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Features

  •
    Oakland celebrates Veterans Day

    Carroll County Public Schools hosted a series of Veterans Day programs on Nov. 11, to thank local veterans for their service to the country.

    At Oakland Elementary School, veterans from the Grover King VFW Post #1115 in Hillsville were treated to a patriotic program of songs, poetry, skits and American traditions. Fifth grade students performed a skit titled “What is a Veteran?” and other grades performed a variety of songs, including “Yankee Doodle,” “My Country Tis of Thee” and “America the Beautiful.”

  •
    American Legion honors former leader

    A carpet of browning leaves was raked aside to expose the ground over the final resting place of Floyd Winfield Williams and his wife, Mary Vass Williams, at Galax’s Felts Cemetery on Veterans Day.

    A brief ceremony including a 21-gun salute in their honor was held by the American Legion Post #245 — which was named in memory of Williams — with the assistance of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7726.

  •
    Carroll Library begins new chapter

    HILLSVILLE — The Carroll County Public Library staff and guests gathered at the library on Nov. 1 for a rededication of the newly renovated building.

    As the first snow of the season blanketed the ground outside, the upgrades to the library’s structure became even more apparent to guests, who remained warm and cozy during their stay.

  •
    Volunteer extraordinaire named...

    HILLSVILLE — Community volunteer Jessica Talley was October’s Citizen of the Month for the Town of Hillsville, nominated by Hillsville Town Council Member David Young.

    Talley was honored with the Citizen of the Month award plaque during town council’s Oct. 27 meeting, after Young read a summary of Talley’s community involvement and accomplishments. “[Talley] enjoys serving the people of Hillsville, and loves supporting events for the betterment of the community and its citizens,” Young said.

  • Carroll Christmas Fund launches...

    HILLSVILLE — The Carroll Christmas Fund, an annual event driven by a number of volunteers, businesses, churches and community groups, has begun organizing this year’s efforts to ensure that everyone in the community has a happy holiday season.

  •
    Day of the Zombies!

    HILLSVILLE — The experiment started as a test of a formula to give lazy teenagers more energy.

    But things went wrong — as mad science often does — and now the playground at the Carroll County Recreation Park is infested with zombie teens.

  •
    Safe Halloween events planned

    TOWN OF HILLSVILLE

    Hillsville’s Safe Halloween festivities will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, and continue through 8 p.m.

    This year, the Friends of Hillsville will provide a safe trick-or treating experience for the kids, as well as fun games and activities for the entire family.

  •
    Carroll Pumpkin Festival

    HILLSVILLE — Carroll County got into the fall spirit for the annual Pumpkin Festival at the Southwest Virginia Farmers Market on Oct. 18.

    The festivities took place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and included fall-themed activities such as pumpkin carving, apple butter making, pumpkin cannons and a zombie trail ride.

  •
    Fall Wonders: Leaves hitting peak...

    Every autumn, the scenery changes colors.

    The leaves of some trees always turn one color. For example, the black walnut turns yellow. Other species, such as sweetgum, turn different colors, even on the same tree.

    Sunny days and cool nights are key to fall leaf displays. Bright, sunny days and cool, but not freezing, nights are required for vivid autumn shows. If there is an early frost, the leaves are likely to turn brown and drop.

    Although botanists understand the mechanics of some of these changes, other parts remain a mystery.

  •
    A Game of 'Thrones' —...

    Outhouse racers battled for privy supremacy at the 32nd Annual Mountain Foliage Festival in Independence on Oct. 11.

  •
    Making cheese a mix of art, science

    Anthony Bourdain, in his seminal memoir “Kitchen Confidential,” describes people who work with meat as capable of obscene, irreverent jokes, while people who work with fish, he says, have no sense of humor at all.

  •
    Rex hosts senior talent show

    The Galax Parks and Recreation Senior Talent Show was held last Thursday night at The Rex Theater and featured a multitude of performers.

    Many of the acts had a gospel theme. Mable Bryson was up first with a serene but heartfelt “Amazing Grace;” Carol Huffman performed two original songs, “Blue Ridge Mountain Music” and “Angels Were Watching Over Me;” Bobbie Taylor offered a charming “Bless the Beasts and Children;” and Nancy Wolfe, near the show’s end, sang a sweet rendition of “You Light Up My Life.”

  •
    Can outhouse race champs be...

    By DON RICHESON, Staff

    INDEPENDENCE – Teams are already starting to form to vie for the $600 cash prize in the Grand Privy Race, the premier event in the 32nd Annual Mountain Foliage Festival set for Oct. 11.

    There should be many on hand to cheer the outhouse racers on. The festival is among downtown Independence’s largest events of the year and drew 3,000 people last year on a rainy day, so this year the crowds will likely be even bigger.

  •
    Local BBQ team tastes success

    Mother Nature was unforgiving during Chateau Morrisette’s Second Annual Black Dog BBQ Festival last month, but that didn’t stop the Front Porch BBQ Team from breaking into the local circuit with a win for its first group competition.

    During the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) competition, the rain stopped for no brisket, whole hog or butt. Competitors were wet and miserable, but everyone was determined to serve a nice meal for the judges.

  •
    No dream too big for Sumner

    Carmen Sumner, formerly of Galax, has become a big name in Lincolnton, N.C. Sumner’s formal title reads “Administrative Support Specialist and Receptionist” at City Hall. But she is known by many as the eyes and ears of the city.

  •
    Fun & Faith in Hillsville

     

    Local congregations celebrated the third annual Christian Family Fun Day event on Saturday with a parade, a 5K and a day-long celebration at the Hillsville VFW. Churches from the Twin Counties and surrounding localities turned up to offer free food, games, entertainment and messages about Christianity. Everyone in the community was invited to attend, regardless of their personal beliefs.

  •
    MS walk raises $7,000

    HILLSVILLE — More than 100 runners turned out for the inaugural Twin County MS Walk at the Grover King VFW Post #1115 in Hillsville on Sept. 13.

    According to coordinator Regina Dalton, the walk raised around $7,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. “And, there are still more donations coming in,” she told The Gazette on Monday.

  • Hillsville plans Christian Family...

    HILLSVILLE — For the past two years, the Christian Family Fun Day (CFFD) event in Hillsville has provided a safe and fun environment where everyone is welcome.

    For some, the event — set to return for a third year on Sept. 20 — is a fun place to mingle with the community and enjoy the free games and entertainment. But for others, the experience is much more profound.

  •
    Choir finds harmony among diverse...

    When it comes to harmony, the members of The Preacher’s Choir have it down pat. Not only do their voices harmonize during their many performances, but they see harmony as a way of life.

    The Preacher’s Choir is a group of Galax ministers from all denominations. It was organized about four years ago through Jerry Watson, a church layman with a dream.

    “Mr. Watson dreamed of seeing a group of ministers from various church backgrounds coming together to sing gospel songs in the area,” said Pastor D.G. Fox, the designated leader of the group.

  •
    Choir finds harmony among diverse...

    When it comes to harmony, the members of The Preacher’s Choir have it down pat. Not only do their voices harmonize during their many performances, but they see harmony as a way of life.

    The Preacher’s Choir is a group of Galax ministers from all denominations. It was organized about four years ago through Jerry Watson, a church layman with a dream.

    “Mr. Watson dreamed of seeing a group of ministers from various church backgrounds coming together to sing gospel songs in the area,” said Pastor D.G. Fox, the designated leader of the group.