The Henry County Bike Club, a M-HC Rivers & Trails Group partner, would like to invite area cyclists out to ride with them this Thursday evening. Meet at the Uptown Farmer's Market at 5:45 p.m. Contact Tommy Smith for more details.
Submitted by: Tommy Smith
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A New Adventure
Hello! My name is Kathryn Bongarzone, and I am a senior at Averett University. I am studying Environmental Science, which has led me to an internship with the Dan River Basin Association. I am originally from Massachusetts, but I have lived in Danville and attended Averett University for the past three years. Last fall I was lucky enough to spend a semester studying in Dundee, Scotland. While I was there I was able to pursue my interests in the environment with a class on conservation and ecology. Through this class I was able to experience some of Scotland’s oldest and most beautiful national parks and forests.
I have also spent the past three summers working as an aide at a school for children with autism and other special needs. Although this does not directly relate to the environment, I think that my experiences there will give me a head start when I begin working with the Trout-in-the-Classroom program and other Dan River Basin Association initiatives. I am looking forward to bringing two of my interests together.
After my senior year, I hope that my experiences through out college will propel me to a career in the field of Environmental Science. I look forward to the experience and knowledge I will gain this year while working with DRBA!
I am presently working in DRBA's Virginia office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
I have also spent the past three summers working as an aide at a school for children with autism and other special needs. Although this does not directly relate to the environment, I think that my experiences there will give me a head start when I begin working with the Trout-in-the-Classroom program and other Dan River Basin Association initiatives. I am looking forward to bringing two of my interests together.
After my senior year, I hope that my experiences through out college will propel me to a career in the field of Environmental Science. I look forward to the experience and knowledge I will gain this year while working with DRBA!
I am presently working in DRBA's Virginia office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Monday, August 31, 2009
It's just around the corner...
The festivities begin this Friday with the First Annual Smith River Film Festival at the Rives Theater. At this event, guests will be treated to an entertaining night of bloopers, scenic beauty, natural wonders, and paddling at it's finest. While watching some of the clips you will swear you are right in the river too! Ticket sales for this event benefit a good cause and will support the development of a formal river access at Mitchell Road Bridge. If you've ever had to drag your boat up that steep hill, you know why we desperately need a designated river access there with a more gently sloped ramp! Henry County Parks & Recreation has six superb river access points along the Smith River and this will be a welcome addition to the list.
On Sunday, another recreational water release will be held tentatively from 8 a.m.- 12 p.m., after the river run come on over to the North Bassett River Access to participate in DRBA's Gear Swap. Bring your recreational gear to buy, sell, and trade. Several items have been registered so far including...
Paddling Gear:
-- Propulsion Technologies PTR 197 Kayak Paddle, blue blades with reinforced tips
-- Old Town Otter Sport Kayak
-- 16 foot Water Quest 3 Person Canoe
-- Kidder Adult Life Jacket, Blue/black
-- Water shoes size 9/10
-- Cross bars for overhead carrier, adjustable for small SUVs 44" and up, comes with keys
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Camping Gear:
-- Alpine Peak Internal Frame Backpack, Maroon & Black
-- Assorted Camping Gear, Backpacks, & Sleeping Bags
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Books & Guides:
-- Assorted books on canoeing and rock climbing
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Biking Gear:
-- Swangman Heavy Duty Bike Rack, attaches to trailer hitch and holds three bikes, comes with keys to securely lock it.
It's going to be a great weekend. We hope to see you there! For more information checkout www.smithriverfest.com or call 276-634-2545.
A Fish Tale
Friday, August 28, 2009
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
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
Monday, August 24, 2009
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
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