PANEL TO DISCUSS PLANNING FOR DEATH
“Celebrating Living While Dying” is the theme of a panel presentation scheduled on Wednesday, Nov. 1, in downtown Roanoke. Dr. Thomas Milam, Carilion psychiatrist and clergyman, will moderate a discussion among local hospice chaplains and patients. It is free to the public.
The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. and will be at the Blue Ridge Literacy offices in the Roanoke Public Library at 706 South Jefferson Street. Several human service agencies are promoting the program that is based on the book, When Breath Becomes Air.
DEEDS TO KEYNOTE MENTAL HEALTH EVENT
State Senator Creigh Deeds, who lost a son to mental illness, will be the keynote speaker for the Annual Meeting and Silent Auction of Mental Health America. The event will be Thursday, Nov. 9, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at The Shenandoah Club, 24 Franklin Road SW in downtown Roanoke. The Hot Sauce band will present special music. Information about tickets is available from www.mharv.org.
FILM REVEALS BEAUTY OF NEARBY CAVERN
“Murder Hole,” a vertical cave in the Catawba Valley, was introduced to a full room at the Salem Historical Society’s recent monthly lecture. The deep cave, one of about 4,000 in Western Virginia, is on land owned since 1994 by Dan and Marian McConnell who identify themselves as enthusiastic “cavers.” Marian McConnell published a book about the deep cave nearly five years ago and told of it then at the museum. Last year, in cooperation with fellow cavers David and Mary Sue Socky, they produced a 28-minute video that takes viewers to the three levels of the cave with its variety of rock formations, underground streams and the creatures that live in the damp darkness. Many legends are told of people who lost their lives in the cave including a young student 60 years ago.
ADVENT SINGERS SOUGHT
The St. Lucia Festival of Light Advent Concert is again planned on Wednesday, Dec. 13, with choirs of several parishes making up a massed choir at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in downtown Roanoke. For information about singing in the choir call Karen Adams at 540-389-4963 by Nov.1.
—Compiled by Correspondent Frances Stebbins