Arts & Entertainment

Lexington students and staff participated in World Kindness Day earlier this month.

Friday, Dec. 1, will be a big moment for Nelson Gallery.

Wednesday, Nov. 29

The streets of downtown Lexington were alive with the sounds of Christmas this past Friday as hundreds of people gathered for the 28th annual candlelight processional and tree lighting. Carolers gathered outside Oak Grove Cemetery and carried candles down Main Street with Hopkins Green being the final destination of the sojourn. There was more singing at Hopkins Green and Mayor Frank Friedman counted down to the tree lighting. Children had a chance to chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus who handed out seasonal cheer and candy canes. (Joann Ware photos)

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

Chessie Race Supporters Thanked

Deborah Potter McCormick, 540-463-7652

The Mountain View Elementary School SCA recently held its installation ceremony for all members and officers for the school year. They are shown with the SCA sponsor, Kristin Bailey. The officers for the year include Kharlea Mears, president; Olivia Repair, vice president; Chandler Tomlin, secretary; Bristol Suthers; treasurer; and Vincent Gattis, reporter.

A large crowd turned out for the annual lighting of the swinging bridge in Rockbridge Baths Sunday night, an event that is continuing to grow in popularity. Those attending sang Christmas carols and enjoyed cider, hot chocolate and other refreshments. Children got to have their photos made with Santa and, if they were brave enough, met with the Grinch, who proved to be not so Grinchy. Santa will return to Rockbridge Baths this Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the firehouse for the Breakfast with Santa event. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photos)

‘You’ve Made A Giant Step Forward’

Carolyn Bradley, 540-258-2720

Esther Pennington, 540-291-2629

Former Local Resident Publishes Middle-Grade Book

Will Reid Singing To Larger Audiences In 2023

The Rockbridge Chorus, directed by William McCorkle, will present its annual Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Lexington Presbyterian Church.

The Rockbridge Area Recreation Organization’s monthly board meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 6, starting at 6 p.m. at Lexington City Hall, second floor meeting room.

The 12th annual Lexington Gobble Wobble 5-kilometer race welcomed close to 500 runners and walkers on Thanksgiving morning, and the children’s fun run drew 28 youths. With the help of more than 500 registered individuals, the event raised money for the Rockbridge Christmas Baskets, the Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce and the Community Table for the Rockbridge Area. Kedryn Chandler, a 2021 Parry McCluer High School graduate and a Southern Virginia University senior cross country runner, won the 5K for the third consecutive year, finishing in 15 minutes, 30.07 seconds. The top female finisher was Laurel Sheffield, a 2014 Rockbridge County High School graduate, who placed 16th overall in 19:17.99. TOP LEFT, Sarah Crim (616) of Auburn, Ala. and Jackie Gillespie of Marion, Ill. Finished the 5K. TOP RIGHT, Finn Miller of Natural Bridge leads a group of runners down Wallace Street before the final turn. ABOVE, Runners start the Gobble Wobble 5K in front of Maury River Middle School. Among them are Bradley Beaver of Twin Falls, Idaho (786) and Caleb Cooper of Buena Vista (923). For full results, visit www.commonwealthtiming.net. (Claudia Schwab photos)

Chandler, Sheffield Repeat As Top Runners In 5K

Pastor McKinley Williams and First Baptist Church are inviting the community to the church’s annual Christmas Fellowship Luncheon to be held on Sunday, Dec. 10, immediately following the 11 a.m. worship service. Vera Merchant is coordinating the event.

Bridge Academy

Pop Goes The World