Skills USA to hold fruit sale at SHS
Stafford High School's SkillsUSA is taking orders for fresh Florida citrus fruit through Nov. 7. Two-fifths- and four-fifths-bushel boxes of navel oranges, tangelos, red grapefruit, juice oranges and a mixed box of navel oranges and grapefruit are available.
More information and order forms are available on the school Web site at stafford .high.schoolfusion.us, or call Bobby Jett at 540/371-7200, ext. 1306.
The fruit will be delivered to the Automotive Lab at Stafford High School for pickup on Dec. 3.
BPHS Dance Team holding craft show
The Brooke Point High School Dance Team will hold its 2008 Fall Craft Show on Nov. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school on State Route 630.
Admission is $2; children younger than 6 are free.
Crafts, raffles, Virginia Barbeque, face painting and balloons are among the attractions. Proceeds support the school's award-winning dance team.
For details, call 540/840-9260.
Pumpkin Patch at Summit Presbyterian
Summit Presbyterian Church is holding its fifth pumpkin and gourd sale through Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Harvested at an Indian reservation in New Mexico and overnighted by tractor-trailer, more than 2,000 pumpkins are ready to find a home by your front door or be transformed into your favorite jack-o'-lantern.
Summit's pumpkin patch is a churchwide effort led by its lively youth group. Proceeds from the sale of pumpkins and gourds go toward youth mission trips and other youth-related events.
Prices vary according to size. Summit Presbyterian Church is located at 256 Shelton Shop Road in North Stafford, a mile south of North Stafford High School.
For details, call 540/659-2306 or visit summitpresby terian.org.
High school Powder Puff football game to raise funds for BPHS
Brooke Point High School Athletic Booster Club is holding a Powder Puff flag football game on Nov. 8 at 3 p.m.
The senior girls will be challenging the junior girls at the high school stadium.
Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for students. Gate opens at 2:30 p.m., with tickets being sold at the gate only.
Junior and senior boys will be cheerleaders for this event.
Transition fair planned next month
The Fredericksburg Transition Coalition is hosting Pathways to the Future, a transition fair for youths and young adults with disabilities who are leaving high school, on Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The free informational conference will be at James Monroe High School, 2300 Washington Ave., Fredericksburg.
Individuals who are transitioning and their family members are encouraged to attend. Additionally, young adults with disabilities and professionals working with these individuals can benefit from the many breakout sessions and vendor fair. Attendees will learn more about employment, Social Security benefits, assistive technology resources, housing options, Medicaid waivers, guardianship, estate planning, community services and much more. Lunch will be provided and there are door prizes for attendees.
For details, visit spotsyl vania.k12.va.us/PRC/prc .htm. There is no deadline to register. However, individuals requiring accommodations should contact Kimberly Lett no later than Nov. 1. She can be reached at 540/373-2559 or klett@cildrc .org.
AARP safe-driving course in November
The AARP safe-driving course will be offered Nov. 19-20 at the Gardens of Stafford on Mountain View Road. The course will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days.
For details, call Don Wilson at 540/374-1721.
Boys and Girls Club plans reverse raffle
The Fredericksburg Regional Boys and Girls Club is holding a reverse raffle fundraiser with a $10,000 grand prize.
Tax-deductible tickets are $100, with 249 tickets being sold. Drawing will be held Nov. 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the University of Mary Washington's Seacobeck Hall. In addition to the drawing, a silent auction will take place, along with complimentary beverages and hors d'oeuvres.
Tickets can be purchased at the Boys and Girls Club, 200 Gunnery Road, Room 16. For details, call 540/368-9531 or e-mail
Email: wrollins@bgcgw.org.
Nominations being accepted for Florence Helms Award
The Stafford Parks and Recreation Commission is accepting nominations for the Florence D. Helms Award, which was established in 1975 to honor Helms.
She was an active member of the commission and instrumental in establishing a volunteer program of medical examinations by doctors for sports programs in the area.
The award is for people who have made an outstanding contribution in the areas of recreation, education, guidance, health or other fields that contribute to the character development of youths in Stafford County.
Nomination forms must be returned to the Stafford County Department of Parks and Recreation office no later than Jan. 30.
For details, call 540/658-4872.
'Artists in Their Studios' exhibit
Gari Melchers Home and Studio is hosting the exhibition "Artists in Their Studios: Images From the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art" through Nov. 23. This special exhibition is included with the regular price of admission.
This look at artists in their studios, through photographs and documents from the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art, offers a behind-the-scenes view into the life of American artists
Educational programming for "Artists in Their Studios" includes a number of related programs. Visit the Sunday Film Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 16.
Visit GariMelcher.org or call 540/654-1015 for information.
SPCA selling bricks
The SPCA of Fredericksburg is conducting a brick campaign called a "Walkway of Love" for its new humane care center. The new no-kill center is scheduled to open by the end of 2008 and will be five times bigger than the current facility and able to care for three times as many animals. Red bricks and gray pavers are available to dedicate to a pet, person or event in celebration or in memory.
A donation of $100 will purchase a 4- by 8-inch red brick, and a donation of $250 will purchase a 12- by 12-inch gray paver. Payments can be made over four months.
Brochures are available at all Union Bank & Trust locations, the SPCA of Fredericksburg at 1523 Olde William St., and most veterinarian offices. Brochures also can be obtained by calling the SPCA at 540/373-9008, ext. 22. Deadline for ordering is Nov. 30 to ensure placement of all bricks for the opening.
Advice for unmarried expecting couples
Bethany Connections is a safe way to evaluate your relationship. It reaches out to pregnant unmarried couples, or those who have an infant, to help them manage their relationships better.
Couples attend a four-week education class that will discuss topics such as communication skills, problem solving, family backgrounds, finances, budgeting and parenting.
The program provides gas cards and offers a $100 gift card for participation. Connections meets every Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. For details and to register, contact Louise Motsko, 540/373-6463 or at
Email: LMotsko@bethany.org.
Recycling program expanded at Belman Road center
The recycling center on Belman Road in Fredericksburg has added cell phone, ink cartridge and eyeglass recycling to its recycling program. This program will mirror the recycling program at the Stafford landfill, which has helped keep 596 ink cartridges and 258 pairs of eyeglasses out of the landfill since the program started in January.
The recycling box is maintained by a local networking charity fund that has provided money and supplies to local nonprofits, such as the Fredericksburg SPCA, Spotsylvania County schools, Stafford County "Stuff the Bus," SERVE, Girl Scouts and many more organizations. Eyeglasses are turned over to area Lions Clubs for its international sight program.
The box itself was constructed by the networking charity fund from lumber recycled at the Stafford County landfill. The box has three compartments--one for small ink cartridges, one for cell phones and one large compartment with an eyeglass recycling box inside that can also accommodate larger laser cartridges.
CFHS Athletic Boosters craft sale
Colonial Forge High School Athletic Boosters is holding its 10th annual Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25. Admission is $1, which includes a raffle ticket for door prizes.
Proceeds help supplement CFHS athletic programs.
For details, contact Mary Emeigh at 540/288-9472 or
Email: bemeigh@aol.com.
SERVE conducting
SERVE, a nonprofit agency based in Stafford, is collecting old newspapers as a fundraiser. The money raised will be used to assist area families.
Old newspapers can be dropped off at the SERVE office at 15 Upton Lane, across from the Stafford County Courthouse.
Area school coordinators can arrange for pickup of large loads by calling Fred Cannon at 412/889-7950.