DIGGING THIS EDUCATIONAL GEM Natural History Museum’s annual programs excel NIRVANA FOR NATURE LOVERS Beauty abounds along rivers and trails At the Art of It All Southern Virginia Artisan Center provides creative outlet Uptown MARTINSVILLE- HENRY COUNTY VIRGINIA Video of artists at work at Piedmont Arts Studio 107 What’s Online s e s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s e e e e e e e e e e e e SPONSORED BY THE MARTINSVILLE-HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2010 | IMAGESMARTINSVILLEHENRYCOUNTY.COM ® Click the top corners of the magazine to turn pages
Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in south-central Virginia adjacent to the border with North Carolina, the Martinsville and Henry County area offers a high quality of life at a low cost of living, with affordable real estate, quality parks and a tradition of arts excellence. The city and county combined population is approximately 71,000, and the residents here are best known for their spirit of cooperation and innovation to meet shared needs. Collaborations between business, education and cultural institutions have led to many programs to improve academic enrichment, health and fitness initiatives and arts awareness.
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DIGGING THIS EDUCATIONAL GEMNatural History Museum’s annual programs excel
NIRVANA FOR NATURE LOVERSBeauty abounds along rivers and trails
At the Art of It AllSouthern Virginia Artisan Center provides creative outlet Uptown
MARTINSVILLE-HENRY COUNTY
VIRGINIA
Video of artists at work at
Piedmont Arts Studio 107
What’s Online
sessssssssssssssss eeeeeeeeeeee
SPONSORED BY THE MARTINSVILLE-HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2010 | IMAGESMARTINSVILLEHENRYCOUNTY.COM
®
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LOCAL FLAVORFrom the simple to the sublime, the delicious offerings here are guaranteed to satisfy every appetite.
Martinsville-Henry County gives readers a taste of what makes Martinsville-Henry County tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.
“Find the good – and praise it.” – Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder
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Start Your EnginesThe revved-up racing industry thrives like
a well-oiled machine in Martinsville-Henry County. The area benefits from the presence of Arrington Engines, HT Motorsports and a motorsports degree program at Patrick Henry Community College. Then of course, there’s Martinsville Speedway, which has been hosting NASCAR races since 1949. Today, it hosts two annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events.
NASCAR driver and race team owner Kevin Harvick has declared Martinsville Speedway the home track of Kevin Harvick Inc. due to the
track’s proximity to his race shop in Kernersville, N.C.
Promoting Healthy HabitsSince 2004, the Martinsville-Henry County Coalition
for Health and Wellness has embarked on a mission to
promote healthy lifestyles for the community. Through
events such as the Walk to Jamestown initiative, Rails to
Trails and free aerobics classes, the coalition aspires to
encourage local people to adopt healthy behaviors and
to minimize health risks. Activate Martinsville-Henry
County, a branch of the Coalition for Health and
Wellness, endeavors to provide Martinsville-Henry
County with abundant opportunities to participate in
healthy activities. Thanks to funding from the Harvest
Foundation, the promotion of community health and
wellness is a well-supported endeavor.
Nurturing Nonprofi tsIf Martinsville-Henry County’s community of
organizations were a garden, then the Nonprofit Leaders
Network would be the rain that helps it bloom. The NLN
is an initiative designed to ensure the local nonprofit sector
is adequately sustained and nourished by making available
training, material resources, technical assistance and
networking opportunities. Through a generous grant from
The Harvest Foundation, the NLN is able to help nonprofits
build capacity. This network is administered through the
United Way of Henry County and Martinsville, which
provided funding for 22 agencies in 2008.
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Fast Facts During each school
year, the Martinsville-Henry County After 3 Initiative provides area children with educational programming five days a week.
The Reynolds Homestead in Critz showcases how Hardin Reynolds and his family lived. He was a 19th century farmer, merchant, baker and tobacco manufacturer.
Martinsville-Henry County’s Blue Ridge Aquaculture is the world’s largest indoor producer of tilapia.
Local artist Nicodemus D. Hufford was the creator of the Quaker Oaks man, Aunt Jemima and many other famous advertising images.
The Foot of the Hills Fest at Patrick Henry Community College each October features live music, arts and crafts, food and fun.
Finding Branches in the Family Tree
What glory graces your family
tree? Is there a daughter of the
Revolution? Or perhaps a Civil War
veteran? Those wishing to unveil
these faces of the past can do so
through the Bassett Historical
Center. The BHC, a center for
genealogical study, houses more
than 9,500 family files and 11,000
genealogy books. People from all
over the United States – and a few
foreign countries – visit to peruse
the pages in hopes of discovering
facts about their family’s history.
At the Art of It All
Martinsville and Henry County
artists now have a central place
to share their contributions to the
vibrant local creative scene thanks
to the Southern Virginia Artisan
Center. The center in Uptown
Martinsville provides a place for
regional artists to showcase and
sell their work. Customers behold
the shelves of the center’s eclectic
art collection and walk away with
beautiful pieces such as ceramics,
oil paintings, handmade jewelry,
glass vases, handwoven baskets
and more. Through the center,
local artists get an outlet for their
creativity, residents get to partake
in Virginia’s rich artistic culture,
and visitors get to take home
a product of inspiration.
nt many s images.
ot of the t at Patrick
Community e each
ber features music, arts crafts,
od and fun.
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FOR MORE INFORMATIONMartinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce115 Broad St.Martinsville, VA 24112Phone: (276) 632-6401Fax: (276) 632-5059www.martinsville.com
Martinsville-Henry County At A Glance
What’s Online eTake a virtual tour of Martinsville-Henry County, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesmartinsvillehenrycounty.com.
Martinsville-Henry Co.
More Than Pet FishEver hear of children having trout as the classroom pets? That’s
the case with the Trout in the Classroom Project. Thanks to the
program, which was started locally by Dr. David Jones in 2005-06,
local students raise trout from eggs to fingerlings before eventually
releasing them into the wild. Teachers hail the program as a wonderful
opportunity for urbanized students to reconnect with nature.
By increasing their knowledge of waterways, streams and rivers,
students experience the beauty of nature as well understand
the importance of water conservation and ecosystems.
Nothing but Love for Martinsville
Think of the aptly named
Community Pride Committee
as the cheerleader who rallies
excitement during a football
game, the teacher who encourages
a student to put his best foot
forward, or the father who proudly
shows family pictures every
chance he gets. The Community
Pride Committee promotes
positive initiatives, fundraisers and
events throughout the community
and encourages citizens to love
their hometown. The committee’s
semi-annual magazine, Limelight, highlights these community
initiatives and informs about
events such as the volunteer-
led community litter pick-up.
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T hose who are looking to get away from it all in Martinsville-Henry County don’t have to look very far.
From picturesque rivers to numerous hiking and biking trails, this is an area where the outdoors are indeed great, and recreational activities can be discovered in every direction.
“There’s so much natural beauty found here right in our own backyard,” says Jennifer Doss, rivers and trails project manager for the Dan River Basin Association. “It’s really nice that you don’t have to drive long distances to take a walk in the woods or a paddle trip
down the river. It’s easy to go after work or on weekends to enjoy nature. We’re really fortunate to have this beauty right here with us.”
Rolling through the heart of Martinsville-Henry County is the Smith River. The upper part of the river, near Philpott Dam, churns past wooded mountains and offers a feeling of seclusion. The lower part of the river, near the town of Ridgeway, is more open and wide and similar to the expansive rivers found in the western U.S.
“There are so many different feels to it that in one day’s time, you can go to several different sections of the river and
feel like you’ve been in completely different locations,” Doss says.
The river provides the spine of the growing Smith River Trails system, which includes multiuse trails, boating access and recreational parks. Doss says approximately 12 miles of the trail will be completed by 2010, with a long-term goal of expanding to 45 miles, running from Philpott Dam to Eden, N.C.
The jewel of the trail is the Richard P. Gravely Jr. Nature Preserve near Ridgeway. This 75-acre preserve is Henry Country’s only interpretative park, allowing visitors to learn about the history of the area while also
BEAUTY ABOUNDS ALONG THE RIVERS AND TRAILS OF MARTINSVILLE-HENRY COUNTY
STORY BY CARY ESTES
Left: A family enjoys paddling and fishing on Philpott Reservoir. Above: A turtle at Gravely Nature Preserve
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enjoying the scenery. There are two miles of trails in the preserve, including a half-mile section opened in 2008 called the Rhododendron Trail that runs alongside the river.
One of the most popular parts of the Smith River Trails system is the Fieldale Trail, which consists of a 1-mile gravel walking trail and a 1-mile natural-surface trail, making it attractive to both hikers and bikers. With the river on one side and wildflowers and huge sycamore trees on the other, the trail also is frequented by photographers and bird watchers.
Back to the northwest of Martinsville, near Philpott Dam, is Fairy Stone State Park, which is the largest of Virginia’s six original state parks. The 4,537-acre park includes a 168-acre lake as well as camping and hiking opportunities. But the park is perhaps best known for its fairy stones, lovely brown staurolite crystals that were compressed into shapes resembling crosses and can be found in abundance throughout the park grounds.
“It’s one of the few places on earth where that type of rock formation is found,” Doss says. “It’s a really beautiful place.”
Nearby is Jamison Mill Park, which reopened in 2009 with help from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Friends of Philpott organization. The groups restored the park, built trails and opened the boat ramp.
“Having all this regional activity is so important,” Doss says. “It allows for tourists to come in and have something to do, but it also provides quality of life for our residents.”
“We’re really fortunate to have this
beauty right here with us.”
Above: Members of the Henry County Bike Club break the ribbon
for the Fieldale Trail’s extension.Below and far right: The Gravely Nature Preserve has two miles of
wooded trail on its 75 acres.
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RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM PROGRAMMING AT VIRGINIA
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
EducationalGem
Digging This
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W hat would happen if people turned off their televisions, put away their electronic devices and went outside to explore the natural world around them? Through
programming offered by the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville, more people are finding out. They’re developing a stronger desire to be environmental stewards while also learning lots of cool stuff – like how many and what kinds of trees grow in J. Frank Wilson Memorial Park behind the museum, or how to plant a butterfly garden, says Dr. Dennis Casey, VMNH director of education and public programming.
The tree inventory and butterfly garden are part of the Martinsville-Henry County Community Nature Initiative that the Virginia Museum of Natural History is implementing
with a grant from the Harvest Foundation.“We’re in year two of the Community Nature Initiative,
and we’ll be doing a lot more with outdoor programming,” Casey says. “Getting outside and into nature is a big movement in education, and it will be a major emphasis for us in the coming year.”
The museum’s outdoor thrust includes teacher training and curriculum development, as well as Earth Force, a program that encourages community members to identify and take action on issues that will affect positive environmental change.
The Community Nature Initiative is just one of many educational programs of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
“We have educational programs for visitors of all
STORY BY CAROL COWANPHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO
The Virginia Museum of Natural History’s spectacular exhibits have made it a key tourism draw, and residents also benefit from its year-round educational programs and community involvement.
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What’s Online eTake a peek inside Virginia Museum of Natural History in this quick video at imagesmartinsvillehenrycounty.com.
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ages – kids, adults and families – both on site and through outreach,” says Ryan Barber, director of marketing and external affairs.
Doodle Bugs, a favorite among local families with preschoolers, explores themes from dinosaurs to space. The Special Saturdays program offers hands-on activities for families, and Family Fun Fridays features learning experiences coordinated with local partner organizations, such as the Dan River Basin Association.
“They might do a program focused on care of the river, water quality, things like that,” Barber says of the DRBA programming.
MHC After 3 is an after-school alternative for middle school students that takes place at several different sites in the area. The Virginia Museum of Natural History is the academic service provider for the program, as well as one of the sites. Thanks to funding by the Harvest Foundation, participation is free.
“It’s really exciting to be part of MHC After 3,” Casey says. “This is a great communitywide collaboration that provides kids with positive choices for after school. Kids come every day, and we do a variety of things focused on whole-child development.”
For instance, After-School Math Plus includes a music module in which students build an instrument and learn to read music, all the while integrating fractions and other math
skills. In the Built Communities program, they design and build a model city while learning about architecture, civics and engineering. Other topics range from cyber-safety to dealing with bullies. Also for youngsters, 18 different summer day camps encourage budding scientists, and PTO-funded outreach programs in area schools compensate for those field trips that recession-pinched budgets have put on hold, Casey says. All school programs are coordinated to Virginia and North Carolina Standards of Learning.
Tens of thousands of visitors tour the Virginia Museum of Natural History each year. Its new $28 million, 89,000-square-foot facility opened in March 2007 and features more than 22 million items and a slate of changing exhibits and programs.
Virginia Museum of Natural History exhibits include a simulated volcano and native plant specimens.
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More Than a Hill of BeansUPTOWN MARTINSVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET OFFERS FRESH VEGGIES AND MUCH MORE
Out of arugula and rutabagas? The Uptown Martinsville Farmers’ Market has
been helping fill crisper bins in Henry County since the late 1970s. The market has been housed at its current site on West Main Street since 1999. The hours of operation for the market are Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The indoor/outdoor attraction is open 12 months a year.
Even though the city of Martinsville constructed the facility more than 10 years ago for farmers and market-goers, the site is still receiving rave reviews for its amenities, cleanliness, convenience and efficiency. While many markets consist of rows of small tents, this market has water, electricity and restrooms, plus there is a performance stage for producing a variety of entertainment events.
Those events include monthly Tasty Saturday get-togethers that showcase live music, a chef-of-the-month demonstration and craft artisans from the Patrick Henry
Community College Artisan Center. The Tasty Saturday festivities make the market one of Martinsville’s hottest spots on the weekends.
The Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association oversees the entertainment events as well as all other activities affiliated with the market.
The summertime months feature the freshest pears, peas, spinach and dry beans, while fall is the best time to buy carrots and collards. Strawberries are plentiful during the winter and spring, the latter season also ideal for shoppers looking for beets, broccoli, dried herbs and medicinal herbs.
Meanwhile, there are also plenty of year-round products such as onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, fish and other seafood, pork, eggs, baked goods, bread, honey, preserves, soap and bedding plants. Non-edible items for sale throughout most of the year include fresh-cut f lowers and beeswax.
– Kevin Litwin
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Local Flavor
Chemical Solutions Inc.
Water is Our Business
Industrial Water Management
Contact us on the Web at www.chemicalsolutionsofva.com
Mary Jordan is the president of the Spencer-Penn School Preservation Organization in Spencer.
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The restoration of the entire landmark has resulted in the grand opening of Spencer-Penn Centre, which now serves as a community events destination. The center may be rented as a site for wedding receptions, banquets, dinner theater, classes, specialty shops, antique sales, exercise areas and sporting events.
The centerpiece of Spencer-Penn
Centre is an auditorium that can seat 170 people. An adjoining classroom can be used to serve appetizers for a variety of events, while another adjoining classroom can be used as a caterer’s kitchen – complete with warming oven, refrigerator, sink and counter space.
A stage is also present in the auditorium, and one classroom adjoining the stage can be used as a dressing room for performers.
The Henry County School Board closed Spencer-Penn Elementary
at the end of June 2004 as part of the process of consolidating schools in the county, but it wasn’t long before the doors were open once more. For the first time since Spencer-Penn opened in 1927, students were no longer being educated in the building. However, many people in the community have great memories of Spencer-Penn, and they didn’t want the building to eventually be bulldozed, as has happened to so many other historic schools throughout the nation.
So to make sure that this didn’t occur, a Spencer-Penn School Preservation Organization was formed in August 2004 to obtain the property and develop plans for its future use. The group purchased the main school building and an adjacent cottage and 8 acres of land in November 2004.
The group’s next order of business was to nominate the Spencer-Penn building for placement on the Virginia Register of Historic Landmarks. That effort was successful in March 2005, which allowed the organization to become eligible for state grants that went toward renovation of the historic structure.
In 2009, the Spencer-Penn building
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Giving It the Old-School Try
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Shape up, Martinsville-Henry County – and the Healthy
Community Challenge is a way to accomplish it.
The inaugural Healthy Community Challenge was a 12-week health and fitness regimen that took place from May 1-July 31, 2009, as part of a health and wellness initiative introduced by a number of local organizations. Those organizations included the YMCA, Martinsville Henry County Coalition
for Health and Wellness, Henry County Parks and Recreation, the City of Martinsville and Activate Martinsville-Henry County.
“Participants were issued a bingo card in order to keep track of specific activities as they completed them,” says Brad Kinkema, executive director of Martinsville YMCA. “The program culminated in a grand prize drawing, with the winner receiving a trip to Myrtle Beach for a family of four.”
Participants registered for the challenge by picking up one of three different activity bingo cards, and each time a bingo card was completed, participants earned a small prize. Completions of bingo cards got participants that much closer to the grand prize.
“The challenges were not too difficult,” Kinkema says. “For example, one of them was walking three times around Jack E. Dalton Park in Collinsville, which would be a total of 1.8 miles. Another challenge was to walk around Uptown Martinsville for an hour.”
The 12-week Challenge was created in an effort to get the community active and healthy, and was open to residents of all ages. Residents had the option of participating as an individual or as a team member, with all of the emphasis being on participation and fun.
“The Challenge took into consideration that not everyone is on the same fitness level,” Kinkema says. “It was designed in such a way that people could choose the activities that best fit them. About 350 people participated, and we hope to host the Healthy Community Challenge once again in 2010.”
Since 1924, Hooker Furniture has sought to enrich lives in the local community. Through our innovative home furnishings of exceptional value, we want to make a positive difference to all stakeholders. Those stakeholders include customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and the special group of people who make up the Martinsville/Henry County community.
Enriching the lives of the people we touch
w w w . h o o k e r f u r n i t u r e . c o mThe Purple Cow and Zoo in
Ridgeway is a restaurant, ice cream parlor and zoo all in one.
Take a Sweet Safari
You’d like an ice cream cone with two scoops? Sure! Would you like
a side of kangaroo viewing with that? Purple Cow Dairy & Zoo is a restaurant, ice cream parlor and zoo all in one, located on Morehead Avenue in Ridgeway. Owners James and Vanessa McGivern operate the business, which often is filled with surprises.
The restaurant serves food like barbecue pork sandwiches, steak hoagies and pizza. Meanwhile, the ice cream parlor is stocked with 25 flavors of Hershey ice cream that is served on cones, as milkshakes or in banana splits and other desserts.
Visitors also will enjoy shopping at the gift shop, which features a variety of collectibles from throughout the region.
But perhaps what Purple Cow Dairy & Zoo is best known for is the last part of its name – the zoo. After customers have enjoyed a meal or are finishing up sweet treats, they can wander outside onto the property and visit some of the animals that live there.
Among the featured creatures are kangaroos, camels. peacocks and ostriches. Interacting with and even feeding the animals is encouraged.
Thanks to the unusual combination of attractions there, the business also has become a popular spot for birthday parties.
– Stories by Kevin Litwin
What’s Online eTake a peek around the Purple Cow Dairy & Zoo in this quick video at imagesmartinsvillehenrycounty.com.
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Business
M artinsville was once known as the world’s largest wood furniture manufacturer. That
heritage dates all the way back to the late 19th century, and the industry has employed thousands of workers who ultimately became skilled craftsmen.
But then came globalization, and those local jobs eventually dried up beginning in the late 20th century.
Now, Martinsville realizes that it must build anew and think creatively while doing it.
“After the Civil War, Martinsville didn’t sit back and wait for an influx of outside capital and labor to rebuild. It simply got creative and began cultivating agricultural, homegrown and entrepreneurial businesses, and became a dynamic part of the New South,” says Debbie Robinson, former director of tourism for the Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corp. “That’s what we’re going to do again and use part of our heritage to accomplish it.”
Robinson says Martinsville is now shifting its economic emphasis somewhat to tourism to promote the attractions and amenities that this part of southwestern Virginia has to offer. And to do that, enter the furniture industry again.
“Martinsville has opened a furniture outlet cluster in the Uptown area, which is actually our downtown,” she says. “We are going to profit upon our furniture legacy by carving a new retail direction, specifically clustering a collection of outlets and décor showrooms along Main Street
and Church Street.”The development is being marketed
as Southern Virginia’s total home solution, offering retailers with products to meet every need for furnishing and decorating a home. Some of the stores offer full lines of furniture products with famed brand names such as Bassett, Hooker, Lane and Stanley,
and specific companies that have agreed to be tenants in the district include Century Furniture, KAS Oriental Rugs, LeatherTrend and Taylor King.
The high quality and large variety of furniture and home décor products at are expected to attract thousands of regional, weekend and local shoppers to Uptown Martinsville each year.
To ensure that happens, local economic development officials are working to spread the word that Martinsville is a top destination once again for customers looking for high-quality furniture at outlet prices.
Besides shopping opportunities
galore, there’s also a quirky, yet very relevant, attraction awaiting visitors to the new furniture cluster.
In a respectful nod to Martinsville’s past, the statue known as The Big Chair was installed in September 2009 at Uptown Heritage Park, which is located across from Martin Plaza.
The Big Chair was transported across the country in 2002 as a promotion to raise awareness of Bassett’s 100-year anniversary. The chair is 25 feet tall and weighs 5,000 pounds, and was built by many local craftsmen who were once employed in the furniture industry.
“The city has created a furniture outlet
cluster in the Uptown area in hopes
of profi ting upon its furniture legacy
while carving a new retail direction.”
UPTOWN FURNITURE OUTLET TAKES SHAPE
STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT
The old Globman’s building, now Martin Plaza, houses a new furniture and home decor outlet aimed at drawing shoppers from throughout the region.
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Biz BriefsBUSINESSES – BOTH LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE
MARTINSVILLE AND HENRY COUNTY’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE
MARTINSVILLE MEMORIAL HOSPITALBiz: hospitalBuzz: Martinsville Memorial Hospital traces its history to 1920, when the 50-bed Shackelford Hospital opened on Church Street. It has since grown into a licensed 220-bed, full-service, acute-care facility. The hospital staff has welcomed more than 21 new physicians since January 2007. Six key values guide the hospital’s focus: service, quality, people, financial, growth and community. www.martinsvillehospital.com
ScorecardBUSINESS AT
A GLANCE
$428,619Retail sales ($1,000)
$7,472Retail sales
per capita
$31,555Accommodations
and food service
sales ($1,000)
2,991Total number
of firms
Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts
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AMERICAN DISTRIBUTION AND WAREHOUSING SERVICES INC.Biz: fulfillment servicesBuzz: ADWS Inc. provides a wide variety of fulfillment services, including warehousing-bulk storage, fulfillment-pick and pack, label change-sewing, merchandising-display assembly, light assembly of merchandising products and bulk mailings. They handle products ranging from towels and furniture to supermarket displays.www.adwsinc.com
SMOKEY PIG BAR-B-QUEBiz: restaurantBuzz: Since it opened in late 2008, Smokey Pig Bar-B-Que on Greensboro Road in Martinsville has been garnering acclaim and new customers as word of mouth spreads about its Carolina-style barbecue and signature sweet, western and chipotle sauces. Those who prefer ribs or chicken will find them here, too. The restaurant also will take catering orders. (276) 632-5800
SOLID STONE FABRICSBiz: fabric companyBuzz: Solid Stone Fabrics, a supplier of specialty fabrics to producers of dance, costume, swimwear and fitness apparel, has been growing steadily here since it opened in 2003. Most recently, Solid Stone opened a cut-and-sew operation within the former Troxler Furniture building on Fayette Street in Uptown Martinsville. The company is especially adept at serving small and mid-size companies.www.solidstonefabrics.com
SPARTA INC.Biz: data analysis Buzz: In December 2008, SPARTA opened an Open Source Support Center in Martinsville’s Commonwealth Centre. SPARTA is a $300 million defense contractor with a strong presence in the U.S. National Intelligence Community. In May, SPARTA received the Keystone Award from the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce for creating the most jobs in the previous year.www.sparta.com
As a lighthouse brand, we’re committed to connecting
with you and providing you a unique travel experience.
Stay with us and “Make it Hampton.”
50 Hampton Dr. | Martinsville, VA 24112(276) 647-4700 | www.hamptoninn.com
Old Dominion University provides access to high quality, cost-effective, nationally recognized bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs on the campus of Patrick Henry Community College. In addition to academic excellence, the Old Dominion University staff in your community provides one-stop access to advising and student services.
For more information:www.ph.vccs.edu/odu
PHCC, West HallRoom 325(276) 656-0278
Modern Thinking
Global Perspective
“At ODU, every new mind, every new
perspective widens the possibilities.” ~ John Broderick,
President
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Championing the RegionCHAMBER SERVES AS A STRONG BUSINESS ALLY IN RESTORING ECONOMIC VITALITY
O ne of the strongest allies area citizens have in their efforts to restore this region’s
economic vitality is the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce.
With unflagging determination, the chamber has waged the fight for far longer than the current nationwide economic downturn. And while the local battle isn’t over, there is progress.
With major changes here in recent years in the textile and furniture industries, retraining workers continues to be a top priority.
“We’re going to be working really hard and very closely with the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board to make sure we take care of those issues for our existing businesses but also for those businesses economic
development officials are working to bring here,” says Amanda Witt, Martinsville-Henry County Chamber president.
Jay Edelen, chamber board chairman for 2008-09, says he has focused during his term on how businesses can use e-commerce in today’s world. Edelen, a Martinsville native, works in his family business, J.G. Edelen Co., which has provided hardware components to the furniture industry since 1923. Edelen launched www.coolknobsandpulls.com, an online portion of the business, in 2003.
“Needless to say, it’s been a very difficult year, not only in Martinsville but across the United States,” he says. “This is nothing new to us, but it does add another level of urgency for us to help our local economy rebound.”
The chamber’s 2009 successes include the biggest-ever Fast Track trade show, held in March, which allows area businesses a chance to network with each other and local citizens. During summer 2009, the chamber initiated a youth employment program, giving 100 or so young people work experience with chamber member businesses. The chamber also staged a successful supervisor-training course focused on distribution and customer service. – Anne Gillem
231 E. Church St. | 3rd Floor | Martinsville, VA 24112 | (276) 632-2161
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Jay Edelen is the 2009 Chairman of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce.
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Earning a master’s degree from the University of Virginia – without ever setting foot on
its campus?Or completing bachelor’s degrees
from Virginia Commonwealth or James Madison – without ever visiting those campuses either?
These things are happening at New College Institute, which began in 2006 as a way for junior, senior and graduate college students to earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees from a variety of Virginia-based universities without ever having to leave Martinsville. NCI offers a total of 17 degree-completion programs from eight universities at its Uptown Martinsville campus.
“For example, a student with an associate’s degree in motorsports engineering technology from Patrick Henry Community College can then enroll at NCI and take two more years to earn their four-year bachelor’s degree,” says Barry Dorsey, executive director of New College Institute. “Old Dominion University offers that particular motorsports program, so the student would ultimately earn a bachelor’s degree in motorsports from ODU while attending all of the classes here at NCI.”
NCI is classified as a state-funded educational entity but not a university. However, it hopes to become one when the Virginia legislature votes
Popular School of ThoughtSTUDENTS MAY COMPLETE 17 DEGREES AT NCI
on that matter following the 2012-2013 school year.
“When we were founded in 2006, the legislature wanted to see how we progressed for six years before they ruled on the next phase of our future,” Dorsey says. “In the meantime, we serve the students of Martinsville and Henry County who now have easy access to many third-year and fourth-year college curriculums.”
Dorsey says NCI expected initial enrollment in 2006 to be about 50 students, yet they welcomed 118 that year. During the 2009-2010 school year, he expects enrollment to reach 400 students.
“We were initially housed on one floor in the former Shumate-Jesse furniture store, then expanded to all three floors,” Dorsey says. “And now we have branched into a second building – Jefferson Plaza – and are using one floor there but will soon expand to all three floors. We are certainly continuing to steadily grow.”
Universities that offer degree-completion programs at NCI are Averett, James Madison, Longwood, Norfolk State, Old Dominion, Radford, Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth. Programs offered include criminal justice, homeland security, business administration, nursing, information technology and elementary education.
Meanwhile, students in Henry County have a couple of other higher education institutes they can attend in Martinsville. Patrick Henry Community College welcomes 3,300 students each year, and its excellent computer technology programs allowed PHCC in 2005 to be ranked No. 3 in the nation in the category of digital savviness among small, rural community colleges.
Students also have the option of attending classes at National College, which offers numerous two-year degrees that allow students to pursue careers as medical assistants, business leaders, computer technicians or pharmacy technicians.
“Residents of Henry County are fortunate to have excellent higher education options,” Dorsey says. “And perhaps the best part is that they don’t have to leave Henry County in order to pursue many of their education goals.”
– Kevin Litwin
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Education
Visitors to the Farmers’ Market in Uptown Martinsville can feast their eyes on the colorful fruits and vegetables offered – and on vibrant
murals that depict produce shopping scenes and the farms from which the goods come.
The Farmers’ Market mural project, unveiled in summer 2009, is part of a public art initiative coordinated by the Piedmont Arts Association and funded by a grant from The Harvest Foundation. The initiative, including murals at the YMCA, the Farmers’ Market and New College Institute, as well as public sculpture, is designed to place art throughout the community.
Children enrolled in an after-school program at the Y created the first mural project on 4-foot by 8-foot wood panels in 2008. It is abstract and depicts expressive colorful figures, says Tina Sell, director of exhibitions for Piedmont Arts.
Renowned Oregon artist Betty LaDuke was hired to create the second mural project, which is on four wood panels and mounted on a building behind the Farmers’ Market. A third mural project, depicting area historical scenes, is scheduled to be painted on the NCI building. The artist for the third project has not been selected.
LaDuke, who painted the Dreaming Cows mural project for Heifer International in Little Rock, Ark., also unveiled in 2009, is known for her extensive travel and multicultural work, Sell says. Her work has been shown at the PAA in the past.
“We invited Betty in, and she visited the market, went on farm visits, talked to a lot of people who go to the market and visited neighborhoods around the market,” Sell says. “We wanted her to capture the multicultural aspect of the Farmers’ Market. We wanted to go to somebody who had a very bright, vibrant and expressive style. We wanted somebody who could depict the livelihood, the vitality, the excitement that the Farmers’ Market is.”
Sell, who has been with Piedmont Arts since 2004, says the placement of public art “shows vitality, shows community support and shows interest in the reinvention or renovation of areas like Uptown that, perhaps, need to be reawakened.
“When you put in public art, it shows people are there. People are enjoying the spaces, and people are taking pride in the events the art depicts,” Sell says. “I would hope that the placement of these murals would depict an interest from the community that already exists but would also cause more people to come and participate in things like the Farmers’ Market.”
Piedmont Arts is known for its outreach, Sell says, but a lot of it happens in classrooms and settings where the public isn’t always aware of it.
“Part of the public art initiative was to be able to show people we can have a much more public impact as far as our community outreach processes,” Sell says. “And it’s also bringing the value of public art into the everyday routine of people who live here.”
– Anne Gillem
Feast Your Eyes on TheseMURAL PROJECT BENEFITS FROM TALENTS OF LOCAL AND VISITING ARTISTS
Studio 107 artist Celia Tucker adds detail to the Uptown Farmers’ Market mural that was created by local students.
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Arts & Culture
No matter how many points teams score at the new Smith River Sports Complex, the city
of Martinsville and Henry County are the ultimate winners.
The $8 million complex opened in July 2009, offering top-notch facilities for soccer and other sports, recreation opportunities and plenty of potential.
In its first weeks, the complex, operated by the Southern Virginia Recreation Facilities Authority, hosted a Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp for children ages 4-16, as well as an adult soccer tournament. In addition, the SRSC is the new home for the Piedmont Youth Soccer League, starting in fall 2009.
“So far, the community response to the outdoor complex has been very positive,” says Dennis Toney, executive director of the authority. “It’s a
quality-of-life issue for them. They see something that will improve their standards of living by allowing their children to participate in soccer or football or other sports at a very nice complex. It also has walking trails and picnic shelters; it’s a very inclusive complex that can be used in a variety of ways – not strictly for sports – but also for relaxation and just enjoying the outdoors.”
Toney says officials expect the complex also will provide a boost for the region’s economy.
“We hope it will generate some tourism travel in the area, with visitors booking hotel rooms, buying meals and shopping in stores,” Toney adds.
Located on 90 acres near the U.S. 58 Bypass at the Irisburg Road exit, the complex features two championship artificial turf soccer fields with lighting,
electronic scoreboards and seating for 250 at each field, three full-size Bermuda grass fields with lights and irrigation, a practice field, concession stands, restrooms, two picnic pavilions, a playground and walking trails. Since it is adjacent to the Smith River, there are also plans for a canoe or kayak launch.
The complex is available for picnics, class and family reunions, church and school events. Open year round, the authority will collect user fees that will help offset operating costs.
Henry County donated the land where the complex is located, Toney says.
The complex was funded by the Harvest Foundation, which was established in 2002 to invest funds from the sale of Memorial Hospital back into the community.
“It is initially a soccer complex, but we’re looking at hosting most anything we can find sports-wise out there. We’ve talked to folks about lacrosse and field hockey, f lag football and ultimate Frisbee. We’re looking at other things beyond soccer, but soccer is the initial driver,” Toney says. “We’ve got a lot of options. We’re at the tip of the iceberg now in getting started. We’re trying to wade in with some early events and, hopefully, it will build from there once people see it and get a chance to experience it.”
– Anne Gillem
Community Scores New ParkSMITH RIVER SPORTS COMPLEX FEATURES SOCCER FIELDS AND MUCH MORE
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Office Hours by AppointmentMon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m.Sat. 8:00 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
632-7205 • 632-3491
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Donald W. Richman, M.D.Donald M. Grayson, M.D.
In January 2008, Martinsville and Henry County residents welcomed the arrival of Bassett Family Practice, a primary care clinic that aims to provide quality medical
care to all individuals in the county, regardless of their income level or whether they have insurance. Patients are charged for services on a sliding-fee scale, making quality health care accessible to everyone.
“This is a community health center mainly funded by a federal grant as well as state and local charitable foundations, and about 50 percent of the patients that we see are uninsured,” says Barbara Jackman, executive director of the Martinsville-Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness, which oversees Bassett Family Practice. “The other 50 percent of patients might be on Medicaid or Medicare but are struggling to meet the co-pays for office visits and prescriptions. We help in any way that we can.”
Jackman says the nonprofit clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Tuesdays also feature extended evening hours. Its medical staff is made up of two primary care physicians and a nurse practitioner.
“We also have some staff members who are called patient navigators,” she says. “Their duties vary greatly. They might help a patient sign up for Medicaid if they qualify, or tell a patient where they can pick up their medications. The navigators assist patients in maneuvering through the many diverse aspects of the health-care system.”
As for additional doctors, Jackman says Bassett Family Practice is currently trying to recruit more to the clinic.
“However, there is a shortage of primary care physicians nationwide to begin with, so recruiting more individuals to a rural area such as Bassett can really be difficult these days,”
she says. “That’s why we only have the one site, and there are no plans right now for additional locations. Instead, our immediate hope is to add more clinical staff workers so that, ultimately, we can extend our hours.”
Jackman says the clinic is not technically affiliated with Martinsville Memorial Hospital, but the two health-care providers have formed partnerships on certain initiatives.
“For example, our clinic works in conjunction with the hospital to make sure that applicable women are able to get mammograms, and we are also allowed to utilize the laboratory services at Martinsville Memorial,” she says. “The hospital and clinic also host health education classes and fitness programs. Martinsville Memorial is very helpful to what we do.”
Jackman adds that Bassett Family Practice is always busy, so patients are asked to make appointments whenever possible. The phone number is (276) 629-1076.
“We are located in Bassett in a small shopping mall behind Stanley Furniture,” she says. “As I mentioned before, our doors are open to everyone – no matter what.”
– Kevin Litwin
Building a Healthy CommunityBASSETT FAMILY PRACTICE HELPS MAKE QUALITY HEALTH CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE
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Health & Wellness
SNAPSHOTMany people visit Martinsville for world-class NASCAR racing at
Martinsville Speedway. But Martinsville is more than motorsports.
It’s home to many other attractions focused on the area’s rich
cultural, natural and historical heritage.
MARTINSVILLE-HENRY COUNTY
Smith River
Smith River Sports Complex, 403-5968
Uptown Walking Tour 632-5688
Virginia Museum of Natural History, 634-4141
Walker Fine Arts Center 656-0323
CLIMATE
Average winter temperatures are in the low 40s, while the warmest months, July and August, average in the mid-80s. The region enjoys almost 100 clear days, 45 inches of rain and approximately 14.5 inches of snowfall on average each year.
21 FJanuary Low Temperature
46 FJanuary High Temperature
63 FJuly Low Temperature
87 FJuly High Temperature
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Blue Ridge Regional Library632-7125
City manager403-5180
County administrator 634-4601
Henry County Senior Services, 634-4644
Henry County Sheriff 656-4200
STRATFORD SQUARE APARTMENTSMARTINSVILLE’S FINEST
1, 2, and 3 Bedroom TownhousesPool and Tennis Court
1807 East Church Street Extension
www.stratfordsquareapartments.com
Mabry Mill, 952-2947
Martinsville Mustangs
632-9913
Martinsville Reservoir
Martinsville Speedway
956-1543
MURA (Martinsville Uptown
Revitalization Association)
632-5688
Philpott Lake
629-2703
Piedmont Arts Association
632-3221
Primland Resort
251-8012
Reynolds Homestead
694-7131
AREA ATTRACTIONS
Southern Virginia
Artisan Center, 632-8006
Bassett Genealogical Library
629-9191
Chamber of Commerce
632-6401
Fairy Stone State Park
930-2424
Historic Henry County
Courthouse, 638-5464
Lake Sugar Tree
Motorsport Park
650-3788
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Triangle Electric Corporation is a wholly owned and privately held business located in Ridgeway, Virginia. We have been providing safe, reliable, and competitively priced contracted electrical services to our customers for over 40 years.