Monday, March 28, 2005

 

NASA: From Moon To Halifax

The organization that sent a man to the moon will be using Riverstone Technology Park to educate future scientists and explorers.
An agreement between NASA (the National Aeronautical and Space Administration) and Virginia Tech means that not only will Riverstone Technology Park be the site of the Virginia Employment Commission call center, it will also be home to cutting-edge educational programming.
Last week, a cooperative agreement between the Halifax/Virginia Tech STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and the National Institute of Aeronautics was signed to develop distance learning materials at Riverstone, Dr. Carol Inge, center manager, said.
“This is probably one of the biggest things to hit this community in decades," Industrial Development Authority Chairman John Cannon said yesterday. “This contract is extremely important because it ties NASA directly into Halifax County.
“It’s basically the start of a strong international relationship between NASA and Halifax County."
Inge will lead a team of professionals in the effort as a NASA/Virginia Tech principal investigator and instructional designer for the program.
The agreement will initially yield more than a $2 million investment for the program through Virginia Tech, she said.
Beginning this summer, the project will design and develop innovative distance learning broadband content programming in STEM-related areas.
The NASA Center for Distance Learning (CDL) is tasked with:
• The use of NASA programs, projects, facilities and personnel to motivate and inspire teaching and learning.
• Leadership in the application of traditional and emerging instructional technology.
• The development of six exciting, innovative and inspirational instructional and educational programs that are considered an integral part of NASA’s Integrated Distance Learning Network.
Inge said the six programs that will be offered by the NASA/Langley CDL will “span the educational horizon” from grades K-12 through college and to adult (lifelong) learning.
“The new Virginia Tech partnership with NASA CDL and NIA will expand the focus of the (distance learning center) to include university research in addition to the research developed by NASA scientists, engineers, mathematicians and physicists," she said.
“It could have been done somewhere else," Cannon said. “But we’re going to have the operating center in Riverstone and will now have broadband research and technology content delivered from Riverstone to NASA and all over the world."
Inge said the goal of the program is to increase interest and motivation in the STEM areas as well as promote critical thinking.
“The goal of this program is to inspire the next generation of explorers," she said. The project benefits include advancing the theory and practice of teaching mathematics, science, engineering and technology and encouraging students to pursue STEM-related courses and careers.
“We predict that in the near future we will see a severe shortage of scientifically and technologically based skilled workers," Inge added. “And programs like the NASA CDL and the newly-created STEM Academy in Halifax is essential to solving this problem."
“Everything is falling into place, if we can just work together to move the community forward into the 21st century to create the types of jobs needed in the future to sustain our growth," Cannon said.

 

A Culture Of Progress

The Board of Directors of the Halifax County Community Action Agency told the organization’s membership that despite a sluggish economy, the group had seen growth over the past year.
The announcement came during the 24th Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet held at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center Friday.
The Halifax County Community Federal Credit Union has experienced continuous growth and development in major financial categories,” President and CEO William Coleman told the group. “Your savings entrusted to us are prudently loaned out to our members and/or prudently invested to ensure a reasonable financial return.
“We are casually optimistic about the future and the challenges which lie ahead as your community credit union embarks upon expansion in underserved jurisdictions,” he added.
Treasurer J.Aubrey Houghton told the members the group was “still adding members,” at a rate of approximately 5 percent this year.
Houghton said the membership has grown from 4,032 in 2004 to 4,221 in 2005.
The group has total assets of $4,777,958, according to a financial statement released to the members.
Keynote speaker for the event, Linda Knick, consultant for the Virginia Credit Union League, told the membership that despite a positive year they must remain committed to the spirit of credit unions.
“Take this moment to re-energize yourselves and your commitment to your members,” she urged. “Remember the spirit of a community credit union – people helping people.
“Think about what I consider the credit union slogan: People are worth more than money,” Knick said. “The opportunity to be a part of your dreams is what the credit union strives for.
“We can sit back and look at all the great good a credit union provides,” she added, “but working toward the dreams of our members and educating the community is imperative in a struggling economy.
“I ask you tonight to make the annual meeting a celebration of your community,” Knick urged. “Regroup as a movement and rev up for the future. Together we can survive and emerge stronger and wiser and be able to meet the demands of the future.”
Knick told the membership that a credit union is built on a culture of service and progress.
“Today’s increasingly sophisticated consumer demands we not only meet our challenges, but we must always look for opportunities," she said. “Change is inevitable, today’s credit union leaders must grow in a culture of change.
“Don’t forget our underlying purpose – to band together for the common good."

 

Obituaries

James Murray Buster

James Murray Buster, 65, of Alexandria, formerly of Nathalie, died March 23.
He was the son of Emma Buster and the late Murray G. Buster.
Mr. Buster is survived by his wife, Patricia H. Buster of the home; one daughter, Cynthia Buster; his mother, of Nathalie; one sister, Mary Emma Buster of Nathalie; six brothers, Joseph Buster of New York, Thomas, Claude, Charles and Meade Buster, all of Nathalie, and Chester Buster of Bowie, Md.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, March 29, at 11 a.m. at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria. Burial will take place in New Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery in Nathalie March 30, at 1 p.m.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service, and from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Brookneal.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Bethune Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 622 Nicholson St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, attn: Bessie Lampkin.

Frances Bailey Gunn

Frances Bailey Gunn, 89, of Chapel Hill, N.C. died March 24 at UNC Hospital.
Mrs. Gunn was born in Person County, N.C. on January 22, 1916, to the late Willie Bailey and Fannie Wade Bailey, and was marred to the late James Henry Gunn. She was a member of Mt. Pisgah AME Church in Alton.
Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy Drumwright of Semora, N.C. and Sarah Smith of Chapel Hill; three sons, Willie Gunn of Roxboro, N.C., Walter Gunn of South Boston and James A. Gunn of Temple Hill, Md.; one foster son, Robert Claiborne of Canton, Ohio; two sisters, Estelle Womack of Danville and Emma Marable of Baltimore, Md.; one brother, George Bailey of Baltimore; 24 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Gunn will be held today, March 28 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Pisgah AME Church with the Rev. Sampson L. Townes officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Garden Cemetery.

Hurley Rudolph Jackson Sr.

Hurley Rudolph Jackson Sr., 72, of 7204 Crystal Hill Road died March 23 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Jackson was born in Halifax County on November 3, 1932, the son of the late Legus Jackson and Elizazeth Green Jackson. He was a member of Bethel Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Marilyn Carter of Halifax, Zandra Sweeney of Crystal Hill and Latanya Jerrells of South Boston; one son, Hurley Rudolph Jackson Jr. of Danville; one sister, Marion Snead of Washington, D.C.; 11 grandchildren; and a devoted friend, Larry Green.
Mr. Jackson was preceded in death by one brother, Cornelius Jackson; and four sisters, Ann Marie Jackson, Naomi Wooden, Iris Jackson and Iva Graves.
Funeral services will be held today, March 28, at 2 p.m. at The Crawford House Chapel in Halifax with Elder David Chalmers officiating.

Evelyn Echols Church

Funeral services for Evelyn Echols Church, 95, of Halifax, will be held today at 2 p.m. at the Halifax United Methodist Church with the Rev. Randy Williams conducting the service. Burial will follow at the Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Church died Saturday, March 26, at The Woodview.
She was born in Rockingham County on July 7, 1909, a daughter of Joseph T. Echols and Laura M. Chaney Echols and was married to Ernest Carson Church.
She was a member of the Halifax United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Church is survived by one daughter, Shirley C. Ferrell and husband Len of Halifax; two sons, Ed N. Church Sr. of Spartanburg, S.C., and Gene C. Church and wife JoAnn of Greensboro, N.C.; two sisters, Estelle E. Deaton and Gertrude E. Atkins, both of Farmville; seven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at the Halifax United Methodist Church on Monday, March 28, from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. and other times at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Len Ferrell, 1096 Mountain Road, Halifax, Va.
Those wishing to give memorials please consider the Halifax United Methodist Church Building Fund or the Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 357, Halifax, Va. 24558.

Charles Odell Robinson

Mr. Charles Odell Robinson of Burton Road, Scottsburg, died Tuesday, March 22, at Chippenham Medical Center in Richmond.
He was 79.
Mr. Robinson was born in Granville County, N.C., on April 6, 1925, to the late William Robinson and Mary Liza Thorp Robinson and was married to the late Ineal Miller Boyd Robinson.
He was a World War II Army veteran.
Mr. Robinson is survived by two stepdaughters, Mary Boyd and Dollie Boyd, both of Nathalie; two stepsons, John Boyd and Earnest Boyd, both of Austin, Texas; seven step-grandchildren, 18 step-great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

 

Two Tough Losses End Comets’ Opening Week

HCHS Fell To Garden City, N.Y. 5-4 Thursday In Nine Innings

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Often it’s the little things that prove to be the most deadly.
That was the case for the Halifax County High School varsity baseball team Thursday night.
A Comets error and a passed ball in the top of the ninth inning allowed Garden City to produce the game-winning run and a 5-4 win over the Comets in a nine-inning, three hour and 15-minute marathon game Thursday night at Dan Daniel Park in Danville.
While Comets coach Kelvin Davis was disappointed with the final numbers on the scoreboard, he wasn’t disappointed in his team.
“It was a good all around effort," Davis pointed out, noting that his team pounded out 10 hits against Garden City’s four hurlers, two of which were quality lefthanders.
“Both of those lefthanders are as good as any lefthanders we will face. We played a good quality ballclub and hung in there. My hat goes off to this New York team. They come down here with quality ballplayers all the time. To play a quality team with quality pitching like this is going to help us in the long run."
The Comets got a solid performance from junior hurler Jeremy Jeffress who fanned 13 batters while allowing four hits and three walks.
Jeffress hurled five scoreless innings, striking out 12 of the 17 batters he faced during that span while allowing one hit and two walks.
And, offensively, the Comets fared well with Chris Conner, Jeffress and Chris Perkins each getting two hits with Justin Armistead, Clyde Brooks, Blake Waller and Bobby Owens each getting a hit.
The Comets got off to a good start, capitalizing on a Garden City error and two hits to score twice in the bottom of the third inning and grab a quick 2-0 lead. Armistead, with a sacrifice fly to right field, and a run-scoring hit by Perkins, produced the runs.
A leadoff hit by Owens to start the bottom of the fifth inning and a two-out run-scoring single by Jeffress, put the Comets up 3-0 after five innings.
Garden City’s hitters caught up to Jeffress in the sixth inning and spoiled his night by chasing him off of the hill with a one-single followed by back-to-back two-out doubles that cut a 3-0 Comets lead to one run at 3-2.
Tyler Clarke went to the mound with runners on first base and second base and two balls on the first batter he was to face. Clarke threw two balls and saw that batter walk to load the sacks. He then gave up a walk on his own to force in the tying run. A passed ball that got away from catcher Ryan Gieselman allowed Garden City to produce the go-ahead run and take a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth inning.
Bobby Owens went to the mound for the Comets in the seventh inning and held the Trojans at bay. That gave the Comets the opportunity to get three hits in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game at 4-4 and send the contest into extra innings.
Conner started the rally with a one-out single that looped just over the head of the Trojans’ shortstop. Armistead followed with a base hit over the second baseman’s head and Jeffress, with a bloop single, scored Conner to produce the tying run.
The game stayed even until the top of the ninth inning when the Trojans capitalized on a Comets error to get a Joe Cesarini on base with one out. Tom Marino singled but got caught up in a rundown between first base and second base. Marino was tagged out by Armistead for the second out of the inning but Cesarini moved to third base.
The Trojans’ Tom D’Antonio walked to put runners on first base and third base with two out. A passed ball allowed Cesarini to score the go-ahead run and D’Antonio to move to second base.
Matt Petiton walked to give the Trojans two runners on the sacks but Owens got John Emmert to hit a lofty fly ball to right field that Conner caught to end the inning.
Owens, the leadoff batter for the Comets in the bottom of the ninth, walked. But the Comets’ hopes were dimmed when Conner hit into a double play. The Trojans got the final out when Armistead popped up to the second baseman for the final out of the game.
“We’d liked to have won but we didn’t win and we have to move on," said Davis.
“We saw some really good things. Jeremy threw a heck of a ballgame and they finally got to him a little bit. We put Tyler in just to get ourselves out of the inning. Bobby came on in a tough situation and did well. He’s a gamer and that’s what we want from him.
“I saw some gutsy performances from a lot of guys that I didn’t know had it in them," Davis added.
“We pecked on them (Garden City) and got some base hits. We manufactured a couple of runs. We did some sacrifice bunts. This ballclub is going to have to do that a lot. I was real pleased with the effort."
Garden City, which lost to GW in a second game played later Thursday night, completed its annual swing through the south with a 3-2 slate.

 

HCHS Scratched Up Only Two Hits Against Tunstall Hurler Will Inman In Friday’s 9-1 Road Loss

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Tunstall High School hurler Will Inman turned himself into a literal one-man wrecking crew Friday night, as he and the Trojans dismantled Halifax County 9-1.
Inman, last year’s Group AA Player of the Year, struck out 16 Comets batters while spinning a two-hitter and belted a three-run homer to fuel a five-run fourth inning Tunstall rally to lead the Trojans to the eight-run win.
“He’s the real deal," said Comets coach Kelvin Davis.
“He spots the ball well and he keeps guys off balance with his curve ball. Tunstall is a great ballclub. I’m fully expecting them to win the state in their division. I can’t see a team in their division beating them."
While Davis gave credit to the Trojans’ senior hurler, he also pointed out his Comets team didn’t play well.
“We didn’t hit the ball," Davis pointed out.
“ I know the Inman kid is a great pitcher, but I’m not happy about us striking out 16 times. We’ve got to do a better job of putting the ball in play."
That, and the fact that the Comets’ senior hurler, Tyler Clarke struggled, made it a long night for the Comets against the defending Group AA state champions.
Clarke, in three and a third innings, was tagged for eight hits and 11 runs. He allowed three walks and fanned two batters.
“It was just unfortunate Tyler wasn’t on top of his game," Davis said.
“He wasn’t thrilled about it either. I know without a shadow of a doubt he can come out and perform much better than he showed. Tyler knows what he’s go to do and he’ll continue to work on the things he needs to work on."
Things went sour for the Comets early when Clarke walked Tyler Mills, the first Tunstall batter he faced in the game and saw Mills score on a passed ball to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Halifax County tied the game in the top of the third inning when Justin Armistead reached base on an error with two out, stole second base, and scored on a single from Jeremy Jeffress.
Two walks followed by a two-out double by Josh Lewis put the Trojans on top 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning.
A five-run Tunstall rally aided by Inman’s three-run homer and a Comets error put the Trojans up 8-1 after four innings. An insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning accounted for the 9-1 final score.
Halifax County’s only hits in the game were Jeffress’ run-scoring single to left field and an infield single in the second inning by David Lacks, who went to mound to relieve Clarke in the fourth inning. Lacks was the designated hitter for Clarke in the contest.
The loss to Tunstall capped a tough opening week for the Comets who lost a tough 5-4 contest Thursday against Garden City, N.Y. that spanned nine innings and went three hours and 15 minutes.
“We knew going in we were going to face the top pitchers from both teams," said Davis.
“We saw some things we need to work on. Hopefully we can get in the two Dan River games (Tuesday and Wednesday) and the Baldwin game (Friday) in and go from there."

HCMS Lions Baseball Team Takes Invitational Title

Halifax Beats Central, Huntsville In Tourney

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

Kyle Long and Eric Brandon each went two for two, Long with a two-RBI triple and Brandon with an RBI triple, Chris Sizemore added an RBI triple, and Luke Griles added another RBI on a squeeze bunt, as the Halifax County Middle School baseball reclaimed the Halifax County Middle School Invitational Tournament with a 6-3 win here Saturday over Huntsville.
Brandon went four and two-thirds innings on the mound, and Kyle Long relieved for the final out, as Halifax took back the championship trophy it surrendered last year to Dinwiddie in the same tournament.
The Lions got to the championship game with a 9-0 shutout of Central of Charlotte Courthouse, Kaleb Long knocking in five runs with two home runs, and Michael Owens accounting for two more RBIs. Kyle Long hurled three strong innings, and Josh Rogers came on to complete the shutout, pitching the final two innings.
Huntsville reached the tourney final with a win over Stanford.
Lions coach Barry Powell said his team played well despite the damp and cold conditions the teams faced during the tournament, with pitching and hitting both meeting his expectations.
“I couldn’t be more proud, considering how much we’ve worked the past three weeks," said Powell, adding he went with veterans Long and Brandon on the mound to start the two games.
“We looked to get an early lead, and that happened in the first game, the guys swung the bats well," he continued. That gave us a cushion and allowed us to put Kyle in center field the last two innings.
“Kyle looked strong, had good control, good command of his off-speed pitches, and his velocity was up," said Powell.
That gave the Lions the opportunity to use Long in the title game if needed, and the strategy paid off, Long relieving Brandon for the final out in the championship game.
“Josh came in and did well," added Powell. He was around the plate for two innings and I felt like he stepped in and did what I expected him to do."
The Lions also got a good performance from Brandon in the tourney title game, noted Powell.
“Eric’s developed both offensively and defensively since last year," said Powell. “He had good velocity and he was around the plate.
Halifax also had a good day overall at the plate, noted Powell.
“Overall, we swung the bats well. We’ve been working on going the other way and today it paid off with some key hits in the second game. Overall, it was just a great day, we’re off to a 2-0 start and I just hope we can continue it."
The Lions are scheduled to play a double header against Franklin County here tomorrow, with the first game scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.
Game One
Halifax 9, Central 0
Kaleb Long’s two home runs, a three-run shot in the first inning and a two-run homer in the fourth inning along with two RBIs from Owens backed a combined four-hitter from Kyle Long and Rogers in a 9-0 win over Central.
Sizemore added a double and a single, and Kyle Long and Owens each a base hit in the win, while the Lions’ defense turned its first double play of the season, Brandon, Sizemore and Tyler Hunt combining to turn a 6-4-3 double play.
Halifax took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, Trent leading off with a walk, Sizemore smacking a double and Kaleb Long connecting for the first of two home runs.
Sam Lantor reached on an error and scored after Trent’s sacrifice and Sizemore’s single in the second inning, before the Lions added three runs an inning later.
Brandon walked to start the rally, and Kyle Long and Owens singled, before a combination of stolen bases and passed balls made it 7-0.
Halifax added its final two runs in the fourth inning, Trent getting a base hit and Kaleb Long hitting a two-run homer for a 9-0 lead.
That proved to be plenty for Long and Rogers on the mound, Long allowing only one hit, while striking out five and walking one batter in three innings.
Rogers allowed three hits and walked none while collecting three strikeouts in two innings.
Championship Game
Halifax 6, Huntsville 3
Triples by Sizemore and Brandon, along with base hits from Trent and Kyle Long staked Halifax to an early 3-0 lead, and Halifax held off a last-inning rally to beat Huntsville 6-3 in the title game.
Kyle Long’s two-RBI triple and an RBI sacrifice by Griles provided the others runs for Halifax, which also got hits from Kaleb Long and Brandon.
The Lions took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, Sizemore and Brandon hitting triples and Trent and Kyle Long singles, Sizemore and Brandon getting RBIs.
One out base hits from Kaleb Long and Brandon were followed by a two-run triple by Kyle Long in the third inning, and Griles executed a suicide squeeze to score Long, as the Lions built a 6-0 advantage.
Halifax turned a 5-4-3 double play in the second inning, its second of the afternoon, and Brandon got a bases loaded strikeout to extinguish a Huntsville threat in the fourth, before Huntsville rallied an inning later.
A leadoff double, RBI single, a walk, error and another walk scored three runs for Huntsville, before Kyle Long came on for the final out of the game.
Brandon gave up three hits, struck out five batters and walked six in four and two-thirds innings of work before Kyle Long came on to close out the game.