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Today's Features

  • Oracle Institute programs to explore eco-spirituality

     INDEPENDENCE — The Oracle Institute has invited representatives from the Federation of Damanhur — a resilient agricultural community in northern Italy — to a local seminar to speak about their 30-year experiment with a model of sustainable spiritual living.

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  • History: According to Gooch

    WOODLAWN — It's tempting to say that Gooch Harmon, who presides over his complex of clothing stores on U.S. 58 in Woodlawn, pulled himself up by his bootstraps, but the foundation of his commercial success stems from his decades selling cars.
    After all, Harmon still spends much of his time in the "Boot Capital of Virginia," where the store moves several thousand pairs a year.
    But his time as a car salesman preceded the launch of his retail boot business and other clothing outlets by about 15 years.

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  • Outhouse Olympics

    INDEPENDENCE — The annual Mountain Foliage Festival features events you can see nowhere else, like outhouses on wheels racing down the street, a Potty Princess “beauty” pageant and a toilet paper toss.
    The town's Grand Privy Race was recently named the state's official outhouse race by the Virginia General Assembly. Teams pull custom-built outhouses — or “privies” — in a race for the prized bedpan trophy.
    The event kicks off today, Friday, with a pie baking contest and the pageant tonight.

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  • Turns four

    Landon Phipps celebrated his fourth birthday Sept. 18 with 20 friends at a Backyardiganis Pirate Treasure party at his home. He and his friends enjoyed a fun day of water games, face painting, balloon animals, pumpkin painting and a hayride.

    He and his family also celebrated with a week at North Myrtle Beach and a trip to Chucky Cheese in Winston-Salem, N.C. He is the son of Bobby and Susan Phipps. Grandmothers are Geneva Harris and Juanita Phipps. Godmother is Trisha Hawks.

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  • He's two

    Javan Setliff turned two Sept. 17. He is the son of Britt and Stephanie Setliff and the little brother of Ashley Walls and Brady Tennyson.

    He celebrated with family and friends.

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  • Patton, Blackburn marry

    Erin Caldwell Patton and Aaron Joseph Blackburn were married July 24, 2010 by Pastor Carl Bowles in a private ceremony at Galax Friends Meeting.

    The bride is the daughter of Sue Patton and the late Craig Patton. Her stepfather is Sonny Burcham. Her grandmother is June Beamer.
    The groom is the son of Joey and Linda Blackburn.  His grandparents are J.C. and Jewel Blackburn.
    Catie Patton, sister of the bride, was maid of honor. The bride’s nephew, Xander Patton, was ring bearer.

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  • Pastor retires after 32 years (WITH VIDEO)

    LAUREL FORK — A long-time pastor at Gladesboro Lutheran Church will establish a ministry in new pastures — specifically, to use his insights to make places of worship more welcoming to the visually impaired.

    Pastor Duane Steele, who is legally blind, has prepared for this his final sermon this Sunday after preaching from the piano and the pulpit there for 32 years.
    In that time, he's delivered more than 1,500 sermons.
    His last message is called "Mustard Seed Faith."

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  • Turns one

    James “Morgan” Farmer, son of Joe Hoer III and Michelle Farmer of Galax, celebrated his first birthday Aug. 20. A Barnyard Buddies birthday celebration was enjoyed with family and friends.

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  • Turner, Smith to be married

    Timothy Stephen Smith and Melissa Dawn McAdams Turner have announced their engagement.
    Smith is the son of Bill and Frances Smith of Independence.
    Turner is the daughter of Gilbert and Donna Suitt of Mouth of Wilson.

    An Oct. 16 wedding is planned at Bible Baptist Church in Galax.
    After a honeymoon trip to Savannah, Ga., the couple will reside in Woodlawn.

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  • Halls celebrate 60th wedding anniversary

    Mr. and Mrs. Y.B. Hall Jr. celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Sept. 9, 2010.
    The couple were married Sept. 9, 1950, by the late Rev. Richard E. Hamblin.
    She is the former Eva Sue Edwards.

    In celebration of their diamond anniversary, they were honored with a supper at Shoney’s in Hillsville.
    They have a son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Debbie Hall, and a grandson, his wife and daughter — Brad, Aleighthia and Elleighana Hall.

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