Farmville the Magazine - Sept 2017 by The Farmville Herald

September 2017 Vol. 2, No. 5 FREE

First class Head Start STEPS up

Sweet happiness A ride through town with James Scott

www.FarmvilletheMag.com

Life-changing support for area families Meet Kendall Lee

Local System Manager Infant & Toddler Connection of the Heartland

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MY JOB:

Families of children with developmental delays often need support in understanding their child’s unique development. Longwood’s Infant & Toddler Connection of the Heartland provides that support through in-home services for children and families across the region.

Early intervention services are meaningful, powerful and life-changing for families living in our region. It’s rewarding to know that our main objective is to help parents who want their child to learn and grow to their fullest potential.”

Noting that studies show the first three years of a child’s life are the most important for learning, Kendall Lee, a 2001 Longwood graduate, says he is proud to oversee the staff and activities of a program that has such a positive effect on families in communities near and far. INFANT AND TODDLER CONNECTION IN THE COMMUNITY • Getting Children Back On Track: The program provides assessment and early intervention services for children up to 3 years of age to increase their participation in activities and get them back on track with their development. • Who Benefits: Candidates for the program include children who were born premature, who show signs of slower development or who have Down syndrome, autism or other diagnosed conditions.

leekl@longwood.edu | 434.298.7824

• Services Provided: Physical, speech and occupational therapy; counseling; nursing care; and developmental, health and social work services.

CITIZEN LEADERS: Longwood People Contributing to a Great Community

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Feature The Head Start program in Prince Edward has a new look. The remodeled Head Start center on Griffin Boulevard is just one example of a new focus for the federally funded early intervention education program for at-risk children from infant through age 5. In October 2015 STEPS Inc. took over the management of the Head Start program in Prince Edward and seven other counties. “It seemed like a natural fit,” President/CEO Sharon Harrup said. “Head Start feeds into the STEPS overall mission of changing community and families with an anti-poverty focus.” On the cover: Ariyen Terry knows what’s cool for school — a head start.

Publisher — Betty Ramsey Betty.Ramsey@FarmvilletheMag.com Editor — Thomas Jordan Miles III Jordan.Miles@FarmvilletheMag.com Designer — Troy Cooper Troy.Cooper@FarmvilletheMag.com

Editorial Marge Swayne Marge.Swayne@FarmvilletheMag.com

Morgan White Morgan.White@FarmvilletheMag.com Titus Mohler Titus.Mohler@FarmvilletheMag.com Emily Hollingsworth Emily.Hollingsworth@FarmvilletheMag.com

Advertising Director — Jackie Newman Jackie.Newman@FarmvilletheMag.com Steve Wallace Steve.Wallace@FarmvilletheMag.com Debbie Evans Debbie.Evans@FarmvilletheMag.com

Contributors: Sandy Willcox, Robin Sapp, Dr. James W. Jordan and Gerald Spates Cover photo by Marge Swayne On the web: www.FarmvilletheMag.com To subscribe, contact Circulation@FarmvilletheMag.com Farmville the Magazine P.O. Box 307 Farmville, VA 23901 434-392-4151 Farmville the Magazine is published eight times annually by Farmville Newsmedia LLC. Copies are available free at businesses throughout the Heart of Virginia. For convenient mail delivery of each issue, cost is $30 per year.

Artist in Residence

A Look into the Past

Also... Miles to the Gallon Good Reads Where Am I? Serving it Up From the Ground Up

5 6 7 8 10

Catching Up With... A Ride through Town Party Pix Town and Gown Why I Love Farmville

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Miles to the Gallon

Falling in love again with Farmville

ith the beginning of fall comes the cool, crisp air in the mornings and late evenings, increased activities centered around churches and clubs and organizations and the leaves turning from colors of green to bright yellow, red and orange — all of which serve as greater opportunities to fall in love with the Heart of Virginia all over again. Jordan Miles For many, summer is a time for vacaEditor tioning to the beach, visiting family in far-away places or venturing to catch a new scene of life. Fall is the perfect time to settle in and better connect with your community through the changing landscape, popular events and spectacular sights — or, in other words, falling in love again with the place we call home. Evidenced in Emily Hollingsworth’s feature story, the end of James Scott’s daily ice cream route signals the start of another school year not only for those in area public schools but also those attending Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College, both of which offer numerous

opportunities to connect with our neighbors and members of the community — including college students. For most, the start of school means returning after having a few months off for summer break, but for others, such as the children who attend the expanded Head Start classes and programming facilitated and offered by STEPS Inc., it means the beginning of their educational journeys as students. As features writer and photographer Marge Swayne details, the program is expanding the minds of young children by allowing them to explore their imaginations in a program that addresses developmental needs, resulting in them becoming brighter and smarter, one child at a time. This magazine, through our photos, writing and contributors, such as Dr. James Jordan’s history on “The Great Fires at Longwood University” and stellar reading recommendations for autumn by Cumberland County Librarian Robin Sapp, invites you to deepen your love for Farmville, Cumberland, Buckingham and Prince Edward, allowing the Heart of Virginia to beat stronger. Jordan Miles is editor of Farmville the Magazine. His email address is Jordan.Miles@FarmvilletheMag.com.

800-933-PARK (7275) | www.virginiastateparks.gov

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Good Reads

Reading list for end the summer “My Absolute Darling” by Gabriel Tallent Since her mother’s death, 14-year-old Turtle has lived a reclusive life with her survivalist father, Martin. While she does attend school, she has no friends and finds solitude and strength wandering the wilderness surrounding her home on the Northern California coast. When she begins high school, she meets a boy named Jacob whose life is the complete opposite of hers. As their friendship grows, Turtle realizes there is much more to the world than what she knows, and the possibility of a different life is born. “Fierce Kingdom” by Gin Phillips Joan and her 4-year-old son Lincoln are enjoying an October evening at the zoo. She brings him here often, and today she sits with him in the dinosaur pit as he creates adventures with his action figures. Suddenly, she hears a crack, or is it a pop, or fireworks? It is time for the zoo to close, and they prepare for the long walk to the parking lot. Near the exit, employees have placed decorative scarecrows dressed as book characters, and Joan notices that some of them have fallen over. On second look, she realizes they are not scarecrows, but bodies. Examining the area she sees a man with a rifle enter the women’s bathroom and does the only thing she can — pick up her son and run deep into the zoo. “Camino Island” by John Grisham Young novelist Mercer Mann is down on her luck. She just lost her teaching job, is late on her deadline for her latest novel and owes thousands of dollars in student loans. She is approached by a mysterious woman with a tempting offer. The woman’s company will pay Mercer $100,000 and pay off her student loans if she will move to Florida for six months to work on her book. There is a catch — Mercer will have to spy on Camino Island’s popular and charismatic bookstore owner, Bruce Cable, who is suspected of having F. Scott Fitzgerald’s original works that were previously stolen from the library in Princeton.

“The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls Jeannette Walls is a successful reporter and author living in rural Virginia, but her roots travel across the country. “The Glass Castle” tells the true story of being raised by her father Rex, a bipolar and alcoholic, and her mother Rose Mary, an artist and free spirit. Her parents, while intelligent and talented, were dysfunctional and not willing to provide By Robin Sapp Director of the Cumberland a stable home life and income County Public Library even though they had abilities and educations. The family lived in houses without electricity and plumbing and went days without food. Walls chose not to villianize her parents but rather comes to terms with who they are and loves them in spite of their faults. “What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen” by Kate Fagan It appeared that Maddy Holleran had it all. She excelled in academics and athletics and was beginning her second semester at the University of Pennsylvania with a loving family to support her. Yet, something was not quite right. Her father, Jim, noticed she was withdrawn and distracted and even talked about transferring to another school and quitting sports. This was difficult because Maddy had never been a quitter and was always a winner. Tragically, the pressures of college athletics were too much for Maddy to bear.

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LAST ISSUE’S WINNER Rita Fickenscher, of Charlotte Court House, was able to correctly identify the “Where Am I?” photo from the July edition, which was a close-up photo of the façade of a building in the 100 block of North Main Street beside Pairet’s.

Where Am I? The Heart of Virginia offers beautiful scenery and architecture, from the gently rolling hills of Buckingham to the colorful storefronts of Farmville. “Where Am I?” offers residents a chance to identify one of our hidden gems across the region. If you think you know where this photo was taken, email your answer to WhereAmI@ FarmvilletheMag.com. We’ll draw one lucky name from among the correct answers for an annual subscription to Farmville the Magazine.

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Serving it Up

Mossler’s pork and grit brunch

Pictured is a finished dish of pork grillades and grits.

Story and photos by Morgan White

or Dan Mossler, cooking is a way to entertain and cultivate community. Mossler is the founder of the Farmville Community Herb Garden, which won a $1,000 grant from the Supporting Outstanding Urban Projects (SOUP) event in April to initiate the garden. “I think in Farmville we don’t have a lot of very great restaurants,” Mossler said. “We’ve been here almost 25 years now. And so dinner parties — that’s what you do.” He said the herb garden was born out of his love of cooking and not being able to find fresh herbs in town consistently. Mossler, a psychology professor at Hampden-Sydney College, says he’s been cooking for a long time. “It’s funny — I’ve been cooking long enough (that) I was teaching my neighbor how to cook, (and) I was telling him, ‘You know you can cook when you can read a recipe, and you can taste that recipe because you know what it will taste like,’” Mossler said. He said it makes him angry to go to a restaurant and spend money and find that he could make it better at home.

“That is actually a motivating factor for me to cook,” Mossler said. Mossler and his wife, Kerry, spend a lot of time cooking as a form of entertainment and as a way of socializing. “This summer not so much, but I usually try to find recipes and work on those recipes for the rest of the year,” Mossler said. “...I think in terms of relationship with my students, that’s an important piece of it.” He noted he enjoys having students over for dinner and having conversations with them about their lives, what they plan on doing and what’s going on in the world. “And that’s based on over food,” Mossler said. He said that he enjoyed seeing people laughing and holding conversations over food. “You’re sort of building these different layers of flavor,” Mossler said regarding the pork grillades and grits dish. He referred to it as a “very traditional New Orleans brunch” recipe. “I’ve made this for a long time,” Mossler said. “It’s a really Mardi Gras dish to make.”

PORK GRILLADES AND GRITS Creamy Grits Ingredients: 8 cups milk 2 cups quick grits 2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon salt 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper Directions: 1. Scald milk. Whisk in grits and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, whisking every now and then. 2. Whisk in butter, cream, salt and pepper. Cover and remove from heat. Grillades Ingredients: Pork tenderloin 1 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons canola oil 8 slices bacon, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 onion, diced 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 1 tablespoon Creole spice 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon paprika 2 bay leaves 2 teaspoons each of fresh thyme leaves and chopped fresh basil, parsley and chives 4 cups of chicken stock or broth 1 ripe tomato, chopped, cored, juices reserved

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Directions: 1. Remove silver skin and fat. Cut tenderloin into 12 round cutlets, place each between sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a mallet until about 1/4 inch thick. 2. In a small dish, mix 1 cup of flour with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Lightly dust each cutlet on both sides. Set aside on a plate. 3. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a dutch oven and sautĂŠ cutlets over medium heat in batches of four at a time. Cook for two minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining oil and cutlets. 4. In same pot, cook bacon. Transfer bacon to a paper-lined plate, keeping bacon fat in pot. 5. Reduce heat, whisk in remaining flour. Simmer and stir continuously until roux becomes light brown, which is about 10 minutes. 6. Add bell peppers, onion and garlic and cook until tender, about three minutes. 7. Carefully whisk in remaining salt and pepper, Creole spice, cumin, paprika, bay leaves, basil and thyme. 8. Whisk in stock and tomato. Bring stock to a simmer and cook on low for 10 minutes. Immerse grillades in sauce. 9. Spoon layer of grits over plate. Scatter chives over grits. 10: Place three pork medallions on each plate of grits. Spoon a generous portion of sauce over grillades. Scatter parsley and top with crumbled bacon.

Pictured are Kerry and Dan Mossler, who enjoy hosting dinner parties, employing their culinary skills.

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From the Ground Up

The case for a messy garden

Farmville the Magazine Story by Sandy Willcox Photos by Emily Hollingsworth

t’s time to clean up the garden … or not! As we drag through the dog days of summer, it’s hard to be enthusiastic about the condition of our gardens. Many plants have succumbed to the heat and drought. Others are done with their push to bloom and are concentrating on ripening seeds, while the weeds seem to keep on going. It all looks a little messy and sad, and we want to get out there and clean it up. There are at least a few good reasons to hold off, though. With hot and dry weather, weeds do seem unbeatable even when our chosen plants are struggling. This may be annoying in the garden, but thank goodness for their vigor and persistence elsewhere. Otherwise, we’d have a lot of bare ground, soil loss and erosion and a much leaner ecosystem overall. Even in the garden, if the weeds aren’t actually choking out your favorites, let them go for a while. They are shading the ground and helping to conserve water and are possibly sheltering a few pollinators. In any case, once the weather cools a bit and we get some rain, they will be easier to pull out and won’t be leaving behind desert conditions. If you have been relaxed about deadheading and removing older plants, you’ll have plants going to seed. That can be a good thing. Seed production is what most plants are all about, ensuring the renewal of their species. Not only can this provide volunteer plants next year, but you can also save seeds from heirloom and non-hybrid varieties. Tomatoes,

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At right, pictured is a Joe-Pye weed and liatris plants in Prince Edward County. Below is a view of the BayScape, located by Loweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Prince Edward. Bottom, river oats, liatris and Black-eyed Susans occupy the Prince Edward County Extension Office BayScape Garden.

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many herbs, arugula and other greens — echinacea, milkweeds, peppers and beans — are all good for seed saving, plus collecting and sharing seeds can be a fun and fascinating process. Seeds are also a major food source for wildlife. They are what gets a lot of birds through the winter. If you want birds in your landscape, consider letting some plants go to seed. What a pretty sight it is to see goldfinches feasting on echinacea seeds. If you happen to visit the BayScape Garden — the demonstration garden surrounding the Prince Edward County Extension Office — some sections are looking quite overgrown and unkempt. That’s better than those areas of bare mulch where the soil is still not recovered enough from the initial construction site to support lush growth. Dense, layered green growth indicates a healthy ecosystem both above and below the soil. While sometimes the jungle of wild vegetation feels a bit threatening, we should also feel threatened by a barren, overly-simplified landscape which is not contributing to the complex web of life of which we are a part. Perhaps it’s time to adjust our aesthetics to be more in balance with our ecosystem. If we can

Butterfly milkweed seeds latch onto plants at the BayScape Garden at the Prince Edward County Extension Office. Gardener Sandy Willcox makes the case for keeping your garden a little bit messy, noting it is healthier for the plants in the long run. come to appreciate and encourage a more dense and diverse plant community, we will have a healthier, more biologically-rich landscape. This fall, as you head out to your garden

with your gloves and tools, consider forgoing the “clean sweep” for the sake of maintaining a healthy balance with your neighborhood ecosystem.

VALUES

Honesty, responsibility, kindness, compassion, respect, commitment, perseverance, cooperation, and fairness are woven into the classrooms and campus activities.

EXPLORE With 320 students from 11 counties in grades PK3-12, Fuqua School has a reputation for academic excellence. An exceptional education may be more affordable than you think.

EDUCATION: THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME. Fuqua is proud of its advancements in classroom technology plus a broad array of high school AP classes as well as dual enrollment. Plan a visit today by contacting the Director of Admissions at (434) 392-4131 or visit FuquaSchool.com. Fuqua School is located at 605 Fuqua Drive, Farmville VA. Fuqua School admits students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students.

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Artist in Residence

Interpreting â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;all we seeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Story and photos by Emily Hollingsworth

armville resident Marianne Dennison enjoyed painting, sketching and taking art classes when she was younger but said she lacked the confidence to pursue art in higher education. It was her mother, Dennison said, that continually encouraged her to go to art school. “Can you imagine a parent telling you to go to art school?” Dennison said. “It doesn’t happen very often.” She said she did not pursue art in college, instead majoring in English and working in public relations. She said she used her art for side projects, including teaching art to young children at a private school and illustrating children’s books as a research assistant. “I was surprised that my artwork was valued there,” Dennison said of the illustration position. She said it was at age 40 when she strove to fully pursue art. “I finally listened to my mother,” Dennison said. Dennison’s artistic range and expression spreads across several mediums, including oil-based paintings, watercolor acrylic and sketching.

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Marianne Dennison has been experimenting with water-based oil paints while also honing skills in other art forms. She painted this during an art retreat at the Chesapeake Bay.

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Farmville resident Marianne Dennison is pictured with a self-portrait. Dennison, who has worked in illustration and public relations, pursued art in earnest in her 40s.

She said living in Buckingham County for more than 10 years before moving to Farmville inspired a majority of her paintings to consist of landscape art, where she experimented with the different tones she saw in nature. Most recently, Dennison said she has worked in abstract art. She studied graphic arts at a community college and later took audited art courses at Longwood University, which she said brought about some of her favorite work. One of her favorite paintings is titled “Creation.” The painting, an assignment for one of the courses, uses 10 different media, including acrylic, mylar, block print, watercolor and pen ink. Dennison said the spiraled design is how she interprets the beginnings of the universe. “What I love about art is the chance to convey what lies behind verbal expression,” Dennison said in an email. “I can express myself through my hands more easily than I can through words, so in these pieces I show the spiraling cosmos out of which flows all of what we see on earth and in the universe.” She said the sciences exploring the universe continues to inspire her.

“Science is telling us this amazing story,” Dennison said. Dennison said she has enjoyed working with and collaborating with different artists in the area. Her mixed media artwork won first place at the Heart of Virginia Festival in 2016, and her representation of Farmville won the Grand Prize during an exhibit at Red Door 104 the same year. She has been an officer with Central Virginia Arts and has been a member of “Potluck Painters,” a local group that works on art in different locations, sharing a potluck lunch afterward. She attended a retreat near the Chesapeake Bay over the summer to observe and paint landscapes with other artists. Dennison encouraged artists to hone their crafts without hesitation and to not let a lack of confidence prevent them from practicing their skill and ability. “An accomplished workshop presenter once said he had one successful painting for every 10 he produced,” Dennison said. “That remark has made me accept whatever ‘mess’ I might make, learn from it and then begin another project.”

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“What I love about art is the chance to convey what lies behind verbal expression. I can express myself through my hands more easily than I can through words, so in these pieces I show the spiraling cosmos out of which flows all of what we see on earth and in the universe.” — Marianne Dennison, Artist

Left, Dennison shows the contrast between her realistic and abstract work through “Cabbage Observed,” top, and “Cabbage Unleashed,” bottom. Right, pictured is “Lily Pads,” by Marianne Dennison.

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Building on basics Head Start leads the way

Farmville the Magazine

Story and photos by Marge Swayne

t’s only 10 a.m. at the Head Start center on Griffin Boulevard, and the second bear hunt of the day is about to get underway. A visitor’s arrived, and a group of energetic threeand four-year-olds are eager to share what they’ve learned. “All right, class — where do we find bears?” teacher Phyllis Morgan asks. “In the woods!” the children chorus back. Sitting crossed-legged in a semi-circle around their teacher, the children are ready for the hunt to start. “Look — what’s that up in the tree?” Morgan says as she points down an imaginary trail through the forest. “It has big eyes, and it’s making a noise — ‘hoot, hoot.’”

“An owl!” the class answers. “Don’t see bears yet, but we’ll keep looking,” the teacher says. “What’s that running through the trees — see that long nose and bushy tail?” “The big bad wolf!” Makenzie and Ariyen shout out. If decibel levels determined grade point average, every member of this class would be on the honor roll. Nature is clearly the theme of today’s lesson, but there’s a larger picture at work — imagination, and it’s taking these youngsters far beyond the four walls of their classroom. That Head Start is stepping out with innovative approaches to learning makes sense. In October 2015, STEPS, Inc. took

Head Start is moving in new directions. A new slogan “Moving Lives Forward” reflects an important goal of the early childhood education program: imagination and creativity. Enjoying playtime at the center on Griffin Boulevard are teaching assistant Kimberly Pleasant, Jasiah Williams, Blair Fitzgerald, KaNiyla Bolden, Ny’Jah Moss, JeMarcus Miller, Makenzie Robinson, Jayden Sanders, Ariyen Terry and Alivia Allen.

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Leading the team that manages the Head Start program in eight counties are (standing) Director Jessica Lehman and STEPS President/CEO Sharon Harrup.

over the federally-funded early intervention education program for at-risk children from infant through age 5. “Two years ago local government asked if we would consider expanding into Head Start,” STEPS President/CEO Sharon Harrup says. “It seemed like a natural fit. Head Start feeds into the STEPS overall mission of changing community and families with an anti-poverty focus.” Harrup has been with STEPS since 1990. STEPS, Inc., she explains, promotes economic and workforce development, provides transitional services for students receiving special education services and offers housing solutions. “We really had no idea what we were getting into when we took over Head Start for eight counties,” Harrup adds. “It was a tremendous challenge. Managing a $3 million grant is a business.” In April 2016, Harrup hired Jessica Lehman, who has a background in business and early childhood education, as director. “I worked in early childhood education for eight to 10 years,” Lehman notes. “My degree is in business administration with a concentration in management and minor in psychology.” All of those skills were needed to get the Head Start system up and running in a diverse eight-county region. “We operate Head Start centers in Amelia, Appomattox,

STEPS made extensive renovations to the former day-care center and playground on Griffin Boulevard before moving the Head Start center there. Pictured at playtime are (front row) teaching assistant Kimberly Pleasant, Jasiah Williams, Kamari Bolden, Myonna Chambers, Makenzie Robinson, Xzavier Ramsey, Ny’Jas Moss, Ariyen Terry, Demari Trent, (back row) Blair Fitzgerald, JeMarcus Miller, JaNiyah Hatcher, Alivia Allen, KaNiyla Bolden, Jayden Sanders and teacher Phyllis Morgan.

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Imagination rules as teacher Phyllis Morgan leads the class on a “bear hunt” through the woods during a lesson on nature. Also pictured are (standing) JeMarcus Miller and Demari Trent, (seated) Jasiah Williams, Xzavier Ramsey, JaNiyah Hatcher, Jayden Sanders and Ariyen Terry. Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward,” Harrup says. “Four of the counties have Head Start centers embedded in the school systems, and four counties have stand-alone facilities. That gives us flexibility for year-round and before-and after-school programs as well as the Early Head Start program.” Early Head Start, for ages 0-36 months, is new to the Head Start program that originated in the 1960s. “As you can imagine, it’s more expensive,” Harrup says. “With babies, there’s maintenance,” Lehman says with a smile. “We call it responsive caregiving. We meet the children where they are in development.” Along with the older childen, infants and toddlers have educational plans and goals and a structured curriculum. They also receive screenings for hearing, sight and developmental delays. “We address areas of focus as early as possible,” Harrup adds. “We want these children to have maximum possibility for

Kimberly Pleasant explains ladybug craft time to Jasiah Williams.

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Top left, KaNiyla Bolden and Ny’Jah Moss are all smiles as they wait for story time to begin. Bottom left, Demari Trent discovers some creative uses for glue. Above, Kimberly Pleasant helps Xzavier Ramsey put the dots on his ladybug art project. a successful life.” Farmville’s Head Start, which includes Early Head Start, has undergone extensive renovations that include a state-of-the-art playground. “My background is therapeutic recreation, so ‘play’ is important to me,” Harrup says. The federal government sets eligibility standards for acceptance into the program, Lehman explains, as well as guidelines for teachers and aides. “Head Start requires that 50 percent of the teachers have a bachelor’s degree or higher,”

Lehman says. “All have to have an associate’s degree or child development credential. Program aides can come in with a high school diploma, but we’re given funding for tuition, so we encourage more education. Every employee has a professional development plan.” Those plans also include Head Start families. “We can’t break the cycle of poverty if we can’t change the lives of parents,” Lehman notes. “Our team of family development specialists helps families meet goals and objectives just like our children in the classroom.”

Monthly meetings are held for parents, and parents have a part in a policy governing board. “Head Start is a program for the parents, children and the community,” Harrup says. “The parents have a voice, and we listen to that voice.” Back at the Head Start center, the children are finishing their bear hunt and are moving on to ladybugs. “Who’s ready to make a ladybug?” the teacher asks. Hands shoot up as a teacher’s aide leads the aspiring artists to tables provided with con-

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struction paper and art supplies. The ladybug lesson soon segues into use of scissors, glue and, more importantly, how to share. Ladybugs assembled and displayed, the children line up for playtime. The class knows the rules: don’t push, wait your turn and be polite — especially to visitors (breaking the line for a hug is okay). “We want people to come in and see our facilities,” Harrup says. “We have a new logo — ‘Moving Lives Forward.’ It’s easy to remember, and you can put it on a T-shirt.” The rest of the lettering on the sign out front is equally important: “STEPS Head Start.” Harrup and her team believe they’re moving Head Start in the right direction. “We’re proud to run Head Start in a way that brings more benefits to children in our community,” Harrup concludes. “Head Start is moving forward — it’s a new day.”

Farmville Town Manager Gerald Spates visits with JeMarcus Miller during a recent visit to the Head Start center in Farmville.

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Catching Up With...

Ellen Masters Story by Titus Mohler

fter nearly 24 years spent in Farmville, Ellen Masters has moved from one coast to another, now establishing a new home with her husband Rob Postel in Hood River, Oregon. She impacted the Heart of Virginia as an employee at both Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College and as a volunteer in the community, and though she has left, her impact has not. At the same time, the impact this area had on her made the more than 2,700-mile trip with her to the West Coast. “As I look for other jobs or as I look for other places to live, my standards are so high because I had such a great experience at both colleges and in Farmville, and so it was like the trifecta,” she said. “And so regardless of where I go, I’m going to be looking for what I had there.” Having grown up in Roanoke, Masters came to Farmville to go to college. She had looked at 13 different schools, spanning multiple states. “And I came to Longwood and fell in love with it, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said. She arrived in August 1993 and graduated in May 1997. “I got my undergrad in art with a concentration in graphic design, and then I got my master’s in college and community counseling,” she said. She worked at the same time that she pursued her master’s degree, beginning an extended relationship with the area. “I went to Longwood, and I had no intentions of staying, but I did and stayed for 20 more years,” Masters said. She finished the master’s requirements in 2002. She noted that as an employee at Longwood, she started off as the coordinator of volunteer service learning. “So, I was basically the liaison between Longwood and the community,” she said. “If … the

hospital or the YMCA or the rescue squad or any organization really, if they needed volunteers, I would go out and either find groups or individuals to help fill those needs.” In this position, she was one of the people responsible for helping get Meals on Wheels going in Farmville. “So, I found myself doing a lot of volunteer work myself,” she said, noting that she wanted to help with everything. After a few years in that position, “then I moved to the career center and was still doing the volunteer service learning stuff, but then I was also doing internship coordination, and then that led to academic advising, and then that led to my position as the associate director coordinating career affairs,” Masters said. Next, she was approached by multiple people at Hampden-Sydney to apply for the director position of the school’s career center. “So I applied for that, got that job and moved there in October of 2013,” she said. “And I did that until I left in May (2017).” It was ultimately love that took Masters on the journey from Virginia to Oregon.

She and her husband, Rob Postel, were both students at Longwood and friends who went their separate ways after graduating. He traveled internationally for work and had not been back to Farmville at all since graduating. After reconnecting with Masters on Facebook, he let her know in August 2016 that he was coming through town en route to North Carolina and wanted to know if they could catch up over dinner. “It had literally been 20 years since I’d seen him, and we had dinner at Charleys (Waterfront Cafe), and yeah, the rest is history,” she said. He went to Oregon shortly after that dinner as he was helping his sister move out there. “We talked on the phone and really got to know each other that way and then were able to see each other when he came back from that trip,” Masters said. “And then our relationship just grew from there.” But then he ended up getting a job in Oregon in December. “I’ve never done a long-distance relationship before,” she said. “I don’t know how they work, so I just figured we were done.”

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Near the end of January, Postel made the move to Oregon and began his work with a company called Insitu, a Boeing subsidiary. “I knew when we were home for Christmas and he booked a ticket for me to come visit, like, three weeks after he got here (in Oregon), I was like, ‘OK, he’s really committed to making this work,’” Masters said. “So, I came out here in February, and then when I came out here again in March to visit again, that’s when he proposed. “ Realizing it was best that she transition to Oregon, Masters said, “I decided to let HampdenSydney know that I was moving, and that would allow them time to find a replacement director hopefully in time for school to start.” She noted some sweet friends held a going away event in May. “And then we literally packed up my Toyota RAV4 and drove across country on the 20th (of May),” she said. The first few months in Hood River have been relatively quiet for Masters, but she has been

far from idle. Up until July 1, she was working remotely for Hampden-Sydney, getting projects wrapped up. She said she has already begun missing most all of her friends, the community feel of Farmville and the connections she made there. “That’s what’s been keeping me busy since I’ve been here is just keeping in touch with people,” she said. “I have a stack of ‘thank you’ notes that I’m getting through, notes that I need to write to people for coming to the going away gathering and just their kindness while I was there. So, every day, I try to write a few ‘thank you’ notes and get those out.” Masters noted that while she has applied for a few jobs, she has not gotten serious about the job hunt yet as she is working to get herself and her husband situated. “My husband really wanted me to enjoy being out here for the summer, because it’s absolutely beautiful,” she said. She has been serving as social coordinator,

We started with locally-made breader... Now, we bottle our sauces locally too - right around the corner at the Prince Edward County Cannery.

hosting some friends from Farmville and family, while also trying to get plugged into the community like she was in Farmville. “This is a big tourist area,” she said. “They’re known for windsurfing and kiteboarding and wind sports, basically. And so I went to this community development forum a few weeks ago, and they were looking for volunteers, so I volunteered earlier this week to do some audits for some trails that they’re wanting to build and whatnot and just trying to make connections, make friends.” As for what Masters may pursue in the way of work in Oregon, she expressed interest in continuing her higher education career and getting involved in nonprofit work. “Health care is also appealing to me,” she said, “and then honestly, branching out and doing something on my own is also kind of in the back of my mind, and now is the time to do it because I have the time. I’m not bogged down, so I just kind of need to continue to brainstorm and put a business plan together and see where that leads me.”

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An instructor and basketball coach in Prince Edward County, James Scott owns and operates Ice Cream Delight using two ice cream trucks to bring treats to families and events throughout the Heart of Virginia.

Farmville the Magazine

A ride

through

town with James Scott Story and photos by Emily Hollingsworth

t was the night before school began in Prince Edward County. To honor the last night of summer for students, James Scott, owner of Ice Cream Delight and the driver of Farmville’s iconic ice cream truck, makes his route through the county, giving patrons young and old a final taste of summer. OUR FIRST STOP

Leaving his home on Randolph Street, Scott takes the small ice cream truck and starts his course on West Third Street. Scott has operated two ice cream trucks for the past several summers as part of his company, Ice Cream Delight. He said he was inspired to start the ice cream service in Prince Edward County from old-school shows like “Leave It to Beaver,” when an ice cream truck, pulling onto a street and being met with happy kids, was a summer pastime. “I thought it was really neat,” Scott said, who grew up in Saxe before moving to Prince Edward. “It was really nice to see kids happy. I like seeing people happy and enjoying themselves to the fullest.”

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Above, Janiyah Hatcher, middle, excitedly exchanges a dollar for an ice cream treat from James Scott, who operates two ice cream trucks in Farmville. Also pictured is Shirley Hatcher, left. Below, employees at the Davis GMC dealership on West Third Street enjoy free frozen Snickers bars from ice cream truck operator James Scott. There are 22 different treats Scott keeps in the smaller ice cream truck and more in his larger truck, which Scott said is a similar size to a bread truck. He said some of the more popular flavors are the Nutty Buddys and the Strawberry Shortcake Pop. He even sells Frosty Paws in the larger truck — an ice cream treat designed for dogs. He said The Hershey Company delivers the ice cream to his house once a week during the summer months. As his ice cream truck — a Ford Transit that Scott gets serviced at East End Motors in Farmville — makes its way along West Third Street, the first stop takes place at First Choice Auto Detailing on West Third Street. At the sound of upbeat music from the truck’s speaker, longtime patrons Shirley Hatcher and daughter Janiyah Hatcher walk out of the shop to the parking lot where the ice cream truck is stationed. Janiyah excitedly scans each of the brightly-colored options Scott has placed on a sky blue poster board until she points to a picture of an ice cream sandwich on the upper left hand corner.

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James Scott prepares to turn his ice cream truck into the driveway of a home of regular customers on his last route before school begins in Prince Edward County. Scott reaches into his cooler storing the treats and gives her two ice cream sandwiches. Shirley smiles at Janiyah’s enthusiasm. Shirley said they have enjoyed Scott’s numerous stops. She said she remembers times when kids from surrounding businesses and houses will come to the shop while the ice cream truck was there, and Scott told her the treats were on the house. “He’s a very nice guy,” Shirley said. THE SECOND STOP

Kids aren’t the only ones who keep an eye

See what kind of friendly, little town Farmville is...

out for Scott’s ice cream truck. Adults do as well, particularly the employees of Davis GMC Truck a little further down West Third Street. Like clockwork between 4 and 5 p.m., Scott will make a stop behind the dealership building where mechanics are hard at work. “These guys right here,” Scott said, “they buy ice cream every day.” Upon seeing the light blues and deep purples of the truck’s color scheme, painted by Prince Edward County High School (PECHS) graduate Cody Owens, employees of the dealership

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step out into the unusually mild August afternoon and get their usual treats. Because it is the last night of his summer route, Scott decides to give the employees an extra treat. Their ice cream treats are on him. Davis GMC Truck employee Brian Lester, ordering a frozen Snickers bar, calls Scott “a rock star,” enjoying the chance for a treat during the workday. Davis employee Jared Veals, also ordering a frozen Snickers bar, said the truck has been a needed asset in the community, and offers a bit

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James Scott, right, gives Lincoln Williams a special peek into the cooler where the ice cream is kept. of fun as well. “I think it provides a valuable service to the community,” Veals said. “Plus it’s good ice cream.” Davis mechanic David Watson orders a Nutty Buddy. After Scott’s final summer route, he’ll wake up the next morning and assume his position of more than 35 years as an athletic coach and instructor at PECHS. Watson said Scott taught both his wife and daughter at the school. “He’s been around a day or two,” Watson joked. Scott, who coaches basketball, tennis and track, said he uses funds from the ice cream sales to benefit the school’s basketball program. Over the years, Scott said members of the basketball team have been able to attend training camps at Virginia State University, the University of North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest University and even a camp with the NBA team the Washington Wizards. In addition to providing a valuable community service, the funds have also provided needed services for young athletes. He’s also the vendor for ice cream during home football games at PECHS.

Scott, Watson, Veals and Lester joke around for a few minutes, but they don’t stay long. Scott has a few more stops to go, and he looks to end the summer on a high note for a few area families. THIRD STOP

Scott, following a brief stop at the Wilck’s Lake playground that doesn’t yield visitors, has more time to share stories of customers that he’s served over the years. He remembered a young man who had four kids with him one day. After the man paid for ice cream for the four kids, Scott asked the man what he wanted to buy. The man told him he used the last of the money he had for the kids. Touched, Scott gave the man a free ice cream. “I thought that was going beyond,” Scott said. He has been stunned by customers’ generosity. “A lady was so happy to see me she gave me money for me to buy extra ice cream for kids,” Scott said. Scott shared memories of his son, Markel, helping on the ice cream truck. For children who may not have had money to buy ice cream, Scott said he had given them small jobs for them to

earn the treat. For example, he’s given kids papers to throw in nearby trash receptacles. He said the tasks can help give young people work ethic. Scott turns into the driveway of a home — another one of his regular customers, the Williams family. Scott said the Williams are “good people” and of the Christian faith. Scott, a Christian himself, brings the trucks to sessions of Vacation Bible School and sees his business as a ministry as well as a service. “That’s really gratifying as well,” Scott said about the Vacation Bible School stops. Little Luke and Lincoln Williams step out into the driveway with their mom and a relative with large smiles spreading across the two kids’ faces as they approach the poster board with the ice cream selections. Lincoln chooses a flavor, but starts to cry when Scott notes he’s out of that particular kind. To make him feel better, Scott helps Lincoln into the inside of the truck and gives Lincoln a rare peek into what very few people get to see: the ice cream cooler. Lincoln’s tears slow as he stares into the cooler. He finally chooses a cup with blue ice cream and happily steps out of the truck.

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Dawn Williams, Luke and Lincoln’s mother, said Scott’s truck has been the center of many happy memories for her family. “He puts a smile on their faces every time he comes back,” Williams said. “They wait for him.” LAST STOP

Scott pulls into the shopping center at Sunchase Cinema and waits. He says he hasn’t been to the shopping center for a while and is unsure whether there will be patrons or not. It isn’t long before a family steps out of a car and heads to the truck. Latrice Royster, a young girl, approaches the poster board and deliberates the choices before placing her finger on an Orange Push Pop. Scott hands her the treats, then stops to make conversation with Rahsaan West. West, a student at PECHS, is also the manager of the school’s basketball team. He knows Scott both as the resident ice cream deliverer and the basketball coach. “I love him,” West said. “He’s amazing.” After the last stop, Scott drives back to Randolph Street and prepares for the school year ahead. Earlier, Scott recalled the kids’ enthusiasm during the summers. “They’d be excited, they’d be smiling, joyful,” Scott said. “When they know it’ll be my last day before I go back to school, they’d be sad.” Scott will still ride out on weekends during the school year. As summer ends and fall approaches, it isn’t too late to spot the purple and blue ice cream truck on the road or hear the songs from the truck that beckon back to summer.

Top, Rahsaan West, left, talks with James Scott. West, the manager of the Prince Edward County High School (PECHS) basketball team, knows Scott both as the ice cream man and the PECHS basketball coach. Above, Latrice Royster smiles for a photo after choosing an ice cream flavor.

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PartyPix

Jasmine Bolden and Makayla Robison

In front, Yaaseen Mukahidm, Sajid Mujahid, Akilah Mujahid; in back, LaDonia Mujahid

Eggleston Foundation holds back to school rally The Eggleston Foundation, in conjunction with the Prince Edward County Elks Lodge, held a back to school rally where school supplies were given to students in need. Students and their families heard from many speakers, including Prince Edward County Sheriff Wesley Reed, Commonwealth’s Attorney Megan Clark, Supervisor of Bus Transportation Torrey Holmes, Farmville Police Chief A.Q. “Andy” Ellington and Division Superintendent Dr. Barbara Johnson. PHOTOS BY MORGAN WHITE

Front row, William Wilson, Aryanna Wilson; back row, Cocheyse Wilson, Matthew Tobias and Ethan Tobias

Rodney Robison, Carolyn Robison and Sherimekia Bolden

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PartyPix

Valerie Rose, Noritta Allen and Everleane Randolph

Pat Adams, Barbara Eggleston and Rebecca Randolph

Ariana Gurganious, Hazel Guranious and Eva Abbott

Phillip Scott, Robert Langhorne and Broderick Coleman

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PartyPix

Brewery holds sneak peek Third Street Brewing Co. held a sneak peek Aug. 5 that included beer tasting for investors and their guests — drawing a large gathering from the community. According to John Dudley, one of the brewery’s founders, the company has close to 40 local investors. The brewery project — which is located at 312 W. Third St. in Farmville on the ground floor of the High Bridge Lofts — began renovation on what used to be the Southern States building approximately one year ago. PHOTOS BY MORGAN WHITE

Rob Wade and Kelly Malone Dudley

Ivo Gyurovski and Trent Leipert

Leann Sherrod and Rebecca Rider

Alex Marshall, Jen Fraley and Kat Raborn

Lee Huss and Joe Isley

Amanda Hatfield and Deanna Nash

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PartyPix

Dawn Hicks and Debbie Kernohan

Kirstyn and Brian Lokker

Jessica McKinney, Shaunna Hunter and Randy Sherrod

Cody and Katie Campbell

Brandon Hennessey, Joy Stump, Andy Stump, Logan Franklin, Maureen Walls-McKay, Luke Franklin and Danielle Hennessey

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PartyPix

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IN CUMBERLAND Smiling faces and a few tears accompanied young students and their parents on the first day of school in Cumberland County on Aug. 9. Emerging from a line of yellow school buses at the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elementary school, students were ushered to their appropriate classrooms by school employees, while other pupils had parents or family members drop them off. PHOTOS BY TITUS MOHLER

Madison Clary and Waverly Jarvis

Esme Taylor, Jalayah Watson and Georgia Hines

Jeremiah Brown and Chloe Hill

Rylen Osborne and Emilee Leake

Daryn Woodson-Trent, Jeremiah Sanderson-Collins and Trezden Miller

Hailey Martin, Shaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Niya Braxton and Jayden Walker

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PartyPix

Somara Tuttle and Xavier Booker

Joelle Greene, Damyrah Walton, Ashley Blackwell and Alonna Scruggs

Cameron Langston and Peyton Scott

Ahkeirah Taylor, Theari Scott and Nicholas Foster

Kylie Kohnen and Zachary Piercy

Shavon Boatwright, Jake Thomas and Imani Davenport

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PartyPix

Fireworks After Dark draws large crowd The 15th annual Fireworks After Dark event held at the Farmville Municipal Airport drew hundreds of people for an Independence Day celebration July 3. The event included live music, food vendors, rock climbing walls, bounce houses and more. Families and friends were able to celebrate their independence through fellowship, tunes and fireworks, which cast colors of red, white and blue across the grass where people sat. PHOTOS BY MORGAN WHITE

Brittany Gallimore and Cody Davis

Judy Cohan, Amanda Wilson and Lynn Wilson

Kristen Akin, Anna Webber and Cheyenne Akin

Gina Piler and Dianne Bolinger

Bella Morgan, Suzanne Gilbert, Jackie Gilbert and Sarah Gilbert

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PartyPix

Alonna McNutt, Hannah Clark, David Clark, Candy Clark, Hannah Palmore and Dustin Clark

Bailey Carkenord, Claire Utzinger, Ellie Swanson, Caroline Rice and Lucia Butler

Jordan Conwell, Erin Gridley, Maddie Stoltzfus and Shannon Miller

Front row, Hailey Abbott, Suzanne Moore, Hailey Tillett, Mia Moore; back row, Devin Moore and Vacelo Moore

Mary Sue Fitzgerald and Tyler Jamerson

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PartyPix

MEHERRIN CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE The Meherrin Volunteer Fire Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Independence Day Celebration drew a large number of people to the community July 8. Many gathered on picnic blankets with their families to take in the fireworks which were launched near the firehouse. Music was provided by Class Act. Brunswick Stew was served starting in the morning, and the event also featured food and craft vendors throughout the day. PHOTOS BY TITUS MOHLER

Mike Christian and Tiffany Fulcher

Christina McBride and Paula Robins

Kameron Lee, Terra Lee and Philip Lee

In front, Rowan Winslow; in back, Lindsay Winslow, Steven Winslow and Michelle Wheeler

Front row, Benjamin Lafoon, Zachary Lafoon; back row, Sharon Lafoon, Kristin Price and Joey Lafoon

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PartyPix

Anita Barnes and William Stevenson

Michael Bartoe and Samuel Hipkins

Front row, Baylee Arthur, Caryn Arthur, Michael Previtire; back row, Dana Arthur, Steven Arthur and Penny Lacks

Front row, Lily Francis, Nichole Francis; back row, Crystal Francis and Joshua Francis

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PartyPix

FARMVILLE TAKES PART IN NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Neighborhoods in Farmville came alive with fellowship and well-prepared food Aug. 1 at a variety of block parties held to recognize National Night Out (NNO). NNO is designed to heighten crime- and drug-prevention awareness, develop and strengthen partnerships between law enforcement and residents and generate support for anti-crime programs. Block parties were set for seven different locations around Farmville. PHOTOS BY TITUS MOHLER

Sha’Lea Braxton, Connie Chambers and Ci’Lez Harvey

Portlyn King, Tempie Walton, Mar’Liah Watson, Felisha Jefferson and Mar’Kierra Watson

Claudia Paige and David Paige

Karen Chavis and Mildred Chavis

Maurice Warren and Mark Jackson

Vicki Ballowe, Patricia Carter and Chris Wade

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PartyPix

Michelle Arnold and Randy Clark

Eternity Royall, Jermeaka Chambers and Ty-Onna Thomas

Deputy C. Walker, Jayden Walker, Jordan Walker and David Wiley

Alejia Carrington and the Rev. Bernice Smith

The Rev. Dr. James Taylor and Deacon Perry Carrington

Front row, Daiovn Taylor, Jeremiah Francis, Jonathan Hancock; back row, Capt. James Farley, Lt. Joe Sprague and Shadaijah Baker

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PartyPix

Hailey Gier and Nathan Wilson

Longwood hosts eclipse viewing event Through telescopes scattered across the grass and special glasses distributed to students, staff and members of the community, a large crowd gathered on Longwood Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wheeler Mall to take a look at the partial solar eclipse Aug. 21. Longwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of Chemistry and Physics hosted the eclipse event for students, faculty, staff and members of the community. Longwood science faculty members and students handed free solar viewing glasses, courtesy of the Cook-Cole College of Arts and Sciences, and had three telescopes fitted with solar filters for closer viewing. PHOTOS BY MORGAN WHITE

Do Hyun Kim and Yefan Zhang

Frank Hale and Stephany Ramirez

Mackenzie Lenhart, Julie Tran and Sarah Luongo

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Craig Rose and Mary Bennett

Derrail Reynolds, Jordan Floyd and Matthew Tipton

Alyssa Stamey, Jillian Dudley and Brandon Mills

Rory Hanhan, Rony Naydenov, Ana Martinez and Abby Jones

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PartyPix

Friends of Appomattox River hold picnic Members of the Friends of the Appomattox River (FAR) gathered for a picnic July 22 at a home of one of its members in Farmville. FAR began in 1997 and involves community members who work to preserve the river and educate the public about the offerings of the Appomattox River. The FAR holds its picnic every year in addition to organizing kayaking opportunities on the river. PHOTOS BY EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH

Debbie Kernohan, Louisa Blair, Mark Kernohan, Sam Martin and Carolyn Martin

Steve Barker, Ellery Sedgwick and Warren Rofe

Nel Smith, Warren Rofe, Linda Rofe and Linda Smith

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PartyPix

Woodfin Ligon and Bill Powers

Marianne Dennison, Mark Kernohan, Debbie Kernohan and Louisa Blair

Robin Sedgwick and Sandy Willcox

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A Look into the Past

Through three great fires Longwood rises from the ashes By Dr. James W. Jordan, Longwood University Board of Visitors, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology

t was in 1839 that the citizens of Farmville raised $30,000 to finance a “seminary building.” That was the beginning of Longwood University. Farmville was a bustling place in 1839 — the stagecoach stopped eight times a month at the Eagle Hotel on Main Street, and bateaux docked daily at the tobacco warehouses. There were four churches and eight taverns in town, and a railroad would soon be built from Petersburg through Farmville to Danville. Included in the history of the college and town are three great fires — 1923, 1949 and 2001. The Great Fires The first great fire occurred in 1923. The president then was Dr. Joseph Leonard Jarman who wrote this account: “About 5 a.m. on Nov. 17, a fire broke out in the South Wing immediately behind the Rotunda which totally destroyed the dining room, kitchen, pantries, storerooms, cold storage, bakery and the servants’ dining room, besides dormitory accommodations for 100 students. The origin of the fire is unknown. It made rapid headway, but every student escaped unhurt, and very little was lost in the way of clothing, etc. The Farmville Fire Company did wonderful work. The students were invited to private homes for breakfast, telegraph and telephone operators worked untiringly to get messages out, ladies prepared dinner in a local church, hotels were put at students’ disposal and the railroad put on extra coaches. The conduct of the students was worthy of the highest praise. By evening, students were on their way home.” A legend of the 1923 fire grew up over the years. Although Dr. Jarman reported “no students were injured,” one servant of the college, Aunt Lou, did

Top, the Rotunda fire of 2001 raged for two days and required 181 firefighters responding to 11 alarms using 3.2 million gallons of water to contain the flames. Above, hidden inside the pewter dome of the Longwood University Mace, carried by the Chief Faculty Marshal Dr. James Jordan, are archaeological artifacts that provide a link between the scholars today and those of 178 years ago.

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“The Farmville Academy” pictured in 1839 was devastated by three terrific fires over the next 178 years. Each time it rose anew from the ashes. Today we call it The Rotunda of Longwood University. in fact die. Her title was “Head of The Home,” and one of her duties was to greet guests and students at the door of the Rotunda. Aunt Lou, according to the legend, died at her station. Today when the Rotunda door “sticks,” students credit Aunt Lou’s spirit with playfully holding the door closed. The second great fire was 26 years later during the 1948-49 school year — the year when the campus was caught up in a debate about the school’s name. The Board of Visitors voted to rename the school “Longwood College” effective March 6, 1949 — 110 years to the day since the school’s founding. It would have made for a nice birthday celebration, but at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 6, fire broke out in the East Wing destroying the auditorium, classrooms, dorm rooms and possessions of East Wing students. The Farmville Red Cross cared for immediate student needs, and town citizens raised $5,000 to replace clothing and books. The most recent of the great fires began April 24, 2001, at 9:14 p.m. and raged for two days. It was under control after 37 hours, thanks to the efforts of 181 firefighters responding to 11 alarms and using 3.2 million gallons of water. The fire of 2001 also has a legend, which I recorded in my field journal: “I am an archaeologist, and when I first walked up High Street in August 1978, I marveled at the beautiful homes across from the campus. Mrs. Lucy Lancaster, who also ran a gift shop, owned a quaint Victorian across from Jarman. One of Mrs.

The story of Aunt Lou, a casualty of the 1923 fire who died at her station at the Rotunda door, resulted in a legend. When the Rotunda door occasionally “sticks,” modern day students maintain that it is Aunt Lou holding the door shut. Lancaster’s favorite tales concerned the Confederate Monument just down the street. If you saw the Confederate soldier’s shadow on the wall of the Rotunda across the street, all was well in town. Apparently the Confederate statue was still on duty the night of April 24, 2001. Longwood

student Phillip Taylor took a photograph of the Rotunda in flames around 2 a.m. The photograph clearly shows the Confederate soldier outlined in the flames.” Although it wasn’t one of the great fires, the fire of July 21, 1945, also created a legend. Dr. Edith Stevens, head of the Department of Science, was teaching a laboratory class to her summer school students when a chemical explosion occurred. The clothing of two students burst into flames, and when Professor Stevens smothered the fire she was badly burned. Taken to Southside Community Hospital, Dr. Stevens remained in intensive care until she died Oct. 31, 1945 — Halloween! Dr. Stevens’ students dedicated a monument in her honor near the fountain where she saved their lives. According to legend, if ivy is allowed to grow over this monument, Dr. Stevens’ ghost will appear as a ball of flame. Digging History In all the fires, almost everything above ground was destroyed, but many items were preserved below ground. Longwood archaeology students found broken plates from the dining hall, brass bangles and pearls from jewelry, minié balls from Civil War bullets, thimbles, porcelain dolls and inkwells. Longwood students of archaeology played an important role in collecting these artifacts. Rising from the ashes, these bits and pieces of history bring people of the past to life — the goal of archaeological fieldwork.

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Town and Gown

‘Together we make up the fiber of this community’ H

aving served as town manager for more than 40 years, I have seen many changes take place in this town that I love. There is one consistent factor that hasn’t changed in more than four decades, and that’s the people. The people who live here are what make this such a great community. Every day you can see residents coming together to support one another and working together to accomplish things that cannot be accomplished singlehandedly. About 8,200 people live in the town, and a portion of those people are Longwood University students. Longwood has always been an integral part of the town, but now, more than ever, the town and the university are working hand-in-hand to bring people together. This year, Longwood is welcoming about 1,100 new students to the campus as freshmen. These students will come from all over the commonwealth of Virginia and the country. Drawn in by both the university’s reputation and the town’s quaint charm, these students become part of the thread that makes up our community. Throughout the year, the town and Longwood host numerous events both on campus and elsewhere throughout the town. We work together to plan, prepare and implement these events, which necessitates a lot of collaboration behind the scenes. The Farmville Police Department often works with Longwood University Police to increase public safety at community events. In fact, both police departments, along with the Farmville Fire Department, recently received the coveted Director’s Award from the U.S. Secret Service. The award was given to the public safety departments to honor them for their hard work and teamwork during the 2016 U.S. Vice Presidential Debate held here in October.

The debate was an important moment for both the town and the university. Many moving pieces had to come together to ensure that the event was a success. It was an excellent opportunity to show the world what Farmville and Longwood have to offer and to show the strong relationship we have with one another. The awards given to the public safety departments are an honor and only one example of the excellent teamwork between the two. Just south of the town is Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC), which welcomes about 300 new students each year. Both Longwood and H-SC students become a part of our community by adding to the culture and the vibrancy of our town. Gerald Spates is the They bring with them energy, new ideas, creativity and Town Manager for Farmville. dreams of the future. They are our future leaders, business owners, teachers, public safety officers and doctors. Each year we hope that more students will build their lives here in Farmville after they graduate, which helps our town grow and move forward into the future. Longwood and H-SC have history with deep roots in our town, and Farmville has a history with deep roots intertwined with Longwood and H-SC. Together we make up the fiber of this community that is rich in history and a destination for tourism, recreation, retirement and trade.

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Why I Love Farmville

Rachel Talent Ivers Q: How has your role as executive director of the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) enhanced your appreciation of Farmville?

A: I am so grateful to be part of the LCVA. It is an exciting position that brings me into contact with so many within our community. I attend a lot of events as a representative of LCVA, and the museum hosts its fair share as well, so I meet and interact with a lot of people. LCVA has tremendous community support, an amazing staff and an engaged board and university administration. That sort of support is often difficult for cultural organizations to build and maintain, and I think it is a testament to Farmville’s appreciation of the positive impact the arts can have in daily life — and the importance of individual contributions within the greater fabric of “community.” During my time at LCVA, we have pursued several collaborative partnerships, which has underscored just how many people in Farmville are passionate advocates for those causes that are important to them. Q: What has your involvement with the Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce taught you about the town?

A: We have so much happening here, both on Main Street and beyond. Our business and organization leaders realize we are all in this together. The collegial spirit, even among competitors, is inspiring. Our business leaders care about where we are and where we are going — and they want others to care too. I love that. Q: What is your favorite thing about Farmville?

A: I love the small, hometown feel with the relatively easy access to the mountains in one direction, the beach in another and the entire mid-Atlantic coast as you move north. People generally watch out for one another here. It’s refreshing. Q: Describe the Farmville community.

A: I’ve found it to be diverse as well as collaborative. There is a very high appreciation of history and culture, especially when one considers its size. The people in our community have consistently

impressed me with their willingness to pitch in and help out when a need arises. It is also possible to be involved and make a difference — to see impact — in Farmville in a way that is not always possible in larger communities. I also think there are a lot of people here who do just that — get involved and get behind the causes they believe in. Q: What are some of your favorite things to do in Farmville on the weekends?

A: It depends on the season but almost always involves being outdoors with my family. My daughter is an avid equestrian, so we spend a lot of time at the stable or at horse shows. Or cleaning up after horse shows. Indoors, we recently attended the Waterworks (Players) production of “And Then There Were None” — we loved it. I’ve also spent some Saturday afternoons at the Virginia Tasting Cellar. Q: What is your favorite memory about being in Farmville?

A: This one is difficult — I have a lot of wonderful memories of my time in Farmville. Summer Garden Opera is always impressive, as is Hampden-Sydney’s homecoming tailgate. I look forward to these each year. Watching my daughter meet and work with one of her literary heroes (Sophie Blackhall) at the Virginia Children’s Book Festival was a high point. I also love Main Street during the winter holidays and the lighting of the Christmas tree in Longwood’s Rotunda. The Moton Community Banquet is always inspiring and memorable, as are the hats and cakes at the Moton Rainbow Tea. Hugging the governor during one of the 2016 Vice Presidential Debate festivities is also up there.