Columns & Opinion

Tractor Supply has been “comin’ to Blackstone” for more than a year now. I was beginning to think the chain was arriving here by tractor. It wasn’t the worst-kept secret at Town Hall this year, but it was right up there. *** A Town official told us this week that the national chain first expressed interest here about 10 years […]

Doesn’t bother me one bit Dear Sir: For more than two years now, a small but persistent wave of negativity has tried to overshadow the good happening in Blackstone. It’s disappointing to see so much time and energy spent attacking others instead of working together to make our town stronger. My slogan has always been “Committed to Community, Dedicated to […]

November 1990 saw local hunters enjoying a robust deer harvest. Shown here with their kills 35 years ago are Randy Webb (LEFT) of Blackstone with his nine-point trophy killed in Area 2 of Fort Pickett. The rack of Webb’s buck measured 20 inches wide. At right is Sonny Armes of Blackstone, with one of the largest albino bucks ever taken […]

Isak Dinesen once wrote in her short story, Babette’s Feast, that “A great artist is never poor.” I may not be ready to call myself great yet, but those words certainly ring true for me. No matter where I live, what I do, or whether I get paid or not, I will always be a writer. This all started during […]

Shortly after Veterans Day next Tuesday, Town crews will remove the Hometown Heroes banners and replace them with Christmas banners. If you’d like to honor a veteran, living or deceased, with a banner next year, call Town Hall between now and March. The price varies each year based on the Town’s cost, but this past year they were $110 each. […]

“We clearly caused this” Dear Sir: Did you ever stop and wonder what government is actually for? We have a simple deal: we pay taxes and, in exchange, the government agrees to serve and protect its citizens. That’s the promise. The Virginia Constitution even puts that promise in writing. It states that when public projects damage private property, the government […]

It was November 1990, and Nottoway High School’s Drama Team brought home the trophy from the Regional contest in South Hill. KNEELING FROM LEFT: performers Rodney Walker, Diana Wilkins, Gayle Chumney, Rhonda Roark, Audra Kalasnik, Tyrita Johnson. STANDING: stage crew members Pam Lewis, Chris Goin, Garrick Davis, Pam Jones, Stacey Pennix, Loyree Black, Loni Lord, Ira Young.

Thirty-five years ago, back in November 1990, Nottoway High School’s Academic Challenge Team won the Southside District Championship. FROM LEFT: Jeffrey Anderson, Candice Wright, Janel Skipwith, Robert Semtner, Aimee Blankenship, Clark O’Dell, Lisa York, Jeffrey Austin.

The inner delight of children of Blackstone Primary School was evident in November 1990 when they watched their speech turn into the written word on a school computer. Brandon Martin is shown here sharing his discovery with Jennifer Burdge.