Albert Harris Elementary Hosts WalkUp Wednesday

Students, staff and parents enjoyed the fresh air on a beautiful sunny Wednesday morning as they walked to Albert Harris Elementary. Natasha Rowell, Principal for Albert Harris Elementary has taken International Walk to School Day one step further in hopes of getting children more active. Walking school buses are coordinated each quarter by Ms. Rowell and her whole school gets involved. Students are dropped off approximately 1/2 mile from the school and are escorted by volunteers, parents and school staff as they walk down Smith Street to the office entrance of Albert Harris Elementary.

Activate staff and volunteers were on hand to greet over 650 participants and distribute strawberries smoothies as a reward for making that last climb up the hill to the front office. This was quite a treat for the students and staff. Healthy smoothies were a new experience for some students and staff who were surprised that it contained low fat yogurt and milk and fresh strawberries.

Way to go Natasha Rowell and Albert Harris Elementary staff! Together with one small step at a time we will combat obesity, change behavior and most importantly.....HAVE FUN DOING IT!

Benefit Paddle

Silverfish for the Rivers
2009 Benefit Paddle

The Dan River Basin Association joins the Silverfish Paddlers for the First Annual "Silverfish for the Rivers 2009 Benefit Paddle" to be held at 413 Church Street (at the traffic circle)Eden, NC

Saturday, June 27, 2009 (rain date Saturday, July 25, 2009).

All proceeds to benefit work to protect our rivers. Bring your kayak, bring your canoe, and paddle the Dan and the Smith Rivers! Check-in along the way at five designated points on the river and draw for your gold "doubloon" at each site. Map available soon! Coins range in "value" from 10 to 1000. The boat with the highest loot at the end of the paddle, wins! This paddle is an easy stretch of the Smith and the Dan Rivers. Paddle time should take about two hours (short cuts are possible!). You do not have to be an experienced paddler to enjoy the fun and the adventure of a day on the river. Shuttle and boat rentals provided by Three Rivers Outfitters!Lunch, Entertainment, Prizes, & Commemorative t-shirts will be available! Register at: silverfishfortherivers.com

Fieldale Iron Bridge: Part I

Located in southern Virginia, the Fieldale Iron Bridge has been an important part of the community of Fieldale since its construction in 1931. Upon learning that it would be destroyed to make way for a new more modern bridge, several community groups have tried to preserve this historic structure. By joining forces to work cooperatively, the Dan River Basin Association, Martinsville-Henry County Rivers & Trails Group, and the community of Fieldale have banded together to reuse parts of the bridge as trail art along one of the area's walking trails. Now that the bridge is safe, financial support from the community and all who enjoy history is needed to fund the welding, lead abatement, repainting, and mounting of the trusses. The completed project will be enjoyed by all who visit the Fieldale Trail.

Please join the movement and help preserve the Fieldale Iron Bridge. Send tax-deductible donations to Dan River Basin Association Attn: Iron Bridge Project, 413 Church Street, Suite 401 Eden, NC 27288. For more information contact drba.va@danriver.org or call 276-634-2545.

Due to the length of the video I could not add everyone's names, but I would like to recognize all the wonderful individuals I have worked with on this project including: Andrew Kahle, Cliff Saul, Lisa Hughes, Mike Coleman, Steve Isley, Dwayne Puckett, Brad Stewart, Dale Plasters, Alfonzo Hughes, Greg Niece, Tom Wright, Jerimiah Cockram, Jeff Donovan, Bill Plasters, Guy Turner, Wesley Craddock, Charles Craddock, John Tatum, Carol Shelton, Mr. Wynn, Joey Arrington, Roger Adams, Jeannie Frisco, Barbara Jackman, Katherine Mull, Robin Light, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Ellen Jessee, Brian Williams, Jason Gardner, and Benny Summerlin.

Thank you also to the iron bridge steering comittee: Doug Stegall, Joyce Odell, Margaret Stegall, Keith Stegall, Jessee Frith, Glenda Scott, Bea Bullard, Alice Gwynn, Bob Rakes, Virginia King, Nadine Hutchinson, Elva Adams, and Steve Rucker.

Free Lectures Offered by VMNH

The public is invited to a free lecture tomorrow, June 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Mr. & Mrs. L. Dudley Walker Lecture Hall at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

Lee Chichester, a master falconer from Meadows of Dan, will present a lecture on birds of prey. Chichester's talk is presented by the Southwestern Piedmont chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists. She will bring her falcon, CJ, and will discuss the differences between falcons, hawks and other local and migratory raptors. Chichester, also a writer and outdoor educator, will speak about the habitat needs of local birds of prey as well.

The chapter will host its next lecture on July 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum. Jason Gibson, a Danville biology teacher and nature photographer who has served as president of the Virginia Herpetological Society, will present a lecture on reptiles. The lecture will be followed by an informational session about the Virginia Master Naturalist Program and the activities of the local chapter.

Submitted by Marty Bullins

Call for Media Clips

Do you enjoy spending time on the rivers and trails of Martinsville and Henry County? Show us! The Dan River Basin Association would like to see photos and video clips of how you enjoy the outdoors.

This week's clip comes from DRBA members Andy and Barbara Parker of Martinsville. They have been enjoying paddling new Vapor Kayaks by Old Town on the Smith River. This clip was taken between the South Martinsville and Marrowbone Creek river access points at high water. Thanks for the clip Andy!

Send your media to drba.va@danriver.org or mail DVDs to DRBA PO Box 7 Collinsville, VA 24078. You just might end up as the next featured clip!

VMNH & DRBA offer Canoe and 'Que

Young Friends of VMNH and Dan River Basin Association will host Canoe and ‘Que on Saturday, June 27 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Richard P. Gravely Nature Preserve on Eggleston Falls Road in Ridgeway, Virginia.

Join us for an adventure on the scenic Smith River followed by an evening of barbecue at the Richard P. Gravely Nature Preserve.

The cost is $30 for members and $45 for non-members. The price includes canoe rental (2 person boats), paddles, life jackets and barbeque dinner. Single kayaks are also available, or you can bring your own boat. Those interested in just 'Que can attend for as little as $15 for members and non-members.

Itenerary

3:00 p.m. - Meet at Gravely Preserve

3:05 p.m. - Shuttle people to Marrowbone for put in

3:15 p.m. - Instructions and Safety briefing

3:35 p.m. - On the Water

5:30 p.m. - Arrive at Mitchell for take out and return to Gravely via 3RO shuttle

Suggested Items to Bring

Hats

Sunscreen

Water

Windbreakers

Dry bag for dry clothes

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
RSVP by June 22 to charlotte.harter@vmnh.virginia.gov or call 634-4161.

The event is proudly sponsored by:
Daniel, Medley & Kirby, P.C., attorneys proudly serving Southside Virginia
Rusty and Suzanne Lacy

The Young Friends of Virginia Museum of Natural History is a membership group of the museum for members in their 20's, 30's and 40's. The program aims to raise awareness of the museum among the region's young professionals and to help attract and retain new museum members. The Young Friends group also supports and promotes the mission of the Virginia Museum of Natural History through a variety of educational, social and fundraising activities which will provide new audiences and support for museum programs such as exhibits, acquisitions, conservation and expeditions.

Fun Things To Do This Summer

Fishing Clinic at Reservoir

June 20th @ Beaver Creek Reservoir- FREE
Ages 8-12

Introducing children to the sport of “Fishing” that they can enjoy the rest of their lives. Martinsville Leisure Services Senior Center and Henry Co. Parks and Recreation partners together to develop this program. We are in need of volunteers to assist with the program. Call 403-5260 if interested in helping.

Art in the Park

June 20th @ J. Frank Wilson Park 10 AM-12 PM

All ages, $5 Fee

Let the nature of our City Park be your artistic inspiration. Take a closer look at life under the trees and draw, color, write, or paint to create your very own artwork. Art supplies will be provided. Virginia Museum of Natural History will put on the program. Call Tena Bullins to register—634-4185.

Bike Basics 101

July 18th @ 10am Uptown Spur Trail on Depot Street

Open to adults and children 16 years and older.

After completing the instruction, participants will enjoy a leisure bike ride on the level part of the Uptown Spur Trail. Participants should bring their own bicycle and safety helmet. Martinsville Leisure Services and Activate are partnering to offer this program. If you do not have a bike or helmet please contact Activate MHC at 638-2523 x204.

Introduction to Backpacking

July 28th 6-8 p.m.

Ages 12 and up, $5 fee

Learn the necessary preparations for a backpacking trip, proper clothing and footwear, nutrition, preparing food in the outdoors, and other essentials to backpack comfortably. Call 403-5140 to register.

Animal Tracks

August 22 from 10am-12pm

Fee $5

Learn the clues to identify some of the animal tracks in our region or in your back yard. Boys and girls ages 8-12. Call 403-5140 to register. Instructor: Gary Cody.

Astronomy Night

August 22 @ 9pm, Beaver Creek Reservoir
Fee $5

Learn more about celestial bodies and gas and dust within it, stars, galaxies, and the general structure of outer space. Look through a powerful telescope to view objects far away. Martinsville Leisure Service and Virginia Museum of Natural History is offering this program. Max: 20 All ages. Call 403-5140 to register.

Information provided by Gary Cody

Edited by Jennifer Doss

Butterfly Garden Opens at Wilson Park

J. Frank Wilson Park now has a Butterfly Garden! With help from the Martinsville-Henry County Master Gardeners, Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville Leisure Services, and volunteers, the Butterfly Garden was put in place Saturday, June 13th. Lynn Berry organized the program to inform and educate individuals about the benefits of butterfly gardening while we all worked to plant the flowers.

Studio 107 and Piedmont Arts Association will be providing stepping stones for the garden in the near future.

Thanks to Stephanie Ernst, Lynn Regan, Jo Carter, Besty Pace, Barbara Shrader, Lynn Berry, Ronnie & Susan Henderson, and Gary, Susanm and Brianna Cody for volunteering!

Story and photos provided by Gary Cody

Edited by Jennifer Doss

City Announces New Clearview Bike Lane

The City of Martinsville is proud to announce that a 0.6 mile stretch of bike lane has just opened along Clearview Drive. This is part of the City’s initiative to improve health awareness among present and future generations and enhance the quality of life by increasing the availability of recreational opportunities. “By building upon natural resources such as the development of trails and bike lanes, Martinsville’s attractiveness as a business location and as a destination for environmentally sustainable tourism is enhanced”, commented City Manager Clarence Monday.

According to Assistant City Manager Leon Towarnicki, over the past few years the West Piedmont Planning District Commission has worked with over 70 people to develop a regional bicycle plan which identified Clearview Drive as one of many potential streets for bike lane striping. The plan, put together by local citizens, also identified the need to develop bicycle route access and bicycle racks to make the Uptown Historic District more bicycle friendly.
Various upgrades have been made to the recreation infrastructure throughout the City in recent years. These include bike racks, purchased by the Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association (MURA) and Activate. These types of projects serve notice that the Uptown Business District is open to and welcomes cyclists. “Now on any given day, you will see at least one cyclist if not a group of them biking through Uptown”, said Activate Program Director Jeannie Frisco.

Activate Martinsville-Henry County, whose mission is to promote walking, biking, and other physical activity, has been working with City officials over the last year to identify existing corridors that are conducive to adding bike lanes without using any tax funds. The overall vision for the City is to transform a patchwork of lanes and trails into a cycling network. This network will provide connectivity between residential areas and centers of activity such as business and commercial districts, historical and cultural destinations, and public facilities.