In a special edition of Virginia Living magazine published this month, SoLace Studios was named the “Best Gift Shop” in the region. This was the second consecutive year that SoLace, which is located in Elkton’s downtown “triangle” area, was garnered the recognition in the magazine’s “Best of Virginia 2013” edition, which included reader-ranked lists of the best in arts and entertainment, living and recreation, food and drink and shopping and services establishments in the state. Each year, the magazine divides the state into five regions, with the Shenandoah Valley, stretching from Winchester to Roanoke, representing one of the regions.

Eight years after the smallmouth bass population in the Shenandoah River began dying off in large proportions, Shenandoah Riverkeeper Jeff Kelble says they have “recovered completely” from the mysterious malady that nearly wiped them out.

More than 100 youngsters went fishing in Grottoes on April 27 during the annual “Chief Charlie’s Kids Fish Day,” held at Mountain View Park. In the ages 3-9 group, the winner was Cody Miller of Weyers Cave, whose fish was the same length as second-place Avery Chandler of Grottoes, but just a tad heavier.

After struggling financially for more than 19 months, the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging (SAAA) is giving its employees a raise and is ready to hire a permanent leader. The SAAA’s board of directors on Monday voted 8-0 to begin a search for an executive director. The title, Chairman John Hudson said after the meeting, reflects a change from the former president and CEO label to bring the SAAA in line with other similar agencies in Virginia. The SAAA has been without a permanent leader since Helen Cockrell was fired as president and CEO in September 2011. Cockrell, 57, was indicted by a Warren County grand jury on April 1 on four felony counts of embezzling amounts of $200 or more from the nonprofit group.

The honorary grand marshal for the 86th  Shenandoah Apple Blossom will be longtime festival participant,   former  U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr. As honorary grand marshal, Byrd, 98, of Winchester will ride  in the Chevrolet Grand Feature Parade, which starts at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, said John H. Rosenberger, executive director of the festival.