Coming events

TRIBUTE TO
JAMES LAWSON KEMPER
The Kemper-Fry-Strother Camp #19, Sons of Confederate Veterans invites the public to celebrate the birthday of former Governor and General James Lawson Kemper June 11, 6:30 p.m. at Kemper family graveyard, Walnut Hills farm, near Madison Mills. Contact John Howard Carpenter, 672-4009.

FOOD PRESERVATION CLASSES
Learn how and why to preserve foods, methods of preserving, equipment, time, and cost comparisons of freezing, drying, hot water bath and pressure canning at a two-day class series June 11 and 18, July 8 and 15, or Aug. 10 and 17, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Madison Co. Ext. Office. Fee is $5. Call the Orange Co. Ext. Office at 672-1361 to register. Registration is required and space is limited.

ORANGE V.F.W. MEETING
The Orange V.F.W. Post #2217 regular meeting will be June 11 at 7 p.m. at the post home on Brick Church Road. All members.

MRVFD FIREMAN’S FAIR
The annual Mine Run Volunteer Fireman’s 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 and Mine Run Idol contests, games, rides, food and much much more! Join the festivities!

HISTORY AT SUNSET
PROGRAMS
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park’s History at Sunset series begins June 12, continuing Fridays evening until Aug. 14. Sites include Ferry Farm (June 12), the Second Battle of Fredericksburg (July 3), a family’s experience of war while living near Wilderness Battlefield (July 31), and a candlelit evening at Ellwood (Aug. 7). All programs are free. Call (540) 371-0802.

BLOOD DRIVE
A community blood drive will be June 12 from 2 - 6 p.m. at Culpeper United Methodist Church, 1233 Oaklawn Drive, Culpeper. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are also welcome. If you are interested in volunteering your time or if you need additional information, please contact Kee and Bill Miller at . Please come out and donate.

BLOCK PARTY SATURDAY
A free community block party will be June 13 at Waugh Harley-Davidson, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Free hotdogs, kids’ fingerprinting, prizes, snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy, games, activities and music. Hosted by Zion Baptist Church, 672-3382.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE
Supporting the fight against cancer, the ACS Relay for Life will be Saturday June 13 beginning at 3 p.m. through Sunday June 14 ending at 7 a.m. at the Orange County High School track. Show your support and enjoy fun for all ages. For more information visit http://www.relayforlife.org/orangeva or call 854-0699 or 854-5962.

ORANGE COUNTY CRUISERS’ CAR SHOW
The Orange County Cruisers’ 17th annual Open Car Show will be held Sunday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain or shine) at Booster Park on Route 20 in Orange. Pre-registration, $12. Day of the show registration, $15. Vendor fee, $25. Awards and cash drawings. Independent judging. Admission $2. Children under 12 free. Call 832-2918 or 672-7361 for info. Email . Pictured above is Julian Bennett’s 1926 Model T Ford.

YOUNG AT HEART CLUB
June 17, TRIAD—new programs. 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 672-2841; Hank Lewis (540) 972-0359 or Paul Tobin at (540) 972-6256.

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.

BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL
Friday June 19, the public is invited to an evening of bluegrass and gospel at the clubhouse next to Waugh’s off Route 20. Come for fun and music, and bring your instruments and play. Open to groups and individuals. Call Pete, 854-7468, to schedule your group. Contributions go to area children’s groups.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING CLINIC
A one-day defensive driving clinic will be at the OCHS field house June 20, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 5 p.m. Five points awarded for successful course completion. Pre-registration not required, walk-ins welcome. Call Anne Arborgast after 6 p.m., 672-9232.

FIVE DAY PLAN
TO STOP SMOKING
Learn how to stop smoking at a free presentation June 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Orange library meeting room. Video, plan, handouts and refreshments from Hartland Institute of Health and Education. Call 672-1996, ext. 313 or e-mail

RRRC MEETING
The regular meeting of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission will be held Wednesday, June 24, at 1 p.m. at the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission Offices, 420 Southridge Parkway, Suite 106, Culpeper.

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 854-9890. Registration is $60 per person. Register by Visa or MasterCard via phone.

RVFD CHICKEN PICKIN’
Rapidan Volunteer Fire Company’s first annual chicken pickin’ party is June 26, 6 to 8 p.m. at 9729 Locust Dale Rd., Rapidan. Menu: open pit barbecue chicken, potato salad, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, green beans, fruit salad, tea and lemonade. $10/adults, $6 age 10 and under. For information, or to volunteer time and music pickin’ talent, call 672-5744.

SPAGHETTI DINNER FUNDRAISER
The Orange County Women of the Moose will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser June 27, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Moose home. Tickets are sold prior to the event: $7/adults, $4/age six to 10, free for children up to five. Call 672-5052. Proceeds benefit the Preston family of Orange who face staggering medical bills after the illness and death of their baby girl, Alyssa Lynn Preston.

PICNIC IN THE PARK
Celebrate Orange’s sixth annual Picnic in the Park Independence Day celebration will be July 4 at Booster Park. Gates open 4:30 p.m. with family-friendly games, and entertainment at 5:30 p.m. featuring Orange Community Band and Chorus and Kenwood Players. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. No admission fee; $5 per car parking. Bring a picnic or support our vendors. No alcohol permitted.

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, 948-3724.

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.