Editorial

Editorial

Good News for Farmers

Rappahannock fanners are excited and with good reason. The creation of Virginia Livestock LLC in Front Royal can only be a boon to them. The combined years of service of owners Rick Mathews, Gary Vance and Hetty Thompson enable them to offer a variety of marketing services to local farmers which have not previously been available.

Mathews has said they want to get the local market “back on its feet.” One can only hope they will be able to do so. The current market prices are up even though cattle and, calf numbers have increased in the state.

The Virginia Cattlemen’s Association is anticipating better times ahead and if they’re correct this new facility in Front Royal will mean better days ahead for Rappahannock County cattle farmers.

Mr. Mathews, Mr. Vance and Mrs. Thompson all operate farms themselves and have a real understanding of the problems and issues facing farmers today. Mr. Mathews is a native of Rappahannock and has a vested interest in the county’s agricultural life.

The convenience, knowledge and experience they represent should give the farming community here a real boost and area farmers should take advantage of it.

Lions Doing a Great Job

The Rappahannock Lions Club, and indeed all the Lions Clubs in the Commonwealth, are to be congratulated for the marvelous job they do and the wonderful opportunity they provide young people in sponsoring the ann"°’ Bland Music Competition.

The competition gives serious students of music an opportunity to, pit their talents against those of their peers all the way to state level. It also gives those students perhaps not so seriously interested in music a chance to engage in a friendly rivalry and possibly reap rewards.

It is also a fitting tribute to one of this nation’s finest composers, James A. Bland.

The contestants in this year’s competition are also to be congratulated for a job well done. With so many accomplished young people, Rappahannock’s wealth of musicial talent can only continue to grow.