10/12/2026
Guess who’s featured in Lady W of the Eastern Shore of Virginia? Thank you for sharing our story!
Dear Readers,
Back in January, a fire threatened one of Onancock's most beloved historic landmarks. And as it turns out, two of the people who helped save the day weren't firefighters.
They were simply trying to get in their morning workout.
Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear workout clothes, carry water bottles, and have absolutely no intention of becoming the talk of the town before breakfast.
Meet Courtney of Courtney Helene Hairdressing , co-owner of Combative Athletic Club, and her fellow early riser, Sara Cherrix Zember . Two women who showed up for their morning exercise and unknowingly found themselves at the center of a rather extraordinary morning.
The ladies were getting in their morning workout at the gym located in the school's basement when Courtney decided to step into the hallway for a little break.
A perfectly ordinary decision.
Except something smelled rather extraordinary.
Smoke.
Now, most of us take a break at the gym to catch our breath, check our phones, or contemplate whether we've done enough exercise to justify a pastry. Courtney, apparently, had more important business.
She recognized that something wasn't right, and with Sara there that morning as well, what began as an ordinary workout turned into something considerably more urgent.
The alarm was raised about what turned out to be a fire at the historic school.
Their presence that morning helped prevent what could have been a far more devastating loss.
And one cannot help but wonder what might have happened had both ladies decided to sleep in.
The Historic Onancock School has survived generations of students, changing times, questionable hairstyles, and enough small-town memories to fill a library. Losing such a beloved landmark would have been heartbreaking.
Thankfully, Courtney and Sara were there.
Of course, enormous gratitude belongs to the firefighters and everyone who responded. But sometimes the people who make all the difference aren't the ones holding the fire hose. Sometimes they're two women who showed up for a workout and ended up with a story they'll be telling for years.
The school remains closed as repairs continue, and restoring this treasured piece of Onancock will take the support of our community.
If you can, please consider donating to the Historic Onancock School's recovery efforts. A building that has given so much to this town deserves a little love in return.
https://www.historiconancockschool.org/donate
And Courtney and Sara, darlings, the next time someone suggests skipping your morning workout, you have a rather excellent argument against it.
After all, some people go to the gym to get in shape. Others end up helping save the building.
Yours in observation and gratitude,
Lady W.
