Hotel Plans, Cold, Low Moor Lines, Curb Appeal & Doody Morris The Alleghany Traveler   Dec. 16, 2016 - I don't do politics here, it's just all too confusing, but here is a hope I have for all of you for 2016: specifically, I hope that your income rises, your investments rise in value and that you believe, as I do, that America has a very bright future indeed. Let's be positive as the year comes closer to its end. • There must be others who are thinking that the future looks bright around here: a group has formed in and around the Clifton Forge area which refers to itself as the "DIG" - for Downtown Investment Group. At least four members of the group are Mott and Bill Atherholt and Don and Johnette Roberts. Their goal is to convert the Harvey building and tear down the former 7 Eleven store to create a hotel for the town. The prospects for this business seem bright since the Historic Masonic Theatre seems to be taking off. Mrs. Atherholt came to the Clifton Forge Town Council with a slideshow, detailing the group's plans. If you've got $15,000 for a share, you may get your checkbook out and join the group. The only contact information I have for the DIG group is P. O. Box 170, Clifton Forge, VA 24422. I wish all of these fine, honest folks the best of luck in their new venture. • It's colder than at any time in the past ten months, so remember that your little furry friend may need some assistance. It's one thing to have on a fur coat when it's 35 degrees, but yet another to assume it's ok when it's 5 degrees. It's isn't ok. Water bowls freeze as does most foods. If you can bring your little friend inside, please consider doing so. • I hope that county officials don't catch too much of the fire of Hades from the public when the Love project begins near the Low Moor I-64 Interchange. But I suspect they will catch it big time. When, on Friday, the cold temperatures caused the county school system to delay the schools' opening by two hours, there was significant traffic backup due to that item alone. Add in the construction project, with all its various aspects and I strongly suspect that lines are going to form that will challenge the county Sheriff's Department to handle efficiently. I recommend more car pooling or MORE vehicle patience when the time comes! • It does seem like the Alleghany Highlands area as a whole is beginning to get a bit more tourism. I'm seeing folks I've never seen before all the time now - and since I've lived here more than 40 years now, I'm out and about quite a bit. But what really convinces me of this is that I regularly see license plates from many other states. All this is a sincere credit to many of you, our solid Chamber of Commerce and venues like the Historic Masonic Theatre, Railroad Museum, the Alleghany Historical Society and other organizations who regularly invite people to visit. And on a purely economic note, that's many bucks we don't have to raise via local taxation. So, let's keep it up! • Congratulations to Clifton Forge retiring councilwoman Johnette Roberts who was honored by a resolution of appreciation on December 13th by her colleagues. She deserved it. • Three area couples were honored by the CF Town Council on Tuesday for fixing up their homes in what was called "Off Corridor Appeal" awards. I'd like to give VDOT a similar award if it would consent to the western corridor to the town being upgraded from three relatively messy grassy areas to ones which are both maintained and vastly improved. When spring and summer comes, it's weed city out there...old vines, poor looking trees and plenty of thorns and other messy-looking stuff. Well, there are some daffodils, I admit. But all four corners need to turn into a regional upgrading project so that when folks decide to visit the town, they get an idea that we're on the way up, not down. • Folks in the western part of the county served by Dominion Power apparently weren't too happy that they, once again, lost power this week due to high winds. A project putting some of the lines underground apparently hasn't gone far enough - but customers certainly would like this to happen. The BARC operation apparently didn't suffer substantial damage. None of that company's power customers has let me know they lost electricity - a real potential problem when you consider the much colder temperatures this week. • The death of "Doody" Morris on Wednesday was a big loss for the Highlands community. Doody knew everybody as a result of owning and operating the former 7 Eleven Store across the street from the Clifton Forge post office, which eventually turned into Morris Convenience Store. He served as the town's mayor as well. The former Marine knew what was going on in the area and his countless number of friends assisted in keeping him up to date. He was a true "character", was incredibly funny and friendly. Buck Rumpf and I used to visit his store often, grab a hot cup of coffee and try to find out what the REAL local news was. Along with regular news updates from characters like former Farrar's Drug Store owner, Jim Bay and insurance agent, Liz Gregory, we always knew the latest! Rest in peace, sir. We'll all very much miss you.

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