Coming events

FLOWER SHOW AND SPEAKER
Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, an expert in treatment of Lyme disease and mold related illnesses will speak at the Town of Orange Community Room Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Q and A session. The Dolley Madison Garden Club Zinnia Show will precede the lecture from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited and urged to attend this free presentation sponsored by Dolley Madison Garden Club.

V.F.W. MEETING
The Orange V.F.W. Post #2217 regular meeting will be Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at the post home on Brick Church Road. All members.

VT ALUMNI MEETING
The monthly meeting of the Piedmont Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, which serves Culpeper, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock, is Sept. 10 at 7 p.m., at the Culpeper County Library. The chapter meets the second Thursday of every month (same time and location). Contact Andrew Moody, (540) 908-0496 or PiedmontHokies@gmail.com.

TRI-COUNTY TRACK MEET
This year's Tri-County Track Meet will be Sept. 12 at Eastern View High School in Culpeper. The family-friendly meet is open to residents of Culpeper, Madison and Orange counties ages 4 to 79. Entry forms are available at www.culpeperruritans.org, Gold's Gym, Powell Wellness Center, local newspapers or parks and recreation offices. No entries after Sept. 4, Call (540) 948-5416.

BOOK SALE
The James Madison Museum annual book sale is Sept. 12, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sept. 13 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the museum. New books, courtesy of MPS, will be sold at up to 90 percent off the cover price. All proceeds benefit the ongoing operations of the James Madison Museum. Also, used books may be donated prior to the sale. The James Madison Museum is located at 129 Caroline Street, Orange. Hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays; 12 - 4 p.m. Saturday; and 1 - 4 p.m. Sunday. Call 672 1776 for additional information.

D.A.R. MEETING
The Montpelier Daughters of the American Revolution will meet Saturday, Sept. 12 at Hebron Lutheran Church, Madison. Members are asked to bring a covered dish to share at the luncheon. The program will be presented by the American history chairman Betty Lynn Yowell and the Madison County High School American History Scholars.

MOUBRAY REUNION
The annual James Lewis and Mertie Mae Moubray family reunion will be held Sept. 13 at the Porterfield Park shelter in Orange. The event will being at 11 a.m. and everyone is asked to bring a covered dish and beverage.

HUNTER EDUCATION CLASS
A Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries free hunter education class will be at Woodberry Forest School, Sept. 13, and Sept. 20, 12 - 5 p.m. Pre-registration and attendance both days required for certification. This course is open to anyone and provides instruction in basic hunter safety, principles of conservation and sportsmanship. Hunters under the age of 16 and first-time hunters 16 and older must complete the course prior to purchasing a hunting license. Youths 12 and under can only attend with an adult. Contact Mark Frazier, 661-3489, after 5p.m.

GLL BUSINESS MEETING
The monthly Gordonsville Little League business meeting will be held Sunday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Blue Omohundro Field in Gordonsville. All interested parties are encouraged to attend. For further information, please contact Tracy Haney at 832-2502.

ORANGE AARP
The Orange Chapter of the AARP will meet Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. in the Orange County Rescue Squad building. The community service project for September is to donate paper products for the Boys & Girls Club. AARP is open to all persons over the age of 50. Call Dottie Wampler, 672-4335.

ONE WARM COAT
Statewide, 4-H horse project members hope to collect enough winter coats for the needy to fill a horse trailer. Please consider donating any coats you may be able to spare. Bring them to the Extension Office prior to Sept. 14. Donated coats will be distributed through the "One Warm Coat" service project. Contact O.C. Hoofmates 4-H Horse Club leader Jody Ramey, (540) 270-1748.

THE YOUNG AT HEART CLUB
Sept. 16, Hank's game day. The Young at Heart Club meets every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at East Orange Ruritan Building at the intersection of Routes 20 and 522. The club, which takes local trips and performs community service, is open to anyone. For more information call Alice Lumsden (540) 672-2841; Hank Lewis (540) 972-0359 or Paul Tobin at (540) 972-6256.

BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL
Sept. 18, from 7 to 10 p.m., the public is invited to enjoy an evening of bluegrass and gospel music at the clubhouse next to Waugh's off Route 20. Come for the fun and music or bring your instruments and play. Open to all individuals and groups. Call Pete, 854-7468 to schedule your group to play. Contributions go to area children groups. Sponsored by Waugh Enterprises.

LGMS MUSIC YARD SALE
Locust Grove Middle School music department's third annual yard sale is Sept. 26 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pay $20 for one space or $30 for two and keep what you make at the sale. Bring table, chairs and cash box. Setup starts at 7 a.m. To rent a space, call LGMS director of music Steven Bolas, 661-4444, ext. 2933, or sbolas@ocss-va.org by Sept. 18.

CATFISHING TOURNAMENT
The Gordonsville Lions Club will host a catfishing tournament on Sept. 19 at High Point Marina from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seventy percent payback, $30 per person. Call (540) 895-5249, (540) 967-1453.

PEC ANNUAL MEETING
The Piedmont Environmental Council's Annual Meeting will be Saturday, Sept. 19 at Firnew Farm in Wolftown (Madison County). Details of the event will be released shortly and will be posted on PEC's web site: www.pecva.org. Inquiries regarding the annual meeting can be made to Doug Larson, at (540) 341-0175, ext. 3.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Caleb's Faith, a non-profit organization, is hosting a "Celebration of Life" in memory of Stephen Caleb Smith, Sept. 19, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Booster Park. Live entertainment including Zion's Song, Calvary's Mercy, Jenny, Joey and McKenzie Hogsten, Nelson and Summer Page, Steve North, Gina Keller and Trish Johnson and Gordon-Barbour's Singing Bulldogs. Our dunk tank will be attended by Eugene Kotulka, Ray Breeden, Eric Hopwood, Dwayne Pugh, and John Hodgen. Please join us for a day of fun, food, and remembrance. Proceeds are for a scholarship fund.

COPS & KIDS FRIEND DAY
The Gordonsville Police Department eighth annual Cops & Kids Friend Day is Sept. 19 at the Gordonsville Fire Company fairgrounds, from noon to 4 p.m. The event focuses on ages up to 12 and everything is free. Activities include: a free raffle with grand prizes of bicycles, K-9 demonstrations, a barrel train, moon bounce or slide, dunking booth, and loads of food and fun. In addition, members of local police departments, fire companies, and rescue squads will be on hand with their vehicles and equipment. To make a donation or become a sponsor, call 832 - 2234.

GIRLS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
Up Tempo Basketball AAU tryouts for girls ages 11 - 16 will be Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Hornet Sports Center. Girls who want to play the upcoming season, beginning Feb. 2010 must attend this tryout. Practice begins in November. Team rosters for 13 and under, 14 and under, and 16 and under must each carry 10 players, and no more than 12. Contact Shannon Douglas, (540) 717 - 0860 or sdouglas2009@hotmail.com or visit uptempoaau.com

HEART WALK
The Orange County Unit of the American Heart Association's annual Heart Walk is Sept. 20. The Heart Walk will start in front of Orange County High School at 2 p.m. Registration at 1:30 pm. Join the fight against America's #1 killers: heart disease and stroke. Proceeds benefit American Heart Association research and education programs. To participate or donate, call Tammy Newkirk, 832-5658.

DARNELL REUNION
The annual Darnell reunion will be held Sunday, Sept. 20 at Bethel United Methodist Church pavilion in Rochelle. Church service is at 11 a.m. with food at the pavilion after the service. Call 854-4825 for information.

STAGE ALIVE CONCERT
Stage Alive Community Concert Association 2009 - 2010 opening concert features Daniel Rodriguez, the former New York City police office who rose to fame as he sang a capella "God Bless America" and the national anthem Sept. 11, 2001. He will perform Sept. 24, .at 7:30 p.m. at Culpeper County High School auditorium. Pending space available, individual tickets will be sold at the venue on the night of the performance. Call (540) 972-3027, 854-5355, or (540) 825-1342.

RLF PANSY SALE
Relay for Life team captains and members are taking orders until Sept. 24 for fall pansy plants. Orders will be prepaid and may be picked up Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dulin's Store (Mine Run) or Bethlehem United Methodist Church (Unionville). Call Joann Tolbert, 854 - 0699 or Barbara Duncan, 854 - 5962. Give yourself a spot of color all winter long and support ACS Relay for Life in Orange County.

EX-OFFENDERS'
SUPPORT GROUP
An ex-offenders support group is now forming. Join us Sept. 24, 5 - 6:30 p.m. in the Sedwick Building public meeting room. Free food and fellowship. Call Bernice Washington, 672 - 1155, ext. 126; or Kathy Pullen, ext. 115.

BVFD CAR SHOW
Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company's fifth annual car show is Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $15 entry fee, $2 admission for spectators, free admission for children under 12. Dash plaques and trophies awarded. For more info call Greg, 832-7144.

MOTORCYCLE RODEO
The Orange County Moose Lodge is hosting a motorcycle rodeo Sept. 26. The event is being sponsored by District 6 Moose Riders and features a bike show, a poker run and a dance featuring the Johnson City Hitmen. All proceeds from the dance will go to Kari's Heart Foundation. Meals will be served. All other event proceeds will go the Moose Rider Charities. For more information, contact Norris Williams at 894-6292. Accommodations are available at the Orange Moose Lodge. Call the lodge at 672-2133 for information.

ACTIVE PARENTING
WORKSHOP
Free Active Parenting Workshops will be Sept. 26, and Oct. 24 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the TEAC Building, for parents of 5 - 12-year-olds. Participants will learn: non-violent discipline techniques; improved communications with children; teaching responsibility; coping with difficult topics; and defusing power struggles. Childcare provided for ages 5 - 12; lunch is provided. There is limited seating. Call Sheila Donnelly, 672-6858.

TAMING THE WILDERNESS
Friends of Wilderness Battlefield will host "Taming the Wilderness" Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at historic Ellwood Manor on Route 20 in Locust Grove. Many craftsmen and women will be on hand to demonstrate the trades and crafts used to build and operate a working plantation in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. See the FoWB website at fowb.org for details and directions or contact Dale Brown, (540) 972-9298 or dalekbrown@verizon.net for more information.

OCHS CLASS OF '64 REUNION
The Orange County High School class of 1964 is making plans to hold a 45-year reunion Oct. 2 and Oct. 3. Call Jack and Barbara Colvin, 672-2647, or e-mail casks@aol.com

ENTERTAINMENT NEEDED
The Gordonsville Street Festival which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 is seeking entertainment for the festival. If you have a talent that you would like to share with the community, please call Barbara Seal Harris at 832-7374 or e-mail gvfcauxiliary1@aol.com

GORDONSVILLE STREET FESTIVAL
The Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary will sponsor its annual street festival, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., rain or shine. This event a major fund raiser for the GVFC. Food, raffles, crafts, entertainment, vendors. Spaces are still available: $40, or $50 with electricity. Call Debbie Hoffman, 832-3297, or Barbara Harris, 832-7374. No bikes, skateboards or dogs, please.

CAUSE 4 PAWS BENEFIT
Cause 4 Paws will host a benefit buffet dinner, silent auction, and performance by Elvis impersonator Wrenn Mangold, Oct. 3 at the Moose Lodge on Rt. 3, Fredericksburg. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner starts at 6 and the show starts at 7:30. Bidding will open prior to the entertainment. Tickets: $30; seating is limited to 200 guests. Contact C.C., (540) 972-7902 for tickets. Donations may be sent to Cause 4 Paws, P.O. Box 301, Locust Grove, VA 22508.

ART EXHIBIT
A new exhibit, The Art of Glass, from the Chasen Galleries of Fine Art collection will run through Oct. 4 at The Arts Center in Orange, and includes works by a number of artists. Contact The Arts Center in, 672-7311, or visit www.artscenterorange,org. Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

BVFC KIDS' DAY
Barbousville Volunteer Fire Company Kids Day is Oct 10, from 10 a.m. to3 p.m. Show sponsored by local churches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., fire slide bounce, face painting, fingerprinting, equipment on display and more.

APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL
Graves Mountain Lodge's 40th annual Apple Harvest Festival is Oct. 10 - 11 and Oct. 17 - 18. Bluegrass, cloggers, arts and crafts, hay maze, hay mountain, hayrides, horseback riding, pick-your-own apples, and working educational farm. Brunswick stew, hamburgers, hotdogs, barbecue and more at festival or by reservation. Call (540) 923 - 4231 or visit www.gravesmountain.com Free admission and parking. Dogs must be leashed.

HARVEST MOON DINNER/DANCE
The Lake of the Woods Childhelp Auxiliary will have its third annual Harvest Moon dinner/dance Oct. 24 at the LOW Clubhouse, 6 to 11 p.m. Proceeds benefit children at Alice C. Tyler Village of Childhelp, a home for abused and neglected children in Lignum. Music is provided by The Big Band of Fredericksburg. For tickets, $45 per person, call Leslie at 972-1622 or JoAnn at 972-8666.

GSA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council Orange County Service Unit is looking for friendly and helpful adult volunteers to help train the leaders of tomorrow and make a difference in young girls' lives. For information on dedicating your time to building girls of courage, confidence, and character, email brasher23@hotmail.com or call 661-0471. Visit http://orangecountyvagirlscouts.webs.com/.

NPS PROGRAMS AT WILDERNESS
A National Park Service Historian is on duty at the Wilderness Battlefield Exhibit Shelter on Rt. 20, Tues. - Thurs., 10:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. and 1:45 - 4:15 p.m. On Fri. - Mon., the historian is on duty 10:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. and 1:45 - 5:15 p.m.

OFFICE ON YOUTH SCHOOL SUPPLIES CAMPAIGN
The Orange County Office on Youth is collecting donations for children who may be in need of school supplies to start the 2009-2010 school year. Donated supplies and contributions can be delivered to the Office on Youth in the Sedwick Building, 146 Madison Road, Suite 258, Orange. Items on the Office on Youth's list are: wide-ruled notebook paper, #2 pencils, pens, single subject spiral notebooks, pocket folders, colored pencils, crayons, glue sticks, rulers, one-inch three ring binders, pencil boxes, red pencils, erasers and children's winter coats. For more information, please call 672-5484.

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS
Rapidan Better Housing is accepting applications for the Indoor Plumbing/Repair Program. Homeowners who need a well or drainfield, or need help with repairs to a well or drainfield, can apply for grants money and zero-interest loans. Rapidan Better Housing provides complete project management from start to finish. For information, please call Janet in the Madison office, 948-3274.

POSSIBLE TEEN ADVENTURE CLUB
Are you between the ages of 13 and 19? Do you like being outside and trying new and challenging activities? With enough interest, a 4-H Teen Adventure Club will be formed. The club would take trips for camping, hiking, canoeing, and whitewater rafting while learning about outdoors, team work, and natural resources. Interested? Contact Ashley Elgin at the Orange Extension Office, 672-1361.

SPAY/NEUTER TRANSPORT
The Orange County Humane Society will be having low cost spay/neuter transports to the Shenandoah Valley Spay & Neuter Clinic in Harrisonburg once a month through 2009. Please call the humane society voicemail, 672-0069, to schedule your dog or cat. All animals must be registered in advance.

OCHS CLASS OF 1960
A 50-year reunion for the Orange County High School Class of 1960 is being planned for 2010. For more information, alumni should contact Courtenay Fry Janes, (828) 627-1529, cjanes@hughes.net; Betty J. Carpenter Doyle, (904) 241-7842, bettydoyle@comcast.net; or Jane Hale (804) 272-4181, jallie23225@yahoo.com.

OCHS CLASS OF 1980
The Orange County High School Class of 1980 30-year is being planned for 2010. Organizers are searching for class members. Please contact Judy Harlow Moubray, 832-0464; Susie Koontz Swope, 661-4324; Larry Wilson, 672-3834; Michael Altman, 672-5886; Sean Gregg; Patsy Martin, 854-6305, or Paige Green Deitrick, 854-0828.

V.F.W. BINGO
Thursday is bingo night at Gordonsville V.F.W. beginning at 7 p.m. Jackpot guaranteed $1,000.

MADISON CHORAL SOCIETY
The Madison Choral Society, directed by Martha Mikula will begin rehearsals for fall programs on Monday evenings, 7 - 9:15 p.m. at the Madison United Methodist Church. Music for concerts includes Vaughan-Williams' "Fantasy on Christmas Carols," selections from Mendelssohn's "Christus" and Appalachian carols. No audition required, some music experience helpful. Call Betty Rollins, 672-3297; or Martha Mikula, (540) 923 - 5123.