The Traveler   Alleghany County, VA (Friday, August 26, 2016) - Local readers may remember “The Shadow” column: well, it’s back, but we can’t use that name because we sold it to our competitor in 1988. Nevertheless, the original author of that column has returned with all the tidbits, rumor-fact, humor and news notes which graced his column so many years ago. The Alleghany Traveler regularly rides his horse along the ridges and roads of the region, gathering up news that readers just can’t find anyplace else..and in some cases, which they hadn’t! * * * Before I begin, may I thank every reader for the hundreds of positive responses I had to my original column created back in the 1980s. My hair has gone gray and my knees crack worse than ever now...but my horse remains the same. This is the space where we deal with local characters, pesky situations and uncover the truth behind the scenes of our local governments, school systems and other operations which may not always seem obvious. Good, let’s get on with it. • Readers need to know that there is a new digital newspaper available to them 24/7/365 called the www.AlleghanyJournal.com. Actually, it’s not “new,” having been created in 2006 by our publisher. What IS new is its huge array of information, photos, video, news briefs, breaking news items and much more. * * * • Several members of the black community in Clifton Forge rightly pointed out some of the sorry conditions which exist at Washington Park - from the bathrooms to lack of seats and much more, during the last town council meeting. Click the story on this website for many videos of their remarks, most of which were informative, yet not overly negative. James Bolden did come out with a hint that he believed that race was somehow involved in the lack of maintenance at the park when he said that no white business owners would be stepping up to help fund positive changes - but overall, what the various speakers asked for was fast consideration for constructive improvements. Town Manager Darlene Burcham said that Washington Park was next on the list of parks to receive upgrades and each town council member agreed with that assessment. However, the Parks and Trails Committee would definitely like to hear more detailed and specific comments from ALL citizens before any real final plans for upgrades are put into place. Those meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at the town hall. • I liked the comment of one area resident when details emerged about the awful state of condition of some of the former CSX buildings that the town acquired from a former economic development corporation. He suggested that the Virginia National Guard be brought in with a 155 howitzer to knock down the huge smoke stack and reduce it to rubble for removal. Of course, that won't happen, but if it ever did, would make quite a scene! • The Alleghany Highlands Arts Council has a great set of programs in store for this year's season. Check out all their offerings by clicking the following link! New Season Of Programs! • And three cheers to CF Town Councilman Jeff Irvine, who was able to work with several Covington sources in able to bring the real "Little Brown Jug" to the CF Public Library for viewing. On the jug is a listing of all the scores of all the football games played between the Covington Cougars and the Clifton Forge High School from 1937 through 1983. Nice job, Jeff... • * * * * * As always, email your comments, criticisms, rumors and more to me in total confidence. Email me at traveler@alleghanyjournal.com.

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