The Best Gift Ideas To Give Your Wife For Any Occasion
When it comes to finding the perfect gift for your wife, we realize it can be a daunting task. Rest assured that I have searched high and low to find the most unique and interesting gifts on the planet. The best gift idea for your wife is something that shows you know her, understand her and appreciate her. The gift ideas should come from the heart. The best way to come up with them is to think of all the things she loves and all the things that make her life easier. Shopping for your wife doesn’t have to be a chore if you know where to look. Once you learn what she likes, buying presents for your wife suddenly becomes much easier Designer Perfumes Designer perfumes are always the safest gifts to give on any occasion or event. No matter who the recipient is, designer perfumes make a perfect gift for men, women, and even kids. So go ahead and choose from a wide range of branded perfumes at affordable rates and let your loved ones know how much you care about them through this thoughtful yet precious gift idea! Spa Day Spa days are great because they allow her to unwind, relax, and be pampered by someone else. Who doesn’t want that? It also gives her a chance to get dressed up and feel good about herself while maybe even meeting a friend or two. A spa day can be short or long, depending on how many treatments she wants and how much money you’re willing to spend. Make sure you check out any online reviews before booking, though, so that she’s getting the best experience possible. Diamond Rings A diamond ring can be a wonderful romantic gesture for any occasion. Diamond rings can be expensive or inexpensive depending on what sort of diamond ring you get, the size of the diamonds, etc. You can even go ahead and search online ‘diamond rings for sale in Dayton OH’ and decide which one suits her better. There are so many different styles and shapes of diamond rings available – heart-shaped, square, round – there are several unique options out there that will make anyone feel special. Just the mere fact that you’re willing to go out of your way and order something like a diamond ring for her tells her more than any gift ever could. Gift Cards Gift cards can make great birthday gifts for your wife. Knowing what to get your wife for her birthday is never easy, but if she has a favorite store or the best Greek restaurants downtown Cincinnati, she can always use a gift card to that place. Getting a present she wants is easier when you choose something from a place you know she loves. Plus, it’s something small you can get that won’t take up much space. Designer Handbag Every woman needs a good bag to carry around with all of her stuff in it. But a stylish designer Gucci bag for sale can also add something special to an outfit — and make it easier for her to find things inside it! Also, if you want to help her stay organized through the holiday season and beyond, she’ll love a spacious leather handbag featuring a detachable crossbody strap for easy carrying. With two large shoulder straps and an interior zipper pocket, this bag is perfect for when your wife needs to carry more than just her essentials. Photobook For a truly personal and unique gift for your wife, a photo book is a way to go. By collecting all of your favorite moments from the past year and creating a photo book in minutes, it will be a gift she will cherish forever. This is not just any photobook: a Mixbook photo book allows you to combine photos with text and backgrounds for added creativity and also helps you create books that are as personalized as possible. If you’re looking to develop a customized album of your wedding or honeymoon day, Mixbook has an abundant collection of wedding-themed and honeymoon-themed books that are sure to make the day extra special! If you want something even more special than just photos, consider making a scrapbook with all of the essential memories (depending on when you got married). As a bonus, if you have children together or had kids in the same year as your wedding, consider making multiple books encompassing each child’s years as well. Flowers A classic gift that never goes out of style is a bouquet of fresh flowers. It’s the perfect way to show your wife how much you love her, and it’s something that she can enjoy every day. You can send your wife flowers for any occasion – a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or “just because.” With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to find a beautiful bouquet she’ll love. For example, roses are an elegant and sophisticated choice for an anniversary gift and are always fun for an occasional surprise. If you can’t decide on a specific flower or color scheme, you can always go with a mixed bouquet. Your wife will be delighted when she receives this special delivery!
No Democratic Challenger To Oppose Obama
Karl Rove, a Republican Strategist, listed a number of reasons he did not think President Barack Obama would be successful in the 2012 Presidential election. The list of factors noted by Rove in his compelling case against the reelection of Obama includes a sour economy that Rove felt was unlikely to improve before the election, a dissatisfied Democratic base, multiple blunders by the president, and less support from seniors and independent voters. The analysis from Rove did not include a number of other problems that plagued the first four years of the Obama presidency. These problems include what many see as poor handling of problems in the Middle East, the high price of gas in America, and declining approval rates. But despite all the things that are seemingly working against President Obama, there was one major advantage in his favor: The path to his renomination was without obstacle. It has been noted for some time that candidates who face minimal opposition in party primaries have a much easier path to reelection. Those who face stiffer challenges in primary elections often do not fare as well in November. Fortunately, no such challenges for Obama exist. If it did, it would be quite a challenge for him to win reelection. The question has been often asked how a president could successfully reach out to independents voters from across the aisle in the fall when they cannot unite their own party in the primaries. For the most part, the evidence has shown they cannot. A major challenge in the primary represents a debilitating exercise for a president in search of reelection. Fighting off these challenges are expensive. They demand the attention of the White House, and they open the incumbent up to months of challenges from within his or her own party. Five incumbent presidents have lost their bid for reelection since the American political system turned to the party primary system a year ago. This list includes William Taft, Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter, Gerald R. Ford, and George H.W. Bush. Each of them lost elections after facing significant challenges in the primary elections. Hoover is perhaps the only one of the five who would have lost their bid for reelection even without a significant threat from a primary challenger. The Great Depression was underway when Hoover sought reelection and the American people seemed to place a lot of the blame for the economic state of the country on Hoover. The other four had a good chance to gain reelection if not for the fights they endured from primary challengers. The first of the four, William Taft, ran for reelection in 1912. Despite running in an era that saw Republicans do very well, Taft found himself in a tough primary fight against Theodore Roosevelt. This led to a weakened position for Taft in the fall after surviving the war with Roosevelt. In 1972, Gerald R. Ford suffered the misfortune of being too closely linked with Richard Nixon. Ford was the vice-president when Nixon was forced to resign. He was appointed to the position of president and had not been elected. Due to the way he gained office, he did not have the full support of the party. He narrowly escaped with a primary win against Ronald Reagan but was unable to gain presidential reelection. Four years later, Jimmy Carter ran for reelection while dealing with a number of problems. After a long and tough primary victory against Sen. Edward Kennedy, Jimmy Carter lost out on the opportunity to enjoy a second term in the White House to George H.W. Bush. Bush was the last of the president’s to fail in a bid for reelection. He received a modest primary challenge from Pat Buchannan but seemed unable to recover from going back on his famous ‘no new taxes’ campaign promise. Independent Ross Perot sealed Bush’s fate when he entered the race and split the Republican vote. Bush lost his reelection bid to Bill Clinton. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
New law shuts down local internet business
Online gambling has been such an issue in the past that large parts of the United States have gone together and tried to completely ban it so that residents aren’t able to easily waste all their money away just by a simple click. However, some businesses have tried to get around the ban by looking into loopholes in which they can operate gambling services without being shut down through the government. One of these loopholes was used by operating services that were based on “sweepstakes”. The idea of sweepstakes being used instead of traditional gambling when offering services is that a business can offer games in which the outcome was already predicted, breaking away from traditional gambling. Local businesses in Virginia such as Match Point and Armory Station were able to operate under these loopholes by exchanging Internet time for customers to gain the ability to enter these sweepstakes. While legislators in Virginia have said that they believe this is completely gambling, business owners have thought otherwise as the owner of Match Point, Azhar Kahn, has been on record to say that he believes that his sweepstakes services are similar to scratch-off tickets in that they aren’t the only thing they offer along with the results being pre-determined as well. Explanations about sweepstakes services didn’t change the outcome in the end when it came to legality as legislators got together to try to change how these businesses operate. The loophole that has allowed sweepstakes to operate has been open for a long time. However, it only gained public scrutiny earlier in 2011 when one business was found to be operating their sweepstakes services by allowing each of their customers to use their sweepstakes entries on computers that would show a virtual slot machine being pulled. Legislators quickly took action after the public learned about this in enacting a law that completely banned sweepstakes businesses from operating as of July 1st, 2011. This law was quickly took in action by not even the police but landlords who have forced businesses to not operate anymore such as Lucky’s Sweepstakes which was a business in Virginia that was completely locked out one day from even entering their store. Lucky’s Sweepstakes was a unique target as they were successful enough to be open 24 hours certain days of the week, meaning that landlords weren’t too concerned about their tenants not being able to pay their rent. Scrutiny from the state and landlords have led many business owners in Virginia to be mad about their rights to operate a business. Before closing down his business, Azhar Kahn of Match Point talked about his role in the local community and how he was making money. Kahn said “It’s not gaming, it’s more entertainment.”, believing that he was only creating a place for locals to be able to enjoy themselves. Additionally, Kahn believes that the state of Virginia isn’t helping many local business owners and those that are trying to move to the state as they are being discouraged from operating a business that can help them bring money to the table. Either way, other sweepstakes business owners didn’t agree to fight the law moving forward as they either have completely shut down their business or methods of communication such as the phone line for Lucky Cafe which was operating a sweepstakes business. As this loophole was patched, Virginia legislators have been on record to say they are going to be looking into more ways that residents of Virginia could be losing money from gambling. In words of delegate Bill Barlow, gambling online is too easy to not be regulated. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Wood pellet manufacturers setting up shop in southeastern va nc
Wood biomass fuel has quickly emerged as a big deal around the world, and wood pellets are a form of a timber-derived product that is converted to energy. To prove the point, three companies have recently announced plans to establish wood pellet manufacturing facilities within the area. One of these sites being seriously considered is the former International Paper mill in Franklin. There are three others proposed. In Europe, wood pellets are all the rage for producing electricity. Add in the abundance of the southern yellow pine tree here in the area along with the area’s Atlantic port advantages, and it all comes together. Jason Berthiaume, a membership coordinator for the Pellet Fuels Institute in Arlington, has told reporters that southeastern regions of the United States have become home to these kinds of wood pellet manufacturing companies. An example of this would include Wood Fuel Developers in Chester. In January 2010, the company released a press release that stated plans to build an $18.7 million pellet plant in Greensville County. The business was expected to create close to 40 jobs. Only a year later, Wood Fuel Developers now proposes to replace a shuttered particleboard plant. The company has a plan for a new manufacturing center for wood pellets in Waverly. The $8.6 million project is expected to deliver 28 jobs to Sussex County. Another wood pellet manufacturer is making news around here. Enviva, the globe’s largest wood pellet producer, announced in December its plans for the construction for a wood-pellet factory in Ahoskie, N.C. The biomass fuel experts plan to employ more than 50 at the plant. The site features the former Georgia Pacific lumber facility. Enviva’s new plant would have the capacity to generate 350,000 tons of wood pellets annually. The new building is scheduled to open later this year. Enviva is not done yet. Back in February, the company had purchased the Giant Cement Co. port terminal in Chesapeake. The price tag for that one came in at a hefty $11.7 million. The facility will be designed to export its wood biomass products, including those made from Ahoskie. Franklin Pellets is another company looking to do business here. Franklin Pellets is a newly formed alliance between Multifuels and CMI. In April, the company announced its interest in using International Paper in Franklin for a wood pellet facility. The mill is expected to begin operations in about a year and a half. How many jobs the new facility would create is not known at this time. Former Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe is a partner with Peter O’Keefe. O’Keefe says that opening a wood pellet plant is a sound decision because it’s a market in Europe that has sky-rocketed, and the numbers seem to tell the story. According to O’Keefe, the market has jumped from 11 million tons burned last year and should reach upwards of 100 million by the year 2020. O’Keefe believes that the southeastern part of the nation is excellent for the wood pellet industry because of its ready wood supply and manpower. He says that folks living in the area get it when it comes to the timber trade and have been involved with the industry for about a century. Berthiaume adds that when it comes to wood pellet use around here, it’s a great option for heating homes and commercial establishments because the capsule-sized pellets are more economical and a cleaner choice than something like electric or oil heat. Looking ahead to the future, Berthiaume believes that fuel prices will command the industry’s growth. When fuel oil prices run high, the pellet industry profits. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Scholarships for fall semester still available
Fall Semester Scholarships Still Available Time still remains for interested individuals to apply for fall scholarships. The following is a few of the scholarships available to students at PDCCC. Bertella C. Westbrook Scholarship for Nursing Bertella Westbrook is a registered nurse who is a great supporter of the field and an advocate for educational opportunity. A $750 scholarship has been established in her honor that is available in both the spring and fall semesters. The following criteria are necessary to be considered for this scholarship: Acceptance to the PDCCC nursing program. Residency in the PDCCC service area. Three recommendation letters. A written essay on why the candidate chose nursing as a profession. Dean Nancy Sandberg Scholarship The $500 scholarship named in honor of Dean Nancy Sandberg is available to students who are at least 25 years old and possess a GED or high school diploma. Applicants should also be enrolled at PDCCC and obtain two letters of recommendation. Finally, each applicant must write an essay that explains there financial need and why they view PDCCC as a place that provides “second chances.” Perry W. Barnett Scholarship Perry Barnett was the “larger than life” welding instructor who worked at PDCCC for a number of years. The $500 scholarship in his honor was started by friend Nancy Pindur with some help from other friends, family, and colleagues of Barnett. The scholarship is available to welding students at PDCCC who demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Jim Lassiter Faculty association Scholarship Students who are chosen for the Jim Lassiter Scholarship receive their awards letter in the Fall and have the option of renewing the scholarship in the spring. The scholarship will pay for up to six hours of tuition for students. Applicants must have a 3.25 grade point average to apply for the Jim Lassiter Scholarship and must maintain this GPA to renew for a second semester. Applicants must also write an essay that explains the future changes they see in store for the education profession. Shirley N. Barnes Scholarship This scholarship was founded by the former president of PDCCC, Dr. Edwin Barners. Barnes started the scholarship to honor his wife, Shirley. The scholarship is for $250 and is available to students who demonstrate a financial need. Applicants must also possess a 2.5 grade point average. PDCCC Golf Tournament The PDCCC hosts an annual golf tournament each August in Franklin at the Cyprus Cove Country Club. The Paul Camp Community College Golf Event is used by the foundation to raise money for student scholarship funds and purchase equipment for faculty. This year’s tournament will be held on August 29 and is set to begin at 1:00 P.M. The cost to participate for each person is $75 and includes carts, green fees, range balls, a box lunch, and drinks. The tournament will be played in a four-team format. Players without a team will be placed with other golfers. The tournament is limited to 144 golfers so early registration is recommended. The following sponsorship packages are available: Gold Package – Pays for four green fees, four carts, and sponsors receive a hole sign. the cost is $500. Silver Package – Pays for one hole sign. The cost is $300. There will be a number of tournaments and prizes to win including $250 for any golfer that scores a hole-in-one. Certificates and prizes will also be given for winners in the categories of straightest drive, longest drive, and closest to the pin. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Water Moccasins Eat Catfish for Breakfast
On a warm Memorial Day, Erik Neave went fishing in the Nottoway River in Southampton County. He was in for a surprise that would remind him to be cautious while out on the water. He spotted a 6-foot long water moccasin having a 1.5–2-pound catfish for breakfast. This is an exceptionally large snake and one that is the source of many myths and legends. What Is A Water Moccasin? A water moccasin is a type of viper and a snake whose bite can be fatal. They are found throughout the south and along the east coast. They are also known as the swamp moccasin, black moccasin and cottonmouth. They often range from 2-4 feet long and have a thick body. Their favorite prey is frogs, but catfish, bass, bluegill, salamanders and other snakes are also on the menu. They spend much of their time in the water hunting, but they can be found on sunning themselves on the banks and logs. The cottonmouth gets its name from its behavior when startled. When frightened, it will open its mouth wide to show its fangs and the inside of its white mouth. They are not known to be aggressive unless they are defending their territory. Often the threat is more than enough to make the animal back away. If not, they may receive a potentially fatal bite. How Dangerous Are They Really? There is no doubt that the threat display of the water moccasin will get the animal more than its amount of due respect, and with good reason. They have a reputation for being aggressive, and stories abound of them trying to crawl in boats. If a water moccasin was trying to crawl in a boat or canoe, it might have thought the boat was a floating log. They are not trying to “get you.” Another legend is that cottonmouths will hang out in trees waiting to drop into passing boats. Water mocassins will climb trees, but not often. More than likely these were common water snakes that look similar to water moccasins and like to hang out in trees. If they happen to land in your boat, it was probably just luck, not an aggressive attack. They are nonvenomous but are often the target of unfounded attacks because they are mistaken for their deadly lookalikes. Water mocassins generally will not strike unless they feel they have no other choice. They will try to get away, but if they think they have no choice, they will stand their ground. Snakes, including water mocassins, are prey for hawks and owls. Their first instinct is to head to the water when they feel threatened. Local legend would have you believe that you need to add water moccasins to your list of fears, but in actuality, there are less than ten deaths every year from snakebites. A majority of them are from rattlesnakes, with copperheads coming in second. It is highly unlikely that a water moccasin will try to get in a boat in an attempt to kill everyone, but this makes a much better fishing tale around the campfire than a frightened nonvenomous snake trying to get away. That does not mean that we should abandon a healthy respect for them. It is important to keep an eye out and try not to frighten any snake that you see. This is also not to say that this did not happen to someone at some time in the past. It is just not as likely to happen as these colorful fishing tales would have you believe. For the most part, have a healthy respect for nature and keep calm, it will more than likely go away. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Homeschooling Transformed Over The Decades
There’a trend among education that’s been growing for the last several decade. Homeschooling involves a parent educating their child at home. They don’t put them in school, and they are in charge of what their child learns. Homeschoolers used to face a lot of scrutiny. Many people thought that these children couldn’t get a decent education, and they were not as socialized as their peers. As homeschooling has evolved so have these feelings. Homeschooling has transformed quite a bit over the decades. There’s No Longer Shame Homeschoolers used to feel isolated. Many parents would hide their decison to homeschool over shame. They didn’t want others to bash their decision to educate their children at home. Today, homeschooling has become more socially acceptable. A majority of homeschooling parents no longer feel as if they need to hide the fact that they are homeschooling. In fact, many of them feel proud about their choice to educate their children at home. Because homeschooling is no longer looked at as being taboo, the number of homeschoolers has grown substantially. In 1975, only around 20,000 children were homeschooled each year. That number has grown to over two million currently. Many Options Available There are many more options for homeschoolers than there were in the past. Academics go far beyond workbooks and worksheets. Children can learn through computer courses, or they can take co-op classes led by other homeschooling parents. Parents don’t have to be former teachers in order to successfully educate their child. If they don’t know how to teach a subject, they can find someone that can teach it for them. Parents are also able to find a lot more options as far as extracurricular activities go. Many cities have sports programs just for homeschoolers. These can include everything from soccer to gymnastics. It’s No Longer Just About Religion Many families used to homeschool because of their religious beliefs. While some families still do homeschool for this reason, others homeschool because they worry about violence in schools, want an education that is tailored to their child’s needs or are needing some flexibility in their schedule that traditional schools can’t provide. Today you can find homeschool families from all religions, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. Homeschooling Is Legally Protected Parents don’t have to worry about facing legal action against them just because they homeschool. Homeschooling has been legal in every state since the 1990s. For parents who are worried about their right to homeschool, they can join a legal defense association that protects homeschoolers. While it isn’t necessary to join one, these associations can provide parents with the piece of mind in knowing that they have extra protection if someone questions their right to homeschool their children. Colleges Are Recruiting Homeschoolers Parents no longer need to worry about their homeschoolers being accepted into college. Many colleges are recruiting homeschoolers because they see what an asset they are. They have found that homeschooled children tend to be more motivated, driven and are better prepared for life than many of their peers. In conclusion, homeschooling has changed a lot over the decades. It went from something that many parents hid to something that has grown leaps and bounds. Homeschooling parents now have more rights than they have ever had, and there are numerous options available to educate your child at home. As both public and private schools continue to have difficulty trying to educate the vast amount of children in their classrooms, homeschooling may continue to gain even more popularity in the decades to come. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Peanut crops expected to be down this year
At the same time cotton growers in Virginia are planning to increase their planting in the coming spring, peanut growers in the state are planning to reduce such plantings. Peanut planting in the state is expected to be reduced by more than 20% this planting season, from 18,000 acres to 14,000 acres. This is according to an estimate made by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Due to drought in the previous season, peanut growers in the state had a poor year. Peanut yields dropped and they produced 27% less peanuts than they did the year before. Del Cotton, who is the director of the Franklin-based Virginia Peanut Growers Association, forecast the decrease in peanut planting last month. He said that planters would not be growing as much peanuts as the year before, especially in light of current cotton prices. Cotton added that he expects to see a decrease in peanut production in both Isle of Wight and Southampton counties, as what is true of the state as a whole is true of those two counties as well. Of Virginia’s 18,000 acres of peanuts last year, Southampton County produced 6,800 acres of it while Isle of Wight County produced an additional 2,300 acres. In the year prior to this, of Virginia’s 12,000 acres of peanuts, Southampton County produced 4,800 acres of it and Isle of Wight County produced another 1,200 acres. Cotton mentioned two major challenges that are affecting peanut growers in the area. The first concern is the recent economic downturn and the second is the bad winter weather. Also, the demand for snack and candy peanuts has decreased during the previous 5 years. At the same time, there has been a more than 20% increase in demand for peanut butter. The problem is that Virginian peanuts are mostly used for snacks and candy while cheaper peanuts produced out of the state are what are mostly used for producing peanut butter. These peanuts are typically grown by other southeastern states. While the demand for Virginian peanuts has softened considerably, the demand for the state’s cotton has risen dramatically, along with the prices of it. This has led many farmers in the state to switch from peanuts to cotton. Jonah Bowles, who is an agriculture market analyst for the Virginia Peanut Growers Association, says that cotton is not the only crop in the state that has seen significant rises in prices. According to him, both soybean and corn prices have also risen. Bowles went on to say that cotton ending stocks have never been as low as they are right now. At the same time, demand for cotton in China has increased considerably. He added that, for a number of weeks, the price for cotton exceeded $2 per pound. He further said that, at the moment, corn is winning the battle for acreage over soybeans. Gary Cross, who is a farmer in Southampton County that grows both peanuts and cotton, warns that peanut growers in the state could in fact reduce peanut crops even further than what has been estimated by the government. He said that peanut production is largely dependent on whether or not the spring weather is conducive toward peanut planting. Cross insists that spring weather is such a key factor in determining the planting of peanuts that he could change his mind over whether or not to plant them on the very day that he intends to plant to them, or pretty close to this date. He indicated that if the region experiences a particularly dry spring, he will be more likely to plant cotton instead of peanuts. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Murfreesboro tractor brings record bid
When it comes to farming equipment built to last, the John Deere brand is a famous one and always in demand. As proof, a recent estate sale for the late Vernon Joyner brought in a record whopping amount for a vintage tractor in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. A Canadian collector took home the big haul and won the bid at $23,250. Joyner’s widow, Agnes, told reporters that she knew the 1972 tractor was a classic model and that plenty of folks were eyeing the auction piece. She believed it could go for about $13,000, but when the bidding continued, she knew the tractor would deliver a considerably higher amount. She’s thankful that her husband’s old tractor sold for a such a hefty price. The sale of the 1972 John Deere 2520 tractor (side console, SN# 023060R) was conducted by Rich and Rich Bonded Auctioneers International, Inc. According to reports, interested bidders arrived from Texas, Indiana and Ohio to the farm estate auction on January 6th, 2011. Word has it that the late Vernon Joyner took very good care of his farm equipment during his long farming career, and it’s paid off well for his widow. He used the tractor for a good 38 years, and back in those days, Joyner paid $8,9802 for the power shift model. Even before the sale took place, interested parties called from around the country asking about the JD tractor. The particular model is one that is hard to hunt down today, and some folks like to purchase vintage tractors as a collection, and others are interested in completing their fleet of tractors from the 20s series, for example. Vaughn says the early pre-bidding interest was a good indication that it was a hot item that would do very well, but when the bidding went past the expected amount, the auctioneers knew it was quite a rare piece. Vaughn expected the tractor to bring in about $17,000, but the vintage item surprised even experts like himself. For example, Vaugn listed other examples of old John Deere tractors that have recently sold at auctions: A 1969 John Deere 3020 sold at auction for $8,900. A JD L, unstyled brought in a price tag of $13,250. Before Vernon Joyner’s 1972 John Deere 2520 was put up for auction, the record-high bid for a JD 2520 tractor had brought in $18,500. That vintage tractor was part of a major collector’s auction in July that was held at Wolf Point, MT, on July 17, 2010. Vintage tractors are a hot commodity, and even the Wall St. Journal recently featured an article about old tractors making excellent investments. The John Deere brand happens to be one of those in-demand farming equipment items folks are seeking. As the old saying goes, “If it’s painted green, it’s worth green.” If anyone is familiar with JD equipment, they cannot help but notice the bright green-colored, rugged machines. Even today, you can walk into a John Deere dealer location and purchase an engine gasket that goes with a 1932 model A, according to vintage experts. John Deere was originally a blacksmith and designed his first farm plow at age 33. The late Vernon Joyner appears to have been an organized individual because he left behind the tractor’s old invoice. Agnes Joyner found the almost 40-year-old receipt and says the serial number on her husband’s tractor matched the serial number on the receipt. At the moment, no one knows much about the new owner of Vernon Joyner’s 1972 John Deere 2520 tractor. He’s from Canada, but that’s about it. He is an unnamed collector. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Windsor alpaca farm to host shearing day
Most people probably aren’t aware of this, but Virginia is alpaca-crazy with the beautiful creature. The state has more than 100 alpaca farms, and the United States has more than 150,000 alpacas. If you’ve never been close to these amazing animals, now there’s a wonderful event happening that is great for folks of all ages. Cornerstone Farm Alpacas in Windsor will host its Shearing Day Open House, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, April 8, at 26298 Spivey Town Road. The farm is located in the heart of Isle of Wight County in southeastern Virginia. Visitors will see demonstrations of spinning, weaving and felting by the owners Daren and Chris Wingard. There will be plenty of craft items, concessions by Isle of Wight 4-H Club and music by local bluegrass/gospel band, Route 58. The farm yarn/gift shop will also be open. Admission is $1. Children 4 and under get in free. So what is an alpaca, you ask? An alpaca is a long-haired animal related to the llama and is from South America. These animals are revered for their exceptional wool or fiber. The wool is very soft and very durable. National Geographic says that alpaca fur is the second strongest animal fiber after mohair. It may sound hard to believe, but alpaca produce wool in 22 different shades. The special wool has often been called one of the world’s greatest natural fibers. Chris Wingard would like folks to see the beauty of the alpaca and its gentle personality and intelligence. Visitors will be able to pet the animals and get to feel the elegance of their fur wool fiber. Wingard says that most people are surprised to find that the fiber feels as soft as cashmere. “Alpaca fiber is softer, stronger and warmer than wool,” says Winguard. Winguard says that the goal is to have enough alpacas to develop a national textile mill. The alpaca is easy to handle and train, according to experts. Shearing an alpaca is important because this animal does not shed its fur. If its fur or fiber is not removed, the animal will overheat during the summer. Shearing keeps an alpaca comfortable and healthy. The practice is usually done once a year. Do not be mistaken, however. Alpaca are not sheep and cannot be shorn in the same manner because its physical body is different than a sheep’s. Shearing day at Cornerstone Farm Alpacas will be educational as visitors witness this interesting and normal animal care process and see how the wool or fiber is removed. The Cornerstone Farms Alpaca website explains what the owners do with the animals, and it centers around the alpaca’s fiber. “The leg and belly fiber is used for rugs, blankets or composting. The neck fiber can be used to make yarn, but it is primarily the blanket that we get our best yarn and roving from.” Cornerstone Farm Alpacas was founded in 2004. At the time, there were just three alpacas. The farm now has more than 40 alpacas and offers everything from the sale of natural alpaca yarn to educational farm tours to alpaca sales and breeding, consultation and informational presentations for local groups. For those who want to start their own alpaca farm, Cornerstone will assist and help design a package that fits an individual’s lifestyle and plans. For example, the animals are easy on the land, are clean and hardy creatures and disease-resistant. Those who raise alpaca call them a joy to be around. To schedule a farm visit and to get directions, call (757) 651-6335. Or contact them at info(at) cornerstonefarmalpacas.com Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.