Neighborhood news: Students, staff walk for housing

Occoquan Elementary School staff and students took part in a mini-walk sponsored by Good Shepherd Housing Foundation on Oct. 21. Through their efforts, money is raised to support housing in our area.

GSHF partners with "Fannie Mae Foundation's Help the Homeless Program" and supports 13 homes and 18 apartments here in the county.

Occoquan principal Sandra Carrillo commended her staff and students for their part in such a worthy cause. They walked around the playground, around the school, and during physical education class.

Other county schools participated, and the mini-walk takes place each October, coordinated by Dave Carr.

Annual Career Day held at Old Bridge Elementary

Old Bridge Elementary students heard about a lot of different jobs at their annual Career Day. Parents and others were there to tell about their careers and answer questions from the students.

Student Council officers for this year are Nicole Radcliffe, president; Finn McLain, vice president; and Brooke Williams, secretary.

Holiday events slated in Occoquan, starting Friday

Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta would like you to know that the town is decorated and special holiday activities are going on for you to enjoy. On Friday, stores will remain open until 8 p.m., and visitors will be eligible to participate in a drawing to win $1,000.

Just prior to 8 p.m., the Town Hall tree will be lighted, and then the prize drawing will take place at nearby Hawthorne House Fine Paper. Other events include the Untrim-A-Tree program for needy children; this begins Wednesday ant lasts through Dec. 11.

Cabin Branch Quilters to hear from speaker

Gyleen Fitzgerald is guest speaker at the Cabin Branch Quilters meeting on Nov. 23. You can check out her Web site at www.colourfulstitches.com.

Call 703-491-9634 to learn about the quilting guild activities. The meeting is at Lake Ridge Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m.

Professor to make critiques for Art Society

On Wednesday, professor Todd Messegee critiques artwork at the meeting of Prince William Art Society. Members and non-members alike can bring in their artwork and have a positive experience in hearing about their work.

Please bring one or two pieces of artwork for the critique.

The meeting is at 7:30 p.m., at Canterbury Woods Community Center on Chaucer Lane in Lake Ridge. Meetings are free, and the public is welcome.

Gayle Urban reports your neighborhood news from the Lake Ridge and Occoquan area every Tuesday. Contact Gayle at lakeridge.news@gmail.com.