In the heart of Front Royal, a new creative hub is blossoming. Melissa Ichiuji, an artist who has captivated audiences worldwide with her bold and provocative works, has set up her studio gallery on Main Street, bringing her global artistic vision to the local community.

Nike Foster Cales of the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce, along with Mayor Lori Cockrell and Board of Supervisor Walt Mabe, welcomed Melissa Ichiuji to the community. The artist’s studio gallery at 223 E. Main Street will be open to the public every Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

In the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, Ichiuji found herself more drawn to nature and her local community. Having exhibited her art globally, this Front Royal-based artist felt the urge to concentrate her energies locally. The opening of her gallery embodies this mission, offering locals a taste of her bold, playful, and powerful sculptures and paintings.

Ichiuji’s work, frequently imbued with metaphors, sexual puns, and explorations of transcendence, psychological tension, and metamorphosis, has been exhibited in prestigious museums and galleries in Paris, Brussels, Munich, Berlin, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Her fearless creativity incorporates diverse materials like welded steel, ceramics, textiles, and found objects, thereby allowing her to express meaning through form, color, and texture.

The gallery serves as a platform for Ichiuji to showcase her works and provides an innovative hub for other creatives to share their passions and talents through exhibits, concerts, lectures, and classes. This new addition to Front Royal aims to foster a thriving community of creators.

With her studio gallery, Melissa Ichiuji invites the public to experience her artwork firsthand, offering private viewings by appointment for a more intimate and personalized experience. This new artistic hub is a welcome addition to Front Royal’s cultural scene, promising to be as captivating as the artwork it houses. For more information, visit the Melissa Ichiuji Studio Gallery website at www.melissaichiuji.com.

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Saturday, June 10, 2023 – Front Royal Cardinals vs. Strasburg Express. All home games are live-streamed on the Royal Examiner, starting at 6:45 pm on game night.

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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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