Arts & Entertainment

Area residents are invited to support a shoe drive to raise funds for the 2024 Balloons Over Rockbridge Hot Air Balloon and Music Festival. Donations of gently worn, used and new shoes will be accepted Feb. 5-April 5.

Esther Pennington, 540-291-2629 High Bridge Presbyterian Church welcomed its newest member, Kinsely Ann Myers, on Jan. 28. She was baptized this past Sunday by new pastor Steve Willis. Kinsely is the daughter of Brad and Hattie Myers, and little sister to Corey and Everly Myers. Proud grandparents in attendance were Pam Myers and Bob and Kathy Gilbert.

Carolyn Terrell, (540) 649-3828/[email protected] Happy birthday wishes are being sent to Gwin Berry, Dale Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Walker, Thad Painter, Ray Snyder, E.R. Brooks Jr., and Shirley Steele Walker. Happy anniversary wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Thad Painter and Tommy and Connie Groah. Better health prayers for Angie Waymack, Joe Campbell, and Becky Hite.

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

Carolyn Bradley, 258-2720 Did you enjoy summer last week? Mother Nature tries to please everyone first with freezing temps, snow, ice, then turns around and gives us beautiful warm sunny days. If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute.

Rachel Clark, (630)

Deborah Potter McCormick, 540-463-7652

Giraffes To Remain At Zoo For Now

Last month the News-Gazette printed a cleverly written lampooning in a letter to the editor so expertly craf ted, I expect most folks mi s u n derstood its intent. I did until I reflected on the well-known facts not mentioned.

Evelyn Ayers, 463-2727

The first snow of the year was enjoyed by people and animals last week. Among the scenes shared on The News-Gazette’s Facebook page were (clockwise from top) a view of the lake at the Lexington Golf and Country Club by Tammy Shomo; Maverick playing in the snow in a photo submitted by Lois Martin; Landon Murphy using his four-wheeler to explore the landscape in Collierstown; and Noah and Simon Eberly sledding in Collierstown.

Esther Pennington, 540-291-2629 The ordination and installation of new officers was held this past Sunday, Jan. 21, during worship service. Elders ordained were Don Jeffer and Tracy Tackett. Sue Braford was ordained as deacon. Installed as elder was Scott Hannah. Installed deacons were Brad Myers and John McCoy. They will be serving as class of 2026.

Col. Jeff Kendrick, professor of French in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at Virginia Military Institute, and Michelle Murphy, executive assistant for intercollegiate athletics, were recognized recently by Michael Cross, Southern Conference league commissioner, for being named members of the All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team for the 2023-24 academic year.

Regional nonprofit and government- related initiatives that promote local business and development will be the topic of a panel discussion in Buena Vista this Thursday, Jan. 25.

Ted Burrowes took the above photo of Goshen Pass as the snow fell on Monday, Jan. 15, before the snow picked up overnight and accumulated several inches by that Tuesday morning. That day, Mary Helen Nicely grabbed the photo at left outside of her house near Bustleburg, with the snowman flag fitting right in.

Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA agent, will speak at Virginia Military Institute on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7:45 p.m. in Gillis Theater in Marshall Hall.

Mountain Gateway Community College’s division of Workforce Solutions and Community Education is offering an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) course that began this past Monday, Jan. 22.

VMI English Professors Secure Book Deals

Glasgow Public Library is beginning a new program for current and aspiring writers.

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Cadets Study Metals In VMI Museum Pieces