Community Foundation Awards Grants Totaling Over $319,000

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region awarded $319,500 in Chastain Home fund grants yesterday to 13 charitable organizations “whose emphasis was to serve elderly women in the region.”
Dr. Connie Fletcher, chairman of The Community Foundation’s distribution committee, announced the second round of grants during an afternoon ceremony at The Prizery.
“We look forward to another round of grants next year,” Victor Millner Jr., president of the Foundation, told the crowd.
Of the $319,500 awarded on Tuesday, the YMCA received the largest grant, $60,000. The YMCA’s plan is to purchase a van to bring Chastain ladies to the “Y,” to replace the roof or provide an energy recovery unit. YMCA Director Marcus Hargrave accepted the grant.
Other grants awarded during yesterday’s event were:
• Banister Senior Services, Inc. - $5,000, to provide support for the Golden Years Senior Enrichment Program. Estelle Jones accepted the grant.
• Community Arts Center Foundation/The Prizery - $55,000, to help purchase and install professional theatre systems for the Chastain Theatre. Foundation president Peg Anderson accepted the award.
• Halifax County Cancer Association - $25,000, to assist elderly men and women with cancer-related prescription medications. HCCA Director Rhonda Reaves accepted the grant.
• Halifax County Historical Society - $7,500, to publish an architectural history of Halifax County. Society president Barbara Bass accepted the grant.
• Halifax County Public Schools Education Foundation - $55,000, to purchase healthcare and fire equipment to train students for Geriatric Nursing, EMT and Firefighting. Audrey Davidson accepted on behalf of the Foundation.
• Halifax County Sheriff’s Office - $2,000, to provide support for second tracking canine to search for missing persons/criminals. County administrator Bryant Foster accepted on behalf of the Sheriff’s Department.
• Halifax County-South Boston Regional Library, $20,000, to purchase materials of interest to older persons and supplement public access computers. Library director Paul Johnson accepted the grant.
•Halifax Regional Health System - $15,000, to offer free health screenings to the public at community events. Connie Zamora accepted the grant on behalf of Halifax Regional Health System.
• Halifax Volunteer Fire Department - $20,000, to purchase new equipment, two new air packs, five-inch supply hose, and spare cylinders for the air packs. Darryl Dawson accepted on behalf of the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department.
• Lake Country Area Agency on Aging - $38,000, to provide response transportation to ambulatory seniors to medical appointments, pharmacies, shopping, etc. Ed Taylor and Gwen Hinzman represented LCAAA.
• Operation New Vision - $2,000, to provide food for elderly women and men and other underserved individuals. Rosetta Jackson accepted on behalf of New Vision.
• South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts & History - $15,000, to improve accessibility to genealogical and historical materials for research, to improve air conditioning and security system. Leslie Powell accepted the grant for the museum.
The Chastain Home Fund was created in December 2003 by a gift of $1,030,000 from the Chastain Home for Gentlewomen in Halifax.
The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is a public charity with total assets exceeding $12 million. The Foundation serves an area from Martinsville-Henry County to South Boston/Halifax County, including the neighboring North Carolina counties.
For more information, contact the Foundation office at 434-793-0884, P.O. Box 1039, Danville, Va. 24543 or visit its website www.cfdrr.org.

 

 

South Boston Council Getting Tough On Substandard Rentals

Taylor Building Eyed By North Carolina Firm Councilmen are considering a Town Code amendment that would get tough on property owners with substandard rental property.
The amendment addresses rental property only.
Councilmen were asked by the Public Works Director Alan Auld to review the amended Code for 30 days, revisiting the issue at their August work session.
“All rentals would be inspected,” said Auld.
The proposal would create districts – driven by blight, deterioration, health, safety or sanitary conditions - with inspections undertaken in one district at a time.
“I think we should designate one district now,” suggested Auld.
The public works director noted public hearings would be held as part of the process in establishing districts.
Auld also suggested property owners not be charged for the inspection.
Property owners would be notified prior to the town’s state certified compliance officer’s inspection of the property. If the property were found compliant, the property owner would be issued a 48-month certificate of compliance.
“We would not go back unless something drastic happens (at the property),” said Auld of the four-year interval.
If problems affecting the health, safety or welfare of a renter are found, the property owner would be cited and a follow-up inspection would be held. If conditions imperil the immediate safety or health of the renter, the property could be vacated while renovations are under way.
Property owners who fail to comply with the Code could be fined, according to Auld. “If violations are severe enough the home could be demolished. I don’t t want to demolish houses, I want people to bring them up to standard.”
Auld asked councilmen to review the seven and one-half page amended Code and offer suggestions.
He also asked councilmen for an ad hoc committee to talk about the districts.
Dilapidated housing is being addressed in the town, according to Auld.
“I have seven derelict and unoccupied homes now ready to demolish,” said the public works director. “Out of 25 or 30 homes we are looking at.”
Auld said the seven homes are located throughout the town.
No action was taken during the Monday night work session on proposals.
In other business, a North Carolina firm, Landmark Development, is currently exploring the purchase of the historic Taylor Building for construction of affordable low-income housing, town manager Ted Daniel said Monday night.
The town manager credited the Department of Historic Resources for making the contact.
“They put out the word they wanted to save the building so these people called,” he said.
Firm officials visited the site last week.
Daniel said he expects the firm to submit a proposal in two weeks.
The town manager said historic tax credits and low-income credits are key to the proposal.
“They would take ownership, build it,” he added. “As we go through this whole issue, keep in mind we’re trying to put affordable housing back. It may be something positive will come out of the Taylor Building.”
In the town’s Church Hill project, the building was slated for demolition with a park to be established at the site. Daniel said it would still be possible to have a park as part of the Church Hill project.
The town’s attempts to secure adoptive reuse of the Taylor Building were unsuccessful. To save the historic building, a $7 million price tag was attached.
“At $7 million, it was not a good business decision,” said Daniel.
The town manager described the North Carolina firm as one having a deep background in converting old buildings. “They are capable of turning an old building into something very nice,” he added.
Replying to a question from Council, Daniel said if the building cannot be saved, no later than July of 2007 demolition would begin so that the building’s remains could go into the town’s landfill before the landfill’s slated closure.
In other business, during the work session the following items were approved for Council’s agenda for the August 8 meeting:
• An August 8 public hearing is set for 7 p.m. on Reynold “Buster” D’Amato’s permit request to construct and expand his auto repair shop at 512 Chalmers Street. Town Planner Lee Pambid reported the Planning Commission recommended approval with no conditions.
• An August 8 public hearing is set for McLaughlin Shopping Center’s request to construct 60 storage units at Halifax Square Shopping Center. The Planning Commission has recommended approval with four conditions, which include landscaping and curb and gutter, exterior lighting requirements, lighting fixtures, and a fourth condition Council is considering which allows review. That proposal reads: “This special use permit may be subject to review by the town council upon complaint by any adjacent property owner, public health or law enforcement agency identifying a nuisance created by warehouse operations that is harmful, annoying, inconvenient or disturbing to adjacent properties. Upon review by the town council, it may either amend or revoke this special use permit after notice and public hearing is required by the Code of Virginia and the South Boston Town Code.”
• Council will consider a change in the Occupancy Tax Section which included the 4 1/2 percent rate to “shall be in such amount as shall be prescribed and approved by council.” Earlier this year, Council set a 5 1/2 percent occupancy tax.
• A recommendation for the removal of a traffic signal at the intersection of Wilborn Avenue and Johnston Street will be addressed at the August meeting. The study was conducted by Chris Elliott, an IMSA Certified Traffic Signal II (field tech). There was only one reportable and two non-reportable accidents in the past two years at the intersection, according to the report. There have been none during the study, when only a flashing light warned motorists. The main street approaches recorded an average of 480 vehicles per hour during the 10 busiest hours on the day counts were taken. On the minor street approach, only 68 were recorded on the highest hour.
• Council will consider Councilman Eric Roberts’ appointment to the Lake Country Development Corp. The seat was vacated by former councilman Tom Raab. A seat on the Halifax County Improvement Council is also vacant.
• Town Finance Director Vandie Saunders will seek permission to publish 2004 delinquent real estate taxes in the newspaper. Before publication, Saunders said property owners would be contacted by letter and given 30 to 45 days to pay up.
The finance director also seeks permission to charge off $4,403.53 in 2004-2005 utility bills considered not collectable. However, Saunders will continue trying to collect the funds. “Even with the $4,403.53, our collection rate was right at 99.8 percent,” said the treasurer.
State Police Probing Shooting -Accident

State Police Releasing Few Details

The Virginia State Police are currently investigating an alleged shooting incident that ended in an accident early Saturday morning.
Michael R. Waddle was listed as injured following the early-morning accident on Hamilton Boulevard in South Boston, according to Virginia State Trooper S.M Krantz.
The accident occurred at approximately 12:15 a.m. Saturday, roughly 70 feet west of Hamilton Boulevard’s intersection with North Main Street, according to Krantz.
Waddle, 25, of Halifax, was operating a 1997 Infiniti Q when he was reportedly struck in the rear by a 1999 Dodge Avenger, driven by Richard J. Reed, 23, of South Boston, according to the police report.
After being struck, the Infiniti was hurled off the right shoulder into the concrete curbing, police said.
It has been confirmed by South Boston law enforcement officials that the accident may be connected to an earlier incident where shots were fired at one of the involved vehicles.
Because Reed is the son of South Boston Police Chief Mick Reed, South Boston authorities immediately turned the investigation into the incident over to the state police.
No charges have been filed in connection with the accident, but the investigation is ongoing, Virginia State Police Sergeant Barksdale said yesterday.
Citing the confidentiality of ongoing investigations, state police officials declined to release any more information about the shooting at press time yesterday.

 

Obituaries

Camie Brown

Camie Brown, 88, of 4164 Clays Mill Road, Scottsburg died July 22 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Ms. Brown was born July 3, 1917, to the late James T. Brown and Nannie Poindexter Browing Irving. She was a member of New Hope CME Church.
Survivors include one sister, Nannie Irving of Washington, D.C.; two nephews; a devoted friend and caretaker, Debra Stovall and family of South Boston. Ms. Brown was preceded in death also by two sisters, Marion Brown and Eva Brown Odom.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, July 28, at 1 p.m. at New Hope CME Church with the Rev. Arlean Boozer and Rev. Dr. Betty Boston officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The remains will lie-in-state at Crawford House Chapel in Halifax today, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The family is receiving friends at the home.

Fannie Powell Childrey

Fannie Powell Childrey, 91, of Halifax died July 25 at The Woodview.
Mrs. Childrey was born in Halifax County on September 14, 1913, the daughter of the late Charles Henry Powell and Annie Smith Powell and was married to the late Hassie Newberry Childrey. She was a member of Dan River Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, Garland Childrey and wife, Mary Jean, of Halifax; one granddaughter, Cynthia Ann Childrey of Flagstaff, Ariz.; three sisters, Lorene P. Hatcher and Jeanette P. Newton of Scottsburg, and Louise P. Hawkins of Lynchburg; and one brother, Edward Powell of Danville.
Other than her husband and parents, Mrs. Childrey was preceded in death by four sisters, Elizabeth Powell, Mae P. McKinney, Gracie P. Burke and Pauline P. Nelson; and two brothers, Hagood Powell and Lester Powell.
Funeral services for Mrs. Childrey will be held tomorrow, July 28, at 1 p.m. at Dan River Baptist Church with the Rev. Doug Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, July 27,from 7:00 until 8:30 at Powell Funeral Home, and other times at the home of her son, 1035 Myers Road, Halifax.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Dan River Baptist Church.

Hubert Osborne Garrett

Hubert Osborne Garrett, 78, of 301 Powell Road, South Boston died July 26 at Seasons at the Woodview.
Mr. Garrett was born in Halifax County on September 30, 1926, the son of the late Walter Henry Garrett and Myrtle McCraw Garrett and was married to the late Ann Hatcher Garrett. He was a member of Center United Church of Christ and was a longtime employee of J.P. Stevens.
Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews.
A graveside service for Mr. Garrett will be held tomorrow, July 28, at 11 a.m. at Halifax Memorial Gardens with the Rev. John Wilder officiating.
The family will receive friends this evening, July 27, from 7:00 until 8:30, at Powell Funeral Home.

Mary Lena Johnson

Mary Lena Johnson of Virgilina, died Monday at her residence.
Ms. Johnson was 87 years of age at the time of her death.
She was born in Halifax County on October 3, 1917, to the late Thomas Johnson and Janie Pulley Johnson, and was a member of Mayo Grove Baptist Church.
Mary Lena Johnson is survived by four grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 23 great-great-grandchildren; a niece, Frances Carrington; two nephews, Elijah Johnson and Darnell Brooks; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Mary Lena Johnson was preceded in death by one daughter, Arlene Johnson Stovall; one brother, William Johnson; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mary Lena Johnson will be held tomorrow, July 28, at 11 a.m., with services at Mayo Grove Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 3023 Virgilina Rd. in Virgilina.

James Joseph Michaels

James Joseph Michaels devoted husband, proud father, beloved grandfather and great grandfather passed away July 25, at Halifax Community Hospital after a courageous battle with bronchitis and lung failure. Jimmy was born December 26,19 15 in Buffalo, New York. He came to the South Boston area in the Depression years as member of the Civil Conservation Corps who were then building Staunton River State Park.
Jimmy volunteered for the Army during World War II and was assigned to the 28th Infantry Division. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and was part of a small group of American soldiers, thought to be Jews, and confined to the slave labor camp Berga Am Elster, a sub camp of the infamous Buchenwald death camp. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, The Prisoner of War Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and other medals. His death camp experiences are portrayed in the Richmond, VA Holocaust Museum.
As one of the camp survivors, he returned to his wife and family in South Boston after being released from the hospital in 1945. He worked for JP Stevens for over 29 years, retiring in 1980. Jimmy was a proud, compassionate, strong-hearted man, who never used his prisoner of war disabilities as an excuse for not working hard and doing the right things for those he loved.
He was married for 66 years to the former Inez Wilborn who survives him at the home. Other survivors include his son Tony Michaels and wife Susan of Greensboro, NC, granddaughter Tracey Michaels Principi and husband Randy of Mooresville, NC, granddaughter Tara Michaels Ocello and husband Colin of Davidson, NC and great granddaughter Kendall Emily Ocello and great grandson Jacob Anthony Ocello.
Brooks Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements and a graveside service with military honors will be held in Memorial Gardens Wednesday, July 27 at 10:00 a.m. Honorary pallbearers are: Betty and Don Wilkerson, Colin Ocello, and Randy Principi. Friends may pay their respects at Brooks Funeral Home and visit the family at the home. Donations may be made to Halifax Regional Hospice in lieu of flowers.

 

Eugene Jackson Nichols Sr.

Eugene Jackson Nichols Sr., 82, of Love Shop Trailer Park died July 26, at Trinity Missions Nursing Home in Rocky Mount.
Mr. Nichols was born in Halifax County on July 14, 1923, the son of the late Booker Nichols and Utilla Guthrie Nichols and was married to the late Shirley Barker Nichols. He attended Revelation Baptist Church, was a member of American Legion Post 8, and was a decorated Army Veteran of WWII.
Survivors include three children, David Wayne Nichols of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Eugene Jackson Nichols Jr. of Miami, Fla., and Anna Nichols Bowes of Roxboro, N.C.; three granddaughters, Jennifer Lynn Richmond of Roxboro, April Michelle Hicks of Reidsville, N.C. and Amanda Gene Nichols of Myrtle Beach; one great-grandson; Kennan Richmond; and one sister, Lee Covington of Buffalo Junction. Mr. Nichols was also preceded in death by one brother, Warren Nichols; and one sister, Estelle Johnson.
Funeral services will be held July 29, at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Rudolph Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow in Clover Cemetery.
The family will receive friends tomorrow evening, July 28, from 7:00 until 8:30, at Powell Funeral Home and other times at the home of his daughter.

Sports Ambassadors

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

Holland – land of tulips, windmills, ice skating, gingerbread houses – and soccer for at least this week, as Amsterdam hosts the 2005 People to People Sports Ambassador Program.
Two Halifax County High School soccer standouts, Courtney McGill and Kirsten Marvin, will be two of thousands of youth from across the world who will make the journey to Amsterdam to compete in a variety of sports.
McGill and Marvin are rising seniors at Halifax County High School, both of them midfielders last year for the Comets varsity girls soccer team.
For both, the Sports Ambassador Program offers the chance of a lifetime to meet and compete with youth from different cultures and to experience the lifestyle and culture of a different country.
McGill and Marvin are the only two Halifax County athletes traveling to Amsterdam to compete in the Sports Ambassador program this year.
Each athletic program features a training camp with team practice conducted by professional coaches, an invitational FIFA-sanctioned tourney with an opening ceremony, awards presentation, and a guaranteed number of matches.
“When we first arrive, we go to a skills assessment for all the players," said McGill, adding teams are assigned according to individual skill levels.
It’s basically a mini-Olympics, including everything from bowling to baseball. Everybody participates in the opening ceremonies, and then the games begin."
Marvin hopes that she and McGill end up on the same team after the skills assessment.
“You aren’t evaluated by age, but by skill level and those at the same skill level will play each other."
There are three different skill levels, according to Marvin.
Athletes from about 38 countries will participate in both men’s and women’s sports, she added.
Players are nominated through different sports programs, with the Halifax County American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) nominating McGill and Marvin.
“I got a letter in the mail and it said if you were interested to come to a meeting where they would inform you about the program," said Marvin.
“They told you all about it, showed pictures from last year and told us to sign up if you were interested."
“I’m so excited, it’s going to be great," she said. “I’ve never really been far away from Virginia. It’s going to be so cool, and I was so excited when I got my letter that I called Courtney to see if she got her letter, too."
A native of Toronto, McGill has a little more travel experience than Marvin, but she has never left the shores of North America.
“It’s my first time overseas, but I’m used to traveling, going back and forth to Canada," said McGill. “This will give me exposure to different languages and cultures."
Marvin agreed, terming the trip a learning experience.
“I plan to make new friends. I haven’t traveled before, but I’m looking forward to it.
In a nutshell, that is the purpose of the Sports Ambassador Program, which travels under the banner of People to People (PTP).
PTP was the initiative of former President Dwight Eisenhower, who was in office during one of the most trying and divisive times of the 20th century, the Cold War.
He developed PTP in 1956 as a means of bridging the cultural divide and to promote understanding and goodwill between nations.
The first delegation of student ambassadors took place in 1963, and from that time forward, the Ambassador Program has taken thousands of American young people across international boundaries.
McGill and Marvin have been studying about Holland to get a “leg up" before their arrival in Amsterdam.
“They gave us books which include basic things about Holland, some of the words to use, what to expect, things such as that," said McGill.
“We were asked to investigate our own history and culture."
That study has also given them an idea of where they want to visit and what they want to do in their spare time.
“We got to look up some of the places we want to visit, and that’s what I did," said Marvin. “I want to go to one of the gardens with the mazes in them, where people can get lost.
“I also want to bicycle through the country."
In addition to better soccer skills, McGill hopes to bring back memories, cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses of the new friends she hopes to meet, while both hope to bring back some of that famous Dutch chocolate.
Marvin and McGill admit to being true “chocoholics."
“I’ve heard some kids can’t bring it back all the way, they get hungry on the plane ride and eat it," Marvin said with a sly grin. Post 8 Baseball Team Bows Out Of District Tournament Post 8 Loses To Big Island 8-5 To End Season

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

A season-long nemesis – the big inning – came back to haunt the South Boston Post 8 American Legion baseball team Sunday night, Big Island Post 217 scoring five runs in the fourth inning on the way to a 8-5 win in the District 10 Tournament at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
Sunday’s loss came to a team that Post 8 had fared well against during both the regular season and during the first round of the tournament. Post 8 claimed a 6-5 win over Big Island in its district tourney opener.
“We had a lot of success against Big Island in the regular season, and I was glad to play them again," said Post 8 manager Jason Jones.
“They are a good ball club and they played well. So did we, but the one big inning hurt us, and the big inning has hurt us all season long. If not for that, we would have done much better."
“This year was a learning experience for both me and for most of the players. We faced some great competition and it can only make the players better down the road."
The game was tied 1-1 before Big Island’s big fourth inning. Big Island used two singles and a double to take the lead in the top of the second, but Post 8 responded in the bottom of the inning.
Blake Waller drew a leadoff walk to start the rally, advancing on a Big Island error, before Ryan Gieselman’s RBI single tied the score at 1-1.
Big Island started its big fourth inning with a runner reaching base after being hit by a pitch. A sacrifice, double, another hit batsman, single, sacrifice fly and a bases clearing double, along with two walks, added up to five runs and a 6-1 lead.
Big Island used a double, two base hits and a Post 8 error to plate two more runs in the sixth for a 8-1 lead, before a late-game Post 8 rally fell short.
Justin Armistead singled in the seventh inning, before a Brent Long triple and Ryan Roller sacrifice fly made it 8-3. Waller hit a single and Travis Powell drew a walk to put two runners aboard, but a groundout cut short the rally.
Post 8 plated two more runs in the eighth inning to make it 8-5. Chris Sizemore smacked a leadoff double, advanced on a Brandon Spence grounder and scored on a RBI groundout by Robert Carter.
Armistead reached base on an error and later scored the final run of the season for Post 8.
The Post 8 baseball team compiled a 4-8 overall record and 3-7 district record in the regular season, before going 1-2 in the district tournament. Speaking Of Sports For some people, it feels a little bit strange that only two teams from Halifax County, the Halifax County National Ponytails and the Halifax County Debs all-star Dixie Softball teams, are headed off to Dothan, Ala. for the World Series.
Over the course of the previous three years our community has had no less than five teams advance to World Series action. So, for some people, to have just two teams going this year is something of a disappointment.
I understand where these folks are coming from. After having reached such a high level of success, some people would be disappointed if you didn’t reach that mark every year.
When you pause for a moment and look at it, having as many teams as we have had to reach the World Series in the previous three years is nothing short of phenomenal. It has been an extraordinary accomplishment, an accomplishment that our community and our softball and baseball leagues can take a great deal of pride in.
Halifax County and South Boston baseball and softball teams carry a tremendous record of success throughout the realm of Dixie baseball and softball. That success is a mark many leagues and teams across the state and throughout the states represented in the World Series long to achieve.
There are many communities, probably many that are larger than ours, which would give almost anything to have one team make it to the World Series, much less have two, three, four or even five teams get there.
Even in what some people have chosen to call a “down" year, Halifax County is sending two entries into World Series play, an accomplishment that many people in other communities would love to see.
While some people may choose to view this as a “down" year I still look at it as a good year.
The Virginia Dixie Youth Baseball AAA League State Tournament
The Virginia Dixie Youth Baseball AAA League State Tournament wrapped up a week ago today at the Halifax County South complex in Cluster Springs with Madison Heights downing Blacksburg by a run in an eight-inning thriller to win the state title and advance to the World Series in Auburn, Ala.
The Blacksburg-Madison Heights championship game was a game I enjoyed as much as any tournament game I’ve attended these past few weeks.
The drama of a championship game that saw a late rally send the game into extra innings and the fun to see and hear the Blacksburg fans suddenly launch unprompted into the song “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” during the fourth inning stretch was something I truly enjoyed.
That game was a truly fine example of what Dixie Youth Baseball is all about. It was youth baseball the way it ought to be.
Harrison Conner and all of the people associated with the Halifax County South Dixie Youth Baseball League, as well as the people that volunteered their time and energy to help put on the event, were great hosts and staged a very good tournament.
Speaking Of Tournaments
Our community has been very fortunate the past couple of years when it comes to Dixie Youth Baseball. It’s not very often that a community is awarded a state tournament and South Boston and Halifax County have been very fortunate to host state tournaments two years in a row.
South Boston hosted both the DYB Major League and AAA state tournaments last year and Halifax County South hosted this year’s AAA League state event.
These events are important to the host leagues and they are important to our community. Visitors from across the state come here and spend anywhere from two days to up to a week with us, dining in our restaurants, staying in our motels, shopping in our stores, buying gasoline at our service stations and on and on.
In addition to the business impact, these tournaments allow us opportunities to showcase our community, our hospitality and friendliness, and reap benefits in return.
In the days prior to the Dixie Youth AAA tournament at Cluster Springs, I received several phone calls from people wanting information. While I was at the ballpark one afternoon, a gentleman from Vinton that had e-mailed me requesting travel directions and tournament information stepped up, introduced himself and thanked me for my help.
I appreciated that. But, what I appreciated more was the fact that he told me that everybody he and his family had come into contact here – ranging from where they had found lodging to the restaurants they visited for meals and other places they had been to had been helpful, courteous and friendly.
The comments of that one person may not seem like a lot. But, multiply that many times over and our community reaps quite a benefit.
Regardless of whether it is a district or state tournament or which local league is hosting the tournament, these tournaments are great events for our community and we need to support them.
It takes a lot of hard work by a lot of people and a lot of money to put on a tournament, particularly a state tournament. Host leagues need the support of help from volunteer workers and financial support in the form of sponsorships and donations from community businesses and individuals to make these events possible for our young people and our community.
Closing It Out
I want to extend a word of thanks to the officials of the local baseball and softball leagues, the coaches of the all-star teams, and the interested parents for their help with phone calls, scorebook sheets, and pictures as we have provided coverage of our local all-star teams.
With so many teams playing games out of town and so many games being played here in the county at the same time, it is impossible to provide the level of coverage we have been able to provide without the help of these many people.
Myself and my sports sidekick, Doug Ford, very much appreciate your help and your interest. We congratulate all of our all-star teams for a job well done and for representing our community and our leagues in a positive way. And, for the Halifax County National Ponytails and the Halifax County Debs, we wish you good luck in the World Series.