NEWSLETTER SPONSOR

Appreciation is expressed to John and Sue Scott for sponsoring this newsletter. We are extremely grateful for their donation. THANKS! If you or your company would like to sponsor a future newsletter, please contact any officer or mail your check for $165 to P.O. Box 32, Ceres, VA 24318.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Hello everyone,

Hope everyone has enjoyed the super mild winter we are having. We had so little snow that it doesn’t seem like we have had a winter at all. Spring appears just around the corner. The gym has been used extensively over the course of winter by the Bland County Youth Leagues. It is great to see that all the hard work of many of the members of the association for the past several years has finally come together and has become such a wonderful asset to the people of our community. But, we must not stop here. We all have to keep working steadily into the future in order to keep our facilities up to the standards that we have set. So everyone, please always keep helping the association either financially or by recruiting new members to help.

Speaking of help, we have many projects slated for the new year. On March 31^st, we are having an Applebee’s pancake breakfast. On April 14, we are having the cookout for the Bill Creggar scholarship fund we started a couple years back. On May 5, we are having Ceres Day with the annual Flea Market fundraiser, crafts, and food. So as you can see, we have much work ahead of us. Our summer BBQ’s and fundraisers are slated as well.

Many thanks are extended to our past president, Wade Hall, for his many tireless hours of service for our organization. He has left a huge pair of shoes to try to fill, but I feel sure he is not too far away, standing by waiting patiently to guide my steps.

Also, many thanks to all those who devote many hours of service to our organization on behalf of the folks from Ceres and surrounding areas.

We look forward to seeing you at our planned activities this year. Save the last page of this newsletter as a reminder of event dates.

G.H. Peery, III, President

SPAGHETTI DINNER FOR RELAY FOR LIFE

On February 17^th, the Association, in conjunction with the Bland BB&T and Central Methodist Church Relay for Life Teams, made $1,400 for the American Cancer Association. 127 guests were served a delicious spaghetti dinner. The price was by donation.

The funds made by the various Relay for Life teams will be turned over to the Cancer Association at the annual Relay for Life event on June 29^th, 2012 in Bland. This all-night event is truly heart warming. Hopefully, you can participate. The Bland County goal for 2012 is $67,000. Last year, $65,000 was made for the Cancer Association. These funds are used for cancer research, as well as for individuals who may need assistance to travel out of town for treatments. The American cancer society provides places for cancer patients and caregivers to stay, so they do not have to worry about where they are going to stay or how they are going to pay for this. They also offer group or one-on-one workshops for patients to help them with personal appearance during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. These are referred to as look good...feel good brochures and workshops. They offer wigs, turbans, etc. for anyone in need of these. The American cancer society also has volunteers for patients that need help getting to and from medical appointments, rides, and help with expenses, etc. There is so much more that they offer. The society invites everyone to go to "Why We Relay" to learn more. It is amazing what all they do, can do, and what is offered. Everyone needs to know that it is there if anyone is in need of these services.

SCHOLARSHIP COOKOUT

April 14, 2012 beginning at 5:00 p.m.

The annual Bill Creggar Cookout will be at the Ceres Peery Center Gym. The menu will consist of Hamburgers and Hotdogs, with all the trimmings, as well as Baked Beans, Chips, Homemade Desserts, and Drinks. Price is by donation and all proceeds go to the Wm. "Bill" Creggar Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is awarded annually to a Bland High School senior and is in the amount of $500.00. Interested seniors at Bland High School are invited to apply. The application is available from the Bland High School Counselor. Deadline for applications is April 15, 2012. Invest in our community's future by supporting this worthy cause.

To help with the Scholarship fund raising, the Ruritan Club has cancelled their weekly music jam for that night. However, all musicians are invited to play in the gym or outdoors, if the weather permits.

UPCOMING CERES DAY

(The following article appeared in the March 14^th edition of the Bland County Messenger.)

CERES DAY WILL BE MAY 5

The Ceres Ruritan Club and the Ceres Alumni Association will join together on Saturday, May 5, to hold Ceres Day on the campus of the former high school.

Overwhelming requests have been received asking this event to be done again. Groups are already making plans for this event.

The day will begin at 8 a.m. with Nelson’s Café serving breakfast. There will be a yard sale, flea market and bake sale in the gym. A craft show will be held in the schoolhouse.

At 10 a.m., demonstrations and exhibits will begin with everything from local history to blacksmithing, weaving, crosscut sawing, antique farm machinery and many, many more. Lunch will be served in the schoolhouse by the Ruritan Club.

The museum will be open and a new event this year will be the cannery being open.

More details will follow later.

The breakfast menu will be sausage biscuits, gravy biscuits, coffee and drinks. The lunch menu will be brown beans, cornbread, side dishes, dessert and drinks or Brunswick stew. Stew may be available by the quart.

Reservations for flea market, crafters and exhibit space may be made by calling Evelyn Groseclose at 276.682.4231. 10’ X10’ indoor spaces are $10, outside spaces are $5, and the metal shed will be $30. Tables may be rented for $8 and $10.

REPORTED DEATHS

The following deaths were reported since the last newsletter was published:

Harold Burton “Hap” Harner

Mary Clemons Smith

Eula Mae Neel Hume

Robert C. “Bubbie” Atkins

Ed Cornett

Ira Randolph Winesett

Jimmy Shewey

Max R. Harner

Irene Atkins Bruce

MEMORIAL GIFTS

In memory of Catherine Davis Jefcoat

By Stephanie Nimmo and friends

By Bill and Doris Woodward

By Rita, Eric and Amy Roberts

By Paul and Kelly Curran

By Mary and Bruce Hollar and family

By Ben and Christine Jefcoat’s family

By John and Sue Jefcoat’s family

By Ray and Shirley Davis

In memory of Elmer and Vida Foglesong

By Faye and Wayne Sutherland

In memory of Ida Brown

By John Dalton Intermediate School

Teachers and staff

In memory of Harold Burton “Hap” Harner

By Thomas L. and Kathy S. Harner

In memory of Terry Umbarger

By Sue Umbarger

In memory of Max R. Harner

By Vivian H. Cooper

In memory of O. Claude Davis on his birthday

By Charles and Billie Henley

BLAND COUNTY YOUTH BASKETBALL

The League had a successful year. We appreciate their donation of $300 to be applied toward the gym heating bill.

WIFI HOT SPOT NOW IN CERES

Bland County has installed a WIFI hot spot in the Groseclose Museum making it available throughout the Community Center Complex. It can be used at the playground picnic area and on the grounds around the gym, school, and museum. Also, this would be one more benefit to your fitness room membership. WIFI has been a long awaited asset to the community and is much appreciated. Thanks is extended to Bland County for making it possible.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

At the end of 2011, there were 151 paid CAA members and 94 currently paid for 2012. Dues are $25.00 for one year, and $100.00 for five years. Memberships are based on calendar year (January – December). Dues for 2012 may now be paid. Everyone is eligible to join. We appreciate your support.

FITNESS ROOM

The fitness room contains state-of-the-art exercise equipment and is available for use 24/7 at a minimum cost of $5.00 per month.

Monthly Board Meetings

3^rd Thursday – 7:00 PM

Except 3^rd Saturday - Jan., Apr., July, & Oct.

(Board of Directors may make changes)

Everyone is welcome to attend

Relay for Life Spaghetti Supper

Held on February 17, 2012

Raised $1,400.

All-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast

Applebee’s Restaurant, Wytheville

March 31, 2012 ~ 8:00 – 10:00 AM

$5.00 per person

Advance tickets or pay at the door

Wm. (Bill) Creggar Scholarship Cookout

Peery Center Gym

April 14, 2012 starting at 5:00 PM

To raise funds for a scholarship to be awarded to a Bland High School senior.

Price: By donation

Musicians invited

APRIL Quarterly Meeting

Moved to April 20, 2012

Starting at 6:00 PM

The meeting will be followed by Rook playing.

Bring finger foods.

CERES DAY

Officers for 2012

President G. H. Peery, III 276.682.4381

Vice President Betty C. Hubble 276.682.4255

Secretary/Reporter Michelle Groseclose 276.682-4450

Membership Secretary Lorraine S. Waddle 276.688.4450

Historian Kathy M. Hubble 276.682.4504

Treasurer Robert I. Waddle 276.688.4450

Association Directors and term ending year:

Jonan C. Repass – 2012               Rebecca Peery – 2013
Sue Repass – 2012                        J. W. Cassell – 2014
W. Nelson Tibbs – 2012        Evelyn H. Groseclose – 2014
Frankie Gray – 2013              Elizabeth Kimberlin – 2014
William H. Hubble – 2013    Wade Hall – Past President

Endowment Trust Fund Directors & term ending year:

Joyce Keen – 2012 DeWayne Hubble – 2013

Glen Repass – 2012 Dean Kirk – 2014

James Wilson – 2012 Robin U. Repass – 2014

Judy Cassell – 2013 Jerry Thompson – 2014

William H. Crabtree - 2013 Robert I. Waddle – Treas.

Permanent Board Members: Archie Atwell, Anne Britton,

Donna Compton, Frances Davis, Wade Hall, Betty Hubble,

G. H. Peery, III, and Doris Woodward

CERES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (C.A.A.)
Dedicated to maintaining the pride and spirit of Ceres
Newsletter
Year 2012	MARCH	Edition No. 1