Help Virginia Win a Tourism Award

One of our Rivers and Trails Group partners, Martinsville & Henry County's Economic Development Corporation, has a special request for everyone to please help Virginia win an award to enahnce our tourism potential.

Advertising Week has just announced that the Virginia is for Lovers slogan is a nominee for the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame. We need you and all of your contacts to vote so that we win this competition. To vote for the Virginia is for Lovers slogan, go to www.advertisingweek.com/wof , click on the Slogan section, click Virginia is for Lovers and the hit the Vote button. Cast votes by Sept. 18.

The winners will be inducted into the Walk of Fame during Advertising Week (September 21-25) and will gain a permanent position on the advertising industry's version of Hollywood and Vine -- Madison Avenue. Recognition like this goes a long way in our work to bring more visitors to Virginia and support the state's $19 billion tourism industry.
The Walk of Fame nomination coincides with the 40th anniversary of Virginia is for Lovers and follows on the heels of Forbes.com naming Virginia is for Lovers one of the top ten marketing campaigns of all time.

Please send this link to all of your friends, outlook contacts, post on your facebook page and tweet on your Twitter account if you have one. If you follow VirginiaLove or VAtourismpr please retweet their links to this competition.

As they say at the Oscars, it is an honor just to be a nominee, we're in the running with serious competitors. And true to the VTC BTO spirit we want to win…and badly. So share the love and vote for Virginia is for Lovers http://www.advertisingweek.com/wof!

Information submitted by Felica Rupert, EDC

Another Animal Story

Fall is drawing near and wild animals throughout Martinsville and Henry County are busy foraging to prepare for the months ahead. A DRBA member submitted these photos of some beautiful deer in the area. Notice the massive buck in the center. Their location is undisclosed to protect their identities and hide (no pun intended)!

Photo submitted by: annonymous

They Do Exist...

No we're not talking about the tooth fairy and easter bunny, but massive catfish on the Smith River. Two 30+ pound flathead catfish were recently retireved from intake grates to the Spray Dam Canal in Eden, NC. It is unfortunate that these fish did not survive, but very interesting to be able to see them and know that these large fish inhabit portions of our local river. Thanks to Mark Bishopric, Spray dam operator, for sharing this story.

Group Bike Ride

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

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.

It's just around the corner...

Excitement is filling the air as Smith River Fest 2009 draws closer. You see, this festival is not just about paddling. It is a celebration of everything recreational in Martinsville and Henry County.We have so much to offer here and now it is time to showcase our potential for being a recreational destination to the region.

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 Saturday, paddlers of all skill levels will have a chance to enjoy the river. A recreational release of water is planned (tentatively) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. thanks to Dominion Power and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Two area outfitters: Smith River Adventure Outfitters and Three Rivers Outfitters will offer guided paddle trips throughout the day. Experienced paddlers can enjoy a swift ride down class II/III rapids, while novice paddlers can try their hand at a Beginner Fun Float on a calmer stretch of river.  If paddling is not your thing, take a walk, jog, or bicycle ride on some of the 14 miles of trail available along the Smith River Trail System. Tech wizards can also enjoy the outdoors with more than 150 hidden treasures located in the area for Geocaching. Or you can cast away the rest of the afternoon enjoying fly fishing at it's finest catching world class Brown and Rainbow trout.


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.

On Monday (Labor Day) the North Bassett River Access will be hopping all day with a recreational water release (tentative) from  8 a.m. to 12 p.m.and the main event of Smith River Fest complete with live music from Montana Young, Dean Smith, Amy Stewart, Joe Washrag Band, and Presha Point; food from Chick-fil-A, Hammertime, Food For Fun, and Papa's Pizza, informative booths, FREE bicycle riding lessons from Activate M-HC, a canoe/kayak race, and Beginner Fun Floats. Drop your boats off at Philpott River Access, drive downstream to park and enjoy a FREE shuttle provided by Henry County Parks & Recreation.

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

Paul May, a DRBA member and volunteer, shared a photo with us from his weekend fishing float on the Smith River. This is one of two fish that he caught on the river. Great job Paul!