Marker in Staunton at Ebenezer Baptist Church

Effie Ann Johnson Day Nursery and PreSchool

When I stopped to take a picture of a mural in Staunton on Saturday, I spotted a historical marker so I walked over to see it. It tells the story of a preschool and is one of a series of Black History Markers. 

"1939. Established by the Depression-era Works Progress Administration (WPA) and supported by the local hospital auxiliary, the nursery opened in the Ebenezer Baptist Church Annex on North Augusta Street."

The history continues with names of early teachers and the groups that supported the school after the WPA was the discontinued. In 1962 the school moved, and eventually it closed in 1997. 

This marker was unveiled on April 2, 2022. It was created by Staunton-Augusta County African American Research Society.

Mural of Fun

Staunton, Virginia

This mural on the side of a bicycle shop was created by Christy Baker. It celebrates people enjoying outdoor activities, as they do in nearby Gypsy Hill Park.

Monday Murals / Blue Monday

I was intrigued to see part of it reflected in a window of an adjacent building.

Here’s a scene in the park, which has 214 acres.

Sweetness in Staunton

Yesterday I drove to Stanton to go to a wedding with Lynn. I met her at a drugstore and noticed this sign across the street. Looks like the letter L fell off! The church itself was a nondescript one-level building in need of TLC.

The wedding was held on the veranda of a building in a park. It was a beautiful autumn day.

Don't worry, I'm not going to bore you with a ton of wedding pictures. I’m not a big fan of weddings anyway but this one was very sweet and not overly long.

Lynn brought a friend along to look after Charlie while she and I attended the event.

Shadow Shot

Blog Post 8100: Scenes around Edinburg

Black and White Weekend 

There are a number of linkups that I participate in. They require extra effort as far as planning photos and writing posts to include them.  The payoff is more than just having a few more people see my pictures; it is ensuring variety to this blog. I would probably get bored doing it without an inducement to go in different directions on different days.

Participation in these linkups seems to be declining, and I think many bloggers have gone on to other forms of social media. Still, I feel like if I’m in a community of photo bloggers who share some of the same interests that I have.

Saturday Critters 

Weekend Reflections 

The view of the Shenandoah River is from Chapman Landing Road.

Living Under a Flight Path

The northern part of the Shenandoah Valley lies under the flight path from Dulles Airport to all points west. In certain weather conditions, jets leave contrails behind them, or long streaks of water vapor. Soon the streak spreads out to the sides and and either disappears or turns into an elongated cloud.

The first picture is from 7:30 one morning. The second one is from today at 6:30 PM. I took both of these with my cell phone while walking the dog.

Skywatch Friday

 

 

Signs and Pumpkin People

Sometimes I drive past this animal hospital just to see what their sign says.

Yesterday I took Charlie to a different veterinarian, one that I have used before. The vet found that he was in good health. She does not want to give him medication for his separation anxiety at this time, but gave me a list of trainers.

Here we see Charlie chewing on the net divider that I thought would help keep him in the backseat. I'm going to have to remove it. He has a chew-proof doggy seatbelt now that should continue to hold him safely in his place, I hope. I have not been able to leave him alone in the house because I’m afraid he will get hurt or destroy something important.

Meanwhile, folks are decorating for Halloween. The town of Woodstock has a competition going for pumpkin head figures so I’ll show you some that I have seen so far.

Late Afternoon, North Fork

This afternoon I took Charlie to his veterinary appointment and then made a quick trip down to the state park. As I drove onto the low-water bridge, I saw an eagle flying overhead but I was not ready to take a photo. I paused on the bridge take a picture of the river and I saw geese flying overhead.

Wild Bird Wednesday

A large flock of birds, probably starlings, was flying around and vocalizing in the trees. They look like specks flying over the LOVE sign.

Seven Bends State Park is in Woodstock along the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.

Rural Clarke County

Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday 

A Fancy Hog Mural

Monday Murals

This mural is on the front wall of Jordan Springs Market, a store and eatery known for their barbecue (B-B-Q). For those not in southern USA, barbecue here is often roast pork, delectably seasoned and cooked over a fire. Interestingly, the word barbecue is derived from a Native American word, and early Spanish explorers observed Taino people roasting meat on a wooden “barbecoa” or grill, over an open fire. 

The mural is signed by Sarah Gallahan, who I just realized is the artist who painted the one I shared last week! With that in mind, I searched this blog for her name and found that she painted the Rescue Mission, the New Star Market, and Solenberger’s Hardware.

I don’t know if you can tell from the close-up of the window but police officers are enjoying a meal inside. There is a joke here but I shall refrain except to note that they are probably eating pig, framed by a pig. 

This market has won awards for its barbecue. It is in Stephenson near Winchester.

Sunday Updates

1. There is now a now a LOVE sign in Rockland next to the old church.

2. Marie left this morning for California because she has to work tomorrow. It was good to see her.

3. Autumn colors are working their way south. The ginkgo trees at Blandy are starting to turn gold.