July 4, 2026
Opinion
From the Desk of Sheriff Donald Lowe
As Sheriff of Louisa County and a Constitutional Officer sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I want to address concerns regarding proposed and newly enacted legislation related to so-called “assault weapons.”
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Two Lafayettes
Today’s column is keeping in theme with America’s 250th birthday, but also in honor of the federal holiday Juneteenth. I’m writing about James Armistead Lafayette - a Revolutionary War Patriot. James was born into slavery on a Virginia plantation owned by William Armistead. He eventually met the Marquis de Lafayette (the exact details of which are lost to history, but presumably through James’ owner) and the two formed a unique and lifelong friendship. Thanks in large part to this friendship, James had an extraordinary life.
Blessed Assurance – To the victor
In 1828, New York Senator William L. Marcy uttered a phrase that described what he saw going on with political cronyism and nepotism leading to a small number of people benefiting from this unhealthy and unethical behavior. He said, “to the victor belong the spoils”. In his day and ours, the victors of any contest do not only win that contest, but they gain even more from contract bonuses and endorsement deals worth more than the winnings from the actual event. Likewise, we see small numbers of people benefiting from preferential treatment in contracting and in some political appointments. Insider trading, backroom deals, lobbying, dark money payments to political candidates are all bets by the givers that if they are victorious then they will reap far more than they have sowed.
Letters from Dogwood – Loving a new old dog
O urs has been a family of three for quite some time. 0ur ancient calico cat Patches— She Who Tries to Trip Me as I Walk—is that noisome third, her demanding early morning yowling sufficient to make us get up.
Blessed Assurance – Pursuit of excellence
In my considered opinion, most people in the world want to do things as well as they can. We all pursue excellence as a rule; we just sometimes come up a bit short in the execution. Afterall, we all have different gifts and things that we are good at doing, but some folks have the deep drive as well as innate talent to do something excellently.
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Poplar Forest
Dear Readers, for many years I’ve wanted to visit Poplar Forest, down near Lynchburg. For one reason or another it never happened. Well, thanks to a little extra push from America’s 250th anniversary, I finally made it there! It was a wonderful visit. Here’s the story.
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Mt. Vernon
Dear Readers, I made another pilgrimage to an America 250 locale - Mt. Vernon. Famous home to George Washington, the father of our great country. It was a picture perfect weather day, and Rick joined me. We decided to forgo the house tour this visit, since we’d seen the interior several years ago. There were many other things on site to accomplish, and only about five hours in which to do so. With the ideal weather, we chose to focus on the outdoor portions of the estate.
Blessed Assurance – Acting out
Ienjoy having children as part of worship. They bring spontaneity, joy, energy, inquisitiveness and wonder to what’s going on. There are times, however, where they are in an emotional state where they just need to act out. Sometimes life is just a little too much for them and they have a meltdown – sometimes right in the middle of the Sanctuary. While the parents are mortified, all of us who have been parents of young children know that these things will happen, and we rush to comfort the parents once the “event” has passed. Truthbe- told, in our world today it’s not just the children who are acting out – folks who are long beyond their childhood lose their minds and act out in ways that are both visible and harmful.
On & Off Earth – Mushroom season at last
This column took a bit of a veer on May 21st with the news that all of Louisa had moved from severe to extreme with the latest update of the state drought map. Because, at that same moment, I heard the first rain drops of our forecast wet spell begin to fall on my roof. The drops continued all evening and by morning there were 1.5” in my rain gauge.