Arnolds Valley

Karyn Gardner, (540) 228-2176, (540) 655-3646 [email protected]

Tragedy struck our community this past weekend as three lives perished in the James River. Our hearts go out to the families of those lost.

Sending birthday wishes to my sister-inlaw Christyna Moore as well as to Abby DeGroot, Bryce Reesor, Scott Dransfield, and to Faith Baptist members Harry Wright, Cody Hostetter, Lisa Funkhouser, Courtney Coffey, Cindy Campbell, and Linda Taylor.

Happy anniversary to Collin and Christyna Moore and Finley and Mackenzie Campbell. My husband Josh and I will also be celebrating our seventh wedding anniversary later this month on the 25th.

Faith Baptist Church will be having a Free Back To School Clothes Day on Aug 12 and the church picnic at Lake Robertson will be after morning worship on Aug 13 at 1 p.m. There will be a Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Aug 16 at 8 a.m.

Many thanks to the Rev. Brad Laycock for leading a service of Holy Eucharist this past Sunday at St. John’s Episcopal Church as well as to Sharon White and the Rev. Dr. Bob Copenhaver for leading a service of morning prayer with Holy Eucharist the previous Sunday and to Bert Buford and Josh Gardner for providing music for the services. Thanks also to Courtney VanOsten for hosting coffee hour this past Sunday.

Some area residents reported seeing the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, last Friday night. The vibrant purple colors were more visible further south in Botetourt County. This was the fourth time the Northern Lights have been seen this far south in 2023 so far.