Having kept an eye on the restoration of the historic Mullen-Trout House at 12 Chester Street and its opening with the New Year as The Chester Street Tavern, we spoke with Tavern owner and retired US Army veteran Jim Justice about an upcoming event he alerted us to this coming Memorial Day weekend. That event is a Veterans Awareness “Salute to Service” slated for noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 25th, across Chester Street in the Gazebo-anchored Village Commons town park.

Dating to 1806 when it was built by Thomas Mullen, 12 Chester St., Front Royal, Va. has seen a lot of history unfold. This Memorial Day weekend it will participate in the inaugural Veterans Awareness ‘Salute to Service’ activities, including distribution of materials that assist veterans in Agricultural business pursuits, all to a wide-ranging musical backdrop.

“On May 25th, we’ve put together a memorial remembrance that is sponsored by the Tavern. It’s going to include a real nice live music lineup (beginning in the gazebo area), and we’ll have a number of exhibitors focused on veteran and agricultural-related support issues. They’ll be there with educational materials which will give them a platform to get exposure,” Justice began, adding a nod to the involved sponsorship team.

“We’re blessed to be doing this in partnership with Able Forces Foundation, led by ‘Skip’ and Kathy Rogers, who have become dear friends, and The Farmer-Veteran Coalition of Virginia (FarmVetCo), a national organization that does support for veterans in the farming and agricultural business. FarmVetCo is bringing their multi-band road trip show ‘Breaking Ground’ to support the entertainment at the Gazebo,” Justice said, adding that additional details are available on the Tavern website — www.ChesterStreetTavern.com — There’s a special event page for “Salute to Service” that has all the details.

It won’t be Able Forces Foundation’s Skip and Kathy Rogers first go-round at the Town Gazebo-anchored park remembrance of veterans and service, pictured from a 9/11 remembrance last year. – Oops, sorry to get your back to camera, Kathy. Below, a better shot of Kathy and Skip.

“One of the things that Kathy and ‘Skip’ have coordinated is for the participation of a special guest Sam Tate, a Grammy award winning singer-songwriter who has won the Country music Song of the Year. Sam is coming up from Nashville to be our VIP entertainer guest. He is a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, and we are honored to have him as our guest helping to support our community and this memorial,” Justice said of his musically inclined fellow veteran.

Speaking of musically inclined guests, we noted that local, even neighborhood-generated, live music has become an integral part of the Chester Street Tavern’s business model, with Justice himself sitting in on harmonica on occasion. Would that continue with this event in addition to the imported entertainment, we asked.

“Yes, I think we have five or six bands that are going to play that day. Sam Tate, Nashville CMA Songwriter of the Year, Sunny Lane & The Dirty Hippies, FarmVetCo Breaking Ground will be joined by a number of local musicians that have played and supported the Tavern, helping us launch and build the live music program we have today,” Justice assured us of what will be a mix of familiar and not so familiar faces.

John Landis, right, and From the Heart at the Chester Street Tavern’s New Year’s Eve opening. Below, two shots of another gathering of five familiar musical faces at the Tavern, from left James Vaughan, Hank Gorecki, Dewey Vaughan, then Ralph Fortune and Shae Parker, the latter two perhaps wondering if they are playing from the same song list as the trio to their right.

Among those familiar musical faces to Tavern patrons are John Landis, whose barbershop is about four doors down from the Tavern, the Vaughan brothers Dewey and James, whose family owns the adjacent building in which John’s Barbershop and the New Creations Hair Salon are housed. Others include Shae Parker, Hank Gorecki, Ralph Fortune, Lee Cameron, Bev Williams and The Sidemen, Passage Creek Rising, Shortness of Breath, among others including relative newcomers “Captain” Rich Coon and Michelle Beall, also known as The Hobo Mariners due to their time spent at sea in their sailboat sailing into coastal ports in search of local entertainment venues from Florida to Virginia.

Bruce Townshend often drops in to lend a Celtic, Irish feel to the evening’s musical mix. Below, the Hobo Mariners Rich Coon and Michelle Beall have become a Thurs. night fixture. Here, Michelle seems to be acknowledging a nice ending chord by ‘Captain’ Rich.

“Richie and Michelle are the duo that make up the Hobo Mariners, and they’re the ones who introduced us to the opportunity to do this fundraiser. Michelle and Richie have been a driving force in getting this event organized and introduced to folks we want to support, the Farmer-Veteran Coalition in particular. The Hobo Mariners have done veteran-supporting fundraising through their singing-songwriting for many years,” Justice pointed out of the duo that has become a regular part of the Tavern entertainment rotation on Thursdays in recent weeks.

With the Gazebo Park area entertainment, vendors, and informational booths slated to run from noon to 7 p.m. the Saturday before Memorial Day, we asked Justice how that would impact the Chester Street Tavern’s hours of operation and entertainment. “The Tavern will be home base for the bands, and we are blessed to be right across the street from the Gazebo. We will have an area to support their logistics because there’s a lot involved with folks setting up and rotating to play. The setup for the day of the event is 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday the 25^th for our exhibitors and the bands – and we will have a couple of food vendors, a veteran-owned pizza company and a veteran-owned barbecue company.”

Justice noted the Chester Street Tavern’s regular open to public schedule is Thursday through Sunday, running from 3 p.m. to closing Thursday and Friday, and noon to closing Saturday and Sunday, with closing determined by when the crowd thins out.

“The Tavern will be open that day supporting everyone,” he said of the “Salute to Service” scenario. The plan is we will have an after-event party once we close down at the Gazebo,” as noted above at 7 p.m. “That week we will have our regular show on Thursday evening with the Hobo Mariners. Then on Friday we’ll open at 3 p.m. I expect with all the bands coming into town we will be doing some special stuff here at the Tavern,” Justice said of an improvised schedule of musical interactions.

Justice stressed the importance of live musical entertainment to his business model: “A lot of what I want to do here is support the live music scene” — which he has evolved to do with live music each day he is open on a weekly basis Thursday through Sunday. He traced the start of that commitment to live music to a private party hosted by the Tavern in its earliest days. “John (Landis) came down when we were having a little Friday night private party and said, ‘Hey, you mind if I set up and play for tips?’ The next thing I know the crowd is doing a sing-along. It reminded me of how important live music is to the spirit of the Tavern. I play a little harmonica, so I told John he can play as long as he includes a song I can blow harmonica to and “he better make me sound good,” Justice joked of the Tavern’s longest tenured musical relationship.

Jim Justice adds a little harmonica to the offering of Shae Parker, Hank Gorecki, and Ralph Fortune. I guess they got the ‘make me sound good’ directive too. Area musicians Dave Elliott, back to camera, and Rick Nowell, share a no-doubt musical memory and laugh during a break in that evening’s entertainment. And further below, “the King” has found his way back to the stage and yet another lineup from, as Jim Justice describes it, “this beautiful local community of musicians”.

Speaking of long-tenured musical relationships, Justice acknowledged Dewey and James Vaughan and family, as noted above owners of the adjacent building to the south. “The Vaughans have become great friends of the Tavern. Dewey, James, sister Beth, and the rest of the Vaughan family have just really supported me in a lot of different ways. We are neighbors and good friends,” he said of the second of what he estimated as six to eight groupings of local musicians that have become part of the live music rotation at the Chester Street Tavern — “Just this whole, beautiful local community of musicians.”

But refocusing on what is on the horizon in his fifth month in business, that May 25th Veterans Awareness “Salute to Service”, Justice observed, “We’ll see how things flow and let people do what we always do in the Tavern, which is let folks come and spend time together. Our motto is: ‘We welcome friends old and new’ and it’s really played out that way, with new visitors socializing with a great group of locals.”

‘Friends new and old’ – this cheerful crowd was from the Tavern’s opening day, in fact we believe they were the first table seated New Year’s Eve day. Jim at work at the taps of Virginia-brewed/distributed craft beers. And more friends new and old, Jim greets a couple from Charlottesville, Martha and Bob, to the Tavern on May 5. Justice, a retired Army Ranger, discovered that his new guest Bob is a retired Marine.

Justice also singled out Town of Front Royal Director of Community Development and Tourism Lizi Lewis for her role in bringing the Town on board with the May 25th “Salute to Service Day” event.

So, don’t forget to mark your calendar this month, not only for Monday, May 27, traditional Memorial Day events here, but Saturday, May 25, for the Salute to Service beginning with a noon “soft opening” in the Town of Front Royal Village Commons Park, and continuing across Chester Street at the Chester Street Tavern into the later evening hours. And if you’re mobile you can also swing by the Humane Society of Warren County Julia Wagner Animal Shelter for the also noon-convened, May 25th Salute to the Dogs of War, which ‘Skip’ Rogers will help kick off before returning to Chester Street for the 1 p.m. official Opening Ceremony of Salute to Service.

Alexandra Goldin’s pacer Marco Beach not only wired the field in Sunday’s $8,000 feature at Shenandoah Downs, but he shattered the previous track record by two-fifths of a second when he crossed three lengths the best in 1:51 4/5. The track’s previous mark of 1:52 1/5 was authored by John’s Dream in 2016 — Shenandoah’s initial season — and was equaled earlier this meet by Aflame Hanover.

Marco Beach established a new track record at Shenandoah Downs when he crossed in 1:51 4/5 Sunday afternoon (Quenton Egan photo).

Eric Davis drove Goldin’s 8-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding and was one of four wins he had on the ten-race program. Marco Beach left from outside post five and maintained a 1½ length cushion on the front end through the first three-quarter panels, which were cut in:27 3/5, 56.0, and 1:23 4/5. Davis opened up by two at the top of the stretch and held off a rally by Cole Olsen’s Lyons Stealth, who finished second. Olsen’s Volley Ball Beach was third.

The victory was Marco Beach’s 26^th lifetime score, pushing his career bankroll to $285,240. The pacer had previously won in 1:51 2 at Rosecroft in January and in 1:50 2/5, a lifetime best, at the Meadowlands last year.

Davis, who surged into third place in the driver standings behind Fern Paquet, Jr. and Corey Braden with a solid afternoon, also connected Sunday with Scott Woogen’s KJ Devil, P T Stables’s Make Some Waves and Spencer Goldin’s Lucky Streak, who won his third straight in Woodstock and fourth of the meet.

Week four competition in the U.S. Harness Drivers Club continued Saturday with a pair of races. Stacey McLenaghan, second in the overall trainer standings, maintained her lead in the Club standings with a win aboard her gelding pacer Etbauer, who prevailed for the second straight week. Reinsman Jack Mcneil took over second place in the Series with a win aboard Ben Mcneil’s I’ve Got Hootspa. Heading into action this Saturday, McLenaghan has 46 points, while McNeil is four back with 42. A series of checks will be presented to local non-profits this weekend because of the Series – where drivers donate their share of monies earned to charity.

Only two weekends remain in the Shenandoah Downs spring season. Action will continue on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12, with cards on both days at 1:05 PM. The Woodstock Oval will host Foiled Again’s 20th Birthday Party on Saturday. Join the celebration as harness racing’s richest horse turns 20 years old. Retired for six years now, the legendary son of Dragon Again bankrolled $7.6 million from a stellar career in which he won 109 races from 331 starts. Win number 104 came at Shenandoah Downs on September 29, 2018. Foiled Again will be on site, and fans can take their picture with the legend, sing Happy Birthday, and get a slice of birthday cake. Fans can also enjoy live music all afternoon with The Skillbillys. More details are at shenandoahdowns.com.

The Front Royal community can now enjoy 30 newly planted native trees along the greenway in front of Skyline High School. With spring in full bloom, it’s the perfect time for a walk or run while admiring the hard work of local volunteers.

Front Royal’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) recently completed Phase II of a multi-phase plan to enhance the Royal Shenandoah Greenway. This project focuses on “greening up” unused mowed spaces to create a more enjoyable recreational experience. Recognizing the high recreational use of the Eastham Park to Skyline High School to West Criser Road loop, ACES has worked tirelessly to convert open spaces into native canopies in front of Skyline High School.

Each year, ACES includes a student member who leads a project, and this year, Skyline High senior Christina Keresztesi oversaw the planting of 30 native trees, including Sycamores, Maples, and Redbuds. Christina managed the project from tree selection to volunteer recruitment and secured funding from the Front Royal Tree Stewards and the Beautification of Front Royal Committee. She organized everything precisely, ensuring the trees were planted under perfect weather conditions.

Christina Keresztesi, ACES’ student rep, works with staff from Casey Trees (out of Berryville) to carefully offload the new native trees.

Christina Keresztesi, ACES’ student rep, stands proud alongside some of her 30 new trees.

Christina, who will soon attend UVA, acknowledged how her ACES experience helped her get accepted into college: “Participating in community service projects and leading my own really helped me get accepted.”

These new trees offer much-needed shade for walkers and runners during the hotter months while making the greenway more beautiful for everyone. As volunteers planted the trees, passersby admired their work, offering congratulations and snapping photos.

Town Arborist and ACES Chair Jim Osborn demonstrates the importance of planting large native trees.

Dave Rushton, a local community volunteer, takes a moment to prep the hole, a critical part of the process to ensure that the new trees are set up for success.

The project wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the Front Royal Tree Stewards, the Beautification of Front Royal Committee, the Department of Public Works, and dedicated volunteers. ACES is proud to contribute to Front Royal’s commitment to its Tree City USA designation and to create safe outdoor opportunities for the community. To learn more about ACES, visit their website or attend a monthly meeting held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the back of Vibrissa.

These are big, heavy trees! Father and son work together to position a new tree in the ground properly.

30 new native trees take root along the Royal Shenandoah Greenway thanks to a lot of local volunteer sweat equity!

ACES member Justin Proctor gets some help removing wet, sticky clay from his boots.

Christina Keresztesi, ACES’ student rep, smiles alongside her colleagues after successfully completing her tree planting project.

Royal Examiner presents the Skyline High School Class of 2024. Congratulations to these wonderful seniors on their hard work and deserved accomplishments! We wish you the best in your next big endeavors. Photos courtesy of Victor O’Neill Studios and Tolliver Studios, LLC.

If your Skyline senior is not listed, please send in their Name and Senior Picture to news@royalexaminer.com.

Abraham Adams

Isaac Ali

Makenna Amos

Hannah Anderson

Kayla Anderson

Zayden Ankers

Kaitlyn Antonelli

Summerlin Arnold

Jayden Banks

Joshua Barnett

Elijah Bennett-George

Kaya Bieker

Carter Binnix

Jacob Blackburn

Cohen Blevins

Holly Blevins

Dakota Boggess

Jayla Bolstridge

Lance Booth

Jeffrey Bosley

Kaleigh Boyd

Mackenzie Brewer

Vycktoria Brigeman

Scout Broadbent

Kaipha Brown II

Gavin Burhans

Brandon Bustamante

Jimena Campos

Kirsten Cantrell

Kyle Carr

Amanda Carter

Anisha Carter

Austin Clark

Abreonia Clatterbuck

Wyatt Clatterbuck

Gavin Clem

Nathan Coffee

Stephen Collins Jr.

Jessica Colvin

Shyanne Cook

James Coppage

Ryan Covert

Courtney Cox

Michael Creasey

Ella Crisp

Megan Croft

Charly Cruz Gonzalec

Destiny Cunningham

Ryan Curl

Natalie Davis

Trinity Diamond

Shanna Dinges

Jaxen Doberer

Elijah Domino

Brenton Dove

Brady Duncan

Ignatius Elhinger

Natalie Elsea

Tayden Finch

Asher Fincham

Kierstyn Fincham

Scarlett Flores

Garret Foster

Zackery Franklin

Alexander Frenz

Savana Fritts

Alisha Frye

Victoria Frye

Nichol Fugett

Ryan Gale

Daniel George

Mia Gibson

Ayden Hamm

Timothy Heltzel

Alexandra Hemingway

Caiden Henry

Sam Hoffman

Anthony Hostetter

David Houghton

Keyshaun Jackson

Colby Jenkins

Jazmin Jimenez

Tanner Johnson

Hunter Jones

Kayla Jones

Christina Keresztesi

Dustin Kidwell

Joseph Laycock

Jadynn Leach

Samantha Lee

Tyler Lee

Ava Leger

Karlie Lily

Natalie Loy

Sydney Loy

Adalberto Lucero

Kaitlyn MacLeod

Angel Mandiak

Demitrias Manthos

Cordney Martin

Alexander Martinez Rivas

Emalee Mathews

Wyatt McCormick

Evan McCumbers

Haaron McKinney

Isabella Meadows

Madison Megeath

Karley Meyer

Kalinn Miller

Mia-Elizabeth Miller

Eduardo Mirasol

Garrett Mohr

Hernandez Joselin Morales

Cameron Morris

Cayden Morris

Waylon Mulligan

Audree Mullins

Nikalas Neale

Daryn Nguyen

Syre Norris

Brylee Painter

Logan Parsons

Ruth Pastore

Aysia Payton

Hunter Pearson

Laura Perkins

Tabitha Potter

Matthew Powell

Kheelei Priber

Brady Prince

John Ramey

Welmer Ramirez Guzman

Marisol Ramos

Taylor Reel

Tasia Rhodes

Shelby Riley

Layla Roberts

Christina Robinson

Ayla Ross

Mia Ross

Trinity Roy

Cailah Runyon

Kaden Rutledge

McKayla Sanchez-Thompson

Yovani Santiago Lemus

Vivian Schimitt

Jack Scott

Zoie See

Yusuf Shabanov

Noel Shayeb

Izabelle Shenk

Sadie Shotton

Gwenavere Shuck

Dalton Siers

Jacob Smith

Kaleb Smith

Lonnie Smith

Erick Solis Sosa

Madelyn Sperling

Emma Stelzl

Avery Stiles

Samuel Stockton

Sarah Stoltz

Ian Talbott

Annika Taylor

Trinity Taylor

Keevon Tharpe

Aaron Thomas

Caden Thorne

Robin Tibbs

Aiden Vaught

Isaiah Velez

Madison Vickers

Chayanne Villalobes Sanchez

Jayden Vina

Dorian Walker

Deaven Weatherholt

Bobby Webber

Julianna Williams

Drake Witt

Colby Wood

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Front Royal Police Department’s arrest report for the past 7 days: