The contractor also installed a more effective culvert, according to a news release from the Eastern Divide Ranger District.

The work cost a total $217,000 and was funded by a portion of about $4 million in federal stimulus money received for improvements to numerous trails, roads and bridges across the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.

At the Cascades next year, more of that stimulus money will be used to improve the lower and upper trails leading to the falls, including work to better the rock stairs and trail surface. The park will remain open during the trail work.

Turnip picking set for Thanksgiving

The Society of Saint Andrew is sponsoring a turnip picking in Riner to benefit the Southwest Virginia Food Bank.

Volunteers have already harvested some 45,000 pounds of turnips, and there are likely another 45,000 pounds left to pick, according a news release from Stephanie Slocum.

The SOSA Gleaning is being done from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday at the farm at 1540 Creekside Lane in Riner, which is off Rustic Ridge Road.

For more information, e-mail vaglean@endhunger.org.

-- The Roanoke Times