Cedar Creek and Belle Grove host trench tours
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Park announced they will offer ranger-guided tours of Civil War trenches on Sunday mornings beginning May 21st.
The walks will start at 10 AM and last about an hour.
Walks will follow a half mile of the trenches which were dug days before the Battle of Cedar Creek to fortify the United States position south of Middletown and stretched about a mile north of Valley Pike.
Rangers recommend bringing water, suitable walking shoes, and insect repellant.
Participants should meet at the entrance to the 19th Corps Trails on Route 11 2.4 miles south of the NPS Visitor Center in Middletown.
Additional dates for the walks include June 4th, September 17th, and October 4th.
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Middletown celebrates Arbor Day
Middletown celebrates the 151st Anniversary of Arbor Day and the 51st anniversary of the Arbor Day foundation with an event today.
At 1 pm, guests are invited to a ceremonial planting of a Cherokee Dogwood Tree along Main Street, across from the Wayside Inn and Larrick’s Tavern.
The tree, which was donated by Meadows Farms of Winchester, will be planted to honor Marine Corps Veteran and Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Winsome Earle-Sears.
She is a native of Frederick County and will be attending the event.
Stick around following the tree planting for a special surprise.
The event will be held rain or shine.
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Middletown approves Town Manager and Public Works Superintendent
The Town of Middletown announced the unanimous approval of Les Morefield as Town Manager and Public Works Superintendent.
He has served in an interim role since November 2022.
Morefield originally worked for Middletown Public Works in 1988 and then returned in 2019 as the Public Works Superintendent.
He brings with him over 33 years of government experience including 24 of those in supervisory roles.
Mayor Charles Harbaugh IV is proud of the work Morefield has done since taking over as town manager saying, “Les has the highest degree of integrity, he is always looking out for the residents of Middletown.”
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Military Tribute Banner Program comes to Middletown
The Town of Middletown announced their participation in the Military Tribute Banner Program.
Community leaders from Middletown and other areas of the Northern Shenandoah Valley came up with the plan as part of the Hometown Veterans Heroes Formation Committee.
The project aims to honor veterans who currently are or have been residents of the area with banners hung throughout the town’s Main Street.
The banners will be sponsored by individuals or businesses and hang from Memorial Day to Veterans Day.
Orders are accepted through March 1st.
For more information on the project or how to purchase, click here.
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Middletown announces New Year’s plans
The Town of Middletown announced their new family friendly event, First Night Middletown.
The celebration will take place at the Town Office on New Years Eve from 6 pm – 9 pm.
The event is in partnership with the Winchester Model Railroad Club which is moving their headquarters to Middletown and helping to rebuild the B&O Railroad Station.
Visitors will get a glimpse at the new station as the top floor of the office will feature model, operating railroad layouts.
There will also be kids activities, magical performances from Kevin Owens and live music.
Old Town Winchester announced earlier this year that their annual First Night celebration will no longer take place.
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Middletown celebrates with Tree Lighting Ceremony
‘Tis the season in Middletown as they got in the Christmas spirit with their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony last night.
They welcomed Super Bowl Champion and Washington legend Brian Mitchell as a special guest to help light the tree which is located off Reliance Road as you are entering Middletown.
Middletown will continue their festivities next weekend with their Christmas Parade down Main Street next Saturday at 2:00 pm.
If you’re in Middletown anytime through the holidays, don’t forget to stop by their mailbox to Santa and Mrs. Claus to drop off your letters which they have promised Mayor Harbaugh to respond to.
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VDOT begins exit 300 improvement project
The Virginia Department of Transportation is planning to shut down the ramp between I-66 westbound and I-81 southbound overnight from November 6th to November 9th.
The ramp and lane closures will take place from 8 pm to 7 am.
During that time, the left southbound lane of I-81 will also be closed between mile marker 303 and 298.
Motorists traveling from 66 to 81 southbound will need to first follow 81 north to exit 302 in Middletown then use that interchange to enter 81 south.
This is the beginning of the exit 300 improvement project which will extend the acceleration lane and replace the bridge over Route 840.
The work zone around the area will then be 55 mph for the remainder of the project.
The project is scheduled for completion in November of 2024 and will cost over $7 million.
For additional information on the project, click here.
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Middletown secures property for preservation
Middletown announced the purchase and preservation of better than 20 acres of property.
At Middletown’s First Street location Mayor Harbaugh announced the purchase of 20 acres of land by Middletown from the Bernstein Foundation on Oct. 27.
The land was purchased with the intention of preserving the property.
The purchase and preservation effort will prevent the building of 80 new homes in the town.
Thanks to the efforts of the Bernstein Foundation the town was able to purchase the property at a significant discount.
The foundation’s namesake Leo Bernstein had a keen interest in American History and preservation.
The 20 acres of land was added to by generous donations of pieces of property adjunct to the Bernstein property giving Middletown 35 persevered properties within the town limits.
Also at the presentation it was announced that thanks to a generous donation of $100,000.00 by Dave Holliday Construction the Winchester Railroad Club will relocate to Middletown.
Other donors to the Railroad Club cause includes Thomas Lash, Lenny Millholland, Robert Kendall and former Winchester Mayor Larry Omps.
With the funds the town hopes to reconstruct a vintage B&O Train Station that will house a Railroad Club museum.
Additional donations will be graciously accepted to accomplish that goal you can contact the Middletown Government to find out more.
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News Maker Rebecca Layman on a C-CAP food drive
Middletown will host a food drive for the Frederick County C-CAP with an exciting event on Church Street starting at 5 p.m. Fri. Oct. 14.
We spoke to Middletown’s Town Manager Rebecca Layman about the event in our latest news maker.
News makers are brought to you by Warren County Together We are Community.
Rebecca tells us that you can bring a nonperishable food item to Church Street by 5 Fri.
She also tells us that there will be the added incentive of a Civil War battle reenactment at the same time.
Rebecca also tells us that the plan for the night of Oct. 15 and of a special announcement to be made Oct. 27.
Click here for Rebecca’s interview.
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News Maker Rebecca Layman on Middletown’s July 4
Once again this year Middletown will hold one of the area’s largest celebrations on the 4th July.
The celebration will be a full day starting at 8 a.m. lasting until the fireworks around 9 p.m. Mon. July 4.
We spoke with Middletown’s Town Manager Rebecca Layman about it in our latest news maker.
News makers are brought to you by Warren County Together We are Community.
Rebecca tells us about all the activities that are planned for this full day.
She also tells us there is still time to get involved by either joining their parade or becoming a sponsor.
Click here for Rebecca’s interview.
If you would like to become a part of the celebration click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.