Coming events

DAR MEETING
The Montpelier Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution will meet Thursday, March 4 at 9:30 a.m. at Mt. Nebo Lutheran Church, Rochelle. The program, "Our Chapter Patriots," will be presented by Hazel Arruda, Julia Lloyd and Tamina Painter.

WARNER IN YOUR CORNER
Representatives from Senator Mark Warner's office will be at the Wilderness branch of the Orange County Public Library, March 5, 1:30 - 3 p.m. to assist individuals who have specific questions or problems with federal agencies. These are part of a series of "constituent services on wheels" events that we're calling "Warner on Your Corner." A more complete list of all stops in the commonwealth is at http://warner.senate.gov.

FREE LECTURE SERIES
The Orange County Historical Society and Frank Walker will present a free lecture series based on his Remembering: A History of Orange County, Virginia at Grymes Memorial School's duPont Hall. Lectures are 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. "The Civil War: Much Too Close For Comfort," March 6; "The Commerce of a County," March 13. Call the Orange County Historical Society, 672 - 5366 (afternoons).

PARENTING CLASSES
The Parenting Cooperative Program offers parents and caregivers "Positive Parenting" - research-based methods and techniques, proven to stimulate healthy growth and development in children ages 4 - 12. Classes are held at Reformation Lutheran Church, Culpeper, March 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, Thursdays from 6 - 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 12 noon. Cost is $90. For information and to register, call (540) 522-6112, or email ParentingCooperative@gmail.com. The Parenting Cooperative Program is a non-profit "Community Partner" with Piedmont United Way, Healthy Culpeper, and Culpeper Human Services.

PRESCHOOL BINGO FUNDRAISER
The Lake Co-Op Preschool will hold a Reward Yourself Bingo fundraiser at the Lake of the Woods Community Center, Saturday March 6. Doors open at 6 p.m. Games begin promptly at 7 p.m. Cost is $15 in advance or $18 at the door. To reserve your seat or for more information, contact Amanda, (540) 972-5755. Childcare will be provided for children 2 years and up with prior reservations; $5/child.

GLL TRYOUTS
Gordonsville Little League tryouts for the 2010 season have been rescheduled to Saturday, March 6 at noon at the Blue Omohundro field in Gordonsville. For further information call Tracy or Chris Haney, 832-2502.

LONGABERGER BASKET BINGO
A Longaberger Basket Bingo will be Saturday, March 6 at 5 p.m. in the Gordonsville Fire Hall to benefit The American Cancer Society. Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Food for sale, baked goods auction, Pampered Chef auction. For tickets or information contact Darlene Straley, (434) 293-7374 or va14da@aol.com; Debbie Hoffman, 832-3297 or dhoffman10@verizon.net; or Nora Richardson, (540) 894-4278 or nrichardson9@verizon.net. This event is sponsored by Friends and Family for Life Relay Team.

MRVFD HAM DINNER
Mine Run Volunteer Fire Department will hold an all-you-can eat ham dinner at the fire house Saturday, March 6 from 4 - 7 p.m. Menu includes ham, green beans, potatoes, baked apples, rolls, dessert and beverage. Price is $8 for adults $4 for children six and under. For more information call Joyce Wilson at 854-4878. Proceeds benefit the fire company.

OCHS ANGLERS' SHOW
The Orange County High School Anglers will host the annual sportsman's show March 6 - 7 at the OCHS Hornet Sportscenter. Hours Saturday, March 6 are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, March 7, hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults. All county elementary school students will receive a ticket for free admission through their school. Call 661-4300, ext. 1155 for more information.

INTERPRETERS NEEDED AT
HISTORIC ELLWOOD
Friends of Wilderness Battlefield and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park will conduct training for new and veteran interpreters of historic Ellwood Manor. Training for new volunteers will be March 6. Training for all volunteers will be March 22 or March 27. Contact Carolyn Elstner at (540) 373-6240 or MElstner@aol.com.

ORANGE MOOSE LODGE
DINNER AND KARAOKE
The Orange Moose Lodge will host a pork chop dinner March 6. The menu will consist of pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy, black eyed peas, rolls and salad. Karaoke will follow from 8 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $5 per person.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST
The Boy Scouts of America Troop 16 will hold a pancake breakfast March 6, 8 - 11 a.m. at Unionville Christian Church fellowship hall. Troop 16 is raising funds for summer camp serving pancakes, bacon, biscuits and gravy, juices, coffee and tea for a suggested donation of $5 each. Children age 4 and under eat free. For more information call Susan Haynes, (540) 718-0650.

ORANGE MOOSE LODGE BREAKFAST
The Orange Moose Lodge will host a buffet breakfast Sunday, March 7 from 9-11 a.m. The cost is $6 per adult and $3 per child.

ORANGE AARP
The Orange Chapter 5373 of AARP will meet March 8 for its monthly meeting, at the Orange County Rescue Squad building at 1 p.m. The community service project for March will be to take school supplies to your favorite school. If schools are closed for weather, the meeting will be canceled. AARP is open to all persons over the age of 50. For more information, call Dottie Wampler at 672-4335.

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN
OPEN HOUSE
Cornerstone Christian School will hold an open house night Monday, March 8 from 5-7 p.m. at the school at 2930 Beautiful Run Rd., Radiant. Now enrolling 3-year-old preschool through fifth-grade.

UDC MEETING
The 13th Virginia Regiment Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will meet March 10 at Dogwood Village at 10 a.m. Any questions, call 832-3421.

AGING TOGETHER
COMMUNITY MEETING
An Aging Together strategic planning input session will be March 10 at 9:30 am at the Orange TRIAD office. The public is invited to share thoughts on creating a community that values and supports all of us as we grow older. What issues should be addressed? What is needed to make Orange a good place in which to grow older? How can we help to make this vision possible? Contact Nancy Rhoades, (540) 718-0620 or nrhoades@agingtogether.org

THE YOUNG AT HEART CLUB
March 10, Otis Gooding will tell us the story of Tom Dooley. 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 Route 20 and 522. The club is open to senior adults and provides a social outlet including games, guest speakers, luncheons and other entertainment. For more information contact Alice Lumsden, 672-2841.

VFW MEETING
Orange VFW Post #2217 will hold its regular meeting March 11 at 7 p.m. at the post home on Brick Church Road. All members are invited.

OCSO RAD COURSE
The Orange County Sheriff's Office will offer a Rape Aggression Defense course March 16, 23 and 30, 6 - 9 p.m. at Orange Elementary School. The RAD course, a national program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques taught for women only, will be taught by sheriff's office staff members who are nationally certified RAD instructors. The course is offered free of to participants who are at least 16 years old. Spaces are limited to 20 participants. Call Donna Lucas at the sheriff's office, 672-7219.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY SUPPER
A St. Patrick's Day supper will be served at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Unionville, March 17, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. The menu consists of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, drink and dessert. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 - 10 and free for children 5 and under. For more information, call 854-5026.

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM
The Strengthening Families Program is for parents of 10 - 14-year olds, and both parents and children participate. The group's goals are to build on family strengths, encourage appreciation for one another, improve relationships, and decrease the likelihood of family conflict and risky adolescent behaviors. The program is free of charge, childcare for younger siblings is offered for free. A $15 gas card, and dinner are included. The group meets weekly for three hours for seven weeks. Beginning mid-March, the group will meet on the second floor of the Sedwick Building, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Space limited to 10 families Contact Nora at the Orange County Office on Youth, 661-5457, or ncoleman@orangecountyva.gov

ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER
The Rapidan Volunteer Fire Department will host a St. Patrick's Day dinner March 19, 6 - 8 p.m. The cost is $12 per lad and $6 for wee lads under 12. The menu includes corned beef brisket, cooked cabbage, new potatoes, cornbread muffins, root beer floats, sugar cookies, green punch, tea and coffee. The fire department is located at 9729 Locust Dale Road, Rapidan. For more information, call 672-5744.

BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL
The public is invited to an evening of bluegrass and gospel, March 19, 7 - 10 p.m. at the clubhouse next to Waugh's off Route 20. Come for the fun and music or bring your bluegrass Instruments and play. Open to all individuals and groups. Please call Pete, 854-7468, to schedule your group to play. Contributions go to area children groups. Sponsored by Waugh Enterprises.

OCC&B CONCERT
The 80-member Orange Community Chorus and Band will perform nostalgic and patriotic tunes that are pure Americana - past and present for your listening pleasure at the LOW Church March 20 at 7 p.m., and at OCHS March 21, at 7:30 p.m. The evening includes selections by Henry Mancini, George Gershwin, Leroy Anderson and John Philip Sousa, along with familiar spirituals and folk songs.

COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL
OPEN HOUSE
Orange Cooperative Preschool will be holding an open house for the 2010-11 school year March 23 - 25 from 9 a.m. to noon. OCP is a non-profit preschool for children ages 2-1/2 to 5 years old. We are located in the Head Start wing of the Taylor Education Administration Complex. To schedule a time to visit, please call 672-7877.

JUNIOR WOMEN'S CLUB BENEFIT
The Junior Women's Club will hold its third annual Longaberger Basket Bingo on March 27. This fundraising event will be held in the fellowship hall of the Orange Presbyterian Church. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with games starting at 6 p.m. Twenty games will be played with many door prizes, raffles and food sold. All proceeds from this event will go toward the club's donation to the Orange Food Pantry and a scholarship to a graduating OCHS female to further her education. Tickets are $20 at the door. If purchased prior to the event, tickets are $20 with a free raffle ticket included. Please call Rachel at (540) 661-4274 or e-mail at rrtgibson@yahoo.com to purchase tickets in advance.

LOW LIONESS FLEA MARKET
The Lake of the Woods Lioness Flea Market and Craft Fair will be Saturday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Locust Grove Middle School. This popular event will feature numerous vendors including crafts, a book sale, bake sale, and food concessions.

HABITAT DINNER/DANCE
Hold the date for Habitat. The annual big band dinner dance will be Saturday, March 27. Tickets are $45 apiece and available from Liz or Skip Bond, 972-9157. Reservation deadline is March 20. Sponsorships available.

FREEDOM FUND BANQUET
The Orange County NAACP's annual Freedom Fund Banquet will be held Saturday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Double Tree Hotel in Charlottesville. For more information, contact president Ruth Lewis Smith, 854-5318.

FREE TAX HELP
AARP, in conjunction with the IRS and with the assistance of the Virginia Cooperative Extension, is sponsoring free tax preparation for taxpayers with low and middle incomes and senior citizens. Returns, prepared by trained and certified counselors, will be filed on-site electronically. Sites will be open Feb. 3 - April 15. The tax site in Orange is in the Sedwick Building and is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call 672-1361 for an appointment. The tax site at Lake of the Woods (in the Holcomb Bldg, just inside the LOW main gate) is open Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 972-0350 for an appointment.

BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL
The public is invited to an evening of bluegrass and gospel, April 16, 7 - 10 p.m. at the clubhouse next to Waugh's off Route 20. Come for the fun and music or bring your bluegrass Instruments and play. Open to all individuals and groups. Please call Pete, 854-7468, to schedule your group to play. Contributions go to area children groups.

RELAY FOR LIFE BENEFIT
There will be a Longaberger Basket Bingo on Saturday, April 17 at Mine Run Fire House. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and games will begin at 6 p. m. Tickets are $20 with a guarantee of 15 games. Contact Sherry Garner at (540) 735-5473.

GIRL SCOUT VOLUNTEER
The Orange County Girl Scouts Service Unit seeks a dedicated and energetic volunteer to fill the position of service unit manager. This position requires a dedication to the Girl Scout mission and core values, and to the troops and leaders of Orange County. Training will be provided. Contact Terrie Richardson, 661-0471 or trichardson@gsvsc.org, for more information.

OCHS CLASS OF 1960
Planning is underway for a 50-year reunion for Orange County High School Class of 1960 in 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, 854-6591, or Paige Green Deitrick, 854-0828.

MOOSE LODGE BINGO
Bingo begins at 7 p.m. on Fridays at Orange Co. Moose Lodge #2198, 16706 Mountain Track Rd. Call 540-672-2133 for more info.

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

RVFD BINGO
Rapidan Volunteer Fire Department, located at 9729 Locust Dale Road in Rapidan, will he holding Bingo every Saturday night. Come check out our new menu. Doors open at 5 p.m., early birds begin at 6:45 with regular games starting at 7 p.m. For more information or directions call 672-5744.

CAR CLUB
We are interested in starting a local Mustang and Cobra Club in the area including Orange, Madison, Culpeper, Charlottesville and Warrenton. For more information, contact Julian Bennett at (540) 903-5665 or Gabriel Ducote at (540) 222-1386.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Celebrate Orange Committee needs volunteers to plan and carry out Picnic in the Park, which will be Monday, July 5. The committee meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the choir room of Orange Presbyterian Church. For information or directions, call or email Bill Chapman, 672-1794, chapmans1@comcast.net.