Civic news

By Gina Farthing

Published: November 14, 2008

The Waynesboro High School Beta Club is sponsoring a food drive for the Augusta Regional SPCA. The food drive has been going on at WHS for two weeks and will continue until Nov. 21. The SPCA is accepting both canned and dry food as well as chew toys for both dogs and cats.
For more information, call WHS Beta Club advisor Bill Krzastek 946-4616 or can e-mail him via the WHS Web site.

Special Olympic scarves: The correct color of blue needed is running low locally, if available at all. Organizers Anita Heatwole and April Layman have ordered more directly from Coats and Clark’s and their order should currently be in. If anyone is in need of the delft blue to create a Special Olympics scarf, please contact either Heatwole at 942-1519 or Layman at 943-3464.

Augusta County Historical Society fall meeting; Sunday at 3 p.m.; Central United Methodist Church, corner of W. Lewis and Beverley streets, Staunton. Program: Author and culinary historian, Nancy Carter Crump, will speak about her new book, “Hearthside Cooking: Early American Southern Cuisine Updated for Today’s Hearth and Cookstove. “ Book signing to follow the meeting. Free to ACHS members and the public; info: E-mail or call 248-4151.

Can Your Fines at the Augusta County Library; Monday-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 2008-2009 light displays in Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton; organizations, businesses, families and individuals can reserve a 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.

Sunnyside Retirement Center, 3935 Sunnyside Drive, Harrisonburg; the Shenandoah Valley Quilters Guild; meeting in Sunnyside Room at 9:30 a.m. today; following meeting is service workshop; 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.

Ace Contracting and Buckaroo Cordon Bleu; authentic Chuck Wagon Extravaganza today, from 1-5 p.m. at Page’s Field in Batesville; charity event will benefit People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry (PACEM), a winter shelter and support for homeless men, women and children; will provide a menu of “cowboy cuisine,” including Boeuf Bourguignon and Cassoulet; includes an auction for a custom handmade chestnut dining table; tickets: $50 per person; reservation required, call 434-293-6290; guests encouraged to wear western attire; donations can be made online at http://www.pacemshelter.org or by mail: P.O. Box 14, Charlottesville, Va. 22902.

Rockfish Valley Volunteer Fire Department; Crafter’s Fair; today and Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday; support local crafters, the Boy Scouts and the Rockfish Valley Volunteer Fire Department; food available; info: 456-4725.
Dayton Learning Center; 290 Mill St., Dayton; Shenandoah Valley Chapter of USA Dance; monthly dance on Nov. 22; free beginner lesson at 7:15 p.m.; dance starts at 8 p.m.; features ballroom, latin and swing music; admission: $10 per person, $8 for USA Dance members and seniors, $5 for students; smoke- and alcohol-free environment; casual dress; open to the public; info: 879-9126.

The Waynesboro Paranormal Research Group; meeting on Nov. 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Room A of the Waynesboro Public Library; a free lecture; topic: “Spirits of the St. James Hotel,” presented by Bill McGill and Jimmy Overton; public is welcome.

The American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive on Nov. 26, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Staunton Gypsy Hill Park gymnasium in Staunton.