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The 21st annual Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival last weekend once again brought some big names to Glen Maury Park. Among those performing on the opening night, Thursday, were Rhonda Vincent and the Rage (left) and the host band, Nothin’ Fancy (above). The three-day event featured various vendors and drew large crowds. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photos)

Apples were all the rage during the first Apple Fest at the Lexington Farmer’s Market last Wednesday. ABOVE, students from Shenandoah Preschool select apples from one of the vendors. AT RIGHT, Rosie Prada, 3, reaches for an organic apple from her mother, Jessica Prada, while her dad, Diego Prada, and little sister Norah, 1, look on. BELOW, Carol Watson of Cherry Haven Farm mixes her delicious stir fry casserole while Washington and Lee University student Charlotte Baker stops to watch. (Claudia Schwab photos)

The Rockbridge Hunt invites horseback riders and spectators to its showcase event, the Rockbridge Fall Hunter Pace and trail ride, at Goose Creek Highlands on Sunday, Oct. 1, in Raphine. The event features horseback riding, shopping and tailgating.

The Jackson House Museum’s Apple Day celebration will return for the first time since the start of the pandemic this Saturday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Glasgow Public Library will host cozy mystery writer Mindy Quigley on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m.

Raphine VFC Marks 75 Years

The members of Artists in Cahoots will hold a First Friday reception featuring a retrospective of the pottery and jewelry career of Maureen Worth on Friday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Shorter days and cooler breezes serve as a reminder that the holidays are right around the corner. For the board members of Rockbridge Christmas Baskets (RCB), planning for a successful 2023 packing day is already well underway.

Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity will host its annual Chill on the Hill “friend raiser” at Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery on Sunday, Oct. 1, from noon to 3 p.m.

The first-ever Conquer Chiari Walk was held this past Saturday at the Rockbridge County High School track. Unfortunately the foul weather from Tropical Storm Ophelia kept walkers away, but people did turn up to buy raffle tickets from several area businesses including Cattleman’s Market, Walkabout Outfitter and Sugar MapleTrading Company. ABOVE, Laurie Moore (left), organizer of the event, poses with two other local Chiarians, Janet Burke and Cassandra “Cassi” Mohler. AT IMMEDIATE LEFT, brothers Josh and John Moore take a stroll around the track. BELOW, raffle items are displayed under the tent. Even with a low attendance, the event raised $2,529 for Chiari research. (Joann Ware photos)

Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, the first and former chief of Space Operations in the newest military service, the United States Space Force (USSF), will be the guest speaker at a dinner hosted by the Scott Van Cleef Chapter of the Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) and the VMI Arnold Air Society John P. Jumper Squadron.

Area residents are invited to join historians Sarah Kay Bierle and Jon Tracey at New Market Battlefield State Historical Park for a fundraiser battlefield tour to support Wreaths Across America on Sunday, Oct. 1, from 2 to 4 p.m.

While most vendors bagged trying to set up during Vesuvius Heritage Day Saturday because of the rain, there were plenty of food and yard sale items available at Emory United Methodist Church. AT LEFT, Ray Shipman and Joe Campbell cook up country ham and eggs for a delicious breakfast sandwich, while (below) volunteers get the sandwiches ready for costumers. AT BOTTOM LEFT, area residents check out the wide array of baked goods. Barbecue chicken would come later in the day courtesy of the South River Volunteer Fire Department. (Mary Woodson photos)

Mount Olivet United Methodist Church will celebrate homecoming this Sunday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m.

First Baptist Church in Lexington celebrated the 156th anniversary of the church and the fifth anniversary of Pastor McKinley Williams Sunday. The celebration was highlighted by honoring the memories of the late Doris Porterfield, Mary Lewis and Elvia Brooks with commemorative church windows. Members of each family spoke highly of the church and their deceased loved one. Following the service Sunday, a luncheon was held in the fellowship hall catered by chef John Stallard and Chef’s Catering. Among the scenes Sunday were (clockwise from above left) Amber Henderson checking out the window dedicated to her great-grandmother, Mrs. Porterfield; Bernard Butler after unveiling the window dedicated to Mrs. Brooks and Mrs. Lewis; the Rev. McKinley Williams giving the message from the book of Nehemiah, entitled “Rebuilding Broken Walls”; Bea Johnson in the serving line at the anniversary luncheon; and Pastor Williams cutting the anniversary cake with help from Gayle Porterfield and Washington and Lee student Ewunik McCarthy. (Claudia Schwab photos)

After several months of work, the Lexington Planning Commission has completed a final draft of an ordinance that would allow accessory dwelling units in detached structures within city limits, spending time in their Aug. 24 and Sept. 14 meetings finalizing the details of the ordinance.

Riester Steps Down After 29 Years

Retired Army National Guard Col. Paul Kastner has joined Virginia Military Institute as the new director of emergency management, following the retirement of the former director, James L. “Jay” Williams Jr.

Virginia Military Institute’s Omicron Kappa Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, has been named an honor chapter for its outstanding activities in academic year 2022-23, an award that was bestowed to only 12 chapters nationwide in 2023. This is the first time in the chapter’s 30-year history that VMI has earned this distinction, and Dr. Sabrina Laroussi, faculty adviser to the chapter, and associate professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, was instrumental in earning this award for her student group.

The 48th annual Parsons Family Golf opening ceremonies commenced on June 22 at the Lodge at The Foundry Golf Club in Powhatan.

The Fairfield High School class of 1959 held its reunion Sept. 8 at Quaker Steak and Lube. Lee Berkstresser welcomed everyone and gave a short talk on members who were absent. A social hour was enjoyed, followed by a meal. Pictured are (first row, from left) Phyllis Seamon Wray, Connie Lilley Mamon, Elizabeth Snyder (teacher), Elizabeth Hite McKemy, Jim Dedrick (back row, from left) Howard Carr, Dora Ramsey Shipman, the Rev Doug Sterrett, Helen Burch Watts, Lee Berkstresser, Ruth Lilley Peterson, Carol Hite Harlow, Roy Coffey, Walter Sorrells and Dorothy Wines Dudley.