Jeff Smith
Living & Working in the Greatest Place on Earth
Katie Rigney Rohrig
Loving Life – Loving Work Page 3
Kim Clifton
Second Thoughts Man Over-Bored Page 11
August 2013 Photo by Michelle Dalton Photography
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Editor’s Note
Who could resist those cute creatures on the cover this month? Or the sweet kitty on Dr. Jeff Smith’s shoulder and the lovable dog that Dr. Katie Rohrig is holding? These veterinarians have the pleasure of working with their four-legged friends every day. Read what inspires them to love their careers and their hometown on page 3. She Said He Said authors are having their own dog days and they have a picture to prove it. It’s easy to see on page 4 who is in charge at their house. Linda Lemery writes about her humorous dog problems (and solutions) when there is a doggie sleepover at her house. See page 19. Mack Williams reflects on the feelings of love, worry, fear and hope that occur when a pet is lost. See page 20. Increase your chances of finding a lost pet by reading about microchips on the same page. Next, if you’re feeling like a sloth during the heat of the day, give yourself a break and read Book Clubbing by Joann Verostko on page 22. You’ll find some kindred spirits within the pages of the book she recommends. Then laugh a lot and go with Kim Clifton on a mind vacation to Florida. Of course, she had a few problems (page 11). Finally, learn if you are wellinformed about the Danville Area Humane Society by taking the quiz on page 8. The answers are also there, so don’t cheat! I know that the Dog Days of Summer aren’t really about animals. The term refers to the ancient belief that this hot, humid weather was caused by Sirius, the Dog Star. So celebrate the true meaning of these Dog Days of Summer by looking at the stars or doing whatever will keep you cool.
August Contents
2
Editor’s Note
3
Jeff Smith Living & Working in the Greatest Place on Earth by Joyce Wilburn Katie Rigney Rohrig / Loving Life – Loving Work by Joyce Wilburn
4 5
She Said He Said / Our Dog Days of Summer by Dena Hill & Larry Oldham The Voice of Readers Performance Points by Kristina Barkhouser
6 8
What’s Cooking on the Dan Stephanie Ferrugia
11 Second Thoughts / Man Over-Bored by Kim Clifton 13 Little Pumpkin / Fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg 14 Calendar Clips 19 Reflecting Forward / The Dog Days of Summer by Linda Lemery 20 Signs of Love, Worry, Fear and Hope by Mack Williams
Associate Editors Larry G. Aaron (434.792.8695) larry.aaron@gmail.com Jeanette Taylor
Business Manager Paul Seiple(1.877.638.8685) paul@evincemagazine.com
Sales Associate Kim Demont (434.792.0612) demontdesign@verizon.net 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
Where can I find an Evince? 21 Around the Table / Dog Day Dessert by Annelle Williams Dr. Jeff The Family Vet A New Puppy Will Brighten Your Life by Dr. Jeff Smith
Deadline for submission of September stories, articles, ads, and calendar items is Sunday, August 18, 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.
Ask Dr. Judith / What is Virginia Relay? by Judith Ostrowski 22 Book Clubbing / A Little Book of Sloth Joann Verostko
Don’t Forget to Pick Up the August Edition of Showcase Magazine
Editorial Policies:
Meet Some of Our Contributors
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.
EVINCE MAGAZINE 753 Main Street Suite 3 Danville, VA 24541 www.evincemagazine.com © 2013 All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or in part in any medium without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
Sincerely,
Bernadette Moore is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Piedmont Arts in Martinsville.
Credits: Hair: Amber Wilson; Skin Care & Makeup: Catherine Saunders; Nails: Janelle Gammon; Genesis Day Spa & Salon, 695 Park Avenue, Danville
Editor Joyce Wilburn (434.799.3160) joycewilburn@gmail.com
Director of Sales & Marketing Larry Oldham (434.728.3713) larry@evincemagazine.com
16 Calendar
Photos of Dr. Katie Rohrig and Dr. Jeff Smith by Tony Adcock Photography. See stories on page 3.
President Larry Oldham (434.728.3713) larry@evincemagazine.com
Contributing Writers
10 Spotlight on Customer Service by Dave Slayton
On the Cover:
OICE OF THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
CEO / Publisher Andrew Scott Brooks
Diane Adkins, Wayne Alan, Kristina Barkhouser, Cara Burton, Kim Clifton, Stephanie Ferrugia, Dena Hill, Telisha Moore Leigg, Linda Lemery, Ronnie Mand, Bernadette Moore, Jane Murray, Larry Oldham, Judith Ostrowski, Janina Shoemaker, Dave Slayton, Jeff Smith, Joann Verostko, Joyce Wilburn, Annelle Williams, Mack Williams
What Is Your Animal IQ?
23 Photo Finish
THE
Dave Slayton is the Assistant Manager at Eden Jewelry in Reidsville, North Carolina.
Cara Burton is the Executive Director of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History
Joann Verostko is a Circulation Librarian at the Danville Public Library. She has an MLIS, 10 years experience working in public libraries and as a lifelong library user, she has checked out a lot of books.
We now accept Visa, MC, and Discover for ad payments
For Subscriptions, call 1.877.638.8685 ext. 6.
Evince Magazine
Jeff Smith
Katie Rigney Rohrig
Living & Working in the Greatest Place on Earth by Joyce Wilburn
I
t seems like a simple fill-inthe-blank question with a one-or-two-word answer: “You are a native of ____?” For Dr. Jeff Smith at Mt. Hermon Animal Clinic, the answer is a little longer than the typical response: “I was born in Ontario, Canada, moved to Miami when I was in high school and now I’m an American citizen, so Danville is my hometown. I’ve lived here longer than I have anywhere else.” With those experiences in his background, he speaks with authority in describing Danville as “the greatest place on earth” and then explains why, “It has a taste of the North where I’m from and we’re close to the beach (like Florida) so it feels like home to me.” There are major differences, however, and that is good. “Miami was a huge city when I lived there and then I moved to Auburn, Alabama, a tiny village. Danville is a nice balance between those two,” says the 1994 graduate of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. He especially enjoys Danville’s easy commute to and from work. “My friends in Atlanta and Miami can’t
believe I go home for lunch with my wife, take my shoes off and relax for a few minutes,” he says, thinking about the traffic congestion that frequently occurs in larger cities. He continues to extol the city’s virtues and then adds with a chuckle, “Danville is an undiscovered gem. I hope others discover it--but not too many!” Jeff learned about this Southern Virginia city and a possible career opportunity when he was contacted by Auburn alumni, Dr. Sam Jones and Dr. John Moser, veterinarians at Danville’s Animal Medical Center on Riverside Drive. “I was recruited to come here for my preceptorship three months before graduation,” says Jeff. He accepted the offer and two years later in 1996, he purchased Mt. Hermon Medical Center on Franklin Turnpike. It was a good decision for the young professional. “I love the personal connection we have with people and their pets. We become part of their family and that is very gratifying,” says Jeff, speaking for himself, Dr. Rohrig, and the 10-person staff. The personnel at the 25-year old Clinic offer the best medicine, surgery Continued to page 8
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Loving Life – Loving Work by Joyce Wilburn
U
nlike a lot of teenagers who don’t know what career path to take, Dr. Katie Rigney Rohrig solidified her vocation in life three days before her 16th birthday. “That’s when I started working here,” says the Mt. Hermon Animal Clinic veterinarian who earned two degrees at Virginia Tech—a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Poultry Sciences in 1995 and a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine in 2009. Being a veterinarian was one of two certainties in Katie’s life. The other was that she’d never return to her hometown of Danville to live. Fortunately for area pet lovers, that one didn’t stand the test of time. “God had other plans,” she says while smiling. A few months before Katie’s graduation, her husband-to-be was laid off from his job. At the same time, she was offered a position at the Clinic on Franklin Turnpike. “It was a great opportunity for me and then my husband, Will, also found a good job in Brookneal,” she says, adding, “I’m happy to be back home.” Katie can quickly list the reasons why
she’s pleased that she returned: “My family is here. My clients are amazing--some have been longterm family friends. Also, this area offers a lot. We especially like Dan Daniel Park.” After a minute of reflection, she continues, “There is a wide range of things to do in a day’s drive. The beach is close and the mountains are closer.” Hiking and canoeing are favorite pastimes that are shared with canine pets, Dixie, a German short-haired pointer, and Macy, a Lab mix. “They have life jackets when we canoe,” she hastens to add, always thinking about the well-being of the four-legged family members. A cat named Ellie is content to stay at home on the spacious 40-acre Rohrig farm in the Callands area. Katie’s and Will’s current residence is reminiscent of the tobacco-andcattle farm in the Mt. Hermon area where Katie lived with her mom, dad and brother surrounded by horses, cows, pigs and sheep. Although large animals were a major part of her early life, as an Continued to page 8
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August 2013
SHE SAID
that you took so willingly to her and that she loves you so much.
Our Dog Days of Summer
HE SAID
My summer vacation was great for spending time doing chores around the house. We also went on a nice vacation visiting relatives in New York and Pennsylvania and spent time with your family on the Fourth of July. (There was way too much food, but it was great seeing all the family.) The most important thing about summer vacation, however, was all the time I spent with Sophie, our Standard Poodle.
I don’t even know where to start. Knowing that you are a school teacher led you, I guess, to this essay about What I Did This Summer with My Dog. To say I’m envious of the time you spend with her versus the time you spend with me would be redundant at best. I have talked about it before. She eats before me; she is bathed by you; she takes walks every day with you; she spends 45 minutes every morning with you while you are on the elliptical and when you talk to your friends on the phone for two hours, she is by your side being rubbed and stroked.
by Dena Hill
by Larry Oldham
She said He Said
I know she feels rejected day to day sitting on the couch waiting for us to come home from work and play with her. I think buying her that pool so she Did you buy me could lounge in a pool? Did you the sun and cool take me to the off in the water spa? Do you pay was one of the the bill, when I things that she am groomed? enjoys the most Do you ever about summer. buy me special I hated to leave food like you her for a week buy her? Do you while we were ever spend two gone, but I knew hours stroking you wouldn’t let my hair? I think me take her so I we all know didn’t even ask. the answers to Photo by Other people these questions. Michelle Dalton Photography. take their pets My dog days of on vacation and summer just I know she would have behaved. She happen to be every day. I leave for work looked so pretty after I took her for a in the morning while she is basking in spa treatment and awesomely beautiful the sun. I come home from work and with her new poodle cut. She seems to she is basking in her pool. I ask you to be eating better too, probably because spend some time with me and all I hear she isn’t so lonely with my being home is, “I’ve got to feed, walk, bathe, groom, all summer. Even with people coming exercise or stroke Sophie.” in and out of the house, she doesn’t bark as much and she just seems to be If I could grow two more legs, let my in a better frame of mind. hair grow out a little bit, learn to look desperately lonely, quit work and I sure am glad that we went to Nashville bask in the sun, would I receive more and brought attention her back around the to Danville house? It will when she be the “dog was just a days of Larry puppy to be in the merry an integral month of part of our May” before family. I that ever know you happens. Am have never I envious or been around jealous of the dogs very dog? I don’t much and I think so...just respect that. observant. I’m just glad He Said / She Said can be found in Showcase Magazine.
Evince Magazine
Polishing a Presentation
You’ve been there. Prisoner to a painfully poor presenter who drones on and on without any apparent consideration for you – the “captive” audience. Public speaking certainly isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, but if you are called upon to speak, there are some simple things you can do to make your presentation more meaningful, memorable and motivating!
The Voice of Readers To the Editor: I cannot remember when I have been so moved by a narrative story as the one in the June 2013 Evince (Love Mema, XOXO page3). Lindsey Kreger is an exceptional storyteller and her story moved me to tears more than once. The first time I read it I cried happy tears as I thought of the people in my life and their pictures. Then I took her story to the nursing home to share with my mom and we were both moved to tears. Thank you for finding Lindsey and this wonderful story to share. I hope many of your readers had a chance to experience this moving narrative.
she was not the salesperson from whom we purchased a car, she went above and beyond to assist us finalizing the purchase, making sure our needs were the most important aspect of the deal. If there is a “glass ceiling”, then Julia has surely broken it. With the high turnover rate of sales consultants at most car dealerships, it is a testament to her knowledge, congeniality, and customer service skills that has kept her with the same company for a decade. Thank you, Evince, for featuring this dynamic woman in your July issue. Sincerely, Ronnie Mand
Donna Mehalko Thank you, Donna, for writing. I heard a lot of comments with the same sentiment. Lindsey’s story can now be read at www. evincemagazine.com.
To the Editor: What a delightful and enlightening article on Julia Sparks, car sales consultant extraordinaire at Danville Toyota Scion (New Car Leads to Successful Career July 2013 page 6). My husband and I recently had the pleasure of meeting Julia and experiencing her exceptional customer service and friendly personality. Although
I know from first-hand experience that Julia is one of the best. Thanks for confirming that.
To all of our readers who responded by email or by letter: We appreciate your being a part of our readers’ survey (We Want Your Opinion July 2013 page 8). It is always important to us how you, the readers, feel about your magazine. Thank you for reading and caring enough to participate. Larry Oldham President, Evince 753 Main Street, Danville, VA 24541
Tell us what you think. Email your comments to 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. To read past issues of Evince, visit www.evincemagazine.com.
• Breathe deeply before speaking as this will help calm your nerves and steady your voice. • Outline your key points on a note card, but don’t read from a script. Be conversational and natural in your delivery. • Never begin with an apology such as, “I’m not really good at this, and I hope you don’t fall asleep ... just bear with me.” Be confident and just get started ... with a great opening! • Prepare a strong opening with a story, an analogy, an intriguing question, or a meaningful statistic. Give the audience a reason to engage and keep listening. This is called the “opening hook”. • Answer the listener’s unspoken question, “Why do I care about this?” That’s called giving them the WIIFM What’s In It For Me • Stick to the main points and don’t try
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to cover too much information. Make your presentation as short as possible, and leave some “change in your pocket”. That means having a little extra information to add if people seem to want more. • Close with power! Refer back to your opening, share a concluding story to summarize or deliver a poignant quote. Don’t end with the cliché, “Are there any questions?” That just leaves your close hanging. Deliver your power close, say thank you, take the applause and then say, “I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have at this time.” The great John Wayne summarized it best when he said, “Talk low, talk slow, and don’t talk too much.” Presenting doesn’t have to be painful ... for the presenter or the audience! Next time you’re called upon to present, give your audience the gift of a great presentation! Kristina R. Barkhouser, CPLP Direct: 434.797.6770 Mobile: 434.489.1309 kbarkhouser@ExcelenPerformance.com Kristina R. Barkhouser is the founder and President of Excelen Performance, Inc. She has over 20 years of experience in technical and interpersonal skills development.
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August 2013
Former First Lady of Virginia, Ann Holton, cooks a potato dish with Donald Pippen, Stephanie Ferrugia, Ciji Moore and guests. Photo by Von Wellington Photography.
What’s Cooking on the Dan? by Stephanie Ferrugia Program Director, Get Fit Dan River Region Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer when it is not only hot as Hades, it’s also back-to-school time, signifying the end of laid back and carefree days. Everyone is gearing up for schedule change in some capacity, which is prime time for tweaking your current routine and mindset. To help you get started, Get Fit asks you to practice one simple mental check this month: just think about it.
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Think about how to work healthier habits into your new schedule, one small change at a time. Make the commitment to move your body and jump start your metabolism to clear your head after a busy day. Be sure to remember that the silver bullet to health is planning ahead and making small changes, but there are also some shortcuts and tricks. Here’s a small change we enjoyed sharing recently with our new friend, Ann Holton, former First Lady of Virginia and recent What’s Cooking on the Dan guest. We were preparing a signature cheesy potato bake created by Donald Pippin, who is a DCC Middle College master teacher and chef extraordinaire. It called for heaps of butter and sour cream, so we gave the recipe a facelift with one simple change: substituting plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream. Not only was the rich and sinful taste uncompromised, but calories and fat were cut in half, while protein and calcium doubled. Even Ann Holton was surprised-thus becoming a fantastic example to show that someone as educated and accomplished as Ann, who also happens to be a U.S. Senator’s wife, has to think about it! Healthy habits and good taste take planning and creativity, but everyone can make it happen. So, just think about it with us. Quit chasing your tail and make these Dog Days of Summer doggone good ones by practicing healthier habits. Need some extra guidance? Give us a call, email us, or post comments and questions on our Facebook page. As always, stay healthy and fit, Dan River Region. For more information, email info@getfitdanriver.org, visit 308 Craghead Street, Suite 102B, or call 434.770.9139.
Evince Magazine
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August 2013
Jeff Smith
Katie Rigney Rohrig
and dentistry in a full-service hospital setting. “We also provide behavioral counseling—everything from how to stop your dog from barking too much or jumping on you to phobias and fear aggression,” says Jeff, adding that dogs and cats also enjoy coming to the spa for grooming, attending day camp (just for dogs) and staying in the pet hotel. Underscoring all that is available, he comments, “This is a growing practice and service is our number one priority.”
adult she chose a career working with small animals. When asked why, she responds, “Dogs and cats are more like family than working with livestock would be.” She still has time for the big animals, however, explaining, “After work, I play with my two horses, Candy and Keri, and ride them.”
Continued from page 3
Jeff realizes that the clinic might soon outgrow the current location and will have to move. When that happens, he’s not going far though, because Danville is Jeff Smith’s hometown and he has declared it “the greatest place on earth.” • Mt. Hermon Animal Clinic, 3620 Franklin Turnpike, is open 7:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. MondayFriday; 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday and closed on Sunday. • For more information, call 434.836.2499 or visit www. familyvet.org” www.familyvet.org. • See Dr. Jeff’s column on page 21.
Continued from page 3
The smaller animals in the Rohrig household aren’t forgotten either. They sometimes enjoy an extra nice perk-- accompanying Katie to work for grooming, medical attention or just for fun. “It’s nice to work where I can bring Dixie and Macy with me. They watch me when I prepare to leave in the morning. If I don’t put them in the yard (where they stay when she is gone) and then pick up my car keys, they are so excited,” she says. Katie can almost hear them thinking, “Oh, yes, we get to go!” As Katie heads to a job that she always wanted and truly enjoys, it’s possible that she is thinking the same thing.
What Is Your Animal IQ? How much do you know about the Danville Area Humane Society? The questions and answers below come from the 2012-2013 DAHS Annual Report. 1. In the 16 1⁄2 months between January 1, 2012 and May 13, 2013, how many stray cats and dogs were received at the DAHS? Approximately 2,000 3,000 4,000
almost 5,000
2. How many of that total were stray cats? 1⁄4 1⁄2 3⁄4
all
3. How many lost cats were returned to their owners? Less than 20 more than 50 100 200 4. How many lost dogs were returned to their owners? Less than 100 more than 200 more than 300 none 5. When did the $435,000 E. Stuart James Grant Adoption Center open? 2001 2010 2012 It hasn’t opened yet 6. Does the DAHS participate in a transfer program? Yes No Only occasionally 7. If someone with a pet must enter a homeless shelter or leave an abusive situation, can the DAHS help care for their pets? Yes No Maybe 8. Are there any community fundraising events to help the DAHS? Can I volunteer to help? Yes Yes Yes 9. How many sterilizations to reduce the number of unwanted litters have been performed since the program began in 1993? Approximately 10,000 20,000 40,000 50,000 10. How many Facebook friends does the DAHS have? None yet 100 53 2,531 1,090 Answers: 1. 4,776 stray cats and dogs were received. 2. Almost half of the total, 3,274, were stray cats. Stray dogs numbered 1,502. 3. 17 4. 239 5. The colorful and airy addition that advertises the DAHS’s love of animals opened on April 2, 2012. 6. The DAHS participates in the North Shore Animal League puppy transfer program, the Virginia Beach SPCA, the Richmond SPCA and in purebred dog placement groups. 7. Yes. The DAHS can arrange and pay for boarding at a local kennel for a maximum of seven days. 8. Yes! News about the Mutt Strut, the Paws and Claws Celebrity Silent Auction Party, dog washes, a yard sale and other events can be found at www.dahsinc.com or by calling 434.799.0843. Also, learn more about becoming a volunteer. 9. The funds received through the E. Stuart James Grant Charitable Trust for this purpose have assisted with over 24,000 sterilizations. 10.Facebook friends number 2,531. Scoring: 8 to 10 correct: You are ready for sainthood beside St. Francis of Assisi. 5-7 correct: That’s good. Now it’s time to become more involved. See #8. Less than 5: Not to worry. The animals are very forgiving and they’d love to see you. Think about how you can become involved and learn more about our four-legged friends.
Evince Magazine
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August 2013 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 Dave Slayton
Spotting Exceptional Customer Service
One of our frequent customers at Eden Jewelry in Reidsville came into the store a few weeks ago to have her watch battery replaced and asked if we could also make stationary one of the “keeper” loops on her leather watch band. I told her that we were not equipped to stitch the loop onto the band but she might take it to a local shoe repair shop and ask if the repair person could stitch it to the strap. A few days later she came back to the store and said the shoe repair shop said (in an annoyed manner) that they could not help her. I asked our customer if I could take her watch to a different shoe repair shop in Danville and find out if they could modify the strap for her. She agreed and on my day off I took her strap to Sherwood Shoe Repair on Arnett Boulevard in the Sherwood Shopping Center. There I met shoe repairman, Jim Scales, a friendly and outgoing gentleman, who said, “Sure!” when I asked if he could sew a few stitches in the leather strap “keeper” loop. In less than a minute he handed the strap back to me with a smile and a question, “How’s that look?” I told him it looked perfect and thanked him. I mentioned that I was not sure if he would consider doing such a small piece of work. He said, “Glad to do it; that’s what we’re here for.” I thanked him again and left. A few days later I presented the watch strap to our customer and she was delighted with the work. Since then she has returned to the store for other purchases and repairs and I have returned to Jim at Sherwood Shoe Repair for additional repairs and purchases. On each occasion, I have been treated to the same friendly and timely service. Thanks, Jim!
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Evince Magazine
Second Thoughts by Kim Clifton ©2013
Man Over-Bored “No phone. No lights. No motorcars ...not a single luxury. Like Robinson Crusoe, it’s primitive as can be.” Call me Gilligan. It fits. Especially since I felt a kindred spirit with this 1964 television show’s theme song. Except Gilligan didn’t know the half of it. He thought he had it tough trying to find food, water and shelter. That’s baby stuff compared to the horror I experienced in an otherwise tropical paradise. I’ve just returned from ten days in Cocoa, Florida, without Internet access. And lived to tell about it. “So, Drew, before you go to work, what’s your Wi-Fi password?” I asked my nephew while unzipping my laptop bag. “Oh, ah, here’s the thing. Meant to tell you,” he said. “I don’t actually have Internet, yet. I’m still paying some moving expenses and can’t afford to get it until next month.” I’m pretty sure that he said something else, but he lost me at “I-don’t-actually-haveInternet-yet.” This concept was totally incomprehensible. There are luxuries and there are necessities. Being without Internet access is like being without oxygen. I had sites to search, emails to send and newspapers to read. Well, ain’t that just a kick in the head, I thought. Of all the opportunities he’s had to make good choices...and didn’t...Andrew picks now to evolve into a responsible adult. I work in Information Technology. When I’m not working in it, I’m playing in it. I live to touch gadgets with keypads and do it daily for business and pleasure. Truthfully, gaming is about the only regular social interaction I have. Still, those relationships can be brutal, turning especially ugly if you stop playing without warning. There were going to be a bunch of irritated people waiting for my next move and I had no way to tell them I couldn’t make one. My sister, Diane, suggested I email everyone that I
couldn’t get online. That’s it. We’ve fallen into a delusional black hole, I reasoned. Her comment really wasn’t as silly as the one I actually saw on a billboard once that read: Fight illiteracy. Write for more information. When we Internet junkies are disconnected from the world, we lose it. We’ll stop at nothing to get the fix we need. Now it was my turn to go psycho. I’m sure there’s a viral YouTube of me walking around Andrew’s complex with my laptop above my head hoping Scotty would beam me up. “What this town needs is more bars” is not the best comment to say to passersby. Most gave me a nervous nod, although the postman offered to pick me up for Happy Hour. Restaurants supposedly give away free Internet, but even that comes with a price. I got busted at Ruby Tuesday for loitering. Seems you can only sit in their foyer but for so long pretending to wait for the rest of your party. I drank so many lattes at Starbucks that I was more wired than my computer’s motherboard and I had to stop having lunch at Burger King before I turned into a Whopper myself. My search for Internet access was as pathetic as taking a crooked stick and searching for water. At least my lunacy for companionship stopped short of naming a volleyball Wilson and talking to it like Tom Hanks did when he was marooned on that island. Cocoa, Florida, isn’t located near Hawaii but it looks like it should be. It’s lush and green with Birds of Paradise blooming at every turn. Nevertheless, Gilligan and the castaways made the best of their situation and I tried to do the same. I actually read a book that had paper pages. I talked to people in the very same room with me. Looking back, my vacation wasn’t the total shipwreck I thought it would be...even if I couldn’t do any surfing.
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August 2013
Evince Magazine stare- down, straight-up, hard-eyed Big Claude. Folks said, at first, the girl told the police she didn’t know nothing, but then broke down. “I say don’t open the door, Claude (her pronunciation sounding like clawed). I tell him they gone get him. They gone get us...and then they just come in and shot him. I wanna go home, now,” was all she could say over and over. Then she pulled cash in a brown paper bag from under a mattress, crumpled bills and some change, unwittingly showing the police the black plastic bags of stolen goods hidden under the bed’s dust ruffle.
Little Pumpkin fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg
B
efore the paper boy could throw the plastic-wrapped newspapers from the passenger side of his Uncle Rosco’s green, beat-up Ford Tempo, folks round the block already knew the news. Big Claude was dead. The paper said he was found about eight in the morning, but folks knew the 15-year-old girl he was laid up with started screaming on 201 Marveaux Street at 1:17 a.m. Hating the blood on her, she kept screaming. Boys on the block faded back into the shadows. No women were about, so no one comforted her; no one told her to come out of the night-damp February air wearing just that blood-spattered t-shirt and one orange flip flop. It was obvious she was away from her home, separated from kin and kind; folks watched her like a new plague while she wandered up and down the street, looking at her but not looking out for her. Finally the police came. There was a tiny four-pane window in the bathroom where she could see the moon as it disappeared into the light of day, but Roxanne Lee closed her eyes in her grandmother’s, Big Mama’s, bathroom and slid down the wall crushing the newspaper’s ink into her fingers. She didn’t need to read it again and tossed it away; she already knew what the article said before the daily newspaper printed it. And that scared Roxanne Lee. She thought of her second year classes at the local community college, her English rhetoric, her algebra that she was just beginning to get, and her psychological myths class where she learned of Diana, Goddess of the Moon, Protectress of Women. She balanced this new kingdom of knowledge against her street smarts and knew that her books weren’t real learnin’. Her eyes again flickered to that newspaper. Truth is usually just a curse smiling. She used to be one of Big Claude’s girlfriends before she smarted up. So, the more Roxanne Lee knew, the more she knew enough to hide what she knew because time was just a jagged mirror and the future just shards she had to try to interpret. Roxanne Lee turned from the window toward the chipped sink; nowadays she never looked for the moon. Word on the street was that folks couldn’t believe someone shot larger-than-life,
“I’m going home; let me go home,” she pleaded as she dodged the paramedics’ arms both cringing from and defiant of them. But Berenth Cowan, light-skinned cashier over there at the end of Owl Street, told that the girl didn’t have no real family that she would be going back into that group home again. After what happened with Big Claude, maybe she wouldn’t mind this time. Of course, the paper couldn’t name her, her being a minor and all, but folks knew her name was Kassandra, even though folks round her called her Little Pumpkin, ‘cause of her puffy cheeks or just ‘cause they wanted to. Three weeks later, Roxanne Lee remembered the land down in the woods from her old grandmother’s house. It used to be the county dump, but got annexed when Roxanne Lee was in the eighth grade and she then had to go to city schools. Now, that land was an illegal trash dump. County folks and city folks, too, still brought their trash there even though the city tried to discourage them with signs and fines. Just imagine hills and hills of rot that people kept putting there, until the city broke down and took it all away, and still the people added more. Roxanne Lee thought of the bags Claude put under her bed months ago; she had to get rid of them. In May, in the Dollar Barn two streets over from her, Roxanne Lee bought Tide and garbage bags, thinking that folks often got scared when they realized that there could be something bigger than the Big Claudes of this world. And how that might make them offer up anything to appease this new god. Someone or something was bigger even than Big Claude. And that put terror into Roxanne Lee. Berenth Cowan didn’t double-bag Roxanne Lee’s detergent despite it being the extra heavy box. Roxanne Lee thought folks’ eyes were sliding off her. Berenth said, not directly to Roxanne Lee, “I ain’t gone say it sideways; I’ma give it to you straight. I can’t stand no thief. I work too hard for my money.... Hey, (she turned slightly to Roxanne Lee) didn’t Big Claude have some other girls?” All this was said to the customer behind Roxanne Lee, a woman with her hair in green rollers, nodding and popping gum. Roxanne Lee hurried to leave, almost made it home before she threw up in the bushes one street from her home. In the Laurence Pike Home for Young Ladies, Little Pumpkin was something of a celebrity. Just 20 miles south of town, she talked too much, and her words found their way back. She kept saying, “I ain’t from ‘round here, ya’ll, and I know...” She couldn’t stop talking, telling everyone about herself, about Big Claude, what she thought she knew about the state of the
world and of what was to come, now that she had come through danger. Some folks didn’t like it. Next time Berenth bagged groceries for Roxanne Lee, she said, “Too many folk listening to that child, Big Claude’s little princess, that one need to shut her pretty face.” By now, it was July, and Roxanne Lee was putting out her trash, small black bags that she hid in other larger ones. She had been doing it for months, sorting smaller pieces in the dark of that bathroom with only the light of the moon she wouldn’t look up to as counsel. Every week, hiding behind her screened front porch door, she watched these bags leave. Each time they left, she felt more hope and more moon coming through. But in August, it was warm even in the mornings and Big Mama’s bathroom was a steaming little pocket of hot. And before the paper boy could throw the plasticwrapped newspapers from the passenger side of his Uncle Rosco’s green, beat-up Ford Tempo, folks round the block already knew the news, not that this would make the paper. Little Pumpkin was gone. And Roxanne Lee remembered the land. That was when she began frantically shoving the little black bags in with the banana peels, last night’s spaghetti, Big Mama’s soiled Depends. She cut her finger on a tin can lid. ...hills and hills of rot...And so humming to herself in that bathroom, on this morning still rounded with dark, Roxanne Lee looked through that fourpane window. She looked through the casement, looked dead into the moon and knew she had to leave. The author welcomes your reactions at telishamooreleigg@gmail.com.
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Calendar Clips Clip it. Post it. Do it.
For more activities, see the calendar on page 16-17.
Saturdays in August Book Sales
Beginning on August 3 and culminating on August 24, the Friends of the Pittsylvania Public Library will hold book sales from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the annex next to the Chatham Train Depot on Whitehead Street. Prices range from ten cents to a dollar. Proceeds will benefit the children’s and youth program of the library system. (submitted by Diane Adkins)
Thursday, August 1- Sunday August 25 Truth in Animals Exhibit
Artist Linda Mitchell’s Truth in Animals exhibit in the Jennings and Schoolfield Galleries at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History, 975 Main Street, contains mixed media paintings populated with real and imagined animals who are often stand-ins for human beings and their inner lives. Ethereal in its oddness, Mitchell’s highly textured, brilliantly colored two-dimensional work is made with painted and photographic images, fabric, wood, glass and found objects. These works coalesce into intricate and surreal scenes, reflecting life’s emotional complexity, while her three-dimensional animal figures, made of fabric and Play Doh, add a delightful whimsy to the viewer’s journey. In Gallery IV, Robert Friedman shows his photography of Danville dating from 2007 to 2012. For more information, call 434.793.5644. (submitted by Cara Burton) Mitchell’s work will also be on display at Piedmont Arts, 215 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, through Saturday, September 21. Beasties, Tales and Wanderings by Celia Tucker will also be on display in the Lynwood Artists Gallery. Tucker’s illustrations and ceramic works express a sense of narrative, based on a blend of observation, self-reflection, imagination and humor. Her pieces are widely varied as to material, but are unified by an ongoing tale of life and memories. For more information, call 276.632.3221 or visit www.piedmontarts.org. (submitted by Bernadette Moore)
Thursday, August 1 - Sunday, August 4 Damn Yankees
This Gretna Little Theatre production is based on the book The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglas Wallop. Joe Boyd, a Washington fan makes a wish, “I’d sell my soul for one long ball hitter.” He is overheard by Applegate (the devil) who challenges him to leave home and become the hitter for the Senators and defeat the New York Yankees. Of course, Applegate creates the terms in this diabolical contract and he will now own Joe, but there is an escape clause. Applegate throws fame, fortune and a beautiful woman named Lola into the trade. Her orders are to make sure Joe forgets his home and wife. The team wins game after game, closing the gap to the pennant. What will happen next? The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Gretna Movie Theatre, 107 North Main Street. There is no show on Saturday. Cost is $10 for general admission; $8 for students, seniors and active-or-retired military. Tickets are available at Karen’s Hallmark in Piedmont Mall; Arlene’s Closet, Tyler’s Flower Shop, Crossroads Restaurant, Gretna Movie Theatre and Nett’s Nest in Gretna; ChathaMooca in Chatham; and Miller’s Jewelry in Altavista. (submitted by Janina Shoemaker)
Monday, August 5 - Friday, August 9 Youth Theatre Camp
Join us for a fun filled camp for ages 8-18 in the professional atmosphere of the Historic North Theatre. Whether you are a newcomer to the stage or a seasoned actor, this camp is for you. With an emphasis of fun, campers will learn basic and advanced stagecraft techniques and skills. Stage direction, building sustainable believable characters, improvisation and introduction to backstage will keep campers excited and involved while learning to trust and unleash their creativity. Mimi Johnson Grubb has returned to the Historic North Theatre to direct. She brings her professional experience to offer campers an unparalleled theatrical experience. Call The Historic North Theatre at 434.792.7469 or Mimi Grubb at 434 203 2870. (submitted by Wayne Alan)
Saturday, August 17
Museum Meets Margaritaville
This Jimmy Buffett Beach Bash from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Community Market, 629 Craghead Street, is a fundraiser for the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. It will feature “cheeseburgers in paradise” grilled on the premises by Ma Possum’s. DJ Jay Rojas will play Buffett music, beach and other dance music. The cash bar will serve beer, wine and Margaritas. Dress casually: shorts, tee shirts, flip flops, and of course, parrotheads. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. They are available at Foxglove, Gingerbread House, Vintages by the Dan, Rippe’s, and Ma Possum’s in Sherwood Shopping Center and at the DMFAH, 975 Main Street. New this year is the opportunity to have a reserved table for a $500 sponsorship. Also, the chair-ity silent auction of chairs painted by Danville artists that were displayed at Art on the Lawn will take place. (submitted by Jane Murray)
Friday, August 23
The WannaBeatles
The WannaBeatles, appearing at the Historic North Theatre, play to standing ovations and are creating a bit of Beatlemania of their own. The WannaBeatles consists of award winning and talented music producers, arrangers, studio players, and singers who have Come Together to play the music they grew up with. The WannaBeatles have developed a following of regulars who look forward to the band’s own special version of the British Invasion. Kids today have rediscovered the music of the Beatles which proves that great music will stand the test of time. It’s happy music that spans the generations. Tickets are $25, $20, $15, and $10. Visit www.thenorththeatre.com or call 434-793.SHOW (7469). (submitted by Wayne Alan)
Sunday, August 25
Close-Up Magic Show
Help celebrate the first anniversary of the reopening of the Historic North Theatre and the 66th anniversary of the theatre’s opening in 1947 with world class mini magic that will amaze and amuse you. You’ll be stunned and thrilled at the same time by this eye-popping magic with a touch of comedy. Adding to the enchantment of intimate magic is the fact that the wizard can do his deceptive work with borrowed articles and everyday objects such as playing cards and coins. Spectators are sure that the closer they are to a magic trick, the better chance they have to see how it is done. The show stars World Champion Illusionist Wayne Alan. There is a limited number of seats, less than 100, available for this intimate performance. Visit www.thenorththeatre.com or call 434-793.SHOW (7469). (submitted by Wayne Alan)
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August Calendar Ongoing
Guided Walking Tour – Millionaires Row & Holbrook Street. See ad page 19. Summertime Bingo - Bring a gift to exchange, blood pressure & body mass index checked and Bingo. Ages 50+. MTUW. Times/Location Vary. 434.799.5216. Get Moving in the Summer 2013 Low impact exercise class for adults ages 50+. MTH 11:30am-12:30pm. Coates Rec. Center. 434.797.8848. Boogie Mondays - Learn new dances, make new friends, and have loads of fun. 7-8:30pm. Ballou Center - 434.799.5216. Prime Time Fitness - Low-impact aerobics workout with a mix of various fun dance steps. MTH 9:30-11am/Ballou Rec. Center; 5:30-7pm/Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848. Cardio Step Class – Up-tempo, high energy class. TTH 8:15-9:15am. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848. Baby Boomer Style Work Out – Walking, cardio activity & weight training designed for older adults. TTH 9-10:30am. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848. Ladies, It’s Time to Work It Out. TTH 10am-12pm. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848. African Rhythms by Nguzo Saba – Learning West African dance technique to live drumming. W 7pm. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848. Kuumba-West African Dance Co. – Live drumming and energetic dancing. Must pre-register. TH Kuumba Kids 6pm; Adults 6:30pm-7:45pm. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848. Book Swap - Take a book or two to read and bring a book or two to leave. 9am-5pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216. Farmers’ Market. Sat-7:30am-12pm. Wed. 3-6pm. Danville Community Market. 434.797.8961.
Through August 25
DMFAH Exhibits – Linda Mitchell Exhibition Truth in Animals. See sory page 14. Dinosaurs Exhibit. Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) – 276.634.4185.
Through September 1
Summer Discovery – Enjoy Sunday openings, discounted new VMNH Memberships, and behind-the-scenes tours. 1-5pm. VMNH – 276.634.4185.
Through September 2
Raise the Roof Exhibit. – Explore the extraordinary way buildings work. Danville Science Center (DSC) – 434.791.5160.
Through September 21
PAA Exhibits – Truth In Animals and Beasties, Tales + Wanderings. Piedmont Arts Association (PAA). See story page 14.
Through May 19
Skeletons Exhibit – Stories from Skeletons: Hard Evidence. VMNH – 276.634.4185.
Through October 12
Butterfly Station & Garden. DSC – 434.791.5160.
August 1 (thru 4)
Braves vs Pulaski/Burlington. Legion Field, DDMP – 434.797.3792. See ad page 10. Damn Yankees. Performance by Gretna Little Theatre. See story page 14.
August 1 (thru 29)
Ballou Jammers - An acoustic musical jamboree. Bring a stringed instrument or just sit and listen. TH 3pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
August 1 (thru 31)
Art Exhibit – Clay 3. Works from Evelyn Ward, Debora Harris, and Gillian Parke. Kirby Gallery, Roxboro. 336.597.1709.
August 2 (thru 4)
Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. – The story of Ariel, the beautiful young mermaid. 7:30pm; 3pm. Kirby Theatre, Roxboro. 336.597.1709.
August 2 (thru 30)
Abreu-Grogan Park. 434.799.5215.
Friday Night Dances - Live music by the City Limits Band. Ages 50+. 7:30-10:30 pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
August 9
August 3
July 9 (thru 14)
Bug Day on the Riverwalk – Net some of the unique creatures of the wild and take a closer look at techniques for capturing and observing the bugs along the river. 9-10:30am. Riverwalk Trail at Dan Daniel Park. 434.799.5215. Smith River Clean-Up - Join dozens of volunteers for a 30-mile clean-up and enjoy a cook-out. 9am-1pm. Fieldale Park. www. smithrivercleanup.com. DRBA First Saturday Outing - Morgan Ford Bridge near Sandy Level, VA. 10am. 336.951.2751. Bob Ross Painting Class - Complete a painting, Rocky Mountain Light, in one day. 10:30am–3:30pm. Ballou Annex. 434.797.8848. River District Rhythms at the Market Parrot Head Night featuring B2B. Escape the workweek by gathering with family and friends. 6-10:30pm. The Crossing at the Dan. 434.793.4636.
August 3 (thru 24)
Book Sale. See story page 14.
August 5 (Thru 9)
Outdoor Adventure Camp IV - Climbing, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, zip lining, hiking, survival skills, treasure hunting, crafts and more. Ages 10-14. 9am-12pm. 434.799.5214. Summer Theatre Camp. North Theatre. See story page 14. Why Is It That Color? Summer Adventure Camp – Using arts and crafts to create stories about why different colors are important in nature. Ages 6-8. 9-4pm. VMNH – 276.634.4185. Can You Prove It? Summer Adventure Camp – Campers will meet scientists to find out what discoveries they have made and how they made them. Ages 9-11. 9-4pm. VMNH – 276.634.4185.
August 5 (thru 26)
Tai Chi. All Ages. 11:15-12:30pm. Ballou Rec. Center.
August 5 (thru 27)
Art with Judie – Learn how to paint with oil or watercolor. M/TU - Times vary. Ballou Annex. 434.797.8848.
August 6
Ballou Choir Rehearsal - Ages 50+. 11am-12:30pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216. African Violet Club - Learn about garden tending, pest control and more. Meetings include a covered dish meal. Ages 50+. 12-1:30pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
August 6 & 7
NASCAR Truck Open Test Days – See the biggest names in NASCAR trucks as they test in preparation for NASCAR’s road race circuits. VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) – 434.822.7700.
August 7
Senior Bowling Tournament. 10am. Riverside Lanes 434.791.2695. Isle of Ballou. All Ages. 12-1:30pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
August 7 & 8
Fun Glass Fusing for Kids – Necklace & Suncatcher. Students learn the process of creating fused glass ornaments to take home. 9am-3:30pm. PAA – 276.632.3221.
August 7 (thru 28)
Art with Flo – Wet-on-wet technique. W. Times/Location vary. 434.797.8848.
August 8
Kayaking on Moving Water – Ages 12+. Pre-registration is required. 6:30-8:30pm.
Milton, NC Day Trip. 10am-2pm. 434.799.5216. Braves vs Bristol/Elizabethton. Legion Field, DDMP. See ad page 10.
August 9 & 23
Movies in the Park – Relax under a canopy of stars while being entertained. 8/9 - Secondhand Lions; 8/23 - Madagascar. 9-11pm. Ballou Park. 434.799.5215.
August 9, 16 & 23
Fly Fishing for Beginners. 8am-12pm. Mayo Lake, Roxboro. 336.597.7806.
August 10
Mayo Lake Sprint Triathalon. 8am. Mayo Lake, Roxboro. www.fsseries.com. Firearm Safety Class - Learn the laws in VA that regulate concealed carry permits, basic design of handguns, handgun safety and marksmanship. 9am-2pm. Glenwood Community Center. 434.799.5150. Flem Whitt Beach Music Festival. Hyco Lake. See ad page 17. Smith River Fest – Includes a climbing wall, petting zoo, free rides, family fun float, pony rides, children’s activities, live music, beer garden, lots of vendors and more. 9am-5pm. Smith River Sports Complex. 276.634.4640. Ride the Wind Summer Zip Line – Experience the thrill of the new 400-foot Zip Line. 3-4:30pm. Dan Daniel Memorial Park. 434.799.5215.
August 10 & 11
Optima Batteries ChumpCar World Series – 24-Hour Classic. VIR – 434.822.7700.
August 12
After School Care – Ages 5-12 will enjoy afternoons in a fun and safe environment with dedicated time to homework and activities. Ballou Center. 434.799.5150.
August 12 & 13
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August 17
Virginia Safari Park Trip - Enjoy a 180-acre drive-through zoo while interacting with over 1000 animals. 8am-5pm. Glenwood Community Center. 434.799.5150. Farmers’ Market Summer Bazaar – Crafts, flea market & yard sale items, gifts & more. 7:30am-12pm. Danville Community Market. 434.797.8961. Danville Area Humane Society Dog Wash. 9am-12pm. Danville Community Market. 434.799.0843. Museum Meets Margaritaville. Community Market. See story page 14.
August 20
Volunteer & Senior Services Expo. 10am-3pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
August 22 (thru 27)
Braves vs Greenville/Johnson City. Legion Field, DDMP. See ad page 10.
August 23
TGIF Concert Series – Music by Stone Canyon. Food and beverages available. 7-10:30pm. Uptown Farmers’ Market, Martinsville - 276.632.5688. The WannaBeatles. Historic North Theatre. See story page 14.
August 23 & 24
Biscuitville 125 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East – Come watch the next generation of NASCAR stars. VIR – 434.822.7700. Personality Festival. Uptown Roxboro. See ad page 8.
August 24
Cruise In – Enjoy viewing beautiful automobiles in the downtown area of Chatham. 4-8pm www.chatham-va.gov. The Band Perry Concert. Gates open at 6pm. Carrington Pavilion. 434.793.4636. www.danvilleharvestjubilee.org
August 25
August 13 & 14
August 29 (thru Oct 17)
August 13 & 15
2-Day Pickleball Clinic. 10am-12pm. Coates Recreation Center. 434.799.5216.
August 15
Bob Ross Technique Workshop – Rocky Mountain Light. 9am-3:30pm. PAA – 276.632.3221. Senior Citizens Club - Covered dish luncheon. Ages 50+. Ballou Rec. Center. 12:00-1:30pm. Fall Lawn Care - Share information and have questions answered about gardening topics and more. 6-7:30pm. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848. Enchanted Evenings - Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy music by Chris Lane Band. 6:30-8:30pm. Ballou Park. 434.799.5216.
August 16
Summer Concert Series - Bluegrass in the Square featuring Matt Boswell & The Hillbilly Blues Band. 7:30-11:30pm. Downtown South Boston. 434.575.4209. www.downtownsobo.com. Just Everyday Women Walking by Faith A non-denominational Christian women’s
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group. Speaker, Sandy Williams and music by Tara Stovall.11am-1pm. Mary’s Diner. 434.793.1075 or 434.836.9113.
Hunter Safety Education – Prepare early for the upcoming hunting season. 6-9:30pm. Ballou Nature Center. 1.888.516.0844. Trip to Cherokee, NC - Experience the Cherokee story through theater, history, and culture. 6am. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
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Close-Up Magic Show. Historic North Theatre. See story page 14. Lighten Up For Life After Hours Edition For ladies 50+ and includes fitness, nutrition and fun. Th 5:30-7:30pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
Upcoming Events
September 6 (thru 8)
Elvis Has Left the Building – Elvis Presley is missing. Colonel Tom Parker doesn’t know where Elvis is. 7:30pm; 3pm. Kirby Theatre, Roxboro. 336.597.1709.
September 7
Fun Fest - Live music, hotdogs, BBQ, ribbon fries, ice cold drinks, chips, inflatables, pony rides, corn maze and more. All proceeds will go to support God’s Pit Crew. 9am-7pm. Owen Farm. www.owenfarmtours.com. Grandparents Day Lunch - Just for grandparents and grandkids. Ballou Rec. Center. 11am-1pm. Ribs Rhythm & Blues Soul Festival – For jazz and rib connoisseurs with games, rides, prizes, thrill shows, vendors and live entertainment. 3-10pm. Carrington Pavilion. 434.793.4636 or 434.421.0034.
September 10
Natural Bridge Trip. 434.799.5216.
If you’d like to submit an item for the Evince calendar, email it to calendar@evincemagazine.com. The deadline for the September issue is Thursday, August 15, at 5:00 p.m. Please send just the basic information following the format on these pages.
Evince Magazine September 11 (thru Oct. 16)
Telling Your Story Workshop. 2-4pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
September 27 (thru 29)
Averett University Homecoming – It is for everyone in the community. www.averett. edu/
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Evince Magazine
Reflecting Forward The Dog Days of Summer by Linda Lemery I love doggies. We have a Chocolate Labrador Retriever mix named Hershey. She has just enough beagle in her to have a more delicate snout and be slightly smaller in stature than a purebred Lab. She’s been through three operations (one spaying, two ACL support surgeries), freaks out at storms, will soon be 13 years old and at just under 50 pounds, thinks she is a puppy. Her job is us. What I mean by that is she wants to be in the room with us at all times. If we’re in separate rooms, she parks herself at a junction where she can see at least three rooms so that we can’t sneak out for a walk without her. Some friends have a younger dog, Bear. He and Hershey get along like houses afire. Bearsie comes to Lemery Camp when his folks go out of town and vice-versa. The dogs have learned from each other. Who says that doggies cannot remember? Bearsie has taught Hershey to raid the kitchen trash can and to drink out of the toilet. Hershey has taught Bearsie to beg for a treat when coming in from the back yard and to get up way too early for my husband Steve’s wake-up tastes. About the dumpster diving. Steve says our friends will say Hershey taught that to Bearsie, but the real story on that is that both dogs have taught Steve how to innovate. I’m a fan of having a 33-gallon trash can in the kitchen. Despite recycling, we generate a lot of trash and a 13gallon kitchen trash can just doesn’t work for us. The first time I saw the big kitchen trash can was when we rented a place at the beach. The concept was so smart and effective that I stopped by a home improvement store and bought one on the way home. Well, the first time Bearsie came over after that, the trash was tipped over and scattered everywhere. Steve took this as proof that having a 33-gallon kitchen trash can was inappropriate
and tried to get rid of it. We had words. The trash can stayed, but with the lid on it. Apparently Steve does not like trash lids. He wanted a Photos by system where Steve Lemery he could pitch stuff into an open trash can, but the dogs didn’t permit that and he couldn’t do it with the lid on. Steve’s the king of do-it-yourself solutions using junk that’s lying around the house. I came home and my trash can had been defaced. Admittedly, the solution is brilliant in its simplicity, but Steve is brilliant, so I’ve come to expect that. He made two parallel cuts about halfway way across the lid, then bent the flap backward and anchored it in place by drilling a hole in the edge of the flap and the handle and anchoring the flap backwards to the handle with cord and a carabiner (see photo). The other end of the lid latches unaltered onto the other handle. Two notches cut in the edge of the trash can about 2/3 of the way toward the flap-anchored end allow for using 30 gallon trash bags that don’t shift, are easier to lift and are easier to find in stores. The open end goes toward the wall. The flap-anchored end faces out discouraging dumpsterdiving doggies. I can keep my big trash can, even though I was angry at first that it had been defaced without my consent. I’ve often thought Steve should patent the system. As you can see, out of the Dog Days of Summer can come a doggie-driven innovation that works with the dogs, and doggone it, works even when the dogs are gone. We have Hershey and Bearsie to thank for nagging Steve into doing this Steve’s still mulling over the toilet-waterdrinking problem. It’s too much trouble to put the lid down. I can’t wait to see what the doggies drive him to do about that. After all, their job is us. About the Author: When she and the dogs aren’t driving Steve to distraction, Linda Lemery, llemery@averett.edu, works as Circulation Manager at Averett University’s Mary B. Blount Library in Danville. She welcomes your comments.
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Some years ago, I saw a couple of lost-dog signs on telephone poles near Midtown Market and next to Grove Street Cemetery, both about the same dog. I saw a duplicate when turning onto Chestnut Place from Grove Street and yet another on a pole at the intersection of Chestnut and Main Streets. The handsome dog’s picture was replicated on the posters, his mouth hanging open, teeth showing. In our innate anthropomorphic view of things, we always liken this to a smile, but a true smile is much more than just the showing of teeth (and the showing of teeth can sometimes lead to unpleasant things). The dog’s name was included, although the voices of the strangers potentially calling it would bear no similarity to the oscilloscopic peaks and dips of its owner. While later walking down West Main Street in the vicinity of Averett University, I saw a frenzied flurry of postings for the same dog, but pictured at a different angle. On a nearby pole were the remnants of a ripped-away sign, the few bits of paper still held by tape. The previous signs were stapled, so I wondered if these were the remains of an earlier lost dog posting. Maybe the pet was found and the signs joyously ripped away, or maybe they were torn down in despair when all hope was at end.
Microchip Helps Find Lost Pets
Signs of Love, Worry, Fear and Hope by Mack Williams
In a much lighter thought, perhaps the paper scraps represented the notice of a yard sale whose date had come and passed. A few days later, the same Xeroxed canine face of Grove, Chestnut, and West Main Streets smiled at me on Ridge Street near Biscuitville, on Craghead Street on the way to the Danville Science Center and in the parking lot of Southwyck Plaza near the city limits-- all logical placements
in relatively heavily trafficked areas. Returning home, I realized that these signs, rippling out from a central location to cover a sizable portion of Danville (like ripples from a stone cast in a pond), contained more than just the particulars of the lost dog’s identity and contact information. They also contained the unwritten particulars of the owner’s love, worry, fear and hope.
One in three pets will become lost at some point in time. Consider having a microchip implanted in your pet for the following reasons: • If your pet becomes lost, it is important that it be found quickly, especially if it’s on medication or has a medical condition. • If you move, the new location will be unfamiliar to your pet. In the confusion of relocation, pets often escape and become lost. • If there is a natural disaster, families and pets might become separated. Microchipping can help reunite them. Microchipping is inexpensive and lasts a lifetime. A microchip is similar in size to a grain of rice and is no more painful than a common vaccination. Sixty percent of pets found at shelters with microchips are not registered. Make sure your pet is registered for life before you leave the clinic where the microchipping occurred. Microchipping is especially important for indoor cats, who might not be known to neighbors. For more information, visit www.FamilyVet.org.
Where Can I Find an Evince? Ten thousand copies of Evince are distributed each month at over 100 locations. Find your copy at:
Riverside Drive/Piedmont Drive/Marketplace Area:
Buffalo Wild Wings Checkered Pig Danview Restauran on Danview Drive El Vallarta on Westover Drive Goodwill on Westover Drive H. W. Brown Florist (they deliver an Evince with your order) Hibachi Grill on Executive Court Joe & Mimma’s Karen’s Hallmark @ Piedmont Mall Los Tres Magueyes Ruben’s Shorty’s Bakery @ Coleman Marketplace The Highlander URW Credit Union Western Sizzlin
Main Street/Downtown/ Tobacco Warehouse Area
316 Cibo American National Bank Comcast on Patton Street Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History Danville Public Library on Patton Street Danville Regional Medical Center on South Main Street Danville Science Center on Craghead Street Jake’s on Main Main Street Coffee Emporium Midtown Market on Chambers Street Rippe’s YMCA
Memorial Drive Frank’s Pizza Gingerbread House
Piney Forest Road Area
Commonwealth Pharmacy ERA Holley & Gibson Realty Company Mary’s Diner Piedmont Credit Union
Franklin Turnpike Area Ruben’s Too
Village’s Pizza
Other
Danville Welcome Center-River Park Dr.
In Chatham Area
Chatham Community Center Chatham Health Center Chathamooca Frank’s Pizza Pittsylvania County Public Library
In Yanceyville, NC
Caswell County Civic Center Gunn Memorial Public Library The Drug Store
In South Boston, VA
Berry Hill Resort Distinct Impressions Ernie’s Restaurant O Sol Mio on Bill Tuck Hwy. Prizery Southern Virginia Higher Education Toot’s Creek Antiques
Evince Magazine
Page 21
ASK DR. JUDITH Dog Day Dessert by Annelle Williams
When I think of the Dog Days of Summer, it always brings to mind the image of the old blood hound lazing under the steps, while Li ‘l Abner and Daisy Mae lean motionless against the porch rails. They seemed to live in perpetual dog days, when it is too hot to do more than breathe. We’ve certainly had our share of hot sultry weather--hot enough to cause a woman (or man) to become hysterical and find herself on the verge of a frenzy, thinking about heading to the kitchen one more time to scare up a little food for the family. No wonder fast food and movie theaters do such a whopping business during the heat of August.
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Q: Dr. Judith, What is Virginia Relay? Relay is a public service of the A: Virginia Commonwealth of Virginia that pro vides
technology to help people communicate better on the phone. This is for people who are deaf/ hard of hearing or those with speech disabilities. It is used to communicate to standard landline phones, either from a landline phone or from a cell phone. The conversation between caller and receiver is relayed by a Communication Assistant (CA). The Virginia Relay can be reached by dialing 711, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you have a significant hearing loss and have no speech impairment you can use a Voice Carry Over (VCO) phone. A VCO phone has a little screen where you read what the person on the other end of the line is saying. You speak directly to the person you are calling. They speak to a CA who types the message and it is displayed on the VCO phone. If you have a cell phone but have to call a landline you can’t use text. The Virginia Relay Text Messaging (VRTM) allows you to send text messages from your mobile device to a landline. Type your message and send it to a web address. Here a CA will read the message and call the person you want to reach. VRTM also allows people on a landline phone to get a text message to you. These are just two examples of the many services provided by Virginia Relay. The Loan To Own Program (L2O) provides the necessary equipment for eligible residents of Virginia. To learn more about Virginia Relay call 1-800-5527917. The website is www.varelay.gov. E-mail address is frontdsk@vddhh.virginia.gov. By using Virginia Relay you or your loved one can stay in touch with family, friends and contact businesses or medical offices.
When the temperatures are miserably high, I try to make things as easy as possible. Here’s a favorite summer dessert that requires nearly no handson time. Meringue Glacée is my version of pavlova, which is a cake-sized meringue filled with decadent heavy sweet cream sometimes flavored with a liqueur and a fruit compote topping. My meringue glacée is a small, individual cup-like meringue that holds a generous scoop of ice cream topped with fresh fruit--a much lighter version than the original dessert. Summertime and the living is easy--good advice for these hot summer days!
Strawberry/Blueberry Meringue Glacée
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makes 8 medium sized individual desserts 3 egg whites (Cold, fresh egg whites make the best meringues.) pinch of salt 3⁄4 cup sugar 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 quart vanilla ice cream 1 1⁄2 cups sliced strawberries 2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup blueberries
Preheat oven to 225°. Beat egg whites and salt until beginning to hold their shape. Add sugar one tablespoon at a time beating well after each addition until all sugar is added and meringue is thick and glossy. Mix in vanilla extract.
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Spoon meringue into a zip-lock bag. Cut off a small corner and pipe in circular motion onto sheet pans covered with parchment paper. Make one last circle on top to form bowl shape. Each meringue should be about four inches wide. Place pan in preheated oven for 1 1⁄2 hours. Then turn oven off and leave in oven with door shut until meringues are completely cooled. Store in airtight containers until ready to use. Slice strawberries into a bowl. Add sugar and whole blueberries. Stir to mix and set aside for about 30 minutes to allow strawberries to release a little of their juice. Add a scoop of ice cream to each meringue cup, and top with berries. For more pictures and recipes, visit my blog: http://aroundannellestable.blogspot.com.
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Page 22
August 2013
Book Clubbing A review by Joann Verostko* Technical Services Librarian, Danville Public Library
A Little Book of Sloth by Lucy Cooke
It’s August and it’s too hot to do anything. Why not read a book about a critter who is a master of doing as little as possible? As an added bonus, it is mostly adorable pictures of sloths, so you don’t even have to read much. Author Lucy Cooke is a British filmmaker and photographer and the pictures that fill the book attest to her abilities, although I suspect it might be hard to make a sloth look bad. There is also enough interesting information about these critters and the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica to alleviate any guilt you might feel in indulging in a book filled with pictures of cute animals. It’s a fun read meant for kids but enjoyable for anyone. A portion of proceeds from this book go to support the Sanctuary, so if you want to buy your own copy it’s going to a good cause. However, if you want to read the book before buying (or instead of), the Danville Public Library has a copy in the children’s section (J 599.3 COO). If you happen to be an adult reading this review and you’re thinking to yourself, “Oh, that’s a kid’s book, I can’t read that,” please don’t deny yourself the pleasures to be found in children’s literature. Many people are under the mistaken impression that children’s books can only be read by children or by adults to children. This is a common fallacy. If you have or know some children, by all means, share this book with them. But if not, it’s OK; you can read this book or any of the other books supposedly meant for children. I personally recommend the following titles: This is Not My Hat by J. Klassen, Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg, The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli and Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D. B. Johnson. All of these titles and more are available at the DPL and are guaranteed to make you work up a smile and not a sweat. • For more information about programs, online services and to access the catalog and the e-book collection, visit www.danvillelibrary.org; visit the Danville Public Main Library, 511 Patton Street, or call 434.799.5195. Visit the Westover Branch at 94 Clifton Street or call 434. 799.5152. • The Main Library’s hours are Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The hours for the Westover Branch are: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. *Joann Verostko will read just about anything – fiction, non-fiction, the back of cereal boxes, menus... As the Collection Development person at the Library for the Adult Graphics she is particularly partial to picture books. She also likes to write stories about people who don’t exist (as far as she knows). Send information about what you or your book club is reading to joycewilburn@gmail.com.
August Events at the Danville Public Library
(all events are at the Main Library except Back to School on August 28) • August 1: PJ Story Time Under the Sea at 6:30 p.m. for children 4 to10 with parent/adult caregiver • August 1: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament final at 2:00 p.m. for all ages • August 2: Preschool Story Time at 11:00 a.m. for children 3-5 with parent/ adult caregiver • August 3: Disney movie, The Love Bug (PG) at 10:30 a.m. for family members of all ages • August 5- 10: Shark Week all day: shark events, movies and crafts for all ages • August 8: Senior Movie Day Alex Cross (PG13) at 11:00 a.m. for adults only • August 15: Bingo for Seniors at 11:00 a.m. for adults only. • August 28: Back to School Fun @ Westover Branch at 3:30 p.m. for children 6-12.
Evince Magazine
Photo Finish
Page 23
Barbara Seamster, general manager of 104.5 FM the Dan, shares a laugh with Darrell McLean of the Small Town Orchestra.
Evince photographer, Von Wellington, caught these happy people having fun at First State Bank’s Business after Hours on July 16th and at the YMCA’s Crab Feast on July 20th. During August, he will be at community events with camera in hand looking for more friendly faces. When you see him coming...smile...you might be in the next Evince! Visit www.vonwellington.com to view more of his work.
Danville Regional Foundation interns gather with DRF Program Director Wendi Everson: Virginia Tech student Bryauna Clark; Amy Farinelli, who will be working with the Dan River Basin Association in the fall; JMU student Evelyn Riley; and Amelia Grabowski, a recent Gettysburg College graduate.
Pat Daniel, Program Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Danville, and Rosalee Maxwell, Resource Development Director for the Boys & Girls Club of the Danville Area, compare notes about recent events.
Barry Richmond, a realtor with Wilkins & Company and host of NASCAR Noise on WAKG, chats about the housing market with agent Nick Fowler of ERA Holley & Gibson Realty Company.
YMCA CEO, Sarah Folmer, volunteer Ben Clay, and YMCA Board Member Kelly Brande check on the menu before the crowd arrives.
YMCA Operations Director Kim Hensley, Sports Director Chris Wilson and Front Desk Staff Morgan Taylor greet President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of South Central Virginia, Gary Cotta, and his wife, Peggy, followed by a steady line of eager people ready to party at the Annual Crab Feast.
First State Bank President Calvin Perry enjoys a moment of conversation with Jeanette Cruz, AVP Loan Operations Manager at First State Bank, and Eric Deaton, CEO of the Danville Regional Hospital.
For the fourth consecutive year, YMCA volunteer, Belinda Craig, helps serve during the Crab Feast. She is a loan input clerk at Virginia Bank & Trust.
Bryan Swann, YMCA Fitness Instructor, and volunteer Greg Giles cook dinner for the Crab Feast crowd on a hot July evening.
Earl Reynolds, a member of the Downtown Danville Association Board and Director of the City of Danville’s Department of Community Development chats with Jeffrey Bond, President of the Downtown Danville Association and architect at Dewberry.