🌱 Patch AM: How did JMU football grow from a rocky field to CFP?

Greetings Harrisonburg! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How did JMU football grow from a rocky field to CFP?
• What Harrisonburg residents should do first when they find a stray pet

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Eve Morning Double Feature with Santa Claus and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Partly sunny and windy, with a high of 49 and low of 20 degrees.
• Monday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 45, low: 33.
• Tuesday: Breezy in the morning; cloudy, with a high of 58 and low of 33 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• 1972-2025: Reflecting on Madison College's inaugural football team ahead of JMU's CFP run (breezejmu.org) — JMU’s upcoming College Football Playoff game at Oregon has former Madison College players reflecting on how the program began on makeshift fields in Harrisonburg, including an opener once slated for old Harrisonburg High School. Alumni recall being recruited on a shoestring, playing around a rock in the field, and watching the Dukes grow from scoreless early seasons to the national spotlight.
   

• Ask the expert: So you found a stray? (cvillerightnow.com) — If you find a stray pet in or around Harrisonburg, this guide explains why you should contact animal control or the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA right away instead of keeping the animal for several days. It walks through Virginia’s stray-hold rules, how to search for an owner, and options like fostering once legal requirements are met.
   

📸 Around Harrisonburg

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Harrisonburg

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Morning Double Feature with Santa Claus
  Court Square Theater, 41-F Court Square, Harrisonburg
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday December 24

• "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer " and "Frosty the Snowman" Free Holiday Films Sponsored by Paul Riner
  Court Square Theater , 41-F Court Square , Harrisonburg
  11:00 am

Saturday December 27

• Harrisonburg Farmers Market
  228 S Liberty St , Harrisonburg
  9:00 am
• Walk On Wedding
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum , 780 University Blvd , Harrisonburg
  3:00 pm

Sunday December 28

• Randy Black’s Annual Holiday Jam to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters
  Cave Hill Farms Brewery , 1001 Jacob Burner Dr , McGaheysville
  2:00 pm

📣 Harrisonburg Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 21

• Santa in the Stables w/ Pints & Ponies + Hot Chocolate Bar
  Stable Craft Brewing & Cidery , 375 Madrid Rd , Waynesboro
  12:00 pm
• The Nutcracker
  Staunton High School , 1301 N Coalter St , Staunton
  2:00 pm
• QCMS Presents: The Robin & Linda Williams Annual Holiday Concert SUNDAY
  Queen City Music Studios , 16 W Beverley St , Staunton
  2:30 pm
• Redbeard Reader's Book Club
  Redbeard Brewing Company , 120 S Lewis St , Staunton
  3:00 pm
• Christmas Caroling
  17 Court Square , Harrisonburg
  8:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
  Staunton City Hall , 116 W Beverley St # 3 , Staunton
  5:30 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Afternoon Classics
  Staunton Public Library , 1 Churchville Ave , Staunton
  1:30 pm
• Trivia in the Cantina at Baja Bean
  Baja Bean Co , 9 W Beverley St , Staunton
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• City of Harrisonburg, VA posted a job opening for Recreation Attendant - Senior Programs in Harrisonburg. Apply here.
• Aramark posted a job opening for Custodial Services Worker - Eastern Mennonite University Facilities in Harrisonburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisonburg here.

🗞 Nearby News

Broadway

• NYE Rentals Offer Everything From Bunkers to Castles (pymnts.com)
• Lohr to remain on school board after recount upholds election results (dnronline.com)
• New Brocks Gap Natural Area Preserve protects rare forest (rocktownnow.com)

Elkton

Ok Harrisonburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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