Towns & Villages Column by Pam VanScoy

Submit Goldvein community news to Pam VanScoy.

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

Congratulations to the N.Y. Giants

Congratulations to the New York Giants for their fantastic win of Super Bowl XLVI.

Even though I am not a football fan, I do enjoy watching the Super Bowl, especially if it's a close game.

The Friends of Monroe Park would like to thanks several individuals who helped make its recent Bingo fundraiser a success.

Much appreciation goes to Ken and Phyllis Gadd, Mike and Cindy Stylianos, Jim Stone, Maureen Roberts, Terri Eagal, Todd Bonshire, Gary and Mary Jackson, and Amy Leddon.

Also, a great big thank you to the Sumerduck Ruritan Club for allowing us to use its facilities.

Most of all, thanks to everyone who came out to support the park. FOMP hopes to have another bingo soon.

The Sumerduck Ruritan Club will be having a Pickin' Party on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Admission is free and a free-will offering will be taken for the food. The music of local groups will be featured. Call Donna or Laura at 439-8240 for more details.

Liberty Community Church would like to invite the community to a Valentine's Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 11. Enjoy dinner, fellowship, and dancing from 6 to 9 p.m.

Child care will be provided. The cost is $10 per couple or $5 for singles. (Did you hear that, you don't have to be part of a couple to attend.) All proceeds will benefit the missions at LCC.

The Ruritans will hold Senior Citizen Bingo on Monday, Feb. 13. From 10 a.m. until noon, seniors (55 and older) are invited to come out and play bingo.

Everyone who would like to play is asked to bring a bag with a small prize in it. Anyone who would like to join the group for lunch at a local restaurant is welcome.

If you have questions about this event, call Ed at 439-2278.

If you don't want to cook on Valentine's Day but still would like a great dinner, here's an option for you: The Sumerduck Ruritan Club will be offering carry-out, boxed dinners on Feb. 14. at 5 p.m. until they are sold out.

The dinner will by tangerine chicken with rice. The price is right, only $5. Call Tim at 439-0363 for more information.

The Lois Volunteer Fire Department will be having a Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m.

There will also be a silent auction. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for kids ages 4-12 and free for children under the age of 3.

The price includes all-you-can-eat spaghetti, salad, breadsticks, dessert and tea. Call 439-2120 for more details.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to: Sarah Craun and Amanda New on Feb. 9, Kamran Khan on Feb. 11 and Joey VanScoy on Feb. 14. Many happy returns to you all.

Remember your sweetheart on Valentine's Day and have a wonderful week.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012

February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, which seems appropriate after the event in my life last week.

When you live in a small community like ours, you realize that you have good friends and neighbors.

Then a day comes when you learn there are angels among us. That’s what happened to me on Friday. I would like to thank all of the “angels” who helped me through a very difficult day.

On Friday, I had to call 911 because my husband was having trouble breathing. The Goldvein Fire Department arrived in a flash to assess the situation.

I would like to thank them for their commitment and calm response.

A medic from Hartwood arrived and quickly whisked him off to the hospital. I was met at the hospital by a chaplain who walked me from the emergency room to the cardiac unit.

On the way, Pastor Ron Roach met us in the hallway. Other friends, Gary and Mary Jackson arrived shortly thereafter.

Everyone stayed with me until we knew that Ken was going to be okay. But, you see, angels go above and beyond the call of duty.

The Jacksons stepped in and helped me out by taking my place at the Bingo fundraiser that night. I really hated to miss it, but needed to be at the hospital.

Many friends came by to visit at the hospital, said a prayer or brought food. Words cannot express my appreciation for the love and support that was showered on us, but I will try. Thank you so, so much.

Mt. Holly Baptist Church will sponsor a blood drive on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Sumerduck Ruritan Club. Please come out and give the “gift of life” if you can.

For more information, call Chaz Campbell at 439-1504.

The Sumerduck Ruritan Club will be having a “Pickin’ Party” on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is free and a free-will offering will be taken for the food. The music of local groups will be featured.

Call Donna or Laura at 439-8240 for more details.

The Ruritans will hold Senior Citizen Bingo on Monday, Feb. 13, from 10 am until noon.

Seniors (55 and older) are invited to come out and play bingo. Everyone who would like to play is asked to bring a bag with a small prize in it.

Anyone who would like to join the group for lunch at a local restaurant is welcome, too. If you have questions about this event, call Ed at 439-2278.

Also in February, the Lois Volunteer Fire Department will be having a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. There will also be a silent auction.

The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for kids ages 4-12 and free for children under the age of 3. The price includes all you can eat spaghetti, salad, breadsticks, dessert and tea. Call 439-2120 for more details.

Celebrating birthdays this week are Matthew Jackson on Feb. 1 and Kathy Champion on Feb. 6. Happy birthday you both.

Have a blessed week.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012

Another weekend, another storm

Personally, I like it when the snow/ice falls on a Saturday because then everyone is safe at home already. I know many students (and teachers) are hoping for a snow day, though.

The Friends of Monroe Park will be having its very first Bingo on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Sumerduck Ruritan Club.

For $20, you will get the chance to win some great prizes, including gift certificates for the Riverside Dinner Theater and local beef. All proceeds will go to the pan-streaming fund. Call Cindy at 752-1118 with questions about this event.

On Saturday, Jan. 28, a Family/Youth Night and Ruritan Chili Cook-Off will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sumerduck Ruritan Club.

There will be a bonfire, hot dogs, marshmallows, hot chocolate and fun and games for kids and their families outside. This event is free.

There will be a Chili Cook-Off inside. Anyone can enter a favorite recipe. Everyone gets to taste and vote on the best chili of the night. This will be a free-will donation event. All entries should be the clubhouse by 4:45 p.m. For more details, call Mike at 439-8447.

Mt. Holly Baptist Church will be sponsoring a blood drive on Thursday, Feb. 2 from 3 to 7 p.m. It will be held at the Sumerduck Ruritan Club.

Please come out and give the “gift of life” if you can. For more information, call Chaz Campbell at 439-1504.

Also in February, the Lois Volunteer Fire Department will have a Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. There will also be a silent auction.

The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for kids ages 4-12 and free for children under the age of 3. The price includes all you can eat spaghetti, salad, breadsticks, dessert and tea. Call 439-2120 for more details.

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Kimberly Beahm on Jan. 27, Sarah Doucet and Robert Christian Sturgeon, II on Jan. 28, Kamryn Johnson on Jan. 29, and Bob Snow on Jan. 30. Happy birthday to one and all.

One last quote from Martin Luther King, Jr: “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”

Have a wonderful week.