital and spent his entire life in Linden. He attended Hilda J. Barbour Elementary School before graduating from Highland School in Warrenton, Virginia. For the last 2.5 years, Will courageously lived with cancer.
William Jesper Brandt
He is survived by his parents, Pernille Brandt and Beth Pinner, as well as his sister, Maggie (Todd), and his two brothers, Malachi and Omarion. Will is also lovingly remembered by his grandparents, Lisen Brandt and Thomas Brandt of Denmark and Margaret and William Pinner of Sterling, VA. He leaves behind a wide circle of beloved family members and friends, both locally and internationally, including his online friends.
Before his illness, Will worked at Naked Mountain Winery. He cherished reading, watching movies, playing board games with his gaming friends, and connecting with his online community. Known for his generous spirit, he was always ready to offer a comforting hug or helping hand. He was a devoted member of Leeds Episcopal Church in Markham, VA.
Will participated in several cancer trials and selflessly chose to donate his body to science through VDH’s Whole Body Donation program. A celebration of his life will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Leeds Feeds or the blessing boxes by sending a check to:
Leeds Episcopal Church
4332 Leeds Manor Rd,
Markham, VA 22643
(Please add “Leeds Feeds” or “Blessing Box” in the memo)
Alternatively, contributions can be made to Finley’s Green Leap Forward by giving online at finleysgreenleap.org or by mailing a check made out to “Finley’s Green Leap Forward” to:
Finley’s Green Leap Forward
6437 Old Bust Head Road
Broad Run, VA 20137
May Will’s kind spirit continue to inspire us all.
Interesting Things to Know
The Mystical Origins of “Abracadabra”: A Journey Through Time and Magic
115 Luray Ave | Front Royal
VA 22630
Imagine a neighborhood kid performing magic tricks for younger children. The kid magician might use the word “abracadabra” to amaze the crowd, unknowingly invoking a word steeped in ancient history and magic. This iconic term, which dates back more than 1,800 years, was first recorded by Quintus Serenus Sammonicus, a Roman nobleman, tutor, and medical writer.
In the second century A.D., Sammonicus wrote “Liber Medicinalis” (Book of Medicine), a medical poem in which he recommended “abracadabra” as a remedy for fever. He advised writing the word on parchment, arranging it in a downward-pointing triangle, with each subsequent line shorter than the previous one until only a single letter remained. The parchment would then be worn around the neck of the sick person. This unusual remedy was widely used, as evidenced by numerous papyrus fragments discovered over the years bearing the magic word.
Despite its ancient origins, the meaning of “abracadabra” remains a topic of debate. One theory is that it derives from the Hebrew phrase “ebrah k’dabri,” meaning “I create as I speak.” Another suggests it comes from “ha brachah dabarah,” meaning “name of the blessed.” Regardless of its exact meaning, “abracadabra” has been associated with magic and healing for centuries.
The word also found its way into modern literature. In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, the forbidden killing curse “avada kedavra” is similar to “abracadabra” and translates from Aramaic as “the thing that must be destroyed.” This demonstrates how ancient and modern magic intersects, with “abracadabra” remaining an enduring symbol of the mystical and unknown.
Obituaries
Charles Edward Finneyfrock (1957 – 2024)
115 Luray Ave | Front Royal
VA 22630
Charles Edward Finneyfrock, 66, of Front Royal VA, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 28th.
Charles (Chuck) was born October 13th, 1957, in Montgomery, MD, the son of Charlotte Lee Wolfe of Georgia and the late Stanley Filmore Finneyfrock. He was a carpenter by trade most of his life, and even though he retired, carpentry was always his passion. Chuck very much enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers and son.
Chuck was preceded in death by his wife Debbie Finneyfrock; brothers: Ricky Finneyfrock, Stanley (Bubby) Finneyfrock, and sister Nancy Polaski.
He is survived by his son: Shawn Finneyfrock and daughter-in-law Krissy Boyd of Front Royal; his daughter: Theresa Harmon (Finneyfrock) and son-in-law Jimmy Harmon of Toms Brook; brothers: Kenny Finneyfrock, Gary Finneyfrock, and sister: Donna Lloyd; grandchildren: Shawnee Boyd, Troy Harmon, Adam Harmon, and great-grandchild: Easten Harmon, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life for friends and family will be held at the Front Royal Community Center (538 Villa Ave. Front Royal Va, 22630) on Saturday, June 1st, 2024, from 1-5 pm.
Health
Treating Arthritis: Why Walking Can Be a ‘Walk in the Park’ for Your Health
115 Luray Ave | Front Royal
VA 22630
May is National Arthritis Month, and the Arthritis Foundation encourages those with arthritis to focus on maintaining a high quality of life. Although arthritis can be challenging, there are steps you can take to manage its impact and prevent further joint damage.
General Tips for Prevention:
- Maintain a Healthy Weight:
Excess weight can put extra stress on your knee and hip joints. - Exercise Regularly:
Staying active can help keep your joints strong and flexible. - Eat Well:
A nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables supports overall health.
Understanding Osteoarthritis (OA):
The most common form of arthritis, OA occurs when cartilage at the ends of bones deteriorates over time. Bones can rub together without this cushioning, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Walking is a simple yet effective way to manage OA and stay active. Other benefits include:
- Strengthening muscles and enhancing flexibility.
- Improving cardiovascular health.
- Keeping bones strong helps prevent osteoporosis.
- Improving insulin use to help prevent diabetes.
- Burning calories to aid in weight management.
- Building strong muscles around joints for extra protection.
Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):
RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes early joint damage. The American College of Rheumatology recommends starting therapy within three months of diagnosis to relieve symptoms and prevent further damage to bones and joints. Medications can significantly reduce the effects of RA.
The Importance of Walking:
For those with arthritis, walking offers multiple health benefits while helping alleviate joint pain and stiffness. It’s an accessible and effective way to remain active and strengthen the body without putting undue stress on the joints.
Take Action This National Arthritis Month:
Use May to incorporate more walks into your daily routine, consult a healthcare provider about appropriate treatments, and celebrate your journey toward improved joint health.
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