Civic news

July
ShenanArts auditions are being scheduled for “Cotton Patch Gospel,” on July 19 from 2-4 p.m. at Staunton Alliance Church, 560 New Hope Road. For more information, contact Carol Towns at or visit http://www.shenanarts.org.

Bingo, sponsored by Sherando Community Childrens Fund to raise funds for the children’s Christmas fund, will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at Sherando Community Center on Mount Torrey Road. Food will be available along with plenty of parking. For more information, call 943-0695.

The James Diggs Family 24th family reunion celebration service is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. at Steadfast Church Of God In Christ,  215 China Clay Road, Stuarts Draft. Pastor Syliva Spears from Powerhouse in Fishersville will be the guest speaker.

A pancake breakfast fundraiser for ShenanArts will be held at Applebees in Staunton on July 18 from 8-10 a.m.

Supporters of the Ridgeview Park Serenity Garden are selling fireworks at the Waynesboro Wal-Mart store as a fundraiser for the garden. Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

The following American Red Cross blood drives have been scheduled: July 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Family Life Center, Staunton; July 24 from noon to 6 p.m. at Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad in Stuarts Draft; and July 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Waynesboro.

Shenandoah Valley Hog Downed Rider Fundraiser and Benefit Poker Run is scheduled for July 11 and 12 at Shenandoah Harley-Davidson and Buell, 213 Rolling Thunder Lane, Staunton; with free admission Saturday for all ages; live performance by Free Spirit Band on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. with children’s games, face painting, ring toss, cake walk, plus other children’s games and three auctions; Saturday concludes with a spaghetti dinner at 4 p.m. that costs $5 for adults and $3 for children. Sunday’s benefit poker run registration is from 10:30 a.m. to noon and the ride will leave Shenandoah Harley Davidson promptly at 12:30 p.m., cost is $10 per person. Proceeds will benefit medical costs incurred by “downed” riders. For more information, contact Kristy Swisher at 280-4111 or at . For more information on Free Spirit Band, visit http://www.freespiritband2008.com.

The annual Fitzgerald reunion will be held July 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Montebello Firehouse. Bring a covered dish and drink to share in a potluck lunch. Call 943-3136 for more information.

The Waynesboro Fire Department has tentatively set the date for its fundraising auction in September but is currently in need of items to be donated for that auction. No white goods please. Items may be dropped off at the fire station on Broad Street or call 942-6730 for pick up of large items.

The Waynesboro High School class of ‘74 reunion is July 31, Aug. 1-2. The class seeks contact information for: Annette Bell Bess, Angela M. Crawford, Pamela Ellinger Dillon, Teresa Floyd Campbell, Betty Gibson, Charlotte Hall, Boyd Hetrick, David Hodge, Greg Hoke, Cathy James Culpen, Donald Labelle, Diane K. Leavell, Monique Leroux, Roger May, Karen McCartney Hanisak, Sandra Holmes Martin, Fresia Monge, Karen Ramsey, Pamela Reade, Teresa Rowe Duncan, David Schuder, Kara M Shifflet, Christopher Smith, Mark Stepp, Gloria Stewart Reynolds, Frances Truslow, Rhonda Puckett, Tim Campbell, Susan Woodruff and Kathy Yancey Cockerham. If anyone has information for these individuals: Phyllis Bare Poluito, 943-6053 and Marsha Tooley Berg, 943-4563.

“Celebrate America!” luncheon, Valley Women’s Connection of Greater Staunton Area; July 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mrs. Rowe’s Country Buffet, Mt. Crawford; luncheon offers food and fellowship. Lorraine Serra, of South Park, Penn., a professional recording artist, will play her guitar and sing a selection of patriotic songs; following the performance, she will speak about her career and how she discovered the blinding effects of life in the spotlight; cost of lunch and program is $14. Reservations are required by July 3. Call 885-7353 or 248-3059. Free childcare provided.
Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament, Wintergreen Adaptive Skiing, Kingsmill Resort Plantation Course, Williamsburg; July 18, with 8:30 a.m. shotgun start; luncheon will follow tournament; register now at http://www.skiwas.org or 434-325-2007; $125 to enter, with sponsorships available.

World Heritage Student Exchange is seeking local families interested in sharing their home to provide a high school exchange student a positive encounter with the U.S. The students are screened by World Heritage, are proficient in English, 15- to 18-years-old and come for the 2009-10 school year. For more information, call Lori at 337-4135 or 800-888-9040 or visit http://www.world-heritage.org.

August
Nelson Gallery Tenth Annual Juried Show, in Lexington, will display from Aug. 3-29. For more information, visit http://www.nelsonfineartsgallery.com or Nelson Gallery, 27 W. Washington St., Lexington.