In a recent Town Talk at the Royal Examiner, Adriana Stollard shared the poignant story of her daughter Abigail’s challenging journey into the world—a tale of faith, medical marvels, and a mother’s unwavering love, now encapsulated in her book, “Abigail’s Journey: “Family and Faith in Raising a Child with 22q Duplication.”  This narrative not only explores the complexities of her daughter’s medical condition but also reflects the deep personal growth and relentless hope that has defined Adriana’s life since Abigail’s birth.

Abigail’s story began unexpectedly joyful for Adriana and her husband, who had previously struggled with infertility. However, the pregnancy soon presented serious challenges. Early contractions and severe health warnings led to consultations with numerous specialists. Despite suggestions to consider abortion due to potential syndromes, Adriana’s faith led her to seek second opinions that eventually provided a glimmer of hope.

Adriana’s pregnancy complications escalated quickly, requiring her to be airlifted twice to UVA Hospital due to severe bleeding and imminent labor risks. These frightening experiences culminated in a precarious but successful delivery at 34 weeks. Abigail was born with a rare genetic condition known as 22q duplication syndrome, which manifested in significant physical complications, including a severely recessed jaw that affected her airway.

The resilience of both mother and child was tested through multiple surgeries and ongoing medical treatments. Abigail’s condition required innovative surgical techniques to reconstruct her jaw using a piece of her rib, a procedure that had never been performed on a child before. This medical journey was not just a fight for health but also a profound testament to the possibilities within pediatric care and genetic research.

The book Abigail’s Journey is more than a medical story; it is a narrative of overcoming dire medical prognoses and embracing life’s unpredictabilities with faith and courage. It chronicles the emotional and spiritual trials Adriana and her family faced, their moments of doubt, and their return to faith.

As Adriana discussed her book and shared her story, it was clear that she aimed to offer hope to others facing similar challenges. With upcoming book signings and discussions, she is determined to spread a message of resilience and hope to other families navigating the complexities of rare genetic disorders and the healthcare system.

Abigail’s Journey is not just a recount of medical events; it’s a mother’s affirmation of life, a family’s testament to surviving against the odds, and a community’s support system embodied in medical teams’ dedication. It serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of faith and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Click here to see her upcoming book signing.

Creativity and innovation are the lifeblood of human progress. In a world that’s rapidly evolving, the ability to innovate—to conceive new ideas, products, and solutions—is more valuable than ever. April 21 marks World Creativity and Innovation Day, a global celebration recognized by the United Nations to highlight the importance of these skills in driving human development and solving some of the world’s most critical issues.

Why Creativity and Innovation Matter

Creativity is not just the realm of artists and musicians. It encompasses problem-solving, the design of new technologies, and the development of strategies to address global challenges. It’s about looking at problems from fresh angles and finding solutions that break the mold. Investing in creativity and innovation isn’t merely an investment in individual talents; it’s an investment in our collective future.

Economic Growth and Opportunity

One of the most tangible benefits of fostering creativity and innovation is economic development. By encouraging the creation of new businesses and industries, we open up a plethora of job opportunities. Innovation drives competitiveness, improves products and services, and significantly enhances productivity. For countries and regions, this can translate into increased economic stability and growth, making the investment in creativity and innovation a powerful tool for economic empowerment.

Tackling Global Challenges

Perhaps even more critically, creativity and innovation are key to addressing the world’s most pressing problems, such as climate change, poverty, and famine. Through innovative thinking, we can develop sustainable technologies, create new social and economic development models, and find efficient ways to distribute resources. The challenges we face are complex and interconnected, requiring out-of-the-box thinking and novel approaches that only a strong commitment to creativity and innovation can provide.

Supporting Local Creatives

World Creativity and Innovation Day also serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting local talent. Behind every local business, whether it’s a boutique storefront or a factory in an industrial park, there’s a team of creative individuals working to invent new products, improve services, and solve problems. By choosing to shop locally, we contribute to our local economy and encourage innovators and problem-solvers who are building a better future from the ground up.

Investing in creativity and innovation is investing in the future. It’s about fostering an environment where new ideas can flourish, challenges are met with ingenious solutions, and economic growth is driven by forward thinking. As we celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day, let’s commit to supporting the thinkers, creators, and innovators in our communities and beyond. Their vision and hard work enhance our daily lives and pave the way for a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world for all.

With spring painting our days with vibrant flowers and stretching the sunlight longer, it’s easy to revel in the beauty and forget about the impending heat wave that summer promises. Yet, this is the perfect time to turn our attention to an often-overlooked aspect of our vehicles: the air conditioning (AC) system. Ensuring your car’s AC is in prime condition before summer’s peak is not just about comfort; it’s a crucial step in preventing costly repairs and ensuring a pleasant driving experience through the warmer months.

Beat the Heat: The Importance of Early Inspections

Spring’s moderate temperatures make it an ideal time to test and inspect your vehicle’s air conditioning system. This proactive approach allows you to identify and address hidden issues, ensuring your AC is ready to perform when needed. Without this crucial check-up, you might find yourself facing uncomfortable and potentially unsafe drives in the sweltering summer heat when high temperatures and humidity make a working AC not just a luxury but a necessity.

Stay Alert: Recognizing AC Warning Signs

Pay close attention to how your car’s air conditioning performs as the weather starts to warm. Odd smells, unusual noises, or a decrease in cooling efficiency are not just minor inconveniences; they can signal deeper issues within your AC system. Addressing these warning signs promptly in the spring can save you from more significant problems, ensuring your air conditioning is efficient and effective when the summer heat hits.

Proactive Care: Simple Steps for AC Maintenance

Maintaining a healthy AC system doesn’t have to be complicated. Regularly cleaning or replacing air filters can substantially impact your system’s performance. Additionally, a professional check-up can go a long way in preventing future issues. These preventive measures help avoid bigger, costlier problems and ensure your AC runs smoothly, keeping you cool and comfortable all summer.

Peace of Mind: Schedule Your Spring AC Check-Up

Don’t wait for the summer scorcher to realize your AC needs attention. Making an appointment with a trusted mechanic this spring can give you peace of mind, knowing your vehicle is prepared to provide a cool and comfortable driving experience, no matter how high the mercury rises.

Prayer is that beautiful English word – the Biblical word that offers us spiritual nourishment: “In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief and oft escaped the tempter’s snare, By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.”

A February 8th newspaper article took me back to Ethiopia and a desert road across the Great Rift Valley. Millions of years ago, the earth was torn here and had left a deep canyon. In the 1940s, Italian engineers built this road that breached the canyon wall, crossed the floor, and ascended the opposite wall. They had placed prayer shrines on either side of the canyon walls, a place to cool the brakes, have a drink of water, and thank God for your very life!

Dennis McConaty, a recovering alcoholic, had the vision to build a prayer stop near one of the metro area’s busiest traffic corners, where more than 19,000 cars pass each day.  This came to fulfillment, and passersby left notes, “Cancer spreading, please pray.” “Help me off heroin addiction,” “I am homeless, pray that I find a job.” The 8′ by 12′ shack became a fixture for prayer to those in distress; people entered and prayed silently for help and comfort from God and then, refreshed, went on with their daily lives.

Anything out of the ordinary in today’s world seems to have a short shelf life. Five days after the prayer stop opened, McConaty’s church received phone calls from people familiar with his past. He failed to reveal that he was listed in the county’s sex offender registry. The county detective and the church agreed that Dennis, 62, had made a clean break with his past, but the detective said that he worked on the premise that “once a sex offender, always a sex offender.” So now, the prayer stop will be closed for some undetermined date in the future.

At a church we once attended, it became known that one of our returning visitors was a homosexual. Imagine this! We who represent the church exist for the purpose of reaching sinners, and one walks in off the street. He had AIDS, and members were concerned. But not for long; he was found murdered in his apartment, probably for a small lottery winning.

Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christians to the point that they were delivered in chains and suffered unto death for believing that Jesus was the Christ, the son of God. Saul (Paul) was converted and baptized, but fellow Christians were anxious about his past. (Acts 9:26)

The Scriptures abound with help and encouragement for us to leave behind our old nature and look forward to our wealth in our God. He is our everything! Martin Luther summed it up by writing, “There but for the grace of God go I.”

In I Peter 5:7-8: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

Let’s close with a verse from #922 (Songs of FAITH and PRAISE)

I HEAR THE SAVIOR SAY, “THY STRENGTH INDEED IS SMALL; CHILD OF WEAKNESS, WATCH AND PRAY, FIND IN ME, THINE ALL IN ALL. JESUS PAID IT ALL, ALL TO HIM I OWE; SIN HAD LEFT A CRIMSON STAIN, HE WASHED IT WHITE AS SNOW.

Two Virginia school divisions are slated to launch a pilot program intended to help reduce youth involvement in gangs and violent behaviors with guns but it’s unclear if the initiative will be fully funded, as lawmakers go back to the drawing board to work up a new state spending plan.

On April 2, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed legislation to create the Community Builders Pilot Program that will start with Roanoke and Petersburg City Public Schools students entering the eighth grade.  Pupils in both districts face high rates of gun violence and cases of students bringing firearms to school.

Bill carriers Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, and Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, said unlike other community violence intervention efforts centered around getting weapons off the streets, their legislation takes a different approach because it centers students.

“We’re hoping by involving young people that perhaps it helps in other ways,” said Aird, adding that such a program could also have a “residual impact” on children facing disciplinary trouble in school.

“But ultimately, [this legislation] is specifically trying to make sure that when they are no longer in school, they have another outlet that’s pouring into them and they’re not getting involved in things that can be harmful to themselves and others when they are outside of the school walls,” she said.

If the program is successful, Rasoul — who serves as the chair of the House Education Committee — said he hopes it will expand to other schools and grade levels.

“This is a great way to keep students focused, especially through the summer, and to build some healthy habits with a very specific curriculum that then follows them throughout their eighth grade year,” said Rasoul.

According to the pilot program legislation, the initiative will provide community engagement, workforce development, postsecondary education exploration, social-emotional education and development opportunities to students during the academic year after regular school hours and during the summer months.

Schools will collect data and report the program’s progress to the governor’s administration and General Assembly every November for the next two years.

Public interest in youth gun violence prevention has increased, most notably after a then-six-year-old student brought a firearm from home to his Newport News elementary school last year and shot his teacher. The teacher, Abigail Zwerner, was seriously injured but survived.

The Community Builders program might have scored a legislative win, but funding for the program will remain unclear until the governor and leaders from the General Assembly determine the final budget before the June 30 deadline.

Virginia legislature will consider reworked state budget in May 13 special session

The General Assembly backed the pilot program with $800,000 in dedicated funds over the next two years. However, the governor amended the budget, cutting the request to $400,000. It’s an example of the governor’s and the General Assembly’s differing opinions on how the commonwealth should be funded for the next two years.

Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights, who supported the Community Builders legislation, said during the Jan. 30 House Education subcommittee hearing that he believes it to be a “great model program” and would work well with Ceasefire Virginia in supporting communities facing high levels of crime.

In 2022, Ceasefire was launched as a multi-jurisdictional approach to address violent criminal activity among serious and repeat offenders in partnership with Virginia’s attorney general’s office, elected officials and law enforcement.

The purpose of the initiative is to reduce violent crime through partnerships and investments into gang prevention and community policing. Ceasefire has been implemented in 13 cities statewide, including Petersburg and Roanoke.

“When you ask high school students ‘When did things start to go wrong?’ many times they will point to the middle school level,” Verletta White, superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools, said during a Jan. 30 House Education subcommittee hearing.

“We want to target our rising eighth graders and show them not only the detrimental effects of violence on a community, but their responsibility and how they can be community builders instead.”

by Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury

The Front Royal Planning Commission, presided over by Acting Chairman Connie Marshner in the absence of its former Chairman Daniel Wells, who submitted his resignation last week, met Wednesday, April 17, to hold public hearings on six Special Use Permit (SUP) applications. Acting Chair Marshner announced that an election for a new chairman would be added to the end of the agenda due to former Chairman Wells resignation. Commissioner Glenn Wood moved to add the election to the agenda, and Commissioner Michael Williams seconded. The commission voted unanimously for the addition.

There were no citizen comments from the nearly empty meeting room, and the commissioners voted unanimously to approve a one-item Consent Agenda, Authorization to Advertise for Public Hearing a single SUP submitted by Abode of Liberation for a lodging house at 1324 Old Winchester Pike.

There were seven public hearings:

Baymont Inn Apartment Conversion

The major business of the meeting was a pair of requests from CCC Enterprises LLC of VA for a property at 10 South Commerce Avenue, which was familiar to residents as the Baymont (former Quality Inn).  First was a SUP application to convert the 3-story motel into a 39-unit apartment building. The property is zoned C-1, Community Business District.

Zoning Administrator Ware cautioned the commission that they were being asked to vote only on the proposed use for the property, not the site plan or other permits. The applicants presented a concept site plan showing a mix of one and two-bedroom units around green space and a swimming pool. The configuration as presented included 24 one-bedroom units, 2 one-bedroom with a den, and 12 two-bedroom units. However, the specific mix of units may change as the process moves forward. The applicants have not yet established pricing for the units, as it is too early in the process to determine. The applicants assert that the proximity of the property to the downtown area will be beneficial, as the tenant mix is intended to consist of young professionals and couples rather than families with children. The Planning Department summary indicates that this use is in conformance with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and could provide badly needed housing. Commissioner Wood indicated “quite a bit of interest” in the project from downtown business owners, who will want to know “What type” of tenants the development would yield.

“What they do not want is for this to become low-income rentals”, Wood said. “I would suggest that as this process moves forward, you should be prepared to address that.”  The applicant, Sam Sharma, told the commission that they were looking for local tenants only – predominantly “workforce” – cited as “teachers, firefighters, people who have restaurants on Main Street – that’s the goal we are trying to meet.”

At the public hearing, surprisingly, given the publicity for the proposal, there were no public comments either for or against it.

Sam Sharma, left at the podium, and Kyle Hopkins, the applicants for a Special Use Permit for the Baymont Inn property on Commerce Ave., address the Front Royal Planning Commission to explain their concept of a 3-story apartment structure to provide ‘workforce housing’ adjacent to the downtown area.

The Planning Department’s summary lists only one condition for the SUP: two parking spaces must be provided for each apartment. Acting Chair Marshner asked if “a third party” might be paying rent for tenants. Answer: “No.”  After some discussion about the merits of the proposed use, on a motion by Commissioner Matthiae, seconded by Commissioner Williams, the commission voted unanimously in favor of a recommendation for approval by the Town Council.

The second request from  CCC Enterprises LLC of VA is a request for a Special Exception for the property also located at 10 S. Commerce Avenue, identified by Tax Map 20A8-22-6, for a reduction in the required parking space size from 10 x 20 feet to 9 x 18 feet, and a reduction of the required parking area setback of thirty feet (30’) from the property lines. The property is zoned C-1, Community Business District. Approval of this exception is a condition of the CUP for the use as apartments, as the property could not be redeveloped under this proposal if the parking changes were not approved. Zoning Administrator Ware explained the requirement to the commission and showed that a boundary setback of 30 feet would eliminate the majority of parking spaces.  As proposed, the parking spaces combined result in “a few more” than the 78 required.

Artist’s conception of a 39-unit apartment building where the Baymont Inn now stands at 10 South Commerce Ave.

After further discussion, Commissioner Matthiae made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Wood, to recommend approval. The vote for approval was unanimous.

Other Business

In other public hearings, Karen Reynoso has submitted a request for a Special Use Permit to allow a short-term rental at 1400 Old Winchester Pike. Zoning Administrator John Ware told the Commission that the application and the property were in full compliance with the Town’s ordinances. The property is zoned Residential (R-2). With no discussion on a motion by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Brian Matthiae, the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.

Short Street Properties LLC is requesting a SUP to allow a ground floor dwelling unit at 519 Short Street; the property is zoned C-1, Community Business District. In the business districts residential dwellings are only permitted by SUP. Zoning Administrator John Ware told the commission that this property has a Residential structure in the front of the lot and a commercial use shop in the rear. Due to fire damage, the property has not been occupied for over two years, and the applicant intends to renovate it inside and out

Permit applicant Chris Grady tells the Town Planning Commission that he plans to renovate a property at 519 Short Street as two dwelling units.

Under the town’s zoning ordinance, if a legally nonconforming use has been discontinued for two years, it must be brought into compliance with the current standard. Since the Commercial District allows ground-floor dwelling units only by SUP, the applicant has submitted the request. Property Owner Chris Grady addressed the commission and described the project to restore the vacant, burned-out property to two dwelling units. There were no speakers either for or against the request. Commissioner Wood asked about the presence of stored vehicles at the back of the property, and the applicant said that the owner had agreed to clean up that area prior to closing. The applicant asked if there was a danger that a permit for the use could be denied once the purchase and renovations were complete. Town Planning Director Lauren Kopishke said that was the reason for getting the Special Use Permit before the work is completed, to reduce the denial risk for the applicant. After further discussion on Commissioner Natthiae’s motion, seconded by Commissioner Wood, the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.

Edwin S. Wright submitted a request for a Special Use Permit to allow a ground-floor dwelling unit at 514 South Royal Avenue. This property is zoned C-1, Community Business District. It was previously in use as a residential dwelling but has been vacant for several years. The applicant plans to renovate the property with two dwelling units, One a 4-bedroom 2-story, and one a basement 2-bedroom. As with the previous SUP request, the legally non-conforming property must now comply with the current Zoning Ordinance to re-establish the residential use. There were no speakers at the public hearing. During the discussion, Commissioner Williams asked if the requirement for parking spaces in the town ordinance had to be met before the permit was issued. Zoning Administrator Ware said that parking spaces were a requirement for permit issuance. On a motion by Commissioner Williams, seconded by Commissioner Wood, the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.

Edwin Wright submitted a proposal for a special use permit for this building at 514 S. Royal Ave for two dwelling units. The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval.

Edwin S. Wright has also submitted a request for a SUP to allow a ground-floor dwelling unit at 512 S. Royal Avenue. The applicant is renovating the property immediately adjacent to the previous plot. The applicant’s plan calls for this formerly derelict building to be converted to two one-bedroom dwelling units, one on the main floor and one in the walkout basement. The property is zoned C-1, Community Business District. As with the previous request, the SUP was required because the legally non-conforming use had expired when the property was vacant. With little further discussion on a motion by Commissioner Matthiae, seconded by Commissioner Wood, the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval. Commissioner Williams and Wood expressed their appreciation for the applicant’s efforts to improve the highly visible properties at the south entrance to the town that desperately needed it.

Chris King-Archer has requested a SUP to allow a short-term rental at 331 Kerfoot Avenue. The property is zoned R-1, Residential District. The Applicant intends to have this 4-bedroom property as a whole-house rental. There were no speakers at the public hearing. The town ordinance for short-term rentals requires one off-street parking space per bedroom, and there are currently only three parking spaces on this property. The planning staff recommended disapproval for that reason, but Commissioner Williams asked the applicant if adding another parking space to comply with the town ordinance was possible. The applicant indicated that it was possible but questioned the consistency of the ordinance application, citing the case of a nearby short-term rental property with no off-street parking.

Planning Director Kopishke explained that the Planning Department could not recommend approval if there were insufficient parking under the ordinance, and in the case the applicant cited, the commission had recommended denial for that reason, but the town council approved it anyway. Town Council can overrule its own ordinance. Town Attorney George Sonnett told the commission that a commissioner could offer a substitute motion to recommend approval, providing that the applicant would provide the additional parking space required by the ordinance. With little further discussion on a motion offered by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Wood, the commission unanimously recommended approval of the suggested substitute motion.

After the public hearings, Commissioner Wood nominated Vice-Chairman Connie Marshner as permanent chair to serve the remainder of former Chairman Wells’s term. Commissioner Williams seconded, and the commission voted unanimously for Marshner’s chairmanship.

Planning Director Kopishke reported to the commission that there were 267 walk-in customers to the Town Planning Department in March, 25 zoning permits, 15 business license applications, and 5 code enforcement cases. She also said that the department hopes to have a draft rewrite of the Town Zoning Ordinance in the hands of the commission by the end of June. The rewrite of the ordinance is the last major part of a multi-year fundamental rewrite of the town’s planning and zoning infrastructure, which included updating the Comprehensive Plan and its components.

Another surprise was in store at the end of the meeting when Commissioner Glenn Wood announced his resignation from the board, effective May 16^th. The commission “regretfully” voted to accept the resignation and wished Commissioner Wood well.

An urgent reminder: The planning department is recruiting for new Planning Commission Members (now 2). Check out the town website for the application form.

The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

Click here to watch the Town of Front Royal Planning Commission Meeting of April 17, 2024.