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Features

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    Grandmother performs emergency...

    "I believe that we all have God-given instincts. We just have to stay calm and listen to them," said Angela Crowder, who had to deliver her daughter's baby when she went into premature labor Dec. 3.

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    Toys for Tots helping 1,038 local...

    The coordinators of the local Toys For Tots campaign are working to raise money and collect toys to serve 1,038 needy children in Galax, Carroll and Grayson this year.
    Bob Hines and Kendy Sawyer said they anticipated serving 500 children, but the need was greater than expected.
    On Wednesday, they bought a carload of toys at Roses department store in Galax, enough for 174 children from ages 0-3.

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    Carroll tree to decorate state...

    AUSTINVILLE — Virginia Department of Forestry workers harvested the Virginia Capitol’s Christmas tree off Coulson Church Road on Monday, which means it will be the second time this Colorado blue spruce will take a holiday turn.
    The tree’s donors let the foresters know this tree helped a family celebrate the holiday in a past Christmas.

  • Galax Christmas Parade & Events

    Friday

    The Galax Christmas Parade is at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7. The route is from North Main Street to Felts Park.
    Prior to the parade, the city Christmas tree will be lit at 6:30 p.m. at Police Plaza on North Main.
    Any groups or individuals wishing to participate in the parade need to complete an application, available from A Place in Time Antiques or the Galax Downtown Association office. For more information, call 236-0668.
    There will be a $10 fee for business entries, and all entries will be judged.

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    Galax plans downtown holiday...

    The Galax Downtown Association will begin its holiday activities with a “Downtown Open House” this Friday-Saturday.
    Downtown stores will have special sales and displays, and volunteers will offer gift-wrapping in the lobby of Chestnut Creek School of the Arts both days, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
    A donation of cash, peanut butter or juice boxes for Backpack Buddies is requested, in exchange for gift-wrapping.
    Wrapping is offered for any downtown purchases and for Angel Tree gifts. Bring the Angel Tree tag with your gifts.

  • Carroll Christmas Fund volunteers...

    HILLSVILLE  — A large network of Carroll County volunteers has already mobilized to help deserving families have a merry Christmas, according to organizers.
    As soon as the calendar turned to November, Dennis Ward sent out a letter to Carroll Christmas Fund volunteers, asking them to do their thing again this year.
    The letter stood in for an organizational meeting. Ward noted it’s difficult to get people together for a meeting this time of year.

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    A Monumental Moment for Veterans

    Unveiling of first phase of Blue Ridge Veterans Memorial is an emotional and long-awaited time.

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    Vittles for Voters: Church meal an...

    WOODLAWN — Voting can work up an appetite for the many people who come to the precinct at Woodlawn School, members of the United Methodist Church just across the road have long understood.
    For around 15 years, serving a spaghetti lunch at the Woodlawn church has been an Election Day tradition for food, fellowship and fundraising.

  • Medical issues break local family...

    A medical issue tipped the Lopez household budget into negative territory, but the Galax family can get back on track with a little help on two utility bills.
    Ceasar Lopez said his wife Miriam recently had complications from her benign-but-growing brain tumor.
    Though Miriam had a large tumor removed in 1985, the problem reoccurred in 2007, Ceasar said. Doctors have been watching it and noted the tumor has grown by one millimeter since last check.
    Lopez spread two fingers about two inches apart to show big the tumor is now.

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    Historic Galax home to be sold

    Cliffside estate and property set for auction Nov. 8-9, including the mansion, cottages, furniture and other items.

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    Halloween Events Planned: UPDATED

    UPDATED: Due to the remnants of Hurricane Sandy passing through on Wednesday and expected temperatures in the 30s, several Halloween activities — including those in Independence and Galax — have changed venues:

    Oct. 30: Grayson Children's Center

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    Fright nights in Fries at '...

    FRIES — Local artist Chad Tate and his crew of maniacs have created a truly terrifying haunted house at the Fries Recreation Center this year.
    The Scream Asylum opened Oct. 19, with a massive “Pumpkin King” greeting visitors outside the rec center, complete with a light-up head Tate carved out of a foam block. The wood and chicken wire monstrosity also billows smoke from its head.

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    Lions Club honors Billy Mitchell

    Billy Mitchell of Galax devoted much of his life to helping the Lions Club, until his health forced him to stop. Last week, the club honored his service.

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    World traveler Eugene Leonard...

    When Galax High School alumnus Harold Eugene Leonard passed away last year, he left a list of generous bequests to several organizations, including the Galax Foundation for Excellence in Education.

    By SHAINA STOCKTON, Staff

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    Blessing the Animals

    HILLSVILLE — Of the dozen or so dogs and one cat in attendance at the Blessing of the Animals Saturday, Stephanie Burnette thought her companion might be the poster child.
    Maddie had been diagnosed with cancer in June, and Burnette learned that the dog might have days or weeks to live.
    Despite that, Maddie continues to hang on and to receive treatment for her malady.
    “She plays,” Burnette said. “She enjoys life. To me, it’s been a miracle, an absolute miracle.”

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    PRIDE IN THE PAST, DEDICATED TO THE...

    The members of the Galax Volunteer Fire Department take their motto to heart.
    “Pride in Our Past, Dedicated to the Future” is emblazoned on signs and trucks, but it’s more than words.
    As for the pride in the past, firefighters speak reverently of those who came before, building the organization from a bucket brigade to a fire company in 1912, after much of the city’s wood buildings were destroyed by fire.

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    Lord's Acre harvest sale is...

    The 61st Annual Lord’s Acre Harvest Sale on Saturday will feature home-baked pies and cakes, home-canned goods, fresh-cooked foods, handmade crafts and bushels of fall produce for sale at Felts Park in Galax.
    The event supports local churches, and is sponsored each year by the Carroll-Grayson United Workers for Christ Association.
    The day begins with a worship service at 9:30 a.m., followed by the sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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    VIDEO FEATURE: Into the Devil'...

    Take a video tour of the Devil's Den cave in Carroll County with guide Michael Gravley, in this video produced by The Gazette's Shaina Stockton. (Video link is at end of story.)

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    Hundreds attend Christian Family...

    By SHAINA STOCKTON

    Staff

    HILLSVILLE — People from all over the region gathered at the Hillsville VFW on Saturday to celebrate the first-ever Christian Family Fun Day.
    The event, sponsored by dozens of churches in the Twin Counties and beyond, kicked off with a parade at 10:30 a.m., followed by free food, games and entertainment from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
    People smiled from their decorated vehicles while others followed on foot and distributed pamphlets for their respective churches along the parade route.

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    Old Timey Days offer glimpse of past