When Mary Ruth Spencer began working for the Virginia State Police almost 41 years ago, she never imagined she'd still be there today.
    "I was so timid. There was no way I would've thought I could work for the state police," she says.
    Her parents, Fred and Gay Nell Short, of Deel, were overjoyed to discover their daughter would soon work for the Virginia State Police.
    Spencer remembers her father commenting on the job, saying it was one from which she could retire. Then, in her early twenties, she says retirement was the farthest thing from her mind.
    At the time, many women were dreaming about finding a husband and settling down. But, not Spencer.
    In a time when becoming a career woman was not the norm, her mother encouraged her to do something more with her life.
    "My mother always used to say, 'I don't want you to be a housewife,'" she says.
    For that reason, Spencer wasn't required to learn basic homemaking skills, like washing laundry or cooking.
    Her three older brothers, Bob, John and David, and an older sister, Virginia, all probably knew how to cook better than she did, she joked.
    Rather, Spencer describes herself as daddy's little girl.
    While he worked as manager of the Mingo Lime & Lumber Company in Royal City, he often took his youngest child to lunch. It was on these outings with her father that Spencer discovered the occupation she would later dream of doing.
    "I always wanted to be a secretary," she says.
     Every day she spent with her dad at the office, she joined the secretaries, asking questions and learning more about their jobs.

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
     A total of 27 teams will gather at Poplar Gap Park August 4 and 5 as the eighth annual Buchanan County Relay for Life gets underway.
     The annual event raises research monies for the American Cancer Society and this year’s goal is $155,000. Last year, teams participating in the event, along with the community who supported it, raised a total of $154,000.
    “We have a wonderful night of events planned,” said Buchanan Relay Chairman Margaret Wakeland.
     Opening ceremonies will be at 6 p.m. on Friday August 4 and will feature a special ceremony by American Legion John Ratliff Post No. 164; remarks by Howell Scott; and recognition of corporate sponsors.
     The survivors and caregivers walk will follow at 6:30 p.m.
     “This is such a moving sight, to see all these brave people showing us that they have faced the dreaded disease and have come out stronger for it,” Wakeland said of the survivors walk.
     Dr. Clint Sutherland will lead the walkers on their trek through the park as he plays the bagpipes.
     “We want all cancer survivors and caregivers to come and register, walk with us and receive a t-shirt,” Wakeland said.
     Wheelchairs, provided by Lovejoy Medical Equipment, will be available for those who need assistance to participate in the walk.
     A Kids Walk will begin at 7 p.m.

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by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
    Contributions totaling $13,323.69 were approved last week by the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors.
    The amounts approved, which supervisors authorized them, who made the request and what the contribution will be used to buy were as follows. All contributions were approved by the full board.
    • $6,000: Hurley Elementary-Middle School, to be used to pay shipping and to purchase laptop carts for 200 computers donated to the school through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant. The funds were requested by HEMS Principal Tim Prater and authorized by the full board to be paid out of capital outlay monies.
    • $2,160: Twin Valley High School football offensive lineman camp for nine players at $250 each. A total of $720 each was authorized by Hurricane Supervisor William P. Harris; Garden Supervisor Buddy Fuller; and South Grundy Chairman Roger Rife. The funds were requested by Highland Cavalier Club.
    • $900: Grundy High School, for 12 players to attend the Winners Circle Basketball Camp at a cost of $75 each; requested by Coach Greg Rife and authorized by South Grundy Supervisor Roger Rife.
    • $1,800: Hurley High School, for 24 players to attend the Winners Circle Basketball Camp at a cost of $75 each, requested by Coach Mark Cooper and authorized at $300 each by Rocklick Supervisor David Ratliff and North Grundy Supervisor Carroll Branham; $200 by Garden Supervisor Buddy Fuller; and $1,000 by Knox Supervisor Pat Justus.

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