Evince Magazine August 2012

Mary Condon Making Big Changes Page 12

Wayne Alan Grand Re-Opening of the North Theatre Page 20

Philip Ramsey Art Exhibit Opening Page 20

Kira Kania: Reinventing Sacred Heart School

August 2012 Photo by Sally’s Photo Studio, 210 N. Union St.

Page 2

Editor’s Note

When readers compliment me on the picture that appears at the top of this column, I thank them and then tell the truth. Each month before the photo is taken, my appearance is transformed by three women who know a lot about reinvention, the theme of this month’s Evince.

Katie Mosher applies makeup that hides and highlights appropriately and styles my hair; photographer, Sally Popu, adjusts the lighting and finds the angles that flatter, then graphic designer, Kim Demont, uses Photoshop to correct and add the finishing touches. Thank you, ladies!

My superficial reinvention every 30 days is nothing compared to what is transpiring in our community.

The picture on page 3 of a Sister of Mercy looking over the shoulder of Sacred Heart School’s new principal, Kira Kania, demonstrates a dramatic change since the school opened in 1953. Averett University and Mary Condon are transforming a building in the Tobacco Warehouse District into something our area desperately needs. Read about it on page 12 and plan to attend the open house.

On a personal level, Dave Gluhareff challenges you to reinvent your daily schedule and to sleep more. See page 16. Tim Rogers talks about your children reinventing themselves every academic year and how you can help on page 22. Linda Lemery is still struggling to reinvent herself and her house on page 17. Please, send her a word of encouragement.

Finally, Jane Wiseman recommends a book on page 22 in which the author gives three “what if” endings.

Jane likes all three reinventions of the main character. See if you agree.

During this last full month of summer, I hope you will find inspiration within these pages to reinvent yourself into a smarter, happier, healthier person.

August Contents

2

Editor’s Note

3

Kira Kania / Reinventing Sacred Heart School

by Joyce Wilburn

4

The Voice of Readers / Letters to the Editor

5

Throw Out the Mess and Organize the Rest What Timeshares Have Taught Me

by Joyce Wilburn

6

She Said He Said / New Fall Routine

by Dena Hill & Larry Oldham

7

Danville’s Green Fall by Mack Williams Second Thoughts / If These Shawls Could Talk

by Kim Clifton

10 Spotting Exceptional Customer Service Linda & Ron Shaw 11 Pretty and Sterile Cages / Fiction

by Telisha Moore Leigg

Editor Joyce Wilburn joycewilburn@gmail.com (434.799.3160) Associate Editors Larry G. Aaron larry.aaron@gmail.com (434.792.8695) Jeanette Taylor Contributing Writers

Wayne Alan, James Barkhouser, Melissa Charles, Kim Clifton, Patsi Compton, Moriah Davis, Dave Gluhareff, Nikki Harris, Dena Hill, Telisha Moore Leigg, Linda Lemery, Jane Murray, Larry Oldham, Sally Popu, Tim Rogers, Linda & Ron Shaw, Joyce Wilburn, Annelle Williams, Mack Williams, Jane Wiseman

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

12 Mary Condon / Making Big Changes

by Joyce Wilburn 13 What You Auto Know by James Barkhouser

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

14 Calendar 15 Calendrier Chic

Sales Associates Kim Demont (434.792.0612) demontdesign@verizon.net

16 Reinvent Your Schedule by Dave Gluhareff 17 Reflecting Forward / A Vision of Reinvention

by Linda Lemery 19 Seeing the World Through a Youngster’s Eyes

by Nikki Harris 20 Calendar Clips 21 Around the Table / Cool Cooking on Hot Nights

by Annelle Williams 22 Your Child’s Reinvention of Self by Tim Rogers Book Clubbing / Aquamarine A Review by Jane Wiseman

On the Cover:

Photo of Kira Kania by Michelle Dalton Photography. See story on page 3.

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

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.

Editorial Policies:

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

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

Don’t Forget to Pick Up the August Issue of Showcase Magazine

Meet Some of Our Writers

EVINCE MAGAZINE 753 Main Street Suite 3 Danville, VA 24541 www.evincemagazine.com © 2012 All rights reserved.

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

Sincerely,

Credits: Hair & Makeup: Katie Mosher; Skin Care: Catherine Adkins; Nails: Janelle Gammon; Genesis Day Spa & Salon, 695 Park Avenue, Danville

OICE OF REINVENTION

Publisher Andrew Scott Brooks

Where Can I Find an Evince?

9

THE

Tim Rogers is the Center Director of the Danville Sylvan Learning Center in Coleman Marketplace at Suite 500B.

Sally Susan Popu is a photographer and makeup artist at Sally’s Studio on the upper level of the Danvillian Gallery on North Union Street.

Nikki Harris is an education specialist at the Danville Science Center.

Jane Wiseman teaches English at Averett University. Her personal motto is: “So many books! Too little time!”

We now accept Visa, MC, and Discover for ad payments

For Subscriptions, call 1.877.638.8685 ext. 6.

Evince Magazine

ASK DR. JUDITH

T

o three-year-old Nicholas and nine-year-old Nathan, Kira Kania is mom. To the other 143 students at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Danville, she is known as the new principal.

Upon learning that his mother was going to assume the leadership role of Danville’s oldest nonpublic school, Nicholas had one reservation. “Well, you can be the principal, but you can’t be the boss,” he told her. Although Kira admits she isn’t quite sure what the pre-schooler meant, she is confident that one of her life-long goals has been achieved.

“I am passionate about Sacred Heart School. There was never a question in my mind whether or not I wanted to do this,” says the New Jersey native, who spent most of her childhood in the Baltimore, Maryland, area. “I enjoy the dayto-day challenges and working with people and students on different levels. I love it all,” she continues. Preparing for this new role began in the mid-90s at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. During that time, she was introduced to her future husband, Vince, Jr., who was also a Wesleyan student.

“After graduation, we drew a map with a rectangle around the Greensboro-Raleigh area and knew that’s where we wanted to be because that’s where the jobs were. He moved to Raleigh and I moved to Burlington. After we were married in 2000, we lived in Mebane, which was in the middle,” she explains, smiling at the memory.

In 2002, Vince joined the family CPA business in Danville, Kania & Associates. That precipitated a move to the River City in 2005, where Kira started working as a third grade teacher at SHS, Vince’s alma mater. This past spring when Principal Kim Meadows announced her retirement after 12 years of service, Kira was ready to move from the classroom into the front office.

As the tenth principal in the school’s history, Kira is building on almost 50 years of solid practices that helped SHS earn the 2006 Blue Ribbon School Award given by the U.S. Department of Education. Motivated by the school’s logo “Where Tradition Inspires Tomorrow,” she quickly lists the improvements that have been made since her tenure started on July 1: “The first thing I did was restructure the grade levels. This year, SHS will be prekindergarten for three-and-four-

Page 3

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Q: How do I choose an audiologist? are the most qualified to A: Audiologists perform hearing evaluations, make

recommendations, refer for medical treatment and fit hearing instruments.

An audiologist should have a doctoral degree, an Au.D. or Ph.D. in audiology.

Please be sure that person to whom you are entrusting your hearing is educated and up to date on latest information and technology. Location is important in that if you need to acquire hearing instruments you want someone who is easily accessible. It is best to choose someone who is in one office five days per week.

If there are concerns of ringing in the ear, ear pain or dizziness it is recommended to go to an audiologist who is connected to an Otolaryngologist (ENT), such as Danville ENT Hearing Center. This allows you be seen by an ENT, Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant on the same day as your hearing evaluation.

Most importantly, choose someone you feel you can trust, someone who has your best interests at heart, not their own.

Photo by Michelle Dalton Photography.

Kira Kania

Reinventing Sacred Heart School

by Joyce Wilburn year-olds through eighth grades.

(Ninth grade has been eliminated.)

Our technology will be incorporated more into the instruction. We will use Words Their Way, a University of Virginia phonics program that teaches a different method of spelling by studying patterns and building words. We’ll also use a William & Mary College reading curriculum that teaches a higher level of thinking with activities that stretch the brain.”

Although SHS isn’t allowed to give the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests required in public schools, the faculty is aware of their importance.

“Our curriculum is not test-driven, but we feed into the public schools, so we make sure our students have good test-taking skills,” Kira explains. Another new program entitled Peacemakers will be implemented. “Each month we’ll focus on a Bible verse related to character development, take steps to prevent bullying and celebrate those students who show positive character traits,” she adds.

During a pause in the conversation, Kira reflects for a moment about opening day on August 15 and the new role she has assumed. “It’s an exciting time,” concludes SHS’s fourth lay principal. And if the job ever becomes overwhelming, Nicholas will remind her--she is just the principal, not the boss.

• SHS is located at 540 Central Boulevard in Danville. It has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools for the past 25 years.

• Class size is 18 students or fewer.

After-school care is available.

• Sixty percent of its students are not Catholic.

• Tuition ranges from $5,000$6,000 depending on grade level.

Preschool tuition is $2,000-$3000.

Tuition assistance is available.

• A Super Sunday Open House will be held on August 12 at 2 p.m. for parents of current students and the public.

• For more information, phone 434.793.2656 or visit www.sheartschool.com.

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August 2012

The Voice of Readers To the Editor:

Select August Promotions

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H O T E L S

Just back from summer travels and I have to thank you for your suggestions in the July Evince (Throw Out the Mess and Organize the Rest). Upon our arrival home, we followed your plan: took our suitcases straight from the car to the laundry room and dumped the dirty things into the washing machine, snap! The kids unpacked the rest of their things on the spot, snap! We took our suitcases downstairs and into the basement storage area, snap! Pulled out the pasta sauce and whipped up a small, easy meal, snap! Our favorite suggestion of yours, to set the table prior to leaving, made us laugh at the time of departure, but it was a welcome sight upon our arrival home.

Thanks for making our return such a breeze. We will continue to use your tips. It was really nice to have everything unpacked, suitcases stored away and clothes in the washer the first night back. Keep ‘em comin’!

Now: How about tips on how to be most efficient in the mornings making healthy breakfasts and lunches and getting everyone happily out the door to work and school in one hour or less?

Now that I have to see.

Thanks again, Courtney Dodson Danville, VA

To the Editor: I just wanted to say thank you for including all the extra information along with the book review (Book Clubbing July 2012). I really appreciate your including the instructions on how to post a review in the Danville Public Library’s catalog.

As always, Evince looks great. I know it’s not easy to put all that together month after month, but it really is such an asset to Danville. Thank you for all your hard work.

Sincerely, Joann D. Verostko Danville Public Library

READERS: How would you answer the above letter? Send in your favorite tips on making mornings less hectic.

Tell us what you think.

Email joyce@evincemagazine.com or send mail to Evince Editor, 753 Main Street, Suite 3, Danville, VA 24541.

Letters might be edited for space or style.

Submission constitutes permission to use.

Evince Magazine

Page 5

Throw Out the Mess and Organize the Rest What Timeshares Have Taught Me

by Joyce Wilburn National Association of Professional Organizers Unless you are living alone, your home is a timeshare property. It’s not the kind where you can vacation for one week every year; it’s the type where all parties share space and time 24/7.

Although traditional timeshares might not have a great reputation because of high maintenance fees, they can teach good lessons on cleaning and organizing. If you live alone, this might motivate you to complete the work faster and then you’ll have more time for optional excursions—just like at the timeshare resorts. Numbers 1-5 and 10 come from my timeshare experiences.

1. Set a deadline for clean-up preparation. For example, if you clean the house on Saturday mornings, all family members must have personal items put away by 9 p.m. on Friday nights or there is a fine imposed on Saturday. See #4 and #5. This makes the next morning’s job 50% easier.

2. Require dirty laundry to be left in one place. Family members gather dirty clothes and towels and carry them to the laundry room where each person can sort his/her things by color. The last person to arrive starts washing the first load.

3. Remove sheets from the beds.

Take sheets and pillow cases to the laundry room.

4. Empty trash cans in every room. One person can carry a large trash bag to each room and

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

accept deposits from other family members. Take trash outside.

Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher and start the washer. If they don’t all fit, wash and dry them by hand. When the dishwasher stops, empty it.

Vacuum and dust. The job will be easier now because all the clutter has been removed. Family members can vacuum and dust their own spaces.

Clean bathrooms and kitchen.

See #6.

Return laundry. When the dryer stops, that is the signal for everyone to stop what they are doing, remove their personal items from the dryer and return them to the appropriate place.

Set a deadline for completion.

You don’t want to waste your entire day cleaning. After following this agenda once, you’ll have a good idea of how long it takes to complete. That will determine your deadline for completion and inspection.

Inspection by the property manager. Your house should look 100% better than it did. If you, the property manager, think your timeshare occupants did a good job, reward them. The other lesson that timeshares have taught me is to make time for the fun things in life.

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See How They Run

Person County Farm Tour

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August 2012

SHE SAID

HE SAID

by Dena Hill

by Larry Oldham

New Fall Routine August is here and, for all practical purposes, summer is over. With school starting, I will be returning to my academic routine and you will be going back to “Well, summer is over. What am I going to do for fall?” routine. Life for you is: take it easy this minute to get ready for the next take-it-easy minute.

I like a woman who figures out a man’s life, then proceeds to live it for him. When you married me for better or worse, guess what--here is the worse.

We both worked hard this summer and we both accomplished a lot.

Knowing that all those things you spoke about are important to you, I do not want to brush over them lightly.

May I say that I don’t want to brush over them at all?

Let’s just forget them and talk about what I need.

I could give you a list of things that you should do or could do, but you seem to be doing a fairly good job of doing them already.

She said

Recently, I was shocked by all the work you did at your rental house, preparing for a new family who was moving in. I have always known you could work; it is just such a rare occasion when I see it.

I have also noticed that you have this attitude that “I can’t Let’s talk do anything about my because I needs for never was a change, taught because it is how to do always about plumbing or you. I need hammering.” more time to (I know. You’re shop. This is left-handed.) important to Then you Photo by Michelle Dalton Photography. a man who surprise me requires retail therapy. I have a new by fixing the commode or repairing idea that might work for us. I love a light fixture without calling an to shop. I’ll go shopping, buy what I electrician. I think you are a secret want, put it in the house and the next handy man, just a lazy one. If you day you take it back for a refund. pretend not to know how to fix things, then you think I won’t ask The only problem is that I like you to you to try. You just sit back in your go with me, because you have such easy chair, shopping the Yellow good taste. The negative side is I like Pages for repairmen. They come; fix to keep what I buy and that creates the problem and give me the bill. I a problem. We have completely run pay it and you look at me with those out of room to store my treasures. green-puppy eyes, like “I would There has to be a compromise of have fixed that for you, but I am too some sort. Because it’s not necessary inept.” And you wonder why I have for me to look at items after I buy my own repairmen on speed-dial. them, I’ll just bring them home, box them up and take them directly I’ve got your number now and those to the storage unit. Owning stuff is days are over. So for the fall, I need more important than actually using a new bathroom floor installed, new it. Maybe this would work... we could light fixtures in the dining room and only shop for food, which we both Sophie wants you to build her a new like and never have to take back. I house, preferably, under her favorite might like this new fall routine after shade tree. all because I wouldn’t have to go to home improvement stores with you Now, let’s see you move into a new anymore. fall routine.

He Said

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

Evince Magazine

Danville’s Green Fall

by Mack Williams

With summer only ten days old, a strange sort of fall occurred in Danville on the last day of June.

It wasn’t autumnal colored, but monotonously green. It wasn’t announced by the calendar, but by the sound of massive nighttime winds, with seemingly musical crescendo markings and musical repeat signs, both reapplied for the entire night of this green fall’s debut.

In yards all along Danville’s West Main Street on the morning of June 30th, the number of single green leaves seemed to almost equal the number of single green blades of grass. Of lesser amount (and in keeping with the physics of high wind and trees) were the number of broken twigs and branches, followed at the other end of the scale by only two downed trees. Unfortunately, one lay atop someone’s car.

The city crews were working on the downed trees, but I saw or heard no “civilian” leaf blowers being used in the leafy green yards that weekend. Perhaps

both days were in collusion. The surprised yard owners might have already made Saturday plans and Sunday being the day of rest, they simply decided to clean up on Monday. Whatever the reason, it seemed like a very expanded moment of silence in memory of things so recently alive, now so recently dead. By mid-week it was mostly cleaned up, but I wonder if the colors of the true fall season this year will be robbed by the death of so many leaves in their prime. The same is said of the great wars having probably robbed us of future composers, artists, scientists and writers.

A great many leaves remain, so this fall will probably not be different from the last. If, however, when walking down West Main in October, I notice some minor lessening of the amount of autumn’s colors, instead of cumulative rainfall or temperatures, I may ascribe the difference to the arrival of the brief green fall, announced by great winds on a late, late night in June.

Where Can I Find an Evince?

10,000 copies of Evince are distributed each month at over 100 locations.

Danville Western Sizzlin Steak House 3211 Riverside Drive El Vallarta Mexican Restaurant 418 Westover Drive Commonwealth Pharmacy 949 Piney Forest Rd. Piedmont Credit Union 366 Piney Forest Road Yanceyville, NC The Drug Store, 106 Court Street Gunn Memorial Public Library 161 Main Street E

Chatham Chatham Public Library, 24 Military Drive ChathaMooca, 33 North Main Street Community Center, 115 Main Street South Boston Area Berry Hill Plantation Resort 3105 River Road Halifax County Public Library 177 South Main Street; Halifax O Sol Mio, 1018 Bill Tuck Highway

Page 7

Page 8

August 2012

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.

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

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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 not, never have been and Lord knows don’t ever expect to be pregnant.

So it’s frustrating to me that when it comes to blouses my choices are limited to frilly maternity tops. (The only ruffles I like come with ridges and a tub of onion dip.) Please know that if you see me sporting one of these things, you are to immediately call 911. It proves I’m delusional.

I love to find deals and thrift shopping just makes sense to me. While Goodwill’s revenues aren’t used to pay rent like in the story, it is a place that the government sanctions for tax write-offs and it’s a place that provides jobs and training to people who otherwise might be unemployed.

Second Thoughts

by Kim Clifton ©2012

If These Shawls Could Talk The best short story title I’ve ever seen was The Little Red Sweater That Paid the Rent. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the author’s name nor can I fully repeat the story. The gist of it was that a thrift shop’s proceeds went to help the less fortunate in the community and how the sale of a donated little red sweater saved an elderly woman from losing her home.

A sweater paying the rent...now that’s the voice of reinvention. Leave it to second-hand shops to lead the way. This month I’m going to let you in on a little secret. My sister and I love to scope out Goodwill stores. We love them so much that we map them out all over the country when we travel. Bargain hunting like this is better than going to yard sales because we get good deals and we get to sleep late. The only problem is that my brother-inlaw says that no sooner does he haul a load to donate, my sister hauls one back.

My mom is embarrassed when I admit that I have on a jacket from Goodwill. I keep reminding her that typically it’s not the indigent making contributions--it’s the folks needing a tax break. It doesn’t bother me that some other woman paid full price for a jacket the first time around. I am the youngest child; I was raised on hand-me-downs. The other day I found a brand new coat for $3.50.

It had never been worn and still had the original price tag of $35.00

dangling from the sleeve. What a difference a decimal makes.

Goodwill is also the one place I can count on to carry coats that fit me like a glove instead of those in regular stores that are about the size of a glove. Blazers are my thing. I’m so obsessed with them that I have them for all seasons. Whenever I find one that fits I buy it and I hoard the extras as spares. It’s gotten to the point where my husband dares me to come home with another navy one with gold buttons. Of course, it’s not just blue that I grab. Truth be told, I suspect I have more green jackets than you’ll ever find in the members’ locker room at Augusta National.

I’m convinced that department stores have quit trying to suit everyone.

Clearly, fashion designers hate women. Or if they don’t, they forget that we aren’t all in our 20s. I don’t know what the problem is, but I think they’ve completely run out of original ideas. I shouldn’t be punished for living so long that I’m forced to wear bell bottoms...again.

What seems like normal clothes are impossible to find. I’ve been hunting for over a year for a simple black top to match an outfit and I think it’s time I give up. I think I’d have better luck finding Jimmy Hoffa’s body or a Republican candidate in favor of tax increases.

Not to belabor the point, but I don’t understand the blouse thing. I am

But for all of the good that Goodwill does for the community, I think I personally benefit the most. Now when my favorite jackets wear out, I know where I can go to replace them.

Thank goodness these pieces are still on earth and thanks especially for the Goodwill toward women.

Note to readers: Kim sends her thanks for the notes and emails sent to the editor in support of her column. She is overwhelmed by your kindness and appreciates you taking time to send them to Evince.

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August 2012

Spotting Exceptional Customer Service 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.

by Linda & Ron Shaw Never was it more apparent how critical air conditioning is to living in the South than on Thursday, July 5, at 10 p.m., when our unit failed.

The next morning, I contacted Performance Heating and Air Conditioning, 2221 Kentuck Church Road, owned by Robert Stevens. It was literally a mere 20 minutes from my initial call for help to when Mr. Stevens returned my call at 8:15 in the morning on July 6. He said he would arrive at our home after lunch. By 11:45 a.m., he had already diagnosed the problem, installed new parts and had our home cooled to a comfortable temperature once again.

Amidst the height of prolonged, dangerously high temperatures and long hours of customer calls for emergency service, Robert Stevens provided exceptional service.

We are most appreciative and thankful for what he did. Exceptional customer service definitely defines Performance Heating and Air Conditioning well. Thank you so very much Robert Stevens.

For more information, call 434.822.5773.

Mary Baldwin College Adult Degree Program BACHELOR’S DEGREES • CERTIFICATES • FULL TEACHER LICENSURE

Earn your degree.

TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE. Come see us at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center to find out more about our co-ed programs in teaching, business, health care administration, and more. Online and in-person options at locations throughout Virginia.

APPLY BY AUGUST 15 FOR FALL 2012 www.mbc.edu/connect/south-boston/ 800-468-2262

Evince Magazine

Pretty and Sterile Cages fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg

T

hey took Mama away in the ambulance; put her someplace safe from herself. Weekly, I rode to visit Mama, who smiled but didn’t really know me. During the first visit, she asked if I would go get Brother. He was dead, shot; his death was why she was in the hospital. I remembered the funeral she couldn’t focus through. I was saved from answering her by my Aunt Regina and her “hush, baby, hush” that I wasn’t sure was for me or for my mother. Mama never asked about Brother again. Now when she saw me, she mostly smiled through what seemed like betrayed eyes, talked to Aunt Regina, then just looked out her window which had crisscrossing wire embedded in the glass to protect her or protect the world from her; I didn’t really know which. When I left she said “Thank-You,” like I was a stranger.

At 17, I was still a minor, so the doctors told my aunt, my uncle and my-refuse-to-leave-the-hospitaldivorced-from-her-for-years-father that she would get better. They said the same today. Not to me. I was not an adult and all adults say things will get better. My fingers just graze the shallow self-made cuts inside my left forearm. Should I believe adults or my own experience? In my experience, adults rarely tell the truth.

To see Mama, we came in two cars, but my Aunt Regina and Uncle Mike’s car got a flat tire coming back, just two miles from the interstate and Uncle Mike didn’t have a spare, so we all piled into my father’s doubleseated pickup truck. I sat in the back seat next to my Aunt Regina.

My father, Tim, asked if anyone was hungry, trying to prolong a family moment, no doubt. No one but Uncle

Mike answered, “Naw, Tim, we better get on back.” Aunt Regina never answered, would not even look in my father’s direction. She still blamed him for the divorce. After all, he had the affair. After all, he still saw that woman from that affair, that same mother of the boy that Brother fought with in the school cafeteria, just months before he started hanging with the wrong crowd, that got him shot, the shot that destroyed his life and Mama’s too. In Aunt Regina’s mind everything had a connection. I didn’t think connections mattered anymore.

Mama was bone dead gone, heart and mind buried with Brother. The sun was hot in the sky. The tire was already flat.

You know, what is is and life just moves on.

So, I shouldn’t have been both angry and surprised when after getting Uncle Mike’s car towed to Ray’s Tow and Go Shop, my father said, “Laurel is riding back with me.” “You shouldn’t push her,” Uncle Mike said. There was too much silence and I knew that they were all not talking about my cutting at the same time, not asking my father if he knew and not telling him he truly didn’t understand my fragility. Uncle Mike, Aunt Regina, and Mama knew I cut. My father did not. They didn’t want any more ache, any more family to visit in pretty, sterile cages like they had just done. “She’s my child, Mike, Regina. Maybe she should stay with me too.” Aunt Regina gasped because I had been staying with her away from my father deliberately and he knew it. My aunt’s taut face burned.

“How many lives, Tim Knox...How many?” my Aunt Regina rasped. My father’s eyes watered, dull in unspoken rage. I had three and a half more weeks before college and soon after would turn 18. I let him have this. He couldn’t hurt me more than I knew how to hurt

myself. I got into the front seat of my father’s truck. The first five miles were silent. Then my father sped up, took an odd turn. I saw fear and rage in my Aunt Regina’s face when her car passed. What now? I thought.

“Your mother may not come back to you.” My father’s voice was stark in the truck cab. I focused on the trees blurring by us, pine, and the metal guard rails like high rise train tracks. I did not say a damn word; hate for my father was too deep to cut away. I faced forward. This ride would be over soon. “Your mama loves hard, Laurel. And she loves you.

But she loved...Matthew too. But she may not be able to love you like she used to again.” Don’t put your junk on me, I thought. She may not be able to love you like she used to, you trifling...

I didn’t say anymore to myself. I had never said anything to my father about his affair. It started raining a little, just small dots.

“Your mama would follow you into hell, Laurel. So you got to understand. She would go there for Mattie too. Your mama on a trip, baby. She following Mattie, honey. She don’t want him to be gone or alone, baby. She may come back. She may not.” “Leave me alone, all right,” I said. I was grasping the arm grip. My father kept the car steady. I reached for the radio to drown in noise.

Page 11

As soon as it was on, he turned it off. “I ain’t never going to leave... (he coughed harshly in his throat) never leave you, girl.” I felt the tears come down my face, but I was so angry.

It was getting darker. I dug my fingers into my palms until I felt skin break. I worked spit and words up in my throat.

Outside, the sky opened up. “I can’t stand you,” I hissed. My eyes were on the dividing line. My father gripped the wheel, released a grated, tearful breath that would have weakened a lesser hate. “I know, Laurel. I know. But I’m the daddy you got. And what you got is that....I’m following you, Laurel.” My father grabbed my hand, one hand off the wheel, but the car never swerved. “If you go to hell, I come too. I come get you. You can’t go nowhere I won’t come for you. Ain’t nobody leaving you again, okay?” Outside there was thunder.

“Okay, baby?” The trees were swaying with the storm. “Laurel? Okay?”

“Okay!” I screamed, meaning to also scream “leave me alone,” but I couldn’t get the words out anymore than I could let go of his hand. And on we drove into the deluge, him trying to drive and turn the wipers on with one hand, him trying to keep the downpour away and me trying to see how we would ever make it through that curtain of rain.

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August 2012

Professor Mary Condon, Chair of Averett University’s Nurse Education Department, is adding another layer of history to the brick building at 512 Bridge Street in Danville’s Tobacco Warehouse District. She and a team of collaborators are transforming 19,700 square feet of the historic warehouse and former Dibrell/DIMON international headquarters into a teaching facility for health care professionals.

Mary Condon

Making Big Changes

by Joyce Wilburn

Growing up on a dairy farm in upstate New York, where cows outnumbered the people, Mary left the rural environment to attend State University of New York, where she graduated with a master’s degree in nursing. Years later, she joined the U.S. Army Reserves and served in the United States and several foreign countries, including Germany. It was at Landstulh Base that she met her future husband, Bill, who was also in the Army. After their marriage, she and their four children moved whenever Bill, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, was transferred.

That gave Mary numerous teaching and nursing opportunities. In fact, her impressive 13-page resume includes stints as a staff nurse, nurse practitioner, tenured professor, associate dean, executive assistant to a college president and teacher in the Army’s leaders’ training classes (LTC). Remarking on her frequent job changes, one dean asked, “Mary, can’t you keep a job?” Her quick reply was, “Yes, I can. My job has been my family and my husband and I’ve kept all of them!”

Photo by Michelle Dalton Photography.

Being a teacher and/or a nurse was always at the top of the short list of career choices for the Adelphi University Ph.D. graduate in nursing.

With amusement in her voice, Mary adds, “I also wanted to be a ballerina, but I couldn’t dance to save my life.” While showing visitors around the newly renovated, fullyequipped facility where she and a small faculty will welcome new students this fall, Mary comments with satisfaction, “Obviously, I’ve combined teaching and nursing.”

Mary Condon holds a baby manikin in the maternal-child simulation area, while the mother manikin rests. This space is one of s Astor Rose above the bed taken by AU Professor, David Hoffman. context,” she explains. Although Mary is very content with her new hometown and position, there is one big change that she plans to make. She promises that Danville and Averett University will soon be home to the best nurse education program in the country--one that might make other colleges and universities sick with envy.

• The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) has approved AU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program. AU will be offering the BSN to registered nurses beginning August 22.

• The Virginia Board of Nursing must grant approval for AU to provide a full baccalaureate program for students’ entry-level into practice. AU anticipates closure by January 2013.

• To celebrate this wonderful space, Averett University invites the community to an open house on Tuesday, August 21, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• For more information, visit www.averett.edu or call 434.791.5600.

That beloved family job has ended because the children are now adults (and there are three grandchildren) living in three different states and Bill is retired. The tables have turned and just recently it was Bill’s turn to follow Mary, when she made a career choice that brought her to Danville.

“We’re military, so we can call any place home, but we fell in love with this area. Danville is small town USA—open and friendly with cultural aspects that exist within a rural Photo provided by Averett University.

Evince Magazine

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Page 13

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August 2012

August Calendar Ongoing

Guided Walking Tour – Millionaires’ Row, The Secrets Inside. www.danvillehistoricalsociety.org.

434.770.1974. See ad page 16.

Thru August 4

LEGO Build-off – A fundraiser with a grand prize winner. Piedmont Mall.

434.334.8324.

Thru August 20

7 Visions Art Exhibit – featuring Danville artists Helen Clark, Nancy Compton, Inara Dodson, Norma Martin, Alla Parsons, Colleen Stadler and Carol Van Deventer. TU-SAT 10am-5pm.

The Art Space @ The Gourmet Frog.

434.710.7479.

Thru August 23

American Masterpieces of Southern Craft & Traditional Art Exhibit.

See page 20.

Thru August 31

Summer Reading Program.

2-4pm. Danville Public Library (DPL) – 434.799.5195.

Through September 1

PAA Exhibits – Small Narrow Pieces of a Big Wide World & Subtle: Paintings

by Jesi Pace-Berkeley. Piedmont Arts Association (PAA), Martinsville – 276.632.3221.

Through September 3

Wild Music Exhibit – Hunt for sounds of forest creatures, investigate the songs of whales, record a musical memory, lay down a beat and add tracks with animal sounds and recordings of your own voices. DSC – 434.791.5160.

Through October 1

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Exhibit – New Views of the Universe. HST images and data provide spectacular views of planets, galaxies, black holes, and other cosmic entities. Danville Science Center (DSC) – 434.791.5160.

Damsels, Dragons and Ladies Exhibit – Pictures of damselflies, dragonflies and ladybugs along the Riverwalk.

M-S 9:30am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm.

DSC – 434.791.5160.

Through October 13

Butterfly Station and Garden.

M-S 9:30am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm.

DSC – 434.791.5160.

Thru November 3

Rocks to Racing Exhibit – Life in the Ordovician. Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) – 276.634.4185.

August 1

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

Signs of Alzheimer’s. 12:30pm. Ballou Rec Center – 434.799.5216.

Harry Potter Movie Marathon – Themed snacks, games, and prizes will accompany each film. 2pm. DPL – 434.799.5195.

August 1 (thru 3)

Braves vs. Bristol. 7pm. Legion Field, DDMP – 434.797.3792. See ad page 4.

August 1 (thru 5)

Songs for a New World. Union Street Theatre. See story page 20.

August 1 (Thru 21)

Bingo. Times/locations vary.

434.799.5216.

August 1 (thru 22)

Art with Flo – wet-on-wet technique.

Weds. Location/times vary. 434.797.8848.

August 1 (thru 29)

Blood Pressure Checks. Times/ locations vary. 434.799.5216.

August 1 (thru 31)

Tax Relief & Reduced Refuse. 9am2pm. Ballou Rec Center – 434.799.5216.

August 2

Bob Ross Painting Class – Light at the Summit. 9am. PAA, Martinsville – 276.632.3221.

Play Day – Ballou Park. 5-8pm.

434.799.5215.

Kayaking – Dan Daniels to Anglers.

6-8pm. 434.799.5215.

PJ Storytime – Come in PJs to share stories and songs with a set theme. Ages 4-10. 6:30pm. DPL – 434.799.5195.

August 2 & 16

57 Express Bluegrass Concert.

TH 7pm. Community Center, Chatham – 434.432.3115.

August 2 (thru 30)

Prime Time Fitness. M/TH 9:3010:30am. Ballou Rec Center – 434.799.5216.

Kuumba-West African Dance – Live drumming and energetic dancing. TH 6:30-8pm. City Armory. 434.797.8848.

August 3

Earlybirds & Sleepyheads Storytime.

Ages up to 5. Earlybirds 10am; Sleepyheads 11am. DPL – 434.799.5195.

First Friday Art Walk – Visit the art studios, meet the artists, browse original works of art and participate in arts– related activities. 5-7pm. Studio 107, Martinsville – 276.638.2107.

Fridays at the Crossing. See ad page 9.

August 3, 4 & 5

Bye, Bye Birdie – American classic musical. 7:30/2:30pm. Gretna Movie Theatre. 434.228.1778.

August 3 & 17

Live Music. 8/3-Deja Vu; 8/17-Hardy, Wright & Co. 9pm-12am. Smokin’ Jakes House of BBQ, South Boston.

434.575.1000.

August 3 (thru 31)

Paper Works Exhibit – Artwork by Suzanne Inscore. Reception 8/3, 6-8pm.

Kirby Gallery, Roxboro. 336.597.1709.

August 4

Bob Ross Painting Class – Light at the Summit. 10:30am–3:30pm. Ballou Park.

434.797.8848.

Super Smash Brothers Brawl Tournament – Compete for fame, glory and prizes. 11am. DPL – 434.799.5195.

August 4

Canoe-A-Thon Fund Raiser – Naturenarrated canoe float trip with park

rangers followed by an afternoon grill out. 8am. Staunton River. 434.575.0145.

DRBA’s First Saturday Outing – Kibler Valley. 10am. 336.547.1903. www.danriver.org.

Yack & Snack Book Club. 12-1pm.

Danville Public Library. 434.799.5216 or 434.799.5195.

Flem Whitt Beach Music Festival.

12-5pm. Hyco Lake. www.flemwhitt.com.

August 4 & 18

Auto Racing. South Boston Speedway – 877.440.1540.

August 4 (thru 18)

Senior Community Market Trip – Transportation provided to and from the Community Market. 7am. 434.797.8994.

Doggie Days of Summer – All canines will enjoy playing in the kiddie pools.

Bring their favorite toys. 10am-12pm.

Coates Bark Park. 434.799.6564.

August 4 (thru 25)

Virginia Grown Farmers’ Market – fresh vegetables, fruit, honey, jams, meats. 8am-12pm. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. www.oldeagfoundation.org.

Hip Hop 101 – Lyrics, beats, performance, production and promotion are some of the topics covered. Ages 15-21. Sat. 11am-1pm. City Auditorium.

434.797.8848.

August 6 (thru 10)

Outdoor Adventure Camp IV. 8:30am-5pm. Ballou Nature Center.

434.799.5215.

Engineering Challenge Summer Camp. Ages 9-11. 9-4pm. Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) – 276.634.4185.

August 6 (thru 27)

Boogie Monday – Waltz. M 7-8:30 pm.

Ballou Rec Center – 434.799.5216.

August 6 (thru 28)

Art with Judie – Learn how to paint with oil or watercolor. M/TU - Times vary.

Ballou Annex. 434.797.8848.

August 7

Trip to Greenbriar Bunker. 6am.

Ballou Park. 434.799.5215.

Tour de Scholar Charity Bike Ride. 7am. MRiver Sports Complex.

276.632.6401.

National Night Out. 6pm. Halifax Co. Fair Grounds. www.gohalifaxva.com.

August 7 (thru 9)

Kiddie Musik Kamp – Little ones play instruments and sing favorite songs. 9:30-11:30am. Coates Rec. 434.797.8848.

Doodle Bugs Summer Camp – From Farm to Table. Ages 3-5. 9:30-11:30am.

VMNH – 276.634.4185.

Braves vs. Burlington. 7pm. Legion Field, DDMP – 434.797.3792. See ad page 4.

August 7 (thru 28)

Karate Class. TU 5:30-7:30pm.

Community Center, Chatham – 434.432.3115.

Urban Line Dance Class. 6-7pm. Ballou Rec Center – 434.799.5216.

African Dance Ensemble – Learn African Dance. TU 6pm. Coates Rec Center. 434.797.8848.

August 2012 S

M

T

W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

F 3 10 17 24 31

S 4 11 18 25

August 7 (thru 30)

Cardio Step Class – Up-tempo, high energy class. TTH 8:45-9:45am or 12-1pm. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848.

August 8

Polliwogs & Science Stars – Learn about the sights, sounds, and sensations associated with each type of weather front. Ages 3–4, 1–2pm. Ages 5–7, 3:30–4:30pm. DSC - 434.791.5160.

August 10

Blues & Brews. 6-10pm. Town of Halifax Farmers Market. www.gohalifaxva.com.

Magic of the Masters Close-Up Magic Show – Starring celebrity magician and world champion Illusionist Wayne Alan.

Balcony Mini Theatre, North Theatre – 434.793.7469.

Centra Summer Outdoor Movies – The Rookie. 9-11pm. Ballou Park.

434.799.5215.

August 10 & 11

See How They Run – Dinner Theater.

7pm. Vesuvio’s II Restaurant, Uptown Roxboro. 336.599.9931. See ad page 5.

August 11

Inside Community Yard Sale.

9am-1pm. Community Center, Chatham – 434.432.3115.

Museum Meets Margaritaville.

DMFA&H. See story page 20.

August 12

SHS Open House. See ad page 4 and story page 3.

August 14

Welcome to Medicare Seminar. 1-2pm.

Ballou Rec. Center. 800.967.9386.

Easy Soap Making. 5:30-7:30pm. Ballou Rec Center – 434.799.5216.

August 15

Communicating with CapTel (Captioned Telephone). 12:30pm.

Ballou Rec Center – 434.799.5216.

August 16

Keeping Well in Mind, Body and Spirit – Surviving Cancer: Quality of Life and Your Relationship with Your Doctor.

11:30am-1pm. First Presbyterian Church.

434.766.6650.

Canoe-Bird Watching. 6-8pm.

Abreu-Grogan Park. 434.799.5215.

Enchanted Evenings in The Park – Bring chairs, blankets and relax and enjoy the fun. 6:30-8:30pm. Ballou Park.

434.799.5216.

August 17

Just Everyday Women Walking by Faith. 11am-1pm. Mary’s Diner.

Summer Bingo – Play bingo and win fun book-related prizes. 2pm.

DPL – 434.799.5195.

August 17 & 18

Little Red Riding Hood – Final children’s musical starring the volunteers who have worked backstage. 7pm/11am.

Union Street Theatre. 434.791.4747.

August 17 (thru 19)

Braves vs. Bluefield. 7pm. Legion Field, DDMP – 434.797.3792. See ad page 4.

Pause for the Cause – with Improbable Cause. Great food, music & beverages for the entire family. 7:30pm, Constitution

Evince Magazine Square Downtown South Boston.

434.575.4209.

It Was a Very Good Year.

See story page 20.

August 18

August 25

Dodgeball Tournament. 10am. Boys & Girls Club of Danville. 434.792.6617 or 434.709.6311.

Blistering Heat Bowl Disc Golf.

10am. Ballou Park Disc Golf Course.

434.799.5215.

Cruise In. 5-8pm. Uptown Martinsville.

276.632.5688.

August 18 & 25

Upscale Riders & Diva’s Motorcycle Club Back-to-School Collection.

8/18-Collection of donations & supplies at Walmart, 9am-2:30pm. 8/25-Items distribution w/cookout, 9am-3pm.

434.334.0922.

August 19

Winnie the Pooh, Kids’ Auditions.

12:30-2:30pm. Union Street Theatre.

434.791.4747.

August 21

Averett University Open House.

4-5:30pm. Riverview Campus.

See ad page 10 and story page 12.

Fun with Beads. 5:30-7:30pm. Ballou Rec Center – 434.799.5216.

Homebuyers & Credit Workshop.

Piedmont Credit Union. See ad page 21.

Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting. 6pm. Emeritus at Danville – 434.791.3180.

August 23 (thru 25)

Braves vs. Greeneville. 7pm. DDMP – 434.797.3792. See ad page 4.

August 24

Harvest Jubilee Concert Series – Kellie Pickler. See ad page16.

TGIF Concert Series – 58 West.

7-10:30pm. Uptown Martinsville.

276.632.5688.

Night of Swing. Ballou Rec Center – 434.799.5216.

WCA 35th Anniversary Celebration Concert. See ad page 8 and story page 20.

Malpass Brothers Concert – Vintage country & gospel. 7pm. Kirby Theatre, Roxboro. 336.599.8333. See ad page 5.

North Theatre Gala Grand Reopening.

See story page 20.

August 28

Walk to End Alzheimer’s Meeting – Looking for volunteers to help plan and recruit teams. 12pm. Ballou Park.

434.845.8540.

August 31 (thru Sept. 30)

Father/Sons Art Exhibit. Danvillian Gallery. See story page 20.

Upcoming Events September 1 & 15

Page 15

Calendrier Chic Calendrier is French for calendar.

Chic means stylish and elegant.

Evince is looking for women of all ages over 18 who want to experience a free elegant makeover and photo session.

Each month, one winner will be featured on our Calendrier Chic page. Mail, email or hand-deliver a snapshot of yourself with contact info and a oneor-two sentence caption to: Sally’s Photo Studio, 210 North Union street, Danville, VA 24541 or email sallysusan@yahoo.com.

Mandy Matherley Stowe, is the 24-year-old owner of Southern Event Solutions, a local event-planning service.

Auto Racing. South Boston Speedway – 877.440.1540.

September 1 (thru 29)

Virginia Grown Farmer’s Market – fresh vegetables, fruit, honey, jams, meats. 8am-12pm. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. www.oldeagfoundation.org.

September 6

Yack & Snack Book Club. 12-1pm.

Danville Public Library. 434.799.5216 or 434.799.5195.

September 7

Fridays at the Crossing. 6pm.

Carrington Pavilion. 434.793.4636. See ad page 9.

Friday Night Jams. 6pm. South Main Street, Halifax. 434.470.1602.

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

September 8

Think Big Youth Explosion – Featuring Jessica Reedy. 5pm. Halifax County High School.

September 12

Medicare Decisions Made Easy.

1-2pm. Ballou Rec. Center.

800.967.9386.

September 14

TGIF Concert Series – Stone Canyon.

7-10:30pm. Uptown Martinsville.

276.632.5688.

September 15

Goats Galore! A Family Fun Day. 9:30am-3pm. Halifax County Agricultural Center. www.svmga.org.

September 15 & 16

Person County Farm Tour – Tour 12 farms, Rock of Ages Winery, Person County Museum of History & Person County Farmers Market. 1-5pm.

336.597.2884. See ad page 5.

Page 16

August 2012

Reinvent Your Daily Schedule

by Dave Gluhareff MFS,CFT-ISSA Reinventing your daily schedule to include more time for rest and recuperation is one of the most crucial elements to lowering stress to your heart. If you lead an active life, exercise regularly, practice proper nutrition, that’s great. Now you must also include rest and recuperation.

Three of your goals should be to sleep at least eight hours per night, nap each day and make time to chill out and focus on an interest or hobby as a way to reward yourself.

Most of my clients are busy professionals and they have lots of excuses of why they cannot accomplish these goals, although they find time to waste watching TV each night, surfing the Internet and driving 20-30 minutes each way across town to eat a high-fat lunch or dinner. We always have excuses as to why we cannot rest and recuperate. So, how do we fix this?

Turn off the TV early in the evening and go to bed; prepare a healthy lunch before you leave for work. It takes five minutes to make a healthy turkey sandwich on whole grain bread.

After lunch, take a power nap and/or

a 10-20 minute walk. After work, instead of going out with friends and spending a lot of money and time sitting and drinking, hang-out with friends for an hour, drink one light drink or glass of wine and then go home to rest, take a bike ride and/or spend quality time with your family.

Stop wasting time surfing the Internet, scanning Facebook, re-checking emails, chatting and reading gossip. Grab a good book and learn something useful or read about a subject that can enhance your quality of life and educate and challenge your brain to make you better and healthier. You wouldn’t put junk into your stomach so why put it into your brain?

Reinvent your schedule. Delete the time-wasters and add more healthy options, including rest.

Your therapy shouldn’t take the weekend off.

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Evince Magazine For my summer project, I’ve been reinventing. Weight loss and toning: those were the goals, and not just for my body. Some people strive for world peace. I start small.

I want to look and feel better and be able to entertain without having to say no, the house has not been condemned.

In late May, I began working on the physical me by committing to a summer YMCA exercise program: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 5:30 a.m., swim a mile. There are two advantages to swimming: 1) you don’t get hot, and 2) you keep going or you drown. I got on friendly terms with my swim buddies in the adjacent lanes, except I wondered why they were exercising at all when they were already as thin as wafers. Tuesday, Thursday: arrive at the Y a little later and torture myself for at least 75 minutes with the weight room and cardio theater machines. I also signed up for a trainer to yell at me if I started slacking or whining.

Last, I took a summer break from my no-carbohydrate/no starch diet because I thought I could continue to lose weight without it.

I was delusional. Implementing my exercise schedule took two alarm

Reflecting Forward A Vision of Reinvention

by Linda Lemery clocks and daily whamming on the snooze buttons.

Once that schedule was in place, I turned my attention to reinventing my house. Home weight loss and toning were key goals. The house had to go on a diet. There was so much clutter that we couldn’t even see the walls. Decluttering requires deadlines. Hence, I set the goal of having three yard sales spread over May, June, and July.

We actually had two in June for a total of four yard sales. The sheer amount of preparation for one yard sale is staggering; for four, it is cataclysmic. I ended up putting the thrift stores on speed dial for picking up the leftovers. By the end of July, they could recognize my voice.

In the midst of this, a handyman

arrived to work on two rooms and the basement hallway at the same time, requiring that we move everything around to accommodate the renovations. I wondered whether I was going to lose my mind. Part way into the yard sale extravaganza, it occurred to me to increase the scope of the purge. I dragged my husband to the garage and we began flinging stuff into the driveway so fast it must have looked like a dog digging a hole in a garden. When the stream of exiting junk began to slow, I realized that the last frontier was the basement. We went down there and the purging resumed. All that work required fuel. I’ll get back to that in a minute.

After four yard sales, we can actually get into the garage. The basement is better. We can now see two of the four walls. We never knew they were

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brick until after the purge. Though we thinned our living room, it currently holds stacks of boxes and furniture waiting to go to college with our son. I could load it all on the utility trailer we’re going to use to haul it, except that we haven’t bought the trailer yet.

However, it’s August and I still cannot entertain in my house. We do have less clutter and some wall space is showing, but I may still have to wait until next summer to entertain. And about the fuel ... though I seem to be in excellent cardiac health, the scale, traitor that it is, says I’ve gained 17 pounds.

Why is reinvention so exhausting and time-intensive? Because it takes energy, planning, and time, and then extra dedication to deal with the unexpected outcomes that inevitably crop up. Who knew I’d get another life lesson out of this?

We may have to wait a few years to extend our goals to world peace. In the meantime, I’ll see you on my diet.

About the Author: Linda Lemery llemery@averett.edu is Circulation Manager at Averett University’s Mary B. Blount Library in Danville. She welcomes reader comments.

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Seeing the World through a Youngster’s Eyes

by Nikki Harris

Imagine the world through the eyes of a three-year-old. Our planet is incredibly large and it can be very complex, making it all the more interesting. When selecting topics for the monthly classes at the Danville Science Center, I am always challenged to change my perspective.

Everyday occurrences, such as ice melting and water evaporating, seem mundane to us, but those experiences and concepts are still new to younger minds.

To mature ears, the sounds of birds chirping may blend in with the usual noise of the day. To children, those birdsongs are nature’s music that fascinates them. To mature eyes, the sight of a butterfly fluttering among wildflowers is pretty, but common nonetheless. To children, it is a moment of experimentation and discovery. “How close can I get to the butterfly before it will fly away? Can I get close enough to watch it drink the flower’s nectar?

If I stand really still, will it think I’m a flower and land on me instead?”

I am reminded of the value of serendipity as a teaching tool when we venture out to look for life in the sky, as a flock of birds passes over or when dragonflies zip by in a zigzagged path as we walk along The Crossing. I have learned that there is no greater treasure than a bird’s nest spotted in a tree by a preschooler’s keen eye or a handful of feathers gathered from the Riverwalk after an afternoon of feeding ducks and geese.

In those moments, their faces brighten with the realization that the animals, the insects, the sights, and the sounds that we

read about in books are in our backyards.

In our class discussions, I always have at least one child who is ahead of the game. If I ask a question about gravity, s/he is able to explain the phenomenon in advanced terms. Even when kids know the content, they are always eager to experiment. Dropping balls or tossing gliders and watching them sink to the ground never ceases to excite them.

Sometimes after the experiment, children will want to include their own variables. “What if we drop the ball from higher up? Will a balloon filled with air fall even though it is lighter than the ball?”

As their wheels begin to turn, I become a facilitator. I am here to foster their innate curiosity about the world around them. Our time in classes and camps is used to enrich their knowledge through scientific discovery and to teach them the art of scientific inquiry, a skill that is important in formal and informal settings.

Every moment is a teachable one and during my time with these children, I have witnessed just how absorbent their spongelike minds can be. Imagine a preschool-aged Albert Einstein studying the difference between a mixture made of dirt and water and a mixture made of sand and water. Perhaps it was in that time in history that Einstein became the amazing scientist we know today. It is humbling to think that perhaps that very moment could be taking place when we allow children to engage in scientific investigation. It is our hope at the Danville Science Center that we are able to provide a haven for curiosity and ingenuity. After all,

we could have the Marie Curies, George Washington Carvers and Albert Einsteins of the 21st century in our midst.

In August, we rev up our classes on the second Wednesday of each month. Fall explorations include weather, music and animal tracks.

In September, kids will have a chance to learn about rail history during Old 97 Rail Days and play

with time in our new travelling exhibit opening at month’s end.

We hope your children will join us.

• For more information, visit the Danville Science Center at 677 Craghead Street or www.dsc. smv.org or call 434.791.5160.

• The visiting exhibit, Wild Music Sounds & Songs of Life, continues through September 3.

• Adequate Space for 350 people • Business Meetings, Private Parties, Weddings and Wedding Rehearsal Parties • HD Projection System 150 inch Screens

EVENT CENTER

• Two 70 inch HD Flat Screen TV’s • Handicapped Accessible Bathroom • Fully Equipped Kitchen • Bride’s Dressing Room • Separate Boardroom

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August 2012

Calendar Clips For more activities, see the calendar on page 14-15.

their fabulous cheeseburgers on site and serving a variety of side items. The cash bar will sell beer, wine, and margaritas. Participants are encouraged to wear shorts, tee shirts, flip flops, and parrotheads. Advanced tickets are $25 at the Museum, 975 Main Street, or $30 at the gate. During the event, nonmembers may join the Museum at a discount of $10. For more information, visit www.danvillemuseum.org or call 434.793.5644. (submitted by Jane Murray)

Wednesday, August 1 – Thursday, August 23

Friday, August 24

Clip it. Post it. Do it.

American Masterpieces of Southern Craft & Traditional Art

View masterworks of traditional arts and contemporary crafts at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, 975 Main Street. The exhibit, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts and South Arts, includes works by 30 different artists from nine Southern states. Some demonstrate an ongoing tradition and mastery of the process and materials. Others use traditional materials, techniques, or processes as inspiration for innovation.

Among the artists in the exhibit are six recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship, the country’s highest honor for traditional artists. Pottery, baskets, fabric arts, metalworking, woodcarvings, musical instruments, furniture, handmade books – all are enhanced by an audio guide that features artist interviews, stories and background information on the artists and their processes.

The DMFAH is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students. Residents of Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell Country are admitted free on the first weekend of each month. For more information, call 434.793.5644 or visit www.danvillemuseum.org. (submitted by Patsi Compton)

Wednesday, August 1 Sunday, August 5

Songs for a New World

Union Street Theatre, 109 South Union Street, ends its 2012 Summer Main Stage Season with a show-stopping collection of transformational stories. Soaring melodies and irresistible rhythms mark this collection of storysongs. The audience will be transported from moment to moment in the lives of an array of characters from a variety of eras, all looking and hoping for the realization of a new world.

Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 3 p.m. on Saturday andSunday. Tickets are $10-$15. For more information, call 434.791.4747 or visit www.unionstreettheatre.com. (submitted by Melissa Charles)

Saturday, August 11 Museum Meets Margaritaville

This fourth annual fundraiser for the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. will take place at the Community Market on Craghead Street. The Jimmy Buffett Beach Bash will feature a beach theme with dancing to Jimmy Buffett and beach music played by DJ Jay Rojas.

Ma Possum’s will be grilling

It Was a Very Good Year

This preview of a professional touring show starring Tony Sands in the top Frank Sinatra Tribute Show will begin at 8 p.m. at the North Theatre, 629 North Main Street. Sands regularly appears at the world famous Tropicana Casino and Resort Hotel in Atlantic City and has been dazzling audiences throughout the United States for many years. His silky, mesmerizing and tantalizing renditions of the Chairman of the Board’s song stylings has caught the ear of the entertainment community and audiences from around the country.

For more information, call 434.793.7469 or visit www.thenorththeatre.com. (submitted by Wayne Alan)

Saturday, August 25

Westover Christian Academy Concert

This 35th WCA Anniversary Concert at White Oak Worship Center on 8465 US Highway 29 North in Blairs will begin at 6 p.m. Listen to the Katinas, a contemporary Christian group, The Sounds of Liberty and special guest Jonathan Falwell. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00. For more information contact, call 434.822.0800. (submitted by Moriah Davis)

Saturday, August 25

Gala Grand Reopening of the North Theatre

This is the 65th anniversary celebration of the opening of the North Theatre in 1947. Magician and World Champion Illusionist, Wayne Alan, will bring his show, Magic of the Masters--the World’s Most Famous Illusions, to the stage at 8 p.m. This modern look at magic’s golden oldies will appear at the North once a month. For ticket information call 434.793.SHOW or visit www.thenorththeatre.com.

Friday, August 31 Opening Reception for Ramsey Art Exhibit

Wayne Alan

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the public is invited to an opening reception of an exhibit by Philip Ramsey and his sons, Curt and Wyatt, at the Danvillian Gallery, 210 North Union Street in Danville.

Philip Ramsey has been painting professionally since 1991. He began as Cedar Point by Philip Ramsey a prolific muralist, and then moved his focus to oil portraits and original oil paintings.

His style varies from representational to impressionistic with vibrant color and bold painted strokes. Curt Ramsey is a professional artist and a graduate student at William & Mary. He paints with a disciplined approach, rendering a photographic effect. This is most apparent in his notable black & white portraits of nostalgic movie stars. Wyatt Ramsey is a professional artist and resides in Savannah. He focuses on original oil paintings, portraits and murals. His style is expressionistic and eclectic. Their work will remain on exhibit and available for purchase throughout September. For more information, visit www.danvilliangallery.com or www.philipramsey.com or call 434.792.1860 or 434.575.5002. (submitted by Sally Popu)

Evince Magazine

Cool Cooking on Hot Nights

by Annelle Williams

No question about it, the dog days of summer are here. What are you making for dinner on these hot evenings? I think the easier, the better-something cool and crisp, maybe even cold.

Tonight, I’m adding peel-and-eat shrimp to the menu with a big salad and finishing the meal with a refrigerated peach and blueberry trifle.

Sometimes you’re fortunate enough to have a grocery store or fish market that will steam your shrimp for you. If not, two or three minutes with some Old Bay Seasoning and maybe even a beer and your meat course is complete. After steaming, I cool the shrimp quickly with a dip into ice water. Then drain well and put the shrimp in a large, heavy Ziploc bag with more Old Bay or seasoning of your choice—maybe even a dash or two of Tabasco and a thinly sliced lemon. Seal and shake to mix well. Refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Melted butter added to a traditional cocktail sauce makes for fine dipping.

The salad is a re-creation of one we had recently in Italy. I would have never thought to use these two cheeses together, Brie and blue, nor would I have expected to find this in an Italian restaurant. I had to order it to give it a try. It was so good I’ve already made it a couple of times since we’ve been home.

Brie and Walnut Salad with Roquefort Dressing 8 oz. mixed baby lettuce 4 oz. Brie, cut into thin pieces 1⁄2 cup walnut pieces

1-2 pears cut into thin slices Roquefort Dressing of your choice*

Toss lettuce, Brie, walnuts and pear slices together. Lightly dress with Roquefort Dressing *Here’s a recipe for Roquefort Dressing from Epicurious, if you want to make your own: 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 cup sour cream 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 6 oz. crumbled Roquefort 1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce cheese (about 1 cup packed) 1/3 cup chopped drained capers 1/2 cup small-curd low-fat cottage cheese Using electric mixer, beat all ingredients except capers in large bowl to blend. Stir in capers. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cover and refrigerate. Thin with buttermilk if needed. This can be prepared 3 days ahead.

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

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August 2012

Book Clubbing A review by Jane Wiseman

Aquamarine by Carol Anshaw

Your Child’s Reinvention of Self Understanding Different Learning Styles

by Tim Rogers, Sylvan Learning of Danville Back-to-school season is here and with it comes the ongoing process of your children’s growth. Consider this: with each new school year, your children are reinventing themselves.

New teachers, new friends and in some cases, new schools are all factors that are shaping who your children are becoming.

One key component in this process of reinvention is the preferred learning style. According to the Multiple Intelligences Theory there are at least eight different learning styles. Although we all possess more than one style, understanding your children’s dominant styles will give you greater insight into how they respond to the learning process.

How we learn: • Visual/Spatial learners enjoy photography, visual metaphors, puzzles, illustrations and story maps. Seeing a bar graph on the cost of different cars, for instance, would be a better learning tool than hearing a list of prices read aloud.

• Verbal/Linguistic learners shine in activities such as storytelling, public speaking, drama and journal writing. Give children journals to keep for one month.

Encourage them to write detailed descriptions of what they see, taste, feel and hear.

• Bodily/Kinesthetic learners thrive on hands-on experiments, field trips, body language, crafts and sports. Take a field trip to a local factory and then make a visual display of what was learned.

• Logical/Mathematical learners tend to be better at problemsolving, coding, data collecting, money management and scientific

models. Help your child create a budget sheet that itemizes every cent spent during a one-month period. Determine what category drew the biggest expenses.

• Musical/Rhythmic students may play an instrument, sing, hum or tap during work or require background music while they study. Turn memorization exercises into rhythmic word play and set it to any musical style.

• Intrapersonal learners work better alone, doing individual study, personal goal-setting and self-esteem activities. This type of student can write down one objective and record the steps to achieving it.

• Interpersonal learners work better in group activities, such as clubs, peer teaching, conflict mediation and active discussions.

They would enjoy volunteering at a nursing home, women’s shelter or charity and documenting the experience in a journal.

• Naturalist learners tend to better understand an idea when it is related to a natural occurrence.

These learners prefer outdoor activities like camping, gardening, hiking, and bird-watching.

There are numerous resources online for discovering learning styles.

Try several for the most accurate portrait. By crafting educational opportunities and experiences around a preferred learning style you become a partner with your children in their ongoing process of reinvention. The greatest dividend of this partnership is the heart connection that comes from truly knowing your children.

Aquamarine, a 1992 novel by Carol Anshaw, is particularly timely right now. It’s the story of Jesse, an Olympic swimmer, who missed the gold medal by a fraction of a second. Thoughts about this supremely important moment haunt her throughout her life. Did the young Australian swimmer who won the gold, bumping Jesse down to silver, play upon Jesse’s teenage crush on her in order to manipulate her into taking second?

As Part One begins, the novel seems perfectly straightforward and realistic.

Jesse has married a man who runs a tourist-attraction cave and still lives in the tiny Ozarks community where she grew up. She’s also having an affair with a skywriting pilot. Underneath the soapy questions about Jesse’s affair and whether her husband will find out lurks the big question: why, at the moment of her big opportunity decades ago, did she choke? She obsessively replays the moment over and over, even now, with tons of adult problems to solve.

The surprise in this novel is how Anshaw reinvents Jesse. Part Two imagines a completely different path Jesse’s life could have taken and Part Three, still another. The novel suggests fascinating answers to all the “what ifs?” we have about our lives. A different writer might have turned this novel into a gimmick or a philosophical exercise. Anshaw turns it into a delight. The different Jesses seem so real. The language Anshaw uses to bring them to life is so precisely right. Secondary characters in one version of Jesse’s life become major characters in another. These reinvented Jesses are a pleasure to get to know.

This book is being added to the collection at the Danville Public Library, 511 Patton Street. Visit www.danvillelibrary.org.

Send information about what you or your book club is reading to joycewilburn@gmail.com.

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