Whsv
WHSV seems to be a learning station. For the most part, the people who do the news are pretty good. But, from time to time, they get announcers, and I say announcers on purpose because reporters just doesn't seem to fit, who, although they live in the area, can't seem to be bothered to actually learn the names of the local towns. I would think that would be one of the first things you would do before you get on the air and sound like you don't belong. Having said that, Bob Corso is great and I'm glad they have him. There's room to grow, but this station has come a long way in the last few years too.
Downtown Books
This is a good store for finding used books in Harrisonburg. It's kind of small and cramped, but it's full of books and you'll probably find something there that you've been wanting to read. If I'm downtown, I usually try to pop in every couple of months and see what's new. Plenty of parking, it's right beside the deck.
Plan 9 Music
I love Plan 9. If they don't have what you want, and they probably do, they'll find it. Whatever music you like, they've got or they'll get. You can listen to something you might be interested in before you buy it as well. If you've never been there, it's in the Kroger shopping center so there's plenty of parking.
Red Front Super Market Inc
Red Front is truly a hometown store. It's owned locally, kids have gotten their first jobs there for, what, going on 50 years now, and everyone knows you can get a hotdog and a soda for little of nothing at the trailer outside and the money you pay will go to a charity. The charities sign up for months and months in advance to get the good times to work the hotdog trailer and Red Front has always been so great with them. They're a little higher on some things than the big grocery stores, but they're community and family oriented and I'll support them.
Cally's Restaurant & Brewing
Calhouns is no longer Calhouns, it's Cally's. Something to do with another place by the same name in another state. It matters not, it's the same fine service, the same good food and the same wonderfully flavorful beer. I especially like the spring and summer when you can dine outside on the upstairs patio. I can't wait for good weather. Baked Bruschetta, Tuscan Chicken Pasta and a variety sampler of their microbrews outside in the warm spring air. It just makes me sigh.
Party Rentals By Lisa
Party Rentals by Lisa is where many of the Relay for Life teams rent their tents for the night. They come in and put the tents up and they come back and tear them down. It's great to have that chore done for you and at a reasonable price too. The people are nice and it's great to know we can depend on them.
Route 11 Potato Chips
Route 11 has the best tasting chips. I love the seasonal Yukon Gold but my favorite is Mama Zuma's Revenge habanero chips. I could eat these things all day long. They had "Tony Blair's Death Rain" chips several years ago and these are pretty much like those. The factory is open to the public Monday thru Saturday and you can view them making the chips through a large window and taste samples (best come in the morning for that) If you've never had a sweet potato chip, or a parsnip chip, they make those too, and, unbelievably, they're good! Unique and delicious!
New Market Battlefield State
This park is open year-long, but try to go for the reenactment if you can. I believe the 2008 reenactment is May 17-18 and it's like looking back into the past. Tickets are about $10 and I'm sure they will include the museum again this year. Parking is free and you can even go over to the farm on Sunday morning and sit in on a period church service. They do this rain or shine, so bring the proper gear, just in case. It's muddy out there when it's raining. They've only cancelled a few times when it might have been dangerous for the horses, so, unless it's bad enough that they're giving weather warnings, you'll probably get to see the battle.If you visit the museum, you'll find exhibits from the entire Civil War but they have special exhibits and a little movie about the Battle of New Market and the VMI cadets who fought it. Whether you go for the reenactment or just go for a day, a day is what you'll probably need and some good walking shoes if you want to walk the battlefield, visit the farm and tour the museum.
Stonewall Jackson Inn B & B
I've never stayed in the Inn, I lived right down the street from it. But, I've had Christmas gatherings there and they've done a wonderful job. You are made to feel welcome the minute you step inside and the place is beautiful. The food will make you close your eyes so you can savor every morsel. Actually, I've had a couple of different quiches from there for business breakfasts as well. I'm not sure they really sell those to the open public, or if they were doing a favor for my coworker, whichever it was, I'd stay the night there just to get their breakfast! If you're in Harrisonburg, especially if you're there to sight-see and the Civil War is your thing, stay here. You've got a professor right on the premises, a cemetery within walking distance that has graves from both Union and Confederate soldiers, and you're just a few miles from several different battlefields in just about every direction. This is the place for an historian with a taste for fine food.
Wright's Dairy Rite Inc
Going to Wrights is like visiting Happy Days. I hope they never close. You can order from the car at the drive in if you'd like, or you can go in and have a seat. They make the best home made onion rings on the planet and, in the winter, they serve beans and cornbread that is so very good. They've got the standard hamburgers, chili dogs and chicken sandwiches, but they've also got corn dogs, egg salad sandwiches, Reuben's, country ham and blt's. If onion rings aren't to your liking, try tots, fries or potato salad. Or, if you just want dessert, it wouldn't be a drive in with a milkshake! They've got cones, cups, banana splits and sundaes as well. If you've never been, try it! You can't beat the food for the price and the staff is a great bunch of people.