Many festivalgoers like to conclude their weekend of activities with a brunch at Graceland Inn & Conference Center. Once again, College Aid is sponsoring a brunch buffet at this grand former home of Sen. Henry Gassaway Davis.

The event will take place Oct. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $18 for adults, $9 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. Tables are available indoors or outdoors. On sunny, crisp days, many prefer to eat on the porch in order to enjoy the view of the city and the mountains beyond.

Included on the menu are: tossed salad with choice of dressings; fruit and cheese platter with cracker medley; assorted breads with butter; quiche Florentine; bacon; sausage; roasted chicken with roasted corn and leeks; mashed redskin potatoes; buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup, berries and whipped cream; seasonal roasted vegetable medley; roast beef carving station with horseradish cream sauce and au jus; chef's choice assorted desserts; and beverages coffee, iced tea and water. To make reservations, call Graceland Inn at 304-637-1600.

Proceeds from the brunch will benefit College Aid, a women's organization founded in 1931, originally to help furnish and maintain the dormitories on the Davis & Elkins College campus. For many years, both Halliehurst and Graceland housed students, and purchases of lamps, rugs, curtains and other needed items for these buildings are recorded in College Aid minutes. The club has given funds especially to help restore and renovate Halliehurst, the large home built by Sen. Stephen Benton Elkins, where the Mountain State Forest Festival public reception following the coronation of Queen Silvia is hosted.

Members meet monthly to enjoy programs presented by faculty, students and college administrators, as well as to hear speakers from the larger community.

The aim of the organization is to foster good campus/community relationships and to aid the college whenever called upon to do so. Officers for 2009-2010 are President Carolyn Mann, Vice President Mary Kay Bidlack, Secretary Patricia Graap and Treasurer Robin Price.

Guests are welcome at meetings and anyone who wishes to join College Aid may call Carolyn Mann at 304-335-2784.