Charlie Poole Festival and Float

(Eden, NC) – The folks who come to the Fifteenth Anniversary Charlie Poole Music Festival, June 11-13, will have a surprise extra treat all ready for them. On Saturday morning they will have the opportunity to enjoy a float down a stretch of the beautiful unspoiled Smith and Dan Rivers, and still not miss any of the festival.
This special outing, beginning at 9 AM Saturday morning with transport from the Fairgrounds, has been arranged through the Dan River Basin Association. The Director, Katherine Mull, gives the following description of the event as planned:

Charlie Poole River Ramble

The Charlie Poole River Ramble, a leisurely two hour float, will be guided by Three Rivers Outfitters. The trip begins on the scenic Smith River, near the historic 1892 Spray Mercantile Building where paddlers will hear the stories of this once-thriving textile town.
Internationally renowned banjo musician Charlie Poole worked here at Spray Cotton Mills. In July 1925 Poole and his North Carolina Ramblers made their first recording with Columbia Records. Their record was a smash hit and sold an unheard of number, more than 100,000 copies.
Also nearby is the historic 1898 Nantucket Mill. Piedmont Folk Legacies and the National Banjo Initiative envision a new life for the mill as a National Banjo Center, museum, recording studio and performance venue.
After putting on the river at Spray Cotton Mills, paddlers will float under Island Ford Bridge near Spray Circle and past the new Island Ford Landing at Eden’s Smith River Greenway. About a mile downstream, after passing under the Kings Highway Bridge, paddlers will come upon a large rock formation on river left known as Bear Slide, a state Natural Heritage Area recognized for rare communities of wild flowers.
Paddlers can expect to see June wildflowers, water fowl and perhaps even Eden’s mascot, a river otter.
Past Bear Slide, where the Smith joins the Dan River, paddlers will turn upstream a short distance to view the impressive remains of the 1852 Leaksville Toll Bridge. After floating down to the nationally famous arched Mebane Bridge, paddlers will take out at the NC Wildlife Access on the Dan River where all will be shuttled back to the Charlie Poole Festival in time for lunch at the fairgrounds.
The Saturday morning expedition includes the boat rental and guide, transport to and from the Fairgrounds, a light breakfast, refreshments on the trip, and a voucher for lunch, all for $50 inclusive of the whole festival, Friday evening through Sunday morning. Space will be limited, so sign up early, on line, or just send your check to P.O. Box 867, Eden, NC 27289.
As usual, admission to the festival only is $15 for Friday evening or the Saturday afternoon and evening competition, or $25 for the whole weekend. Sunday morning activities are to be announced.
Basic camping is available, with bathrooms and showers, at a charge of $10 per night, $20 maximum, and campers will be welcome any time during the week preceding the festival. A group of 6 family and friends can get a weekend pass on line for $100, a substantial saving. Festival tickets and tickets for the River Ramble will be available on line, the latter to be limited in number– first come, first served.
A “Little Ramblers” children’s area, sponsored by Sheetz, will be another new addition. Food and other vendors will be on-site for the festival. Schedules and other information will be posted soon at www.charlie-poole.com. For further information call 336-623-1043.
This project receives support from the Rockingham County Arts Council and the NC Arts Council, an agency of the NC Department of Cultural Resources.

Seeking Volunteer Coordinator

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Do you have a passion for preserving and protecting local rivers, natural areas and cultural landscapes for future generations? The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is seeking a dedicated volunteer to fill our Volunteer Coordinator position. This position will allow the right candidate to make a significant difference across the region.

The Volunteer Coordinator will work with DRBA staff to enlist volunteers and coordinate the activities of other community volunteers across the Dan River region in NC and Virginia. While this is a volunteer position, DRBA is offering a monthly stipend to help compensate for the volunteer’s mileage, cell phone use, and meal expenses. The Volunteer Coordinator will have access to office space, including a computer and internet. This highly visible position is ideal for someone who enjoys working as part of a team and who seeks to establish a track record, build a network, and make a measurable difference for the Dan River region.

 Specific duties include working with the DRBA team to:

 Coordinate recruitment, screening and training of DRBA volunteers;

Provide encouragement, feedback and support to volunteers;

Track volunteer hours and periodically evaluate volunteer performance;

Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with volunteers to foster teamwork;

Schedule volunteers for activities such as festivals, stream monitoring, children’s environmental education programs, and more;

Help coordinate and otherwise assist in media relations, including press releases.

Qualifications include:

Enjoy working with and motivating people of all ages

Interest in DRBA’s work in recreation, education and stewardship

Demonstrated leadership skills, enthusiasm and ability to inspire others;

Positive attitude and successful experience in working with people of all demographic groups;

Demonstrated team player, with commitment to the mission and values of the Dan River Basin Association;

Experience in Microsoft Office, Excel, internet and e-mail;

Valid driver’s license, ability to travel and volunteer during evenings and weekends as needed.

To Apply

Please e-mail letter of interest, three references and resume to drba.nc@danriver.org.

DRBA's Recreational Gear Swap

April  10, 2010
DRBA's Recreational Gear Swap
Need some more room in your garage for more gear ? Got extra room for gear and you need to fill it up ? Then come on out this Saturday, April 10th to the Dan River Basin Associations 2nd annual gear swap and get prepped for the season.  This years event will be held at  from 10 am...till the gear is gone, at the Indian Heritage RV Park & Campground (Tensbury Drive. Martinsville) This is the location of the South Martinsville canoe access on the Smith River just below Martinsville Dam.  Bring your outdoor gear,canoes, kayaks, bicycles, camping gear, fishing supplies, and more! Buy, sell , trade.   Admission is free. The Gear Swap is a great way to pick up used gear for a bargain or sell gear you are ready to part with. Meet other paddlers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. Come meet new friends, trade stories, and get a good deal on used equipment at DRBA’s Gear Swap! For more information contact the Dan River Basin Association at 276-634-2592 or bwilliams@danriver.org

Dick and Wille Passage Groundbreaking

Come out and celebrate with the Henry County Administration staff, DRBA representatives and Congressman Rick Boucher for groundbreaking on Martinsville / Henry County's latest trail,
the "Dick and Willie Passage."

The event will occur Wednesday, March 31, at 2 p.m. near the former Martinsville-Henry County Rescue Squad building on Hooker Street in the City of Martinsville. We will park there and take a short walk onto the trail.  Congressman Rick Boucher will be the keynote speaker.

Friends Begin Clean-up of Fieldale Trail

The “Friends of the Fieldale Trail” took to the trail on Sunday March 7, 2010 to begin the clean-up work of removing debris and repairing damage from the December flood events.
The Fieldale Trail sustained some damage due to high water which caused  mud deposition in low lying areas, debris accumulation and some split rail fence just plain disappearing downstream!

The heavy snowfall of the last two months has kept the trail blanketed and wet so repair work had to be postponed.  The high water brought all manner of debris to the trial from sticks, lumber, plastic and assorted trash and lots of mud.

The recent warming trend has melted the snow and allowed the mud deposited by the floods to dry out a bit and so the trail can now be accessed for some initial clean-up work.  Saturday and Sunday saw large crowds of people out on the trail, desperate for some outdoor activity after all this cold weather which has created an almost permanent state of cabin fever in our region.  Walkers, bikers, and fisherman were out in force on this Henry County favorite all weekend.

The Friends of the Fieldale Trail Group (FFT ) had an impromptu Sunday clean-up and ended up removing a truck load of trash, approx. 12 bags and numerous other articles from the trail and along the river bank. They removed limbs and sticks; and gathered some fencing into piles. A big thank you to Tracy Kennett for gathering most of the fencing that had been strewn along the trail.  They also reinstalled fencing along parts of the trail.

The group worked on the blue bird houses to prepping them for the blue birds which will start nesting late March to early April.  While on the trail, the group got a chance to engage in other hikers out enjoying the day and had some nice comments from people thanking them for all  they do to help maintain the trail.
They also had several people provide them with phone numbers to call for volunteers when they have the next work day

 Front row, left to right - Nancy Kennett and Molly the lab
Back row from left to right: Tracy Kennett, Tommy Wyatt, Cecil Holt, Joan Ragland, Frances Holt, Paula Wyatt

A big huge thank you to all Adopt-a-Trail Volunteers and special thank you to the
Friends of the Fieldale Trail, you guys rock !

Rivers and Bugs --oh my!

Everyone is invited attend the first “Rivers and Bugs Summit” on March 13 at Moral Hill Baptist Church in Axton, Virginia (just barely east of Martinsville city limits.) The $5 registration includes: light breakfast, a catered lunch by Governor, Gwendolyn & Christine Catering, and free raffle tickets for prizes such as fishing gear, a fly-fishing lesson with Brian Williams, and DRBA canvas tote bag filled with goodies.

There is something for everyone at the summit! Speakers and session leaders include: a panel discussion with a diverse group of local church and temple leaders who are spearheading various faith-based responses to environmental issues. The panel will be moderated by Linda Drage, President, Friends of Philpott.

Minnie Moore, an educator in Patrick County, will lead a session on her work with school children and organic gardening. She started an organic garden on four blighted city lots in St. Louis during her decades-long tenure at an inner city school. Most recently, she established an organic garden with students at Patrick Springs Elementary School.

Jenny Hochstein, Director of the Halifax Improvement Council and co-owner of Pick-A-Pine, will illustrate the sustainable practices she employs on her Christmas tree farm. She will discuss the challenges and opportunities to expand sustainable living practices in Southern Virginia that reduce costs and protect water quality and wildlife habitat.

Lynn Pritchett, Master Naturalist, will introduce participants to the fundamentals of the Global Positioning Systems. This is a great session for anyone who has been curious about how GPS works, what it can do for you, and how to use it—but have been too afraid to ask.

Mary Lawson, Biologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will discuss Aldo Leopold’s moral and philosophical reasons for a harmonious relationship with the natural world and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ changing attitudes toward environmental stewardship.

Wayne Kirkpatrick, DRBA President is known across the basin for his famous “Tub O’ Bugs” exhibit that introduces people of all ages to the wonders of the macro-invertebrate life in the creeks. For the first time, Wayne is leading a session on how to build your own Tub O‘Bugs for your festivals, classrooms, library programs—anywhere you want to thrill people with hands on experience with the bug life that sustains our river ecology.

Marty Bullins, Master Naturalist, will demonstrate his unique "Recycle Derby game—how he build it and how he educates watershed dwellers (that‘s all of us) on the what, when and how of recycling.

Jenny Edwards, DRBA staff, will demonstrate the “Bottle Bloom” project that engages youth in learning about watersheds and the environmental impact of litter by creating art from recycled plastic bottles. To date, more than 250 children have contributed to the bottle bloom project.

The Rivers and Bugs Summit begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 2:00 p.m. on March 13 at Moral Hill Baptist Church at 50 Moral Hill Drive in Axton, Virginia. In order to give all the participants a high quality experience and a chance to fully engage in the sessions, registration is limited. “We encourage anyone interested in environmental education or healthy rivers to come out,” says Jenny Edwards, DRBA staff.

Contact Regenia Manns at (276) 634-2591 or rmanns@danriver.org or Jenny Edwards at (276) 340-2462 or jedwards@danriver.org to reserve space.

Teachers and students are eligible to have the registration fee waived, but still need to reserve a space. Registration deadline is March 11, and everyone is encouraged to register early.

The event is made possible with support from the Virginia Environmental Endowment, The Harvest Foundation, Moral Hill Baptist Church, and DRBA members.

DRBA's Annual Celebration, 9:30 on Saturday, March 6 in Historic Caswell Courthouse

DRBA's Annual Membership Celebration will be held at 9:30 on Saturday, March 6 in the historic Caswell County Courthouse in Yanceyville, NC. After refreshments and time to view displays, the short business session will include recognition of exceptional volunteer service, election of board members, and reports from DRBA's staff on activities in Virginia and North Carolina. 

Featured speaker is "William Clark" of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, as portrayed by Craig (Rocky) Rockwell of Bassett, VA. For over a decade Rockwell, Operations Project Manager at Philpott Reservoir, has depicted William Clark, who became a brigadier general and played a major role in shaping the young United States in the early nineteenth century. Among the audiences for his portrayal has been the U. S. Congress in the nation's Capitol Building.

The setting for the celebration is the beautifully restored 19th century courthouse, completed in 1861 and described as one of the finest Victorian courthouses in NC. The building combines Italian Renaissance and Classical Revival features, including an arcade with pilasters whose capitals depict ears of corn and tobacco leaves.

Following the meeting and lunch at a local restaurant of the participant's choosing, two choices will offer introductions to DRBA's Caswell Heritage Trails project. One option is a moderate to strenuous hike on a proposed trail connecting Dillard Middle School and Sunvale Apartments, led by Forrest Altman. According to Altman, "This route along a sewer easement is very scenic, through deciduous forest, with views of a pretty creek. It has significant changes in elevation and will require less than an hour to hike--if the group is small and everyone is in good shape." 

For those who prefer a less challenging afternoon, Chad Hall will guide a stroll on the project's first pilot trail, the Stream Walk Trail at the Caswell Senior Center. "We'll conclude this walk with a look at the proposed mountain biking trail nearby," he adds.

Participants in either walk are asked to wear hiking boots or walking shoes, dress in layers, and bring water to drink.

Directions: The courthouse is located at 144 Courthouse Square, Yanceyville, NC (36°24'11" N   79°20'10" W). The square in front of the Courthouse functions as a one-way counter-clockwise traffic circle, making all left turns. Parking is located on-street on the Courthouse side of the square, along Court Street, which the Courthouse is on, and behind the Courthouse.

From Danville, take Hwy 86 south. At Yanceyville US 158 joins Hwy 86 at the first traffic signal. Continue to the next traffic light, and turn right onto State Road 1589, (North Street). Continue for ¼ mile. The Courthouse is on the right across the square.

From South Boston, take US 58 west. At a traffic signal, turn left onto Hwy 62 south (Milton Highway). Continue for 17 miles on Hwy 62. At Yanceyville, continue straight on State road 1163 (Main Street). The Courthouse is on the left once you reach the square.

From the east, take US 158 west. Continue on NC 62 south. Continue straight on State Road 1163 (Main Street). The Courthouse is on the left once you reach the square.

From the south, take NC 62 north. Turn left onto State Road 1163 (Main Street). The Courthouse is on the left once you reach the square.
From the west, take US 158 east. Turn right at the first traffic light, joining Hwy 86 south. Continue to the next traffic light, and turn right onto State Road 1589, (North Street). Continue for ¼ mile. The Courthouse is on the right across the square.

Further information: T Butler, 336-349-5727 or members@danriver.org