Local Agencies Partner to Promote National Employee Health & Fitness Day

Activate Martinsville-Henry County, the City of Martinsville, and the Martinsville/Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness teamed up for a special event to promote National Employee Health and Fitness Day earlier this week. The “City Health Biking and Walking Day” drew approximately 60 participants to the Uptown area on Wednesday, May 20.

Participants gathered at the Uptown Farmer's Market at 11:30 a.m. to take in some fresh air and exercise while having the choice of biking or walking on the Uptown Rail Trail. A few walkers decided to extend the trail route of about one mile by continuing to walk throughout Uptown. After the walking and biking, most stayed for lunch hosted by the Martinsville Fire Department, located across the street from the Farmer’s Market.

Bikes and properly fitted helmets were provided for all riders to use courtesy of Activate’s new “It’s How We Roll” program. Throughout the event, participants enjoyed fresh strawberry smoothies at the Coalition’s Health Awareness Booth, which offered information about many of its health programs for community members.

The National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF), a non-profit organization, declared the first “National Employee Health and Fitness Day” in 1989 on the third Wednesday of May. NAHF envisioned “National Employee Health and Fitness Day” as a way to benefit business productivity as well as employee health. In addition to weight management and reduced occurrence of illnesses, NAHF has found that active employees have lower rates of absenteeism, fewer health care needs, lower stress and fatigue levels, and higher work efficiency. Consequently, as staff productivity rises, business productivity increases, leading to a community structure with a greater likelihood of thriving.

For more information about local fitness initiatives contact Activate Martinsville-Henry County at 403-5087 or 403-5031 or at activatemhc.org, the Martinsville/Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness at 638-2523, x311 or at info@healthycommunitymhc.org, and the Martinsville Leisure Services Department at 403-5379 or at www.martinsville-va.gov/Leisure-Services.

Article/Photos contributed by Jeannie Frisco
Edited/Posted by Vicky Thomas

Bike Basics 101 Program Launched on May 30th

In celebration of National Bike Month which occurs the entire month of May, Activate Martinsville/Henry County has launched a new creative program. With funding from the Harvest Foundation, Activate has purchased a mobile bike fleet.

As part of Activate’s mission to promote walking, bicycling and other physical activity as part of everyday life, staff went to work to provide the solution to the barrier preventing others from enjoying the childhood days of biking. Working with City Maintenance employees and Cardinal Bicycle, the mobile bike fleet idea came to fruition. Activate has brought the bikes to the citizens with their new Bike Basics program.

Bike riding is one of the simplest ways to have fun in a variety of settings. It is easily learned and not easily forgotten. Activate’s Bike Basics 101 program provides participants 16 years and older with bikes and helmets and teaches helmet and bike safety, how to change gears, and on-the-bike riding techniques.

The next Bike Basics 101 program will be held on Saturday, May 30th at 10:00 a.m. at Jack Dalton Park. It is open to anyone but the bike fleet only accommodates adults and children 16 years and older. Younger children are encouraged to bring their own bike.

For more information regarding the Bike Basics 101 program, contact Barbara Thompson, Bike Basics Instructor at 276-638-2592 or Activate at 276-403-5087.

Article/photos contributed by Jeannie Frisco

Edited/posted by Vicky Thomas

Silverfish for the Rivers, 2009 Benefit Paddle

Silverfish Paddlers, a lively group who participate in DRBA outings, is sponsoring "Silverfish for the Rivers, 2009 Benefit Paddle" on Saturday, June 27th from 9:00 a.m. -- 4:00 p.m. to benefit DRBA.

Paddlers will float on the Smith and Dan rivers in Eden, stopping at designated stations to draw foil-covered "coins," marked between $1 and $1000. The boat with the highest "loot" wins first prize of $300 in real money. Other prizes will be raffled or awarded for special coins. We'll have T-shirts, lunch and entertainment as well! We need your support for this event!

Here's what you can do:

1. Sign up to help with the event—check-in, check boats off the river and tally coins, staff a station along the river, clean up after the event, etc.
2. Donate prizes for drawings—coupons or gift cards from local restaurants and businesses you patronize, new items appropriate for use in hiking or paddling, or the always-welcome CASH!
3. Help promote the event among your friends and family.
4. Most of all, PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT!

For a registration form, see the event web site, http://www.silverfishfortherivers.com/

To volunteer, please contact Robin Light, rlight@danriver.org, or 336-627-6270.

If you build it they will come!

More and more folks in Martinsville and Henry County are learning about the trails of the Smith River Trail System and checking them out. Today I paid a visit to the Fieldale Trail on South River Road in Fieldale.

To give a little background information, this 2.3 mile long trail is operated by Henry County Parks & Recreation (HCPR). It was developed by the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) with major funding provided by the Dominion Foundation, and is currently supported by volunteers in DRBA's & HCPR's Adopt-A-Trail Program known as "Friends of the Fieldale Trail."

The first phase of the trail a 0.9 mile section of trail leading upstream of the parking lot was built in 2007, and the newest addition is a 1.3 mile stretch leading downstream.

When I pulled up into the parking lot at 5:30 this afternoon, it was packed! Over 30 people were enjoying the trail after work. I saw walkers, people with dogs, bicyclists, and fishermen. One biker was even practicing for the upcoming Smith River Mini-Triathlon to be held on June 13th.

It was an incredible sight just to see all of these people enjoying a simple path through the woods. Even though the sun was shining and it was warm out, a gentle breeze from the Smith River kept us cool. This is definately a testament that "if you build it--they will come!"

Martinsville and Henry County is on it's way to becoming a recreational destination for both residents and tourists to enjoy. If you would like more information on the Smith River Trail System, or the Adopt-A-Trail Program please contact me at 276-634-2545 or drba.va@danriver.org.

Happy Hiking!

Jennifer Doss- Rivers & Trails Project Manager

Volunteer Workday Planned

Adopt-A-Trail Volunteers shown above are (front l-r) Beth Wyatt,
Nancy Kennett, (middle l-r) Benny Setlif, Tommy Wyatt, Paula Wyatt,
Chris Wyatt, (back) Tracy Kennett.

Join the Dan River Basin Association and the Adopt-A-Trail group "Friends of the Fieldale Trail" as we work together to extend the Fieldale Trail! Meet at the Fieldale Trailhead (located at 3521 S. River Road) at 2 p.m. on Sunday June 7th.

Please wear clothing appropriate for working in the outdoors and bring water to drink. We will be working at the very end of Phase II of the trail (section leading downstream from parking area). The next 800 feet of trail will be flagged in advance and we'll work to clear this trail corridor and get it ready for walkers and cyclists to use.

Tools that will be useful are workgloves, chainsaws, loppers, rakes, mattocks and hammers.

All volunteers are encouraged to pre-register so that you may be contacted in the event of cancelation due to weather. Please call 276-634-2545 or email jdoss@danriver.org.

Learn to Kayak!

Due to the popularity of the classes offered earlier this month, a second set of instructional kayak classes will be offered in the month of June and taught by ACA instructor Eric Juday.

Beginner Kayak Class

Sunday, June 7th

Beaver Creek Reservoir, Collinsville

No experience needed- All equipment provided

$32

Intermediate Kayak Class

Saturday, June 6th

Smith River, Ridgeway

Some paddling experience required

$45

Deadline to register is May 29th

Registration forms can be obtained from:

Henry County Parks & Recreation

Martinsville Leisure Services

Dan River Basin Association

DRBA stock images

Smith River Mini-Triathlon

June 13, 2009

WHERE: Fieldale Trail
TIME: 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.-check-in

10:30 a.m. - race starts
FEE: $15 OR $20/Day of Race

Run: 1.2 miles on the Fieldale Trail.

Paddle: 1.2 miles on the Smith River's class I rapids. Mountain Bike: 2.2 miles up River Rd. and finish on the Fieldale Trail.

Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place finishers.

All pre-registered participants receive a T-shirt.

Classes: Solo-Youth, Male, & Female Team

All Male, All Female, Coed.

Music provided after the race by Dean Smith!

**PARTICIPANTS MUST BE AGE 15 & UP**

Sponsored by:
Martinsville Leisure Services,

Henry Co. Parks and Recreation,

Activate M-HC, and YMCA.

Call 276-403-5141 for more information.