Evince January 07 by Andrew Brooks Media Group

January 2007

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Table of Contents 2

Looking at the Big Picture by Kathryn Davis

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Downtown with Liz Sater The Legend Lives Don’t Resist the Temptations by Gordon Bendall The Universality of Music by Cathy Farley

Second Thoughts Fast Foods by Kim Clifton

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Calendar of EVINCE

Around the Table The Secret to a Slimmer You (and Me) by Annelle Williams

Triple-Threat Musician to Perform by Kathleen O’Hare

From the Desk of Christopher Russell

All Over But the Shoutin’ Author Coming to Town by Anne Geyer

Turning Life Into Literature by Susan Huckstep An Appetite for Art by Lynne Bjarnesen

Moet in Normandy: Art At Its Best by Larry G. Aaron

Neighborhood Makeover: Alarming to Charming by Joyce Wilburn

by Kathryn Davis Each time I flip the calendar to January 1st, I remember a very special woman who was born on New Year’s Day, 1903—my husband’s grandmother, Ellen Dyer. Grandmother Dyer was the quintessential Southern matriarch—poised and intelligent, attractive and gracious, wellrespected by all who knew her and always in charge. Now, when I say that she was in charge, I don’t mean the kind of "in charge" that no one dares to cross for fear of punishment. No, Grandmother Dyer’s power sprang from her always-loving and positive attitude. You did what she expected because you wanted to please her. You wanted to win her approving smile. And that smile was not hard to win, because Grandmother Dyer always saw the best in those around her. She exemplified the "glass half-full" type of person who found something good in every situation. Each trip she took was the best one she had ever taken,

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Publisher

First Master’s Degree Awarded at IALR by Julie Brown

Sales Manager Cathy Farley (434.793.7767) Sales@starmark.net

Contributing Writers

Sales Associate Christi Ingram (434.836.1319) ChristiIngram@starmark.net

Robert M. Sexton Publisher@starmark.net (804.285.0645) Larry G. Aaron, Gordon Bendall, Lynne Bjarnesen, Julie Brown, Kim Clifton, Kathryn Davis, Cathy Farley, Anne Geyer, Dena Hill, Susan Huckstep, Kathleen O’Hare, Larry Oldham, Christopher Russell, Liz Sater, Joyce Wilburn, Annelle Williams

Averett University Intern Russ Carter

On the Cover: Photo of the 2007 New Year’s baby by Bobby Carlsen. Visit www.bobbycarlsen.com. Clock courtesy of Hobby Lobby Creative Center on Collins Drive.

EVINCE

Subscribe to EVINCE and enjoy the convenience of having every issue delivered by mail to your home. Send your name, address, and a check for $15 (12 issues) to: EVINCE Managing Editor, and mail to Evince Subscription, P.O. Box 2396, Danville, VA 24541.

Coming Soon www.evincere.net Deadline for submission of February stories, articles, ads, and calendar items is 5pm on Monday, Jan. 22.

Creating a New Life in a New Town by Joyce Wilburn

Lasting Thoughts He Said - She Said by Larry Oldham & Dena Hill

Never Miss An Event Or An

Holley & Lewis: Rising Higher and Growing Stronger by Russ Carter

and every party she attended was the best one yet. A stickler for proper etiquette, Grandmother Dyer taught her children well with catchy sayings like, "Be pretty if you must and witty if you can, but be pleasant if it kills you!" Or if someone paid you a compliment, whether deserved or undeserved, her advice was "Smile sweetly and say, ‘Thank you.’ " Even when Grandmother Dyer’s eyes began to dim and her health started to fail, she managed to maintain that positive attitude that made her a joy to be around. If you’re lucky enough to have a Grandmother Dyer in your life, count yourself blessed. And ask yourself what important life lessons you can learn from her. If such a person has not graced your life, then maybe you can become that person for someone else. But no matter what hand life deals you, 2007 will be a whole lot brighter, if you keep a positive attitude and look for the good all around you.

January 2007

Editor Emyl Jenkins Editor@starmark.net (804.285.0644) Managing Editor Joyce Wilburn ManagingEditor@starmark.net (434.799.3160) Associate Editor Larry G. Aaron Art & Production Director Vaden & Associates (Dan Vaden) Graphic Designer Kim Demont

Printer McCain Printing Company, Inc. EVINCE is a member of the Virginia Press Association, first place winner of the prestiguous PIVA award in its category for five straight years, and winner of Virginia Press Association awards for 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and Virginia Press Women’s Competition Awards for 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.

Editorial Policies:

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 publishers. We reserve the right to accept, reject, and edit all submissions and advertisements.

evince\i-’vin(t)s\ 1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display clearly: reveal syn see SHOW MISSION STATEMENT EVINCE is a monthly publication, which focuses on arts & entertainment in the surrounding area through an array of features, articles, columns, and photographic essays. Its primary objective is to inform and educate the community of opportunities, organizations, and events in all areas of the arts. In addition, it is the vision of EVINCE to enrich the cultural awareness and develop support for the arts in the entire community.

How to submit information to EVINCE: Please send all information in electronic form to e-mail address evince@starmark.net. For calendar information, please submit e-mail to evincedates@starmark.net. To submit information, please copy and paste the text information into the body of the e-mail. We do not accept any e-mail attachments due to the very real danger of Microsoft-supported computer viruses.

January 2007 Now that the holidays are over, life seems to have slowed down a bit as we huddle around hearth and home. The possibility of a "snow day" finds most of us eager for a break in the normal grind of activities. So much is happening in Downtown Danville, however, you won’t see a lull at all. As we begin 2007, there are a dozen renovations underway in the downtown and tobacco warehouse district, and millions of dollars being invested in improvements to downtown properties. Because most projects are employing local laborers and purchasing building supplies from local vendors, this is wonderful news, not just for Downtown, but for the economy of the entire community. One of the projects is the Golden Leaf Building at 215 Craghead Street, the new home of Captain Copy, Inc. This full-service printing and copying business owned by Tim and Michelle Hilliard is also the future address for 5 loft apartments that will bring new residents Downtown. Tim Hilliard comes from a large family that is deeply entrenched in the music business, and even though he, too, is passionate about music, he has found his career niche elsewhere. After high school, he worked as a delivery person for a copy business. Gradually learning the ropes and working his way up, after 10 years Tim was ready to open his own shop. He chose a location

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Executive Director of Downtown Danville Association on North Union Street in Downtown Danville in 1989. While nurturing his business, he relied heavily on the advice and support of his wife Michelle, whom he calls, "the best thing that ever happened to me, and my biggest cheerleader." By 1995, the burgeoning business needed more stewardship and Tim and Michelle recognized an opportunity to work together. They knew a 24/7 situation might be a struggle, and for some married couples, that could be the case. The Hilliards however, married now for 26 years, found that in addition to being good life partners, they are also business partners who complement and support each other in the workplace as well. As Captain Copy grew, their Union Street property became crowded. For almost a year, Tim sought possible sites to build or buy for his shop. When 215 Craghead became

available, it was exactly what he had been waiting for. Although slightly daunted by his first foray into renovation of an historic building, Tim has relied on the assistance and incentives that are available for property developers through the City of Danville Department of Community Development and Downtown Danville Association. He has enjoyed talking to local historian Gary Grant and others about the history of the building, which was built in 1899 and has been used as a grocery, a florist, and a janitorial supply store among others. Phase I of the renovation project was complete when Captain Copy, now employer to 7 people, moved into the building at the end of last month. Now open to the public, the Hilliards’ new site has allowed them to expand their services to include an office furniture showroom and

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Page 3 wedding planning services. The Golden Leaf building also features a parking lot, something critical for Captain Copy whose many customers stop in for only 10-15 minutes and often have heavy packages to carry. In Phase II of the renovation, the upper floor will be reconfigured into 5 loft apartments of approximately 750 square feet each. They will feature exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and beamed ceilings, giving the space the warm, urban feel that is becoming so popular today. Phase II, The Lofts at Golden Leaf, should be complete and ready for new Downtown residents by this spring. Tim Hilliard made decisions and commitments to his career and his life partner at a very young age. He is still devoted to the church in Hillsborough that was founded by his parents and would love to fulfill a promise he made to Michelle to work on a Christian music solo CD sometime this year. He is also a very philanthropic man who gives without question when a cause speaks to his heart. Clearly, Downtown Danville is lucky to have such a committed and benevolent businessman and property owner in our district and we look forward to watching the progress as Captain Copy sets sail in its new location.

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The Legend Lives..

Don’t Resist The Temptations by Gordon Bendall

The soulful music of The Temptations will touch every heart in the house when the rhythm and blues flows from the stage at the Caswell County Civic Center on Saturday, January 27th. Their words, music, and charm have endured for nearly 50 years, carried on by more than 50 singers. Three Temptation touring companies have evolved from the original act that started in 1962. Glenn Leonard, a Temptation from 1975 to 1983, will lead the group coming to the Civic Center. His show is billed as "The Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations" and it grabs music lovers of all ages. "The most remarkable thing about the show," he says, "is that we have 12-and-13-year olds who know our songs and our history. It’s incredible." Leonard sang lead tenor for The Temptations on many original songs and recorded 10 albums before leaving the group and joining the ministry in 1984. But, "Once a Temptation, always a Temptation," he says. All through the ‘60s, The Temptations were kings of Motown. Their hits topped the charts year after year: My Girl, Since I Lost My Baby, Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep, You’re My Everything, Just My Imagination. In Danville, their music wove itself into the social fabric. They could be heard on car radios, transistor radios, home stereos. Live bands performed their songs at school dances, post-

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The Universality of Music

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by Cathy Farley

Imagine a world without music. Impossible, you would say. The earth itself provides a background to our frenzied pace. Just step deep inside an ancient forest and listen to the birds, insects, rustling leaves, not-so-quiet streams and you will hear a perfectly scored symphony of sound. Music forms a perfect thread between nature and humans, cultures, and times. Now imagine traditional Irish tunes played on drums and pipes fashioned after those used hundreds of years ago. Sitting in the Caswell County Civic Center listening to Michael Londra’s magnificent voice—enlivened by stories from his childhood, a rendition of the

game mixers and fraternity parties. Their sound played into the civil rights movement, the war in Vietnam and issues affecting youth. Their hits continued to roll into the ‘70s with Grammy winner, Papa Was A Rolling Stone and Superstar, Remember How You Got Where You Are. They remain the most hard-working and successful group ever to flourish from the music empire lorded over by producer Berry Gordy. "The group was fortunate to have great writers and great producers working with them," Leonard says. "I was fortunate to work with Gordy who was a visionary. He’s known as a gifted man who could pull talent from artists and pick hit songs. In the early days of Motown, he was involved in every step of the process. He always knew how to seize the moment, or even create the moment, really." Leonard said the Legendary Lead Singers do a 90-minute set and

first song he sang for his grandmother as a little boy, and generously spiced with Old World Christmas traditions and a deep sense of home—I was struck by the commonality of certain instruments across time and peoples. I realized I was hearing the same ancient sounds heard in Ireland hundreds of years before the Roman armies occupied those lands. On the other hand, the ancient sounds of hand-hewn flute and drum reminded me of the Andean Indian music I had purchased several years ago. The simplicity of stage and set along with singer and musicians in basic black, allowed the music to take center stage even as it invoked the universality of man’s need for and ability to create music. We don’t have to “teach the world to sing.” When left to itself, it already does—from the hum of insects and birds, man and beasts. Thank you, Lee Fowlkes, and Caswell Council for the Arts for bringing another piece of the world to us.

feature a lot of the early material, some done in medleys. "The signature song for me," he said, "or the song that I’m most remembered for is the Christmas song, Silent Night. That album has also become a classic. It’s my favorite." "The show has been my whole life and a very rewarding one," he adds. "We’re humbled and honored that people still appreciate us and spend money to come out and see us perform. And we want to encourage everyone in the Danville area to join us. We will make sure that they leave saying, ‘They still have it!’" The Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations will be in concert on Saturday, Janaury 27, at 8pm at the Caswell County Civic Center in Yanceyville, North Carolina. For more information and tickets, call 336.694.4591.

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Fast Foods I hate to wait. I especially hate to wait if I’m hungry, so golden arches are the closest thing to Heaven to me. When a voice from above asks me to try an extra value meal, I know an angel of mercy is just around the corner. Fast food is bad, but my good judgment goes right out the window with my money. I don’t give a hoot about trans fat if it transfers me from starved-to-stuffed. Burger joints are special to me since I didn’t see my first Hardee’s until the 4th grade. A quick supper in my day began with “Pierce foil to expose tater tots.” But the times…they are a’ changing. Hit shows like 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray, mean speedy meals don’t have to come from a cardboard box. Or give me freezer burn. Cooking shows are incredibly popular, but they aren’t new. I watched Julia Child when she sounded like she was hitting the sauce…not stirring it. And remember when Martha Stewart did thyme…long before she did time, I mean.

I like The Food Network combination and the one you’d programs, except for Semilet borrow your hairbrush. Homemade with Sandra Lee...mostly I’m amazed by the meals she because I don’t trust skinny cooks in one-half hour. Entire cooks. What’s worse is how she Thanksgiving buffets, full cleverly decorates using only tailgate parties or a breakfast household items. for champions all easily come “Cigar bands make elegant together in 30 short minutes. napkin rings and capture the feel Then again, she may not be the of our harvest banquet,” she might magician I think she is. I could say. “Notice how they accent the speed things along if someone tablecloth made entirely of tea else went grocery shopping and bags and apple spice potpourri.” then lined up my ingredients in Unlike Sandra Lee, I’m not very matching glass bowls. crafty when it comes to making Just once I want to see her pull something out of nothing. open the dishwasher and yell, “Are My projects are as ugly as these clean or dirty?” like the rest homemade soap. of us do everyday. Rachael Ray is my favorite. Whether my meals-on-wheels She’s bubbly. She’s fun. She’s come to me from my driveway one of the guys…and she’s or from a drive-thru, I don’t want one of the girls. She’s the to wait at all. Impatience isn’t friend you’d tell your locker just a problem for me; it’s also a General Assembly Chorus

problem for the poor souls who are around me. Colicky babies make better company. Having said that, never invite me to your home. I’m a terrible guest. Sitting at a table stifles me. Given the choice, I’d rather eat than dine...and I’m happiest with a fork in one hand and a TV remote in the other. Cooking programs are entertaining but watching them doesn’t get me in the kitchen anymore than exercise shows get me to Curves. But at least I know that a quick dinner doesn’t have to begin with “Will this be pick up, or delivery” or shoved through an opened window. A friend gave me a plaque that sums me up fairly well: If you are what you eat…then I’m fast, easy and cheap.

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• calendar of evince • Support the Tank Museum 434.836.5323 • www.aaftankmuseum.com

January Through January 7

Danville Science Center Exhibits - Koplen’s View, Amazing Feats of Aging, Eyes on Earth. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

Through April 1

Danville in Black and White. Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History - 434.793.5644.

January 2

Averett Men’s Basketball v. Guilford College. 7 pm. North Campus. 434.791.5876.

January 3

Senior Bowling Tournament. 9-11 am. Riverside Lanes 434.791.2695. Club Fetch! - How do we stay balanced? Ages 7-11. 3:45- 4:45 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

January 3 (thru Feb. 8) Art with Flo - Wet on Wet technique. Wed. or Thurs. 6-9 pm. Ballou Park Annex Building. 434.797.8848.

January 4

West African Dance and Drumming Classes - Raise cultural awareness, be uplifted and get a great workout. Thurs. 6-7:30 pm, and Sat. 10:30 am -12 pm. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848.

January 4 (thru Feb 22)

Chinese for Beginners - Thurs. 6-7 pm. IALR - 434.766.6793. Astronomy Club - Kids can learn about the astronomical universe, telescopes, and the skies. Thurs. 7-8 pm. Danville Science Center or IALR - 434.766.6793.

January 6

Bob Ross Painting Class - Lilies & Mums. Complete a painting in one day. 10:30 am-3:30 pm. Ballou Park Annex Building 434.797.8848. Stew & Bake Sale. 11 am. Grace Design UMC - 434.836.4545.

January 7

A Cappella Choir Gaudete - Renaissance, traditional and contemporary music. 4 pm. First Presbyterian Church, Martinsville. www.martinsville.com. Opening Reception - Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. See p. 9&10.

January 8

Beginning Middle Eastern "Belly Dance" Classes - with Shalimar. Mondays 5:30 pm. Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848.

January 2007 JANUARY 2007 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Chess Club - 2nd & 4th Mondays. 6-8 pm. Ballou Recreation Center. 434.799.5216. January 8 (thru 29) Boogie Mondays - January is Couples Country. Mon. 7-8:30 pm. Ballou Recreation Center 434.799.5216.

January 10 (thru 31)

January 15

January 10 (thru May)

January 15 (thru February 23)

Art with Judie - Oil and watercolor instruction. Mon. or Tues. Times vary. Ballou Park Annex. 434.797.8848.

January 11 (thru Feb 15)

January 8 (thru 30)

January 9

PowerPoint Presentations for the Beginner 5:30-8:30 pm. IALR - 434.766.6793. Internet Safety for Parents and Grandparents - Safety tips to protect your family from identity theft, scams, saying too much online and more. 7-9 pm. IALR - 434.766.6793.

January 9 (thru 30)

Evening Yoga - 5:30-7 pm. Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848.

January 9 (thru Feb 1)

Beginning Swimming III. Ages 6-12. Tues & Thurs 3:30-4:30 pm. - 434.799.5215.

January 9 (thru Feb 13) Introduction to Technology for Kids - 1st & 2nd graders. Tuesdays. 3:30-4:30 pm. IALR 434.766.6793.

January 9 (thru Feb 27)

Spanish I & II - Tues. Level I 6:30-7:30 pm; Level II 7:30-8:30 pm. IALR - 434.766.6793.

January 10

Averett Basketball v. Ferrum. Women’s 5:30 pm; Men’s 7:30 pm. North Campus. 434.791.5876. Polliwogs & Science Stars Explore characteristics of different kinds of bears. Ages 3-4 1-2 pm; Ages 5-6. 3:45-4:45 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

Supervising Others. Wed 8 am. MHC Chamber Boardroom, Martinsville. 276.632.6401. Lighten Up for Life Program. 2nd. Wed. each month. 9 am. Ballou Recreation Center. 434.799.5216.

Fun with Math for Kids - 1st & 2nd graders -Thurs 3:30-4:30 pm. IALR - 434.766.6793.

Admissions Open House 8:30 am. Averett University - See p.10.

Museum Classes. Clay Creations. Ages: 8-12. Mon. 5-6 pm; Forms in Clay. Ages: Adult. Mon. 6-9 pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History - 434.793.5644.

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January 12

Averett Basketball v. Methodist. Women’s 5:30 pm; Men’s 7:30 pm. North Campus. 434.791.5876. Making your PowerPoint Presentations More Powerful 5:30-7:30 pm. IALR - 434.766.6793.

January 12 (thru Feb 23)

Museum Classes. Storytelling with Art. Ages: 4-6. Tues. 3:304:30 pm; Sewing. Ages: 7-12. Tues. 5 pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History - 434.793.5644.

January 13

Club Fetch! - Work together to turn a small picture into a large one. Ages 7-11. 3:45-4:45 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

January 12 & 13

Mardi Gras Celebration - Concert with Hugh Vaughan. 7 pm. Lee’s, South Boston. 434.575.0575. Awadagin Pratt, Pianist. See p.8&9. BBQ Dinner Fundraiser. Sons of American Legion & AL Auxiliary. 5:30-8 pm. Dan River Post 1097. egor1@adelphia.net.

January 16 (thru Feb. 20)

PAA Exhibit - Virginia painters: Robert Stuart and Phillip Geiger. Piedmont Arts, Martinsville 276.632.3221.

January 17

Instant Piano For Hopelessly Busy People. 9 am-12 pm. Ballou Park Annex. 434.797.8848. Costume Design - How to make basic belly dance costumes. 2-5 pm. Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848.

January 17 (thru Feb. 21)

January 13 (thru Feb. 3)

Tumblin’ Tots Sat. 9:30-10:15 am. Coates Recreation Center. 434.797.8848. Sporties For Shorties - Itty Bitty Basketball - Basketball fundamentals. Sat. 10:30-11:15 am. Coates Recreation Center. 434.797.8848. Pre-School Cheerleading Sat. 11:30 am-12:15 pm. Coates Recreation Center. 434.797.8848.

Painting Class. Ages: 4-6. Weds 4-5 pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History - 434.793.5644.

January 18

Bow Making Class. 1-2:30 or 7-8:30 pm. Ballou Recreation Center - 434.799.5216. Averett Women’s Basketball v. Meredith. 7 pm. North Campus. 434.791.5876. Sky Watchers - View the star cluster M41 in the constellation Canis Major, the constellation Gemini and more. Begins at dark, weather permitting. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

January 18 (thru Feb. 22) Knitting Class. Ages: 7-12. Thurs 5-6 pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History - 434.793.5644.

January 19

Women of Faith, Walking by Faith. 11 am - 1 pm. Colonade Room, Piney Forest Road. Reservations required. 434.793.8140 or 434.836.2660.

January 19 (thru Feb. 23) Elements of Art. Ages: 8-12. Fridays 4-5 pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History - 434.793.5644.

January 20

Annual Dino Day - 10-4 pm. Douglas St. Martinsville. www.martinsville.com. Indoor Wall Climbing for Kids. Ages 7-12. 6-8 pm. Coates Rec Center. 434.799.5215.

January 2007 Aureole - Classical Music at its best. 7:30 pm. Long Memorial United Methodist Church, Roxboro, NC. Person County Arts Council - 336.597.1709.

January 22

Meet the Author- Dr. Steve Ausband See page 10. Dinosaurs of China - Dr. Nicholas Fraser of the VMNH discusses the latest dinosaur fossils being excavated in China. 7 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

January 22 (thru March 12) Stained Glass Class - Mon. 9 am12 pm, 434.797.8848.

January 23

European Film Masters - Le Notti di Cabiria (Nights of Cabiria), 1957. 3 pm & 7 pm. The North Theatre - 434.792.2700. Design Your Own Personal Website . 5:30-7:30 pm. IALR - 434.766.6793. Introduction to Orienteering 6-8 pm. Outdoor Recreation 434.799.5215.

January 24

Polliwogs & Science Stars - Learn about our pets and their care. Make a pretend pet to take home. Ages 3-4 1-2 pm; Ages 5-6. 3:45-4:45 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

January 25

Valentine Wreath Class. 1-2:30 or 7-8:30 pm. Ballou Recreation Center - 434.799.5216. Coffee House Jammers -. 5-6 pm. Ballou Recreation Center. 434.799.5216. Design Your Own Personal Website (See 1/23)

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Soundcheck - Open Mic Night for Teens. 7-9 pm. Chatham.

January 27

Snow Sports at Wintergreen - Tubing, skiing, or snowboarding. 6 am-8 pm. - 434.799.5215. Speed Exhibit - Dig into the physics and mathematics that make an impact on speed in real situations. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160. Averett Basketball v. N.C. Wesleyan. Women’s 2 pm; Men’s 5 pm. North Campus. 434.791.5876. An Evening with Shaggie Maggie - Beach Music Band. 8 pm-12 am. Fraternal Order of Eagles Club. Danville Shag Club. prc@gamewood.net. The Legendary Lead Singers of THE TEMPTATIONS - In Concert 8 pm at the Caswell County Civic Center in Yanceyville, NC. 336.694.4591 See page 4 & 11.

January 28

Averett Women’s Basketball v. Peace College. 2 pm. North Campus. 434.791.5876.

January 29

Speedy Animals - Dr. Nancy Moncrief of the VMNH shares her insights into the fastest animals on land. 7 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

January 30

Icicle 8-Ball Pool Tournament. 2-4:30 p.m. 434.799.5216. European Film Masters - La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life), 1960. 3 pm & 7 pm. The North Theatre - 434.792.2700.

January 26

Winter Winemaker’s Dinner. Cooper’s Landing Inn & Traveler’s Tavern. www.cooperslanding.com

Christopher Russell at The Inn at Berry Hill I am writing on behalf of everyone at The Inn at Berry Hill to dispel any misinformation you might have heard or read. Founders College has entered into an agreement with us to purchase the property or partner with us to build a private for-profit college. If everything goes as planned, the transaction is scheduled to close in the spring of 2007. After the transfer of the property to Founders College, The Inn at Berry Hill will continue to operate its hospitality and restaurant business. The college will

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co-exist with the current business. The property is not being closed and will continue to be open to the public. Ryan Hill, Darrin Phillips, and I are the owners/managers of The Inn at Berry Hill and we have made exciting changes to increase your guest experience. We invite you to come for a visit. You will not be disappointed. The Inn at Berry Hill is located at 3105 River Road in South Boston, Virginia. Phone 434.517.7000 or visit www.berryhillinn.com.

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563/559 Main St. Danville, Va

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FINE FUR LEATHER OUTERWEAR

434.792.6822

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January 2007

Around the table

The Secret to a Slimmer You (and Me) by Annelle Williams

January is the time we usually recommit to losing weight and adopting a healthier lifestyle, so I’m happy to bring this breaking news to you at such an appropriate time. After trying just about every diet plan there is, I’ve finally discovered the secret to weight loss. After subscribing to programs online, attending meetings and exercising myself nearly to death, I’ve finally found the real secret. EAT LESS. While eating less is the basic program, for additional results you can add drinking more water and daily exercising. If it sounds like I’m speaking with tongue-incheek, trust me, I’m not. Since this time last year I’ve dropped 10 pounds and I intend to drop another 10 this year. More than becoming a little slimmer, this year my goal is to become healthier. Though I know what’s good for me and what’s not, unfortunately, I can gain weight while eating a healthy diet and routinely exercising because I eat with a ‘coming’ appetite (it’s always coming and never going). That’s why it all comes down to portion control and making smart food choices. To achieve this goal it’s important to focus on the basics: choose fresh; it is always better; include lots of vegetables and beans and moderate amounts of fruits, lean fish and lean meats; eat whole grains and healthy oils (extra virgin olive oil) in moderation; eliminate transfats, and limit sugar. That’s about it. Don’t think you must do everything at once, but continue to add good eating and living habits while dropping some of the bad ones, and you’ll see good results. Let’s touch base again next January and see how things are going. Have a healthy and happy 2007!

Pan Roasted Salmon and Asparagus 4 salmon filets 4 small garlic cloves, minced 2 T chopped fresh parsley salt, pepper extra virgin olive oil 1 medium bunch of scallions sliced (white and green parts)

12 asparagus spears, trimmed to length of salmon filets, parboiled in salted water for 3 minutes and drained 8 lemon slices 1/2 cup white wine 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice Chopped parsley and lemon zest for garnish Rub garlic, parsley, salt and pepper onto tops of filets. Drizzle with olive oil. Add about 1 tablespoonful of olive oil to nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onions to pan, then parboiled asparagus and lemon slices. Place salmon filets (skin side down if they still have skin) in pan. Pour wine and lemon juice evenly over salmon. Cook for about 4 minutes. Turn fish with spatula leaving onions, asparagus and lemons in bottom of pan. With a fork or tongs remove skin and discard. It will slip right off. Reduce heat to medium low and let filets cook another 4-5 minutes, until done. Turn fish, place on serving platter and top with cooked asparagus, lemons and onions from pan. Garnish with parsley and lemon zest.

Stuffed Zucchini 3 medium to small zucchini 1 T olive oil 1 medium sweet onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 3 medium tomatoes, diced 1⁄2 tsp. sugar dash of red pepper flakes salt and pepper to taste 2 T shredded fresh basil 1 cup shredded cheese, Parmesan and mozzarella mixed About 1⁄2 cup bread crumbs Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out flesh with a spoon leaving a nice shell. Cook zucchini shells in boiling salted water just until semitender (about 3-4 minutes). Carefully remove and drain on paper towels. Add olive oil to medium-sized sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is translucent. Add 1⁄2 the zucchini flesh, tomatoes, sugar, pepper flakes, salt and pepper and cook until tomatoes soften. Take off heat and add basil and 1⁄2 of cheese. Then add enough breadcrumbs to make mixture hold its form. Mound into zucchini shells and top with the remaining cheese. Place stuffed zucchini into casserole and bake in preheated 325° oven for 20-25 minutes. Makes 6 servings

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the State Dinner for South African president Thabo Mbeki. In many ways Awadagin is a traditionalist--preferring more probing, dense pieces by composers such as Brahms, Franck and Liszt. by Kathleen O’Hare “I really liked Beethoven when I was growing up. I I met Awadagin prefer Austrian and German (ah-wah-DAH-jin) composers of the 18th and 19th Pratt when we were centuries,” he says. Yet, he is both students at the best known for highly original Peabody Conservatory interpretations of romantic of Music in Baltimore, masterworks. Maryland. In spite Reared in a home where both of his unassuming parents were professors at demeanor and gentle Illinois State University, he was nature he is what held to the highest standards. we call a tripleHis father, an immigrant from threat musician—a Sierra Leone, was the first pianist, violinist, and person from that country to conductor. earn a Ph.D. in nuclear physics. His Not content to excel in music, Texas-born mother taught him that Awadagin is also a terrific tennis to be considered as good as others player, who at the age of 16, turned he would have to be better. To that down a tennis scholarship to accept end, Awadagin Pratt practiced tennis a violin scholarship to the University 2 hours each day beginning at 6 a.m., of Illinois. After a few years at followed by an hour of violin practice Illinois, he transferred to the Peabody and an additional hour of piano Conservatory of Music, a division of practice after school each day. His Johns Hopkins University, and where, discipline paid off: Awadagin is now to date, he is the only student in the Associate Professor and Artistthe Conservatory’s history to receive in-Residence at the University of diplomas in three areas—piano, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of violin, and conducting. Music. Insoloist addition, for the past 7 LynnofGardner, harpsicord In a Peabody master class the years, he has been Artistic Director legendary pianist and conductor Leon of the Next Generation Festival in Fleisher, there was a long silence Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and he when Awadagin ended his powerful performs frequently with cellist Zuill performance of Beethoven’s Op. 110 Bailey, and will be performing with Sonata. When Awadagin finally lifted the Daedalus Quartet in 2007. his head, Fleisher quietly asked, "How Despite his busy schedule, Awadagin can I be of help to you, Awadagin?" gives back to his community through It was the only time I ever heard The Pratt Foundation, named in honor Fleisher say that to a student, and the of his father, Dr. Theodore Pratt who rest of us realized that his question died in 1996. Now in its 10th year, marked a turning point. Awadagin the Foundation provides free lessons Pratt was already his own person, his to 13 string and piano students own musician, and no longer was in through the Preparatory Department need of guidance. at Illinois Wesleyan University. In 1992, while still a student at Awadagin regularly plays benefit Peabody, Awadagin entered and won the prestigious Naumburg Competition which catapulted him into an international performing career. Awadagin says he was ready All Over But The Shoutin’ to embark on a career at that point. "When you win a competition like the Naumburg, you have to be prepared for whatever follows in terms of by Anne Geyer demands. It’s no longer possible to follow all the little rituals you develop Rick Bragg, author of the critically as a student." acclaimed best seller, All Over But The Two years later the remarkable Shoutin’, and Pulitzer Prize-winning musician was awarded an Avery journalist for the New York Times is the Fisher Career Grant, a $10,000 featured speaker at the Wednesday award given annually to the most Club’s Book and Author Luncheon on promising concert artist, and also Wednesday, January 17th. released his debut CD A Long Way Bragg, who says he learned the From Normal, followed by Beethoven art of storytelling by listening to Piano Sonatas, Live From South Africa and the masters, the people of the Transformations He also played piano Appalachian foothills, has captivated on Terence Blanchard’s soundtrack for readers by weaving the hardships The Caveman’s Valentine, a film about a and perseverance of family members mentally ill classical pianist. into his writings and telling the story In addition, he has performed with an accent that has been dubbed, worldwide from Japan to South Africa "Pool Hall Southern." and throughout Europe, as well as The Alabama-born author considers with major symphony orchestras in the fact that Shoutin’ made the New York the U.S. In addition to appearances Times best seller list less important on NPR’s Performance Today and than the fact that the book speaks to Weekend Edition, the Today Show, CBS the working people and poor people of Sunday Morning, Good Morning America, the modern-day South. and Sesame Street, he was a featured When asked to describe himself, soloist on PBS’s Live from Kennedy Bragg will say he is single, likely to Center - A Salute to Slava and performed stay that way, and lives in a shotguntwice at the White House during the style house not far from the levee Clinton administration including and the train tracks in uptown New

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recitals for the Foundation. In other ways, however, Awadagin is an iconoclast. He wears his hair in dreadlocks, inspired in part by the great French tennis star of the late ‘70s and ‘80s, Yannick Noah. For concerts he eschews the traditional tuxedo for more casual wear, believing his attire makes him more accessible to certain audiences. “I think if the soloist or recitalist is less dressed-up, then some people will feel more comfortable coming,” he says. “I think it’s an important thing that particularly helps bring in younger people.” And no standard piano bench for him. Like his favorite pianist, Glenn Gould, he sits on a low stool which helps keep his wrists more relaxed. Despite a schedule that is daunting, when asked how he keeps a fresh perspective on playing the same music over and over, Awadagin says, "It is a privilege to play great music, to have intimate contact with it on a daily basis. It is never a problem to bring a fresh perspective to a masterwork." You, too, can hear this remarkable person and pianist, Awadagin Pratt, play a piano recital of Franck, Brahms, and Liszt at the North Theatre on Friday, January 12, at 7:30pm. At 11am, on Saturday, January 13, Awadagin will host an “informance” at the North Theatre. When performing for children, he strives to demystify classical music and to show them that professional sports are not the only path to fame. "The recitals are a lot of fun. I usually play movements of pieces and then talk a little about the pieces and composers," he explains. The presentation is open to the public. This event is part of the DCA season. Tickets for the Friday night concert are $25 for adults and $10 for students. Call the Danville Concert Association at 434.792.9242. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Author Coming to Town

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Orleans where he has cultivated several fine weeds in his yard. When he can find the time he likes to fish. He hasn’t fished in years. The Wednesday Club’s annual book and author event is open to men and women and will begin at noon in the Stratford Conference Center on Old Piney Forest Road. Tickets are $30 for lunch and the program. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Anne Geyer at 434.791.1807 by Wednesday, January 10. photo by Victor Newman

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January 2007

Turning Life Into Literature:

Averett Professor Steve Ausband Combines Two of His Passions by Susan Huckstep

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His fingers laced behind the top of his head, Dr. Stephen Ausband leans back in his office chair and quotes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet as effortlessly as if the words were printed on the wall in front of him. He’s been quoting great literature now for 36 years in the classrooms at Averett University. But it’s not his mastery of the subject that makes him a good teacher; it’s the fact that he remembers when he first “met” “Hamlet.” He remembers what it was like to be a young man of 18 discovering literature for the first time. “I remember reading Hamlet as a freshman at Guilford College and getting really excited about literature. It was as if I discovered things I didn’t know I knew until I read them in literature. As a young man, these writers gave me ways of asking questions that I don’t think I would have ever known to ask.” Ausband’s chance encounter with Shakespeare’s tragic king made a lasting impression. He not only majored in English and went on to earn a Ph.D. from Tulane, he also found in literature a way of making sense of the world. “Literature has always seemed to resonate with me. It has become such an important part of how I look at the world. It’s not the only way, but as I go through life I find myself thinking of things I’ve read. Sometimes literature just helps you ask the questions that make life interesting.” An outdoorsman, a 5th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and an author, Ausband has found plenty of interesting things in life, but he still returns to the classroom each fall to introduce literature to a fresh crop of college students. “I find it addictive to help someone else discover the power of literature. That’s what’s exciting about my job. I can open that door and once in a while somebody will walk right through it. That makes it all worth it.” Ausband’s desire to share the value of literature keeps him coming back to the classroom, but even the briefest conversation with this professor reveals that he’s just as comfortable perched 20 feet up in a deer stand as he is in his office chair. Ausband spends a great deal of time traipsing through the woods near his home in Milton, North Carolina, and enjoying fishing and hunting expeditions along the Virginia and North Carolina coasts. Given this dual passion for the outdoors and literature, it’s only fitting that a man of Ausband’s talents has found a way to combine the two. He’s turned the stories of his outdoor adventures into literature. Ausband’s latest book, Outdoors Year Round: A Guide to Fishing and Hunting in Coastal Virginia and North Carolina, describes outdoor activities that he’s experienced — hiking, hunting, fishing and wildlife watching.

“I enjoy the outdoors, and I enjoy writing so it seemed fitting to combine the two. I tried to create a book that was informative, but also enjoyable to read. I’m not an expert on all of the activities described in the book, but I have enjoyed them all. From flounder fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, to duck hunting in Halifax, to watching alligators in the Cape Fear River, we live in a part of the country where there are many inexpensive outdoor activities we can enjoy year round.” Published by the University of Virginia Press, Outdoors Year Round is laid out chronologically. Each chapter covers one month and features two outdoor adventures suitable for that particular month, complete with costs and a custom itinerary. But it’s not just the level of detail that is catching the eye of critics—it’s Ausband’s literary flair. “Few guidebooks fit the bill as literature,” said T. Edward Nickens, editor-at-large, for Field & Stream. “Few works of art give readers the tools they need to spend a day afield. Few writers have woven the two together as seamlessly as Steve Ausband in this densely figured guide to the landscapes of coastal Virginia — and to the landscapes of the heart inspired by marsh and beach maritime wood.”

This is not the first time Ausband has combined his love of literature with his love of the outdoors. In 2002, he published Byrd’s Line: A Natural History and is the author of numerous articles for outdoor magazines. “I enjoy writing — particularly about something I enjoy as much as the outdoors. I’m also able to bring my work full circle, back to the classroom. I talk about writing a lot when I’m teaching. I explain the editing and rewriting process from my own firsthand experiences.” At the moment Ausband doesn’t have any future writing projects in mind. For now he is content opening the mysteries of literature to college students and trampling through the woods in search of the next adventure. But no matter where his seasoned steps take him, he’ll never lose his young man’s sense of awe at the power of literature. Ausband’s Outdoors Year Round: A Guide to Fishing and Hunting in Coastal Virginia and North Carolina, is available at B. Dalton in Piedmont Mall, News N’ Novels in Riverside Shopping Center, and at Chatham Books on Main Street in Chatham. Ausband will be at Chatham Books, 10 North Main Street, on Monday, January 22, from 4:30pm-6:00pm and at Shadetree Rare Books on Main Street from 7pm-8pm. For more information call 434.432.2488

An Appetite for Art by Lynne Bjarnesen

The works of two well-known local artists will be on display during January at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. An exhibit to celebrate the life and work of beloved Danville painter and educator Jane Appleton Bond (19292006) will open in the Jennings Gallery on Sunday, January 7. Though a painter at heart, Bond was also known for her printmaking, bookbinding, and her clay tobacco barns and dolls, which were especially popular. This exhibit will focus primarily on Jane Appleton Bond’s paintings, but other pieces showing the scope and

creativity of her work will also be on display. Bond studied at the Parsons School of Design in New York City and in Florence, Italy. Her work has been exhibited in New York, Connecticut, Virginia, Alabama, and North Carolina. While living in New York City, Jane and her late husband Paul Bond were members of the Abingdon Square Painters Guild. In the 1960s, Harriet Fitzgerald, founder of the Abingdon Square Painters and a native of Danville, introduced Jane and Paul Bond to Danville. Subsequently they taught at Stratford

January 2007 College, Jane for more than 20 years. The work of Steven Schopen will be in the Schoolfield Gallery. Born and raised in the Kent countryside of England, Schopen began a career as a chef at the age of 15, spending much of his youth working his way through Europe. He then moved to Washington, DC, in the early 1980s, still working as a chef. It was not until the late 1990s that Schopen began to take a real interest in art. His earliest works took many forms: acrylic paintings, original and reconstructed furniture pieces, wood sculpture, color pencil, Bic pen on cocktail napkins, and ice carvings. Since moving to Virginia in 1999, Shopen has painted furiously in what can be called a primitive Art Brut inspired style, concentrating on acrylic paint on wood and canvas. His works have since been seen in London, Michigan and in Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine online. Schopen spends much of his leisure working madly in his studio, while devoting the rest of his time and

Monet in Normandy:

Art at its Best by Larry G. Aaron

It’s a long way from Normandy to North Carolina. Yet, Claude Monet, one of the most famous and revered Impressionist painters in the world has his work on display there in the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh. The exhibit presents a unique opportunity to Southern Virginia as well, for the selections of his works from private and museum collections around the world have only been shown in this country in San Francisco, and after Raleigh, in Cleveland. Claude Monet, who spent much of his life in Normandy in the north of France often painted the countryside and its landforms, its towns and villages, and the changing rhythms of the seasons of Normandy’s coast as well as his home in Giverny. He once said, "Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment." It is color that is at the heart of Impressionism, the art movement in the 19th-20th century developed by Renoir, Cezanne, Degas, and others wherein the artists painted the general impression produced by a scene or object through use of unmixed primary colors and small strokes that simulate actual reflected light. In pursuit of his study of color, Monet painted the same scenes under changing light conditions and it was his portrayal of light that propelled him into the circle of renowned artists. Monet’s pure impressionist style produced various series including the Haystacks, the Poplars, and Rouen Cathedral, painting them under varying climatic and weather conditions. Today, even when you see printed reproductions of his work, Monet’s style

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Jane Appleton Bond, Still Life, from An Appetite for Art Exhibit

efforts to the culinary arts as chef of the Molasses Grill in Halifax County, which he owns and operates with his wife, Karen. The opening reception will be on Sunday, January 7, from 4pm-6pm at 975 Main Street. For more information visit www.danvillemuseum.org or phone 434.793.5644.

is powerful and his art overwhelming, but you do not realize the interplay of light, texture and color until you see his paintings in person. Rosanne Lloyd of Danville visited the Raleigh Monet in Normandy Exhibit and came back in awe. "You don’t get a feel for how he played with light until you see the actual picture." At different places in the room, the pictures, she related, look entirely different. "You definitely notice his effective use of texture and layering of paint." Another visitor remarked, "You view them up close and then far away and they just look different. They just don’t jump off the wall at you; you have to look at them carefully. Like watching a movie the second time around, you notice things in Monet’s paintings you didn’t see the first time." "Gorgeous," is the best one word description of Monet’s paintings. For as one reviewer exults, "The Impressionists are unrivalled in their popular appeal and their paintings are among the best loved in the world. Sunlight and dappled water, the evanescent atmosphere of outdoor scenes and fleeting moments in everyday life characterize their work at its most delightful." This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see these world renowned paintings, and in our own backyard. This is an exhibit not to be missed. Monet at Normandy will be at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, until January 14. On many days, tickets for the exhibition sell out quickly. The only way to guarantee exhibition entrance for your chosen date and time is to purchase your tickets in advance. Purchase tickets online at www.ncartmuseum.org/ monet/visitor.html.or call 919.715.5923. The Museum cannot guarantee walkup ticket availability.

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Back row: Glenn Giddings, Joe Miller. Front row: Martie Roberts, Ralph Fillion, Jeanne Miraglia

Neighborhood Makeover: Alarming to Charming Danville’s West End Civic League named Virginia’s Neighborhood Association of 2006 by Joyce Wilburn

Today it’s a charming neighborhood worthy of a Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post illustration, but only a few years ago drug trafficking, prostitution, and the selling of guns was prospering beneath the large oak trees and inside one of the modest homes of Danville’s West End. The catalyst for this dramatic change in the area bounded by Howeland Circle, Montague Street, West Main Street and the railroad tracks isn’t difficult to find. Pushed into the forefront by her friends, the usually demure Martie Roberts proudly admits that she and her husband John were the driving forces behind the formation of the West End Civic League, the group responsible for this dramatic improvement. After watching the slow deterioration of their Marshall Terrace neighborhood, 2 years ago John and Martie invited 12 nearby residents to meet in their home to discuss their common problems. Word spread quickly, and others who shared the group’s concern and enthusiasm soon joined their forces. “The West End Christian Church agreed to let us meet there. We [would] come together on the third Thursday of every month to discuss beautification, lighting, and other issues related to safety,” explains Jeanne Miraglia, Chairperson of the League and a Marshall Terrace resident. To which, Martie quickly adds, “We realized that many things contribute to a neighborhood watch as opposed to just putting up a sign that says you have a neighborhood watch.” Thus it was that shortly after the first few meetings, 6 committees were created as avenues to the ultimate goal of neighborhood safety. For example, thanks to the Beautification Committee, the neighborhood’s well-kept yards and gardens send the subtle message to all that the people living there are proud of their homes. The Social Committee organizes events so newcomers to the area can meet their neighbors. “When neighbors know each other, they also know when something isn’t right,”

reasons Jeanne. “If a suspicious activity is going on or a damaging storm is approaching, I feel comfortable in picking up the phone and calling my neighbors,” Jeanne continues, referring to the phone chain that connects the households. As if on cue, Virginia Avenue resident Joe Miller hears the word emergency and steps forward to give details on one of his roles in the group as a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). “At the September meeting, we recruited 12 people to take the CERT training. They will learn basic skills to assess damage and injuries in the event of a crisis. Then when the professionals arrive, we can tell them what to expect without duplicating what we have done,” says Miller with the memory of the tornado that recently hit Forest Hills still fresh in his mind. “It’s a perfect fit,” adds Martie, “because it takes what we are trying to do a step further.” Going that extra mile impressed Glenn Giddings who moved to Marshall Terrace from Tifton, Georgia, in 2005. Although the two towns are similar in size, Giddings has the highest praise for his new neighborhood, a view that is shared by his visiting parents. “They said I had the best neighbors anywhere,” he brags. Ralph Fillion, who has lived on Montague Street for 15 years, agrees. “The response to our flyers has been favorable. Of course, there are some who don’t have time.” But that’s not the case with Ralph who gave time and talent to pressure wash and paint the landmark cannon at the entrance to the neighborhood. Fillion’s hard work even produced some unexpected results. It caught the attention of the American Legion, which, in turn, encouraged the city to construct a concrete slab under the cannon. That is just one of many successful projects undertaken by the West End Civic League. The Safety Committee has sponsored speed awareness days using the digital speed machine from the police department and police patrolled the area on bikes. When

“Neighborhood Walk Through” was organized, members of the city fire department, police department, and public works explained how areas could be improved for better health, safety and beauty. Now, on “My Porch Light Night,” odd-numbered houses switch on porch lights on odd calendar nights, and even-numbered houses do likewise on even calendar nights in order to improve the lighting on the streets. These days, the continuing partnership with the Danville’s police department has improved the reporting of criminal incidents in the neighborhood. In addition, everyone is kept informed about past achievements and future plans through the free monthly newsletter, The Cannon, which is distributed door-to-door. Martie is quick to say that neighborhood improvement isn’t an easy job. “We didn’t have a role model here. I went online, found a civic league in a community I remembered as a child, read their newsletters, and learned how to do it.” And she learned very well. The West End Civic League was named the “2006 Neighborhood Association of the Year” by the Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference. And that is the good news the League wants to spread. Any neighborhood can become better when residents band together to encourage the positive aspects of community living and eliminate the negative. And fortunately for Danville, we now have a local awardwinning example to follow. Members of the West End Civic League will plan for the 2007 year at the meeting on Thursday, January 18, at 7pm at the West End Christian Church, 130 Montague Street. All West End residents are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Martie Roberts 792.9798.

Holley & Lewis: Rising Higher and Growing Stronger by Russ Carter

Like many Danvillians, Janet Holley and Laura Lewis of ERA Holley & Lewis Realty Company are no strangers to the idea of finding strength through adversity. After 15 years of being business partners, they look back with appreciation at the low times in the beginning of their careers and at the high times that have followed. Holley and Lewis, both Danville natives, started their real estate careers at the now-defunct Lois Bowen Realty. The highly motivated women were successful and frequently talked about starting their own business. Unfortunately, those frank discussions led to their dismissal. Yet Holley and Lewis owe much of their current success to their former employer. "I credit Lois for a lot of things I have achieved," admits Holley, the 1989 and 1995 Realtor of the Year. "She trained one-on-one. Most everyone else sees your license

January 2007

left to right: bottom front - Janet Holley, Laura Lewis. Seated in chairs - Melissa Anderson, Tammy Hood. Standing - Pam Dooley, Barbara Brande, Sue Tilley, Chuck Eskey, Corinna Hodges, Myra Lester, Norma Myers, Lydia Jennings, Teresa Moody. Standing top row - Barbara Burn, Lana Garfield, Jim Houser, Amy Kendrick, Donna Gibson. and throws you out there," she says, a soft chuckle in her voice. Fortunately, being fired didn’t break the young women’s spirits. In fact, it became a catalyst for growth. Thankful for the push out of the nest, Janet Holley and Laura Lewis immediately worked to make their dream become a reality. In 1991, the duo bought Equity Solutions, an ERA franchise, from Jimmy Farlow. Three years later they moved from a little building beside Mary’s Diner into their current location at 339 Piney Forest Road. Originally a small firm with a half a dozen employees, Holley and Lewis Realty now has 18 realtors on staff. Lewis attributes their success and growth to their code of ethics. "We’ve had good relationships with our competitors and agents," says the former president of the Board of Realtors. "We are a family and we have the same goals in mind," she adds and Holley, also a former president, agrees. The women believe that living and working in a small town has contributed to their success because of the ease of meeting people who become repeat customers. Another factor has to do with the local economy. "Fortunately, our market has never been like Northern Virginia. We just sort of go along steadily," says Holley. "We don’t have huge ups or downs like big cities; this has always been a better market in the long run. We may have had some changes here based on industry, but things always seem to work out," she adds with contagious enthusiasm. Throughout their years together, both realtors have seen their share of changes in Danville and look for more in the future. "I think technology is replacing what we are losing in Danville," says the civic-minded Holley. "We are losing some big businesses, but there are a lot of little ones making up for that large loss. We look to that instead of worrying," she notes in her customary way of seeking the best in any situation. That optimistic attitude has helped Holley and Lewis become who they are today--two business women who rise higher and grow stronger with each challenge that life hands them.

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Creating a New Life in a New Town by Joyce Wilburn

Two years ago, Gretha (Mike) Blake began searching for a retirement community in her hometown of Leesburg, one of Virginia’s fastest growing areas. Instead of moving into one of the numerous large retirement centers in bustling Northern Virginia, she chose to relocate to Danville’s Stratford House, a small community of 50 independent-living apartments and 30 assisted-living units. Mike knew no one in Danville at the time, but that didn’t deter her. “I make friends easily,” she explains flashing her own winning smile. On the initial tour of Stratford House, she asked if there was an art room where she could sculpt. The affirmative answer clinched Mike’s relocation deal. “I’m in pig heaven here,” says the sculptor with a soft chuckle. After moving in, Mike put her distinctive mark on Stratford House. One of her sculptures is on exhibit in the lobby of the main building, while others are on display in her beautifully decorated apartment overlooking the 43-acre campus of the former Stratford College. And soon there will be more. Mike is enrolling in the spring sculpturing classes taught by Averett University’s Diane Kendrick. “Mike is very interesting and self-motivated. I believe in life-long learning for traditional and adult students. I’m happy to work with her,” Kendrick says. The journey to being a sculptor didn’t start as early as Mike wished, though. As a child, she asked her father, an architect, about sculpturing. He discouraged her, saying there were too many tools involved. While she didn’t pursue her dream, she never forgot it. “About 10 years ago,” she says, “I read about classes in Leesburg and took a drawing class and then a sculpturing class. I took for a year and stopped when my husband became ill.” But once at

Stratford House she resumed her sculpturing. “I used the trial-anderror method and learned from books. It’s fun and good for the arthritis in my hands.” Plus, Mike is equally delighted to be learning more about her avocation. “There is nothing like the feeling you get when you create something,” she says explaining how her work evolves slowly into a finished product. “It comes to life as you work on it,” she explains. Because every new life needs identification, Mike names each sculpture. In her apartment are “Dude,” “Cyrus,” “Aunt Effie,” and one recently finished sculpture yet to be named. All in all, Mike feels her new home in her new city has been a perfect fit. This mother of 5 adult children, grandmother of 9, and great-grandmother of 6 says, “I was overwhelmed by the size of the retirement communities in Northern Virginia. Here, I have privacy and I can communicate with other people when I want to. The people are great, and I feel safe and secure.” Mike also enjoys the cultural activities in the community and thinks Danville is a beautiful community, adding, “I love seeing the old Victorian homes here.” “This is just perfect for me,” she says with satisfaction, sitting in her living room surrounded by her creations. The nice part of that statement? She could be referring to her hobby, her new home, and her new hometown.

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First Master’s Degree Awarded at IALR

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Outdoors Year Round: ��

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Visit a Real Bookstore!

Chatham Books 10 N. Main St. • Chatham, VA 24531 www.ChathamBooks.us

434•432•2488

by Julie Brown, Manager of Advanced Learning

A milestone event occurred at the Institute last November. Nathan Annis defended his thesis, "Development of a Visual Demonstration Platform for Parallel Evaluation of Active Suspension Systems," and became the first student to receive a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech after having conducted his research in Danville at the IALR. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, Annis continued his studies at Tech completing coursework towards his graduate degree. Subsequently, Annis moved to Danville in May, 2006, and began working with Dr. Steve Southward, Coordinator of Performance Engineering and Research at IALR, on a fully active demonstration platform for testing suspension control methods. From his research, Annis created a demonstration model that will be displayed at the Institute, providing children and adults a hands-on experience in vehicle system controls. The model will allow you to visualize the increase or reduction in vibrations after adjusting the suspension controls on a model vehicle. Hopefully, after seeing how suspension controls impact vehicle vibrations, budding young scientists

and inventors who visit the Institute will begin an adventure in scientific inquiry and ask, "How does this work? What happens if I apply more force to this controlled device? How could this system be improved so a passenger can experience a smoother ride?" Annis is the first of what is hoped will be a large group of graduate students studying in Danville. Currently, there are 13 Virginia Tech graduate students at IALR. Several are from other states; one is from Turkey, two from China, and one from South Korea. Two students, who were displaced from Tulane University when Hurricane Katrina hit, transferred to Virginia Tech and are completing their graduate course work and research at the Institute. With the Institute’s videoconferencing capabilities that provide course delivery from Blacksburg and other universities to Danville, IALR has the ability to meet the academic and research needs for these students as they conduct innovative research. Five of these students will graduate in May 2007 with their master’s degrees. With the addition of approximately 15 new VT faculty members in Danville, the Institute plans to have 60 graduate students each year. Imagine the impact on our local economy and the region’s intellectual capital. So where does this story end? Well, for Nathan Annis, it’s off to the Navy’s NavAir division in Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he will be working on military helicopters and vertical takeoff aircraft as a civilian employee. Through Nathan Annis, the Institute and Danville have gained an ambassador who will inform others about our regional assets and the Institute’s ability through its partnerships with Virginia Tech, the City of Danville, and Pittsylvania County to support cutting edge research that will drive a new economy.

Books • Journals • Stationery Hours: M-F 10-5 • Sat 10-3

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Steve Southward, Nathan Annis, and Tim Franklin

January 2007

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Lasting Thoughts… Sophie

by Larry Oldham & Dena Hill

Editor’s Note: When Evince was first published in 1996, one of the most popular features among readers was, He Said, She Said. Larry Oldham wrote the male perspective for the monthly column, and in celebration of Evince’s 10th anniversary, he once again is expounding on the man’s viewpoint of ordinary events. Think of the following as Danville’s evidence for John Gray’s 1992 classic, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.

is wagging the dog, if you know what I mean. Don’t get me wrong, I like Sophie, but I could like her more if we treated her like a dog instead of like a four-legged human.

He Said

by Larry Oldham This discussion is not about being a pet lover. This discussion is not even about obsessive behavior with pets. There are people out there who leave their inheritance to their pets. Some people sleep with their pets. Everyone loves their pets. So what is the problem? The problem is that pet owners think their dogs are human. Someone needs a reality check. My fiancée, Dena, talks to her dog and her dog talks back. She then interprets what the dog says. “The dog needs to go out." "The dog needs to come back in." "The dog misses us." "The dog loves us." Reality check: The dog loves whoever feeds her and whoever gives her attention. Just ask the dog. Watch the dog. If I feed her or show her attention, she is all over me. If the neighbor feeds her or shows her attention, she is all over him. I’m not her owner. I’m not her mother. She does not speak to me by barking; she only responds by leaving a yellow puddle on the floor when I pet her, showing me that she likes being petted. I really think that pets are smart. As a matter of fact, I think pets train their owners. Sophie wakes Dena at 5 o’clock every morning for their walk. She barks when she wants to be fed; she barks when she wants to go out; and she always barks when she needs attention. She is training her master to jump when she barks. She is doing a good job too, because Dena will even leave Desperate Housewives, during the good parts, to take care of the dog. She thinks the dog is just smart and well-trained; yet, I am smart enough to tell that the tail

Sophie

She Said by Dena Hill

Using your rationale, Larry, I COULD treat you like my dog. I could pet you, talk to you, feed you twice a day, and try to interpret what you are saying. I would try to go out with you, as much as I can, when I’m not cleaning, ironing, washing dishes, and cooking. (If I take you literally that dogs only like the ones who feed them, then I guess you REALLY love the cook at Danview!) I must admit, however, that you are better trained in one area. You always follow me back in the house. I wouldn’t say that Sophie has me trained. However, she is less trouble, doesn’t tell me how to run my life, or TRY to give me her opinion about everything I do. She gives me quiet companionship and does not demand anything in return except to be fed and petted. No, I think the problem is that you are jealous of my relationship with Sophie, especially because I don’t leave a puddle in the floor every time you hug me!

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January 2007