Football’s enduring appeal and its ability to unite communities took center stage on June 10th, 2023, as the Warren County Sheriff’s Office hosted the third annual football camp. Free for all participants, this event underlined the office’s commitment to bolstering community relations and personal development through sport. The camaraderie was palpable at the DSS Complex football field, the chosen venue for this grand display of unity and athleticism.

As the day began, a sense of shared excitement was felt across Warren County. Sheriff Mark Butler, an ardent advocate for community integration, had teased the event in a Town Talk earlier. The camp aimed to engage local youth, ages 11 to 17, in a day of football-driven fun, skill-building, and mutual support. The spirit of community radiated from the DSS Complex field, flanked by eager participants and their families.

As Mark Mosley watches, Kurt Pierce thinks he can take on Kayla Sakyi, Running Back for the Washington Divas.

… and he’s down.

The event boasted an array of accomplished coaches, including Skyline HS Coach Chris Wigington, WCHS Coaches Josh Breeden, and Ben Werner, alongside Austin Butler, Josh Butler, Gage Steele, Michael Early, Kurk Pierce, and Mark Moseley. The seasoned mentors put their knowledge and experience at the disposal of the young participants, shaping the day into an exciting exploration of football skills and teamwork.

Adding to the day’s fervor was the presence of esteemed members from the DC Divas, a top-tier women’s professional football team based in Washington, D.C. Their participation lent a professional touch to the event and inspired the young footballers with their expertise and zeal.

The WCSO Football Camp was not just about perfecting the spiral throw or the 40-yard dash. Sheriff Mark Butler and his team were resolute in using the camp as a vessel to promote community bonds, a core element in ensuring a safe and thriving environment. The spirit of camaraderie echoed across the football field as the participants worked, learned, and celebrated together.

The day also featured a silent auction, a thoughtful initiative to raise funds for local charities. This initiative further underlined the camp’s commitment to the community, a testament to the Sheriff’s office’s dedication to strengthening Warren County beyond the boundaries of law enforcement.

Participants left with more than newly acquired football skills and community bonds. Each received a commemorative t-shirt, symbolizing their participation in this unity-building event, and enjoyed a delectable lunch provided by Will Bryant from So Mote it Beef BBQ.

The WCSO Football Camp is a testament to how law enforcement agencies can engage with their communities beyond their traditional roles. Sheriff Mark Butler and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office demonstrate their commitment to creating a more resilient, safe, and unified community by fostering youth development, promoting community spirit, and supporting local charities.

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Sunday, June 11, 2023 – Front Royal Cardinals vs. Charlottesville TomSox. All home games are live-streamed on the Royal Examiner, starting at 6:45 pm on game night.

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Curious about your garden’s soil and how it might influence your plant choices? Well, whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a novice, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty. Let’s conduct a simple DIY test to determine the acidity or alkalinity of your soil.

Commercial soil test kits are out there, and they’re wonderfully accurate. But let’s say you’re impatient and just can’t wait for one to arrive in the mail. There’s a quick and straightforward test you can do with basic household items.

All you’ll need are two tablespoons of soil, half a cup of vinegar, distilled water, and half a cup of baking soda. Let’s dive into the how-to, courtesy of Almanac.com.

First up, place those two tablespoons of soil in a bowl and add that half cup of vinegar. Do you see fizzing? Congratulations! You’ve got yourself alkaline soil. If you didn’t see any fizz, it’s not a big deal. Move on to the next test.

Take another two tablespoons of soil and moisten it with some distilled water. Add half a cup of baking soda. If you see fizzing this time, it means your soil is acidic.

In the event that you don’t see any fizzing with either of the tests, you’ve got yourself neutral pH soil – the Goldilocks of soils, if you will.

Knowing your soil’s pH can help you create the optimal growing environment for your plants. Acidic soil? No problem! You can counter it with ground limestone. Alkaline soil? You can treat it with ground sulfur.

So, there you have it, folks. You’re just a bit of fizzing away from knowing your soil better and making your garden the most enviable on the block. And remember, the journey of a thousand gardens begins with a single soil test!

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Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? If gardening exacerbates your symptoms to the point that you’re considering giving up your hobby, just know that there are solutions. Following these tips may allow you to enjoy growing flowers and plants again this summer.

1. Choose the right time to do your work. Avoid gardening on hot, dry days, as these conditions are conducive to high pollen levels. Plan your gardening sessions by checking the current pollen index in your area. When it’s low, get outside!

2. Choose hypoallergenic plants. Some plants are much less allergenic than others, especially those pollinated by insects rather than wind. Ferns, hostas, azaleas, and rhododendrons are a few varieties you may want to try out in your garden.

3. Wear protective clothing and accessories. Even if the pollen index is low, make sure you still wear a mask, gloves, goggles with side shields, and a long-sleeved shirt to protect yourself.

Looking for trees or flowering plants to brighten up your yard? Inquire about allergy-friendly species. Happy gardening!

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Barry Arnold Trent, 58, of Cross Junction, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in the comfort of his home.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 W Main St., Front Royal, Virginia 22630, with Pastor Chad Hrbeck officiating. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Following all services, the burial will take place at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Upperville, Virginia.

Barry was born on January 8, 1965, in Farmville, Virginia, to Kenneth Trent and his late mother, Loraine Stickley.

Surviving Barry is his loving wife of 35 years, Kay Trent; his father, Kenneth Trent; his son, Kirk Trent (Kayla); his siblings, Margie Trent and Crystal Stickley; and his grandchildren, Elijah Trent and Maverick Trent.

Barry was a successful business owner for most of his married life. His hobbies included going fishing and camping with his son.

Pallbearers will be Kirk Trent, Greg Bowman, Derek Geary, Blaire Bowman, Raven Roff and Rick Couchman.

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Dear Board of Supervisors,

I write to ask that you fully fund Samuels Library for a variety of reasons:

1. Respect the internal library process that is already ongoing to determine appropriateness of books.
2. Respect the mission statement of the library to bring people, information, and ideas together to enrich lives and build community.
3. Respect the 99% of 473 library users who gave the library high marks during the Community Survey of 2021 www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPruRSANPlg
4. Respect the 13 pages of laudatory comments submitted by these 473 library users in the Community Survey www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPruRSANPlg
5. Respect the 53 persons who submitted forms to the library objecting to several books … BUT
6. Respect the fact that those 53 persons represent about 1/10 of one percent (0.1325) of the 40,000 people who live in Warren County.

I truly believe that Samuels Library is a jewel nestled in the heart of this community.  Everybody, far and wide, talks about it. To hurt it in any way may undermine your pledge to serve the common good.

Respectfully yours,

Jeanne Trabulsi
Front Royal, Virginia

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