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The clipping this text was read from
The clipping this text was read from

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2001

Our View

Shop Rappahannock

There are plenty of good reasons to shop at home

in Rappahannock County this Christmas season:

avoiding the driving through traffic to get to a crowded mall, helping support the local economy and getting better value for your dollar.

Buying presents from someone you know and see all year-long, not from some faceless department store clerk, makes the act of giving more meaningful for both merchant and shopper.

But the best reason to shop Rappahannock is quality. Although Rappahannock has avoided the plague of strip malls coming west from Northern Virginia, we do have a considerable number of antique, craft, book, . gift, art and furniture establishments.

In terms of affordability, quality and variety, Rappahannock's merchants offer a great deal more than most of our more populous neighbors.

And many of the artists, crafters and artisans who live here would be happy to sell their fine wares to their neighbors.

Do yourself a favor this season, and do at least some of your seasonal shopping here in the county.

Holiday safety

This time of year we're preparing for holiday festivities,

following old family traditions, and

starting new ones. It's not a time to think about unpleasant things. Yet, despite all our wishes or our well-laid plans, tragedy often strikes at the holiday season - tragedy caused by an impaired driver.

We all know the realities about driving impaired. Alcohol and/or other drugs and driving make a dangerous combination. This year, do what many other Americans do before going out to celebrate the season: Designate a driver.

Have someone from your group agree to only drink non-alcoholic beverages and then to drive the rest of you home. This keeps everyone out of trouble, including the people in other cars.

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