Dan River Basin Adventures

2011-05-19T19:31:00.000-07:00

You’re invited!
Draper Landing to Berry Hill Float June 4

Join in DRBA’s seven-mile float on the Dan River from Eden’s Draper Landing Access to Berry Hill Bridge on June 4, coordinated by Will Truslow, DRBA’s past president.

Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the access’s graveled parking lot beside the NC 700 Bridge to set the shuttle (GPS 36.4987, -79.6814). Three Rivers Outfitters of Eden, 336-627-6215 or www.3-R-O.com, will offer boat rentals and shuttle for the float, which will end on private property with the owner’s permission.

In this river trip of Class I water, participants will navigate at least seven ledges and shoals with long-standing historic names found on old maps. Six of these have been made easier to navigate by structures such as sluice walls built in the nineteenth century by the Roanoke Navigation Company (founded 1812), a joint effort of Virginia and North Carolina, and by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The sluice walls concentrate the river’s water at shallow ledges, creating a narrow channel deep enough to float long, narrow batteaux, the commercial “semi-trailers” of early river travel.

Nearly a century before the river was improved for navigation, in 1728 a survey team led by Virginia’s William Byrd determined the “dividing line” between North Carolina and Virginia. Byrd named the Dan River for the river in northern Israel and gave names that still survive to many of the river’s tributaries. One was Cascade Creek, which enters from river left about halfway through the trip, so called “by reason of the multitude of waterfalls that are in it” some distance before it reaches the Dan.

Devil’s Jump Shoal, just downstream from Cascade Creek, is named for impressive mid-river rocks. On river right less than a mile downstream from Devil’s Jump is the confluence of the Dan with Tanyard Creek, named for the tannery owned by John Morehead, father of North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead, who grew up nearby.

Between two old sluice walls of Tanyard Shoal, separated by nearly a half-mile of the Dan’s flow, is a place called on an 1823 survey “The Wreck,” according to William E. Trout III, author of the Dan River Atlas. “Why?” he asks, inviting future river mappers to solve the mystery.

Other examples of intriguing nineteenth-century labels are Beasley’s Gallows Shoal Sluice and the well-preserved Hairston’s Fish Trap Sluice, likely modified from an Amerindian fish weir of 1000 years ago.

The trip is part of the series of over 100 First Saturday Outings that have been offered by DRBA almost from its inception. Other interesting facts about the geology, history, and culture of this section of the river are found in Maps 42 – 45 of “An Insider’s Guide to the Dan River in North Carolina and Virginia,” available at www.danriver.org

Participants in the outing are asked to provide boat, life jacket, lunch and water, to dress in layers of artificial (quick-drying) fabric and to sign a waiver.

Directions: To reach Draper Landing Access (GPS 36.4987, -79.6814) from the north or west, take NC 14 to NC 700 East. Travel on NC 700 about 4 miles through Eden to the bridge over the Dan River. After crossing the bridge, go 0.1 mile and turn left into the gravel driveway to the access.

From the south take US 29 North, turning left (west) on NC 700. Just past Quesinberry Road, turn right into the gravel driveway to the access beside the NC 700 Bridge over the Dan.

From the east take US 29 South, turning right (west) on NC 700, and proceed as described above.

More information: For trip information, contact trip coordinator Will Truslow, 336-547-1903, willtruslow@hotmail.com

336-627-6270 http://www.danriver.org

DRBA First Saturday Outing for May

2011-04-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

DRBA Paddles the Dan in Stokes County

DRBA’s May 7 First Saturday Outing will be a 5-mile paddle trip on the Dan River in Stokes County from Snow Creek Access to Hemlock Golf Course Access coordinated by Will Truslow.

Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Snow Creek Access, about 200 yards west of Dodgetown Road Bridge on Pitzer Road (GPS 36.4026, -80.1404), to unload boats and gear and set the shuttle.

For boat rentals and shuttle, contact Three Rivers Outfitters, 336-627-6215 or 276-340-3983, www.3-r-o.com, or Dan River Company, 336-593-2628, www.danrivercompany.com.

History and legend abound on this section of the river, which is characterized by high bluffs forested with hardwoods and stands of stately hemlock trees. Just upstream of the put-in is the frame of the Pitzer Steel Truss Bridge, dating from 1918.

About half a mile below Snow Creek is Thompson’s Fish Dam, which has remnants of a rare wooden slat trap. According to “An Insider’s Guide to the Dan River,” a “heavy timber frame, about eight feet square, formed a grid of slats” to trap fish channeled into the trap by a vee-shaped low rock wall.

At least two branches of the Great Wagon Road forded the river at shoals on this section, and caves are said to have been used by Confederate draft dodgers.

Rock formations and uncommon Carolina hemlock stands have received recognition as the Dan River Cliffs natural heritage area.

According to Truslow, “This section of the Dan has the last of the really high bluffs before the river winds on into the Piedmont. Some are about 150 feet high.”

The most spectacular is Davis Bluff, a dramatic rock face on river left where huge boulders lie in the water at the base of the cliff. Legend says that a member of the Davis family fell to his death from the road on top. To this day, the cliff is known as Mount Horrible.

The Dan River in this section is rated mostly as Class 1, but the remains of a former Duke Power dam, dynamited in 1975, create a sometimes challenging Class 2 rapid. Fortunately, it is located within sight of the take-out ramp at Hemlock Golf Course.

Meet at 10:00 at the Snow Creek Access on Pitzer Road. Arrange to supply boat, paddles, life jackets, water and lunch; wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool (not cotton, and certainly not blue jeans); and provide a back-up change of clothing. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver.

Directions: At the intersection of NC 8 and NC 89 about 3 miles south of Danbury, NC, turn northeast onto Dodgetown Road. Drive about 4 miles and cross the Dan River. Immediately turn left onto Pitzer Road. Snow Creek Access is on the left in about 200 yards.

Driving south from Virginia on US 220, turn west on NC 770 to Sandy Ridge. Turn south on NC 704 to Prestonville. Turn south on NC 772 toDodgetown. Turn right onto Dodgetown Road and drive about 4 miles. Just before crossing the Dan River, turn right onto Pitzer Road. Snow Creek Access is on the left in about 200 yards.

More Information: Will Truslow, 336-547-1903, willtruslow@hotmail.com

Back to the River !

2011-03-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

April 2, 2011

Back to the River!

Back to the River! April 2 Outing on Smith River from Bassett to Great Road Access

DRBA’s First Saturday Outing on April 2, 2011 will celebrate springtime with a return to the water—a 5.2-mile float on the Smith River in Henry County from the Bassett Access to the newly opened Great Road Access. Charlie Williams, expert paddler and Outings Committee Chair, will coordinate the trip.

Participants are asked to meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Bassett Canoe Access, 271 Trent Hill Drive, Bassett, VA (GPS 36.76992,-80.00147) to unload boats and gear and set the shuttle.
For boat rentals and shuttle, contact Smith River Adventure Outfitters, 276-252-0701, www.smithriveradventureoutfitters.com or Three Rivers Outfitters, 336-627-6215, 276-340-3983, www.3-r-o.com.
Constructed through a partnership of DRBA and Henry County, both the Bassett and Great Road accesses are part of the Smith River Trail System, a growing network of blueways and greenways designed to connect riverside communities through Henry County, VA, downstream to Eden, NC.

The Bassett Canoe Access, opened in 2006, is located at the now dormant J. D. Bassett Chair Factory, which “stands as a silent testament to an historic furniture industry that once supplied America,” according to “An Insider’s Guide to the Smith River.”

As the Smith runs through the town of about 1,300 residents, remnants of the past remind paddlers of the river’s history. In the 19th century, Smith’s River Navigation Company built rock wing dams and sluices to enable long, narrow batteaux to haul iron and grain to market in Danville.
Although commercial navigation on the river was short-lived, the company’s wing dams survived and were modified by twentieth-century riverside industries for water intakes. Shortly below the put-in, paddlers will pass the “Leaning Tower of Bassett,” one of these later structures.
On river left, the Norfolk Southern Railway line parallels the river the full length of the float, serving past and present factories in this important industrial center.
About a mile into the trip, on river right is Bassett Historical Center, which houses a wealth of local historical and genealogical materials used by patrons from around the world. Just downstream is the third of six bridges that span this section of the river.
A short distance below the fifth bridge is Blackberry Creek, entering from river right. The Great Wagon Road crossed the Smith River nearby, providing a route for settlers migrating through the region in days gone by.
From Blackberry Creek for a half mile is “The Hayfields,” where the river is shallow and “trout fishing is best accomplished by wading,” according to DRBA staff member and avid trout fisherman Brian Williams, who wrote the Smith River guide. Trout thrive throughout this portion of the river.
The take-out is at the Great Road Access, the Smith River’s newest river access point, which opened in September, 2010. Solutia Performance Films granted easements for the access and for an adjacent 500-foot-long trail. Plant manager Joe Stultz says, “This is our way of giving back to the community.”
Participants in the outing are asked to meet at 10:00 at the Bassett Canoe Access. They should arrange to supply boat, paddles, life jackets, water and lunch; wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool (not cotton, and certainly not blue jeans); and provide a back-up change of clothing. Since the river may be shallow in places, wear shoes appropriate for wading. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver.

Directions: From US 220 north of Martinsville, take the VA 57 West/Fairystone Park Highway exit towards Stanleytown/Bassett. After about 3.4 miles, turn left at Fairystone Parkway/Lenoir Street. After about a mile, take the second right onto Lenoir Street/Trent Hill Drive. The Bassett Canoe Access will be on the left beside the factory building, at 271 Trent Hill Drive.

More Information: Charlie Williams, 336-337-8843, chawilliams59@yahoo.com

Fall Paddle and Hike on the Dan

2010-11-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

Fall is the perfect time to be on the riverGet out there and enjoy the scenery and the cool weather
For now, enjoy this short video from Andy and Barbara Parker
A paddle and a hike at Hanging Rock

Marrowbone Creek to Mitchel Bridge float on 9/4/10

2010-08-31T06:52:00.000-07:00

On September 4 DRBA will celebrate Labor Day weekend with a float on the most popular section of the Smith River-Marrowbone Creek Access to Mitchell Bridge Access in Henry County, VA. Meeting at 10:00 a. m. at the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve, 2525 Eggleston Falls Road in Ridgeway, Virginia (36.611067, -79.817712), the group will launch canoes and kayaks at the nearby access point.

The 3.5-mile "blueway" Smith River Trails section, rated Class 1, is suitable for novice paddlers. Trip coordinator is Wayne Kirkpatrick, DRBA President, aided by other DRBA members who frequent this section of the river.

For the first half mile of the trip, the river flows alongside the Gravely Nature Preserve's high bluffs where paddlers can glimpse the Rhododendron Trail. As the name implies, the path winds through a rhododendron thicket as it hugs the river's edge.

About a mile farther on, Leatherwood Creek enters from river left. Paddlers often enter the wide mouth of the creek and take a leisurely side trip up the shaded stream to observe woodland wildflowers and birds. Early American patriot Patrick Henry, for whom both Patrick and Henry counties are named, lived on a large plantation near the headwaters of Leatherwood Creek from 1779 - 1786.

Just below the mouth of Leatherwood Creek is a broad rounded boulder in the middle of the river. Known as "Lunch Rock," it makes "a perfect spot to stop for a break," according to "An Insider's Guide to the Smith River," available at www.danriver.org .

Henry County, in partnership with DRBA, has made the Smith River accessible to the public over the past three years by building public access points at eight new sites along the river, including the Marrowbone Creek Access, which opened in 2007, and Mitchell Bridge Access, built in 2009.

Participants are invited to linger after the outing to enjoy the Gravely Nature Preserve, part of the county's "greenway" Smith River Trail system, which was dedicated in April, 2008. Developed by DRBA and Henry County, with funding from The Harvest Foundation, the 75-acre preserve features two miles of interpretive trails. Historic features include early twentieth-century tobacco barns and the Burgess Family cemetery, reminders of former owners of the property.

Industrialist, civic leader, and archaeologist Richard P. Gravely, Jr. owned the property in the late twentieth century and left instructions for its preservation as a wildlife and nature conservancy. The preserve now hosts frequent educational and recreational events for all ages, including day camps, fitness walks, historic presentations, workshops, after-school programs, and geo-caching.

Participants in the outing are asked to bring boat and paddles, life jackets, lunch and water, to dress in layers of artificial (quick-drying) fabric and to sign a waiver.

Boats may be rented from Three Rivers Outfitters, 336-627-6215
www.3-R-O.com
or
Smith River Adventure Outfitters, 276-252-0701
http://www.smithriveradventureoutfitters.com/

Directions: To reach the Gravely Nature Preserve from US 220 south of Martinsville, turn east at a traffic light onto Old Sand Road. Cross the US 58 overpass and immediately turn left onto Eggleston Falls Road. Travel about two miles to the preserve, which is on the left, across from the foot of Old Mill Road.

More information: Wayne Kirkpatrick, 276-694-4449 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 276-694-4449 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or wynbtyk@embarqmail.com

2010-07-13T20:52:00.001-07:00

The new canoe access ramp at Soulutia (CPFilms) is nearly completeThis is going to be one of our nicer access points and it’s like a mini park complete with trail and easy access.

The ramp is located off The Great Road in Stanleytown, strategically situated between the upstream access at Bassett and the next downstream access at Fieldale.

An extremely easy entry into the water, the ramp creates a nice access at low water and a good eddy for times of full generation. A picnic table at the access is a great place to have lunch or walk the trail downstream to another quiet location complete with picnic table and view of the river.

Dan River Sojourn 2011

2010-07-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

Good friends, great stories, fantastic history and 22 miles
of the Beautiful Dan River!

Be part of the journey, the inaugural

Dan River Sojourn 2011

Join us for two days of paddling, two nights of camping -- the first of an annual event journeying down the Dan River!

Come for a day, come for a weekend. . . Great food and music each night

If you can't paddle, sign up to join us on the river for dinner!

May 20 -- 22, 2011

Additional information available online at

www.danriversojourn.com

Don't delay! Do it today!

This 22-mile trip takes you through a Triassic basin where history is written in and on the landscape. From the days of the dinosaurs to Native Americans to our own imprint shown in nineteenth century commercial navigation, you will see and touch it all during this two-day adventure.

Assemble at Lindsay Bridge in Madison, NC by 5:00 pm on Friday, July 16, to unload camping and paddling gear. Shuttle to Settles Bridge and/or Eden is at 6:00 pm. Anticipated return to the Lindsey Bridge campsite is 7:00 pm. Each day's paddle adventure will begin at 9:00 am and conclude by 5:00 pm. Enjoy special programs highlighting the history of the Dan River region and related topics.

Limited to 100 participants, so reserve your spot early!

The Sojourn's trail includes of the nation's best-preserved nineteenth-century batteau navigation systems used to channel commercial traffic into backcountry North Carolina. Click on maps 57 through 47 of the Dan River Guide, Key Map 2 to see the trail. Each map highlights important navigation tips and details of that section of the river along with photos, history, interesting facts and more.

You can also order your own waterproof, travel-size copy of An Insiders Guide to the Dan River Basin in North Carolina and Viginia.

Two Payment Options

* Mail a check along with your completed registration form or
* Pay online (buttons below link to Pay Pal interface-SEE NOTE BELOW!)

NOTE: To make sure we understand WHO the participant(s) is/are, please click on the Message to Merchant option in Pay Pal and include ALL the name(s) of your PARTICPANT/paddlers, since they may be different than the name of the payer on Pay Pal.

Pricing (per person) (If you are paying for more than one person please make sure you adjust the shopping cart quantities.)

$25.00 – Friday: Evening meal and overnight camping only; does not include any meals/activities on next day.

$60.00 – Saturday: Three meals, programs, gear handling, overnight camping, T-shirt & shuttle

$60.00 – Sunday: Two meals, program, gear handling, T-shirt & shuttle

Package deal $130 – Full trip, camping two nights, six meals, programs, gear handling, T-shirt & shuttle

$65.00 paddle through for children 8 - 12 attending with a full fee adult guardian

Guest meals are $10.00 each for breakfast & lunch; $20.00 dinner
(Don't forget to adjust the shopping cart quantities to equal all meals requested)

Breakfast Guest Meal $10.00
Lunch Guest Meal $10.00
Dinner Guest Meal $20.00

Dan River Sojourn 2010 T-shirts featuring the colorful design shown at top of page are provided as part of the Saturday, Sunday and Package deals. Others may buy the T-shirts at the event.

Read the Sojourn 2010 liability waiver.

Call Wayne Kirkpatrick at 276.694.4449 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 276.694.4449 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
or email
danriversojourn@gmail.com
for more information.

Reserve your place on this first-time adventure TODAY!

Paddle Lake Talbott on Saturday

2010-06-30T23:51:00.001-07:00

DRBA to Paddle Lake Talbott near Meadows of Dan

Out-and-back paddle on Lake Talbott near Meadows of Dan, VA Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Poor Farmers Market, 2616 Jeb Stuart Highway, Meadows of Dan, VA. GPS: 36.73541, -80.40978. Dress in layers of synthetic fabric, and bring boat, paddles, life jackets,lunch and water. Free and open to the public.

Contact: Charlie Williams

Phone: 336-337-8843

Email: chawilliams59@yahoo.com

Need a boat ? Contact one of our local outfitters:

http://www.3-r-o.com/

(336)627-6215

http://www.smithriveradventureoutfitters.com/

(276)252-0701

Charlie Poole Festival and Float

2010-05-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

(Eden, NC) – The folks who come to the Fifteenth Anniversary Charlie Poole Music Festival, June 11-13, will have a surprise extra treat all ready for them. On Saturday morning they will have the opportunity to enjoy a float down a stretch of the beautiful unspoiled Smith and Dan Rivers, and still not miss any of the festival.
This special outing, beginning at 9 AM Saturday morning with transport from the Fairgrounds, has been arranged through the Dan River Basin Association. The Director, Katherine Mull, gives the following description of the event as planned:

Charlie Poole River Ramble

The Charlie Poole River Ramble, a leisurely two hour float, will be guided by Three Rivers Outfitters. The trip begins on the scenic Smith River, near the historic 1892 Spray Mercantile Building where paddlers will hear the stories of this once-thriving textile town.
Internationally renowned banjo musician Charlie Poole worked here at Spray Cotton Mills. In July 1925 Poole and his North Carolina Ramblers made their first recording with Columbia Records. Their record was a smash hit and sold an unheard of number, more than 100,000 copies.
Also nearby is the historic 1898 Nantucket Mill. Piedmont Folk Legacies and the National Banjo Initiative envision a new life for the mill as a National Banjo Center, museum, recording studio and performance venue.
After putting on the river at Spray Cotton Mills, paddlers will float under Island Ford Bridge near Spray Circle and past the new Island Ford Landing at Eden’s Smith River Greenway. About a mile downstream, after passing under the Kings Highway Bridge, paddlers will come upon a large rock formation on river left known as Bear Slide, a state Natural Heritage Area recognized for rare communities of wild flowers.
Paddlers can expect to see June wildflowers, water fowl and perhaps even Eden’s mascot, a river otter.
Past Bear Slide, where the Smith joins the Dan River, paddlers will turn upstream a short distance to view the impressive remains of the 1852 Leaksville Toll Bridge. After floating down to the nationally famous arched Mebane Bridge, paddlers will take out at the NC Wildlife Access on the Dan River where all will be shuttled back to the Charlie Poole Festival in time for lunch at the fairgrounds.
The Saturday morning expedition includes the boat rental and guide, transport to and from the Fairgrounds, a light breakfast, refreshments on the trip, and a voucher for lunch, all for $50 inclusive of the whole festival, Friday evening through Sunday morning. Space will be limited, so sign up early, on line, or just send your check to P.O. Box 867, Eden, NC 27289.
As usual, admission to the festival only is $15 for Friday evening or the Saturday afternoon and evening competition, or $25 for the whole weekend. Sunday morning activities are to be announced.
Basic camping is available, with bathrooms and showers, at a charge of $10 per night, $20 maximum, and campers will be welcome any time during the week preceding the festival. A group of 6 family and friends can get a weekend pass on line for $100, a substantial saving. Festival tickets and tickets for the River Ramble will be available on line, the latter to be limited in number– first come, first served.
A “Little Ramblers” children’s area, sponsored by Sheetz, will be another new addition. Food and other vendors will be on-site for the festival. Schedules and other information will be posted soon at www.charlie-poole.com. For further information call 336-623-1043.
This project receives support from the Rockingham County Arts Council and the NC Arts Council, an agency of the NC Department of Cultural Resources.

Seeking Volunteer Coordinator

2010-04-13T06:46:00.000-07:00

____________________________________________

Do you have a passion for preserving and protecting local rivers, natural areas and cultural landscapes for future generations? The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is seeking a dedicated volunteer to fill our Volunteer Coordinator position. This position will allow the right candidate to make a significant difference across the region.

The Volunteer Coordinator will work with DRBA staff to enlist volunteers and coordinate the activities of other community volunteers across the Dan River region in NC and Virginia. While this is a volunteer position, DRBA is offering a monthly stipend to help compensate for the volunteer’s mileage, cell phone use, and meal expenses. The Volunteer Coordinator will have access to office space, including a computer and internet. This highly visible position is ideal for someone who enjoys working as part of a team and who seeks to establish a track record, build a network, and make a measurable difference for the Dan River region.

Specific duties include working with the DRBA team to:

Coordinate recruitment, screening and training of DRBA volunteers;

Provide encouragement, feedback and support to volunteers;

Track volunteer hours and periodically evaluate volunteer performance;

Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with volunteers to foster teamwork;

Schedule volunteers for activities such as festivals, stream monitoring, children’s environmental education programs, and more;

Help coordinate and otherwise assist in media relations, including press releases.

Qualifications include:

Enjoy working with and motivating people of all ages

Interest in DRBA’s work in recreation, education and stewardship

Demonstrated leadership skills, enthusiasm and ability to inspire others;

Positive attitude and successful experience in working with people of all demographic groups;

Demonstrated team player, with commitment to the mission and values of the Dan River Basin Association;

Experience in Microsoft Office, Excel, internet and e-mail;

Valid driver’s license, ability to travel and volunteer during evenings and weekends as needed.

To Apply

Please e-mail letter of interest, three references and resume to drba.nc@danriver.org.

DRBA's Recreational Gear Swap

2010-04-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

April 10, 2010

DRBA's Recreational Gear Swap
Need some more room in your garage for more gear ? Got extra room for gear and you need to fill it up ? Then come on out this Saturday, April 10th to the Dan River Basin Associations 2nd annual gear swap and get prepped for the season. This years event will be held at from 10 am...till the gear is gone, at the Indian Heritage RV Park & Campground (Tensbury Drive. Martinsville) This is the location of the South Martinsville canoe access on the Smith River just below Martinsville Dam. Bring your outdoor gear,canoes, kayaks, bicycles, camping gear, fishing supplies, and more! Buy, sell , trade. Admission is free. The Gear Swap is a great way to pick up used gear for a bargain or sell gear you are ready to part with. Meet other paddlers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. Come meet new friends, trade stories, and get a good deal on used equipment at DRBA’s Gear Swap! For more information contact the Dan River Basin Association at 276-634-2592 or bwilliams@danriver.org

Dick and Wille Passage Groundbreaking

2010-03-25T18:06:00.000-07:00

Come out and celebrate with the Henry County Administration staff, DRBA representatives and Congressman Rick Boucher for groundbreaking on Martinsville / Henry County's latest trail,
the "Dick and Willie Passage."

The event will occur Wednesday, March 31, at 2 p.m. near the former Martinsville-Henry County Rescue Squad building on Hooker Street in the City of Martinsville. We will park there and take a short walk onto the trail. Congressman Rick Boucher will be the keynote speaker.

Friends Begin Clean-up of Fieldale Trail

2010-03-08T17:28:00.000-08:00

The “Friends of the Fieldale Trail” took to the trail on Sunday March 7, 2010 to begin the clean-up work of removing debris and repairing damage from the December flood events.
The Fieldale Trail sustained some damage due to high water which caused mud deposition in low lying areas, debris accumulation and some split rail fence just plain disappearing downstream!

The heavy snowfall of the last two months has kept the trail blanketed and wet so repair work had to be postponed. The high water brought all manner of debris to the trial from sticks, lumber, plastic and assorted trash and lots of mud.

The recent warming trend has melted the snow and allowed the mud deposited by the floods to dry out a bit and so the trail can now be accessed for some initial clean-up work. Saturday and Sunday saw large crowds of people out on the trail, desperate for some outdoor activity after all this cold weather which has created an almost permanent state of cabin fever in our region. Walkers, bikers, and fisherman were out in force on this Henry County favorite all weekend.

The Friends of the Fieldale Trail Group (FFT ) had an impromptu Sunday clean-up and ended up removing a truck load of trash, approx. 12 bags and numerous other articles from the trail and along the river bank. They removed limbs and sticks; and gathered some fencing into piles. A big thank you to Tracy Kennett for gathering most of the fencing that had been strewn along the trail. They also reinstalled fencing along parts of the trail.

The group worked on the blue bird houses to prepping them for the blue birds which will start nesting late March to early April. While on the trail, the group got a chance to engage in other hikers out enjoying the day and had some nice comments from people thanking them for all they do to help maintain the trail.
They also had several people provide them with phone numbers to call for volunteers when they have the next work day

Front row, left to right - Nancy Kennett and Molly the lab
Back row from left to right: Tracy Kennett, Tommy Wyatt, Cecil Holt, Joan Ragland, Frances Holt, Paula Wyatt

A big huge thank you to all Adopt-a-Trail Volunteers and special thank you to the
Friends of the Fieldale Trail, you guys rock !

Rivers and Bugs --oh my!

2010-02-24T12:03:00.000-08:00

Everyone is invited attend the first “Rivers and Bugs Summit” on March 13 at Moral Hill Baptist Church in Axton, Virginia (just barely east of Martinsville city limits.) The $5 registration includes: light breakfast, a catered lunch by Governor, Gwendolyn & Christine Catering, and free raffle tickets for prizes such as fishing gear, a fly-fishing lesson with Brian Williams, and DRBA canvas tote bag filled with goodies.

There is something for everyone at the summit! Speakers and session leaders include: a panel discussion with a diverse group of local church and temple leaders who are spearheading various faith-based responses to environmental issues. The panel will be moderated by Linda Drage, President, Friends of Philpott.

Minnie Moore, an educator in Patrick County, will lead a session on her work with school children and organic gardening. She started an organic garden on four blighted city lots in St. Louis during her decades-long tenure at an inner city school. Most recently, she established an organic garden with students at Patrick Springs Elementary School.

Jenny Hochstein, Director of the Halifax Improvement Council and co-owner of Pick-A-Pine, will illustrate the sustainable practices she employs on her Christmas tree farm. She will discuss the challenges and opportunities to expand sustainable living practices in Southern Virginia that reduce costs and protect water quality and wildlife habitat.

Lynn Pritchett, Master Naturalist, will introduce participants to the fundamentals of the Global Positioning Systems. This is a great session for anyone who has been curious about how GPS works, what it can do for you, and how to use it—but have been too afraid to ask.

Mary Lawson, Biologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will discuss Aldo Leopold’s moral and philosophical reasons for a harmonious relationship with the natural world and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ changing attitudes toward environmental stewardship.

Wayne Kirkpatrick, DRBA President is known across the basin for his famous “Tub O’ Bugs” exhibit that introduces people of all ages to the wonders of the macro-invertebrate life in the creeks. For the first time, Wayne is leading a session on how to build your own Tub O‘Bugs for your festivals, classrooms, library programs—anywhere you want to thrill people with hands on experience with the bug life that sustains our river ecology.

Marty Bullins, Master Naturalist, will demonstrate his unique "Recycle Derby game—how he build it and how he educates watershed dwellers (that‘s all of us) on the what, when and how of recycling.

Jenny Edwards, DRBA staff, will demonstrate the “Bottle Bloom” project that engages youth in learning about watersheds and the environmental impact of litter by creating art from recycled plastic bottles. To date, more than 250 children have contributed to the bottle bloom project.

The Rivers and Bugs Summit begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 2:00 p.m. on March 13 at Moral Hill Baptist Church at 50 Moral Hill Drive in Axton, Virginia. In order to give all the participants a high quality experience and a chance to fully engage in the sessions, registration is limited. “We encourage anyone interested in environmental education or healthy rivers to come out,” says Jenny Edwards, DRBA staff.

Contact Regenia Manns at (276) 634-2591 or rmanns@danriver.org or Jenny Edwards at (276) 340-2462 or jedwards@danriver.org to reserve space.

Teachers and students are eligible to have the registration fee waived, but still need to reserve a space. Registration deadline is March 11, and everyone is encouraged to register early.

The event is made possible with support from the Virginia Environmental Endowment, The Harvest Foundation, Moral Hill Baptist Church, and DRBA members.

DRBA's Annual Celebration, 9:30 on Saturday, March 6 in Historic Caswell Courthouse

2010-02-21T07:59:00.000-08:00

DRBA's Annual Membership Celebration will be held at 9:30 on Saturday, March 6 in the historic Caswell County Courthouse in Yanceyville, NC. After refreshments and time to view displays, the short business session will include recognition of exceptional volunteer service, election of board members, and reports from DRBA's staff on activities in Virginia and North Carolina.

Featured speaker is "William Clark" of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, as portrayed by Craig (Rocky) Rockwell of Bassett, VA. For over a decade Rockwell, Operations Project Manager at Philpott Reservoir, has depicted William Clark, who became a brigadier general and played a major role in shaping the young United States in the early nineteenth century. Among the audiences for his portrayal has been the U. S. Congress in the nation's Capitol Building.

The setting for the celebration is the beautifully restored 19th century courthouse, completed in 1861 and described as one of the finest Victorian courthouses in NC. The building combines Italian Renaissance and Classical Revival features, including an arcade with pilasters whose capitals depict ears of corn and tobacco leaves.

Following the meeting and lunch at a local restaurant of the participant's choosing, two choices will offer introductions to DRBA's Caswell Heritage Trails project. One option is a moderate to strenuous hike on a proposed trail connecting Dillard Middle School and Sunvale Apartments, led by Forrest Altman. According to Altman, "This route along a sewer easement is very scenic, through deciduous forest, with views of a pretty creek. It has significant changes in elevation and will require less than an hour to hike--if the group is small and everyone is in good shape."

For those who prefer a less challenging afternoon, Chad Hall will guide a stroll on the project's first pilot trail, the Stream Walk Trail at the Caswell Senior Center. "We'll conclude this walk with a look at the proposed mountain biking trail nearby," he adds.

Participants in either walk are asked to wear hiking boots or walking shoes, dress in layers, and bring water to drink.

Directions: The courthouse is located at 144 Courthouse Square, Yanceyville, NC (36°24'11" N 79°20'10" W). The square in front of the Courthouse functions as a one-way counter-clockwise traffic circle, making all left turns. Parking is located on-street on the Courthouse side of the square, along Court Street, which the Courthouse is on, and behind the Courthouse.

From Danville, take Hwy 86 south. At Yanceyville US 158 joins Hwy 86 at the first traffic signal. Continue to the next traffic light, and turn right onto State Road 1589, (North Street). Continue for ¼ mile. The Courthouse is on the right across the square.

From South Boston, take US 58 west. At a traffic signal, turn left onto Hwy 62 south (Milton Highway). Continue for 17 miles on Hwy 62. At Yanceyville, continue straight on State road 1163 (Main Street). The Courthouse is on the left once you reach the square.

From the east, take US 158 west. Continue on NC 62 south. Continue straight on State Road 1163 (Main Street). The Courthouse is on the left once you reach the square.

From the south, take NC 62 north. Turn left onto State Road 1163 (Main Street). The Courthouse is on the left once you reach the square.
From the west, take US 158 east. Turn right at the first traffic light, joining Hwy 86 south. Continue to the next traffic light, and turn right onto State Road 1589, (North Street). Continue for ¼ mile. The Courthouse is on the right across the square.

Further information: T Butler, 336-349-5727 or members@danriver.org

February 6, 2010 Hike Cancelled

2010-02-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

Due to the recent flood events

Snow & Ice

The Dan River Basin Association's First Saturday Outing Hike on the Fieldale Trail has been cancelled.

We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Please check our website for rescheduling and future outings.

http://www.danriver.org/

Fieldale Trail Phase ll flood damage

2010-01-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

The January 23 flood brought the Smith River to levels it has not seen in many years.
Along with rising waters came the mud and debris. The waters crested around 4:00 in the am and had receded to a few feet above flood stage by mid-afternoon
The waters came....they went...they left behind lost of mud and debris

The parking lot is covered n a coating of mud and debris is washed against the banks, picnic table, canoe racks, split rail fence

The Fieldale / Koehler area was one of the low-lying regions that was hit hardest.
The Fieldale Trail, Fieldale Park and Jordan Park all suffered damage due to debris and mud and we lost split rail fencing as well. It could of been worse and for all the damage the trail still held up well. It will be a while before the mud dries out enough to be packed down for walking but the clean-up process has already begun.

Limbs and trees washed up across the trail

The Friends of the Fieldale Trail have been out accessing the damage and planning the best approach for dealing with the debris and mud. Caution signs have been installed to warn visitors of potential hazards. Right now, the wrecked parking lot, downed and missing fence, trees and debris are major problems

Hopefully we can get the trail restored to a useable state soon. The power of the water is evident everywhere and we are thankful that the bridge is still intact and there are no major washouts along the trail. Mother Nature will do much of the healing with new growth and it will be interesting to monitor the changes that may occur in the flora along the banks.

Some plantings will be installed to help stabilize the river bank (riparian areas) as resources become available

In the above photo you can see the high water mark on the left hand bank of the trail (river is on the right)

Mud covered bridge. Debris on the railing indicates water had covered the handrail..but the bridge stayed !

The section along the power lines was scoured clean by the flood, down to the old gravel and ruble

While further down the trail in the lowest areas, a blanket of mud remained after the waters receded

The Raising of a Bridge

2010-01-21T18:44:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that it has been seven months since the Dan River Basin Association and the Fieldale Heritage Committee started working on preserving the historic Fieldale Iron Bridge. The project started out slow but once the message got out, the public outpouring of interest was incredible! Donors from as far away as South Carolina, Washington State and even Beverly Hills, California sent in funds to help preserve the trusses. We received donations from longtime residents of Fieldale and learned some very interesting history from them along the way as well. Working together you all have raised more than $13,000 to fund the project. The rest of the costs were absorbed by numerous community sponsors that contributed goods and services to the project. Last week the day we've all been waiting for came. Mother Nature finally cooperated long enough for the trusses to be installed. Below are photos by Brian Williams and Jenny Edwards that tell the story of the day. Enjoy the photographic journey!

The day began bright and early at 8 am in below freezing temperatures on the property of Northpoint Trading, an import/export business that occupies the former Fieldcrest Mills building. The staff of this company have been incredibly accommodating to allow us to store more than 60,000 pounds of steel on their property and work on the trusses while there. A bright orange crane operated by Hall's Mechanical Services of Fieldale lifted the first truss to load it onto the truck. (Notice the snow still on the ground in the photo.)

A tractor trailer driven by Wes Craddock of Craddock Logging Supply & Repair was loaded to make the journey down River Road to Fieldale Park. Wes is the only son of the late Bobby M. Craddock of Ridgeway. Bobby was a history enthusiast and loved telling stories about points of historic interest around Henry County. When he heard about the project he eagerly donated use of his tractor trailer for the project. Sadly just days before the bridge was demolished in the summer, Bobby passed away. We thank his wife Deborah and son Wes for choosing to fulfill Bobby's wishes and continue to assist with the project. We couldn't have done it without this family! To honor their contributions, the project is named in memory of Bobby Craddock.

Over in the park, the crane set up again to lift the truss onto concrete footers. These were designed by a local engineer, Rayford Smith, and constructed by Boxley Materials. Reliable Welding of Bassett performed the welding to securely mount the trusses.

A close up shot of some of the 1,000s of rivets that were installed by hand in 1931 by a 12-man crew.

The crane packs up as Reliable completes the welding of the first truss.

Back at Northpoint Trading, Corky Hall's crane began loading the second truss.

The second truss was unloaded off of Craddock Logging Supply and Repair's truck...

...and gently placed in position.

Final details were added to make the structure safe and the site was cleaned up.

Stefan Moore, a native of Henry County, began painting the trusses. While recently the bridge was a dark grey covered with rust, many locals remember the bridge as being a bright silvery gray when it was first opened in 1932.

Once the paint has a few days to dry the memorial plaques will be applied and a trail will be constructed through the structure to allow walkers and cyclists to feel as if they are walking across the bridge. Landscaping will complete the project by adding the feel of a dry creek bed underneath. As soon as these elements are completed a spring dedication ceremony will be held at the site. Stay tuned for more details.

Tuesday Morning Strolls Kicks Off Third Season

2010-01-12T18:55:00.000-08:00

Below freezing temps didn't dampen the spirits for the kick off of the 2010 season of Tuesday Morning Strolls. We simply moved the walk indoors to Liberty Fair Mall! Thanks to our new partners at Martinvsille Parks & Recreation, Tuesday Morning Strolls has a new inclement weather hotline to alert participants of cancelations and location changes due to weather. More than a dozen participants came out register for the program and walk. Jeannie Frisco of Activate (shown at left in green) spoke to the participants about the importance of walking for health before we embarked upon a one mile walk (five laps around the mall). Throughout the walk, participants answered trivia questions about health & nutrition and some even won prizes.

Tuesday Morning Strolls is a partnership between the Dan River Basin Association, Henry County Parks & Recreation, Martinsville Parks & Recreation and Activate M-HC.

The next Tuesday Morning Stroll will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19th at Wilson Park. The group will meet at 9 a..m. Contact Regenia Manns for more information on the walk at 276-634-2591.

Lost & Found

2010-01-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

A kayak with "Tomas" on it was recently found. If it is yours or you know whose it may be, please email pbdivers@yahoo.com.

Get Active in 2010!

2010-01-04T06:13:00.000-08:00

Now that winter is here, it's no time to hibernate; get out and get active with Tuesday Morning Strolls! On the first and third Tuesdays of each month, walk leaders will guide participants on an easy-paced walk at various destinations throughout Martinsville and Henry County. The free walks begin at 9 AM and last for approximately 50 minutes each. The first walk will be held on January 5th at Liberty Fair Mall (Commonwealth Bloulevard, Martinsville). We will meet at the former Goody's entrance (to the right of JC Penny's). Participants are asked to bring a bottle of water and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Tuesday Morning Strolls began in 2008 and is a partnership between the Dan River Basin Association, Henry County Parks & Recreation, Martinsville Parks & Recreation, and Activate Martinsville-Henry County. The program is funded with support from the Harvest Foundation. Everyone who joins a walk will receive a punch card to register for prize drawings upon the completion of the season. Each participant will receive one entry for each walk completed between now and the end of the season. The drawing will be held on December 7, 2010.

According to Activate Martinsville-Henry County, research shows that physical activity such as walking helps reduce the risk of developing chronic disease (such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers) by as much as 30-50%. Walking also helps to reduce stress, improves energy, and aids in better sleep. These are all perfect reasons to get out and start walking in the New Year! For more information or to pre-register, please call: 276-634-2545 or 276-634-4643.

January 5th- Liberty Fair Mall, Martinsville
January 19th- Wilson Park, Martinsville
February 2nd- Jack Dalton Park, Collinsville
February 16th- Uptown Spur Trail, Martinsville
March 2nd- Fieldale Trail, Fieldale
March 16th- YMCA, Martinsville
April 6th- Smith River Sports Complex, Axton
April 20th- Lake Lanier, Martinsville
May 4th- Dick & Willie Passage I, Collinsville
May 18th- Dick & Willie Passage II, Martinsville
June 1st- Gravely Nature Preserve, Ridgeway
June 15th- Fieldale Trail, Fieldale
July 6th- Uptown Spur Trail, Martinsville
July 20th- Dick & Willie Passage III, Martinsville
August 3rd- Beaver Creek Reservoir, Collinsville
August 17th- Jack Dalton Park, Collinsville
September 7th- Philpott Greenway, Bassett
September 21st- Jaycee Park, Collinsville
October 5th- Fieldale Trail, Fieldale
October 19th- Doe Run Park, Martinsville
November 2nd- Spencer Penn Centre, Spencer
November 16th- Liberty Fair Mall, Martinsville
December 7th- Uptown Spur Trail & Church Street, Martinsville

Farewell 2009

2009-12-31T18:45:00.000-08:00

Take a walk through memory lane with us as we look back at some of the Rivers & Trails Journal's top stories of 2009. Click on each title to see the entire story.

January: Bicycling: For Fun, Fuel Efficiency and Family

Article by: Jennifer Doss

February: Did you get outside today?

Article by: Brian Williams

March: Historic cemetery restored, dedicated

Article by: Kim Barto

April: Martinsville Showcased as Active Living Community

Article by: Jeannie Frisco

May: If you build it they will come!

Article by: Jennifer Doss

June: City Announces New Clearview Bike Lane

Article by: Jeannie Frisco

July: Busy Weekend in the Dan River Basin

Article by: Jennifer Doss

August: Trail System to Get Funds

Article by: Debbie Hall

September: Epiphany on the Smith River

Article by: Martha Smith

October: Work Has Begun!

Article by: Jennifer Doss

November: TU Names Brian Williams Conservation Educator of the Year for Virginia

Article by: Jennifer Doss & Dr. David Jones

December: New River Access Opens

Article by: Jennifer Doss & Brian Williams

As we bring 2009 to a close this evening, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and their Martinsville Henry County Rivers & Trails Group would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the members, volunteers, donors, paddlers, walkers, cyclists and friends who have contributed to our projects throughout the past year. It has been an amazing year and so many activites were made possible thanks to your support.

The stories featured here in the Rivers & Trails Journal are typically specific to Martinsville and Henry County, VA but there's so much more. In 2009, DRBA:

--Successfully worked to acquire land for a new state park on the Mayo River in North Carolina

--Opened a Stokes County, NC office; improved access to the Dan River

--Planted trees and monitored streams to protect water quality and wildlife habitat

--Operated the largest Trout in the Classroom Program in Virginia

--Co-sponsored the first Patrick County, VA Farm Tour to promote locally and sustainably grown products

--Launched Caswell, NC Heritage Trails; built first trail for seniors; opened new trails and access points for fishing and boating along the Smith River in VA.

--Preserved a section of the historic Fieldale, VA iron bridge for the Fieldale Community

--Initiated an online registery of African American cemeteries

--Promoted nature-based tourism with new "insiders' Guides" to the Dan and Smith rivers

Thank you for a great year; we look forward to seeing you out on the rivers and trails in 2010!

Happy New Year From Team DRBA

DRBA to Hike Richmond & Danville Rail-Trail

2009-12-31T08:48:00.000-08:00

Returning to a popular hike in Pittsylvania County, at 10:00 on January 2, 2010, DRBA will hike four miles on the Richmond & Danville Rail-Trail, beginning at Hackberry Road near Sutherlin, VA. Starting near wetlands where wildlife, especially water birds, may be visible, the hike on the smooth, five-foot-wide, crushed-stone surface passes farms, homesteads, fields, and forests. Three miles into the trip, hikers will stop for lunch at the five-arch stone trestle over Sandy Creek, a stunning, well-preserved structure. The hike will end at the Shawnee Road parking area one mile beyond the trestle.

Chartered in 1835, the Richmond & Danville Railroad ran its first train in 1856. During the Civil War it was the busiest link between Southside Virginia and the Confederate capital at Richmond. Jefferson Davis and the entire Confederate cabinet retreated from Richmond to Danville along this line in 1865, probably carrying the Confederate treasury with them before it mysteriously disappeared.

Preserved by the Dan River Trail Association for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, the R&D rail-trail is projected to be part of the Beaches to Bluegrass trail system that will cross southern Virginia.

Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m. at the eastern terminus of the trail, located on Hackberry Road (GPS coordinates: North 36°37'28.37" West 79°11'58.44"). Trip coordinator Paul Johnson advises, "Wear stout shoes, dress in layers and bring lunch, water, a camera and a good hiking stick." All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form.

Directions:

From South Boston, travel west on U.S. 58 about 3 miles past the intersection of Highway 119 to Hackberry Road. Turn right. Travel 3.2 miles to the trailhead on the left, just past a large body of open water.

From Danville, travel east on U.S. 58. About 3.9 miles past the traffic signal at the intersection of state Highway 62 turn left on Hackberry Road. Travel 3.2 miles to the trailhead on the left, just past a large body of open water.

Further information: Paul Johnson, 434-579-7599 or kpauljohnson@yahoo.com

Nearing the Finish Line...

2009-12-30T19:00:00.000-08:00

More than six months in the making, the Historic Fieldale Iron Bridge Preservation Project is almost complete! As of today the most labor intensive process of the project, lead abatement, has been completed. We are now watching the weather and waiting to mount the trusses at their new location along the Fieldale Trail.

A lot of activity has gone on during the past several months. After seeking quotes from service providers in June our committee determined that the project would cost approximately $12,000. Thanks to support from history buffs and Fieldale fans like you, more than $12,600 was raised through the sale of memorial plaques! Many businesses and community partners have contributed to the project by donating services or providing them at reduced costs. These donations have exceeded the project cash outlay by more than 120%!

During Thanksgiving Week, staff from Boxley Materials of Fieldale poured and formed concrete footers to mount the trusses to. The footers were designed by Rayford Smith, a structural engineer from Martinsville. The quick work of Boxley's qualified staff allowed them to complete this portion of the project prior to Huricaine Ida coming into town. During the storm, the waters rose in the Smith River and Jordan Creek began coming out of its banks but the bridge site remained dry!

Since then, staff from Dishman Environmental of Danville have been busily working on removing 71-years worth of paint from the structure. This firm was chosen for the job because of their enviromentally friendly removal methods that produce no dust. As each section of truss was cleaned, crews from Reliable Welding of Bassett moved in to weld and modify the trusses. The entire time that this work has been going on, Northpoint Trading, an import/export firm located at the former Fieldcrest Mill, has been our gracious host allowing the trusses to be stored on their property.

In early December, I finally got the call that I had been waiting on...the crews were ready to flip the trusses! Hall's Mechanical Services of Fieldale brought in a crane and rigged up each truss to it so that they could be turned over, allowing the workers to clean/modify the opposite side. In addition to the welding, Reliable has also been preparing small keepsake pieces of the bridge for donors who purchased plaques at the $250 level. (If you purchased one of these plaques, your keepsake will arrive via mail in 1-2 weeks.)

Now that the end of December is upon us, the cleaning and welding is complete. Yay! Now what? We wait...and wonder...will it snow again this weekend? This uncertainty in the weather (and 12" of snow)caused us to miss our first deadline of having the trusses installed by Christmas.

I am by no means an expert in construction and have learned so much during this process, thanks to the friendly contractors who have taken the time to educate me as they worked. One lesson that I have learned is that cranes are incredibly heavy and soil conditions have to be just right before setting them up to work. Corky Hall, owner of Hall's Mechanical, is presently checking the site each day to evaluate the conditions. We either need a day where the sun has dried up the soil well from all the rain/snow/ice or we need a day when the ground is frozen solid. Which ever day comes first- we'll be ready!

Watch for the action to happen soon as Hall's Mechanical loads the trusses onto a tractor trailer provided by Craddock Logging Supply and Repair of Ridgeway. Staff from the Virginia Department of Transportation will provide a safety escort for the oversize load and Reliable Welding will secure the trusses to their new foundation along the Fieldale Trail. After that monumentous day, touch up painting of the truss will be performed by Stefan Moore, a painter from Myrtle Beach with Fieldale roots and a love for the Iron Bridge. (I've got to give a shout out to the staff at Martinsville's Sherwin Williams store who have been incredibly helpful in suggesting paint products that are both durable and environmentally friendly.)

Frith Construction will then roll out gravel along Phase III of the Fieldale Trail. Plaques, printed by Martinsville Engraving, will be mounted to the trusses and landscaping that serves as a rain garden will be added to the site by Prillaman Landscape Dimensions of Ridgeway. A comfortable bench and educational signage will top it all off.

Once these details are complete a dedication ceremoney will be held at the site to honor all who have participated in the project and to remember Bobby Craddock, a generous sponsor who passed away prior to the project being completed.

We're almost to the finish line! Soon visitors to Fieldale will be able to stop by the Fieldale Trail and Iron Bridge to learn about the rich heritage of this community while enjoying the recreational opportunites provided there. Residents will be able to take their children and grandchildren to the site to share stories and tidbits of nostalgia. Much history has been centered around the old iron bridge- from the big dance in 1932 and the great flood of 1937 to the inventive decorations displayed by Halloween pumpkin thieves back in the day (we know who you are!) and the more recent Christmas lights provided by the Fieldale Heritage Committe. Thanks to the support of all the project sponsors, these amazing stories will continue to live on.

Special thanks to all the sponsors, Henry County, and the Iron Bridge Committee members. Your support, guidance, and advice throughout this project have been tremendous!
-Jennifer Doss, Rivers & Trails Project Manager
(soon to be Volunteer Iron Bridge Coordinator)

New Year's Resolutions

2009-12-29T07:50:00.000-08:00

As the end of another decade draws near, I along with others all over the world are thinking about New Year resolutions for 2010. Some common resolutions that I have heard in the past include:

-- increase activity level to lose weight or become more healthy
--save money
--reduce stress
--make new friends
--find a meaningful activity to contribute time to

--spend more time together as a family

--become more green and help the environment

--give back to the community

We make resolutions each year and often have a difficult time following through. The fact is that there is a cause right here in our own backyard that will enable a person to EASILY accomplish ALL those resolutions and more. (Psst...It's more fun than a gym membership too!)

The Adopt-a-Trail program was established by the Dan River Basin Association in May 2009 in partnership with Henry County Parks and Recreation, Martinsvillle Parks & Recreation and the City of Eden. Since the program's development, four teams have been established with more than fourty volunteers and similar programs are being created in the North Carolina Counties of Stokes and Caswell. The first official AAT team in Henry County was "Friends of the Fieldale Trail". This group of friends and neighbors is led by team captain Paula Wyatt and maintains three miles of shared-use trail in Fieldale, Virginia. Members include: Charles & Pat Dameron, Nancy & Tracy Kennett, Glenda Scott, Benny & Pam Setliff, Ronny Tranthum, Tommy, Chris, Beth Wyatt and Joan Ragland.

“We fell in love with the Fieldale Trail the first time we walked the trail. The river is such an asset—it is so stress relieving to sit on the benches and listen to the water. We also like the flowers and trees on the trail. It’s a wonderful experience for families, whether walking, biking, jogging or bicycling.” – Pat Dameron

"Friends of the Gravely Nature Preserve" is led by Martin Gardner (shown above with his wife Ginger and sons Will & Jackson) and helps to maintain two and a half miles of hiking trails in Henry County's first interpretive park. Team members also include: Doug Foley, Neil Tatum, and Louis & Campbell Pitzer.

The trails at Doe Run Park are adopted by scouts from Girl Scout Troop 691 and their families. The group is led by team captain Jenniffer Jamison. Youth also help maintain the Uptown Spur Trail as it is adopted by the Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge (shown at right) and members of the Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association (MURA).

All of these volunteers make a commitment of visiting their adopted trail a minimum of eight times per year. They pick up trash, remove debris from the trail, interact with trail users and work on elective special projects chosen by the team captains. "Friends of the Gravely Nature Preserve" have spent the fall working on a half mile extension of the Rhododendron Trail to create more hiking opportunities and "Friends of the Fieldale Trail" have helped Henry County Parks & Recreation to acquire a dispenser for doggie bags so that walkers can clean up after their canine friends.

“I love to give back to the community and volunteering is one way to do that. The trail is a good way to meet people, get exercise and see nature.” –Paula Wyatt

The program is fun, easy and a good way to accomplish all of your new year's resolutions. As I make my departure from being a DRBA staff member in the new year. I am renewing my dues as a member of DRBA and signing up to join an Adopt-a-Trail team at the trail closest to my home. This is an incredibly worthwhile program and proves that many hands working together can accomplish great things!

I challenge you to give it a try and Adopt-a-Trail in 2010. You won't be disapointed! To learn more about the program, join us at an informative meeting on Thursday, January 7th, 6pm at the Henry County Administration Building (3300 Kings Mountain Road Collinsville).

Jennifer Doss Accepts Tourism Director Postion

2009-12-25T19:27:00.000-08:00

Join us in congratulating Jennifer Doss on accepting a new position as
Martinsville/Henry County Director of Tourism!
http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=21822

Jennifer's enthusiasm, inventiveness and dedication have produced dramatic results in the past two years as Dan River Basins Rivers and Trails Project Manager. Working under a grant from the Harvest Foundation, Jennifer's accomplishments have been innovative and exciting, providing enhanced recreational opportunities for our community and river basin and providing new opportunities that have never been available in our area.
Just a few of the many, many accomplishments in the past 2 years:

Development of the 75 acre Gravely Nature Preserve, Henry County's only interpretive park

2 new river access on the Smith River

Preserving the historic Burgess Family Cemetery on Old Mill Road

Development and implementaion of the "Adopt a Trails Program"

Completion of the Fieldale Trail Phase II

The Fieldale Iron Bridge historic preservation Project

Smith River Fest 2008- 2009

Although Jennifer will be greatly missed as a member of "Team DRBA", we are excited that she has chose to remain in Henry County and will still be a very active part of the goals we are working on together in our region. Jenn will be continue as member of the Rivers and Trails Board and we look forward to working closely with her in the future. We wish her the best of luck at her new position. (goodbye Tigger)

Brian Williams

Volunteers Honored at Dinner

2009-12-21T11:02:00.000-08:00

Wayne Kirkpatrick, DRBA's President, welcomes everyone to the dinner.

Having a small staff of only eight, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is very grateful for all the wonderful volunteers that help us to acheive our mission of preserving and promoting the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River basin. Volunteers come in all forms, from those who contribute goods/services, participate in steering commitee meetings, lead trips, monitor water quality and maintain trails. Recently DRBA hosted approximately sixty of our wonderful volunteers at a dinner to thank them for their contributions over the past year. Enjoy the following photos from the dinner held at Spencer Penn Center in Spencer, VA.

Brian Williams, DRBA's Outreach, Education and Conservation
Coordinator, addresses the crowd about the importance of volunteerism to DRBA.

From left: Paul May, Linda Drage, Jenny Edwards (DRBA's Virginia Program Manager) and Mary Lawson

From left: Vicky & Wade Nester and Benny Summerlin

From left: Paula Wyatt, Joan Ragland, Nancy Moncrief, Andrew Kahle, Tracy Kennett and Tommy Wyatt

From left: C.D. Prillaman, Trent Fentress and T Butler

From left: Milton Hundley, Mike & Joan Shahan and Linda Hundley

From left: Wes Craddock, Deborah Craddock and Brian Williams

T Butler, DRBA's board secretary and a founding member thanks all the volunteers for their contributions.

New River Access Opens

2009-12-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

The addition of a new canoe and kayak ramp on the Smith River increases the total of official access locations to an unprecedented number for our region. The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and their Martinsville-Henry County Rivers & Trails Group is pleased to announce the opening of the newest access ramp at Mitchell Road Bridge in Axton, bringing the total to nine Smith River access sites across Henry County.

A 2008 survey of canoeists and kayakers across Virginia and North Carolina indicated that the section of river from Marrowbone Creek to Mitchell Road Bridge was the second most popular segment on the Smith River. This stretch of river is also very popular with float fishermen as well as canoe and kayak outfitters.

The Henry County Public Service Authority began construction of the Mitchell Bridge access in early December for Henry County Parks & Recreation, with planning assistance from the Dan River Basin Association. The access is located upstream, river-left of the bridge and has ample parking for vehicles and shuttle vans to safely handle boats and passengers. Educational signage planned for the site in the spring will provide information on the area’s natural assets.

The access also received some enhancements thanks to support from Patrick Henry Correctional Unit #28 and Prillaman Landscape Dimensions. Inmates from the prison removed litter and cleared the access area. Crews from Prillaman Landscape Dimensions planted nearly one hundred native trees and shrubs around the parking area and along the shoreline. Junipers, sycamores, tulip poplars, and sweet gum trees are featured, as well as a number of butterfly attractant shrubs including spice bush, red twig dogwood, button bush, witch hazel, three types of willow (goat, banker and black), choke berry, service berry, and fragrant sumac.

According to Brian Williams, Outreach and Education Coordinator for DRBA, "The plantings at the access ramps not only provide shade and beautification but will also protect the river banks from erosion. The trees and shrubs are part of a larger campaign to protect water quality in the region by increasing streamside buffers which absorb pollutants before they reach the river and reduce sediment pollution by keeping erosion in check."

Funding for these plantings was provided by ticket sales and donations from the first annual Smith River Film Festival at the Rives Theater in September and also from a re-showing of the films held at Philpott Lake in November. DRBA would like to thank all who participated in these events.

Photos by Jennifer Doss

Walk for Fitness, Walk for Fun, Walk with Friends!

2009-12-10T09:50:00.000-08:00

TMS Participants take a walk around Liberty Fair Mall

Have you walked for fitness today? There are many miles of walking paths and places to walk located around Martisnville & Henry County that are free for you to enjoy.

If you want to get out and enjoy the trails with others, consider joining a walking group like DRBA's Tuesday Morning Strolls. These walks are an excelent way for individuals to socialize, get fit and learn more about the community all at the same time.

In December, the group met indoors at Liberty Fair Mall to walk five laps around the shopping center. While on the walk, led by Jennifer Doss & Regenia Manns, the participants learned about National Poinsettia Day which is celebrated on December 12th. Linda Crabtree won a prize for knowing the answer to the day's trivia question. Do you know what country the Poinsettia came from? It's Mexico!

At the end of the walk everyone who had participated in four or more walks for the second half of 2009 was entered into a drawing. Bill Crabtree, who had attended almost every walk this year, won the prize pack consisting of a Dick & Willie Passage T-shirt, a DRBA notepad, and a $25 Visa Gift Card to spend at Liberty Fair Mall.

Starting in 2010 the group will meet twice a month on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. All walks begin at 9 am and are open to everyone. Join us on January 5th as we walk the Fieldale Trail located at 3521 South River Road in Fieldale. Each walk that you participate in throughout the year will gain you one entry into the big end of the year drawing. Complete all the walks and you'll have 23 chances to win!

Tuesday Morning Strolls is a program developed by DRBA and this will be it's third year. The program is a partnership between DRBA, Henry County Parks & Recreation, Activate Martinsville-Henry County, and Martinsville Parks & Recreation. The program is funded with support from the Harvest Foundation. For a compete list of upcoming walks, contact DRBA at 276-634-2591 or drba.va@danriver.org.

Mitchell Bridge River Access is Complete!

2009-12-10T09:13:00.000-08:00

Never again will you have to lug your canoe or kayak up through the briars, praying that you don't get run over by a car at the top! Those days are over thanks to Henry County Parks & Recreation's new addition of a river access on the Smith River at Mitchell Road Bridge in Axton.

The new access is located river left upstream of the bridge and has ample parking for vehicles and trailers. A wider ramp at the river's edge will allow multiple canoes/kayaks to pull up or launch at the same time. The access is already getting rave reviews from paddlers who have tried it out.

Henry County Public Service Authority has worked for several weeks to install the ramp and parking lot. Recently inmates from Patrick Henry Correctional Unit #28 came out to help clear the area of debris and brush to make way for new plantings of dogwoods, sycamores, and low bushes that will protect the river from runoff. Today, C.D. Prillaman with Prillaman Landscape Dimensions, Inc. of Ridgeway, will be planting those trees and shrubs to enhance the area.

Many of you also helped to make this happen. Everyone who came out to support the Dan River Basin Association at our first ever Smith River Film Festival in September and the replay of the films at Philpott Lake in November helped to fund this project. More than $1,000 was raised by river supporters like YOU!

Thank you for your support and be sure to come out and visit the access soon. From Hwy 220 N. in Ridgeway, turn right onto Old Sand Road, take a left onto Eggleston Falls road and follow it until it ends at Mitchell Road. Turn left onto Mitchell Road, the access is approximately 2 miles away on your left.

Photos by Brian Williams

Youth Help Maintain Area Trails

2009-12-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

Each month a group of helpful youth visits the Uptown Spur Trail in Martinsville to do their part and give back to the community. This group of young volunteers is part of the Smith River Trail System's Adopt-A-Trail Program representing the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge. At each visit the youth help to clear debris from the trail, pick up litter and monitor trail usage. They also partner with Gateway Streetscapes to remove weeds from flowerbeds along the trail. This group of youth is doing an amazing job by helping Martinsville Parks & Recreation keep the trail green and beautiful. If you haven't checked the trail out yet, be sure to visit soon. It is located at the corner of Depot and Franklin Streets behind the Historic Courthouse in Uptown Martinsville. The paved trail is 0.6 miles long and will connect to the 4.5 mile long Dick & Willie Passage in 2010.

For more information on becoming and Adopt-a-Trail Volunteer, please contact the Dan River Basin Association at 276-634-2545 or drba.va@danriver.org.

Photos contributed by Laurie Wardle

Bassett Christmas Parade

2009-12-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

Contributed by: Jeannie Frisco

Holiday Gift Idea

2009-12-08T20:14:00.000-08:00

Looking for that perfect Holiday gift?
Why not give a river of knowledge?
The new Insiders Guide to the Smith River
and
The Insiders Guide to the Dan River
are both hot gift ideas that are suitable for anyone.
Maybe they love rivers, live to paddle, feast on history or
just want to learn more about the Dan River Basin and its waterways,
then these guides should be on your gift giving list

Even if you have lived in Henry County or Southern Virginia your entire life, we bet you will find something new about the Smith River Valley in the recently published “Insiders Guide to the Smith River.” Filled with maps and information, this full color, water-proof guide showcases Martinsville and Henry County as a true recreation destination.

The new guide highlights the Smith River and Henry County with information and photos from local paddlers, fisherman, hikers, and historians. For more than 80 miles, the Smith winds through four rural counties in two states, creating Philpott Reservoir and bisecting Henry County before reaching the confluence with the Dan River in North Carolina. Travel along with the author from the Blue Ridge to the piedmont and learn history, river tips and recreational opportunities in the Smith River Valley. Made possible with funding from the Harvest Foundation and published by the Dan River Basin Association, the “Insider’s Guide to the Smith River” will help visitors and locals experience the timeless beauty of the river from wildflowers to wildlife or be transported to century-old mill towns, railroads, prehistoric stone fish weirs and historic river navigation structures.

Focusing on the 45-mile section from Philpott Dam to the confluence with the Dan River in North Carolina, the 18 maps detail river features and key points through photos, symbols and text. The upper Smith River, above Philpott Dam, is represented for 30 miles by an additional map. But this comprehensive guide isn’t just maps. Narrative pages contain a wealth of information about Martinsville, Henry County, fishing, trails, parks, camping, wildlife, and links to additional information about the Smith River Valley and the piedmont region of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Are you a history buff? Then the Guide is for you too. Did you know the Smith River was originally named the “Irvine River” by William Byrd II in honor of Alexander Irvine, one of the surveyors of the Virginia-North Carolina dividing line in 1728. Did you know that Philpott Dam was originally built for flood control and the resulting “tail-race” river provided the incredible trout fishery and paddling opportunities that can be enjoyed on the river today? Evidence of Native Americans river use can even be observed in the fish weirs like the Martinsville Fish Dam, one of the oldest man-made structures in Henry County.

Whether you are interested in the best places to paddle, exciting fishing, historical and cultural sites—or just plain relaxing in a beautiful place, the “Insider’s Guide to the Smith River” is for you.
So grab a guide and plan your Adventure in the Smith River Valley today. Just go to http://www.danriver.org/ and click on the link to order your copy and begin your adventure. River guides are $25.00 for online sales, or you can save on shipping and handling and visit a local outfitter or the Dan River Basin Association offices in Virginia and North Carolina to purchase a copy. Proceeds from the sale of river guides support work to preserve and promote the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River basin.

Calling all Biker's & Walker's

2009-12-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

You're invited to join the Activate staff as they bring out the bikes for the Uptown Christmas Parade.

If you prefer walking, that would be great too! The Parade will begin a 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 5th. If you would like to join in on the fun, please email jfrisco@activatemhc.org no later than Thursday, December 3rd.

If you don't have a bike but would like to participate, Activate will supply bikes on a first come, first serve basis. Please arrive at 5 p.m. in the West Piedmont Business Development Center parking lot. The parking lot faces Broad Sreet and the big chair uptown.

At 5 Activate will get everyone who needs bikes on them and those walking signs that are being prepared. Santa and reindeer hats will be available, but feel free to wear your own festive Christmas attire (especially if you have something that lights up or Activate t-shirts over plenty of warm clothing).

For those of you bringing your own bikes, if you have flashing bike reflector lights please put those on your bikes.

Activate is # 21 in the parade, and estimate about an hour of walking or biking depending on how quickly the parade moves, so hopefully you'll be finished by 7 or 7:30 Saturday night.

Kayak Class Offered

2009-12-02T10:33:00.000-08:00

Here's your chance to learn to paddle from the comfort of a heated pool! Join Smith River Adventure Outfitters at the Martinsville YMCA on December 18th from 6-8 p.m. Practice your skills now so you'll be ready to hit the river in spring!

Contact http://www.smithriveradventureoutfitters.com/ for more information and to register.

"Friends of the Fieldale Trail" Repair Trail Post Hurricane Ida

2009-12-02T06:11:00.000-08:00

(L-R) Front: Mollie & Nancy Kennett. Back: Glenda Scott,
Benny Setliff, Tracy Kennett, Tommy Wyatt, Beth Wyatt,
Ronnie Tranthum, and Paula Wyatt (team captain).

After all the recent rain and flooding along the banks of the Smith River, the Adopt-a-Trail team, "Friends of the Fieldale Trail" came out this past Saturday to clean mud off of benches, rake debris off of the trail and fill in low spots with gravel. Their hard work paid off and the trail looks amazing. The Fieldale Trail is even dressed up for the holidays as the group decorated the trail's kiosk! While out working, we spotted more than a dozen walkers enjoying the trail. If you haven't visited the Fieldale Trail lately, be sure to join us this Saturday at 10 a.m. as the volunteer group leads a guided six mile walk along the trail. Shorter hike options are also available for those that prefer to do so.

Jones to be Presented with Conservation Award

2009-11-30T12:08:00.000-08:00

The Dan River Basin Association is pleased to announce that Dr. David Jones is the recipient of the "Taylor Turner Conservation Award" from the Fly Fishers of Virginia in Richmond

The award is presented annually to an individual or group that engages in activities that support the conservation of our fisheries and natural resources.

The award will be presented at the Fly Fishers annual banquet on the evening of January 23, 2010 at the Salisbury Country Club in Chesterfield.

According to Vice President of Conservation Jay Armstrong: "Dr. Jones will be presented the award for his work with Trout in the Classroom and the endeavor to bring this educational tool to the public school environment. It is a great example of how people can make a difference in the future of conservation of our natural resources. Programs of this type can provide the spark that gets children into the sciences and educates people that our natural resources are not infinite and require that we give something back."

Please join us in congratulating Dr.Jones for his outstanding support of our natural resources and his tremendous efforts for the students of Southern Virginia!!!

Article by: Brian Williams

Gobble, Gobble, Strut!

2009-11-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

Turkey day is coming and after you stuff yourself full of grandma's good cooking you're going to need to strut some of it off! Hit the trails and enjoy a nice fall day in Southern Virginia. There's plenty of opportunities for walking, bicycling, paddling and geocaching.

Fieldale Trail- 3521 S. River Road, Fieldale
Two and a half miles of trails follow along the Smith River passing sites of historic Native American culture and remnants of Fieldale and Kohler’s industrial past.

Jack Dalton Park- 3300 Kings Mountain Road, Collinsville

This 0.6 mile paved trail is lit for both day and night walking and biking.

Doe Run Park- 270 Dupont Road, Martinsville

One mile of wooded paths lead guests along hillsides covered in Rhododendron.

Uptown Spur Trail- Franklin Street to Pine Street, Martinsville

This 0.6 mile paved trail connects neighboring residential areas and businesses to Uptown Martinsville.

Wilson Park Trails-1600 E. Church Street Extension, Martinsville

A 0.8 mile wooded loop trail connects the park’s picnic area and playground to a disc golf course.

Smith River Sports Complex- 625 Sportsplex Way, Axton

In addition to world class soccer fields, check out the walking trails, river access and amazing playground.

Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve- 2525 Eggleston Falls Road, Ridgeway

This interpretive park features two miles of wooded walking trails with a self-guided tour of natural and historic points of interest.

Spencer Penn Centre Trails- 30 George Taylor Road, Spencer

A 0.25 mile walking path provides fitness opportunities at this community center.

Smith River Greenway- 301 S. Kennedy Street, Eden, NC

A 1.7 mile wooded trail following the Smith River.

Share your adventures with us! Snap a photo of your friends and family enjoying the trails and send it to drba.va@danriver.org.

Looking for even more fun? Get out and volunteer! "Friends of the Fieldale Trail", a volunteer Adopt-a-Trail group, will be at the Fieldale Trail on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Come join us as we work together to spruce up the trail for everyone to enjoy. Contact pwyatt1@embarqmail.com for more details.

Nature Trail Ribbon Cutting

2009-11-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

Would you like to enjoy the health benefits of an easy-paced walk in the cool crisp fall air while meeting new friends?

Martinsville Leisure Services will have a short ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, November 24, 7:15 a.m., for a new Nature Trail in J. Frank Wilson Park off of Church Street Extention.

The trail consists of 0.3 mile of natural surface trail with a 45 foot bridge crossing the creek in the bottom (south end) of the Park. The trail has 15 tree identification signs and two benches donated by Boy Scout Troop #63, headed up by Scout Masters - Ed Scaffidi, and Kenneth Draper. Mayor Lawson and City Manager Mr. Monday will be on hand to cut the ribbon and officially open the Trail.

See you there!

91% of Fundraising Goal Met!

2009-11-23T07:10:00.000-08:00

A conceptual drawing of how the trusses and
walking trail will be placed in Fieldale Park.

The Holidays are just around the corner and so is the lighting of the Historic Fieldale Iron Bridge. After two of the trusses survived their original fate of being demolished, work is underway to prepare the 54-foot long trusses from the bridge so that they can once again be enjoyed by residents of and visitors to Fieldale. The Dan River Basin Association, with support from their Martinsville-Henry County River & Trails Group, the Fieldale Heritage Festival and Henry County Parks & Recreation, has been busily coordinating efforts so that the trusses can be placed on either side of a new section of the Fieldale Walking Trail that will pass through Fieldale Park. The installation of these trusses as trail art will allow visitors to walk "across" the bridge while learning about the history of the 71-year old structure and of the community of Fieldale.

The trusses are now being cleaned by Dishman Environmental of Danville. This firm has made a generous donation of time and labor to remove years of old paint from the structure at a reduced rate. As sections of the trusses are cleaned, Reliable Welding & Fabricators of Bassett steps in to modify the shortened trusses so that they will have a symmetrical shape, reminiscent of the bridge as it once was. This service is also being provided to the community at a reduced rate. According to C.D. Stapleton, president of Reliable, [we] “feel privileged to be part of the Fieldale Iron Bridge Preservation project. As a small company founded in Henry County 30 years ago, we understand the importance of community and proudly celebrate the heritage of our area. While our company focuses on the needs of local manufacturers and business organizations; this project is allowing us to contribute to our friends and neighbors by preserving a portion of an iconic landmark that served our area.” Throughout the process of cleaning and welding, nearly 30,000 pounds of metal are being moved and lifted with cranes, thanks to Hall’s Mechanical. Owner Corky Hall, a Fieldale native, is providing the service at a reduced cost.

Presently, work to prepare the trusses is taking place behind the gates of Northpoint Trading. The firm allowed the trusses to be stored at their site for the past several months, but soon passersby in Fieldale will see changes progress occurring out in public. Boxley Materials of Fieldale is set to begin pouring concrete footers on which the trusses will rest in Fieldale Park. Boxley is pouring and forming the concrete for no charge as a service to the community. Once the concrete is dry, Hall’s Mechanical will load the trusses onto a tractor trailer, generously provided by Craddock Logging Supply & Repair of Ridgeway, so that they may be transported to their new home and set on the concrete footers.

Many others have also contributed support to this project including Henry County, the Virginia Department of Transportation, DLB Construction, The Fieldale Community Center, Mr. Joey Arrington, Mr. Shane Pinkston and Mr. Rayford Smith. Thanks to the support of numerous individual donors, more than 90% of funds to complete the project have been raised through the sales of memorial plaques that will be placed along the trusses once they are painted. Plaques to honor or remember the people special to you are still available and they make a great holiday gift. Elva Adkins of Fieldale purchased a plaque to remember her late father H.O. “Hub” Adkins, who in the 1940’s drove across “the old bridge many times each day in his long truck.” She challenges others “to make a donation for each time you side swiped the old bridge” coming across it, as many have.

A dedication ceremony to celebrate the historic Fieldale Iron Bridge is being planned, and information regarding this event will be released in the near future. To purchase a plaque or for more information on the project, please contact Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or drba.va@danriver.org.

Free Online Water Sports Directory Now Available

2009-11-23T06:29:00.000-08:00

WaterplayUSA.com has created an online directory that offers viewers the most complete, comprehensive listing of businesses that provide water sports & water-related activities throughout the USA. Access to WaterplayUSA.com’s online directory is free-of-charge.
The current list of water sports & water-related activities includes:
Kayaking                Wakeboarding
Kitebording             Windsurfing
Paddleboarding       Waterskiing
Surfing                    Kneeboarding
Parasailing              Whitewater Rafting
Tubing                    Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Fly Fishing              Charters Boat Tours & Cruises
Rentals

The Water Sports listings are categorized by City and State, in addition to the individual Activity.
This easy to use site accommodates both enthusiasts and tourists that enjoy water sports and water-related activities. It is designed for anyone planning to visit a body of water ( river, lake, or ocean ) for a day, a weekend, or an entire vacation. By providing this wealth of information, WaterplayUSA helps promote local businesses on a national level.

WaterplayUSA.com can help make your next adventure more exciting by finding your desired activity, where it is available, and who offers these services. Please visit our site and PLAN YOUR FUN !!!

For further information about WaterplayUSA.com, please contact:
Walt Smith, Co-Founder & Marketing Director – 910-256-2842 – walt@waterplayusa.com
http://www.waterplayusa.com/

Hike the Fiedale Trail with Friends

2009-11-19T07:04:00.000-08:00

Or Canoe to Collect Mistletoe

DRBA will conclude the year's First Saturday Outings with a December 5 hike on the Fieldale Trail in Fieldale, VA, led by members of Friends of the Fieldale Trail. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Fieldale Park, the out-and-back hike can total 6 miles, but hikers may choose to walk shorter distances. The entire trail is flat and easy to walk.
Boaters may wish instead to join other paddle clubs in the 27th annual Sprig Outing to collect holiday greenery in the swamp of the Upper Little River near Lillington, NC. Details are at http://www.danriver.org/ .

Described by its Friends as "a golden opportunity to see Mother Nature up close and personal right in our own backyard," the Fieldale Trail hugs the bank of the Smith River. The graveled upper section winds through woods and open fields to the trailhead at the Fieldale Canoe Access, where a restroom is available. From there, the natural-surface lower section enters the riverside forest and skirts rhododendron bluffs alongside the river to its downstream terminus. Towering sycamore trees shelter the trail, and gravel bars and rock formations in the streambed give voice to the river.

Envisioned at a 2005 planning retreat of DRBA's affiliate, the Rivers & Trails Group, the Fieldale Trail is the ongoing project of DRBA and many partners. A special feature of the trail is a 54-foot section salvaged from the landmark 1931 Fieldale Iron Bridge and being installed as trail art, thanks to dozens of donors and generous corporate gifts of time and materials. Paula Wyatt, trip coordinator, and Jennifer Doss, DRBA's Rivers & Trails Project Manager, will bring hikers up to date on plans for the bridge section and future plans for the trail.

Please meet at 10:00 a.m. at Fieldale Park, 188 Field Avenue, at the intersection of Field Avenue and South River Road (GPS coordinates: North 36.42, 076 West 56.021, 079). Bring lunch and water, wear comfortable shoes or hiking boots, dress in layers of water-shedding artificial fabric or wool, and be prepared for rain or wind. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form.

Directions: From US 220 take the VA 609 exit towards Fieldale. Turn right at Dillon's Fork Road, continue on Virginia Avenue, continue on Patrick Avenue, turn right at Field Avenue. Turn right at South River Road, and immediately turn right into the parking lot of the Fieldale Park.

More information: Paula Wyatt, 276-647-3274 or pwyatt1@embarqmail.com.

Film Festival Replay Held at Philpott Lake

2009-11-16T12:29:00.000-08:00

Several audience members pose for a photo
overlooking Philpott Dam after the show.

Saturday was a beautiful day and more than a dozen people gathered at the Philpott Lake Visitor's Center to see a second showing of the Smith River Film Festival. This series of short films was originally played at the Rives Theater in Uptown Martinsville during Labor Day Weekend. Watching the films enticed several audience members to learn to paddle and showed others the rich beauty found within the Smith River Valley. Everyone agreed that the films were great and the scenic view of Philpott Lake was well worth the drive!

The Second Annual Smith River Film Festival will be held on September 3rd, 2010. Mark your calendars and start filming your outdoor adventures today. Your short film just might be the next winner!

The Perfect Holiday Gift Idea

2009-11-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

The holidays are just around the corner and if you are searching for the perfect gift, consider giving the person you love a plaque to be placed on the Historic Fieldale Iron Bridge. Plaques start at just $100 each, and will be prominately displayed along the trusses in Fieldale Park. The donation is tax-deductible and your gift will help protect a piece of local history. To learn more about purchasing a plaque, contact jdoss@danriver.org. As of today we are at 87% of our fundraising goal; only $1,500 is needed to complete the project.

Purchase a plaque for someone special in your life like these individuals did...

In Honor of

Noel & Dovie Adams
by Barbara Purcell

In Honor of

Fieldale Baptist Church, Est. 1919
by the congregation

In Honor of my Mommy and Daddy

"We fished the Smith River in 2009."

by Jeremiah Keith Bullard

In Loving Memory of Jean Clarke Fuller
Fieldale High School Teacher & Friend
by Elva Adkins Adams

“Mrs. Fuller taught for many years at Fieldale High School.
She had no children of her own and I think we were her adopted
family. She coached the girls basketball team with great enthusiasm.
She was a great friend and she also knew how to pose for a great picture!”

Free Film Showing

2009-11-12T07:53:00.000-08:00

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", cuddly creatures living by 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!

Coming Soon...

2009-11-12T07:18:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago, a group of curious walkers, several pooches and a cyclist joined the Dan River Basin Association and Henry County Parks & Recreation for a guided trip along the forthcoming Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail. It was a perfect fall afternoon for a walk. Benny Summerlin, Henry County Administrator, began the walk by explaning about the trail's path and timeline for work. The trail is expected to open in Spring 2010.

The group set off on the three mile walk enjoying the beautiful foliage, crisp fall air and each other's company. Along the way they saw the four trailhead loactions where the public will soon access the trail from and locations for potential trailside business opportunities.

It was a wonderful day for a walk and we all look forward to walking the completed trail this coming spring once it is open.

December First Saturday Outing

2009-11-11T06:25:00.000-08:00

Dan River Basin Association to Hike Fieldale Trail December 5

Alternatively, Traditional Sprig Outing in NC

The First Saturday Outing of the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) on December 5, 2009 will be a hike on the Fieldale Trail beside the Smith River in Fieldale, Virginia. Participants will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Fieldale Park near the site of the old Fieldale Iron Bridge for an out-and-back stroll led by Friends of the Fieldale Trail volunteers.

Alternatively, boaters may join other paddle clubs in the 27th Annual Sprig Outing in the swamp of the Upper Little River near Lillington, NC to collect holiday greenery. Details are at http://www.danriver.org/.

Fieldale Trail hikers may choose to walk a distance of one to six miles, since two sections comprise the trail—a 1.5-mile Upper Fieldale Trail from Fieldale Park to the original trailhead, and a 1.5-mile Lower Fieldale Trail downstream from the trailhead. Both segments are flat and easy to walk. Walking the entire distance out and back gives a total of 6 miles.

The Fieldale Trail offers "a golden opportunity to see Mother Nature up close and personal right in our own backyard," according to Adopt-a-Trail volunteers Charles and Pat Dameron. Tommy Wyatt, a leader of DRBA’s Friends of the Fieldale Trail, adds, “The trail is a great place to meet people from the community. Families, children, elderly people, bicyclists, and even people training for marathons use the trail as part of their daily activities.”

Hugging the bank of the Smith River, the graveled trail of the Upper Fieldale Trail winds through woods and open fields frequented by a variety of birds to the trailhead at the Fieldale Canoe Access, where a restroom is available. From there, the natural-surface Lower Fieldale Trail trail enters the riverside forest and skirts rhododendron bluffs alongside the river to its downstream terminus. Towering sycamore trees shelter the trail, and gravel bars and rock formations in the streambed give voice to the river.

Envisioned at a 2005 planning session of DRBA’s affiliate, the Martinsville-Henry County Rivers and Trails Group, the Fieldale Trial is part of the proposed 45-mile Smith River Trail System from Philpott Dam to the river’s confluence with the Dan River at Eden, NC, as well as the Beaches to Bluegrass Trail across Southern Virginia.

One mile of the Upper Fieldale Trail opened in July, 2007 and the Lower Fieldale Trail was dedicated in March, 2009. Constructed with support from Dominion Foundation, the Virginia Department of Forestry, Henry County, and numerous corporate and private in-kind donations, the trail is operated by Henry County Parks & Recreation. Plans for an extension of the Upper Fieldale Trail are underway.

When Jennifer Doss, DRBA’s Rivers & Trails Project Manager, learned about the imminent replacement of the landmark 1931 Fieldale Iron Bridge, she worked with the Fieldale Heritage Festival to save 54 feet of the old structure that will be used as trail art on either side of the Fieldale Trail, “so that trail users will once again walk ‘across’ the Iron Bridge.” Doss adds, “Thanks to the support of local businesses and community partners, many hands working together have helped to preserve the Historic Iron Bridge.” Dozens of donors and generous corporate gifts of time and materials have brought the project near its fundraising goal. More information is at http://www.danriver.org/.

Participants in the hike should meet at 10:00 a.m. at Fieldale Park, 188 Field Avenue, at the intersection of Field Avenue and South River Road (GPS coordinates: North 36.42, 076 West 56.021, 079). Bring lunch and water, wear comfortable shoes or hiking boots, dress in layers of water-shedding artificial fabric or wool, and be prepared for rain or wind. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form.

Directions: From US 220 take the VA 609 exit towards Fieldale. Turn right at Dillon’s Fork Road, continue on Virginia Avenue, continue on Patrick Avenue, turn right at Field Avenue. Turn right at South River Road, and immediately turn right into the parking lot of the Fieldale Park.

Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
For more information, contact Trip Coordinator Paula Wyatt at 276-647-3274 or pwyatt1@embarqmail.com.

For membership information, visit http://www.danriver.org/.
Article contributed by T Butler

Have you Supported the Fieldale Iron Bridge Yet?

2009-11-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

There are only three more weeks left to purchase a plaque for the Fieldale Iron Bridge. Buying a plaque is the perfect way to honor or remember someone you care for or to promote your business. We are presently at 84% of our fundraising goal and only need $2,000 more to complete this project to preserve a local icon.

The metal plaques are approximately 3.5 by 5.5 inches in size and can contain upto three lines of text. They will be placed along beams on the trusses of the Historic Fieldale Iron Bridge once it is installed along the trail in Fieldale Park. The trusses will stand 12 feet high and 54 feet long. (Note: illustration not shown to scale)
Plaques are $100 each and the donation is tax-deductible. You can also purchase keepsake pieces of the 71 year old bridge along with a plaque for $250. A perfect holiday gift idea for the history buff on your list!

Thanks to a generous donation from Boxley Materials, the concrete footers to support the trusses will be poured during the last week of November. After a few days of curing the trusses will be securely mounted, painted and then the plaques will be attached.

To purchase a plaque, download a form at http://www.danriver.org/Recreation/PDFs/FieldaleIronBridgeDonationForm.pdf.

You can also read the other plaques that have been contributed by visiting: http://www.danriver.org/Recreation/PDFs/FieldaleIronBridgeDonorList.pdf

Take a Fall Stroll Uptown

2009-11-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

Fall is the perfect time to take a walk. The cool crisp air and colorful leaves against a bluebird sky make this time of year seem magical! This week a cheerful group of walkers came out to participate in the November Tuesday Morning Stroll, held at the Uptown Spur Trail.

The paved trail is located at the corner of Depot and Franklin Streets behind the historic Courthouse in Uptown Martinsville, Virginia. It is 0.6 mile long and will connect to the 4.5 mile long Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail in Spring 2010.

While on the Tuesday Morning Stroll, participants learned about the history of "Black Friday", the kick off of holiday shopping that will be held on November 27th this year. The group learned several interesting facts about the holiday and Bill Mitchell of Martinsville won this month's trivia challenge. Do YOU know where the term "Black Friday" originated? The term was coined in Philladelphia in the 1960's in reference to heavy traffic and smog on that day as a result of so many shoppers seeking door buster deals and holidays sales. Because of his great guess, Bill won an official Dick & Willie Passage T-shirt!

The Uptown Spur Trail paired with the addition of the Dick & Willie Passage can help avoid that problem of vehicular pollution by making every day a "Green" day. The trail will allow families and individuals from Fieldale, Collinsville, and Axton to walk or bike into Uptown Martinsvile to dine, shop, catch a movie at the Rives Theater or visit the museums available there without having to crank the car! Best of all walking and biking makes for a very relaxing commute where you can enjoy beautiful scenry along the way.

After completing the Uptown Spur Trail the group took a trip up into the heart of Uptown, Church Street to sample the Martinsville Historic Walking Tour. Brochures for this self-guided tour can be picked up at the Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association (MURA) or at the Artisan's Center. Together we learned about the 22 room mansion that once stood in town near the historic Carriage House, the many department stores that dotted the streets of town such as Globmans, saw the location of the very first telephone in Martinsville and saw points of interest that are not usually noticed while driving in a car. Do YOU know where the Uptown Gargoyles are? Take a walk and look for them!

No trip to Martinsville can be complete with out a photo op in front of The Big Chair! The group took a moment to pose for a picture in front of the world's largest wooden chair that celebrates our rich furniture heritage before continuing the walk. This attraction is located on Church Street accross from the new Uptown Furniture Market, a one-stop shop for upscale furniture pieces, perfect for any home or apartment.

According to Regenia Manns, everyone "enjoyed the walk in Uptown Martinsville; the information about the buildings and businesses was very interesting." She went on to say that "some of us remembered the starting places of some of the stores and we all look forward to seeing new stores and restaurants opening in uptown Martinsville."

Tuesday Morning Strolls is a program sponsored by the Dan River Basin Association, Activate Martinsville-Henry County, Henry County Parks & Recreation and the Martinsville YMCA. Participants are invited to free public walks throughout the year where they can learn about points of interest found around our community. Participants are given a frequent walker card that is punched each time they participate and registers them for prizes. The next walk will be held at 9 a.m. on December 1st at Liberty Fair Mall. Meet inside the mall at the former Goody's entrance. For more information, contact Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org.

Philpott Trails Meeting

2009-11-02T06:49:00.000-08:00

When: Monday, November 9, 2009

Time: 6:00 pm

Where: Philpott Vistor Center
1058 Philpott Dam Road
Bassett, VA 24055

RSVP to Mary Lawson (276) 629-4512 ext.227
mary.c.lawson@usace.army.mil

Meeting to discuss trail development at Philpott Lake

Priority segment for next phase
Construction options
Grants/funding sources
Volunteer support

Contributed by: Mary C. Lawson

Work has begun!

2009-10-30T08:27:00.000-07:00

This week has been an exciting flurry of activity as work has begun to restore the historic Fieldale Iron Bridge, which is presently housed at Northpoint Trading in Fieldale.

On day one of work, Hall's Mechanical of Fieldale used a crane to lift the 30,000 pounds of metal off of the flatbed trailer where they had been stored. Use of the trailer has been supplied thanks to a generous donation from Craddock Logging Supply & Repair of Ridgeway.

Rain delayed us for just a few days, then the action started happening. Workers from Dishman Environmental of Danville began removing lead paint from the stucture. They are using an eco-friendly process that produces no dust.

As sections of the metal were cleaned, Reliable Welding of Bassett moved in to cut and weld the structure in order to achieve the symetrical shape that is desired.

When one side of the truss is fully prepared, Hall's Mechanical will come back to flip the truss so that work may proceed on the other side. This process of cleaning and welding will be continued throughout the rest of the structure until the project is completed. If the weather cooperates, we estimate to complete this portion of the job in 15-20 days.

Meanwhile at the future home of the trail, plans have been made to develop Phase III of the Fieldale Trail which will connect South River Road to Fieldale Park. A path going around the ballfield will take walkers and cyclists through the Fieldale Iron Bridge. A building permit has been obtained thanks to assistance from Henry County, Boxley Materials, and Rayford Smith. Plans for landscaping are being made with assistance from Prillaman Landscape Dimensions of Ridgeway. Below is the before and proposed after shots of this area.

Before

Proposed After (Note: Bridge is not drawn to scale)

As of today we have raised 84% of funds needed to complete this project! To help support the project you can purchase a plaque in honor of or memory of a loved one. Coorporate sponsorships are also available. The deadline to purchase a plaque is November 30th. Contact 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org for more information.

MOUNTAIN & ROAD BIKE RIDE

2009-10-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

When: Sunday, November 1, 2009

Where: "Dark Hollow" on Stonewall Jackson Road

Cost: Free

There will be a mountain and road bike ride this Sunday, November 1 at the head of " Dark Hollow" on Stonewall Jackson Road, Chatmoss.

Food and drinks will be provided by Scott O'Neil.

Everyone will meet at 2:00pm. For directions please contact Tommy Smith: (276) 618-0343 or Jim Frith: (276) 732-7241.

Contributed by: Tommy Smith

December First Saturday Outing

2009-10-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

Dan River Basin Association's First Saturday Outing, Saturday, December 5, a 5-mile walk on Fieldale Trail in Fieldale, VA.

Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Fieldale Park, corner of Patrick Avenue and River Road(GPS coordinates: North 36.42, 076 West 56.021, 079).

Wear comfortable shoes or boots, dress in layers of synthetic fabric, and bring lunch and water.

Free and open to the public

Trip coordinator: Paula Wyatt, 276-647-3274 or pwyatt1@embarqmail.com.
More information: http://www.danriver.org/

Get a Sneak Peek of the Dick & Willie Passage- Coming Spring 2010!

2009-10-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

Want to learn more about the Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail that will soon pass through Martinsville & Henry County? Come experience it for yourself! A free guided walk of the future Dick & Willie Passage will be held on Monday, October 26th at 5 p.m.

Meet at the Prilliman Chemical Company Parking Lot on Fisher Street (across from the Brookdale Street Dominos Pizza). The guided tour and bike ride will be three miles long. Shuttle vans will be provided at the El Parral parking lot to return walkers and cyclsists to their vehicles.

Event hosted by the County of Henry, Henry County Parks & Recreation and the Dan River Basin Association. For more information contact 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org.

Happy Trails Seniors Day Postponed until Spring

2009-10-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

On behalf of the Dan River Basin Association, Henry County Parks & Recreation, and the Friends of the Fieldale Trail Volunteer Team, I am sadly announcing that the 2009 Happy Trails To You Senior's event at the Fieldale Trail has been canceled due to weather. There is a 90% chance of rain this weekend and temperatures are excepted to drop again.

Since cold and flu season is upon us we do not want to encourage our seniors to come out in the cold/damp air out of concern for their health. The event will be rescheduled for next spring. Thank you for understanding. Thank you also to everyone who has agreed to participate in this event. The new date will be announced soon.

Small Changes Make a Difference

2009-10-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

Martinsville & Henry County Virginia is fortunate to have plenty of natural beauty in the form of our rivers, lakes, and mountains. As beautiful and well kept as our community is, we are like most communities across America in the fact that we have litter. I am often saddended when I see plastic shopping bags stuck in trees and flapping in the breeze. To do my part I have adpoted the practice of using reusable shopping bags when I go to the store for groceries and other items.

Kroger was the first store in our area to begin offering bags, followed by Wal-Mart, CVS and a number of other stores. The other day I noticed that even the JC Penney Outlet has begun offering reusable bags and you can get a discount on certain days of the week just for using them.

The first thing that I noticed when using these sturdy bags several years ago was the sheer amount that they could hold. One bag from Kroger will hold the contents of 3 to 4 plastic bags. In addition to freeing up your hands, this takes up less room in the trunk of your car and doesn't slide around spilling food everywhere like plastic bags do.

Occasionally I still encounter a cashier that looks at me like I have two heads when I hand him or her a canvas bag to fill, but by the time this person has finished bagging they have a look of shock after seeing that ALL the items did in fact fit in the bag like I said they would!

I was very pleased to read in the Martinsville Bulletin today that Target "will announce Monday plans to give customers a 5-cent discount for every reusable bag they use to pack their purchases". This also affects us locally as CVS is participating in a similar iniative. CVS "plan[s] to give participating CVS customers $1 cash bonuses on their CVS cards every four times they buy something but don't request plastic bags".

According to the Bulletin article, local CVS stores are participating.

Choosing to carry resusable bags is a small change that can make a huge difference. I am happy knowing that I am not contributing waste to the landfill and that my bag isn't going to end up swinging from a tree branch over the scenic Smith River. Make a difference in your community by opting to use a reusable bag rather than paper/plastic on your next shopping trip.

Plan Your Adventure Today

2009-10-19T17:53:00.001-07:00

recreation destination.

So grab a guide and plan your Adventure in the Smith River Valley today. Just go to http://www.danriver.org/ and click on the link to order your copy and begin your adventure. River guides are $25.00 for online sales, or you can save on shipping and handling and visit a local outfitter or the Dan River Basin Association offices in Virginia and North Carolina to purchase a copy. Proceeds from the sale of river guides support work to preserve and promote the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River basin.

The "Insider’s Guide to the Dan River in North Carolina and Virginia" is now available as follows the Dan for 125 miles from Southern Virginia though north central North Carolina, ending in Caswell County, NC.

Iron Bridge Funds Continue to Grow

2009-10-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

As of today we have reached 78% of our fundraising goal for the Fieldale Iron Bridge Preservation Project!
Help us by purchasing a memorial plaque in honor of or memory of a loved one or sponsor a plaque with your business. We can help you honor the story of your family, like H. Earl Bullard...

May 16,1925- May 14, 1996

Earl Bullard was born in Fieldale where he worked for Appalachian Power for 40 years and was an active member of Fieldale Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife Beatrice Bullard, also of Fieldale.

Learn more about the project and download a donation form at: http://www.danriver.org/Recreation/Fieldale-Iron-Bridge-Project.htm.

Learn about Carbon Offsets

2009-10-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Tune in tomorrow morning for a radio interview on Community Accents that will explore the emerging carbon offset market for forests. The program is a must for anyone who has been curious about how carbon-offsetting works, and its potential to become an economic resource for landowners in Virginia.

You can listen to the live program from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on the stream from WLOE/WMYN’s website: http://www.wloewmyn.com/ (click “live broadcasts” in the menu bar at the top of the page).

Buck Kline, Director of Forestland Conservation for the Virginia Department of Forestry, is our guest. Mr. Kline has been involved with several climate change initiatives. He served as a member of the Secretary of Natural Resources “Kitchen Kabinet”. This group facilitated locating speakers for Climate Change Commission meetings and summarized the presentations for incorporation into Virginia’s Climate Action Plan. He was also instrumental in helping develop recommendations for forestry carbon offset protocols for the Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF).

We appreciate Mr. Kline taking the time to bring some clarity and insight to this complex and relatively new idea. This program is made possible with support from the Virginia Environmental Endowment, members of the Dan River Basin Association, and WLOE/WMYN Rockingham County Radio. It is the first in a series of interviews with experts in management of Virginia forests.

You are welcome to request a free CD of the program by sending your mailing address to jedwards@danriver.org. If you have questions about carbon offsets that you’d like Mr. Kline to address, feel free to send them via email this afternoon.

Submitted by: Jenny Edwards, Virginia Program Manager, Dan River Basin Association

Fieldale Iron Bridge Webpage

2009-10-14T12:31:00.000-07:00

The Fieldale Iron Bridge Preservation Project now has a permanent home on the web. Visit: http://www.danriver.org/Recreation/Fieldale-Iron-Bridge-Project.htm to check out our progress,
download a donation form, and read the plaques of those that have donated already... like Lois Slaughter.

In Memory of

Jerry Lee Slaughter

by Lois Slaughter & Family

June 13, 1936 to June 26, 2008

A lifelong resident of Henry County, Jerry had a strong sense of community. For decades, he served as a teacher, a coach and administrator. However, he is remembered as a positive influence, role model and friend.

Honor or remember someone you love by purchasing a plaque to go on the Fieldale Iron Bridge today! Download the order form at: http://www.danriver.org/Recreation/Fieldale-Iron-Bridge-Project.htm.

Dan River Fall Float - November 7, 2009

2009-10-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

Hanging Rock to Moratock Park
DRBA's last paddle trip of the year will be on a popular section of the Dan River from Hanging Rock State Park to Moratock Park in Danbury, NC. Charlie Williams, Outings Committee Chair, will coordinate the scenic five-mile float.

According to Williams, "At normal levels this section offers mostly calm waters with one easy class II rapid at Moratock Park," just before the take-out. "There is often wildlife to view if you approach quietly," he adds. "The easy put-in and take-out make this an excellent family trip."
Nearly half of the river corridor passes through State Natural Heritage Areas where autumn colors and late wildflowers may be seen.

See Maps 68 -- 70 of DRBA's "An Insider's Guide to the Dan River in North Carolina and Virginia," available at http://www.danriver.org/ .

Please meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Hanging Rock State Park canoe access off Flinchum Road (GPS coordinates: 36.4299, -80.2482) to unload boats and gear and set the shuttle. Boat rentals and shuttle will be provided by the nearby Dan River Company, 336-593-2628

Participants in the outing are asked to provide boat and paddles, life jacket, lunch and water, to dress in layers of artificial (quick-drying) fabric or wool, and to sign a waiver.

Directions: To reach the Hanging Rock Access from Stuart, VA, travel south on Route 8. Turn left on Route 89. Travel about ¼ mile, and turn right onto Flinchum Road, which is marked by a brown DAN RIVER ACCESS sign. Drive past the Dan River Company on the way to the concrete launch ramp.

From the town of Danbury, travel west on Route 89. Pass the hospital and the road to Hanging Rock State Park. About one mile west of the hospital, turn left onto Flinchum Road, which is marked by a brown DAN RIVER ACCESS sign. Drive past the Dan River Company on the way to the concrete launch ramp.

More Information: Charlie Williams, 336-337-8843

Smith River TU Features VDGIF Biologist Scott Smith

2009-10-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

Smith River Trout Unlimited will meet at Rania's Restaurant in uptown Martinsville, on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at 6:30pm. The program for the evening will feature Virginia DGIF Fisheries Biologist Scott Smith who will present findings and recommendations based on recent samplings and studies of the Smith River trout fishery. We will also hold elections and install officers to lead the SRTU chapter in 2010 - proposed slate TBA prior to meeting along with nominations from floor.

You do not have to be a member of TU to attend our meetings.(You must be a member in order to vote on chapter business). Anyone who has an interest in the Smith River Fishery is encouraged to attend.

For information contact Chapter Pres B.J. Walker, (434) 728-1419 http://www.blogger.com/

Secy Al Kittredge, (910) 868-6235 aakitt@earthlink.net

or check our website for more details and directions. http://www.blogger.com/

"Happy Trails to You" Senior's Day

2009-10-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

Fieldale, VA—“Friends of the Fieldale Trail”, a team of Adopt-a-Trail volunteers, in coordination with the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and the Henry County Parks & Recreation (HCPR) would like to invite the community to attend a special event celebrating senior citizens at the Fieldale Trail on Saturday, October 24th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to team captain Paula Wyatt, “the group would like to give the senior citizens a chance to find out what all the talk is about on the Fieldale Trail.” The free event will include guided tours, live music, and informational booths on senior’s health and fitness. “This will be a time to show the community what these trails have to offer people,” said Wyatt.

Throughout the day a variety of informational booths will be set up to inform and educate seniors about fitness, health, and programs available to assist them in the Martinsville and Henry County area. Guests will also have a chance to enjoy live music and guided tours of the trail. Two sections of trail are offered: one is just under a mile long and the other is 1.5 miles long. Both sections are flat and easy to walk. For seniors that are unable to walk the trail, special tours on a golf cart will be provided so that they may too experience this great resource. It is important for the general public to know that motorized vehicles are not permitted on the Fieldale Trail; special permission was obtained from Henry County to use golf carts for this one-day event.

The “Friends of the Fieldale Trail” volunteer team began in May 2009 when DRBA and HCPR first partnered together to develop an Adopt-a-Trail Program. Since its inception there are now six teams with more than 40 members working to monitor trails along the Smith River Trail System in Martinsville and Henry County. Hosting events like the senior’s day, allows the volunteers to showcase the wonders found on their trails. Volunteers Charles and Pat Dameron feel that walking the Fieldale Trail is “a golden opportunity to see Mother Nature up close and personal right in our own backyard.”

The Fieldale Trail is located in Fieldale, Virginia on South River Road past the Lower Smith River Water Treatment Facility. It is open daily from dusk to dawn and admission is free. Ample parking, restroom, river access, and picnic tables are available for your convenience. The Fieldale Trail is funded in part by the Dominion Foundation and operated by Henry County Parks & Recreation. For more information on the event or to sign up for a tour, contact “Friends of the Fieldale Trail” by calling 276-647-3274 or 276-340-2234.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Held at Jamson Mill Park

2009-10-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

Volunteers from the Henry County Bike Club, Southern Virginia Mountain Bike Association (SVMA) Danville, Franklin County Free Wheelers, and Friends of Philpott donated over 988 volunteer hours on the building of the trail. Pictured above: Linda Drage, Mary Lawson, Dave Wiseman, Harold Ellis, Jim Firth, Hazel Hale and Bobby Thompson.

The army of volunteers created a beautiful trail for mountain bikes and hiking. The work took a year and a half to complete. Linda Drage, President of Friends of Philpott stated “that sometimes the weather was at odds with the volunteers; as well as the contour of the land; where they had to deal with large rocks and steep terrain”. Back in 2007 Jamison Mill was slated to be closed. In time the trail will join other parks on the eastside of Philpott Lake creating approx. 10 miles of trail. Pictured above: Robb Herbst on the trail.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held in honor of National Public Land Day which is the largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. In 2008, 120,000 volunteers built trails, removed trash and invasive plants and planted over 1.6 million trees. Pictured above: Dave Wiseman, Mary Lawson, Harold Ellis, Jim Firth, Linda Drage, Hazel Hale, Roy Hale and Bobby Thompson.

Food Lions from Bassett Forks and Stanley Town sponsored the event.

Contributed by: Linda Drage

Go Green with Martinsville Leisure Services

2009-10-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

Making simple changes to your everyday life can have a positive effect on the environment. Martinsville Leisure Services is offering two informative classes this fall to help you do just that!

Reduce the amount of waste that your household produces by learning to compost:
Composting 101
Learn about the process of composting and its benefits to your gardening. You’ll make a mini-compost to take home! All ages. Call 634-4185 to register. Deadline to register is Oct.5.
DATE/TIME: Oct. 17, Noon
LOCATION; J. Frank Wilson Park
FEE: $5

Help protect native plants and animals by learning to deal with invasive species:
Foreign Invaders
Invasive species are everywhere in Martinsville. Learn what invasive species are and how to control them in your back yard. This program is for any homeowner who has these invaders in their yards. Meet at the VMNH then we will walk to be Piedmont Art Natural History Garden.
DATE/TIME: Oct. 17, 10am-12
LOCATION: Distance Learning Classroom at VMNH
FEE: $5

Class information contributed by Gary Cody, Director- Martinsville Leisure Services

Help Raise Awareness about Climate Change

2009-10-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

Sure we all know that Halloween is just around the corner. But do you know what October 24th is?

It is the International Day for Climate Action. On that day, paddlers around the world will be gathering on local waterways and using their canoes, kayaks and rafts to spell out the number "350" on the water. This event is an effort to increase public awareness about the need to control climate-changing greenhouse gases, and to show support for effective climate change legislation.

Why the number "350?" In 2008, NASA released studies that showed that if we let the amount of carbon in our atmosphere climb above 350ppm (parts per million), we will do serious damage to the planet. In its reports, NASA said that a planet with carbon in excess of 350ppm will not remain "similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on earth is adapted."

Unfortunately, we are currently at 386ppm, so we have already exceeded this limit. Strong citizen action is needed now to reverse this dangerous situation. Environmental activist and author Bill McKibben launched a website called www.350.org in response to the NASA reports, and his organization is organizing the International Day of Climate Action. The goal of this campaign is to push global leaders to reach an agreement at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference this December that will reduce the level of carbon in the atmosphere to 350ppm.

Climate Action Day will feature events on land, on the water, and even in the air. As of today, there are 1784 actions scheduled in 141 countries. Let's add to the count!

On October 24th, go outside and enjoy nature. Schedule a paddling day on your favorite lake or river, form your 350 and capture it with pictures or video. Your 350 can be any size,and your event will be a fun way to get friends and family out on the water. Whether your 350 is large or small, it will send a strong message that paddlers are concerned about climate change. This is not just limited to paddlers though, cyclists, hikers, geocachers, and walkers are also invited to participate. Every action will make a difference.

If you plan to participate, let us know and also go to the event registration page at http://www.350.org/ and register your Climate Action Day event. Please send your photos/videos to drba.va@danriver.org to show off your 350 and we'll post them here for all to see.

Info and photos contributed by the American Canoe Association.

Some More Beary Good Photos...

2009-10-07T07:17:00.000-07:00

About an hour after the first reported sighting of a mother bear and three cubs in Fieldale yesterday (see previous posts), the family was spotted again in Stanleytown. The mother bear is seen at right peeking out over the hill side to make sure that it is safe for her babies.

When the coast is clear the mother leads her cubs across the field to where ever they are going. Perhaps they were off to the Smith River for some yummy trout and riverside berries!

Thanks to everyone who has been contributing these cool shots!

Patrick County Farm Tour this weekend!

2009-10-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

Patrick County Farm tour is this Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. This self-guided tour is a MUST addition to your fall excursions. You'll see historic farms, Christmas trees, wineries, fresh local produce, dairy cows, landscaping plants ... the list goes on. Patrick County has breathtaking scenery and friendly people. The tour is free and more information is at http://www.patrickcountyfarmtour.com/. See you out there!

Three-quarters of the way there!

2009-10-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to generous donors, we have now reached 75% of our fundraising goals for the Fieldale Iron Bridge Preservation Project! More fundraising still needs to be done, as we will need $3,000 more to complete the project. It's not too late to purchase a plaque for yourself or a loved one to be placed on the bridge. Plaques start at just $100 and also include a memorial space on DRBA's website.

To purchase a plaque or for more information, contact DRBA at 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org. Here is a sample of some of the plaques and memorial spaces that have been purchased so far.

Donated by

The Family of Ashby Pritchett
Martinsville, Virginia

In Memory of

Grace, Fred & Carlos Flick
by Carl Flick

In Memory of
Cornel John & Clara Pruitt Kasey

by Kitty, Rita, and Naomi

In Memory of Chipper, our beagle
who loved to fish at the bridge.
by David & Debbie Sharp

In Memory of

John W. & Gladys Martin, 1919

by Bea Bullard & family

John & Gladys Martin moved to Fieldale in 1919 where John was one of the first employees to work in the weave room of Fieldcrest Cannon mills. They were the parents of Beatrice Bullard. Shown in the photo is her older brother Robert Randolph as an infant.

A Beary Interesting Sight

2009-10-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

Several residents of Henry County got a rare chance to see some of mother nature's amazing creature's today. A mother bear and three cubs made an appearance as they crossed highway 57 at the 220 bypass in Fieldale this morning.

According to the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, "black bears are becoming an increasingly common sight in Virginia — bears now live in almost every county! We are fortunate to have a healthy and sustainable population of these animals in the Commonwealth. But even as our black bear population grows and expands, at the same time, residential areas are encroaching into the forested lands and habitats used by bears and other wildlife, thus increasing the chances for bear/human interaction or conflicts."

To learn more about black bears in Virginia, watch this informative video:
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/video/living-with-black-bears/

Volunteers Adopt Area Trails

2009-10-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

Members of the Smith River Trail System's Adopt-a-Trail Program met this past week for a pizza dinner and to learn more about how they can help the area trails. About 6 miles of the Smith River Trail System has been adopted so far and more sections are available. At the meeting the new teams and ones with more experience were able to trade stories and learn from one another.

Teams Represented included:

"Friends of the Fieldale Trail"- 2.5 miles of Fieldale Trail
The Gardner Family- 1 mile of Rhododendron Trail
Girl Scout Troop 691- 0.5 mile of Doe Run Wildlife Trail
Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association/Boys & Girls Club- 0.6 mile of Uptown Spur Trail
The Tatum & Foley Families- 1 mile of Jones Cliff Trail
The Pitzer Family 0.5 mile of River View and Burgess Loop Trails

If you are interested in becoming an Adopt-a-Trail volunteer there are many ways you can help. You can adopt a section of trail with your business, club, church, or family or you can join up with one of the existing teams. For more information on the program, contact DRBA at 276-634-2545.

Front (l-r) Jenniffer Jamison, Katie Jamison, Campbell Pitzer

Sitting (l-r) Pat Dameron, Paula Wyatt, Nancy Kennett with Hunter Doss, Lee Probst with Henry Probst
Back (l-r): Charles Dameron, Benny Setliff, Tracy Kennett, Martin Gardner, Louis Pitzer, Neil Tatum

Not pictured: Brian Williams, Jennifer Doss, Hayden Probst

Come Walk with Us!

2009-10-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

The Dan River Basin Association, Henry County Parks & Recreation, and Activate M-HC would like to invite you to join us on a Tuesday Morning Stroll! We will meet at the Fieldale Trail on South River Road in Fieldale, Tuesaday at 9 a.m. to take a leisurely paced three mile walk down Phase II of the trail that will last approximately one hour. Door prizes will be given away to lucky participants!

In September we took a walk down Phase I of the trail as we learned about National Public Lands Day and ways that the public can help protect the public parks, trails and waterways that we all love so much! Many thank to all the walkers that came out According to Linda Drage who participated in the walk, "the stroll was very nice; I enjoyed meeting new people and learning interesting facts along the way". Since she has been suffering with minor back problems, the walk was a perfect way to unwind and get some excersize. Linda also "appreciated that the group took their time so that slower walkers could keep up." Come join the fun, take a guided walk and get active! To register for the walk, call 634-2545.

Think it's too cold to paddle? No way!

2009-10-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love paddling in the fall when the air is crisp and bright yellow, red and brown leaves dot the trees. Taking a leisurely paddle to enjoy the scenery is a perfect way to unwind and experience nature. For beginner paddlers though, this extra chill can be daunting. To help novice paddlers get into the sport so they will be ready to go in spring, Smith River Adventure Outfitters is now offering beginner kayak classes indoors at the Martinsville YMCA!

Classes are offered the third Friday of each month (October 16, November 20, December 18) from 6-8PM.

Drop your boat in the heated pool to learn entry and exit skills, paddle strokes, river running techniques and introduction to the kayak (eskimo) roll. Classes are $35 each and boat rentals are available for $10 extra.

Contact Smith River Adventure Outfitters - 252-0701 or the YMCA - 632-6427 to register or for more information.

BEGINNERS BIKE RIDE - UPTOWN SPUR TRAIL

2009-10-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

When: Monday October 5, 2009

Where: Uptown Spur Trail

What: Beginners Bike Ride

Time: Begins at 5:30 PM

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. Cyclists 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.henrycountybikerclub.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.

Outdoor Fun Festival

2009-09-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

Martinsville - Henry County Community Nature Initiative
Virginia Museum of Natural History

Presents Outdoor Fun Festival

When: Saturday, October 10
Time: 10am to 5pm
Where: J. Frank Wilson Park

Join CNI for this free outdoor experience with organizations from the area featuring fun activities, programs, a rock climbing wall, moon bounces, and horseback riding!

Prizes to be given away every hour on the hour this day!

FREE festival admission sponsored by The Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont.

276-634-4141

Visit http://www.vmnh.net/ for more information.

Visitors to the Outdoor Family Fun Festival receive $1.00 off admission to VMNH on October 10.

Beginners Bike Ride - Uptown Trail

2009-09-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-09-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

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

Get Active While Supporting SPCA - October 3

2009-09-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

SPCA 1st Annual Furry Scurry 5K Run Walk

October 3 at 9am

Smith River Trail System in Fieldale

Enter our 5K race to test your mettle against others or take a relaxing walk with friends or your leashed dog.

Support a healthy lifestyle while supporting the SPCA

Contributed by: Jeannie Frisco