There are lots of fishermen who fish their entire lives and never catch a single citation-sized fish. There are others who will maybe land a fish or two that exceeds the minimum citation weight or length and there are a handful of anglers who catch 6 or 8 citations for different species. But there is only one in all of  Virginia who has a caught a citation fish in all 25 official categories and … [Read more...]

Following UVA’s stunning win over Purdue last Saturday and a subsequent invite to this week’s Final Four, I enjoyed reading this series of emails from some of my my friends, and UVA Basketball fans that go WAY back. Here’s some of the the chatter. From Sherman Shifflett: Even if you are not a UVA -Purdue game Saturday night, you have to admit it was pretty exciting. The Purdue fans, and … [Read more...]

In the springtime, too often homeowners hear a “thump” against their window panes. Often, the cause was from an angry bluebird or cardinal which saw its reflection in the window and attacked. Sometimes the attacks are with such force as to kill the unsuspecting birds. Cville Buzz reader, Donald Taylor, was having this problem and rigged up what he calls, “Bluebird strips” “They seem to work,” … [Read more...]

  Smith Mountain Lake is a 20,600-acre lake in the Roanoke Region of Virginia, located southeast of the City of Roanoke and southwest of Lynchburg. The lake was created in 1963 by the Smith Mountain Dam impounding the Roanoke River. The lake has become a popular recreation spot and has also experienced significant development in the last decade. It is the third largest lake in Virginia, … [Read more...]

  By Sherman Shifflett   (ed. Note: Last week I did a piece on school lunches in the old days. Sherman Shifflett, a frequent contributor, recalls his experiences with school lunches.)   There were 11 children in my family and mom said I was the only one who did not like peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches. It doesn't make sense because I like peanuts and I like … [Read more...]

Is it too cold to fish? It’s never too cold to fish. Even if the water freezes over, just cut a hole in the ice. But if you’re crazy enough (about fishing) to brave the cold, what is a good way to catch some fish? Capt, Steve Chaconas says to go for The Stingray. Stingray as in Mann’s Classic Stingray Grub. Here’s how, says Capt. Chaconas. “One of my favorite baits for cold water is … [Read more...]

  Don’t have enough space for a garden? According to Deborah Gillespie of Bluefield, WV, that’s no excuse. With the “gutter garden”, you can grow herbs, spices, lettuce, radishes or any number of plants or vegetables. Deborah suggests drilling a few drainage holes in each gutter section, then water can flow from the upper level to below. It’s also good for folks with bad backs, who … [Read more...]

By Charles Conway Crenshaw   When I think of Christmas past, 1943 is the one that comes to mind. It was a memorable Christmas. World War II had started. My dad was driving the city bus in Charlottesville.  At that time the only bus route was from Belmont, up Main Street and Jefferson Park Avenue to Fry’s Spring and return.  Most families had only one automobile and some depended on … [Read more...]

  Jill Smith of Kents Store has had a strange visitor at her feeder in recent weeks. She wonders if there is such a thing as a blonde finch. “This finch has been coming to my feeders for two weeks now. He’s more blonde than white. When the picture is enlarged, I can see a bit of pink-red under his wing. Both house finches and red finches (purple) come to the feeders, and I don’t know … [Read more...]