Page County Community Chatter & Latest Obituaries as of July 28, 2023

Luray, VirginiaPhoto byTracy Leicher

New thrift store in town
Good As New to U, a thrift store, will open in East Luray Shopping Center on July 27. They will offer clothes, accessories, household items and more. As of this writing, there is not yet a Facebook page or website. For more information, call 540-843-0287.

Bistro coming to Luray
Harrisonburg-based LOCAL Chop & Grill House has purchased the former Moonshadows restaurant (132 East Main Street) in Luray with plans to open The Chop House Bistro. ABC license application information was recently (publicly) posted. Menu offerings are expected to have a southern flair, with vegan and vegetarian options available. For updates and information, follow @localchops on Facebook. For employment opportunities, click HERE.

Bird netting installed on greenway
Bird netting has been installed beneath the West Main Street Bridge to deter pigeon roosting (and eliminate associated problems) for those walking the Luray Greenway. The netting lays flat on the underside of the bridge and is not expected to be of any harm to other wildlife. For additional information, call (540) 743-5511 or follow @townofluray on Facebook.

Frozen treats in East Luray
A new ice cream shop will soon open behind the Hair Cottage in Luray (903 East Main Street). Froster’s Ice Cream will offer milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits, Hawaiian shaved ice and more. For additional information or to learn about employment opportunities, follow them on Facebook or call (540) 843-3781.

Froster's Ice Cream, LurayPhoto byTracy Leicher

Travel agency and shuttle service
Lori’s Pic-A-Place Travel, LLC, owned by Kerry and Lori Painter, offers everything from airport shuttle service, winery & distillery tours, overnight stays, Disney vacations, Appalachian Trail shuttle service, concert shuttles and more. For more information and service area, visit their website, follow them on Facebook @lorispicaplace or call (540) 742-1090.

Summer cooling help for seniors
Struggling to keep your home cool during the summer months? The Seniors First Senior Cool Care Program can help! The program provides window units or fans to eligible seniors who live in the counties of Page, Frederick, Warren and Shenandoah. To learn more or to see if you qualify, contact the Seniors First (The Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging) main office at 540-635-7141 or email info@seniorsfirst.info.

New learning center/daycare
Charlie’s Guiding Light Early Learning Center, named for Lieutenant Charles Sours, an investigator at the Page County Sheriff’s Office, is now open in Luray. Located at 15 Cave Street (just a few hundred yards from the Luray library), the center offers daycare and educational programs for children. Charlie passed from a long battle with cancer in 2020. Charlie’s sister has now opened the center in his memory. For more information, call (540) 669-7090 or follow Charlies Guiding Light Early Learning Center LLC on Facebook.

Dollar Tree update
There’s been a lot of activity at the Dollar Tree in the East Luray Shopping Center. A peek in the window shows that a substantial amount of display racks have been placed with construction ongoing. A banner has now been placed out side of the store to announce that they are finally opening soon.

Dollar Tree, Luray (July, 2023)Photo byTracy Leicher

Greenway mural painting
The town of Luray announced on Facebook that the mural beneath the Rt 211 bridge is being repainted due to previous graffiti damage. For additional information, call (540) 743-5511 or follow @townofluray on Facebook.

School staff pay increases
The Page County School Board has made 5-percent increases official. Contracts will be reissued to faculty and staff. For the complete story and budget details, visit the Page Valley News story HERE.

New self storage
A large banner in the empty lot next to Hawksbill Brewery is announcing plans for a self storage facility to be built on the property.

Photo byTracy Leicher

Coffee company applies for liquor license
Broad Porch Coffee (20 West Main Street, Luray) has applied for an ABC license. For updates, hours and menu, follow them on Facebook @broadporchcoffeeco or visit them online at www.broadporchcoffee.com. They are currently hiring for a bakery assistant. The full job description may be viewed HERE.

Free gym memberships for clinic patients
Page County Free Clinic has announced it will offer FREE memberships to the new Steel Valley Fitness gym at East Luray Shopping Center, in Luray. If you’re a current patient, and interesting in signing up for the free gym membership, email pagefreeclinic@gmail.comor stop by the clinic in person any Tuesday from 4pm – 7pm. For information about the gym’s facilities, visit @steel.valley.fitness on Facebook, or visit steelvalleyfit.com.

No lifeguard at lake
The town of Luray reminds visitors that Lake Arrowhead will be "Swim at Your Own Risk" for the remainder of the summer season. This is due to staff shortages. For additional information, call (540) 743-5511 or follow @townofluray on Facebook.

Aaron Cubbage Q & A
Aaron Cubbage for Sheriff will broadcast its ninth episode of “Connect with Your Candidate” on July 31 at 7:45 pm. Cubbage will be answering previously-submitted questions. If you would like to submit a question, please follow this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GDQLKJR. To view this video event or archived videos, follow @ AaronCubbageForPageCountySheriff on Facebook, call (540) 244-8901 or email aaroncubbageforsheriff@gmail.com.

Fairview Grocery changing hands
Recently, the operators of Fairview Market and Deli announced that their lease will expire at the end of July. On July 5, Daisy’s Country Cravings Market and Deli announced (via their Facebook page) that they will be assuming ownership of the grocery, with new meal options and additional seating planned. For updates, follow Fairview Market and Deli on Facebook @FairviewGrocery.

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LATEST OBITUARIES

Photo byTracy Leicher

Gladys Lisanby – Formerly of Luray
Gladys Elnora Kemp Lisanby, 94, of Arlington, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2023, at her home.

Todd Kellison – Luray
Todd Keith Kellison, 57, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023.

James Housden – Luray
James Keith Housden, 91, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2023, at Hawksbill Assisted Living.

Charles Burner – Luray
Charles Leonard "Mudball" Burner, 81, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville

Eric Dewhirst – Rileyville
Eric Dewhirst, 79, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at Blue Ridge Hospice in Winchester.

Chad Beahm — Stanley
Chad Aaron Beahm, 33, passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Jerry Greene – Stanley
Jerry Wayne Greene, 44, passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023.

Beatrice Tutt – Luray
Beatrice Elaine "Bea" Tutt, 65, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 21, 2023.

James Story, Jr – Luray
James Wilber Story Jr., 80, passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Skyview Springs Nursing and Rehab.

Maria Darnell - Rileyville
Maria Annette (Harvey) Darnell passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Kenneth Cullers – Luray
Kenneth William Cullers, 88, passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at his home.