October 21 – I am always surprised at the number of national awareness days and recognition events. Of course, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

But did you know that School Bus Safety Week is Oct. 19-25; that Red Ribbon Week is Oct. 23-31; International Credit Union Week is Oct. 23-31; and, Make-A-Difference Day is Oct. 24? And, lest we forget, Halloween on Sunday, Oct. 31st.

And, don't forget that Daylight Saving Time ends on Sun., Nov. 7th. I don't know how anyone is supposed to keep up with them all.

Friends and Neighbors

Congratulations to Fred Cathron and Heather Bailey who were married Oct. 2 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Among the guests attending the ceremony from this community were Margaret Burroughs, Heather's grandmother, and Nancy Nelson, Fred's grandmother.

As previously reported, Madeline Slaydon's brother, Norman Gryder, continues to convalesce following surgery in Wilmington, NC. Our thoughts, prayers, and good wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Norman and his family.

Jay Garnett of Orange County spent last week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Garnett.

Justin Dodd of Alexandria spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Dodd.

Recently, the members of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church were invited to the home of Daniel and Clare Ross in Cullen to celebrate the 1st birthday of their daughter, Emma Grace. Their guests were treated with a barbecue and fish fry. The fun, the food, and especially the fellowship were enjoyed by all.

Bonnie Garnett, who recently had shoulder surgery, is at home and rapidly improving. Some of her recent visitors have been her daughter, Ginny Turnbull, from London, England, and her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Curty, from Connecticut.

The Douglas Presbyterian Church barbecue and quilt raffle held on Oct. 9, was a huge success. The beautiful quilt, made by our neighbor Marilyn Philbrook, was won by a lucky lady in Ohio. The entire event was held to raise funds for Meals-on-Wheels and was very successful.

The regular monthly meeting of the Abilene Homemakers Club was held Oct. 19 at the Abilene Community Center. We finished putting together Halloween treats for the children at the Piedmont Juvenile Detention Center.

The Abilene Homemakers Club is holding a quilt raffle. The quilt is a beautiful red-work quilt. The tickets are $1 each and can be obtained from any of our members or you can call me and I will get the tickets to you. The drawing will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Abilene Bake and Craft Sale at the Abilene Store.

Marolyn Lavra, her daughter, Cathy Bissett, and her granddaughter, Candice Lavra, of Virginia Beach, are meeting up this weekend, Oct., 22 and 23, in Elizabeth City, N.C., to go to Edenton, N. C. for a historic homes tour.

The Abilene Community Club will hold its regular monthly meeting at the Abilene Community Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23. Visitors, guests, and new members are always welcome.

At 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25, there will be a Neighborhood Watch meeting at the Abilene Community Center. There will be law enforcement representatives from Prince Edward County and Charlotte County. Everyone should plan to attend this important meeting to learn what we can all do to make our communities safer.

We were sorry to hear that Jim and Helen MacKenzie have been under the weather and wish them both a speedy recovery.

And we were sorry to hear about Nate Noble's mishap resulting in a broken collarbone. We send along our best wishes to Nate for a quick recovery.

Belated birthday wishes to Mary Fifield who celebrated on Oct. 21.

If you have any announcements or news that you would like to share, please call me at 223-2271 or e-mail me at kz5ro@kinex.net.