The Eagle Rock Ruritan Club welcomed two new members into the club at its March meeting at the Eagle Rock Community Center– Lee and Stacy Crabtree. The meal was provided by the Oriskany Community Club.
Pastor David Cox from King Memorial Church in Oriskany brought an informative program about Weekday Religious Education (WRE). Having programs in all seven Botetourt County Elementary Schools, WRE’s goal is to bring Scripture into young people’s lives and promote basic moral principles. The goals and teachings of WRE go hand in hand with the well- established Character Counts Program in Botetourt Schools.
In addition to the Botetourt County Council of Weekday Religious Education, there are 21 other councils in the Virginia Council of Weekday Religious Education, of which Pastor Cox is currently president. There is a total of 33 states which have the WRE Program. All of the WRE Programs are based on a court approved released-time rule and require written parental consent in order for elementary school students to attend.
Cox teaches WRE at Eagle Rock and Breckinridge Elementary Schools in portable classrooms located on private property adjacent to the campuses, and at Greenfield Elementary School in a bus classroom which is driven to a location adjacent to the campus one day per week. The other four elementary schools in the county also have portable classrooms on private property adjacent to the campuses. The WRE program is funded totally by contributions from individuals, churches, businesses, and civic organizations.
The April Club meeting was held at Forest Grove Baptist Church, with the meal provided by church members. The 34 members and guests welcomed the program presented by Jeff Sterns, manager of the historic Masonic Theater in Clifton Forge. The theater was built in 1905 by the Masons, who met on the top floor for 26 years, with the main floor being used as an opera house. Sterns told the group that a $6+ million renovation project at the theater was completed in July 2016, and the building became operational in September 2016. Since its re-opening in September, the Masonic Theater has served thousands of folks.
The May meeting of the Ruritan Club will be “Buddy Night” and will be held at the Eagle Rock United Methodist Church, with members of the church providing the meal.
The annual fish fry fundraiser will be on Saturday, May 13, from 5-7 p.m. at the Gala Community Pavilion across from Galatia EPC on Gala Loop Road. Tickets are $8 (desserts extra) and need to be purchased in advance. For ticket information, call/text 540-797-6675 or email roja.mcrae@gmail.com. The club meets each third Tuesday, and always welcomes visitors.
