Evince August 09 by Evince Magazine

Evince Magazine

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August 2009

August Contents 2

Editor’s Note

Staycations Are Nothing New by Lorie Codispoti

Ve ince THE

Publisher

4 Sue Davis - Steering Students Toward Their Dreams by Joyce Wilburn Practice Now for the Gospel Singers' Competition by Carol Napier

Editor's Note

For many of us, the days of August slowly transition from unstructured summer holidays to days filled with academic work. Not to worry—the change will be easy because Evince writers have great ideas about enjoying both worlds. For everyone who wants one more holiday, read April Hawkins’ review of a new book The Great American Staycation. It’s full of advice for having fun without a lot of travel. Lorie Codispoti could have written that book because she has been taking vacations at home almost her entire life and writes about it in Staycations Are Nothing New. If you decide to vacation in the Danville area, be sure to read Liz Sater’s Guided Walking Tour Tells The Secrets Inside. Then check out the calendar. It is full of events to entertain and educate, but of special note is the Phillip Jarrell exhibit, the local production of High School Musical, and Museum Meet Margaritaville. On the more serious side, Anastasia Saunders has a great idea for encouraging your young student in Special Delivery for Your Children and Suzanne Miller has suggestions for sharpening the mind in The Pencil Box. Finally, learn a little more about the Superintendent of Danville Public Schools in Sue Davis, Steering Students Toward their Dreams. Yes, summer days are fading into a new season and fresh adventures. I hope you’ll use Evince as your guide to having fun whether you are still on vacation or already back at school.

5 She Said He Said / Romance...In the Beginning by Dena Hill & Larry Oldham 7

Buy Tickets Now for High School Musical by Melissa Charles Museum Meets Magaritaville by Lynne Bjarnesen

Andrew Scott Brooks Editor Joyce Wilburn joyce@evincemagazine.com (434.799.3160) Associate Editor Larry G. Aaron larry.aaron@gmail.com (434.792.8695) Contributing Writers

Lynne Bjarnesen, Melissa Charles, Kim Clifton, Lorie Codispoti, Jonathan Goodman, April Hawkins, Dena Hill, Linda Lemery, Rosalee Maxwell, Suzanne Miller, Carol Napier, Larry Oldham, Liz Sater, Anastasia Saunders, Joyce Wilburn, Annelle Williams

Business Manager Paul Seiple paul@evincemagazine.com (434.791.7353)

Spotting Exceptional Customer Service by Rosalee Maxwell

9 Second Thoughts How Tweet It Is by Kim Clifton 10 Reflecting Forward / "But It's Just One Class..." by Linda Lemery 11

OICE for knowledge

Storyteller Brings Books to Life by April Hawkins Around the Table / Prolific Produce? Try Canning by Annelle Williams

12 August Calendar 13 Guided Walking Tour Tells The Secrets Inside by Liz Sater

Sales Manager Larry Oldham larry@evincemagazine.com (434.728.3713) Sales Associates Misty Cook (434.728.2905) Julia Maultsby (434.489.1014) juliamaultsby@comcast.net Kim Demont (434.836.1247) kim@evincemagazine.com Art & Production Director Vaden & Associates (Dan Vaden) Graphic Designer Kim Demont

evince\i-’vin(t)s\

1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display clearly: reveal syn see SHOW

14 Meet Photographer Phillip Jarrell by Jonathan Goodman The Great American Staycation / A Review by April Hawkins

Editorial Policies:

The Pencil Box / Suggestions for Sharpening the Mind by Suzanne Miller 15 Special Delivery for Your Children by Anastasia Saunders

On the Cover:

Photo of Dr. Sue Davis by Barney Davis (Full Spectrum Photography) See story on page 4.

eVince is a monthly news magazine covering the arts, entertainment, education, economic development, and lifestyle in Danville and the surrounding areas. We print and distribute eVince free of charge due entirely to the generosity of our advertisers. In our pages appear views from across the social spectrum. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. We reserve the right to accept, reject, and edit all submissions and advertisements.

EVINCE Magazine

Meet Some of Our Writers

Reproduction or use in whole or in part in any medium without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

For Subscriptions, call 434.799.3160. We now accept Visa, MC, and Discover for ad payments April Hawkins is a Danville native and teacher at Sacred Heart School whose salary goes to support her addiction to books.

Anastasia Saunders

Rosalee Maxwell

Lorie Codispoti

is a Member Service Representative at Piedmont Credit Union.

is Director of Tourism for the City of Danville. She is a graduate of Averett University.

lives and staycations in the Danville area. She is a wife, mother, retired homeschool teacher, business owner, and freelance writer.

Deadline for submission of September stories, articles, ads, and calendar items is 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20. Submit stories and articles to: joyce@evincemagazine.com. Submit calendar items to: kim@evincemagazine.com. For ad information contact a sales associate or sales manager above.

Evince Magazine

Staycations Are Nothing New by Lorie Codispoti

“So, where are you going on vacation this summer?” the store clerk asked me. I barely had time to think of a response before she added, “We’re leaving for the beach tomorrow.” Her entire persona emulated that of a child as I watched her fingers dance in succession over the cash register keys. I thought about this encounter as I made the 30-minute drive home from town. Where were we going on vacation? Do I even know what a vacation is anymore? We haven’t been on anything that even resembles our culture’s idea of a vacation in three years. In fact, in our entire married life we’ve only been on a real vacation twice. Our honeymoon only included one moon with my honey, and probably wouldn’t even count as a real get-away. Can you see where this Poor-Pitiful-Me train was taking me? Suddenly I was feeling deprived. As I drove up the driveway I saw a squirrel sitting on the fence and thought, “He has more of a vacation than I do. He builds a nest in my tree one year and then takes his family next door to enjoy the scenery and nuts from another tree the next. They go on the equivalent of a cross-country adventure every year.” Wait a minute! I’m playing another semantical mind game with myself as I allow our culture’s influence to play with my psyche. So I go inside and remind myself of all the fun we’ve had over the years staycationing. While our present economic condition may be fueling the idea for families to capitalize on nearby attractions, and a staycation being one of the newest entries in our cultural dictionary, this is far from being a new concept. For over 20 years our family’s vacations have consisted primarily of local attractions and places we could fit into a day trip. I can’t tell you how many times camping meant moving all the furniture in the living room, setting up the tent, and filling it with sleeping bags and bodies. Sure, we probably would have jumped on the vacation jet and traveled the world over if our one-income piggy bank had been a little larger, but rather than fretting over the fact that it wasn’t, we focused on our local resources and discovered the joys of staycationing. So the next time someone asks you where you plan to take your family on vacation, smile and tell them that you have some of the greatest adventures planned, and that they all start right in your own backyard. Who was it that thought the nuts tasted better in the neighbor’s yard anyway? It’s an oak tree, for crying out loud, and my neighbor is an avid squirrel hunter. Now who wants to staycation with me? Lorie Codispoti lives and staycations in the Danville area. She is a wife, mother, retired homeschool teacher, business owner, and freelance writer. You can reach Lorie through her blog www.gatesofelloree.blogspot.com.

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August 2009

Sue Davis wasn’t planning on being the Superintendent of Danville Public Schools when she enrolled at Averett University in the early 70s. In fact, the former business major who wanted to be a secretary hadn’t even considered teaching as a career option. It wasn’t until her co-workers at Leed’s Music Center in Nor Dan Shopping Center remarked about the obvious joy she radiated while giving piano lessons did she consider the idea of teaching as a career. The causal comments of her colleagues planted the seed of an idea, which blossomed into a different career path that would eventually lead her to the highest position in the public school system. Referring to the life-changing switch from business to education classes, the Danville native remembers, “I jumped in with both feet, loved the experience, and received a solid educational foundation at Averett.” That firm base served her well when she started teaching 34 first graders at W. Townes Lea School (formerly known as Cedarbrook) in 1975. “I was given a stack of manuals about two feet high, a box of chalk, and an eraser,” she recounts with an easy laugh, “and was shown my classroom. Not every student had a desk and I didn’t see the principal until Christmas!” Not only was she successful without close supervision or administrative support, her students thrived and she found time to earn a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Averett. Realizing that the Averett professors had changed her life, she wanted to do the same for others. Looking back, she remembers, “I felt very accomplished and ready to take on the world. I truly wanted to make a difference in children’s lives not just cover the material in the book.” Reaching up to the next rung of the career ladder, Davis became principal at Park Avenue Elementary in 1988 and led the merger of Park Avenue with Coates Elementary to form Westover Elementary in 1994 after the city annexed part of Pittsylvania County. “It was a challenge to integrate the two communities, but it was a good experience,” she says with characteristic optimism. From 1997 until 2004 when she was appointed superintendent, Davis held various division-wide positions and completed the work for a doctorate in education from VPI. “I love school—the whole process of working with teachers, students, and parents. I have an open-door policy if you want to talk to me, come on down; we’ll talk about what you like or don’t like,” she says with sincerity.

Practice Now for the Gospel Singers’ Competition by Carol Napier

Sue Davis -Steering Students Toward Their Dreams by Joyce Wilburn

A lot of those recent conversations have revolved around the changes in education over the last decade. “Testing and standardization are given more serious consideration and that has changed the way we teach. It’s been good because we have a chance to monitor achievement and to standardize the curriculum so if a child transfers to a school in another part of the state, the curriculum and testing will be the same,” she explains adding that student performance has improved over the years. The added resources from the Internet and more research-based teaching have also helped to increase scores. The downside to this approach is the amount of money, time, and effort spent on testing has resulted in narrowing the curriculum and that presents another challenge. “We have to give children a balance of academics, arts, and athletics

so they will have a well-rounded education,” says Davis and then continues, “We want to give them the foundation so they can dream and do anything they want to do.” To emphasize that point, Davis picks up a nearby Dr. Seuss book, The Places You’ll Go, and explains that she likes to read it at graduations. It sends a message about the opportunities and challenges that must be faced on a daily basis in order to fulfill even the wildest dream. Dr. Sue Davis is very qualified to teach that lesson to others, because she has lived it her entire adult life. You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

If you sing gospel music, start practicing now for The Southside Superstar Christian/Gospel Competition, which begins on Friday, September 11. Contestants must be 14 or older and can compete as a solo performer or as a group of four or fewer. The competition will be held each Friday beginning on September 11 and ending on October 9 starting at 7 p.m. in the City Auditorium in Downtown Danville. This family friendly event is sponsored by Piedmont Access to Health Services (PATHS) and will be conducted like its annual fundraiser Southside Superstar. How does it work? Contestants audition and the final top 20 are selected to perform each week in competition. There are three judges who vote on each performance. In addition, spectators can vote as often as they like for their favorite performer by placing a dollar in a ballot box at the event. At the end of the competition, the performer with the best combined judges’ scores and audience votes will win. The grand prize is $1000.00, a trophy, an ipod touch, and 8 hours recording time with Studio 99 of Martinsville. Trophies for second and third place winners and consolation prizes will also be given. • Auditions in Martinsville: Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Soul Winners Ministries Church, 704 East Church Street; Saturday, August 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Studio 99, 2456 Kings Mountain Road. • Auditions in Danville: Saturday, August 29, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Bibleway Cathedral, 215 Grant Street Extension and the same day at The Tabernacle, 1978 South Boston Road, from 10 a.m. to noon. Visit southsidesuperstar.com or call 434-791-3630.

Evince Magazine

She Said by Dena Hill Romance…In the Beginning When I woke up this morning I started thinking about you. Before your ego jumps off the scale, let me finish. I started thinking about how romantic you use to be. I mean, you love me and I love you and all that, but what exactly happens over time when the romantic gestures that you made in the past become old hat? Why can't you be romantic like you were when we first started dating? The first time you came to my house you brought flowers. You sent love notes almost daily. How long has it been since you sent a romantic card to tell me how much you care? You called once or twice daily when I lived in North Carolina. Remember the $800 phone bill one month? You drove to Greenville on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. to take me to dinner. That was a 3-hour drive for a 2-hour dinner and a 3-hour drive back home. What about that internet arrangement you made with WBTM so my family and friends from all over the United States could hear you propose to me on the radio? That was beautiful and made me cry. Don't get me wrong, I have not forgotten all the things you have done for me over the years and the times you have whisked me off to New York or the beach. I appreciate those excursions and since you were going anyway I just tagged along. (Just kidding. You begged me to go every time). Don't even get me started on kissing. Now, Sophie my poodle, gets more kisses than I do.

dinner was prepared with fresh flowers on the table. The night was not only romantic, but everlasting. You even gave me a handkerchief soaked in the perfume you were wearing that night for me to take with me on the 3-hour drive back home. What a pleasant reminder of the evening! Today when I come to your house after work, I don't have the long drive; I don't have to call long distance to tell you I am coming over. Because I see you everyday, I just feel you know I care about you without bringing flowers or sending a card. Now compared to the first days of dating and today, what do I get? I come to your door; I let myself in; the dog barks for my attention, so I give her a kiss. I holler for you and you yell back that you are in the basement; your hair is a wreck; you are sweating, and you say, "Don't touch me or you’ll get wet." You are wearing old sweat pants and a t-shirt. That’s a far cry from being all dolled up and waiting for me at the door with open arms. You suggest I buy a pizza for supper because you are so caught up in your work. Of course, you can't go to a movie tonight because you have papers to grade or you need to paint the kitchen. Where in that description did you find room for me to be romantic? No, I think you need to start a new revolution with your women friends. How about the Preservation of Keeping Romance in My Relationship? You could start with greeting me at the door, tea in hand, dinner on the table, dressed to the nines, smelling like perfume instead of paint thinner, and a desire to lead me to places I have never known before. What a fantasy....I'll run on down to the pizza parlor now...Honey Darling Dear.

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She said He said

he Said by Larry Oldham I’ll give you this, when you get wound up on a subject you go for the jugular. Let's look at this socalled problem that you have with our romance, or lack of. When I went to Greenville, North Carolina, you were sitting on the couch, dressed to the nines, not a hair out of place, smelling like a rose, and a candlelight

He Said / She Said can be seen in Showcase Magazine.

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August 2009

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Evince Magazine

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Museum Meets Margaritaville by Lynne Bjarnesen

Aaron Stewart and Jessica Wray play the lead characters of Troy and Gabriella. Photo by Mike Nighthawk Floyd

Buy Tickets Now for High School Musical by Melissa Charles

This month 30 local actors will bring to life The Disney Channel’s smash hit, High School Musical, at the Carrington Pavilion in Danville. It’s the enchanting story of high school students on a path of self-discovery who must navigate the tricky currents of peer pressure to follow their dreams. Under a very tight deadline, the students learn to embrace their differences and work together to achieve their goals. The production will include all of the favorite characters and songs from the movie, plus two new songs written especially for the stage. Produced by the City of Danville Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department and DMR Adventures, The Broadway Adventure production of High School Musical will be presented Thursday through Saturday, August 13-15, at 8:00 p.m. with a special half-priced morning show on Friday at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $10 for evening shows and $5 for the morning show. Kids 4 and under admitted free. This is a family-friendly show and suitable for all ages. Tickets are available at The Invitation Destination, 411 Main Street, and The Welcome Center, 645 River Park Road. Volunteers, business sponsors and patrons are needed. Call 434.791.4091.

Jazz, Fables, Books, Broadway Hits and more! Don’t Miss the 2009-2010 Arts@Averett Series Full Schedule: www.averett.edu/arts/arts-schedule09-10 Or call for a brochure: 434-791-5681

You won’t be “nibbling on sponge cake” if you attend Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History’s summer fundraiser, Museum Meets Margaritaville. That’s because the party planners have something even better for you to consume while listening to Jimmy Buffet tunes— a barbeque or chicken dinner catered by Tiger Barbeque along with margaritas, beer and wine from the cash bar. Casual attire is appropriate for this afternoon of activity on the grounds of the Sutherlin Mansion. In fact, dancing is almost a requirement unless you’re playing volleyball, badminton, or ladder golf. But, be sure to bring a beach chair for those moments when you need to chill-out in the shade of the trees and enjoy the music provided by DJ Phillip Wells aka Johnny Dollar. n For more information, visit the DMFAH at 975 Main Street, call 434.793.5644, or visit www.danvillemuseum.org. n Museum Meets Margaritaville will be held on Saturday, August 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. n Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for children ages 7 to 12; free for younger children. n Tax-deductible tickets are on sale at Tiger BBQ, 625 Piney Forest Road, and the DMFAH.

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August 2009

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by Rosalee Maxwell Let me tell you a story about Vaden and Associates at 525 Main Street. My office has worked with graphic designers Danny Vaden and Kim Demont for many years, most likely to their constant dismay. Timeliness on requesting assistance is not one of my better qualities. I cannot count the number of times my office has called them in a tizzy pleading for last minute help! One time we had designed a wonderful flyer, only to have the computer crash and lose all of the work. Of course, we were on a deadline and had to have it reproduced fast; they came through. Just recently, I partnered with two other tourism entities for a full page ad in a national publication. All of us forgot about the due date. Once again, Kim came to the rescue, creating a theme and graphics that were exactly what we needed. Often times, you will find Kim or Danny working after hours or through lunch to help us meet a deadline, design a new creative logo, or research cost-saving printing options. Customers are always greeted with a smile and a can-do attitude. Kudos to Vaden and Associates for exemplary customer care.

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Evince Magazine How Tweet It Is And that’s the way it is. I’ll never forget Walter Cronkite’s nightly signoff from CBS news. If he reported something, I knew it mattered. If he didn’t report it, I knew it didn’t. That distinction isn’t so easy to make anymore. Nowadays anything qualifies as breaking news, and I don’t have to turn on my TV to hear about it. With the rising popularity of social networking web sites, headlines can range from “My toilet overflowed” to “I need a nap.” It takes me awhile to adopt any fad and usually by the time I do, it’s over. So, it should come as no surprise that I know as much about MySpace as I do about outer space. And I thought that Facebook was the album that the police department used to identify criminals. Turns out these are actually popular Internet portals, sites where people go to post what they’re doing, where they’ve been and who they’ve seen. Listings are so current that it seems some folks can’t really enjoy being at a party because they’re too busy writing about it. Call it networking. Call it keeping in touch. Call it whatever you want, but what we’re really talking about are public diaries. I used to hide mine under my mattress. I would rather have died than to have had anyone read what was in it, mainly

because it only documented how pathetically boring I really am. With the way things are now, that fear shouldn’t stop me anymore. If I should write that I wore blue slacks to work, my friends would expect to also see a picture of me wearing them. And I’d hope they’d send back assurances that I didn’t look fat. The Internet is rich with opportunities to report all current events, regardless of relevance. Unfortunately, as our communication technology becomes more sophisticated, our messages have become more primal. Such is the case with Twitter... the web service that works almost like a scrolling marquee on The Weather Channel or CNN. Except that Twitter doesn’t move and doesn’t care what you post…just as long as the phrase is under 140 characters. Which works out great if you live in a jungle and travel by swinging from limb-to-limb...because “Me

Tarzan. You Jane.” is about all the space you get. What’s worse is that Twitter comes with its own cutesy language. For example: A posting is called a Tweet. Until now, the only Tweety I knew was a yellow cartoon bird who insisted that he “tawt” he “taw a puddy tat.” Twitter is appealing, even if it does reduce communication to a lower form. The terminology itself makes me either sound like an idiot or someone with a speech impediment. If I’m retweeting, I’m not backing away from an opponent. Instead, I’m uploading a comment that someone else has already made. My friends are called tweeps and I select them from the listing of tweople who also use this service. I promise I’m not making this up. I don’t know which bothers me more...slaughtering the King’s English, or posting any random thought that comes to mind. Time was that a note’s brevity meant both urgency and importance. A telegram got right to the point with

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messages like “War over. Stop. Freedom rings. Stop.” These newer shortened announcements have nothing to do with the content’s magnitude, although they do reach people a lot faster than those created with a teletype machine. So when I say that “I injected my turkey with a Cajun sauce,” I know it’s a shot heard ‘round the world. And that’s the way it is...now, although no amount of technology can replace my beloved Walter Cronkite simply telling me what mattered. I certainly don’t want to wade through tons of news sites or volumes of my friends’ comments to get the latest scoop. I do have a solution, though...an idea that would take care of both. One that allows me to stay in touch with my buddies and with the rest of the world. I could develop a web site with its own cutesy name like “www. camera-raderie.com,” if someone hasn’t taken it already. This would be a single place for everyone to see photos capturing events of the day…either from my street or from Wall Street. Since there would be no typing involved, it would save lots of time and would say more than CBS, MySpace, Facebook, or even Twitter combined. Because after all...a picture is worth a thousand words.

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August 2009

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Reflecting Forward

“But it’s just one class,” I said to my husband. “I know I visit my mother daily after work, that I’m coordinating scholarship applications for son, that we have taxes and FAFSA corrections lurking like muggers waiting to attack. I know our house looks like a cyclone hit it, that we never socialize, that we now rate carry-out as homecooked if we put the food on our own plates. But I need to take a class. One night per week: how bad can it be?” My husband believes in letting people make their own decisions and live to regret the idiocy later. “Well, if you think you can handle it ...” he began, but I didn’t hear the rest because I was on my way out the door to register for the class. I lived through that class and even took a second one. Being a part-time student gave me a whole new perspective. I’ve learned that:

homework due for the next class session. Spreading the work into manageable daily chunks works. Expecting entire free evenings to materialize without planning, doesn’t. n When people ask me to take on extra optional jobs, I need to say no because doing that helps me fulfill the obligations I already have. n I need to parcel out my afterwork tasks by day, including the weekends. I write out a list per day, prioritize, and cross out what I manage to get done. n On weekends, I need to grocery shop and cook dishes that I can pull out and reheat during the week. If we run out of food, somebody else can go to the store or we can eat leftovers. I give my husband and son each a night to cook, billing it as a night they actually eat what they like as opposed to whatever I sail onto the table. n I need to make lists of postclass things that need to be done. Unless I write them down, the ideas vaporize, morphing into fabulous ideas for other people who have the sense to write them down and execute them.

n When I come home exhausted from my night class, I need to plan which nights I’ll do the

So, what are some of the good things that came out of taking classes?

"But It's Just One Class..." by Linda Lemery

Evince Magazine n The teacher for that initial class (the most organized human being I’ve ever met) announced what we’d cover at the beginning of class, provided a written homework list complete with firm deadlines and page numbers, and was available via email for coaching as needed. Though I’ve taught in the past, I was never this good. I’ll use these techniques in the future. n My family can cook, wash clothes, and maintain the house when I’m not available. Being Superwoman doesn’t win rewards. Women who empower someone else to help run a household make a significant contribution to the other person’s development. n I’ve gained tremendous respect for millennial-generation students who successfully juggle multiple inputs, prioritize to manage their time, and excel in their classes. These students are awesome. Learning this last lesson--and sharing this praise with these amazing students--is perhaps the greatest lesson learned to date. This is the one I hope I’ll never forget. About the Author: When she’s not doing homework, Linda Lemery llemery@gamewood.net works at Mary B. Blount Library at Averett University in Danville, VA.

It is early on a cloudy Saturday morning, but the Son is shining as my young daughter and I participate in Christian storytelling and singing at LifeWay Christian Store in Coleman MarketPlace. Looking at storyteller Amy Holmes, I instantly think of sunshine. With a warm personality and loads of imagination, Holmes makes stories come alive. It’s a skill she learned at an early age from her mother who Holmes says, “was creative and amazing with children.” She remembers many of her mother’s songs and stories and wants to share those with daughter Rebekah and others. Growing up in a small town of 800 in Missouri, Holmes always had a passion for storytelling. While in high school, she participated in drama competitions including storytelling, which required the use of gestures and facial expressions. Years later, after moving to Danville, she attended an event at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History and was astonished at the caliber of the storytellers. “Danville has some incredible storytellers. I was amazed that they were local people, because the quality of storytelling was on a national level,” says Holmes. Encouraged by this demonstration of talent and with a desire to share her passion with others, Holmes decided to venture into storytelling at the book store. As we sit and listen to her tell Biblically themed stories, our attention

Storyteller Brings Books to Life by April Hawkins

is captured as Holmes uses props and audience participation to keep us engaged. Acting on the old adage, show it; don’t tell it, Holmes has us on our feet, participating in songs and stories. “Jesus wasn’t dry. He told parables and used many different ways to present his ideas so they reached more people,” she explains while preparing for the next activity. As my daughter and I ride home, we agree that it had been a wonderful

Prolific Produce? Try Canning by Annelle Williams

Find more recipes, on my blog: http://aroundannellestable.blogspot.com/

It's been a great summer for vegetable gardens. In Danville, the Community Market is open an extra day, Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in addition to the regular Saturday 8 a.m. to noon just to accommodate the local farmers with their abundance of produce. The season's robust harvest may influence you to join a large group of Americans who are canning and freezing fruits and vegetables this year. If you're interested, but don't have the equipment or the know-how, I have some news. The Spencer Penn Centre just west of Martinsville, has opened an inspected, certified Community Kitchen. It’s is a great place to can in large quantities or prepare produce to freeze. As the need arises, the Kitchen will offer canning classes and other learning opportunities in conjunction with Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension and Patrick Henry Community College--institutions with both experience and answers. Also, if you've ever thought about starting a food-based small business, like catering for weddings and parties, or making your family’s secret recipe into a marketable food item, this would be the place to do it. A certified kitchen is often a prohibitive expense for many new food entrepreneurs, but you can start here for a very small rental fee. Call 276-957-5757 for more information. For Danville Community Market information, call 434.797.8961.

End-of-the-Garden Pickles 1 cup cucumbers, chopped 1 cup chopped green pepper 1 cup chopped red pepper 1 cup chopped cabbage 1 cup sliced onion 1 cup chopped green tomatoes 1 cup chopped carrots 1 cup cut green beans 1 cup lima beans 2 T mustard seed 1 cup chopped celery 3 cups apple cider vinegar 3 cups sugar 3 T turmeric

Mix 1/2 cup salt and 2 quarts water in a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped cucumber, peppers, cabbage, onions and tomatoes. Put in refrigerator and soak overnight. Drain. Cook chopped carrots and beans in gently boiling water for five minutes--just until fork- tender—don't overcook. Drain. Add mustard seed, celery, vinegar, sugar and turmeric to a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Add all vegetables, blanched and raw, and boil gently for ten minutes. Pack into sterilized jars and seal at once.

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time--kind of like Vacation Bible School condensed into 30 minutes. We plan to return for more next month. • Story Time with Mrs. Amy is presented on the first Saturday of every month at 11:00 a.m. • Stories are most appropriate for children up to age 10. • For information call 434.797.3690.

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August 2009

August Calendar

Ongoing Daily:

Guided Walking Tours of Millionaires Row. See story on page 13.

Through August 16

Civil War Fashion Exhibit – Showcase clothing and jewelry worn during the 1860s. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History – 434.793.5644.

Through August 21

Art Exhibits – Modern Masters & What’s So Radical about Impressionism? Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History – 434.793.5644.

Through August 22

Photography Exhibit – Transition, My Thousand Words, Inscribed Spaces & Works by Jan Atkins. Piedmont Arts, Martinsville – 276.632.3221.

Through August 31

Kids Bowling. Riverside Lanes. 434.791.2695.

Through September 17

Totally Random Science Exhibit –Danville Science Center – 434.791.5160. Photo Display – Garden Delights – Intimate view of the Butterfly Station and Garden. DSC – 434.791.5160.

August 1

Festival - Tomahawk Mill Winery – $15 wine tastings, music, food. 434.432.1063 DRBA’s First Saturday – Madison Boat Race or Scenic Stokes Co. Float. 336.548.9572 or 336.547.1903. Bob Ross Painting Class – Rustic Winter Woods. 10:30 am–3:30 pm. Ballou Annex. 434.797.8848. Story Time with Mrs. Amy. See story pg. 11. Main Street Cruise-In – Enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of the downtown while cruising classic cars. 6-9 pm. Downtown Danville. 434.791.6813. Brandon Cutrell with Ray Fellman – Let’s Misbehave: A New York Cabaret. 7:30 pm. The Prizery – 434.572.8339.

August 4

Family Fun Friday - 2-4 pm. VMNH– 276.634.4185. Late Dance Registration. 4-6 pm. Meredith Gravely School of Dance – 434.799.8072. National Night Out. Chatham. www.dpchamber.org. Martinsville Mustangs Baseball. 7:20 pm. Hooker Field, Martinsville. www.martinsvillemustangs.com.

August 4 (thru 6)

GPS Camp – Campers will go through the basics of GPS while enjoying fun geocaching games, trips and expeditions to other local and state parks. Ages 9-14. 9 am–5 pm. Ballou Park. 434.799.5215.

August 4 (thru 18)

Virginia Master Naturalist Program – Times/locations vary: 434.799.5215.

August 4 (thru 25)

Newcomers Club. 12-2 pm. YWCA – 434.792.1522. African Dance Ensemble – Learn the art of African Dance. Tues 6-7:30 pm. Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848. Skyn Deep. 6:30 pm. YWCA – 434.792.1522.

August 4 (thru 26)

Fitness for Older Adults, Ladies & ABSolute Fitness. Tues/Thur, 9–11 am; Ladies 10 am–12 pm; ABSolute Fitness 10:3011:30 am. City Armory. 434.797.8848.

August 4 (thru 28)

Danville Braves Baseball. Times vary. Dan Daniel Memorial Park. 434.797.3792.

August 5

Senior Bowling Tournament. 10 am–12 pm. Riverside Lanes – 434.791.2695. Open House & Info Session – How to Earn a Master’s Degree in Engineering without Leaving the Area. 6-7 pm. Institute for Advanced Learning and Research – 434.766.6725 or www.ialr.org.

August 5 & 19

August 1 (thru 29)

Fetch! Lab. 8/5 - Design a hook and retrieve a capsule from the water and place it on land without getting wet; 8/19 - Design and build the tallest tower possible using nothing but plastic cups. Ages 8–12. 3:45–4:45 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

August 1 (thru 31)

Wednesday Market. 4-7 pm. Danville Community Market – 434.797.8961.

August 1 & 2

Beauty & the Beast - Broadway Jr. Musical. 7 pm/2 pm. North Theatre – 434.792.2700. Auto Racing – 8/1, 15, 28 & 29. 7 pm. South Boston Speedway – 434.572.2695. Family Swim. F/S/Sun. YWCA – 434.792.1522. Egyptian Experience Exhibit. Chinqua Penn Plantation – 336.349.4576.

August 3 (thru 7)

Dig Dinosaurs & Knick Knacks Summer Camp - Dinosaur 9 am-12 pm, Knick Knacks 1-4 pm. Ages 5-7. Virginia Museum of Natural History – 276.634.4185. Girl Scientists Rock Summer Camp - Activities include canoeing, duct tape boat building, hiking, geocaching, nature journaling, and wildlife activities. 9 am-4 pm. Ages 8-13. Virginia Museum of Natural History – 276.634.4185. The Nature of Genetics Summer Camp Extract DNA from an organism. 9 am-4 pm. Ages 11-13. VMNH– 276.634.4185.

August 3 (thru 14)

Swim Lessons. Ages 3-14. M/W. 6:30-7:15 & 7:20-8:05 pm. YMCA – 434.792.0621.

August 3 (thru 25)

Art with Judie – Oil & watercolor painting. Mon or Tues/Times Vary. Ballou Annex. 434.797.8848.

August 3 (thru 31)

Boogie Monday – East Coast Swing. Mondays 7-8:30 pm. Ballou Center – 434.799.5216. Middle Eastern Belly Dance Classes –Intermediate-5:30 pm, Beginning-6:45 pm. Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848.

August 7 (thru 9)

Discover the Sea – Open Water Scuba Certification. BCXtreme Dive Center. 434.836.0755

August 8

Audition for Southside Superstar Christian/ Gospel Competition. See story on page 4. WERA Cycle Jam & Vintage Motorcycle Special. 8 pm. VIR 434.822.7700. Alzheimer’s Presentation – Ask the Neurologist. 12–1 pm. 434.792.3700 x30. End of the Summer Skate Tournament – 4-7 pm. Philip Wyatt Memorial Skate Park. 434.799.5215. VA State Peach Festival – Music, crafters, food, historic exhibits. 4-9:30 pm. Rotary Field, Stuart. 276.694.6012.

August 8 & 15

Clay Creations – Enjoy making a unique design, baking it, and then putting on the final touches. 9:30–10:30 am. Ages 5-12. Coates Recreation Center – 434.799.6564.

August 10

Mariachi Band. 6:30-9:30 pm. Los Tres Magueyes Mexican Restaurant - 434.792.0601.

August 10 (thru 14)

Nature’s Art Catchers Summer Camp Designed to improve artistic skills. 9 am-4 pm. Ages 11-13. VMNH – 276.634.4185. Busy Bees II Summer Camp - Explore different natural history topics through games, stories, and crafts that spark creativity and curiosity. 1:30–3:30 pm. Ages 3 – 5 with adult. VMNH– 276.634.4185.

August 11

Photography Club. 6:30-7:45 pm. Ballou Annex. 434.797.8848.

August 11 & 25

Polliwogs. 8/11 – Investigate insects, create bug boxes and go on a big bug hunt; 8/25 – Learn about germs while using flour to explore the ways germs are passed from person to person. Ages 3–4, 1–2 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

August 13

Macbeth: – Shakespeare’s classic tale. 7-9 pm. Piedmont Arts – 276.632.3221.

August 5 (thru 25)

August 13 -15

August 5 (thru 26)

August 13 (thru 27)

RiverCity Toastmasters - Conquer you fear of public speaking. Weds, 1 pm. NCBT 434.793.6822. Guitar for Youth & Teens Class – Ages 5-17. Wed 5 pm. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848. Guitar for Adults Class – Wed 5:30 pm. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848.

August 5 (thru September 9)

Art with Flo – Create oil masterpieces. 9:30 am12:30 pm, Glenwood Center or 6-9 pm, Ballou Annex. Weds. 434.797.8848.

August 6

Bob Ross Painting Workshop – Rustic Winter Woods. 10 am–3:30 pm: Piedmont Arts, Martinsville – 276.632.3221.

August 7

First Friday Art Walk – Visit the studios, meet the artists and find handcrafted items at great prices. 5–7 pm. Studio 107, Martinsville. 276.632.3221. Virginia State Peach Pageant. 6 pm. Historic Star Theatre, Martinsville. www.martinsville.com. Fridays at the Crossing -See ad page 13. Moonlight Canoe Trip. 8-9 pm. Staunton River State Park. 434.572.3694.

August 7 & 8

Rodeo – Join us for a wild ride as the cowboys put on a show. 8 pm. Danville Pittsylvania County Fairgrounds – 434.822.6850.

High School Musical – See story page 7 and ad on page 9. Evening Kayak Trips– 8/13 & 27-Dan Daniel Park, 8/20-Abreu-Grogan Park. 6-8 pm. 434.799.5215.

August 14

Memory Lane Cruisers Cruz-In – Cars and trucks through 1977. 6:30 pm. Roxboro Commons. 336.694.6106 or 336.364.2760. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys – 7:30 pm. The Prizery – 434.572.8339. Summer Movies in the Park Series – Kung Fu Panda. 9 pm. Ballou Park. 434.799.5216.

August 14 (thru 16)

AMA Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Motorcycle Races 8 pm. Virginia International Raceway – 434.822.7700. All American – A musical tribute to teachers and football. Gretna Movie Theatre – 434.228.1778.

August 14 (thru 28)

Fundraiser Dinners – Eat in or take out. Fridays, 5:30 pm. American Legion Post 1097. 434.822.5299.

August 15

Museum Meets Margaritaville See story on page 7 and ad on page 11.. Audition for Southside Superstar Christian/ Gospel Competition. See story on page 4. Tasty Saturdays. 8 am–12 pm. Farmers’ Market Martinsville – 276.632.5688.

S 2 9 16 23 30

AUGUST 2009 M

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

W T 5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

F S 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29

Triathlon – 750 meter open water swim, 15 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile (5k) trail run. Mayo Lake, Roxboro. 919.790.0364. Back To School Kickoff – A day of fun, crafts, health screenings, health information tables, and a HUGE kickball tournament. 11 am. Ballou Park – 434.797.8848. That’s Amore - An evening of easy listening music in the Sinatra style by Bobby Bryant. 7:30 pm. North Theatre – 434.792.2700.

August 16

Summer Art Series - Discussion on artist Mary Cassatt. 2 pm. North Theatre – 434.792.2700.

August 19

Alzheimer’s Presentation – Partner with Your Doctor. 12–1 pm. 434.792.3700 x30.

August 20

Enchanted Evenings in The Park – Dance Night. 5:30-8 pm. Ballou Park. 434.799.5216.

August 21

Just Everyday Women, Walking by Faith. 11 am–1 pm. Mary’s Diner. 434.836.2660 or 434.793.8140. T.G.I.F. In The Square – Appetite for Destruction. 7-11 pm. Constitution Square, Downtown South Boston – 877.807.8225.

August 22

Yard/Bake Sale – Indoor yard/bake sale for the community. 7 am-2 pm. Coates Recreation Center – 434.799.6564. Kayaking on the James Trip –. 7 am-7 pm. Ballou Park. 434.799.5215. Chatham Cruise-In. 6–9 pm. Main Street Chatham. 434.548.3233 or 434.489.6082.

August 23

North by Northwest - 2 pm. North Theatre – 434.792.2700. Grand Opening Celebration. 2-6 pm. Smith River Sports Complex – 276.403.5968. CROP Walk Recruiters Meeting. 3 pm. Mt. Vernon Methodist Church. marielouisecrane@yahoo.com.

August 25

Virginia Whales – Imagine whales and sharks cruising in waters north of Richmond. 6:30 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

August 25 (thru 27)

Hunter Safety Education Course – 6:3010 pm. Ballou Park Center. 434.799.5215.

August 28

TGIF Concert – Bank of Oz. 7 pm. Martinsville Uptown – 276.632.5688.

August 28 & 29

Personality Festival – Crafts, food vendors, specialty rides, variety of entertainment and a Family Friendly Event. Roxboro, NC. 336.599.8333.

August 29

Creek Crawl – Search and roam the creek bottoms of Anglers Park. 9:30-11:30 am. Anglers Park. 434.799.5215. Founders Day Celebration. 10 am-4 pm. VMNH – 276.634.4185. Women’s Self Defense Seminar. 2 pm. The Martial Arts University – 434.429.7442. Little Theatre of Danville - Two one act plays & poetry reading. 7:30 pm. North Theatre – 434.792.2700.

August 30

Opening reception of photography exhibit. See story on page 14.

Upcoming Events September 4

Fridays at the Crossing See ad page 13.

September 5

Main Street Cruise-In. – 434.791.6613. Jamey Johnson and James Otto Concert. See ad page 13.

Evince Magazine

Guided Walking Tour Tells The Secrets Inside by Liz Sater

We all have our little secrets and it’s unlikely that the demure Victorian “grand dames” lining Millionaires’ Row on Main Street would divulge theirs to strangers. But now, whether you have driven past these mansions every day of your life or you’re a visitor curious about the community, you can learn the history, architecture, and little-known stories about the buildings and their former residents by taking Danville Historical Society’s Guided Walking Tour, The Secrets Inside. The 60-90 minute guided tour into the heart of the historic district is offered twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and the cost is only $6 for adults. Children under 12 are free with a paying adult. Starting at the back steps of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History, 975 Main Street, the tour is based on information gleaned from the book, Victorian Danville, by local historians Gary Grant and Mary Cahill.

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Although the tobacco barons and textile giants who built these magnificent structures are now dead, their legends live on. You will learn such things as why one home had its mirror image built next door and the poignant secret about the bride who lived in the Wedding Cake House. “Driving up Main Street is one thing,” says recent tour-taker Lisa Reynolds, “but what a nice way to actually learn the inside scoop about these historic buildings.” As the tour progresses from the first stop at the Jewish Temple Beth Sholom on Sutherlin Avenue to the last stop at the Dibrell House on Broad Street, you hardly notice that you’ve gotten a bit of exercise over the roughly onemile course. Tour participant Sharon Snead was enthusiastic, “What a great way to spend an afternoon and sneak in some exercise. It was a very easy, manageable walk.” But the fun does not have to end there. Following the afternoon tour, you can opt to fortify yourself with a visit inside the restored 1885 Dibrell House (now The II Georges Inn) to enjoy tea and scones elegantly served on antique china for an additional $6 charge. Other add-ons are available including tours of the Langhorne House and the Sutherlin Mansion. While you are in historic downtown Danville, be sure to include a visit to the fine establishments that are helping to advertise the guided tour: Midtown Market, Dixie Bags & More, Rippe’s, Main Street Coffee Emporium, The Invitation Destination, and Riverland Music. You must call 434.770.1974 at least 24 hours in advance to make reservations or take a chance and join a group that has already reserved a time. Oh, and one last thing - once you have gone back in time and heard what these lovely homes have revealed, you must promise not to tell anyone. Remember, they are secrets—until the next tour starts. For more information, visit www.danvillehistoricalsociety.org.

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August 2009

ASK DR. JUDITH

Meet Photographer

Phillip Jarrell by Jonathan Goodman

Judith A. Ostrowski, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology Danville ENT Associates, Inc.

Q: Dr. Judith, what is tinnitus? A: Tinnitus (TINN-i-tus) is the perception of

sound when there is no outside source, a phantom sound. This can be ringing, roaring, hissing, frying, crickets or thumping sounds. It is sometimes likened to the “phantom limb effect” that people experience after losing a limb. Tinnitus is actually a symptom of other problems. The number one cause of tinnitus is damage in the auditory nervous system; the sensory cells or the nerve. A co-symptom of this damage is hearing loss. People who have tinnitus also frequently have hearing loss. Loud noises can cause or increase the perception of tinnitus through the stress it puts on the auditory system. Tinnitus can also be a symptom of certain syndromes or be caused by medications. If the ear canal is fully plugged with wax, tinnitus might be perceived. In any case, if a person has tinnitus they must have their hearing evaluated by a Doctor of Audiology and then be seen by an Otolaryngologist. No one should take any preparation to “cure” tinnitus without MD approval. Some of these “cures” can actually make tinnitus worse. Tinnitus is annoying but it doesn’t have to be devastating. The number one treatment for tinnitus when there is hearing loss are hearing instruments. A tinnitus mixer may also be used. In severe cases there are treatments such as Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. If you are interested in learning more please contact the American Tinnitus Association at www.ata.org.

Hearing Testing - Pediatric & Adult Hearing Aids & Aural Rehabilitation Assistive Listening Devices Custom-Made Swim Plugs Custom-Made Hearing Protection Race Car Driving Sets Payment Plan Available

159 Executive Dr. • Suite C • Danville, VA 24541 Fax 434.792.0468

434.792.0830 • 800.368.7183 www.denthc.com Hours 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Meet photographer Phillip Jarrell at an opening reception of his exhibit, The Yoke of Beauty – from the Bamboo Forest, at the Caswell County Civic Center on Sunday, August 30. Jarrell creates dreamlike environments populated by beautiful women in stunning dresses. He translates a strong sense of design and composition into images that resonate in the viewer’s thoughts long after they have been seen. The striking tableaus created by Jarrell are so extravagant as to be unreal. Risking the bizarre, Jarrell populates his pictures with women whose costumes are every bit as strange as the setting. Some of the dresses look like fashion statements, but there are others that are so outlandish, they must be seen as figments of the imagination. This results from the tension between Jarrell’s hyper-real sense of detail and his fondness for the absurd. In one image, a woman in gray stands in a forest of hot pink trees with her arm raised before her. In another, we see the fantastic image of a woman in a voluminous red dress with a phosphorescent green forest on either side of her. In the artist’s photographs, the

The Great American Staycation A Review

by April Hawkins Recently added to Webster’s Dictionary and a buzzword of 2009, a staycation essentially is an economically friendly stay-at-home vacation usually taken within 100 miles of your house. In Matt Wixon’s The Great American Staycation, numerous ideas are given for maximizing your staycation while making it memorable for the entire family. First and foremost, Wixon says a staycation must be treated like a real vacation. That means unplugging the phone, planning ahead, and creating a mental distance between you and everyday responsibilities. Even though the staycation has the purpose of being easier on the wallet than a traditional vacation, you must incorporate some aspect of frivolity into it. Treat yourself to something you don’t experience in your day-to-day routine. Most of all, Wixon encourages remembering

The Pencil Box Suggestions for Sharpening the Mind by Suzanne Miller Epiphany Episcopal School

surreal becomes exquisitely beautiful, while the often darkly lit atmosphere lends an air of mystery, even of menace. Jarrell’s scenarios revisit the children’s fairy tales, wherein stories become larger than life and more affecting than we would normally concede. Jarrell’s imagery is inspired by a passion for what can be conceived; however strange that may be, it makes sense as spectacle and as art. n The free opening reception for this exhibit is Sunday, August 30, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The public is invited to come and meet Jarrell. n The exhibit can be viewed during September at the Caswell County Civic Center, 536 Main Street East in Yanceyville, North Carolina. n The CCCC is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. n For information call 336.694.4591.

your staycation with photographs, videos and souvenirs of your chosen activities. Theme parks and thrill rides are a great addition to a staycation. Wixon also recommends attempting professional driving lessons at a local track (VIR) or taking a day trip to a water park. Camping is another inexpensive way to leave town and enjoy some down time, because many campgrounds offer dirt-cheap rates and even have onsite shower facilities. (www.virginiastateparks. gov). If that doesn’t appeal to you, try tubing, rafting or river floats (www.danriver.org). Lodging can be an expensive aspect of a vacation. Instead of paying to stay in a hotel, rediscover your hometown. Visit local museums and other historical landmarks that you might have taken for granted. In Danville, make your first stop the Welcome Center 645 River Park Drive (434.793.4636). Also see page 13. Divided into chapters for each type of staycation with websites full of information, The Great American Staycation: How to Make a Vacation at Home Fun for the Whole Family (and Your Wallet!) is a useful resource to plan an end-of-thesummer stay-at-home vacation.

I love walking on the beach and watching people. Several years ago I remember stopping to watch a father with four children build a sand castle. Up and down the beach I had seen disappointed children arguing and losing interest in building sand castles. However, this father sat and talked with his children for several minutes about the kind of sand castle the children wanted to build. He listened to their ideas and occasionally offered suggestions. He helped them decide the particular job each child would have and even assisted in sketching an outline in the sand before the children hustled off to begin collecting the buckets, sand, sticks, and shells they needed. I enjoyed watching these children, who received only occasional additional suggestions and encouragement from the father as they worked together to construct an absolutely marvelous sand castle. Some children will have the opportunity to visit a beach this summer and build real sand castles. However, all of our children and grandchildren will be building sand castles through the way time is used this summer. The strength, beauty, and endurance of these sand castles will be shaped by adult involvement. As parents and grandparents, we need to talk with our children about their interests, dreams, and hopes for the remainder of summer vacation. We should listen to their ideas and offer suggestions so that time is spent pursuing worthwhile endeavors. We must be willing to provide occasional supervision when necessary to make sure that days and weeks are not wasted watching television, but are spent on activities that will expand and stretch the child’s experiences. Each morning, you and your child should discuss the plan for the day and then each evening encourage your child to share how his plan evolved. If your child schedules the same activity every day, encourage and suggest alternative activities… reading, making a craft, helping to build, sew, or cook something, writing to a relative, organizing a collection, making a book for a younger child, participating in a service project to help others, or any other activity that you know your child would enjoy. Each day your child’s sand castle can grow into an exciting, marvelous creation…with your help.

Evince Magazine

Special Delivery for Your Children by Anastasia Carroll Saunders

Have you ever felt like your children weren’t receiving the attention they needed or maybe you weren’t always able to give it? If the answer is yes, I have a solution for you. Recently, while cleaning, I discovered a forgotten small white mailbox, which I had purchased last January along with other Valentine items. Thoughts started racing through my mind about how to use it: I could put special treats into the mailbox, when my son was extra good at school, had earned a good grade, did chores at home without being told, or other exceptional events. When he needed encouragement, I could put notes into the mailbox, such as: Now let’s get back on the right track! or Do we need to talk? My son has been going through a lot lately. A little over a year ago, his dad passed away and he was devastated. He was only 9 years old at that time and he thought his whole world had been torn apart. With God on his side, along with prayers and encouragement from family and friends, he is doing fairly well and is adapting more everyday. He is a typical 10-year-old and I can truly say that the mailbox has made a difference in his

life. He receives mail several times a week but never on Sundays or holidays--just like the U.S. Postal Service. The look on his face when he receives mail and the comments he makes are priceless. The mailbox is decorated with Got Mail? stickers and has a flag on the side that is raised when there is mail. He is responsible for lowering the flag after retrieving the mail, and consequently, he is learning responsibility, which is a hard lesson for this age group. Of course, you know your child better than anyone, so the prizes or treats will vary for every child. I

mail stickers, tattoos, a favorite candy, notepads, cars, and other small items. If the treat is too large for the mailbox, I leave a note, which directs him to its location. It’s fun to watch him hunt for it and be surprised. Tell family and friends about the mailbox and they probably will leave mail too. My son receives gifts not only from me, but also from my co-workers and his godmother. No matter who the sender might be, your children will enjoy receiving their special mail.

Meet Averett’s Newest Art Professor Lee Sandstead, Previously seen on the Travel Channel’s “Art Attack” Sandstead Will Tell Us Why He is Fired Up About Stained Glass Free and Open to the Public Aug. 13 7 pm, Averett’s Pritchett Auditorium

www.averett.edu www.sandstead.com 434-791-5681

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August 2009

AVIATION

EDUCATION OppOrTUNITIEs Averett University Flight Center Danville Civil Air Patrol General Aviation, Inc., Full Service FBO • AIrPort toUrs • for schools and youth camps are available upon request. Minutes away from U.S. HWY 58, U.S. HWY 29 and Cyber Park Technologies

www.flydanville.com www.vawg.cap.gov/danville/ http://web.averett.edu/academics/aeronautics/index.html

Corporate and T-Hangars are Available

CONfErENCE rOOm rENTAl - Three meeting rooms are available equipped with audio visual equipment, $75 per day or hourly rates available. (Accomodations up to 25 persons / ADA Accessibility)

Danville Regional aiRpoRt

424 Airport Dr. • Danville, VA 24540 • 434-799-5110 www.danvilleregionalairport.com • adelmmd@ci.danville.va.us