Evince May 07 by Andrew Brooks Media Group

May 2007

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Table of Contents 2 3

Editorial Service Is Child’s Work for the Danville Rotary Club by David Price

Tobacco: From Jamestown to Danville by Lynne Bjarnesen

Second Thoughts by Kim Clifton

Driving Miss Daisy Comes to the North Theatre by J. B. Durham

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Sign Marks the Spot Where Bright Leaf Began by J. B. Durham Luna Spreads Wings on Bridge Street by Gordon Bendall

Believe by Liz Sater

Through the Eyes of Tony Adkins

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Calendar of EVINCE Around the Table A Special Dessert for Mother’s Day by Annelle Williams

Something Old, Something New at the Festival in the Park

Living Large in the Tobacco Warehouse District by Gordon Bendall The Daniel Family: Growing More Than Crops by Gordon Bendall

Halifax County Heritage & Antique Machinery Festival Returns by Cathy Cole Art for Alzheimer’s by Cathy Farley

Broadcast of VT Convocation Brings Healing by Deborah Morehead From the Desk of Christopher Russell

He Said She Said by Larry Oldham and Dena Hill Rippe’s Fashion Statement by Ben Rippe

On the Cover: Alex Alderson plays on the family farm in South Boston, Virginia, while Pat Alderson, plows in the background. Alex is the son of Bryan and Tiffany Alderson and the grandson of Pat and Karen Alderson. Photo by Bobby Carlsen. Visit www.bobbycarlsen.com or 434.836.6042.

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Editorial by Emyl Jenkins For those of us who, years ago, grew up in Danville, tobacco was as much a part of our city’s life as breathing. By late summer, tobacco sleds piled high with golden leaves rolled down the cobblestone streets to the waiting warehouses, blanketing the City with the sweet, pungent smell of the region’s cash crop. Of course if you weren’t from around here the smell wasn’t so sweet, but little matter. We knew what we had. WBTM said it all. You see, our radio station’s call letters stood for Danville’s motto: World Best Tobacco Market. Over the years, as the world’s view of tobacco changed so did Danville and the region. But our pride in our heritage has remained constant. The opening of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History’s exhibit, Danville and the Culture of Tobacco, is more than a tie-in to the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown; it is a tribute to the people and the region. We hope you will enjoy this month’s EVINCE and ﬁnd it educational and insightful as you learn a little more about who we, as a people, are; where we have come from, and where we are going.

Pick up your Evince Racing In Danville:

For as you will also read in this issue, Luna Nanoworks is bringing fresh life to our region that is as far-reaching to industry as tobacco once was. As Bob Lenk says on page 16 , Luna has "a vision of where it’s going." And by choosing to locate in the historic warehouse district, this new industry is saluting Danville’s past. Which is why it seems particularly ﬁtting that we salute not just the tobacco industry of the past, but the forward-looking new industry, Luna. For together, the history of the past and the dreams of the future provide a strong foundation on which to build anew.

Danview Restaurant 116 Danview Drive El Vallarta 418 Westover Drive Holiday Inn Express 2121 Riverside Drive

In South Boston:

Bistro 1888 221 Main Street The Prizery 700 Bruce Street Holiday Inn 1074 Bill Tuck Highway

FOR SUBSCRIPTION: Mail your name, address, phone number, and a check for $15 (12 issues) to EVINCE Managing Editor, Evince Subscription, P.O. Box 2396, Danville, VA 24541.

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Service Is Child’s Work for the Danville Rotary Club by David Price, 2006-07 President of the Danville Rotary Club

As I stand, watching children playing on the Rotary Playground in Ballou Park, I’m transported back in time. It’s Monday, April 11, 2005. Even as I shut off the engine of my car, I can hear the laughter and squeals of happy children. I smile, remembering the times spent with my own grandchildren in their carefree play. And my smile broadens when I think of the hard work of many dedicated Rotarians and other kind-hearted people who have made this wonderful playground accessible to children with disabilities. Though a crowd had turned out for the playground’s official

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ribbon-cutting ceremony that spring day, the children enjoying the new facilities were totally oblivious to the adults on the sidelines. Among those most pleased was Doug Butts, Assistant Governor of Rotary District 7570, and Past President of The Danville Rotary Club. Butts, who had inspired the $60,000 project and to which the Danville

Rotary Club donated $15,000, was beaming with pleasure and not a little bit of pride. It was a hot day, I remember, about 80 degrees. But that didn’t stop the children sliding down boards, hanging from monkey bars, and swinging on the swings. I noticed, though, that many parents with smaller toddlers had no shade to protect their children from the sun, and I remember how

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difﬁcult it was to ﬁnd a parking space near the playground. I must not have been alone in my observations because now Danville Rotary Club and the Danville Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department are working together to increase everyone’s enjoyment of the playground and to correct its problems. The cost of expanding the parking area and erecting a shelter will exceed $30,000. In support of this endeavor, the Danville Rotary Club is hosting an Expansion Fundraiser with dinner, music, silent-and-live auctions, and lots of fun and fellowship on Friday, June 1, at the Stratford Conference Center beginning at 6 p.m. The cost is $50 per couple. Tickets are available by contacting any Danville Rotary Club member or calling 434.791.2813. Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, reaches around the world and comes back here to Danville, and in particular to Ballou Park. Anytime you need to brighten your day and put a big smile on your face, go to the Rotary Playground in Ballou Park, and listen to the infectious laughter of the children. I do. Often.

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World Tobacco Auctioneering Champions Bob Cage, Walter Wilkerson, and Page Roberts shared stories at the opening of the tobacco exhibit.

Tobacco: From Jamestown to Danville by Lynne Bjarnesen

“If Jamestown was the cradle of America’s leaf exporting tradition, Danville was the cradle of leaf marketing and manufacturing.” — Robert Heimann, Tobacco and Americans

DCA

Danville’s Museum of Fine Arts and History and the long-dormant National Tobacco-Textile Museum have organized a major exhibition as part of Virginia’s and the City of Danville’s celebration of Jamestown 2007. Danville and the Culture of Tobacco uses artifacts, archival photographs, audio, and film to showcase the unique tools for growing tobacco, the colorful tobacco auction system, and the production factories. Tobacco, Jamestown’s first export, was until recent decades the Commonwealth’s leading cash crop and economic driver. The role of Bright Leaf tobacco in the economy of the tobacco region known as the Old Belt was paramount, not only to the region but to Virginia’s economy as a whole. Stretching across the Virginia/North Carolina border including Pittsylvania and Halifax Counties, the Old Belt region produced tens of millions of pounds of some of the world’s highestgrade tobacco. The epicenter of the Old Belt was Danville, with its famous auction system for selling tobacco and bustling factories that processed the tobacco after it was sold. As such, tobacco was instrumental in creating a distinctive fabric of local traditions and ways of life. Danville and the Culture of Tobacco traces both the agriculture and the popular culture of Virginia’s and the nation’s first livelihood from its

introduction to the English by Native Americans to its profound economic impact on the development of Virginia and our nation. A rich collection of artifacts from the former National Tobacco-Textile Museum examines the people who grew and marketed the prized ﬂue-cured Bright Leaf, and who traded the processed and manufactured Old Belt commodity around the world. From 1975 to 1990, these artifacts were on display in the National Tobacco-Textile Museum housed in a former tobacco factory. Since then its collections have remained in storage. But in August, 2006, the tobacco-textile collections assessment team—Gary Grant, project leader, and assistants Gale Allen and Billie Caldwell—have reopened and catalogued most all of the Museum’s principal holdings, including thousands of advertising ephemera, cigarette packs, lighters, and all types of pipes. Other memorabilia—humidors, snuff boxes, plug cutters and tobacco farm implements—comprise much of the rest of the collection. By exhibiting the best and most evocative pieces from this rich mine of artifacts, Danville and the Culture of Tobacco pays homage to tobacco’s role in the history of America and also serves as a gauge of the public’s interest in resurrecting the tobacco component of the former National Tobacco-Textile Museum as a dynamic museum on its own. In addition, the Danville Museum staff also will help the tobacco-textile assessment team develop a modular component that can travel to museums around the area.

Danville and The Culture of Tobacco is on exhibit until August 19. There is no charge. For more information contact the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, 975 Main Street, 434.793.5644 or visit www.danvillemuseum.org.

The National Tobacco-Textile Museum operated in a former tobacco factory on Lynn Street in the city’s Tobacco Warehouse District from 1975 to 1990. It emerged from Danville’s 1969 Tobacco Centennial, part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Danville Tobacco Association (DTA) trade group for Danville’s warehouse auction market. An ofﬁcial of the DTA at the time, George A. Myers, Jr., led the effort to collect tobacco memorabilia reﬂecting the history and culture of tobacco--its marketing, processing, manufacturing, and promotion of tobacco products. These artifacts mirror tobacco’s central role in the founding, history, and economy of Virginia, particularly Danville, a town founded expressly for the inspection of tobacco in 1793. To complement the integral role of tobacco in Danville’s development, Museum founders added a component based on textiles, the city’s second economic dynamo which, from 1882 until recently, drove the local economy. Tobacco and textiles were, without question, the city’s two pivotal historic industries over the past 200 years.

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The Big Picture If you’ve ever used Reynolds Wrap to sharpen your TV picture, then you realize that technology’s come a long way, baby. But if you think rabbit ears belong only to bunnies, you probably don’t. I still remember our ﬁrst color set. Not only did I discover that Gilligan wore a red shirt, I found out why the NBC peacock strutted his stuff. He really was in living color. Back then, just having a blackand-white television could make you blue. Today it takes one of those new-fangled rectangular ones to tickle you pink. What’s more, nowadays only squares watch a square, making most of our entertainment centers ready for Goodwill. It’s not just the shape that does it; it’s the size…ranging from gigantic to gargantuan. One stroll through an electronics department and suddenly every man’s a Texan. Bigger is better. This is especially true of my husband, Robert. When he came home with the one he’d bought, I had to rethink our basement. I considered knocking out a wall, paving the ﬂoor and painting

some lines for parking. The allure of these televisions is not just the dimensions; it’s the amazing picture quality. Some come with a projector built in the back. A peep inside reveals it really is done with mirrors. Another model is equally as bright, but so flat you could slip it under a door. These are known as plasma sets…a most fitting name considering you’ll sweat blood when your VISA card is swiped. All of these new TVs are called HD for high definition. High dollar is more like it. Usually when people rob you, they carry a gun. I looked at the price tag on ours and said aloha to a Maui trip I’d been planning. One of the secrets of this technology is something called resolution. Ordinarily, this word means fixing a problem.

Ordinarily, resolution means ending a ﬁght, not starting one. Except at our house—even though Robert went through the proper channels to sway me. “Check out the clarity,” he’d say. “It’s amazing. You can count every pore in that guy’s face.” Only a man would see that as a good thing. Truth be told, our biggest struggle is for remote control. Nothing pushes my buttons quicker than when I can’t push them at all. The worst is when Robert leaves the ﬂipper on his night stand and I have to kick back the covers to walk around and get it. If I smothered him with a pillow in his sleep, I am convinced no woman jury would convict me. While the remote is a convenient little gadget, the last thing I feel with it is control.

They have more colorful circles than the dashboard of a 747, although I don’t use most of them. Somebody needs to invent a simpler one with only four choices…on, off, volume and channel. And it should automatically change to Lifetime or Hallmark if anyone appeared on screen wearing a numbered jersey. I miss the days of the strutting NBC Peacock and regret we’re left with Britney Spears instead. But I do like that tin foil is back where it should be…on my TV dinner, not on my TV set. The sizes or the shapes really make no difference in the big picture. The real truth is that we can’t live without TV. We can’t get through the day without it and some of us can’t get through the night without it. For all of the high deﬁnition technology we see these days, I’m not so sure we aren’t the ones who are programmed.

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Driving Miss Daisy

Comes to the North Theatre by J. B. Durham

A trio of veteran Danville actors will take the stage at the North Theatre the ﬁrst weekend in May to weave a tale of the pre-civil rights era South in Driving Miss Daisy. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play tells the story of how two people born into and separated by decades of institutional segregation can come to accept and even respect one another almost in spite of themselves. Although somewhat different from the Academy Award-winning ﬁlm version that starred Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Akroyd, the stage version of Alfred Uhry’s work delves just as deeply into the societal chasm of segregation that once was the norm for the deep South. The play begins in Atlanta in the late 1940s, when 72 year-old widow Daisy Werthan demolishes yet another car while behind the wheel. Her son, Boolie, decides it’s time for his mother to stop driving and hires Hoke Colburn, an unemployed black man, to serve as her chauffeur. Miss Daisy resents this infringement on her independence and views Hoke with disdain. In turn, Hoke dislikes her patronizing tone and, he believes, her latent prejudice. Through a series of vignettes that span the course of 25 years, the pair grows closer and more dependent upon each other

until, near the end, they can be imagined almost as a couple, having learned that they share more in common than they would ever publicly admit. Liz Goodman plays Daisy Werthan with the dignity and sense of place one would expect from an Atlanta matron of that era. Fred Motley is Hoke Colburn, who with seemingly endless patience and good-natured perseverance, slowly changes Miss Daisy’s way of thinking. The stage version provides a more substantial role for Miss Daisy’s son, Boolie, portrayed by Larry Wilburn, who builds his character with skill and charm. The play is directed by Barry D. Haulsee, who directed these three actors in Little Theatre’s ﬁrst interpretation of Uhry’s story nearly 15 years ago. Driving Miss Daisy will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, and Saturday, May 5, and at 2 p.m. on May 6 at the North Theatre, 629 North Main Street. Admission for all shows is $15. Tickets will be available at the door or in advance at the Danville Arts & Humanities ofﬁce, 435 Main Street For more information call 434.792.6965 or visit www.danvillelittletheatre.org.

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Sign Marks the Spot Where Bright Leaf Began by J. B. Durham

In north-central Caswell County, near where the Dan River flows through the small community of Blanch, stands a nondescript, standard-issue state historical marker dedicated to Abisha Slade, a 19th century landowner and farmer whose development of the Bright Leaf curing process for tobacco revolutionized agriculture in the Piedmont. Actually, it was one of Slade’s slaves, Stephen, who “discovered” the process. In 1839, Stephen was watching over a barn of curing tobacco, tending the wood fire at night when he fell asleep. Upon waking a few hours later, he found the fire nearly out. In a panic, he threw coals from a nearby fire pit into the barn, and the resultant burst of heat cured the leaf to a bright yellow color. The oddly colored tobacco was found to have a mellower, sweeter taste than the traditional dark-cured tobacco, and fetched a higher price at market. Slade and his brothers refined the curing process until, in the 1850s, he was able to sell Bright Leaf for as much as $1.35 per pound--an unprecedented price for the time. Slade freely shared his process with other farmers, resulting in the transformation of the poor, sandy fields of the Piedmont into an agricultural gold mine where tobacco soon surpassed cotton as “king.” The widespread demand for Bright Leaf formed a solid foundation for the economic explosion in tobacco production with Caswell and Pittsylvania Counties and the City of Danville leading the way. Economically, it could be said that as Cyrus McCormick and John Deere were to the wheat fields of the Midwest, so Abisha Slade was to the tobacco farms of the South. To see the area where this took place and the sign that marks the spot, follow these directions: Go .7 of a mile on Route 86 South from Danville heading toward Yanceyville, North Carolina. Turn left onto Walters Mill Road. Go 3.8 miles. Turn left onto Bertha Wilson Road. Go 2 miles to the intersection with Blanch Road. The marker is on the right.

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The staff at Luna gathered recently for a Technology Award from the Southern Piedmont Technology Council.

Luna Spreads Wings on Bridge Street by Gordon Bendall

Luna Nanoworks has landed on Bridge Street in Downtown Danville where science fiction is becoming real science. Nanomaterial (very teeny tiny stuff indeed) is being researched and developed here to make new products and to improve the performance of many existing goods already on the market. Better bullet-proof vests are in the works, as is very smart camping tent material with flexible solar panels built-in that will re-charge batteries when the tent is set up for sleeping. But that’s just the beginning. Luna nanoscientists are discovering better ways to manage and monitor diseases and to create new drugs for treatment. They’re on the cutting edge in many fields. And yes, Luna got its name from the exquisite pale green moth that sports one of the most sensitive set of antennae in the animal kingdom. The name fits because Luna Innovations Incorporated develops sensing devices and measuring tools for the communications, medical, military, and energy markets. Luna has around 200 employees with facilities in Tidewater, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, and Danville, Virginia. The company was started by Roanoke-born, Kent Murphy, a Virginia Tech grad who went from the janitor’s closet to engineering fame at ITT after inventing a new fiber optics device. After nailing his PhD, he took the fast track to tenure at Tech, the youngest professor ever to do so. Murphy chose Danville because towns like Danville need companies like Luna. With the loss of the city’s manufacturing base, Luna hopes to attract more high-tech companies to town. And on a continental scale, Luna would like to keep high tech industries from going overseas as global manufacturing has already done.

In what was a tobacco facility a hundred years ago, now room after room houses sophisticated experimental equipment where scientists in lab jackets are exploring nanoscience and tweaking the molecular structure of life as we know it. President of Luna’s operations in Danville, Bob Lenk comes from Texas where he founded three pharmaceutical companies and successfully introduced new drugs to the marketplace. Lenk shares Murphy’s two passions in life: to introduce kids to science and to keep jobs in this country. “That’s an important part of why I moved to Danville,” Lenk says, “because of the need and because of the challenge. There’s something very compelling about this story--transforming Danville. There’s a high motivation factor for all of us working here. We have about 15 PhDs brought here over the past 15 months. And every one of those PhDs sees this as a social mission and a vital piece of why they’re here. We’re reaching out to all the schools, primary, middle, and high schools to get kids to stretch their minds and consider new careers that would have never occurred to them before. We want to spread the word that technology is not opaque, but rather transparent, and allows for creativity and imagination.” Lenk continues with obvious passion in his voice, “The United States has a huge lead in technology with the rest of the world, but we’re letting that lead evaporate. Here in the U.S. there are about 50,000 engineering graduates a year. In India, there are 150,000. In China, 250, 000. We have a huge reserve of technology that we are drawing on, but we have to become much more efﬁcient about how we use that for the economic success of the country.”

May 2007 “That’s why policy-makers are so interested in what we’re doing here,” Lenk explains. “Governor Warner came to Danville and part of his visit was to talk to us about this concern. The United States is changing from a manufacturingbased economy to a technologybased economy. We need to find more efficient ways of harvesting the value of our untapped reserves in our universities, companies and research labs both private and public. It’s important for Danville to understand what this means for Danville. There is a higher concentration of nano-material scientists here than in Boston or San Francisco. And we are attracting a lot of notice in the scientific community. Scientists and business people are coming to Danville to learn about the technology that we have going on in our facility here, as potential collaborators on research and as partners in business. About 40 people in the past year have come to Luna and they’re discovering Danville as well. This is a wonderful city and Luna is proud to be a part of it,” says the selfappointed goodwill ambassador. Lenk has talked to school officials at Galileo and Sacred Heart Schools about using Luna as a field trip destination for biology, chemistry, and physics classes. “Kids can learn about science in the classroom and then come here and actually see it in action. It’s a way to reach them, to interest them, to hook them. We need more engineers. We need more scientists,” he stresses, noting that Luna’s PhDs are Russian, Chinese, German, and of course, American. All have landed high-paying jobs and they moved to Danville with their families. “We have created a lot of excitement in the scientific community for what’s going on here. And even though we are not huge when compared to a lot of employers, we carry a long shadow. We interface with the top universities in the country and around the world. We see ourselves as the spearhead of the transformation of this community and we’re looking forward to empty shops being filled,” he adds. “We have to grow a long way and we hope to see Danville grow along with us. We all have a vision of where it’s going,” says the man who can see brightness in the city’s future.

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Page 10 These days, for a cause to catch on, it needs a catchy acronym. That’s why my newest mission is SUP--Supporting Urban Pedestrianism. And just how do you do that? You park your vehicles and walk, and along the way you’ll discover the charms of downtown and the tobacco warehouse district. This isn’t a new concept. Many long-time downtown merchants remember seeing Louis Dibrell, Sr., president of the now defunct Dibrell Brothers Tobacco Company, walking, lunch bag in hand, from his West Main Street home to his ofﬁce on Bridge Street almost two miles away. Currently, Jeff Liverman, Executive Director of the Danville Science Center on Craghead Street, and his wife, Joanne, have embraced this concept. Both walk Main Street on their morning commute to their downtown jobs. Not only do the Livermans physically beneﬁt from the regular exercise, they save money on gas and automobile maintenance. Jeff claims that the time spent on foot also acts as a mental buffer between work and his home life. By walking he has more opportunities to relate to neighbors and friends. “It truly

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Believe...

In the redevelopment of Danville’s Historic Downtown and the Tobacco Warehouse Districts by Liz Sater, Re-Development Coordinator

puts you in touch with your community,” Jeff says. SUP-ers aren’t the only ones to gain from walking through the heart of the city. Consider this: SUP helps alleviate parking problems. The most successful downtowns rely on mass transit to move people into the heart of the city, and then create pedestrian friendly environments within the district. SUP improves the environment and the economy. By lowering the demand for fuel, the supply is conserved. The less fossil fuel burned, the healthier the environment. The less money spent on gas, the more disposable income there is to support businesses. SUP sends a message that the district is safe and secure.

Statistics support the observation that in areas with increased pedestrian activity, criminal activity decreases. It doesn’t take long for urban workers and dwellers to become comfortable with the energizing atmosphere that is unique to a downtown setting. At the same time, while walking, one can more greatly appreciate the aesthetics of our beautiful historic downtown and tobacco warehouse districts. Danville is fortunate to have beautifully preserved historic 19th century commercial and residential architecture. We also have the Dan River that provides a naturally pleasing and constantly changing backdrop for the downtown and tobacco warehouse districts. Downtown’s

May 2007 two historic murals are as informative as they are pretty. Flower baskets and planters brimming with vibrant colors compliment the streetscape from spring through fall. And in every season the cobblestones in the warehouse district add yet another point of interest for the walker. There’s no end to the sights that just can’t be appreciated through the windshield of a vehicle—just take a look at the pictures on the adjoining page. It makes good sense to SUP. I’ve even thought about making SUP bumper stickers, but then, where would we put them? I hope you’ll take my idea and run (or walk) with it. The city of Danville is actually a little more compact than one might think. It is only about 1.5 miles from Danville Regional Medical Center on South Main Street to the Science Center on Craghead by way of Main Street. From the post office to the Science Center is just .8 of a mile. Hook those distances into the Riverwalk Trail near the Science Center and a very nice hike could be configured to accommodate many levels of fitness.

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Downtown/Warehouse District

Through the Eyes of Tony Adkins

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

May

May 3 (thru 5)

Caswell County Student Art Show. Caswell County Civic Center - 336.694.4591.

The Beat Goes On. Meredith Gravely School of Dance. 7:30 pm. GWHS Auditorium. 434.799.8072.

Poet’s View: Photographs by Barry Koplen. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History - 434.793.5644.

The Tempest -. Times vary. Halifax County Little Theatre – 434.576.6291.

The Great Dinosaurs of China Exhibit. Virginia Museum of Natural History - 276.666.8600.

Kuumba-West African Dance Company - dance and drumming classes. Times vary. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848. Calligraphy Class. 1-2 or 7-8 pm. Ballou Recreation Center 434.799.5216. Beginner & Advanced Line Dance Classes. 6:30-7:30 pm and 7:30-8:30 pm. Ballou Recreation Center - 434.799.5216.

Through May 30

Through May 25

Through June 17

Through August 19

Danville and the Culture of Tobacco Exhibit. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History - 434.793.5644.

May 1

European Film Masters - Die Blechtrommel (The Tin Drum), 1979. 3 pm & 7 pm. The North Theatre - 434.792.2700.

May 1 (thru 29)

Art Classes with Judie Instruction on oil and watercolor painting. Mondays or Tuesdays. Times vary. Ballou Park Annex Building. 434.797.8848. Yoga - Tuesdays 5:30 pm. Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848.

May 1 (thru 30)

Westover Wittle Wones PreSchool Program. Ages 3-5. 9:30 am–12 pm. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Coates Recreation Center - 434.797.8848.

May 1 (thru 31)

Fitness Programs. Fitness For Older Adults 9–11 am; Ladies Fitness 10 am–12 pm. Tues/Thurs. City Armory Recreation Center’s Power Zone Fitness Center 434.797.8848.

May 2

Special Olympics Track and Field Event. 9 am. GWHS Track Field. 434.799.5199. Jefferson Awards. Virginia Museum of Natural History 276.666.8659. Captains Choice Golf Tournament. Boys & Girls Club of Eden, NC. 336.623.3336. Fetch! Lab - Create a biome in a baggie. Ages 7–11. 3:45–4:45 pm. Danville Science Center 434.791.5160.

May 3

Eden Business Expo - Over 100 exhibitors, door prizes, samples and more. 11am-3 pm. Eden Mall. Eden Chamber of Commerce - 336.623.3336. Orange & Maroon Tour Speakers: Assistant Coaches VT Football and Women’s Basketball. 6:15 pm. IALR. Danville Pittsylvania Co. Hokie Club 434.797.3355 or 434.797.5446.

May 3 (thru 6)

May 3 (thru 31)

May 4

Ta-Da Celebration. Downtown Danville Association - 434.791.4470. Urban Cowboy The Musical Caswell County Civic Center. 336.694.4591

May 4 (thru 6)

Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival. See page Driving Miss Daisy - See page 6.

May 5

Farmers' Market Opens. Danville Community Market 434.797.8961. Learning Liftoff Computer Lab - Help with math, 3rd Grade through Calculus. 9 am- 5 pm. IALR - 434.766.6754. DRBA’s First Saturday Outing - Paddle 6.5 miles on the Dan River from Eden, NC to VA line. 10 am. 336.547.1903. Cleaning of the Dan - Clean the body of water running through the heart of Danville. 10 am. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160. Saturday Night Under the Lights - Super Moto Motocross Series. Birch Creek Motorsports Park - 434.836.7629.

Art on the Lawn. 10 am–5 pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History - 434.793.5644. First Saturdays in Altavista One-of-a-kind items from clothing and tools to antiques. Trade Lot, Altavista. 434.944.5530 or 434.369.6665. Bob Ross Painting Class - Underwater Friends. 10:30 am– 3:30 pm. Ballou Park Annex Building - 434.797.8848.

May 6 (thru August 12)

Prizery Exhibit - Artisans & Craftpersons In The Dan River Region Exhibit. The Prizery 434.572.8339.

May 7

Book Review - Chatham Books. See ad page 5. Abs & Cardio Instruction. 5:30 pm City Armory - 434.797.8848. Mariachi Band. 6:30-9:30 pm. Los Tres Magueyes Mexican Restaurant - 434.792.0601.

May 7 (thru 28)

African Dance by Nguza Saba – Mondays 6-7:30 pm. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848. Boogie Mondays – cha-cha lessons. 7-8:30 pm. Ballou Recreation Center - 434.799.5216.

May 8

European Film Masters - The Handmaid’s Tale, 1990. 3 pm & 7 pm. The North Theatre 434.792.2700. Design Your Own Personal Website. IALR - 434.766.6754.

May 9

Polliwogs & Science Stars - Learn about the parts of plants and what they need to live and grow. Ages 3–4 1–2 pm; Ages 5–6 3:45–4:45 p.m. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

May 9 (thru 31)

Art With Flo – Wet-on-wet technique. Wednesdays or Thursdays 6–9 pm. Ballou Park Annex Building. 434.797.8848.

May 2007 MAY 2007 S M 6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28

T 1 8 15 22 29

W 2 9 16 23 30

T F S 3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 31

May 10

Design Your Own Personal Website (See 5/8) Kayak & Canoe – Camilla Williams to Sandy River. 6–8 pm. Outdoor Rec - 434.799.5215.

May 10 (thru 12)

Dance Magic - Danville Academy of Dance. 7:30 pm. GWHS Auditorium. 434.792.9106.

May 11

Martinsville Mustangs Golf Classic. 11:30 am. Forest Park CC. 276.632.9913. BBQ & Bingo. 12-3 pm. Ballou Recreation Center - 434.799.5216. Fridays at the Crossing - Girls Night Out with U.B.U. 6–9 pm. Carrington Pavilion. 434.793.4636. Barbecue Dinner. 5:30–8 pm. American Legion Post 1097. egor1@comcast.net.

May 11 & 12

The Sound of Music. Times vary. The North Theatre - 434.792.2700. The Tempest (See 5/3-6) Light Up the Sky - Bartlett Yancey High School Drama Company. 7:30 p.m. Yancey House Gallery Pavilion. 919.225.4580.

May 11 (thru 13)

An Evening of Culture - PHCC Players perform Shakespeare. 7 pm. Patrick Henry Community College, Martinsville - www. ph.vccs.edu.

May 11 (thru June 22)

Expressions 2007 Exhibit - Works by regional artists. Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville - 276.632.3221.

May 12

Butterfly Fun - Explore the butterfly’s life cycle while you learn amazing butterfly facts. 10 am–12 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160. Blossom’s Garden Party 8 am3 pm.Downtown Chatham - crafts, food. 9am JROTC parade and demonstration; 10am children’s decorated bike parade; 11am Mother of the Year Award; 434.432.1659. Learning Liftoff Computer Lab (See 5/5) Auto Race - South Boston Speedway - 1.877.440.1540. Native American Festival. Occoneechee State Park. 434.374.2210

May 12 & 13

NC Region SCCA SARRC/MARRS Challenge - More than 400 cars from all over the east coast. VIR - 434.822.7700. US Eastern MX Spring Series. Birch Creek Motorsports Park - 434.836.7629.

May 14

Lunch with Steve Watkins - Award-winning author. 11 am. Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville - 276.632.3221.

May 2007 Evolution and Ancient Philosophers. 7 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

May 15

European Film Masters - Der Unhold (The Ogre). 3 pm & 7 pm. The North Theatre - 434.792.2700.

May 16

Fetch! Lab - Eat like a bird. Ages 7–11. 3:45–4:45 pm. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

May 17

Amazing Sea Exhibit. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160. Sky Watchers - View the Big Dipper and its double stars, Mizar and Alcor; the Centaur; and maybe even Mercury. Viewing begins at dark. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

May 18

Women Of Faith, Walking By Faith of Danville. 11 am–1 pm. The Colonnade Room. Jennie 434.793.8140 or Catherine 434.836.2660.

May 18 (Thru 20)

Festival in the Park, Pigs in the Park, Nestle 5K Run. See p. 15.

May 19

Berry Day - Chef of the month demonstrates the use of ﬂowers in cooking. 10 am. Uptown Martinsville Farmers’ Market. 276.638.4221. Red Grammer - One of the premier entertainers of children and families. 11 am. Prizery, South Boston - 434.572.8339. Faith Fest - A day full of music, food, crafts, entertainment, etc. for the whole family. 12 pm. South Boston. 434.579.2483. Learning Liftoff Computer Lab (See 5/5) Southside Jazz Festival. Occoneechee State Park. 434.374.2210 Cork & Pork Festival. See p. 17. International Festival - Windows to the World. See page 15. ATV Motocross/TT/CC. Birch Creek Motorsports Park - 434.836.7629. AARA MoonLight Series StadiumCross. Lake Sugar Tree Motorsport Park - 276.650.1158.

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The Dan River Opry - Stillhouse Bottom Band. Great bluegrass, your favorite beverage, and do a little ﬂat-footing, too! 8–11 p.m. Prizery, South Boston - 434.572.8339.

May 20

Smokinlicious Cooking Demonstration. 1:30–3 pm. Danville Parks, Rec. & Tourism - 434.793.4636. Film Forum at The Prizery - The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. 2 pm. Chastain Theater, South Boston - 434.572.8339. Konstantin Soukhovetski – Russian-born pianist. 8 pm. Prizery, South Boston - 434.572.8339

May 23

Hymn Time. 12:45 p.m. Ballou Recreation Center - 434.799.5216. Polliwogs & Science Stars - Explore fascinating facts about butterﬂies. Ages 3–4 1–2 pm; Ages 5–6 3:45–4:45 p.m. Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

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Fitness Camp For Preschoolers 3-5 years olds.11:30 am–12:15 pm. City Armory Recreation Center. 434.797.8848. Learning Liftoff Computer Lab (See 5/5) Auto Racing. South Boston Speedway - 1.877.440.1540.

May 29

Stock Car Open Test Day - Fans will be able to watch America’s top stock car teams practice (tentative). 8 am. VIR - 434.822.7700.

May 25

Fridays at the Crossing Backstreet. 6–9 pm. Carrington Pavilion. 434.793.4636. TGIF Outdoor Concert - Music by Sunset Drive, food & beverages. 7–10:30 pm. Uptown Martinsville - 276.632.5688.

May 26

Tumblin’ Tots - Tumbling, stretching, ﬂexibility and other basic movements. 9:30–10:15 am. CityArmory Recreation Center. 434.797.8848. Pool Opens at Staunton River State Park. Scottsburg, VA. 434.572.4623.

June 1

Awaken the Spanish Within - A One Day Language and Cultural Adventure. 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Institute For Advanced Learning and Research. 434.797.8848. Golf Tournament – Sacred Heart School Endowment Beneﬁt. Caswell Pines Golf Club. 434.793.2656.

June 1 (thru 3)

May 30

Southside Sky-Fest Air and Car Show. Danville Regional Airport - 434.799.5110.

May 31

640 Community Rescue Squad's First Annual Bluegrass Festival For info: 434.432.2337.

Mustangs FanFest & Homerun Derby. 7:20 pm. Hooker Field. Martinsville Mustangs - 276.632.9913. Martinsville Mustangs Baseball vs. Thomasville. 7:20 pm. Hooker Field. Martinsville Mustangs 276.632.9913.

June 2

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May 24

Greek Food Fest VIII. 11 am– 2 pm & 4–8 pm. Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. Advanced tickets only. 434.792.3632 or 434.797.8202. Abs & Cardio Instruction (See 5/7) Kayak & Canoe – Camilla Williams to Schoolﬁeld Dam. 6–8 pm. Outdoor Rec - 434.799.5215. Celebrity Waiters’ Dinner. 7 pm. Prizery, South Boston 434.572.8339

Upcoming Events

May 8, 2007

VDOT Public Hearing on Worsham Street Bridge Demolition and Environmental Consideration Public forum for citizen participation—written or verbal—regarding VDOT’s proposal to demolish the Worsham Bridge, a structure eligible for the National Register. If proposed for removal, bridge demolition would require an Army Corps of Engineers permit, a Federal undertaking subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Interested parties are invited to participate as consulting parties under the Section 106 consultation process to seek ways to avoid, reduce or mitigate the adverse effect of demolition. 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. O.T. Bonner Middle School 300 Apollo Drive, Danville.

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Danville Academy of Dance The Danville Academy of Dance would like to invite everyone to its’ annual recital “Dance Magic”, May 10th, 11th, and 12th at 7:30pm, George Washington High School Auditorium. Advanced tickets may be purchased by calling the studio at 434.792.9106. Tickets are $12.00 in advance and $13.00 at the door. All seats are reserved. Pictured is the Opening number “Mesmerizing”. The Danville Kiwanis Club is the proud sponsor of “Dance Magic”.

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May 2007

Mothering Cake

Around theTable by Annelle Williams

A Special Dessert for Mother’s Day It’s time to celebrate Mother’s Day, to say ‘thank you’ to our moms, and remind them that they are loved. It’s also a day that we like to do something special for them--and for me that means a family get-together with lots of food! My mother loves desserts, so this year I’m going light on the appetizers and main courses and focusing on the sweets. I’ll dust off our three-tiered tidbit tray (an under-utilized wedding gift from 40 years ago) and ﬁll it with miniature versions of her favorite desserts. While researching different dessert recipes, I found a Mothering Cake that was served in the 18th and 19th centuries in England on Mothering Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent when household employees were excused from work to spend the day with their mothers and enjoy eating Mothering Cake. I’ve updated the recipe and adjusted the quantities and some of the ingredients. The original recipe called for currants, sultanas, and citrus peel. The interesting twist to this recipe is the use of almond paste as a layer in the cake and as the topping. It’s really a very easy recipe and makes a nice moist, ﬂavorful cake that goes equally well with morning coffee or a glass of after-dinner wine.

y p p a H ’s r e h t o M Day!

2 1/3 cups cake flour 2 tsp. baking powder pinch of salt 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup chopped dried fruit mix (i.e. pineapple, cranberries, coconut) 10 ½ T butter, cubed ¾ cup sugar 3 large eggs 2 tsp. almond extract 6 2/3 oz. vanilla soy milk (200ml) Zest from one orange, divided 10 oz. almond paste, divided 1 egg, beaten Preheat oven to 320º. Grease the bottom of the cake pan and cover with parchment. Then spray the parchment and sides of pan with baking spray--Baker’s Joy or similar product. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Stir fruit into flour mixture. Cream butter and sugar, then add the eggs one at a time, ending with the almond extract. Gently stir flour into the butter mixture alternating with milk. Use a folding motion. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Evenly distribute half the orange zest over batter. Roll half the almond paste into disc about the size of the top of the cake. Place the disc on top of the batter in the pan. Cover the almond paste with remaining batter, and finally sprinkle with the remaining orange zest. Cover cake pan with a double layer of parchment paper and use cooking twine to tie around edge of pan and secure parchment. This will keep cake from drying out during baking. Bake for 1 hour, or until cake tester inserted into center of cake comes out nearly clean (test by puncturing the parchment with the cake tester). Remove parchment and cool cake on a wire rack. Roll remaining almond paste into disc to fit top of cake.* Place cake topped with almond paste on an oven-proof plate. Brush top of almond paste lightly with beaten egg. Place cake under broiler just until almond paste turns light brown. Don’t walk away. This only takes 1-2 minutes. Cool and serve. * To easily roll almond paste, place it in a gallon zip-lock bag and roll to desired size. Cut bag open, even edges with a pastry cutter, and then place disc on cake.

May 2007

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Page 15

Something Old, Something New at the Festival in the Park Gina Craig, Festival in the Park President, says this year’s annual 3-day celebration of spring will continue the “old-time favorites” while introducing new attractions to meet our community’s changing needs: “The music is diverse, concessions offer traditional favorites and new options, and the International Festival gives visitors something completely new this year.” Over 100 artisans will display their craftsmanship to strolling visitors seeking to ﬁnd that special one-of-a kind purchase. Photography, art, sculpture, lamps, children’s toys, and pottery and brass items are just some of the items that will be on display. And for those just along for a good time, the large children’s area will feature amusement rides and games, interactive and educational exhibits, entertainment, and free crafts for the young and young-at-heart . Entertainment for the children will include Steve Gryb, The Pied Piper of Percussion, an interactive music show and instrument display, while everyone will enjoy the stage and strolling entertainment from Magic by CHAZ. All ages are encouraged to take a peek at the displays at the Youth Art Gala on the lower level of Ballou Recreation Center. Young artists, craftsmen, sculptors, and photographers often use the Festival as a springboard for future careers and endeavors. For music lovers, Friday night’s schedule includes a mixture of jazz and rock-and-roll. Saturday’s entertainment begins with the area’s Youth Talent Showcase at 9:30 a.m. followed by more local entertainment from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. At 4 p.m., British Export, a Beatles tribute band will perform, and the evening entertainment featuring country music’s Ty Herndon will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday’s performances begin at 1p.m. with the oldies and shag group, Band of Oz. Rhythm and Blues lovers will especially enjoy Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs at 3 p.m., while Gospel enthusiasts will not want to miss Spencer Taylor and the Highway QC’s at 5 p.m. Throughout the weekend, local and regional entertainment will also be provided. During Saturday’s Health Fair, free screenings, massages, blood pressure

checks and more will be offered and representatives from various health services and organizations will be on hand to answer questions. Speaking of ﬁtness--early Saturday morning there will be the Nestle 5K Race organized with the help of the Danville Running and Fitness Club. The race and the children’s fun run begin at 8:30 a.m. The 5K Walk/Run/Wheelchair Race begins at 9 a.m. Entry forms are available at the Welcome Center or by contacting Lewis Dumont at 434.792.2215. New to the Festival this year will be the Windows of the World. Organizer John Gilstrap describes the showcase of food, entertainment, and talent this way: “The International Festival is a vibrant and colorful celebration of diverse ethnicities and cultures represented in Danville. The result will turn Ballou Park into an international mosaic with representatives from around the world sharing their unique heritages to entertain and educate the community about the value of international cultures,” he adds. Southern culture will also be obvious at the 7th Annual Pigs in the Park, Virginia’s KCBS sanctioned State BBQ Cook-Off. Fifty teams will vie for $21,000 in prize money. According to event organizer Bill McMann the interest in Virginia barbecue has grown signiﬁcantly. “This year our 2 BBQ vendors who will also be competing in the event are both Virginia teams. When the competition started 7 years ago, we had to look for teams from Virginia,” he says. BBQ isn’t the only food that will be judged. Local cooks will turn up the heat in the River City Chili Challenge and Festival goers can sample the chili entries following the competition. Contest rules and entry forms are available at www.visitdanville.com. Click on the Pigs In The Park link. For more information call 434.793.4636. Come see for yourself. Some things are old. Some things are new. Everything is fun. Plan to attend The Festival in the Park in the 97-acre Ballou Park at the corner of West Main Street and Park Avenue the weekend of May 18-20. Friday activities begin at 5 p.m.; Saturday at 9:30 a.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. For more information, visit www. visitdanville.com or call 434-793-INFO.

What can you give your children for their 40th Birthday? Give them the gift of

Music...

the gift that lasts a lifetime

40 Years of Making Your Dreams Come True

Danville Community School of Music

a good beginning never ends

A Music and Movement Program for Children ages Birth to 7 years • Play Musical Instruments • Singing • Movement & Dance • Musical Games • Listening • Creative Storytelling • Children’s Literature

“Music Makers: At the Keyboard” (a “Musikgarten” beginning piano course for children ages 7-9 yrs.)

“The Action People” 470 Piney Forest Road

www.simpsonrealtyco.com

793-6222

Toll Free 1-800-296-1049

Call now to register for Fall Classes. Make sure your child gets the class you prefer and get an Early Bird Discount too! Lynn Dinkle 791-3868 email: lynndinkle@yahoo.com Classes held in Danville at West Main Baptist Church

A-Mazing Sea May 19–Sept. 3, 2007

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of an undersea environment. Climb into sea turtle shells and through a whale’s mouth. Solve riddles to complete your A-Mazing passport.

Summer Science Day Camps and Adventures Activities and fun for ages 3–13 • July–August Call (434) 791-5160 for information and to register.

VISIT THE

Butterfly Station and Garden Meet beautiful butterflies and the fascinating plants they need to survive. Now through mid

While at the Festival in the Park, look for these tobacco-related artifacts in Ballou Park. The bell was used to call everyone to the tobacco auction. The trough was used by the horses and mules that pulled the tobacco wagons to the warehouses.

677 CRAGHEAD ST. DANVILLE, VA (434) 791-5160 dsc.smv.org

October. Free!

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Living Large in the Tobacco Warehouse District by Gordon Bendall

Like in many other river cities across the country, the people of Danville are re-discovering that downtown can be a great place to live. And when there’s a river running through it, so much the better. Lynchburg’s doing it downtown along the James River. Richmond’s set the example years ago with a river walk, condos and concerts downtown along the banks of the James. But Danville’s not that far behind, and by some measures, Danville’s potential is far greater than most river cities. Commercial and residential possibilities in sturdy vacant buildings within reach of the banks of the Dan are plentiful and are attracting developers, architects and investors from everywhere. They know it can be done. We are by instinct attracted to water and the Dan offers some spectacular views and all kinds of recreational possibilities. The occupancy of the new Dan River Crossing apartment complex on Bridge Street near to the irresistible train trestle pedestrian bridge and the state-of-the-art Carrington Pavilion are proof that the river is a draw. The Burton Condominium on Bridge Street has its ﬁrst resident and Lindsay Lofts is abuzz at the top of historic Craghead Street. Thanks in part to the Davis Storage Company that has maintained many of the old tobacco warehouses in the district, Danville has still standing what some growing cities have torn down and paved over…brick warehouses and factories along cobblestone streets. George Davis of Davis Storage said the family business operates eleven warehouses in the district and is pleased about the upscale transformation. “We’re excited about what’s going on,” Davis says, “and not just from a monetary standpoint with the increase in property values. We have been terribly concerned about the state of the buildings around us. But now, we’re very pleased that more and more people are interested in maintaining the character of this historic manufacturing district. It’s great for the whole city.” Danville’s Tobacco Warehouse District where Craghead Street and Bridge Street run from Main Street to the Amtrak train depot is an architectural museum unto itself. The ornate brickwork alone puts it in a class by itself and the fan-like cobblestone patterns of Bridge Street along Dimon Row where corporate tobacco made Danville the world’s best tobacco market are truly works of art.

“It’s clean, it’s quiet and I like hearing the trains,” says Roger Kappeli, a resident of the newly opened Burton Condominium on Bridge Street near the former Dimon corporate headquarters where ownership has recently changed hands to people who also appreciate the value of architectural history. Kappeli is a commercial taxi pilot ﬂying out of Danville Regional Airport with SATS AIR. “I love my place. It’s new and it’s rustic,” he says. The upscale renovation of the F.X. Burton “plug and twist” chewing tobacco factory into a 28-unit condo is a marvel. The interiors of the units are unique. Corn-husk-blasted brick walls and exposed beams create a luxury backdrop for all the interior niceties: granite countertops, stainless steel appliances with glass, ceramic and iron details everywhere. Marketing and selling the condos from $119,000 and up, Susan Stilwell of Century 21 Manasco Realty, has transplanted her own roots into Craghead Street where she has transformed the old Harper and Croxton wholesale grocery building into a spacious living space. “My lifestyle is changing and the timing is perfect to give up the big house and yard and live near my work and all that’s happening at The Crossing at the Dan,” she says. “My rooftop has fabulous views of the cityscape and the river, but it’s totally private. I believe 301 Craghead Street is exactly where I am destined to live at 60,”she adds. Within walking distance are the Danville Science Center, Danville Community Market, the Amtrak Station, the Estelle Womack Museum of Natural History and the 6-mile River Walk Trail that connects the Tobacco Warehouse District with Dan Daniel Park, the Danville Braves Stadium, the Cyber Park, and Angler’s Park. The performing arts have a solid foothold just across the river at the North Theatre. And another thing…developer Jim Cheatham, a Richmond native, is restoring the old Link-Watson Hardware Store to become elegant living quarters called Lindsay Lofts. There will be over 20 units available for young professionals, empty nesters and retirees. When Cheatham started the project last year he told the Danville paper, “I believe in saving historic buildings. If you tear them down, the history is gone, and you can never bring it back. But you can modify and renovate old structures to

accommodate any type of business or residence. It’s important to have residences in the tobacco district, because it creates life after dark, which in turn brings new coffee shops and restaurants into the community. They complement each other.” Now there’s talk of an Indian restaurant coming to downtown. Come down and see for yourself where Danville started and how Danville’s now growing. Drive downtown and walk over the river. Factories may be few and far between but the city’s greatest resources are still there, the river and the people.

The Daniel Family: Growing More Than Crops

The Cleve, Martin & Will Generations

by Gordon Bendall Ever since high school, Martin Daniel knew that if he wanted it, there would be a place for him on his family’s farm in the Caswell County community of Blanch, North Carolina. The same was true for his two brothers, George and Bill, but their paths led to town and they now practice law in Yanceyville. Their sister, Linda, enjoys both the town and the country lifestyle, with an interior design career and a vineyard at home. But all four still live closeby. And their parents, Cleve and Anne Daniel, couldn’t be happier. Cleve tells a story about how retired Caswell County District Court Judge Robert R. Blackwell visited the farm one day and caught the Daniel boys out in the ﬁeld cultivating tobacco by hand, pulling up the soil around the plants with hoes and cutting weeds, the process that comes shortly after the tobacco slips are planted. “My boys were chopping tobacco,” Cleve recalls. “They told Bob Blackwell he could help out and that there was an extra hoe. But Bob told the boys that he didn’t like chopping tobacco. He said, ‘That’s why I’m a lawyer!’ Bill and George must have agreed with him, but I’m sure glad Martin decided to stay.” Martin at 47, is not only proud to carry on the family farming tradition started generations ago, he’s among the few who still call the farm their home, their work and their way of life.

May 2007 “Ever since I can remember, I’ve never wanted to do anything else,” he says. His father, his grandfather and his great-grandfather were all farmers. Tobacco, poultry, grains, beef cows, dairy cows, hay, you name it…the Daniels have done it all. Even Martin’s mother, Anne, is a producer. She ran a successful egg business for years, serving Caswell County and the Danville area. But Martin’s not sure if his son will make the same choice when he comes of age. William “Will” Daniel is just 3years-old. “That will be his decision,” Martin says. Will has already taken quite a liking to his John Deere pedal tractor and loves to go with his dad around the farm. At the same time, his daughters, Madeline, 8, and Georgia, 6, might decide one day that living and working on the farm offers a quality of life found nowhere else. Having the land provide for your family is a great life’s work. Love of the land seems to pass from generation to generation, so it’s only natural that a son would want to continue the work of his father. “I couldn’t have done it without him,” Martin says about his father Cleve. “We talk every day and he always gives me good advice.” Sitting close to each other at the breakfast table, Martin and Cleve discuss when and where to plant crops and what equipment to use as spring planting gets going. This year Martin will tend about 75 acres of ﬂue-cured tobacco and another seven acres of burley this year. He will also plant watermelon, cantaloupe, and sweet corn to sell from his front yard at 113 Yarborough Mill Road, just around the corner from the family farm on Long’s Mill Road. Watermelons sell for three dollars each, cantaloupes for a dollar and sweet corn so much a dozen. Martin’s wife, Lori, helps out a lot. “We have a money box and the honor system,” Martin says raising an eyebrow and smiling. “Someone ran off with it one day last year. I found it empty down the road.” Such is life on the farm; it’s always something. But despite the ups and downs of farming life, at age 81, Cleve Daniel just can’t give it up. With a little help, he tends about 60 beef cattle of his own and feeds another 60 dairy cows for a neighboring farmer. “I enjoy it and don’t regret a thing,” Cleve says. “I’ve had a good life, a full life. All of my children and grandchildren have settled around me. A man couldn’t ask for anything better than that.”

May 2007

Halifax County Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival Returns by Cathy Cole

May is the perfect month for outdoor events, especially the 4th Annual Halifax County Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival. And if this year’s Festival is like previous ones, comfortable weather and good wholesome fun--combined with a little of the unexpected--will attract thousands of visitors from all over the area. What do I mean by the unexpected? Well, last year’s Festival included a wedding! While most festival goers came to see antique tractors and trucks, classic cars, and antique farm equipment, one happy couple came to get married. In front of thousands of festival goers and Halifax County’s Clerk of Court, Bobby Conner, they said, "I do." There probably isn’t another couple in the world who can boast that their wedding party consisted of thousands of people milling around eating hot dogs and hamburgers or cones of homemade ice cream while the presiding official stood before them in his best bib overalls. One thing I’ve learned about the festival organizers (whom we affectionately call gear-heads, because their goal is to preserve the rich agricultural history of Halifax County) is to expect the unexpected. For example, at the drop of a hat Wayne Smith will hop on his tractor and ride ten miles from his home into town to meet his tractor-riding buddies like Tommy Epps and Tom West. In fact, that’s just what the tractor boys did in late April. They putted along on their tractors through Halifax and South Boston stopping at all of the nursing homes to visit the residents. Sure it was a great publicity stunt and a neat way to advertise the upcoming Festival, but it was more. It brought big smiles and wonderful memories to the residents of the nursing homes, many of whom have spent countless hours on tractors. But for those who like a little faster action than driving a tractor offers, consider entering the Burn Out at the Festival. If your vehicle can rumble, roar, and make a lot of smoke, that’s all you need. According to Buster D’Amato of Buster’s Performance Center of South Boston and sponsor of this year’s Burn Outs, you might want to make sure your vehicle has a good set of brakes, too. The Burn-Outs, scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights at 6 p.m., are open to all vehicles--cars, trucks, motorcycles, SUV’s, front-wheel drives, rear-wheel drives, or all-wheel drives. The only requirement is that the vehicle must have enough horsepower to create a smoky burn-out and be able to stop within 200 feet. If you enter the contest, be sure to bring your own cheering section because the winner will be determined by the crowd’s applause. In addition to bragging rights, Buster’s Performance Center will present the two first-place winners with plaques. Other attractions at the Festival are working farm exhibits, tractor pulls, great local music, and an exhibit hall filled with handmade crafts, antique tools, and more. This annual event is a labor of love for the "gear-heads" of Halifax County who are hoping to build a permanent Heritage Village where folks can view the antique machines and vehicles that helped shape the rich agricultural heritage of Halifax County.

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The 4th Annual Halifax County Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival will be from noon until 9 p.m. on Friday, May 4; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 5; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 6 at the Halifax County Fairgrounds on Hwy 360 East. Delicious festival foods will be available on the grounds all weekend. For more information visit www.halifax countyheritagefestival.org or call 434.572.6879 or 434.349.3349.

Art for Alzheimer’s by Cathy S. Farley

If music soothes the savage soul, then artwork does the same for our senses. Soon, thanks to Gary and Michelle Bender, owner of Dixie Bags on Ridge Street in Danville, the members of the Danville Art League will have a bright new gallery in which to display their “soothing” work, and the Alzheimer Association will have a new benefactor. How did this trio come together? It was a common love of beautiful original works of art and the desire to help others. The Benders have had a life-long appreciation for beautiful works of art and their store confirms this. It is filled with handmade tapestry bags, unique pottery, glassware, articles for men, women, children, and babies, garden ware, and other items created by artisans whom the couple befriended while working at arts and craft shows on the East Coast. When Dixie Bags opened recently at its new, larger location, it was a dream fulfilled for the Benders, but they weren’t content for long. Their next project was to help others reach their goals, and that includes local artists and the Danville Alzheimer Association. Artist Melanie Vaughan, who also happens to be the Director of the local Alzheimer’s Association, developed the idea of Arts for Alzheimer’s after moving to Danville from Atlanta. Vaughan noticed that there were no retail art galleries in Danville, although there were many talented and prolific artists. “It was then that the ‘light bulb went on’,” says Vaughan referring to a new joint venture with the Benders. It didn’t take long for Michelle to agree to Vaughan’s idea of displaying original art at Dixie Bags and donating 10% of every sale to the local association. It is a cause dear to Michelle because her mother suffered with Alzheimer’s. “There is much that Americans do not know about Alzheimer’s,” Vaughan states while listing important facts. Five million Americans now have Alzheimer’s; it is the 7th leading cause of death for all ages, and the 5th leading cause of death for people 65 and over. The mission of the association is the “advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Art for Alzheimer’s will “Give voice to the cause, open minds and move for those who are unable.” The gallery grand opening is set for the week of June 2-9 from 10am-5pm each day with a kickoff for Art for Alzheimer’s on Saturday, June 2, from 10am-2pm. Members of the Danville Art League are invited to call 434.793.5842 for an appointment to show their work for possible inclusion in the new gallery. For information about the Danville Art League call 434.793.7767. For more information about Alzheimer’s, visit www.alz.org. or call 434.792.3700, ext. 30. Dixie Bags is located at 136 South Ridge Street in Danville. For more information call 434.793.5842 or visit www.dixiebags.com.

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Broadcast of VT Convocation Brings Healing by Deborah Morehead

When tragedy hit Virginia Tech on April 16th, Danville’s Institute for Advanced Learning and Research was among those feeling the pain and devastation caused by senseless violence. Some of us here knew one of the victims and were saddened to learn that French professor Jocelyne CoutureNowak died Monday in her classroom. She was married to the VT Horticulture Department Chair Jerzy Nowak. Nowak was instrumental in establishing ISRR (The Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources), one of the four research centers at IALR. He was often here in the early days of ISRR. Upon hearing of Jocelyne’s death, one Danville resident expressed shock and dismay. "I just can’t believe it," she sighed. "Jerzy is a sweetheart, and was devoted both to Jocelyne and to their 12-yearold daughter Sylvie. My heart just breaks for him." All our hearts were heavy as we took a caravan to Virginia Tech to pay our respects at Jocelyne’s memorial service. On the Tuesday afternoon before, in our sadness we opened our doors to simulcast the convocation ceremony from Virginia Tech. With others all over the world, we watched as a community of Southside residents when President Bush, Governor Kaine, Virginia Tech President Steger and others spoke words of comfort. We listened as poet Nikki Giovanni reminded us that Hokies are "strong and brave and innocent and unafraid" but Hokies will prevail.

The IALR’s Executive Director, Tim Franklin, spoke for us when he said, "We are all deeply saddened by the events that occurred at Virginia Tech yesterday. The faculty, staff, Virginia Tech graduate students here, the IALR Board of Trustees, and I offer our most sincere condolences to our colleagues at Virginia Tech, to the students, and to all the families involved. There are no words to ease the grief of the VT family, and no logic or language to explain incomprehensible acts of violence. At this time, communications can only go heart-toheart in unspoken words and prayers. We mourn together and together we will begin the healing process." Many who wanted to be with us at the Institute could not. Numerous people e-mailed IALR, following our e-mail invitations and media announcements about the convocation. A Charlotte, North Carolina, resident wrote, "If there was any way that I could make it to Danville on time I would deﬁnitely do that—know how much I care about and feel related to the sad situation on the VT campus." Another wrote, "Though I cannot be there physically, please know that you and everyone involved are in my prayers. As a parent of two young adults, 22 and 24, I whole-heartedly mourn with you all." A mother whose daughter spent part of three summers involved in the VT STARS program at Tech said, "I will not be able to attend, [but ] I did want to express my heartfelt sympathy to all who are associated with Virginia Tech and the horrible events of yesterday. The simulcast is a wonderful opportunity for our community to participate in this historic healing ceremony and begin the long road to recovery from this tragedy—Your broadcast of this event will help a great many people." We hope it did, and in the days to come we at the Institute pledge our continued support to the community to enrich the lives of all through education.

Christopher Russell at The Inn at Berry Hill Founders College Development announces that Larry McAfee, a veteran in the hospitality industry, is the new general manager of The Inn at Berry Hill. Formerly general manager of The Tides Inn, in Irvington, Virginia, McAfee managed a $16million dollar renovation of the rooms, restaurants, kitchens, marina, spa, and a golf course at that facility. Prior to working at The Tides Inn, McAfee was director of Food and Beverage Operations for The Diplomat Resort, in Hollywood, Florida, where he was responsible for the strategic planning, development and implementation of operations to re-open the legendary $800 million dollar resort. At The Inn at Berry Hill, McAfee will assist in the ownership transition of the Inn to Founder’s College Development, as well as become the new general manager of the Inn at Berry Hill. Founders College Development intends to finalize the transition by early May at the latest. “Larry’s vision and professionalism will bring product-and-service quality, leadership stability, and vision to The Inn at Berry Hill,” says Tamara Fuller, chief executive officer of Founders College

Development. “His extensive experience in food and beverage operations, as well as his managerial skills, promises to transform The Inn at Berry Hill into a world class destination resort,” she continues. “I truly feel that this opportunity will allow me to apply everything I have learned from my previous experiences to make The Inn at Berry Hill an amazing resort,” McAfee says, referring to the complex that was once the home of one of Virginia’s largest tobacco plantations and now has beautifully manicured grounds, 92 guest rooms, 5,000 square feet of meeting space, a fitness center, an indoor pool, saunas, tennis courts, bike trails, and a ﬁshing pond. McAfee will lead the effort to deliver unparalleled amenities and customer service to the guests at The Inn at Berry Hill. “Larry is a great ﬁt for The Inn at Berry Hill and will complement the changes we have made over the last six months,” says Chris Russell, owner of The Inn at Berry Hill. The Inn is part of an 1,100 acre master planned development that will include the Founders College Campus, a 400-unit residential community and golf course.

May 2007

He Said

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by Larry Oldham

by Dena Hill

It’s the age-old question that comes up at least twice a week in our house: Where do you want to eat? I already know the answer to this question but just for the sake of argument, let’s break it down into parts. The first part is about who makes the decision. In a democratic society, one could take a vote. Of course, if the parties are you and your significant other, the outcome will be one-to-one. Then what? Or, you could agree that because I decided the last time, you get to choose this time but let’s face it, we’re OLD and our memories aren’t what they used to be. (Or is it my selective memory, again!) Since I pride myself on being a gentleman, I always ask you where you want to go. And since you’re such a lady, you always say that anywhere I choose is fine with you. So I choose, after 12 or 15 times of ping-pong conversation and a half a tank of gas. Here’s a good example. I tell you that I want barbecue and then you politely tell me that you’re not in the mood for barbecue or I don’t like that restaurant. “But you just told me that I could choose," I retort. “Fine,” you say quietly as you give in. The next thing I hear is, “but I’m going back on my diet.” Translation: You can eat there if you want, but since I don’t like that place, I’ll silently protest and refuse to eat. The subterfuge is telling you I’m on a diet. The other part of this problem could be that whoever pays also chooses the restaurant. But if I always pay, then I always choose, and you are always on a diet. This would save me lots of money...however, I would always be eating alone. You would be sitting across from me, but I would be feeling so guilty about your drinking water and smelling the bread, that I could never enjoy my meal. I guess we could just stay home and eat what you cook. The other angle here is that since we both work full-time, why should you have to be the one to cook and clean? So I gallantly offer to cook dinner for you. The biggest problem of all is that I don’t cook. So, where do you want to eat?

How convenient... you don’t cook. Do you think I was born knowing how to boil water? You can read, can’t you? You can follow directions, can’t you? Oops...I almost forgot...most men don’t ask for directions! You were beginning to sound somewhat rational until you veered off into your fantasy world. If you did cook, what would you cook? Deviled eggs or lemon pie out of a box? Not on my diet! As a working mother who has always cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner without complaining, I think you are blowing this “where-to-eat” thing all out of proportion. When you say “Let’s eat out” I just assume you are tired of my cooking, or there is a new restaurant that you want to try, or you ﬁnally ﬁgured out that I work longer hours than you do and it would be nice to have a break from the dinner/dirty dishes routine. So let’s break it down into parts as you say. If you’re tired of my cooking, you can eat at your house, bring your own food over, or cook dinner for yourself. If you want to try a new restaurant, I’m game. Just tell me when, what time, etc., and take me there. Don’t make such a big deal out of it. If you’re planning to give me a break, that’s GREAT! It will be greatly appreciated. I know how thoughtful you are and dinner out is a loving way to show it. To be honest with you, I don’t really care where we eat or IF we eat out at all...except on special occasions. When you want to eat out, pick a place, pay for it, and then you’ll be happy and I’ll be happy. Remember, I don’t have to have French cuisine and caviar every day, especially since you’re a meatand-potatoes guy like most men. Besides, you eat out every day at lunch, so dinner can’t be too important to you. So, where do you want to eat? Do you have an opinion? Contact: loldham@sitestar.net

Rippe’s Fashion Statement Everyone Is Playing Dress Up

Women are shifting gears for spring/summer ’07. Going from the tired denim look to exciting, effortless dressing. Dresses grace the runways, but more importantly, the dress frenzy is now evident on the street. The West Coast, and especially California, has embraced the fresh look of the spaghetti strap “maxi” dress, fun and casual, worn with sandals. The flirty printed dresses are even seen with retro sneakers. However, the more conservative, yet fashion-conscious lady is being showered with a wonderful array of wrap and belted shirt dresses. She is also embracing the move towards “fusion”-mixing organza, georgette, and lace with cotton, gauze, and embroidery. Milady has many choices that could be worn during the day, through dinner time, and into evening as well--dressed down with flip flops or dressed up with heels. Ben Rippe is president of Rippe’s, Rippe’s Furs and Rippe’s Shoes. The 100-year-old family business is located in downtown Danville.

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