WOMEN’S RETREAT SET FOR FEB. 18
Registration is open for a five-hour Busy Woman’s Retreat to be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Salem. Its leader, Gail Walkley, describes it as “A chance to nourish your heart and soul, connect with your sisters in Christ and weave your story into biblical stories of women.” Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a lunch break for registrants on their own. For more information call Walkley at 540-389-5628.
TRAVELS, MAGIC TO ENLIGHTEN ELDERS
Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries (SAEM) will sponsor its senior-themed programs on Monday, Feb. 20, on forthcoming educational trips with some magic tricks thrown in. The presenter will be the Rev. Branan Thompson, minister to senior adults at Windsor Hills United Methodist Church. Thompson’s staff position includes planning and accompanying senior groups to a variety of locations both in the United States and outside the country. He also has had a lifetime hobby of entertaining with magic tricks and can relate these to many situations. The program is at College Lutheran Church in downtown Salem, accessible from the rear to the less-able and in session from 6-7 p.m., followed by fellowship time.
CROSS RECALLS OLD CAMPUS TREE
Now hanging in Antrim Chapel on the Roanoke College campus is a 7′ by 3′ wooden cross. It was created by George Arthur, a retiree from the Drama Department faculty and a skilled wood-worker. Wood from the cross came from a poplar tree on the campus which died three years ago and was removed; it was believed to have been planted in the earliest days of the college, which is now 175 years old.
OLPH TO HOST IRISH MUSICIAN
Ian Callahan, a leading composer of Catholic liturgical music from the Irish tradition, will present a free concert Sunday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on Turner Road in Salem. An offering will be taken. Callahan also will lead a workshop for choir members the previous day for which there is a charge. Call 387-0491 for more information.
LENTEN SERIES FEATURES ROANOKE ACTIVIST
Martin Jeffrey, long an activist for African-American equality in the Roanoke Valley, will lead a five-week Wednesday night adult education series beginning March 8 at Christ Episcopal Church in Old Southwest Roanoke. Jeffrey, a lawyer, will discuss “Black Voices, Black Hearts” following a light meal at 6pm weekly through April 5. The programs are free to the public.
–Compiled by Frances Stebbins