Among the more than 200 people enjoying the festivities at “Bubbles, Bands and Brunch—Boogie on the Bayou” Sunday in Moomaw Center on the DSLCC Clifton Forge campus was this lively group from Lexington and Buchanan. The event included a time of hors d’oeuvres, buffet brunch catered by Schaal’s Catering Events of Fincastle and Roanoke, foot-stomping music by Cajun band, “Billy Cocteau” of Blacksburg, a silent auction and drawing for door prizes. The nearly $28,000 raised at the event will benefit the Educational Foundation’s scholarship, classroom equipment, and faculty grant programs. Clockwise from center: Matt Paxton, Foundation President and Publisher of the News-Gazette; Lynne Paxton, Debbie Nelson, David Nelson, Plant Manager of Virginia Forge Company in Buchanan; Watts Steger, CEO of the Bank of Botetourt; Neil Bishop, Marketing Director for the Rockbridge Rapids Baseball Team; and Duaine Fitzgerald, Manager of the Lexington branch of the Bank of Botetourt. The Bank of Botetourt served as an Event Patron while Virginia Forge Company and the News-Gazette served as Corporate Sponsors. The Rockbridge Rapids Baseball Team contributed a season pass for a door prize.

$28,000 Raised By Boogie On The Bayou Event Held At DSLCC   Clifton Forge, VA (October 14, 2009) —“A-i-i-i-i-e-e-e-e!! The good times surely rolled as the more than 200 guests were transported to the bayous of Louisiana during the DSLCC Educational Foundation’s fundraiser, “Bubbles, Bands, and Brunch—Boogie on the Bayou,” which was held on the College’s Clifton Forge campus Sunday, October 11.      â€œThis was the fifth ‘Bubbles, Bands and Brunch’ fundraiser held by the Educational Foundation, and the event has become a hit with area residents who support the Educational Foundation’s mission,” commented Educational Foundation President, Matt Paxton of Lexington. “The strong turnout, the assistance of our many corporate sponsors as well as donations from individuals and businesses, and the donation of the wonderful items for the silent auction demonstrate the local communities’ support for the primary goal of the Foundation—‘Building Futures...Building Lives
Building Hope.’ The College’s beautiful campus was the perfect setting for such a festive event, which raised nearly $28,000 for the Foundation’s programs.” “While the primary focus of the Educational Foundation is the funding of scholarships for service area students, the foundation also assists the college with the purchase of technological and industry-standard equipment for a number of programs and funds grants for full time faculty members who are looking for better ways to prepare students to face the challenges of our time and to confront real-world problems,” Paxton continued. “With the Commonwealth of Virginia providing only 40 percent of DSLCC’s operating budget, financial help from the Educational Foundation has become even more critical.” After enjoying hors d’oeuvres served outdoors on the patio, guests moved into Moomaw Center, which was decorated with fish nets, hand-painted murals depicting colorful scenes of the Louisiana Bayous, and columns painted to resemble wooden piers. The murals were painted by Heather Gladden, a DSLCC graduate and recipient of the 2006-2008 DSLCC Honors Scholarship, and her father, Forrest Gladden, Park Superintendant of Douthat State Park. The columns were hand-painted by board member, Helen Kostel. Cajun band, “Billy Cocteau” of Blacksburg provided lively, authentic Cajun music while Schaals’ Catering and Events of Fincastle and Roanoke served up delicious flavors from the bayou. Thompson was assisted in the preparations for the event by board members, Donna Beirne, Helen Kostel, Donna Vaughn, Nancy Caperton, and Joyce Edwards and Jane Newkirk.      Guests were welcomed by College President, Dr. Richard Teaff, who expressed his appreciation for their continued support of the Educational Foundation and the College. He also recognized the event’s corporate sponsors, including Warren and Teenie Kegley of B.A. Rupert Real Estate, who sponsored the Cajun feast for the event.      Following the meal, Paxton recognized Foundation board members and expressed his gratitude to those in attendance and to the Special Projects Committee whose efforts helped to make the event possible. He also acknowledged the gracious support of the many in-kind donors for their generosity in donating the prizes for the silent auction.      A silent auction and drawing for several door prizes added an air of excitement and anticipation to the event. Paxton announced the following silent auction winners: family subscription to the Alleghany Highlands Arts Council’s 2009-2010 season, Nathalie Taylor; framed photograph by Chuck Almarez, Jane Newkirk; Framed Giclee print by Jeff Bartley, Pam Durante; forged iron sculpture by Glen Bryant, Lynne Paxton; framed oil painting by Henrietta Crandall, Linda Anderson; One non-credit course at DSLCC, Elizabeth Teaff; afternoon tea for six at Everyday Elegance, Nathalie Taylor; basket of wines from Blue Ridge Vineyard, Pam Durante; framed water color by Gertrude Lacy, Connie Moynihan; pair of tickets for skiing, golfing or the water park at Massanutten Resort, Teresa Hammond; glider flight over northern Botetourt County with pilot, Matt Paxton, Libby Pazdera; three Horsehair pots handcrafted by Paul Proffit, Elizabeth Teaff; necklace and earring set handcrafted by Catherine Smith, Debbie Nelson; stained glass candle box handcrafted by Richard Teaff, Julia Bennett-Burch; stained glass window panel handcrafted by Richard Teaff, John Hillert.      A highlight of the afternoon was the drawing of the following door prizes: Gail Hillert was the winner of two nights for two in a junior suite at the famed Homestead resort, including a round of golf with cart for two. Anne Brugh of Daleville won a 7’ X 10’ rug from Bacova Guild and Vivian Pendleton of Clifton Forge was the winner of a season pass to the Rockbridge Rapids 2010 Baseball season. Josephine Dellinger and Leona Patterson of Clifton Forge were the winners of two tickets each to any performance offered by the Alleghany Highlands Arts Council.      â€œThe continued success and growth of the Foundation is possible only through the strong support of community partners and friends of the College,” said Special Projects Chairman, Donna Beirne. “We truly appreciate the generous support of Corporate Partners, B. A. Rupert Real Estate, Inc., John H. Stone Nationwide Insurance, Shentel and our other wonderfully supportive corporate sponsors as we continue to build our scholarship program and provide other support to the college. The foresight and support of our donors shows a commitment to the residents of the local community and underscores the importance of the college’s presence in our community as it not only provides educational opportunities for its citizens, but also aids in the area’s economic development.”      The Foundation Board is pleased to acknowledge the following businesses who helped to underwrite expenses for “Boogie on the Bayou”: Corporate Partners: Warren and Teenie Kegley of B.A. Rupert Real Estate; John and Sheryl Stone of Nationwide Insurance; and Shentel. Event Presenters: Catawba Capital Management; Covington Virginian, Inc., The Glebe; MeadWestvaco; David & Jane Newkirk. Event Patrons: Bank of Botetourt; Highlands Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine; Jackson River Surgical Specialists. Corporate Sponsors: Arritt Funeral Home; Blue Ridge Vineyard, Inc.; Cat and Owl Steak and Seafood House; Club Car; Company Store and Iron Company Restaurant; Drs. Devening & Downey, DDS; First National Bank; Hammond-Mitchell, Inc.; Highlands Community Bank; HVK Timeless Photography; Jackson River Internists; Jackson River Pediatrics; JENFAB, Inc.; Loving Funeral Home; Mead Associates; Merle Norman Cosmetics; Moody Homes, Inc.; Munters/Des Champs Products; The News-Gazette; Nicely Funeral Home; Owen’s Pharmacy, Inc.; Pounding Mill, Inc.; Standard Printing and Office Supply; Steve & Donna Vaughn; Virginia Forge Company; WACO; Whiting-Jamison Oil Company; and the Law Offices of Wilson, Updike, and Nicely.      Individuals and businesses making donations to the Lancaster Scholarship program include: Gretel Anderson, Clifton Forge; Ian & Maeve Archibald, former Clifton Forge residents; Dr. & Mrs. Charles Ballou, Clifton Forge; Latane & Anne Brugh, Daleville; Jeanette Bryant, Covington; Cartledge Foundation, Roanoke; Betsy Carter, Eagle Rock; Mr. & Mrs. T. A. Cramer, Eagle Rock; Mary Francis Mays-Davis, Covington; Dr. Glen Dubois, Richmond; First Citizens Bank, Clifton Forge; Helen Jean Fitzgerald, Covington; Fitzgerald Log & Lumber Co., Lexington; Guy and Jean Johnson, Hot Springs; Pat Johnson, Covington; Ginger Leitch, Covington; Paul & Brenda Linkenhoker, Covington; David & Sandra Minter, Covington; Matt Paxton, Lexington; Kevin Persinger, Clifton Forge; James R. Simpson, Covington; James D. Snyder, Clifton Forge; Frank & Charlotte Williamson, Covington.      In-kind contributors were Alleghany Highlands Arts Council; Alleghany Printing, Chuck Almarez; Bacova Guild, LTD; Chuck Almarez; Jeff Bartley; Donna Beirne; Blue Ridge Vineyard; Glen Bryant; Henrietta Crandall; Dabney S. Lancaster Community College; Everyday Elegance; The Homestead; Gertrude Lacy; Massanutten Resort; Paul Proffit, Rockbridge Rapids Baseball Team; Catherine Smith; Schaal’s Catering and Events. The DSLCC Educational Foundation, Inc. was established in 1980 as a non-profit organization and seeks to enhance community awareness of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College; promote goodwill in the community by building relationships with individuals, businesses, and organizations; secure private contributions, bequests, and donations; and account for, manage, and appreciate monies or property donated to the Foundation. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives of the counties and cities of the DSLCC service area. Current Board members are Gretel Anderson, Clifton Forge; Donna Beirne, Clifton Forge; Kathy Bryant, Clifton Forge; Nancy Caperton, Covington; Richard Crowder, Alleghany County; Joyce Edwards, DSLCC Representative; Jim Eller, Clifton Forge; Karin Ellis, Bath County; Helen Jean Fitzgerald, Covington; Harrison Fridley, Alleghany County; Mark George, Alleghany County; Jack Hammond, northern Botetourt County; Helen Kostel, Alleghany County; David Minter, Alleghany County; David Newkirk, Alleghany County; Matt Paxton, Rockbridge County; H. C. Rhodes, Alleghany County; Ward Robens, Rockbridge County; Meade Snyder, Alleghany County; Richard Teaff, Lexington; Donna Vaughn, northern Botetourt County; Bill Wilson, Alleghany County; David Woods, Lexington.

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