WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008
STUART, VA
Children participating in the winding of the Maypole at the Reynolds Homestead's Spring Frolic Saturday are shown really "frolicking" as they happily unwind the ribbons. (Photos by Linda Hylton)
Skateboad Park event Thursday
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors and the Patrick County Recreation Commission are pleased to announce the ground-breaking for the new skateboard park at DeHart Park, according to a news release from the board of supervisors.
The ground-breaking will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, at the site on the upper level of the park, and the public is cordially invited to attend.
"This wonderful park is being funded by private donations and is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our citizens to provide quality recreational opportunities for our youth," the news release states.
"The board of supervisors commends our recreation director, Mr. Clyde Crissman, for his tireless efforts on this and other recreation projects that are so important to our county and the welfare of its citizens," the release says.
"The board also expresses its deep appreciation for the general contributions from Mr. Fulton Clark, Dr. Lock Boyce, and Ms. Joanne Hill," the release states. "So, come join us in the celebration of this project that reflects the spirit and energy that makes Patrick County a special place to live."
Agriculture Day to be held Friday at DeHart Park
Patrick County Agriculture and Natural Resources will be showcased at DeHart Park in Stuart on Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Exhibits will include Native American history, beekeeping, forestry, wildlife, livestock, water and soil quality, seed planting, farm equipment safety, and a sheep shearing demonstration at noon.
Agriculture still plays a vital role in the local economy with purchases and sales that range from seed, fertilizer, livestock, milk and farm equipment. In addition to "traditional" agriculture such as livestock, dairy, tobacco, corn, vegetables and wheat, farmers are expanding crops grown and "branching out" in response to the growing interest in locally grown livestock, fruits, vegetables, soaps, herbs, fiber and flowers.
Exhibits at Agriculture Day will prove to be educational as well as offering a fun-filled day for everyone that attends. The event is open to the public.
The Agriculture Day is sponsored by the following agencies: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS), Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District (PSWCD), Patrick County Farm Bureau, Department of Forestry and Department of Wildlife and Inland Fisheries.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Rotary Field.
Friends of the library to host author
The Friends of the Blue Ridge Regional Library will host guest author Paul Johnson at 11 a.m., Monday, May 12, at the Martinsville Branch Library, 310 E. Church Street.
Johnson is a retired director of Halifax Regional Library. He grew up in Bertie County, N.C., listening to family lore and local tales. During his research for Pell Mellers: Race and Memory in a Carolina Pocosin he discovered an old Union uniform belonging to a relative, plus more surprises about the Union and Bertie County.
His research turned to possible Indian ancestry and here he discovered there were no records of Indians, but in the Colonial 1790 census records, there were a few references to "free mulattos", whom would have been considered white. So to answer the question of Indian vs. mulatto, Johnson turned to DNA testing, with surprising results.
The public is invited to attend.
The new Wendy's Restaurant in Stuart will open Wednesday, May 14 at 6 a.m., according to Tom Bishop, executive director of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 13.
Elementary school menus
BREAKFAST: Monday: Pop Tart, fruit juice (apple, grape, orange, pineapple), milk; Tuesday: Belgian waffle, fruit, milk; Wednesday: peanut butter graham cracker, fruit juice, milk; Thursday: manager's choice; Friday: biscuit and gravy, fruit juice, milk.
Cereal and toast are also offered daily.
LUNCH: Monday: manager's choice; Tuesday: chuckwagon on bun or chicken fillet on bun, lettuce, pickle strip, baked potato wedges, fruit, milk; Wednesday: manager's choice; Thursday: taco salad or beef and cheese nachos, salsa, lettuce, tomato, rice, fruit, milk; Friday: manager's choice.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chef's salads are also available daily.
Stuart UMC to hold Memorial Day service at DeHart Park
Stuart United Methodist Church will have its worship service at DeHart Park on Sunday, May 25 at 11 a.m. near the gazebo at the park. A covered dish luncheon will follow at the park's large picnic shelter.
The service will honor those who are on active duty and veterans and their families as well as memorialize those who gave their lives for their country.
Those attending are asked to bring a lawn chair and a covered dish.
Rev. Tom Shepherd, pastor of the church, invites the public to attend this special service, and to take time to come together and remember and honor those who have served and are in service to our country
For more information, call Stuart United Methodist Church at 694-3322.
The dignified alpacas were a popular attraction at the Spring Frolic.
Charlotte Gardner displays one of many colorful quilts made by the Homestead Quilters.