Dr. Alex Hasting
TALKS DINOSAURS See page 28
Brace Yourselves, Dragons Are Coming See page 16
Sponsored by
t ou l e v ra t o t on s a re o n s i e er h “T ” . re a c rt a e h t a re g or f n w of t o — Jim Shields, Danville businessman
Keep Your Heart Close When Jim Shields suffered a heart attack, the cardiac catheterization lab team at Danville Regional Medical Center, a Duke heart affiliate, was able to quickly diagnose a blockage in his heart – “the widow maker.” Jim survived, thanks in part to the smooth and seamless care he received at Danville Regional. He participated in Danville Regional's cardiac rehabilitation program and still runs his business full-time. At Danville Regional, your heart is our priority. We are committed to delivering you expert, compassionate care from procedure through rehabilitation. With the region's only ER, only Accredited Chest Pain Center and only Advanced Certified Primary Stroke Center, the choice is easy. You can keep your heart close. Just like Jim. Read about Jim and other patients’ stories at DanvilleRegional.com/stories.
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| JUNE 2017 | SHOWCASE Magazine 3
FEATURE S SUMMER FUN FOR KIDS in MHC by Beth Stinnett
The Virginia Museum of Natural History A MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS by Kirkland Gee
DEPARTM E N T S HE SAID SHE SAID One Sick Puppy
By Larry Oldham and Dena Hill
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL ALEX HASTINGS by Kirkland Gee
NOT SO COMMON – COMMON SENSE!
Page 14
A Perspective on Public Schools by Stan Jones
ALSO IN S I D E FROM THE EDITOR FUN AND GAMES
Crossword, Word Seach, & Sudoku
PAWS FOR THE CAUSE
Dr. Ale x Hastin g
By Paulette Dean
TALK DINO S SAU See page R 28
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Are C
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follow us @showcaseDVA like us Showcase Magazine follow us showcasedanville
@
we’d love to hear from you! info@showcasemagazine.com
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rac YoursB elve e Drago s, See
page
16
Spon sore d by
ON THE Dr. Alex Hastings
Assistant Curator of Paleontology at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
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When I was a kid, my favorite television show was Land of the Lost. I tuned in every week to follow the adventures of the Marshalls who, thanks to the “greatest earthquake ever known,” traveled back in time. The show was my introduction into dinosaurs. From that point forward, I watched and read anything dinosaur related. I’ve always had a fascination with dinosaurs. Gauging the success of dinosaurs in pop culture, I am not alone. In this month’s “The Young Professional,” we meet Alex Hastings, a paleontologist at the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH). Hastings parlayed his love of dinosaurs into an exciting and rewarding career. VMNH was gracious enough to open its doors and allow us to give readers a snapshot of the incredible work that goes into making the museum a jewel in our area. There is plenty for dinosaur lovers including the upcoming Dino Festival. The museum will unveil a special exhibit called “Dinosaurs: Reign of the Giants” that will feature life-size skeletons of Triceratops and Stegosaurus.
showcase JUNE 2017
VMNH will also host a Dragon Festival this summer that will delve into the mysteries surrounding the mythical beast. Along with those events, the museum is home to award-winning exhibits that dig into the history of Virginia. If you haven’t visited VMNH, this summer is the perfect time, and if you have it is time to catch up on all the new happenings at the museum.
STAFF
CEO / Publisher Andrew Scott Brooks, scott@showcasemagazine.com President Larry Oldham, larry@showcasemagazine.com Editorial Director Paul Seiple, paul@showcasemagazine.com Editorial Interns Kirkland Gee, Ashley Bowman, Graphic Designer Kim Demont, demontdesign@verizon.net Finance Manager Cindy Astin, cindy@showcasemagazine.com Chief Photographer Mariah Blankenship Springs
*Editor’s Note For the next few months, Showcase will look considerably different with each issue. We are holding an experiment of sorts where a staff member is given the role of publisher for a specific issue. Creatively, everything in that issue is chosen by that month’s publisher. So, as you can imagine, there will be a great deal of variety, and it will be a great deal of fun. I liken it to the time KISS went solo. Each album was very different and riddled with surprises. “New York Groove” anyone?
ADVERTISING 1.877.638.8685 Larry Oldham, Director of Sales and Marketing larry@showcasemagazine.com, 434.728.3713 Lee Vogler, Marketing Consultant lee@showcasemagazine.com, 434.548.5335
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Subscribe to Home Delivery for $24 per year 753 Main Street #3 | Danville, VA 24541 Phone 1.877.638.8685 | Fax 925.380.5404 info@showcasemagazine.com www.showcasemagazine.com JUNE 2017 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Paulette Dean | Kirkland Gee | Dena Hill Stan Jones | Bevin Lovelace, LPC | Larry Oldham Paul Seiple | Beth Stinnett JUNE 2017 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Martinsville Henry County Department of Tourism Mariah Blankenship Springs
Enjoy the issue.
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to the ADVERTISERS who make this publication possible. Please be generous in supporting our local businesses. 7 5 35 12 24 5 13 21 2 27 36 31
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10/11/2016 10:33:44 AM
HE SAID... Spring finally arrived last month following a roller-coaster weather pattern for several weeks, but along with those changes came a few more I wasn’t expecting. Our beloved poodle, Sophie, is getting on in years and has arthritis. The Veterinarian put her on a low dose of steroids to ease her pain so she could more easily walk. You bought her a doggie stroller so she could still enjoy our afternoon walks and proceeded to put it together. Sophie weighs more than 60 pounds and is a pretty big dog, so you wanted the stroller to be comfortable for her. I watched you put it together carefully and split my sides laughing when you were done. It’s so big that both of us together couldn’t get it out of the house. It won’t go through a doorway no matter how it’s turned, so it’s still sitting in her room — unused. Then the steroids kicked in, and she turned into a scavenger searching for any scrap of food she could find. The medication obviously works because she’s able to jump up and grab a loaf of bread, a cake, brownies or all the leftovers we have before we can stop her. So far, she hasn’t gotten sick eating so much, but it’s not from lack of trying. Then you came down with the same crud many other people had, and it lasted two whole weeks. You rarely stay out of school when you’re sick, but this illness really got to you. After a week, you finally decided to see a doctor, mostly because you couldn’t stop coughing and couldn’t sleep. Lo and behold, the doctor put you on steroids too. The coughing may have stopped, but when I came home the next afternoon,
you and Sophie were in the middle of the floor wrestling over crumbs. You had taken on Sophie’s symptoms of starving to death and trying anything you could to satisfy your hunger. There is no way steroids can make you go crazy like the two of you did over food. Good thing I’m on a diet and don’t have to get all charged up over a mere morsel of food.
SHE SAID... As usual, you tend to exaggerate the whole story. Some of it may be true, but not all of it. I really was sick and couldn’t seem to get better by just letting it “run its course.” I did everything I was supposed to do, but I wasn’t getting anywhere. When I finally went to the doctor, she gave me cough medicine and a round of steroids. I felt like a million donuts — I mean bucks — by the very next day. I did dread putting on extra pounds because that’s what the miracle drug does, but it works. I managed to find all of your hiding places for candy (and you thought you were so smart.) It says a lot about us, though, when Sophie finds all our hiding places. If you think a lot of changes took place last month, you’ll be glad to hear that since school is out, there will be many more. Having to referee your dog and wife so they don’t eat you out of house and home will be a breeze compared to the list of “changes” coming around our house. Go ahead, start whining about it — just keep on with your list of chores.
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by Larry Oldham and Dena Hill PHOTO BY MICHELLE DALTON PHOTOGRAPHY
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Feature
by Beth Stinnett photos provided by Martinsville Henry County Department of Tourism
School is out, but the fun is just getting started. Your children can find a variety of camps, events, and classes to fill those days with fun in record time. Whether you are looking for thought-provoking tech camps, camps for your athlete, or fun family festivals, there are already lots of opportunities planned.
CAMPS
• Outdoor Explore Camp - Martinsville Parks & Recreation • Baseball Camp - Martinsville Parks & Recreation • Summer Theatre Camp - Patrick Henry Community College • Engineering for Girls - New College Institute • Engineering for Boys - New College Institute • Mini-Maker Camp - Dalton IDEA Center • Spanish Adventures Camp - Patrick Henry Community College • Philosophy Camp - Patrick Henry Community College • Coding Camp - New College Institute • Fab Lab Innovation Camp - Dalton IDEA Center • French Adventures Camp - Patrick Henry Community College • Football Camp - Martinsville Mayhem • Animal Adventure Camp(s) - Infinity Acres • Summer Art Camps - Piedmont Arts • Kids Day and Overnight Camp(s) - Sandy River Equestrian Center • Summer Camps - Spencer Penn Centre
CLASSES
Cooking Teen Cuisine at the Spencer Penn Centre. Tweens and Teens will learn cooking skills: measuring, cooking terms, food safety, label reading, and will take home a recipe booklet. June 13th, 20th & 27th and July 11th, 18th & 25th. Summer Reading Program at the Spencer Penn Centre. 2017’s theme: IMAGINE! promises to bring stories, experiences and challenges to fertilize children’s imaginations. Meeting on the last three Tuesdays in June and the last three Tuesdays in July, the program will emphasize reading and instilling the love of reading. No classes the week
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of July 4. Pre-registrations encouraged or may be done 30 minutes prior to any Tuesday program. All are invited for children 3-12. Short Sports is a program geared toward 3 to 6-year-old children. Each week a different sport will be taught. This is a great program to introduce your child to a variety of sports and also prepare your child for organized sports. Parents must be present and will be working with their children on assigned tasks. These classes are sponsored and ran by Henry County Parks & Recreation and Martinsville Parks & Recreation.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Family Fun Float Day - Always wanted to float the Smith but don’t want to do it alone? Then come join Smith River Outfitters once a month, JUNAUG as they host the Weekend Fun Floats on the beautiful Smith River from Philpott to Bassett. First time paddlers and floaters can meet experienced “river rats” and learn the river, or ask one of our helpful volunteers for information on floating the Smith on your own. Smith River Outfitters. Three days June 3rd, July 1st, August 26th. Kids Fishing Day Clinic - The 19th Annual Fishing Clinic for children ages 7 to14 years old. This multigenerational event links youth with experienced anglers to introduce them to a sport that can be enjoyed for the rest of their lives. Fishing poles will be provided. Beaver Creek Reservoir. Saturday, June 3rd. Martinsville Mustangs’ Fireworks Night - The Martinsville Mustangs’ 2017 schedule includes three fireworks nights for the season. Come out and enjoy a great game at the ball park with friends and family and stick around after the game for an incredible fireworks show. Hooker Field. June 10, July 1st & 28th. TGIF Concert Series - Come dance, sing, and enjoy great music at the TGIF Outdoor Summer Concert Series. For over 20 years now, Martinsville Uptown has provided the most popular entertainment
event in Martinsville. These concerts are the destination to meet family and friends on a Friday night of each month to hear terrific music at a great price. Kids 12 and under are free. Free inflatable on site for the kids. Martinsville Uptown Farmers Market. The first TGIF will be held June 16th. Dragon Day Festival - Learn about the connections between natural history and dragon lore across the world. This festival will include a variety of displays, hands-on activities, fascinating presentations, delicious foods and much more. Meet the Vikings of the Valley and learn about their armor and weaponry. Enjoy face painting, balloon animals, green screen photos, and a Chinese dragon dance. Virginia Museum of Natural History. June 17, 2017. Celebration at Martinsville Speedway - Guests will have a festive time enjoying great music, food, games, and carnival rides. Then grab a chair, let down the tailgate, and wait for the largest fireworks show in the area to begin. July 3rd. Dino Festival - Make tracks to the Virginia Museum of Natural History on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 for a festival of Jurassic proportions. Dinosaur skeletons and fossils, as well as dino-themed games, crafts, activities, and presentations make this an event not to be missed for the dino-lover in your family. In conjunction with the Dino Festival, we will open our newest special exhibit, Dinosaurs, on Friday, July 21. This spectacular exhibit will feature complete skeletons of Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and other towering displays. Smith River Fest - Run, paddle and bike your way to fun at Smith River Fest. Held annually in Martinsville - Henry County, Virginia, this event is truly a celebration of all things associated with the Smith River. Activities include • Live Demonstrations of Fly-tying and Casting • On-site Rentals (bikes, kayaks and canoes) • Free Shuttles • Guided Paddle Trips • Kids Village • Live Music • River Race • Mud Run
• Kids Cycle Station • Blue Ridge Duck Race • Smith River Sports Complex. August 12th.
LOCATIONS & HOSTS
• Beaver Creek Reservoir: www.martinsville-va. gov/residents/parks-recreation | 276.656.5179 • Dalton IDEA Center: ph.augusoft.net 276.656.5461 • Henry County Parks & Recreation: www.henrycountyva.gov/parks-and-recreation 276.634.4640 • Hooker Field: www.martinsville-va.gov/residents/ parks-recreation | 276.403.5250 • Infinity Acres: www.InfinityAcres.org 276.358.2378 • Martinsville Parks & Recreation: www.martinsville-va.gov/residents/parksrecreation | 276.403.5140 • Martinsville Speedway: www.MartinsvilleSpeedway.com | 276.956.7200 • New College Institute: www.NewCollegeInstitute.org | 276.403.5600 • Patrick Henry Community College: ph.augusoft.net | 276.638.8777 • Philpott Lake: www.saw.usace.army.mil/ Locations/District-Lakes-and-Dams/Philpott/ 276.629.2703 • Piedmont Arts: www.PiedmontArts.org 276.632.3221 • Sandy River Equestrian Center: www.SandyRiverEquestrian.com 276.252-2503 • Smith River Outfitters: www.SmithRiverOutfitter.com | 276.618.1457 • Smith River Sports Complex: www.SmithRiverSportsComplex.com 276.638.5200 • Spencer Penn Centre: www.thecentreatspencerpenn.com 276.957.5757 • TGIF: www.MartinsvilleUptown.com 276.632.5688 • Virginia Museum of Natural History: www.VMNH.net | 276.634.4141 To find more information on these fun events and activities for you little ones, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out the Events Calendar at www.VisitMartinsville.com /events/calendar. www.showcasemagazine.com www.showcasemagazine.com | MARCH | JUNE 2017
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by Kirkland Gee photos by Mariah Blankenship Springs
The Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) is the state museum for natural history. With ground-breaking scientific research and collections, award-winning exhibits, and transformational education programs, the museum has something for all ages. The mission of VMNH is “to interpret Virginia’s natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all citizens of the Commonwealth.” VMNH is known as a “Museum Without Walls” due to its statewide outreach education and distance learning programs, online resources, and traveling exhibits and displays. With more than 10 million cataloged items, VMNH has earned a strong reputation for significant research and important collections. Doctoral curators at the museum focus on Invertebrate Paleontology, Vertebrae Paleontology, Recent Invertebrates, Archaeology, Mammalogy, and Geology. VMNH features outstanding permanent and special exhibits both on-site and through remote sites. Permanent exhibits such as Uncovering Virginia and How Nature Works allow visitors to delve into Virginia’s natural past as well as to look ahead to the future. VMNH employs 62 people and spends over $450,000 per year on goods and services locally, making it an excellent driver of local economic growth. The museum makes a positive impact on the quality of life in the region by offering exhibits, programs, and events usually found in larger metropolitan areas. Nearly 30,000 people visit the museum yearly. Fifty-two percent of the visitors are from outside of the local area and contribute over $312,000 in visitor spending. The museum reaches over 250,00 people each year through traveling exhibits and displays. Through website and social media outreach, over 1 million people connect with the museum. Over 4,000 school children visit VMNH each to learn about Virginia’s history. VMNH is not only a gem to our area, it’s a tremendous asset. 14 SHOWCASE Magazine
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Ray Vodden, Research Technician www.showcasemagazine.com
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The Virginia Museum of Natural History is heating things up this summer by putting on the inaugural Dragon Festival June 17, offering patrons a chance to learn all about the mythical creature. The festival which takes place from 9am to 3pm, will feature a fire-breather, parade, sculpture, inflatables, art, and poetry sessions all themed around dragons. Vikings of the Valley, a historical re-enactment group from Roanoke, will also be performing its live-action history production “Dragon Hunters.” “This event is going to be a bit different than what you might expect the museum to host,” Ryan Barber, deputy director of VMNH says. “We’re also encouraging everyone who is interested in live-action role playing to come to the festival in character that’s related to the dragon theme.” The festival will delve into the history of dragons, the science of myth and the effect these fictional creatures have had on society at-large throughout history. The Dragon Festival was inspired by work from the Dragon Research Collaborative of Roanoke College. Calling themselves “Team Dragon”, the collaborative is an “academic think-tank” that seeks to connect the dots between science and dragon myths. Team Dragon was started by DorothyBelle Poli and Lisa Stoneman, both professors at Roanoke College, when they began asking questions about fossils being excavated for the museum and college’s collections. Barber said there is a respectable amount of scientific evidence showing how people came to believe dragons existed and why they have such a strong footing in modern popular culture.
“When you think about it, dragons have been a myth shared by countless societies throughout the world for centuries,” Barber said. “How did people at opposite ends of the world, with no contact with one another, all conceive the idea of the dragon?” For VMNH members, there is a preview reception on the evening of June 16. Current members can RSVP for the reception by June 8. If you’re not already a member and would like to participate in the reception, join by June 8 to attend the members’ preview.
VMNH has plenty of adventures planned for the summer. Christy Deatherage, education manager at the museum, says, “This year’s line-up of Summer Adventure Camps was created to appeal to the unique interests of every child. We have camps inspired by the Harry Potter series, camps that focus on outdoor survivalist skills, camps that allow children to create scientific experiments and new inventions, and seemingly everything in between.” VMNH Summer Adventure Camps (Each camp takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with optional before and after care available. Each camp requires pre-registration 2 weeks in advance.) • June 5-9 Mad Scientists (Ages 9-11) • June 5-9 Dragon Breath Academy (Ages 12-14) • June 12-16 Outdoor Adventures (Ages 6-8) • June 19-23 Marvels of Technology (Ages 6-8) • June 19-23 Mythical Mayhem (Ages 9-11) • June 26-30 Imagination Expedition (Ages 6-8) • June 26-30 Junior Naturalists (Ages 9-11) • July 10-14 Let’s Experiment! (Ages 6-8) • July 10-14 Space in Pop Culture (Ages 9-11) • July 17-21 Dino Days (Ages 6-8) • July 24-28 Adventure Around the World (Ages 9-11) • July 24-28 Outdoor Survival Skills (Ages 12-14) • July 31-August 4 Build This (Ages 6-8) • July 31-August 4 Country Creation (Ages 9-11) For more information about the camps, including costs and available scholarships, visit www.vmnh.net/summer- adventure-camps or contact the museum at discover@vmnh. virginia.gov or at 276.634.4185.
VMNH Gift Shop
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Once the dragons are all packed up and flown away, the museum will be hosting the Dino Festival July 21-22. This event is brand new, but it was inspired by the museum’s previous Dino Day festival. “Because of the popularity of Dino Day in previous years, we decided to make the event a two-day spectacle, in which we will unveil a large variety of new dinosaur cast skeletons and fossils never before seen at the museum,” deputy director, Ryan Barber says. The festival starts the same day as the opening of the museum’s newest exhibit, “Dinosaurs: Reign of the Giants,” which features life-sized Triceratops and Stegosaurus cast skeletons. The Stegosaurus was on display for nearly 100 years at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. and was recently recast by technicians at the Smithsonian Institution. “We are incredibly excited to be able to offer visitors the Stegosaurus beginning in July,” Barber says. “To be selected as the permanent home for this display is an honor.” The new exhibit will also be home to a number of different dinosaur fossils from the various collections at the museum. One of the highlights being fossil evidence of Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops battling. “The festival and exhibit opening will mark the first time this fossil has ever been on public display; not just at VMNH, but anywhere,” says Barber. “It’s an incredible discovery that is well-known among scientists and researchers, and to now be able to put it on public display for the first time is something the museum is anxious to offer.”
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From interpreters leading guided tours of the exhibit galleries for school children, to volunteers cleaning fossils in the museum’s paleontology lab, the museum has a place for everyone, whatever your interest. To talk to someone about volunteering at the museum, please call Diane Clark, visitor services manager, at 276.634.4147 or at diane.clark@vmnh.virginia.gov. Areas of volunteering: • Education • Research and Collections • Box Office and Museum Store • Administrative Support • Buildings & Grounds Support
Stephen Haskell, Museum Volunteer and Retired Biologist
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VISITMARTINSVILLE.COM 888.722.3498
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Hours: Open Monday – Saturday 9-5 All hours are subject to change. Last admission is one half-hour before closing. The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission: $7 per adult (19-59) $5 for children and youth (3-18), seniors (60+) and college students Free for members and children under 3 Group Rates (10+): $5 per adult (19-59) $3 for children and youth (3-18), seniors (60+) and college students Free for members and children under 3 Membership: For one year • Student ($10) • Educator ($15) • Individual ($40 • Family ($55) follow us @VMNH
like us /VirginiaMuseum
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The heart and vascular expertise found at Moses Cone Hospital isn’t confined to Greensboro, NC. The physicians of Cone Health Medical Group HeartCare offer services in communities near Danville, including Eden and Reidsville. Cone Health offers convenience through easy and fast appointments, accessible parking and close connections with pioneering cardiologists and specialty surgeons in a community setting. Ask your doctor for a Cone Health heart and vascular care specialist and learn more at conehealth.com/heart or by calling Cone Health’s physician referral service at 866-449-8688.
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ACROSS 1 Drift 5 Rodeo animal 10 Turquoise 14 Water (Sp.) 15 Difficultness 16 Kiss 17 Burial chamber 18 Artery 19 Ascend 20 Handle 22 What babies grow 24 Time period 25 Association (abbr.) 27 Freethinker 29 Raccoon-like animal 32 Encumbered 35 Nil 38 Little bit 39 Niche 40 First woman 41 Gets smaller 43 Spider’s net 44 Prompt
46 Less than two 47 Green Gables dweller 48 “Remember the __” 49 Idiot 51 Turns orange, as in metal 54 Syrup tree 57 Boat 59 60 min. slots 62 Dales 64 Simmer 66 Solidarity 68 Institution (abbr.) 69 Track 70 Indian money 71 Decorative needle case 72 Adjoin 73 Gushes out 74 Worker DOWN 1 W
2 Ancient Greek marketplace 3 Vapor 4 Hot sauce 5 Women’s undergarment 6 Rampage 7 Giant 8 Written down 9 Large wooden box 10 Abridged (abbr.) 11 Pacify (2 wds.) 12 Soviet Union 13 At sea 21 Also 23 Slopes 26 Female cartoon character 28 Pouch 30 Sticky black substance 31 Jerk 33 Poetic “evening” 34 Northeast by east
35 Greek character 36 Malicious 37 Commenting 39 BB Player Abdul Jabar 41 Squelch 42 North northwest 45 Flightless bird
47 Petitioned 50 Scrap 52 What a singing group does 53 Sunrise 55 Musical “slow” 56 Result
57 Qualified 58 Street 60 Aged 61 Soup 63 Uproar 65 Downwind
RATING: EASY
ACCIDENT COMMUNITY CRASH
DEFENSIVE
FIRST AID
DISTRACTED
HEALTH
FALL
INJURIES
DANGER
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MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY TRAINING WORKPLACE
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ANSWERS ON PAGE 32
DANVILLE SCIENCE CENTER by Paulette Dean Executive Director Danville Humane Society
June always causes me to think of my father. Our Daddy was the provider and protector of our family. He was an Army sergeant who served his country and family with honor. Human society suffers when men abdicate their responsibilities as fathers.
This little beagle mix is about two years old. He was brought to us after being hit by a car, but he is doing very well now.
Generally in the animal kingdom, the males of the species do not help raise the young. There are some notable exceptions; for example, penguins, lions, seahorses, ostriches, beavers, some other species of birds, and even some insects. In most of these cases, the male’s role is one of protection; even some bullfrogs protect the tadpoles.
Summer Science in Full Swing! • Digital Dome Shows • Traveling Exhibits • Butterfly Station • Birthday Parties • Summer Camps
DANVILLE
Science
Ce n t er facebook.com/DanvilleScienceCenter www.dsc.smv.org . (434).791.5160
If you spend time on the Riverwalk or if you drive on some Danville streets that are near the river, you have probably noticed pairs of Canada geese. One may have been sitting down or eating, with one standing nearby, watching. Canada geese mate for life, and during spring and early summer, they join most other species of animals in the desire to breed. The one Canada goose that is watching over the sitting mate is usually the male. Later, when eggs hatch, he is watchful, and looks for any enemy or threat to his family. It is a foolish person who would attempt to approach a gosling when a father is nearby. Penguin fathers are the ones who incubate the eggs, losing about one-third of their body weight as they faithfully discharge their duty of keeping the eggs warm in a frigid climate. Lion fathers keep a watchful eye over the cubs in the pride, even if they are not the father. Beavers join Canada geese and other animals in mating for life, and in teaching their young how to survive. I was so blessed to have a father who did all these things in his family—he kept a watchful eye, kept out the evil parts of society, took care of our physical and emotional needs, and was a true Daddy. We need more true daddies in human society. SM DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY www.showcasemagazine.com
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by Kirkland Gee photos by Mariah Blankenship Springs
If you’ve seen a yellow and red Jeep Wrangler cruising around Martinsville or Danville with a Jurassic Park logo on the side, you’ve probably seen Alex Hastings and his wife Katie. The Jurassic Park-themed paint job and detailing was a gift from Katie’s parents in 2016. The Jeep had been at her parents’ house, in Georgia, for nearly a year when they told Katie they were bringing it back to Martinsville. Hastings was away at a conference when Katie’s parents surprised her with the revamped Jeep. Hastings was just as shocked when he came home. “When I pulled up to the house, I was expecting a normal yellow jeep,” Hastings says. “It was just as much of a surprise for me to see a legit Jurassic Park jeep, decked out with big decals and everything. They did such a great job, and we’ve had a lot of fun finding other little bits to add to it.” The Jeep now has an amber mosquito gearshift and a Jurassic Park tag hanging from the rearview mirror. “It gets a lot of attention everywhere we go — it’s been so much fun,” Hastings adds. The Jeep will be on display during Dino Day at the Virginia Museum of Natural History this summer. For as long as he can remember, Hastings has been interested in The Jurassic Period, also known as the Age of Reptiles. “The first Jurassic Park movie came out when I was a kid and 100 percent solidified what I wanted to do,” Hastings says. “Like most kids, I was enthralled by dinosaurs and everything about their ancient world. That
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fascination has never left me, so becoming a paleontologist has really been a lifelong goal.” Hastings grew up in Vermont, but moved to Ohio halfway through high school. He would go on to earn his undergraduate degree from Penn State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Florida — both in geology. Hastings and his wife spent two years living in Germany. In July 2015, he began work as a paleontologist for the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Katie also works at the museum. Hastings loves his job for a number of reasons. It gives him an opportunity to travel, whether it be for field work, conferences, outreach events, or documentary filming. “There’s a lot of variety,” Hastings says. “I love that everything is centered on exploring the ancient world. I love dinosaurs and all the other things from long before humans ever walked the earth. It keeps me busy, but I love all of it.” Hastings co-authored a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B titled “Tropical ancient DNA reveals relationships of the extinct Bahamian giant tortoise Chelonoidis alburyum”. The tortoise thrived in the Bahamas thousands of years ago. Extinction began shortly after humans occupied the islands. Fossils found deep within a blue hole, which is a water-filled sinkhole, have been preserved to the point that DNA is still intact. Continued to Page 30
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“Preservation like this is exceptionally rare, but we hope this paves the way for more ancient DNA to be extracted from other animals from the site,” Hastings says. “The study highlights the ability of these impressive reptiles to colonize island systems and shows that a previously unknown genetic stock gave way to both Caribbean and Pacific tortoises. Only recently, with human invasion into the Bahamas, did this unique tortoise of the Bahamas die out. Studies of the evolution of rare island tortoises can aid in conservation efforts, as well as provide a greater understanding of the keys to success and survival in island environments.”
and Triceratops, plus a ton of other fossils that have never been on display at our museum.”
Something else passionate to Hastings is a new exhibit debuting at VMNH during Dino Day. “The exhibit will feature full skeletons of Stegosaurus
Regardless of how he grows his career and where he goes, Alex Hastings will always be an explorer at heart.
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Moving forward, Hastings hopes to expand his field work into new areas and create a “network of volunteers” to help integrate more of the fossil lovers in Virginia into the museum’s network. “Virginia has a lot to offer, and I’d like to explore its beaches, quarries, valleys and caves even more in the coming years,” Hastings says. “There are hundreds of millions of years represented in the rocks and sediment of Virginia that still hold clues to life from the past, and I find all of it fascinating.”
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Not So Common – Common Sense! Is the cost of public education an investment or an expense?
by Stan Jones, Superintendent of Danville Public Schools
There are moments when it is beneficial for me to step outside of the public education realm to carefully consider the idea that public education is an investment rather than an expense. This perspective may be a direct result of what has been a lengthy but successful budget season for Danville Public Schools. As you are aware, Danville School Board and Danville City Council, as well as school system and city staffs have worked very closely and successfully this year resulting in an increased contribution to the school division of $1.6 million for next year. Additionally, many citizens spoke in favor of additional funding for schools at Council’s public hearing on May 2, 2017 and the recent regular meeting on May 16, 2017. As the designated leader of learning for DPS, I am especially appreciative of the actions of the Board and Council with regard to additional funding. I am especially grateful to Mr. Ken Larking and his staff as we worked through what seems to be yet another difficult budget year. The Councils’ goals of reducing crime, improving schools, and growing Danville are targets that will require even greater cooperation with regard to sustainability.
expensive investments of a lifetime and the place you call home. It is my belief that schooling, and the place called school has many similarities to home ownership. First, schools are comprised mostly of children. Homes and schools are places where children should learn in a safe, caring, and nurturing environment. Homes and schools are both investments that when procured, maintained, and sustained appropriately add value to the community where they are located. Perhaps it is time that we invest in our schools like we invest in our best homes as a place where productive, responsible, and caring families invest in productive, responsible, and caring children. In conclusion, perhaps the appropriate investment in schools will result in a huge return for the community.
A STRONG EDUCATION BUILDS A STRONGER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
For the sake of comparison, an investment in public education is the equivalent to an investment in a home. The type of home in which you intend to raise your family and live in through retirement. Investing in a home certainly requires significant financial planning beyond purchasing the home. In addition to your mortgage, expenses for the home include: real estate taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, and maintenance or possible periodic remodeling (depending on the length of time you have been in the home and your desire for your home to gain value in the marketplace.) Ideally, as a homeowner you desire to ensure that your home is well-maintained, safe, and attractive operationally and aesthetically. Just paying the mortgage may eventually lead to your success in paying off your home and owning it. However, just paying the mortgage will eventually result in your home falling into disrepair. Investing in a home such that it maintains its value will require that you not only pay the mortgage but that you maintain the property, monitor the homes infrastructure, and ensure that you are maintaining and sustaining your property’s value so that it is marketable. Ideally, the goal, of course, is to make your home and its condition competitive in the marketplace not only as the place where you reside and raise your family, but also from the perspective of good fiscal stewardship. The return on your investment in your home, ideally, is not only financially beneficial but also, socially and emotionally enriching as it one of the most
Wilkins & CO. supports education Danville Office • 428 Piney Forest Rd. • 434.797.4007 Chatham Office • 12413 US HWY 29 • 434.432.3009 Property Management • 434.797.4009 www.WilkinsAndCo.com
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This is what commitment looks like... Centra Danville Medical Center is now open! Healthcare is more accessible and convenient than ever before. With a full range of health services and medical and surgical specialties, we are committed to you – our friends and neighbors – and are eager to show you the next level in providing Excellent Care for Life.
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Two of Centra Medical Group’s Danville practices* – PrimeCare main clinic on 130 Enterprise Drive and Dominion on 110 Exchange Street – have relocated to the Danville Medical Center and come together to form a single primary and urgent care practice, Centra Medical Group – Danville. Providers include: Gregory Alba, DO “We are committed
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Centra Danville Medical Center | 414 Park |Avenue 414 Park Avenue Danville| Danville | 434.857.3600