Civic news

By Gina Farthing

Published: November 7, 2008

Can Your Fines at the Augusta County Library; Nov. 17-Jan. 4; one overdue book fine will be excused for each can of food brought to the library; food collected for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

The Celebration of Holiday Lights Committee is accepting applications for the 2008-09 light displays in Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton; organizations, businesses, families and individuals an reserve space for $25; City of Staunton provides electricity; info: Angel Cooper, 886-8660 or or Doug Carter, 337-3404; Web site: http://www.celebrationoflights.org.

Food Pantry, from 10 a.m. to noon; Second Presbyterian Church, 133 N. Delphine Ave.; info: 943-3211 or 943-3213.

Bethany Lutheran Church; accepts aluminum recycling only.

Waynesboro Elks Club; Waynesboro Women’s Club Annual Scholarship Ball; 8 p.m. to midnight, Saturday; hors d’oeuvres from 8-9 p.m.; dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight; 17-piece orchestra, Sentimental Journey; proceeds will fund four college scholarships for students from local high schools; tickets and info: Donna Johnson at 943-4466, Dottie Dollins at 942-5014 or Mary Toms at 942-9221; tickets: $50 per couple or $25 per person; black tie optional; BYOB.

Rockingham Male Chorus of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia; Greenmonte Fellowship, 1661 Cold Springs Road, Stuarts Draft; 6 p.m., Sunday; sacred concert; info: http://www.greenmonte.com or 337-3599; public is invited; admission is free; an offering will be taken to support the ministry.

2008 Miss and Master Winter Wonderland Beauty Pageant;  Shenandoah Community Center, Shenandoah; 2 p.m., Sunday; seven age divisions for girls, one for boys; additional divisions for mother-daughter, mother-son, grandmother, etc.; categories: beauty, photogenic and vogue; trophies, bonds and special gifts from Santa’s Sleigh will be awarded; everyone entering the pageant receives a trophy; info: Director Suzanne Young-Reed or call 298-2410.

The Virginia Employment Commission, 1076 Jefferson Highway, Staunton; closed Tuesday, in observance of Veteran’s Day; office will reopen Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

Shenandoah Valley Quilters Guild; Sunnyside Retirement Center, 3935 Sunnyside Drive, Harrisonburg; meets in Sunnyside Room at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 15; service workshop follows meeting; participants will pack boxes for troops, with a goal of 100 boxes of assorted personal items, including travel-size toiletries, individual package snacks and more; everyone is welcome; no fee for the meeting.

Crafter’s Fair; Rockfish Valley Volunteer Fire Department; Nov. 15-16; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 15 and noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 16; support local crafters, the Boy Scouts and the Rockfish Valley Volunteer Fire Department; food available; info: 456-4725.

Shenandoah Valley Disability Employment Awareness Committee recently honored local employees and employers at their annual lunch and awards program.  The local group recognizes those who have achieved significant accomplishments as employees with disabilities and those employers who have made reasonable accommodations in their employment practices.
This year’s winners received plaques in various categories:  professional employee: Jennifer Roberson of The Bradford Company; service employees: Amy Long, of Staunton YMCA;  Linda Swartendruber, of Hardees/Craft House; and Harrisonburg Goodwill Industries; business employees: Jeffrey Reid, of Rockbridge Area Occupational Center in Buena Vista, and Kimball Bosma, of Staunton Goodwill Industries; mentor of the year: Twyla Austin of WWRC; training site: Robin Dietrich of student financial services at Mary Baldwin College; Employer: Hampton Inn, of Waynesboro/Stuarts Draft; and assistive technology: William Paskvich, of Stuarts Draft.  The Pete Giesen Humanitarian Award was accepted by Amie Trinca, of AMC.
Guest speakers for the occasion were Debra and Sara Ruh of TecAccess, of Rockville. By hiring information technology accessibility consultants, many of whom have disabilities, TecAccess was recognized for offering first-hand knowledge to help others understand how to make all electronic and information technology accessible to others with disabilities and age-related limitations.

The Col. Thomas Hughart Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution met Nov. 1, at a Staunton member’s home. 
The program was presented by the singing group “The Happy Notes.” The group performed many military and patriotic-themed songs including ”God Bless America,” “This Land is Your Land” and a military medley with the Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine songs. 
Three members attended the Oct. 6 dedication of a historic marker in Albemarle County commemorating a family that had an large number of sons and grandsons who served our country during the American Revolution. Research for this took several years and involved several DAR chapters. 
Chapter members wrote messages and signed Christmas cards to be sent to soldiers serving overseas during the holidays.  December and February luncheon meeting plans were completed.