Two More Schools Bite The Dust

Wilson Memorial and Turbeville Elementary schools are set for closure after Halifax County School Board trustees adopted a proposal that eliminates an almost $1 million budget shortfall for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
Trustees cannot formally approve the $61,890,099 budget until after a public hearing set for June 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the STEM Center in Halifax.
The proposal has an estimated 90 Turbeville students transferring to the new Cluster Springs Elementary School, while an estimated 115 Wilson Memorial students will attend Meadville next school year.
The proposal recommends cutting a total of 19 school system positions, none classroom teaching positions.
The proposal also recommends the elimination of summer sports camps, the alternative night education program, after-school activity bus service and the REACH (free psychological therapy) services for school employees, as well as reducing school bus purchases from 10 to nine.
Trustees voted 6-2 to adopt the proposal, with Arthur Reynolds and Mac McDowell, whose districts include the two schools recommended for closure, casting the two dissenting votes.
Closing the two elementary schools would save $102,320 in operational costs, according to Superintendent Paul Stapleton, who presented the plan to Trustees.
Ten professional positions are recommended for elimination, including four central office positions, two elementary principals, two librarians and two guidance counselors.
Nine classified positions are recommended for elimination. Those include three transportation positions, two each for clerical and custodial positions, and one paraprofessional and maintenance position each.
In total, eliminating those 19 positions would reduce the budget by $689,690, while the final five budget reductions in the proposal saves $201,991.
That combined with the $102,320 in operational cost savings with the closure of Wilson Memorial and Turbeville Elementary schools will bring the budget in line, Stapleton told trustees.
Leaving both Wilson Memorial and Turbeville open would cost an additional $505,744 in personnel costs, he noted.
Stapleton later said that this particular budget process has been as difficult as any he’s ever worked with, chiefly because it recommends the closing of two schools.
“It’s so emotional when you talk about closing two schools,” explained Stapleton.
“I understand the supervisors’ role is to provide the funding and the trustees’ role is to make decisions for the children, and the reason it’s so emotional is that it pits those two against one another.”
The only bright spot among the whole process is that no classroom teachers will lose their jobs, he noted.
Out of 19 personnel cuts, 13 were due to attrition, and the focus during the entire process has been to protect classroom instructors, he emphasized.
“We didn’t cut any classroom teachers and closing the schools allows that. If we hadn’t closed schools, there’s no doubt we would have had to cut teaching positions.
“The irony in this is that if we didn’t close schools, we would have needed additional money to operate, because we would have had positions left to fill.
“Five [teachers] that I know of we were able to transfer to vacant positions, so the good thing through all this was we were able to save some teaching positions by closing these two schools.”
The student-teacher ratio stays about the same under the proposal and that was a big concern, Stapleton added.
“We were able to save our ratio, the largest I’m looking at right now is 20-1,” said Stapleton.
“Nobody likes this, but it’s the best we could do. No board member sitting here wanted to close a school.”
McDowell and Reynolds cited their reasons for voting against the measure.
“I can’t argue with the numbers, but the fact is that it’s roughly 12-14 miles to Turbeville from areas near VIR and west of Paces, and another 15 miles along major highways to Cluster Springs,” said McDowell.
That will be one of the longest commutes in the county, particularly for elementary school-age children, continued McDowell, and that has been the concern of teachers and constituents who have contacted him, he added.
“It’s the only school in my district (ED-6), and there are no sister schools nearby. Closing any school is tough, but it’s easier when you have another school nearby in your district.
“A lot of Turbeville high school graduates still live in Turbeville, and I anticipate some folks will come forward at the public hearing and express those same concerns.”
Reynolds said he wanted to wait and see how the two new schools handled discipline issues before moving to close the two smaller elementary schools.
“I wanted us to take a look at the two large schools first and see how they work,” said Reynolds.
“I’m concerned with minority kids in terms of those who have been expelled, and large schools in part have contributed to that,” he added.
McDowell also addressed the situation surrounding the Law & Leadership Academy, proposed for the now vacant Halifax Elementary School building.
McDowell suggested that the academy was contingent on money in hand after other cuts were made, but added that he would still like to see the academy become funded.
McDowell echoed Stapleton’s comment that Wednesday’s vote was only a recommendation.
“We’ll carry this to the people in the public hearing and hear what they have to say,” he said.
“If we don’t go that route [final approval], we’ll have to come up with other cuts.
“That will be tough, talking about a $1 million deficit when 85 percent of the budget is personnel.”

Pre-K Programs Survive Budget Axe

School Board trustees gave approval Wednesday afternoon to the public preschool program for 2007-08.
A total of 22 teachers will serve 206 pre-K and 80 Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) students in a total of six Early Learning Centers, Executive Director of Instruction Joseph Griles told trustees yesterday.
With the new Cluster Springs and South Boston Elementary schools not designed for the pre-K, the programs will be located at the old Cluster Springs and Washington Coleman elementary schools.
Cluster Springs will have a total of 72 pre-K and 16 Early Childhood Special Ed students served by six teachers, while Washington Coleman will have 68 pre-K students and 32 ECSE students served by eight teachers, according to Griles.
Sydnor Jennings, Scottsburg, Clays Mill and Meadville Elementary schools will have one class each of pre-K and ECSE students, and serve approximately 25 children each.
Superintendent Paul Stapleton said the Early Learning Centers will use as many classrooms as needed, as well as libraries, bathrooms and the cafeteria.
Self-contained bathrooms will be a priority, according to Stapleton, who said staff would identify what was needed.
In the case of the Early Learning Center at Washington Coleman, there will be no operational costs per an agreement with South Boston, which will share space in the building, he added.
The Early Learning Center at the old Cluster Springs Elementary School will be budgeted out of federal monies, and not from local dollars, said Stapleton.

Write-In Campaign Set For ED-5 Trustee Seat

Two potential candidates just missed making the November ballot for the ED-5 School Board trustee seat held by Nancylee Bagwell. The incumbent did not file for re-election.
Mattie M. Cowan and Robert Carlton Wazeka Jr. both circulated petitions but missed the requirement calling for 125 signatures of registered voters within their district, according to Halifax County Registrar Judy Meeler.
Wazeka said yesterday that he plans to mount a write-in campaign. in the Nov. 6 General Election. Cowan could not be reached for comment at press time.
Meeler said yesterday that her office recommends getting at least 200 signatures on petitions. It is not uncommon for voters to be unsure of their district, which can cause names to be removed from the petition.
With the 7 p.m. Tuesday filing deadline past, there will be competition for only three offices. Stanley Noblin and Jeff Oakes are vying for leadership of the sheriff’s office, and there are two School Board trustee races. In ED-7, incumbent Sandra Rister is challenged by Stuart Comer, and in ED-4, incumbent Joe Bailey is challenged by Joe Gasperini.
Running unopposed is Devin Snead, ED-1 and Walter Potts, ED-8, who are seeking seats held by Douglas Fisher and Kelly Hill, who will not seek re-election.
Supervisors R.E. Abbott, ED-1, Doug Bowman, ED-4, James Edmunds, ED-5, Lottie Nunn, ED-7, and Bryant Claiborne, ED-8 are unopposed in their bids for re-election.
Also running unopposed are Halifax County Clerk of Court Bobby Conner, Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White, Halifax County Treasurer Linda Foster and Commissioner of the Revenue Brenda Powell.

William Garrett Walton

William Garrett ‘Jiggs’ Walton, 91, of South Boston died June 12, 2007, at his home.
Mr. Walton was born in Pittsylvania County September 26, 1915, to the late Richard Hickson Walton and Emma Womack Walton and was married to Claire Henderson Walton.
Mr. Walton graduated from Oak Level High School and attended the University of Richmond, where he pitched baseball for the University. He was in the class of 1939.
He was a World War II Veteran and served in the European Theatre in the 647th Medical Clearing Company, following Gen. Patton through France, Luxembourg, Germany and Austria. After his discharge he went to work for the South Boston Bank and Trust Company, and retired in 1984 as vice president of Sovran Bank, now Bank of America.
Mr. Walton was a member of the City Council of the City of South Boston and was an active member of First Baptist Church, South Boston, having served as superintendent of Sunday School, deacon, and chairman of the Building Committee.
Survivors include his wife; one son, William Garrett ‘Garry’ Walton Jr. and wife, Sally Phipps Walton, of Raleigh, N.C.; one daughter, Jane Walton Webb and husband, Mark Webb, of Charlottesville; and two grandsons, Jonathan Walton of Boston, Mass. and Leigh Garrett Walton of Portland, Oreg.
Two sisters, Sarah Richie and Rebecca Jones, also preceded Mr. Walton in death.
Funeral services will be held today, June 15, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Tim Cannon officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider First Baptist Church Building Fund, 815 North Main Street, South Boston, 24592.

Evelena Oldham Edwards

Evelena Oldham Edwards, 91, of Ringgold died June 12, 2007, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Edwards was born in Lee County on December 7, 1915, the daughter of the late Willie M. and Fannie J. Blalock. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Melvin brooks Oldham and Fletcher Edwards; and two brothers, Wade J. Blalock and Jack H. Blalock.
Funeral services will be held today, June 15, at 2 p.m. at Antioch Christian Church with the Revs. Cecil Coates and Roy Newton officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Survivors of Mrs. Edwards include five daughters, Minnie Belle O. Howerton and husband, Gene, Patsy O. Henderson and husband, Bill, all of South Boston, Doris O. Stacy and husband, Ben, of Roxboro, N.C., Ila O. Arthur and husband, Leroy, of Ringgold, and Ava O. Rives and husband, Wayne, of Siler City, N.C.; three sons, Melvin ‘Buddy’ Oldham and wife, Rosetta, of Goldston, N.C., Ralph M. Oldham and wife, Belinda, of Roxboro, and Charlie Oldham and wife, Mary Lois, of Bear Creek, N.C.; her stepchildren, Fletcher C. Edwards Jr., Dollie E. Little, Harden Edwards, and Patsy E. Haley; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com

Mattie Link Ferguson
Mattie Link Ferguson, 77, of 526 Easley Street, South Boston died June 12, 2007, at her home.
Mrs. Ferguson was born in Halifax County on March 1, 1930, to the late George Link and Carrie Satterfield Link, and was married to Robert James Ferguson Sr. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Ferry Street, South Boston.
Survivors include her husband of the home; four sons, James Link of Lynchburg, Rogert J. Ferguson Jr., Leo Ferguson and Wayne Ferguson, all of South Boston; four daughters, Theresa Ferguson Richardson and Kathy McIver, both of South Boston, Cheryl Scott and SherylFerguson, both of Lynchburg; two sisters, Annie Link of South Boston and Thelma Link of Jamaica Queens, N.Y.; two brothers, Willie Link and Lacy Link, both of South Boston; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sons-in-law; and two daughters-in-law.
One sister, Millie King; and one brother, George Thomas Link, also preceded Mrs. Ferguson in death.
Funeral services will be held June 17, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Allen G. Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Albert Barksdale
Albert Barksdale, 79, of 1082 Medley Road, Alton died June 12, 2007, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Barksdale was born February 5, 1928, in Halifax County to the late Sadie J. Brandon.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. tomorrow, June 16, at Greater Brandon Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Alton with the Rev. Otis V. Brandon officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this afternoon, June 15, from noon until 7, at Plenty Funeral Home Chapel, Semora, N.C.
Survivors of Mr. Barksdale include his wife, Marie, of the home; two sons, Albert Michael Barksdale and wife, Stephanie, of Newport News, and Gary R. Barksdale and wife, Velera, of Phoenix,Ariz.; one daughter, Cassandra V. Barksdale of Chesapeake; four grandchildren, LaShawn, Ashley, Brandon and Bria Barksdale.
One son, Calvin W. Barksdale; and one grandson, DeAndre S.Barksdale, preceded him in death.

Daniel Carroll Hudson
Daniel Carroll Hudson, 82, of 2242 Clover Road, Clover died June 13, 2007, at Henrico Doctors Hospital.
Mr. Hudson was born in Clover on June 22, 1924, the son of the late William Hinton Hudson and Lottie Susan Seay Hudson. He was a member of Clover United Methodist Church, was a farmer, and a school bus driver for the Halifax County Public Schools System.
Survivors include two sisters, Peggy Ciccolini of Arlington and Nancy H. Griffin Carter of Lewes, Del; three brothers, D. Lincoln Hudson of Drakes Branch, Mack Donald Hudson of Richmond, and Barney Larry Hudson of Clover; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. Hudson will be held tomorrow, June 16, at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bonnie Pizzeck officiating. Burial will follow in Clover Cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, June 15, from 7:00 until 8:30 at Powell Funeral Home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Hospice of Virginia, 7231 Forest Avenue, Suite 100, Richmond, 23226, or Clover United Methodist Church, c/o Rev. Bonnie Pizzeck, 8077 Newbill School Road, Clover, 24534.

Willie Blanche Rowland Saunders
Willie Blanche Rowland Saunders, 88, of 706 Magnolia Drive, South Boston died June 12, 2007, at Heritage Hall in Brookneal.
Mrs. Saunders was born September 25, 1918, in Pittsylvania County to the late William Henry Rowland and Abbie Compton Rowland and was married to the late Charlie Thornton Saunders. She was a member of Mulberry Baptist Church.
Survivors include four sons, the Rev. Richard Saunders and wife, Laverne, of Halifax, Clyde Saunders and wife, Bernice of Nathalie, Roger Saunders and wife, Bunny, of Vernon Hill, and Larry Saunders and wife, Linda, of South Boston; four daughters, Linda Martin and husband, Earl ‘Sonny’, of Nathalie, Betty S. Lloyd and husband, Gene, of South Boston, Jean Lee and husband, Billy, of Brookneal, and Connie Tuck and husband, Tony, of Lynch Station; 20 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren.
One grandchild and one great-grandchild also preceded Mrs. Saunders in death.
Funeral services will be tomorrow, June 15, at 2 p.m. at Mulberry Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Saunders officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net

Clara Marie Granger Adams
Clara Marie Granger Adams, 78, of Randolph died June 9, 2007, in South Boston.
Mrs. Adams was the daughter of the late Willie Granger and Lucille Davis Granger and was married to the late Robert F. ‘Sterling’ Adams.
Survivors include one son, Roger Adams and wife, Mary, of Randolph; two grandchildren, Dantavious and Andrea Adams; four great-grandchildren, Danesha, Courtney, Dantavious Jr. and Devon; four sisters, Fannie Brown, Juanita Leigh and husband, C.D., Mary West and husband, Lindsey, and Josephine Wells; one brother, Willie Granger Jr.; two sisters-in-law, Esther Hill and Estelle Adams; and two brothers-in-law, Willie Adams and Samuel Adams.
Funeral services for Mrs. Adams will be held tomorrow, June 16, at 11 a.m. at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Nathalie with the Rev. Sylvester Crawley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Condolences may be emailed to Jeffressfh@aol.com.

Anthony Ray Compton
Anthony Ray Compton, 52, of 1035 Dove Lane, Scottsburg died June 13, 2007, at his home.
Mr. Compton was born in Halifax County on October 2, 1954, the son of the late Carl B. Compton and Janie McDaniel Compton, and was married to Charlotte Mills Compton. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, and was a former employee of ABB.
Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Kelli Davis Hines; one son, Jamie Lee Davis; two brothers, Tommy Compton and wife, Roselane, all of Scottsburg, and Steve Compton and wife, Susan, of Chesterfield.
Funeral services for Mr. Compson will be held tomorrow, June 16, at 2 p.m. at South Boston Church of God with the Rev. Dr. Bruce Hagy and Rev. Bob Rudman officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, June 15, from 7:00 until 8:30 at South Boston Church of God, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net

Wilda Bell Thompson
Wilda Bell Thompson, 70, of 1123 Burton Road, Scottsburg died June 13, 2007, in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Mrs. Thompson was born August 30, 1936, in Alamance County, N.C., the daughter of the late Abraham Allen Bell and the late Hermie Sutton Bell, and was married to Owen E. Thompson. She was a member of Ingram Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church, did volunteer work for Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Department, and was retired from Burlington Industries, Inc.
Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Mark E. Thompson and wife, Elona, of Winston-Salem; one brother, Jerry Leon bell of Burlington, N.C.; one sister, Angie Bell Hopson of Snow Camp, N.C.; three granddaughters, Tasha Wright, Kimberly Davis and Jennifer Forlines; one step-granddaughter, Annette Canterbury; three great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.
Two brothers, Everette Allen Bell and David Worth Bell, also preceded Mrs. Thompson in death.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, June 16, at 2 p.m. at Ingram Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Revs. Robert Heim, Ron Saxton and Grant Dyer officiating. Burial will follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends this evening, June 15, from 7:00 to 9:00 at Brooks Funeral Home, and other times at her home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Department.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net

Post 8 Suspends Baseball Program, Cancels Season

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
One of Halifax County’s top baseball programs has taken a big hit.
Citing a lack of players, officials of South Boston American Legion Post 8 have suspended Post 8’s American Legion baseball program for 2007 and will not field a team this season.
The announcement came yesterday from Tommy Whitlow, chairman of the Post 8 Baseball Committee.
“The American Legion Post 8 Baseball Committee regrets to announce the suspension of our baseball program for the 2007 season,” Whitlow said in a prepared statement.
“Because of a low turnout of players, it is impossible for us to compete this year. We had approximately 11 players to sign up. That is too few players to play the 21-game schedule that we were set up to play.”
Whitlow added that he feels bad for the players that committed to the Post 8 team that now will not get a chance to play.
“I really hate this for all of the 11 players that signed up,” Whitlow pointed out.
“Their season is over. They don’t have a chance to play now. Even if they did, at this point, they would not be able to get in enough games to qualify and have a chance to play on an all-star team.”
Whitlow said that while the door has been closed on the 2007 season, Post 8 officials will consider fielding a team in the future if there is a significant amount of interest shown from players and parents.
“Perhaps, if there is a substantial interest shown from players and parents, we can play in the future,” Whitlow said.
Post 8 started its baseball team in 1988 as a community youth project to give the county’s baseball players an opportunity to play a highly competitive level of baseball in which they could compete against some of the region’s top high school and college freshman players.
“This type of competition requires a lot of dedication, and, at times, some sacrifices, by the ballplayers and an aspiration to play baseball at some level after high school,” Whitlow said.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to attract enough of this type of ballplayers this year.”
Whitlow pointed out that it has been difficult to obtain commitments from players, especially this year.
“We can’t have kids come and say they want to play and then not show up when it comes time to practice or play and not return your phone calls,” Whitlow pointed out.
“We can’t operate on a come when you want to situation. This is not for every ballplayer. We have got to have dedicated ballplayers. This is not a rec league.”
Whitlow said he and the Post 8 Baseball Committee thank the players that signed up to play this season for their interest in the program.
“Their effort is greatly appreciated,” Whitlow pointed out.
“We also want to thank all of the players, parents, coaches and managers who have participated in the Post 8 program throughout the years. Their dedication to the game of baseball is unsurpassed.
“Some of these people have gone on to have successful college careers and are now coaching baseball in other areas of the state,” continued Whitlow.
“Others have gone on to be successful in other professions. We at Post 8 are proud of each and every one of them.”
Whitlow and the Post 8 Baseball Committee also extended their thanks to area baseball fans and the local news media for their support.
“Our thanks also go out to the fans who have come out and supported our teams over the years,” Whitlow said.
“We also thank our local news media, both print and radio, for their support and outstanding coverage of our program.”

Soccer Instruction With An English Flavor

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
A group of young Halifax County soccer players are being treated this week to a week of soccer instruction with an English flavor.
The youngsters, ages 4-16, will today attend the final day of AYSO Soccer Camps taught by U.K. International Soccer Camps held at Halifax County High School and offered through the Halifax County AYSO Soccer League.
Three soccer instructors from England, Sarah Shard of Manchester, Nick Mason of Wellingborough and Ryan Hunn of Great Yarmouth have been working with the local youngsters this week.
Shard is a graduate of Manchester University and plays soccer for a women’s semi-pro team, Accrington-Stanley FC (Full Club) based in Northern England.
Mason recently graduated from Lincoln University and is a center midfielder for the Lincoln-Moorlands FC semi-pro soccer team.
Hunn, who recently graduated from Coventry University and plays for the Yarmouth Town team in a semi-pro league.
All three are employed by UKISC (United Kingdom International Soccer Camps) and are among approximately 200 soccer coaches that the agency sends to the United States each year to conduct soccer camps.
The coaches involved in the program come to the United States for a 10-week stint during which they traverse the country conducting soccer camps for youth soccer players.
On Friday of each week, each coach receives an e-mail from company officials instructing him or her where to go next.
Shard, Mason and Hunn are in their second week in the United States. They spent their first week in Detroit, Mich. undergoing training. Having done that, the three coaches set out on a 13-hour drive from Detroit to Halifax County where they started their first camp Monday.
When asked about the difference in instructing soccer clinics to youths in England and the youngsters here, Shard said youngsters in the United States appear to be a little more eager to learn.
“I think they’re more willing and more enthusiastic,” Shard said of the youngsters here in the United States.
“There is so much soccer going on in England that many children don’t appreciate it and take it for granted. Over here, they treat you with more respect. They’re excited to see foreign coaches. They see it as a great opportunity. They are really enthusiastic and they get involved. They’re great kids to teach.”
Mason said he, too, feels that the American kids appear to be a little more eager to learn.
“Kids are coached in England,” Mason pointed out.
“They’re privileged to go down to the park and play football (soccer) and have a coach at their doorstep all the time. There are always teams about.
“Here,” Mason continued, “there’s a shortage of coaches across the country. The kids are much more appreciative, especially of someone from England, which is country that thrives on soccer.”
On a technical level, Mason says he hasn’t seen a great deal of disparity between the youths here and those in his country.
“In terms of the quality of the kids as to soccer, I would suggest that at the ages (of the children) we are coaching, I can’t see a lot of difference,” remarked Mason.
“We got briefed before we came out here telling us American children may not be as quick to adapt to the drills that we are going to put on for them. I haven’t found that yet.”
Hunn concurred with Mason in terms of the technical abilities of the youth in the two countries.
“As far as technical ability of the American to the English, there is not a lot of difference,” Hunn pointed out.
“We’ve had a few parents mention that the quality of the coaches or the number of coaches that are available in America is very few and far between, especially in Virginia and especially here in and around Halifax. They’re very grateful that we’re coming over and trying to teach the children a few new drills and techniques. I think the kids are really enjoying it.”
While the kids have been having a good time learning new soccer techniques and skills, the instructors say that the feedback from parents has been very positive.
“The enthusiasm is definitely there,” Shard pointed out.
“The parents really want the kids to improve. They want their children to do well. Hopefully we can pass along the knowledge and they can carry on and they can make football (soccer) a bigger sport and make it more popular.”
Mason said parents have been asking them a lot of questions.
“They have so many questions to ask us,” he stated.
“The parents don’t know. They’ve grown up in a country where soccer has been put on the back burner. There are the three major sports, baseball, basketball and American football. They don’t have the knowledge (about soccer) to pass to the children so they want coaches like us coming across from England.
“We’ve grown up in the game,” continued Mason.
“We probably know things that they’ve never been told. We want to pass along what we’ve got to them.”
Hunn said the feedback has been good about the camp.
“We’ve had great feedback from the whole community,” he noted Wednesday afternoon.
“We’ve been down here three days and we’ve had the police chief come down, the coaches of the (high school) girls soccer team and the boys soccer team and all of the parents.
“We’ve been fortunate enough that they (AYSO officials) have verbally agreed to carry on this program. We should be back here again next year.”

One Of A Kind Car At VIR

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
Whitman Ball must have looked twice to make sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him while thumbing through an antique car magazine more than 20 years ago.
An ad in the magazine advertised a 1946 Healey for sale, and Ball knew it could only be one of two types, a roadster or a coupe.
“I had a friend of mine in Atlanta go and take a look at it,” recalled Ball, a vintage racer at VIR last weekend for the Heacock Classic Gold Cup Races celebrating VIR’s 50th Anniversary.
“When he told me it was what I was looking for, I told him that I’ll take it.
Ball has owned the 1946 Healey Elliott racing saloon since then, one of only 35 known to exist in the world and the only one in the U.S.
At least, for now.
“It might not be the only one in the states for long, because I recently got a call from a man who just bought one,” admitted Ball.
“I don’t know if he’s going to bring it here. He lives just down the road from me and his is one of the factory record setting rally cars from the late 1940s.”
Ball said his car was of the same type, but it didn’t race until he bought it.
“This particular car was imported through New York and sold by Inskip Motors, which is still there today,” said Ball.
“They’re an English car importer, Rolls, Bentley, cars such as those.
“The car was sold to a doctor from Atlanta, and I think he donated it to the Stone Mountain Car and Music Museum.
“I don’t think anyone at the museum realized what they had on hand.”
Although fast for its day, the Healey doesn’t frighten many with its speed on the track today, but it did set records in Britain.
“Donald Healey was a prolific sports and racing car designer and this was his second model,” explained Ball.
“Designed in World War II, It set a new record of 110 MPH for British saloons in 1947, so it’s not so slow a car.
“On the track now its slow and under-horsepowered, and it may surprise some people but not many here this weekend.
“It did surprise a bunch of people with pre-war cars.”
After the coupe came the roadster and Healey progressed to creating the Nash Healey in 1950, 1951 and 1952, using the Nash engine, continued Ball.
“They then drew plans for the Healey 100, a four cylinder care and found an engine for it from Austin in 1952.
“That became the Austin-Healey, a logical progression in growing and developing the business.”
The body of Ball’s car is comprised of an aluminum skin, not magnesium as the earliest models were, noted Ball.
“Do you know what magnesium does when a torch hits it? It explodes and burns ferociously.”
Trying to extinguish the fire with water only made matters worse, and that’s probably what the fire fighters unknowingly used in those days,” he added.
“Add water and it would burst into flames, using the oxygen in the water.
“I’ll bet a bunch of body shops burned down when someone tried to fix a tear or something in one of those cars.”