Karen Bellenir, Author at Farmville - Page 4 of 4

Columns

A ‘deerly’ affection to wildlife

I arrived in Farmville eight years ago with sentimental ideas regarding deer. My impressions had been formed in suburban neighborhoods where people decorated their homes with ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, July 6, 2017 7:59 am

Columns

Ways to ready for the solar eclipse

When my husband and I lead astronomy events at High Bridge Trail State Park, I occasionally ask participants a tricky question: can you name the ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, June 8, 2017 8:00 am

Columns

‘Learning about each tomorrow as it arrives’

One morning a couple weeks ago, I woke up with a crick in my neck, a pain in my back and weariness in my bones. ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, May 4, 2017 8:50 am

Columns

The more things change

A Longwood alumna who graduated a little more than a decade ago was recently back in town for a short visit. She commented on how much ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, April 6, 2017 10:33 am

Columns

Answers to your questions

Last month, when I confessed my love of Groundhog Day, I did not include details on Punxsutawney Phil’s current prognostication. I couldn’t. My column deadline ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, March 2, 2017 9:29 am

Columns

Sunshine and shadows

Groundhog Day is my favorite holiday. It marks the halfway point of winter and the turning toward spring, at least astronomically speaking. During an annual ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, February 2, 2017 9:02 am

Columns

Ho, ho, ho, it’s a new year

I’m not sure whether 2016 was especially challenging or if its press agent simply chose to portray it that way. In either case, I’d like ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, December 29, 2016 8:57 am

Columns

Instant messaging

On a Sunday afternoon not long ago, my daughter called to chat. My phone provides the option of assigning photos to specific people, so when ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, December 1, 2016 6:06 am

Columns

Rolling at last

I haven’t had many opportunities to ride my bike this year. One early obstacle was the bike itself. After years of faithful service, it started ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, November 3, 2016 8:31 am

Columns

What comes next?

As I type these words, the vice presidential debate is still in Farmville’s future. By the time you read this, the debate will be history. ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, October 20, 2016 7:34 am

Columns

Planning things out

I’m the type of person who likes to plan things out. I want to know what’s going to happen and what will be required of ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, September 1, 2016 6:02 am

Columns

Feeding the hungry

I think I’m a reasonably generous person. My husband and I contribute to several worthy causes, and we volunteer for a few community organizations. In ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, August 4, 2016 4:59 am

Columns

Summertime tasks

I use to-do lists to help me remember things. My list of routine household chores (make the bed, cook dinner, do laundry) is short enough ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, June 30, 2016 6:10 am

Columns

Twinkle, twinkle, little bug

Light fascinates me. It comes in so many different forms. Fireworks, sparklers, Christmas displays. Flames that lap the air from a campfire. The red-hot glow ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, June 9, 2016 5:41 am

Columns

Into the future

Congratulations to this year’s graduates. Longwood University, Hampden-Sydney College, and Southside Virginia Community College are hosting ceremonies this month to celebrate the successes of students ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, May 12, 2016 5:21 am

Columns

I’m rooting for the ravens

Let me begin with a note to sports fans: The ravens I’m rooting for don’t wear football helmets. Ravens of the feathered kind have haunted ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, April 7, 2016 4:39 am

Columns

Beloved bees

I’ve been reading information from the Xerces Society, an organization formed to promote the conservation of insects and other invertebrates. They claim that bumblebees are ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, March 3, 2016 5:18 am

Columns

Winter reading recommendations from local libraries

For a few more weeks, cold days will linger and the hours of nighttime darkness will outnumber the hours of sunlight. It’s the perfect time ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Friday, February 12, 2016 7:40 am

Columns

What a colorful world — where we all shine

Isn’t the world supposed to be drab and monochromatic this time of year? Trees stretch out bare branches. Flowers wait for brighter days. Night lingers, ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, January 7, 2016 4:01 pm

Church & Community

The Star of Bethlehem

Several months ago during an astronomy event at High Bridge Trail State Park, I pointed out some of the sights overhead. I retold a couple ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, December 10, 2015 10:34 am

Columns

Still Happy to Be Here — and grateful too

This column appears monthly under the title “Happy to Be Here.” Such a public declaration leads people to question me. “You can’t be happy about ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, November 12, 2015 1:45 pm

Church & Community

Collecting art

I have a small sculpture in my office. It stands about four inches tall and consists of a twisted wire, a slice of cork, and ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, October 1, 2015 12:17 pm

Church & Community

A blood-red super Harvest Moon

The moon over Farmville is planning quite a show for the month of September. During the early days of the month, the moon’s opening act ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, September 3, 2015 8:18 am

Columns

Happy to be here: Farmville, that’s where I live

When my husband and I tell people from other places that we live in Farmville, their reactions are typically based on one of two basic ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, August 6, 2015 6:57 am

Columns

Be a Superhero

Usually it’s only superheroes who get an opportunity to save the planet, but last month I had my chance. I didn’t have to soar through ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, July 2, 2015 2:17 pm

Columns

Getting the Worm

Everyone knows the early bird gets the worm. And people who know me, know that I am not an early bird. When it comes to ... Read more

by Karen Bellenir, Thursday, June 11, 2015 11:43 am

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