Local Features

The Hillsboro Garden Club held its first meeting of 2023 on March 28 at the Kathryn Zane Granger Floral Hall on the Highland County Fairgrounds. After vice president Lynn Luman called the meeting to order, members stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance and then sang “God Bless America” led by Ed Davis.

Are you an individual that often thinks or states, “I feel sad for people who reside in nursing facilities and seldom have visitors?” Maybe you have thought, “Who checks on those who have no family members involved and ensures their voices are being heard?” Maybe you have retired recently and feel you need some type of meaningful connection. Conversely, you could be starting out in your career and want more experience with advocacy and working with older adults. If these statements describe you, I would love to introduce you to our Volunteer Ombudsman Program at the Area Agency on Aging District 7.

On April 22, the Lynchburg Masonic Lodge will open its doors for a fish fry and public open house. The lodge is located at 131 S. Main St., Lynchburg, and the event from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

The Lynchburg Lions Club recently presented eight full screen magnifiers to the Lynchburg Library. The Lions are known for their community service projects. Sight saving, eye care, and eye research are major priorities of Lions Clubs worldwide. The Lynchburg club purchased four magnifiers that have four times capability and four additional units that have three times capability. These units were placed in the Library where they will be available to anyone. They are one of many service projects made to the community by the Lynchburg club. The money generated for these donations came from the Club’s annual candy sale. The magnifiers were presented to Elaine Williams, manager of the Lynchburg branch of the Highland County District Library. They will be available to anyone who has vision impairment and who needs magnification to read or better see other materials. Pictured (l-r) are Lion Jim Faust, librarian Elaine Williams, Lions President Bob Roth, Lions VP Virginia Rhonemus and Lions Treasurer Chris Hamlin.

The Hamilton family has announced the 50th anniversary of the marriage of Randy Hamilton and Reta (Jones) Hamilton. Randy and Reta attended and graduated from Whiteoak High School together and married on March 24, 1973.

Hello! It’s time to make some biscuits. I love biscuits. Do you?

“God does almost everything,” says Caleb, 10. “He watches us while we’re asleep, and he watches us in the day, too. He never sleeps, and he never gets hurt. But the most important thing is he never lets us down.”

The Highland County Homeless Shelter recently received a $1,000 donation for its annual capital campaign from Merchants National Bank. The donation will assist the shelter in providing clients with shelter, food and utilities. The mission of the Highland County Homeless Shelter is to provide safe, temporary housing for homeless individuals and families, and to aid those that are homeless with the resources and referrals that will help them obtain and maintain permanent housing. Community support from local businesses like Merchants National Bank is imperative to the success of the Highland County Homeless Shelter, said executive director of the homeless shelter. Pictured (l-r) are Paul W. Pence Jr., Denise Fauber, Hawkins, Bertha Hamilton, Linda Smith and Jake DeHart.

A country music/gospel concert featuring Carson Peters and Iron Mountain will be held at the Hillsboro First Presbyterian Church, 201 E. Main St., from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 16. Everyone is invited and there is no charge to attend.

The last two weeks have brought with them two events that traditionally have meant significant changes in our lives. The first is the transition from Standard to Daylight Saving Time. I have generally made light of this saying that in the spring I lose an hour’s sleep that I won’t get back until November.