February is footwear month for Froggy’s Closet, a nonprofit dedicated to helping foster children, children in need and at risk.

The third annual fundraiser started when a foster child who appreciated all the items received but took the shoes out of the bag, said “Why are the bottom of my shoes always dirty?”

A new pair of shoes can be a feeling of love, pride, and acceptance, like a new beginning. Froggy’s wants all children to have that feeling. This fundraiser helps collect enough new shoes to fill all requests for one full year.

All types of shoes and sizes are accepted with an ongoing need for sneakers and tennis shoes.

Froggy’s Closet has partnered with several business in the community for drop-off locations, including the following:

• Berryville Grille | 9 E Main St. Berryville, VA
• Escutcheon Brewery | 142 W Commercial St.
• Kimberly’s | 135 N Braddock St.
• Scarpa Alta | 28 W Piccadilly St.
• Winchester Country Club | 1300 Senseny Rd.
• Winchester Moose Lodge | 215 E. Cork St.
• Wilkins Shoe Center | 7 S Loudoun Street Mall

In addition, shoe donations are accepted at Froggy’s Closet, 32 E. Piccadilly St., Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monetary donations are accepted by cash, check, or online at frog-kids.org.

For more information, call (540) 773-4192, email froggyscloset@gmail.com, or visit frog-kids.org.

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Founded in 2009, Families Reaching Out Group (FROG), a Winchester, Virginia based nonprofit is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children who have been victims of abuse, neglect, or are at risk. Children and families in Winchester, and Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, and Warren counties are served.

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! We are continuing to practice “6 Foot Social Distancing” with 30% capacity reserved seating in all auditoriums.

Here is a list of this week’s showtimes at Royal Cinemas as of Friday, January 29:

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Ticket prices are as follows:

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

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COMING SOON:

• “Tom and Jerry”
• “Nobody”
• “Raya and the Last Dragon”
• “Chaos Walking”

A popcorn ceiling, also known as a stipple, stucco, or acoustic ceiling, is a type of textured ceiling that has a noise-dampening effect. It was a common feature in houses 50 years ago, and many homes still have them. Here’s what you should know about renovating them.

Patch
If your popcorn ceiling is stained or cracked, you can patch it. There are special products designed for this purpose that can be purchased in either an aerosol can or a container. These products are easy to spray or paint on.

Paint

As long as the ceiling is in good shape, it can be painted. Begin by removing all dust with a soft-bristle brush. Then, apply a stain-blocking ceiling primer. Once the primer is completely dry, use a thick nap roller or paint sprayer to apply the paint.

Remove
Removing a popcorn ceiling can be messy, dangerous, and time-consuming, but it isn’t difficult. If it’s painted, you’ll need to apply a specialized stripping product. It should be rolled or brushed on and given time to soften the ceiling material, which can then be scraped away with a trowel.

To simplify patching, painting, or removing your popcorn ceiling, hire an experienced contractor to complete the job.

Warning
Before renovating a popcorn ceiling, you need to determine if it contains asbestos. If it does, make sure to hire a professional asbestos remediation company to remove it.

Restrictions put in place during the pandemic make it challenging, if not impossible, to travel to most prime honeymoon destinations. And once you arrive, who knows what restaurants and attractions will be open. So, while white sandy beaches and European cafés may be out of reach, a romantic staycation should hardly be considered settling for second best.

All the comforts of home
First and foremost, you don’t have to worry about contracting the coronavirus if you choose to honeymoon from the comfort of your home. Additionally, you’ll avoid the hassle of preparing for a trip — no need to renew your passport, get vaccinated, convert your cash, or buy travel insurance. Plus, you won’t have to pack, and you can be sure that the bedding hasn’t been used by strangers.

Indulge in an array of luxuries

Under normal circumstances, a trip to Paris or Tahiti would set you back a few thousand dollars. Without airfare and hotel bookings eating up your budget, you may be able to afford one or more indulgences. For example, you could:

• Order all of your meals from restaurants and get them delivered right to your door.

• Splurge on a high-end sectional sofa, king-size bed, or home theater system.

• Surprise your partner with designer lingerie and drink only fine wines every night.

Honeymooning at home allows you to start your life as a married couple in the comfort and privacy of your own home while indulging in food, wine, and gifts.

Warren County Parks and Recreation Department is looking for several young sweethearts to help make Valentine’s cards that will be delivered to some of the elderly in our community. We will provide all the necessary supplies; we just need your help to make their Valentine’s Day a little bit brighter!

If you are interested, stop by the Warren County Community Center and pick up the “Valentine’s Card Goodie Bag” from Tuesday, January 26, 2021, through Monday, February 8, 2021. Cards will need to be returned to the Warren County Community Center by Thursday, February 11, 2021.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Warren County Community Center, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (evening and weekend hours may vary), at (540) 635-1021 or via email at wcccinfo@warrencountyva.net.

When it comes to Italian cuisine, there’s no shortage of dishes to warm your belly and lift your spirits on a dreary day. This pillowy gnocchi is no exception.

Start to finish: 2 hours 30 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes active)
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Gnocchi
• 4 russet potatoes, washed but not peeled

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Garnish
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

• A few fresh basil leaves

Sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 can San Marzano tomatoes (28 ounces)

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 4 sprigs Italian parsley

• 4 sprigs of fresh oregano

• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

• 4 sprigs fresh basil

• 1 onion, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Poke potatoes several times with a fork. Bake directly on the rack for an hour.

2. In the meantime, pour the oil into a deep pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add the fresh herbs to the pan, and fry lightly for about 5 minutes. Remove the herbs and discard them. Lower the heat. Add the onions and cook without browning. Add the garlic, and cook for another minute. Salt and pepper to taste. Add the tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for about 45 minutes.

3. Remove the potatoes from the oven and peel them immediately (wear oven mitts to avoid burning yourself). Place the potatoes in a large bowl and purée them with a potato masher. Sprinkle with salt and let cool to room temperature.

4. Add the flour and egg to the bowl. Mix with your hands until the dough has a smooth texture, but don’t overwork it. Place the dough on a floured work surface and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Use your hands to roll out each piece into a long rope (about half an inch thick). Use a knife to cut the ropes into half-inch pieces.

5. Pour the cream into the sauce and mix well. Use a wooden spoon to break up any remaining chunks of tomato. Add seasoning as needed.

6. Cook the gnocchi in two batches in a large pot of salted water. Once they float to the surface, wait another 2 minutes before removing the gnocchi from the water and placing them in the sauce.

7. Mix the gnocchi and sauce well, then pour into a baking dish. Sprinkle the mixture with Parmesan cheese and set the oven to broil until the cheese is golden brown. Garnish with fresh basil.

For beautiful gnocchi worthy of a five-star restaurant or an Italian grandmother’s kitchen, use a fork or wooden gnocchi board to shape them.