Beginners Bike Ride - Uptown Trail

When: Monday September 28, 2009 at 5:30

Where: Uptown Spur Trail

Cost: Free

Join members of the Henry County Bike Club each Monday as they host the Beginners' Bike Ride on the Uptown Spur Trail off Depot Street. The ride begins at 5:30 PM. Cyclist should meet at the Gazebo. Enjoy the fresh air and take in the beautiful sites of the magnificent gardens and artwork along the trail. Meet new friends and have fun while you learn bike riding techniques and get your activity in for the day!
For more information please visit: http://www.henrycountybikeclub.org/

Activate joins forces the first Monday of each month to provide bikes and helmets for those that want to participate in the activity but may not have the equipment needed.

Participants are asked to contact Barbara Thompson, Activate Bike Instructor at 276-638-2592 by the Friday before the event to request a bike or helmet.

Adopt-a-Trail Team Meeting

Anyone interested in becoming an Adopt-a-Trail Volunteer is invited to attend the Adopt-a-Trail Program's Team meeting to learn about the program and see what is going on at our area trails along the Smith River Trail System. The meeting will be held at the Henry County Administration Building on King's Mountain Road on Monday September 28th from 6-7:30 p.m. Please RSVP by September 25th.
Contact: Jennifer Doss
Phone: 276-634-2545
Email: jdoss@danriver.org

Back by Popular Demand...

Did you miss it? The Smith River Film Fest is coming back for an encore showing! Come experience the thrills, spills, and splashes all over again. The films will be shown on a slightly smaller screen this time at the Philpott Lake Visitor's Center in Bassett, VA. Admission is free, but donations to benefit river access on the Smith, Mayo, and Dan Rivers are appreciated.

Saturday, November 14th at 2 p.m.

Philpott Lake Visitor's Center

Bassett, VA

Come see the winning film: Linda Drage's "A Safety Short: Learning to Kayak", the best Wipeouts from "Troop 168 on the River", and of course the crowd favorite: "River Do's & Don'ts with Jennifer & Paddler Bob!"

Don't forget while you are out and about, to stop and enjoy the breathtaking scenic beauty that Philpott Lake has to offer!

Mark Your Calendars & Make a Difference

If you haven't had a chance to get out and volunteer this year, October is a good month to begin making a difference in your community.

October 2-3, 2009 is the Fall Smith River Cleanup. Road cleanups will start on Friday October 2nd. The Smith River, its banks and streams will be cleaned on October 3rd from 8:00a.m. until 1:00 p.m. An award winning annual event to clear away litter and debris from one of our greatest natural resources! Volunteers are asked to meet at the Fieldale Ball Park in Fieldale. Canoes are welcome! Contact Gateway Streetscape for more information.

On the third, you can take a break from picking up litter at 9 a.m. to run or walk in the SPCA's Furry Scurry 5K to be held at the Fieldale Trail. Hosted by the Martinsville-Henry County SPCA, proceeds from this event benefits work to protect animals at our local SPCA shelter. 

On October 17, 2009 Join DRBA at the Gravely Nature Preserve to help the Gardner Family, an Adopt-a-Trail team, pick up litter along the Smith River and complete a new extension to the Rhododendron Trail. They will work from 9-11 a.m. at the preserve located at 2525 Eggleston Falls Road. Volunteers with open canoes will be needed to paddle full trash bags back to the Marrowbone Creek River Access for pick up. To volunteer or for more information contact Martin Gardner, Adopt-a-Trail Team Captain, at mgardner@blueridgeaquaculture.com.

After working on the trail, drop by the Henry County Service Center located at 2285 Fairystone Park Highway in Bassett, Virginia to dispose of hazardous waste responsibly at the Household Hazardous Waste Day presented by Gateway Streetscape. Free collection of hazardous materials: solvents, paints, fuels, automobile fluids, lead acid batteries, cell phones, computer parts, office equipment and inkjet cartridges. 9 a.m to 12 p.m.

There's no excuse not to get out and do something good for your community this fall!

Event information contributed by: Will Koger, Gateway Streetscapes, and Martin Gardner

Paddle Clinics Offered

Don't Miss Out on your last chance for kayak lessons this season!

BEGINNER KAYAK CLINC Sat Sept 26th

On the Smith River behind Martinsville City Dam at Doe Run Park you will learn basic paddling strokes and techniques on flat water,12pm to 4pm

INTERMEDIATE KAYAK CLINC Sun Sept 27th

Learn techniques for traveling safely paddling Class II rivers, 12pm to 4pm

ANNOUNCING FRIDAY FLOATS $10 OFF WITH A FREE GUIDE

Kayaks for $30 and Canoes for $40

Take advantage the warm fall weekdays and Martinsville City Dam releases. Paddle the Smith River from South Martinsville to the Sports Complex. Suitable for beginners, four miles of Class II paddling

Call ahead for reservations as there are limited number of rentals and we can have your equipment ready. Boats, paddles and life jackets, and shuttle included. Launch time will be approximately 4:00 please arrive at least 30minutes early to get fitted for equipment.

 
Call or email 276-252-0701 ejuday@juno.com