After a number of futile attempts over the past week to contact the U.S. Marshals Office in Harrisonburg regarding the checking in of former Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Jennifer Rae McDonald  to begin service of her 14-year prison sentence, earlier today, July 1, this reporter was given contact information of a U.S. Marshals Office Supervisor in another Virginia location as a possible alternative source of that information.

And shortly before 4 p.m. today, Monday July 1, that Marshals supervisor returned our call for information on McDonald’s status with the federal prison system. As readers may recall after a lengthy fall 2023 trial punctuated by several suspensions for various medical situations, including McDonald’s reported receipt of a pacemaker to deal with heart rate and blood pressure issues, on May 29, Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon sentenced McDonald to 14 years on her 30 upheld convictions with the order “not to report before June 24”. With June 24 having come and gone, many were wondering if, or when, McDonald would or had reported to begin service of her sentence. That 14-year sentence was a midway point between the prosecution-requested 22 years, and the defense sought 6 years of imprisonment for McDonald’s white-collar crimes.

Pictured here after a July 2019 arrest at the state level, Jennifer McDonald now remains free as federal officials deal with finding an adequate facility for a sentenced person with extenuating circumstances, such as documented medical issues. Below, the Harrisonburg Federal Courthouse where McDonald was tried and convicted of the financial crimes she was accused of. Royal Examiner File Photos

The 10th Western District of Va. federal courthouse in Harrisonburg where the criminal trial of former FR-WC EDA Executive Director Jennifer McDonald is being held. Due to ‘complexity’ issues revolving around its over a million pages of documentary evidence, as well as recusal issues in WC, it has passed thru 2 state prosecutors offices in Warren and Rockingham Counties before landing on the federal court’s doorstep. A federal grand jury returned 34 criminal indictments against McDonald on August 25, 2021. Photo 10th Western District of Va. federal courthouse website

“Essentially we are in a holding pattern because a facility has not been determined” for McDonald’s incarceration, we were told. The Marshals supervisor explained that was usually due to extenuating circumstances. In this case, due to defense motions for a correctional institution with an in-house medical facility due to their clients medical issues during trial, we concurred that was a possible reason for the delayed order for McDonald to report to begin serving her sentence.

Readers will be alerted when any additional information becomes available.

As Royal Examiner readers keeping up with the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority (FR-WC EDA, EDA) “financial scandal” and the aftermath of the unathorized movement of an estimated $26 million in EDA assets over a five-year period, circa 2014 to 2018, on May 29, former FR-WC EDA Executive Director Jennifer Rae McDonald was sentenced to 14 years in the Harrisonburg Federal Courthouse for her central role in the movement of EDA assets to her personal benefit and the benefit of others. A 10th Western District of Virginia federal court civil case jury convicted McDonald on all 34 counts she was charged with, though Judge Dillon later overturned four of the convictions on insufficient evidence by statute.

With the 4th of July around the corner, Front Royal and Warren County public safety agencies are urging residents to follow fireworks laws and practice safety. The Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and Front Royal Police Department emphasize the importance of using only lawful fireworks and following safety guidelines.

In Warren County, possessing, using, selling, or storing fireworks that explode or fly into the air is illegal. Violating this law can lead to severe consequences, including a class 1 misdemeanor. This can result in a fine of up to $2,500 or a jail sentence of up to one year. Unlawful fireworks will be seized and destroyed.

Authorities, including the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Front Royal Police Department, and Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office, will be patrolling neighborhoods to ensure compliance and safety. Sheriff Crystal Cline, Police Chief Khale Magalis, and Fire Chief James Bonzano are all calling for community cooperation to keep the holiday safe for everyone.

Fireworks Safety Tips

Fireworks should always be used per the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels. Fire Marshal Gerry R. Maiatico advises, “The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch them at a community event where professionals handle them. For those who use lawful fireworks in their backyards, never allow children of any age to use them without an adult present.”

Here are some essential safety tips to follow:

• Use Lawful Fireworks: Ensure the fireworks you use are legal in Virginia.
• Adult Supervision: Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities, and never let young children handle fireworks.
• Avoid Professional Fireworks: Fireworks packaged in brown paper are often meant for professional displays and can be dangerous.
• Safe Lighting Practices: Never place any part of your body over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Light fireworks one at a time and move back quickly.
• Dispose Safely: After fireworks have burned out, douse them with water before discarding them to prevent trash fires.
• Keep Water Nearby: Always have a bucket of water or a garden hose ready in case of fire or mishap.

Fireworks can cause severe injuries and burns. Sparklers, for instance, burn at about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals. Authorities stress the importance of not re-lighting malfunctioned fireworks, never throwing fireworks at others, and avoiding using fireworks in glass or metal containers.

Following these safety guidelines allows residents to enjoy a festive and injury-free 4th of July. For more information on fireworks safety, visit Warren County Fire and Rescue or call 540-636-3830.

Seniors First proudly announces that its strong financial health, accountability, and transparency have earned it a prestigious Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. This top rating designates Seniors First, the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, as an official “Give with Confidence” charity. It indicates that the organization is using its donations effectively according to Charity Navigator’s rigorous criteria.

Charity Navigator is America’s largest and most-utilized independent charity evaluator. Since 2001, it has been an unbiased and trusted source of information for over 11 million donors annually. The organization evaluates nonprofit performance based on four key indicators, or beacons: Impact & Results, Accountability & Finance, Culture & Community, and Leadership & Adaptability.

“We are delighted to provide Seniors First, The Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that Seniors First is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”

Seniors First Executive Director Jimmy Roberts expressed his excitement about the rating, saying, “Our Four-Star Charity Navigator rating is further validation that our supporters can trust our commitment to good governance and financial health. We hope that it will introduce our work to new supporters who can help us advance our mission to foster the dignity, independence, and security of older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers. By providing a variety of high-quality services and opportunities, we promote their continued contributions to the community while allowing them to live at home for as long as safely possible.”

Plans for the Future

Seniors First is dedicated to expanding its services and outreach in the coming year. The organization plans to enhance its meal delivery programs, increase caregiver support, and offer more community-based activities for seniors. These initiatives are aimed at improving the quality of life for older adults and individuals with disabilities in the Shenandoah area.

Learn More

Seniors First’s Four-Star rating and additional information about charitable giving can be found for free on Charity Navigator’s website. To learn more about Seniors First and its services, please visit Seniors First.

Amid projects that are still coming to fruition, Reaching Out Now (RON), a non-profit organization revitalizing the Raymond E. Santmyers Student Union and Activity Center for its upcoming opening, brought together many of the key players in the RON story on Wednesday, June 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the George Washington Grand Hotel in Winchester.

Samantha and Joe Barber open the Out of the Shadows leadership gala event of June 19 with warm words of welcome to those in attendance. Photos courtesy of Ian Rushing, Toy Box Studios

What was special about the event was not necessarily the elegant purple flowers that adorned every table or the soft glow of artificial lights in a room whose window shades were lowered but the overwhelming sense that every single person in that room, without exception, was being watched. That is the gift that RON president Samantha Barber gives everyone she meets, and the leadership gala was an extraordinary outpouring of that gift. You are seen. You are appreciated. That is what everyone who received an award that night was verbally recognized or had the honor of attending doubtlessly felt.

RON, an organization whose history goes back to 2008, has been established in Warren County and at the developing youth center in Front Royal as a team of talented and exceptionally motivated people with a vision for reaching young people in this community. Their vision has, in part, been achieved already through programs like Safe at Home, which have featured baseball and softball games with an overarching theme of mental health awareness, as well as the YES Leadership Program, which focuses on expediting the journey of our youth into bright and productive futures. They have worked closely with the school system, even hosting “family night out” dinners in school buildings, and at the onset of the pandemic, they delivered seventy-five thousand meals to people in need. Their roots in this community go deep.

Shelly Cook (above) received the 2024 Female Entrepreneur Award; Mike McCool, President of National Media Services, Inc. and Publisher of the Royal Examiner (below), received the Male Entrepreneur Award.

Somebody who is watching from a different place was honored on Wednesday evening. Harlee Hire, daughter of Toby Hire, who stood with Samantha Barber at the podium, was lost to suicide in 2022. Her passing occurred at a time when Safe At Home was getting off the ground, and it made sense to both Barber and Hire to name a scholarship in her honor in the aftermath of Harlee’s departure. The scholarship comes from the proceeds of Safe At Home events. Within the past few months, both Barber and Hire sat down with the Royal Examiner and shared the joy and pain surrounding Harlee’s story. Very much an extrovert, Harlee was a bright soul who practiced radical encouragement; everyone she knew felt loved and appreciated. But she struggled in the darkness of depression, which was in part informed by the death in a boating accident of her friend Nate Jenkins, who is also an inspiration to the RON family. Through tears at the gala event, Barber and Hire paid tribute to the phenomenon, which was Harlee. They underscored their desire to create a safe place in the youth center dedicated to reaching young people who are likely battling feelings they cannot overcome.

Christa Shiflett, Executive Director of Warren Coalition, received the Service Above Self Award.

Donna Rae Hinze (left) received the Lillian Sloan Legacy Award. Donna is a retired teacher. The award was presented by Lillian Sloan (right).

Some of the blazing comets of success that pay tribute to the Santmyer’s legacy are public servants like councilmen Glenn Wood and Bruce Rappaport and Warren County Sheriff Crystal Cline. To talk to any of them is to hear a passionate tale of how the youth center was available to them at pivotal times in their lives and gave them a much-needed sense of guidance and direction. They felt seen. They felt appreciated. And if RON is successful, that legacy will no longer merely be a memory. As RON continues to blossom and flourish, more and more people will come into that inner circle, discovering that they are not alone, seen, and appreciated.

The State Arboretum of Virginia, located at Blandy Experimental Farm in Boyce, is set to enhance visitor experiences by opening its newly redesigned and interactive Visitor Information Center. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., under the iconic arches of the Quarters Building. This event marks a significant milestone for the Arboretum, thanks to the generous funding provided by local philanthropist Mary Shockey.

A striking 3D replication of a ginkgo tree in full golden glory will greet visitors to the new Information Center. This eye-catching centerpiece is designed to intrigue visitors with interactive questions and answers hidden under movable discs, offering a taste of the natural wonders awaiting exploration outside. The center features a massive watercolor-inspired map to help visitors orient themselves and plan their visit around the 712-acre property.

The Information Center is packed with engaging displays and activities:

• Interactive Displays: Learn about the history of Blandy and current programs.
• Leaf and Animal Rubbing Activities: Fun and educational for kids.
• Rotating Exhibits: Highlighting natural artifacts like conifer cones and snake skins.
• Large TV Monitor: Showcasing captivating images of the Arboretum’s collections and activities.

The transformation of the Information Center was executed by Iconograph, a Charlottesville-based design studio. The space, formerly the volunteer-run gift shop “Our Shop,” had been closed since before 2020. Ariel Firebaugh, Director of Scientific Engagement, expressed gratitude for the Shockeys’ generosity, which made the redesign possible. “Thanks to a generous grant from local community philanthropists, Mary and J. Donald Shockey, we were able to reimagine the Information Center to offer an exciting welcome area for new and seasoned visitors while also getting them acclimated to everything there is to do at the Arboretum,” said Firebaugh.

Community members, local dignitaries, and media representatives are invited to celebrate this new addition to the Arboretum. The ribbon-cutting event will highlight the Arboretum’s commitment to enhancing visitor experiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for nature.

The Information Center will be open during business hours most days, providing visitors with resources and insights to enrich their exploration of the Arboretum’s vast and varied landscape. From educational activities to scenic walks, there is something for everyone at Blandy.

Event Details

• Who: State Arboretum of Virginia/Blandy Experimental Farm
• What: Opening of the New Visitor Information Center
• Where: 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA 22630 (Meet at the Quarters Building, under the arches)
• When: Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
• Why: To officially open the new Visitor Information Center with funder Mary Shockey

Be among the first to experience the new Visitor Information Center at the State Arboretum of Virginia.

In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a historic farm has been reborn as Reitano Vineyards, a testament to vision, hard work, and community spirit. On June 29, 2024, Niki Foster, Executive Director of the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Board President Bryon Biggs, Warren County Board of Supervisors Chair Cheryl Cullers, and Front Royal Mayor Lori Cockrell, along with many guests, welcomed Shelly Cook, the vineyard’s owner, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked a new chapter for the community.

Reitano Vineyards stands on a 150-year-old family farm that Shelly Cook transformed into a picturesque vineyard. Nestled among the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the vineyard offers breathtaking views and a sense of tranquility. Shelly’s dedication to preserving her family’s heritage while introducing new opportunities to the community is evident in every aspect of the vineyard.

Central to Reitano Vineyards is The Old Spring House Wedding and Event Center, designed in the style of classic Virginia barns. This event center boasts indoor and outdoor spaces, ideal for weddings, receptions, corporate events, and private gatherings. The facility has various amenities, including private dining options, wine tastings, bridal suites, and professional event coordination, ensuring a memorable experience for all guests.

The Villa at Reitano complements the event center, a luxurious 3,800-square-foot home designed to enhance the wedding experience. The Villa offers a unique space for wedding parties, providing comfort, privacy, and elegance as they prepare for the celebration. Each season brings a new charm to Reitano Vineyards, making it a desirable destination year-round.

Shelly Cook’s vision extends beyond the vineyard. Plans are underway for a new 11,000-square-foot facility to house a private dining room, a full-service bar, a winery, and a brewery. This addition aims to provide a comprehensive experience for visitors, offering everything from intimate dining to large-scale events.

Local leaders praised Shelly’s contributions to the community during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Cheryl Cullers, Chair of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, highlighted Shelly’s impact on revitalizing the area. “Shelly, I am amazed at what you’ve done. You’ve taken on projects that have brought pride back to Warren County,” Cullers remarked. Mayor Lori Cockrell echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the beauty and significance of the vineyard.

Bryon Biggs, Chamber Board President, reflected on the transformation he witnessed. “I’ve been coming out this way for over 20 years, and I was amazed when Loving Arms opened. But this is visionary,” Biggs stated, drawing a parallel between the vineyard and the vineyards of Italy.

Shelly Cook’s connection to the land is deeply personal. The vineyard honors her great-great-grandfather from Reitano, Sicily, whose name was shortened to Rice upon arrival at Ellis Island. “It was my way of saying they took it from us at Ellis Island, but I’m giving it back to Grandpa,” Shelly explained, highlighting the importance of family heritage in her work.

Reitano Vineyards is not just a family business but a community asset. Shelly emphasized the importance of employing local contractors and residents, providing jobs, and boosting the local economy. “We’ve kept locals employed since we started Junewood. Reitano doesn’t just serve as a family business; it’s a community business,” she noted.

Reitano Vineyards embodies tradition and innovation, offering a beautiful venue for weddings, events, and wine enthusiasts. With further expansions on the horizon, Shelly Cook’s vision continues to grow, bringing new opportunities and pride to Warren County. Visitors are invited to experience the charm and elegance of Reitano Vineyards, creating unforgettable memories in the scenic Shenandoah Valley.