As the summer garden season yields home-grown produce, the Virginia Cooperative Extension is preparing to help local residents preserve their harvest safely through a series of canning-related programs and services scheduled throughout June and July.
One of the most important steps in home food preservation is ensuring that pressure canners are operating correctly. To assist area residents, Extension offices in several local counties will once again offer free dial-gauge pressure canner testing during the first week of June.
Testing will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on June 1st at the Shenandoah County Extension Office, June 2nd in Page County, June 3rd in Clarke County, June 4th in Frederick County, and June 5th in Warren County.
Residents only need to bring the lid from their dial-gauge pressure canner for testing. Extension staff note that accurate gauges are essential for safely preserving low-acid foods such as vegetables, soups, and meats. For convenience, canner lids may also be dropped off at local Extension offices during normal business hours for later pickup.
In addition to gauge testing, Virginia Cooperative Extension will host a series of hands-on summer pressure canning classes focused on safely preparing and preserving vegetable soup using current USDA-recommended methods.
The classes will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on July 13th in Shenandoah County, July 15th in Page County, and July 18th in Warren County.
... read more about this >>
Memorial Day program begins at 11:00 am,. DUE TO WEATHER AND GROUND CONDITIONS, THE EVENT WILL BE HELD INDOORS AT THE FIRE HALL Veterans and other members of the community are invited to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Hosted by the Fort Valley Ruritan Club..
More Events
There's always something happening at the Fort Valley Community Center and Library. Check out the current list of public programs offered there. Most of them are free! Visit our Community page for more information, or call (540) 933-6714..
Focuses on getting you moving! It is adaptable to individual fitness levels and can be done sitting in a chair, standing or a combination of both! Gentle flowing movements are easy to achieve with instructor encouragement upbeat music. Preregistration is required and there is a registration fee. Classes are generally held on Fridays at various times of each year.. Maximum class size:12. Hosted through Shenandoah County Parks & Recreation. In-person registration available at the Parks & Rec office, 600 N. Main St., Suite 108 in Woodstock, Va., by mail at this same address or online. For more information and for the current program schedule, call SCPR at (540) 459-6777.
A group of adults who wish to have more social contact in the community. The group meets every week, on Tuesdays, 10:00 am until... at the Fort Valley Community Center. Their activities agenda is very simple: Crafts, snacks, sending out greeting cards; and games, including dominos and playing cards. GEMS also occasionally hosts group outings. They also are always open to suggestions for enjoying other kinds of fun and fellowship!
Shotokan Karate is a traditional Japanese form of Martial Arts founded by Master Gichin Funakoshi. It develops strength of mind, body and spirit through training. Chief Instructor is Majal Colon-Cammack. Techniques are characterized by deep, long stances that provide stability, coordination, flexibility and strength. Member: International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF). Classes are held on Wednesdays. For more information, call (703) 606-1974 or email mcoloncammack@gmail.com
Terms of Use
