Local News

    They began lining the streets early. By noon, Centertown’s sidewalks were full of Bedford Christmas Parade watchers.

    It was a perfect day as Bedford capped off its official kick-off to the Christmas season.
    Utilizing the theme, “A Blue Ridge Christmas,” a good mix of floats, bands and other units made their way through Bedford, passing out candy and spreading Christmas cheer.
    Awards were also on the line for some.

    “Thank God for the people who help us,” said Doug Cooper, the Bedford Museum’s manager. “We couldn’t do it without them.”

    Cooper was speaking at the Museum’s annual volunteer appreciation luncheon.
    According to Cooper, the Museum has received a lot of donated photos and documents and all of these have to be catalogued. Cooper said that the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust has provided grants that help with this process, but volunteers are vital.

The Bedford Welcome Center’s fourth annual Festival of Trees is now on display.

    “We have 20 trees this year,” said Sue Trussell, who oversees the project.
    As always, people vote for their favorite tree and each vote costs $1. Each tree is dedicated to a local non-profit organization and all those dollars that accumulate during the festival go to the charity represented by the winning tree.

    “Lacey voted for me five times,” commented Louis Campbell, grand master of Virginia’s Masons, as he prepared to give Delegate Lacey Putney his 50 year Mason’s pin.

    Campbell is a retired judge and, unlike federal judges, Virginia judges are not appointed for life. They serve fixed terms and must be reappointed at the end of each term if they desire to remain on the bench.