Features

Members of the Galax Volunteer Fire Department visited Mrs. Isom’s class at Galax Elementary School on Jan. 26 for a fire safety talk.

Students learned about smoke alarms and exactly what to do if their smoke alarm goes off inside their home. Students were instructed to “get out and stay out” if the alarm goes off.

“When they get out of the house, go to your family meeting spot, which may be the mailbox, a big tree in the yard, the swing set, or whatever works for their family,” said Fire Capt. Mike Ayers.

The lights are dim, the music low and tranquil with a meditative, Eastern flavor, and the instructor – yoga teacher and local potter Donna Ellis – is thoughtfully presenting lessons with her back turned to the qigong class, making it easier to mimic her motions as she slowly moves through a series of poses.

“Now, this time,” says Ellis, addressing the class, “we want to position our arms like we’re holding a big, invisible ball of energy, and move it around in a circle.”

By LARRY CHAMBERS, Staff

HILLSVILLE – More than 200 volunteers showed up last Thursday night to pack boxes of food to be distributed to less fortunate families in Carroll County.

The group first had to sort the hundreds of cans of food and other items, placing them in different bins to be placed in the boxes that came down a conveyor belt.

The Carroll Christmas Fund is held each year to solicit funds to pay for the food boxes.

Galax Parks & Recreation Director Dave Nelson, who will retire on Dec. 31, recently took a few minutes to discuss his career and what he’s loved about the job.

“Thirty-seven years and one month is what’ll it’ll be,” said Nelson. “I came here as the sports and athletic coordinator in 1979. The director at that time was Richard Black.”

Staff Report

Ms. Blankenship’s 7th graders at Fries School joined Blue Ridge Discovery Center (BRDC) staff at the New River for a day of aquatic study on Nov. 11.

Students rotated through stations set up along the river just below the school and participated in citizen science activities.

FRIES ― U.S. Army veteran Coy Shaffner, 94, had to think for a moment on the exact year he joined the armed forces, but when he was asked how many days he spent as a prisoner of war, he recalled the number instantly: 203 days.

Staff Report

INDEPENDENCE ― Grayson County Churches are banding together again this month to prepare and deliver Thanksgiving dinners to more than 1,200 people.

This annual event began 10 years ago, and has expanded from its initial preparation and delivery to about 200 families in the area. Through the years, it has grown to feeding about 10 percent of the Grayson County population, according to a news release.

Daniel Harrison, pastor of Hearts United Church in Galax, wants people to know that the storefront worship center is open.

Way open.

The church is an offshoot of the Hearts United movement, wherein Hispanic, black and white churches came together this summer to push racial hatred and dissent aside in favor of praise and a healing dose of Christ’s love. Hearts United Church goes even further, as the homemade paper banner hanging its window states: “All welcome here: Immigrants, Muslims, LGBT, People of Color.”

Galax and the towns of Hillsville and Independence invite kids of all ages to Halloween night fun on Monday.

The Galax Downtown Association is planning this year’s Downtown Halloween Bash that is set for 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 31.

Local businesses, churches and organizations are encouraged to gather downtown to play games, give treats to children of all ages and enjoy an outing for the entire family. The bash offers children a fun and safe place to enjoy the evening’s festivities and to gather treats.