Letters to the Editor for Saturday, November 28, 2009

A community filled with thanks

Arts council
On Nov. 19, the newly formed James River Council for the Arts & Humanities held its first ever Cultural Celebration. It was a grand event with nine performing organizations, 10 cultural exhibitors, silent auction, and great food!

The JRC would like to thank our performing groups the Sophistokatz Jazz Band, Virginia School of the Arts, Dance Theatre of Lynchburg, Otter’s Court Renaissance Music, Jefferson Choral Society, Liberty University Opera, Endstation Theatre, Lynchburg College Woodwind Quintet and Black Theatre Ensemble.

JRC thanks our local cultural exhibitors from the Lynchburg City Museum System, Legacy Museum, Glass Theatre, Amazement Square, Bedford Museum, Maier Museum, Endstation Theatre, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, Appomatox National Historical Park and Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial. These organizations were pleased for the opportunity to cultivate new relationships.

We could not have presented this event without our volunteers. JRC is grateful to the 20 volunteers who donated their time and efforts to the inner workings of the event itself, the 23 artists and seven organizations who donated art pieces and tickets for the silent auction, the generous monetary contributions from six businesses, and the Academy of Fine Arts donation of the Warehouse Theatre and its staff.

On behalf of the James River Council, I express my deepest gratitude to all and we look forward to a bright future working on behalf of the Arts and Humanities in our community.
KRISTA BOOTHBY
Interim Executive Director
James River Council for the Arts & Humanities

Old City Cemetery
On Veterans Day, more than 50 people gathered in the chapel at Old City Cemetery for the dedication of a permanent Veterans Memorial.

We were honored to have Rep. Bob Goodlatte and Del. Ben Cline present to offer remarks. The memorial was made possible through the generosity of the Blue Ridge Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The idea of a permanent memorial came out of the Blue Ridge Chapter’s sponsorship of the Wreaths Across America ceremony last December held at Old City Cemetery. More than 600 wreaths were laid on veterans’ graves throughout the grounds. There are veterans from every major armed American conflict from the Revolution to Vietnam buried in the Cemetery.

We are very grateful to the Blue Ridge Chapter for this new memorial. We invite all to come see our “gravegarden” and, in particular, the Veterans Memorial which is located across from the chapel. Also please mark your calendars for this year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony to be held Dec. 12 at noon in Old City Cemetery.
BRUCE CHRISTIAN
Executive director
Old City Cemetery

For our troops
This holiday season as we sit down with family for Thanksgiving and again at Christmas, let’s not forget our brave men and women who valiantly serve on foreign soil. Let’s pray for the families of those who have paid the ultimate price.

Also, let’s remember all generations of all military branches and the sacrifices they made to maintain our freedom.

Serving away from home and family during the holidays is lonely and sad, both for the troops and loved ones back home.

Let’s not forget them and include them in our prayers as we give thanks this holiday season. They are America’s finest men and women!
DOUG McCRAW
Forest