The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOW N .com 3
Welcome to the Danville Experience
A Letter From the Mayor Greetings! On behalf of the citizens of Danville and Pittsylvania County, I extend a warm welcome to you. Danville and Pittsylvania County offers hospitality, warmth and a rich heritage. As you will discover, our region is unlike any other. Once known for our tobacco and textiles, we are now in transition to be a diversified, forward-looking mix of businesses. We welcome and encourage foreign investment. As evidence, our region today boasts 10 companies based in nine foreign countries. These companies collectively serve as the area’s largest employer – providing nearly 3,000 jobs.
Further evidence of our transition is nDanville, which is the first municipally-owned open-access, open-services broadband network in the United States. Today, the nDanville network has more than 165 miles of fiber optic cable that extends high-speed broadband transport service to business and residential customers. Thanks in part to the high tech presence provided by nDanville, our region today enjoys a new status as home to one of the nation’s most powerful computers, a next-generation Cray XMT2 supercomputer. We offer great schools, public and private higher education opportunities, and customized workforce-training programs. We are ready and able to meet any company’s needs for skilled, productive, and highly motivated workers. In Danville and Pittsylvania County, you will benefit from a high quality of living at an affordable cost. Our moderate climate, with its four distinct seasons, makes it easy to
These companies not only have provided employment opportunities, but cultural diversity. We welcome that diversity. In early 2013, we honored these companies during a ceremony held at the Riverview campus of Averett University. Company representatives raised their respective flags on the flag poles located across from the campus building at 512 Bridge Street in the River District of Danville.
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enjoy outdoor activities, concerts and festivals. Do not miss an opportunity to walk, hike, or bike along our network of trails. You can also experience the variety of recreational opportunities provided by the Dan River that flows through Danville and southern Pittsylvania County and by Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake located in northern Pittsylvania County. Pittsylvania County’s charming historic towns of Chatham, Gretna, and Hurt are delightful places. Danville is a bustling regional retail center, but it is also a city of churches, historic houses, museums, and a River District with an expanding number of specialty shops in a setting of beautiful historic commercial buildings and warehouses. Consider the pages in this guide as a handy passport to our town. As you will discover, our region is unlike any other.
Sherman Saunders
Mayor – City of Danville
Publisher & Content Editor Andrew Scott Brooks scott@showcasemagazine.com Content Editor Paul Seiple paul@showcasemagazine.com Creative Designer Kim Demont demontdesign@verizon.net Ad Designers Kim Demont, Paul Seiple Finance Manager Cindy Astin cindy@showcasemagazine.com To Advertise in the Next Edition 877.638.8685 Director of Sales and Marketing Larry Oldham larry@showcasemagazine.com Ad Executives Misty Brooks misty@showcasemagazine.com Lee Vogler lee@showcasemagazine.com Contributing Writers Sherman Saunders, Moriah Davis, Larry Oldham, Bill Sgrnia, Arnold Hendrix, Meaghan K. Baker, Neal Ammerman, Larry G. Aaron, Andrew Scott Brooks, Ed Carter, Paul Seiple, Tammy Moser, Joyce Wilburn, Lee Vogler, Crystal Gregory, Mack Williams, Matt Charles Contributing Photographers Danville Parks and Recreation, Michelle Dalton Photography, Dan Vaden, Virginia International Raceway, Kim Demont, Patrick Jinks, Charles Goforth, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, Terry Linn, Jr., Martinsville Henry County Tourism, Images By Swanson, Von Wellington, Andrew Scott Brooks
Cover Photo by Charlotte F. Adkins Cover Model: Judith Francis Williams
© 2015 Andrew Brooks Media Group
Table of Content
Published by Showcase Magazine in association with Danville Regional Medical Center
A LETTER FROM THE MAYOR......................................................................4 The COMMUNITY Experience.. .................................................................8 DANVILLE, CHATHAM, GRETNA, AND HURT THE River District: A Place to Work, Live, Shop and Play.. ............ 12 THE Place You Call Home.. ................................................................. 20 The History Preservers: Kim and William Gentry............................ 28 Take Aim at VIRGinia International Raceway.................................. 32 The Roaring of Engines..................................................................... 36 The Parks of Danville......................................................................... 40 The YMCyay............................................................................................44 ANNUAL EVENTS.. ....................................................................................46 The Jazz Experience: Ten Ten House of Jazz, Rhythm and Blues.. ... 50 AREA ATTRACTIONS.. ...............................................................................54 The Apothecary: Kare Pharmacy.. .................................................... 62 Where Dreams Become Reality: The Dan River Business Development Center............................ 66 The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research..................... 68 The Classic Diners Straight From a 50’s Movie.............................. 70 The First Winery / Brewery in Virginia.. ............................................. 74 Live Well: A Guide to healthy living Provided by DRMC............... 79 Alleviate Stress in 2015 with a Happier and Healthier Mindset.. ......................................................... 80 Tips For Caregivers...................................................................... 82 Amazing Facts About The Human Heart................................... 85 Venous Disease.............................................................................. 86 Women’s heart attack symptoms can differ from men’s..... 88 How to Give Yourself a Cardiac Makeover........................... 89 Do dietary supplements offer benefits for good health?.... 90 Contact Numbers......................................................................... 91 Foods With Healthy Reputations.. ............................................... 92 Understanding Cholesterol...................................................... 94 6 steps to control your blood pressure.. ............................... 96 Medical Directory....................................................................... 97 DANVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY.................................................................... 100 Education in Our Town PRIVATE EDUCATION OPTIONS.. ...................................................... 104 The Best High School in Virginia.. ............................................ 112 The Foundation for Success Starts Early.............................. 116 The Next Step: Danville Community College Offers Choices for Everyone........................................... 120 A Double Major in Education and Community: Averett University.......................................... 124 Our Town HISTORY The Race to the Dan River......................................................... 128 The Last Days of the Civil War.................................................. 132 The Wreck of the Old 97: Off The tracks and into history....................................... 134 The Legacy of Nancy Langhorne: LADY ASTOR..................... 146 The Communities Around Our Town The Neighbors to the South - Yanceyville, NC....................... 148 The Afternoon Art Excursions - Exploring Martinsville.... 156 Afternoon Excursions - The South Boston Fire Hydrant Walking Tour................................................ 158 The Celebration of Twenty Years of Coolness..................... 162 The Painless Goodbye: Making Moving Day Less Stressful......... 164 GENERAL INFORMATION....................................................................... 168 BUSINESS DIRECTORY & ADVERTISER’S INDEX........................................ 172 Area MAPS........................................................................................... 178
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The Community Experience Danville The times, they are a changing, and Danville moved forward by rebuilding and restructuring for a brighter future. Once known for its rich textile and tobacco industries, Danville is all aboard the growing technology train. Embracing technological advancements make Danville an attractive location for start-up businesses as well as established companies. Danville is the regional hub that connects many communities throughout Southern Virginia and Northern North Carolina. Private schools, a community college, and a private university provide strong educational options for children. Nature and all its wonders
are on display in this river city. Danville’s Riverwalk Trail provides a breath-taking backdrop for an afternoon of healthy activities including mountain biking at Angler’s Ridge. These are some of the most-respected biking trails in Virginia. There are many other parks with amenities such as tennis courts and baseball fields located throughout the city. Speaking of baseball, when the fever hits, you can catch the Danville Braves at Legion Field in Dan Daniel Park. There are several museums ranging in subject from Science to Natural History and are fun for the whole family. Danville may have the “city” atmosphere, but it still has the comforting small-town feel. Close relationships and a general caring for your
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neighbor’s well-being are just a few of the special traits Danville offers its residents. There is a “helping hand” philosophy that makes Danville a positive and strong community.
Chatham Nestled in the heart of Pittsylvania County, Chatham offers peaceful lifestyle just minutes from city life. Serving as the county seat since 1777, Chatham blends business and tranquility in perfect harmony. “Stranger” isn’t a word spoken often in Chatham. The Town welcomes new residents as if they were long lost friends. Chatham is a social community where residents go out of their way to make everyone feel at home. Personal connections make up a good portion of
the Town’s welcoming aura. Chatham hosts a population of approximately 1,300 residents year-round. Aside from the quiet life, two nationally recognized college preparatory schools, Hargrave Military Academy and Chatham Hall are located in Chatham. With respected private and public schools and a growing Boys and Girls Club, Chatham provides some of the best resources for children. Chatham breathes a smalltown life from a caring heart. With an illustrious history and stunning architecture, the Town is the perfect landing for those looking for the peaceful life.
Gretna Rich in railroad history, Gretna was a link to the Lynchburg
& Danville Railroad. In 1872, Jeremiah Talboot deeded a right-of-way to the Railroad, knowing the prosperity that would come to the Town via the railroad. Many trains passed through Gretna, which was then called Elba, including the Old 97, immortalized in the wreck of 1903. Gretna embraces the roots upon which the town was founded while strengthening the community with goals of moving forward in the future. Community spirit thrives throughout Gretna. Revitalization for a Greater Gretna, a group of visionaries, is helping to reboot Gretna without sacrificing any of its great history. Upon entering Gretna, you are welcomed by a sign that reads, “Gretna — A Railroad Village.” It’s just one of the ways that shows
residents loving a community enough to reinvent it.
Hurt Hurt is tucked away in the northern-most tip of Pittsylvania County. This quiet town offers a rural setting with the conveniences of larger cities just minutes away. Hurt is close to an airport, several private schools, and has four colleges within thirty miles. The Town has a lot to offer the youth of the area — an excellent public school system and the Altavista YMCA are not far away. For those that love the outdoors, Hurt’s Wayside Park furnishes recreational opportunities such as picnics and hiking. Hurt is also only a short drive from Smith Mountain Lake, a great place to escape for the weekend.
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The River District: A Place to Work, Live, Shop and Play
Take a drive into the heart of Danville and you will come to a point where two historic districts — the Tobacco Warehouse District and downtown — are tied together by the Dan River.
of the river and recreational and leisure opportunities. Earlier this year, Danville was named for the seventh consecutive year among America’s most playful cities — an honor claimed by only one other city in Virginia.
Welcome to the River District. The Dan River and the River District are what distinguish Danville from thousands of other communities. With many of Danville’s oldest, most architecturally attractive and significant buildings, it’s key to the city’s heritage and sense of community. With venues for festivals, concerts, banquets, workshops, and a farmer’s market, it’s one of the most important gathering places for community events. With multiple trailheads to the paved Riverwalk Trail, the district is connected to parks, woodland trails, and natural areas — offering scenic views
And finally, with an aggressive, public-private preservation and rehabilitation strategy, the district’s historic buildings and warehouses now have new life as restaurants, retail shops, a branch university campus, apartments and condominiums, and places of work, including the Center For Applied High Performance Computing and other high technology operations. As a place to work, live, shop, and play, it’s all happening in the historic River District. Simply put, it has become the place for residents and businesses to be — and for visitors to see.
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In 2014, several projects were brought to full fruition. The Danville Science Center, located adjacent to the Community Market, opened a 44-foot dome theater where visitors can explore a world of different fun and educational themes. Seating 100 people, the theater provides a 360-degree film experience that combines high-definition video, color star projection and digital surround sound. A short distance away from the Science Center, the YMCA opened its new facility on the north bank of the river. Facing the Dan River on six acres off Riverside Drive near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge, the facility features expanded wellness and fitness, aquatics, gym and program areas. The city also finished two phases of streetscape
improvements; added a trailhead; installed public, outdoor Wi-Fi connections; and opened the Fire Department’s new headquarters and 9-1-1 emergency communications center.
fountain, leisurely stroll along the spacious promenade connecting Main Street to Bridge Street, or simply sit and relax on the benches provided while watching the fountain in operation.
In the first phase of streetscape improvements, the city widened existing sidewalks, installed brick pavers, created more visible and safer pedestrian crossings, and provided amenities such as outdoor cafĂŠ space, trees, benches and new lighting.
The fountain and plaza also became a popular venue for a summer series of free, outdoor concerts featuring various jazz, rhythm and blues, and beach music artists. More concerts and other activities are planned in 2015.
The second phase created a pedestrian plaza at the head of Main Street, where it connects to the bridge that serves as a gateway into the River District. Opened in the spring of this year, the plaza features a fountain and promenade that immediately proved popular as a gathering place. Friends meet to take photos in front of the
The new trailhead to the Riverwalk Trail is located on the south bank of the Dan River just a few yards away from the Main Street Plaza. The city now has two trailheads on the south bank. The Wi-Fi connections are available along the lower blocks of Main Street. The connections are free to the public.
The fire headquarters and emergency communications center are located at 600 Lynn St. The public safety facilities represent a $9 million investment in the River District, and they replace the blighted structures of the former Danville Lumber and Manufacturing Co. Prior to 2014, the city had adopted design guidelines for the look and feel of buildings in the district, changed traffic patterns to enhance movement through downtown, opened a new parking lot on Main Street, and conducted a parking study for the full district. In 2015, more is to come. Designs are complete for a pedestrian lane on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge to connect the new trailhead on the south side of Continued to page 16
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fiber network, nDanville, data can be transmitted faster from Danville to Washington, D.C., than from Fairfax to the nation’s capital. Through a partnership with the Regional Center for Applied Technology and Training, Danville can train the workforce to meet the specific needs of companies. The city welcomes and encourages foreign investment, which has strengthened the city’s economy following the decline of its textile and tobacco industries.
The River District Continued from page 11.
the river to the walking trail on the other side of the river. Construction soon will begin. Public restrooms are planned to be built adjacent the plaza and trailhead, and the next phase of streetscape improvements are under development. City staff and consultants are developing a marketing plan and designs for roadway and pedestrian wayfinding signage. These changes are not merely cosmetic but functional, designed to create an atmosphere for enjoyment and investment. Private investment is taking place as city leaders had
hoped, and it is outpacing public investment by threefold. Today, more than 40 different businesses are flourishing in the River District, and the district maintains the status as home to one of the world’s most powerful computers – an advanced Cray supercomputer operated by Noblis. Noblis is joined in the River District by technology companies such as Luna Nanoworks, Infinity Global Packaging, and Horizontech. The presence of Noblis and others provide evidence that Danville is making the transformation from a textile- and tobacco-based economy to a modern, forward-oriented technologybased economy. Spurred by an expanding broadband
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While Danville forges a new, diversified economic base, it maintains an architectural essence and identity through the ornate Victorian mansions, handsome churches, lofty tobacco factories and massive mills built following the end of Reconstruction when Danville experienced prosperity based on tobacco and textiles. Repurposing of River District buildings for residential units continues. The developers of the Pemberton Lofts are constructing another 50 apartments in the former Pemberton & Penn Tobacco Co. prizery and offices on Bridge Street. The developers – Ross Fickenscher and Garrett Shifflett of Richmond – specialize in historic renovations and high-end residential design. In the summer of 2013, they finished the first set of 62 apartments in the building, and they report leasing has gone well.
The Pemberton Lofts joins newly remodeled Smith Seeds Apartments on Lynn Street, Ferrell Historic Lofts, Lynn Street Lofts, Lindsay Lofts, Burton Condominiums, and Dan River Crossing Apartments. These properties combine to provide more than 300 downtown new residential spaces downtown. In early 2015, a new residential property at 610 Craghead St. – The Continental – will become available. This development will feature much the same fit and finish as Pemberton Lofts and will include a greater percentage of large, two-bedroom apartments. In addition, the city of Danville offers a wide range of high quality municipal services that make this a great place to live, raise a family, and conduct business. • The city’s public education
system is among the best in the region. The Danville Public Schools District receives twice the required level of funding from municipal sources. • The Public Works Department maintains 15 beautifully landscaped street intersections along with 726 miles of streets and 75 signalized intersections. Its sewer crews clean and maintain 390 miles of sewer pipes and 9,950 manholes. Sanitation crews collect 14,684 tons of trash per year and recycle 916 tons of salvageable waste. • Reliable electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and broadband services are provided to more than 40,000 customer locations in the metropolitan area by Danville Utilities at the lowest rates possible. • The Police Department maintains a safe
environment through partnerships with citizens and businesses, uniformed patrols, community policing, investigations, a K-9 program, a crime scene search unit, school resource officers, animal control, and crime prevention efforts. • The Fire Department operates out of seven stations, providing fire, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and emergency medical responses. It is a basic life support first responder agency, and Danville is only one of six cities in Virginia to have a “Class 2” insurance services rating, which lowers the price of property insurance for citizens and businesses. Come visit Danville – and the River District!
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The Place You Call Home
The Dan River Region is a great place to call home. It is a region that has managed to preserve its rich history while simultaneously embracing the new age of technology; a region with “big city” conveniences and “small town” ambience. It is a great place to build a career, raise a family or retire. Consider yourself warned: Once you experience the heart of the Region, you may never want to leave. Variety. If variety is the spice of life, then the Dan River Region’s housing market is seasoned to perfection. Whatever your taste in housing, the Dan River Region provides a host of choices: Millionaires’ Row along Danville’s Main Street with its beautiful homes of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, a renovated loft in the Tobacco Warehouse district with a spectacular view of the Dan River, or a chalet overlooking a beautiful lake shore. It’s all here! Convenience. In the Dan River Region you are only minutes away from everything! Whether you are headed to work, the grocery store, school, your place of worship, work, a ball game, or the movies, your destination is only a “hop, skip, and jump” away. Traffic jams and long commutes are non-issues throughout the Region. Whenever you travel to, or from, the Dan River Region, Raleigh-Durham International airport (70 minutes) and Greensboro Regional airport (50 minutes) are only a short drive away. Great Neighborhoods. Do you want to live where you can
borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbor, walk your dog, where kids play in the sprinkler in the summer, and catch fireflies in the back yard? There are a great number of subdivisions throughout the city and county to choose from and one just right for your family. They offer homes in a variety of styles and age, with some of the best real estate prices in the country, starting well below $100,000. City Subdivisions. A short drive through Forest Hills gives clear evidence to its name, as beautiful, aged trees and shrubberies line the hilly streets and provide the backdrop for homes in a wide array of architectural styles including Tudor, Georgian, Colonial, and Traditional. One of the City’s oldest neighborhoods, Forest Hills is located off West Main, adjacent to Ballou Park, Averett University, and a short walk to Danville Regional Medical Center.
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Other convenient subdivisions include Southwyck Farms, located on Danville’s south side, a short distance from the Virginia-North Carolina border. This neighborhood offers homes built in the seventies to the present. New construction opportunities are also available. Many newcomers like this subdivision because of its convenience to the Danville Expressway. Adjacent to Southwyck Farms, Grove Park offers classy and affordable housing opportunities. The View at Country Club is an exciting new community in Danville. The View features a private clubhouse, manicured grounds, and up to 33 private homes consisting of a pleasing mix of garden homes and individual residences. Some of the homes come complete with a breathtaking “view” of the Dan River. Beccan Ridge is a beautiful city subdivision with a country feel. It offers
exquisite homes and large lots, some with water views. Windsor Heights. In this sprawling subdivision located on Danville’s West side you will find older homes built in the seventies and eighties, along with brand new construction located along the Dan River. Building lots are also available for sale. Birnam Woods, also located on Danville’s West side, offers country living in the city. Large wooded lots provide homeowners with privacy and seclusion. Two private lakes provide homeowners with fishing, boating, and swimming enjoyment.
neighborhoods combine a nice mix of two-story, Cape Cod, and ranch- style homes. County Subdivisions. Bridgewood is located across from Tuscarora Country Club in the Mt. Hermon community
and offers upper-end priced homes only a few minutes from the City of Danville. Most of these homes are situated on large beautiful lots at least an acre in size. Continued to page 24
Shadowwood subdivision located on Danville’s North side includes homes built in the eighties and nineties and has its own neighborhood pool. Robinwood located adjacent to Shadowwood provides newer homes in a lovely setting. These The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOWN .com 21
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The Place You Call Home Continued from page 21.
There are numerous additional subdivisions in the Mt. Hermon community, as this area of the county continues to grow, including, Laurel Woods, Tuscarora Farms, Fairfield Park, Chandler’s Pointe, Mt. Hermon Place, and Singletree. In the western part of the County you will find Westridge Farms, Sugartree Manor, and Whispering Pines, to name a few.
restaurants, the Community Market, the Riverwalk Trail, the Carrington Center, the Amtrak Station, and the Danville Science Center, located steps from your door are all part of the charm of the downtown living experience. In the heart of Danville’s River District, you will find outstanding and unique living choices. These represent a perfect example of moving to the future while preserving our Region’s rich heritage.
Just across the border in North Carolina, one and one-half miles south of Danville, beautiful and serene Shadyside awaits you. Fenced-lined roadsides, two stocked ponds, and beautiful wooded lots set the scene for this park-like subdivision.
Pemberton Lofts renovated space belonging to Davis Storage Buildings into luxurious one- and two-bedroom quality apartments with original hardwood floors, granite countertops, a state-of-the-art security system, fitness center, free parking, and river views from most units.
If you prefer the convenience of townhouse living, they are here too. On the north side of Danville, you will find Cabin Creek and Cabin Lake townhouses and condominiums. Sutherlin Place townhouses, off of Main Street, are convenient to downtown, the hospital, and Averett University.
Burton Condominiums occupies space that was formerly the F. X. Burton Tobacco Factory. These twoand three-bedroom luxury condominiums beautifully incorporate the original brick walls and refinished wood floors with updated amenities for modern living.
Charlestowne on Vandola, located between Highway 58 West and Westover Drive offers single and two-story townhouses with attached garages.
Smith Seeds Apartments offers luxury one- and two- bedroom apartments, laundry, elevator, free secure parking, and an on-site fitness center. The 36,000 square foot building was a former tobacco prizery and has been beautifully renovated.
Urban Living in Downtown Danville. Combine a downtown looking to revitalize itself with empty spacious warehouses, vision and good taste, and downtown living is the result. The Crossing at the Dan, located on Craghead Street, spearheaded the rejuvenation of Downtown Danville. Shopping,
Dan River Crossing located on the Riverfront behind the Community Market is a unique apartment community for seniors. There is a clubhouse for planned activities; all apartments are fully furnished with appliances; and there
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is secured entry into the building. Many other downtown living options are available and more are in the planning stages. Seeing is believing. Getting Away From It All. If you prefer your own private space without a neighbor in sight….you can find that here too. Beautiful homes with acreage, garden spots, pastures for horses, and ponds can be found throughout Pittsylvania County. Does lake living appeal to you? There are several great options in the Region. Hyco Lake, located east of Danville, covers 3750 acres and has 160 miles of shoreline. Smith Mountain Lake located in Pittsylvania County, surrounded by mountains, is a gorgeous, 40-mile long, 20,600-acre lake with 500 miles of shoreline. Leesville Lake is Smith Mountain Lake’s lovely “sister” lake. Located near Altavista and Gretna, it covers 4000 acres with 100 miles of shoreline. Beautiful homes and cottages are located on the lake and in the communities. Boating, fishing, picnicking, swimming, walking, and golfing are yours to enjoy. We hope you have a feel for the housing opportunities available to you here in the Dan River Region. We have only touched on a few of many options. Please come and visit the Dan River Region and find your own home sweet home.
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and William Gentry The History Preservers: Kim
renovation in Danville’s first automobile suburb, Forest Hills. “We thought it was worth the challenge and the nine months it took to remodel it,” she explains. “We gutted the house and enjoyed making it our own. We lived there for eight years and loved it.” Fortunately, the house was ready in time for the arrival of their second daughter, Elizabeth, in 2002.
Sitting on a comfy sofa in the 1931 Georgian Revival home built for John Schoolfield, Jr., the scion of the mill dynasty that became Dan River Mills, Kim Gentry recalls the time she and future husband, William, met more than 20 years ago. “I was a DCC student and bartender at Bogies on South Main Street and he frequently came in during the week for lunch,” remembers the Danville native. “At the time, he was co-owner of Piedmont Precision Company on Goodyear Boulevard,” she says, referring to the company that builds components and machines for industries throughout the world. With a bit of nostalgia in her voice,
she continues, “We were formally introduced one day while I was working as a substitute hostess.” That fortunate encounter led to marriage less than two years later and a move to Caswell County, North Carolina, where William had designed and built a rustic A-frame house for them. “Five years later, when our oldest daughter, Allie, was born, we needed to be back in Danville,” she says, recounting the daily roundtrips for pre-school and other errands that caused them to think about re-relocating. To solve the commuting problem, William and Kim bought a house that needed
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Although the new home was perfect for the family of four, more space and privacy were eventually needed for the growing girls. William and Kim eyed the house across the street at 242 Hawthorne Drive and when it went on the market, they made an offer. The mansion and guest house with nine bedrooms and 13 bathrooms, which was known in the community as the Leggett Mansion for 40 years, became theirs on April 15, 2011. This beautifully decorated, well-maintained house didn’t need extensive renovation like their previous one. In fact, only three years after moving into the elegant home, Kim and William opened its doors to local and out-of-town visitors for Virginia Historic Garden Week. Having hundreds of tour takers walk through her home doesn’t faze Kim. “I was more worried about the dance recital that week,” she says, laughing and thinking about Elizabeth’s and Allie’s participation in the recital at Meredith Gravely School of Dance. “It’s more intense getting both my girls ready for 11 or 12 dances. The rehearsals and shows are all week and the tour is only
one day,” she says putting everything into perspective. “William helps me and makes sure I’m not losing it.” Their house was one of several sites featured this year on the Danville portion of the oldest statewide garden and house tour in the United States. The money raised throughout Virginia is used for the restoration and preservation of the state’s historic public gardens including the grounds surrounding the Sutherlin Mansion in Danville, Mt. Vernon, and Monticello. The preservation of historic buildings and gardens is high on the list of the couple’s interests. William, who was born in Greensboro but moved to Danville at an early age, has become a major player in the revitalization of Danville’s River District. His most recent historic
renovation was the conversion of a Craghead Street building into the Golden Leaf Bistro that was completed in July 2013. Kim explains how it happened, “When Fender’s closed, we realized Danville needed a similar restaurant. He came home one day and announced, ‘I’m opening a restaurant.’” Within months, the renovation began and Taylor Alvis was hired as general manager. “William thought Danville needed it, so he did it. When he saw what was happening downtown, he became very involved,” she says, referring to several buildings that were purchased in the area including the former Dixie Bags on Ridge Street. “He finds the real estate exciting.” Making plans for the future while preserving the past seems to be an appropriate motto for this couple. Not only are Kim
and William living in an historic home, they are helping to save Danville’s historic buildings for the community — one building and garden at a time. • For more information about the Golden Leaf Bistro, 215 Craghead Street, call 434.791.3191 or visit goldenleafbistro@gmail. com. • William is the CEO of Piedmont Precision Machine Co., Inc. The business began in October of 1971 in a machine shop on Westover Drive. It moved to Goodyear Boulevard in 1975 and again to a state-of-the-art facility in the Airside Drive Industrial Park in 2006. As a result of Piedmont Precision’s growth, a subsidiary company was developed in 1993 in Salem, Virginia
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Some things Stratford House Welcome Home
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1111 Main Street Danville, VA 24541 www.stratfordhouse.com
just keep getting better with age...
Stratford House offers: • A rich history and deep roots in Danville • True Independent Retirement Living • The only all-inclusive Assisted Living Program in Danville • Chef-prepared meals from our restaurant-caliber kitchen • Newly renovated residences and choices of color palettes • A history and tradition of excellence in service and care Non-Profit Retirement Community
Call to schedule an appointment, or stop by for more information.
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Take Aim at VIRginia International Raceway
VIRginia International Raceway is one of America’s premier road courses offering professional and amateur auto and motorcycle racing, as well as a wide range of track events. Racing is truly the heart of VIR, America’s first true “motorsport resort,” but that’s just the beginning! It’s an entire vacation destination with a number of amenities, including lodging, dining, a spa, an exclusive driver’s club, karting, off-road racing and a skid pad, for starters. The expansive 1,300-acre property also houses five world-class firing ranges. The impressive facilities, all approved by the National Rifle Association, include a 12 and 20 gauge skeet range, 1,000-yard known distance
rifle range capable of rounds up to .338 Lapua and a live fire shoot house with an observation catwalk. Some of the top shooters in the world leverage VIR for training. This includes teams from FBI Hostage Rescue Teams, Department of Defense Special Operations Teams, Department of State, US Olympic Security Team, and the U.S. Navy Seals, to name a few. And with expert help on staff, VIR also welcomes guests of all experience levels. Local, state and federal certified firearm instructors can provide pistol and rifle training and concealed carry handgun safety instruction in both oneon-one and group settings.
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Take Aim VIR offers a one-day workshop to teach the fundamentals of long-distance shooting. The clinic, led by award-winning master shooter Ken Barfield, guides participants through the essentials of long-range shooting through hands-on experience and classroom instruction. Students learn how to use a rifle’s scope to land a .308 round on a 12’ steel plate at 1,000 yards and are taught about different environmental factors and how these influencers affect bullet flight. VIR’s two complete skeet shooting courses, both approved by the National Skeet Shooting Association, can cater the experience to any skill level, from novices
to experts. VIR can organize informal skeet shooting sessions, as well as official skeet competitions. VIR can also organize informal shooting sessions at paper and steel targets with Glock 19 9mm handguns and Smith & Wesson M&P AR 15 rifles. Pistols, rifles and shotguns are available for rent and ammunition is available for purchase on-site.
Team Building VIR offers two introductory programs for groups: the Glock 19 Pistol Experience and M4 Rifle Experience. Each course is designed to introduce participants to tactical firearms and build individual confidence, accommodating up to 10
students at a time. Each participant fires up to 200 rounds of ammunition and will learn techniques to safely hit steel targets using either an M4 rifle or a Glock 19 pistol. All-in-all, the onsite lodging and dining options, tactical expertise, professional-grade facilities, and a thrilling shooting experience combine for the perfect group outing. Single day and weekend-long retreats can be customized for corporate retreats, team building conferences and other special events. In addition to shooting ranges, groups enjoy an unparalleled, adrenaline-filled motorsport getaway. Those who feel the need for speed can take on
the karting track with karts capable of speeds of more than 50 mph, or sign up for the VIR Driving Experience and get behind the wheel of the world’s fastest supercar, the Ariel Atom. Visitors can also sign up for autocross and rent golf carts to easily navigate VIR’s rolling hills and miles of lush forest. After a long day of fun, guests can unwind with a massage at the Oak Tree Spa or enjoy a relaxing dinner at Oak Tree Tavern. One of the finest motorsports venues in the world, VIR is much more than just fast cars. No matter the activities, guests are guaranteed an adventure like no other. To book your next group outing or learn more, visit www.virnow.com.
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The Roaring of Engines Enthusiasm Starts Its Engine
Post World War II brought the arrival of Maserati, Jaguar, Ferrari, and other European sports cars to America, shortly after road racing started to gain popularity. Founded in 1944, the Sports Car Club of America revolutionized the sport of road racing with its first race at Watkins Glen. With the sport spreading to tracks in New York, Wisconsin, Florida, and California, a group of road racing enthusiasts sought out a location that would make a perfect racetrack in North Carolina. Land owned by the Foote family, located on the VirginiaNorth Carolina border proved to be ideal and VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) started to take shape. The first official race at VIR
boasted the appearance of stars like Carl Hass and Carroll Shelby. Shelby won the SCCA race in a Maserati 450S. From the first race, VIR established itself as one of the first permanent road racing circuits in the United States. Only one change has been made to the track through the years — the widening of same areas to allow safe run-off room.
Fast Forward to Today
Recently chosen as one of Car & Driver Magazine’s top six road courses in the nation, VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) prides itself on being a “driver’s track” with multiple dual-apex corners and challenging elevation changes. A multi-purpose road course that offers professional and amateur auto and motorcycle racing, as well as a variety of track events for the whole family, VIR welcomes all drivers to develop and test
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their skills on the track. After winning the first race at VIR in 1957, legendary car enthusiast, Carroll Shelby said, “One lap at VIR is like 100 at Watkins Glen.” Each year, VIR draws tens of thousands of spectators for some of the most exhilarating road racing in the country. A favorite among fans and drivers with its uphill Esses and sharp elevation changes, VIR has also caught the eye of the automotive industry which views VIR as a renowned testing facility.
Leading the Way in Technology
Known for being a challenging and unique road racing experience, VIR has become known as a premiere testing facility. From NASCAR to the Sports Car Club of America, motorsports enthusiasts utilize VIR to ensure the performance
of their cars and bikes are at the highest levels. VIR also houses an industrial park, VIRginia Motorsport Technology Park that is home to some of the premier automotive and motorsports companies in the world. Labeled as one of the most challenging and unique road courses in the United States, VIR has gained a reputation for being a popular testing facility for drivers, series, car clubs, and manufacturers. From NASCAR to the Sports Car Club of America, motorsports enthusiasts trust VIR to make sure their cars or bikes are performing at peak levels. Whether you’re coming for the day to watch a race, planning to a weekend getaway of karting and skeet shooting, or scheduling your next event in the world-class facilities, VIR will offer an experience like no other. Like Paul Newman said, “If there is a heaven on Earth, it is VIR.”
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Ballou Park
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The Parks of Danville
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While the essentials of life have changed drastically in the last 100 years, one thing has certainly remained constant — the fastest way to a healthier and happier community is through play.
park, a dog park, 2 disc golf courses, a ropes course, a zip line, 2 libraries, and over 2,000 programs and events, there are certainly plenty of opportunities within the city limits.
Fred Rogers said it best, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” The same goes for adults. Whether taking a break from business, looking for a way to relax, or trying to exercise a healthier you, Danville Parks and Recreation is your gateway to activity.
Perhaps one of the most accessible and fastest growing attractions the department has to offer is the Riverwalk Trail, which extends over 9 miles along the historic Dan River. The multi-purpose greenway connects four parks to multiple businesses, public places, and the newly renovated River District. Home to an array of special events, foot races, and undisturbed wildlife, the trail sees over 150,000 people annually.
With over 680 acres of parks and trails, 25 athletic fields, 23 playgrounds, 25 picnic sites and shelters, 30 miles of mountain bike trails, 9 miles of Riverwalk Trail, a skate
The Riverwalk Trail plays an important part in the health, wellness, and social aspects of Danville. Many people use this
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trail as part of their everyday routine while many more travel from around the region to enjoy it on the weekends. Clean, well-maintained parks and public spaces are vital to our community. The Riverwalk is just one of the many amenities maintained by Parks and Recreation. On any given day, the playgrounds at Dan Daniel, Ballou Park, Pumpkin Creek, and Grove Parks are bursting at the seam with families enjoying their day while the open spaces within the park system and along the river play home to picnics, parents with strollers, bicyclists, runners, walkers, dog lovers, and more. The Department of Parks and Recreation also boasts over 2,000 recreation programs a year and services all ages from preschoolers to seniors.
All-inclusive, the department also operates one of the few community-based therapeutic programs in the state. Many of the programs are free to the public and are accessible by all families in the region. Parks and Recreation is a great place for young adults to start their working career with summer jobs and seasonal positions. From week-long summer camps to special events, Danville Parks and Recreation has the program or service you have been looking for to get you involved in our community. For more information on Danville Parks and Recreation, visit www.PlayDanvilleVA.com. To stay connected and get up to the minute updates, check out the Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ DanvilleParksandRecreation.
Angler’s Ridge is a must for bike enthusiasts.
The Walker’s Dream
The Riverwalk Trail
Nature takes center stage at Danville’s Riverwalk Trail. This 8.5 mile paved trail is a focal point when mentioning the many attractions Danville has to offer. Nestled along the Dan River, the scenic Riverwalk Trail provides a beautiful backdrop for exercise, “me” time, or family fun. The preferred starting point is at the Crossing of the Dan entrance in downtown Danville. Here you’ll get a glimpse of Danville’s storied past through the architecture of the renovated tobacco
warehouses and the Amtrak Station located near the Danville Science Center. History comes to life as you cross a revived 1856 railroad bridge that overlooks the Dan River. Once across the bridge you have the option of going west or east. If you follow the trail to the left (west) you’ll reach a scenic view courtesy of Union Street Bridge. If you travel the eastern side of the trail, you’ll bear witness to nature in all its glory including a variety of wildlife. Parking for the Riverwalk Trail is Available at the Following Trailheads: • Crossing at the Dan • Dan Daniel Park • Angler’s Park
The Biker’s Dream
Angler’s Ridge Clocking in at over 30 miles, Angler’s Ridge is a series of stacked-loop trails that offer something to all riders - from novice to pro. Skill level is taken into consideration when building trails. For beginners, the Riverside Drive trail is perfect. For more advanced riders, there are trails like Witchback which has an 891 foot elevation change. The trails entwine with nature to give riders an exhilarating experience. Shelter, picnic spots, and restrooms are located at the trailhead at Angler’s Park.
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The Y M C yAy It’s no secret that one of the keys to a better quality of life is being physically active and health conscious. For many, the YMCA is a major outlet in providing resources needed in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In the last year, the Danville YMCA moved to its new state-of-the-art facility overlooking the Dan River. The new location included impressive upgrades such as a pool that is 93 percent larger than the previous pool. The pool isn’t the only amenity which received an upgrade. Membership and Marketing Director for the Danville YMCA, Dustin Whittle, says, “The basketball court is 33 percent larger and allows for running two games at a time.” There is also an indoor walking track above the basketball court. The new Wellness
Center is 88 percent larger and equipped with over 100 state-of-the-art pieces of fitness equipment. Whittle says, “We have three group exercise rooms, which allows us to offer three different group exercise classes at a time.” There is also a multipurpose room, with a kitchen, for area groups to host meetings. The YMCA has a service called Child Watch. “We will have the ability to watch 22 kids at once. We also have a new teen loft,” Whittle says. The new loft provides teens with their own space for afterschool activities as well as during the summer. Danville Regional Medical Center pledged five-hundred thousand dollars to the new YMCA. DMRC utilizes 2500
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square feet of physical therapy and cardiac rehab space. “We will have existing members that will use the rehab center. We also plan on transitioning DRMC rehab patients into Y programs to continue their wellness needs,” Whittle says. It’s crucial that individuals who complete rehab stay active. Whittle continues, “We have numerous members who have gone through hip replacements and knee replacements. They have found help through our water therapy and physical trainers.” The Y has programs and classes based on all levels of fitness to cater to individuals continuing down the path of recovery. “We will be adding indoor and outdoor triathlons, running and walking classes, group cycling, stroller club, TRX bands, and kettle bells
to name a few,” Whittle says. There will be new teen programming, teen strength training, and youth fitness classes as well. The YMCA truly understands the importance of gearing our youth down the correct path. Each year, the Y gives away over one-hundred thousand dollars in scholarships. “We never want to turn anyone away. Scholarships are based on household income. We also offer scholarships for all of our youth programs,” Whittle says. Some of the programs aimed toward the youth include, basketball, indoor soccer, swim lessons, cheerleading, Pop Warner football, and summer sports camps. For individuals nearing retirement age, an active
lifestyle is as important as ever. The Y has programs to cater to retirees including senior walking classes, yoga, water aerobics and rehab, Silver Sneakers, and pickleball. The Danville Family YMCA just isn’t a workout facility. “We focus on more than simply your physical health and look to strengthen your ties to the community. Through the volunteer programs we offer, our programs, and group exercise classes we strive to not only make your experience at the gym a more enjoyable one, but also to introduce you to other like-minded people and form friendships that may carry over outside of the gym,” Whittle says. At the center of the Y are three core values — youth
development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or you’re looking for a place where your children can learn and play, the Y has something for everyone. “We take our role in the community very seriously. We truly want to make a difference in the community and we believe that we have the tools to do it,” Whittle adds. Four things — caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility — are instilled in every program the Danville Family YMCA offers. It just so happens that these four things are also the glue that binds a strong community. Membership Info: You can register online at www.ymcadanville.org or at the YMCA front desk.
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Annual Events January
Corks & Forks - Danville Science Center (Adult Event) New Year’s Day Race - Riverwalk Trail
February
Disc Golf Ice Bowl – Ballou Park SOVA Wine Fest – Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex Valentines Candlelight Walk and Dinner - Community Market True Grit Rodeo – Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex
March
Woods and Water Outdoor Show Community Market Shamrock 5K - Crossing at the Dan Green Legs and Hamstrings 5K/10K, Half Marathon - Anglers Ridge SVMBA Mountain Bike Race Anglers Ridge Goodyear Education 5K Goodyear Golf Course Running 4 A Reason 5K Anglers Ridge
April
Racin’ & Tastin’ - Danville Community Market (Adult Event) Wine Festival - Danville Community Market (Adult Event) Butterfly Station Opening The Crossing at the Dan MBA Rugby World Championships Angler’s Park Bridge to Bridge 5K - Crossing at the Dan Enchanted Evenings in the Park Summer Concert Series - April through August - Ballou Park SCCA U.S. Majors Tour - VIR
May
Friday’s At The Crossing – May - September Festival in the Park – Ballou Park Nestle 5K – Ballou Park Farmers Market - Saturdays May through October Community Market MotoAmerica Mid-Atlantic Superbike Doubleheader - VIR
June
Shootout on Angler’s Ridge Angler’s Park
DCC Justice Run 5K, 10K, 2K Fun Run - Angler’s Park Bark in the Park - Bark Park, Coates Recreation Center Chamber Classic Golf Tournament Danville Golf Club North American Road Racing Assoc. - VIR CCS Virginia Festival of Speed Motorcycle Racing - VIRginia International Raceway Danville Braves - June - August Dan Daniel Memorial Park Movies in the Park - June through August - Ballou Park Harvest Jubilee Concert Series June through September Carrington Pavilion
July
Patriot Challenge 5K– Angler’s Park July 4th Celebration – The Crossing at the Dan Biscuit Bolt 5K – Riverwalk Trail Farmers Market - Wednesday’s July through August Community Market
August
October
Imagine Children’s Festival The Crossing at the Dan The River District Festival Downtown Danville along the River Walk Trail Southside Show-Biz Trade Show Averett University’s North Campus Old Timer’s Jubilee - Gretna DCC Educational Foundation Golf Tournament – Danville Golf Club Crawdads & Catfish Community Market Callands Autumn Potpourri Callands Greater Danville Metro Meet Cross Country – Dan Daniel Park Danville Half Marathon and 8k Race - The Crossing at the Dan Glow with the Flow 5K River District Family Adventure Race River District Farm Fresh Festival – Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex
November
Crabfest - Danville Community Market Cross Country Jamboree – Ballou Park Danville Heat Bowl Disc Golf Tournament - Ballou Park ChampTruck World Series - VIR Oak Tree Grand Prix - VIR
Bright Leaf Brew Fest - The Crossing at the Dan (Adult Event) Dirty Dan Dash Urban/Mud Run The Crossing at the Dan Holiday Bazaar - Danville Community Market Louie Fields 5K Run/Walk - YMCA NC/VA PDGA Border Battle Disc Golf Tournament
September
December
Shrimp Fest – The Community Market River City 5K Run/Walk Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open Golf Tournament Goodyear Golf Course Old 97 Rail Days - The Crossing at the Dan Climax Sorghum Festival - Climax Southside Scramble Mountain Bike Race – Angler’s Park SVMBA 6 and 24 Hour Endurance Mountain Bike Race - Angler’s Park NASA Nationals - VIR CCS Fall CycleFest of Speed Motorcycle Racing - VIR Heacock Classic Gold Cup - VIR
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Riverview Rotary Christmas Parade - Historical Downtown Danville Historical Holiday Walking Tour by the Danville Historical Society Luminary Walk - Riverwalk Trail Ballou Park Tree Lighting Festival Ballou Park Holiday Market - Danville Community Market Town of Chatham Christmas Parade Town of Gretna Christmas Parade All Events are subject to change. For more information, contact the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce - 434.836. 6990 or the Danville Welcome Center - 434.793.4636.
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The Jazz Experience – Ten Ten House of Jazz, Rhythm and Blues
Jazz is a unique American art form that is celebrated internationally. Jazz is music but it is less about the tune and more about the feeling. That emotion can be found in Jazz clubs and restaurants all across the United States and it’s alive and well in Danville. Our town is more diverse than ever and Jon Carter, owner of Ten Ten House of Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Restaurant, wants to see that diversity reflected in the faces of the people who come to eat and dance at his establishment. “We’ve been well received by the community. People who come here have a fantastic
time,” says Jon, who stresses that all races and nationalities are welcome to enjoy the live music and freshly-made food he offers, in a friendly, safe environment. “We enforce security and have a very strict dress code,” he says while glancing at the well-dressed couples dancing to the late night live music of Rebirth Band from Greensboro. Coats and ties, or at least a collared shirt, are required for the men. No baggy pants are allowed. “The women always dress well,” he remarks. “We have a high standard here and our motto is Where Class Meets Class.”
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Owning a classy eating establishment with a night club ambiance had been one of Jon’s goals after graduating with a business degree from Western Carolina University in 1981. But early on, the Salisbury, North Carolina native was a boxer at the age of 14 and wanted to box professionally. “My first professional fight paid so little money, I realized I couldn’t support myself doing that and I needed a job,” he recalls. He quickly changed careers, accepted an offer from State Farm Insurance, and became an insurance adjuster in Danville for almost a decade. “Then I worked at
the hospital as the Operating Room Business Manager for about 15 years and at Danville Orthopedic Clinic from 2005 to 2012,” he says. During that time, Jon nurtured his passion for boxing by opening a gym on Union Street, Madison Square Boxing, in downtown Danville. “At that point, I decided it was time to do something for me,” says the soft-spoken man. The something he had wanted to do for almost 25 years was to open a restaurant with live music at 1010 Piney Forest Road. He continues the story, “The timing wasn’t right in 1989 when I originally approached the owner of the building, but in October 2013, I was driving on Piney Forest Road and saw the For Lease sign on the building and thought maybe this is the right time. I have the energy, the capital, and the time.” A contract was signed, renovations were made and Ten Ten opened on February 28, 2014. “We were packed,” he says with pride. Jon credits
his staff of 10 for making things run smoothly and keeping customers happy. For example, Kevin Lea uses his 20 years of experience cooking in the kitchen at the now-closed Libby Hill Restaurant to prepare unforgettable meals. His specialties include: lasagna, meatloaf, pasta with chicken and/or shrimp Alfredo sauce, crab cakes, salmon cakes, grilled or fried shrimp with grits, salads, and a selection of side dishes. Save room for dessert: sweet potato cheesecake, peach cobbler, banana pudding, or chocolate fudge cake. The sweet potato
cheesecake made by Brittany Bennett is always a sellout. Jon justifiably brags, “We have some of the best food in town.” Are you thirsty for an adult beverage? Bartender Shirley Nunnally keeps the bar well-stocked and ready for your order. And there is live music. Jazz is meant to be experienced live with the musicians vibing off the crowd. The energy feeds upon itself and the environment come alive. Jazz is about the groove, the vibe, the flow, and the energy. It’s all alive at Ten Ten House of Jazz, Rhythm, and Blues.
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Area Attractions
The AAF Tank Museum
stage, 912 seat auditorium,
The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History
www.aaftankmuseum.com 434.836.3532
meeting and banquet facilities
At AAF visitors will see the finest
professional staff and a full
www.danvillemuseum.org 434.793.5644
collections of tanks, artillery,
complement of technical
The antebellum Sutherlin Mansion,
weapons, headgear, uniforms,
equipment and support services,
a Virginia Historic Landmark and
insignia, medals, and military
this is the facility of choice for
on the National Register of Historic
memorabilia found anywhere
everything from Broadway shows
Places, houses The Danville
in the United States. Although
and corporate retreats to social
Museum of Fine Arts and History.
the museum is primarily a tank
events for groups of 10 or 1,000.
This mansion is known as the
for up to 500, lobby art gallery,
museum, its diverse collection also offers the visitor a great many
Last Capitol of the Confederacy
The Crossing at the Dan
because Jefferson Davis spent the last week of the Civil War with
military history. It features 20,000+
www.visitdanville.com 434.797.8961
artifacts that span 500 years of
The Crossing at the Dan, once
Not only is the home historic but it
military history.
the bustling Danville & Richmond
houses a permanent premier fine
Rail Yard, has been transformed
arts museum and also changing
into educational, entertainment,
exhibits.
other interesting items relating to
Birch Creek Motorsports Park
the Sutherlins in this residence.
and recreational facilities. Visitors
Danville Science Center
www.birchcreekmotorsports.com 434.836.7629
can shop for farm fresh produce
Birch Creek attracts bikers from
a concert at the Carrington
www.dsc.smv.org 434.791.5160
around the country. The Park
Pavilion, play with interactive
Making science fun for everyone,
offers a 1.5 mile natural terrain
science exhibits at The Danville
the Danville Science Center gives
AMA-sanctioned motocross track
Science Center, attend some of
people a hands-on experience.
and an ATV TT National track with
the special events or walk/bike
The Center’s exhibits give people
lights. The Park hosts many AMA-
along the Riverwalk Trail.
a chance to interact and learn
at The Community Market, attend
and ATVA-sanctioned events.
Caswell County Civic Center
Yanceyville, NC ccfta.org • 336.694.4591
more about different topics.
The Danville Concert Association
www.danvilleconcert.org 434.792.9242
The museum has one of the few butterfly greenhouses in Virginia, giving you the opportunity to see nature at its best.
Enriching the lives of Danville-area
Since 1979, the Caswell County
residents for 58 years, The Danville
Civic Center, located at the
Concert Association is proud of
intersection of NC 62 and US 158
its legacy of musical excellence.
in Yanceyville, North Carolina,
Every fall it offers affordable
www.danvillesymphony.net 434.797.2666
has set the stage for the civic,
season tickets to a series of four
The Danville Symphony includes
social, and cultural life of the
or five classical music and dance
talented musicians who share
entire Northern Piedmont. With a
performances.
their music through three or four
full-size, professionally equipped
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Danville Symphony Orchestra
yearly free concerts.
Danville Welcome Center
for audiences in the Southside
Come see a top professional live
Virginia/Piedmont North Carolina
show at the beautifully restored
www.visitdanville.com 434.793.4636
region with stage productions,
Historic North Theatre Performing
audience-participation murder
Arts Center in Danville, VA - “The
The Danville Welcome Center
mysteries, comedy, drama, and
Arts, History and Hi Tech Capital
is conveniently located at 645
musicals.
of Southern Virginia.” In 2005 this
River Park Drive across from Dan Daniel Park just off the
beautiful 1947 art deco, live/
Martinsville Speedway
movie theatre underwent a complete $3.5 million restoration.
of the building, its furnishings,
www.martinsvillespeedway.com 1.877.722.3849
and the beautiful view receive
A trip to the Martinsville Speedway is more than a race. It
with a full balcony. In 2012
compliments on a daily basis from visitors, who are treated as
is an experience you will always
“guests.” The staff welcomes all
remember. From the noise of the
and assists them with their travel
fans and the cars whirring around
or purchases from the well-
the track to the food vendors,
stocked gift shop.
souvenir stands, camping, and
Danville Expressway. The design
friendly locals, you will enjoy every
Gretna Little Theatre
www.thegretnatheatre.webs.com 434.656.3377
moment of your visit to the track.
Millionaire’s Row
Little Theatre originally served as
www.visitdanville.com 434.793.4636
a movie theater before being
Danville is home to one of
converted into a grocery store.
the pre-eminent collections
Later a “Dime” store moved into
of Victorian and Edwardian-
the location. In October 2006 the
era architecture in the
Gretna Little Theatre was reborn.
Commonwealth. Millionaire’s Row
Today it meshes the illustrious
is a symbol of Danville’s, and the
history of the theater with a modern
South’s, history. These mansions
touch that makes an enjoyable
are typically not open for public
movie experience for all.
tours; however, the Danville
Built in the mid 1900s,, the Gretna
Welcome Center has a Victorian
The Little Theatre of Danville
www.danvillelittletheatre.org 434.250.0506
Walking Tour brochure, as well as The Secrets Inside brochure with information and contact numbers.
The Little Theatre of Danville, Inc. has created theatrical magic in Southside Virginia since 1948. It has provided entertainment
The Historic North Theatre TheNorthTheatre.com 434.793.SHOW (7469)
This charming venue seats 500 World Champion Illusionist Wayne Alan became the new owner and after additional renovations he reopened it on the 65th Anniversary of the original opening. The theatre hosts top celebrity touring concerts and shows, a number of other productions, festivals and special events, in addition to Mr. Alan’s theatre touring show, Magic of the Masters-The World’s Most Famous Illusions - a modern look at Magic’s Golden Oldies appears there the second Saturday of each month. It is a family friendly big stage magic show with a touch of Broadway, Las Vegas and Branson combined. Meeting & special event facilities available.
Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex Chatham, VA www.theodac.com
The Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex is a multipurpose facility. Continued from page 58
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Area Attractions
Area Attractions
Arts encouraged the formation
the facility includes a welcome
Continued from page 55.
of a statewide network of local
center, a performing arts theatre,
chapters, Piedmont Arts has been
an art gallery, classrooms and
bringing visual arts, performing
a large space for community
arts and arts education to
functions. Today the Prizery
Southern Virginia for over 50
plays host to performers from
years. Piedmont Arts’ galleries
throughout the world in the 250-
feature rotating exhibits of work
seat Chastain Theatre, exhibits art
by national and international
in the Robert F. Cage Art Gallery,
artists. The museum also hosts
provides venues for events and
performing arts on and off site,
rentals, houses a Revolutionary
including concerts, plays and
War exhibit called the Crossing
lectures. Piedmont Arts’ mission is
of the Dan, and makes a wide
to facilitate ongoing enrichment
range of classes available - from
of the lives of the people of
music to art.
It’s mission, through the Olde Dominion Agricultural Foundation, is to promote and support local agriculture while offering a community based facility to educate and entertain. It is a venue for the Virginia Grown Farmers’ Market which features fresh products produced locally within Pittsylvania, Henry, Franklin, Bedford, Campbell, & Halifax counties throughout growing season. The James T. Emerson Education & Conference Center has a maximum capacity of 500 people which can be divided up into three classrooms which accommodate up to 150 people each. The Complex features a 53,000 square foot covered arena that is perfectly suited to host a variety of activities from concerts, antique shows, rodeos, to livestock shows, equestrian events
Martinsville, Henry County and the surrounding area, through positive exposure, education and experiences in the visual and performing arts. Through these efforts, Piedmont Arts also contributes to the economic, educational and cultural vitality
for the The National Tobacco-
center located in a 38,000 square
Textile Museum.
foot building that is listed on
when Virginia Museum of Fine
in Yanceyville, North Carolina. The
and is now the headquarters for
The Prizery is an arts and cultural
County community since 1961,
Gatewood house on Main Street
The Prizery
houses a tobacco exhibit on loan
A part of the Martinsville-Henry
Located in the Graves-Florence-
Museum was the home of the late
South Boston VA prizery.com • 434.572.8339
Martinsville, VA 276.632.3221 www.piedmontarts.org
www.ncccha.org 336.694.4965
of our community.
or cattle sales. And it currently
Piedmont Arts Association
The RichmondMiles Museum
the National Register of Historic Places as part of the South Boston Historic Tobacco Warehouse District, and is considered to be the most architecturally prominent and interesting of the 15 buildings in the 20 acre district. Renovation began in 2002, and
58 CO MEVIS IT O UR T O WN . com • T h e D a n v ille E xperience
Caswell artist, Maude Gatewood, the Caswell County Historical Association.
Riverwalk Trail
www.visitdanville.com 434.793.4636 Giving people the chance to come out and enjoy nature, the Riverwalk Trail is an eight-mile path that exposes you to some of the best views in Danville. The trail will take you through different parks, historic sites, and local businesses.
Schoolfield Museum & Cultural Center
across Virginia and the nation
wide range of racing and riding
for 48 years. The history of South
schools. With its on-site lodging,
434.792.6763 or 434.793.0711
Boston Speedway is legendary
go karts, corporate events,
Located on 917 West Main Street,
as are the legions of drivers who
fine dining, and much more,
the Schoolfield Museum & Cultural
have raced here. Racing begins
VIR has been called America’s
Center is bringing the history of
in April and runs through early
Motorsports Resort. VIR truly has
Schoolfield and Dan River, Inc.
November. South Boston has
something for everyone.
back to life. Located in the old
produced a number of drivers
Dan River Welfare Building, built
who have gone on to find success
in 1917 by Dan River, Inc., the
in NASCAR’S national series.
Museum will amaze those looking for information on the mill, its production, and the Schoolfield area as it grew with the mill.
South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts & History South Boston, VA 434.572.9200 www.sbhcmuseum.org
The museum is operated for the collection, exhibition, and preservation of antiques, works of art, books, and physical items, which are historically significant to the past, present, and future heritage of Halifax County and Southside Virginia. It further
www.vmnh.net 276.634.4141
SVMBA
Southern Virginia Mountain Bike Association
www.svmba.org 434.251.8177 The Southern Virginia Mountain Bike Association is composed of avid mountain-bike enthusiasts. It organizes races for its members and for the public on the Angler’s Ridge Trail System. SVMBA also maintains and improves this challenging trail and continues to make this system the best it can be.
Virginia International Raceway
performs and encourages
www.VIRnow.com 434.822.7700
research, publishes, exhibits,
Just named as one of the “Top
and preserves the results of such
6 Road Courses in the United
research.
States” by Car & Driver magazine,
South Boston Speedway
www.southbostonspeedway.com 434.572.4947 Dubbed “America’s Hometown Track” South Boston Speedway has been attracting drivers from
Virginia Museum of Natural History
VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston. It hosts pro and club car
Located in Martinsville, Virginia and in association with the Smithsonian Institution, the VMNH merges scientific research about the Commonwealth of Virginia with public understanding. With exhibits and education programs for all ages, visitors can travel back in time and get lost in Virginia’s natural heritage.
Wreck of the Old 97 www.visitdanville.com 434.793.4636
This famous train wreck, which was commemorated by a popular folk song, happened in Danville. There is an historic marker located on Route 58 to mark the approximate location of this train wreck of September 27, 1903. Excessive speed was blamed for the disaster that killed eleven men and injured six others.
and motorcycle races and a
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Kare Pharmacy The Apothecary –
Since opening over thirty years ago, Kare Pharmacy has grown from a small retail pharmacy to Southside Virginia’s premier local source for compounded medications. Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing personalized medications for patients. Compounded medications are “made from scratch” with individual ingredients mixed together in the exact strength and dosage form required by the patient. This method allows the compounding pharmacist to work with the patient and the prescriber to customize a medication to meet the patient’s specific needs. Kare’s compounding pharmacist, Prakash Suthar, and technicians have been specially trained and receive continuing education in sterile and non-sterile compounding through the Professional Compounding Centers of America. Prakash graduated from the University
of Wisconsin at Madison pharmacy program. He opened up The Medicine Shoppe in 1984, which later became Kare Pharmacy in 2004. From 1996 to 2005, Prakash owned and operated Tejay Pharmaceuticals in Africa, which manufactured sterile eye drops and injectables and distributed them throughout Zambia and Malawi. He got into compounding to meet his patients’ needs, specifically parents who had difficulty administering medication to their young children. Countless therapeutic possibilities exist when medications can be customized to meet the unique needs of a specific patient. Kare’s compounding pharmacy solves patient medication problems by using the highest grade of ingredients from FDA inspected and regulated facilities to formulate needed medications in the optimal strength and dosage for each patient.
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Some still may wonder why compounding is preferable to traditional pharmaceuticals. There are several factors to consider. Transdermal formulations, for example, may offer significant advantages to traditional dosage forms. When a patient has difficulty swallowing, Kare can often formulate the needed drug as a transdermal gel or cream that will facilitate drug absorption through the skin. “Because each patient and his or her problems are unique, there is no monotony in compounding. Customization means every day is different and I welcome that challenge,” Suthar says. Kare’s patient care coordinator Jennifer Arnold, who has worked for many years in retail pharmacy, enjoys the uniqueness of working in the compounding division. “Compounding allows me to be a problem solver,” she says. “We are able to work with the patient and prescriber until we reach the best possible outcome for the patient. This allows us to form greater and more meaningful relationships with our patients and local providers.” With a dedicated staff and a commitment to excellent customer service, it’s no wonder that Kare Pharmacy has remained a fixture in the Danville region for thirty years. Their compounding services put them on the forefront of medical advancement and serve as a great resource for people in Southside Virginia.
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The Dan River Business Development Center Where Dreams Become Reality:
Danville and Pittsylvania County are fortunate to have a state-of-theart, world-class business incubator. A collaborative effort of the city and county governments, The Dan River Business Development Center (DRBDC) has helped hundreds of businesses acclimate themselves to the economic environment of Southern Virginia while offering national quality tools and assistance. In 2008, DRBDC earned the honor of being named one of the top US mixed use incubators by the National Business Incubation Association. DRBC was the only US finalist for the NBIA Incubator of the Year Awards. Recognized as the United States’ sixth International Soft Landings Incubator by NBIA, DRBDC joined five other US incubators and
six international ones that attained this certification from among more than 5,000 incubators worldwide. The DRBDC is the only east coast incubator south of Maryland, to attain this designation, signifying the DRBDC as the best location for an international business to incubate their US operations. More importantly, the DRBDC nurtures opportunities for entrepreneurs in this region. It is about supporting the climate of innovation and rewarding the efforts and results of these businesses.
developers to support business development and success. Companies have received equity financing, research and development grants, and gained cash flow from increased markets and sales. Ultimately it is the recognition that supporting entrepreneurship is good business that is the key to this success. Providing the right resources to assist the companies and creating an environment for them to succeed has garnered the commitment and support from the region.
History of Success
Startup Support
With an eighty-two percent success rate of companies surviving after they “graduate” from center services and support, the DRBDC is poised to continue to work with local economic
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A few of these partners and assets are highlighted below. • The Riverview Rotary Resource Library housed at the DRBDC, provides Internet access, books, manuals and periodicals
•
•
•
•
•
for aspiring entrepreneurs and tenants – it is open to the public from 8-5 Monday through Friday. The Kauffman Foundation NewVenture, TechVenture, and GrowthVenture peerto-peer programs are delivered in conjunction with mentors, coaches and advisors from across the region. A yearly business plan competition for companies to vet their business plans and performing the due diligence and presentation coaching necessary to assist them not only with the award process, but also with equity presentations suitable for Angel and Venture Capital financing or commercial lenders. Procurement assistance from the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprises (internal tenant) who assists companies in Small and Women and Minority Business Certification used for contracting benefits in the Commonwealth of Virginia along with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance support in Electronic Virginia registration (eVa). Business planning and market feasibility assistance from the Southside Business Technology Center, one of the fastest growing nonprofit business consulting firms in the state (internal tenant). SBA Financing assistance and small business assistance from the Longwood Small Business Development Center.
Benefits of Joining the DRBDC • Affordable rents including utilities, ** parking, security, and janitorial services • Receptionist and facilitybased services • Conference/training rooms and lunch room • Equipment for use on a shared basis (photocopier, fax, computer, and more)* • Access to skills and support of the DRBDC staff
• Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce’s Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame is hosted at the center as a tribute to emerging and enduring entrepreneurs across the region. These award winners represent the entrepreneurial successes and opportunities of the region and their photos are hung proudly on the center walls – inspiring hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs who read abstracts of their inspirational success. • Mentors, advisors, coaches, volunteers and donors work to support the tenants and
• High speed internet access* • Networking opportunities with other DRBDC tenants • Library/Resource Center • Secretarial support billed on a per-hour basis • Central mail handling area • Audio and visual equipment * An additional fee (based on usage) is charged for this service ** Not included in industrial spaces
ensure entrepreneurial successes, and tenants support one another in a strong network of local entrepreneurs. It is clear that the region has embraced the importance of successful entrepreneurs as a key to the economic transformation and revitalization of the local economy. It is equally transparent that the local entrepreneurs will reward the region with increased jobs, revenues that result in capital investments and innovation that creates new opportunities and growth across the region.
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The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) welcomes you to Southern Virginia. As an area that has been hit hard with the loss of jobs in the tobacco, furniture and textiles industries, it is imperative that we work to rebuild our economy. With this in mind, IALR has set a mission to serve as a regional catalyst for economic transformation. Its core focus areas include research that provides a clear path to commercialization, advanced learning opportunities where education meets experience, and economic development through conferencing and a partnership with the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance. IALR’s service region includes the counties of Patrick, Franklin, Henry, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. See how you can contribute to strengthen one or more of IALR’s focus areas:
Research
The Center for Sustainable and Renewable Resources (CSRR) serves as IALR’s plant science research division. CSRR focuses on biorenewable plants, high-value ornamentals and agricultural crops, along with the development of natural products. IALR offers a range of technical services for business and industry through the use of its well-equipped biology labs. The facilities and knowledge base allows CSRR to provide critical expertise for new plant species, plant-derived bio-
product development and natural product development under collaborative research, contract research or fee-forservice scenarios. IALR’s polymers and chemistry division features more than 4,000 square feet of dedicated lab space for the characterization, analysis, development and manufacture of materials. IALR’s work in polymers and chemistry is aimed at serving the needs of existing industry and entrepreneurs. Contract work began this past year with a variety of existing industries in both analytical and testing capacities. Traditional polymers, bio-based materials, newly developed nanomaterials, and composites are all areas of interest for future work.
Advanced Learning
The Advanced Learning department provides Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning opportunities for people of all ages throughout Southern Virginia. From summer camps for K-12 students, college internships, a lab loaner program for local educators and computer training workshops, IALR provides multiple programs to build the region’s STEM capacity and support lifelong learning. The department also hosts the annual Southern Virginia STEM-H Summit which had over 340 attendees at last year’s event. The Summit brings together
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regional stakeholders around the focus of creating the next generation of innovators through collaborations among K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, businesses, and community organizations. In addition, the Advanced Learning department is proud to provide the region with the STEM Mobile Learning Lab which advances K-12 STEM education by providing quality, hands-on activities for students. The STEM Mobile Learning Lab visited 115 sites, offering 431 programs to 8,434 participants, including visits to over 40 local elementary schools during the last fiscal year.
Conference Center
IALR’s Conference Center is the doorway to IALR for most people visiting the building for the first time. The breathtaking facility offers 25,000 square feet of meeting space including an 8,400 square foot flexible Great Hall, a 135-seat tiered surround sound Executive Auditorium and a beautiful glass Atrium. From executive and professional training, to workshops, trade shows, receptions, day long and multi-day conferences, IALR has options that will satisfy any event needs. Several noteworthy meetings and conferences from this past year include the Virginia State Bar Small Firm Conference, Master Gardner’s Conference, Launch Place Entrepreneurial Competition and the Garden Club of Virginia’s Board of Governors Meeting. The Conference Center also hosts IALR’s annual Decorating the Trees for a Cause program, a non-profit program sponsored by IALR that raises money for local causes and charities while bringing the community together in the spirit of the holidays. With over forty trees displayed in IALR’s atrium representing local businesses, charities and causes, such as God’s Storehouse, God’s Pit
Crew and the Boys and Girls Club, IALR has raised over $16,000 for local charities since the program began. In partnership with Sodexo, IALR’s full-service catering staff, IALR also has its own restaurant, Megabytes. Megabytes is a healthy alternative that is open weekdays, serving breakfast and lunch and features a hot buffet. The buffet menu changes daily and always offers a vegetarian option. Check out IALR’s website for the daily menus.
Economic Development
In 2013, IALR solidified its commitment to economic development by becoming a partner organization with the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA). Through this partnership, IALR is helping SVRA strengthen its presence in the region and to continue to promote Southern Virginia as a great place to do business both nationally and globally. IALR and SVRA have worked to strengthen relationships with other economic development organizations in the state such as the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Mid-Atlantic Broadband, the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, and the Port of Virginia. Over the course of the past fiscal year, SVRA has represented Southern Virginia in numerous industry tradeshows and site selection conferences, and continues to host prospective companies, consultants, and representatives of partner organizations on tours of the region. For more information on IALR, including our calendar of events, visit www.ialr.org.
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The Classic Diners Straight from a 50’s Movie
3, 6, 9, 12, 15, hot dogs, etc. Old-time politician, Thomas R. Marshall, said, “What this country needs is a good fivecent cigar!” I haven’t found that five-cent cigar and really don’t want to, but based on the division of $1.49 by 3, I found a very, very good 50-cent hot dog at Dairy Hart — well, three of them, to be specific. And they didn’t last very long at all.
Two Classic Diners are located caddy-corner from each other on Riverside Drive.
Dairy Hart
A Yanceyville friend, David Shatterly, told me about the dog days of winter — not some meteorological phenomenon, but a hot dog special (three for $1.49) at Danville’s Dairy Hart Restaurant on Riverside Drive. Arriving there on a Saturday in February, I saw what looked like an institution from the 1950s still thriving! Cars filled the lot necessitating parking on a side street. The simple, white-painted cinderblock building reminded me of places where my father would take me as a child for a hamburger, hot dog, or barbecue sandwich. I noticed a mounted speaker outside. True to the “hart” theme (a “heart” in which the “e” is more than just silent — it’s invisible), the windows were decorated with red hearts, apparently once part of Valentine’s Day cards or decorations. There were also glittery hearts, a picture of a Teddy Bear with hearts, and the cryptic xoxox.
After placing my hot dog order with a sweet-faced lady, I stepped aside and waited. Many others waited, but everyone seemed pleasant on that unusually warm, upper 50s, mid-winter day. Several ladies asked if I had been waited on, not wanting to accidentally jump place in line. One man ordered 15 hotdogs and said that it was nice to be able to treat his employees; for him, a good deal turned into a good deed. One lady shouted from her car to someone in line, “Get three more for the babies!” (hopefully kids but probably puppies). Another man leaned into the ordering window and hollered to a cook, “I bet hot dogs are the only thing they’ve got you making all day!” The loudspeaker was called into action for announcing the order numbers to the great assembled lot. The special, 3 hotdogs/$1.49, seemed to turn a ten-based monetary system into one based on three and its multiples, as per the orders:
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Heart Line Restaurant
For the past 24 years, Debra Parker, owner and operator of the Heart Line Restaurant on Riverside Drive, has awakened at 3:00 a.m. By 6:00 a.m. she has coffee ready for her early-morning regulars. They sometimes wait in their cars for the restaurant to open and sometimes Debra surprises them with steaming cups delivered curbside. No wonder her customers are loyal. And they are hungry. Debra’s customers consume at least a thousand eggs a week. Scrambled eggs sizzle on the grill while Debra whips up more eggs and tosses in cinnamon and some sugar grabbed from the countertop to make French toast; simultaneously, she carries on at least two conversations, hugs three customers, and oversees the cash register. The breakfast crowd moves on; lunchtime arrives and the menu switches to plate lunches. Roast beef is a favorite, but again, eggs reign supreme. The Heart Line is famous for its Western Cheesy Burger consisting of a cheeseburger topped with bacon and a scrambled egg. Wow! What’s not to like? Good home cooking is more than a slogan. Many
of the ingredients come from Debra’s garden. Her chicken vegetable soup is stocked from it; her 14day pickles made from the home-grown cucumbers are the key ingredient in her chicken salad; every summer she freezes turnip greens to use throughout the year. Furthermore, many of Debra’s recipes come from family traditions; she still uses several that are in her grandmother’s handwriting. Debra fondly remembers staying in the kitchen with her to help cook while the rest of the family worked in the tobacco fields. Debra is willing to share some of these recipes, like her chicken salad that uses only white meat, celery, mayonnaise, and her 14-day pickles; on the other hand, others are secret. The only clue she will give to someone trying to imitate the customerfavorite spaghetti sauce is to say, “It sits for two days.” Every day, family and friends fill the restaurant. Not surprisingly it is frequently the scene of prom pictures, celebrations, and day-ofbirth progress reports. Most employees are related to Debra. In fact, her mother used to work for her. On one busy day, Debra snapped out an order to her. Her mother complied, but when the rush was over, she quietly asked to speak to Debra privately. Then, using that voice reserved for mommas only, Mother said, “Don’t you ever talk to me that way again,” and gave Debra a little smack. Debra smiles at the memory; nevertheless, she never forgot the instruction. Her mother’s portrait graces the wall with the just-forfun caption, “Beware of
Attack Waitress.” Currently, Debra’s daughter-in-law, Penny Jordan, is training to be the new manager; grandson Chris Trammell is the nighttime dishwasher. When granddaughter Kala Reynolds was a little girl, she would go from table to table with an order pad and pretend to be a waitress. Now that she is a teenager, Kala fills in as a cashier. Additionally, one of Debra’s best friends, Krista Jones, who is the prep person, is famous for her pleasant voice on the phone when people call in orders; Vickie Draine, another best friend, has been Debra’s “right-hand morning person” for 20 years. The restaurant is one of the oldest eateries in Danville. In 1957, Hassel T. Boaze, a disabled veteran, appeared on the popular TV quiz show Strike It Rich. He and the other contestants told heartwrenching stories and tried to win money by answering questions and make their dreams become reality. Although Boaze worked for Merita Bread, he aspired to own a restaurant. He didn’t win any cash on the show, but the emcee opened the Heart Line — a phone line for viewers who wished to donate
to the cause. In response to his story, funds, supplies and equipment — everything from the grill to the booths — were contributed; a Star Laundry branch that had occupied the building relocated; the show’s emcee, Warren Hull, visited to cut the grandopening ribbon and the Heart Line Restaurant, named in honor of the Strike It Rich Heart Line, was inaugurated. Unfortunately, Boaze died shortly after the opening. Since then, the Heart Line has had several owners, including Hubert and Peggy Hamilton who owned it for 30 years. On February 12, 1990, when she was only 24 years old, Debra bought the Heart Line. Although she has needed to make some changes — including climbing onto the roof to fix a leak — she has preserved the Heart Line’s character. For instance, she still cooks on the original grill. She admits that it could stand replacing, but it is part of the restaurant’s tradition. The regular customers still come in daily and newcomers are always welcome. As for Debra, despite the hard work and arduous schedule, she says, “I can’t imagine waking up every day and not being here.”
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EARN YOUR DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND RIGHT HERE IN DANVILLE. Our Weekend College program at Danville Community College works with your busy personal and professional life. And your budget. Attend class Friday evenings and Saturdays at DCC. Enjoy classes with real-world applications. Take one highly- concentrated course at a time. And pay just $430 per semester hour. New cohorts start each August.
spcs.richmond.edu/weekend
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The First Winery/Brewery in Virginia It all started on a random Halloween decades ago. Julie Brown calls it “calculated serendipity.” Ethan Brown refers to it as “destiny.” Overlooking that minor difference, the couple agrees that the reason they opened Virginia’s first co-existing winery/brewery on Danville’s Trade Street is because, “The universe was talking to us and we just had to listen.” Flashback to 1978, when Julie’s mom, Caren Jefferson, made Halloween witch costumes for Julie and her sister, Andrea (Andee) Geiger, and a picture was taken of the two youngsters. When
dad, Marvin Jefferson, saw the image, he immediately said, “If I ever start a vineyard, I’m going to name it 2 Witches.” Julie continues the story: “Dad always dreamed of owning a vineyard so after he retired, he bought 29 acres in Pittsylvania County with that in mind.” In 2009, Marvin put his Master Gardener skills to the test when he planted an acre of Traminette grapes and another of Cabernet Sauvignon. The first year of maturity was 2011. Ethan elaborates, “We immediately realized that the relationship between the vineyard and the winery was very intimate.
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Once the crop is harvested it must be processed quickly because the grapes start to rot. That’s when we got the idea of starting a winery to process our own grapes.” Small tanks were purchased and a few gallons of wine were successfully produced. It was originally assumed that the winery, with a tasting room, would be located near the vineyard in Callands, but then Julie stumbled across some articles about urban wineries — operations within the city limits that produce small amounts of wine. She realized that customers would visit 2 Witches Winery near
Riverside Drive more often than if it were 20 miles away on a country road. “At the same time, we saw craft breweries popping up all over the country,” Ethan adds. Knowing that wine-making is a long, slow process and producing beer is quicker, the next question seemed obvious, “What if we make beer as well?” In 2012, the ABC Board started allowing breweries to sell beer without food sales, so all the pieces for a nano brewery (under 300 barrels a year) and a farm winery within the city limits came together for the developing family business. “We thought about locating in the River District, but we are a farm winery and must have land for a few trees and vines to grow,” Julie says pointing to the apple trees and grapevines thriving in
the area beside the building near the Dan River. The fruit that is grown in town will be added to what is produced in Callands. The opening of the business culminated five years of hard work in the vineyard cultivating grapes, at the winery/brewery making the beverages, and behind the desk doing the necessary paper work. Commenting on the years of work preceding opening date, Julie says, “We are manufacturing a substance controlled by federal and state regulations so we had to make sure everything was legally correct.” The beer can be consumed in April; the apple and strawberry wines will be ready this summer, but the red wine will take longer to mature. Ethan quips with a
smile on his face, “You want your beer fresh and your wine old.” The married couple with two sons sees this venture as an opportunity to help Danville and part of their retirement plan in the distant future. In the meantime, Julie will continue as the Director of Advanced Learning at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research; Ethan will stay at Sartomer as their technical manager. That is, of course, unless the universe has another idea. • 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company is located at 209 Trade Street in the former Gingerbread House Garden Center. • For more information, call 434.549.BREW (2739) or visit www.2witcheswinebrew.com
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Have all of the fun delivered to your door Want to keep up with all of the great fun Danville Parks and Recreation is having? Sign up to receive the quarterly “City Currents” program brochure in your mail for FREE. Fill out the form below and return it to: Russell Carter c/o Danville Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 3300 Danville, VA 24543 Or, email your name and address to Russell at carterr@danvilleva.gov. Be sure to include “Our Town Magazine Offer” in the email. Name: Address: City: State:
Zip:
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Table of Content Alleviate Stress in 2015 with a Happier and Healthier Mindset...........80
Women’s heart attack symptoms can differ from men’s......................88
Tips For Caregivers.........82
How to Give Yourself a Cardiac Makeover........89
Amazing Facts About The Human Heart...........85 Venous Disease..............86
Do dietary supplements offer benefits for good health?..................90
Foods With Healthy Reputations.....................92 Understanding Cholesterol......................94 6 steps to control your blood pressure.......96 Medical Directory..........97
Contact Numbers..........91 The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOWN .com 79
Alleviate Stress in 2015
with a Happier and Healthier Mindset With the New Year underway, people everywhere are working to maintain their resolutions – to lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking, spend more time with family and friends, etc. These resolutions are the foundations for what will make you happier and healthier in 2015. Researchers have found that happiness can have a positive impact on your health including increased longevity, decreased risk of heart disease, boosted immunity and lessened chance
of depression. In addition, happy people can cope with and more quickly recover from stressful situations. Studies also show that happy people produce lower levels of cortisol – the chemical associated with anxiety and stress that can be linked to a variety of illnesses including obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. “We want people in the region to be healthier in 2015,” said Dr.
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Sydney Harris, Internal Medicine Associates. “Having a positive attitude can have a major impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. By eating right, exercising, getting regular checkups, or making other positive changes – you can alleviate stress and become a happier and healthier person.” Below are 10 lifestyle strategies that can help you reduce stress and brighten your outlook on life:
2. Make Exercise a Priority. When you exercise, your body produces endorphins – a chemical that amplifies feelings of happiness and relaxation. 3. Eat Well. What you eat directly impacts your mood and energy levels. To maximize the benefits, you should eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains every day. 4. Spend Time Outside. Regular and safe exposure to the sun helps energize your body by producing vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D are linked to depression. 5. Get Enough Sleep. People who get the right amount of sleep are more productive, happier and have more selfesteem. 6. Form Long-Term Relationships. Humans are social beings and relationships are fundamental to our happiness. Confiding in and listening to a trustworthy, long-term friend can help improve your physical health and lessen your risk of depression. 7. Perform Small Acts of Kindness. Doing something good for others not only benefits those you help, but you reap benefits as well. It feels good – and triggers the reward center in your brain – when you help someone else. 8. Be Optimistic. Having a positive outlook on life has
Laughter is good medicine Laughter combined with positive thinking is a prescription for good health. Research shows laughter relaxes the entire body, relieving physical tension and stress for up to 45 minutes. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases infection-fighting antibodies. Endorphins that promote an overall sense of well-being and relieve pain can be released from a hearty bout of laughter. Furthermore, laughter can increase blood flow throughout the body, which protects against hypertension and heart attack. a variety of health benefits, including an overall sense of gladness and a higher tolerance for pain. 9. Break Bad Habits. Everyone has a bad habit – whether it’s smoking, or the tendency to procrastinate. By exerting selfcontrol and breaking these habits, you will become a happier and healthier person. 10.Take Preventative Health Seriously. A doctor isn’t someone to see only when you’re sick. Doctors also provide services that help
keep you healthy. By getting regular checkups, shots and screenings, you can ensure that you’re on the right track to living a long, healthy life. By embracing these strategies, 2015 can be a less stressful, happier and healthier year. Be sure to visit Danville Regional Medical Center for regular health screenings and check for stress-related illnesses including depression, diabetes and high blood pressure, among others. Danville Regional Medical Center wishes everyone a happy and healthy new year.
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1. Appreciate Life’s Simple Pleasures. People who appreciate the little things, like an evening sunset or a friendly pet, are more likely to find joy in all aspects of life.
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Tips For Caregivers
member if you suddenly cannot reach the cancer patient. Introduce yourself to your loved one’s next-door neighbor or meet a close friend who lives nearby that you can contact should your friend or family member prove difficult to reach.
Make a List of Medications and Update it Regularly Cancer patients often take certain medications as part of their treatment and recovery, and caregivers should make a list of these medications, periodically updating the list as the treatment and recovery process progresses.
Make Sure Your Loved One has a Cell Phone
Caring for a friend or family member who has cancer is not easy. It can be even more difficult when the caregiver does not live with them. Someone you know and love has just been diagnosed with cancer and you want to help. You may not think of yourself as a caregiver. You may see what you’re doing as something natural - taking care of someone you love. The American Cancer Society offers the following tips to help men and women entrusted with caring for a cancer stricken friend or family member.
Make Sure Your Loved One’s Home is Safe When you get the chance to visit your loved one’s home, make the most of that visit and ensure his or her home is safe. If the illness has made things more difficult around the house, address any of these issues before you return home. Patients who
receive chemotherapy are often weakened after treatment, so it can help to install some grab bars in the bathroom or purchase a shower seat to reduce the risk of falling in the shower. In addition, make sure handrails inside and outside the home are secure. If they’re loose, tighten them so they provide adequate support.
Clean Up Around the House Cancer patients may also be too weak to keep up with their chores around the house. A dirty home can be depressing to men and women battling cancer, so clean up around the house to brighten the home and reduce the risk of an insect or rodent infestation.
Be Ready for a Crisis No one wants to imagine a situation in which his or her loved one suffering from cancer has an emergency, but caregivers need to do just that. Have someone you can count on nearby to check on your friend or family
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Though it might seem hard to believe, some people, especially the elderly, still do not have cellular phones. When serving as a caregiver, it’s imperative that you can easily and routinely reach your cancer-stricken friend or relative. Cancer treatment might make it difficult for him or her to get to a land line, so be sure he or she has a cell phone that he or she can carry with them at all times. Program important numbers, including your own number, as well as his or her physician’s and a neighbor’s or nearby relative’s number, into the phone.
Stay in Touch with the Patient’s Physician While a physician might not be able to share all the details of your loved one’s condition, you can keep in touch with him or her to stay abreast of how the treatment and recovery process is going. A physician can help you tailor your caregiving to best manage the patient’s needs, adjusting that plan as the treatment and recovery process evolves.
You can spend hours online searching for the right hotel or reviews of a great vacation spot – But how do you choose your doctor?
Finally a tool that guides you in finding the right doctor . Routine mammograms, controlling seasonal allergies, the risk of heart disease… when you need a doctor, where do you start? Finding the right doctor is one of the most important things you will do for yourself and your family. Don’t leave such an important decision to chance or a random GoogleTM search. Call today and our our experts will help you find the right services to fit your needs perfectly.
When an apple a day isn’t enough! Call 1-800-424-DOCS (3627) today for a personal consultation.
For additional information, please visit our website:
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A heart attack can be a real pain in the neck (as well as the arm, back, jaw or stomach). Heart Attack Symptoms • Discomfort in the center of the chest – uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. • Discomfort in the upper body including one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. • Shortness of breath. • Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
Many people think a heart attack is a sudden and intense stabbing pain in the center of the chest. But the truth is that many heart attacks start slowly, as a pain or discomfort in other parts of the body. Symptoms may even come and go. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Learn the symptoms of a heart attack. If you feel heart attack symptoms, do not delay. Call 911 immediately. Remember, minutes matter! Should you need emergency heart attack care, Danville Regional provides comprehensive heart care, right here in Danville. Through Danville’s affiliation with Duke Medicine, a leader in defining emergency heart care standards, DRMC’s care is based on national standards and guided by Duke Medicine. DRMC’s cardiovascular services include open heart and valve surgery, lung and vascular procedures, diagnostic and treatment catheterizations, pacemaker and automated defibrillator insertion and management, multiple cardiac diagnostic imaging services, and cardiac rehabilitation.
February is Heart Month
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Every Valentine’s Day homes and businesses dress up the decor with cupids and hearts to celebrate a day all about love and affection. The heart shape, symbolizing love, has been used to symbolically represent the human heart as the center of emotion and romantic love since the Middle Ages. Those familiar with human anatomy realize that an actual heart bares very little resemblance to the ideo-graphic heart shape used in art and imagery. Similarly, the human heart really has nothing to do with human emotions. Despite this, there are many interesting components of the heart, and a man or woman truly cannot love or live without one. The heart as an organ is relatively small in size. It is roughly the size of a fist and weighs only 11 ounces on average. Although diminutive, the heart is responsible for pumping 2,000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels each day. It accomplishes this by beating 72 times a minute in a healthy adult. All of the cells in the body receive blood except for the corneas in the eye. The heart works harder than any other muscle in the body. In a fetus, it begins beating at four weeks after conception and will not stop until a person’s time of death. Even then, sometimes the heart can be revived. A heart can also continue to beat outside of the body provided it has an adequate oxygen supply. Although many people refer to all of the blood vessels in their body as “veins,” they’re actually a combination of veins and arteries. Veins carry fresh, oxygenated blood to the body through arteries. The main artery leaving the left heart ventricle is called the aorta, while the main
Amazing Facts About
The Human Heart
artery leaving the right ventricle is known as the pulmonary artery. Blood traveling back to the heart flows through veins after it has passed the lungs to pick up oxygen. The thumping noise that is heard while the heart is beating is actually the chambers of the heart closing and opening as blood flows through. While the heart may not be the cornerstone of emotions, it can be affected by feelings. Studies have shown that a “broken heart” is a real occurrence, according to Live Science. Bad news or a breakup with a loved one can put a person at increased risk for heart attack. This type of trauma releases stress hormones into the body that can stun the heart. Chest pain and shortness of breath ensue but can be remedied after some rest. Although having a big heart typically means that a person is
loving and goes out of their way for others, physically speaking, a big heart is unhealthy. An enlarged heart can be a sign of heart disease and compromise the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. Left untreated, it can lead to heart failure. The heart is an amazing organ responsible for sustaining life. Although it is not directly tied to love and emotions, without the heart such feelings wouldn’t be possible. Did You Know? Laughter and positive feelings can be beneficial for the heart. Research has shown that a good laughing fit can cause the lining of the blood vessel walls — called the endothelium — to relax. This helps increase blood flow for up to 45 minutes afterward. Source: Metro Creative Connection
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However for some people, untreated varicose veins can even result in skin ulcers and blood clots requiring intensive medical care.
Venous Insufficiency
Over 40 million Americans suffer daily with painful, swollen legs as a result of venous disease. This condition is the result of faulty valves in the veins and is called Venous Insufficiency. In a healthy vein, there are one way valves that allow the blood to move toward the heart, but not away. In a diseased vein, these valves do not work properly, allowing the blood to fall downward in between heartbeats. This back and forth motion of blood leads to an increased venous blood pressure resulting in inflammation of the tissues around the vein. This inflammation can cause leg pain, swelling, bulging varicose veins, heaviness, restlessness, cramps, skin discoloration, numbness, tingling, ulcers, Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots. Left untreated, this condition only worsens over time.
Spider Veins
Venous Disease What you should know about Varicose and Spider Veins It is estimated that about twenty percent of adults suffer needlessly from venous disease and only about three percent of those with venous disease have been treated. In an ongoing effort to expand needed services, Danville Regional Medical Center has established the Vein Center to diagnose and treat venous disease.
Varicose and spider veins occur when blood being pumped back to the heart pools inside a vein, causing congestion and enlargement of the vein. Typically, varicose veins are swollen, dark purple or blue and often look like large ropes or a cluster of grapes. Spider veins are small thread like veins resembling a spider web, that lie close to the skin. They can be unsightly and sometimes can cause leg cramps and swelling.
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Spider veins are a result of dilated venous capillaries that fill with blood and become visible. These are not considered harmful and are often treated for cosmetic reasons. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into the spider vein, which causes the vein wall to seal shut, therefore stopping the blood flow. The vein will turn to scar tissue and fade away over a period of weeks.
Risk Factors
Heredity is the number one risk factor for venous disease. If your parents had varicose veins, you have an 89% chance of developing them. Next to
Venous Disease Symptoms
Some symptoms of venous disease include: • varicose veins, restless legs and venous ulcers; • aching, fatigue or heaviness in legs; • throbbing or burning leg pain; and/or • cramping, swelling and numbness in leg.
Treatment
The treatment for this disorder is called endovenous thermal ablation. This is a minimally invasive procedure where a catheter is inserted into the diseased vein by way of a small (2-3mm) incision. Heat is applied to the vein walls causing it to close. Your body then naturally re-routes the blood through other healthy veins. The procedure is done under local anesthetic and is covered by most insurance carriers, including Medicare. Patients walk out of the vein center and return to their normal activities the same day. Danville Regional’s Vein Center offers free screenings throughout the year. If you are suffering form leg discomfort, join us for a free screening. Go to www.DanvilleRegional.com to view upcoming screenings or call the Vein Center at 434.799.4411.
Self-Assessment If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may be at risk for venous disease, and it is recommended that you consult a physician.
• Blood Clots • Neuropathy
1. Do you have bulging varicose veins?
4. Do you sit or stand for long periods of time?
2. Do you experience any of the following? • Leg pain or swelling • Burning or itching skin • Heavy, tired, or restless legs • Skin discolorations • Open ulcers on legs • Restless Leg Syndrome • Leg cramps
5. Have you had multiple pregnancies?
3. Have any family members had varicose veins or been treated for vein disorders?
*This self-assessment is not a substitute for medical advice and care from your physician. Please see your physician if you have leg pain, numbness or discomfort.
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heredity is gender. Women, especially those that have had multiple pregnancies, are three times more likely than men to develop venous disorders. Additionally, professions that require long periods of sitting or standing, increase one’s risk for venous disease. Age is also a risk factor. While older people are at a higher risk for venous disease, it can start as early as childhood.
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Symptoms of a heart attack can include radiating pain down the arm and tightness in the chest. While these may be universally recognized symptoms of heart attack in men, new studies have shown such symptoms are not necessarily what women can expect if they’re having a heart attack. Research indicates women may experience symptoms quite different from men when it comes to heart attacks. Dismissing the symptoms of a heart attack can delay life-saving actions. It is critical for women to recognize warning signs. Even when signs are subtle, the results can be fatal. The American Heart Association notes that a heart attack occurs when blood flow that brings oxygen-rich blood to the heart is slowed down or cut off. Arteries that supply blood flow to the heart may gradually become blocked by cholesterol, fat and plaque. The National Institutes of Health indicate women often experience new or unusual physical symptoms as early as a month before experiencing a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms in women may not be as predictable as in men, however there are still important signs to consider:
Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms
Can Differ From Men’s If a woman experiences any of the above symptoms and suspects a heart attack, it is better to be safe than sorry. The American Heart Association recommends those who think they may be having a heart attack to first call 9-1-1, listen to the operator’s instructions, and if the operator tells you to take aspirin, have him or her make sure you do not have an allergy or a condition that makes using it too risky.” Aspirin will prevent platelets
Women’s symptoms to consider: If you believe you are having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Women’s symptoms may not be as predictable as men’s, but there are still some signs to consider: • sweating, • pressure in the chest and back that may feel like a rope being tightened around the body,
• nausea, • pain in the back, neck, jaw or stomach, • shortness of breath without having exerted yourself, • lightheadedness, • chest pain may be present, but fewer than 30 percent of women actually experience any pain in their chest, • unusual fatigue, • indigestion, and/or • sleep disturbances.
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in the blood from clotting and further blocking an affected artery. This prevents any other heart muscle cells from dying from a clot obstruction. If you suspect you are having a heart attack, do not drive yourself to the hospital. Wait for paramedics or have someone else drive if you have no other choice. Lie down and try to remain as calm as possible until emergency responders arrive. Be somewhere safe in case you lose consciousness and have the door unlocked so that EMTs can get inside your home should you lose consciousness. One of the best ways to remain healthy with regard to heart attack is to take certain preventative measures to reduce your risk of heart attack. Quitting smoking, walking 30 minutes per day and choosing foods that are lower in fat and dietary cholesterol can help prevent heart attacks.
How to Give Yourself a
Cardiac Makeover It’s not cancer, accidents or even old age — the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States is cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attack and stroke. The good news is that this killer is highly preventable and controllable. By taking the right steps and working closely with your doctor, you can help prevent heart attack and stroke at any age. Bestselling author Dr. Michael Ozner, a board-certified cardiologist, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and of the American Heart Association, and medical director of Wellness and Prevention at Baptist Health South Florida, knows when it comes to your heart, a proactive approach is best. Here are some tips to help you start your own cardiac makeover:
Eat the Mediterranean Way A Mediterranean diet is ideal for heart health because it mainly consists of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish and poultry. It is low in saturated fat and contains more of the healthy fats that support heart function. When embracing a heart-healthy diet, it’s also
best to limit sugar, salt, red meat, trans fats or processed foods.
Drink to Heart Health If you drink alcohol, the key is to do so in moderation. Consume no more than one drink for a woman and two drinks for a man in a 24hour period. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of spirits.
Catch Heart Health with Fish Oil Fish oil supplements are clinically proven to support cardiovascular health. Since the typical American doesn’t consume enough omega-3s from healthy food sources, a quality fish oil is the best option to ensure adequate intake. Remember, not all fish oil supplements are created equal - when shopping, get a certificate of analysis from the company and compare results for purity, freshness and potency. For example, Nordic Naturals provides this information to customers, which includes guidelines from leading organizations on toxins, oxidation and heavy metals.
Know Your Biomarkers A biomarker is generally anything that can be used as an indicator of a particular disease state and is used to measure the progress of disease or the effects
of treatment. Comprehensive blood tests by a health care professional reveal important biomarkers that can help you understand your heart health and where to make improvements. Biomarkers go beyond standard cholesterol tests to reveal hidden risks. When it comes to heart health, knowledge is power, and when you and your doctor know your biomarkers, you both can come up with an intervention and therapy plan to correct any abnormalities.
Step Up for Heart Health Make it your goal to walk 10,000 steps each day — the equivalent of 60 minutes of moderateintensity exercise. Track your progress with a pedometer. It can become addictive to check that little device and see the number increase. If you’re not very physically active, start slow and work your way up. Start by walking at least 30 minutes per day and boost your steps by walking during your lunch break, taking the stairs rather than the elevator, and walking in place while watching TV.
Melt Away Stress Stress is an enemy of heart health, but we all know that it’s difficult to avoid stress completely. That’s why it’s important to understand your personal stress triggers and learn new ways to manage them. Retrain your mind to see daily stressors for what they are and learn to calm yourself down in healthy ways. Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, visualization, exercise and music. Breathing calmly is one of the simplest — yet best — ways to reduce stress and stay in control. Don’t forget to get adequate sleep each night too. Heart health should be a priority for every American at any age.
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Do Dietary Supplements Offer
Benfits for Good Health? How often do you eat a cup of sautéed spinach? How about three servings of fatty fish, like salmon, per week? Probably not very often, but those are examples of foods and portions that are packed with the recommended amounts of essential nutrients. Research shows that Americans aren’t making the nutrition grade and, therefore, can lack important vitamins and minerals like folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin K and even vitamin C. “Even if you follow a healthy diet, a busy lifestyle can make it difficult to obtain the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals from food alone,” says Elizabeth Somer, a leading registered dietician and author of several books, including “The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals.”
Data on dietary intake from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which used the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Healthy Eating Index to compare what people say they eat to recommended dietary guidelines, found that children and adults scored 56 points out of a possible 100 (equivalent to an “F” grade), while seniors fared only slightly better at 65 points (equivalent to a “D” grade).The American Heart Association (AHA) agreed with those findings in its 2013 report on heart disease and stroke, concluding that poor diet and lack of exercise are two of the main factors contributing to the high prevalence of heart disease in the U.S. One easy way to maintain good
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nutrition is to enhance your diet with supplements; however, the frequency of new studies combined with the staggering number of supplements available makes it increasingly confusing to know what’s right. To learn more, visit www.vitaminsinmotion. Somer puts nutrition news in context, provides the facts for common misconceptions and offers realistic tips to meet daily nutrition needs:
Misconception 1: It’s realistic to obtain all essential nutrients from food.
Even experienced nutritionists have a hard time designing a diet that provides all the essential nutrients for one day and busy Americans often struggle to follow a highly regimented diet.
That’s not to say it’s impossible but the best approach is to focus on eating nutrient rich foods as much as possible - like dark leafy greens (good source of lutein for eye health), colorful fruits, whole grains, healthy proteins and fats (such as salmon, which is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA) - and fill gaps in nutrition with a daily multivitamin. “Another supplement I always recommend is fish oil, or a vegetarian source from algae, because DHA and EPA benefit eye, heart and brain health,” says Somer.
Contact
Danville Regional Medical Center Patient and Hospital Information................................... 434.799.2100 Admitting.......................................................................... 434.799.2280 Business Office (Billing)..................................................... 855.426.1042 Blood Donor Center . ...................................................... 434.799.3743
Toll-Free 800.478.0688
Center for Radiation Oncology..................................... 434.799.4592
Toll-Free 866.472.6636
Cardiac Rehab................................................................ 434.799.4445 Case Management Services (Social Workers, Case Managers................................... 434.799.3768 Danville Diagnostic Imaging Center............................. 434.793.1043
Misconception 2: Multivitamins have
Endoscopy Services......................................................... 434.799.3738
no health benefits.
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Although recent studies report that vitamin and mineral supplements do not lower one’s risk of heart disease or cancer, these supplements are still proven to be beneficial to one’s health. “If a study found that people who drank water had no lower risk for dementia, would you stop drinking water?” asks Somer. “Of course not, because water, like essential vitamins and minerals, is crucial to health and there is no controversy over its importance for human nutrition.”
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Misconception 3: Multivitamins are a waste of money.
Multivitamins are a relatively inexpensive tool to achieve proper nutrition. “No reputable health expert will argue that supplements can or should replace a good diet and a healthy lifestyle,” says Somer. “However, multivitamins and nutritional supplements are one factor in a pattern of living that is known to maintain overall wellbeing. Think of multivitamins as an insurance policy for optimal nutrition - they’re meant to supplement, not replace, a healthy diet.”
Toll-Free 800.688.3762
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Toll-Free 855.799.5313
Human Resources............................................................ 434.799.3764 Inpatient Rehab............................................................... 434.799.3824 LabCare I (South Main St.).............................................. 434.792.4149
Toll-Free 800.478.0688
LabCare II (Executive Dr.)............................................... 434.791.3597
Toll-Free 800.478.0688
Medical Outpatient Services (MOPS)............................ 434.799.4416 Medical Records.............................................................. 434.799.2247 Outpatient Registration................................................... 434.799.4459 One Day Surgery.............................................................. 434.799.4590 Pastoral Care.................................................................... 434.799.3731 Patient Relations............................................................... 434.799.4591 Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Services....................... 434.799.4450
Toll-Free 800.258.7741
Physician Referral Line....................................... 800-424.DOCS (3627) School of Health Professions Radiologic Technology Program................................... 434.799.2271 Graduate Education Medical Residency Program.......................................................... 434.799.3859 Outpatient Speech, Physical & Occupational Therapy.................................................... 434.822.0484 Vein Center....................................................................... 434.799.4411 Volunteer Services............................................................ 434.799.4489 Women’s and Children’s Center.................................... 434.799.2246 Advanced Wound Center.............................................. 434.799.2282
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Foods With Healthy Reputations Without a degree in biology or nutrition, it can be difficult to determine just which foods are healthy and which are better left at the grocery store. The list of foods you should and should not eat seems forever subject to new research that tends to debunk once conventional wisdom regarding diet and nutrition. Eggs go from unhealthy to healthy, while the reputation of caffeine seemingly changes with the daily winds. Making sense of old and new data is seldom easy, leaving many people in the dark about which foods are truly healthy. But eating healthy does not have to be a big mystery. The following widely available foods have long been considered healthy, and that reputation does not figure to change anytime soon.
Red tomatoes: If you aren’t adding tomatoes to everything you eat, perhaps you should. Estimates suggest the average person eats around 80 pounds of tomatoes per year. Tomatoes are more than just a garnish for salads or sandwiches. In fact, red tomatoes are a healthy fuel for the body that earn their superfood status thanks in large part to lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant with cancer-fighting properties. Like other antioxidants, lycopene destroys free radicals in the body that may otherwise damage cells. One eight-ounce serving of red, ripe and raw tomatoes is a good source of vitamins A, C and K and a great source of folate and potassium, which can boost the immune system and other functions of the body. Tomatoes also are naturally low in sodium, saturated fat,
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cholesterol, and calories. Due to their high water content, tomatoes can fill you up, making it less likely that you will overeat.
Yogurt: Yogurt is arguably at the peak of its popularity, with dozens of varieties, from creamy creations to low-fat alternatives to thick and rich Greek yogurts, available at many grocery stores. Yogurt is a great source of protein, calcium and key vitamins that support strong bones and a healthy metabolism. Yogurt also boosts the immune system by providing tons of beneficial bacteria that swarm in the digestive tract and aid with digestion by using nutrients more efficiently. Furthermore, these bacteria have the potential to lower cholesterol. Studies to test the efficacy of these bacteria with regard to fighting certain types of gastrointestinal illness, certain infections and even cancer are ongoing.
Salmon: Fish is often naturally low in fat and cholesterol, making it a smart choice for those watching their waistlines. But the benefits do not end there. Oily fish like salmon is particularly nutritious because it is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, a group of essential polyunsaturated fats. These fats are considered essential because the body cannot create them, meaning they can only be obtained through food. Scores of benefits are attributed to essential fatty acids, which are believed to improve cognitive abilities, reduce risk of depression, protect against cardiovascular disease and reduce bodily inflammation. Carrots: The carotenoids found in carrots are fat-soluble compounds that reduce the risk for a wide range of cancers and help ease inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Four ounces
of carrots per day makes a low calorie snack, and this includes all the carotenoids you need. Beta-carotene, also found in sweet potatoes and tomatoes, helps protect skin against sun damage. It may make the skin less sensitive to UV light, helping to protect against premature wrinkling. Carrots also are high in vitamin A, which is essential for good eyesight and may help reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Berries:
Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are among the most nutritionally dense foods you can eat. Each berry contains a substantial amount of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that improve the body’s antioxidant capability and contribute to brain health. Blueberries, in particular, pack more antioxidants than any other North American fruit. Strive to eat one cup of fresh berries per day.
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Dark, Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale and chard contain iron and carotenoids, an antioxidant that protects cells against damaging free radicals. (According to the National Cancer Institute, “the damage to cells caused by free radicals, especially the damage to DNA, play a role in the development of cancer and other health conditions.”) In addition to fiber, which helps you feel full and cleans cholesterol from the blood, leafy greens also contain abundant amounts of calcium. Calcium is integral in building and maintaining healthy bones and teeth and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. It also is key in regulating the heart’s rhythm, the transmission of nerve impulses and the blood clotting functions in the body. Raw, leafy greens offer more of a nutritive punch than cooked veggies, but both are good to include in a diet.
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Understanding Cholesterol Surprisingly, cholesterol itself isn’t “bad”. In fact, cholesterol is one of many substances the body creates and uses to keep us healthy. But there’s more to cholesterol than meets the eye, and understanding how our bodies use cholesterol, as well as how “bad” cholesterol affects our bodies, can help men and women get a better idea of their overall health and what they need to do to be even healthier.
Where does cholesterol come from? Cholesterol is produced by the body, but also comes from the food we eat. The human body makes all the cholesterol it needs and circulates that cholesterol through the blood. But foods, including meat, certain dairy products and poultry, also contain cholesterol, and the liver actually produces more cholesterol if we eat a diet that’s high in saturated and trans fats.
Why is cholesterol potentially dangerous? According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease. If a person has too much cholesterol in his/her blood, that excess cholesterol can form plaque in the walls of arteries, gradually causing a hardening and narrowing of the arteries. Narrow arteries slow blood flow to the heart, which needs both the blood and the oxygen that blood carries in order to function at full strength. If plaque buildup in the arterial walls slows or blocks off that blood flow, a heart attack may result.
“Bad” vs. “Good”? Many people are now aware that cholesterol is widely categorized as “bad” or “good,” but many of those same people may not know why that distinction is so important. Cholesterol does
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not dissolve in the blood, so it must be transported through the bloodstream by carriers known as lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins that perform this function: low density lipoproteins, or LDL, and high-density lipoproteins, or HDL. LDL is what’s commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to the buildup of plaque, the thick and hard deposits that can line the arterial walls and impede blood flow. HDL is the “good” cholesterol, as it helps remove LDL from the arteries. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), experts believe HDL gathers LDL before carrying it away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is ultimately broken down and passed from the body. Healthy levels of HDL can protect against heart disease and stroke, while low levels of HDL are considered a major risk for heart disease.
What affects cholesterol levels? Cholesterol levels are affected by lifestyle choices we can control and additional factors we cannot control. • Diet: Diet is entirely within our control, so bad cholesterol levels that increase because of our diet are entirely preventable. A diet that’s high in saturated fat is unhealthy, and the AHA recommends a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, and nuts. Avoid red meat as much as possible and steer clear of sugary foods and beverages. • Weight: Weight is another controllable risk factor for high cholesterol. Being overweight is a risk factor for
men and women must place on healthy lifestyle choices as they get older. We can’t stop the normal aging process, but all of us can make healthy lifestyle choices to combat the impact that aging has on our cholesterol levels.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity can lower LDL and raise HDL levels. The AHA notes that 40 minutes of aerobic exercise performed at moderate to vigorous intensity three to four times per week is enough to lower LDL and high blood pressure. Inactivity, on the other hand, is a major risk factor for heart disease.
• Gender: Gender is another uncontrollable factor that affects cholesterol levels. Before reaching the age of menopause, women have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age. But after reaching the age of menopause, women’s LDL levels typically rise.
• Age: Cholesterol levels rise as men and women age, which only highlights the emphasis
• Heredity: High blood cholesterol can run in families, so genes might be influencing
how much cholesterol your body is making.
How great is my risk of heart disease or heart attack? The more risk factors you have (including high LDL levels and those factors listed above), the greater the risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Those who already have heart disease are at greater risk for heart attack, and people with diabetes also have a more significant risk of developing heart disease. Monitoring cholesterol levels and making healthy lifestyle choices can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attack. More information about cholesterol is available at www.heart.org and www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
www.DanvilleRegional.com | 1.800.424.DOCS (3627) | www.DanvillePhysicians.com
a host of ailments, including high cholesterol and heart disease. Losing weight can lower LDL while increasing HDL, providing the best of both worlds.
The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOWN .com 95
6 Steps to Control Your
Blood Pressure A routine doctor’s appointment often involves a healthcare provider screening or checking your blood pressure. This screening is not painful and typically takes less than a minute to measure. However, the results of this simple test may identify a condition that, when managed, could help reduce your chances for stroke or heart attack. High blood pressure, often referred to as the “silent killer,” does not have any symptoms, but can cause serious damage to arteries, leading to heart disease and stroke. Nearly one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, and because there are no symptoms, many remain unaware of the condition for years, according to the American Medical Group Foundation (AMGF).A blood pressure screening in a doctor’s office can determine if you have healthy or high blood pressure. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals can help patients understand the risk factors for high blood pressure and its health problems, and recommend lifestyle modifications and/or medicines to control the disease. The “Measure Up/Pressure Down” national high blood pressure campaign is an initiative of AMGF to encourage adults to get in
control by using lifestyle changes, including: 1. Know your numbers Understanding what blood pressure is and what your numbers are is an important first step. At its simplest, blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. Work with your health care team to determine your individual blood pressure goals and treatment plan if your numbers are too high. 2. Eat right - A diet with excessive sodium (salt) may cause a person to retain fluid, which can lead to higher blood pressure. Potassium can help the body balance this sodium. Foods high in potassium include bananas, plain baked potatoes, avocados and cooked white beans. 3. Stay active - On average, people who are more active tend to have lower heart rates, which means the heart does less work each time it contracts, reducing the pressure on arteries. Adults should be active at least 30 minutes each day. 4. Reduce stress - Many Americans respond to stressful situations by eating
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more, getting less exercise, drinking or smoking. Plus, a stressful situation can also increase blood pressure for a short period of time. Try to reduce the occurrence of these situations and look for healthy ways - like meditation or walking - to help you deal with stress. 5. Set alcohol limits and eliminate tobacco - Over time, consuming a high amount of alcohol can damage the heart. Recommendations are for women to limit themselves to one drink a day and for men to two drinks to avoid seeing an blood pressure. Tobacco use and secondhand smoke can immediately raise blood pressure levels and cause damage to the lining of arteries. If you’re interested in quitting your tobacco use, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. 6. Take medication - Your doctor may recommend taking a blood pressure medication to keep levels steady. Be sure to follow the directions provided for taking the medications to ensure you’re getting the most benefit from them. With “Measure Up/Pressure Down”, Americans are encouraged to measure, monitor and maintain their blood pressure levels to stay in control of this health condition. If you don’t know your blood pressure levels and want more information to determine if you might be at risk for high blood pressure, visit www. MeasureUpPressureDown. com. Also, if you do not have a primary care provider and need to obtain one, call 800.424.DOCS (3627) or visit www.DanvillePhysicians.com.
Medical Directory Anesthesiology
Mar Escario, MD Eduardo Fraifeld, MD Steven Galyon, MD Mukesh Nigam, MD Richard Pagano, MD
Cardiology
Syed Ahmed, MD Deepak Banerjee, MD Ajit Chauhan, MD Donald Hegland, MD David Kotlaba, MD Benjamin Lee, MD Kevin Lingle, MD Gary Miller, MD Brian Zagol, MD Boshra Zakhary, MD
Cardiovascular Surgery
Charles Canver, MD William Sweezer, MD
Dermatology
Keith Robinson, DO
Emergency Medicine
Charles Bibbs, MD Reuben De Las Alas, MD Ramon Gomez, MD Ian Greenwald, MD Neel Kapadia, MD Timothy Kwiatkowski, MD Neil LaHurd, MD Okafor Lekwuwa, MD Josphat Musapatike, MD Richard Smith, MD Michael Ward, MD Kristin Whapshare, MD Stacy Williams, MD
Family Medicine
Daniel Addis, DO, MD Steven Bridges, DO Amber Fedin, DO Sydney Harris, MD
Pamela Heath, DO Stephen Jannach, MD Patricia Matto, DO Anupreet Oberoi, MD Minesh Shah, MD Rajendra Trivedi, MD Jill VanHorn, DO Michael Waters, MD
Gastroenterology Bhushan Pandya, MD Mukesh Patel, MD
General Surgery
Thomas Boro, Jr., MD Aaron Haigh, DO Robert Honea, MD Gary Lahti, DO
Gynecology
Cynthia Heist, MD Stacy Lahti, DO Frederick Maute, MD Randolph Neal, MD
Gynecology/ Obstetrics
Lenworth Beaver, MD William Broach, III, MD Jason Ensminger, MD Jonelle Haigh, DO Alice Newell, MD
Hospitalists
Peter Acheampong, MD Mauricio Arrien, MD Punit Baveja, MD Ingrid Calliste, MD Beatrice Corbin, MD Mwiza Gausi, MD Owais Jeelani, MD Tamika Khan, MD Pooja Lidhoo, MD Curtis Merritt, DO Georgina Nasr, MD Ryan O’Connell, DO Edinrin Obasare, MD Cynthia Pie, MD Kinsley Pudota, MD
Infectious Disease
Punit Baveja, MD Balaji Desai, MD
Internal Medicine
Thomas Alabanza, MD Michael Caplan, MD Stephen Davis, MD Vicente Falgui, MD Sanjay Jaswani, MD Michael Moore, MD Daniel Pomposini, MD Pradeep Pradhan, MD Eric Taylor, DO Sabitha Vasireddy, MD Venugopal Vasireddy, MD
Nephrology
Namrita Baveja, MD Michael Fredericks, MD Florencio Garcia, Jr., MD Vishwanath Halukurike, MD Amar Parikh, MD Yao-Foli Sekyema, MD Rebin Titus, MD
Neurology
Rafael Hurtado, MD Victor Owusu-Yaw, MD
Occupational Medicine
Scott Spillmann, MD
Oncology
Ashantice Higgins, MD Qiwei “Bill” Gai, MD
Ophthalmology
Orlando Alvarez, MD Joseph O`Boyle, MD Terry Odom, MD
Oral Surgery
Herbert Manry, III, MD W. Wentz, Jr., MD
Orthopaedics
Joseph Campbell, Jr., MD Mark Hermann, MD Stuart Kramer, MD Jonathan Krome, MD John Mahoney, MD
Otolaryngology
Samuel Meadema, MD Richard Smith, MD
Pediatrics
Anmar Al-Qaisi, MD Nada Baah-Owusu, MD Kyla Berreth, DO, MD Noah Gibson, IV, MD Bassey Omoji, MD
Pediatric Cardiology
William Gay, MD
Physical Medicine/ Rehabilitation Henry Bridges, Jr., MD
Podiatry
Michael Canavan, DPM
Psychiatry
Mikhail Chizhikov, MD Aboelaziz Elsanjak, MD Wales George, MD Mohd Aleem Khan, MD Pravinchandra Patel, MD Renuka Prasad, MD
Pulmonary Diseases Kimberly Bird, MD William Henderson, IV, MD Thomas O`Neill, MD Rebecca Ulep, MD
Radiation Oncology
Brian Czito, MD Beth Lindsay, MD
Radiology
Christopher Belk, MD Paul Petrozzo, MD Frank Snyder, MD G. Michael Spencer, MD Chockeo Syvanthong, MD
Rheumatology
Sharukh Shroff, MD
Spine Surgery Leon Abram, MD
Urology
Joseph Carbone, MD Edward Wright, MD
Pathology
Hugh Fraser, MD Thomas Hardy, MD
The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOWN .com 97
For the Health of Your
Entire Family
Children’s Healthcare Center 201 S. Main St., Ste. 2100 • Danville Kyla Berreth, DO • Noah Gibson, MD Nada Owusu, MD • Anmar A. Al-Qaisi, MD Aubrey McBryde, PNP • Katie Williams, PNP Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 434.799.2111 Danville Heart & Vascular Clinic 201 S. Main St., Ste. 1100 • Danville Charles Canver, MD • Donald Hegland, MD William Sweezer, MD • Stephanie Crumpton, ANP Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 434.791.3009 Danville Hematology & Oncology Q. Bill Gai, MD • Ashantice Higgins, MD Angel Loftis, FNP 125 Executive Dr., Ste. J • Danville Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 434.793.0044 Healthcare for Women Lenworth Beaver, MD • Jonelle Haigh, DO Tina Gatewood, PA 159 Executive Dr., Ste. E • Danville Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 434.791.2629 Internal Medicine Associates Balaji Desai, MD • Sydney Harris, MD Stephan Jannach, MD • Sanjay Jaswani, MD Jack Spainhour, MD • Carol Clay, FNP Dianne Elliott, NP 101 Holbrook Street • Danville Open: Mon-Thur 8am-5pm Fri 8am-1pm 434. 792.4041 Piedmont Surgery Clinic Thomas Boro, MD • Aaron Haigh, DO Robert Honea, MD • Deirdre Boro, PA-C 159 Executive Dr., Ste. B • Danville Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 434.792.5964 Piedmont Psychiatric Associates M. Aleem Khan, MD 201 S. Main St., Ste. 3400 • Danville Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 434.799.4588
Family Healthcare Centers Danville 723 Piney Forest Rd. • Danville Anupreet Oberoi, MD • Michael Waters, MD Valerie White, FNP Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 434.797.2828 Brosville - Walk-in, no appointment needed. 10390 Martinsville Hwy. • Danville Steven Bridges, DO • Linda Morrill, FNP Cynthia Wilborne, FNP Open: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm • 434.685.3106 Saturday 7am-12pm Gretna 305 N. Main St. • Gretna Summer Olinger, FNP • Karen Wilkinson, FNP Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 434.656.2224 Mount Hermon - Walk-in, no appointment needed. 2767 Franklin Tpke • Danville Amber Stephens, DO • Jonelle Haigh, DO Karen Highlander, FNP • Dave Smith, PA Open: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm • 434.835.0105 Saturday 7am-12pm Occupational and Family Medicine 723 Piney Forest Rd. • Danville Scott Spillmann, MD Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 434.799.5861 Yanceyville Primary Care 1499 Main St. • Yanceyville, NC Jill VanHorn, DO • Lindsey Strader, FNP Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 336.694.6969 Family Medicine Residency Clinic 201 S. Main St., Ste. 3200 • Danville Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • 434.799.4488
www.DanvillePhysicians.com 9 8 COM EVIS IT O UR T O WN . com • T h e D a n v i l le E xperience
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The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOW N .com 99
The Danville Public Library “The door available to everyone that can lead to happiness and success is the modest door of the public library,” wrote Pulitzer Prizewinning author Herman Wouk. The modest, yet substantial doors of the Danville Public Library, located at 511 Patton Street in downtown Danville, are open and prepared to lead you to a world of information in various formats. Storytimes, book clubs, movie nights/ afternoons, computer classes, the ability to borrow DVDs, CDs, books on CD, books on tape, Playaways, graphic novels, and books are just a few of the possibilities. There is also an impressive eLibrary, where members can read books and the latest magazines on their tablets and mobile devices, as well as home computers.
Do you have a library card? Have you used your library card lately? Have you walked through the modest doors of our public library recently? If not, you may have missed a few recent changes at the Danville Public Library. During the spring of 2011, our library redesigned the second floor Activity Room. Four white walls were painted with some of the brightest colors one can imagine — we even transformed one wall into a giant chalkboard. Three flat-screen televisions, one Wii and two Xbox Kinects were installed and the room was opened to children and teens to enjoy during library hours. In addition to gaming, our young patrons can also enjoy learning about robotics
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through the use of the library’s LEGO Mindstorms. (Also located in the Activity Room.) This redesign of the Activity Room is just the beginning; we have also changed an unpopular checkout policy to make it more customer friendly. If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with the short checkout time of movies at our library, we have great news for you. You can now check out movies for seven days. In addition to a newly redesigned Activity Room and revamped checkout times, our library also has a new reading patio. With the assistance of a Make it Happen Grant from the
Danville Regional Foundation, an area near the library’s Patton Street entrance has been transformed into a large programming-sitting area. New landscaping and furniture add to the aesthetics.
Pittsylvania County Public Libraries Chatham (Main Library) 24 Military Dr. Chatham, VA 24531 434.432.3271 Brosville 11948 Martinsville Highway Danville, VA 24541 434.685.1285 Gretna 207 A Coffey St Gretna, VA 24557 434.656.2579
Have you visited our library online lately? We have a new online catalog, featuring a book river, the ability to rate and review library materials and a handy map that will help you locate materials within specific sections of the
Mt. Hermon 2725 Franklin Turnpike, Suite J Danville, VA 24540 434.835.0326
Danville Public Libraries Downtown (Main Library) 511 Patton Street Danville, VA 24541 434.799.5195 Westover 94 Clifton Street Danville, VA 24540 434.799.5152
library. Not sure where the Science Fiction is located? No problem, the new map will show you the way. With all of these positive changes at the Danville Public Library, one must not forget the constants. Our library stands steadfast, eager to provide information in several formats. Surely, within this short article you have discovered a reason or two to enter the doors of the Danville Public Library. It is truly an asset to this community that we are proud to deliver. Come see us during these hours: Monday-Thursday 10-8, Friday 9-5 and Saturday 9-1. To learn more visit www.danville-va.gov
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HAS YOUR PHYSICIAN PRESCRIBED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MEDICATIONS FOR YOU?
IVIG • Remicade • Reclast • Humira Simponi • Actemra • Tysabri • Prolia Xolair • Zostavax • Procrit
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We can administer all of these medications and more at our Ambulatory Infusion Suite. We are locally owned and operated by Jake Patterson, RPh, who has over 25 years experience in providing infusion therapies for area patients. All medications are administered and monitored by our Certified Infusion Nurse, Kim Sulter, RN, VA-BC. We also provide IV Central Catheter (PICC and Port), flushing, declotting, care, and maintenance. If you have any questions in regards to the services we offer and provide, please feel free to call Kim or Jake at 434-792-5227.
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Private Education Options
prepare girls for college and productive, fulfilled lives. As a community of honor and trust, Chatham Hall values its Episcopal heritage and welcomes students from diverse backgrounds. With a rigorous educational program that encourages intellectual growth, creative development, and personal responsibility Chatham Hall is helping to create our leaders of tomorrow.
Carlisle School Carlisle School was established in 1969 in Martinsville, Virginia. Area business leaders and educators were interested in providing a communitybased school which combined superior academics with high personal standards. Carlisle embraces the philosophy of offering a rigorous collegepreparatory program and encouraging intellectual discipline and creativity, while also fostering the development of character and individual responsibility. We are proud to be an IB World School encouraging global studies and awareness. Our children are prepared for the International Baccalaureate, a prestigious degree recognized around the world, beginning in the primary and middle school years. IB students become successful leaders in their communities and worldwide.
Chatham. Our boarding school hosts students from Nigeria, Korea, Japan, Australia, China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Carlisle School has since maintained its accreditation by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and is recognized by the Virginia Board of Education as an accredited school through the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE).
Chatham Hall Located in Chatham, Virginia, Chatham Hall’s mission is to
The school opened its doors for 81 students in grades 1 through 7. Today, Carlisle continues to provide a first class education to over 568 students in pre-school through grade 12. We have expanded to three campuses located in Martinsville, Danville, and
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Opened in 1894 by the Reverend C. Orlando Pruden, Chatham Hall began educating the young women of Southern Virginia and neighboring North Carolina. From the outset the school provided an exacting academic program designed to equip girls for the challenges of the future. Chatham Hall has a reputable tradition of encouraging girls to extraordinary accomplishment. Esteemed graduate Georgia O’Keefe went on to become one of the preeminent American artists of the 20th century. For more information on Chatham Hall please visit www.chathamhall.org or call 434.434.2941.
Faith Christian Academy
Epiphany Episcopal School Danville’s Epiphany Episcopal School was founded in 2008 and currently offers grades Pre-K through 8. Regarding the school’s rapid growth, Suzanne Miller, Dean of the school says, “the small class sizes; a safe, enriching environment; relatively low tuition; a focus on languages, Latin, Spanish, German, French, and Chinese, and innovative Singapore math curriculum all contribute to growing enrollment. Our goals are to pursue academic excellence, build responsible citizens, and celebrate the gifts and talents of each child. “We are not here to indoctrinate children. We respect, learn about, and embrace diverse religious beliefs and practices. The vision for the establishment of the school was that of the Reverend Samuel S. Colley-Toothaker who serves as its Headmaster as well as Rector at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. EES is an outreach mission of Epiphany Church which was founded by Dr. George Washington Dame in 1840. Epiphany Episcopal School is located at 115 Jefferson Ave., in Danville’s Historic District, and online at www.epiphanydanville.org.
Christian environment for students to learn and grow.
Faith Christian Academy in Hurt, Va. provides a biblically integrated curriculum for preschool to 12th grade students. The nondenominational school partners with parents and the church to raise and train students in a Christ-centered environment.
Address: 361 Main St. P.O. Box 670, Hurt, Va. 24563 Phone: 434.324.8276 Website: www.fcavirginia.com.
Found in 1989, the school offers preschool for three-and four-year-olds. The elementary school uses phonics to teach reading and writing skills. Elementary students also excel in math, history, science, and spelling.
Hargrave Military Academy is the premier military school.
Middle and high school teachers use state-of-the-art technology to engage students with Powerpoint, virtual field trips, video clips, and other online media. Faith Christian has computer labs in the elementary and secondary buildings. Senior high students are encouraged to take dualenrollment courses through Central Virginia Community College, allowing them to receive college credits and meet high school requirements. Students attending Faith Christian for 9th-12th grades receive a 75 percent tuition discount to Liberty University. Middle and high school students participate in community service projects. The school offers competitive athletics at middle school and varsity levels. Faith Christian’s most important feature is the Christian faculty’s commitment to teach students about the Lord through daily Bible classes. Faith Christian provides a warm and caring
Hargrave Military Academy The Military Academy is a college preparatory secondary boys’ military boarding school for grades seven through twelve and one post graduate year that embraces Christian values. Hargrave provides a safe learning environment. The daily structure of the Academy bestows a level of accountability and responsibility that is not present in most secondary schools. This basic notion enables young men to maximize their potential to the fullest. A Hargrave student is held to a much higher standard. Hargrave’s program equips students with the tools needed to excel in the classroom. It also positions students for college acceptance, and further success in their higher education endeavors. Over the last nine years, Hargrave boasts an astonishing 99 percent college acceptance rate. Recent studies show an 83 percent college retention rate for graduates of Hargrave. For over 100 years, Hargrave Military Academy has been a leader in the developing young men into being the best they can be. For more information, please visit www.hargrave.edu or call 434.432.2481. Continued from page 108
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Continued from page 105.
Private Education Options
Catholic School in Virginia holds. Sacred Heart School is a fully accredited parochial school for students in PK2 through eighth grade. A challenging program that has withstood the test of time continues to offer a traditional core curriculum enhanced by a full enrichment spectrum including art, music, drama, and Spanish. Students are provided a firm educational foundation that prepares them for secondary education and beyond. A competitive athletic program allows students the opportunity to challenge themselves physically.
Sacred Heart School
maximum academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional potential.
Sacred Heart School’s mission is to establish a strong foundation for lifelong learning and provide an educational environment in which the basic tenets of Christian morals and ethics are visibly present. Recognizing the unique needs of each student, the faculty and staff endeavor to nurture, challenge and guide all students toward their
As the oldest non-public school in Danville, Sacred Heart School has produced top academic students in the area for over 60 years. In 2012, SHS received an award for 25 years continuous certification from AdvancED/ SACS. This award was achieved by meeting rigorous standards and is a distinction no other
To learn more about Sacred Heart School please visit our website at www.sheartschool. com. Please call for a tour of the school and meet the wonderful faculty, staff, and students that make Sacred Heart School the leader in private eduation.
year and strives to provide a safe and secure environment that reinforces the values that are important at home. From the challenging academic program to the extra-curricular activities, WCA offers a program of instruction for preschool through twelfth grade where the development of mind and body is integrated with spiritual and character formation. Westover is fully accredited by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) and is recognized as an accredited school by the Virginia Council for Private Education. The school was founded in 1977 and has a total enrollment of 440 with an average class size of 18.
Through large and small group activities, students develop phonics, language, math, and fine and gross motor skills while learning a variety of concepts.
Westover Christian Academy Westover Christian Academy recognizes that one of the most important decisions parents make is where to send their children to school. In partnership with the home and church, Westover serves hundreds of families from Danville and five surrounding counties each
Preschool (K3 and K4): The preschool curriculum is based on the understanding that children are active learners.
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Elementary (K-6): The focus in the elementary grades is to provide a strong foundation for the students by emphasizing basic skills. Reading, phonics, writing, math, science, social studies, and Bible are core components of our elementary program. Secondary (7-12): The rigorous college preparatory curriculum in junior and senior high school prepares students for success in college and beyond. A wide range of athletics, fine arts, and student activities enables students to develop their individual talents and abilities.
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The Best High School in Virginia
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela Galileo once said, “We cannot teach people anything. We can only help them discover it within themselves.” This belief seems to be shared at the school that bears his name in Danville, Virginia. Galileo Magnet High School was founded in 2002 with 111 students in its inaugural class. Today, it’s nearly at maximum capacity with an enrollment of 268. Over the years, Galileo has been recognized by several outlets, such as The Washington Post, Newsweek, and The Daily Beast, as a leader in innovation and education. In 2014, the US Department of Education awarded Galileo its National Blue Ribbon award for academic excellence. In fact, Galileo was the only public high school in the Commonwealth of Virginia to receive this award. “Considering that we are the first high school in Virginia to receive this award since 2012, speaks to how difficult it is to win and what an honor this is for Danville Public Schools,” Principal Jay Lancaster said. “This award validates the dedication and hard work of our remarkable faculty, our division that sends us students
prepared to learn, and our parents that are supportive of the mission of Galileo Magnet High School.” Danville Public Schools are gaining a reputation throughout the nation as a place for outstanding schools. As proof of this, Galileo is joined by Forest Hills Elementary in being awarded the National Blue Ribbon, having won the award in 2013. “This speaks volumes about the commitment our staff have to the education of all students within Danville Public Schools, and our unwavering belief that all children can achieve at the highest levels when given excellent instruction, care and nurturing, and guidance and support,” acting Superintendent Kathy Osborne said. Education is known to play a key role in economic development for a region, and Danville Public Schools have embraced this notion wholeheartedly, as they continue to expand courses that are directly tied to workforce development, through partnerships with Danville Community College. The City of Danville continues to transform and revitalize its
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regional economy, and the school system will play a vital role in that transformation by providing an educated workforce that will attract industries to the area. “Education is a big issue we must address in our region,” said Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler. “If we continue to improve our education system, it will help attract industries that provide sustainable jobs.” Danville City Council has made education a priority, consistently providing the school system with more than double the amount of funding the state requires it to. That funding is put directly in the classroom, so students have the best opportunity possible to achieve a quality education. “These students are our future,” said Vogler. “They will be our doctors, lawyers, technicians and teachers. The better they do, the better off we all will be.” It’s been said that education is the passport to the future, and as schools like Galileo and Forest Hills have proven, Danville’s future is bright.
dsc.smv.org
Connect with the world around you! Explore our new traveling exhibits and discover the wonders of the universe in our Digital Dome. The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOWN .com 113
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The Foundation for Success Starts Early
help you help your student. For more information, please visit www.sylvandanville.com or call 434.799.6900.
The Tabernacle Learning Center of Danville
Sylvan Learning Center Sylvan Learning Center has been a part of the education landscape in the DanvillePittsylvania community since 2001. The local learning center has served over 1,000 families from the region, meeting their education needs. When local students gain confidence and skills at Sylvan, they develop a blueprint for success in school and in life. Sylvan Learning is an education resource for local families when their child needs extra skill development and support for their classroom and academic performance. Whether a student is in public schools, private schools, or homeschooled, Sylvan is the preferred choice for the extra help needed to meet academic goals. The three ‘R’s’ create the foundation for Sylvan’s
success with students. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are the skills students develop in the individualized learning programs. Sylvan helps students of all needs – catch up, keep up, and get ahead. Sylvan serves students from pre-K to twelfth grade. Adults even utilize the Sylvan Advantage to help them advance in their career goals. Sylvan’s programs – Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Advanced Reading Skills, Math Essentials, Sylvan Advanced Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2), Academic Writing, Study Skills, SAT and ACT Prep for college admissions tests, College Prep Writing and Homework Support for the traditional tutoring approach - are available in the center at the convenient Coleman Marketplace location, across from Home Depot, or online, or even in your home. Call Sylvan to learn how they can
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The Tabernacle Learning Center of Danville is an extension of the ministry of The Tabernacle where we endeavor to follow the biblical principle found in Deuteronomy 6:6-7. The principle is “My children and grandchildren belong to God, and it is my responsibility to teach them scriptural principles, godly character, and basic convictions.” To that end, the Tabernacle Learning Center (TLC) is a K-3 through K-5 preschool that has loving teachers who communicate both spiritual and educational, age appropriate activities while utilizing the A Beka curriculum. The Tabernacle Learning Center has twoday, three-day, or five-day programs with comfortable student-teacher ratios, modern and clean facilities, in a safe and secure environment. The preschool programs are also cost effective and designed to prepare your child for their future educational goals. For more information, please contact Carolyn Burdette at 434.822.6100, extension 11. “Teaching right living: That the child of God may be mature, completely equipped for a purposeful life.”
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Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Company and Affiliated Companies, Columbus, Ohio. Not all Nationwide affiliated companies are mutual companies and not all Nationwide members are insured by a mutual company. Nationwide, Nationwide Insurance, the Nationwide framemark, Nationwide is On Your Side and Join the Nation are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ©2012 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. NPR-0501M1 (07/12)
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! Grades PK-12th ! Fully Accredited, College Preparatory ! Leadership Development ! Outstanding Arts and Athletic Programs For more information, call our Admissions Office at 276.632.7288
www.carlisleschool.org Located right here in your backyard…One of the best independent schools in Virginia
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Community College The Next Step: Danville Offers Choices for Everyone
Danville Community College (DCC) paves the way for students’ next journey in life. DCC offers more than 60 high quality programs for virtually every student. There are programs of study for transfer to a four-year college or university, or a full range of occupational technical degree, diploma, and certificate programs. Students can also pursue specialized workforce services at DCC’s Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training (RCATT). Located on Slayton Avenue in the Cyber Park, RCATT houses equipment and labs for polymer processing, rapid prototyping, nanotechnology, industrial maintenance, and wood science. In fact, DCC is one of
the few schools with an active polymer training program. Classes are offered on DCC’s main campus and at offcampus locations in the City of Danville, Halifax County, and Pittsylvania County. In order to meet flexible scheduling needs, DCC offers an array of distance learning courses where you choose the time and place of study. E-Commerce (a specialization in Marketing) is the first Associate of Applied Science Degree program to be offered completely via distance learning, with classes scheduled via the internet. DCC is affordable. You can get a quality education right here at home for less than $2,500 per year as a full-time
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student taking 12 credits over two semesters. If finances are a problem, DCC offers an extensive financial aid program that includes grants, scholarships, loans, and work study opportunities. When you attend DCC, you become part of an institution where the faculty and staff celebrate student achievement and success. As an Achieving the Dream Leader College, DCC is addressing the many barriers to success for students. The College is committed to closing achievement gaps and emphasizing the use of data to drive change. A new Developmental Education Initiative (with funding from the Gates Foundation) offers innovative ways for students
to update skills through math, English, and reading refresher courses. While many students attend DCC to expand their job skills, or learn new ones to get a job, there are others who attend DCC to complete the first two years of a baccalaureate education. These students then transfer to a four-year college or university. DCC offers four transfer programs of study: Business Administration, Engineering, Liberal Arts, and Science. DCC counselors are available to help students map out a plan of study that will ensure the transfer of classes. The College has quality occupational technology programs. Many of these programs are in high demand fields with excellent starting salaries. These certificate, diploma or associate degree programs can be completed in just one or two years of full-time study: Accounting, Administration of Justice, Administrative Support Technology, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Auto Body, Automotive Analysis & Repair, Building Trades Technology, Business Management, Computer-Aided Drafting & Design, Early Childhood Education, Electrical/ Electronics Engineering Technology, General Engineering Technology, Graphic Imaging Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Information Systems Technology, Maintenance Mechanics, Marketing, Office Information Processing, Precision Machining
Technology and Welding. The College has introduced the Technical Studies Associate in Applied Science Degree program with options in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Fire Science, Industrial Maintenance Technician, Polymer Manufacturing Technology, Wood Science Technology and Nanotechnology courses. Students looking to obtain job skills quickly will be interested in the short-term career studies training programs that last several weeks to one year of full-time study. Allied health programs are available and are taught in the new, state-of-the-art Foundation Hall. Associate degree programs offered include Health Science (with a specialization in
practical nursing), Registered Nursing, Dental Hygiene (in cooperation with Virginia Western Community College), Medical Laboratory Technology, and Respiratory Therapy (both in cooperation with J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College). DCC continues to offer the oneyear certificate in practical nursing and career studies certificates in nurse aide, dental assisting, phlebotomy, emergency medical services, gerontology, medical coding, medical terminology, medical transcription, and pharmacy technician. For more information about DCC, or to schedule a campus visit, contact the College at 434.797.2222, or toll free at 800.560.4291, or email info@ dcc.vccs.edu. You can also visit the DCC website: www.dcc.vccs. edu, or connect with us online via Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or YouTube.
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Averett University A Double Major in Education and Community:
Founded in 1859 as a place for women to obtain an education, Averett University continues to educate and support young men and women from around the world — students who will become future leaders in the Commonwealth, their home states, and in a global community. Over the last 150 plus years, Averett has been a forerunner in innovative programs. The University offers degree programs in equestrian studies, aeronautics, and athletic training. In the 1980s, Averett recognized the demand for educating working adults and created what is now its Graduate and
Professional Studies (GPS) Program. The GPS Program offers bachelor’s degrees in business administration and aerospace management (at its Quantico campus) and master’s degrees in business administration and education. Classes are offered at night and on the weekend to better fit a working adult’s schedule. The program is available statewide, with satellite locations in the Richmond and Tidewater regions. To date, over 8,000 GPS alumni have advanced their careers with Averett. While the University’s main focus is to educate its students and prepare them for their futures, it realizes the importance of participating in the local community and
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reaching out to the region as well. Averett makes sure its students participate in community service projects throughout the year, with students working with such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, God’s Storehouse, Boys and Girls Club, and Special Olympics. Averett is one of the area’s leaders in providing cultural opportunities. Every year, the University hosts an arts series for its students and the surrounding community. The series features a variety of performances, lectures, and theatre productions. Past performances and lecturers have included author Sharyn McCrumb; pianist Elyane Laussade; American
Shakespeare Center; Richmond Ballet; the Averett Singers; student art shows. “We believe it’s very important to introduce our students and the community at large to cultural arts,” said Averett Professor Richard Breen. “Our arts series represents a wide variety of events including authors, astronauts, actors, Tuskegee Airmen and musicians of all sorts.” Averett’s Theatre Department began offering a Theatre for Youth Series in 1994 to introduce live theatre to the community’s children. More than 15 productions, including “Nick Tickle, Fairy Tale Detective” and “Seussical the Musical” have been performed for area school children. The theatre department, which performs
Averett at a glance • Fully accredited, private, liberal arts, coeducational, residential four-year university • 900 undergraduates from 30 states and 15 countries; adult learners 1,800 • Faculty: more than 75 percent have a doctorate or other terminal degree; nearly 50 percent have taught at Averett for more than 15 years • Academics: 30+ majors, minors and special programs • Student-faculty ratio: 14 to 1 • Average class size: 13 • Value: financial aid packages lower costs
three to four shows every year, has also performed “Streetcar Named Desire” and “Comedy of Errors.”
by nearly 40 percent on average; making an investment in this small, private university comparable to that of a large state school • Alumni: more than 20,000 alumni who encompass 34 countries and 30 states; 3,800 live in the Dan River Region • Averett has been recognized in the Top 15 percent of all Military Friendly schools nationally for the efforts it makes to help active duty military and veterans and their dependents pursue an education.
In addition, the University boasts 13 NCAA Division III athletic teams. The Cougars compete in the USA South Conference. Several of the teams regularly compete in NCAA tournament competitions. The men’s golf team won the NCAA Championship in 2003. The home base for Averett athletics is the University’s North Campus. Here the athletes compete at the Cougar Den and at the E. Stuart James Grant Athletic Center. While Averett has changed with the times it has also retained those distinctive features that have long been characteristic of a quality Averett education. For more information about the University visit its web site at www.averett.edu.
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Averett University Fast Facts Academics • 30+ undergraduate majors, minors and special programs; three graduate degree programs • Average class size:15 (for all programs) • Student-faculty ratio: 12 to 1 traditional classes; 19 to 1 GPS/Adult programs Affordability • 99% of students receive financial aid • Our average scholarship package lowers the cost of attending our fouryear program by almost 40% • Averett is priced lower than 80% of other private colleges in Virginia Recognitions • U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Averett in the top tier of regional colleges in the South • The Princeton Review ranks Averett among the “Best in the Southeast” in its “Best Colleges: Region by Region” guide • Averett has been recognized by G.I. Jobs magazine for being “military friendly” for five consecutive years
The Race to the Dan River In early 1781, American general Nathanael Greene fought head-tohead with British general Lord Cornwallis. Heavily outnumbered, General Greene implemented what historians call one of the masterful military achievements of all time. He crossed the Dan River near South Boston, Virginia. Well, it was much more than that. It was the culmination of a tremendous retreat that ultimately turned the war around for the Americans. General Greene’s army crossed the rain-swollen river with six ferry boats that were acquired from sites along the Dan. In September 2013, in Louisville, Kentucky the National Society Sons of the
American approved the Crossing of the Dan as one of the seminal Revolutionary War events celebrated across the nation. General Greene’s soldiers marched through rain and sometimes snow over 200 miles in cold winter weather, many of them barefoot, worn out and hungry by the time they reached the Dan River. After crossing the Dan, they kept all the boats on the other side, leaving the British no way to cross the flooded river. Greene’s crossing of the Dan at South Boston, although a nearly forgotten episode in United States history, was instrumental in our winning the American Revolution. Dr. Lawrence Babits, an esteemed scholar of that war’s Southern campaign,
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has said that “Greene’s crossing of the Dan led more quickly to long-term victories than those at Trenton and Princeton” when Washington crossed the Delaware. Resupplied and reinforced with militias from surrounding counties such as Pittsylvania and Halifax, Greene was able to recross the river some days later and hand Cornwallis’s British army a terrific mauling at Guilford Courthouse that sent the British reeling toward Wilmington. From there Cornwallis made the fateful decision to enter Virginia where he surrendered his entire army at Yorktown. The Dan River Region marks the very spot where the Revolutionary War turned in the Americans’ favor.
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Member FDIC. © 2014, Branch Banking and Trust Company. All rights reserved.
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Half-Price Drinks on Fridays Half-Price Sushi on Sundays Full Service Wet Bar and Sushi Bar Tokyo Grill Japanese Restaurant 364 Lowes Dr. - Unit I Danville, VA 24540 Across from Walmart Near Dollar Tree
434.792.1908 (434.792.1909 fax)
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Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History
The Last C apitol of th eC The beginn ing of a na onfederacy. tion united . Tour the mansion of Major William T. Sutherlin, Tobacco Baron and Civil War Quartermaster Newly updated Civil War exhibits with numerous artifacts and original documents. United Daughters of the Confederacy Local Chapter’s special collection on display. Enjoy 5 fine art galleries and Victorian decorative arts collection Rose garden and start of Millionaire’s Row historic district walking tour.
Phone: (434) 793-5644 975 Main Street, Danville, VA www.danvillemuseum.org Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.; Sunday 2:00—5:00 p.m.
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The Last Days of the Civil War
It was April, 1865 and The United States Army had the Confederacy on the run. And the Confederate government’s last stop was at The Sutherlin Mansion on Main Street in Danville. It was not a joyous occasion. As the Confederate cause disintegrated, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet evacuated the capital at Richmond and moved the entire Confederate government to Danville. Once in Danville, Davis stayed in the Italian villa home of Major William T. Sutherlin and his wife Jane. The Sutherlin home was the most exquisite mansion in the city. From April 3-10, 1865 the Sutherlin Mansion served as the Executive Mansion of the Confederacy. Other Danville homes hosted cabinet members with government departments housed in various local buildings. Meetings of government
officials were frequent at the Sutherlin Mansion during that week. On April 4, in anticipation of the soon arrival of General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, President Davis, in a defiant yet hopeful mood, sat down at a marble topped table and penned what would prove to be his last proclamation to the Confederate states and its citizens. He noted “We have now entered upon a new phase of a struggle the memory of which is to endure for all ages.” He added, “Let us but will it, and we are free...[and] ...Virginia...shall be held and defended and no peace ever be made with the infamous invaders of her homes...” But it was not to be. By Monday April 10th, Davis and his cabinet learned of Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. The news struck the men like “the paralyzing shock of a sudden earthquake,” one of them
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later commented. With Union forces closing in, their only option was to flee once again, this time for their lives. Refusing a gift of gold from the Sutherlins, with tears streaming down his face, Jefferson Davis lamented, “I doubt I shall need anything very long.” And so Davis departed the comfort of the Sutherlin home, this Last Capitol of the Confederacy, leaving Danville at 11 p.m. that evening. So, too, the dream of Southern independence likewise faded into the night. For a more detailed account read Danville in the Civil War by local historian Lawrence McFall. The Sutherlin Mansion is now the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. The museum presents is frequently updated with a multi-cultural array of exhibits and programs. You can find out more about the museum at DanvilleMuseum.org.
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The Wreck of the Old 97 – Off the Tracks and into History
I’m standing along the edge of US Route 58 in Danville, Virginia, on a sunny, fairly warm, late February day. It is really an ordinary scene. To my right, on the north side, an athletic field occupies the low open ravine past the highway. On my left, and below the highway roadbed, there are just trees, shrubs, and undergrowth still stark in their winter barrenness. Barely visible below is just a trace of a creek that drains into the nearby Dan River. The historical marker tells me that something very famous and tragic happened in this very ordinary place over a hundred years ago. The event grew into a legend, took on a life of its own, and perhaps is bigger in folklore than it was otherwise in history. A few photographs were taken at the scene, a song was composed and recorded - all because a train careened off Stillhouse Trestle and into history. Songs tell stories as an oral
tradition handed down with variations over time. The lyrics may tell a story based on a factual event, but accepted as the story itself. The line between fiction and fact often becomes blurred. This is part of the heritage of sea shanties, bluegrass, folk, and country music that have merged as a musical medium for telling and re-telling stories. I read the historical marker in front of me and the words of the famous old song spin through my memory as fast as the old 78RPM, vintage 1924 recording that did more to make this event famous than all the accounts ever written in any history book. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, train wrecks were almost everyday occurrences. Railroads were not as safety conscious as they should have been. The volume of traffic had increased, putting a strain on rolling stock and the hastily built
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bridges and trestles. Sometimes trains ran too fast over poorly maintained tracks, and tight schedules put pressure on for higher speeds. So this train wreck was nothing any more spectacular than normal, and no criminal or negligent conduct was to blame. This was not a long freight train, and no regular passengers were aboard. The steam locomotive pulled only four mail cars, as this was a “fast mail” train only, with a total of only eighteen on board. September 27, 1903, was a beautiful, warm, day. There was just a tint of early fall color in the trees and the gently rolling terrain near the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains as Southern Railroad’s Fast Mail Number 97 pulled out of Washington, D.C. an hour late that morning. The delay was due to late arrivals of other mail trains coming in to make the connection, as
Train 97 would take mail as fast as possible on the route from Washington all the way to Atlanta, with connecting stops along the way. The Post Office had contracts with railroads to haul mail, and there were sometimes penalties placed on tardy arrivals. Prompt delivery of mail was a high priority in a time when there was no radio, TV, or instant news over the Internet. Routes were designated by numbers, much as airline flights are today. The “97” refers not to a particular locomotive, but the route. This was a primary route with major connections, and the best crews and engines were used. The particular engine pulling Train 97 was a Baldwin locomotive, Number 1102 —less than a year old—still shiny and in perfect running order. The train was called “Old” 97 not because of its age, but because of affection for the train that brought the mail. With a full head of steam and an eager crew, Old 97 began its doomed journey with a late departure, and then encountered other delays that thwarted efforts to make up time. The train roared through the bucolic countryside as it left Washington, passing through Warrenton, Culpeper, Orange, Charlottesville, Covesville, and toward the town of Monroe, just a few miles north of Lynchburg. At Monroe, crews would be changed. While the engineer tried as much as he could to make up some time on the straight stretches, the postal crew sorted mail, filled the sacks, handed off and picked up mail at the stops along the way. This was not an easy job, as the train jostled along the tracks and the volume of mail had to be processed accurately. One of the mail clerks was especially
familiar with the scenery as Old 97 slowed some through Charlottesville. He was 23-yearold Napoleon Cloren Maupin, who was from there and was a descendent of the earliest settlers in the White Hall area about 12 miles west of the city. He would be one of only seven to live to tell the story.
fast, never had a reputation for excessive recklessness. Most of his previous experience, however, was in the longer and heavier coal trains. The reference to “38” was to one of the coal trains he had been running. This could have been a factor in the wreck, but not a definitive one.
With the passage of time, and some factual errors in the wording of the famous song, some misconceptions about the Wreck of The Old 97 have distorted the understanding of what really happened, and why the wreck even occurred. This is an attempt to clarify and maybe dispel a couple myths. So, as Old 97 heads down the track, let’s review the song and learn the story.
The four-car mail train had a fast locomotive and was a much lighter train, hence faster speeds were possible. Perhaps it was like driving a sports car when being more accustomed to a pickup truck? This is an answer we may never know for sure. Yet we know that Old 97 was fast, that it was apparently well-maintained, and that Brody knew the route and where the slow zones and danger spots were. The bigger question, however, is how much incentive was there for Brody to make up the hour lost when Old 97 departed Washington, D.C. earlier than morning? Yes, the Railroad wanted the mail trains to be fast and punctual, but they did not want to wreck trains and kill people to do it. This is perhaps the most serious Continued to Page 138
Let’s look first at the geography mentioned. As Old 97 slowed through Maupin’s home town of Charlottesville, the Blue Ridge Mountains remained in view to the west. The mail clerks would stay on, but a new train crew would take over in Monroe, about 60 miles down the line, then just a short hop into Lynchburg. From Lynchburg to Danville is about another 65 miles, then into North Carolina, and eventually the town of Spencer. This is about halfway between Greensboro and Charlotte in the rolling red clay Carolina Piedmont region. The engineer waiting in Monroe to take over Old 97 was Joseph “Steve” (a nickname) Brody, from the small Southwestern Virginia town of Saltville. He has been portrayed in the song and legend as a daredevil, reckless and fast -racing Old 97 furiously to make up the lost time and “get her in Spencer on time.” He was an experienced competent engineer, knew the route well, and while at times
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The Wreck of the Old 97
misconception about the story of Old 97. The train was an hour late to begin with, and there were construction areas and stops along the way. Orders were even sent by the Railroad itself to run the train slowly in those sections. Sometimes trains had to be late, just as airline flights and Greyhound buses are delayed today and miss connections. Brody tried to make up some time on the straighter sections, but he couldn’t do but so much. The train would just have to run late, and that’s all there was to it. The 65-mile section of track between these towns is not terribly rough, but the terrain had some hills and downgrades, and a few curves that required more caution. There were few sections of track where Brody could have “highballed” Old 97 anyway. He also knew about the three-mile grade off White Oak Mountain on the approach to Danville. This really was not a high mountain, but more like a ridge on a hill. There was still enough of a long downgrade that speed would increase. The most critical problem was the entrance into Danville, where The Dan River runs east and west through the city. There, the railway’s tracks approached from the northwest, making a turn to the east as it crossed over Stillhouse Trestle. Trains would then run for a short distance along the north bank of the river, then make another turn south over the river into the main part of city, where it needed to stop at the train depot. So the obvious question is why Brody would be expected to really save much time at this point? He was already late, and the most he was able to do was maintain the hour delay. By the time Old 97 made White Oak Mountain,
with the curves into Danville just ahead, why would he still be trying to make up time? Knowing that the stop in Danville would be soon, Napoleon C. Maupin and the other mail clerks had finished their sorting and were preparing to exchange mail sacks. For this approach into Danville, Maupin had finished his work for the moment and was just looking out the door of the mail car. He and the other clerks sensed that the train was running much faster at this point, but later testified that the run from Monroe was not, overall, much faster than normal. Old 97 was now fast approaching the 282 foot long, 45 foot high Stillhouse Trestle. It showed no signs of slowing down. Something was wrong. Residents near the tracks on the northwest side of Danville knew Old 97 was late, and they looked forward to its arrival every day with its load of mail, newspapers, and whatever goods it would bring for the local businesses or residents. The warm Sunday afternoon peace was then interrupted by the loud frantic screams of the train whistle. Everyone in the town heard the high-pitched, continuous scream and knew that trains needed to slow down at this point. The posted speed limit on Stillhouse Trestle was 15 miles per hour, but a train could still navigate the curve at 20 or maybe even 25. Maupin knew that the train was in trouble. Did the air brakes fail? He didn’t know for sure, and for a moment he considered jumping, but realized it was too late and the trestle too high. Old 97 was out of control, way too fast for him to make a jump. No one knows for sure how fast it was really going as it sped onto the trestle. The song says “90 miles an hour” but it was
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probably somewhere between 50 and 70. The driving wheels could not maintain their grip on the track rails and they lost their bite. The engine derailed and plunged over the curve and into space, with the wooden mail cars following, collapsing into piles of rubble. The time was 2:43 PM. Accidents happen so fast. In a matter of seconds, Engine 1102 flew off Stillhouse Trestle as it careened into the sharp curve just to the north and west of the Riverside Cotton Mill, barely missing the building. Steam and fire erupted, the noise and chaos enhanced by the crashing of the tumbling wooden mail cars almost falling in on top of the engine. The much loved Old 97 was a heap of wreckage, bringing instant death to some and delayed death to a few others. Napoleon Maupin felt himself falling through open space as his mail car fell into the ravine below, and in some strange way, a nail pierced a finger and trapped him. He begged a rescuer to just cut the finger off, but they were able to free him from the wreckage, with his jabbed finger still intact. Although he had to spend six, slow months in a hospital to treat blood poisoning, he did recover. Maupin went on to serve as stationmaster in Charlottesville for 20 years and lived a long life. Some of his descendants still live in the area. Mail scattered everywhere, but most of it was recovered by other mail clerks who came to help with the cleanup. Townsfolk rushed down the ravine and helped any way they could. Engineer Brody, and the engine crew were, as the song says, “scalded to death by the steam.” There
was a shipment of canaries in one of the wrecked mail cars, who enjoyed escaping the wreckage. If they had known their intended destination, they would have appreciated the irony that the wreck saved their lives. They were on their way to West Virginia coal mines to be used as “air testers.” The bodies were removed and the injured treated for their wounds. The trestle had minor damage, and an emergency crew worked all night to repair it so it could re-open the next morning. Eventually, Engine 1102 would be overhauled and put back in service. There
were 11 fatalities out of the 18 aboard, and one mail clerk escaped unhurt. The news spread all over the country, and photographs taken of the wreck were widely published. As was common in that day of reporting, some of the facts reported were inaccurate and there was the usual degree of sensationalism. At that point, the incident began to grow into myth and legend. It is hard to really know what happened to Old 97. One theory is that Brody was just trying to run it fast to make up delays. Another more likely possibility is that although he
knew the route and the terrain well, he was not used to the lighter and faster train. Did he just not handle it right? Another question is if he had been reckless, he could have been overruled by the conductor in the cab with him. They both had the responsibility for the train’s safety. What about the air brakes? Why did they fail? It is possible on a steam train that excessive use of brakes could “bleed off” air, leaving inadequate air to slow the train on the long downhill from White Oak Mountain. This is also unlikely as the grade down the mountain was not excessive, and the train was Continued to Page 142
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©2011 Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser® Beer, St. Louis, MO
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The Wreck of the Old 97
well maintained. One thing is certain, however. While Brody may have made some mistakes in the locomotive’s operation, he was not the reckless speed demon legend has portrayed him to be. He was no fool—and didn’t want to wreck his train and endanger his crew and the postal workers. If he couldn’t “put her in Spencer on time” at least he would still rather “put her in Spencer” late than never. Today, you can visit the wreck site where US Route 58 runs across the northern part of Danville. The ravine can be seen on both sides where the highway road bed was filled in across Stillhouse Creek. The trestle would have crossed perpendicular to the highway, then curved just to the left and south of where the historical marker is now. When the Southern Railroad re-routed the tracks in the mid-1930s, the trestle was torn down and little evidence remains today. Trees
and undergrowth have filled in the ravine to the left, where the wreck occurred. The wide clearing on the right side of the highway is now occupied by an athletic field. The peaceful, very ordinary scene today betrays the horror of what happened here on that September day in 1903.
The Song
The first known version of “The Wreck of The Old 97” was recorded on a wire Edison cylinder by Vernon Dalhart, then later, in 1924, on 78RPM for the Victor Talking Machine Company (forerunner of RCA Victor), with lyrics composed by Henry Whittier. This was the first country/folk/bluegrass record to sell a million copies, and has sold over four million over the years. There was a lawsuit over the song, however, as another Danville resident has claimed to be the real author of the lyrics. Many versions have been recorded, in various
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music styles: Earl and Scruggs, The Statler Brothers, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams III, Hank Snow, Woody Guthrie, Roy Acuff, Pet Seeger, Johnny Mercer—even Kate Smith. There is even a rock band in Texas that named itself the Old 97s...What are the titles of their albums? Wreck That Train and Blame It On Gravity. Oh, by the way, does anyone remember the 1959 song by The Kingston Trio, “MTA”? Listen carefully —the words are different but it’s the same tune!
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The Legacy of Nancy Langhorne –
Lady Astor
wit earned her more than a few enemies. In fact Nancy Astor said of herself once, “I am the kind of woman I would run from.”
With no members in the British parliament, the American colonists of 1776 declared war on the mother country, citing, “No taxation Without Representation.” In an ironic twist of fate, that changed on November 28, 1919 when Danville, Virginia native Nancy Langhorne, by then an American expatriate in England and titled Viscountess Astor, became the first woman to serve in British Parliament. Her father, Chiswell Dabney Langhorne, a former Confederate officer, struggled to keep his family out of poverty after the Civil War, finally achieving financial success after Nancy was born. Among his business ventures, he became an auctioneer, credited with inventing the tobacco auctioneer’s chant heard in Danville warehouses throughout the 20th century. One of Nancy’s sisters, Irene, married artist Charles Dana Gibson and became the famous Gibson Girl, the image of the ideal American woman. At seventeen, Nancy attended a finishing school in New York and then, after a disastrous first marriage, she took a tour of England and fell in love with the country. It was there she met and fell in love with Waldorf Astor, who had also been born in America. After their marriage Nancy moved into Cliveden, an extravagant estate on the River
Thames, which was a wedding gift from her father-in-law. It was Cliveden that she lived as Nancy Astor, a conspicuous hostess who developed elite social connections that eventually led her into political circles. During this time Nancy embraced the Christian Science movement. Her political life really began when her husband, a member of parliament, automatically became a member of the House of Lords upon the death of his father. Nancy decided to seek election to his vacant seat in parliament. Her campaign, which emphasized social reforms for women and children, made her an international celebrity. As Lady Astor she won the election and served for 26 years until she retired in 1945. Before her, in England’s long history, no woman had ever served in the British Parliament. While there she was involved in the temperance movement of the 1920s. She was much the feminist before the term was popular, pushing for women’s suffrage and to have more women in all levels of government. She also became an advocate for child labor laws and for nursery schools for poor children. But Nancy Langhorne is remembered as well for her outspokenness; her sharp-tongued
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Exchanges between her and Winston Churchill are legendary. He supposedly told Lady Astor, “I find a woman’s intrusion into the House of Commons as embarrassing as if she burst into my bathroom when I had nothing with which to defend myself, not even a sponge.” She replied, “Winston, you’re not handsome enough to have worries of that kind.” In another exchange Lady Astor remarked, “If you were my husband, I’d put poison in your coffee.” Churchill responded, “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.” When Churchill questioned what he should wear to a masquerade party, she said, “Why don’t you come sober.” In 1922, three years after Nancy Astor’s election to British parliament, she returned to Danville and visited her childhood home. While in her hometown she distributed 2000 rose bushes to local school children. In 2011, one of the original plants was propagated at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. In October 2011, the grandson of Lady Astor, Lord William Waldorf Astor III, attended a ceremony in Danville during which the Lady Astor Rose became the city’s official flower. For the Lady Astor Rose contact Chris Moore at Growing Virginia 434.710.6579. The Langhorne House is located at 117 Broad Street and is open on Saturdays 2-5 p.m or by appointment. Admission is free. Call 434.791.2256 or contact Pat Maurakis at patmaurakis@ verizon.net
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Yanceyville, North Carolina The Neighbors to the South –
Yanceyville is a short fifteen minute drive from Danville down NC-86.
The Road Less Travelled “Two roads diverged in a wood and I… I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” These three lines of a poem by Robert Frost perfectly describe the decision I made to build a home on farmland in Caswell County. Clearly, I chose the road less traveled, and it has made all the difference in my life. I was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina. At that time, it was Carolina’s biggest city besides Charlotte. I was a “city boy.” I lived and worked in huge cities like
New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and, for eight years, in London. At the age of 62, I chose to build a home on beautiful farmland off Shady Grove Road in Caswell County. It takes me five minutes to get to the center of Danville. Yet, from my house, when I look in all four directions, I can’t see another home. Fields and forests keep the peace for me! If you are contemplating a move to the Danville area, be sure you use a Danville realtor who also has a North Carolina Real Estate license so they can show you one of the best-kept secrets in the area… Caswell County, NC. Because, if they don’t have a NC license, they can’t show you properties in Caswell County, and won’t even mention it because they will hope you
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don’t want to look along the border in North Carolina. But, you will definitely want to include this beautiful county in your search for a wonderful place to live in and around Danville. There are three secrets to living in Caswell. Most people live right along the state and county roads in old farmhouses and small homes. If that lifestyle suits you, you’ll have lots of homes to choose from. Secret #1: Caswell’s population has remained between 21,000 and 24,000 for 50 years. From April, 2000 to July, 2009 the population actually declined 2.1 percent from 23,501 to 23,004. During that same period Wake County’s
population (the county where Raleigh, N.C. is located) skyrocketed by 48 percent. Unlike Wake County, Caswell County is not strained to manage huge population growth, which brings with it expensive infrastructure and new school building costs. And, best of all, Caswell never has traffic jams or bumper to bumper traffic patterns. Indeed over the past 50 years, the Caswell population has dramatically changed in makeup. In 1960, most people here lived on working farms as tenant laborers. As tobacco farming declined, the laborers moved away. Now, Caswell County is a peaceful bedroom community for Danville, Greensboro, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.
peaceful life with urban access. A good third choice is to buy land or a home with land off one of our state and county roads.
dream home and the privacy she craved after living in a huge city with high density and bumper-to-bumper traffic.
A cousin of mine moved to Danville from San Francisco. She told me to find her thirtyfive acres off one of our roads. She said, “I want to build a home in a field that can’t be seen from the road with trees encircling the field to give me privacy.” She wanted the experience of driving to her home through a private drive.
Secret #3: Caswell has not changed much over the last 50 years because the people here love the way it is. One of the best secrets in Caswell happened in the late 1800s in a village called Milton. A company visited the tiny village and saw that the land right by the Dan River was the perfect place to build a huge textile mill. The residents of Milton thought it over and decided they did not want to become an industrial revolution boom town so
We found exactly what she wanted in two weeks. The farmland owner was thrilled to sell those 35 acres to her right away. Now, she has her new
Continued from page 152
Secret #2: Caswell has 425 square miles, but only 54 people, on average, live in a square mile! By contrast, neighboring Wake County’s density is 1078 people per square mile. The wonderful, low population density Caswell enjoys means we offer peace, quiet, and privacy at extremely affordable prices. There are two wonderful neighborhoods in Caswell only minutes from Danville. Caswell Pines, is a golf course community near Yanceyville, about twelve miles south of Danville. ShadySide offers waterfront home sites on up to three acres only seven minutes from Danville. It is located at the intersection of Shady Grove and Seamster Roads. ShadySide gives you the best of both worlds, a The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOW N .com 149
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Yanceyville, NC
Continued from page 149.
they said “No Thanks.” That company became Dan River Mills and located in Danville because the town of Milton didn’t want a change in their village of such magnitude. Today Milton is virtually the same quiet village it was in 1900…not spoiled by man. I’ve always believed that when it came to the world, God did most of the “pretty work.” It has been man who has messed it up. Caswell County is blessed with a lot of beautiful work done by God that hasn’t been messed up by man. So, if you want beauty, peace and quiet, low density, light traffic, and privacy, you can have it in Caswell County. It is all here for the taking, and when compared to city living, the lifestyle in Caswell “can make
all the difference.” Caswell County is part of the Danville and Pittsylvania County community. The City of Danville shares a border with Caswell County to its south as it does with Pittsylvania County to its north, east and west.
A Focus on Yanceyville Square The Piedmont of North Carolina boasts many communities dating to the Revolutionary War. These towns, ancient by American standards, were built primarily upon tobacco. Over the years, demand for the golden leaf waned and the prosperity of many areas of commerce declined. However, some have been able to reinvent themselves through restaurants and cultural tourism.
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Appointed the county seat of Caswell County in 1792, Yanceyville is the epitome of this evolution. As the grandson of a local tobacco farmer, I witnessed the change firsthand. The town square has transformed itself from a congregation area for local tobacco farmers to a place for people from all walks of life to convene. The Richmond-Miles Museum, Historic County Courthouse, Yancey House Restaurant and Gallery, and Caswell County Civic Center exemplify this, catering to locals and travelers alike. In May of 2010, Yanceyville started “First Fridays on the Square,” highlighting local musical acts. With the success of the inaugural event, the first Friday of every fair weather month since has been the hot destination spot of Caswell County.
If you are in the mood for an evening of the Arts, visit the Caswell County Civic Center located next to Barlett Yancey High School just outside of Downtown Yanceyville. Since 1979, this 912-seat auditorium has hosted professional theatre and musical performances. There are also facilities for event space to service a crowd of up to 500 and an art gallery for people who wish to take a quick perusal before a show. For those who have relocated to the Northern Piedmont wishing to audit some classes that they never had an opportunity to take in college, or for teens wishing to enroll in coursework, Piedmont Community College is a jewel of the North Carolina Community College system. This Yanceyville institution offers a one of a kind Film and Video Production Technology program. It provides hands on, application-based training with many students finding professional work in such burgeoning film industry hubs as Wilmington, North Carolina, and Los Angeles, North Carolina. The new Yanceyville is definitely a far cry from what I remember as a kid. For more information on Yanceyville, NC, visit www.yanceyvillenc.gov. To check out Caswell County Civic Center click on www.ccfta.org. To research coursework at Piedmont Community College, go to www.piedmontcc.edu. The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOW N .com 153
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Exploring Martinsville The Afternoon Art Excursions –
Load up the family for a fun day trip to Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia in search of public art. You’ll be amazed at the variety of exhibits on display throughout the community. A drive through the historic Uptown District of Martinsville will take you past four significant outdoor murals. The “Circus Mural,” by John Stiles, is located at the corner of Franklin and Main Streets in Martinsville. It is a cheerful look back in time to 1920 when the circus came to town. The work depicts a parade of elephants wearing colorful banners as they plodded through the streets to herald the upcoming performance. You can even see an actual photo of this day in time by visiting the nearby Martinsville-Henry County Historical Museum on Church Street. “Old Glory,” located on Franklin Street in Martinsville at the Theatre Works Black Box is a 38’ by 18’ American Flag painted by world renowned artist Scott Lobaido. Just
looking at the incredible detail of this mural you can almost see the flag rippling in the wind. The most remarkable thing about it is that the creation was completed in just one day! Lobaido, known for his speed painting techniques, created the patriotic work in honor of local veteran, Cpl. JB Kerns who lost three limbs while serving in Afghanistan. The “Uptown Farmers’ Market Mural,” by Betty LaDuke, depicts the role of agriculture in society and showcases the people that help bring food to our tables. After the mural was mounted to the wall at the Market on Church Street in Martinsville, a group of high school students under the direction of local artist Celia Tucker created their own interpretations of LaDuke’s work. The students’ wooden painted cutouts of produce and farmers can be seen throughout the Market. The newest mural in Uptown Martinsville is “June German Ball.” Located on Martinsville’s historic Fayette Street, the
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mural depicts a fictional scene from one of Martinsville’s famed June German Balls, which were popular within the African-American community in the early part of the 20th century. These balls were held yearly, in the heat of June, and featured celebrated entertainers from the Jazz age like Jimmie Lunceford & His Dance Orchestra, who performed at the event in 1938. The mural was designed and painted by Abigail Kieselbach and Briana Amos, interns participating in the New College Institute’s summer internship program; local artists Charles Hill, Iris Gillispie and Lex Hairston; Piedmont Arts intern, Ally Sneed; New College Institute’s Coordinator of Experimental Learning, Katie Croft; and Piedmont Arts’ Director of Marketing, Communications and Design, Bernadette Moore. Just a short walk from Uptown, you can see a variety of sculptures. The brushed steel sculpture, “Kabuki Dancer” by Barry Tinsley can be seen on
the grounds of Piedmont Arts on Starling Avenue. Artist Ed Dolinger created a variety of sculptures, inspired by nature, that are found along the Uptown Connection Trail and Silverbell Trail in Martinsville. They include large-scale leaves, Silverbell blooms, and small bronze sculptures of native Virginia wildlife. Young children will especially love searching for Dolinger’s bronze animals that are “hidden” along the corridor of the Silverbell Trail. There are eight animals to be found, including a rabbit, frog, turtle, and trout. Just a short drive from Martinsville, in the Village of Fieldale, you’ll find an iconic structure now repurposed as a piece of trail art. The 1931 Fieldale Iron Bridge was a beloved part of the community as many tales revolved around events that occurred on, above, and under the bridge. The iron truss bridge spanning the Smith River was slated to be destroyed in 2009 to make way for a more modern concrete bridge until the community rallied together to preserve a piece of it. Located in Fieldale along South River Road, the structure now bears the names of nearly one-hundred past and present residents that cared to see the bridge saved by contributing financially to the preservation effort.
dinos in a variety of places throughout the community. See if you can locate the cowboy, the student, the mirror-ball dino, and even the friendly fellow named “Bud Ice-cream-a-saurus.” Two of the area’s indoor murals are available for viewing on weekdays. Inside the SunTrust Bank on Church Street, a 73-foot long mural by Richmond artist H. Warren Billings hangs just behind the teller’s counter. The mural, which took a year to complete, highlights Virginia and local history. It features eight detailed scenes from 1705-1832, including: The Capital in Williamsburg; Richmond; The Henry County Courthouse; The Colonel Joseph Martin House; The Major John Redd House; Stratford Hall; Redd House; and Lover’s Leap in Patrick County. One of the most historic works of art in the community is the 1939 fresco, “Manufacture of Furniture” by Walter Carnelli. The mural is located in the historic Bassett Post Office
on Fairystone Park Highway in Bassett and it depicts scenes of furniture makers at work. This is one of a series of murals across Virginia that was commissioned by the WPA under the Treasury Department. The fresco technique involved painting onto wet lime plaster. As the plaster dried, the pigments were embedded and became part of the building’s walls. From industry and architecture to history, nature and culture, the topics of area works of public art are very diverse. Have fun discovering each of these area treasures with your family and who knows — you might inspire a future generation of artists! If you need help locating any of these public art sites, visit the Martinsville-Henry County Visitor Center (191 Fayette Street, Martinsville) for maps and helpful information. While there, pick up a copy of the Family Fun Passport that will enable you to earn a free t-shirt, just for visiting some of these sites.
For a more lighthearted category of art, drive around the community to see how many painted brontosaurus sculptures your family can find. Part of the exhibition “Dinosaurs on Parade” you can find the long-necked The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOW N .com 157
The South Boston Fire Hydrant Walking Tour Afternoon Excursions –
Author Chuck Klosterman said, “Art and love are the same thing; it’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you.” Inspiration was simple for famed artist Pablo Picasso who said, “Everything you can imagine is real.” When it comes to art there aren’t many boundaries, taking Picasso’s thinking a step further, if you can envision it, you can create it. That’s just what has happened in South Boston. Along a one-and-a-half mile stretch in Downtown South Boston, the fire hydrants have been painted to represent people from South Boston’s rich history. Taking inspiration from a fire hydrant project in New Bern, NC to commemorate its 300th anniversary, Destination Downtown South Boston (DDSB) felt a similar project would fit perfectly with the goal of
supporting a downtown art initiative as well as attract more downtown visitors. DDSB Secretary and former President, Wayne Fuller says, “Successful public art draws people to it, makes them want to interact with it, and opens them up to conversations with others, helping create a sense of community.” From this DDSB vision, the Fire Hydrant Walking Tour was born. The Fire Hydrant Walking Tour encompasses 1.54 miles and seventeen hydrants. Hydrants have been painted to represent such luminaries as Wiley Waddill Ward, South Boston’s first mayor and Dr. Henry Grant Wood, the first black physician in South Boston. The project began with permission from the Halifax County Service Authority. After mapping out the location of each hydrant, DDSB enlisted the
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help of the Halifax Historical Society to compile a list of figures chosen and to create a 50-75 word narrative describing their importance to South Boston. Volunteers and artists from the community helped to paint the hydrants. The fire hydrants, while amusing and unexpected, serve to carry on the rich history of South Boston and educate through art. “The Fire Hydrant Walking Tour is a wonderful addition to our beautiful historic district of downtown South Boston... and another dedication to our wonderful volunteers and to South Boston’s history,” Fuller says. For more information, including a downloadable guide to the tour, visit www.downtownsobo.com.
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Have regular checkups, eat right and get moving
Make your child feel loved and secure
PLAY
Play with your child and have fun
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• Teacher education and training • Learning environment • Quality of adult and child interactions Star ratings give you the power to make an informed choice about your child’s earliest learning experience.
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READ Read with your child every day
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You are your child’s most important teacher!
For more school readiness information, call (434) 797-8887 or visit www.SmartBeginningsDP.org
Star-Rated Preschool Programs in Danville & Pittsylvania County CHILD CARE CENTERS Children First Learning Center Children’s House at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church CIC Head Start DRMC Child Development Center, FFI Faith Christian Academy Families First Children’s Center at DCC Little Blessings Childcare, Inc. Pittsylvania County Head Start Play-n-Pretend Small World Childcare Center Tot Spot
FAMILY HOMES GabDan’s Christian Day Care Howard’s Day Care Little Prince and Princess Family Day Care COMING SOON Danville Public Schools/ VA Preschool Initiative The Harvest Corner Sacred Heart School
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The Celebration of Twenty Years of Coolness
stood in one place for decades manning the register.” It’s that kind of character you can’t replicate.
In an era where hipsters vacillate between barberstyle straight razor shaves and untended ZZ Top beards, one local store is unwavering in its classic coolness. The Dan River Region’s hippest store is Madison Dry Goods in Madison, North Carolina, just a few miles past Eden. National chains like Anthropology spend millions to try to replicate the look and feel of this authentic hidden gem. In December, owners Richard and Kathy Miller are celebrating their twentieth year, the same way they celebrated their first year, by bringing together extremely well-made apparel, locally-made food and beverages, and unmatched atmosphere. Together, they’ve transformed a historic building that once housed a hotel, an undertaker, and a hardware store, into one of the area’s most impressive destination places. “We get people from all over the Piedmont,” Richard says. “We get bus tours out of Roanoke, a lot of people out of Danville, and Greensboro. We’ve made new friends from all over.”
different reasons. Some come for the exceptional values on clothes, including the Miller’s own brand, Dan River Expedition Company. Others come for the wide selection of eclectic and locally-made groceries in the general store. And many come for the unexpected museum on the second floor which shows exactly what the hotel was like in the early 1900s. But, they all come for the unique and honest atmosphere. “Many people have told me I look like the man who owned this building, years ago,” Richard says. “In the center of the store, we’ve highlighted indentions in the floor where he
The people come for many
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Richard and Kathy are people who believe in the community in which they live. “A lot of people come in and say remember when because of the antiques and things we have around the store.” Keeping that memory of the past alive is one of the things that drive them. Another is the desire to see downtown Madison thrive. “Next door to us is a fabulous Italian restaurant that brings in a lot of people from Martinsville.” Richard’s local business leadership recently earned him the Businessman of the Year Award from the local Chamber of Commerce. As a visitor, it’s nice to know that the owners are involved in their community, but it’s their involvement in the store that gives it its character. It’s hard to put into words how awesome an experience it is to spend a couple hours in Madison Dry Goods. Even photos can’t do it justice because much of the experience is in the aura that emanates from the original floors, ceilings, and most importantly, the love of its current caregivers.
Located in Historic Downtown Madison for 20 years
Museum
A Unique & Friendly Shopping Experience
www.madisonDdrygoods.com
104 West Murphy Street-Downtown Madison,NC 336.427.7099 or 336.402.9479 Mon-Thur 10am-6pm Fri-Sat 10am-8pm Closed Sundays
Retail
Tour Buses & Group Tours Welcome
Country Store The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOWN .com 163
Making Moving Day Less Stressful The Painless Goodbye:
r Water r Telephone r Sewer r Trash r Cable/Satellite r Internet r Fuel (Propane, Oil)
Two or Three Weeks Before the Move If you are working with a mover, let the moving company know if you plan to add or subtract items from your move or if there is any change in the schedule. Make sure you and the mover have all pertinent contact information for each other. If you are having a vehicle to move, make sure all arrangements are in place.
Four to Six Weeks Before You Move A few of these partners and assets are highlighted below. • Make sure you really want or need to move by checking out the area you are moving to prior to the move. • Do a Change of Address Notification with the post office. This can be done easily at www.usps.com. • Get rid of unwanted items either via a yard sale, ebay, or as a charity donation. Make sure you obtain receipts for donations to non-profit organizations. • Stop buying groceries and use up the canned goods, frozen foods, and other household items. Buy only what you can eat or use up before the move. • Many local businesses will save boxes for you if you ask which will reduce your costs, and allow recycling. • Prepare a list of friends, relatives, and businesses that should be notified of your move. Here’s a simple checklist:
Government r Department of Motor Vehicles r Social Security Administration r City/County Tax Office r Veterans Administration r Any/All benefit programs Professional Services r Doctors r Dentist r Accountant r Lawyer r Broker r Insurance Agent Publications & Subscriptions r Newspapers r Magazines r Newsletters r Professional Journals Personal Accounts r Pharmacy r Dry Cleaner r Lawn Service r Banks and Finance Companies r Laundry Service r Credit Card Companies r Health Clubs Utilities r Electric r Gas
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Prepare Your Family for the Move. r Take the family for a farewell visit to places that hold happy memories. r Have a going away party for your kids and their friends. r Have an informal barbeque or get together with your friends. r Make sure all travel plans are reserved and confirmed. r If you are driving, have your car serviced for the trip (oil change, check tires, brakes, fluids, etc.) Prepare Your Household Items. r Properly dispose of all flammable items such as cleaning fluids, fireworks, matches, acids, aerosols, and poisons like weed killer. Drain the fluids from your lawn mower and other machinery. Discard old cans of paint, oil, thinner, bleach, etc. r Have a service company prepare your appliances for moving. Many moving companies will not guarantee safe delivery of your appliances if they have not been “prepared to ship” by a service company.
r Set up a date to have utilities turned off AFTER the move. r Have rugs and drapes cleaned and then leave them in the wrapping. r Get your expensive items such as antiques appraised so that you know the value before the move.
One to Two Weeks Before the Move r If you are moving yourself, or packing yourself for a moving company to move you, begin packing up your house. Make sure you follow all guidelines for appropriate packing required by the packing company to ensure your belongings are covered by the mover’s warranty. r If you are moving yourself, make sure you have the appropriate sized truck rented and that you have twice as many people to help you as you actually will need because half of them aren’t going to show up. r Make arrangements for household plants and pets. It’s always a good thing to leave your plants behind with friends and family to remember you by. And as for pets, they are a member of your family and should be treated as such, traveling with the family. r Collect all the items you’re having cleaned, stored, or repaired (clothes, furs, shoes, watches, etc.) r Empty your locker at work, club, bowling alley, or gym. r Return library books and video rentals. r Return things you’ve borrowed from people and get your own stuff back that you’ve loaned out.
Day Before Moving r If you have packers coming in, make sure to point out all
r
r
r
r
extra-fragile or vital items that need special attention. Mark the items and provide a list. Identify the items you’ll need first at the new home so they can be loaded onto the truck last. Unplug electronic appliances so that they will be room temperature the day of the move. Check closets, cabinets, and storage lockers for overlooked items. Get plenty of rest the night before. Moving day is stressful.
Moving Day r Stay at your home all day and oversee the move. r Make sure you have phone service on the day of the move. r Take a last look around. Make sure to turn off the water, furnace and air conditioning, and lights. Make sure the doors and windows are tightly locked and make sure you haven’t left anything behind.
After the Move r You must either clean the old home or have arranged for it to be professionally cleaned. Showing respect to the new owner or the landlord is a sign of a good person and with landlords can save you a lot of money out of your security deposit. Vital Tips. • Move heavy boxes and furniture to the front of your house so that the moving men can work more quickly. • Put tape or padding around the corners of difficult turns or passages so that your things don’t get banged around. • Leave the vacuuming until last. • Personally pack anything you don’t want anyone seeing such as bedroom items.
• Have beverages and food for the people helping you move. • Any really valuable items such as jewelry shouldn’t be a part of the move. • Make sure you have all the keys to your new place. Preparing Your Kids for the Move. • Make sure the kids know they can ask questions. They will want to know about their new school, neighborhood, and city. If you know there is going to be a hard question such as “Why can’t we take the dog,” have a good answer prepared. • Help your child plan for their new room. Take pictures and share them. Let them be a part of decorating the new room. • Encourage your child to create an address book with addresses and phone numbers of friends, teachers, coaches, etc. Whether they actually keep in touch or not, the address book will be a reminder of their old home. • Help your child say their goodbyes, and if you can have a party for their friends, it’s a good way to do it. • Help them organize their things and use it as an opportunity to scale down unused toys and clothes. • Make a box or backpack of moving day essentials for your kids. • Take the kids on a tour of the old city and the new city. Moving is a difficult process and can really be a burden. Going through this list before moving will give you an opportunity to cut down on the unneeded stress that usually arises when people are unprepared or uninformed, and will settle your nerves on the unknown.
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Animal Information Dog Licenses—Danville: 434.799.5140 Animal Control—Pittsylvania County: 434.432.7937 Humane Society: 434.799.0843 Building Codes/Permits City of Danville: 434.799.5263 Pittsylvania County: 434.432.7755
Communications and Media MAGAZINES: • Showcase Magazine (monthly): 877.638.8685 www.showcasemagazine.com • Evince Magazine (monthly): 877.638.8685 www.evincemagazine.com • Welcome to Our Town (annual): 877.638.8685 NEWSPAPERS: • Danville Register & Bee (daily): 434.793.2311 • www. registerbee.com • The Star-Tribune (weekly): 434.432.2791 www.chathamstartribune.com • Piedmont Shopper (weekly free classifieds) 434.822.1800 www.piedmontshopper.com RADIO STATIONS: • Country Legends 1037FM: 434.799.1010 www.countrylegends1037.com/ • News Radio 1330 WBTM: 434.793.4411 www.wbtm1330.com • WAKG FM 103.3: 434.797.4290 www.wakg.com • WWDN 104.5 FM & 1580 AM; 434.799.1010 www.1045thedan.com • WDVA—Great Gospel: 434.797.1250 • WKBY: 434.432.8108 • WMNA: 434.432.4730 TELEVISION STATIONS: • WDBJ 7: 540.344.7000 www.wdbj7.com • WGSR 47.1/WMDV 44.2 – Star TV: 434.791.3440 www.wgsr47.com • WSET-TV Virginia’s 13 ABC: 434.797.9713 • www.wset.com • WSLS 10: 540.981.9126 www.wsls.com
Services Driver’s License/Auto Registration A Virginia driver’s license is required after residence has been established. A person must be 16 years and three months of age to obtain a Virginia driver’s license. To license an automobile in Virginia, a valid title of ownership must be established with the state and proof of sales and use tax furnished. Vehicles must be inspected annually. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): 866.368.5463 or 804.497.7100 Offices: 600 Cleveland Street, Danville and 1301.H Main Street, Altavista www.dmv.state.va.us Emergency Services • Emergency Medical Services: 911 • Emergency Fire Department: 911 Garbage Collection • City of Danville: 434.799.5245 • Town of Chatham: 434.432.9515 • Town of Gretna: 434.656.6572 • Town of Hurt: 434.324.4411 • First Piedmont Corp.: 434.432.0211 Libraries • Danville Public Library: 434.799.5195 • Danville Law Library: 434.799.5118 • Danville Library—Westover: 434.799.5152 • Pittsylvania County Library: Main - 434.432.3271 Gretna: 434.656.2579 Brosville-Cascade: 434.685.1285 Mt. Hermon: 434. 835.0326 Medical Facilities Danville and Pittsylvania County are home to Danville Regional Medical Center, which provides care for the region, and a variety of general practitioners and specialists. For a breakdown of medical services, visit www. dpchamber.org. Danville Regional Medical Center www.danvilleregional.org 434.799.2100
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Pittsylvania-Danville Health Department 434.799.5190 | 434.432.7232 Nursing Homes • Chatham Health and Rehabilitation Center: 434.432.0471 • Gretna Healthcare Center: 434.656.1206 • Piney Forest Health Care Ctr.: 434.799.1565 • Riverside Health Care Center: 434.791.3800 • Roman Eagle Memorial Home: 434.836.9510 • Stratford Healthcare Center: 434.799.4540 Assisted Living • Abingdon Place of Danville: 434.799.1930 • Emeritus of Danville Assisted Living: 434.791.3180 • Stratford House: 434.799.2266 Police (Non-Emergencies) • Danville Police Department: 434.799.5111 • Danville Sheriff’s Office: 434.799.5135 • Pittsylvania County Sheriff: 434.432.7800 • Chatham Police Department: 434.432.9515 • Gretna Police Department: 434.656.6123 • Hurt Police Department: 434.324.8511 • Virginia State Police: 800.553.3144 Transportation • Bus Transportation—Danville: 434.799.5144 • Danville Regional Airport: 434.799.5110 • Danville Taxi: 434.793.5671 • Greyhound Bus Lines: 800.231.2222 • Herndon Limousine Service: 434.792.1521 • Yellow Cab: 434.791.1666
Utilities ELECTRICAL POWER: • City of Danville: 434.799.5155 • Appalachian Power a unit of American Electric Power: 800.956.4237 • Dominion Virginia Power: 888.667.3000
• Mecklenburg Electric: 434.656.1288 or 800.989.1289 • Southside Electric: 800.552.2118 CABLE: • Comcast Cable: 888.266.2278 • Chatmoss Cablevision: 434.685.1521 INTERNET SERVICES: • Comcast: 888.233.5638 • Gamewood: 434.799.8407 or 877.799.4611 • GCR Online: 800.239.8670 • FairPoint Communications: 434.656.2291 • Mecklenburg Communications: 877.888.8290 • NTELOS: 877.468.3567 • Verizon: 888.625.8111 NATURAL GAS: • City of Danville: 434.799.5280 • Columbia Gas of Virginia: 800.543.8911 TELEPHONE SERVICE: • CenturyLink: 866.3046820 • FairPoint Communications: 434.656.2291
• Verizon: 800.837.4966 – Residential Services 800.826.2355 – Business Services WATER: • City of Danville: 434.799.5280 • Pittsylvania County Service Authority: 434.836.7135 • Town of Chatham: 434.432.9515 • Town of Gretna: 434.656.6572 • Town of Hurt: 434.324.4411 Voting To vote in Virginia, a person must be 18-years-old and a resident of the Commonwealth. Voter registration is required 30 days prior to a general election. VOTER REGISTRATION: • Danville: 434.799.6560 • Pittsylvania County: 434.432.7971
Resource List • Better Business Bureau: 540.342.3455 • Community Foundation of the Dan River Region: 434.793.0884
• Dan River Business Development Center: 434.793.9100 • Danville Community Market: 434.797.8961 • Danville Economic Development Office: 434.793.1753 • Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce: 434.836.6990 • Danville Welcome Center: 434.793.4636 • Downtown Danville Association: 434.791.4470 • Longwood University SBDC: Dan River: 434.797.8482 • Pittsylvania County Economic Development: 434.432.1669 • Social Security Administration: 800.772.1213 • U.S. Postal Service Danville: 434.792.4576 Chatham: 434.432.4321 Gretna: 434.656.1830 Hurt: 434.324.4804 • Veterans Affairs: 800.827.1000
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Attraction List • AAF Tank Museum: 434.836.5323 • Altavista Vineyards: 434.324.4160 • Carrington Pavilion: 434.773.8160 • Cooper’s Radio Controlled Race Center: 434.724.4182 • Dan River Grand Prix: 434.791.3747 • Danville Association of Arts & Humanities: 434.792.6965 • Danville Braves: 434.797.3792 • Danville Concert Association: 434.432.3374 • Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History: 434.793.5644 • Danville Parks, Recreation & Tourism: 434.799.5200 • Danville Pittsylvania County Fair Association: 434.822.6850 • Danville Science Center: 434.799.5160 • Danville Symphony Orchestra: 434.799.0494 • Estelle H. Womack Museum of Natural History: 434.791.5160 • Gretna Theatre: 434.656.3377 • The North Theatre: 434.792.2700 • Riverside Lanes: 434.791.2695 • South Boston Speedway: 434.572.4947 • The Homeplace Vineyards: 434.432.9463 • Tiny Town Golf: 434.799.0142 • Tomahawk Mill Winery: 434.432.1063 • Veteran’s Memorial Wall & Walkway: 434.793.0884 • VIRginia International Raceway: 434.822.7700 • Virginia Museum of Natural History: 276.666.8600
Education and Employment Education Excellence in academics and a balance of cultural and athletic opportunities are available in the region’s public schools. Secular and parochial private schools are also available for preschool students through high school. Adult and continuing education programs are offered by the public school systems.
Public Schools: • Danville Public Schools: 434.799.6400 web.dps.k12.va.us • Pittsylvania County Schools: 434.793.1624, 434.432.2761, 434.656.6248 www.pcs.k12.va.us/public Private Schools: • Abundant Life Academy: 434.799.8542 www.alwoc.org • Carlisle School: 276.632.7288 www.carlisleschool.org • Carlisle School - Chatham Campus: 434.432.9244 Carlisle School - Danville Campus:434.799.1750 • Chatham Hall: 434.432.2941 www.chathamhall.org • Epiphany Episcopal School: 434.792.4334 www.epiphanydanville.org • Faith Christian Academy: 434.324.8276 www.fcavirginia.com • Hargrave Military Academy: 434.432.2481 • www.hargrave. edu • Sacred Heart School: 434.793.2656 www.sheartschool.com • Sylvan Learning Center: 434.799.6900 www.educate.com/ centers/24540 • Westover Christian Academy: 434.822.0800 www.westoverministries.org Higher Education: • Averett University: 434.791.5600 www.averett.edu • Danville Community College: 434.797.2222 www.dcc.vccs.edu • Institute for Advanced Learning & Research: 434.791.4161 www.ialr.org • National College: 434.793.6822 www.national-college.edu • University of Richmond Weekend College at Danville Community College scs.richmond.edu/degrees/ liberal-arts/undergraduate/ weekend-danville.html • Virginia Technical Institute: 434.369.8200 www.virginiatechnicalinstitute.org
170 C O MEVIS I T O UR T O W N . com • T h e D a n ville Experience
Employment Danville/Pittsylvania County’s largest employers: • Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company – 2000 • Pittsylvania County School System – 1500 • Danville Regional Medical Center – 1339 • Danville Public Schools – 1289 • City of Danville – 1252 • Telvista – 780 • Nestle USA, Inc. – 575 • Wal-Mart – 474 • Averett University - 400 • Unique Industries – 400 • Foodlion - 376 • Roman Eagle Memorial Home – 363 • Danville Community College – 356 • Swedwood - 350 • CIT – 280 • VIRginia International Raceway - 280 • Intertape Polymer Group – 275 • American National Bank - 272 • EBI - 269 • Danville Pittsylvania Community Services - 250 • Medical Facilities of America Riverside Health & Rehabilitation - 218 • Essel Propack - 212 Employment Services • Adecco Employment Services: 434.791.2933 • www.adecco.com • AmeriStaff Employment & Staffing Solutions: 434.792.8367 www.ameristaff.com • Debbie’s Staffing: 434.836.1333 www.debbiesstaffing.com • Telamon Corporation-Danville: 434.836.9071 • www.telamon.org • Virginia Employment Commission: 434.549.8220 www.vec.state.va.us
Government and Taxes Government DANVILLE • www.danville-va.gov Danville is governed by nine council members, elected at large for four-year staggered terms. The City Council appoints a City Manager, a City Attorney, a City Clerk, and various boards and commissions. Members of City Council elect a Mayor and Vice
Mayor. The City Manager, chief administrator of the City’s affairs, handles municipal business. PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY www.pittgov.org Pittsylvania County is managed by a County Administrator who reports to a seven-member Board of Supervisors who are elected by districts for four-year terms. The Board of Supervisors appoints various boards and commissions Members of the Board of Supervisors elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman. THE TOWN OF CHATHAM www.chatham-va.gov The Town of Chatham is managed by an elected mayor and a sixmember Town Council with the support of a Public Works Director. Council members are elected at large for four-year terms. THE TOWN OF GRETNA www.townofgretna.org The Town of Gretna is managed by a town manager who reports to a seven-member Town Council. Council members are elected for four-year terms. THE TOWN OF HURT The Town of Hurt is managed by a town manager who reports to a seven-member Town Council. Council members are elected for four-year terms.
Automobiles & Trucks (Market Value) • City of Danville: 3.00 • Pittsylvania County @ 30%: 8.50 • Town of Chatham: 4.50 • Town of Gretna: 2.00 • Town of Hurt: 2.50 General Sales Tax: 5% (State: 4% and Local: 1 %)
Area Demographics POPULATION • Danville MSA: 105,814 • Pittsylvania County: 63,506 • City of Danville: 43,055 • Town of Chatham: 2,233 • Town of Gretna: 1,207 • Town of Hurt: 1,209 PERSONS PER SQUARE MILE • Pittsylvania County: 65.4 • Danville: 999.9 INCOME (PER CAPITA) • Danville MSA: $20,351 • Pittsylvania County: $20,668 • Danville: $19,074 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD MONEY INCOME • Pittsylvania County: $39,531 • Danville: $29,466 COST OF LIVING The low cost of living in Danville and Pittsylvania County provide our residents with the opportunity
for a great quality of life. • HOUSING UNITS Pittsylvania County: 30,077 Danville: 23,371 • HOUSING COST - Median home value (owner-occupied): Pittsylvania County: $99,100 Danville: $88,800
Educational Attainment High School Graduates, Percent of Persons age 25+ • Pittsylvania County: 75.8% • Danville: 74.5% Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, Percent of Persons age 25+ • Pittsylvania County: 13% • Danville: 15.7%
Geography/Climate • MSA land area (square miles): 1,026 • Pittsylvania County land area: 970.76 • Danville land area: 43 • Average January temperature (high): 48.4 • Average January temperature (low): 27.5 • Average July temperature (high): 89.8 • Average July temperature (low): 67.1 • Mean annual temperature: 52.0 • Average annual rainfall: 43.8 • Average annual snowfall: 6.2
PHONE NUMBERS • City of Danville: 434.799.5100 • Pittsylvania County: 434.432.7700 • Town of Chatham: 434.432.9515 • Town of Gretna: 434.656.6572 • Town of Hurt: 434.324.4411 Taxes 2012 LOCAL TAXES • Real Estate: Tax Rate/$100 (Market Value) • City of Danville: .73 • Pittsylvania County: .52 • Town of Chatham: .22 • Town of Gretna: .17 • Town of Hurt: .14 Machinery & Tools (Original Cost) • City of Danville@ 80%: 1.50 • Pittsylvania County @ 10%: 4.50
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Business Directory
A 2 Witches Winery & Brewery Company
Averett University
P 47
209 Trade Street Danville, VA 24541 434.549.2739 www.2witcheswinebrew.com Julie Brown
A1 Custom Window Tinting
2450 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.822.8468 www.customwindowtinting.biz Paula Richardson
A1 Economy Glass
2450 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.791.4222 www.a1economyglass.com Paula Richardson
Abercrombie Oil Company, Inc.
Awards & Trophy Shop 761 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.792.5355 Jonathan Scollo P 151
P 151
P 65
www.bbandt.com
Southern Virginia 434.251.2888 Ryan Badgett
239 Nor-Dan Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.773.2303 445 Mount Cross Road Danville, VA 24540 434.773.3321 1407 South Boston Road Danville, VA 24540 434.773.2309
P 129
P 103
P 123
P 60
P 129
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P 123
140 Kentuck Road Danville, VA 24540 434.793.3200 110 South Market Street Danville, VA 24541 434.799.2780 903 South Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.792.1800 141 Westover Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.793.3321 5406 U.S. 29 Business Blairs, VA 24527 434.836.3800 140 South Main Street Chatham, VA 24531 434.432.1212
Cherrystone Veterinary Hospital 14390 US HWY 29 N Chatham, VA 24531 434.432.4410 Kay Geyer
1014 W. Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.792.6621
2016 West Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.773.2312
Carter Bank & Trust
126 S. Union Street Danville, VA 24540 434.792.9311 www.ccbbk.net D. Thomas Blair
1410 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.836.4653
3320 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24502 434.237.1566 www.mybcu.org
P 119
179 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.799.1750 www.carlisleschool.org Lee Probst
P Carter Craig Attorneys at Law 52
2801 Westover Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.822.2067
Beacon Credit Union
Carlisle School
3060 North Main Street Danville, VA 24540 434.836.5543
125 Collins Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.792.7125 P 11
C www.carterbankandtrust.com
515 Memorial Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.793.8322 www.cbtbi.com Gene Hayes
BB&T
Aflac Insurance
628 Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.792.5111
Bankers Insurance/ Carter Bank and Trust
146 Arnett Blvd Danville, VA 24540 434.792.2547 Julian Bryant
434.728.4924 lewis_giles@us.aflac.com Lewis Giles
www.amnb.com
11091 Bill Tuck Hwy Virgilina, VA 24598 877.274.6695 www.bgtrailer.com Barbara Nunn
Barbee Fabrics of Danville
Aflac Insurance
P 127
B BG Trailer Rentals
2930 West Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.792.8022 www.abercrombieoil.com Milo Abercrombie
American National Bank
420 West Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.791.5634 www.averett.edu Buddy Rawley
P 155
Chestnut Lane P 145
P 110 310 Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.799.4363 www.chestnutlaneantiques.com Shelley Blackwell, Audrey Pearson, Wendy Sampson
City of Danville
427 Patton Street 434.857.3331 www.danville-va.gov
P 114
Computer Bookkeeping and Tax Service
P 56
Courtyard Conference Centers
P 166
Curves
P 133
2380 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.793.8976 www.computerbookkeepingandtax.com Debra Dockery
149 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.792.2672 www.courtyardconferencecenters.com Angela Perkins
2380 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.793.8976 www.curves.com Deborah Dockery
D Daly Seven
4829 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.822.2161 www.dalyseven.com Patrick Daly
Dan Valley Food Service 615 Kentuck Road Danville, VA 24541 434.792.4311 ww.dvffoods.com Donnie Stevens
Danville Area Humane Society 966 South Boston Road Danville, VA 24540 434.799.0843 www.dahsinc.com Paulette Dean
Danville Dental Associates
Danville Paint & Supply
P 532 Monroe Street 143 Danville, VA 24541 434.792.8521 www.danvillepaintandsupply.com Delores Evans
Danville Parks and Recreation 645 River Park Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.799.5200 www.playdanvilleva.com Russell Carter
Danville Regional Foundation 512 Bridge Street, Suite 100 Danville, VA 24541 434.799.2176 www.drfonline.org
Danville Regional Medical Center
P 34
P 15
P 83
142 South Main Street Danville, VA 24540 434.799.2100 www.danvilleregional.com
P 84
Danville Science Center
P 113
677 Craghead Street Danville, VA 24541 434.791.5160 www.dsc.smv.org Sonya Wolen
Danville Toyota
125 Piedmont Place Danville, VA 24541 434.822.0300 www.danvilletoyota.com Teresa Wiseman
Dell’Anno’s Pizzeria
P 99
Demont Design
P 47
Dominion Eye Center
P 145
10378 Martinsville Hwy Danville, VA 24540 434.685.2220 www.thepugliesegroup.com P 14
P 98
P 38 P BC
525 Main Street, Suite A Danville, VA 24541 434.792.0612 demontdesign.net Kim Demont
800 Memorial Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.799.3232 www.dominioneyecenter.com Melissa Gammon
E eaVapes
P 179
El Vallarta
P 155
459 Mt. Cross Road Chatham, VA 24540 434.8575119
P 35
Danville Utilities
P 78
P 111
Danville Women’s Care Bellezza
P 64
F
Danville Distributing Company
1040 Monument Street Danville, VA 24541 434.799.5255 www.danville-va.gov
Davenport & Company
Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History
Davenport Energy
P 131
First Piedmont Waste Solutions
P 106
P 42
First State Bank
P 154
P 106
Four Seasons Pest Control
P 69
927 S Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.793.8990 www.womenscaredanville.com Donna Pruitt
P 141 2848 West Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.792.9181 www.danvillepaintandsupply.com Sheila Khan
2725 Franklin Tpke Ste G Danville, VA 24540 434.836.5528 www.davenportllc.com Frank Wiseman
108 South Main Street Chatham, VA 24531 434.432.0251 www.davenportenergy.com Shellie Dotterer
P 126
1008 South Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.797.8495 www.dcc.vccs.edu Shannon Hair
418 Westover Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.799.0506 Jose Ponz
770 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.799.8825 www.danvilledentalassociates.com Christopher Payne
975 Main Street Danville, VA 24541 US 434.793.5644 www.danvillemuseum.org Gerry Scearce
P 77
DCC Alumni FoundationDanville Community College
108 South Main Street Chatham, VA 24531 434.432.0211 www.fpcwaste.com Christine Baggerly
201 North Union Street Danville, VA 24541 434.792.0198 www.efirststatebank.com Kalvin Perry
2409 Franklin Tnpk Danville, VA 24540 434.836.1662 www.bugman4u.com
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Directory Continued from page 173
Furniture Depot
306 Lowes Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.793.2297 Donnie Hall
P 52
G Gamewood Technology Group 165 Deer Run Road Danville, VA 24541 434.799.8407, 877.799.4611 www.gamewood.com Edward Wilborne III
Garrett Tax Service
305 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.797.2398 John Searcy
George A. Stermer, Jr. Family Dentistry
308 Craghead Street, Suite 102B Danville, VA 24541 434.770.9139 www.getfitdanriver.org Stephanie R. Ferrugia
Golden Leaf Bistro
215 Craghead Street Danville, VA 24541 434.791.3191 www.goldenleafbistro.com Taylor Alvis
Goodwill Industries of South Central VA
P 136
2316 Maple Avenue Burlington, NC 27215 434.570.1997 www.granddaddys.com
213 Commerce Street Danville, VA 24541 434.793.8111 www.hajoca.com Brian Rhodes
Hardy Petroleum
P 22
P 76
P 48
1912 Westover Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.822.2601 W. O. Hardy Jr.
P 143
P 52
P 99
P 31
Hauser Manasco Realty Group
P 23
2309 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.792.3220 www.hhncpa.com Jane Reid
523 Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.792.3000 www.manasco.com Kelli Hauser, Carl Manasco
434.836.5600 holbrookent@gmail.com Richard Holbrook
Holley & Gibson Realty Co., Inc.
P 160
P 43
Harris, Harvey, Neal & Co
Holbrook Enterprises
512 Westover Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.792.2511 www.goodwillscv.org Gary Cotta
Granddaddy’s Antique Mall
2805 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.793.3630 www.danvillehabitat.org Randy Gentry
Hajoca
5 Dudley Street Martinsville, VA 24112 276.638.3265 www.georgeastermerjrdds.com
Get Fit Dan River
Habitat for Humanity Restore
J
339 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24541 USA 434.791.2400 www.eraholleyandgibson.com Janet Holley
Hot Asana Yoga Studio
541 Bridge Street St, #1 Danville, VA 24541 434.483.2888 www.hotasanastudio.com P 106
J.W. Squire
P 63
Jason S. Eisner Attorney, ESQ.
P 39
205 Hairston Street Danville, VA 24540 434.792.3822 www.jwsquirecoinc.com Don Merricks
P.O. Box 1185 Danville, VA 24543 434.421.6875 jeisnerlaw@gmail.com Jason Eisner
JTI Leaf Services, INC 202 Stinson Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.799.3286 www.jti.com
K KG Graphics
P 42
Kokomo Salon
P 52
311 Court Street Danville, VA 24540 434.334.6862 www.kg-graphics.net Kristen Gusler
P 10
111 Exchange Street, Suite A Danville, VA 24540 434.792.7119 Vivian Adkerson
P 57
L Lake Media - 104.5 The Dan
P 137
1336 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.799.1010 www.1045thedan.com Barbara Seamster
Lavinder Group and Associates
525 Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.792.4244 www.lavindergroup.com Steve Lavinder
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P 49
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Lawrence Distributing Company
P 145
545 Old Mayfield Road Danville, VA 24541 434.792.4110 www.lawrencedistributingco.com Linda Dalton
Leggett Town & Country 335 Mt. Cross Road Danville, VA 24540 434.797.9300 www.ltc2.com Will Leggett
OB-GYN Associates of Danville P 109
530 Monroe Street Danville, VA 24541 434.793.2911 www.mandmfurnitureco.com Mildred Farthing
Madison Dry Goods
409 W. Murphy Street Madison, NC 27025 336.427.7099 www.madisondrygoods.com Richard Miller
P 18
P 163
P 39 306 Poplar Street Danville, VA 24541 434.836.8393 www.medicalsolutionsacademy.com Lakesha Reed
7 Chambers Street Danville, VA 24540 434.793.8211 Jan Harris
Moffett Memorial Church 1026 North Main Street Danville, VA 24540 434.793.1722 www.moffettbaptist.com
P 117
P 76
N New City Dance Space 1010 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.799.5521 Jose Zuniga
101 Holbrook Street Danville, VA 24541 434.799.0278 www.obgyndanville.com Janet Daniel
P 11
P 3
Old Dominion Insurance Services
P 133
102 School Street Gretna, VA 24557 434.656.6501 www.olddominioninsuranceservices.com Gordon Ragland III
On Higher Ground
Serving Danville, South Boston, and Surrounding Areas 434.470.4914 Onhigherground2@yahoo.com
P 31
P 35
P
PATHS (Piedmont Access to Health Services) www.pathsinc.org
Piedmont Credit Union
P 161
366 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.797.1954
P 72
Olde Dominion Agriculture Complex
P 131
1380 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.836.0101 www.psadanville.com James Buckner www.piedmontcu.org
840 Memorial Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.797.9090 www.opbizz.com C. R. Haynsworth III
19783 US Hwy 29 South Chatham, VA 24531 434.489.9708 www.theodac.com Stephanie Weiss
Medical Solutions Academy
Midtown Market
P 27
Office Plus
M M & M Furniture
O
Pawn Shops America
P 107
3240 Franklin Tpke Danville, VA 24540 1555 Meadowview Drive Danville, VA 24541
Piedmont Fire & Security
P 11 3696 U.S. Hwy 29 Danville, VA 24540 434.822.2021 www.piedmontfireandsecurity.net John Parsons
Piedmont Infusion Services
P 103
Piedmont Regional Feeding & Oral Motor Clinic
P 39
Piney Forest Health & Rehabilitation Center
P 15
Pittsylvania County Economic Development
P 146
Planet Fitness
P 122
Poshe
P 110
111 Mall Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.792.6387 www.piedmontinfusion.com Jake Patterson
625 Piney Forest Road, Suite 407 Danville, VA 24540 434.799.7732 www.prfeedingclinic.com Amie Teague
450 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.799.1565 www.pineyforestrehab.com
705 Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.791.4122
434.432.7700 www.pittsylvaniacountyva.gov
380 Washington Street Boydton, VA 23917 434.738.6420
3326 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.792.1723 www.planetfitness.com Misty Adams
4 South Main Street Chatham, VA 24531 434.432.4443 287 Commonwealth Blvd Martinsville, VA 24112 276.632.2966
135 Crown Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.792.2711 www.poshespa.com
Continued to page 176
The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOW N .com 175
Business Directory
Directory Continued from page 175
P 130
1320 Memorial Blvd S. Martinsville, VA 24115 276.632.1041 www.qualitycateringandthegallery.com
R R.C. Tate Woodworks 2876 Westover Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.822.0035 Jon Bell
P 137
Riverside Lanes
P 99
Rose Shields Interiors
P 110
2344 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.791.3800 www.riversidehealthrehab.com
Q
Quality Catering
Riverside Health and Rehabilitation Center
3215 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.791.2695 www.bowlriverside.com
265 Linden Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.797.9995 www.rsinteriors.biz Rose Shields P 129
Ramsey Yeatts & Associates Realtors
P 7
www.ramseyyeatts.com 24 South Main Street Chatham, VA 24531 434.432.6000
S Sacred Heart School
540 Central Blvd Danville, VA 24540 434.793.2656 www.sheartschool.com Donna Comper
Sam’s Club #4996
626 North Ridge Street, Suite D Danville, VA 24541 434.799.6200
215 Piedmont Place Danville, VA 24541 434.797.3029 www.samsclub.com
1374 West Gretna Road Gretna, VA 24557 434.656.3150
Satterfield Insurance Agency, Inc.
Raymond James Financial Services
P 143
177 Riverview Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.792.0130 www.raymondjames.com Thomas Freeze, Mark Lewis
Rippe’s
559 Main Street Danville, VA 24540 434.792.6822 www.rippes.com Ben Rippe
Riverside Dry Cleaning and Laundry
P 35
3232 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.792.9567 www.drycleaningdanvilleva.com Mike Guill
P 7
P 69
P 10
P 65
P 000 = Page Number for Ad Location
176 C O MEVIS I T O UR T O W N . com • T h e D a n ville Experience
Smart Beginnings
308 Craghead Street, Suite102 Danville, VA 24541 434.688.0767 www.solexarchitecture.com
P 72
P 129
P 151
P 159
P 65
Soundwave Entertainment
P 106 434.489.2741 www.facebook.com/soundwaveentertains Steve Collins
Southside Urology & Nephrology
P 150
1040 Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.792.1433 www.southsidedocs.com Renee Pickeral
Spurrier Orthodontics
Sterling Optical
3321 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.791.4381 www.sterlingoptical.com
Stratford House
P 120 Arnett Blvd 130 Danville, VA 24540 434.792.2414 www.sherwoodhousefurniture.com George M. Perry
3920 Franklin Turnpike Danville, VA 24540 434.429.0788 www.shopshhh.com
7215 Allison Road Pelham, NC 27311 336.388.5388 www.sleepygoatfarm.com Della Williams
808 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.792.0141 www.spurrierorthodontics.com Bryan R. Spurrier
1380 West Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.792.3161 www.schoolfieldchurch.org Michael Pressley
Shhh… Intimacy On A New Level
Sleepy Goat Farm
Solex Architecture
Sherwood House P 63
470 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.793.6222 www.simpsonrealtyco.com Jimmy Bolton
133 Robertson Ave Danville, VA 24541 434.797.8887 www.smartbeginningsdp.org
165 Holt Garrison Pkwy, Suite 590B Danville, VA 24540 434.835.1300 www.davidsatterfield.com David Satterfield
Schoolfield Pentecostal Holiness Church
Simpson Realty Co.
1111 Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.799.2266 www.stratfordhouse.com
Sure Bette Design Team 745-A Westover Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.797.5368 Lynn Hodges
P 6
P 10
P 30
P 72
T
United Way of DanvillePittsylvania County
308 Craghead Street, Suite 104 Danville, VA 24541 434.792.3700 www.liveuniteddpc.org
The Highlander Restaurant, Lounge & Pub 2500 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24540 434.799.2011 www.danvillehighlander.com Angela Perkins
The Tabernacle
1978 South Boston Road Danville, VA 24540 434.822.6100 www.thetabernaclefamily.org Lamarr Mooneyham, Senior Pastor
Thompson Insurance
615 South Main Street Chatham, VA 24531 434.432.6211 www.thompsoninsservices.com Robert Thompson
University of Richmond 28 Westhampton Way Richmond, VA 23173 804.287.6633 www.richmond.edu James Campbell P 19
www.urwfcu.org
P 117
P 130 364 Lowes Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.792.1908 www.tokyogrillandjapanesesushi.com Hoi Kong
434.793.3665 Tony Ray Cook
Town of Chatham
P O Box 370 Chatham, VA 24581 434.334.9673 www.chatham-va.gov
Townes Funeral Home
215 West Main Street Danville, VA 24541 434.793.1211 www.townesfuneralhome.com
P 117
P 18
P 31
U United Country Real Estate
19601 U.S. 29 Chatham, VA 24531 434.432.0750 www.ucsouthernproperties.com Jeff Davis
P 102
VIR Virginia International Raceway
P 35
P 137
P 25
428 Piney Forest Road Danville, VA 24540 434.797.4007
Wilson Lawn and Garden Advantage
P 65
Womack Electric Supply Company
P 7
518 Newton Street Danville, VA 24541 434.793.3131 www.womackelectric.com
Wrenn-Yeatts Funeral Home
P 47
703 North Main Street Danville, VA 24540 434.793.5511 www.wrenn-yeatts.com Jimmy Williams
P 23
Y
W
Yates Homes
708 Mt. Cross Road Danville, VA 24540 434.793.6611 wawellsinsurance.com W. A. Wells
P 26
3720 Franklin Tpke Danville, VA 24540 434.836.2137 www.wilsonlawngarden.com
P 155
W.A. Wells Insurance
P 140
12413 US Highway 29 Chatham, VA 24531 434.432.3009
VA State Parks District 5
1245 Pine Tree Road Alton, VA 24520 434.822.7700 www.virclub.com Danny Vaden
5665 Riverside Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.822.0800 www.westoverministries.org www.wilkinsandco.com
539 Arnett Blvd Danville, VA 24540
1170 Staunton Trail Scottsburg, VA 24589 434.572.2190 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/
710 Grove Street Danville, VA 24540 434.797.4290 www.wakg.com
Wilkins & Company Realty
314 Lowes Drive Danville, VA 24541 434.793.1278
V
WAKG
Westover Christian Academy P 73
13701 US Higway 29, Suite I Chatham, VA 24531
Tokyo Grill
Tony Ray Cook Lawn Care
URW Community Federal Credit Union
P IFC
P 118
5940 US 29 Business Blairs, VA 24527 434.836.4215 www.yateshomesales.com Scott Yates
P 110
The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOW N .com 177
Area Maps
Pittsylvania County
Beautifully Centered on the Eastern Seaboard The City of Danville and Pittsylvania County are located in south-central Virginia along the North Carolina border, within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the nation’s population.
Burton Lake
An excellent highway Chatham
system coupled with easy access to Interstates 40, 81 and 85 make our region extremely well-suited to reach mid-Atlantic markets ck ntu Ke
. Rd
and international shipping facilities.
Danville
City of Danville
178 C O MEVIS I T O UR T O W N . com • T h e D a n ville Experience
The Danville E xperience • COMEVI SITOU R TOWN .com 179
1 80 CO MEVIS I T O UR T O W N . com • T h e D a n v i lle Experience