Sedalia Center Art and Architecture Show

Artists, architects, builders, designers, galleries, and educational and historic institutes will being a whole new concept to central Virginia with the Sedalia Center's Art and Architecture Show. Saturday, Nov. 12, will be the day that mass production and synthetic materials will be abandoned in favor of fine craftsmanship and natural materials. Gifted artisans will exhibit and sell their works of art, demonstrations of glass and forge work, carving, inlay and more will delight and inspire. Architects and designers will bring artful expression to technical design and building projects. Alternative building techniques and reclaimed or repurposed materials will bring fresh perspective to homes, gardens and businesses. Exhibits, demonstrations, vending, presentations and a featured speaker, along with food and drink will make up a day of learning, inspiration and fun. The event is sponsored by Wiley and Wilson, Century Beverage Distributor, and Mail America Communications, Inc. For more information on the event call 540.586.1745 or visit the website.  The Sedalia Center is located at 1108 Sedalia School Road, Big Island.

Veterans Day Ceremony

A Veterans Day Ceremony at "High Ground" Vinton - Roanoke County Veterans Monument will be held on Friday, November 11 at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the Vinton War Memorial. The outdoor ceremony will include a Veterans Day Address by Major General James Archer, the National Anthem sung by Judith Cline, PhD, presentation of colors by the William Byrd High School Junior ROTC Honor Guard, patriotic music by the William Byrd Brass Quartet and the prayers by the Rev. David Vaughan and Rev. Sandy Webb. In addition www.VaBizic.com will be onsite to meet veterans and to conduct some interviews. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held inside the Vinton War Memorial. The event is sponsored by the Roanoke Valley Veterans Council in cooperation with the Town of Vinton and the Vinton-Roanoke County Veterans Monument Committee. For additional information, call Mary Beth Layman at 540-983-0613 or Dan Karnes at 540-798-4111.

NLA Holiday Event - November 10th

On November 10, New London Academy will host Vendor/Book Fair with a free movie night for kids. Pizza and drinks will be available for purchase. In addition to the annual Book Fair, multiple vendors will be on hand to offer items suitable for holiday gift-giving, including jewelry and wood crafted items. New London Academy is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. This family oriented event is free and open to the public.

(Side note, when I attended NLA in the early 1970s, it was then the 8th oldest elementary school still in use in the United States, not sure where it stands now). NLA is in Forest, VA on 460 across from Sheetz (the one being remodeled.

Volunteer Opportunities

Bedford Memorial Hospital has volunteer opportunities available. Contact: Denise "DeDe" Edwards at 540-587-3317 or dredwards@carillionclinic.org. Stop by for a visit to discuss your interests, skills, and availability. You will be given a tour of the hospital and see volunteers in action.

Little Town Players "A Christmas Story"

Remember the show your whole family gathers around to watch every Christmas? Little Town Players brings that show to the stage when they present A Christmas Story on November 11, 12, 18, and 19 at 8 p.m. and November 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. at the Elks National Home Theater. All Ralphie wants for Christmas is an official Red Ryder carbine-action 22 shot rang BB rifle with a compass on the stock, but many obstacles stand in the way of his dream because every adults he confronts keeps telling him he'll shoot his eye out. This is a heartwarming story the entire family will enjoy. A Christmas Story is directed by Allen Thompson and stage managed by Johanna Merrit. For reservations, call the box office at 540-586-5881 or go to the website  Adults $12, children (12 and under) $10.

Youth Awareness Scholarship

Bedford County Sheriff's OFfice and Moose International announces Youth Awareness Scholarship program which is open to all Bedford County High School students. Scholarship prizes range from $1,000 to $12,000. Plan on attending a meeting on November 19, from 9 a.m. to noon at Bedford Moose Lodge, Route 460. For more information, register, email rsundquist@bedfordsheriff.org or call 540-586-7715.

Katie's Place to host its first Farm Fest

Katie's Place will be holding its first ever Farm Fest on November 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  It will be located throughout Dare to Care Charities' 90 acre recreation center and camping facility in Blue Ridge. The event will have craft and food vendors, a petting zoo (complete with llamas), live bands,a  rock climbing wall, bounce house, fire truck, rummage sale, and much more.

The mission of Katie's Place is to improve the quality of life for people with special needs by providing them with the opportunities to pursue the rewards of self-satisfaction, growth, and community in a rural, farm-like setting. Ultimately, Katie's Place plans to develop a farm where participants will look forward to each day and interact with animals and nature on a continuous basis. To date, the program has hosted several respite retreat programs, which are aimed at giving both adults with disabilities and their families and caretakers, a few days of relief from the challenges of everyday life.

Through this event, Katie's Place hopes to raise funds to begin its day-support program, which is scheduled to begin in January. Since there are insufficient programming and housing options for developmentally disabled adults who live in the Roanoke Valley region, those people with intellectual disabilities often find themselves with few options of living meaningful and fulfilling lives. This event therefore seeks to raise money to provide daily guidance and events for participants at the farm, including such activities as raising organic vegetables and animal husbandry.

Farm Fest is currently looking for vendors who would be interested in setting up a table at the event, and also people who would be willing to donate their gently used items to the rummage sale. Because Katie's Place is a 501(c)3 organization, all contributions are tax deductible. For those people who would be willing to volunteer their time and resources to this event are encouraged to contact us for more information.

Those who are interested in obtaining more information about this even can call Amy Baker at Dare to Care Charities (540) 947-5697 or on her cell at (540) 892-4394.

For more information about Katie's Place in general and its initiatives and goals, visit the Web site at katiesplacefarm.org. People can also call Amanda Carr at the Advancement Foundation (54) 345-1292, or email her at amanda.carr.katiesplacefarm@gmail.com