Several well-deserved awards were given out at this week’s Shenandoah Christian Alliance weekly breakfast meeting at the Front Royal Quality Inn.

The SCA awarded two “Defender of the Faith” Awards which are intended to recognize pastors, legislators, business leaders and outstanding individuals (mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers) that have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the Biblical principles that this country was founded on and helping bring God back to the center of our daily activities in our (government, schools, courts, families and especially churches).

First on the list was our own Mike McCool, the owner of National Media Services, Inc., and publisher of this online newspaper (Royal Examiner). Mike has been a mainstay in Front Royal in attempting to be a source of information for many of us who have an invested interest in what’s happening in our community (our schools, our government and our culture) but do not have the time or the ability to stay on top of a rapidly changing and growing community. At the same time, he offers graphic design, recording, copying and printing services… a well-earned award.

Next to receive the “Defender of the Faith” Award was Bishop Larry Johnson. Larry needs no introduction to many of our townspeople who have come to know him through his Colonial era persona “Abel Johnston… the “t” in Johnston was dropped over succeeding decades and the 5th generation version is now Johnson.

Larry is the quintessential story teller of the lives and actions of the heroes that fought for the freedom and liberty that has been the trademark of this country of more than 240 years.

As part of the wording on his award states: “And Further, for his unmatched ability to recount the times, actions and thoughts of our forefathers in speech and period dress that instantly and magically transports the listener back over 240 years to a time when this Representative Republic was being founded”. Larry is a constant voice for the heritage we’ve received and his fondest desire is to see that our children and future generations are not deprived of learning about our amazing forefathers (and mothers) and the values that under-girded their motivation and actions.

Larry’s focus, determination and actions represent the very heart of the Shenandoah Christian Alliance.

Dale Carpenter said that they have awards in the making for two of our elected state representatives and we hope to be able to make those awards in Richmond this coming week.

Also attending the meeting was Dale Corey, President of the James Wood Chapter of The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Dale is the leader of one of the top SAR Chapters in the Commonwealth and perhaps the Eastern United States.

Dale Carpenter presented the “Outstanding Citizenship” award to two of their members (Mark Quimby and Kelly O’Neil) for their participation in the overwhelmingly successful “Colonial Dinner” held Dec 19th at the historic Wayside Inn to commemorate and honor the anniversary of the movement of George Washington and the Continental Army into Valley Forge that bitter winter in 1777.

Both Mark and Kelly have been an integral part of the ability of SCA to help bring awareness to our community of those Judeo/Christian values that were bedrock for our founders and which seem to be slipping away today in so much of our culture.

Royal Examiner’s camera was there for the award ceremony:

They’ve played for the President, they played after the Pope in Sydney, Australia, and now they’ll be playing just down the street. Scythian is an Irish Festival headliner and is known for its high-energy, crowd-interactive music. What is less known is that founders and front-men Alex and Dan Fedoryka grew up and live in Front Royal, Virginia. After spending 12 years on the road growing the band, the Fedorykas moved back to Front Royal to found their award-winning roots music festival – Appaloosa – hosted each Labor Day at Skyline Ranch Resort.

This March the brothers will be doing a 3,500 mile march to St. Patrick’s Day Tour which will bring them to the Bright Box Theater on St. Patrick’s Day eve – Saturday, March 16th with Front Royal native Marie Miller opening. The night will also feature a short opening set by the Armstrong School of Irish Dance at 7:30pm to get everyone in the St. Patrick’s Day mood.

Accordion and guitar player Dan Fedoryka said, “We’ve loved coming back to Front Royal after spending the better part of a decade in the DC/NOVA area growing our band. We’ve toured over a million miles and it has been great to come back to our hometown which has remained the same in all the best ways, but changed in all the right ways: we love all the new restaurants, businesses popping up – there’s a buzz in this town.

We play at Appaloosa each year, but we’ve been looking to book a show another show locally and when we found the Bright Box we penciled in our biggest night – St. Patrick’s Eve – for our home territory. We’ve stacked the bill with the talented Nashville-based – and Front Royal native – Marie Miller opening the night. You can expect to hear her driving, soulful voice backed by acoustic guitar and mandolin so be sure to come early. You may even see Irish dancers joining us on stage.”

For those who have never seen Scythian, you can watch this 60 second video to get a sense of what March 16th will be like:

• Doors open at 7pm
• Armstrong Irish Dancers 7:30pm
• Marie Miller 8pm
• Show is All-Ages
• Get your tickets here

Scythian | scythianmusic.com

Photo and video by MORE students and Jennifer Avery, Jenspirations.

The host location for this past week was the Front Royal Presbyterian Church. One special church volunteer actually spent her birthday preparing food at the shelter and shared her birthday cake with guests!

The MORE Program (after school program for Warren County and Skyline Middle School students) took a turn preparing dinner for the shelter on one of the nights. They also decorated paper bags for the shelter guests to use for their packed lunches. Included in each bag was an inspirational note. The kids have been working on a similar project (Project Positive through the I’m Just Me Movement) for fellow students. It was great to see them realize, grownups can use a positive thought too!

Interested in donating? Donations can be sent on PayPal using ThermalShelterofFR@gmail.com or checks can be mailed to PO Box 454 Front Royal, Va 22630.

Follow the Thermal Shelter of Front Royal on Facebook for more information.

The Thermal Shelter of Front Royal has a wish list set up on Amazon.com! Keep an eye on the list for updates. Type in Thermal Shelter in the search tab for lists or click on this link.

Items can be shipped to: PO Box 454 Front Royal, Va 22630

* Jennifer Avery, Realtor with NextHome Realty Select is willing to donate a portion of her real estate sales commission to help the Thermal Shelter keep their doors open. All referrals who wish to be a part of this giveback effort, please call 540-683-0790 or email jennifer@nexthomerealtyselect.com.

Mike McCool and Dick Mason discuss the upcoming Friends of the NRA event on March 2nd. Photo and video by Mark Williams, Royal Examiner.

Dick Mason stopped by Royal Examiner’s office to discuss an upcoming event happening on March 2nd. The Friends of the NRA will be hosting a dinner and auction to raise funds to promote shooting sports.

Not a member of the NRA? Not a problem! Membership is not required.

Dick explains the programs supported by the effort of Friends of the NRA chapters throughout Virginia and the US:

Bring your family and enjoy good food, great prizes and an evening of fun at the Northern Valley Friends of NRA dinner on March 2nd. In addition to great prizes, you will have the chance at a live auction of commemorative firearms and unique merchandise.

Proceeds from the event will be used to promote the future of the shooting sports all across Virginia and the nation. Don’t miss this special Friends of NRA event on March 2nd at 5:30 PM at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club. To buy tickets or for more information, go to www.friendsofnra.org or call 540-635-9424 or 540-305-9166 today!

Background

For more than two decades, The NRA Foundation has served the needs of freedom-loving Americans across this great nation. They continue to teach freedom through programs that instill knowledge about our nation’s great history. They build partnerships with leaders in our communities and provide grants that are instrumental in funding programs that support our shared vision.

Since their establishment in 1990, they’ve awarded nearly $369 million in grant funding in support of the shooting sports. These grants provide essential funding that benefits programs such as youth education, law enforcement training, hunter education, conservation, firearms and marksmanship training and safety, and much more.

Skyline Insurance Agency, located at 310 N Commerce Avenue in Front Royal. Photo/Google Maps

FRONT ROYAL — Skyline Insurance Agency has been selected for the 2018 Best of Front Royal Award in the Automobile Insurance category by the Front Royal Award Program.

Each year, the Front Royal Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customer and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Front Royal area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2018 Front Royal Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Front Royal Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Front Royal Award Program

The Front Royal Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Front Royal area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Front Royal Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

The animals need love on Valentine’s Day too!

Take your pet-loving valentine to Five Guys on Thursday, February 14th, 5-9 PM. Mention the SPCA of Winchester, Frederick, and Clarke and your purchase will benefit your local SPCA. Five Guys has a great vegetarian menu too. Let’s show the animals some love on Valentine’s Day!

Also as a gift for the animals, show your love and support for local shelter pets by becoming a new member of the SPCA of Winchester, Frederick and Clarke. The first 8 new members will receive a Valentines Day bottle of wine decorated with cat or dog items!