Showcase Magazine November 2022

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NOVEMBER

EDITORIAL

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FINANCE

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Danville Toyota Community Strong BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2022

PHOTO BY MICHELLE DALTON PHOTOGRAPHY

Darrell Wiseman, a legend in his time with Toyota, started the family owned and operated dealership, Danville Toyota, in 1984. Wiseman has won many awards and accolades during his over 45-year career with Toyota. His son, Ryan, and two daughters, Tracie and Teresa, are all actively working daily at the dealership now. Danville Toyota currently has 42 amazing employees who serve thousands of wonderful customers. The dealership feels that its employees and customers make up our Danville Toyota

family. Without either, Danville Toyota would not be here.

Showcase sat down with Teresa Wiseman to learn a little more about Danville Toyota’s role in the community.

Showcase Magazine: What is Danville Toyota’s definition of community?

Teresa Wiseman: To us, the definition of community simply boils down to people. Our friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, competitors, and our customers all make up this community. It is our core beliefs and thoughts, and our ability to share them with each other. It is that desire in all of us to help one another when needed. It is the comradery you experience when you go to dinner and see friendly faces, and just know that you are truly home. So, really, the definition of community to Danville Toyota is home.

SM: What makes a community strong?

TW: We believe it is all about the people. When there is cohesion and a willingness to accept change; the community will be strong. For our area, there truly seems to be a genuine love and care for the wellbeing of one another, for all that live here, and at all stages of life. Our leaders have shown to be trustworthy, and truly have the betterment of our community at heart.

SM: Why is community involvement so important to Danville Toyota?

TW: We feel the prosperity of our community is extremely important for the wellbeing and happiness for all whom live in it. It provides hope. Twelve years ago, we had just broken ground on our current

location when the economy completely crashed. We faced making the decision to keep building through the crash or pause until we got through the storm. We kept building, hoping it would be a symbol for our community that the storm would pass. We learned afterward how important to many people that one decision became because it provided hope for better days.

When 2020 happened, it was very similar. To maintain hope and an assurance that life would get back to normal, we continued to stay open and revolve our employees in and out for their safety. Probably one of the most amazing moments for us was being approached by many employees asking to come in every day. They just wanted to be here. That was a symbol to us that things would get to a new normal one day, and again, there was hope.

SM: What are some ways Danville Toyota has been involved in the community in 2022?

TW: In all honesty, we really do not put any bounds on our involvement. If we are approached by an organization, or even an idea that we may be able to assist in some way, we are going to do our hardest to try. This can include monetary donations, giveaway items for raffles, golf tournaments, working at events, advising on fund-raising events for others, and serving on various boards. Our community, and our involvement, is so important to us that we try not to put any limitations on what we do. Our only limits would be if it is affordable, and if it is feasible for us to help at that time.

Here are just a few of the organizations we have been involved with for 2022–the Danville Otterbots, God’s Pit Crew, Danville Cancer Association, Danville Concert Association, Boys & Girls Club, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Dan River Region Association of Realtors, Westover Christian Academy, Sacred Heart School, GWHS, Dan River High School, Chatham High School, Tunstall High School, Smokestack Theatre Company, and the Wendell Scott Foundation.

SM: How does Danville Toyota measure successful community involvement?

TW: We just do what we feel is right, and what we believe in. Supporting our home is what we believe in, so there is no measurement for that in our book.

SM: What makes the area so special to Danville Toyota?

TW: The people! The people here are so amazing,

giving, caring, and resilient. If we think about what our community endured between Dan River Mills closing, the economic crash, and Covid, and then fast forward to look where we are going to be tomorrow–that truly shows a determination and a passion to keep this city surviving and prospering. We truly find the community of Danville to be inspirational, even in our personal lives. As long as you work hard and keep your heart filled with hope for the future; you can weather even the darkest storms of life.

SM: What are your visions for the future of our area?

TW: We are excited about the direction Danville is headed. We truly believe that even with all of our future growth, we will still keep the sense of community togetherness. We see Danville as becoming an exemplary community to the nation by showing the mentality of caring for one another. The staple of current local citizens who have a true passion for Danville, and the caring eagerness to make it better for all who live here, will lead the way.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Kate Clatterbuck

Community Strong PERSON OF THE YEAR 2022

PHOTO BY JOSH WRIGHT

ate Clatterbuck grew up in Danville after her family moved here in 2005. Shegraduated from Chatham High School in 2018 and went to Roanoke College where she majored in Education Professional Studies. Clatterbuck graduated with my Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022.

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In 2021, she joined the Miss Virginia Volunteer organization, a scholarship program for young women focused on service and volunteerism, representing Danville as Miss Danville Volunteer. As Miss Danville Volunteer, Clatterbuck created the PowHERful Voices Initiative to address the gender disparity in our Virginia History Standards of Learning. She spoke with over 400 Danville students about the power of their own stories. Clatterbuck volunteered over 100 hours in the Danville community, partnering with over 15 community organizations.

In August, she was crowned Miss Virginia Volunteer 2023. Now, Clatterbuck will represent not only Danville, but the state of Virginia at the 2023 Miss Volunteer America competition in June 2023.

Clatterbuck took time from her busy schedule to talk with Showcase about her desire to help the community.

Showcase Magazine: How do you define community involvement?

Kate Clatterbuck: For me, community involvement intertwines with volunteerism. In the last two years, I have become more connected with the Danville community by serving alongside outstanding members of our community. From Danville Parks and Recreation with their community-based events to God’s Storehouse’s addressing food insecurity, our community offers many

opportunities to get involved and learn more about the needs in our community.

SM: What inspires you to get involved in the community?

KC: After the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt disconnected from the world around me. Discovering the Miss Volunteer America organization and its mission to promote volunteerism, I chose to represent Danville to connect with the community I grew up in and learn more about where I lived. Representing Danville was the greatest choice because as I invested into Danville, Danville invested into me. From the support I received from community members to the partnerships I formed with businesses and organizations, becoming involved in the Danville community was easy, continually pushing me to grow in my understanding of community and volunteerism.

SM: How do you balance life, work, and community involvement?

KC: As I took on more opportunities to get involved in Danville and continued in my education in college, I learned more about the importance of organization. By prioritizing, making to-do lists, and using multiple planners, I was able to take on more responsibilities, while staying in the moment!

SM: What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

KC: “You will get out of something what you are looking for.” If you are looking for the negatives of a situation, you will find the negative. If you are looking for the positives, you will find the positives. These words have kept me focused on the positives in difficult situations, allowing me to put more energy

into doing what I love rather than worrying about the negative.

SM: Who are your real-life heroes and why?

KC: Corey Williams, Sheriff Mike Mondul, Julie Brown, Austin Scher, Martha Walker, and so many others are my real-life heroes. While volunteering in Danville, I met so many community members who focused on the good in our community, using their time and energy to give back in small, but important ways. These people continue to inspire me to find the good around me and use my time and energy to give back.

SM: Do you have a favorite quote, and if so, what is it?

KC: “If you can dream it, believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible”- Roda Ahmed, Mae Among the Stars

This is from my favorite children’s book to read to students. The story of Mae Jemison, the second woman and first African American woman in space, inspires me to dream big as she was dedicated to her own dreams, persevering through every “no” she was told.

SM: How do you recharge? What do you like to do in your free time?

KC: I love spending time with family and friends. I have been a member of West Main Baptist Church since 2005. The family of love I’ve experienced at West Main offers a safe place to rest when life gets crazy.

SM: What is your idea of happiness?

KC: Happiness comes from leaning into life. Whether involving yourself in your community or following your dream career path, putting your whole self into something brings you happiness.

SM: What is it about Danville that makes it special to you?

KC: Danville embodies strength, self-respect, and service. While representing Danville, I met so many community members who worked tirelessly to improve the experiences of others. In April, I started a project to donate 120 books to Danville Public Elementary Libraries about women in our history. When I began the project, I was so worried that I would not be able to manage it financially. Within weeks, I had more than enough help as Danville businesses and organizations jumped at the opportunity to support our students. This is just one example of how our community wrapped me in support while I represented Danville.

SM: What are your favorite things to do in Danville?

KC: I love going to Otterbots games, spending time at 2Witches, taking walks along the Dan River, and spending times in our Danville schools. Our Danville educators are focused on creating better school environments for our students. I have loved every opportunity to witness that. Talking with the Danville Rotary clubs is always a bright light as these men and women are also focused on service and have such amazing stories of impact.

SM: What are you most looking forward to in 2023?

KC: In June, I will compete at Miss Volunteer America, representing Virginia on the national stage. Yet, I feel more honored to know I am representing Danville as the support I had from my community propelled me towards this opportunity!

SM: What are your visions for the future of Danville?

KC: The future of Danville is one of growth. As our community continues to work together and implement change, Danville will become a more connected and even more beautiful community.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

URW Community Federal Credit Union Community Strong

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2022

PHOTO BY LEE VOGLER

Local 831 United Rubber Workers formed the URW 831 Members Credit Union in 1970. It started out of a shoe box, making $50 loans. From that humble start, URW opened its doors to the community in 2003. Today, URW is over 33,000 members strong with branches in Virginia and North Carolina.

Showcase caught up with President/CEO, Cheryl Doss to talk about the credit union’s support of its communities.

Showcase Magazine: What is URW’s definition of community?

Cheryl Doss: Community, to us, is friendship between a diverse group of people who share a common goal of making our area a better place to live for all residents.

SM: What makes a strong community?

CD: A strong community is built on commitment and diversity.

SM: Why is community involvement so important to URW?

CD: URW is the only locally owned and operated financial institution in the area and, as a stakeholder in the success of our communities, we lead responsibly to help address challenges in our area. Our contributions and efforts are focused on making a significant difference in the lives of people in our community—now and for generations to come.

SM: What are some ways URW has been involved in the community in 2022?

CD: URW sponsors all the City of Danville Parks and Recs events: Festival in the Park, Harvest Jubilee, Children’s Festival, July 4th celebration, Halloween Monster Mash and our favorite, the Christmas Parade. We also provide Dave Ramsey Financial Literacy Materials to local high schools. In 2022, we are very proud to have sponsored the new playground at Twin Springs school. It’s very likely that if you’re at a local event, you will see a URW banner!

SM: How does URW measure successful community involvement?

CD: We measure our success by watching the number of attendees grow at our sponsored events each year. Every year, we are excited to meet new friends.

SM: What makes the area so special to URW?

CD: URW is locally owned and operated. Our team was born and raised here. Our roots are in this community, and we are invested in enriching the lives of our friends and family who live and work here.

SM: What are your visions for the future of our area?

CD: We look forward to the exciting things coming to our area, and we stand committed to continuing to give back to our community by providing financial literacy education and supporting local events. We have an extraordinary community with extraordinary dreams. We are committed to helping our friends and neighbors reach their goals and realize their dreams. Together we can do more!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Norm & Sarah

Keep Learning and Taking Musical Chances

BY PAUL SEIPLE PHOTO BY LEE VOGLER

By day, Norm Aquilo and Sarah Moss teach our children. Aquilo teaches at Sacred Heart Catholic School, while Moss is at Twin Springs Elementary. Aquilo is also the director of music at Sacred Heart Church. He added, “I have a few guitars, two dogs, and a mortgage.” Outside of teaching, Moss enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

At night, the duo shares their love of music, performing as Norm and Sarah. They also play together with fellow musician Cameron Owen in Third Story.

Moss, who joined her first band at age 16, has been performing for about 25 years. “Norm and I met at an open mic in 2005, right after I moved to Danville from Pennsylvania. We became fast friends and have enjoyed making music together since then,” she said.

Aquilo added, “I started out playing acoustic music when I was 21, so it’s been 33 years. Sarah and I have been working together for the last sixteen years.” He caught the musician bug in the ninth grade while attending a youth convention sponsored by his church. “An acoustic duo performed, and they played the worship music that weekend as well. On Saturday night, a live band performed at the dance. It was my first taste of live music. One nun who taught at the school loaned me her guitar when I mentioned I was interested in learning. I’ve been practicing ever since.”

Piano lessons in elementary school were Moss’s introduction to music. “My piano teacher realized I could sing, so he started working with me on playing and singing at a young age. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep up with the piano, but the singing stuck with me,” she said.

There have been several pre-show rituals in the sixteen years of performing together. Moss said, “I have to work really hard to compartmentalize all other parts of my life when it’s time to sing. At the very least, I need a few minutes totally alone so I can shift out of ‘mom’ and ‘teacher’ mode before we play.” Aquilo’s rituals are a little different. “I used to eat nachos with extra jalapeno peppers. Nowadays, I just go over the equipment I need that night and pack everything neatly so I can set up quickly. If it’s going to be a late night, I take a short nap. If I’m having trouble getting my energy level up, I might listen to ‘Lunatic Fringe’ by Red Rider or ‘Only the Young’ by Journey,” he said.

Creativity is an integral part of musicianship. Aquilo keeps the creativity flowing by composing pieces even when he’s playing cover shows. “If I just noodle around in different keys and work some scales and arpeggios, new things always come out. We recently stumbled into some fun arrangements for familiar hits. I guess the answer for me is to keep learning about music and to take musical chances,” he added.

Songwriting is another branch of the musical tree. Aquilo admires many songwriters. He recommends listening to James Taylor’s Greatest Hits. “Maybe it’s cheating to recommend a compilation album, but there’s something special about that group of songs. I am often surprised that people I meet love the songs I don’t care for as much,” he said. When asked about dream collaborations, Aquilo sticks to the songwriters with a caveat. “I suspect that most would not be easy to work with. Daryl Hall seems like somebody who would be good at sharing a pen.” Moss added, “There are a lot of vocal powerhouses out there I’d love to stand next to.”

With many years of experience, the duo has some advice for aspiring musicians. Moss said, “to do this for a long time, you’ll need more than talent. Be trustworthy and consistent. When you play for people, you are often a part of some really important moments, and it’s really an honor to be invited into that.” Aquilo added, “Music is a conversation, not a competition. Learn the language. Learn how to read if you are serious about working in some capacity. You will find there are people who you don’t want to have a musical conversation with and that’s okay, too.”

Playing for a live audience is gratifying. It’s something that Norm and Sarah will never take for granted. “I am continually inspired by the people who come out and support live music in the area. The connection people have to the music and the people that make it is really special,” Moss said. Aquilo agreed, adding, “It’s incredibly rewarding when an audience is transported by music. Sometimes they share very personal memories.”

Looking to the future, Moss joked it may be time to retire soon, before saying, “As long as the phone keeps ringing, I guess we will still be playing together.” Aquilo expects he will delve into more piano music. “It’s easier to play for the long hours of a cover show when you are not using the same hand muscles all night,” he said. After a moment, he continued. “Five years ago, I would have said that I wouldn’t be performing anymore, so I hope there’s a place for us, just like there always seems to be a place for a basic black cocktail dress or a well-tailored blazer.”

Built Me The Community That

BY BRANDIE KENDRICK

PHOTO BY BRANDIE KENDRICK

Iam a product of my community. A product of this community. Long before the Love where you live movement. Before the fashion of older buildings and exposed brick. Before the idea of downtown restoration, there was me. A shy little girl raised right near the poverty line in a trailer park in this community. Free/reduced school lunches and Medicaid. I am the daughter of a hard-working Dan River Mills mechanic. Blue-collar was not only his stereotype but legitimately the color in which he wore. Twelve-hour shifts were not foreign to him. Caring for his family started long before his workday and long after.

Hard work and respect were integral values taught within our home. Wednesday night church and Sunday School each week were non-negotiables. We had little, but took good care of what we had. Truthfully, it was more than enough. I never wanted for anything, and I didn’t know any different. Nintendo game system and Big-League Chew on the weekends. Endless hours

playing in the creek and woods throughout the summer made me into the person I am today. We played till the streetlights would come on or until we heard our daddies’ whistle telling us to head on home. In the trailer park, everyone looked out for the children. I spent many days at other kitchen tables enjoying a meal. I watched television with the elderly couple two lots down. This community became a family. I was shaped and molded by Head Start preschool and my public-school education. This is the community that shaped me.

I spent most of my teenage years trying my best to get away from this community that helped raise me. It wasn’t “cool” to stay in Danville. Getting out was the only way to success. Going to college was an option, but ultimately, running away from this dying city was the best way to ensure happiness. I had no intentions of going to college if I couldn’t get out of this godforsaken town. I wanted to leave and make a life for myself

outside of these city limits. When all plans to escape failed, I applied to Danville Community College. I started working with young children and slowly this community awakened my passion and life’s calling of working with young children. Remember that girl that had no intentions of attending college, well she found her spark and wouldn’t settle for anything less than learning more. My time at DCC was hands down some of the most formative years in my college education. I found my love of early childhood development, and I wanted to dive in further. An associate degree was nice, but my love of learning left me wanting more. I contemplated all my transfer options, and I considered once again escaping this community that helped build me. Even when others advise of bigger institutions, areas of more resources, and locations with more career opportunities… I still found myself on a college campus in my hometown. Averett University was an amazing educational experience that helped mold my passion for educating young children while supporting my strengths as a student. This college, this community, shaped me.

My time at both Averett and Danville Community College are experiences in my life that I would never exchange. That’s something this get-out-of-dodge girl never thought would happen. I only wanted to move away with a fresh start, maybe follow all the cool kids. Remember, this was before loving your hometown became trendy. Long before we re-imaged our town’s identity. This was during our city’s biggest factory shutdown. I sat in class with women twice my age who had built a career and life at Dan River Mills. When the factory shut down, these women had to rebuild their entire lives and rethink their careers. These women knew my father for their decades of time spent at the mill. Working in textile was all they ever knew. This community, which was falling apart, was also the community that helped shape me. The community that helped rebuild lives for those beautiful souls sitting beside me in class. Something about seeing a loss like this helped me be grateful to have found my passion, grateful for the opportunity to attend college.

In 2009, I found myself at yet another crossroads, considering moving away from this community I had started to love. I married my best friend that year and ultimately; we stayed. Throughout my early adulthood and most of my teenage years, I often felt stuck in

Danville. However, it was during those first few years of marriage, and as my husband and I built our life together, that I realized something different. I wasn’t stuck in Danville. I was called to Danville. I was meant to stay in this city that built me. I was meant to serve in this community that shaped me. So here I am, born, raised, stayed, and educated in this city. Every time I log in to teach a course at DCC, every time I take my children for a walk past the Averett campus, every time my children see the Dan River Mills smoke towers and shout, “That’s where papa worked,” I am reminded that this city in my Home. Always has been, and always will be. This is the community that shaped me.

For more on working mothers, check out: http://pickledproverbs. com/10-reasons-why-working-mamas-are-the-stressed-the-freakout/ Follow me at https://www.facebook.com/pickledproverbs

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COMPASSION DEDICATED

KINDNESS LEARNING PHILANTHROPY

UNITY

Confessions of a 30 Something What Makes A Community Strong

BY LEE VOGLER PHOTO BY LEE VOGLER

The Community Strong edition of Showcase is always one of my favorites for the year because it highlights the great people who go above and beyond to make the Danville region an awesome place to live. As we dove into this year’s edition, I thought: what makes a community strong?

The answer that likely comes to mind for most folks is: the people. And that’s true. The individual people in a community go a long way in making it strong. To me, however, that’s a little too simplistic of an answer because, ultimately, any answer you can think of can be tied back to people in one way or another.

There are a lot of things that make a community strong. Educational opportunities are certainly an important component and thankfully, our region is filled with several nationally recognized institutions of learning. Public parks, I believe, are vital to the strength of a community. Some of the best in the world are found in our area, including the dark

sky destination of Staunton River State Park in Halifax County or the topranked mountain bike trail at Angler’s Ridge in Danville.

Economic growth and prosperity, without a doubt, goes a long way in making a community strong. In the last few years, our region has bounced back in a big way, with Danville now being hailed as the Comeback City, and our region as a whole being recognized for how to revive a local economy.

There are many other factors I could list, but as I mentioned in the beginning, it ultimately comes back to our people. And the people of southern VA are some of the hardest working, yet polite and courteous, people you will ever meet. We say, “Yes sir” and “No ma’am.” We hold the door open for strangers. We wave at passersby, even if we don’t have a clue who they are. Because that’s who we are, as a community. We are strong, and getting stronger every day.

PAWS FOR A CAUSE

Paws for a Cause

Some time ago, a delivery woman asked us to check the condition of a horse. She said she had promised the horse she would find someone to help her. When we went to the address, we saw an emaciated horse with a defeated look in her eyes. We made the same promise to the horse; we promised her we would help her.

A few hours later, we returned with a horse trailer and two more people to load her. She was confused and hard to handle. However, she went into the trailer because there was a small amount of rotten hay in the trailer and she was desperate for food. We transported her to Dr. Mary Betterton, who was going to board her for us.

When she was unloaded, we told her story to Dr. Betterton and Dr. Kay Geyer. The horse was standing several yards away and looked at us as we talked.

MEET JEWEL

Then, in a moment I will never forget, the horse slowly walked over to me and put her head on my shoulder. Her gift of thanks was and is treasured.

The horse was renamed Smokey, and within a few months, was a completely different animal. She was beautiful and happy.

During this month of Thanksgiving, may we learn lesson a gratitude from a starving horse who was very close to dying. May we be thankful for all that we are given.

DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY

WRITTEN BY PAULETTE DEAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY

This little sweetheart is about three months old. She came to us as a stray kitty.