Local author Charles “Chips” Lickson will be at the Royal Oak Bookshop on December 14th, from 2pm to 4pm, to sign his new book, “A Warrior of Many Faces: An American Clandestine Operative in Cuba and Beyond.”

His book is a saga of the real-life JC Herbert Bryant and the beginning of his long and distinguished military and government career. The story starts when JC is a 17 year old Navy Seaman who is the leading character in a compelling series of life threatening adventures beginning in Guantanamo, Cuba. As a young Seaman, JC, with the blessing of U.S. authorities, had covert dealings with Fidel Castro and Che Guevara while also engaging in combat missions with rebel soldiers in the Sierra Maestra Mountains of Eastern Cuba.

This book tells the JC story. While written in the style of a fact-based fiction, everything that is described really happened.

Lickson is a former practicing lawyer, federal judge’s law clerk, U.S. Army officer, mediator and adjunct associate professor of political science at Shenandoah University.

Mark you calendar for December 14th to meet the author at his book signing, at Royal Oak Bookshop, 207 S Royal Avenue in Front Royal.

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WHAT MATTERS Warren – On Friday the 13th, Blue Ridge Singers will present “Canticum Novum: Sing a New Song” on Friday, December 13, at 7:30 p.m., at the Front Royal Presbyterian Church, and on Sunday, December 15, at 4:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church (205 W. Piccadilly St., Winchester). It will feature beloved carols and traditional melodies for the holiday season, and a 3-part work for choir and organ by Gerald Near, titled “Cum Novo Cantico.” Other composers include William Byrd, Thomas Tallis, Johannes Brahms, Leo Sowerby, Eric Barnum, Philip Stopford, Will Todd, Stephen Paulus, Franz Gruber and William Dawson. Don’t miss this opportunity to get in the holiday spirit while being inspired by this talented group!

Check out their website for more details or if you would like to join them. They also have scholarships for student members.

A WHAT MATTERS INITIATIVE

Are you or your group in need of a free video that could be created to help market your cause or event? Beth’s WHAT MATTERS Warren videos post on Facebook and YouTube.

Learn more Beth’s nonprofit, WHAT MATTERS, a 501 (c) (3), at www.whatmattersw2.com – check out the “Community” section to request a TOWN TIP or WHAT MATTERS WARREN BETHvid or contact her at 540-671-6145 or beth@whatmattersw2.com.

About WHAT MATTERS:

WHAT MATTERS is a 501(c)(3) that focuses on local and global outreach to help spread the word, support and raise funds for causes that matter (primarily through Facebook). WHAT MATTERS has ZERO overhead as 100% of the expenses are funded by Beth’s real estate business thanks to her clients and supporters. Every cent raised goes to the cause she’s promoting and most are matched by Beth. If you’d like to get involved, or travel to Africa with her on a future trip to work with the children of Light up Life Foundations, please visit www.whatmattersw2.com.

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Are you looking for the full movie-going experience without having to wait in the long lines that often accompany that experience? Then look no further because Royal Cinemas movie theatre is the answer. Get the whole gang together and enjoy a movie! Here is a list of this week’s showtimes at Royal Cinemas as of Thursday, December 12:

•  Thurs – 6:00 & 8:45
•  Fri – 6:00 & 8:50
•  Sat-Sun – 12:20, 3:10, 6:00 & 8:50
•  Mon-Wed – 6:00 & 8:50
Rated PG13  |  Run Time: 2 hour 10 min

•  Thurs – 6:05 & 8:55
•  Fri – 6:05 & 8:55
•  Sat-Sun – 12:25, 3:05, 6:05 & 8:55
•  Mon-Wed – 6:05 & 8:55
Rated PG13  |  Run Time: 2 hours

•  Thurs – 6:10 & 8:40
•  Fri – 6:10 & 8:40
•  Sat-Sun – 12:30, 3:15, 6:10 & 8:40
•  Mon-Wed – 6:10 & 8:40
Rated PG  |  Run Time: 1 hour 45 min

Ticket prices are as follows:

• Adult: $9
• Child (under 12): $6
• Military: $7
• Student (college): $7
• Senior: $7
• Matinees, All Seating: $6

Christmas Classics: “Polar Express” |  Dec. 14 & 15 @ 10am

Other movies coming soon to Royal Cinemas:

• “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”
• “Spies in Disguise”
• “My Spy”
• “Doolittle”
• “Birds of Prey”

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The SPCA of Winchester, Frederick, and Clarke Counties is hosting a Holiday Pet Basket Raffle. Four holiday pet baskets available to win. This is a great gift idea for the pet lover on your list, or treats for your own furry family members. A BIG thank you to At Your Bark’n Call LLC for their support of this raffle.

Tickets are $1 each, $5 for 10, $10 for 20, or $20 for 40, and you get to choose which of the four baskets you would like to win. Put all your tickets in for one basket or divide your tickets for a chance to win them all! Tickets available at the SPCA Adoption Center (111 Featherbed Lane, Winchester, Virginia) during business hours. The drawing is to be held Monday, December 23rd.

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General Education Development

Samuels Public Library invites you to register and attend the General Education Development course. This course will be every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 A.M-12:30 P.M (except on school holidays or closings). The GED course is completely free. Let this course be the stepping stone to your success. The GED class will not be meeting the last two weeks in December due to the Winter holidays.

English as a Second Language Discussion Group

Samuels Public Library invites you to come out and join us for our English as a Second language discussion group starting. This is a conversational English language class for adults whose primary language is not English. All skill levels are welcome. Practice speaking English in a welcoming, group atmosphere. This group meets every Tuesday & Thursday at 10:00 am. This group will not be meeting the last week in December (T&TH Dec. 24 & 26) and the first week in January (T&TH Dec 31st & Jan 2nd) due to the winter holidays.

Books & Beyond Discussion Group

Samuels Public Library invites you to the Books & Beyond Bookclub Wednesday, December 18th at 10:00 A.M. where Pavilion of Woman by Pearl S. Buck will be discussed.

Vibes in the Libes

Samuels Public Library invites you to come out and join us on Friday, December 20th at 11:00 A.M. for a free musical performance by John Kovac and Friends. Spread good cheer and the joy of the holiday season as you sing along with your favorite Christmas Carols.

Blood Drive

“Starve a vampire; donate blood.” The library will be hosting Virginia Blood Services’ Blood Drive! The Bloodmobile will be in the library parking lot taking any and all blood donations on Saturday, December 21st from 11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. Walk-ins are welcome; sign-ups are strongly encouraged. Sign up online at www.donateblood.vablood.org

Library Closings

The Library will be closed Tuesday, December 24th and Wednesday, December 25th, in observance of the Christmas Holiday, Normal hours of operation will resume Thursday, December 26th. In addition, the Library will be closed Tuesday, December 31st and Wednesday, January 1st in observance of the New Years Holiday. The library will resume normal hours of operation on Thursday, January 2nd.

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Santa Claus at the 2019 Christmas Parade. Photo and video by Mark Williams, Royal Examiner.

Ronald “Hoss” Feldhauser stopped by our studios to update us on “Operation Santa Claus” and a few other holiday events happening at the Front Royal Volunteer Fire Department:

The Volunteer Stations of Warren County Fire and Rescue will be conducting their annual “Operation Santa” events by carrying Santa throughout their communities on the fire truck.

While every attempt is made to reach as many people possible in their community, unfortunately some homes will be unable to be reached. Below is information on each respective areas “Operation Santa” event.

During this event, please refrain from calling 911 or the Emergency Communications Centers non-emergency telephone number for information.

A few tips to ensure you see Santa on the fire truck:

• Listen for the sirens and be prepared. (crack a window or door to ensure you hear them coming)
• Have the children dressed and ready to “spring into action” for when Santa gets close.
• For the best possible viewing, take the children to the end of the driveway but stay clear of the roadway.
• Do not attempt to climb aboard the fire truck.
• Do not chase the fire truck.

Town of Front Royal Area
Will begin at 5:30pm on December 24th with 3 fire trucks carrying Santa through most of the Town of Front Royal Streets. For more information please contact the station at 540.636.3830.

Rivermont Area
Operation Santa Claus will be December 24th beginning at dark. We will give Santa a ride throughout our community. Please be watching for him. For more information please contact the station at 540.636.9704.

Bentonville and Browntown Areas
Unknown at this time

Linden Areas (3 dates)

• December 22nd beginning at 6:00pm High Knob:
  High Knob Rd., Left onto Massanutten Mountain Dr., Right onto Club House Rd., Salt Lick Rd., Right onto Deer Trail Rd., Left onto Alpine Dr., Right onto Shenandoah Valley Dr., Right onto Short Piece Lane, Right onto Skyline View Dr., Left onto Club House Rd. to 55.
• December 23rd beginning at 6:00pm Blue Mountain/Skyline Estates:
  Santa will be coming by the bus stop on High Top Rd. at 6:00pm. He will be there for about 15 minutes then he will head over to make a left onto Tomahawk Way, Right onto Old Linden, Left onto Tulip Poplar Drive, Right onto Old Linden, Left onto Hickory Nut Rd., Right onto May Apple Way, Left onto Tomahawk Way. We will now head over to Skyline Estates… Right onto Bifrost Way, Left onto Luchase Rd., Left onto Ulysses Way, Right onto Sunset Ln., Right onto Inca Rd., Left onto Shady Ln., Right onto Jericho Rd., Left onto Wilderness Rd., Left onto Khyber Pass Rd., Left onto Oregon Hollow back to the Fire Department.
• December 24th beginning at 6:00pm Apple Mountain Lake and Apple Mountain West:
  Starting at the Apple Mountain Bus Stop we will head up McIntosh, Left onto Granny Smith, Right onto Northern Spy, Right onto Wealthy Rd., Left onto Granny Smith, Left onto Delicious Rd., Right onto Granny Smith, Left onto Wealthy Rd., Right onto Jonathan Rd., Right onto McIntosh, Left onto Apple Orchard, Left onto Granny Smith, Left onto Rome Beauty, King David, Make a U-Turn at Star Ct., Left onto Grimes Golden, Left onto Black Twig, Left onto Oregon Hollow Rd., to Apple Mountain West: Right onto Appleseed Rd., Left onto Core Dr., Appleseed Rd to Applewood Dr., U-turn., head over to Gap Rd., to finish our night and let Santa finish up his deliveries. For more information please contact the station at 540.636.3473.

Shenandoah Shores Area
Will begin at dark on December 24th and travels the roads in the Shenandoah Shores Community, proceed out Shenandoah Shores Road to Loop Road and then proceed Happy Creek to the area of Larkin Ridge Road. For more information please contact the station at 540.635.7897.

Shenandoah Farms Area
Beginning at 6:00pm on December 24th at the intersection of Lions Lane and Howellsvile Road , from here we will proceed to the intersection of Manor Road , continue on Manor Road and turn right on Ridge Wood Lane , right on Valley Farms Road , left on Old Oak Lane. We will keep left and continue on Venus Branch Road , right on Drummer Hill Road , left on Mountain Lake Drive , right on Blue Mountain Road (back gate) , left on Farm View Road , right on Young’s Drive , right on Fellows Drive , left on Howellsville road , finish at Warren County Station 6. For more information, please contact the station at 540.837.1290.

Fortsmouth – Waterlick and Buckton Areas
Fortsmouth Station #8 will start at 6:30pm on December 24th and visit all the subdivisions and main roads in the Waterlick and Buckton areas. For more information please contact the station at 540.636.6983.

Chester Gap Areas
Will begin at 6:00pm on December 24th in the Chester Gap Community and proceed to Lake Front Royal and Point of Woods Subdivisions and then proceed to the area of Harmony Hollow. For more information please contact the station at 540.635.5482.

North Warren-Reliance and Rockland Areas
Will begin at 5pm on December 24th at the Riverton Commons and Crooked Run Shopping Centers and then will proceed to the residential areas. For more information please contact the station at 540.635.6759.

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