Patrick County Historical
Society & Museum
hosts McAlexander
The Patrick County Historical Society & Museum will host author Aaron McAlexander at its annual membership meeting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Patrick Henry Community College in Stuart.
McAlexander was born and raised on a farm in Meadows of Dan, and has written four books related to his roots. Though moving away from the mountains after college, he maintained ties to the community along Rt. 58.
McAlexander’s latest book, “Greasy Bend,” recounts what it was like to grow up alongside “Virginia’s longest road.” He gives a history of Rt. 58, the route that connects Virginia Beach to Cumberland Gap in far Southwest Virginia.
McAlexander also details Patrick County’s unique position along that road. Those older than half a century remember Greasy Bend as one of the most dangerous stretches along Rt. 58. Many auto and truck wrecks occurred in this section of highway below Lovers’ Leap, a stretch known for hairpin turns and no guard rails in the early days of the narrow, two-lane road.
In “Greasy Bend,” McAlexander weaves humorous stories about moonshine whiskey, “ladies of the night,” and even haystacks.
McAlexander taught physics and astronomy at Queens University, UNC Charlotte, and at other North Carolina institutions. A member of Charlotte’s Writers Club, he splits his time between the Queen City and Meadows of Dan.
The Historical Society’s annual meeting is free and open to the public. McAlexander’s program will follow a brief business meeting at which a board of directors for 2017 will be elected.
