Arnolds Valley

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

Rounds of rain this past week brought the James River up just a bit. The USGS’s water monitoring stations closest to Arnolds Valley are located in Bedford County near the bridge where Va. 130 and U.S. 501 split and in Buchanan. The former showed a rise of about 4 feet above normal and the latter showed a rise of just over 10 feet for that location. Despite the rise and very muddy discoloration as the James flowed under our own Campbell Bridge, the measurements from both stations remained below minor flood stage. I encourage everyone to check out waterdata.usgs. gov where you can sign up for free alerts at various stations along the James River, and other waterways as well, to monitor the water level in case of a flood.

Our condolences are extended to the Talbot family, the Dunn and Stephens families, and the Foster family remembering Helen Talbot, Mary Dunn Stephens and Deana Foster.

Sending birthday wishes to Dustin Yopp as well as to Faith Baptist Church members Betty Coffey and Donna Beverly.

Faith Baptist Church will have a song and praise service on Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. The Ladies of Mercy from Blue Ridge Baptist will be singing at the service. Coming up next week at Faith Baptist, the Men’s Prayer Breakfast will be March 1 at 8 a.m.

St. John’s Episcopal Church’s Ash Wednesday service will be tonight at 6. Special thanks to everyone for organizing this service and to everyone who organized and provided food and supplies for last night’s chili dinner for Shrove Tuesday.

Many thanks to the Rev. Bob Copenhaver for leading a service of Holy Eucharist this past Sunday at St. John’s as well as to Bert Buford and Josh Gardner for providing music for the service. Thanks also to Steve Beck for serving as lessons reader. And thanks to the Rev. Brandall Branch for hosting coffee hour. Next week Holy Eucharist will be led by the Rev. Jeanette Pillsbury.