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

Trunks or Treats Community Event

Lighthouse Free Will Baptist Church of Bedford invites you to visit the church parking lot for free candy and treats on Halloween night beginning at 6 p.m. Games and refreshments will  be offered inside the fellowship hall. The address is 942 Burks Hill Road and is located across from Liberty Lake Park. Bring your children. Call Pastor Larry Ross at 540-587-8962 or email him at edrynn@verizon.net for more info. Visit the church website.

Fall Festival /Trunk or Treat

On Saturday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church of Goode will be having a fall festival and Trunk or Treat.

Fall Fellowship Festival

Mountain View Union Church will be having a Fall Fellowship Festival on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 2-6 p.m. There will be hay rides, relay games, apple bobbing, pie baking contest, chili cookoff, music and singing along with hot dogs and hamburgers. Prizes for the games will be given. to register for the pie contests or child cook-off or if you plan to attend, call Shannon at (434) 942-1051 or Sheila (540) 587-9012 for food preparation, Mountain View is located on 460 West behind Bedford Moose Lodge on Miller Lane.

Gospel Sing

Gospel Sing at Safe Harbor Community Church, 800 Peaksview St., Bedford, October 29, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear:

11 a.m. Dobie Toms and Faith Ridge
Noon - Common Ground
1 p.m.- Billy Witt
2 p.m. - Dorothy and Bobby Carter accompanied by Elwood Carwile and the Lafayette Gospel Singer
3 p.m. - Plain and Simple
4 p.m. - Family Grass-Bluegrass Gospel,
5 p.m. - Pleasant Valley Men's Chorus.

No admission charge, free food, crafts and games for kids. Love offering gladly accepted. All proceeds benefit Safe Harbor Community Church.

Questions: Contack Mike Mehaffey (540-400-1924) or Pastor, Jerry Parr (540-583-0951).

Trunk or Treat - Moneta

The Bethlehem United Methodist Church youth group will be hosting a Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the church parking lot. Members of the BUMC congregation arrive early for the event and decorate their car trunk with everything from cobweb to cowboys, while wearing Halloween attire. All children and families are welcome and the event is free to the community. Trunk or Treat is a safe alternative to going door to door. Kids can get lot of candy from different families all in one place. Bethlehem is located at 13856 old Moneta Road, across from SML library.

Collecting Food

Bedford County Department of Social Services has begun collecting food items so that families in the community will enjoy abundant meals during the Thanksgiving holidays this year. Not sure where to drop off food items?  Mountain View United Methodist Church across from Forest Middle School on Rt. 221 has a real oar boat in the narthex as you enter the church and will accept donations until November 6. At that point the boat will be hitched to a truck and taken to Bedford County Social Services to distribute. If you need ideas as to what to contribute, and more information, contact the church at 434-525-6612 or visit their website.

Trick or Treat in Downtown Vinton

Children are invited to participate in the annual Trick or Treat in Downtown Vinton, Monday, Oct. 31, from 2:30-4:45 pm. Over 40 businesses will be providing treats for children up to 12 years of age. The children are encouraged to dress in costume and should bring a container for the treats. Portions of Lee Ave, Pollard St, Jackson Ave and Walnut St will be closed for the safety of the children. For additional information, call the Town of Vinton, Special Programs at 983-0613, or the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce at 343-1364. You may also visit the Town of Vinton Website.

Community Trunk or Treat

Monday, October 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Huddleston Ruritan Community Center. Food and fun-inflatable obstacle course, free hotdogs, drinks, baked goodies, and plenty of candy for the kids. Sponsored by Huddleston Community Church.

Halloween Story Time at Forest Library

Put on your costume and head to Forest Library on Monday, October 31 at 1 p.m. for a Silly-Not-Scary Halloween Story Time! They will gather in the youth area for books, songs, activities, and a craft. This special holiday program is suitable for children ages 2 1/2 and up. Registration is suggested. Call 540-425-7002 for more details.

Ghost Tale Author

Author Joe Tennis is signing copies of his books at the open house of Bedford's Historic Avenel on October 27, 7 p.m. Tennis is the author of six books, including "Haunts of Virginia's Blue Ridge Highlands", featuring a ghost tale o fAvenel plus other stories from Rocky Mount, Bristol, Abingdon, Radford, Meadows of Dan and Salem. Other guests at the open house include the Ghostec paranormal investigating team plus John Salas, another paranormal investigator. All are slated to report on the haunted happenings of the historic landmark. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $10 adults, $5 children 6-12 years, and children under 6 are admitted free. Call 540-586-1814 or visit website for more information.

Halloween in Boo-ford (Bedford)

On Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., come out to Boo-ford and prepare to have lots of scary fun, family style. The event will be held in the Farmers' Market area at Washington and Center Streets.

There will be buckets of stuff for the kids to get into, including dipping apples, painting pumpkins, digging for candy, face painting, lots of food to bite into, multiple contests involving costumes, hot dogs and pies, raffles, giveaways, a dunking booth for witches (more witches needed), football and bean bag toss, arcade type games, and even a trunk or treat area. There will even be a scary book reading area for the littler ones.

Enjoy a whole day of fun, and at 3 p.m., there is a costume guided trick-or-treat tour of Booford for kids of all ages, to all of the participating merchants. See all of the scary decorated store windows and vote for your favorites.

This event will be held in the Farmer's Market Area, and admission is free to anyone in a costume or not, or under 100 years old. ID may be required, so please bring it.

Be sure to drop in and help us start a new tradition in Centertown Booford.

Email any questions to Halloween@CentertownBedford.com, or visit their website.

Fall Festival

Forest Library is teaming up with the Forest Farmer's Market to present a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 29. Enjoy music, crafts, a harvest story time, and more fun family activities.

Family Pumpkin Carving Contest

Big Island Library is holding a Family Pumpkin Carving Contest on Saturday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to noon. Carve into some fun with a favorite fall tradition and show us your best designs.

Smith Mountain Lake Fall Chili and Craft Festival

Will be held from 11 am to 4 pm. Enjoy a full day event featuring music, crafts and a spectacular competitive chili cook-off. Trophies will be awarded for "Best Chili," "People's Choice" and "Showmanshiop." It'll be a hot time at Smith Mountain Lake. Held lakeside at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, near the Hales Ford Bridge. Call 540-721-1203 or visit website for more information.

Family Movie Night at Moneta Library

Tuesday, October 27, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. for a special viewing of Spooky Buddies (G) followed by crafts and games.

Spooky Tales

Join National Park Service volunteer Rita Zimmeran in the Flat Top Room at the Peaks of Otter Lodge at 3 p.m.  on Saturday, October 22. They will reprise their roles as Miz Besie Brown and Mrs. Emma Roseberry and share 'home brewed' supernatural tales steeped in the lore of the local area. Kids may come in costume and share in the scary fun. 

At 7 p.m. on Saturday evening, join National Park Service Ranger Richard Nash in the amphitheater as he spins stories of blood suckers, stranglers and creatures with sharp claws and teeth that lurk in the hills and hollows of the Blue Ridge, immediately following the program join Ranger Nash for a night prowl to look for creatures of the night. Bring a flashlight, dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. This will be the last program for the season so bring your family and share the fun.

Free candy treats for kids will be given out following the program. This activity is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center at t40-586-4496.

Moneta Fire Department Haunted House

The Moneta Fire Department will be holding a haunted house. This 'fun for the entire family event' will have many spooky and scary twists and turns to keep everyone's interest. October 21 and October 22 from 7 to 10 pm. Located at 12737 N. Old Moneta Road across from the Moneta Elementary School. No fee is mentioned. I would call first. Phone number: 540-297-7281. 

Howl-O-Ween Party

Saturday, October 29- All American Mutt Rescue is celebrating Adopt a Shelter Dog Month with a Howl-O-Ween Party at Westside  Food Mart, 942 Blue Ridge Ave, Bedford, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a pet costume contest, a pet Trick for Treats contest, a photographer to capture all the cuteness and more family fun activities. Any question, contact Cindy Torrence at 540-297-1590 or by email at weluvpups@hotmail.com

Sedalia Chili Cook-Off

On Oct. 29 the Sedalia Chili Cook-off will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Teams from around the area bring out their best recipes and those attending will have the chance to sample and vote for the best. The event will be held at the Sedalia Center, 1108 Sedalia School Road, Bedford. Call 434-299-5080 or visit their website for more information.

Family Lego Night

Show off your family's Lego building skills and enjoy rectangular refreshments at the Moneta Library's Family Lego Night at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 20. Each group will build a project of their own creation with the Legos provided. There will be a library display of the project until November 5.