Shirley MacIntosh Ballard passed away peacefully in her home on June 19, 2024. She lived in Stephens City, Virginia. Born on April 30, 1935, in North Hornell, New York. Shirley was the daughter of Donald and Elsie MacIntosh of Almond, New York.

Shirley Ballard with her husband Jim.

On October 15, 1960, Shirley married James G. Ballard in Almond, New York. They shared a loving and devoted marriage until James’ passing in September 1993. Their first son, Jeffery Scott, passed away in December 1961.

Shirley graduated from Alfred Almond Central School in 1953 and earned a BS in Elementary Education from Genesee State Teachers College (SUNY Geneseo). She taught in the Hornell, NY, school district for several years before moving with her family to Front Royal, Virginia, in 1972. There, she worked as a substitute teacher until her retirement in 2005.

She was a former member of Buckton Presbyterian Church in Front Royal, Virginia, and a member of the Kate J. Jackson Court #39 Order of the Amaranth.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Heather Kremer (Myron) of Winchester, Virginia, and her sons James Ballard of Stephens City, Virginia, with whom she made her home, and Robert Ballard (Linda) of Whitehall, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by her granddaughters Christian Owens, Tara Booth, Amelia Ballard, and Olivia Ballard; her sisters Corinne Kober of Rochester, New York, and Donna MacIntosh of Henrietta, New York; her special friend Janet Casarotti of Front Royal, Virginia; and her nephews Don and Tom Kober, Gary Davis, and niece Lydia Price.

Shirley always enjoyed the holidays and bringing her family together. When she wasn’t reading her novels, she could be found at the table putting together her puzzles. Shirley loved the internet and shopping, was passionate about fashion and shoes, and could text like a pro.

There will be no calling hours or service to honor Shirley’s wishes, and the burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W Cork St Unit 405, Winchester, VA 22601.

Shirley’s legacy of love, kindness, and enthusiasm for life will forever be remembered by her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Get ready for an exciting evening of baseball as the Front Royal Cardinals face off against the Winchester Royals on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Fans can look forward to an intense showdown packed with skillful plays and strategic maneuvers.

The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m., with the action starting early via a live stream provided by the Royal Examiner beginning at 6:45 p.m. This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to stay connected and experience the game live from anywhere.

Don’t miss out on the thrill and excitement. Tune in and support the Cardinals!

These owlets won’t be ‘leaving the nest’ anytime soon.

Patients 24-393/452 being raised together at BRWC. @BRWC 2024

This nestling great horned owlet was found on the ground back in early April.

The finders called for advice on how to assist the baby, and they were walked through the renesting process. They were directed to monitor the baby, including checking for fresh feces, noting attitude, and looking for parental activity.

Although alert at first, the finders noticed on their most recent check that baby was wet and looking sad. They were advised to bring the baby in for a checkup, and we are glad they did!

Patient 24-393 at intake. @BRWC 2024

Upon admission, it was clear the baby was not being cared for by parents. They were extremely thin, dehydrated, and lethargic.

After providing nutritional and fluid support, as well as heat, this little owlet perked up and began clacking, fluffing, and swaying—all appropriate defensive behaviors for this species!

Although babies being raised by their parents is always Plan A, we are glad to be available as a Plan B when reunitings do not work.

Great horned owlets being fed by puppet to avoid imprinting. @BRWC 2022

Since nestlings are highly susceptible to imprinting, we take extra precautions by wearing camouflaged suits and feeding with a species-appropriate puppet. Though these babies do not believe that the puppet is their parent, it distracts them from the hidden human.

It is also crucial for development and future survival in the wild that babies grow up with conspecifics (members of the same species).

If a baby is unable to identify themselves as a member of their own species, they will not be able to thrive and survive in the wild. Being raised with conspecifics helps to solidify this understanding of identity.

Patients 24-393/452 being raised together at BRWC. @BRWC 2024

Luckily, our friends at the Wildlife Center of Virginia and Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center each had a single owlet and were able to transfer them to us.

Did you know that most great horned owlets stay with their parents into early fall?

While most of our young birds are with us for just over a month or so, raptors (especially great horned owls) take MUCH longer to develop, mature, and become competent enough to be released back into the wild.

This is because great horned owl parents don’t necessarily teach their babies how to hunt—they simply feed them until their hunting skills become proficient enough to sustain them.

Patients 24-393/452/581 being raised together at BRWC. @BRWC 2024

In rehabilitation, we can simulate this by “hacking,” or soft-releasing our owls, where they are released out of a familiar enclosure where we continue providing food.

If they need it, they can return for sustenance while they practice out in the real world on their own. It takes time to practice the skills necessary to not only catch a live animal, but manipulate it well enough to be able to kill it too.

There are plenty of nestling and fledgling owls out this time of year. If you have any concerns about one that you see, please contact the Center before intervening so that we can help assess that animal!

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! Reserved seating in all auditoriums.

Here is a list of this week’s showtimes at Royal Cinemas as of Thursday, June 20:

In an exciting development for the Samuels Public Library community, patrons can now access ProQuest’s Fold3 and Newspapers.com databases. This enhancement, made possible by a generous $500,000 Mellon Grant awarded in March, significantly broadens the library’s digital offerings. As of June 1st, these resources are free to all library members.

New Digital Resources

Fold3 – Library Edition

Fold3 Library Edition is now accessible from any internet-connected device, offering a treasure trove of U.S. military records. This database includes stories, photos, and personal documents of American servicemen and women, providing a rich resource for history buffs, genealogists, and military researchers.

Newspapers.com – World Collection

The Newspapers.com – World Collection features full-page images with searchable text from millions of newspaper pages dating from the late 1600s to today. Users can explore extensive archives, including local, regional, and state newspapers from the United States and beyond. This vast collection is invaluable for those conducting historical research or tracing family histories.

How to Access

Patrons can easily access these databases through the library’s website, samuelslibrary.net. Users can dive into these extensive resources to uncover historical insights and personal stories at home or on the go.

About Samuels Public Library

Founded in 1799 and renamed Samuels Public Library in 1952, it is the second library in Virginia to receive a charter. The library has been a cornerstone for Front Royal and Warren County citizens for over two centuries. By December 2023, it had welcomed 1,079 new cardholders and hosted 264 in-person and virtual programs with 12,015 attendees. The library saw over 63,000 visitors throughout the fiscal year, with 200,234 checkouts recorded.

Samuels Public Library continues to evolve, enhancing its services to meet the needs of its patrons. The addition of Fold3 and Newspapers.com underscores its commitment to providing valuable resources for education and research.

For more information, visit www.samuelslibrary.net.

The mercury’s rising, you’ve set your out-of-office reply for your vacation from work, and your favorite sunscreen is on sale tomorrow: holidays are just around the corner! If you enjoy gourmet tourism, you don’t have to get on a plane to discover new flavors. This summer, discover the pleasures of ice cream! Here are three reasons to visit your local ice cream shops.

1. High-Quality Local Products

The frozen treats in convenience store freezers certainly have their charms, but nothing beats homemade ice cream. Most local shops are committed to offering high-quality products made with natural ingredients. Keep your eyes open for seasonal flavors. Artisanal ice cream shops know how to put local berries to good use, creating unique and delicious treats you won’t find anywhere else.

2. A Fun Excursion

Whether with your kids, your partner, or alone, a summer drive isn’t complete without a visit to an ice cream shop. These establishments are often close to other tourist attractions, so you can easily make a day of it. Imagine admiring stunning views while savoring a strawberry sorbet or a maple milkshake. It’s a delightful way to spend a summer afternoon, making your trip fun and refreshing.

3. A Place to Meet and Talk

Why not recharge your batteries by having face-to-face conversations when turning off your email notifications? Try striking up a conversation with the customers at the ice cream shop. If you want to update your social media feed with pictures of your adventures, ask a friendly holidaymaker to take a photo of you with your decadent ice cream sundae. Sweets are a great way to break the ice and meet new people, making your visit even more enjoyable.

This summer, treat yourself and explore your local area, one frozen delight at a time!

What’s the Difference Between Ice Cream, Gelato, and Sorbet?

Not sure what to choose? Here’s what you need to know:

• Ice Cream: Made from heavy whipping cream, it contains a lot of air and can be kept at very cold temperatures.
• Gelato: Made from milk, it’s less fatty and contains less air than ice cream. It’s also served warmer, giving it a soft yet dense texture.
• Sorbet: Made exclusively from fruit and sugar, it’s generally light and vegan!
• Frozen Yogurt: Made with yogurt, it contains a fair amount of sugar but is lower in fat than ice cream.
• Ice Milk: Quite sweet, contains three to five percent fat, and has more protein and calcium than other frozen desserts.