Every month the Botetourt County Breast Cancer Support Group meets in the Family Life Center at Fincastle United Methodist Church. On Tuesday night, Oct. 6, the group came together for October's Breast Cancer Awareness meeting. Dr. Mark Kochenderfer, a physician with Blue Ridge Cancer Care was the speaker.

Instead of saying cheese for the group picture, the women roared "Survivor!"

Those in attendance were: Ann Tinsley, Peggy Davis, Karen Willis, Linda Guffey, Gloria Burton, Becky Stancil, Martha Hayslett, Pam Claterbay, Anna Wright, Norma Johnson, Nancy Pearman, Elaine Ingram, Dolores Turner, Sheryl Hall, Patti Ellis, Robin Meador and Sue Aleshire.

He discussed many cancer prevention and care topics with the group. Sue Aleshire and Norma Johnson fixed a bounty of refreshments for the women.

The mission statement from the group:

All women who have experienced cancer or who are facing breast cancer are encouraged to attend the meetings whenever possible. the group meets on a monthly basis and is sponsored by The American Cancer Society.

For more information contact the American Cancer Society or Dolores Turner at 540-863-8031.

The next regular meeting is Nov. 3, at the Fincastle United Methodist Church Family Life Center.

Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran plans Reformation worship service Nov. 1

Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church invites members of the community to a special Reformation worship service and program on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Turn back your clocks on Saturday night and travel back with us almost 500 years to discover how some statements hammered on a church door could possibly have relevance today. Learn about the historic roots of most Protestant churches. Also learn how some Lutheran church bodies, such as the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, have not changed their biblical teachings regarding morality and alternative lifestyles nor changed how the Bible is interpreted. Sunday worship will be at 10 a.m. followed at 11 a.m. by a discussion of historic Lutheranism and the historic Christian faith. A lunch will be served at noon.

Our Savior is located at 4535 Bonsack Road, the first right off 460 East just beyond the intersection with Alternate 220, one minute from the Bonsack Lowe's/WalMart.

Please call Pastor Paul Waldek at 977-4888 for further information.

Epilepsy Foundation plans awareness event

Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia will hold an awareness event Nov. 1 at Camp Bethel in Botetourt.

The event will be to raise awareness of epilepsy, dispel its myths, and share information.

Two local mothers, Lisa Garnett and Melissa Tuck, have set up a Facebook site for the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia, Garnett said. "The event will help other parents, family and friends of people who have epileptic seizures. 1in 10 will be affected by epilepsy in their lifetime. It is the leading neurological diagnosis in children, and the third leading diagnosis in adults. 95% of patients get control of the disease with medication."

A raffle will be held for a trip to Disney World.

For more informatioin, call Lisa Garnett at 761-0164 or in the evenings at 992-5162 or Melissa Tuck at 915-7016.

New church organ ready for dedication on Nov. 1

Buchanan Baptist Church will be having the dedication service for its new organ on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m.

The service will include a concert by Gary Lowe, who currently serves as organist at Thomas Road Baptist Church and is owner of Church Organ Consultants.

Lowe is a very talented musician and will be playing a variety of Christian/Gospel favorites as well as many other familiar tunes. The public is welcome and refreshments will be served following the concert.

Longaberger Bingo Saturday at VFW Building

A Longaberger Bingo will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, at the VFW Building on Roanoke Road north of Daleville.

The bingo will start at 1 p.m. with doors opening at noon.

There will be 20 games played for $20. Some baskets to be given away include 2000 Century Celebration Basket, Christmas Holiday Cheer Basket, Christmas Shining Star Basket, Easter Basket, Sewing Circle Basket, Mother's Day Vanity Basket and many more.

Food and soft drinks will be for sale. Come have lunch and enjoy playing Bingo for a good cause.

This will benefit the Mt. Bethel Relay for Life Team, which benefits the American Cancer Society.

For more information call Sara Britt at 884-2224 or Kim Britt at 884-2499

Candy making classes set in Fincastle in November

"Old fashioned" hard candy class...fun for all! Classes will be held at the Fincastle Community Center on Monday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m. Each person will learn how to make the candy and take home approximately two pounds of candy. Cost of each class is $10. Register online at botetourt.org or call 473-8326.

Mary Pate of Troutville earns highest award from Girl Scouts 

Girl Scout Mary Pate of Troutville helped children at two local daycares develop an appreciation for music by showing them how to make musical instruments inexpensively out of household items. In doing so, Mary has earned the Gold Award, the highest achievement given by Girl Scouts of the USA. A member of Girl Scout Troop 626 of Botetourt service unit, Mary received her award from Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council at a ceremony held on Sept. 9.

Achieving the Gold Award takes true commitment and dedication. The Girl Scout Gold Award is earned by fulfilling requirements that recognize a Senior Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as she develops leadership skills and personal values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Gold Award, Mary had to prove her leadership abilities by designing and carrying out a plan of activities that included community service, career exploration, and specialized interest projects. She had to meet the requirements for 65 hours of volunteer community service.

Mary used the Internet to research ideas for making musical instruments from household items. She then compiled a list of needed supplies and began collecting paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls to use for her project. The rest of the needed supplies were purchased or donated.

With supplies in hand, Mary compiled a book of needed materials and instructions for each musical instrument she planned to make with the children, and constructed sample instruments.

She then took her project to the children, working first with kids at her church's daycare and then with children at Greenfield Elementary School's YMCA Magic Place. At each of the daycares, Mary spent several weeks helping the children make hand bells, kazoos, rain sticks, and clap sticks. When the instruments were completed, Mary showed and demonstrated her flute to each group of children and accompanied them in a concert.

Mary, 18, a June graduate of Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville, plans to major in math, with a minor in education. Mary is the daughter of Rita and Steve Pate of Troutville. Her project consultant and troop leader is her mother.