Relay For Life This Saturday
The wait is over — Relay For Life of Rockbridge County is here. This Saturday, Aug. 29, from 5 to 9 p.m., the community will come together at Central Elementary School to celebrate cancer survivors, honor loved ones lost, and take action in the fight against cancer.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. with the Survivor Lap, celebrating those who have faced cancer and continue to inspire others with their strength. Survivors will also be invited to attend a small reception with light refreshments.
Throughout the event, teams will walk the track and enjoy entertainment, food, games and activities for all ages.
One of the most moving parts of the evening will be the 9 p.m. luminaria ceremony, held after dark, when the track will be lined with glowing bags in memory and in honor of those touched by cancer. The Hill of Hope represents those individuals lost to cancer since the last Relay For Life of Rockbridge County Sept. 6, 2025.
“Relay is about hope — it’s about showing survivors, caregivers, and families that they are not alone,” said Robin Hartless Moore. “We invite the entire community to join us in making a difference.”
All proceeds from Relay For Life benefit the American Cancer Society, funding life-saving research, free patient services, and advocacy efforts to end cancer as we know it.
For more information, to donate, or to purchase a luminaria, visit RelayForLife.org/RockbridgeVA or contact Moore at [email protected].
The Virginia Military Institute Community Theatre will hold auditions for its fall show, “Brother Rat,” Monday, Aug. 31; Tuesday, Sept. 1; Wednesday, Sept. 2; and Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Gillis Theater located in Marshall Hall on post.
Cadets and community members may audition any of the four evenings. Multiple male and female roles will be cast. Those interested in auditioning should come prepared to cold-read from the provided script. Stage crew members are also needed. No experience is necessary for either actors or stage crew.
“Brother Rat” is a three-act comedy drama about cadets at VMI and was written by two former cadets, John Monks Jr. ’32 and Fred Finklehoffe ’32. It ran on Broadway for 577 performances between December 1936 and April 1938. It was made into a film in 1938 starring Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman. The script used for this performance was edited by former director of the VMI Theatre, Joellen Bland, with permission from Monks.
Tim Price is the director. Performances of “Brother Rat” are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. in Gillis Theater. Rehearsals will be held Monday through Thursday 7:30-9 p.m., beginning Sept 7. Specific nights will be determined after casting. For additional information, send email to [email protected].
