Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9502100009
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The October membership drive resulted in the financial support of 445 members. This was due to a great number of diligent volunteers recruited and organized by our membership chairman, Ann Hess. Susan Edwards and Lenna Moore recently hosted a morning coffee-silent auction which netted more than $600 for the Montgomery County Friends of the Library.
Membership in the Friends is open to all residents of Montgomery County who are interested in supporting our wonderful library system. Funds from the Friends support the summer reading program, special library projects, and other needs not currently being met in the library budget.
Information on how to become a Friend of the Library is available at the Blacksburg and Christiansburg branches or the Montgomery County Bookmobile.
We are most appreciative of the enthusiastic support from Montgomery County citizens.
Phyllis Talley and Bob Blanton, co-presidents, Friends of the Library, Montgomery County Chapter
Blacksburg
Parade planning overlooked drivers
On Thursday, Dec. 8, Radford City held its annual Christmas Parade and I was fortunate enough to observe this lovely event.
I received this pleasure because the Radford City police stopped traffic coming from Memorial Bridge onto Main Street at 7:12 without any warning. They did, however, allow traffic to continue down Main Street until the parade reached this point.
For more than 50 minutes, a string of cars was lined up across the bridge as far as the eye could see. From the loud blaring of horns, it was obvious that the majority of drivers were also unwilling spectators of this event.
I have no qualms with Radford holding a Christmas parade. However, I would have expected a well-organized police force to have a detour planned for the trapped motorists or, at the very least, have given a warning that our lane of traffic was about to come to a standstill to observe the festivity.
Erin Bull
Riner
A privilege ... and responsibility
My son and I recently visited the target range in the Jefferson National Forest. Acts of deliberate property destruction and signs of rules violations were all too apparent. The well-planned and conveniently located range is open to the general public. This will not and should not be the case if people don't demonstrate more respect and common sense.
Frank Clark
Radford
Good people are still out there
On Friday afternoon, Dec. 2, my 17-year-old daughter and a friend headed south on Interstate 81 to do some holiday shopping at the New River Valley Mall. About 13 miles north of Christiansburg, they experienced car trouble and pulled onto the shoulder of the road.
The Good Samaritan was driving a blue Mazda 4x4 with a bumper sticker: "Troopers are Your Best Protection." In just minutes, the man diagnosed the problem as a burned-out clutch. He then gave his car keys to my daughter and had her drive his car while he nursed her car to the safety of a gas station at Exit 118.
There were groceries on the front seat of his car along with what appeared to be freshly pressed police uniforms on hangers. We know he lives in Christiansburg, but we don't know his name.
It's very easy to believe the media hype about the uncaring society we've become. But often, in times of crisis, someone appears, does a good deed and goes on about his business without a thought of compensation. My family is fortunate to have known many such people over the years. To all of them, and especially our most recent Good Samaritan, thank you.
Kathy Metzler
Roanoke
Help charities, save shopping time
For the person who has everything, how about a gift to help someone who has almost nothing?
It's called "gifting." And it beats fighting the crowds at the mall.
Here's how it works: You make a donation to a charity in the name of the person you're shopping for. Then you make note of the gift in a card you'll give to that person on Christmas Day. Most charities will follow up with an acknowledgement, but you should ask for one just in case.
So, in truth, you're giving two gifts for the price of one without ever leaving home. The person who has everything now has a gift more rewarding than another tie or toaster. And that person's favorite charity gets a much-needed donation to provide medical care to the ill, food to the hungry or comfort to the children.
It's almost incidental that the contribution is tax-deductible.
It's not getting any easier for charitable agencies to raise the money they need to help our neighbors. But through gifting, it is getting easier for you to shop.
Paul Lancaster,
Vice president, The Free Clinic of the New River Valley
Blacksburg
by CNB