Crossing Of The Dan Comes To Life At Prizery
In New Three-Dimensional Exhibit

By Paula I. Bryant
The Crossing of the Dan will soon come to life for Prizery visitors when an exhibit consisting of three-dimensional panels and displays is erected in the upstairs of The Prizery overlooking the Dan River.
Scheduled for installation later this month, the display culminates a labor of love for Committee Chairman Douglas Powell and members of the Halifax County Historical Society.
The $315,000 project, contracted through Fruland and Bowles Inc. of Toledo, Ohio and designed by Project Arts and Ideas of Detroit, Michigan, will resemble other professional exhibits found at national park sites, according to Powell.
The massive undertaking began as a simple conversation about five years ago when Prizery Director Chris Jones was showing Powell through the upstairs space of The Prizery, and they paused near the south window overlooking the Dan River.
“I asked him if he knew what he was looking at as we looked out that window,” Powell recalled. “I told him he was looking at where the Crossing of the Dan occurred at Boyd’s Ferry.”
For the first time, visitors will be able to look out this upstairs window at The Prizery and see where history was made, Powell said.
And with installation of the exhibit later this month, visitors will be made aware of the historic view through an interpretation around the window noting the event.
“That was how it started…looking out that upstairs window at The Prizery,” Powell said.
Once the idea’s seed was sown, Powell said he talked with Dr. Ralph Wileman who had worked with the local museum on designing exhibits, and Powell began organizing a project committee charged with further researching the Crossing of the Dan.
Dr. Wileman would design a preliminary cardboard layout of what he envisioned an exhibit could be.
With Wileman’s design in hand, Powell said the next challenge was to raise enough funds to cover the cost of professional planning and design.
Once that phase was completed, Powell said the committee realized how much additional funding would be needed to complete the project and decided to involve the local historical society.
“We didn’t have any money, so we started digging and contacting people all over the country,” Powell said. “As time went along, we realized we would need to raise a massive amount of money for this project.”
South Boston Manager Ted Daniel and Congressman Virgil Goode wee instrumental in securing a Small Business Administration (SBA) grant to cover the initial planning and design phase, and combined with a Virginia Tobacco Commission grant, it proved to be enough to get the job done, Powell added.
“The historical society also sought a number of small and major grants from foundations, individuals, businesses and corporations. That effort also was very successful,” he said praising the efforts of historical society leader Barbara Bass and others.
Once installed later this month, the exhibit will feature the retreat that became the race that led to the Crossing of the Dan and will be comprised of large three-dimensional eight-foot panels and four display cubes filled with Revolutionary War artifacts and a model of a typical colonial era river ferry flat.
Adding to the display will be sidebars about local historian Carroll Headspeth, Patrick Henry and other persons and places of interest associated with the crossing, full size soldier figures depicting a tavern scene, a mural, a map and many famous quotes.
The Halifax County Historical Society will assume possession of the exhibit once it is installed at The Prizery.
“It evolved into a historical society project, and they will own and maintain it,” Powell said.
Described as a turning point in the Revolutionary War, Powell said the Crossing of the Dan played a “very important” part in the war.
“If they had not gotten across the Dan River here, we would be drinking tea at 4 o’clock. They would’ve invaded Virginia because we were the richest colony,” he added.
Last month in a report to Congress, the National Park Service recommended that further study should be done on the Race to the Dan beyond what is currently available.
After years of extensive research and collaboration by all entities involved in preservation of these many important and invaluable sites, the resulting “Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the United States” was completed and presented to Congress.
“This comprehensive study is an outstanding achievement and will help assure the protection of the many important Revolutionary War and War of 1812 areas nationwide,” said Mary A. Bomar, director of the National Park Service. “I am proud that the National Park Service produced this landmark study, and that we preserve and protect many of the areas highlighted in the report.”
Through partnerships and a tireless commitment to history and the future, the resources that reflect the roots of American freedom, sacrifice, and sovereignty can be saved for future generations through prompt and focused action today, the report stated.
“This report legitimized what we have done in interpreting this story,” Powell said. “For them to say this after we have already done the research legitimizes what we’ve done.”
Powell said he started this project for a variety of reasons.
“It is a gift to the community and to The Prizery as it seeks one of its stated missions to be the local community welcome center,” Powell said.
It also will boost economic development as it is seen as being a destination for travelers interested in history, he said.
That’s why Powell said the committee aimed at providing the community with a professional design similar to the exhibits found in national parks.
“If it was professionally done, people who visit national parks will come to visit The Prizery,” he added.
And Powell said the committee did it to preserve its educational value so that students and the general public could become more knowledgeable about the Crossing of the Dan.
“We’re getting the word out,” he declared.
The exhibit is the first of several phases Powell said he hopes will follow.
As the funds become available, the committee looks forward to installing an audio component to the three-dimensional exhibit as well as providing interpretations of what transpired at the ferry site.
“Our fundraising has been successful, and we are moving forward,” he said hopeful of future announcements.
The public is invited to attend a grand opening for the Crossing of the Dan exhibit at The Prizery at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.
Featured speaker will be Dr. Lawrence Babits, a distinguished George Washington professor of history at East Carolina University, who also is a noted author, historian and lecturer who speaks with authority on the Crossing of the Dan.
Other dignitaries slated to attend include Congressman Virgil Goode, Del. Clarke Hogan, Mayor Carroll Thackston, Supervisor Chairman William Fitzgerald, Halifax County High School JROTC Color Guard, and D’oyle Moore portraying Nathanael Greene who will lead the group in the ribbon cutting.

Town Council Honors Elliott
Council Members Sworn In Monday

“I will definitely miss it, but I will still be around,” said retiring South Boston Councilman Chris Elliott following council’s approval of a resolution commending him for his service to the town. The action came during council’s regular work session Monday night.
Elliott, who served two terms on council, chose not to run for a third term in the May councilmanic elections, citing business obligations.
Town Manager Ted Daniel presented Elliott with a framed collection of traffic light control components as a memento. Elliot was historically active in providing expertise with the town’s traffic control and stoplights duing his tenure on council. Elliott also oversaw the town’s Dixie Youth Baseball program on behalf of the town.
Mayor Carroll Thackston and newly-elected council members Morris Bryant, Sandra Thompson, Coleman Speece and newcomer Dr. Mark Morris were sworn in as council members by the Hon. Judge Frank Slayton prior to the work session.
South Boston Fire Chief Steve Phillips introduced new South Boston Fireman Joe L. Acree Jr. to council. Acree will be a full-time paid firefighter with the town fire department, after serving as a volunteer fireman with the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department and previously with the South Boston Fire Company.
Acree holds Firefighter-2 certification, in addition to certifications in hazardous materials and as an EMT-B, according to Phillips.
Under current issues, VDOT representatives Rick Youngblood and Jeffrey Kessler presented the proposed 2035 Transportation Plan to council. A public involvement meeting will be scheduled for July 28 from 4:00 to 5:30 in council chambers regarding the proposed plan. That will be followed up with a public hearing on August 11 to approve the 2035 Transportation Plan.
The committee suggested council consider rescinding its resolution approving health insurance coverage for council members. That resolution had previously been approved during the May 12 council meeting. The committee also considered a request from Police Chief Jim Binner for a town ordinance covering police officers who work security for non town supported functions.
Binner said his department receives numerous requests for officers to work security at such locations as Westside Village Apartments, the Jaycees’ “Alive After Five” concerts, and the World of Sports Complex. Council will consider the issue at its regular July meeting.
The current issues committee discussed appointments to the town’s Industrial Development Authority, Planning Commission and Southside Planning District Commission. There are four nominees for the IDA, George Burton, Mark Foster, Bob Hughes and Laurietta Faulkner. Council went into executive session following the work session to discuss these nominees.
Councilman Morris Bryant is council’s representative on the South Boston Planning Commission, and his term expired June 30. George Leonard’s term on the Southside Planning District Commission also expired June 30. Each is eligible for reappointment, and that will be on the agenda for the July meeting of council.
The committee also set August 22-23 for council’s bi-annual retreat.
Under the finance committee, Finance Director Erle Scott presented the finance report for the month ending May 31. Scott told council revenues through May were at 96.4 percent of the budgeted amount, and expenditures were at 94.9 percent of the estimated budgeted amount. Scott said revenue for the fiscal year should end up greater than expenditures when the June figures are entered.
Scott also told council of the $2,226,850 budgeted for closure of the landfill, $1,197,076 has been spent as of May 31. The finance director said current real estate tax and personal property tax collections are greater than what had been estimated in the town budget.
Personal property rax relief is at 100 percent of the estimated amount, and collection of local taxes are at 95.5 percent of the budgeted total. Collection of meals taxes and business license taxes are above 100 percent of what was budgeted, and the occupancy tax is just over 75 percent of the budgeted amount.
The finance committee also discussed an amendment to the 2008-09 fee and tax listing. The public rights of way fee imposed on landline phone and cable TV service was increased to $0.72 per subscriber per month, as mandated from the state. Town Clerk Jane Jones told council the state sets the rate, collects it and returns it to the town. The amount listed in the original resolution was $0.60 per subscriber per month.
South Boston Town Council holds its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, July 14, in council chambers on Yancey Street.

Lowe’s Donates $70,000 Grant To School System
For Equine Studies At Fairgrounds

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has donated $70,000 to Halifax County Public Schools for its equine studies program, part of the Governor’s Career and Technical Academy for Renewable Resources and Agricultural Sciences.
The academy, located at Halifax County High School, is one of six Governor’s Academies throughout the Commonwealth, designated for its strategic emphasis on education and workforce development.
“Lowe’s is committed to recognizing and supporting efforts that enrich the lives of our neighbors and customers,” said Larry D. Stone, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation.
“By supporting Halifax County Public Schools, we are contributing to a cause that’s important to our customers and employees and helping build a stronger foundation for the children who will be tomorrow’s employees, homeowners and community leaders,” Stone added.
The grant funds will be used to transform a barn facility located at the Halifax County Fairgrounds into an interactive equine center which will house horses and include a restroom, kitchen, birthing stall, horse stall, wash stall and tack room.
Part of the funds will be used to provide fencing for surrounding pastures, help develop both the equine and pre-veterinarian educational curriculum and support its staff development and training.
“Lowe’s generosity exemplifies their dedication to community involvement, and we are excited to have partnered with them on this project,” said Superintendent Paul Stapleton. “These funds will help us provide our students with a specialized academic environment in the area of equestrian studies while providing them with relevant, career-related experience.”
Since its inception in 1957, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has helped communities nationwide through employee volunteerism and financial contributions. In 2007, Lowe’s and Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $27.5 million to support community and education projects across the United States and Canada.

Obituaries

Willie James Carrington

Willie James Carrington, 63, formerly of Halifax County answered the call from the Almighty Master on the afternoon of June 18, 2008. He took God’s hand and peacefully slipped away to be with his savior.
Willie James Carrington (Bro) or (Slim) was born February 8, 1945 in Turbeville, Va. to Willie A. Carrington and the late Otis W. Carrington.
Willie was educated in the Halifax County School System and was a United States Army Veteran and served in the Vietnam War. He was a retired foreman for the International Longshoreman Association Local Number 1458 of Norfolk, Virginia.
Willie accepted Christ as his savior and joined the Cross Roads Baptist Church where he remained a faithful and supporting member until his death.
Cherishing precious memories are his loving and devoted wife, Mrs. Yvonne Carrington; Norfolk, Va.; his mother, Ms. Willie A. Carrington of Turbeville, Va.; daughter and son-in-law, Mrs. Sherena Carrington-Parker and Mr. Ray Parker Jr. of Suffolk, Virginia; two sisters: Ms. Madeline C. Scott (Joe) of Camden, South Carolina and Wanda C. Tucker of South Boston, Virginia; three brothers, Mr. Otis H. Carrington and Mr. Bernard L. Carrington of South Boston, Virginia, Mr. Gregory L. Carrington of Oxon Hill, Maryland, and the late Mr. Reginald (Ray) Carrington; one uncle, Mr. Julius “Pete” Carrington; Alton, Va.; two aunts, Ms. Candice Woods of Elyria, Ohio and Mrs. Dorothy James of Wheelwright, Kentucky; eight nieces: Susan, Judy, TuRhonda, Felica, Cheryll, Leslie, Laura, and Michelle; four nephews, Bernard Jr., Gregory Jr., Reginald Jr. and Donell; four great nieces, three great-nephews, and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
The funeral was held Monday, June 23, 2008 at Rock Church International, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Jerry Brann Conner Jr.

Jerry Brann Conner Jr. of 6140 McDonald Road, Scottsburg, Virginia died Saturday, June 28, 2008, in Campbell County, Virginia. He was born in Halifax County, Virginia April 15, 1976 and was 32 years of age. He was the son of Jerry Brann Conner Sr. and Sandra Rickmond Conner.
Mr. Conner was a member of Fork Baptist Church.
Survivors of Mr. Conner include one son, Kayden Brann Conner of Scottsburg; his parents, Jerry Brann Conner Sr. and Sandra Rickmond Conner of Scottsburg; one sister, Jennifer Renee Conner of Scottsburg; one nephew, Connor Jacob Watts of Scottsburg; two grandmothers, Lillian Snead Rickmond of Scottsburg and Mattie Giles Conner of Scottsburg; two special friends, Candy Gravitt of Clover, Va. and Steve Emory of Lynchburg, Va. He was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Eugene S. Rickmond and Willie Frank Conner.
Funeral services for Mr. Conner will be held Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Jason Murray officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday night from 7:00 to 8:30 at Powell Funeral Home and other times at the home of his parents, 6193 Dryburg Road, Scottsburg.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the men and women of the Brookneal Fire Department, Brookneal Rescue Squad, the Altavista Fire and Rescue and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for their service and professionalism.
Arrangements are by Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, Va. 24592.

Bagbey, Davis Top HCHS Athletes
By Doug Ford
Justin Bagbey and Lasunda Davis were named Tuesday as the top Halifax County High School athletes for the past school year.
Bagbey, a baseball and football standout, received the T. C. Watkins III Outstanding Male Athlete Award, while Davis, a standout in softball, volleyball and basketball, received the Frances J. Mitchell Outstanding Female Athlete Award.
Bagbey, also a starter on the offensive line for the Comets football team his junior and senior seasons, excelled in baseball all four years in high school.
He was an Honorable Mention selection on the State All-Group AAA Baseball Team his junior and senior seasons, in addition to being named All-Northwest Region both years.
Bagbey was named Player of the Year in both the Western Valley District and Northwest Region his senior year.
He will head to Chowan University to play collegiate baseball.
Davis was an all-district volleyball and basketball player while in high school, but made her biggest mark as a four-year member of the Comets varsity softball team.
The Comets won two Western Valley District tournament titles and two district regular season championship teams during those four years, advancing to the Northwest Region Tournament each time.
“It’s a great honor and a great accomplishment, and it also reflects the efforts of my teammates and coaches throughout the years,” said Bagbey.
“If I had to thank anyone in particular, it would be my father (Perry).
“Every time I’d ask him to come to the batting cage and hit batting practice with me, he’ll come, and he’s done it since I was about five-years-old.
“I have a lot of other coaches to thank, but my dad most of all.”
Winning the Frances J. Mitchell Award is a great honor, said Davis.
“It shows that all my hard work over the years has paid off,” she added, giving credit to all the middle school, high school and Dixie coaches who have helped her, especially her father (Comets head baseball coach Kelvin Davis).
Bagbey and Davis travel to Christopher Newport University tomorrow to participate in the VHSCA All-Star baseball and softball games, respectively.

Mecklenburg, SoBo Vying For District Title
By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
There was little South Boston Dixie Majors all-star team manager E.C. Lewis could or needed to say.
His team had blown a four-run lead in the top of the sixth inning with a combination of a pair of ill-timed errors and a series of walks, allowing Mecklenburg County to escape with a 5-4 win Monday night in the championship round of the District 4 Dixie Majors baseball tournament at Randolph-Henry High School in Charlotte Court House.
“We didn’t play ball,” Lewis said.
“That’s it. We just didn’t play ball. The errors are what got us. Our defense let us down.”
For manager Dale Hite’s Mecklenburg County team, Monday night’s win was the team’s third in a row after having fallen to South Boston in the opening round of the round-robin tournament which opened Friday. After having dumped Prince Edward County-Farmville in a 15-2 rout on Saturday, Mecklenburg County upset Charlotte County Sunday to reach the championship round. Monday night, Mecklenburg County downed South Boston to force an extra game with South Boston last night for the district championship and a berth in the Dixie Majors state tournament.
“We lost the first game to these guys (South Boston) and we’ve won three in a row,” Hite pointed out.
“I’m excited. We beat a good team. Those guys are well-coached and are a good team.”
The key, Hite said, was being in a position to take advantage of opportunities.
“I just told them (the players) to put the ball in play,” explained Hite.
“They (South Boston) made a few mistakes and we capitalized.”
South Boston opened the game with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Eric Brandon hit a double with one out and scored on a two-out double by Patrick Currie to put South Boston up 1-0. A hit by Bret Lewis plated Currie to give South Boston a 2-0 lead.
A thunderstorm that suspended play for about 90 minutes in the bottom of the second inning failed to deter South Boston. With John Nichols on the mound in relief of starter Jacob Vest, South Boston held Mecklenburg County at bay in the top of the third inning and added to its lead in the bottom of the frame.
Jeremy Foster opened the inning with a single, only to be erased when Currie hit into a fielder’s choice. A triple by Lewis scored Foster to put South Boston up 3-0. Lewis scored on a passed ball to give South Boston a 4-0 lead.
South Boston managed to get only two hits the rest of the game after Dillon Novitske went to the mound at the start of the bottom of the fourth inning to relieve starter Chase Averette. Once on the hill, Novitske fanned seven of the 14 South Boston batters he faced through the game’s final three innings.
While South Boston wasn’t generating anything offensively, the team still had a four-run cushion as it entered the top of the sixth inning.
Novitske opened the inning for Mecklenburg County by reaching base on an error. Malcolm Miller followed with a single to put runners on first base and second base. With pinch-hitter Will Seate batting, a passed ball allowed the runners to advance to third base and second base. Seate walked to load the bases with nobody out with that being the end of the night for Nichols on the mound.
With Joey Rogers on the hill for South Boston, Averette was put out on a pop-up to Lewis at first base for the first out. Rogers walked Nick Carter to force in a run, Mecklenburg County’s first run of the game, and make it a 4-1 score. South Boston appeared to be in good shape after Rogers fanned Jake Moore for the second out of the inning. But, Rogers yielded walks to the next two Mecklenburg County batters, Travis Davis and Casey Helmick, allowing Mecklenburg County to close the gap to a single run at 4-3.
South Boston still had a chance to stop the bleeding and retain the lead when Foster was brought to the mound to relieve Rogers. However, that opportunity went away when Chris Overton reached base on a South Boston error that allowed two runs to score and put Mecklenburg County on top 5-4. With runners on first base and third base, Foster fanned Novitske to end the inning.
Trailing 5-4, South Boston appeared to have a shot to tie the game after Michael Ferrell laced a single through the middle of the infield. Ferrell stole second base and third base but Novitske fanned Brandon and Foster to end the inning and the game with Ferrell stranded at third base.
Lewis said his South Boston team has the capability to bounce back and make a last-ditch run for the title in last night’s game.
“We can bounce back, but they (Mecklenburg County) have the momentum,” Lewis pointed out.
“It’s up to them (the players) to come back tomorrow night ready to play ball.”
South Boston had nine hits in the game, seven of which came in the first four innings. Lewis had two hits with Ferrell, Brandon, Foster, Currie, Vest, Josh Williams and David Clark having one hit each.
Mecklenburg County had five hits with Miller leading the way with two hits. Weston, Averette and Davis had one hit each. The winners were able to take advantage of six walks from South Boston hurlers and three South Boston errors.
South Boston 14 Prince Edward County 0
South Boston advanced to the championship round with a 14-0 rout of Prince Edward County-Farmville in a game played Sunday that was shortened to three innings as a result of thunderstorms.
It was no contest as South Boston pounded out eight hits with Rogers and Williams leading the way with two hits each and Ferrell, Brandon, Nichols and Clark each getting one hit. South Boston also took advantage of eight walks given up by Prince Edward County pitchers and four Prince Edward County errors.
Nichols, who was on the mound for South Boston, gave up four hits and fanned five batters.
Mecklenburg County 3 Charlotte County 2
A day after having lost 7-5 to South Boston, Charlotte County was eliminated in a 3-2 loss to Mecklenburg County on Sunday.
Mecklenburg County did its damage in the first two innings. Picking up a run in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead and adding two more runs in the second inning to go up 3-0.
Charlotte County loaded the sacks in the first inning with Helmick reaching base on a walk, Overton getting on base on an error and Novitske reaching base on a walk. A sacrifice fly to right field from Weston allowed Helmick to score and put Mecklenburg County up 1-0.
In the second inning, Moore reached base with a double and moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt from Davis. With two out, Overton walked and Novitske followed with a two-RBI single to give Mecklenburg County a 3-0 lead.
Charlotte County got a run back in the third inning when Josh Overstreet was struck by a pitch, stole second base and scored on a single by Zack Guthrie.
A Charlotte County rally in the sixth inning came up short as one run was all the team could muster.
Josh Haskins reached base and moved to third base on a single from Derrick Adams. Haskins scored when Dan Crenshaw hit into a fielder’s choice to make what would ultimately become the final 3-2 score.

Bagbey, Davis In VHSCA All-Star Game

By Doug Ford
Justin Bagbey and Lashunda Davis, a pair of outstanding Halifax County High School senior student-athletes, will cap their high school careers Thursday with appearances at the VHSCA baseball and softball all-star games.
Bagbey is a member of the West baseball squad, which will play the East team at Christopher Newport University at 2 p.m.
Davis, a member of the East all-star team, will take the field for a game against the West all-stars, with that contest scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., also at Christopher Newport University.
Both Bagbey and Davis were excited about the opportunity to play with and against the best in the state in their respective sports.
“It’s a big opportunity for me, because I get to play with the best athletes in Virginia, and it makes me feel real good that I was chosen,” he said.
Bagbey, who will play collegiate baseball at Chowan University, knows that it’s another opportunity to keep his skills honed for college.
“I want to be in the best shape I can when I go down there, and I need to stay in the batting cage as much as I can,” he explained.
“I want to go down there and play my game, and show everyone I can play.”
Bagbey has first-hand experience with several of his teammates.
“Jordan Barnett, a right-handed pitcher from Richlands High School, plays on my travel team, and Mikey O’Brien (Hidden Valley), throws the ball real well.
“Justin Thompson (Tunstall), is also on my team, so there’re a lot of guys I know.”
“It’s a real honor to be selected to play in this game, and I had no idea at the start of the season that I’d even be close to playing with these guys,” continued Bagbey.
“The hard work over all these years has paid off and I just want to go down there and have fun.”
Davis said that playing in the all-star game represents the culmination of her hard work over the years.
“It’s a big honor to be from such a small community and play with the talent assembled at the all-star game,” said Davis.
Ironically, Davis is a member of the East squad and will face high school opponent Jenny Law of Franklin County, a member of the West team.
Davis, who will play softball at Longwood University next year, will see more familiar faces at the game.
“One member of my team will be going to Longwood with me to play softball, and another is a member of my travel team,” she explained.
Like Bagbey, Davis said she would use her all-star experience to help prepare her for the level of play she will see at the collegiate level.