Dust to Dust

A 3 story concrete shell of the old Bassett Furniture factory is becoming part of history this week as it comes down in a shower of concrete and rubble. Work started Monday of this week to demolish the old building in downtown Bassett. I for one am not going to miss this eye-sore ! The demolished concrete will be further crushed on site and reclaimed for sale. The giant "jaws" attached to the end of this track-hoe tear into the structure as the floors come tumbling down in a loud crash of concrete dust and twisted metal rebar. Jenn and I met with Jim Franklin at the site today to find an old set of stairs in one of the adjacent warehouse buildings. Jeb Bassett has donated the stairs for use as a temporary river access point behind the corporate headquarters for use during the Bassett Heritage Festival in September. We will pick up the stairs next week and get them installed in time for a family fun float during the festival, from Bassett Historic Center down the river ½ mile to the Bassett Furniture Headquarters. The stairs will be removed after the event. Submitted by Brian Williams

Screen On The Green

You are invited to come out and join the Martinsville-Henry County Community Nature Initiative as it holds "Screen on the Green" at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 28! The free outdoor movie screening of "Bears", a film from the National Wildlife Federation, will take place near the stone picnic shelter in J. Frank Wilson Park behind the museum as part of National Parks Month. Be sure to get there early for fun, family activities beginning at 7! For more information, contact Tamara Poles at 276-634-4159 or tamara.poles@vmnh.virginia.gov

A Message from our Executive Director

Greetings, DRBA members, friends and partners!

As you may know, DRBA has received a dollar for dollar challenge grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

There’s more good news! DRBA has an additional challenge from one of our very generous board members. For every $2 that you donate, up to $10,000, DRBA will receive an additional $1.
Put the two challenges together and a new $100 donation or membership will yield $150 in matching funds for a total of $250 to help protect the rivers we love, to build trails and parks, and to promote sustainable economic development for our region.

Please help us meet these challenges before the year end deadline! Even a small contribution makes a big difference.

Contribute online or download a contribution form at http://www.danriver.org/Members/Gifts_Donations.htm
or mail your contribution to DRBA, 413 Church St., Eden, NC 27288.

Thanks so much – see you on the river!

Katherine Mull

Learn to Kayak

It's not too late. The deadline for the August 29th beginner kayak lesson has been extended. Contact drba.va@danriver.org or 276-634-2545 for a registration form today!

http://rivers-trails.blogspot.com/2009/08/kayaking-class_03.html

Let's go Biking!

Enjoy a beginner's bike ride along the scenic Fieldale Trail
with Barbara Thompson of Activate M-HC and the Henry County Bike Club!


Saturday August 22nd at 10 a.m.

Bikes and helmets will be available on a first come, first serve basis. FREE!

For questions or more information contact: bthompson@activatemhc.org

Announcing a New River Access!

Enjoy the thrill of paddling at Eggleston Falls? Now it is even easier to get to with the addition of a new river access at the Smith River Sports Complex of Irisburg Road in Axton.

The new canoe/kayak access was completed this week and a grand opening ceremony for it and the complex will be held this Sunday from 2-6 p.m.

The access was funded by the Harvest Foundation and is operated by Henry County Parks & Recreation. It is located on the river between the South Martinsville and Marrowbone Creek River Access ramps. Watch for more amenities to be added in the next few weeks including: landscaping, trashcans, signage, and benches.

The access is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m, and ample parking is available. Due to the fact that it is located inside the gates of the Sports Complex, the access will be closed at night. If you foresee that you might be on the river after 8 p.m. it is recommended that you plan to park your shuttle vehicles in the parking lot outside the gate or at another access point.

Even if you are not parking at this access, it makes for a great stop to take a break mid-way on your paddle. While at the Sports Complex be sure to take a walk on the two miles of trail that wander through the property, stop by the concession stand for a cold drink and snack, and visit their state of the art, modern, playground.

New Business in Martinsville!

Looking for a relaxing afternoon activity or an exciting adventure? You can have one or both of those experiences right here in your backyard in Martinsville & Henry County. Stop by and visit Eric Juday and Tracy Petty of Smith River Adventure Outfitters located at the Indian Heritage RV Park on Tensbury Drive in Martinsville. You can't miss it- it's the only building in town with a bright blue kayak on the front! Eric is an American Canoe Association (ACA) certified instructor. He offers canoe/kayak rentals, guided trips, and lessons. Many different trip options are offered: everything from a calm flatwater paddle, to an adventurous ride down Eggleston Falls. You pick your comfort level and Smith River Adventure Outfitters will provide everything else.

I stopped by for a visit this past week as Smith River Adventure Outfitters took their first clients down the Smith River. Lynn & Ashby Pritchett of Martinsville along with their family from South Carolina spent the afternoon taking a guided paddle trip from the South Martinsville River Access to Marrowbone Creek. Most of the group had never paddled before but had an enjoyable time as Eric gave them instruction and pointers throughout the journey. Everyone wore personal floatation devices (PFDs) and helmets to ensure that their journey was safe as well as fun.

Stop by and visit with the friendly staff of Smith River Adventure Outfitters, browse their collection of paddling accessories for sale, and book your next adventure on the Smith River! Visit http://www.smithriveradventureoutfitters.com/ for more information.