Latest from Vale Club's President:  
Lots to look forward to this fall
We had a wonderful first meeting in September with lots of laughter and conversations as everyone attempted to find out who among us had written a book, met someone famous or traveled. Lee Ellis, our Vice President, got us off to a brilliant start with her ice breaking Bingo outside the Schoolhouse before we went inside for our meeting. We had 46 members using the parking lot for the first time. We hope you like it and will park directly in front of the concrete blocks.
Welcome to October, cool weather, crisp leaves and thoughts of a fire with a good book and hot chocolate or a glass of wine. Our Culinary Escape luncheon and insight to the history of Alexandria will be just the beginning of our getaways this year. Montpelier awaits us in November. I hope you are looking forward to our pulled pork followed by a mouth-watering dessert from the Bake Sale table at our Fall Fair Oct. 16. Please mark your calendar and invite your children and grandchildren and friends. Sue Bowers is in charge of the food with Chip, her husband, maintaining his award for the best pulled pork in Virginia. And, he will have two smoked turkeys to raffle. Chip was at the General Meeting in September selling tickets to the “Members Only Drawing.” So do not forget to bring your money to the general meeting on Oct. 12, because something tells me Chip will show up again!!!
We have postponed our Bunco Night until after the first of the year when Carol Kelly will once again welcome us into her lovely home for another evening of laughter and gab. Stay tuned. Rita Perre-Davis will co-chair the Chili Cook Off in February. If interested in being chairman, contact Rita. Art Meet-Up, chaired by Anna Willard, is expanding to include crafters. Call Anna if you would like to join the group. Quilts have been donated to the Art Group to sell at the Fall Fair. They are stunning pieces. Watch for Lee Ellis to announce the availability of daytime courts for Pickle Ball. What fun those players had in September.
I look forward to seeing each of you at the October General meeting. (Weather permitting, we will meet outside again and enter the Schoolhouse for the Meeting.) Uncle Julio’s Restaurant in Fairfax Corner is holding tables for us following the meeting. Chris Custode, a new member, is organizing lunch for anyone who would like to get together at the end of the meeting. Watch for the Eblast to sign up. Despite COVID we will have a fun year buzzing about together.
Warmly,
Trecia Buster President, Vale Club

Latest from Friends of Vale Schoolhouse:  

History Highlights: “a place to tie to” ‘Vale Schoolhouse and the Vale United Methodist Church – long time neighbors and friends.’
In 2021 the Vale Club is in partnering with the Vale Church for our annual Fall Fair. Historically, the schoolhouse and the church have been not only neighbors, but friends. The church was founded in the fall of 1894 and its first meetings were held at the schoolhouse. As with the Vale School/Community House, it was formed, and it grew through the dedication of the community. Ground was broken in the spring of 1895 on property donated by the Clarke family; labor and materials came from members, most notably from Stuart’s Mill. The sanctuary was dedicated in 1896. It remained a one-room church until the 1950s; two wood stoves were used for heat and water was supplied from nearby homes. A new wing was added in 1956 and expanded again in 1993.
Vale School and the church have shared facilities when necessary and supported each other’s efforts. Many of the founders of the church are also families that attended the Vale School, then events at our building when it because a community center. We are all rooted in the same community, sharing a friendship that has lasted over 125 years.
Darlene Williamson
Chair of the Historical Preservation Committee.