Arnolds Valley

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

This month marks my fifth year writing for the Arnolds Valley and Natural Bridge Station community. It’s an honor to serve this community and I look forward to many years to come!

Sending birthday wishes to my sister-in-law, Sarah Gardner, in Logan, Utah, as well as to Angie Clark, Lois Cornell-Cash, Ammon Christiansen and to Faith Baptist Church members Rodney Thomas, Dreamer Wilcher, Melissa Braford, Robert Gibson, David Johnson and Kellan Beverly. Happy anniversary to Rodney and Cindy Thomas.

Faith Baptist Church’s Men’s Prayer Breakfast is this morning at 8. The church will host a clothes closet on Nov. 23 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. There will also be a “song and praise” service on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m.

Many thanks to the Rev. Dr. Bob Copenhaver for leading a Holy Eucharist service this past Sunday and to Dave VanOsten for leading a morning prayer service last Sunday at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Thanks also to Bert Buford and Josh Gardner for providing music last Sunday and to Sallie Thielecke and Lynn Williams for hosting coffee hour the past two Sundays. I’d like to thank Bert especially for providing music solo this past Sunday as Josh was unable to attend. Along with beautiful hymns, he also played a piece that I wrote titled “Sanacione Aquae Dei” (God’s Healing Waters). I always love hearing it played in church!

Cave Mountain Lake campground has closed for the season. The 2025 season opens on April 1. More information about reservations for next season can be found online at recreation.gov. Likewise, today is the last day of the 2024 season at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp on James River Road. Next year’s season opens on March 25 and off-season office hours are now Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

And, lastly, a friendly reminder, as hunting seasons are well underway, please be mindful when driving. Keep an eye out for deer and other critters crossing the roads. As always, stay safe!