Madison County Area Community Calendar

Updated Thursday, July 2, 2009
Published: April 6, 2008

Thursday, July 2

The Cooling Assistance Program provides payment for electric bills to operate cooling equipment and/or the purchase or repair of cooling equipment (air conditioners and fans). To be eligible, a household must contain at least one vulnerable individual who is older than 60, or disabled, or younger than 6, meets income requirements, and has an unpaid electric bill. Applications must apply in the locality where they live, and be responsible for the cooling expense themselves. Maximum gross income for a one person household is $1,127 per month, $1,517 for two people, $1,907 for three, and more. Applications will be taken Thursday, July 2, through Aug. 17. Payments are made for eligible persons on a weekly schedule, and as funding remains available. The cooling application period is for two months to – it is hoped – still assist folks who are billed every two months. For information, or to apply, stop by the Madison Social Services Department’s office, at 101 S. Main Street, in downtown Madison or call (540) 948-5521.

Rapidan Better Housing is accepting applications for its indoor plumbing/repair program continuing through Thursday, July 2. If you need a well or drainfield, or repairs to a well or drainfield, they have grant money and zero-interest loans available to homeowners. They provide complete project management from start to finish. Call the Madison office at (540) 948-3274 and ask for Janet Herr. They would be happy to mail you a brochure about their home repair program.

Madison Troop Support will meet at 1 p.m. today, Thursday, July 2, at Piedmont Episcopal Church’s parish house in downtown Madison to pack boxes to be shipped to Madison County servicemen and servicewomen on active duty abroad. Donations of goods and dollars are needed, as well as volunteers to pack boxes. The group meets the same time and place the first Thursday of every month. For information, call Susan Pell at (540) 923-4526.

Friday, July 3

Registration forms for the fourth annual Tri-County Track Meet are available Friday, July 3, through August at The Madison County Eagle office at 201 N. Main St. in downtown Madison. See Tracey at the front counter on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays only to pick up a form. Both males and females, age 4-through 79, can participate in various track and field events for trophies and county “bragging rights.” Madison County has thus far demonstrated its superiority over Culpeper and Orange counties at each of the meets. There is only a small fee to enter and it is cheaper to register early. For information, call (540) 948-5416.

Shenandoah National Park Trust will be a participant of Charlottesville’s First Fridays 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, July 3. The Trust, at 414 E. Market St., near the Market Street Parking Garage, houses a permanent exhibition of large-format black and white photographs of Shenandoah National Park, including some Madison County scenes, taken by renowned landscape photographer Hullihen Williams Moore. Moore is a trustee with Shenandoah National Park Trust and has been making photographs in the Park for more than 25 years. His work is published in “Shenandoah: Views of Our National Park” (University of Virginia Press, 2003) and has been displayed in the Virginia Museum of Fine Art in Richmond and galleries the Commonwealth. National Public Radio has described his work as “simple and profound.” A student of Ansel Adams, Moore also studied his craft with noted landscape photographers John Sexton and Philip Hyde. Moore uses a wooden 4 x 5 view camera, which he will have on display at the First Fridays event. The event will also serve as a “house warming” for Shenandoah National Park Trust, which opened its Charlottesville office in March. The Trust is an official nonprofit partner of Shenandoah National Park that fosters appreciation of the Park and raises funds for projects and programs that maintain and enhance Shenandoah’s natural and historical resources. Moore’s work can be viewed on-line at http://www.hullihenmoorephotography.com. For information, call (434) 293-2728.

Saturday, July 4

Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria will again host its free, public Independence Day fireworks show around 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Enjoy a picnic celebration. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Graves Mountain will serve picnic foods at 4:30 p.m. There will be life music with Jimmy “O” at 6 p.m. Lots of child-friendly activities will be offered, including fishing, swimming, horseshoes and pony rides. Parking donations accepted by the Madison County Volunteer Fire Company and Madison County Rescue Squad. Call (540) 923-4231 or visit http://www.gravesmountain.com for information.

Sweely Estate Winery near Wolftown will host a special Independence Day celebration noon-4 p.m. Saturday, July 4 on the Great Lawn, which is next to its hospitality center (enter on Woftown-Hood Road.) Enjoy the sounds of Madison County’s Courtney Hollow Band while dining on traditional Fourth of July picnic fare from Madison’s own Pig ’N Steak restaurant. Full menu details (which include vegetarian options) can be found at http://www.sweelyestatewinery.com. There’s no admission fee and all food and beverage will be sold a la carte. So they can get an idea on how many to expect, though, they do ask that you let them know if you’re coming by calling (540) 948-9005, ext. 0. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to spend the afternoon. Sorry, no outside food or beverage allowed.

The Farmers Market will host an 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 4 Red, White and Blue Celebration. It will feature small fruit samples (blueberries, cherries, raspberries) and Mary Ruth’s shortcake samples and homemade ice cream! For information, call (540) 948-4455.

Tuesday, July 7

The next regular meeting of Madison American Legion Post 157 will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 7 at the post’s meeting hall at 310 Thrift Road in downtown Madison. All wartime veterans and current active duty service members are welcome to attend and become members of the post. A representative of the Army Freedom Team Salute Program will present lapel pins and certificates to Army veterans who registered with him last month. If you are an Army veteran and have not received your pin and certificate, come to the meeting. For information, call Post Adjutant Sherry L. Brockman at (540) 948-6683.

Thursday, July 9

As part of the annual Music on the Lawn series, the Dark Hollow Band will present a free concert 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9 around the gazebo in front of the Madison County Library. For information, e-mail . 

Friday, July 10

The Brightwood Ruritan Club will host a fried chicken dinner to benefit Madison County resident Scott Collier. The menu will include mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, coffee/tea and homemade desserts. Due to a hunting accident, Collier has been paralyzed from the waist down since December. He and his wife have three children. All proceeds from this meal will help them pay their expenses. For information, call (540) 948-5416.

Saturday, July 11

The Madison County Democratic Committee’s regular meeting has returned! The group will host a meeting 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 11 in the fellowship hall at Madison Presbyterian Church. They will make final plans for this year’s entry in the Madison Firemen’s Parade, along with the usual interesting and lively political discussions. Everyone is invited to attend to learn more and show your support. Questions? Call Chairman Suzanne Long at (540) 547-2537.

Sunday, July 12

Shenandoah National Park will host a second “Hiking With Children” seminar 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, July 12. This program is for parents who have wanted to go hiking with their children but worried about what to do to keep them interested, entertained and safe. Here is the chance to learn from an expert. Join Jeff Alt, noted author of “A Walk for Sunshine” and an avid hiker, to learn firsthand how to share nature with children for a fun and safe outdoor adventure. Alt has hiked the more than 2,100 mile length of the Appalachian Trail on his own. During the summer of 2007, with his wife and extended family, he carried his 21-month-old daughter on a 50-mile hike across a swath of Ireland. At the “Hiking With Children” program, Alt will provide tips on how families with children can experience nature together on the trails in Shenandoah National Park. Parents that attended the June 14 “Hiking With Children” seminar shared these comments, “I will begin taking hikes with my daughter to keep her connected to nature,” “We will hike a lot more now that we know how to prepare and it won’t break the bank,” and “We live here and will be using the park a lot, so now I feel more prepared and have much more confidence to take longer hikes.” The “Hiking With Children” seminar will begin in the Massanutten Room at Big Meadows Lodge, mile 51.2 on Skyline Drive in the park’s Madison County section. The program is free but reservations are requested. There is a $15 per-car entrance fee to the park, good for seven days. To register for the seminar, go to the Shenandoah National Park Web site at http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/resource_seminars.htm. 

The ONE/OFF Printmakers Show including Etlan printmaker Tucker Hill will be at the Middle Street Gallery in Little Washington from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 26 with an artists’ reception on Sunday, July 12, from 2-4 p.m. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. For information, call (540) 923-4024 or . 

Tuesday, July 14

Do you have a great idea for the Madison County Republican Women’s Tuesday, July 14 Firemen’s Parade entry? If so, be sure to give your suggestions to MCRW President Anne Farmer at (540) 923-4300. If you’re not in the parade, bring a chair to the front of the Madison Inn restaurant and watch the parade with your MCRW friends. It’s the best location in town!

Madison American Legion Auxiliary Unit 157’s next regular meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 at the post’s meeting hall at 310 Thrift Road in downtown Madison. Ladies interested in membership are encouraged to attend. Membership in the auxiliary is open to the wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, granddaughters and grandmothers of legionnaires, or of qualifying veterans who are deceased. The auxiliary is recognized today as the most influential patriotic women’s organization in the world. For information, call Dottie Stephenson at (540) 948-5019.

Saturday, July 18

The 2009 DeJarnette family reunion is set for noon Saturday, July 18 at Childrey Baptist Church in Halifax County, five miles south of Brookneal off Highway 501, left on Childrey Church Road. Lunch will be at 1 p.m. All descendants of John (Jean) DeJarnette (first DeJarnette from France to America in 1699,) and also descendants of Captain James P. DeJarnette, (two-term sheriff of Halifax County Revolutionary War officer.) All descendants of the above and their friends are welcome. Bring anything relating to the history of the DeJarnettes or kin, such as pictures, deeds, plats, newspaper clippings, tobacco sales receipts, etc. There will be tables to put these items on. Bring enough food and drink for the number of people with you. Plates, cups and utensils will be provided. For information, contact Betty Martin (757) 466-8246, Danny DeJarnette (434) 376-2639 or , or Ron DeJarnette (434) 237-2871. 

Thursday, July 23

As part of the annual Music on the Lawn series, the Courtney Hollow Band will present a free concert 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23 around the gazebo in front of the Madison County Library. For information, e-mail .

Saturday, July 25

The Madison County High School’s Class of 1979 will celebrate its 30th class reunion at the Malvern of Madison clubhouse 5 p.m. Saturday, July 25. The clubhouse is in the private lakeside community near Oak Park. For information, contact Elizabeth Taylor at (540) 672-3295 or e-mail her at .

The Madison County High School Class of 1999’s 10-year reunion is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at the Madison fire hall. There will be a DJ playing hits from today and the 90s, plus door prizes, games and a slideshow (please submit pictures as soon as possible.) Sign-up in advance (even if tentative) and inquire at . 

Madison County Republican Committee’s annual barbecue is set for 12:30-3 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at Wetsel Middle School, next to Madison County High School, off U.S. 29 North, Madison. The guest speaker will be Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who will speak at 1 p.m. Admission is free. Everyone is welcome. B & K Catering’s Bill Heflin will be fixing his renowned Madison County barbecue. For information, call John Tucker at (540) 948-6417.

Thursday, Aug. 3

The Old Rag Master Naturalists, a chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program, is accepting applications for its next training class, which will start Thursday, Aug. 13 is the last day to register. The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a statewide corps of trained volunteers providing education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. The Old Rag chapter serves Madison, Rappahannock, Greene, Culpeper and western Fauquier and Orange counties. The training will be at the Extension office in Madison on Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and will be delivered in 12 classroom sessions and four field trips by professionals in the various fields covered in training. Following the training, participants must give 40 hours of volunteer service and take eight hours of advanced training annually to be certified as Master Naturalists under the VMN Program. The cost of training is $125, with additional fees up to $25. Class size is limited to 20. For information, or to receive an application, call Jack Price at (540) 987-9166, send him an e-mail at , visit the chapter’s Web site at http://www.oldragmasternaturalists.org, or write to Old Rag Master Naturalists, General Delivery, Syria, VA 22743. 

Thursday, Aug. 6

Madison Troop Support will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6 at Piedmont Episcopal Church’s parish house in downtown Madison to pack boxes to be shipped to Madison County servicemen and servicewomen on active duty abroad. Donations of goods and dollars are needed, as well as volunteers to pack boxes. For information, call Susan Pell at (540) 923-4526.

Thursday, Aug. 13

As part of the annual Music on the Lawn series, the band Milford Station will present a free concert 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 around the gazebo in front of the Madison County Library. For information, e-mail .

Thursday, Sept. 3

Madison Troop Support will meet from 1 p.m Thursday, Sept. 3 at Piedmont Episcopal Church’s parish house on Church Street in downtown Madison to pack boxes to be shipped to Madison County servicemen and servicewomen on active duty abroad. Donations of goods and dollars are needed, as well as volunteers to pack boxes. For information, call Susan Pell at (540) 923-4526.

Saturday, Sept. 5

The 17th annual Taste of the Mountains festival is set for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 on and along Main Street in downtown Madison. There is free admission and free parking at Madison County High School (a special shuttle bus will link MCHS and downtown). The event is sponsored by the Madison Chamber of Commerce. Weaver Works and Utz Container Service. For information, call Tracey Williams Gardner at (540) 948-4455.

Saturday, Sept. 12

The fourth annual Tri-County Track Meet is set for 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 12 at Eastern View High School in Culpeper County. Both males and females, age 4 through 79, can participate in various track and field events for trophies and county “bragging rights.” Madison County has thus far demonstrated its superiority over Culpeper and Orange counties at each of the meets. For information, call (540) 948-5416.

Thursday, Sept. 24

Stage Alive’s new season opens Thursday, Sept. 24 with Daniel Rodriguez, the New York City “policeman” tenor who electrified audiences after 9/11 with his a cappella rendition of the “National Anthem” and “God Bless America.” The nonprofit group’s season continues with: “Red, Hot Hollywood!” a song and dance spectacular tribute to the Hollywood musical; an encore performance by the Barbary Coast Dixieland Show Band; the Hunt Family Fiddlers, a family with seven children who fiddle, sing and dance up a storm; the Garth Newel Piano Quartet, who bring fresh and innovative insights into chamber music repertoire; and, concludes with another encore performance, “Rhythm and Shoes,” who delight audiences with high-energy dancing, and a variety of instrumental and vocal music. If you need brochures on the season they are available by calling Madison County’s Joyce Kipps at (540) 948-6376.

The deadline for submitting Madison Area Community Calendar items is 4:30 p.m. Monday for that week’s paper. Items may be faxed to (540) 948-3045 or sent via e-mail to . Please include a contact person’s name and phone number. Items are subject to editing and appear on a space-available basis, with the priority going to events that will occur sooner.

AA Schedule

Sunday:
9 a.m.—Madison Nutritional Center.
6 p.m.—Madison Presbyterian Church.
8 p.m.—Orange Baptist Church.

Monday:
7 a.m.—St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange.
12:30 p.m.—St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange.
8 p.m.—Gordonsville Christian Church.
8 p.m.—Rapidan Presbyterian Church.
8:30 p.m.—Hebron Lutheran Church.

Tuesday:
7 a.m.—St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange.
8 p.m.—Rapidan Presbyterian Church.

Wednesday:
7 a.m.—Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange.
12:30 p.m.—St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange.
5:30 p.m.—St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange (Women).
7:30 p.m. - Madison Catholic Church.
8 p.m.—Gordonsville Baptist Church.
8 p.m.—Rapidan Presbyterian Church.
8 p.m.—Lake Anna Presbyterian Church.

Thursday:
7 a.m.—St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange.
8 p.m. - Rapidan Episcopal Church Step Study.

Friday:
7 a.m.—St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange.
12:30 p.m.—St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Orange.
8 p.m.—Rapidan Presbyterian Church.
8 p.m.—Gordonsville Christ Episcopal Church.

Saturday:
8:30 p.m.—Orange Presbyterian Church.
8:30 p.m.—Lake Anna Presbyterian Church.

For additional meeting times and locations, call 1-800-240-6755.