Coming events

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.

BAZAAR/BREAKFAST/
BAKE SALE
The LOW Crafters Spring Bazaar will be March 13, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the LOW Church Fellowship Hall. New spring and summer crafts will be featured including children's clothes and toys, American Girl doll clothes, jewelry, spring quilts, plants and many other crafts. A continental breakfast will be served throughout the morning. Craft sale proceeds benefit youth mission trips.

GLL BUSINESS MEETING
The Gordonsville Little League monthly business meeting is Sunday, March 14 at 6:30 at the Gordonsville Little League Field. All interested parties are encouraged to attend. Call Tracy Haney, 832 - 2502.

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.

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 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.

YOUNG AT HEART CLUB
March 17, join us for Brolly (Umbrella) Day and tea. 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.

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.

BENEFIT FOR
HAITI CONCERT
A concert to help victims in Haiti will be March 19, 4 - 11 p.m. in the Madison County High School auditorium. Admission: $2/person; $5/family. All donations go to the Red Cross. Performers include Kayla Tilman, Zack McMullen, Damascus Road, Joe French with JJ&K, Leroy Ducasse, Kayla Pence, DeRailed, Amissville Gospel Group, the Shield Brothers, Chad Linthicum, Cashless Society Band, Don Tebett, Mandorla, Edge of Insanity, Malignity and Numb Incision.

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.

RELAY FOR LIFE FUNDRAISER
Relay for Life Orange, Virginia is having their Spring for a Cure Pansy Fundraiser again this year. Orders need to be in by March 20 for .68-gallon container with two or three big full plants in yellow, light blue, purple, white. Cost is $3.50 each or three for $10. Contact Susan Kennon Burnett, 854-6665; Barbara Duncan 854-5962; JoAnn Tolbert 854-0699 or smileyfacegee@hotmail.com.

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.

COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Orange Cooperative Preschool open house for the 2010-11 school year is March 23 - 25, 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's third annual Longaberger Basket Bingo is March 27. This fundraiser will be in the Orange Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; games start at 6 p.m. The event features 20 games, door prizes, raffles and food. Proceeds 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 or in advance. Call Rachel, (540) 661-4274 or email rrtgibson@yahoo.com for advance tickets (includes free raffle ticket).

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.

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. Guest speaker will be attorney James Gee, board member of national and Virginia NAACP and president of Farmville Branch NAACP. For more information, contact president Ruth Lewis Smith, 854-5318.

SCRAPBOOKING CROP
A LGES PTO hosted scrapbooking crop will be March 27, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the LGES cafeteria. Preregistration is $25, or $30 on the day of the event. Lunch provided by Dominos, along with drinks and snacks. Vendors, make-n-takes, raffle, Win a Slice, and hourly door prizes. Contact Tammy Bennett, (703) 606 - 3512.

PARENTING CLASS
REGISTRATION
The Parenting Cooperative Program offers "Positive Parenting"-effective methods and techniques proven to prevent risky behaviors, and to teach respect, responsibility and other prosocial behaviors during ages 4-12 at Reformation Lutheran Church, Culpeper. April Session: 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, and 17 - Thurs: 6 - 8 p.m. and Sat.: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Cost: $90. For information and to register, call (540) 522-6112 or email ParentingCooperative@gmail.com. A non-profit Healthy Culpeper community program, Piedmont United Way "Community Partner," supported by Culpeper Human Services, civic organizations, and local businesses.

BOWL FOR SENIORS
Teams are forming now for a Bowl for Seniors benefit to be held April 3, 12 noon - 3 p.m. at Mountain Run Bowling Center, Culpeper. Teams must consist of four members. Prizes awarded based on paid pledge amounts, drawings and special competitions. Call Judy Seale, (540) 825 - 3100, ext. 3013; or Lola Walker, (540) 825 - 3100, ext. 3358.

CSWCD SCHOLARSHIPS
Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting applications for college scholarships. Students must be full-time and majoring in a subject related to soil and water conservation including but not limited to agriculture, environmental science, biology, forestry and chemistry. Priority will be given to current high school seniors but undergraduate and graduate students may be considered. For an application, visit www.culpeper.vaswcd.org or call Stephanie DeNicola, (540) 825-8591. Applications must be postmarked by April 9.

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 through 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.

JDRF WALK/RUN
BENEFIT
A 5K walk/run to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) will be Saturday, April 10 at Shenandoah Crossing, starting at 10 a.m. Registration and a kickoff rally start at 9:15 a.m. in Freedom Hall at the Pavilion. A celebratory lunch for all race participants will follow in Freedom Hall. Please call Laura Mawyer, (540) 832-9400, ext. 4264 or email laura.mawyer@bluegreencorp.com to get registered for the race.

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.

SEEKING PAGEANT
CONTESTANTS
The Mine Run Fire Department is looking for 6 to 10-year-old participants for a young miss pageant at the MRVFD Fireman's Fair, June 11 - 12. The Little Miss Pageant for contestants under 6 is still scheduled, but organizers hope to gain input for a 6 to 10 age group. Call Michelle, 423-1937 (leave a message).

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 County Moose Lodge #2198, 16706 Mountain Track Road. 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 Rd. in Rapidan, will he holding Bingo every Saturday night. Come check out our new menu. Doors open at 5 p.m. and 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 areas of 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 volunteer help 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 further information or directions, please call or email Bill Chapman, 672-1794, chapmans1@comcast.net.

PLUMBING/REPAIR HELP
Rapidan Better Housing is accepting applications for the indoor plumbing/repair program. RBH has grant money and zero-interest loans available to homeowners who need a well or drainfield, or repairs to a well or drainfield, and offers complete project management. Call Janet, (540) 948 - 3274.

CRAFTERS GROUP
The LOW Crafters meets Tuesdays, 10 to 11:45 at the LOW Church Fellowship Hall. If you do crafts or would like to learn, come and join the group. For more information on the LOW Crafters or to donate items, contact Rosemary Walker, 972-1375, or email wowrewlow@aol.com and include "crafters" in the subject line.

AUTISM ACTION GROUP
The Rappahannock-Rapidan Autism Action Group will meet the first Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m. - 12 noon at the RRCSB office, 15361 Bradford Road, Culpeper. The group consists of community members who wish to work toward providing quality services and resources for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Contact Becky Boswell, (800) 649 - 8481, or bboswell@autismva.org.