Beginners Bike Ride - Uptown Trail

When: Monday, September 14th at 5:30 p.m.

What: Beginner Ride on Uptown Trail - off of Depot Street in Uptown Martinsville

Who: Those wanting to learn how to ride or those wanting to brush up on their skills

Cost: Free

Join experienced cyclists as you learn riding techniques on the Uptown Spur Trail. If you need a bicycle or helmet, contact Barbara Thompson, Activate Bike Instructor at 276-638-2592 or Activate at 276-403-5087 at least the day before the event.

Sponsored by: Henry County Bike Club

"Friends" Improve the Fieldale Trail

The Smith River Trail System's Adopt-a-Trail program is really growing and becoming successful in helping to maintain the area trails. This month we have welcomed three new members to the program: Doug Foley- who adopted Jones Cliff Trail and Campbell & Lewis Pitzer who adopted Burgess Loop and River View Trails.

This past weekend, one of the teams "Friends of the Fieldale Trail" hosted a volunteer workday under the direction of Team Captain, Paula Wyatt.  The group was very productive and had a great time working. The trail team was joined by scouts from Boy Scout Troop 166 who were working on a conservation badge; they had a total of 16 volunteers walking on the trail! The group removed stumps from the newest extension of the trail and spruced up the trail surface where needed. The trail is in great shape thanks to their efforts!

Kneeling: Paula Wyatt with Molly; 2nd Row: Glenda Scott, Jason Ussery; 3rd Row: Andrew Hudson, Brian DeHart, Graves Anthony, Kolton Helbert, Tracy Kennett; 4th Row: Ronnie Tranthum, Chris Lovern, Tommy Wyatt, Jay Hudson, Randolph DeHart.

According to Paula, "everyone we met today was so appreciative of what has been done and were glad we were getting up the stumps." Now that the surface is even smoother than before, the trail will be ready for the upcoming SPCA's Furry Scurry 5K in October.

While working on the trail, the volunteers saw a wide variety of trail users including: two fishermen, two cyclists, two joggers, more than 20 walkers, and four walkers taking their canine companions on a stroll.

During the workday, the Trail Team also removed a log leaning onto another tree and cut a few low hanging canopy branches. The Friends of the Fieldale Trail volunteer group is certainly doing a wonderful job of keeping the Fieldale Trail safe for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Special thanks also to Henry County Parks and Recreation staff for keeping the trail shoulders mowed and removing trash.

Team member Nancy Kennett says, "I just want to give a big shout out to Paula as our team captain. She did a great job getting everything together, providing water and Gatorade for everyone and making sure walkers stayed out of the working areas for safety reasons. It was a big accomplishment and the Boy Scouts really helped us out. I know the pedestrians of the trail really appreciate all that was done. Thanks Paula, for taking on the role as our leader."

The Smith River Trail System's Adopt-a-Trail Program is a partnership between the Dan River Basin Association, Henry County Parks & Recreation, City of Eden Parks & Recreation, and Martinsville Leisure Services. If you would like to become an Adopt-a-Trail Volunteer, contact the AAT Volunteer Coordinator at 276-634-2545 or drba.va@danriver.org.

Do you need a walking buddy? If so...Stewart loves the Fieldale Trail!

One of our regular trail users at the Fieldale Trail, Dodie McKee, is looking for a good home for her canine friend Stewart, please take a moment to read their story. If you know of anyone who enjoys walking the area trails that would appreciate the company of a good walking buddy, please conact Dodie.

"Stewart was a stray dog that my friend and I found in Patrick County one bitter cold morning in February of this year. We took him to the shelter there and no one claimed him. We couldn't bear to see him put down, so we brought him home. About 5 months after I took him in; however, I had to go out on the road driving a truck. Although he rides very well and is extremely well behaved, this is no life for an intelligent, athletic dog like Stewart. He house trained immediately with no problems at all.  He also kennels well.  I love him so much, but I don't feel that he should be stuck in a truck with hardly any physical activity and nothing to occupy his mind.  I would love to find him a home with someone who will enjoy his special personality. He loves to go hiking and he could easily be trained to play ball or frisbee, etc.  I also think he has great potential for agility training.  Stewart is very loving and likes attention.  He's a clown and very fun to be with. He loves to ride in my car and doesn't bark and go crazy, etc. He is a house dog and is used to letting me sleep in "his" bed.  He is also used to playing in his fenced in back yard. Stewart is an american pit bull dog, and according to the vet, he is about 13 months old now. He has been neutered, all his shots are up to date, and he is on heartworm meds. and frontline. We have taken very good care of him. I really don't want to part with him, but he needs more than I can give him right now.  I want to do what is best for him. He would do best as an only dog with someone who is active and wants him to be a big part of their life. I would also suggest no children. I have not had him around any but he is very young, athletic and strong and i don't know how he would be around smaller kids. Please call dodie at 804-386-7600 or Debbie at 276-806-1797 for more info. if interested. You can see pics on my face book page also (look for dodie mckee). Thank you so much for your help. I know someone out there wants a companion to go out and enjoy the outdoors with. Stewart is just that and so much more!" -Dodie McKee

Paddlers Alert

I just heard an update from our friends at VDOT that work is now beginning on river right at the former Fieldale Iron Bridge site. If you are paddling between North Bassett and the Fieldale Access, please use extreme caution when passing though this work zone. Cofferdams have been installed on both sides of the river. To pass through, stay to river right of the old center pier and use caution.

VDOT and DRBA encourages everyone to stay safe on the river!

A Message from our President

The DRBA September 5 First Saturday Outing, paddling the Dan from the City of Eden's recently completed Draper Landing Access, hosted 98 paddlers and 77 boats. We had 56 people in single kayaks/canoes, 36 people in tandem kayaks/canoes and 6 people in triple passenger canoes. The day was perfect weather wise and water wise. A long list of DRBA volunteers deserve a BIG THANK YOU for making this day a success and enjoyable for everyone! Tremendous support from many hands and smiling faces made a bearable task of getting this record number outings group onto and off of the water safely and efficiently. We refer to our staff as Team DRBA, but that title also belongs to our general membership. Our volunteers stepped up and made this a very successful day.

Thank you Team DRBA!
Wayne Kirkpatrick, DRBA President

Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteers are needed for an upcoming DRBA activity at Eden's Riverfest on Saturday, September 19th.  Brian Williams will be hosting the casting clinic booth and teaching kids to cast between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The venue is spread out along the streets in downtown Leaksville and also includes a "River Village" at the Leaksville Landing on the Dan River. This is the location the Dan River Basin Association will be holding several activities including the famous "Tub-o-Bugs, iImpact art course and casting demos.

Last year, Brian and DRBA volunteer Darrin Doss held the casting clinics where they used a variety of rods and reels to allow youth and adults to try their hand at casting. In addition, they also had a couple of fly rods for folks that were interested in fly fishing but had never experienced casting a flyrod.  Last year DRBA helped over 100 kids and adults with casting practice at the event.

Basically here is the plan; Brian will bring about 15 rods, mostly baitcasters so the kids can try out casting

DRBA will have these at a table set up near the bridge at the Leaksville Landing. When people come up and want to know about fishing the local rivers, we provide them with info and if they would like to try casting we help them with that as well.

Please contact Brian if you are available to help during the day: bwilliams@danriver.org.

Here are some more details on the event: http://www.exploreedennc.com/riverfest.html

Tell Your Story

If you were around before or during the time Philpott Dam was built, Friends of Philpott would like to hear your story.

Be a part of the Philpott Lake Hertiage by letting the group record your story to be put into Documentary Film to share with local museums, schools, and visitors center at the dam overlook.
To Participate Contact:
Friends of Philpott, Inc.
P.O. Box 265
Ferrum, VA 24088

Phone: (276) 681-6805
E-mail: ldrage@comcast.net

http://www.friendsofphilpott.com/
Find us on http://www.facebook.com/

Contributed by: Linda Drage