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Hazel Hash, esteemed member of Tabernacle Baptist, is still teaching Sunday school after 65 years. She sits next to one of her former students, still a member of the church, "Shorty" Jimmy Wright. Photo Miranda Adkins, So Salem

Hazel Hash has no idea how many children she's taught in Sunday school throughout the years, but if she'd kept count, nobody'd be surprised if the total topped a few thousand - or even twice or triple that. Hash, the eldest and dearest Sunday school teacher at Tabernacle Baptist Church in front of National College in Salem, turned 90 on October 1 and has been teaching Sunday school for over 65 years. The church celebrated her birthday on Sunday, October 4, and they hold her in the highest regard.Ever since she married her husband, Lewis Hash, she's been at Tabernacle. They were married for 58 years, and he was just as dedicated as she has been to the church.

"Somebody told me this week that some men played golf but Lewis played church," said Linda Coyle, director of children's ministries at Tabernacle.

"When anything went wrong or needed fixing in this church, they called Lewis," Hazel said.

Hazel and Doris Whitlow helped to organize the first preschool at the church. Hash did that for ten years. She even played the organ for a year.

She helped out a lot with Vacation Bible School, too, when Tabernacle and Edgewood were the only churches nearby. They had upwards of 500 children attend back then, and it was a weeklong program where the men cut up the wood for the crafts, and the moms, most who stayed at home, ran the school.

They painted plaster of Paris Indian heads, made birdhouses and keyracks and other useful knick-knacks.

"When I look around and see young women and men I taught being so active in church - it makes me feel good and so proud," she said.

Hazel's daughter Rosemary Blevin has been the church's financial secretary for some time now, and many other members were children in her Sunday school class, including Melody Cannon, Mike Duffy, Debbie Taylor, Linda Perdue, and Wanda Journell. Even to the people who weren't in her Sunday school class, Hazel has tried to be a loving "momma and grandmomm" to just about everybody.

Longtime retired Salem softball coach "Shorty" Jimmy Wright is one of her former students, and even in his smile, you can see just how much Hazel means to him. She's probably one of the few people that don't call him by his nickname.

"I don't think it's enough words in the human language to say about Hazel," Wright said.

In 2000, Tabernacle began awarding the Hazel Hash award. She was the first recipient, and each year since, it's been given to a member "who exhibit selfless love in His chosen ministry, whose works, through faith, are a living testimony..."

"I've really been blessed, I tell you. This church has been my second family, my second home really," Hazel Hash said.

***Tabernacle Baptist is holding a Children's Fall Festival from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. There will be trunk-or-treating, games, a hay ride, and much more! For more information, call the church at 986-0035.

The Joy Ministries group from the West Salem Baptist Church made a bus trip to Waynesboro on Tuesday. They visited a mall, had lunch at McAlister's Deli, then went on to visit The Cheese Shop in Stuarts Draft and the Little Debbie store. The Joy Ministries is designed to promote fellowship among the members and also friends and family.

Submitted by Barbara Krzysko

Scott Anderson will be speaking at EPIC this coming Sunday October 25,2009 at 6:23 pm. You will not want to miss his exciting story ... Invite all of your friends he has a special message for the Teen age crowd ...EPIC is hosted by Fellowship Community Church every Sunday night and is open to all 9th - 12th grade students.

Scott, by all accounts, should not be happy about his life. Scott was born with cerebral palsy, and has been in a wheelchair for most of his life. His home life in his early years wasn't much better with multiple divorces, domestic violence, suicide and drug use occurring in his home. Looking back on his life, Scott should have been bitter, angry, disgusted at life, and given up. But this is not Scott.

Instead of letting his past and present circumstances control his life, Scott has learned to embrace his life and use each of life's challenges as a springboard to help others. Through a positive outlook, tenacity, and above all, a deep faith in Jesus, he has overcome a lifetime of barriers to become a dynamic speaker.

Submitted by Becky Walls

This Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25, the In His Image ministry at Fellowship Community Church is hosting special guest speaker Scott Anderson to help raise awareness of how those with disabilities can impact the world around them. His message also encourages those with disabilities and their families.He will speak at FCC's services this weekend: Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 9:15 and at 11 a.m.

Scott has overcome obstacles to become a dynamic speaker across the United States and around the world. To learn more about Scott you can visit his website at scottonwheels.com.

Everyone is welcome. It's free and open in the public, and is during their weekend services at 6 p.m. at Saturday and Sunday morning at 9:15 and 11 a.m. Child care is provided from infant up to fifth grade. For more information, call 387-3200 or go to www.fcclife.org.

In His Ministry at FCC is specifically designed to reach out to those with disabilities and their families in the Roanoke Valley.

Submitted by Rene Ward.

The hard-rocking Christian band Skillet headlines a show tonight at the Salem Civic Center. Music writer Tad Dickens has an audio interview with the band's John Cooper on his cut'n'scratch music blog.

Here are a few photos from the Salem Presbyterian Church Picnic.  Music was provided by Misspent Youth.

Submitted by Kate Robinson

Do you have photos from your church events in Salem? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com.

Coach Steve Magenbauer of Salem High School Football to speak at EPIC This Sunday Oct 4 2009.

EPIC is THE teen gathering for grades 9th through12th and is hosted by Fellowship Community Church and is currently be held at 1226 Red Lane Ext Salem....

EPIC is every Sunday night at 6:23 pm......

For more information check out our website: www.fcclife.org

Submitted by Becky Walls

Masons Cove Church of the Brethren at 3630 Bradshaw Road (about two miles past Masons Cove Elementary School) is hosting a Fall Festival and a Revival from Friday, October 9 through Wednesday, October 14.On Friday and Saturday October 9 and 10, there will be a flea market and a food and bake sale for their Fall Festival from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. A lighter lunch will be offered on Friday, but there will be a large pot of homemade pinto beans over a fire, barbecue, cornbread, and all the fixings available. All of the proceeds will go towards their church treasury.

From Sunday through Wednesday October 11 through 14, Pastor Thomas Hanks will bring the message for their annual revival starting at 7 p.m. each night. Refreshments will be served on Sunday night, and guest singers will entertain every night.

Masons Cove Church of the Brethren is an offshoot of Peters Creek Church of the Brethren. Before 1975, they held services in a small wooden church that was across the road from their current location.

For more information, call 384-7753 or 342-8858.

The 4th Annual Scripture Ride to benefit Christian Motorcycle Association's "Run for the Son"Cars and motorcycles will leave the Lakeside Baptist Church parking lot at 10 a.m. October 3, registration begins at 9 a.m. The ride goes up route 311 and back through Daleville approximately 60 miles with stops including one with food and prizes. Bring your bible!

Cost: $10 per bike or car

Contact: Beverly Allison, 986-0817.

***Want to show off your bikes and cars but want to stay in town? Bethel Baptist is hosting a car, truck, and motorcycle show in the church's lot at Dominion Dodge's parking lot on East Main Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 3. Click here for more details.

Bethel Baptist Church is hosting it's first annual car, truck and motorcycle show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 3rd at the church at 1601 Colorado Street in Salem. Registration is from 8 to 10 a.m.The show is a fundraiser with all proceeds going to the planned Family Life Center facility that will focus on family activities. There will be opportunity to purchase breakfast and lunch items as will as baked goods during the show. If you are interested in participating, please call the church office at 389-2376 for an entry form or call Eddie Lambert at 384-6424 for additional information.