Hello,

Summer is a great time to be in Highland County!  Plan your trip, find lodging, and stay updated at www.highlandcounty.org and www.facebook.com/HighlandCounty.  Below, we feature upcoming events, opportunities, and more!

Publicity, Events, and Attractions

• Saturday, July 24th -  Allegheny Mountain Institute's Allegheny Farm Open House invites you to learn about whole-system practices that enhance environmental, personal, and community health, meet Fellows, enjoy farm-fresh snacks, and much more!  Full details at www.amifellows.org/open-house.

• Friday, July 30th - Please visit The Highland Center at 61 Highland Center Drive in Monterey on Friday, July 30th for the opening of The Gallery of Highland with beautiful local works of art from 6 - 8 pm.  Light fare and drinks provided.  The Gallery of Highland is generally open seven days a week from 11 am - 4 pm, and it is usually open during events at The Highland Center.  Credit cards and checks only.

• Saturday, July 31st - Sunday, August 1st - Are you ready for an amazing two days that will empower you to "take charge of your health" through world-renowned speaker presentations (Joel Salatin, Amy Berger, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, Dr. Kirk Parsley, Dr. Bill Schindler), networking opportunities, and communal connection through local food and music in Highland County?  Join Positive Momentum, LLC for "Momentum in the Mountains!"   Learn more and register at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/momentum-in-the-mountains-a-health-connections-retreat-tickets-154441319143

• Friday, August 6th - Come celebrate and remember Dorcas Jean Lohr while we party at Mill Alley with Claire's Cake Co. from 5 - 8 pm! Music by Mountain Air, BBQ buffet and beer, wine & cider!  Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on! Free will donation to cover the costs.

• Saturday, August 7th - The Mountain Mama Road Bike Challenge is scheduled to take place on the first Saturday in August in beautiful Highland County, Virginia. The yearly event features 2 States, 3 Counties, 9 mountains, 105 miles, and over 10,000 feet of climb. The challenge features 5 courses of different ability levels.  Learn more at highlandcountyrecreation.org/mountain-mama-road-bike-challenge.html.
    
• The Highland County Farmers Market season is in full swing!  Join in every Friday from 3:30 - 6 pm through October, and learn more at www.facebook.com/HighlandFarmersMarketVA. 

• Looking for more to do in Highland County?  Visit our "Things to Do" page at www.highlandcounty.org/things-to-do/ and our "Community Events & Calendar" page at www.highlandcounty.org/community-events-calendar/.

• Planning your next fishing adventure?  Highland County welcomes you!  Fish Virginia First at https://www.fishvirginiafirst.com/partner_pages/highland-county/.

• Read the Highland County VA Blog interesting articles and view special photos all about Highland County from dark skies to hidden treasures at https://highlandcountyva.blog/.


Grants, Opportunities, and Resources

                            

• It’s not too late to provide YOUR input for Virginia’s next policy-drive strategic plan: Blueprint Virginia 2030 from the Virginia Chamber Foundation!  The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to co-sponsor next week’s FREE virtual meeting representing Region 8 starting from noon to 1:20 pm on Wednesday, July 28th.  Highland County residents can learn more and register today at vachamber.com/blueprintvirginia2030regionaltour/ under Go Virginia Region 8 to attend the virtual meeting and receive a survey link asking for your input.  Add your voice to represent our area!
During the meeting, participants will be asked to engage in an open discussion around the following questions:
• What would be the most impactful improvement your region could make to help it grow and prosper?
• What is a priority for your region that Blueprint Virginia 2030 needs to include?
Note: Region 8 consists of the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro, Winchester; and the counties of Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren.

                           

• The 2021 Virginia Vistas Photo Contest is underway!  Just visit scenicvirginia.org/gallery/2021-photo-contest/ for full details. The deadline for entries is Sunday, August 15 at 11:59 pm.

• An opportunity for local nonprofits!  The Augusta County Fair is BACK and looking for nonprofit organizations who would like to earn some money and can commit 12-16 volunteers daily from July 27-July 31 to take tickets and payments as people enter the Fair. They are also looking for help with the cleanup Tuesday-Saturday requiring 4 people. That group will earn $600 from the fair. Nonprofits can contact Ellen Shaver-Shank at 540-245-5627 or augustacountyfair@gmail.com.  You can follow their Facebook page to keep up to date on other ways you can help and spread the word: www.facebook.com/augustacofair.

• The Staunton-Augusta Rotary Club raises funds each year to reinvest in the well-being of the residents of our community through grants to nonprofit organizations. To apply for one of their Community Grants, your organization must meet the stated criteria and submit a complete application by Friday, July 23, 2021.
For more information and to apply, please visit click this link.

• If the past year taught us anything, it’s that love always finds a way. Despite unusual circumstances, Virginia’s lovers were still popping the question and tying the knot in the most memorable ways.  Virginia Living Magazine invites you to share your wedding day with our editors. Submissions are now open—select couples will be featured in the February 2022 issue of Virginia Living.  Full details and guidelines available at www.virginialiving.com/weddings/weddings-2022/weddings-2022/

*** Calling All Interested in Producing Maple and Other Tree Syrups! ***
Virginia Tech is trying to locate all producers of maple and other tree syrups, no matter the size or scale of their production (from hobbyists to full-scale commercial producers) in the region. One goal of this project supported by VDACS is to start a syrup producers association to help those interested in maple and other syrups like yourself find assistance, equipment, and markets for your syrup. If you want to learn more about producing syrups from maple and other tree species and the new association, please contact Guinevere Unterbrink at guinevereu@vt.edu.  Check out this article at articles.vafb.com/news-and-features/categories/virginia-syrup-producers-can-join-new-statewide-association for more information.
Here's another opportunity:  The Southern Syrup Research Symposium on September 24th and 25th focuses attention on research and extension needs to expand the tree sap industry in “the southern tier” of syrup producing states. This year’s get-together is at WVU in Morgantown, West Virginia.  Join for updates on research and development grants our region has received, to hear from researchers on problems and opportunities specific to our region, and to take part in discussions on the adaptations sap and syrup producers are making to increase yields and maintain quality.  Register at by clicking here!  Get more details and schedule at wvmspa.org/event/southern-syrup-research-symposium-back-again/.

• From the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association: Overtime Wage Act into Effect July 1
The Virginia Overtime Wage Act, Va. Code § 40.1-29.2, went into effect July 1, 2021. This law requires employers in the Commonwealth to pay an overtime wage rate of one and a half times the regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in a work week. Violations of this Act will be enforced by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI). This law does not exempt small businesses from the Overtime Wage Act. Additionally the Commonwealth, its agencies, and localities are also subject to the Act.
 View the FAQs on the new law prepared by DOLI.
 Sign up for the free VRLTA-hosted Wage & Hour Mistakes webinar on July 28.
 Questions on this or any other labor and employment law-related issues? Contact the Department of Labor and industry at laborlaw@doli.virginia.gov or (804) 786-2706.

• More business and nonprofit resources, as well as more grants and opportunities, are available at www.highlandcounty.org/business-and-nonprofit-resources/ and halfway down the page at www.highlandcounty.org/covid-19/

Thank you!