ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, November 16, 1996            TAG: 9611180022
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY


APPLAUSE

A big time at the armory

The Christiansburg Armory was inhabited by vampires, pirates, cowboys, doctors and other scary creatures and characters in October when the New River Agency for Persons with Mental Retardation held its second annual Halloween party.

Co-sponsoring the party were Christiansburg's Parks and Recreation Department and Radford University's Council for Exceptional Children. Providing support, decorations and refreshments were Laurel Creek Nursery, Archie's Produce and the Kroger stores in Christiansburg and Radford.

Activities included music, dancing, apple bobbing and a costume contest. Eighty-two mentally retarded children and adults from the New River Valley took part, as did 30 volunteers. Other activities the agency conducts during the year for its clients include bowling, volleyball, basketball, Summer Enrichment Day Camp and dances.

More than 75 people contributed their time and energy at the March of Dimes Campaign for Healthier Babies fund-raiser held in Blacksburg in October. The event raised $2,300.

Contributing were: Bill Ellenbogen, honorary chairman; committee members Judie Reemsnyder, Jennifer Smith, Jason and Nicky Hubbard, Joe Otey and Blacksburg Police Chief Bill Brown.

Also contributing were: Colleen Hawkins, who was warm-up instructor; Edy Wan, from Virginia Tech TV; and Tech's Panhellenic Council, for assisting at checkpoints.

Others sponsors were: Pepsi, Carol Lee Donuts, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Jim Lucas, Bob Schafer, Central Fidelity Bank, McCoy Funeral Home, GTE Mobilnet, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Papa John's Pizza, Little Caesar's Pizza and Pizza Inn.

The Blacksburg Newcomer's Club has been cooking up some good news for the Montgomery County Christmas Store. The club donated $3,607 to the store, which provides household items, clothing, toys and gifts to needy area families, from sales of its cookbook, "Treasured Recipes From Here, There & Everywhere."

About 450 of the cookbooks, featuring recipes from around the world and from local restaurants, have been sold since they debuted in April. The club will make a second donation to the Christmas Store from proceeds from its recent silent auction.

Blue Ridge Bank has given $1,000 to the Christiansburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, to be used to furnish and equip its new building on Depot Street.


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