Members of the Fletcher family, whose ancestors were slaves at Sweet Briar, will gather there for the first time for their family reunion and to learn more about their family history.

The Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia is adding an exhibit about another way of life from the homelands of early settlers, albeit unwilling ones: a replica of a West African village.

The new Batman movie comes pretty close to scaling the Olympian heights of expectation.

Concert series continues with the next performance on July 27, while Sweet Briar College hosts reception July 25 for a quilt-as-art exhibit.

The buzz is on for the new Batman movie because the Caped Crusader confronts the Joker. And not just any Joker, but the one portrayed by Heath Ledger in this posthumous release.

‘Discover Silver’ explores silver and its value—and its role in our lives.

Thelma Dalmas, a naturalist who writes a
column for The News & Advance, can be reached at

Endstation Theatre has created a play based on the events of Hurricane Camille to highlight its first-ever theatre festival.

Environment plays a role in Endstation Theatre’s work, and it really shows in the company’s first theater festival.

For years, Robbie Wells has taken care of the area musically. Now, folks in the area are helping take care of him.

It’s ‘The Ugly Duckling’—with music and comedy.

Front porches, as American as apple pie, remain part of our way of life.

It’s all about the finer things Saturday at the Horse & Hounds Wine Festival in Bedford.

Check out these happenings in area arts.

Thelma Dalmas, a naturalist, writes a weekly column for The News & Advance. Readers may e-mail her at

These folks’ good deeds earned them some recognition.

You’ve got questions? Don Davis, an Extension Agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension, has answers. Davis can be reached at (434) 455-3740.

Niro Rasanayagam is a board member of the Lynchburg Humane Society.

Ken West is a professor at Lynchburg College. His book, ‘The Shelbys,’ has been translated into Indonesian and Czech. Readers may write to West in care of The News & Advance, P.O. Box 10129, Lynchburg, VA 24506.

An actress in a new play about Hurricane Camille knows the story firsthand.

Darrell moves over to let Lila Rosenthal’s essay recount memories of a special celebration of being American.

In Christian hip hop, it’s message over medium.
Slideshow: Rhyming with Reason

Will Smith brings his own superpowers to the movie ‘Hancock.‘

Pixar keeps the hits coming with ‘WALL-E.‘

Check here for a listing of Fourth of July events. After the Fourth, send your photos of fireworks and fun times to our Snap! photo gallery.

This show gives young artists a place to show what they can do.

A dcumentary looks back on the life of writer Hunter S. Thompson, the father of gonzo journalism.

Don Davis is an Extension Agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. He can be reached by calling (434) 455-3740.

Thelma Dalmas, a naturalist, writes a weekly column for The News & Advance. Readers may e-mail her at .

Wild American shrimp are headed this way.