Area man attends handbell seminar

Ray Haring of Cape Girardeau recently attended the national directors' seminar of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.

Haring is director of handbell choirs at Grace United Methodist Church.

The seminar was held in Des Moines, Iowa, and featured courses by directors, composers and publishers as well as concerts from handbell choirs around the country.

Vacation Bible schools set at area churches

Wesley United Methodist Church in Fruitland, Mo., will hold its VBS from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the church off Highway 177. Children from preschool through sixth grade are invited. For information, call 243-5948 or 204-1838.

Red Star Baptist Church will hold its Amazon Outfitters VBS from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday. Children preschool through sixth grade are invited. Youth programs will be held at the same time.

A closing program and concert with Jim Murray will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 4. There is no charge for the concert.

Benefit to restore St. Anne's in Anna

The PAST organization will host a benefit event Aug. 3 to raise money for St. Anne's Church in Anna, Ill.

PAST is an acronym for Promoting Appreciation of Structural Treasures of Union County. The group is trying to restore the historic church.

The benefit will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Owl Creek Winery in rural Cobden. There will be wine tastings, entertainment, food and art exhibits.

Chicken dinner coming to Bald Knob Cross

Bald Knob Cross in Alto Pass, Ill., will hold a fried chicken dinner Aug. 3 and 4 at the cross. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3.50 for children under 10. Serving will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carryouts are available.

The dinner is a fund raiser for the cross, which holds a worship service at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays.

-- From staff reports