Isaacson previews documentary to raise autism awareness

Due to popularity, Rupert Isaacson will now show his documentary film, "The Horse Boy: A Fa-ther's Quest to Heal His Son," at the Highland School Theater, U.S. 17 North, Warrenton, on Nov. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The evening is being offered by the Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Program to raise awareness about the benefits of year-round therapeutic riding for children with autism. The event will feature a screening of the film, based on Isaacson's best-selling book of the same title, followed by a lecture and book signing.

Individual tickets are $50; Friends, $75; Benefactors $100.  For information, call 703-754-6159.

Gainesville Ruritan annual fruit sale

The Gainesville Ruritans are taking orders for navel oranges and ruby red grapefruit for their annual fruit sale.

Prices range from $12 per bag to $30 for 4/5 bushel. Orders must be placed no later than Nov. 15.

Call 703-754-7809 or visit http://www.gainesvilleruritanclub.com/fruitsale.htm for delivery and more information.

Proceeds will benefit Ruritans' community service efforts.

Ruritans is a non-profit organization with the motto "Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Ser-vice." Among other projects, Gainesville Ruritans have supported D-Day Memorial, Freedoms Foundation, Sudley Park Beautification, Friends of Bull Run, PWH Oncology Center, Evergreen and Gainesville VFDs, Rudy Bears, Operation We Care, Santa for Seniors, St. Vincent de Paul Community Outreach, Hunters for the Hungry, SERVE, Inc. and Battlefield H.S. students attending college.

Learn to cope with financial stress

Haymarket marriage and family therapist Esther Boykin is offering group therapy for families addressing underlying emotional aspects of financial management.

According to Boykin, "Every couple that has come to our practice in the last six months has men-tioned money as one of the primary issues in their relationship."

For details on the program, see http://www.grouptherapyassociates.org or call 703-644-8041.

Rotary Community Corps sponsoring food drive

The Rotary Community Corps, sponsored by the Gainesville-Haymarket Rotary Club, needs help collecting food to support SERVE, Inc.'s Operation Turkey which will provide Thanksgiving baskets to more than 1,400 individuals and families.

Food donations can include, but are not limited to, stuffing, cranberry sauce, Bisquick, canned fruit, yams/sweet potatoes, rice, cornbread/muffin mix, boxed desserts, coffee/tea/cocoa, canned pumpkin, pota-toes, canned vegetables, pasta, applesauce, peanut butter/jelly, cream soups, sugar and gravy.

Drop off food to Needles in the Haymarket, 15125 Washington St., 1st floor, Haymarket. Donations can be made until Nov. 15.

For more information about the food drive, contact Jen Robinson at or 703-928-3293.

Volunteers are still needed Nov. 14, 19 and 20 to sort and organize food; Nov. 21 to assemble food pack-ages; and Nov. 22 and 23 to hand out meals.

For questions regarding volunteering, call SERVE at 703-367-6742.

Katherine Gotthardt reports your neighborhood news from the Gainesville and Haymarket area every Wednesday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA's activities, please send it to Katherine at .