Coming events

BLOOD DRIVE
A Red Cross community blood drive will be Thursday May 14, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Orange Baptist Church social hall, 123 West Main Street, Orange. All donors receive “Got Blood?“ hats.

HABITAT GOLF BENEFIT
A golf classic to benefit Orange County Habitat for Humanity will be Friday, May 15 at Meadows Golf Course, Route 601, Locust Grove. Mixed scramble, shotgun start. $65/player entry fee includes greens fees, cart, prizes and lunch. Sponsorships available. Contact John Henry (540) 972-2706, Skip Bond (540) 972-9157.

BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL
An evening of bluegrass and gospel music will be May 15, 7 to 10 p.m. at the clubhouse next to Waugh’s off Route 20. Come for the fun and music or bring your instruments and play. Open to groups and individuals. Call Pete, (540) 854-7468 to schedule your group to play.

THIRD-FIFTH GRADERS’ DANCE
Orange County Parks and Recreation will hold a dance for children in third through fifth grades May 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Orange Elementary School gym.

BENEFIT CONCERT
A concert to benefit one-year-old Brooke Wallace will be May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Not The Same Old Grind in Orange. Proceeds will help raise money for Brooke’s liver transplant. Bands performing are Numb Incision, Serve Chilled and Prime Devine. Cover is $3, and all other donations will be much appreciated.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY RECEPTION
A business and industry reception with a barbecue gathering will be May 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Booster Park to celebrate Business Appreciation Week. Barbecue dinner is complimentary, refreshments include beer and wine. Reservations appreciated, (540) 672-5216 or
. MRVFD BENEFIT YARD SALE
A huge yard sale will be May 16 from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Mine Run Volunteer Fire Department, 31077 Old Plank Road, Mine Run. Table space is available on first come-first serve basis. Call (540) 854-5438 and leave a message for Dawn.

BVFC YARD SALE/OPEN HOUSE
Come meet neighbors and see the facility at the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company community yard sale and open house, May 16 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine. Food for sale, door prizes. Call now to reserve your $20 space, (540) 832-0530.

GOLF TOURNAMENT
A charity golf tournament will be May 16 at Shenandoah Crossing Golf Club. The tournament begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Cost is $55 per person which includes cart, green fees, lunch and prizes. Proceeds benefit the March of Dimes, ALS Association and Minnich Education Center. To register a team contact Connie Kronander at (540) 967-3170 or at .

BENEFIT YARD/BAKE SALE
Tammy’s Rainbow Warriors Relay For Life Team’s yard and bake sale is May 16, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Company. The sale will be held rain or shine and all proceeds go the American Cancer Society.
ART EXHIBIT OPENING
Ed Jaffe will have an opening reception to exhibit his new work May 16, 5 - 8 p.m. at his gallery, 108 W. Main St., Orange. Jaffe has produced a new series of abstract and near abstract works in mixed media and oil, as well as clay. Following the reception, the gallery is open by chance or appointment. Call ahead, (540) 672-2400.

GLL BUSINESS MEETING
The Gordonsville Little League business meeting will be held Sunday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Blue Omohundro Field in Gordonsville. All interested parties are invited to attend.  For further information, please contact Tracy Haney at (540) 832-2502.

SAVE THE POOL BINGO
Sunday, May 17, the Gordonsville VFW is hosting a benefit bingo fundraiser for the Save the Pool Fund. All proceeds will be donated to the Gordonsville public pool fund. The doors will open at 4 p.m. and Bingo starts at 5 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Gordonsville. Come out and support the public pool while you have fun playing Bingo. The jackpot is $500.

FOOD PRESERVING CLASS
Harvesting season is approaching—brush up on food preservation basics at a two-day Virginia Cooperative Extension class May 21 and May 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Madison County Extension Office. Learn about hot water bath and pressure canning, and freezing. Call (540) 672-136. Registration is required by May 18, space is limited. Participants will receive canned items upon class completion.

O.C. NAACP MEETING
The regular membership meeting of the Orange County Branch NAACP will be held Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m. at the Sedwick Building community room. Mrs. Ruth Lewis Smith is president.

GREEN JOBS CONFERENCE
A conference on green jobs will be May 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the GCC Daniel Technology Center. Learn about “Making and Saving Money through Green Technology” from a number of experts. Attend for $20, price includes lunch. Coffee and pastries 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., reception at 3:30 p.m. To register please call (540) 937-2900. If you would like to exhibit, please call (540) 937-2916.

HOUSE OF BURGESSES CHAPTER MEETING
House of Burgesses Chapter Colonial Dames XVIIth Century will meet at Gordonsville Methodist Church, May 19 at 11 a.m. “Days Gone By” will be shown. State president Nan Ackerman will join us to celebrate the 60th anniversary Virginia’s membership in National Colonial Dames XVIIth Century. For membership information, contact Mrs. Anne Winn, Registrar at (540) 832-3771.

YOUNG AT HEART CLUB
May 20, plant auction and ice cream social. 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, 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/
GOSPEL BENEFIT
A concert to benefit Noah Fox will be May 23, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Germanna Technology Center, Culpeper. Tickets: $10/advance, $10/at the door. Raffle, door prizes, food and drinks. Proceeds help offset medical expenses for baby Noah Fox who suffers from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Contact (540) 825-3124, or

LONGABERGER BASKET BINGO
Longaberger Basket Bingo is May 23 at 6 p.m. at the Mine Run Fire Hall. All proceeds are to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Tickets are $20. For questions or to reserve your ticket please call (540) 854-0523 or e-mail .

LOW RESCUE SQUAD OPEN HOUSE
The Lake of the Woods Rescue Squad invites the public to an open house Saturday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in observance of EMS Week. See equipment, life-saving techniques, and demonstrations by squad members, plus Moon Bounce, gifts, blood pressure tests and more. Come meet our squad members and be our guests!

SADD CARNIVAL
On May 23, the Orange County High School Students Against Destructive Decisions Club will hold a SADD club carnival. There will be a three-on-three basketball tournament, softball home run derby, hot dog eating contest, and a bunch of games throughout the day. All community members are invited to participate. Each event costs a small contribution to the club and sign-up sheets are available in the OCHS front office.

U.D.C. FLAG PLACING
The 13th Virginia Regiment Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will meet May 24 at 7 p.m. at Graham Cemetery to place flags for Memorial Day.

BOATER SAFETY CLASS
May 24, OCHS Anglers will sponsor a Boater Safety Class at OCHS room 154 from 12 noon until 4 p.m. Park in Bus Loop Drive at OCHS. Cost is donation to Anglers. For information e-mail Becky Gore, .

NIXON FAMILY REUNION
The Nixon Family reunion will be May 24 at the home of Betty Nixon, 11514, Browntown Road, Gordonsville. Bring a covered dish or donation. For information, call Betty Nixon, (540) 832-5434 or (434) 249-4566, or Kizzy, (434) 249-4284, or Regina Nixon, (540) 832-7263.

MEMORIAL DAY
CEREMONY
Lake of the Woods and Korean War Veterans Chapter 128 will hold Memorial Day ceremonies Monday, May 25 at 11 a.m. The guest speaker will be retired Seabee Battalion Commander, Capt. Michael Rugless, U.S.N. The public is invited to attend. Ceremonies will be held on the front veranda of the LOW clubhouse.

BASIC PISTOL CLASS
The NRA certified instructors will conduct a basic pistol class to raise funds for Cedar Mountain Youths Inc. NRA certificate upon course completion, live fire instruction, open to adults 21 or older. Must attend classes May 26 and May 27 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and May 30, noon to 5 p.m. to receive certificate. $50/class fee, prepayment required. Call Jeff Dodson, (540) 543-2070.

BOWL FOR SENIORS EVENT
RRCSB-AAA’s Bowl For Seniors will be at Mountain Run Bowling Center, Culpeper, May 30, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Organize teams of four, enjoy the afternoon and support the cause. Prizes awarded based on the paid pledge totals; and drawings and competitions. Corporate sponsors sought. Call Judy Seale, (540) 825-3100, ext. 3013, or Lola Walker, (540) 825-3100, ext. 3358.

7th VA INFANTRY VIGIL
The Seventh Virginia Infantry Regiment, Company A, will present the 17th annual 24-hour vigil At Fairview Cemetery, Culpeper, from 10 a.m. May 30 to 10 a.m. May 31. Confederate reenactors will guard the Confederate grave in half-hour shifts. Late afternoon May 30, and the morning of May 31, buried soldiers’ names will be read. Closing ceremony is 10 a.m. Sunday. For information call Cpt. Bill Graham, (540) 672-4816.

RIKKI’S REFUGE SPRING OPEN HOUSE
Rikki’s Refuge animal sanctuary’s spring open house is May 31 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments, 50/50 raffle, tours and activities. Admission is two (or more) cans of cat/dog food per person. Pet, feed, and love critters ranging from smiling potbellied pigs to curious emus. Call (540) 854-0870, ext. 2, e-mail or visit http://www.rikkisrefuge.org. 

LIVING HISTORY
WEEKEND
The Civil War Museum at the Exchange Hotel, Gordonsville, will host its annual living history weekend June 6 and June 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events to commemorate the museum’s 20th anniversary are a cake walk, ice cream, crafts, and entertainment camp life, medical and military demonstrations, fried chicken, railroad tours, stories and songs. Call (540) 832-2944 or visit http://www.hgiexchange.org

MRVFD FIREMANS FAIR
The annual Mine Run Volunteer Firemans Fair will be June 12 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and June 13 from 6 p.m. to midnight. Come for fireworks, Little Miss Mine Run contest, games, rides, food and much much more! Join the festivities!

O.C. HEALTH FAIR
The annual Orange County Health Fair will be June 18, at the OCHS Field House. The event will provide free health and dental screenings, blood pressure and HIV testing, glucose screens and more for children and adults.

BENEFIT GOLF
TOURNAMENT
The second annual Gary Waugh Memorial Golf Tournament will be June 26 at Meadows Farms Golf Course. Proceeds benefit MRVFD. Everyone is welcome to play. Format is captain’s choice with 9 a.m. shotgun start. For information, call (540) 854-9890. Registration is $60 per person. Register by Visa or MasterCard via phone.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP
The support groups for Alzheimer families and other caregivers meets to assist families, caregivers, and friends of persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias at Amerisist Assisted Living Facility, 215 Southridge Parkway, Culpeper. (540)825-4500. Group meets third Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Sponsored by Central and Western Virginia Chapter of he Alzheimer’s Association and Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board and Area Agency on Aging. Contact facilitator Lynette Scott (540)825-3100, x 3464. Share experiences, information and resources and support each other in care giving for persons with dementia. The group is free and open to all.

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, (540) 672-1361.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Special Riding Camp is when volunteers come together to provide therapeutic horseback riding and camp experience to children with disabilities. Camp is 9 a.m. to noon everyday July 13 - 17. Volunteers are needed for side-walking, crafts, recreation and barn duty. To volunteer, or if you know a nine-19 year-old with a disability who would enjoy camp, contact Ashley Elgin at the Extension Office, 672-1361.

ALZHEIMER CARE GIVERS
The support groups for Alzheimer care givers, and for caregivers of other illnesses will meet as follows: Gordon House, Gordonsville, the third Thursday monthly from 10:30 a.m. to 12; Amerisist, Orange, the fourth Thursday monthly from 10:30 a.m. to 12. These groups are sponsored by the Central and Western Chapter of Alzheimer Association. Learn more about memory loss, resources, and planning for future needs. The groups are free of charge. No reservation is needed. Facilitation for Orange County is Martha Stanley, (540) 672-3654.

QUILT GUILD
The Dolley Madison Quilt Guild meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Town of Orange Public Works building community room. Each Wednesday we meet at the Train Station in Orange from 12:30-3 p.m. We welcome visitors.

RVFD BINGO
The Rapidan Volunteer Fire Dept. has Bingo Saturdays starting at 6:45 p.m. http://www.rapidanfireandrescue.com

MRVFD BINGO
Bingo Fridays at Mine Run Vol. Fire Dept., 31077 Old Plank Road, doors open at 5, early bird starts at 6:30 and regular bingo at 7. Smoke-free; full kitchen. For more information call 854-5751, http://www.minerunfire.com

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 is up to $1,000.

VFW LADIES AUXILIARY
VFW Post 7638-Gordonsville Ladies Auxiliary meeting is every third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

AGING TOGETHER TEAM MEETING
Want your voice heard on senior issues in Orange County?  Come to the meetings and get involved. Aging Together is a community partnership devoted to improving long term and support services for older adults and their families. Join us every second Wednesday at 10 a.m. at 127 Belleview Ave. Triad Office, Orange. Contact Nancy Rhoades at 540-718-0620 or Linda Treakle 540-854-5703

POMC MEETING
The Central Virginia chapter of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc. will be meeting the fourth Friday of each month at 7 p.m. at Culpeper United Methodist Church. The church is located at 1233 Oaklawn Drive in Culpeper. All friends and family members of persons who have died by violence are encouraged to attend. Parents of Murdered Children is the only national self-help support group devoted solely to the aftermath and prevention of murder. On-site childcare will be provided during all meetings. For additional information, contact Cindy Testerman (540) 829-9124.

MENTORS NEEDED
The Breakfast Buddies Program at Gordon-Barbour Elementary school needs volunteers to mentor students. Do you have a half- hour one day a week to volunteer?  The program runs on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays weekly and volunteers are asked to meet with a student between 8 and 8:30 a.m. to share breakfast, play games, read, assist with homework or just talk and have fun. School breakfast is provided for volunteers. Coffee is available. This program is sponsored by the Orange County Office on Youth. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Ethel Hutchinson, program coordinator at (540) 832-2774. 

DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP
DivorceCare, a seminar and support group for people who are separated or divorced, will meet the second and fourth Thursdays, from 7:30 to 8 p.m. in the library at the Lake of the Woods Church. It’s a place to be around people who understand what you are feeling, a place to hear valuable information about ways to heal the hurt of divorce. Call (540) 972-9060 for information.

WEDNESDAY ALANON MEETINGS
Orange Alanon meetings for families and friends of alcoholics or anyone affected by another person’s drinking are held every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Orange Presbyterian Church, 162 W. Main St., downstairs room near the kitchen.

AA Schedule

Sunday
9 a.m. Madison Nutritional Center
6 p.m. Madison, Presbyterian Church, Rt. 29/Fishback
8 p.m. Orange Baptist Church
Monday
8 p.m. Gordonsville Christian Church
8 p.m. Rapidan, Presbyterian Church
8 p.m. Madison, Hebron Lutheran Church
Tuesday
12:30 p.m. Orange, St. Thomas Episcopal Church
8 p.m. Rapidan, Presbyterian Church
Wednesday
12:30 p.m. Orange, St. Thomas Episcopal Church
5:30 p.m. Orange, St. Thomas Episcopal Church (Women)
7:30 p.m. Madison, Catholic Church (Rt. 29 North)
8 p.m. Gordonsville Baptist Church (Rt. 231 and High)
8 p.m. Rapidan, Presbyterian Church
8 p.m. Orange Presbyterian Church
Thursday
8 p.m. Rapidan, Episcopal Church
Friday
12:30 p.m. Orange, St. Thomas Episcopal Church
8 p.m. Rapidan, Presbyterian Church
Saturday
8:30 p.m. Orange Presbyterian Church
For additional meetings call (800-240-6755).