Traci White Photo

This past week has been equally full of district sports playoff games and bombastic thunderstorms. On Thursday, the boys soccer championship game was delayed and delayed and delayed for two hours until it was finally rescheduled on account of persistent lightning. Everyone else was bored - I kept myself thoroughly entertained.

The Harrisonburg High School boys varsity soccer team reluctantly leaves the field at Broadway due to a lightning delay.

Lightning appears to strike between the goal posts on the football field at Broadway High School.

A red flag marking the edges of the soccer field at Broadway High School is illuminated by storm clouds at sunset.

A member of the Harrisonburg High School girls varsity soccer team prepares to kick the ball into play during a lightning delay.

Members of the Harrisonburg High School girls varsity soccer team play a pick up game.

    In October 2009, Dennis "Chip" Taylor, a Rockingham county firefighter, was murdered along with his wife and youngest daughter. His ex-wife and her new husband are facing charges for the murders. 


     This year, the first Dennis Chip Taylor memorial scholarships were awarded. One went to John Woods, a 19-year-old enrolled in the Massanutten Technical Community College firefighter training program. Woods told our reporter, "Knowing how many lives Chip has touched, I can't express how honored I am to receive the scholarship."


     He's just a good kid, and he called me ma'am. Meeting someone who at such a young age has already committed himself to a life of service was inspirational, especially hearing how appreciative he was of what the scholarship meant.  

John Woods, a student from Broadway, looks up a ladder before climbing it at the Broadway Volunteer Fire Department. 

Woods holds his gloves and helmet after a drill at the Broadway Volunteer Fire Department. 

Woods puts on his heavy flame-retardant gear inside the station before participating in a drill.

Isa (right) and Del Rita (left), two Indian elephants with the Cole Bros. Circus, are washed by Louis del Morrar (left) and Antonio Perez as they make preparations for their second night in Harrisonburg on Thursday 

Coming to the Cole Brothers Circus before it actually got underway was to me so much more interesting than the show. The affection the trainers have for the animals was really sweet to witness, and young acrobats practicing under the big top without the spotlights was more spectacular. 

Wendy Aguillar, 12, practices maintaining her balance while her instructor, Adolfo Ponce, watches during early afternoon exercise for the young acrobat under the tent for Cole Bros. Circus on their second night in Harrisonburg on Thursday. 

Lamount Dayes, also known as "The Human Volcano," gives a kiss to Lawrence the camel inside Lawrence's pen.

The Ring Hostess Alissandra von Rose checks her reflection in a mirror before the Cole Bros. Circus performs under the big top.

Quinton Hinsley, 4, laughs as he watces a pair of clowns acting up at the Cole Bros. Circus during their final performance under the big top at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds.

Ringmaster Chris Conners of the Cole Bros. Circus walks out of the performer's entrance before the show at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds on Thursday. 

So far so good - Harrisonburg is treating me quite well. The confluence of the Mennonite history, the academic atmosphere, the agriculture (which is at times way too smelly), and wind-swept, gentle green hills makes for a peaceful and thoughtful place. I am looking forward to zooming in on the individuals who make it such an inviting place to be. For now, I have managed a few one-off and feature shots that get at this appeal somewhat.

Isaac Alderfer (left), 10, Ben Alderfer, (center), 8, and Collin Rhodes, 6, try to distract a player at the free throw line during the basketball game between teachers from J. Frank Hillyard Middle School and Broadway High School at Hillyard on Thursday, held as a charity event to raise money for the Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc. Several teachers also participated as cheerleaders on the sidelines, and many students from both schools cheered on their teachers.

Lois Fisher delivers her monologue as Pontius Pilate's wife during a rehearsal for "Resurrection Eve" on Thursday at First Baptist Church. The church will be hosting several other churches on Saturday at 6, which is a part of their Easter weekend celebration.

James Madison University students took advantage of the warm weather with some breakdancing in front of the Wilson building.

Ed Kohl (left), a lone counter protestor, is confronted by a member of the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party while Sarah Padilla (bottom right), 7, the daughter of a Tea Party member, films at Court Square during an anti-tax rally. Former United States Senator George Allen was the featured guest speaker.