Scouts Honor Local History

Taylor DeVinney of Ridgeway, recently led the scouts of Troop 61 in a project to honor local history. For his Eagle Scout Project, Taylor created grave markers for the 18 graves located in the Burgess Family Cemetery of Ridgeway, VA.

The cemetery is part of a project that the Dan River Basin Association has been working on along with decsendants of the former slaves "Uncle" John & Jane Burgess and community partners such as Bassett Historical Center and Norris Funeral Services.

The scouts created wooden plank grave markers made of poplar wood with a pecan stain. Marine grade varnish was applied to the planks so that they will stand up to the elements. The scouts installed the markers so that each grave is now identified. A number of each plank represents the order in which the grave sites were discovered. For the graves that have been identified, information about those individuals is being engraved on aluminum plaques to be attached underneath the numbers. Thank you Troop 61 for completing this project to enhance the cemetery!

To learn more about the Burgess Family Cemetery project visit the following links:

http://rivers-trails.blogspot.com/2008/11/volunteers-restore-historic-cemetery.html

http://rivers-trails.blogspot.com/2009/03/historic-cemetery-restored-dedicated.html

http://rivers-trails.blogspot.com/2009/05/families-share-chair-histories.html

Dan River Featured on Fox 8 News

National Men's Health Month

June is National Men's Health Month.

This month's awareness is to help men become more aware of the health problems that can be prevented with early detection and treatment among men and young boys. The latest statistics show that the health of men in our lives needs vast improvement. It is proven that men die 6 years younger than their female companions.

The Coalition for Health and Wellness will be honoring the men in our lives by having a kick off to their upcoming men's health program. The kick off event is planned for June 20th at Gravely Nature Preserve starting at 9:00am. Canoeing down the Smith River, male friendly healthy cooking demonstrations, and guided trail walks are just the start of the fun! So come out to help celebrate men's health and bring the special men in your life out to this exciting event!

Space is limited and registration is required.
To register or for questions, contact
Diane Sawyer
HCI Program Director
at 276-956-2983 ext. 301.

Registration Deadline Extended for Kayaking Classes

Great news everyone!....the May 29th deadline for the Beginner and Intermediate Kayaking Classes are being extended to June 3rd. It's not too late to get those registration forms in to be able to participate in this wonderful event. If you are interested in obtaining more information, please check out the earlier posting by clicking here.

Help Preserve a Piece of Local History

A truss from the Fieldale Iron Bridge will soon be used as Trail Art
along the Fieldale Trail, and you can help preserve this important piece of local history!

How?
Purchase a plaque to be mounted to the bridge
in honor or memory of a loved one.

All donations are tax-deductible and proceeds will be used for the costs associated with transporting, cleaning, and mounting the bridge truss alongside the trail. With your support,
this section of the Fieldale Iron Bridge will be preserved so it can be remembered and for future generations to enjoy.

3x5 inch plaques are $100 each,
but all donations large and small will be accepted.

Contact 276-634-2545 or drba.va@danriver.org for more information.

Please mail donations to:
Dan River Basin Association- Attn: Fieldale Bridge

413 Church Street, Suite 401

Eden, NC 27288

River float to benefit DRBA's work

Three Rivers Outfitters is hosting a river float to benefit DRBA's work to promote and preserve our rivers on Sunday, May 31. DRBA depends on contributions from members and other sources of support in order to work for clean water, natural and historical preservation and educational programs throughout the basin. You make all this possible.

DRBA outings are usually free, but this time, we're asking for your help. Please feel free to share this invitation with those who may not have a boat but would like to sample the rivers! In turn, Three Rivers Outfitters will guide you and/or your friends on a 90-minute scenic river trip on the Smith and Dan rivers, home to abundant wildlife, including playful otters, and rare plant communities.

After taking out on the Dan, Three Rivers Outfitters will transport paddlers back to the 1892 Spray Mercantile Building, near the historic Gov. Morehead Park, where you'll enjoy a picnic supper and musical heritage program.

"Picnic in the Park with Charlie Poole," presented by the Eden Preservation Society, will feature musician, historian and radio personality Kinney Rorrer. Rorrer will present a program detailing the life and music of legendary banjo musician Charlie Poole. Sometimes referred to as the "Father of country music," Poole has been credited with having a lasting effect on the evolution of country music and bluegrass musical heritage. Nearby is the Spray Cotton Mills where Charlie Poole once worked.

In July, 1925 Charlie Poole and his North Carolina Ramblers were awarded a recording contract with Columbia Records. Their record was a smash hit and sold over 100,000 copies.

Also in the vicinity is the historic 1898 Nantucket Mill. Piedmont Folk Legacies and its National Banjo Initiative envision a new life for the mill as a National Banjo Museum, recording studio and performance venue.

More details are below. Interested? Just visit the registration page http://riverandbanjoheritage.homestead.com/

DATE: Sunday, May 31
TIME: 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Eden, North Carolina
COST: $50 per person to benefit the Dan River Basin Association.
INCLUDES: Guided trip, boats, gear, transportation from river, picnic and banjo program.

For reservations and additional information: 336-627-6270 or http://www.danriver.org/

Local Agencies Partner to Promote National Employee Health & Fitness Day

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

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

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

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

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

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