Features

Cindy Halley of Galax is sharing her story of hope and inspiration through the book, “The Faces Behind the Pages that Inspire.”
Halley owns GODpillow in downtown Galax, embroidering words of courage and motivation onto pillows of prayer. GODpillow promotes healing through prayer and meditation.
Starting in October, Halley and dozens of other women will travel around the country and around the world, leading people on a journey as they tell their inspirational stories.

Writer Michael Abraham talks about “Providence, VA,” the story of a massive power outage that strikes the Galax area and forces people into self-reliance.

HILLSVILLE — Shoppers by the thousands are expected to descend on the Hillsville gun show and flea market, as well as the Sylvatus flea market and numerous yard sales, this weekend.
Roads in the vicinity are expected to be clogged with shoppers galore, so the Virginia Department of Transportation issued the following traffic advisory.
Travelers heading to the annual Labor Day weekend flea market should be prepared for considerable traffic delays.

WOODLAWN — Three years ago, when the Joy Ranch children’s home in Carroll County added a quilt auction and children’s inflatables to its annual open house and alumni reunion, organizers wanted a catchy name and an appealing attraction for the newly created event.
Thus “JoyFest” began, with the theme of “Up!” in its first year and hot-air ballooning activities as its leading feature.

HILLSVILLE — 84-year-old Dorothy Lewis has done her part to support Joy Ranch with a year’s worth of her collecting-and-crafting hobby.
It takes a little bit of explaining, but her little diorama landscapes, wall hangings and baby baskets all come from Lewis picking up mementos, doodads and inexpensive items at stores to make a some kind of decorative arrangement.
Born and raised in Raleigh, Lewis followed her son’s family to Carroll County as they pursued their life at the home for children.

FANCY GAP  — David Gelly saw possibilities in the famous fog of Fancy Gap — as a shroud of mystery for the setting in his fictional murder thriller.
He’s often driven up U.S. 52 from Winston-Salem, N.C., to his getaway in the mountains, having to slash through fog where he couldn’t see two feet ahead.
Like many drivers who have ended up in the multi-vehicle pileups on Interstate 77 or those who struggled to stay out of accidents in the area, the weather made an impression on Gelly.

A college student is organizing an effort to raise clothing and school supplies to host a Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Cornerstone Community Church in downtown Galax.
With many being unable to afford clothing and school supplies, Cornerstone Community Church member and Liberty University student Abigail Cox has spearheaded the event and recruited volunteers in order to help reach the physical needs of the community.

By LARRY CHAMBERS, Staff

Dona Cox of Independence reached a milestone that many people never reach in their lifetime – she celebrated her 100th birthday on June 12 with a party attended by her many friends and family at the Log House Restaurant in Wytheville.
During her lifetime, she has observed history in the making.
When she was born in Macon, Ga., William Howard Taft was president of the United States.

Once weighing more than 400 pounds, Steve Hooks is now glad he stumbled across spinning class at the Galax Recreation Center.
Hooks, 50, of Galax, was considering gastric bypass surgery to shed the weight before he started spinning classes in January. He has since lost about 50 pounds through the help of Weight Watchers and Doris Spangler, his spinning instructor.
A casual bike rider, Hooks was tired of lugging the excess weight along the New River Trail. Now, he can go faster and farther than before.