Features

Staff Report

INDEPENDENCE — When Tamara Furr and her husband left for a weekend of seclusion in the Virginia mountains, the last thing they expected was to take home a $1 million souvenir.

But, the odds were apparently in their favor when Furr purchased a ticket for the Virginia Lottery Scratcher game Green at Food City in Independence.

According to a news release from the grocery chain, Furr discovered her win in the passenger seat while her husband was driving away from the store.

Once again, the most anticipated competition of the year is underway. Not the Superbowl, not the World Series, not the Boston Marathon – the United Way Celebrity Bagging Challenge.

For the eighth year in a row, local celebs will engage in a battle royale to see which Food City can raise the most money for United Way of Southwest Virginia.

HILLSVILLE – Saturday’s Veterans Day parade in Hillsville will have a special guest as grand marshal — Carl Anderson, 93, of Galax, is one of only four living veterans from D-Day, the turning point of World War II.

Anderson was drafted and spent three years in the service from 1942-1945. He saw action in several locations including Normandy, the Rhineland, Central Europe and Northern France.

Entering the War

HILLSVILLE – The 2nd annual Boo Ridge Halloween Spooktacular Trail of Terror Run/Walk drew a large crowd of goblins, superheroes, princesses and farm animals despite the rainy weather.

The event was held as a fundraiser for the Carroll County Special Olympics (CCSO) on Oct. 10 at Hillsville Elementary School. Participants competed in the Little Goblin Fun Run, the Monster Mile and the Trail of Terror 5K, as well as costume contests in several different categories. All proceeds went to the CCSO for its yearly activities and events.

HILLSVILLE – Despite the colder weather, a good turnout made the inaugural Historic Hillsville Chili Shootout on Oct. 17 a success.

The contest was held behind the old Hillsville Courthouse and will become a staple for the town, organizers say.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a campy cult classic musical comedy film that spoofs old sci-fi and horror movies, came to the Rex Theater in downtown Galax last Thursday night.

It featured a costume contest, elements of traditional audience participation and lots of silly, good-natured fun.

The movie is enjoying its 40th anniversary year, which provided a delightful “Time Warp” for fans and newcomers alike.

“You guys, please eat something!” Stephannie Dees, one of five directors for a Backpack Buddies group – there are about 13 separate groups, locally, she says – yells at her volunteers across Galax Presbyterian Church’s Warwick Hall.

The volunteers crowd around the hall’s kitchen window, where snacks of pimento cheese and chicken salad have been set out. It’s a bit before noon and everyone’s just spent the majority of an hour stuffing sacks with food donations.

HILLSVILLE – Teams and individuals participated last Sunday in the Hillsville Walk MS at the Grover King VFW Post grounds.

The walk is an organized event that benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

This is the second year that organizers Regina Dalton and Karen Walker have put together the walk, and both are battling the disease. In addition to the walk, they host an annual motorcycle “Cruisin’ for a Cure” in July, which is in its sixth year.

HILLSVILLE – “Will you hand me that head?” “Am I bloody enough?” “Can you paint the back of my ear?”

No, these aren’t questions heard on the set of a new Hollywood horror film. These questions, and even stranger ones, will be common conversation for those involved in the Night Watch Haunt in Hillsville.