The Festival of Trees continues to draw visitors to the Natural Bridge State Park this holiday season. This year’s event features 30 trees decorated by local groups and businesses. Area residents have until Sunday to view the trees and vote for their favorites with donations of non-perishable food items for the Natural Bridge/Glasgow Food Pantry or supplies for ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photos)
Arts in the Baths, the first event of the newly formed North Rockbridge Art League, was held Dec. 9 at the Rockbridge Baths firehouse. Eighteen artists displayed and sold their work. . A large attendance supported the holiday sale of original paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, pottery, woodland sculpture and rock sculpture.
Main Street Lexington held a reception for the winning entries from this year’s Lexington Christmas Parade Dec. 14 at Heliotrope Brewery. Those attending included (from left) Jaycee Moore, Ryder Moore, Hailey Moore, Jason Moore and Amy Moore from Heritage Woodwork (Best Vehicle); Dee Fix and Summer Clemmer from Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital (Best Representation of the “Home for the Holidays” Theme); Jay Sullivan and Jess Sullivan from Boxerwood (Best Performance); and Kathy Ramsey from the National Barrel Horse Association (Best Equestrian). Unable to attend were members of Williams Brothers Tree & Lawn Service (Best Float) and the Rockbridge County High School Marching Wildcats (Best Band).
Area residents got the chance to tour the historic Paxton House and enjoy bountiful refreshments during the annual open house on Dec. 10. The event (scenes from which can be seen above and below) is sponsored by the Paxton House Historical Society. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photos)
Rockbridge Christian Academy high school and middle school students presented several skits and a Christmas play entitled “A Christmas Friend” on Dec. 8. The student choir also performed. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photos)
Four villages that thrived along the South River in 19thcentury Rockbridge County — Marlbrook to the north and Midvale, Cornwall and Riverside going south — are explored by the local historian Reed Belden in the latest “Rockbridge Epilogue,” now available online at no charge.
RC JUNIOR attackman John Brooke fires a shot on goal during the Wildcats’ 17-3 loss to Western Albemarle. Brooke scored RC’s first goal and had an assist. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)