Towns & Villages Column by Brenda L. Eggleston

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Wednesday, May. 22, 2013

Lifelong resident will be mourned

The Marshall Community is saddened by the loss of one of our lifelong citizens, Joyce O'Bannon. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers as they grieve through this tragic loss.

Marshall Volunteer Fire Department had its Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, May 17. It was a great banquet and we had a very special tribute to Henry Lane Jr. He is truly missed at our company.

Congratulations to Justin Carter, Megan Dunn, Eddie Payne, David Carter, John Richards, Collin Shults and to our Top Runner, Teddy Saunders.

Memorial Day weekend is coming up, and everyone is hoping for warm weather and no rain, so we can get this summer started. You better get your calendar out, because there is a lot going on in the neighborhood.

The following students will be graduating at Marshall United Methodist Church this Thursday, May 23:

Andrew, Asa, Aubrey, Colby, Cole, Gavin, Hannah, Kate, Madison, Nathaly, Olivia, Renee, and Sophia. Mrs. Donna Thomas would like to send best wishes to her 4-year-old class from Marshall United Methodist Preschool (MUMPS).

The Free Community Lunch is set for Saturday, May 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains. Everyone's appetite is welcome, and the lunch will feature a Chef's Special menu. Serving usually begins about 11:25 a.m.

The open house at Schoolhouse No. 18 will be held on Saturday, May 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. Please note the new hours. Come out and see the lovely old schoolhouse, the beautiful gardens, and enjoy a bit of Marshall's history.

The annual gun show is May 25 and 26 at the Ruritan Building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by and look at all of the guns -- old and new.

Contact Dr. Charles Joseph at (540) 364-1117 for additional details.

Save some time to take the family to the Strawberry Festival on May 25 and 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sky Meadows State Park -- lots of fun for everyone.

Sunday, May 26, Marshall Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its monthly All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast.

After you've run around all weekend, you'll be too tired to fix Sunday morning breakfast, so come visit us and enjoy a great breakfast with scrambled eggs, sausage, scrapple, bacon, potatoes, biscuits and pancakes. We're open 8 to 11 a.m. and it's only $7. Support your local volunteers.

I normally highlight a business from our community, but this week, I'd like to highlight something special.
From Shawn Morton, a third-grade teacher at W.G. Coleman Elementary:

“In my spare time I work to raise money for cancer research in memory of my father who died from esophageal cancer in 2009. For the past three years, my big event has been the Robert L. Hughes Motorcycle Ride For A Cure in Philadelphia, Pa. This year, the ride will be on Saturday, June 22, in Philadelphia.

“I also do other fundraisers, and on Thursday, June 6, there will be a fundraiser at Foster's Grille to raise money for cancer research. We would like to invite the community to come out and support this worthy cause by purchasing their lunch or dinner at Foster's Grille.

“The fundraiser will run from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Our charity will receive 10 percent of the sales for that day. Fliers will be available at the event and at other establishments around town. Customers must present the flier while ordering so that we are credited for the sale. We will also have 50/50 raffle tickets for purchase during dinner hours as well. The funds raised will be donated to the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. This is where my father received wonderful treatment.

“I believe my family and I were given a few more years to enjoy my father's company because of Abramson's expertise in providing the latest cancer procedures and treatment. This is my way of giving back to help others.”

For more information, visit www.motorcyclerideforacure.wordpress.com. Won't you help them beat cancer?

As usual, we have a few birthdays this week. Happy birthday to Patty Singleton, my sister who lives in Kentucky, on May 23 (I send her my column each week, so I get brownie points), Daniel Bailey on May 26, Shane Curtis on May 27, and Lou Downs and Nneka Douglas on May 28.

And a belated happy 60th birthday to Laura Wyne. I guess she thought I wouldn't find out that she had a birthday, but I fooled her. Hope your birthday was great, Laura.

Everyone, have a great week and a safe holiday weekend. See you next week.

Wednesday, May. 15, 2013

Annual Strawberry Festival May 25, 26

I hope everyone has had a great week. After a few days of rain, Sunday sure was a beautiful day, wasn't it? How did you pamper your mom for Mother's Day?

A big congratulations goes to the Marshall Middle School Chorus, also known as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Chorus," for winning its division of "Music in the Parks."

They performed at Hershey Park, then were able to enjoy all of the rides and shows at the park, even through the rain.

I also understand that Marshall Middle School's Band and Orchestra performed well during its competition, too. What a way to end a school year.

There is a great fundraiser at Effie's Ice Cream on Thursday, May 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. You must mention "Spencer's Heroes" when ordering so that a portion of the bill will be included as a donation.

Spencer is a local young man that is in need of our help. And, who doesn't like ice cream?

Tuesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the MBRA meeting at the Marshall Community Center, President Robert Sinclair will be sharing stories from our local history. You'll want to stop by and listen.

May 25 and 26 is the Marshall Annual Gun Show. Contact Charles Joseph at (540) 364-1117 for details.

And it's that time of year again -- the Strawberry Festival, May 25 and 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sky Meadows State Park. Come enjoy the music, games, hayrides, fun and did I mention strawberries?

The Markham/Marshall Theatre Group has been practicing and practicing for its adaptation of "Two Roses and a Cat." So make room on your calendar to come to the Community Center to see this play at 7 p.m. May 31 or 3 p.m. June 1. Tickets will be on sale at the door.

Karen Nalls, Shirley Beall and Julie Ross, your mom hopes that all three of you had a wonderful Mother's Day.

Birthday wishes this week go to Gertie Gray, Khlealan Colbert and Charles Myers on May 15; Sarah Fewell on May 17; Jeffrey Bailey on May 18; Sandy Dodson on May 19; Brenda Rich and Sharon Coyner on May 20; Eva Harris and Rebecca Sinclair on May 21; and Isabella Jones and B.J. Goff on May 22.

Get well wishes continue for Ronnie Soaper. Hope the doctors find you some pain relief soon.

Have a good week and I'll be talking to ya.

Friday, May. 10, 2013

St. Mark’s May 11 breakfast canceled

Wasn't it gorgeous weather for the Gold Cup? I'm sure everyone who went had a wonderful time and enjoyed the sunshine. At least from all of the pictures I've seen, it sure did seem that way. And you should have seen all the hats.

Our community sends its deepest sympathies to the family of June Allison Moore. Mrs. Moore was a constant in our community throughout the years, and her smile, humor and wonderful personality will be missed by all.

Last week, I mentioned that St. Mark's Church in The Plains was hosting a breakfast on May 11. Please note that breakfast has been canceled and a new date will be determined later.

Sorry for any inconvenience, but the church is having work done to its driveway and will be unable to host the breakfast.

My business highlight of the week is another new business in Marshall -- Bear's Soft Serve Ice Cream, located across the street from the Exxon station.

People are in line trying to determine what kind of cone or shake they would like to have. Take a stroll on down Main Street, and grab a cone.

Don't forget the Swing into Spring Dance at Marshall Community Center Auditorium 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Contact Haley Riley, (540) 422-8580) with any questions.

Sunday is a special day -- Mother's Day. Show your mom how much she is appreciated by taking her to breakfast or lunch or let her relax at home while you wash the dishes or do the laundry or just sit with her and watch movies all day. Your mom won't be around forever, so let her know you love her.

Happy birthday wishes this week go to Sherri Corbin and Robert "Junebug" Dodson on May 8, Joyce Tompkins on May 9, Mandy Summers Howe on May 13 and Joy Taylor Herndon on May 14.

Bruce and Teresa Heflin, Marshall residents for more than 25 years, celebrated 30 years of marriage by going to the Richmond NASCAR race on April 27. Congratulations.

Well, the column is a bit short this week. I guess everyone is still enjoying all of this sunshine we've been having. Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms.

Here's to hoping everyone has a fabulous week, even if it is supposed to rain.