Neighborhood News: The greatest tale ever told

The Homeschool Theatre Troup will present "The Canterbury Tales", the classic story by Geoffrey Chaucer, on Nov. 19 and 21 at 1:30 p.m. and on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. The adaptation is by Lindsay Price.

Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" follows a lively storytelling contest among a group of pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Saint Thomas à Beckett at Canterbury Cathedral. These pilgrims each agree to tell a story and the person who tells the best story, as determined by the innkeeper, will have his supper paid for by the rest of the group.

Travel back in time to 14th century England, then on to Canterbury with the Prioress, the Miller, the Reeve, the Franklin, the Pardoner and the Wife of Bath as they weave their tales with elements of humor, satire, ethics, virtue and courtly love.

General admission is $8 per person. Group tickets are $6 each for 10 or more tickets.  Groups can receive special benefits too, such as reserved seating. A tour of the set and/or a question-and-answer period at the end of the two daytime shows is also available.

The performance will be at the Ferlazzo Auditorium, 19541 Donald Curtis Drive.

For more information, e-mail julielittle@ver izon.net or visit mysite.ver izon.net/julielittle/.

Emergency response training

A Prince William County Community Emergency Response Training class will be held Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This program will provide residents with emergency preparedness training to better prepare themselves, their families and their communities to handle emergencies, including fire safety hazards, life-threatening medical situations and psychological impact of disaster events. Participation is free but advance registration is required. The class will be held at the Emergency Operations Center, Owens Building, 3 County Complex Court.

At the completion of the program, all participants will be eligible to attend a free American Red Cross CPR class. For more information or to register for this program, contact Kathy Simmons in the Office of Emergency Management at or by phone at 703-792-5627.

Happy birthday

Happy 90th birthday to Fran Fuller of Marumsco Hills and Ann Brooks of River Run. Friends wish them a very happy day!

Tea in the Poconos

Friends gathered for a tea at Woodlock Pines in the Poconos.  Delicious tea, wine and crumpets were served.  Participants were Shirley Prue, Patty Nungesser, Margaret Broger, Joanne Kornacki, Aileen O'Hearn, Barbara Dowd, and good friends Dorothy Burns and Esther Corbitt.  They hope to do this for many years with more friends.

Book of Records event at library canceled

The Book of Records event at the Potomac Library that was reported in this column last week has been canceled.  The program was due to be presented today at 2 p.m.  The library apologizes for any inconvenience.

Operation Turkey

The Operation Turkey program, which distributes Thanksgiving dinner baskets to disadvantaged individuals and families in Prince William County, is preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday. Action in the Community Through Service receives donations, and organizes and distributes the baskets during the weeks prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Volunteers are needed for pick up and deliveries, as well as assistance at the food pantry during normal business hours throughout November to help with distribution. For more information, please call 703-221-3185, Ext. 240 or visit http://www.actspwc.org.

Bunny Mahar reports your neighborhood news from the Woodbridge area every Saturday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Bunny at woodpotnews@ aol.com.