You are the community

Published 9:52 am Friday, March 10, 2017

This Saturday features a triple treat of activity that caught our attention. Specifically, a concert, a dance and a gala.

The first is the annual visit by the Virginia Symphony, courtesy of the Camp Foundation. Because of the organization’s ongoing generosity, there’s no admission charge. So even if you’re not a regular subscriber, you can walk right in. The program, organized by the Franklin-Southampton Concert Association, will be at the Southampton High School auditorium in Courtland, and starts at 7:30 p.m.

The second is a dance/fundraiser to aid the family of Riley Porter, 2. While still in the womb, a congenital issue developed causing the left side of her heart to stop growing. Thankfully, a transplant is feasible. As you can well imagine, though, the family is dealing with medical bills from regular treatments that keep her as healthy as possible in the meantime. The dance starts at 8 p.m. in the Southampton Ag Center.

The third is the Rawls Museum Arts gala starting at 7 p.m. The black-and-white-themed shindig is raising funds to support an important part of culture in Western Tidewater: the arts, of course, which is something we think that people take for granted. The facility aims to present not only inspiring and intriguing artistic creations, but more importantly to introduce students to ways they can be creative, such as learning to draw or paint.

What all three activities have in common are you, the residents of Western Tidewater. Each is organized and presented locally to benefit the community, which is — again, made up of people such as yourselves.

We hope you’ll seriously consider taking advantage of any event such as these — they’re part of what makes this area a wholesome place to live and grow.

• For details on the free concert, contact Nancy Rowe at 653-2498; Bill Vick at 653-2892; or visit www.franklinsouthamptonconcerts.org.

• For tickets and information on the dance, which asks for a $20 donation per person, visit Fred’s Restaurant or Grayson and Emma’s Garden Spot, or contact any of the following: Amanda Turner, 653-7497; Kim Edwards, 630-8462; Michael Lowe, 802-2977; Holly Mein, 377-6611; or Barbette Porter, 653-7235.

• For details on the gala, visit the Rawls Museum Facebook page or website at www.rawlsarts.com. For tickets, Call 653-0754 or email leighanne@rawlsarts.com.