Orange County Schools to host budget roundtable

Superintendent Dan Hornick builds greater transparency into budget process

Oct 19, 2024

Dr. Daniel Hornick, superintendent of the Orange County Public Schools, is convening the school division’s first-ever “Superintendent’s Budget Roundtable” at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Taylor Education Administration Complex. The public is invited to participate.

It was Hornick’s idea to hold the roundtable. He wrote me that he wants “to try to build greater understanding and dialogue about the school budgeting process.”

He said, “My goal is to provide information about the process, gather some feedback about priorities and allow folks to engage in an experiential exercise. The event will include about 15-20 minutes of a presentation about school budgeting. Then, [attendees] will engage in an activity.”

The superintendent didn’t spell out what that activity will be. It’s hard not to wish for something fun, like a group recitation of multiplication tables or Sudoku solving contests. But you’ll have to attend to find out.

Hornick provided the following schedule of Orange County School Board meetings focusing on the budget.

Orange County School Board meetings related to the budget process. Image courtesy of OCPS.

Spotted lanternflies spotted in Orange County

The spotted lanternfly has taken up residence in Orange County. Rocking its gaudy polka dots and flashes of red, the invasive bug sucks up sap and oozes a substance called “honeydew.” These actions can do great damage to trees and other plants.

According to Virginia Extension Agent and horticulturalist Ashley Appling, the insect “is spreading throughout Orange County but is currently worst in the Town of Culpeper and the surrounding area. The Town of Orange and the Locust Grove area currently have the most active spotted lanternfly in Orange County.

“Unfortunately, at this point, they are here to stay since we have established populations. [There is] no need to report spotted lanternfly sightings in our area. Spotted lanternfly does not chew leaves but is instead a phloem feeder (drinking the sugar-rich fluids of the plant),” Appling told me via email.

She added that nymphs, the immature stage of the bug, feast on upwards of 70 plant species but don’t do much harm to their hosts. Meanwhile, the adults like to make their home on the tree of heaven, also known as the paradise tree. Spotted lantern flies also go after grapevines in the late summer and into the fall.

For instructions on getting rid of this invasive insect without harming pollinators or trees and plants, see “Homeowner Suggestions for Managing Spotted Lanternfly,” published by the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Current distribution of the spotted lanternfly in Virginia. Image courtesy of the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Blue Ridge Parkway reopens—partially

In our previous issue, Byrd Street reported that the 469-mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway was closed due to destruction an6d hazards brought about by Hurricane Helene. Now, most of the scenic road on the Virginia side has reopened. The North Carolina portion remains closed while massive cleanup and repair efforts continue.

Damage to the parkway in North Carolina was catastrophic. In an updated release describing the aftermath, the National Park Service states that in North Carolina, “Blue Ridge Parkway crews and National Park Service employees from around the country have so far encountered tens of thousands of trees across the roadway and nearly three dozen rock and mud slides. The slides have occurred above and below the road and have also severely damaged or swept away the roadbed in numerous places.”

The NPS notes that the situation in Virginia was not so dire, “but work still remains to clear roads of trees and brush to make the last portion of the parkway in Virginia safe for use. … As of October 15, the parkway between mile post 0 at Shenandoah National Park and mile post 200.1 is open to the public.”

Just plane fun: Culpeper Air Fest dazzles crowd on delightful day

I’ve been wanting to go the annual Culpeper Air Fest for years. Last Saturday (Oct. 12), I finally got there. Along with hundreds of other fans of aerobatic artistry, I stared in wonder at stunt planes spiraling against a bright blue sky and venerable military planes flying in formation. It was all so pleasing, and I enjoyed the master of ceremony’s energetic and often humorous commentary throughout the show. If you’ve never been, keep an eye out for the 2025 edition and note that admission is free.

(1) Stunt pilot extraordinaire Scott Francis paints the sky in his carbon fiber monoplane weighing a mere 1,179 pounds and speeding up to 310 mph. (2) After his performance, Francis signs autographs for his young fans. (3) A bright yellow plane looks like it's in danger, but not to worry, the pilot's just pranking the crowd. (4) Jennifer Wheelock of Boston, Va., whose daughter, Elise, is a professional pilot, gets a kick out of the air show. (5) According to its website, the Culpeper Air Fest is "a celebration of our aviation heritage" with the goal of honoring "the contributions of historic military aircraft, which helped to secure our nation’s freedom." Photos by Hilary Holladay.

Early voting continues

For info on early voting in Orange County, click here.

Obituaries

Carroll Montgomery “Monty” Gay, 86, Orange; Margaret Elizabeth “Peg” Floyd, 80, Orange County; Sharon Louise Kaltenmark, 86, Locust Grove; Donald Alonzo Lewis, 68, Gordonsville.

Coming up soon

Orange County Public Schools Superintendent’s Budget Roundtable, 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22

23rd Community/Regional Health Fair, Shady Grove Baptist Church, 21024 Piney Woods Road, Orange; free health screenings, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26

“The Art of Happiness,” a Dharma talk by Lama Tashi, The Music Room, 135 East Main St., Orange, 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26

“Gioioso! A Celebration Concert,” music for organ, with brass, chorus and soloists, Orange Presbyterian Church, 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 27

Montpelier Hunt Races, Saturday, Nov. 2

The Arts Center in Orange Annual Fishbowl Fundraiser, 6-9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9