Residents have opportunities to fellowship, grow and just relax

By Miranda Baines

Published: August 6, 2008

Teen/Youth Block Party

The Reidsville Ministerial Alliance is planning a youth block party at the Jerusalem Holy United Church Park at Prince Williams and Jumper streets from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

“Our sincere desire is that our youth will accept Christ as their Lord and Savior and become active in their church and community. We all can agree that our community is in desperate need of strong young Christian leaders who are productive, willing and able to lead others,” the Rev. Rosetta Badgett, block party chairwoman and member of the ministerial alliance, wrote to area churches.

Michael Galloway, associate minister and member of the evangelism committee at Elm Grove Baptist Church, will talk about “staying in the race of life.” Galloway’s topic is based on 1 Corinthians 9:24, which talks about running the race of life with the goal of receiving the prize.

Galloway believes his topic goes along with the mission of the block party.

“It’s an evangelism effort to try to reach the youth in our city,” he said. “It’s just a preventive measure to keep our youth focused and on the straight-and-narrow track.”

The Rev. Jamie Vaughan, minister of students at Baptist Temple Church, will speak to the young people about being part of a “dangerous generation.”

“We live in a society where our young people are looked down upon because of the dangers that they face. It’s unbelievable the pressures that they face,” said Vaughan. “At the same time, I want to encourage them to be a ‘dangerous generation’ for God. We want to encourage young people to take a stand with the armor that God has given them.”

Before Vaughan speaks, Baptist Temple Church’s youth worship band, “Unworldly Right,” will provide entertainment. A step dance team and praise dancers also are scheduled.

The Rev. Ralph Watkins, vice president of the ministerial alliance, said a purpose of the block party is to let the young people “praise the Lord their own way.”

“We’re trying to show the young people that they can enjoy Christ,” said Watkins. He encourages all the city churches and youth to get involved with the outreach.

“We’re trying to reach the masses here in Reidsville, not just one ethnic group,” he said. Vaughan believes Saturday’s block party will “break down walls” demographically and bring the city to the realization that crime is a communitywide problem, and it’s not confined to one group of people or type of people.

Badgett had a vision to do a youth block party two years ago. The goal is to reach out to the youth and get them involved in the church community.

“We all can imagine the joy in heaven and here in our city if all of our youth accept Christ,” she wrote.

Saturday’s event, including the food, is free. For information, call 342-9809.

Second Friday Night Cruise-In

The Second Friday Night Cruise-In in downtown Reidsville will feature The Not Dead Yet Blues Band, who will play in the Southwest Market Street lot.

Several downtown shops and restaurants will be open. If you have a car 25 years old or older, join the EZ Street Cruisers Car Club in cruising around the block and showing off your wheels. The cruise-in begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 9. Bring a canned or nonperishable food item. The Reidsville Downtown Merchants’ Association will donate the food to the Reidsville Outreach Center. Call the Reidsville Downtown Corporation at 349-1045.

Cops & Riders Car Show

Come out to the Eden Drive-In on Saturday for the Cops & Riders Car Show. Registration is from 8 a.m. to noon. Judging begins at noon, with prizes presented at 3:30 p.m. Trophies will be awarded in 25 car classes and five bike classes. The entry fee is $15 per car. Proceeds will benefit the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5.

Ribbon Cutting/Wine Tasting

Reidsville Florist & Gifts will hold a ribbon cutting and wine tasting at its wine and gourmet shop at 119 S. Scales St. from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Owners Allen and Bonnie Purgason invite the community to celebrate the new addition - wine - to their shop.

Family Yoga Class

Julie Daniel is teaching a family yoga class at the Reidsville YMCA from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday. A storyteller will be a part of the class. The cost is $5 per person. The proceeds will be donated to Hospice of Rockingham County in memory of Roger Daniel. To sign up, call the YMCA at 342-3307.

Concert in the Park

Enjoy a concert at the Eden Kiwanis Amphitheatre at Freedom Park in Eden on Saturday. The Almost Country Band will play from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The concert is free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Night Catfish Tournament

Lake Reidsville his holding a night catfish tournament Saturday at 7 p.m.; weigh-in is 2 a.m. The cost is $10 per person. For more information, call Lake Reidsville at 349-4738.

Homemade Ice Cream Benefit

The Madison Volunteer Fire Department will hold a homemade ice cream sale from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cost will be $3 per bowl or two bowls for $5. All proceeds from the sale will go to fund the 100-year celebration in 2009.

Take Two

The Virginia Museum of Natural History will have a Family Fun Friday, featuring family-oriented activities from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday. The topic is summer plants. The Virginia Museum of Natural History is at 21 Starling Ave. in Martinsville, Va.

Staff writer Miranda Baines can be reached at or 349-4331, ext. 35.