Whether your taste leans to bluegrass and gospel music, golfing, or theater, the choice will be yours. Due to creative fund raising efforts by several Relay for Life Teams, Lee Countians and their neighbors have the opportunity enjoy a variety of entertainment events to benefit the American Cancer Society's 2nd Annual Lee County Relay (Va.,) for Life.

The LCDSS Teddy's Bears and the June Bugs Relay Teams are co-sponsoring “A Country Social”, a traditional bluegrass and gospel music event on the lawn of the Karlan Mansion at Wilderness Road State Park on Highway 58 in Ewing, Va., on Saturday, June 10, from 4-8 p.m. The benefit concert will open with Jimmy Barnes of Ewing and S & S Express, followed by entertainment from the well known, award-winning Shadow Ridge featuring C.F. Bailey, a native of Ewing who is returning with his band to perform for the benefit of the Lee County Relay for Life.

Bailey, who was born and raised within sight of Karlan, states, “I am the seventh of eleven (children) born to Lucy and (the late) Hobert Bailey of Ewing.” After losing his brother Glenn to cancer in February 2004, Bailey says he wants to “give something back” to aid in the fight against the disease. It will be his first time performing in Lee County in over 25 years. Based in Tazewell, Tenn.

Shadow Ridge has traveled extensively to perform including Nashville, Tenn., as well as Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland and other states. More can be learned about this group by visiting their website www.shadowridgetn.com.

In addition to the music, “A Country Social” will offer food, games, cake walks and an auction in a family atmosphere. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the Lee County Relay for Life. In case of rain, the Social will be held just across the highway at the Elydale School. At the gate, a donation of $5 for individuals age 12 and over, and $1 for children ages 6-12 will be accepted. Children under age 6 will be admitted free of charge.

A Relay for Life Golf Tournament is planned for Friday, June 23. Sponsored by Triple C - Cops Combating Cancer - Team, the tournament will be held at Cedar Hill Country Club in Jonesville, Va. It is being held in memory of Shannon Evans who was the golf professional at Cedar Hill for 30 years.

Evans lost his battle with cancer in March 2006 leaving behind a legacy of dedication and devotion to the game of golf. In June 1981, in one day, Evans played 414 holes of golf as a fundraiser supporting junior golf, a feat which placed him in the Guinness Book of World Records for one year.

Entry fee for the benefit tournament is $60 per player or $240 per team, The fee includes green fee, cart, breakfast and lunch. Deadline for registration is June 21. Contact Diane Roberts 346-1921 for more information.

The 2nd Annual American Cancer Society Lee County Relay for Life itself will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 14, with the Cancer Survivor's Victory Lap and concluding at 7a.m. on Saturday, July 15. The Relay will be held at Leeman Field in Pennington Gap, Va. There will be a Cancer Survivor's Reception at 5 p.m. prior to the kickoff of the Relay. If you are a cancer survivor, you are invited to participate.

Another Relay for Life tradition, the Luminaria Ceremony will be conducted at 10 p.m. Luminaria may be dedicated in memory of loved ones lost to cancer, or in honor of those who have survived.

For more information regarding the Lee County Relay for Life, contact Vicki Stallard at (276) 546-4830 or Donna Kolb at (276) 346-3551. To learn more, visit these websites, www.acsevents.org/relay/lee or www.cancer.org, or call 1-800-ACS-2345.