Evince Magazine August 2011

Making an Easy Transition from Summer to School Page 5

She Said He Said Moving in Together Page 4

Spotting Exceptional Customer Service Page 14

Debra Dockery: Getting Up Every Morning with a Smile

August 2011

Photo by Lona Kokinda

Page 2

Editor’s Note

This August heat is making the neighborhood wildlife crazy. A black bear dug up a drainage pipe in the front yard; a herd of flower-eating deer devoured the backyard garden; an unlucky mouse is decomposing in my home’s ventilation system, and ants are biting my toes before crawling up my legs as I sit at my desk. Am I complaining? No, I’m smiling because I’m doing what I love—working on Evince.

Debra Dockery on our cover understands. She explains her reasons for Getting Up Every Morning with a Smile on page 3.

Contributing writer, Linda Lemery, also has a positive attitude that is relentless. Discover her secret in Reflecting Forward: When I wear these, I feel like a picnic table on page 16. (The title alone should make you chuckle.)

Even positive, smiling people have an occasional down day.

Tim Rogers wants to lend a hand, if you’re worried about Making an Easy Transition from Summer to School. His helpful hints appear on page 5. Newly-married Dena Hill and Larry Oldham are struggling to merge households.

Of course, Larry has the perfect humorous solution for his longsuffering wife in She Said, He Said on page 4.

To endure the heat of August and life’s roller coaster ride, keep a positive attitude and choose a few indoor activities from the many listed in the Calendar on page 12 and Calendar Clips on page 18.

Drink lots of water and dress appropriately, remembering what Little Orphan Annie says, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.”

August Contents 2 Editor’s Note 3 Debra Dockery / Getting Up Every Morning with a Smile

by Moriah Davis & Scott Brooks 4 She Said He Said / Moving in Together

by Dena Hill & Larry Oldham

Where Can I Find an Evince?

5 Making an Easy Transition from Summer to School

by Tim Rogers 7 Rainbow at Midtown

by Mack Williams 9 Second Thoughts / And Justice for All

by Kim Clifton

oice of Optimism

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

C.E. Adams, Scott Brooks, Ruben Cardwell, Melissa Charles, Kim Clifton, Moriah Davis, Wanda Greeson, Dena Hill, Telisha Moore Leigg, Linda Lemery, Jane Murray, Larry Oldham, Tim Rogers, Alice Saunders, Joyce Wilburn, Annelle Williams, Mack Williams, Jane Wiseman

Business Manager Paul Seiple paul@evincemagazine.com (1.877.638.8685)

11 Promises

by Telisha Moore Leigg 12 Calendar

Sales Manager Larry Oldham larry@evincemagazine.com (434.728.3713)

14 Spotting Exceptional Customer Service

by Wanda Greeson 15 Book Clubbing / Freedom by Jonathan Frazen

by Jane Wiseman 16 Reflecting Forward

When I wear these, I feel like a picnic table

by Linda Lemery

Sales Associates Kim Demont (434.792.0612) demontdesign@verizon.net Misty Cook (434.728.2905) Art & Production Director Demont Design (Kim Demont) evince\i-’vin(t)s\ 1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display clearly: reveal syn see SHOW

17 Around the Table / The Versatile Zucchini

by Annelle Williams

Editorial Policies:

18 Calendar Clips

eVince is a monthly news magazine covering the arts, entertainment, education, economic development, and lifestyle in Danville and the surrounding areas. We print and distribute eVince free of charge due entirely to the generosity of our advertisers. In our pages appear views from across the social spectrum.

They do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. We reserve the right to accept, reject, and edit all submissions and advertisements.

On the Cover:

Photo by Michelle Dalton.

See story on page 3.

EVINCE MAGAZINE 753 Main Street Suite 3 Danville, VA 24541 www.evincemagazine.com

See the August Issue of Showcase Magazine

Featuring a Tale of Two Foundations: The Danville Regional Foundation and the Community Foundation

Meet Some of Our Writers

Sincerely,

Credits: Makeup & Hair: Katie Mosher; Skin Care: Catherine Adkins; Nails: Janelle Gammon; Genesis Day Spa & Salon

The

© 2011 All rights reserved.

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

We now accept Visa, MC, and Discover for ad payments Known by many in the community as the “bookstore guy”, Tim Rogers served for 26 years as the manager of B.Dalton Bookseller.

A graduate of Averett College with a degree in history/education, Tim brings to Sylvan Learning of Danville a passion for customer care and a dedication to the community.

Wanda Greeson is a retired Pittsylvania County School teacher.

Melissa Charles is the founder and Artistic Director of the Union Street Theatre, Danville’s first Black Box Theatre. A native of Danville, Melissa is a professional actress, director, and choreographer, with a wide array of film, television, and theatre credits to her name.

Jane Murray graduated from George Washington High School, James Madison University, and the University of Virginia. After teaching English at George Washington High School for 35 years, she has spent much of her retirement volunteering and serving on the board of the Danville Museum and traveling.

For Subscriptions, call 1.877.638.8685 ext. 6.

Deadline for submission of September stories, articles, ads, and calendar items is 5 p.m. on Friday, August 19.

Submit stories and articles to: joyce@evincemagazine.com.

Submit calendar items to: calendar@evincemagazine.com.

For ad information contact a sales associate or sales manager above.

Evince Magazine

W

ASK DR. JUDITH

hether there are

opportunities in the

community, business world, or at home, many of us are scared to take the next step to move ahead. A woman of courage and boldness, Debra Dockery uses her wisdom and experience to take the opportunities given her to better help the community, her clients and her family.

Doing her part to help Danville grow, Debra has made an impact on the community. For the past ten years, along with Robert Brown, she has been the coowner of Computer Bookkeeping and Tax Service, a local business they took over in 2001. Since 1994, when she first went to work there, she has seen the business triple in size. In a world where many small bookkeeping offices are going by the wayside, her business is on the up-swing.

Even though it has expanded through the years, Debra never wants to lose the closeness of a small business. She states, “It is important to me that we have the one-on-one relationship that every client deserves. I never want the business to grow to the point that we aren’t able to give clients the attention they need.”

Recently, Debra accepted a new opportunity. Two years ago she started a membership with Curves, a local health club and fitness center. After going a few times she realized there was something different about Curves. Exercising there was something better than she had ever done before and she found herself wanting to go every day.

Curves had an atmosphere she just couldn’t resist and it gave her weight-loss results that even other people noticed.

One day, an employee mentioned to her that the owner, who lived in Arizona, was selling the local Curves fitness center and asked if

Judith A. Ostrowski, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology

Danville ENT Associates, Inc.

Q: Dr. Judith what is tinnitus?

(TINN-i-tus) is the perception of sound A: Tinnitus when there is no outside source, a phantom

sound. This can be ringing, roaring, hissing, frying, crickets or thumping sounds. The primary cause of tinnitus is damage in the auditory nervous system; the sensory cells or the nerve.

Since the ear and auditory system don’t have pain receptors, tinnitus is a way the ear tells the brain something is wrong. A co-symptom of this damage is hearing loss. Many people who have tinnitus also have hearing loss. Loud noises can cause or increase the perception of tinnitus through the stress it puts on the auditory system. Tinnitus can also be a symptom of certain syndromes or be caused by medications.

If a person has tinnitus they must have their hearing evaluated by a Doctor of Audiology and then be seen by an Otolaryngologist. This can be done in one visit at Danville ENT Associates.

No one should take any preparation to “cure” tinnitus without MD approval. Some of these “cures” can actually make tinnitus worse.

Photos by Michelle Dalton Photography.

Debra is a strong community advocate. She is very active around Danville and volunteering is almost a way of life for her.

Her son, Jeremy, who is now in college, is the reason she became so involved. When Jeremy was a young boy, she wanted to spend time with him so she volunteered for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Tee Ball, baseball, and soccer. Now, he no longer lives in Danville, but what keeps her focused on the community is the people of this city. Debra states, “I love people.

I enjoy getting out and meeting the different people who help make this community what it is.”

Her main goal for Danville is to see it grow. “Without the support of volunteers at functions that happen in the city, there is no way we can expect to see a change. It is very important for us to give, even if it’s just a small portion of what was given to us,” Debra says.

Page 3

Debra Dockery

Getting Up Every Morning with a Smile

by Moriah Davis and Scott Brooks

she would consider buying it. Caught off guard, Debra responded, “Do you think I’m crazy?” But, after doing extensive research, she realized this might be something she could do. What led her to buy the fitness center are the unique things she loves about it. Curves is different from other fitness centers because it is designed for women who work together in a circle for only 30 minutes a day, moving from station to station. Also, there are always coaches to help newcomers and those who have progressed beyond the beginning stages.

Because of the great staff at Computer Bookkeeping and the long-term staff Curves already had in place who were doing a great job, she knew that taking on this new challenge would be significantly easier. “If I didn’t have a good staff

at both businesses, I wouldn’t be able to do this,” Debra says. In both her professional and family life she is thankful for the people who surround and support her. “Being a business owner is very stressful and it takes a lot of time and energy, but I love life, I enjoy everything, and I get up every morning with a smile.”

•Computer Bookkeeping and Tax Service, 2380 Riverside Drive, is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m.

For more information, call 434.793.8976 • Curves at 104 Trade Street is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 a.m. to 7p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 7a.m. to 1p.m. and 3p.m. to 7p.m. Closed on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 434.799.7887.

Tinnitus is annoying but it doesn’t have to be devastating. There is a product designed specifically to address tinnitus, either with hearing loss or without hearing loss being present. It is the Live 9 Tinnitus Sound Generator (TSG) from GN ReSound. I dispense this product at Danville ENT Hearing Center. It is designed to present a very low level signal that will interfere with the brains perception of the annoying tinnitus.

To make an appointment for a hearing evaluation and to discuss the Live 9 TSG from GN ReSound call (434) 791-4170.

Please e-mail me any questions regrading hearing and hearing instruments at hearing@gamewood.net.

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

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

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

Page 4

August 2011

SHE SAID

HE SAID

Moving in Together

The beauty of being married again is having someone to take care of me, to watch out for me, and to make sure that my life is filled with nothing but sunshine.

I probably could have thought of buying a new house as a solution to my collection problem. The only bad thing about that is I don’t recognize all of my great collectibles as a problem.

Because you don’t see how practical it would be to open a museum after I have passed, I have to persuade you to enjoy some of my greatest treasures now.

Have you seen one of the earliest Polaroid cameras?

Have you seen the first newspaper article about the Sputnik space dog in 1957? Have you experienced the first Beta movies and reel-to-reel taped music? I didn’t think so. You need to concentrate on making room in your house for all of this good stuff. You don’t really need three bedrooms; you don’t need all that basement area for old miscellaneous stuff from your past.

The dog doesn’t need that whole room to prance around in. I am just saying that if we take all of my treasures out of storage and lay them out in your house, you will grow to appreciate them and treasure them as I do. Your furniture and knickknacks from all over the world could be put in my storage place and you would have a brand new house of important things.

People from all over the world would come to our house just to see our unique furnishings, even if we had to sit on boxes instead of the sofa. It would be like having the museum now instead of waiting for me to die. This is our golden opportunity. I told you marrying me would bring importance into your life.

by Larry Oldham

by Dena Hill

Getting married is truly an exciting time. Seeing my son and his new wife gathering furniture, opening gifts, deciding where to arrange things in their apartment, hanging pictures and draperies, cooking for each other and touching every time they pass in the kitchen brings back many fond memories of when we were newlyweds.

You and I have shared the same good times and feelings, but marrying at an older age brings on a lot of baggage. I mean that literally not figuratively. In your case, it means a whole house full of baggage. This is not a condemnation of you or your stuff.

When you close one house and move into another, there are going to be problems. However, not many people have to worry about where to put 8,000 books, 3,000 magazines, 4,000 videos or 1,000 collectible cars. Usually it’s just a few pieces of furniture, a couple of bookcases, and clothes. These are normal moving items when you marry and live with each other. I am not against your collections and madness for keeping everything you have ever owned; I just don’t know where to put it. I have racked my brain about this and the only solution I have is to buy a new house with a basement and an attic. This way I don’t have to actually live like a hoarder and you can have a place to store your junk, I mean collectibles, in one area. We can have our cake and eat it too-- if I can clear a path to the oven.

She said He Said

Don’t miss our next special exhibit:

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

Now open until January 14, 2012 Presented by:

Sponsored by: Ducks Unlimited, Orvis, the Rotary Club of Martinsville, VA, Sam’s Club, Trout Unlimited, and the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation.

21 Starling Avenue • Martinsville, VA 24112 • 276-634-4141 Visit www.vmnh.net for more information.

Where Can I Find an Evince?

Ten thousand copies of Evince are distributed each month at over 100 locations in Danville, Martinsville, South Boston, Chatham, Gretna, Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, and in Yanceyville, Pelham, Roxboro, and Eden, North Carolina. Find your copy at: Danville H. W. Brown Florist • 431 Chestnut Street (They deliver an Evince with your flower order.)

Genesis Day Spa • 695 Park Avenue Piedmont Credit Union 366 Piney Forest Road Shorty’s Bakery • 145 Holt Garrison Parkway in Coleman Marketplace Chatham Area Community Center • 115 Main Street Chatham Public Library • 24 Military Drive

Yanceyville The Drug Store • 106 Court Street Gunn Memorial Public Library 161 Main Street E Chamber of Commerce 142 Main Street South Boston Area Southern Higher Education Center 501 Bruce Street Halifax County Library 177 Main Street

Evince Magazine

We’re

Making an Easy Transition from Summer to School

on Danville!

Janet Laura • Holley Lewis Owner/Broker Owner/Broker

by Tim Rogers, Center Director, Sylvan Learning of Danville For many children, the first day of school means more than new teachers and new friends. It can also be a source of anxiety with homework assignments and tests just around the corner. Starting the school year on the right foot can help minimize a child’s stress level throughout the year.

The experts at Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, suggest parents help their children prepare for the transition to the next grade level and the return to school by encouraging a structured routine from day one and staying actively involved in their child’s education. To help children be ready for the new school year and to minimize academic stress, Sylvan Learning offers these tips and ideas to make the transition from summer to school easier.

Back-to-School Tips (for each new school year): • Bring back a routine. Ease transition from lazy summer days to the structure of the school year by re-establishing bedtime, mealtime, reading and homework routines. Talk with your child about the importance of these routines and how they help ensure that he is not overly tired or anxious about schoolwork or the next day of school.

• Set education goals. Help your child set goals at the very beginning of the year. Whether it is striving for an A in reading, handing in all homework on time or preparing for tests well in advance, setting goals can help set the routine.

• Develop a relationship with your child’s teacher. Take the time to meet your child’s teachers at the beginning of the school year. Teachers can be the best source for information about your child’s scholastic performance and they can recommend ways to help your child and resolve any difficulties he or she is having.

• Create a homework routine and place. Designate a specific time for homework and help your child discover a regular, quiet place where he or she can study. Make sure that the area is free from potential distractions and that study tools are at your child’s fingertips to keep him focused on homework and studying.

• Stay on schedule. Your child should keep a schedule of all classes, assignments and key dates, such as project deadlines and test dates. As part of that schedule, she should include specific times for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more thorough the schedule, the more efficient your child will be. Organization minimizes the number of late nights completing homework assignments and cramming for tests at the last minute.

• Emphasize organization. For some students, having color-coded binders for each subject helps them stay on track throughout the school year. Keeping notes organized helps test preparation later in the year, so work with your child to determine the best method for him.

• Encourage learning at home.

Page 5

Promoting learning outside the classroom helps children perform better in school.

To nurture reading skills spend at least one hour per week – 10 to 15 minutes a day – reading with your child. To enhance math proficiency, try allowing your child to help plan the next family trip and encourage him to compute miles, cost of gas, and expenses for food, hotel and entertainment.

Transition Year Back-to-School Tips (for children starting kindergarten, first grade, middle school or high school): • Visit the school. If your child is changing schools, make a special trip together to visit the school before the first day of classes. Checking out the new classroom and the new teacher before school starts will help ease feelings of anxiety and help ease your child into his academic routine.

If it’s available, review the class schedule with your child and prepare him for the new grade.

• Discuss changes in routine. Talk with your child and explain how the routine and schedule for her new school may differ from the previous year. It can be difficult for children to adjust to changes in schedules and workloads. Will there be more homework assignments? Does she have to wake up earlier? Will she have more than one teacher this year?

• Provide extra support. When starting the new school year, especially if it’s a transition year, a little extra support can’t hurt. Talk with your child about her fears regarding school and maintain an open dialogue throughout the year. Discuss what subjects she’s anticipating and any areas she finds particularly challenging. Don’t forget to talk about homework and tests.

• Transition into kindergarten.

Kindergarten is your child’s introduction to elementary school and a first opportunity to learn basic math and reading skills, not to mention a first look at routines and expectations of group learning. As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher.

The skills that he learns from you – how to get along with others, follow directions and listen to directions – will help him start the year off right.

• Transition into middle school and high school. Transitioning from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school brings many questions and concerns. Organization becomes even more important in middle school and high school when your child must keep track of multiple subjects, homework, teachers, classrooms and books. You can help him reduce stress by giving him a calendar/planner to organize these new items and encouraging him to build good study habits.

For more educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, visit www.sylvandanville.com , call 434-799-6900, or visit Sylvan Learning of Danville, Coleman Marketplace, Suite 500B directly across from Home Depot. Sylvan provides individual instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills and test-prep for college entrance and state exams.

HOLLEY & LEWIS REALTY COMPANY

339 Piney Forest Rd., Danville, VA 24540

Office: (434) 791-2400 Fax: (434) 791-2122 Visit our website at

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Page 6

August 2011

If you’re over 50 or have osteoporosis, it’s important that you don’t ignore your back pain.

It may signal a spinal fracture. See your doctor right away if you think you may have one.

Spinal fractures can be repaired if diagnosed.

TA KE C HA RG E Don’t turn your back on back pain.

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Spine specialists actively offering KYPHON® Balloon Kyphoplasty in your local area:

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434-791-4445 For more information on balloon kyphoplasty call 800-652-2221 or visit www.kyphon.com Medtronic maintains a list of physicians who have been trained to use, and are believed to be both active and proficient users of, Medtronic’s products and who are willing to accept patient referrals. Physician participation on this list is voluntary and free. All referrals are identified based upon geographic criteria only. Medtronic does not guarantee the accuracy of the listings or the capabilities of the physicians listed. The physicians referenced may be paid consultants of, and research cited may have been funded partially or in whole by, Medtronic.

Although the complication rate with KYPHON Balloon Kyphoplasty has been demonstrated to be low, as with most surgical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure, including serious complications. This procedure is not for everyone. A prescription is required. Please consult your physician for a full discussion of risks and whether this procedure is right for you. © 2008 Medtronic Spine LLC. All Rights Reserved. ®

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Evince Magazine

Page 7

DISCOVER an exceptional retirement lifestyle that’s remarkably affordable.

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Rainbow at Midtown

by Mack Williams

Late one afternoon, I suddenly remembered some grocery item that I had forgotten to buy, so I walked the very short distance from my home to Midtown Market on Chambers Street.

It was a minute or so past the store’s regular closing time, so I fully expected to reap the consequences of having waited just a little too late to make my journey.

In spite of the displayed Closed sign, there were still customers inside, so I was admitted. The staff was gracious in allowing my admittance to the store, but in addition to shopping, their courtesy also gave me admission to an intimate front-row seat to one of nature’s most beautiful phenomena: a rainbow. This wasn’t one of those rainbows seen while gazing into the distance from one’s yard or driving on the highway. This one, more intimate, could be called a mini-rainbow, smaller, but still nature- made, not manmade from the spray of a garden hose.

There were shouts of excitement from the Midtown’s staff in the front of the store, alerting me to the presence of this junior rainbow. These staff members, other lingering customers,

“OPEN THE DOOR TODAY! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A LIMITED TIME SAVINGS OF UP TO $25,000”

and I looked out Midtown’s front window, where we saw this phenomenon of physics, as if drawn to scale, anchored in the backyard of the house directly opposite the store.

We recognized it to be the literal rainbow’s end. Leaves behind the rainbow were clearly visible, but in gazing at them, their verdant color was tinged with those characteristic refracted colors of ROY G. BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet), the colors that make up sunlight. This was a truly fortunate spot in which all of those present found themselves. For myself, if I had been just a short distance away at my home on Grove Street, though not far, I would not have had this front-row seat.

Judging from the size and angle of the little rainbow, I imagined its other end to be anchored somewhere within the grounds of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History on Main Street.

If one were a rainbow, and found his occurrence to be within the city limits of Danville, there wouldn’t be many places much more respectable in which to be anchored than Midtown Market and the Danville Museum, except of course, being affixed to a couple of the sacred spires in the City of Churches.

CONTACT ONE OF OUR MARKETING PROFESSIONALS TO ARRANGE A VISIT TODAY !

350 KING’S WAY ROAD, MARTINSVILLE, VA 24112 276.634.1000 | 1.800.462.4649 | KINGSGRANT.CC

Page  8

August 2011 Paid Advertisement

Why Is Exercise Important?

by Dave Gluhareff MFS,CFT-ISSA

Exercise is key. Diets are no fun and they do not make you feel better immediately. I have and always will promote exercise, nutrition, and rest as keys to a healthy lifestyle. When we exercise, endorphins start moving in our bodies and we begin to chemically feel better and more energized. Our bodies produce more serotonin when we exercise, which makes us also feel happier and more energetic immediately. So why not exercise?

Resistance training, cardiovascular training, and stretch/flexibility training are the most important forms of exercise. Resistance training makes us structurally stronger, firmer, and more toned, plus it burns lots of calories. Resistance training helps us to become stronger so everyday normal activities like cleaning, gardening, doing laundry, cooking, mowing, trimming, playing with the kids, organizing, vacuuming, and bathing will seem easier. The muscle tone we build when we resistance train will burn upwards of 50 calories more per pound of lean muscle mass per day. That means we can even burn more calories while we sleep.

Resistance Training (anaerobic-without oxygen) can be done by working with rubber bands, resistance bands, dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, bodyweight, isometrics, medicine ball, stability ball, plyometrics, sprinting, resistance machines, cable machines, yoga, tai chi, swimming, water resistance training, and high-impact step classes.

Cardiovascular training (walking, jogging, biking, hiking, etc.) strengthens the heart, lungs, and the entire cardiovascular system plus burns lots of calories while performing the cardio training.

Stretching and flexibility training will help us to become less tense and more flexible the more we do it. Stretching also tends to help prevent or soften muscle soreness and stiffness.

For more information call 434.728.0952, email trainwithdaveg@yahoo.com or visit www.TrainWith Dave.com.

Evince Magazine Not guilty. It was a verdict that shocked a nation. It was a verdict that angered a nation. It was a verdict not shared by the court of public opinion.

Caylee Marie Anthony is dead and most people believe that her murderer got off scot free. I don’t know what to think about the outcome. This saga has consumed me from the beginning, for reasons I can’t really explain. I have no idea what it’s like to give birth to a child, much less bury one.

Maybe I’m so interested because I traveled to Orlando so many times when the high profile manhunt was in full swing. Maybe it’s because I could drive you right to the door of the Daytona Beach hotel where George Anthony attempted suicide. Or maybe it’s because I, too, have been swept up in the media hype. There’s so much coverage that I have to keep reminding myself that this is real life, not a made-for-TV movie.

Not yet, anyway. Here is a woman who’d rather party than parent. A woman who had no problem stealing from her friends and lying to the police. A woman who showed off her body in a nightclub rather than look for her daughter’s body in a swamp. A woman who waited 31 days to let people know her child was missing. I wouldn’t wait 31 seconds to ask for help if I couldn’t find my cat.

For grandparents, George and Cindy Anthony, their once-average world isn’t

Second Thoughts

by Kim Clifton ©2011

And Justice for All Note: This column doesn’t follow my usual style. Instead, I opted for reflections of a more serious nature. Rest assured though, as I fly to Destin, Florida, with layovers and plane changes, I’m bound to have plenty of mishaps to report in September. Thank you, readers, for allowing me a different tone this month. just larger than life. It’s shattered. When the search first started, we felt their pain as we watched them in matching Caylee t-shirts posting flyers all over town. We grieved with them when the announcement was made that the skeletal remains

belonged to their granddaughter. We shuddered with them when we saw that the toddler had been tossed aside like highway litter. As the TV specials replayed photos and videos of little Caylee, it seemed unfathomable that this innocent

Page 9

life ended in such a horrific demise. She won our hearts with those bright eyes and cherubic face. And she broke our hearts when we found out she was dead.

The reality is that we will never know what happened to this child. This is JonBenét Ramsey all over again. There are people who do know the real story, but they aren’t telling. And likely never will. That’s the most frustrating part of all. As I write this piece, Casey Anthony is scheduled for release in a week. So guilty or not, here she comes, although I doubt she can walk this earth a free woman.

Her new prison is living with herself and living in a world that detests her. Even if she does get book deals, movie rights and money for appearances, she’s lost everything, including her child, her family, their trust and maybe even their support.

She is a leper and welcome in no colony.

This brings me to the thing that haunts me most, although some of you may disagree. What’s next for Casey isn’t all about Casey. It’s about us. The defense has rested. The prosecution has rested.

The jury has declared her not guilty. So say we all. Almost all. Right or wrong, the verdict is in and it’s time to let go. As hard as it is to do, I should be praying for Casey Anthony’s soul, rather than judging her past.

For now, this is the trial that I face daily.

Page 10

August 2011

What’s the difference between home health and LifeWorks Rehab?

After surgery you want to return to a level of activity you are accustomed to. While at-home rehab often ends once you regain some strength, LifeWorks Rehab continues until you regain critical skills to help you get back to what’s important—your life.

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Up to 7-10

10-12**

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0

Up to 24

Does therapy include state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment?

Yes

No

Does therapy include acquisition of community work and play skills?

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Does therapy inlcude 24 hour access to a physician on demand?

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Average hours per week spent in supervised therapy sessions.

Average number hours per day patient requires basic living assistance from family or friends.

* Sample survey.

** This will vary depending on your individual recovery plan.

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Evince Magazine Page 11

Promises fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg

L

aurel Knox, 16, put her cranberry colored sweater on in her air conditioned bedroom even though it was August outside. Inside she felt cold, plus the sweater hid the scars on her arms.

She put on this sweater in her bedroom in front of some childhood memories: a picture of her family pre-divorce that she turned down when her mother came into her room so her mother wouldn’t cry, a diary she never wrote in anymore but couldn’t throw away, and a Snoopy stuffed animal with a chewed-off left ear that she had sewed back together haphazardly when she was nine and interested in stitching things back together.

She pulled on underwear, grey sweatpants, and flip flops. Laurel did all this with her back to her dresser mirror. She didn’t need to know what she would see, her bones holding her up, skin stretching her in. Outside her room, but still in the house, there was the R & B station on the radio charming faintly until an announcer ruined the spell with news of tickets to a concert in a neighboring town, if you called in now, now, now.

Clarisse (in her mind Laurel called her mother Clarisse these days) folded laundry in the laundry room. Clarisse kept her eyes down in the clothes basket yet kept peeking out into the hallway toward Laurel’s room.

Clarisse wanted to talk and she wanted to talk about Laurel’s cutting. They hadn’t said much since the school trip to the museum months ago when Clarisse first found out. There had been no sweater to hide behind then. Apparently, there would be no embarrassment or distance to hide between now.

And even though knowing the truth hurt her mother, mystified and scared her, having the cutting secret out was sweet relief to Laurel. She stepped into the laundry room with her mother. Her mother scraped the last of the Tide Free into a small colored plastic measuring cup. Laurel watched her concentrate on this, but there was determination in the thin flattening of her lips. Clarisse was going to do it today, talk to Laurel. Laurel leaned on the door jamb waiting, ready, wondering how her mother would approach it.

Clarisse looked up, “I want you to stop this, Laurel. Do I need to take you somewhere?”

Neither said where the somewhere was, but both knew. Laurel traced her fingers on the enamel paint of the door frame. Clarisse continued, “I’ve been reading…” Laurel smiled down into the neck of her sweater.

So that was the way of it? Clarisse had been reading. “…and the truth is I don’t know why you do this. Can you help me, Laurel?”

Here is some truth for you, Laurel thought to tell her mother, some anger in your August. You are going to heal, even if you don’t want to. You will scar, but you will heal. Don’t you want to manage the scarring? You are going to hurt. You can’t stop it. After a while, you are going to want to hurt. What then? But you hide, Mama. Laurel Knox could tell you this from experience, the scarring, the healing part, all of it. She didn’t mind the process anymore,

but Laurel could tell that her mother did, didn’t want to heal, just wanted the wound to keep deep and wide.

But this sounded wild even to herself and so Laurel said nothing, surely didn’t say these things aloud, because they sounded like she was preaching, telling her mother to live, and Laurel didn’t know if it would work anyway. The old Clarisse was almost gone, lost in peroxide pity that didn’t really cure, here just for the tasks like the laundry she was folding. And why only Laurel’s problems, Laurel thought. It wasn’t as if Matthew, her brother, was doing much better, fighting at school, his grades dropping, wasn’t like Clarisse was moving forward past the divorce any better—just swamping along. Their father was with that woman; grandma was dying. There was a whole world of pain just off the steps of the porch.

Of course, her mother thought the cutting was because of the divorce. Maybe it was, the way standing in the rain would get you wet, but was not the reason you were out in the elements in the first place. It wasn’t the divorce, although that probably hadn’t helped.

Clarisse wanted it to be that easy, but pain isn’t. Clarisse pulled her arm wide as she folded a sheet, before she dropped it down into the pile.

“I want you to be happy, Laurel.” And Laurel felt the blade coming on, because that wasn’t possible, or wasn’t possible long. “You happy, Mama?” And watched as her mother flinched and lied. “Of course,” Clarisse said to the dryer.

The laundry was finished and Laurel put her arms out for her basket. Clarisse handed it to her, said nothing about the sweater. Clarisse went into the kitchen, ending the discussion.

That night, Clarisse put her head into Laurel’s doorway, a wren circling the nest.

“Promise me?” that you won’t cut anymore is what didn’t get said. And Laurel looked at her mother and lied, felt nothing about it. “Of course,” Laurel said not unkindly but just a little flippantly. And Clarisse heard the echo and her eyes tightened. Laurel thought pain was a friend that you could invite in.

“Promise me,” Clarisse said, a little demand in her pleading. She spoke her worst fear with the same courage she took to get up in the morning. “Laurel, one day I think you won’t stop.” “Mama…it’s not like that.” Laurel pulled the sleeves of her sweater up to her elbows revealing scars.

Clarisse came further into the bedroom, saw the frame of the picture turned down on the night stand. Laurel put her hand out, almost took it back, expecting Clarisse to leave. But Clarisse sat on the bed and picked up the frame anyway, rubbing the glass of the frame with her left hand. “…Mama,” Laurel began. Laurel thought of pain as a sieve that never truly emptied. Clarisse took Laurel’s arm, pulled it into her cheek, her tears almost baptizing it. “….Laurel, one day you going to cut too deep.” And she held Laurel’s arm, counting the lines. “Mama, I said it ain’t like that.” Laurel’s eyes frowned as Clarisse met those eyes over her daughter’s scars. “Of course,” Clarisse said.

Page 12

August 2011

August Calendar Ongoing

Guided Walking Tour – Millionaires Row See ad page 6. 434.770.1974.

Through August 6

Seussical the Musical. See story page 18.

Through September 2

Danville Museum Exhibit - From Morning to Night: Domestic Service in the Gilded Age South & Mia Halton-Certain Home Truths. 434.793.5644.

Through September 4

Summer Discovery 2011. Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) – 276.634.4185.

Through September 5

DSC Exhibits – Tech City, Sonic Sensation & Dark Star Images. M-S 9:30am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm. Danville Science Center (DSC)– 434.791.5160.

Though October 1

PAA Exhibits – Lynwood Artists Retrospective, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Collection & Masterpieces of World Art. Piedmont Arts Association (PAA), Martinsville – 276.632.3221.

Through January 14

Living Off the Land Exhibit. See ad page 4.

August 1 & 9

Animanga Club. 4-6pm. Danville Public Library – 434.799.5195.

August 1 (thru 4)

Soccer Camp. Ages 6-14. 9-11:30am.

YMCA – 434.792.0621.

Fiber 4 Ways Workshop. 9:30am-12pm.

Studio 107, PAA, Martinsville – 276.632.3221.

August 1 (thru 5)

Creative Culinary Arts. 8:30-11:30am.

Southern Virginia Artisan Center (SVAC) – 276.632.0066.

VMNH Summer Camps – Engineering Challenge. Ages 9-11. 9am-4pm. VMNH – 276.634.4185.

Outdoor Adventure Camp. Ages 9-14.

9am-5pm. Ballou Park. 434.799.5215.

DesTEENation Camp – Playground sports.

11:30am-5pm. Squire Center – 434.799.5214.

August 1 (thru 15)

Tai Chi Class. 6-7pm. Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

August 1 (thru 23)

Art with Judie – Learn how to paint with oil or watercolor. Times/days vary. Ballou Annex. 434.797.8848.

August 3

Senior Bowling Tournament. 10am12pm. Riverside Lanes. 434.791.2695.

Cooking with Pasta. 12:30-1:30pm.

Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

August 3 (thru 6)

Beyond Broadway-A Music Revue. 7pm.

Black Box Theatre, Martinsville. www.twcp.net.

August 4

Bob Ross Painting Class. 10 am–3:30pm.

PAA, Martinsville – 276.632.3221.

August 4 & 11

Pajama Story Time. 6:30-7:30pm. Danville Public Library (DPL) – 434.799.5195.

August 4 (thru 25)

Kuumba-West African Dance. TH 6:30-8pm. City Armory. 434.797.8848.

57 Express Bluegrass Concert. TH 7 pm.

Community Center, Chatham-434.432.3115.

August 5

First Friday Art Walk. 5-7 pm. Studio 107, Martinsville – 276.638.2107.

Fridays at the Crossing - The Worx.

See ad page 13.

First Fridays Concert Series. 8 pm. Rives Theatre, Martinsville. 276.632.3221.

August 5 & 6

Little Camp Rockers. Union Street Theatre. See ad page 14 and page 18.

August 5 & 12

Summer Story Time. 10:30-11:30am.

DPL – 434.799.5195.

August 6

Stand Up Paddle Board – Philpot Lake.

8am-4pm. 434.799.5215.

Blistering Heat Bowl. 9am-2pm. Ballou Park Disc Golf Course. 434.799.5215.

DRBA’s First Saturday Outing. See story page 18.

Bob Ross Painting – Covered Bridge.

10:30am. Ballou Park. 434.797.8848.

Honey Bees and Beekeeping – Learn the natural history of the honeybee, the basics of beekeeping and a look at the end products from bee farming. 2-4pm. DSC 434.791.5160.

Guns N’ Hoses. 4:30pm. Post 325 Field, Dan Daniel Park. 434.797.3792.

Main Street Cruise-In. 6-9pm. Downtown Danville. 434.251.2237.

Beach Music Festival. See ad page 13.

August 6 & 7

August 1 (thru 29)

WERA National Motorcycle Roadracing.

VIR – 434.822.7700.

August 1 (thru 31)

Auto Racing. South Boston Speedway – 877.440.1540.

Boogie Monday – Waltz. M 7-8:30pm.

Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

Fitness Classes – Yoga, Zumba, Zumba Aqua, Water Aerobics, Youth Zumba, Combo & Martial Arts. Days/times vary.

YMCA – 434.792.0621.

Fetch Lab Carts. M-S 9:30am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm. DSC - 434.791.5160.

Step-Aerobics. MW 5:15 pm. Community Center, Chatham – 434.432.3115.

Live Bands & DJ Music. Wed-Sat. Back to Bogies – 434.791.3444.

August 2

Game Night & Homeless Shelter Drive.

7-9pm. DRAW Gallery – 434.791.2465.

August 2 & 9

Books to Movies. 2-3pm. Danville Public Library – 434.799.5195.

August 2 (thru 16)

Pilates. 9-10am. Ballou - 434.799.5216.

August 2 (thru 30)

African Dance Ensemble – Learn African Dance. Tues 6pm. Coates. 434.797.8848.

African Rhythms. Tues 6:30pm. Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848.

August 2 (thru 31)

Abulous Workout. M-TH, 10:30-11:30am.

City Auditorium. 434.797.8848.

August 6 (thru 20) August 6 (thru 27)

Zumba with Jennifer. Sat. 10am. Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848.

August 6 (thru 30)

Danville Braves Baseball. See ad page 13.

August 6 (thru September 10) Zumbatomic with Jennifer - Dance fitness workout for kids, set to hip-hop, salsa, reggaeton, and more. Ages 4-12.

Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848.

August 7 (thru 28)

Summer Music Series. 8/7-God’s Men of Harmony. 8/14-Dr. Edward Bach. 8/21-Lucretia Wooten & Promise.

8/28-Market Street Brass. 11am. Episcopal Church of the Epiphany – 434.792.4321

August 7 (thru 28)

4 Sundays @ 4 Summer Organ Recitals – 8/7-Baxter Jennings & Friends, Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. 8/14-Debra LeBrun– To Bach & Back, Starling Avenue Baptist Church. 8/21-David Charles Campbell, Broad Street Christian Church.

8/28-Peter Ramsey & Leslie Thayer, Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church. 4pm.

276.340.4370.

August 2011 S M T 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30

W T F S 3 4 5 6 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 20 24 25 26 27 31

August 8 & 9

August 17 (thru Sept. 21)

August 8 (thru 11)

August 18

Create a Mosaic workshop. 9am–12pm.

PAA, Martinsville – 276.632.3221.

Basketball Camp. Ages 6-14. 9-11:30am.

YMCA – 434.792.0621.

August 8 (thru 12)

Summer Camps – The Great Lunch Adventure. Ages 6-8. 9am-4pm. VMNH – 276.634.4185.

DesTEENation Camp – Soccer. 11:30am5pm. Squire Center – 434.799.5214.

August 9

Ice Cream Social. 6:30-8:30 pm. Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

Danville Walk to End Alzheimer’s Kick Off Party. 5-7pm. The Brown Bean.

434.973.6122.

August 9 (thru 11)

Kayak Day Camp. Ages 12-15. 9am-5pm.

Ballou Park. 434.799.5215.

Summer Camps – Doodle Bugs Summer Science Explorers-Nature. Ages 3-5. 9:3011:30am. VMNH – 276.634.4185.

August 9 (thru 30)

Beginning Digital Photography.

1-5:30pm. Ballou Annex. 434.797.8848.

August 10

Polliwogs & Science Stars – From shadows to color mixing, learn what light is and how it is used. Ages 3–4, 1–2pm. Ages 5–7, 3:30–4:30pm. DSC - 434.791.5160.

August 10 (thru 14)

The 39 Steps. See story page 18.

August 10 (thru 31)

Art with Flo – Wet-on-wet technique. Weds.

Location/times vary. 434.797.8848.

Advanced Rally Dog Training. 4:307:30pm. Glenwood Center. 434.799.5215.

Kayak Trip – Abreu/Grogan to islands.

6-8pm. 434.799.5215.

Enchanted Evenings in the Park – Bring chairs, blankets. 6:30-8 pm. Ballou Park.

434.799.5216.

August 19

Just Everyday Women Walking by Faith.

11 am-1 pm. Mary’s Diner.

Easy Soap Making. 3-5pm. Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

Summer Concert Series. 8-11:30 pm.

Downtown South Boston. 434.575.4209.

August 19 & 20

Cornhole Tournament. 6-10pm. Dan Daniel Memorial Park. 434.799.5150.

Softball Home Run Derby. 6-10pm. Dan Daniel Memorial Park. 434.799.5150.

August 20

Danville Area Humane Society Dog Wash. 9am-12pm. Danville Community Market. 434.799.0843.

Third Saturday Stroll. 3-7pm. Studio 107, Martinsville – 276.638.2107.

Cruise In. 5-8 pm. Uptown Martinsville, Church St. 276.632.5688.

Bluegrass Concert Series. 7-9 pm. Rives Theatre, Martinsville. 276.632.3221.

August 20 & 27

Eastside Ryders Motorcycle Club Backto-School Collection. See story page 18.

August 21

Fletcher Stubbs, Saxophone Concert.

7pm. Moffett Memorial Baptist Church – 434.799.5402.

August 11

August 22 (thru 25)

August 12

August 23

Kayak Trip – Dan Daniel Memorial Park to Anglers Park. 6-8 pm. 434.799.5215.

Gleeked Out. See page 14 and 18.

Flip Flop Friday. Homeplace Vineyard.

See ad page 11.

Movies in the Park. 8:30 pm. Ballou Park.

434.799.5216.

August 12 & 13

Put on a Play. See page 14 and 18.

August 12 (thru 26)

Fundraiser Dinners. 8/12- Barbecue; 8/19- Prime Rib; 8/26- White Fish. 5:30pm.

American Legion Dan River Post 1097.

434.836.8101.

August 13

Road to Recovery Training - Become a driver for the American Cancer Society and cancer patients in the area. 9:30-11:30am.

IALR. 434.766.6650.

Mother & Daughter Dress-Up Tea Party.

Ages 4-10. 10am-12pm. Pepsi Building.

434.797.6469.

Eden Cruise In. 4 pm. Sonic Drive-In. www.exploreedennc.com.

August 13 (thru 27)

Zumba Class. Tues 9am, Sat 10am.

Community Center, Chatham-434.432.3115.

August 15 (thru 19)

DesTEENation Camp – Basketball Camp.

11:30am-5pm. Squire Center – 434.799.5214.

August 15

Tour of Ireland Information Meeting.

7pm Averett University Jut’s Café, Woodland Avenue Student Center. 434.791.4993 or 434.770.3285.

August 16

Ins and Outs of Insurance. 6:30-7:30pm.

Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

August 17

Jammin with the Jammers. 12:30-1:30pm.

Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

Hunting Safety Education Course.

6-9:30pm. Ballou Nature. 434.799.5215.

Raising Awareness for Health & Wellness – Managing Diabetes. 5:306:30pm. Ballou Park. 434.799.5216.

August 24

Cool Fans for Hot Summer Days. 12:301:30 pm. Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

August 25

Stand Up Paddle Board – Abreu/Grogan Park. 6-8pm. 434.799.5215.

August 26

Community Breakfast. Sponsored by Riverside & Piney Forest Health Care Centers. See ad page 17.

Best of Broadway. Union Street Theatre.

See ad page 14 and story page 18.

Stardust. Little Theatre of Danville.

See story page 18.

TGIF Concert Series. 7-10:30 pm. Uptown Martinsville. 276.632.5688.

August 26 & 27

Personality Festival. See ad page 15.

Mike Aid 3 Festival. – Live music, camping and more. Fundraiser for the Michael H. Calhoon Memorial Scholarship fund.

3pm/9pm. Blue Mountain Festival Grounds.

276.647.7400.

August 27

Avant-garde Writers – with guest speaker.

See story page 19.

Chatham Cruise In. 5-9 pm. Main Street Chatham. 434.548.3233 or 434.489.6082.

Museum Meets Margaritaville. DMFA&H. See story page 19.

Concert Series. 6:30 pm. Freedom Park, Eden. www.exploreedennc.com.

August 29 & 30

Boating Safety Education. 6-9:30pm.

Ballou Park Nature Center. 434.799.5215.

August 30

Comedy Social. 6:30-8pm. Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

Evince Magazine Page 13

August Promotionals August 6 • Guns N’ Hoses Softball Game Benefit for the Free Clinic of Danville

Inflatamaniacs

Home Away

August 8 •

Hit the Books Night

August 11 • Ed Randle Bat for the Cure Prostate Cancer Awareness Night August 16 • Faith Night Presented by August 25 • Mayberry Deputy Appearance August 26 • Fan Appreciation Fireworks Courtesy of

Game Times: M-S 7 pm Sun 4 pm Game times & promotions subject to change.

and Daly Seven Properties

August 29 • College Fair Night Call 434.797.3792 for more information. For updated & season long promotions, go to www.dbraves.com

Page 14

August 2011

To encourage exceptional customer service, the Business Development Committee of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and Evince will recognize those who give it. When you experience exceptional customer service, tell us about it in 300 words or less. Include your name and phone number. Email your story to joycewilburn@gmail.com or visit www.dpchamber.org; click What’s New Customer Service Award Nomination.

Spotting Exceptional Customer Service

by Wanda Greeson

I would like to recognize Leon David at Ben David Jewelers, 459 Mt. Cross Road, for exceptional customer service. The other day I went there to see if my mother’s watch band could be adjusted to fit her wrist. My mom, who is 89 years old, has a very small arm. The new watch, which was a birthday gift from her granddaughter, had a band that was too big.

The watch wasn’t purchased at Ben David Jewelers, but Leon David was more than happy to adjust the band for her. Being the age that she is, it is very hard for her to get around. He went above and beyond what you would expect. He walked to the car where she was seated and measured the watch on her arm so he would know how many links to remove. After he fixed the watch band, he returned to the car to make sure it fit. This meant so much to my mom.

Thank you, Leon David, for exceptional customer service.

Evince Magazine Page 15

Book Clubbing Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen A Book Review by Jane Wiseman A novel with a major plot point about reclaiming the habitat of the Cerulean warbler can’t be all bad, right?

Jonathan Franzen’s 2010 novel, Freedom, has been widely praised and it was an Oprah Book Club selection, always good for sales. But compared to his 2001 book, The Corrections, Freedom comes across as bloated and self-absorbed. To be fair, once The Corrections won the National Book Award for 2001, any subsequent novel would necessarily have a lot to live up to. The Corrections was mordantly funny and spot-on about families and American life, both suburban and urban, at the turn of the millennium. If you haven’t already read it, The Corrections, not Freedom, is the Franzen novel to devour.

Freedom is not a bad novel, just a disappointment because of expectations that The Corrections raised impossibly high. Like The Corrections, Freedom takes a satiric look at the unraveling of an American family: depressed mother, do-gooder father, level-headed daughter, spoiled-brat son. The Corrections was set in an accurately, lovingly rendered suburban St. Louis and urban Philadelphia. Freedom is set in the Twin Cities (specifically St. Paul). In spite of its strong eye for region, however, Freedom is not an example of “regional literature”. Its pleasures are not those of local color; this is a far cry from a sentimental journey to Lake Woebegone.

Jonathan Franzen is the anti-Garrison Keillor. He writes about tormented lives, people who put themselves in impossible situations with no idea how to make them right. Unfortunately, the sharp scalpel with which he dissected these people in The Corrections is considerably dulled in Freedom.

Freedom, like The Corrections, microscopically examines family life in all of its hostility, shallowness, states of denial, and deeply embedded, deeply felt love.

Franzen’s genius is not to stop there but to set family dysfunction and contradiction against the backdrop of national and cultural angst. But Franzen transparently manipulates his fiction to illustrate his points. The characters are walking, talking illustrations, not people we believe in. He engineers his plot, too. No spoiler alert here, but a major character’s death paves the way for a too-tidy resolution.

At 550+ pages, Freedom is long. Page by page, the novel is pretty absorbing, even entertaining in a black-humor kind of way. And I personally love novels that are about something, that have plenty of details about people’s real lives--their houses, their clothes, their personal obsessions (the Cerulean warbler), even their working lives. In Freedom, you experience rich, satisfying detail about how people actually conduct all phases of their lives. Unfortunately, although I did end up believing in the details of the characters’ lives, I did not believe in them as characters. They don’t come to life. Almost all of them seem to speak and think in the same wry, charming, hip tones, to the point that it is pretty easy to lose track of whose head you are supposed to be inhabiting as the novel skips from one character to the next.

Where it really matters, Freedom never induces me to willingly suspend my disbelief.

And that, ultimately, is what we readers demand of our fiction.

Editor’s Note: Send info about what your book club is reading to joycewilburn@gmail.com.

Page 16

August 2011

Reflecting Forward When I wear these, I feel like a picnic table…

by Linda Lemery

Do some of the clothes you wear evoke certain feelings in you?

Before you dismiss this essay as featherweight, stick with me for the point.

I happen to love wildly colored, wildly patterned Capri pants. I don’t wear these pants because I crave attention; rather, I imagine that anyone seeing such garments cannot help but smile. Smiling reduces stress, which is good for all of us.

It’s not that I don’t ever wear plain colors, but my basic black Capris are too big and make me feel like a parachute. (I’ve never been interested in jumping out of planes -- that’s too risky for an introvert whose idea of a really good time is having an idea, a word processing program, and time to write.)

However, I wear them because I find them comforting and I like to be prepared. If I’m ever wearing these voluminous billows of black fabric on a boat and the sail is missing, I can sling them over the mast and we’ll sail right back to shore.

My khaki Capris are great for blending into the background.

They go with nearly any shirt and I wear them when I masquerade as a normal person with conservative tastes. I have two pairs of these in case one pair is soiled and a conservative emergency arises requiring stat khaki garb. One pair is large enough to substitute for the missing sail, if the black pair is in the wash.

My bright pink-and-white, flowerpatterned Capris with their daisy trim and orange sandal inset calf bands are a sight to behold. I wear these on days that I’d like to attend a luau, regardless of whether one’s been planned or I’ve been invited.

These pants make me feel happy.

The problem is the shirts. I need a plain white, pink, or orange shirt.

My pink shirt is tight enough that it shows exactly which pounds I still need to lose, which rules it out as a choice. I don’t have any plain white

shirts, because they tend to be spill magnets.

This just leaves the orange shirt that I currently don’t own, but hope springs eternal that I’ll find one and get these pink pants back into circulation.

My black Capris that are patterned with the birdsof-paradise flowers really lift my spirits.

Any plain top will do for these beauties and I really do feel lighter when I wear them, as if the birdsof-paradise are trying to fly me away and not just by the seat of my pants.

My lovely blue-and-white checked pair makes me feel like a rodeo without a horse, neckerchief, or cowboy hat. And how about those Capris with the blue-and-green flowers on the white spandex background? They make me feel like I’m smack in the middle of a garden wherever I go, almost like I’m taking along a portable bouquet and sharing my flowers with friends.

And the ones that make me feel like a picnic table? Why, red-and-white checked, of course. I put those on and expect hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and watermelon to magically appear around me. Great summer gatherings happen with those pants. The best part is relaxing with people. Regardless of what we wear or who we are, we’re just folks around a picnic table, exchanging thoughts, knowing how lucky we are.

Here’s my point, dear readers: we all lead stressful lives. Many of us have multiple goals and priorities, generational responsibilities, looming deadlines, daily crises.

Our stress reduction techniques vary, and this is one of mine: On the days when life’s challenges seem to be escalating, I put on my Capris and smile. It helps.

About the author: When she’s not blending philosophy and pants, Linda Lemery (llemery@averett.edu) works as Circulation Manager at Averett University’s Mary B. Blount Library in Danville. She welcomes your comments.

Evince Magazine Page 17

The Versatile Zucchini

by Annelle Williams

Zucchini, a variety of squash, is a delight to the new gardener. It grows with little care and produces prolifically. But how much can you really eat? After a few pans of fried squash, a pot or two of stewed zucchini and onions, and maybe 20 meals of roasted zucchini, several skewers of grilled veggies, a casserole or two of some cheesy squashy concoction, zucchini bread, pickles and stuffed or tempura battered and fried blossoms, what’s left?

Well, I’ll let you what: hills of zucchini growing larger and larger until they are no longer the young tender things we loved a couple of months ago. While everything else in the garden is gone, ready to be turned under until next year, the zucchini are still going strong.

I have one last suggestion. Let’s stuff them with some other things that are lingering in the garden. We’ll chop, sauté, season, and then add some other ingredients that need to be used like stale bread and leftover cheese.

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

2 large zucchini (about 12 inches each) salt 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil 4 slices thick smoked bacon, diced 1/2 sweet onion, diced 3 medium tomatoes, excess seeds and juice removed, diced 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper dash of crushed dried red peppers 1 cup shredded mixed Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese 1 cup roughly chopped rustic bread pieces

Preheat oven to 400°. Lay zucchini on flat surface to determine bottom. Cut away a thin slice from one end to the other on the top and discard. Scoop out pulp with a spoon (discard any big seeds); roughly chop and reserve, leaving the shell of the zucchini intact. Salt the inside of the zucchini, turn over and drain on paper towel. The salt will draw out some of the excess moisture. This only takes about 10 minutes. Wipe the excess fluid and salt from the inside and add a little olive oil just to coat the inside. Place the zucchini shells on a sheet pan in the oven cut side up to begin roasting while you make the stuffing.

Brown bacon in skillet over medium heat. Remove when crisp. Reserve. Leave only about a tablespoon of bacon drippings in pan. Add onion and sauté until onion softens, then add squash pulp and tomatoes. Cook until it all comes together and squash and tomatoes begin to lose their shape.

Add salt, pepper and crushed red pepper. Pour squash mixture into mixing bowl. Add bread, cheese and reserved bacon (roughly chopped) and stir to combine. Spoon into zucchini shells. Bake stuffed zucchini for 20 minutes. Remove from sheet pan with large spatula and enjoy!

Page 18

August 2011

Calendar Clips Clip it. Post it. Do it.

Here are a few highlights of activities you don’t want to miss this month. Cut out the ones that interest you; post them on your refrigerator as a reminder; enjoy a new experience. For more activities, see the calendar on page 12-13.

Wednesday, August 3 through Saturday, August 6 Seussical the Musical

Friday, August 12 Gleeked Out

Union Street Theatre Gleeked Out Campers will perform all they’ve learned during their short summer camp. Great singing and dancing starts at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $5.

Call 434.791.4091 or visit www.UnionStreetTheatre.com or 109 South Union Street. (submitted by Melissa Charles)

Friday, August 12 through Saturday, August 13

This fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza brings to life your favorite Dr. Seuss characters at The Prizery’s Chastain Theatre, 700 Bruce Street, in South Boston.

Colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. For more information visit www.prizery.com or call 434.572.8339. (submitted by The Prizery)

Put on a Play

Friday, August 5 through Saturday, August 6 Little Camp Rockers

Back-to-School Collection

These young campers know how to rock it out! A week-long camp for kids who want to learn more about musical theatre culminates in shows at 2 p.m. each day at the Union Street Theatre, 109 South Union Street.

Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for students/ seniors, $5 standing room. For more info, visit www.unionstreettheatre.com or call 434.791.4747. (submitted by Melissa Charles)

Saturday, August 6

Dan River Basin Association First Saturday Outing

At 3 p.m. each day, this play will showcase talented youth from the Dan River region. The title will be chosen when auditions are complete. Cost is $10 for adults; $8 for students/seniors; $5 standing room only. If you’d like to register for camps or classes, visit www. unionstreettheatre.com or 109 South Union Street or call 434.791.4091. (submitted by Melissa Charles)

Saturday, August 20

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mr. Grinch (Ruben Cardwell), the Eastside Ryders Motorcycle Club and the Eastside Social Club will be at Wal-mart on Mt. Cross Road to accept donations of backpacks, hand sanitizer, tissues, pencils, notebooks, crayons, colored pencils, pencil boxes and money to be distributed at a cookout on August 27 to the families with children in need of back-to-school supplies. The cookout will be held at the Stonewall Center on Bradley Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Eastside Ryders Motorcycle Club, a non-profit organization established in 1967, sponsors fundraising events throughout the year to help with hardship causes in the community.

For more information, call 434.334.0922. (submitted by Ruben Cardwell)

This free open-to-the-public 12 mile float on the Staunton River from Long Island to Brookneal will be led

by Terry Painter starting at 10 a.m.

Participants meet at the Food Lion Ruffin Shackleford and Forrest Altman parking lot, 425 Lusardi Street, Brookneal, paddle on the Staunton River.

Virginia, just north of the US 501 crossing of the Staunton River. This section of the river is described as Class 1-2 in difficulty suitable for novice paddlers accompanied by experienced river leaders. The end of the trip has some very flat water.

“On a very hot August day, this is a swimming river,” Painter says.

“The best way to cool off is to jump in. Bathing suits and life jackets work well, along with river shoes that climb well on rocks. We’ll eat lunch on rocks.” Participants should bring boat and paddles, life vest for each boater, lunch, water and rain gear. Sunscreen and a hat are highly recommended. Due to possible rapid change in the river level, provide email or phone number contact in case of cancellation. For more information, visit www.danriver.org, call 336-592-6201 or kip96@live.com. (submitted by DRBA)

Friday, August 26

Wednesday, August 10 – Sunday, August 14

Friday, August 26

Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit being presented at The Prizery’s Chastain Theatre, 700 Bruce Street, in South Boston. This 2-time Tony® and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by a ridiculously talented cast of 4), an on-stage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance. For more information visit www.prizery.com or call 434.572.8339. (submitted by The Prizery)

From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. this fundraiser will feature the area’s best vocalists showcasing both classic and contemporary Broadway selections. It will be presented in Danville’s first black box theatre, the Union Street Theatre, 109 South Union Street.

Cost is $25 for adults; $20 for students/seniors; $15 for standing room. For more information, call 434.791.4091 or visit www.UnionStreetTheatre.com. (submitted by Melissa Charles)

The 39 Steps

Stardust – A Romantic Evening of 1950s Music

Dance to all of your favorite 50s music played by a quartet from the Starmont Swing Band at this fundraiser for the Danville Little Theatre.

The floor show features vocal selections by Carolyn Smith, Jerry Meadors, Jean Vernon, Gary Sullivan, Madalyn Mohamed, Robbie Hendricks, Nancy Cassida and a surprise Elvis impersonator.

Event begins at 8:00p.m. at Stratford Conference Center, 149 Piney Forest Road. Cost is $15 and includes light hors d’oeuvres and dessert with tea and coffee. Cash wine bar available.

Attire is casual or 1950s dress. Tickets can be purchased at Stratford Conference Center before 2:00 p.m.daily and at the Brown Bean at the Gingerbread House on Memorial Drive. For more info, call 434.203.8995 or 434.792.2672. Must have reservations. (submitted by Alice Saunders)

The Best of Broadway

Evince Magazine Page 19 Saturday, August 27

Avant-garde Writers’ Author Event

Allen Wold, an author of more than a dozen books, will speak at 11a.m. in the Danville Public Library Auditorium, 511 Patton Street. Wold will give a personal and realistic account of what life is like as an author. He has published nine science fiction novels, several short stories, five non-fiction books on computers, and a number of articles, columns and reviews on computers. He currently has an epic heroic fantasy novel with an editor, a vampire novel in submission, and a haunted house story and haunted village story in the final stages.

Wold has been running a Writers’ Workshop at conventions for more than 25 years and has served as a panelist at various conventions in Virginia and North Carolina. He is a member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

For more information email editoradams@gmail.com or call 434.251.1062. Avant-garde Writers is a writing support group for residents of Danville and the surrounding area. (submitted by C.E. Adams)

Saturday, August 27

Museum Meets Margaritaville

This annual fundraiser for the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History will be held from 4p.m. to 8p.m. on the grounds of the Museum at 975 Main Street. Using the Jimmy Buffett beach theme, participants will eat cheeseburgers in paradise cooked onsite by Ma Possum’s, dance to beach tunes and the music of Jimmy Buffett played by DJ Johnny Dollar, and enjoy great margaritas, beer, and wine from the cash bar. Bring a lawn chair and dress in your best parrothead or beach outfit. Tickets are $30 at the gate.

Advance tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Museum, Foxglove, Gingerbread House, Rippe’s, both Ma Possum’s locations and from any board member. For more information, call 434.793.5644. (submitted by Jane Murray)

Helping to make Th e Dan River Region healthier At Danville Regional Medical Center, our goal is to deliver the best healthcare available to the residents of the greater Dan River Region as we seek to make our community healthier. With the help of dedicated physicians, associates, volunteers and board members, along with your continued support and encouragement, we continue our passionate pursuit of excellence.

Delivering quality healthcare is a big part of the contribution we make. But there are many other ways a hospital can make a positive impact on the community it serves. Here are a few of the ways we are making a difference.

More than $5.1 million in capital improvements Danville Regional is always advancing and progressing towards the future. Earlier this year, we completed the installation of a wideDanville Regional bore MRI and a 16-slice CT scanner at Danville Diagnostic Imaging Medical Center Center. Another exciting endeavor we have implemented is room service where the patient can pick up the phone and order a meal just like they would at a five star hotel. Also in 2011, we will open two new clinics specializing in family and internal medicine to provide our community greater access to primary care. As for 2010, we invested over $5.1 million in our facilities including a $1 million investment in our heart catheterization laboratory, featuring the most advanced technology available. Other improvements include the addition of a urology table and instruments for our urologists, and an improved monitoring system was added to critical areas such as our Emergency Department and Step-Down Unit.

Eric Deaton, CEO

Contributing to our local tax base Last year, Danville Regional Medical Center paid nearly $2.2 million in taxes which helped to

Help Community Benefit Report Charity and other uncompensated care .......................................................... $226,603,089

Includes unpaid cost of Medicare and Medicaid as well as charity care and bad debts Community benefit programs ..................................................................................... $1,429,120

Financial contributions.................................................................................... $163,802

Health professionals education..................................................................... $562,728

Tuition reimbursement.......................................................................................$72,977

Physician recruitment...................................................................................... $629,513

LifePoint Community Foundation Grants........................................................... $100

Ross Harbor United Methodist Church Taxes paid ................................................................................................................................. $2,229,056

Local sales tax................................................................................................... $197,000

State sales tax.................................................................................................... $787,000

Property and other taxes............................................................................ $1,315,056 2010 TOTAL .................................................................................................................. $230,261,265 In addition, the hospital’s payroll of more than $67.5 million and capital investments of $5.1 million last year contributed significantly to the community’s economic success.

“Charity and other uncompensated care” includes the amounts not covered by Medicare and Medicaid as well as charity care and bad debt. “Physician recruitment costs” include recruitment costs and support of new physicians’ initial practice establishment in the community. Payroll includes consolidated salaries, wages, benefits and contract labor costs. “Capital investments” include facility expansions/renovations, equipment purchases, technology replacement, information technology additions/updates, and routine facility upkeep and maintenance.

Board of Trustees* OFFICERS Frank R. Campbell, Ph.D., Chairman Executive Director Stratford House, Inc. Rev. Charles L. Breindel, Vice-Chair Pastor, Sacred Heart Catholic Church Eric Deaton, Secretary President/CEO Danville Regional Medical Center MEMBERS Larry G. Campbell, Jr. Bibleway Cathedral

support our city, county and state. This included sales taxes as well as property taxes. These dollars help support local schools, the development of roads, the recruitment of business and industry, and other vital community services.

Helping those in need Danville Regional Medical Center provided over $226.6 million in uncompensated care last year, which includes amounts not covered by Medicare and Medicaid. This amount includes $29.3 million for charity care and bad debt, incurred as we served many people without the financial resources to pay for basic health services.

In 2011, our retail pharmacy began offering a new $4 prescription program for the residents of our community.

Adding new physicians During the past year, Danville Regional Medical Center hired its first fulltime Chief Medical Officer. We are also continuing to grow our hospitalist program and we added six new physicians to our highly respected medical staff, including specialists in radiology, internal medicine, family practice, general surgery and urology. We also added a Director of Medical Education who will lead our residency program.

One of our community’s major employers With an annual payroll of $67.5 million and more than 1,100 employees, Danville Regional Medical Center is one of the largest employers in the region.

We thank you for choosing us for your healthcare needs. With your support, we can continue to make our community healthier.

SponsorsHIPs and donations

Danville Regional Medical Center and our employees are pleased to have been able to support the following activities and organizations during the past year.

• Alzheimer’s Association • American Cancer Society • Averett University • Big Brothers Big Sisters • Boy Scouts • Boys & Girls Club • Caswell County Chamber • Chatham Youth League • City of Hope (Medical Supplies) • Dan River High School JROTC • Danville Cancer Association • Danville Community College Educational Foundation • Danville Concert Association • Danville Life Saving Crew • Danville Little League • Danville Museum of Fine Arts

Mukesh B. Patel, M.D. Danville Gastroenterology Center, PC

George B. Daniel, P.A. Attorney

Harry Phillips, M.D. Professor of Medicine Chief Medical Officer, Network Services Associate Director, Duke Heart Center Duke University Medical Center

Gary P. Miller, M.D. Cardiology Consultants of Danville, Inc. Bhushan H. Pandya, M.D. Danville Gastroenterology Center, PC

• God’s Pit Crew • Gretna High School Athletics Program • Hargrave Military Academy Athletics • Kentucky Youth Baseball • Kids & Pros, Inc. • Mt. Cross Fire & Rescue • Piney Grove Baptist Church • Pittsylvania County Girls Softball League • Riverview Rotary Club, Inc. • Sacred Heart School • Southern Piedmont Technology Council • Tunstall Athletic Boosters • Woodlawn Academy • YMCA

All references to “LifePoint,” “LifePoint Hospitals,” or the “Company” used in this release refer to LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. and its affiliates.

Michael A. Caplan, M.D. Piedmont Internal Medicine

Janet Laughlin, Ph.D. Dean, Student Success and Academic Advancement Division Danville Community College

• Danville Parks Recreation and Tourism • Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber • Danville Pittsylvania County United Way • Danville Pittsylvania County Community Health Coalition • Danville Science Center • Downtown Danville Association • Edward Via College of Osteopathic Med • Faces of Our Children • Festival in the Park • Free Clinic of Danville, Inc. • George Washington High School Athletics Program

Richard A. Smith, M.D. Medical Director, Emergency Dept.

Danville Regional Medical Center V. Kiran Vasireddy, M.D. Internal Medicine *2011 Board Danville Regional Medical Center is part of LifePoint Hospitals®, a leading hospital company focused on providing quality healthcare services close to home. Through its subsidiaries, LifePoint operates 52 acute-care facilities in 17

states. With a mission of “Making Communities Healthier, ” LifePoint is the sole community hospital provider in a majority of the communities it serves. More information about the Company, which is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, can be found on its website LifePointHospitals.com.

LifePoint Hospitals

®