This from the developers of the new store: “Larry and Pam French would like to announce that the Bridgewater Family Dollar store will open on August 12th. This 9,180 square foot store will be operated by Family Dollar and is located at 602 North Main Street beside the Martin Center. Family Dollar is a publicly-traded company that started in 1959. Family Dollar has over 6,700 stores in the United States.” The building contractor was Parkway Contractors from Chuckey, Tennessee.

Let’s say you’re in traffic signaling a left turn. A friendly driver who has the right of way waves you through. If you take the wave-through but there’s some miscommunication and a property damage accident results, you will be charged with failure to yield the right of way. The local judge may be sympathetic but the charges will not be dropped. The best you can hope for is a reduced charge of “improper driving,” and that will mean a fine and court costs and, depending on your age and driving record, increased insurance costs. This did not happen to me but I have it on good authority. At the risk of seeming unfriendly, it seems best simply to refuse the wave-through.

Time for a fun poll at www.bridgewaterva.com/newbuzz. What do you like best about the Bridgewater Lawn Party? Is it the food, the rides, seeing friends, the Firefighters’ Parade or something else? Cast your vote and post a comment if you like. That poll again is at the upper right, at www.bridgewaterva.com/newbuzz

At Bridgewater Buzz, we’ve had a good discussion of the amount of advertising Rockingham Memorial Hospital does. Now that the hospital has moved to its new facility, what do you think in general about RMH’s level of advertising? Vote in the poll at the right-hand side of the page (http://www.bridgewaterva.com/newbuzz) and we’ll find out what the Bridgewater Buzz crowd thinks.

A building permit has been issued for a new McDonald’s restaurant at I-81 Exit 240 (995 Friedens Church Rd.). The face amount on the permit is $350,000 and the square footage is 4,000.

I wish it weren’t true, but Mrs. Rowe’s Country Buffet at Mt. Crawford has closed for regular customers. It is continuing to honor previously made banquet commitments. Initial reports aren’t clear on whether they’ll attempt to continue as a catering-banquet business for the long haul.

There’s a nice piece on Philip Stone, retiring president of Bridgewater College, at the Staunton News-Leader: http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20105190312 . He has done a lot for the college and the community, and I know we all wish him the best.

Because of the snow, Turner Ashby’s presentation of Les Misérables has been rescheduled for February 26-27-28 and March 1. Information on the show is available at http://webfc.rockingham.k12.va.us/~sweaver/ACTIVITIES/Musical/SHOW_INFO.htm . (Your webmaster looked in on rehearsal today and the kids were showing a lot of energy and hard work.) I’d just like to encourage locals to support TA’s theater program by coming out for this one.

Just for fun, we’re having a poll on your favorite pizza in Bridgewater. The entrants are: Bob-a-Rea’s, Domino’s, Francesco’s,  New York Flying Pizza, Papa John’s, Perfect Pizza and Sergio’s. (Did I leave anybody out? If so, that’s quickly corrected — just let me know). After you have voted in the poll, post your comments at Bridgewater Buzz.

This is not a scientific poll and for entertainment purposes only. Poll location: Upper right corner of http://bridgewaterva.com/newbuzz. Thanks to mcgill for the suggestion. Future polls will cover subs and other specialties.