On Saturday, May 5, Fitzgerald Memorial Baptist Church, Cumberland, turned 90 years old and a celebration took place during and after the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, May 6. With over 70 in attendance and a covered dish luncheon after the service, there were many surprises and unexpected guests and former members. During this time of celebration, David Ownby was presented with a plaque of recognition for his years of service at Fitzgerald. Ownby has been the choir director at Fitzgerald for 45 years, half the life of the church, and retired on April 29. His service of over four decades has been a calling for David and a blessing to the church. His legacy, contributions and testimony to life long service will not be forgotten and serves as a reminder of how one person can make a difference and leave a lasting legacy.

The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors monthly meeting is held every second Tuesday unless otherwise announced at 7 p.m. in the Cumberland County Circuit Courtroom.

Happy birthday wishes are sent out this week to the following people. Della Ford of Cumberland on Saturday, Casey Ingle of Cumberland on Monday and Nat Cooke of Cartersville on Thursday.

A speedy recovery is sent out to all those who are sick and shut-in.

A large crowd attended the 40th annual Hudgins Family Reunion May 20, at the home of James and Virginia Boyles of Cumberland.

Reminder: There will be a reunion luncheon for all former Gold Hill School of Arvonia faculty and staff at 11:30 a.m. on June 2, at Charley’s Waterfront Café, Farmville.

The Cumberland Community Christmas Mother committee met May 7 and plans are underway for another great year of serving children, teens, senior adults and families in Cumberland County. Requests for donations (“donor letters”) will be sent to Cumberland County churches in June. If you have been the recipient of the Christmas Mother Program, or know somebody who has, then the benefits in supplementing or providing Christmas in some fashion for Cumberland county residents should be evident to you. As we plan dates, give away dates, and other events for the Christmas Season, we would also like to encourage area churches to assist us in our efforts. The needs are always many and often unpredictable. Outside of gifts to children and gift bags to seniors, the Christmas Mother program helps with families in need throughout the year including those who have suffered loss through home fires, those who are in foster care, and those who are in general need of assistance, all on a case by case basis.

Funding is limited so we encourage you to remind your church of the importance of financial support and how this program also serves as a support to Cumberland county. Volunteers, financial support and gifts are all needed year-round. Be on the lookout for those donor letters, encourage your church to participate and become or help recruit volunteers. New gift donations can be delivered to Cumberland County Department of Social Services, 71 Community Center Drive, between 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Make checks payable to Cumberland County DSS (Christmas Mother in the memo section) and mail to P.O. Box 33, Cumberland, VA 23040. To volunteer, contact (804) 492-4915 and leave your name and contact information.

From our house to yours, have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend celebration as this marks the first official holiday weekend of the vacation season.

ANNIE MAY MILES is the columnist for Trent’s Mill. She can be reached at fatcat091@verizon.net.