Ten Things We’re Thankful for in Staunton This Year

Feeling stressed about the rush of holiday excitement coming your way? Let’s take a few minutes to prepare ourselves with mindfulness and gratitude. Before you pull out the ladder for holiday decorations or dive into travel itineraries and Black Friday strategies, take some deep breaths and appreciate what we already have.  We’ll help: here are ten things we’re thankful for in Staunton.

1. We’re Thankful for Our Outdoor Escapes

It’s hard to find a place more beautiful than the Shenandoah Valley, and Staunton’s centralized location offers unparalleled access to the great outdoors for hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, and more. We’re just a few minutes from Shenandoah National Park and George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, wonderful places to camp and explore. Downtown Staunton now offers bike lanes as well as a robust park system with trails, picnic areas and playgrounds, and sports facilities. 

2. We’re Thankful for Staunton’s Independent Businesses

Staunton’s hard-working small business owners provide unique products and top-notch service, and they’ve created one of the best independent shopping districts in the state. Shopping local isn’t just about buying something; it’s also about investing in the people who make our community special. Discover gifts, fashion, books, vintage treasures, jewelry, and a personal touch you won’t find anywhere else.

3. We’re Thankful for Our Food

Your taste buds won’t snooze in Staunton, where the foodie scene offers a selection of traditional comfort foods, family fare, global restaurants, upscale special occasion destinations, and everything in between. Start the day with fresh-roasted coffee and end the evening with something sweet. Follow your appetite!

Tastes of Staunton

Want to make your Thanksgiving spread special? Try one of these recipes from the Staunton community.

Try Cole Troxell’s recipe for Biscuits and Gravy

“I grew up in a predominantly Italian kitchen with my mom. However, when it came to weekend breakfast, she was all South. This recipe is an adaptation of one I grew up eating on the weekends and for special
occasions. I’ve been feeding friends, chosen family, and the like with this recipe and only recently have made it a larger quantity per the request of my wife and daughter: they want leftovers!”

Ingredients:

Biscuits (makes 20 LARGE biscuits)

• 8 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 4 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 pound unsalted butter, cold
• 1 quart cultured buttermilk

Sausage Gravy: (12 servings)

• 2 lbs. bulk breakfast sausage (Jimmy Dean’s sage is best)
• 4 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup flour
• 6/7 cups of whole milk
• black pepper and salt to taste

Preparation Instructions

Biscuits:

• Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Using a box grater, grate in the cold butter. Toss everything together to incorporate the butter pieces into the flour.
• Mix in the buttermilk to make a shaggy dough (the dough should be tacky for fluffy biscuits).
• Transfer the dough onto a well-floured surface and pat down large enough to fold in the sides resembling a letter and roll out. Repeat twice, patting dough down to a 1” thickness. Be sure to use gentle hands and keep your dough from getting too dense.
• Cut out 3.5-inch circles and place the biscuits on an 18×13 sheet pan, you can line it with parchment paper.
• Bake in a pre-heated 400°F for 25-30 minutes or until done.

Sausage gravy:

• In a large skillet, on medium/high heat break up & cook your sausage.
• Lower your heat to medium and create a well in the center of your skillet. add in your butter and coat your sausage.
• Sprinkle your flour, black pepper & salt and mix in with your sausage. Let the flour cook off for 2-3 minutes.
• While stirring, slowly pour your milk. Continue to stir & let your gravy thicken (5-8 minutes). You can adjust the thickness with more milk and then adjust your salt & pepper accordingly.
• Serve over your freshly made biscuits.

4. We’re Thankful for Craft Beverages

Along with craft beer and cider, Staunton’s breweries and taprooms serve up fun, like live music and trivia. In fact, Travelmag.com lauds Staunton as one of the “20 Best Beer Towns in the United States.” And the rest of the 20 breweries on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail are all a short drive away. The Shenandoah Valley is also making a name for itself on the world-wine wine map. See what the fuss is about at one of our vineyards and wine bars.

5. We’re Thankful to Be a Creative Hub

Staunton’s arts community is also flourishing. Catch a Shakespeare play at the Blackfriars Playhouse or applaud local talent as it takes the stage at ShenanArts. Explore public art installations throughout town, attend gallery openings, and even watch artisans blowing glass at Sunspots Studios. Want to develop your own talents? Silver Line Theatre Exchange, Staunton Clayground, Art Hive, and Beverley Street Studio School all hold classes and workshops.

6. We’re Thankful There’s Music in the Air

Staunton pulsates with live music all year long! From classical performances at the Heifetz International Music Institute and the Staunton Music Festival, to lively local performers at our favorite breweries and restaurants, Staunton provides a soundtrack for every occasion. Enjoy free summer concerts in Gypsy Hill Park and annual festivals like Staunton Jams and Red Wing Roots. Queen City Music Studios offers community jams and lessons for musicians of all experience levels.

7. We’re Thankful That Staunton’s History Lives On

Staunton’s in touch with its history. Take a guided Historic Staunton walking tour and admire downtown’s amazing Victorian architecture. Learn about American history and our 28th president at the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Museum. Get your hands dirty as the past comes to life around you at the Frontier Culture Museum. Access more of our town’s captivating story in our galleries, cemeteries, and even our ghost tours.

8. We’re Thankful for Farm-Fresh Goodness

We’re proud to be a community that values fresh, local food. Many of our restaurants prioritize recipes that use seasonal and healthy ingredients. We are fortunate to be able to enjoy some of the freshest, most delicious locally grown food available anywhere in the country. See and taste for yourself! 

9. We’re Thankful to Be a Community That Celebrates Together

Staunton thrives on community spirit.  We get together and help each other have a great time. Throughout the year, we celebrate everything from holidays and heritage to history and the chance to help citizens in need. We come together for festivals, parades, concerts, art shows, and even to make our everyday moments shine.  Don’t miss any of our annual events!

10. We’re Thankful for Our Greatest Asset: Staunton’s People

We are thankful for you!  Visitors and locals all come together to make Staunton the special place it is. We’re also thankful for our teachers, our first responders, and our public works department. We’re thankful for restaurant staff, business owners, healthcare professionals, civic leaders, and everyone else who keeps city business running smoothly. We are grateful for all of the incredible people who live and work in Staunton and help make our small city amazing every day. 

We hope this gives you a renewed appreciation for all that Staunton has to offer!