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The Buena Vista Baptist Church will once again present a concert of gospel and contemporary Christmas music this Sunday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m.

The Music at Noon concert series at Lexington Presbyterian Church continues today, Wednesday, Dec. 13, with an organ recital by William McCorkle at noon in the Lexington Presbyterian sanctuary.

Life Chapel will host an Ugly Christmas Sweater Dinner Party during its weekly New Life Supper on Monday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m.

The RCHS Hygiene Hub is now open for business. The Hygiene Hub is run by FCCLA and student-interns who also run Food For Thought, an organization that provides food for families in need.

Another Wins First In State GFWC Contest

An Advertising feature of The News-Gazette

Employees of Spencer’s Home Center are seen with bicycles and other toys that were loaded up in a truck last week to be delivered to 115 children in need throughout the Rockbridge area. The effort was part of the E&A toy drive undertaken by Erica Slagle and Amber Flint that is serving 214 children this year. Rockbridge Area Social Services provided the names of people in need. Tammy Reid of Spencer’s spearheaded several initiatives to help families in need this holiday season, including a coat drive and efforts to provide other necessities to those who need them. “I don’t think people realize how much need we have in the Rockbridge area,” said Reid. “People here want to give. It’s been a privilege to be part of this.” Employees of Spencer’s also helped the Rockbridge Christmas Basket program make deliveries in the Mountain View, Fairfield and south Lexington areas. (Ed Smith photo)

The Rockbridge Area Relief Association (RARA) received $2,700 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help feed neighbors in their time of need this year. RARA used this grant to ensure shoppers in the Neighborhood Grocery have access to sufficient protein through quality meats.

Exactly two weeks before Christmas morning, Rockbridge County residents who live in higher elevations awoke to a white Dec. 11 after the storm system that brought rain to the area on Sunday left snow in its wake as it left the area. This photo was taken on Sterrett Road in Fairfield, where about 2 inches of snow had fallen overnight. (Darryl Woodson photo)

Boxerwood’s popular Gifts of Nature workshop was held this past Saturday at the nature center’s outdoor pavilion. Patrons were invited to make decorative seasonal items such as wreaths and ornaments with the greens and dried fruits provided. There were crafts for the birds too with tables set up for making peanut buttered pine cones and suet-filled citrus cups. (Joann Ware photos)

The USDA Forest Service Monday lifted the fire restrictions on the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest.

Board of Equalization Hearings:

The second weekend of December brought a second and final round of Christmas parades to the Rockbridge area, with parades in Buena Vista last Thursday night, Fairfield on Friday night and Goshen on Saturday afternoon. (photos by Stephanie Mikels Blevins, Mary Woodson and Darryl Woodson)

Pulled Books Headed To New Review Process

Three candidates for the Lexington School Board seat being vacated by the resignation of Tim Diette stepped forward at City Council’s meeting this past Thursday. Council has indicated it will make the appointment at its next meeting on Thursday, Dec. 21. The three candidates from which City Council will choose are Brendan Perry, Chris Gaval er and Joey Bates.

State Warrants Allege Neglect

“What we’re going to do here today, besides cutting a ribbon, is we’re going to launch a business, and bring something to life that’s going to create jobs for years to come,” said Jacob Furbee, president and chief executive officer of XFactor Solutions Global, which celebrated its move from Las Vegas to Natural Bridge Station last Wednesday morning.

Elijah Richardson (at right) talks with Santa as other students gather around Santa and listen during the annual Horses’ Christmas at Kling Elementary School. The long-standing event made its return for the first time since the start of the pandemic last Thursday. For more photos from the event, see page B6. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)

A Tale of Two Cities

When Sandra Day O’Connor served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1981 to 2005, moderates held sway on the divisive issues of the day, with O’Connor providing the decisive vote on numerous 5-4 decisions, prompting many to label it the “O’Connor court,” even though she never held the role of chief justice. She was seen by many at the time as “the most powerful woman in the world.” Her vote was decisive on a multitude of critical issues, from abortion to affirmative action to the separation of church and state.

50 Years Ago