Collierstown

Deborah Potter McCormick, 540-463-7652

On Sunday, June 30, the Collierstown United Methodist Church hosted a retirement luncheon for the Rev. Bill Bearden and his wife Wendy following the 11 a.m. worship service at the Collierstown United Methodist Church. The Rev. Bearden has served as the minister to the Collierstown and Mt. Horeb congregations. Many thanks to the Beardens for their years of service, leadership, and support to area residents and their families.

The congregations of the Collierstown United Methodist Charge will welcome a new minister, the Rev. Daniel Montague, on Sunday, July 7. He and his wife Angela have moved into the Methodist parsonage on Blue Grass Trail. Reverend Montague will be speaking at the Collierstown and Mt. Horeb worship services. Following the Mt. Horeb worship service there will be reception of finger foods and snacks to welcome the Montagues and give church members and the community an opportunity to meet and welcome them.

Worship services for the Lake Robertson campground campers and community residents will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings at the Lake Robertson campground chapel during the months of July and August. Providing leadership for the July services will be the Collierstown United Methodist Charge.

The Effinger Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary held the department’s annual family picnic on Sunday evening, June 30, at Lake Robertson. Following the meal, officers for the Effinger Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary for the coming year were installed by Rockbridge County Fire Chief Nathan Ramsey. Those serving as officers in the fire company are Justin Jarvis, chief; Steve Emore, assistant chief; Summer Clemmer, captain; Janet Irvine, lieutenant 1-3; and Adam Moore, lieutenant 1-4. Those serving as the executive officers are Lynne Black, president; Linsay Jones, vice president and chaplain; Marianna Higgins, secretary; and Pat Irvine, treasurer. Officers in the Auxiliary are Mary Clemmer, president; Linsay Jones, vice president; Kari Clemmer, secretary; Lynne Black, treasurer; and Makenzie Clemmer, chaplain.

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 4, at 1 p.m. the Effinger fire department will be at the Buchanan Carnival in the pavilion with chicken halves and chicken dinners available for purchase. The cost of a half chicken is $9. The dinners are $15 and include a chicken half, applesauce, roll and choice of two sides. The side choices are baked beans, macaroni salad and potato salad.

On Saturday, July 27, a barbecue chicken sale will be held at the Effinger firehouse beginning at noon. Chicken halves and whole dinners will be available for purchase. A chicken dinner will include a half chicken, choice of two sides, a roll, applesauce and iced tea. Food items may be purchased as carryout but some seating for indoor dining will be available.

The Effinger Volunteer Fire Department’s annual raffle fundraiser is underway. This year’s raffle will have drawings for 26 prizes. The 2024 top prize is $5,000 cash. Books of 12 tickets cost $10, 6 tickets are $5, and the cost of a single ticket is $1. To purchase raffle tickets, contact any fire department member or call (540) 463-1933. The raffle drawings will take place at the firehouse on Saturday, July 27.

Plans for the 2025 Effinger Community Birthday Calendar prepared and sold by the Effinger Ruritan Club have been made. The cost of the calendar is $4. Birthday, anniversary, and memorial listings are 35 cents each. Calendars and listings may be purchased by contacting a Ruritan Club member.