Local News
Carson heirs located, will support FR Golf Club usage change request
Honest, from this angle I don’t know why more people haven’t supported the Front Royal Golf Club as a scenic municipal golfing option. Photos/Front Royal Golf Club website
Warren County Circuit Court Judge Clifford L. Athey Jr. has ordered the addition of court representatives for both unidentified heirs of the family that donated land for the county’s first golf course in 1938 and for the citizens of this community to whose benefit that land was donated.
At issue is a County petition for a declaratory judgment to allow it to remove golf as a use on the 62-acre Carson parcel the County acquired in 2005. That parcel contains what is now known as the Front Royal Golf Club. The Carsons donated the land in memory of their son, a former student at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal who died prematurely in his early 20’s around the time of the gift.
“The Court will appoint one guardian ad litem for the unknown heirs of William and Agnes Carson and one guardian ad litem for the citizens of the Town of Front Royal and the County of Warren,” Whitten explained on June 29.
However, in a late-breaking development those “unknown heirs of Agnes H. Carson and William E. Carson” listed as “Whereabouts unknown” in the original county court filing, are no longer unknown.
County Administrator Doug Stanley told Royal Examiner on Tuesday, July 3, that he has made contact with some Carson descendants – and they have provided two letters of support of the county proposal that will be included in the court filing.
So it seems the case will not require one of those proposed guardian ad litems for persons or entities “unknown”.
As originally presented, the Warren County Board of Supervisors is listed as the petitioner against both the unknown heirs of the Carsons and the Front Royal Country Club (formerly known as the Recreational Center of Front Royal), the latter which were the original names of the managing entity for the golf club created by the Carson’s 1938 gift to the community.
A municipal ‘money-pit’
The fact the municipal golf club created in the wake of the 2005 acquisition of the riverside property has increasingly become a money pit has long been a sore point for some of the county’s elected officials (and I thought maybe they just didn’t like the name).
Fork District Supervisor Archie Fox has become increasingly vocal about the deficit the county has carried annually to keep the course open. County Administrator Stanley estimated an average $110,000 annual deficit county taxes have gone to cover over the past five years.
Stanley said the club supported itself for the first several years of county ownership – “We were the low cost alternative” – but has increasingly suffered financially in recent years as golf courses around the nation have struggled to meet rising costs and competition.
From the banks of the Shenandoah River to the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge – just not a money maker
But as admitted in the County filing for a declaratory judgment to be allowed to remove golf as a use of the property, not only did the Carson family specify golf as a use to be maintained as a condition of the 1938 gift of the property; but a condition of the 2005 management agreement the County signed upon its purchase of the land ALSO specifies that “[t]he current nine (9) holes for golf located on the 62 Acre Parcel, will be used and maintained only for golf.”
However, the County contends that changing times make the golf designation obsolete.
Under the heading “The Restrictions on the Property are no Longer Needed” the County states 1/ “At the time of the conveyance of the Carson Property, there were no other golf courses in Warren County, and there was a need for a public golf course”; and 2/ “Currently there are four other golf courses in Warren County including Sly Fox Golf Club (18 holes), Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club (18 holes), Bowling Green Country Club (36 holes), and Shenandoah Valley Golf Club (27 holes).”
After noting that the Front Royal Golf Club is a 9-hole course that can be played as an 18-hole course by using varying tee positions, the county gets to its bottom line: “Membership at Front Royal Golf Club has declined since the County took over in 2005, and the costs are increasing to maintain the Golf Club to remain competitive with the other courses in the County,” adding that, “The Board has discussed closing down the Golf Club for the past several years during the budget process since the Golf Club has operated at a financial loss for the past several years.”
The Warren County Board of Supervisors and county staff have looked into outside management of the golf course for at least a year. In its filing for the declaratory judgment allowing golf to be removed as a use on the property, the County notes that in 2017 it got one response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking an outside individual, group or business “to take over operations of the Golf Club through a lease agreement … but was not able to come to an agreement with the offeror.”
Asked if money had been the bottom line in that failure to come to terms, Stanley said, “I think it is fair to say that the parties could not come to agreeable terms – what they wanted for what we were giving up didn’t mesh.”
Following the collapse of that negotiation, the county filing states it issued another RFP that left future recreational usage of the property on the table. “I think ideally we have sought a way that would maintain management of the golf course but it just has not happened,” Stanley points out.
And so it was with the response to that second, open-ended property management RFP. The county cites receipt of a proposal in response to that second RFP “that would entail permanently closing the golf course and creating a park open to the public on the Property which could include but is not limited to walking, horse and biking trails, river access, a boat landing, and a field for recreational purposes.”
As a final nail in the golf coffin, the County pleading states, “The former golf course’s cart paths would be open to the public, and numerous trees would be planted in the former fairways and greens.”
OUCH – and I don’t even play golf.
But on the bright side, Stanley points out the County maintains an easement with Allegheny Power that connects the Carson parcel with the 19-acre Rockland Park that has a similar mixed-recreational-use profile – “And this will give us riverfront property for those uses,” Stanley points out.
Did the County do all it could?
We asked the county administrator to address several questions raised by some Front Royal Golf course users over the past year. Those questions included whether county employees were allowed to play the course for free and if any revenue generated by the property was diverted to other County uses.
Stanley said neither was the case. He estimated $350,000 being collected over the 3-1/2-year Dominion Power Plant construction project from property rentals.
“Since we took over management in 2005, we sold off a small portion and some easements for the new power lines, we leased part of the excess property to Dominion for a lay-down area for the power plant construction, and we have leased two smaller areas to contractors. Every dime received either repaid the County for paying off the Club’s debt, for capital improvements, or to meet the bottom line of the club.”
Stanley did observe that in the past golf club staff or the club manager have been allowed to play for free (a situation he believes typical at any golf course), but other than that, “All County employees, myself included, have to pay to use the club. For a couple years we did offer ANY Warren County resident one free play at certain times.”
But the “free” teaser did not work to attract the necessary number of members to support the Front Royal Golf Club financially.
And so today the county government is seeking court relief to cut loose what has become a financial drain on it and its taxpayers. And it would appear another piece of the county’s history will succumb to changing times and changing circumstances.
But as Stanley notes, the gift of the Carson property will be maintained to recreational uses for the community in memory of their son, who was lost too young 80 years ago.
Postscript
A golfer and his dog – and we are sure he has ‘doggie bags’
From the Front Royal Golf Club website:
“One of Virginia’s oldest, continuously operating golf courses continues to be one of the best golf values in all of the Shenandoah Valley. Under the operation, direction, and management of Warren County, Front Royal Golf Club’s 1938 nine-hole layout features dual tee boxes to create a true 18-hole feel.
“Front Royal has the old Scottish links-style feel that requires accuracy not length. Challenges come from small undulating greens and deep bunkering. Four holes border the Shenandoah River, more than any course in Virginia, with none more dramatic than the par 5 seventeenth hole that features a tee shot along the river’s edge. Front Royal Golf Club brings back the 4-hour round of golf. It’s a fun and excellent test of golf you will surely enjoy.
“The facility was originally constructed in 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps on land donated by William Carson with the course built to his design. The current club house, built in 1998 to replace the original rustic CCC clubhouse lost in the flood of 1996. It hosts a snack bar, commercial kitchen and banquet hall.”
Somehow it just seems a shame.
Local News
Illuminating Futures: Celebrating Achievements and Exploring Quantum Computing at ‘This is IT!’ Event
The “This Is IT!” club of Warren County, Virginia, marked another milestone as a hub for budding IT enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds. The club, which started in 2023, has quickly become a cornerstone for students interested in the ever-evolving world of information technology.
At the ‘This is IT!’ club gathering at the Samuels Public Library on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, students and community members came together to celebrate and learn. The club includes 9th to 12th-grade students from public, private, and homeschool backgrounds and is aimed to ignite curiosity and reward academic excellence in information technology and quantum computing.
The ceremony kicked off with an introduction by Melissa Chapman, an instructor involved with the club. She set the stage for a night that was not only about recognition but also about expanding young minds. “Understanding the vocabulary of quantum computing is the first step towards mastery,” Chapman remarked, highlighting the importance of foundational knowledge in this cutting-edge field.
The focal point of the evening was the guest lecture by Dr. Bruce Chesley, an aerospace engineer who adeptly connected the seemingly distant realms of space exploration and quantum computing. With palpable enthusiasm, Dr. Chesley described how quantum technologies could revolutionize our approach to exploring the cosmos. His talk made the complex topics accessible and entertaining, captivating the aspiring scientists in attendance.
Amidst the talks, the club took a moment to honor its bright young members through a scholarship awards ceremony. Scholarships were awarded to students who have shown exceptional prowess in STEM fields. These awards are a testament to the community’s support for its young learners and a major encouragement for them to pursue further education in technology. The winners were Jude O’Neal, Elijah Hambric, Jack Gillespie, Benedict Keough, Matthias Biedler, and Uli Duke.
From left to right: Jude O’Neal, Elijah Hambric, Jack Gillespie, Benedict Keough, Matthias Biedler, Uli Duke
The “This Is IT!” club continues to grow, driven by passion and enthusiasm for technology and innovation. Each meeting and event cements its role as a vital resource for Warren County’s youth, inspiring them to explore and excel in the field of information technology. As the club prepares for another exciting year, it remains a shining example of how community and education can come together to build a brighter future.
Local News
The Apple Blossom Coronation Legacy Continues for the Historical Event
For the first time in the history of the Shenandoah Apple Bossom Festival® three consecutive generations in a family will have served as Queen Shenandoah. Susan Ford Bales, Queen in 1975, and Tyne Vance Berlanga, Queen in 2001, will be accompanying Joy Elizabeth Berlanga as she assumes her role as Queen Shenandoah XCVII.
The Crowning Ceremony entertains from regal pomp and circumstance to joyful enthusiasm of Little Maids and Pages who are ever present to serve their Queen. The youthful court interchange historical and educational facts from the British Crown to learning about a United States President – to asking, “Who has the Crown?,” and with dancing. The Queen will be crowned at the memorable Coronation celebration under the direction of Elaine B. Aikens. The Ceremony to install the new sovereign is sponsored by Morgan Orthodontics, on Friday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m.at Handley High School. President Gerald Ford crowned Susan. Susan crowned Tyne, and Joy will be crowned by her mother and escorted by her grandmother.
Susan, Joy’s grandmother, is a Virginia native and now resides in Texas. She is the daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. Susan is the mother of two daughters, Tyne Berlanga and Heather Deavers, five grandchildren, Joy Elizabeth Berlanga, Cruz Vance Berlanga, Elizabeth Blanch Deavers, Jude Deavers, and Sullivan Bales, and three stepsons, Kevin, Matthew, and Andrew Bales.
Susan was raised in Alexandria, Virginia and attended Holton Arms School and the University of Kansas, where she studied photojournalism. She is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service degree, an Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree. She is the author of two novels set in the Whie House, “Double Exposure: A First Daughter Mystery”, and its sequel, “Sharp Focus.”
Susan is the Ship’s Sponsor for the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), which she officially christened on November 9, 2013. On April 8, 2016, in recognition of her service as the Ship’s Sponsor, she was named an Honorary Naval Aviator by the United States Navy, becoming only the 31st American to receive this distinction. And history was made with her selection – Susan is the first woman to be chosen as an Honorary Naval Aviator.
During her high school years, Susan lived in the White House and served as official White House hostess following her mother’s surgery for breast cancer in 1974. In 1984, she and her mother helped launch National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Susan subsequently served as national spokesperson for breast cancer awareness. Since the founding of the Betty Ford Center in 1982, Susan worked side by side with her mother on projects at the Center and was elected to the Center’s Board of Directors in 1992. She succeeded her mother as Chairman of the Board 2005-2010, and currently serves on the board of directors of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
In addition to her many charitable public service activities, Susan serves as Co-Trustee of the President Gerald R. Ford Historical Legacy, Trustee, Trustee of the Elizabeth B. Ford Charitable Trust, and the Honorary Advisory Committee of the Children’s National Medical Center.
Tyne, mother of Joy, Queen-designate, resides in Frisco, TX with her husband Hector and two children, Joy and Cruz. She serves as a marketing manager for Western Son. With a passion for community involvement, Tyne sits on multiple school booster club boards for all her children’s activities.
On Tyne’s departure as Queen she reflected, “It was easy to be kind, gracious and humble Queen when surrounded by the people of Winchester. My five-day reign as Queen Shenandoah was an occasion that will have a special place in my heart. I have formed friendships and made memories that will hopefully stay with me for a long time to come. On Sunday morning I was doing an exit interview with one of the reporters and he asked me, “If l had a daughter would I let her be Queen?” My answer was immediately “Yes, if she’s lucky enough to be given this opportunity.” Now, Tyne eagerly anticipates returning to Winchester where Joy is set to embark on a remarkable journey, echoing Tyne’s own experiences from 23 years prior. It’s truly heartwarming to be able to share this moment with both her mother and daughter.
The Queen and her family will ride in the Hang 10 Firefighters’ Parade Friday evening at 5:30 and the glo fiber Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m. Queen-designate Joy and her family will be making appearances at Festival events during the weekend.
Tickets to Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com/events.
Community Events
Valley Chorale Announces Upcoming Spring Concerts in Middletown and Front Royal
The Valley Chorale presents “Wishing On a Song – Music in the Key of Hope”, a spring concert exploring aspirations of love, home, spirituality and compassion that unite and uplift us all. With styles ranging from light classical and sacred to vocal jazz, spirituals and pop, The Valley Chorale strives to capture the hopes that unite us.
The Valley Chorale is known throughout the Shenandoah Valley for innovation and excellence, with piano, cello and percussion accompaniment, and their concerts are often a heart-warming experience for all. They welcome babies and tots, so no need to hire a babysitter.
Tickets can be purchased on their website TheValleyChorale.org — $15 for age 21+ (free under age 21) or at the door for $17.
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 3:00 – 4:15 PM
Belle Grove Plantation (Bank Barn), 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 3:00 – 4:15 PM
First Baptist Church, 14 W. 1st Street, Front Royal, VA (Community Reception to follow)
For further information, visit the website: TheValleyChorale.org: follow them on Facebook; email them at TheValleyChorale@gmail.com or call at 540-635-4842.
Courtesy Royal Examiner File Photo of The Valley Chorale during the Christmas season. Get ready for their spring concerts ‘Wishing On a Song – Music in the Key of Hope’ the first week of May.
(From a Release by The Valley Chorale)
Local News
Warren Coalition Announces 2024 Video Contest Winners
Just before spring break, the Warren Coalition presented first-place prizes to four students for their submissions in the annual Health Video Contest. Jerry Buhl and Kenny Buhl, brothers who are both students at Warren County Middle School, won in the categories of Eating Healthy and Getting Enough Sleep, respectively. Caleb Rodman, a local homeschool student, was honored for his submission about Drinking Enough Water. Landon Marut of Front Royal Christian Academy took the top prize in the Exercise category. Each of the students received $125 in Amazon gift cards.
Warren County Middle School principal Chris Johnson (left) and Warren Coalition Community Liaison Gabriel Lee (right) present the proud and exuberant Jerry (center left) and Kenny Buhl (center right) with their prizes. The brothers won for their videos about eating healthy and getting enough sleep, respectively.
The contest was open to all middle school students, ages 11-14, in Warren County. Students could elect to submit a video about getting regular exercise, getting enough sleep, drinking water, or maintaining healthy eating habits. The contest was held as part of the Warren Coalition’s WAHOO (Working to Achieve Healthy Outcomes and Opportunities) program, which is funded by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. Their videos will be used as healthy living ads throughout Warren County in the late spring/early summer.
Warren Coalition Community Outreach Coordinator Celeste Brooks (on left) presents Caleb Rodman with a $125 Amazon gift card award for his video about drinking enough water.
Warren Coalition is a nonprofit agency established in 1994 to help fill the gaps in health care and substance abuse awareness to the community. The Coalition began under the guidance of Warren Memorial Hospital as an outreach project, but it has since grown and was incorporated in 2001. The office is currently located in the Warren County Community Center. Their mission is to make Warren County a safe, healthy, and drug free community through many programs and in collaboration with 15+ member agencies.
Warren Coalition Community Liaison Gabriel Lee (left) and Executive Director Christa Shifflett (right) present the “Exercise” category prize of $125 to Landon Marut.
Local News
Warren County Habitat for Humanity Receives Major Grant to Support Housing and Community Revitalization
Warren County Habitat for Humanity has been awarded a substantial $235,466 grant from the Susan Dewey Virginia Housing Grant. This funding will enhance their ongoing efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and provide affordable housing, with a focus on the Osage Street project.
The grant, named in honor of Susan Dewey’s 25 years of dedication at Virginia Housing, underscores a commitment to eliminating substandard housing and promoting vibrant, healthy communities. It is part of a larger $1 million initiative aimed at supporting the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of single-family homes across the state.
Warren County Habitat for Humanity is among five affiliates chosen for this generous grant. The funds are expected to aid in covering construction costs and reducing loan expenses, making homeownership more accessible to families striving for better living conditions.
Debra Siksay, President of the local Habitat chapter, expressed her gratitude, stating, “This grant from Virginia Housing is a monumental support for our Osage Street project and other endeavors. It allows us to push forward with our neighborhood improvement plans and make a lasting impact in the community.”
The organization’s mission, deeply rooted in the values of community and hope, is to ensure that every family in Warren County has a decent, safe place to call home. The Susan Dewey Virginia Housing Grant will play a crucial role in bringing that vision to life by empowering families and fostering community development.
Residents interested in learning more about the Habitat for Humanity projects or wishing to contribute can visit the Warren County Habitat website at www.warrencountyhabitat.org or contact their office at 540-551-3232.
Warren County Habitat for Humanity continues to work tirelessly towards a world where everyone has a decent place to live, supported by community efforts and generous funding such as the Susan Dewey Virginia Housing Grant.
Local News
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Red Fox
A quick turnaround for this lucky fox!
Patient 24-426 recovering in a BRWC pre-release shelter. @BRWC 2024
As the only wildlife-dedicated hospital in the Northern Virginia area, we rely on a variety of other organizations to get orphaned, injured, and ill wildlife to us for treatment from various locations.
Big thank you to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington and their skilled officers for responding to a call about a fox in distress with a trap on his neck. Their quick thinking got this fox contained, the trap removed, and the fox transported to us for further evaluation and treatment.
Patient 24-426 at intake. @BRWC 2024
On intake, this fox was relatively quiet but required sedation to be fully examined. While there was initially blood seen on the fox’s paw, the only major injuries found were wounds on the neck caused by the trap. The blood was likely from the fox using his paw to scratch at the trap in an attempt to remove it.
Conibear trap removed from patient 24-426. @BRWC 2024
With a long-lasting antibiotic on board as well as pain medications, this fox bounced back quickly and was moved outside to a pre-release shelter for continued healing. He quickly began digging, eating, and acting appropriately towards staff.
A few good days of food and rest, this adult fox was cleared for release by our veterinary team! We are overjoyed we were able to get this beautiful guy back to the wild:
Thank you to ALL involved in this animal’s rescue, care, rehabilitation, and release. It truly takes a village and we’re so thankful to have an amazing community dedicated to the well-being of wildlife.
It’s important to note that trapping within Arlington is illegal – if you have any information on anyone setting illegal traps in Arlington, please contact the AWLA to report information!
Looking for an easy way to help native wildlife? Become a monthly BRWC donor! For as little as $5/month, you can provide year-round, sustainable support that helps us fulfill our mission.
Thank You to our Local Business Participants:
